Courtesy Becket Law (WASHINGTON) -- Following a lawsuit filed by three churches damaged in Hurricane Harvey last year, FEMA has reversed a policy that prevented houses of worship from accessing disaster relief funds, according to a guidance document published by the agency on Tuesdy.



The disputed policy allowed "community centers" and other nonprofits to receive FEMA emergency funds for certain repairs of storm-damaged facilities, but specifically excluded houses of worship like churches, synagogues and mosques used primarily for "religious activities, such as worship, proselytizing or religious instruction."



Under the new policy, "private nonprofit houses of worship are now eligible for disaster assistance as community centers, without regard to their secular or religious nature," FEMA said. The policy applies is retroactive, effective for disasters declared on or after Aug. 23, 2017, according to the agency.



The suit -- filed by Becket Law, a firm that represented Hobby Lobby the Supreme Court Case that struck down the Affordable Care Act's contraception coverage provision -- argued that FEMA's policy constituted "discrimination" and thus violated the First Amendment's free exercise clause.



Pastor Charles Stoker, who said his sanctuary at Hi-Way Tabernacle was "nearly destroyed" by more than 30 inches of floodwater after Harvey, told ABC News in December (before the new policy was unveiled) that FEMA was being "unfair."



Even as water continued to seep into the sanctuary, Hi-Way sheltered 80 to 90 evacuees who holed up in Sunday school classrooms, Stoker said. Many weren't members of the congregation or even particularly religious, he said.



"We're not trying to cram religion down someone's throat, we're trying to help them recover, to show them love," Stoker said.



Though about a dozen evacuees remained in the church for months, most victims began to find other places to stay in the weeks following the deluge, and the church began to focus on more practical matters, like tearing out damaged sheetrock and replacing molding insulation.



"We need to get back on our feet, and we're unable to [without FEMA's help]," Stoker told ABC News in December.



Churches are "hubs for the community," which is still recovering from the hurricane, Stoker's attorney, Daniel Blomberg, told ABC. "Denying help to them, to these churches, denies help to the community."



"By finally following the Constitution, FEMA is getting rid of second-class status for churches," Bloomberg said in a statement on Tuesday. "We will watch carefully to make sure that FEMAs new policy is implemented."



Becket Law told ABC News it's not clear how the new policy will affect the lawsuit, which is currently on appeal.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.World Union of Jewish Students Recognize the Assyrian, Greek, Armenian Genocide

The World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) has formally recognised the Armenian Genocide at its 44th World Congress in Israel, after a Jewish-Australian advocate, Ariel Zohar was among the key speakers for the motion, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU). Zohar, who was key behind the recent Victorian Young Labor motion recognising the Armenian Genocide, was joined in his advocacy of this historic motion by Aaron Meyer and Yos Tarshish. ANC-AU Executive Director Haig Kayserian thanked the WUJS on this important statement for human rights. "We thank Ariel Zohar and his colleagues at the World Union of Jewish Students Congress for passing a motion that does not only recognise the genocide committed against the Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians of the Ottoman Empire, it also 'condemns' and 'rejects' any 'attempt to deny, distort, or ignore the historical reality of this genocide'," Kayserian said. "This sends a strong message to the governments of Israel, and others like Australia, that human rights are not there to be bargained for diplomatic gain, no matter the circumstance," he added. The motion reads as follows: This Congress notes...

That between 1915 and 1923 millions of Armenians, Pontian Greeks and Assyrians were murdered at the hands of the Ottoman Caliphate. The tragic crime was undisputedly carried out with the genocidal intention of eliminating these Christian communities. This was a premeditated and systematic execution of an estimated 2-3 million civilians; not a legitimate act of war.

That it is incumbent upon us as a Jewish organisation to fight all forms of racism.

To condemn and reject any attempt to deny, distort, or ignore the historical reality of this genocide. To recognise the importance of remembering and learning from this genocide, and to join the Armenian, Pontian Greek and Assyrian communities in honouring the innocent people who fell victim to this crime.

around the world to formally recognise the sufferings and injustice of the Armenians and other minorities at the hand of the then Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey)."

On his Facebook page, Zohar wrote: "Jewish students have a long proud history of perusing on the forefronts of social justice. Today is another important milestone in our activism history." "WUJS will now be formally calling on governments of Israel, Australia and others to join a growing list of 28 countriesForeign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on January 3, 2018

2018/01/03

Q: According to reports, the DPRK announced the reopening of the Panmunjom hotline from this afternoon and would discuss sending delegation to participate in Pyeongchang Winter Olympics with the ROK. What's China's comment on this?

A: We have seen relevant reports. Like what I said yesterday, China welcomes and supports the DPRK and the ROK in taking this opportunity of Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to make concrete effort to improve their relations, ease tensions on the Peninsula and realize the denuclearization of the Peninsula.

China maintains that relevant parties of the Korean Peninsula issue should seize the positive tendency in the situation on the Peninsula and work for the shared goal. China is willing to continue to play a positive and constructive role in bringing the issue back to the right track of peaceful settlement through dialogue and consultation and achieving the denuclearization and long-term peace and tranquility of the Peninsula.

Q: In response to the DPRK supreme leader Kim Jung-on's New Year speech, US President Donald Trump said on Twitter that his nuclear button is much bigger and more powerful than Kim's. Separately, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikkei Haley said that the US will not take any talks between the DPRK and the ROK seriously if they did not do anything to get the DPRK to give up its nuclear weapons. And today, the DPRK just declared it would reopen the cross-border communications hot-line with the ROK. What is China's comment on these above-mentioned remarks of the US side?

A: I took a similar question yesterday. At present, the situation on the Peninsula remains complex and sensitive. We hope all relevant parties can exercise restraint and speak and act in a way that will help ease tension and resume peace talks as soon as possible.

Like what I said yesterday, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is a security issue in essence, and its crux is the contradiction between the DPRK and the US. We hope that the two sides, as parties directly concerned, can resume dialogue and build mutual trust at an early date rather than provoke and call out each other.

We hope all relevant parties can seize the positive tendency of the situation on the Peninsula and work for the shared goal in an effort to bring the issue back to the right track of peaceful settlement through dialogue and consultation at the end.

Q: Indian reports said that in late December, Chinese soldiers rolled building machines up to 200 meters into Arunachal Pradesh, and they were confronted by Indian soldiers. Do you have any comment?

A: First, I need to point out that China's position on the China-India boundary issue is consistent and clear, and we have never recognized the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh".

Second, I am not aware of the details you mentioned. China and India have established a mature management mechanism for border-related issues, and the two sides can handle various border affairs through relevant mechanism.

Third, upholding peace and tranquility in China-India border areas serves the common interests of both sides.

Q: The Washington Free Beacon on January 2 reported that after the DPRK's sixth nuclear test in September, 2017, the Communist Party of China decided that it would offer greater economic and military aids to the DPRK and not allow Kim Jung-on's regime to collapse if the DPRK stopped further nuclear tests. Is that report true?

A: In a word, fake news.

Q: The above-mentioned incident took place just around the same time that China and India held the 20th round of border talks. Are we looking at another standoff between the two sides?

A: With the concerted efforts of both sides, the incident that took place in Donglang last year has been peacefully resolved. Besides, at the end of last year, the two sides held the 20th round of special representatives' meeting on the boundary issue and sent out positive message to the outside world. We hope the two sides can maintain the positive momentum in growing China-India relations and jointly uphold peace and tranquility in the border areas. Like what I said, this is in the interests of both countries.

Q: According to reports, on January 2, the US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley spoke in support of the anti-government protests in Iran. She denied the Iranian government's accusation that the US has been behind the protests, adding that the US is seeking an emergency Security Council meeting in the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Council in Geneva regarding Iran. What is China's stance on this?

A: As I said yesterday, China hopes that Iran will maintain stability and achieve development.

Q: According to reports, the US government rejected China Ant Financial Services' acquisition of the US MoneyGram on the ground of concerns over its citizens' data safety. What is your comment?

A: We have said multiple times that China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. The Chinese government always encourages Chinese enterprises to conduct outward investment and cooperation in accordance with market principles and on the basis of abiding by the local laws and regulations. Meanwhile, we also hope the US will provide a fair and predictable environment for the Chinese enterprises to invest and develop there.

We are willing to further advance China-US economic and trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. This serves the interests of both countries and peoples.

Q: The report of the Washington Free Beacon on January 2 was allegedly based on a leaked document from the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Is this document true? What's your comment?

A: In a word, fake document. Any person with even a modicum of common sense can tell that is a fabrication.

Q: According to US think tank Eurasia Group, the world in 2018 will continue to enter a period of geopolitical depression, and China's move to fill a power vacuum left by the United States will be the top risk for 2018. what's your response to this?

A: Like we said on multiple occasions, as a principle, we usually don't respond to the opinions or views of experts, scholars, media or think tanks specifically.

I would like to point out that the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has set an overall objective for China's diplomacy for the new era, namely, promoting the building of a new type of international relations and a community with shared future for mankind. We follow an outlook on global governance that features wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. In terms of international affairs, we has no intention to either lead or replace anyone.The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.Despite winning a heavily conservative area, Dawn Adams is not facing any negative responses to her sexuality.

Adams, who was the first openly lesbian woman to be elected to Virginias General Assembly, has faced little attention after winning her spot, according to the Washington Post. Her victory comes as several LGBT people took elections across the US, showing a change in a way members of the community are perceived.

People have understood its not an issue thats going to play well if you try to demonize people just because of who they love, executive director of Equality Virginia James Parrish said to the Post.

Adams will join three openly gay representatives when she takes office in three weeks. Her win joins Seattles first lesbian mayor, California's first lesbian state chamber leader and Oklahomas first lesbian representative in the states house.

It is encouraging to see candidates like myself being elected in the commonwealth of Virginia and beyond, not because of the color of their skin, their gender, their religion or their sexual orientation, but because of their substantive ideas for dealing with the issues, Adams said in a statement.A Minnesota mans discrimination case was resurrected after another court threw out the charges earlier this year.

Paul Bray said that allegedly Starbucks employees in Eden Prairie and Edina had treated him differently due to his transition, according to PinkNews. Bray claims workers at both locations changed how they served him after he revealed he was transgender, including one employee allegedly saying he was not a real man.

Bray later sued the company in 2014. According to PinkNews, Bray claims that Starbucks is a public place and that the employees violated state laws with their treatment of him.

Bray had his case thrown out in Hennepin County District Court earlier in 2017 because the court claimed he did not have enough evidence to prove the discrimination, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. But Judge Michelle Larkin said that the coffee chain has to explain their employees' actions.

There is a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether Starbucks discriminated against Bray because he was transgender, Larkin wrote in her ruling.Buffalo Raceway is in full preparation mode, as the 2018 season is scheduled to get into gear on Friday, January 12.

First-race post time for the opener will be 5 p.m.

Opening weekend will continue on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The tracks 88-day schedule is schedule to conclude on Saturday, July 21.

"Fans should once again expect some solid and exciting races this year," Buffalo Raceway Operations Director Jon Cramer said in regard to the upcoming campaign.

The harsh weather conditions in western New York in the past few weeks hasn't slowed down the half-mile oval from getting into racing shape.

"We put material down on the track in the fall." Cramer said. "Track superintendent Dave Dylo and his crew have been getting it ready the past week. Besides the track, they also have been busy removing snow from the barn areas."

With the extremely frigid and snowy conditions recently, Cramer said it's still business as usual at the track, which is located at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg. "It's not the norm, but it is Buffalo winter weather."

Opening weekend will feature free programs on Friday evening along with $3 off the popular fish fry dinner. On Saturday night, customers will get $3 off the home-style turkey dinner in the Winner's Circle Cafe.

The evening also will feature the return of the Lucky Exacta contest where patrons will receive a collectible Buffalo Raceway magnet with an exacta combination on the back of it. Should that exacta come in, winners will get to spin the wheel to collect up to $100 in free wagers. Also, all fans will get $10 in free play at Hamburg Gaming included with the magnet.

The Pick-5 wager will return with the sequence beginning in the second race each night. There's a 50-cent minimum wager and should no one hit it, there will be a carryover into the next night's card.

Buffalo Raceway has also instituted a new claiming rule for the 2018 season. Should a horse be claimed out of a race at Buffalo Raceway, that horse can only race at Buffalo Raceway until the end of the meet.

Post time on Wednesday and Friday evenings will be 5 p.m. with the start time on Saturday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. There will be a special 7 p.m. post on May 5, May 19 and June 9 to accommodate the Triple Crown races. Sunday afternoon action will commence on June 17 with a 12:30 p.m. post.

The draw for opening night will be on Tuesday, January 9.

For more information on Buffalo Raceway including the latest news, upcoming promotions, race replays and results, head to buffaloraceway.com

(Buffalo Raceway)New Years Eve Day was jam-packed with racing across the country, and the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Clubs New Years Eve Online Handicapping contest was the perfect finale to another unforgettable year of Canadian harness racing.

Due to inclement weather, the race cards were cancelled at Fraser Downs and Northlands Park, thus making the contest winner the contestant who earned the highest number of points out of 13. Congratulations to Steve Mihalic of Burlington, Ont., who was the only entrant to finish the contest with a perfect score.

Mihalic has been a racing fan since the young age of seven and has been an owner since 2009. He currently owns six racehorses  SR Beach Babe, Big Lis, Southwind Ion, Judy the Beauty, Exodus Seelster and Stevie Nicks.

Throughout his involvement with harness racing, Mihalic has made many memories, including his personal favourite in 2012: winning the Prospector Claiming Series at Georgian Downs with Libertys Best Star alongside his late partner Jim Carr.

On top of his contest win, Mihalic was also victorious on New Years Day at Flamboro Downs in Race 1 with five-year-old mare SR Beach Babe with Bob McClure in the bike.

For winning, Mihalic will take home a Fan Club Prize Pack and a $50 gift card to Mohawk Racetrack.

Below are the answers to the contest questions.

1) Select the driver you think will win the most purse money from his/her drives at Red Shores Racetrack at Charlottetown Driving Park (3 points).

Marc Campbell won the most purse money from his drives at CDP, as he earned $5,127.

2) Select the post position that will have the highest number of wins at Flamboro Downs (3 points).

Three winners on the days card started from Post 6 - Races 8, 9 and 10.

3) Select the leading money-winning trainer at Fraser Downs at Elements Casino (3 points).

CARD CANCELLED

4) Select the race that you think will have the fastest finish time at The Raceway at Western Fair District (3 points).

Race 9 had the fastest finish time, as Pacific Oak claimed victory in his final start. He won in 1:59.3.

5) Select the race that you think will have the slowest finish time at Rideau Carleton Raceway (4 points).

Race 3 had the slowest finish time, as Sky Lav finished in 2:03.4.

6) Winner of Race 11 at Northlands Park (4 points)

CARD CANCELLED

Not a Fan Club member? Click here to join and keep up to date with our monthly contests and promotions!An Australian biotech company has developed a new technology that some Down Under are trumpeting as a game changer for the horse racing industry.

According to an article by The Sydney Morning Herald, former Monash University aeronautical engineer Dr. Andreas Fouras has developed technology  branded 4Dx  that has the ability to produce a three-dimensional image of a horses lungs as they inflate and deflate over a course of time.

To this point, the technology has mainly been used for the early detection and monitoring of cystic fibrosis in humans. The images that the 4Dx captures are ultimately inputted to a computer program that has the ability to assess the airflow in the lungs via an algorithm.



Dr. Andreas Fouras (Photo courtesy Jessica Hromas / The Sydney Morning Herald)

The team behind 4Dx is eagerly trying to bring the technology to the Down Under horse racing industry. Early discussions that have involved leading Down Under equine veterinary surgeon Dr. Glenn Robertson-Smith have taken place, and there is currently a push which could result in a prototype machine being set up at the Cranbourne Racing Club training centre.

"Bleeding or exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage is a big problem in racehorses, with some studies showing the incidence being as high as 70 per cent of the racehorse population, Dr. Robertson-Smith has been quoted as saying.

"If we were able to understand the disease, how or when it occurs and how it responds to treatment or training, then we could manage affected horses much better."



Dr. Glenn Robertson-Smith and stablehand Michelle Jewell pictured scoping the lungs of a racehorse (Photo courtesy Darrian Traynor / The Sydney Morning Herald)

The Sydney Morning Herald article states that the technology has the possibility of being able to diagnose possible changes to a horses lungs within hours. Dr. Robertson-Smith has also said that the technology could have the ability to predict lung capacity and function in horses, which could be another tool in helping determine the possible future success of yearling horses.

(With files from The Sydney Morning Herald)National Space Society Endorses Presidential Space Policy Directive 1: Back to the Moon to Stay

Contact: Lynne Zielinski, National Space Society, 202-429-1600, Media2017@nss.org



WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- On December 11, 2017, President Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1 (SPD1), which called for the United States to "lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization" while working with "commercial and international partners."



Photo: The Moon. Credit: NASA

"The National Space Society [NSS] worked to inform the new Administration regarding its views on space policy options over the last year, and is pleased to see that two of the Society's recommendations have been adopted," said Dale Skran, NSS Executive Vice President. "A few months ago the National Space Council was set up, led by Vice-President Pence, with NSS Board of Governors member and former NSS Executive Vice President Dr. Scott Pace as the Executive Secretary. The just adopted SPD1 calls for the U.S. to return to the Moon. Both of these key objectives have long-standing NSS support, and were recommended to the new Administration at a workshop organized by NSS and hosted by the venture capital firm DFJ." The output of that workshop can be found at www.nss.org/legislative/positions/NSS-DFJ-Workshop-Recommendations-Nov-2016.pdf.



"NSS has long called for a commercially based return to the Moon that focuses on the utilization of local lunar resources," said NSS Senior Vice President Bruce Pittman. "We look forward with great anticipation to working with NASA, Congress, and the Administration to enable a human return to the Moon, this time to stay. A return to the Moon leading to a permanent settlement on the Moon is a key step in the NSS Roadmap to Space Settlement (www.nss.org/settlement/roadmap/RoadmapPart4.html ). Milestones 10 through 13 in the Roadmap relate to Space Policy Directive 1, and Milestone #10, "Robotic Confirmation of Lunar Resources" should be a top priority for NASA under this new directive."



Mark Hopkins, the Chair of the NSS Executive Committee, added, "NSS is pleased that Space Policy Directive 1 calls for a return to the Moon with international and commercial partners. NSS, via its United Nations representation and network of international chapters, has been working for decades to ensure that the development and settlement of space involves the entire human race. NSS will be urging NASA to build on the public-private partnerships which currently support the International Space Station, to bring them outward into cis-lunar space, leading eventually to a wide range of self-sustaining enterprises on and around the Moon."



The National Space Society (NSS) calls attention to Jerry Hendrix and Adam Routh of the Center for New American Security (CNAS) for their October 23rd essay: "A Space Policy for the Trump Administration." (www.cnas.org/publications/reports/a-space-policy-for-the-trump-administration)



The CNAS authors favor expansion and freeing of the commercial space sector to fully harness the resources and wealth of solar system, noting that "the pursuit of space-based economic opportunities, and a desire to colonize celestial bodies have been among the main motivators in recent decades." This is very consistent with National Space Society's Statement of Philosophy and Space Settlement Roadmap.



Hendrix and Routh continue: "The United States' broader space efforts should encourage the development of the commercial space sector by enabling the civil space sector to blaze a pioneering trail. Reestablishing a U.S. presence on the Moon in the form of raw materials mining, and then developing an orbital manufacturing 'shipyard' in lunar orbit to produce reusable trans-planetary ships for transport and colonization, should be the first steps for much-needed assurances. There are ample resources on the Moon, and the lower gravity of the Earth's satellite would make it cheaper to lift construction materials into orbit."

About the National Space Society (NSS): NSS is an independent nonprofit educational membership organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space, with with thousands of members and supporters, and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The Society publishes Ad Astra magazine, an award-winning periodical chronicling the most important developments in space. To learn more, visit the NSS Website (www.nss.org). Biographies for the quotes can be found at www.nss.org/about/bios/skran.html, www.nss.org/about/bios/hopkins.html, and www.nss.org/about/bios/pittman.html.

Evangelism Explosion International to Launch Equip America in 2018

Contact: Kelli Blankenship, Evangelism Explosion International , 954-491-6100, kblankenship@eeworks.org ARDEN, N.C., Jan. 3, 2018 / Standard Newswire / -- Now, more than ever, people need hope. As Christians, we believe the answer is Jesus Christ.This year, Evangelism Explosion International (EE) will launch a new initiative called Equip America to train individuals to share the most exciting gift they have: their faith. EE will partner with local churches in cities across America to host a one-day workshop to help Christians share their faith with family, friends, and others in a non-threatening way. In a single day, participants will learn how to present the Gospel using something they carry with them everywhere they go: their hand. Plus, they will have an opportunity to put into practice what they have learned.John Sorensen, EE president and CEO, says: "As Dr. Kennedy, EE's founder, was quick to say, 'The most patriotic thing we can do is lead our neighbor to Christ!' If that's true, and I believe it is, then what we really need today is a new wave of patriotism sweeping our nation! For that to happen, every believer in America needs to be equipped to boldly, confidently, and kindly share their faith in Jesus."Many Christians don't share their faith because they are afraid or simply don't know how. The goal of Equip America is to help Christians overcome the obstacles that keep them from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ."There has never been a time when the need for the Gospel to go forward is more urgent," says Randall Wood, National Director, EE USA. "God has uniquely positioned His followers to carry his Good News to the people around us and reach our cities for Him, one person at a time. The message of the Gospel is urgent because it brings hope to the hopeless! With each passing moment, the need to share our faith becomes more critical in our world."Equip America workshops have already been scheduled for Oklahoma City, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City. More cities will be announced in the upcoming weeks. For more information about Equip America or to register for an event near you, visit www.equipamerica.org EVANGELISM EXPLOSION INTERNATIONAL is a non-denominational worldwide leader in evangelism ministry for more than 55 years. Founded by Dr. D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1962, EE equips people how to share their faith in Christ and then trains them how to equip others to do the same. EE training goes beyond the classroom to include an on-the-job training component, where experienced trainers model the Gospel presentation for students in real-life witnessing situations in their communities.Nokia, T-Mobile and Intel have reached a major milestone in their 5G collaboration by bringing a 28 GHz outdoor 5G commercial radio system on air in the busy downtown corridor of Bellevue in Washington state. A data session was conducted on a 28 GHz radio in a field test environment using the Nokia 5G commercial AirScale solution and the 5G Mobile Trial Platform (MTP) from Intel, enabling T-Mobile to deploy its first inter-vendor 5G network. This collaboration furthers the companies goal to drive standards, enhance the 5G ecosystem of chipsets and devices and develop the best network experience for Un-carrier customers.

This milestone is a first step in moving 5G development from labs into the field, expanding 5G mmWave radio performance and propagation testing into real-world environment. The testing also allows T-Mobile and Nokia to understand how mmWave based 5Gcan be integrated with existing networks and how it co-exists with LTE.

Spectrum in all ranges from 600 MHz to mmWave will be required for 5G to meet its vision. Wide-area coverage to support mobility must be an integral part of any nationwide deployment strategy as 5G is anticipated to create enhanced broadband experiences and connect everything.

Neville Ray, CTO of T-Mobile, said: Were laser focused on building a nationwide 5G network for mobility, one that uses multiple spectrum bands, and launching field trials for mmWave spectrum is an important step forward.

Ricky Corker, head of North America for Nokia, said, The path to 5G is paved with tremendous endeavor and innovative milestones such as our achievement with T-Mobile in Bellevue. T-Mobile takes great technological strides in its network evolution and Nokia is proud be a key partner on this journey.

Nokia will demonstrate 5G on the AirScale platform at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona, Spain from February 26 to March 1.Next polls to be held under EC: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said the next general election will be held under the Election Commission (EC), not under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"Next polls will be held under the Election Commission (EC), not under Sheikh Hasina", he told journalists after a meeting on "Indo-Bangla Maitree Bridge-1" at Ramgarh in Khagrachhari.

Criticising the remarks of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia over the next election, Quader, also ruling Awami League (AL) general secretary, said the BNP chief is trying to blackmail the people fearing her defeat in next polls.

Replying to a query, the minister said seeing the progress of the Padma Bridge construction, Begum Zia started expressing her resentment on this.

About the construction of the India-Bangla Maitree Bridge-1, Quader said the construction work will be start in full swing within January.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla was also present there.

"In the last approximately 10 years, there has been unprecedented progress in infrastructure development and connectivity links established between India and Bangladesh," the envoy said.

He said the proposed bridge over the Feni river is a vital link between the peoples of India and Bangladesh. There has been a longstanding demand by the community in Tripura for this connectivity with Bangladesh, he added.

"This bridge over the Feni river will promote trade and tourism and people-to-people contacts between our two countries", Shringla said.

The proposed bridge over the Feni river is being funded by the government of India under grant assistance to Bangladesh and is being constructed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Authority of India (NHIDCL), said an official release of the Indian HC earlier.

The bridge is expected to be completed by April 2020, it read.

The minister visited the site of the bridge at Sonaipul area of Ramgarh here. Local lawmaker Kujendra Lal Tripura, Khagrachari ZIlla Parishad Chairman Kongjuri Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner (DC) M Rashedul Islam, Police Super Ali Ahmed Khan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer M Al Mamun Mian and Ramgarh Municipality Mayor M Shahjahan Ripon, among others, accompanied the minster.Massive pro-Khamenei rallies in Iran cities

Pro-government demonstrators hold posters of Iran\'s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L), and the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Iran\'s holy city of Qom on January 3, 2018. Internet photo

AFP :

Tens of thousands gathered across Iran Wednesday in a massive show of strength for the country's Islamic rulers after days of deadly unrest, with state television showing vast crowds marching through several cities.

Chants of "Leader, we are ready" were heard as images showed thousands rallying in the cities of Qom, Ahvaz, Kermanshah and elsewhere.

The demonstrators waved Iranian flags and pictures of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as placards saying "Death to seditionists".

"We offer the blood in our veins to our leader," was another popular chant.

There were few reports of anti-regime protests overnight, although it remained difficult to verify information from the provinces.

The political establishment has closed ranks against the unrest that has claimed 21 lives since it erupted last week. They say the protests, which began over economic issues on December 28 but quickly turned more radical, were part of a foreign plot to destabilise the regime.

"The enemy is always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate and strike the Iranian nation," Khamenei said. Washington continued to exert pressure on the Islamic republic, with its UN ambassador Nikki Haley calling for emergency Security Council talks to discuss the situation.

"The people of Iran are crying out for freedom," she said at a news conference. "All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause."

Even reformists, who backed the last major protest movement against alleged election-rigging in 2009, condemned the violence and the support the demonstrations have received from the United States.

But they also urged the authorities to address economic grievances that have fuelled the protests. "Officials must acknowledge the deplorable situation of the country as the first step to hearing the protesters," tweeted Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, whose father Mehdi Karroubi has been under house arrest for almost seven years for helping lead the 2009 demonstrations.

Many have been turned off by the violence, which has contrasted with the largely peaceful marches in 2009.

But on the streets of the capital, there is widespread sympathy with the economic grievances driving the unrest, particularly an unemployment rate as high as 40 percent for young people.

"The poorer section of society is really under pressure," Sakineh Eidi, a 37-year-old pharmacist in Tehran, told AFP. "But I don't think it will continue."

"Even those who maybe acted emotionally, vandalising things and setting fire to public property, know that the smoke will get into everyone's eyes and that insecurity in the country is not in anyone's interest."

Others rejected the official line that foreign powers were behind the unrest.

"I don't agree. People have reached a stage where they can no longer tolerate this pressure from the authorities," said Soraya Saadaat, a 54-year-old unemployed woman.

Mojtaba Mousavi, a Tehran-based political analyst, said Iranians do not generally support violence, no matter how unhappy they are with their government. "There are certainly Iranians who aren't happy with certain policies, frustrated people who would like to protest against their economic situation, but history shows none of these people support violence and subversion," he said. But "this week's protests turned into riots."

There were limited reports of violence on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.

Two men fired on a bank and police post in the central province of Isfahan, without causing casualties, said state television. "No information has been published on clashes or arrests in Tehran," said reformist news agency ILNA late Friday.

Police presence in the capital also appeared to have dwindled, official media and AFP journalists said.

That was in contrast with the previous two nights, when multiple deaths were reported across smaller towns, including six protesters killed during attacks on a police station in Isfahan province.

As violence grew, authorities stepped up arrests, with at least 450 people detained in Tehran between Saturday and Monday, and many more in outlying areas.

President Hassan Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but high living costs and a 12 percent unemployment rate have left many feeling that progress is too slow.

Rural areas, hit by years of drought and under-investment, are particularly hard-hit.

Rouhani on Sunday acknowledged there was "no problem bigger than unemployment", and also promised a more balanced media and more transparency.

In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests against the re-election of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At least 36 people were killed, according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.US nuclear button 'much bigger' than N. Korea's - Trump

AFP, Washington :

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Kim Jong-Un that he possesses a nuclear button that is "much bigger & more powerful" than that of the North Korean leader.

He tweeted: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Trump's message came after Kim used his annual New Year address to warn he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but sweetened his remarks by expressing an interest in dialogue and taking part in the Pyeongchang Games next month.

South Korea responded positively Tuesday, proposing high-level talks with Pyongyang on January 9.Suicide bomber kills 11 in Nigeria mosque attack

Reuters, Abuja :

A suicide bomber killed 11 people on Wednesday in an attack on a mosque in northeast Nigeria, the epicentre of the conflict with Islamist insurgency Boko Haram, military officials and an aid worker said.

The bomber hit the mosque in the town of Gamboru in Borno state, near Nigeria's border with Cameroon, during dawn prayers, said Ali Mustapha, an aid worker.

"I was on my way to dawn prayer, then I heard the sound of a loud bomb explosion inside the mosque," Mustapha told Reuters.

"The mosque was destroyed and burnt," he said. "After some hours, when we came to evacuation of the people, we saw 11 corpses, with the suicide bomber making (the total number of dead) 12."

Pictures of the aftermath of the blast showed the bodies of the dead uncovered and lined up on the ground. A building had been reduced to rubble, with only a few sections of wall left standing.

Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bears the hallmarks of Boko Haram, a jihadist group which frequently uses suicide bombers, often women and girls, to attack crowded public spaces such as mosques and markets. Despite repeated government and military assertions that the insurgency has been defeated, Boko Haram continues to carry out lethal attacks on the military and civilians. Last week four civilians were killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants on Maiduguri, the Nigerian city at the centre of the conflict with the Islamists. In November a suicide bomber killed at least 50 people in an attack on a mosque, in one of the deadliest bombings of recent years.Proposal to import meat from India turned down

Special Correspondent :

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has turned down the businessmen's proposal to import meat from India, citing adverse impact on local cattle farming.

Ministry Secretary Md Maksudul Hasan Khan told the New Nation yesterday, there is no need to import meat from India, as it will hurt local farmers.

He said that they have already sent a written objection to the Ministry of Commerce in this regard.

The businessmen recently took the initiative through the Commerce Ministry.

FBCCI President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin earlier said, the price of beef might come down to a reasonable level if the meat is imported from India.

He came up with the comment following businessmen's demand to import meat from India amid rising beef price in local market.

India exports buffalo meat only as beef trading is banned in the country amid continuous anti-Muslim hatred over slaughtering cows.

Vietnam is the biggest importer of red meat from India. "We're against import of such meat as Bangladesh has made an outstanding improvements in the production of meat in the last few years," said Maksudul Hasan Khan.

He said, currently the annual demand for meat in Bangladesh is 70 lakh tonnes, which is now being produced in the country. "As a result, importing meat from India will send the local cattle farmers in to deep trouble."

"Instead of importing, we are now looking for opportunities to export meat. We still have some problems with quality control, but we will overcome this after enforcing proper quality control method and monitoring," said the secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.Critical issues to watch in 2018

Martin Khor :

Another new year has dawned, and on a world facing serious disruption on many fronts. What are the trends and issues to watch out for in 2018?

One obvious answer is to anticipate how Donald Trump, the most unorthodox of American Presidents, will continue to upset the world order. But more about that later.

Just as importantly as politics, we are now in the midst of several social and environmental trends that have important long-lasting effects. Some are on the verge of reaching a tipping point, where a long-term trend produces critical and sometimes irreversible events. We may see some of that in 2018.

Who would have expected that 2017 would end with such an upsurge of the movement against sexual harassment? Like a tidal wave it swept away famous or important persons from their posts, including Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, film star Kevin Spacey, TV talk-show host Charlie Rose, US Senator Al Franken, and UK Minister Michael Fallon.

The #MeToo movement took years to gather steam, with the 1991 Anita Hill testimony against then US Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas being a trailblazer. It paved the way over many years for other women to speak up until the tipping point was reached last year. In 2018, expect the momentum to continue and in more countries.

Another issue that has been brewing is the rapid growth and effects of digital technology. Those enjoying the benefits of the smartphone, Google search, Whatsapp, Uber and on-line shopping usually sing its praises and wonder what life would be like without them.

But the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It has many benefits such as more convenience and choice for consumers and higher efficiency and reduced costs for businesses. But it also has serious downsides, and the debate is now picking up.

First, automation with artificial intelligence can make many jobs redundant. Uber displaced taxis, and has now booked thousands of driver-less cars which will soon displace its army of drivers.

The global alarm over job losses was sounded a few years ago and is gathering speed. Scholarly studies warn that as many as half of jobs or work tasks in industries including electronics, automobiles and textiles, and professional services such as accountancy, law and healthcare, will be replaced by robots within one or two decades.

New country-based estimates are being produced. An estimated 44% of jobs in the United Kingdom could feasibly be automated, equating to 13.7 million people who together earn about 290 billion pounds sterling, according to a 28 December 2017 article in The Guardian (London), citing a new study by the UK think tank IPPR.

In Malaysia, 54% of jobs is at high risk of being displaced by technology in the next 20 years according to a 2017 study by government-owned think-tank Khazanah Research Institute, citing a International Labour Office report.

The global alarm over job losses was sounded a few years ago and is gathering speed. Scholarly studies warn that as many as half of jobs or work tasks in industries including electronics, automobiles and textiles, and professional services such as accountancy, law and healthcare, will be replaced by robots within one or two decades.

Second is a recent chorus of warnings, including by some of digital technology's creators, that addiction and frequent use of the smartphone are making humans less intelligent (as time and interest traditionally used to acquire broad and in-depth knowledge is now replaced by the narrow skills and short span attention required by social media) and socially deficient (as relations through social media replace direct human relationships).

Third is the loss of privacy, as personal data obtained from our internet use is collected by tech companies like Facebook and Google and sold to advertisers. The companies have the data on personal details and preferences of millions or even billions of individuals which can be used for commercial, and possibly non-commercial, purposes.

Fourth is the threat of cyber-fraud, other cyber-crimes and cyber-warfare as data from hacked devices can be used to damage computers and websites; empty bank accounts; steal information from governments and companies; send out false information; and engage in high-tech warfare.

Fifth is the worsening of inequality and the digital divide as those countries and people with little access to digital devices will be left behind or even lose their livelihoods. The internet can be used by big companies or tech-savvy small and medium sized firms to establish growing markets for their products, which is one of the major attractions of the digital economy.

But firms, individual entrepreneurs and the self-employed that cannot adapt or keep pace with the new internet technologies, or that operate in places that do not even have access to the internet, are unable to take advantage of internet marketing and are also at increasing risk of their business being taken over by the big wave of on-line shopping.

The developing countries will be most badly hit by the inequities of the digital revolution; except for a few, they have much less capacity to gain. Even in developed countries, the digital revolution will widen the rich-poor gap. According to the IPPR study, low-paid job-related roles are in greatest danger as automation threatens jobs generating wages worth 290 billion pounds.

The usual response to these points is that people and governments must be prepared to take advantage of the benefits of the digital revolution and offset the ill effects. Suggestions include that laid-off workers should be retrained, companies be taught to use e-commerce, and a tax can be imposed on using robots (an idea supported by Microsoft founder Bill Gates).

But the technologies are moving ahead faster than policy makers' capacity to understand or keep track of them, let alone come up with policies and regulations.

Expect this debate to move from conference rooms to the public arena in 2018, as more technologies are introduced and more effects become evident.

In 2018, the environmental crisis will continue to attract great public concern. On climate change, scientists frustrated by the lack of action, will continue to raise the alarm that the situation is far worse than earlier predicted.

In fact the tipping point may well be reached already. On 20 December, the United Nations stated that the Arctic has been forever changed by rapidly warming climate. The Arctic continued in 2017 to warm at double the rate of the global temperature increase, resulting in loss of sea ice, and other effects. "The Arctic shows no sign of returning to the reliably frozen region it was decades ago," said the Arctic Report Card authored by 85 scientists.

The Arctic phenomenon is only one of the signs of accelerating global warming. Last year saw many extreme weather events including hurricanes, tropical storms, wild fires and drought which climate change likely exacerbated; and 2015-2017 have been the three warmest years on record.

The target of limiting global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a benchmark just two years ago by the IPCC (the UN's climate change scientific panel) and the Paris Agreement, now seems out of date and a new target of 1.5 degrees will be considered in 2018.

But it is much harder to meet this new target than the existing one, especially since the rise in average global temperature has already passed the 1 degree level. Will political leaders and the public rise to the challenge, or will this coming year see a wider disconnect between what scientists say needs to be done, and a lack of response, and what will be the impact of the bad example of the US under President Trump?

And will the developing countries get the financial resources and technologies needed by them to take climate action, as pledged as commitments by the developed countries?

Air pollution has now gained recognition as one of the world's top killers. With urban smog proliferating worldwide, including in the two big capital cities of New Delhi and Beijing, a tipping point may have been reached in public consciousness of its threat to human life and health. In 2018, there should be a big jump in policy measures to tackle this danger.

Plastic pollution in the world's seas and oceans has also reached alarming proportions with the head of the UN environment programme Erik Solheim describing it as "Armageddon in the making" and predicting there will be the same weight of plastic as fish in the seas by 2050 if this continues.

Last year there was a lot of publicity given to this problem, including estimates there were 480 billion plastic bottles in the world in 2016, and we can expect international cooperation to reduce the use of plastic and how to treat plastic waste.

Another issue reaching tipping point is the continuing rise of antibiotic resistance, with bacteria mutating to render antibiotics increasingly ineffective to treat many diseases. There are global and national efforts to contain this crisis, but these are only beginning in most countries, and far from adequate. Yet there is little time left to act before millions die from once-treatable ailments.

Finally, back to President Trump. Since he showed last year that his style and policies are disrupting the domestic and global order, and he does seem to care but even thrives on this, we can expect more of the same or even more shocking pronouncements and measures from him in 2018.

The opposition to his policies from foreign countries will mean little to him. But Trump has many enemies domestically who consider him a threat to the American system. So long as the Republicans control both houses in the US Congress, the President may feel his position is secure. But this may change if he commits what is perceived by his Party as a major blunder, or if the Democrats capture enough seats in the mid-term Congressional elections in November.

At this moment, it looks unlikely that a tipping point will be reached regarding Trump's presidency and we will probably still be discussing what new policies he will unleash, this time next year. But in politics today, as in other areas, nothing can be really reliably predicted.



(Martin Khor is Executive Director of the South Centre, a think tank for developing countries, based in Geneva).Assam is tense over draft deportation list yet government remains uninformed

Tension has intensified in the Indian region of Assam, as much of the Muslim community is likely to get expelled or forced to leave the country. The situation has turned worse especially since Monday, as after decades of long debates and Modi government's repeated intimidation  the Indian government has finally prepared a list of over one crore permanent residents as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. Moreover, the primary draft of the National Register of Citizens [NRC] published the names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore total applicants in Assam, recognising them as legal citizens of India.





In the midst of such ominous developments, the Home Minister has said 'Dhaka has no knowledge about the issue'. He said he didn't receive any information from the Indian government about forced deportation plans along Assam-Bangladesh border.







Considering the deportation of Bengalis as a purely domestic issue of India, the Minister should have understood, India would never inform about it. Our government is not in a position to do anything about forcible entry of other people from another country? There is a glaring similarity between what's happening in Assam and what happened in Myanmar's Rakhaine State in late last August.





Our government had no knowledge about the military crackdown and carnage taking place in villages which were just a stone's throw from our borders, and it couldn't also foresee the possibility of a big-scale refugee influx either. The situation in Assam is a lot different since a number of Human Rights organisations within the country are concerned and have also cautioned that millions of people could be 'stateless' if the Indian government remains rigid on the decision. Prior to publishing the list, several hundred Muslims in Assam went to court apparently to prove their nationality. Needs be mentioned, thousands of Muslim nationals have been kept in the detention camps throughout Assam in the last few years.







If our government doesn't take the matter seriously enough, it might well have to deal with another flood of refugees entering Bangladesh soon. The international media as well as the Indian media are both closely observing and reporting on the deportation issue, whereas our government remains 'uninformed'.





The government's own weakness is seen as the weakness of the people of Bangladesh against aggression from other countries. In the present age, no country is too weak or too small for protecting its sovereignty. That the government does not enjoy popular support is not unknown to others. The government is simply blackmailed.





French hospital rejects trainee doctor due to 'religious' beard

The Telegraph :

A Paris hospital's decision to reject an Egyptian trainee doctor because of his beard has been backed by a court, which agreed that patients might have seen it as a religious symbol.

Public hospitals, like other state institutions, must remain secular under France law, and staff are banned from wearing obvious religious symbols such as headscarves.

Nawel Gafsia, a lawyer acting for the doctor, named only as Mohamed A., argued unsuccessfully that the 2-inch beard did not necessarily indicate his religious practices. "My client could have been a hipster," Ms Gafsia said.

However, the 35-year-old doctor himself "did not deny that his physical appearance was likely to indicate conspicuously a religious conviction," according to a written judgement by the Versailles appeals court.

Mohamed A. was sent from Menoufia University in northern Egypt for a one-year training course at Saint-Denis hospital in September 2013.

In October, hospital managers told him to trim his beard "so that it could not be seen by staff and users of the public service as an obvious sign of a religious affiliation incompatible with the principles of secularity and neutrality of the public service," according to court documents.

They repeated the request two weeks later and terminated his training course in February 2014 after he failed to comply.

Ms Gafsia, who was asked to take the case by an anti-discrimination group, the Collective Against Islamophobia in France, said the doctor managed to transfer to the Paul Brousse hospital where he completed his course and no one objected to his beard.

"It was the personal judgement of the director of Saint-Louis Hospital that posed a problem," she said, adding that her client would lodge an appeal with France's highest administrative court, the Council of State.

In 2016 the Council overturned bans on the 'burkini', a full-body swimsuit worn by some Muslim women, that had been imposed by about 30 beach resorts on the French Riviera.

It ruled that the bans, which provoked international criticism and ridicule, constituted "a serious and illegal violation of fundamental freedoms."



Cash-strapped Sri Lanka to raise $5b in bonds in 2018

AFP, Colombo :

Sri Lanka said Wednesday it hopes to raise a record $5.0 billion through bond issues this year as it seeks to repay its substantial debts.

The country has already been forced to go to the IMF for a bailout after accumulating foreign debts of nearly $30 billion, according to central bank figures. Much of the money went towards ambitious infrastructure projects funded by Chinese loans under the previous government, which closely allied itself with Beijing. But many of these have been unsuccessful-including a huge airport in the home town of the former president. Government spokesman Gayantha Karunaratne said the cabinet had approved the decision to raise $5.0 billion through bonds. Last year the government raised $3.73 billion through dollar-denominated bonds. It secured a $1.5 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in June 2016 following a balance of payments crisis. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said last week the economy grew at a slower than expected 3.3 percent in the third quarter of last year. However, it expects the economy to expand this year with improvements in foreign capital inflows, agriculture and exports.Poisonous jar water yet to be stopped

Staff Reporter :

Most of the restaurants, canteens, street vendors and even different public and private offices are using jar water as 'safe' drinking mineral water. But a recent research had found that 97 percent of jar water are hazardously polluted. The poisonous jar water selling continues. People cry for stoppage of sale urgently.

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) which conducted the study, found one to more than 1,600 MPN (most probable number) of fecal coliform, a bacterium created from human excreta in a 100-millilitre sample of jar water. According to BSTI standards, it was supposed to be zero.

The research entitled'Qualitative Assessment of Bottled Drinking Water and Evaluation of Pesticides Residue at Raw, Washed and Cooked Vegetables', had been released recently.

BARC collected the samples from Dhanmondi, New Market, Elephant Road, Farmgate, Mohammadpur, Karwan Bazar, Sadarghat, Jatrabari, Motijheel, Malibagh, Mohakhali, Chawkbazar, Mirpur, Uttara, Gulshan and other areas in the capital city. It also collected samples from districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, Comilla, Rangpur, Pabna and Mymensingh.

"E. coli (one kinds of microbial of fecal coliform) was found in 97 percent of jar water as we collected 250 samples from 24 points of the capital city. The water is not safe. It is really seriously hazardous for human health. The water is full of



poison. The people should be aware of it," BARC Director (nutrition) Dr. Md Monirul Islam, the Chief Researcher of the team told a group of journalists.

He said that the sample collected from Sadarghat was mostly polluted.

Dr. Md Monirul Islam said, "The human excreta are mixing with drinking water supplied by Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) due to pipe lines holes and other ways."

"The traders are selling jar water in the most cases without filtering that. In such ways, the harmful E.coli is being taken by the people," he said.

"It is sure there is presence of E.coli in WASA supplied water. That water can be purified only after boiling it," he said.

Dr. Monirul Islam said, fecal coliform gives birth different kinds of bacteria and viruses which are liable for creating huge germs of diseases.

"Especially E. coli is the source of long term diarrhoea, headache, Vomiting, stomach ache, fever and many more. It also decays disease preventing capability of human body," he said.

The chief researcher warned if the level of the infection is higher, then it may destroy the red blood cell and may seriously harm kidneys of under five years old children and above 60 years old persons.

He also said the syndrome of that infection may be seen within two to eight days.

Sources said, some traders are involved in supplying jar water to shops, restaurants, street vendors and different offices with BSTI logo. But they have no sufficient equipment or other proper facilities to purify water.

Most of them keep the water in jars after taking directly from taps in unhealthy way.

Dr. Monirul said some traders use BSTI logo without proper testing. The BSTI authority should take steps to prevent it.

Kishoreganj LAO looted Tk 19cr

Alam Sarowar Tito, Kishorganj :

Allegation arose against a Kishoreganj Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) that he had embezzled Tk 18.68 crore government money. He is now working as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-Revenue) in Bhola.

The Additional Divisional Commissioner

of Dhaka Mohammad Nurunnabi submitted an investigation report accusing of embezzling money with the help of District Accounts Office insiders and Sonali Bank's officials. It is also alleged that about Tk 500 crore was looted by him as compensation of land acquisition which is still in untraceable state.

According to the investigation, 205 checks were issued to him that was not recorded in the ledger book. Using more 48 checks, he unofficially withdrew more than Tk eight crore with the help of district Accounts Officer Sirajul Islam, Auditor Jaman and Pion Dulal.

US nuclear button 'much bigger' than N. Korea's: Trump

AFP, Washington :

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Kim Jong-Un that he possesses a nuclear button that is "much bigger & more powerful" than that of the North Korean leader.

He tweeted: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his

depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Trump's message came after Kim used his annual New Year address to warn he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but sweetened his remarks by expressing an interest in dialogue and taking part in the Pyeongchang Games next month.Senior lawyers withdrawn from Masdar Hossain case

Court Correspondent :

Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA), a platform of lower court judges, on Wednesday alleged that the country's six renowned lawyers are engaged in an evil attempt to politicise the Masdar Hossain case.

The allegation was made in a statement issued by association President SM Quddus Zaman, also the District and Session's Judge of Dhaka and acting Secretary General Bikash Kumar Saha, who is a Joint Secretary to the Law Ministry.

It has also decided to revoke the power given to Dr Kamal Hossain and Barrister Amir Ul Islam to



conduct the Masdar Hossain case, the statement said. Disclosing that they have no dissatisfaction over the disciplinary rules for the lower court judges, BJSA, the association urged the six lawyers not to make any negative comments over the rules.

"As the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court accepted the rules and as the lower court judges have no dissatisfaction over those, the lawyers who issued a statement are urged not to make any negative comments over the matter," the statement read.

The statement also said although Dr Kamal Hossain, Barrister Mainul Hosein and AF Hasan Ariff served as law minister and law advisers, they did not take any step to formulate the disciplinary rules for the trial court judges. Earlier in the day, the Appellate Division accepted the gazette notification on the disciplinary rules.

On January 1,the six senior lawyers in a statement expressed grave concern over the disciplinary rules for the lower court judges.If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs.Starting Sept. 1, Texans ages 21 and older are allowed carry handguns without training or a license as long as they are not legally prevented from doing so. Gov. Greg Abbott said the law protects American gun rights. Some law enforcement officers worried the law may increase crime rates while putting officers and civilians in danger. Do you support Texas becoming a constitutional carry state?

You voted:The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.Wasl properties, a subsidiary of wasl Asset Management Group, has officially completed wasl district  the companys heritage project in the Naif area of Deira, Dubai.



The project fulfils wasls mission to maintain the citys rich history, and follows the launch of wasl district Souq in 2015.



Zainab Mohammed, chief property management and marketing officer at wasl properties, said: Wasl district project is underpinned by wasls deep respect and appreciation for the UAEs heritage, and the companys ongoing efforts to preserve and share it by revitalising older areas of Dubai. Through culturally inspired real estate projects like wasl district, the company is celebrating areas of the city that may otherwise be overlooked while also providing residents with a development that offers the perfect mix of old and new. The final phase of the project incorporates residential, retail and office components. In this way, we can fulfill our mission to enhance the real estate market in Dubai and provide all options that are compatible with our different customers."



Wasl district brings residents an authentic blend of traditional Emirati architecture with a range of modern amenities and facilities. The project offers residential apartments from studios to three bedroom apartments, some with a maids room, that range from 495 to 2,529-sq-ft in size. Each unit is finished meticulously with premium tiles, high-quality flooring and central gas, with amenities including a swimming pool, storage rooms, gated security, a state-of-the-art gym and plenty of retail and F&B choices.



The ground floor of the project is dedicated to 15 food and beverage units and 23 retail units ranging from 516 to 1,011 sq ft in size  all of which are fully equipped to meet a wide variety of retail business needs. Retailers have the option of a street-view and will benefit from high footfall in a lively district that is characterised by a holistic residential, commercial, and retail environment. The new retail spaces are complemented by the existing wasl district Souq, where visitors can find shops that sell heritage items among other merchandise.



Wasl district also features four floors of modern, commercial office spaces that range from 689 to 1,356 sq ft in size and offer infrastructure that is suitable for all businesses. - TradeArabia News Service

The UAE government has approved housing aid worth Dh322 million ($88 million) for a total of 449 Emirati nationals under its Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, said a report.



The move comes following the directives of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the follow-up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs in this regard, reported state news agency Wam.



The programme has approved support for 7,000 beneficiaries since January this year, as part of its plan to meet the UAE National Agenda leading to the UAE Vision 2021, it stated.



The housing support includes 325 loans and 124 residential grants, said the report citing Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.



This batch of beneficiaries is the last to be announced by the programme in 2017, he added.Terex Corporation, a global manufacturer of lifting and material processing products, has announced that John Chandler is rejoining the Genie team where, based in the UK, he will take over as the strategic accounts and business development manager for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia (EMEAR) region.



The existing Genie UK and Ireland sales structure remains unchanged, said a statement from the company.



Reporting to Jacco de Kluijver, Genie vice-president sales and marketing for Emear, Terex AWP, in this newly created role Chandler is directly responsible for the development of some strategic Genie customer accounts.

Working in close collaboration with Matt Skipworth, Genie senior manager service solutions, Terex AWP, he will also be responsible for supporting the development of the Genie Service Solutions (GSS) offering.



It has always been a pleasure to work with John, and we are very glad to have him back on the team, says de Kluijver.



His skills and experience go without saying. For Genie, customer service is a top priority. With his level of understanding of the market, our customers business challenges, and Genie products and services, I have every confidence that Johns multi-facetted abilities will add value to our customer sales and service offering, he remarked.



In his new role, Chandler will be supporting Genie Service Solutions (GSS). This bespoke service offering is designed to help customers rise to todays market challenges by providing them the ability to manage their fleets more efficiently.



On the appointment, Chandler said: "Im delighted to be back! Genie is a true global OEM market leader that offers a level of product quality and innovation second to none. Im also looking forward to rejoining the team and working in an environment where direct contact with customers is valued as the foundation of every business relationship."



"As illustrated by a recent series of strategic acquisitions, todays European market is highly competitive. As a result, for many rental companies, consolidating their business success in the long-term is a key concern," he stated.



"Furthermore, at a time when safety standards and technology are at a higher level than ever before, skilled technical resources are few and far between," stated Chandler.



"Keeping machines properly maintained and safe to operate is an increasing issue, and it is alarming to see that contrary to what should be expected, standards are slipping," he added.-TradeArabia News ServiceAt least 2,000 construction workers from India have been stranded in Kuwait for months with their visas expired and no money to return home as their employer, Kharafi National, a leading construction company in Kuwait, has not yet paid them salaries for nearly a year, said a report.

These include engineers, supervisors, drivers, plant operators, janitors, warehouse staff, steel fitters and construction workers, reported Times of India.



With their visas already expired and no money for food, these workers - who are mostly from the states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh - are living in dire conditions, stated the report.



And adding to their misery, these workers cannot even go to a hospital, as they are illegal residents, stated the report, citing the workers.

"With no food to eat or even a blanket to cover themselves with, we are suffering in Kuwait. In despair, many are even contemplating suicide," a worker was quoted as saying in the report.



Around 45 of them have been protesting at the office of the construction company, Kharafi National, demanding their salaries so they can return to India, The Times of India reported.



We do not have money to travel back to our camp, which is 60 km away, every day, 42-year-old Irfan Ahmed told the paper. The only thing we can do is sit here, sleep here and wait till our plea is considered, he added.



Most of the workers said forgoing their dues and leaving Kuwait was not an option as the company had their passports, said the report.



The Indian Embassy in Kuwait said it has made a list of the stranded 3,242 workers and handed it over to Kuwaiti authorities.Swoo, a live streaming and broadcasting app, unveiled the winners of the finale of its month-long contest - Swooperstar 2017  yesterday (January 2).

A total of $60,000 was given in cash prizes through the four weeks of December 2017.

Swoo is the first live streaming application, made in UAE, used by celebrities, influencers, thought leaders and experts to connect with audiences from across the globe. It was developed by Algorythma, which is the technology arm of the Abu Dhabi Financial Group.

Within four months of its launch, Swoo has amassed hundreds of thousands of users, with a dominant user base from South Asia and the Mena region. It currently has 720,000 installs and is slated to cross a million users within the next month.

Swooperstar 2017 began on December 1 and had weekly winners leading up to New Years eve. The competition was initially designed to recognise the best broadcast of the week with $10,000 based on the quality of its content and the amount of engagement received. However, it was revised to a cash prize of $15,000 total for the top three broadcasts from the second week of the competition, due to the huge response received.

The final week had four winners who took home a total of $20,000 between them. They are:

1st Place: Nadine ElRassi from Lebanon ($15,000); 2nd Place: Arunita Sinha and Jayvijay Sachan, both from India, tied for second place ($2,000 each); 3rd Place: Rishabh Singh from India ($1,000)

Nadine ElRassi, Lebanese actress, who was clearly jubilant on her win, said, Swoo has given me a fantastic platform to connect with people. I am really excited to win the mega prize and to be recognised for my ability to engage and interact with a live audience.

Divyesh Mahajan, acting CEO of Swoo, said: While we knew Swooperstar 2017 would be a competition that people would love, we were still surprised by the enormous response it received. Weve seen hundreds of broadcasters sign up over the last month and have witnessed our goal of making Swoo a platform for high quality, engaging content come to fruition.  TradeArabia News ServiceAutomobili Lamborghini has launched its third model - the Lamborghini Urus, the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle, creating a new niche in the luxury segment with benchmarking power, performance and driving dynamics, unparalleled design, luxury and daily usability.

The Lamborghini Urus is a visionary approach based on the infusion of Lamborghini DNA into the most versatile vehicle, the SUV. The Urus elevates the SUV to a level not previously possible, the Super SUV. It is a true Lamborghini in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion as well as drivable every day in a range of environments, says Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The Urus fits perfectly within the Lamborghini family as a high-performance car. It is the culmination of

intensive development and passionate skill to create a new breed of bull: a Super SUV that transcends the boundaries of expectations and opens the door to new possibilities, for both our brand and our customers.

The Urus features a 4.0 liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 650 hp (478 kW) at 6,000 rpm, maximum 6,800 rpm, and 850 Nm of maximum torque already at 2,250 rpm. With 162.7 hp/l the Urus claims one of the highest specific power outputs in its class and the best weight-to-power ratio at 3,38 kg/hp.

The Urus accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 12,8 seconds and with a top speed of 305 km/h it is the fastest SUV available, a statement said.

It offers a 4WD system with active torque vectoring and four-wheel steering for perfect handling; carbon ceramic brakes; adaptive air suspension and active roll stabilization for maximum safety and comfort.

The vehicle comes with up to six different driving modes + EGO mode available via Tamburo driving dynamics selector.

Having made its world premiere on December 4, the Urus will be available for purchase in the UAE in Q3 of 2018. - TradeArabia News ServiceDelta Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has announced the official grand opening of the 339-room Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan in China.



The opening marks the inaugural entry of the premium North American hotel brand into the booming Asia-Pacific market, and crowns a stellar year of rapid growth for the brand, which expects to expand its global portfolio to 66 properties worldwide by the end of 2018.



We are very excited to introduce the first Delta Hotels by Marriott to the Asia Pacific region, said Mike Fulkerson, vice president, Brand and Marketing, Asia Pacific at Marriott International. Delta Hotels is a premium brand with a clear brand ethos of Simple Made Perfect. The Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Boshan delivers on this promise by providing a full complement of streamlined services in a simple, straightforward way. The hotel delivers key essentials in a manner that makes travel seamless and always enjoyable for our guests.



The new Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan is owned and managed by Shanghai Baolian Real Estate. The building, with its striking Georgian-inspired facade, is strategically located close to downtown Shanghai in the citys waterfront Baoshan district, at the mouth of the Huangpu River. The hotel is a five-minute drive from the futuristic Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, which has the capacity to handle 3.6 million cruise passengers every year.



Focusing on truly meaningful elements that provide its guests with a memorable and frictionless journey, Delta Hotels delivers a fresh new lodging alternative in Baoshan area. The hotel features 339 elegantly appointed, high-ceilinged guest rooms and suites, each curated to intuitively meet the needs of discerning travellers, featuring 55-inch flatscreen LCD tvs, air purifiers, capsule coffee machines and premium bath amenities.



Dining options at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan range from casual American style at the Lotus All Day Dining Restaurant to grilled steaks at The Kitchen and sophisticated fine dining at TRU, the hotels Chinese restaurant which specialises in authentic Cantonese cuisine. Guests can also enjoy freshly baked pastries and refreshing drinks all day at the Lobby Lounge, while the sleek DWB bar is the perfect setting for business or pleasure over signature Delta Hotels cocktails. The hotel also boasts a stunning pillarless Grand Ballroom, equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment to cater for corporate events, meetings and other occasions.



Delta Hotels became a part of the Marriott International two years ago and has since become one of the fastest-growing brands in the Marriott portfolio, with a Delta hotel opening every other week.



With Delta Hotels part of the Marriott International portfolio of hotels, guests at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan can access the award-winning Marriott Rewards loyalty program and link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards programs to earn and redeem points at any of over 4,600 other participating hotels in 92 countries and territories.



Guests can also access more digital features through the Marriott Mobile app when they book direct, including mobile check-in and checkout, keyless entry and Mobile Requests to make their travel experience seamless. Marriott Rewards members will also earn points for their stay at Delta Hotels, and can redeem for hotel stays across the Marriott Rewards portfolio of brands. - TradeArabia News ServiceLangham Hospitality Group's hotel project in the Middle East is moving forward at a good pace and is on track for completion in the third quarter of 2020.



The Langham Downtown Dubai, a Dh1 billion (US$272.2 million) project featuring a 167-key Langham Place Hotel and 239 fully serviced luxury residences, will be a major hit with people across the GCC  especially those in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, project developer Omniyat said.



Since it was announced, Omniyat has registered a significant amount of interest from the GCC, China and other countries in the Far East.



The Langham brand is synonymous with the iconic London hotel that has been a favourite of royalty and A-list celebrities for over 100 years. Its holding company, Langham Hospitality Group, is based in Hong Kong and has multiple developments in the Far East.



Mohammed Hmeid, general manager of sales and marketing at Omniyat, said: We knew that bringing The Langham brand to Dubai would be first and foremost a game changer in terms of absolute quality and heritage. What is fascinating is the impact the brand has in China and the Far East  the esteem in which it is held is incredible."



In the GCC markets  such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia  there is the recognition of The Langham from regular visitors to London and so again you have the brand name truly meaning something special to people."



The tradition of afternoon tea at The Langham is one that has been experienced by generations of GCC nationals when they have visited London and it is the little touch points such as that which make the narrative of The Langham coming to Dubai so strong.



The Langham Downtown Dubai and The Langham Place Residences will be situated in the heart of the Marasi development on the banks of Dubai Canal, with stunning views of the new marina on one side and the Burj Khalifa on the other.



On its opening in 1865, The Langham Hotel was regarded as Europes first Grand Hotel and pioneered use of hydraulic lifts and air conditioning. On opening the building the Prince of Wales, who would later become King Edward VII, famously said that the hotel had everything a man, woman or child could desire under one roof.



The Langham Hotel London was frequented by many of historys most famous names, including Sir Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Napoleon III, Princess Diana and Wallis Simpson.



Omniyat is a rapidly expanding Dubai-based property developer. Since its launch in 2005, the company has built a development portfolio worth over $6.2 billion and in the next five years plans to roll out further ambitious residential and hospitality developments. Some of the companys impressive luxury projects include: The Opus, One Palm, The Sterling, The Pad and Anwa. - TradeArabia News ServiceSaudi Arabia plans to issue tourist visas for travellers from 65 countries as part of a new programme, a report said quoting a senior official.



The initiative, which will help steer the kingdom's economy away from its oil dependence, targets four categories: pilgrims and visitors, Muslim business visitors, government guests and Muslim transit passengers, said a report in Saudi Gazette.



A total of 13 historic locations and 10 museums have been selected as part of the tourism package.



Khalid Tahir, director of Saudi Arabia Muslims Destination initiative, said the aim is to serve pilgrims and visitors and achieve the Vision 2030 in increasing the number of pilgrims, enhance private sector contribution to tourism, cooperate with the public sector to develop infrastructure and highlight the historic heritage of the Kingdom.



The Saudi Arabia Muslims Destination initiative will also allow pilgrims to extend Umrah packages, the report said.The Middle Easts air passenger numbers are expected to reach 517 million in the next two decade, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has forecast.



The rise in demand for air connectivity will see aircraft movements in the region go up 5.2 per cent by 2030 and Gulf airports expected to handle 450 million passengers by 2020, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)



Globally, Iata expects a total of 7.8 billion passengers to travel in 2036, a near doubling of the 4 billion air travellers expected to fly this year. The prediction is based on a 3.6 per cent compound annual growth rate.



The Middle East region continues recording impressive growth in flight movements and passenger and cargo volumes, thereby keeping the civil aviation under the spotlight.



Changing times and unbridled airports expansion running concurrently with massive growth in existing facilities is not without challenges.



The Air Traffic Management (ATM) tops the chart of existing as well as future challenges, with the airports and civil aviation authorities eagerly looking up to meaningful platforms to deliberate about effective solutions.



The Arab worlds second biggest economy set the ball rolling by introducing in 2017 fag-end the worlds first airspace structure completely based on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) with a Navigation Specification of RNAV-1 (GNSS).



The project is expected to assist in meeting the forecasted air traffic demand until 2022 and help airlines save $15 million in fuel in the first year.



The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), along with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), has been in the lead in the efforts to reduce the air congestion through various initiatives.



Many countries in the region and beyond its borders remain active to adopt the required changes to manage the skies sufficiently for their air traffic now and in the future.



Undoubtedly the first adopter of newest technologies, the UAE is looked at by several countries for hosting forums showcasing innovation and cutting-edge ATM technologies to effectively handle the air traffic growth.



Keeping in view the authorities unfaltering concerns and ever-growing market demands, the organisers of Airport Show is introducing Air Traffic Control Forum as a co-located event of the hugely-popular annual trade show in 2018.



Backed by the government and other industry-specific organisations, ATC Forum is all set to see the leading lights of the ATC industry making it to the timely platform to hear and be heard with a one day conference and three day exhibition.



Industry players have welcomed the ATC Forum as part of the worlds biggest airport industry show, taking into account the air traffic growth projections and investments in airports and related facilities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, as predicted by the ICAO, Iata and Canso.



Mohammed Ahli, director general of DCAA and CEO of Dans, said: I consider the inclusion of the ATC Forum as part and parcel of the Airport Show is a timely decision, as they go hand in hand. This will provide a platform that will enable the regulators and the stakeholders to discuss matters of interest. Dubai is aware that ATM plays a pivotal role in making Dubai the worlds most-preferred airport destination. Dubais two international airports has put in place most advanced airport technologies to ensure safe and secured air travel, whilst improving airspace capacity.



The 2018 edition of the Airport Show is to be held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of DCAA, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, from May 7 to 9.



Now in its 18th year, the worlds largest annual airport exhibition will also have as co-located events: Airport Security, Women in Aviation and Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF). Airport Show is supported by DCAA, Dubai Airports and dnata among others.



Daniyal Qureshi, group event director, Reed Exhibitions, said: The new addition to the show will connect the air traffic control community towards the goal of supporting progress across the regions. It will bring together 1,000 ATC/ATM professionals under one roof for three days. They will discuss and debate the challenges and opportunities in the industry. The situation needs a thorough review and debate as, in 2015 alone, it was estimated that the ATC delays cost US$9.1 billion in the Middle East.



The aviation industry contributes more than 14 percent of the UAEs GDP, with over 5,200 daily air traffic movements projected by 2030. Dubai airports are expected to handle over 100 million passengers by 2020. GCAA has projected that there will be approximately 1.85 million flights in 2030 per annum to and from the UAE.



The global ATC equipment market is expected to reach $4.23 billion by 2020, according to a market study. - TradeArabia News Service

The UAEs General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted a Youth Circle entitled Youth & Sustainability in Aviation in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Emirates Engineering at Dubai International Airport.



Attended by around 70 young people representing a range of technical and managerial backgrounds in the aviation sector, the meeting discussed issues that young Emiratis face in building sustainable careers the aviation sector and propose potential solutions for the issues raised.



In attendance were Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chief executive of Emirates Group; Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA.



Sheikh Ahmed said: "It is vital that we encourage more young Emiratis to have flourishing careers in the Aviation sector in the UAE. It is a crucial part of our economy making up around 15 per cent of our national GDP. Whilst we have made remarkable strides in the last few decades, we must secure its future and make sure this continues by attracting more young people to the sector."



Shamma Al Mazrui added, "Young people are our future, so by listening to the youth of today and empowering them, we are building a platform for achieving excellence in the future. Youth Circles provide an important forum for our youth to communicate in an open and honest way with our companies and our leaders."



Al Suwaidi said: "The Youth Circle is a highly constructive gathering and I am very excited by the talent, passion and ability of our young people. To build a sustainable future for the aviation sector in the UAE, we need to continue to invest in a number of key areas. One of the most important of these areas is educating and engaging our young people so that they have the means, skills and expertise to build flourishing careers." - TradeArabia News ServiceBy Tariq Hasan for TwoCircles.net

Algarh: The Triple Talaq bill passed in the Lok Sabha and to be presented in the Rajya Sabha if passed without amendments would certainly become a classic case of judicial overkill. Instead of providing succour and financial support to a women who seeks to exert her right for divorce and fair compensation the provision of bill will end up in reducing her to penury since her husband who should have been penalised for his wrongs would be locked in jail where he would certainly not be in a position to fulfill his obligation to support his estranged wife and progeny.

Without trying to find fault behind the idea of the bill which, ostensibly is to punish the husband for committing an illegal act the bill makes it virtually impossible for the husband to fulfill his obligation to support his wife since he would be languishing behind bars for three years. Even a cursory examination of the present provision would reveal that it would instead have been advisable for heavily penalising the husband for his wrong doing. The penal amount could have been added to the normal designated maintenance amount to be paid to the wife. Secondly, the bill should have included a provision for an adequate safeguard for ensuring that no innocent person is framed. Ironically instead of this, the provisions of the bill make it very vulnerable for misuse even by a third party with vested interests. The option of arresting a wrong doer could have been provided only after the errant husband failed to pay the imposed penalty.

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This writer spoke to a number of leading religious scholars at the Aligarh Muslim University. They, while obliquely admitting that the Muslim community is paying a price for dragging its feet for years over the long standing need for reform in its marriage laws . They ruefully accepted that the community has instead landed itself in a mess largely of its own creation . Clearly, the cure for the ills has ultimately ended up in worsening the disease.

This unfortunate state of affairs has come at a time when the community is already facing intense pressures because of the present ruling dispensation which is pulling no punches in its attempts to browbeat and push the sullen Muslim community to a corner on one pretext or the other. It appears that the NDA Government is oblivious of the long term damage to the polity which this state of affairs could ultimately lead to.

Leading clerics and scholars at the Aligarh Muslim University have described the Bill on Triple Talaq as a blatant attempt not only to disturb Muslim society but also to cause long term damage to the genuine interests of Muslim women.

The scholars were unanimously of the view that under the garb of emancipating Muslim women, a political decision had been taken without even a perfunctory attempt to consult members of the Muslim community, Islamic scholars and eminent legal luminaries of the country.

Mufti Zahid, a senior member of the faculty in the Department of Sunni Theology told this writer, We were under the impression that as per the advice of the Supreme Court, the government would draw up a legislation which would help in implementing the law banning instant triple talaq. But what is being hustled through in the Parliament is merely a provision to use a criminal law which would totally destroy the future of a Muslim woman who only seeks to get rid of an unwanted husband.

Zahid said, Muslim women, like all Indian women, should have the right to divorce their husband and still enjoy legal protection to lead a better life. This Bill is designed to deprive her of even this basic right. If it becomes law, then any Muslim woman, whose husband has been accused of instant triple talaq, will herself face a tragic future. Her husband will be languishing in jail without any provision of providing her and her children any financial security. She would be left in a limbo because nobody would be ready to remarry her as she would be held responsible of sending her husband to jail.

Professor Saud Alam Qasmi, a prominent Muslim scholar and present Dean, Faculty of Sunni Theology said, The Supreme Court has declared the instant Triple Talaq null and void. When, this form of divorce is already illegal then what is the objective behind this proposed Bill. We feel that this is purely a political decision in the garb of protecting the rights of the Muslim women. The consequences of this proposed measure would be disastrous not just for Muslim men but also for Muslim women whose genuine interests are being trampled and destroyed.

Dr Rahat Abrar, Director, Urdu Academy, AMU said, All enlightened sections of Muslim society feel that the time is ripe for Muslim society to take steps to reform itself. The Supreme Courts decision banning instant triple talaq was a positive step in this direction. But by over criminalization of this Act, the central government aims to derail the entire process of Muslim reform.

Abrar said that in 1980s, moderate and forward looking sections of the Ulema had, under the leadership of the Fiqh Academy, drawn up a blue print for the reform of Muslim society including marriage laws. It is now time for the Muslim society to relook at this document and start a process of genuine reform. The government can help in this process by drawing up a more comprehensive and less controversial law against instant triple talaq and avoid taking a step which would cause extreme distress to the Muslim community.Kolkata, (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the state would offer rural houses to five lakh families ahead of the panchayat elections scheduled to be held this year.

Five lakh families of the state would be offered houses under the state governments Bangla Gramin Abas Yojna. We would provide this on January 29 across districts, she said while addressing at the inauguration of the Mati Utsav (soil festival) at Burdwan to promote the farm sector.

Banerjee also said Rs 1,200 crore compensation is being extended to 30 lakh farmers and their family whose farm land was submerged or affected by the recent floods.

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Around 79 lakh Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) have also been distributed, she said.

Banerjee also said state cooperative banks were asked to provide more farm loans as banks show reluctance to extend agricultural loans to farmers.

According to her, the state had provided a Rs 2,768 crore fund to cover more cropping area under irrigation and development at lower Damodar area which is often affected by floods.Ghaziabad, (IANS): Work in courts in 20 districts of Uttar Pradesh remained suspended on Wednesday after the state bar association declared a strike over the removal of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar from the Ghaziabad court compound a day ago.

The Bar Associations of Baghpat, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Shamli, Noida and several other districts joined in the agitation, said Ghaziabad Bar Association President Rakesh Tyagi Kakra.

The lawyers on Wednesday put up a photo of B.R. Ambedkar at the same spot from where the statue was removed just hours after it was installed.

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The police later removed the photo as well, leading to a clash between the police and the lawyers.

Finally the matter was resolved after the civic administration intervened. A request application was submitted to the administration for approval of installing the statue.

However, the Bar Association declared a days token strike.

The police has registered an FIR against 17 members of the Bar Association here for illegally grabbing public land and installing statue without government permission.

The FIR was lodged in Kavi Nagar police station by the Collectorate against executive members of the Bar Association.

The approval of the district administration was a mandatory formality which was not sought prior to the statues installation, so the statue was removed, said Additional District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh.University. The word sort of fills you with dread, doesn't it? Or perhaps it fills you with a nostalgic joy?

Whether you're a student looking at courses and making that vital decision on where to go in September if you're reaching the end of your university life like I am or you have graduated and waved uni goodbye, we all know the sickening feeling university life can sometimes bring.

Recent analysis disclosed students' mental health issues

A recent analysis of more than 15,000 UK first-year Students' disclosed mental health issues in 2015-16. This suggests that five times as many new students experience mental health issues compared to new students in 2006 which stood at about 3,000, the Institute of Public Policy Research has found.

As a continuing student, I was included in this statistic as I started my university life back in 2015. Three years on I still suffer from mental health issues and university life has not helped. That is not to say I have had no support at Derby, I most defiantly have and it has been very helpful. There is support out there for students but it is very limited as to what and when they can offer mental health support. After all, resources can only stretch so far.

I struggled with demanding workload

I don't believe some people out there understand how difficult university can be, especially if you are suffering from a mental health issue. I'm aware that sounds very patronising to some but it really is.

For me, it was the leap from A-Levels to Degree level coursework, I was completely underprepared for it and when I started my degree I struggled with the demanding workload. I do not sit exams on my course, I have assessments instead. I struggled with exams at A-Level as I am a visually impaired student so exams were very exhausting as a result.

However, I feel as though new students are not well informed about the pressure of deadlines and exams dates. there is plenty of information out there about how to cope with it all and how to look after yourself properly, but there isn't a lot of information about how isolating university can be, how anxiety-inducing and stressful it can be at times.

Telling someone you need help is often the hardest

Mental health and self-care are two things that I do not believe are spoken about enough, not just in university but in the UK as a whole. During my time at secondary school and then at Sixth Form, I experienced anxiety and depression quite severely. Being one of the only disabled students in my area, it was very hard to find someone who could relate to what I was going through. Many people didn't talk about mental health and it wasn't until I got to uni that I found several other students with mental health issues and disabilities. I just used to get on with it and handle my problems myself instead of reaching out for help, mainly because I didn't know how to and I think that is something some new students struggle with today.

That first step of telling someone you need help and support is often the hardest, I speak from experience. I think that mental health and how to deal with it in a healthy, effective way should be discussed a lot easier in a student's academic and social life. The more information that is out there, the better, especially so that support can be put into place by the time a student enrols at their chosen university.

Even with new technology these days, it can be difficult for new students to make friends. I know I did. Limitations such as mental health issues and disability can really take its toll on first-year students. Moving away from home and living in a brand new city can make some very homesick.

An undergraduate degree is not plain sailing. Its a lot of hard work, late nights and tears. Not to mention trying to make ends meet on a meagre student loan which will stay with a student for thirty years after they graduate.

Is it any wonder why students experience mental health problems within the first year of their degree?

There can be ways around managing mental health issues. Of course, different things work for different people, but from my experience writing and listening to music helps me to cope with my anxiety and depression. Deadlines and exam dates can be negotiated with the university if a student thinks it may be of some help. There can be leniency under some circumstances. But taking care of yourself should be a student's top priority.

Nothing matters more than a person's mental and physical health.

Students are more stressed, they do suffer from more mental health issues than previous generations because I believe there is a lot more pressure on them today. One in four people in the UK will suffer mental health issues at one point in their lives. No one is immune to it, it can happen to anyone. It just takes that first step to reach out and admit you need help. There is a stigma around mental health that needs to be abolished. The more we talk about it, the more we share our own experience then the more people we can help and support them through really dark times.

Isnt that something worth fighting for?Mental health has become a topic that is more socially acceptable to talk about. Celebrities are speaking up about this, and this, in turn, allows others to acknowledge their struggles as well.

There is still so much to be done though. There is still stigma related to those seeking professional help from mental health professionals - counselors, social workers, psychiatrist and the like. But luckily for people struggling with their mental health, the stigma is a lot less than it might have been 20 or even 10 years ago.

Placing mental health at the top of our agendas

The past few decades have seen lots of change and innovation, which has led to us being busier than ever, multi-tasking all the time, posting on social media all the time, facing even more scrutiny than previous generations. This affects our mental health, as has been researched and written about in the news and professional articles. It is therefore even more important to place mental health at the top of the agenda for governments and for us as individuals.

Have you been struggling with mental health and are you finding it difficult to keep your job or your relationships in a good place? You don't have to go through this on your own. There are many things you can do to get your mental health on track, from the start of the year, so you can enjoy your life like you want to.

But how do I do this, you ask?

Here are a few tips for you to start out

Remember that all feelings and situations are temporary. Yes, it might be feeling like they're going to last forever and that you'll feel like this for the rest of your life, and that there is no resolution for your situation. But there is, it's sometimes important to go through rather than stay stuck in the problem.

Going through the feelings might help you release them better than keeping them bottled up and then exploding at a later time, advises 7Cups.com

Get the help of a mental health professional. Even if you feel they are not going to be much help, you might be surprised as to how much it does help to vent and share what you are feeling and experiencing with someone that is there just for that reason - to listen and be compassionate and understanding!

I am sure after a session or two you will get into the groove of therapy and find it is actually more helpful than you first thought.

A Healthy Place.com points out that seeking help is for the brave and strong. So if you are going to a professional for help, consider yourself brave and strong. You are just tired of fighting and struggling, and you are doing something to change your current situation, and that is actually a great thing.

You know what you need the best, whether you are aware of it or not. You will get there in the end, and with the help of friends, family or even a counselor, you will get where you want in your life!

I hope these tips are helpful to you. What else can I help you with? Leave a comment below!Amber Portwood and her boyfriend, Andrew Glennon, are currently living between his home in Malibu, California, and her home in Indianapolis, Indiana, where her daughter, nine-year-old Leah Shirley, lives with her father. Unfortunately, the couple's close relationship hasn't come as good news to everyone. In fact, the "Teen Mom OG" star is currently facing harsh criticism after allowing her child to relax in bed with her partner.

As fans of "Teen Mom OG" will recall, Amber Portwood began dating Andrew Glennon last August after meeting the lighting technician on the set of "Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition," where she unsuccessfully tried to get her past romance with Matt Baier back on track.

Then, just months later, Portwood announced that she and Glennon were expecting a baby boy together later this year.

Does the 'Teen Mom' star have her child's best interest at heart?

While many fans of the longtime reality star have been quite happy to see her find love after her troubled relationship with Matt Baier, others feel that she's moved way too fast. In addition, fans suspect that Amber Portwood may not be making the best choices for her young daughter.

On New Year's Eve, Amber Portwood took to her Instagram page and shared a photo of her growing family, including Andrew Glennon and Leah Shirley, and wished her fans and followers a Happy New Year. Shortly thereafter, she was flooded with comments from concerned fans who wondered why Leah was allowed to spend time in bed with her new boyfriend.

'Teen Mom OG' fans aren't happy

Its uncomfortable, one person wrote, according to a January 2 report by Radar Online. He hasnt been in her life long." Another person added that Amber Portwood seems to have made a habit of bringing men into her daughter's life quite quickly, while a third added that the situation was "weird."

After experiencing backlash, Amber Portwood returned to Instagram, where she fired back at her critical fans and followers.

Anybody saying this is weird needs to look at themselves," she typed. "You are f**king disgusting if your head goes straight to filth." Portwood added that she, Andrew Glennon, and Leah are a happy family that don't need ignorance being shared in the comments section of their photos.

For more of Amber Portwood, her boyfriend, Andrew Glennon, and their co-stars, including Farrah Abraham, Maci Bookout, Gary Shirley, Matt Baier, Ryan Edwards, Taylor McKinney, Catelynn Lowell, and Tyler Baltierra, tune in to new episodes of "Teen Mom OG" season seven on Mondays at 9 p.m. on MTV.China rejected accusations that it had helped Pyongyang skirt sanctions after US President Donald Trump claimed on Twitter that Beijing was turning a blind eye to oil transfers to North Korea. As AFP writes in an article 'China rejects Trump accusation on N. Korea sanction breaches', Trump's tweet was the latest salvo in his battle to persuade China to tighten the economic screws on Pyongyang over its missile and nuclear programme, in a campaign that has seen him heap both praise and criticism on Beijing. The United Nations - at the urging of the US - has imposed a series of sanctions against North Korea aimed at getting it to halt its weapons development.

China has supported the moves, but critics claim it is not rigidly enforcing the sanctions, fearful that too much pressure will cause the unpredictable regime to collapse. South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, citing government sources in Seoul, reported earlier this week that US satellites had spotted Chinese ships selling oil to North Korean vessels at sea dozens of times since October. "The recent series of reports on this situation do not conform with the facts", Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, adding that Beijing did not allow its "citizens or companies to engage in any activities that violate" UN resolutions.

A defiant Pyongyang has said there is no possibility of its weapons programmes being rolled back, and that it has been developed to defend against what it terms aggression by the US and its allies. Washington insists a resolution of the crisis on the Korean peninsula depends on the North's denuclearisation.

The United Nations Security Council last week imposed new sanctions on Pyongyang further restricting oil supplies, and ordering North Korean nationals working abroad to be sent back by the end of 2019.

It was not immediately clear what prompted Trump's tweet, or if he was accusing China - the North's main ally - of directly violating sanctions targeting Pyongyang.

A State Department official later said the US was aware that "certain vessels have engaged in UN-prohibited activities, including ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum and the transport of coal from North Korea." "We have evidence that some of the vessels engaged in these activities are owned by companies in several countries, including China," the senior official said.

Separately, a foreign ministry official in Seoul said Friday that a Hong Kong-registered vessel was seized and inspected in November for transferring oil products to a North Korean ship in breach of UN sanctions. The official described the incident as Pyongyang "shrewdly circumventing" sanctions, adding that South Korea had shared intelligence on the case with the US.

In recent months, the White House has praised Beijing for its efforts to tame North Korea, and China has voted in favour of three UN Security Council resolutions strengthening sanctions against the North. But Washington, convinced that only Chinese pressure will persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to back down, has demanded Beijing do more."China has a tremendous power over North Korea. Far greater than anyone knows," Trump told the New York Times in an interview Thursday. The US president hinted at the possibility of trade action against China over the matter. "Oil is going into North Korea. That wasn't my deal!" he said. "If they don't help us with North Korea, then I do what I've always said I want to do."

The UN Security Council on Thursday meanwhile denied international port access to four North Korean ships suspected of carrying or having transported goods banned by international sanctions targeting Pyongyang, diplomats told AFP. The ban of the four vessels brings the UN's total number of blocked ships to eight.Summing up the results of 2017 for Armenia, many experts note that it was not successful for Yerevan in foreign policy terms. "Have we achieved the desired solution in Karabakh? - No! Was the 'Armenian Genocide' condemned by all countries of the world, in particular, Turkey? - No! Did Armenia become the best partner and global player in other areas? - No !" - the Executive Director of the International Center for Human Development Tevan Poghosyan lists the failures. Were these failures unexpected? No! Why? Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said about it in his speech on the "genocide" as early as on April 24:

"[The authorities of Armenia] declare 'the massacre of Christians', 'the massacre of Armenians'. Based on what do you make that claim? This is a dirty approach! What evidence do you have for such a conclusion? ... We opened all our archives. More than a million documents related to this issue were declared. If there are any proofs in the Armenian archives, let them disclose them as well. Let's declare them too. We suggest involving archaeologists, historians, politicians and lawyers to investigate and study the issue. If there are appropriate documents in the archives of third countries, let us consider them as well. Only after that we, politicians, must negotiate and make a judgement. You can't go accusing Turkey of the 1915 'genocide' without documentary evidence. It does no one credit.

In our society, there has never been anything remotely resembling "genocide." Therefore, we cannot agree with these accusations. We are ready to discuss this issue. At any time on the basis of facts and documents. We advise Armenia to prepare in a similar way. But they will not make us to accept the accusations of genocide through backstage lobbying in parliaments of different countries. You can label us, but we will never accept it. Provide evidence, and after that, if necessary, we will answer for our history. I tell it with all responsibility".

Responding to the former minister of foreign affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanian's statements that "the inclusion of the international recognition of the 'Armenian Genocide' in the Ottoman Turkey into Yerevan's foreign policy agenda was the result of the foreign policy pursued by Robert Kocharian in 1998-2008, and at the same time Yerevan maintained all possible diplomatic contacts with Turkey," but then tensions have begun, Erdogan noted:" When I was appointed Prime Minister (in the spring of 2003), there was no air service between Armenia and Turkey. But when I was appointed, I opened the air corridor. Now there is a regular freight service between Armenia and Istanbul ... In the east of my country there is Lake Van. There is Akdamar Island in this lake, which has an Armenian (belonging to the Armenian citizens of our country) church. This church was destroyed, but we restored and renewed this church. Its doors are open to Armenian citizens and tourists. It was a gesture of goodwill. Now more than 40 thousand Armenians live in Turkey who came here from abroad. Why did they move to my country? Because there are no problems between us and our Armenian citizens. We have wonderful relations within the country. Turkey is a country of peace and friendship! That is why they move here. "

Touching upon the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, Erdogan expressed the opinion that "the decision is delayed by the Minsk Group, which is not able to resolve the issue."

"But the world has already realized that Armenia is an occupier in Nagorno-Karabakh. You must free Karabakh! Withdraw your troops! Give an opportunity to tens, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis to return to their native lands. If you are so concerned about a constructive approach in this matter, then show empathy for these people. Let this be your contribution to a peaceful settlement! Who is occupying whom? Who drove whom from whose lands? Who did commit genocide against whom? The events in Nagorno-Karabakh clearly and unambiguously demonstrate the answer."Russian oil production has continued to grow in 2017, with average daily output at a 30-year high of 10.98 million barrels per day, though the pace of growth slowed from 2016 because of the countrys participation in an OPEC-led global supply pact. As Reuters writes in an article 'Russian daily oil output edges up in 2017 to 30-year high', the Middle East-dominated Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other leading oil producers agreed to cut their combined oil production by almost 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) from the start of 2017 to prop up prices.

Russia said it would cut its output by 300,000 bpd from the 30-year monthly high of 11.247 million bpd hit in October 2016 and achieved the targeted cut by the second quarter. OPEC and Russia have subsequently agreed to extend the cuts for the whole of 2018. Russian energy ministry data showed that oil and gas condensate production stood at 10.95 million bpd in December, up from 10.94 million bpd in November. In tonnes, oil output rose to 46.322 million last month from 44.782 million in November, lifted by a 0.2 percent rise in output at leading oil company Rosneft. For the whole of 2017, the average output of 10.98 million bpd compared with 10.96 million bpd in 2016 and 10.72 million bpd in 2015. In tonnes, Russian oil output reached 546.8 million last year, against 547.5 million tonnes in 2016, which was one day longer. Reuters uses the barrel to tonnes ratio of 7.33 to 1.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has said that 2018 oil production is expected to stay at 547 million tonnes if the cuts last until the end of the year, as agreed.

"Output is likely to hold around current levels following the recent decision by OPEC and non-OPEC producers to extend the cuts to the end of 2018," the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its December review. Oil markets have been supported by a year of production cuts and strong demand from China. For 2017, the oil price has risen by 20 percent to about $67 a barrel. Only rising U.S. production, which is on the verge of breaking through 10 million bpd, is weighing on the price outlook for 2018. Natural gas production in Russia was at 63.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) last month, versus 60.6 bcm in November.Russias gas exports to Europe rose 8.1 per cent last year to a record level of 193.9bn cubic metres (bcm), the companys head said on Wednesday, as the worlds largest gas producer continued to increase sales despite rising competition from LNG and other sources, Financial Times reports.

Gazprom, which has a monopoly over Russias gas pipelines to Europe, has been forced to reduce its prices as EU countries invest in terminals to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from suppliers such as Qatar, while the US has also started shipping gas to Europe.

The second consecutive year of record exports on the one hand demonstrates the rapidly growing demand of European countries for Russian gas, and on the other  its reliability to supply the required volumes, said Gazprom chairman Alexei Miller.

Gazproms total gas production rose by an annual 12.4 per cent last year to 471bcm, Mr Miller added.

The company is spending record amounts on capital expenditure as it builds a new pipeline to China, as well as pipelines to Turkey and Germany, despite political opposition from many eastern European countries  with the support of the US  seeking to reduce Europes reliance on Russian gas.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed beggining of a dialigue between Seoul and Pyongyang, Guterres spokesman Farhan Haq.

According to him, international organization remains committed to ensuring compliance with UN Security Council resolutions on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

"We hope that strengthening of diplomatic initiatives will help to achieve this goal," Haq said.Iran will not give up its strategy of supporting the peoples of the Middle East, the secretary of the republic's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said.

Commenting on the reaction of the West to the wave of protests in major Iranian cities, he stressed that the US is trying to isolate Iran "to not become an example to follow by the regions peoples in depending on its own capabilities". According to Shamkhani, its hostility against Iran is explained by the desire of the US, Israel and their accomplices to weaken the resistance forces in the region and force them to capitulate. At the same time, he pointed out that Iran will continue to defend the Palestinian people and Lebanese people, and to defend Syria and Iraq.

The secretary also drew attention to the fact that the US military presence in Syria is illegal. According to him, Iran and Russia are in Syria upon a legitimate request by the Syrian Government to the contrary of the US which constitutes an occupying force. Shamkhani regarded the presence of US troops as an occupation, noting that "Iran will support Syria, seeking the withdrawal of the US troops from the country."

He also noted that the Iranians "do not wage wars against the US in Syria". "The US occupation forces must leave Syria, they cannot stay there for a long time, we call upon all the international forums to condemn the US occupation in Syria," the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council said.

In addition, he condemned the duplicity of US President Donald Trump, who "makes public anti-Iranian statements, and secretly wants to enter into secret talks with Tehran." "The head of the White House sought a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani during the UN General Assembly, but Iran refused," TASS cited Shamkhani as saying.

According to him, America's attempts to turn the Gulf Cooperation Council into an anti-Iranian alliance failed because of Qatar's position. "Iran is in solidarity with the Qatar people, just as in the case of Kuwait, which was attacked by the troops of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 1990," the admiral said.

The Iranian Interior Ministry said the police and internal security forces "fully control the situation in Tehran and other cities of Iran where street protests took place.

More than 20 people have died and hundreds have been arrested following violent clashes in Iran as anti-government protests continue across the country since December 28, 2017.The Kiev Regional Court did not satisfy a suit of the State Immigration Service against former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, InterPressNews reported citing NewsOne.

Mikheil Saakashvili was requesting to be granted the status of a person requiring additional protection. Mikheil Saakashvili's lawyer Ruslan Chernolutzky said they would appeal against the court's decision.

According to the lawyer, the State Immigration Service violated the law when it did not grant Saakashvilis request for additional protection. The ex-president's lawyer requests the Service to examine the application once again and focus on the risk of possible extradition to Georgia.North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un gave an order to reopen a border hotline with South Korea at the truce village of Panmunjom.

Mr Kim gave an order to reopen a border hotline with South Korea at 3:00pm (local time), North Korean official Ri Son Gwon said.

Pyongyang said it would resume communications at the truce village of Panmunjom at 6.30am GMT on Wednesday, the Guardian reported.

The North's unscheduled statement, read out on state television, came a day after Seoul proposed high-level discussions amid a tense stand-off over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes.

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of Kaesong, a border factory town that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.NATO does not want a new cold war with Russia, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

"We need to address the fact that we see a more assertive Russia to the east. At the same time NATO's message is that we don't want a new Cold War. We don't want a new arms race and we want political dialogue with Russia," Stoltenberg told Germany's DPA news agency.

In addition, NATO chief said that he expects increased dialogue between Russia and the transatlantic alliance in 2018.

According to him, the alliance supports improvements to "political dialogue" and "military lines of communication."

"We are moving forward both on the political dialogue and the military lines of communication, and the whole alliance is behind that," Deutsche Welle Stoltenberg as saying.North Korea and South Korea established contact for 20 minutes on a hotline that's been dormant for almost two years today.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un gave the order to open the line with South Korea at the truce village of Panmunjom at 3.00 p.m local time (1:30 a.m. ET), according to an announcement on state media in the hours before the call.

The North Koreans made the call at exactly the time ordered, and the sides were on the phone from 3:30 p.m. local to 3.50 p.m. local time (South Korea is half an hour ahead of North Korea), South Korea's Unification Ministry said.

It's not clear what was said, though contact had been initiated after Kim expressed hope that a North Korean delegation may participate in next month's Winter Olympics, to be held in South Korea, CNN reported.Iran's law enforcement agencies have taken extra security precautions around the Russian embassy in Tehran, a source at the embassy said.

"The local diplomatic police have tightened security. Reinforced police cordons can be seen around the premises. Inside the embassy certain entry restrictions have been introduced," TASS cited a source as saying.

He described the situation in Tehran as "stable on the whole." "There were some demonstrations in the city on January 2, but we did not see them," a source added.

Current unrest in Iran began on December 28. Demonstrators in various cities were protesting against price hikes. Clashes between protesters and police left at least twenty dead. Several police were killed. The Iranian authorities say 450 rioters have been arrested.US President Donald Trump doubled down on his support for Iranian protesters Wednesday, assuring that at the appropriate time they would see aid from the United States, Fox News reported.

Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time! Trump tweeted.

The president initially posted a tweet that described Iran as a corrupt and poorly run country, but then deleted the tweet, changing his statement to corrupt government, as opposed to the country as a whole.The US may stop aid payments to Palestinians who are "no longer willing to talk peace", the country's President Donald Trump said.

In a pair of tweets he said the United States received "no appreciation or respect" in return for its aid.

"It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," Trump posted on his Twitter page.

"We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" he added.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit France on January 5 for talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to explore an improvement of ties with the European Union and discuss regional issues.

The two will meet at the Elysee Palace in Paris with talks expected to cover a range of issues from bilateral and Turkish-EU ties and trade to the developments in Syria and Palestine, PressTV reported.

The two sides will also sign an agreement in the military sphere. It is expected that Turkey and Eurosam consortium will sign an agreement on purchase and sale of Aster-30 Block 1NT long-range missile.The cooking oil producer, Tuong An Vegetable Oil Joint-Stock Company, plans to provide 50,000 tonnes of cooking oil to the market for the Lunar New Year holiday.  Photo saigondautu.com.vn

HCM CITY  The cooking oil producer, Tuong An Vegetable Oil Joint-Stock Company, plans to provide 50,000 tonnes of cooking oil to the market for the Lunar New Year holiday.

The company said that the yield was up by 10 per cent over the same period last year to meet increasing demand and that the price would be stable during the holiday period.

This year, the company will launch new products for Tet. Two kinds of packages will be sold, which can be used as gifts for relatives and friends.

Tuong An is one of the biggest cooking producers in Viet Nam. Last year, it was acquired by the food producer KIDO Group.

In the first three quarters of 2017, the companys revenue jumped by 6 per cent over the same period of the previous year, reaching over VN3 trillion (US$131 million).

The company predicts that for 2017, it will reach a profit of VN165 billion ($7.3 million), nearly doubling that of 2016.

It also plans to expand distribution in HCM City and in eastern provinces. VNSHCM CITY  The HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to set up 10 safe farm produce markets that will open every weekend to bring together producers and buyers of clean agricultural products.

The first market opened in August 2016 at the ong Ho Restaurant in District 10.

Initially it opened every other week, but now it opens on Saturdays.

Similar markets now operate every Sunday at Le Van Tam park in District 1 and Le Thi Rieng park in District 10.

Each market features around 20 producers and traders selling rice, vegetables, fruits, poultry, pork, and seafood.

Around 500-1,000 people shop at each market every week, bringing in VN175-265 million (US$7,700-11,600) in revenues, according to the department.

Le Ha Mong Ngoc, director of Nam Viet (Vietnamese mushroom) Biotech JSC and head of Nam Viet Co-operative, sells her produce at these markets though they are also sold to major supermarkets.

Selling there is a good way to learn about the market and consumer, she said.

Customers who shop at these markets are highly aware of food safety and hygiene.

Over time customers place orders by phone, and their purchases are delivered to their home, she told Nguoi Lao ong (Labourers) newspaper.

Mai Thi Thuy Trang, owner of Tai Thinh Phat, a prawn, crab and fish supplier to seafood processing and export companies in Ca Mau Province, said though her products meet the very strict requirements of international markets, she still found it difficult to sell locally because consumers did not trust sellers.

But now, thanks to these markets with strict food safety regulations, customer trust has increased.

We now can convince consumers easier. As long as we ensure product quality, customers will come back.

The three safe farm produce markets are running smoothly, and the department plans to have 10 by 2020.

Four more will soon open in Districts 2, 7, Tan Binh, and Binh Tan.

When asked why few such markets are being opened though demand for clean and organic agricultural produce is high, an official from the departments Centre for Counselling and Support for Agriculture blamed it on the many requirements for setting up a standard market.

He pointed out the location has to be large and needs to have parking space, a place to store traders equipment and electricity to refrigerate meat and seafood, yet be affordable for household and small businesses.

The department has called for greater participation in the markets by household businesses and farmers in the Mekong Delta to diversify the products sold.

To qualify as sellers, participants need to prove their products are clean and safe, belong to the citys safe food chain and meet VietGAP (Vietnamese good agriculture practices) or GlobalGAP standards.

Samples of products sold at the market are regularly collected for tests by the Food Safety Management Board.

Of 540 vegetable and fruit samples it collected over several months starting last July, five were found to have organic phosphate and carbamate exceeding permitted levels.

Their growers have since been banned, and to reenter the markets they have to do another residue test before seeking the departments permission.

We have received many applications to participate in these markets. But many businesses cannot provide certifications [for VietGAP standards], Bui Van My, head of the Centre for Counseling and Support for Agriculture, said.

Even businesses which have been accepted to the markets can be removed if their certifications expire. They can only resume selling at the markets when their certifications are renewed.

In the long run, the department plans to privatise these markets and only monitor food safety, he added.  VNSQUANG NAM  The Chu Lai Open Economic Zone attracted 23 projects in 2017. Three were foreign investment projects worth US$16 million.

Total investment of US$1.4 billion was made during the year, 13.5 times as much as the year before.

Director of the Economic Zone Authority (EZA), o Xuan Dien, said this was the biggest growth in investment since the economic zone opened in 2003.

He said business promotions and forums were held in the province, HCM City, Macau-China and this years APEC meeting in Quang Nam.

Dien said infrastructure and administrative reforms had been promoted to smooth the way for investors.

He said the zone had attracted 138 projects, of which 34 were FDI projects worth $1 billion involving total investment of $3.68 billion since 2003.

Eighty-eight projects worth more than $1.3 billion, are in operation, including 24 FDI projects worth $227 million.

At an investment promotion conference in June, the province presented investment licences to 32 projects with a total registered capital of $15.8 billion. The biggest licence was a US$10 billion framework agreement signed between Exxon Mobil and the State oil and gas giant PetroVietnam (PVN) to develop a power plant using natural gas from the Blue Whale field off the coast of Quang Nam.

A series of huge tourism property projects also began construction in 2017, including Vinpearl South Hoi An worth $213 million; An Thinh resort complex ($191 million); beach resort Opal Ocean View ($205 million); Binh Duong resort complex ($206 million) and an infrastructure project at Tam Thang Industrial Park ($220 million).

Last year, Japans Mazda Motor Corporation, in co-operation with local Truong Hai Automobile Joint-Stock company (Thaco), started construction of a new Mazda plant at a total investment of $380 million.

The 32,400ha zone has invested $39 million to dredge the main ports of Tam Hiep and Ky Ha for ships with a capacity of 10,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) and 20,000 DWT.

Direct sea routes were launched from Chu Lai to Incheon in Korea, and Fangcheng in China for hosting textiles, automobiles, logistics experts, exports and investment flows from Korea and Japan.

According to Nguyen Hong Quang, head of the provincial secretariat, the budget carrier VietJetAir and US partner Parsons Brinckerhoff have proposed a master plan for development of Chu Lai airport as an international airport in 2020-25.

It will host in host 2.3 million passengers and handle 1.5 million tonnes of cargo per year.  VNSForeign traders not present in Viet Nam will have the right to export or import under Vietnamese law and international treaties that the country has signed. Photo cafef.vn

HA NOI  Foreign traders not present in Viet Nam will have the right to export or import under Vietnamese law and international treaties that the country has signed.

This is one of several positive changes expected in the business environment as a set of new policies that take effect early this year.

The changes will directly impact import and export, production and business activities, officials have said.

As the country integrates deeper into the global economy, importers and exporters have paid great attention to the Law on Foreign Trade Management, which is expected to improve the management of foreign trade activities in Viet Nam.

It is the first time that several provisions on anti-dumping, anti-subsidies and other safeguards are being written into law, and these are expected to make it easier to resolve trade disputes, thereby facilitating foreign trade.

They stipulate that foreign traders not present in Viet Nam can engage in export or import in compliance with provisions of Vietnamese law and international treaties that Viet Nam is a party to.

The law specifies administrative measures like prohibiting, restricting or stopping the import and export of particular goods or services as warranted by circumstances.

It also deals with the application of technical measures, especially those relating to hygiene and sanitation.

Auto industry hit

Under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFT) commitments, a zero per cent tax will apply on cars imported from the bloc with a localisation rate of 40 per cent or more in the country of origin.

The models most imported from the ASEAN market, especially Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, include pickup trucks, Toyota Fortuner, Honda CR-V, Ford Everest and Toyota Yaris.

In an effort to boost the national automobile industry in the context of the zero import tax, the Vietnamese Government has issued Decree No. 125/2017/N-CP, approving the application of zero tax on auto parts imported from ASEAN nations so that locally assembled cars can be cheaper.

Enterprises eligible for this tax incentive will have to meet conditions relating to manufacture, assembly, import, warranty services and auto maintenance set in the Decree 116/2017/N-CP.

Under Decree 116, importers have to get an automobile importing business licence from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. To qualify for this, importers must have appropriate warranty and maintenance facilities and be authorised by the manufacturers in exporting countries to conduct recalls in Viet Nam if needed.

Decree 125 also changes regulations on used cars in an effort to minimise their imports. Specifically, cars with nine seats or less (including drivers) and engine displacement under 1,000cc will attract a flat tax of $10,000 each, double the current rate.

Used cars with engines of 1,000cc displacement or more and passenger cars of 10-15 seats are subject to varied tax rates. Accordingly, for vehicles with engine displacements of between 1,500cc and below 2,500cc, the tax will be calculated thus: a tax rate of between 150 and 200 per cent on the taxable price, plus $10,000. For used vehicles of 2,500cc or more, $15,000 will be added to the tax rate of between 150 and 200 per cent on the taxable price.

The businesses must also commit to producing and assembling vehicles that meet Euro 4 emissions standards (from 2018 to 2021) and Euro 5 (from 2022 onwards).

According to the revised Special Consumption Tax Law, effective January 1, 2018, passenger cars with nine seats and less and engine displacement of 2,000cc and less will enjoy a five per cent reduction in special consumption tax, which means the rate goes down from 45 per cent 40 per cent.

The New Year has also witnessed new actions from the Vietnam Register on emission standards for cars and motorbikes.

As of January 1, the agency has stopped registering or granting technical safety certificates for newly-manufactured, assembled or imported autos that use diesel engines with emission levels below Euro 4 standards. Euro standards are a series of emission control standards compiled by the European Union for all new land vehicles. Euro 6, currently the highest standard, is widely used across European countries.

Experts have said the leading cause of air pollution in Viet Nam is from various means of transport, particularly engine-run vehicles, necessitating strict limits on their emissions.  VNSViet Nam gained its highest ever seafood export value of US$8.32 billion in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop.  Photo vietnambiz.vn

HA NOI  Viet Nam gained its highest ever seafood export value of US$8.32 billion in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The US, Japan, China and South Korea were the top four export markets for Vietnamese seafood products, accounting for 55.3 per cent of the total national export value.

Viet Nams export markets with strong growth in seafood export value included China (up 64.4 per cent), the Netherlands (up 48.6 per cent), the UK (up 36.4 per cent), South Korea (up 29.1 per cent), Canada (up 22.3 per cent) and Japan (up 20 per cent).

The Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said shrimp exports provided the biggest contribution to the total national seafood export value, with a growth rate of 21 per cent to $3.8 billion in export value for 2017.

The strong growth in shrimp exports was mainly due to confidence of export markets for Vietnamese shrimp products, said Truong inh Hoe, VASEP general secretary.

Other reasons for strong growth in shrimp exports included an increase of 10 per cent in export shrimp price, higher quality of material and high volume of processed products, Hoe said.

Shrimp export value increased by 60 per cent to China, 42 per cent to the US, 33 per cent to South Korea and 18 per cent to Japan.

Meanwhile, the export value of tra fish (pangasius) reached nearly $1.8 billion in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 4 per cent despite difficulties in many export markets.

Viet Nams tuna export value achieved a year-on-year increase of 16 per cent to $600 million while export value of squid and octopus stood at about $600 million, gaining strong growth of 42 per cent.

A surprising point regarding Viet Nams seafood exports in 2017 was that China surpassed the US as the top export market of Viet Nams tra and shrimp products.

China was the leading export market of Vietnamese tra fish with a year-on-year surge of 37 per cent in 2017 to $420 million and the third largest shrimp export market of domestic shrimp products after the EU and Japan. Viet Nam gained a year-on-year increase of 60 per cent from the export value of shrimp to China to $677 million.

VASEP said that China will continue to be an important market for local seafood enterprises in the future because Viet Nams seafood exports to the EU and the US still face anti-dumping tax and technical barriers.

Seafood exports in 2018 are expected to reach over $8.5 billion, up about 3 per cent compared to 2017, though Viet Nams seafood exports to the US and EU markets will continue to be affected by catfish inspection, anti-dumping and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), according to the VASEP.

To achieve this target, Viet Nam must pay attention to antibiotics to ensure quality and competitiveness of Vietnamese seafood material, Hoe said.

The nation should implement traceability for seafood export products of Viet Nam as per demand of markets importing Vietnamese products, he said.

Local seafood enterprises should also focus on applying technology in processing seafood products for export to increase added value and competitiveness of Vietnamese products, he said.

Agro, forestry exports up

The export value of agro, forestry and seafood products reached a record $36.37 billion this year, a year-on-year increase of 13 per cent, according to the ministry.

The export of major agricultural products was estimated at $18.96 billion, a year-on-year growth of 15.7 per while the export value of forestry products in 2017 was estimated at $7.97 billion, an increase of 9.2 per cent year-on-year.

Total rice exports for the year reached 5.89 million tonnes, earning $2.66 billion, a year-on-year surge of 22.4 per cent in volume and 23.2 per cent in value.

China continued to be the largest buyer of Vietnamese rice, accounting for 39.5 per cent of the total exports.

Rubber, tea, cashew nuts and other produce also saw high growth in 2017.

In 2017, rubber exports reached 1.39 million tonnes worth $2.26 billion, a year-on-year increase of 11 per cent and 35.6 per cent, respectively, in volume and value. China, Malaysia and India were the three largest rubber buyers.

High prices pushed cashew nut exports to 353,000 tonnes worth $3.52 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.9 per cent in volume and 23.8 per cent in value. The US, the Netherlands and China were top importers.

This year, the export of tea was estimated at 140,000 tonnes worth $229 million, up 7.2 per cent in volume and 5.6 per cent in value over last year.

Exports of cassava and cassava products were estimated at 3.95 million tonnes in volume and $1.04 billion in value for a year-on-year surge of 6.9 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively.

However, coffee exports decreased slightly by 20.2 per cent in volume to 1.42 million tonnes and 3.8 per cent in value to $3.21 billion. Germany and the US were still the top two export markets for Vietnamese coffee.

There was a strong reduction in pepper exports in 2017 because export prices fell sharply by 35 per cent over the previous year. While pepper export volumes surged by 20.5 per cent to 214,000 tonnes, its value fell 21.9 per cent to $1.12 billion, compared to 2016. - VNSCAN THO  Can Tho will focus on investment and trade promotion activities in key countries, including the United States, Japan and South Korea, this year.

Nguyen Khanh Tung, director of Can Tho Trade, Investment Promotion and Exhibition Centre, said this at a conference on plans of investment and trade promotion, trade fair and exhibition this year, held by the centre in Can Tho City on January 2.

Tung said Can Tho will focus on attracting investment in large projects, including a logistics centre, the Viet Nam-Japan Industrial Park in Can Tho, a concentrated information technology zone and a high-tech agricultural zone.

In particular, this year, the city will push for investment in the Viet Nam-South Korea Incubator Park , specialising in information technology.

In addition, Can Tho will hold 15 events that promote investment in its hi-tech agriculture sector in Lam ong Province , HCM City and ong Thap Province and introduce Can Thos investment environment, policies, potential and opportunities to investors in the United States , Japan and South Korea .

During the conference, Truong Quang Hoai Nam , vice chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee, said the centre sould seek cooperation with other departments and sectors to develop the citys trade and investment promotion activities.

Last year, Can Tho City attracted 77 foreign direct investment projects with total capital of US$656 million.

Meanwhile, trade promotion activities also helped Can Tho increase its revenue from exports and services to $1.77 billion in 2017, 13.9 per cent and 5.9 per cent higher than the yearly plan of 2017.  VNSHCM CITY  The construction industry enjoyed strong growth last year and is expected to maintain the momentum this year too, experts have said.

Speaking at a seminar on the development potential of the Vietnamese construction industry in 2018 held in HCM City on January 2, economist inh The Hien said the industrys high growth rate in the past 10 years -- with its revenues going up from US$1.2 billion in 2007 to nearly $13 billion last year - had been supported by economic recovery, the Governments investment in infrastructure and housing, and the liberal issuance of building permits.

Last year the real estate sector had the largest number of new businesses followed by the construction sector.

Among listed companies, construction companies had among the highest growth rates in terms of revenues and profits in 2015-17, Hien said.

The strong FDI flows and mergers and acquisitions deals in the real estate sector at the end of 2017 would push up demand for infrastructure and construction of housing and factories, which would give the construction industry a boost this year, he said.

Bui Quang Tin, CEO of Bizlight Business School, said according to the Ministry of Transport, Viet Nam needs $48 billion for infrastructure development in the next five years.

The strong recovery by the property sector in recent years has meant construction companies have their order books always full, he said.

Previously, domestic construction companies had worked for foreign contractors, but now we dominate the construction market.

Some companies like Hoa Binh Corporation have even bidden for foreign construction projects as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, he said.

Nguyen Van Hiep, former director of the HCM City Department of Construction, said the countrys construction companies now have advanced engineering and construction know-how.

He urged them to expand their operations abroad, warning that if one day the domestic property market slumps, the construction industry would "die".

The Government should have policies to encourage construction firms to go abroad, he added.

Le Viet Hai, vice chairman of the Viet Nam Association of Construction Contractors, said the revenue of global construction industry reached an estimated $11 trillion last year.

If local builders go abroad to work and earn 1 per cent of this amount, that would be worth billions of dollars, he pointed out.

There is a huge opportunity for the firms to go abroad because the construction cost in other countries is around $2,000 per square metre, but it is only $500-$1,200 in Viet Nam, he said.

In addition, Vietnamese firms are no less competent than their foreign counterparts in the construction of high-rise buildings and have gain great trust among foreign investors, he said.

For instance, Hoa Binh Corporation has won two bid packages in Kuwait and also been contracted for construction in Malaysia and Myanmar, he said.

Hai said the association has submitted a proposal to turn the export of construction services into a key economic sector.

It is necessary to go abroad when local enterprises are qualified to do so, he added.  VNSHA NOI  Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said Viet Nam should learn from the European Union (EU) to manage the operation of companies such as Uber and Grab to ensure fair competition with traditional taxi firms.

At a conference of the General Directorate for Road of Viet Nam on Tuesday, The said the management of Uber and Grab remained controversial worldwide.

However, in December, the EUs top court ruled that Uber should be classified as a transport service and regulated like other taxi operators despite Ubers argument that it was simply a digital app acting as an intermediary between drivers and passengers.

We should learn from the EU to manage this service, The said, urging relevant management authorities to raise proposals to manage Uber and Grab following the established regulations and ensure a healthy competition environment.

HCM City Taxi Association recently proposed that the transport ministry regulate Uber and Grab as taxi operators.

The association also suggested that Uber and Grab be banned from using foreign capital source to offer promotions aimed in getting a share of the taxi transport, and then reporting losses to avoid paying taxes.

In a related move, taxi firm Anh Duong Viet Nam Company (Vinasun) sent a document to the Ministry of Transport proposing that Grab and Uber should also be regulated as taxi operators.

Reuters reported that Uber has transformed the taxi industry since its launch in 2011 and currently operates in more than 600 cities globally.

The boom in Uber and Grab cars in major cities, including Ha Noi and HCM City, during the past three years has pushed traditional taxi firms into a lot of difficulties.  VNSHA NOI  Total 169 million shares were sold out in 28 auctions of State capital in the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) in 2017, raising total capital of over VN2.6 trillion (US$114.5 million) for the State budget.

The number of auctions for State capital made up 71 per cent of the total number of auctions in 2017.

Auctioners include major State corporations such as the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the Viet Nam National Shipping Line (Vinalines) and Song a Corporation.

In December alone, some VN949 billion ($41.7 million) was raised through seven auctions of shares held by State-owned enterprises.

More than 365 million shares were put up for sale in the month, 6.9 times higher than November, but only over 50 million shares, equal to 14 per cent of the offered volume, were sold to investors.

Smaller IPO number

Only ten inital public offering (IPOs) were held last year, much lower than the numbers in 2015 (64 IPOs) and 2016 (30 IPOs). The total number of shares sold was over 321 million, accounting for 49 per cent of the total number of shares offered, with a total value of more than VN5 trillion.

Three IPOs with 138 million shares were sold out, collecting more than VN2.3 trillion for the issuers. In particular, the IPO of Viglacera Corporation saw 100 per cent of the shares being sold out, attracting the attention of more than 1,000 investors, the highest since 2015, with 92 per cent of the shares sold to foreign investors.

In January, HNX plans to host 15 auctions with a total volume of 559 million shares.  VNSSome ship builders have been making ships that are not good enough for fishermen.

They had their boats for only a short while when they started to give problems.

Now, they want money from the ship building company to make up for their losses.

The fishermen are from the central coastal province of Binh inh.

BINH INH  Fishermen in the south central coastal province of Binh inh have asked two companies to pay compensation for damage to their new steel ships.

Phan Trong Ho, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said 19 fishermen families have sent a proposal to the department asking Nam Trieu and ai Nguyen Duong companies in the northern province of Nam inh for compensation of VN45.6 billion (more than US$2 million), zing.vn reported.

In June this year, the two shipbuilders were found to be violating shipbuilding contracts, delivering dozens of substandard steel fishing ships to the fishermen.

The fishermen claimed their new steel ships built in accordance with Decree 67 of the Government were damaged after only a short time of use and they have laid on the shore while waiting for repairs for the past nine months.

Ho said 14 families asked Nam Trieu One Member Limited Company to pay VN36.5 billion and five other families asked ai Nguyen Duong Co., Ltd to compensate them with more than VN9 billion.

The two businesses are expected to respond to the proposal on Friday. The department will let the two sides negotiate to reach a deal.

If negotiations fail, the department will instruct fishermen to sue the shipbuilding companies on the basis of the signed contract. The Binh inh Lawyer Association is also ready to support and protect the interests of the fishermen for free," Ho said.

According to the fishermen, the compensation includes the costs of repair, hiring of labourers, towing vessels, damaged seafood, profits lost and principal and interest payments to banks.

Earlier, on November 30, the department organised a meeting between the fishermen and representatives of the two enterprises. At this meeting, 19 steel ship owners asked the two companies to compensate them with VN37 billion. Later, they recalculated the damages and asked the companies for an extra VN8.6 billion in compensation.

Tran Chau, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said the two shipbuilders had agreed to pay some damages to the fishermen. However, the companies said they would need to review the amount and items on the compensation list.

The province would hold a meeting to resolve the problem in the near future, Chau said.  VNS





GLOSSARY

Fishermen in the south central coastal province of Binh inh have asked two companies to pay compensation for damage to their new steel ships.

Compensation is a payment that is made to make up for something you have lost.

Phan Trong Ho, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said 19 fishermen families have sent a proposal to the department asking Nam Trieu and ai Nguyen Duong companies in the northern province of Nam inh for compensation of VN45.6 billion (more than US$2 million), zing.vn reported.

A proposal is an idea that is put forward for a possible project.

In June this year, the two shipbuilders were found to be violating shipbuilding contracts, delivering dozens of substandard steel fishing ships to the fishermen.

To violate an agreement means to do something that is against that agreement.

Contracts are agreements.

Dozens are multiples of twelve, although it can simply mean many.

Substandard means not good enough.

The two businesses are expected to respond to the proposal on Friday. The department will let the two sides negotiate to reach a deal.

To respond means to reply.

To negotiate means to enter discussions with someone with the idea of reaching an agreement.

According to the fishermen, the compensation includes the costs of repair, hiring of labourers, towing vessels, damaged seafood, profits lost and principal and interest payments to banks.

Labourers are workers who do unskilled work.

Interest is money that is charged to you for money you owe to people, or banks, who lend you money for the service of lending you that money.

Earlier, on November 30, the department organised a meeting between the fishermen and representatives of the two enterprises.

Enterprises are small businesses.

Later, they recalculated the damages and asked the companies for an extra VN8.6 billion in compensation.

To recalculate means to calculate something, once again. To calculate something means to work it out, usually by doing sums.

The province will hold a meeting to resolve the problem in the near future, Chau said.

To resolve a problem means to find an answer to it.

WORKSHEET

Find words that mean the following in the Word Search:

A word that means twelve. The material that the ships were made from. The number of families that have approached the Nam Trieu One Member Limited Company. The place where substandard boats have been lying for nine months. The month when it was found out that the two ship building companies had been providing fishermen with substandard boats.

s h o r e t u j s g u d h t b s b l b d n f e l e p h i t p y a j o s p s a b i k e y r t u t s s h v d o z e n z r e c r e h h u m b l h c e a b s a g b r i d g e l p g f o u r t e e n a c m b r q v h l x u k r f m u i w c a p j t a l d r

ANSWERS: 1. Dozen; 2. Steel; 3. Fourteen; 4. Shore; 5. June.HA NOI  An exhibition in the capital city called As Years Go By, featuring the works of four art teachers, has attracted many people keen on seeing the senior artists latest works.

The established artists, Trinh Tuan, Vu Huu Nhung, Nguyen Ngoc Quan and Le Anh Vu, are teachers at the Ha Noi University of Industrial Fine Arts.

About 30 paintings, sculptures and other items, including oil on canvas, acrylic paintings, ceramic and lacquer works, have been called multidimensional, vivid portrayals of personal experiences.

Painter Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said at the opening ceremony that it showcased outstanding works by the artists.

"Tuans works are always new because he is very creative. The colours in his lacquer paintings are not the traditional yellows and reds, but very new and fresh tones. Artist Nhung already has a popular brand, Gom Nhung (Nhung Ceramics). Nhung has succeeded in making ceramic art a daily utility," said Thanh.

On display for the first time in the capital city are ten lacquer paintings by Tuan themed on sen (lotus) and Ha Nois Old Quarter. Two paintings, Angel 1 and Angel 2, were completed in the last days of 2017.

"Many countries in the world have lotuses but there are different ways to feel and think about this flower. I have researched and followed this theme about 20 years. For me, the lotus connotes sexual desires," Tuan said.

Commenting on Angel 1 and Angel 2, artist ao Hai Phong said: "It is Tuans style. His paintings are sentimental and do not keep viewers guessing. I appreciate his artistic truthfulness."

Friendly: Ceramic work titled Ban Be 11 by Vu Huu Nhung.

Tuan, who teaches in the Industrial Design Department, has a masters degree from the Viet Nam Fine Arts University. He has become famous as an artist working to preserve Vietnamese lacquer painting techniques. Tuan and Malaysian artist Ng Bee founded Asia Art Link in 2005 to gather artists from Asian nations, including ASEAN members.

Asia Art Link organised international art exhibitions and workshops in 2016 and 2017.

Nhung has revived the Phu Lang traditional ceramic village in the northern province of Bac Ninh, and made pottery an art on the way. He also has a masters from the Viet Nam Fine Arts University and teaches at the Ha Noi University of Industrial Fine Arts Interior Design Department.

At the ongoing exhibition, Nhung is presenting six ceramic works, include new ones from a series titled Ban Be (Friendship).

Titled Ban Be 11 (Friendship 11), the work was completed over three weeks last year.

"It breaks the usual structure of ceramic. In most cases, structure contrast is made with metal material only," said artist Le Anh Van, director of the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts.

Nhung has won several awards at national fine arts exhibitions as well as competitions launched by the British Council and the Sweden-Viet Nam Culture Fund.

Vu and Quan are teachers at Sculpture Department and Industrial Design Department. Six sculptures by Vu were made between May and December, 2017, themed Mam - Qua (Seed - Fruit). Quan shows his versatility is with watercolours, acrylic and oil paintings.

South Korean ambassador Lee Hyuk said at the exhibitions opening ceremony that like the exhibition title, the artworks have unique beauty and great value that will be forever".

The exhibition will run at the Korean Cultural Centre, 49 Nguyen Du, till January 6.  VNSTran Quang Hoai.  Photo thoimoi.vn

Tran Quang Hoai, head of the General Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, talks to the newspaper Hai quan (Customs) on what he said was abnormal weather in Viet Nam last year.

What are your assessments on natural calamities, including storms and floods in 2017?

Natural disasters in 2017 were complicated, unseasonable and unpredictable. They resulted in 386 people dead and missing and VN60 trillion (US$2.6 billion) worth of damage.

In addition, there were heavy and prolonged downpours from June to October, with rainfalls up to 5,000mm. As a result, many of our reservoirs were full. The flooding triggered by storm Doksuri in mid-September in the North Central Region nearly reached the historic level of 5.18 metres in 1999.

In northern mountain provinces, landslides and flash floods occurred frequently. A flash flood hit Nam Pam Spring, Muong La District, Son La Province on August 3, killing 15 people and sweeping away one million cubic metres of soil.

All in all in 2017, 16 storms and six tropical depressions formed in the East Sea, of which five storms and three tropical depressions directly hit Viet Nam.

Many people have said that 2017 was a harsh year for Viet Nam in term of natural disasters and human errors. What do you think?

I cant agree more. Objectively speaking, the natural disasters that hit our country last year were due to climate change. But, subjectively, the disasters were also worsened by the practices of living on hillsides, at the foot of mountains or next to rivers.

We must also take into account the rapid increase in our population, which has caused a heavy burden on natural resources. Adding to the problem is that countries located on the upper Mekong River or Red River have also posed more risks for Viet Nam as they exploit natural resources.

It is indisputable that the increase in socio-economic activities also leads to more frequent natural disasters. Thats why our Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has mentioned the need to integrate natural-disaster prevention in socio-economic development work by all ministries and localities.

In many localities, sand and pebble extraction activities posed great danger along our highways. We must take action to stop such dangerous activities.

What should we do to minimise the negative impacts of climate change?

The Government, public agencies and localities have carried out many activities to minimise the impacts of climate change. As a result, we suffered less serious consequences. In addition, our civil works have been improved considerably and our responses to natural calamities further enhanced.

Last but not least, mass communication activities have played an important role in raising the public awareness on how to minimise the impacts of natural calamities. However, in my opinion, there are some activities we should focus on.

We have done quite a good job in forecast activities, but we are still learning.

The other point I want to mention is the need for infrastructure works and civil works to be improved regularly. For example, in area where aqua-culture is strong, the people need to regularly update their technology so that their stock can survive stormy weather.

The lack of disaster-resilience skills and emergency information systems are also to blame for the enormous loses caused by natural disasters.

According to predictions by domestic and international agencies, climate change, natural disasters and extreme weather events will occur more frequently and cause serious damage to Viet Nam. Thats why we need to improve natural disaster preparation.  VNSPham Van Tac.  Photo vietnamnet.vn

Pham Van Tac, Director General of the health ministry's Department of Organisation and Personnel, talks to Hai Quan (Customs) on why patient dissatisfaction persists despite various efforts to improve healthcare services in the country.

It appears that patients are still not satisfied with the quality of medical check-ups and treatment in general, although authorities have taken several measures to improve this. What do you think is the root of the problem?

Our efforts have achieved initial positive results. Considerable improvements have been seen in the service quality and the attitude of doctors and medical workers. Inspections at many hospitals across the country have shown that commendation letters from patients have increased and complaints begun to decline.

Independent surveys and inspections have been carried out at 170 medical establishments in the country recently. These show that 80 per cent of patients and their families are satisfied with the attitude of medical staff towards patients. The cancer hospital, K., can be mentioned as a notable example, as patient satisfaction has jumped from 51 per cent in 2016, the first time such survey was done, to 85 per cent this year.

I do admit that there remain cases where improper and impolite behaviour towards patients or their relatives. Several of these have been covered by the media and reported by the public. The external causes can be overcrowding in hospitals, the immense stress that doctors and medical staff have to endure as they work long hours. It could also be that the hospitals management officials have not stressed the importance of ensuring patient satisfaction, or that some of the medical staff are clinging to a view where patients are not at the centre, that proper care and politeness have to be paid for, under the table.

On the other hand, in several cases, the fault is with patients and their relatives being impatient and getting angry by the time they have to wait to get results from time-consuming tests. They have a disrespectful attitude and contempt towards medical staff and refuse to follow hospitals regulations or medical staffs guidance.

Many people have also said that the shortcomings are a result of stressful work and disproportionately low pay. Can you comment?

Yes. Even though they shoulder the noble mission of treating people, medical staff surely worry about very ordinary livelihood problems. Thats why efforts to improve their attitude have to go in tandem with improving their income. Currently, the Health Ministry is carrying out sets of solutions including upgrading infrastructure and working environment in hospitals, following through with the roadmap to increase hospital fees, installing reformed financial mechanisms in hospitals and allowing more autonomy. Of course, the ministry is working towards alleviating the overcrowded situation in hospitals.

Uplifting mottos are one thing, but what are the practical measures medical facilities should take to improve patients satisfaction?

The attitude of medical staff and quality of medical check-ups, counselling, and treatment are the two key points. Administrative reforms aiming at cutting back red tape, via application of IT and management software solutions, will help to address some of the complaints of patients and their relatives. Medical exams and treatment should follow the one-stop-shop procedure: tickets are handed out via an electronic dispenser, medical staff should help patients at clinical faculties, outpatient rooms and pharmacies in a proper manner.

The hospitals should also focus on cutting back waiting time at every step, whether it is medical examination, medical tests or medicine purchase.

Hospitals should also consider increase the working time of medical examination faculties, having overtime staff to perform these duties if needed. There should also be overtime staff to conduct hospitals functions that are usually not available during the weekend, like surgeries, medical consultation and hospital bill payment.

How can the Health Ministry facilitate such improvements?

The Ministry of Health has developed and issued a set of criteria to assess progress made in Improving attitude of medical staff in service of patients; building green, clean and medical centres; and in aiming at patients satisfaction. In this exercise, patients satisfaction is given high priority. This will be achieved with co-ordinated improvements made in five areas, reflected in five respective sets of criteria: easy access (signboards, staff support, etc.); transparency and administrative procedures; infrastructure; medical staff quality; and service delivery results. The ministry has also added the criteria of ease of payment for patients with health insurance cards.

The assessment in the initial phase will focus on medical centres at the central and provincial levels. Those who have made good progress will be awarded and commended by the ministry. The ministry will also arrange for cross-inspections amongst rated hospitals as well as inspections by the ministry itself. This phase will also be the basis on which we can assess hospitals at all levels in the future.  VNSFollowing impressive GDP growth of 6.81 per cent in 2017, the government has released a set of measures and priorities to achieve socio-economic development targets in 2018.  Photo vneconomy.vn

HA NOI - Following impressive GDP growth of 6.81 per cent in 2017, the government has released a set of measures and priorities to achieve socio-economic development targets in 2018.

With the motto Discipline, integrity, action, creativity, efficiency, the Vietnamese government aims to ensure macroeconomic stability, reform growth models in all economic sectors towards improved productivity, efficiency and competitiveness and encourage start-ups and creativity. Corruption and wastefulness will also be tackled with increased efforts in the new year. Climate change issues and the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters are also high on the governments agenda.

Similar to last years original target, the government will try to achieve 6.7 per cent in GDP growth in 2018 and keep the Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth below 4 per cent.

Resolution No 01 delineates guidelines for stricter financial discipline to prevent or harshly punish trade frauds, tax evasion or transfer pricing. The government aims to cut tax debt to below 5 per cent of planned State revenues and increase revenues by 3 per cent compared to the National Assemblys set target of VN1,523.2 trillion (US$58.44 billion). To alleviate strains on the State budget, low priority projects will be put on hold and the purchase of public-use cars and expensive machineries will be restricted. The Government will also implement a cutback on conferences, meetings and overseas business trips.

The resolution also asks all ministries and state agencies to better manage and efficiently make use of public assets and public debts, as the Government aims to keep public debt at 63.9 per cent of its GDP, with Government debt comprising 52.5 per cent of the total and foreign debt 47.6 per cent.

Public-private partnerships, hailed in recent times as a way to satisfy the growing demands for infrastructure development, especially BOT transport projects, will be put under tighter control.

The government also aims to achieve 8-10 per cent growth in trade turnover compared to 2017, which saw record-breaking exports, and maintain a trade deficit of below three per cent.

Administrative reforms will also be a priority. These include cutting red tape for business and investment activities by 50 per cent. Dialogues with private enterprises will be held regularly to receive their feedback. The government aims to put Viet Nam in the top four in ASEAN in terms of competitiveness and business environment by the end of 2018.

To address stagnant productivity, one of the pressing ailments of the country, the government will study and develop a national programme on improving productivity, boost application of science and technology as well as vocational training and improve State management and business management, all aimed at achieving a 6 per cent increase in productivity for the year.

Viet Nam set a target of 3 per cent growth for the agriculture sector, with exports hitting $36-37 billion. The industry and construction sector, on the other hand, is expected to expand by 7.7 per cent (7.3 per cent growth for industry, and 9.2 per cent for construction). Fifteen million foreign arrivals are forecast as tourism is made a priority area in the service sector and is expected to rise by 7.4 per cent.

Social welfare targets

In 2018, Viet Nam aims to reduce the number of poor households by 1-1.5 per cent (according to the multidimensional poverty index) and the number of poor communes by 4 per cent.

Social housing and housing for low-income people will continue to be a focus in the year.

In terms of healthcare, it is expected that by the end of 2018, 88.5 per cent of the population will be covered under the government-sponsored health insurance plan. Overcrowding in central level hospitals will be addressed, with a target of ensuring 26 beds for every 10,000 people.

Regarding education, quality private schools are encouraged and more autonomy and accountability are granted for universities and colleges.

Measures will be undertaken to take advantage of great opportunities afforded by the Industry 4.0, including mechanisms and policies that can catch up with digital economy and smart industry. The Government aims to develop a workforce and infrastructure that can meet the demands of the digital era, develop a comprehensive creative start-up ecosystem in all sectors and establish support (both technical and credits) for businesses participating in the application, research & development and transfer of key technologies. A national key programme on the fourth industrial revolution will also be developed.HA NOI  People employing under-16-year-old workers can receive an administrative fine or up to 12 years imprisonment depending on the level of violations.

It is regulated under the amended Penal Code, which came into effect at the beginning of this year.

Specifically, people employing under-16-year-old workers to do hard and dangerous work or to come in contact with poisonous substances listed by the State will be fined VN30-200 million (US$1,300-8,800) and sentenced to six months to three years imprisonment.

If the violations are repeated twice or more, causing fatality or harming at least 61 per cent of the victims health, they will receive 3-7 years imprisonment.

If more than two fatalities occur, those hiring under-age workers can be fined VN10-50 million ($440-2,200) and sentenced to 5-12 years imprisonment.  VNSHCM CITY  Viet Nam plans each year to send 100,000 to 120,000 labourers to other countries by 2020, according to Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

Of this number, 80 per cent will be trained.

In last years first 11 months, 118,859 labourers, including 44,702 females, worked abroad, according to Tong Hai Nam, deputy head of the Department of Overseas Labour under the ministry.

Last year was the fourth consecutive year the number of labourers working abroad exceeds 100,000, Nam said.

Viet Nam has averaged 87,500 labourers working abroad every year during the period 2006 - 2016, an increase of nearly 4.2 per cent each year, according to Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

In 2016, 126,000 Vietnamese labourers went to other countries to work, an increase of 8.9 per cent compared to 2015.

Of this amount, more than 30 per cent were trained in 2016 while only 15 per cent of the total Vietnamese workers abroad in 2015 received training.

This year, there are many new chances for Vietnamese labourers to work in new labour markets with better working conditions and higher incomes, he added.

Japan is the most attractive market this year because it will allow Vietnamese labourers to return to work for a second time in several fields. Their salary will be raised by US$0.22 to US$0.25. Vietnamese labourers will be allowed to prolong their working time to five years.

This year, Japan will need more high-skilled labourers, such as engineers and technicians, than manual ones.

Currently, 500,000 Vietnamese labourers are working in countries and territories, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

However, according to the ministry, violating regulations on labour continues to occur. The Department of Overseas Labour has named 46 labour export companies and revoked their licences.

They violated the Law on Vietnamese Guest Workers, which was issued in 2006, sending workers overseas without signing labour contracts and allowing other individuals and organisations to use their licences to illegally recruit workers and collect fees.

They also collected fees illegally from sending workers overseas and had other violations.

According to the ministry, these violations caused not only harm to the workers but also the trust with foreign companies.

The number of violating companies has been the highest ever, the department told Nguoi Lao ong (The Labourer) newspaper.

As many as 290 labour export companies operate throughout Viet Nam.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep told Viet Nam Government Portal that it will seek to improve the quality of sending labourers to work overseas. It, for instance, will set up strict regulations in this sector.

The ministry has instructed the department to carry out the registration of online contracts since January 1 last year. The result was announced online and was sent to companies. VNSA NANG  The Franco-Vietnamese (FV) Hospital plans to invest US$5 million in building a hi-tech medical centre in a Nang City.

General Director of the FV hospital, Jean-Marcel Guillon said at a meeting with a Nang leadership last week that the centre would provide quality healthcare services for residents of and visitors to the central city as well as the central and Central Highlands regions.

Vice chairman of the city Peoples Committee, Ho Ky Minh, said a Nang has called for investment into the healthcare sector, including wholly-foreign invested projects.

He told Guillon that the city would offer the best support and smooth conditions for the FV hospital to launch its medical and healthcare centre in a Nang soon.

Gullon and a group of other French doctors founded the FV Hospital in HCM City in 2003, providing a full-service, one-stop quality medical care for residents of the southern hub and neighbouring provinces.

a Nang has plans to build a world-class paediatric hospital with an investment of US$300 million.

The city currently has 11 hospitals with 1,000 doctors and more than 620 consulting rooms and medical care centres.

In 2013, the city opened the first and biggest cancer hospital in central Viet Nam with an investment of $71.4 million.

In 2014, the 250-bed a Nang Family Hospital  the first private inpatient treatment hospital, was put into operation.  VNSHA NOI - A recent audit on road maintenance funds conducted by the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV) has revealed loopholes in their collection and expenditure, raising questions over the transparency of the funds management.

According to the investigation, during 2015-2016, Viet Nam Road Directorate allocated funds to works which were not urgent or used funds for the wrong purpose, wasting more than VN45 billion (US$1.9 million).

Also during this period, the fund management council slashed the regular maintenance fee and other related fees by half compared to those set in 2013. The fees disbursed for 2015 and 2016 were reduced to VN25 million ($1,090) per km per year, affecting road repairs.

The SAV found VN9.7 billion ($421,700) of incorrect calculations in accounting and payment of road repairs.

The fund, operated since 2013, increased sharply in 2015 and 2016, the audit revealed. However, several roads were not maintained or repaired. Road markings were not repainted. Road cleanup and grass trimming was done manually instead of by machines.

Le Hoang Minh, Chief of Office of Road Maintenance Fee told Thanh Nien newspaper that there are nearly 23,000 km of roads nationwide. The total funds allocated for road maintenance must be VN150 million to VN200 million ($6,500-8,700) per km. In fact, on average only VN50 million ($2,170) per km is approved.

This approved fund meets only one third of demand, resulting in the reduction of spending, he said.

For example, road markers must be repainted once every three months. Due to budget restraints, they are repainted once every two quarters. The frequency of grass trimming is also reduced, he said.

He added that spending on highway maintenance in 2017 totalled VN7.8 trillion ($340 million). However, the road repair and maintenance work requires VN23 to 25 trillion ($1 billion to $1.08 billion) per year.

Le Hong iep, head of the Viet Nam Road Directorates Road Maintenance Department, in charge of planning the funds spending said that due to fund shortages, less maintenance work has been done. Cleanup work on some roads located in remote areas must be done manually instead of being done by sweepers.

According to Transport Deputy Minister Nguyen Ngoc ong, the Finance Ministry recently proposed putting an end to the road maintenance funds operation. Road use fees collected from vehicles are proposed to be directed to the State budget. The State will balance the spending for road maintenance.

Bui Danh Lien, Chairman of the Ha Noi Transport Association said that the biggest problem is that the fund spending is not transparent.

Residents and drivers protest against a lot of fees they have to pay including road maintenance fees and Build-Operate-Transfer fee. But it is not announced how the fees are allocated, he said, adding that collection and spending of fees collected from the public must be publicised.

Lien said that removing the road maintenance fund is not reasonable at this time. If the fund is removed, there will be no funds for repairing mountainous roads damaged by storms.

The association agrees to maintain the fund but it must be transparent, he said.

The association also proposed that the fund management should be assigned to one agency, such as the Ministry of Finance, then this agency would allocate the fund to localities and sectors, he said.

Le Hoang Minh said that sources for the fund have increased five to 10 per cent each year thanks to the increasing number of cars.

According to a project enhancing capacity and sources for the road maintenance fund to be submitted to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in the second or third quarter of this year, the fund will not need additional budget sourced from the State in the period between 2022 and 2025.

The road maintenance fund will meet 70 to 80 per cent of the demand instead of the current rate of 30 to 40 per cent.

To stay independent from the State budget, the road maintenance fund needs mechanisms to call for funding from other sources such as the World Bank or the policy of leasing transport infrastructure, he said. - VNSVietnam Railways (VNR) will institute improvements in service quality and infrastructure to compete with the civil aviation and road transport sectors in 2018. Photo tuoitre.vn

HA NOI  Vietnam Railways (VNR) will institute improvements in service quality and infrastructure to compete with the civil aviation and road transport sectors in 2018.

Data by VNR shows that, up until July, 2016, the company stopped a precipitous fall in profit and passenger numbers. However, its financial results for 2017 were negatively affected by severe natural disasters.

Vu Anh Minh, head of VNRs member council, told Vietnam News Agency that the country rail infrastructure had to be upgraded and provide better services to attract passengers.

Focusing on creating genuine experiences, Minh stressed upon the significance of passenger-oriented strategies, starting from innovating train carriages.

In 2018, the company plans to build six to ten new trains, upgrade existing ones and import locomotives, aiming to comprehensively improve its service quality by 2020.

According to Minh, a domestic-built carriage costs about US$500,000 (VN11 billion) each while the price of a Spanish-made carriage, for example, is up to 1.5 million (VN30 billion). On the other hand, a foreign carriages design is not suitable for Viet Nams terrain and less developed infrastructure.

Therefore, VNR asked Viet Nam Development Bank (VDB) to provide a loan of VN3,200 billion ($140 million) to invest in innovation projects.

On January 10, VNR will officially launch six five-star trains on the Reunification (Ha Noi  HCM City) route. Other improvements in food, ticket booking and other services will also be introduced. Meals produced by Southern Airports Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO) will be piloted on VNRs trains from the same day.

A meal costs from VN25,000 to 30,000 ($1.1  1.3) included in a ticket price, meanwhile, the tickets price is unchanged. This is our tactic to lure passengers interest in railway transport, Minh said.

Additionally, VNR will distribute tickets for holidays six months early and offer promotional fares as the number of trains will be increased. The six five-star trains launched on January 10 will show whether improvements satisfy passengers demands, Minh said.

He also expected that the experiences created by VNRs five-star trains would awaken passengers interests and switch the way they travel.

People turned their backs on railway because of its poor quality, not high price. Therefore, we try to present better services while tightening cost management to increase the number of passengers, raise revenue and gain profit, Minh explained VNRs plan.

About the further development, Minh emphasised on capacity enhancement to gain a higher market share.

When the Noi Bai  Lao Cai Expressway was opened, a lot of passenger chose to travel by road. Since then, we have carefully learnt our strengths to improve services and compete with other means of transportation. Moreover, we believe our efforts will encourage other service providers to improve and offer better experiences for passengers, he added. VNS

After a fortnight of use, automatic ticket gates at main stations have shown an inability to detect inaccurate information of passengers.

When a valid train ticket issued by VNR and with the correct departure time is scanned, a gate will automatically open for passengers to board the train. However, according to Sai Gon Railways, one ticket can be used several times. Moreover, automatic ticket gates cannot tell if holders have the same information as indicated on tickets or not.

Despite automatic ticket gates, railway officers have to recheck information.

Therefore, Sai Gon Railways asked VNR to tighten ticket management and add functions to respond to passengers demands.

From December 15, 2017, automatic tickets gates scanning QR codes on boarding passes were installed in Ha Noi and Sai Gon Railways Stations.A group of reporters from the Nhan Dan (People) newspaper and one from the Nguoi lam bao (The Journalist) magazine have won the top prizes at a national press contest promoting the fight against corruption and wastefulness in the country.  VNA/VNS Photo Minh Son

HA NOI  A group of reporters from the Nhan Dan (People) newspaper and one from the Nguoi lam bao (The Journalist) magazine have won the top prizes at a national press contest promoting the fight against corruption and wastefulness in the country.

The two prize-winning reports were selected from more than 1,120 entries of different types of media, including print, online, radio and television from various news and media outlets nationwide.

The awards also included seven second-place winners and 10 third-place.

It was the first time the Viet Nam Journalists Association co-operated with the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front to organise such a contest on a national scale.

The contest aims to emphasise the role of the press in the anti-corruption movement.

It was open to both professional and amateur Vietnamese journalists in Viet Nam and abroad. Each author or group of authors could submit a maximum of five works. The works had to be published in Vietnamese media between January 1 and November 30, 2017.

The contest was held under the authorisation of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at a conference of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee held in the southern city of Can Tho to

make plans to implement a Resolution reached at the fourth plenum of the Party Central Committee.

The resolution was aimed at building and reorganising the Party, thereby promoting the participation of the people and the whole society, including the pioneering role of press in the fight against

corruption and wastefulness.

At the awards ceremony held yesterday in Ha Noi, the Standing Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and the Viet Nam Journalists Association formally launched the 2018-19 round of the

"Press Prize for the fight against corruption and wastefulness".  VNSHA NOI  The Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) has launched a humanitarian campaign to help the poor and Agent Orange (AO) victims ahead of the upcoming traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

The annual campaign, called "Tet for the poor and Agent Orange victims 2018," aims to mobilise support from local and international communities to provide at least two million Tet gifts, worth at least VN300,000 (US$14) each, to poor and AO families nationwide, VNRC President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu said at a press conference on Wednesday.

VNRC will organise an art performance programme, titled Humanitarian Strength - Tet for the poor and Agent Orange victims, to call for support from all sources to help needy people, Agent Orange victims and disadvantaged residents in mountainous and remote areas, flood and storm-hit regions nationwide.

The programme will be broadcast live at 8pm by Viet Nam Television at Au Co Theatre, on January 7.

On the occasion, the society in collaboration with the National Humanitarian Portal 1400 also launched an SMS campaign to mobilise funding for the campaign. People can support the campaign by texting TET to 1409 from December 27, 2017 to February 4, 2018. Each mobile text message will contribute VN20,000 ($0.85) to the fund.

VNRC said it has mobilised and provided nearly 10 million Tet gifts worth more than VN3.464 trillion (nearly $154 million) in total to needy people and families over the past five years.  VNSNEW YORK  A fire destroyed a building and injured 23 people in New York on Tuesday, just days after the citys deadliest inferno in a quarter of a century.

The blaze broke out in The Bronx, the same northern borough where last weeks fire claimed 12 lives.

"Our units arrived and were immediately faced with heavy fire. Numerous people were brought out of the building by the firefighters on scene," said New York City fire chief Daniel Nigro.

"Theyve all been transported, and they will all be ok, thankfully," he said, noting there were at least nine children among the injured.

But a spokesman for the fire department later said that four of the injured were in a life-threatening condition. A firefighter was listed among the 19 people suffering minor injuries.

The fire left 11 families, including 29 adults and 11 children, homeless.

Barely four minutes after the emergency call, around 200 firefighters arrived in three dozen vehicles at 5:30am at a three-floor, red-brick building close to the Bronx Zoo.

It took the fire crews eight hours to control the blaze on the Bronxs Commonwealth Avenue. The fire broke out in a furniture factory on the ground floor of the building and spread quickly.

One resident told NBC news he fled the building, barefoot and barechested, with his three children into freezing temperatures that dipped as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit).

"Praying for a swift recovery for all those injured," said Mayor Bill de Blasio on Twitter, thanking the fire department for its response.

Last Thursday, another fire at an apartment block close to the Bronx Zoo was started by a three-year-old boy who was playing with stove burners. That inferno killed 12 people, four of them children.

De Blasio called it the "worst fire tragedy we have seen in this city in at least a quarter century."  AFPWASHINGTON  President Donald Trump admitted the Middle East peace process was in difficulty Tuesday and threatened to cut US aid to Palestinians, currently worth more than US$300 million a year.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for the UNs programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most the last half century the United States has been seen as indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trumps actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognising Israels contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, breaking with decades of American policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay his December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides were on Tuesday forced to reject rumours of further delays.

"As weve said all along, the Vice President is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. "Were finalising details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."  AFPANKARA  Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday visits Paris for talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, seeking to start the New Year by warming relations with the European Union after a torrid 2017.

Macron will host Erdogan at the Elysee Palace with talks expected to range from Syria to trade ties, and the French side is also expected to sound concern over the human rights situation in Turkey.

But high on the agenda will be Turkeys relations with the EU, which Ankara has sought to join for the last 50 years in an epic membership saga that appeared to hit the buffers amid bitter rows in 2017.

"By getting closer to France, Turkey is seeking to give a new boost to its EU membership bid," said Jana Jabbour, professor of Political Science at Sciences Po university in Paris and the author of a book on Turkish foreign policy.

She said this need was especially acute at a time of diplomatic tensions with the US following Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Starting somewhere

The Turkish leader has been a frequent visitor to Russia, the Gulf and Africa over the last year but has been rarely sighted in Europe since the July 15, 2016 coup bid aimed at removing him from power.

The visit to France will be his first since the botched putsch. Over the last year -- discounting G20 and NATO summits -- Erdogans only trips to EU member states have been to Poland and Greece.

Still absent from the presidential itinerary is a visit to Germany. Ankara endured its bitterest crisis in 2017 with Berlin, which was roundly critical of the crackdown that followed the failed coup and has left some 55,000 jailed.

While German Chancellor Angela Merkel has often talked tough on Turkey, Macron has however made clear the need to "avoid ruptures" with a country that is an "essential partner".

Samim Akgonul, lecturer at Strasbourg University, said Turkey and the EU had "to start somewhere" in finding an improvement in relations and the only two countries who could do this were Germany and France.

But he expressed doubt there could be any radical change for the better in 2018. "I dont think that relations can advance structurally".

Wont sacrifice ties for rights

Erdogan last week appeared to hold out an olive branch to the EU, saying "we must reduce the number of enemies and increase the number of friends".

He praised Macron -- as well as the German leadership -- for support over the Jerusalem issue, saying the EU and Ankara were on the same page.

The shared opposition of both Brussels and Ankara to Trumps move could itself stimulate better relations.

"They (Paris) did not leave us by ourselves on this issue (Jerusalem)," Erdogan said.

Ahead of the visit, Erdogans spokesman Ibrahim Kalin described France as a "leading ally" and expressed hope that the visit would further boost their alliance.

The Elysee said that as well as Syria and the Palestinian issue, "the issue of human rights" would be discussed. Trade is also important with both sides looking to lift a current trade volume that stands at US$13.38 billion.

Meanwhile hosting Erdogan in Paris gives Macron -- who since his election in May last year has sought a new prominence for France on the European and world stages -- another high-profile and potentially sensitive guest.

Macron has already hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at the former royal palace of Versailles near Paris and took Trump for dinner at the Eiffel Tower.

Jabbour said that Ankara welcomed Macrons accession to power, seeing him as a leader with a pragmatic foreign policy while the French president wanted a new relationship with Turkey based on mutual interests.  AFPNo Injuries in Fire at Calvert City McDonald's

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CALVERT CITY, KY - Fire engulfed the Calvert City McDonald's restaurant late Tuesday morning.Just before noon, the Marshall County Sheriff's Office was advising residents to avoid the area of the 3000 block of US-62, as firefighters battled the blaze.Witnesses on the scene Tuesday morning tell West Kentucky Star that the building was fully engulfed.There is no word yet on what started the fire, but McDonald's officials told West Kentucky Star there were no injuries.Mike Love, the Owner/Operator of the restaurant, issued a statement saying, "The safety of our customers and employees is a top priority for us. We are grateful that everyone is safe and thankful to the first responders for their quick action. We will continue to work closely with the Calvert City Fire and Police Departments as they investigate the situation"We will have more on this story as details become available.Jan 3, 2018 | By Tess

Since ISIS campaign of terror and destruction throughout the middle east, a number of efforts have been made to digitally capture and even restore cultural landmarks and ancient monuments that have been damaged or desolated by the terrorist group.

Such efforts, initiated by groups like UNESCO, Project Mosul, and the Institute of Digital Archaeology (IDA), have often turned to 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies to help in the restoration of some of the worlds most ancient traces of civilization.

(Image: UNESCO)

Famously, Syrias Arch of Palmyra, a Roman archway dating back to the 3rd century which was destroyed by ISIS in 2015, was replicated by the IDA and UNESCO using 3D scanning and printing technologies and was publicly displayed in London and New York to show that terror can not eradicate culture or history.

Another restoration project, however, led by UNESCO, has led to some controversy in Israel.

The project, launched in 2015, consisted of restoring the Lion of al-Lat, an ancient statue of a lion which stood at the temple of the pre-Islamic goddess al-Lat in Palmyra, Syria until June 2015, when it sustained serious damage at the hands of ISIS.

The massive statue, measuring 3.5 meters in height and weighing 15 tonnes, depicted a large lion standing over an antelope, which was meant to symbolize that the strong have a duty to protect the weak. Once the iconic sculpture was discovered by a UNESCO team, it was transported to the National Museum of Damascus for restoration.

In restoring the Lion of al-Lat, a team from Oxford-based IDA (supported by UNESCO funding) relied on laser projection equipment and large-scale 3D printing to reproduce parts of the statue that had been destroyed or damaged. In October, 2017, the restoration process was completed.

(Image: UNESCO)

The restoration of the Lion of Al-lat is an important achievement with a symbolic dimension, said Hamed Al Hammami, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States and UNESCO Representative to Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. It is part of a broader project to protect the unique cultural heritage of Syria, which unfortunately remains at risk.

Largely, this project has been recognized as a positive initiative, aimed at preserving Syrias history from those who seek to eradicate it.

In Israel, however, at least one rabbi has spoken out against the UNESCO-led restoration on the grounds that it promotes idolatry.

Rabbi Daniel Assur, a member of Sanhedrin, has claimed that the 3D printing-based restoration of Syrias fallen monuments shows that the UN supports idol worship (you know, one of the ten commandments), and thus proves the UNs anti-Israel bias.

The entire mission of the organization is to blur the differences between the nations in order to bring them all under one roof and one authority in a New World Order, Rabbi Assur told Breaking Israel News. The truth is, as the Bible says, there are 70 distinct nations. The UN believes they can create nations out of thin air. Once they do that, they can say that there are many gods, even ones you can create by 3D printing.

(Image: Mappo / Wikipedia)

Because Israel stands as proof of what a nation is and the concept of one God, the UN has a vendetta against Israel and is irrationally biased against us, Rabbi Assur continued. They have a messianic vision of a unified government that will fix the world without God and without the Torah. This has always been the goal of idolatry, beginning with Egypt and continuing with the attempts of Rome and Greece to spread paganism across the world. Now we are seeing its modern manifestation.

While it is unclear whether others in Israel or elsewhere share Rabbi Assurs controversial opinion about UNESCOs restoration project (and other initiatives like it), it is certainly at odds with the general sentiment weve seen in response to the projects, which is enthusiastic about technology being used to capture, preserve, and restore historical artefacts from humanitys past, no matter the religion.

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Jan 3, 2018 | By Tess

The New Zealand city of Rotorua will soon be the site of a large-scale 3D printed sculpture honoring the regions native Te Arawa history. The impressive piece, designed by a team from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, will be additively manufactured in partnership with local company Kilwell Fibretube.

The 12-meter 3D printed sculpture will be installed at Rotoruas southern entranceway, Hemo Gorge, to greet people entering the city. Fittingly, the sculptures design was inspired by the Te Arawa tohunga (high priest) Ngatoro-i-rangi, who led the Maori people to Aotearoa (New Zealand) long ago.

"The design is derived from customary whakairo rakau (wood carving) elements, yet is interpreted in a contemporary way," added Stacy Gordine, the head of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institutes National Stone and Bone Carving School.

Kilwell Fibretube, which specializes in the design and manufacturing of composite tubing, will soon begin 3D printing the sculpture using a fleet of 3D printers. The work will be executed in close collaboration with Te Puia/New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Rotorua Lakes Council, and Derek Kawiti, a digital design lecturer at Victoria University.

The large-scale statue was initially going to be constructed out of stainless steel, but when issues arose in its planning, the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute set out to find alternative manufacturing methods.

Fortunately, Kilwell reached out to the local council with a potential solution that would allow them to accurately construct the sculpture and manufacture it locally: 3D printing. It's fantastic to be able to showcase the work we do to our local community and be part of the sculpture that will welcome visitors to our city from the south, said Craig Wilson, CEO of Kilwell Fibretube.

Kilwell Fibretube CEO Craig Wilson with a miniature 3D printed mockup of the Hemo Gorge sculpture

We always wanted to involve local business and to be able to do this is a fantastic result. It is set to be a stunning piece of art for Rotorua, commented Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar.

Rotorua-based Kilwell estimates the project will require almost 16,500 hours of 3D printing, and it plans to run its fleet of machines for 21 hours a day, seven days a week for a total of 79 days. The sculpture, printed from roughly 63 km of PLA filament, will then be coated with a layer of carbon fibre for extra strength and durability.

If all goes well with the 3D printing and post-processing stages, the 3D printed sculpture could be installed as soon as August 2018.

Additionally, because the Hemo Gorge sculpture will be made from lightweight PLA and carbon fiber materials, it will only weigh about 800 kg meaning that once it is complete it can easily be transported to its installation site and lifted into place. To put the weight into perspective, if the sculpture had been made from stainless steel, it would have weighed about 12 tonnes.

It will be exciting to see the final result of the large-scale 3D printed sculpture when it is installed in Rotorua later this year. The project is estimated to cost NZ $570,000.

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New Zealand is a lie, its not clean and green wrote at 1/4/2018 12:19:19 AM:Once again local councils wasting money on 'art' when the local community is desperate for money just to keep people feed go without!



Rio de Janeiro. Somehow the name just stays with you.

As do Copacabana and Ipanema, the famous beachfront neighborhoods that conjure up the iconic images and sounds of bossa nova and samba that cemented the Brazilian vibe with music from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz and others starting in the 1960s.

I flew into Brazil on an overnight flight on Avianca Airways from Medellin, on a pretty-close-to-brand-new plane with lots of sweet touches and choices you just don't seem to get on airlines in the States these days. The very stylish women of the flight crew wore red caps to go with their red capes. Yes, I said capes. It all seemed so effortlessly mod in the key of Rudi Gernreich, that my anticipation about Rio spiked and stayed completely tangible during the five-and-a-half hours it took to get there.

Uber is frowned upon in Brazil, but it is not illegal. Though it can be hard to arrange one at Rio's airport, where you are supposed to be able to summon Uber from the second floor only. Upon arrival, I found that the Uber network seemed to have been suspiciously blocked and was nowhere to be seen on my phone, so I decided to arrange for a cab. There are plenty of "official taxi" representatives wandering the first floor, and you can use them to book to your hotel. At the desk I was told it would be 130 reals (the Brazilian currency, pronounced "hey-als"), which is about $40 American. So, I looked at the woman and said, "One-hundred thirty? I'm going upstairs to Uber." Without blinking she replied, "$100 cash." Point is, if you are going to taxi from the airport in Rio, prepare to be tough in your negotiations. Better yet, make your arrangements in advancewhen I returned to the airport in a metered cab arranged by my hotel, I found out that the price should be around 70 reals. Despite that first ride, all subsequent Uber and taxi experiences were perfect.

Copacabana carries a slightly dilapidated grandeur that I immediately felt drawn to and at home with. It is crowded. It is urban. It is on the beach. Big elegant hotelssome quite architecturally interesting or eccentric enough that they would not be out of place in a Wes Anderson filmdot the waterfront, wearing their Atlantic Ocean saltwater patinas with a timeless grace and elegance. As soon as I set my sleep-deprived foot at the door to my hotel, just four blocks in from the water, I felt at home. You may, too.

And yes, by all means enjoy a caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaca (a hard liquor made from sugarcane), sugar and lime. But beware these drinks are designed to change you brain chemistry. And they pack a wallop. You'll find them priced cheaply at stands along the beachand while these options may not be quite as quality as their spendier brethren at established spots a bit further inlandthere is no denying their transformational allure, especially when accompanied by sun, sand, and the hypnotic, swaying sound of waves coming into shore and moving back out again.

It seemed to me that Rio was always looking for opportunities to whisper three words in my ear: Life is simple.

Neighborhoods Luciano D'Alessandro on Instagram: Bom Dia!!! #ipanema #riodejaneiro #nofilter  Copacabana Right along Avenida Atlantica (pronounced At-lantch-ka) are a number of large and often striking hotels (some with striking rates attached). But if you go inland a few blocks, you will find a number of mid-range and even budget options that will suit. At the recommendation of a travel agent friend, I chose one called Augusto's Copacabana Hotel. I loved the old-school style of the place. And while it could probably use a refresh and an additional elevator, I was captivated by its slightly faded '70s to '90s Italianate glamour. My room felt like a cabin on a ship. The air conditioning unit definitely held up, and the linens were nice and soft. After arriving exhausted from my overnight flight they got me in really quickly, which allowed for a quick nap before heading to the beach a new man. They also have a lovely, small, very blue pool and sun deck on the roof that provides 360-degree panoramic views, Ipanema A 20-minute walk (or so) from Copacabana lies Ipanema. In general, the hotels, residential buildings and restaurants are more obviously upscale and cared for than in Copacabana. The area is busy but not packed, urban but not gritty, and the beaches are wide and filled as far as the eye can see. In one section, surfers abide. It's polished. It's odd to say, but if you're very lucky (as I was) and you get a day of gentle rain in summer, make it a point to take a walk. And if you have Spotify, give this a listen while you do so. Santa Theresa Sometimes one wants to go to the beach, but not stay at the beach. If this is you, Santa Teresa is perhaps perfect. Located in the heart of Rio's historic quarter and up in the hills, it is sometimes called the Montmartre of Rio. Eclectic and bohemian, it is home to this bit of absolute beauty of a hotel: Casa Beleza, formerly the governor's residence. Close to bars, restaurants, and music, it is on the Metro line with a stop at Gloria.

Eat + Drink Eat Rio (Tom Le Mesurier) on Instagram: This is the view from one of the best kept secrets in Rio: @casadoisirmaos #wheretostayinrio #eatrio #rio #brazil #casadoisirmaos The Necessary Tour After a much-anticipated meal at a place named one of Rio's 38 necessary restaurants went south, I felt it might be time to seek some expertise when it came to food. So upon the recommendation of a local, I signed up to take a food tour called Eat Rio. As soon as I met up with owner/operator Tom Le Mesurierand a small group of others slated for the tourat Nova Capela, a Portuguese restaurant not too far from Santa TheresaI knew I was in good hands. Easygoing, charismatic and completely knowledgeable about the food scene in Rio, Le Mesurier led us on a roughly six-hour walking tour through restaurants, food markets, bars, and fruit stands that I otherwise would never have experienced. Among the highlights: a truly state-of-the-art caipirinha (a beautiful thing!); sampling a variety of fruits that included one that tasted like toffee and dates mixed together; a delicious soup called tacaca, which hails from the Amazon region and is full of dried shrimps and numbs your tongue and lips as you eat; a prawn coconut stew; a quesadilla-like pancake situation made from tapioca; and bolinhos de bacalhau (salt cod and potato croquettes). Along the way you will also be offered beer, usually a lager or pilsner served, because of the heat, either "bem gelada" (literally well chilled) or "estupidamente gelada" (stupidly chilled). Beers arrive at the table alongside a cylindrical cooler and a small glass they call the copo Americano. The cooler allows you to keep the beer chilled in the heat, while the small glass encourages quick consumption and sharing with your mates before the contents become too warm. It's a perfect two-step combination. This tour brings Rio alive. Le Mesurier is an experienced travel journalist and writer who has worked for Lonely Planet and other outlets, which may be why the Eat Rio site is a complete resource for any number of things Rio, but definitely food. // eatrio.net

More Restaurants One of the places we did not visit on the food tour, but which Le Mesurier recommended, was Pavao Azul, a real locals' place in Copacabana that serves the aforementioned bolinhos de bacalhau, but without the potato. My first attempt to get in on a Friday evening was doomed from the start thanks to the crowd. So I waited until the next day and went at lunch, where I managed to snag a tiny table for one wedged in a corner amid a noisy-ass and boisterous group. I can honestly say I've never enjoyed any food more than I did that sweltering afternoon. // instagram.com/pavaoazuloficial Sofa Cafe is the place to go if you are particular about your coffee. The space is chic and unpretentious, and the owner glides around the room in her flowing skirts and loves to chat about coffee and what they serve. // sofacafe.com.br

OTCapital transacting via ISXPay Australia

Melbourne, Jan 3, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australian Securities and Frankfurt Stock Exchange cross listed iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ( FRA:TA8 ), the global leader in RegTech for identity verification and transactional banking/payments, is pleased to announce that it has completed integration of its services to Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulated OTCapital (www.OTCapital.com). Transactional services are live with revenue commencing this month.Highlights:- Australian Forex, Stock, Commodity, CFD and Index broker OTCapital- Now transacting "live" with ISXPay(R) via Paydentity(TM) platform.- ISXPay(R) providing payment processing & settlement services- OTCapital will contribute revenue in the March quarteriSignthis offers payment facilitation services in Australia (ISXPay(R)), via its integration with the National Australia Bank ( ASX:NAB ). The agreement with the NAB allows ISXPay(R) to offer full card acquiring payment facilitation services including processing, clearing and funds settlement to merchants, for Visa and Mastercard transactions, in addition to Poli Payments.ISXPay(R) incorporates the Company's Paydentity(TM) technology delivered over our enhanced payments platform, which provides identity verification (IDV) services in addition to our patented payment instrument verification (PIV) and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA).OTCapital is now processing live transactions via the ISXPay(R) service, and will contribute revenue in the current quarter. Services are progressively going live from today, commencing with payment facilitation. Following 'bedding in' of core payment services, Paydentity(TM) services will be scaled in shortly and will include the multichannel Paydentity cascade process, incorporating dynamic and historic data to maximize both conversions and reach via enhanced customer match rates.OTCapital's own forecast revenue and corresponding calculated ISXPay revenue contribution has been included on an aggregated basis with other merchants per the AGM announcement dated 28th November 2017. The Company has now contracted merchant customers for ISXPay(R) and Paydentity(TM) services across multiple sectors, including the trading/brokers, gaming, digital, fintech and retail sectors.The Company's agreement with the NAB will be leveraged to provide card acquiring services for further Australian and New Zealand online merchants. The A/NZ acquiring services complement the Company's European Monetary Financial Institution e-Money license (SWIFT BIC : ISEMCY21), its European partnership with Worldline ( EPA:WLN ) and the Company's own Principal Memberships of Visa Inc ( NYSE:V ), Mastercard Worldwide ( NYSE:MA ) and JCB International. Principal membership of card schemes allows the Company to independently offer both acquiring (i.e. fund processing & settlement) together with issuing of cards, including virtual, credit, debit & prepaid cards.iSignthis continues to build strong relationships with AML/CFT regulated merchants, enabling our merchants to meet the increasingly complex compliance requirements of AML regulations in Australia, the USA and Europe via its Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) services.About iSignthis Ltd

iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions.

By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard.

iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia.

ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others.

Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service.

Binance.com Lists NAV Coin (CRYPTO:NAV)

Tokyo, Jan 3, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cryptocurrency Exchange Binance.com ( CRYPTO:BNB ) advise that NAV Coin NAV/BNB, ( CRYPTO:NAV ) and NAV/ETH trading pairs are now available on Binance for trading. You can start depositing and trading NAV now.Details:About NAV Coin (NAV)Circulating Supply: 62,219,973Website: navcoin.orgTo view the whitepaper, please visit:About Binance

Binance (CRYPTO:BNB) is a cryptocurrency exchange with a focus on the Chinese market and other Chinese coins. Currently, it supports English and Chinese users. The Binance token (BNB) was created during the ICO event to fund the development of the Binance exchange.

Binance is capable of processing 1.4 mil orders/second, has multi-language support and has all the major coins available  BTC, ETH, LTC, BNB etc. Trading fee is 0.1%.

Binance Mission: Commit to offer the professional, secure and transparent one-stop service to users in digital currency industry.

Binance Scale: Binance has over millions registered users from over 200 countries and regions.

Binance official website:

http://www.binance.com

About NAV Coin

Nav Coin (CRYPTO:NAV) is a decentralized cryptocurrency built on top of the latest version of Bitcoin Core, with added features and functionality. Nav Coin was created to make online payments easy to do, at low cost, and all the while making sure to protect your privacy. On top of a solid foundation, Nav Coin supports SegWit functionality, and easy to use wallets which are packed with advanced privacy features. Using NavTech technology, you get the option to choose private transactions that protect your data and identity while making purchases online.The Nashville Zoo has a new addition for the new year!

A giant anteater pup was born on Christmas Day. She was a surprise for zoo employees, which is why she is named Noel.

Both Noel and her mother are said to be doing well. She will stay with her mom for at least two more years until she is fully grown.

"They were elated to discover that the female anteater, Consuela, had delivered a special Christmas gift," said Shawna Farrington, carnivore area supervisor. "Curled under Consuela's hair and clinging tightly, was a new baby female anteater."

This is the third pup for her mother, Consuela, and the fourth pup for her father, Carib.

Since 2001, 18 giant anteaters have been born at Nashville Zoo's breeding facility.

Giant anteaters are considered extinct in areas of Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Uruguay. Only about 5,000 anteaters remain in the wild.California's new sanctuary law may be meant to shield undocumented immigrants from being picked up by federal agents, but some say it's going to have more far-reaching, unintended consequences. State and local law enforcement officers will no longer be able to ask anyone about their immigration status. Those in custody will still have their fingerprints entered into a database that will alert federal authorities, but local and state law enforcement officers will be prohibited from confirming that person's status to ICE.

Senate Bill 54 limits local and state law enforcement's ability to let ICE know when that person is eligible for release. Depending on that inmate's status, they may not be able to transfer that inmate from the local jail to ICE. That means ICE agents will come to the community to look for that person. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea says that means California can expect to see more ICE agents on the ground, showing up in the community, knocking on doors and looking for people who were arrested for allegedly committing crimes. Once there, they will start asking friends, family, and associates about their status, and that could lead to more deportations of people who are undocumented, but have not been arrested in a crime.

Chico immigration advocate Sergio Garcia says, "by saying California is a sanctuary state, you're pretty much calling the attention to the federal government to come over here and deal with us, because obviously they don't appreciate that, so in effect you're drawing negative attention to the immigrant community by doing that."

Both Honea and Garcia agree that California's move to become a sanctuary state is a battle of political will between President Trump and Governor Jerry Brown.

The new law went into effect January 1st.A Ramey Warrant has been issued for Adrian Bolayog for his involvement in a home invasion robbery of an elderly man in Lakehead that happened on December 30th.

During the robbery the victim was bound and severely assaulted.

A large amount of firearms and knives were stolen during the robbery.

Some of the stolen property was recovered after a pursuit in Shasta County ended with the capture of two other suspects involved in the robbery.

Bolayog is considered armed and dangerous and is aware that he has been identified as a suspect.

He is described as a Hispanic Male, DOB: 11/17/86 31 years old, 59 tall, 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be driving his black 2014, Subaru Forester 4 door wagon, Nevada License # 149YJH.

Shasta County Secret Witness is offering up to $2500.00 for information leading to his arrest. Tipsters can call Secret Witness anonymously at 530-243-2319 or submit their tip at www.secretwitness.com. Tipsters or anyone with information about this investigation can also call the Shasta County Sheriffs Office, Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. aid money to the Palestinian Authority and acknowledging that the Middle East peace process appears to be stalled.

Trump says in a pair of tweets that, "we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue ... peace treaty with Israel."

He adds that, "with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Trump infuriated many when he announced late last year that the U.S. would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there.

Trump has long said he wants to broker Mideast peace, calling it "the ultimate deal."Five men accused of terror attacks on security and armed forced were hanged Tuesday one week after the execution of 15 other men in the two prisons in the Sinai.

Those executed Tuesday were sentenced to death over terror charges, reports say. Four of them were tried by a military court over a 2015 bombing at a stadium, north of Cairo, in which three new military recruits were murdered.

They were also accused of having links with outlawed Muslim Brotherhood movement of toppled President Mohamed Morsi. Current ruler Abdelfattah al-Sisi in 2013, then as defense minister removed the Islamist President who is currently facing several death sentences.

The fifth according to authorities was sentenced to death over a criminal matter that has not been fully defined.

The Tuesday execution is the second in a short period of time. Authorities on December 26 hanged 15 inmates of two prisons in the Sinai province. They were sentenced to death by a military court over terror attack on police and the military in the restive province.

The December execution is the first and the largest since 2005. Both executions fly in the face of the African Union (AU) which requested that Cairo suspend the sentences pending its investigation into their lawfulness, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports.

The AUs Commission of Peoples and Human Rights basing on a complaint submitted by the Egyptian Freedom & Justice Party (FJP) over the fate of several detainees put on death row and left with no appeal right, addressed a letter to President al-Sisi for the suspension request on November 29.

The commission expressed its intention to investigate the allegations made by FJP.

Following the Tuesday execution lawyers acting on behalf of the FJP wrote to the African Commission to take immediate action and refer the matter for emergency consideration by the African Unions Assembly of Heads of State, MEMO notes.Senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas expressed his anger for not being included in Arvind Kejriwal-led AAPs final list of candidates for election to Rajya Sabha. Expressing his anger towards the autocratic functioning of the party under Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas said, I have been punished for speaking the truth.

Kumar Vishwas, a popular AAP leader, however, appealed to the AAP workers to continuing their tirade against corruption and one-upmanship in the party. The reactions from Kumar Vishwas came minutes after the party announced the names of Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta and Sushil Gupta as its nominees for the Rajya Sabha.

The announcement was made by Kejriwals close associate and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Sushil Gupta are the final names for the three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi, Sisodia said while addressing a press conference.

While Sanjay Singh is a senior party leader, Sushil Gupta is a businessman and ND Gupta is a chartered accountant by profession. The central leadership of Delhis ruling party clearly ignored party heavyweight and one of AAPs founding members, Kumar Vishwas in the process.

There were several names in the contention within the AAP for the three seats for the Upper House of Parliament that goes to polls in the mid-January. The election has also created bitterness in the party. Probably, this could be the reason why the party delayed the announcement of the candidates.

Senior party leader Kumar Vishwas, who has reportedly been at odds with the AAP central leadership for some time now, was earlier considered to be one of the strongest contenders. However, apparently due to his present equation with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he was not considered for the Upper House.

ED searches yield Rs 40 cr-worth precious stones, gold in Rose Valley case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed it has found incriminating documents, gold ornaments and precious stones worth Rs 40 crore during searches at showrooms of Adrija Gold Corporation in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund case.

ED recovers and seizes incriminating documents, 72 kg of 22 carat and 18 kg of 18 carat gold ornaments, diamonds and precious stones valued at Rs 40 crore during searches at M/s Adrija Gold Corporation Ltd. in connection with Rose Valley case, the agency said in a tweet.

The agency launched search operations  which lasted over 26 hours  across three showrooms of the jewellery company that had allegedly obtained long-term loans from various Rose Valley Group firms owned by chit fund scam accused Gautam Kundu.

The agency has been probing the diversion of funds from the Rose Valley Groups deposit taking companies. According to the agencys official, the Directorate focused on the jewellery company as it appeared to be one of the channels through which funds were routed from Rose Valley Groups main firms.

In 2016, in the Rose Valley chit fund scam case, the Enforcement Directorate had attached assets of the company, including eight hotels and 12 high-end cars, carrying a face value of Rs 1,250 crore.

Thousands of people were allegedly cheated in West Bengal, Odisha and in some north eastern states in the chit fund scam.

Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the agency had registered an FIR against the company and its Chairman Gautam Kundu in 2014. Kundu was arrested by the agency in 2015.Hours after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley confirmed that that the U.S. would be cutting off aid to Pakistan, the White House on Tuesday said they just wanted Pakistan to do more in the fight against terrorism.

We know that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism, and we want them to step up and do that, White House Spokesperson Sarah Sanders said during White House press briefing.

First, in terms of Pakistan, as I said, our goal is that we know that they can do more to stop terrorism, and we want them to do that. That seems pretty simple. In terms of specific actions, I think you will see some more details come out on that in the next 24 to 48 hours, and we will be sure to keep you guys updated on that front, she added.

However, U.S. State Departments spokeswoman, Heather Nauert termed Pakistan as an important partner and said that his country would like Islamabad to do more against terrorism through cooperation.

Pakistan is an important partner. We have a lot of issues in that region. Pakistan knows that, we all know that, and we try to work carefully together on some of those issues, but Pakistan  I dont want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do. We expect Pakistan  and weve made clear, and the President has made clear in the past also through his new strategy that was announced back in August about the Asia  the new Asia strategy  that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against the Haqqani Network and other militants who are operating from its soil. And they need to better  to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists, she said.

Earlier, Haley said President Donald Trump was prepared to end all funding for Pakistan if it did not stop providing safe haven to terrorist groups.

She also confirmed that the U.S. was withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan for harboring the terrorists that attack U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism, she added.

Haleys remarks came a day after Trump castigated Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! Trump posted on the micro-blogging site on Monday.

Outraged over Trumps tweet, Pakistan summoned the United States ambassador David Hale to lodge its protest against the tweet.Results...Subjects with newly diagnosed AN (anorexia nervosa) were more likely than controls to have had any vaccination in the previous 3 months [hazard ratio (HR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval 1.212.68]. Influenza vaccinations during the prior 3, 6, and 12 months were also associated with incident diagnoses of AN, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), and an anxiety disorder. Several other associations were also significant with HRs greater than 1.40 (hepatitis A with OCD and AN; hepatitis B with AN; and meningitis with AN and chronic tic disorder).

A convenience sample of 666 children was obtained, of which 261 (39%) were unvaccinated. The vaccinated were less likely than the unvaccinated to have been diagnosed with chickenpox and pertussis, but more likely to have been diagnosed with pneumonia, otitis media, allergies and NDD. After adjustment, vaccination, male gender, and preterm birth remained significantly associated with NDD. However, in a final adjusted model with interaction, vaccination but not preterm birth remained associated with NDD, while the interaction of preterm birth and vaccination was associated with a 6.6-fold increased odds of NDD (95% CI: 2.8, 15.5). In conclusion, vaccinated homeschool children were found to have a higher rate of allergies and NDD than unvaccinated homeschool children. While vaccination remained significantly associated with NDD after controlling for other factors, preterm birth coupled with vaccination was associated with an apparent synergistic increase in the odds of NDD. Further research involving larger, independent samples and stronger research designs is needed to verify and understand these unexpected findings in order to optimize the impact of vaccines on childrens health.

As the schedule expands it would be rational to consider that perhaps some diseases are not so dangerous, or not so common, and that some of the products may not be so effective or safe  and by now there are already a great many. It may also be by now that the population is not so well from the proliferation of chronic diseases, mental ill-health and neuro developmental disorders. The possible relationship between these manifestations and the expanding schedule have been flippantly dismissed and attempts to research it have been persecuted. We do not presently have institutions which are as capable of protecting the public interest as that of the industry. But the pioneering recent paper by Mawson et al which attempted to address the problem reported [2]:

This project is misconceived in several dimensions. While it latches on to the issue of measles and flu mortality the number of diseases which could be defined as vaccine preventable is open ended, as is the number of vaccine products that the vaccine industry hopes to be licensed, and recommended for use or mandated  at the present time hundreds of different products are in development [1] purely on the principle that there will be a captive, or quasi-captive market available when they are ready to be marketed. The drive for more compliance and more products is not coming from citizens but from the industry and bureaucrats. At a simplistic level anyone could agree that preventing disease is a good thing (though some may have long term health benefits) but it could not be true at any cost to the population. There is no scientific or historical model for subjecting a population to an ever-expanding schedule of vaccine products. This is simply becoming the biggest human experiment in history.

These are my comments as UK and European Editor of Age of Autism on the European Commission document ' Roadmap: Strengthened cooperation against vaccine preventable diseases' . This is one of 368 comments, which are overwhelmingly negative to the project:

There has been much concern recently about the aluminium components of many vaccines, paediatric as well as the HPV vaccines: these issues have not been resolved [4,5,6,7], and should not be dismissed  nor should some irrevocable policy be launched without all the evidence being considered, without further research being done [8,9,10]. Only liars and profiteers say the science is in  the science is never in.

Presently, in the UK  where we have high vaccine compliance although no mandates - we are drowning cases of mental ill-health and neuro-developmental disability. Media reports, however, tend to focus on the absence of resources to deal with the problems rather than causes. Another vital and catastrophic question hovers: how could it all be economically - let alone humanly  sustainable [11]. Driving ahead with the policy without paying attention to its serious consequences has to be considered reckless and headstrong.

Given the reality that everyone ultimately dies of something is the policy to focus on such diseases as measles and flu necessarily wise, or a distortion of policy? In the United Kingdom, the country in which Andrew Wakefield is held to have undermined the vaccine programme, only 4 people have died of measles since 1992 according to official statistics (that is out of about 13m deaths) [12]. Flu mortality is higher but still comparatively insignificant. In 2009 when the Chief Medical Officer was challenged over the projections annual flu deaths in the tens of thousands he admitted that there had only been 132 deaths in the four preceding years  an average of 33 a year out of above 500,000 deaths (about 1 in 15,000) [13]. Realistically, the statistical insignificance of actual flu deaths (as against projections in the thousands) needs to be weighed against such issues as the notorious inefficacy of the vaccines [14]. We do not even know how many of the 132 were not vaccinated.

Another question which the promoters of such policies need to face and address is that not only are they placing their views above ordinary citizens and their historic rights (informed consent etc.[15]) but the extent to which making ever more demands on the public might in itself lead to more resistance, more private reading, more scepticism about the wisdom, integrity and motives of those trying to force the matter. The introduction of mandates in Italy has led to widespread protests  has brought tens of thousands of people on to the streets weekly - when before vaccination was not even an issue. It is a troubling prospect that the people we are increasingly having to regard as our rulers only want to raise the stakes.

[1] PhRMA, Medicines in development: vaccines, 11 September 20-13 https://www.phrma.org/press-release/medicines-in-development-vaccines#sthash.rI4cQ6Tg.dpuf

[2] Anthony R Mawson, Brian D Ray, Azad R Bhuiyan, Binu Jacob 'Pilot comparative study on the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated 6- to 12- year old U.S. children', Journal of Translational Science, 24 April 2017,

[3] Leslie, Kobre, Richmand , Guloksuz, Leckman, 'Temporal Association of Certain Neuropsychiatric Disorders Following Vaccination of Children and Adolescents: A Pilot CaseControl Study', https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5244035/

[4] Goetzsche et al, Complaint to the European ombudsman over maladministration at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in relation to the safety of the HPV vaccines, http://nordic.cochrane.org/sites/nordic.cochrane.org/files/public/uploads/ResearchHighlights/Complaint-to-ombudsman-over-EMA.pdf

[5] Tom Jefferson, Lars Jrgensen, Human papillomavirus vaccines, complex regional pain syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and autonomic dysfunction  a review of the regulatory evidence from the European Medicines Agency http://ijme.in/articles/human-papillomavirus-vaccines-complex-regional-pain-syndrome-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-and-autonomic-dysfunction-a-review-of-the-regulatory-evidence-from-the-european-medi/

[6] Mold et al, Aluminium in brain tissue in autism, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 46, March 2018, Pages 7682 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0946672X17308763

[7] Rigolet et al, Clinical Features in Patients with Long-Lasting Macrophagic Myofasciitis, Front Neurol. 2014; 5: 230. Published online 2014 Nov 28, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4246686/

[8] Edwards et al, Is the timing of recommended childhood vaccines evidence based? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295840691_Is_the_timing_of_recommended_childhood_vaccines_evidence_based

[9] Benn et al, Re: Non-specific effects of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in high income setting: population based cohort study in the Netherlands, BMJ Rapid Responses 16 November 2017, http://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j3862/rr

[10] Puliyel & Phadke, Deaths following pentavalent vaccine and the revised AEFI classification, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics Online First Published July 4, 2017, http://ijme.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/20170704_deaths_following_pentavalent.pdf

[11] John Stone, Re: US government website for collecting adverse events after vaccination is inaccessible to most users, BMJ Rapid Responses 29 May 2017, http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2449/rr-5 In the UK the number of children with ASD in schools has been rising year on year for more than two decades. The figure for schools are published by various government sources: National Statistics, the Department of Education, the Scottish Executive etc. The January 2017 figure for England can be calculated at 1 in 67 and the September 2016 figure for Scotland 1 in 51, however the long term position is much worse since (a) these are 15 year rolling cohorts so the rates are much higher among younger children and (b) data for younger children is still incomplete since there are many who will still not be diagnosed.The rate for English schools is derived by dividing the total number of pupils in school (8,669,085) by the number with ASD diagnosis (128,948). The first number comes from the DoE publication, Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2017, p. 3 and the other figure extracted from National Statistics Special educational needs in England: January 2017, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/623124/SFR28_2017_Main_Text.pdf & National Tables SFR 37/2017 table 8, and Additional tables SFR37/2017 table G https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england-january-2017The number of pupils in Scottish was 684,415 and the number of pupils with an ASD diagnosis was 13,423: data provided by the Scottish Executive.

[12]Read not under table https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-deaths-by-age-group-from-1980-to-2013-ons-data/measles-deaths-by-age-group-from-1980-to-2013-ons-data

[13] John Stone, English mortality from A/H1N1. Discrepancies in published data. BMJ 2010; 340 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c613 (Published 02 February 2010)

[14] Nigel Hawkes, Over 65s flu vaccination programme was ineffective, data show, BMJ 2017; 358 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j4146 (Published 05 September 2017)

[15] Letter by Kevin Barry to UNICEF, 26 December 2017 http://www.firstfreedoms.org/https://www.aish.com/jw/me/10-Basic-Facts-about-the-Israeli-Palestinian-Conflict.html

For the sake of clarity, dont neglect to consider these fundamental facts.

In all the discussion about this decades-long conflict and the quest for a solution, some basic facts are too often missing, neglected, downplayed, or skewed.

Not only does this do a disservice to history, but it also contributes to prolonging the conflict by perpetuating false assumptions and mistaken notions.

Consider:

Fact #1: There could have been a two-state solution as early as 1947. Thats precisely what the UN Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) proposed, recognizing the presence of two peoples  and two nationalisms  in a territory governed temporarily by the United Kingdom. And the UN General Assembly decisively endorsed the UNSCOP proposal. The Jewish side pragmatically accepted the plan, but the Arab world categorically rejected it.

Fact #2: When Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, it extended the hand of friendship to its Arab neighbors, as clearly evidenced by its founding documents and statements. That offer, too, was spurned. Instead, five Arab armies declared war on the fledgling Jewish state, seeking its total destruction. Despite vastly outnumbering the Jews and possessing superior military arsenals, they failed in their quest.

Fact #3: Until 1967, the eastern part of Jerusalem and the entire West Bank were in the hands of Jordan, not Israel. Had the Arab world wished, an independent Palestinian state, with its capital in Jerusalem, could have been established at any time. Not only did this not happen, but there is no record of it ever having been discussed. To the contrary, Jordan annexed the territory, seeking full and permanent control. It proceeded to treat Jerusalem as a backwater, while denying Jews any access to Jewish holy sites in the Old City and destroying the synagogues there. Meanwhile, Gaza was under Egyptian military rule. Again, there was no talk of sovereignty for the Palestinians there, either.

Fact #4: In May 1967, the Egyptian and Syrian governments repeatedly threatened to annihilate Israel, as these countries demanded that UN peacekeeping forces be withdrawn from the region. Moreover, Israeli shipping lanes to its southern port of Eilat were blocked, and Arab troops were deployed to front-line positions. The Six-Day War was the outcome, a war that Israel won. Coming into possession of the Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, and eastern Jerusalem, Israel extended feelers to its Arab neighbors, via third parties, seeking a land for peace formula. The Arab response came back on September 1, 1967, from Khartoum, Sudan, where the Arab League nations were meeting. The message was unmistakable: No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, and no negotiations with Israel. Yet another opportunity to end the conflict had come and gone.

Fact #5: In November 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat broke with the Arab rejectionist consensus. He traveled to the Israeli capital of Jerusalem to meet with Israeli leaders and address Israels parliament and speak of peace. Two years later, underscoring the lengths to which Israel was prepared to go to end the conflict, a deal was reached, in which Israel  led, notably, by a right-wing government yielded the vast Sinai Peninsula, with its strategic depth, oil deposits, settlements, and air bases, in exchange for the promise of a new era in relations with the Arab worlds leading country. In 1981, Sadat was slain by the Muslim Brotherhood for his alleged perfidy, but his legacy of peace with Israel, thankfully, has endured.

Fact #6: In September 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) reached an agreement, known as the Oslo Accords, offering hope for peace on that front as well, but eight months later, PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat confirmed the suspicions of many that he was not honest, when he was caught on tape in a Johannesburg mosque asserting that this agreement was nothing more than a temporary truce until final victory.

Fact #7: In 1994, Jordans King Hussein, following in the footsteps of Egyptian President Sadat, reached an agreement with Israel, again demonstrating Israels readiness for peace  and willingness to make territorial sacrifices when sincere Arab leaders come forward.

Fact #8: In 2000-1, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, leading a left-of-center government and supported by the Clinton administration, offered a groundbreaking two-state arrangement to Arafat, including a bold compromise on Jerusalem. Not only did the Palestinian leader reject the offer, but he shockingly told Clinton that Jews had never had any historical connection to Jerusalem, gave no counter-offer, and triggered a new wave of Palestinian violence that led to more than 1,000 Israeli fatalities (proportionately equivalent to 40,000 Americans).

Fact #9: In 2008, three years after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon unilaterally withdrew all Israeli soldiers and settlers from Gaza, only to see Hamas seize control and destroy another chance for coexistence, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert went even further than Barak in extending an olive branch to the Palestinian Authority. He offered a still more generous two-state proposal, but got no formal response from Mahmoud Abbas, Arafats successor. A Palestinian negotiator subsequently acknowledged in the media that the Israeli plan would have given his side the equivalent of 100 percent of the disputed lands under discussion.

Fact #10: At the request of the Obama administration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a ten-month freeze on settlement-building in 2010, as a good-faith gesture to lure the Palestinians back to the table. Regrettably, it failed. The Palestinians didnt show up. Instead, they have continued to this day their strategy of incitement; attempts to bypass Israel  and face-to-face talks  by going to international organizations instead; denial of the age-old Jewish link to Jerusalem and, by extension, the region; and lifetime financial support for captured terrorists and the families of suicide bombers.

Isnt it high time to draw some obvious conclusions from these facts, recognize the many lost opportunities to reach a settlement because of a consistent no from one side, and call on the Palestinians to start saying yes for a change?More people are moving into Alabama, and it is among the top 10 states in the U.S. for inbound moves, according to a new study.

Atlas Van Lines' Migration Patterns study looked at 72,986 interstate and cross-border household goods relocations from Jan. 1 through December 15, 2017.

Among the 50 states, Alabama ranked ninth for inbound moves, with 57 percent of moves involving Alabama representing people relocating there. For Alabama, 986 moves were into the state, while 745 were outgoing.

That's the second year out of the last three for Alabama to see a significant majority of inbound moves, but only the third over the last decade. Only 2015 and 2008 saw significantly more moves into the state.

Among the top 10, Tennessee and North Carolina were the only other Southern states. Idaho led all states.

In what Atlas called a "major shift," Florida transitioned to balanced after classifying as as an "inbound" state since 2013.In a Facebook Live post last week, Chef Pete Blohme, better known in culinary circles as Panini Pete, announced that he had acquired the venerable Ed's Seafood Shed, a Mobile Bay Causeway mainstay for the past 17 years.

In the 9-minute video, Blohme shows off the rambling restaurant that stands on piers on the bay side of U.S. Highway 98. He takes viewers up the stairs, inside the dining room and out to the upper and lower decks to show off the incredible bay view.

"I've been waiting about two months to do this," he enthuses in the video, which has been viewed 11,000 times. "I'm so excited!"

"Look at that view," Pete Blohme says in a Facebook Live video he recorded on Dec. 29. "It's killer!" (Photo from edsshed.com)

In a phone interview Monday, Blohme, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, said that he and his business partner, Nick Dimario, and Neal Hollingshead, general manager at Ed's, worked together years ago at Baumhower's. The restaurant's founders, Ed and Barbara Bridges, had turned down other offers to buy Ed's over the years, Blohme says. But when the couple decided to retire, Blohme came along and "it kind of happened," he says.

In the video, Blohme emphasizes that the 260-seat Ed's is "like a classic car that's being completely renovated."

Ed's remained open during the change in ownership. Blohme took possession of the restaurant on Oct. 14, he said, and since then he has made mostly cosmetic renovations to the building, including a new roof, fresh paint and other updates. "We're taking this cool brand and almost relaunching it," he says.

Inside the dining area, he points out "a lot of cool new stuff, and a lot of cool old stuff." Among the new items are artwork and mounted fishing trophies, as well as a table devoted to POWs and MIAs - a nod to his involvement with the Messlords group he helped found to entertain members of the armed forces on military bases in the United States and abroad.

Blohme tried to keep the transition "on the downlow," he says, adding that "the clientele has been very receptive, and the crew is phenomenal."

"Even though I have my own style, I still appreciate a good fried seafood house on the Causeway," Blohme says. As far as the menu goes - Ed's is known for its "Yo Mamma's Platter" and other fried seafood specialties - he says he'll take "the greatest hits" and "enhance it a little."

"This is the next phase of Ed's," he says. "It's progress, but it's also preservation. It's like I'm just taking (Ed and Sharon's) kid to college."

So far, in the kitchen he has added the homemade remoulade sauce that he says has become a signature at his Panini Pete's restaurants in Fairhope and Mobile. The turnip greens are now fresh, and the keylime pie is homemade.

"I made gumbo for the first time six weeks ago, and the crew was blown away," he says.

In addition to the two Panini Pete's Cafe and Market locations in Mobile and Baldwin County, as well as two franchised locations in West Virginia, Blohme operates Sunset Grille at Fly Creek Marina, where the atmosphere and menu are more eclectic and upscale.

When he was designing the menu at Sunset Pointe, he says, he intentionally left off Gulf Coast staples like gumbo, po-boys and fried seafood platters. "Everything we strived not to do (at Sunset Pointe), we've got" at Ed's, he says. "It's great stuff."

His two bayside restaurants, one in Fairhope and now one on the Causeway between Spanish Fort and Mobile, give diners two completely different views of Mobile Bay. "I've got both sides of the sunset now," he says.

At Ed's, there are new heaters on the upper deck overlooking the bay, and the lower deck will soon have a kids' area where children can play while their parents eat - adding to the family-friendly atmosphere.

The eatery is "a great Spanish Fort/Mobile tradition," says Blohme. "The view is phenomenal. It's going to be so much fun."Alabama State Troopers worked nearly two dozen fatal traffic crashes over the holidays.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials on Wednesday said they investigated 23 traffic deaths during the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel period which began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 and ended at midnight on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.

The number of deaths is significantly lower than the total for the same time period in 2016, said Corporal Steve Smith, which saw 31 fatalities. The numbers released by troopers include only the fatalities investigated by them and do not include deadly crashes worked by other law enforcement agencies.

The fatal traffic crashes happened in Autauga, Baldwin, Calhoun, Choctaw, Colbert, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Escambia, Geneva, Limestone, Mobile, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby and Washington counties.

Those killed were 16 drivers, four passengers, two pedestrians and one bicyclist. Of those who died, 20 of the victims were traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but 11 of them were not using them.

Troopers did see five zero-fatality days during the holiday travel period - including Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

In addition, Smith said, troopers wrapped up 2017 with fewer traffic fatality investigations than the previous year.

In all of 2017, troopers investigated 598 traffic deaths, 73 fewer than 2016's 671 traffic deaths.Birmingham lawyer Richard Jaffe says he never represented U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore or his wife, Kayla. But he did represent their son on a drug charge a couple of years ago.

One publication, Forward, however, recently identified Jaffe as the Jewish lawyer Kayla Moore referenced the night before the Dec. 12 election that her husband lost to Democrat Doug Jones. Whether she was talking about him or not, Jaffe says he was offended by Kayla Moore's comment.

"The comment is in and of itself problematic for obvious reasons," Jaffe told AL.com. "Such comments are actually painful to any minority."

"Whatever point that was trying to be made (by Kayla) certainly was not," Jaffe said.

Kayla Moore on Tuesday night, responded through a spokesperson that she was not referring to Jaffe in her comments. "Kayla was certainly not referring to Richard Jaffe but rather to an attorney currently employed by her Foundation for Moral Law," according to a statement issued on behalf of Kayla Moore.

The statement, however, did not provide the name of the attorney.

Kayla Moore, at a rally on Dec. 11, fought back against accusations that her husband doesn't support blacks or Jews, by saying at one point that one of their attorneys "is a Jew."

She pointed out that her husband appointed the first black marshal to the state Supreme Court and said they also have many friends who are black. She also refuted allegations that her husband is anti-Semitic by saying "Well, one of our attorneys is a Jew ... We have very close friends who are Jewish and rabbis."

AL.com sought to find out which lawyer Kayla Moore had referenced. Then on Wednesday the Washington Examiner identified the Jewish lawyer as Jaffe. Forward, another publication had done so on Dec. 28 in a column by Liz Brody.

Richard Jaffe

Kayla Moore had not responded to AL.com's request for comment prior to publication of this story.

Jaffe says he never represented the Moores.

"I don't know who she (Kayla Moore) is talking about," Jaffe said of her comments at the rally. "I can't say whether she was referring to me because again I have never represented judge Moore or Kayla Moore."

"I did represent their son (Caleb) a few years ago," Jaffe said. "She (Kayla Moore) also was speaking in the present tense," he said.

Jaffe had represented Caleb in a criminal drug case.

Jaffe has been a big supporter and contributor of Doug Jones and on Tuesday was heading to Washington D.C. to be a guest in the Senate gallery for Jones' swearing in ceremony on Wednesday. "We've been close friends for 30 years," Jaffe said of Jones.

Jaffe served as master of ceremonies when Jones was inducted as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama in the late 1990s.

Jaffe, in his book "Quest for Justice", wrote about his successful defense of clients charged with capital murder and the exoneration of three removed from death row. He also had other high profile clients such as Eric Robert Rudolph, the man who pleaded guilty to bombings in Atlanta, including the 1996 Olympic Park bombing and the abortion clinic bombing in Birmingham that killed a Birmingham police officer and seriously injured a clinic employee. Jaffe was the lead attorney for Rudolph for 14 months after Rudolph's capture.A former pediatrician in Alabama has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted sexual abuse, adding his name to the state's sex offender registry.

Dr. James Cartwright, formerly of Cornerstone Pediatrics in Madison, accepted a sentence of 12 months probation as part of a plea deal hatched with Limestone County prosecutors, according to court documents. A 12-month jail sentence has been suspended pending Cartwright's completion of the unsupervised probation, the agreement states. Cartwright is required to register as a sex offender.

Cartwright, a 58-year-old from Madison, was indicted in 2015 on three felony counts of sexual abuse and the misdemeanor charge. The charges stem from 2014 incidents, prosecutors said. The felonies were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Cartwright was sentenced Dec. 18, 2017.

Court officials have said the charges are not related to Cartwright's medical practice, patients or staff. Cartwright left the practice on short notice in June 2014.

"The victim who is now an adult participated in this plea," Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones told AL.com this week. The victim's identity is being withheld for privacy reasons.

"The victim and everybody else ended up on the same page that this was the only charge we could prove," the district attorney continued. "I'm glad we got this resolved."

It's unclear whether the plea will affect Cartwright's medical license, which remained active today, according to the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners website.

A representative of the Board said today that for privacy reasons, he can't confirm or deny an investigation.

"The conviction could possibly be a violation...," he said. "It could impact his license. But the board has not had an opportunity to meet and consider it, if there is an investigation."

Cartwright was a founding member of Cornerstone Pediatrics in 1991.

"Dr. Cartwright is a good man and a very talented physician," said Defense Attorney Patrick Tuten in an email to AL.com. "His criminal charges had no relation to his medical practice whatsoever. After almost 3 years Dr. Cartwright is pleased that these legal proceedings have finally come to a resolution."

The plea agreement also requires Cartwright to pay court costs, victim's compensation and a $750 bail bond fee.

Updated at 11:20 a.m. to add a comment from Cartwright's defense attorney.Ian Hoppe | for Reckon

When the world looked our way, we worked with you to change Alabama's landscape

As we dive into 2018, heres a look back at some of the journalism that made a difference in Alabama last year. This work included below helped change the states social and political landscape  in a year when the nations eyes were focused on our state like no time since the tumultuous 1960s.

Our reliance on facts, deeply sourced commentary and relentless journalistic pressure helped lead to the downfall of a governor, the indictment of corrupt officials, and the restoration of voting rights. It included experimental approaches to digging into some of the state's thorniest social and environmental issues and the development of Reckon by AL.com, a new initiative to bring people together around the most pressing issues in Alabama, with a deep focus on human rights reporting, as well at two new major documentary series.

We are grateful for our readers and viewers. Please help us by offering your ideas and sharing your questions at Ask Alabama or by emailing our Reckon director, Challen Stephens.

-- Michelle Holmes, VP of content, Alabama Media Group.

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Julie Bennett | jbennett@al.com

Robert Bentley -- FORCED FROM OFFICE

In the wake of 2016 revelations of an extramarital affair by the state's governor, AL.com continued to lead the state and national reporting corps, setting the news and commentary agenda, among other things laying out a case that Gov. Robert Bentley had broken the state's Fair Campaign Practices Act. Relentlessly digging through a trail of cover ups and deception, columnists John Archibald and Kyle Whitmire made it impossible to ignore the dots, painting a big picture of fraud and corruption. By April, the governor would plead guilty to two misdemeanors and agree to never again hold public office.

Others would fall as well. Beginning in 2016, John and Kyle raised the question of whether the states new top cop Stan Stabler was abusing his power to help the governor. The day after Kyle wrote the final column questioning Stablers role, he resigned before Gov. Ivey could fire him.

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Anna Claire Vollers | avollers@al.com

Voting rights -- RESTORED

In May, 280,000 Alabamians were supposed to gain their voting rights back under bipartisan effort signed by Gov. Kay Ivey. Yet in practice, many were being denied because of outstanding court fines and fees. One day after we published Connor Sheets' investigation "Too poor to vote: How Alabama's 'new poll tax' bars thousands of people from voting," as part of our Broken Justice series, Secretary of State John Merrill clarified the state's policy, clearing the way for many eligible, Alabamians to vote and backing up the new law by threatening to fire local registrars if they failed to comply. The change allowed thousands of new voters to register in time for the December special election.

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William Thornton | wthornton@al.com

Senate special election -- VOTERS SURGE

In scores of carefully reported news stories from staff across the state  beginning before the Washington Post's explosive revelations  we detailed Roy Moore's senate bid, reaching huge swaths of Alabamians. Once the sexual abuse scandal emerged, AL.com's reporting on new allegations by Anna Claire Vollers and the work of many other reporters and columnists drew sustained state and national attention. That daily reporting from across the state, combined with our editorials and columns based on that reporting, contributed to more Alabamians choosing to play a part in the democratic process: More than double the projected number of voters showed up at the polls, and voters made their choice clear, electing the first Democrat to serve in the U.S. Senate in decades.

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Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Rep. Oliver Robinson -- PLEADED GUILTY; Balch lawyers, Drummond VP -- INDICTED

Again, teamwork by Archibald and Whitmire painstakingly laid out a case of former Rep. Oliver Robinson, who has since admitted accepting bribes from a coal company to fight expansion of a Superfund site north of Birmingham.

This unfolding series of stories is moving deeper and deeper into the culture of political corruption in Alabama, and we believe our exposure forced the hands of prosecutors to bring even more charges against powerful business figures in the state: two attorneys and partners at Balch & Bingham, and David Lynn Roberson, a vice president at Drummond Company, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of bribery, three counts of honest services wire fraud, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

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Bill Starling | AL.com file

Capital punishment - JUDICIAL OVERRIDE ABOLISHED

AL.com persistently reported that Alabama was on a limb by itself when it came to allowing judges to override jury recommendations for life in prison and impose death penalties. An estimated 20 percent of those on death row were there because of judicial override. Stories in late 2016, including a project in November 2016 with The Marshall Project and reporter Kent Faulk pointed out the inequities. Two Alabama legislators pre-filed bills in December 2016 to eliminate judicial override. The legislature in 2017 approved the revision and the first act of new Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was to sign it into law.

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John Archibald | jarchibald@al.com

Water Works Board- INDICTMENTS and PROTEST

After years of careful and dogged reporting and commentary by Archibald, calling out abuses and corruption of the Birmingham Water Works, including columns where he revealed the board's loss of millions in pension funds in a Ponzi scheme, a special grand jury in Birmingham charged three officials with violating the Alabama ethics law, and employees rallied to demand transparency.

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Auburn Athletics -- TWO COACHES FIRED; A.D. JACOBS FORCED OUT

With dogged reporting from James Crepea, Kevin Scarbinsky and Tom Green, we broke news and landed exclusive stories about a softball scandal that, in part, led to head coach Clint Myers and assistant Corey Myers resigning. We caught Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs being dishonest about the softball scandal and our persistent, unflinching coverage made it untenable for Jacobs to continue in that role. We broke the news that Jacobs was finished as athletic director before even he knew. No organization had more thorough, impactful work on what was one of the biggest sports stories in Alabama in 2017.

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AL.com file

Paddling in schools -- SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION CHANGES POSITION

Because of the detailed coverage on paddling in Alabama's public schools that Trish Crain provided in September 2016, the Alabama school board association successfully changed its position from neutral to opposing the use of paddling in schools. The board member who introduced the resolution gave full credit to AL.com's coverage for making him aware of the widespread usage of paddling and his desire to see the association change its position.

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Ben Raines | braines@al.com

Saving Mobile Bay -- STATE ENDORSING NEW OYSTER PLAN

State officials have already endorsed a multimillion dollar plan hatched by Ben Raines to restore Mobile's lost oyster reefs. Starting from the premise that the biggest problem facing the bay's declining oyster population is that we have eaten almost all of the oysters, Raines proposed using monies from the BP oil spill to initiate a massive sexual revolution in our waters. The plan calls for growing five million oysters in cages beneath residential piers around the bay, which will release 100 trillion oyster eggs annually.

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AL.com file

High school graduation rate debacle -- INVESTIGATION AND CHANGE

When the state department of education posted 2016 graduation rates online in April with no public announcement, Trish Crain posted the rates by high school, allowing local school officials to determine the rates had been calculated inaccurately by the state department. That debacle, exposed by her thorough reporting, led to an internal investigation and development of a new protocol within the department to allow local school officials to thoroughly vet their own data prior to a public data release. The reporting and the resulting fallout also led to the retirement of a high-level state department official.

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AL.com file

Midwives - LEGALIZED

Until 2017, Alabama was one of a handful of states where most midwives could not legally practice. Pregnant women in Alabama had two legal options for giving birth: in a hospital with a doctor, or at home, unassisted. Birth choice advocates have been trying for more than a decade to get the Alabama Legislature to legalize midwifery in the state. In 2017 Anna Claire Vollers wrote on midwives crossing state lines, explainers and legislative updates. There was a consistent audience for stories on this issue, and reporting kept the issue from being swept under the rug. In the final minutes of the 2017 legislative session, a bill legalizing midwifery and providing a framework for state licensure of midwives passed and was later signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.

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AL.com file

Autism insurance bill - PASSED

The late Rep. Jim Patterson's stunning success in pushing a new law, requiring insurance to cover behavioral therapy for people with autism, through the Alabama legislature over the objections of the Business Council of Alabama was made possible by the ongoing reporting of Trish Crain. Patterson repeatedly gave credit to Crain, saying her initial story was responsible for setting the framework for the discussion and that keeping the topic in the news, helping the public and policymakers understand what the therapy was all about, was a driving force in getting the bill signed into law.

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AL.com file

Religious boot camps - REGULATED

Anna Claire Vollers 2016 investigation into abuses suffered by children at a shadowy religious boot camp in south Alabama highlighted the kinds of facilities able to operate in Alabama with virtually no state oversight by claiming a religious exemption. That story drew statewide and national attention to the issue, and later won Story of the Year from the Alabama Press Association. She continued to follow this issue during the 2017 legislative session. Legislators quietly passed a bill, later signed into law, that strictly regulates residential schools and camps like this, allowing the state greater access and oversight. At least one Christian boot camp in South Alabama where children had claimed they were abused has been shuttered and moved to another state by its owner.

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AL.com file

Speed trap - EXPOSED

"It was pretty easy to write 10-20 tickets a day but once the publicity come out in the newspaper  sometimes it's hard to get five a day." Those were the words of the mayor of Castleberry, a notorious speed trap chronicled by Reckon Reporter Chris Harress. After Harress' reporting, the town is trying to figure out new ways to fund its police force, after years of using a speed trap to pull over out-of-town drivers, taking their money and belongings, and towing the cars of those drivers, demanding a $500 fee for them to be released.

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The Underwater Forest -- POISED TO BE DESIGNATED A NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

Ben Raines wrote, directed and filmed The Underwater Forest, an award-winning half hour documentary detailing the discovery and exploration of an ancient cypress forest found on the bottom of an undisclosed location in the Gulf of Mexico. He is a co-author of several scientific papers on the site, in addition to numerous articles for AL.com. Raines and his film were featured on NBC Nightly News, BBC Television, and CBS, and written about by The Washington Post, Live Science and numerous other outlets. A Reddit Ask Me Anything with Ben and one of the scientists was the top item on Reddit, attracting an audience of 100,000 people. Scientific work at the site is ongoing, and Ben is working with federal officials to have the site designated a National Marine Sanctuary.

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Mark Almond for AL.com

UAB Football -- PROGRAM RESTORED AFTER TWO SEASONS; EARNS BOWL BERTH

UAB football was never better than it was in 2017, achieving a program-best eight wins and becoming one of the biggest stories in college football. It reminded us of the relentless 2014-15 investigation and advocacy, led by Kevin Scarbinsky, John Talty, John Archibald and Kyle Whitmire, that brought the program back to life. They challenged the flawed process used to justify the decision, exposed the motivations of the power players pushing to kill UAB football and told the stories of those affected. 2017 was the payoff of all that work as the city of Birmingham and fans rallied around a program kept alive through AL.com's important coverage.

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AL.com file

Tackling the Gap - AL.com partners with Spaceship Media

Tackling the Gap  AL.com's partnership with Spaceship Media to convene a conversation among public school teachers about how to eliminate the achievement gap between white and black students in Alabama resulted in a number of impacts, though they are not yet able to be measured easily. Many teachers in the private Facebook group had "light-bulb moments" where they began questioning their unconscious bias about black students and challenging long-held beliefs that negatively impacted black students in Alabama. Beyond that, no one had ever reported, with data, the actual achievement gap between the two groups of students. Teachers in the group said they had never seen that type of data. The series generated a lot of comment on the AL.com web site, and articles in the series were highlighted nationally in education circles as "best stories of the week." The state's largest high school, Hoover High, began a teacher discussion group about the achievement gap between the two groups of students and used material we published as a basis for discussion.

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Whitman, Alabama -- A multi-year documentary

AL.com was awarded $100,000 from the Ford Foundation to further our work on whitmanalabama.com, a multi-year documentary series by artist-in-residence Jennifer Crandall, and other filmmakers including Bob Miller, Ginnard Archibald and Pierre Kattar. The work was named Best Online Video in the North America Digital Media Awards in 2017, beating out second and third runner-up entries from the New York Times.H. Brandt Ayers, former publisher of The Anniston Star and current chairman of its publishing company, acknowledged Tuesday he assaulted a reporter in her home in the 1970s but claims he did so on the advice of a doctor.

Ayers told the newspaper he went to the Anniston home of former reporter Wendy Sigal and spanked her. Sigal's name was one of those mentioned in an Alabama Political Reporter article alleging Ayers, now 82, had forcibly spanked several female employees in the 1970s. At least three other women have made similar claims.

Ayers had previously issued a statement saying he had done some things "I regret."

"At my advanced age I wish I could relive those days again, knowing the seriousness of my position and with the accumulated judgment that goes with age," he said.

According to the story in The Star, Ayers claimed Sigal had been out of work due to a psychological ailment and he contacted her physician.

"I called the doctor and asked what should do, and he said 'calm her down,'" Ayers told The Star. He then asked the doctor if spanking would work, and the doctor said yes. Ayers said he did not remember the name of the doctor.

Sigal was 26 at the time of the alleged incident; Ayers was in his 40s. Sigal later reported the incident to her editor, according to The Star. Sigal, who worked for the newspaper from 1973-1974 before leaving after the attack, died in 2006.

Ayers also appears to admit to spanking former reporter Veronica Pike Kennedy, the first reporter to go public with her story. Kennedy said she was working at the newspaper early one Saturday when Ayers approached her about an editorial he had written and then told her she was being a "bad girl" and he would "have to spank" her.

He then struck her multiple times with a metal ruler.

When asked about the allegations involving Kennedy, Ayers said "let the accusation stand."

Ayers maintains he has no intention of resigning his position as chairman of the board of Consolidated Publishing, which operates The Star and several other newspapers.

"I am the third generation of a family that has served honorably, even courageously, in the public interest," Ayers said in The Star.

The allegations against Ayers were first detailed in an article in the Alabama Political Reporter by Eddie Burkhalter, a former Star reporter who left the newspaper in November after allegedly being prevented from reporting on the story. The Star's current staff began looking into the story when Joey Kennedy, an Alabama Political Reporter columnist and Veronica Kennedy's husband, mentioned the incident - both not the publisher or the newspaper involved - in November, The Star said.

The Star denied claims it prevented Burkhalter from pursuing the story.Doug Jones will be going against tradition during his swearing-in ceremony tomorrow after the soon-to-be senator chose former Vice President Joe Biden as his escort for the occasion.

Typically a new senator chooses their home state colleague as their escort -- in this case, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. But Shelby was not asked by Jones to accompany him to the swearing-in ceremony, WAAY TV reported Tuesday. Neither Shelby nor Jones could immediately be reached Tuesday night to confirm the report.

Jones is scheduled to be sworn into office as Alabama's newest U.S. Senator at 11 a.m. CST Wednesday. He will be taking the oath of office on a family Bible.

Biden is a family friend of Jones and helped campaign for the Democratic Senate candidate during a rally in Birmingham in October, where the former vice president predicted that a Jones victory would "send ripples down the country."

Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore in the Dec. 12 special election to fill Jeff Sessions's seat. Jones became the first Democrat in Alabama to win a U.S. Senate seat in 25 years.

Upon his swearing in, Jones will become the 49th Democratic member of the Senate, and Republicans will have a thin 51-49 majority in the upper chamber.Doug Jones & Tina Smith sworn into Senate Doug Jones & Tina Smith are sworn into the U.S. Senate by Vice President Pence. Jones replaces Luther Strange. Smith replaces Al Franken. Full Senate Session here: http://cs.pn/2CNKQ9W Posted by C-SPAN on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Update 11:28 a.m.: In welcoming Jones, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Jones "represents the best of public service, represents the best of America."

Update 11:18 a.m.: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed Jones to the Senate, adding that he "will have big shoes to fill." McConnell said Alabama "has sent some very distinguished" senators to Washington, including Jeff Sessions, who vacated the office to become President Trump's attorney general. Jones defeated Roy Moore in the Dec. 12 special election to fill the seat.

Update 11:05: Jones has been sworn into office. Among the first to congratulate him on the floor was Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who helped campaign for Jones in the final days of the special election.

Update 10:57 a.m.: In an interview with NBC News, Jones was asked how important it is for him to have former Vice President Joe Biden be his escort for the ceremony.

"I'm loving it the fact he's here," Jones said. He's been here many years himself, so it's going to be a special day."

As for what kind of senator he is going to be, Jones said that he would reach across the aisle.

"I'm hoping to be a good senator. I don't think that's a partisan issue. I think any good senator is a bipartisan, and that's what I'm looking to do," he said.

Original story

At around 11 a.m. CST, Doug Jones will become a member of one of the country's most exclusive clubs: the United States Senate.

At that time, Jones will be placing his hand on a family Bible and repeat Vice President Mike Pence's instructions to swear to uphold the Constitution as a U.S. Senator representing Alabama.

Jones shocked the political world by defeating Roy Moore in the Dec. 12 special election. With his victory, Jones became the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Alabama in a quarter century.

The official ceremony will be conducted in private; no photography or press is allowed, according to Senate rules. A reenactment of the event is scheduled for 11:25 a.m. CST. C-SPAN will be live streaming the occasion, which can be viewed here. Coverage begins at 11 a.m.

Jones will be escorted to the ceremony by former Vice President Joe Biden, who campaigned for him in Birmingham. Biden is also a family friend of Jones.

Typically, a new senator is accompanied by his home state counterpart. But the Senate website states that a different representative is sometimes chosen "because the newly elected senator has sharp political differences with that colleague."

Jones is a former federal prosecutor who oversaw the convictions of two Ku Klux Klan members responsible for the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. He also served as counsel to late Alabama Sen. Howell Heflin.

In tribute to his former boss, Jones will be wearing Heflin's cufflinks during the swearing-in ceremony, according to a spokesman for Jones's transition team.

After completing the oath, Jones will become the 49th Democratic member of the Senate.Rich Hobson, a longtime aide to Roy Moore, announced today he would run for Congress in Alabama's 2nd District, which extends from Montgomery across the southeast corner of the state.

Hobson, who managed Moore's Senate campaign, will enter the Republican primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, who is running for a fifth two-year term. State Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, is also running for the Republican nomination, as is Tommy Amason of Autuaga County, an Army veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq. The primary is June 5.

Hobson, 56, is making his first run for public office. He said he decided to run for Congress about a year ago.

Becky Gerritson, founder of the Wetumpka Tea Party and a former candidate for the 2nd District Congressional seat, introduced Hobson at today's announcement on the Capitol steps.

Hobson twice served as head of the Administrative Office of Courts when Moore was chief justice. Both times, Moore was removed from office because of defiance of federal court rulings.

Hobson stood by his support of Moore today.

"I walked with Chief Justice Roy Moore, twice, when he was attacked for standing for our values, and I paid the price," Hobson said. "I was his campaign manager in this last campaign, and all of us who were involved paid a price as we watched the liberal elite in America pull off the biggest political assassination of our time.

"But the reason why he was hated was because he believed strongly that we will never be great as a nation if we do not acknowledge the God of our founding fathers and his truth. If we don't get this right, America will cease to exist."

Hobson said his priorities in Congress would be to prioritize spending to rebuild the military, to "put America on a path to permanent prosperity," in part by making taxes the lowest in the world, and "reminding America what made us great, our Judeo-Christian values."

Hobson said he supported President Trump's policies, calling for a full repeal of Obamacare and construction of a wall on the border with Mexico.

Hobson said before a wall can be built, the government should use the military to secure the border. Moore had said the same thing during his campaign.

Hobson said he did not know Moore's plans or whether Moore would seek another office. He said he would support Moore if he does.

Moore lost to Democrat Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 special election.

Updated at 12:07 p.m. to add Tommy Amason to the list of candidates in the 2nd District.Athens police are trying to find a man accused of shooting a man at Willowbrook Apartments Saturday morning, according to Athens police.

Police have obtained a warrant for 23-year-old Patrick Johnson Tuesday. He is a 5'6" black male and weighs about 120 pounds, police said. Police have been unable to locate Johnson, Athens police chief Floyd Johnson said.

Police received a call of a car hitting a utility pole on Jefferson Street near Market Street just before 6 a.m. Saturday, he said. The driver told responding officers he had been shot at Willowbrook Apartments on Henry Drive and was driving himself to the emergency room when he hit the utility, Johnson said.

Athens-Limestone Ambulance Service treated the man initially, and Med-Flight later flew him to Huntsville Hospital, where he is still being treated for his injuries, he said.

Police are still investigating the shooting.

Patrick Johnson is wanted for first-degree assault, Johnson said. Anyone who knows his location should call Athens Police at 256-233-8700.Gautier Police identified 30-year-old Harold Edwards, of Mobile, as a man who succumbed to injuries sustained in a two-victim shooting on New Years Day.

According to police Edwards and Jerome Jackson, 22, were at the property of Willie Campbell, Jr., in Gautier.

The three men became engaged in an argument, which prompted Campbell to shoot Edwards and Jackson, striking them both once.

Both men were transported to Singing River Hospital. While in the hospital, Edwards died from his injuries.

Jackson, police say, is recovering from surgery in stable condition.

Police arrested Campbell at his home. He has been charged with aggravated assault and manslaughter.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Gautier Police Department at (228)497-2486 or The Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898.President Donald Trump denounced his former top strategist, Steve Bannon, on Wednesday, saying that he "lost his mind" after leaving the White House last summer.

"When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said of Bannon in a statement the White House issued. "Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look."

The statement represented an emphatic break from the person considered the architect of Trump's presidential campaign. Bannon continued to enjoy access to the president after he left the White House, but that has ended, one person familiar with the matter said.

Earlier on Wednesday, New York Magazine published excerpts of a forthcoming book by author Michael Wolff in which Bannon criticizes Trump's campaign as well as the president and his family. The Guardian published excerpts of the book in which Bannon predicts that Special Counsel Robert Mueller will "crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV" over the president's son's meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016.

Bannon also called Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with the lawyer, in which he expected to receive damaging information on Trump's election opponent Hillary Clinton, "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," according to the Guardian.

Bannon, reached by Bloomberg News, declined to comment on the remarks published by the Guardian.

In his 265-word statement, Trump went on to indict Bannon for some of his activities at the White House and afterward. He blamed him for the loss of a Republican Senate seat in Alabama in a special election last month and accused him of leaking to news reporters while he served as the White House chief strategist.

"Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country," Trump said. "Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesn't represent my base -- he's only in it for himself."

Bannon backed former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore over Trump's preferred candidate, incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, in a primary election for the Alabama seat. Moore lost to Democrat Doug Jones in the special election after several women accused him of sexual misconduct while they were teenagers.

"Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was," Trump said. "It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books."

In addition to Wolff's book, titled "Fire and Fury: Inside Trump's White House," Bannon was the subject of a best-selling book published last year by Bloomberg Businessweek writer Joshua Green, "Devil's Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency."

Wolff, who New York Magazine said conducted more than 200 interviews for his book including with the president and most of his senior staff, also reported that Trump never expected to win the election and had promised his wife, Melania, that he wouldn't be president. She "was in tears -- and not of joy" on election night as it became clear Trump would beat Clinton, Wolff reported.

"The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section," Melania Trump's spokesman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement. "Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run for president and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did."

Wolff reported that friends Trump phoned at night after leaving the Oval Office for the day would leak details of the conversations to reporters and that many of them consider him ignorant. Rupert Murdoch, co-chairman of Twenty-First Century Fox and a close Trump confidante, called him an "idiot" -- preceded by an expletive -- after one such call, Wolff wrote.

Trump's longtime friend Thomas Barrack called the president "not only crazy" but "stupid," Wolff reported. Barrack denied making the comments on Wednesday.

Wolff portrays Trump's top three advisers at the beginning of his presidency -- Bannon, senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former chief of staff Reince Priebus -- as consumed by infighting and frequently unable to coordinate strategy.

He wrote that a former deputy chief of staff who also left last year, Katie Walsh, was frustrated by the chaos of Trump's White House and by the president himself, and quoted her saying that working for him was "like trying to figure out what a child wants."

Other revelations may prove more damaging to the White House in the long-term. Michael Flynn, the president's former national security adviser, allegedly justified a pre-election speaking engagement paid for by Russians by saying it would only present a conflict of interest "if we won."

"This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy."Steve Bannon needs a new project, and Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, might have just given him one by announcing Tuesday that he will not seek re-election this year.

Bloomberg News reported in October that Bannon was planning to play in almost every Republican Senate primary contest, anyway, but a couple of the Breitbart News chief's would-be targets - Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. - have said that they plan to leave Washington without a fight.

What fun is that?

The race to succeed Hatch in Utah could represent an irresistible challenge for Bannon, especially if Mitt Romney runs. As I have noted before, Romney and Breitbart News were very friendly in 2012, when the former Massachusetts governor was the GOP presidential nominee. But since Romney lost to Barack Obama - an event that roughly coincided with Bannon assuming control of Breitbart - Romney has become a symbol of the political establishment Breitbart reviles.

When Romney opposed Roy Moore, Bannon's favored candidate in last month's special election for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, Bannon hit Romney with a personal attack.

"You hid behind your religion," Bannon said at a rally for Moore, referring to Romney's Mormon faith. "You went to France to be a missionary while guys were dying in rice paddies in Vietnam."

Just imagine what Bannon might say if Romney actually becomes a candidate for office.

Bannon, of course, would need to find a Romney opponent to back - ideally one who won't be accused of sexual misconduct with teenage girls, like Moore, or cozy up to white supremacists, like Paul Nehlen, a challenger to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., whom Breitbart supported in 2016.

The good news for Bannon is that expectations would be low for any candidate running against Romney, who is highly popular in Utah. The last candidate Bannon supported in Utah, President Donald Trump, won the state in the 2016 general election but finished third in the Republican primary, 55 points behind Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) and just behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Utah is a great state for Romney and a bad one for Bannon, which means that the former White House chief strategist would be under little pressure. If he could field a candidate who could avoid embarrassment and make Romney sweat - even a little - Bannon might be able to use the Utah race as a big stage to take some shots at the GOP leadership.Set aside the old adage to follow the money. If you want to learn something about Alabama's economic future, maybe you should follow the furniture.

United Van Lines has released its 41st annual National Movers Study, showing which way it hauled people's stuff in 2017. In its breakdown of the data, Alabama popped up at No. 10 on the list of top "inbound" states, those with more people moving in than moving out.

While that seems like a positive development, the news for Alabama seems like more of a mixed bag.

The bigger national trend, according to United Van Lines, is that "Americans are moving westward, flocking to the Mountain and Pacific West, while the Northeast and Midwest continue to lose residents." The Mountain West was the biggest gainer at 54 percent inbound, thanks to Oregon, Idaho and Nevada, which all were above 60 percent inbound.

United's report cited Michael Stoll, an economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California in Los Angeles. "This year's data reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states, especially to those where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average, among other factors," said Stoll. "We're also seeing continued migration to the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West as young professionals and retirees leave California."

Closer to home, a faculty member at the University of South Alabama said that while the data was "interesting in several ways," it wasn't comprehensive enough to be a basis for sweeping conclusions. "It is one data point, really," said Doug Marshall, an associate professor of sociology and anthropology at the USA, and its director of honors education. Among other limitations, he said, United's report blurs regional differences and omits some possibly relevant factors.

Still, he said, it provides food for thought.

"It seems like there's multiple messages in the data," said Marshall.

Regionally the South also did well, with 52 percent inbound moves. But the shifts weren't uniform: Kentucky was a loser, while all the states surrounding Alabama were balanced. The regional gains were driven by Alabama (55 percent inbound), South Carolina (57 percent) and North Carolina (56 percent).

Even among those three winners, there were substantial differences. All were a draw for retirees but South Carolina was far and away the most attractive: 33 percent of inbound movers said retirement was a factor, compared to 9 percent of outgoing movers who said that retirement plans factored into their departure. For Alabama, retirement was on the minds of 14 percent of the incoming movers and 6 percent of the outgoing.

Given that, it's no surprise that South Carolina was gaining residents age 65 and up. So was Alabama, though to a lesser extent.

More troubling was the other end of the age spectrum: All three states were losing residents age 18-34. For North Carolina the split was only about 1 percent, but for South Carolina and Alabama it was about 10. For Alabama, 19 percent of those moving into the state were in that age bracket, compared to 28 percent of those moving out.

Alabama was making gains in the 35-44 bracket (18 percent incoming, 14 percent outgoing), losing in the 45-54 bracket (16 incoming, 27 percent outgoing) and gaining in the pre-retirement 55-64 bracket (28 percent arriving, 14 percent departing). The same approximate pattern applied to the other two states.

"I think what we miss is that people aren't just coming here for retirement," said Marshall. "They're coming here before retirement." They're looking for "twilight jobs" in the part of the country where they want to spend retirement, he said.

"You also can't miss that part of the move to Alabama is, we have a relatively low cost of living," he said.

One moving company's data hardly presents a comprehensive demographic picture. A similar newly-released study from Atlas Van Lines also lists Alabama as a destination state. But in contrast to the United study, it ranks Tennessee as a population gainer and Louisiana as a loser, where United shows both as balanced. Atlas also ranks South Carolina as a balanced state, rather than one with a net gain.

Clearly, your mileage may vary. But United Van Lines' numbers seem to suggest that Alabama's population, including its workforce, may be getting older.

Another problematic figure: Despite all Alabama's economic developments, United Van Lines is more likely to haul someone out of Alabama to take a new job than the company is to bring someone into the state for work. 61 percent of incoming movers said work was a factor, compared to 74 percent of those leaving.

Marshall cautioned against making too much of that imbalance, however. The numbers are all about who's moving, not who's working. Alabama has fought to attract employers who can harness a workforce eager to take nonunion manufacturing jobs. The goal hasn't been to attract new workers to the state, it's been to provide jobs for people who already are here.

Success on that front wouldn't show up on United Van Lines' radar. Someone who finds work close to home doesn't hire a moving company.

Marshall said that the data suggest to him an Alabama that is growing to be a little less like Mississippi and Louisiana, and maybe a little more like Georgia and South Carolina. "Maybe Alabama is kind of joining the New South," he said.

Illinois was the biggest loser, with 63 percent of its moves outbound. Vermont was the biggest gainer, with just under 68 percent of its moves inbound.

Marshall, who himself moved to Mobile from Illinois, said he wasn't surprised to see his former state at the bottom of the migration rankings. But he attributed that in part to a factor that wasn't on the moving company's radar. "It's a politically dysfunctional state," he said, and that probably has prompted people to move on.

United's results were based on 2,578 Alabama shipments. Some 1,425 of those were trucked into the state, while 1,153 were loaded up and hauled away across the state line. By comparison, Vermont's No. 1 inbound ranking was based on a much smaller sample of just 254 shipments. California had the most shipments overall, at 23,779 - more than 10 percent of the total 219,822 logged by United.Shehab Kawasmi decided to dedicate his life work to depict the rich history of his beloved city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, occupied West Bank  In his small and cramped studio, Shehab Kawasmi moves carefully around piles of centuries-old photographs, stacks of drawings and thick books.

A realist painter, Kawasmi uses his brush to draw hundreds of historic and religious landmarks in Jerusalems Old City, the place where he was born and raised.

I feel it is my duty as an artist to preserve the history of our city for future generations, said the Palestinian aritis, who has dedicated his lifes work to depict the rich history of his city.

Born in 1959 in the holy citys Chain Gate neighbourhood, just a few steps away from al-Aqsa Mosque, the Palestinian painter grew up surrounded by Jerusalems numerous monuments.

For him and his friends growing up in the 1960s, these iconic landmarks were their playground, a place of affinity and inspiration.

Drawings of Old Jerusalem from the artists book [Al Jazeera]

Ever since his teenage years, the Old City, with its ancient landscape, interlinked souqs and Roman, Christian and Islamic architecture, has always lured Kawasmi to recreate it on canvas.

I used to draw Jerusalem landmarks for friends and family as gifts, but later on they encouraged me to do it professionally and full time, and this is how I started my Jerusalem collections, he said.

Kawasmi has so far published a number of books with his creations and has exhibited both at home and abroad.

His vast collection includes drawings of intricate artwork from inside al-Aqsa Mosque, Ottoman architecture, Christian landmarks, churches and ancient archaeological sites.

They are all based on his own observation of the famous landmarks, as well as photographs he has taken of them.

Kawasmi has also assembled a vast collection of old photographs of many of Jerusalems historical and religious places dating back to the previous centuries.

His latest book, Kan Yama Kan, or One upon a Time: Jerusalem before a 100 years, has more than 70 black and white realistic drawings depicting the Old Citys history and religious significance.

Drawings of Old Jerusalem from the artists book [Al Jazeera]

Every time the topic turns to Jerusalem, Kawasmis face lights up as he describes the Old Citys ancient passageways, many of which outsiders would find puzzling and confusing.

He and other local Palestinians know almost every corner of the citys narrow lanes, its secret alleys, its Roman caverns, its Christian monasteries and numerous Ottoman and other Islamic landmarks.

I can never get lost here, said Kawasmi.

Like every Palestinian from Jerusalem, every corner of it is practically imprinted in my memory since childhood.

This place represents my entire life  as a child, an adult and as an artist.

Shehab Kawasmi in his studio [Ali Younes / Al Jazeera]

Kawasmi said the publication of his latest book hit a snag due to the high cost of printing its glossy cover-to-cover content.

But things took a turn for the better when King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is the custodian of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, decided to sponsor Kawasmis effort after coming to know about it.

King Abdullah saved this project with his generous donation, and I am so grateful for that, he said.

Abdullah also purchased 100 copies which he gifted to participating delegations during the Arab League summit held in Jordans capital, Amman, in March.

Currently, Kawasmi is working on another book of drawings dedicated specifically to al-Aqsa Mosque and its ancient artwork.

Drawings of Old Jerusalem from the artists book [Al Jazeera]

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @Ali_reportsWhy Belgians across the country are housing refugees and migrants in their homes.

Brussels, Belgium  Yoon Daix leads something of a double life.

By day, the friendly 43-year-old manages a team of call centre agents in a corporate office.

When he clocks off at 5pm, Yoon takes the metro home, makes himself a coffee and then heads to Maximilian Park in northern Brussels.

By 8pm, a crowd of undocumented refugees  mostly young men but also some women and young children from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, South Sudan and Ethiopia  have gathered in the dimly lit park.

Many know Yoon and greet him with a big smile and a hug.

For the rest of the evening, often until after midnight, Yoon and a core group of volunteers will stay at the park, assigning homes where the undocumented men, women and children will sleep while Belgian citizens turn up to collect their guests for the night.

What we do is really make a link between the refugees who are in Belgium and not being offered any kind of support or help by our authorities and Belgian families who cannot stand knowing that many people are sleeping in the cold, Yoon says.

Each night, the volunteers try to house 300 to 400 people.

Volunteers try to find a safe place to sleep for undocumented men, women and children each night in a park in Brussels, Belgium. [Al Jazeera]

In the past few months, the citizens solidarity and hosting movement has grown quickly.

In late August, Yoon joined an initial call-out to help find nightly hosts for some 30 women and children after mass arrests of undocumented people sleeping in the park.

Before long, so many citizens were offering spots in their homes that the volunteers decided to try to find beds for everyone.

The closed Facebook group, where all the organising happens, now has nearly 27,000 members from towns and cities across Belgium.

The Facebook page for the citizen hosting platform group is constantly humming: members offer beds or to drive guests (most refugees dont have the money to take public transport and also fear being arrested) to their hosts homes, they ask questions (Is it safe? What should I make for breakfast?), and share information and their experiences.

The citizens represent a cross-section of Belgian society.

They are young, retired, single, couples, families with young children, students who live in shared flats and even a hotelier who puts refugees up in his hotel.

Some of the guests have become so close to their hosts that they have given them the keys to their house.

Many individuals want to go to the UK, not realising that they can apply for asylum in Belgium.

Those who gather in the park, with little else but the donated clothes theyre wearing, say the warmth theyve encountered in Brussels is unique compared with their experiences of other EU countries.

The people [here] really know what human rights mean, said a 24-year-old South Sudanese man who was shivering one night in the park.

When I see my brothers are in a safe place I feel good.

The volunteers see their platform as also countering anti-refugee sentiment in the country and a means of putting pressure on local politicians to ensure that refugees and migrants are not invisible and can access basic information and assistance.

Filmmakers: Victoria Baux and Annette Ekin

Executive Producer: Andrew PhillipsThe Afghan constitution which gives unprecedented powers to the president is at the heart of a major crisis in Kabul.

The dismissal of Governor Atta Muhammad Nur of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan by President Ashraf Ghani on December 18, 2017, was met with adamant defiance by the governor and his supporters. It was an unnecessary, constitutionally induced, crisis that has brought the country to the brink of yet another major conflict.

This development is also a symptom of a much deeper constitutional problem, which, if not resolved, could be a recipe for disaster in the future.

The 2004 Afghan constitution invests the president with more powers than former Afghan kings had before the republican period. Among them is the power to appoint all government officials, political and professional, from the cabinet to the district levels.

At the same time the office of the president, at least in practice, tends to be filled only with ethnic Pashtuns. That is why candidates view the presidency as the prize to be won at any cost.

Hence, presidential elections have become a massive exercise in fraud. The last election conducted in 2014 was the worst by far. Following accusations of unprecedented violations, US Secretary of State John Kerry brokered, extra-constitutionally, a national unity government for Ashraf Ghani and Abdulla Abdulla to share power, averting a likely tragedy.

The exercise of presidential rights to appoint all government officials, in an ethnically divided and tribal society, is fraught with charges of monopolising power, bias and discrimination.

Because the retention of the prize necessitates reliance on kinsmen, tribesmen, and cronies, it promotes politicisation of ethnolinguistic and sectarian identities, heightening tensions and insecurity.

A long history of centralisation and ethnic tensions

Afghanistan inherited this trend towards centralisation from decades of political leaders trying to personalise power and exacerbating ethnic tensions.

The political culture of kingship, predicated on centralisation of power in the hands of Pashtun monarchs who relied on their trusted kinsmen and tribesmen, dates back to the 1880s. Abdur Rahman Khan (1880-1901) secured the throne for himself with the help of British India, which provided him with substantial long-term subsidies of modern weapons and cash. His grandson, Shah Amanullah (1919-1929) enshrined centralism in the countrys first constitution (1923).

In the 1930s, King Zahir Shah came to the throne and reigned with his uncles for three decades as an absolute monarch before adopting a new constitution in 1964. The new document prevented members of the royal family from holding high positions in the government. This bold attempt at constitutional monarchy was short-lived, as Zahir Shah was removed from the throne in a military coup in 1973, led by his cousin and brother-in-law, former Prime Minster Muhammad Daoud.





Daoud claimed unprecedented powers before his demise at the hands of Soviet-backed Afghan communist parties in April 1978. The communists attempted to set up centralised rule but were challenged by Western-backed anti-communist Mujahideen forces and the country plunged into civil war.

Despite the Mujahideens military successes, they failed to form a functioning government as in-fighting erupted. These internecine conflicts further divided the country along ethnolinguistic and sectarian cleavages.

While the war for control of Kabul was raging, in the peripheries a number of powerful regional leaders consolidated power using ethnolinguistic, tribal and sectarian affiliations. Atta Muhammad Nur, of Jamiat-e-Islami party, established himself as a Tajik leader in Balkh province during this period.

The violent takeover of the primarily Pashtun Taliban beginning in 1995 and then the bloody US invasion of 2001 consolidated ethnic and regional divisions.

A new old constitution

In removing the Taliban from power, the US-led coalition forces worked closely with the commanders of the Northern Alliance who had resisted the Taliban conquest of their territories. Nur was one of the key commanders assisting the coalition. The defeat and demise of the Taliban were celebrated widely in northern Afghanistan because it afforded them a chance to govern their local communities within a decentralised national political structure. But that was not to be.

At the Bonn Conference organised by the United Nations, the monarchic-era constitution of 1964, excluding the Chapter on the King, was adopted as the legal framework for operation of the interim and transitional governments of Afghanistan. The same constitution appears to have been tweaked by the commission for drafting a new constitution and was adopted in December 2004. The Chapter on the King seems to have been renamed the Chapter on the President, granting far broader powers to the president than the former king had.

The 2004 constitution, upon the insistence of the US and its allies, included provisions guaranteeing human rights, recognition of minorities and steps towards gender equity.

However, demands for a parliamentary system and decentralised governance put forward mainly by non-Pashtuns were ignored. In this way, the country was saddled with the most inappropriate all-powerful presidential executive structure which cannot, has not, and will not be able to deliver the many positive constitutional rights of the peoples of Afghanistan.

The 2004 constitution, like all other previous constitutions of Afghanistan, denies the peoples of Afghanistan their rights to elect their governors, mayors and district officers. It also denies them the possibility to recruit or hire their professional administrators. The right of community self-governance which could have transformed the peoples of Afghanistan from subjects to empowered citizens was not considered. Thus, abuses by Kabul-appointed strangers who lord over local communities instead of serving them are rampant.

Recruitment and hiring of civil servants, when vetted by local committees, can reduce pervasive nepotism, cronyism and corruption. It could also reduce or eliminate identity politics and bridge the trust gap between state and society. Indeed, if governors were elected, Governor Nur would have been elected by the people of Balkh province, eliminating the reason for the current crisis.

Such overbearing undemocratic centralised governance structures are unacceptable in Europe and the United States. Afghanistans 2004 constitution was produced under the auspices of the UN, US and EU. Sadly, since the firing of Governor Nur, some Western ambassadors in Kabul appear to support President Ghanis decision by demanding adherence to the rule of law. This despite the fact that they know full well the absurdity and undemocratic nature of the law that has produced the current growing conflict in Afghanistan.

A constitutional provision blatantly causing instability, promoting personalisation of power, nepotism, tribalism, cronyism, discrimination, politicisation of identities and a trust deficit in society should not be condoned but openly opposed by the international community.

If their desire is to enhance long-term security and stability in Afghanistan, they must help amend the constitution which, with its current provisions, breeds conflicts and contributes to a myriad of problems in struggling multi-ethnic Afghanistan.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.As the historical, consistent, and periodic uprisings of Iranians against tyranny in their homeland enters a new phase, here are the top 10 ways any such momentous occasion can be instantly discredited and compromised.

1. Have US President Donald Trump tweet his support for the Iranian people and their struggles for freedom and democracy. Then have his UN ambassador Nikki Halley follow up with a call for an emergency session of the Security Council to discuss Iran  the very same council she berated when it voted against Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

There is absolutely no single more effective act of unsurpassed hypocrisy and deceit to discredit the momentum of the uprising instantly and make the demonstrators think twice before they seek to dismantle the power of their clerical tormentors.

2. Place Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu behind a desk with his back to a gaudy cliche library and tape him sending a message of support and solidarity to the Iranian people and their magnificent culture and love for the Zionist brand of freedom and justice. Make sure the Israeli Orientalists teach him how to drop a few Persian words here and there, and watch Iranian demonstrators gag and throw up as they run towards the nearest mosque to join the Revolutionary Guard to defend their homeland against the Saudi-Zionist alliance and forget about any protest.

3. Have Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman pay for a short animation about how he and his army are invading Iran and liberating Iranians. You will see how Iranians protesting in their streets break into their favourite national dance to the tune of Baba Karam and forget about any revolutionary aspirations.

4. Have Kasra Naji of the BBCs Persian service show up on the BBC World News and offer his juvenile delinquent prose and politics as analysis of what is happening in Iran. Any decent, intelligent human being in opposition to the clerical regime will have an instant and uncontrollable case of viral stomach upset and rush to the nearest toilet for relief, forgetting all about any revolutionary idea that may have crossed his mind.

{articleGUID}

5. Have Haaretz run two or three stories a day explaining why thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets, cherry-picking slogans that dovetail with their liberal Zionist hogwash to make the region safe for their settlers colony. Those articles are sure to boil the blood of Iranian demonstrators and make them forget about any notion of democracy. They will surely be joining the next anti-Israeli demonstrations organised by their ruling regime.



6. Make sure Fox News unleashes its stellar yellow journalism on the uprising, depicting Iran as the next Promised Land Donald Trump is going to give to Christian Zionists.

7. Increase the State Department fund the US allocated for regime change in Iran and accelerate the generous distribution of these funds among expatriate Iranian journalists, unemployed academics, and silly comedians.

8. Have the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) keep up their useless rhetoric. As a Washington-based lobby tasked with the promotion of Iranian-American interests, NIAC is no match for AIPAC but they are still young and have high hopes. Their brand of yuppie neoliberalism and cosy location in Washington would surely rub a vast segment of the Iranian working class the wrong way and make them think twice before they lend a hand to a revolutionary mobilisation that NIAC seeks to make palatable to their Washington audiences.

9. Make sure all followers of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK)  the notorious Islamist cult of Maryam Rajavi bankrolled by the Saudis and blessed by the Israelis to wreak havoc in Iran  clumsily seek to fuel the flame of protests in Iran over the internet. Then see how Iranians pause and wonder if they really want to see Maryam Rajavi as their next president.

10. Have Mr Reza Pahlavi reiterate his half-baked aspirations to go back and reclaim his fathers throne in Iran. As a useful idiot, he would be instrumental in reminding Iranians of the tyranny of his father and grandfather and put the criminal atrocities of the Islamic Republic in historical perspective.

Now, against all these ways to discredit any uprising in Iran, there is only one sure way to restore legitimacy to it and rekindle the revolutionary flame against tyranny: Invite a cheerleader for the Islamic Republic, like Mohammad Marandi, on Al Jazeera and give him the podium to play back his broken record of how utterly splendid everything is in his La La Land. Do not interrupt the Orwellian newspeak he was so rushed to rehearse that he forgot to shave properly before he sat in front of the camera.

Youll see the demonstrators rush back in the street smashing every window and burning every picture that reminds them of his sparse beard.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.UN envoy Nikki Haley says Trump willing to cut all aid to Islamabad as Washington prepares to take action.

Pakistan has been accused of playing a double game and harbouring terrorists by Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, as the war of words continues between the two countries over military aid.

Haleys comments come a day after President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid to Pakistan for allegedly lying to the US and offering little help in hunting terrorists in neighbouring Afghanistan.

There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years, Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan, Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. That game is not acceptable to this administration.

Urging greater cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, she said Trump is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan.

On January 1, in his first tweet of the new year, Trump said: the United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018

Trumps tweet appeared to have further increased tensions between countries and sparked a strong reaction from Islamabad.

On Monday, Pakistans Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif told the Pakistani TV network Geo: We have already told the US that we will not do more, so Trumps no more does not hold any importance.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi called a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Tuesday who expressed deep disappointment over Trumps comments.

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Pakistans ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, rejected the allegations and said her countrys cooperation was not based on aid but national interests.

We have contributed and sacrificed the most in fighting international terrorism and carried out the largest counter-terrorism operation anywhere in the world, she said in an email sent to Al Jazeera on Wednesday.

US spokespersons should not shift the blame for their own mistakes and failures onto others.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders added that the US would lay out specific actions against Pakistan in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Relations between the US and Pakistan have deteriorated since the Trump administration began taking a hard line on Afghanistan last year.

On Thursday, Pakistans military warned the US against the possibility of taking unilateral action against armed groups on its soil.





Michael Kugelman, a US-based analyst and Asia Program Deputy Director at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington, DC, said Pakistan-US relations are in for a very rough ride.

Both sides have effectively dug in their heels, with the US demanding Pakistan to do more against terror and Pakistan insisting it has already done so much and wont do any more, he told Al Jazeera.

This puts the relationship on a collision course.

I dont expect a full rupture in ties, as each side benefits from some semblance of a workable relationship, but there will be dark days ahead.

Zafar Jaspal, an analyst on Pakistan and Professor of International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, said besides the war on terror in Afghanistan, there are bigger games at play in the context of Pakistan-US relations.

There is a realignment in international politics and Pakistan is drifting towards Eurasian alliances, like China and Russia and that is not acceptable to the Americans.US President Donald Trump hits out at Steve Bannon, saying his former chief strategist has lost his mind.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has reportedly called a meeting between Donald Trumps son and a Russian lawyer during the 2016 election campaign treasonous  drawing an angry response from the US president.

Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind, Trump, who sacked Bannon in August, said in a statement.

Steve doesnt represent my base, he said, adding that Bannon is only in it for himself.

Trumps comments on Wednesday came in response to the release of excerpts from the upcoming book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, written by investigative journalist Michael Wolff.

Russian probe

Al Jazeeras Diane Eastabrook, reporting from Washington, DC, said the book contained explosive allegations.

She said Bannons treason comment was referring to a meeting Donald Trump Jr took with Natalia Veselnitskaya in June 2016 after an intermediary promised material that would potentially incriminate Trumps Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

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In this book, allegedly Bannon says that [this] should have been reported, that Donald Trump Jr should have immediately gone to the FBI with that information and because that he actually accepted that meeting with this woman to potentially get this dirt was treasonous, said Eastabrook.

The excerpts were first reported by British newspaper The Guardian, which obtained an early copy of the book, which is expected to be published next week.

Containing some 200 interviews from people inside the White House, Wolffs book reportedly paints Trump as a juvenile in many ways who does not understand the weight of his role and spends his evenings eating cheeseburgers in bed, watching TV and talking on the phone to his old friends.

The release of the excerpts comes as Robert Mueller, a former FBI director, is leading an investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected. Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation.

That is why you are seeing this forceful pushback by the US president, said Eastabrook.

Working closely

In his statement, Trump also said that Bannon was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with him.

Eastabrook noted, however, that the presidents claim was really questionable, underlining the two mens close ties.





Steve Bannon came in in the late summer of 2016 to run Trumps campaign, she said. He then became a chief strategist for the transition and then came into the White House as his chief political strategist.

The former head of far-right outlet Breitbart News, Bannon has been labelled by critics a white supremacist.

After joining Trumps campaign, he helped the president draft a controversial travel and immigration ban from several Muslim-majority countries.

According to Wolffs book, Bannon was encouraging Trump to name Jerusalem as Israels capital shortly after taking office.

The US president eventually did so on December 6, provoking Palestinian anger and widespread condemnation by the international community.Musician-turned-MP weighs in on Ugandas future and appeal to youth as law removing presidents age limit passed.

Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni signed into law a controversial bill that removes presidential age limits from the constitution.

The legal adjustment, signed by Museveni on December 27, allows the 73-year-old president to extend his almost 31 years in power, despite once saying he despised African leaders who want to overstay in power.

Museveni would have been barred from contesting elections in 2021 under the previous rules, which prevented candidates younger than 35 or older than 75 from holding presidential office.

Now, he can rule indefinitely.

One of the MPs that put up a fight against amending the constitution was recently elected Robert Kyagulanyi, better known by his fans as Bobi Wine.

The famous Ugandan musician caused a political youthquake after defeating established ruling party and opposition MPs to win the Kyadondo East parliamentary seat in August.

Al Jazeera spoke to Kyagulanyi about the passing of the divisive bill and what it means for Uganda, which has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power since independence from Great Britain in 1962.

Al Jazeera: What happens now for the coalition of MPs who fought to retain age limits? Has this battle been lost?

Robert Kyagulanyi: It wasnt just a fight of a coalition of MPs, it was a stand of a country.

It is evident that the country wants to go into a certain direction of self-determination and have a peaceful transition. But the leadership that we have seems to want to hold Uganda in one position.

We seem to be stuck with a president who doesnt believe anyone else can lead Uganda. Unfortunately, that has left us lagging behind for a very long time.

To an ordinary mind, it may seem that we lost when the age limit bill went through. But in my opinion, we succeeded in opening the minds of the people.

Ive always been telling Ugandans that they must take up responsibility and not leave it to the politicians.

. Robert Kyagulanyi, musician turned MP

Im glad that they are realising that parliament now is more or less a club of politicians that only go there to fulfill their needs. The more people get involved, the more we are going to channel policy and decisions to another that works for us.

This is going to challenge more Ugandans to get involved. First and foremost, get involved in the politics and running of our country but also to become active voters.

As you know, many young people in dictatorships tend to resign to apathy.

The government wants people to be less interested in the way the country is run. Our battle now is to interest as many Ugandans as possible. That way, we can make use of any other constitutional opportunity that lands our way.

Al Jazeera: What is the most important issue facing Uganda today?

Kyagulanyi: It is a situation where we have to decide between an individual and a country. That is the most serious dilemma right now.

We have a country which is yearning to go in a certain direction, but then again there is an individual seeking to satisfy his ego.

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Unfortunately, he wields a lot of weapons and a huge budget. However, Im always encouraged by the fact that more ferocious, intimidating and authoritarian leaders have led Uganda.

But the way they were overpowered was even laughable. So that should encourage this generation.

Al Jazeera: Will you continue to fight against Musevenis indefinite stay in power?

Kyagulanyi: Certainly. There is absolute lawlessness. But for people to rise up against dictatorship, they first need to realise it is a dictatorship.

And in that effort, the dictator has to play a huge role in unmasking himself. He has to show a huge role for us in showing the people that they dont matter any more.

Good enough, every day, our president does it. Hes told people to their faces that he is not their servant.

The sooner our people get to internalise they are enslaved, thats when theyll rise to claim their freedom.

Al Jazeera: Where do you think you are going with your political career?

Kyagulanyi: I dont have any political career. And Im not going anywhere with any political career.

Im a Ugandan and an artist by profession who is interested in playing a part. At the end of the day, Im also remembered as somebody whose life was not a loss to the country.

I played a role, got supported by people and got a reward for that support, and probably be able to encourage other artists or other people that get places of informal influence to use it for the betterment of their people. That would be enough for me.





I sit on the human rights committee in the parliament and I also sit on the committee for presidential affairs.

But I must let you know that parliament is literally impotent. We have made resolutions and recommendations now and then but you dont see any change.

I raised the issue of suspects that are arrested just after court appearances by plain-clothed thugs.

Then there was the raid of parliament during the age-limit debate by similar unidentified thugs.

So if you are looking for evidence of a failed state, I dont know anywhere else to look other than Uganda.

Al Jazeera: How do you aim to address issues of the youth, particularly unemployment that is one of the highest in the world?

Kyagulanyi: Its pathetic. First of all the youth are not in positions of leadership, so they cant make those decisions that turn around their plight.

You realise that over 85 percent of our population is under the age of 35. But when you look at the cabinet ministers, the majority of them are way beyond their 70s.

Kyagulanyi, better known by his fans as Bobi Wine, put up a fight against amending the constitution [Barbara Angopa/Al Jazeera]

The group of people planning is very disconnected from the people it is planning for. They cant pave the way for entry of new blood because there is so much sectarianism and corruption.

For anybody to get into a certain position, you must belong to a certain tribe, a certain family or must bear a certain last name.

And that alone excludes people while at the same time keeping others in office indefinitely. We cant keep looking at one person or only one family for solutions.Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo says response to DRC protests was barbarism, as calls persist for president to resign.

A Catholic Church leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has condemned the states response to protests over the weekend as barbarism, after a dozen people were killed in the violence, according to recent estimates from protest organisers.

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, the archibishop of Kinshasa, said the deadly crackdown on protesters who marched in the capital and other cities on Sunday has created a sociopolitical malaise that cuts across our dear and beautiful country.

We can only denounce, condemn and stigmatise the actions of our so-called valiant men in uniform who unfortunately are carrying out  no more, no less  barbarism, Monsengwo said in a statement.

The death toll of mass anti-government rallies has risen to 12, Jonas Tshombela, a spokesman for the protest organisers, told AFP news agency.

Eleven people were killed in Kinshasa and one was killed in the city of Kananga, Tshombela said.

The protests were called for by a Catholic Church committee in the Congo, and supported by opposition groups, civil society organisations, and other activists.

In his letter, Monsengwo said it is no longer a secret to anyone that the general climate in the country, and in the capital in particular, is characterised by renewed fear and anxiety, uncertainty and even panic.

Protesters rallied on Sunday against Kabilas refusal to step down [John Bompengo/AP]

Scores of people were injured and more than 120 were arrested at the rallies after state police and military forces shot tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition at the protesters.

Monsengwo said security forces prevented worshippers from reaching churches for Sunday mass and fired tear gas in different parishes across Kinshasa.

He said soldiers entered churches under the pretext of searching for troublemakers.

Security forces also fired live ammunition on Christians holding bibles, rosaries and crucifixes in their hands and arrested priests and worshippers, Monsengwo said.

Government response

Laurent Mende, a government spokesperson, said Monsengwos statement was a political declaration that lacked in facts.

Mende accused Monsengwo of inciting  the Congolese people to hatred and confrontation.

He said Congo security forces respected international law in dealing with events on December 31.

The government puts Sundays death toll at five people, Mende told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

Mende also accused agitators of seeking to destabilise the country.

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Protesters were calling on Joseph Kabila, the countrys president, to step down and respect a 2016 political agreement in which he had pledged to allow for new elections before the end of the year.

Kabila now plans to remain in power until December 2018 to allow for voter registration to be completed.

Monsengwo accused Kabila of voluntarily violating the agreement, known as the Saint Sylvestre Accord.

A spokesperson for the European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called on the Congo government to free arrested protesters, including some religious leaders, who were arrested at the demonstrations.

The Congolese authorities have a responsbility to protect their citizens, not repress them, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Ghislain Muhiwa, a member of a coalition of civil society groups and human rights orgnaisations known as the Civil Society Action Collective (CASC), said the state has violated the Congolese peoples right to freedom of expression and freedom of protest.

For us, thats not acceptable, Muhiwa told Al Jazeera. We have to say that the government has completely lost the confidence of the Congolese people.

The state has alleged that criminals infiltrated the protests with weapons. It says an investigation into the allegations of human rights violations is ongoing.

We deeply regret that there has been loss of life, including a police officer, Mende said earlier this week.

Calls for new leadership

But Muhiwa raised doubt over whether a government investigation will get to the truth of what happened.

We cannot give credibility to a government that has lied repeatedly when accused of human rights violations in the past, Muhiwa said.

He said more protests opposing Kabilas rule are being planned, but did not provide an exact date for future actions.





In the meantime, people want Kabila to make his plan for forthcoming elections clear, and present guarantees that he will not put forward his candidacy, Muhiwa said.

Under the current constitution, a Congo president can only serve two, consecutive, five-year terms. Kabilas presidential mandate ended in December 2016.

His place is no longer in the presidency, Muhiwa said. He doesnt deserve to lead the Congo. We need new leadership.US President Donald Trump, whose controversial decision last month to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital prompted global condemnation and widespread protests, has threatened to cut off aid to Palestinians.

Trump said in a pair of Twitter posts on Tuesday that we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue  peace treaty with Israel.

He added that, with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

US aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) currently stands at about $300m a year. The US gives Israel annual military aid of $3.1bn. Next year, that figure will increase to $3.8bn under a 10-year deal agreed by Barack Obama shortly before he stepped down as US president.

Earlier this week, the PA said it was recalling its envoy to the United States following Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The move came after Palestinian officials had said they would no longer accept any peace plan put forward by Washington following Trumps unilateral declaration on December 6, when he also announced that the US would begin a process to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.





No country currently has its embassy in the city, which is home to holy religious sites and has particular significance for Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Trumps announcement sparked deadly protests in the occupied Palestinian territories and major rallies in support of the Palestinians across the Muslim world.

A resounding majority of United Nations member states also defied unprecedented threats by Trump to declare the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital null and void.

Trump has previously said he wants to relaunch frozen peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians in search of the ultimate deal.

Jerusalems status is an extremely sensitive aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel claims the city as its capital, following the occupation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war, and considers Jerusalem to be a united city.

Palestinian leaders have long seen East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. They fiercely oppose any changes that could be regarded as legitimising Israels occupation and annexation of the citys eastern sector.

There was no immediate reaction from Palestinian officials to Trumps tweets on Tuesday.Two new senators join US politics as sexual misconduct scandals by powerful men affect politicians.

Two Democratic senators have been sworn into office in the United States, reducing the upper chambers already slim Republican majority.

Mike Pence, the US vice president, on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Doug Jones from Alabama and Tina Smith from Minnesota.

The ceremony in Washington, DC, came as the US Senate began its 2018 session with the minority Democrats picking up a surprise seat from Alabama  a longtime stronghold of their rivals  and shrinking the Republicans majority to a narrow 51-49.

Both Jones and Smiths arrival to the Senate coincides with a campaign encouraging people to share their suppressed stories of sexual misconduct gaining strong momentum. The wave of allegations brought the removal of many men from positions of power in the US, including political figures.

The victory of Jones over Roy Moore in Alabama came after numerous women accused the 70-year-old Republican judge of sexual assault and advances when they were minors.

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Beverly Young Nelson, now 56, accused Moore of sexually assaulting her when she was a 16-year-old waitress. Leigh Corfman said then-32-year-old Moore molested her when she was 14 years old.

Moore denied these allegations.

Jones won with 49.9 percent of a December 12 vote, the first time Alabama has elected a Democratic senator in 25 years.

Scandals on both sides

Controversy not only cost the Republicans a seat, but also prompted the resignation of a Democrat.

Smith, 59, who replaces ex-Democratic Senator Al Franken, had served as Minnesotas lieutenant governor until Tuesday,

Franken, a former comedian, had served as one of Minnesotas two senators since 2009. He was often touted as a possible candidate for the US presidential elections in 2020.

Numerous women came forward in recent months to accuse Franken of sexual improprieties. His resignation went into effect on Tuesday.

Still, Franken has not completely admitted to the accusations of which he is accused.

Some of the allegations against me are not true. Others, I remember very differently, Franken said during a Senate speech announcing his resignation last month.

Smith now plans to run in a November special election in hopes to complete Frankens term, set to expire in 2020.

I shouldnt be underestimated, she said during a public statement in December.

Democratic hopes for 2018

Both new senators swore to defend and uphold the US Constitution, the countrys founding document.

Democrats have performed strongly in a series of special elections for offices left vacant by appointees to the Trump administration, as well as elections at state level.

This has given the Democrats hopes of taking control of the Senate in the 2018 mid-term elections, after their loss in the 2016 presidential vote.

Their chances are founded on the unpopularity of US President Donald Trump.

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The most recent polls from Gallup, the nations foremost polling agency, showed Trumps approval rating at 39 percent among all US adults.

Former president Barack Obamas approval rating hovered around 50 percent at the same point in his presidency, according to Gallup polls.

At Wednesdays ceremony, Jones was flanked by former Vice President Joe Biden, who is campaigning for Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections.

Bidens popularity has seen an increase since leaving office in 2017. It currently sits at 57 percent, according to a December 22 poll conducted by survey research firm SSRS.

The 75-year-old, who has taken to criticising Trump, is often asked if he plans to run for president in 2020. Biden has not said if he will run, but has also not ruled out another campaign.The birthday of Emma Ihrer, seen as principal founder of Germanys proletarian womens movement, observed with a doodle.

Described as a prolific writer and hailed as the principal founder of Germanys proletarian womens movement, Emma Ihrer was born 166 years ago this Wednesday.

In her honour, Google is changing its logo in Germany to a doodle, or illustration, of her and other women from 19th century Germany.

Ihrer questioned some of the most fundamental societal assumptions of the time. This is her story.

Trade union leader

A working woman. Ihrer worked as a milliner, or hat maker, in Berlin, and this put her in close contact with the problems faced by working women at the time.

Moved by their plight, Ihrer took up her pen and became a prolific writer, authoring several papers and journals on the need for, and ways in which women could achieve, full equality.

Public speaker. She first spoke in public at a meeting on morality among workers and offered her views on how to improve worker morality. In 1883 she founded the Aid Society for Women Manual Workers with the aim of representing its members in the workplace, offering loans in emergencies and paying disability benefits.

Government resistance. In 1885 she and three other women founded the Society for Protection of Women Workers Interests. The society functioned as a support group to which doctors and lawyers offered their services free of charge.

Her work brought her into conflict with the government, which landed her in court on more than one occasion. The government tried to dissolve her society in 1886, but she continued transmitting her ideals of a better society through speeches delivered in various cities, towns, and villages.

She gained the support of the leadership of the Social Democratic Party and was regarded as one of the movements luminaries.

This woman has been fighting hate by removing neo-Nazi and far-right graffiti across Germany for 31 years. pic.twitter.com/XBjJJOzdkV  AJ+ (@ajplus) May 21, 2017

Societal assumptionsHailemariam Desalegn says Ethiopia plans to pardon political prisoners and close a notorious prison in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia has announced plans to release political prisoners and shut an infamous prison in the capital, Addis Ababa, in a surprise move the government says aims to foster national reconciliation.

The office of the Ethiopian prime minister said charges would be dropped against politicians currently being prosecuted, while political prisoners who are imprisoned will receive pardons, the Addis Standard magazine reported.

Politicians currently under prosecution and those previously sentenced will either have their cases annulled or be pardoned, AFP news agency quoted Hailemariam Desalegn as saying on Wednesday.

Desalegn made the announcement alongside other leaders in the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front, the countrys ruling political coalition.

The government also announced it would close the Maekelawi detention facility in Addis Ababa, which has been described as one of the countrys most notorious police stations.

Police investigators at Maekelawi use coercive methods on detainees amounting to torture or other ill-treatment to extract confessions, statements, and other information from detainees, Human Rights Watch has reported.

The government plans to turn Maekelawi into a modern museum, the Addis Standard reported.

The decision was taken to create the space for a national dialogue and national consensus, according to the magazine.

The government did not specify which political prisoners, or how many, would be released, and when.

Tens of thousands

Awol Allo, a lecturer at Keele Universitys School of Law and an expert on Ethiopia, said the most important question will be how the Ethiopian government defines political prisoners.

There is a range of people who were arrested, accused and tried and convicted of what we may call political crimes, Allo told Al Jazeera, including endangering national security or the constitution, or terrorism or terrorism-related crimes.

Under that definition, Allo said tens of thousands of people could end up being released.

Ethiopia has been using the judicial system to lock people behind bars, he said.

The government has always used courts for political purposes. When it comes to high-profile politicians, the government accuses them of all kinds of crimes  sometimes corruption, more recently terrorism  to eliminate those individuals from the political space.

Amnesty International says Ethiopia has engaged in a crackdown on the political opposition [that] saw mass arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment, unfair trials and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and association.

Many of the recent arrests come in the context of widespread protests since late 2015 by the countrys Oromo people, who number approximately 35 million and constitute Ethiopias largest ethnic group.

Hundreds of people were killed after Ethiopian security forces cracked down on protesters. After the government declared a state of emergency in the Oromia region, more than 11,000 people were arrested and detained without access to a lawyer, Amnesty said.

According to Allo, a combination of changes within the government coalition and public protests led to Wednesdays announcement.

It is that changing dynamics within the ruling party itself and the protests taking place outside that have really brought the government to its knees, forcing them to make this gesture, he said.

However, Adama Gaye, a Senegalese journalist and commentator who frequently visits Ethiopia, told Al Jazeera the move should be viewed as something that will be a revolutionary transformation of the country.

With its economy experiencing double-digit economic growth, Ethiopia cannot continue being a closed door to the rest of the world, especially if the nation is to see continued foreign investment, said Gaye.

In the short term, I dont think theyll allow any kind of democratic transition to happen, unless the current opposition and international community push for it, he added.Hanan Ashrawi scolds US president after his threat to cut aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Palestinians.

A senior Palestinian official has responded with defiance to Donald Trumps threat via Twitter to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Hanan Ashrawis rebuke followed the US presidents tweet admitting that the Middle East peace process was in difficulty and warning Palestinians that they could lose US aid worth more than $300m a year.

We will not be blackmailed, Ashrawi said in a statement on Wednesday.

President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!

In his tweet on Tuesday, Trump said: We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

Relations between his administration and the Palestinian Authority have deteriorated since Trump decided last month to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

US aid to the Palestinian Authority stood at about $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

Jerusalem controversy

The US gives Israel annual military aid of $3.1bn. Next year, that figure will increase to $3.8bn under a 10-year deal agreed by Barack Obama shortly before his presidency ended.

Palestinian officials had said they would no longer accept any peace plan put forward by the US following Trumps unilateral declaration on December 6, when he also announced that the US would begin a process to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.





No country currently has its embassy in the city, which is home to holy religious sites and has particular significance for Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Trumps announcement touched off deadly protests in the occupied Palestinian territories and major rallies in support of the Palestinians across the Muslim world.

A resounding majority of UN member states also defied threats by Trump to declare the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital null and void.

Trump has previously said he wants to relaunch frozen peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians in search of the ultimate deal.

Jerusalems status is an extremely sensitive aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel claims the city as its capital, following the occupation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war, and considers Jerusalem to be a united city.

Palestinian leaders have long seen East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

They fiercely oppose any changes that could be regarded as legitimising Israels occupation and annexation of the citys eastern sector.General Mohammad Ali Jafari announces end of unrest as tens of thousands rally in support of the ruling religious elite.

Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to rally in support of the Iranian government, after six days of anti-establishment nationwide protests in which at least 22 people were killed.

The protests on Wednesday came hours before General Mohammad Ali Jafari, head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), declared the unrest as over.

Today we can announce the end of the sedition, Jafari said, quoted on the Guards website.

A large number of the trouble-makers at the centre of the sedition, who received training from counter-revolutionaries  have been arrested and there will be firm action against them, he added.

State media had previously reported the arrests of at least 530 people: 450 in Irans capital, Tehran, and 80 in the central city of Arak.

Earlier on Wednesday, pro-government demonstrators gathered in at least 10 cities, including Tehran, to condemn the rallies that put Iran in turmoil for almost a week, according to state media.

TV pictures showed people carrying banners in support of the government and shouting slogans against the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The footage of the pro-government rallies by state media was in broad contrast to the coverage of the past weeks demonstrations against Irans leadership.

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Those protests started in the city of Mashhad on December 28 before spreading to other cities.

Participants initially protested against rising prices, long-standing unemployment and economic inequality, but their grievances quickly turned political, in the biggest display of public dissent since pro-reform rallies swept the country in 2009.

Iran restricted access to Instagram and Telegram social media apps as a security measure during the anti-government rallies, according to state TV.

On Tuesday, in his first public remarks since the rallies erupted, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed external enemies for the turmoil.

Khamenei said that powers against Iran allied and used the various means they have available, including money, weapons, politics, and intelligence services, to stir unrest.

The dignity, security, and progress of the Iranian nation are owed to the self-sacrifice of the martyrs. What prevents enemies from exerting their atrocities is the spirit of courage, sacrifice, and faith within the nation, he said.

His comments came hours before the US said it would seek emergency talks at the United Nations regarding the situation in the country.





US President Donald Trump called the Iranian government oppressive, in a series of tweets, and warned it to respect the peoples right to protest.

Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever. The world is watching! he said in a tweet last week.

The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime, he said in another on Tuesday.

Relations between Washington and Tehran have been particularly tense since Trump decertified the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Under Trumps administration, the two sides have also been clashing on a number of foreign policy issues.Seoul says Pyongyang made preliminary contact after the border hotline was restored following a two-year suspension.

North Korea has reopened a suspended border hotline with South Korea, a day after Seoul offered high-level talks to discuss Pyongyangs participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The hotline, which was suspended by the North in February 2016, was restored at 3pm local time (06:30 GMT) on Wednesday at the border village of Panmunjom.

South Koreas Unification Ministry said North Korea made preliminary contact and officials examined whether the phone lines were working well. The conversation lasted 20 minutes, the ministry said.

North Korea said its leader Kim Jong-un ordered the restoration to contact South Korea regarding a right time for talks and sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics set to take place in South Korea next month.

Rin Son Gown, chairman of the North Korean reunification committee, said North Korea would engage with the South in a sincere and honest manner.

Wednesdays phone call comes amid a tense standoff over North Koreas missiles and nuclear programme.

The tentative rapprochement began when Kim, in his New Years address, said he was open to dialogue with South Korea and expressed an interest in sending athletes across the border to compete in Pyeongchang.

South Korea was quick to welcome the gesture and proposed to hold talks on January 9.





However, President Moon Jae-in said any improvement in relations must go hand in hand with steps towards denuclearisation.

But Kim, in his New Year address, vowed to push ahead with mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment in 2018.

That was in defiance of fresh UN sanctions imposed last month.

Kim also warned US President Donald Trump that he has a nuclear button on his table.

Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said it was very unlikely the North would compromise on its weapons programmes.

We need to have very modest expectations for the upcoming dialogue, Ong-Webb told Al Jazeera.

The content of any ensuing conversation between the North and the South will not be about denuclearisation but about arms control, and trying to get the North to behave itself, and not to proliferate and build an excessive nuclear arsenal.

US officials have dismissed the prospect of meaningful talks between the two Koreas.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, said any inter-Korea dialogue would be a band-aid unless the talks did something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea.

Heather Nauert, a spokeswoman for the US state department, also warned that Kim may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the US and South Korea.

China, however, has described the prospect of inter-Korea talks as a positive message.Foreign Ministry says it has suspended weapons and ammunition over concerns they could be used in the war in Yemen.

Norway has suspended exports of weapons and ammunition to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over concerns they could be used in the war in Yemen, the countrys foreign ministry has told Al Jazeera.

The Scandinavian country said while there was no evidence Norwegian-made ammunition had been used in the devastating conflict, which is nearing three years, there was a high risk related to the UAEs military involvement there.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels that control the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north.

The coalition launched a massive aerial campaign against the rebels in March 2015, aimed at restoring the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Since then, the UN says more than 60,000 people have been killed or wounded, and another three million displaced.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided, as a precautionary measure, to suspend licences that have already been issued for the export of Category A defence-related products to the UAE, the ministry said in a statement.

This means that no arms or ammunition can be exported to the UAE.

The armed conflict in Yemen has escalated since autumn 2017, and there are major concerns about the humanitarian situation.

In 2016, Norwegian exports of weapons and ammunition to the UAE rose to 79 million Norwegian crowns ($9.7m) from 41 million in 2015, Statistics Norway data showed.

The countrys total arms exports were 1.9 billion Norwegian crowns (roughly $235m), placing it 17th on the list of the worlds biggest arms dealers.Musab Tamimi, 17, shot dead by Israeli forces in a village north of Ramallah, Palestinian health ministry says.

Israeli forces have shot dead a Palestinian teen on the northern outskirts of the occupied West Bank town of Ramallah, according to Palestinian officials.

The Palestinian health ministry identified the 17-year-old boy as Musab Firas al-Tamimi from the village of Deir Nitham, where Wednesdays shooting took place.

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He died shortly after the occupation forces fired a bullet into his neck, Maria Aqraa, a spokesman for the ministry, told Al Jazeera.

He was transferred to a hospital in Ramallah and he passed away minutes later, she added.

Aqraa said Musab was shot during a confrontation with the Israeli army.

According to the Times of Israel news website, the Israeli army said Musab had appeared to be holding a gun, but that it was not immediately confirmed that al-Tamimi had been armed at the time of the shooting.

An army spokesperson reportedly told the website that the circumstances of Musabs killing were being investigated.

The world is just silently watching

Musab was a member of the Tamimi family, who live in the adjacent village of Nabi Saleh, where a prominent teen activist was arrested on December 19.

Ahed Tamimi was filmed slapping a soldier was standing outside her home, after Israeli forces had shot her 15-year-old cousin in the face with a rubber bullet.

The family has been persecuted for years by the Israeli army which has detained and killed several of them during weekly unarmed village protests against the theft of their lands for the nearby illegal Jewish-only settlement, Halamish.

Musabs father, Firas, said the Israeli army has been provoking the residents of both villages for months now.



He told Al Jazeera that Israeli soldiers raided Deir Nitham at about 8am local time (06:00 GMT) on Wednesday after which boys from the village went out to confront them.

Father of Musab mourns his sons death at the Istishari hospital in Ramallah [Anadolu/Issam Rimawi]

The occupation army has been raiding both Deir Nitham and Nabi Saleh day in and day out. They come in, irritate the residents, raid our homes at night and throw sound bombs in the street. This has been our reality every day, said Firas.

We cannot just keep quiet and keep watching. No one is listening to us  no one feels the pain that were going through. The world is just silently watching.

Since December 6, when US President Donald Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, 16 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army largely during protests against Washingtons decision.

Musabs killing, which is unrelated to the protests against Trumps move, makes him the first Palestinian to be shot dead by Israeli forces in 2018.

Follow Zena Tahhan on Twitter: @zenatahhanAt least 48 people die in Peru when their bus tumbles down a cliff after being struck by a truck.

At least 48 people have been killed in Peru after a bus they were travelling in plunged 100 metres off a cliff onto a rocky beach.

The accident took place on Tuesday on a coastal highway north of the capital, Lima.

The bus tumbled down the cliff after colliding with a truck along a narrow stretch of highway known as the Devils Curve, state news agency Andina reported.

It was travelling from Huacho to Lima with 55 passengers on board.

Pasamayo: sube a 48 cifra de fallecidos tras accidente de omnibus, informa @PoliciaPeru https://t.co/FIJCJr0qe8 pic.twitter.com/xqOANsdAiq  Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) January 3, 2018

The incident left at least 48 victims dead, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on its website.

Another six were found injured and have been airlifted to a hospital near Lima.

No roads lead directly to the beach, complicating rescue efforts, according to local officials. Rescuers have had to climb down to the beach and battle the tide to recover bodies.

President Pablo Pedro Kuczynski offered condolences to families of the victims in a post on Twitter.

For us, it is very painful to suffer an accident of this magnitude. My deep solidarity lies with the pain suffered by the relatives, he said.

Traffic accidents are common along Perus roadways, with more than 2,600 people killed in 2016. More than three dozen died when three buses and a truck collided in 2015 on the main costal highway.

Twenty people were killed in November when a bus plunged off a bridge into a river in the southern Andes.The suicide bomb attack took place during early morning prayers, witnesses said.

A suicide bomb attack on a mosque in northeastern Nigeria has killed at least 11 people, according to reports.

The incident took place in the town of Gamboru, in Nigerias Borno state near the border with Cameroon, an area where the armed group Boko Haram has previously carried out a number of attacks.

Witnesses said the bombing took place as worshippers were attending morning prayers.

I was on my way to dawn prayer, then I heard the sound of a loud bomb explosion inside the mosque, aid worker Ali Mustapha told Reuters news agency.

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The mosque was destroyed and burned, added Mustapha.

After some hours, when we came to evacuate the people, we saw 11 corpses, with the suicide bomber making [the total number of dead] 12.

No group has claimed responsibility so far, but the area and type of attack bear the hallmarks of Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates to Western education is forbidden.

The group has waged an armed campaign in northeastern Nigeria since 2009.

The conflict has left at least 20,000 people dead and displaced more than 2.6 million.

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Last week, more than 700 people abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria escaped from captivity. The captives included farmers, fishermen and members of their families, a spokesperson for the Nigerian army said.

At its peak, the group controlled large swaths of territory in the Lake Chad region, but the Nigerian military, with assistance from Chad, Cameroon and Niger, has pushed its fighters out of a number of provinces in the northeast.

Despite the pushback from the international coalition, Boko Haram remains active in the area, often carrying out suicide attacks against civilians.

In early December, at least 17 people were killed in the city of Biu when two suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers detonated themselves at a market.

That attack came only two weeks after a teenage suicide bomber struck a mosque in Mubi, killing at least 50 people.A fake Twitter account purporting to report on behalf of Al Jazeera was spreading false news about Iran protests.

Twitter has suspended a fake account on the social media platform purporting to report on behalf of Al Jazeera on the ongoing protests in Iran.

In a statement on Tuesday, Al Jazeera called on Twitter to remove the fake account where individuals and groups sought to undermine Al Jazeera Media Networks credibility and to share misleading and false news content.

In the latest attempt, a fake twitter account @Aljazeerairan was used to spread misinformation and inaccurate news pertaining to ongoing protests in Iran, the network said in the statement.

Al Jazeera cautioned its followers to be vigilant about these fake accounts.

We take this opportunity to inform our dedicated audience that the Network continues to bring impartial and balanced news content through all its platforms, Al Jazeera said.Sources tell Al Jazeera that Tareq Saleh, nephew of late ex-leader, is alive, contrary to earlier reports of his death.

Tribal sources in the Yemeni province of Marib have told Al Jazeera that Tareq Abdullah Saleh, the commander of the Presidential Guard and nephew of late ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, is still alive  contrary to earlier reports of his demise.

Sources said a photo circulated on social media of Tareq Abdullah Saleh wounded during the same attack that killed the former president on December 4 is old.

{articleGUID}

They confirmed that Tareq Abdullah Saleh left the capital, Sanaa, to Marib on December 7 with several of his aides, three days after the killing of his uncle by Houthi rebels.

The sources added that forces loyal to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stationed in Marib facilitated Tareqs departure by providing a plane on which he flew to the Gulf country.

The sources did not clarify whether Tareq remains in the UAE.

Two days before Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed by the Houthis, the overthrown president publicly broke ties with his former allies and expressed his openness to talks with a Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels since 2015.

Period of mistrust

According to sources in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were keen on negotiating with international and Yemeni players to give a political role to the late presidents son, Ahmed.

However, Ahmed reportedly said he was not ready to assume such a role, leading the two countries to turn to Tareq.

Tareq was widely seen as one of the closest aides to the late president.

Ali Abdullah Saleh depended on him militarily and politically, along with Tareqs two brothers: Ammar, the former deputy director of the countrys National Security Bureau, and Yehya, the former central security chief.

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Tareq contributed to the formation of special forces that were loyal to him, prior to the last schism between Salehs forces and Houthi rebels.

Observers believe that the recent disputes within the ranks of Salehs political party, the General Peoples Congress, came after a period of mistrust between the leadership that has been split between the Saudi capital Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Sanaa.

They say that a wave of incrimination has overshadowed the GPC, with each side holding the other responsible for Salehs death.Alachua County is under a winter weather advisory and could get freezing rain, electrical outages and possibly ice, the National Weather Service said.

The advisory and a winter storm warning covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, according to a advisory released at 3:42 p.m.

Scott Cordero, a meteorologist at the NWS office in Jacksonville, said the lows in the area will range from 23 to 33 degrees and the highs will range 37 to 63. Wind chill will make temperatures feel colder, he said.

Meteorologists expect between a quarter to a half-inch of rainfall, some of which could be freezing rain, rain that is at freezing level, early Wednesday. There could be small flakes of snow.

UF spokesperson John Hines, said the university is continuing to monitor weather conditions, but will remain open tomorrow and Thursday. He said classes are still set to start on Monday.

Cordero warned the freezing rain could bring black ice, rain or other precipitation that has fallen, melts and then refreezes when it reaches 32 degrees again. He said black ice, which can pose a danger to drivers who may lose steering capabilities and the ability to skid, could be expected after sundown. He said the worst effects could occur between 7 p.m. tonight and 8 a.m. tomorrow in northern Gainesville. Tonight and tomorrow will the the only days with freezing rain.

One of the dangers of black ice is that you really cant see it, Cordero said. Even though theres clear skies out, people wouldnt expect ice.

Cordero said the freezing rain and long duration of freezing temperatures is unusual at this time of year. He said the weather is due to an arctic high pressure moving down the Florida peninsula, with gulf moisture above shallow cold air and rain in Florida. The last time Gainesville experienced long duration freezing temperatures occurred in 1989.

Cordero warned freezing cold temperatures will go on until Sunday morning.

Remember, exposure to the cold can cause hypothermia or frostbite and become life threatening, especially for yourself or your pets, he said.

Expected Temperatures:

Wednesday: Low - 33 degrees, High - 37 degrees

Thursday: Low - 25 degrees, High - 45 degrees

Friday: Low - 23 degrees, High - 46 degrees

Saturday: Low - 25 degrees, High - 51 degrees

Sunday: Low - 32 degrees, High - 63 degrees

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Wind chill, around 7 a.m.:

Wednesday: feel like 25 degrees

Thursday: feel like 16 degrees

Friday: feel like 18 degrees

Saturday: feels like 20 degrees

Sunday: feels like mid-20s

Contact Christina Morales at cmorales@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter at @Christina_M18A Gainesville man was accused of pointing his gun and yelling, Dont f*** with me during a road rage incident on Hawthorne Road on Monday night.

Gregory London, Jr.

Gregory London, Jr., 28, was arrested on charges of two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon by a felon and threatening a public servant, according to a Gainesville Police Department arrest report. As of Tuesday afternoon, he is being held in the Alachua County Jail in lieu of a $95,000 bond, according to online court records.

Before his arrest, London followed the victims in a black Hyundai SUV on 1200 NE Waldo Road because he thought one of them hit his car, the report said. He drove up to the victims vehicles driver-side and pointed a black pistol at them, telling them to pull over.

One of the victims called police and pulled into the Alachua County Sheriffs Office parking lot, the report said.

An officer pulled London over at 1900 SE 13th Place, and London told the officer, I got mad at them because I thought they hit my girls car and I yelled at them to pull them over and beat their f****** ass, the report said. He denied having a pistol.

When the officer removed Londons red bandana, London said the officer could get shot for removing his colors, which refers to gang-affiliation clothing, the report said.

London has been incarcerated three times in Florida on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a controlled substance and being an accessory to a crime, according to Florida Department of Corrections online records. He was released from his latest sentence on May 13.

Contact staff writer Paige Fry at pfry@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @paigexfry.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe NowThe FBI, apparently led by Trump-hater Strzok, performed a raid on the Paul Manafort home while the family was still asleep, a surprise intimidation tactic commonly used by Hitler's Gestapo against innocent civilian families, with the purpose of frightening and punishing unarmed victims without due process. In the absence of a pattern of illegal defiance of the law by Manafort, the Strzok team flagrantly violated the law and should be disciplined, if not fired altogether. But Manafort was apparently cooperating.

Over the holidays, Robert Mueller, the special counsel, leaked word to the hate-Trump media that in the coming year of 2018, he would not stop with a simple failure to find any truth in the "Russian collusion" charges against POTUS Trump. In a display of truly Stalinist police abuse, Mr. Mueller will keep going until he finds a crime, any crime at all.

Also over the holidays, the New York Times tried to revise its previous story about the Steele dossier, claiming that the fraudulent "evidence" presented to the FISA court was not based on the Steele dossier at all, but was confessed by a minor Trump campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, and attributed to Russian sources. By revising the narrative to make Papadopoulos responsible for a report on Russian disinformation to Australian officials, who passed it on to the U.S., the Times is erasing the timeline of its previous allegations. The Russia collusion accusation has collapsed, and the NYT is busily revising history. The public has previously been told that Christopher Steele, the "former" MI6 spy, was hired by various Trump enemies to make up the Russian collusion dossier.

Mueller's witch hunt is a blatant affront to the United States Constitution, especially Amendments I-IV. It is unconscionable, and if the Executive Branch cannot intervene due to political pressure, the United States Supreme Court must step out of its role of passive bystander and permit a direct appeal to the highest court by the legally abused parties, prominently (but not solely) Paul Manafort and family.

Previous special prosecutors have been allowed to blackmail scapegoats like Martha Stewart and Scooter Libby into confessions of process crimes for which they were never initially charged. This is the logic of a "bill of attainder" and "ex post facto law," legal snares to enable a conviction on anything the victim is accused of, even if it is a process crime obtained as a result of double-binding the victim into lying under oath. It is the legal logic of bloody witch-hunting mobs, which wants to see a bloody carcass, any carcass at all for any reason at all. It is repugnant to the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Because "confessions" extorted against people like Martha Stewart and Scooter Libby are blatant violations of law, and because the DOJ and the Trump White House are apparently helpless to order the Mueller posse to follow normal legal rules against abuse of federal power, the U.S. Supreme Court should be explicitly empowered to intervene. Nothing else will stop this witch hunt.

About half of the American public now believes that this is a pure political revenge campaign. Millions of people suspect that the last 18 months of dogged persecution against a duly elected president of the United States and anybody associated with him is no longer motivated by the farcical "Russian dossier," paid for by Hillary Clinton's DNC and corruptly and mendaciously written by a British former MI6 agent, Christopher Steele, who may have had his own political reasons for attacking a president of the United States, even as a candidate, because the swamp in the U.K. works hand in hand with the Swamp in D.C. Even former FBI official Kallstrom believes that FBI personnel who want to clean out the mess in D.C. are standing ready to expose corrupt practices.

Sundance at Conservative Treehouse reported that the entire FBI counterintelligence unit was weaponized during the Obama years to attack political opponents and protected from legally required oversight, just like the IRS. Obama himself has always expressed open contempt for the U.S. Constitution, and the unpunished Hillary-Huma-Mills email scandal has been allowed to fester until it stinks to high heaven.

The most plausible reason for an endless witch hunt against President Trump and his circle is to cover the various abuses of power that have been credibly alleged against the last administration and the Department of Justice itself. Since Robert Mueller was head of the FBI himself from 2001 to 2013, and since we now know that fired Director Comey and Mueller met in a private meeting before Comey called for a special counsel against Trump, the whole farcical process is now tainted beyond redemption.

If the Mueller witch hunt is a campaign to cover up crimes and misdeeds by the Obama administration, by the DOJ, and by the Hillary campaign, we need a federal grand jury  but without any tainted prosecutors  to examine Mueller, Comey, Brennan, and Hillary and Huma and Mills, as well as DOJ officials who allowed Huma to walk out of the State Department with relevant paperwork only months ago. Contrary to previous procedures, these individuals should be put under oath to tell the truth.

Admiral James Lyons has very high credibility and national security credentials, and the admiral has alleged that the U.S. government has been infiltrated and suborned by hostile enemies, notably jihad regimes and organizations, which constantly proclaim their aim to destroy this country. This is serious business.

Robert Mueller himself ordered the FBI to allow the Nazi-era Muslim Brotherhood to indoctrinate FBI agents, and the M.B. is an old radical jihad organization that assassinated Egyptian president Anwar Sadat for negotiating peace with Israel. The Obama administration directly aided and abetted the M.B. to overthrow President Mubarak of Egypt, helped by local agitation by Code Pink and Bill Ayers, Obama's close personal friends and radical allies. Today, the M.B. continues to wage war against the Egyptian government.

The Obama administration is now known to have aided and abetted at least three terrorist organizations that routinely commit crimes against humanity of the worst kind  namely, Hezb'allah, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood. In addition, there are reports that al-Qaeda branches in Syria and Libya were directly aided by the United States under Obama and Hillary.

The Clinton Foundation received many millions of dollars from the M.B. Hillary's longtime personal aide, Huma Abedin, is paid a salary by a Muslim Brotherhood "charity" located in Britain, founded by her father and run by her mother. On top of everything, the Awan family was hired by the DNC under Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Hillary's ally at the DNC, to have complete access to the House Intelligence Committee computer network during the Obama years, apparently without knowledge of the FBI, CIA, and D.I. The Awan family has now fled to Pakistan, and there may be legal proceedings against Imran Awan.

The appearance of massive corruption and deep penetration of the U.S. intelligence and counter-intelligence justifies, if anything does, the appointment of a truly independent special prosecutor and grand jury, completely untainted by politics.

It should be mentioned in passing that Hillary's husband, Bill Clinton, was impeached by the House of Representatives for reasons that were never made public but appeared to involve the sale of missile-launching secrets to China  secrets that are plausibly now being used by North Korea and possibly Iran to threaten the United States and its allies with nuclear destruction.

This point goes to the trustworthiness of Hillary and Bill Clinton when it comes to protecting the national security of this country.

Mr. Mueller has signaled his determination to keep prosecuting individuals associated with POTUS Trump. There is no rationale in law or reason for such an endless prosecution, but politically, it could be used to taint the next election. Because Mueller, Comey, Brennan, Clapper, Hillary, and the rest may have a personal interest in covering up serious violations of law during the Obama years, and because Mueller personally stands to benefit from such a cover-up, the appearance of corruption, self-dealing, and active harm to national security is overwhelming.Liberals are distinctly unhappy with the limits on the deductibility of state and local taxes contained in the new tax law. The $10,000 cap on local deductions means that many of "the rich" will have to pay more taxes. This confuses me because:

2) I thought liberals loved higher taxes, because that's what needed to fund essential government services;

3) I thought liberals didn't mind if people in blue states paid higher taxes than people in red states, because the hallmark of a progressive tax system is one where some people pay vastly more than others without getting any increase in benefits.

But liberals don't like it, and when they don't like a federal law, they declare themselves immune to it. And now liberals have cooked up a way to become states that are sanctuaries not only from immigration officials, but also from federal income taxes!

Kirk Stark, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, has suggested that states encourage residents to donate money to their state governments, then let the governments credit those donations against their state income taxes. Such donations would qualify as charitable donations, which are still fully deductible on federal taxes. Kevin de Leon, a Democrat who is president pro tem of the California Senate, has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at reducing the impact of the tax law. Mr. de Leon and other legislators concede that they are trying to game the system. But they argue that Congress left them little choice.

They have no choice! No choice at all! (Except cutting spending and local taxes  as I said, they have no choice!)

So under this new plan, people who have state and local taxes in excess of $10,000 would "donate" that excess (wink, wink!) to their local governments, out of the goodness of their hearts, and such "donations" would not be taxable, since it would be (involuntarily) "charitable"!

I like this idea because it is entirely consistent with Democratic philosophy. The words "charitable donation" mean whatever Democrats need them to mean  no more, no less  just as the words "immigrant" and "man" and "woman" mean whatever they need them to mean at the time they say them.

However, I wonder if opening the door on this issue will lead to unintended consequences. Conservative states might legislate in the same way to offer shelter from federal taxes for their own citizens.

Imagine a state like Texas passing a law allowing people to make charitable "donations" to restaurants in return for a charity dinner, or a charitable "donation" to a car dealership in return for a "symbolic" appreciation car, or a charitable "donation" to a gun-seller who gives the donor a "lifetime achievement award" in the form of an AR-15. States could legislate that these are charity donations, just as the "donations" to local governments in blue states are, and thus not subject to federal taxation. People would flock to conservative states because, out of the goodness of their hearts, they want to do more for charity...and less for the federal government.

Feel free to write in the comments section what kind of new and innovative charitable donations you'd like to be able to make under state and federal law.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at Newsmachete.com.Donald Trump is receiving some of the same advice today. The underlying assumption of American policy for more than 30 years has been that the Iranian revolution and the theocratic regime are permanent and the U.S. must accept the extremist Islamists currently in power.

In 2009, when millions took to the streets in Iran to protest a rigged election, President Obama remained relatively silent, refusing to encourage the protesters and giving tacit approval to the subsequent brutal crackdown by Iranian authorities. Many on the left applauded this policy of non-interference, claiming that because Iranians hated the U.S. so much, any support to the protests given by an American president would be counterproductive.

Trump has rejected that longstanding policy, and in addition to his strong support for the demonstrators being cut down in the streets, his administration is keeping a close eye on the progress of protesters, looking to take advantage of any opportunity to support revolution.

Washington Free Beacon:

The protests, which began last week, have mostly centered on economic frustrations among Iranian citizens who feel [that] the ruling regime has failed to invest in the country. While Iran has spent billions of the cash windfalls it received from the landmark nuclear deal on a massive military buildup, it seems little of that money has been reinvested in the Iranian economy, which remains in shambles following years of economic sanctions by the West. The Trump administration is not seeking to repeat what it described as the Obama administration's failure to support demonstrators who could eventually topple the clerical ruling regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. "While Obama administration officials continue to double down on [the Obama administration's] failed, passive approach to past freedom uprisings in Iran, President Trump and Vice President Pence are making clear to the world that they will not turn their backs on the freedom-seeking protesters," one senior administration official told the Free Beacon on Tuesday, after reports claimed [that] another nine protesters were killed and at least 450 arrested. "The Trump administration's strong and vocal support for the demonstrators is a 180 from the Obama administration's approach and it's signaling to Tehran that this will not be a repeat of the 2009 demonstrations," the administration official said. Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani, have criticized Trump and Pence for using social media to support the protesters. "Overt and covert support of the U.S., the Zionist regime[,] and Saudi Arabia for the rioters and vandals helped the Iranian people differentiate between the peaceful protesters and the foreign-stimulated rioters," General Ramezan Sharif, spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, or IRGC, said in a statement carried by the country's state-controlled press. Pence has been particularly vocal about ensuring [that] the White House takes steps to help incubate protests that could lead to revolution. "As long as [Trump] is [president] and I am [vice president], the United States of America will not repeat the shameful mistake of our past when others stood by and ignored the heroic resistance of the Iranian people as they fought against their brutal regime," Pence tweeted on Monday.

There is an inherent risk in the U.S. backing a revolution in Iran as opposed to supporting reform of the current regime. The situation could devolve into a bloody mess, with Iran and most of the world blaming the U.S. instead of the government. That probably doesn't concern Trump as much as the reality that support we give for revolution raises a fundamental question: what can we realistically do to help?

Aside from rhetorical support and perhaps some clandestine assistance, there is no decisive way for the U.S. to intervene and assist in the overthrow of the regime. We could go to the U.N. and get the Security Council to condemn any government crackdown, but that would be of no use to the revolutionaries. We might look to arm the revolutionaries through third parties, but against tanks and a trained army, all that would do is raise the body count.

There is something important to be said for giving all the moral support we can to the Iranian protesters. Even if the protests fail this time, you can pretty much guarantee that the next round of demonstrations won't take nine years to percolate. If we look at an Iranian revolution as a long-term project, the regime will eventually hang itself with its own oppression of the people.

To those who think there is no chance ever for protesters to overthrow the powerful mullahs, one need only look at the 1979 revolution, where the Shah had the backing of the army and secret police, but demonstrators were able to lever him out of power.In a clear signal of his intent to run, Romney changed his location on his Twitter account from Massachusetts to Holladay, Utah.

Trump-haters are setting themselves up for another disappointment. After more than four decades in the Senate, Utah's Orrin Hatch yesterday announced his retirement when his term ends, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to run for his seat.

Many experienced observers of Utah politics, including former Utah rep. Jason Chaffetz, now a Fox News contributor, expect Mitt to win easily. Utahans know that Mitt stepped up and rescued the Winter Olympics in 2002, and as a practicing Mormon, he enjoys a sense of being a native son in the nation's only LDS-majority state, even though he grew up in Michigan and made his career in Massachusetts.

Because President Trump and Mitt have publicly sparred, most pointedly when Romney indignantly condemned Trump's reaction to the Charlottesville riots, it has been assumed that a Romney victory would be anathema to Trump. Speculation immediately began as to whether Steve Bannon will launch another attempt to play a role as spoiler, as he did in Alabama with disastrous results. Trump-haters would like nothing better. Callum Borchers writes in the Washington Post:

Stephen K. Bannon needs a new project, and Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) might have just given him one by announcing Tuesday that he will not seek re[-]election this year. Bloomberg News reported in October that Bannon was planning to play in almost every Republican Senate primary contest, anyway, but a couple of the Breitbart News chief's would-be targets  Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)  have said that they plan to leave Washington without a fight. What fun is that? The race to succeed Hatch in Utah could represent an irresistible challenge for Bannon, especially if Mitt Romney runs. As I have noted before, Romney and Breitbart News were very friendly in 2012, when the former Massachusetts governor was the GOP presidential nominee. But since Romney lost to Barack Obama  an event that roughly coincided with Bannon assuming control of Breitbart  Romney has become a symbol of the political establishment Breitbart reviles.

I will be surprised if Mitt Romney doesn't win the Senate race and take office in 2019. It is possible that Bannon will run a token opponent to Romney, but I would not count on it. Unlike Alabama, where Big Luther had some scandal skeletons rattling in his closet and Roy Moore had a dedicated band of followers who turned out for a primary, there is no prominent potential challenger I am aware of, and Romney is widely admired by voters.

Keep in mind that both Romney and Bannon are Harvard MBAs who graduated within a few years of each other. They both are schooled in decision-making methods that emphasize probabilities and alternatives. Both men became wealthy by keeping emotions in check in favor of dispassionate analysis.

I also suspect that a future Senator Romney and President Trump would work out a modus vivendi that would enable both men to maintain their principles without becoming mortal opponents in every single issue. Remember that, like Trump, Romney was a deal-maker. Working in business for decades, both men have had to work closely with people they may despise, or at least dislike, finding common ground where mutual benefits clearly exist. There is clear evidence of this in the mating dance that had Mitt up for consideration as Trump's secretary of state.

While I don't know Mitt, I have to wonder if he has perhaps learned a lesson from his instinctive criticism of Trump after Charlottesville fizzling out to nothing. Perhaps he sees the mainstream-media Trump-hatred as such a constant that the impulse to virtue-signal by going along meets some mental analysis before finding verbal expression. The fact that Trump's most vitriolic critics are being exposed as hysterical might also figure into his calculus. The pragmatist in Mitt (and I suspect he prides himself on his pragmatism) mist recognize that Trump is actually accomplishing a lot of the conservative agenda in only one year.

If Lindsey Graham can be converted from bitter Trump critic to issue-by-issue ally, then so can Mitt Romney.

Mitt's courtliness will be a good fit with the Senate's traditions, and his high intelligence and secure political base will enable him to support Trump whenever he feels that Trump is doing the right thing.Muellers grand jury resembles a Bernie Sanders or Black Lives Matter rally

The 20-member grand jury convened by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of his investigation of the Trump administration for possible collusion with the Russians appears to be a classic kangaroo court. According to an unnamed witness who testified before the secret panel, "[t]he grand jury room looks like a Bernie Sanders rally. Maybe they found these jurors in central casting, or at a Black Lives Matter rally in Berkeley[, Calif.]" The story was reported worldwide in the Daily Mail on January 2 after initially being published earlier the same day in an article by Richard Johnson on Page Six of the New York Post. According to the witness who was interviewed by Johnson, eleven of the 20 jurors are black Americans, and two of the jurors wore "peace" t-shirts. "There was only one white male in the room, and he was a prosecutor," the witness said.

The Mueller grand jury is known to have indicted two individuals, Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, who worked for a time in 2016 on behalf of the Trump campaign and were charged with crimes later in 2017. The two were alleged to have broken financial laws unrelated to and predating their association with the Trump campaign. Both Manafort and Gates have pleaded not guilty. Two other individuals associated with the Trump campaign were also presumably indicted by Mueller's grand jury. Last month, each one subsequently entered into a plea deal for a lighter sentence in exchange for cooperation with investigators. The two are former gen. Michael Flynn, an adviser to the Trump campaign and transition who held the post of national security adviser to President Trump for 24 days before he was forced to resign, and George Papadopoulos, a low-level volunteer for the campaign. Both men pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

Robert S. Mueller III's official portrait near the end of his term as FBI director (2001-2013). After a year of government investigations, conducted by Mueller and his team of FBI agents and Democrat prosecuting attorneys and several congressional committees, into allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, there have been no leaks from the investigations confirming that any examples of illegal collusion actually exist. There have also been no confirmed reports of Trump-Russia collusion by the media, which have doggedly been pursuing rumors of alleged collusion for over a year. The New York Post's anonymous grand jury witness told the publication, "That [grand jury] room isn't a room where POTUS gets a fair shake." The Post author ended his story by citing a memorable quote about the grand jury system uttered by Solomon Wachtler, the former chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, described by Barry Popik at his blog Big Apple Corner: Wachtler famously observed that prosecutors have so much control over grand juries that they could convince them to "indict a ham sandwich." Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran reporter and analyst of news on national politics, media, and popular culture. For announcements and links to a wide selection of Peter's published work, follow him on Twitter at @pchowka.Now Baltimore activists want the police back

I remember a time in the not so distant past. The year was 2016, and racial tensions were running high. Freddie Gray was a resident of Baltimore, Maryland. He was arrested and notoriously died while in police custody. Soon afterward, Black Lives Matter and other activists became enraged. They began to protest the police department's presence in their neighborhoods over alleged brutality. Let's fast-forward a couple of years later to present day. Now we see over 300 murders in the City of Baltimore this past year.

When I saw the number of murders, I was shocked. All of the intellectuals and activists on CNN told me that if there were fewer policemen in their neighborhoods, they would be much safer. You can imagine my shock when I read that now there are calls for the police presence to pick back up in the black parts of town. The city officials began working on a plan that took the police out of certain parts of the city. Instead of trusting its police officials to do their jobs, the city stepped in. In 2014, the murders totaled 211. Freddie Gray died in April of 2015, which sparked the riots and the knee-jerk reaction by city officials. The police were pulled back immediately. This caused the murder rate to increase to 315 the same year. But the city officials got what they wanted in less police presence. These types of numbers occur when people who are not trained and have no business making law enforcement decisions call the shots. It's ironic that activists wanted the police gone, but now they insist that the police come back for their safety. The question that comes from this is, will the city and the activists allow the police to do their jobs? If the city tries to dictate how the officers can police, instead of letting them operate off department policy, state law, and city ordinance, there is no reason to try. The city officials must understand that the police can engage with the community in a softer capacity, but there is also a dirty side to the job as well. Some of those parts are getting out to conduct a field interview with people standing on the corner in a high-crime area and conducting traffic stops that lead to arrests if probable cause is found. There are dirty parts of policing when suspects run and the police have to chase them. Those often end in hands-on situations, where force is used. If the city allows officers to do their jobs fully, they will gladly accept the invitation. Officers will accept the risk and protect even those who wear shirts or hold signs saying they hate the police and want them dead. These men and women truly protect and serve. The question is, will the city allow that to happen?President Trump drew infuriated reactions from Pakistan and from the Palestinians with his tweeted warnings that they might not deserve all the U.S. aid they're getting. Were these just off-the-wall late-night musings or a sign of big changes coming?

Pakistani [p]rime [m]inister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was yesterday due to chair a Cabinet meeting that was expected to focus on Mr[.] Trump's tweet. And the country's top civilian and military chiefs are expected to meet today to discuss deteriorating [U.S.] ties. Pakistani [f]oreign [m]inister Khawaja Asif dismissed Mr[.] Trump's comments as a political stunt borne [sic] out of frustration over [U.S.] failures in Afghanistan, where Afghan Taleban [sic] militants have been gaining territory and carrying out major attacks. "He has tweeted against us (Pakistan) and Iran for his domestic consumption," Mr[.] Asif told Geo TV on Monday. "He is again and again displacing his frustrations on Pakistan over failures in Afghanistan as they are trapped in (a) dead-end street in Afghanistan." Mr Asif added that Pakistan did not need [U.S.] aid.

And according to RT News:

"Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor for silver," Nabil Abu Rdainah said on Wednesday. He added: "If the United States is keen about peace and about its interests, it must abide by that." Hanan Ashrawi, a senior executive of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said that Palestinians "will not be blackmailed."

Here are the tweets that drew such outrage:

It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

...and...

...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Powerline has a fine summary of the broad picture and context here.

So they're pretty fiery exchanges. But is it Trump just playing around with the buttons, as the NeverTrumps and the political left might say? Don't think so.

For starters, when you've got the Atlantic Monthly siding with Trump, you might just consider there's something big going on. That magazine ran a piece headlined "Trump's Belligerence toward Pakistan Isn't Unreasonable." Its writer noted that Trump's critique "was a long time coming." In other words, "about time."

Trump criticized Islamabad's policy toward Kabul in his Afghan strategy speech last August. He also doubled[] down on the U.S. military presence in the country[;] accused Pakistan of sheltering "the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people[]"[;] and, perhaps worse from Pakistan's view, called on India "to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development." Then in December, while announcing his national[] security strategy, the president said the U.S. wants a "continued partnership" with Pakistan, but that "we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory." Vice President Mike Pence repeated those accusations in remarks to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Other U.S. officials and the Pentagon have also singled out Pakistan's role.

Besides the Atlantic coming down on Trump's side, there's also the fact that U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, came down on the Trump side, too, saying Pakistan has been playing "a double-game." Haley is a conservative but tends to have an independent streak and says Trump doesn't give her orders. If she's saying this and coming down against these wretched aid recipients who manage only to undercut us, it sounds as if there's a consolidating position, both from the foreign policy establishment and even from the NeverTrumps.

Another thing worth noting, at least in the case of Pakistan, is that India is delighted, couldn't feel more vindicated. "Music to India's ears," tweeted one Indian cited in the report here.

That suggests further consolidation of the already warm U.S.-Indian relations and an increasingly heavy lever amassing to ensure that change comes to the Middle East. Already Saudi Arabia is changing for the better. Iran is in full blown revolt. The Islamic State is on the run, and terrorists are feeling the burn in Afghanistan.

What it all suggests is that Trump really wants to win the war and get the U.S. out of that hellish region. The way to do it is to assert U.S. interests, including moving the U.S. embassy to its rightful place in Jerusalem. Right now, U.S. aid has only been propping up and abetting the terrorist-supporting forces both in Pakistan and among the Palestinians. Cut that off, and watch the bad guys either run or reform. There's every reason to think Trump, through his tweets, is serious.Iranians may be starving and rioting in the streets, but to the wealthy cultural elitists who run (and patronize) the New York Times, that just apparently adds local color to the luxury vacations by private jet that the paper continues to offer its readers in 2018.

The New York Times will continue offering its expensive tours of Iran despite protests in the country against the Iranian regime, which the United States government has designated the number[-]one state sponsor of terrorism. The company is selling nine different 13-day tours of Iran in 2018. Individual tickets for the program, "Tales from Persia," cost $7,895. The weighty price tag doesn't include your flights to and from the Islamic Republic, but it does buy you the companionship of a handful of Times "experts" to accompany you on the trip, in addition to the state-approved domestic tour guide. The trip itinerary includes two days in Isfahan, which is currently a focal point of the anti-regime protests that have left at least 21 people dead. A spokesman for the Times said [the paper has] no plans to cancel any of the Iran trips but said the company is monitoring the protests and is keeping in touch with [its] contacts "on the ground."

Take a look at the promotional video the Times is using, if you have the stomach. If not, check out the private jet the company will be using:

Note that this is a Boeing 757, the same type of plane, with Rolls-Royce engines, used by Donald Trump before Air Force One became his chariot.

The interior of the Times' jet may not have the same amount of gold leaf as Trump Force One, but the seats look awfully roomy and nice:

And all those starving Iranians will not discomfit the Times Travelers, with bellies full of gourmet offerings. If they time their trip purchase correctly, they can enjoy the company of Nicholas Kristoff, who will serve as an "expert" for the February 15-21 trip. He can give them advice on enjoying themselves with food while their host regime starves its people, having himself had a "pizza party" while visiting North Korea.

It is all so reminiscent of Versailles, where, as Victor Davis Hanson wrote yesterday:

During the last days of the Ancien Regime, French [q]ueen Marie Antoinette frolicked in a fake rural village not far from the Versailles Palace  the Hameau de la Reine ("the Queen's hamlet"). "Peasant" farmers and herdsmen were imported to interact, albeit carefully, with the royal retinue in an idyllic amusement park. The [q]ueen would sometimes dress up as a milkmaid and with her royal train do a few chores on the "farm" to emulate the romanticized masses, but in safe, apartheid seclusion from them.

How close do you think the Times Travelers will get to the starving masses in Iran? If they meet anyone who states that people have no chickpeas left, will someone say, "Let them eat kebab"?

And of course, jetting around in a spacious luxury plane with plenty of food does have a (cough!) large carbon footprint, but hey, personal sacrifice is for Youngstown, Ohio and California's Central Valley, not for the intellectual and moral titans who take their bearings from the New York Times. As my friend Mark J Fitzgibbons tweets:Peter Mims was a troubled sailor who wanted out of the Navy.

Recently, a sailor on the cruiser Shiloh started to behave erratically. He claimed he had the ability to shoot fireballs from his hands and that he had traveled into outer space. Despite his obvious insanity, no action was taken. The sailor, named Peter Mims, then hid aboard his ship, and no one was able to find him for a week.

He had financial problems, his marriage had fallen apart[,] and his chain of command was riding him about qualifications. He'd sought mental health counseling, but was not treated when he needed it most.

Or discharged from the Navy when he needed to be.

Before he disappeared from the cruiser Shiloh on June 8, Mims was known for making crazy[] yet[] sincere claims. Shipmates recalled him saying he had been to space, and that he could shoot fireballs out of his hands. Mims ... told the ship's command master chief that he believed another sailor "had a poisoning scheme against him that involved injecting him with a needle," the investigation states.

Why wasn't he relieved of duty and locked up?

He had gone missing during watch as recently as June 5, a few days before he went hiding. [Captain] Aycock and the command master chief ... thought Mims was tired "but not a danger to himself or others," according to the investigation.

Incredible.

The command counseled him in 2015 for being late on qualifications. Yet that same year, he was listed as "must promote" in his annual evaluation. "His enthusiasm and motivation are contagious!" a supervisor wrote on his eval. "A rock-solid performer with unlimited potential!"

How could an evaluation miss his obvious mental illness?

After he went missing and sparked a massive, 5,500 square-mile man overboard search across the Philippine Sea, the ship's crew continued a hopeful and fruitless search for him inside the claustrophobic catacombs of the ship's engineering spaces. A week after he disappeared  and after his family was notified of his presumed death  a search crew found him hiding in an escape passage leading out of a sweltering engine room. He was covered in urine and feces, and had a camelback, a multi-tool, Peeps candy[,] and an empty peanut butter jar with him. Mims could have been apprehended prior to his discovery when another sailor spotted him in the middle of the night, days earlier. But that sailor just went back to sleep instead of sounding the alarm.

What? It sounds as though there is a general discipline problem on this ship.

The chiefs searched the ship's catacombs, a tight-fitting series of stiffeners and ribs beneath the engine modules, but they thought that area would be too hot to hide in for an extended time. "(Main engine room) 2 catacombs were not cleared because of overwhelming smells, assumed at the time to be fuel and oil, but later assessed to be urine and feces," the investigation states. "Based on the small size of the space and the unknown state of GSM3 Mims'[s] state of mind, fearing the safety of their personnel, they did not complete the catacomb search, which requires crawling through a series of small compartments," the investigation states.

There were a number of obvious failures here.

1) Mims was never competently evaluated by his superiors. He was obviously mentally ill and derelict in duty, yet his superiors never took action.

2) A crewmember who found Mims was derelict in his duty in not apprehending him.

3) The crew proved unable or unwilling to search their own ship. They claimed they confused Mims's feces for engine oil. How can this be? It looks as though they just didn't want to search because it was too unpleasant. How would these soldiers perform in a real crisis, in combat?

4) Not mentioned above is that the cruiser's helicopter was nonoperational, which explained why Mims could not be transferred off the ship immediately. The ship's helicopter is a vital piece of equipment, especially in anti-submarine warfare, and should have been operational at all times.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. There have been repeated incidents of slow-moving ships ramming into Navy ships, which should not even be possible. A fishing boat rammed into the USS Lake Champlain in May of last year. The USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant ship in June. In August, the USS John McCain hit an oil tanker. In January, the USS Antietam accidently ran into Japan. How does one run into Japan?

The situation got so bad that the commander of the Pacific Fleet was relieved of duty.

What's going on with the U.S. Navy? Is it simply years of neglect under Obama or something else? What do you think?

Ed Straker is the senior writer at Newsmachete.com.Trump has upped the ante by making funding the border wall part of the deal, as well as the elimination of "chain migration" and the visa lottery. Trump is making the Democrats pay a heavy price for DACA by tying his approval to the continuing resolution to fund the government.

Donald Trump has drawn a line in the sand on deal to keep the government operating past January 19. Democrats are demanding that Trump address the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, which would legalize hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens. They say they won't vote to fund the government past the January 19 deadline unless DACA provisions are included.

Bloomberg:

"The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration & ridiculous Lottery System of Immigration etc," the president wrote on Friday. "We must protect our Country at all cost!" On Tuesday he added, "Democrats are doing nothing for DACA  just interested in politics." Two top White House officials, [b]udget [d]irector Mick Mulvaney and [l]egislative [d]irector Marc Short, will meet with congressional leaders of both parties Wednesday to discuss a spending plan for fiscal 2018, an issue Congress repeatedly punted last year. The White House and Capitol Hill Republicans say the meeting will be limited to the issue of caps on domestic and defense spending. Any effort to bring up issues other than the caps, like immigration, will be considered a distraction, a senior Republican aide said. But the Democratic leaders are under pressure from Latinos to use the spending legislation as leverage to force Trump's hand on protection for the young immigrants [sic] brought to the U.S. as children whom advocates call "[DREAM]ers." Senate [m]inority [l]eader Chuck Schumer and House [m]inority [l]eader Nancy Pelosi[] plan to do just that and raise DACA, among other issues, according to a Democratic aide and a letter that Pelosi sent Tuesday to House Democrats. Democratic leaders have pushed for a "global" agreement that encompasses spending caps and immigration, as well as deals on disaster relief, electronic surveillance[,] and the Children's Health Insurance Program. "We can't leave any of those issues behind," Schumer said on the Senate floor in December.

Given the time remaining before the January 19 deadline, it is unlikely that both sides can come to an agreement on a "global" deal. But on immigration, there's a chance for a compromise. Democrats may agree to fund a border wall as long as it isn't called a "border wall." Referring to the funding as "enhanced security" or some other euphemism could be acceptable, while severely limiting the number of people a DACA recipient can sponsor to come to the U.S. might also be acceptable to Democrats.

The pressure of getting a funding resolution to the floor of both houses of Congress will force both sides to deal, although the president probably has the upper hand in the negotiations. The president set a March deadline last year for Congress to deal with DACA, so shutting down the government over the program is unnecessary. That would be an easy sell for Trump, no matter how hard the Democratic-media complex tries to spin any shutdown as the GOP's fault.

Expect negotiations  as usual  to come down to the last minute and even beyond. Sadly, that's the only way things appear get done in Washington.We are happy that President Trump is talking about the marchers in Iran. We are even happier to hear that the regime is concerned about its survival.

The most striking images coming out of the Iran human rights protests are not of men  they are of women. And while American media [were] slow and even hesitant to pick up that anything at all was actually happening  this, while protests ignited for what is now six full days around Iran, nine years after the Green Movement protests began  Twitter was flooded with videos and photos on the ground, in defiance of the Iranian regime's social media policy.

It is remarkable to see the young people and the women on the streets, as the article explains:

Every one of these searing images [is] of women. Women are the predominant face of this blossoming revolution. Women are risking the most to speak out against the Iranian [m]ullahs. So the question must be asked: [w]here are the women's movement[-]supporters in the United States and Europe, which gathered en masse to protest a newly inaugurated American president last year? More specifically, empowered by the cultural muscle of #MeToo celebrity leaders and Women's March[-]organizers such as Linda Sarsour: [w]hy are you silent? If these nameless women can speak out in the face of true tyranny, risking actual imprisonment and death, why can't you? Iranian women are not adorning pink knitted hats, or costumes resembling female genitalia. They won't be attending award shows. They aren't wearing red cloaks and bonnets inspired by their favorite Netflix show. No, these brave women are caught on videotape and in photographs for the world to see, and the women's movements have yet to barely offer so much as a tweet or a Facebook post of support. The official Women's March Twitter account has tweeted exactly zero times in support of women protesting in Iran. Zero.

Has anyone heard from President Obama? He took a little vacation back in 2009 and did not really take sides on the street confrontations. It certainly sent a signal that he would not challenge the regime, no matter how poorly it treated its people.

Today, the regime, which President Obama went out of his way to sign a deal with, is as harsh as ever. At what point will President Obama say he is disappointed or wishes we had demanded more from Iran?

And finally, where are the feminists standing with the sisters of Tehran? They must be busy planning their next march against Trump.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.Posted on: January 3, 2018 9:50 AM

[ACNS, by Peter Chipanga] The Bishop of the Upper Shire in Malawi, Brighton Malasa, has urged his fellow religious leaders to take a leading role in the fight against HIV and Aids by helping to spread the right information about the pandemic. Bishop Malasa made the remarks during commemorations for World Aids Day in the Zomba district in the east of Malawi.

Bishop Malasa said he had much concern about the wrong impression some religious leaders give to people suffering from HIV/Aids: Some faith leaders send through their preaching some wrong messages to the people about HIV and Aids which encourages them to stop taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART), he said.

He challenged those who failed to properly link prayers with the taking of ART; and described some preachers who claim they have powers to heal Aids as a menace.

Such claims make some of their followers stop taking ART treatment before they are certified by medical personnel, he said. This increases the number of defaulters and [increases the] risk which subsequently leads to people dying.

He asked all faith leaders to continue having faith in God and praying for the sick with righteousness; but said that while praying for those with HIV and Aids, pastors should encourage them to continue accessing health services on HIV and Aids and any other prescribed drugs.

The bishop also expressed worry over male participation in the fight against the pandemic saying that was another problem in Malawi as the majority of men shun HIV testing and instead rely on the results of their wives tests.

It is high time we cultivated a good spirit in men so that they can start embracing a culture of accessing health services. After all, no-one can access ART treatment without testing.

The Senior Nutrition, HIV and Aids Coordinator for Zomba district, Chriss Nawata explained that Bishop Malasa had been asked to be guest of honour at the event as a response to increasing numbers of people who stop taking medication after been prayed for.

Our office appreciates that faith leaders have a crucial role to play in the fight against HIV/Aids, he said. With most defaults arising due to proclaimed healing which results in avoidable deaths, we thought a fellow faith leader could best pick the battle.

The commemorations were supported by a range of organisations, including One Community, NAC, Future Vision Ministries, YONECO, Action Aid, and Christian Aid. The theme for the commemorations, which included drama, poetry, singing and dances, in addition to speeches, testimonies and HIV testing and counselling, was The right to health: Access to quality HIV prevention and treatment for all.Posted on: January 3, 2018 2:29 PM

A Lima-based mission partner of the Church Mission Society has been appointed as the agencys first Latin American mission development manager. Paul Tester has been working alongside young people and the Anglican Church in the region various ministry roles since 2007. He will succeed Bishop Henry Scriven, who led CMS work in Latin America for the past nine years; and will be the first leader of CMS Latin American work to be based in the region itself.

In a statement, CMS said that following Bishop Henrys retirement, they had taken the opportunity to reshape its approach in view of the way mission has changed over recent years. Consequently, the new role of mission development manager for Latin America reflects the facilitating and complementary nature of mission in the 21st century, where mission organisations like CMS work predominantly with local partners who are already based in the region.

Commenting on his appointment, Tester said: First and foremost my intention will be to discern Gods direction rather than follow our own intuition as we seek to develop mission growth in Latin America, through both the traditional models of sending missionaries from the UK to Latin America but also enabling, advocating for, and inspiring mission within and from Latin America.

Looking forward, Paul expressed his excitement for the potential of this new role to change the future of Latin America, developing a mission movement that is Latino in nature, bearing in mind the geographical size of the region and the need for life-changing discipleship within and beyond the church.

Paul Tester will enable CMS to grow its mission work in and from Latin America in collaboration with the Anglican Church of South America, and other strategic partners in region, CMS director of international mission, Paul Thaxter, said. It is a privilege to be part of the dynamic growth that is sweeping through the church in Latin America.

Originally from High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, England, Paul went to university in Durham before working in the construction industry. He and his wife Sarah have three children.

CMS was formed in 1799 and is one of the worlds oldest mission agencies. Its vision is to see people set free to play their part in the mission of God, bringing challenge, change, hope and freedom to the world, so that people and places are renewed with the love of Christ, pioneering leaders can forge new paths of transformation, people on the margins flourish and the healing of creation begins. It works across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.Posted on: January 3, 2018 1:15 PM

The Bishop of Abuja, Nicholas Okoh, has used his New Year Message to predict a year of optimism and happiness for Nigerians. Archbishop Okoh, the Primate of All Nigeria, made his comments in a New Years Message as it emerged that 17 churchgoers were shot dead as they left a midnight Eucharist service at a church in Omoku, about 56 miles north-west of Port Harcourt, in southern Nigerias oil-rich River State. The attack has been blamed on one of a number of armed gangs which are active in the area, mainly target multi-national oil companies in the region. The local Anglican Archbishop of the Niger Delta, Ignatius Kattey, and his wife Beatrice, were kidnapped by one-such gang in September 2013. They were released unharmed a short time later.

In his New Year Message, Archbishop Okoh said that Nigerians would experience the power of the Almighty God despite the challenges in the country, the Vanguard newspaper reports. I want to assure you that such problems that have consumed a colossal amount of our money such as electricity supply, unemployment, political situations, Boko Haram, Herdsmen palaver, medical and labour issues, had made some people to feel like giving up already.

Do not be frustrated or unhappy, do not take it on anyone, avoid being vengeful for the Lord is working out a miracle for you. He said that while there might be difficulties along the path, people would reap the fruits of their labour in 2018.

He called on his fellow Nigerians to have faith and allow God to be their guardian in all endeavours who would resolve all their personal and national problems, according to Vanguard.

Details of Mondays shooting remain sketchy and confused. The Agence France-Presse news agency quotes an un-named police source as saying: 14 persons died on the spot, while 12 who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the hospital and are receiving medical attention.

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Revd Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, condemned the attack, saying: People who were worshipping, starting anew, celebrating and reflecting on a new year, have lost their lives. We condemn this senseless violence. Let us strengthen our resolution to pursue peace and justice for all, dignity for all, the freedom to worship safely for all.

We mourn for the families of the victims, and for the church family that lost so much so quickly, he said. God, we seek your mercy.

The Revd Yakubu Pam, a regional chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, an ecumenical group which includes the Anglican Church of Nigeria, commented: What we see today is not encouraging especially the hardship in the land; unless a proactive measure is taken, we will witness downturn in our quest to recover fully from recession, the Vanguard reports.

The government must end all forms of insurrections and wanton mayhem being visited on innocent villagers by terrorists; the government must step up security and restore hope to the people, he said. The war against the insurgents must be seen in all the light of safety to our teeming population, which have become vulnerable to attacks.RyanAir passenger exits via the emergency door at Malaga Airport

This man decided he wasnt going to wait any longer. He activated the emergency door and left, saying: Im going via the wing. It was surreal. He was sat on the wing for quite a while until the crew managed to get him back inside. So says Fernando Del Valle Villalobos as he recalls how a fellow passenger on board a delayed RyanAir flight from Stansted to Malaga, Spain, grew tired of waiting to disembark and opted for the quicker exit.

The traveller, a 57-year-old Polish national, sat on the wing of flight FR8164 with his hand luggage. The plane sat on the tarmac. Coaxed back inside the plane, he was soon arrested.

A spokesman for Ryanair goes on the record: This airport security breach occurred after landing in Malaga airport on 1 January. Malaga airport police immediately arrested the passenger in question and since this was a breach of Spanish safety and security regulations, it is being dealt with by the Spanish authorities.

Reports that the man was a RyanAir employee investigating new classes of travel, and doing away with steps, are wide of the mark. Probably.

Karen Strike

Posted: 3rd, January 2018 | In: News, The Consumer Comment | TrackBack | Permalink(ANSA) - Bari, January 2 - Interior Minister Marco Minniti travelled to Bari on Tuesday to chair a meeting of the committee for order and public safety convened after an ambush in Bitonto involving members of a local crime syndicate on Saturday left an 84-year-old woman dead. Anna Rosa Tarantino died while crossing a road in the town centre.

20-year-old Giuseppe Casadibari, a convicted criminal, also sustained injuries.

He is thought by investigators to have been the real target of the attack. According to unconfirmed reports, he used Tarantino as a human shield during the attempted hit.

Minniti on Tuesday called the woman's slaying "unacceptable".

"A response is urgent," he said after chairing the public-order meeting.

Minniti said "we have decided to act on a triple level: "Identifying and arresting the members of the two rival groups; facing in a structured way, with medium-term investigative activity, organised crime in the area; and drafting an extraordinary plan to control the territory".

Bari Mayor Antonio Decaro said "these cowards struck a symbol".

"We will react to this vile attack," he told reporters after the meeting with Minniti.

The shooting is to be seen in the context of a turf war between rival clans for control of the local drugs trade. It may have been a reprisal for an earlier shooting outside the home of a local mobster on the outskirts of the city, investigators say. Tarantino's funeral was due to be celebrated on Tuesday, with local officials in attendance. A candlelit march and ceremony will also be staged in remembrance of her.

"We will never give in to the folly of violence that destroys the joy of life and which has here struck down an innocent victim," said Msgr Alberto D'Urso at the funeral homily.

The faithful issued a message urging the killers "to understand the gravity of their actions, repent and demonstrate that with concrete gestures". Tarantino's niece said "Auntie Anna was barbarously killed by the blind evil of men.

"We'll never forget you and we hope the whole city doesn't either". Bitonto Mayor Michele Abbaticchio said he was "sure" the police would find the guilty men and voiced the hope that Tarantino "Anna Rosa, a seamstress of fabric and human relations, will hep us stitch back together our community which has been torn apart and tested by this sense of rage and pain".

The Puglia mafia, the Sacra Corona Unita (United Holy Crown, SCU), is the fourth and smallest of Italy's four mafias.

The other three are 'Ndrangheta from Calabria, Cosa Nostra from Sicily and the Camorra from Naples.

MADRID - The number of unemployed workers in Spain in December declined by 61,500 people for a total of 3,412,781, the lowest over the last eight years, according to data published Wednesday by the Spanish labor ministry.



The year 2017 ended with 290,193 fewer unemployed people compared to 2016 and 1,627,441 fewer jobless workers from February 2013, when the economic crisis had the most severe impact on employment.



According to the data, a total of 21.5 million contracts were signed in 2017, including 19.5 million that were short-term, a sign according to unions that instability has risen.



The number of workers with social security in December grew 0.23% from the previous month with 42,444 people while on an annual basis a total of 18,460,201 people were registered with an increase in 2017 of 611,146 workers from the previous year.Asylum seekers protest near Rovereto Want to leave shipping containers at Marco reception centre

(ANSAmed) - ROVERETO (TRENTO), JANUARY 3 - Asylum seekers at a migrant reception centre in the northern town of Marco, just outside Rovereto, staged a protest on Wednesday, chanting "freedom" from the gates of the structure.



The asylum seekers were demanding better living conditions and want to be able to leave the shipping containers some of them have been living in for a couple of years.



The migrants also protested the long wait times linked to obtaining refugee status.



The protest was kept under control by law enforcement.



(ANSAmed).



Social unrest grows in Gaza, taxi drivers strike

(ANSAmed) - GAZA, JANUARY 3 - Social unrest is growing in the Gaza Strip as a result of worsening economic conditions, with a taxi driver strike in the southern Gaza Strip announced on Wednesday morning by taxi drivers in the city of Khan Yunis.



The strike is against an increase announced Tuesday in the price of petrol imported from Egypt, bringing prices up to the same level as those of Israeli petrol.



Drivers are also protesting against a ban by authorities prohibiting drivers from raising taxi fares, which drivers have said is making them "the poorest social class in Gaza".



On Tuesday a demonstration took place in Gaza by workers who said they haven't been paid.



In the city of Beit Lahya, in the northern Gaza Strip, business owners went on strike to protest their worsening conditions. (ANSAmed).



TEL AVIV - Palestinian Liberation Organization official Hanan Ashrawi said Palestinians "will not be blackmailed by Donald Trump", in response to Trump's announcement Tuesday on Twitter threatening to cut aid to the Palestinians for refusing to return to peace talks with Israel after Trump recognized Jerusalem as that country's capital.



Ashrawi said with that recognition, "Trump singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace" and "sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice".



Trump's tweets came following plans revealed just prior by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, to end financing to UNRWA, the UN agency that provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.



The US is that agency's largest contributor, with 370 million dollars of aid donated in 2016.



The move risks further inflaming the Middle East and increasing anti-American sentiment in the region, following protests over the White House's unilateral decision on Jerusalem.



The decision was widely disavowed, first by the UN Security Council and then by the General Assembly, despite Trump's threats to cut aid to countries who voted against the US.



Following the vote, Trump immediately took action, reducing the US's funding to the UN by 285 million dollars in 2018 and 2019. Initial reactions from Israel have been mixed.



Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the US and currently Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's office, said he was pleased by the fact that "finally in the White House there's a president who understands the Middle East". However, former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, currently part of the opposition, was uneasy.



"A responsible Israeli government would have discreetly explained to Trump what Israel's true interests are, which include interventions to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza as well as continued cooperation from Palestinian security services," she said.



Fawzi Barhum, a Hamas spokesperson, said Donald Trump "has adopted low political blackmail against the Palestinian people".



"His behavior is barbarous and immoral," Barhum said.



According to official estimates, nearly half of Gaza residents receive benefits from UNRWA activities either directly or indirectly through its educational, medical and social services.Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk.

Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen.

If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned.

I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country.

It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously.

Vote

View ResultsFalcon Aviations FBO) facility in Dubai, UAE selected ASD Avia Consulting to handle its IS-BAHTM Standard (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling) accreditation from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), and had nowobtained the certification and are now IS-BAH accredited.

The Auditing of the FBO took place on November 2017 on their Dubai site.

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers, which features at its core a safety management system (SMS). IS-BAH follows the structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Program and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. IS-BAH is the global industry standard for handlers and operators around the world to meet the coming SMS requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

IS-BAH offers Fixed Based Operators (FBO) and Business Aircraft Handling Agents (BAHA) a scalable, industry-developed code of best practice centered around Safety Management System (SMS) principles adopted by ICAO and other operations-critical industries. Conforming to these standards and recommended practices is voluntary.

"We are very proud that Falcon Aviation, a leading FBO in Dubai and a company that ensure its clients the highest standard of safety and providing a premium service through its FBO, has chosen ASD Avia Consulting to implement the IS-BAH Standards and to support the organization in improving the high standards in safety and quality said ASD Avia Consulting managing director Amir Dadgar.

We introduced the IS-BAH registration program in May during the EBACE show in Geneva to Falcon Aviation and the company made clear its commitment to safety as its first priority. The IS-BAH certification process ensures just that. It guarantees that the FBO operations are performed following the highest of standards. The fact that from the finish of the Audit to receiving the certification less than two weeks have passed, shows how professional the Audit was prepared by Falcon Aviation and show the excellent Quality of its FBO and employees.

I am delighted to have joined Falcon Aviation at such an exciting time in the business. The IS-BAH endorsement rounds off a brilliant year and I am looking forward to 2018 and being able to build on our loyal customer base and further attract new clients who are flying or transiting through the FBO. We will also be incentivising clients further with discounts on connecting helicopter charters if they use our FBO and our new heliport, Added Falcon Aviation, FBO Manager Ahmad Badreddine.Saudi Arabias national carrier, Saudia, is going on the offensive with a huge expansion campaign and the launch of its own low-cost carrier. Alan Dron reports.

Often forgotten when outsiders look at the airline market in the Gulf, Saudia is one of the regions major carriers. It is undergoing a major transformation plan to re-equip its fleet and is positioning itself not only to fight off ever-growing competition but also to expand in its own right.

One indicator of its rapid expansion can be seen in its passenger figures. At present, the airline flies close to 30 million travellers annually. By 2020, just three years from now, it is confident that figure will have grown by 50%, to 45 million, said Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Saudi Arabian Airlines director-general.

Those additional passengers will be carried by a rapidly expanding fleet, he explained at Airbus Finkenwerder assembly plant in Hamburg, Germany.

Speaking as he accepted the first Airbus A320ceo for the groups new low-cost carrier, Flyadeal, he noted that when Saudia started its transformation plan in 2015, it operated 117 aircraft. By the end of 2020, that figure will have grown to 200. It received no fewer than 28 new aircraft in 2016 and plans to take a further 32 into its inventory this year.

At the same time, it is retiring older types such as its 15 Boeing 777-200ERs. By the end of the decade, it will have one of the youngest fleets in the region and intends to use it both to expand its route network and increase frequencies to its existing destinations.

Among the new types that have joined the fleet in the past couple of years are Boeing 787-9s, of which it has eight on order, plus the Airbus A330-300R (for Regional), a high-capacity, shorter-ranged version of the A330-300, which it uses on major trunk routes on its network. Compared to earlier versions of the A330-300, which fly with 288 or 298 passengers in Saudia service, depending on internal configuration, the R has capacity for 330, partly through a smaller business class cabin (30 seats as opposed to 36). The airline is close to accepting the final aircraft in its order for 20, which it placed at the 2015 Paris Air Show.

The airlines growth is being mirrored by major investments in the countrys airport infrastructure. One of the most important facets of this investment is a new passenger terminal at Jeddahs King Abdulaziz International Airport, which is due to open in early 2018 and which will be a major milestone for Saudia. That will give the airline the capacity to take its fair share of the regions traffic, said Al-Jasser.

It is often forgotten that a major component of Saudias traffic is domestic. Before the arrival of local newcomers such as Saudi Gulf and Nesma, it was reckoned to take 90% of internal flights, with hybrid carrier Flynas taking the rest.

That domestic traffic, thought to be growing at around 6% annually, is believed still to have considerable untapped demand. It will be one of the foundations for the national carriers growth in coming years, although Al-Jasser was careful to say that Saudia would be pursuing growth in all three segments of its passenger market  domestic, regional and long-haul.

One intriguing potential aspect of Saudias future domestic growth is the acquisition of turboprop aircraft. Turboprops can be a solution for short domestic routes, noted Al-Jasser, but no decision had yet been taken on whether to procure them, he said. He noted that one carrier, the Saudi-Egyptian carrier Nesma, was using ATR 72-600 turboprops out of the regional centre of Hail.

There are also plans to create a south-western hub at Abha, but this is an initiative by the General Authority for Civil Aviation, the Saudi Arabian regulator, rather than Saudia, said Al-Jasser.

On the human side of the company, as part of its transformation programme, Saudia is working to improve on-board service standards in a region where these are already formidably high. Those efforts appear to be paying off. Were receiving a lot of compliments on the improvements, said the director-general, who noted with visible pleasure that Saudia had been named most improved airline in the authoritative annual Skytrax awards, which measure airlines quality over a wide range of parameters.

Saudia has two specific niche operations not found in many other airlines  flights catering for the annual Haj pilgrimage and a business class division, Al Bayraq, that taps into the huge demand for flights between the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the countrys main commercial centre, Jeddah.

The national carrier has a major role to play in helping Moslem pilgrims fulfil one of Islams five basic tenets, the pilgrimage to Mecca. As well as carrying Haj passengers on scheduled flights, it operates charter services to help bring pilgrims in from all over the Islamic world and return them home at the end of their devotions.

This year, it has had around 21 aircraft dedicated to Haj charters, six or seven of them from its own fleet, with the rest of the necessary capacity leased in from other airlines.

We do still lease in aircraft, but its less than we used to, because of our expansion, said Al-Jasser. The charter business will continue, but as both the fleet and network expand we will be able to meet a lot of the demand through our scheduled services.

Al Bayraq puts Saudia in a very small club of carriers that operate all-business class aircraft. It operates only on the heavily trafficked Riyadh-Jeddah service and uses three Airbus A319s (two in service, with one on standby as a back-up) in a 48-seater cabin layout.

Its catering for a very niche market between Jeddah and Riyadh for people with very specific requirements. Typical customers are businessmen and government officials.

The volume of traffic between those two cities is huge and theres a segment that, when we looked at our strategy in early 2015, we saw a market for this very niche product. Its a different style.

Al-Jasser said it was difficult to say whether Al Bayraq provided a more premium service than Saudias standard business class cabins, but it placed high emphasis on standards of food and overall service and: Its receiving an excellent perception from the market.

Challenges for Saudia remain. The biggest challenge is over-capacity in the entire region. Yields are already under pressure and we think this will continue for a few years to come. Al-Jasser also accepted that Saudia is definitely over-staffed and was making efforts to become more efficient in this area. However, it was very difficult to set a target for staff numbers when the airline was growing so quickly, he said.

In 1961 my parents moved into a new ranch house in Smalltown, U.S.A., where they lived until they died. David and Kathy, my brother and sister-in-law, live there now, and since my parents were packrats equipped with a big basement, my brother has of necessity become the family archivist. The job suits him, for he has an impeccable memory for trivia and, like me, isnt even slightly alienated from the past that we share: he loved both of our parents deeply and is proud to have made them proud of him.

From time to time, David sends me little gifts that have turned up in the course of his researches. A couple of weeks ago, for instance, Mrs. T and I returned from Philadelphia to find a box on our front porch that contained three family-related items. Two of them were tins full of Christmas cookies baked by my brother, half molasses and half sugar with red and green sprinkles, all cut with the very same cookie cutters that my mother got out of storage every December. Im pretty sure he uses the same recipes, too. Each time I eat one of those cookies, I think of the wonderful family Christmases of my youth and smile.

To all Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, wherever ye may be and to all mermaids, flying dragons, spirits of the deep, devil chasers, and all other living creatures of the yellow seas, Greetings: Know ye that on the 12th day of Febuary 1946, in latitude 30 degrees N longitude 180 degrees W there appeared within the limits of my august dwelling the USS Admiral C.F. Hughes (AP-124). Hearken Ye: The said vessel, officers and crew have been inspected and passed on by my august body and staff. And know ye: Ye that are chit signers, squaw men, opium smokers, ice men, and all-round landlubbers that Herbert H. Teachout, having been found sane and worthy to be numbered a dweller of the Far East has been gathered in my fold and duly initiated into the Silent Mysteries of the Far East. Be it further understood: That by virtue of the power vested in me I do hereby command all money lenders, wine sellers, cabaret owners, cat-house managers and all my other subjects to show honor and respect to all his wishes whenever he may enter my realm. Disobey this command under penalty of my august displeasure.

The third item was a colorfully printed, handsomely framed certificate issued on February 12, 1946, by an entity known as the Golden Dragon, Ruler of the 180th Meridian. It reads as follows:

At first glance the certificate threw me for a loop. Then the light went on: my father must have been presented with it en route to the Philippines, where he served in World War II. So I turned to Wikipedia, where I learned that theis, as I guessed, an unofficial award that is still given by the U.S. Navy to the crew members of ships that cross the International Date Line. The, on which he sailed in 1946, was a troop transport built in 1944 that ferried American soldiers and sailors and Japanese prisoners of war to and from ports in the Pacific. The first transport to reach the West Coast after the Japanese surrender, It remained in use until 1967.

David found the certificate in the course of one of his basement excavations. It was part of a cache of wartime souvenirs, none of which my father ever bothered to show us, just as he never talked about his time in the Army Air Corps unless asked. Not that there would have been much to tell: drafted at the very end of 1944, he did his basic training atin Mississippi, where Neil Simonsis set, but he never saw combat and didnt make it to the Philippines until after V-J Day.

My father and I werent intimate enough for me to ask him awkward questions, so I never quizzed him about his Army days. The only thing he ever told me was that he and Veronica Lake had once shared a plane, a thought that makes me boggle even more now than it did then. After he died, though, my mother explained to my brother that he didnt talk about the war because he was ashamed not to have been in combat. I have no trouble believing that. Thanks to Verona, his haughty mother, he grew up to be a strong but insecure man who never felt at ease in his own skin and was incapable of believing that he was both a good man and a good father. Small wonder, then, that his unspectacular wartime record gnawed at his pride.

Now that the Greatest Generation is vanishing from the scene in ever-increasing numbers, I find myself thinking more and more about my parents. Having been close to my mother, Im not surprised that I miss her as much as I do. What surprises me is that, whom I loved but with whom I could never quite get along. I wish with all my heart that I could have bridged the gap of temperament that separated us. I would give anything to sit down with him one more time and ask him about the war in which he servedand tell him how proud I was of his service, uneventful though it was.

As for the C.F. Hughes, it was broken up for scrap in 2011, and most of the men who sailed on it during World War II have gone, like my father, to their graves. All that remains of his old ship is a plaque on the wall of the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. Its not far from Austin, and maybe Ill go there one of these days.

Its a broken-down obsolete ship. It steamed through four years of war. It has no unit citation and it achieved nothing spectacular. It was supposed to be a minesweeper, but in the whole war it swept six mines. It did every kind of menial fleet duty, mostly several hundred thousand miles of dull escorting. Now its a damaged hulk and will probably be broken up. Every hour spent on the Caine was a great hour in all our livesif you dont think so now you will later on, more and more. We were all doing part of what had to be done to keep our country existing, not any better than before, just the same old country that we love. Were all landlubbers who pitted our lives and brains against the sea and the enemy, and did what we were told to do. The hours we spent on the Caine were hours of glory. They are all over. Well scatter into the trains and busses now and most of us will go home. But we will remember the Caine, the old ship in which we helped to win the war.

If I do, Ill look up the plaque that commemorates the nondescript life of my fathers ship, and hear in my minds ear the little speech that Willie Keith delivers at the end ofwhen he turns the U.S.S. Caine over for decommissioning:

My father owned a copy of The Caine Mutiny. He wasnt a reading man, but I wonder whether he made an exception for that novel, and if he thought of himself when he read those words. I know I do.

* * *

A scene from the film version of Biloxi Blues, directed by Mike Nichols and starring Matthew Broderick and Christopher Walken:Coal India had earlier indicated that it was aiming for about 25 per cent more realisation from e-auctions.

Till December, Coal India had offered around 80 million tonne of coal through spot and forward e-auctions. (Representational Image)

Kolkata: Riding on rising demand, Coal India's average premium from e-auction of coal rose to 76 per cent over the average notified price during the third quarter of FY'18.

"In the Q3 period (Oct-Dec'17), the average premium over the average notified price was up 76 per cent against 23.6 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2016-17," a senior Coal India official told PTI.

The miner alloted 28.6 million tonne of the fossil fuel in the Q3 period of the current fiscal, marginally lower than the corresponding quarter's quantity of 28.8 million tonne.

October 2017 saw a drop of 40 per cent in coal offering in e-auction platform as there was diversion to power plants owing to sudden rise in demand.

An official tracking Coal India e-auctions said that average realisation for November and December is working out at around Rs 2,056 and Rs 2,064 per tonne, respectively.

Till December, Coal India had offered around 80 million tonne of coal through spot and forward e-auctions.

However, with some indications of easing of power prices in power exchange, there may be some effect on the premium in e-auction.

Coal India had earlier indicated that it was aiming for about 25 per cent more realisation from e-auctions. It is to be seen whether Coal India will be able to stem the declining trend of profitability in the last few quarters.

The recent wage agreement will see some Rs 5,600 crore extra outgo on account of a 20 per cent hike in workers' salaries.You get to see some of the prettiest faces and gorgeously attired during the Natya Kala Conference at the Krishna Gana Sabha.

The power and divinity of music can be seen in the way a really old lady bent with age and trying to make her way with a walker into the Parthasarathy Swami Sabha for an evocative concert by Nisha Rajagopal. Disability and discomfort were put aside as she painfully walked up to a chair even as Nisha was elaborating on the wistful Subhap-antuvarali alapana. It was genuine, steady and unfussy. The morning concert had quite a few people and the canteen right outside was empty  not one person except the staff and team belonging to Mountbatten Manis lineage! People swear by the food here but this particular morning there didn't seem to be any takers. It could also be that it was Vaikunta Ekadashi and the fast or upvas would be on. The music also reflected this day dedicated to lord Vishnu as almost all songs were about Him including a brief Pasuram - Pachai Ma Malai Pol Peni followed by Tyagarajas Srirangam Pancharatna in Arabhi. It was also heartening that those present were only there to hear this young vocalist who is a favorite with many.

Lakshmi Viswanathan is effervescent and she has devised a method of presenting varied subjects and characters in simple English layering the narrative with dance and music. Her approach is down to earth with just a dash of childlike naughtiness drawing out smiles and chuckles from the audience present. But that in no way takes away from the depth of her presentation. In fact, they are well researched, cohesively woven together to appeal to a cross section of people. make anyone understand it. Thanjavur is one of her favorite subjects, having written books and articles and the segment chosen for her recital for the Brahma Gana Sabha focused on Kamakshibai, the Maratha queen as a sutradhar in Apsara Arts Company's production on Tanjore, The Golden Ages Of Bharatnatyam. She flitted on stage reminding one of a butterfly to the accompaniment of Jaya Durge Durugati Pariharini as an ode to the Goddess worshiped by the Marathas. she followed it up with the English narrative exploring the influences of the royal rulers between the 10th and 16th centuries (the Cholas etc.) in Thanjavur. With dancers from Apsara Arts emphasising the greatness and glory of Shiva, the script has many moments of ad libbing one guesses and has its artistic direction by Aravinth Kumarasamy, Apsara Arts Company, Singapore. Dressed in a grey/ red combination in the semi Ma-harashtrian style, she kept the audience entertained very well. One must mention the vocal support. it was a lovely voice that accompanied her dance.

You get to see some of the prettiest faces and gorgeously attired during the Natya Kala Conference at the Krishna Gana Sabha. Saying this one risks being called superficial and inane but then thats how it is. Dance is a visual language and beauty (Shringaram) is very much part of it. and the dancer has to be pleasing to the eye. Continuing with the theme of Shringaram and its relevance, Alarmel Valli had many valid points about the pining nayika - especially in the varnam, an aspect which she has been quizzed upon time and again. Does a modern woman relate to the heroine who waits and waits for her Swami? In her session Atimoham  The Sensual And The Sacred In Metaphor And Movement, Valli pointed out that this is not merely a man woman equation  it transcends beyond that. To that of the soul longing for the union with the divine energy. That it is representative of the bhakthi poetry that can be stark raving mad for the Divine. Incidentally Stark Raving Mad is a bhakthi poetry festival by Arundhathi Subramaniam, also present in this session who explained the essence of bhakthi poetry. Both Valli and Arundhathi have collaborated to establish poetry and dance as extensions of the Sacred and the Sensual. A brief extract from a Kapi varnam and the reading out of an Annamacharya poem were teasers to the point being made about the vacuum inside making the nayika ache to reach the Lord.

The writer is an avid rasika of music and fine artsRow over UP MLAs remarks too.

New Delhi/Lucknow: The BJP-led NDA, which has been harping on nationalism and invoking the sacrifices of Army and security forces personnel, was caught on the wrong foot Tuesday when its Lok Sabha MP from Rampur, Nepal Singh, commented that it was normal for soldiers to die during combat.

Woh toh roz marenge army mein (Those in the army are bound to die daily). Is there any country where armymen dont die during jhagda (fighting)? Even when there is a fight in a village, one or two persons are bound to get injured, Mr Singh told a news agency while reacting to the December 31 terrorist attack on a CRPF camp in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in which five security personnel were killed.

Chaos prevailed in Parliament with the Opposition Congress attacking Mr Singh over his remark and seeking his apology. A red-faced BJP pulled up the legislator, who later apologised for his comments.

Another BJP legislator, Uttar Pradesh MLA Vikram Saini, meanwhile, created another controversy with his remark that Hindustan (is) a country only for Hindus. The BJP MLA from Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar was addressing a public meeting in his constituency on Monday when he claimed that he was a staunch Hinduwadi.

In the Lok Sabha, the Congress pounced on the government with party MP Jyotiraditya Scindia accusing it of failing to put in place security measures to protect sensitive defence installations even though there were similar terror strikes on military bases in the recent past, including in Uri, Udhampur and Pathankot.

When people were celebrating (the new year), Pakistan-sponsored terrorists attacked a CRPF camp in Pulwama. Five soldiers laid down their lives. The soldiers are sacrificing their lives protecting the country but the government does not look serious in protecting them, Mr Scindia said during Zero Hour. He also wondered why the Prime Minister was maintaining total silence over it. With his comments leading to outrage in Parliament, followed by the outpouring on social media, with many Twitter users suggesting they amounted to insulting the Army, Mr Singh issued a clarification and an apology. I did not say anything to insult the Army. I have always supported the Army and promoted them. I am saddened and I apologise if they felt... But I did not say anything like that, he said.

UP BJP MLA Vikram Saini said in his remarks that all the land would have belonged to Hindus had some leaders allowed the bearded people to go (to Pakistan) at the time of Partition. Mai kattar Hinduwadi hu. Hamare desh ka naam Hindustan hai jiska matlab ki ye Hinduon ka desh hai. Aaj bina jaati bhed ke sabko samaan roop se laabh milta hai. Ab se pehle jitni lambi dadhi hoti thi, utna lamba cheque milta tha. (I am a radical Hinduwadi. Our country is named Hindustan, which means it is a country for Hindus. Today, irrespective of caste and creed, people get equal rights. Earlier, people with long beards (Muslims) used to get bigger cheques, he said.

In Lucknow, UP Congress spokesman Surendra Rajput termed the two statements as highly objectionable. He said that if the BJP leadership did not take action against these two legislators, it would be presumed that they extended tacit support to the statements.

In the Lok Sabha, Mr Scindia also questioned the governments Pakistan policy, attacking it over national security adviser Ajit Dovals meeting his Pakistani counterpart in Bangkok last week, notwithstanding the Pakistani authorities ill-treating the family of Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav in Islamabad. What is the governments Pakistan policy? The NSA met the Pakis-tani NSA in Bangkok after the family of Kulbhushan Jadhav was ill-treated by Pakistan. On the other hand, cross- border attacks are going on, Mr Scindia said.

Rebutting Mr Scindias charges, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar accused the Congress of trying to play politics over a sensitive issue. We had carried out the surgical strikes. We killed around 200 terrorists in the last three years. The Congress should not play politics over a sensitive issue, he said.BJP countered the allegation saying this was Cong's 'incitement technique' for 'cynical political gains' in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

'Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance,' he added, referring to other incidents of violence against Dalits over the past year.

New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), blaming them for the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra.

Rahul alleged that the protests were a result of the "fascist vision" that encouraged the RSS and BJP to keep Dalits "at the bottom of Indian society."

A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 2, 2018

"Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," he added, referring to other incidents of violence against Dalits over the past year in Madhya Pradesh's Una and Hyderabad Central University.

BJP spokesperson, GVL Narsimha Rao countered Rahul's allegations, saying it was part of the Congress' "incitement model."

Rahul Gandhi's "APPEASEMENT MODEL" miserably failed in 2014 polls. For 2019,Rahul is working on an "INCITEMENT MODEL" provoking caste violence for cynical political gains. @OfficeOfRG Your cynical politics will lose again in the hands of @narendramodi ji's developmental politics. https://t.co/tFJcqleRaz  GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) January 2, 2018

Rao apprehended Rahul, saying that since his appeasement strategy had failed in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he was trying to incite caste violence for "cynical political gains" in the 2019 polls.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, questioning, "who instigated and interfered in this event?"

BJP leader and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ananth Kumar, reiterated saying, "Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega. (Instead of preventing the fire from spreading, Congress Party and its leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, are inciting it more. The nation will not tolerate this).

Opposition Dalit-community leader Mayawati, also blamed the upsurge on the caste-politics of the BJP. "Maharashtra has a BJP government and they are responsible for the violence. It seems the RSS, BJP and other casteist powers are behind it," she said.

Left front leader Sitaram Yechury tweeted, "The ideology of the RSS-BJP has always believed in suppressing those historically oppressed. This latest episode in Maharashtra, along with several others in the recent past just reinforces this."

The ideology of the RSS-BJP has always believed in suppressing those historically oppressed. This latest episode in Maharashtra, alongwith several others in the recent past just reinforces this. https://t.co/qWEjFtJjT1  Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) January 2, 2018

Clashes between Dalit and Maratha groups broke out on Monday during an event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, during which a man was killed and several others were injured.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory on January 1, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchable -- were part of the East India Company's forces.

However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to the celebration of 'British' victory.A special CBI court on December 23 had convicted the RJD chief and 15 others in a fodder scam case.

Patna: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs political future depends on the quantum of punishment which is to be pronounced on Thursday.

Lalus son Tejashwi Yadav, who is currently trying to keep the party united in his absence, said that he has full faith in the judiciary.

My father is a mass leader and has been fighting for the people. We have faith in the judiciary and are hopeful that he will return from jail soon, Tejashwi Yadav told reporters in Patna.

A special CBI court on December 23 had convicted the RJD chief and 15 others in a fodder scam case.

Lawyers, representing Lalu Yadav, on Tuesday said that they would appeal for minimum punishment in the case. He is old and suffering for several diseases, including heart ailment. We will seek minimum punishment for him, they said.

According to legal experts here, Lalu Yadav will have to move the Ranchi high court for bail if the sentence is of more than three years. They said the entire exercise may take at least more than a month for Lalu Yadavs release. But if the quantum of punishment is less than three years, then he may seek for a bail immediately from the lower court.

In 2013, when the CBI court had convicted Lalu Yadav for five years in a case related to fraudulent withdrawal of `37.5 cro-res from Chaibasa treasury, he had to spend more than two months in jail before he was granted bail.

The conviction had led to his disqualification from Parliament and a ban on contesting elections.

Several party leaders, including his close aide and RJD MLA Bhola Yadav, have been camping in Ranchi and are likely to be present in court during the courts hearing on Wednesday.

Sources claim that the RJD is gearing up to launch a massive agitation later this month against the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav has called a meeting of RJD functionaries, including district and block unit heads, on January 6 to discuss the partys future course of action.The court also said that the victim could not have been 'misled', because she was already married and did not nullify her earlier marriage.

The court accepted the contention of the accused and said the woman's story was untruthful. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted a man of the charge of raping a woman after intoxicating her, saying they were in a live-in relationship and the physical relation between them was consensual.

Additional Sessions Judge Ramesh Kumar II absolved the man, who was accused of raping the woman on the false promise of marriage, noting that she was married already so there was no question of being misled by the accused.

"As per the prosecutrix (woman) she had not taken divorce from her husband and her marriage with him was still persistent, hence, there is no question of her being misled by accused on false promise of marriage. More so from her testimony it is crystal clear that prosecutrix and accused were in a live-in relationship," the judge said.

According to the prosecution, an FIR was lodged on January 1, 2015 under sections 328 and 376 of the IPC against accused Sita Ram Sharma on the complaint of a woman alleging that on the night of December 31, 2014 he made her consume a sedative laced coffee after which she became unconscious and then taking advantage of her condition, he raped her.

The accused, through his counsel Prashant Diwan, denied the allegations and contended that he had arranged a rented accommodation for the woman and they were living in together but she wanted extort money from him so implicated him in the false rape case.

The court accepted the contention of the accused and said the woman's story was untruthful.

"Circumstances emanating from the evidence adduced by prosecution, story put by prosecutrix gets belied and the case which comes out from the evidence is that prosecutrix has been live-in relation with the accused, who established physical relation with her free will," it said.

While allowing the accused to walk free, the court said, "The circumstances emerging from the evidence clearly establish that it was the case of consensual relation. Hence this court is of the view that prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused. Accordingly he is acquitted."Govt against referring bill to select committee.

New Delhi: After hectic parleys with Opposition parties failed to elicit an assurance on smooth passage of the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha, the government has decided to move the bill on Wednesday and press for it to get it passed without being referred to a select committee.

Sources said that an adamant government was planning to seek a division in the vote for the bill to be sent to the select committee so that Opposition parties could be exposed.

Meanwhile, there was a division in the ranks of the Opposition too. While smaller parties want that the bill should go to the select committee, the Congress, with 57 members, and Trinamul Congress, with 12 members, will feel uncomfortable opposing the bill in the Upper House. And in such a situation, the bill is likely to be passed by the Upper House on Wednesday itself.

Sources said that though both Congress, which was represented by Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior leader Anand Sharma, and Trinamul Congress, represented by Derek O Brien, sought the select committee route for the bill in the Business Advisory Committee meeting held on Tuesday evening, they were unlikely to press for it on the floor of the House in case of a division vote.

Interestingly, when the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 28, 2017, the Congress had not sought a vote for the amendments it pressed and the TMC had neither participated in the discussion nor voted. Consequently, despite many smaller parties seeking a standing committee scrutiny, the bill had a smooth sail in the Lower House.

A senior Opposition leader, who attended the BAC meeting, said that the government was adamant and the bill will be moved in the Rajya Sabha at 2 pm on Wednesday. However, a further decision might be taken at the customary meeting with the Rajya Sabha Chairman on Wednesday morning.

All smaller Opposition parties including the SP, BSP, BJD, AIADMK and DMK have opposed the bill. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill bans triple talaq and makes it a non-bailable criminal offence with up to three years imprisonment as punishment. It is this penal provision which Opposition parties are against.

Congress sources said that they might seek an amendment to this clause so that it is made a bailable offence.

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar has already asked the Congress not to press for amendments.

We are having continuous talks with the Oppo-sition parties, including the Congress. We have told the Congress that since they have not pressed for any amendments in the Lok Sabha, they should do the same in the Rajya Sabha, he said on Tuesday.

The bill saw a smooth passage in the Lok Sabha due to the brute majority that the BJP enjoys in the House, However, in the Rajya Sabha, the BJP and the Congress stare eyeball to eyeball with 57 members each.

The ruling side also attacked the Congress for having a confused stand on the matter.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, These days a number of reforms are being brought in. The triple talaq bill is one of them. The Congress takes one step forward and then 10 steps backward. The party is confused on triple talaq. The Muslim women are happy, but I dont know why the Congress is sad.From Thailand, she will visit Indonesia from January 5-6 and then travel to Singapore on a three-day trip.

New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial commemorative summit in New Delhi on January 25 to mark 25 years of Indo-Asean ties, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will embark on a five-day visit to three of the member nations  Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore  from January 4 to 8. The summit will be attended by heads of government/state of all 10 Asean nations.

On the first leg, Ms Swaraj will be in Thailand on January 4-5. She will hold talks with her counterpart Don Pramudwinai with an aim to expand bilateral cooperation, with focus on political, defence and economic ties. Thailand will assume the role of coordinator country for India-Asean relations in the middle of 2018.

From Thailand, she will visit Indonesia from January 5-6 and then travel to Singapore on a three-day trip.Addressing the media after the meeting, Rajinikanth said, 'He is the senior most politician in the country. I respect him a lot.'

Chennai: Days after announcing his debut into politics, superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday met DMK chief M Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence in Chennai.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Rajinikanth said: "He is the senior most politician in the country. I respect him a lot. We have a very good friendship. I took his blessings as I am entering politics. I am feeling very happy after meeting him."

On New Year's Eve, Rajinikanth announced that he will float his party before the next Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and contest from all the 234 constituencies.

During his announcement on Sunday, the superstar had also commented on the current state of politics in Tamil Nadu and said there was a need for a complete change in the state's democratic system. The 'Thalaivar' urged for a more honest and transparent system to emerge.

On Monday, Rajinikanth had launched an exclusive web portal - www.rajinimandram.org - and a mobile application to coordinate with his fans and those interested in ushering in a welcome change in Tamil Nadus politics.

Rajinikanth has been ambivalent on his political entry since 1996, when he openly put his weight behind the DMK and then fledgling Tamil Maanila Congress that helped the Dravidian party capture power with a brute majority.

After his appeal to vote for DMK-TMC alliance in 1998 and to defeat the PMK in 2004 failed at the hustings, the superstar kept low when it came to politics only to speak about it in 2017 after the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa the previous year.The Chinese investment in Gwadar is much more, and its trade with Central Asia much higher.

Iran has just opened a new port at Chabahar, 80 km west of the Pakistani port of Gwadar, that will greatly facilitate Indias trade with Afghanistan and with landlocked countries of Central Asia. Though it is much smaller with more modest aims than its more ambitious neighbour, Chabahar is also expected to open a new route to Central Asia and on to Russia and Europe.

Beyond Indias immediate concern in Afghanistan, Chabahar port is also important for the country since it opens the route to Central Asia with a promise of huge gains in trade. The current trade between India and the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan is under $1.5 billlion, compared to the trade of nearly $40 billion that these countries have with China. Better connectivity via Chabahar port and the planned roads and railways could multiply their trade figures with India several times. The landlocked countries have strategic and high-value minerals, including uranium, copper, titanium, ferroalloys, yellow phosphorus, iron ore, rolled metal, propane, butane, zinc, coking coal, and Kazakhstan alone wants to increase its non-oil exports by 50 per cent by 2025. And without direct transport access, India cannot procure the Central Asian riches needed for its manufacturing economy.

Its also being seen by many observers as opening a new Great Game between the two largest countries in the world in the oil and mineral-rich region of Central Asia. That is an overstatement. The Chinese investment in Gwadar is much more, and its trade with Central Asia much higher. The Indian aim is smaller, but more specific. Apart from greater ease of moving goods and people to and from Central Asia and Afghanistan by not having to travel through Pakistan, Indias steel companies such as SAIL have invested heavily in huge iron ore deposits in Hajigaj in the Bamiyan region of central Afghanistan.

This is the largest Indian investment in that country and has ample scope for generating employment and meeting the needs of the country. The investment will be much larger than the $2 billion promised by India to build the port and the road and rail connections that are needed. But unless these connecting links are established, the steel complex would not be functional. The goodwill of the Afghan people towards India is based on the many projects such as a dam, the new Parliament building, power lines to the capital, buses, hospitals and skill training schools. The new port is important since it would allow India to send emergency food supplies and to conduct more open and increased trade with Afghanistan.

Chabahar thus has its own strategic importance, and seeing it as a counter-weight to the Chinese investment in Gwadar is of secondary importance. Chinas investment in Gwadar is much larger, and it has committed to invest $46 billion to develop the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It also plans to send 30,000 troops to protect its investment, besides another 10,000 troops from Pakistan. Given the scale of Gwadar, it is foolish to see the two ports as competitors. Instead, as Iran has proclaimed, it is better to view them as sisters who complement each other.

One should also remember that the passage of trucks from Chahabar into Afghanistan is not entirely secure. Indian goods travelling to Kabul or Herat will have to pass through, or close to, some of the most dangerous parts of the country. Chahabar is also part of one of Irans most volatile regions, where anti-regime Sunni insurgents have launched repeated attacks. Though increased trade will eventually help improve the security situation, the persistence of the insurgency might take a long time to resolve and may also involve deals with militant groups.

Despite the potential hazards, however, the development of Chahabar and the transport links to it constitute an important part of New Delhis strategic policy. India has important plans for the future. Some of its prominent features include:

In July 2016, India began shipping $150 million worth of rail tracks to Chabahar to develop the port container tracks and build the $1.6 billion Chabahar-Zahedan railway built by Indias Ircon International, for which India pledged an additional $400 million.

India will execute and operate two berths in Chabahar Port Phase-I, with capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

India is finalising a plan to construct a 900-km Chabahar-Zahedan-Hajigak railway line that will connect Chabahar in Iran to the mineral-rich Hajigak region of Afghanistan. This will help the seven Indian companies which acquired rights in 2011 to mine central Afghanistans Hajigak region, which contain Asias largest deposits of iron ore.

The Indian government has pledged to spend $2 billion in developing supporting infrastructure. This will free Afghanistan from Pakistan to reach the outer world, giving India access to Afghanistan and beyond.

This has the potential for several times more trade via connectivity to the 7,200-km-long multi-mode North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting to Europe and Turkey, and Trans-Siberian Highway across Russia, and the planned Herat to Mazar-e-Sharif railway, providing access to countries in Central Asia. These projects will give greater connectivity to Afghanistan with its neighbours.

Chabahar port has the potential to be an essential economic and strategic corridor, linking India to Afghanistan and Central Asia. But it can only be fulfilled if China and Pakistan both cooperate and see the project as not being one of strategic conflict but one whose economic benefits could flow to all countries in the neighbourhood. This is what Iran wants and what India should support.

The writer is a Mumbai-based freelance journalistThe Opposition on its part claimed it had managed to corner and stall the governments move to push the bill through in the Upper House.

The Opposition seemed equally adamant on insisting that it be referred to a select committee. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday failed to push through the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha as a combative Opposition insisted that it be sent to a select committee for further scrutiny. Ironically, both treasury and Opposition benches claimed victory in the Upper Houses war of wits.

While the Opposition, led by the Congress and Trinamool Congress, claimed it had foxed the ruling side with its demand for a division in the vote for the bill going to a select committee, the government said that it had managed to expose the double standards of the Congress and other parties.

Why did the Congress, which had supported the Bill in the Lok Sabha, did not support the Bill in the Upper House also? This shows the double standards of the party, finance minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely said.

The Opposition on its part claimed it had managed to corner and stall the governments move to push the bill through in the Upper House.

The BJP, which had got the bill passed in the Lok Sabha, ignoring the Oppositions demand to refer it to a parliamentary standing committee for closer scrutiny, has 57 members in the Rajya Sabha.

What is interesting is that the Trinamool Congress, which had maintained a studied silence on the bill in the Lok Sabha, jumped with a vengeance in Rajya Sabha to the demand that the bill be sent to a select committee. Its chief whip in Rajya Sabha, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy, moved a resolution along with the Congress for the bill to be referred to a select committee.

The other resolution was moved by senior Congress leader Anand Sharma.

The government, however, claimed that both the resolutions were invalid as they quoted wrong rules and the list of members of the select committee given by both the parties had no names from the government side.

Government sources said that they will take up the bill again on Thursday and insist that it be passed without being referred to a select committee. The Opposition seemed equally adamant on insisting that it be referred to a select committee.

On Wednesday, the BJP which had been working on a strategy to expose the Opposition by calling for a division in case voting was taken up on the issue of sending the bill to a select committee, seemed to be taken aback when the Opposition itself sought a division. The Oppositions confidence stemmed from the fact that they had on their side NDA constituent Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with six members and the Biju Janata Dal with eight members.

A senior leader of the Trinamool Congress said that the division would have shown that the BJP was totally outnumbered in the Upper House.

Besides the Congress, SP and TMC, the names proposed by Mr Sharma for the panel included leaders of AIADMK, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), TDP, RJD, BJD, JMM, IUML and nominated member K.T.S. Tulsi.

The government was, however, quick to hit back saying that the Congress double standards have been exposed.

Mr Jaitely, trying to counter the Opposition point by point, later told reporters that the Congress was indirectly trying to stall the triple talaq bill.

One of the chief objections raised by the finance minister in the House earlier was that no notice was given 24 hours in advance for the bill to be sent to a select committee.

Now, we are taken by surprise that we all assemble here after 3 pm, a motion is suddenly submitted to us. For the first time breaking all parliamentary convention and procedures, an invalid motion is moved, Mr Jaitley said.

Pushing for the bill to be passed quickly, he said, The practice (of triple talaq) was declared unconstitutional on August 22. Two of the judges... held the practice to be unfair. They used their extraordinary powers to suspend this practice for six months. Those six months expires on February 22.

Countering him, the Congress Kapil Sibal said the minister referred to a minority judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue while there was no mention of urgency in the majority judgment of the apex court.

What is the problem if they pass the bill after two months? What is the point in trying to pass a half-baked legislation?, a senior Congress leader said.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, was introduced by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad amid pandemonium in Rajya Sabha, which had been on the boil over Maharashtra caste violence since the morning.

As the House was repeatedly adjourned over the dalit stir issue, it was a sudden decision by the Opposition to let the bill be taken up at 3 PM.According to the UN rules, support of two-third member countries (129 nations) is required out of the total 193 member nations.

New Delhi: India is ready to bear all expenses, if necessary up to Rs 400 crore, to make Hindi one of the official languages of the United Nations, but its rules for acquiring such a status prevents the country from doing so, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament on Wednesday. According to the UN rules, support of two-third member countries (129 nations) is required out of the total 193 member nations, Ms Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

Besides, all member nations will have to bear the cost of making Hindi one of the official languages of the UN. It is not difficult to get the support of two-third member nations. But when the issue of bearing the expenses comes, many small nations become hesitant which has led to a big hurdle in making Hindi an official languages of the UN, Ms Swaraj was quoted as saying in the Lok Sabha, adding that despite this, the efforts are on.

When a BJP member said that India has to pay Rs 40 crore as cost for making Hindi one of the languages in the United Nations, the minister the government is ready to pay even Rs 400 crore if required but the world bodys rules does not allow to do so. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor then asked why India should make the effort to make Hindi as one of the languages in the UN as it is only Indias official language and not the national language. If tomorrow someone from Tamil Nadu or from West Bengal becomes the PM, why should we force him to speak in Hindi at the UN, he said. When Mr Tharoor also said Hindi is official language of only one country  India, Ms Swaraj countered Mr Tharoor, saying he was unaware that Hindi is the official language of Fiji and is also spoken widely in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and many other countries.

In her written reply, Ms Swaraj said, The government continues to take measures for the acceptance of Hindi as one of the official languages of the UN and to popularise Hindi worldwide. On several occasions Indian leaders have delivered statements at the UN in Hindi, including Prime Ministers statement at the 69th UNGA in September 2014, the address of Prime Minister to the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015, and the addresses to the UNGA by External Affairs Minister during its 70th, 71st and 72nd sessions in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Necessary special arrangements were made for simultaneous interpretation of these statements into English by the Permanent Mission of India in New York.

She added, A World Hindi Secretariat has also been set up in Mauritius in February 2008 to promote Hindi as an international language. Efforts to propagate Hindi worldwide are also being made by our Diplomatic Missions/Posts abroad; in the current financial year Rs 5 crores has been allocated for this purpose. Government continues to make such efforts towards securing due recognition for Hindi at the UN.

On the issue of passports in Hindi, the MEA informed Parliament, The pre-printed portion of the passport is already in Hindi and English languages. At present, the personal details of the applicant are printed in the English language only. The Government has now decided to print personal details on passports in both Hindi and English.In a run-up to the pride month, the LGBT community is coming together for a month long festival.

Its that time of the year when the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community hold a peace march in the city to celebrate their sexual orientation. And before the annual march in February can take off, Queer Azaadi Mumbai (QAM), in collaboration with the Godrej India Culture Lab, is organising pride events, celebrating January as the Pride month.

Having organised plays and film screenings for the LGBT community in the past, Parmesh Shahani, head of Godrej India Culture Lab, says that the space will organise events that focus on the youth, all through January. Pride month is all about activism, and these events are talking about how the youth is taking the LGBTQ activism forward, he smiles.

Starting from January 5, the focus of these events is will be on networking amongst the community and its needs. It will also include a Delhi-based play, Ehsaas, a coming-of-age play, along with fashion and dance performances.

The panel discussion on Friday, titled Queer Networking Now, looks at how new safe spaces  both physical and digital  are being created within the Indian LGBTQ community. We have Ishaan Sethi, who has developed a networking app called Delta that connects people based on common interests. Sachin Jain is the founder of Ghar, a gay housing resource platform. There is Sakshi Juneja of Gaysi, which is an online-offline queer networking group where they organise events and have a yearly magazine. Last is Yaariyan which is the youth wing of Humsafar trust, he lists the participants.

Talking about safe spaces for the community, Sachin points out that networking among the LGBT has dramatically evolved. With the advent of dating apps like Grindr and even Facebook, its been easy for the youth in the community to connect with each other, explains Sachin, who adds that back in his teens, the only source of understanding his sexuality were books. The digital era has given them (the youth) confidence, and has made coming out easier. Although, he warns, People tend to take this lightly. Most times, there is no deep connections or friendships formed.

While these spaces are a great start, theres still a long way to go, sighs Parmesh. He sighs that it is still difficult for transgenders to live life on their terms. It is harder when you are a transgender but today they have the support. Thats what the focus has been on. But the good thing is that theres support. And our focus is on the building a support structure. There are people to help you, he smiles.

Queer Networking Now!

On January 5, 5 pm onwards,

At Godrej India Culture Lab

Queer Theatre Now!

On January 12, 5 pm onwards

Queer Aesthetics Now!

On January 20, 11 am onwardsMr Ambedkar also stated that 130 helpless women were stuck in villages on the second day also.

Mumbai : Bharip Bahujan Mahas-angh leader Prakash Ambedkar on Tuesday alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi chief Milind Ekbote and Shivraj Pratishthan chief Sambhaji Bhide hatched the conspiracy to attack those who had gathered in Pune district to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima- Koregaon. He said that a mere judicial inquiry would not serve the purpose and also asked the Chief Justice of the high court to appoint a sitting judge to probe the matter. He also called for a Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday to condemn the governments apathy.

The masterminds behind the attack are Manohar alias Sambhaji Bhide, Milind Ekbote and one Ghuge from Manjari village. They hatched the conspiracy, and the government should take action. Even permission was sought from police to celebrate the black day on January 1 at Vadu Budruk where the violence took place near Pune, said Mr Ambedkar.

Vadu Budruk and three other villages were at the centre of the violence, he said. The police knew about the conspiracy, and SP rural was out of coverage area when people tried to call him for help, Mr Ambedkar said.

Stones were stored in the buildings on the way to Koregaon-Shirur areas, and hence the stone pelting took place, he alleged. The government should stop incentives to these villages, he demanded.

Mr Ambedkar also stated that 130 helpless women were stuck in villages on the second day also.Mr Chavan also condemned the incident and called it a conspiracy to create a rift between two communities in the state.

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Congress state chief Ashok Chavan and other Opposition party leaders have slammed the state government over its alleged failure on Monday to control violence that erupted in Pune district during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the 1818 battle of Bhima-Koregaon.

Calling the incident shameful, Mr Pawar has alleged that Hindutvawadi organisations are behind the violence. Local villagers have also been booked for the violence. This is not right. I had a word with them. According to them, people who came from outside Bhima-Koregaon have done this. The police must take this, said Mr Pawar. He also said that attackers were from Hindutvawadi organisations and demanded strict action against them.

Mr Chavan also condemned the incident and called it a conspiracy to create a rift between two communities in the state. Anti-social elements want to create a rift between dalits and Marathas. But people in Maharashtra are true followers of Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar. They wont fall for these tactics, said Mr Chavan.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (M) leader Prakash Reddy appealed to the people not to fall for rumours.The state government will also give compensation to all the people whose vehicles were damaged in the violence.

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured citizens of a judicial probe by a sitting high court judge into the violence that erupted on Monday in Pune district during the 200th annziversary celebrations of the Battle of Koregaon.

Mr Fadnavis has also declared the grant of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the youth who died in the violence.

The state government will also give compensation to all the people whose vehicles were damaged in the violence.

The state government has taken serious cognisance of the incident. The police has handled the entire incident in a sensitive way. Every year, people around 15,000 to 20,000 go to the site. But as it was the 200th anniversary, almost three and half lakh people gathered there. Still, the police handled the issue very sensitively, said Mr Fadnavis on Tuesday.

There will be a thorough probe of the case. Every aspect of the incident will be checked. There were programmes for the gatherings for this function. There were alerts of leftist, aggressive organisations trying to provoke the people. So, government has decided to opt for the judicial probe. We will request the high court to investigate the issue, said Mr Fadnavis.

He added that the youths death would be seen as a murder and there would be a CID inquiry into the matter.

Apart from these announcements, the chief minister also appealed to the people of Maharashtra to maintain law and order. Citizens of the state must maintain peace and should not fall to rumours. No political leader should put out statements that could hurt the harmony of the society, said Mr Fadnavis.Senior officials also holding a meeting on how to handle the situation if protesters disrupt services again.

The CR will also deploy an extActivists disrupt train services at Chembur railway station on on Tuesday. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Mumbai: The Central Railway (CR) will take a call on whether or not to run services in light of the Maharashtra bandh that was called by Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday. The disruption on Tuesday hit evening peak hour services when throngs of commuters come from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Belapur and Panvel on the Harbour line.

Divisional railway manager S.K. Jain explained that the call would be taken according to the Mumbai polices directives. We are going to take a call about not just harbour, but all services according to what the Mumbai police tell us and the situation across the various suburbs.

The CR will also deploy an extra railway police force on Wednesday, which will monitorthe situation.

We will be putting our Railway Police Force on special duty but if the Mumbai police asks us to stop services due to unrest, we will have no other option.

Recounting her ordeal on Tuesday, commuter Deepti Khera (27), a resident of Kharghar, said, I was stuck forever.

I finally went to Thane and then to CSMT from there. It took me around three hours to complete what is normally a one-hour journey.

Senior CR officials are also conducting a high-level meeting on how to handle the situation if protesters disrupt services once again.All countries spy on each other. Israel spies on the US and the US spied on the German Chancellor.

It is possible that Kulbhushan Jadhav will go home free in 2018. It is possible that the Pakistan government has other plans for the convicted man, spy or no spy.

All countries spy on each other. Israel spies on the US and the US spied on the German Chancellor.

The CIA woman who walked away with a flash drive full of top secrets from an inaccessible alcove of Indian intelligence should be enjoying premature retirement, resting on her laurels in Hawaii or some such happening place.

The US has also hosted the RAW agent who deserted his post. Has that stopped Indian nationalists from clamouring to sit in Donald Trumps lap?

Indians and Pakistanis are perhaps the only countries that would beat up each others suspected spies or, in some instances, even rough up diplomats accredited to their capitals.

A Pakistani diplomat L.K. Advani threw out over charges of spying  falsely, according to Indian diplomats  returned to visit Delhi as his countrys foreign secretary, and he continued to party with his Indian friends on both sides of the border.

Jadhav was caught red-handed if that is what happened. It is hardly unlikely that India has not pounced on one of Pakistans intelligence men, which some say has indeed happened  in Nepal.

If an accident doesnt occur, this could be a fit case for a swap though we may never know of it, somewhat like Rudolf Abels release for Gary Powers. A Steven Spielberg fan in Bollywood may then consider an Indian sequel to the Bridge of Spies, a story told so delicately about the US-Soviet spy exchange at the height of the Cold War.

Neither of the two possibilities confronting Jadhav would erase the bitter memories that my friend and fellow journalist Iftikhar Gilani carries in his heart since the fateful day in 2002 when he was arrested for several months on fictitious charges of spying. He was to be released just as inexplicably.

Nor will it undo the damage done to the fragile child that Ghalib was when his father Afzal Guru was hanged on a cold morning without the courtesy of informing his wife.

I stand firmly with the Indian critics  civilians, media analysts and MPs alike  who have slammed Pakistan for not letting Jadhav embrace his wife and mother, and for not allowing him to speak in Marathi.

The difference is that I also stand with Gurus wife who was denied a last meeting with her husband, and son who was too small to tell the difference.

When the Indian Parliament was berating Pakistan for its omissions and commissions with the Jadhav meeting, and when Indian TV channels were going ballistic about the event, they were being blind to exactly how they approach their own prisoners.

A 90 per cent crippled teacher from Delhi University is lodged in a despicable condemned mens cell in Nagpur because he is suspected of being a Maoist. Saibaba believes he wont come out alive.

Does one remember how vehemently Arun Shourie the journalist, before he became a politician, fought for Kehar Singh, the Sikh arbitrarily executed as a conspirator in Indira Gandhis assassination?

Do we care that Indira Gandhi hanged Maqbool Bhat years after he was tortured and turned into a vegetable in Tihar jail?

But Jadhavs partisans  and I consider myself one, being an opponent of the death penalty  should read Gilanis harrowing stories from Tihar jail in his excellent notebook of the incarceration published as My Days in Prison.

Thursday, June 20, 2002, was Gilanis fourth day at the jail. Nobody had come for mulaqat (visit) to see him. He was worried. He did not have proper clothes and was wearing the shirt drenched in human faeces, with which he had cleaned the toilet. He went to the social welfare officer and told him the matter.

The social welfare officer was appointed to look after the welfare of the inmates. Counselling first-time inmates and informing their families was one of the important functions of the officer. The social welfare officer Sanjay Kumar told him that his wife had also been arrested and he should forget about the mulaqat. Someone should pass this chapter over to irate BJP and Congress MPs.

In the evening, a munshi came calling and asked Iftikhar to accompany him to the deodhi (entrance). He told my friend that his wife Aanisa had come and led him to the mulaqat room.

The system of mulaqat is another horrendous indictment of our prison system as far as the human dignity is concerned, Iftikhar Gilani records in the book. There is a small hall-type room specifically meant for mulaqat. This room has built up enclosures having brick walls up to around three feet height and the rest of the height is covered by the grills and meshes. The inmates and their visitors have to talk to each other in a standing position.

The room does not have ventilation sufficient enough for almost 200 people present in every mulaqat session. At one time, authorities allow 60 prisoners to see their near and dear ones for half an hour. On the other side of the meshed grills, on an average two to three persons visit one prisoner. They are almost two feet apart with thick mesh of double grills and wires parting them.

The description of Gilanis meeting with his wife would perhaps make Jadhav cry.

I saw Aanisa. She was looking tired and pale. It was extremely frustrating not to be able to talk to her without the barriers. It was very difficult to see her under the watchful eyes of my tormentors. I could see Aanisa was also under great anxiety Just getting to jail was difficult, and added to that was the incontestable humiliation at the hands of the jail staff she had to contend with.

Need one say more?

By arrangement with DawnThe identity of the alleged victim was being withheld by a court, according to Boyle's lawyer.

Joshua Boyle was freed in October 2017 along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity. (Photo: AP)

Montreal: A Canadian man who was held captive by a faction of the Afghan Taliban for five years has been arrested on 15 charges including sexual assault, illegal confinement and issuing death threats, according to reports.

Joshua Boyle was freed in October 2017 along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity.

The identity of the alleged victim was being withheld by a court, according to Boyle's lawyer Eric Granger.

Granger added his client was "presumed innocent" and had never been in any form of legal trouble before.

"We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges," he said, adding Boyle would appear before a court in Ottawa on Wednesday.

According to news channel CTV, Boyle is facing eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, as well as one each of misleading police to "divert suspicion from himself," uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, Trazodone.

In a statement to The Toronto Star and published on the newspaper's website, Boyle's wife would not comment on the specific charges "but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this."

She said "with compassion and forgiveness that I... hope help and healing can be found for him."

Coleman added that she and the children were healthy.

Boyle and Coleman, who have been married since 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through war-torn Afghanistan in 2012, and were later transferred to the custody of the Haqqani faction, known for its alleged ties to the Pakistani military.

They were freed on October 12, but refused to board a US military plane. Boyle, a Muslim convert and long-time advocate of freed Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr, cited fears over his background.

Upon his arrival in Toronto two days later Boyle accused his captors of raping his wife and killing his baby daughter, a fourth child -- allegations swiftly refuted by the Taliban's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Mujahid admitted a baby had died but said it was a result of a natural miscarriage.

A month later Coleman also spoke of a sexual "assault" by two of her captors in an interview with ABC news.

Boyle has been an outspoken advocate for Omar Khadr, a Canadian captured at the age of 15 in 2002 in Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay before being transferred to Canada and later released.He has quite often described popular media houses as fake media.

Trump who shares a bitter relationship with the mainstream American press has said he will announce the most dishonest and corrupt media awards next week. (Photo: File)

Washington: President Donald Trump who shares a bitter relationship with the mainstream American press has said he will announce the "most dishonest and corrupt" media awards next week.

Trump has been at loggerheads with several US mainstream media outlets, including the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post among others.

He has quite often described these popular media houses as "fake" media.

The term is now popularly related to news with which one does not agree with.

"I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o'clock," Trump said in a late-night tweet.

I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

"Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!" Trump said.

He, however, excluded Fox News, his favourite news channel.

In November, he tweeted about a competition among news networks for the "Fake News Trophy", excluding Fox News.

"We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favourite President (me). They are all bad.

Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!" Trump had tweeted on November 27.

Late in the evening, Fox News listed out some news stories of other networks that later proved to be inaccurate.

In an email to his supporters on December 28, the Trump campaign sought nomination for the "King of Fake News" trophy.

"At President Trump's request, we are holding a contest to name the 2017 KING of Fake News. And we want to hear from you," the email said.

"The FAKE NEWS has utterly abandoned their duty to fairly report the news to the American people. Some journalists and liberal pundits think that Americans are too stupid to see through their amateur efforts to manipulate public opinion, but THEY'RE WRONG," the email wrote.

Noting that Americans are sick and tired of being lied to, insulted and treated with outright condescension, the Trump Campaign said "That's why President Trump is crowning the 2017 KING OF FAKE NEWS before the end of the year".

"There's no point in pretending that some journalists are anything more than peddlers of falsehoods and liberal propaganda," it said.

As per the Trump Campaign list, the competition for "King of Fame news" is between three news outlets.

"ABC News 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Trump directed Michael Flynn to make contact with Russian officials before the election," it said.

"CNN 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Donald Trump and his son Donald J Trump Jr had access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks," is the second story on the list.

"TIME 'MISTAKENLY' reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King Jr from the Oval Office," the email said as it asked the participants to "let the President know if there is another story you think should be crowned as the 2017 KING of Fake News."A State Department spokesman said Pak knows what it needs to do, including taking action against the Haqqani network and other militants.

US envoy to UN Nikki Haley told reporters that Pak has played a double game for years, working with US at times, and harbouring the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. (Photo: AFP)

Washington/Islamabad: The United States accused Pakistan on Tuesday of playing a double game on fighting terrorism and warned Islamabad it would have to do more if it wanted to maintain US aid.

They can do more to stop terrorism and we want them to do that, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

The White House said it would likely announce actions to pressure Pakistan within days, shortly after US ambassador Nikki Haley said at the United Nations that Washington would withhold $255 million in assistance to Pakistan.

There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years, Haley told reporters. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan.

That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

The comments followed an angry tweet from President Donald Trump on Monday that the United States had been rewarded with nothing but lies and deceit for foolishly giving Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018

They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he tweeted.

Pakistan civilian and military chiefs on Tuesday rejected incomprehensible US comments and summoned American Ambassador David Hale to explain Trumps tweet.

Relations with Washington have been strained for years over Islamabads alleged support for Haqqani network militants, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban.

The United States also alleges that senior Afghan Taliban commanders live on Pakistani soil, and has signalled it will cut aid and take other steps if Islamabad does not stop helping or turning a blind eye to Haqqani militants crossing the border to carry out attacks in Afghanistan.

In 2016, Taliban leader Mullah Mansour was killed by a US drone strike inside Pakistan and in 2011, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found and killed by US troops in the garrison town of Abbottabad.

Pakistan needs to earn its aid

At the State Department on Tuesday, spokesman Heather Nauert said Pakistan knows what it needs to do, including taking action against the Haqqani network and other militants.

Pakistan needs to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, she said.

Islamabad bristles at the suggestion it is not doing enough to fight militants, noting that its casualties at the hands of Islamists since 2001 number in the tens of thousands.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday chaired a National Security Committee meeting of civilian and military chiefs, focusing on Trumps tweet. The meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was brought forward by a day and followed an earlier meeting of army generals.

The committee, in a statement issued by the prime ministers office, did not name Trump but spoke of deep disappointment at a slew of critical comments coming from US officials over the past few months.

Recent statements and articulation by the American leadership were completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation, it said.Trump's message came after Kim Jong-Un warned he has a 'nuclear button' on his table, but expressed interest in a dialogue.

US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley dismissed the proposed dialogue, warning that Washington would never accept a nuclear-armed Pyongyang. (Photo: AFP)

Washngton: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Kim Jong-Un that he possessed a nuclear button that is "much bigger & more powerful" than that of the North Korean leader.

He tweeted: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Trump's message came after Kim used his annual New Year address to warn he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but sweetened his remarks by expressing an interest in dialogue and taking part in the Pyeongchang Games next month.

South Korea responded positively Tuesday, proposing high-level talks with Pyongyang on January 9.

But US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed the proposed dialogue between the Koreas as a "band-aid," warning that Washington would never accept a nuclear-armed Pyongyang.According to a report, since the mid-1990s, the US govt has committed more than USD 5 billion to the Palestinians.

From 2008 to the present, annual Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around USD 400 million. (Photo: AP)

Washington: US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw aid money to Palestinians on Wednesday as they are unwilling to negotiate peace with Israel.

"..we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," Trump said in a series of two lengthy tweets. "We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" Trump asked.

It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

According to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, since the mid-1990s, the US government has committed more than USD 5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians.

Earlier in the day, the US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the US would cut off aid if the Palestinians continue to refuse to engage in peace negotiations.

"I think the president has basically said that he doesn't want to give any additional funding or stop funding until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table," Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

"What we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation. We're trying to move for a peace process. But if that doesn't happen the president's not going to continue to fund that situation," Haley said in response to a question when asked if the US would continue to fund Palestine despite the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly against Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.

"The Palestinians now have to show their will that they want to come to the table. As of now they are not coming to the table but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We are going to make sure that they come to the table and we want to move forward with the peace process," she said.

US aid to the Palestinians is intended to promote at least three major US policy priorities of interest to Congress.

First -- promoting prevention or mitigation of terrorism against Israel from the Sunni Islamist group Hamas and other militant organisations; second - fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance that may incline Palestinians toward peaceful coexistence with Israel and a "two-state solution"; and third - meeting humanitarian needs.

According to CRS, from 2008 to the present, annual Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around USD 400 million.

Much of this goes toward US Agency for International Development (USAID)-administered project assistance (through grants and contracts), and the rest toward budget support for the Palestinian Authority (PA).The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth USD 319 million in 2016, according to US government figures. (Photo: File/Representational)

Ramallah (Palestine): Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's office said Wednesday Jerusalem is "not for sale" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut annual aid of more than USD 300 million to force them to the negotiating table.

"Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said, referring to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

"We are not against going back to negotiations, but (these should be) based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital," Abu Rudeina said.

Trump made the funding threat in a tweet on Tuesday, saying: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect."

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth USD 319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional USD 304 million for UN programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

Such programmes are seen by many analysts, including Israelis, as helping maintain stability in the Palestinian territories.by Shafique Khokhar

Last year Muslim radicals instigated a trial for blasphemy on social media. For the government, using false cases is a dangerous game. Some changes to the Penal Code are proposed.

Islamabad (AsiaNews)  The case of the five intellectuals and bloggers found not guilty of blasphemy in Pakistan is proof and confirmation that extensive use of the blasphemy law is actually a misuse for their personal grudges like business conflicts, land grabbing, discrimination in the workplace, family vendettas and other personal issues, said Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP).

Mr Walter spoke to AsiaNews about the acquittal of five activists who were abducted last year and later released only to face a trial instigated by Muslim radicals for allegedly insulting Islam on social media.

Noting that the Islamabad High Court ruled that bloggers were "innocent", he proposes a series of procedural changes to prevent future abuses of the "black law" on blasphemy, as advocated by the National Commission of Human Rights.

Some of the proposed changes would be: amending section 156-A of the Criminal Procedure Code to include all blasphemy-related offences (295-B, 298-A, 298-B and 298-C of the PPC (Pakistan Penal Code) with a view to reducing prosecution on false accusations; ensuring effective enforcement of Section 156-A of CrPC (the Code of Criminal Procedure) (investigation of a 295-C complaint by an officer not lower in rank than an SP (Superintendent of Police); ensuring that prosecutors/investigators act impartially and pursue only bona fide cases; ensuring that blasphemy cases be tried by sessions courts judges; ensuring that all blasphemy-related cases be bailable.

Noting that "the five bloggers were falsely accused, Aamir Kakkazai, a Muslim writer, stated that it is really dangerous for society when the government starts this dangerous game of using false blasphemy case in their own vested interest.

For him, this case shows the administrations desire to control social media. In view of this, We should call on the government to develop some sort of tolerance towards those who criticise their policies.

On another note, Hamza Arshad, a secular Muslim lecturer and writer, pointed out that whilst The disappearance of bloggers caused an uproar, it was not so much for the violation of rights, as for the blasphemy charges.

Even some media and civil society groups raised questions their abduction. All the clues showed the involvement of top spies. As soon as the issue became hot, an avalanche of deafening accusations followed.

In his view, Blasphemy hovered in the air, awakening bloodthirsty demons. Thank God, there was no serious harm, but the accusers left no stone unturned."

Still, "Now that the authorities have admitted their innocence, will someone rise questions about those who badmouthed them?"by Santosh Digal

Some 4,000 to 5,000 homeless families live in covered sidewalks, under bridges, or in cemeteries. Kariton Empowerment Center (KEC) is a charity whose goal is to empower homeless families, helping them to help themselves. Some of the beneficiaries tell their stories.

Manila (AsiaNews)  In order to protect human dignity in light of the social doctrine of the Church and the values of the Gospel, a group of Catholic women are working in Manila to empower the homeless.

Led by Sheba Martinez, a professor of theology at Miriam College and coordinator of the project, volunteers from the Kariton Empowerment Center (KEC) are involving homeless families in livelihood programmes, and exploring the possibility of organising cooperatives.

The group takes its name from kariton, a wooden cart that the homeless push during the day to collect recyclable rubbish along the roads and which serves as a shelter at night.

According to the latest estimates, some 4,000 to 5,000 families live in covered sidewalks, under bridges and in cemeteries in Manila.

KEC aims at rehabilitating and empowering homeless families by "helping them to help themselves", by organising self-help groups, and by allowing them to deal with their situation in a more creative and responsible way.

KEC firmly believes that all people are created to live a life full of dignity and rights. Globalisation and the existing global free market system have increased the gap between rich and poor, depriving people of resources and wealth.

The group is committed to grassroots globalisation, raising awareness, helping people to rise from poverty, and fighting for an alternative and just society.

I came to know about KEC through a common friend, said Rose Del Rey, one of KECs beneficiaries. I attended some of their orientation seminars. They enabled me to learn many things. I also came to know that I have rights, and that I need to have self-respect even if I am poor.

The 22-year-old also learnt how to cook. Thanks to KEC's guidance, motivation and support I am able to work as a cook at a local eatery. I am also aware that I have human dignity and rights as a person and citizen of the country.

Christian Cabading also attended some programs offered by KEC. Aged 33, he said that he benefited a bit [from the former]. I know that I need to have some competencies, but I have yet to achieve them in life. I wish that I would no longer do scavenging.

Abuses and bad company led Peter Rey, 29, to prison. After getting out, no one would hire him, and so he ended up homeless. I slept on the street and I found friends there, he explained. I learnt to do something with the help of KEC.The US president adopts the policy of blackmail against the Palestinians. He claims to pay "hundreds of millions of dollars" without getting "appreciation or respect". PA responds: "We will not give in to blackmail". The Knesset votes a law that provides for the separation of Palestinian neighborhoods and prohibits future territorial renunciations with a view to peace.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - US President Donald Trump is threatening to cut aid to the Palestinians, who recently strongly attacked the White House and proposed the exclusion of the United States from any role in the Middle East peace process. The revolt of the Palestinian leadership is also a consequence of Trump's [controversial and one-sided] decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer the US embassy there.

A choice that had raised protests and indignation - with dead and wounded - concerned Pope Francis and the Christian leaders of the region and determined resolutions and votes against the move at the United Nations.

Following an increasing trend in recent weeks, the White House seems to be adopting a policy of financial blackmail and has launched - through twitter - the guidelines of its foreign policy. This time the Palestinians, who "are no longer willing to talk about peace" in the disputed region, are being targeted by the president.

The US leader recalls that "we pay them [Palestinians, ed] hundreds of millions of dollars a year and we do not get any appreciation or respect". He accuses Ramallah of not wanting "to negotiate a peace treaty with Israel, which has been necessary for so long". So, concludes the president, "why should we continue in the future with any of those massive payments?".

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO, in a note signed by Hanan Ashrawi confirms that "we will not give in to blackmail [...] Now [President Trump] dares to accuse the Palestinians, for the consequences of his irresponsible actions". He added that the US leader has "sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice".

The strategy of financial blackmail to the Palestinians was anticipated a few hours earlier by the US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. The head of US diplomacy at the UN had in fact said that Washington is ready to close the funding provided so far to the agency that provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees, a body of which the United States is the main donor. In 2016 the US allocated a sum equal to 370 million dollars.

Meanwhile, yesterday the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) approved the bill called "Unified Jerusalem", which provides for the separation of Palestinian neighborhoods from the holy city and forbids the renunciation of any part of the city. For the future, any decision on Jerusalem will require the consent of 80 parliamentarians, even if it were to be a peace agreement. The motion passed with 64 votes in favor and 51 against, one abstention.

Behind the bill, strongly supported by the ministers Naftali Bennett and Ze'ev Elkin, the objective is to isolate the Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem and establish a new Israeli local council. It will make the transition of sovereignty to the Palestinian Authority even more difficult in some areas in the future.The march was organized by the Kerala Latin Catholic Women's Association. Numerous children among participants. Police used batons to disperse women. The Cross was erected in November to replace others destroyed in a village.

Thiruvananthapuram (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Eight activists, including a nun, were injured in clashes with police in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala (in southern India), while participating in a protest march against the destruction of a Cross .

The incident occurred yesterday near the residence of Forestry Minister K. Raju. The march was organized by the Kerala Latin Catholic Women's Association, a branch of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Church. Dozens of nuns and children took part, demonstrating against a Cross demolished in a village in the mountains.

Ramesh Chennithala, leader of the opposition in the state, denounces the use of force by the police, who reportedly used batons to disperse the women. The politician calls for the opening of an investigation against the perpetrators.

M.M. Hassan, president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (Kpcc), condemns the incident and accuses the government "of having unleashed the police and used force to repress popular unrest. Such incidents cannot be tolerated at any cost. Also, there was not even a female agent among the officials deployed to control the demonstration. "

The dispute between Christians and local administration dates back to last August, when demolished crosses were found in the village of Kurisumala, on the peak of Bonacaud. Later, in the same month, after a meeting with representatives of the diocese of Neyyattinkara, the forestry minister had granted permission to install a new wooden cross. In November, the cross was again destroyed.

Hence the protests of women, who complained of delays in conducting investigations to find those responsible. The activists also attempted to cross the barricades erected by the police to defend the minister's residence. Msgr. Vincent Samuel, local bishop, went to the hospital to bring comfort to the wounded.In the first catechesis of the New Year, Pope Francis explains the gestures and words of the Introductory Rite of the Mass. "To reckon with our weakness, opens our hearts to invoke the divine mercy that transforms and converts". Beating one's chest means recognizing that "I have sinned because of me, and not others". We are guilty of "omissions": "it is not enough not to harm others, we must choose to do good".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The penitential act, the Introductory Rite of the Mass, was at the center of the meditation given by Pope Francis in the Paul VI audience today. In his first Wednesday audience of 2018 he dedicated his catechesis, to the meaning of the penitential act, pontiff presenting some figures of "penitents" present in the Bible, who "returning to themselves after having committed a sin find the courage to remove their mask and open up to the grace that renews the heart ". The Pope quoted King David, the prodigal son, the tax collector, Peter, Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman. "To measure ourselves with the fragility of the clay with which we are made - he said - is an experience that strengthens us: while making us face with our weakness, it opens our hearts to invoke the divine mercy that transforms and converts".

The Penitential Act, he explained, "favors the attitude with which to dispose oneself to worthily celebrate the Sacred Mysteries, that is, recognizing our sins before God and our brothers".

"What can the Lord give to those who already have a heart full of themselves, of their own success? Nothing, because the conceited are unable to receive forgiveness, full of thier alleged justice. Let us think of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, where only the latter returns home justified, that is, forgiven (cf. Lk 18: 9-14). Those who are aware of their own miseries and lower their eyes with humility, feel the merciful gaze of God resting on them. We know from experience that only those who can recognize their mistakes and apologize receive the understanding and forgiveness of others ".

The Pope then emphasized the act of contrition, "pronounced in the first person singular" by the community, in which we "confess to God and to our brothers" to have greatly sinned in thoughts, words, deeds and omissions". Yes, even in omissions, namely to have failed to do the good that we could have done. We often feel good because  we say - 'I did not hurt anyone'. In reality, it is not enough not to hurt one's neighbor, one must choose to do good by seizing the opportunities to bear good witness that we are disciples of Jesus ".

"The words we say with our mouths are accompanied by the gesture of beating our breasts, recognizing that I have sinned through my own fault, and not through the fault of others. It often happens that, for fear or shame, we point the finger to accuse others. It takes a lot to admit to being guilty, but it's good for us to confess it with sincerity ".

"After the confession of sin, let us entreat the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and the Saints to pray to the Lord for us. Also in this the communion of saints is precious: the intercession of these "friends and models of life" (Preface of 1 November) supports us on the path towards full communion with God, when sin will be definitively annihilated ".

"The Penitential Act ends with the absolution of the priest, who invokes God Almighty so that He "may have mercy on us, forgive our sins and lead us to eternal life". This absolution "however does not have the same value as the Sacrament of Reconciliation" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 51). In fact, there are serious sins, also called mortal sins, because they make the divine life die in us, which in order to be forgiven need Confession and Sacramental absolution ".

Among the various formulas that can be used in the penitential act, the Pope also mentioned the Kyrie eleison: "with ancient Greek expression, we acclaim the Lord - Kyrios - and implore His mercy".The "red line" closed since February 2016. It allows a direct link between the two leaders of the North and the South and dialogue between the military leaders. Kim Jong-un "likes" openings of Moon Jae-in. Donald Trump skeptical.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies)  As of today to 3pm (local time), Pyongyang has decided to reopen a line of communication with the South. The telephone line allows direct dialogue between the two leaders Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in, and with military leaders. It was interrupted in February 2016 by the North in protest of the Souths closure of the shared Kaesong industrial complex.

The announcement of the red lines reopening comes one day after Seouls proposal of the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue on the possible participation of the North at the Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics.

The announcement was made on TV by Ri Son-gwon, head of the North Korean office for relations with the South. Ri said by upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner . We will discuss working-level issues over our potential dispatch of the delegation".

However, Ri did not say anything about the Moon Jae-in offer to have high-level dialogue as early as next week, on 9 January, in Panmunjom, the village on the border between the two Koreas.

In any case, according to Ri, Kim Jong-un "greatly appreciated and welcomed" Moon's peace offer. He added that "the leader [Kim] stressed that whether inter-Korean ties can be improved totally depends on North and South Korea ".

Throughout 2017, North Korea has been hit by an increase in sanctions and pressure from the international community due to its military nuclear program. The United States, allies of Seoul, have also threatened military solutions against the threats of Pyongyang, which now boasts of being able to hit anywhere in the US.

President Donald Trump has stated that Kim's openings (whom he calls in a derogatory fashion "Rocket Man") could be "good news", even if he remains skeptical.Even more negative, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who defines Kim's moves for an inter-Korean dialogue, as simple "patchwork".Hi,



We recently applied for partner visa (820) but i'm currently still on a student visa til March 15; I'm going to travel to Korea from late February til March 13.



So my bridging visa which has been granted already doesn't come into effect til March 15 (when student visa expires)



My question is; is it ok for me to travel during those dates i mentioned above returning 2 days before my student visa expires?



Would they enquire at the airport when I return why i'm returning if my visa runs out in 2 days. Should I bring with me my bridging visa for the partner 820 visa which comes into effect after my student visa expires.



Will I have any trouble entering Australia is my question?



ThanksTrebuil

Romain Trebuil co-founded a new company called Yoss, which is an HR solution that monitors and matches independent contractors and companies. Trebuil, who is the CEO of Yoss, is headquartered in Paris, France.

Prior to this, Trebuil was the purchasing manager for L'Oreal at the Paris corporate headquarters from July 2014 to January 2017. One of Trebuil job responsibilities at LOreal was procurement for the companys car fleet domains.

In 2015, he was named Fleet Manager of the Year for Large Fleets by Fleet Europe magazine.Westport Fuel Systems has entered into an agreement with Tata Motors to have their 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder natural gas spark-ignited commercial vehicle engine family meet the Indian Governments new Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards, scheduled to take effect in April of 2020.

Westport Fuel Systems has been working with Tata Motors since 2012 to develop and launch their BS-IV certified natural gas spark-ignited engines for commercial vehicles, the company said. When completed, Westport Fuel Systems will be supplying the critical natural gas components to Tata Motors, including advanced gas injection systems and controls.

The natural gas components will inlcude the new Westport WP582 Engine Management System, which was built to optimize the overall engine performance and fuel efficiency, the company stated.

BS-VI standards, which are equivalent to Euro-VI standards, are two steps ahead of the BS-IV standards and are currently in effect due to a heightened concern on Indias air quality levels, the company stated in a release. Recent rules enacted in Delhi and the National Capital Region place limits on diesel and petrol vehicles while mandating natural gas for commercial vehicles.

Significant environmental benefits of the BS-VI over BS-IV include about an 87% reduction in tail pipe NOx emissions and 55% reduction in methane emissions beside stringency required by on-board diagnostics standard, according to Westport.

India currently has more than 3 million natural gas powered vehicles with over 1,200 compressed natural gas fueling stations, according to NGV Global statistics. The country is also one of the world's largest commercial vehicles marketsPam Nicholson, CEO of Enterprise Holdings, has nearly doubled the company's revenue and size since becoming CEO, according to an article by Investor's Business Daily. Pam Nicholson, CEO and president of Enterprise Holdings. Photo courtesy of Enterprise Holdings.

Pam Nicholson started at Enterprise as a manager trainee in 1981 and learned the business from the ground up, the article reported. Nicholson grew the Southern California market from a 1,000-unit fleet and doubled profitability in the New York region. She returned permanently to her native St. Louis in 1999 as senior VP of North American operations and was appointed chief operating officer in 2003.

Andy Taylor, former CEO and son of founder Jack Taylor, recommended Nicholson for the CEO position in 2013.

At the time, Enterprise had just launched its first European franchise. One of Nicholson's main goals was international expansion and the company now has offices in more than 90 countries and territories.

Since becoming CEO, Enterprise Holding's revenue has increased from $16.4 billion in 2013 to $22.3 billion in 2017 (per fiscal year).

Click here to read the full profile.Maybe we haven't heard the last of Milo after all: state College Republicans resolve to get himAt least 40 people associated with the West Side Crips gang were arrested on Tuesday in a multi-agency law enforcement operation that the Bake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.Madison's, Bar Local and Rikenjaks Brewing Company want to help out the community during these cold days.

The restaurants and bar are collecting coats and blankets through the end of the week.The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding the missing girl, last seen the after Christmas.

Hayley Marie Ward, 14, was last seen at her family's residence in Porter the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, according to officials.

RELATED: Have you seen them? These are the missing children in Texas right now in 2017

The missing girl has apparently run away in the past and family is worried because she doesn't have her prescribed medications on hand.

Ward is described as five feet and six inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes. She is said to have medical issues.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this missing juvenile should contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 936-760-5800.A Beaumont teenager who has been missing since Oct. 30 has been found safe and reunited with her mother.

Autumn Rice, 15, "reached out to her mother and told her she was in the Houston area," Beaumont Police announced Tuesday. Her mother has picked her up, BPD said.

Rice reportedly left for school at 6:30 a.m. Oct. 30 but never arrived at West Brook.

Police said previously that Rice was believed to be with an adult male in an unknown location. She called her family from Louisiana after her disappearance but authorities were unable to locate her. She had not contacted her family or police since the initial call.

"Details are limited at this time," BPD said Tuesday. "We ask that privacy be given to Autumn and her family as they reunite.

Rice was one of at least three Southeast Texas teens who went missing this fall.

Heaven Ray Cox, 15, was found in Louisiana at the home of an acquaintance's relative on Nov. 30, five days after she was last seen in Orange County, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

The Mauriceville teen left a note indicating she might be going to California, and her mother posted on social media that she could be with a "much older" man she met on Snapchat, an online messaging app.

Akiyah Laretta Ward, 13, was missing for almost two months. She was found and returned home on Nov. 17, after she was last seen in Port Arthur on Sept. 23, a city spokeswoman said at the time.

She was listed as a runaway by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

She then left West Orange-Stark Middle School without permission on Dec. 12 but was brought to the Orange Police Department the next day.

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/LizTeitzRohingya men and children walk through a field in the Jamtoli refugee camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, Nov. 27, 2017.

Updated at 4:56 p.m. ET on 2018-01-03

Bangladesh has the necessary forms to begin the process of repatriating hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to Myanmar and will start collecting data next week, the nations refugee relief commissioner told BenarNews on Wednesday.

Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said he had received the forms earlier this week and would lead a committee collecting the information required by Myanmar.

In late November, the two neighboring nations agreed to begin the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their home state of Rakhine, in Myanmar, by Jan. 22.

Hopefully, we can start collecting data sought in the repatriation form beginning after Sunday, Kalam said.

His office will employ staff to collect the data, he said, adding that the forms would not be distributed among the refugees.

We have already formed a nine-member technical committee to collect the data about the potential returnees. The committee includes members from the home ministry, disaster management ministry, bureau of statics and other relevant departments of the government, said Kalam, leader of the technical committee.

We maintain a database of the Myanmar nationals entering Bangladesh. We will match the data collected with the database before handing the filled forms over to the Myanmar, he said.

Repatriation will begin after the Myanmar government verifies data including name, age, gender, parents, children and home village. Bangladesh officials expect to hand over about 100,000 Rohingya in the first phase.

Kalam responded to questions from BenarNews after a Myanmar official said that his government was waiting for Bangladesh to send the completed forms to start the verification process before repatriation can begin.

We have sent the forms for the refugees to fill out, but we havent received any of the [completed] ones from Bangladesh yet, Myint Kyaing, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labor, Immigration, and Population under Myanmars civilian-led government, told Radio Free Asia (RFA), a sister entity of BenarNews, this week.

We are ready to accept them back, he added. We will begin doing so on the day we receive the forms from Bangladesh.

Repatriation agreement

On Nov. 23, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the agreement stipulating that repatriation would begin within two months. At that time, the governments agreed to form a 30-member joint working group, headed by their foreign secretaries, to oversee the process.

The working group has not held its first meeting.

Myanmar has proposed holding it on Jan. 9, but Bangladesh officials have not responded to the proposal, a Bangladesh foreign ministry official told BenarNews on condition of anonymity.

Shahriar Alam, Bangladeshs state minister for foreign affairs, told BenarNews that the first meeting could take place by Jan. 15, a week before the first Rohingya are due to leave for Myanmar.

The joint working group meeting can take place either in Bangladesh or Myanmar, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, the director general in-charge of the Southeast Asia desk at the foreign ministry, told BenarNews.

More than 655,000 Rohingya entered Bangladesh since Aug. 25, 2017, amid a brutal crackdown by Myanmars military that followed coordinated attacks carried out by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents on security posts in Rakhine state.

Human rights groups and Rohingya refugees have accused Myanmar military personnel and civilian militia of committing widespread atrocities against Rohingya civilians during the crackdown. The United Nations and United States have described the situation as ethnic cleansing, but Myanmar officials have denied that its forces committed atrocities.

The repatriation agreement includes tens of thousands of Rohingya who fled Myanmar following an outbreak in violence in October 2016 as well, driving the number of refugees who are eligible to return home to as many as 700,000.

In all, about 1 million Rohingya are sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh, where they are mostly concentrated in refugee camps in and around Coxs Bazar district.

Repatriation does not happen overnight; it is time consuming. We will provide Myanmar necessary data from here. They can return only when the Myanmar government gives green light after verification, said Chowdhury, a member of the joint committee.

Abdul Masood, a Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh with his wife and three children late last year, told BenarNews that he would not return to Myanmar, and feared being forced to do so.

If we are sent back, there is no hope for us. We will all be killed, or worse, tortured to death. Ask any Rohingya, and they will tell you they dont want to go back, no matter the promises the Myanmar government makes regarding our safety, Masood, 28, told BenarNews last week.

Curfew: To ensure peoples safety

Last week, Myanmar authorities announced they would process returning refugees during daylight hours only because of an extended curfew in the Rakhine state.

Returning refugees who will be processed at two reception centers in Taung Pyo Let Wae and Nga Khu Ya villages must adhere to the curfew, meaning they cannot go out after 6 p.m., Win Myat Aye, Myanmars minister in-charge of social welfare, relief and resettlement, told RFA.

Authorities did it to ensure peoples safety, he said.

Kalam, the refugee relief commissioner in Bangladesh, told BenarNews that his government likely would not oppose the curfew enforced on the other side of the border.

The repatriation is our focus, no matter whether it takes place by day or at night. We will discuss the proposal at the joint working group and decide, Kalam said.

Meanwhile, some Rohingya refugees expressed mixed views over the issue.

I do not see any problem. Daytime is better. Risks of snake and insect bites are there. Besides, women and children may go missing at night, Mohammad Hafez told BenarNews in a phone call from Ukhia, a sub-district of Coxs Bazar.

A Rohingya who was repatriated at night in 1993 and asked to remain anonymous, gave a different opinion.

Myanmar wants to limit the number of returnees. A lesser number of people will go if repatriation only takes place by daytime. This is their strategy to delay our return, he told BenarNews.The Philippines has suspended an American firm and the operator of a Davao City shopping mall, where a blaze killed 38 people last month, because the companies failed to meet fire-safety standards over several years, a government official said Wednesday.



The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has suspended the registrations of SSI Philippines and the New City Commercial Complex (NCCC) mall in southern Davao City, after an investigation found that both did not comply with certain fire-safety requirements since 2013, said Charito Plaza, the agencys director-general.



PEZA did not say whether charges would be filed, although the Justice Department had said earlier that it was also looking into whether both firms were criminally culpable in the fire.



The death toll from the fire, which broke out over the Christmas holiday weekend, included 37 employees of a call center operated in the NCCC mall by Research Now SSI, a Texas-based firm that specializes in digital research data.



The fire tore through the mall on Dec. 23 and raged for nearly two days before firefighters put it out on Christmas Day. The bodies of the 37 SSI employees were later found charred beyond recognition. The body of a 38th victim  a mall employee  was recovered earlier during the holiday weekend.



Both firms had failed to furnish PEZA with their latest preventive maintenance record, including fire extinguishers, emergency lights and alarm systems, Plaza said.



They also missed the conduct of fire exit drills which should have been done twice a year, where employees are trained to use fire extinguishers and perform evacuation drills, Plaza said, adding that the firms were not issued fire inspection certificates from 2013 through 2017.



But it remained unclear why the firms were able to operate in Davao without those permits.



They also failed to submit proof of compliance for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 annual inspection reports in the form of an updated action plan, according to Plaza.



She said the agency had been calling on SSI and NCCC to comply with the requirements but those pleas fell on deaf ears. Plaza did not explain why the firms had not been suspended earlier, and were allowed to keep operating.



Both firms were registered with PEZA in 2008, with SSI categorized as an information technology and business process outsourcing firm and the NCCC mall as an ecozone developer. A registration with PEZA qualifies a firm certain incentives, such as tax breaks.



The suspension went into effect on Dec. 29 and would be lifted once the Davao City government and the local fire protection bureau cleared the two firms of any culpability, Plaza said.



However, SSIs other Philippine operation, which works out of the central city of Mactan, has complied with the rules and would not be affected by the suspension order, according to the agency chief.



Were trying to obtain clarity on PEZAs allegations through our team on the ground in Davao, and therefore have no comment at this time, Barbara Palmer, a spokeswoman for ResearchNow SSI, told BenarNews on Wednesday from the firms headquarters in Plano, Texas.



Officials representing the operator of the CCCI mall were not immediately available for comment.



Mayor recuses herself



Shortly after the fire at the mall, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, a daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, virtually cleared the mall operator and the firm of any culpability, saying that both were fire safety compliant.



She said that fire safety compliance was necessary for the renewal of a business permit issued yearly by her office. The citys bureau of fire office had also found no violations by the mall during its yearly inspections.



The mayor, however, later backtracked and inhibited her office from the investigation, after it was revealed that, through an ad, she had effectively endorsed the grocery subsidiary of the mall operator.



She said her impartiality had been questioned and that she would leave the investigation to an interagency task force made up of the fire bureau, the justice department and the police.



The deadly blaze was one of the worst fires to hit a commercial establishment in the Philippines in years.



In March 1996, a fire broke out at Ozone Disco north of Manila, killing 162 people while in 2015, 75 were killed in a fire at a plastic and rubber factory in another suburb of the Philippine capital.



BenarNews staff in Washington contributed to this report.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.For Immediate Release, January 3, 2018 Contact: Tierra Curry, (928) 522-3681, tcurry@biologicaldiversity.org Tennessee Fish Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection NASHVILLE, Tenn. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed Endangered Species Act protection today for the Barrens topminnow, a small fish found only in central Tennessee in clear, spring-fed streams on the Barrens Plateau. Just five populations of the highly endangered fish survive in the wild southeast of Nashville, where the species is threatened by drought, pollution and predation by non-native mosquitofish. At last count there were fewer than 400 total individuals. The Barrens topminnow was first proposed for Endangered Species Act protection more than 40 years ago, and this small fish now finds itself on the very brink of extinction, said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. Im hoping this proposal will be the turning point that keeps it from being lost forever. The topminnow is found in Cannon, Coffee and Warren counties. It lives in the headwaters of the Duck and Elk river watersheds, which are part of the Tennessee River drainage, as well as in the Caney Fork River system in the Cumberland River drainage. The fish grows to 4 inches long, has flashy colors and swims near the waters surface, where it preys on mosquito larvae and other insects. The Barrens topminnow was proposed for Endangered Species Act protection with critical habitat in 1977, but the proposal was never finalized. In 1982 it was instead placed on a waiting list for federal protection. The Center petitioned the Service to add the species to the endangered list in 2010 and won a lawsuit in 2015 requiring the Service to issue a decision on the petition. The fish declined from 14 known sites in the early 1980s to seven sites in the mid-1990s. It is currently found in only five sites. In an effort to prevent its extinction, captive-breeding populations are being held at Conservation Fisheries Inc. in Knoxville and at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute in Chattanooga. For recovery, mosquitofish need to be removed; then barriers need to be installed, and populations need to be closely monitored. Its not too late to save the Barrens topminnow, but the scientists working to save them desperately need more money to fund their recovery, Curry said. Instead of trying to undermine the Endangered Species Act, Congress should grant all the money thats needed to fully fund the recovery of our nations endangered species. The southeastern United States is home to more kinds of fishes, crayfishes, mussels and salamanders than anywhere else in the world, but it is also a hotspot for extinction. Last week a freshwater snail from Georgia, the beaverpond marstonia, was determined to be extinct, joining more than 50 other southeastern species that have already been lost to history. The Center for Biological Diversity is working to gain Endangered Species Act protection for nearly 400 southeastern species. Nationally, Center legal victories have led to Endangered Species Act protection for 193 species since 2011; five additional species have been proposed for protection, including the topminnow.For Immediate Release, January 3, 2018 Contact: Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org Endangered Species Act Success: Oregon Fish Recovered, Proposed for Delisting PORTLAND, Ore. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed removing Endangered Species Act protections from the Foskett speckled dace, a rare Oregon fish that has recovered with protection under the Act. The Endangered Species Act has saved Oregons unique Foskett speckled dace, just like it saved the bald eagle and hundreds of other species across the country, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Im thrilled this little fish will be around for future generations, and I plan to go see it myself as soon as I can. The Foskett speckled dace was historically limited to one spring in the Warner Basin in eastern Oregons Lake County. The fish was protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1985. Following protection the spring habitat was obtained by the Bureau of Land Management through a land exchange and was mostly fenced off to keep out livestock. In 2015 the Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife entered into a cooperative management agreement to ensure protection of the daces habitat into the future. The dace has also been established in a second spring. This is exactly how the Endangered Species Act is supposed to work, said Greenwald. The fishs habitat was protected and threats removed, and now the dace has a future. Opponents of the Endangered Species Act like Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) have long argued the law is broken because too few species have been fully recovered, but that simply is not the case. Under the Obama administration, 23 species were determined to be fully recovered and delisted, more than any administration before. The dace marks the 37th species recovered under the Act. With more time many others will be recovered. If congressional Republicans truly wanted the Endangered Species Act to work better, they would provide adequate funding for species recovery, said Greenwald. But even with funding way below what is needed, the Act is working, and this proposal to remove protection from the Foskett speckled dace is proof.Eskom's acting head of group capital Prish Govender returned to work on Tuesday while the head of generation Matshela Koko is scheduled to do so on Monday next week after both were cleared of wrongdoing by internal disciplinary processes and reinstated late last year.

Matshela Koko

However, their return to work does not mean they are out of the woods as both senior executives are due to appear before the parliamentary inquiry into state capture where they will be grilled by members of the public enterprises portfolio committee.Koko has been implicated in the pre-payments made by Eskom to Gupta-owned Tegeta Exploration and Resources. Govender allegedly played a central role in Eskom's dealings with Gupta-linked financial advisory firm Trillian Mangement Consultants, which was paid nearly R600m for little or no work done.The internal disciplinary inquiry against Koko was primarily focused on his alleged non-declaration of a conflict of interest in Eskom's awarding contracts worth about R1bn to Impulse International, a company in which Koko's step-daughter was involved. The enquiry found that while he had not followed set procedures on the system, he had declared his interests in written form to the former chairman of the board, Ben Ngubane, and CEO at the time, Brian Molefe.DA spokesperson on public enterprises Natasha Mazzone said on Wednesday that both Koko and Govender still had a lot to answer for and would be questioned about these dealings and their links to the Guptas. Last month, Mazzone also laid criminal charges against Koko for possible contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in relation to the Impulse International contracts.Mazzone said that the two men being found not guilty of wrongdoing did not clear them but simply raised more questions they would have to answer before the committee's inquiry. She said the internal disciplinary process was an "obvious and clear sham"."We should not forget that the entire board is thoroughly compromised and they should not be allowed to make these kinds of decisions among themselves."Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said Eskom was emphasising to its managers the need for them to declare their conflicts of interest, saying, "This matter will be looked into more vigorously than before".He acknowledged that the corporate governance problems at the utility had made it difficult for it to raise loans with lenders who demanded to know what was being done about them before considering providing finance.Park rangers in Africa's most famous rhino reserve are going hi-tech to push back against the relentless assault by horn poachers thanks to a R10m injection.

Plans to establish new Smart Park strategies in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal follow a deadly poaching onslaught in the 96,000ha reserve where the worlds last southern white rhinos were rescued from extinction just over a century ago.KwaZulu-Natal suffered a record loss of 221 rhino during the past year most of them in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.But now the tide may be turning with the announcement that the Peace Parks Foundation and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new intensive protection strategy largely funded by the Dutch and Swedish postcode lotteries and other private donors.While officials are reluctant to disclose sensitive information that could benefit poaching syndicates Peace Parks chief executive Werner Myburgh said the latest interventions at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi would include intelligent surveillance systems image recognition cameras digital radios handheld data collection devices animal tracking sensors improved gate and access control systems and new vehicle and aerial response tracking systems.The foundation said the establishment of the Smart Park strategy would also include a new Low Power Wide Area Network (LoRaWaN) system with world-class internet connectivity for the integration of smart sensors and the speedy transmission of data.The recent shift in focus by organised crime and wildlife trafficking syndicates has resulted in tremendous pressure being exerted on Ezemvelo. Whilst they could forecast a potential displacement of poaching from other areas and prepare accordingly the intensity at which Ezemvelo and specifically Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has been targeted over the past year was not something that could be predicted.Ezemvelo acting chief executive Bheki Khoza said: It will be nearly impossible for us to succeed in the fight against rhino poaching without the involvement of local communities as well as the support of public and private organisations that go out of their way to fund new technologies.The poaching syndicates are always devising new plans to counter the strategies we use against them. I am hopeful that the new integrated joint operational plan that we are now embarking on will be a game changer.I am not saying that it will totally eradicate rhino poaching but I know that it will form a critical component of efforts to reduce illegal wildlife crime.Myburgh said the foundation had committed more than R10.6m towards the new Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Smart Park development as part of the national Rhino Protection Programme which includes the Department of Environmental Affairs in partnership with South African National Parks Ezemvelo and the Peace Parks Foundation.One of the main strategies would include new intensive protection zone (IPZ) strategies to patrol critical hotspots and protect core rhino populations.Significant effort will be put into aligning the anti-poaching and counter-trafficking operations of various conservation and law enforcement agencies across provincial boundaries.Horn trafficking syndicates have no regard for national provincial or any other boundaries and it is therefore critical that all operations be aligned across agencies and geographical regions said Myburgh.A third crucial focus would be an increased use of technology to help place Ezemvelo one step ahead of poachers improving rapid mobilisation of available resources and keeping field staff safer.The purpose of the integrated system is to provide park managers and rangers with improved insight into everything happening around the park and to respond in a timely manner with the right resources. The new system also involves mapping rhino movement and hotspots.In the first six months of 2017 529 rhinos were killed countrywide.Professor Richard Mulwa knows his way around scientifically modified seeds - also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In his laboratory at Egerton University in Kenya, the professor, who has genetically modified grapes, is currently researching ways to curtail naturally occurring cyanide in cassava grown in the cooler temperatures of Kenya's highlands.

Thitiwat Junkasemkullanunt via 123RF

Green revolution

An unprecedented wave of consolidation

Unfounded fears

"If we can isolate the genetic pathway in the plant responsible for producing the poison, we can also develop edible cassava for higher altitudes," he told Africa Renewal in an interview."That could open a whole new range of possibilities for farmers in the highlands," the professor explained in the sedate atmosphere of his laboratory, which contrasted sharply with the streets clogged with the noisy minibuses known as matatus outside the university gates.Maize is Kenya's most important staple, but frequent droughts resulting from climate change are affecting production. An increase in the production of cassava, a second staple, could prove a lifesaver. "Cassava is a good crop to have because it survives very well in dry circumstances," Professor Mulwa says.GMOs were introduced in 1996 by the American chemical giant Monsanto, which had managed to make maize seeds resistant to pests and soybeans resistant to a weed killer called glyphosate. Glyphosate killed all weeds in farmlands sown with the treated soy. Within a decade global GMO acreage increased a hundredfold. But consumers began to get worried about genetic tinkering with their food. And farmers planting in neighbouring fields saw their crops die as sun-dried glyphosate blew over from treated farms to untreated ones.Professor Mulwa's efforts to genetically modify cassava were hindered by a 2012 Kenyan government ban on GMOs after consumers raised concerns. "We just finished our research in the lab and want to continue testing it in the field. Our work has stalled," complained Professor Mulwa. Earlier in 2017, Kenya's National Biosafety Authority had announced field trials for GMO crops, defying the health ministry. The task force formed by the government to investigate the safety of GMOs would like the ban lifted on a case-by-case basis.The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), which assesses climate science, notes that climate change effects in the coming decades could be worsened by exponential population growth. Africa's population of approximately one billion is expected to double by 2050, according to UN figures. By 2040, for example, Kenya's population alone is forecast to increase from 45 million to 80 million. A growing population requires greater agricultural output.To address an anticipated shortfall in agricultural productivity, African leaders committed in 2003 - through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a continental master plan - to invest 10% of national budgets in the agricultural sector. Countries agreed to spend more money on rural development, reliable electricity systems in the countryside, better irrigation, storage facilities and quality infrastructure to connect farmers to local markets.But more than a decade after adopting CAADP, only nine of Africa's 54 countries have lived up to their commitments. The failure to invest in agriculture creates an opportunity for companies such as Monsanto, Bayer and others, argues Stephen Greenberg, a research coordinator at the Johannesburg-based African Centre for Biodiversity (ACBio).At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2016, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates suggested that GMO technology could kick-start "an agricultural revolution" in Africa. However, developing GMOs is a highly specialised and costly business. Currently, a handful of multinational companies (Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta, Dow Chemical, DuPont and BASF) monopolise the industry. Referred to as "the big six," these companies are beginning to make inroads into developing countries, including in Africa.The first major effort to introduce GMOs in Africa took place in the year 2000. A showcase project led by a Monsanto-trained Kenyan biotechnologist, Florence Wambugu, was initiated by the World Bank, the US government and Monsanto itself. The goal was to develop a virus-resistant sweet potato. After three years of field trials, the genetically modified potatoes proved no less vulnerable to viruses than the untreated ones.Adding insult to injury, a conventional breeding programme in Uganda yielded virus-resistant sweet potatoes much faster and for far less money. In early 2004 the UK-based journal New Scientist dubbed the effort a "Monsanto failure."After several years of experimenting, the next big African GMO project was announced in 2008 in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Under the moniker WEMA (Water Efficient Maize for Africa), several international scientists teamed up with national research institutes in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. WEMA helps develop drought- and insect-resistant genetically modified maize suited for East African conditions.Monsanto donated the genetic material, and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), a Nairobi-based NGO funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, Syngenta and PepsiCo, coordinated the project. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also invested $85m in the development of WEMA.Kenya sees up to $90m in postharvest losses each year, says WEMA project manager Sylvester Oikeh, adding, "Making WEMA maize widely available is our answer to African farmers calling for innovative solutions to these issues."Currently, GMOs are being grown in only four African countries: Burkina Faso, Egypt, South Africa and Sudan.In 2015 ACBio published a critical report on WEMA. Its researchers concluded that the drought-resistant maize Monsanto had donated to the project had delivered no meaningful results in North America, where it is sold under the name DroughtGard.Adopting hybrid maize varieties (the conventional drought-tolerant maize and the GM variety) is a good idea, but farmers must lead the way, experts advise. "Many answers are to be found in farmers' knowledge of, for example, how to create healthy soils that store more water under drought conditions," notes Lim Li Ching, a senior researcher for Third World Network, an international network of organisations that produces and analyses policies on ecological sustainability.Simultaneously, the insect-resistant trait Monsanto also donated to WEMA underperformed so heavily in South Africa that it was silently withdrawn from the market.South African farmers have been cultivating GMO maize for two decades now, Greenberg explained. Currently, almost 90% of all maize grown in the country is genetically modified. "Farmers are running into trouble because insects become immune to the GMOs. But the market has become so monopolised over the years, the farmers have no option left besides waiting for Monsanto to develop a new GMO."The first batch of experimental WEMA maize was harvested in Mozambique in August 2017. The pressure to introduce standardised GMO crops in the huge and largely unserved African food market will not lessen now that the big biotechnology companies are merging into global behemoths, ACBio fears.Already Monsanto and the German chemical giant Bayer are exploring a $63.5bn merger.Taking a leaf from the merger activities of the big six, the Chinese conglomerate ChemChina announced in 2016 the acquisition of the Swiss company Syngenta, and DuPont and Dow Chemical have also begun merger talks. It is an unprecedented wave of consolidation that both EU and American regulators are scrutinising.In February 2017 ACBio released a study on the Monsanto-Bayer merger to highlight possible consequences for African farmers. "If smallholders collectively switch to generic GMO maize, African agriculture and biodiversity will suffer, and [it will] eventually limit farmers' options because of the strong market dominance of a few big players," maintained Greenberg."Especially when seed prices start to rise, that will heavily affect small farmers while failing to address the underlying problems of rural poverty. But Monsanto can make a lot of money by selling this kind of high-technology agriculture to as many farmers as possible."Professor Mulwa says that while consumer fears about GMOs may be unfounded, there is room for criticism of the approach of the GMO tech giants.GMO technology should be strategically embedded in local agriculture, he advises. "I am of course pro-GMO. From a scientific perspective, farmers have a lot to gain from GMO technology. But as a scientist, I am bound by ethical standards, not corporate interests. I go out into the field and talk to farmers. I want to solve problems by using biotechnology," says Mulwa.The adoption of GMO technology in Africa may, therefore, depend on whether the tech companies are in for profits without regard to Africa's food security. "That is an important distinction. I think GMO development should be taken out of the hands of those powerful companies. As most things in life, GMOs can be used for good or for bad," concludes Mulwa.There is a not-so-new crop, as old as the mountains, but one that the world is nowadays scrambling to grow. It can be harvested in as little as twelve weeks from sowing, does not require chemical inputs such as pesticides, and the whole plant can be used in one way or another.

herbalhemp via pixabay

What is hemp?

Hemp products and processing

Hemp for food and health

Medicinal uses

Who is growing hemp?

Cultivation of hemp

Sowing and growing

Hemp in South Africa

It is said that this one crop can be used to produce over 25 000 products. It offers several environmental benefits, with many people claiming it will be the saviour that helps us out of our environmental (and economic) woes  especially in South Africa. This crop is hemp.Hemp is industrial cannabis of which certain varieties are specifically bred for the materials they provide. Even though it is a variety of cannabis, it cannot get you high. This is because these varieties contain only trace amounts of THC (the compound which gives cannabis its well-known kick).The term hemp is often used as a legal definition based on THC limit, referring to plants with less than 1% THC. The exact limit differs from country to country. In Canada, for example, hemp plants are not allowed to contain more than 0,3% THC.Hemp is nothing new. It was one of the first crops cultivated by man and has played an essential role in all of history. It was used to make many of civilisations essential items, such as ropes, clothes and paper. It also provided valuable food in the form of protein and omega-oil rich seeds.Only for the last few decades has the plant been removed from agriculture and society, but it has been long enough for us to forget its historical importance  and long enough for us to be awestruck by its versatility as we rediscover it.The whole stalk can be used in the production of paper products, from the fine quality papers required for bibles and cigarettes, to newsprint and cardboard. Due to the large amount of biomass that it can produce, it is also suited to create biofuels.Hemp straw may be fed to livestock, and German farmers feeding dairy cows hemp silage have reported drastically reducing their reliance on antibiotics.The stalk can be decorticated to produce one of the strongest available natural fibres, which is naturally anti-microbial and extremely durable. The fibre is used to make rope, canvas, clothes, shoes and bags, as well as biocomposites.BMW, Mercedes and Porsche all have biocomposite interior panelling, made from injection moulded hemp fibre embedded in resin. The use of biocomposites is projected to rise rapidly, and hemp is a prime candidate. Its even used as a more natural alternative to fibreglass, amicably referred to as fibregrass.The hurd, the woody part of the stalk, can be used for building. Combined with lime, the hurd (also called shives) makes a material called hempcrete, a perfect alternative to our current unsustainable building materials. Building with hempcrete is one of the fastest growing uses for the plant  creating carbon-negative houses that are healthy for humans and the environment. The material is naturally pest and fire resistant.Perhaps one of its best properties, however, is that the hempcrete building becomes stronger as it ages, as the material continues to soak up carbon dioxide, mineralising the woody hemp. The shives can also be used to make fibreboards, insulation and animal bedding.The seeds are a highly nutritious food and contain antioxidants, protein, carotene, phytosterols, phospholipids, as well as several minerals including calcium, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. It is a source of complete protein and contains all 20 known amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids. It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D and E.Hemp seed oil contains the perfect balance of omega-3 and -6 oils necessary for humans and is one of the few vegetable sources of these essential fatty acids, which are responsible for maintaining healthy hair and skin, and to drive important cellular processes.The plants seeds are great animal feed. It is second to soya in terms of nutrient profile but offers more digestible proteins. Hens fed on hemp seeds will produce omega-3 eggs. The seeds are versatile and can be made into flours, cooking oils, yoghurts, milk, protein powders, cheese, bread, sweets, animal feed, cooking oil, fuel, paints, lubricants, shampoos and soaps.As a medicinal product, THC present in cannabis could play an important role. It is in a class of compounds known as cannabinoids, which are increasingly recognised as valuable therapeutic supplements. The cannabis plant contains at least 113 different cannabinoids and even though hemp does not contain any noteworthy quantities of THC, it certainly has other cannabinoids that can benefit human and animal health, most notably cannabidiol, or CBD.Cannabidiol is implicated in the treatment of an increasing number of ailments, including severe conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia. It is also the most lucrative part of the plant, with pure CBD fetching up to R300,000/kg and this market showing double-digit growth.CBD is being incorporated into a variety of products, from skincare and cosmetics to food supplements, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. The German government has already indicated CBD for the treatment of 80 conditions, whilst Switzerland is offering Nobacco, a hemp cigarette without the high of other cannabis varieties and without most of the harms of tobacco, but with the benefits of CBD.As mentioned previously, it seems that the whole world is scrambling to grow this miracle crop. Many countries already have maturing hemp sectors, whilst others, like South Africa, are still reliant on imports to meet local demand.The Chinese are the world leaders in hemp production, currently producing 20% of all hemp. In the 2016 season, China grew over 400,000ha, with their government pledging to grow over one million hectares. Europe grew 33,000ha in the 2016 season, and have been steadily rekindling their own industry, which is growing rapidly due to a strong European Union (EU) incentive and the growing interest in green materials.In America, 32 states have cannabis legislation of one kind or another, and Canada is rapidly positioning itself as the world leader in hemp seed production, with over 60,000ha planted in the 2017 season, about 90% which is planted for grain. Many countries are looking at growing hemp in one way or another.Countries such as India, Japan, Australia, Malawi, Chile, as well as South Africa, are rapidly advancing. Underlying this massive growth is, of course, the massive economic potential of the crop. The projected market for hemp products in the United States alone is $1,85bn by 2020.Hemp is a hardy, adaptable crop, growing from 90cm to over 4m in length, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Ideal soils for hemp are well-draining, loamy soils, rich in nitrogen. It will not do well in waterlogged soils. Average temperatures between 15-25C in the growing season are ideal.The plant requires consistent moisture in the early stages of growth, especially during germination and seedling establishment, but then becomes relatively water wise as the crop establishes itself and the long taproot can reach underground reserves. To produce hemp successfully, an annual rainfall of at least 400mm is required.A crucial factor in variety selection is photoperiod, as hemp growth and flowering are greatly dependent on the day/night regime of where it is native to, or has been developed in. Many European varieties will not grow in South Africa due to our vastly different light cycle.Seed is sown at a density of anything from 15-100kg/ha and is largely determined by the end-use of the crop. High planting density is used in fibre crops to ensure that the plants stretch, and produce longer (more valuable) fibres. Planting hemp for seed is done at lower densities, to encourage some branching and an increase in seed yield.Hemp can easily be grown organically, without the need for pesticides or herbicides. It is renowned for being pest-free, with little bothering the crop. It can even be planted around other crops to protect them against pests. Of course, there are a few pests that will attack hemp  the biggest dangers come from fungal attacks, most important of which is Botrytis, called grey mould. Though insects generally avoid the plants, cotton bollworm has been seen causing damage to hemp buds in South Africa.Hemp can be used in crop rotation to eliminate or reduce the need for herbicides. When it is planted dense enough, its fast growth overwhelms weeds, clearing the soil ready for the next crop. Hemp also conditions the soil and has been successfully used in soil remediation. As it is a bio-accumulator, it can be used to absorb heavy metals and other contaminants from soils (these specific crops are obviously unsuited for food use).South Africa started performing trials in 1996, with the support of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). This project, despite millions of rands worth of funding, has produced little tangible results.A few private companies have successfully trialled hemp, including Hemporium, who had small but promising trials in the Western Cape, and other farmers and companies who trialled it in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. These trials were all done under the auspices of an exclusive cultivation permit handed to House of Hemp. This permit expired earlier this year.A participatory research permitting system has been proposed in September, under an incubator programme referred to as i-Africanna-inc. This incubator is backed by amongst others the ARC, the CSIR and House of Hemp, and is set to guide and assist permitting. The proposed permits and suggested guidelines heavily favour indigenous knowledge systems and they have reiterated that it would firstly aim to benefit indigenous communities, with a strong BEE component.South Africa is also ready for its first-ever hemp association, which would give a voice to the local stakeholders, though perhaps still lacking in experienced agronomists and other key industry representatives.All these efforts are a step in the right direction for hemp in South Africa, a crop with unlimited potential in the country and the continent. There is still a lot of work to be done  choosing the right varieties for our country, setting up proper processing facilities and awakening the many industries this one crop can feed into. All of this represents an opportunity for our people and our economy, as we rediscover this plant, and make this ancient crop new.China will invest $1bn in the construction of three 60-storey buildings at a mega-project near Sri Lanka's main port, Colombo said Tuesday, as Beijing aims to boost its influence in the Indian Ocean.

Artist impression of Colombo International Financial City

The deal follows an earlier Chinese investment of $1.4bn to carry out reclamation work for the wider Colombo International Financial City development, strategically located next to Sri Lanka's harbour, the only deep sea container port in the region.The countries hope the project, initiated by former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse, will create a financial centre in the Indian Ocean comparable with those in Singapore and Europe, drawing billions in foreign investment and thousands of jobs.Sri Lankan officials said 60% of the 269ha reclamation, due to finish next year complete with yacht marina, had already been completed.No completion date was given for the buildings, the first for the development."China Harbour (company) will put in $1bn to build three buildings," Sri Lanka's Urban Development Minister Champika Ranawaka told reporters in the capital."These three 60-storey buildings will be able to attract more foreign companies into Sri Lanka."The controversial project was formally launched after a visit to Colombo by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2014 but work was suspended by the new administration, which came to power in January the following year.It resumed after the state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) entered into a fresh agreement with the new government in August 2016, despite geopolitical concerns from regional super power India.Colombo is a key hub for Indian import-export cargo. Beijing has been accused of seeking to develop facilities around the Indian Ocean in a "string of pearls" strategy to counter the rise of its rival and secure its own economic interests.After protests by New Delhi, Colombo removed freehold rights granted to the Chinese company and offered the land on a 99-year lease instead.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the site Tuesday, 2 January, to inspect the progress of reclamation."We will shortly have legislation to turn this area into a financial centre like in Europe or Singapore," he said.The CCCC has said it expects the project to create 83,000 new jobs and help Sri Lanka attract another $13bn in direct foreign investment to develop infrastructure.China, the largest single lender to Sri Lanka, secured contracts to build roads, railways and ports under Rajapakse, who is facing investigations over allegations of corruption during his decade in power."When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone," it means just what I chose it to mean - neither more, neither less."

The issue

her employment is terminated for any reason other than dishonesty;

the entity is sold to another party (other than the employee);

her employment is (otherwise) terminated.

Statutory entitlement

Plain English

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." "The question is," said Humpty, "which is to be master - that's all."The Labour Appeal Court recently quoted Lewis Carroll in determining a dispute centring on the meaning of the phrase "severance pay" in an executive employment contract. The judgment issued not only makes for delightful bedtime reading but also serves as a timely caution to authors of employment contracts. Human resource practitioners, inhouse and external employment counsel may benefit from the court's guidance.At issue was whether a clause entitling an executive employee to severance pay should be interpreted to allow such payment whenever the employment relationship comes to an end, or only under circumstances where (in law) severance pay would typically be payable. The employment agreement created a contractual entitlement to severance pay in certain circumstances. The employee would be entitled to severance pay - calculated using an agreed formula - where:The employee resigned then sued the employer for payment of untaken annual leave and the severance pay provided in the employment contract. The employer's appeal on the leave issue succeeded with the LAC directing that matter to be determined afresh in a new trial.In respect of the severance pay aspect, the LAC heard argument that the phrase should be given its ordinary, employment law meaning, on the one hand, or be read in context of the agreement and given a specific meaning, on the other hand. The court favoured the latter approach, stating that "[a]n analysis that begins by plumbing into the depths of the traditional usage of the phrase "severance pay" instead of beginning with the whole text, in context, in order to divine what work the phrase is required to do, is an approach from the wrong way around."Severance pay is a statutory entitlement that arises when an employer terminates the services of an employee due to the employer's operational requirements. Such requirements include redundancy, reduction in force and colloquial retrenchment. In World Luxury Hotel Awards and De Wet (CA17/2016, 15 December 2017) the employer argued that the contractual entitlement to severance pay falls due when the phrase would traditionally be in effect: where the employer terminates the employee's employment (due to its operational requirements).Considering the context of the bespoke agreement, the court concluded that the wording used allows for a claim of severance pay even where the employee resigned. The clause, properly interpreted, created an entitlement for such payment even where the employer did not terminate the agreement. The court (correctly) stated that the clause "[w]here the employees (sic) employ with the firm is terminated, the employee shall be entitled to a payment of a lump sum " does not mean that the payment is only due where the employer initiates the termination. Employment can be terminated, using the language of the clause, even where this is done at the behest of the employee.Having completed our usual end-of-year navel-gazing, we return to office brimming with resolutions for the new year. Perhaps one such action ought to be to take greater care in how we capture the intentions of employers and employees in employment contracts. Boilerplate clauses and template agreements serve valuable roles in streamlining global human resource operations, but should be used with trepidation. Drafters should rather use plain English - in active rather than the passive voice - to crisply capture the consensus reached, and avoid legalese wherever possible.Thinking about the intended meaning of a clause may result in an additional 30 minutes of work, but can prevent costly litigation and reputational damage. Understand exactly what the parties want to record in the agreement, why they wish to do so and then ensure a third party can gain the same intention from reading the final agreement. Avoid liberally adapting old templates for a new purpose - capture the essence in a blank document then consider whether you can redraft using an existing agreement or whether you require a new, tailored document. Critically, consider the purpose of the agreement or clause.Like Carroll wrote: If you don't know where you are going any road can take you there.

Robots are advancing exponentially while human learning occurs at a much slower pace. Shutterstock

Different rules

What next

Bill Gates, for example, has called for the taxing of robots that take away jobs. This has elicited responses from leading economists, such as Larry Summers (former Vice President of Development Economics, Chief Economist of the World Bank, and US Treasury Department official) who argue against the idea saying that robots are job creators and that the idea of taxing them is profoundly flawed An equally questionable idea is to use universal basic income  the idea that everyone receives a minimum income regardless of circumstance  to redress the impact of technological unemployment.The focus in these debates is misplaced. Jobs are not created or lost because of a single technology, but because of the business models designed to leverage the power of the technology. Uber, for example, may be called a taxi-hailing app service but the business is a constellation of applications including algorithms, the automobile and GPS  all of which are organised around a single business model.Weve seen a similar example in history, with recorded music in the last century. It wasnt the 1930s recording technology itself that threatened the jobs of live musicians. It was its combination with radio broadcasting, jukeboxes and the way businesses operated that led to job losses. Hotels, restaurants and bars replaced live musicians with jukeboxes. The coin-operated machines were cheaper and did not involve dealing with the demands of unionised musicians. A single recording could be played over and over without requiring the appearance of musicians.As I argue , in Innovation and Its Enemies: Why People Resist New Technologies, the early recording of music destroyed the jobs of some live musicians and undermined their claim to property rights. The social objections became largely about monopoly power and less about the technology itself.The technology did make huge gains for the music industry because of its ability to access a wider section of society. Small bands and minority musicians who could not have access to large markets were able to use the technology to reach niche audiences. More importantly, the spread of the technology made it possible for new genres, such as bebop , of music to emerge and eventually enter mainstream markets.However, while history helps us to learn from the past, it has become a poor guide for emerging trends. This is because of the qualitative differences between discrete technologies that defined the Industrial Revolution of the early 1800s and todays machines and platforms These fundamental differences  between past automation activities and todays artificial intelligence  suggest the emergence of new economies operating under different rules whose contours are still sketchy.The impacts will be strongly felt, given the integrated nature of the global economy, the rapid rate of technological change and the uncertainty created by technological abundance  which makes it difficult to predict where new ideas might come from.Job creation  or loss  has to be considered in the context of the overall business.This is best illustrated by looking at the difference between recorded music then and robots now. I have identified four big ones.First, robots are being adopted at a much faster rate than recorded music was. Competitive pressures in industry are forcing entrepreneurs to look into deploying technological systems that enable them to stay ahead of the curve. Chinese manufacturers, for example , are responding to wage increases with one of the fastest rates of industrial robot adoption in the world.Second, the consequences of robots are likely to be felt across global value networks triggering large-scale technological anxieties as workers fear that their jobs will be taken. This is partly because many of the leading industries rely on supply chains that are located in different regions and countries. Boeing, for example, sources parts from various parts of the US, Europe and many other parts of the world. Changes in its manufacturing practices involve coordination across those regions. This also applies to less complex products such as consumer goods.Third, robots are advancing exponentially while human learning occurs at a much slower linear pace. Their rate of learning doubles in a short period while human learning is incremental and slow. This is partly a result of technological abundance and the growing ability for machines to teach each other how to improve the functioning of their algorithms . 3D printing, for example, is a combination of pre-existing mechanical technologies which now benefits from advances in digital technologies. It can now be diversely applied  from engineering to medicine. The more new technologies that are created, the greater the prospects of creating new applications. In many cases, innovators start off with searching and using what already exists in novel ways before they invest in new research.Finally, the effects of automation are likely to be felt over very short periods, compounding public concerns and leaving little room for adaptation. This is mainly because machines are reaching a point where they are learning to perform new tasks faster than workers can be retrained.What we need are inclusive social policies that take into account faster access to emerging technologies, greater support to new businesses and more open dialogue about how poverty and inequity amplify the negative effects of new technologies.This requires a much deeper look at how social systems and technologies shape each other to create more just and resilient economies.Thank You For Your Service is a significant exploration of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depicting US soldiers who try to adjust to civilian life; two brothers collide on a life-changing odyssey of disaster and discovery to find their real father in the comedy Father Figures; and a group of furry friends have to prevent their sanctuary being destroyed in the animated The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature.

Thank You For Your Service

Father Figures

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature

Sgt. Adam Schumann tries to readjust to civilian life after returning home from the war in Iraq. Fellow soldier Tausolo Aeiti must deal with the aftermath of a bombing that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Will Waller searches for normalcy after surviving several explosions, while Michael Emory must deal with the effects of a snipers bullet to the head. With memories of the battlefield still lingering, the soldiers soon begin their long journey to physical and emotional rehabilitation.This biographical war drama film was written and directed by Jason Hall, in his directorial debut, and is based on the 2013 non-fiction book of the same name by David Finkel. Finkel, areporter, wrote about veterans of the second Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment returning to the vicinity of Fort Riley, Kansas, following a 15-month deployment in Iraq in 2007.They carried me across their war, reliving every lacerating memory that still echoed inside them. In doing so they empowered me to paint a personal picture of their sacrifice, in hopes that it may lead to a deeper understanding of the unthinkable sacrifice that all our veterans have made in the service of this country, says Hall.The last time Kyle and Peter Reynolds were headed in the same direction was in the delivery room, and someone was yelling, Push!. From that moment on, through school and dating, teams and family vacations, to work and every major life decision, they couldnt be more at odds in every possible way. But when the guys come home for their mothers wedding, they get a shock that will galvanise them to a single purpose.It turns out their father isnt remotely who they thought, offers Ed Helms, who stars as the tightly wound, glass-half-empty Peter. The story their mom gave them all these years was a fairytale, when, in fact, she might not even know for sure who he was.Though Peter typically reacts with indignation, and Kyle with curiosity, this profoundly WTF revelation lands them both on the same page more or less. It also sends them on a life-changing odyssey of disaster and discovery to find their real father, wherever it takes them, and whoever he may be. In other words: road trip.The comedy marks the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Lawrence Sher (films).A lifelong fan of road trips and what they can reveal, Sher says, The fun thing about the road is its forward momentum and the fact that you just keep going to the next destination. Its an allegory for life. You may have a plan, but there will be stops and turns and side trips. Part of the adventure of this movie is about how we can take for granted the people who are closest to us  and what better way for these two to be reminded of that, than to be stuck together and forced to confront their differences? Sometimes pressure produces diamonds.And sometimes, pressure just builds up until it explodes.Surly and Buddy and the rest of the gang are back, and find themselves in an even more hilarious, nutty, and epic sequel to the 2014 hit animated film.Surly Squirrel, his pug friend Precious and his best friend Buddy the rat are living in the recently closed nut shop. Food is abundant, and life is good Until the nut shop explodes in a freak accident! After an unsuccessful search for food in the city, Surly returns to Liberty Park.Oakton's most corrupt politician has other plans for Liberty Park. As he looks down from his penthouse office, he sees the beautiful park as nothing more than premium city real estate that generates zero profit. At a press conference, the mayor announces Liberty Park will be bulldozed and replaced with Libertyland. Who wants a regular park when you can have an amusement park?As the mayor's bulldozers roll in, Surly leads the animals in fighting back. They need to work fast and find a way to stop him before they lose their sanctuary forever.While The Nut Job 2 is a funny movie, its also got an important message of inclusiveness, says director and co-writer Cal Brunker. The animals realise that by putting aside their differences and working together, they can accomplish anything. Now more than ever, its important to embrace our differences and work together to solve problems. Like Mr. Feng says, 'We are in this together!'".SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi reiterated his intent on bringing Africa closer together at Africa 2017 Forum, held last month, both politically and economically.

Africa 2017, Egypt.

Africa-China prospects

Recommendations

The Africa 2017 Forum wrapped up in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el Sheikh mid-December, with a clear message of intent from President Al Sisi to bring Africa closer together.President Abdel Fattah El Sisi hosted five African heads of state and top business leaders from across the continent. The heads of state stressed on the need for self-reliance and domestic resource mobilisation.The event offered business owners with an opportunity to meet investors, engage with political leaders and policy makers and explore new ideas to improve business environment across the continent. The Forum wrapped up with a focus on China-Africa cooperation.In two private roundtables held on the sidelines of the event that the President held alongside other African heads of state and business leaders from Egypt and the rest of the continent, it was said that Al Sisi would do whatever he could to bring the continent together, both politically and economically.The Forum had a strong focus on increasing intra-Africa trade, inclusive growth and stronger China-Africa cooperation, especially in terms of technology transfer.During the event, Egypt also signed a deal with the World Bank for a USD $1.15 billion development policy loan to fund the governments plan to boost economy. It is the last one in a series of three annual loans provided from 2015 to 2017 totalling USD 3.15 billion. The deal supports the Egyptian economic reform program aimed at creating jobs, ensuring energy security, strengthening public finances and enhancing business competitiveness.The final day of the Forum focused on industrial revolution for Africa and China-Africa economic relations. It was agreed that China-Africa relationship was a win-win one. Ambassador Helen Hai, CEO, Made in Africa initiative, China, said China had a clear strategy for Africa but the continent needs to be in the driving seat when it comes to discussions about the China-Africa relationship.She said the relationship was moving on from resources to partnerships with African countries but they needed to be clear about what they wanted from China. She said 85 million jobs were likely to be exported from China in the next few years as labour costs increased in that country and Africa was well placed to attract them. If Africa can capture those jobs they can enjoy the same economic transformation China had.However, Carlos Lopes, former executive secretary, UNECA, and Professor, Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice, University of Cape Town, Guinea-Bissau, said it was not inevitable that the jobs would migrate to Africa.He warned that many jobs that could move out of China could be replaced by robots and automation, not Africans, and that other regions would also compete for the kind of jobs that Africa seeks  those at the lower end of the value chain. A few African countries will make it, but not all, he said.This huge move to get jobs can be elusive if we are not fast enough in creating opportunities. The window is closing very fast. We need to move quickly and do so in a way that is commensurate with the interests of Chinas strategy.The three-day event, organised by Egypts Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation and the COMESA Regional Investment Agency (RIA), saw over 2,000 delegates from 75 countries attend the Forum. Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr said that the forums sessions offered a chance to exchange expertise and showcase investment opportunities in Egypt and Africa.The conference put forward five recommendations:1. Pumping new investments in Africa to boost economic growth and development.2. The establishment of joint projects, particularly in infrastructure, to support investment and trade among African states.3. Enhancing the role of the African private sector to increase investment rates in the continent.4. The execution of programs that encourage entrepreneurship and the adoption of programs that would increase youths participation in the African economy.5. Empowering women in all fields of economic activity, considering them as active members in the process of developing Africa and achieving economic stability.KEITH JACKSON

The service for H H (Jim) Leigh will be at 2pm this Friday 17 August at Drydales Funeral Home Chapel on National Park Road in Nambour. There will be some drinks & food afterwards at Nambour RSL, which Jim told me was his least worst drinking hole

BACK IN JANUARY, as I mentioned at the time, I was reunited with Jim Leigh after about 40 years. His daughter Kelly was the catalyst in this series of events and I remain very thankful she took the trouble.

Not, I must add, that Jim and I actually made it to pressing the flesh and sharing a beer. Floods in south-east Queensland took care of that possibility.

But Jim and I did manage four long telephone conversations extending across politics, society and the fiendish ways of neer-do-wells of many years ago.

Discourse with Jim was always protracted and broad of traverse, and that we met only over the phone (which Jim claimed was bugged) and not in person seemed to matter not.

We spoke of many matters; and one was especially prescient and poignant: Jim expressed the view that he did not have long to live. He spoke in the tones of a man who had settled the ledger with his own life, even if he hadnt managed to put all to rights or square away every scoundrel. I weep some tears for Jim as I write this.

Jim had given me my first management job in radio in 1969. At the time he was controller of broadcasting in the colonial administration and had been given the task of transforming what was a lone radio broadcasting station in Rabaul into a mighty network that would cover the whole of PNG.

To do this would represent a nation-building task of enormous importance. He did it. In just 10 years. It was a monumental achievement for which he was never given the full credit he deserved.

Part of this was because of a quixotic personality and an intolerance of fools that brought Jim ill repute, especially with those of idle mind. But, mostly, it drove PNG broadcasting forward in mighty leaps.

He later went on to a successful career as a Brisbane television newsreader and, subsequently, National Party press officer, but I know nought of those years at first hand.

And so I will repeat a story about Jim, told in these columns before, that depicts his wonderful personalityAnd that is what was required, given Australias stinginess in administering its colonial obligations. The emerging nation required men capable of thinking outside the box.

One of their important defining characteristics was a willingness to experiment, improvise and innovate. They were not only a strange breed but a rare one.

They were an odd mix of characters and very difficult to describe even after all these years. On some matters they had conservative views but on others they showed enlightenment and liberal ideals.

TUMBY BAY - Given the huge nation-building task at hand, there werent many kiaps at any one time in Papua New Guinea prior to independence - maybe 650 at peak strength.

When I went through the Australian School of Administration (ASOPA), our training officer made this unusual role quite clear. He referred to us as misfits, not in a derogatory way but to explain why we had been selected for the job.

Much later a highlander, shaking his head and smiling, told me that the kiaps were narapela kain man. Another type of man. That is, a misfit.

He did this to express his difficulty in working out what made kiaps tick and to differentiate them from the other expatriates working in the then territory.

These days those old kiaps have moved to that patrol post in the sky or are drifting into their twilight years. Many are not going quietly. They are still different and making mischief where the opportunity presents itself.

This is the conclusion Ive drawn after many years reading and contributing to blogs like PNG Attitude and the Ex-kiap website.

What amazes me is the intellectual rigour still exhibited by many of these men.

A lot went on to gain higher tertiary qualifications and others wrote books. Many worked their way into the senior echelons of the Australian public service. A few achieved commercial success.

If you look at the numbers of ex-kiaps who followed this pattern, it is well out of proportion to the other expatriate groups in Papua New Guinea prior to and just after independence.

There is a rather delightful irony in this.

In the 1970s, as many of these men returned to Australia, kiap was a dirty word, particularly in academia. The word encapsulated, so we were told, the whole sorry history of Australian colonialism.

When I joined the South Australian Museum after leaving Papua New Guinea it was politely suggested that I not mention my previous life as a kiap to other staff.

I recall on one occasion loading a couple of my old patrol boxes into the back of a four wheel drive ready for a field trip when a museum staffer walked by. He noticed the extra-large handles on the boxes and asked why they were so big.

Caught unawares, I explained - a pole through both handles and a bloke on each end.

He was aghast. Oh, the inhumanity he cried.

Thankfully this kind of naive criticism has abated and some people, including the Australian government, have realised the kiap philosophy had a lot going for it.

A philosophy that many of the old buggers resolutely maintain.His former treasurer left him just before the election, famously commenting that the people of PNG had been deceived and that the economy was going over a cliff.

ONeill had effective control of all major institutions except social media and the police and defence forces. In spite of this, he managed to lose his deputy prime minister, attorney-general and half his elected members.

There is little doubt the electoral roll was manipulated with thousands of ghost voters favouring the government, especially in the countrys highlands.

CANBERRA - Papua New Guineas national elections of JuneJuly last year were expected to reinforce prime minister Peter ONeills grip on power. Instead, the poll was most remarkable for its anti-ONeill sentiment.

ONeills new governing coalition is an unusual and possibly fractious one.

Key party leaders include William Duma (who was sacked as minister before the election due to some dubious land deals), former prime minister Julius Chan (who had been a strong campaigner against ONeill) and, most extraordinarily, Sam Basil (leader of the Pangu Party).

Pangu was the greatest surprise of the election. Its campaign was built around anti-ONeill sentiment and focussed on the corruption and economic mismanagement of the government.

With this campaign, Pangu won almost all the seats along the mainlands northern coast. Pangu was initially in opposition and had the second-largest number of seats in the Parliament but Basil split his own party and moved most members to the government.

Despite this, the opposition is larger and more unified than it was before the election and is providing some credible policy alternatives.

2017 was not a good year for the PNG economy. The official growth rate was 2.2%, which is well below the official population growth rate of 3.1%.

Sixty percent of CEOs consider the greatest barrier to business to be the crippling shortage of foreign exchange, which is linked to PNGs move to a fixed exchange rate.

The latest budget deficit now appears to be around 5.7% of GDP and government public debt has trebled over the last five years. Interest repayments are now equivalent to 15% of total government revenue.

PNGs new Treasurer, Charles Abel, started well with a 100-day economic renewal plan. His September 2017 supplementary budget tried to fix the expanding deficit but revealed a major split with the prime minister.

The Treasurer wanted to defer spending on politically important electoral constituency funds, which are worth US$3.3 million per annum for government members (opposition members complain they do not receive these funds or at best receive them late). When this cut was announced, ONeill indicated that these funds would not be cut again.

These funds are worth nearly 10% of PNGs entire budget. Protecting them, finding money to host APEC and trying to regain the upper hand on the rhetoric of protecting health and education  all within the confines of fiscal responsibility  was simply too much.

Something had to give way  and it was revenue credibility.

The 2018 budget is premised on unrealistic revenue growth of over 20% despite no significant tax increases, no big projects and low growth prospects. Many of the projected budget increases will have to be cut back and the deficit will probably be between 4% and 5% of GDP.

The APEC leaders forum will be hosted in Port Moresby in November this year. The meeting was underfunded in the PNG budget with only US$100 million provided but, given ONeills commitment to APEC and his control over Abel, it is certain the required money will flow.

PNGs hosting is ironic: APECs first pillar is trade liberalisation but PNG is moving down a more protectionist path with widespread increases in tariffs.

Chinese influence in PNG politics was most obvious in the signing of a US$5 billion financing package in November 2017 as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. This was contrary to the Treasurers 100-day plan to end new tied financing deals  an embarrassing inconsistency.

Another sign of Chinas growing influence was the delivery of Chinese military vehicles. Although they represent a small fraction of the defence cooperation provided by Australia, the prominence of the deal in government-influenced media was noteworthy.

The closure of the Manus refugee detention facility in November 2017 will finally remove an important source of leverage that PNG had over Australia. Before Manus, Australia was more assertive about good governance, protecting democracy and good economic policy.

Australias new Foreign Policy White Paper states that supporting a stable and prosperous PNG is one [of its] most important foreign policy objectives. The funding of a major new telecommunications cable from Australia to PNG and the Solomon Islands  instead of a Chinese alternative  likely indicates a more proactive approach in supporting joint interests.

PNG is likely to struggle through to the November 2018 APEC Summit with ONeill in charge. Soon after the Summit, PNG will need to undertake major fiscal consolidation.

It is hard to see how it can transition out of the very deep hole it has dug for itself over the last five years unless there is a major program of economic adjustment backed by international funding. With APEC finished in late 2018, ONeill will face a difficult start to 2019.

Paul Flanagan is director of the consulting firm PNG Economics and an associate at the Development Policy Centre, The Australian National University

http://pngeconomics.org/2016/05/hello-world/The last plank of the plan aims to improve the process for reentering society after being convicted of a crime. Cuomo proposed eliminating outright bans on occupational licenses for non-law enforcement positions. Under his plan, applicants would be assessed on an individual basis.

Driver's licenses would no longer be suspended after a drug conviction, which would allow individuals to drive to work and attend drug treatment sessions. The exception would be if the crime involved driving, then the license would be suspended.

For those in prison, Cuomo wants to expand release opportunities for inmates who have demonstrated their rehabilitation and could be eligible for merit release. He also proposed a new "geriatric parole" provision that would require the state Parole Board to review cases involving inmates over the age of 55 who have "debilitating or incapacitating medical conditions."

The criminal justice reforms are part of the 22nd proposal Cuomo released before his State of the State address. His office said it builds on prior legislative achievements, including raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York and closing more than a dozen state prisons.A Republican advocacy group launched yet another multi-million dollar ad campaign about the tax plan to show support for House GOP members, including two in New York, who voted for the legislation.

American Action Network's $2 million digital and television ad campaign will focus on 23 congressional districts across the country. The districts targeted in New York are represented by U.S. Reps. John Katko and Claudia Tenney, two upstate New York Republicans who voted for the $1.5 trillion tax plan.

The investment is part of American Action Network's $10 million initiative to promote what the group views as the benefits of the tax changes.

Corry Bliss, executive director of the American Action Network, believes the tax plan will boost the economy.

"With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being signed into law, Republicans have followed through on their promise to reform our broken tax code and replacing it with a fairer and simpler system," Bliss said.

A hypersonic rocket configuration. Internet imagery

BEIJING (PTI): China's new "hypersonic" ballistic missiles will not only challenge the defences of the US but also be able to more accurately hit military targets in Japan and India, a media report said Tuesday.



The report in the South China Morning Post comes after Tokyo-based The Diplomat magazine reported that Chinas rocket forces conducted two tests late last year of a new hypersonic glide vehicle or HGV, known as the DF-17.



Citing US intelligence sources, The Diplomat last month reported that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force carried out the first test on November 1, 2017 and the second one two weeks later.



Both tests were successful and the DF-17 could be operational by around 2020, the US intelligence sources were quoted as saying.



Asked about the two tests, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Tuesday declined to react saying the Defence Ministry should be approached for information on this.



HGVs are unmanned, rocket-launched, manoeuvrable aircraft that glide and "skip" through the earths atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds.



Compared to conventional ballistic systems, HGV warheads can travel at much higher speeds, lower altitudes and less-trackable trajectories. The approach leaves defence systems less time to intercept the warhead before it drops its payload.



The DF-17 test missiles were launched from the Jiuquan launch centre in Inner Mongolia and flew about 1,400 km during the trial, The Diplomat reported.



Chinese state media first reported on the country's HGV technology in October, with footage of the system in a hypersonic wind tunnel in various arrays.



Beijing-based military analyst Zhou Chenming said HGV technology has become part of the nuclear strategy between the worlds three big nuclear powers: China, the US and Russia.



"Compared to conventional ballistic missiles, HGVs are more complex and difficult to intercept," Zhou told the South China Morning Post.



"The US, Japan and India should be worried about Chinas developments in HGV technology because it can reach targets quicker and more accurately, with military bases in Japan and even nuclear reactors in India being targeted," he was quoted as saying by the daily.



China eyes artificial intelligence for fire-and-forget cruise missiles.



Chinese military specialists said the DF-17 was one of several iterations of glider systems developed by the PLA, including the DF-ZF which has been through at least seven tests.



Song Zhongping, a former member of the PLAs Second Artillery Corps, the rocket wings predecessor, said the DF-17 was the weaponised model of the DF-ZF prototype.



Song, a military commentator for Hong Kongs Phoenix Television, told the Post that the HGV system could be used with various kinds of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of at least 5,500 km.



He also said multiple HGV warheads could be used with the DF-41, which has a range of at least 12,000 km and can hit anywhere in the US in less than an hour.



Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said HGVs could also be used to target and destroy a US anti-missile system known as THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, which are currently deployed in South Korea to ward off missile attacks from North Korea.



"Chinas HGVs ... could destroy the THAAD radar system if there is war between the two countries," Wong said.



"Once the THAAD radars fail to function in the first stage, it could reduce the window to raise the alarm about the PLAs [ICBMs] ... leaving the US without enough time to intercept," he said.

New York is the fourth state to offer paid family leave. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who proposed the 12-week program in 2016, touted the implementation of the benefit at rallies Sunday on Long Island and in New York City.

"When you look back, what are the moments that matter? When the child is born? People get married? Who's there for you when you're sick? Do you get quality time to spend when someone is passing and they need peace and they need relaxation? That's what life is really all about, and middle-class working families have been denied that," Cuomo said.

He added, "Paid family leave says eight weeks, it goes up to 12 weeks and you get paid for it. And that's what goes into effect tomorrow. And that's what you should feel good about."

The new program has its share of supporters and detractors. The New York Paid Leave Coalition, which supported the adoption of the benefit for workers, lauded the state for having the "nation's strongest, most progressive and most comprehensive paid family leave policy."

"Starting January 1, New Yorkers will no longer have to choose between bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member and being able to pay their bills," said Donna Dolan, executive director of the New York Paid Leave Coalition.



JERUSALEM (PTI): A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a US$ 500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed "regret" over the decision just ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first visit to the country.



"Rafael has now received an official notification from India's Ministry of Defence concerning the cancellation of the Spike deal," Ishai David, a spokesman for the Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, told PTI.



Spike, in use by 26 countries around the world, is said to have been selected by India after a long and rigorous process and after complying with all the defence procurement regulations.



"It should be emphasised that the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the contract and despite Rafael's compliance with all the demands," the company said in a statement.



"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," it added.



The company did not give a reason for the cancellation of the deal.



The cancellation comes days before Netanyahu's four-day visit to India starting January 14 and is likely to be taken up for discussion. Rafael's CEO would also be accompanying Netanyahu.



The company recently inaugurated its facilities in Hyderabad where the project was to be executed but company sources said that it is "designed to accommodate a number of other projects Rafael is engaged in with its Indian partners".



As per the original proposal, India had planned to acquire the ATGMs for the Army at a cost of US$ 500 million.



The Indian Defence Ministry has been strongly pushing for transfer of technology in procuring various weapons and other platforms from foreign defence majors as part of its broad policy initiative to encourage domestic defence industry.



Official sources in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the proposal to acquire the missile system faced hurdles when Israeli side apparently expressed reservations in ensuring full transfer of technology as per the provisions of the 'Make in India' initiative.



MiG29K naval strike fighter of Indian Navy. A file photo

PANAJI (PTI): A MiG29K fighter aircraft of the Indian Navy on Wednesday veered off the runway before catching fire inside the INS Hansa naval base in Goa while its pilot disembarked safely.



This is the first major mishap involving the recently-inducted naval version of MiG29K, a top naval officer said.



"The pilot is safe. When the pilot was taking off, there was some malfunction in the aircraft which we will have to investigate," Real Admiral Punit K Bahl, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA), told PTI.



Due to the malfunction, the aircraft could not take off and as a result, the pilot continued in the direction of the take-off and left the runway at the other end.



"The pilot crossed over the other end and, luckily the aircraft then retarded and about 150 metres off the edge of runway he turned left and stopped there.



"After that the pilot descended from canopy and he came out of the aircraft and there was little fire and smoke at the aircraft, which is now under the control," Bahl said.



"This is the first main incident of the MiG29K since the time it was inducted," he said.



The incident happened around noon at the northern end of the runway at INS Hansa base, which is also home to Goa's Dabolim airport where civilian flights land.



"It is too premature to say whether this was a human or machine error, because we have to do investigation which will take some time," rear admiral Bahl said.



"What is the source of error, whether it is machine or something else, we will come to know after inquiry," he added.



The incident happened 10 minutes before a civilian aircraft was scheduled to land at the airport, Goa airport director B C H Negi told PTI.



Operations at the airport were suspended after 12.30 pm but resumed around 1.40 pm, he said.



The Russian-made MiG29K were inducted in the Indian Navy on May 11, 2016 after the decommissioning of Sea Harriers.



The aircraft is currently integrated on-board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and performs the role of strike fighter and air defence for the Navy.



An Indian Navy warship test firing the Barak surface-to-air missile. A file photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Government on Tuesday approved purchase of 240 precision guided bombs for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 131 Barak missiles for the Navy at a total cost of Rs 1,714 crore.



The two procurement proposals were cleared by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Defence Ministry said.



The bombs, which fall under the category of precision guided munitions, are being procured at a cost of Rs 1,254 crore from M/s JSC Rosonboron Exports, Russia.



"The procurement of bombs will address the deficiency of Precision Guided Munitions in the IAF arsenal, besides enhancing the offensive capabilities of the IAF," the ministry said in a statement.



It said the 131 Barak missiles and associated equipment are being procured from Israel's Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd at a cost of Rs 460 crore.



"These missiles are surface-to-air missiles designed to be used as a ship-borne anti-missile defence system against anti-ship missiles," said the ministry.



The procurement is being made as part of the government's efforts to bolster operational capability of the armed forces considering the evolving security situation in the region.





NEW DELHI (PTI): India said on Tuesday that it would be in China's interest that the shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean remain secure and asserted that the Indian Navy was keeping an eye on its key maritime areas.



In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said the Navy's deployments in the Indian Ocean have been "further structured" under the new mission based deployment (MBD) concept.



He said China had operationalised its overseas base at Djibouti in August last year to provide operational turn around (OTR) facilities for ships on anti-piracy missions.



"China largely depends on the oil imports transiting through the Indian Ocean. It would be in China's interest that shipping lanes and traffic in the Indian Ocean remain secure," he said.



Bhamre said the Indian Navy maintains regular presence and surveillance in the maritime areas of its interest.



The Navy had operationalised a new 'mission-ready' plan for aggressive deployment of warships in critical sea lanes a few months back, seen as a move to check China's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).



"At present, there is no information to suggest that China is exercising freedom of navigation operations in the Indian Ocean Region," said Bhamre.



In November, India had joined hands with the US, Japan and Australia to form a quadrilateral coalition to pursue common interests in the Indo-Pacific region.



To a separate question, Bhamre said the Government was aware of the urgent need for road infrastructure along the international borders in the country.



He said as per the operational requirement of the Army, 530 roads of length 22,803 km are identified for construction/improvement by Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Irish Ferries owner Irish Continental Group (ICG) has said its 315m investment in two new ferries will equip it for further growth and is a sign of confidence in the Irish Sea and French passenger markets.

ICG plans to pay 165m to German firm FSG to build a new vessel to replace the Ulysses, which will be the largest cruise ferry in the world in terms of vehicle capacity.

In addition to plans for a 144m investment in the WB Yeats ship, it plans to inject a total of 315m in new ferries. Shares in ICG were unchanged in the latest session but were up more than 20% in the year, valuing the company at just under 1.09bn.

Its 165m investment will replace the schedule of its best-known vessel, Ulysses and will have capacity for 1,800 passengers and crew.

ICG said it will pay for 20% of the construction costs by installment, with the rest paid on delivery of the ship. The firm said it would use credit facilities to finance the cruise ferry and that the pre-delivery installments to FSG will be protected by bank guarantees.

Planning on getting to Britain in 2018? Now is your chance to get ahead of the rush and snap up this great offer, just book by January 23rd to get your 20% off! Travel from January right up to August 31st 2018. https://t.co/YRaMVP5U95 #TravelTogether pic.twitter.com/XkDD9ypSs0  Irish Ferries (@Irish_Ferries) December 20, 2017

The new ship will follow the delivery of another new ship announced last year, the WB Yeats, which will cost 144m. The 165m cruise ferry is being built specifically for Dublin to Holyhead services and will replace the Ulysses, which in turn will replace the vessel Epsilon on the Dublin to Cherbourg and Holyhead sailings.

The 144m WB Yeats will operate full-time on the direct Ireland to France route alongside the MV Oscar Wilde, ICG added.

There was no breakdown of Irish Ferries market share in the Irish Sea, but CSO statistics revealed that in 2016, some 2.7m passengers used Irish ferry ports, with Dublin handling almost two-thirds of all passengers, while the busiest route was Dublin-Holyhead.

Irish Ferries operates Rosslare to Pembroke as well as Dublin to Holyhead, while it sails to Cherbourg and Roscoff in France.

In December, ICG said it had refinanced its debt, with five-year revolving credit provided by AIB and Bank of Ireland.

The finance deal includes a drawing limit of 75m and an additional so-called uncommitted limit of 50m. It added that a 12-year term loan of 75m provided by the European Investment Bank would be available on delivery of the WB Yeats.

It also has private loan note shelf agreements with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Pricoa Capital Group. ICG chief executive Eamonn Rothwell said the 315m investment in the new ships underpins the confidence the group has in the markets in which we operate. The firm in August reported a 3.7% rise in revenues to 156m for the first half of the year. It said at the time that the delivery of its latest passenger vessel in 2018 would generate cost savings.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Air said it had achieved its key growth targets in 2018, including its first South American flight from London Gatwick to Argentinian capital Buenos Aires. The airline also operates transatlantic flights from Cork, Dublin, Belfast, and Shannon.

It said it would add Chicago and Austin in Texas to its list of new destinations, and did not outline further plans for its Irish bases.

It has been speculated that Norwegian Air would launch new routes from Cork to Stewart International Airport in New York, in addition to its Cork flight to Providence in Rhode Island.The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) today raised 4bn through the syndicated sale of a new 10-year benchmark Treasury Bond maturing in May 2028.

The funds were raised at a yield of 0.944%.Pressure is mounting on the European Commission not to make any further concessions on beef to the Mercusor group of South American countries when trade talks resume next month, writes Ray Ryan.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed recently stressed that he and his officials have been active in highlighting the potentially very damaging effects of a Mercosur deal on European agriculture and on the beef industry in particular.

He said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar raised the matter in the course of recent meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

No agreement on a deal has been finalised although the commission did make an offer to Mercosur during the October round of negotiations which included a tariff rate quota (TRQ) for beef.

I was deeply disappointed that the commission decided to submit this beef TRQ offer, as I believe that this could not be coming at a worse time for the EU beef sector, he said.

Mr Creed said there is a need for continued vigilance in relation to the conduct of these trade negotiations.

I will continue to insist that they are handled appropriately, and in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector, he said.

Irish Farmers Association president Joe Healy said an analysis had shown that increased imports from Mercosur would affect EU beef prices by up to 16%, at a cost of 5bn a year. Due to our export dependence, the impact on Ireland would be greater, potentially costing between 500m to 750m.

he said.

Mr Healy said Irish and European farmers are required to meet the highest food safety and environmental standards in the world.If transport capacity to and from the island of Ireland is a measure of economic activity, then we are set for period of expansion in 2018, writes Joe Gill.

Airlines, in particular, and ferry companies, have laid out plans to raise the frequency and number of craft and vessels serving Irish airports and seaports. This should pave the way for a further boost in economic activity and another shot in the arm for tourism.Flight numbers are rising to a number of countries.

The US market will benefit from particular expansion by Aer Lingus, Norwegian and other carriers. The Gulf airlines are adding frequency to their mega hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Turkish Airlines will grow its Istanbul connections, while Cathay Pacific is opening a new Hong Kong route.A number of carriers are growing links between Ireland and other European countries too.

At sea, ICGs Irish Ferries is increasing its capacity.

The effective mushrooming of transport links throws off a number of economic benefits. Exporters and importers will have a wider range of choice.

At the airports and seaports, activity levels will rise, boosting employment and business for service providers such as taxis, hotels and bus operators.

Exit data from 2017 shows that construction activity, particularly in housing, is set to materially advance in 2018. Inward investment is also growing.

The big fly in the ointment is Britain. As our largest trading partner the UK will continue to be  regardless of a soft or hard Brexit  a valuable partner for Ireland.

Economic data in November and December in the UK diverged sharply from that in Ireland. Consumer sentiment is sagging, investment levels have deteriorated, and many companies are in a holding pattern awaiting clarity on Brexit.

That points to a less than rosy trend for the British economy as 2018 unfolds.

Economic experts of all hues have been warning policymakers in the UK that the Brexit process will damage their economy. That has not stopped a succession of political gaffes.

The most visible measure of how the UK will be doing politically and economically is sterling. If the Brexit negotiations go badly expect further weakness. If there is a shift towards a more rational outcome, including the UK staying in the single market and customs union, then the currency should stabilise and even rally. For Irish exporters, the latter option is the preferable. Anything that helps confidence of UK consumers will benefit Irish enterprise too.

Joe Gill is director of corporate broking with Goodbody Stockbrokers. His views are personal.Ryanair saw its traffic grow last month.

In its December traffic statistics, the budget airline saw its traffic go up 3% to 9.3m customers.

It means passenger numbers for the airline for 2017 increased by 10% to 129 million customers.

Ryanairs Kenny Jacobs said: "Ryanairs December traffic grew by 3% to 9.3m customers, while our load factor jumped 1% to 95%, on the back of lower fares in December.

"Ryanair customers can look forward to even lower fares for 2018 and we urge all customers who wish to book their summer 2018 holidays to do so now on the website or mobile app."By Tom Tuite

A father-of-one charged over a botched raid at a pub in Dublin on New Years Day needed 30 stitches to his head and suffered two fractured ribs, a court has heard.

Gardai carried out the arrest after a man was detained by patrons at the Speaker Conolly pub in Firhouse.

The accused, Derek Foran, 33, from Allenton Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin had two black eyes, a bruise on his left cheek and his head and right hand were bandaged when he appeared in court today charged with attempted robbery of the pubs acting manager.

Dressed in runners, black trousers and a red hoodie with Animal written on the front, he has not yet indicated how he will plead.

He was brought to appear before Judge John King at Dublin District Court where Garda James Ward gave evidence of the arrest.

He also objected to bail citing the seriousness of the case as well as fears the accused would interfere with witnesses or would not turn up up to court.

Garda Ward said the man was arrested at the pub at 11.40pm on January 1 last under the Offences Against the State Act. He was charged at just after 8pm on Tuesday after which he made no reply, the court heard.

Garda Ward said he feared the accused would commit offences of a similar nature.

Defence counsel John Griffin pleaded for bail and said his client who did not address the court was unemployed and on social welfare. He told Judge King the man had one dependent and resided with his mother.

Judge King said the objection to bail was not very strong, however, he added that the accused was facing a serious charge and an independent surety would be required. He set bail in Mr Forans own bond of 300 with a 1,000 surety of which half must be lodged in cash.

He also ordered him to abide by a number of bail conditions suggested by Garda Ward.

Mr Foran was ordered to reside at his current address, abide by a 10pm to 6am curfew, sign on daily at Tallaght Garda station, have no contact with the injured party or any witnesses and to stay out of the Firhouse area.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail on these terms and will face his next hearing on January 9 at Cloverhill District Court.

The defence barrister said it was anticipated that his client would be able to take up bail. The judge also acceded to a defence request to recommend that Mr Foran would get necessary medical attention in custody.

Mr Griffin told the court the accused had two fractured ribs, a fractured finger and had needed 30 stitches to his head. He has appointments in the Eye and Ear hospital and Tallaght hospital later this week.

Legal aid was granted."It's an all too frequent situation in the court system ... and the community," he said. "Hopefully this is the last time we see him in this court."

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Goyette  who said he is 10 months clean  was sentenced to five years probation and 30 days in jail. When given the choice between serving eight weekends in jail or 30 days straight, he opted for straight time. He will also have to successfully complete felony drug treatment court.

In addition, Goyette was ordered to pay approximately $3,100 in restitution. He will begin making monthly $100 payments in March.

Also in court:

 An Auburn teen was sentenced Tuesday for illegally possessing a handgun, which he intended to sell for drugs.

In November, 19-year-old Matthew Stanley pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal sale of a firearm, both felonies. During his plea, he admitted to stealing a friend's operable 9 mm handgun and ammunition, which he planned to trade for marijuana.Sinn Fein is being criticsed for selling IRA memorabilia on its website.

The party's official online shop has t-shirts with slogans such as 'Tiocfaidh ar la' and 'IRA - Undefeated Army'.

However, Fine Gael Senator Joe O'Reilly says the items undermine Sinn Fein's commitment to peace.

He said: "I think that the entire justification of violence now, and justification of the IRA campaign... that when you retrospectively justify that campaign now, you implicitly - and you by extension - feed into the dissident agenda - feed into the view that if so much is achieved in the past, this should continue into the future.

"I think a political party has to abandon this kind of thing, and I think it's important it stops.

"There's a cohort of young males who have not experienced The Troubles, who have not been part of a generation that knew violence - and this has the potential to influence them, it has the potential to put them on that road.

"I don't think there's a justification for that kind of thing in the present context at the present time".

"I think it's important as they propose to enter government, as they go on with the politicisation and involvement with democratic politics, it is important that they for their sake - and indeed for the wider sake of our community - that they abandon these.

"I think it's important that the glorification of violence through a potentially vulnerable section of people is stopped; I think it's important that a kind of a retrospective justification of violence is not fed into supporting the current dissident agenda".

"If you like it's evolutionary, it's an important staging post and I think it should be done".Update 4pm: Detectives investigating the murder of a Japanese man during a series of random attacks in Dundalk, Co Louth have said terrorism is one line of inquiry.

An 18-year-old Egyptian man has been arrested on suspicion of the knife murder and subsequent assaults on two local men - one with a knife and one with a fence pole.

Gardai have not established a definite motive for the violent spree in the Avenue Road area around 9am this morning, but Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan said a potential terror link was being investigated.

He said this mornings attacks in Louth appear to be "random and unprovoked".

The first of these attacks happened at 9am this morning when a 24-year-old Japanese man was stabbed on Avenue Road in Dundalk.

He died from his injuries.

About half an hour later emergency services were alerted that another man had been stabbed at Coes Road.

The scene of the fatal attack on Avenue Road, Dundalk this morning. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins

Another man was attacked with a pole at Seatown Place just minutes later.

A member of An Garda Siochana then saw a man carrying a pole and behaving in an erratic manner nearby on Inner Relief Road.

"A terror attack is a line of inquiry," said Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan.

"It is certainly a line that we would look at. We will endeavour to establish the suspect's background, who they are and where they have come from and why are they here.

"Those are the very important questions we are endeavouring to ask and answer. And as to why the attacks took place, why an innocent bystander going about their work would be attacked in the middle of Dundalk in the morning slightly before 9am."

The scene of the fatal attack on Avenue Road, Dundalk this morning. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins

Mr Mangan declined to confirm whether a potential mental health link was another line of inquiry.

He said the suspect had come into contact with gardai on January 1 when inquiries about his immigration status were conducted.

The senior officer said he believed the teenager was seeking asylum in the Irish Republic.

Gardai are unsure how long the suspect has been in Ireland.

He is being held at Dundalk Garda Station this evening and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

The series of attacks started when the Japanese man was fatally stabbed on Avenue Road shortly before 9am.

Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan speaking at Dundalk Garda Station. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

An Irish man was stabbed a short time later on nearby Coes Road. At 9.40am gardai received a report that another local man was attacked with a fence pole at Seatown Place. Neither of the two Irish victims sustained serious injuries.

The suspect was arrested at around 9.45am on Inner Relief Road in Dundalk. He has been detained at Dundalk Garda Station.

Mr Mangan said he believed the perpetrator was on foot and the victims were selected at random.

"There is nothing to suggest whatsoever that any of these people involved in the attack and the subsequent assaults were known to each other," he said.

"It would certainly appear to be random and unprovoked."

He said there was no evidence that anyone assisted the attacker.

Mr Mangan said gardai were making efforts to contact the dead man's relatives.

"It is going to be very, very hard for the family," he said.

"They have someone over here working and the next thing they get attacked and killed in a foreign country."

He said the investigation would have an international dimension and gardai would be liaising with the authorities in Egypt.

Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Justice Jim OCallaghan said: "Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan needs to clarify as to what extent this person was known to the authorities, what his status in the country was and whether he traveled to another EU country prior to his arrival in Ireland."

Councillor Ruairi O Murchu lives close to the scene of the attack in Avenue Road.

He said there was major concern among local people.

"The community is in shock," said the Sinn Fein representative.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the person killed and those that have been injured."

Update - 1.09pm: Gardai are trying to establish a motive for a number of stabbings in Co. Louth.

A 24-year-old man has been killed and two others injured in the attacks in Dundalk.

An 18-year-old man, originally from Egypt, has been arrested.

Just before 9am this morning, a 24-year-old Japanese man was attacked and stabbed on Avenue Road in Dundalk. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other people - believed to be Irish - were subsequently stabbed or assaulted nearby but the extent of their injuries are not known.

Two sniffer dogs have been examining the scene on Avenue Road.

12.09pm: Man stabbed to death in Dundalk, two others injured

Gardai have confirmed that two other people have been injured in an attack in Dundalk in which a man was stabbed to death this morning.

The victim of this attack is understood to be Asian and was stabbed just before nine this morning on Avenue Road in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Two other people were also hurt in the stabbing but the extent of their injuries are not known.

A man, believed to be from the Middle East, has been arrested and brought to Dundalk Garda Station for questioning.

Gardai are now working to try establish a motive for this stabbing and if the victims knew the attacker each other or if it was a random attack.

10.05am: Man stabbed to death in Dundalk, others injured

Gardai say they are at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Co Louth.

Thay have said a man was been pronounced dead at the scene of the incident in Dundalk which happened shortly before 9am this morning.

They also said a number of other people were injured in the incident.

One man has been arrested and is being held in Dundalk Garda Station.

Officers are preserving three scenes for technical examination: Avenue Road, Inner Relief Road and Seatown.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.2017 was a record year for tax revenues with the government taking in 50.7bn.

It leaves an Exchequer surplus of almost 2bn, a year-on-year improvement of 3bn.

Proceeds from the state's sale of AIB are largely to thank for the surplus last year.

Exchequer Returns for 2017 show "continued strengthening and improvement in the economy", according to the Finance Minister.

The end-December 2017 Exchequer Returns released today show an Exchequer surplus of 1.909bn.

The figure comes as a year-on-year improvement of 2.927bn.

Minister Paschal Donohoe welcomed the returns.

"Today's Exchequer returns [...] represent a very solid performance and clearly underscores the improving economy. This in turn translates into strong revenues which is funding our delivery of public services and investment in key infrastructure," he said.

"This, in turn, translates into strong revenues which is funding our delivery of public services and investment in key infrastructure," he added.

The underlying deficit of 1.525bn gives an underlying year-on-year improvement of 1.093bn.

Tax revenues were up 6% year-on-year to 50.7bn on profile.

Reflecting our broadly-based recovery, all tax headings have recorded annual growth, with overall receipts now 60% above our 2010 low point," he said.

The Minister said an increase in gross voted expenditure reflected the Government's commitment to meet housing pressures.

On the spending side, gross voted expenditure at 58.6 billion is up 4.6% reflecting the Governments commitment to deliver services that meet critical social and economic needs," Minister Donohoe added.

"Demonstrating this Governments priority to meeting our housing pressures, gross voted expenditure by the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government is up 52% year-on-year," he said.

This fiscal outturn provides a good platform to start 2018. However, we remain vigilant to the potential challenges we face, including Brexit. We will continue careful management of the public finances, including the focus on reducing our debt burden and continuation with competitiveness-oriented policies."

Labour's Finance Spokesperson also welcomed the surplus but said it highlighted a need to increase targeted investment to tackle crises in health and housing.

"The Exchequer surplus of nearly 2 billion is good news, and flattered by the sale of AIB shares, but it stands in stark contrast to the ongoing crisis in housing, health and the damage caused by recent floods," Joan Burton said.

"Leprechaun economics continues to haunt Ireland as Minister Donohoe sits on his pot of gold while public services urgently need investment," she added.

She said recent storms showed the Government had failed to "dequately build and invest in flood defences and climate proof our economy is causing huge disruption".

Economics experts at Davy Research said the figures put the Government within touching distance of budget surplus.

It expects the deficit to equal 0.3% of GDP in 2017, falling to 0.2% in 2018.

Davy raised concern over the increased reliance on corporation tax, now accounting for 16% of tax revenues and driving much of the tax outperformance.

"The volatility of corporation tax adds uncertainty to the Governments revenue base as demographic and infrastructure pressures significantly add to spending in the coming years," it said.

Expenditure related to the General Government Deficit ended the year 162m, or 0.2%, below profile, according to Davy.

The outperformance has been driven by lower EU budget contributions and debt interest costs adding up to 590m in savings against profile, offsetting an overspend in voted current (436m, +0.8%) and capital (44m, +1%) spending; however, these over-runs were broadly absorbed in supplementary estimates in Budget 2018.Update 6.44pm: Communities along the south and southwest coasts are being warned about the risk of flooding from Storm Eleanor tonight and tomorrow.

The warning follows last night's severe flooding in Galway city.

Meanwhile, ESB Networks said most homes and businesses should have power restored by tonight.

"Towns along south and south-west coasts remain at risk because of the arrival of strong winds allied with high tides," according to Chair of the National Emergency Coordination Group Sean Hogan.

This coupled with particular wind directions "poses a real threat of further flooding".

There is a status yellow wind warning for Munster, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow in place for tomorrow between 3am and 1pm.

It will see gusts of up to 110km/hr.

Continuing windy for a time with heavy showers over the northern half of the country with risk of thundery downpours. However, a spell of heavy rain will spread into the far southwest this evening and winds will decrease fresh later. pic.twitter.com/2mTm5eZ1KU  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

Update 5.23pm: Storm Eleanor: 6,500 homes and businesses without power, more floods and high winds expected

ESB has restored power to 148,000 customers who lost power during Storm Eleanor.

However, 6,500 homes and businesses remain without power.

ESB said 2,000 of these are from the original storm while high winds and lightning, mainly in the Midwest, resulted in the remaining 4,500 outages.

Damage to Doolin Pier, Co Clare. Photo: Press 22

"We expect that all but small pockets of ESB Networks customers will have their power restored this evening," it said.

Further outages are expected as high winds and rains are forecasted tomorrow.

Real time information on power outages and restoration times is available on the PowerCheck App or on ESBPowerCheck.ie

Update 4.55pm: Local authorities were warned about Storm Eleanor, says MurphyAll local authorities were given warnings about Storm Eleanor but it was up to them to warn the public, according to the Minister for Housing.

Thats according to the Housing Minister who attended the National Emergency Coordination Group earlier.

While attending the National Emergency Coordination Group earlier, Minister Eoghan Murphy was asked about criticism from some in Galway that they were not adequately prepared.

He said it was the responsibility of local authorities to work based on warnings provided to them.

"We have very sophisticated modelling techniques to look at different storm events as they come in, but we can't predict all of the vagueries of weather," he said.

"Sometimes things will happen that weren't predicted in the models. Warnings were given to local authorities by both my Department and Met Eireann," the Minister added.

"It is for local authorities then to work based on the warnings that are given. Sometimes, though, we won't be able to predict everything that has happened and, very unfortunately, a number of businesses have been hit in Galway.

"We are there now with the supports in place to help those businesses get back up and running," he said.

Update 3.52pm: Storm Eleanor: More floods and high winds expected on coasts as ESB work to restore power for 16,000

Authorities have warned of the possibility of localised coastal flooding in Atlantic counties over the next two days of high tides.

Rainfall amounts were predicted to be between 10-20mm countrywide, with Galway and Donegal possibly receiving amounts of 25-30mm in what is described as "packing showers".

There is another system of low pressure moving towards Ireland which is expected Wednesday into Thursday which is being monitored by Met Eireann.

Overall 150,000 homes, farms and businesses suffered a loss in electricity supply as a result of Storm Eleanor on Tuesday evening, predominantly in counties Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Monaghan.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.

Update - 12.49pm: People living along south and west coasts are being urged that further bad weather is forecast for tonight and tomorrow night which could cause flooding.

Up 16,000 homes are still without power, which the ESB hopes to restore by tonight, but high winds forecast for tonight might cause further outages.

The National Emergency Coordination Group has been meeting this morning, to discuss the response.

Its chair, Sean Hogan has some advice for people along the south and west coasts.

He said: "The message for people along the coast is you always need to take care in these conditions and close to the coast there are dangerous condition for pedestrians and motorists.

"People will have to have regard to the weather condisiotns wherever you are."

Pictured after a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) this morning in Dublin is Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy.

Meanwhile, in Cork the council is advising that there is a risk of flooding on Morrisons Island, Union Quay, Wandesford Quay and Crosses Green in the city today.

Cork City Council said for people to be aware of the risk between 5.30pm and 7pm this evening, and between 6am and 8am tomorrow morning due to high tides, and potentially high winds.

Cork City Council will continue to monitor the situation.

12.10pm: 16,000 still without power as Storm Eleanor lashes the country

16,000 homes, farms and businesses that lost supply during Storm Eleanor remain without power this afternoon. ESB Networks has restored power to 134,000 customers overnight, and is continuing its efforts in wet and windy conditions.

Those still without power are mostly in counties Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Monaghan.

ESB Networks says fallen trees on overhead lines were responsible for most of the damage to the network.

A further 5,000 customers lost supply this morning due to lightning and high winds, mostly in the midwest.

ESB Networks has said they are hopeful that all of those who lost power as a result of Storm Eleanor will be back online by tonight.

A man clears seaweed from drains on Salthill Promenade, Galway today. Picture: PA

More high winds are rain are expected tomorrow, and ESB Networks warned this make further outages likely.

ESB networks issued a warning to ay member of the public who may come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network to "never, ever touch or approach these as they are live and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1850 372 999."

Real time information on power outages and restoration times is available on the PowerCheck App.

Update - 10.39am: Storm Eleanor rips roof off Harland and Wolff factory building

A sizeable chunk of a factory roof at one of Northern Ireland's major businesses has been ripped off by Storm Eleanor.

The mammoth mobile building at Harland and Wolff (H&W) Heavy Industries in east Belfast was not in use at the time.

It was intended for painting projects, a spokesman for the company said.

H&W was once one of the world's leading shipbuilders - it built the Titanic - and currently focuses on offshore energy and steel fabrication.

The spokesman said the damage affected the outer skin of the roof.

The Harland and Wolff building swith its roof off. Pic via Paul Semple on Twitter.

9.29am: Storm Eleanor: Support announced for storm-hit businesses as crews work to restore power for 27,000

The number of homes and businesses still affected was estimated at 27,000 this morning.

ESB Networks operations manager Derek Hynes has said 10,000 were left without power in Co Mayo overnight.

Pictures from Galway city centre yesterday evening showed cars ploughing through high water and business owners struggling to protect their properties.

Rescuers waded through knee-high water.

One car bobbed in the high coastal waters and drivers attempted to reach safe ground.

Mini car driving through flood water in Salthill, Galway, last night. Pic via The Latin Quarter Galway

A meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group was due this morning.

An ESB statement said: "The number of customers out now stands at 27,000, with 10,000 of those customers in Mayo, the worst impacted county.

"ESB Networks teams have now restored power to 123,000 customers, and are working in difficult conditions to get the remaining customers still without power back by tonight.

"ESB Networks crews in less impacted areas are on the move this morning to the worst impacted counties."

They are being urged to report damage to the electricity network on 1850- 372-999.

People can also report power outages here.

The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, has announced a scheme to provide emergency assistance for small businesses affected by flooding.

Towns in Ireland have been worst affected by #StormEleanor, flooding homes and businesses in Cork, Galway and Limerick pic.twitter.com/ar6BMYq0WD  PA Media (@PA) January 3, 2018

The scheme will cover businesses with up to 20 employees, sports clubs and community organisations unable to secure flood insurance.

Similar to previous flooding incidents, the scheme will be administered by the Irish Red Cross with the details being made available on their website shortly.

Minister Kehoe said "The Government has moved to have this scheme operational as quickly as possible and in a manner which is designed to be straight forward to best assist those who have been affected.

"The Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the scheme."

The scheme is a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning business, sport and community premises to their pre-flood condition.

This will include the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.

However the scheme will not provide a contribution to loss of earnings or loss of business good-will.

7.31am: Storm Eleanor: 27,000 still without power as storm 'will continue to pack a punch' today

27,000 ESB customers are still without power this morning after storm Eleanor hit yesterday.

There are reports of fallen trees and debris on many roads.

Met Eireann's Siobhan Ryan says we have not seen the last of storm Eleanor yet.

National Forecast 3rd of January 2018 pic.twitter.com/YSiYk1FJA9  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

She said: "It will continue to pack a punch, particularly along the Atlantic coastline, and together with high tides and exceptionally high seas we are still going to see the ongoing risk of coastal damage and flooding.

"Damaging gusts are astill possible further inland where a Yellow Wind warning is operational up until 14.00 hours today."

In Galway, there are fears that high winds and high tides could cause more flooding in the city today.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group will meet later to discuss the response to Storm Eleanor.

The Defence Forces say they have already sent a dozen soldiers to Galway to help.

Galway city councillor Padraig Conneely says businesses are doing their best to prepare.

Some of the flooding in Galway overnight. Pic via Emma Hayward.

He said: "Now if there's going to be awind there, there's going to be a devastating effect. They are now desperate to get the sandbags and batten down the hatches."

The local council is being criticised for failing to prepare for Storm Eleanor.

Dramatic #StormEleanor flooding footage from Salthill and Fr Griffin Road in Galway.



(Video: Joe OShaughnessy, @CTribune) pic.twitter.com/ftlnCe1P1U  Enda Cunningham (@endacunningham) January 2, 2018

The city was the worst affected by flooding caused by the storm.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection says its staff will be available from early this morning to support householders in areas like Galway.

Councillor Conneely says council officials could have done more.

He said: "It's one thing looking into a computer and sitting up in City Hall and watching it on a computer, the other thing is being on the ground.

"They don't seem to be on the ground, they weren't on the ground. People are very critical, can't get through to City Hall, can't get sandbags.

"The preparation didn't seem to be there."

Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of Michael Scott showing the floods in Galway.

6.22: Storm Eleanor: Around 55,000 without power as Ireland hit by high winds and floods

Met Eireann is warning that dangerous conditions and more coastal flooding is likely in the wake of Storm Eleanor.

Tens of thousands of people are still without power after high winds and coastal flooding caused chaos along the west coast.

The clean-up is continuing this morning after Storm Eleanor brought chaos, knocked out power to 55,000 people and caused severe damage.

Road users are being advised to watch out for fallen trees and surface water when travelling on roads this morning.

All Irish Rail routes are operating, following flooding on the Limerick to Ennis line and at Waterford station last night.

Extremely windy if not stormy for a time today, with westerly winds bringing damaging gusts. Coastal damage and further flooding along the Atlantic coastline. Squally thundery downpours too, with surface flooding, becoming confined to the northwest later. Highs of 7 to 10 C.  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

Aer Lingus has confirmed two flights between Dublin and London Heathrow, and another two between Cork and Heathrow have been cancelled today as the storm reaches the UK.

All passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.

Much of the worst damage is in Galway where several homes and businesses in the city centre were under water last night leaving homes and businesses under water and drivers stranded.

High tide brings the risk of more flooding this morning.

Flooding hit Galway city, Salthill, Oranmore and Clarinbridge as high tides combined with gales gusting to 130kmh during rush hour. Some cars were abandoned in Oranmore as roads were blocked while others in a car park in Salthill were partially submerged. Trees, branches and other flying debris were reported as having brought down power lines and poles.

ESB Networks said that counties worst affected included Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.

Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of Emma Hayward showing the floods in Galway.

In Gort, Co Galway households were warned about potential disruption to water supplies after power cuts hit the local pumping station.

In Galway, streets around the docks were flooded after high tides breached defences and inundated the areas around the Spanish Arch, Claddagh, Dominick Street, Quay Street and nearby streets. Water was more than one foot deep in places.

Emergency utility numbers for #StormEleanor , remember never approach fallen lines, always call for help @ESBNetworks @GasNetIrl pic.twitter.com/9XWHjh2Eht  Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 2, 2018

The Coast Road from the city to Oranmore was also impassable at rush hour as high tide combined with the strong winds to cause local flooding. There were also reports of spot flooding on the N85 Ennis to Ennistymon road in Co Clare.

Irish Water said ESB crews were on site but it would take several hours to get supplies back up again.

"We ask customers in the Gort area who have a mains water supply to conserve their water until the electricity supply is restored and the pumping station is back in full production," said a spokeswoman.

Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @gneote showing the River Shannon bursting its banks at Bishops Quay, Limerick.

ESB Networks said its crews were working to get people reconnected "where it is safe to do so".

"Aiming to restore as many customers as possible tonight, they will deploy again before first light tomorrow," a spokesman said.

"Further damage to the electricity network can be expected in north Leinster as the storm tracks east. Fallen trees on overhead lines are responsible for most of the damage to the network."

Met Eireann is appealing to the public to remain vigilant with exceptionally high seas and a Status Orange wind warning in place along all western coastal counties until 2pm this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Government's National Emergency Co-Ordination Group will meet to discuss the impact of the storm later.

Now THAT....is a high tide in Cork. Touching the road at St Patrick's Quay ...#12hourtweet #StormEleanor pic.twitter.com/bMxwVy5r1b  Richard Jacob (@idahocafe) January 2, 2018

In Northern Ireland about 21,000 customers, mainly across the border counties, were facing cuts to electricity supplies for the a night.

NI Electricity said the number of reported power outages will increase through the night.

Julia Carson, NIE Networks communications manager, said: "We advise customers to keep mobile phones charged and have batteries available for torches in case they experience power cuts.

"NIE Networks will be working into the night to do all that we can to restore electricity supplies to our customers as quickly and safely as we can.

"Safety is paramount and there are some areas where the high wind speeds may impact on our ability to assess the damage and carry out repairs."The commander of a German paramilitary unit which ended the 1977 hijacking of a plane by Palestinian militants has died aged 88.

Ulrich Wegener was the first commander of the GSG-9 unit, created in response to German security services' failure to prevent the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.A homeless man who was hailed a hero in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing in the UK has admitted stealing a purse and mobile phone from stricken victims of the attack.

Horrific CCTV footage played in court showed Chris Parker wandering between stricken and dying victims left bleeding on the floor.

He repeatedly returned to Pauline Healey, whose granddaughter lay dying nearby, before leaning over her body and taking her handbag to steal her purse.

Parker, 33, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to two counts of theft and one of fraud.

Within hours of taking the purse of Mrs Healey, who was injured in the blast, he was using her bank card at a local McDonald's.

He failed to turn up in court in England yesterday and was found hiding in the loft of a house in Halifax, West Yorkshire, where he was arrested.

Parker pleaded not guilty to five counts relating to attempted theft of a coat and bag discarded in the chaos and the use of Mrs Healey's bank cards in the days after the attack.

Prosecutors have not pursued these charges after his guilty pleas.

Louise Brandon, prosecuting, said: "By his pleas he's admitted stealing items belonging to victims of the attack on the arena and using a bank card thereafter. I do not seek a trial on the remaining counts."

John Broadley, defending, asked for pre-sentence reports on Parker, who has a string of previous convictions, dating from 2000 to February of last year, including the theft of a purse from a woman and numerous shoplifting and burglary offences.

Judge David Hernandez remanded Parker in custody for sentence on January 30, adding a custodial sentence is "most likely".

After his arrest Parker had been remanded in custody at HMP Manchester but was unable to leave his cell because of death threats from fellow inmates.

The rough sleeper had received global acclaim and was hailed a hero after claiming to have helped comfort injured and dying victims moments after suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated his home-made device.

But CCTV footage told a different story.

The grim footage showed how he preyed on Mrs Healey, as her granddaughter Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, lay dying nearby, and stole the phone of another victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Sorrell Leczkowski.

Mr Broadley said: "He's tendered these pleas and all he can do in the circumstances is first of all plead guilty and apologise for his appalling behaviour that evening."

Prosecutors said it was clear the defendant provided "some limited assistance" to people injured at the entrance to the venue's foyer.

But it was the Crown's case that he "equally" took the opportunity to commit the thefts in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity.

Mrs Healey, along with her granddaughter and Samantha, Sorrell's mother, had gone to the foyer of the Manchester Arena to meet friends and had not themselves attended the Ariana Grande concert.

The grandmother later underwent 15 hours of surgery to remove shrapnel from her body and also suffered multiple compound fractures to her arms and legs, while Sorrell's mother was also seriously injured.

Sorrell, who was a pupil at Allerton High School in Leeds, was hoping to be an architect and wanted to study at Columbia University in New York.

In a 20-minute compilation of CCTV footage from the arena, too graphic to be released, the defendant is seen going in and out of the foyer, walking around various parts of the entrance.

The footage begins with scenes of crowds leaving the arena visibly flinching as the bomb detonates and a second later terrified concert-goers putting their hands to their mouths and running.

Moments later people gingerly return to the smoke-logged bomb scene and though the footage is pixelated, it is clear there are bodies strewn across the area.

There are also pools of blood and what appear to be body parts and pixelated mounds of people, not moving.

Parker, carrying a rucksack on his back and wearing a woolly cap, is seen walking around, clearly agitated, either looking at his phone or with it to his ear, as dazed people wander around.

The defendant appears to go to the aid of one woman, crouching down as she sits up.

Police and what appear to be arena staff in hi-visibility jackets then appear before more police arrive en masse.

He also speaks to one bewildered young girl, comforting her along with a police officer. The youngster's mother is believed to be one of the fatalities.

Armed police arrive, along with arena staff and paramedics, the floor showing signs of bloody footprints, as they get to work tending to the injured.

Parker walks out of the foyer before returning to Mrs Healey, with two bodies on the floor beside her, reaching over her to take her bag, as paramedics and police work on resuscitating victims close by.

He eventually leaves as more and more paramedics arrive and the area becomes strewn with medical equipment.

Parker was also caught on a stairwell and comes across a random coat, picking it up to shake it to see if there are any contents in the pockets.A claim by online dating service eHarmony that it used a "scientifically proven matching system" has been banned in the UK after it could offer no evidence that customers had a significantly greater chance of finding lasting love.

A billboard ad for the website on a London Underground platform seen in July said: "Step aside, fate. It's time science had a go at love."

It went on: "Imagine being able to stack the odds of finding lasting love entirely in your favour. EHarmony's scientifically proven matching system decodes the mystery of compatibility and chemistry so you don't have to. Why leave the most important search of your life to chance?"

Lord Lipsey, who lodged the complaint that triggered the ruling and is also the joint chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Statistics and a former lay member of the UK's Advertising Standards Authority's (ASA) council, said: "Phrases like 'scientifically proven' should be confined to claims that are just that, not used in crude puffery designed to lure in those longing for love.

"This is a new form of fake news which the ASA has rightly slapped down."

The website said it used an algorithm based on scientific theories in the relationship literature of assortative mating that required users to complete lengthy questionnaires to determine their personality traits, values, interests and other factors.

Users were then matched to other individuals whose responses complemented their own preferences and matched a specific percentage of a list of personality factors that eHarmony determined to be vital in successfully matching people.

It said the algorithm was based on data collected from more than 50,000 married couples in 23 countries, resulting in statistical models which were associated with cut-off thresholds for scores that indicated a high probability of successful relationships if married.

The website submitted a granted patent for their algorithm to the ASA and also provided a copy of two published studies which it claimed reported higher levels of marital satisfaction for couples who met through eHarmony than any other offline or online source.

EHarmony believed consumers would interpret the ad to mean that its scientific approach could potentially work for them, and not that it would guarantee they would find lasting love or make connections.

The ASA said consumers would interpret the claim "scientifically proven matching system" to mean that scientific studies had found that the website offered users a significantly greater chance of finding lasting love than what could be achieved if they did not use the service.

It noted that neither of the studies provided by eHarmony revealed anything about the overall percentage of its users who had found lasting love after using the website compared to other sources.

Therefore, neither study provided insight into the likelihood of the website finding users lasting love compared to users who did not use the service.

The ASA said: "Because the evidence provided by eHarmony did not demonstrate that their matching system offered users a significantly greater chance of finding lasting love than what could be achieved if they didn't use the service, we concluded that the claim 'scientifically proven matching system' was misleading."

Romain Bertrand, managing director at eHarmony UK, said: "eHarmony was conceived on the premise that science and research could be harnessed to help people find love. For over 17 years, eharmony has been matching singles into high-quality, long-lasting relationships based upon sophisticated matching standards designed by PhD psychologists.

"Although we respectfully disagree with the ASA's findings, we are happy to work with them to assure that our advertising is as clear as possible."AUBURN  Virginia R. Coombes, 92, of Auburn, passed away Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 at the Commons on St. Anthony. Virginia was born in Auburn on Nov. 28, 1925; she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Jeanette Millier Coombes. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, painting and she loved to travel.

Virginia provided a loving home to her family; she is survived by her son, James (Liz) Golembeski, of Tully, N.Y., and her loving companion, Roberto SanMartin.

Virginia was predeceased by her daughter, Veronica Vicki Ledford.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4 at the White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South St., Auburn. Burial will be held in the spring in Lakeview Cemetery in Fleming.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.



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Digital EditorThe team is reported to have expressed its satisfaction over the marine product export procedure followed in the country and ruled out imposition of any fresh restriction in this regard. "It seems export procedures are properly in place (in India) and no new restrictions are expected from the EU, unless there is a sudden change, for example, an increase in Rapid Alerts at the EU border," said a UK-based trade ...

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US health regulator United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has issued a warning letter to German drug firm Fresenius Kabi AG for lapses at its drug manufacturing facility at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.

In a letter to the companys CEO Mats Henriksson summarising violations of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for finished pharmaceuticals, US FDA said it had conducted inspection of the Baddi facility from April 6 to 14, 2017. Your firm failed to thoroughly investigate any unexplained discrepancy or failure of a batch or any of its components to meet any of its specifications, whether or not the batch has already been distributed, FDA said.

While saying that it had reviewed companys May 10, 2017, response in detail and acknowledges receipt of its subsequent correspondence, US FDA asked the drug firm to provide plans and procedures to ensure that future sterility failure investigations included a more thorough review of long-term trends.

The regulator also asked Fresenius Kabi AG to ensure sufficient investigation of potential vulnerabilities in the manufacturing operation and potential correlations with past incidents.

The letter also said that in an inspection from May 14 to 22, 2015, FDA had cited a similar CGMP observation in which the firm invalidated sterility test failures without adequately investigating the root causes, and failed to take appropriate corrective actions.

Although you proposed remediations in your responses following the 2015 inspection, and discussed these plans during a 2016 regulatory meeting with the Agency, our current inspection found that your facilitys oversight and control over the manufacture of drugs remains deficient, it said.

US FDA said based upon the nature of the violations it strongly recommended enga-ging a consultant to assist the firm in meeting CGMP requirements.

The regulator said until the company corrects all violations completely and we confirm your compliance with CGMP, FDA may withhold approval of any new applications or supplements listing your firm as a drug manufacturer.

State of the State speeches are generally used by New York governors, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to outline their key policy and spending goals. It's a chance to sell the Legislature  and the public  on the executive vision for the year ahead.

What these speeches rarely offer are specifics, especially the most important detail with most proposals: How will it be funded?

We raise this fact to remind legislators and New Yorkers to keep today's State of the State speech in perspective. These remarks will be coming from a governor with 2020 presidential ambitions and with a 2018 re-election campaign ahead. He's trying to sound big and bold.

The problem is that New York is not in a great position to be either of those things  big or bold  right now.

The issue that our state elected officials must confront first and foremost this legislative session is closing an estimated $4 billion budget gap. That's the projected difference between revenues and expenses based on current trends, and it presents a huge challenge because it appears the only path toward balancing the spending plan is through spending cuts.Nearly 2,300 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh run the risk of losing their recognition for not submitting their details on the website of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Board, UP minority welfare minister said on Wednesday.

The state's minority welfare department is considering a proposal to treat these Islamic institutions as "fake", UP Minority Welfare Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, there are 19,108 madrassas, which have been recognised by the state Madrasa Board. Of these, 16,808 madrassas have submitted their information on the website of the board. There are no details submitted by nearly 2,300 madrassas," Chaudhary told PTI in an interview.

"Now where are these madrassas? We are considering them as fake. There is a possibility that action may taken against these madrassas by end of January," Chaudhary said.

However, he added, the state government will wait till month-end for the madrassas to furnish information on this regard.

"The government-recognised madrassas, which have not furnished their relevant details on the website can approach the government in case they face any difficulty. If they tell us their problems, we may help in resolving them," he said.

With that said, the minister also made it clear that no student of the registered madrassa will be deprived of the opportunity to appear for any examination.

"We had extended the last date for submission of details by madrassas on the web portal of the department a number of times. Dates were extended on July 15, 2017, July 30, 2017 and on August 15, 2017. But, surprisingly no student, teacher, principal or manager of any of the 2,300 madrassas approached us," Chaudhary said.

Taking a jibe at opposition parties for blaming the UP government and giving the matter a political twist, he said the aim of the government is to ensure proper education system in madrassas.

"The aim is to ensure there is no exploitation of teachers and other staff and that the scholarship is directly transferred to the account of the students," he said.

The minister noted that the present government has "effectively rendered the mafia useless" by putting a stop to the old practice of money being transferred from a district minority officer to the account of madrassa management.

He also pointed out a Rs 20 crore madrassa-related scam in Shahjahanpur district, adding that a vigilance probe has been ordered into it.

"It also came to our notice that one student was enrolled at more than one madrassa. Similarly, there were teachers who were relatives of the madrassa management members," the minority welfare minister said.

On the issue of non-disbursement of salaries to teachers of some madrassas, Chaudhary said: "In the state, there are 560 government-funded madrassas and the funds for these have reached the respective districts. In 46 madrassas, the disbursement of salary to 298 teachers and employees is affected for various reasons."



"The disputes pertain to that of management, recognition and building parameters. The director of the department has been asked to resolve the dispute within a month. Once the disputes are resolved, the salary will be disbursed," he said.

Chaudhary asserted that the intention of the government is not to stop the salary of anyone.

Meanwhile, registrar of Madrasa Board Rahul Gupta said, "The deadline to submit information on the departmental website has expired. As a result, the registration of 2,300 madrassas will be cancelled."



"This year, as many as 3,691 aaliya level (above class 8th) madrassas have been registered. Students of these madrassas will be allowed to sit in board examination. The last date to fill examination form is January 15," he said.

However, the Teachers' Association Madaris-e-Arabia (a body of madrassa teachers) demanded that before taking any action against madrassas, their background should be verified.

"We demand from the state government that it should seek information from the respective district minority officer as to how many madrassas have submitted their details to the office of district minority officer, and of these how many have submitted the information on the web portal.

"Only then a clear picture will emerge," Association general secretary Diwan Sahab Zama said.The Aam Aadmi Party today nominated Sanjay Singh, Sushil Gupta and N D Gupta as its Rajya Sabha nominees. While Singh has been associated with the party since its inception, Sushil Gupta is a Delhi-based businessman and N D Gupta a chartered accountant. The decision was taken at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in a meeting attended by around 56 party MLAs. The party's highest decision-making body, the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), met soon after and formally approved the decision. "Sushil Gupta has made big contributions in the education and health sectors in Delhi and Haryana.

He provides free education to 15,000 children. "Narayan Das Gupta is the former president of the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountant of India)," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters. Elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi would be held on January 16. The AAP, which enjoys a brute majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, is set to win all three seats.

Disgruntled leader Kumar Vishwas said he has been "punished" for speaking the truth after he was denied a Rajya Sabha nomination. Kumar Vishwas, who was angling for a RS slot, did not attend the PAC meeting though he is a member of the PAC. Expressing his dissatisfaction he said, "For the last one-and-a-half years, be it the PAC (Political Affairs Committee) or my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal's decision on issues like surgical strike, taking a soft stand on terrorists, his silence on ticket distribution and JNU... whatever truth I spoke, I have been punished today," Vishwas told the media here.

#WATCH: Kumar Vishwas talks to the media after announcement of AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees, says, 'In the form of punishment, I have been given an award for speaking the truth.' pic.twitter.com/xGoxpKvXZg  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Vishwas spoke derisively about Gupta.

"I congratulate Gupta for working with Manish Sisodia for the last 40 years, with Kejriwal for 12 years, with party workers for seven years and for party legislators for the last five years."

Clearly blaming Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the decision not to nominate him, he said nothing happens in the party without Kejriwal's consent. "It is impossible for anyone to survive in the party by speaking against you," he added.With the President's assent to the IIM Bill having come as a New Year surprise, the IIMs have initiated talks within themselves and with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) on the Act.

However, IIMs are of the view that the Act is not yet operational until rules framed by the MHRD and regulations formulated by respective IIM Boards are placed in the Parliament for approval. "Technically, the Bill is not yet operational until rules are framed by the Ministry of HRD and regulations are formulated by the respective IIM Boards, and to be placed in Parliament for ...Veteran SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday slammed the government over incidents of killing of security personnel in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and called for giving them a "free hand" to retaliate to cross border terrorism in the state.

Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, Yadav, a former Defence Minister, said repeated targeting of the armed forces by terrorists has affected their image globally and wondered whether the government was in a "dilemma" to deal with the problem of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Our soldiers are the best in the world. But now Pakistan is killing them. It is an insult to our armed forces. It is not a small issue. What is the government's dilemma? I have information that the armed forces have not been given free hand," Yadav said.

Yadav, who was defence minister between June, 1996 and March 1998 in the United Front government, was primarily referring to last week's Pulwama attack.

In a pre-dawn strike, five CRPF men were killed and three others injured when heavily-armed terrorists stormed the CRPF camp at Lethpora in Pulwama district on December 31. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

"Our soldiers are being killed almost regularly. The government must tell us why this is happening. The armed forces must be given full freedom to retaliate to Pakistan sponsored terrorism," said Yadav.

The Congress too had targeted the government yesterday over the terror attack on the CRPF camp, alleging that it has failed to protect military installations from cross-border terror strikes.

(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.)Two hundred years ago, the last battle of the Anglo-Maratha war was fought at Koregaon village on the banks of Bhima river near Pune. The battle marked the firm hold of the British Empire in India.

The British erected an obelisk at the battleground in the memory of the dead. It has 49 names, 22 of them are identified by their nak suffix as Mahars. It was construed as the testimony to the gallantry of Mahar soldiers, and was rightly used by the first batch of Mahar leaders such as Gopal Baba Walangkar, Shivram Janba Kamble and even Ramji Ambedkar, B R Ambedkars ...A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a $500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed "regret" over the decision just ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first visit to the country.

"Rafael has now received an official notification from India's Ministry of Defence concerning the cancellation of the Spike deal," Ishai David, a spokesman for the Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, told PTI here.

Spike, in use by 26 countries around the world, is said to have been selected by India after a long and rigorous process and after complying with all the defence procurement regulations.

"It should be emphasised that the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the contract and despite Rafael's compliance with all the demands," the company said in a statement.

"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," it added.

The company did not give a reason for the cancellation of the deal.

The cancellation comes days before Netanyahu's four-day visit to India starting January 14 and is likely to be taken up for discussion. Rafael's CEO would also be accompanying Netanyahu.

The company recently inaugurated its facilities in Hyderabad where the project was to be executed but company sources said that it is "designed to accommodate a number of other projects Rafael is engaged in with its Indian partners".

As per the original proposal, India had planned to acquire the ATGMs for the Army at a cost of $500 million.

The Indian defence ministry has been strongly pushing for transfer of technology in procuring various weapons and other platforms from foreign defence majors as part of its broad policy initiative to encourage domestic defence industry.

Official sources in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the proposal to acquire the missile system faced hurdles when the Israeli side apparently expressed reservations in ensuring full transfer of technology as per the provisions of the 'Make in India' initiative.Chinese road-building teams entered around one kilometre inside Indian territory in Tuting area of Arunachal Pradesh last week but returned after being confronted by Indian troops, government sources said today.

The sources said the civilian teams came for track alignment activities and returned when confronted by the Indian troops, leaving behind various road building equipment including excavators. According to local villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese team members included civilians as well as uniformed personnel.

The incident took place on December 28, nearly four months after the end of the 73-day long Doklam standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim sector.

The sources said on December 28, Indian border patrolling personnel observed few Chinese civilians undertaking track alignment activity one kilometre inside the Indian territory in Tuting area.

They maintained there was "no face off" between the two sides and that the issue is being resolved through an established mechanism.

The government sources said the road building equipment are lying on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

According to local villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese soldiers were involved in road construction work in the area and that Indian security personnel intercepted them near Bising village under Tuting subdivision.

The villagers said Indian soldiers confronted their Chinese counterparts and seized their road construction machines including two excavators.

Nyomin Tekseng of Zido village near the frontier and Pema Nyisir of Gelling village said that two excavators have been confiscated.

"The road cutting is also clearly visible from the right bank of Siang river at Gelling which is about 7-8 km by aerial distance from the site.

Indian and Chinese troops had pitched tents at the freshly cut road and had erected a boulder wall," Nyisir said.

The villagers informed a local policeman, who in turn alerted the ITBP deployed in Medog, near Bishing.

The ITBP personnel reached the spot and asked the Chinese personnel to return.

There was reportedly an exchange of words but the Chinese refused to yield.

The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay.

Though the site is part of the ITBP's area of responsibility, there is a heavy deployment of the army in the region.

When contacted, Upper Siang DC Duli Kamduk said, "Our officials in Tuting subdivision have not reported any Chinese incursion."

State's chief secretary in-charge Marnya Ete said he had no such information.Sporadic incidents of violence paralysed parts of Maharashtra in a day-long state-wide shutdown called by various Dalit parties on Wednesday amid tight security.

Dalit activists jumped on railway tracks, shouting slogans and waved flags to attempt rail-blockades at various stations in Thane and Palghar districts, but were prevented by the security forces.

Community members thronged Dahisar checkpost, the critical entry point to Mumbai and staged a road blockade, preventing traffic movement in both directions.

Stones were pelted at vehicles in parts of Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Powai, Bhandup, Chembur, Govandi and Andheri East in Mumbai and parts of Navi Mumbai.

Schools and colleges were open in Mumbai but most students remained absent.

Aurangabad University rescheduled exams as candidates could not make it to the centres, while internet services were suspended in the global tourist hotspot.

The University of Mumbai cancelled nine scheduled examinations.

Although many taxi-auto rickshaw unions supported the shutdown, Mumbai's suburban trains and the BEST (Bombay Electric Supply and Transport) bus services were plying -- albeit with hiccups.

Buses parked at a depot following the bandh called by Dalit groups against the Bhima Koregaon violence, in Karad (Photo: PTI)

Incidents of violence and blockage of rail tracks at various locations on the Western Railway (WR), Central Railway (CR) and its Harbour Line kept disrupting the suburban network at regular intervals, while only four of the 12 services of the newly-introduced air-conditioned local trains could be operated.

The dabbawalas also cancelled their services for the day.

Meanwhile, at least 40 BEST buses were damaged in stone-pelting incidents in different parts of Mumbai.

Many shops and establishments also opened in the city and suburbs but downed shutters some hours later.

The shutdown evoked greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near-total shutdown, as did the Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.

The busy Mumbai-Pune highway was blocked for nearly an hour.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) suspended buses in sensitive districts after 187 of its buses were damaged in Tuesday's violence.

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar -- the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar -- which called for the 'peaceful Maharashtra shutdown', termed the shutdown as "successful".

"The shutdown has received tremendous response all over. We are satisfied with the judicial probe announced by the government and hope the truth will emerge. The government must book the perpetrators of the Koregaon-Bhim riots and the death of a youth for murder charges," Ambedkar said.

The shutdown was a fallout of Monday's riots in Koregaon-Bhima, Pune district, during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818.

Members of the Dalit community had gathered around the Victory Pillar erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting started leading to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangale.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party blamed the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state for security lapses that led to the violence.TOGO closes $ 26 million B+ financing round





Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Beijing TOGO Science and Technology company (TOGO), one of China's leading sharing-riding service providers, announced on Jan. 2 that it had finished $26 million B+ financing round, which is led by Crescent HydePark (CHP), and followed by SIG Asia Investment and ZhenFund. At the same time, TOGO also declared that it will invest more heavily in NEV's operation to build up a new industrial ecology for sharing vehicles.



After the financing, TOGO stated that it will focus on providing premium sharing-riding experience for urban citizens in the following aspects. Firstly, it will continue to fasten its pace in market expansion, enlarge its business scale in first-tier cities and expand its market share in second and third-tier tourist cities. Secondly, TOGO will continue to optimize and increase sharing-riding fleet and provide more brands, more personalized vehicles for the platform. At the meantime, TOGO will explore and optimize convenient experience for customers and improve refinement operation. Thirdly, it will invest more heavily in the operation and scale supply of NEVs.

From September, 2016 till now, TOGO had finished four rounds of financing. After TOGO received B round of financing from SIG with a total investment of $22 million in October, 2017, it had finished two rounds of financing during 90 days, totaling $48 million.

According to Cai Jiong, Vice President of TOGO, in the future, the majority of the vehicles on TOGO platform will be NEVs, although currently its major vehicles are fuel-powered ones. TOGO has also reportedly ordered a batch of the Tesla Model 3, which are expected to run in different cities over the next few months. Apart from this, TOGO had contacted with several car manufacturers, aiming to produce a number of small and fashionable NEV models to meet customers' needs and demands.

TOGO, a riding-sharing operator, currently is available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an and Chengdu. Meanwhile, TOGO will enter into some optional capital cities, and reasonably put the vehicles into usage in the future.Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for Bhima-Khoregaon violence in Pune and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on it.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha in which a youth has been killed, the Leader of Opposition Kharge said, "In order to create rift in the society, radical Hindus belonging to the RSS are behind the violence in Bhima-Koregaon".

He also demanded Prime Minister Modi to make a statement on the incident and said he can't keep a mum.

"A Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima-Koregaon Violence. The Prime Minister should also give a statement, he can't stay mum. He is a Mauni baba (a saint who doesn't speak) on such issues," Kharge said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the Crime Investigation Department (CID) led probe into the death of a youth in the violence.

The chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's kin.

On Tuesday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi also trained guns at the RSS and Prime Minister Modi led Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the violence.

"A central pillar of the RSS/BJP's fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," Rahul tweeted.

Tension has gripped many parts of Maharashtra after death of a youth in clashes on Monday during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima Koregaon battle near Pune.

The Battle of Koregaon was fought on January 1, 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima.

The Marathas ultimately withdrew, fearing the arrival of a larger British force.

The Company troops of Indian origin included predominantly Mahar Dalit soldiers belonging to the Bombay Native Infantry, and therefore the dalit activists regard the battle as a heroic episode in their history.Flight operations at the Mumbai airport were badly hit due to the called by Dalit leaders on Wednesday, with 12 flights getting cancelled and 235 delayed.

The shut-down, called to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence against the celebration of 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district, disrupted normal life across Maharashtra, including Mumbai.

The shut-down was withdrawn later this evening.

As many as 182 flight departures and 53 arrivals at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) were delayed till around 1600 hours, according to a website tracking real- time flight status at airports across the world.

Of the 12 cancelled flights, seven were departures and five were arriving ones, as per the website.

When contacted, a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson said the "flights (are) landing and taking off on time".

The spokesperson, however, said the arriving passengers were stranded at the terminal, despite the airport operator arranging civic-run BEST buses for them, as the buses were stopped (by protesters) from coming to CSIA.

The transferred passengers from domestic to international and vice versa were being taken to the respective terminals using the 'air-side' (internal route), the spokesperson added.

Crew members of various airlines also reported late at the airport due to traffic disruptions.

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar had called for a 'Maharashtra Bandh' today to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district on Monday.

The event to mark 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa's army, was marred by incidents of violence in which one person was killed.Angry Dalits staged rail and road blockades and took out processions in Mumbai and carried out agitations in different parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday to protest against violence in Pune a day ago which left one youth dead.

The day-long 'Maharashtra bandh' called by various Dalit and other organisations to protest the violence against commemoration of Bhima-Koregaon battle has been withdrawn, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar said today.



He told reporters that nearly 50% of the state's population took part in the shut-down.



Road blockades, arson and stone-pelting incidents were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.However, Ambedkar, claimed that the bandh was peaceful.

On Tuesday afternoon, thousands of Dalits took to the streets in Chembur, Mankhurd, Ghatkopar, Bhandup and other strongholds in north-eastern parts of the city demanding action against the perpetrators of the Pune riots.

Scores of Dalit youth blocked the Harbor Line of Central Railway near Chembur on Tuesday afternoon, leading to stoppage of the local train services for hours.

Several lakhs of commuters were stranded on stations or in stationary trains and many preferred to walk on the railway tracks to their destinations.

Similarly, hundreds of youths swooped onto the roads in eastern suburbs asking shops, restaurants and commercial establishments with down shutters and staged roadblocks.

However, police intervened and traffic movement resumed, though it resulted in massive vehicular snarls all over the city, some several kilometres long.

Protests and violent incidents were witnessed in other parts of the state, including Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, Beed, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Thane and Palghar as Dalits expressed their ire over Monday's incidents in Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district.

A street wears a deserted look following Dalit prostests over Bhima Koregaon violence, in Pune | PTI Photo

At least 25 buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, besides private luxury buses and other vehicles, were damaged in stone pelting by riotous mobs.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge and a CID investigation into Monday's violence in Koregaon-Bhima.

The disturbances erupted in the village of Koregaon-Bhima on January 1 during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War between the army of Peshwa Bajirao II with a small force of the East India Company that comprised a large number of Dalits.

Several lakhs of Dalits had congregated around the Victory Pillar (Vijay Stambh) erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when suddenly stone pelting started, allegedly by some right-wing groups carrying saffron flags.

In the clashes that ensued between the two groups, more than 30 vehicles, including buses, police vans and private vehicles, were torched or damaged and one youth, Rahul Fatangale, 28 of Nanded lost his life.

The police fired tear gas to control the mobs and prohibitory orders were imposed in the entire Pune district, with the situation reported tense but calm on Tuesday.

On Tuesday in most districts, protesters staged road blockades stopping traffic and enforced shutdown of shops and commercial establishments even as additional police forces were deployed.

Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar blamed the state government for "lapses" that resulted in the Monday violence.

"Why did the administration not take adequate precautions for this event which has been celebrated peacefully for 200 years? Due to its lapses, there was confusion and rumour-mongering, resulting in the violence," Pawar demanded.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday hinted at a "big conspiracy" in the recent spurt in sporadic caste-related violence that has been erupting in the state, which needs to be thoroughly investigated and "the hidden hand" must be exposed.

On his part, Ambedkar appealed to his supporters to ensure that Wednesday's shutdown call in the state passes off peacefully without inconveniencing the public and demanded action against those responsible for the Koregaon-Bhima incident.Pakistan's ousted premier Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday claimed he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on flimsy grounds and said there was no proof of any wrongdoing by him, after appearing in the anti-graft court trying him for alleged corruption in three cases.

The cases are related to the Panama Papers scandal that had forced the three-time prime minister to resign.

"They have not been able to prove any crime against me yet," he said.

Sharif, 67, said he was disqualified on flimsy grounds and alleged efforts were on to find "evidence of any wrongdoing by me".

The cases were launched on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that disqualified Sharif as prime minister and ordered the Accountability Bureau (NAB) for institution of cases against him.

Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir conducted the hearing against Sharif, his daughter Maryam, and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar.

The court later adjourned the hearing till January 9.

The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a "deal" with Pakistan's powerful military, returned home yesterday along with his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.

The NAB produced two new witnesses in court who recorded their evidence and the defence lawyer also cross-examined them. A third witness who had already appeared also was recalled to provide additional documents.

After the hearing, Sharif again lambasted his political rival Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan who was given bail by an anti-terror court yesterday in four cases pertaining to violence during his protest march in 2014.

He also criticised the Supreme Court for quashing a corruption case against Khan last month.

"Khan had admitted fraud but still his apology was accepted by the court," Sharif said.

He also criticised opponents for politicising his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and said they were trying to damage Pakistan's historical ties with the kingdom.

The three cases against the Sharif family pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB cases, while Maryam and her husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield case.

In November, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while Maryam and Safdar, co-accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted.

Sharif reached the court here along with his daughter before start of proceedings.

Cabinet members and leaders of Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party were present at the court.

The previous hearing in the case was held on December 19. The court has held 16 hearings each of the Flagship Investment and Avenfield properties references, and 20 of Al-Azizia Steel Mills.

This was the 11th time that Sharif attended the hearing. So far 10 witnesses have recorded their statements on behalf of the prosecution.

Elaborate security measures were taken on the occasion of Sharif's appearance in court.

The political future of Sharif, who heads the country's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, has been hanging in the balance since his ouster. If convicted, he could be jailed.

Sharif's family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.There is an interesting sidelight to the itinerary of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajs visit to three Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations this week. In Indonesia she will inaugurate a meeting of an Asean-India network of think tanks, which has been moribund for the past two years.

Its last meeting was held in 2015. India has begun to run fast in the Asean region to shore up ties with the 10 member nations, but it is still slow compared to the pace of the other suitor, China. While delay in the meetings of the think tank does not amount to ...The ministry has approved a proposal for infusion of Rs 75.77 billion in six weak public sector (PSBs) as part of the recapitalisation plan to bolster capital adequacy ratio. All these banks, which got capital support, are under prompt corrective action of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). .

The funding comes under the governments Indradhanus plan, which promised Rs 700 billion over a period of four years ending March 2019.

Lenders, which will receive capital through preferential issue of shares, include Bank of India, IDBI Bank and UCO Bank. The actual fund infusion will take place in the next few weeks after they get necessary regulatory approval, including nod from shareholders.

Kolkata-based UCO Bank has announced approval of board for the proposal to issue equity shares on a preferential basis to the government against a capital contribution of Rs 13.75 billion, subject to necessary approval.

Besides, Central Bank of India said the capital-raising committee of the board approved raising of equity capital by allotting up to 38.8 million shares at the issue price of Rs 83.15 per unit aggregating to Rs 3.23 billion. At the same time, the government has decided to infuse Rs 22.57 billion in the Bank of India, Rs 27.29 billion in IDBI Bank, Rs 6.50 billion in Bank of Maharashtra, and Rs 2.43 billion in Dena Bank.

While the government decides the mode for recapitalisation of all state-run banks, it advanced the release of funds to these six to help them meet their equity requirements and enable them to resume normal business and help them come out of prompt corrective action.

Minister Arun Jaitley in October had announced an unprecedented Rs 2.11 trillion two-year road map to strengthen PSBs, reeling under high non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans. Their NPAs have increased to Rs 7.33 trillion as of June 2017, from Rs 2.75 trillion in March 2015.

The plan includes floating recapitalisation bonds of Rs 1.35 trillion and raising Rs 580 billion from the market by diluting governments stake.

The government is working on the modalities for issuing the recapitalisation bonds as it aims to front-load the infusion with an aim to strengthen the state-owned banking sector, sources said, adding the announcement in this respect, including detailed guidelines, will be made during this month.

Allahabad Bank

Public sector Allahabad Bank on Wednesday said the RBI had put the lender under prompt corrective action framework after an on-site inspection of high NPAs and negative return of assets for 2016-17.

Jaitley had also announced that would get about Rs 180 billion under the Indradhanush plan over the next two years.

Under the Indradhanush road map announced in 2015, the government had announced an infusion of Rs 700 billion in state-owned banks over four years, while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 trillion from the market to meet their capital requirement in line with global risk norms, known as Basel-III.

In the last three-and-a-half years, the government pumped Rs 518.58 billion capital in the PSBs. The remaining Rs 181.42 billion will be injected into the banks over the next two years.The government expects to rollout all 650 branches of (IPPB) by April, 2018, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Communication Manoj Sinha said IPPB has launched 2 pilot branches on January 30, 2017 at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) in 2016-17.

However, no branch was rolled out in the current financial year, Sinha said.

RBI granted the licence to IPPB on January 20, 2017 to carry out payments bank activities.

The minister said IPPB aims to have a pan-India reach and subject to feasibility, all post offices (approximately 1.55 lakh) across the country will progressively become its access points to provide banking products and services as per RBI guidelines on payments bank.

In reply to a separate question on IPPB, Sinha said the payments bank proposes to tie up with banking and other financial institutions and expressions of interest for tie-ups have been received.

Also, preliminary discussions are on in this regard.

"IPPB has entered into an MoU with Punjab National Bank (PNB) and PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd," Sinha said.

IPPB was incorporated on August 17, 2016 under Companies Act, 2013 as a public limited company with 100 per cent Government of India equity under Department of Posts, he said.As if the deep freeze thats sent temperatures plunging to all-time lows across the eastern half of the US werent enough, the region may get hit with a snow bomb.

Now that Boston has tied a 100-year-old record with seven days of highs below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, New Yorks airports have registered new lows and Chicago has enjoyed its coldest New Years Day ever, a storm is set to race up the US East Coast on Thursday and dump snow along the way. Boston may see as much as 11 inches (28 centimetres), Manhattan could get 3, and Brooklyn and Queens are set for ...Collapsed German airline Air Berlin said on Wednesday it had sold its subsidiary Air Berlin Aviation GmbH to Thomas Cook Group Airlines PLC, continuing the carve-up of its business. Thomas Cook said the acquisition would give its airline Condor further options for growth, consistent with its plans to grow capacity in the German market to meet increased demand experienced in recent months. Neither company said how much Thomas Cook was paying, but a person familiar with the deal said the purchase price was a medium single-digit million euro amount. Air Berlin, which filed for ...Beijing is planning to build a 13.8 billion yuan ($2.12 billion) artificial intelligence development park in the city's west, the official Xinhua news agency reported, as China pushes ahead to fulfil its ambition to become a world leader in AI by 2025. The AI park will house up to 400 enterprises and have an estimated annual output of 50 billion yuan, Xinhua said, citing a report from authorities in Beijing's Mentougou district. Zhongguancun Development Group, the developer of the project, will look to partner with foreign universities and build a ...United States President Donald Trump has hit back at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying that he too has a nuclear button on his desk which was much bigger and powerful than his.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times'. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Trump said on twitter on Tuesday.

Trump's tweet came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned the United States that "the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office".

"The entire mainland of the US is within the range of our nuclear weapons and the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office. They should accurately be aware that this is not a threat but a reality," he said, according to a CNN translation of his speech, during his national New Year's address.

He also declared that North Korea was "a responsible nuclear nation that loves peace" and that "the US cannot wage a war" against it.

Rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, which conducted its largest nuclear test in September and fired off a powerful ICBM in late November, have raised concerns worldwide.

Trump has long been trading insults with Jong-un over this issue.

While Trump has referred to Jong-un as "rocket man", his rival had previously called him a "mentally deranged dotard".North Korea reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, hours after US President Donald Trump appeared to mock the Norths leader by saying he has a bigger and more powerful nuclear button than he does. The Norths decision to open the border phone line came a day after South Korea proposed high-level discussions amid a tense standoff over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes. That followed North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns New Year address in which he said he was open to speaking with the South and would ...Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday appeared before an anti-graft court to face trial in corruption cases against him in the Panama Papers scandal that forced him to resign.

Sharif, 67, reached the court along with his daughter Maryam.

The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a "deal" between the embattled Sharif family, returned to the country yesterday.

Three corruption cases were registered against him on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that also disqualified Sharif as the prime minister and ordered National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for institution of cases.

The NAB produced two witnesses on the court today who recorded their statements and defence layer also cross-examined them.

The three cases pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their overseas properties.

Last hearing of the case was held on December 19.

So far 10 witnesses have recorded their statement on behalf of the prosecution. This was the 11th time that Sharif has attended the hearing.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, has been hanging in balance since then. If convicted, Sharif can be jailed.

Sharifs family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.Pakistan on Tuesday expressed "deep disappointment" over US President Donald Trump's scathing remarks against it, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the "trust" between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi convened a National Security Council meeting here after Trump strongly rebuked the country accusing it of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and sheltering terrorists in return for $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years.

The NSC meeting, attended by the powerful military chief and other top senior military and government officials, observed that statements by the US leadership were "completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation".

Pakistan's ambassador to the US David Hale was summoned to the NSC meeting, which discussed Pakistan's response to President Trump's fresh tirade while also reviewing the country's overall foreign policy, the DawnNews reported.

Following the NSC meeting, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than $33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

The foreign minister offered that Trump could hire a US-based audit firm "on our expense" to verify the $33 billion aid figure and "let the world know who is lying and deceiving".

"Pres Trump quoted figure of $33 billion given to PAK over last 15 yrs, he can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure & let the world know who is lying & deceiving..," Asif tweeted.

The meeting of the NSC, the top-level civil-military platform on security matters, in statement said that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism primarily using its own resources and at a great cost to its economy.

"...the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan, including the loss of tens of thousands of lives of Pakistani civilians and security personnel, and the pain of their families, could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value and that too an imagined one, the committee observed.

It said Pakistan would continue to play role for peace in Afghanistan.

The Committee reached a consensus that despite all unwarranted allegations, Pakistan cannot act in haste and will remain committed to playing a constructive role towards an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, not just for the sake of its own people, but also for the peace and security of the region and community, according to the statement.

The Committee reiterated firm support of Pakistan for the US-led effort in Afghanistan, including continuously facilitating vital lines of communications for smooth counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan by the coalition.

It observed that close interaction with the US leadership following the initial pronouncement of Trumps policy on South Asia had been "useful in creating a better understanding of each perspectives on the best way forward to achieve durable peace and stability in Afghanistan."



"Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan and that blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, according the NSC.

The NSC was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was held a day earlier to come up with a response to the accusations of Trump.

Shortly before the meeting commenced, the military had finalised its suggestions for Pakistan's response to Trump's allegations in a Corps Commanders' Conference held at General Headquarters.

A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has also been called on January 5 to discuss the US' allegations.

In his first tweet of the new year, Trump had accused Pakistan of basing its relationship with the US on nothing but lies and deceit.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he tweeted.

Following Trump's tweet, Asif yesterday responded immediately saying, "...Will let the world know the truth...difference between facts and fiction".

He said Pakistan had told the Trump administration that it would do "no more" for it (in the fight against terrorism).

The Pakistan Army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, had at a press conference last week asserted that the aid Pakistan received from the US was "reimbursement for support we gave to the coalition for its fight against Al Qaeda."



"Had we not supported the US and Afghanistan, they would never have been able to defeat Al Qaeda," he had said.

Unveiling his new South Asia policy in August, Trump had warned of tougher measures against Pakistan if it failed to cooperate with the US in the fight against terror.

The White House today confirmed that an already-delayed $255 million military aid to Pakistan had been blocked.

It said the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil.Palestinian leaders said today they will not be "blackmailed" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid worth more than $300 million annually, his latest provocative move that could upturn years of careful diplomacy.

Relations between Trump's White House and the Palestinians were already tense after the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month.

The December 6 announcement concerning the disputed city led Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

Trump's threat in a tweet yesterday to try to force the Palestinians into negotiations led to further outrage, though Israeli ministers lauded the move.

The Palestinians rely heavily on aid, with many analysts, including Israelis, saying such assistance helps maintain stability in a volatile region.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"



It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for UN programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel receives more than $3 billion in military aid per year from Washington.

Abbas's spokesman said they were not against negotiations, but that talks should be "based on laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital".

"Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP.

Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement that "we will not be blackmailed".

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice," she said.

"Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!"



However, several Israeli ministers voiced support for Trump, with the country's right-wing government having seized on the US president's support to push ahead with initiatives seen as dealing further blows to remaining hopes for a two- state solution.

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said "you cannot on the one hand receive $300 million in American aid per year and at the same time close the door on negotiations".

"We are dealing with a president who says what he thinks clearly and does not resort to diplomatic convolutions that mean nothing," Regev told Israel's army radio.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most of the past half century the United States has been seen as the indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington in addition to recognising Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by Trump's Jerusalem recognition, breaking with decades of US policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Abbas -- 82 years old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay a December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides on Tuesday rejected rumours of further delays.

"As we've said all along, the vice president is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

"We're finalising details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days.The death toll of Tuesday's bus crash near the Peruvian capital Lima has risen to 48.

Police authorities, who were quoted by Xinhua, said that around 36 bodies were retrieved from the crash site, while another 12 more were trapped inside the bus.

Six survivors of the crash, who were found during the rescue operations, were suffering from serious injuries. The injured have been evacuated to hospitals in Lima and other nearby places.

Earlier, at least 25 people were reportedly killed and several injured after a bus collided with a truck and plummeted off a steep cliff near Pasamayo, about 70 kilometres north of Lima.

The death toll was expected to rise as many injured were reported to be in critical condition. Police and firefighters are still continuing their rescue operations.

The bus was reportedly heading to Lima from Huacho with 57 passengers on board when the incident happened on the Pan-American Highway.Brazil's state-controlled oil company, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, said on Wednesday that it has agreed to pay $2.95 billion to settle a US class action brought by investors seeking to recoup money they claim to have lost as a result of a corruption scandal. Petrobras, as the company is known, did not admit wrongdoing under the deal, which is one of the largest securities class action settlements in the United States. US District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan must approve the settlement. Investors sued Petrobras after prosecutors in Brazil accused former executives at the company ...Prince Harry's wedding to American actress Meghan Markle could provide a 500 million pound boost to Britain's economy as tourists flock to the country and Britons celebrate, according to an estimate. Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and fifth-in-line to the throne, will tie the knot with Markle on May 19 at Windsor Castle, the royal palace home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years. According to the Office for National Statistics, the wedding of Harry's elder brother William to wife Kate in April 2011 led to an increase of 350,000 visitors to the UK ...Fourteen worshippers were killed today when a suicide bomber attacked a mosque on Nigeria's border with Cameroon, civilian vigilantes told AFP.

The suspected Boko Haram jihadist blew himself up amid worshippers inside the mosque in Gamboru around 5:00 am, shortly before morning prayers.

"Fourteen bodies have been pulled out of the rubble," said Umar Kachalla, a civilian militiaman, who said the mosque had been completely destroyed.

"Only the muezzin has survived and we believe more bodies are buried under the debris," said Kachalla. "The death toll may likely rise."



An hour earlier, a patrol of vigilantes spotted four suspected suicide bombers on the outskirts of the town and arrested one of them after a chase, said a second vigilante, Shehu Mada.

"Two of them turned back and fled while the fourth disappeared into the darkness and we believe it was he who attacked the mosque," Mada said.

Boko Haram's eight-year insurgency against the government of Nigeria has spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, killing around 20,000 people and displacing more than 2.6 million.

In August 2014, the group seized Gamboru, a trading hub along with neighbouring town of Ngala.

Nigerian troops retook both towns in September 2015 with the help of Chadian forces following months-long offensives.

Despite the recapture of the area, Boko Haram fighters continue to launch sporadic attacks, laying ambush on troops and vehicles as well as attacking and abducting farmers.

On Tuesday Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video message claiming a series of attacks in the northeast including those in Gamboru.Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan has slammed United States President Donald Trump's administration for its hard-line stance toward Iran, saying it has diminished the possibility of peaceful political change there.

"With wholesale condemnation of Iran and nuclear deal over past year, Trump Admin squandered the opportunity to bolster reformists in Tehran and prospects for peaceful political reform in Iran. Bluster is neither a strategy nor a mechanism for the exercise of US power and influence," Brennan tweeted on Tuesday.

With wholesale condemnation of Iran and nuclear deal over past year, Trump Admin squandered opportunity to bolster reformists in Tehran and prospects for peaceful political reform in Iran. Bluster is neither a strategy nor a mechanism for exercise of U.S. power and influence.  John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) January 2, 2018

Brennan served as CIA director during the Obama administration.

Trump dubbed the Iranian regime as "brutal" and "corrupt" and also purported that the money was given to Iran by Barack Obama, when he was the American president "went into terrorism and into their 'pockets.'"

As anti-government protests continued in Iran for the fifth consecutive day between the Iranian security forces and protestors, the official death toll rose to 20.

On Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the people of Iran were free to protest peacefully, but rejected protesting by violence. The authorities have also blocked two popular social media apps - Telegram and Instagram - as a security measure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wished Iranian people "success in their noble quest for freedom."

"I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom," Netanyahu said in a YouTube video published on Monday.

He also dismissed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's claim that Israel is behind the protests in Iran.

"I heard today Iran's President Hassan Rouhani's claim that Israel is behind the protests in Iran. It's not only false. It's laughable. And unlike Rouhani, I will not insult the Iranian people. They deserve better," Netanyahu said.

Iran is still witnessing a wave of demonstrations, being held in many cities across the country as people took to raising anti-government slogans, over alleged corruption and rising prices that have plagued the people of the country.

Scores of protestors have been arrested in the last few days.US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to withdraw aid money to Palestinians as they are unwilling to negotiate peace with Israel.

"..we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," Trump said in a series of two lengthy tweets.

"We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" Trump asked.

According to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, since the mid-1990s, the US government has committed more than USD 5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians.

Earlier in the day, the US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the US would cut off aid if the Palestinians continue to refuse to engage in peace negotiations.

"I think the president has basically said that he doesn't want to give any additional funding or stop funding until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table," Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

"What we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation. We're trying to move for a peace process. But if that doesn't happen the president's not going to continue to fund that situation," Haley said in response to a question when asked if the US would continue to fund Palestine despite the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly against Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.

"The Palestinians now have to show their will that they want to come to the table. As of now they are not coming to the table but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We are going to make sure that they come to the table and we want to move forward with the peace process," she said.

US aid to the Palestinians is intended to promote at least three major US policy priorities of interest to Congress.

First -- promoting prevention or mitigation of terrorism against Israel from the Sunni Islamist group Hamas and other militant organisations; second - fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance that may incline Palestinians toward peaceful coexistence with Israel and a "two-state solution"; and third - meeting humanitarian needs.

According to CRS, from 2008 to the present, annual Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around USD 400 million.

Much of this goes toward US Agency for Development (USAID)-administered project assistance (through grants and contracts), and the rest toward budget support for the Palestinian Authority (PA).A US government panel rejected Ant Financials acquisition of US money transfer company MoneyGram International over national security concerns, the companies said on Tuesday, the most high-profile Chinese deal to be torpedoed under the administration of US President Donald Trump. The $1.2-billion deals collapse represents a blow for Jack Ma, the executive chairman of Chinese internet conglomerate Alibaba Group who owns Ant Financial together with Alibaba executives. He was looking to expand Ant Financials footprint amid fierce domestic competition from Chinese ...US President is receiving praise from top American lawmakers, including some of his critics, over his move to block $255 million military aid to Pakistan.

The US has decided to withhold the aid saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil.

Senator Rand Paul yesterday announced his agreement with Trump over the move and promised to bring in a legislation in the Congress to stop all US aid to Pakistan.

"I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump on this. The US has given $34 billion in direct aid and military reimbursements to Pakistan since 2002. That is not putting America first.

White House puts the figure at $33 billion.

The Kentucky Senator also expressed his support to Trump's tweet on Monday in which the US president accused Pakistan of giving the US "nothing but lies and deceit" in exchange for billions of aid, with the president declaring, "No more!".

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher also applauded Trump for his "realistic assessment" of Pakistan.

"Pakistan's regime, though our government imagines otherwise, has long acted as a malignancy in South Asia. It pretends to benign neutrality, seducing the US into believing it will cooperate with us in the war on radical Islamic terrorism if we ship its political leadership copious tax dollars," said Rohrabacher.

"Pakistan's regime persists in playing both sides between modern civilisation and violent religious fundamentalism," he said.

Rohrabacher said Pakistan's intelligence service "serves the Taliban" instead of providing the whereabouts of terrorists' hideouts to the US government.

He cited the example of Osama bin Laden who lived in a house near Pakistan's leading military academy before the US military tracked the location and killed him.

"Indeed, Dr. Afridi (Shakeel Afridi), who led us to bin Laden, now languishes in a Pakistan dungeon for his supposed effrontery," he added.

Both Rohrabacher and Paul have regularly pushed amendments to stop aid to Pakistan.

Congressman Rick Nolan also gave Trump a thumbs-up for the Pakistan move.

"Although I do not condone inflammatory tweets -- I agree that America should not be giving billions of dollars to countries like Pakistan that refuse to fight terrorism," he said.

"The truth is, the billions of dollars we have sent to Pakistan over the last 15 years has done nothing to make us safer. In fact, Pakistan has ties to the same terrorist organisations which they claim to be fighting!" he said.

Nolan has joined Congressman Ted Poe in introducing legislation that revokes Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status.

On the other side of the spectrum, Republican Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is founder and chair of the Congressional Pakistani Caucus, called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the differences with Pakistan.

"As Chair and founder of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I appreciate the importance of using the tools of diplomacy and engagement to solve problems. In the past, Pakistan has fought against the terrorists," she said in a tweet.A man was hacked to death and five others were injured in Tripura after they were attacked by their mentally deranged relative with a machete, said police on Wednesday.

Tripura DGP A K Shukla said, "The attacker was a mentally disturbed man and a relative of the victims. He attacked them with 'dao' (machete) last night in which one died and five others were injured. Two of them were in a serious condition."

The incident took place last night at around 8.45 pm in bordering Rajnagar under P R Bari police station of South Tripura district.

The deceased has been identified as Amulya Malakar.

Police took the accused, Gopal Malakar, in its custody and launched an investigation into the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A California judge has dismissed apartment investment and management company, Aimco's lawsuit against online marketplace and hospitality service provider, Airbnb.

Aimco, which owns and manages about 50,000 properties, sued Airbnb in February 2017 for deliberately incentivising people to breach their leases.

The company filed the lawsuit in both California and Florida state courts, seeking monetary damages as well as court orders to stop Airbnb from enabling people to breach their leases.

Moreover, in October 2017, Aimco filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to halt Airbnb's operations at four of its southern California properties.

However, Airbnb had argued that Aimco's ban on subleasing was not enforceable under California law.

Airbnb also argued that it can't be held responsible for the conduct of Aimco's tenants and their guests.

Aimco had asserted that Airbnb is an information content provider, which makes the company legally responsible for the content on its platform.

The court, however, concluded that Airbnb is not an information content provider, as it hosts content rather than creating it.

Aimco still has an active lawsuit against Airbnb in Florida.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) discussed the triple talaq bill and the Constitution's 123rd amendment bill, which will give constitutional status to the OBC commission in its parliamentary board meeting.

"In today's parliamentary party meeting, we discussed two important bills. First, the Constitution 123rd Amendment Bill which will give constitutional status to OBC Commission and second, the bill which will end Triple Talaq and protect the rights of Muslim women," Kumar told the media after the meeting.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq, will be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha today.

Passed in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote last week, the bill recommends a jail term of up to three years for the husband for pronouncing triple talaq.

The bill had also seen protests by opposition parties like the Congress, Left, AIADMK and DMK, asking for it to be sent to a parliamentary panel to further understand the "need" for a civil issue to be turned into a criminal one.Four workers have been killed and several others injured in a landslide in Bangladesh's Sylhet.

At the time of landslide the victims were extracting stones illegally from Jaflong of Gowainghat Upazila.

According to The Daily Star, a woman was also among those killed.

Hillol Roy, an inspector of Gowainghat police, said four workers went to the area to extract stones from a trench. Suddenly, a landslide hit the pit, leaving them dead on the spot.

The injured were rushed to the hospital for medical assistance.

The workers had dug the trench beyond the permissible limit.

NGOs working in the area said that several people work at stone quarries in Sylhet without any safety gears.

In 2017, around 30 workers were killed during stone extraction in five Upazilas of Sylhet.

UNO Bishwajit said workers' safety is a serious issue, but the task force has only been working to stop the illegal stone extraction.

"We have put red flags in the area and banned all stone extraction for now to avoid further casualties. We are also trying to trace the employers of the victims to take legal action against them," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In wake of the ongoing protest against the Bhima Koregaon violence, the Mumbai Police on Wednesday advised the residents of the city neither to believe in, nor spread rumours.

"Don't believe or spread rumours, continue with your routine activities. Police administration is geared up to deal with any untoward situation" Mumbai Police to ANI.

The Mumbai Police further assured the people that the administration has been geared up to deal with any problems.

Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed in Maharashtra's Thane area till midnight of January 4. The protestors even halted the trains at Thane railway station pertaining to the same.

On Tuesday, angry Dalits hit the streets in Mumbai, Pune and some parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between them and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

Both RSS and BJP are being accused of instigating the violence by opposition leaders.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader and grandson of B.R. Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday called for Maharashtra bandh today in protest over the ongoing caste violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra.

Speaking on the development, School Bus Owners' Association member, Anil Garg said that the bus services will run according to the situation.

"Won't run school buses in Mumbai today, can't risk students' safety and security. Will take a second decision at 11 a.m. if we can run them in the second half, depending on the situation," he added.

Violence spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on Monday during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

Both RSS and BJP are being accused of instigating the violence by opposition leaders.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A united Opposition, led by the Congress party, took on the Centre over the proposed triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday.

A pandemonium broke out in the Upper House soon after the bill was tabled by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Congress leader Anand Sharma moved the notice to refer the bill to a select committee of Rajya Sabha. He even proposed the names of committee members following which the Upper House witnessed a stormy session.

The names of the 17 Rajya Sabha MPs, featuring in the list, included Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O'Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, and D Raja.

The government had, on Tuesday, shot down the Opposition's demand that the triple talaq bill be sent to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha. It had, however, said it might be open to accepting some of the amendments to the bill, as suggested by the Opposition.

To this end, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Congress moved the motion without any prior notice and that it was trying to derail the bill.

"The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved and it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be given at least 24 hours in advance. The whole country is watching that in the other house you supported the bill and in this house you are trying to derail the bill," Jaitley said, in the Rajya Sabha.

He further said the bill should not be referred to the select committee as the triple talaq has already been declared as unconstitutional and unfair by the Supreme Court.

"The reason why it should not be referred (to a select committee) is because the practice was declared unconstitutional, two of the judges held it as unfair and used their extraordinary power to suspend it for six months, which expires on February 22," he averred.

In response, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said Jaitley was referring to the ruling of Supreme Court which was only in context of the minority judgement.

"He (Arun Jaitley) referred to judgment of Supreme Court, I want to correct the record because I appeared in the case on behalf of Muslim Personal Law Board. What he said was in context of the minority judgment," Sibal said.

The rebuttal led to the Rajya Sabha getting adjourned till 11 am tomorrow, following which Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Congress party of resorting to double standard in the matter of the bill.

"Today what happened in the Rajya Sabha is a matter of deep regret. The Congress party, which supported the bill in the Lok Sabha, took a completely divergent view in the Rajya Sabha. What is the problem of the Congress party? Congress' attitude of double standard and patent political hypocrisy is designed to deny the benefit of Muslim women," Prasad said, while briefing the media outside the Parliament.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also hit out at Congress, saying that party had ditched the Muslim women by opposing the bill.

"Congress' vote bank politics has become evident. This kind of divisive politics will give no dividend to the Congress party. The party ditched the Muslim women," he added.

The Opposition retorted to the BJP leaders and said the bill was faulty.

"We are all for this bill, but it is a faulty bill. No womens' groups, stakeholders were consulted. All we ask for is that talk to all stakeholders," Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien told the media.

Moreover, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal did not approve of the presence of the Muslim women who has reportedly attended the session to observe the tabling of the bill.

"Iski kya guarantee hai ki woh Muslim thhi? Aapne dekha? Kya pata BJP ke mahila morcha ki sadasya hon? [What's the proof that she was a Muslim? She might have been a BJP insider]" Agrawal said.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 seeks to criminalise instant divorce, triple talaq.

The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with most of the leading parties in the Opposition, including the Congress, voting in favour, but with caveats.

The bill, if enacted, will make triple talaq a criminal offence. It proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3333419

Taiwan ship owner bailed over oil smuggling to North Korea

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)  A man from Kaohsiung was freed on bail of NT$1.5 million (US$50,600) Wednesday for having circumvented international sanctions and smuggled oil to North Korea on the tanker Lighthouse Winmore, which was seized by South Korea last November.

Oil trader Chen Shih-hsien (), 53, denied he was involved in the smuggling when questioned by investigators Tuesday, but as the export documents seemed not to match the real situation, he was suspected of forgery before being released on bail, the Apple Daily reported.

The Hong Kong-registered Lighthouse Winmore was supposed to travel from South Korea to Taiwan in October, but instead it reportedly transferred its cargo of 600 tons of refined petroleum to the North Korean tanker Sam Jong 2 once it had reached the open seas.

South Korean investigators alleged the Hong Kong tanker had links to Taiwan, which prompted an investigation by the Kaohsiung office of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office.

They found that Chens company had chartered the Lighthouse Winmore to move the oil. He told investigators that he had helped a Chinese national to transfer the oil to another ship, but was unaware its destination was North Korea, the Apple Daily reported.

Hong Kong had been listed as the official destination for the oil, leading to the accusation of forgery against Chen, who has been barred from leaving the country or venturing out to sea.The Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Belgium on cooperation in Information Communication Technology and Electronics (ICT&E).

The MoU was signed during the state visit of King Philippe of Belgium to India on November 7, last year.

Areas of cooperation include sharing of best practices in the domain of ICT&E policy, digital technology and research with special emphasis on developing ICT&E manufacturing and services.

Other areas include e-Governance, e-Public Service Delivery, participation in conferences, study visits and exchange of experts.

In addition, cybersecurity, market access, trade and services are also included.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the agreement between India and Myanmar on Land Border Crossing.

The agreement will facilitate regulation and harmonization of already-existing free movement rights for people ordinarily residing in the border areas of both the countries.

The cooperation envisaged under the agreement will also facilitate the movement of people on the basis of valid passports and visas.

It will provide connectivity and enhance interaction of the people of North Eastern states of India with the people of Myanmar.

In addition to this, it will give a boost to the economy of the North East.

It will also safeguard the traditional rights of the tribal communities residing along the border.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its ex-post facto approval to the approach adopted by India at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11) of the WTO held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December 2017.

The mandate exercised and approach adopted at the conference was aimed at protecting India's interests, priorities and concerns during the Ministerial Conference.

The MC11, which took place from December 10 to 13 December last year, was chaired by Minister Susana Malcorra of Argentina.

The conference ended with a number of ministerial decisions, including on fisheries subsidies and e-commerce duties, and a commitment to continue negotiations in all areas.

Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and the United States (US) for co-hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in India.

The MoU delineated responsibilities, areas of co-operation including logistics and revenue-related requirements of the smooth conduct of the Summit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the mandatory packaging of foodgrains and sugar in the jute material for the Jute Year 2017-18.

The decision, the Committee claimed, would sustain the core demand for the jute sector and support the livelihood of the workers and farmers dependent on the sector.

The CCEA has extended the mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act, 1987. The approval mandates that 90 percent of the food grains and 20 percent of the sugar products shall be mandatorily packed in jute bags.

The decision also mandates, in the first instance, the entire requirement for packing of foodgrains would be placed in jute bags thus, making a provision for 100 percent packing of food grains in jute bags subject to the ability of the jute industry to meet the requirement.

The decision is expected to benefit farmers and workers located in the Eastern and North Eastern regions of the country particularly in West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura.

Jute industry is predominantly dependent on Government sector which purchases jute products more than Rs. 5,500 crore every year. Considering that nearly 3.7 lakh workers and approximately 40 lakh farmers are dependent for their livelihood on the jute sectors, the government has been making concerted efforts for the development of jute sector; increasing the quality and productivity of raw jute, diversification of jute sector and also boosting and sustaining demand for jute products.

Many measures were taken to improve the condition of the jute industry

With a view to boosting demand in the jute sector, the Government of India imposed Definitive Anti Dumping Duty on the import of jute goods from Bangladesh and Nepal with effect from January 5, 2017. As a result of these measures, 13 twine mills in Andhra Pradesh had resumed operation, benefitting 20000 workers. Further, the imposition of Definitive Anti Dumping Duty has provided scope for an additional demand of 2 lakh MT of jute goods in the domestic market for the Indian jute industry.

In order to improve the productivity and quality of raw jute through a carefully designed intervention, called the Jute ICARE, the Government has been supporting close to one lakh jute farmers by disseminating improved agronomic practices such as line sowing using seed drills, weed management by using wheel-hoeing and nail-weeders, distribution of quality certified seeds and also providing microbial assisted retting.

These interventions have resulted in enhancing the quality and productivity of raw jute and increasing income of jute farmers by Rs. 10,000 per hectare.

In order to support jute farmers, Jute Corporation of India (JCI) was given a grant of Rs. 204 crore for four years starting from 2014-15 to enable JCI to conduct MSP operations and ensure price stabilisation in the jute sector.

Further, to promote transparency in the sector, Jute SMART, an e-govt initiative was launched in December 2016, providing an integrated platform for procurement of B-Twill sacking by Government agencies. Further, the JCI is transferring 100 percent funds to jute farmers online on the jute procurement under MSP and commercial operations.

On a related note, the Jute Year 2017-18 period is from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday said that the Congress party was following the British policy of divide and rule in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra.

The Union Minister's statement has come after the leader of the opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for inciting violence and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on it.

Kumar, however, alleged that it was the Congress party who was raking up the issue by politicising it for personal gains.

"Mallikarjun Kharge and the Congress party want to ignite the chaos that has been witnessed in Maharashtra. He wants to do on it. They are disappointed as they have lost the election in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh,'' Kumar said in the Lok Sabha.

He added, "Instead of spreading a message for peace, the Congress has adopted the British policy of divide and rule. They are trying to create differences in society. We highly condemn it," he added.

Kharge, Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav and the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader gave adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha under rule 56.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja has also given zero hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over "increasing atrocities against Dalits" and Congress MP Rajni Patil has moved adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 in the wake of protest.

Meanwhile, angry Dalit protestors hit the street in several districts of the state, creating tension in the area. They even halted buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in Thane.

A large number of protesters occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting the normal rail traffic.

The situation in Maharashtra intensified after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on Monday, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The observance of 'Victory Day' was objected by the right-wing groups as they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A large number of police personnel were deployed in Aurangabad as vehicles were vandalised by protestors in wake of the ongoing protests and bandh across Maharashtra against the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

The protestors also pelted stones at trains between Mankhurd and Govandi stations on the Harbour line.

Ticket window was also vandalised at the Dombivali station.

The Dalit activists had called for a bandh in Maharashtra to protest against violence in Pune that left a man dead. Authorities have stepped up security in several cities, including Mumbai, as tension prevails in the state.

Protests were held in Nagpur, Pune and Baramati and arson was reported from several areas. The tension began on Monday when lakhs of Dalits gathered in the village of Bhima-Koregaon, about 30 km from Pune, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of a battle that saw Dalit soldiers fighting with the British, defeating the army of the upper caste Peshwas or rulers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States President Donald Trump has hit back at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying that he too has a nuclear button on his desk which was much bigger and powerful than his.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times'. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Trump said on twitter on Tuesday.

Trump's tweet came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned the United States that "the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office".

"The entire mainland of the US is within the range of our nuclear weapons and the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office. They should accurately be aware that this is not a threat but a reality," he said, according to a CNN translation of his speech, during his national New Year's address.

He also declared that North Korea was "a responsible nuclear nation that loves peace" and that "the US cannot wage a war" against it.

Rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, which conducted its largest nuclear test in September and fired off a powerful ICBM in late November, have raised concerns worldwide.

Trump has long been trading insults with Jong-un over this issue.

While Trump has referred to Jong-un as "rocket man", his rival had previously called him a "mentally deranged dotard".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 that seeks to criminalise instant divorce, triple talaq, continues to garner mixed reactions ahead of being tabled in the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MP Ajmal Badruddin said the issue should have been consulted with Islamic experts before drafting of the Bill.

"This is an Islamic matter, and it should have been discussed with Islamic experts, AIMPLB, and all major ulemas (body of scholars), but the government did nothing of this sort," Badruddin said and added that there were other ways of upliftment given that only two lakh cases of triple talaq have cropped up in the nation.

"To uplift Muslims, you (government) should instead focus on their education and employment; they will naturally incline towards you," he said.

The parliamentarian also accused Centre of harbouring political motives. "Now they have made one woman (Ishrat Jahan) who had filed a case against triple talaq join BJP. This clearly shows they have political motives."

Meanwhile, Congress has maintained its partial support to the Bill.

"We have always maintained that we are against the discriminatory practice of triple talaq, but this bill has been introduced in a rush and many minute details have been ignored," Congress Lok Sabha member Ranjeet Ranjan told ANI.

"On one hand, you are sending the man to jail, but on the other hand there is no clarification about who will provide maintenance for the woman and her child, so there are many loopholes," she further said.

Ranjan also called for a ban on the practice instead of its criminalisation.

"It is a civil matter. Instead of criminalising it, the government should have simply banned it. The Supreme Court says it is illegal and you give the example of 22 countries, but these 22 countries have banned the practice."

"I have complete faith that the Bill will be sent to a special committee," she added.

However, women's activist Shabnam Khan extended complete support to the bill, reasoning that the issue of the divorcee woman's expenses raised by opposition now also existed when triple talaq was in place.

"The law minister has said it very clearly that in all cases that are submitted before the Magistrate, it is the Magistrate who will decide who has to incur the expenses of the woman and her children," she added.

The Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha and is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today.

Congress, the leading opposition party in the Rajya Sabha, has objected to the imprisonment and maintenance clauses of the Bill, and is pushing for it to be sent to the standing committee or a select committee to remove contentious clauses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet on Wednesday said it had busted an Iranian espionage cell operating in the West Bank and arrested its Palestinian leader.

The leader of the cell was a 29-year-old computer science student named Muhammad Maharma from Hebron, but he received his directions from an Iranian operative in South Africa, the Times of Israel reported, citing Shin Bet, as saying.

Maharma, who was charged with establishing a cell to carry out shooting attacks and recruiting suicide bombers, received 8,000 US Dollars from Iran, according to Shin Bet.

The Shin Bet also stated that Maharma told the investigators that he was also asked to find an Arab Israeli who would be willing to take photographs inside the Israeli territory, specifically a journalist who would have more access to "official locations."

According to the statement by Shin Bet, "The operation demonstrates the Iranian involvement in encouraging terror attacks against Israel and also shows the forces being sent by Iran to countries around the world, in order to advance enemy activities against Israel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Economic development in China led to social problems such as air pollution from exposure to atmospheric particulate matter.

One of the main causes of the pollution is the emissions generated from the burning of coal.

Therefore, the government is planning to ban the use of coal and switch to using natural gas at the area near the metropolis of Beijing and Tianjin.

The natural gas pipeline infrastructure has been built and spread the use of a high combustion and highly efficient gas boilers.

Weidong Li, President, Beijing Sangyuehai Trading Co., Ltd., said, "Beijing has been expanding its efforts to reduce air pollution for about two years through a number of phases. The transformation of switching to the use of natural gas in rural areas has become a major issue for the city of Beijing. The speed and effort to change has been fast, along with the strong implementation of this policy the last few years."

Shanghai Rinnai is striving positively to market gas boilers in this campaign.

Having expanded its product line-up, the company began increasing production capacity when it began operating a new plant in March 2017.

Yan Zhang, General Manager, Hebei Ming Quan Geothermal Development Co Ltd., said, "This year, the government implemented a policy to switch from the use of coal to natural gas, mainly to improve air quality in the surrounding areas. We would like to make the sky blue again. We have been a representative sales and marketing agent of Rinnai products since 2002, having sold the gas boiler for about 150,000 units so far. The performance of the products is stable. Earn the reputation from users of its high quality, and very easy to use."

Xiao Dong Qin, Director, Shanghai Rinnai Co., Ltd., said, "The switch from the use of coal to natural gas is a strategic development of China's energy structure. Looking back now, Rinnai has the highest degree of perfection in terms of overall cooperation in this campaign. From now on, we would like to further improve our network construction and after-sales services, and to demonstrate Rinnai's ability in this project. Rinnai's products save energy, are eco-friendly, and will definitely contribute to the Chinese market."

Shanghai Rinnai has definitely inherited Japanese DNA quality and will contribute and improve the quality of life for the Chinese.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Palestine on Wednesday rebuked United States President Donald Trump's claims of not providing financial aid to the country in the future, if they did not resume their negotiations with Israel.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, told Palestine's WAFA news agency that 'Jerusalem and its holy places were not for sale.'

Abu Rudineh also said that Palestine was not against returning to negotiations with Israel, but said 'the real peace and negotiations should be based on Arab and international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative leading to the establishment of the independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.'

"If the United States has any concern for its interests in the Middle East, it must abide by the principles and references of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly, otherwise the U.S. will push the region to the abyss," he said.

Yesterday, Trump and his United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley threatened Palestine with cutting of financial funds to the Palestinians and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to ensure that the Palestinians would return to the negotiating table with Israel.

In a strongly-worded tweet, Trump had said: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Haley too echoed Trump's concerns and added: "The Palestinians now have to show to the that they want to come to the table. As of now, they're not coming to the table but they asked for aid. We're not giving the aid. We're going to make sure that they come to the table and we want to move forward with the peace process."

On Monday, the Palestinian government had recalled its United States ambassador following Trump's controversial decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel a few weeks ago.

Abbas had earlier said that they would not accept any peace plan from the US, after Trump's Jerusalem move.

On December 6 last year, relations between Palestine and the US turned sour, when Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, prompting international criticism and sparking protests across the

Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites. However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two senior pilots of the Jet Airways London-Mumbai flight - a man and a woman - fought inside the cockpit, following which they were derostered, pending an internal investigation.

The scuffle between the pilot and the co-pilot began when the flight was scheduled for take-off to Mumbai, on the New Year's day.

A Jet Airways spokesperson said that a 'misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew,' adding the matter was resolved amicably later.

"A misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew of Jet Airways flight 9W 119, London - Mumbai of January 01, 2018. However, the same was quickly resolved amicably and the flight with 324 guests including two infants and 14 crew members continued its journey to Mumbai, landing safely," Jet Airways said in a statement.

The Airline added the incident was reported to the DGCA and that the concerned crew were derostered pending an internal investigation, that was since initiated.

"At Jet Airways, safety of guests, crew and assets is of paramount importance and the airline has zero tolerance for any action of its employees that compromises safety," the statement added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday drew the Lok Sabha's attention on the issue of security and questioned the Centre for its inability to tackle the tense situation in the border areas.

"Our soldiers are losing their lives on the border. What is the reason behind this that even after being one of the world's best competitive security forces, the situation is unfortunate? I am not making an accusation, I am just raising a question," Yadav said in the Lok Sabha.

Yadav pointed out that the situation escalated as the government did not "give a free hand" to the Army to retaliate.

"Government has not given any clear orders to the army to retaliate, they have not been given a free hand. Our jawans are sacrificing their lives.We are being insulted in the world for our situation at the border," he added.

Around 400 people, including civilians and security personnel, were killed in separate incidents of violence that took place in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017.

Reportedly, cases of ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) rose to 503 this year (till October 5) from 228 in 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In response to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over caste violence gripping Maharashtra, Union Minister Hansraj Ahir on Wednesday said people should know the ground situation before making any statement.

"People should know the ground situation before making statements. People should appeal all to maintain peace there," the Minister of State for Home Affairs told ANI.

In the wake of Bhima-Koregaon violence, Gandhi mounted an attack on BJP and RSS on Tuesday, holding them responsible for suppressing the Dalit community.

"A central pillar of the RSS/BJP's fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," Gandhi tweeted.

Ahir, who represents Maharashtra's Chandrapur constituency, also said a judicial probe into the incident has been ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Violence spilled over to adjoining parts of the state after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on Monday during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday appealed people of Maharashtra to maintain peace and law and order in the state.

"I would appeal to the people not to destroy government properties and have a peaceful shutdown. If strike has been announced people should corporate. Maharashtra government is trying to create peace and maintain law and order in the state," Athawale told ANI.

Responding to the complaint lodged against Jignesh Mevani for making provocative statements, Athawale said, "Police must have acted if Jignesh Mevani's speech was instigating. But he has no relation with this incident.

A separate complaint has been filed against Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid in Pune for allegedly making controversial statements during an event in the city on December 31

Meanwhile, Angry dalit protestors hit the street in several districts of the state, creating much tension in the area. They even halted buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in Thane.

Large numbers of protesters occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting the normal rail traffic.

The Western Railways authority has confirmed that the administration and security forces are making all efforts to normalise the train operations in the state.

Apart from this, commuters have been left stranded due to lack of mode of transport in the state today. Scores of people were witnessed waiting near Thane's Vartak Nagar.

The bus service towards Pune's Baramati and Satara and inter-state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra have been temporarily suspended till further order as a precautionary measure.

To prevent further damage the administration has also suspended internet services in Aurangabad.

Violence spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

Both RSS and BJP are being accused of instigating the violence by opposition leaders.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Section 144 has been imposed in Maharashtra's Thane area till midnight of January 4, in the wake of the statewide band called by the dalit outfits, protesting against the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

The protestors even halted the trains at Thane railway station pertaining to the same.

"Few protestors tried to disrupt railway services at Thane, but were immediately cleared by RPF and GRP officials. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway as of now" says Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Central Railway.

Huge security forces have been deployed in Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony and Eastern Express Highway to keep a check on any case of violence.

Violence spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

Both RSS and BJP are being accused of instigating the violence by opposition leaders.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)While Maharashtra is on edge in the wake of the statewide bandh called by the dalit outfits protesting against the violence at Bhima-Koregaon, the Congress party has moved an adjournment motion notice in the Parliament today.

Angry dalit protestors hit the street in several districts of the state, creating much tension in the area. They even halted buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in Thane.

Large numbers of protesters occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting the normal rail traffic.

The Western Railways authority has confirmed that the administration and security forces are making all efforts to normalise the train operations in the state.

Number of school in Thane has also shut down considering "the safety and security of students."

"It was left for the parents to decide if they want to send their children to school, hardly 50 students came today. So now we are even sending them back home, teachers will also leave thereafter," said a teacher at Mumbai's Young Ladies High School.

Posters were also seen at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune supporting bandh and a slogan of 'No practicals, lectures today'.

Apart from this, commuters have been left stranded due to lack of mode of transport in the state today. Scores of people were witnessed waiting near Thane's Vartak Nagar.

"There are very less auto-rickshaws and buses on roads today. This is troublesome for the entire state, particularly people who have to go to offices" said a commuter waiting for transport at Thane's Vartak Nagar.

While the auto- rickshaws drivers said that they have no other way than to support the protest as they are scared of loss.

The bus service towards Pune's Baramati and Satara and inter-state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra have been temporarily suspended till further order as a precautionary measure.

To prevent further damage the administration has also suspended internet services in Aurangabad.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader and Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav gives adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha under rule 56.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja has given zero hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over "increasing atrocities against Dalits" and Congress MP Rajni Patil has moved adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 in the wake of protest.

Earlier in the day, the protestors halted the trains at Thane railway station pertaining to the same.

"Few protestors tried to disrupt railway services at Thane, but were immediately cleared by RPF and GRP officials. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway as of now" says Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Central Railway.

Violence spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

Both RSS and BJP are being accused of instigating the violence by opposition leaders.

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Global market intelligence, research, and advisory company BIS Research announced that it has roped in Manoj Madhusudanan on as its Innovation and Growth Advisor, to work on key strategic elements to help the firm reach the next orbit of growth - both in terms of capabilities and market reputation.

This new stint will be in addition to Manoj's role as the Co-founder and CEO of Ziligence, an AI-driven platform incubated by BIS Research, whose proprietary technology provides real-time insights on companies to help clients optimise their portfolio risk.

An acknowledged domain expert, Manoj has been deeply involved in the creation and deployment of several innovative products and disruptive technologies into the technology ecosystem. He demonstrates in-depth expertise on a range of diverse subjects and frequently shares his opinions on topics such as customer-insight generation, Big Data, challenger selling, automation, design thinking, and disruptive technologies.

Manoj's appointment to BIS Research's Board is part of the company's long-term strategy to bolster its talent pool. By adding experienced professionals like Manoj, the company looks to enhance its market intelligence capabilities.

"Manoj is well-known for having significant experience of working at the intersection of technology and He has conceptualised, executed, and spearheaded various high-profile, market-focussed intelligence and research projects worldwide. His in-depth knowledge of global best practices in research, analytics, and consulting makes him an invaluable addition to the BIS Research team," said Faisal Ahmad, Founder and CEO, BIS Research.

Holding almost two decades of professional experience, Manoj has been associated with several industry-leading organisations such as Infosys, Accenture, and Evalueserve over the course of his illustrious career.

At Accenture, he advised clients on a variety of areas, from devising go-to-market strategies for a B2B e-commerce platform to optimising the distribution networks of global companies. He was also responsible for building and expanding industry vertical capabilities within the Research practice at Evalueserve to deliver high-quality research solutions, thus strengthening the company's client base and driving repeat business.

While at Evalueserve, Manoj led the creation of InsightBee, a Cloud-based custom research platform from Evalueserve, which leverages a non-linear, digital business model that merges research skills from team members globally for achieving customized business research and delivering superior results. He then led InsightBee's transformation from a pure retail model to a credit-based account plan system to capture strong demand and achieve faster traction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Global giants Amazon and Microsoft, who had announced a partnership in August 2017 to integrate Alexa and Cortana digital assistants, are yet to roll out their smart assistant partnership.

The companies had said that the cross-platform features would be made available by the end of 2017, but they are yet to announce the same.

According to The Verge, the deal made available Amazon and Microsoft's digital assistants on each other's platforms; allowing users to access Microsoft's Cortana assistant on Amazon Echo, or Alexa on any Windows 10 PC.

While Microsoft and Amazon had formed a close partnership, founder and chief executive officer, Amazon, Jeff Bezos had also welcomed Apple and Google to offer similar integration, saying that he would support it.

"There are going to be multiple successful intelligent agents, each with access to different sets of data and with different specialized skill areas," Bezos had said in a press statement.

"Together, their strengths will complement each other," he had added.

Chief executive officer, Microsoft, Satya Nadella had also appeared to welcome the idea of collaboration with Apple and Google.

"Hopefully, they'll be inspired by it," he had said in an interview to The New York Times.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)North Korea on Wednesday said that it will reopen the suspended inter-Korean communication hotline with South Korea.

According to the South Korean news agency, the Yonhap, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs announced that it will open the dialogue channel at the shared border village of Panmunjeom at 3:00 p.m. (Pyongyang time) today.

In February 2016, North Korea cut off two inter-Korean communication channels.

This comes after South Korea's unification ministry expressed a need to reopen an inter-Korean communication hotline.

Yesterday, South Korea proposed high-level talks with the North Korea next week, over latter's probable participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month.

This decision was taken, following the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's re-conciliatory New Year message in a televised address to the nation yesterday. He also warned the United States saying that 'the nuclear button' is always on his 'desk'.

On Tuesday, South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-Gyon sought to initiate the proposed talks with North Korea in a remote North Korean village called Panmunjom, located along the heavily-guarded Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).

A spokesperson of the South Korean presidential office welcomed that North Korea has shown interest in participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Seoul is open to talks "anytime, anyplace and in any format", said the spokesperson.

The Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place at South Korea's Pyeongchang from February 9-25.

The proposed talks come amid the increasing tension between the two countries as South Korea seized a Hong Kong-flagged oil tanker returning after allegedly transferring oil to North Korea a few days ago.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A senior Pakistan Army official said on Wednesday that no amount of coercion could dictate Pakistan on how to conduct its policies and affairs.

"No amount of coercion can dictate us how to continue. We wish to move forward through cooperative engagement but we will not compromise on self-respect and dignity," Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor was quoted by Geo News as saying.

Responding to a question regarding the U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan, Ghafoor said the country would respond to such acts according to the aspiration of its people.

The army spokesperson's reaction came as the U.S. withheld $255 million in aid to Pakistan following United States President Donald Trump's tweet castigating Islamabad for providing safe havens to terrorists.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump said on twitter on Monday.

Outraged over Trump's tweet, Pakistan had summoned the US ambassador David Hale to lodge its protest against the tweet.

Ghafoor said the U.S. had only reimbursed the expenditure which Pakistan had incurred while supporting coalition forces in Afghanistan.

He further said better relations with India were not possible till pending issues were resolved between the two sides.

Ghafoor emphasised that Pakistan needed to remain united in order to tackle the challenges it faces.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi said Islamabad's cooperation with Washington was not based on any aid consideration, but "on our national interests and principles".

She added that Pakistan could review its cooperation with the US if it is not appreciated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Minister of State for Home (Rural), Maharashtra on Wednesday claimed that no Dalit was killed in the Bhima-Khoregaon violence that led to tension in many parts of Maharashtra.

The youth was killed in clashes on Monday during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima Koregaon battle near Pune.

"There has been no death of a person from dalit community. Wrong messages are being spread on the social media, so people have to be very cautious," Kesarkar said.

He said the except Aurangabad city, the situation in Maharashtra was peaceful and under control.

"Barring Aurangabad city, everywhere it is peaceful. Dailt leader Prakash Ambedkar has himself appealed for a peaceful Maharasthra Bandh. I also appeal for peace as Baba Saheb Ambedkar's teaching is for peaceful agitation," the Minister said.

Kesarkar said the traffic in Mumbai was moving barring few areas like Ghatkopar, Chedanagar, Ramai Nagar, Chembur, Govandi, Pant Nagar, and Vikroli where traffic was disrupted for some time.

"The police are not using force. Elsewhere in Maharashtra wherever Rasta Roko (Traffic Blockade) was called, the police cleared it after some time by requesting the protestors. Some damage to the property has taken place in places like Chaalna, Latur, and Neelanga," Kesarkar added.

He added the state police should also be praised for containing violence in the area that avoided a possible stampede at Bhima-Khoregaon.

"There was a mob of around 3-4 lakh people in Khoregaon to pay homage to the memorial that was built 200 years back. No untoward incident took place at the memorial because the police separated the affected area from the memorial. That is why the whole event passed on successfully. Considering the gathering of that nature, had a stampede taken place, it would have been a very bad show," Kesarkar said.

He lamented that this aspect was not being reported and social media rumours were disrupting the peace in Maharashtra.

The issue of Bhima-Khoregaon violence was also raised in the Parliament by the Opposition on Wednesday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Pakistan Navy on Wednesday demonstrated its ability to respond to any aggression by conducting a test fire of a cruise missile from its newly commissioned Fast Attack Craft (Missile), PNS Himmat, off Karachi in the North Arabian Sea.

According to News International, the PNS Himmat fired an indigenously built live weapon named Harba Naval Cruise Missile, which is a surface-to-surface anti-ship missile and can also hit any target on land.

The PNS Himmat is around 63 meters long fitted with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons.

The cruise missile successfully achieved its target today afternoon. The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral, Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, was present on board the ship 'Alamgir'.

The successful test of Harba cruise missile has underlined the dominance of fire power of Pakistan Navy and the unimpeachable level of developing high-tech weaponry achieved by the country's defence ministry.

Abbasi, who oversaw the successful Harba cruise missile test, expressed his satisfaction on the operational preparations of the naval fleet.

He stressed the need to capitalise on indigenous defence capabilities by reducing its dependence on foreign countries and to promote self-reliance.

He also said to ensure the seaward defence of Pakistan and safeguard national maritime interests at all costs.

The admiral also appreciated the efforts made by engineers and researchers in making the cruise missile test a 'massive success'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In the wake of Bhima-Koregaon violence and the ensuing political slugfest over it, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that the present need of the country was development, not caste conflicts.

Speaking at an event here, the chief minister also said both within and outside the state, there were forces that were trying to divide Maharashtra on caste lines by creating conflicts out of non-issues.

"We have always tried to keep Maharashtra away from casteism, but there are people who try to create conflicts out of non-issues," Fadnavis said.

The chief minister hoped that the public of Maharashtra would not give importance to such people who were making inflammatory statements regarding the caste violence, wherein one person has died and several have been injured, including police personnel. The violence has also led to destruction of properties worth hundreds of crores across the state, including the financial capital, Mumbai.

Tension gripped many parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on Monday during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

In the aftermath, a day-long 'Maharashtra bandh' was called by various Dalit and other organisations on Tuesday; however, the bandh was called off later in the day.

Nevertheless, Section 144 was imposed in Thane area till midnight of January 4. The protesters even halted the trains at Thane railway station while 15 flights had to be cancelled.

The matter arose out of the right-wing groups' objection to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti- celebration.

In the Bhima-Koregaon battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory over the upper-caste.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)After a fierce slugfest in the Rajya Sabha over the ongoing Bhima-Koregaon violence in Pune, the Congress on Wednesday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for never taking a stand in support of Dalits in the parliament.

Speaking to ANI, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be present in Parliament so that we could discuss the reasons behind the ongoing violence in Koregaon and an investigation is conducted. Also, the atrocities being faced by Dalits in the country should be taken into consideration by the Prime Minister and he should give a strong message in that context. He has always spoken outside the Assembly and has never pointed out the violence against Dalits in the Assembly."

He added that there is a need to figure out who is behind the Koregaon violence and which organisations are taking part to exploit the law and order through this ruthlessness.

"The ignorance towards Dalit violence by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reflects the difference between their doing and saying. Therefore, we want an impartial inquiry in this issue," Kharge asserted.

Meanwhile, speaking on the Bhima Koregaon violence, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the politicians should also take notice of the hatred that is being spread through hate speeches in Maharashtra.

Earlier in the day, a large number of the police personnel were deployed in Aurangabad as vehicles were vandalised by protestors in the wake of the ongoing protests and bandh across Maharashtra against the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

The Dalit activists had called for a bandh in Maharashtra to protest against violence in Pune that left a man dead.

Authorities have beefed up security in several cities, including Mumbai, as tension prevails in the state.

Protests were held in Nagpur, Pune and Baramati and arson was reported from several areas.

The tension began on Monday when lakhs of Dalits gathered in the village of Bhima-Koregaon, about 30 km from Pune, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of a battle that saw Dalit soldiers fighting with the British, defeating the army of the upper caste Peshwas or rulers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Days after confirming his entry into politics, superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday met Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. Karunanidhi at his Chennai residence to "seek his blessings."

The party's working president MK Stalin was also present there.

Although, the meeting has triggered speculation among the political circles whether Rajinikanth is mulling an alignment with the DMK.

However, the actor-turned-politician said that he met the DMK chief only to seek his blessings ahead of his political journey.

"He is the senior most politician in the country. I respect him a lot. We have a very good friendship. I took his blessings as I am entering I am feeling very happy after meeting him," Rajinikanth told reporters.

This is Rajinikanth's first ever political meet after announcing that he would be contesting the next state assembly elections by floating a new party.

Earlier on the last day of 2017, the actor, after announcing his decision, also called for a political change in Tamil Nadu.

"My political entry is definite. This is a long-pending decision. I will feel guilty if I don't take this decision at least now. In the next assembly elections, I will form a party and will contest all constituencies in Tamil Nadu", he had said while addressing a gathering.

Noting that the in the country had gone "very wrong" and under the guise of democracy, political parties are looting their own people, the superstar had said, "Such a system needs to be changed".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least 13 people died and 14 others got injured in two separate road accidents in Rajasthan.

In Jaipur, eight members of a family were killed including three women and two children after a tempo collided with a truck last night.

The people were returning home after attending a marriage ceremony in Naraina here, when the hapless incident took place.

Six out of the eight died on the spot, while the other two passed away during treatment in a nearby government hospital.

Two other children are seriously injured.

In another incident, five people were killed and 12 others got injured after a tractor trolley collided with a speeding bus in states' Sikar area.

The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital.

The police are further investigating both the cases.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russia on Wednesday registered at least 10 cases of ceasefire violations in Syria over the last 24 hours.

TASS news agency quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying: "The control groups continue monitoring the ceasefire compliance within the implementation of the Memorandum on the de-escalation zones in the Syrian Arab Republic, which had been signed by Russia, Turkey, and Iran on May 4, 2017. Situation in the de-escalation zones is assessed as stable."

On the other hand, Turkey registered 11 cases of ceasefire violations.

The ministry added: "The Turkish side has registered 11 cases of ceasefire violation in the provinces of Damascus (2), Aleppo (4), Idlib (2) and Latakia (2). Most cases of unselective firing from small arms have been registered in the areas controlled by insurgents of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groupings."

"Over the last 24 hours, the Russian party of the Russia-Turkey Commission on violations of the Joint Agreement has registered 10 cases of firing in the provinces of Aleppo (8), and Latakia (2). Medical aid has been provided to 39 Syrian citizens," the Defence Ministry said.

In May last year, Russia, Iran and Turkey signed an agreement to set up de-escalation centres in Syria.

In September, four de-escalation zones were set up in different parts of the country.

De-escalation zones include the Idlib Province, some parts of Latakia, Hama and Aleppo Provinces, Homs, Eastern Ghouta, Daraa and al-Quneitra Provinces in southern Syria.

On December 11, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited the Hmeymim air base in Syria and ordered the defence ministry to begin the withdrawal of troops from the war-torn country.

Russia, in recent times, has been launching airstrikes to eliminate the Islamic State (IS) from the country.

In October this year, the Syrian army and the United States (U.S.) backed Syrian Democratic Forces captured Raqqa, which was the de facto capital of the IS. Other areas of Raqqa were also recovered from the dreaded terrorist group.

Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011.

Protesters have for long been demanding the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over his autocratic rule.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Canadian man, who was held hostage by the Taliban earlier along with his wife, has been arrested by the Canadian police and charged with 15 counts of criminal offences.

According to Xinhua, the accused, Joshua Boyle is in police custody and faces charges such as eight counts of assault, two counts each of sexual assault and unlawful confinement and one count for misleading the police.

Boyle was also charged for uttering death protests and forcing an individual to take a noxious substance called Trazodone. According to Canadian reports, the alleged offences took place between October 14 and December 30 last year.

Before being arrested, the 34-year-old former hostage lived in a downtown Ottawa apartment with his family.

In October 2012, Boyle and his American-born wife Caitlan Coleman were kidnapped by the Haqqani network, an insurgent group linked to Afghan Taliban in Ghazni Province of Afghanistan while on a backpacking trip through Central and South Asia. They were held hostage for the last five years.

Boyle also alleged that her wife was sexually assaulted by the Taliban. Coleman, who was pregnant at that time, gave birth to three children in captivity.

On October 11 last year, with joint efforts by the United States (US) and Canada, the couple was brought back to Canada after Pakistani forces located the family and rescued them, after receiving intelligence from Afghanistan-based U.S. forces.

The couple also met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which came to light after the former had posted photos of their meeting on Twitter in December last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States Ambassador the United Nations Nikki Haley has said that President Donald Trump was prepared to end all funding for Pakistan if it did not stop providing safe haven to terrorist groups.

She also confirmed Tuesday that the U.S. was withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan for harboring the terrorists that attack U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"The administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan. There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," The Hill quoted Haley as saying to reporters at UN headquarters in New York.

"We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism," she added.

Haley's remarks came a day after Trump castigated Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists.

Trump, in a strongly-worded tweet, had said America had been 'foolishly' providing military aid to Pakistan for 15 years, but in return, it has only received 'lies and deceit.'

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump posted on the micro-blogging site on Monday.

Outraged over Trump's tweet, Pakistan summoned the United States ambassador David Hale to lodge its protest against the tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Expressing 'respect for the people of Iran,' President Donald Trump stated the United States would provide great support to them 'at the appropriate time.'

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" the president, penned down, in a Twitter post.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Trump dubbed the Iranian regime as "brutal" and "corrupt" and also purported that the money given to Iran by Barack Obama when he was the american president "went into terrorism and into their 'pockets.'"

"The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their "pockets,"" Trump wrote on a micro-blogging site.

Iran is still witnessing a wave of demonstrations, being held in many cities across the country as people took to raising anti-government slogans, over alleged corruption and rising prices that have plagued the people of the country.

Trump and other administration officials, including US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, have voiced support for peaceful protestors demonstrating against the Iranian government, reported the Hill.

At least 20 individuals have died since the protests began last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wished Iranian people "success in their noble quest for freedom."

On Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the people of Iran were free to protest peacefully, but rejected protesting by violence.

The authorities have also blocked two popular social media apps - Telegram and Instagram - as a security measure.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Hours after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley confirmed that that the U.S. would be cutting off aid to Pakistan, the White House on Tuesday said they just wanted Pakistan to do more in the fight against terrorism.

"We know that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism, and we want them to step up and do that," White House Spokesperson Sarah Sanders said during White House press briefing.

"First, in terms of Pakistan, as I said, our goal is that we know that they can do more to stop terrorism, and we want them to do that. That seems pretty simple. In terms of specific actions, I think you will see some more details come out on that in the next 24 to 48 hours, and we will be sure to keep you guys updated on that front," she added.

Earlier, Haley said President Donald Trump was prepared to end all funding for Pakistan if it did not stop providing safe haven to terrorist groups.

She also confirmed that the U.S. was withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan for harboring the terrorists that attack U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism," she added.

Haley's remarks came a day after Trump castigated Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump posted on the micro-blogging site on Monday.

Outraged over Trump's tweet, Pakistan summoned the United States ambassador David Hale to lodge its protest against the tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and the USA for co-hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in India. The MoU delineated the responsibilities, areas of co-operation including logistics and venue related requirements between the parties for smooth conduct of the Summit.

The GES-2017 provided excellent opportunity to entrepreneurs and investors to have meetings with global industry leaders, networking sessions, pitching competitions, strategic workshops and sector-specific programs for forging new collaborations. The Summit provided a forum to enhance economic opportunities to young entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs and marginalized groups in the long run.

Background

The GES-2017 was held during 28-30 November, 2017 in Hyderabad. It was attended by more than 1500 registered delegates from 150 countries in addition to CEOs of MNCs, policy makers and Government officials.

A decision to host the Eighth Edition of the GES in 2017 in India was taken at the meeting between the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the then US President Barack Obama on 7th June, 2016 under the Joint Declaration.

This was reiterated by the Prime Minister during his visit to the USA from 25-27 June 2017 and he invited Ms. Ivanka Trump, Adviser to the US President to lead the US delegation to the GES in India.

The GES is a pre-eminent forum for emerging entrepreneurs. The Summit provided opportunities for meeting with global industry leaders, networking of international entrepreneurs, innovators, investors. The summit also provided forum for pitching competition, strategic workshops and sector-programmes to help in creating new collaborations amongst entrepreneurs and Investors. The Summit provided for significantly increased economic opportunities for young entrepreneurs, especially, women entrepreneurs and start-ups.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for establishment of new AIIMS in Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh) under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). The cost of the project is Rs.1351 crore.

Salient features:

The new AIIMS will be completed in a period of 48 months with a pre-construction phase of 12 months, construction phase of 30 months and stabilization / commissioning phase of 6 months.

The Institution will consist of a hospital with a capacity of 750 beds and trauma center facilities.

It will have a Medical college with an intake of 100 MBBS students per year.

Nursing college with an intake of 60 B.

Sc. (Nursing) students per year.

Residential complexes and allied facilities / services, broadly on the pattern of AIIMS, New Delhi.

The hospital will have 20 Speciality/Super-Speciality Departments including 15 Operation Theatres.

It will also have an AYUSH department with 30 beds for providing treatment facilities in traditional system of medicine. Impact:

The establishment of new AIIMS will serve the dual purpose of providing super speciality health care to the population while also help create a large pool of doctors and other health workers in this region that can be available for primary and secondary level institutions / facilities being created under National Health Mission (NHM).

Background:

Under this scheme, AIIMS have been established in Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Rishikesh and Patna while work of AIIMS Rae Bareli is in progress. Also, three AIIMS in Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri in Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) have been sanctioned in 2015, two AIIMS have been sanctioned at Bathinda and Gorakhpur in 2016 and an AIIMS in Kamrup (Assam).

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Note submitted by the Department of Commerce and approved the approach to be adopted by India at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December 2017.

The mandate exercised and approach adopted at the Conference was aimed at protecting India's interests, priorities and concerns during the Ministerial Conference.

Background

In the run-up to the Conference, decisions were expected on a permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes as per the Bali/Nairobi mandate and other agriculture issues. Some WTO member countries were seeking outcomes on domestic regulations in services, disciplines on fisheries subsidies, E-commerce, Investment Facilitation and Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).

However, ultimately, there was no outcome on public stockholding for food security purposes or on other agriculture issues due to an absence of consensus.

The Bali Ministerial Decision together with the General Council Decision of November 2014, which was reaffirmed at the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in December 2015 protects India through availability of an interim mechanism on public stockholding for food security purposes, till a permanent solution is agreed and adopted by the WTO. Thus, India's foodgrain procurement programmes at Minimum Support Prices remain protected.

Ministerial decisions taken during the Conference include a Work Programme on disciplines on Fisheries Subsidies with a view to arriving at a decision by the Twelfth Ministerial Conference of the WTO, in 2019. It was also decided to continue with the non-negotiating mandate of the existing Work Programme on E-Commerce, as proposed by India.

As was done in previous Ministerial Conferences, an existing moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmission was expanded for two years. Another moratorium on TRIPS non-violation companies was maintained, which prevents 'ever-greening' of patents in the pharmaceuticals sector, thereby ensuring accessibility and affordability of generic medicines.

Ministerial decisions on new issues like Investment Facilitation, MSMEs, gender and trade, which lacked a mandate or consensus, were not taken forward.

As there were wide differences among members, with a few members not supporting acknowledgment and reiteration of key underlying principles guiding the WTO and varied agreed mandates, Ministers could not arrive at an agreed Ministerial Declaration. India did not support the draft Ministerial Declaration as it excluded or failed to adequately cover important issues such as multilateralism, the Doha Development Agenda and special and differential treatment of developing countries.

However, wide support was expressed for the multilateral trading system and the commitment to move forward on various areas of work in the WTO. It is also noteworthy that even in the absence of a Ministerial Declaration, the existing mandates and decisions ensure that work will go forward and Members will continue to work on issues such as the permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes, an agricultural Special Safeguard Mechanism, agricultural subsidies and other issues.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare presided the meeting on 21.12.2017 to discuss the issue of adulteration of milk and milk products with the State Cooperative Milk Federations, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and State Food Safety Department representatives. MOSs advised the stakeholders to identify the unscrupulous agents who indulge in adulteration of milk as their business. Directions have been issued by Secretary (ADF) to all Chief Secretaries and Food Commissioners of States/UTs to conduct 500 random sampling of milk every month at village level for detecting adulteration particularly of edible oil, sucrose and detergents. This drive will be started immediately and 50,000 samples will be taken countrywide. FSAAI has been advised to follow up on this. States have also been advised to install milk Adulteration testing equipments at village level for detection of adulteration by various adulterants.

Assistance for this will be provided by DADF under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). Rs.100 crores have been set apart for this. ICAR was directed to enable quick testing methods for testing chemicals which are not detected by the existing testing machines. Uttar Pradesh is being assisted to install 390 milk adulteration testing equipments in 2017-18 at village/District level. Other States are also being encouraged like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc. The FSAAI has also been directed to develop standards for Honey testing as fructose adulteration malpractice is rampant. NDDB is setting up a National Honey Testing Laboratory for the purpose with Central Government assistance.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) signed here today an Agreement. Under the Agreement, IICA has been entrusted with the key responsibility of capacity building of IPPB through training of its officials/employees besides providing research support by instituting Research Chairs in the emerging area of payment banking.

Shri Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) remarked that after green and white revolution, a Financial Revolution in India is all set to transform the rural economy. With massive network of post offices, IPPB can very effectively remedy the lack of financial inclusion in India said Shri Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, MCA, while speaking on the occasion of Agreement Signing Ceremony between Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).

Secretary, Department of Posts, Shri AN Nanda highlighted that mobilization of household savings - a sound pillar giving strength to Indian economy - has been facilitated by Department of Posts since long. He emphasized that IPPB shall be adding further strength to Jandhan Yojana of the Government of India by facilitating 'ease of transaction'.

IPPB is a flagship "financial inclusion" initiative of Government of India to cover major portion of the country's population that is outside the ambit of formal banking.

Shri Gyaneshawar Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, MCA and DG & CEO, IICA presented the framework of the collaboration to the house, and said that the services provided by the IPPB will be at the doorstep which will include third party transfer and Direct Benefit Transfer. He said that the policy of last 60 years will become reality in the next 5-6 years. We want to leverage the trust held by the Post Office and the Postman. The trust that the people repose in Postmen will help immensely in delivering of financial services. This is a rural-centric initiative as city has abundant financial services.

Shri Suresh Sethi, MD & CEO, IPPB, said that this is the largest financial literacy mission in the world.

India Post Payments Bank can reach 6 times from the 50,000 branches currently. The rural banking infrastructure has the potential of increasing 10-fold. The India Post Payments Bank infrastructure will connect with the bigger banking infrastructure and provide inclusive banking services in the rural area. Training takes a central role as it impacts the operational efficiency as well proper utilisation of available technology. It will be agents' and bankers' understanding and initiative that will alleviate the fear of technology. Service orientation is also another critically important component. Shri Sethi remarked that standing on the principles of accessibility and affordability, IPPB is in the process of not only offering last mile delivery of financial services but also connect with larger financial ecosystem. IPPB is going to be the largest financial literacy programme anywhere in the world, he added.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Direct Selling industry in India has almost doubled since 2011 to reach INR 126.2 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4.8% to reach INR 159.3 billion in 2021, reveals the study undertaken by ASSOCHAM.

The average sales of each participant in India is about said USD 300 per year i.e. Rs. 20,000, where the global average is about USD 1700 per participant per year or about Rs. 10,000 per month, reveals the ASSOCHAM paper.

Direct selling opportunities can be enhanced in India provided we create a conducive environment which is protecting all the stakeholders within the framework of the regulatory framework, adds the study.

The top markets depicting the highest sales globally are USA (20%), China (19%) and Korea (9%). India's ranking in the industry in terms of the size of the sector improved from 22nd in 2014-2015 to 20th in 2015-2016. Direct selling industry accounted for more than USD 183 Billion in retail sales globally in the year 2015- a new sales record for the industry. Every region in the year 2015-2016 reported growth in its sales and 80 per cent of the countries around the world reported an increase in both sales and people joining the industry, adds the study.

The Direct Selling industry's contribution to the country can be mapped to various schemes introduced by the Government of India in the past two-three years. The industry has been playing a significant role in Skill India initiative by imparting soft skills, marketing and leadership trainings in its network. It has also contributed positively to several other flagship schemes launched by Government of India like Make in India, Digital India, Startup India and Women Empowerment, noted the study.

Despite of substantial growth over the years and a number of ways in which it has contributed to Indian economy, this industry is the most misunderstood and unacknowledged business activity. The main reason for the same is the use of networking and schemes through which the activity of direct selling is undertaken. In majority of cases (of course where credible entities/ promoters are involved) such network marketing schemes are means to increase the expanse of business. However, India and its public has been on receiving numerous unscrupulous schemes where people have lost money, credibility, honour and livelihood, noted the study.

Though the Guidelines received the overwhelmed response within the industry, there are certain other reforms which needs to be restructure to ensure a sustainable operating environment for the Direct Selling entities need for implementation of Guidelines at state level, need for relaxation under the Foreign Direct Investment ('FDI') policy, enactment of Consumer Protection Bill and need for amendment under the PCMCS Act.

Direct selling has been leaving imprints of its growth and success globally over the years. It has become an extremely popular self-employment model across the world.

There are several reasons for this immense success, best quality products, personal connection and bonding with consumers and promotions of entrepreneurship are some of the major factors contributing to its growth. Apart from the minimum cost and low risk involved in direct selling, the popularity of this model stems from the fact that entrepreneurs engaged in direct selling are able to provide a personal touch to their interactions with customers through personalised and custom-made demonstrations and in turn, expand their professional network of contacts.

Countries such as the US, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom and Malaysia are already been listed as top direct selling markets. The reach of direct selling is spreading quickly in almost every country around the world. Direct selling, besides providing self-employment opportunities to numerous people around the world, also helps in advancing the overall trade and commerce of an economy; thereby it contributes in boosting the overall economic growth of a country. In countries like Mexico, which have similar socio-economic structures, with one-tenth of India's population, the size of the direct selling industry is at least eight times bigger than the Indian market.

Direct selling industry makes an economic contribution to the lives of more than 30 million people across the world and an estimated 220,000 entrepreneurs join this industry every week. The international direct selling companies account for a dominant 90 per cent of the organised market. One of the most tangible impacts of direct selling in its new advent has been the fact that it has touched average individuals in a manner never experienced before. Giving freedom to people for doing business in the way they have always wanted is proving as a motivational factor to display their entrepreneurial skills. This is expected to accelerate further as the business grows and expands.

The sales in the direct selling sector in India is dominated by the consumer health segment, closely followed the beauty and personal care segment. Food and beverage category in direct selling registered strongest value growth of 34 per cent during 2014-2016. Wellness and healthcare category is emerging as a clear winner in direct selling industry with significant growth year on year.

In India, the Direct Selling Industry has existed for several years, but the entry of numerous international companies, during the last five years has accorded greater visibility to this industry, which is still in a nascent stage. According an Annual Survey 2015-2016, it is estimated that over the past five years, about 500,000 people benefited from the opportunities offered by the industry.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Reliance Industries (RIL) said that it successfully commissioned and achieved design throughput of the world's first ever and largest refinery off-gas cracker (ROGC) complex of 1.5 MMTPA capacity along with downstream plants and utilities. The ROGC complex is a core component of RIL's most innovative and world-scale J3 project at its integrated refinery-Petrochemicals complex at Jamnagar. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 2 January 2018.

Vikas WSP said that the management is doing all its endeavors to develop new guar gum products for catering into varied food applications. The company said that it may take some more time to bring the operations back on track.

The company has received an order of Rs 5.86 crore guar gum 480U for use in lacto-fermented and convenient food applications from MNC customers. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 2 January 2018.

Ducon Infratechnologies said that its promoter, Aron Govil is voluntary planning to pledge his 50 lakh shares to raise capital for the company. The decision will strengthen company's balance sheet and enable it to capitalize on the upcoming opportunity in the industry in terms of significant upcoming projects. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 2 January 2018.

Yash Papers said that the commercial production of tableware unit (phase - 1) of the company started from 2 January 2018. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 2 January 2018.

V-Mart Retail opened a new fashion store in Jharkhand. The tally of stores in Jharkhand now is 14 fashion stores. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 2 January 2018.

VST Tillers Tractors said that sales of power tillers surged 113.5% to 3,004 units in December 2017 over December 2016. Sales of tractors remained unchanged at 611 units in December 2017 over December 2016. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 2 January 2018.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)To service markets of US, Saudi Arabia and India on exclusive basis

Tiger Logistics (India) announced that the Company has signed an exclusive agreement with USA based M/s Compass Forwarding Co. Inc. (Compass) and its subsidiary M/s Falcon Maritime & Aviation Co. Inc. (Falcon).

As per the agreement, Tiger Logistics India Ltd along with Compass and Falcon agrees to service the markets of USA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India on Exclusive basis. The agreement also provides for mutual support to each other on non-exclusive basis for Brazil-India tradeline.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A teenage male suicide bomber exploded himself in a mosque in Nigeria's Gamboru town on Wednesday, killing 10 people including his biological father, officials said.

The suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device strapped to his body during an early morning prayer in the northeastern state of Borno, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The suicide bomber hailed from Gamboru town. He disowned his parents and joined the terrorists in the bush," said an official.

The Nigerian military said another suspected suicide bomber was killed in Rann, another town located in Kala-Balge area of Borno.

Rogers Nicholas, the commander of the troops fighting the Boko Haram terror group in Nigeria, said only five bodies of the victims had been recovered by the military.

Nigeria has made considerable gains on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces having dislodged its fighters from the Sambisa Forest, their last enclave in the country.

--IANS

soni/mr

(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.)Four persons were arrested on Wednesday in Karnataka's Suratkal town near here for the alleged murder of a 32-year-old man, whom the opposition BJP claimed to be a "Hindu activist".

"The suspects were arrested when they were trying to escape after attacking the victim - Deepak Rao - at Katipalla in the town," Dakishna Kannada Superintendent of Police S.K. Reddy told IANS.

Rao, a sales executive with a mobile phones distributor, in Mangaluru, about 350km from the Bengaluru, was riding a motorbike at Katipalla when the accused waylaid and assaulted him with a machete between 1.30-2 p.m.

"A bleeding Rao was rushed to a private hospital at Suratkal for emergency treatment, but doctors declared him dead," said Reddy.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh saod that the suspects were nabbed after they were chased and intercepted by police which fired at the car in which they were fleeing from the crime spot.

"We recovered the weapon (machete) with which Rao was hacked," added Reddy.

The four arrested were identified as Mulky Naushad, Rizwan, Pinky Nawaz and Nirshan.

Right wing outfit Bajrang Dal also claimed that Rao was one of its members in the coastal district.

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy rushed Additional Director General of Police Kamal Pant to the town to inquire into the incident.

The state government also deployed additional police to maintain law and order and ensure peace, as the BJP and Bajrang Dal called for a day-long shutdown in the coastal district on Thursday in protest against the murderous attack on Rao.

--IANS

bha-fb/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A young yoga teacher from Haridwar is quietly making waves in Afghanistan, spreading the ancient Indian science of harmonisation of body, mind and spirit to a rising number of yoga enthusiasts in that country.

In a short span since he based himself in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, Ghulam Askari Zaidi, in his mid-30s, has helped popularise yoga among numerous young and not-so-young Afghans -- both male and female.

Originally from Lucknow, Zaidi was sent to Afghanistan for a year by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Zaidi has been involved with the Yoga Foundation at Mazar-e-Sharif, once the hub of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, set up by the Afghanistan Olympic Committee's zonal unit in collaboration with the Indian consulate there.

Zaidi said in a telephonic interview that people in Afghanistan, particularly youths, were most enthusiastic about yoga.

"The reason is they find it beneficial in so many ways. People have been attracted to yoga because of the health benefits they can get from it as well as spiritual well-being," he said.

"Some are also interested in teaching and promoting yoga in other countries," he added. "And with all the conflict and war around them, they find yoga soothing."

Zaidi's yoga classes are held mostly within the premises of the Indian consulate at Mazar-e-Sharif. Some are held in selected school classrooms.

"The classes attract both male and female students of all age groups," he said. "Some students are from women's organisations. Others are sportspersons or the physically challenged. There are a lot of children as well."

A post-graduate in yoga from Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya (DSVV) in Haridwar and an Assistant Professor at its yoga department, Zaidi interacts with the Afghans learning yoga in English, Farsi and Urdu.

While initially he found some hesitation amongst some Afghans in learning yoga as they felt it was linked to Hinduism, their understanding has radically changed now, he said.

One reason for this, he felt, was the influence of the Indian media in Afghanistan. More and more Afghans realised that although an ancient Indian science, yoga was about mind control and having better health through systematic and regular practice.

Zaidi admitted there were some problems too.

"While the environment in Afghanistan is generally favourable for yoga, there are certain constraints arising mostly from issues related to security," he said.

"These hinder free movement and classes outside the consulate complex have to be held under tight security."

Afghan women in particular, both young and the not-so-young, prefer to learn yoga in classrooms instead of in the open, Zaidi said. "But it is safe to say that yoga has got a firm footing in Afghanistan."

Two more yoga students from the Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya here are likely to be sent on similar deputations by the ICCR, said Pro Vice Chancellor Chinmay Pandya.

--IANS

mr/tb

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir on Wednesday rejected the notion that the country has acted against Hafiz Saeed due to pressure from the US, saying that all action against the Mumbai terror attacks mastermind was under the ambit of the country's own anti-terror operations.

Dastagir, in an interview with BBC Urdu, said that although a number of organisations have been banned internationally, Pakistan would assess the situation and take steps accordingly.

"Action against Jamaat-ud-Dawa is being carried out in light of a well thought out strategy for a safer Pakistan where terrorists are never able to gun down school children ever again," Dastagir said during the interview.

"It is not that we will take up arms against our own country, that time has passed," he said, adding that Pakistan will now take calculated decisions.

Saeed is accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that left over 160 people dead, including foreigners.

Discussing the recent rift between Pakistan and the US, the Defence Minister termed Trump's tweet as a "point of view".

"Instead of learning counter-terrorism from Pakistan, the US is cursing us," he said.

He added that there had been positive dialogue between Pakistan and the US in the past few months but the relationship was given "a negative colour on the public level".

Dastagir also accused India of playing an "indirect role" in the deteriorating relationship between Pakistan and the US.

The Defence Minister's statements come a day after Washington confirmed suspension of $255 million in military aid to Pakistan.

Military aid to Islamabad was cut after Trump, in a tweet, accused Pakistan of "lies & deceit".

--IANS

ahm/sac

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Film: "All The Money In The World"; Director: Ridley Scott; Cast: Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Romain Duris, Timothy Hutton, Charlie Plummer, Charlie Shotwell, Andrew Buchan, Marco Leonardi, Giuseppe Bonifati, Nicolas Vaporidis; Rating: ****

In the backdrop of a kidnap drama, "All The Money In The World" is an interesting portrait of J. Paul Getty, "the richest man in the history of the world during his time".

Based on the 1995 book titled "Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty" by John Pearson, the film dramatises the 1973 abduction of John Paul Getty III, the grandson of J. Paul Getty.

Without much ado the opening scene, in black-and-white frames, plunges into the abduction of the boyish, long-haired young Getty, who is out on the streets of Rome sparring good-naturedly with some wanton ladies.

After the abduction, we are regularly reminded about the young boy's rich grandfather and at the same time are provided with insights into the old man's eccentricities and his relationships with others in the family and society. His miserly attitude -- and he has his reasons for every action of his -- sharply chisels his character making him interesting as well as despicable.

He famously states: "If you can count your money then you are not a billionaire." But after the boy's mother, Abigail Harris, who is estranged from her husband, gets the ransom call demanding $17 billion for his release, Getty Sr. refuses to pay. He cites that paying the ransom would risk the lives of his other 14 grandchildren too.

Instead he appoints Fletcher Chase, a former CIA agent and his chief of security to negotiate.

As the clock ticks, how the haplessly penniless mother and Chase negotiate not only with the kidnappers to reduce the ransom but with Getty, too, to pay the amount, forms the crux of the tale.

Taking a few liberties with the historical records, scriptwriter David Scarpa blends the narrative of the kidnapping thriller into a character-driven plot astutely. He keeps you glued to the screen throughout its two hours twenty minutes run-time. Every character is well-etched and the actors deliver efficiently.

While the kidnapping and the escape scenes are straightforward, the plot delves on the characters of Getty Sr and Abigail Harris and they are naturally the stars of the show. Christopher Plummer essays the role of Getty Sr. and Michelle Williams plays Abigail Harris. Slipping into the skin of their characters, they both enrapture you with their fascinating performances.

Mark Wahlberg does not leave an impression. As Getty's smooth-talking fixer Fletcher Chase he is serviceable. He underplays his role and probably that's why the others shine.

Charlie Plummer, as the kidnapped Paul, is perfunctorily amiable. You do feel sorry for him, when he can't understand as to why it is taking his family so long to get him released and especially after his ear is sliced and sent to the local daily's office. Romain Duris, as the Italian ruffian named Cinquanta, has his moments of onscreen glory.

On the production front, director Ridley Scott deploys a few borrowed flourishes to make this film look interesting. The black and white scenes remind you of Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita", and in the later scenes where the lonesome Getty in his ornate mansion is seen distressed, brings to mind Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.

The locations, the production designs by Arthur Max, the costumes by designer Janty Yates reflect the era perfectly and this is dexterously captured by Dariusz Wolski's cinematography. His frames along with Daniel Pemberton's fine score are seamlessly layered by editor Claire Simpson.

Overall, the film is an ingeniously crafted, tension filled, kidnapping drama that won't disappoint you.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An amendment to the bill granting constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) which seeks to negate the provisions approved by the Rajya Sabha was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot tabled the Bill which seeks to reject the amendment passed by the upper house in the last session.

The discussion on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 could not be completed following adjournment of the House for the day due to heated exchanges between Union Minister Giriraj Singh and Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee.

Banerjee accused the BJP of violating "cooperative federalism" but the treasury benches rejected the allegations.

Congress member Rajiv Satav, who participated in the discussion, said the government should have an open mind and accept the amendments made by the Upper House.

This Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on April 10 last year. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill with an amendment at its sitting held on July 31.

The amendment tabled by the government also provides for deletion of amendments approved by the Upper House while inserting alternative amendment.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday after ruckus over the violence against Dalits in Maharashtra that some opposition members blamed on the BJP and the RSS.

Satish Chandra Mishra of the Bahujan samaj Party alleged that the Rashtriya Swayemsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were responsible for the violence against Dalits in Maharashtra.

Mishra was joined in by some other members, claiming they had given a notice for holding a discussion on the matter.

As opposition members tried to raise the issue, their House colleagues from the treasury benches also rose to speak, creating a din in the Rajya Sabha.

Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House first till noon.

As the noisy scenes of protests returned when members re-assembled at 12 p.m., the Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

The logjam over the Bhima Koregaon violence threatens a possible passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq. The controversial legislation is scheduled to be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha had last week cleared the bill, that seeks to impose a jail term of up to three years on the husband who pronounces triple talaq.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Apple has acquired Canadian start-up buddybuild, a mobile iteration platform focused on building integration and debugging tools for iOS developers, for an undisclosed sum.

"We're excited to share that the buddybuild team has joined the Xcode engineering group at Apple to build amazing developer tools for the entire iOS community," buddybuild said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company said that it would stay in Vancouver -- a hotbed of developer and engineering talent.

"The buddybuild service will remain available to existing customers to build, test and ship iOS apps to testers through buddybuild.com," it added.

The startup is no longer accepting new customers.

"Existing 'Free Starter' plans and Android app development will be discontinued on March 1, 2018," the company said.

According to TechCrunch, buddybuild would be rolled into Xcode, Apple's suite of development tools for iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS.

Apple still generates significant revenue from apps.

"Of the $17 billion generated in Q3 from apps globally (excluding China), Apple accounted for around $11 billion of it, according to App Annie," the report added.

Buddybuild was founded in 2015 by former Amazon employees Dennis Pilarinos and Christopher Stott.

In 2014, Apple acquired TestFlight which began to require users to employ Xcode to utilise the service.

--IANS

na/in

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Industry body Assocham on Wednesday recommended a weighted tax deduction of 150-200 per cent on actual cost of specified components for the consumer electronics sector in the upcoming Union Budget.

The deduction is required as costs pertaining to finance, energy and logistics/transportation constitute a major portion of consumer electronics sector, the chamber said in a release.

"Further, these costs are auditable and duly included in the financial statements of a company," the release said quoting the recommendations on direct tax made by the body to the centre.

With a view to revive private investments in the electronics sector, Assocham has suggested that venture capital pool may be introduced in the sector and coordinated by a bank/special purpose vehicle or under public-private partnership mode, according to the release.

"In order to boost the availability of capital funds to India's $100 billion worth electronics industry, it is imperative that a venture capital pool be created and allied tax incentive provided to enable genuine private players to use funds of such pool through a stringent mechanism," said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham.

Contributors may be offered tax incentives on the dividend, while manufacturers may be provided with tax exemptions, it said.

To make the business more competitive in the electronics sector, Assocham has recommended the government to link the India BPO Promotion Scheme with direct tax benefit.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A man, who was arrested in June 2017 for threatening to kill policemen in Sydney with a knife, is now facing charges, Australian police said on Wednesday.

Blake Pender, 26, allegedly "made numerous threats about wanting to become a martyr and kill police", New South Wales police said in a statement.

Pender was first charged with being armed with the intent to assault police and steal.

Further investigations laid out the charges against Pender, including possessing an item connected with a terrorist act and preparing or planning for one.

The suspect remains in custody and will be produced in court in February, Xinhua news agency reported.

The charges highlight the importance of "capturing those who seek to cause harm", NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing was quoted as saying.

"It's a reality that there are people in the community who seek to cause harm to us, and police remain a target."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A special team of Bihar Police on Wednesday seized fake stamp papers worth Rs 10 crore in the state capital, a senior police official said.

"A police team seized fake stamp papers near Rajender Nagar flyover here. However, those involved in the racket managed to escape," Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj told reporters.

According to the SSP, police teams are conducting raids at various places in Patna since the recovery of fake stamp papers.

"We suspect that more fake stamp papers have been brought to the state capital and the police are making all efforts to recover those," Maharaj added.

In 2013, the Patna Police had seized fake stamp papers worth Rs 107 crore and arrested 16 people in this connection.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The ruling BJP on Wednesday forced an unprecedented adjournment in the Rajya Sabha as the opposition pressed for the triple talaq Bill to be sent to a Select Committee of the House for closer scrutiny.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, known as the triple talaq bill, in the House amid protests from the opposition which sought a discussion over the anti-Dalit violence in Koregaon-Bhima in Maharashtra.

Both Prasad and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused the opposition of creating ruckus to avoid tabling the triple talaq bill, a charge vehemently denied by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.

As soon as the Bill was moved, Trinamool Congress' Sukhendu Sekhar Roy brought Rule 125 to the Chair's notice that confers the MPs with power to recommend referring a Bill to a Select Committee.

The opposition tried to prevent Prasad from giving a statement on the proposed legislation which has provisions to jail Muslim men who give instant divorce by uttering 'talaq' thrice.

Congress leader Anand Sharma moved an amendment that read: "This House being strongly committed to women empowerment and women's rights refers the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 as passed by the Lok Sabha to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for parliamentary scrutiny and to ensure complete justice to women and safeguarding their interest and welfare."

He said the Committee would submit its report in the first week of the Budget session.

Sharma proposed 17 names of members from different opposition parties including the Congress, AIADMK, TMC, SP, DMK, BSP, NCP, CPI-M, TDP, BJD, CPI, RJD, IUML and JMM apart from that of nominated member K.T.S. Tulsi, adding that the government could give its names.

Jaitley objected to the motion saying the opposition had "sprung a surprise" by suddenly moving this amendment without giving a proper notice at least 24 hours in advance as required by the rules.

Arguing against referring the Bill to a Select Committee, Jaitley said: "The Supreme Court declared the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional. Two of the (five) judges suspended the practice of triple talaq for six months, beseeching the political parties to make a law to bar triple talaq.

"Now, the six months period of suspension would end on February 22 and there is an urgency to pass this bill," Jaitley said.

Kapil Sibal of the Congress, who appeared in the case on behalf of the Muslim Personal Law Board, clarified that the suspension was a minority ruling and hence was not binding and there was no hurry to rush with the legislation.

A visibly agitated Derek O'Brien of Trinamool raised his voice: "We all want this bill, but this bill is faulty. Who have you consulted (before drafting the bill)? We don't want to pass a faulty bill."

As the treasury benches accused the Congress of opposing the bill for the sake of minority votes, Sharma said that if the government was sincere about women's rights, it should bring the women reservation bill at the earliest.

"Parliament cannot be a rubber stamp of the government," Sharma said.

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal contended that the Constitution visualised a bi-cameral Parliament for the very purpose that "if one House errs, the other House rectifies it".

"Sir, in a democracy majority opinion prevails. Let's have a division of votes on the issue," Azad told the Chair amid ruckus by the treasury benches.

BJP members who were already on their feet started shouting and came into the aisles.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, expressing his inability to proceed with the division of votes amidst the din, adjourned the House for the day.

The BJP and its allies are in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and the result of a division of votes is a foregone conclusion.

--IANS

mak/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The ruling BJP on Wednesday forced an adjournment in the Rajya Sabha when the opposition demanded a division of votes over the

Sparks flew in the upper House as the opposition demanded that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill be referred to a Select Committee. When the government did not yield, the opposition demanded division of votes in the House.

"Sir, in a democracy majority opinion prevails. Let's have a division of votes on the issue," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad told the Chair amid ruckus by the treasury benches.

Bharatiya Janata Party members who were already on their feet started shouting and came into the aisles.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, expressing his inability to proceed with the division of votes amidst the din, adjourned the House for the day.

The BJP and its allies are in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and the result of a division of votes is a foregone conclusion.

The ruckus came after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, also the Leader of the House, failed to convince the Chair that a motion moved by Congress leader Anand Sharma to refer the Bill to a Select Committee was not valid as Sharma had not given prior notice for the motion.

Sharma replied that Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu had told the opposition during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Tuesday to move the motion when the Bill was brought in the House.

"Sir, check the records of the BAC to see if the Chairman had said it or not... Parliament cannot be a rubber stamp of the government," Sharma said.

Earlier, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, commonly known as the triple talaq Bill, in the House.

The government has got the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha, ignoring the opposition's demand to refer the Bill to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for closer scrutiny.The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing and implementation of an agreement with the transport authorities of London to improve public transport in the country, an official statement said.

The MoU with 'Transport for London' -- a statutory body established under the Greater London Authority Act -- was signed during Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari's visit to Britain in November.

"The MoU will help to improve the overall public transport system in the country, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India," a Ministry statement said.

"It will go a long way in strengthening ties and promoting bilateral relations between India and United Kingdom."

It added that the agreement will help in strengthening the integrated public transport for all and will help people from poorer strata of the society to have access to a quality public transport system.

--IANS

vv/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Leftist student groups staged a demonstration outside Maharashtra Sadan here on Wednesday, demanding action against two local leaders for instigating the Bhima-Koregaon riots in Pune city in which a man was killed and many shops and vehicles were vandalised.

Protestors, including members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the Students' Federation of India, raised slogans against state's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging them of harbouring and promoting anti-Dalit groups and demanded the latter's resignation.

"The riots were pre-planned. Even before the people started coming to the place, shops were forced to shut down on the highway... The day has been celebrated for years and with much fanfare. This is the only time such a thing has happened," Abhilasha Srivastava, the Maharashtra AISA state secretary, told IANS.

She emphasised that the day was now celebrated not primarily for cheering the Dalits' contribution in defeating the Peshwas, but to counter the corporate-politician nexus which "has kept the Dalits and poor marginalised".

"The gathering was to call out the 'neo-Peshwai', the fascist-capitalist structure which is nurtured by the politicians," Srivastava added.

The students alleged that these were local leaders like Milind Ekbote of "Samast Hindu Aghadi" and Sambhaji Bhide of "Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan", who instigated the riots and demanded that they be booked for same.

On January 1 every year, Dalits and Bahujans gather at Koregaon-Bhima near Pune to commemorate the anniversary of the Koregaon Battle of 1818 in which the British Bombay Native Infantry, comprising mostly Mahar Dalit soldiers, defeated the Peshwa army.

This date is revered by the Dalits as a victory against the Brahminical Peshwas. This year the function was especially important since it marked 200 years of the battle.

The AISA leader also alleged the two leaders of appropriating slogan -- "Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha" -- used by the Maharashtra youth who were demanding reservations some time back "to give their act of rioting a wider subscription, which is false".

The riot has spread out to Mumbai, the state capital, with police detaining many protestors.

Many Dalit-based parties had called for a "Maharashtra Bandh" on Wednesday, which was however withdrawn after sporadic acts of violence were reported, leaving the state virtually paralysed.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's direction to top state officials not to meet the governor has sparked a controversy, with political circles terming the issue a "constitutional crisis".

A section of the local media on Tuesday and Wednesday reported that Sarkar had asked the Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan and Director General of Police (DGP) Akhil Kumar Shukla not to heed Governor Tathagata Roy's direction for a meeting with them.

The Governor and Chief Minister's secretariats remained silent on the issue while ruling and opposition parties accused each other and the Governor.

BJP legislator Ratan Lal Nath, a former senior Congress leader, said that "a constitutional crisis" had emerged after the Chief Minister barred the top officials from meeting the constitutional head of the state.

When contacted, Governor Roy, without denying the local newspaper reports, told IANS over phone: "I would not make any comment on the issue at this moment."

The Chief Minister's information officer Dibyendu Sekhar Datta said that Sarkar would not react on the matter as of now.

Sunil Deodhar, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) National Executive member and the party's observer for Tripura, said in a statement: "The Governor recently wanted them (Chief Secretary and DGP) to meet with him whereas Chief Minister personally prohibited them. So far, this is a rare instance in Tripura. The Governor has taken up the issue with the Union Home Ministry."

"The Chief Minister met the Governor on December 29 and discussed the current situation of the state... answers of the Chief Minister failed to satisfy the Governor. Thereafter, the Governor desired that the Chief Secretary and DGP meet him.

"The Chief Minister barred the officers from going to the Governor's House. This sudden development created an uproar in the administrative and political circles of the state," Deodhar said in his statement.

The Left Front government has never been comfortable with Roy, he said, adding that Sarkar was frustrated at the rise of the BJP in the state and was hence resorting to such steps.

The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) criticised the Governor over the issue.

"The Governor (must) act on the advice of the council of ministers. He can call the Chief Minister or a minister and discuss any matter. He cannot call officials," CPI-M Tripura State Secretary Bijan Dhar told the media.

The opposition Congress also echoed the views of the CPI-M and censured the Governor.

"According to the Constitution, the Governor (can) only act on the recommendation of the state council of ministers. He can discuss any issue with the Chief Minister or any minister but the Governor cannot call officials," Tripura Pradesh Congress Vice-President Tapas Dey told the reporters.

The Congress leader said that Roy had forgotten his Constitutional obligation and was playing " in Tripura". "He turned the Raj Bhavan (into an) RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) office," Dey alleged.

Civil Engineer-turned-politician, Roy, a former member of the BJP National Executive and a state president in West Bengal (from 2002 to 2006), took charge as the 16th governor of Left-ruled Tripura on May 20, 2015.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Congress and the BJP clashed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday over the Maharashtra violence which left a young man dead.

Congress leaders blamed the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the unrest while the BJP accused the Congress of politicising the issue and "dividing the masses".

Before the issue was raised, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan cautioned that allegations and counter-allegations cannot solve the problem.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said atrocities against Dalits were on the rise and blamed "some fascist powers" for it.

The Congress demanded a probe in the Bhima-Koregaon incident headed by a Supreme Court judge and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

"When Dalits start living with dignity, and organise some event, there are some people who try to disturb it. This happened in Koregaon (in Pune district)," Kharge said.

He said Dalits had never been a part of armies before the British came, to which Mahajan replied that Dalits were a part of Maratha ruler Shivaji's Army.

Kharge then said: "It is a bid to divide the Mahars and the Marathas by some Hindu extremist and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh."

"Wherever the BJP is in power, there is discrimination against Dalits," he added.

Kharge blamed Modi for being silent on the issue of atrocities against Dalits.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar slammed the Congress for trying to divide the masses.

"He (Kharge) does not want to resolve the problem in Maharashtra, he is trying to incite people. He is doing

"As the British divided and ruled the people, the Congress is doing the same... This should be a forum to give a message of peace," he added.

Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy condemned the clashes while Shiv Sena MP Shivaji Adhalrao Patil urged the Centre to speak with the Maharashtra government on the situation.

Raosaheb Patil Danve of BJP said the celebrations in Bhima-Koregaon had been taking place every year and no incident happened in the past.

The Speaker then proceeded to take up legislative business but Congress members protested demanding a statement from Modi.

As the Congress members trooped near the Speaker's podium shouting slogans, the Speaker adjourned the House for around 10 minutes.

Hundreds of thousands of Dalits had congregated around the Victory Pillar (Vijay Stambh) erected by the British in Sanaswadi village in Maharashtra when stone-pelting began, allegedly by some rightwing groups carrying saffron flags.

In the clashes, more than 30 vehicles were torched or damaged. A young man was killed.

--IANS

ao/in/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A court here on Wednesday reserved its order on the bail plea of businessman Gagan Dhawan, arrested in connection with an over Rs 5,000 crore bank fraud case.

Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma said that he will deliver order on the bail plea on Thursday.

The Enforcement Directorate has oposed the bail plea, saying that Dhawan might tamper evidences or influence witnesses if released.

Dhawan was arrested from his south Delhi residence on November 1 last year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a case involving fraud of over Rs 5,000 crore by Sandesara Group.

ED alleged that he was involved in diverting the amount to purchase properties and other shell companies.

According to ED officials, Dhawan allegedly aided bank loan frauds related to Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech company.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering following a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Sterling Biotech, its Directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara, and Vilas Joshi and several others in connection with the bank fraud case.

--IANS

akk/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A criminal carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh was shot dead while an Inspector and a Constable were injured during a gun battle in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana district early on Wednesday, police said.

Sabir was killed while Constable Ankit was critically wounded with bullet injuries to his chest and head. Inspector Bhagwat Singh was also injured.

Sabir, who had escaped from police custody in Barabanki 10 months ago, belonged to the Mukeem Lala gang, a police officer said. The police had been looking for him ever since.

After a tip, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and police officers from various police stations surrounded Sabir's house around Tuesday midnight.

Sabir was with his wife then. Sabir allegedly opened fire in which the two policemen were injured.

He then tried to escape by jumping off the roof but the police team shot him dead with automatic weapons.

Sabir was wanted in many cases of murder, extortion and kidnappings in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The injured Constable was rushed to a private hospital in Meerut. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Fortis Hospital in Noida where he was said to be in critical condition.

--IANS

md/in/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A criminal carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh was shot dead while an inspector and a constable were injured during a gun battle in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district early on Wednesday, police said. The injured constable subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

The killed criminal, Sabir, was wanted in many cases of murder, extortion and kidnapping in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head.

Sabir, who belonged to the Mukeem Lala gang, had escaped from police custody in Barabanki 10 months ago and police had been looking for him ever since, a police officer said. After a tip, the Special Operations Group and personnel from various police stations surrounded Sabir's house in Kairana area of Shamli around Tuesday midnight.

Sabir, who was with his wife, allegedly opened fire injuring the two policemen. He then tried to escape by jumping off the roof but the police team shot him dead.

Constable Ankit, along with Inspector Bhagwat Singh, were injured in the gunfight.

The constable was critically wounded with bullet injuries to his chest and head and was rushed to a private hospital in Meerut. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to the Fortis Hospital in Noida.

Despite best efforts, Ankit died at around 10.30 p.m. in the Noida hospital, said Principal Secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar.

He is survived by his wife, son (4) and daughter (6).

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has granted an ex-gratia of Rs 40 lakh to slain constable's wife while Rs 10 lakh will be given to his parents.

The inspector is out of danger.

--IANS

md/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi Metro cards will be valid in 250 select city buses from Monday in a project that will eventually seek to merge Metro and bus travel, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on Wednesday.

The move is part of a month-long trial to shift to a 'Common Mobility Card' which could be used to travel in Metro, Delhi Transport Corp (DTC) buses and cluster buses in the capital.

The 250 buses include 200 DTC buses and 50 cluster buses. Gahlot said the project would be rolled out in all city buses by April 1.

During the trial, by tapping the Metro card on an Electronic Ticketing Machine or ETM in a bus, a ticket would be generated, which would also reveal the balance in the passenger's Metro card.

Currently, ETMs are used by conductors in buses to issue tickets.

The idea was first floated in 2010. The minister said it was delayed due to technical issues and lack of political will.

The money deducted from commuters' Metro cards will go to Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC), which currently issues the Metro cards. The money will be later transferred to the Delhi government, which has the RBI's permission.

The minister said a MoU would be signed with DMRC on Thursday.

Gahlot said that after the trial period, a new card would be designed which would have both DMRC and Delhi government etched on it.

Commuters would be able to purchase and recharge these cards at all Metro stations, railway stations, airports, Inter State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) and DTC bus pass counters.

The Minister said the government had been carrying out unofficial trial runs for the past two months to resolve different issues.

--IANS

nkh/mr/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain ordered action against city Fair Price Shops (FPSs) which were found to be flouting rules, after the government started distributing rations through electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) machines.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department started distributing ration to beneficiaries through e-PoS devices at all 2,254 FPSs in the city from Monday.

The new system verifies beneficiaries through Aadhaar authentication and e-PoS devices are integrated with electronic weighing machine to ensure correct amount of rations to beneficiaries.

The minister visited nine FPSs and a number of deficiencies and shortcomings were noticed.

Four FPSs were not displaying mandatory information on the display boards and one shop was found closed. Hussain directed officials to take stringent action against the dealers concerned.

--IANS

nkh/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Dover Lane Music Conference, that has been enthralling the classical music lovers from all over the country and abroad for over six decades now, will pay its tribute to 'Queen of Thumri' Girija Devi in its 66th edition this year.

The four day music conference that starts on January 22, will be graced by stalwarts of Indian Classical music including iconic flutist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, vocalist Pandit Jasraj and city based noted classical vocalist Rashid Khan. It would pay tribute to other supreme classical music artists who had passed away last year.

"We will remember classical music icon Girija Devi on the first day of the conference. As we know she was an expert in the Banaras Gharana, there would be two vocalists - Rajendra Prasanna and Channulal Misra of the same Gharana on the opening day," Bappa Sen, general secretary of The Dover Lane Music Conference told the reporters here on Wednesday.

"On the second day, sitar exponents Indrajit Roychowdhury, Matyas Wolter and Jonathan Mayer would perform as the 'Surbroto Trinity' to tribute their teacher - legendary sitar player Surbroto Roychowdhury while student of late Hindustani classical vocalist Vidushi Kishori Amonkar, Raghunandan Paniskar will take the stage on the following day," he added.

The Sangeet Samman Award 2018 will go to Channulal Misra, a noted exponent of the Kirana Gharana of the Hindustani classical music.

The music conference would also host three sets of father and son duo to perform in this edition including violinist L. Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam, sitar player Shahid Parvez Khan and Shakir Khan and Grammy winning classical instrumentalist Viswa Mohan Bhatt and his son Salil Bhatt.

There would be also be pure classical duet performances like flute and saxophone on the opening day, while the audience would get the flavour of santoor and Carnatic violin duet on the final day of the event, the organisers said.

Like on previous occasions, the list of artistes in this year's festival is a mix of fresh and famous faces.

India's only woman rudraveena artist Jyoti Hegde would perform in Dover Lane for the first time this year.

"It is said that unless you perform in Dover Lane, you are not close to your accomplishment as an Indian classical artist. I am excited as well as immensely grateful to the organisers for giving me the opportunity to sing here this year," said vocalist Waseem Ahamed Khan, who would be performing here for the first time.

--IANS

mgr/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least 78 tucuxi dolphins have been found dead in the past 17 days in Sepetiba Bay, located in Rio de Janeiro state, threatening the survival of one of Brazil's most endangered marine mammals, environmentalists said on Wednesday.

The Instituto Boto Cinza, a non-governmental organization, reported the dolphin deaths on social media, Efe news agency reported.

The dead tucuxis (Sotalia guianansis), a species known in Brazil as boto-cinza, started appearing in mid-December, having beached themselves around Sepetiba Bay, located some 80 km west of Rio de Janeiro.

The dead dolphins represent about 10 per cent of the roughly 800 tucuxis estimated to be left in Sepetiba Bay.

The tucuxi is a freshwater dolphin found in the rivers of the Amazon basin and estuaries along the Atlantic coasts of Central and South America.

Up until now, the worst years for the tucuxis had been 2010, when 32 of the dolphins were found dead, and 2016, when 69 of the marine mammals died.

Instituto Boto Cinza researchers have not yet determined what killed the dolphins, but they have ruled out poaching.

Necropsies will be performed on the dead dolphins in an effort to identify the cause of death, the environmental group said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Eight Meghalaya legislators, including five from Congress, who had quit the assembly, will be joining the NDA-affiliated National People's Party (NPP) on Thursday to contest the upcoming assembly polls.

"All the eight former legislators will be inducted into the party tomorrow (Thursday) at a public rally in Polo ground. The rally will also mark the launching of the election campaign," NPP national President Conrad. K. Sangma told IANS over phone.

Those from the Congress are former Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh and former Cabinet Ministers Prestone Tynsong, Coming One Ymbon, Sniawbhalang Dhar and Ngaitlang Dhar. The others are United Democratic Party legislator Remington Pyngrope, and Independents Hopeful Bamon and Stephanson Mukhim.

Sangma said NPP grassroots workers across the state's 60 constituencies are working hard to ensure that the party forms the new government after the elections.

"We (NPP) are on a comfortable driving seat and that is the reason these friends (former legislators) are leaving their respective political parties to be part of the NPP family," he said.

On Tuesday, Congress legislator Alexander Hek, Nationalist Congress Party legislator Sanbor Shullai besides Independent members Robinus Syngkon and Justine Dkhar resigned as members of the assembly and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Last month, former Congress legislator P.N. Syiem, who is also the chief executive of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, resigned from the Assembly and joined the newly floated People's Democratic Front.

However, former Chief Minister D.D. Lapang said the exodus of some Congress legislators to other political parties will not impact the ruling party.

"There will be no negative impact. I believe in the principle that no one is indispensable," the veteran Congress legislator told journalists.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two film-related events scheduled for Wednesday here were cancelled due to the Maharashtra shutdown called by some Dalit parties.

"Due to Maharashtra bandh today, we have decided to push our 'My Birthday Song' trailer release to tomorrow January 4, 2018. Thank you," tweeted the movie's producer and actor Sanjay Suri.

Even a song launch event for "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" was cancelled "owing to the current situation in the city".

Angry Dalits staged rail, road blockades and took out processions in Mumbai and agitations in different parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday to protest against violence in Pune a day ago which left one youth dead. They called for a state-wide shutdown on Wednesday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Naresh Dhankhad, a former Captain of the Indian Army, who allegedly killed six persons with an iron rod in neighbouring Haryana's Palwal, underwent a head surgery in the city's Safdarjung Hospital, said authorities on Wednesday.

Forty-five-year-old Dhankhad, who is believed to be mentally unstable, had suffered head injury and was admitted to the hospital's emergency department on late Tuesday evening.

"Dhankhad's surgery was performed today (Wednesday). He is stable now," said a senior doctor, part of the medical team.

Resident of Ballabhgarh, Dhankhad had allegedly killed six people in Palwal on Monday night. He had also attempted an attack on a policeman when he tried to stop him.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the Haj Committee on a PIL seeking quashing of the recently issued Guidelines for Haj (2018-22) that allegedly discriminate against persons with disabilities by deeming them ineligible for Haj pilgrimage to Makkah.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar issued notice to the Haj Committee, Ministry of Minority Affairs and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, asking them to file their replies before April 11, the next date of hearing.

The plea, filed by lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal, sought quashing of the guidelines issued for Haj from the year 2018 to 2022, as it debars persons with disabilities from applying for the Haj pilgrimage.

The lawyer said that the new guidelines, issued on November 27, 2017, are "discriminatory, arbitrary and highly irrational" as they violate the fundamental rights of disabled persons and also the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWDA) 2016, which has equality and non-discrimination as its guiding principle.

The guidelines state that "any Muslim citizen of India can apply for Haj pilgrimage except persons suffering from polio, tuberculosis, congestive cardiac and respiratory ailment, AIDS, leprosy, acute coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental disorder..."

Also disqualified are "persons who are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically incapacitated or suffering from amputation of legs".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two martyrs, two ideologies, two funerals and two mourning families. Kashmir's saga of tragedy and destruction could not have a more poignant symbolism as these funerals took place when the world was welcoming another New Year.

Hundreds attended the funeral of Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, the 16-year-old boy who celebrated his impending "martyrdom" through a spine-chilling video in which he said: "Jihad, the holy war, had to be carried on as the doors of freedom can only be opened with the blood-soaked hands of martyrs."

This is the first time after over a decade in the bloody 30-year-long history of separatist violence in Kashmir that local boys carried out a "Fidayeen" (suicide) attack with one of them celebrating the perceived martyrdom withweresolute motivation.

As hundreds attended the funerals of two "martyrs", Fardeen and Manzoor Baba, another "martyr" of a different cause was buried in Badgam district's Nagam village.

Sharif-ud-Din Ganai had joined the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) eight years back. He was killed when security forces were fighting to flush out Fardeen and Baba at the training centre in Pulwama district's Lethpora town.

Ganai was buried as his parents, brothers and relatives mourned the death of their sole breadwinner who had joined the security forces for a better tomorrow.

It was a paradox that nobody has been able to resolve for nearly three decades in Kashmir -- the paradox of one martyr killing another and both believing that they have a place in Heaven that must be earned -- one, by shedding blood of innocents and the other for defending them. But both bring inconsolable tears to their families.

These martyrs to different causes and ideologies died when the world was celebrating the beginning of 2018 and praying for peace, prosperity and hope.

Security forces say over 200 militants were killed in Kashmir and nearly half-a-dozen others came back to their families after joining militant ranks during 2017.

Suicide attacks have occurred in Kashmir in the past as well, but these had mostly been carried out by foreign militants. Local boys joining "suicide squads" of militant outfits has definitely dampened hopes that normalcy was around the corner in the beleaguered state.

"What is more disturbing is the fact that young boys motivated to such extreme levels do not necessarily belong to poor or under-privileged families. Fardeen was the son of a serving cop and the family is relatively better off," said an intelligence officer requesting not to be named.

One man's martyr is another man's traitor. This maxim may hold good for the unenviable situation the people of Kashmir are facing and yet this provides little consolation to families being destroyed.

Local boys are celebrating so-called martyrdom when they should have been celebrating careers and professions. In whatever little or large numbers such "celebrating martyrs" might exist here, unless the last of them is convinced that life is a greater celebration than death, hopes of a peaceful future would continue to elude, underlined by the coffins reaching the families and disrupting their lives.Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave a preliminary approval for a bill allowing the death penalty for Palestinian attackers.

Following a heated debate, the bill passed a preliminary reading with a narrow majority of 52-49 vote. The bill still needs to pass three more full rounds of votes before it could become a law, Xinhua reported.

The new legislation is sponsored by the far-right party of Israel Our Home, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.

Before the vote, Netanyahu told the parliament he supports the bill, saying the death penalty is "justice in extreme situations".

"There are extreme cases, where people commit terrible crimes and don't deserve to live," Netanyahu argued. "We're changing the law for these situations," he added.

Under the bill, military and civil courts could sentence to death a person who was convicted of committing an "act of terror."

Israel's military law already allows the death penalty for Palestinian attackers but only in military court and if the entire judges in the panel reach the decision unanimously.

Under the new legislation, both military and civil courts could sentence a Palestinian attacker to death, with a simple majority.

Israel's security system has not endorsed the new legislation. According to Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper, an assessment by the Shin Bet security service said that such a penalty might have a counterproductive effect.

It would spark a wave of kidnaps of Israelis around the world in order to use them as "bargaining chips" to release convicts from the death row, according to the assessment.

So far, Israel has never sentenced a terrorist to death. The only time the grave penalty was applied took place in the 1961 execution of Adolf Eichman, a senior German Nazi officer who had been convicted of being a major organiser of the Holocaust

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Jammu and government engaged 10,758 special police officers (SPOs) in the state during the last two years, the state legislature was told on Wednesday.

"Of these, 8,992 were engaged in the Valley and 1,457 were engaged in the Jammu region," Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who retains the Home portfolio, told the assembly in a written reply.

The highest number of SPOs - 1,392 - were engaged in Kupwara district, 1,377 in Baramulla and 1,275 SPOs in Srinagar district.

In the south districts of Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam, 2,556 SPOs were engaged.

Giving the breakup of SPOs engaged in Jammu region, the Chief Minister said that 385 were engaged in Jammu district, 270 in Rajouri, 185 in Udhampur, 142 in Doda, 136 in Reasi, 115 in Ramban, 64 in Kathua, 58 in Samba, 52 in Poonch and 50 in Kishtwar district.

In addition to these, 309 SPOs were engaged in CID, security and other wings of the state.

SPOs are engaged in militancy-prone areas to fight militancy and also to deplete the recruiting grounds of the militants.

The SPOs are paid a fixed monthly amount and normally weapons are not issued to them.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Maharashtra shutdown called by Dalit groups on Wednesday disrupted the shooting schedule of film and TV projects here.

The shooting of television shows "Piyaa Albela", "Aisi Deewangi Dekhi Nahi Kahi", "Kundali Bhagya", "Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki" and "The Voice India Kids" was interrupted, while some of the shoots went on as per schedule.

According to a channel source, the cast and crew of Zee TV's popular show "Kundali Bhagya" reached for the schedule at the Killick Nixon studio in Marol, but the protestors started pelting stones and disrupted the shoot. All the members of the unit, including actors Manit Joura, Shraddha Arya and Anjum Farikh, parked themselves inside their vanity vans and waited for the situation to normalize.

The shoot of "Piyaa Albela", which was supposed to happen at the Basra Studio, had to be rescheduled. It is shot at a studio located in Kandivali where violence has been reported. Due to security reasons, the shooting unit decided to change the shift from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Now has been scheduled from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.

At the "Aisi Deewangi Dekhi Nahi Kahi" shoot at the Future Studio, located at Goregaon East, work was disrupted because of stone-pelting by the protesters, the channel source said.

Pranitaa Pandit, one of the actors of the & TV show "Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki", said in a statement: "A few hours into the shoot and we were mobbed by a gang of unruly guys who screamed and entered the sets and literally forced the closure of the shoot.

"Frightened and paranoid, we rushed to the vanity."

The host of the musical reality show of "The Voice India Kids" Jay Bhanushali got stuck as the protestors were at the main junction of the road which he had to cross.

Two film-related events were also been cancelled to avoid the disrupted situation in the city.

"Due to Maharashtra bandh today, we have decided to push our 'My Birthday Song' trailer release to tomorrow January 4, 2018. Thank you," tweeted the movie's producer and actor Sanjay Suri.

Even the song launch of director Luv Ranjan's upcoming film "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" was cancelled "owing to the current situation in the city".

Protestors also gathered outside the Film City gate.

Asked if shooting is affected by the situation, Ashoke Pandit, member of Indian Films and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), told IANS: "Shootings at Film City, Madh area have been cancelled as the unit members, especially the actors, could not reach the venue due to the situation outside."

He also tweeted: "Film and TV shootings have come to a halt."

The shutdown happened a day after angry Dalits staged rail, road blockades and took out processions in Mumbai and agitations in different parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday to protest against violence in Pune a day ago which left one youth dead.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh President Prakash Ambedkar called off its 'Maharashtra Shutdown' which left large parts of Mumbai and rest of the state virtually paralysed for 10 hours since dawn on Wednesday.

"The shutdown was peaceful and has evoked a huge response all over. I thank all my supporters for making it a success," Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, told media persons.

He demanded that the state government should slap murder charges on the perpetrators of the violence and subsequent death of a youth in Koregaon-Bhima incident of January 1.

Ambedkar cited the names of Shivjagar Pratisthan President Sambhaji Bhide Guruji and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti President Milind Ekbote, against whom complaints have been lodged by Pune police.

"They should be arrested and face the same punishment as Yakub Memon (who was accused in the March 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and subsequently hanged)," Ambedkar demanded.

He said the shutdown action was not only for the Dalit cause but to highlight the plight of the state's downtrodden people and seek justice for them.

With the shutdown call withdrawn, it is expected that normalcy will soon return to Mumbai and Maharashtra by late evening.A 42-year-old man from Assam died in a hospital in the national capital within hours of hospitalisation, after allegedly being given wrong medication, said family members on Wednesday.

They also alleged that the hospital was operating without licence and the patients were being treated by its staff impersonating as doctors.

The incident took place on November 16, 2017, after Utpal Saikia, working with a Delhi-based NGO, was admitted to SHL Hospital in Munirka of south Delhi by the paying guest accommodation owner as he was unwell.

"My brother (Utpal) was unwell on November 16 and was taken to the Munirka-located SHL Hospital by the owner of his paying guest accommodation as this hospital was nearby. Within hours of his admission, he became unconscious after he was given some medication," Mouchumi Saikia, sister of the deceased and who herself is a doctor with the Civil Hospital of Assam's Lakhimpur, told IANS.

She stated that in the evening of November 16, Saikia's condition started to deteoriate, following which he was referred to Safdarjung Hospital. However, when taken to Safdarjung Hospital, Saikia was declared "brought dead" there.

R.K. Yadav, who treated the patient at SHL Hospital, said the patient was brought to the hospital with complaints of severe stomach pain and vomitting.

"We just gave Pantocid injection to the patient. His condition deteriorated thereafter," Yadav said.

Suspecting foul play, Mochumi and her husband, also a doctor, inquired about the doctors and the hospital and discovered that the hospital was operating without a government licence and that the doctors were fake.

According to Mochumi Saikia, Yadav had claimed that he was registered with the Goa Medical Council and his registration number was 1360.

However, on checking the website of Goa Medical Council, they found that the given registration number belonged to some other doctor, named Rajendra Pratap Singh.

A compalaint against the hospital and Yadav has been filed at the Vasant Kunj Police Station, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Delhi Medical Council (DMC).

"We have received the documents from the family members of the deceased that shows the hospital operating illegally and people in the hospital impersonating as doctors. We have sent the documents to the authorities concerned for survey and hopefully things will be clear in a day or two as to what needs to be done," DMC Secretary Girish Tyagi told IANS.

It was also discovered that the hospital had a nursing home registration certificate on display, which was being confirmed with the nursing home cell of the DGHS.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Wednesday accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of engineering the caste violence in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra.

"These incidents could have been prevented but the state government did not make adequate arrangements there as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was involved in the caste conflicts," she said in a statement.

She alleged that the BJP and other like-minded forces were out to destroy the rich history of Dalits as they did not want them to have a legacy or a life of honour.

The four-time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister expressed sympathy for the family of a youth who was killed in the violence.

Seeking immediate help and medical aid to the injured, the BSP chief called for the immediate arrest of the people behind the violence.

"The perpetrators of the violence should be given exemplary punishment, but the track record of the BJP does not give much hope," she added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi government of misleading Muslim women on the triple talaq bill, saying that about 18 opposition parties in Rajya Sabha want to send the bill to select committee to rectify its "faults".

Azad, who is Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, also accused the BJP of seeking to use the legislation for political gains and said the ruling party was virtually "isolated" on the bill in the upper house.

He said the BJP had not accepted the demand in the Lok Sabha of referring the bill to standing committee and was not now accepting the demand to send it to Select Committee in the Rajya Sabha.

He said the opposition has a clear numerical majority in the upper house, where the bill could not be taken up for discussion on Wednesday despite the government's efforts.

"We have the numbers whether in terms of parties or the count of members. We are around 148 and they are around 75. About 18 opposition parties are united on this issue," he said, adding that if the government does not agree to the demand of sending the bill to Select Committee, then "it shows that BJP does not have faith in parliamentary democracy".

He said the bill has several lacunae including the criminality aspect in which the husband will face a jail term, noting that the husband also has to pay subsistence allowance to the woman.

"When he is in jail, who will pay the house expenses. We proposed that the government should pay but they do not agree. Is it not injustice with the women?" he asked.

Azad said a vast number of Muslims are poor and daily wage-earners and if a man faces a jail term, he will not be able to support his family and parents.

"This government is misleading people and Muslim women. This (the present bill) probably suits the BJP politically but it does injustice to Muslim women. You try to take votes in the name of Muslim women but make no arrangements for her food if the husband is in jail," he said.

"BJP is trying to be messiah of Muslims but is fooling them. What are they giving. Triple talaq had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court... The bill has nothing for Muslim women," he said.A bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) and also the triple talaq bill were discussed at the BJP parliamentary party meeting here on Wednesday.

While the NCBC bill was taken up by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the triple talaq bill is expected to come up in the Rajya Sabha.

"There was discussion on two bills -- the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the triple talaq bill that will come in Rajya Sabha today," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters.

The Rajya Sabha had made some amendments to the NCBC bill after it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

The government is now seeking to delete these amendments.

The bill seeks to grant the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) constitutional status at par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

On the triple talaq bill, the BJP is keen for its early passage and is not keen to send it to select committee of the Rajya Sabha. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

BJP leaders have conveyed to the opposition that any decision to send the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 to select committee should be taken on the floor of the House.

The treasury benches believe that most opposition parties, including the Congress, will not vote against the bill despite reservations on some of its provisions.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)South Korea culled 197,000 chickens at a farm close to the capital city after a new case of avian influenza was discovered, the government said on Wednesday.

The government has imposed a 48-hour ban on transporting poultry products in the north of the country, Efe news reported.

The affected farm is located in Pocheon, 45 km north of Seoul, and had recorded the deaths of 30 birds since Tuesday, with preliminary tests showing that they were infected with bird flu, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

In order to prevent the virus from spreading, the government decided to cull the birds and inspect farms located within a 3-km radius of the affected site.

Inquiries were ongoing to determine whether the case involved the same highly pathogenic strain currently affecting the southwest of the country.

The latest case, the first of its kind in the northern province of Gyeonggi, caused alarm among quarantine officials, who have been fighting to contain the expansion of the H5N6 strain in the southwest of the country since November.

In the province of Jeolla, one of the worst affected, the government confirmed that nine farms had been infected by the virulent strain.

About 36,700 birds had been culled in three provinces and disinfection processes were being carried out in farms in the whole region.

After an H5N6 infection was discovered in the area in December, authorities culled 201,000 ducks.

In 2016, South Korea culled more than 30 million birds to contain the worst outbreak of bird flu in the country's history.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar on Wednesday said there is no threat to the AIADMK party or government either from sidelined party leader T.T.V. Dinakaran or from DMK leader M.K. Stalin.

Speaking to reporters here after attending the party's legislators meeting, Jayakumar said the AIADMK government cannot be toppled either by Dinakaran or Stalin.

According to Jayakumar, he would highlight the government's achievements in the Assembly.

The duration of the session beginning on January 8 would begin with Governor Banwarilal Purohit's customary address.

The first session of 2018 will see former AIADMK leader Dinakaran entering the House as an Independent member.

On December 21, Dinakaran won the by-election from the R.K. Nagar Assembly constituency, trouncing both the ruling AIADMK and the main opposition DMK.

In addition, this will be the first session post the disqualification of 18 lawmakers owing allegiance to Dinakaran.

The 18 legislators were disqualified for submitting a memorandum to the Governor seeking a change of Chief Minister.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Norwegian government on Wednesday announced that it would no longer be selling arms to the UAE as they were possibly being used in the war in Yemen.

The UAE has been fighting in Yemen as part of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.

Norway's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that there was a growing risk linked to the UAE's military participation in the war but insisted that there was no evidence that Norwegian weapons had been used in Yemen, meaning the suspension was a preventative measure, Efe news reported.

"The development of the armed conflict in Yemen in the autumn of 2017 has been serious and there is great concern about the humanitarian situation," the statement said.

In 2016, Norway sold arms and ammunition to the UAE for 100 million kroner ($12.3 million).

Saudi Arabia, which is excluded from Norwegian weapons exports, leads a coalition alongside the UAE that has since 2015 led a bombing campaign against Houthi rebels and backed President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who is exiled in Riyadh.

The World Health Organization, Unicef and the World Food Programme recently said that the conflict in Yemen had become a humanitarian crisis and around 75 percent of the population was in need of help.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China on Wednesday said it was not aware of the reported intrusion by its troops into Arunachal Pradesh in December, emphasising that the so-called state in India's northeast does not exist.

According to media reports, Chinese soldiers with road-building machines entered up to 200 metres into Arunachal Pradesh last year.

"First of all, on border issues with India, China is clear and consistent. We never acknowledge the existence of so-called Arunachal Pradesh," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang.

"For the specific situation you mentioned, I am not aware of it," he said.

China claims India's Arunachal Pradesh as its own and calls it Southern Tibet. The northeast state lies in the eastern sector of the 3,448 km-long un-demarcated Sino-Indian border.

"I want to mention that between China and India, there is a well-developed mechanism on border related affairs. Through this mechanism, Beijing and New Delhi can manage their border affairs," Geng said.

"Also, maintaining peace and stability on border areas suits the interests of both China and India."

China-India ties took a nosedive last year when their armies were locked in over a two-month face-off at Doklam in the Sikkim section of the border.

The crisis was resolved in August and both sides at their 20th round of border talks in December pledged to maintain peace and tranquillity along the disputed boundary.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam to determine the state's original inhabitants is a conspiracy to drive away Bengalis from there.

She also urged her party MPs to stage a protest demonstration on the issue outside the Parliament on Thursday.

"Look at Assam. 'Bangali Khedao' (expell the Bengalis) is going on there. There is a conspiracy in Assam to drive away the people who are staying there for the last 30-40 years. 1.25 crore people might be driven away from there in the name of the Citizenship Act," Banerjee said comparing the NRC with 1960s 'Bongal Kheda' ethnic cleansing movement in Assam that drove away nearly 50,000 Bengalis from there.

"I urge the Trinamool Congress MPs to demonstrate under the Gandhi statute outside the parliament in Delhi," she said while addressing a public meeting in West Bengal's Birbhum district.

Stating that the people of the country has the right to stay in any state they choose to, Banerjee warned the BJP government in Assam not to play with fire by practising the 'divide and rule' policy.

"The people are being threatened to beaten away from there. I want to clearly tell the BJP government not to play with fire. Do not stoke fire of unrest in the entire nation. do not divide and rule. Try to maintain peace," she said.

The Trinamool supremo said she and her party will take strong steps if people are forced to leave their habitats due to NRC.

"If people are affected. Whether they are Bengalis, Gujratis, Marathis; whether they belong to scheduled caste or general caste - we will not let the people responsible off the hook easily," Banerjee warned.

"If anyone from Assam stays in Bengal we will protect them, similarly the Bengalis staying in Assam also have to be embraced," she added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)More than 445,000 Afghans were displaced in 2017 by conflicts and the dragging insurgency, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday.

"From January 1 to December 31, 2017, a total of 445,335 people were displaced due to the conflict in Afghanistan," it said in a statement.

The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the eastern Afghan region reached 140,205, with 123,538 of them in Nangarhar province, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

More than 1 million Afghans have been displaced due to conflicts since 2001 as worsening security situation and the ongoing insurgency have forced the people to leave their houses for safer places.

Over 2,640 civilians were killed and over 5,370 others injured in conflict-related incidents in the first nine months of 2017, according to UN figures.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to devise a strategy to make the country self-sufficient and independent of the need for US aid.

"There is no need for the US to refer to the Coalition Support Fund as 'Aid to Pakistan'," the PML-N President told the media here, Dawn reported.

Sharif described as "disappointing" US President Donald Trump's accusation that Pakistan was granting "safe haven" to militants Washington was hunting in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has been involved in somebody else's war for over 17 years. The country has suffered the brunt of the damage the world has seen since 9/11," Sharif said.

"The US President should not forget that my ... Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government pledged to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan when it came into power in 2013."

The ousted Prime Minister noted that responsible members of the international community respected the norms of diplomacy when in direct communication with other nation states.

"Pakistan should not be taunted or threatened with the prospect of aid and labelling the CSF as aid is not correct," he said.

--IANS

ahm/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A senior member of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation on Wednesday called threats made by US President Donald Trump to cut millions of dollars in financial aid to the country a "form of extortion".

Hanan Ashrawi was responding to Trump's suggestion that the US may withhold aid to Palestinians because they refused to take part in peace negotiations following Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month, Efe news reported.

"We will not be blackmailed. President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!" Ashrawi said in a statement.

Trump had said on Twitter that "with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" and complained that they had disrespected his country.

Trump's statements came a day after the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, told a press conference that the President wanted to cut aid to the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees unless Palestinian leaders agreed to negotiate.

The US gave UNRWA over $350 million in 2016, according to the agency's website, which was used to fund educational, medical and social programmes.

On December 6, Trump announced that the US would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there, a change in policy that was welcomed by the Israeli government.

However, Palestinians see East Jerusalem, which was seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, as the capital of their future state.

No nation has moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians mandate that the city's final status be settled by negotiations.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Socialite and former reality TV star Paris Hilton has announced her engagement to actor Chris Zylka.

Hilton shared the news with her fans on Instagram on Tuesday, reports cnn.com.

Alongside a photograph of Zylka proposing to her atop a mountain in Aspen, Colorado, Hilton wrote: "I said yes. So happy and excited to be engaged to the love of my life. My best friend and soulmate."

She said he was "perfect for me in every way".

"So dedicated, loyal, loving and kind-hearted. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! You are my dream come true! Thank you for showing me that fairytales do exist," Hilton added.

Zylka proposed to Hilton with a $2 million diamond ring.

The couple has been dating for two years and made their relationship public in February last year.

Prior to Zylka, Hilton was engaged to model Jason Shaw (2003) and Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis (2005).

Hilton has also dated celebrities like Nick Carter, Afrojack and Benji Madden.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Class XI student of Ryan International School-Bhondsi, arrested by the CBI for allegedly murdering Class II student Pradhuman Thakur in the school on September 8 last year, was on Wednesday presented in the sessions court and was sent back to the protection home for 14 days' judicial custody.

It was the first time that the accused was presented before the sessions court on Wednesday after the Gurugram Juvenile Justice Board on December 20 last year ordered that the accused juvenile would be tried as an adult.

"The accused was produced before the court of duty magistrate, as the judge of the dedicated special court deputed for hearing of the case was on leave. The magistrate remanded the accused to 14 more days' judicial custody. He will be produced next on January 17," a prosecution lawyer told IANS.

The accused was sent back to the observation home in Faridabad.

The Juvenile Justice Board, after considering the psychological and social development reports of the juvenile, had on December 20 said the accused would be tried as an adult.

"Senior clinical psychologist Dr Joginder Singh Kairo, posted at PGIMS Rohtak, had prepared the juvenile's psychological report after spending five hours with him in the observation home.

"The social development report was filed by the legal-cum-probation officer of the child protection unit, which had played a key role in the pronouncement," the lawyer said.

The Gurugram police had on September 8 arrested Ashok kumar, 44, a school bus conductor for allegedly killing the child.

But, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on September 22. The central agency, however, did not find any evidence against Kumar and took the Class XI student into custody on November 8.

Kumar was granted bail by a session court on Nov 21.

Investigators said the accused murdered the boy just to defer a unit test and a scheduled parent-teacher meeting.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly disrupted and adjourned till 2 p.m. on Wednesday after the opposition created a ruckus over the violence in Maharashtra.

The first adjournment came minutes after the House met for the day. As the opposition members raised the issue and sought a discussion during Zero Hour, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu adjourned it till 12 noon.

As soon as the House met again, the opposition members protested again -- against the anti-Dalit violence. The Chair then adjourned the House till 2.

For a second time in this session, the Rajya Sabha TV suspended live telecast on Naidu's instructions.

The riots in Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district on Monday led to the death of a 28-year-old, Rahul Fatangale.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party blamed the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state for security lapses that led to the violence.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is likely to step down from the board of the Boao Forum by not extending his term which ends in April, industry watchers said on Wednesday.

"Lee's term is expected to end in April," a business official said, adding it would be difficult for Lee to continue his role as a member behind bars.

Lee was named as a board member of the regional forum in 2013, succeeding SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Boao Forum, held every April, aims to expand cooperation among countries and businesses in Asia.

It is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this region and the world at large.

The 49-year-old Lee has been behind bars since February 2017 amid allegations that he took part in a major political scandal that led to the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye last year.

A court sentenced him to five years in jail in August after being convicted of bribery, embezzlement and other charges.

Samsung's global strategies are facing hurdles due to the absence of major leaders, according to industry watchers.

Lee's father Lee Kun-hee also has been hospitalised since 2014 after suffering a heart attack and is currently unable to participate in the group's management.

The older Lee also stepped down from his membership on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in August. He had been an IOC member since 1996.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has resumed after a research ship left South Africa, bound for a search area off the coast of Perth, authorities announced on Wednesday.

The Malaysian government has enlisted the US seabed exploration company Ocean Infinity, which chartered Norwegian ship Seabed Constructor, due to arrive in Perth on February 7 after it set sail from Port Durban on Tuesday, reports the Guardian.

The Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board, sparking the largest search in aviation history.

Its disappearance is one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries and sparked the largest-ever search, costing about $200 million.

The Australia-led search for the aircraft was suspended in January 2017, much to the anguish of distraught relatives.

At the time it was suspended, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau released findings from international and CSIRO scientists that identified a smaller 25,000 sq.km area with "a high probability" that it contained the aircraft.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Historic jewels belonging to the collection of Qatar's ruling family have been stolen from an exhibition in Venice hosting treasures from the Moghul empire which once governed India, palace sources said on Wednesday.

The jewels belonged to the Qatari Sheikh al-Thani and their theft has meant that the iconic Venetian landmark building has been closed to the public and those in the exhibition space have not been permitted to leave while police investigate the heist, reports Efe news.

Local media reported that police at the Doge's Palace had watched security footage and seen how two people forced a glass case open and stole a golden brooch and earrings.

The palace, opened in 1340, had since September been hosting an exhibition of treasures from the Moghul empire that once ruled India. Some gems that once belonged to fabulously wealthy Maharajas had been acquired by the al-Thani collection.

The stolen items were being kept in a glass case and, according to local media, had an estimated value of 30,000 euros ($36,000).

Wednesday was to have been the last day of the exhibition, which gathered 270 dazzling objects from the 16th to 20th centuries.

They included gemstones and antique jewellery supposedly belonging to the descendants of Genghis Khan and to the great Maharajas.

--IANS

mr/soni

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Five men and a woman were arrested in Britain on Wednesday on suspicion of belonging to banned far-right terrorist group National Action.

Britain's West Midlands Police said the suspects, aged between 21 and 37, were detained under Section 41 of the Act, Xinhua news agency reported.

The arrests were pre-planned and intelligence-led with no threat to the public's safety, the police said.

They are the latest in a wave of arrests of alleged National Action members since the group was made a proscribed terrorist organisation in December 2016.

It is the first extreme right-wing group to be outlawed in Britain.

Founded in 2013, National Action became the first British neo-Nazi group to be banned after British Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it was promoting violence and acts of

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sporadic incidents of violence, road and rail blockages, stone-pelting, processions and protest demonstrations marred the Maharashtra shutdown called by some Dalit parties on Wednesday amid tight security across the state.

Groups of Dalit activists jumped on the railway tracks, shouting slogans and waved flags to attempt rail-blockades at various stations in Thane and Palghar districts, but were prevented by the security forces.

Hordes thronged Dahisar checkpost, the critical entry point to Mumbai and staged a road blockade, preventing traffic movement in both directions, and leading to vehicular narls. Stones were pelted at vehicles in parts of Jogeshwari, Powai and Andheri East in Mumbai.

Schools and colleges opened as usual in Mumbai but schoolbuses stayed off roads as a precaution. One private school bus was stoned in Chembur but there were no injuries to anyone.

Some examinations of the Aurangabad University had to be rescheduled as candidates could not make it to the examination centres, while internet services were suspended in the global tourist hotspot.

Though many taxi-auto rickshaw unions have supported the shutdown, Mmbai's lifeline, the suburban trains and the BEST (Bombay Electric Supply And Transport) bus services were plying near-normally, with delays and thin crowds.

Some autos and taxis were seen plying in various areas, but the famed dabbawalas cancelled their services for the day, while the BEST suspended services on some routes.

Many shops and establishments also opened in the city and suburbs and there were the familiar crowds on roads and highways, but some hours later, they downed shutters in many areas.

The shutdown evoked greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near-total shutdown, as did the Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses in some sensitive districts have been suspended as a precaution after it suffered damages to 187 buses in Tuesday's violence.

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar -- the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar -- called for a 'peaceful Maharashtra shutdown' on Wednesday to express anger over the Pune incidents of January 1.

The state shutdown is a fallout of the riots in Koregaon-Bhima, Pune district, on January 1 during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818, between the vanquished army of Peshwa Bajirao II and a small force of the victorious East India Company that comprised a large number of Dalits.

Several lakhs of Dalits had congregated around the Victory Pillar (Vijay Stambh) erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting suddenly started, allegedly by some right-wing groups carrying saffron flags, subsequently leading to the death of a 28-year old youth, Rahul Fatangale.

The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party blamed the saffron alliance of Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government for lapses and failing to prevent the Koregaon-Bhima incidents.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a judicial probe by a "sitting jugde" of Bombay High Court, a CID investigation into the violence and compensation of Rs 1 million for the victim's family.

Moving swiftly amidst rising Dalit anger, the Pimpri police in Pune lodged a complaint against Shivjagar Pratisthan President Sambhaji Bhide Guruji and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti President Milind Ekbote.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Student leaders from various groups from different parts of the country on Wednesday here agreed upon the need to overhaul the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines on student union elections.

They called for reservation of seats for women and a "revision" of expenses allowed to each candidate for contesting election.

A total of 30 student groups from at least 15 states had gathered at the call of Congress's National Students' Union of India (NSUI) to deliberate on a number of changes suggested by the NSUI in the election guidelines -- proposed by a committee headed by James Michael Lyngdoh, a former Chief Election Commissioner in 2006.

A final draft of all recommendations will be prepared two days later and given to political leaders to be proposed as an amendment bill in Parliament.

An independent election commission, compulsory and direct election through ballot paper, online voting and cyber laws to regulate the "malicious social media campaign" were the other reforms proposed and agreed to by all the groups.

Proposal recommending reduction in age limit for contesting assembly and general election was, however, not agreed to by many groups, who cited their reservations against the likelihood of the measure getting misused by political leaders for launching their scions and thus bolstering "dynasty politics".

Groups affiliated with left parties like All India Students Federation, Students' Federation of India and All India Students Association, along with many others including Students Islamic Organisation, Swaraj Abhiyan, Joint Action Committee - BHU, Jamia Students Forum, Telangana Students' Union, YSR Students Union, Jammu and Kashmir Pahari Revolutionary Moment and Panjab Students Union were among those present at the meeting.

Although the Lyngdoh guidelines are mandatory for all colleges and universities and its first clause says that elections must be held in the institutes, many universities like the Banaras Hindu University and Osmania University do not have a student body and elections have not been held there since long.

Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the RSS' student wing and an arch-adversary of the NSUI, was not invited to the meet.

--IANS

vn/nir

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 16-year-old student was killed in violence during a road block agitation in this district during Wednesday's Maharashtra 'bandh' called by Dalit parties, police said.

Yogesh Prahlad Jadhav's family members alleged that he was seriously injured during a police cane charge to clear a road block near Ashti village and succumbed to injuries.

District Superintendent of Police Chandrakishore Mina said the body had been sent for autopsy to ascertain the cause of the death.

"There was a lot of chaos during the agitation. It is not possible to ascertain the cause of death without a post-mortem," Mina told IANS.

According to the family, Jadhav, a senior school student, suffered head injuries in the police action and was rushed to a hospital in Hadgaon where doctors pronounced him dead.

The 10-hour shutdown which paralysed large parts of Maharashtra was called off this evening by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh President Prakash Ambedkar.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rome, Jan 3 (IANS/AKI) African countries lying south of the Sahara are important for Italy's foreign policy, Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said on Wednesday as he began a three-day trip to Niger, Senegal and Guinea.

"Sub-Saharan Africa represents a priority for Italy's foreign policy, and this is why I have decided to go on my first 2018 mission to West Africa and the Sahel, to visit Niger, Senegal and Guinea," Alfano said.

Italy has forged a "broad and equal partnership" with Africa, ranging from development cooperation to security, investments and the management of migrant flows, he said.

This "new" approach to the region, relaunched during the Italy-Africa Ministerial Conference in May 2016 is progressing in Niger, Senegal and Guinea "in a concrete and visible fashion," said Alfano.

During his visit to the three countries, Alfano will hold talks with local officials and visit several Italian cooperation projects, the ministry said without giving details of his itinerary.

Italy's nascent peacekeeping mission in Niger will soon be presented to parliament and will "contribute to creating a pillar of security in the Sahel region," Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said in December.

--IANS/AKI

vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Syrian government forces have captured as many as 70 towns and villages in key rebel-strongholds in northern Syria over the past 75 days, a monitor group reported on Wednesday.

Intense battles have been raging since the Syrian army launched an offensive in the northern countryside of the central province of Hama and the adjacent southern countryside of the northwestern province of Idlib against the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee (LLC) and other allied terrorists.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the government forces are heavily shelling the terrorists' positions in the southern countryside of Idlib amid bad weather conditions in that part of the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Syrian warplanes are also pounding the areas near the city of Khan Sheikhoun and the town of Tamana' in Idlib countryside, said the observatory.

The London-based watchdog group added that the Syrian warplanes struck a museum in the city of Marat al-Numan in southern Idlib a day earlier, leaving big destruction in the building.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tens of thousands of government supporters marched in rallies across Iran on Wednesday to denounce recent demonstrations against the regime's economic policies.

The state-organised demonstrations took place in numerous cities across Iran, including Qom, _ a center for religious scholarship, and in Ahvaz, the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province in the southwest, reports Efe news.

Iranian men and women held posters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian flags while large groups of Shia clerics took part in the rally in Qom as seen in images supplied by journalists on the ground.

The semi-official Fars news agency reported that the capital Tehran had returned to normal late Tuesday and no anti-government demonstrations had taken place.

Although riot police were deployed on the streets, pedestrians shopped normally.

Anti-government protests against rising prices and corruption had begun Thursday in the city of Mashhad, then spread to other parts of the country.

The resulting clashes with security forces have left a toll of at least 20 people dead, while more than a thousand were arrested.US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of cutting off aid to the Palestinian territories unless its leaders agree to resume negotiations to broker a peace deal with Israel, the media reported.

"We pay the Palestinians hundred of millions of dollars a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

"We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Trump's tweets came nearly a month after he became the first sitting US President to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, drawing Palestinians into the streets in protest and causing Palestinian leaders to reject the US's decades-old role as the central negotiator in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks,reports CNN.

He also said he would move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, where all other nations have their consulates.

The decision was overwhelmingly condemned at the UN, where 128 countries voted against Trump's fulfilment of a campaign promise.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas claimed that Trump's recognition of Jerusalem, which both Israelis and Palestinians claim as their capital, discredited the US as an honest broker in the peace process.

While Trump administration officials have said they expected a "cooling off period" with the Palestinians, Trump's tweets on Tuesday signaled that the President has grown frustrated with Palestinians' refusal to partake in a US-led peace process in the wake of his Jerusalem decision, CNN reported.

The tweets also came after the White House confirmed that the US plans to withhold some of its aid to Pakistan to pressure the country into better counterterrorism cooperation with the US.

The US had spent $616 million on aid to the Palestinian territories in 2016, according to the US Agency for International Development, which includes humanitarian assistance, private sector debt payments and infrastructure development assistance.

Jerusalem is one of the world's most contested sites. Israel claims the whole of the city as its capital.

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, to be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)This is with reference to the Dalit agitation, which brought the cities of Pune and Mumbai to a halt on January 2nd and 3rd. This is very unfortunate. There have been massive destruction of buses and public property and shops. Violence is no way to resolve issues.

Negotiation is the way forward. There is loss of production and commercial activity, every time a city shuts down due to agitations. I spoke to many people asking them what were the demands of the Dalits. Nobody is able to give me a clear reply. What are the Dalits agitating for? From the pictures, it is clear that many of the ...Unhappy over the allocation of portfolios in the new BJP government in Gujarat, state fisheries minister and Koli leader on Wednesday skipped a Cabinet meeting.

Demanding that "good" departments be allocated to their leader, Solanki's supporters, led by his brother and former BJP MLA Hira Solanki, gathered at the minister's residence at Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

The disgruntled Koli leader told reporters that his community feels that he should be given some more portfolios.

"I have not called the Koli community leaders. They came here on their own to express solidarity. The Koli community feels that I should be given some more portfolios," told reporters at his residence.

After meeting his brother, Hira Solanki said the Koli community will convey its feeling to the BJP leadership.

"Koli community is confident that justice will be done," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Solanki had expressed displeasure over the department allocated to him and demanded "better" portfolios.

He claimed that despite being a five-time MLA, he was ignored by the leadership while several "juniors" have been given "good portfolios".

The Koli community strongman has been given fisheries department as a minister of state. Solanki held the same portfolio as an MoS in the previous government under Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

After assuming charge on Tuesday, Solanki had expressed his displeasure at being given only one department, stating that the chief minister was having 12 portfolios with him while other ministers were also heading many departments.

"My Koli community wants that it should be given better representation in the Gujarat Cabinet," he had said, adding that he is the only minister from the Koli community in the state Cabinet.

"2019 elections of Lok Sabha are approaching, before which Koli community will have to decide whom to support," Solanki had said.Over 20 spa centres in north Delhi were sealed today after they were found to be running without valid trade licence, the area's civic body today said.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) said a survey has been undertaken by its Public Health Department in localities of Prashant Vihar, Guru Hari Kishan Nagar, and variou sectors of Rohini, among other places.

"23 spa centres were sealed today with the help of local police. These centres were being run without obtaining valid trade license from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation," a senior NDMC official said.

Around 50 such trades have been identified which were found running such businesses unauthorisedly in these areas and action has been initiated against them as per the DMC Act, 1957.

The work of survey in other areas is still ongoing and notices are being issued, and necessary action will follow based on the reply received, he said.

Meanwhile, North Delhi Mayor Preety Agarwal today asked municipal commissioner Madhup Vyas to examine the feasibility of adopting the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in maintenance of parks, whereby a corner of a park can be leased out to some entities, for installing small kiosks.

"So, a milk parlour, or a grocery corner can be put up in a 12' x 12' space," a senior NDMC official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The AAP today nominated senior party leader Sanjay Singh and two little-known faces, a Delhi-based businessman with past links with the Congress and a veteran chartered accountant, as its Rajya Sabha nominees.

The decision taken by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the AAP was greeted with scorn and disbelief by many party leaders and a barrage of criticism by the likes of Kumar Vishwas who dubbed himself a "martyr", saying he was ignored for the Upper House for speaking against Arvind Kejriwal.

At the PAC meeting, senior leader Ashutosh, believed to be among the upper house hopefuls, red-flagged the billionaire businessman's nomination. He was the only one among the nine PAC members to have raised an objection.

Before the PAC meeting at Kejriwal's residence, around 56 AAP MLAs met the chief minister. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed the MLAs unanimously endorsed the candidates, however, sources said there were disagreements.

Several came out sporting downcast faces and went scurrying for their vehicles, avoiding the media persons gathered outside.

"Arvind Kejriwal wanted three eminent personalities to represent Delhi in the upper house. Accordingly, we got in touch with 18 such persons from various fields including the media, academics, law.

"However, a few among them politely declined saying joining the RS on a party ticket may affect their independence. The rest said identifying with AAP may prompt the Centre to ruin their lives. So we went for a mix and nominated those who may not be of high-level but with significant contributions," Sisodia told a press conference.

Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba congratulated Singh for his candidature. She refused to comment on the other two names.

Singh, a former social activist hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur, is counted among Kejriwal's most trusted lieutenants and has been with him since the India Against Corruption agitation days.

Most recently, Singh (46), a mechanical engineer by training, was the party's Punjab poll in-charge.

56-year-old Sushil Gupta, who unsuccessfully contested the 2012 Delhi Assembly polls on a Congress ticket, has declared assets running into over Rs 160 crore while Narain Dass Gupta (72) is a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

Sushil Gupta, who runs a chain of private and charitable schools and identified himself as an agriculturalist in the 2013 poll affidavit, quit the Congress on November 28, last year.

Kumar Vishwas, who is a PAC member, was not present in the meeting. Immediately after the announcement made by Sisodia, Vishwas lashed out at Kejriwal, saying he was being punished for speaking the "truth".

The poet-politician also charged that around one and half years ago, Kejriwal had in a party's national executive meet said with a smile, "We will finish you, but we will not let you be a martyr."



"I want to congratulate (Kejriwal) that I have accepted my martyrdom," he told reporters at his residence.

The Opposition BJP and former AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan also criticised the AAP's



decision.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari hit out at Kejriwal, saying the AAP has "betrayed" the people by nominating "two businessmen" for the polls to the upper house.

Yadav suggested that the AAP has struck financial deals with Sushil Gupta. "I used to say, whatever his other faults @ArvindKejriwal cannot be bought. Defended him against Kapil Mishras allegations. Now I don't know what to say. Speechless, ashamed and numb."



Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken tweeted that Sushil Gupta knew about his possible nomination as early as November.

"Otherwise, Sushil is a good man known for his charity!" the Congress leader tweeted.

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, former union minister Arun Shourie, ex-Chief Justice of India T S Thakur are among the personalities the AAP had reached out to for RS nominations.

Elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi would be held on January 16 as the terms of the incumbent members, Karan Singh, Janardan Dwivedi and Parvez Hashmi all from the Congress end on January 27.

The AAP, which enjoys a brute majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, is set to win all three seats.

The last date to file nominations for the three Rajya Sabha seats is January 5.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)IPS officer Abhay has taken charge as the new chief of the of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), officials today said.

The 1986-batch police officer of Odisha cadre took charge as the Director General (DG) at the NCB headquarters in Delhi yesterday, they said.

Abhay, who goes by a single name, was till now working in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as Additional DG (Training).

He has had a seven-year stint with the CBI in the past apart from heading the crime branch and special branch of the Odisha Police.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, had recently approved his appointment to the post till November 18, 2019, which is his scheduled stint in central deputation.

The post of the NCB DG was lying vacant since April last year when the incumbent R R Bhatnagar was appointed as the CRPF DG.

Special Secretary in the home ministry Rina Mitra was handling the additional charge of NCB DG since then.

The NCB, under the command of the Union Home Ministry, is the apex coordinating and enforcement agency in the country against drug crimes and for countering drugs abuse.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan has acted against Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation not under "pressure" from the US but after "serious deliberations", Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said on Wednesday.

Pakistan has banned Saeed-led JuD and FIF from collecting donations on Monday, after President Donald Trump accused Islamabad of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists.

The government has banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF and other organisations on the UNSC sanctions list.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued a notification prohibiting the collection of donations by the JuD, the front organisation of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, as well as several other such organisations named in a list of banned outfits by the UN Security Council.

"We have taken action against the JuD and the FIF not on the pressure of the Trump administration. We have initiated action against Saeed's organisations after 'serious deliberations'. It is not taken in haste," Khan told BBC Urdu.

He said the action was part of the 'Operation Radul Fasaad', launched in February last year by the Pakistan military to disarm and eliminate the hidden terrorist sleeper cells across the country with the support of local law enforcement agencies.

"We have taken action against the organisations which are on the UNSC sanctions list, so that our children remain safe in schools. We do not want that one day they (people associated with these organisations) attack their own country with guns," the minister said.

The PML-N government is also considering taking over the control of charities run by the JuD and the FIF. If action is taken, the JuD may lose its headquarters in Muridke, near Lahore, to the government.

The FIF is a Pakistan-based organisation that is closely connected to banned terrorist group LeT and JuD. It is also said that FIF is JuD with a new name, designed to evade scrutiny and sanctions.

Yesterday, the JuD and the FIF activists held a rally outside its headquarters in Muridke near Lahore in protest against the government action and also blocked a road.

Addressing the rally, JuD leader Hafiz Abdur Rehman Maki alleged that the action against the JuD and the FIF has been taken on the pressure of the US and India.

"Those trying to strangle the JuD and the FIF will soon be in the grip of Allah. We are not committing any crime to serve the humanity," he said.

Maki also said that any move by the government to take the control of 'Markaz-e-Taiba' (the JuD headquarters) and charity would not be accepted.Ambedkar Sena Mulnivasi activists today took out a march in Punjab's Phagwara city and made a human chain on National Highway 1, which connects New Delhi to Attari town, against the violence in Maharashtra after an event to mark the 200th anniversary of Bhima-Koregaon battle.

Violence erupted in Pune district on Monday when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

The protesters in Phagwara city also burnt effigies of and submitted a memorandum to SDM Jyoti Bala Mattu.

Led by Ambedkar Sena Mulnivasi's state president Harbhjan Suman, the protesters assembled at Ambedkar Park in Hargobindnagar, held demonstration against rightwing outfits, and then took out a march, the police said.

After forming a human chain on NH-1, the protesters proceeded to the SDM's office.

Suman accused Maharashtra's Devendra Fadnavis government of protecting rightwing outfits who had unleashed violence on Dalits. He alleged that a clear case of atrocities on Dalits was being given a communal colour to shield rightwing outfits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan tonight warned the US that the statements coming from Washington are "detrimental" to bilateral relations that have developed over generations.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired a Cabinet meeting and discussed strategies following US President Donald Trump's tweet in which he accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" in return for USD 33 billion aid.

"The Cabinet viewed that the American statements are detrimental to the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and USA, a relationship that has developed over generations," reads the statement issued after the meeting.

Pakistan has rendered huge sacrifices, both in terms of loss of precious human lives and substantial damage to the economy as a result of partnering in the global war against terrorism, it said.

The Cabinet unanimously endorsed the stance of National Security Committee (NSC), which in its yesterday's meeting expressed deep disappointment over recent statements of the top American leadership.

Foreign Minister Khawaj Asif briefed the participants about the background of the recent statements of the American leadership and the discussion held during the NSC meeting.

Pakistan has so far cautiously responded to Trump's tweet in which he had said that the US has foolishly given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given "us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools."



Prime Minister's Advisor on Finance Mitah Ismael tonight told Geo that out of USD 33 billion, USD 14 billion were against the services as coalition partner in the war on terror.

"Our actual bill for Coalition Support Fund was about 24 billion dollars but they have reimbursed only 14 billion dollars," he said.

Ismael said another about USD 5 billion was given by the US to various NGOs which had nothing to do with the government of Pakistan.

He also said that out of rest of payment about half was support for military, mostly in kind, for fighting the war on terror.

When asked about the impact of the US withholding USD 225 million in aid, Ismael said smilingly: "I spent more than this daily to run the government of Pakistan".

In the same programme, military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said that Pakistan and the US were still friends and partners.

"We have history of ups and down in relations but we (are) still partners," he said.

Ghafoor also hit back at US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, pointing to her Indian connection, when asked about Haley accusing Pakistan for double standards.

"The US should find out the elements which are aiming at deteriorating the US-Pakistan cooperation," he said.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also extended by 30 days the December 31 deadline set for the repatriation of about three million Afghan refugees living legally and illegally in Pakistan.

"After a detailed discussion, the Cabinet agreed to grant only 30 Days extension for Proof of Registration (POR) and also decided that the issue of early repatriation of Afghan refugees shall be raised with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and with the international community," the statement added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A group of school children from Arunachal Pradesh today interacted with Lt Gen Abhay Krishna, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, who shared his thoughts on 'Unity in Diversity' with them.

The visit of the school children was part of National Integration Tour organised by the Eastern Army Command with an aim to acquaint younger ones from North-East with the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The team comprised 25 students from Tuting Valley and 26 from Yinkiong district of Arunachal Pradesh, an army release said here.

As part of the tour, the children from North-Eastern state were provided with glimpses of cultural heritage of Kolkata through their visits to Fort William, Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum, the release said.

Army routinely undertakes such national integration tours for children in various parts of the country.

This initiative is an effort by the Indian Army towards giving opportunity to students of NE to integrate with rest of the country and in turn contribute towards nation building and increasing opportunities available due to developing economy of the nation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)German luxury carmaker Audi today reported 2 per cent increase in its total sales in India at 7,876 units.

The company, which completed ten years of operations in India in 2017, had sold 7,720 units in the previous year.

Reflecting on the journey, Audi India Head Rahil Ansari said, "Audi completed ten years in India in 2017 and we are delighted that within this short span, it has become one of the most preferred luxury car brands for enthusiasts in the country."



Commenting on the outlook, he said, the company is looking forward to the launch of popular SUV, Audi Q5 new generation this month.

"Apart from this, we promise to bring some more exhilarating cars for Audi enthusiasts this year...I can promise that 2018 will be the year of some of the most exhilarating products from the Audi line-up," Ansari added.

Last year, Audi had 10 launches, including the A3 Sedan, A3 Cabriolet, SUV Q3, sedan A5, and Audi S5 among others.

The company also spread its reach to tier 2 and tier 3 towns in India and has an overall of over 90 customer touch points that include showrooms, workshops and Audi Used Car (Audi Approved Plus) facilities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The much-awaited autopsy report of Sherin Mathews is out and the attorneys for the adoptive Indian-American couple of the toddler have received it, a media report said today, nearly three months after the Indian girl went missing and was later found dead in a culvert in Dallas.

Three-year-old Sherin went missing on October 7. Her body was found on October 22 in a culvert by a cadaver dog after an intense search in Richardson city in suburban Dallas. Her body was identified days later.

Her foster father Wesley Mathews admitted to police that he removed Sherin's body from the home after changing his story multiple times on the events leading up to her death. The couple also left Sherin home alone the night before her disappearance, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Wesley, 37, is charged with injury to a child, while the adoptive mother, Sini, 35, is charged with abandoning or endangering a child. Both are currently lodged in a Dallas jail.

Attorneys for Sherin's adoptive parents have received a copy of the autopsy report for Sherin, WFAA TV station reported.

The attorney representing Sini Mathews said the report, received on Tuesday evening from the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, does not implicate her in Sherin's death.

"There is nothing in the autopsy results that indicate Sini Mathews had anything to do with the death of Sherin Mathews," Mitch Nolte told WFAA in a statement.

The report did not provide details of the autopsy conducted by Dallas Medical Examiner.

Nolte also did not provide more specific comments on the findings because he was not aware if the report had been made public, the report said.

During a hearing in late November, a doctor testified before a court that Sherin had broken bones and had injuries in various stages of healing, indicating abuse.

The about the autopsy report on Sherin has reportedly been sent to the foster parents - Wesley and Sini - as they are expected to appear in court later today for a Child Protective Services (CPS) custody hearing for their 4- year-old biological daughter. She was removed from the home by CPS officials after Sherin went missing.

The couple can either forfeit their parental rights during today's hearing, or the court could decide a date for a civil trial to possibly terminate their rights, the report said.

Today's hearing would mark the third CPS hearing for the Indian-American adoptive parents of Sherin.

Last month, the couple, hailing from Kerala, temporarily lost their rights to see their biological child, who has been placed with a family member in the Houston area.

During the hearing, both Wesley and Sini pleaded the fifth amendment in court in response to pointed questions about their alleged involvement in Sherin's death to avoid self-incrimination.

Initially, Wesley told police that he put her outside their home at 3 a.m. to discipline her for not drinking her milk.

His story changed after her body was found in a culvert Richardson in suburban Dallas, telling police that he "physically assisted" with pouring the milk down Sherin's throat and then moved her body after he realised she had choked and died.

Meanwhile, a community group has thanked the Richardson Police Department for its ongoing investigation into Sherin's death.

A group made up of Richardson residents presented police with a plaque yesterday, thanking them for their response and hard work in the complex and high-profile case that had attracted international media attention.

Bill Allen, who lived near where Sherin's body was found, presented the special plaque to the police department. With his neighbours, they formed an informal group to express gratitude for all the investigators. They also dedicated a bench in Sherin's memory this past weekend, FOX4News.com reported.

"To have the community come together and come to us and acknowledge the good work that the men and women of this police department have done means so, so much to us," said Richardson Police Department Chief Jimmy Spivey.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An autopsy has revealed that 3-year- old Indian girl Sherin Mathews died of "homicidal violence," a media report claimed today, quoting multiple sources who have reviewed the much-awaited document on her mysterious death.

Sherin went missing on October 7 and her body was found on October 22 in a culvert in suburban Dallas by a cadaver dog after an intense search. Her body was identified days later.

Sherin died of "homicidal violence", a law enforcement official in Dallas, Texas, confirmed to WFAA TV station, indicating the manner of death for the girl, nearly three months after she went missing from her home and was later found dead.

An earlier report by the same station had said that the autopsy report of Sherin has been handed over to the attorneys for the adoptive Indian-American parents of Sherin - Wesley Mathews and Sini Mathews.

During a hearing in late November, a doctor testified before a court that Sherin, who was adopted from India, had broken bones and had injuries in various stages of healing, indicating abuse.

Initially, Sherin's foster father Wesley told police that he put her outside their home at 3 a.m. to discipline her for not drinking her milk.

His story changed after her body was found in a culvert, telling police that he "physically assisted" with pouring the milk down Sherin's throat and then moved her body after he realised she had choked and died.

Wesley also admitted to police that he removed Sherin's body from the home after changing his story multiple times on the events leading up to her death. Wesley and his wife Sini also left Sherin home alone the night before her disappearance, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Wesley, 37, is charged with injury to a child, while the adoptive mother, Sini, 35, is charged with abandoning or endangering a child. Both are currently lodged in a Dallas jail.

The attorney representing Sini Mathews said the report, received on Tuesday evening from the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, does not implicate her in Sherin's death.

"There is nothing in the autopsy results that indicate Sini Mathews had anything to do with the death of Sherin Mathews," Mitch Nolte told WFAA in a statement.

The report did not provide details of the autopsy conducted by Dallas Medical Examiner.

The about the autopsy report on Sherin has reportedly been sent to Wesley and Sini as they are expected to appear in court later today for a Child Protective Services (CPS) custody hearing for their 4-year-old biological daughter. She was removed from the home by CPS officials after Sherin went missing.

The couple can either forfeit their parental rights during today's hearing, or the court could decide a date for a civil trial to possibly terminate their rights, the report said.

Today's hearing would mark the third CPS hearing for the Indian-American adoptive parents of Sherin.

Last month, the couple, hailing from Kerala, temporarily lost their rights to see their biological child, who has been placed with a family member in the Houston area.

During the hearing, both Wesley and Sini pleaded the fifth amendment in court in response to pointed questions about their alleged involvement in Sherin's death to avoid self-incrimination.

Meanwhile, a community group has thanked the Richardson Police Department for its ongoing investigation into Sherin's death.

A group made up of Richardson residents presented police with a plaque yesterday, thanking them for their response and hard work in the complex and high-profile case that had attracted international media attention.

Bill Allen, who lived near where Sherin's body was found, presented the special plaque to the police department. With his neighbours, they formed an informal group to express gratitude for all the investigators. They also dedicated a bench in Sherin's memory this past weekend, FOX4News.com reported.

"To have the community come together and come to us and acknowledge the good work that the men and women of this police department have done means so, so much to us," said Richardson Police Department Chief Jimmy Spivey.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The much-awaited autopsy report in the death of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews says she died of "homicidal violence," US media reported today, quoting sources close to the investigation as saying, nearly three months after the adopted Indian girl was found dead in a culvert.

Sherin went missing from her home in Richardson on October 7 and her body was found on October 22 in a culvert in suburban Dallas by a cadaver dog after an intense search. Her body was identified days later.

Sherin died of "homicidal violence", a law enforcement official in Dallas, Texas, confirmed to WFAA TV station, indicating the manner of death for the girl.

CBS also reported that sources close to the investigation has confirmed that Sherin died of "homicidal violence."



An earlier report had said that the autopsy report of Sherin has been handed over to the attorneys for the adoptive Indian-American parents of Sherin - Wesley Mathews and Sini Mathews.

During a child custody hearing in late November, a doctor testified before a court that Sherin, who was adopted from India, had broken bones and had injuries in various stages of healing, indicating abuse.

Initially, Sherin's foster father Wesley told police that he put her outside their home at 3 a.m. to discipline her for not drinking her milk.

His story changed after her body was found in a culvert, telling police that he "physically assisted" with pouring the milk down Sherin's throat and then moved her body after he realised she had choked and died.

Wesley also admitted to police that he removed Sherin's body from the home after changing his story multiple times on the events leading up to her death. Wesley and his wife Sini also left Sherin home alone the night before her disappearance, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Wesley, 37, is charged with injury to a child, while the adoptive mother, Sini, 35, is charged with abandoning or endangering a child. Both are currently lodged in a Dallas jail.

The attorney representing Sini Mathews said the report, received on Tuesday evening from the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, does not implicate her in Sherin's death.

"There is nothing in the autopsy results that indicate Sini Mathews had anything to do with the death of Sherin Mathews," Mitch Nolte told WFAA in a statement.

The about the autopsy report on Sherin has reportedly been sent to Wesley and Sini as they are expected to appear in court later today for a Child Protective Services (CPS) custody hearing for their 4-year-old biological daughter. She was removed from the home by CPS officials after Sherin went missing.

The couple can either forfeit their parental rights during today's hearing, or the court could decide a date for a civil trial to possibly terminate their rights, the report said.

Today's hearing would mark the third CPS hearing for the Indian-American adoptive parents of Sherin.

Last month, the couple, hailing from Kerala, temporarily lost their rights to see their biological child, who has been placed with a family member in the Houston area.

During the hearing, both Wesley and Sini pleaded the fifth amendment in court in response to pointed questions about their alleged involvement in Sherin's death to avoid self-incrimination.

Wesley is still being held on a USD 1 million bond. Sini had her bond reduced from USD 250,000 to USD 100,000 in December. If she is indeed released, she will be required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, as she is said to be a 'flight risk' who could try to flee to India.

Richardson Police have scheduled a press conference later today to release more details of the case.

Meanwhile, a community group in Richardson has thanked the Richardson Police Department for its ongoing investigation into Sherin's death.

A group made up of Richardson residents presented police with a plaque yesterday, thanking them for their response and hard work in the complex and high-profile case that had attracted international media attention.

Bill Allen, who lived near where Sherin's body was found, presented the special plaque to the police department. With his neighbours, they formed an informal group to express gratitude for all the investigators. They also dedicated a bench in Sherin's memory this past weekend, FOX4News.com reported.

"To have the community come together and come to us and acknowledge the good work that the men and women of this police department have done means so, so much to us," said Richardson Police Department Chief Jimmy Spivey.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The daily average number of Indian trucks laden with export goods at Attari-Wagah border has come down drastically to about 12 in November last year as compared 105 in the same month previous year, Parliament was informed today.

"The daily average number of Indian export trucks at Attari-Wagah border was around 12 in November 2017 as compared to 105 in November 2016," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He also said that instances of quarantine-related difficulties for export of some perishable goods to Pakistan have been brought to the notice of the government.

"The issue has been taken up with the government of Pakistan through the High Commission for resolution," he added.

In a separate reply, he said a major factor affecting India's bilateral trade with the neighbouring country is the prevailing political relationship between the two countries.

It also affects the policy framework of the bilateral trade.

The two-way commerce between the countries declined to USD 2.27 billion in 2016-17 from USD 2.61 billion in the previous fiscal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Amid call for a shut-down across Maharashtra given by Dalit leaders to protest the violence during the bicentennial celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, civic buses were again targeted in Mumbai today.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, an official from the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

The city had witnessed a major disruption of road traffic owing to protests in the eastern suburbs yesterday.

Suburban trains were running normally today morning though activists tried to stage blockades on tracks at Thane on the Central line and Goregaon on the Western line, railway officials said.

Mumbai's famed tiffin carriers, Dabbawalas, chose not to provide their services today.

Mahesh Narvekar, senior official from the civic body's Disaster Management Unit, had said earlier that the BEST buses will not run on some sensitive routes including Kandivali-Akurli, Dindoshi-Hanuman Nagar, Chandivali-Sangharsh Nagar, Khairani Road-Sakinaka, Sahar Cargo, Mulund Check Naka and Jijamata Nagar.

Anil Garg, president of the School Bus Owners Association (SBOA), told PTI, "99 per cent of our buses are off the road in the state today for security reasons. Only one or two per cent of buses are on roads."



"We have decided not to ply school buses in the first shift (during morning hours) today and if circumstances allow, we will run the buses in the second shift," Garg said.

"Since law and order situation is beyond our control, we cannot take risk," he added.

Some 40,000 school buses are affiliated to the SBOA in the state.

Garg also claimed that some school buses were damaged by protesters in Mumbai today, but police did not corroborate the claim.

Though the government has not declared a school holiday, many parents chose not to send children to school.

Vijay Shukla, a resident of suburban Vikhroli, said, "I have twop kids, both studying at a school in Vikhroli east. Though school was open today, I suggested they stay at home."



Offices in major commercial hubs too witnessed low attendance, as employees stayed away from work fearing violence.

Subhash Talekar, spokesperson of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said, "Since most of our customers may find it difficult to reach office, we have decided to suspend our services today."



Dalit protesters descended on tracks at Thane and Goregaon stations in the morning.

"Few protesters tried to disrupt Railway services at Thane but were immediately cleared by the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway," said Sunil Udasi, chief spokesperson, Central Railway.

There were protests at Goregaon and Virar on the Western suburban line too. "Tracks have been evacuated of protesters and train services have been resumed at Virar and Goregaon from 9.05 am," Western Railway said in a tweet.

Mumbai Police today registered nine cases in connection with yesterday's violent protests. Over hundred people have been detained in the city since yesterday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The bandh called by Dalit organisations to protest the Bhima Koregaon violence largely remained peaceful in the city, barring a few incidents of stone pelting on public transport buses and a road blockade in Pimpri in the district.

The day-long shutdown received a mixed response in the city where shops remained partially open throughout the day.

Dalit organisations held separate morchas to the district collectorate in the city.

"Barring four to five incidents in which buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) were stoned by anti-social elements in Sukhsagar Nagar and Singhgad Road and one rasta roko in Pimpri, overall bandh in the city was largely incident-free," said ACP (South/North Region) Ravindra Sengaonkar.

He said police was in the process of registering cases against those indulged in hooliganism and stone pelting.

However, it cannot be immediately ascertained whether any passengers were injured in the incidents.

A large number of police personnel was deployed across the city and in sensitive areas.

Some dalit organisations tried to take out a morcha to the house of ad Hindu Ekta Aghadi leader Milind Ekbote, but were prevented by the police from doing so.

Ekbote and another Hindutva outfit leader Sambhaji Bhide were yesterday booked under various sections of the IPC and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act for allegedly orchestrating the violence in Bhima Koregaon village and nearby areas on January 1.

According to PMPNL, a total of 50 buses were stoned by miscreants in different parts of the city since Tuesday morning.

Almost 80 per cent services of the Maharashtra State Regional Transport Corporation (MSRTC) were disrupted due to protests.

Though no holiday was declared today, several private schools remained shut as a precautionary measure.

Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) officials said the supply of vegetables reduced by 20 per cent.

"On an average, we receive 1000 trucks of vegetables and agriculture produce from various parts of the state per day. However, the supply dropped 20 per cent today due to the bandh," an APMC officer-bearer said.

An examination for Master of Pharmacy, supposed to be held today, was postponed by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).

Some protesters tried to block expressway near Urse toll plaza near Pune, but police cleared the highway in 30 minutes.

In a western Maharashtra city of Kolhapur, the bandh took a violent turn as mobs attacked shops and vehicles at various locations in the city throughout the day and set a vehicle on fire in Shahupuri area.

Stones were hurled at many public and private transport buses.

Tension escalated after Dalit activists and Shiv Sena workers came face to face at some spots.

Condemning the Bhima Koregaon violence, Shiv Sena MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar said the buses were damaged by "hooligans" and held the Maharashtra government responsible for the strife.

At around 10 A.M, Dalit workers assembled at Bindu Chowk area and took out a rally.

Kolhapur-Gargoti and Kolhapur-Panhala roads were blocked at Shelewdi and Shivaji Bridge.

Incidents of stone-pelting were reported in Dasara Chowk and C.P.R Hospital areas of the city.

A mob tried to attack the office of a local newspaper but police prevented them from doing so.

A separate group attacked shops, kiosks and vehicles on Station Road and in Shahupuri area.

Section 144 was imposed in the city by the police banning the assembly of more than four people.

At few places, vandals were beaten up by people.

Around seven people, including some police personnel, were injured in various incidents, an official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Responding to the call given by Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, a total bandh was observed in the district today protesting Monday's violence at Bhima Koregaon.

Protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Governor through resident deputy collector Nitin Vyavahare.

The memorandum submitted to the CM and Governor demanded that those involved in the violence at Bhima Koregaon be booked under the National Security Act and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Act.

They also demanded trying the case in a fast track court with lawyer Ujjwal Nikam to plead it.

The protesters also demanded permanent police security for the Smriti Stumbh at Bhima Koregaon and compensation worth Rs. one crore to the family of the deceased and Rs.75,000 each to those injured in the violence.

They also demanded an impartial probe in the matter through a panel headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice KG Balakrishnan.

The protesters demanded the arrest of Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide who, they alleged, were responsible for the violence against the dalits.

Barring stray incidents of tyre burning and stone pelting, the bandh was largely peaceful in the city and the district, said officials



State transport buses and city buses did not ply on the roads while the Collector ordered closure of schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and thanked him for gifting Puducherry with 'key officers of integrity'.

Bedi in her twitter account, said she met Gauba at Delhi and thanked him for gifting the Union Territory with key officers of integrity and clearing the backlog of promotions for officers in the Union Territory.

She also thanked him for resolving "many irksome pending issues which is good for the Puducherry Administration".

Bedi, however, did not elaborate on who the key officers were and also the 'irksome pending issues.'



Official sources here said Bedi left here yesterday for New Delhi and would return tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile Chief Minister V Narayanasamy also flew to Delhi today and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the Special Repreentative of Puducherry government in Delhi, A John Kumar.

The purpose of his visit could not be known immediately.

The Congress government and Bedi have been at loggerheads over many issues,including medical admissions and induction of three nominated MLAs, ever since she assumed office in 2016.

Narayanasamy recently alleged that Bedi's "style of functioning is more like a leader of opposition than an administrator" of the Union Territory.

However in a break from the frequent wranglings,the Chief Minister thanked her yesterday for 'extending cooperation' in maintaining law and order during new year's eve celebrations.

The Lt Governor in a tweet had welcomed the praise for her cooperation by posting the symbol of 'Namaste' to express her thanks to Narayanasamy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Congress today accused the BJP and the RSS of fuelling violence against Dalits and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in Parliament clarifying his stand on the Bhima-Koregaon incident in Maharashtra.

The party also demanded the formation of a commission of inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge on the clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district that had left a man dead on January 1.

Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-RSS of "conspiring to divide people" on caste and religious lines, and asked the prime minister to make a statement on the issue in Parliament.

"The BJP and the RSS are fuelling and instigating violence against Dalits across the country. They conspire to divide people and society and create an atmosphere of illusion that only they are nationalists.

"We demand that the prime minister, who shows sympathy for Dalits during polls, should clarify his position inside Parliament on violence against Dalits," he told reporters outside Parliament.

Kharge also accused the BJP government in Maharashtra of having "failed" to control violence as it did not make proper arrangements in Bhima-Koregaon.

"We have demanded that a sitting judge of the Supreme Court should carry out a probe into the incident for an impartial probe. A commission should be set up to ascertain who were behind the violence and who instigated it," he said.

The Congress leader said the BJP government in Maharashtra has failed to make proper arrangements in Bhima- Koregaon that led to violence.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad dubbed the BJP and the RSS as "anti-Dalit".

He also accused the government of "suppressing" the voice of the opposition in Parliament as live proceedings of both Houses were not telecast and stopped.

"We had given adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha for taking up the issue of violence against Dalits in Maharashtra but our voice was suppressed and live telecast was stopped," he told reporters.

A Maharashtra bandh, called to protest the violence post an event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, turned violent today even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in the city.

Yesterday, several towns and cities of Maharashtra were on the edge as Dalit protests against the violence in Pune spilled over to Mumbai, with agitators damaging buses and disrupting road and rail traffic.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Building up the pressure on the Centre over caste violence in Maharashtra, the Congress today said the BJP-RSS combine was "conspiring to fuel violence against Dalits", even as it demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak up on the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

The party also demanded the formation of a commission of inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge to probe the clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district, that had left a man dead on January 1.

The Congress also alleged that two of the accused, against whom cases of inciting violence were registered, have been seen along with Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP and RSS of "conspiring to divide people" on caste and religious lines.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily released the photographs of the two accused with the prime minister and chief minister.

"It is unfortunate and strange that those who have to maintain peace and run the government both at national and state level, associate themselves with disrupters of peace," he said referring to the photographs.

Moily said it was "most unfortunate" that the Bombay Police never anticipated this kind of gigantic eruption.

"That is to say there is an intelligence failure...there is failure on part of the police to prevent it. That is because of a conspiracy hatched by RSS and BJP. How can the BJP government knowingly prevent it?" he asked.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad dubbed the BJP and the RSS as "anti-Dalit".

"We had given an adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha for taking up the issue of violence against Dalits in Maharashtra, but our voice was suppressed and live telecast was stopped," he told reporters.

Moily also said if anyone could restore confidence among people and send a strong message, it is the prime minister and that he should have made a statement in parliament on the issue.

Violence had erupted in Pune district of Maharashtra on January 1 when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

The battle has come to be seen as a symbol of Dalit pride because a large number of soldiers in the Company force were the Mahar Dalits. Since the Peshwas, who were Brahmins, were seen as oppressors of Dalits, the victory of the Mahar soldiers over the the Peshwa force is seen as Dalit assertion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Public sector lender Bank of Maharashtra today said it will fix the issue price for the preferential allotment of shares worth Rs 650 crore to the government on January 17.

"Board of directors of the bank at its meeting held on January 3, 2018 considered and approved the proposal of raising of equity capital up to Rs 650 crore by way of preferential allotment in favour of government," it said in a regulatory filing.

The relevant date for ascertaining the issue price is fixed as January 17, 2018, it added further.

The government had on October 24 unveiled a Rs 2.11 lakh crore two-year roadmap for strengthening NPA-hit public sector banks, which includes re-capitalisation bonds, budgetary support and equity dilution.

A number of public sector banks have informed the exchanges about the capital infusion from the government in lieu of preferential shares allotment.

Shares of the bank closed 0.22 per cent up at Rs 23.05 per unit on BSE.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The RSS today sought to put the blame of caste violence in Maharashtra on a "breaking India brigade" which, it said, had raised anti-national slogans at the JNU in 2016 and was now trying to divide the Hindu society.

This brigade also wants to divide the country on religious and caste lines and the Sangh will not allow it to succeed, RSS spokesman Manmohan Vaidya told reporters here.

"The 'breaking India brigade' chanted slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2016 that India will be shattered into pieces. It wants to divide the country on religious and caste lines. It wants to divide the Hindu society. The Sangh castigates it," he said.

"The Sangh by uniting all the sections of the society wants to march ahead," he said when asked to comment on Congress president Rahul Gandhi's reported remark that he suspected an RSS hand behind the violence in Pune.

In his book "Breaking India", Indian-American author Rajeev Malhotra has specifically written about this mentality stating that it is aimed at gaining political mileage, Vaidya said.

"That is why this breaking India brigade is indulging in such acts. We won't allow it to succeed. The RSS strongly condemns such mentality and opposes it," he said.

Earlier, a two-day meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), chaired by its chief Mohan Bhagwat, began here to discuss the situation prevailing in the country.

"The Sangh convenes two meetings annually where the situation prevalent in the country is discussed," Vaidya said.

He clarified that no decision would be taken at the meeting.

Vaidya said that representatives of the BJP, ABVP, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and other constituents of the Sangh Parivar are participating in the conclave.

Claiming that the Sangh's cadre base was growing, he said that more than two lakh youths joined the organisation between January and June 2017.

The number of Sangh's 'Shakhas' (morning classes) has also gone up considerably, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Barring a couple of incidents of stones being pelted on public transport buses, the "bandh" in Pune started on a peaceful note.

The shutdown received a mixed response in the city since morning with some shops doing business with their shutters partially up.

Additional Commissioner of Police (South/North Region) Ravindra Sengaonkar said that there were two instances of stone-pelting, one in Sukhsagar Nagar and second in Singhgad Road on buses of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited.

According to PMPNL, since Tuesday, 42 buses from its fleet were stoned and since Wednesday morning, the number of buses being hit by stones stood at around 10 to 12.

"Buses are being plied under instructions from the police," said a PMPMl officer.

Several private schools remained shut as a precautionary measure despite there being no official holiday being declared for educational institutions.

According to the officials of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the supply of vegetables reduced by 20 per cent.

"On an average day, we receive 1000 trucks of vegetables and agriculture produce from various parts of the state. In wake of the bandh, the supply dropped by 20 per cent today," said an APMC officer bearer.

According to Savitribai Phue Pune University (SPPU), a paper of Masters of Pharmacy scheduled for Wednesday was postponed.

Meanwhile some Dalit organizations have decided to march to Milind Ekbotes house but Sengaonkar said that no such permission would be granted.

Ekbote along with another Hindutva outfit leader Sambhaji Bhide alias Bhide Guruji were booked under relevant sections of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly orchestrating the violence in Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

"There is adequate police bandobast deployed in the city and we appeal to the people to not take law into their hands," Sengaonkar appealed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The government today approved the Rs 6,809-crore strategic Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of the world during winters due to heavy snowfall.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi- directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel excluding approaches on Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1A at Km 95 and at Km 118 in Jammu and Kashmir on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode," the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.

The statement said apart from providing all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, the project will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

"The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The construction period of the project is seven years.

"The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4,899.42 crore. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6,808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of tunnel for four years," the statement said.

The project aims at construction of 14.15 km long two- lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km long egress tunnel excluding approaches between Baltal and Minamarg in the state.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

The main objective of the project is to provide all whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best 6 months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.

"This project along with other ongoing projects like 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh," the statement said.

It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities, it added.

The government said on completion, it will lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.

IL&FS Transportation last year in July had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,899 crore Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We wish to inform that the company has emerged as the lowest bidder for the aforesaid (Zojila tunnel) project. The company had quoted an amount of Rs 4,899.42 crore to be constructed in a period of 2,555 days (7 years)," IL&FS Transportation said.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said, "We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project."



On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered "re-bidding" for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Gadkari, after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract.

The ministry, however, had denied the charges.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union Cabinet today gave its ex-post facto approval for a pact signed between India and the US for co-hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in India.

The MoU delineated the responsibilities, areas of co- operation, including logistics and venue related requirements between the parties for smooth conduct of the summit, an official statement said today.

According to the statement, the GES-2017 provided excellent opportunity to entrepreneurs and investors to have meetings with global industry leaders, networking sessions, pitching competitions, strategic workshops and sector-specific programmes for forging new collaborations.

The summit provided a forum to enhance economic opportunities to young entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs and marginalised groups in the long run, it noted.

The GES-2017 was held in Hyderabad from November 28-30, 2017.

It was attended by more than 1,500 registered delegates from 150 countries in addition to CEOs of MNCs, policy makers and government officials.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Apart from the fast pace, what sets Mumbai apart is its professionalism, perhaps an underrated quality which helps the financial capital spring back after every setback.

There was a mobility in the groups of protesters who went about disrupting the rail and road movement.

It was not uncommon to find the same group indulging in mischief at a location and then scooting off to the next 'target', while walking on rail tracks or riding bikes on empty roads.

On his journey from Thane to Kurla on the Central Railway line, this PTI correspondent saw scores of commuters jump out of trains that were stopped due to blocks by protesters and walk along the tracks.

The next choice was a tad difficult for commuters: Should one return home or plod on regardless to their work place, irrespective of the spectre of violence which loomed at many places.

At the Kanjurmarg railway station, police personnel deployed there watched as protesters indulged in stonepelting, threw furniture around and smashed food stalls.

On the usually busy Eastern Express Highway, groups of protesters squatted, holding up vehicular movement for over five hours, as they blocked the key arterial road.

At Vikhroli, this correspondent got a 'lift' from a motorcyclist travelling towards south Mumbai.

"I can drop you up to south Mumbai or till the mob allows," was the deal.

At the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar, young men 'patrolled' on motorcyles, while children, women and elders squatted on the highway.

If any bike-rider approached, kids at the 'squatters junction' as it were, would pounce on the bikes and ask the rider to turn back, with rampant use of foul language.

At the Amar Mahal junction in Chembur, the motorcycle this correspondent was riding was stopped by a group wielding sticks. An ambulance passing by offered an alibi. The protesters were told a close relative was critical and needed to be taken to hospital.

It was a smooth ride after Sion as the traffic was thin and the remaining journey in the Maximum City was uneventful for this Mumbai correspondent.

The benefactor, a businessman, heaved a sigh of relief after the motorcycle crossed the Byculla flyover on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road to enter the Muslim-dominated Nagpada area.

"Abhi tension nahin (there is no tension now), we are in Pakistan," he exclaimed, in a telling comment on the silos that the city resides in.

A quick cab ride later, the correspondent reached the PTI office at Hutatma Chowk.

The train-walk-bike-taxi journey today to the office, usually covered in an hour, took five-long but enlightening hours, as the city observed a bandh called against violence on the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Allahabad High Court has held the medical evidence of age of a person cannot be discarded on the basis of date of birth on educational documents, unless it is so recorded on birth certificate issued by a competent authority like a civic body or a hospital.

Making the observation, a division bench of justices Ajai Lamba and Dinesh Kumar Singh of the Lucknow bench quashed an FIR lodged by a man against his sister's husband and in-laws.

In the FIR lodged with the Tikunia police station in Lakhimpur on July 8 last year, the man alleged the accused kidnapped his sister, who was a minor according to her school transfer certificate.

The husband, however, pleaded the girl willingly married him and as such the FIR should be quashed. He also produced medical evidence of her age according to which she was above 20 years.

Opposing the plea, the state lawyer submitted that since as per school transfer certificate, the girl was a minor hence the FIR could not be set aside.

Considering the girl's statement recorded under section 164 of CrPC in which she stated she went out of her own free will and that no one kidnapped her, the court quashed the FIR.

Passing the order, the court held that medical proof of age cannot be negated on the basis of school certificate unless the latter was based on the age mentioned in the hospital or municipal documents.

The court observed that since the prosecution could not produce evidence that her school age was based on the municipal or hospital documents, the credence has to be given to the medical proof of age and quashed the FIR.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sri Lanka today said it hopes to raise a record USD 5 billion through bond issues this year as it seeks to repay its substantial debts.

The country has already been forced to go to the IMF for a bailout after accumulating foreign debts of nearly USD 30 billion, according to central bank figures.

Much of the money went towards ambitious infrastructure projects funded by Chinese loans under the previous government, which closely allied itself with Beijing.

But many of these have been unsuccessful -- including a huge airport in the home town of the former president.

Government spokesman Gayantha Karunaratne said the cabinet had approved the decision to raise USD 5 billion through bonds.

Last year the government raised USD 3.73 billion through dollar-denominated bonds.

It secured a USD 1.5 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in June 2016 following a balance of payments crisis.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said last week the economy grew at a slower than expected 3.3 per cent in the third quarter of last year.

However, it expects the economy to expand this year with improvements in foreign capital inflows, agriculture and exports.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The caste violence in Maharashtra rocked Parliament today even as the RSS rubbished the Congress charge it was fuelling the clashes over which the opposition party also flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence" on the matter.

As a political war of words erupted over the simmering caste tensions in BJP-ruled Maharashtra both inside and outside Parliament, the saffron party also hit back and accused the Congress of trying to play over the matter.

Rejecting the Congress charge, the RSS sought to put the blame of caste violence in Maharashtra on a "breaking India brigade" which, it said, had raised anti-national slogans at the JNU in Delhi in 2016 and was now trying to divide the Hindu society.

"The 'breaking India brigade' chanted slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2016 that India will be shattered into pieces. It wants to divide the country on religious and caste lines. It wants to divide the Hindu society. The Sangh castigates it," RSS spokesman Manmohan Vaidya told reporters in Ujjain.

In his book "Breaking India", Indian-American author Rajeev Malhotra has specifically written about this mentality stating that it is aimed at gaining political mileage, Vaidya said.

"That is why this breaking India brigade is indulging in such acts. We won't allow it to succeed. The RSS strongly condemns such mentality and opposes it," he said.

Asked to respond to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's attack on the RSS and the BJP yesterday over the violence in Pune, he said the "sangh by uniting all the sections of society wants to march ahead."



BJP leader and Union Minister Satyapal Singh told reporters outside Parliament that the RSS is for maintaining peace in the country and not to spread violence.

In the Lok Sabha, the Congress accused the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering violence against dalits in Maharashtra and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" over the clashes. It also demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge.

"The RSS and certain hardcore Hindutva outfits are behind the violence. They are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in Maharashtra," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged.

A visibly anguished Kharge also tore some papers he was holding when BJP members vociferously protested his remarks and continued to shout.

"Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on the issue? He always maintains silence on issues relating to Dalits. He has become a 'Mouni Baba' on Dalit issues," he said.

Kharge's comments triggered angry response from BJP MPs, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar rebutting the charges and accusing the Congress of trying to play over the issue.

"Congress wants to politicise the issue. The party suffered electoral drubbing in so many states in the recent past and that is why they want to milk political mileage over the issue," Kumar alleged.

The minister's response infuriated the Congress members who trooped into the Well of the House and shouted slogans like 'stop humiliating Babasaheb Ambedkar', 'stop dividing the country' and 'PM speak up'.

Kharge also urged the Speaker to ask Modi to make a statement in the House on the violence in Maharashtra.

Earlier, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she would allow the members to speak on the issue but urged them to ensure that their comments do not vitiate the situation in the affected areas.

The Rajya Sabha proceedings was also disrupted with the House witnessing three adjournments even as opposition parties like Congress and BSP sought a discussion on the violence.

As soon as the Upper House convened at 2 PM after two adjournments earlier, BSP MP Satish Chandra Mishra stood up and demanded a discussion on the issue, saying "peaceful people" were targeted in Maharashtra and accusing the state government of hatching a conspiracy.

Kharge told reporters that the prime minister should clarify his position inside Parliament on violence against dalits since he shows sympathy for them during polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Union ministry grappled with controversies triggered by its notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter and a recommendation for commercial use of GM mustard besides high air pollution levels during 2017.

The ministry, which saw Harsh Vardhan taking over its charge in May from Anil Dave who died in office, also steered itself through the controversy that erupted when Tamil Nadu insisted on holding the jallikattu (bull-taming) event against opposition by animal rights activists.

Tamil Nadu was brought to a standstill for almost a week in January due to protest by students, youths and other sections demanding immediate staging of jallikattu in Alanganallur, epicentre of the sport, and other places.

Decks were finally cleared for an ordinance on jallikattu and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017 finally received presidential assent on January 31.

In May, and the ministry was again hit by another controversy when it banned the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter. It also prohibited practices cruel to animals including painting of horns and putting ornaments or decorative materials on them.

The ministry notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Amid growing protests, Harsh Vardhan said the new rules are very "specific" and aim to regulate animal markets and sale of cattle.

Reacting to the ban, the CPI(M)-led LDF government and the Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala, where beef is consumed widely, attacked the Centre with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying it is "not right that a government decides the choice of food of the people".

He also said that the Centre was destroying a sector which employees thousands of people while Mohammed Saleem, vice president of All India Jamiat-ul-Quresh said if the government brought this law, they won't follow it.

Amid these protests, the government finally said that it was "considering" making certain changes to the notification to make it more "acceptable" but animal rights body PETA termed it a "dark day" for animals.

The year gone by also witnessed large-scale protests from anti-genetically modified crop activists after India's GM crop regulator recommended the commercial use of GM mustard in a submission to the ministry.

In its submission, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the nodal regulator for Genetically Modified (GM) crop, has given a "positive" recommendation but "with certain conditions".

RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) criticised the move saying allowing the commercial use of GM mustard would impact allied agri-activities while some other anti-GM activists asserted that in okaying the commercial use of GM mustard, the GEAC has "yet again proved" to be "unscientific and uncaring" to the health of citizens.

The Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), Delhi University South Campus, had submitted an application to the GEAC for the environmental release of GM mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrid DMH-11 and the use of parental events (varuna bn 3.6 and EH2 mod bs 2.99) for the development of a new generation of hybrids.

After widespread protests, the ministry said that it was open to suggestions.

On the climate change front, India also took part in the Conference of Parties -23 at Bonn in Germany which took place under the shadow of the announcement of US withdrawal from the "historic" Paris agreement, which was agreed by more than 190 nations.

President Donald Trump last year had announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change and renegotiate the deal arguing that countries like China and India are benefiting the most.

However, despite the US's exit from the Paris agreement, India said that it is committed to the deal "irrespective" of the stand taken by any other country.

At the Bonn climate change conference, India called for early time-bound ratification of second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP II) by developed countries to ensure the highest possible mitigation efforts under the UN Convention by all countries.

India also said that it considers climate change a "major threat" and will play a "constructive" role in combating it.

Air pollution also played its bit in keeping the environment ministry busy this year. Delhi was faced with a complex set of meteorological factors in early November, when pollution levels peaked, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Air pollutants touched calamitous levels in Delhi, as a thick grey smog hung low across the region, prompting the government to declare schools closed till Sunday, halt construction activity and ban the entry of trucks in the city.

A high-level task force headed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principal secretary formulated a draft air action plan and invited suggestions to make it more "effective and practical".

Coordinated action to combat stubble burning, commissioning studies and launch of a hotline and an app to report violations are some of the measures suggested in the 12-point draft plan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The CBI today questioned three men who had allegedly sent 25 minor children to France in an apparent case of human trafficking under the cover of rugby training in Paris.

The agency today questioned for nearly eight hours Faridabad-based Lalit David Dean and Delhi-based Sanjeev Roy and Varun Choudhary for allegedly sending these children in the age group of 13-18 years to France in 2016 in the garb of attending a training camp in Paris and left them there, CBI sources said.

The CBI through these travel agents is trying to ascertain the identities of 23 of the 25 children who are still believed to be in Europe. Two of them have managed to come back, they said.

All these 25 children were sent on fake documents making it difficult to ascertain their identities, they said.

The agency has also sent all the electronic devices recovered from the trio for forensic analysis.

The sources said it had been confirmed that these 25 children had flown out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to Paris on February 1, 2016 in two groups with three agents but their return tickets were cancelled and they were left in France.

One among them was arrested by the French police, another approached the police. Both were deported to India and Interpol was informed about the alleged trafficking, CBI officials said.

In their visa application, the agents had shown that the 25 children were going to attend a rugby training camp in Paris, they said.

"A group of 25 students shown as students of two Kapurthala (Punjab)-based schools led by private persons (travel agents) embarked at Delhi airport for Paris to participate in a rugby training camp on the basis of alleged invitation received from the French Federation, Paris," CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal earlier said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP-led central government of "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify original residents of the state in order to check illegal migration. Its first draft was published on December 31 midnight.

Banerjee cautioned the Centre on the issue, saying it should not "play with fire".

"People have gone there (Assam) to work. In the name of NRC, they are planning to drive them out. I warn the BJP government at the Centre not to play with fire. They should not follow the divide and rule policy," she said while addressing a meeting here.

"This is a conspiracy of the central government to drive out around 1.80 crore people from the state," Banerjee alleged.

She said that people migrate to other states for jobs which is their right. "Slowly, they settle down just like there are people from other states who are working and staying in West Bengal," she said.

She claimed that the Trinamool Congress is the only party which speaks for the cause of the people.

"We will continue speaking for the people and if anything happens to them, we will not keep silent," she said.

The chief minister said that if trouble breaks out in Assam, it will have an effect on Bengal, but added "we will keep the Assamese residing in Bengal close to our bosom".

The first draft of the NRC has listed 19 million people out of the 32.9 million applicants as legal Indian citizens, in a massive exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Charuchandra College today said it will remain closed indefinitely as the situation is not conducive to hold classes following a gherao of the principal by the college union students yesterday.

A section of the students had agitated at the principal's chamber and gheraoed the teaching and non-teaching staff from 2 pm to 8.15 pm yesterday, Principal S Ghosh told reporters today.

"They were protesting against the removal of a security guard, recruited by a private agency on which the college had no control. We explained we have no control on such recruitments. But the students abused us and refused to leave my chamber till late evening hours," he said.

Alleging that a teacher and a non-teaching staff were also manhandled when they tried to pacify the students, Ghosh said the teaching and non-teaching staff unanimously decided to cease work unless the situation improved in the future."



"We had faced similar demonstrations by the students' union in past on various issues but all of us want a permanent solution now," he said adding the Calcutta University, under which the college is affiliated, has been apprised of the developments.

A spokesperson of the students' union said, "We only protested against the unfair removal of the security guard who is a poor man and the college authority was behind the decision. But the principal was rude when we went to his chamber."



"We want the college to open and classes to resume," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Charuchandra College will reopen tomorrow after declaring an indefinite shutdown in the morning hours today.

The shutdown was withdrawn after Minister Partha Chatterjee said he was neither favoured the gherao of the Principal by students or the subsequent decision of the college management to go for indefinite closure of the institution.

Chatterjee told reporters the college should not have taken a unilateral decision of closing down and should have apprised the Higher department about the situation last night itself.

"The indefinite closure notice at the college entrance has been withdrawn and classes will resume from tomorrow," a college Governing body spokesman said after Chatterjee made the statement.

Earlier in the morning, the college authorities announced the closure after a section of the students agitated at the principal's chamber and gheraoed the teaching and non-teaching staff from 2 pm to 8.15 pm yesterday.

Ghosh was not available for comments after the notice was withdrawn from the college gate this afternoon.

A spokesperson of the students' union told PTI, "The college authorities informed us the classes will resume from tomorrow. We will sit with the Governing Committee very soon to discuss all outstanding issues, including security of girl students and preventing entry of outsiders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defending champions Chennai Smashers went down to Delhi Dashers in an unfortunate fashion after they had to concede the last match of the tie due to an ankle injury to Gabrielle Adcock in the Vodafone Premier Badminton League here tonight.

The match, which would have decided the outcome of the tie, could not be completed as Gabrielle twisted her ankle while returning a shot. Playing in their trump match, Adcocks couple Gabrielle and Chris were trailing 5-6 in the match.

Going into the match, Chennai were trailing 1-2, but a loss will erase their slate while Delhi were awarded a point and won the tie 3-0 on points.

Earlier , Korea's Sung Ji Hyun, ranked 6th in the world beat World No.3 PV Sindhu of India to give Delhi Dashers a slight advantage (2-1 on points) against Chennai Smashers.

Sung Ji, who had lost to Sindhu on both occasions in last season, exacted her revenge to disappoint the packed stadium that braved the chilly weather to see their favourite star in action.

In the marquee clash of the day, Sung Ji prevailed over Sindhu prevailed over 11-15, 15-13, 15-14.

In the third match of the tie, World No.22 Tain Houwei of China beat Chennai Smashers' Tanongsak Saemsomboonsuk 15- 14,15-10 to keep Delhi Dashers alive in the tie.

In the second match of the day, Hong Kong's Vincent Wong Wing Ki registered a comprehensive 15-10, 15-13 victory over France's Brice Leverdez to reduce Delhi's deficit in the tie.

In the lung-opener, the Indo/Taiwanese men's doubles combination of B Sumeeth Reddy/ Lee Yang scored a superb 15- 13, 15-11 victory over the Russian trump duo of Ivan Sozonov/Vladimir Ivanov to help Chennai Smashers draw first blood.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today asked people to imbibe the teachings of 10th Sikh Guru Govind Singh.

Guru Govind Singh had conceptualised an ideal society that was free from all differences like lower and upper caste and taught us an art of living, Das said while taking part in the Prakash Mahotsav organised by the Sikh Community at Kadma Gurudwara here.

The chief minister asked people to take pledge on this occasion to create a society of harmony and goodwill and follow his teachings to ensure welfare of the society, according to an official release here.

The teachings of Guru Govind Singh, who had sacrificed his life for the cause of the society and culture, is still relevant and we should imitate his footstep to create a society of harmony and goodwill, Das said.

The chief minister said Jharkhand has been moving fast on the track of development as the state has been blessed with abundance of mineral-resources.

Das expressed hope that Jharkhand would be at par with the developed states of the country by 2022.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Punjab has become the latest state in the country to boast of CNG supplies after the government approved licensee, Jay Madhok Energy, commissioned a CNG outlet in Jalandhar and plans to start the same in Ludhiana by March.

With the start of CNG supplies in Jalandhar, Punjab joins states like Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra to have compressed natural gas (CNG), an environment-friendly automobile fuel that is considered cheaper than diesel.

"We have started a CNG retail outlet in Jalandhar and plan to add two more by March. Also, three retail stations would be started in Ludhiana by around the same time," said an official of Jay Madhok Energy Pvt Ltd.

By the end of the year, the number of outlets would cross 24, he said.

The government plans to expand city gas distribution to 300 cities in the country as part of plans to increase the share of gas in the country's energy mix to 15 per cent by 2020 from about 6.5 per cent now to curb pollution and carbon emissions.

According to Oil Ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, there are 1,282 CNG stations in the country, the most 424 being in Delhi. Gujarat has 405 and Maharashtra 253.

Jay Madhok Energy Pvt Ltd had in 2013 won the licence to retail CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas in Jalandhar and in 2015 got city gas distribution rights for Ludhiana.

It, however, could not begin work for four years due to legal hurdles.

"We have got all statutory approvals and have started work at full pace," the official said.

At present, about 20 vehicles comprising 14 auto and 6-8 cars refill CNG at the lone retail station in Jalandhar. The number would increase once more outlets come, he said.

The company currently transports CNG to the outlet in cascades in absence of a state policy on laying gas pipelines.

The Punjab government is in the process of formulating a policy that would encourage more vehicles to convert to CNG. The policy would also reduce right-of-use (ROU) charges for laying of pipeline in line with those prevalent in Gujarat.

The official said Jay Madhok Energy has signed an MoU with Jalandhar Municipal Corporation to set up a CNG facility for city buses. The municipal corporation is to handover land for that.

He said work on the pipeline to supply gas to industries would start soon. "We are exploring the feasibility of supplying gas to select industry, particularly in Ludhiana, through cascade."



City-based Jay Madhok Energy had outbid likes of state- owned GAIL Gas, Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Indian Oil-Adani combine and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) to win city gas distribution rights for Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

(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.)Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today accused the Congress of "political hypocrisy", saying the party supported the triple talaq bill in Lok Sabha, but "cobbled up" with other parties to stall the legislation in Rajya Sabha.

The remark came after the Upper House was adjourned for the day amid heated exchanges between BJP and the opposition over sending the triple talaq bill to select committee.

"We are certainly deeply distressed by the political hypocrisy of the Congress party. They supported (the bill) in the Lok Sabha...In Rajya Sabha, they ganged up with other political parties, and opposed it," Prasad told a TV channel.

The Union minister said he had "nothing to say about regional parties" as they might have opposed the bill due to "regional pressures".

"Congress is a national party, headed by a woman. It is today denying the right of Muslim women who face humiliation and barbarism in the name of triple talaq," he charged.

The law minister also lamented recent reports of triple talaq in Moradabad and Rampur areas in Uttar Pradesh.

"Such reports may not have surfaced. What does the Congress party want? Should we allow Muslim women be victimised like this? Does the Congress have some concerns about the daughters and sisters of Muslim community?" he asked.

The BJP leader added that he was ready to listen to differing views of the opposition on the matter.

When asked whether he was hopeful about passage of the contentious bill in the current session of parliament, he said, "We will try our best. Our commitment to gender justice is total. This government has got the political courage and commitment to stand by this cause".

"We will try to persuade (the opposition parties to support the bill). I know vote bank is taking over the Congress party, but such has limitations," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two days after the Delhi government introduced distribution of ration through point of sale devices (PoS), Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain today made surprise inspections at fair-price shops to check the efficacy of the new system.

Hussain directed his officers to take strict action against those found guilty of dereliction of duty after deficiencies were noticed at some places during inspections.

On Janaury 1, the food and civil supplies department had started distributing ration through PoS at all 2,254 fair- price shops on a month-long trial basis.

Under the new system, ration card holders also have an option to buy ration from any fair price shop as the city administration introduced portability scheme in public distribution system.

"Nine fair-price shops were checked and a number of deficiencies and shortcomings were noticed. There was connectivity problem at some of the FPS leading to delay in distribution of ration to the beneficiaries through e-PoS devices," a government official said.

The official also said that at some of the shops, problems pertaining to the system getting hanged were noticed when e-PoS device was being connected to electronic weighing machine. At one FPS, the e-PoS device was reportedly sent for repairs.

"The minister issued directions to food and civil supplies commissioner to seek explanation of concerned food and supply officer, food and supply inspector and assistant commissioner regarding the discrepancies found at the five FPS in question," the official added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi Police's licensing branch has suspended the license of a pub in south Delhi's Greater Kailash where a man was shot at last month, officials said today.

The 30-year-old man was shot at by another person inside the pub on December 30. Initially, it was suspected that the incident was a fallout of an argument at the pub.

Later, it emerged that the victim was shot at since he had an argument with the accused over a parking issue in November.

An inquiry was ordered into the shooting incident since the pub was open beyond 1 am, a senior police officer said.

After findings by district vigilance, five beat officers of M Block Market, GK-I were sent to district lines. They were asked to explain the reason for their misconduct, said Romil Baaniya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).

A show-cause notice has been issued to the Station House Officer of the Greater Kailash police station and division staff for explaining their misconduct, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Investors are suing Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank for 740 million euros, alleging they were underpaid for shares in subsidiary Postbank, local media reported today.

At the heart of the suit is the question of when Deutsche took control of Postbank from its previous owner, logistics firm Deutsche Post.

The investors argue that Deutsche Bank was already in de facto control of Postbank two years before it launched a full takeover of the bank.

"Deutsche Bank intervened significantly in Postbank's business and took over control" as early as 2008, two years before it bought out the plaintiffs' shares, their Munich- based lawyer Oliver Krauss told business weekly WirtschaftsWoche.

The shareholders say they should therefore have been paid the value of their stock as it stood in September 2008 -- around 64 euros per share -- when Deutsche controlled just 30 percent of Postbank, rather than the 25 euros they received in the full takeover two years later.

Some 31 German and international investors are involved in the suit with claims totalling around 740 million euros.

According to court documents seen by WirtschaftsWoche, the plaintiffs accuse Deutsche Bank of striking "numerous contracts and agreements, some of them secret" with Postbank's former owner Deutsche Post in 2008.

They allegedly included giving up risky financial market activities in favour of retail banking, details of a capital increase at Postbank, personnel changes in the executive and supervisory boards, and the decision not to pay out a dividend in 2008.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Post put its Postbank shares at Deutsche Bank's disposal for trading and agreed to use its voting rights to back the financial titan's plans for the subsidiary.

Such agreements helped both sides weather the years after the financial crisis, the plaintiffs argue, saving Deutsche Post from losing money on its investment and offering more flexibility to Deutsche Bank as it battled to right itself.

"We believe the claims made in the suit are unfounded," a Deutsche Bank spokesman told AFP.

A fresh legal suit is unwelcome for Deutsche, which in recent years has made clearing up old entanglements a priority as part of a wider restructuring.

It has paid out billions of euros in fines and compensation over some of the highest-profile cases like interest-rate fixing or mortgage-backed securities linked to the financial crisis, but remains a target in thousands more.

Shares in Deutsche were largely untroubled by of the suit today, losing 0.2 per cent to trade at 15.92 euros (USD 19.14), against a DAX index of leading German shares up 0.4 per cent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A protest by thousands of doctors in Poland who refuse to work overtime has disrupted services at some hospitals, including children's wards.

Poland's state-funded health care is chronically strapped, understaffed and poorly organised.

In some regions, the wait for free procedures can take years. Low earnings can force doctors to work overtime, though wage increases took effect Monday.

The Health Ministry said today that some 3,500 doctors have opted out of contracts that allowed for work weeks of more than 48 hours. The protesters say the number is more like 5,000.

The opposition is calling for the health minister's dismissal in an expected government reshuffle.

Some hospitals, including one for children in Bialystok, have been forced to postpone non-life-saving procedures or close night emergency service.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A special court on Wednesday came down heavily on the (ED) saying the agency should not adopt a pick and choose the policy and catch only small fishes but also act against the key accused in the Rs 50 billion money laundering scam.

It was hearing the bail plea of Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan in connection with the laundering case.

"The entire system is corrupt. You (ED) are only catching small fishes while I am surprised why till date no officials of the accused company (Gujarat-based pharma firm Sterling Biotech Ltd), the chartered accountants and others are arrested? Don't do pick and choose," Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma said while reserving his order on bail plea for tomorrow.

The court was critical of the fact that except Dhawan, other accused were still at large in the "huge scam".

Special Public Prosecutor Nitesh Rana, representing the ED, opposed Dhawan's plea saying he was damaging country's financial health by helping others in committing offences of such a vast magnitude and enlarging him on bail will have serious consequences.

He told the court that investigation was at a very crucial stage and Dhawan may flee from justice and divert the proceeds of crime if granted bail.

"The ED has to recover entire proceeds of crime worth Rs 50 billion. Attachment of properties are taking place and the bail plea must be dismissed," Rana said.

In the bail plea, Dhawan, arrested on November 1, has sought the relief saying he was not required for further investigation since the charge sheet has already been filed and no purpose would be served by keeping him in custody.

The charge sheet was filed against Dhawan on December 23, last year.

Dhawan was sent to judicial custody on November 15 by the court after the probe agency said he was not required for further custodial interrogation.

The ED had alleged that Dhawan had facilitated the directors of SBL in the purchase of several properties and helped in misuse and diversion of the credit facilities of several bank totalling Rs 50 billion.

"Rs 15 million was received by the accused from the SBL group. Prior to that, the number of bank loans was rotated in various group companies of SBL group," the ED had claimed.

The trial court had on November 14 issued non-bailable warrants against two other persons-- SBL directors Nitin and Chetan Sandesara. The agency had told the court that Sandesara might have left the country.

Dhawan was arrested in an alleged bank fraud case involving the SBL under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The firm and Dhawan were also being probed by the ED for allegedly bribing senior Income Tax department officials in an earlier criminal complaint.

The CBI had booked Sterling Biotech, its directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Vilas Joshi, chartered accountant Hemant Hathi, former director Andhra Bank Anup Garg and some unidentified persons in connection with the alleged bank fraud case.

It had alleged that the company had taken loans of over Rs 50 billion from a consortium led by Andhra Bank which had turned into non-performing assets.

The FIR had also alleged that the total pending dues of the group companies were Rs 53.83 billion as on December 31, 2016. The ED had taken a cognisance of this FIR to file a money laundering case against them.State-owned Employees' State Insurance Corporation's (ESIC) over 62 per cent sanctioned posts of doctors, specialist, nursing and para-medical staff are vacant, Parliament was informed today.

There are 10,016 vacancies of doctors, specialist and nursing and paramedical staff against the sanctioned post of 16,100 posts in ESIC, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

According to the reply, there are 5,204 vacancies of nursing & paramedical staff in the ESIC against sanctioned post of 13,170.

Similarly, there are 2,039 posts of general duty medical officers, out of which 561 are vacant. It has 891 sanctioned post of specialists & super specialists against which 319 are vacant.

The minister told the House that the service rendered by the ESIC Hospitals to its beneficiaries/patients is generally satisfactory and any shortage of doctors/nurses in the hospital is fulfilled by engagement of contractual staff as a short term measure and process of regular recruitment is also undertaken along with.

Listing the steps being taken to fill vacancies, he said 40 per cent of the sanctioned posts under the GDMO (General Duty Medical Officer) sub cadre in the ESIC hospitals are being filled with senior residents by medical superintendents at local level.

Besides, he said 10 Senior Residents per 100 beds have also been sanctioned over and above the sanctioned post of GDMOs. These are also filled by medical superintendents locally.

He also told the House that the medical superintendents have been authorised to recruit super specialists and specialists on contract basis till regular incumbents become available.

Medical superintendents of ESIC hospitals have also been authorised to engage, under certain situations, nursing & para-medical staff through agencies on short term basis.

Besides, the process for recruitment of nursing & para- medical staff on regular basis has already been initiated, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against militants operating from its soil, the State Department has said.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, speaking at her daily conference, described Pakistan as an "important partner" and said Islamabad already knows what it needs to do.

"We expect Pakistan... that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against the Haqqani Network and other militants who are operating from its soil," said Nauert.

"Pakistan is an important partner. We have a lot of issues in that region. Pakistan knows that, we all know that, and we try to work carefully together on some of those issues. I dont want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do," she said.

She was responding to a series of questions on President Donald Trump's tweet in which he blasted the Pakistani leadership and alleged that they have given America "nothing but lies and deceit" despite having received more than USD 33 billion in last 15 years.

Speaking about the US' decision to withhold USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan, Nauert said the decision was taken in August and Pakistan will need to "earn" such assistance through sincere action.

"They need to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists," she said.

Nauert said the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis who visited Pakistan in the last couple of months had conveyed the same message to Pakistani leadership.

"They shared with the Pakistani Government and their counterparts our concerns. We would like Pakistan to do more through cooperation. They have a lot; it's not just us. We're not the only ones who benefit from it. But they have a lot to gain through additional cooperation on the issue of terrorism. So we expect them to take greater actions," she said.

Pakistan yesterday summoned the US envoy to register its protest after president Trump's tweet.

"Professional meeting, professional in tone," Nauert described the meeting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former RBI Governor D Subbarao today emphasised the importance of financial inclusion of the poor.

He said financial institutions must learn how the poor plan their cash balance and then design a policy to smoothen their financial inclusion.

"He (Subbarao) emphasised the importance of financial inclusion of the poor. This is because for the poor people, access to credit, insurance and transfer of money from their place of work and to their home at low cost and quickly are important," a release from the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) here said about a lecture delivered by him.

"Financial institutions have to learn the sociological and psychological behaviour of poor people about their planning of cash balance to design policy to smoothen the financial inclusion," the release quoted him as saying.

Subbarao, who delivered the lecture on "Reserve Bank of India Making a difference to everyday lives", discussed several issues relating to the RBI's functioning, it said.

"He highlighted several important activities of the RBI such as printing and distributing currency, formulating monetary policy, regulating and supervising financial institutions and playing a pro-active role in financial inclusion of the poor," the release added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A high-powered committee chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will look into the issues plaguing stuck shipping projects worth up to Rs 20,000 crore, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said today.

About 12 shipping projects, including in Kandla and Visakhapatnam ports, have been stuck for long on account of various problems that include contractors abandoning the same.

The decision to form the high-level committee was taken in today's Cabinet meeting, Shipping Minister Gadkari said.

"A committee will be formed ... There are 11-12 projects in the shipping sector, which are stuck for long. The committee will decide on such projects," Gadkari said.

He said the projects entail an estimated investment of Rs 10,000-20,0000 crore.

The committee, headed by Jaitley, will comprise the law minister, shipping minister and a Niti Aayog representative.

Gadkari said a meeting in this regard has been scheduled for next week.

He also said the new model concession agreement (MCA), revised after 2008 and approved by the Cabinet, will attract much more investments in the shipping sector.

The new MCA is more investor-friendly and has several new features like change in revenue model as well as replacing the "actual project cost" with "approved project cost".

Also, payment of royalty for the ports will be now on basis of per million tonne of cargo handled instead of percentage of gross revenue based on tariff determined by the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP).

It also has an exit clause on par with highway projects that allows developers to hold 51 per cent equity until two years after commercial operation date, after which they could exit by way of divesting their equity of up to 100 per cent.

The minister said that the amendments are keeping in view the experiences in public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the port sector during the last two decades.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Following are the top stories from the southern region at 2115 hrs today.

MDS7 TN-AIADMK-LD MEETING



Chennai: Amid rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran flexing his muscles following the R K Nagar bypoll win, the ruling AIADMK today convened a meeting of party MLAs ahead of next week's Assembly session and advised them to maintain decorum even if there was "any kind of provocation."



MDS9 TN-RAJINI-KARUNAChennai: Days after announcing his entry into politics, top actor Rajinikanth meets DMK chief M Karunanidhi at his residence here and seeks his blessings.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)With top companies participating in the placement programme at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), four students of the institute were offered an annual package of USD 150,000 (over Rs 95 lakh).

The institute, which comes under the commerce ministry, said as many as seven students were offered compensation of USD 80,000 per annum.

"International placements continued to be strong with 31 international roles being offered to our students," IIFT said in a statement.

It said a total of 31 students are placed in international business roles in South America, Thailand, Africa and South-East Asian countries.

British Telecom, DBS, Godrej, Hero MotoCorp, Mother Dairy, Shapoorji Pallonji, Tetra Pak and TVS Motors recruited students for various domains in their international business streams, it added.

"The average compensation offered to the IIFT students is Rs 19.23 lakh per annum, with the domestic average standing at Rs 18.27 lakh per annum," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A convicted paedophile appeared before a court in Berlin today charged with raping six children - the youngest just five years-old - while working in India, local media reported.

The 59-year-old man, named as Karl-Heinz N, was convicted in 1996 by a court in Thailand for sexual offences against minors, the reports said.

According to the regional RBB television channel, investigators in Germany discovered more than 250,000 images and videos of child pornography on a hard drive at the man's Berlin flat.

He is accused of raping six children between five and 11 years old in 2015-2016 while working in India, the DPA agency said.

The man "had a large number of boys and young teenagers, some of which lived nearby, who worked for him on whom he performed sexual acts and filmed them," prosecutors were quoted as saying by DPA.

RBB said the man had spent four years in a Thai jail before being freed under an amnesty.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today extended the mandatory packaging of foodgrains and sugar products in jute bags for the year ending June 2018.

The move will help sustain the core demand for the jute sector and support the livelihood of the workers and farmers dependent on the sector in eastern and north-eastern regions of the country particularly in West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura.

"The CCEA has extended the mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act, 1987," as per the official statement.

As per the norms, it is compulsory to pack 90 per cent of foodgrains and 20 per cent of sugar products in jute bags.

The decision also mandates, in the first instance, the entire requirement for packing of foodgrains would be placed in jute bags thus, making a provision for 100 per cent packing of foodgrains in jute bags subject to the ability of the jute industry to meet the requirement, the statement added.

Jute industry is predominantly dependent on government, which purchases jute products worth more than Rs 5,500 crore every year.

Considering nearly 3.7 lakh workers and approximately 40 lakh farmers are dependent for their livelihood on the jute sector, the government said it has been making concerted efforts for the development of the jute sector.

With a view to boost demand in the jute sector, government has imposed Definitive Anti Dumping Duty on import of jute goods from Bangladesh and Nepal with effect from January 5, 2017, which has provided scope for additional demand of 2 lakh MT of jute goods in the domestic market for the Indian jute industry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The government today sanctioned an armed cover of over 180 CISF personnel to guard the international airport in Maharashtra's temple town of Shirdi, which is frequented by lakhs of Sai Baba devotees every year.

The Union Home Ministry cleared the proposal to deploy the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the facility which was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on October 1 last year.

This will be the 60th airport in the country that will come under the security cover of the CISF, the paramilitary force tasked with securing civilian airports in the country.

"We have received the government sanction and the force will shortly takeover full security duties at the Shirdi airport," CISF Director General O P Singh told PTI.

The force, along with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the airport operator, has conducted a security survey of the facility in the last few months.

Officials said a contingent of 185 CISF personnel, both men and women, will be guarding the airport, apart from the vehicle-borne quick reaction teams (QRTs) that are specifically tasked to thwart terror bids.

The enhancement in the number of airports under CISF cover has come after about a decade, as the force has been guarding 59 civil airports for many years now.

Located in Ahmednagar district, at a distance of 238 km from state capital Mumbai, Shirdi is home to the famous shrine of Sai Baba and is one of the prominent pilgrimage centres in the country.

According to estimates, about 60,000 pilgrims visit Shirdi everyday, out of which the airport authorities have said they plan to tap at least 10-12 per cent.

The aerodrome is owned and developed by Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to develop airports in the state.

Constructed at an investment of around Rs 350 crore, the airport, with a 2,500 m-long runway, is capable of handling single narrow-body aircraft, such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737s.

The 2,750 sqm terminal building has been designed to handle a total of 300 passengers, including the arriving ones.

The 1.80-lakh personnel strong CISF is tasked with guarding vital and critical infrastructure in the government and private domain and it works under the command of the Union home ministry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The government today tabled in the Lok Sabha the crucial OBC bill, proposing to negate the amendments proposed by the Rajya Sabha in the last session, with the ruling BJP asserting that it underscored the government's commitment to empower backward classes.

The bill, which proposes constitutional status for the OBC commission, carries most of the provisions it had in its original version passed by the Lok Sabha before the opposition got amendments passed in the Upper House in the last session.

However, the discussion on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 had an abrupt end due to heated exchanges between union minister Giriraj Singh and TMC member Kalyan Banerjee, which led Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House till tomorrow.

Singh objected to Banerjee's accusation that the BJP of not taking the views of other parties on the matter and suggested that the OBCs had opposed it in the Gujarat polls.

A BJP member accused Banerjee of giving wrong information while Singh alleged that the TMC member had called him names. Rejecting the charge, Banerjee said the opposition was being threatened, following which a din erupted in the House leading to its adjournment.

Earlier, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot tabled the bill which, he said, seeks to reject the amendments inserted in the original bill by the Rajya Sabha.

The bill also says that the proposed National Commission for Backward Classes will give its report concerning a state to the state government and not to the Governor as said in the original bill passed by the Lok Sabha in the Monsoon Session.

Gehlot said opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha had demanded that the Act should make provisions for a woman and a member from minority communities in the commission.

He said he had agreed to make provision for including a woman in the commission in the rules, which will guide its functioning, but there was no need for a quota for minority communities as a Minority Commission already exists.

The opposition then moved an amendment to delete the Clause 3, which dealt with its composition, and it was carried by the Rajya Sabha, he said, proposing to restore the clause.

Rajiv Satav (Congress) said there should be a separate ministry to deal with issues involving OBCs, which make up for over 52 per cent of population, and demanded that there should be more than five members in the commission to make it more representative.

The government should adopt good suggestions given by the opposition parties, he said.

Ganesh Singh (BJP) said the government has proved that it was for empowering the OBCs and the bill underscored this commitment. He asked Gehlot to make the census data public so that population of different OBC communities could be known.

He claimed that despite a quota for OBCs, many government institutions were not executing it and gave the example of AIIMS in Patna. In many places, OBC candidates who qualify on the basis of their merit are put in the reserved category.

Singh also sought removal of creamy layer, which bars those members of backward classes whose family income is above a stipulated limit, in reservation. Instead, if somebody has benefitted from reservation once, should not get its benefit again, he said.

Banerjee hit out at the BJP, saying it should not claim that it was the party which gave all benefits to OBCs and accused its members of making election speeches.

He, however, welcomed the new provision that requires the commission to give its report to the state government concerned and not to the Governor, saying "good sense" has prevailed.

The discussion on the legislation remained inconclusive as the House was adjourned for the day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi and six other cantonments have been identified for introducing "smart solutions" and upgrading civic amenities, the government informed Lok Sabha today.

The other cantonments identified for the project include Ambala, Deolali, Ferozepur, Meerut, Pune and Secunderabad, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in his written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Officials said online services will be introduced in the cantonments besides monitoring various amenities and facilities through use of information technology.

Last year, the Army finalised a plan to develop various cantonments in line with the government's smart city initiative.

Top Army brass had deliberated extensively on the implementation of the project during the commanders' conference last year.

Replying to a separate question, Bhamre said an armed forces tribunal had slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh on retired vice admiral P K Chatterjee for alleged nepotism.

To an another query, Bhamre said to compensate for the unique aspects of defence services including the extreme conditions in which defence personnel operate, Military Service Pay (MSP) has been provided for upto the level of Brigadier and equivalent.

"Consequently, while the pay on initial induction of a civilian employee at the lowest pay level (in Level-1) is Rs 18,000, the pay on initial induction of a defence force personnel, who gets inducted at their lowest pay level which is Level-3, inclusive of MSP will be Rs 26,900," he said.

Similarly, he said, while the pay for a civilian officer inducted at Level-10 would be Rs 56,100, the pay for a defence service officer inducted at the same level, inclusive of MSP, will be Rs 71,600.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Dalit man has alleged he was made to lick shoes of at least 15 police officials at a police station in Ahmedabad after he told them about his caste.

According to an FIR filed by Harshad Jadav, 38, he was picked up by the police after he enquired about a commotion in his area with a police constable at the scene on the night of December 28.

The constable, identified as Vinodbhai Babubhai, attacked him with a baton without any provocation, leaving him with a fractured finger, and also abused his family members, an official at the Amraiwadi police station said today.

Citing the FIR filed by Jadav, the official said he was taken to the police station on the same night and was locked- up for assaulting a public servant while discharging his duty.

A few police officials then asked Jadav about his caste and when he told them he was a Dalit they asked him to touch Babubhai's feet and apologise, the official said quoting from the FIR.

Jadav, who repairs televisions for a living, did what he was told to do.

"After this, some senior officials forced Jadav to lick shoes of around 15 police officials at the police station," the official said.

Jadav was granted bail by a court on December 29.

"Following the FIR, the constable was booked under provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the matter is now investigated by the Crime Branch," Amraiwadi police station inspector O M Desai said.

The constable is yet to be arrested.

Jadav filed the FIR after a group of people gheraoed the police station.

When asked about his comments on Jadav's charge that he was made to lick shoes of police officials, DCP Girish Pandya raised questions on the delay by Jadav in speaking about the incident.

"The complainant was arrested for attacking a constable and was taken to court (on December 29). However, he didn't say anything about the incident in the court," Pandya said.

The DCP said Jadav didn't approach the police either on December 30 or 31.

"A group of people gheraoed the police station on January 1 and demanded registration of an FIR (against the constable) which we did. Crime Branch is investigating," the DCP said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi High Court today termed as a "disturbing" fact the grant of compensation often in cases even when there was no conviction.

It asked the Centre and the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to look into this aspect, saying, "How do we grant compensation in such situations?"



Justice Vibhu Bakhru said, "A disturbing fact has emerged wherein we are granting compensation in matters where there is no conviction."



The court said that under the criminal procedure code, compensation was payable by the convict after being found guilty.

However, the state stepped in to provide an initial interim relief or where the perpetrator did not have the wherewithal to pay the amount, it observed.

The observations by Justice Bakhru came during the hearing of a woman's plea seeking enhanced compensation of Rs 10 lakh in lieu of the money spent by her towards medical treatment and reconstructive surgery for 60 per cent burns suffered after she was set on fire by a married man who was stalking her.

The man, who was convicted and sentenced to eight years in jail by the sessions court in November 2013, was later ordered by the high court to be released from prison after serving around two years, the petition filed through advocate Sija Nair Pal said.

The high court had in its December 2015 decision said that "sufficient lesson has been taken by the appellant (man)".

The victim, who was 16 years old at the time of the attack in 2011, had received Rs three lakh as interim compensation, the petition said.

The court today asked the DSLSA to consider her plea for enhancement of compensation while keeping in mind the fact that the accused in the case was released.

With the direction, the court disposed of the woman's plea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 32-year old man, said to be a "Hindu activist", was hacked to death by a four member gang who intercepted him while he was riding a bike at nearby Katipalla today, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Deepak, an executive in a mobile SIM cards distribution company.

Police said the political affiliation of the victim was not immediately known.

The state BJP said Deepak was an activist committed to "Hindutva ideology" and was associated with the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Dakshina Kannada district.

The assailants who came in a car stopped him while he was on his way to duty and attacked him with sharp weapons, police said.

The motive behind the killing, as well as the identity of the assailants was yet to be known, police said.

Strongly condemning the "cold-blooded murder",BJP leaders R Ashok and Ashwathnarayana demanded an NIA probe into it.

They charged that the Congress government in the state had allowed "jehadi forces" to have a field day and to indulge in "wanton killings" of Hindu workers in pursuance of its 'vote-bank politics' and minority appeasement.

With this heinous killing, the number of Hindutva workers who have fallen to the 'murderous agenda of jehadi forces' has risen to 22, they said.

A series of killings of "Hindu activists" has often caused tension in the communally sensitive Dakshina district in the coastal region.

BJP has been accusing the Congress of adopting "a soft approach" towards "jehadi forces", a charge dismissed by the Siddaramaiah government, which has accused the saffron party of trying to polarise the situation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Hindu organisations Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Durgavahini women's wing today began a 15-day awareness programme in the district against 'Love Jihad', the organisers said.

They took out a rally from the Sri Laxmi Narayana Temple here to mark the start of the programme.

Love Jihad is a term used by sections of Hindu activists to describe marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men, who they claim seek to propagate Islam.

The organisers said workers of the three outfits would visit colleges, work places and homes in the district to distribute pamphlets to create awareness on "Love Jihad".

Awarenessprogrammes would be conducted in each ward, committees formed in parts of the coastal district and monthly meetings held to prevent young girls becoming 'Love Jihad' victims, they said.

VHP working president M B Puranik and Bajrang Dal convenor Sharan Pumpwell led the rally.

The issue of religious conversions figured in the "Dharma Sansad", a conclave of Hindu seers, mutt heads and VHP leaders on November 26 last year at Udupi.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke about religious conversion and the need to reach out to those who are prone to it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)FMCG firm Hindustan Foods (HFL) today said it has obtained all required licences and started commercial production of pest care products at the manufacturing factory in Jammu which it acquired from Reckitt Benckiser India last year.

"Further to the corporate announcement by the company regarding the acquiring of the pest products manufacturing unit at IGC II, SIDCO Samba, J&K from Reckitt Benckiser (India) Pvt Ltd (RBIPL) on a going concern basis...the company has obtained all required licences and started commercial production from January 2, 2018," HFL said in a BSE filing.

The company said the manufacturing unit will supply the pest care products to RBIPL and it hopes to achieve a turnover of Rs 125 crore annually from this unit.

"HFL has entered into a 7 years committed supply agreement with RBIPL and we hope to have a minimum revenue in the range of Rs 750 crore to Rs 850 crore during the entire agreement period," it added.

In October last, Hindustan Foods announced acquisition of the pest products manufacturing factory of RB at Samba, Jammu as a going concern on a slump sale basis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Telangana prisons department has given Rs 500 to a person as a reward for providing information about location of beggars in the city.

This is perhaps the first such instance in the state.

"We gave the money yesterday," V K Singh, Director General of Prisons, said today.

The identity of the person was not disclosed.

The prisons department has launched an initiative to rehabilitate beggars in the state capital.

After launching the initiative, the department announced in the last week of December to offer a reward of Rs 500 to anyone providing information about the presence and location of beggars.

Many people, who provided information, however, refused the reward money, Singh said.

The department is providing beggars shelter, food, counselling and employment skills training.

"If they are sick, we are getting them hospitalised and taking care of them. This is a comprehensive package," Singh had said last week.

If they are fit, the beggars are given employment in the prison industries like furniture-making, he had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi High Court today asked a group of visually impaired students, whose hostel was recently demolished, to move to an alternative accommodation given to them, saying they were illegal occupants of government land and cannot claim legal right over it.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, however, asked the agencies concerned to ensure that the visually impaired students, who were left without a roof in winter, are lodged in proper regular hostels.

The court was hearing a PIL by nine visually impaired students, who have alleged that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) acted illegally in forcibly evicting them from the hostel in south-west Delhi where they were residing since 2000.

The petitioners also submitted that a direction be issued to the authorities not to remove them from the site, were they were staying in temporary structures.

To this, the bench said that staying there since 2000, does not give them the right to encroach on government land.

"You will have to move out of that place as the agencies have also given you an alternative temporary accommodation," the bench said and asked the counsel for the petitioners "with what authority the students are staying there".

It also questioned how the hostel, Louis Welfare Progressive Association of the Blind, has been running for the last 17 years in Janajpuri's Virender Nagar area here.

The bench also sought response of the Centre, the Delhi government and the local authorities including the DDA over the decision to demolish a hostel for the blind which left 20 visually impaired students without a roof in winter.

The court has fixed the matter for January 16.

Earlier, the court had sought response of the authorities after it came across a report that occupants of the hostel for visually impaired have been sleeping in the open for almost a week now, after the DDA demolished their hostel on December 15.

The high court on its own initiated proceedings against the authorities after the report alleged that the occupants were neither given prior information about the demolition nor ample time to gather their belongings.

Around 20 people, mostly students of Delhi University or the nearby Sarvodaya school, used to stay there.

The fresh plea by students, also sought a direction to the authorities to reconstruct the demolished hostel building with all amenities including electricity and water.

They also sought compensation for material loss.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India has hosted a major cultural event in the Indonesian city of Bandung, as part of efforts to boost bilateral ties.

The grand finale of the 'India Culture Week' was held at the central public square in Bandung on December 31 with a gala Indian music and dance performance that was attended by more than 3,000 local citizens and art lovers in Bandung.

The event was organised by the Indian Embassy along with the regional government of Bandung.

The mission used local resources and artists from its Jakarta-based cultural centre (JNICC) to hold the event, which was jointly inaugurated by India's Ambassador to Indonesia Pradeep Kumar Rawat and the Mayor of Bandung Ridwan Kamil.

India was the first country chosen by the Bandung regional government as its partner for celebrations that were held in this format for the first time in the city.

The week-long festivities included a high profile 'Visit India Tourism Seminar', an Indian food festival, film festival and a photo exhibition depicting key moments in India- Indonesia diplomatic history.

The mayor of Bandung expressed hope that the event would lead to increased flow of tourists from both nations.

The Indian envoy highlighted the scope of enhancing cooperation in tourism sector between India and Bandung.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India has initiated a probe into alleged dumping of Chinese synthetic rubber to guard domestic players from cheap imports from the neighbouring country.

Gujarat Fluorochemicals has filed an application before the Directorate General of Antidumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of the investigation.

If established that dumping of synthetic rubber (Fluoroelastomer) has caused material injury to domestic players, the DGAD would recommend imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports.

The commerce ministry's investigation arm, DGAD in a notification said there is "sufficient evidence" of significant dumping margins to justify the probe.

Anti-dumping duties are levied to provide a level playing field to local industry by guarding against cheap below-cost imports.

The probing authority "initiates anti-dumping investigation into the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping" of the product from China, it said.

The period of investigation covers July 2016 to June 2017. However, for the purpose of injury investigation, the period will also cover the data of 2014-17.

Increasing imports and dumping of goods from China have always been an area of concern for Indian companies.

India's exports to China were only USD 10.17 billion in 2016-17 but imports aggregated at USD 61.28 billion in that fiscal.

The DGAD is also probing dumping of several other products such as certain chemicals from the neighbouring country.

India is one of the most attractive markets for global producers due to its large middle class population.

Fluoroelastomer is a class of synthetic rubber designed for very high temperature operation. It is also called as the 'Rubber King'.

It is used in hydraulic O-ring seals, electrical connectors, shaft seals, aerospace, lubricants and hydraulic system, gaskets and fuel tank bladders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A CRPF jawan succumbed to injuries received in a gunbattle with Maoists in this naxal-infested district, police said today.

Ashish Patra (28), of 205 Cobra Battalion succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Ranchi late last night, hours after he was critically injured in the encounter with Maoists at Chakarbandha forest under Madanpur police station area, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Aurangabad, P N Sahoo said.

He said a CRPF party was patrolling the area when Maoists, who were hiding in the forests, opened fire which was retaliated by the security personnel.

A grievously wounded Patra, who had received bullet injury in his head, was flown to Ranchi for treatment, where he breathed his last, the SDPO said.

Search operation was being carried out jointly by the district police and the Cobra Batallion to nab the Maoists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)There have been instances of some Rohingya Muslims obtaining Aadhaar, PAN and voter cards, but there is no report of providing accommodation to the illegal migrants, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said there have been no specific reports that some people were providing illegal accommodation to Rohingyas.

However, instances of some Rohingyas having obtained documents like Aadhar, PAN and voter cards through fraudulent means have been reported, he said in reply to a written question.

The minister said as and when such instances are detected, the respective state governments and other authorities concerned take necessary action for cancellation of such documents along with other action.

Rijiju said as per an estimate, around 40,000 Rohingyas are living in India.The Mamata Banerjee government has accepted senior IPS officer Bharati Ghosh's "prayer" for voluntary retirement with immediate effect, a week after she had put in her papers.

The state Home department issued a notification under the All India Service Rules accepting Ghosh's prayer for VRS.

"Since Smt Bharati Ghosh, IPS (SPS-2006) has attained 50 years of age, she is eligible for seeking voluntary retirement under rule 16(2) of the All India Service (DCRB) Rules, 1958 and the state government is competent to accept her prayer," the notification read.

As per the notification, Ghosh has been relieved from the service with effect from yesterday.

Ghosh was removed from the post of West Midnapore SP and transferred as the commandant of the third batallion of the state armed police on December 26.

A day after that, she had written to Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha seeking voluntary retirement.

Ghosh who was considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been posted in West Midnapore district for over six years.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief announced the "end of the sedition" today as tens of thousands rallied in a show of strength for the country's Islamic rulers after days of deadly unrest.

General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the Guards only intervened "in a limited way" against fewer than 15,000 "trouble-makers" nationwide, adding that a large number had been arrested.

Protests over economic problems broke out in Iran's second city Mashhad on December 28 and quickly spread across the country, turning against the regime as a whole.

A total of 21 people have died in the unrest, with protesters attacking government buildings and police stations in some areas.

"Today we can announce the end of the sedition," Jafari said, quoted on the Guards' website.

"A large number of the trouble-makers at the centre of the sedition, who received training from counter- revolutionaries... have been arrested and there will be firm action against them," he said.

Jafari spoke after thousands of pro-regime demonstrators took to the streets.

Chants of "Leader, we are ready" were heard as images showed thousands rallying in the cities of Qom, Ahvaz, Kermanshah and elsewhere.

The demonstrators waved Iranian flags and pictures of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as placards saying "Death to seditionists".

AFP journalists reported a heavy police presence was still on the streets of Tehran, along with a large number of Revolutionary Guards.

General Jafari added those behind the protests had "intervened massively on social media" but that "once restrictions were started, the troubles reduced".

Telegram and Instagram were blocked on cellphones soon after the protests began on December 28.

Telecoms Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi said Telegram would only be unblocked if it removed "terrorist" content.

"I had mail exchanges with the head of Telegram and I told him that the continuation of Telegram's activities is conditioned on the suppression of terrorist content," he said.

There were few reports of anti-regime protests overnight, although it remained difficult to verify information from the provinces.

President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope in a phone call with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the protests would end in a few days, a Turkish presidential source said.

The political establishment has closed ranks against the unrest, saying the protests were part of a foreign plot to destabilise the regime.

"The enemy is always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate and strike the Iranian nation," Khamenei said yesterday.

US President Donald Trump said Iranians were trying to "take back" their government, extending a drumbeat of encouragement for the protests.

"You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" he tweeted, without offering any specifics.

UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called on the Iranian authorities to defuse tensions and investigate the deaths.

"It is incumbent on the authorities that their actions do not provoke a downward spiral of violence, as occurred in 2009," he said in reference to the last major protest movement against alleged election-rigging.

Even reformists in Iran, who backed the 2009 protests, have condemned the violence and the support the demonstrations have received from the United States.

But they also urged the authorities to address economic grievances.

"Officials must acknowledge the deplorable situation of the country as the first step to hearing the protesters," tweeted Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, whose father Mehdi Karroubi has been under house arrest for almost seven years for helping lead the 2009 demonstrations.

Many have been turned off by the violence, which has contrasted with the largely peaceful marches in 2009.

But on the streets of the capital, there is widespread sympathy with the economic grievances driving the unrest, particularly an unemployment rate as high as 40 per cent for young people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A BSF jawan deployed along the International Border (IB) in Jammu was killed today after Pakistan launched unprovoked firing on an Indian post in the first such incident this year, officials said.

Fifty-year-old Head Constable R P Hazra was severely wounded after Pakistani forces "sniped" from across the border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir at about 4 pm.

The jawan, who was rushed to a nearby medical centre, succumbed to his injuries.

He was born on this day in 1967.

Retaliatory fire has been initiated, a senior BSF officer said.

Hazra, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal, has served for about 27 years in the border guarding force. He is survived by a daughter (21) and son (18).

The incident came just days after an army personnel was killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on December 31 last year.

Sepoy Jagsir Singh (32) was killed when he was shot by Paksitani troops from across the border along the LoC in Rajouri district on the last day of 2017, the year which recorded the highest number of ceasefire violations in the past decade resulting in the death of 35 people including 19 army personnel and four BSF men.

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

On December 23, an Army major and three soldiers were killed along the LoC in Rajouri and in retaliatory action, Indian troops killed three Pakistani soldiers in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir two days later.

The BSF guards the Indo-Pak International Border (IB) in the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Karnataka state cabinet has approved a central legislation to provide statutory backing to Aadhaar, the unique identification scheme, for use for transferring government subsidies and benefits.

"The cabinet gave its nod to Aadhaar (Target Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016, which was passed by Parliament," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here yesterday.

The legislation was passed in 2016, as a money bill amidst protests from Congress and opposition parties.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had alleged that the bill was converted into a money bill, which does not need the approval of Rajya Sabha.

The bill will provide for "good governance, efficient, transparent, and targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits and services, the expenditure for which is incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India, to individuals residing in India through assigning of unique identity numbers to such individuals."



Jayachandra said, the state government has decided to convene a joint session of the legislature from February 2 to 9.

Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala will address the session.

The state budget session will be held from February 16 to 28, he added.

Chief Minister Siddaramiah will be presenting his last budget before the state goes for assembly elections this year.A nine-year-old boy, who was kidnapped from outside his home at a village here on Monday, has been recovered and one of the kidnappers arrested, police said today.

The child was abducted from Dhangoi village under Raya police station limits when he was playing outside his home, after which his parents approached the police, they said.

The kidnappers had demanded Rs 10 lakh as ransom amount, Superintendent of Police Aditya Kumar Shukla said.

On a tip-off, the police intercepted the kidnappers on the Yamuna Expressway and recovered the child whom they were carrying wrapped in a cloth, Shukla said.

The main accused Rajesh has been arrested while his accomplice managed to give police the slip and hunt is on to nab him, the SP said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNP) was shut down in June 2015 for refuelling for the first time after generating about 6,875 million units of electricity, the government today said.

Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha also said, "During the first refuelling shutdown, in parallel with refuelling, detailed inspections, surveillance tests, mandatory checks and routine maintenance works were carried out."



Thereafter, the unit was reconnected to the grid in January 2016, he said.

"Apart from the long refuelling shutdown of Unit-1, there have been some instances of unit trips. Each of these instances have been investigated, the root causes determined and necessary measures taken in consultation with the Russian experts and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

"In none of these instances, the safety of plants was challenged," Singh said.

In reply to another question, the minister said, as per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), India presently ranks third in number of reactors under construction after China and Russia Federation (based on the placement of first pour of concrete) and seventh in number of reactors in operation.

"Some of the suppliers/contractors of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) had reported financial difficulties, as a result of which there was a delay in supplies of equipment and execution of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) 3&4 (2x700 MW) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) 7&8 (2x700 MW) projects.

"The issue of financial difficulty of vendors and contractors was appropriately addressed by NPCIL," he said.

In reply to another question, Singh said, the government proposes to set up India-based Neutrino Observatory (NO) at Bodi West Hills in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena today said a commission he appointed to probe alleged irregularities in the sale of two treasury bonds has held the former governor of the coutry's central bank Arjuna Mahendren guilty of leaking sensitive market information.

Making public the findings of the Presidential Bond Commission report on television, he said that the panel has also recommended the prosecution of the country's former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake on bribery charges.

In what was dubbed by the Opposition as the "biggest financial scam in Sri Lanka's history", the commission probed a series of rigged bond auctions, in February 2015 and March 2016, conducted by the central bank under Mahendran in which his son-in-law's company Perpetual Treasuries allegedly made thumping profits by buying securities at low prices.

The former governor was accused of benefiting from insider information.

The probe panel recommended that Parliament must take speedy action to recover the losses through a new legislation.

"I would not hesitate to take steps to recover the loss of (Sri Lankan) Rs 11,145 million and take legal action against the offenders and punish them," Sirisena said in his televised speech.

He said that the Commission had found that Mahendran had intervened in an "improper" manner to provide internal information while taking improper decisions.

It has also recommended legal action against the former minister of finance and foreign affairs Karunanayake over lease of an apartment from the questionable company.

"He needs to be charged under the penal code for giving false evidence to the commission," the President said.

On the role of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in appointing Mahendran as the central bank governor, he said "the Commission had found it proper."



Wickremesinghe, however, should not have trusted Mahendran on the information provided by him to the Prime Minister on the bond issue, the probe report stated.

Sirisena also said that he had already forwarded the probe report to the Attorney General for legal action.

The CID of the police and the anti-graft commission must take action against all those responsible for the scam, he added.

Karunanayake had earlier denied the allegation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Maharashtra remained on edge after the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions even as a statewide bandh called today to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence witnessed stray protest by Dalits.

Dalit protesters tried to block tracks at the Thane railway station today morning, but they were chased away soon and the traffic on the Central Railway line remained uninterrupted, said a railway official.

Protesters also tried to block rail traffic on the Western line in suburban Goregaon, said a police official.

Today's Class 11 exams at St Xavier's College in South Mumbai have been cancelled, college authorities said.

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader and Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar have called for Maharashtra bandh today to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

Ambedkar alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi was responsible for the violence.

He said Maharashtra Democratic Front, Maharashtra Left Front and some 250 other organisations have supported the call for shutdown.

While the state government clarified that it hasn't declared a school holiday, bus operators said they won't run school buses in Mumbai today.

"We can't risk students' safety and security. Will take a second decision at 11 am if we can run them in the second half, depending on the situation," a School Bus Owners' Association spokesperson said.

Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Meavani, who was in Mumbai yesterday, alleged the attacks on Dalits in Pune district two days ago were carried out by supporters of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

"These organisations are modern-day Peshwas, representing Brahminism in its worst form. Two hundred years ago, our forefathers fought against the Peshwas. Today, Dalits of my generation are fighting against the new Peshwas," he said.

"Why can't Dalits peacefully commemorate the anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle? The attackers have resorted to such methods because they are scared of Dalit assertion," he said.

Pune police last night said they had received a complaint against Mevani and Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid for their "provocative" speeches at an event in Pune on December 31.

Mevani and Khalid had attended the "Elgar Parishad", an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in Pune.

Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The protests by Dalits in Maharashtra spread to adjoining Gujarat today, where members of the community took out a rally here and shouted slogans outside the BJP office.

A Dalit group held a protest march in Udhna locality to express solidarity with the community members in Maharashtra over the caste violence in Pune district on January 1.

The Maharashtra bandh, however, was withdrawn later in the day.

Hundreds of Dalit community members gathered under the banner of Samast Ambedkar Samaj and took out a rally. They briefly staged a dharna in front of a stationary train at Udhna Railway Station and blocked a road, affecting the movement of traffic for a while.

Dalit groups had called for a bandh in Maharashtra today to protest the violence over the bicentennial celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

"We organised a rally to express solidarity with the members of our community who protested against the violence near Pune.

"As per our plan, we took out the rally in Udhna and blocked a train and road traffic, and shouted slogans outside the BJP headquarters," said Kunal Sonawane who led the protesting group.

Police said the protest was peaceful and no such agitation was reported from anywhere in the state.

Gujarat's in-charge DGP Pramod Kumar said the Surat protesters had sought police permission to organise the march.

"Some 150-200 people had sought permission from the Commissioner of Police to organise a rally, and they were given permission for the same. No untoward incident was reported during the protest," he told reporters.

Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja and senior police officials held a meeting to assess law and order situation in Gujarat following developments in Maharashtra. Kumar also participated in the meeting.

Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army. Right-wing groups have been blamed for the clashes which left one person dead.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of Dalit assertiveness.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today called for a time-bound inquiry into the Maharashtra caste violence and said strict action should be taken against those found guilty.

Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) which is an NDA ally, also rejected the charge that such violence was taking place mostly in BJP-ruled states, saying that Bihar had witnessed a number of such incidents under the rule of Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad.

"Judicial inquiry should be conducted in a time-bound manner. Some people are saying that it was due to administrative lapses while others are accusing some people behind the violence. Whosoever are guilty, strict action should be taken against them," he told a TV channel outside Parliament.

Condemning the violence, Paswan said that there was also a need to find out the reasons for the caste violence in Maharashtra which had no such history.

The new generation cannot accept caste-based violence and discrimination, he said.

Terming the caste system as the biggest evil of the society, he called for a change in attitude of the people.

Violence erupted in Pune district on Monday when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima- Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

A Maharashtra bandh was called by various Dalit and other organisations to protest the violence but was withdrawn this afternoon.

Incidents of road blockades, arson and stone-pelting were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Maharashtra bandh, called to protest the violence post an event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, turned violent today even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in the city.

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and Dalit icon B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar had called for Maharashtra bandh to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

Normal life in Mumbai was disrupted as protesters attacked city buses, stopped suburban local services and blocked roads at various places in the city.

Dalits began protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning, but were moved from the spot by police.

In view of protests in the city and suburbs, police diverted traffic for smooth vehicular movement.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said.

Protesters jumped on the rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said.

Similar protests at Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar stations on Central Railway line led to a long queue of trains on tracks.

Hundreds of commuters were spotted walking on the railway tracks.

On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara Station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

The agitation of Dalit outfits halted suburban local train service at Ghatkopar as trains heading towards CSMT were affected.

Several local trains running towards CSMT were halted at various stations because of the protestors who stood on the tracks prohibiting any train movement.

Mumbai's famed tiffin carriers 'Dabbawalas' chose not to provide their services today.

A spokesperson of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association said, "Since most of our customers may find it difficult to reach office, we have decided to suspend our services today".

While the state government said it has not declared a holiday for schools due to the bandh, bus operators said they won't run school buses in Mumbai today.

"We cannot risk students' safety and security. Will take the decision on whether we can run them in the second half later today, depending on the situation," a School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) spokesperson said.

Around 40,000 school buses are affiliated to SBOA in the state.

Vijay Shukla, a resident of suburban Vikhroli, said, "I have two kids, both studying at a school in Vikhroli east. Though school was open today, I suggested they stay at home".

Offices in major commercial hubs too witnessed low attendance, as many employees stayed away from work fearing violence.

Dalit protesters descended on the tracks at Thane and Goregaon stations in the morning.

Mumbai Police registered nine cases today in connection with violent protests in the city. Over hundred people have been detained in the city since yesterday, police said.

In Pune, barring a couple of incidents of stone pelting on public transport buses, the bandh was peaceful.

Buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited, were pelted with stones, an official said. Since Tuesday, 42 buses were damaged in stone pelting and since today morning, 10 to 12 busses were damaged, he said.

Some Dalit organisations had decided to take out a march to the house of Milind Ekbote, who was booked by Pune police under relevant sections of the Prevention of Atrocities Act and "orchestrating the violence in Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

Pune police had last night said that they had received a complaint against Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid for their "provocative" speeches at an event in Pune on December 31.

Mevani and Khalid had attended the "Elgar Parishad", an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in Pune.

Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ruling BJP and other outfits in Assam attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for alleging the BJP-led Centre was "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

They asked her to refrain from indulging in "divisive communal politics".

"Banerjee's accusation is highly condemnable. We warn her to refrain from making such divisive communal statements so that unrest is not created in Assam. People of all languages have been living in harmony in Assam for ages," Assam BJP president Ranjit Das told reporters.

He also appealed to "my 27 lakh BJP workers to keep a strict vigil so that the Trinamool Congress activists cannot create trouble in Assam".

Banerjee's speech and spotting of the Trinamool Congress banners around Guwahati are signs that they have launched a conspiracy to spread unrest in the state, he claimed.

He said that irrespective diverse languages, including Bengali, people in Assam are not moved by "such divisive speeches.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the NRC.

"This is a conspiracy of the central government to drive out around 1.80 crore people from the state," she alleged.

Assam Public Works president Abhijit Sarma, who had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court for updation of the NRC said, her statement is contempt of the court as the NRC is being updated on the orders of the Supreme Court.

"The Assam and the central government's first responsibility would be to tomorrow file a contempt of court application in the apex court with all evidences," he said.

"There is no option but to arrest Mamata Banerjee and such leaders under the NSA as else they will spread this communal unrest across India."



"In the absence of an Indo-Bangladesh treaty for the neighbouring country to take back their illegal detected citizens from our country, we request Mamata Banerjee to take her claimed 1.80 illegal migrants to West Bengal," he said.

Dipanka Nath, president of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) also cricised Banerjee's assertion.

"People of all religions, languages, ethnicities have been living together peacefully here. Names of all people living here before 1971 will be included in the NRC as per the Assam Accord (1985)," he said.

Sadou Asom Bangali Parishad president Santanu Sanyal claimed, "Mamata Banerjee has insulted the Supreme Court as the NRC process has been ordered by and being monitored closely by the Supreme Court."



The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify original residents of the state in order to check illegal migration. Its first draft was published on 31 December midnight.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 28-year-old man, arrested with two others for stealing money from bank customers while pretending to help them, turned out to be an absconding murder convict from Gujarat, Palghar police in Maharashtra said.

Mitesh @ Rahul @ Khatiyawadi Waman Rathod, originally from Bhavnagar, was sentenced to life imprisonment for a murder committed in 2009, said Palghar Additional Superintendent of Police Raj Tilak Roshan.

Palghar police were probing several cases of cheating where some unidentified persons offered to help bank customers in writing down serial numbers of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes before depositing them, and stole some of the notes in the process.

Rathod, Chandrakant Dasawate (28) and Vishnudutt @ Sanjay Shukla (27) were arrested in these cases a couple of days ago.

During interrogation, police found that Rathod had been convicted in a case of murder registered in Vadodara in 2009, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He came out of the Surat Central Prison on parole in 2014, and fled to Maharashtra instead of returning to the prison after the parole period ended, police said.

Further probe is on.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 24-year-old man from Chennai was found dead at his residence at Yanam town in Puducherry, police said today.

The deceased has been identified as one S.Saravanakumar, said Yanam sub-inspector of police V.Sivakumar.

Saravanakumar had rented a house in Yanam as he was running an institution. He was found hanging from the ceiling fan last night, the officer said.

A suicide note purportedly penned by Saravanakumar was found at the spot, he said.

As per the officer, Saravanakumar wrote in the suicide note that he was suffering from cancer and hence was taking an extreme step.

Police said a case under relevant sections of IPC was registered and a probe was on.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Unidentified gunmen tonight shot dead a man in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said.

The gunmen fired upon Arif Maqbool Sofi, a resident of Wahipora Younsoo area of Handwara, at Harwan Bomai in Sopore, a police official said.

The 25-year-old Sofi died on the spot, the official said.

Police have registered a case and investigation has been taken up, the official added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A MiG 29K combat aircraft of the Indian Navy caught fire after it veered off the runway at Goa airport, the first such incident involving the Russian-manufactured jet, a senior Navy official said.

The trainee pilot managed to eject safely from the aircraft, which crashed inside INS Hansa base while it was trying to take off.

The incident led to operations at the Goa airport being suspended from 12.30 pm to about 1.40 pm.

Goa's Dabolim airport is located inside the naval base.

In a statement, the Navy said in New Delhi that a Board of Inquiry (BoI) had been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.

"An Indian Navy MiG 29K aircraft operating from Naval Air Station at Goa was involved in an accident today. The pilot aborted take-off during a training sortie," it said.

During deceleration, the aircraft veered off the end of runway and caught fire. The pilot jettisoned the canopy and egressed the aircraft safely, it added.

The Navy said the fire was expeditiously doused by the safety services.

"The runway at Goa was cleared and services were restored expeditiously," it said.

"When the pilot was taking off, there was some malfunction in the aircraft which we will have to investigate," Real Admiral Punit K Bahl, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA), told PTI.

Due to the malfunction, the aircraftcould not take off.

There was little fire and smoke at the aircraft, which was brought under control.

"This is the first main incident of the MiG 29K since the time it was inducted," Bahl said.

"It is too premature to say whether this washuman or machine error, because we have to investigate, which will take some time," he added.

According to Goa airport director B C H Negi, the incident happened 10 minutes before a civilian aircraft was scheduled to land.

The Russian-made MiG 29K was inducted in the forces on May 11, 2016 after the decommissioning of the Sea Harriers.

The aircraft is currently integrated on-board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and performs the role of strike fighter and air defence for the Navy.

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft veered off the runway before it could take off.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A MiG29K fighter aircraft today veered off the runway before catching fire inside the INS Hansa naval base in Goa while its pilot disembarked safely.

This is the first major mishap involving the recently- inducted Naval version of MiG29K, a top naval officer said.

"The pilot is safe. When the pilot was taking off, there was some malfunction in the aircraft which we will have to investigate," Real Admiral Punit K Bahl, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA), told PTI.

Due to the malfunction, the aircraftcould not take off and as a result, the pilot continued in the direction of the take-off and left the runway at the other end.

"The pilot crossed over the other end and, luckily the aircraft then retarded and about 150 metres off the edge of runway he turned left and stopped there.

"After that the pilot descended from canopy and he came out of the aircraft and there was little fire and smoke at the aircraft, which is now under the control," Bahl said.

"This is the first main incident of the MiG29K since the time it was inducted," he said.

The incident happened around noon at the northern end of the runway at INS Hansa base, which is also home to Goa's Dabolim airport where civilian flights land.

"It is too premature to say whether this wasa human or machine error, because we have to do investigation which will take some time," rear admiral Behl said.

"What is the source of error, whether it is machine or something else, we will come to know after inquiry," he added.

The incident happened 10 minutes before a civilian aircraft was scheduled to land at the airport, Goa airport director B C H Negi told PTI.

Operations at the airport were suspended after 12.30 pm but resumed around 1.40 pm, he said.

The Russian-make MiG29K were inducted in the forces on May 11, 2016 after the decommissioning of Sea Harriers.

The aircraft is currently integrated on-board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and performs the role of strike fighter and air defence for the Navy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Maharashtra minister claimed today that social media platforms were used to spread misinformation about what happened at Bhima-Koregaon in Pune district, where one person was killed in caste violence on January 1.

Minister of State for Home (Rural) Deepak Kesarkar said the government will take strong action against those responsible for the violent clashes.

Speaking to reporters here, he termed the violence at Bhima-Koregaon village unfortunate and claimed the incident happened because wrong information was spread on social media.

"There is complete peace in Vadu-Budruk (near Bhima- Koregaon). But a wrong message, that atrocity cases have been filed against some people, was posted on social media platforms and this led to the incident," he said.

"Some outsiders came and put up banners. Amid all this, rumours were spread on social media that the youth who died was a Dalit and the situation became tense.

"However, it later came to light that the youth was not a Dalit," the Shiv Sena minister added.

Dalit organisations, led by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM), had called for a Maharashtra bandh today to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima- Koregaon two days ago.

The BBM is led by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar.

The violence erupted when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army. Right-wing groups have been blamed for the clashes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi today discussed the intensification of Indo-Russia ties with President Vladimir Putin, as the two sides agreed to strengthen the bilateral special and privileged partnership.

Modi, during a telephonic conversation, greeted the Russian leader on the occasion of the New Year, a release from the Indian Embassy in Moscow said.

"They discussed the intensification of the bilateral relations between India and Russia and their cooperation in the international forums," the release said.

They positively reviewed the exchanges between the two countries in 2017 and agreed to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A majority of public grievances were raised against governments of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi on a range of issues last year, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Around 3 lakh grievances were received by the Centre against the Uttar Pradesh government, 1.81 lakh complaints against Maharashtra and 1,65,310 complaints against Delhi, between January and November in 2017, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.

These grievances were received through the Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) -- a centralised system to receive public complaints against various government organisations.

A total of 17.28 lakh grievances were received through the CPGRAMS in 2017 (till November).

About 2.88 lakh and 1.65 lakh grievances related to Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments, respectively were disposed of, the minister said.

In case of the Delhi government, a total of 1,65,486 complaints as against 1,65,310 grievances filed, were disposed of. Around 170 more grievances, brought forward from previous years', were cleared in 2017, Singh said.

There were 2.41 lakh and 1.36 lakh grievances against Uttar Pradesh government in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Maharashtra had got 1.71 lakh and 87,711 complaints in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Whereas, the Delhi government had 1.63 lakh and 1.24 lakh public grievances respectively, he said.

A total of 14.83 lakh and 10.49 lakh grievances were received on the CPGRAMS during 2016 and 2015, respectively.

There were 91,926 complaints against BJP-ruled Rajasthan government, 81,275 against Madhya Pradesh, 77,560 against Gujarat and 26,738 against Chhattisgarh during 2017, the minister said.

Karnataka had got 88,074 public grievances, West Bengal 85,440, Haryana 74,002, Tamil Nadu 71,525, Bihar 64,852, Kerala 43,893, Punjab 36,819, Telangana 33,037, Jharkhand 32,759, Odisha 32,225 and Andhra Pradesh 30,020, between January and November last year, he said.

Uttarakhand got 29,263 public complaints, Assam 23,950, Himachal Pradesh 12,991, Jammu and Kashmir 11,757, Chandigarh 9,215, Goa 4,182 and Tripura 3,135, Singh said.

There were 2,233 complaints against Meghalaya, 2,220 against Puducherry, 2,144 against Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 1,544 against Manipur, 1,002 against Arunachal Pradesh, 701 against Nagaland, 674 against Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 585 against Sikkim, 491 against Daman and Diu and 104 against Lakshadweep administrations during the same period, the MoS added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Madhya Pradesh government today decided to impose 50 paisa cess on per litre of petrol and diesel for improving road infrastructure in the state.

"A decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan," state Public Relations minister Narottam Mishra told reporters here.

"Money from the cess is going to be used for road infrastructure development," Mishra said.

He, however, did not inform the date when the cess will be realised.

State Finance Minister Jayant Mallaiya said the government is going to bring an ordinance to impose the cess.

Later, a bill would be introduced in this regard in the assembly, he said and clarified that the levy is going to be charged for a stipulated period.

The cess is aimed at developing and strengthening road infrastructure and for laying the metro railroad (in Bhopal and Indore), he added.

Right now, 28 per cent and 22 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) is being charged on per litre of petrol and diesel respectively.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pyongyang said today it will restore a hotline with the South, after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un's calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics.

Kim also welcomed Seoul's support for his overtures, a North Korean official told state television.

In his New Year address, Kim warned the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but extended an olive branch to the South, saying his country might take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month.

In response, South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon on Tuesday offered to hold high-level talks on January 9 to discuss the North's participation in the Olympics as well as other matters of mutual interest.

"By upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner," the Yonhap agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs, as saying.

It reported that the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) said it will discuss practical matters involving the participation of North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang Games.

Kim "expressed welcome" after South Korean President Moon Jae-In said he supported Kim's offer of seeking reconciliation, Ri said on North Korean state TV monitored in Seoul.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan's ruling party PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif today described US President Donald Trump's remarks against Islamabad as "non-serious" and said a head of state should be mindful of the diplomatic rules of engagement, amidst escalating war of words between the two countries.

"A head of state should remember the rules of engagement while addressing a fellow state," Sharif, also the former prime minister, told reporters here.

In a scathing attack, Trump on Monday accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" in return for USD 33 billion aid and said Islamabad has provided "safe haven" to terrorists.

Commenting on Trump's remarks, Sharif said the US had no right to taunt Pakistan for providing support in lieu of services as coalition partner because the money released by Washington was not "aid".

"A coalition fund should not be called aid. We do not even need such a fund and our support should not be demanded in return," he said.

Sharif asked Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to formulate a plan so that Pakistan should never need foreign aid.

He also took a swipe at former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for giving support what he termed as selling the honour of the country cheaply.

"If a democratic government was in place in Pakistan instead of a dictatorship in 2002, then it would never have sold its expertise to the US. It would neither have sold our expertise, nor our self-respect," he said.

Talking about domestic issues, he said certain quarters were making efforts to pave way for the winning of election by blued-eyed politicians.

"They are trying to shift the public's views... Block the way for a certain political party, and pave the way for the darling," he said.

Sharif uses the word 'darling' for Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf chief Imran Khan. He, however, did not specify for whom 'they' has been used.

Sharif also said he would resist any rigging in the polls.

"I want to say in crystal clear words today that this country's fate is linked to free and fair elections. Every political party should have equal opportunity to take part in these elections," he said.

He warned to reveal what had been happening for the last four years if the propaganda against him was not stopped.

"I have been the PM of this country thrice. A lot of facts are in front of me. As a respectable citizen of Pakistan, I would like for us, as a nation, to assess our own situation," he said.

Sharif said it was time to look at "ourselves often and ask ourselves why the world does not take us seriously.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Nepal Cabinet has proposed February 8 as the date for conducting polls to the Upper House of Parliament to pave the way for formation of the new government after recent provincial and parliamentary polls.

A Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday took the decision on the poll date.

Deuba had proposed February 8 as the date for the Upper House election, during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.

Yadav expressed his readiness to conduct the election for the Upper House on that date.

Out of 59 members of the National Assembly, 56 will be elected by an electoral college comprising the chiefs and deputy chiefs of the 753 local units and members of the provincial assemblies. The remaining three will be nominated by the president on the recommendation of the government.

The EC has been maintaining that it could not allocate the seats under proportionate representation for the Lower House before conducting the election to the Upper House.

It is necessary to conduct the election to the Upper House to allocate seats for women and ethnic minorities, including Dalits, Yadav said.

The election of the new prime minister can take place only after the formation of the full house, which includes the House of Representatives and the Upper House, as per the constitutional provision.

However, the victorious Left alliance, comprising CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, has been demanding Deuba quit the top post at the earliest so as to pave way for election of the prime minister.

Deuba, has, however, maintained that he would not resign before the Upper House election takes place.

The president last week endorsed the ordinance related to the election of the Upper House that paves the way for the election of the prime minister.

CPN-UML chairman and former premier K P Oli is likely to be again elected to the top executive post with the support of CPN-Maoist Centre as the Left Alliance secured 174 seats in the 275-member Parliament.

The Left alliance won 116 seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system while Deuba's Nepali Congress bagged just 23 seats in the country's recently-concluded historic polls that many hope will bring much-needed political stability to the Himalayan nation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Scientists have discovered a new endangered species of flowering plants in China.

It was discovered in southwest China's Yunnan Province during a field survey.

The species, Primula Zhui, known in Chinese as Zhu Hua Baochun, was named after Zhu Hua, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

It belongs to the Primulaceae family, woody flowering plants often known as the primrose family.

"It is named after Zhu for his great contribution to botanical research in tropical areas," said Yang Bin, from CAS, author of the study published in the Nordic Journal of Botany.

Currently, there are fewer than 50 individual plants of the new species in three localities in Yunnan, the state run Xinhua agency reported.

It has been designated a critically endangered species according to the classification by the World Conservation Union.

There are about 500 Primula species in the world. They are native to the temperate northern hemisphere and high altitude areas.

"The new species was found at a relatively low altitude area in south Yunnan this time. This enriches the public knowledge of the geographical distribution and diversity of this flowering plant," said Yang.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said all those excluded in the first Register of Citizens draft should not worry as no one will be discriminated against on the basis of caste and community and will be given opportunities to prove citizenship.

Sonowal also said that a mechanism has to be devised "humanely" by the central government on what to do with those who are found to be illegal immigrants after finalisation of the Register of Citizens (NRC), a list of the state's citizens.

"There is no question of discriminating against anyone whether he or she is a Hindu, Muslim, Bengali or Nepali," Sonowal told PTI.

No one will be victimised on the basis of caste and community, he asserted.

"All will be treated equally and given opportunities to prove their citizenship so that their names could be incorporated in the subsequent drafts of the NRC," Sonowal said.

The chief minister said the NRC has given an opportunity to segregate the bona fide citizens from illegal immigrants and it is a "win-win situation" for those who have been living under the stigma of "suspected illegal immigrants" for the last four decades.

"The government is working reasonably as per the Supreme Court order. Those who will be found to be illegal immigrants after the final list will also be treated humanely. A mechanism has to be evolved by the central government on what to do with them," he said.

The part draft of the NRC was published on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 where names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore applicants were incorporated.

The massive exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh is being carried out in Assam following a decision in 2005 after a series of meetings between the central and state governments and the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU).

Assam, which faced influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state having an NRC, first prepared in 1951.

The current exercise, started in 2005 under the then Congress regime, got a major push only after the BJP came to power in the state with illegal immigration from Bangladesh as a poll plank.

The Supreme Court, which is monitoring the entire process, had ordered that the first draft of the NRC be published by December 31 after completing the scrutiny of over two crore claims along with that of around 38 lakh people whose documents were suspect.

Of the 3.29 crore applications submitted, there was confusion over the inclusion of 29 lakh people who had submitted certificates issued by 'gram panchayats' as proof of identity, after a Gauhati High Court order in February had deemed 'panchayat' certificates invalid, an official said.

The Supreme Court set aside the High Court order and upheld the validity of the certificates as identity proof if they were followed up with proper verification.

The apex court also asked authorities to stick to the original deadline for the publication of the draft NRC and include names of those whose claims were verified.

When the NRC was first prepared in Assam way back in 1951, the state had 80 lakh citizens then.

The process of identification of illegal immigrants in Assam has been debated and become a contentious issue in the state's politics.

A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the AASU in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985, in the presence of then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.The government has no plans to accord minority status to linguistic minorities, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated this in a written reply.

To a query whether the government has any plan to give minority status to linguistic minorities, Naqvi replied, "No. Madam".

To another query, he said that the central government has declared six communities as minorities at level under Section 2 (c) of the Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992.

The level minority communities are Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains.

He said that notifying minority communities within a state is the subject matter of the concerned state government.

The minister was replying to multiple questions, including whether the National Minority Commission has considered to give minority status to the Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and some North East states.

To another query, the minister said that the central government has so far not granted minority status to the Jewish community.

As per information made available by the NCM, he said that the Maharashtra government has declared Jews as minority while West Bengal has not declared so.The Delhi High Court today refused to grant an interim stay on the disqualification of rebel JD (U) leader Ali Anwar as a Rajya Sabha (RS) member but allowed him to draw his salary, allowances, perks and retain the bungalow.

It also restrained him from attending the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The session is scheduled to end on Friday.

"The order (of the Rajya Sabha chairman) cannot be stayed at this stage," Justice Vibhu Bakhru said and made it clear that the interim directions would be in force till the disposal of Anwar's main petition.

The judge directed that in the interim period, all prerequisites and privileges associated with membership of the House shall continue.

The court also issued notice to the Rajya Sabha chairman besides Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, who is leader of the JD(U) in the Upper House, on Anwar's plea challenging December 4, 2017 order of the chairman disqualifying him and former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav as members.

It asked the the Upper House chairman and Singh to file their counter affidavits and fixed the main petition for hearing on March 1 this year.

On December 15 last year, the high court had granted similar interim relief to Sharad Yadav on his plea challenging his disqualification.

The interim order had come on Yadav's plea challenging his disqualification on several grounds, including that he was not given any chance to present his viewpoint by the Rajya Sabha chairman before passing the order against him and his colleague on December 4 last year.

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha, who appreared for Anwar, sought a stay on his disqualification and requested the court to direct the authorities not to evict him from his bungalow till the matter was finally decided.

Anwar, who had rebelled against the official JD(U) faction led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after the latter joined hands with the BJP, has termed the Upper House chairman's order as "perverse, contrary to the rules of natural justice and tainted with malafide".

The plea has stated that the filing of an application before the Election Commission of India (ECI) by the Yadav-led faction for recognition as the real JD(U) could not lead to the inference that he voluntarily gave up his membership of the party.

Yadav was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2016 and his term was scheduled to end in July 2022. Anwar was elected to the House in year 2012 and his term was scheduled to expire in April.

Naidu, while disqualifying the two, had accepted the JD(U)'s contention that they had "voluntarily given up" their party membership by defying its directives and attending events of opposition parties.

The JD(U) had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of opposition parties in Patna in violation of its directive.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A notorious criminal, carrying a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was killed in an encounter with the police near Jandhedi village in Shamli district, police said today.

Sabir was killed last night and two police officials -- station house officer Bhagat Singh and constable Ankit Tomer, were also injured in the firing, circle officer Rajesh Kumar Tiwari said.

One pistol and large quantity of cartridges was seized from his possession, he said.

Tiwari said that the police had arrested Sabir with gangster Mukeem Kalya on October 20, 2015.

Later, Sabir escaped from police custody.

Uttar Pradesh Police had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on him. He was wanted in more than two dozen cases of murder, loot and extortion in the area, the official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A one-day national students organisations conference was held here today with scores of student bodies from across the country taking part in it and resolving to bring in "electoral reforms" in student polls.

The conference was organised by the Congress-backed National Students Union of India (NSUI).

Resolutions that were passed included demanding independent Election Commission headed by a retired Chief Election Commissioner, compulsory and direct election in all colleges and universities using ballot paper, revision of election expenditure including Social Media, a press release issued by the NSUI said.

Online voting, cyber laws to curb malicious social media campaigns against candidates, and reservation of seats for women candidates, allowance for unemployed were some of the other resolutions passed.

The participants of the conference also demanded for a Students Rights Charter, which would provide specific rights for students and directive principles to be followed by colleges and varsities.

"The charter proposes that a university administration must strive to fulfil the obligations towards its students. Governing council of a college, academic council and executive council of a university and student rights commission and student court will enforce the charter," said the statement.

Around 30 students bodies including NAGA Student's Union, Jharkhand Chhatra Sangh, Swaraj Abhiyan, Joint Action Committee Benaras Hindu University, Telangana Students Union, Panjab Students Union, Osmania University Student Action Commision, Jammu and Kashmir Students Union took part in the event.

NSUI President Fairoz Khan said the resolutions passed in such conferences will be the inputs for the draft bill.

"The draft will be submitted to MPs so that it will be introduced as private members bill in the Parliament," Khan had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Motorists and daily commuters were put to a lot of inconvenience as the day-long bandh called by Dalit organisations crippled vehicular movement across the island city and suburbs.

Traffic came to a standstill on many roads in the country's commercial capital as protesters squatted on roads and put up road blockades at various locations.

Protesters blocked various junctions on the Western Express Highway, stretching from suburban Dahisar to Bandra, Eastern Freeway connecting Chembur with CSMT south Mumbai, Sion-Panvel road, and LBS Road in Kurla.

Spots like Sion junction, Amar Mahal junction in Chembur, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar (East) and other roundabouts on Eastern Express Highway also witnessed massive snarls due to the protests.

The day-long Maharashtra shutdown was called by various organisations under Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh of Prakash Ambedkar to protest the clashes between dalits and Marathas in Bhima Koregaon village and nearby areas in Pune district on Monday on the occasion to mark the bicentenary of the battle between Peshwas and the British.

The regular flow of traffic was also affected at the iconic Bandra-Worli sea link and other major roads.

An official said in the evening that traffic was limping back to normalcy as the bandh has been withdrawn.

Lakhs of daily office-goers had a harrowing time as public transport buses and auto rickshaws kept off the roads throughout the day while trains crawled due to demonstrations were held on railway tracks.

In some suburbs, protesters hurled stones at vehicles on roads and even damaged some private vehicles, including a private bus.

Due to the demonstrations, motorists remained stuck in vehicles at various places. Many commuters were seen walking as public transport buses and auto rickshaws remained off the roads.One person was killed in a grenade explosion while some houses were set on fire in Sitimi area of Nagaland's Kiphire district, official sources said today.

One person identified as Tongsepi of Natsami village under Sitimi area of Kiphire district died when a grenade exploded accidentally, the sources said.

Some houses of people belonging to one community were set on fire as the other community was angry with it for using a nomenclature banned by the district administration, they said.

Meanwhile, the Nagaland government in apprehension of law and order problem in Kiphire district owing to the prevailing tension in Sitimi area has prohibited bulk SMS and mobile internet and data services of all mobile service providers with effect from January 2 last till further notice.

Nagaland Home Commission, Abhishek Singh in a statement tonight said as per reports received from district administration, Kiphire, situation in Sitimi is tense but under control.

In order to prevent rumour mongering, necessary steps have been taken to restrict the use of social media for spreading rumours, he said, adding that any attempt to create mischief or promote discord by circulating mischievous messages on social Media will be dealt with severely.

Singh also informed that additional forces have been deployed in Sitimi for ensuring peace and normal law and order situation.

District administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC to prevent any untoward incident, he said.

The Home Commissioner also said that senior leaders from both communities have appealed for peace and normalcy while the state government has appealed to all concerned to maintain peace and not do anything that disrupts normal life.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

A united opposition today had a face-off with the government over the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha and stalled a debate on it insisting that it should be sent to a select panel, as the ruling BJP strongly sought its expeditious passage to stop the unlawful practice.

Amid noisy scenes, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 for discussion and passage, but pandemonium broke out in the Upper House with the opposition creating an uproar and the BJP countering it vociferously.

The House, which had met at 3 PM after witnessing three adjournments over the Maharashtra caste violence, also witnessed procedural wranglings from both sides.

The bill, which seeks to make instant triple talaq illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband, was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 28.

While the government emphasised the need to pass the bill on an urgent basis citing a Supreme Court judgement pronouncing triple talaq as unconstitutional, the opposition countered it saying the views of various stakeholders must be taken by the select panel.

While supporting the bill, the Opposition parties especially those from the Congress, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, insisted that it be referred to a select panel for further scrutiny.

As heated exchanges continued despite warnings and appeals, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day, without giving any ruling on the validity of the opposition's motion on the select panel.

Terming it "a historic bill", Prasad said the Supreme Court on August 22 "called triple talaq as unconstitutional ... The judges appealed to Parliament to come out with a law. Until then, it stopped the practice for six months. Even after Lok Sabha passing it, triple talaq is being given."





Appealing for its expeditious passage, the Minister also said that the Congress had supported the bill in the Lower House and asked it to clear its position here.

However, the opposition remained adamant on its demand for setting up of a select committee, with Congress Deputy Leader Anand Sharma moving a resolution to this effect.

Sharma gave a list of opposition members to be part of the proposed select committee and asked the ruling party to suggest its names to the panel, which should give its report in the first week of the Budget Session.

Besides Congress, SP and TMC, the names proposed by Sharma for the panel included leaders of AIADMK, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), TDP, RJD, BJD, JMM, IUML and nominated member KTS Tulsi.

The Congress leader, along with Derek O'Brien (TMC), also insisted that the resolution on sending the bill to a select panel be put to vote in the House and a division was sought.

Dubbing Sharma's motion to set up a select committee as "invalid", Leader of the House Arun Jaitley objected to the procedure followed by him, saying Rule 70 (sub-rule 2a) cited by Sharma was not applicable here because the bill did not orginate from the Upper House. It orginated in the Lok Sabha and was transmitted to the Rajya Sabha.

The other objection Jaitley raised was that the notice for setting up of a select panel was not given before, thereby breaking the parliamentary procedure.

Not only the names given for the proposed panel were proportionate to the strength of the parties represented in the House but the consent of these members was also not taken, he claimed.

"Now, we are taken by surprise that we all assemble here after 3 PM, a motion is suddenly submitted to us. For the first time breaking all parliamentary convention and procedures, an invalid motion is moved," Jaitley said.

Citing reasons for the urgency of the bill to be passed to end the unlawful practice, Jaitley explained why the bill should not be referred to a select panel.

"The practice (of triple talaq) was declared unconstitutional on August 22. Two of the judges...held the practice to be unfair. They used their extraordinary power to suspend this practice for six months. Those six months expires on February 22.

"They said we (court) beseige all political parties to come out with an appropriate legislation. Therefore, there is an urgency which the country expects from Parliament and the urgency is that the practice is unlawful," Jaitley said.

The minister further said that some people have said that "we will defy the judgement and resort to this practice. So, the legislature must act with responsibility and act expeditiously and give it a legislative face."



Hitting out at Congress, Jaitley said, "The whole country is watching that in the other House you supported the bill and here you are trying to derail it" and sought a ruling from the chair on this matter.

Countering Jaitley's views, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the Minister referred to a minority judgement of the Supreme Court on the issue while there was no mention of urgency in the majority judgement of the apex court.

As unruly scenes continued, the ruling party members including ministers were up on their feet and asked, "Is it wrong to give respect to women?"



Responding to them, Sharma said the Congress respects the women's rights and supports the bill. "We are not opposing, we are supporting it. We are not hypocrites. We want to ensure the bill goes through legislative scrutiny."



He also chided the ruling party for claiming to the champion of the women's cause but not bringing the women's reservation bill.

As noisy scenes and sloganeering continued forcing the chair to finally adjourn the House for the day.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with changing the nature of in the country, BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya claimed here today that leaders of the opposition parties were now visiting temples in contrast to their earlier attitude.

"The country's has changed. You see the history of leaders of the opposition parties. Earlier, they used to go the madrassas of a particular community, wear a round cap and call it secular. Visiting temples was communal. Now, all those leaders go to temples," he told reporters.

In an apparent reference to Congress president Rahul Gandhi visiting temples during the Gujarat election campaign, Vijayvargiya said, "They are going to, not one, but 20 temples. (They are) calling themselves 'janeu-dhari'(sacred thread-wearing)".

"Nobody has seen Rahul ji (Congress President) visiting temples prior to the Gujarat election," he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee used to stop immersion of Durga idols but now she goes to temples, he claimed.

"She is going to Ganga Sagar, saying Sanskrit 'slokas'...," Vijayvargiya said.

"So, Modiji's government has changed the of the country and the thinking of the political leaders," he claimed.

Vijayvargiya alleged that "some outsiders" gave provocative speeches at an event which led to violence in Maharashtra in the last two days.

"The Maharashtra chief minister has announced a judicial inquiry yesterday... Some outsiders came and gave provocative speeches because of which violence broke out."



"We feel whenever society tries to unite..., there would be some forces who try to cause fissures in society. The chief minister has announced a judicial inquiry, whatever result comes, it will come before all us," he said.

Asked who those "outsiders" were, he said a judicial inquiry has been announced and that he was speaking on the basis of media reports.

The event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima- Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army, was marred by incidents of violence on January 1, with at least one person getting killed.

The Dalit protests against the violence in Pune spread to Mumbai with agitators damaging scores of buses, and disrupting road and rail traffic yesterday as well as today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least 31 loggers are believed to have been abducted by Boko Haram jihadists after they went missing in northeast Nigeria, security sources said.

The alleged kidnapping took place just days after 30 troops vanished following a raid on a military base in the same region amid a surge in bloody violence.

Sources told AFP the loggers, mostly in their twenties, had left the town of Gamboru on the border with Cameroon Tuesday morning to fetch firewood in a Boko Haram hotspot.

"All 31 have not been seen since Tuesday and it is obvious they were seized by Boko Haram," said Umar Kachalla, a militia in Gamboru fighting Boko Haram alongside the military.

The loggers had left for Wulgo village in nearby Marte district, 15 kilometres away, with their axes and wooden carts to collect wood to sell and raise money to buy food, Kachalla said.

Two weeks ago, Boko Haram gunmen shot dead 10 loggers from Gamboru in the bush outside Wulgo while collecting firewood, said another militia Shehu Mada.

"We believe Boko Haram abducted them to use them as fighters, given their young age," Mada said.

"They (Boko Haram) abandon the bodies of their victims when they kill them but the fact that the bodies of the loggers have not been seen is clear indication they were abducted," said Mada.

Boko Haram fighters still operate in hard-to-reach rural areas where military operations are minimal.

In August 2014, the group seized Gamboru, a trading hub along with the neighbouring town of Ngala.

Nigerian troops retook both towns in September 2015 with the help of Chadian forces following offensives lasting months.

Despite the recapture of the area, Boko Haram fighters continue to launch sporadic attacks, ambushing troops and vehicles, as well as attacking and abducting farmers.

Last week two farmers were shot dead by jihadists while harvesting their crops in Bugda village outside Gamboru, according to resident Nasiru Saidu.

Boko Haram's eight-year insurgency against the government of Nigeria has spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, killing around 20,000 people and displacing more than 2.6 million.

Most of the displaced rely on food handouts from aid agencies while others have turned to felling trees in the arid region for firewood which they sell to buy food.

The jihadists have increasingly targeted loggers in their armed campaign, accusing them of spying and passing information to the military and the local militia fighting them.

On Christmas Day the jihadists killed 25 loggers at a logging site outside the city of Maiduguri.

At least 30 soldiers remain missing following a Christmas Day Boko Haram attack on a military base in neighbouring Yobe state in which five troops were killed, according to military and militia sources.

Boko Haram jihadists in eight trucks stormed the military base in Kanamma village on the border with Niger, promoting a twin hour gun battle, said the sources.

The attack was repelled with aerial support.

"We lost five men in the attack and 30 still remain unaccounted for," a military officer told AFP.

"It is not yet clear whether they are missed their way in the fighting or were seized by the terrorists," said the officer who asked not to be identified.

"Thirty soldiers have not been heard of since the and there is fear they could have been taken by Boko Haram," said militia Grema Usman.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Over 90,000 contractual labourers work with the Indian Railways, Parliament was informed today.

Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain told Lok Sabha that there are 94,165 contract labourers in railways and are engaged by contractors themselves directly depending upon the nature and quantum of outsourced work.

The minister said South Central Railway, spread over six divisions - Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, Nanded and spread over the states of Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh - has the highest number of such labourers - 9,043.

This is followed by Southeast Central Railway (9,339) which is headquartered in Bilaspur, South Eastern Railway (8,000) headquartered in Kolkata and Western Railway (7,328) headquartered in Mumbai.

"Railways as principal employer ensures that contract labourers are provided facilities by the contractor as per provisions of labour laws including the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 and minimum wages as notified by the Central or State governments under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

"Suitable instructions have been issued to zonal railways that cases of violation of the above laws, if any, should be dealt with in accordance with the extant provisions", Gohain said.

According to data collected by the Seventh Pay Commission, in 2012-13, the central government spent Rs.300.49 crore on contract or temporary workers. Among ministries and departments, Indian Railways spent the highest, about Rs.35 crore a year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Pakistan Navy today said it successfully test-fired naval cruise missile 'Harba'.

"The missile is capable of hitting its target from surface to surface and ground assault," the navy said.

The indigenously-built missile was launched from PNS Himmat and it successfully hit the target, it said.

Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi witnessed the test launch.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the Pakistan Navy will ensure defence of the country's shores and interests.

Further details like the exaction location of launch and other features of the missile were not disclosed by the navy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan has played a "double game" with the United States for years, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has alleged, saying it is unacceptable to the Trump administration.

Haley came out in support of President Donald Trump's decision to block USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

"There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years," Haley told reporters at a new conference at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday.

"They (Pakistanis) work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," Haley said.

The Trump Administration expects far more co-operation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, she said.

"Trump is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," Haley said in her opening remarks during her first conference of the year.

Haley said the aid issue is connected solely to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Palestinians will not be "blackmailed" by US President Donald Trump, a senior official said today, after he threatened to cut aid to them worth more than USD 300 million a year.

"We will not be blackmailed," senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Haryana Police today was unable to record the statement of the ex-Army officer, who allegedly bludgeoned six people to death in Palwal, as he was in the ICU of a Delhi hospital after undergoing a head surgery.

A day after 45-year-old Naresh Dhankhad went on a deadly rampage that sent shockwaves through the Haryana town, the family members of the victims held a protest and demanded adequate compensation and a job to the next of kin of the victims.

They blocked the road outside the civil hospital where the bodies of the victims were kept.

Later, the administration announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of the victims.

Dhankhad, believed to be mentally ill, was nabbed soon after he went on the killing spree in the early hours of Tuesday. He had sustained serious injuries in a scuffle with the police.

"We have yet not been able to record the accused's statement as he is still not in a position to do so. He is currently admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung hospital," Palwal SP Sulochana Gajraj said.

Dhankhad, an ex-Army lieutenant, was presently working as a sub-divisional officer with the Haryana's Agriculture Department, the SP said.

He was operated at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital yesterday.

"He had suffered head injury and was found to have epidural hematoma (EDH), which is an intracranial hemorrhage between the outer membrane of the brain and the skull. We operated on him and removed the blood clot," Dr Karam Chand Sharma, head of the department of neurosurgery at the hospital, said.

"He is in the ICU and was taken off the ventilator in the morning. His condition is stable but he is yet to gain consciousness," he said.

Meanwhile in Palwal, the last rites of the victims were performed in the evening.

Karan Singh Dalal, Congress leader and a legislator from Palwal, slammed the government for offering the victims' families "meagre" compensation.

"The compensation is too meagre and is like insulting the families of those who have lost their bread earners," he said.

Dalal demanded that the next of kin of the victims be given a compensation of Rs 1 crore.

He blamed the police and the government for failing to act on time which could have prevented the horrific crime.

Dalal said the kin of victims should get Rs 1 crore in compensation as the accused was a government employee, whose history of violent behaviour, the government had failed to take notice of.

Dhankhad had carried out the attacks between 2 AM and 4 AM yesterday with the help of a 3-feet iron rod. He was finally arrested around 7 AM.

Dhankhad's first victim was a 37-year-old watchman after which he targeted a woman, an attendant of a patient who was sleeping in the corridor of a private hospital here.

Two middle aged security guards and a beggar were also among his victims.

Panic had spread in Palwal after the ex-serviceman went on the killing spree.

CCTV footage at the hospital, where he attacked the woman, shows the accused wearing a trouser and a sweater entering the hospital.

In less than two hours, Dhankhad had killed six people, hitting them on the head with the iron rod he was carrying.

The horrific incident sent shockwaves in Palwal town, which is nearly 80 km from Delhi.

When the police finally caught him, Dhankhad tried to resist and even assaulted the police before being overpowered.

Congress MLA Dalal said the accused was employed as an SDO with the agriculture department and posted in Nuh.

Police had shown laxity in taking action against the accused after he had misbehaved with a woman, who was a resident of Palwal, Dalal claimed.

Two years back also an FIR had been registered against Dhankhad in connection with a fight, he said.

Dalal claimed that Dhankhad had been removed from the Army on medical grounds.

"The fact that accused was mentally unsound was known long before. The question is how did the Agriculture Department not know his history. The accused was known to enter into fights with his neighbours and with his own family," Dalal said.

"How was he being allowed to continue in service despite his violent behaviour, this is a lapse which they must answer," the MLA said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Naresh Dhankhad, a 45-year-old retired captain of the Indian Army who allegedly bludgeoned six people to death with an iron rod in Palwal, has undergone a head surgery at the Safdarjung hospital here and is in a stable condition, a senior doctor said.

Dhankhad, believed to be mentally ill, apparently suffered a head injury during a scuffle after being caught.

He was operated at the Safdarjung Hospital yesterday. He was admitted to the hospital's emergency at around 8 PM.

"He had suffered head injury and was found to have epidural hematoma (EDH), which is an intracranial hemorrhage between the outer membrane of the brain and the skull. We operated on him and removed the blood clot," Dr Karam Chand Sharma, head of the department of neurosurgery at the hospital, said.

"He is in the ICU and was taken off the ventilator in the morning. His condition is stable but he is yet to gain consciousness," he said.

Sharma said that Dhankhad was under treatment for some mental illness.

Dhankhad killed his first victim on the second floor of a private hospital in Palwal, Haryana, before hitting the streets to kill five others and injure one.

The incident at the hospital was recorded on a CCTV camera and in the footage, the accused can be purportedly seen walking in wearing trousers and a sweater and carrying a rod.

Dhankhad also attacked policemen when they tried to stop him.

He joined the Army in 1999 as a lieutenant and took retirement on medical grounds in 2003. He then joined the Haryana agriculture department as an assistant development officer in 2006.

He was working as a sub-divisional officer with the health department.

"He appeared to be mentally ill and looked highly aggressive. Preliminary investigations have revealed that he had strained relations with his wife and two children," Palwal Superintendent of Police Sulochana Gajraj had said yesterday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Lohan said prima facie it seemed that he carried out the killings without a reason.

According to police, Dhankhad got married 10 years ago and separated from his wife four years later. Dhankhad was the youngest of five brothers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Socialite Paris Hilton and actor Chris Zylka got engaged during a ski trip to Aspen, Colorado over the weekend.

"I am so excited to be engaged to the love of my life and my best friend," Hilton told People.

"I have never felt so happy, safe and loved. He is perfect for me in every way and showed me that fairytales really do exist!"



The pair were posing for a photo on the slopes after grabbing lunch in the ski town when Zylka got down on one knee with the ring.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to New Delhi next week.

Parrikar would attend the third meeting of the Council for Trade Development and Promotion (CTDA) on January 8 in the national capital. The meeting will be chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu.

"During my visit to New Delhi, I will be meeting many people, including the Prime Minister," the chief minister told reporters here today.

Parrikar said the CTDA meeting would discuss ways to boost the country's exports.

Prabhu was recently in Goa to invite the chief minister for the meeting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Petrobras has agreed to pay USD 2.95 billion to settle a class action suit in New York brought on behalf of investors harmed by a huge corruption scandal at the Brazilian state oil giant, the company said today.

"The agreement, which is subject to approval by the court, is intended to resolve all pending and prospective claims by purchasers of Petrobras securities in the United States and by purchasers of Petrobras securities that are listed for trading in the United States," Petrobras said in a statement filed with Brazilian and US market regulators.

The oil company, which admits no guilt under the settlement, proposes making the payment in two USD 983 million installments, followed by a third payment of USD 984 million.

The first payment would be made within 10 days of the settlement's preliminary approval by the judge, the second within 10 days of a definitive green light and the final one within six months or by January 15, 2019, whichever comes first.

The settlement would be reflected in the company's fourth quarter 2017 earnings.

"The agreement does not constitute any admission of wrongdoing or misconduct by Petrobras. In the agreement, Petrobras expressly denies liability," the statement said.

The company asserted that it was a "victim" itself in the scandal, called Operation Car Wash, which is the biggest anti- corruption probe in Brazilian history.

The scandal started in 2014 with the uncovering of systemic embezzlement and bribery involving a network of politicians and company executives.

Some of Brazil's biggest business figures and politicians have since been arrested or investigated.

Petrobras, Brazil's biggest company, was cited as one of the entities at the heart of the affair, in which in it is estimated to have lost more than USD 2 billion.

Petrobras said in the statement it has recovered USD 450 million in funds tracked down in the probe, and "will continue to pursue all available legal remedies from culpable companies and individuals."



Petrobras said the agreement would eliminate the risk of an adverse verdict, which could have "a material adverse effect on the company and its financial situation, and puts an end to the uncertainties, burdens and costs of protracted litigation."



The lawsuit was filed by individuals and pension funds that had invested in Petrobras through complex financial products.

Those had been acquired at a price based on the estimated value of Petrobras's assets.

After the scandal broke, however, the company's assets were depreciated, causing losses for numerous investors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid homage to social reformer Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary, saying the government is working tirelessly to fulfil her vision of empowering the marginalised.

Savitribai Jyotirao Phule was a social reformer and poet. She worked to abolish discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste and gender.

"Bow to the great Savitribai Phule on her Jayanti. Hers was a life devoted to the empowerment of the poor and marginalised. She gave utmost importance to education and social reform," Modi tweeted.

He said his government is deeply guided by her ideals "and is working tirelessly towards fulfilling her vision".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As violent protests were reported from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra amid the Maharashtra Bandh called by Dalit leaders today, political parties reacted cautiously, appealing for restoration of peace.

Dalit agitators are protesting the violence against the bicentennial anniversary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle on January 1 in Pune district.

State NCP president Sunil Tatkare said the need of the hour is to restore peace and harmony in the state.

"(NCP chief) Sharad Pawar has already said that everybody should try to ensure that there is peace and harmony," Tatkare told PTI.

Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe said incidents of violence at Bhima Koregaon and elsewhere in the state were unfortunate.

"There is an attempt to create a social divide which we have to foil unitedly," she said.

The government has ordered a judicial inquiry and "root cause of the violence will be clear after the probe," she added.

The district collector and police should have taken appropriate steps to help those stranded at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district after the violence on January 1, she said.

Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan told PTI that restoring normalcy should be the priority.

"Just an inquiry is not enough. Strict action against the guilty is needed. There should be an inquiry by a sitting judge appointed by the Chief Justice," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Political parties today indulged in a slugfest both inside and outside Parliament as a bill to ban instant triple talaq was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, amid uncertainty over its fate with only two days of the winter session being left.

While the government wanted a debate on the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, the opposition wanted it to be sent to a Select Committee for scrutiny before it is a made a law.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Bill last week.

The BJP accused the Congress and other parties of running away from a debate and stalling the bill that ensures gender justice to Muslim women.

The Congress charged the ruling party with doing "politics" over the issue, saying it has nothing to offer to the hapless women.

With only two days left for the winter session to end and with both sides adamant on their stand, the passage of the bill appears uncertain.

Asked about the fate of the bill, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "We will see tomorrow when it comes before Parliament."



Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the opposition wanted the bill to be sent to a Select Committee that would help make it strong by offering support to Muslim women and by removing the criminality clause.

Jaitley lashed out at the Congress for "indirectly" opposing the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha and said Muslim women would continue to face injustice due to its attitude.

He, however, exuded confidence that the Congress and other opposition parties would have to support the bill considering public opinion in the country.

"It has become clear that the Congress party is indirectly opposing the triple talaq bill. It was a mere sham that they gave a statement and supported the bill. They tried their best to ensure that this bill is not passed in the Rajya Sabha," Jaitley told reporters outside Parliament.

"Today was a golden opportunity for Parliament to end the injustice (that has been) happening with Muslim women for a long time. This injustice will carry on due to this attitude of the Congress party," he said.

Azad, on his part, said it is Parliament which decides on the floor if a bill will go to a select committee or not.

He accused the BJP of "befooling" Muslim women with the triple talaq bill that seeks to make the practice a criminal offence, alleging that it has no provision for their welfare in case their husbands are jailed.

Azad said 18 opposition parties, including the Congress, wanted the bill to be sent to a Select Committee for its proper scrutiny before it becomes a law but the government did not allow.

Azad said the BJP is projecting itself as a "messiah" for Muslim women and claiming to be champions of their welfare and rights, but has not made any provision for their welfare.

"This government is trying to mislead Muslim women and the general public," he alleged at a press conference.

"What are they giving to Muslim women. They are merely projecting themselves as their 'messiah', but they are in fact only trying to befool the Muslim women," he said.

Congress leader M Veerappa Moily opposed the provision of criminalising triple talaq, alleging the BJP adopted "sadistic approach" and was "taking revenge" against a community.

Training his guns on the Centre, Azad said, "here is a government which wants to bulldoze bills by virtue of their strength...The BJP does not believe in democracy, in legislatures and in Parliament. The BJP government has again proved this."



Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said the BJP did not want the bill to be passed in the Rajya Sabha and its "double standards" were exposed when it "disrupted".

"What happened in the Rajya Sabha was historic. The government created disruptions in the Rajya Sabha. They are not interested in passing the bill. The BJP is playing dirty politics over women, over religion. This is the only way to expose the double standards of the BJP," he said.

"We believe the bill should be passed. But before that it should be sent to a select committee as the government has not consulted any stakeholder. The select committee can meet different stakeholders, women organisations, get their views and improve the bill and then the bill can be passed," he said.

In the Upper House, opposition parties such as the Congress, TMC, CPI(M), CPI, SP, BSP, DMK, AIADMK and BJD, along with the BJP's ally TDP, today moved a motion asking the bill to be sent to a select committee.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind will arrive in Madhya Pradesh on January 7 and January 8 respectively to take part in separate programmes.

The President will arrive at Chitrakoot in Satna district on January 8 to participate in various programmes while Modi will address the state police chiefs' annual conference at Tekanpur in Gwalior district.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Basant Pratap Singh yesterday reviewed the preparations for the two high-profile visits and also interacted, through video-conferencing, with the Collectors of Satna and Gwalior, a state public relations official said today.

The meeting was attended Additional Chief Secretary (Home) KK Singh, Principal Secretary (PWD) Mohammad Suleiman, principal secretaries to the chief minister, Ashok Barnwal and Hari Ranjan Rao, and the state's Director-General of Police (DGP) Rishi Kumar Shukla, the official added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country today, Iranian state media reported, a move apparently seeking to calm nerves after a week of protests and unrest that have killed at least 21 people.

While the rallies showed support among Iran's 80 million people for its clerically overseen government, smaller and smaller towns in the Iranian countryside appear to be experiencing the unrest that has already swept through urban areas, according to protesters' online videos.

Official and semi-official media did not immediately offer new details of the unrest today. Demonstrators' videos corresponded with The Associated Press reporting from outside of Iran, though individual protesters themselves remain unreachable. The protests for now also appear to remain leaderless.

The protests, the largest seen in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, began on December 28 in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city and a bastion for hard-liners.

While initially focusing on Iran's flagging economy and rising food prices, they've morphed into demands for wholesale change in Iran's theocratic government.

Today, state TV reported that demonstrations took place in dozens of cities and towns, including Ahvaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, the Kurdish town of Kermanshah in the country's west and Qom, the religions capital of Shiite Islam in Iran.

Demonstrators carried pre-printed signs and Iranian flags, with state TV offering a swooping helicopter shot in Ahvaz to show their scale. Ahvaz and the wider Khuzestan province is home to many ethnic Arabs and has seen unrest amid the protests.

In Qom, state TV cameras focused on the Shiite clerics taking part, many wearing the black turbans identifying them as direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

The English-language Press TV broadcast today's pro- government rallies live, saying they sought to "protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities." State TV said in Farsi that the demonstrations served as an "answer to the protests" by "servants of the US" as the pro-government demonstrators called the protesters.

The rallies come after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday blamed days of protests across the country on meddling by "enemies of Iran."



"Look at the recent days' incidents," Khamenei said. "All those who are at odds with the Islamic Republic have utilised various means, including money, weapons, and (the) intelligence apparatus, to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution."



Khamenei avoided identifying any foreign countries, although he promised to elaborate in the coming days.

Undoubtedly high on his list is the United States, where President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for the protests for several days. Some demonstrators carried signs showing Trump's face covered with a bright red "X."



Iran's government has since shut down access to Telegram and the photo-sharing app Instagram, which now join Facebook and Twitter in being banned, in an attempt to slow the unrest.

The Trump administration called on Iran's government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites. US Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein said Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are "legitimate avenues for communication."



The head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court also reportedly has warned that arrested protesters could potentially face the death penalty.

"Obviously one of their charges can be Moharebeh," or waging war against God, Iran's semi-official Tasnim agency quoted Mousa Ghazanfarabadi as saying. Moharebeh is punishable by death in Iran.

Later today, Turkish officials said Iran's President Hassan Rouhani told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he hopes the protests that have hit Iran "will end in a couple of days." Officials in Erdogan's office said the two had a telephone conversation during which Erdogan stressed the importance of stability and calm.

A statement from Rouhani's office quoted the president as saying: "Iranian police's wise, calming presence in recent limited unrest indicates that we fully trust the security and stability in our country."



However, activist video showed unrest in Noor Abad, in Lorestan province, some 360 kilometres southwest of Tehran. Demonstrators in the video are seen coming to the aid of another protester, who appears seriously wounded. They later set fire to an ambulance in anger over what they describe as the local hospital's refusal to treat their wounded.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Public Works Department of Delhi government has asked all its engineers to install its 'Sewa App' on their phones to better address people's complaints received through the mobile application.

An official said the app was launched in January 2014 to address the complaints pertaining to maintenance of roads, streetlights, potholes among others.

The PWD has issued a circular asking all its engineers to download 'Sewa App' on their mobile phones after it noticed that a few officials were addressing complaints through it.

The app has several features including registration of complaints with photographs and locations, which are later automatically sent to executive engineers or assistant engineers concerned.

"It is requested that all officers up to the level of junior engineers can download the mobile app and address the grievances," the circular stated.

An official said the area controlling officer can check pending complaints under his subordinate officers through the mobile application.

The official said after addressing the complaints, the department's engineers can also upload photo-proof of particular grievance to convey that the action has been taken on complaints.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rahul Gandhi will next week embark on a visit to Bahrain, his first foreign trip after becoming Congress president, during which he will address a convention of NRIs and is likely to meet the country's prime minister.

According to party sources, Gandhi will be the state guest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will address NRIs settled there on January 8.

He will leave for Bahrain on January 7 and is likely to return on January 9. The NRIs settled there have invited him.

Gandhi is also likely to meet Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the members of the royal family, the sources said.

They said that he was to also address NRIs in Dubai but that visit has been postponed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit the UAE later this month.

Party sources say Gandhi's visit to Bahrain will be on the lines of his US trip last year.

Rahul Gandhi was in Goa on New Year along with his mother Sonia Gandhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Fresh from the success of "The Last Jedi", filmmaker Rian Johnson, who will now be directing the "Episode I" of new "Star Wars" trilogy, is set to begin the shooting for the film in Scotland.

The new saga of films will be set in the "Star Wars" universe but it would not be a part of the Luke Skywalker story, Contactmusic reported.

According to the Scottish newspaper, Daily Record, filming is expected to begin in June, specifically in Argyll and the areas in the north of Scotland.

On-location producers hope to use what is known as Rest and Be Thankful - a scenic pass between Loch Long and Loch Awe that rises to 860ft.

The original "Star Wars" was created by George Lucas and is currently in the hands of producer J J Abrams.

Lucas is said to be co-writing the new story with Johnson.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor Rose McGowan, who was one of the first people to speak out against disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, is starting her year with her own show.

The actor-activist has signed on to produce and star in a five-part documentary series for E!.

"Citizen Rose", which will kick off with a two-hour feature-length documentary later this month, will follow her eventful life of late, said the Hollywood Reporter.

"You are formally invited into my mind and world," McGowan said Tuesday in a statement.

"I am thrilled to partner with E! to amplify my message of bravery, art, joy and survival. As I ready my book, Brave, I realised I wanted to show how we can heal through art even when being hounded by evil."



"Rose McGowan's courage in addressing sexual abuse and harassment in Hollywood ignited a conversation and inspired other women to speak out against their abusers," said E!'s executive vp development and production Amy Introcaso-Davis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The RSS is for establishing peace in the country and not to spread violence, Union minister Satyapal Singh said today, defending the organisation against allegations that it fuelled the caste violence in Maharashtra.

The comments came after Congress accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering the violence and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes.

"RSS is a national organisation for establishing peace in the country and not to spread violence," Singh, the minister of state for human resource development, told reporters outside Parliament.

He said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial inquiry, which will reveal the truth about the people responsible for the violence.

The Maharashtra bandh called by various Dalit and other organisations to protest the violence against commemoration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle was withdrawn this afternoon, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar announced today.

Incidents road blockades, arson and stone-pelting were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.

Violence erupted in Pune district on Monday when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima- Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on New Year's Eve killing both pilots following a technical fault, Moscow's defence ministry said today.

The Mi-24 military helicopter was flying to Hama, northwestern Syria, and there was no firing from the ground, agencies quote the ministry as saying.

"Both pilots died in a hard landing 15 km (nine miles) from the air base," the ministry said, adding that a technician had been injured and taken to another air base at for emergency treatment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a relief to many traders in south Delhi, the area's civic body today proposed to waive interest and penalty for owners of properties of certain categories under the master plan, who pay in lump sum their due conversion and parking charges, as applicable from 2007.

The amnesty has been proposed for owners of properties that fall under the ambit of notified mixed use streets, commercial streets, pedestrian shopping streets, and activities, professional or otherwise, in the Master Plan of Delhi 2021.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation House passed the resolution in its first meeting of this year held at the Civic Centre.

The resolution, read out by Leader of House in SDMC House Shikha Rai, also says the amnesty can be availed of if the traders pay the "due conversion charges and parking charges before March 31, 2018."



Rai said the due amount will be maximum payable for the last 10 years (2007-2017) and if anyone has already paid the due charges for a few years then they can pay it for the rest of the period.

"It has been found that many property-owners have not paid the due conversion charges and parking charges and the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee is contemplating sealing in such areas.

"So, if those traders want to pay in lump sum the conversion charges and parking charges, they should be exempte from payment of interest and penalty," the resolution said.

The SDMC House also proposed to conduct a survey in those areas where more than 50 per cent of the activities on any street are commercial in nature.

"Many people have opened showrooms and shops on their vacant plots. So, after the survey, a proposal can be sent to the Delhi government to allow commercial activities in those streets by notifying it," a senior official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Severe cold wave swept most places in Haryana and Punjab today, even as a thick blanket of fog affected normal life.

While the minimum temperature hovered between 5-7 degrees Celsius at most places, the day temperature, too, plummeted sharply.

Narnaul in Haryana was the coldest place in the two states recording a minimum of 2.5 degrees Celsius, a Meteorological Department official said here.

Hisar at 5.6 degrees Celsius, Bhiwani 5.8 degrees Celsius, Karnal at 7 degrees Celsius, Rohtak at 7.7 degrees Celsius and Ambala at 8 degrees Celsius also experienced a cold night.

Chandigarh registered a low of 7 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, Amritsar, Halwara and Bathinda recorded identical minimum temperature of 5.6 degrees Celsius each.

Ludhiana recorded a low of 6.7 degrees Celsius while Patiala's minimum settled at 7 degrees Celsius.

Pathankot registered a minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees Celsius, while Faridkot's minimum settled at 6.5 degrees Celsius Gurdaspur, too, reeled under biting chill at a low of 5 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature has dropped sharly in the two states, including Chandigarh, during the past three days.

Karnal in Haryana yesterday shivered recording maximum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, which was eight notches below normal limit.

The maximum temperature at other places including Ambala, Chandigarh, Hisar, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala hovered in the range of 12 degrees Celsius to 16 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, dense fog continued to affect rail, road and air traffic in the region.

A MeT official here said that visibility levels dropped below 50 m at many places in the two states while Chandigarh too was engulfed by thick fog early today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother Shahbaz's recent visit to Saudi Arabia had "nothing" to do with a reported "deal" with Pakistan's military establishment to provide their family a relief from the corruption cases, a close aide of the ousted prime minister has said.

Sharif, 67, left for Saudi Arabia on a Saudi Airlines flight on December 30. His younger brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was already in Saudi Arabia on an "official visit".

It was reported that Shahbaz had gone there to prepare the ground for the visit of his brother who Opposition parties claimed needed his friends in the Saudi royal family to reach a "deal" with Pakistan's military to get a relief from the graft cases linked to the Panama Papers scandal.

"Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif met Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah during their stay. However their meeting had nothing to do with any kind of deal here in Pakistan," said Senator Pervaiz Rashid, a close aide of Sharif.

He said the details of the visit to will become known in the coming days.

Both brothers had a meeting with the Crown Prince during their stay. Sharif stayed for three days while Shahbaz for a week in Saudi Arabia.

Shahbaz told reporters on his return yesterday that their visits to Saudi were not of "unusual" nature.

"Our visit to Saudi Arabia was not unusual. I will hold a separate press conference to discuss the visit," he said.

Asked if the visit had anything to do with the attempts to get another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for the Sharif family to get relief from corruption cases, he said, "For God's sake. Saudi Arabia is one of the best friends of Pakistan. It has always helped Pakistan during crises like floods, earthquakes and wars".

Opposition leaders Imran Khan and Asif Ali Zardari have consistently held that the only reason the Sharif brothers had visited Saudi Arabia was to talk about a possible "deal" with the establishment.

The ruling PML-N maintains that the visit was related to the matters of "national interest".

Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad said Chief Minister Shahbaz had met Mohammad to discuss Saudi Arabia's absence from the summit on Al-Quds in Turkey last month, and insisted that his meeting should only be seen in this context.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif rejected the Opposition's charges, arguing that the Sharifs had spent eight long years in exile in Saudi Arabia and enjoyed good relations with the royal family.

Saudi Arabia had brokered a deal with former army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2000 to provide safe passage to the Sharif family to live in exile in the kingdom after Musharraf had toppled Sharif's government in 199.

Sharif had to step down as chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after he was disqualified as prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal.

The Sharif family is facing three corruption cases linked to the scandal.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed.

Sharif's family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan's former dictator General Pervez Musharraf should be brought back to the country for trial in connection with the bloody military crackdown on the Red Mosque in 2007, a son of the slain cleric of the famed Islamabad mosque has said in his fresh application to police, media reports said today.

Abdul Rashid Ghazi was killed in a military crackdown in July 2007 ordered by Musharraf. In 2013, a murder case was registered against the 74-year-old former military ruler.

In his fresh application to the Aabpara police, Rashid's son Haroon Rashid approached the police to issue red warrant against Musharraf.

Haroon said he was the complainant in the case registered against Musharraf under the charge of killing his father and grandmother during the operation, Dawn reported.

"Instead of facing the court trial, the nominated accused, retired General Musharraf fled the country," the application stated, adding the trial court declared him a proclaimed offender in 2016.

The court also seized his property besides issuing him a non-bailable arrest warrant, he added.

An additional district and sessions judge in 2017 observed that it was the discretion of the investigating officer to get the red warrant issued against a proclaimed offender.

The judge stated this when Haroon filed a petition in the court.

Haroon requested the police to issue red warrant of General Musharraf so that he may be arrested through Interpol.

When contacted, Haroon said in the past red warrants were issued to bring a number of suspects back to the country for trials. A similar step should be taken against Musharraf, he added.

Musharraf ruled from 1999 to 2008 and military operation launched under his rule created widespread resentment against him. He is wanted by courts in several criminal cases but he lives in Dubai dodging the courts.

Rashid, together with his brother Abdul Aziz used to run the Lal Masjid in the capital and the adjoining Jamia Hafsa seminary. However, in 2007, military commandoes stormed it to take on the militants holed up inside. Rashid was killed in the operation.

The former president was arrested on October 10 and was granted bail by a sessions judge on November 4, 2013 in connection with the Red Mosque case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sporadic protests were witnessed and markets remained closed in Rajasthan's Bundi district today as the situation remained tense with the Hindu Mahasabha issuing a warning to the administration to resolve a row over performing 'puja' at Mandhata Balaji cenotaph on Tiger Hill by January 5.

A day after widespread violence was reported from across the district with protesters pelting stones at policemen, setting fire to a police motorcycle and burning tyres, protests eased today, officials said.

The protests began on Monday after police lathicharged right-wing Hindu activists, numbering in hundreds, who tried to march towards the hill top to perform 'puja' in violation of prohibitory orders, and arrested some of them.

Despite the administration's appeal, shops in the city and five other villages of the district remained closed today.

Most localities witnessed a curfew-like scene.

The district administration appealed to traders and shopkeepers to open their establishments and shops, but to no avail. District Collector Shivangi Swarnkar also made rounds of the markets appealing to the shopkeepers and traders to open their establishments.

Local MLA Ashok Dogera faced the ire of the people when he tried to convince them to open their shops. Police had to push back the agitators.

Sporadic incidents of burning of tyres by activists of various Hindu outfits were reported from various areas.

In a bid to restore peace, district officials and activists of the Hindu Mahasabha held a meeting in Charbhuja temple in Tilack Chowk area of the city.

The meeting was presided over by two Naga sadhus -- Ramlakhan Das and Shravan Das -- who were detained by the police on Monday.

Ramlakhan Das and Sunil Hadouti of the Hindu Mahasabha warned the district administration to resolve the issue by January 5 or face repercussions.

They protested against the lathicharge on activists and demanded the release of those arrested so far.

The role of the local MLA in normalising the situation was also criticised in the meeting.

The Abhibhashak Parishad also came out in support of a puja. A group of advocates also took out a march against police atrocities.

The Parishad has decided to boycott judicial works in Bundi court till normalcy is restored.

The Hindu Mahasabha and some other organisations had earlier given a call to perform 'puja' at Mandhata Balaji cenotaph on January 1, following which the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 on Friday night and the divisional commissioner ordered suspension of Internet services from 6 am on December 31 to 6 am on January 2.

As protests spread to many parts of the city, the authorities extended the suspension of mobile Internet services till the morning of January 5. Prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 would remain in force till further order, police said.

The call to perform 'puja' at the cenotaph on Tiger Hill adjoining the Meera Sahab Dargah was against a decision of the Peace Keeping Committee, a senior police officer earlier said.

Mandhata Balaji cenotaph is believed to have been constructed by the queen of Bundi in the memory of her nephew but in 1942 the cenotaph was damaged after lightning struck it.

"Some people have provoked the religious sentiments of the public but the situation improved today and is expected to be normal by Thursday morning," local MLA Ashok Dogera said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A suspected criminal was stabbed to death by a group of youngsters in Dwarka area of the city, police said today.

Avinash Kumar had gone to a market along with a minor friend yesterday evening when an acquaintance called him to a park. He was stabbed when he reached the park in Dwarka Sector 1, said a police officer.

His minor friend was also thrashed by the accused.

An injured Avinash was taken to his home by his minor friend and was later rushed to a hospital by his family members. He was declared dead by the doctors of the hospital.

Avinash was married and lived with his family at Vijay Enclave in Dabri. Several cases of loot and snatching were registered against him at various police stations, the officer added.

A case has been registered and investigation has been undertaken, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Rajasthan government today sounded an alert in the state after more than 400 people were diagnosed positive for the fatal swine flu virus last month.

Rapid response teams of the health department were rushed to the areas where people were feared to have been affected by the H1N1 virus.

"We are ensuring that swine flu symptoms are diagnosed early on and treatment is given," Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said.

A meeting with senior officials of the health department was held today. Following the meeting, Saraf ordered the department to send rapid response teams in the affected areas for screening the people and make the treatment available.

According to medical and health department records, 241 swine flu deaths have occurred in the state since January. Nearly 11,721 people were tested for swine flu from January 1 to December 19, of which 3,214 were confirmed positive.

Seven trainee Rajasthan Administrative Services officers contracted the swine flu virus during their stay at Officers Training School in Jaipur, a medical officer said on December 20.

Health Minister Saraf said 3,033 hospitals have swine flu screening centres apart from 1,580 isolation beds, 214 ICU beds and 198 ventilators for patients affected by swine flu virus.

At SMS Hospital in Jaipur, a 15-bed observation ward and 13-bed ICU equipped with life support system has been reserved for H1N1 affected patients.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A government committee formed to prepare a roadmap to boost domestic manufacturing of lightweight body armours for the armed forces has pitched for measures like creating more testing facilities and pursuing R&D in nano technology, Parliament was informed today.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has accepted the recommendations, Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The committee, which was was set up under the chairmanship of Niti Aayog member V K Saraswat, held multiple meetings and discussed the status of capabilities, strengths and weakness of the body armours manufacturing industry, the minister said.

"The Committee submitted its report titled 'Roadmap for Make in India in Body Armour' to the Prime Minister's Office on August, 2017 wherein a number of recommendations were made.

"Major recommendations were made...such as promotion of indigenous manufacturing of body armours including raw materials, creating more testing facilities, adopting Indian standards in body armour, setting up Centre of Excellence to pursue R&D in nano technology material for lightweight body armours and simplification on procurement process," the Minister said.

He added that the PMO has accepted the recommendations contained in the report of the committee.

Last year, the PMO had asked Niti Aayog to prepare a draft note on encouraging production of lightweight body armours.

The government think-tank then consulted various stakeholders, including companies as well as the para-military and armed forces.

The idea was mooted apparently because the bullet-proof vests and helmets in use currently by the Indian forces are very heavy, causing a lot of discomfort and leaving the personnel at a disadvantage during combat.

Although India is a major producer and exporter of body armour, its own security forces are many a time deprived of such equipment, particularly the lightweight ones.

As per an estimate, there is a requirement of over 50,000 bullet-proof kits for the police force in the country.

According to some reports, Indian firms export bullet- proof vests and helmets to over 230 forces in over 100 countries, including the UK, Germany and Spain.

Indian companies like Kanpur-based MKU and Tata Advanced Materials export body armour to armed forces around the world.

If the light weight bullet-proof vests and helmets are produced in bulk within the country, it will ensure low-cost supplies and end to the endless wait for foreign vendors to supply the equipment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A woman and her two daughters have been arrested in under terrorism and other charges for allegedly threatening to bomb the country's security and investigative agency's Lahore office.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) authorities were receiving messages from a Facebook profile threatening to blow up its Lahore premises through bomb blast.

"We arrested yesterday three women Fidous Rehana and her two daughters Ayesha and Sundas, residents of Sotar Mandi near Lahore Cantonment for uploading threats and objectionable material on a Facebook account against the FIA Lahore and its officers," FIA Lahore Cyber Crime Wing head Shahid Hassan told PTI.

The FIA officer further said the women committed the crime to implicate a man (Mian Ali) by making his fake Facebook ID.

"The women claimed that Mian Ali was blackmailing them therefore they had decided to get him arrested by the FIA. They also got the help of their accomplice Usman to create the fake ID and hurling serious threats to the FIA officers and bomb its (FIA) Lahore building," Shahid said.

The FIA building in Lahore had been bombed in 2008 in which 26 people, including officers, were killed. Banned Tahreek-iTaliban was reported to have been involved in the blast.

According to the FIR, the Facebook account in the name of Mian was created on November 18, 2017.

"It first started harassing the FIA authorities and later threatened to blow up its building through bomb blast. The investigation team had traced the IP address used to access the said profile and found that it was used by two mobile numbers which were registered in the name of Firdous Rehana," the FIR says.

The FIA official said the women were presented before the judicial magistrate who sent them to jail on judicial remand, allowing the agency to interrogate them in jail. The FIA has also taken the womens accomplice Usman into custody and got his physical remand from a judicial magistrate.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today described the bill on triple talaq as "defective", saying it would do Muslim women more harm than good.

She accused the BJP of trying to "do politics" with the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha recently.

"We did not oppose the triple talaq bill because we are for women. I know many Muslims who abide by the law. This bill, brought by the BJP government, is a defective one.

"Instead of protecting the Muslim women, it will cause them harm. The BJP is playing petty politics with the bill," Banerjee said while addressing a meeting here.

Banerjee also claimed that her Trinamool Congress is the only party in the country having 33 per cent women MPs.

Questioning the utility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme, Banerjee said that the Centre was spending only Rs 100 crore for the entire country, while West Bengal government is spending Rs 5,000 crore for the 'Kanyashree' scheme.

'Kanyashree' is a cash transfer scheme with the aim of improving the status and well-being of the girl child in West Bengal by incentivising schooling of teenage girls.

The Lok Sabha had on December 28 passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill that criminalises instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat and makes it punishable by up to three years imprisonment for the husband.

The development was hailed by the BJP-led government as "historic" but disapproved of by a section of the Opposition.

The Lok Sabha passed the hugely contentious bill by voice vote after rejecting a string of amendments moved by Opposition members. The Rajya Sabha is yet to pass the bill.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump today promised America's support to the Iranians who are protesting against their government across the country.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" Trump tweeted.

A week of protests against the government has left more than 21 people across the country over the past one week.

Tens of thousands of Iranians today took part in pro- government rallies in several cities across the country.

On Monday, Trump had said that it is "time for change" in Iran which is "failing at every level".

Twenty-one people have so far been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran's country-wide protests that began last Thursday -- initially over price rises and corruption but quickly turned into anti-government demonstrations.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday blamed the country's "enemies" for the unrest.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Donald Trump is ready to go to "great lengths" to stop all funding for Pakistan as the country continues to harbour and support terrorism, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said.

Haley's comment came a day after Trump accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

Speaking to reporters at a conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Haley alleged Pakistan of playing "double-game" with the US for years.

"The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," said Haley.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," she said.

The US yesterday announced that it is withholding its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

"The decision to block aid is connected to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists," the top American diplomat said.

Pakistan has expressed "deep disappointment" over the US statements, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the trust between the two countries.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged President Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump today slammed his former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, claiming that he had "lost his mind" after being "fired".

Bannon, 64, was the top manager of the Trump campaign and the White House chief strategist in the first seven months of the Trump administration. He was fired on August 18.

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said in a statement.

"Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party," he said.

"Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country," said the President.

Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesn't represent my base - he's only in it for himself, Trump said in an stinging attack on his former top advisor.

Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was, Trump alleged.

It is the only thing he does well, he said.

Bannon was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with him and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books, Trump said.

"We have many great Republican members of Congress and candidates who are very supportive of the 'Make America Great Again' agenda. Like me, they love the United States of America and are helping to finally take our country back and build it up, rather than simply seeking to burn it all down," Trump said in a lengthy statement.

Trump's statement came amid a media report about a book in which Bannon has described the Trump Tower meeting between the president's son and a group of Russians during the 2016 election campaign as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic", according to the book seen by the Guardian.

The book written by Michael Wolff gives an insight into the Trump's election campaign.

In a statement, the White House has disputed the contents of the book.

"This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

First Lady Melania Trump's spokesperson Stephanie Grisham said: "Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy. The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section.

"Mrs Trump supported her husband's decision to run for President and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump today threatened to cut aid money to the Palestinian Authority unless it resumes peace talks as he dismissed the global fury over his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The US was the biggest donor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in 2016, giving over USD 368,000,000. It is also the largest overall supplier of financial support for the Palestinians.

Trump last month recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite warnings from the Arab leaders, reversing decades of US and international policy on the holy city. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as their future capital.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," Trump tweeted last night.

"We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" asked the US president.

Trump's last month's decision prompted Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to cancel a planned meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence in December, forcing him to delay his visit to the Middle East until later this month.

Since the establishment of limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the mid-1990s, the US has committed more than USD 5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.

According to the report, from 2008 to the present, annual Economic Support Fund assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around USD 400 million. Much of this goes toward US Agency for International Development (USAID)- administered project assistance (through grants and contracts), and the rest toward budget support for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Earlier in the day, the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said that the Administration has stopped funding the Palestinian Authority.

"The president has basically said he doesn't want to give any additional funding or stop funding until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table," Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

"And what we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation. We're trying to move for a peace process. But if that doesn't happen the president's not going to continue to fund that situation," Haley said in response to a question about the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly against Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Palestinians, she said, now have to show their will that they want to come to the table.

"As of now they are not coming to the table but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We are going to make sure that they come to the table and we want to move forward with the peace process," she said in response to a question.

The US aid to the Palestinians is intended to promote at least three major US policy priorities of interest to Congress.

First -- promoting prevention or mitigation of terrorism against Israel; second - fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance that may incline Palestinians toward peaceful coexistence with Israel and a "two-state solution"; and third - meeting humanitarian needs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has described a meeting between President Donald Trump's son Don Jr and a Russian lawyer during the 2016 presidential election campaign as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," The Guardian reported today.

Bannon made the scathing comments in a book to be published next week -- the "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," by journalist Michael Wolff, the newspaper said.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon reportedly said.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, was also quoted as saying that the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election will focus on money laundering.

Bannon, an executive with right-wing outlet Breitbart News, joined Trump's White House bid two months after the June 9, 2016 meeting between Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya and Trump campaign officials.

Besides Donald Trump Jr, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort attended the meeting at Trump Tower in New York.

Donald Trump Jr took the meeting with the Russian lawyer after an intermediary promised material that would incriminate Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers," Bannon was quoted as saying in the book. "They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," he said.

The investigation by Mueller, a former FBI director, is looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected -- a charge the president has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

Trump said in an interview with The New York Times last week that he expected the Mueller probe to be "fair" and Donald Trump Jr has denied any wrongdoing.

Manafort and a business associate have been indicted on money laundering charges unrelated to the election campaign. Trump's former national security adviser Mike Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russians.

Using a hurricane metaphor, The Guardian quoted Bannon as suggesting in the book that the White House was being complacent about the Mueller probe.

"They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five," he said.

Bannon's relations with Kushner were reportedly strained during their tenure at the White House.

And Bannon had particularly harsh comments in the book about the wealthy New York real estate developer who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka and serves as a senior adviser to the president.

"You realize where this is going," Bannon said of the probe by special counsel Mueller. "This is all about money laundering.

"Their path to fucking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Jared Kushner... It's as plain as a hair on your face," he said.

"It goes through Deutsche Bank and all the Kushner shit... The Kushner shit is greasy. They're going to go right through that."



Since leaving the White House in August, Bannon has staked out some positions at odds with the Trump administration.

In the most notable break, he defied the president and backed a rival Republican candidate in a Senate race in the southern state of Alabama. Trump eventually changed his position and also supported Roy Moore, who lost.

Wolff, whose books include a biography of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, reportedly interviewed the president and more than 200 members of his inner circle and others for "Fire and Fury.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)TUV Rheinland India, a subsidiary of the TUV Rheinland Group, Germany, today said its laboratory at Gurugram has been accredited to test for compliance of imported toys in India.

The accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories is in relation to the new IS 9873: 2017, Part 1, 2, 3, and 9 and IS 15644 (Electrical Toys) safety standards for testing of imported toys in India.

The company said the accreditation is as per the new notification issued in September 2017 by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), that all toys imported in India must be accompanied by relevant test reports under the new IS 9873 and IS 15644 standards, subsequent to testing by an NABL accredited laboratory.

"We whole-heartedly support this quality initiative by the Government of India which would be beneficial for Indian children," said Thomas Fuhrmann, Managing Director of TUV Rheinland India.

"... The newly introduced testing requirements for toys focus on their chemical content and flammability and demand more stringent testing for toys that are both manually as well as electrically operated," the company said in a release.

"We test all toys intended for children up to 14 years of age. Our toy experts test all type of toys like cuddly toys, dolls and role-playing toys as well as plastic toys and building blocks, wooden, music, magnetic, water, activity and creative toys apart from others," said Charan Singh, Regional Director India, Middle East, and Asia, TUV Rheinland India.

TUV Rheinland, which has been in India since 1996, has presence over 100 locations providing testing, training, inspection, consultancy and certification services to the industry.

Offering more than 2,500 services, TUV Rheinland India caters to almost every industry, the company said.

TUV Rheinland Group is involved in testing, training, inspection, consultation and certification.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India is ready to bear all expenses, if necessary up to Rs 4 billion, to make Hindi one of the official languages of the United Nations but its rules for acquiring such a status prevents the country from doing so, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday.

According to the UN rules, support of two-thirds member countries (129 nations) is required out of the total 193 member nations, Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

Besides, all member nations will have to bear the cost of making Hindi one of the official languages of the UN.

"It is not difficult to get the support of two-thirds member nations. But when the issue of bearing the expenses comes, many small nations become hesitant which has led to a big hurdle in making Hindi official languages of the UN," she said, adding that despite this, the efforts are on.

When a BJP member said that India has to pay Rs 400 million as the cost for making Hindi one of the languages in the UN, the minister said the government is ready to pay "even Rs 4 billion if required" but the world body does not allow to do so.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked why India should make the effort to make Hindi as one of the languages in the UN as it is only India's official language and not the language.

"If tomorrow someone from Tamil Nadu or from West Bengal becomes the Prime Minister, why should we force him to speak in Hindi at the UN," he said.

Tharoor also said Hindi is the official language of only one country - India.

However, Swaraj countered Tharoor saying he was unaware that Hindi is the official language of Fiji and is also spoken widely in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and many other countries.Cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh will soon display the newly-unveiled logo for Kumbh Mela, right after the national anthem is played, to make youths understand the importance of the religious festival, a senior official said here today.

The new logo shows a group of sadhus taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Allahabad in the backdrop of temples and a Swastik symbol, Principal Secretary (Torusim) Awanish Awasthi told PTI.

The decision comes soon after the Yogi Adityanath government announced that all official letters will carry the Kumbh logo.

The Kumbh Mela, which has lately joined the UNESCO's list of intangible world heritage, is scheduled to be held in January 2019 in Allahabad.

On the new year day, Adityanath directed departments concerned to complete preparations for the 2019 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad "well in time" for its smooth conduct.

"All preparations should be completed well in time and in a concrete manner, so that the event is held successfully. The Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela 2019 are important from religious and tourism point of view," a government statement quoted him as saying.

The chief minister recently interacted with seers of the Akhada Parishad and the Allahabad administration while reviewing preparations for Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela.

The government has also directed the local administration to display the logo with its tagline 'Sarvsidhiprad Kumbh', meaning Kumbh is the provider of all accomplishments.

In a circular last month, the government had made it compulsory to carry the logo in all publicity material, including hoardings and advertisements, with immediate effect.

The Mela was last held in Allahabad in 2013 and attended by around 10 crore people.

The state government expects nearly 12 crore people to visit Allahabad this time.

The UP government has also changed the nomenclature of the fair. The Ardh Kumbh is to be known as Kumbh.

Orders were also issued to carry only the updated name of the Mela in all correspondence.

Nearly Rs 2,500 crore will be devoted for the first Kumbh in Allahabad in January 2019 under the Adityanath government, over two times more than what Uttar Pradesh had spent on the last Kumbh held there in 2013, official sources said.

They said over 200 projects of 16 departments were coming up at break-neck speed, and this time at the Kumbh, it would not just be about a holy dip in the Sangam but also an "enhanced pilgrim experience".

It will be ensured that pilgrims have to transverse the least distance on foot as shuttle buses will be used for the first time.

A senior UP government official said about Rs 950 crore were spent on Kumbh in Allahabad in 2013. "So it is a two-and-a-half-time jump in budget. Yogi Aditynath government is clear - funds will not come in the way of world-class pilgrim facilities," he said.

The 'Magh Mela' that started in Allahabad yesterday is acting like a dress-rehearsal for the 2019 Kumbh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US has accused Pakistan of playing a "double game" on fighting terrorism and asked Islamabad to take decisive action against militants operating from its soil to "earn" the American aid.

The tough message from the US came after an angry tweet from President Donald Trump on New Year's day that America had been rewarded with "nothing but lies and deceit" by Pakistan in return for its over USD 33 billion aid in the last 15 years.

Soon after the president's tweet, the White House confirmed that the US had suspended its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came out in support of Trump's decision to block aid to Pakistan and said, "There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years."



"They (Pakistanis) work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday.

The Trump administration expects far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, she said.

"Trump is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," Haley said.

The Indian-American diplomat said the aid issue was connected solely to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, speaking at her daily conference, described Pakistan as an "important partner" and said Islamabad must do more to combat terrorism.

"The United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against the Haqqani Network and other militants who are operating from its soil," said Nauert.

"Pakistan is an important partner. We have a lot of issues in that region. Pakistan knows that, we all know that, and we try to work carefully together on some of those issues. I don't want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do," she said.

Speaking about the US' decision to withhold USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan, Nauert said the decision was taken in August and Pakistan would need to "earn" such assistance through sincere action.

"They need to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists," she said.

Nauert said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, who visited Pakistan in the last couple of months, had conveyed the same message to the country's leadership.

The White House also defended Trump and asked Pakistan to do more to combat terrorism.

"We know that Pakistan can do more to fight and stop terrorism and we want them to step up and do that. That seems pretty simple," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters in Washington.

Sanders said Pakistan had failed to fulfil its obligations in the fight against terrorism.

"The president outlined a new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia earlier this past year, in August. And at that time, he laid out and said that Pakistan is not fulfilling its obligations," said Sanders.

Trump in August announced his new South Asia policy and accused Pakistan of harbouring terrorists.

"The president is simply following through on a commitment that he made, because this is a president who does what he says he's going to do," she said.

Pakistan yesterday expressed "deep disappointment" over Trump's allegations, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the "trust" between the two countries.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

Pakistan also summoned the US Ambassador David Hale to register its protest after president Trump's tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US favours supply routes to Afghanistan through Pakistan because of cost, but it is also flexible enough to avoid over-reliance on any single option, the Pentagon said today.

The US has nearly 14,000 troops in Afghanistan. President Donald Trump in August last year ruled out a hasty withdrawal of troops from the war-torn country while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy.

"The US favours supply routes via Pakistan because of cost, but we have built flexibility and redundancy into our supply lines into and out of Afghanistan to avoid over- reliance on any single option," Department of Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mike Andrews told PTI.

He was responding to a question about the sustainability of the US in Afghanistan in case Pakistan decides to block the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC), a step Islamabad takes in the event of increased tension with the United States.

The GLOC was once a lifeline for US supplies for its troops in Afghanistan.

After it was closed for weeks in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden by US commandos inside Pakistan, the US started the more expensive central Asia routes.

However, the Pentagon did not tell on the quantum of its dependence on Pakistan's GLOC.

"Due to operational security, we won't be able to provide a specific percentage of US supplies going into Afghanistan through multiple routes. While the US favours shipping cargo via Pakistan because of cost, we have built flexibility and redundancy into our overall system of air, sea and ground routes to transport cargo into and out of Afghanistan," Andrews said.

The supply needs are far less than what it once used to be when the number of troops touched more than 100,000 during the previous Obama administration.

"Due to the lower level of US troops, supply needs are lower. I cannot state specific decreases," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US is considering new regulations to prevent the extension of H-1B visas as part of president Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative, a move which could hit tech firms and hundreds of thousands of Indian IT professionals, a media report said.

The move could directly stop hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from keeping their H-1B visas while their green card applications are pending.

The proposal which is being shared between the Department of Homeland Security Department (DHS) heads is part of Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative promised during the 2016 campaign, US-based agency McClatchy DC Bureau reported.

It aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

"The act currently allows the administration to extend the H-1B visas for thousands of immigrants, predominantly Indian immigrants, beyond the allowed two three-year terms if a green card is pending," the report said.

"The idea is to create a sort of 'self- deportation' of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans," it said, quoting a source briefed by Homeland Security officials.

"The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President's Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes," said Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely.

The technology companies depend on H-1B to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The proposed changes would have a dramatic effect particularly on Indian visa holders considering more than half of all H-1B visas have been awarded to Indian nationals, the report said, quoting the Pew Research Center report.

"This would be a major catastrophic development as many people have been waiting in line for green cards for over a decade, have US citizen children, own a home," Leon Fresco, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in the Obama administration who now represent H-1B workers, was quoted as saying in the report.

Fresco estimates more than 1 million H1-B visa holders in the country are waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for more than a decade.

Trump had made the alleged abuse and fraud in H-1B visa system a major election issue during his campaign.

After becoming the president, he signed an executive order aimed at tightening the process of issuing the H1B visas.

Trump had said the order was the first step to initiate "long overdue" reforms to end "visa abuses".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Yadav today targeted the BJP over the cast violence in Maharashtra, alleging that attacks on Dalits and other "oppressed" classes have been increasing under its governments at the centre and in states.

He also alleged that "lapse" by Maharashtra government led to the clashes in Pune as Dalits had been commemorating the day for over 200 years.

"It was a lapse by the government that it did not take adequate measures despite knowing about the programme that occurs every year. It was its responsibility to protect people from violence. It failed to perform its duties, with the result that one person also died," the rebel JD(U) leader said in a statement.

"Attacks on Dalits and other oppressed classes have been increasing under BJP governments," he alleged.

Those found guilty in the Pune violence should be arrested immediately and given strict punishment, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Lawyers from 22 districts of western Uttar Pradesh, along with Hapur and Gautama Budh Nagar, skipped their work today in support of the Ghaziabad Bar Association which is protesting the removal of a statue of BR Ambedkar from a court complex here.

The Ghaziabad Bar Association president Rakesh Tyagi Kakda said a resolution was passed by the chairman Rohtash Agarwal and all other functionaries of Western Uttar Pradesh (WUP) Sangharsh Samiti.

He said all the lawyers of 22 districts will refrain from work in support the Ghaziabad Bar Association.

Kakda said when a group of lawyers reached the court today they saw a police team was deployed on the platform from where the statue of Ambedkar was removed on the intervening night December 31 and January 1.

The lawyers opposed the police stationed there to secure the platform and placed a framed picture of Ambedkar and lighted candles in the honour of the icon.

Police force and PAC (provincial armed constabulary) have been deployed to avert any untoward incident. The forces will remain there till the normalcy is restored in the compound, Senior superintendent of Police HN Singh said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The White House today urged the Iranian leadership to respect its people's right to protest.

"The US supports the Iranian people and we call on the regime to respect its citizens' basic right to peacefully express their desire for change," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily conference.

Twenty-two people have so far been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran's country-wide protests that began last Thursday -- initially over price rises and corruption but quickly turned into anti-government demonstrations.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday blamed the country's "enemies" for the unrest.

Sanders, though, called the protests "organic", saying it was brought about by the rising corruption in the country.

"The people are tired of paying the price for their violent and corrupt rulers. As a result, we are now seeing an organic popular uprising organised by brave Iranian citizens on the largest scale since 2009," Sanders told reporters at her daily conference.

"The citizens of Iran have paid a heavy price for the violence and extremism of their leaders and the Iranian people long to reclaim their country's proud history, its culture, its civilisation and its cooperation with its neighbours," she said.

Sanders said years of mismanagement, corruption, and foreign adventurism have eroded the Iranian people's trust in their leaders.

She said Trump is yet to make a decision on renewing temporary waivers for US sanctions against Iran and is keeping several options open.

The waivers provide relief to Iran from US sanctions which are otherwise not set to expire for several years. Under the terms of agreement, these waivers must be signed every 120 days.

"I think the president's been very clear what his position is in support of the Iranian people and in terms of what decision he'll make on that waiver. He hasn't made a final one yet but he's going to keep every option on the table with regard to that," she said.

"The ultimate end game would be that the citizens and the people of Iran are actually given basic human rights. Trump would certainly like to see them stop being a state sponsor of terror. That's something the whole world would like to see," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Amidst raging differences overthe issue of separate religion status to Veerashivas/Lingayats, Karnataka BJP today said it would abide by the decision of the apex body of the communities in the matter.

"Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa has made it clear several times that Veerashiva and Lingayat communities are one. Shivakumara Swamiof Siddaganga Mutt, considered a walking God, has also stated the same," state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters in Davangere, he accused JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti, who is at the forefront of a movement demanding separate religion status for Lingayat community, of creating "confusion" out of "selfish" motive by claiming support from BJP legislators.

"I want to tell Horatti...you do politics if youwant to, but unnecessarily do not drag BJP legislators intoit," Yeddyurappa said.

"BJP legislators and MPs are of one stand i.e. to abide by the decision taken by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha,Siddaganga Swamiji and other seers," he said.

The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva/Lingayat faiths has surfaced from the numerically strong and politically-influential community, amidst resentment from within over projecting the two communities as the same.

While one section led by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has demanded a separate religion status, asserting that Veerashaiva and Lingayats are the same, the other group wants it only for Lingayats as they believe that Veerashaiva is one among the seven sects of Shaivas, which is part of Hinduism.

The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community that owes allegiance to the 12th century "social reform movement" initiated by Basaveshwara has a substantial population in Karnataka, especially in the northern parts of the state.

Accusing the Congress of playing politics on the issue, Yeddyurappa said the former had taken the stand of "breaking the community".

"We have nothing to do with it. What we are saying is we will abide by the decision taken by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha," he said.

Recently, the Karnataka State Minorities Commission (KSMC), to which the state government had referred the issue, has formed a seven-member committee, headed by retired high court Judge H N Nagamohan Das, to look into the issue and submit a report in four-weeks time.

The committee will be examining three petitionsdemanding separate minority religion for Lingayats, onearguing that they are Hindus, and the other one by the AkhilaBharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha that demands minorityreligion tag for Veerashaiva-Lingayat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President who shares a bitter relationship with the mainstream American press has said he will announce the "most dishonest and corrupt" media awards next week.

Trump has been at loggerheads with several US mainstream media outlets, including the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post among others.

He has quite often described these popular media houses as "fake" media.

The term is now popularly related to news with which one does not agree with.

"I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o'clock," Trump said in a late-night tweet.

"Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!" Trump said.

I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

He, however, excluded Fox News, his favourite news channel.

In November, he tweeted about a competition among news networks for the "Fake News Trophy", excluding Fox News.

"We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favourite President (me). They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!" Trump had tweeted on November 27.

Late in the evening, Fox News listed out some news stories of other networks that later proved to be inaccurate.

In an email to his supporters on December 28, the Trump campaign sought nomination for the "King of Fake News" trophy.

"At President Trump's request, we are holding a contest to name the 2017 KING of Fake News. And we want to hear from you," the email said.

"The FAKE NEWS has utterly abandoned their duty to fairly report the news to the American people. Some journalists and liberal pundits think that Americans are too stupid to see through their amateur efforts to manipulate public opinion, but THEY'RE WRONG," the email wrote.

Noting that Americans are sick and tired of being lied to, insulted and treated with outright condescension, the Trump Campaign said "That's why President Trump is crowning the 2017 KING OF FAKE NEWS before the end of the year".

"There's no point in pretending that some journalists are anything more than peddlers of falsehoods and liberal propaganda," it said.

As per the Trump Campaign list, the competition for "King of Fame news" is between three news outlets.

"ABC News 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Trump directed Michael Flynn to make contact with Russian officials before the election," it said.

"CNN 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate and his son Donald J Trump Jr had access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks," is the second story on the list.

"TIME 'MISTAKENLY' reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr from the Oval Office," the email said as it asked the participants to "let the President know if there is another story you think should be crowned as the 2017 KING of Fake News".JKLF chairman Mohammad was on Wednesday arrested and sent to Central Jail while moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest.

Malik was arrested by police from JKLF office at Abi Guzar and sent to judicial remand, a spokesman of the separatist outfit said.

Before being taken away by police, Malik attacked the ruling PDP and BJP, saying they had tried to "deceive" the people with "sugarcoated slogans like healing touch, the battle of ideas and no bullet but talks".

In a related development, Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest. Police, however, did not give reasons for the action.

Meanwhile, the separatists under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership -- which comprises Malik, Mirwaiz and Syed Ali Shah Geelani -- have called for a shut down in Sopore town of north Kashmir on January 6.By Kane Wu and Jennifer HughesHONG KONG (Reuters) - Last January, Alibaba founder Jack Ma met with Donald Trump, then the U.S. president-elect, to discuss helping one million small U.S businesses access Chinese consumers through the e-commerce giant's online platform.Trump told reporters that he and Ma had a "great meeting" and would do great things together.One year on, however, U.S. security concerns have torpedoed Ma's plans for a $1.2 billion takeover of the Dallas-based MoneyGram International Inc (MGI.O) by Ant Financial, an Alibaba affiliate. It was the most high-profile Chinese deal ...By Douglas BusvineFRANKFURT (Reuters) - A design flaw has been found in microprocessors made by Intel Corp that requires updates to computer operating systems, a tech publication reported, adding that the fix causes the chips to operate more slowly.The defect affects the so-called kernel memory on Intel x86 processor chips manufactured over the past decade, The Register reported citing unnamed programmers, allowing users of normal applications to discern the layout or content of protected areas on the chips.That could make it possible for hackers to exploit other security bugs or, worse, ...By Brendan PiersonNEW YORK (Reuters) - Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA on Wednesday agreed to pay $2.95 billion to settle a U.S. class action corruption lawsuit, in what was said to be the biggest such payout in the United States by a foreign entity. Petrobras denied any wrongdoing in the deal, which was one of the largest securities class action settlements in U.S. history. With the settlement, it will pay out more than six times what it has received so far under a Brazilian probe into bribery schemes that involved company executives and government officials. ...Two pilots have been de-rostered by Jet Airways for fighting inside the London-bound Mumbai flight. According to reports the commander slapped the woman pilot, who came out of the cockpit and started sobbing. The senior members of the cabin crew persuaded her to go back to the cockpit. However, she came out of the cockpit once again, following which the perturbed cabin crew requested her to go back to the cockpit and complete the flight.

The DGCA has suspended the co-pilot's licence and a probe has been ordered.

According to reports, the first time the commander also left the cockpit to persuade the co-pilot to return to the cockpit. Leaving the cockpit unmanned is a gross violation of air safety rules. They had another fight after which she left the cockpit for the second time.

The incident took place onboard the flight 9W 119, a Boeing 777 that had 324 passengers and 14 crew members onboard.



A Jet Airways spokesperson said, "A misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew of Jet Airways flight 9W 119, London - Mumbai of January 01, 2018. However, the same was quickly resolved amicably and the flight with 324 guests including 2 infants and 14 crew continued its journey to Mumbai, landing safely. The airline has reported the incident to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the concerned crew have been derostered pending an internal investigation that has since been initiated. At Jet Airways, safety of guests, crew and assets is of paramount importance and the airline has zero tolerance for any action of its employees that compromises safety."There is a buzz about the United States considering a new regulation that would prevent foreign workers from getting H-1B visa extensions while their green card applications are pending. There is a fear it could lead to "self-deportation" of thousands of workers, particularly software engineers employed by IT services companies.

The bigger point is that we are in an era of deglobalisation. While we mostly focus on the United States, former colonial powers are all raising protectionist barriers - be it the UK, other countries in the EU, even Australia and Singapore.

What does this mean for Indian exporters? The cost of doing business will go up several times. They have to live with that. This also has implications for American businesses. What seems to be good for local employees is not necessarily good for businesses. There is a shortage of technical talent in many parts of the world including the US. Businesses would be starved of engineers at a time when the world is transitioning to Digital and new technologies are disrupting how they do business.

And there is no guarantee 'Hire American' would work. Businesses no longer think morally about these issues - they do what is right. The big word here is a 10-letter one - Automation. If they don't get cheaper talent, they could unleash computer robots to do the job.Amid the call for Maharashtra Bandh by Dalit leaders over violence against the bicentennial anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle on January 1, airlines have decided to waive charges applicable on penalties for rescheduling of tickets, date change, no-show and cancellation. The offer applies both for domestic as well as international flights going to or from Pune, Mumbai, and Aurangabad.

Air India through its Twitter handle said penalties would be waived off for ticket bookings between January 2 and January 4. "In view of the ongoing unrest in Pune and Mumbai, applicable penalties of re-issuance, date change, no-show, cancellation and refund charges for travel from/to Pune and Mumbai for both Dom and international flights stand waived on all tickets issued on or before January 2 for travel till January 4."

Jet Airways also confirmed through Twitter that the airline had waived penalty on change and cancellation charges, including fare difference if any, on tickets booked to/ from Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad on January 4. "Due to unrest in Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad, we've extended the waiver on change and cancellation charges, including fare difference if any, on all confirmed tickets for flights to and from Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad, on January 4, 2018."

#FlyAI :In view of the ongoing unrest in Pune & Mumbai, applicable penalties of re-issuance, date change, no-show, cancellation & refund charges for travel from/to Pune & Mumbai for both Dom & Intl flts stand waived on all tkts issued on/before 02 Jan'18 for travel till 04 Jan'18 - Air India (@airindiain) January 3, 2018

Air Vistara extended the fee waiver on flights booked to and from Mumbai and Pune on January 3 and 4. "Due to the bandh in Maharashtra, we have extended our cancel/change fee waiver for all flights to/from Mumbai and Pune on 3rd and 4th Jan'18. Customers may contact our Airport Ticketing Offices or call us on +91 9289228888 or +91 9958962222 for assistance," the airline said on Twitter.

#9Wupdate Due to unrest in Mumbai, Pune & Aurangabad, we've extended the waiver on change and cancellation charges, including fare difference if any, on all confirmed tickets for flights to and from Mumbai, Pune & Aurangabad, on 4th January, 2018. - Jet Airways (@jetairways) January 3, 2018

Meanwhile, after protest call by Dalit leaders, political parties appealed for peace and harmony in the state. "(NCP chief) Sharad Pawar has already said that everybody should try to ensure that there is peace and harmony," said NCP president Sunil Tatkare, reported PTI. Shiv Sena also called the protest incidents an unfortunate incident. Besides, the state Congress unit said the state government should take steps to restore peace and normalcy. The battle of Koregaon was fought between British East India Company and the Peshwa faction on Bhima River on January 1, 1818.All those delaying the purchase of a new smartphone to wait for the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 have both good and bad news. Earlier, there were few reports suggesting that the Chinese company will be skipping the release altogether. However, a new report from the Chinese website MyDrivers suggests that the device is already undergoing tests internally.

Despite the testing, the launch of the device expected to get delayed substantially. One of the reasons that is being speculated is the chipset of the device. Qualcomm hasn't launched the chipset that is supposed to be featured on the Redmi Note 5.

The bad news will be that the device will not be available anytime before the second quarter of this year. The same report claims that the device will start selling in the second quarter. The Indian buyer might have to wait even longer considering convention with Xioami launches. Another piece of information that can be crucial to a prospect buyer is price. The Redmi Note 5 might come with a steeper price compared to the outgoing model, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. The base variant can be priced around Rs 15,000 in India.

The buyer will get the worth of the extra money spent in the form of a bezel-less display and dual camera lens. On the screen front, the Redmi Note 5 will come with a 5.99 inch screen that will feature Full HD+ resolution and an aspect ratio of 18:9.

The device is expected to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 which hasn't been launched yet and is the possible reason behind the delay in launch. The processor will be a slightly under-clocked version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636.

The processor of the device is expected to be assisted by 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. The Redmi Note 5 will operate on Xiaomi's MIUI 9 but will be based on Android 7.1.2.

On the camera front, the rumours suggest a dual camera setup with one of the modules housing a 12Megapixel sensor. A 4000mAH battery will power the device. These specifications are still based on rumours and the reader should take it with a grain of salt.Courtesy of the Cache County Jail

LOGAN  A 38-year-old Logan man has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, alleging that he robbed a business and stole a vehicle. Benjamin Nelson was booked into the Cache County Jail Saturday afternoon.

Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen said investigators were following up on a domestic violence case involving Nelson, when they discovered evidence linking him to a burglary and vehicle theft. Deputies allege he broke into the business and assaulted the owner. They also believe he was involved in the theft of a Toyota truck, taken from the Providence area.

Nelson appeared in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against him including aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, theft, a second-degree felony, and aggravated assault and burglary, both third-degree felonies.

Judge Kevin Allen ordered Nelson be held without bail and appear again in court next week.

Jensen said the Sheriffs Office is continuing their investigation for evidence and other possible charges against Nelson.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.comRomania: Teenage romance in a digital era

Published on January 3, 2018

Story by Lorelei Mihala

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Romanian teenagers are living in a glass cube. In an age where teenage relationships start and end online and where it's easiest to hide behind a smartphone screen, it can be difficult to find refuge. Stories from the ground show just how complex the issue is.

We met when we were 12 years old. We were kids, Alexandra Popescu, who is now 18, carefully starts her story on what could have been a teenage romance. After having known each other for about two years, the teens eventually decided to make it official. At the time, Alexandra was 15 and her new boyfriend was 18. She was living in the Romanian capital Bucharest and he lived in another city. It was a long-distance relationship, which meant constant communication on Facebook, Whatsapp and by text message was crucial.

A few months into the relationship, he started asking me to send him photos of me. He said that he missed me, that nobody will see them. He said that I should trust him, that he loves me, she recalls. The photos showed Alexandra naked, and she sent them trusting her boyfriend. I didnt know the consequences this could have, so I sent them, Alexandra admits. Things quickly turned sour. Things were going well until he wanted to break up with me and started being influenced by his friends. He started blackmailing me, telling me that if I dont have sex with him, he will show the photos to everyone, she explains.

Alexandra tried to ignore him, but her boyfriend was looking for her and telling her that if she would ever dare be with someone else, that he would catch her and kill her. He did not want us to be together anymore, but he wouldnt let me lead another life. At the time, Alexandra chose not to tell anyone what was happening to her.

He sent me messages at 3 am in the morning I was afraid to sleep and, knowing he had the pictures, I imagined he would post them on social media I felt like my whole world was falling apart, I didnt have anyone to talk to and I was always trying to make it look like everything was OK. I felt like I was living a double life, that in front of my parents and my friends I was laughing and joking but when I was alone, I was crying, Alexandra recounts. In the end, her ex-boyfriend sent the photos to his friends without her consent.

That was three years ago. Alexandra still receives messages from those friends. They dont threaten me directly, theyre afraid to do that because theyve seen that I have courage now. But they indirectly tell me things like: you were good looking at that age.

The stigma of digital abuse in Romania

In the United States and in the UK, debates on digital abuse and harassment through new technologies are hinting that it may be a new form of domestic violence. Digital abuse is not only recognised as a serious offense, there are ample amounts of hotlines and support groups that teenagers like Alexandra can turn to.

In Romania, where domestic violence (in the classical sense) is still a serious problem, there is little to no talk about digital abuse. According to an INSCOP poll carried out in 2013, a woman is beaten by her partner every 30 seconds and three out of ten Romanians say they have been physically, verbally or psychologically abused from the age of 15.

But things are looking up. A project called In a Relationship by the Friends for Friends Foundation published a report that included witness statements from 1,500 high school students from 80 different cities in Romania. The project explored how teenagers view relationships and what issues couples face between the ages of 16 and 19. Although the foundations representatives say the study is not sociological research, In a Relationship is a sneak peek into a topic that is seldom spoken about publicly: violence and digital harassment in teenage couples.

The results from the research show that two out of three teenagers have witnessed a scene of physical or verbal violence in a couple their age. 32% of girls and 28% of boys admit that the person they were in a relationship with had read their messages on their phones at some point. More than a third of the teenagers who were interviewed said they werent disturbed by the violation of private space. More than half of them said they would break up with their partners in the case of infidelity. 13% of the girls interviewed admitted they would break up with their partner in case of physical violence or psychological abuse. In a world that is excessively digitalised and where relationships start and end online, how do teenagers deal with digital abuse?

The phone has become an extension of a person

Alexandra knew that she could have gone to the police to file a complaint, but she didnt see this as a solution at the time. I was a minor and I would have had to involve my parents. Maybe now, if things get worse, I would call the police. But Im not sure, she explains. According to Romanian law, a threat (Defined as: the act of threatening a person by committing a crime or an action directed against them if it is likely to cause them a state of fear, ed.) can either land someone in prison from three months to a year, or result in a large fine. However, the law doesnt clearly state that the threat of sending intimate photos falls into this category. For harassment, a person can be sentenced to prison for three to six months or can receive a fine. For blackmail, a person can be sentenced to prison anywhere from one to five years. Harassment can also include making telephone calls or communicating through technology which, by frequency or content, causes a person to be afraid, according to the law.

Anca Munteanu, a school counsellor at the Aviation Technical College Henri Coanda in Bucharest, defines abuse as any behavioural manifestation through which a person attempts to control the actions of another person. She talks about many forms of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, financial and social, but the case for digital abuse in modern teenage relationships is unusual. Because the phone has become a kind of extension of a person, digital abuse has also occurred. And digital abuse means any manifestation by which the aggressor tried to undermine the authority or attempts to humiliate the victim. The aggressor tried to limit or block communication, sends sexual messages to convince the victim to send back the same or to persuade them to have sex. The aggressor tells who the victim can or cant befriend on Facebook, sends threatening messages, stalks the victim on social media, and steals or forces the victim to give their passwords, she explains.

In Romania, there is only one school counsellor for every 800 students. If a student wants to talk to the school counsellor, they have to come with an agreement signed by a parent or a legal guardian.

Who you gonna call?

Lavinia Pupazan, a teacher at the Colegiul National Spiru Haret in Targu Jiu, an industrial town in southern Romania, highlights the fact that teens dont feel comfortable seeking advice from adults (let alone their parents) in situations like Alexandras. They tell each other. When I asked them which adult could help them when the situation gets out of control they said they would call their older brother or sisters. None of them said a parent; none of them said a teacher. Under no circumstances a teacher. Anca has had the same experience as Lavinia, and says that when teenagers have a problem the first people they call are their friends. They learn what their friends have done in similar situations and thats why they dont make informed decisions.

This is what 17-year-old Mira did. She asked for advice from her friends when she found herself in a relationship she describes as toxic. I was 16 years old and I received insulting messages after I refused an invitation and decided to stop all communication. He asked me to have sex with him to get over a former girlfriend and to feel better. Of course, I refused because of the reason but also for other personal reasons. Thats why he was upset and I have not talked [to him] since. He sent me messages on Facebook. I didnt know what he was capable of and for a while I was afraid of what he could do.

Stories similar to what happened to Mira are common for those who use the Save the Children Romania counselling programme called Orda de Net. Its a project that has existed in Romania since 2009 and started in Europe in 1999. The project coordinator, Ovidiu Majina, says that the main goal is to create a safer Internet environment for children. Volunteers answer calls on the phone or on social media to give advice to children and teenagers for any Internet-related problems they face, not only when it comes to couples. The volunteers dont ask for any information other than the callers story, not even their age. The average age of those calling is between 12 and 16 years old, from what they say [when they deliberately mention their age]. It is mostly girls calling, but both girls and boys are in serious situations. The worst situations recorded come from rural areas, says Ovidiu. Up until now, about 4,500 cases have been recorded in Orda de Net, of which about 2,700 were adolescents. The programme is a way for worried teenagers in situations of digital abuse to have allies.

A teenager lives in a glass cube

What is unique about technology, according to psychologist Stefania Coman, is that it gives us options we dont normally have in face-to-face communication. This is why she believes that technology is so popular amongst teenagers. By blocking and deleting people they no longer want to come in contact with, teenagers dont live the negative side [of things] so intensively. It is a way of avoiding confrontation, but it is a slippery slope. Someone comes and says: You dont look good, you dont dress well, and under these conditions the person can easily block [someone]. They reject what they dont agree with and only retain the beneficial part, only what they like A teenager lives in a glass cube, they get to live in this version and only keeps the parts that are convenient for them.

Whats more, Stefania understands how easy it is for teenagers to look to Facebook for a sense of comfort: Facebook is always there, pretending to be interested. Every time you log in it asks you what youre thinking about, what hobbies you have, what makes you happy. These are things that many parents dont ask. Hence the reluctance for teenagers to turn to their parents in moments of despair with regards to digital abuse.

After her experience with revenge porn, Alexandra sees how isolating social networks can be. We forget to live in a reality, she explains, to feel in depth, and we are more concerned about posting a picture that I was in X place Couples fight about likes, about things that are not real, which dont really matter at all. What happened to Alexandra changed her perspective on things drastically. It may sound strange to say that, to some extent, I am happy that [these] things happened because I eliminated the useless people in my life, I learned to get to know people better. Now, I have my feet on the ground.

---

This project is part of the Superscripts / Avon Scholarships on domestic violence. The program is a partnership between the Friends For Friends Foundation and Avon Romania.

Story by Lorelei Mihala| BY Lynchy |

During 1971, Bangladeshis had been tortured and murdered by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators.

On 14 December, sensing an imminent defeat, they killed the front-line Bengali intellectuals with the intention of crippling a newborn nation intellectually. So, this year PRAN Drinking Water have turned the Tap feature of Instagram Stories into a tool that symbolizes the scenario of 14th December 1971. And shows how brutally those front-line Bengali intellectuals and professionals were murdered by the enemy as they tapped on the trigger of their guns.

Through PRAN Drinking Waters Instagram profile, OnZ Solutions Bangladesh have targeted the youth as they check Instagram stories very frequently on Instagram. Then, as the story progresses by the tap, they have uncovered the victim.Five things youve probably never done in Jasper

You may have hiked the Old Fort Point Loop Trail in Jasper National Park, but have you cooked and eaten a gourmet meal at the top? Last October, I stood on top of Old Fort Point gazing out at an incredible view while I made homemade cheese using a camping stove at a real table. Making cheese is something I never imagined myself doing. Having a gourmet cooking lesson on a mountaintop was even more inconceivable.news, latest-news

This year has been a year of anniversaries. It is the 10th anniversary of the highly successful artist-in-residence project at Namadgi National Park marked by a survey exhibition of past and present participants at Craft ACT in May. The Canberra Spinners and Weavers (CSW) marked 50 years of their flourishing organisation with an exhibition of work from those years at the Canberra Museum and Gallery. It has been 10 years since the establishment of the Canberra Glassworks in the Kingston Power House and 40 years of the well supported Emerging Artists Scheme (EASS) at the ANU School of Art and Design. As always it has been difficult to choose my five best shows of 2017. They are a personal choice of some of the exhibitions I enjoyed during the year. Among the top five it would be hard not to include exhibitions by Kirstie Rea and Neil Roberts, two notable Canberra artists. Kirstie Rea's The land: A 20 year survey in August at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) was a very important exhibition. The beautiful staging of the exhibition at CMAG did justice to a dedicated artist who has pushed the boundaries of glass and contributed a great deal to the studio glass movement. In a series of stunning works Rea demonstrated the diversity of glass as a medium as she explored its potential to move across the visual art spectrum from object to sculpture to installation. And as always the inspiration of the work was the landscape. Neil Roberts' exhibition Chances with Glass at the Canberra Glassworks in August was curated by his partner and trustee of his estate Barbara Campbell, herself a well-known artist. Neil Roberts died tragically in 2002. It was quite a small exhibition but it was carefully chosen to reflect pivotal works in Roberts' career. I still think of his wonderful irrigation sculpture Flood Plain 1990 that was sited on the Nerang Pool in Commonwealth Park during Floriade. The talk given by Barbara Campbell at the exhibition was illuminating and after seeing his work again I felt I had a deeper understanding of an artist whose life and work touched so many people. Hannah Quinliven's installation, Anatomy of a drawing at Canberra Museum and Gallery in July was in the glass-sided Gallery 4 at the entrance to the building. It was one of the best works I have seen in this gallery that can overpower a lot of the art exhibited there. Quinliven used all this space judiciously and thoughtfully to construct a large network of textile threads that was woven between wall and ceiling until a dense mass of interlacing weavings was achieved  a three dimensional drawing in space. The Rubies The Rubies at the ANU School of Art and Design Gallery in August was an impressive celebratory line-up of 16 of the many artists who have been recipients of an Emerging Artist Support Scheme Award (EASS) in their graduating year at the School of Art. What happened next after graduation was what made this exhibition so interesting. The work chosen was as varied as Camille Serisiers' video Ladies of OZ and Daniel Edward's felt quilt Empire. The majority of these artists now work away from Canberra so, as well as their historic link to the art school, the exhibition was an insight into contemporary art practice. Bro..och at Bilk Gallery in June was another instance of bringing together a group of artists both from Canberra and interstate. Bilk Gallery is passionate about encouraging us all to wear contemporary jewellery. With this in mind there were brooches to suit the extrovert or the more conservative among us - brooches we wear and brooches that wear us. And who could forget Trophy Wife Barbie brooch "Wilhelmina" by Annelies Hofmeyr? I have been restricted to five exhibitions but I feel the need to mention two other exhibitions of note. Dianne Firth's exhibition of poetically conceived quilts Poetry and Place in August at the Belconnen Art Centre and Presence: Two Visions of the Landscape at Form Gallery, Queanbeyan in October. Firth's quilts were in response to poems about the Canberra environment by both local and international poets at the Poetry on the Move Festival, 2016. In Presence: Two Visions of the Landscape, artist Claire Primrose made vivid paintings and drawings of the mountain landscape around Canberra and Ros Auld conveyed that same majesty of the landscape in her large and monumental ceramics. The work of these two artists were in perfect harmony in the exhibition, enabling the viewer to move between ceramics and paintings effortlessly.

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Sex shops struggling to operate after banks denied them services have received the backing of Australia's small business ombudsman in a bid to end "discrimination" against the adults-only sector. Small Business and Family Enterprise ombudsman Kate Carnell wrote to the peak banking body and accused banks of hypocrisy for refusing their services to adult industry businesses on moral grounds. "It's a bit rich for the banks to decide which industries are moral and which aren't," she said. In a letter to the Australian Bankers' Association in December, Ms Carnell said members of adult industry body the Eros Association were registered and covered by a code of conduct, and needed merchant services. "Without this, some businesses may resort to other means in the cash economy which feeds into the transaction activity frequently associated with criminal organisations," Ms Carnell told Fairfax Media. Banks undermined efforts to combat the black economy by refusing services to adult industry businesses, she said. A recent report by Eros said 16 out of 24 adult businesses participating in a survey believed they had suffered discrimination from the major banks, which had denied loans and merchant services to operators, only giving scant reasons. The ABA said lending decisions were a matter for individual banks, which should exercise their own commercial discretion. Manager of Sydney- and Canberra-based adult business Ohzone Stores Rick Vermunt said he learnt from NAB at short notice in June it was cutting his merchant services, telling him it appeared he "may have breached the MasterCard Worldwide regulations in relation to adult content" on his website. The bank left online purchasing gateways open for three days after cutting its services, so Mr Vermunt was unable to see whether customers buying items online had made a payment. "You've got people trying to purchase and then they can't complete their transaction," he said. "There's bad will created for the customer base and then you've got to bring those people back." He was able to move his websites onto an existing PayPal set-up, but said some businesses would have been crippled if they had to find a new service from scratch. Eros policy adviser Jarryd Bartle said it didn't oppose banks refusing services to businesses when they had legitimately found risks, but that the industry was facing discrimination based on "broad brush generalisations". "That's overstepping the role of the banks, to be making those moral judgements, particularly when those judgements are not in step with the community's views," he said. "Because the banks haven't been transparent, it's hard for us to assess why they think these risks exist." NAB said a potential borrower's capacity to repay, and "the size, type, tenor and complexity of a transaction" were all factors in its decisions. "Accordingly, we do not provide lending or merchant services to brothels and escort agencies. Our exposure to the legal sex industry has been decreasing over time," a spokeswoman said. Westpac does not provide services to customers operating brothels, while Commonwealth Bank said it "actively considered" the social impacts of its clients' activities, and would "only lend to businesses and projects where we understand and believe those risks are well mitigated." An ANZ spokesman said that if applicants passed normal credit policies for retail customers, the bank imposed no restrictions on lending to people employed in the adult industry. "We assess each case on its merits and in line with our own risk appetite as we do with any application for lending." The small business ombudsman's call for banks to provide services to the adults-only sector comes after a Canberra-based online sex shop filed a complaint with the ACT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner when zipPay and Afterpay turned her down because her business was part of the adult industry.

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Politics is an arena of insults, and it is naive and perhaps wowserish to expect otherwise. But the insults ought to be fitting. To take the international example: Donald Trump's statements are routinely lambasted as stupid and ignorant. He is seen as the prince of idiocy and obliviousness. But local examples abound, too  look at recent asylum-seeker or marriage-equality debates. Trump is indeed unable to pursue basic arguments and is demonstrably lacking in crucial knowledge about his own brief. The New Yorker quoted one conservative adviser: "He seems as clueless today as he was on January 20." Closer to home, many leaders' arguments are often absurdly bad. Witness Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton's description of pro bono representation of asylum seekers as "un-Australian", or independent MP Bob Katter's bizarre discussion of crocodile deaths. The problem with these accusations of weak rationality is not that they're inaccurate. The problem is what we might call "the fallacy of inherent intellectual goodness": the belief that enhanced cognition translates into improved morality. Put this way, perhaps it seems silly: a boffin's conceit. But it is actually a common idea. In civilised debate and frothing rancour alike is the assumption that what really sets one apart from one's opponents is intelligence and knowledge. The logic is this: "If only they were as smart and informed as I am, they'd be good (like I am)." To begin, thinking is a diverse activity, and has no necessary relationship with ethics and politics. It is possible to reflect rigorously, systematically and with devotion to the facts  and never even sniff an argument about how we ought to live. Take arguments about aesthetics. Marcel Duchamp's artwork Fountain (actually a signed urinal) invites sustained intellectual effort. For good or ill, it ushered in a new era of art practice, and raised interesting questions about art and the art world. But such discussions, however enthralling to philosophers or art historians, can carry on without once gesturing at matters of morality or the state. Thought has many ends, and only some are concerned with good or right. In fact, it can be fun to solve intellectual riddles purely for their own sake; for the challenge of the ideas. (Whether a life devoted to these games is justified is another matter.) Even within ethics, there is no necessary connection between thinking and acting well. Most obviously, this is because "acting well" is a conflicted notion  and rightly so. Believing that thought leads inexorably to one's own ethical position is absurd. Morality is a situation of perennial strife and, tragically, diametrically opposed positions can be equally reasonable. The assumption of necessarily moral intelligence is also dodgy because even those with good ideas and relevant knowledge don't always behave accordingly. Put simply, folks can be correct but bad. They might be cowardly: too frightened to follow their conscience. They might be selfish, weak-willed or simply not care. As I noted recently, hypocrisy is ubiquitous, especially among politicians. Someone can wholly share our convictions, and our reasons for them, without acting upon them. Witness Jean-Paul Sartre, arguably the most well-known philosopher of the second half of the 20th century. The French thinker was an enduring and robust defender of freedom: both as a political principle and as a basic aspect of human existence. More than any other modern public intellectual, Sartre celebrated a fundamental link between consciousness and liberty. Yet he was manipulative and cruel, using his fame and wealth to keep vulnerable young students beholden to him. Biographer Carole Seymour-Jones wrote of the Sartre-Beauvoir nest as "conditioned to be helpless, its chicks ... a growing financial drain". He could be generous and kind, but was nonetheless exploitative: sexually and psychologically. While famously condemning anti-Semitism, he also profited from the purge of Jewish teachers. While doing little to aid the French resistance, he later set himself up as its inquisitor and, abroad, mouthpiece. The point is not simply that Sartre was a hypocrite or contradictory. The point is that he was brilliant and, morally speaking, this really didn't matter. He was a man with a powerful intellect, and this did little to guide his conscience when it mattered. The same argument might be made for many great minds: they are smarter than most of us but still bastards. Importantly, this doesn't mean intellect is irrelevant to living well. Morality requires serious thinking, from our daily obligations to higher questions of ethics itself  its nature and scope. Often we must question ourselves and our situation if we're to do good. But raw cogitative power or masses of facts aren't enough. The chief problem with Trump's character, like that of many leaders, is not smarts but vice. He is, among other things, greedy, cruel, deceptive  and surrounded by very clever people who use their robust brains to keep him in power. Damon Young is a philosopher and author. damonyoung.com.au

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/55fad531-2cb3-4eef-9c04-5862e2b2f74c/r0_494_1871_1551_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgThe State Attorneys Office will not file criminal charges in a domestic violence complaint involving the city of Cape Corals No. 2 administrator.

The office for the 20th Judicial Circuit has issued a no further action decision on the complaint filed against Assistant City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn, the city said in a release issued late Tuesday.

Ilczyszyn will remain on paid administrative leave, however, pending the outcome of an administrative investigation to now be conducted by outside counsel, officials said.

City Manager John Szerlag has authorized an administrative investigation to begin immediately, the release states.

The no further action decision was based on several factors, according to the State Attorneys Office.

This came in as an agency review, it was not a request for a warrant, said Samantha Syoen, spokesperson. It was reviewed by Assistant State Attorney Anthony Kunasek. It was also looked at by Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo, Special Victims Unit Chief.

Kunasek made a decision of no further action after reviewing all of the evidence, she said.

Some factors that went into his decision is the victim declined to give a taped sworn statement to law enforcement, declined to have law enforcement take photographs, and filled out a written form that she did not want to go forward with any potential case, Syoen said.

Szerlag first placed Ilczyszyn on paid administrative leave in December pending the outcome of a domestic violence investigation.

According to a police incident report, Ilczyszyn denied the allegation.

The investigation began after police received information on an alleged domestic violence incident at a Cape residence the evening of Dec. 5, according to a report released by the Cape Coral Police Department.

Officers contacted the reported victim, who spoke with officers but declined to provide a taped statement.

No visible signs of injury were noted, the report stated.

Police then contacted Ilczyszyn, who gave a verbal statement denying the allegations. He also declined to give a taped, sworn statement at that time.

The matter was subsequently referred to the State Attorneys Office.

As is standard in such incidents, the Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted due to children/witnesses being present during the alleged event.

As of Wednesday, that investigation remained open, according to Natalie Harrell, spokesperson for the SunCoast Region of Florida Department of Children and Families.

As per state statute, no details could be released.

At this time we do not have any further information that can be disclosed, she said via email.

The agency previously said it has had no prior contacts with the family.

Szerlag appointed Ilczyszyn as the citys assistant city manager in March 2015, starting him at $115,000 per year in the administrative No. 2 spot. Ilczyszyn had been filling the role on an interim basis since September 2014.

As assistant city manager, Ilczyszyn has oversight responsibility of the city of Cape Corals service departments, City Clerk, Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology, as well as the utilities extension project.

He began his career with the city in 2002 as a water plant operator at the citys reverse osmosis plant. His focus on identifying process improvements at the plant led to his promotion to business manager for the Public Works Department in 2007. In 2011, Ilczyszyn transferred to the City Managers Office, where he directed and oversaw special projects.

Ilczyszyn has a bachelors degree in environmental science and a masters degree in public administration, both from Florida Gulf Coast University.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1997-2000 performing counterdrug operations aboard the USS Yorktown, according to biographical information previously provided by the city.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to include information provided by the State Attorneys Office as well as information provided by the Florida Department of Children and Families.The Neighborhood Watch of Cape Coral will hold its first quarterly Citizens Meeting of 2018 at its new home at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. The new location is the Community Resource Center at 4816 Chester Street, off Cape Coral Parkway behind Starbucks.

Officer Carl Cannady, District Resource coordinator from the Cape Coral Police Department will be the keynote speaker. Topics will include tips to make your home less attractive to burglars; using proper lighting; commercial quality locks; and many other devises that will make it more difficult for anyone to break into your home.

Come early, as seating is limited. Please do not park in the Starbucks lot.SsangYong are getting ready to replace the aging Musso with an entirely new pickup truck, based on the same underpinnings as the latest Rexton.



Shown in an official image released prior to its 2018 Geneva Motor Show presentation in March, the new SsangYong Musso, which is known as the Rexton Sports in its homeland, South Korea, is coming to challenge the likes of the Mitsubishi L200 and Renault Alaskan.

Nothing else is known about it so far, but since it will share the same platform with the Rexton SUV, albeit with a few suspension modifications, its also expected to use the latters 2.2-liter diesel engine, in European markets at least. This is good for 178PS (176hp) and 420Nm (310lb-ft) of torque, channeled to the 2WD or AWD system through a 7-speed automatic transmission, made by Mercedes-Benz.

In different parts of Asia, customers will probably get a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol mill, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, which is also found on the new Rexton.

Single or crew cab versions are believed to arrive in Europe, but well know for sure once the new SsangYong Musso celebrates its public presentation in a couple of months.

PHOTO GALLERYMadison Erhardt

If you are looking for sunshine and warmer temperatures, Environment Canada says you might want to head up to Big White.

"We still have this arctic ridge over the eastern part of the province which is keeping some valley cloud in the (Okanagan). If you want some sunshine, you might want to head to Big White. It will be milder up there," said Environment Canada Meteorologist George Pearce.

"As we get towards the end of the week we are looking at possible flurries by Thursday night and perhaps a little bit of snow Friday," Pearce added.

The weekend is looking like great skiing weather.

Saturday and Sunday Environment Canada forecasts a high of 2C and a mix of sun and cloud.

For a full week of temperatures, click here.Photo: Castanet Staff Snow falling in Penticton in December

Penticton saw surprising precipitation rates and low temperatures in the last month of 2017.

The average temperature for the month of December was -2.6 C, compared to a normal December average of -1.1 C.

The amount of snowfall was 201 per cent of normal, with 58 millimetres of precipitation.

According to Doug Lindquist, meteorologist for Environment Canada based in Kelowna, Penticton was the coldest and snowiest location in the Okanagan last month.

"The way the storms happened this year, they went just south of the border and clipped the South Okanagan more than further north," Lindquist said.

Although December was an extreme month, Penticton's year overall was not far from normal.

The average temperature in Penticton for 2017 was 9 C, slightly below the historical average of 9.5 C.

Total precipitation was 391 millimetres, above the typical 346 millimetres.Photo: Canadian Press It is a call to action that might just save someone's life.

The Vernon Crisis Line is searching for new volunteers.

"Volunteers are offering our community an invaluable service that someone in need might not otherwise get if the volunteer wasn't there to help," said Paula Guidi who started as a volunteer with the crisis line before becoming its program co-ordinator.

Guidi said it is something she was just called to. "We don't just save lives, we change them."

The non-profit receives calls for a large portion of the province, including from 1-800-suicide and the Mental Health Support line.

From the Interior to Prince George to the Alberta border, 19 volunteers currently handle the phone lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.



"Shifts are four hours, morning, noon and night. We have 5 'overnight' where a crisis line worker can choose to answer calls from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. We would love to have another dozen or more trainees this February...and that would really help support our callers."

A volunteer's job is to assess the safety of the caller, or third person, and talk to them if they need emotional support and access intervention if required.

One volunteer said, I enjoy giving back to the community and the skills I have learned on the line have improved so many areas of my life. Volunteering was the best decision I ever made

Some people are afraid to get help face to face, so the crisis line is a way to for them to reach out.

I wouldnt be here if it werent for a crisis line worker willing to pick up the phone at 2 a.m. when I didn't think I was worth it. Just by being there, they reminded me that I was.

Guidi said the crisis line is a free, non-judgemental service. Volunteers don't council but talk, and in some cases offer referrals for services in local areas to help the caller.

Five days of training for volunteers will be offered in the winter: (trainees would need to attend all five sessions)

Feb. 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Feb. 24-25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 7 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Guidi says they want volunteers to work one, four-hour shift per week for a year.

A second training session will be offered in May.Photo: Google Maps

Property values in the Central Okanagan have jumped over the past 12 months.

Figures released by BC Assessments Tuesday show property assessments for single-family homes in the Central Okanagan have risen by between 15 and 17 per cent over 2016 values.

The Thompson-Okanagan region also saw its first $10-million single family assessment.

A 1.76-acre waterfront home at 4358 Hobson Rd. has an assessed value of $10.029 million. That's an increase of $800,000, or nearly nine per cent from 2016, when the assessed value actually dropped about $300,000.

The home, known as the Rock House, is owned by TV personality Cheryl Gillespie.

The wharf on the property is assessed at $142,000.

Sixteen homes in the area of Hobson Road, Hobson Court and Short Road have a combined value of slightly less than $100 million.

The assessed value of the priciest home in West Kelowna, No. 2 on the overall list, has nearly doubled in two years.

The waterfront home at 1683 Pritchard Dr. has risen from $5.89 million two years ago to $9.092 million in 2017.

The highest assessed home in Lake Country is a 13,000-square-foot home at 12990 Pixton Rd., assessed at $7.9 million.

Just as Hobson Road is the most affluent area in Kelowna, Whitworth Road can make that claim in West Kelowna.

Six homes on Whitworth in the top 100 have a total assessed value of $35.7 million.

Province-wide, the Okanagan doesn't make a dent in the market when it comes to home prices.

Only one property within the top 500 assessed single-family homes is located outside the Greater Vancouver area, that on Vancouver Island.

These assessments include single-family homes and homes on very small acreages, but do not necessarily reflect the price being asked on the market.

Unit 19-180 Sheerwater Court, the 39th highest assessed home in the Thompson-Okanagan at $5.748 million, is currently listed for sale at $8.995 million.Photo: Contributed

This event is for the birds  literally.

The 2018 swan and eagle count will be held Jan. 14 and birders of every feather are invited to attend.

The count is a citizen science program that is held every year in mid-January.

The North Okanagan Naturalists Club is involved in the count that monitors the population status of the large birds in the B.C. Interior.

The North Okanagan count zone covers nine routes throughout the area. Each route is covered by different groups fanning out to Sicamous, both ends of Mabel Lake and the Enderby area.

In the Vernon area, several groups scout the north and south ends of Kalamalka Lake as well as the Vernon arm of Okanagan Lake and the Head of the Lake area.

The count numbers will be compiled with others from the Interior to form a data base that is used in various bird research programs.

For more information, contact Aaron Deans, count co-ordinator, at 250-542-5122, or email at [email protected].Photo: Darren Handschuh

Little Tex shall live on.

On Dec. 20, 2017 it was announced a buyer could not be found for the popular Vernon eatery and the owners would close the doors forever at the end of the year.

However, a recent post on the Little Tex Facebook page said the restaurant has been purchased by Tracey and Shamis. No last name for the new owners was given, but the post said operations will resume Jan. 3 with regular hours.

We will be working closely with them for a few months yet, said the post.

The announcement was followed by dozens of comments of happiness the longtime local business will live on.

Little Tex has been in operation for 27 years.Photo: Contributed

The people of Europe and the U.K. have long been accustomed to paying fees for their air travel.

Low-cost airlines randomly offer airfares for as little as one euro, but it is understood that the applicable add-ons mark up the actual costs significantly.

Delta Airlines has recently advised that they will begin charging checked luggage fees for travel to Europe and North Africa for flights originating from Canada and the U.S.

North American travellers had acquiesced to paying baggage fees for domestic and trans border flights since September 2014 on economy class airfares. Only Elite frequent fliers and higher-class tickets were unaffected.

Until this recent announcement, economy fare travellers were allowed one free checked bag for overseas flights.

Delta is affiliated with both KLM and Air France. It is not yet clear if the new policy will affect their flights as well.

The new charges are effective April 10 or later and apply to tickets purchased after Dec. 6, 2017. The first checked bag will be $75CAD. It is expected that both WestJet and Air Canada will follow suit although to date they say there is no change to their baggage policies.

Airlines refer to these as ancillary fees. They increase revenue without affecting the base introductory fare structure. On a global basis, they have generated over $82 billion in profit in 2017.

North American airlines claim that these initiatives are necessary to compete with low cost airlines such as Flair Air and WestJets new ultra low-cost airline Swoop, which will be launched in June.

Fees that apply to these low-cost airlines range anywhere from printing boarding passes to seat assignments, onboard food purchases, iPad rentals and even blankets.

How can you beat these extra charges? Well, there is always the option to pay more for the flight. The very lowest fares are limited on a per seat per flight basis. These are those sales you see advertised by WestJet and Air Canada.

Basic economy for the most basic of services. More expensive fares will include more amenities and may be worthwhile to invest in. Be sure to investigate those airlines that offer a premium economy class.

Larger seats, better meal service and hopefully included luggage fees make for a much more comfortable experience for an approximate 30 per cent fare increase.

You could also consider airline affinity credit cards. I have the WestJet Mastercard, which awards me with a free checked bag on each and every one of my flights throughout their system. Well worth the $99 annual fee.

Its a bitter pill to swallow I know. Luggage fees have been a long-time staple for most of the countries of the world. Canada is simply just a bit late to the table.

Being aware of and planning for these extra incidentals will make your next overseas holiday that much more enjoyable.Photo: Contributed

A local yoga studio, a farm-to-table diner and a boat detailer are among the most popular small businesses in the Okanagan.

L'Oven, The Hot Box Yoga and Scrub Captain are among 15 businesses that on Tuesday won Valley First Credit Unions 2017 Fan Choice Awards.

The competition invited community members to show their support for their favourite local and independent small businesses, by voting for them on the credit unions social media outlets.

According to Valley First, social-media-savvy fans cast more than 850 votes over the month-long voting period, with top spots going to the local and independent small businesses that received the most love from loyal community members and supporters.

We were overwhelmed by the number of votes we saw in this years Fan Choice Awards, said Marek Buryska, a regional manager with Valley First. It was gratifying to see so many community members advocate passionately on behalf of their favourite local businesses.

For a complete list of winners, check out the full story on Castanet's sister business news website, Okanagan Edge.Photo: Google Street View

Kamloops RCMP have one man in custody in connection with a shooting in that city last week.

Brandon Dale Fiddick was arrested without incident Sunday, two days after a 40-year-old man was shot in a Columbia Street apartment building.

Fiddick, of no fixed address, faces charges of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon.

Police and the provincial Emergency Response Team descended upon the apartment complex last Friday after the victim was found to have been shot in the leg.

Two people inside a unit believed to have been the scene of the shooting were initially arrested, however, they were released without charges the following day.

Police believe the incident was drug related.Photo: The Canadian Press

President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared a major disaster in California over a wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 buildings as fierce winds whipped it through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties last month.

The declaration makes federal funding available to state and local governments and some non-profit organizations for emergency work in those counties and statewide for work to reduce hazards related to the fire, according to a White House statement.

The Thomas fire that began on Dec. 4 is the largest recorded in the state. It was 92 per cent contained on Tuesday. Firefighters were still putting out hot spots and smouldering areas.

The fire covered more than 1,140 sq. kilometres, killed two people, destroyed entire neighbourhoods, threatened coastal foothill communities, ravaged wilderness areas and cast a pall of smoke that shuttered businesses in downtown Santa Barbara.

Firefighting costs alone have approached $200 million.

The disaster declaration means the federal government may cover 75 per cent of those costs and the costs of recovering from the blaze, such as removing vast amounts of debris in fire-denuded areas that could be hit with flash floods and debris flows if winter rains arrive.

After a flight over the devastated area on Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen said the president's declaration will help with rebuilding from the fire, which burned more than 700 homes along with other buildings.

"Seeing the devastation, I'm deeply moved," she said. "My heart goes out to the survivors. We met with some of them today."

On Wednesday, she was expected to visit Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Wildfires in October swept through Sonoma, Napa and other counties in and around wine country, killing 44 people and destroying more than 5,000 homes. Insured damages alone topped $9 billion.

Trump already approved a major disaster declaration for California for that wildfire.Photo: Contributed A layer of ice is broken into pieces floating along the banks of the Hudson River in New Jersey.

Bitterly cold temperatures gripped much of the nation on Tuesday, testing the mettle of even winter-wise northerners and delivering a shock to those accustomed to far milder weather in the South.

The cold has been blamed for at least a dozen deaths, prompted officials to open warming centres in the Deep South and triggered pleas from government officials to check on neighbours, especially those who are elderly, sick or who live alone.

In St. Louis, where temperatures dipped 30 degrees below normal, Mayor Lyda Krewson warned it was "dangerously cold."

"It's important that people look out for anyone in need of shelter," she said.

The National Weather Service issued wind chill advisories and freeze warnings covering a vast area, from South Texas to Canada and from Montana to Maine. The arctic blast was blamed for freezing a water tower in Iowa, halting a ferry service in New York and even trapping a swan in a Virginia pond.

At the same time, a heatwave swept into the country's northernmost state: Anchorage, Alaska, tied a record high on Tuesday of 7 C  at the same time Jacksonville, Florida, was a mere 3 C.

Indianapolis Public Schools cancelled classes after the city tied a record low for the day  set in 1887  of -24 C. The northwest Indiana city of Lafayette got down to -28 C, shattering the previous record set in 1979. Many local residents noticed a hum, which Duke Energy said was caused by extra power surging through utility lines to meet electricity demands.

Although temperatures have been lower in Indiana  the all-time low was -38 C in 1994  the current frigid weather is unusual because of how long it's lasted, experts said.

"It has just been relentlessly cold since Christmas," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the private Weather Underground.

And it's nothing to trifle with, forecasters warned.

The cold has been blamed in at least 12 deaths in the past week. Police in St. Louis said a 54-year-old homeless man found dead in a trash bin Monday evening apparently froze to death as the temperature dropped to negative -21 C.

Two other suspected cold-related deaths occurred in Wisconsin: a 27-year-old woman's body was found Monday evening on the shore of Lake Winnebago, and a 57-year-old man was found dead Sunday in a parking structure in Madison.Photo: Contributed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday suggested that the North might send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games.

South Korea says North Korea has announced it will reopen a cross-border communication channel in another sign of easing animosity between the rivals.

The announcement Wednesday comes a day after South Korea offered high-level talks with rival North Korea to find ways to co-operate on next month's Winter Olympics in the South. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday suggested that the North might send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games.

The South's Unification Ministry says the North's state-run radio station made the announcement in a broadcast Wednesday.

The ministry says the North's radio said there were plans to restore the communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom later Wednesday.

North Korea didn't say whether it would accept the South Korean offer for talks.Photo: CTV

President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday that he has a bigger and more powerful "nuclear button" than North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The president's Tuesday evening tweet came in response to Kim's New Year's address, in which he repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. He said he has a "nuclear button" on his office desk and warned that "the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike."

Trump mocked that assertion, writing, "Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Earlier Tuesday, Trump sounded open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after Kim made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Year's address. But Trump's ambassador to the United Nations insisted talks would not be meaningful unless the North was getting rid of its nuclear weapons.

In a morning tweet, Trump said the U.S.-led campaign of sanctions and other pressure were beginning to have a "big impact" on North Korea. He referred to the recent, dramatic escape of at least two North Korean soldiers across the heavily militarized border into South Korea. He also alluded to Kim's comments Monday that he was willing to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics, which will be hosted by South Korea next month.

"Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!" Trump said, using his derisive moniker for the young North Korean leader.

In response to Kim's overture, South Korea on Tuesday offered high-level talks on Jan. 9 at the shared border village of Panmunjom to discuss Olympic co-operation and how to improve overall ties.

North Korea did not immediately react to the South's proposal. If there are talks, they would be the first formal dialogue between the Koreas since December 2015. Relations have plunged as the North has accelerated its nuclear and ballistic missile development that now poses a direct threat to America, South Korea's crucial allyA Ryanair passenger who apparently got fed up waiting to get off a plane surprised fellow passengers by using the emergency exit to jump onto a wing.

The incident on New Year's Day took place 30 minutes after the flight landed in Madrid from London's Stansted Airport, where it had also been delayed.

The man was coaxed back into the plane while police were called.

Fellow passenger Fernando del Valle Villalobos, who videoed the incident, said he heard the man say he got fed up waiting.

Police said Wednesday that they have opened a complaint against the man for breaching security. They confirmed he is a non-Spanish citizen.

Ryanair said the incident was now in the hands of Spanish authorities.Photo: US Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard rescued a 12-year-old Canadian boy who was suffering from symptoms of appendicitis while on a cruise ship.

Coast Guard officials said in a news release that a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater transported the boy and his father to Miami on Tuesday night.

They were on board the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, which was about 230 miles (370 kilometres) southeast of Miami.

The agency did not list the name or hometown of the boy.

No further details were immediately available.Photo: Contributed Edward Henczel

Search and rescue crews had their first assignment of 2018 after a dog walker got stuck in a ravine Tuesday night.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue managed to rescue a 50-year-old dog walker who got stuck in a ravine while walking her three dogs. She was in the forested area north of Begbie and Union roads in North Glenmore.

Despite a dying cell phone she managed to take a picture and send out her GPS coordinates as the sun was going down.

More than a dozen search and rescue volunteers responded and the hiker was located quickly and brought to safety, cold but unharmed.

The three dogs were also unharmed.Photo: Jeremie Dyck Jeremie Dyck spotted a surprise guest near his Kelowna home Tuesday night.

Jeremie Dyck spotted a surprise guest near his Kelowna home Tuesday night.

Heads up to watch your small pets as a bobcat has been hanging out at the bottom of Uplands Drive on Lakeshore, said Dyck in a Facebook post that includes several pictures of the big cat.

Our little dog has somehow managed to chase a pair of raccoons, a porcupine, a four-point buck and a black bear from our backyard, but I'm a little worried how she would fare against this guy.

Bobcats are elusive animals, but not uncommon on the Okanagan.

In late December of last year, a bobcat was spotted in the Coldstream area in the North Okanagan and last year at this time there were numerous reports of the cats in residential neighbourhoods.Photo: The Canadian Press YouTube celebrity Logan Paul

Logan Paul has issued a more extensive apology for posting a YouTube video showing what appeared to be a body in a Japanese forest known as a suicide destination.

The initial video he posted Sunday showed the prolific social media user trekking with friends in the Aokigahara forest near Mount Fuji. He seems aware the forest is sometimes chosen for suicides but is surprised to see what appears to be a body hanging from a tree.

Media reports say the video was viewed some 6 million times before being removed from Paul's YouTube channel, a verified account with more than 15 million subscribers. Segments of the video were still appearing online Wednesday.

A storm of criticism followed, with commenters saying Paul seemed joking and disrespectful in the video and that his initial apology was inadequate.

"I don't expect to be forgiven. I'm simply here to apologize," he said on the more sombre video apology uploaded on YouTube and Twitter late Tuesday. "None of us knew how to react or how to feel."

Paul said he wanted to apologize to the internet, to all who saw the video and to those suffering mental illness and depression. "Most importantly, I want to apologize to the victim and his family."

YouTube said it prohibits violent content posted in a sensational or disrespectful manner. Its statement says, "Our hearts go out to the family of the person featured in the video."

In Paul's initial apology, he said he had wanted to raise awareness about suicide and possibly save lives, and he denied his goal was to drive clicks to his social media content.

"I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity," he said in his Twitter post.Photo: Twitter

Thieves have stolen precious Indian jewels from the famed Al Thani Collection that were on exhibit at Venice's Doge's Palace.

News reports say the thieves grabbed a golden, jeweled brooch and a pair of earrings Wednesday and escaped by blending in with the crowd and delaying the triggering of the alarm.

The exhibit, "Treasures of the Mughals and the Maharajas," was due to close Wednesday at the Palazzo Ducale, one of Venice's top museums on the edge of St. Mark's Square.

The Al Thani Collection is a renowned travelling exhibition of Indian and Indian-inspired jewelry and precious stones assembled by Qatar's Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani.

Venice police chief Vito Gagliardi tells the ANSA news agency the thieves were technologically adept and able to delay the alarm system.Photo: Wayne Moore

The City of Kelowna has blown through its 2017 snow-removal budget.

Each year, the city sets aside $1.7 million for snow removal. public works manager Darryl Astofooroff says the cost for snow removal in 2017 sits at about $1.9 million.

Once all the figures are in, he says that figure will come out closer to $2 million.

The shortfall will be covered through a snow-removal reserve account. That account is propped up with funds from unused budgets in years when the cost of snow removal is under $1.7 million.

Astofooroff says the late-December storm pushed snow removal over budget.

Typically, he says, about 70 per cent of the budget is spent early in the year, from January to March. Large, early season storms in November and December are not the norm.

As for the remnants of the latest storm, Astofooroff says all city streets have been plowed at least once. He adds crews are in the process of removing remaining snow from downtown streets.

"You are dealing with really compact stuff. To get it peeled off, you have to use graders. Typically, we bring them out at night," said Astofooroff.Harris County Sheriff's Office(BAYTOWN, Texas) -- A Texas teenager has been charged with murder after her boyfriend was found shot to death on New Year's Eve, according to police.



Yvonne Raquel Ramirez, 19, allegedly shot and killed Joshua McKinney at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday during an attempted robbery in Baytown, Texas, about 30 minutes east of Houston, police said. The two had just started dating, according to ABC's Houston station KTRK.



Ramirez allegedly stole multiple firearms from the victim and demanded $2,000 for their return, KTRK reported Tuesday, citing charging documents.



Details on what happened next are murky, but a witness told police that McKinney placed the suspect in a neck hold at one point and held a gun to her head, according to KTRK. The witness said they ran to call 911, but returned to find McKinney lying dead in the street.



Another witness said they saw Ramirez trying to move McKinney's body after the shooting, according to the charging documents.



Ramirez, who sustained a bullet wound to the shoulder herself, told investigators that she grabbed McKinney's gun and fired in self-defense after he dropped it, according to prosecutors.



However, police said her story didnt add up and accused her of fatally shooting McKinney and stealing his wallet afterward.



Shes currently being held at a jail in Harris County, Texas, on a $50,000 bond, court records show. She is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Chattanooga State Community College has named two winners for the Outstanding Technical Student of the Year. Kevin Moton was named the OTSY by the Colleges Tennessee College of Applied Technology Division, and Ianthe Bryant was named the Outstanding Technical Student of the Year for Chattanooga State.



While TCAT has had an OTSY competition for several years, this years competition marks the inaugural competition for degree-seeking students at Chattanooga State. The announcement was made by the college President Dr. Rebecca Ashford and the Executive VP Dr. Jim Barrott. Mr. Moton and Ms. Bryant will both graduate in May 2018.



Each year instructors select exceptional students that show leadership, great performance and service in their classes to compete for this award. Furthermore, the students will then compete in the OTSY Regional Competition taking place in January in Knoxville.



Mr. Moton, a native of Chattanooga, attended Howard High School and is currently an Industrial Electricity Program student at Chattanooga State. He has been interested in computers and curious about how machines work throughout his entire life. Observing his uncle working on cars during his childhood also inspired him to pursue this endeavor.



He has been employed by M&M Industries for three years as a maintenance technician. Upon graduation, he hopes to fulfill his dream by working in a management position in his profession.

He credits Chattanooga State for its small class size and for giving him the opportunity to get him the assistance that he needed. One of my instructors, Jeff Long, has made the learning process fun and easy. One of my favorite things about the Industrial Electricity Program is learning how to troubleshoot electrical panels. Chattanooga State has made the opportunities in my career limitless. I was very surprised when I received this wonderful honor, because I do not pride myself on being a very strong speaker, says Mr. Moton.



Mr. Moton was nominated by his advisor and instructor Sandra Lambertino, who believes that Kevin sets an example of a leader in class. He shares with the other students his experiences in the maintenance field, and well as his personal experiences. He does everything required, and goes above expectations in class. He is a person who is hungry for knowledge to advance his career in the maintenance field. An example of Kevins personality surfaced during a class trip to different manufacturers in the area; his eagerness to see and understand different manufacturing processes led to an employer seeking him out and offering a job opportunity. I feel that he will be very successful in whatever he does, she says.



He received his OTSY Local Finalist pin on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 in Nashville. Mr. Moton hopes to also compete in the National OTSY competitions. I hope that because of being recognized, more companies will be interested in me, says Mr. Moton.



He advises prospective students that are considering a technical degree in industrial electricity that there are no limits to the technology you will learn in maintenance. Maintenance will always be needed, he says.



Other TCAT Outstanding Student of the Year nominees for 2018 included Tamika Colvin, administrative office professional; Peggy Fortune, administrative office professional; Nicholas Sartin, industrial electricity; Kenneth Ward, barbering; Rebecca Whitmire, welding; Elissa Wilcox, cosmetology and Austin Williams, HVAC.



Ianthe Bryant first came to Chattanooga State during the 2016 spring semester to inquire about studying radiation protection. She received her high school diploma from Milligan Central High School in Milligan, Tn. She worked in radiation protection and was employed by TVA from 1982 until her retirement 2014. In 2016, two years into her retirement, she realized that she never had an opportunity to attend college and decided that she wanted to get her degree. It was then that she came to Chattanooga State to inquire about the radiation protection program.



I wanted a solid base of knowledge in my chosen field. I had taken classes in the past from Chattanooga State professors and knew that I would be taught and not passed over. Having worked in the nuclear field for more than 30 years, I thought I knew my field, but I have learned so much more, says Ms. Bryant.

Since her retirement, she has worked at Kenco Group as a warehouse associate, and is currently employed part-time by Sodexo, Inc. at Memorial Hospital as a tray line attendant.



Ms. Bryant is actively involved as a student and in the community. Last summer, she was chosen to represent the Chattanooga State Radiation Program Forum in New Orleans. The Nuclear Energy Institute funded her attendance. She also volunteers with Chattanooga States Student Chapter of the American Nuclear Society. Outside of school she teaches Sunday school at her church.



Lisa Miller, assistant professor, radiation protection and nuclear power, nominated her. I was happy to nominate her and am pleased that she won. Ianthe is a conscientious and courteous student. She works well with the other students in her class and often forms study groups. Ianthe has a strong work ethic and is committed to her pursuit and desire of graduating from Chattanooga State, says Ms. Miller.



Other Chattanooga State OTSY nominees included Tonya Burchard, criminal justice-law enforcement; Katharine Chiu, hospitality & tourism management-culinary arts, Alia Copeland, registered nursing; Robert Griffith, computer information technology-cyber defense; John Jones, computer information technology-web programming; Michele Loyd, human services specialist; Dalton McDowell, computer information technology-networking; Andrew Nelson, digital media design and production: media technology; Nikita Tanks, hospitality & tourism management-culinary arts.



Signal Mt. Farms and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga announce a third year of partnership in bringing locally grown organic produce to the community through the Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. The partnership began as a way to not only support individuals wanting to make a lifestyle change to eating healthy, but also to support local farmers.CSA provides local farmers with members who care about eating healthy and supporting a local farm of their choice. Local farmers build an additional network of consumers who invest in the farm and its local mission through the CSA program.I have really enjoyed working with the YMCA, said Thomas ONeal, farmer and owner of Signal Mountain Farms. The Y offers convenient pickup locations for Signal Mtn.Farms CSA members. Our fresh produce is of the highest quality, and is harvested and packed the day of or the day before delivery. By offering these convenient pickup locations, the YMCA has shown their commitment to foster healthy families around our community.This year the CSA program will run 24-weeks beginning in May and running through October.Locally grown produce is rich in nutrients and provides a greater benefit to us as individuals, said Bill Rush, project manager for Pioneering Healthy Communities for the YMCA.The YMCA convenes local organizations with residents to address overall health that promotes access, affordability and convenience for all residents for healthy food and physical activity. The YMCA is working through our Mobile Market and Healthy Corner Stores to provide access to healthy and affordable food, Mr. Rush said. "In fact, the Y works with several local farms to provide produce to at-risk populations within the food desert. Through these partnerships with local farmers, support is provided to those farmers working diligently to provide the best quality product for the consumer. We know from evidence-based studies that supporting the local farming industry has a direct economic input as well as a healthy living quality.CSA is a tremendously flexible concept for consumer-farmer connections, said Elizabeth Henderson, CSA farmer and author of Sharing the Harvest. Its an alternative system of distribution based on community values. The economics of direct sales make this a win-win solution for farmers and farm members. The farmer gets a decent price and the member pays less, since there is no middleman.CSA offers the possibility of a broad support group, Ms. Henderson added. Those groups are composed of local people who know about the farm, genuinely care about its survival, and are willing to share the farmers risks and rewards.In reciprocity, CSA farm members have the opportunity to eat fresh, healthy food, to connect with the earth, to know and trust in the people who grow their food, to deepen their understanding of seasonal eating, to support the local economy, and to take an empowered stance of accepting responsibility for one of our most basic needs."For more information about Signal Mountain Farms, or to sign up, email signalmountainfarm@yahoo.com.Supervisors approve major residential, retail project near Westchester The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors unanimously approved last Wednesday night a major residential and retail project that could significantly reshape the countys northwestern corridor. The proposed development at the intersection...

School system hustles to address bus driver shortage with pay raise, bonuses Alongside members of the Board of Supervisors, the Chesterfield County School Board held a press conference Monday to announce an increase in school bus driver pay and incentives to address...Voice of the People Recently four members of Porter County Board of Zoning Appeals approved to give an Iowa company special exceptions and variances to build a THIRD gas station at U.S. 6 and Indiana 149, on the northwest corner adjacent to Liberty Township. In this growing age of...

Voice of the People We havent betrayed the Afghan people; they betrayed us. Monday morning quarterbacks criticizing our government and military are nothing more than cheap shot malcontents. Id like to see or at least hear how, under these same circumstances, they could do better. Joel Sutlin Chesterton September...

Voice of the People Chesterton needs an Italian beef place like Portillios or Pops. Next to the new Aldi would be a great location. Please and thank you. Linda Williams Westville

Monitor childrens online activity to prevent exploitation Now that the new school year has begun and notwithstanding the increase of in-person classes, our children will likely continue to use their various devices with access to the internet. By doing so, they can unknowingly become the target of online human traffickers and predators,...Its never easy to trade a player, especially one that has been as impactful as Sacha, continued Hamlett. That said, this move is in the best interest of our club now and for the future. We are adding two young, exciting players that have MLS experience.Pot puns aside, I do expect business and political support for legalized marijuana to gain greater strength and momentum in the coming months and for it to eventually become law in Illinois  especially as other states show off their impressive cannabis-selling and revenue-generating ways. It just became legal to buy recreational marijuana in California, and industry experts already are predicting $7 billion in annual sales."McDonald's has been a long-time supporter of alternatives to gestation stalls, and we will continue to support the efforts of Smithfield Foods and all of our suppliers to phase them out. Smithfield Foods was the first major pork producer that committed to phasing out gestation stalls, and we support the company's transparency and progress toward this goal.We are beyond grateful to our employees, some who have worked for us since day one, some who are recent hires and to all those who have moved through these doors  we thank our vendors, friends and our guests who have made the experience of de cero Hellotacos! unforgettable.Action Hunger's first vending machine for the homeless launched this month at a shopping mall in Nottingham, England. (Photo courtesy of Action Hunger)Back in the United States, Tropp couldn't get an academic post in her specialty (Chinese literature and art), recalled her husband, Bart Rhoades, now partner and chief operating officer of Oxbow Public Market in Napa, Calif. Hungry for the foods she had left behind, she taught herself to cook Chinese and then started teaching others. She moved to San Francisco and got hooked into the Bay Area food community. Tropp put aside her academic career and started in on a cookbook."If you or others have noticed that you are forgetful and are having trouble with complex tasks, you should see your doctor to be evaluated and not assume that it is just part of normal aging," Petersen said.The next time you have a lengthy delay, make sure you ask the airline immediately if it can authorize meal vouchers, hotel vouchers or phone cards. Don't wait for it to offer you overnight accommodations, which seems to be what happened to you. Ask. Most airlines include provisions for food and accommodations in their contracts of carriage, which can be found online.For nearly three decades, Wild Women Expeditions has been offering a wide variety of women-only outdoor adventures around the world. A challenging bucket-list trip in September  Savannah to Summit Kilimanjaro Expedition  will tackle the peak that lures many to Tanzania. This isnt a trip that requires mountain climbing expertise, but it does call for a serious level of fitness and the ability to acclimatize to altitude. Over six days of trekking, the participants, led by a female guide, gain more than 15,000 feet in elevation on the way to Mount Kilimanjaros 19,340-foot peak. The final ascent begins before midnight and gains 4,240 feet, then theres the trek back down, which loses 9,170 feet in elevation. Truly a challenging day. Porters lend a helping hand by toting the camp equipment and trekkers bags. Lodging is in tents, of course, and all meals are included. Also included is one nights hotel lodging in Arusha before the hiking begins. Cost of the trip is $3,795 per person, and international air is extra. Info: 888-993-1222, http://tinyurl.com/ybfokfb7Pape, who lives in Chicago, said she never did get a response, even after she replied to everyone on the chain to let them know shed been copied on the email by mistake. Massarotto also did not respond to questions about the gaffe from Chicago Inc. on Wednesday.If you despise Trump, you might see Papadopoulos as a martyr with hysterical Republican hatred pouring down upon him. If you support Trump, you might see Papadopoulos as a useful idiot, a tool of both the Russians, who know all about useful idiots, and Democrats clinging to their Russian collusion theory in order to de-legitimize the 2016 election and explain away Clintons loss, an outcome that led news anchors to cry on national TV.Bolf went into the Lisle bank at about 10:08 a.m. Dec. 29 wearing dark blue jeans, tan boots, a black coat with the hood up, sunglasses, black gloves and a tan scarf over his mouth, according to the federal complaint. He carried a black satchel. Bank surveillance video shows a robber approaching a teller and saying he had a gun in his bag and wanted "all the money," the complaint states.I find the ad's wording to be somewhat offensive, in that it seems to provoke or imply an underlying negative image of Italians, Rago said in an email. Once again, someone in the creative department of an ad agency, trying to be clever at the expense of an ethnic group whose culture has had such a positive influence particularly in the food industry. Surprised at Eatily (sic), which exists solely on the ambiance of everything fine Italian, would settle for such low-grade creativity.In one case, a principal of a school for vulnerable students stole presents of at least $500 in gift cards that were donated to the students and were intended to help address their specialized needs, Inspector General Nicholas Schulers office found. The same principal gave to an acquaintance 30 new backpacks filled with school supplies that had been donated, according to Schuler.The only explanation given by Calumet Park Officer Jerald Nettles for his actions that night came in police reports  his own and one resulting from the investigation by the Chicago Police Departments major accident investigations unit. Nettles, who resigned from the police force a short time after the crash, refused to answer questions for the lawsuit by Harris widow, taking the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination 64 times during a deposition, records show. He couldn't be reached to comment for this story.Perez, who served two tours in Afghanistan, is one of many legal permanent residents who have served in the U.S. military, then confronted the possibility of deportation to their native countries after committing a crime. As with others, Perez mistakenly thought he became a U.S. citizen when he took an oath to protect the nation. Superiors never offered to help him expedite his citizenship, Bergin reiterated to the judges Wednesday.The crash happened when the driver lost control of the vehicle, police said. He was extricated from the car and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.The woman, 24, was walking in an alley in the 3000 block of West 36th Place just before 7 p.m. when someone approached the woman from behind, police said.Ive never heard from Chris Kennedy. Ive never even met him. Hes never visited a police station or asked me or my team for any kind of briefing on what we are doing in Chicago to address the gang violence and ongoing infusion of illegal guns on our streets, Johnson said in a statement. Im not a politician, but I do take issue with the hard work our men and women are doing to beat back this violence is used to score political points.In 2011, when the Milwaukee Art Museum mounted an exhibit on Wright, Pfeiffer explained the architects ongoing relevance: He was very concerned about conservation of materials, conservation of energy, environment, landscape, all the things which are now becoming so pertinent in a planet, which we seem to be slowly  bit by bit  destroying. It seems like a good time to remind people that there was a good way in which architecture helped people live better and live in harmony not only with themselves but the planet they are living on.First, the economy could fall into a recession. This expansion, which began in June 2009, is the third-longest in American history, and it is bound to end, possibly soon. The economy may get a mild boost from the recently enacted tax cuts, but it could also be dragged down if the booming stock market turns out to be a bubble  or if the administration starts a trade war by slapping tariffs on Chinese goods or tearing up NAFTA as President Donald Trump has threatened.These trends have been in the pipeline for a long time, and while one can point a curmudgeonly finger of blame at the people, particularly these kids today, that wouldn't be fair. Many older Americans haven't exactly been model citizens either. Dismayed with the direction of American politics, they often grew as angry at the system as the young radicals. The real blame falls to elites of all stripes and ages  political, journalistic, economic and educational. Every generation has a responsibility to instruct the next on what is important. As an empirical matter, they  we  failed.Nevertheless, these protests are inspiring because the stakes are so high for those who venture into the streets. It is hard for Americans to understand how much courage it takes for Iranians to do what people in this country take for granted: Even in normal times, Iranian activists who buck the corrupt status quo face arrest, torture and long stretches in fetid prison cells.So what do we have after only one short year of the single greatest presidential administration in the history of presidential greatness? We have, inarguably, the most successful first year in office, with Zero deaths from plane crashes and a Nuclear Button so big it could in no way be interpreted as an overcompensation for something tragically small. We have Chicago being made great again with record-breaking cold weather and a precipitous drop in the number of people killed by Sasquatch.Yet, as much as simplicity makes great satire, it would not be totally fair to say conservative opinion leaders only care about Chicagos homicide rate as far as they can use it to score political points. Some liberal leaders do that too. Unfortunately, the more sensible voices on both sides of crime-fighting issues too often get drowned out by those who would rather stir up tribal rivalries and resentments.A: They just gotta let it go, bro. Let it go or just feature on other peoples stuff like Andre 3000. Cause now everyone wants an Andre three stacks verse. I think it still has the potential to still be good, but it's never going to live up to everyones hype. Just let it go. No more Outkast albums, stop asking. People are so obsessed with the past they just want it all the time. That's the thing, people be stuck. They find somebody they don't really love, and they just stay with them because they're stuck and they don't want to move, theyre scared of change. People are so scared of change and new ideas."There could be the perfect development there that would benefit the community so greatly that it could be perceived as outweighing the value of the building. I recognize its historic value. Not seeing what would go there, I am uncomfortable with considering demolishing it," he said.In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, individuals put together a repayment plan to pay back their creditors. They do not wipe out their debts without paying. A Chapter 13 plan is in place for three years if monthly income is less than the state median income for a particular household size and five years if it is more than this amount. (State median income levels are listed at the U.S. Trustee's website.) Chern emphasized that successfully filing for and completing a Chapter 13 repayment plan is difficult. It costs more and tends to have a lower success rate than filing for Chapter 7.Grabowski said there's not much risk of fire because the building's equipped with sprinklers and fully alarmed. But he said he was more concerned with how quickly the building could be evacuated through its three exits in case of any type of incident.He also suggested then that a portion of the building might be repurposed to house court-related services that are not included in the new structure, such as public defender and probation offices, but noted that whatever the future use, it should be considered a long term investment.Winifred Godfreys large format work provides a fresh view of the intricate shapes, texture and translucency of flowers using intense backlighting. Raised on Chicagos South Side, Godfreys took her first art classes at the Beverly Arts Center School of the Arts. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Art and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin. Her artwork is included in many private, corporate and museum collections and has been exhibited throughout North America. (Beverly Arts Center) (HANDOUT)Mt. Greenwood Community Church: 3509 W. 11th St.  The Father Perez Knights of Columbus Council No. 1444, Southside Pregnancy Center and Parkwood Baptist Church will sponsor the Fourth Annual Southside Rally "Standing for Life, Family and Faith" from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 18 at Mt. Greenwood Community Church. The event will include a celebration of student essay and video contest winners. The topic is "Why is Every Human Life Important?" Essays are due Feb. 25 and videos are due March 6. Complete details about entry submission and prizes are at www.southsiderally.weebly.com The event will also include a legislative update on issues central to the event's mission. Information: call Joe O'Connor at 773-238-4456."How we treat the most vulnerable in our society is reflective of who we are and whether we have learned anything in the 2,000 years since the birth of another immigrant child, born in a stable because his parents could find no room for him at the inn," Bishop Mark Seitz, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Texas, wrote in an opinion piece published Monday by The Hill.Tokarz said the suspect neither had a weapon nor implied he had one. However, Tokarz said it is procedure at most banks, including Deerfield Bank & Trust, to comply with demands related to employee safety.A. In 2008, the theater and choral music programs at DHS took a weekend trip to New York City. Along with taking workshops from professionals, we attended three Broadway productions that all had connections to DHS alums. Kevin McCollum was the producer for "In The Heights," which was in previews at that time. After seeing the show that night, we were able to talk with cast and crew members. When the cast and crew left, Kevin (McCollum) and Lin (-Manuel Miranda) stayed. Lin (-Manuel Miranda) had such energy and passion for his material and he wanted to know what the students thought. What were their reactions to plot lines, the music, the story. This was his first big Broadway production and he seemed genuinely intrigued and invested in the responses of the high school theater goer. I was impressed by the way he listened to their responses.Raleigh said the library recently displayed a model "Eddie the Eagle" in the lobby to remind people that there are a couple pairs of binoculars for use to scan the trees along the riverbank. The library has been noticing quite a few eagles along the river for at least six winters, Raleigh said, and the birds have been drawing people to the library, where the Fox River Room on the second floor offers a panoramic view.The vehicle was still at the scene when Evanston Police Departments traffic bureau responded about 7 a.m. along with the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force and Major Crash Assistance Team, according to Evanston police spokesman Perry Polinski.Munim said he wrote a lot of letters, sent plenty of emails and started getting responses. He went out into the community to make presentations and found people willing to help. His work came despite health issues he has battled since he was 11, when he diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis.Northbrook Police Detective John Seiler wrote in his report that, Schulhof was not granted permission by the school or district to be training on the property and had been warned about doing so at least one prior occasion in 2015.PHOTOS 20 questions you should be ready to answer at a job interview

Preparing for a job interview, like training for a marathon or learning a new hobby, takes time, energy and practice. Knowing where in the process to start can be tricky. To help, job-search site Glassdoor sifted through tens of thousands of job interview reviews and discovered the most commonly asked interview questions of the bunch. To better your chances of scoring that new position, consider how you would respond to these 20 questions.In 2000, he left the firm and opened his own practice. In 2007, he brought his son, James C. Bertucci, on board and began the firm of Bertucci and Bertucci, where he worked until his death.The judge said, though, he would allow limited defense testimony from a psychologist to discuss tests Amor took in the 1990s that were intended to show how open to suggestion he may have been then. The judge said a defense expert could testify about the continued validity of the test and what the results indicate, but Brennan said the psychologist should not offer an opinion on Amors police confession. The psychologist who originally administered the test has died.The ordinance would not apply to hires within the Gary police and fire departments. Those public safety agencies are covered by Indiana state law that merely requires such workers to live within a county contiguous of the community in which they are employed.About 4,700 students in the district began their holiday break Dec. 21 and expected to return Thursday. Most school districts in Northwest Indiana are off all week as part of their holiday vacation period. Most return Monday."I have so many wonderful memories of the Indiana General Assembly and those who have served with me," Lawson said, in a statement. "In particular, I am proud of the work I did on the House Judiciary Committee, which I chaired for six years. The work that we (as a committee) put in was astounding.""We try to adjust what we can do as far as our budget," he said. "This is actually probably the worst as far as collections for kettles for a long time, I think."All of the subsidy money is derived from the sale of bonds in a new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district created around the development. As the land value increases beyond the frozen property tax rate, the difference is then used to repay the bonds.For Subscribers Line play leads Pueblo West to win 48-0 over Pueblo County

Pueblo West High School continued its dominance of Pueblo County in the annual Pigskin Classic between District 70 rivals with a 48-0 win at Dutch ClarkBy Dezan Shira & Associates

The fundamental regulations on Chinas corporate income tax (CIT) are the CIT Law and its Implementation Guidelines. Both regulations were most recently updated in 2007 and entered into force on January 1, 2008.

RELATED: How to Calculate Corporate Income Tax in China

Taxpayers

All enterprises (except sole proprietorships and partnerships), including all organizations that generate income in China, are subject to CIT. The CIT Law categorizes enterprises into resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises, which are subject to different tax obligations.

RELATED: Withholding Corporate Income Tax in China

Calculating CIT payable

CIT payable is calculated using the below formula:

CIT payable = CIT taxable income x CIT rate  Tax exemptions or reductions based on tax incentives

Tax Compliance Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

CIT rate

A 25 percent standard CIT rate is applied to resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises with income-generating establishments in China. A 10 percent withholding rate (temporarily reduced from 20 percent) is applied to China-sourced income not related to a non-resident enterprises establishments in China, or China income derived by non-resident enterprises without establishments in China. Small and low-profit enterprises are entitled to a reduced CIT rate of 20 percent, and if a taxpayer qualifies as a high-tech enterprise, a reduced CIT rate of 15 percent applies.

This article is adapted from Tax, Accounting and Audit in China 2017. The guide offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes that foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in China, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, and pragmatic guide is ideal for business leaders who must navigate the complex tax and accounting landscape in China in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their China operations.



About Us China Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including ASEAN, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road, and Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here, and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates is a full service practice in China, providing business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax, IT, HR, payroll, and advisory services throughout the China and Asian region. For assistance with China business issues or investments into China, please contact us at china@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017

This Dezan Shira & Associates 2017 China guide provides a comprehensive background and details of all aspects of setting up and operating an American business in China, including due diligence and compliance issues, IP protection, corporate establishment options, calculating tax liabilities, as well as discussing on-going operational issues such as managing bookkeeping, accounts, banking, HR, Payroll, annual license renewals, audit, FCPA compliance and consolidation with US standards and Head Office reporting.

Managing Chinas Financial System

Foreign investors often find Chinas financial system to be one of the most difficult areas to navigate when establishing or growing their presence in the country. Navigating Chinas tax system, and its complexities, requires time and commitment. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we look at the factors that make Chinas tax system unique, and identify steps foreign investors can take to manage its challenges. We first examine the issues that most commonly disorient foreign investors. We then discuss the importance of pre-investment capital planning, within the context of tough foreign exchange controls, before examining the ever-maturing regulations for the transfer pricing system.

Dezan Shira & AssociatesIn fluent Greek, a Chinese student at the National University of Athens introduces himself as Andreas, a popular Greek name and one that can be easily remembered by any local.







Andreas, or Song Xunhui by his Chinese name, is one of 23 Chinese students who are studying at the National University of Athens.





Hailing from Beijing Foreign Studies University, they are the first ever group of Chinese students attending the Athens university to learn the Greek language, history and culture as part of the joint efforts by Greece and China to build closer cultural relations in recent years.





During a class break at the Modern Greek Language Teaching Center at the university campus, the Chinese students discuss their lives there in fluent Greek.





Although a new student there, Song, 22, is not new to Greece. After studying English two years ago, he packed his suitcase to travel to Greece with his classmates to learn Greek, but he could not speak a word of it. "It's a difficult language, but we are doing well," says Song, who studied Greek at the University of Ioannina in western Greece and in Athens.





Besides ancient Greek history, philosophy and art, the Chinese students also find the modern Greece attractive.





"We came to find the truth.... Now we can have the correct opinion about Greek people," says Wang Jinyao, referring to the negative stereotypes blaming Greeks for the debt crisis.





"I feel it's a great honor to be here in Greece to live and study. I will tell my parents and friends that Greek people are good and hospitable.





"It is important to strengthen student and program exchanges," Wang says.





Eleni Karamalegou, dean of the School of Philosophy of the Athens university and president of the Interdepartmental Committee, which oversees the running of the Modern Greek Language Teaching Center, could not agree more.





The Greek professor, her colleagues and the 20,000 Greek students at the philosophy school gave the first group of Chinese students a warm welcome when they arrived at the university with scholarships awarded under a cooperation agreement reached with the Beijing university.





In the past there were only a few instances where Chinese nationals attended class there, she explains.





Karamalegou believes that through cooperation in tertiary education new channels of mutually beneficial cooperation will be created.





"We believe that China represents another great civilization. If we pay closer attention we will see that these two civilizations have common characteristics which will make it possible to build scientific partnerships in the future," the dean says.





The Chinese students are among the 700 or so students who will receive certification in Modern Greek Studies next summer.





"They are given a comprehensive view of Greece, including modern Greece and Greek history," Karamalegou says.





"It's a unique experience for a student having the chance to learn about subjects he or she is interested in regarding European and Greek civilizations in a country where the civilization was born and developed. It's a unique experience to live close to many historic monuments, and visit them and practice on site," she notes.





Following its successful cooperation with the Beijing Foreign Studies University, the National University of Athens is exploring more opportunities to expand and deepen ties with other Chinese universities.



Northwest China's Shaanxi province has decided to build a museum to draw the public closer to a "national treasure", the bronze chariot and horses from the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).









The commencement ceremony was held on Dec 28 at the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Park in Xian, attended by Wei Zengjun, Shaanxi's deputy governor, Zhao Rong, head of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Administration and other officials from cultural heritage authorities.





Two sets of bronze chariots and horses were unearthed during the 1980 evacuation of the mausoleum of Qinshihuang, China's first emperor, who lived more than 2,000 years ago. Their display by the museum will now offer some clues about the structure of ancient vehicles and use of horses, shedding light on the ancient technology of metal manufacturing and the royal transportation system.



You are here: Business

New seaplane tours are now being offered out of Hainan's capital, Haikou, reports Xinhua.





The new service is the first of its kind in China.





Tour packages include a basic 20-minute flight out of Xiuying Harbour. However, self-designed tours are also available upon request.





The flights will provide the tourists with an opportunity to see the tropical scenery in Haikou at low altitudes.

Authorities say they expect the sightseeing flights will help boost the image of Haikou as an international tourism city.





Local government officials in Hainan say they intend to start creating more regional flights to try to develop the tourism sector even further.



A Shanghai home of Mao Zedong, where China's former leader spent his longest time in the city, attracted nearly 200 visitors within two hours when the building reopened to the public on Tuesday after a two-year renovation.





Kang Jinhua, 90, was among the first visitors to the two-story house at Lane 120 Maoming Road N., part of a shikumen community called Jiaxiuli built in 1915.





"The first time I visited this house was about 10 years ago. But today I found it has been changed a lot," he said. "The walls were repainted, showing a nostalgic ambience. And there are many new exhibits telling the history not familiar to me."





Mao spent six months, from June to December 1924 living with his family on the first floor at 7 Jiaxiuli.





The building, listed as a protected relic, first opened to the public in December 1999 as a memorial to Mao. It was closed in 2015 for renovation.





Over the two years of renovation, illegal structures built at the entrance were pulled down and the facade was restored based on historical archives. Traditional shikumen elements were restored, including wood shutters and carved stone lintels.





"We managed to obtain the photos of Jiaxiuli taken in 1947 and 1948," said Zhang Zhong, deputy director of Jing'an Cultural Bureau. "Local architect Qiao Shuqi in 1960 studied the house. He offered his drawings to us for reference."





Also, the interior layout was upgraded, adding new exhibits.





Figures of Mao, his first wife Yang Kaihui, and their two sons Mao Anying and Mao Anqing were made and set in scenes such as Mao working at his desk and Yang taking care of the boys in a bedroom.





The reopened memorial has a huge screen, which stores 11 video clips showing Mao's 11 visits to Shanghai between 1919 and 1926. Visitors can choose to watch the clips by touching a small screen in front of it.





New exhibits also include copies of Mao's correspondence, the sofa that he sat in during his visit to the former Shanghai Electrical Machinery Factory in 1961, and a set of Mao suits that he sent to his security guard Gao Zhi.





The memorial opens from 9 to 11:30am, and 1 to 4:30pm, every day from Tuesday to Sunday, free of charge. Visitors are advised to dial 6272-3656 to make a reservation in advance.



Once again, China has proven that it is on a fast and effective track in contributing to the safety of the globe, this time by launching the world's largest carbon-trading market aimed at creating a cleaner environment.

This much-awaited step stands in stark contrast to a retrograde move taken by the U.S. in removing climate change from the list of threats to the country in the new "America First" -branded National Security Strategy under the administration of Donald Trump, marking a shift in international leadership in the climate change fight.

Environmental officials in the U.S. in particular and the West in general have long portrayed China as a spoiler in the international negotiations on global warming. In December 2009, Beijing was accused of foiling the Copenhagen climate change talks, which, from China's point of view, favored the interests of developed countries at the expense of developing nations.

But the disagreement between China and the U.S. has its roots even earlier, when the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 made climate work mandatory for rich countries but only advisory for emerging economies, including China.

The sticking point has been that neither side is willing to play a significant role unless the other is willing to do as much, if not more, for fear of harm to their industrial growth, which has cast a shadow on the international efforts targeting climate change overall.

The bickering between the two parties was accompanied by propaganda denying the human causes of global warming. Trump's ignorance of the climate change threat and his earlier decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Accord stem from this denial, which was intended to keep the American manufacturing industry intact.

Unlike the U.S., China is refusing to bury its head in the sand, and it dismisses Trump's claim issued on Twitter that climate change is "an expensive hoax" invented by Beijing to harm American industry.

In fact, China has committed to meet its climate obligations as well as to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, designed to fulfill the common ambition of keeping the global average temperature rise less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

China, the world's largest emitter, has publicly embarked on formulating a climate policy with a main objective of reducing carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent by 2020. In the lead-up to the 2015 Paris Conference, the country announced that its emissions will peak by 2030 by ensuring that at least 20 percent of its portfolio of energy will come from non-fossil fuel sources.

China's green strategy, which started to take shape in its 12th Five-Year Plan of 2011, suggested making low-carbon industries the main engine of the economy, aiming to spend $761 billion by 2020 to replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources. In 2014, China issued an energy strategy that called for reducing coal consumption by 2020 and suspending work at coalmines.

China has also become a leading force in renewable energy investment. According to statistics from 2016, investment increased from $39 billion to $111 billion in just five years, while solar power capacity grew 168 times and wind power quadrupled. China also announced in September 2016 that it would build at least 60 new nuclear power plants within a decade.

Since its initiation in 2013, the country's carbon trading pilot program has seen transactions valued at 4.6 billion yuan ($696.8 million), with emissions of over 200 million metric tons. The launch of the new nationwide program would initially include 1,700 energy-generating companies with combined annual emissions of over 3 billion tons.

This determination to fulfill its climate commitments proves China's ability to fill the political vacuum left by the declining U.S. role and to stand at the forefront of international efforts to reduce global warming.

Haifa Said is chief editor of the English Department at the Syrian Arab News Agency.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash

The northern Chinese coal-rich province of Shanxi has issued regulations to establish tourism as its main economic development impetus in a bid to further detach itself from its traditional coal mining industry.





According to the provincial tourism regulations, effective Monday, the provincial government will develop tourism into a strategic pillar industry by increasing investment and support, and promoting integration with other industries.





Shanxi has a history that dates back several thousand years, leaving behind a large number of cultural relics. Geographically, it features the Great Wall to the north, the legendary Taihang mountains to the east and the Yellow River to its west.





The province received about 514.8 million domestic tourists from January to October 2017, an increase of 27 percent year on year.





Shanxi is a vital energy base in China. Coal mining has been contributing to its development over the past decades, resulting in a deteriorating environment and social problems.





China's State Council in September released a guideline to support the economic transformation of Shanxi, making sure that by 2020 its coal mining industry notably declines, and a tourism demonstration zone is built.





By the end of 2015, Shanxi had 270.9 billion tonnes of known coal reserves, accounting for 17.3 percent of the country's total, the third largest following Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.



 Flash

China on Wednesday welcomed and expressed support for efforts by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to improve relations as the DPRK reopened a cross-border communication channel with the ROK.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a daily press briefing held in Beijing.

Earlier on Wednesday, the DPRK reopened a long-closed communications channel with the ROK in the truce village of Panmunjom. According to reports, the two sides will use the channel to hold working-level discussions related to the DPRK's delegation to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The move comes a day after the ROK proposed holding a senior-level, inter-governmental dialogue on Jan. 9 to discuss the DPRK's dispatch of its delegation to the Winter Olympics.

"China welcomes and supports the two sides to improve ties, ease tensions and make concrete efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula," said Geng, adding that all parties should take the opportunity and work for the same goal.

Geng said China is willing to play a positive and constructive role to push the Korean Peninsula issue back to the track of a peaceful settlement through talks and negotiation.



 Flash

French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to China is expected to bear fruit for Chinese-French cooperation in such areas as nuclear power, analysts said.





Macron will make a state visit to China from Monday to Wednesday next week at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang announced on Tuesday.





It will be Macron's first state visit to China. Xi and Macron, who took office in May, have spoken twice by phone and met in Hamburg, Germany, during the G20 Summit last year.





Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday that Macron's visit is expected to promote political mutual trust and enhance communication on practical cooperation.





Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the visit will indicate a strong willingness to strengthen Chinese-French cooperation on the economy, trade, diplomacy and security.





Given that trade protectionism and the European Union's denial of China's market economy status remain the two major factors disturbing EU-China cooperation, Macron's visit will be a chance to boost the bilateral link and eliminate barriers, he said.





Mentioning that Chinese and French companies have agreed to construct nuclear power projects in Britain, Ruan said that China and France have their own strengths in that field and they could make joint efforts to explore new markets.





Wang Yiwei, a professor of international studies at Renmin University of China, said that France and other European countries possess cutting-edge nuclear technology, while China can make good use of the technology with the help of the large market provided by the Belt and Road Initiative.





The market offered by China is a necessity for France to improve the influence of its nuclear technology, he said.





France shares common views with China on global climate change and security, and there are areas of huge potential for cooperation, such as in space navigation, medical cooperation, the digital economy and nuclear power, he added.





In December, State Councilor Yang Jiechi held a new round of the China-France strategic dialogue in Beijing with Philippe Etienne, Macron's top foreign policy adviser.





China stands ready to make joint efforts with France to prepare for high-level exchanges to inject fresh impetus into the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, Yang said at the dialogue.





On Dec 1, China and France signed more than 70 documents covering economic and financial cooperation during the fifth China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing.



 Flash

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday warned of what he calls the enemies' all-out efforts, including inciting unrest, to harm the Islamic republic.

The enemy has been always seeking to find an opportunity to infiltrate into Iran and harm the Iranian nation, Khamenei said in his first comments on the unrest in some Iranian cities that broke out on Thursday.

"The enemies of Iran allied with each other by employing various tools at their disposal, including money, weapon, politics and security organizations, in order to cause problems for the Islamic establishment," he was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Khamenei described the Iranian nation's courage, devotion and faith as the main factors in warding off the hostile moves.

According to unofficial reports, at least 20 people, including civilians and security policemen, were killed and dozens of others injured as protests against the government's economic and social policies continued in major cities across Iran over the past few days.

According to Iran's security officials, scores of protesters were also arrested.

On Tuesday, a senior Iranian security official also said that Saudi Arabia is among major players behind recent unrest in Iran, Press TV reported.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said certain countries are waging a "proxy war" against the Islamic republic via social media and the internet.

The United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia are behind the recent riots in Iran, he said.

The hashtags and campaigns on social media concerning the situation in Iran are all in fact being guided by these countries, he said, adding that "based on our analyses, around 27 percent of the new hashtags against Iran are generated by the Saudi government."

Shamkhani said that this foreign-backed intervention is aimed at hampering Iran's progress in different spheres.

"What is happening in Iran will be over in a few days, and there is no reason to worry at all," he said.

Earlier in the day, Iran's judiciary warned participants in violent unrests of the consequences of their disorderly conduct.

Rioters arrested after the interior ministry's ban on such gatherings will have to face more severe punishment because they have consciously taken to the streets and resorted to violence, head of Tehran's Revolutionary Tribunal, Mousa Qazanfarabadi, was quoted as saying.

As the days pass by, those arrested in riots will face heavier penalties, as they are not deemed to be protestors any more, but rioters seeking to harm the core of the Establishment, said Qazanfarabadi.

The court chief said that individuals already detained in Tehran and other cities on charges of leading the riots and having links with foreign espionage services will appear in court very soon.

Qazanfarabadi went on to say that a number of the most wanted mercenaries have been captured by the security forces amid the recent riots.

On Monday, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani ordered the country's prosecutors to take serious measures in dealing with the rioters vandalizing public properties amid the recent civil protests.

Amoli Larijani urged the prosecutors to monitor the situation closely, steer those pursuing legitimate demands towards lawful methods, and get tough with vandals destroying public and private properties and violating the rights of others. Flash

Israel's parliament passed an amendment on Tuesday that will make it more difficult for the government to cede parts of East Jerusalem in any future peace deal with the Palestinians.





The vote was held overnight between Monday and Tuesday, with 64 lawmakers voting in favor the controversial bill and 51 against it.

The bill was sponsored by the ultra-nationalist party of the Jewish Home, a major member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition.

It requires the government to raise wider support for relinquishing control over parts of Jerusalem as part of a peace plan. It increases the number of lawmakers required to approve such a deal from 61 to 80 in the 120-seat parliament.

The law was criticized by the opposition as a serious blow to the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The new legislation is also likely to heighten even further the tensions sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Trump's statement triggered wide protest in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, costing the lives of at least 13 Palestinians that were killed during clashes with Israeli security forces, according to Palestinian media.

Israel seized East Jerusalem, together with the rest of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, during the 1967 Middle East war. Israel annexed East Jerusalem shortly after the war, claiming it part of its "indivisible capital," in a move never recognized by the international community.

The Palestinians struggle against the Israeli occupation and wish to establish East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.You are here: World

 Flash

Russian troops in the country's far north and the Arctic will be equipped with the Tor-M2DT autonomous short-range anti-aircraft missile system in 2018, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The decision was announced by Alexander Leonov, Chief of the Russian Land Force's Air Defense Lieutenant.

The Tor-M2DT system adapted to severe climatic conditions is intended to operate at extremely low temperature and difficult terrain, the ministry statement read.

Russia is strengthening defense forces in the Arctic as it has stepped up efforts to exploit resources in the region and explore a polar shipping route.You are here: World

 Flash

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Tuesday highlighted the newly established diplomatic ties with China as one of the major accomplishments of his past year in office.

"2017 was successful for Panama and Panamanians," Varela said in his state of the nation speech to the National Assembly, adding the establishment of diplomatic ties with China last June was "one of the most important international developments with positive outcomes for our country."

Varela said his administration, which has been in power for three and a half years, aims to complete the construction of a new convention center in the capital with a Chinese firm's help.

China Construction America will construct the Amador Convention Center in conjunction with Panama's Construcciones Civiles Generales.

In October, China Harbour Engineering Company and Belgium's Han de Nul formed Cruceros del Pacifico, a consortium to build a passenger cruise ship terminal on Panama's Pacific coast.

Varela also said Panama was expected to maintain its last year's growth rate of 5.6 percent in 2018.



BRASILIA - Nine inmates were killed and their bodies were set on fire after a riot in a prison in Brazil's central state of Goias on Monday, local authorities said.

Military Police Commander Divino Alves told local media the melee broke out on Monday afternoon between members of rival gangs being held in the prison in Aparecida de Goiania, the second-largest city in the state, and it took officials nearly two hours to restore order.

The Executive Superintendent of Prison Management said in a statement that inmates in section C of the prison invaded section B, and started a fire.

Firefighters were called in to battle the flames, and smoke could be seen rising from the facility.

Authorities confirmed the number of dead, but said identifications had not yet been made.

Another 14 inmates were injured in the fighting and they returned to their cells after receiving emergency treatment, Brazil's G1 news website said.

Media said 106 inmates escaped during the riot, and officials had recaptured 29. The reports said 127 other inmates fled during the violence but returned voluntarily.

Officers from the Special Penitentiary Operations Group regained control of the prison with the support of military police about two hours after the riot started.

Prison riots are fairly common in Brazil, where the overcrowding of prisons is a pervasive problem.

Exactly one year ago, a prison riot at the Anisio Jobim Penitentiary Complex in Amazonas state resulted in 56 deaths. A day later, four prisoners were killed at the Puraqueuqara Prison Unit in the same state. Thirty-three more inmates died on Jan 6 in a riot at a prison in Roraima state, and 26 were killed on Jan 14 when inmates rebelled at Alcacuz prison in Rio Grande do Norte.

Xinhua - AP

(China Daily 01/03/2018 page12)Sun Tzu said, "The line between disorder and order lies in logistics." That idea is as relevant today as it was when he wrote it twenty-five hundred years ago.

Managing that line matters. That activity  managing Sun Tzus line between disorder and order  is Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM).

Twenty-five years ago SCM was innovative, vibrant, and led to fresh ideas in business integration. Today this art has become a science and universities teach SCM at the undergraduate level. So where is the nexus of artful innovation in SCM taking place today?

Innovation lives in the R of SCRM. In a time where margin is key - whether its financial profit margin or big data margin of error - we all must push our supply chains to be focused, efficient, and effective. We cross Sun Tzus disorder line when we fail to anticipate the negative impacts of running too lean or expediting too often or stockpiling just in case.

Supply Chain Risk Management should be a standard topic in your operations reviews.

Almost a decade ago, Wieland and Wallenburg published an original document exploring Supply Chain Risk Management. According to Weiland and Wallenburg, Supply-chain Risk Management (SCRM) is "the implementation of strategies to manage both every day and exceptional risks along the supply chain based on continuous risk assessment with the objective of reducing vulnerability and ensuring continuity". Some risk is inherent in any supply chain, others emerge when we push our supply chains to go faster, leaner, cheaper, or push the envelope in some other way. Regardless of why the risks exist, they must be managed to maintain the order we all desire.

Supply Chain Risk Management is where the original thought and original research is taking place in the Supply Chain today. And today, there are many geopolitical issues that every logistics practitioner needs to be thinking about:

How exposed to risk is the supply chain? The world seems to be a more dangerous place these days. From weather to ISIS, the landscape is changing.

How resilient is the supply chain? Trusted partners are great, but single threads in the supply chain carry risk. That risk needs to be measured, managed, and evaluated.

Now nimble is the supply chain? If a link shuts down  say, the Korean situation leads to sanctions on China  how quickly can you recover? Have you mapped your contingency plans?

Is there a rational and structured approach to measuring risk? Trade policy is shifting in the United States, and where it will ultimately land, is a question mark. And have you taken action with an eye on containing or mitigating the risks?

If you live in the Supply Chain, you are nimble at planning. But often that performance  live a high performance car speeding around the track in Indianapolis - creates other risks across the network.

If you have not done it already, its time to take the next step, and assemble a Supply Chain Risk Management Plan that helps ensure your critical operations do not cross the line into disorder.Bystanders, not the police, were the ones who helped keep the death toll from rising during a terror attack on a Coptic Christian church in Egypt on Dec. 29, according to eyewitnesses.

When a gunman opened fire on a Christian-owned store and the Mar Mina Coptic Church in Cairo on Friday, eyewitnesses told the Associated Press that more victims would have died if the people who were there praying and other locals had not acted promptly. People inside the church immediately closed the heavy iron gate to prevent the assailant from entering the house of worship, Voice of America relayed.

In addition, passersby threw rocks at the attacker as he kept on shooting. Some of them reportedly stowed away his motorbike to prevent him from escaping.

There were also other witnesses who said one man had pinned the shooter to the ground at the moment the latter paused to reload his firearm. He had even attempted to use a large rock to hit the suspect's head, but police wanted to arrest the shooter alive and wounded him with a gunshot instead.

Meanwhile, video clips uploaded by eyewitnesses on social media contrasted with the government's claim that police had successfully stopped the attacker from entering the church. Pro-government media said police forces arrested the suspect and had attempted to detonate an explosive device allegedly found on him, but the online clips appear to show a different scene, TIME Magazine reported.

In the videos, the shooter was seen calmly walking on the streets unchallenged for almost 10 minutes. He was also shown stopping every now and then to shoot at people who pursued him before he was wounded by a gunshot.

The videos sparked backlash against the way the police handled the shooting. Many of the critics slammed the self-congratulation that was piled by pro-government media on police.

According to an anonymous security source quoted by the official MENA news agency, the gunman was not acting alone. ISIS-run news agency Aamaq also claimed that the gun attack was done by a "security detail" and that another fighter was killed in the incident.The Democratic Republic of Congo met the end of 2017 with preparations for unrest after the country's Catholic Church vowed to go up against a protest ban and called for President Joseph Kabila to step down from his position.

Kabila succeeded his father Laurent, who was assassinated in 2001, and has been DRC's president since then, even though his second and final term already ended in December 2016. His refusal to leave his post has sparked protests and crackdowns which has led to a number of deaths, New Vision detailed.

On Sunday, DRC braced for unrest as the Catholic Church held a peaceful march and called for a new protest, even though authorities had warned them about the ban. DRC expert analyst Jason Stearns said the demonstrations on Dec. 31 were supported by "all major opposition parties, civil society, youth movements, and the Catholic Church."

Under a church-mediated deal, DRC was set to hold elections at the end of 2017. However, violence broke out in the Kasai region, prompting several postponements and pushing the poll to Dec. 23, 2018.

Holding Bibles and crucifixes, around 150 Catholic churches called on Christians to join the peaceful demonstration in Kinshasa. The protesters demanded for Kabila's resignation and the signing of the deal in order to restore stability in the country.

The governor of Kinshasa, Andre Kimbuta, warned that the unauthorized demonstration should not proceed. He said they did not have enough police troops to supervise the activity, but the rally's spokesperson, Leonie Kandolo, insisted that they would continue the march.

The planned peaceful march came days after three pro-democracy activists were freed after being jailed for five months for organizing a protest in Lubumbashi. On Dec. 28, a dozen anti-Kabila activists were taken into custody for participating in a sit-down protest in Kananga.

The Union for Democracy and Social Progress called for a nationwide rally against Kabila last April, but the streets remained calm and public transportation was limited as people sought to stay away from a perceived riot. However, the streets of Kinshasa were empty after the government announced the ban on protests, Deutsche Welle reported.

DRC police said the planned political protests were deemed illegal after the government announced the ban. They also mentioned that they would disperse any gathering consisting of more than 10 participants.The Catholic Church in Ghana has asked the government to act immediately to put a stop to the land grabbing problem in the country, as it said there were corrupt politicians who were complicit in the issue.

A two-day Annual Learning and Review Meeting on Land Grabbing was held at the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra from Dec. 19 to 20. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, government ministers, civil society groups, and other parties affected by the issue of land grabbing attended the gathering, Crux detailed.

During the meeting, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference's charitable wing, Caritas Ghana, asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take immediate measures to stop the string of land grabbing. The wing's executive secretary, Samuel Zan Akologo, also told Crux via email that the problem had gotten to "alarming proportions" and that multinationals were fueling the problem because of their desire to acquire land for biofuel and crop export.

"It has caused community conflicts as families of those deprived of their land attempt to fight back," Akologo told Crux in the email interview. "Most youths from seriously affected communities are compelled to migrate to urban centers adding on to urban unemployment and vices. Some sacred grooves and family graves have been desecrated causing cultural shocks."

In addition, Akologo said Caritas Ghana is demanding that the government ultimately stop large-scale land acquisitions and reconsider all these transactions with the aim of mitigating the negative effects on communities. The group also wants the affected communities to be part of the new land law that would be passed,

John Peter Amewu, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, previously expressed discontent with the situation of peasant farmers who have been driven to poverty because of the land grabbing issue. He also revealed that the government was developing the Ghana Enterprise Land Information System to activate the services of the Lands Commission for the public, Ghana News Agency reported.

Amewu also praised Caritas for its effort to maintain the efficient and sustainable use of land resources in Ghana and the rest of Africa. He said the government ought to collaborate regularly with stake holders to determine the best use of the lands in the country.A crackdown on a nationwide Catholic protest demanding the resignation of the Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila on Dec. 31 has led to the deaths of at least eight people and the arrests of dozens, according to a source from the United Nations.

On Sunday, 12 Catholic altar boys who were leading a demonstration in Kinshasa were arrested. Despite the U.N.'s plea to respect the DRC citizens' right to protest, authorities used tear gas and bullets to break up the protests, which were organized despite a ban on anti-Kabila demonstrations, the AFP detailed.

"Eight deaths a seven in Kinshasa and one in Kananga," said the U.N. source, who added that there were "82 arrests, including priests, in the capital and 41 in the rest of the country."

Kabila, on the other hand, delivered a year-end speech insisting that the announced schedule for the December 2018 election "is driving us irreversibly toward organizing elections." The president also allegedly appeared to call on the public to put up barricades to keep out protesters.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that DRC had enforced a nationwide shutdown of SMS and internet services before the Catholic-led anti-Kabila protests on Sunday. In a letter, telecommunications minister Emery Okundji told operators to halt their services starting 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Dec. 30 for security purposes until further notice.

Catholic church activists encouraged people to join a peaceful demonstration nationwide to demand that Kabila leave his post. The Congolese president had refused to step down, even after his second full term came to an end in December 2016, and the constitution dictated that he was not allowed to hold another term.

In the past year, the environment in the DRC has been racked with high tension. Those who organize protests against Kabila have clashed heavily with police, and the encounters have often taken violent turns.

DRC was initially set to hold a presidential vote in November 2016, but it was moved due to violence in Kasai region. The new election schedule is slated for Dec. 23, 2018.Christian church leaders in Ireland noticeably made no mention of the upcoming abortion referendum when they issued their joint message for the New Year and instead focused on the issue of poverty and welfare changes.

In their traditional joint message for New Year, the Irish church leaders highlighted the issue of homelessness and said it was one of the most prominent signs of a "broken system that is leaving too many people without adequate support." However, the statement failed to mention abortion even though a referendum on the issue is set to be held next summer, The Irish Times detailed.

Christian churches are reportedly expected to campaign fiercely for their stance on abortion as the referendum approaches. However, the religious leaders still have not clarified if they will be for or against the proposal to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

In Northern Ireland, the New Year message focused on how families with more than two children were most likely to be affected by the welfare changes and cuts to charities and benefits. The Christian leaders called on politicians on both sides of the Border to work for the common good.

Last month, a committee under the Irish Parliamentary recommended that the constitution's eighth amendment be abolished to allow changes in the abortion law. The said amendment grants equal right to life to both the pregnant woman and her unborn child, BBC News explained.

Aside from that, the group also recommended putting in place a new law governing time limits for abortions. As of now, the Republic of Ireland implements a near total ban on it.

The termination of pregnancy was only allowed in 2013 and only under specific conditions, which include a possibility of suicide and a risk to the woman's life because of medical complications. Ireland's abortion law does not include rape, incest, and fetal abnormality in the allowed conditions for termination of pregnancy.Northern Ireland's church leaders have asked politicians to address the issue of poverty in 2018, as they expressed their concern over the effects of the changes made to welfare payments, services, and charities on struggling families.

In their New Year message, leaders of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Catholic Church, and the Methodist Church prayed that struggling families would experience hope, joy, and peace in 2018. They urged the political leaders of Northern Ireland to "protect the common good" and to pour more effort into guarding the welfare of vulnerable families, the BBC News relayed.

"It is deeply unfair that so many parents in our society today feel that they are failing because they cannot provide security for their children, and that many are reluctant to ask for help because of stigma and shame," the church leaders' New Year message said in part.

The statement continued by saying: "We appeal to [politicians] to focus their efforts in this coming year on measures that will alleviate the hardship experienced by families near and far, restoring hope and preventing people being pushed to the margins of society."

In November, The Belfast Telegraph reported that a third of the claimants of the Disability Living Allowance in Northern Ireland had stopped receiving their benefits after the Personal Independence Payment was reassessed. Based on figures obtained by BBC Spotlight, there were 7,704 claimants whose benefits were halted.

PIP, which was implemented in Northern Ireland in June 2016, is given to people who are faced with additional expenses because of their disability or sickness. It is part of the welfare changes set up by the Northern Ireland Executive.

Claimants who are not satisfied with the result of their PIP assessment can file a request for reconsideration. Should this step fail, they can elevate their request to an Independent Tribunal.Punishing a person for practicing his or her faith is "un-American," according to the lawyer of a Christian couple in Oregon who were ordered to pay a steep fine for refusing to bake a same-sex wedding cake.

Aaron and Melissa Klein were ordered to pay $135,000 to a lesbian couple who had sued them for discrimination after the Christian bakers refused to make a gay wedding cake for them, a fine which forced them to close down their business. For First Liberty Institute legal counsel Michael Berry, the punishment was un-American, Fox News detailed.

"[The court] didn't think that custom-designing and making a custom wedding cake is a form of art," said Berry. "Punishing people for their religious beliefs is wrong and un-American."

Laurel Bowman-Cryer and her wife Rachel claimed that they had suffered physical harm because of the Kleins' refusal to bake a wedding cake for them. The lesbian couple reportedly compared the 2013 ordeal to being "mentally raped," saying it led them to weight gain.

While the Kleins were handed an unfavorable verdict, a Christian baker in California received a temporary reprieve from an order that forced her to bake gay wedding cakes. Kern County Superior Court Judge David Lampe turned down the state's request for a temporary restraining order to prevent Tastries Bakery owner Cathy Miller "from selling to anyone any item they are unwilling to sell," Life Site News reported.

The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, which represents Miller in the case, accused the California government of filing the temporary restrain order request without notice. The organization's president and chief counsel Charles LiMandri said the authorities gave the Christian baker less than 12 hours to respond to the motion.

Miller, on the other hand, explained that she could not make same-sex wedding cakes because of her Christian beliefs. She said she loves everyone but there are just certain things and activities that would go against her conscience.The government of Zambia has banned overnight church gatherings, weddings, concerts, and other large public events as part of an effort to control the cholera outbreak in the country.

The Ministry of Health's Head of Communications and External Relations, Stanslous Ngosa, issued a statement announcing the ban on gatherings of more than five individuals as part of the measures to fight the spread of cholera in Zambia. In Lusaka alone, there were almost 2,000 recorded infections and 42 deaths since cholera broke out in the city in October, the Lusaka Times relayed.

"All markets (legal and illegal) in Lusaka shall remain closed to facilitate extensive cleanup until certified clean and conducive for trading. Street vending is banned in Lusaka district until further notice to allow for cleaning, garbage collection and unblocking of drainages," said Ngosa in the statement.

"No large public gatherings of more than five people (not being family) including church programs, weddings, music concerts, funerals, bars or such occasions shall take place in Lusaka unless cleared by the Ministry of Health of the Lusaka City Council," Ngosa's statement continued.

In addition, churches have been instructed to cancel overnight vigils or any other gatherings that last more than two hours. Chilenje Reformed Church of Zambia had to call off its crossover prayer activities and met instead for its New Year worship service in compliance with the directive.

Meanwhile, Zambian President Edgar Lungu ordered the military to participate in the fight against cholera. Presidential spokesman Amos Chanda issued a statement on Dec. 29 that conveyed the president's belief that some markets need to be closed and emergency measures be implemented to help stop the spread of the disease, Reuters reported.

Chanda said President Lungu was concerned over the spread of the epidemic and now wants the defense forces to help other stakeholders in ridding Lusaka of the waterborne disease. He added that while the outbreak was initially confined to the highly populated and poorly sanitized parts of the city, it has now spread to areas where the population is less dense.

In addition, Chanda said investigations revealed that the spread of cholera in the area was being aided by contaminated food. It was initially thought that contaminated water from wells was the main culprit of the epidemic.John Piper Explains How and Why You Should Read the Entire Bible in 2018 CP Reporter | 03 January, 2018 by Brandon Showalter

Many Christians make New Year's resolutions to read the Bible more, and theologian John Piper is encouraging believers to read it daily, in four places, and study it from cover-to-cover within a year.

But the method of reading God's Word isn't nearly as important as the reason why Christians read the Bible, Piper says.

In a New Year's Day "Ask Pastor John" post on Desiring God, the former pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, explained why he used the Discipleship Journal Reading Plan  a free resource available online  in 2017 and will be using it again this year.

"The way it works is  this is why I use it and why I recommend it  there are four different places in the Bible where you read every day," Piper explained.

"By reading these four different places, you complete the entire Bible in one year. Two of those places are in the New Testament, two of them are in the Old Testament."

Because the New Testament is much shorter than the Old Testament, the two daily readings from the New Testament are much shorter, which "has the great advantage of combining both a broad scope of reading and a narrow-intensified reading," the theologian went on to say.

The Discipleship Reading Plan schedules reading assignments for 25 days out of the month, leaving some days for catch up.

Yet the larger issue is not so much the specific method or daily Bible reading plan, but why and what happens when one engages God's Word, Piper said.

"I think the ultimate goal of every Christian should be to glorify God in your life every day  or, to use the words of Philippians 1:20, to magnify Christ in your body, whether you live or whether you die," he continued.

Read more about how to read the Bible in one year on The Christian Post.In 2020, we were the church on our heels. A global pandemic shut down much of our world. But the church has been on the move since it was birthed; it will continue to be on the move until God makes all things new.Nine lawmakers on the Senate education committee are asking the panels chairman to hold hearings on the state of schools in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

In a Dec. 21 letter to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the senators say such proceedings would help provide a detailed understanding of the health and education challenges facing Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as an understanding of how departments under the committees purview have provided relief, and how they can improve relief efforts.

The letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. Cassidy is a Republican, Sanders is an independent, and the others are Democrats.

Heres a portion of the letter focusing specifically on schools:

The huricanes also devastated the territories education systems. Students in the U.S.V.I. and Puerto Rico missed weeks of school as a result of the hurricanes.Though some of Puerto Ricos 1,113 public schools have re-opened, the islands Secretary of Education estimates that up to 20% will have to be permanently shuttered. Of the schools that have re-opened, some are still filled with debris and have no running water or electricity. School districts throughout the U.S. mainlandincluding in Florida, New York, and Massachusettshave seen an influx of Puerto Rican students, placing additional strain on already-limited public education budgets.

In October, we reported from Puerto Rico on the serious challenges facing the U.S. territorys parents, educators, and schools. Last month, Puerto Rico Secretary of Education Julia Keleher said the vast majority of the islands schools had reopened , but that many had done so despite their poor condition, and after a decline in student enrollment. Keleher told us at the time that nine out of 10 Puerto Rican public schools had reopened.

We reached out to a spokesperson for Alexander to see if he had any plans for such hearings, and well update this post if well hear back.

Read the full letter below:

Photo: Juanita Negron Reyes, principal of the Bernardo Gonzalez Colon School in Utuado, Puerto Rico, works on prepping food at her school in October after Hurricane Maria. (Swikar Patel/Education Week)

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .Two years after deciding to leave the Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) related to disagreements over same-sex marriage, a conservative-leaning group of nearly 180 churches made their split official at the start of 2018.

The biggest of MC USAs 25 conferences, the Lancaster Mennonite Conference has rallied support following its decision to end its 46-year affiliation with Americas top Anabaptist denomination.

Since 2015, 29 congregations have joined the Lancaster conference; about of half of them came from the nearby Franklin Conference, which also voted to split from MC USA, according to Mennonite World Review.

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, most of the conferences congregations are located in the Northeast, but the group is expanding geographically. Conference moderator L. Keith Weaver toldLancaster Online that in the coming months, 14 Mennonite congregations in the Dominican Republic are also expected to join.

Eight congregations that formerly belonged to the Lancaster group ultimately wanted to stay in the main denomination. They joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, which remains a part of MC USA, prior to the January 1 split, Lancaster Online reported.

The Lancaster conferences departure cuts overall MC USA membership by about a sixth, according to 2016 figures reported by Mennonite World Review. At the time, the denomination included about 79,000 membersnearly 14,000 of which belonged to Lancaster congregations.

Though MC USA continues to define marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman for life in its confession of faith, some opponents to same-sex marriage fear its stance is loosening.

The denomination has voted down a proposal to affirm same-sex marriage, but adopted a 2015 resolution to extend grace, love, and forbearance toward conferences, congregations, and pastors in our body who, in different ways, seek to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ on matters related to same-sex covenanted unions.

As CT previously reported, Eastern Mennonite University and Goshen College, both schools affiliated MC USA, adopted policies to protect faculty in same-sex relationships in 2015. Months later, they voluntarily withdrew from the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) as a result.

That same year, a new conservative Mennonite network called Evana, named for evangelical and Anabaptist, launched.

Evana offers churches an affiliationinstead of or in addition to MC USAthat pledges to commit to Anabaptist theology, biblical authority, and covenanted accountability. (The networks formation is reminiscent of recent conservative spinoffs from mainline denominations, such as the ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.)

Of the 34 congregations now belonging to Evana, six come from the Lancaster conference, and two of its board members are Lancaster leaders, Mennonite World Review wrote. The growing network drew nearly 500 attendees to its 2017 conference, double the year prior.

Weaver said Lancaster plans to focus on Anabaptist theology (as laid out in the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective), core Mennonite values, and mission. The conference dates back over 300 years, joining the Mennonite Church in the 1970s and then MC USA after the new denomination was formed through a merger 15 years ago.

MC USA proved to be a place where congregations and conferences did what their own majorities believed was right and not what anyone else wished they would do, wrote Paul Schrag in a Mennonite World Review editorial last November. Lancaster desired more unity of belief and practice.

MC USA will reset its goals and adjust to the loss of many conservative members, he predicted. Big tents are coming down; new coalitions are emerging. As Mennonites reorganize into like-minded groups, it will be all the more important to reach across the fences.A month after Anies Baswedan became Jakartas new governor in October 2017, he took part in an Islamist rally at the National Monument, a tower that stands as a symbol of Indonesias independence. Just weeks later, the governor invited the archipelagos Christians to celebrate Christmas there.

The move was likely an attempt to soothe emotions rubbed raw by the bitter division of the Jakarta campaign: Baswedan was backed by Islamist hard-liners who charged his Christian rival, incumbent Basuki Purnama (popularly known as Ahok), with blasphemy for referencing the Quran. The charges cost the popular Ahok the campaign, and later earned him two years in jail.

Having received just 58 percent of the vote, Baswedan began attempts to reach out to Ahoks many supporters at his inauguration, saying that Indonesia is not based on only one religion and unity should also be celebrated in Jakarta.

But Jakartas Christians turned down his offer of using the special location for an outdoor Christmas celebration.

We appreciated the positive initiative; however, we need to consider that not every religion celebrates their religious holidays openly, the chair of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Communion of Churches said during a press conference. We decided to celebrate Christmas at an indoor venue instead of at the Monas [National Monument] because we didnt want to cause a disruption at the monument, which is a neutral venue.

So Baswedan moved the Christmas celebration to an indoor venue on January 5, about two months after Indonesian Christians welcomed a far more substantial victory.

In November, Indonesias top court threw out the requirement that citizens must choose one of six faiths for their national identification cards.

Most Protestants are in favor of the decision, because they sympathize with the plight of indigenous people, said Paul Marshall, senior fellow at the Hudson Institutes Center for Religious Freedom. (He analyzed the ruling for Providence journal.) They support religious freedom in itself, and think that increases in religious freedom will help Protestants.

The rulesdictating that each Indonesian identify with Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Confucianismwere established in 2006.

Leaving the space blank was an option, but not a safe one. Atheists can be convicted under Indonesias blasphemy law, and punished with up to five years in jail. In addition, those with a blank religion space have reported trouble with tasks requiring ID, such as signing children up for school or applying for jobs. Some chose not to apply for an identity card at all, but then couldnt complete basic legal functions such as getting married or purchasing land.

The Constitutional Court voted 90 to reverse the regulations, saying they violated Indonesias 1945 constitution, which simultaneously declares the country based upon the belief in the One and Only God and guarantees all persons the freedom of worship each according to his/her own religion and belief.

The court offered a catchall alternative labelBelievers of the Faithto cover those who follow a traditional indigenous religion. Estimates of those following such religions range from 750,000 to 20 million, Marshall wrote.

The major test will be whether the government will extend the courts ruling to the groups that suffer most from Indonesias religious restrictions, he wrote. These are the aliran sesat, beliefs that are held to be deviant and heretical versions of legally recognized religions.

The groups most often seen as deviant are Ahmadiyya or Shia, both versions of Islam. But they could technically also include Jehovahs Witnesses or Mormons as deviations from Christianity.

Even if Jehovahs Witnesses or Mormons gain more space as a result of this ruling, its unlikely to affect traditional Protestants, at least in the short term, Marshall told CT.

Perhaps there will be fewer indigenous people going to Christian schools, or registering as Christian, but there will be no major effect, he said.

Even that depends on the level of enforcement of the top courts ruling.

Previously, local governments have simply ignored [high court] decisionssuch as the case of the Yasmin church in Bogor, he said. In 2003, the church in a majority-Muslim area got legal permission and built a church. But after angry protests from local Muslims, the mayor closed the doors. The church argued its case up to the Supreme Court, which gave it permission to reopen in 2010. But the mayor has ignored the order, and the doors are still closed.

The national government has done nothing to enforce the [Yasmin] order, Marshall said. This is less likely in this [religious ID] case, which is national in scope. But there may be forces which hinder its implementation.

Enforcement seems likely. Indonesias House of Representatives has already said it will make the revisions.

If theyand other government officialsfollow through, it will increase religious freedom, and Christians do well with religious freedom, Marshall added. In particular, it may undercut current restrictions on opening new centers of worshipwhich would be good for all, but especially Christians.

Indonesia is nearly 90 percent Muslim, and has a heritage of tolerance; its two largest Islamic organizations have had no objection to the ID card change. (Though the countrys top Islamic clerical body complained that putting Islam on the same level as indiginous religions hurts the feelings of Muslims.)

But the ruling came just weeks after several top politicians warned against identity politics ahead of local elections next year and a presidential election in 2019.

Ahoks imprisonment hasnt cooled the archipelagos radical Islamist elementsalmost a quarter of high school and college students recently said they would fight to establish an Islamic caliphate in Indonesia.

But the secular government isnt going quietly. Two weeks before the courts ruling on native religions, Parliament voted 314131 to ban organized groups that threaten the government. The first on the chopping block was Hizbut Tahir Indonesia, which agitates for shariah law and the adoption of a caliphate. The group was also instrumental in bringing down Ahok, who is a close friend and political ally of President Joko Widodo.

It is very important to emphasize that Indonesian governments are not unified, Marshall told CT, but have many competing factions.

CT followed Ahoks blasphemy accusation, election loss, and imprisonmentbut also explained why Christians should still have hope for Indonesia.Evangelism Explosion International to Launch Equip America in 2018



ARDEN, N.C., Jan. 3, 2018 /



This year, Evangelism Explosion International (EE) will launch a new initiative called Equip America to train individuals to share the most exciting gift they have: their faith. EE will partner with local churches in cities across America to host a one-day workshop to help Christians share their faith with family, friends, and others in a non-threatening way. In a single day, participants will learn how to present the Gospel using something they carry with them everywhere they go: their hand. Plus, they will have an opportunity to put into practice what they have learned.



John Sorensen, EE president and CEO, says: "As Dr. Kennedy, EE's founder, was quick to say, 'The most patriotic thing we can do is lead our neighbor to Christ!' If that's true, and I believe it is, then what we really need today is a new wave of patriotism sweeping our nation! For that to happen, every believer in America needs to be equipped to boldly, confidently, and kindly share their faith in Jesus."



Many Christians don't share their faith because they are afraid or simply don't know how. The goal of Equip America is to help Christians overcome the obstacles that keep them from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.



"There has never been a time when the need for the Gospel to go forward is more urgent," says Randall Wood, National Director, EE USA. "God has uniquely positioned His followers to carry his Good News to the people around us and reach our cities for Him, one person at a time. The message of the Gospel is urgent because it brings hope to the hopeless! With each passing moment, the need to share our faith becomes more critical in our world."



Equip America workshops have already been scheduled for Oklahoma City, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City. More cities will be announced in the upcoming weeks. For more information about Equip America or to register for an event near you, visit



EVANGELISM EXPLOSION INTERNATIONAL is a non-denominational worldwide leader in evangelism ministry for more than 55 years. Founded by Dr. D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1962, EE equips people how to share their faith in Christ and then trains them how to equip others to do the same. EE training goes beyond the classroom to include an on-the-job training component, where experienced trainers model the Gospel presentation for students in real-life witnessing situations in their communities.

Share Tweet Contact: Kelli Blankenship, Evangelism Explosion International , 954-491-6100, kblankenship@eeworks.org ARDEN, N.C., Jan. 3, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Now, more than ever, people need hope. As Christians, we believe the answer is Jesus Christ.This year, Evangelism Explosion International (EE) will launch a new initiative called Equip America to train individuals to share the most exciting gift they have: their faith. EE will partner with local churches in cities across America to host a one-day workshop to help Christians share their faith with family, friends, and others in a non-threatening way. In a single day, participants will learn how to present the Gospel using something they carry with them everywhere they go: their hand. Plus, they will have an opportunity to put into practice what they have learned.John Sorensen, EE president and CEO, says: "As Dr. Kennedy, EE's founder, was quick to say, 'The most patriotic thing we can do is lead our neighbor to Christ!' If that's true, and I believe it is, then what we really need today is a new wave of patriotism sweeping our nation! For that to happen, every believer in America needs to be equipped to boldly, confidently, and kindly share their faith in Jesus."Many Christians don't share their faith because they are afraid or simply don't know how. The goal of Equip America is to help Christians overcome the obstacles that keep them from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ."There has never been a time when the need for the Gospel to go forward is more urgent," says Randall Wood, National Director, EE USA. "God has uniquely positioned His followers to carry his Good News to the people around us and reach our cities for Him, one person at a time. The message of the Gospel is urgent because it brings hope to the hopeless! With each passing moment, the need to share our faith becomes more critical in our world."Equip America workshops have already been scheduled for Oklahoma City, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City. More cities will be announced in the upcoming weeks. For more information about Equip America or to register for an event near you, visit www.equipamerica.org EVANGELISM EXPLOSION INTERNATIONAL is a non-denominational worldwide leader in evangelism ministry for more than 55 years. Founded by Dr. D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1962, EE equips people how to share their faith in Christ and then trains them how to equip others to do the same. EE training goes beyond the classroom to include an on-the-job training component, where experienced trainers model the Gospel presentation for students in real-life witnessing situations in their communities.Inside Modiglianis studio  via virtual reality

As a comprehensive retrospective of the Modernist artist opens at Tate Modern in London, curators Nancy Ireson and Emma Lewis discuss their goals for the show  and the use of VR technology to transport us to the Paris of 1919

Tate Moderns broad survey of the work of Amadeo Modigliani (1884-1920), which is on until 2 April 2018, includes the largest group of nudes by the artist ever shown together in the UK. It also features a major twist: visitors to the exhibition will be able to experience the Paris studio in which the artist lived and worked in 1919-20, using wearable virtual-reality technology. As the show opened, we spoke to head curator Nancy Ireson and assistant curator Emma Lewis to find out more. The retrospective marks the Tates first use of virtual reality technology in a major exhibition. Can you describe the VR experience, and how it came together? Emma Lewis: At Tate theres always an appetite for new forms of storytelling, which is what we do as curators. A Modigliani survey, in particular, felt like the right context for VR, because he is so well known, his artwork is so loved. But people havent really had the opportunity to know what his personal circumstances looked like. So we decided to use VR to recreate his personal environment, which is really what VR does most successfully.

Amadeo Modigliani (1884-1920), Jeanne Hebuterne, 1919. Oil on canvas. 914 x 730 mm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

When you put the headset on, youre transported to Modiglianis studio at 8 rue de la Grande Chaumiere in Pariss Montparnasse neighbourhood [where he lived and worked in the final months of his life in 1919 and 1920]. It still exists today. Youll be taken through a narrative in which you hear accounts from those who were closest to the artist; accounts from a journalist who was writing in 1919; and Tate conservators and creators explaining some of the canvases that may have been made in the studio. Working with developers and producers at Preloaded, along with Tates digital, curatorial and conservation teams, we went to the real Paris space and measured every nook and cranny. Five months of meticulous research went into re-imaging the studio, and the objects in it, as faithfully as possible. In what ways do you hope the use of VR technology will enhance the exhibition experience? EL: The VR experience is the penultimate room in the exhibit, and we really encourage people who have never tried VR before to give this a go. The show stands without it, of course  we appreciate that its not for everybody. But its placed at a point in the exhibition that will make sense, and enhance visitors understanding of the works that come immediately after. Today, Modiglianis paintings sell for fabulous prices on the secondary market, and it can be easy to forget that they were created in very humble circumstances. Through VR, we hope that audiences will get a real sense of the studio as a place where Modigliani lived and worked. Because he died so young, Modigliani's biography became the stuff of anecdote and myth. The VR experience helps us better understand Modigliani as a man and as an artist.

Amadeo Modigliani (1884-1920), Nude, 1917. Oil on canvas. 890 x 1460 mm. Private Collection

Youve described this retrospective as a re-evaluation of Modigliani. How so? Nancy Ireson: I think were trying to go beyond the stereotypes that people have about Modigliani. We have these images in mind of elongated faces and women with sloping shoulders, but one thing you really appreciate when looking at the works in this show is that his production is a lot more varied than people think. The works dont all look the same, and theres a lot of experimentation going on, in painting but also in sculpture and drawing. I think people will be surprised by the variety. This exhibition includes the largest group of nudes by Modigliani ever shown together in the UK. What made his nudes so shocking when they were first exhibited? NI: The thing that seems to have caused the most upset is the showing of pubic hair! The most famous anecdote comes from the art dealer Berthe Weill, who put on Modiglianis only solo show in his lifetime. She lived opposite the police commissioner in Paris, and he seems to have complained when he saw the nudes on display across the street. But it is quite telling that his models appear to be very modern women. Theyre not Renaissance or 19th-century French nudes. They seem to be wearing make-up, to have potentially been influenced by stars of the cinema, presenting themselves as seductive or vampish. Showing them at Tate means that we can think afresh about who these women were, what kinds of things they might be thinking about. We dont know much about their lives, but we can try to imagine what it might have been like to be a woman at that moment, and why somebody might have decided to model.

Amadeo Modigliani (1884-1920), Portrait of Paul Guillaume, Novo Pilota, 1915. Oil paint on card mounted on cradled plywood. 1235 x 925 x 100 mm. Musee de lOrangerie, Paris. Collection Jean Walter et Paul Guillaume

How do you hope to re-examine the role of women in Modiglianis practice? NI: Were not trying to rewrite history. Its certainly true that Modigliani lived in a time that was incredibly sexist compared to our own era, and women would not have had the same social status as men. But I think its really interesting to think about the ways in which women did find empowerment at that period. The First World War meant that there were new and different jobs available, and they had a bit of financial independence. Women were moving away from home, they were trying to break free of stereotypes. And you see that in statistics from the time: there were more unmarried mothers, for instance  and that wasnt simply due to bereavement. Its a social change, as well: different kinds of lifestyles are becoming more acceptable.



Amadeo Modigliani (1884-1920), Womans Head (With Chignon), 1911-12. Sandstone. 572 x 219 x 235mm. Merzbacher KunststiftungDALLAS - Airlines are sharing some of their tax-law windfall with employees and Boeing, the big aircraft maker.

American and Southwest said Tuesday that they will pay employees bonuses of $1,000 each, a gesture that American said would cost $130 million.

Southwest also said that it exercised options to buy more jets from Boeing while delaying orders for some others.

Unlike most other U.S. airlines, Dallas-based Southwest has long been profitable and already pays cash income taxes. It earned $1.6 billion in the first nine months of 2017 and will benefit immediately from the lower rate on corporate income in the tax bill that President Donald Trump signed last month.

Cost of investments

Because of huge losses in previous years, other major U.S. carriers do not pay cash income taxes even though they have become hugely profitable. Fort Worth-based American, for instance, earned $1.7 billion in the first nine months of last year. All the airlines should benefit, however, from a provision in the new law that lets businesses more quickly depreciate the cost of investments - aircraft, in their case.

CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said the new tax law will help American in the long run, presumably when it can no longer avoid income taxes by counting past losses. They said the tax changes will give the company more confidence to invest in planes and facilities and pay the employee bonuses.

American said employees at the main airline and its affiliates would get their money in the first quarter. Southwest said it will make payments next Monday.

Boeing 737 jets

Southwest also announced that it would exercise options on 40 Boeing 737 jets valued at $4.5 billion while delaying 23 previous orders with a sticker price of $2.1 billion by up to five years. Southwest did not disclose financial terms, but airlines routinely get large discounts from list prices.

Southwest also said that it will donate an extra $5 million to charities in 2018. A spokesman for the company said it paid out more than $25 million in cash, free tickets and other donations to charity in 2016, the last year for which final figures are available.Terrie Frankel is selling me on a pig costume complete with a large, garish head.

"You will regret not getting it," she laughs.

She's right. It's the last week of business for Frankel's Costume Shop, and I am not alone inside the store on Houston's East End. There are couples looking for New Year's Eve party gear, a man trying on different beards and a little girl playing dress-up with her mother. A burly guy about my size is buying three sexy, pre-packaged, plus-sized fairy costumes. Couples are purchasing the next year's Halloween and costume-party attire; a whole family has stopped by to outfit themselves for the next decade of Mardi Gras revelry.

RELATED: The story of Hickory Hollow, one of Houston's favorite chicken-fried steak haunts

The Houston area is slowly losing magical places like this, especially in the retail realm.

There was Col. Bubbie's Strand Surplus Senter, the military-surplus version of Frankel's on the Strand in Galveston. It closed a few years back, the owner retiring from the gabardine and camouflage trade. Montrose's past alone is littered with the memories of shops such as Dream Merchant and Timeless Taffeta, where suburban kids could turn themselves into someone else.

And now, after months of tearful remembrances and slashing prices, the end has come for Frankel's. A few hours before I arrived, a giant, ornate chandelier was taken down as the "Phantom of the Opera" theme blared from the store's speakers.

In early October, Frankel, 72, and her husband, Lonnie, announced that the store was closing after 67 years of business. They sold the land that their 40,000-square-foot shop occupies at 2801 Polk over the summer.

Back in 1950, Frankel's as Houston knows it began as Morty's Magic Mart, owned by Morty Frankel, at 808 Texas Avenue.

Magic tricks and gag gifts gave way to costumes when a customer asked Morty about an outfit for a magic gig. According to store lore, Morty's wife, Leola, stepped up and used her skills as a seamstress to create something special for the act.

The store would evolve over the decades to become one of the premium outfitters of local plays, musicals, countless parties and other occasions. It moved to Polk in March 2000, when the east side was still a somewhat scary and uncharted place for Houston's normies.

RELATED: 30 things Houston has lost over the years (while it was busy gaining so much)

Frankel uses stage terms when it comes to her family's shop.

It's not closing, the set is being struck. The area where all the fitting rooms are is the main stage. The warehouse space in the back, where she shows me the dozens of costumes yet to be picked up by harried high school theater companies, is backstage.

The sale, set for Friday and Saturday, is an encore performance.

I catch Frankel explaining the concept of an encore to a young customer as her mother looks on, taking in the moment.

"An encore is like a goodbye. It's when the cast comes back out in front of the audience and performs one last time," Frankel says, almost choking up. "It means you did a good job."

As for the piggy costume, I don't know what my plans are for it. I suppose I could always join a freaky furry cult here in Houston or at least score some extra cash on the weekends as a mascot at a buddy's barbecue joint.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. He's an intolerable native Texan with too much ink in his skin and too much brisket stuck in his teeth.Police are asking for help identifying four men who were caught on surveillance video attempting to rob a Houston store at gunpoint.

Investigators say the men walked up to the San Francisco Store, a taqueria and butcher shop, at 9934 Mesa Drive on Dec. 7 at 7:20 a.m. Two of the men entered the store - one of them pulled out a handgun and pointed it at an employee - while the other two men stayed outside and acted as lookouts. All four covered their heads with hoodies and hid the bottom half of their faces with bandanas or sweaters.The Trump administration announced in December a regulatory change that would strip spouses of high-skilled foreign workers of the right to work in the United States.

The apparent aim is to promote Trumps Buy American, Hire American executive order issued in April. Its also part of efforts to scale back the H-1B visa program, which allows workers to bring spouses and children under H-4 visas.

Besides likely having a negative impact on industries that use H-1B visas, such as information technology, software development and finance, my own research shows that it will also, intentionally or not, disproportionately harm women.

Immigration policy and families

There is no shortage of opinions about the merits and drawbacks of the H-1B program.

Critics argue that the program has been abused by companies that seek to replace American workers or pay them lower wages. Advocates, meanwhile, point out that foreign workers increase innovation and bring in much-needed high-skilled labor.

But there is another consideration left out of this debate: how the program directly affects the lives of the workers and their families.

Historically, family reunification has played a contentious role in U.S. immigration policy. Starting with the Page Law of 1875 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, women (predominately from Asia) were barred from migrating either as spouses or on their own. These laws were responsible for creating bachelor societies of immigrant men and limited the establishment of permanent Asian communities in the United States.

Changes to immigration law in the mid-20th century began to recognize the need for family migration. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 further reversed earlier policy by giving naturalized citizens and legal permanent residents the power to sponsor family members and made reunification a weighted factor for immigration consideration.

A 1990 law opened new avenues for family-based migration, creating the H-1B as a temporary nonimmigrant visa that prioritized highly skilled workers whose labor was needed for specialized and complex jobs.

The visa is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. If employers choose to sponsor them, visa holders can then apply for permanent residency.

It also created the H-4 family reunification visa. Even though the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services doesnt release gender data, some estimate that 85 percent of H-1Bs go to men. It is safe to presume that women make up the majority of H-4 spousal visas.

They are among the 22 nonimmigrant visa categories that have family reunification provisions, but, like most of them, come with work restrictions.

(Continue below)

The impact of work restrictions

Work authorization for the spouses of H-1B visa holders came into the spotlight in 2015.

The Obama administration issued an executive order that year that allowed H-4 visa holders who were already in the process of applying for lawful permanent residency to also apply for employment authorization. Prior to the order, H-4 holders were unable to work or obtain a social security number.

The work authorization document is conditional, however. If the possessors spouse loses his H-1B visa, then the H-4 visa holder would also lose her authorization to work in the U.S.

I conducted a multi-year study of H-1B and H-4 visa holders that ended just after President Barack Obamas 2015 order. My findings clearly showed the long-lasting negative effects of these work restrictions and how important work authorization is for immigrant families.

Even though spouses of H-1B workers tend to be highly educated, often in STEM fields, after coming to the U.S. they effectively became housewives. Women are unable to contribute to the household financially and become dependent on their husbands. They cannot apply for changes in their immigration status without going through the primary visa holder.

This means that if an H-4 visa holder were to experience domestic violence, for example, she would be unable to leave without putting her visa status in jeopardy.

While Citizenship and Immigration Services did issue a memorandum in 2016 granting work authorization to abused spouses of nonimmigrants under the Violence Against Women Act, victims must have proof of abuse, such as police reports, court records or reports from social service agencies. As advocates have shown, this can be difficult for immigrant women to obtain, and many would rather drop domestic violence cases than risk deportation.

In cases where an H-1B worker loses his job or experiences something worse, the rest of the family could be deported.

This point was driven home dramatically in the case of Sunayana Dumala, the widow of H-1B worker Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was murdered in Kansas by a white supremacist in February. After she returned to India for Kuchibhotlas funeral, she was barred from reentering the U.S. since her deceased husbands visa was no longer valid. Dumalas state congressman intervened personally to help obtain her temporary work authorization and to apply for her own H-1B visa or a U visa, usually reserved for immigrant victims of crime.

Her case, which had the rare aid of a member of Congress, brings home the precariousness that dependents of temporary immigrant workers face.

Even in less horrific cases, the forced hiatus from the workplace that women face on the H-4 hurts their long-term career prospects. Research has shown women who leave or are pushed out of the workforce wherever they are in the world have a much harder time re-entering the job market.

This issue is compounded by the fact that H-4 holders must find an employer to sponsor them on an H-1B, which are already in short supply, or wait potentially seven to 10 years until they become permanent residents to restart their careers.

H-4 women face a triple burden if they are able to start working again, particularly in technology: race, gender and long gaps in their resumes.

Welcome relief

Considering the negative impacts of H-4 work restrictions, the Obama-era rule change granting work authorization was a welcome relief for tens of thousands of dependent spouses.

For women who have been stymied at home, the chance to join the workforce is important both financially and psychologically, particularly in areas where H-1B workers are concentrated such as Silicon Valley, Seattle and New York.

For example, having two incomes offsets the high cost of living in regions where H-1B workers are concentrated. In addition, womens participation in the workforce can translate into greater gender equity at home.

Unfortunately, there has already been a backlash to this expansion of the temporary workforce, including via a lawsuit to halt H-4 work authorization. Although that suit was initially rejected, now the Trump administrations planned rule change revives the issue.

What now

As my research has shown, when women are given opportunities to grow their careers and become economically productive, they are more likely to stay in the U.S.

Losing talented workers who have already invested significant time and money (workers pay social security and other taxes regardless of immigration status) in the U.S. will deal a blow to our standing as the locus of technological innovation. There has already been a drop in the numbers of H-1B applications received in 2017 as foreign workers grow wary of the current political climate in the U.S. This latest restriction will only create more hesitation.

The H-1B program is undoubtedly in need of reform. Obamas 2015 executive actions on immigration were far from perfect and left many problems unresolved, such as what will happen to children of H-1B workers who age out of their dependent visas after they turn 21 years old. Many have spent the majority of their childhoods in the U.S. but still are not permanent residents. They are left in limbo and, like the Dreamers, potentially face the prospect of returning to countries that they have never known.

Withdrawing work authorization for spouses who have been living in the U.S. for more than half a decade is a step in the wrong direction. Immigration reform needs more compassion, not less.

Amy Bhatt is an Associate Professor of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This article was originally published on The Conversation.

For comments, tips or pitches, write to Olivia P. Tallet.A quick-thinking and apparently fearless cell phone store employee foiled a would-be robber's plan and instead locked him inside the store as the robber pleaded for mercy.

The incident occurred April 17, 2017 at Latino Cellular at 6710 Hillcroft Ave. The would-be robber, John Bell, 22, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 5 years in prison in December, according to Harris County court records.

The surveillance video from the robbery was released on YouTube by the Houston Police Department on Wednesday.

MALL ROBBERY: Police seek man who robbed jewelry store with hammer

When Bell entered the store, he told the employee to open the cash register. She told him no, and can be seen on the video hustling customers out of the store while Bell takes items from behind the counter.

The employee locked the door behind her, leaving Bell trapped inside. Once he noticed his predicament, Bell fired a gun at the lock on the door in an attempt to escape. He also tried kicking the door and taking a running start and crashing into the door.

He then spent several minutes wondering what to do, while the employee can be seen through the door's glass urging bystanders to get away from the door.

MURDER CHARGE: 2nd man charged for October killing that ended with carjacking

Finally, Bell began pleading with the employee through the window to let him out, at one point getting down on his knees and reaching his clasped hands toward the ceiling.

"I'm sorry, please," he can be heard saying on the video. "I have nothing."

Bell's pleas did not work; Houston police officers eventually showed up and arrested him. He was taken to the Harris County Jail that day, court records show.

SECOND FOILED ATTEMPT

This is the second time one of Bell's robbery attempts has been derailed. On July 31, 2015, he and two other men robbed an unnamed store at 5706 Alder in Houston, according to court documents.

After pointing guns at employees and stealing a cash register, the three men ran to their getaway vehicle, but they were unable to get the car started.

The robbery victims went to the vehicle and started throwing things at it, smashing the windows with a crowbar and struggling with Bell over the cash register that he was holding in his lap.

Bell got away on that day, but another suspect was arrested and gave police Bell's phone number. He was later identified by a witness and received deferred adjudication.

After his Dec. 18 conviction for the April 2017 robbery, Bell's deferred adjudication was revoked and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the 2015 robbery.

Dana Burke is a digital reporter at Chron.com. You can read more of her stories here and follow her on Twitter at @danapburke.State education leaders: Thinking about applying for the Every Student Succeeds Act Innovative Assessment pilot? Youve got until April 2 to get your application in, according to an advance notice released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education . And states interested in applying are encouraged to let the department know within 30 days from Wednesday, although thats not a must.

So what, exactly, is the Innovative Assessment pilot? ESSA requires states to test students using the same test in grades 3-8 and once in high school, but it also paves the way for new kinds of assessments. Under the law, the secretary can allow up to seven statesor groups of statesto try out new kinds of tests in a select number of districts, with the goal of eventually taking them statewide. The pilot was inspired by previous work on performance assessment in New Hampshire, thanks to a waiver from the previous version of the law, the No Child Left Behind Act.

At least three statesGeorgia, Hawaii and New Yorkexpressed formal interest in the pilot in ESSA plans they submitted to the Education Department. And Colorado passed a law calling on its state education agency to seek the flexibility.

But Lillian Pace, the senior director of national policy at KnowledgeWorks, which supports state and federal policymakers interested in personalized-learning systems, isnt necessarily expecting a flood of applications.

I wouldnt expect to see seven strong applications for states that are ready to go by April, Pace said. But the release of the application will provide a starting point for a really robust and serious conversation about how to get another round ready once the feds open up these new forms of testing to more states.

So why will there probably be very few applications, at least at first? The pilot may be appealing to states that want to move towards new, more project-based forms of assessment. But ESSA includes a lot of restrictions that make participation a challenge , including requirements that states try out the new assessments with a broad cross-section of students, make sure they are comparable to other state tests, and eventually take them statewide. At this point, participation in the pilot doesnt come with any additional money. So states will have to figure out how to do all those tricky things on their own dime.

What will the application process look like? States can get the most pointsup to 40for providing a narrative overview of their project, including an explanation of how the new system will support high-quality instruction. States also get 15 points for prior experience in using the type of outside-the-box assessment that it would like to expand through the pilot. States can also get 15 points for providing an appropriate timeline and budget. In addition, 25 points are available for supports from educators, students, and parents. Finally, 15 points are available in the application for states to continuously improve and refine their systems.

Heres a handy chart breaking this down, courtesy of KnowledgeWorks:

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .Alphabet's Google moved $19.2 billion to a Bermuda shell company in 2016, regulatory filings in the Netherlands show - saving the company billions in taxes that year.

Google uses two structures, known as a "Double Irish" and a "Dutch Sandwich," to shield the majority of its international profits from taxation. The setup involves shifting revenue from one Irish subsidiary to a Dutch company with no employees, and then on to a Bermuda mailbox owned by another Ireland-registered company.

The amount of money Google moved through this tax structure in 2016 was 7 percent higher than the year before, according to company filings with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce last month and which were made available online Tuesday.

"We pay all of the taxes due and comply with the tax laws in every country we operate in around the world," a Google spokesman said. "We remain committed to helping grow the online ecosystem."

Google is under pressure from authorities around the world for not paying enough tax. Last year, the company escaped a $1.3 billion French tax bill after a court ruled its Irish subsidiary, which collects revenue for ads the company sells in France, had no permanent base in the country. The European Union has been exploring ways to make U.S. technology companies, many of which use similar tax shelters, pay more.

The Irish government closed the tax loophole that permitted "Double Irish" tax arrangements in 2015. But companies already using the structure are allowed to continue employing it until the end of 2020.

According to U.S. financial filings, Google's global effective tax rate in 2016 was 19.3 percent, which it achieved in part by shifting the majority of its international profit to the Bermuda-based entity. Applying that tax rate, Google would have saved $3.7 billion via the 2016 transfer.For residents of Friendswood, especially many of those hardest hit by the disaster that was Hurricane Harvey, the need is still strong for recovery funds and support.

After the hurricane hit in late August, destroying thousands of homes and businesses in the city, the community responded, raising $200,000 - $175,000 of which already has been distributed - for the Friendswood's Rotary Club Charitable Foundation. The organization was formed last year, but seemingly just in time to combat one of the worst hurricanes to impact the region in recent years.

Former Friendswood Mayor Dave Smith serves as the Foundation's chairman. He said his organization is hoping to collect another $100,000 to assist those made most vulnerable as a result of the storm.

"We've had over 300 applications that we've received asking for help," he said.

"Every time we send out an announcement asking for donations we get more requests for help than we get donations, so I think we could make a significant impact to those families if we have this additional money. It would make a huge difference."

Smith said, as time passes, the challenge grows.

"Of the 300 applicants we received, close to 200 of those people don't have flood insurance, and that's our toughest situation," he said.

"They require help and a lot of time to be able to cover their needs, especially if they have no other financial assistance. We're hoping in this next phase of assistance to be able to do more for these folks."

In addition to monetary help, many impacted people, especially those who are elderly or who aren't familiar with online research, are facing roadblocks when it comes to accessing federal emergency funds.

The Rotary Charitable Foundation hopes to help clear those roadblocks, as well.

"With FEMA, the challenges are older people because they're the least likely to be touched by anyone," Smith said. "Many of them are not on social media the way other people are and they don't navigate the Web like younger folks do."

He said the problem is compounded when these seniors have been displaced and relocated to apartments, sometimes many miles from their home and family. Smith said some can turn to civic organizations, churches or neighbors for assistance but not all have that option.

"The ones that are the worst off (after the storm) are usually the ones who are hardest to help," Smith said.

To combat this problem, Rotary Club members - who number 55 strong - are helping in any way needed.

"We're hoping to re-evalute those folks who need a higher level of assistance and determine if they've (gotten money or shelter assistance) from FEMA, and if not we want to be able to help them access that information," Smith said.

Another problem for people working to rebuild their homes and recover from the storm is dealing with insurance and mortgage companies.

Smith said, in talking with people, he discovered many are finding they are required to produce a lot of money up front before these companies will follow through with significant monetary relief.

"The formula that lenders are using is outdated and unaccommodating for the disaster," he said.

Though an additional $100, 000 in donations may seem daunting, particularly in light of the $200,000 already collected in relief funds, Smith is encouraged based on past support and generosity both near and far.

"With the initial fundraising run the first $100,000 came in very quickly and a majority of it was from local donations, neighbors helping neighbors, as well as some institutional and corporate funds," he said.

Smith also singled out the help Friendswood residents received from members of the Liberty Rotary Club in New York state.

"The club made a great impact here," he said. "They came down with truckloads of donations and they donated money to us, as well. They brought a group of first responders in the week after the storm struck and gave (first responders in Friendswood) a break," he said, adding the group's travel was done all at its own expense.

Gary Siegel is the Liberty group's treasurer. He said his organization worked in conjunction with other groups to organize the Friendswood relief effort.

"We ended up having close to 50 collections sites (in our area) as well as in counties in Pennsylvania and Connecticut," he said. "On collection day there were close to 200 volunteers (including from Rotary clubs, schools and other community members)."

With the Friendswood Rotary's next fundraising phase, Smith hopes more corporate donations will come in to fill the need.

"For anyone who donates they can know that 100 percent of the money is going directly to flood victims with zero dollars going toward overhead," Smith said. "All of this is done with overhead hours."

To donate visit www.friendswoodrotary.org.Dear Toni,

In November, you wrote that there was not an increase in the 2018 Part B premium. I have not seen an increase in the last 2 years, and $109 Part B premium has been deducted from my Social Security check.

Recently I received from Social Security what my 2018 Social Security check will be and to my surprise, my Part B premium increased to $134, only giving me a $2 increase. Can you explain what has happened? I was counting on the 2 percent increase, which is about a $27 increase a month, not $2. I live on a fixed income and this is not what I was expecting. Sam from Oklahoma City, Okla.

Hello Sam,

About 70 percent of those on Medicare who have been receiving their Social Security check are also discovering that they are not receiving the COLA increase that they were expecting.

Why, you might be thinking? It is because this specific group in the 1st tier whose income is under $85,000 as an individual or $170,000 as a couple and receiving their Social Security check fall under Social Security's "hold harmless" rule, where if there is little or no increase in your Social Security check, then your Medicare Part B premium cannot rise, which is what has happened the last 2 years.

This year there is a 2 percent raise in COLA for your Social Security check in 2018 and that has brought your Social Security premium to what the average person on Medicare is paying, which is $134 per month.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, those on the 1st tier are paying more, and this group is disappointed because their cost of living is increasing but their Social Security check is not. However, the Part B premium has increased $25/month to $134/month.

In 2018, income levels are changing in the 3rd and 4th tiers, and those with incomes of $133,501 (not $160,001 as in 2017) or greater as an individual or $267,001 (not $320,001) or greater as a couple will now have an increase in their Part B premium. They will pay $348.30 or more depending on their income for Medicare Part B premiums and an additional $55.20 or greater for Medicare Part D IRMAA premiums.

To summarize, changes regarding increases in Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D IRMAA premiums depend on whether one is protected under Social Security's "hold harmless" rule or not. Most do not qualify this year because the 2 percent COLA took away that protection for an increase to their Social Security benefit check. Also, those whose income is over $133,501 as an individual or $267,001 as a couple will be in a high-income tier and must pay more for their Part B and Part D IRMAA premiums.

To discover which income tier and Medicare plan or option as an individual or couple you are in, contact new Toni Says Medicare Call Center at 1-844-250-8664.

These income tier changes were a result of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) which also changed how a hospital stay is classified under "Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON)", which went into effect March 2017. Always find out if you or your loved one is classified as an outpatient or inpatient. This is discussed in chapter 2 of the new Toni Says, "Medicare Survival Guide Advanced" edition is available at www.tonisays.com.

2018 Confused about Medicare workshops returns: Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at West University's Senior Center, 6104 Auden, Houston, TX 77005. RSVP: 832-519-8664.

Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition, has a special for Toni Says readers at www.tonisays.com. Coming soon: ABBS4U.com  American Baby Boomers Society. Advocates for Baby Boomers.A Texas City police officer has been charged with driving while intoxicated after investigators say he crashed head-on into a stopped pick-up truck early Tuesday morning.

According to the Texas City Police Department, Officer Adan Hernandez was off-duty and driving in his personal Ford pickup at the time of the crash.

About 5:40 a.m., Hernandez's colleagues with the Texas City Police Department responded to a minor accident on the 400 block of State Highway 146 south. They found Hernandez in the driver seat of his truck, appearing to be intoxicated.

PEARLAND: Police officer charged with DWI on the job

Texas City police say Hernandez was traveling northbound on 146 when he struck a Ford Ranger head-on. The Ford Ranger was stopped in a turn lane waiting to turn east onto FM-1765, police said. The driver of the Ford Ranger was not injured.

The Department of Public Safety and Galveston County Sheriff's Office were called out to the scene to further investigate whether Hernandez was intoxicated. Believing he was, police arrested Hernandez for driving while intoxicated. His bond was set at $1,000.

Texas City police were not immediately available to discuss possible disciplinary action that will be taken against Hernandez, or whether he had been disciplined in the past.

This is not the first time within the past year that a Texas City officer has faced criminal charges.

In September, ex-cop Linnard Crouch was indicted for felony theft after he allegedly stole more than $2,000 from a dying grandpa's pocket--while Crouch was in uniform, performing official duties.

In December 2016, James Mabe's wife had given him $2,400 to go purchase family Christmas presents, but worried when she did not hear from him. Mabe's heart went out while he was driving in his pickup truck in Texas City, and Officer Crouch had responded to the scene when passers-by reported a vehicle on the side of the road. In Mabe's pocket was the wad of a couple dozen $100 bills.

Mabe was unresponsive and transported to the hospital, where he died--and where Officer Crouch returned to Mabe's wife a single $100 bill and a wad of $1 bills that he said he recovered from Mabe, according to a July lawsuit the Mabe family filed against Crouch. The lawsuit accused him of stealing the rest of the money, an allegation reflected in the Galveston County indictment in September.

Crouch resigned in January 2016 when faced with the allegations, as well as Crouch's own body camera footage showing that Crouch "removed money from Mr. Mabe's right front pocket he appears not to have reported," according to a January internal memo written by Texas City Police Chief Robert Burby.

The criminal case is still pending and discovery is ongoing.Dec. 15

An officer observed a vehicle travelling northbound in the 5600 block of Weslayan with expired registration. A stop was conducted and during the course of contact, dispatch advised the driver had two open warrants with the Houston Police Department and he was then placed in custody. While conducting a vehicle inventory, drug paraphernalia was found.

Dec. 16

An officer observed a vehicle that was stationary in the 5800 block of WestPoint. The officer approached the vehicle and observed a male subject asleep on the driver side seat. The officer made contact with the subject who appeared to be intoxicated. The officer then placed the subject in custody for Public Intoxication and transported him to the West University Place Jail Facility where he was booked and processed without incident.

At 4:56 a.m., a Police Officer was dispatched to the 4200 block of Riley, in reference to a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, which had already occurred.

An officer was dispatched to the 4100 block of Riley in regards to found property. Upon arrival, the officer took care and custody of the items and submitted them into the evidence room for safekeeping.

An Officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in reference to a theft that already occurred.

An Officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in reference to an identity theft that already occurred.

Dec. 17

At 1 a.m., Police Officers were dispatched to the 6300 block of Belmont, in reference to a Domestic Disturbance. Information was gathered and a report was generated.

An Officer was dispatched to the 6600 block of Weslayan in reference to a vehicle striking an electric pole causing significant damage. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the driver left the scene and was arrested for the misdemeanor offense of Duty on Striking Structure, Fixture, or Highway Landscaping.

Dec. 18

Officers received a call from a resident in the 2600 block of Barbra Ln. regarding an unknown subject who had just forced his way through the secured driveway gate of their residence. Officers responded to the scene and were able to locate an individual approximately one block away from the incident location who matched the description provided by the complainant. The subject was taken into custody and charged with the offense of Criminal Mischief.

At 6:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to check on a possible burglary of a motor vehicle at the 3700 block of Nottingham St. that already occurred.

At 7:41 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 4200 block of Law to meet with a subject who found a wallet on the corner of Law and Community. The original case was found property, and was later changed to burglary of a motor vehicle.

At 8:09 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 4200 block of Ruskin for a report of a burglary of a motor vehicle that already occurred.

At 7:59 a.m., an Officer was dispatched to the 3800 block of Byron in regards to a burglary of a motor vehicle that already occurred.

At 9:38 a.m., an Officer was dispatched to the 3800 block of Byron in regards to a burglary of a motor vehicle that already occurred.

Dec. 19

An officer was dispatched to the 3600 block of Georgetown in reference to a Burglary of a Vehicle that already occurred.

At 4:43 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3600 block of Georgetown in regards to a burglary of a motor vehicle that already occurred. A suspect was located in the area carrying items matching the description of items taken from that vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody for burglary of a motor vehicle and credit card abuse.

At 11:03 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby to speak with a complainant in regards to lost and or stolen property.

At 2:07 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the 6600 block of Weslayan with an expired Texas temporary registration tag. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation the driver was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance.

At 6:53 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 3600 block of Tangley in regards to a burglary of a motor vehicle that already occurred.

Dec. 20

An Officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in reference burglary of motor vehicle that already occurred.

At 6:30 p.m., a Police Officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in reference to dog bite call, which had already occurred.

Dec. 21

An Officer observed a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the roadway in the 5800 block of Weslayan. A traffic stop was initiated and upon further investigation, the male driver was taken into custody for outstanding warrants and the front passenger was taken into custody for the misdemeanor offense of Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.

At 7:53 p.m., an Officer was dispatched to the 5300 block of Kirby, in reference to a theft, which had already occurred.A New Caney man enjoying a late-afternoon meal inside his own home fell victim to an attempted robbery Dec. 29.

The homeowner was at his kitchen table inside his home on Mexican John Road around 4:15 p.m. when he heard someone open his screen door. He approached the man and saw two other men standing at the door.

One of the men at the door pulled out a shotgun, at which time the homeowner shut the door and ran upstairs to call 911. Detectives said surveillance video pulled from the home shows the three men run out to a light-colored SUV, either a Dodge Durango or Jeep model, and drove off.

The three attempted robbers are described as Hispanic males. One was wearing a black hoodie with a white Nike print on the front and tan shorts/pants. The second man was wearing a black hoodie, dark blue jean shorts and was carrying a checkered backpack.

The third man was wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans and carried a shotgun. They all had gloves and handkerchiefs hiding their identity.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 936-760-5800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867) and reference case 17A388901.In the wake of a federal lawsuit in Houston by three Texas churches damaged during Hurricane Harvey, the Trump administration has followed through this week on its promise to reverse a long-standing disaster aid policy that denied relief to houses of worship.

The announcement of a Federal Emergency Management Agency rule change late Tuesday  which a Justice Department attorney had previously told a judge was pending  means the three churches and any other religious institutions that provide services to their broader local communities can immediately be eligible for Harvey aid, according to a newly published FEMA guide. Opponents said the move also marks a significant blurring of the line separating church and state.

President Donald Trump had signaled his support for churches getting aid shortly after the Houston lawsuit was filed, tweeting on Sept. 8 that "Churches in Texas should be entitled to reimbursement from FEMA Relief Funds for helping victims of Hurricane Harvey (just like others)."

READ ALSO: Climate change made Harvey's 51 inches of rain 3 times more likely, scientists say

The new FEMA guide states that the change was precipitated by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June in a Missouri case, Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, in which state officials denied a church a grant for rubberized playground resurfacing. In the Trinity case, a 7-2 majority on the court found Missouri violated the First Amendment in denying the church a widely available public benefit on account of its religious status.

The 217-page FEMA guide clarifies in its introduction that "private nonprofit houses of worship will not be singled out for disfavored treatment." The rule change applies to all disasters declared since August 23, 2017, FEMA said.

Pastor Charles Stoker of Hi-Way Tabernacle in Cleveland, one of three Texas churhes that filed suit, said in a news release that the policy shift was a perfect way to kick off the new year.

A long-fought victory

"It's been a cold day, and this news will warm us all up here! We're delighted that FEMA will start treating us like other charitable groups. And we look forward to continuing to help our neighbors as they recover from Harvey," Stoker said.

READ ALSO: Houston couple still rebuilding from Hurricane Harvey turns a ladder into a Christmas tree

Likewise, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America celebrated the news in a news release as a long-fought victory.

"We at the Orthodox Union have been working for more than 15 years to have this policy changed," said Nathan Diament, executive director for public policy. "We thank the Trump Administration for righting this long-time wrong and treating disaster- damaged churches, synagogues & other houses of worship fairly  on the same terms as other nonprofits such as museums, community centers and libraries stricken by natural disasters."

Opponents of the rule change called the policy problematic, among them Alex Luchenitser, associate legal director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C., whose organization has filed briefs in support of the former FEMA policy.

"We are deeply troubled by this policy change," Luchenitser said. "It's a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution and its protection of the separation of church and state."

The September lawsuit filed by Harvest Family Church in Cypress, Hi-Way Tabernacle and Rockport First Assembly of God challenged FEMA's policy of denying aid to faith-based nonprofits. In December, two Florida synagogues damaged during Hurricane Irma filed a parallel lawsuit.ues damaged during Hurricane Irma filed a parallel lawsuit, Chabad of Key West v. FEMA.

READ ALSO: Hurricane Harvey victims accused of stealing from church that took them in after storm

After a federal judge in Houston denied the Texas churches' emergency injunction in December, the three Texas churches asked U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for emergency relief. Alito gave FEMA a deadline to respond to the churches' request. FEMA planned to publish its new policy Thursday in the federal register, according to court documents.

"Better late than never," said Daniel Blomberg, an attorney at Becket, a law firm specializing in religious liberty cases that represents the Texas churches and the Florida synagogues, in a statement. "By finally following the Constitution, FEMA is getting rid of second-class status for churches, which in the words of the Supreme Court was 'odious' to the First Amendment. We will watch carefully to make sure that FEMA's new policy is implemented to provide equal treatment for churches and synagogues alongside other charities."

The judge's denial of Texas churches' injunction has been appealed to both the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. The Florida synagogues' case is pending in federal district court in Key West, according to Becket.

READ ALSO: Low salinity, poor water quality from Hurricane Harvey could impact coral reef Flower Garden Banks

'FEMA needed a nudge'

Those lawsuits will remain in place, said Eric Rassbach, co-counsel with Blomberg.

"It seems that FEMA needed a nudge from the lawsuit to follow the Constitution. However, the lawsuit is not over  for instance, FEMA has not yet actually started processing our clients' applications. But this is a move in the right direction," he said.

On Wednesday, Rassbach filed a brief with the appeals court explaining the churches do not yet know if "this announced-but-not-published change will translate into immediate relief" for his clients. Their FEMA relief applications, as of Wedneday were still on hold, he said in the Wednesday court filing.

The lawyers are asking the appeals court to issue an immediate injunction.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and send her tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com.Houston police are asking for the public's help finding the suspect who attempted to rob a jewelry store with a hammer last month.

On December 2 at 7:30 p.m., a man wearing black-and-white striped pants and a white T-shirt entered the Ben Bridge jewelry store in Memorial City Mall and whipped out a hammer.The Ohio Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next month over the state education departments efforts to recover more than $60 million in funding to Ohios largest online charter school, according to an AP report.

The dispute, which Education Week covered last year , hinges on student log-in records, which the state uses to determine attendance and enrollment at e-schools. A 2016 audit found that nine schools, including the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT), had overreported their full-time enrollment .

ECOT challenged the audit and brought a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the department of education had retroactively applied new attendance tracking standards.

The Ohio Supreme Court said in December that it would not temporarily stop the states collecting payments from ECOT.

As of October, the education department had withheld more than $10 million in monthly payments to the school.

The school has said that it will be forced to close in early 2018, in the middle of the current school year, if the Ohio Supreme Court does not intervene. ECOT has said that a closure would displace 12,000 students and cause 800 staff members to lose their jobs.

Ohios e-charter troubles are the latest in a series of reports of academic underperformance and administrative problems within the industry.

At the end of 2017, Education Week updated its interactive map that tracks cyber charter challenges, adding new incidences of school closures, attendance issues, financial mismanagement, and other concerns in eight states.

See more:Authorities are offering $12,500 for information leading to the arrest of a gang member accused of taking part in killing two men and injuring another man during an alleged a robbery this fall. The tip must be submitted to authorities during the month of January.

Frankie Lee Bell Jr., 29, is accused of being involved in an Oct. 3 robbery in Bryan-College Station, when a group of suspects shot and killed two men. A third man inside of the residence was injured, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS).FORT WORTH - A woman is shocked when she gets an email from her grandson pleading for help.

He's in New York City where he crashed a rental car. He needs her to wire several thousand dollars to a bank account in the Caribbean. His parents don't know he's in New York, so please don't tell them.

The woman goes to the bank to get the money. But little does she know that she's being scammed by someone pretending to be her grandson. And once the money is gone from her bank account, it is hard to get it back.

"The scammers do this all day long. They are able to pull enough information off of Facebook to build a story and they know just enough to convince an elderly person that it's true," said Celeste Embrey, assistant general counsel at the Texas Bankers Association. "The elderly are very ripe and rich targets for scammers."

But a new state law gives Texas banks and financial institutions more flexibility to protect the elderly and disabled from exploitation by allowing them to stop what they believe to be questionable transactions and report the potential fraud to the authorities for investigation.

$3 billion lost annually

The law went into effect Sept. 1.

"More of this goes on than we'd like to admit," said state Sen. Kelly Hancock, who co-sponsored the measure with state Rep. Tan Parker. Hancock said this is a vulnerable part of our society, "many of whom have worked their whole lives to get to this point and they can be destroyed overnight."

While no one can say precisely how much money is lost in such transactions, the U.S. Justice Department estimates that about $3 billion is lost annually in elderly financial fraud schemes.

The legislation is part of a movement across the country to protect the growing elderly population. In 2017, the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office created a fraud unit to specialize in prosecuting crimes against the elderly and the disabled. It also helped to create the Financial Exploitation Prevention Center of Tarrant County to help those who have been victimized.

"These are greedy people with very little conscience," Hancock said.

Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions previously had the ability to stop transactions if there was questionable activity, but often it required freezing an entire account. They also didn't have the authority to notify a third party about an out-of-the ordinary check or withdrawal of cash.

The new law allows a financial institution to place up to a 10-day hold on a specific request for payments, similar to what credit card companies do after questionable purchases are reported. Blocks on such payments can be extended for up to 30 days if requested by a state or federal agency or law enforcement. Those requests to extend financial holds would be reviewed by a court.

Giving tellers options

It also gives an individual employee, like a teller, immunity from being sued if a customer is unhappy about not having immediate access to his or her money.

But, if the request for funds is legitimate, the hold shouldn't cause the parties involved to "throw a fit," said Tim Morstad, assistant state director for AARP Texas.

"The tellers are the last backstop," Morstad said. "Once the money leaves a bank account, you can't get it back. We want the bank teller to have some options. This is one more tool in their toolbox."

If a transaction involves someone with an ongoing personal relationship with the elderly victim - a family member, a caretaker or a neighbor who routinely provides help - then Adult Protective Services, a division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, would conduct the investigation.

If the transaction in question involves a stranger taking advantage of a senior citizen, such as scam artist promising to fix a driveway or a roof, it would be turned over to law enforcement.

Slightly more than 63,000 exploitation allegations were made to Adult Protective Services from 2012 to 2016 with about 4,800 being validated, according to state records. That is only the "tip of the iceberg," since it is believed that a vast majority of financial abuse goes unreported, said Kez Wold, associate commissioner for the department.An Austin couple spent their time in a self-advertised 'kid-friendly' restaurant engaging in oral sex, according to an Austin American-Statesman report.

The manager of Baby Acapulco in the 13600 block of I-35 called police Saturday after noticing the couple's alleged lewd acts on one of the restaurant booths, the paper reported.the Fort Bend Junior Service League

The holidays are a little brighter for many charitable organizations in Fort Bend County thanks to a successful 2017 Sugar Plum Market. Presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) and Memorial Hermann, the 17th Annual Market raised $280,000.

Those proceeds were presented to Fort Bend County charities on Dec. 15 at a Check Presentation Party held at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land.Local residents who get are customers of Entergy will be getting a bit of good news when their next electric bill arrives, but that news could be tempered by the recent cold snap.

Entergy Texas, Inc.-the company that provides electricity to homes and businesses in Montgomery County and 26 other counties across the region-is dropping rates of the fuel portion of bills by 8 percent.

The lower rate, which is effective Jan. 2, means the average residential customer will see their fuel charge drop from $30.22 per megawatt hour to $21.46 per megawatt hour. The lower rate should turn into an average savings of about $8.77 a month for residential customers, according to Kacee Kirschvink, a spokesman for Entergy in the company's office in The Woodlands.

Entergy Texas, and other utilities in the state, are regulated by the Public Utility Commission. With monthly bills largely made up of base charges plus fuel charges, rates can drop as fuel costs remain low, allowing Entergy Texas to pass on its lower costs to customers. The lower rates will be in effect through March, when the rates will be evaluated again.

"A few times each year we true up our fuel costs to customers," Kirschvink said. "The cost of fuel has been relatively low, which is good news for our customers."

During the two previous quarters the fuel portion was reduced by 15 percent, but because the rates are based on what Entergy Texas has to pay for fuel, Kirschvink could not say what direction the rates would be headed when they're evaluated again.

Although crude oil prices have been on the rise, with oil prices remaining elevated, the nation's gasoline stockpiles are rising-and that's helping to keep costs down. The winter months also are typically more affordable for fuel because of slowed demand and cheaper winter-grade gasoline.

Still, with the recent cold snap, Kirschvink cautions local homeowners and businesses should resist the temptation to crank up thermostat. With temperatures dropping below freezing during the night this week the savings from the lower fuel charge could go out the window as people turn up the heat to keep warm. It's estimated every degree over 68 degrees adds about three percent to a heating bill. Kirschvink recommends keeping the thermostat down.

"People do have to consider what the cold will do to their bill, Kirschvink said. "You can do yourself a favor by keeping your thermostat at 68."

Beside providing electricity to customers in The Woodlands, Entergy Texas supplies energy to about 450,000 businesses and homes. Parent company Entergy Corp. provides electricity to 2.7 million customers across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.State policymakers should use the flexibility in the Every Student Succeeds Act to transform accountability, and move to more sophisticated models that emphasize competency-based learning and preparation for college and careers, a new report argues.

The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) recently released a policy brief titled Rethinking State Accountability to Support Personalized, Competency-Based Learning in K-12 Education . The Vienna, Va.-based education advocacy organization advises K-12 school and district policymakers to redesign accountability systems in an effort to transition from a culture of compliance to one of continuous improvement.

With all 50 states ESSA accountablity plans submitted, nearly every state now has some sort of strategy to improve career readiness in their plans, according to an analysis from Advance CTE , which advocates for workforce education. (Alyson Klein recently summarized this report on the Politics K-12 blog.)

But the iNACOL report suggests revisiting the accountability plans with a new lens.

Most states currently approach accountability in a way that identifies the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools as required by the law, focusing on narrow, time-based metrics of student achievement and a one-size-fits-all approach, the iNACOL report says. In contrast to this strategy, the report authors envision changing accountability significantly to put a greater emphasis on collecting, reporting, and using student data primarily to support student success, not just because laws and regulations require it.

Continuously improving education systems use evidence-based practices to improve learning and monitor the progress of students, schools, and systems in real-time, the reports authors write. States need to ensure that students get the supports they need, when they need them, for growth and success.

Maria Worthen, iNACOLs vice president for federal and state policy and one of the briefs authors, said states and districts should reframe the way they see accountability.

Compliance-based accountability is really top-down, in that states do what they are required to do and do not think about what value they could add to student learning, Worthen said in an interview. Accountability for continuous improvement [means] looking across the various levels of the system to help answer what it means for every stakeholder to share in the success of students.

So, what aspects of an accountability system can help provide whats needed for students growth and development? And how can a system give all stakeholders more transparency in the process of improving a school? The authors argue in favor of five essential requirements:



Creating a new, more holistic definition of student success that reflects the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in higher education, the workforce, and civic life.



Providing educators and students with transparency around mastery, gaps, and depth of student learning, so learning gaps can be filled and all students have an opportunity to learn at deeper levels.



Keeping track of students pacing and on-task progress.



Integrating evidence of what works best to improve student learning into teaching and curricula.



Promoting equity and including necessary resources and supports to ensure equal outcomes for students, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, or English-language proficiency.

The report explains the framework of reciprocal accountability, a term coined by Harvard Professor Richard Elmore, and recommends it as a first step to accomplish these goals. Elmore argues that each level in an accountability system, from federal and state governments down to districts and schools, is responsible for producing high-quality learning opportunities for every child.

As a first step toward achieving reciprocal accountability, the report encourages states to engage with diverse stakeholders at different levels, considering how new accountability designs can increase equity and improve outcomes for every student.

Is Vermont a Model?

As an example of a next-generation accountability system, the report cites Vermonts ESSA accountability plan . The Vermont Agency of Education measures school performance using five priority areas: academic proficiency; personalization; high-quality staffing; safe, healthy schools; and investment priorities.

For each of the states five priorities, Vermonts education department has guiding accountability questions and reporting measures, using a rating system from near target to on target. (See the graphic from the iNACOL report, above, which breaks down Vermonts accountability system.)

As ESSA requires states to identify their lowest-performing 5 percent of schools, Vermonts rating system identifies schools that perform off-target on a three-year cycle on the states first priority, academic proficiency. But unlike accountability models that rely on a single, summative rating of school performance, Vermonts rating system encourages a culture of continuous improvement. School leaders and educators receive guidance on how to achieve the outcome targets for their school and students.

Vermonts state plan considers how all schools can improve, not just schools that have been labeled under a particular perfomance level, Worthen said. I think thats in the spirit and mindset of continuous improvement.

Back to the Drawing Board?

The authors recommend that state policymakers bring together educators, policymakers, and community members to create a new definition of student success, which may help redefine knowledge and skills that will carry students forward in college, careers, and life.

Though Worthen said her organization has not completed a review of ESSA state accountability plans, she pointed to an interactive map from KnowledgeWorks , a national education organization which is one of iNACOLs partners. The map examines state strategies to promote personalized learning through ESSA and includes links to summaries of each states accountability measures.

The authors point out that states can send a request to the Department of Education to amend their ESSA accountability measures at any time.

It is important for states, but also for education stakeholders, to think about how to better their plans, Worthen said, and what support they may need from the U.S. Department of Education to change their plans.

See also:

Photo included from iNACOL policy brief. (Source: Vermont Agency of Education )When Tom Fowkes tells his friends in Pennsylvania that he commutes to work in Oakland, they all tend to react in the same way:

"You work in California? Are you nuts?!"

And he couldn't disagree more. The Kaiser pediatric nurse began his bi-weekly trip to work 9 years ago, and, he is happy to report, it "has changed my life."

When Fowkes was working as a nurse in Pennsylvania, he had to work three jobs, barely made ends meet and never saw his son because he was working all the time. Now that he works at Kaiser, he says, "I am making California money and I live very nice."

Those in the Bay Area who find it a challenge often forget wages in this region are much higher than many parts of the country. At SFGATE, we've been telling stories of locals who have moved to distant states where they can afford to buy a home, or even rent a place that doesn't cost over half their salary.

But Fowkes feels like he can have it all, the California money and Pennsylvania's cheaper cost of living. The difference in wages is so big that even with the cost of flying across country four times a month, it's a no-brainer.

"These are the highest paid nursing jobs on the planet," he says, referring to his job at Kaiser. "I make more than some doctors do back home."

He got his first taste of California several years ago when he came out on a travel assignment with an agency. After his agency job ended, a friend introduced him to Kaiser, where he had an interview and got hired the same day.

In his early days at Kaiser, he would work six -12-hour shifts in a row and then fly back to Pennsylvania for two weeks. But "that would be kind of brutal. By the sixth day, I was kind of burnt out."

At the time, he was sharing a trailer in Concord with a nurse from Mississippi. The trailer was small but all he needed was a place to sleep and shower since he was spending all his time working.

Nowadays, his schedule has softened a bit. He works 12-hour shifts on Monday and Tuesday every week and then 12-hour shifts every other weekend. It works out to 36 hours a week and after he has worked his 72 hours, he heads back to his home near Pittsburgh.

Fowkes says other nurses are living the long-distance commuter's life. On the floor he works on, Fowkes estimates that 10 percent of the workers travel from other places. Most are like him, Kaiser employees who work on a per diem basis, which gives them greater schedule flexibility but no benefits.

Fowkes took the Kaiser job for the money. But he wasn't sure he could take all the flying. "Now it has become so routine I don't even think about it," he says.

"I can't believe I've been doing it for 9 years. It seems like 4 or 5. It's changed my life. I spend more time with my son. And when I'm home and I don't work, we can do things because I have money now."

And, he adds, he also has a new $160,000 swimming pool.High school students who fled their homes in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria struck will be able to earn diplomas in Florida schools, the state has decided.

Miami and several other Florida districts had been seeking special waivers to allow hurricane-displaced students to get their diplomas without taking state-mandated graduation exams.

The Florida Department of Education has decided that high school juniors and seniors can earn Puerto Rico diplomas at their newly adopted Florida high schools. State K-12 schools Chancellor Hershel Lyons explained the decision in a Dec. 29 memo to school districts, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Some activists and educators had worried that Puerto Rican students who fled their homes after the Sept. 20 storm might face difficulty on the states graduation exam, since its given only in English. Miami wanted a waiver that would let students skip the exam; another district that took in a lot of Maria refugees sought a waiver that would let students substitute another test, such as the SAT, in their native language.

The state education departments decision allows the displaced students to earn Puerto Rican diplomas. It wasnt immediately clear whether waivers from state exam requirements would be granted for students who wish to earn Florida diplomas. Puerto Rican diplomas carry fewer requirements than Florida diplomas, according to the Orlando Sentinel .

Some educators had been concerned that Puerto Rican students who were unprepared to pass the states graduation exam could impact their schools accountability ratings. Lyons said in his memo that students who earn Puerto Rican diplomas will not count against schools in calculating their graduation rates.

Get High School & Beyond posts delivered to your inbox as soon as theyre published. Sign up here . Also, for news and analysis of issues that shape adolescents preparation for work and higher education.A small organization launched a #MeTooK12 campaign this week with the hope of harnessing the massive media coverage of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace to spark a conversation about the problem of sexual violence in public schools.

Stop Sexual Assault in Schools founded by parents who say their daughter was sexually assaulted by a classmate on a Seattle school field tripsaid in announcing the campaign that it wants to encourage student victims of such sexual violence to share their stories. The organization also hopes secondary victims, including friends and family members of those who have been assaulted, will share how the problem affects the greater school population.

While celebrities and politicians have rallied to the cause of women speaking out about sexual harassment at work under the hashtag #MeToo, sexual violence at schools has received less attention, the organization says.

Few people of influence understand how sexual harassment and assault devastate the lives of K-12 students, their families, and friendsbeginning in elementary school; and the younger the victim, the more devastating the impact and greater vulnerability to repeated assault, Stop Sexual Assault in Schools said in an announcement. Not only do the survivors emotional and psychological scars endure long after the incidents, their social lives, education, and career dreams can be shattered.

Student Victims of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Victims advocacy groups say the problem of sexual harassment and assault in schools is not widely understood by the public. That may be because federal data doesnt fully capture the scale of the issue, they say.

Seventy-nine percent of schools that teach students in grades 7-12 reported zero incidents of sexual harassment in 2013-14, according to an analysis of the most recent federal data by the American Association of University Women. Its unlikely those schools actually had no incidents, interim vice president for policy and government relations Ann Hedgepath told a congressional panel in October because student surveys and other data sources show assault and harassment are much more common.

While policy conversations about sexual violence in educational settings typically focus on colleges and universities, federal officials have taken action in K-12 schools as well. Schools can be found in violation of the federal Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination, if they dont adequately respond to student complaints of sexual violence and bullying. The U.S. Department of Education office for civil rights, which enforces education civil rights laws, saw an increase in complaints about sexual violence at elementary and secondary schools from 2009-16, the years of the Obama administration, according to a federal report released in 2016.

That increase coincided with a federal campaign to address sexual assault on college campuses, which centered on new guidance that directed schools, colleges, and universities about students rights under Title IX. Among other things, that guidance said schools required less evidence to act on student claims of sexual violence than they would in formal criminal proceedings.

Advocacy groups praised the guidance for drawing attention to the issue. But some education organizations, including K-12 groups, said investigations of assault and harassment can be difficult, often pitting the word of one student against another.

The Trump administration withdrew that guidance last year, citing concerns about due process rights for college students accused of assault. Officials have not specified a timeline for releasing revised guidance.

Esther Warkov and Joel Levin founded Stop Sexual Assault in Schools to provide resources for families about schools obligations under Title IX after they say their daughter was raped on a field trip in 2012, the organizations website says.

Among other concerns, the family said the school district did not respond to its complaint quickly enough. The Seattle school district later entered a $700,000 settlement with the family. Without admitting any wrongdoing, the district committed to updating policies for overnight field trips and updated training on Title IX compliance issues.

Our family was thrown into chaos for months, just attending to the immediate trauma from the rape itself, Warkov recently said in an interview with the National Womens Law Center. At the same time, we struggled to piece together our daughters education. We were constantly stymied by school staff who gave us contradictory information and were obviously unaware of how to handle the situation.

Related reading about sexual harassment, assault, and K-12 schools:

Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox.A network of Houston health centers serving vulnerable residents has sued the federal government to prevent the loss of funding that local officials say would close six clinics as early as next week.

Central Care Integrated Health Services obtained a temporary restraining order in late December against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' acting secretary to extend the terms of an operating grant until Monday. A hearing is set before Chief U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal in Houston Monday, and an amended lawsuit filed Jan. 1 seeks to continue federal funding beyond that point.

The upheaval could disrupt the continuity of care for about 10,000 patients in some of Houston's poorest areas, according to Central Care CEO La Toya Darden.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, who has several clinics in her district, called Wednesday afternoon for continued funding for Houston's first federally qualified health center and publicly requested another review by officials.

"We think that there is cause to have a reconsideration," the congresswoman said at a news conference, adding that she intends to appeal to the White House and HHS decision-makers.

"That's what we're seeking in the courts, but we're also seeking to sit down at the table and get reconsideration."

She was flanked by physicians, nurses and patients at the Riverside clinic in Third Ward who held "Save Central Care" signs. The organization has been taking care of uninsured and underinsured patients for 25 years.

"There have been no charges of poor care here," Jackson Lee said. "They didn't find fault in the care."

Worried patients

The six Central Care clinics provide primary medical care in underserved areas including Third Ward, Sunnyside, Acres Homes and Humble. The network, which operates under a legal entity named South Central Houston Action Council, became the city's first federally qualified health center when it opened in 1992. The organization is primarily funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, an HHS agency known as HRSA.

According to HRSA online records, Central Care received $5.376 million for 2017 to provide primary care services. Clinics offer medical, dental and behavioral health services as well as HIV care and prevention.

The grant money for the communities now served by Central Care has been awarded to another provider, who could not be determined immediately Wednesday and was not listed on HRSA's list of 2018 grantees in Harris County. The online data notes that organizations that have received commitments but not awards were not included.

HRSA public affairs officials did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Central Care sued HHS on Dec. 22 for relief pending a review of its service area competition application. The award went to the "highest-scoring applicant," agency officials said in court documents. Central Care had received grants to operate in the designated service areas since 2002.

Without the grant money, Central Care "would be forced to shutter all six of its facilities," the suit said.

"We don't turn anyone away," said Dr. Kymberly Butler. "That means accessibility."

A half-dozen patients attested to the quality of care as people seeking dialysis arrived Wednesday for treatment.

Central Care is the medical home of retiree Ruby Samuel, a brain aneurysm survivor of more than three decades.

"It has become very important to me since that time that I have health care management ... so that I can avoid another," the 71-year-old said. "I am so pleased with the staff. They are very personable, professional and loving."

Anahi Gonzalez, a 29-year-old receptionist, said she receives dental care at the Third Ward clinic.

"Coming from a Hispanic family  mainly immigrant  it's nice to know that everybody is very welcoming," she said, choking up while offering remarks in English and Spanish. "Please do not close the doors of Central Care. You would be affecting, not just my family, but many families."

Challenge underway

In 2015, HRSA suspended Central Care's access to health professionals via the National Health Service Corps until certain conditions were met, according an affidavit of Darden in federal court filings. Physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners and others receive student loan forgiveness to practice in underserved areas.

After Central Care complied with conditions, HRSA took almost a year to return the clinics to active status, Darden's affidavit said.

"As of result of this failure by HRSA, Central Care was unable to recruit doctors from the NHSC from July 2016 to May 2017 despite having satisfied the conditions for eligibility," Darden said.

The revised lawsuit questions whether the successful grant applicant actually obtained a higher score and cites Central Care's lack of access to physicians for its score of 89 out of 100.

The complaint also said the Department of Health and Human Services has taken action to begin to "wind down" Central Care's medical services.

Vindication later without holdover funding will still spell disaster, the lawsuit noted. Even if the grant decision is reversed and the money is restored, Central Care "would not be in a position to resume operations" without continuous funding.

The filing also includes a subpoena for HHS Acting Secretary Eric D. Hargan.

HRSA is the primary federal agency responsible for improving health care for underserved populations, including the economically and medically vulnerable as well as those who are geographically isolated.

According to a Dec. 13 email in court documents from a HRSA official, Central Care was advised to apply for designation as a health center program "look-alike," which is not available for grant funding but is eligible for many of the same benefits.

According to HRSA records, the agency has active grants of $835 million in Texas distributed to 140 organizations. In Harris County, there are active grants totaling $98 million to 19 organizations.Michigans Supreme Court ordered last month that the state return $554 million it withheld between 2010 and 2012 from 275,000 school employees and retirees paychecks to pay for two years worth of retiree health care, according to the Associated Press.

The court unanimously ruled Dec. 20 that the state failed to show how the 2010 law that withheld the funds was reasonable and necessary to further a legitimate public purpose, and that the withholding substantially impaired school employees employment contracts by involuntarily reducing their wages.



The ruling upheld a 2016 judgement by the state appeals court that struck down the law created under Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

In the coming weeks, an educator in Michigan making $50,000 a year will receive approximately $3,000 plus interest.

The state has for years struggled with ways to pay down ballooning pension and retiree health care costs.

Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.GALVESTON - A former Galveston County deputy plead guilty Tuesday to asking a 14-year old girl for sex online and sending her explicit text messages.

Ruben Ornelas, 35, submitted his guilty plea to Judge Patricia Grady in the 212th District Court, waiving his right to appeal in the process.

Ornelas was indicted in November 2016 on charges of soliciting sex from a 14-year old girl and sending her lewd and graphic text messages, including a photograph of his genitals. He had been scheduled to go on trial Tuesday.

Documents show that the girl told investigators that Ornelas twice forced her to perform sexual acts on him. Ornelas' wife reportedly discovered dozens of texts on his phone to the girl, who she knew was underage.

Ornelas' attorney, Mo Ibrahim, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ornelas was fired from the Galveston County Sheriff's Office in 2015 after a grand jury indicted him on a charge of receiving oral sex from a female inmate while transporting her from the jail to the Galveston County Justice Center, where court hearings are held. That charge was later dropped after the Galveston County District Attorney's office had trouble locating the inmate.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement also suspended Ornelas' peace officer license.

The state's witness list against Ornelas included over 20 law enforcement officers from the League City Texas City and Dickinson police departments, as well as his former supervisors in the sheriff's office.

Ornelas was ordered into custody and faces a possible punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for online solicitation of a minor and indecency with a child, both second-degree felonies. His punishment will be determined at a later date.A former Texas pharmacist accused of paying for sex from a 14-year-old girl and attempting to pay her mother to keep it from the police has started his trial.

Stanley Turner, 65, appeared in court on Tuesday in Nacogdoches, according to news station KTRE-TV. Prosecutors said Turner had sex with the teenager in August 2014 and then drove her and a friend to the store to buy hair products, according to the news station. An arrest affidavit obtained by KTRE-TV states Turner reportedly tried to pay the victim's mother $2,000 if her daughter told police that he didn't have sex with her.

PROSTITUTION IN TEXAS: Spa still has license after multiple prostitution charges

Turner was arrested during a sting set up by police after the mother agreed to meet with Turner, KTRE-TV reports.

On Wednesday, the woman accused of setting up the meeting between the teenager and Turner testified in court. Marshia Lasha Robinson told the judge that she initially thought the victim was 20 years old and from Houston, according to another KTRE-TV report. Robinson reportedly set the pair up to have sex in her apartment and said she later learned the victim was much younger.

The arrest affidavit from the Nacogdoches Police Department obtained by the news station reportedly states the teen was originally reported as a runaway in Lufkin. She allegedly told officers that she had sex with multiple men while she was in Nacogdoches and that she had been paid for some of the encounters.

HAVE YOU SEEN THEM?: 2 missing Round Rock children may be out of state after mother found dead

Turner and Robinson were identified by the teen during police questioning, according to the reports.

Turner was originally charged with solicitation of a prostitute under 18, sexual assault of a child, tampering with a witness and trafficking. KTRE-TV reports all but one of the charges were dropped but failed to state which charge. Robinson was charged with felony trafficking.

The Nacogdoches County District Attorney's Office was not open Wednesday. The Nacogdoches Police Department did not comment on the case.

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.A man who was found dead in the waters of Padre Island National Seashore was identified as a New Braunfels resident Monday, according to a report from the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.

Visitors found the man's body in the surf on Friday evening south of the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center, according to the report.



The man was identified as Kevin Francis O'Toole, 60, the report states.

RELATED: Neighbor found man 'smoldering' in East Side home, broke in to save him but was too late





Park rangers called on the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office to investigate the death after they found that O'Toole had severe head trauma.



Though an investigation is underway, the case did not close off any area of the area's popular tourist spots to visitors.

The sheriff's office is reportedly investigating the incident as a suspicious death and have not ruled it a homicide as of Monday.

The man was identified as Kevin Francis O'Toole, 60, the report states.

READ ALSO: Teen detained in San Antonio Walmart shoplifting case arrested on heroin charges

Park rangers called on the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office to investigate the death after they found that O'Toole had severe head trauma.

Though an investigation is underway, the case did not close off any area of the popular tourist spot to vistors.

The sheriff's office are reportedly investigating the incident as a suspicious death and have not ruled it a homicide as of Monday.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSABOSTON - Most of the largest U.S. public universities do not track suicides among their students, despite making investments in prevention at a time of surging demand for mental health services.

Tabulating student suicides comes with its own set of challenges and problems. But without that data, prevention advocates say, schools have no way to measure their success and can overlook trends that could offer insight to help them save lives.

"If you don't collect the data, you're doing half the job," said Gordon Smith, a former U.S. senator from Oregon who became a prevention advocate after his son, Garrett, took his life in 2003 while attending college. "We need information in mental health if we're actually going to be able to better tailor health and healing."

Increasing anxiety

The Associated Press asked the 100 largest U.S. public universities for annual suicide statistics and found that 46 currently track suicides, including 27 that have consistently done so since 2007. Of the 54 remaining schools, 43 said they don't track suicides, nine could provide only limited data and didn't answer questions about how consistently they tracked suicides, and two didn't provide statistics.

Schools that don't track suicides include some of the nation's largest, including Arizona State University and the University of Wisconsin, which have both dealt with student suicides in the recent past, according to news reports. There were at least two suicides at Arizona State in 2017. Health officials at Wisconsin said they're finalizing a database to track the causes of student deaths.

"We will create a formal model to accurately document all student deaths at UW-Madison," Dr. Agustina Marconi, an epidemiologist at the university, said in a statement. "Our findings and the standards we create will benefit other universities moving forward."

The issue has come to the fore as some schools report today's students are arriving on campus less prepared for the rigors of college. Many schools have increased spending on mental health services to counter what the American Psychological Association and other groups have called a mental health crisis on campuses.

Surveys have found increasing rates of anxiety and depression among college students, but some experts say the problem only appears to be worsening because students who might have stayed silent in the past are taking advantage of the increasing availability of help.

"It's unfortunate that people are characterizing this outcome as a crisis," said Ben Locke, who runs a national mental-health network for colleges and leads the counseling center at Penn State. "It's counterproductive because it's criticizing the exact people we've encouraged to come forward."

Federal health officials have sought to encourage data collection as part of a grant program named after Smith's son, which has awarded $76 million to more than 230 colleges since 2005. Schools have separately spent millions on their own, often adding programs that teach basic life skills, and training staff across campus to identify students in need.

The U.S. Education Department asks colleges to collect data on student deaths but not suicides specifically, and a variety of factors can discourage schools from tracking it.

After the 2014 suicide of freshman track star Madison Holleran at the University of Pennsylvania, one of her former teachers in her hometown of Allendale, N.J., was surprised to learn many universities don't report suicide statistics. He pushed for a law that would have required the state's public universities to collect and publicize annual numbers, but it never made it to a vote amid pushback from schools.

"He felt that it was something that the public had every right to know," said Pam Philipp, a New Jersey mental-health advocate who lobbied for the legislation along with Holleran's former teacher, Ed Modica, who died in 2017 at age 66.

A similar proposal by a state task force in Washington was sidelined amid budget woes last year, while lawmakers in Pennsylvania have yet to vote on recommendations to improve data collection.

Suicides on the rise

National studies have found that suicide rates are on the rise in the United States, reaching 13 per 100,000 among all Americans and 12.5 among those ages 15 to 24. Much of the data on suicide comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which does not specifically track college suicides.

Schools that do track suicides, however, often use their data to refine prevention efforts.

After Clemson University started gathering more data in 2015, campus officials noticed an increased suicide rate among transfer students. The school is now redoubling efforts to connect those students with campus services.

Data at other universities have led officials to secure access to certain rooftops.

Among the oldest examples is at the University of Texas at Austin, where officials in the 1990s installed iron barriers atop a clock tower that had previously been closed following several student suicides. The 10-year rate on that campus is in line with averages found in earlier studies, its data show, and has decreased in the second half of the past decade, even as national rates increase.WASHINGTON - The top American commander for the Middle East wants a more aggressive Afghan military pressuring Taliban and other insurgents over the normally quieter months of Afghanistan's winter, and then quickly going on the offensive in the spring. It's all part of a plan the United States hopes will change the course of a war now entering its 17th year.

Gen. Joseph Votel of U.S. Central Command said an influx of new American trainers can help escalate the fight. They'll be operating with Afghan units, closer to the front lines and at greater risk, but Votel said U.S. commanders will ensure American and allied forces have adequate protection.

The goal is to get the Afghan military moving on its military campaign sooner, rather than later.

'Keep the pressure on'

The United States wants the "focus on offensive operations, and we'll look for a major effort to gain the initiative very quickly as we enter into the fighting season," Votel said.

Afghan forces must "keep the pressure on all the time and work to gain the upper hand as quickly as we can. So that as we get into this next fighting season we can build on the initiative," he said.

The Trump administration's Afghanistan strategy gives the U.S. military greater authority to launch offensive attacks against a resilient Taliban and an emerging Islamic State affiliate. The plan, announced in August, was designed to reverse a stalemate in America's longest war. It specifically eliminates the Obama administration's scheduled plan to withdraw U.S. forces, but includes no dramatic changes in an approach that has failed to stabilize the country or snuff out extremist groups operating from Afghan territory.

As 2018 begins, Afghanistan appears to be high on President Donald Trump's agenda. On New Year's Day, he slammed Afghanistan's neighbor Pakistan in a tweet for "lies & deceit," accusing the country of playing U.S. leaders for "fools" by not crushing militants in its territory. A major focus of Trump's Afghanistan strategy is to persuade Pakistan to eliminate havens for the Taliban and other fighters.

Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador and Islamic groups held rallies in major Pakistani cities in response.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years," Nikki Haley, Trump's U.N. envoy, said Tuesday, explaining that Washington was withholding $255 million in aid to Islamabad. "They work with us at times and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable."

On the Afghan side of the border, Washington is trying to build a tougher national military.

Votel said as the coalition builds up the Afghan Air Force and trains more security forces, the Afghans will become better fighters. "By the time they get to the next fight," he said, "they will be able to really present a significant offensive capability."

But it's hardly the first time the American military has vowed to shape up the U.S.-backed army into a force that can defeat the Taliban, al-Qaida, ISIS and others. Nor does Trump's approach represent the first time a frustrated president has pumped troops into the country to turn the situation around. There are now as many as 16,000 U.S. forces in the country - roughly double what Trump inherited - and a special training unit is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan early this year.

When then-President Barack Obama took office in 2009, he authorized a surge of U.S. forces to Afghanistan that took the total there to about 100,000. The goal was to tamp down a resurgent Taliban and train and expand Afghan security forces. The plan centered on forcing the Taliban to the peace table and ending the war by the time Obama left office.

The plan never worked, despite the mission meeting several celebrated benchmarks: Obama ended combat operations in 2014, curtailed offensive strikes and set deadlines for a full U.S. troop withdrawal. And as the U.S. and NATO forces pulled back, the Taliban stepped up attacks and regained ground, while an ISIS faction carved out its own foothold. Obama ended his presidency leaving more than 8,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Seeking peace negotiations

Beyond boosting troop numbers, Trump has granted his generals' wishes for fewer combat restrictions, greater authority for commanders and no withdrawal deadline. Next year will be the first test of the policy. The Taliban currently controls as much as half of the country.

James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral who served as the top U.S. commander for NATO from 2009 until 2013, said the ultimate goal in Afghanistan remains the same: pushing the Taliban into seeking peace negotiations.

"There is a slightly better than even chance that there are some new factors which move us toward the possibility of a successful outcome," said Stavridis, now dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Those changes, he said, include the elimination of troop withdrawal timelines and Taliban fatigue.

"I think they're tired, too. This is also a 17-year war for them," Stavridis said, but suggested any settlement will require compromise. "Is this going to be a sweeping victory? No. But I think the odds are much higher of getting them to the negotiating table."

But as winter arrives, Votel said the Afghan army must stay on the offense.

"We frequently talk about these fighting seasons, but as you know the fighting never actually ends," Votel said.President Donald Trump's appointment of federal judges at a record pace may endear him to conservatives, but that alone won't be enough to push the judiciary to the right.

A big obstacle is Barack Obama's legacy of stacking the courts with his own lifetime appointees. When Obama took office in 2009, Democratic appointees made up the majority of active-status judges on just one of the nation's 12 regional appeals courts - a step below the Supreme Court. Even if Trump fills all the currently vacant seats on the appeals courts, judges appointed by Republicans still won't hold a majority on eight of them.

That gives the Democratic appointees more sway when those courts exercise their rarely used but important power to convene all of their judges - in so-called en banc panels of as many as 16 jurists - to hear cases of exceptional public interest. The losing side can always seek Supreme Court review, but en banc rulings are often the final word on major matters of civil and criminal justice.

"For many cases heard en banc, these majorities can determine outcomes on novel or publicly important legal issues," said Anne Joseph O'Connell, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who specializes in federal staffing.

In the last 18 months, en banc rulings in circuits dominated by Democratic appointees handed significant losses to the National Rifle Association on concealed gun permits and an assault weapons ban. Another one affirmed the right of pregnant teenagers in immigration custody to get abortions over the objections of Trump's health department.

Trump, of course, is still just getting started as he hurries to fill 143 judicial vacancies, 15 of which are to appeals panels, while Obama had eight years to shape the courts. But to achieve a Republican takeover of the appellate courts, Trump will have to wait for Democrat-appointed judges to retire or die. Of 164 active appeals judges, 22 are older than 75.

"Most critically, he needs more vacancies at the appellate level, and judges - particularly those nominated by President Jimmy Carter and President Bill Clinton - may not want to retire during this administration," O'Connell said.

To be sure, the judicial philosophies and political leanings of judges don't always align with the party of the presidents who appoint them. In April, the Republican-heavy circuit court based in Chicago, on an 8-3 en banc vote, became the first in the nation to rule that the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In other pending en banc cases:

The circuit court for the District of Columbia will decide on a constitutional attack on the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency launched by Obama and loathed by many Republicans.

The Richmond, Va.-based circuit court is expected soon to rule on whether to block the third version of Trump's travel ban aimed at a group of mostly Muslim nations.MEXICO CITY - To commemorate the new year, an aspiring mayoral candidate of a small Mexican town sent a Facebook message on Sunday morning asking residents to unite to improve society.

"We only need maturity, seriousness, and responsibility to face the challenges that confront society," Adolfo Serna Nogueda wrote.

Later that day, Serna was shot and killed outside his home in Atoyac de Alvarez, along the Pacific Coast in the western state of Guerrero.

Serna, a member of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, was one of at least five politicians killed in the past week in Mexico on the eve of an important election year. Two days earlier, the mayor of another Guerrero town, Petatlan, about two hours north along the coast, was killed while eating with friends at a restaurant. And the day before that, a state congressman from Jalisco was gunned down while driving with his son. A former state congressional candidate and a town councilman were also killed in the past week.

The spate of violence was another reminder of the grave dangers inherent in Mexican politics, particularly at the local level, where drug gangs regularly exert influence. It has also prompted politicians from different parties to call for tighter security measures and to demand justice ahead of the elections this summer.

Four of the five politicians killed were affiliated with the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). Top party officials have condemned the wave of violence and have asked to meet with federal officials to discuss the cases.

"We are six months from the presidential election and of course these attacks against our members are taken as a warning against participating," Angel Avila Romero, secretary general of the PRD, said last week.

The killing of politicians has been a recurring problem in Mexico in recent years. Since President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration began in 2012, 61 current or former mayors have been slain, up from 49 killed in the previous administration, according to a count by the National Association of Mayors.

"We have called on the president asking for an immediate meeting to implement a security protocol for mayors," Enrique Vargas del Villar, the president of the association, said in a phone interview. "The insecurity cannot continue this way in our country."

Vargas del Villar said that mayors needed direct phone lines to the Interior Ministry to report any threats against them so that federal officials could intervene.

In states where drug gangs and cartels maintain a strong presence, local officials are at the greatest risk. Some have ties to criminal groups while others face extortion demands or other threats, according to security experts.

"This shows the breakdown of institutions due to the penetration of organized crime groups that apparently try to influence the electoral process," said Miguel Arroyo Ramirez, a lawyer and a founding member of an anti-crime civil society group. "When someone appears who doesn't share their interests, or has different interests, these groups don't have the slightest hesitation in eliminating those who are inconvenient."

The motives behind this past week's political killings remain unclear.

The mayor of Petatlan and a member of the PRD, Arturo Gomez Perez, was shot at point-blank range on Friday inside a restaurant in his town in front of several witnesses, according to local news reports.

Also:

On Dec. 28, Saul Galindo, a PRD state congressman from Jalisco, who was president of the justice committee, was shot while driving near his ranch in Tomatlan, authorities said. He had served as mayor of Tomatlan and was reportedly planning to run for the position again.

On Dec. 30, Gabriel Hernandez Arias, a town councilman in Jalapa, in the state of Tabasco, was found stabbed to death in his home, according to authorities. He was also with the PRD party.

The same day, lawyer Juan Jose Castro Crespo, was shot to death in Mexicali, a city in the border state of Baja California. Castro Crespo had been a PRD candidate for state congress and a president of the local bar association.OTTAWA - Joshua Boyle, the Canadian man who was freed after five years in Taliban captivity in October, has been arrested and charged with 15 criminal offenses, including sexual assault, uttering death threats and misleading police - all of which allegedly occurred after he returned to Canada with his family.

According to multiple Canadian media outlets, the 34-year-old Boyle first appeared in court on New Year's Day in Ottawa and will remain in custody at least until a hearing Wednesday. All of the offenses are alleged to have taken place in Ottawa between Oct. 14, shortly after the family's arrival back in Canada, and Dec. 30. A court order prevents publication of any information that would identify any victims or witnesses. Among the charges is causing an unidentified person to ingest "a noxious thing, namely Trazodone," an antidepressant drug.

It's the latest twist in the strange story of Boyle, the son of a Canadian tax-court judge, who was abducted by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network along with his pregnant American wife, Caitlan Coleman, while they were backpacking in the Afghan province of Wardak in 2012. The couple spent the next five years as hostages, during which Coleman gave birth to three children.

The Boyles were set free in Pakistan in October 2017 and flown back to Canada, but the family almost immediately showed signs of stress. A week after their arrival, Coleman was rushed to the hospital with an unspecified ailment. A statement issued at the time, purportedly by Boyle's family, said the couple was "deeply traumatized and Josh is not of clear thought as he speaks at times."

Coleman declined to comment on the charges but said that "ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this." Eric Granger, Boyle's defense lawyer, told the Star that his client had never been in trouble with the law before, describing him as "a young man who we all know has been through a lot."

Interviewed after the family's liberation in October, Coleman's father, Jim, expressed anger with his son-in-law. Jim Coleman, who lives in Stewartstown, Pa., told ABC News that "taking your pregnant wife to a very dangerous place, to me and the kind of person I am, is unconscionable." Coleman's parents were reportedly in Ottawa with their daughter on Monday.

It has always been unclear what Boyle and his wife were doing in Afghanistan. In one interview, Boyle said that he and Coleman had decided to travel there "to fix things." Although he once described himself to a friend as "a hippie, Mennonite love child," Boyle had long been fascinated by radical Islam and was married for a time to Zaynab Khadr, an elder sister of Omar Khadr, the Pakistani-Canadian who as a 15-year-old was arrested and charged with killing an American soldier in Afghanistan.

Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to the killing but then recanted, claiming his confession had been coerced. He spent 10 years at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay before being returned to Canada in 2012. Khadr sued the Canadian government for breaching his constitutional rights and was recently awarded a settlement of 10.5 million Canadian dollars ($8.4 million).This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. it is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way.It was the year of the reckoning.

The #MeToo earthquake rattled airy open-floor startups, comedy club green rooms, high-rise network news studios and the marbled halls of Congress with equal force.

One by one, boldfaced braggarts around the country lost their jobs and were shunned as complainants bravely stepped forward.

Norms shifted like tectonic plates. Everyone, no matter where they work, is more aware of sexual harassment today than they were six months ago.

The reaction in Albany was a little different.

Chatter from the Capitol has been that the state had its own #MeToo moment four years ago when former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver forced out three lawmakers for allegedly groping, kissing and making unwanted advances on their employees.

Albany has been ahead of the sexual harassment curve, you see! There are annual workplace trainings and hotlines to report wrongdoing, and legislative panels to scrutinize accusations. Lobbyists cant wine and dine legislators at $75 a pop. Your state government has learned its lessons.

RELATED: Kirsten Gillibrand talks Trump tweets and sexual harassment

As Gov. Andrew Cuomo would say, Its not government. Its society. It was Harvey Weinstein in the arts industry, it's comedians, it's politicians, it's chefs. It's systemic, it's societal, it's not one person in one area. It's not just Charlie Rose, it's not just Matt Lauer, it's not just journalists. It's societal.

Maybe Albany has lost its hold on its secrets.

Maybe the Bear Mountain compact  the agreement that what happens in Albany stays in Albany  has been broken.

Maybe the string of 10 lawmakers leaving office in misconduct scandals over the past decade and the $1.6 million the state has been paying to attorneys to clean up their messes has finally caught up with them.

Then again, as lurid abuses of celebrity sexual predators rippled through the news this fall, the Assembly Ethics Committee finished a 17-month inquiry into Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin for allegedly asking a legislative aide for nude photos and lying about it. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie barred him from having interns as punishment.

McLaughlin is leaving the Assembly in January  for his new gig as Rensselaer County executive. He defeated Democrat Andrea Smyth by 950 votes in November. The sanctions against McLaughlin were not made public until later that month.

If the Assembly process would have been in a reasonable timeframe, people of Rensselaer County would have learned this before the election  dont you think if that were reported in the press before the election, it would have changed peoples votes? Manhattan state Sen. Liz Krueger told me.

Some state lawmakers are proposing the state Division of Human Rights establish a standard policy for evaluating misconduct charges in the Legislature and executive branches. And ahead of his annual address on Jan. 3, Cuomo has laid out several proposals to address sexual harassment  including banning the use of taxpayer dollars for sexual harassment settlements and a single set of sexual harassment policies for all branches of state and local government.

I dont think a legislative committee of your peers is appropriate for doing investigations, Krueger said. We need one system for all with some kind of outside review. Youre saying to people we have a process, you can have faith and confidentiality.

Changing protocols will help. But Albanys seamy milieu stretches back decades, from a time when lawmakers routinely kept mistresses and second families in the Capital Region to the power they wield over adoring, ambitious and poorly-paid aides and interns.

The culture up there is very toxic, one millennial state employee told me. The legislators are disgusting. Theyre away from their wives. And its like Vegas. They do whatever they want.

They get very drunk and they hit on you at the bars the staffers go to.

Even longtime legislators who avoid Albanys drinking culture are aware of its dangers.

People do assume that you either drink or youre in AA and there isnt a third option  and then you get, Why dont you drink? said Krueger, a self-described teetotaler. When Im in Albany I feel like Im on the clock all the time. Im a public figure, its all on the record Im in a company town and Im the company.

The voting public isnt paying enough attention to it.

This Me Too moment  people only care about people theyre aware of, like celebrities, actors and anchors, said a former New York political aide. Its cold and few live up there. People would hang out at strip clubs after bars close. You can have all these guys in Albany jerking off on dead hookers and nobody will care.

RELATED: Albany's sexual harassment scandals

Young aides warn each other about Albanys grabby late-night scene, especially after a conference or special event such as the State of the State that draws thousands of New Yorkers to the citys booze-drenched downtown for a night or two.

Everyone works hard and parties hard and does inappropriate things when they party hard, the current staffer said. Then it bleeds into work and that becomes a problem. Or it doesnt and they pretend nothing happened the next day.

It you work for a state lawmaker, it can be career threatening to speak up.

For women in that context, you cant just quit. Youll never get another job like that. They want to work in politics, the same state source said. Its a small world, its super insular, your reputation is everything, and you might not want to view it as harassment. If youre the kind of person who thrives in that environment, you make sacrifices and stay there and make choices to do it.

When it does happen, its almost expected. Weve stopped being shocked by harassment in Albany thanks to the frequency of legislator misconduct.

But cynicism has made way for rage. Scores of lawmakers around the country, in state capitols and Congress, are being scrutinized all at once for their past predatory behaviors. And their peers arent waiting for an election to shove them out.

Krueger is optimistic that the #MeToo movement will encourage complainants to speak up and lawmakers to think twice.

Even if you dont see women in Albany coming out in significant numbers to tell their stories, there is enough awareness that people who have gotten away with this in government will wake up and realize they wont in the future," she said.

Maybe the reckoning is coming to Albany in 2018.Corey Johnson was the name on everyones lips as the 35-year-old Democrat from the West Side of Manhattan officially became the speaker of the New York City Council.

Johnsons ascension to the powerful position has seemed inevitable since Dec. 20, when most of his challengers conceded and announced their support for his candidacy. But Wednesdays City Council meeting was no simple affair with a majority of ayes electing Johnson. Instead, each City Council member, alphabetically and one-by-one, had to voice their vote with his name: Corey Johnson.

Many simply said his name. But other council members used the opportunity to say something more, praising Johnson for his hard work, thanking him for his friendship, or noting his idiosyncrasies.

Today is a day of celebration! said Brooklyn City Councilman Mark Treyger, seconding the nomination of his friend, Johnson. Everyone who knows Corey knows that he is hardworking, intelligent and unbelievably driven, he said.

Newly elected Bronx City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. praised Johnson for his human sensitivity, noting that the new speaker visited him in the hospital despite their political differences.

And Queens City Councilman Barry Grodenchik recounted getting to know Johnson on a 2017 trip to Israel. I learned that day that the most dangerous place in New York City is between Corey Johnson and a pomegranate juice vendor, Grodenchik said. He likes to drink juice.

Johnson, in his acceptance speech, tried to fill up the council chamber with names other than his. He thanked many in attendance, including his mother, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and his political mentor, former state Sen. Tom Duane. Johnson also acknowledged Rep. Joe Crowley, who holds immense sway over the speakers race, and union leader Peter Ward of the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, who has a close relationship with Johnson and supported his candidacy from the beginning.

RELATED: Why the Bronx and Queens are selecting the council speaker

Closing his speech, Johnson said the first names of each of the 50 other members of the council, from Adrienne (Adams) to Ydanis (Rodriguez), thanking them for their support and promising to always have their back.

Only one City Council member present did not say his Johnsons name. Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inez Barron, who is black, voted for herself, in part protesting the lack of black politicians in leadership positions in New York.

Johnson won with a vote of 48-1, with two members not voting. City Councilman Jumaane Williams, who also expressed concerns about the racial politics at play, did not attend the council meeting, and instead went to Albany for Gov. Andrew Cuomos State of the State address. Staten Island City Councilwoman Debi Rose was out of country on vacation, according to spokeswoman Robin Levine, but shared her support for Johnson over Twitter.

RELATED: In the race for speaker, whos a player and whos being played?

Johnson is white, and is the fourth white speaker of the five people to hold the position. But his supporters worked to draw attention to other aspects of Johnsons identity, including his friend, Brooklyn City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, who officially nominated him for the position.

Johnson is a substance abuse survivor who comes from a single-parent household and never went to college. He is gay, and HIV-positive. While many will say (these are reasons) that he shouldnt be a leader, in my estimation those are exactly the reasons why he should be a leader, Cumbo said. Because he has overcome things that many of us would have had our whole world rocked by.

While former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was an out lesbian, Johnson is the first gay male to hold the position since it was created in 1990. He is also the first openly HIV-positive person to be speaker, which helped make it a historic day for those of us in the LGBT community, according to the openly-gay Queens City Councilman Danny Dromm.

Johnson spoke to that history in his speech, recalling that, in this very room, the New York City Council passed legislation in 1986 outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Opponents said that the bill would lead to societal acceptance of the LGBT community, Johnson said. And guess what: They were right!AKRON, Ohio - A 16-year-old girl was sentenced Tuesday to one year of probation for causing a crash into an Akron fire truck that killed two teens in her SUV.

The Summit County Juvenile Court's intake department recommended the girl not serve time in juvenile prison for causing the deadly crash, a court official said. Judge Linda Teodosio heeded that recommendation during the girl's sentencing Tuesday afternoon.

Teodosio prohibited the girl from applying for a driver's license until she is 21 years old, a court official said. Teodosio also ordered the girl to create a community service project that memorializes the two teens who were killed in the crash, the court official said.

The girl could be sent to juvenile prison if she violates the terms of her probation.

Her defense attorney, Adam VanHo, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday morning.

The girl pleaded guilty Nov. 10 to aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault charges related to the July 14 crash on West Exchange Street at South Rhodes Avenue.

The girl did not stop at a red light when she entered the intersection, police said. An Akron fire truck crashed into the SUV, and the impact pushed the SUV into a utility pole.

Lashae Johnson, 16, and Briyana Hayes, 15, died in the crash. The two girls were passengers in the SUV the 16-year-old girl was driving.

Six other people - including three firefighters - were also injured, police said.

The 16-year-old girl was not texting or impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, VanHo told cleveland.com after she pleaded guilty. But she was under 16 years old, only had a learner's permit and did not have a licensed driver in the car, he said.

The girl has said she has no memory of the crash, VanHo said after she pleaded guilty. She said the last thing she remembers is driving by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, approximately a mile from the crash scene, VanHo said.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office investigated the case because a Summit County Prosecutor's Office employee witnessed the crash, prosecutors said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.AKRON, Ohio - Akron's former chief prosecutor filed a lawsuit against the city and Mayor Daniel Horrigan to block a change to healthcare benefits offered to retired workers.

The city of Akron notified retirees that it will not provide supplemental health insurance to spouses and children unless the spouse buys primary health insurance from the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, according to a lawsuit filed Dec. 29 in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

The change is set to take effect Feb. 1, the lawsuit says.

Former Akron chief prosecutor Douglas Powley's lawsuit argues that Akron City Council never enacted a law that would require a retiree's spouse to buy health insurance from an employer, pension fund or private company before receiving supplemental health insurance from the city. City Council has not passed a law restricting coverage for children, either, the lawsuit says.

Powley's wife, Sherry, is also named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

The case, which is assigned to Summit County Judge Joy M. Oldfield, seeks a permanent injunction to block the requirement for retirees' spouses to buy medical coverage from OPERS.

Douglas Powley declined to comment on the lawsuit when reached by phone Tuesday.

The city of Akron has not yet been served with the lawsuit, Assistant Law Director Ellen Lander Nischt said in an email. Nischt said the city requires retirees and dependents to have primary coverage through OPERS in order to qualify for the city's supplemental coverage.

Horrigan's Blue Ribbon Task Force, which was formed to identify challenges to the city and recommend solutions, recommended the change. City officials also recognized a need to reduce costs, Nischt said.

"This policy decision was fair and necessary and continues to provide retirees with benefits that far exceed those offered by private or public employees across the country," Nischt said in the email.

Nischt could not say how many retired workers' spouses and dependents would be impacted by the change. The Beacon-Journal reported in 2016 that there were 2,406 retirees and 1,648 retirees' dependents receiving supplemental health insurance coverage.

If a judge does not grant the injunction, Sherry Powley would be required to pay $1,159 per month for OPERS medical coverage, the lawsuit says. The couple would also be required to pay $277 per month to cover their daughter, who is a dependent under the age of 26, the lawsuit says.

The couple currently pays the city of Akron just $60 per month for coverage for Douglas and Sherry Powley and their daughter.

The City of Akron passed a series of laws in 2016 to overhaul supplemental health insurance coverage for retirees, the lawsuit says.

Starting Feb. 1, 2017, retirees with spouses began paying $60 per month - the same amount as current employees - to help offset the cost of the coverage. Employees hired after Jan. 1, 2017 were ineligible for post-retirement health insurance coverage.

Spouses of retirees must pay an additional $150 per month if they are working and decide not to purchase their own employer's health insurance with a lower monthly premium.

Powley joined the city's law department in 1984 and became prosecutor in 1989. He remained in that role for 23 years until he retired in 2012, the lawsuit says.

To comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments page.AKRON, Ohio - A Medina man is accused of shooting another man in the head while he and friends drank and played with guns, police said.

Dominic Radesic, 19, is charged with felonious assault, tampering with evidence, obstructing official business and having weapons under disability.

The shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at a home on East Exchange Street near Fountain Street, police said.

The 20-year-old man who was shot in the head remains in critical condition at Summa Akron City Hospital, police said.

Detectives learned that the seven men drank and aimed guns at each other, a report says. The friends were also put the guns in their own mouths.

Radesic pulled the trigger while aiming a gun at the 20-year-old man's head, police said.

Akron Fire Department paramedics took the man to the hospital.

Detectives seized two handguns from the home, police said.

Radesic left the home before detectives arrived. He was arrested later Tuesday at his home in Medina, police said.

Detectives also arrested a Medina man who is accused of interfering with the investigation.

Rick S. Oberacker, 24, is accused of grabbing a detective's voice recorder during the investigation and screaming into the device, police said. Oberacker is charged with misconduct at an emergency in the incident, police said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Warrensville Heights couple is charged with stealing more than $190,000 from a now-shuttered Cleveland credit union where they once worked.

Gwendolyn Dubose, 64, and Kolade Awoyade, 48, are charged with embezzlement from the Greater Abyssinia Federal Credit Union in the city's Glenville neighborhood. Dubose also faces a charge of making false entries in credit union reports and records, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Dubose worked as manager and treasurer of the credit union while Awoyade was its head teller. They stole the money between 2012 and 2015 by depositing and transferring the money into nine bank accounts they controlled, according to an FBI investigation.

The credit union was chartered in 1959 and served members of the Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church on East 105th Street, as well as the members' families. The National Credit Union Administration liquidated the credit union in December 2015, according to a news release.

The charges against Dubose and Awoyade were filed Dec. 27 through a criminal information, which usually means a plea agreement is forthcoming.

Lawrence Floyd, an attorney representing the couple, did not immediately return a phone call.

The criminal information says Dubose falsified quarterly reports and the credit union's books.

The Greater Abyssinia credit union tried to merge with the Faith Community United Credit Union in November 2015. However, the Faith Community credit union "identified numerous unaccounted for transactions resulting in an overstatement" of Great Abyssinia's assets, the information states.

Faith Community eventually withdrew from the process, which led the National Credit Union Administration step in and liquidate the Great Abyssinia credit union, according to the information.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John Adams in Akron.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.Editor's note: A new version of this story with clarifications was published on Thursday, Jan. 4. County officials clarified remarks that had left the erroneous impression that they first became aware in 2017 that money from a 2014 bond sale had not been spent.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Last year, Cuyahoga County discovered $36 million from a 2014 bond sale that officials had somehow overlooked for years and that needed to be spent by the end of the year.

The discovery resulted in officials allocating the money to proposed and completed capital projects that were to be paid for with money from the county's general fund, said Maggie Keenan, director of the Office of Budget and Management.

The county wouldn't have lost the money if it had not been allocated, Kennan said. But not spending the money within the three-year window could have nullified the tax exempt status of the bonds and could have resulted in a fine by the IRS.

The oversight occurred at a time when County Executive Armond Budish insisted the county had no money to commit to big capital projects such as the Quicken Loans Arena upgrade and the rebuilding of the MetroHealth System's main campus.

The problem arose because two major projects that were to be funded from the proceeds of the bonds went forward in a different direction and another was delayed - and officials did not realize the money had not been reallocated.

Keenan and her staff discovered the extra bond funds last year while reviewing all capital projects.

Keenan sent a detailed memo to County Council in December outlining what was done, essentially spending bond money for capital projects that had been funded by general funds.

See the memo below or click here if on a mobile device.

What were the bond supposed to fund?

The county issued $137.9 million in sales tax revenue bonds in December 2014 for capital projects.

After using some of the money to refund prior bonds and pay underwriting costs, $102.4 million remained for 11 projects, including $27.6 million for the county headquarters building and $25 million for the Enterprise Resource Planning system, which will tie together all county government computers and information technology systems.

But only $42.3 million was spent for the projects, according to Keenan. Several projects came in under budget.

The Enterprise Resource Planning system was delayed, and only $3.8 million was spent on that project.

Two other projects went in different directions.

Just $1 million was spent from $18.7 million allocated for a new data center because the county in 2015 decided to build its data center in an existing state building in Columbus.

And instead of spending $14.7 million toward a state-of-the-art emergency operations center, the county in 2015

What happened to the unspent $60.1 million bond funds?

In 2015, the county transferred $10 million from the emergency operations center fund and $14 million from the data center project to a demolition fund.

That left $36.1 million that had not been allocated. Here's what Keenan did:

$10.1 million was transferred to capital projects to cover expenses by the Public Works Department for projects between 2015 and 2017. Some had negative cash balances because the bills had been paid, but the money was not transferred from the general fund, she said. Among the projects funded by that transfer were $4.7 million for the county headquarters project and $3.8 million for the data center project, which for some reason was not covered by bond funds.

$24.1 million was transferred to 19 current capital projects. including $8 million toward the underground pedestrian walkway from the Hilton hotel to the Huntington Park Garage and $5 million to move county archives and other operations into the Halle Brothers Warehouse.

$1.9 million is being retained for information technology and resource planning system projects. The bond balance is permissible, according to the bond counsel, Kennan wrote.

The transfers freed up $26 million in general funds. That money was put in reserves. About $23 million is set aside to complete the resource-planning system and information technology projects.

Keenan said new policies are in place that ensure public works projects are properly funded and paid so there are no more negative cash balances.

Who is responsible for losing track of the bond funds?

"This goes back a couple of years and I think there was just a disconnect between the Fiscal Office and public works," Keenan said. "It really does take both of us to make sure we are doing everything right. I can't point a finger at a staff person or department. This will never, never happen again. We are typing up new policies and procedures."

Her staff meets with public works monthly to stay on top of projects.

"I don't know what happened before," she said.

Here's who was in charge since the bonds were issued in December 2014.

Office of Budget and Management: Chris Murray: January 2014 to March 2015. Colleen Brown: March to October 2015. Maggie Keenan, October 2015 to present.

Fiscal Officer: Mark Parks: September 2013 to February 2015. Dennis Kennedy: April 2015 to present.

Public Works Director: Bonnie Teeuwen: January 2011 to February 2015. Michael Dever: March 2015 to present.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Donnelly announced Wednesday that he will run for a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court in this November's general election.

Donnelly, a Democrat and former prosecutor, has been on the Common Pleas bench since 2005.

The terms of Justices Terrence O'Donnell and William O'Neill are set to expire at the end of the year.

O'Neill, who lives in Chagrin Falls and is the only Democrat of the court's seven justices, said last month that he'll resign his seat Jan. 26 as he runs for governor.

Donnelly spent five years on the Ohio Supreme Court's Commission on Professionalism and was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court Death Penalty Task Force in 2013.

Donnelly is perhaps best known for his public crusades to curtail plea agreements that lead to defendants admitting to crimes they didn't commit.

He was part of a committee that recommended in 2015 that the Ohio Supreme Court alter Criminal Rule 11 and require the state's judges to hold a public hearing to determine that facts support each charge in a plea deal before accepting the deal.

Donnelly used as an example a 2012 case out of East Cleveland where a man charged with rape pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and within weeks of his release was accused of committing another sexual assault.

The effort was met with resistance from some judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys and the Court ultimately declined to take up the rule change. But Donnelly, as recently as September, participated in a forum at the City Club of Cleveland to examine the practice of plea bargains.

"People have to have faith in our courts for our justice system to work," Donnelly said. "Those that work within the system have an obligation to prevent that faith from eroding. As a trial judge, you can do this by being fair, transparent, and accessible, but your impact is limited to one case at a time. I'm asking Ohioans for the chance to have a broader impact as a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court."

Donnelly would be the second Cuyahoga County judge in as many years to pursue a seat on the high court.

Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell challenged Justice Pat Fischer's seat in 2016 and lost by about 0.25 percent of the vote.

Donnelly graduated from St. Ignatius High School, John Carroll University and Cleveland State University's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He was admitted to the bar in 1992. He spent five years as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor and seven years in private practice before he was seated on the Common Pleas bench.

To comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page.LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The mayor of Lakewood has proposed to get rid of the city's breed-specific legislation, an ordinance which bans dogs that are more than 50 percent pit bull from living in the city.

Mayor Michael Summers, who has voiced his support for the city's existing breed-specific ordinance, said he wants to revisit the ban and called for its repeal after he listened to the concerns about the controversial law.

"When this ban was passed back in 2008, it was done with the idea of safety in mind," Summers said in a news release. "Since then, that's what we've had in mind when enforcing this. However, the time has come for us to reevaluate."

The Lakewood City Council is expected to vote whether to lift the ban at tonight's meeting.

Summers said new legislation will be similar to other areas such as Lima and Avon Lake and Rocky River, which enforce muzzling requirements instead of outright bans on specific breeds. The mayor's proposed new legislation can be found here.

Lakewood's pit bull ban came under fire last year after a pit bull mix named Charlie was ordered to leave Lakewood, despite his owner previously receiving permission from the city's animal warden to bring the dog home.

The debate surrounding breed-specific legislation has intensified in the past several years, as more Northeast Ohio communities revisit their definitions for which animals are considered "vicious dogs" under breed-specific legislation. In April, a state appeals court struck down a Reynoldsburg ordinance prohibiting pit bull ownership on state constitutional grounds. However, Lakewood, Akron, Parma and Garfield Heights still maintain stricter pit bull bans.

To comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments page.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has embraced the bail reform movement.

Cuomo will ask state lawmakers to eliminate bail for defendants charged with misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, according the Associated Press.

The bail proposal is one of a series of justice reform measures announced ahead of Cuomo's state-of-the-state address Wednesday.

"For far too long, our antiquated criminal justice system has created a two-tier system where outcomes depend purely on economic statues - undermining the bedrock principle that one is innocent until proving guilty," Cuomo said in a statement, according to The New York Times.

Cuyahoga County's top judge formed a series of committees to consider bail reform in 2016 after cleveland.com launched Justice For All, a series exploring inequities in the county's bail system. Those committees are expected to make their recommendations soon.

Other court jurisdictions around the country have already reduced their reliance on bail for the same reasons, including the Cleveland Municipal Court.

In Ohio, municipal courts are where the bulk of defendants make their initial appearance in court and have bail terms established. If their cases are felonies, they will be transferred to a common pleas court, where a judge may amend a defendant's bail.

Last month, two Ohio state representatives, both Republicans, introduced a bill that would require courts to use the results of a "validated risk assessment tool" in making bail decisions.

It has been a common practices for judges to base their bail determinations on the nature of the crime, not the actual threat defendants pose to a community or the likelihood that they will skip their scheduled court appointment.

New Jersey leads the nation in bail reforms, including less reliance on bail and a requirement that judges use a data-driven risk-assessment system to help predict the chances a defendant will fail to appear in court or commit a crime while awaiting trial.

Cuomo's proposal calls for defendants accused of misdemeanors and non-violent felonies to be released on their own recognizance or under supervision. Those charged with violent crimes could still be held on bail.

Cuomo's proposed reforms also include requiring prosecutor's to reveal evidence in a more timely manner and to help ex-cons find jobs, according to the New York Times.

While Cleveland Municipal Court recently adopted a risk-assessment system for sizing up newly charged defendants, making it work effectively will likely require greater resources for supervision.

The court's reasoning is that a greater ability to monitor defendants will give judges more confidence when releasing them without bail based on the risk-assessment system.

Other municipal courts in Cuyahoga County have expressed interest in instituting similar practices, but gathering the necessary resources presents an obstacle.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- More than 80 years ago, state lawmakers and local government leaders struck a deal to funnel a portion of the newly created state sales tax directly to counties to provide local services.

A Republican candidate for the Ohio Senate says the next governor and General Assembly need to update that pact to reflect a changed economy and state budget cuts and policy decisions that reduced money for local governments.

Gene Krebs, a former state representative and who later worked for the nonpartisan Center for Community Solutions, is making his solution public in the hope that other candidates will weigh in. Krebs is running to represent Ohio's 5th Senate district.

"How we view our local governments and our partnership with them on the state level simply has to change," Krebs said during a news conference. "We have to realize the economic realities of how we live now are not what they were when they were set up in 1934."

What's Krebs proposing?

Just as Ohio recognizes some school districts can't generate enough local revenue as others, Krebs said, he's proposing doing the same for counties. Krebs wants to create a separate, supplemental funding source targeted to counties based on the ratio of sales tax revenue to county population.



Counties that bring in more revenue compared to their population would not get the additional funding. The result: $110 million every two years to 66, mostly rural counties in addition to local government fund revenues, which are calculated as a portion of the state's general revenue fund.

The proposal would yield a mixed bag for Northeast Ohio. Cuyahoga, Lake and Summit counties wouldn't get any additional funding, according to data provided by Krebs. Medina, Geauga, Lorain and Ashtabula counties would get money, with Lorain getting nearly $7.6 million over two years, more than any other county.

How would the funding work?

The extra money wouldn't be a slush fund for counties.

They could only use it in three ways, and no more than half of the money could be used in one area:

To deal with the opioid and heroin epidemic Economic development to increase sales tax revenues and workforce development General county operating costs

The idea, Krebs said, is that the money would help struggling counties improve their economies. The funding would go away after 10 years and its use be reviewed every four years.

Where would the money come from?

Krebs said the state could pay for it by expanding the Healthier Buckeye Program, an effort to coordinate social services and job skills programs to help Ohioans get off welfare programs. Krebs estimates expanding the program statewide from a 21-county pilot could generate $350 million in savings for the state.

What are the plan's chances?

Gov. John Kasich proposed "modernizing" state aid to local governments in his 2017 state budget. Similarly, Kasich's proposed formula gave more cash to counties and municipalities with a lower "capacity" to generate tax revenue.

Kasich's proposal was dead on arrival in the Statehouse because the targeted funding came from the existing local government fund, which meant Cleveland and other cities actually lost money.

Krebs said he has not sought support for the idea among current legislators, and it probably won't go anywhere if he's not elected. But he said he wants to get the topic on the political radar for 2018.

The idea has the support of Larry Long, former executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Long said counties, which administer much of the state's mandated services, have lost millions in recent years from state budget cuts, the repeal of the estate tax, elimination of the tangible personal property tax and other state policy changes.

Long said candidates for governor and Statehouse districts need to address the state-local government funding issue this year on the campaign trail.

"As I look back over the last 20 years, what I see is a virtual fiscal abandonment of local governments by the state," Long said.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shots were fired early Wednesday morning after an argument on a lower level at Hopkins International Airport, police say.

No one was injured in the incident, but a vehicle that wasn't involved in the fight was damaged, spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said.

An unspecified number of males were involved in the fight around 3 a.m. As the suspects left in their vehicles, one began shooting at the other, Ciaccia said.

It's unknown what caused the males to begin fighting.

Police are still searching for the suspects.

To comment on this story, go to the cleveland.com comments section.CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland schools CEO Eric Gordon wants to keep using student test scores to rate teachers, even as the state looks at moving away from that strategy.

Gordon says he opposes a bill from State Sen. Peggy Lehner that would reduce the use of student tests in annual teacher evaluations. He said using test scores is vital to the district's improvement plan that the legislature and Gov. John Kasich approved in 2012.

Gordon, whose district will be the most affected by the bill, said he will travel to Columbus to testify against it.

"I can't move away from the importance of having a student's performance as part of a teacher's results," said Gordon.

"I can't support anything that would erode the Cleveland Plan that we have fought so hard to get," Gordon added. "Evaluation is what all the elements of the Cleveland Plan are built upon."

That opposition sets up a dispute with the Cleveland Teachers Union, whose members hate being judged by student scores as much as other teachers across Ohio.

"We want to be included in the (statewide) changes," said Cleveland Teachers Union President David Quolke. "We don't think 3,000 teachers in Cleveland should be treated differently."

Teacher evaluations have been controversial in Ohio and across the country the last several years, as states and cities have created systems to weed out the worst teachers and sometimes reward the strongest. The ratings do not have much tangible impact in Ohio, other than in Cleveland, where the Cleveland Plan law allows the district to fire teachers for low ratings and use ratings to determine raises.

Student test scores are a major part of those ratings, after calculations to show much students improve under a teacher. Though Ohio and Cleveland created evaluation plans separately, they are very similar and both count test scores for 35 to 50 percent of a teacher's rating.

Some say the scores are the best objective gauge of whether a teacher truly helps students to read, write and do math better, or not. Others argue that tests are unreliable, that testing has taken over schools and that students are often not motivated to do well on tests.

Lehner's new bill takes the latter view. It follows recommendations made by a state panel earlier this year and would toss out those strict percentages and would use measures of student progress to guide teacher development instead of judging them.

Cleveland, like the rest of Ohio, would lose power to use scores as it has the last several years, if Lehner's bill passes. Though the Cleveland Plan law from 2012 created special exemptions for how Cleveland can use the evaluations in pay and firings, Lehner's bill has none for how Cleveland calculates them.

The bill allows each district to use test scores if it wants - but only if it can reach agreement with the local teachers union.

That agreement won't likely happen in Cleveland, Quolke said. Teachers don't want the test scores used and the new contract between the union and teachers makes repeated references to using tests as "mandated under state law."

"We just negotiated a contract that if the state laws pertaining to percentage changed, it would apply," Quolke said.

Gordon disagreed and noted that the contract refers to using scores "not more" than certain percentages, unless mandated by state law.

"We did not anticipate wiping them out instead of a change in percentages," Gordon said. "I don't think we would wipe out our evaluation system because the state no longer uses data in a substantive way."

Gordon said the district needs the scores in evaluations, which he says have been helpful.

Cleveland has fired several teachers each year since it was given that power in 2012, but the exact impact of that power goes beyond that, he said. Dozens more low-rated teachers have left without following their rating appeals to the end and being fired.

At the same time, the district's use of ratings to set teacher pay has had mixed results. It abandoned much of that plan in its latest teacher contract, reached early this year.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County fired two jail guards last month after internal investigations revealed they used excessive force against inmates.

Corporal Amirah Abdul-Kareem and corrections officer Martice Campbell were fired Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, respectively, according to copies of termination letters.

Abdul-Kareem was charged in November with assault and interfering with civil rights, both misdemeanors, in the March 25 incident. She has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Abdul-Kareem punched, kicked and pepper-sprayed a 46-year-old woman in the face during an altercation in the jail, according to a copy of her termination letter .

The county noted in the letter that Abdul-Kareem was held to a higher standard as a supervisor and was expected to act as a model for the officers she oversees.

The "very serious nature" of the offense also played a role in her dismissal, the letter notes.

Campbell's firing stems from an Oct. 27 incident. No charges have been filed.

Campbell punched a seated inmate twice, his termination letter says. The force knocked the inmate to the ground, and Campbell stood over him "in a dominating fashion," the letter says.

Video of the incident showed the inmate posed no threat to Campbell, the report says.

Both employees have the option to appeal their firing.

The firings bring an end to a year that saw multiple corrections officers disciplined or charged with crimes.

Former corrections officer Kamara Austin, 43, was sentenced in November to two years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to smuggle heroin and pills into the jail for an accused rapist.

Steven Key resigned as corporal in September after he was charged with misusing a police database to stalk his estranged wife and her boyfriend. A plea deal saw him sentenced to a month of probation.

Key violated his probation within weeks, and on Thursday his probation was extended to March, court record say.

Brian Salters was sentenced to 30 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges that accused him of selling heroin, crack cocaine, ecstasy, pills and marijuana at a Cleveland liquor store.

Corporal Brendan Johnson was fired in June for using excessive force against two female inmates, only to have an arbitrator overturn his firing and order him to be reinstated.

The county has refused to release several jail videos in the past, citing exemptions meant to protect the release of vital infrastructure information. Cleveland.com has asked the Ohio Court of Claims to force the county to release one of the videos involving Johnson's case.

To comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page.YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- For more than three decades, Amer Othman Adi has run businesses in downtown Youngstown, employing hundreds of people. His opening of his large Downtown Circle Convenience store has been called by city leaders "the catalyst" that sparked a renaissance in the blighted downtown 10 years ago.

But his entrepreneurship ends Sunday when is deported to Jordan, marking the finale of an immigration battle that stretches back decades. U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, (D-Ohio 13th District) had successfully intervened in 2013, but could not stop the current deportation efforts.

"I don't understand it," Adi said Tuesday in his Downtown Circle Hookah Bar where several dozen friends and workers gathered. "I opened a business here when no one else wanted to. I have been fighting this deportation for almost 23 years, I thought we had it solved. But when Donald Trump was elected I knew I was in trouble."

He said in September he was told by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that he had three months to get his affairs in order and buy a one-way ticket back to the Middle East.

According to an ICE official Adi's case has "undergone exhaustive judicial review at multiple levels of the nation's courts, including before the immigration courts, federal appeals courts and U.S.district court. In each review the courts have uniformly held that (Adi) does not have a legal basis to remain in the U.S. In an exercise of discretion, the agency has allowed him to remain free from custody while timely finalizing his departure plans."

Adi, 57, became teary as he said goodbye to his friends and employees Tuesday, saying that Youngstown would always be his home. On Sunday, he and his wife of 30 years, Fidaa Musleh, an American citizen, will fly to Amman, Jordan, to carve out a new life.

Adi came to the United States in 1979 on a visa and later married an American citizen. Based on that marriage, he was given a "green card," which allowed him to stay in the United States. They were divorced less than a year later.

After the divorce he moved to Youngstown where he started several businesses, including two gas stations. He married Fidaa Musleh in 1988 and shortly thereafter they moved to Brazil for three years.

When they returned to the United States, his green card was taken from him because he had been out of the country for too long.

Musleh tried to sponsor her husband for a new "green card," but was denied because immigration officials said his first marriage was "a sham."

According to an affidavit filed with the ICE office in San Diego in 1990, his first wife said she only married "so he could apply for a green card."

However in 2007, she filed another affidavit stating the opposite.

In it she stated that she and Adi "loved each other and wanted to be together." She said they "had a happy life together, but eventually grew apart when I met someone else. He moved out in 1982."

She said she signed the first affidavit without recognizing its significance. According to the second affidavit, she said she was angry that the agents came to her house at 7:30 in the morning and "I just wanted to get it over with so I could go back inside the house with my children."

She could not be reached for comment.

"Immigration just showed up at the ex-wife's home and gave her an affidavit to sign that declared the marriage was a sham," said Adi's current lawyer, David Leopold. "She later recanted and said she was angry at the time and wanted to hurt him."

Immigration officials ordered Adi deported in 2007, but suspended the order while Adi fought the decision. Meanwhile, he and his second wife, Musleh, had four daughters, two of whom are still in college and plan to work with their parents' businesses.

In 2013, Ryan stopped the deportation by drafting a "private bill" in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The private bill is a longstanding agreement that says a deportation can be stayed until it can be fully resolved, if a member of the house asks for it," Ryan said. "We filed the bill every year since because Adi's contribution to Youngstown has been amazing. He never committed a crime, ran businesses, paid taxes, sent children to Catholic schools and was a big part of the downtown renaissance. And this is the thanks he gets."

Ryan said this year the Department of Homeland Security and ICE has declared that they will no longer honor the "private bill."

"The president wants to make it look like every immigrant is a violent criminal, and I agree that criminals should be thrown out," said Ryan. "But why are we deporting law-abiding, upstanding people who contribute so much to society?"

Tito Brown, who took office as the new mayor of Youngstown Monday, echoed Ryan's sentiments.

"I've known Adi for years and he has been a huge economic catalyst downtown," he said. "I will make calls to see if there is anything we can do to keep him here. He put up a new store in an area that desperately needed it and has helped the community."

Adi estimates that he has employed hundreds of people in his businesses, which includes two gas stations, an IGA market, a car dealership and others.

"I've been doing this so long, I have had workers have children who then grew up and also came to work for me," he said.

One of those workers is Ithica Stewart, 47, of Youngstown, who started working for Adi 25 years ago and works for him still.

"He treats me like a member of the family and he does so much for the community," she said. "Every year he has a Thanksgiving dinner here at the store for people with nowhere to go. He hires homeless people. He gives to food pantries and soup kitchens. This is not right."

Adi's sister-in-law, Sheila Musleh, said she will take over and manage the businesses, but she would rather not lose her sister and husband.

"This will have a ripple effect on the entire community," she said. "He will not be here to continue the work he has been doing. And now his children will have to live without their parents. How does this help anyone?"The Ohio General Assembly should pass a bipartisan bill forbidding Ohio to give a death sentence to someone convicted of aggravated murder - but also found to have a serious mental illness. He or she would instead be sentenced to life imprisonment, which is far more reasonable and compassionate.

State Sens. John Eklund, a Munson Township Republican, and Sandra Williams, a Cleveland Democrat, are lead sponsors of Senate Bill 40, which defines "serious mental illness" as schizophrenia; schizoaffective disorder; bipolar disorder; major depressive disorder; or delusional disorder."

Ohio already has a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity defense. But retired Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, a Republican, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that NGRI "often does not apply ... [when] individuals ... may know what they have done is wrong, but their delusional thinking may cause them to believe they are impervious to punishment or that some greater force compels them to act."

Under SB 40, if a court ruled that a defendant was ineligible for the death penalty due to a major mental illness, he or she would have to be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole; life imprisonment with parole eligibility after serving 25 or 30 full years in prison; or, in certain instances, an indefinite sentence of 30 years to life.

In December, according to the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, there are 627 Ohio inmates serving life sentences without parole, while 140 other inmates are on Ohio's Death Row. SB 40 would create a limited-time procedure -only during the first 365 days after the bill became law - for re-sentencing to a life sentence someone already sentenced to death, if that inmate could prove he or she had a serious mental disorder at the time of the crime.

According to the Legislative Service Commission, the Eklund-Williams bill embodies one of 56 recommendations made by a death penalty task force commissioned by Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, a Greater Cleveland Republican. Senate Bill 40 is common-sense, bipartisan - and humane. The Senate and House should send it to Gov. John R. Kasich's desk - soon.

Editor's note: This editorial was updated on Jan. 4 to correct the spelling of state Sen. John Eklund's last name.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue).

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A day after officially being sworn in as the city's new mayor, Michael Dylan Brennan made a change as to who will lead the University Heights Fire Department.

At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Brennan announced that UHFD Capt. Robert Perko, 35, would serve as interim chief, replacing former chief Douglas Zook.

It was a change that was likely to come as Brennan, when campaigning in his race against two-term incumbent Susan Infeld, backed firefighters, who had voiced several complaints to Infeld about Zook.

In June, the UHFD's union, Firefighters Local 974, presented council members with a letter of no confidence against Zook. The firefighters listed as grievances in their letter Zook's refusal to send a ladder truck to the scene of motor vehicle accidents, the lack within the department of a dedicated fire prevention officer, and the fact that public education classes were not being held to improve the community's safety.

Firefighters also complained that Zook, too often, sent mutual aid to East Cleveland, a city that is not contiguous to University Heights. Zook formerly served as East Cleveland's fire chief before Infeld hired him in February, 2014 as UHFD chief.

At Tuesday's council meeting, held at John Carroll University, all of the city directors who served under Infeld were retained and sworn in to another term of duty. Zook was not present, however.

Brennan then announced Perko, who has served with the UHFD for 11 years, as interim chief. Perko also works part-time for the Seven Hills Fire Department, and is a part-time instructor with the Ohio Fire Academy.

After being sworn in, Perko, an Independence resident, spoke briefly before those in attendance at the meeting. During a break in the meeting, Perko said of being named interim chief, "I was honored and humbled.

"I had hoped to be a chief someday, but I didn't expect the opportunity to rise up so quickly. But, in our job, you're taught to always be prepared."

As chief, Perko said he intends to work on improving fire prevention and public education, and to increase firefighter training and development.

Tuesday was quite a day for Perko. He said that he received word from Brennan via a phone call that he would be interim chief of the 24-firefighter department at about 10 a.m.

Zook had reported for work Tuesday morning and was present when Brennan informed him he was being let go.

"I didn't have the authority before (being sworn in on Monday) to terminate anyone from employment," Brennan said following the council meeting. "When I campaigned, I had said I intended to take the fire department in a different direction, so (the firing) should not come as a surprise to anyone. We had reached a point where a change of direction was necessary."

As for selecting Perko, Brennan said, "We have three excellent captains in the fire department and any one of them would have made a great chief. I couldn't have made a wrong decision. One of the captains (Brian Phan) has already served as an interim chief here."

The other captain is Peter Pucella.

"Capt. Perko brings a lot of input and accomplishment," Brennan said. "He is well-liked and well-respected among his fellow firefighters. With the camaraderie this fire department has, they'll get behind him as chief. I'm excited for what he can accomplish."

Brennan said that he wants to give Perko the opportunity to prove that he deserves the job on a regular basis. But, by mid-year, the mayor expects to take applications from inside the UHFD and outside to ensure that the best candidate has the position.Today we welcome Dorje Dolma to share with us what inspired her to write her memoir Yak Girl: Growing Up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal, the first ever from a Dolpo native, and her new goal now that the book is in print.

I started writing Yak Girl: Growing Up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal when I was fifteen because I didnt want to forget the events and people of my childhood.

I was born in Dolpo, a culturally Tibetan, extremely remote area of Nepal on the border of Tibet, where I herded my familys goats, sheep, and yaks from age five to ten. My life there was very different than it is here in America, where I came at age eleven with my adoptive parents so I could receive life-saving surgery not available in Nepal. I could sense that some of the details of my childhood were disappearing from memory and I didnt want to let that happen, so even though my English was utterly rudimentary, I began to write the story of my life to that point.



I am a creative person by nature so I soon discovered that even though it was quite challenging to express myself in a language I barely knew, I enjoyed the effort to shape the ideas and memories in my mind into something others could experience. I wanted to convey what it was like to grow up in that ancient, traditional, survival-based culture, far from the modern world, to people who may never have encountered anything like my childhood home.

I took pleasure in the painstaking expression of the smallest, most evocative details of my colorful life in Dolpo.

I wanted others to see the stunning, untouched natural beauty of the 14,000-foot-tall mountains that I climbed nearly every day, to smell the fire in the middle of our home that needed my constant tending, to feel the raw bite of the freezing snow on my face when I had to herd my animals towards home in a blizzard, and to get to know beloved members of my family.

I also wanted to preserve our family history for my younger brothers and sisters, who barely remember life in Dolpo because they left at a young age to be schooled in Kathmandu. (There were no schools in Dolpo at that time and the few that have been established in recent years are still very basic.) As the modern world slowly creeps into Dolpo, our ancient way of life there will eventually transform into something different, some hybrid of centuries-old methods and much newer ones. If I could capture at least a part of this disappearing culture in my writing, I felt that I could in some way keep it alive, if only in my book.

So although my English tutor had to ask me what I was trying to say in almost every other sentence at first, I persevered, and as the years went I steadily improved my ability to express myself and the book grew. It took me all of fifteen years to bring the manuscript to conclusion and it was a very happy milestone in my life when I was able to present the stack of laser-printed pages to my editor.

Now that Yak Girl is in print and I am starting on the book tour, I have a new goal.

I want to educate people about my remote homeland and help them understand what the people of Dolpo need most from the modern world. There are no doctors in Dolpowe have always made use of the local lay lamas and their herbs and prayers when someone falls sick. As a result, many lives are lost each year unnecessarily.

Beginning a few years ago, it became possible to take a helicopter from Dolpo to Kathmandu to get medical care, but that is a very expensive flight that almost no Dolpo residents can afford. One can walk all the way to Kathmandu, as my family did to get me help when my life was threatened by severe scoliosis, but that obviously will not work for someone with pneumonia or appendicitis or any acute disease that can be fatal if not treated in a much shorter time, even if the patient had the strength for the trip. If one has enough money, another option is to walk for a week and then take an airplane to Kathmandu, but that also is not possible for most critically ill Dolpo people.

So it is my new goal to find a way to create the first medical clinic in Dolpo through donating part of the proceeds of my book, encouraging others to contribute, and partnering with a non-profit to make this dream a reality. If youd like more information, please see my website, dorjearts.com.

Disclosure: If you click a link in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.

Yak Girl Synopsis:

Growing Up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal

This unusual memoir immerses us in the fascinating story of a spirited girl in a remote, undeveloped region of Nepal near the border of Tibet, a place made known to the world in Peter Matthiesens The Snow Leopard. Life above 13,000 feet in Upper Dolpooften called the last paradise because of its breathtaking snow-capped peaks, untouched beauty, and hand-irrigated green pastureswas one of constant risk and harsh survival.

Dorjes life centered around the care of her numerous younger brothers and sisters and the familys sheep, goats, and yaks. At age five she began herding and was soon taking the animals high in the mountains, where she fought off predatory wolves and snow leopards. Covering her first ten years, the story takes Dorje from her primitive mountain village to the bewildering city of Kathmandu, and finally to a new home in America, where she receives life-saving surgery.

With humor, soul, and insightful detail, the author gives us vividly told vignettes of daily life and the practice of centuries-old Tibetan traditions. This wonderful and surprising tale of survival, loss, and self-reflection offers us entry to this difficult, yet magical, place.

Publication Date: January, 2018, Sentient Publications. Paperback; 328 Pages.

Genre: Memoir, Non-fiction, Travel. Author: Dorje Dolma

Get your copy of Yak Girl from:

Book Depository | Amazon | B&N | Indigo | Booktopia

About the Author, Dorje Dolma

Dorje Dolma was born in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal, high in the mountains bordering Tibet. She was the oldest of eleven children, only six of whom survived the harsh conditions of their lives. Dolpo had no running water, electricity, motor vehicles, phones, school, or doctors, other than the local lamas, trained in the use of herbs and prayer. Dorje began herding the familys goats and sheep at age five and by seven she was defending them from attacks by wolves and snow leopards.

When she was ten, Dorjes parents took her on a month-long trek to Kathmandu to find help for a serious health condition. There they encountered Westerners who arranged to bring Dorje to the United States and get her the surgery she needed to save her life.

Adopted by her new American family, Dorje eventually graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Fine Arts. She worked as an early childhood teacher in Boulder, Colorado, and now continues to develop her art. Yak Girl: Growing Up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal is her first book.

To learn more about Yak Girl and connect with Dorje at her website dorjearts.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

Yak Girl Reviews

A rare and fascinating testimony, told from the inside, of a little girl who made an incredible trip from inner Dolpo to Americaand from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Eric Valli, director of the Oscar-nominated film Himalaya

Reading this Dolpo natives expression of life as a young girl in her remote homeland is the best way to truly experience and understand the untold story of its unique culture and traditions.  Tenzin Norbu, internationally known artist and illustrator, native of Dolpo

Yak Girl tells the heartbreaking story of a young girl raised under very difficult circumstances, high in the Himalayas. Dorje tells her personal story with such vivid details and honesty that it will move everyone who reads it. Simonka de Jong, documentary filmmaker, director of The Only Son

Dolmas extraordinary book offers an insiders perspective on the family structures, ceremonies, and rituals of a remote culture. Struggles are related in a straightforward manner, and recollections are marked by happiness and family love. Language rings with honesty and dignity. Foreword ReviewsAFC: Kuwait City - January 2, 2018 - A first half own goal sent Oman into the 2017 Gulf Cup final while the United Arab Emirates advanced after a penalty shootout win on Tuesday.

Bahrain's Mahdi Abdul Al Jabar turned the unlikely semi-final winner for Oman after he steered the ball into his own net in the 29th minute.

Despite taking the lead through an own goal, Oman deserved to be ahead as they had started the better of the two teams.

Their aggressive approach paid off as Al Jabar was pressured into sending the ball into his own net at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.

Bahrain tried valiantly to find the equaliser, with six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half giving them hope but Oman held on to win 1-0.

The second semi-final proved to be an even tighter contest as it ended 0-0 despite 30 minutes of extra time.

UAE, however, proved to be better from the penalty spot as they won the shootout 4-2 to seal their place in Friday's final.

Photos: AFPPosted 1/3/18

A Louisburg woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash Monday, Jan. 1, north of Halfway, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Gabrielle M. Britt, 36, was northbound on Route P eight miles Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Fulfilling its promise, OnePlus has now brought its highly appreciated Face Unlock feature to the OnePlus 5. The new feature arrives through OxygenOS Open Beta 3 that is quite likely to include some bugs to limit your experience. However, the new testing version ultimately allows you to make your OnePlus 5 a bit similar to the OnePlus 5T that debuted in last November with the same Face Unlock feature. You can install the OxygenOS Open Beta 2 on your OnePlus 5 by flashing the new build into the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 LCD screen . It is recommended to back up your data as all the stored data will be lost during the flashing process. OnePlus has provided its flashing guide to help users easily install the new version. The ROM is available for download on the OnePlus site.

The Face Unlock feature is indeed the prime highlight of the latest Open Beta OxygenOS build. However, there are are optimisations for vibration, a shortcut for the Recorder app on the Launcher, and the December Android security patch. The new Open Beta package also fixes a connectivity issue on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. Besides, there are general bug fixes and performance improvements. The package is 1.58GB in size.

OnePlus Co-Founder Carl Pei revealed the debut of the Face Unlock feature on the OnePlus 5 last month. The feature, which uses the front camera of the device to enable facial recognition, was initially exclusive to OnePlus 5T. But the Shenzhen-based company eventually decided to expand its presence. Alongside the OnePlus 5, there are also apparently plans to bring the same Face Unlock feature to the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T that both were launched in 2016. The company recently asked users to give their views about the ongoing development to understand whether it is worthy to bring the advanced feature to its dated handsets.

It is unclear by when the Face Unlock feature will arrive on the OnePlus 5 Samsung Galaxy Note 8 LCD screen wholesale through a public release. Nevertheless, the latest Open Beta release suggests that it would come in the coming future.Posted 1/3/18

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt recently co-sponsored the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would roll back excessive red tape on community banks and Posted 1/2/18

Associate Circuit Court

Circuit Court of Dallas County, associate division, met during the weeks of Dec. 14-21, 2017, with the following officers present: Judge Lisa Henderson, presiding; Susan Law enforcement is always mixed up with politics. It's hard to so much as mention the police without someone bringing up racism or corruption. We're not here to tackle those issues today. We're just plain not smart enough. Instead, we're here to tackle much simpler subject matter: bumbling doofus cops, and the dingus mistakes they make. Please enjoy.

6 When A Yorkshire Police Lineup Couldn't Find Any Black People, They Improvised

If you had to sum up 1990s England with one phrase, "racial diversity" would probably not be it. That was part of the problem facing South Yorkshire police in 1997, when they wanted to put suspected blackmailer Martin Kamara in a lineup. Kamara was a 6'3", 16-stone (220 pounds), balding, middle-aged black man in a country where, at the time, white people made up roughly 94 percent of the population. This made filling out the rest of the lineup problematic.

Their solution was as elegant as it was simple: One thing that South Yorkshire didn't lack was 6'3", 16-stone, balding, middle-aged white people. You see where this is going -- yes, they did blackface. What you may not have seen coming: They did it with eight different men!

And they didn't even do it very well. The makeup "artists" didn't remember to paint the white men's hands, which made an already very desperate deception into a failure contest between stupidity and racism.

Unsurprisingly, Kamara's solicitor took one look at the "lookalikes" and "conceded that it was not a fair likeness." Kamara was identified as the criminal, but the case was thrown out of court almost immediately, after the judge described the identification procedures as "a farce." No, we liked "failure contest between stupidity and racism" better. It's not as punchy, but it's far more accurate.



Day 12 saw us waking up in Marrakech and laying our head in Casablanca. It is also our penultimate day in this beautiful country. A tinge of sadness washed over me as I looked out the window of the tour bus as we traveled out of Marrakech to Casablanca. How could it be ending already? I was having so much fun still. I wasn't at all bored or neither did I find myself counting the days to Lisbon, our next stop after Morocco. The passing landscape gave me peace and I was able to just be and enjoy. We traveled a few hours and only stopped for bathroom break at a gas station/snack house where the tour manager brought out traditional Moroccan delicacies for us to enjoy while we stop for coffee.Moroccan pastries.Late morning, we arrived in Casablanca, the financial center of the country and its chief port.Tacos de Lyon. Do you mean French style tacos? SKYWATCH is a weekly gathering of sky lovers and sky watchers. Join us.Two startups pushing the technology boundaries of artificial intelligence in the big data arena reported big wins on the venture capital front on Tuesday.

Maana, which develops a "knowledge-centric" data search and discovery platform, said it raised $28 million in Series C funding. Anodot, developer of next-generation business analytics software, disclosed the completion of a Series B funding round of $23 million.

The announcements wrap up a year in which private equity firms, established IT vendors and others invested heavily in startup companies developing software for managing and analyzing huge volumes of data  especially those incorporating AI and machine learning technologies into their products.

[Related: The 2017 Big Data 100 ]

Maana, based in Palo Alto, Calif., develops the AI-based Maana Knowledge Platform, a system that uses the company's patented Knowledge Graph technology and algorithms to provide a holistic view of assets or processes a company wants to optimize.

The company's more immediate focus for its software has been on industrial digital transformation applications  especially in the oil and gas industry.

The $28 million in Series C funding brings Maana's total funding to more than $71 million.

The round was led by China International Capital Corp. (CICC) and Eight Square Capital. Other new investors included Accenture Ventures and Sino Capital, and participating existing investors included Intel Capital, GE Ventures, Chevron Technology Ventures, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures and Shell Technology Ventures.

"The latest investment will be used to scale our business globally and support our growing Fortune Global 500 customer base," said Maana CEO and co-founder Babur Ozden, in a statement. "This funding, combined with the strategic alliance Maana has established with Accenture, demonstrates the demand for Maana's cutting-edge, AI-driven knowledge technology as a key enabler of digital transformation at the world's largest industrial companies."

Anodot, with headquarters in Ra'anana, Israel, and Sunnyvale, Calif., markets business analysis software that uses machine learning technology to detect anomalies within huge volumes of data and help businesses identify problems and capture new opportunities.

The company, which said it tripled its revenue in the last year, just recently launched AI Analytics for Retail, an edition of its software specifically for the online retail industry.

Anodot said it received $15 million in financing led by Redline Capital management, along with existing investors Aleph Venture Capital and Disruptive Technologies Venture Capital. That, along with earlier investments, brings its total Series B round funding to $23 million.

"Business Intelligence presents a multi-billion-dollar market and Anodot's differentiated approach adds AI to BI," said Benno Jering, principal at Redline Capital, in a statement.

"Traditional BI focuses on dashboards and other tools that analyze historical data, focusing on specific portions of data and addressing pre-defined queries. Anodot addresses a completely different need by surfacing the issues you wouldn't know to ask about, across constantly changing massive amounts of data. Anodot's analytics provide the full picture across all data at a granular level so companies can understand what's going in every market, with every product, across every device," Jering said.WASHINGTON  Connecticuts 8,000 or so DACA recipients have seen this movie before: The states Democratic delegation pushing with all its limited might to keep legal status for so-called Dreamers, only to run into President Donald Trumps wall  both political and physical.

Trump has dug in on his demand that any consideration for youthful immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children be conditioned on building his promised wall across the 2,000-mile length of the U.S. border.This item is available in full to subscribers.

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If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.BRIDGEPORT  Upon losing the bitter 2015 mayoral primary, Bill Finch vacated City Hall after eight years and, in June, 2016, surfaced as acting director of the New York State Thruway Authority.

Now Finch is heading back to Bridgeport to take over as executive director of the Discovery Museum and Planetarium.

His exact salary was not available, but the position pays in the low six figures.

The news was first reported Tuesday evening by Hearst Connecticut Media. An official announcement was made Wednesday by, of all people, the mayors ex-communications director, Brett Broesder.

Now more than ever, our kids and grandkids need access to safe, affordable and interactive learning centers like the Discovery Museum that focus on science and technology education, wrote Broesder, who since departing his municipal job has launched a public affairs firm hired by the museum to handle questions about Finchs new position.

Research is clear: Science, engineering and technology jobs will grow at double the rate of other occupations over the next decade," Broesder continued. The Discovery Museum helps prepare future generations to fill tomorrows jobs by getting kids excited about these subject matters at an early age. Bill is uniquely positioned to credibly deliver that message to people nationally, regionally and locally.

Finch had a reputation as a policy wonk when it came to environmental sustainability. During his eight years as Bridgeports chief executive, he helped turn the one time manufacturing hub into a leader in the so-called green economy.

And more recently Finch, after his stint running New Yorks thruway authority ended last summer, has been a fellow with the Rockefeller Institute of Government think tank, focusing on energy, the environment and local government sustainability. Broesder said Finch will retain that role while working for the museum.

He is not a scientist but to tell you the truth we hardly interviewed anyone who did have a science background, Clair Gold, a museum board member, said in an interview. It may sound like a bit of an unusual fit, but in terms of what our needs are now we think it is a very good fit.

Finch would seem to fit many of the specifications outlined in the museums executive search paperwork: An ability to deal with the public and media, political savvy, fundraising experience.

Gold said the former mayor and ex-state legislator is well wired with a lot of contacts in Connecticut and now in New York."

But Finch will also have to deal with an old nemesis. The search paperwork emphasized a need to continue community partnerships with local institutions like Bridgeports Beardsley Zoo and Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

The University of Bridgeport was also on the list. Finch carried on a controversial, one-sided feud with UB for years, refusing to step foot on campus.

Bottom line is UB thrived while Bill Finch was mayor," said Broesder. "I dont think he is looking to do anything but build positive relationships with higher education institutions locally and nationally.

Finchs return to a high profile job in Bridgeport comes just as the man who ousted him, fellow Democrat Joe Ganim, launches a run for governor.

Might Finch be considering a return to local politics?

No," Broesder said.BRIDGEPORT  Mayor Joe Ganim did not outrun the law Wednesday, but he wound up with a sympathetic state trooper when pulled over for speeding on Interstate 84.

The incident  the mayors driver, Bridgeport Police Detective Ramon Garcia, received a verbal warning  caused an embarrassing distraction on a day when Ganim was formally filing paperwork in Hartford for a gubernatorial run.

Another politician who thinks he is above the law. The law is to control the common people, not the elites, was typical of some of the criticism Hearst Connecticut Media readers posted online of both Ganim and the Connecticut State Police.

Ganim already has an image problem. He ran Bridgeport in the 1990s, was convicted of running a pay-to-play scheme out of City Hall in 2003, then successfully asked Bridgeport residents for a second chance in 2015.

More News News Joe Ganim campaign across state clocked at 100 mph

Wednesdays traffic stop also exacerbated criticism back home of the mayors already controversial use of a taxpayer funded city cop as a driver on the campaign trail. As previously reported, Garcia, another detective and a lieutenant earned nearly $70,000 in overtime guarding Ganim this year, even as the undermanned police department is under pressure to cut overtime costs.

He is a city employee. If he gets in an accident, the citys liable, said freshman Bridgeport Councilman Marcus Brown after learning about Wednesdays traffic stop, which took place in the Southington area. Brown is not related to a barber shop owner of the same name that Ganim met in Hartford Wednesday.

At least Garcia was not at the wheel of a city vehicle, which the mayor has sometimes also used over the past year while exploring whether to run for governor. Instead he was riding in a rented Ford Expedition with Pennsylvania plates.

A Hearst Connecticut reporter accompanied Ganim before and during the traffic stop and witnessed the vehicle hit 100 mph  and regularly exceed 90 mph.

But, according to a statement by the State Police, Garcia was clocked by laser at 87 mph.

After running the operators license and vehicle registration and confirming there were no other issues, the Trooper issued the operator a verbal warning consistent with the discretion afforded to law enforcement by department policy and state law, which is independent of the occupants of a vehicle, said State Police Public Information Officer Trooper Kelly Grant in an email.

So its ok to speed if you are (a) police officer and you are with (a) politician, wrote another Hearst reader.

And such discretion was not used in 2014 when then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley of Greenwich was pulled over on Route 9 for driving 80 mph. He received a ticket, according to the Middletown Press.

Andrew Matthews, head of the state police union, acknowledged that sometimes troopers extend such professional courtesy to fellow law enforcers during a traffic stop.

But Matthews insisted that it depends on the circumstances, and that Connecticut troopers have stopped members of the public and done the same.

People have emergencies. They might be having a bad day. They cant afford it (the ticket), Matthews said. Our people are very compassionate.

Brown was glad a Bridgeport municipal vehicle was not involved, but said something needs to be done about Ganims use of police drivers on the campaign trail.

Ganim has said his gubernatorial campaign is obligated to reimburse Bridgeport mileage if he uses a municipal car, but not for the costs of his drivers.

If were only getting reimbursed for the usage of the vehicle but not the city employee who travels with him, maybe we dont need a detective with him, said Brown. And if he needs one, pay us back for it.

Asked if the city would have been liable had Garcia caused an accident Wednesday, even if he was driving a car rented by Ganims campaign, Bridgeport City Attorney R. Christopher Meyer said: Its all hypothetical.

Meyer added, I always encourage everybody to drive safe.

Garcias boss, Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez, could not be reached for comment.Patrick Stewart stopped by Frank Pepe's pizzeria on Wooster Street to enjoy its Number 1 pie.

That's the white clam pizza, of course.

NBC Connecticut reports that the award-winning British star of stage and screen known for his roles in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and the 'X-Men' film series, visited the famed pizzeria on Tuesday.

The owner, Gary Bimonte, told NBC Connecticut that said Stewart was "passing through" and decided to get a bite to eat in New Haven.

Stewart ordered the renowned white clam pie and took the time to take pictures with staff members.

In May 2013, Stewart a photo of himself eating his first pizza slice.

His tweet created a buzz on social media.

People misunderstood, the actor told New York Magazine. There was a school of thought that I had eaten my first pizza, but of course how could that possibly be true? I would have had to have stayed locked up in a cellar. But nevertheless, this was my first slice of pizza, which I was only eating because my fiancee and I were a little hung-over yesterday morning and she said what we need is pizza and a soothing drink  and she was right.

As Stewart explained it, I know, its hard to understand, isnt it? But, you know, I would go in [a pizza place] and order a pizza and eat a whole pizza. It was the concept of the slice that I had never encountered before.

Pepes white clam pizza was often been rated the top pizza in the United States.

If you havent heard of this famed white clam pizza you might have been locked up in a cellar.

The pizza is made with fresh clams, grated Parmesan, olive oil, garlic and oregano.BRIDGEPORT -- Officials of the exclusive Indian Mountain School in the Lakeville section of Salisbury have agreed to settle two federal lawsuits that claimed students were sexually assaulted at the school in the 1980s.

Antonio Ponvert III of the Bridgeport law firm Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, who represented the former students said the cases were settled for sums not being disclosed under a confidentiality agreement ending several years of litigation.With the FCCs ruling on net neutrality and President Trumps tax bill at the top of the news, its apparent that politicians decisions have significant influence upon the financial well-being of business owners. These decisions, which can affect entrepreneurs of all sizes and in all industries, happen not just at the federal level but at the state and local levels as well.

Related: How and When Brands Should Chime in on Important Issues Such as #MeToo

With this reality in mind, its imperative that entrepreneurs become informed about laws and regulations that are being discussed by elected officials that can impact the profitability of their businesses. By staying on top of these developments, business owners can learn about the specific positions of policy makers whose actions will influence whether a particular resolution is good or bad for their companies, their employees and their own personal wealth.

Ive been involved with local government and Ive also owned businesses, so Im very familiar with both sides of the equation. Based on my experience, here are seven essential strategies that can assist entrepreneurs to financially support politicians who will share their views, represent their interests with integrity and deliver good government service:

1. Be a joiner.

One of the best ways to learn about current and upcoming national political decisions that will affect your company is to become a member of national organizations that represent your industry. For example, Im in the real estate investment business, and I find great value in being a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute.

Related: Should Small Businesses Speak Out on Controversial Topics?

To gain awareness of state and municipal developments, get involved with state and/or regional trade groups and local chambers of commerce. By learning the details of whats being decided and when, youll then be able to network with your contemporaries to discuss which politicians are in line with your interests. This will allow you to formulate an informed support and donation strategy.

2. Always pay by check.

A cash contribution of any size to an elected official, political candidate or the staff members of either is viewed by the law as a bribe -- so dont even think about doing it, even if your intention is harmless. Pay with a check in order for your donation to be legal, transparent and ethically appropriate.

Related: Why Business Leaders Are No Longer Afraid to Get Political

3. Understand the limits and magnitude of your contributions.

For state and national elections, if you write a small check in support of a candidate, youll most likely be invited to attend a campaign event, shake hands with the candidate and hear him/her make a speech about why he/she is running and what he/she will do for the business community. Write a bigger check and you might be invited to a small side room at an event for a cocktail reception and a photo op with the candidate. Write an even bigger check and youll likely get all of the above plus the opportunity to have a short conversation with the candidate, and your name will be listed as a member of the campaign finance committee or as a host on the event program.

While small business owners as a whole can deliver sizable financial support to a candidate, its important to recognize that individually, the opportunity for access is only so great, especially when compared to the much more significant contributions made by corporations and lobbyists.

Related: Heineken's Ad Shows Pepsi the Right Way to Get Political

4. Graciously seek value from your contributions.

Early in my career as a real estate developer in Chicago, I contributed $500 to the campaign of a candidate running for city council. After he was elected, he helped me by providing a reference letter for a construction contract that I was pursuing. When a city agency delayed processing my invoice for over five months, he made a call that got me paid.

The lesson here is that, in the business context, political contributions are different than charitable donations: When you write a check to help someone get elected, you can request access to the elected official who you supported. Recognize, however, that your financial support does not give you the right or ability to abuse that access. If your request is reasonable and justified, having a relationship with elected officials can be a valuable business asset.

Related: How to Include Politics in Your Marketing Without Turning Anyone Off

5. Know the possible meaning behind what a politician tells you.

A bit of tongue-in-cheek wisdom:

When you ask an elected official for help on a particular issue, if that politician says yes, he/she likely means maybe.

If that politician says maybe, he/she likely means no.

If that politician says no, he/she likely won't be a politician for long.

The point is to be prepared and have a back-up plan. Politicians cannot always deliver on promises made.

Related: Entrepreneurs Could Be the Key to Rejuvenating Areas of the Country That Have Been Left Behind

6. Budget for and spread out your political contributions.

If earmarking $1,000 per year for political contributions is affordable for you, build this expense into your annual business budget. However, rather than making one large donation every year, write $250 donations to four different politicians, which will allow you to attend four fundraising events. This approach will make it possible to network with other business owners, tell campaign staffers about your business interests, and explain how what you do is beneficial for the community. It will also provide you with exposure to the politicians and an opportunity to build valuable relationships that will support your companys objectives.

Related: How One Entrepreneur Built a Successful Business by Identifying a Need in His Community

7. Dont play down the importance of your role as a check writer.

Regardless of how little you contribute to a politician, youre still a check writer, and you should be respected. Its like shareholder meetings: If you own a million shares of Google stock and I own 10 shares, were both going to be invited to the annual shareholders meeting in Mountain View, Calif.

It doesnt take a tremendous investment of time, effort or money to get politically engaged and make your business interests known. By keeping these seven simple tips in mind, youll be able to not only make sensible donations, youll also be able to network smartly and contribute to the long term viability of your business and industry.

Related:

7 Strategies to Help Entrepreneurs Make Sensible Political Donations

The Impact of the Senate and House Tax Bills on the Small-Business Owner

Here Are the Russia Facebook Ads That Tried to Dupe You



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com

Modern-day schooling is out of date. Young leaders, innovators, and creators are being turned into robotic machines that follow assignments to generate grades. The grade school years are meant to help students find who they are, but schools today are nothing more than a glorified holding facility for carbon copy education.

Every student has his own set of strengths and weaknesses, and yet we find every student following the same exact academic agenda as their peers. Its almost like schools are asking all students to wear the same size shirt, despite the inevitable variety in body shapes and sizes.

Schooling not learning.

At school, were taught from day one to blindly follow directions or risk facing disciplinary consequences. The school system was built to match labor environments -- eight hours a day with short breaks in a controlled setting to make it easier to push young adults into the workforce. Schools say they are preparing students for the future, but they are forcing them to obey commands that expunge all creativity, which is actually robbing students of the ability to pursue a successful future.

Students are taught to reject failure, yet many bright and capable students are left behind because their learning style doesnt fit into their teachers box. Rather than work to help these students understand material, teachers pass them along for the next grade to deal with, giving students a false perception of where they stand academically.

When reality finally hits, it can shatter students ambitions for the future and push their dreams into the slow lane. Students are competing instead of collaborating, tearing each other down so they can succeed in a race for rank. The fact is this: our society has put such strain on the grading system that kids are pushed to unhealthy limits each and every day, with teachers that dont teach them according to the individual needs, and with assignments that are often irrelevant to real-life skills. Even though our failing education system wont change overnight, there is a way for students to succeed despite it.

Grubbing the grade.

I began recognizing the problem with the school system in high school. Throughout grade school, I attended eight different schools in three different states. At one high school -- one of the hardest schools in the nation, according to the Washington Post -- I noticed that students were too busy following commands to even think of something remotely creative. I saw students skipping class to hide in the library so they could study for the next big test. The image of a perfect grade is what students strove for -- because they were told that was all that mattered, leading them to sacrifice ethics for perfection.

Ive seen students cheat and bend over backwards to find shortcuts to get a higher grade or to simply relieve their workload. In the real world, cheating and shortcuts will result in more stress rather than relief and will pull coworkers down with you. School implicitly teaches that if a goal is important enough, any method of achieving it is acceptable. In other words, consequentialism is accepted when it comes to getting the highest grades. But that is not an adequate preparation for our future.

Related: 5 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Don't Thrive in School

In an effort to build my leadership and entrepreneurship skills, I used my free time to join many organizations in my community. I networked with professionals I admired, and took advantage of opportunities to share my ideas with them in a way that displayed my abilities. This opened multiple doors, and I began consulting for several companies.

Through consulting, I recognized a pattern in executive management. I saw that successful people at the top arent afraid to fail. They don't reject failure. They get to the top by taking large risks. Ironically, the A+, 4.0 GPA students find themselves working under these infamous and outspoken trouble-makers. Ive seen this pattern time and again. Those who embrace failure tend to combat it best.

Cuban's revolution.

Recently I had the opportunity to speak to two successful entrepreneurs. I wanted to get a better grasp on what schooling meant to them when they were there.

From Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a world-renowned billionaire businessmen, I quickly found out he was a rule breaker. Cuban was suspended in high school for wearing a shirt with the word bullshit printed on it. He was a proud trouble-maker with little respect for authority, which fueled the head-strong character we see in him today. He was a student who went around the system instead of through it -- just to see what would happen.

I wondered what Cuban's number one tip to high school entrepreneurs was. His response was direct and to the point: Sell. No company succeeds without sales.

Related: The 15 Characteristics of People Who Succeed at Sales

Next, I asked Cuban what the word fail means to him. He explained to me how it is a stumble that you can learn from, that a failure is a first attempt at learning. It doesnt matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right once and then everyone can tell you that you are an overnight success, he says.

Batiz's fire.

Suzy Batiz, founder and chief executive officer of Poo~Pourri, recalls her high school experience differently, though it led her to a similar searching perserverance. Batiz didnt have the best time in high school. It was very hard for her to fit in and go with the flow. In fact, she told me that it was traumatizing for the most part.

But Batiz is a strong-willed person, questioning everything and countering any type of authority. Her number one tip for high school entrepreneurs was to stop trying to fit in and find the fire that motivates you.

She told me that students must get out of the box to become successful. Find the passion that guides you and thinks outside of the box to find success, says Batiz.

The numbers say it all.

I ran an anonymous survey at my high school to figure out what students said about their educational experience. It uses a random group of 500 students, grades nine to twelve. From it I discovered the following:

92 percent admitted to cheating or gaining unfair advantages to get a better grade.

82 percent believe that restrictions in school hinder creativity and performance.

88 percent believe the ends justify the means when it comes to getting good grades.

These results virtually prove that students are being forced into a system that is not setting them up for success but rather, is producing human labor machines programed to simulate intelligence and imitate accomplishment.

What's a young entrepreneur to do?

Is there still a way to succeed? I am often asked. Here are my top seven for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to get involved in the business world:

1.) Join or Build an incubator or hackathon: Many companies now have incubators where all the super cool ideas are born. Incubators and hackathons put like-minded creative leaders in one spot to tackle a common problem or invent an idea. Currently, I work as the chief marketing officer for the largest student-led hackathon in the United States. Finding a good hackathon and coming up with ideas might be the start of something big. Most students end up going after their high school visions, so get out in the world and explore your vision!

Related: Accelerator vs. Incubator: Which Is Right for You?

2.) Summer Internships: As the millennial generation is entering and beginning to dominate the market, companies need young minds even more than ever. Companies will flip for the chance to gain insight into your generations thoughts, desires and habits, so consider a summer internship. If you can provide valuable ideas and insight, you will be unstoppable.

3.) Networking: Build a LinkedIn account and start connecting with professionals in your area. My growing network has enabled me to work with some of the top professional leaders and mentors in the country, every day. Networking will help you find people who will build you up, and you will learn abundantly from them in the process.

4.) Forget the money: Focus on learning a craft and building a strong track record of following through. If you are hung up on the amount of money you make at the beginning of your career, then a good fast food or entry-level job will be most fitting for you. Money isnt everything.

If you forget about how much you are making in the short run you will win in the long run. I am not suggesting to always work for free, but dont hesitate to render free services to get your foot in the door and show companies what you can contribute. Author and businessman Zig Ziglar said, Success must never be measured by how much money you have.

5.) Start a club or organization: Launching a new business successfully takes skill and experience. Knowing how to share your vision with other people is what the big leagues are all about. Starting a club can give valuable experience and understanding what that takes.

6.) Fail forward: Learn how to keep going after you fail at something. Dont give up, and dont let fear of failure prevent you from giving it your all. Mistakes are what give you wisdom to know what works and what doesnt.

7.) Be real with yourself and build a team: A while back I sat down with Kirk Ballou, a distinguished CEO who has worked with companies like Microsoft, CNN, National Geographic, Nokia and Red Bull. His number one tip to aspiring entrepreneurs: Be real with yourself. If your dream job is running a business that will require an experise and you do not have its worth, find a partner(s) that can fill that gap. Too many fail fast startups are trying to wear too many hats and handle areas they are not experts in.

Going beyond school.

The truth is that our education system wont change anytime soon, but you have the choice to understand its shortcomings and work around them. Using your free time to build a skill set for the future is what will place you ahead of the curve.

Understand that graduating high school and getting to college is crucial, but there is a world outside of school with inestimable experiences that a degree will simply never offer. Getting involved in your community, connecting with professionals you admire and building your identity before you graduate high school will help you navigate college and land on a career path thats best for you.

Related:

Schools Weren't Built for Tomorrow's Leaders

#5 Ways to Produce Efficient Entrepreneurs By Changing the Way we Teach

The (Right) Formula To Cultivate Entrepreneurial Talent



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com

Emotions frequently run high during Drug Court graduation. Here, Cheryl Truitt tears up as she gets a hug from Judge Jim Wilbanks. I am learning how to love myself and appreciate all Gods blessings, the new graduate said. I stand here with deep gratitude - a grateful recovered addict. - photo by Mitch Talley

Support of family, friends, and fellow program members is vital for Drug Court participants throughout their journey. Here, a large crowd shows their enthusiasm for new graduate Cheryl Truitt. - photo by Mitch Talley

One of the highlights of Drug Court graduation for participants is the chance to tear up a huge copy of their old booking photo, symbolizing how much their lives have changed for the better. Here, staff member Rosafay Lawson helps graduate Sonya Neal (right) hold up her photo just before she ripped it into pieces and threw it into a trash can. - photo by Mitch Talley

Judge Jim Wilbanks (left) and family members of Shea Baldridge applaud after she received her diploma from Drug Court during an emotional ceremony on Nov. 30 - photo by Mitch Talley

Making it through the Conasauga Drug Court program is the hardest thing participants will ever do, says Judge Jim Wilbanks.

At the same time, Drug Court, says Mr. Wilbanks, is the best thing he does in his role as a Superior Court judge.

Thats why Mr. Wilbanks and the rest of the Drug Court staff  along with the families and other members of the participants support system  were so excited to see five more people graduate from the program during an emotion-packed ceremony at the Whitfield County Courthouse on Nov. 30.

I tell people most of the time it seems as a Superior Court judge, what Im doing is Im cleaning up train wrecks, he said, reacting with legal solutions to common problems like lawsuits, divorces, or crimes.

Whats different about Drug Court, he says, is that its a proactive program. We are helping people make changes in their lives, he says, that will keep them from coming back in front of us. And thats what this is all about. This is about not only restoring these lives but keeping these people out of the criminal justice system. Thats the goal; that is what we work hard to accomplish.

Shea Baldridge, accepted into the program Aug. 20, 2015, knows about that hard work first hand.

I knew that I wanted something different out of life, but I was not certain what I wanted, the graduate said in a letter to Judge Wilbanks that she read to a room filled with supporters during the ceremony.

Honestly, I did not believe that I could stop using drugs, she said candidly. It is no surprise to me that I will not receive the gold star on my diploma (that denotes no sanctions due to relapses during the program) because I have struggled at times throughout the past two years. Im more than grateful for my struggles because it has led me to where I am today and, more importantly, who I am today.

At graduation, she had been drug free for 829 days and is well on her way to a better life.

I have accumulated multiple skill sets and tools as I enter a new and exciting chapter of my life, Ms. Baldridge said. My thought process is entirely different than it was the day that I entered the program. Today, I know what I want and Im pursuing that. Im not confused about my purpose on Earth nor am I willing to settle for less than what I believe I deserve. I know who I am today and what I have to offer.

Like the other graduates, Ms. Baldridge listed some of her accomplishments during the program.

I have my own job, my own home today, my license and my own vehicle, I have a well-respected job that has benefits, and I started school at Dalton State College where I will major in Business with a focus in Marketing, she said proudly.

But perhaps her most satisfying accomplishment, Ms. Baldridge says, lies inside of her.

I have been able to accept and forgive myself, she said, pausing as the emotions of the moment sank in. I understand myself today, and Im okay with my stubbornness and imperfect flaws  those do not define me. I know how to separate myself from my actions and speak to myself in a soft, gentle tone as I would an infant. In return, I have learned how to love the young woman I see in the mirror.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity that I have been blessed with, Ms. Baldridge said. I would not be where I am today without you, Judge (Jack) Partain, and the entire team that has helped guide me to the place I am today. This journey has not been easy at times, but most definitely worth it!

Participants arent the only ones who find that journey worth it, though.

Take, for example, Ms. Baldridges mother, Danielle, who says she discovered through the program that she was a major enabler for her daughter and admits thats something Ive had to work on.

Ive learned a lot about Shea, Ive learned a lot about me, she said, and in this program, if you have the opportunity to participate no matter how big or how small, it can not only benefit the participant but it benefits the whole family.

Choking up for a moment, she said, the one thing that I guess made Drug Court okay with me is that either my daughter would be okay or she would be in prison, (and) thats a lot better than death.

Indeed, once accepted, participants know they must either complete the program or spend time in prison if they fail.

There are basically two ways out, Wilbanks says. You can choose not to pursue recovery and not change your life, and Ill unfortunately do what youre asking me to do - which is send you to prison. The other option is the one that we push very strongly  and that is graduation.

Alicia Amos, whos been clean 1,126 days, chose graduation.

Whenever I came into Drug Court, she said in her letter to the judge, my life was out of control. I was broken and had lost all hope on ever living a normal life without drugs. As I stand before you today, I can honestly say that is not the case anymore. Drug Court has changed my life for the better.

Ms. Amos praised the Drug Court staff for always believing in her, motivating and pushing her.

Catherine (Schueman), you have shined light in places I didnt know light shined, she said. You are the one that has helped me end a 12-year-long abusive relationship. Not only did I get over that relationship, but you helped me grieve and heal. You showed me tough love - the tough love you have shown me broke me, but it made me who I am. You will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Marshall (Lynch) you have helped me identify patterns from my past. By identifying these patterns, I was able to break recurring cycles from my childhood that played a role in my adulthood. Thank you for teaching me how to set boundaries and how important those boundaries are.

Prudence (Byers), your office has always been a place I could come and vent. Your tough feedback has helped me overcome obstacles in my life, and I thank you for that. Rosafay (Lawson), you have always pushed me. I would come in to take a drug test, and you would ask me about my GED and my progress. You would always ask me how you could help me. You are the one who kept pushing me to earn my GED, and I stand here today with my GED because of you. Thank you for never giving up on me.

And Don (Hoffmeyer), youre the one who is always checking on me. You are one of the most caring and selfless people I know; you do your job with your whole heart, and youre passionate about it. Drug Court is lucky to have you as a coordinator.

I could tell you story after story about how each staff member has helped me through my recovery and changed my life for the better, Ms. Amos said. I cannot express my gratitude for the better; Drug Court has saved my life. I thank you, Judge Wilbanks and Judge Partain, my arresting officers, and all of the staff for your time and energy and efforts.

Ms. Amos called going to jail honestly one of the best things that has ever happened to her.

I didnt expect anything great to come from going to jail, she said, nor did I expect to find a new way to live. Being arrested was a blessing in disguise. I thank each and every one of you for a second chance at a new life.

Fellow graduates Kim Patterson and Sonya Neal agreed with that assessment.

I had to change my way of thinking, Ms. Patterson said, and today I stand in front of you as a new woman. I have learned how to live sober and how to be happy. I want to thank the staff for always being there for me no matter what the situation was. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to complete Drug Court because it has truly saved my life.

Ms. Neal admitted there was doubt she could complete the program coming from someone whos been in trouble many times, but here I stand before you now proudly graduating. This program was not easy. Every struggle was well worth it. I want to thank you and the Drug Court team for the many hours, days, and weeks spent teaching, counseling, and correcting me and helping me to become the person I am today.

Ms. Neals sponsor, Sonya, says she is so proud of the community for supporting the Drug Court program over the past 15 years.

Im so grateful for the wisdom of the community itself for supporting it and for Judge Partain for bringing it to us and the people that work their little fingers to the bone to make it this success, she said. Its just a miracle in front of us.

Graduate Cheryl Truitt is one of those miracles, saying that she and others in the program have hope of living life to our fullest now.

For many years I was a broken, lost woman, Ms. Truitt said. After giving birth to my beautiful daughters, I was unable to be the mother they deserved and needed. Today, all that has changed. Today, I walk with God, and through Christ, all things are possible. Today I am a good mother, nana, sister, daughter, friend, and aunt. Im a productive member of society. Today I have goals that I have reached, and I shall continue to reach my goals.

She says the program has enabled her take off her mask. Although I was terrified of the unknown, I am willing to listen and take suggestions, Truitt said. I am learning how to love myself and appreciate all Gods blessings. I stand here with deep gratitude - a grateful recovered addict.

Judge Wilbanks ended the program by holding up an article in the local newspaper about the nationwide opiate crisis and saying that, yes, the federal and state governments can help in the battle against addiction. Ultimately, though, its up to local programs like the Conasauga Drug Court to solve the problem.

My bottom line to you, he told the crowd, is that this problem is solved here in this county, in Murray County, in this circuit. I need you to help us fight this battle. Me putting people in prison doesnt solve any problems. Me helping people dig themselves out of the hole that theyve dug themselves and then working hard to get everything back on track - which youve just seen that today, and they said it much better than I ever could  that is what works. This program works. Thank you for your support; help us continue to go forward in a positive way.

DRUG COURT GRADUATES BY THE NUMBERS



Shea Baldridge - Entered program: Aug. 20, 2015. Sobriety date: Aug. 24, 2015. Days clean at graduation: 829



Alicia Amos  Entered program: Nov. 6, 2014. Sobriety date: Nov. 1, 2014. Days clean at graduation: 1,126

Kim Patterson  Entered program: Dec. 18, 2014. Sobriety date: July 27, 2014. Days clean at graduation: 1,222

Sonya Neal  Entered program: Nov. 5, 2015. Sobriety date: Sept. 28, 2015. Days clean at graduation: 794

Cheryl Truitt  Entered program: July 24, 2014. Sobriety date: June 19, 2016. Days clean at graduation: 529

MORE DRUG COURT STATISTICS



Current participants: 86



Employment rate: 98%

Graduates: 262

GEDs earned: 112 (25 more in progress)

PROGRAM FEATURES



Alcohol and other outpatient treatment



Individual counseling with licensed professional counselors

Intensive case management with a masters level social worker

Individual classes on Boundaries, Dual Diagnosis, Anger Management, Parenting, Inner Child

Daily, random, targeted, and observed drug testing

Community supervision by probation and local law enforcement officers and 24-hour crisis response

Recurring court appearances before Judge Wilbanks

Incentives and sanctions related to progress and non-compliance

Verifiable participation in 12-Step meetings and Celebrate Recovery

Assistance for participants to obtain GEDs and other educational/career goals

Support clients who have DFCS involvement to adhere to case plans providing documentation

Participants pay weekly fees for services ($27/week) and pay regular restitution payments.

Opportunity to make choices that improve self-care, self-confidence, promote family unity, reveal rewarding career choices, enhance communication, coping and social skills.

Return to a crime-free, drug-free lifestyle

WAYS YOU CAN HELP



Volunteer. Contact Conasauga Drug Court at 706-281-4811 or hoffmeyerdon@gmail.com



Spread the word. Court sessions are open to the public on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Referrals may be made by calling 706-281-4811. Speakers are available to community and school organizations.



Donate. Financial contributions may be made to the NWGA Community Foundation / Conasauga Drug Court 501 (c3) organization. Other donations: Call 706-281-4811.

For some people embarking on a weight loss transformation, progress pictures are key to their success.

And one Chinese family certainly proved how useful they can be after they shared how documenting their shrinking frames helped motivate them during their incredible combined slim down.

Posting the pictures on social media, Chinese photographer, Ding Guoliang, 31, from Xiamen, in Southeast China's Fujian Province, charted his own weight loss transformation by posting pictures of him posing alongside his family during a six month period.

Family affair: Ding Guoliang, 31, from Xiamen, in China's Fujian Province documented how his family - including his pregnant wife - slimmed down over six months, pictured in March 2017

Fit fam: All four members of the family lost weight during their transformation, with Ding's dad, mom, and wife, pictured here in September 2017 after the birth of Ding's baby, taking part

Accountable: The family, pictured in March 2017, before their transformation, decided to get fit when they all lived together

Bumpy ride: The family all slimmed down during the six month period, even Ding's wife who had recently given birth to the couple's first child

While awaiting the arrival of his first child, he explained to Bored Panda that it was his mother who kick-started the project, after she decided to move in with her son and daughter-in-law ahead of the birth of her grandchild.

Seeing this as a golden opportunity to spend more time with his parents, Ding also invited his father to live with them during this time.

When his dad arrived, Ding started the whole family on a new healthy regime, going for power walks that eventually turned into jogging sessions.

And as they all got fitter and healthier, they started working out in the gym, whittling away their excess weight and sculpting impressive six packs in the process.

Transformation: Ding revealed his family's incredible weight loss in a series of progress pictures on social media, pictured here with his father in March 2017

Motivation: The father and son dieting duo took pictures every 10 days to chart their physical transformation, pictured here in September 2017

Flab to fab: Ding was the one who suggested his dad lose weight with the family ahead of the birth of his first child, pictured left in March 2017 and right in September 2017

Big loser: Ding's dad started off going for walks but soon turned to gym sessions, pictured here 'before' in March 2017 and 'after' in September 2017

While the family initially intended on living like this for six months, Ding claims that working out together inspired them all to continue their new healthier lifestyle.

The father and son duo continued to track their progress every 10 days, posing side-by-side topless for the camera with the date written on a piece of paper, held up for the camera.

They also posed with Ding's wife, mom and newborn son to show how every member of the family has been influenced by the transformation.

And while the physical evidence is impressive all of its own, Ding also revealed that seeing his father become more confident has been the biggest gift of all.Advertisement

Sixty five years ago, it was placed on the head of a 27-year-old Princess Elizabeth, signalling the moment she became Queen.

Now, for the first time since her Coronation in 1953, Her Majesty has been reunited with the glittering  but little seen  St Edwards Crown.

Although many associate the British monarch with the Imperial State Crown  normally sported at the State Opening of Parliament  the St Edwards Crown is used by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the actual moment of coronation.

Made for Charles II in 1661 by the Crown Jeweller, Robert Viner, it was a replacement for the original, medieval crown which had been melted down in 1649 by the Parliamentarians and was thought to date back to the 11th century royal saint, Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

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The Queen has been reunited with St Edwards Crown (pictured) for the first time since her Coronation in 1953, as part of a new BBC documentary

Composed of a solid gold frame, set with tourmalines, white and yellow topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel, and aquamarines, mounted in enamelled gold collets, it also has a velvet cap with an ermine band.

Our present Queens Coronation, which took place at Westminster Abbey on June 2 1953 after 16 months of planning, was watched by millions throughout the world for the first time on television.

At the moment the Archbishop of Canterbury placed the St Edwards Crown on the young sovereigns head, a fanfare was played by the State Trumpeters, triggering a gun salute from the Tower of London and a peal of the Abbey bells.

Despite being the nations longest-reigning monarch, the Queen, who will celebrate her 92nd birthday in April, has never worn the St Edwards Crown again.

St Edwards Crown is used by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the actual moment of coronation. Pictured is the Queen wearing the crown in 1953

The Queen is seen wearing St Edward's Crown while sitting on the coronation chair shortly after she was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury

The monarch then entered St Edward's chapel to exchange the crown for the Imperial State Crown (pictured) before processing out of Westminster Abbey

Indeed, aside from a brief glimpse behind glass when she opened the Jewel House at the Tower of London in 1994, she hasnt even seen it in the flesh.

St Edward's vs The Imperial State Crown St Edward's Crown is the crown that the Archbishop of Canterbury used at the actual moment of coronation in 1953. However, Queen Elizabeth then exchanged the crown for the Imperial State Crown, which is much lighter, before leaving Westminster Abbey. This crown, which is worn at the State Opening of Parliament, is also believed to feature in the opening credits of Netflix drama The Crown. In series one of the show, actress Claire Foy - who plays the Queen - is seen trying on St Edward's Crown ahead of her coronation ceremony. Advertisement

But Queen and crown have now been reunited again for a stunning new collaboration between BBC One and the Royal Collection Trust  the charity responsible for one of the largest and most important art collections in the world.

Entitled The Coronation, the hour-long film, will reveal the story behind the Crown Jewels  which consists of 140 items and 23,000 precious stones  and the ceremony in which they are used.

For the first time, the Queen will also personally share memories of the ceremony, as well as that of her father King George VI in 1937.

Viewing both private and official film footage, she recalls the day when the weight of both St Edwards Crown  and the hopes and expectations of a country recovering from war  were placed on her shoulders, saying: Ive seen one Coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable.

The film, which is part of a series of programmes across BBC television and radio revealing the treasures of the Royal Collection, also features eyewitness accounts of those who participated in the 1953 Coronation, including a maid of honour who nearly fainted in the Abbey, and a 12-year-old choirboy who was left to sing solo when his overwhelmed colleagues lost their voices.

Foy is seen trying on St Edward's Crown ahead of her Coronation in season one of the Netflix drama, which the monarch wore at the actual moment of her coronation

The Queen, played by actress Claire Foy, is seen preparing for her coronation in The Crown, this time wearing a different item of regalia

Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content said: It is a real honour to have Her Majesty The Queen revealing her intimate knowledge of the Crown Jewels  and fond childhood memories from when her father was crowned King George VI in this very special film for BBC One.

In her own words, The Queen will bring to life the enduring symbolic importance of the Coronation ceremonies for modern audiences to enjoy.

Other programmes in the BBC Royal Collection Season include Art, Passion & Power: The Story of the Royal Collection and Charles Is Treasures Reunited, as well as a radio broadcast revealing the captivating stories behind specific works of art in the Royal Collection through documentary material from the heavily-guarded Royal Archives.

The Coronation will be screened on BBC One on January 14 at 8pm.

The Queen is set to share her memories of the coronation ceremony on the BBC programme. It is rare for the monarch to appear on a television documentary

She will speak to royal commentator Alastair Bruce (left) during the hour-long programme entitled The CoronationA man who is desperately seeking his happily ever after with the perfect partner proved that he is willing to give everything up for love when he not only agreed to marry a total stranger as part of a reality series - but also forked out $1,000 on a wedding ring for his mystery bride.

On Tuesday night's episode of Lifetime reality series Married at First Sight, Jonathan Francetic, 28, revealed that he lost his job in finance when he signed up to take part in the show, but admitted that his lack of employment didn't stop him from spending some serious cash on a diamond band for the bride-to-be.

'My job told me if I went through with this, I was going to be unemployed. But for love, I am willing to take that risk,' he explained during last night's premiere.

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Trouble: Jonathan Francetic, 28, admitted on Tuesday night's premiere of Married at First Sight that he lost his job because of the show

Going for it: Although he was unemployed at the time, the army veteran spent $1,000 on a wedding ring for stranger he was going to meet at the altar

Taking the risk: 'My job told me if I went through with this, I was going to be unemployed. But for love, I am willing to take that risk,' he said

The veteran, who lives in the suburbs of Boston, was in the army for a little over four years, serving in Iraq from 2009 to 2010.

Jonathan noted that he credits the army for who he is today, explaining that it really helped him grow out of the 'very millennial boy mindset' that he was in.

His parents split up when he was a teenager, and their divorce took a total of three years.

'I've seen the worst of a marriage and it really changed a lot of who I am,' he said of his parents' breakup.

Jonathan insisted that dating in Boston is so 'terrible' he had given up, but he really wants a partner to share his life with.

Tough call: Jonathan admitted it was hard to spend so much money on a ring knowing that he no longer had an income

Hero: Jonathan was in the army for a little over four years, serving in Iraq from 2009 to 2010

He's not kidding: When picking out his suit for his wedding, Jonathan explained that he had never met the bride

'I am really looking for that kind of best friend to go do things with. Plus you have sex with them,' he said.

When Jonathan told his mom that he was getting married to a stranger in two weeks after losing his job, she was surprisingly supportive.

'Well, life's an adventure, right?' she replied, telling the camera: 'At first I was shocked, but then I was like, nope that's Jonathan.'

Before his wedding, Jonathan and the show's two other male participants, Ryan Buckley and Jephte Pierre, met for the first time to pick out their future wives' wedding rings.

Jonathan ended up buying a ring that cost $1,000, but he didn't let his employment status dictate his decision.

Letting loose: Jonathan chugged beer out a woman's shoe at his bachelor party

Truth: On his wedding day, Jonathan admitted he wasn't worried about marrying a stranger, but he was terrified to tell his future wife that he doesn't have a job

Love connection: The episode ended just before he met his match, Molly Duff

'I just lost my job and all that and looking to dish out $1,000 is an interesting feeling,' he told the camera. 'But we'll power through.'

On his wedding day, Jonathan admitted he wasn't worried about marrying a stranger, but he was terrified to tell his future wife that he doesn't have a job.

'At some point I have to tell my wife, I am unemployed and I am kind of scared,' he said. 'Forget the wedding, this is what's making me nervous. It's a bad first impression.'

Although fans will have to wait until next week to see them say 'I do,' the experts matched Jonathan with Molly Duff, who is no stranger to hard times.

The 25-year-old commercial insurance adjuster lost her father six years ago, and his death led to her family losing their home.

Youngest of the group: Molly is a 25-year-old commercial insurance adjuster

Hard times: Molly lost her father lost her father six years ago. She is pictured with her dad as a child

Close then ever: Molly's family lost their home after her father's death, and she and her two sisters had to share a room in the two bedroom apartment they moved into with their mom

Molly and her two sisters had to share a room after moving into a two bedroom apartment with their mother.

Although she is only in her mid-20s, Molly said all of her friends are in serious relationships. Ever her twin sister is living with her boyfriend and on the verge of getting engaged.

Molly explained that she had gotten to a point where she could no longer trust her own instincts when it came to picking men, so she liked the idea of having a team of experts help her find a partner.

The night before her wedding, Molly enjoyed a wild bachelorette party complete with a hunky male stripper.

'I never ever had a stripper dance on me. It wasn't bad. No complaints,' she said with a laugh.

Stunning: Molly, who is pictured trying on her wedding dress, was optimistic that the experts would find her the perfect match

Last night of freedom: Molly enjoyed a lap dance from a hunky stripper at her bachelorette party

On her wedding day, Molly and her mother spoke fondly of her father, and they both agreed that he would support her decision to marry a stranger because he has always wanted her to be happy.

The episode ended right before Molly got ready to walk down the aisle to meet Jonathan for the first time.

Molly isn't the only participant who has suffered a tragic loss. Nearly two years ago, Jaclyn Schwartzberg's boyfriend  the man she believed to be her soulmate  suddenly died.

'I had a pretty big life change a year and a half ago,' she told the camera. 'My boyfriend passed away.

'He had an undiagnosed autoimmune disease growing up as a child, and it was by far the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my entire life,' she explained. 'But I also think its what brought me here.'

Paying tribute: Molly's wedding dress showed off her tattoo, which she got in honor of her father

Looking back: Molly and her mother both agreed that her father would be happy for her

Cliff hanger: Fans will have to tune in next week to watch Molly walk down the aisle with her mother

The 29-year-old teacher turned technical sales representative found a great deal of support from her friends, who were thrilled to hear that she been matched with someone on the show.

She also took it as a good sign when she ended up purchasing the first wedding dress she picked out.

'This is the first wedding dress I have ever tried on and its perfect. So hopefully its a good sign and it means my husband is my perfect match as well,' she said.

Ahead of her wedding, Jaclyn went ring shopping with Molly and Shawniece Jackson, the show's other two female participants.

After picking out their future husbands' rings, the three went for drinks to get to know each other.

Heartbreak: Jaclyn Schwartzberg, 29, was getting ready to marry a stranger after the sudden loss of her boyfriend nearly two years ago

Tragedy: 'He had an undiagnosed autoimmune disease growing up as a child, and it was by far the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my entire life,' she said

Good omen: Jaclyn purchased the first wedding dress she tried on, she believed it was a sign

Molly admitted she had wanted to be married since she was 23, and Shawniece agreed that she thought she would at least be with someone before she turned 29.

Shawniece left the women a bit shocked when she admitted she was even celibate for 14 months, noting that it wasn't by choice.

However, things took a bit of an awkward turn when Shawniece asked if Molly or Jaclyn had ever lived with one of their boyfriends before.

Jaclyn hesitated for a second before saying she did, calling it 'the best thing ever.'

'And then it wasn't the best? What are you doing here if it was so amazing?' Molly asked.

Bonding time: Jaclyn went ring shopping with Molly and Shawniece Jackson, the show's other two female participants, to pick out their future husbands' wedding bands

Whoops: After Molly put her foot in her mouth and asked why she no longer lived with her boyfriend, Jaclyn explained that he passed away

'Yeah, he passed away actually,' Jaclyn replied, prompting Molly's jaw to drop.

'Oh my god. Now I feel like an a**hole,' Molly said, but Jaclyn insisted it was fine.

'Nobody would ever expect that. We are so young, right? Like who would ever expect that she responded.

Jaclyn was in better spirits at her bachelorette party, where she correctly guessed the name of her future husband without knowing it.

Although she was in good mood leading up to the big day, she started to panic before it was time for her to walk down the aisle.

Cold feet: At the end of the episode, Jaclyn started to panic about marrying a stranger

Perfect pair? Jaclyn was matched with 29-year-old Ryan Buckley

The episode ended with her admitting she wasn't sure if she could go through with the wedding.

Jaclyn was paired with Ryan Buckley, a 29-year-old firefighter who also does construction on the weekends.

Like Jaclyn, Ryan was looking for a serious partner because he was ready to settle down.

'I really want to find my soulmate. I don't want a girlfriend. I want a wife,' he explained.

Ryan didn't hold back when he went ring shopping with the other guys, and he happily spent $2,300 on a wedding band for his future bride as an act of love.

Go getter: Ryan is a Boston firefighter who also does construction on the weekends

Getting serious: 'I really want to find my soulmate. I don't want a girlfriend. I want a wife,' Ryan said before his wedding

Putting it out there: Ryan spent $2,300 on a wedding ring for his future wife, but he wasn't please when Jonathan insinuated she was manly because of her ring size

'I just bought a ring for a stranger. It was $2,300,' he admitted. 'I didn't mind spending a little more money for the ring that I wanted.

'I want her to know that I did go above and beyond. I want her to feel like I really do care about her. The first stepping stone in any good marriage is a good ring. A happy wife is a happy life.'

After going ring shopping, Ryan went out to lunch with the guys, and Jonathan and Jephte admitted that he showed them up by purchasing such an expensive ring.

Jephte also wanted to know how Ryan felt about his wife wearing a size 7 1/2 ring.

Ryan tried to explain that women's hands come in all different sizes, but Jonathan interjected and joked that his future wife was going to have a deep, manly voice.

Living it up: Ryan happily did shots in honor of his upcoming wedding

All smiles: On his wedding day, Ryan got the stamp of approval from Jaclyn's friends, who couldn't stop gushing about how cute he was

It was painfully obviously that Ryan was not amused by Jonathan's impression of his future wife's voice, and he insisted that she is going to be 'amazing.'

'I don't care if this girl is taller than me, shorter than me,' he said. 'I just want her personality to fit.

'It's not about the ring size honestly. That is the last thing I could care about.'

On his wedding day, Ryan got the stamp of approval from Jaclyn's friends, who couldn't stop gushing about how cute he was.

One of Jaclyn's pals revealed that she had correctly guessed his name, and ever the optimist, he replied: 'Maybe we are connected. You never know.'

Stunned: Shawniece Jackson, 29, admitted that she thought she would at least be in a serious relationship by now

Next step: The cosmetologist admitted she struggled with dating guys who didn't want to commit

Tears of joy: Shawniece burst into tears when she saw herself in her wedding dress

However, this was before someone had to go and check what was taking his bride so long.

Meanwhile, Shawniece, 29, spent the two weeks before her wedding crying tears of joy in anticipation for the big day.

While her parents never married, her mother's marriage to her stepfather has taught her what a healthy relationship looks like.

As the eldest of ten brothers and sisters, Shawniece loves having a big family to spend time with.

While her family is her source of support, she admitted that they have their own lives to live.

That's what she says: At her bachelorette party, Shawniece insisted she wouldn't sleep with her future husband on their wedding night

Overcome with emotion: Shawniece cried again on her wedding day, and her mother had to help dry her eyes

Happy as can be? Shawniece was paired with with Jephte, a 26-year-old teacher who is the eldest of nine kids

Shawniece's dating life proved unsuccessful due to men being unwilling to settle down, and she believed the experts would be able to help her find true love.

The cosmetologist, who has her own line of wigs, started crying when she learned that the experts had found her a match.

She broke down in tears for a second time when she was trying on wedding dresses.

Despite her emotional reaction to getting married, Shawniece insisted at her bachelorette party that she would not be sleeping with her husband on their wedding night.

'It's called masturbation,' she told her friends.

Holding him back: Jephte was ready to take the risk and marry a stranger, but his mother was not

Not having it: After he revealed his plans, his mother told him that he needed 'a lot of prayer'

Cheers: Jephte enjoyed a toast to his future at his bachelor party the night before his wedding

However, someone teased that she might see 'something so scrumptious' on her wedding day that she might change her mind.

Unsurprisingly, Shawniece started sobbing the next day while getting ready for her wedding and her mother and friends had to help dry her eyes.

Shawniece was matched with Jephte, a 26-year-old teacher who is the eldest of nine kids.

Although Jephte was ready to take the risk and marry a stranger, his mother was not. After he revealed his plans, she told him that he needed 'a lot of prayer.'

'You don't let somebody choose a woman for you. You don't know who is there family. You don't know who you are sleeping with,' she argued.

Getting ready: Jephte explained that his mother didn't approve of what he was doing, but it was extremely important to him the she be there for him

Support system: 'My mom doesn't support me marrying a stranger, but she's here,' he said. 'I hope she likes my wife because I don't know if I could do this without her'

His mom tried to explain that he needed to wait for the woman God wants him to be with, but Jephte's younger brother argued that this show may be God's way of sending him a wife.

When Jephte asked if she would be willing to support him, she told him she needed to pray on it before she gave him her answer.

On his wedding day, Jephte explained that his mother didn't approve of what he was doing, but it was extremely important to him the she be there for him.

'My mom doesn't support me marrying a stranger, but she's here,' he said. 'I hope she likes my wife because I don't know if I could do this without her.'

Fans will have to wait until next week to see if Jephte's mom will really let his son say 'I do' to a stranger.Its not just Meghan Markle whos giving the Royal Family a groovy new image.

Lady Amelia Windsor, dubbed the most beautiful royal before Meghans arrival, and Flora Ogilvy, Princess Alexandras granddaughter, demonstrated their quirky charms in these photos they shared with friends to celebrate the dawn of the new year.

Lady Amelia, 22, whose grandfather is the Duke of Kent, posed in a pair of lurid pink sunglasses, holding a toy flamingo.

Meanwhile, arts consultant Flora, 23, posed on a friends shoulders in front of a magical bonfire on the Isle of Raasay, off the West Coast of Scotland, her hair blowing wildly in the wind.

Lady Amelia Windsor, dubbed the most beautiful royal before Meghans arrival, and Flora Ogilvy, Princess Alexandras granddaughter, demonstrated their quirky charms in these photos they shared with friends to celebrate the dawn of the new year

Arts consultant Flora, 23, posed on a friends shoulders in front of a magical bonfire on the Isle of Raasay, off the West Coast of Scotland, her hair blowing wildly in the wind

Society stalwart Nicky Haslams authority on taste and style has taken a rather unexpected turn.

The Old Etonian interior designer yesterday revealed that a friend has made a tea towel emblazoned with a list of things he declares to be common, including scented candles, the Caribbean at Christmas and dress codes. Its all tongue in cheek, of course, Nicky, 78, tells me. My friend had it made and when I put it online I started receiving hundreds of requests from people wanting to buy one.

So were going to have them made and well sell them. T-shirts will be next.

Arent T-shirts terribly common?

Well, how could a girl say no? Paris's whopping sparkler

Irrepresible party girl Paris Hilton, great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, founder of Hilton Hotels, has got engaged to hunky U.S. actor Chris Zylka.

Paris, 36, confirmed the news on social media with this picture of Chris, 32, kneeling to propose on a snowy slope in Aspen, Colorado.

I am so excited to be engaged to the love of my life and my best friend, said Paris, who sported a starry ski suit as he presented her with a huge, pear-shaped diamond ring.

It is not her first proposal. The capricious blonde called off engagements to model Jason Shaw in 2003 and to Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis in 2005, both of whom offered her much smaller rings.

Fingers crossed this one goes the distance.

Paris, 36, confirmed the news on social media with this picture of Chris, 32, kneeling to propose on a snowy slope in Aspen, Colorado

It is not her first proposal. The capricious blonde called off engagements to model Jason Shaw in 2003 and to Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis in 2005

How fitting that campaigning Eurosceptic Sir Teddy Taylor, who died last September aged 80, left bequests to encourage a new generation of orators. Sir Teddy, former MP for Southend East and Glasgow Cathcart, left 2,500 to Southend High School for Boys in the hope but without imposing any binding obligation on them that they use this for as long as they can for annual prizes for public speaking by pupils. He also gave 1,250 each to Porters Grange School in Essex and the High School of Glasgow Junior School for prizes for poetry recitals.While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle clinked glasses on an exciting year ahead in the billionaire tax haven of Monaco, a host of other global royals have been sharing glimpses of their equally extravagant new year breaks.

Leading the way on social media was 'Britain's hottest royal' Lady Amelia Windsor, who shared a variety of jet-setting snaps from both snowy and sunny climes in recent days.

The stunning 22-year-old, who has modelled for Vogue and has a contract with agency Storm, was snapped on the slopes of upmarket ski resort Meribel in the French Alps at the tail-end of 2017...but has since hot-footed it to Costa Rica for some exotic January sunshine.

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In the pink: Lady Amelia Windsor has been keeping her 26,000 followers up to date with her new year travels, pictured in Costa Rica

The 22-year-old socialite, who has modelled for Vogue, had previously posted a photo of herself enjoying a snowy break in the French ski resort of Meribel

Society sisters: Marina 'Win' Windsor, left, and Amelia 'Mel' Windsor show off their matching diamond-set necklaces from Annoushka during their Meribel skiing holiday

Pedigree: The society beauty, who is 36th in line to the throne, was once dubbed 'Britain's most beautiful royal' by society magazine Tatler, has walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana

On Instagram, Lady Amelia posted a shot of herself wearing a pair of mirrored sunglasses and holding a toy pink flamingo, with the words: 'May your 2018 be full of flamingos.'

The t-shirt snap is a hop in temperature from her last holiday; the week before the 22-year-old was rugged up and ready to go on the slopes of Meribel, a ski resort in France.

She also revealed to her 26,000 followers that her family party had missed their flight home from the Alps and took an impromptu stop instead on the banks of Lake Geneva.

American socialite Talita von Furstenberg, the 18-year-old granddaughter of Prince Egon von Furstenberg, went from snow to sun effortlessly, posting snaps of herself in crystal clear waters

Oh to be young and entitled: Talita von Furstenberg enjoys a spot of backgammon on the beach

Princess Diana's niece, Kitty Spencer, snapped shots of herself enjoying a warm new year break in South Africa

Make for the Cape! The 27-year-old royal shared shots of herself in swimwear enjoying a mountain walk over the Christmas period

Earl Spencer's daughter also posted this shot of her taking in the last rays of the day on the Western Cape

It is understood that the couple flew out to celebrate the New Year with friends and plan to stay several days at a private residence in the Riviera region. Pictured: A file image of Cannes

Prince Harry whisked Meghan Markle (above, in September) off to the French Riviera

Also in the French Alps was Grace Kelly's granddaughter Camille Gottlieb.

The 19-year-old, daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco, posted photos from her winter break in Auron to her 44,000 followers.

Eschewing warmer wear, Camille is seen in one of the shots bravely sporting just a casual grey jumper and jeans, with a pair of fluffy black snow boots - despite the plummeting mountain temperatures.

Another photo, alongside a futuristic-looking statue of a black eagle in the same resort, sees the 19-year-old dressed in a chic black and white ski outfit, clearly ready to tackle the mountain.

Lady A and Camille weren't the only royals to hit the slopes, with jet-setting Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark making the most of the mountains with friends in an unnamed mountain resort.

Clad in designer ski-wear, the 21-year-old blonde New Yorker looked to be making the most of the snowfall in the post, which she captioned simply 'ciao, ciao'.

Maria-Olympia's brother, Prince Konstantinos Alexios of Greece and Denmark, revealed that the family later travelled to Harbour Island on Barbados.

The 19-year-old prince said he and his sister had fallen off a hammock while trying to think of a caption for a black and white shot of him with his arms aloft while casually riding a surfboard.

Meanwhile American socialite Talita Von Furstenberg, granddaughter of Prince Egon von Furstenberg of Germany, also appeared to enjoy hopping from ski boots to swimwear.

The 18-year-old hit the black runs in Aspen during Christmas week but has since jetted to an altogether more sultry location.

The super-toned socialite shared Instagram images of herself playing backgammon on the beach and posing in crystal clear waters with a friend.

Princess Diana's niece, Kitty Spencer, the eldest daughter of Charles Spencer, retreated to Cape Town for some winter sunshine.

The 27-year-old snapped shots of herself enjoying the South African mountains wearing a white bikini and barely there sundress, and then posing with a female friend on New Year's Eve.

Grace Kelly's granddaughter Camille Gottlieb, 19, posted these stylish shots from the slopes of Auron in the French Alps

The snow-sports fan, daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco, snapped her wintry new year getaway to her 44,000 followers on Instagram

Let's ski! Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark strikes a pose; the New Yorker, 21, enjoyed larking around with friends as she welcomed in 2018

...but just days earlier Princess Maria-Olympia had been soaking up some yuletide sunshine in the Bahamas

Prince Konstantinos Alexios of Greece and Denmark, sister to Maria-Olympia, posted this shot from the family's Harbour Island retreat on Barbados. The 19-year-old prince said he and his sister had fallen off a hammock while trying to think of a caption for the shot

Africa calling: 35-year-old Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis of Germany also went from the slopes to the sun, spending Christmas in Gstaad and New Year on a Kenyan beach

Fairytale travels: Princess Elisabeth, left, showed off her yuletide getaway to her social media fans - ahead of travelling to Kenya - with snaps of the Disney-esque Gstaad Palace, right

And Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis of Germany showed off images of her self, body-board in hand, padding over alabaster-white sands on a sun-drenched beach.

The 35-year-old had jetted to Kenya's coast following a festive stay in Swiss winter idyll, Gstaad.

Prince Harry and Meghan are thought to have arrived in the glitzy south of France on December 31st, where they met up with friends.

There was speculation that the group may have included Prince Albert, and his wife, Princess Charlene, who are the most senior royals in the millionaires' playground in the south of France.A grandmother-of-four was left 'horrified' to find Disney-licensed false eyelashes 'for small children' on sale in her local branch of Poundland.

Nicollette Harvey, 55, from Grays, Thurrock in Essex, blasted the Cinderella-themed product, which she said posed a safety risk to small children but also 'sexualised' young girls.

Nicollette was browsing at Grays shopping centre on December 21 when she found the lashes, which she says measure approximately three-quarters of an inch, on sale at Poundland.

The eyelashes, manufactured by cosmetics firm H&A, have a Cinderella picture on the packet, the Disney logo and an age certificate of three-plus.

'I think it's terrible... I don't agree with sexualising young girls in this way,' said Nicollette, who added that the branding would 'definitely' attract little girls like her four-year-old granddaughter, who she says 'loves Disney princesses'.

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Nicollette Harvey, 55, was left horrified after discovering Disney-licensed false eyelashes 'aimed at children as young as three' and is worried it could sexualise young girls

Nicollette, who claims her four-year-old granddaughter could 'poke her eyes out with them', said her daughter Louise Harvey, 36, warned her not to give them as a gift to her little girl, Mariah.

The grandmother said she feared the lashes, which come without an adhesive, could encourage some children to try attaching them with craft glue.

Disney, which licenses H&A to manufacture the eyelashes, has said the three-plus symbol is to highlight a choking hazard and warn parents about the small size of the product, and not an indication of their suitable age range.

The company claim the product is aimed at teens and adults, however the packaging does not explicitly say it is only for those ages.

The eyelashes, manufactured by cosmetics firm H&A, have Cinderella's picture on them, the Disney logo and an age certificate of three-plus

Nicollette said: 'I think it's terrible that the product is for sale. It's shocking for children that age.

'I don't agree with sexualising young girls in this way and Disney will attract them to the products. I know for certain that my granddaughter would be more attracted to them with the Disney logo on than any other brand.

'I was most surprised because it's Disney trademarked with Cinderella on it.. Mariah absolutely loves Disney princesses.

'Products like this for young children are awful. The eyelashes were tiny. It's a bit hard to swallow.

Disney, who license retailer H&A to manufacture the eyelashes, claim the three-plus symbol is to highlight a choking hazard and warn parents about the small size of the product

'It is completely opposite to what I thought Disney stood for. I thought Disney encouraged childhood innocence and imagination. You think they're wholesome and about letting children enjoy childhood.

'The lashes themselves are tiny - they would only cover half of my eyelashes - so they must be aimed at little girls of about five or six.

'They didn't come with any glue either. I don't know anyone stupid enough [to use glue on their children] but you never know.

'I'd worry most about kids putting them on themselves with a glue stick or PVA glue maybe. Me and my granddaughter are always playing with that,' she added.

She was shopping at a town-centre mall on December 21 when she found the lashes for sale at Poundland and claims the eyelashes measure at approximately three-quarters of an inch each

'You have to be so careful with your eyes [it] makes me shudder to think.

'Mariah adores dressing up but we personally don't encourage makeup.'

After discovering the lashes, Nicollette was so shocked she whispered under her breath and was reportedly told by a member of staff who overheard her that they also sold false nails for children too.

Nicollette says she was so taken aback by her find that she bought a pair to show her daughter, because she didn't think she would believe her.

Nicollette said: 'At the time I was in Poundland and just said out loud "oh my god". The woman who works there turned to me and said "you don't know the half". They apparently do false nails too.

'To be honest I bought them to show my daughter because I was so shocked.

'It's worrying because my granddaughter loves Disney, especially the princesses and Frozen, and I'd be terrified she'd poke her eyes out.

Nicollette was shocked to discover that the H&A site also sold nailvarnish for children

'It's worrying because my granddaughter loves Disney, especially the princesses and Frozen, and I'd be terrified she'd poke her eyes out,' she said of the lashes

'I've tried eyelashes once before and they ended up falling off on to my upper lip. I looked like I had a moustache.

'When I showed Louise, she just couldn't believe it. She said "don't you dare give those to Mariah for Christmas".

'The eyelashes were Disney with Cinderella printed on the packet and the trademark too. Why would you use the Disney brand if they're for adults? You wouldn't go out as an adult and buy a Rapunzel mascara.

'I guess it's one of those things. I certainly wouldn't give them to Mariah and my daughter told me to keep them away from her.'

'The 3+ symbol on the packaging does not refer to the intended age range of the product, but rather, serves as a reminder that this item contains small parts,' Disney said

Disney confirmed that H&A made the eyelashes under license and that the age certificates on the back of the product are to warn parents of potential choking hazards.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Disney-branded eyelashes, which are manufactured by H&A under a license with Disney and sold at Poundland, are designed for teens and adults, and can normally be found in stores within the beauty section only.

'The 3+ symbol on the packaging does not refer to the intended age range of the product, but rather, serves as a reminder that this item contains small parts.'

They stated while other retailers had previously sold the eyelashes, Poundland were now the only stockists.

Poundland confirmed that they sold the products along with other retailers.

Poundland told MailOnline: 'These Disney eyelashes are available in Poundland and are on sale in other retailers'.She's planning to throw in some 'unconventional surprises' when she marries Prince Harry in May, but Meghan Markle will be sticking with tradition when it comes to who gives her away - according to her sister.

According to US Weekly magazine, the former Suits star, 36, wanted her mother Doria Ragland, 61, to walk her down the aisle.

However, her estranged sister Samantha Markle has blasted reports this afternoon, tweeting: 'Muck about Doria walking Meg down the aisle is NOT true. Our father will walk her down the aisle.'

Her denial comes amid reports Meghan is planning a few curveballs for the big day at Windsor castle in May.

'While they will always be mindful of traditions and the views of their elders, the day of the wedding itself will certainly hold a few unconventional surprises,' a source close to Meghan and Harry told Us Weekly. 'Don't expect a royal wedding by numbers. They want to involve their friends and family in as much as possible throughout the day.'

Modern brides often choose both parents to walk them down the aisle, or prefer to be accompanied by their mothers if their fathers have passed away, rather than another male relative.

But if Meghan chose Doria to walk her down the aisle it would represent a major break with tradition after Kate, Diana and Sophie Wessex were all accompanied by their father.

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Meghan Markle wants her mother Doria Ragland, 61, to give her away at her wedding, a source has told Us Weekly

Meghan Markle's estranged half sister Samantha has rubbished reports that her father Thomas Markle will not walk his daughter down the aisle

The couple will be mindful of tradition but are planning a few 'unconventional surprises' for their big day

And it may seem like an unusual move, to chose only Doria given that both her parents are alive.

It's not yet clear whether her estranged half sister Samantha will be on the guest list, however.

Based in Florida, she is 17 years older than Meghan and has been an outspoken critic of her since news of her relationship with Harry broke.

In interviews she has described the actress as a 'shallow social climber' and claimed she shunned her family since making it in Hollywood.

'The royal family would be appalled by what she's done to her own family,' Samantha said.

She also claimed Miss Markle had barely spoken to her since she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis nearly a decade ago.

Meghan as a child with her father Thomas, who will reportedly walk her down the aisle when she weds Harry at Windsor Castle in May

Meghan Markle's estranged sister Samantha (right) has hit back at Prince Harry's claim that the royals are the family the actress 'never had'. Left, the prince of Radio 4's Today show

Samantha is also rumoured to be writing a 'slamming tell-all' book, called The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister, leading to accusations that she is cashing in on her sister.

However, she has defended the title and claimed she has always looked out for her younger sister.

The title is a mockery of the media, Samantha told the Daily Mail in November.

It wasnt me who called Meg pushy, it was the tabloid newspapers. She is not pushy. The book isnt going to be negative  its a warm, witty, honouring book  unfortunately, the negative sing-song has gone round the world.'

By contrast, Meghan is extremely close to her mother and in an inverview with Glamour magazine, she named her as one of the women who has changed her life.

'We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support,' she said. 'That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.'

Meanwhile Harry referred to Doria as 'amazing' during an interview to mark the couple's engagement.

Harry was seen bonding with Meghan's mother Doria when she flew in for LA for the Invictus Games closing ceremony

Prince Harry and Meghan want friends and family to be involved with as many elements of their big day as possible

The social worker and yoga instructor flew in from LA to join the couple at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Toronto in October and could be seen dancing enthusiastically as Bruce Springsteen, played his hit Dancing In The Dark.

And Prince Harry broke with tradition by asking both parents for permission to marry Meghan before popping the question.

The royal asked Mrs Ragland for her daughters hand in person, but requested her fathers permission over the phone. as Thomas Markle, 73, who is currently understood to be living in Mexico, has yet to meet his future son-in-law.

Prince Harry described Meghan's mother Doria as 'amazing' when the couple were interviewed on the day of their engagement announcement

Despite his closeness to Doria, Harry may have put his foot in it with the in-laws thanks to a comment he made in an interview with Radio 4 about Meghan's experience of her first Christmas at Sandringham

'She's getting in there and it's the family I suppose that she's never had,' he said.

That drew a quick response from Meghan's half-sister Samantha, who tweeted: 'Actually she has a large family who were always there with her and for her.

'Our household was very normal and when dad and Doria divorced, we all made it so it was like she had two houses. No one was estranged, she was just too busy.'Ivanka Trump avoided the cold this morning as she left for work safely bundled up in an SUV, after returning from her family getaway in Florida.

The first daughter, 36, was seen this morning heading out of her Washington, D.C. home in a Secret Service vehicle, taking a call on her cell as she was driven to work.

She appeared to be wearing a coat on top of a red sweater, braving morning temperatures that reached 15 degrees.

She's back: Ivanka Trump avoided the cold this morning as she left for work safely bundled up in an SUV this morning, after returning from her family getaway in Florida

Duties: The first daughter, 36, was seen heading out of her Washington, D.C. home in a Secret Service vehicle, taking a call on her cell as she was driven to work

Ivanka enjoyed warm weather while bidding 2017 goodbye along with the rest of her family during a stay at her father's estate of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

The getaway included a lavish New Year's Eve bash, which she attended with her husband and fellow White House adviser, Jared Kushner, 36, as well as their two eldest children, Arabella, six, and Joseph, four.

But the pair is now back in D.C. and have resumed their White House duties.

Jared was also spotted leaving his home in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama around 7am, wearing a coat on top of his suit and tie.

Ivanka's husband smiled as she exited the house and headed towards the parked vehicle waiting for him.

Time to work: Her husband Jared Kushner, 36, was also spotted leaving his home in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama around 7am, wearing a coat on top of his suit and tie

Relaxing: Ivanka and Jared enjoyed warmer temperatures during their family getaway in Florida last week, which included a lavish New Year's Eve bash at Mar-a-Lago (pictured)

Smiling for the camera! The proud parents posed for a family snap during the New Year's Eve party, and Ivanka later shared it on her Instagram account

Earlier this week, Ivanka finally made her move to D.C. official by changing her location on Twitter to the capital city, nearly a year after relocating from New York.

She implemented the change while updating her Twitter bio, tweaking it to reflect what's ahead for her in 2018.

Her shift came as her stepmother, First Lady Melania Trump, wished her Twitter followers a happy New Year.

In her new Twitter bio, Ivanka calls herself a 'wife, mother, sister, daughter'.

She also introduces herself as an 'advisor to POTUS on job creation + economic empowerment, workforce development & entrepreneurship'.

The first daughter also specified the account is her 'personal [page]', and that the views expressed on it are her own.

Ivanka, Jared, and their three children moved to D.C. shortly after Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017.

Both Ivanka and Jared have worked as advisers within Trump's White House throughout his presidency.

The couple spent Christmas and the New Year in Mar-a-Lago in Florida with the president, first lady, and Trump's other children and grandchildren.

President Trump, Melania and their son Barron, 11, returned to D.C. on Monday evening. The first lady and president held hands as they stepped out of Air Force One at at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

On the previous night, Trump predicted a 'fantastic 2018' as he strolled down a red carpet to bid farewell to 2017 with an exclusive New Year's Eve bash at his private club.

Travels: President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday with First Lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, after spending the holidays at Mar-a-Lago

Accompanied by Melania Trump and Barron, a tuxedoed Trump spoke to reporters as he entered the gilded ballroom at Mar-a-Lago.

He said the stock market will continue to rise and that companies are going to continue to come into the United States.

Asked for his reaction to North Korea leader Kim Jon Un's remarks about having a nuclear button on his desk, Trump responded by saying, 'We'll see'.

Guests gathered in the ballroom included senior White House advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Trump's sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Before his departure from Mar-a-Lago, Trump fired angry tweets at Iran and Pakistan, slamming Islamabad for 'lies & deceit' and saying the country had played U.S. leaders for 'fools,' a reference to frustrations that Pakistan isn't doing enough to control militants.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted that his government was preparing a response that 'will let the world know the truth.'She dazzled in a sparkling tiara as she rung in the New Year on Monday, and it seems that the celebrations continue for Crown Princess Mary.

The Danish royal stunned as she attended her second New Year celebration of the week in the form of a traditional reception in Denmark.

Accompanied by husband Crown Prince Frederik, Mary joined her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe for the annual event held at Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen.

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Crown Princess Mary looked stunning in a floor length burgundy dress and matching cape as she was joined by husband Crown Prince Frederick for a traditional New Year Reception

Mary, 45, showcased her flawless figure in a fitted burgundy dress paired with a matching cape, adding a touch of drama to her ensemble.

Always a stickler for coordination, the mother-of-four could be seen carrying a clutch bag and wearing suede stilettos in a matching mulberry shade.

The Australian-born royal swept her signature brunette locks into a half-up do and kept the remainder of her accessories to a minimum.

Always a stickler for coordination Mary, 45, made sure that her accessories perfectly matched her ensemble on Wednesday

The royal couple, who have just returned from Australia where they spent their Christmas, were welcomed by the royal guard upon their arrival

They stood by Frederick's mother, Queen Margrethe as she welcomed guests to Christiansborg Palace for the annual reception

As is custom on ceremonial occasions Mary could be seen wearing a blue sash representing her Order of the Elephant, which is fixed at the waist with a diamante pin.

The Order is Denmarks oldest and most distinguished royal order of chivalry, and can be dated back to 1460.

Meanwhile Frederik, 49, looked dapper in full ceremonial dress complete with his traditional blue sash displaying his medals.

The Danish monarch looked elegant in a blue silk dress coat with a brown fur trim

The 77-year-old wrapped up in a full fur coat as she journeyed to the palace for the reception

They joined Queen Margrethe of Denmark on Wednesday who looked festive in a blue silk dress with a fur trim.

The 77-year-old monarch welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors and other prominent guests to their traditional New Year reception.

Guests were welcomed by members of the royal guard dressed in full uniform and bear skins.

Diplomats from Slovakia arrived in full traditional dress for the New Year celebration

Ambassador Zindziswa Nobutho Mandela (daughter to Nelson Mandela) was joined by husband Bonventure Kobe at the palace

It has been a busy week for the Danish royals with the Queen having hosted her first New Years event in the form of a reception at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on Monday evening.

The New Year's reception is a centuries-old tradition held for members of the Danish parliament, top officials and court management.

The Crown Prince and Princess have just returned from Mary's native Australia, where they spent the Christmas season.In Hollywood, there's a presumption that leading ladies are frenemies rather than BFFs.

But two actresses who are proving that stereotype wrong are Lili Reinhart, 21, and Camila Mendes, 23, the breakout stars of CW's hit show Riverdale.

The female leads are best friends on screen and in real life, and sat down with Cosmopolitan for its February issue to chat love, sex, romance, insecurities and the sexual assault accusations that are sweeping Hollywood.

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Cover girls: Lili Reinhart, 21, and Camila Mendes, 23, the breakout stars of CW's hit show Riverdale have posed together for Cosmopolitan

Let's talk about sex: Camila (pictured) and Lili shared intimate details about their sex lives in the accompanying interview

Girl code: Lili (pictured) and Camila also discussed sexual harassment in Hollywood

BFFs: Best friends in real life and on screen, the actresses interviewed each other for the magazine instead of speaking to a journalist

The duo also posed in a sultry photo shoot, and appear individually on two separate covers, dressed provocatively in a selection of flesh-flashing outfits, with Camila donning a leopard-print dress from Endless Summer, while Lili wore a a matching skirt and sheer black bra.

Interviewing each other for the issue, the women who play Betty and Veronica on screen also chatted about where they would like to see their characters going in the show.

'I want to see [Veronica] challenged  I want to see her at her breaking point love strong characters and they're fun to play, but I think we've seen a lot of strong Veronica,' Camila said of her character on the show.

'It would be interesting to see her in a different light. I want to see her weak and defeated. I want to see her fail.'

She then asked her co-star: 'What do you want to happen for Betty?'

A question which prompted Lili to reveal she would like to see Betty have a good time.

'Maybe not having phone calls on the reg with a serial killer, you know? I want her to let her hair down  and not just as a reaction to being depressed and stressed out. Betty didn't even do [Riverdale's fictional party drug] Jingle Jangle

'I also want to see her explore her sexuality. She never gets to  she's always stressed! Poor girl.'

Something Lili doesn't have to worry about in real life - during the interview, she expressed how she's much more opening sexually than her character.

And Camila also shared that sex was something they bonded over.

She explained: 'That's something that we bonded about. I didn't initially think you would be willing to talk about sex. And then once we started, I was like, "Oh my god!"

However, both women revealed that they do have insecurities when it comes to sex, even though Lili sees herself as being 'open sexually'.

She added: 'The idea that sex is going to be the same with everyone  that's a misconception. That's how I felt when I lost my virginity  I was like, "So this is sex!"

Intimate: Camila (pictured left) also revealed details about losing her virginity

Talking it out: Lili, seen here playing Betty, spoke more about being outspoken about the time she was sexually harassed by an older male co-worker

On screen: Camila (left), pictured with her Riverdale co-stars Cole Sprouse and Lili, spoke about how she would like to see her character, Veronica, progressing on the show

Breaking point: Camila shared that she hoped Veronica's strong exterior would subside to let fans see her softer side in the future

'And then you have sex with someone else, and you're like, "Holy s**t  this is so different." What you want, what feels good to you  it's all going to change with every partner you have.'

Camila shared how for her, respect plays a huge role.

'I want to tell [guys], "Don't have sex at me  have sex with me." I want them to understand that it's so much better when we're connected,' she said.

With the theme of equality and respect at the forefront of their conversation, the women also discussed sexual harassment within their industry and shared stories of their experiences of being young women in Hollywood.

As a teenager, Lili went on a date with an older coworker who tried to force himself on her.

'Being a young woman in Hollywood is intimidating,' she explained. 'In my situation, I know how powerless I felt, because it was my career on the line. Its hard not to think that your next move dictates your career  aka the rest of your life.'

However, she did point out that it isn't just Hollywood that has to reform.

She added: 'Its in every profession and at every age. Its represented in our showit happens to high school girls. We have to start thinking about why these men do this. And how do we teach the next generation that no one has that power over someone else?'

A sentiment shared by Camila who said, 'How to just respect other human beings. If I could go back to before I started Riverdale, I would tell myself to speak up when I felt like something wasnt right.

'To use my voice and know that its worth hearing,' she added.The Jordanian royals shared a stunning family portrait on Instagram to wish their subjects a Happy New Year, but someone was noticeably absent.

Princess Iman, 21, was not present for the family snap, which included both of her parents and all of her siblings.

However, while some followers expressed concern Queen Rania was quick to explain that her eldest daughter was studying at college.

In the caption beside the photo posted by the 47-year-old royal read: 'As we begin 2018, best wishes from my family (in addition to Iman who is away at college) to yours!'

Pictured left to right: Prince Hashem, 12, Queen Rania, 47, Princess Salma, 17, King Abdullah, 55, and Crown Prince Hussein, 23.

Over the years, Princess Iman has been commended for balancing her education in Washington and her attending royal engagements with her family.

It is the first time she has been absent from the annual New Year photo, something that has been a running tradition in their family since she was young.

While missing one family member, this year's official New Years Card proudly features two Royals as Military Academy of Sandhurst graduates: the current King Abdullah II and his son Crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II.

The prince graduated last year so has began 2018 as a Commissioned Officer.

Also featuring is the youngest member of the family Prince Hasheem, 12 as well as his older sister Princess Salma, 17.

The colour-coordinated family sat on a staircase smiling at the camera for their 2018 snap, with their arms casually slung around one another.

The family's card from 2016 had the whole family sat down together before Iman began her studies in Washington

Queen Rania wore her honey-toned tresses in loose curls that she pulled over to one side.

She opted for a baby blue turtle-neck top and delicate floral skirt, both of which she teamed with a pair of dark blue heels.

Her husband and sons donned smart blue shirts and dark blue suit trousers, their shoes the only element of the ensemble not matching.

The youngest prince, Hashem, who is still at school even wore a pair of black leather trainers.

Meanwhile Salma was the only member to step away from the colour-way instead opting for a navy crew top.The patient is bedbound, but her delight is palpable as a stream of visitors arrive bearing gifts of fruit and boxes of chocolates. Her hospital room is so full of life, it resembles a noisy and chaotic family celebration at times.

Yet her large and loving family have come not to herald a beginning, such as the birth of a baby  but to mark an ending.

Patricia, mother of three sons and three daughters, and grandmother to a bevy of teenagers, is dying of heart failure.

Over the next few weeks her energy ebbs away, she starts to sleep for longer and then slips into unconsciousness. Eventually the end comes with Patricia surrounded by her children, their partners and spouses, and her grandchildren. But it is so still and peaceful.

Patricias family do a fantastic job accompanying her into death, and afterwards, I tell them so.

Dr Kathryn Mannix (pictured) recalled the defining moments in her career that changed her outlook on death

Later, my colleague and I are sharing a lift with a newborn in a cot, the little ones proud parents and a midwife on their way to the post-natal ward. What do you do? asks the midwife curiously, searching for our roles on our name badges.

Much the same as you, replies my colleague as the doors open and we walk out. And she is right  in a way. We dont bring new life into the world. But our job is to help people make the transition at the other end of lifes journey. We help people leave this world  and its a privilege every time.

Given my training as a doctor, a role thats become synonymous with the preservation of human life, it might seem strange that I find so much satisfaction in my work as a palliative care doctor and consultant. After all, Im not finding cures for fatal diseases or performing miraculous surgical feats that bring people back from the brink. But, as I have come to realise, there is nothing more important than being able to assist someone to a peaceful, pain-free end.

Death is something that will happen to us all. Yet in the 21st century, its something that we have become adept at putting out of our minds.

Whereas birth, love and even bereavement are widely discussed, death itself has become increasingly taboo.

Since the second half of the 20th century, better healthcare, new treatments such as antibiotics, kidney dialysis, early chemotherapy, improved nutrition and immunisation have all radically changed peoples experiences of illness and life expectancy.

When it comes to disease and infection there is expectation of a cure, or at least postponement of dying, that even 100 years ago was unimaginable.

Life expectancies have increased  and many lives have been enhanced and lengthened as a result. Of course, its a cause for celebration that children no longer die from routine illnesses such as measles, cuts and grazes rarely turn into life-threatening infections and many cancers are curable.

Kathryn believes there is a necessity to discuss the wisdom, vocabulary and etiquette of death which has served in the past (file image)

Yet, ultimately, the death rate remains 100 per cent  no ones discovered a way to dodge it  and the pattern of our final days, the way we actually die, is unchanged.

What is different is that we have lost the familiarity we once had with that process. When grandparents lived in the extended home, families saw death often enough to recognise its patterns.

Instead, people now learn what to expect from TV, films, social media and the news, but these versions of death and dying are often simultaneously sensationalised and trivialised. It makes us more, not less, scared of what is to come.

And instead of dying in a familiar room with people we love around us, we now die in ambulances and emergency departments and intensive care units, often surrounded by technology designed to preserve life.

Its understandable that nobody wants to return to the days of high mortality rates. But the downside is that the rich wisdom around death, the vocabulary and etiquette that served us so well in the past, has been lost.

Who knew? In any given hour, more than twice as many people are born than die Advertisement

I believe that its time to restart the conversation. Because what many of us have forgotten is that  with the right care and the support of those close to us  it is often entirely possible to have a good death.

I saw my first dead person when I was 18 and in my first term at medical school. He was a man who had died of a heart attack in an ambulance on his way to hospital and the emergency doctor I was shadowing was called to certify his death. Aged in his 40s, the dead man was broad-chested and outwardly healthy looking. At first glance he could have been asleep.

Then the emergency doctor allowed me to listen to the mans chest. I had never heard a silence so solid, nor listened with such focus. There was no mistaking him now for sleeping. Afterwards I said thank you, to the dead man for showing me what death looked like.

Five years later and, newly qualified, I was working on a ward with lots of people with incurable illnesses. I found myself signing a lot of death certificates  in fact I earned the hospital record for the number of death certificates issued.

While others joked that I should get an award, inside I was climbing a massive learning curve. Each of those certificates was about a person, after all, and each of those people had family members who needed to be told about the death, and who wanted to know why their loved ones had died.

Kathryn says many people are scared to think about death as they imagine it will be agonising

In my first month of clinical practice I had 20 conversations with bereaved families.

To my surprise I discovered that I found these conversations strangely uplifting, and that I was not afraid of death. Families told stories about the dead persons talents and interests, their kindnesses and quirks.

I became fascinated by the ineffable change from alive to no-longer-alive; by the dignity with which the seriously ill can approach their deaths; by the challenge to be honest yet kind in discussing terminal illness; by the moments of common humanity at the bedsides of the dying.

For some, death comes suddenly, and that is shocking and hard to accept for those left behind. Others are given plenty of warning that they are reaching their expiry date.

But often people are scared to think about death because they imagine dying to be agonising and undignified, when so often that isnt true. There is often a pattern to those final days and hours, and knowing what to expect can be immensely comforting to the person who is dying, as well as to their family.

This was vividly illustrated to me as a young trainee in palliative medicine, working in a newly-built hospice.

There is no right way for a person to approach death

Sabine was one of our patients. In her late 70s, she had advanced bowel cancer. As a young Frenchwoman she fought for the Resistance in World War II, and came to England after marrying a British officer who had been hidden by her cell for 18 months.

She had a medal for her bravery, yet she was terrified of dying.

One day my boss, a consultant of many years experience, asked if she would like him to describe what dying was like. I was shocked  I thought this was the last thing she needed to hear, yet she nodded her agreement.

He explained that for any disease or condition that slowly shuts the body down (or simply when death comes due to old age), there is a predictable sequence of events; there is a gradual loss of energy, then an increased tiredness that means people spend more time asleep and less time awake. Then they become more deeply asleep, so much so they slip into periods of unconsciousness. Sometimes they wake again and say they had a good sleep, so it seems we dont notice that we were unconscious. But at the very end of life, a person is simply unconscious all the time.

She says a well-prepared family can be surprisingly relaxed around a deathbed (file image)

Then their breathing starts to change. Sometimes deep and slow, sometimes shallow and faster, sometimes noisy, then, very gently, the breathing slows down, and very gently stops.

He told her there is no sudden rush of pain, no feeling of fading away, no panic  its just very, very peaceful. When hed finished, her shoulders relaxed, she gave a long, deep sigh and held his hand in hers before saying, simply: Thank you. Understanding was the best gift he could have given her for a dignified end.

This pattern of dying is something Ive witnessed time and again. And once we all know what we need to know, we can relax with each other. Its surprising how relaxed a well-prepared family can be around a deathbed.

But Ive also learned there is no right way for a person to approach death. Some, like Sylvie, the 19-year-old I treated who had a rare and terminal leukaemia, look death straight in the eye. This teenagers life would inevitably be cut short, yet she had lived as fully as any woman many decades older.

Determined that her life would make a difference, she had made recordings with her band  she was the drummer  that would be sold after her death to raise money for leukaemia research.

And when I met her three years into her illness  it was my job to go to her home to give her transfusions of platelets vital for her blood to clot  she was making a patchwork cushion from clothes she had worn through her life, from tiny baby- grows to T-shirts. She planned it to be a surprise for her mother, a little bit of Sylvie for her to hold on to and cradle after her daughter was gone. I was in awe of her courage and dignity.

There are only two days in our lifetime that are shorter than 24 hours  the first day and the day we die

Not everyone is prepared to accept what is happening to them  and that is fine too.

Take Sally. Newly married, she talked excitedly of the babies she and her husband Andy would have together  she wanted at least four  and all the travelling they were planning for the future.

What she refused to talk about was the fact that she was dying from a melanoma that had been treated some years before, but had now spread inexorably, leaving her just weeks to live. Yet even though the doctors had been honest about her situation, even as she moved into a hospice, she seemed not to hear what they were saying, continuing to insist chemo would work.

Her attitude was one of positivity and complete denial and while, ironically, she looked surprisingly well, her husband appeared to be fading away under the strain of coping with his wifes inability to accept her imminent death.

Somehow, I had to work with her family to manage her dying while preserving her denial. Eventually, we agreed that if this was the approach she wanted to take, we had to respect her decision.Being able to say goodbye is an important part of the grieving process but in this case Sallys family had to say their goodbyes without actually saying goodbye.

But it is possible. So they told her what they loved about her, they shared treasured memories from her life so far and remembered kindnesses they had appreciated. But when she wanted to talk about the names of her children and the holidays she would take later in the year they went along with it and this was how it remained until she slipped peacefully away a few days later.

Support: Ailing Beth (right) comforted by sister Amy in BBC drama Little Women

When it comes to death, more of us should be practical like Dan, a young man born with the muscle-wasting disease muscular dystrophy, which means he will almost certainly die before the end of his 20s. Unlike most of us, he has been forced to confront his mortality. But to help him feel more in control of his life he has written a detailed plan of the sort of treatment he would like, or actively doesnt want, when it comes to the end, and if he isnt able to articulate his wishes.

Its something we should all consider doing. Women often make birth plans that detail the sort of interventions they want during labour. More of us should have death plans.

In recent years death has become a politically hot topic  with the possible legalisation of euthanasia much debated by lawyers and politicians. Many people understandably fear the possibility of unbearable suffering as a consequence of illness or an accident, and euthanasia is based on principles that have quality of life at their heart.

There is no doubt that campaigners on both sides of the debate are motivated by compassion, conviction and principle. Yet the discussion often bears little relation to what actually happens to people as they approach the last stages of living. And even the most carefully thought-through changes to the law can have perverse and unintended consequences.

A policy of euthanasia, for example, raises the risk that people can be left feeling under pressure to accept a premature death  as happened with one patient of mine who had spent time in hospital in the Netherlands before choosing to return to the UK where its not legal, rather than enabling them to embrace life even as theyre dying.

Because  as you could see in Patricias bedside family get- togethers  it is still possible to find joy and companionship at the end. I have seen many friendships develop in hospices, often between those who would not otherwise have ever met in life, and there is often laughter and joy. Death has its own beauty in a strange way.

And we have much to learn from people in their last days. Theres practical wisdom: for example, I remember bonding with a 98-year-old former economics professor, who advised me how to deal with the menopause when I suffered a hot flush as I attempted to ease the symptoms of her crippling osteoporosis and Parkinsons Disease.

But we can also learn more fundamental lessons about the way we approach life.

Ive noticed that people at the end of their lives often display extraordinary qualities  they tolerate their symptoms with courage and let go of worrying about the future to bask in the present. They focus on loving and that radiates on to everyone around them  their fellow patients, families and those of us who care for them. They appreciate the tiniest kindnesses and are the patients who notice a nurse looks tired or remember that a cleaners daughter has an exam.

In this way, it often seems that it is only the best people who die. But they are ordinary, like the rest of us, its just they are at an extraordinary place in their life journey. They are not saints but they are examples of what we can all become: beacons of compassion who are able to live in the moment, look back with gratitude and forgiveness and who are able to focus on the simple things that really matter.

There are only two days in our lifetime that are shorter than 24 hours  the first day and the day we die.

One is celebrated every year, yet it is the other that makes us see living as precious. We should never forget that.

Extracted by Clare Goldwin from With The End In Mind: Dying, Death And Wisdom In An Age Of Denial by Dr Kathryn Mannix, published by William Collins, 16.99.

To order a copy for 13.59 (20% discount)

Visit www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640, p&p is free on orders over 15. Offer valid until 11/01/2018

(Names have been changed.)The healthcare system is a major battleground issue for many Americans. Though the majority are dissatisfied with the status quo, there is little agreement on how it should be fixed.

According to a December Gallup poll, 72 per cent of Americans say the system is 'in a state of crisis' or 'has major problems'  and one needs to look no further than social media to see the evidence.

On Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Reddit, Americans are sharing details of their unfortunate run-ins with the current healthcare system, expressing shock over sky-high hospital bills for everything from childbirth to broken limbs.

Though the stories are certainly horrifying, some people have managed to keep a sense of humor about the plight facing people the US, where a woman can be charged $40 to hold her newborn baby  or, as her bill put it, to experience 'skin-to-skin after C-section'.

BoredPanda has rounded up some of the funniest yet most disheartening social media posts, including quips about crowdfunded medical care and ironic photos of flu shot 'gift cards'.

BFFs with bank accounts! This woman joked that the reason Americans are so friendly is because they are looking for connections to pay for their hospital stays

Not nice: Comedian Cole Escola turned to dark humor to make a statement about a Portland stabbing victim who stepped in to help a woman being harrassed

For real: 'I had to pay $39.35 to hold my baby after he was born,' wrote this woman, who saw a line on her bill for the skin-to-skin contact arranged with her newborn

Would be funny if it wasn't true: This person's brother racked up over $376,000 in charges for a hospital stay

That's hot: Several have shared versions of this joke, that the GOP healthcare plan is to tell poor people to simply stop being poor, a la Paris Hilton

The facts: A few have pointed out that benefits of summoning an Uber for a ride to the hospital, rather than calling an abulance

Emergency: In the US, ambulance rides cost at minimum a few hundred dollars, but can go up several thousands of dollars

Happy birthday - here's to your health! In Rite-Aid, customers can buy gift cards to cover the cost of a flu shot for a loved one

Capitalism: These gift cards for health insurance were also found by a Redditor

Missed opportunity: Author Dan Wilbur joked about his too-realistic doctor games as a kid

Shocking: This Redditor's friend was in a terrible accident and faced three quarters of a million dollars in charges

Investments: Author Kelly Luce is putting away iPhones to pay for a mammogram one day

Yikes: One Redditor shared an itemized bill for his surgery and hospital stay. It totaled over $55,000, though he had to pay just over $11,000

Bright idea: The Ringer's Lindsay Zoladz suggested that someone build an app that magically transfers menstrual cramps to certain politicians

Enterprising: Comedian Kristina Wong is going DIY for healthcare

Across the border: This Redditor demonstrated the difference between healthcare in the US and Canada - where it is free to give birth to a child

Not a joke: This Twitter user shared part of a 2017 Jalopnik article about a man named Terrance who was held in a psychiatric hospital against his will until they would no longer get paid

Lucky: This person 'saved' nearly $38,000 because he had good insurance

All better! This comic pokes fun at how doctors charge exorbitant sums for very small services

This Redditor called it 'amusing' that he was charged $455.75 for 'occupational therapy' when all the therapist did was give him a toothbrush

Not-so-lucky penny: The family of a little boy who was likely just made to vomit or defecate was charged over $17,000

Rough: Many who have posted to not have a lot of faith in the system

Keeping up: This Redditor's medication cost over $14,000

Stats: A 2013 study found that the biggest cause of declaring bankruptcy in the US is medical bills

Thanks, boss: This person was charged $4,366 for a panic attackWith its gorgeous cherry blossom drinks and delicious curly fries, McDonald's Japan has long been the envy of fast food lovers around the world.

But this time around the beloved chain is adding some pop to its menu - popcorn, that is.

McDonald's Japan has released three new super sweet coffee drinks, all topped with a generous heap of caramel popcorn.

McDonald's Japan has released three new limited-edition coffee drinks, which are all topped with a generous heap of caramel popcorn

The Iced Caramel Popcorn Latte combines espresso with caramel syrup, popcorn syrup, and cold milk.

It is topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a handful of caramel popcorn perched right on top.

For those who like their drinks nice and warm, the same combination - in addition to hot foamed milk - is also available in the Hot Caramel Popcorn Latte.

But the drink that is sure to draw the most attention, especially on Instagram, is the Caramel Popcorn Frappe.

The Caramel Popcorn Frappe (right) is topped with an entire waffle cone filled with caramel popcorn, while the Iced Caramel Popcorn Latte (left) combines espresso with caramel syrup

For those who like their drinks nice and warm, the same combination - in addition to hot foamed milk - is also available in the Hot Caramel Popcorn Latte

The drink is topped with an entire waffle cone filled to the brim with pieces of caramel popcorn.

Caramel and popcorn syrups, as well as espresso, are blended together in the cold drink and topped with caramel-flavoured whipped cream and caramel sauce.

The three popcorn drinks will be available in the country's 90 McCafe by Barista outlets from January 5 to mid-February

The three popcorn drinks will be available in the country's 90 McCafe by Barista outlets from January 5 to mid-February, according to Sora News 24.

Both the hot and iced Caramel Popcorn Lattes will cost 390 yen (AUD $4.43), while the Caramel Popcorn Frappe costs 500 yen (AUD $5.69).

These popcorn drinks come just weeks after McDonald's Japan announced it was bringing imported French macarons to the menu for a limited time.

The macarons come in four flavours - lemon, raspberry, vanilla, and chocolate - and can be bought separately for 150 yen (AUD $1.70) or in takeout box sets for 450 yen (AUD$5.12).Hysterectomies before the age of 35 quadruple the risk of congestive heart failure and double the risk of coronary artery disease, according to new research.

While the procedure to remove the uterus is a standard method to deal with uterine conditions - such as fibroids and endometriosis - there is scant concrete research looking at the long-term health risks.

Now a cohort study by the Mayo Clinic has found evidence that the common operation for pre-menopausal conditions could pave the way to severe post-menopausal health woes decades down the line.

Beyond worsening heart health, hysterectomies were also found to affect metabolism, increasing a woman's obesity risk by 18 percent.

Lead author Dr Shannon Laughlin-Tommaso, an associate professor of gynecology at the center, said even she was surprised by the stark figures.

Hysterectomies are standard to treat uterine conditions, but a new study shows it has risks

She said she hopes the findings drive more healthcare professionals to seriously consider non-surgical alternatives before hysterectomies.

'We know there are long-term health risks for an oophorectomy [removal of the ovaries],' Dr Laughlin-Tommaso explained, 'but recently there has been some thought that a hysterectomy could affect health risks as well.

'We have the ideal study population to look at both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women so we wanted to see whether there was a risk.'

The study analyzed data on 2,000 women who had a hysterectomy but kept their ovaries between 1980 and 2002, all from Olmsted County in Minnesota, where the Mayo Clinic is based.

All of the women were over the age of 18 at the time of their procedure, and had undergone the procedure to treat a benign disease.

Their data, which was drawn from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a medical records database of all inpatient and outpatient records in Minnesota, was contrasted with women who had not undergone a hysterectomy.

Each woman was age-matched to one from the same county, to eliminate environmental or age factors.

After accounting for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions prior to surgery, the researchers looked for new signs of disease post-hysterectomy.

As expected, there was a correlation between the rates of cardiovascular or metabolic disease and hysterectomies.

But even still, Dr Laughlin-Tommaso insists, they were stunned by how clear that correlation was.

'I was surprised at the high risk for women under 35 for coronary artery disease,' Dr Laughlin-Tommaso said.

'Any time you see an increase in disease risk 20 years after a procedure is surprising, no matter what your expectations were.'

They found that women under the age of 35 who'd had a hysterectomy without ovary removal had a 4.6-fold increased risk of congestive heart failure and a 2.5-fold increased risk of coronary artery disease.

In general - including women over 35 - the operation increased the risk of obesity by 18 percent, coronary artery disease by 33 percent, lipid abnormalities by 14 percent and high blood pressure by 13 percent.

The findings add weight to Dr Laughlin-Tommaso's passion project: to offer alternatives for women with benign but chronic uterine conditions.

These conditions may include endometriosis, when a woman's womb lining breaks off and attaches to other parts of the body, or fibroids, which are abnormal non-cancerous growths.

Before removing the uterus, Dr Laughlin-Tommaso says, patients can try medical therapy such as hormonal oral contraceptives of progestin and estrogen.

'Hysterectomy is the second most common gynecologic surgery, and most are done for benign reasons, because most physicians believe that this surgery has minimal long-term risks,' Dr Laughlin-Tommaso explained.

'With the results of this study, we encourage people to consider nonsurgical alternative therapies for fibroids, endometriosis and prolapse, which are leading causes of hysterectomy.'Bella Doolittle was simply not convinced when her doctor told her last February that, at age 59, she had early-onset Alzheimer's disease and only eight years to live.

'I asked him to check me to see if I had a tumor instead. He said "no, you absolutely have Alzheimer's,"' Bella says.

A spirited wife, mother of four, college coordinator and human and animal rights activist, Bella had never been the type to let anything slow her down, but she was suddenly confronted with a diagnosis that would do just that.

Her husband, Will, is a newspaper columnist at the Glens Falls Post Star in New York, and suggested to Bella that they document the many subtle changes she was beginning to go through via a podcast called The Alzheimer's Chronicles, which debuted in November.

The couple says that before Bella was diagnosed, she might not have been the type to allow her life to be seen - and heard - so publicly, but the disease has begun to change her personality and their entire relationship.

Will (left) and Bella Doolittle (right) during a family trip to Italy in the spring of 2015, a trip that coincided with their 25th wedding anniversary

As Bella's symptoms worsen, she is being forced to take on a new identity, and she refuses to be ashamed of it.

'Society tends to put pressure on you [if] you're not perfect, but I'm not embarrassed that I have Alzheimer's. I'm upset because I don't want to die and leave my husband and my children and my animals, but I'm not embarrassed,' Bella says.

This is a point she makes repeatedly, and it is hard to tell if she has forgotten what she has said, or if she is just reiterating this important, emotional statement. It may be some of both.

It's also the reason that she was willing to undertake the podcast with Will.

'I miss the parts of Bella that are vanishing, but on the other hand, there's an essential-ness to our relationship now, which is nice. There's not a lot of extraneous stuff, just this kind of connection that we have,' Will says.

'Isn't that sweet? he's so wonderful to me. It's true, too, what he's saying,' Bella chimes in.

Since they started doing the podcast, Will says the couple has received an outpouring of support.

He recalls one particularly moving email, which included a quote he could not entirely remember, but that felt poignant to the new normal he and Bella are now living in.

The quote he was referencing was Mizuta Masahide's haiku: 'Barn's burnt down - now I can see the moon.'

Will says coping with Bella's disease is a bit like that: 'It's a big change, but it's not necessarily all bad.'

I'm upset because I don't want to die and leave my husband and my children and my animals, but I'm not embarrassed that i have Alzheimer's Bella Doolittle on refusing to be ashamed of her diagnosis

Bella is accustomed to being busy. Just shy of 60, she is bubbly, vivacious and proud of her youthful looks.

'I don't have any wrinkles yet!' she brags.

She and Will have raised her two biological children, Ginny and Travis, now in their 30s, as well as two adopted daughters, Zoe and Tam both 21, while both working full time, she as a campus student life coordinator at North Country Community College, and he at the Glens Falls Post Star.

When they were not working or with their children, the couple kept their hands full with their dog and rabbit.

Bella and Will have four children together, including daughters Zoe (far left), now 21, whom they adopted in 1996, and Ginny (far right) now in her 30s

Bella is a self-proclaimed 'type A.' She has organized and marched in protests against domestic violence, to raise AIDS awareness and for women's rights, and has historically been the one to pay the bills.



But about a month ago, Bella was forced into retirement.

'I wouldn't have done it if I'd had a choice,' she says, 'but they didn't want a crazy person in the office.'

Bella is confident that she could have kept up her job, if not at the same pace, but she says her supervisor immediately began to press the subject of retirement once she disclosed her diagnosis last spring.

But, she admits that her perspective is not necessarily reliable any more.

'I don't feel the change. I know that I'm supposed to, and I am forgetful, no doubt about that, and I'm a little knuckle-headed, but people tell me I'm different.

'I have to ask if I said something twice, it's funny, it's like your blinded to it,' Bella says.

Will, she acknowledges, 'has more insight on my behavior.'

'Our relationship has changed, and I think that's inevitable if a spouse is diagnosed with a disease that is, at some point or other, going to be fatal,' he says.

He has watched Bella's personality shift as well.

'The essence of Bella is still there, the essence of our relationship is still there, but it differs in how we interact day-to-day,' Will says.

With Bella now retired, finances are tighter for the Doolittles, and Will has had to take on more responsibility.

'We've always been a real partnership, and Bella's been the leader of that partnership,' Will says.

'I was a good helper, but now I've got to take over and be the one to make sure things don't fall apart,' he adds.

As painful as it is for Will to watch his wife transform beyond either of their control, Will and Bella agree that some of the changes she has gone through are for the better, at least for now.

'I used to be fairly bossy and demanding and I wanted everything to be the exact perfect way, and I just don't have that desire any more,' Bella explains.

Bella (right) has always been engaged with social activism, including in this May 2006 photo of her during an AIDS march in New York City which she led for students at North Country Community College, where she worked

'I didn't decide it, I just stopped caring about having everything perfect, which is kind of a big deal because I was really an A type personality. But now, I'm friendly and nothing bothers me, it's pretty odd.'

'That change has become more pronounced over the last year,' Will says.

Personality changes are among the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's patients, but most literature warns families that they can expect irritability and aggression. For Bella, the disease has done the opposite.

'I've come to kind of accept my diagnosis, since there is nothing else I can do,' Bella says, 'so I guess I'll just embrace the person I'm becoming.'

Will, 57, has written a weekly column for the Glens Falls Post Star for decades, and over the years his family has made many appearances in his work, but not Bella.

'I hadn't mentioned her much [and when I did] it was "my wife," because she didn't want the publicity,' Will says.

'So I was surprised [by her reaction] when I asked her if she wanted to do a podcast. I expected she'd be against the idea. I think, perhaps, it's part of a personality change, that she's more open,' he says.

I miss the parts of Bella that are vanishing, but on the other hand, there's an essential-ness to our relationship now, which is nice. There's not a lot of extraneous stuff, just this kind of connection that we have Will Doolittle, Bella's husband

Especially after feeling as though her employer's attitude toward her was so changed by her diagnosis, Bella is newly motivated to step into the light.

'I don't think people should feel ashamed of things they have no control over,' she says.

Bella neither looks nor sounds like what one would expect of a woman blighted by Alzheimer's.

And yet, her doctor quoted her the same life expectancy of an average person diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's: eight years.

'I'm flabbergasted by the short amount of time they've given me,' she says.

Though Bella remembers her conversation with the doctor on the day she found out why she was forgetting things, she struggles to place it in time.

'How long ago was it, two years?' she asks.

'No, it was February of 2017,' Will patiently corrects her.

Bella loses track of time, but Will keeps close count of the precious years they have together.

The couple decided over the holidays that they will take a trip to Scotland, probably sometime in the summer, so that Bella can 'make a connection with the old country.'

The couple's children, too, have changed the ways they interact with their mother.

Their oldest daughter, Ginny, keeps close tabs on Bella, talking with Will on the phone regularly.

'Our two younger daughters have changed in more subtle ways, they are more attentive and sweeter,' Will says.

'And I can get away with things I didn't used to,' Bella says 'I ate the whole pint of Ben and Jerry's that was meant to be saved for my daughter, and she didn't even get mad at me,' Bella laughs.

Bella may be unable to work her old job, but she now plans to dedicate her time to fighting for animals rights, a cause near and dear to her heart, as well as continuing to offer a new view of her disease through the The Alzheimer Chronicles.A brave mother diagnosed with dementia at just 37 has had her right arm inscribed with a defiant tattoo that reads 'kiss my a*** Alzheimer's'.

Vicky Huntley, now 48, says the inking is her way of laughing in the face of the cruel illness that has caused her speech, memory and balance to deteriorate over the last decade.

She says it serves as a reminder of her vow to stay positive, even though the disease has claimed the lives of her mother, grandfather and great grandmother.

Speaking about her tattoo, Mrs Huntley, from Beckton, east London, said: 'I absolutely love it. One of the tiles on the picture is blank, to signify something missing.

'Whenever people see it, they want to take photos.'

Vicky Huntley, now 48, pictured with husband Martin, has the same disease that claimed the lives of her mother, grandfather and great grandmother which struck her at just 37

The mother-of-two says the inking is her way of laughing in the face of the cruel

'I didn't want to die the way mum did'

While Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, the incurable familial form Mrs Huntley has  which has plagued her family for generations  is caused by a mutation in a single gene, and is thought to affect just over 600 families worldwide.

Her mother Susan died of it at just 56, after spending the last 12 years of her life in a care home, while her grandfather passed away at 42, and her great-grandmother at 36.

So at 36, before experiencing any symptoms, Mrs Huntley decided to take a blood test to see if she carried the faulty gene  which tragically proved positive.

'I didn't want to die the way my mum had, so I decided to take the test,' said Mrs Huntley, who has now been forced to leave her job, working with disabled adults.

'I think, deep down, I knew I had the gene, so when I got the results, I was prepared.'

However for her husband, Martin, a bus driver, 52, the news came as a massive blow.

He said: 'I was worse than Vicky. She was the one comforting me.

'I'd been hoping and hoping it'd come back negative. What made it even harder was that Vicky's sister was being tested, too, but she hadn't had her results back yet.

'We didn't want to tell her and scare her, so we kept it secret. But her results were negative and she didn't have the gene.'

Telling the children

One of the most difficult tasks the couple faced was telling their children Leanne, 29, and Craig, 26  knowing that their mother's result meant they, too, could possibly develop the disease in the future.

Mr Huntley continued: 'They were quite young at the time, so it was really hard. Even now, Craig finds it difficult to talk about, whereas Leanne is more open.

'Neither have taken the test themselves yet, but we're leaving that up to them. It has to be their choice.'

Mrs Huntley, who has been forced to give up her job working with disabled people, pictured making the most of life with her daughter Leanne

A year after Mrs Huntley's diagnosis, she and Martin were married in a church ceremony in east London's Walthamstow  throwing a huge party afterwards for all their loved ones.

Settling into life as newlyweds, at first, the progression of the disease was slow.

Then, she began to grow increasingly forgetful, also struggling with her speech and balance, meaning she had to quit her job.

'That was really frustrating,' she admitted. 'I held on as long as I could.'

We've stuck together

Around five years ago, Mrs Huntley also began to experience personality changes  usually mood swings, or panic attacks if she was somewhere too crowded.

But, the remarkable couple have vowed not to let this affect their relationship.

'Because I'm the closest person, to Vicky, she will take things out on me,' said her husband.

'I know that's not really her. She's not the type to snap and argue. Sometimes, I think she doesn't realise what she's saying.

Mrs Huntley and her husband have vowed not to let the cruel disease affect their relationship

The couple say they are living for the day  here they are pictured taking part in a charity walk for the Alzheimer's Society

WHAT IS FAMILIAL ALZHEIMER'S? Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'For the vast majority of people, Alzheimer's risk is a combination of our age and lifestyle as well as our genetic make-up, and having a family member with the disease doesn't necessarily mean that we have a particularly high risk. 'For a few hundred families, like Vicky's, genes can play a much greater role. 'Familial Alzheimer's disease is caused by very rare genetic faults that are passed down in families. 'The errors in these genes cause a build-up of a protein called amyloid, which is thought to kickstart Alzheimer's in the brain. 'It usually affects many members of the same family, typically in their 40s or 50s. The faulty genes can only be passed down directly from an affected parent and children have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the gene and developing the disease too. 'Families with one of these rare genetic mutations face unique challenges and research is underway to better understand and tackle this rare form of Alzheimer's disease. 'Genetic testing is available for relatives of people with familial Alzheimer's disease and genetic counsellors can help people consider the implications of these tests. 'Anyone who has concerns about their risk of dementia or thinks that they may be developing symptoms should speak to their GP.' For information, visit here. Advertisement

'We always knew it was coming, and that it was part of the disease, so I've learned to accept it. With every step, we're aware it's going to grow steadily worse  the mood swings, the speech, the forgetfulness.

'But we love each other and we've stuck together.'

We 'live for now'

Sadly, with Mrs Huntley's exact prognosis being unclear, the couple  who are being supported by charity Alzheimer's Research UK  are painfully aware that they will not have as long together as planned.

Determined to fill their time with as many happy memories as possible, she even has 'live for now' days.

Mr Huntley said: 'We thought we'd have 40 years together, but it's more likely to be 20. We've got lots to do, so we're trying our best to fit it all in.

'We still make sure we have a good time, going on holidays and having a drink when we can on her 'live for now' days.'

Mrs Huntley also hopes that, by sharing her story, she will help people realise that dementia and Alzheimer's affect younger people too.

'When I talk to people and say I have Alzheimer's, they don't believe me and say I look too young,' she said.

'That makes me angry, as it makes me realise how little portrayal there is of the disease in younger people.

'A lot of the support out there is tailored to older people, but if you're younger, the effects on your life will be completely different.

'This is something that needs to be talked about, because it impacts on a lot of people's lives.'Sick people were told to drive themselves to hospital as more than 20 ambulances queued for up to five hours to hand over patients at an A&E.

A spike in patients and staff shortages plunged Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra Hospital into chaos on New Year's Eve.

The hospital was so over-stretched that bosses declared an 'internal incident'  which is a higher status than an extremely serious 'black alert'.

One woman whose baby was struggling to breathe reported calling 999 and being told to make her own way to A&E as there was no ambulances available, reports The Sun.

Paramedics should transfer patients from ambulances to the care of doctors within 15 minutes of arrival to free them up to attend other emergency calls.

Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra Hospital declared an 'internal incident' on Sunday

Bosses blamed problems on a spike in patients and staff shortages as at one point there was a queue of 24 vehicles, one waiting 5 hours 26 minutes

But throughout Sunday there was an average of ten to 14 vehicles waiting to unload ill people  and at one point there was 24 ambulances, with one waiting five hours, 26 minutes.

Managers were forced to ask off-duty staff to come in to work and beg patients to stay away unless they were seriously ill.

The hospital tweeted to urge patients to stay away from its overstretched A&E unless they were seriously ill

'People may die'

A patient took to Facebook and wrote: 'My five-month-old was struggling to breathe due to bronchitis.

'I was told to get an ambulance but there wasn't one available so I had to drive up there. Then I still had to wait to be seen. I was so scared!'

Another posted: 'The hospital is hideously stretched. My husband sat in an ambulance for two hours, then a corridor for 40 minutes before a blood test indicated the seriousness of his condition and he was moved to resuscitation.'

The chief executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Mark Cubbon tweeted to thank staff for volunteering to work on New Year's Eve and the following day

Hospital chiefs say that flu, a seasonal spike in admissions and staff sickness contributed to the problems.

Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said: 'The queue of ambulances is a shocking illustration of the pressures the NHS is under.

'Waiting five hours to be seen is appalling. People may die. We need to tackle this problem urgently.'

Last year, patients were treated by paramedics outside the A&E department on January 2 as 20 ambulance crews waited to admit them, according to local newspaper reports.It is said  often by our mothers  that we are looking a bit 'peaky' or under the weather even when we do not notice ourselves.

Now researchers have discovered that humans have an ability to pick up the subtle signs that show someone is sick within minutes of them getting an infection.

Some signs of sickness are obvious such as a violent cough, or the spots on the face in measles.

These are obvious enough to ensure the ill person gets a wide birth.

But in an illustration of the amazing power of the human brain, a glance of a few seconds was enough for observers tell if people had just caught a nasty bug.

Researchers found that certain almost imperceptible facial changes announce we are poorly  and these can be detected by people with no medical training.

Researchers have discovered that humans have an ability to pick up the subtle signs that show someone is sick within minutes of them getting an infection

The cues are that we become slightly paler, our faces more swollen, our eyes more droopy, our eyes redder and a more tired appearance.

And of these, a paler face and droopier eyes were the cues that tell others most that we are getting sick.

The findings could one day be used by Artificial Intelligence systems to look at our faces and warn us if we are about to get ill, researchers said.

The researchers also say it helps explain a common finding in psychology that people who look tired are less popular and attractive.

This may be because they look similar to someone who is ill  and we are shunning them to protect ourselves from disease.

To see if humans can visually detect the early stages of sickness, researchers injected volunteers with two solutions.

One contained harmless sugar water. The other contained a chemical compound extracted from E Coli bacteria intended to make the recipient feel ill.

'AUSSIE FLU' STARTS TO TAKE HOLD The dreaded Aussie flu outbreak expected to be the worst in 50 years is continuing to wreak havoc on Britain, official figures show. Some 1,649 people were struck down with flu in England and Wales as temperatures plummeted over the week of Christmas. The Public Health England data shows cases have soared by 48 per cent in a period of seven days - and are higher than previous winters. It comes amid anticipation of the worst winter on record for the NHS - despite last year's being branded a 'humanitarian crisis' by the Red Cross. Doctors have described corridors overflowing with patients and ambulances being forced to queue outside A&E as the winter flu season begins to take hold. The rocketing number of flu cases has been put down to a surge in two aggressive subtypes attacking the population simultaneously. One includes the so-called 'Aussie flu', a strain of influenza A which wreaked havoc on hospitals in Australia during the country's winter. The H3N2 subtype triggered two and a half times the normal number of cases in Australia. Britain's flu season tends to mirror what has happened there. Experts fear the virulent flu strain, which has now reached the UK, could prove as deadly to humanity as the Hong Kong flu in 1968, which killed one million people. Usually, just one subtype, either influenza A or B, is responsible for the majority of cases. It spreads much easier in the cold weather. Advertisement

The compound contained is a complex sugar used by bacteria to build their cell walls.

When detected in our bodies, our immune system sounds the alarm and prepares to defend the body from attack  triggering inflammation in the infected area.

After two hours, pictures were taken of the faces of both those given the sickness causing jab, and the others receiving the harmless jab.

These pictures were shown to observers for a few seconds.

Despite the pictures looking similar, observers were able to detect in 81 per cent of cases - 13 out of 16 individuals  as being sick better than chance.

The 16 volunteers were all white, non smokers, non-obese, moderate drinkers aged between 19 and 34.

The authors said: 'These results demonstrate that untrained people can, above chance level, identify acutely sick individuals from merely observing a photo for a few seconds.'

Lead researcher John Axelsson of the Stress Research Institute at Stockholm University and colleagues said previous research has found that people showing 'sickness behaviours' such as coughing respond with disgust and anxiety.

He said what is less well known is how well we can detect sickness from observing human faces in the early stages of infection.

The study said that unlike previous research: 'The photos here were taken in an experimental setting with neutral facial expressions only two hours after onset of a systemic inflammation.

'This supports the notion that humans have the ability to detect signs of illness in an early phase after exposure to infectious stimuli.'

The researchers said people are likely to have developed the ability as it is 'particularly beneficial to identify sick individuals at an early stage of sickness when risk for contagion is high'.

Professor Axelsson said: 'This is just a first step. Personalised artificial intelligence will be able to pick up these signs in the future.

'You will look in an app, which will say, "Maybe you have an infection today."'

The research was published in Proceedings B, a Royal Society Journal.A woman visited A&E more than 200 times, underwent two operations and lost two jobs after her crippling endometriosis was dismissed as period pain.

Sinead Smythe, 20, from Brighton, was finally diagnosed with the agonising condition in January 2016 after battling stomach cramps since she was 11 years old.

Despite having surgery, the pain was back just three months later, with doctors telling Ms Smythe, a receptionist at a gym, the only cure is a hysterectomy. Yet the hopeful mother refuses to eliminate her chances of one day having a family.

To raise awareness of the condition, Ms Smythe has set up a blog, the first post of which was shared more than 20,000 times.

She said: 'If we all stand together against this awful condition then we will help others understand and hopefully no other women will feel alone in this fight.

'Living with a long-term invisible illness is hard but you cannot let endometriosis take over'.

Endometriosis occurs when cells in the womb are found elsewhere in the body. It affects around 1.5 million women in the UK.

Sinead Smythe visited A&E more than 200 times, underwent two operations and lost two jobs when her crippling endometriosis was dismissed as period pain

She was finally diagnosed in January 2016 after battling symptoms since she was 11 years old

After having surgery, her pain returned just three months later (pictured after the procedure)

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS? Endometriosis occurs when cells in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. Each month, these cells react in the same way as those in the womb; building up, breaking down and bleeding. Yet, the blood has no way to escape the body. Symptoms include pain, heavy periods and fatigue, as well as a higher risk of infertility, and bowel and bladder problems. Its cause is unknown but may be genetic, related to problems with the immune system or exposure to chemicals. Treatment focuses on pain relief and improving quality of life, which may include surgery or hormone treatment. Source: Endometriosis UK Advertisement

'Anyone who does not understand calls it "a bad period"'

Ms Smythe said: 'The pain can be so crippling that I cannot move from the same position, I can be rolled up in a ball for hours on end.

'I lost two jobs in 2015 and 2016 as a receptionist due to endometriosis as I became unreliable due to the daily pain.

'My employer's didn't understand, they looked at me as if I was lying because I didn't physically look unwell, anyone who does not understand calls it "a bad period."

'Throughout the years I have visited both the doctors and A&E hundreds of times without any help at all.

'I even decided to take myself to a sexual health clinic as a last resort of trying to find out what was wrong.'

'I had no idea it was a reoccurring illness'

Ms Smythe was initially diagnosed with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is an infection of the female upper genital tract, and put on antibiotics, which did nothing to ease her discomfort.

Yet, early last year, she was finally told she had endometriosis.

Ms Smythe said: 'I underwent a surgery called laparoscopy so doctors could see what was going on inside my stomach.

'It was then that they realised I had the condition and they removed as much of the endometriosis as possible.

'However I had no idea it was a reoccurring illness and the pain was back just three months later.'

She refuses to have a hysterectomy to cure the condition as one day hopes to be a mother

To raise awareness of endometriosis, Ms Smythe has set up a blog describing her experience

'A hysterectomy isn't an option'

Ms Smythe has been told by doctors the only possible cure for her endometriosis is to have a hysterectomy.

She said: 'I want to have a family one day so having a hysterectomy isn't an option for me right now and I don't think it ever will be.

'My condition can cause infertility, which causes me huge amounts of anxiety; its absolutely terrifying.

'Endometriosis doesn't just cause you tromendous amounts of pain, but it is mentally draining and can cause women depression and anxiety.

'Another doctor told me to have a baby now if I want to ease my endometriosis; I was only 18 years old at the time.

'But I'm single and being told that as a teenager hit me like a rock as it showed there's little real hope for anyone diagnosed.'

Ms Smythe has lost two jobs as her agony meant she was an unreliable employee with others doubting her illness when she looks well (pictured: her cannula after surgery)

Being told to have a hysterectomy hit Ms Smythe 'like a rock' as she was only 18 at the time

Her first blog post was shared more than 20,000 times, inspiring women worldwide

'You cannot let endometriosis win this battle'

Ms Smythe decided to write a blog that describes how endometriosis affects her life.

She said: 'If we all stand together against this awful condition then we will help others understand and hopefully no other women will feel alone in this fight.

'One evening before bed I thought "that's it, I'm going to make an awareness post on social media about endometriosis and how I suffer with it."

'The following morning, I had hundreds of messages from women all over the globe thanking me.

'I was in complete and utter shock. I was speechless, it wasn't just me who was suffering from this horrendous illness.

'It made me so emotional knowing there was so many women out there who feel exactly how I'm feeling.'

Ms Smythe is also sharing her tips for living with the condition.

She said: 'I now try and look at my situation with positivity.

'Living with a long-term invisible illness is hard but you cannot let endometriosis take over your life.

'You cannot let endometriosis win this battle because it has the power to destroy you and stop your dreams!

'You've got to find something in each day to reach, even if that's getting out of bed in the mornings when you're feeling drained and no emotion towards anything.

'One small positive thought in the morning can honestly change your whole day! A negative mind will never give you a positive life.'Chinese Ambassador to Laos Wang Wentian and Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khamphao Ernthavanh have signed an agreement on Lancang-Mekong cooperation funding for Lao projects

in Vientiane.

Wang Wentian, Chinese Ambassador to Laos and Khamphao Ernthavanh, Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, sigh an agreement on Lancang-Mekong cooperation funding for Lao projects on Tuesday. [Photo: la.china-embassy.org]

In his speech at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Wang congratulated the successful application for Lao projects under Lancang-Mekong cooperation fund, saying this is another milestone in the Lancang-Mekong cooperation framework.

The Chinese side highly appreciates the enthusiastic participation of Lao side into the Lancang-Mekong cooperation framework, which has contributed greatly to the rapid development of the mechanism, Wang said.

China expects to work closely with Laos to promote the consensus reached, jointly design and implement the next cooperation plans. The ambassador expresses his belief that under the active implementation of Laos and joint efforts of both sides, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation will gain more fruitful achievements in the future.

Khamphao, for her part, said that despite the short time since its commence, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism has made substantial progresses in various fields, reflecting that China attaches great importance and actively engages in various work to promoting the implementation of the "Sanya Declaration," especially in promotion of projects under Lancang-Mekong fund.

Wang Wentian, Chinese Ambassador to Laos shakes hands with Khamphao Ernthavanh, Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. [Photo: la.china-embassy.org]

Laos has harvested tangible benefits from the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism, including those in human resource development, infrastructure construction, public healthcare, and poverty reduction among others, according to the Lao diplomat.

Khamphao also expressed gratitude to Chinese side's approval of 13 projects of Laos under the Lancang-Mekong fund, adding that the projects will help promote socio-economic development of Laos, thus further strengthening the ties between Laos and China within Lancang-Mekong mechanism.

Lancang-Mekong cooperation is established in March 2016, since then various exchanges activities among political parties, officials, youth and religious groups have been organized.A combination of immunotherapy and a virus could treat aggressive breast cancer, an 'absolutely amazing' study has revealed.

Breakthrough research showed the pairing cured up to 90 per cent of mice plagued by triple negative breast cancer - deemed the deadliest form.

Canadian scientists are hopeful the findings will lead to a potential cure, as survival depends on how early the disease is caught.

The trial, led by Ottawa University scientists, comes as a separate study found that an injection of a virus could also treat aggressive brain tumours.

Breakthrough research showed the pairing cured up to 90 per cent of mice plagued by triple negative breast cancer - deemed the deadliest form

Dr Marie-Claude Bourgeois-Daigneault, lead author of the Canadian study, was full of praise for the findings, which may apply to humans.

She said: 'It was absolutely amazing to see that we could cure cancer in most of our mice, even in models that are normally very resistant to immunotherapy.

'We believe that the same mechanisms are at work in human cancers, but further research is needed to test this kind of therapy in humans.'

Every year 11,400 people die from breast cancer in the UK. In the US, the figure is around four times higher.

Charities estimate around 15 per cent of all cases of breast cancer are triple negative - but death rates are proportionally higher.

The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, adds to the growing body of evidence that shows the vast benefits of immunotherapy.

All of the mice in the study were resistant to the checkpoint inhibitor, which blocks proteins on cancer cells to stop them from growing, that was used.

IMMUNOTHERAPY: THE FACTS Immunotherapy, described as 'game changing', is hailed as the biggest advance in cancer treatment in decades. It is considered far kinder than chemotherapy, which can cause pain and loss of appetite by targeting healthy and diseased cells. Instead, immunotherapy 'turbo-charges' the immune system so it targets and kills just cancer cells. It's usually given in weekly infusions. The treatment has already proven hugely effective against some deadly cancers, extending the lives of terminal patients by up to five years. Despite the array of research, the drugs were rejected for NHS funding in April before health chiefs back tracked in the autumn. They vowed in September to fund the drug denied to Sunday Times food critic AA Gill - which he called the weapon of choice for 'every oncologist in the first world'. Advertisement

This type of drug - made famous by nivolumab, which Sunday Times food critic referred to as the weapon of choice for 'every oncologist in the first world' before he died, is already used to treat some forms of cancers, including lung and kidney.

Separate trials showed an oncolytic virus called Maraba boosted the immune system of the mice, attacking the cancerous cells.

However, it had little effect on their survival of mice on its own. The rodents were engineered to be in a state of metastasis - when the cancer has spread from the original location.

When it was used alongside the checkpoint inhibitor it cured between 60 and 90 per cent of the mice.

This was compared to a 0 per cent cure rate for the immunotherapy alone and 20 to 30 per cent for just a dose of the virus.

The new treatment, which backs up older trials using the same technique, saw the virus given before surgery and the drug after.

Dr John Bell, co-author, added: 'Our immune system is constantly trying to recognize and kill cancer cells, but the cancer cells are always trying to hide from it.

'When you infect a cancer cell with a virus, it raises a big red flag, which helps the immune system recognize and attack the cancer.

'But in some kinds of cancer this still isn't enough.

'We found that when you add a checkpoint inhibitor after the virus, this releases all the alarms and the immune system sends in the full army against the cancer.'

Researchers recently confirmed oncolytic viruses and checkpoint inhibitors have potential for treating melanoma.

The new study was the first to test viruses and checkpoint inhibitors in a surgery and metastasis model, which is particularly relevant for patients.A nine-month-old girl suffering a rare liver disease was saved by a police officer who went beyond the call of duty and volunteered as an organ donor to save her life.

Sloan St James appeared to be a healthy baby until she had jaundice and her stomach began to bloat at three months, leading to stage 4 liver failure caused by biliary artresia, a rare, life-threatening disease of the bile ducts that only affects infants.

Desperate to save their daughter, Sloan's parents Sarah and Chris St James, 33, took to Facebook to plead for an organ donor after doctors said she had two weeks to get an emergency transplant.

Lieutenant Steven Tenney, 40, of Keene Police Department in New Hampshire, a father-of-two, saw the post through a shared mutual friend of the family from Massachusetts, answered the call and was the perfect match to donate a fifth of his liver.

Lieutenant Steven Tenney donated part of his liver to Sloan St James (left) when she was five months old after she was in stage 4 liver failure

Tenney shared a mutual friend with the family from Massachusetts and only met Sloan weeks after the transplant

Sloan was born in April 2016 as a full-term, healthy baby. Sarah said the only red flag was that her jaundice persisted beyond two months old, which their pediatrician assured them was not a concern.

'That combined with increasing abdominal distention led my husband and I to bring her in for a ''piece of mind'' check-up,' the mother-of-two wrote on Facebook.

'We were sent directly to Boston Children's Hospital on Aug 8 [sic], 2017 and never looked back,' she said.

Sloan was diagnosed with biliary artresia, a disease of the bile ducts that causes liver failure.

Bile is a digestive liquid that is made in the liver and travels through the bile ducts to the small intestine where it helps digest fats.

The disease causes the bile ducts to become inflamed and blocked and liquid remains in the liver, destroying the organ.

Only one out of every 18,000 infants is diagnosed with the disease and it is unknown what causes it.

When Sloan arrived at the hospital she had stage 4 liver failure and doctors told the family she would need a liver transplant within two weeks to survive.

'The very first thing we found out was that her liver was in stage 4 liver failure, which is the final. It's the end. It was absolutely terrifying,' Sarah told PEOPLE.

Sloan underwent a liver transplant in September which saved her life, though now she is battling with her body which is partially rejecting it

Sloan's mother Sarah took to Facebook and posted a desperate plea for an organ donor which Tenney responded to and was the perfect match

WHAT IS BILIARY ATRESIA? Biliary atresia is a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants. Only one out of every 18,000 infants is diagnosed with the disease. With biliary atresia, the liver ducts that produce bile - which flows to the gallbladder - are blocked. The bile is then trapped inside the liver, quickly causing damage and scarring of the liver cells (cirrhosis), and eventually liver failure. Signs and symptoms: Jaundice

Dark urine

Acholic (clay-colored) stools

Weight loss and irritability Biliary atresia is usually diagnosed through either an ultrasound or a liver biopsy. There is no medication to treat the disease but there are two forms of treatment. The first is a Kasai procedure - an operation to reestablish bile flow from the liver into the intestine. The second, a liver transplant, is the definitive treatment for biliary atresia with a high survival rate. Advertisement

The St James' went home to their home in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, where they waited to match with a deceased donor.

'We thought we could wait it out until we got a match, but she started failing even quicker,' Sarah said. 'She was just getting sicker and sicker. We couldn't just wait around for a deceased person to match her.'

No family members were a match for Sloan, so the parents put out a plea on Facebook for a donor.

That is when the lieutenant and father-of-two learned about Sloan's condition from his wife.

They knew of the family through a mutual friend but had never met.

Knowing he was the same blood type as Sloan, Tenney jumped at the opportunity to help.

He filled out an online survey for Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, followed by a week of physical and psychological testing to confirm that he was a match.

On September 8, the lieutenant had a fifth of his liver removed at Lahey Hospital where it was then rushed 20 miles away to Boston Children's Hospital to be transplanted to Sloan.

A few weeks after the transplant, Sloan and Tenney met for the first time.

However the now nine-month-old girl still has a long road ahead.

On Tuesday, discouraging biopsy results came back that showed Sloan's body was moderately rejecting the liver and her levels that determine liver function were elevated.

Sarah said: 'We are praying with all our being that this is something they can manage as outpatient. Being readmitted is my worst fear.'

However, the family is thankful for Tenney and said they consider him their hero.The retreat of Marks & Spencer from imperial ambitions is understandable given the challenges it faces in Britain.

Even so, the withdrawal from Hong Kong, where Britains freewheeling ways are still preferred to domination from Beijing, does seem regrettable.

In addition to the M&S store in the heart of Hong Kongs central district, over the road from the headquarters of HSBC, the UKs most-loved retailer has a network of stores which reach deep into the New Territories, challenging the domination of Li Ka-shings ParknShop and the Keswick familys Wellcome.

M&S already uses franchise model with the Reliance group in India

At a time when some overseas operations have struggled, Hong Kong and Macau have been the exceptions. Family friends with factories in Hong Kong and across the border in mainland Guangdong regard access to M&S food as a lifesaver.

What makes the stores special is the supply of upmarket foods flown in from Britain in special refrigerated containers aboard jumbo jets and distributed across greater Hong Kong, offering a real point of difference from competitors.

In keeping with a revised strategy of sharing the risk, M&S has extended its franchise arrangements with the Dubai-based Al-Futtaim group. It already operates the retailers stores in the Middle East and Asia and will now have 72 stores using the admired UK brand. M&S uses a similar franchise model with the Reliance group in India.

The approach is almost the opposite to that of luxury British fashion concern Burberry. It has sought to buy out franchise operations around the globe so that it has full control over the product, the look of Burberry stores and prices.

A particular bugbear has been the tendency of US department stores to go on sale too often, cheapening the image.

Under the leadership of chief executive Steve Rowe, M&S decided it was too thinly spread overseas. It radically has pruned operations including loss-making stores on the Chinese mainland as well as vanity projects such as the Paris store.

Steve Rowe is counting on Jill McDonald, recruited from Halfords, to deliver better outcomes in Britain

Rowe is counting on Jill McDonald, recruited from Halfords, to deliver better outcomes in Britain from core womenswear, childrens clothing and homeware.

McDonald acknowledges she is no fashion expert but does know about running operations more efficiently. Among her priorities is to revamp the retailers website, which is seen as clunky and difficult to navigate.

Elsewhere, M&S finally has come round to the view that if it is to compete with other upmarket food operations, such as Ocado and Amazon-owned Whole Foods, in the UK it will need to offer fresh food delivery. It is currently piloting a grocery delivery scheme in Swindon.

The retreat of some of Britains strongest retail brands, including Tesco and M&S, from overseas is hugely disappointing at a moment when the UK is trumpeting its global ambitions post-Brexit.

But given the rapid changes in shopping habits it could prove sensible.

M&S remains one of Britains most recognised brands overseas.

By choosing to franchise in Hong Kong, India and elsewhere it at least preserves presence, if much diminished. But it must be wary of franchisees weakening a label where quality is the watchword.

Slowing the presses

In 2017 the recovery in the eurozone economy was greatly helped by the European Central Banks belated conversion to quantitative easing (printing money), in spite of reservations in Germany.

But all good things come to an end. The bank has indicated that it will begin to run down QE in 2018, reducing cash pumped into the banking system from 60billion (53.2billion) per month to 30billion (26.6billion).

The knowledge that QE is winding down, and may come to an end as soon as September, sent bond prices higher in Germany and Italy on the first day of trading this year in recognition that the age of cheap money could be ending. Take away the crack-cocaine of QE and there will be questions as to whether the Continents hyped upturn can be maintained.

March of makers

Doomster forecasters may be predicting Brexit fallout for the economy in 2018 but the data continues to defy the experts.

Manufacturing may have slowed a trifle in December but the final quarter of 2017 was the most robust for three-and-a-half years, according to the widely followed Purchasing Managers Index.

Slowdown, what slowdown?In November 2016, a gentleman in his 90s moved in next door. He recently asked me to look at his bank statements because he had been paying two monthly amounts to Scottish Power since December 2016.

On checking my own statements, I found I had no payments to the firm  it seems he had been paying both our bills for nine months.

Scottish Power was very apologetic and offered to credit me with 50, but it insisted my neighbour would have to apply for a refund separately.

Then I was advised that my account had been closed and my neighbour received a further bill for 459, which was sent to my address.

I sent a letter to the chief executive, which was signed for on October 13, but I have still not had a reply.

E. C., Powys.

Scottish Power initially insisted the neighbour would have to apply for a refund separately

What a mess! Why did Scottish Power suggest that the elderly man apply for compensation instead of just admitting to the mistake and coughing up?

Once the press office became involved, the situation was eventually resolved, but even then, it needed some perseverance on your part to ensure your neighbour got his full dues.

Scottish Power admits that your neighbours account was wrongly set up, resulting in him being charged for your energy.

He made ten payments of 52.59 towards your bills, but there was some confusion when this money was eventually returned, because two refunds of 262.95 were made. Payment of the 459 bill you mention was not taken.

In addition, Scottish Power has offered to reduce your bill by 50 per cent and will make a 200 goodwill payment to your neighbour.

Scottish Power apologises sincerely for the problems that you and your neighbour faced and assures me both accounts have been corrected. It says it did log your complaint to the chief executive on October 24 and confirmed an investigation was in progress.

That said, it took several more weeks and some firm nudges from me before a solution was reached and the compensation to your neighbour was increased to a reasonable level.

HAVE YOUR SAY Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from our report about how bailed-out RBS/NatWest is shutting one in four of its branches this year, leaving 24 towns and villages without a single bank... Hornsea in East Yorkshire is losing both its banks, NatWest and Lloyds, in June, so we will have to travel 15 miles to get to a branch. Apparently, neither knew the other was proposing to close. On top of this, our bus service is hourly and is constantly under threat. N. W., E. Yorks. There was always a huge queue in my local branch, until it closed without warning. A few weeks ago, NatWest failed to order me a replacement bank card, so I was left without access to cash for two weeks with no local branch. S. W., Manchester. Instead of closing the last bank in town, why not have a shared scheme where all the main banks share the costs of running one branch? Then the public can do their transactions for any bank in the same building. R. T., Devon. Most everyday banking can be done in a Post Office, which has far longer opening hours, particularly in the back of beyond. Would residents prefer to lose their Post Office, but keep their bank? S. P., Dartmouth, Devon. I have never understood why banks cant all share one building in smaller towns, with a desk for each bank inside. F. M., Oxon. How on earth could NatWest be expected to remain open with so little footfall? It is a business, after all. R. F., Lincoln. I support all those who are trying to keep their banks open, but none of my children use banks and they are typical of that generation. Perhaps we need to persuade them to make use of surviving branches. O. S., Powys.

My grandsons motorbike was stolen from inside the grounds of his workplace. He used it only for commuting and it was locked up in a secure place with CCTV.

My grandson made a claim to his insurer, Axa, and was asked to send over all his paperwork, including registration documents and MOT certificate.

He was then accused of falsifying insurance documents.

After several weeks, his papers have not been returned and he is still paying 58.65 a month.

B. H., by email.

This is a most peculiar case. I have spent several months to-ing and fro-ing and still feel there is something amiss.

Axa has now paid your sons claim, but you are convinced that it shifted ground only because you told it of my involvement  and so am I. The firm insists your grandson was not covered for commuting, so has discontinued the insurance and asked for the policy documents to be returned.

I asked for a copy of the policy document and it clearly says that commuting is excluded. So, what is going on?

Is it possible that your grandson misunderstood the documents  or is being economical with the truth? If not, there is another possibility. He apparently bought the insurance via a broker/aggregator. Could the information he provided or the details of the policy have been altered along the way, either by mistake or as a deliberate act of fraud?

The more I consider the case, the more I become concerned at this possibility. If I were in your grandsons shoes, Id take the case to the Financial Ombudsman to get to the bottom of it.

He could also make a data access request under the Data Protection Act, demanding that the aggregator and Axa share all data they hold on him.

TalkTalk told a customer she could not revert to her old contract just 24 hours after offering a new deal

My 91-year-old mother rarely uses her TalkTalk broadband and phone, but it is her lifeline.

Recently, she swapped to a 19.95-per-month package online and was told there was a 20-day cooling-off period. She became aware that it was a 24-month contract only at the end of the webchat, when terms and conditions popped up.

After some reflection, and due to not being in good health, she decided to cancel the next day, but was told her old package was no longer available. She has also lost her international boost, so now cant talk to her sister in the U.S.

I wrote to complain to TalkTalk, and it responded by asking me to provide power of attorney documents, which I did, but neither my mother nor I have heard from it since.

S. F., by email.

So, heres a new question we must ask before accepting a new contract: If I wish to cancel within the cooling-off period, can I revert to my existing contract?

It is completely unacceptable to turn around 24 hours after offering a new deal and say a customer cannot revert to their old one.

TalkTalk admits it should not have asked for power of attorney when you made contact. Instead, it just needed your mother to confirm security information.

Your mother has now been offered a 12-month contract for 19.95 per month with unlimited UK calls for an extra 5 monthly and a free international call boost. She can also cancel her contract without penalty at any time.Shock finding

The new legal chief at Uber found staff had carried out surveillance on rivals and failed to reveal a massive data breach, it has emerged. Tony West, who became general counsel in November, told the website Recode he was disturbed by the revelations.

App success

More than 3m people used the app Airbnb to find accommodation on New Years Eve, it said, up from just 1,400 guests on the same day in 2009.

The new legal chief at Uber found staff had carried out surveillance on rivals

China launch

The popular smartphone game Pokemon Go which maps digital creatures on top of the real world, has launched in China.

Bouncing back

A hedge fund boss whose last firm was shut over insider trading has started operating again. Steve Cohens ban ended this month and on Monday, he launched a new fund for backers, with at least 74million.

Robo rivals

Computers will give financial guidance to clients of Morgan Stanley as it battles rivals in the robo-advice markets.

The Wall Street bank has launched Access Investing to appeal to young relatives of wealthy customers, using software to help them decide what to do with savings, without human involvement.

Insurer sold

Student insurer Endsleigh has been sold to broking firm A-Plan. Endsleigh  owned by Zurich  was launched in 1965 by the National Union of Students and sells car, home and travel cover.

Price hikes

Business insurance companies have failed to secure major premium hikes after hopes that last years natural disasters would drive up prices.

Catastrophes caused 100billion of damage last year, the third-highest figure in history, but figures from Willis Re show that prices rose by a maximum of 7.5pc.

Online wins

Analysts are preparing for sluggish Christmas updates from the high street, but expect strong results online. Investment bank Jefferies said retailers with successful online businesses will win the festive period.

Toy storey

British toy seller Hamleys has chosen Beijing as the base for its largest shop. The five-storey store is its third in China.Catering firm Compass Group has confirmed Dominic Blakemore will head the firm following the death of chief executive Richard Cousins.

Cousins, 58, his sons, William, 25, and Edward, 23, fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, and her daughter Heather, 11, died in a seaplane accident in Australia on New Years Eve.

Pilot Gareth Morgan was also killed. Cousins was to retire on March 31 and Blakemore, 48, was due to take over.

Richard Cousins died in a seaplane accident in Australia on New Years Eve

Compass chairman Paul Walsh said: We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news. The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richards family and friends.Princess Dianas gold band

The Welsh gold mine that produced Princess Dianas wedding ring is set to reopen after nearly 20 years.

The Clogau St Davids mine in North Wales produced three generations of Royals rings but closed in 1998 as the gold ran out.

Backers now believe there may be lucrative areas to be explored.

Alba Mineral Resources has bought a 49 per cent stake in Gold Mines of Wales Limited, and hopes to reopen the mine.

Alba chief executive George Frangeskides said: The opportunity presented by this project is pretty unique  high grade gold in the heart of the UK.

The fact that Welsh gold attracts a significant premium over spot rates, the historic connections of Welsh gold with the heritage of the UK, the potential for finding more gold in the vastly under-explored exploration ground  all make a strong case for investment.

As well as Princess Dianas gold band in 1981, the mine in Bontddu produced the Queens wedding ring in 1947, the Queen Mothers in 1923, Princess Margarets in 1960 and the Princess Royals in 1973.You have just four weeks left to file your self-assessment tax return for the 2016/2017 year.

The deadline for submitting paper returns was October 31, so your only option now is to fill it in online. Technically, you have until midnight on January 31 to do this.

But if it is your first time, it can take up to 20 working days to get the information you need from HM Revenue and Customs, so its crucial that you start now.

And if you are planning to pay your tax bill by credit card, beware that you must do so before HMRC scraps this payment method for individuals on January 13.

Looming deadline: You have until midnight on January 31 to submit your tax return

However, businesses will still be able to pay in this way.

Most people dont need to file a tax return. But if youre one of the UKs ten million self-employed workers, company directors or trustees, then you probably do.

The same goes if you earn more than 100,000 a year, receive a substantial income from savings or property or earn a second income selling goods on websites such as eBay.

If you or your partners income is over 50,000 and you claim child benefit or you made profits from selling shares or a second home and need to pay capital gains tax, youre required to file a return. If youre not sure whether you fall into the self-assessment categories, contact HMRC.

If you have filed online before, log in at www.gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return. You should have a user ID and password from when you created your account.

If youve never completed self-assessment in any form the first thing you need is a ten-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) code.

This is sent out in the post after you fill in some basic details on an SA1 form which can be submitted online at tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/SA1. You should then receive your UTR code in the post within ten working days.

The taxman says that SA1 applications should have been submitted by October last year. But theres just enough time to get your code before the deadline if you act immediately.

If you have registered and received a UTR code in the past but cant find it, call HMRCs helpline on 0300 200 3310. Once you have it, you then need to visit gateway.gov.uk and enrol for online services.

Enter your name, email address and create a password. The screen generates a 12-digit User ID. Its really important, so keep a note of this because youll need it later.

On the next page, there will be a list of government services you can sign up to. Pick self-assessment enrolment. The system will ask for your UTR code, postcode and National Insurance number.

You will then be sent a gateway activation code in the post. Again, this will take up to ten working days to arrive.

Once you have received the letter, go to the HMRC self-assessment page and log in. At this point, you need your UTR, gateway access code which will have been posted to you and the 12-digit User ID you got at the beginning of the process.

Enter these details and you should be taken to your own personal tax account with a self-assessment page. Now you can start filling in your tax return.

Gather your bank statements and receipts for any expenses you need to claim relating to the tax year April 6, 2016, to April 5, 2017.

If you also have an employer, dig out your employer reference number, P60 and P11D forms. These summarise your total pay for the year and any expenses or benefits you have received and should have been sent to you at the end of the tax year.

Late filing: There are very few excuses that HMRC will accept

Dont forget that you can claim back money on charitable donations and some subscriptions, such as to a museum.

Part of your return may already be filled out. The taxman will enter details for gross pay, state pension and national insurance contributions, for example. Check this is correct. It is then up to you to declare all the income, bank account interest and any taxable benefits that you receive.

If you are missing any numbers it is better to submit an estimated figure and declare it as such. You can submit a revised figure at a later date if necessary.

Once you are sure everything is correct, submit your return. A confirmation message should then pop up on your screen along with a reference number from HMRC.

It can take up to 72 hours for a final tax calculation, but you can see a prediction of your bill by clicking view your calculation on the form. This sum must be paid by the January 31 deadline.

If, after processing your tax return, HMRC discovers this bill was too high or too low it will write to you and either send a cheque or request further payment.

The bill includes what you owe for the past year and the first half of what you are expected to owe for 2017/2018. HMRC bases this estimation on what your tax bill from the previous year. So if you owe 2,000 for 2016/2017, you must pay 1,000 towards your 2017/2018 bill.

There is currently a 100 penalty if you are up to three months late filing your return  even if you dont owe any tax. You may also be charged interest on any tax you do owe. And there are very few excuses that HMRC will accept.

Leaving it too late to get an activation code, for example, is not good enough.

The HMRC helpline is open between 8am and 8pm on weekdays, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 9am to 5pm on Sundays. Remember that call waiting times can be longer at this time of year.

s.smyth@dailymail.co.ukVirgin Money boss Jayne-Anne Gadhia is a vocal supporter of womens rights

The yawning pay gulf between men and women at Britains biggest businesses has been revealed for the first time in official figures.

Banks and other finance firms are among the worst offenders  and two of the biggest gaps are at firms run by women who have campaigned for more equality.

All companies with more than 250 staff must publish how much more men are paid than women under rules introduced last year.

Although the deadline for revealing results is not due until April, results from 500 businesses have already been made public.

Sam Smethers of the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for equal pay, said: All employers need to take a long hard look at their workplace culture.

Discrimination and sexual harassment can be hidden and more common than they think.

The worst household name is EasyJet, where women earn 45.5 per cent less than men. It is 11th-worst of all the companies to reveal results so far.

Former chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall, 56, is an outspoken supporter of equality. I dont experience sexism and if I did, I wouldnt tolerate it for a minute, she has said.

McCall left in November to head ITV, and was replaced by Johan Lundgren, whose 740,000 basic salary is 35,000 higher than hers was. EasyJet has said staff doing the same jobs earn the same.

The gender gap is because most of its high-earning pilots are men. Virgin Money boss Jayne-Anne Gadhia is another vocal supporter of womens rights  but her bank has one of the biggest gaps reported so far, at 38.4 per cent.

Gadhia, 56, has hit out at sexism in the industry and led a review into women in finance.

Other banks with large gaps include Clydesdale, at 36 per cent, which has since pledged to hike its minimum wage by 11 per cent to 17,000 to help low-paid women.

Fellow lenders Aldermore Group and Yorkshire Building Society also had large gaps, of 35.7 per cent and 28.6 per cent respectively.

PwC LLP, a division of the accountant, was high on the list with a gap of 34.4 per cent. A spokesman insisted this was just a small part of the business, with 2,000 staff. She said the true figure for the organisation is 14.2 per cent.

Former easyJet boss Dame Carolyn McCall, 56, is also an outspoken supporter of equality

Divisions of energy firms RWE, which owns Npower, and SSE, feature highly, as well as part of developer Land Securities.

Construction is the worst sector for pay gaps, with an average 24.6 per cent, followed by financial services, at 24 per cent, and information and communication, at 17.7 per cent.

All the firms say they pay staff the same if they do the same job.

The gaps are because most top staff on high salaries are men.In 2017, there was a record number of bank and building society branch closures, with at least 800 shutting their doors.

This year, the onslaught is set to continue, as Royal Bank of Scotland, which owns NatWest, moves ahead with plans to ditch a quarter of its branches, leaving many with nowhere to turn.

Its all very well if you have a computer or a smartphone with all the latest apps. But if you prefer to manage your money face-to-face, the Post Office can help you with some of the things the banks used to do.

Almost everyone with a UK account can now do basic banking in Post Office branches

It has been offering limited services to Lloyds, Co-operative and Barclays customers since the Nineties, but in the face of public outcry at mass branch closures, ministers pushed more banks to sign up to the scheme from 2015 onwards.

Since then, Britains biggest banks have all joined the initiative, meaning almost everyone with a UK account can now do basic banking in Post Office branches.

At the end of last year, it was carrying out a record one million banking transactions each day. Heres all you need to know about what it can  and cant  offer...

HOW MANY POST OFFICES LET YOU DO BANKING?

There are 11,600 Post Office outlets around the UK, including both standalone branches and kiosks in newsagents and grocery shops.

This is more than the total number of branches held by the biggest banks, of which there are now estimated to be fewer than 6,000.

Almost 93 per cent of people live within a mile of their nearest Post Office and 99.7 per cent live within three miles. Around 4,000 are open in the evenings or at weekends. Some even open on Sundays, but others are more limited.

All of these branches allow you to do some of your usual banking.

Under government requirements, the Post Office has to maintain its current level of accessibility. This means that 99 per cent of people must have a Post Office within a three-mile radius of where they live.

Most High Street banks will let you carry out basic transactions at the Post Office.

But they have to pay a fee to be part of its network, and some have not joined, including M&S, Tesco, ICICI, Triodos and Citibank. The same applies to private banks, such as Coutts.

WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU DO THERE?

Quite a lot, but not everything. Post Office banking boss Martin Kearsley says the service is like a cash machine with a smile. In other words, anything that you can do using your bank card at a hole in the wall, you can do face-to-face in a Post Office branch.

You slot your card into the chip-and-PIN machine at the counter, just as you would in a shop, he says. Then, once youve entered your PIN and told the cashier how much you would like, your bank confirms the transaction almost immediately and you receive your cash and a receipt.

You can pay bills for gas, electricity and council tax - so long as your supplier sends you bills that contain a barcode the cashier can scan

The maximum amount you can take out each day is determined by your bank  typically between 500 and 750.

You can also get a print-out of your balance, as well as pay cash and cheques into your account

Again, you put your card and PIN into the machine, the cashier will ask you how much you want to deposit and then you hand over the payment.

You can also pay bills for gas, electricity and council tax  so long as your supplier sends you bills that contain a barcode the cashier can scan.

If you run a small business and have an account with a bank thats part of the scheme, the Post Office will let you get change for your till or pay in the days takings.

... AND WHAT CAN'T YOU DO?

Post Office cashiers cant print out your statements or a list of your recent transactions, and you wont be able to transfer money into a friend or relatives account.

Most people wont be able to take money out or pay it into any savings accounts they hold.

A small number of banks, including Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank, issue plastic cards that work in cash machines for some of their savings accounts. These should work in Post Office branches.

You cant open any new products with your bank at the Post Office and counter staff wont be able to help you with questions about your mortgage, insurance or investments with your bank.

We cant see any of the payments that go in and out of your account, either, so staff wont be able to manage these for you, says Mr Kearsley.

WHAT IF I STILL NEED HELP?

If you are comfortable banking online or over the phone, using your local Post Office to pay in money means you should rarely need to go into a bank branch.

But for those who dont own a computer or choose not to bank on the internet, managing your money is getting harder.

You can call your bank and ask to set up telephone banking.

Youll be given security codes, so the bank can identify you more easily in the future. Then youll be able to find out how much is in your account, get a list of your recent transactions and make payments over the phone.

Some banks offer a mobile service, where vans travel to small towns and villages that have lost branches. Others, such as NatWest, have community bankers who carry out home visits to the most vulnerable customers.

Charlotte Nelson, of comparison site Moneyfacts, says: Banking at the Post Office is a great option if your branch has closed, but if you dont like using the internet and phone for banking and need advice on a product or have fallen victim to fraud, you wont get any help.

So a lot of vulnerable people will still have to find a way to muddle through.

l.milner@dailymail.co.ukSouth Korea's unification ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs said Wednesday that it reopened a communication channel with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the truce village of Panmunjom amid rising expectations for the DPRK's participation in South Korea-hosted winter sports event.

People watch a public TV screen showing a North Korean newscaster reading a statement at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. [Photo: AP/Ahn Young-joon]

The ministry said in a statement that the DPRK side gave a contact to the South Korean side via the communication channel in Panmunjom at 3:30 p.m. local time (0630 GMT) as announced by Pyongyang.

During the contact, which lasted for about 20 minutes, the two sides made the technical check of the cross-border hotline, which had not operated for almost two years.

The liaison office channel of Panmunjom has been cut off since the previous South Korean government unilaterally closed down the inter-Korean industrial zone in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong in February 2016. The shutdown followed the DPRK's fourth nuclear test the previous month.

Before the cut-off, South Korea and the DPRK operated two cross-border hotlines, including the Panmunjom liaison office channel and the military hotline. Those hotlines were not physically severed, but the DPRK hadn't responded to Seoul's call.

During the first inter-Korean contact via the restored hotline, the two sides discussed no detail on Seoul's proposal Tuesday to Pyongyang holding a senior-level, inter-governmental dialogue on Jan. 9 at the Peace House, the South Korean building in Panmunjom.

The dialogue proposal came a day after top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year address that his country was willing to participate in the South Korea-hosted Winter Olympics and to talk with South Korea about it.

The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games were slated to kick off in February at South Korea's namesake county of PyeongChang in the eastern Gangwon province.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed Kim's New Year speech, ordering government officials to rapidly restore inter-Korean talks and draw up follow-up measures to allow the DPRK's delegation to join the Winter Olympics.

Earlier in the day, the DPRK's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland announced that the DPRK's leader ordered the reopening of the communications channel in Panmunjom to make working-level discussions on issues on the dispatch of the DPRK's delegation to the Winter Olympics.

The committee said the DPRK will closely contact the South Korean side from an earnest and sincere attitude as it was commissioned by top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

Yoon Young-chan, senior press secretary for President Moon, told reporters that the reopening had a great meaning, saying it would make possible inter-Korean talks in a regular manner.

The unification ministry said in a statement that it hailed Pyongyang's positive response to Seoul's offer to resume the communications channel in Panmunjom.

It said South Korea will make working-level discussions on issues on the senior-level, inter-governmental dialogue via the reopened communication channel.



Bill Clinton may have cheated on his wife with Monica Lewinsky because he had lost confidence in her when she failed to pass healthcare reform, a new book suggests.

The former president may have sought 'solace' in the White House intern after Hillary bungled what should have been the biggest achievement of his first term in office.

Bill 'no longer trusted' Hillary, who he entrusted with the policy, while she withdrew into a prolonged depression, Partner to Power: The Secret World of Presidents and Their Most Trusted Advisers  suggests.

Author and former senior adviser to Congress K. Ward Cummings paints a scathing portrait of a president and a first lady who failed because 'compromise was not part of their vocabulary.'

Cummings writes that they were hampered by characteristics that would later haunt Hillary's presidential run; their 'intense secrecy, the unhealthy nature of their personal power sharing, and their insistence on treating healthcare reform like a war in which everyone was either their friend or their foe.'

Behind close doors: A new book suggests Bill and Hillary Clinton's rocky marriage hampered the presidency due to their 'intense secrecy' and the 'unhealthy nature of their personal power sharing'

Bill's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky could have been sparked after he lost confidence in his wife whose healthcare reform initiative flopped during his inaugural year

In fact, guilt was the 'driving psychological influence' in their marriage; Bill felt it for his philandering and Hillary used it to get what she wanted.

Within this unhealthy dynamic, Hillary was 'addicted' to her husband who rebuffed her and then came to her to be rescued, giving her the love that she craved.

Hillary's role as her husband's close adviser is among those recounted in Cummings's book, which covers advisers from the presidency of Washington to the modern day.

She was one of the most striking because she 'stretched the boundaries of the Office of the First Lady more than anyone in history,' he writes.

But since the time of George Washington, presidents have needed a righthand man - in his case Alexander Hamilton - as their personal counsel.

Most presidents choose one individual or a small group to serve as their confidantes who often work behind the scenes, but at times, such as those during the Bill-Hillary era, they are very public.

When the Clintons arrived in the White House in 1993 there were Democratic majorities in the Senate and the House and it looked as though they would achieve something which had eluded Congress for decades; comprehensive healthcare reform.

Bill thought that Hillary was 'essential to his success' after she helped him win a second term as Arkansas governor.

Bill and Hillary's dynamic was actually an 'unhealthy one', hampered by their inability to compromise and her sense of entitlement 'for helping turn his career around'

'Bill had become deeply and unhealthily dependent on Hillary and she developed a similarly profound sense of entitlement for helping to turn his career around,' Cummings writes.

'She felt she had earned the right to be regarded as a partner to his power.

'Placing her at the helm of his signature program was an expression of their new power-sharing arrangement,' which, Cummings writes, turned out to be a 'gross miscalculation that he would deeply regret.'

'As the saying goes, a team, like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest link.

'The Clinton partnership in the White House would prove this as the flaws of their dysfunctional marriage.'

Hillary's National Taskforce on Health Reform was announced on January 25, 1993 and it quickly ballooned from 12 to 500 people split into 12 'cluster teams' and 38 'sub groups.'

She immediately sparked a row when she insisted that all meetings take place behind closed doors to prevent leaks.

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons responded with a lawsuit, demanding she keep them public. The organization won and the health insurance industry began a PR campaign which turned America against her.

Hillary's next error would be when she shunned offers from a bipartisan group of senators to create a scaled down program.

She vilified those who told her she would fail and would not even meet with senators offering a compromise.

Cummings writes: 'Hillary would not alter her strategy because she believed herself to be totally in the right.

Her national taskforce on healthcare was announced on January 25, 1993, but her efforts became controversial when she insisted all meetings take place behind closed doors. Her campaign ended seven months later when it ran out of legislative time

'The moral confidence she felt made it easier for her to dismiss efforts by others who wanted to steer her towards compromise.'

With the PR campaign against her going full steam, public opinion began to turn and healthcare reform died seven months later on August 26, 1994, when it ran out of legislative time.

Cummings writes that the failure left the Clintons feeling 'rattled.'

And according to their pollster, Dick Morris, one of the few from their inner circle to dish on their relationship, Bill had likely found it hard to stand up to his wife.

In fact, he described Hillary as her husband's 'attack dog' because she loved conflict and he tried to avoid it.

She took charge of much of Bill's early career because he was 'too nice to manage his own life' and he 'doesn't understand how venal people can be, he's not tough enough,' Morris disclosed.

Bill 'owed Hillary far too much to have any hope of managing her as a staff member,' Cummings states.

Morris also claimed that guilt was the 'driving psychological influence' in the Clintons' personal dynamic.

He said: 'I think the big frustration of their marriage is that she's married to the most elusive, withholding, anal-retentive man you can imagine.

'He uses denial of affection as his method of getting people to do what he wants them to do - the ones he's close to - rather than to praise or give affection.

'I believe it's a relationship in which she's addicted to him. And she adores him. She's the best thing that's ever happened to him. But he's very remote.

The power dynamic between the two was thrown off because Bill 'owed Hillary far too much to have any hope of managing her as a staff member,' Cummings writes, and the president likely found it hard to stand up to his wife

'And when he requires rescue she gets more attention, more affection, more love, more of the caring that I believe she craves from him, and also more power than she otherwise would get'.

According to Cummings, after the failure of healthcare reform Hillary threw herself into writing her 1996 book, It Takes A Village, while grappling with depression.

Cummings poses the question: 'Was Monica Lewinsky a source of solace for the president? The breakdown of their partnership was as educational for the president as it was for the First Lady

'...both flawed individuals the Clintons were each raised in dysfunctional homes and bore the scars into the White House.

'It is how they chose to deal with the consequences of their difficult childhoods that one can see the causes that would ultimately lead to their unsuccessful efforts as a presidential partnership'.

Partner to Power has several warnings to Donald Trump about the dangers of informal advisers, of which the most striking is perhaps Edward House who served such a role for Woodrow Wilson.

House has not been treated kindly by historians and Cummings bluntly states that for him Wilson was a means of achieving 'his lifelong pursuit of power without accountability.'

House ran gubernatorial campaigns in Texas in the late 1800s but soon had bigger ideas and wanted to manage a residential candidate.

House was seeking a rare combination of, as Cummings puts it, somebody who was 'brilliant, handsome, eloquent, a natural campaigner and breathtakingly insecure'.

He found that man in Wilson.

House was a very sharp reader of people and quickly realized that when Wilson trusted a person he was 'unusually open to suggestion'.

'It almost did not matter who made the recommendation or what the context was,' Cumming writes.

'House took advantage of Wilson's loyal, trusting nature, not just to stay in his good graces, but also to reinforce his own personal influence in the White House.'

House acted as an unofficial adviser to the President, much like Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, and just like them House received no salary.

Wilson believed that all House wanted to do was 'serve the common cause and to help me and others'.

But House himself acknowledged the reality was different.

In his memoirs - he kept copious notes, most of which showed him in a flattering light - he said that when Wilson asked for suggestions in drafts of speeches, 'I nearly always praise at first in order to strengthen the president's confidence in himself which, strangely enough, is often lacking.'

House's flattery of Wilson 'knew few limits' and for normal men it would have been embarrassing.

Similar to Hillary's role as confidante to Bill, Edward House (pictured right) served such a role for President Woodrow Wilson. However, Cummings reveals how House often took advantage of Wilson's 'loyal, trusting nature' to reinforce his own personal influence in the White House

But not for Wilson, who was so insecure that he lapped it up even when House said things like: 'I do not put it too strongly when I say you are the main hope left to this torn and distracted world.

'Without your leadership, God alone knows how long we will wander in the darkness.'

There was 'something almost dishonest in the way that House fed Wilson's ego' but that it worked because it 'fed a deep need' in the president, Cummings writes.

When Ellen Wilson, Wilson's first wife, died of Bright's Disease in 1914 he turned to House for comfort, even inviting him to sleep in her old bed in his vacation home in New Hampshire.

But things changed between the two after Wilson after met his second wife, Edith, who knew exactly what House was up to, calling him a 'strange little man' and a 'weak vessel' to her husband.

Wilson sent House to the Versailles peace conference at the end of WWI, but became offended when world leaders asked to speak to him instead of the President of the United States.

Wilson became further enraged when House's name appeared in the papers back home more than his own - another echo of the Trump administration.

It is not clear if there was final disagreement between House and Wilson, but the two grew apart and their relationship was never the same again.

Similar to House and Wilson, Abraham Lincoln and close adviser William Seward and fell out of favor.

Abraham Lincoln had a similar relationship with his secretary of state, William Seward (third from left) who became Lincoln's 'alter ego, his sounding board, his counselor, and his conscience' until his assassination in 1865

Cummings writes that Seward and Lincoln, who appointed him Secretary of State, were such good friends that biographers have said their relationship was more like 'unconditional love.'

Their personalities were quite opposite - Lincoln was 'pensive and moody' and Seward was 'light-hearted and jovial' - but they ended up complementing each other.

Every night Lincoln would walk over to Seward's house on Lafayette Park, a block away from the White House, and the two men would 'sit by the fire trading stories, talking about history and literature.

Both men shared a love of telling stories and an 'almost juvenile' sense of humor that some found bawdy.

Lincoln trusted Seward so much that he got him to do the quiet but necessary work to get the 13th Amendment banning slavery passed - using shady lobbyists to get the required number of votes.

According to Cummings, Seward became Lincoln's 'alter ego, his sounding board, his counselor, and his conscience' until his assassination in 1865.

Their closeness was best illustrated when Seward was in a carriage accident and Lincoln rushed to his hospital bedside.

Cummings writes: 'The President of the United States lay down beside him, arranging his long body next to Seward's and placed his head close on the pillow.

'Together they talked softly until Seward fell asleep.'

Some presidential advisers even had colorful names: H.R. Haldeman liked to call himself Richard Nixon's 'son of a b****' because he did all his dirty work for him.

John Ehrlichman was known as the Nixon's 'extinguisher' for the way he put out political fires.

Ronald Reagan's 'Troika' of advisers were Edwin Meese as counselor to the President, James Baker as White House chief of staff; and Michael Deaver as deputy chief of staff.

They carved up the responsibilities of the White House between them, taking advantage of Reagan's relaxed managerial style.

Not since Sherman Adams had been Dwight Eisenhower's chief of staff had White House staff had so much power over the nation, Cummings claims.

The downside of this became apparent on August 19, 1981 above the Gulf of Sidra in the Mediterranean when two American F-14 jets shot down two Libyan fighters who had fired at them first.

It was 11pm Pacific time at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and President Reagan was asleep.

Meese took the call from the Secretary of Defense and 'saw no reason to wake the president', Cummings writes.

Partner to Power: The Secret World of Presidents and Their Most Trusted Advisers will be released on February 27, 2018

Meese only woke up Reagan at 4am - five hours later - after which the president 'promptly returned to the warmth of his bed'.

When the press found out, Reagan was ridiculed for being so disconnected from the running of the country.

According to Reagan biographer Lou Cannon, the troika had 'no confidence in the judgment or capacities of the president'.

He said: 'Pragmatists and conservatives alike treated Reagan as if he were a child monarch in need of constant protection. They paid homage to him but they gave him no respect.'

Among the other famous presidential advisers was Dick Cheney, who served as Vice President under George W Bush and became his right hand man.

Cheney stands out for supposedly accruing so much power many thought that he was running the White House, earning him the nickname 'The Prince of Darkness' or 'Darth Vader.'

Cummings writes that Cheney did indeed drive much of Bush's first term agenda including his controversial decisions to open the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for terrorism suspects.

To most other people, it looked like Cheney had him round his little finger.

Bush had offered the job of Vice President to Cheney in the first place because he was perceived to be loyal and would not come after his own job.

Cheney had to be talked into it in and initially refused due to his heart problems, his daughter was gay, and because he was dismissed from Yale for his poor academic records, something which at the time seemed like it could be a scandal.

After reluctantly agreeing to help to find a suitable candidate Cheney changed his mind - and chose himself.

Cheney then filled the White House with advisers who were friendly to him to consolidate his power.

He became Bush's 'enforcer' and could come and go from any meeting, including those involving the president, as he saw fit.

In a very unusual move, Cheney was also given sole responsibility for intelligence matters and did much of the firing.

Cheney and Bush did not socialize much outside of office hours, but Bush had 'tremendous respect' for him and saw him as a 'mentor of sorts.'

Like many presidential advisers before them, that relationship eventually soured.

During Bush's second term, he was heavily criticized over the torture of Iraqi prisoners of war and for the mistreatment of detainees in Guantanamo.

Cummings says that Bush feared for his legacy and decided to 'change course' and that as a result he sidelined Cheney and took the advice of others like Condoleezza Rice, his Secretary of State.

Partner to Power: The Secret World of Presidents and Their Most Trusted Advisers is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.Former Rep. Michele Bachmann suggested she's thinking of jumping in the Minnesota Senate race to replace Sen. Al Franken, but is waiting for a sign from God.

'The question is, should it be me? Should it be now?' she mused, during an appearance with televangelist Jim Bakker. 'I've had people contact me and urge me to run for that Senate seat, and the only reason I would run is for the ability to take these principles into the United States.'

Bachmann explained that she would return to D.C., if elected, and fight for 'Biblical principles,' as she explained how God guided her in her political career before.

Former Rep. Michele Bachmann said she's being encouraged to run for Sen. Al Franken's Senate seat, but she's waiting for a sign from God

Former Rep. Michele Bachmann (right), who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, sat down with televangelist Jim Bakker (left)

Sen. Al Franken officially stepped down from the Senate today. Tina Smith, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, was appointed by the governor to fill the seat until voters choose a new senator in November

'I trust in a big God. And so he got us over all those finish lines, but I also believe I was supposed to run for president,' Bachmann said.

In 2012, Bachmann became the second woman in history to run for the GOP nomination.

The campaign was short-lived, however, as she placed sixth in the Iowa caucuses, and dropped out in early January before the next contest.

'I didn't even run because I thought I was going to win, I ran to put the whole issue of Obamacare front and center before the American people,' she said.

She called her campaign 'wildly successful' because she got her GOP peers to back a full Obamacare repeal.

'I didn't win, but moved the debate,' she said. 'So I didn't shed a tear when I left the contest because I felt like, you know, I fulfilled the calling God gave me.'

Turning to the potential opportunity standing in front of her she mused, 'So the question is, am I being called to do this now?'

'I don't know,' she said, giving a non-answer to her own question.

Bachmann, who latched onto the Tea Party movement shortly after President Obama's election, left Congress in 2015, as it looked like Minnesotans in her reliably red district lacked the appetite to vote her in again.

Running state-wide would be even harder.

Minnesota currently has two Democratic senators: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who also has to run for re-election in 2018 and the incoming Sen. Tina Smith, the state's lieutenant governor who will hold Franken's old seat for about a year.

Voters will choose a long-term replacement for Franken in the November election.

And while a handful of Midwestern states flipped from blue to red in 2016, Minnesota remained in Hillary Clinton's column.

Bachmann cited money issues and how toxic D.C. has become when expressing her reservations.

'My husband and I aren't money people. That's the thing. We're normal people, we're not money people. If you're a billionaire, maybe you can defend yourself,' she said, saying that the 'price is bigger than ever because the swamp is so toxic.'

She also acknowledged the emotional price she's likely have to pay if she jumped back into politics.

'It is really tough,' she said. 'If you're going against the tide in D.C., if you're trying to stand for Biblical principles in D.C. and you stick your head out of the hole, the blades come whirring and they try to chop you off.'

'This is not an easy place to be,' the ex-lawmaker lamented.A bar fight in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia that quickly saw pool cues used as weapons has police in the area asking for help identifying the perpetrators caught on tape participating in the pre-Christmas melee.

Police in Bensalem, Pennsylvania released video of a December 20 fight at Big Heads Bar - the fight apparently was rooted in a dispute between an angry customer and a bartender at the establishment.

A brawl at Big Heads Bar in Bensalem Pa. was caught on tape following a dispute between an incensed customer and a bartender

According to Philly.com, a fight occurred after a bar employee tried to kick the incensed patron and three of his friends out of the establishment.

Police said that one of the aggressors in the fight threw a bottle at an employee causing a deep cut to their head, and another swung a pool cue wildly. The employee wasn't seriously injured and was treated a local hospital and subsequently released.

The four men left the establishment in two older model gray four-door cars. Police continue to search for the identities of all four men involved in the fight.

The bar is located in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia and has a few locations in the areaAbout 70 people at a Christmas-themed lingerie party have been arrested and charged with marijuana possession in Georgia.

Cartersville Police responded to a 911 call about shots fired at the Morgan Square apartments just after 2am on New Year's day.

A neighbor who had arrived home from a movie was alerted to a sound that he believed was gunshots, but party goers said were fireworks.

Daidron Williams (left) and Isreal Wells (right) were among those arrested at the party

Lamar Allen Ware (left) and Khari Villegas (right) were among those arrested at the party

Derrika Sullivan (left) and Suaste Martinez (right) were among those arrested at the party

Anastasia Stollings (left) and Courtney Simpson (right) were among those arrested

Tyler Reed (left) and Jaelin Randall (right) were among those arrested at the party

Antoine Lawrence (left) and Tiffanique Irby (right) were among those arrested at the party

Shaquana Hampton (left) and Hailey Bishop (right) were among those arrested at the party

Kelsey Wright (left) and Keylon Woodard (right) were among those arrested at the party

Christavious Calloway (left) and Martin Cayd (right) were also among those arrested at the party

(left to right) Elizabeth Hargas, Randy Blanco, Thomason Braden were arrested at the party

Police arrived to a jam packed house. Over scanners police commented on how many people were on the porch, and as they walked around back they noted 'there are quite a few people inside the house.'

They were then faced with the daunting task of getting everyone inside the packed home- outside as they started arrested people on pot charges.

A parent to one of those rounded up by police complained to local WGRZ that had the arrests happened in Atlanta - just 40 miles to the south- the arrestees would have received a $75 ticket - instead of being placed behind bars.

The flyer advertised beer pong and drunk/ strip twister. The pot charge will cost well above the $1 party entry fee

The flyer advertised a 21st birthday party with Jell-O shots, beer pong, and drunk/ strip twister.

More charges could be added, but for now the partygoers that were rounded up have been placed in Bartow County Jail and so far are facing charges for possession of marijuana under one ounce.

It's not clear how much pot police found, but at least 70 people were charged.

Lt. M.E. Bettikofer with Cartersville police says the investigation is ongoing.A group of friends have landed what is believed to be the biggest-ever blue marlin caught in Australia.

Skipper Eddy Lawler and friend Clay Hilbert pulled in the nearly half-tonne fish off Exmouth, Western Australia after a two-hour struggle on Monday.

The huge fish weighed in at a whopping 494kg, beating the previous record of 452kg caught by Melanie Kisbee in 1999.

Although the anglers were stoked with their catch, some people have said the fish shouldn't have been killed.

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A group of friends have landed what is believed to be the biggest-ever blue marlin caught in Australia

The huge fish weighed in at a whopping 494kg, beating the previous record of 452kg caught by Melanie Kisbee in 1999

Mr Hilbert told the West Australian he was feeling the effects of pulling in the giant blue marlin the day after.

'[There's a] little bit of tension in the lower back today. but it was a fantastic feeling on the boat, incredible energy,' he said.

'We knew how special it was once we seen the fish initially so, yeah, just incredibly special.'

After the mammoth beast was pulled on board the boat it was loaded onto a trailer before a crane was needed to lift it off the ground.

Mr Hilbert said the blue marlin will be 'used for science and research', and will be sent to Perth after it has been officially weighed.

'The fish will be mounted and used for educational purposes, so positives all round.'

The blue marlin is believed to be the first 'grander' caught in Australia, meaning a marlin weighing more than 1000lbs.

A group of about 500 people were at the Exmouth Game Fishing Club to see the fish weighed on Monday night.

Tackle World Exmouth owner Jeni Gates said a fibreglass replica of the fish would be put on display at the shop, while no part of the fish would go to waste.

The blue marlin was caught on a 60kg line, within 40km of the shore.

Skipper Eddy Lawler and friend Clay Hilbert pulled in the nearly half-tonne fish off Exmouth, Western Australia after a two-hour struggle on Monday

The blue marlin is believed to be the first 'grander' caught in Australia, meaning a marlin weighing more than 1000lbs

Despite the positive reaction from the anglers, some people took to Facebook to voice their disapproval with the catch.

One man said he didn't see the 'point in pulling in these big fish'.

'I personally find this just as wasteful and pointless as killing an elephant,' he said.

Despite the positive reaction from the anglers, some people took to Facebook to voice their disapproval with the catch

Kristen Jamieson said the fishermen should've let the blue marlin go after catching it

Another commenter said she felt sorry for the fish.

'This guy fought for his life for over two hours, only to be hung up for glory trophy pictures.'

Others said a 'tag and release would be more honourable', and that the catch was a 'disgraceful waste of a beautiful soul'.Joshua Boyle, who was recently freed from captivity after years of being held hostage in Afghanistan has been arrested and faces 15 charges including sexual assault

Ex-hostage, Joshua Boyle, who was recently freed from captivity in Afghanistan with his wife and children, has been arrested on 15 charges, including sexual assault.

Boyle, of Canada, his American wife Caitlan, and their three children were rescued last October in Pakistan, five years after the couple was abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group while on a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan.

The children - 2- and 4-year-old boys and an infant daughter - were all born in captivity.

Authorities said the charges against the 34-year-old include eight counts of assault, two accounts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement.

Boyle was reportedly charged with one count of causing someone to 'take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone,' an antidepressant, court documents indicated Tuesday.

There is also a charge of uttering a death threat and a charge of misleading a police officer.

The purported acts allegedly occurred between October 14 - the day after the family returned to Canada - and December 30.

The misleading the police charge stems from an incident on December 30 where Boyle called police to report someone being suicidal and missing. He allegedly concocted the story to 'divert suspicion from himself'.

A publication ban bars reporting any information that could identify the alleged victims, of which there are two.

Boyle made his first appearance in Ottawa court on New Year's Day and remains in police custody. He appeared in court again on Wednesday via video link, wearing an orange jumpsuit, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

A judge granted lawyer Ninetta Caparelli's request for adjournment until Monday so the defense can work on a bail plan.

Authorities said the charges include eight counts of assault, two accounts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement. Boyle was reportedly charged with one count of causing someone to 'take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone'

A day after they were rescued, Boyle told the AP in October that his wife, Caitlan (pictured) had been hospitalized in Ottawa, but did not specify why she was taken to the hospital

In a statement to the Toronto Star, Boyle's wife (left) wrote: 'I can't speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this'

Ottawa police declined comment. Eric Granger, Boyle's attorney, said he had not seen the court documents yet.

'Mr Boyle is presumed innocent. He's never been in trouble before. No evidence has been provided yet, which is typical at this early stage. We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges,' Granger said in an email.

In a statement to the Toronto Star, Boyle's wife wrote: 'I can't speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.'

'Obviously, he is responsible for his own actions,' she added, 'but it is with compassion and forgiveness that I say I hope help and healing can be found for him. As to the rest of us, myself and the children, we are healthy and holding up as well as we can.'

When the family returned to Canada in October, they briefly stayed with Boyle's parents in Smith's Falls, Ontario, but have since moved to an apartment in Ottowa.

A man who answered a call at Boyle's parents' home on Tuesday told CBC that 'we don't have any comment'.

According to reports, Caitlin's parents have traveled from the U.S. to support her and her children.

Boyle told the AP in October that his wife had been hospitalized in Ottawa, but did not specify why she was taken to the hospital. He took a picture of her in her hospital bed and emailed it to the AP.

Boyle and his wife were abducted in 2012 by a Taliban-linked militant group while on a backpacking trip in Afghanistan

The parents of Caitlan, who is from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, said after the rescue that they were elated she had been freed, but they also expressed anger at their son-in law for taking their pregnant daughter to Afghanistan. They are pictured while still in captivity

Pakistani troops rescued the family in an operation October 11 aimed at their captors from the Taliban-linked Haqqani group

During their captivity, the couple claimed that their guards forced Caitlan to undergo an abortion and even raped her. The group has denied the accusation of sexual assault and the forced abortion, going on to say that Caitlan suffered a miscarriage.

He also told the AP that he and his wife decided to have children even while held captive because they always planned to have a big family.

'We're sitting as hostages with a lot of time on our hands,' Boyle said. 'We always wanted as many as possible, and we didn't want to waste time. Cait's in her 30s, the clock is ticking.'

Boyle said then that their three children were 4, 2 and 'somewhere around 6 months'.

'Honestly we've always planned to have a family of 5, 10, 12 children... We're Irish, haha,' he wrote in an email in October.

The parents of Caitlan Boyle, who is from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, said after the rescue that they were elated she had been freed, but they also expressed anger at their son-in law for taking their pregnant daughter to Afghanistan.

The Pakistanis caught the Haqqani fighters at some point after they had moved with their captives across the border from Afghanistan

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the operation was based on a tip from US intelligence. Boyle is pictured with one of his children at their family home in Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada

Pakistani troops rescued the family in an operation October 11 aimed at their captors, the Taliban-linked Haqqani group.

The Pakistanis caught the Haqqani fighters at some point after they had moved with their captives across the border from Afghanistan.

Caitlan said that they were being moved in a car when they came under fire and were rescued by the Pakistani forces.

Boyle said he was hit by shrapnel in the incident and that the last thing he heard his captors say was 'kill the hostages'.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the operation was based on a tip from US intelligence.

Boyle was once briefly married to Zaynab Khadr, the older sister of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr and the daughter of a senior al-Qaida financier who had contacts with Osama bin Laden.

The Canadian-born Omar Khadr was 15 when he was captured by US troops following a firefight and was taken to the US detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

Officials had discounted any link between that background and Boyle's capture, with one describing it in 2014 as a 'horrible coincidence'.

Boyle and his family met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the leader's office last month.

A Twitter account named 'The Boyle Family' with the handle @BoylesVsWorld posted photos of Boyle, his wife, and their three children inside what appears to be the prime minister's Parliament Hill office.

Many are now questioning Trudeau's wisdom for agreeing to the visit and have questioned whether Boyle was already under police investigation at that time.

In a statement Trudeau's office said the meeting was arranged at the request of the family and that the prime minister would always agree to meet freed Canadian hostages.

The discussion of the hostage-taking was the main purpose of the meeting with the Boyles, a government official told www.metronews.ca.

The Prime Minister's office wouldn't comment on the charges due to the ongoing investigation.

In September, Trudeau he couldn't imagine what the family were going through.

In a separate tweet Boyle revealed he had met Trudeau previously, back in 2006 before he had left for Afghanistan. He did not elaborate on the purpose of the meeting.

Boyle and his family met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the leader's office last monthBaby formula has been spotted selling for $85 a tin in a remote part of Australia, sparking outrage from shoppers.

A 900g tin of S-26 Gold Newborn formula was selling for $85 at See Hop General Store on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait in far north Queensland on Christmas Day.

Marsat Bin Doraho shared a photo of the tin on Facebook, saying some of the shops on the island 'need to be investigated'.

'I don't think freight is that much that you have to triple your prices,' he said.

Marsat Bin Doraho shared a photo of the tin on Facebook, saying some of the shops on the island 'need to be investigated'

Cook MP Cynthia Lui - the first Torres Strait Islander elected to office in Australia - told the Cairns Post the high price of goods in the area was disappointing.

'I think this is the reality of living in a remote community - this is what people have to face in remote communities,' she said.

'I guess it's even more disappointing that it's baby formula, and I think it needs to be investigated. In terms of affordability, that's not affordable.'

She said paying $85 for baby formula was 'beyond measurable' and evidence that 'major gaps' exist in remote communities such as the Torres Strait.

In 2017, some Australian supermarkets placed a limit on the amount of baby formula tins that could be purchased at one time.

The sought-after product is in high demand in China after local milk-poisoning scandals.

Cook MP Cynthia Lui told the Cairns Post the high price of goods in the area was disappointing

Chinese locals are willing to pay top dollar for Australian dairy products.

In May, a woman saw an 'organised ring' of shoppers stocking up on baby formula by sneaking dozens of tins through the checkout at Coles, despite the supermarket's four-tin limit.

According to the mother-of-two, at least 20 customers were smuggling more than the allowed tins through self-serve checkouts at the supermarket in Broadway, Sydney.

In September, a Tasmanian mother took to Facebook to express her anger at seeing a customer buying 16 tins of baby formula at a Coles in Bridgewater.President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw funds for the Palestinian Authority for showing 'no appreciation' hours after the administration said it was holding back $255 million in aid to Pakistan.

He fired off a pair of tweets saying the Palestinians are 'no longer willing to talk peace,' and referenced his administration's decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem  a move that infuriated the Palestinian leadership who withdrew their envoy in Washington.

'It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others,' Trump wrote. 'As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.'

He said Israel would have 'had to pay more' following the U.S. decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

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President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw funds for the Palestinian Authority for showing 'no appreciation' for U.S. support

He continued: 'They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?'

The U.S. has helped to prop up the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, in part to maintain influence and encourage peace while countering Hamas-controlled government in Gaza.

The U.S. paid $357 million to the Palestinian Authority in 2016, the Times of Israel reported.

The president's comment about holding back 'massive' future payments comes after repeated assurances that he might be able to forge a deal for peace in the Middle East.

Trump has tasked Middle East negotiator and his son in law Jared Kushner with spearheading the cause.

Trump's shot at the Palestinians comes as the Trump administration said Tuesday that it was withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan as punishment for the country's support for terrorism.

Trump wrote that the U.S. gets 'no appreciation or respect' despite its contributions

Trump said the Palestinians are 'no longer willing to talk peace'

His tweets followed statements by Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the UN that the administration would cut funding for a UN agency to aid Palestinian refugees, the UNRWA.

Haley also announced the decision to withhold $255 million from Pakistan, where she stressed that the action was not related to Pakistan's vote for a resolution condemning the United States' decision to relocate its embassy and declare Jerusalem the capital ofIsrael.

'It is entirely connected to Pakistan's harboring of terrorists,' she said from the United Nations. 'However, as I said in December, we won't forget the Jerusalem vote.'

Palestinians carry an injured man during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Khan Yunis, Gaza on December 29, 2017

A protestor holds a Palestinian flag as they clash with Israeli security forces during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Nablus, West Bank on December 29, 2017

The United States said Tuesday that it was withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan as punishment for the country's support for terrorism. Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., announced the deprivation at a media avail

President Trump had previewed the aid slash in a tweet on Monday that said the U.S. had 'foolishly' given Pakistan $33 billion and received 'lies & deceit' in return.

Pakistan then summoned the U.S. ambassador to the country, David Hale, for a meeting, and Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Trump's outburst was non-consequential.

'He has tweeted against us (Pakistan) and Iran for his domestic consumption,' Asif told Geo TV on Monday. 'He is again and again displacing his frustrations on Pakistan over failures in Afghanistan as they are trapped in dead-end street in Afghanistan.'

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas gives a joint press conference with French president following their meeting at the Elysee presidential Palace, in Paris, on December 22, 2017. Trump said the Palestinians give no 'respect' despite getting U.S. aide

In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO) Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump on May 23, 2017 in Bethlehem, West Bank

Trump's administration had been threatening to keep the $255 million over Pakistan's alleged ties to the Haqqani network, known associates of the Afghan Taliban, since August.

It informed Congress then that it would freeze the payment until Pakistan cracked down more heavily on terrorism.

'We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately,' Trump said in an August speech announcing a new strategy to combat terror in Afghanistan.

Asif, the Pakistani foreign minister, said Monday that his country does not need the money, Reuters reported. A U.S. National Security Council official meanwhile confirmed that the U.S. does not plan to distribute the funds 'at this time.'

Trump had said in an early morning tweet: 'The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!'

Haley confirmed Tuesday at a televised question and answer session that assistance to Pakistan would continue to be withheld until Islamabad stops backing terrorists.

'Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration,' she said. 'We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.'

Haley said Trump is 'willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism' in an ominous comment that suggested the U.S. was preparing to put more heat on Islamabad.

The White House said later that Pakistan is not 'fulfilling its obligations' and Trump 'is simply following through on a commitment that he made' to withhold the subsidies in August.

'This is a President that does what he says he's going to do,' Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. 'We know that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism, and we want them to step up and do that.'

President Trump sent out morning tweets about Pakistan and Iran on New Year's Day

US ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Pakistan foreign office to explain a furious tweet by President Trump in which he blasted the country's 'lies and deceit'

Members of Pakistani religious groups gathered in Karachi on Tuesday to condemn Trump's tweet as a special meeting of the cabinet was planned to discuss it

Haley stressed at her press avail that the hold on Pakistan's aid was not payback for its vote last month against the U.S. at the U.N.

'To that end, tomorrow night we are having a reception for the countries who chose not to oppose the U.S. position. This is a great sign of U.S. friendship and I look forward to tomorrow evening,' she said. 'The United States is asked to do a huge amount around the world. And we are happy to do that, but we expect to be treated respectfully in return.'

Only eight countries stood with the U.S. in the Dec. 21 vote, including Israel. Another 35 nations abstained.

Haley had warned the U.S. would be 'taking names' and said that Trump had asked her to report back on defectors.

Trump then said: 'For all of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the security council, or they vote against us, potentially, at the assembly, they take hundreds of millions of dollars, and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us.

'Well, we're watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care.'

Neither Haley nor the White House has said what the U.S. will do to the countries the 128 countries that lined up to condemn Washington and render its declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital 'null and void.'

Sanders suggested Tuesday, however, that action is imminent.A mother tried to hide two sawn-off shotguns, a silver pump-action rifle, and 100 bullets in her four-year-old son's toy box.

Alarna Jane Fraser was then caught with drugs three weeks later while riding on the back of a motorbike whose driver was high on meth.

She was hiding $4,050 in cash in her handbag and three ecstasy tablets stashed in a Kinder Surprise container in her underpants.

Alarna Jane Fraser, 29, tried to hide two sawn-off shotguns, a silver pump-action rifle, and 100 bullets in her four-year-old son's toy box

Police also found one ecstasy tablet and meth on driver, who was riding an unregistered and uninsured motorbike while high on ice, and was unlicensed.

Fraser's home in Central Queensland was first raided on February 16 and police found two .22 bullets in a pot plant.

Prosecutor Clancy Fox told the Rockhampton Magistrates Court that police returned to search the 29-year-old's house again eight days later.

'[Police] located a large wooden chest in the cupboard in a bedroom where there were children's toys,' he said, according to The Morning Bulletin.

Inside was a silver pump-action rifle, two sawn-off firearms, 94 .22 calibre rounds, one 9mm Luger round, and six other bullets.

They also found a glass pipe with 'sweet puff' written on the side in the home's office.

She was then caught with drugs three weeks later while riding on the back of a motorbike whose driver was high on meth.

The 29-year-old had $4,050 in cash in her handbag and three ecstasy tablets stashed in a Kinder Surprise container in her underpants three weeks later

Fraser claimed the cash was her father's and some from her business when she was pulled over on March 16 last year, and she was on her way to give him it.

But she changed her story in court, eventually claiming the money was from her father and one of his clients.

Fraser testified she asked the bike rider to go for a cruise and then to a friend's place for drinks and possibly into town afterwards, then they were going to her dad's to drop off the money.

Magistrate Jeff Clarke said Fraser was 'non-responsive to simple questions being asked of her' and her evidence to be an 'implausible story' impossible to follow.

A magistrate at the Rockhampton Magistrates Court found her guilty of possessing proceeds of crime and she pleaded guilty to seven other charges

He found her guilty of possessing proceeds of crime, after which Fraser pleaded guilty to seven other charges.

The court heard Fraser was on her third six-month probation order, which she breached for not attending meetings and abusing probation staff.

Her criminal history included two weapons possession convictions along with supplying drugs and other drug-related charges.

'You've made a determination to lead a thoroughly lawless life,' Mr Clarke said, sentencing her to six months in prison with parole starting February 26.Each lone child refugee costs councils in Britain nearly 70,000 a year  with the bills continuing to land until they reach 25.

The migration crisis meant there were at least 4,560 unaccompanied youngsters seeking asylum at the end of last March  a rise of 134 per cent from 1,950 in 2013.

Costs to local authorities for every 100 unaccompanied children are estimated at 6.75million a year. The Home Office provides 3.35million  leaving a shortfall of 3.4million.

When a child claims asylum in the UK they become the legal responsibility of the local authority in which they came forward.

Each lone child refugee costs councils in Britain nearly 70,000 a year  with the bills continuing to land until they reach 25. Council chiefs have warned that they are struggling to cope

Council chiefs have warned that they are struggling to cope because of the massive influx of young refugees who have managed to travel across the Channel and get into the UK without parents or carers.

One in 16 children being looked after by town halls are now unaccompanied asylum seekers, compared to 1 in 33 in 2013  almost double the rate.

Many who have arrived here illegally in the backs of lorries  often having fallen into the clutches of violent people-trafficking gangs  have come from war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Many of the children have complex needs because of the trauma they have witnessed or hardships they have endured.

Council chiefs said that the number of arrivals is having significant implications for local taxpayers because town halls are responsible for all costs associated with each child under their care until they are 25.

It includes schooling, foster care or children's homes, through to university fees and housing costs.

Daily rates paid to councils by the Government went up from 95 to 114 for under 16s and from 71 to 91 for 16 and 17-year-olds.

It costs 67,634 per year to care for each of them, according to the Association of Directors of Children's Services.

That includes 50,716 for residential placement and linked care costs, 4,805 for education, 3,915 for healthcare and 3,826 for social workers.

For each lone child migrant, councils also typically pay 440 for interpreters and child advocates, 480 on English language lessons, 70 on dentists and 20 on doctor registration.

The total is still rising despite the closure of the Calais 'Jungle' camp in 2016 and the arrival of more than 300 child migrants in Britain.

The vast majority of those being supported by councils  92 per cent  were boys. But the number of lone girls had soared by 19 per cent in the past year.

There has also been an increase in the numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 16 years and over  up 9 per cent to 3,540. But the number aged under 16 years has decreased slightly, by 3 per cent, to 1,020.

The Local Government Association last night called for more funding from the Government to help ease the burden on struggling councils.

Deputy chairman David Simmonds said: 'No one is disputing these children need to be cared for. We have a good track record when it comes to looking after them.

'The UK does a good job by these young people, take them in, find them accommodation... they go on to university, but councils quite simply cannot afford it. It could lead to services being cut back elsewhere.'Gunfire echoed around the millionaires' playground of St Tropez on Tuesday night as French police came under fire from four masked robbers including a woman.

The terrifying incident is the latest in a series of assaults on the forces of order in a country wracked by increasingly lawlessness.

It was at around 7pm that the heavily armed attackers raided an antiques salon in the centre of the port town.

The building was hosting a jewellery exhibition, and accordingly packed with dealers and clients buying expensive pieces.

Gunfire echoed around the millionaires' playground of St Tropez on Tuesday night

'The raiders were carrying shotguns and Kalashnikovs, and made straight for the first floor, ordering exhibitors to lie on the floorwith their hands showing,' said an investigating source.

'All were wearing military clothes, andlooked as though they were following a well-rehearsed plan.'

The attackers used the butts of theirweapons to smash reinforced glass jewellery cases open, and helped themselves to thousandsof pounds worth of items, a source told Var Matin newspaper.

The exhibition targeted had been set up by the Francine jewellery house, which is based in Marseille.

As the robbers escaped, police arrived inthe streets nearby, and immediately came under fire.

The building was hosting a jewellery exhibition, and accordingly packed with dealers and clients buying expensive pieces

A spokesman for prosecutors in nearby Draguignan said the police were unhurt, but all the robbers had managed to getaway.

One 'is thought to be a woman', while theother three were men, said the spokesman, who said the hunt was continuingovernight into Wednesday.

Terrorism has been ruled out, with prosecutors and judicial police focusing on robbers escaping a raid.

It came as the French government pledged a crackdown on urban violence after a policewoman was attacked by a mob on New Year's Eve.

She was one of two officers who had attended a disturbance outside a party in the Paris suburb of Champigny-sur-Marne.

The woman and the captain were both severely injured in what French President Emmanuel Macron described as a'cowardly and criminal lynching'.

A third police officer was also beaten upon Monday when he went to inspect a stolen scooter in the Paris suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collombsaid reforms were urgently needed in the 'pauperised, ghettoised' French suburbs that are likely to produce armed robbers, as well as homegrown terrorists.

Jewellery heists are as common on the French Riviera as they are in Paris, but it not usual for police to come under fire, especially not in a provincial town like St Tropez.

The seaside resort is better known for its celebrity residents, including cinema legend Brigitte Bardot who first made it famous with her 1956 film, And God Created Woman.A watchdog has slammed TV star Stephanie Davis over an Instagram post that hid the fact it was a paid-for advert for a vitamins company.

Miss Davis, 24, was slapped on the wrist by the Advertising Standard Authority (ASA) for advertising Convits vitamins.

The post on August 10 said: 'Just wanted to let you all know about @convitsuk - a great daily vitamin & mineral company I have just started using ... Get your exclusive 50% off online today with code STEPH50.'

Stephanie Davis (left) was slapped on the wrist by the Advertising Standard Authority over an Instagram post (right) that hid the fact it was a paid-for advert for a vitamins company

Convits said all 'social influencers' it worked with were told posts must include 'relevant evidence' to show they were an ad.

Miss Davis told the ASA that the Instagram post was reviewed by her previous agency and confirmed that she had amended it to include the hashtag 'ad'.

The ASA said: 'While we noted that Stephanie Davis had amended the post to include the identifier '#ad', but because at the time of the complaint the post did not include an identifier such as '#ad', we considered that it was not obviously identifiable as a marketing communication and therefore concluded that it breached the Code.

'We welcomed Convits' assurance that future ads would be appropriately labelled.'

The ASA said the ad must not appear again in its current form, adding: 'We told Convits and Stephanie Davis to ensure that ads were obviously identifiable as marketing communications in future.'

Former Hollyoaks star Miss Davis has become better known for her abusive relationship with ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell, than her acting career (pictured, the couple together)

Former Hollyoaks star Miss Davis has become better known for her abusive relationship with ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell, than her acting career.

Big Brother star McConnell, 27, attacked the actress, while she held their baby son Caben, at her home in Rainhill, Merseyside in March last year.

Miss Davis told a court that McConnell 'threw her around like a ragdoll' as she thought 'this is it; he's going to kill me.'

McConnell was convicted of the assault but avoided jail and was handed a 20-week suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

However, he failed to carry out the work order, instead choosing to get a hair transplant in Portugal, and was jailed for 18 weeks at Cardiff Crown Court in November.

McConnell was released last week after serving just 34 days in jail.The Jewish lawyer that Roy Moore's wife showboated to prove that their family was not anti-Semitic voted for Doug Jones on December 12, his friend of more than three decades.

Richard Jaffe was the Alabama defense attorney hired by the Moore family in 2016 to defend son Caleb against drug charges, according to the Washington Examiner.

'There could not be a more passionate supporter of Doug than me!' Jaffe said to the publication.

Richard Jaffe was the Alabama defense attorney hired by the Moore family in 2016 to defend son Caleb against drug charges

'There could not be a more passionate supporter of Doug than me!' Jaffe said to the Washington Examiner about why he didn't vote for Moore (pictured)

Jaffe added that he and Jones, a Democrat, had been friends for more than 30 years and that he had even contributed to Jones' campaign at various times.

On Wednesday, the Birmingham-based lawyer will be in the Senate gallery as Jones gives his speech.

On December 11, Kayla Moore shocked an audience when she defended her husband's views towards Jews by mentioning the employment of the lawyer.

Moore's clueless wife Kayla stunned listeners when she mentioned Jaffe while defending her hubby, a former state judge and accused child predator just before the election.

'Fake news will tell you that we don't care for Jews. I tell you all this because I've seen it also I just want to set the record straight while they're here,' Kayla Moore said before making the comment that one of their lawyers is a 'Jew!'

'Fake news will tell you that we don't care for Jews. I tell you all this because I've seen it also I just want to set the record straight while they're here,' Kayla Moore said at a campaign rally in Midland City, Alabama, about Roy Moore, who had a slew of child predator allegations against him in the election.

'One of our attorneys is a Jew!'

The comments followed claims that Moore despised Jews due to allegations he had made about billionaire George Soros financing Moore's opponents.

'He's still going to the same place that people who don't recognize God and morality and accept his salvation are going,' Moore said in an interview.

The former Alabama chief justice lost the Senate election last month to Democrat Doug Jones by an estimated 20,000 votes.

Jaffe added that he and Jones, a Democrat, had been for more than 30 years and that he had even contributed to Jones' campaign at various times

Moore, who was accused of having improper sexual contact with teen girls in the 1970s, has not conceded to Jones.

He told supporters that the 'battle is not over' in Alabama's Senate race even though President Donald Trump and others have called on him to concede.

Moore sent a fundraising email to supporters asking for contributions to his 'election integrity fund' so he could investigate reports of voter fraud.

'I also wanted to let you know that this battle is NOT OVER!' he wrote.Ryanair has applied for a certificate that will allow it to continue operating routes in the UK after Brexit  in a U-turn on its previous threats.

The budget airline had warned that it could ground flights following Brexit.

As it is based in Ireland, Ryanair is a European carrier and so would not be able to fly internal UK flights when the UK leaves the EU.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has threatened to cancel flights between the UK and European Union if a Brexit aviation deal is not struck

Ryanair operates just three domestic UK routes - Stansted to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast  and together they account for less than 2 per cent of its total sales.

Boss Michael O'Leary, 56, had previously threatened to cancel flights between the UK and European Union if a Brexit aviation deal is not struck and also warned over the future of its domestic routes.

Alex Macheras, aviation analyst, said: 'This is another classic example of a Ryanair U-turn. They have recognised that the only way to maintain their routes is to have an AOC.'

He added: 'It's very unlikely that there will be no deal before or after Brexit.

'Regulators can draft in legislation at the 11th hour if they have to to make sure flights can leave.'

Ryanair filed for an application for an Air Operators Certificate with the Civil Aviation Authority on December 21.

The budget airline is among a number of carriers to have taken similar steps to secure their rights to fly after Brexit

The move will mean the Irish carrier can continue operating domestic flights in the UK.

A number of airlines have taken similar steps to secure their rights to fly after Brexit.

Hungarian airline Wizz Air, which operates flights across Central and Eastern Europe, applied for a British AOC in October to secure its rights to fly post-Brexit.

UK-headquartered airlines like EasyJet have been forced to take the opposite measure by applying for AOCs elsewhere to enable them to continue flights between EU countries after 2019.

European airlines currently operate under the Open Skies agreement which allows them to operate in each other's countries but there is no guarantee a similar deal will be struck once the Brexit deals are finalised.

Ryanair said: 'Ryanair today (2 Jan) confirmed that a subsidiary company Ryanair UK filed an application on 21 Dec last for an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) with the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK.

'This may be required for Ryanair's 3 UK domestic routes in the event of a hard Brexit in March 2019.'Middle-aged women who eat just three rashers of bacon a week have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, a study has found.

Post-menopausal women who eat just 9g of processed meat a day, the equivalent of two sausages a week, are a fifth more likely to contract the deadly disease, according to the University of Glasgow.

It comes two years after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that processed meat has the same cancer-causing threat level as cigarettes, asbestos and the deadly poison arsenic.

The study, which analysed more than 260,000 middle-aged British women, found those who ate less than 9g of processed meat were still 15 per cent more likely to develop breast cancer than those who abstained.

Middle-aged women who eat just three rashers of bacon a week have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, a study has found. File photo

When combined with ten previous studies involving 1.7 million women and 40,000 breast cancer cases, it suggested eating processed meat increased the risk by a tenth, The Times reports.

But the study, published in the European Journal of Cancer, found no similar link in younger women.

Breast cancer is Britain's most common female cancer, with more than 55,000 new cases and 11,000 deaths every year, according to the most recent figures in 2014.

The number has increased by a fifth since the 1990s is rising steadily due to the ageing population and lifestyle factors such as obesity.

Processed meat describes any red meat that has been cured, smoked or had preservatives added to increase its shelf-life.

Scientists believe that it is these chemicals - including nitrates and salt - which trigger tumour growth.

Post-menopausal women who eat just 9g of processed meat a day, the equivalent of two sausages a week, are a fifth more likely to contract the deadly disease

In addition, the pigment haem in red meat is also thought to cause cancer by destroying the DNA of cells in the digestive system.

The study also found no link between breast cancer and red meat.

In 2015, the WHO pointed to research showing how eating just 50g of processed meat a day increases the risks of tumours of the bowel by 18 per cent.

This is equivalent to half a burger, two meatballs, or two slices of ham or bacon.

Red meat was classified one grade below as 'probably' causes cancer, although officials said the evidence was less clear.

But the Government said at the time it would not change national guidelines which state it is safe to eat 70g of processed or red meat a day.

A traditional English breakfast of two sausages and two rashers of bacon is equivalent to 150g of processed meat. File photo

Figures show the majority of adults in Britain eat at least this amount, including a third who have more than 100g.

A traditional English breakfast of two sausages and two rashers of bacon is equivalent to 150g of processed meat - three times the daily amount linked to cancer.

Last month, a US study found that women who lose half a stone significantly reduce their odds of developing breast cancer.

Researchers found losing two stone or more cut the chances of developing breast cancer by a third.

Professor Naveed Sattar, of the University of Glasgow, told the Times: 'In addition to the previously known effects of processed meat on other kinds of cancer, this adds further evidence that it may have a deleterious effect on breast cancer, particularly in post-menopausal women.

'If you take it at face value and say there's an association, then it means that if people were to eat less processed meat they might well reduce their risk of breast cancer.'

Jasmine Just, of Cancer Research UK, said: 'The jury is still out on any link between eating lots of processed meat and breast cancer, because this study didnt take into account other important factors that affect breast cancer risk, like screening and family history.

'The best ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer are to keep a healthy weight, cut down on alcohol and be physically active.'Theresa May will continue to count foreign students towards her target of cutting net immigration to below 100,000 even if they are stripped out of official statistics.

Whitehall sources said the Prime Minister considers it a matter of trust that the Tories longstanding pledge to reduce net immigration to the tens of thousands should continue to include students, some of whom stay for years after graduating.

The stance puts her at odds with a string of Cabinet ministers who argue that the time has come to soften the governments position.

Theresa May maintains the that the international definition of a migrant is someone who stays for more than a

The Daily Mail revealed this week that Home Secretary Amber Rudd has warned Mrs May it is inevitable that the government will lose a Commons vote on the issue this year unless it backs down.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, who has lobbied the Prime Minister to change course, seized on the revelation yesterday, saying: Including students in the figure is distortive, counterproductive and sends out entirely the wrong signals. I hope this change happens soon.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Business Secretary Greg Clark are also privately urging Mrs May to give way.

Ministers were braced for defeat on the issue last year after an amendment to the Higher Education Bill was passed by the Lords.

The bid was killed off by the snap election. But, with Mrs May having lost her Commons majority, ministers fear there is no prospect of avoiding defeat now if a similar amendment is tabled to the Immigration Bill expected this year.

Downing Street yesterday said the Prime Minister remains opposed to any change. Mrs Mays official spokesman told reporters: The position of the Prime Minister on this is clear. The international definition of an immigrant is someone who arrives for more than 12 months. That is the position of the government.

A Whitehall source said that the governments drive to bring immigration levels down would not be affected even if ministers are eventually forced to remove foreign students from the official figures, as Mrs May considers the issue a matter of trust.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson had lobbied for students to be excluded, saying adding them 'sends out entirely the wrong signals'

The source said the number of foreign students would still be counted and would continue to be used to inform efforts to drive net immigration down to below 100,000 a year.

It would not be in keeping with the spirit of the manifesto to keep the target but take students out of it, the source said.

Mrs May has battled for years to prevent foreign students being removed from the immigration figures, warning that voters would see it as fiddling the figures.

As Home Secretary she also argued it was vital to keep them in would maintain the pressure on universities and colleges to root out bogus students

Her tough stance will dismay those hoping for a change in the governments approach to immigration.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: Removing international students from net migration figures is an important step in ensuring the UK looks like a welcoming option for students from around the world.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: Its about time the Government dropped this completely self-harming approach.President Donald Trump fired off a warning tweet to North Korea Tuesday night, taunting leader Kim Jong Un who said in his New Year speech that Americans should be aware he has a 'button' for nuclear weapons.

Trump warned the hermit country: 'North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un just stated that the ''Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.'' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!'

The threat came after an annual speech given by Kim, in which he cautioned: 'The U.S. should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table.'

Kim warned America that it can 'never start a war against me and our country' and insisted his nukes are now a reality, not a threat.

Despite the ongoing war of words, Pyongyang this morning revealed it will reopen a hotline with South Korea to discuss attending the Winter Olympics.

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President Trump shot a warning to North Korea's Kim Jong-Un about the power of the United States' nuclear weapons capabilities

President Trump fired off a warning shot at the hermit nation's leader that he has a 'Nuclear Button' more powerful than Kim's

In his annual New Year speech, Kim Jong Un warned America that he has a 'button' for nuclear weapons

This photo taken on November 29, 2017 and released on November 30, 2017 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows the launch of the Hwasong-15 missile which is capable of reaching all parts of the US

The hotline, which was cut by the North in 2016, is to be restored this morning after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the North's leader ahead of next month's Pyeongchang Games.

The dictator's overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone, as tensions over its banned weapons programme have surged in recent months following a flurry of missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet.

Meanwhile the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned North Korea on Tuesday against staging another missile test and said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not do something to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.

Haley told reporters the United States was hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing to fire another missile.

'I hope that doesn't happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the North Korean regime,' Haley said.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were indications that could point towards a potential missile launch 'sooner rather than later,' but cautioned that such signs had been seen in the past and no test had resulted.

North Korea announced it would reopen a long-closed border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday.

The North's unscheduled statement, read out on state television, came a day after Seoul proposed high-level discussions amid a tense stand-off over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes.

That followed Kim's New Year's address, in which he said he was open to speaking with Seoul and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held just across the border in Pyeongchang in February.

Kim gave the order to reopen the border hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom at 0630 GMT (1.30am ET) on Wednesday, said North Korean official Ri Son Gwon.

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of Kaesong, a border factory town that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.

'Detailed orders were given regarding setting up working measures with the South Korean government that should be taken up with a serious and sincere stance,' said Ri, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, which deals with issues relating to South Korea.

Visitors stand near the military wire fence at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Monday, January 1. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Monday the United States should be aware that his country's nuclear forces are now a reality, not a threat

The talks would aim to establish formal dialogue about sending a North Korean delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Ri said.

An official from South Korea's unification ministry told Reuters they were ready to speak with North Korean officials once the hotline was opened. Government officials check the hotline, a telephone line at the border, twice every day in the morning and afternoon.

South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said North Korea's decision to open the hotline had 'significant meaning' because it could lead to constant communication between the two Koreas.

While appearing to open the door to discussing taking part in the Winter Olympics - which would be the first direct negotiations in more than two years - Kim also sternly warned that he would push ahead with 'mass producing' nuclear warheads in defiance of U.N. sanctions.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said North Korea might be 'trying to drive a wedge of some sort' between the United States and South Korea and added that while it was up to Seoul to decide who it talked to: 'We are very skeptical of Kim Jong-Un's sincerity in sitting down and having talks.'

Trump, who has led a global drive to pressure North Korea through sanctions to give up development of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States, earlier held back judgment on Pyongyang's offer to talk, saying on Twitter: 'Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time.

'Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!'

Trump has frequently derided Kim as 'rocket man.' The U.S. president said sanctions and other pressures were starting to have a big impact on North Korea.

Kim and Trump have exchanged fiery barbs in the last year and the U.S. president has warned that the United States would have no choice but to 'totally destroy' North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy the United States, South Korea and Japan and tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile in November, which it said was capable of delivering a warhead anywhere in the United States.

A visitor uses binoculars to see the North Korea side from the unification observatory in Paju, South Korea on Monday

South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said the offer for high-level talks next Tuesday had been discussed with the United States. Nauert said she was not aware if the matter had been discussed in advance of the South Korean response.

Cho suggested the talks be held at the border village of Panmunjom and said they should be focused on North Korea's participation at the Olympics, but other issues would likely arise, including the denuclearisation of North Korea.

'I repeat: The government is open to talking with North Korea, regardless of time, location and form,' Cho said.

Should the talks be held, it would be the first such dialogue since a vice-ministerial meeting in December 2015.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed Kim's New Year address and asked his government to move as quickly as possible to bring North Korea to the Olympics, but he stressed that an improvement in inter-Korean relations 'cannot go separately with resolving North Korea's nuclear programme'.

China, which has persistently urged a return to talks to ease tensions, said recent positive comments from North and South Korea were a good thing.

'China welcomes and supports North Korea and South Korea taking earnest efforts to treat this as an opportunity to improve mutual relations, promote the alleviation of the situation on the Korean peninsula and realize denuclearisation on the peninsula,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.Shocking new footage has emerged of the moment a 15-year-old boy dressed in camouflage was Tasered by police after allegedly attempting to mow down pedestrians during a terrifying car rampage in the heart of Melbourne.

The teenager is accused of driving a green Toyota RAV4 through the city's busy streets and attempting to plough into bystanders on AFL Grand Final day last year.

Heroic witnesses stepped in, with one throwing a rental bike at the vehicle, before police arrived and gang tackled the boy to the ground.

The dramatic footage shows police surround the teenager, before one officer pulls out his Taser gun and fires.

Another officer is seen using his baton to strike the boy, who was wearing military fatigues and allegedly carrying a knife.

Shocking new footage has emerged of the moment a 15-year-old boy dressed in camouflage was Tasered by police

Footage shows police surround the teenager, before one officer pulls out his Taser and fires

CCTV footage was played in court on Tuesday, shortly before the alleged driver was granted bail.

That video shows the four-wheel drive reversing and doing a dramatic spin before screeching to a stop at an intersection.

A man can then be seen running toward the back of the car with a yellow shared-bicycle and trying to use it to block the vehicle.

The man throws the oBike, and when it lands short he picks it up again and jams it under the rear tires.

He then smashes one of the front windows with his elbow at the same time another man is trying to stop the driver on the other side of the car.

During the hearing, police revealed the teenager had allegedly made a number of disturbing internet searches in the lead-up to the rampage, the Herald Sun reported.

CCTV footage was played in court on Tuesday, shortly before the alleged driver was granted bail

A 15-year-old allegedly drove a dark green SUV (pictured) erratically down several city streets at speed before heroic bystanders stepped in and police arrived

Police claim the teenager searched for 'died city' and 'Melbourne', took Google Maps snapshots of police stations, gun shops and Defence Force bases.

The 15-year-old allegedly had 21,000 images showing guns, rocket launchers, hand grenades and body armour on his tablet computer.

He is facing two attempted murder charges, six of reckless conduct endangering life, and two of assaulting an emergency service member.

During the Children's Court hearing on Tuesday the judge granted bail under strict conditions as she was satisfied he would not be a risk to public safety.

The teenager has been ordered not to leave home without his father or sister, and abide by a two-week management plan.

Police claim the teenager searched for 'died city' and 'Melbourne', took Google Maps snapshots of police stations, gun shops and Defence Force bases

The court heard the teenager is obsessed with the military, trucks and cars, and has a disability.

Victoria's youth affairs minister has defended the state's juvenile bail laws after the boy was released from custody.

'We have made very significant reforms to the bail system. Of course, decisions are made by the judiciary in relation to particular individuals,' Minister Jenny Mikakos said on Wednesday.

The teenager will reappear in court on January 31 for a progress report.

During the hearing police revealed the teenager had allegedly made a number of disturbing internet searches in the lead-up to the rampage (pictured is the scene)A five-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the face with a rifle by a friend on a farm in southern Queensland.

The boy was rushed to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane after the shooting about 4pm on Tuesday.

He was in a critical but stable condition with non-life threatening injuries on Wednesday, the hospital said.

A five-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the face with a rifle by a friend on a farm in on Granite Belt Drive (pictured) in Cottonvale in southern Queensland

Police wouldn't confirm details but said the shooting at a farm on Granite Belt Drive in Cottonvale, on the Queensland and NSW border, was an accident.

The gun involved was a rifle and the two boys were known to each other but not related, according to the Warwick Daily News.

It was not clear how the children got hold of the gun, and a police child protection unit was dispatched to investigate.

Police said the accident was a reminded for gun owners to keep their guns locked up and secured.Advertisement

These pictures captured the stunning moment two tigers lashed out at each other in a battle for territory.

Dust can be seen flying from the ground as the pair leapt into the air to fight just after sunset at Tiger Canyons reserve in Philippolis, South Africa.

One of the two female tigers had stirred up trouble by entering the other's territory before they battled for five minutes.

These pictures captured the stunning moment two tigers lashed out at each other in a battle for territory in South Africa

Dust can be seen flying from the ground as the pair leapt into the air to fight just after sunset at Tiger Canyons reserve

Photographer Marion Vollborn captured the fight, which was eventually won by the tiger defending her territory.

Mrs Vollborn, of Burscheid in Germany, said: 'They were fighting for five minutes, the older tiger won and the younger one had to leave the territory.

'It was a very loud fight, it was exciting to witness them both fighting. It was incredible, the noises and swirling dust was all very impressive.'

Mrs Vollborn added: 'Neither of the tigers were hurt after the fight.'

Photographer Marion Vollborn captured the fight, which was eventually won by the tiger defending her territory

Mrs Vollborn said: 'They were fighting for five minutes, the older tiger won and the younger one had to leave the territory'

The two tigers engaged in a ferocious battle and lashed out with their paws at one another in a battle over territory

'It was a very loud fight, it was exciting to witness them both fighting. It was incredible, the noises and swirling dust was all very impressive,' the photographer said

Mrs Vollborn added that neither of the tigers were hurt after the fight, which occurred just after sunsetThe 'glitter boobs' woman who was filmed attacking a man who groped her at a music festival vows to go topless again.

Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller, 20, was wearing a sprinkling of glitter covering her exposed breasts and a tiny skirt when she was groped by a fellow reveller at the Rhythm & Vines festival in Gisborne, New Zealand.

Ms Annello-Kitzmiller shared a video to Facebook on Wednesday explaining that she wanted to normalise the naked body.

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Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller, 20, (pictured right with her friend Katie Ashworth) was wearing a sprinkling of glitter on her breasts and a tiny skirt

Ms Anello-Kitzmiller(pictured) said in a video on Wednesday that she would go topless again despite being groped by a man at a festival in New Zealand

'My lack of clothing is not the problem, the problem is people thinking they have the right to touch my body without consent,' she said.

'My breasts are not sex toys, they are not an invitation.'

The American-born woman was filmed walking next to her friend Kiri-Ann Hatfield when a man crept behind her and groped her breast - which led to the pair marching up behind him and launching their own counter attack.

The astonishing clip, taken by Giann Reece, shows the pair turn in unison and follow the man back to his perch on the grass before throwing a drink in his face and punching him repeatedly.

'The problem is not the clothing, stop victim blaming,' the 20-year-old told the camera.

'Comments stating that I was asking for it ... are promoting rape culture.'

Ms Annello-Kitzmiller said in the six-minute video despite the incident with the man she had the 'best time of [her] life'.

'I personally love getting naked,' she said.

'The glitter t**s will be coming back.'

The American-born woman, pictured right with boyfriend Max Ashworth, was filmed walking next to her friend Kiri-Ann Hatfield when a man crept behind her and groped her breast

Footage of Ms Annello-Kitzmiller's (left) revenge assault went viral and she has since defended her controversial glittery outfit and the ensuing attack

Footage of Ms Annello-Kitzmiller's revenge attack went viral and she has since defended both her controversial revealing outfit and her reprisal attack.

'I stand by my actions and hope that I've inspired women to feel comfortable in their bodies, no matter how they look, and to stick up for themselves when anybody says otherwise or tries to deny you the right to protect your own body,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'He grabbed my breast. I hit him. There was a lot of built up anger coming from harassment throughout the day. This happens everywhere, not just New Zealand.'

Rhythm and Vines event manager Dan Turner told New Zealand Herald they were 'incredibly disappointed' by the 'harrassment'.

'We are incredibly aware of the issues that arise at music events, particularly in large crowds,' he said.

'We want our customers to enjoy themselves in a safe environment and be able to express themselves in a way that is in keeping with other international European festivals.'

The Auckland-based woman said she and her boyfriend's sister Katie Ashworth had their chests painted at a stall and were disgusted that people thought their outfits were an invitation for abuse.

She was walking next to her friend Kiri-Ann Hatfield (pictured) when a man crept behind her and groped her breast

Revellers at the Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne, on New Zealand's North Island, watched on as a male attendee (pictured left and right in blue) crept behind and groped a woman (left and right) wearing only glitter on her breasts

Even while wearing a sheer t-shirt the previous day she said she was abused by both male and even female festival attendees.

Despite the groping incident, Ms Annello-Kitzmiller did not cover up her breasts and continued to enjoy the New Year's Eve event until 6am on January 1.

'In the end, we are all born naked, and each human is uniquely similar to the next in that we all have a naked body. You don't look at yourself in the shower and say 'ew, disgusting' right?' she said.

'So why should anybody say that to anybody else? A humans body is their own, and nobody has a right to touch you without your consent, regardless of what they're wearing or the lack thereof.'

Footage of the incident was shared online and has since garnered thousands of views and a divided opinion on who was in the wrong (Pictured is a shot of the music festival)

The incident was filmed at New Year's Eve music festival Rhythm & Vines (revellers at the festival pictured)

Comments like 'she way asking for it' are promoting rape culture in that people see that and hear justification and violating a humans respect and right to feel safe in their own skin.'

Ms Annelle-Kitzmiller also said she has been groped in the past even without wearing a skin-baring outfit.

'Regardless, a couple months ago I was groped in the same way while I was fully clothed so the argument is a moot point anyway.'

The woman's boyfriend Max Ashworth defended her decision to slap her attacker - telling commenters on Facebook he was 'proud' of his partner.

'What the f*** happened to treating people with love and respect? I'm so disappointed that people are still so ignorant here,' he said.

The iconic New Year's Eve Rhythm and Vines festival saw some 20,000 people descend on Waiohika Estate for the three-day event (Pictured are attendees)

'Madeline you are a bad ass and I'm so proud of you for sticking up for yourself, you are an inspiration to so many people, keep doing what you do.

'P.S she didn't let that ruin our night we literally danced til sunrise and had the best night ever despite everything.'

The now-deleted footage was was shared online and garnered thousands of views and a divided opinion on Ms Annello-Kitzmiller's outfit.

'Well that's what she gets when she wears something like that,' one man wrote.

'Well... when you are walking around naked you're kinda throwing out a kinda vibe to sort of expect that,' another man said.

The vast majority of support for the topless women came from female commenters.

'Don't get how this is any different to groping a girl in a bikini at the beach- still wrong,' one woman said.

'Good on her! No one has the right to touch you without consent! Naked or not! Learn some manners.'

The iconic New Year's Eve Rhythm and Vines festival saw some 20,000 people descend on Waiohika Estate for the three-day event.

Even New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made an appearance at the sold-out camping festival.The Real T Rex (BBC2)

Rating:

The Greatest TV Moments Of All Time (ITV)

Rating:

Wildlife fanatic Chris Packham is known for his trio of big obsessions: animals, science and guitar rock. One creature embodies them all . . . Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Head-banging in his car as he motored to a fossil dig in Montana, USA, Chris looked like a man who had won the lottery and the pools on the same day in The Real T. Rex (BBC2).

Marc Bolan's T. Rex were on the stereo, thrashing out 20th Century Boy. The bones of a newly-unearthed tyrannosaurus were waiting for him at a place called Hell Creek and dino-scientists were queuing up to update him on their discoveries.

All that excitement couldn't fail to translate into a documentary that fizzed with energy. Even if you thought you'd long grown out of dinosaurs, this was as much fun as watching Jurassic Park for the first time with a barrel of popcorn.

Wildlife fanatic Chris Packham is known for his trio of big obsessions: animals, science and guitar rock. One creature embodies them all . . . Tyrannosaurus Rex

Chris convincingly portrayed the T. Rex as a real animal, by comparing it to an assortment of modern birds and reptiles. A white-backed vulture ripped flesh from a rack of bones that he gleefully held out, to demonstrate how Rexie fed.

Lassoing an alligator and thrusting a bite-o-meter between its jaws, he explained that T. Rex could crush bones with four times the force of today's biggest crocs. To prove his point, he placed a cow's skull under a hydraulic hammer in a lab. Nothing but bone-dust remained.

Each fact was neatly explained. Children used to be taught that the tyrannosaurus walked upright  think of Rex the cowardly dinosaur in Toy Story. Chris showed that, in fact, they stooped forward, tail out and jaws to the ground.

To illustrate what he meant, he produced film of a chicken with a sink plunger glued to its rear end, forcing it to lean forward for balance. That's how you make science memorable.

Schedule of the week Crime thriller McMafia (BBC1) starring James Norton started on Monday, continued one day later and now switches to Sundays. That's as complicated as a Cayman Islands money-laundering scheme. Advertisement

More contentiously, he claimed that T. Rex lived and probably hunted in packs. No doubt some outraged paleontologists would duel to the death before they agreed with that notion.

But, once again, Chris had strong and simple evidence  scars on the fossils that could only have been inflicted by other T. Rexes, perhaps during battles for mating rights.

He saved his favourite question for last: what colour was this dinosaur? Taking hints from pigments discovered using electron microscopes, and comparing the plumage of raptors such as owls and hawks, Chris guessed that it was black and brown, with orange highlights.

Chris Packham with the Tristan specimen in the Natural History Museum in Berlin

That sounds a good guess. But surely it was wishful thinking to propose T. Rex had a mane . . . especially one that looked suspiciously like the presenter's own punkish quiff.

The guesses were wilder and more random in The Greatest TV Moments Of All Time (ITV), a rundown of memorable clips from the past 50 years that might as well have been dubbed A Couple Of Dozen Things That Came To Mind During A 'Research Meeting' Down The Dog And Duck.

True enough, we all remember the elephant in the Blue Peter studio and Monty Python's dead parrot sketch. But they could just as easily have been replaced with John Noakes's epic climb up Nelson's Column, and John Cleese thrashing his car with a branch in Fawlty Towers.

Some of the selections, such as a mildly funny bit from The Vicar Of Dibley, must have been chosen by people who don't watch much telly.

Where was Bob Geldof's 'Give us the money NOW' rant from Live Aid? Or Father Ted kicking a bishop up the backside? Or . . . oh, don't get me started.The same model of seaplane which crashed in Australia has been involved in 17 fatal smashes in the past decade.

Five British tourists and the pilot died on New Years Eve in a 55-year-old De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, taking the toll to 48 deaths.

The plane is thought to have nose-dived into a river near Sydney after it took a steep turn to the right at low altitude.

The same type of seaplane has been involved in a total of 17 crashes resulting 48 fatalities

Police believe 58-year-old Richard Cousins, the retiring chief executive of the 25 billion Compass catering firm, his sons Will, 25, and Edward, 23; his fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, her 11-year-old daughter Heather and pilot Gareth Morgan, 44, died almost instantly when the plane hit the water.

The same model of aircraft that was chartered by the family, from Tooting in south-west London, has been involved in a total of 17 crashes in the past ten years, aviation figures show.

A similar seaplane crashed in Canada in August 2015 after stalling during a steep turn.

In that incident, Fiona Hewitt, 52, her husband Richard, 50, and children Harry, 14 and Felicity, 17, all from Milton Keynes, died, along with another passenger and the pilot.

Emma Bowden was one of the six passengers who died when the plane crashed in river north of Sydney

Australian investigators are trying to establish if the latest crash was caused by the single-engine seaplane stalling after banking too steeply.

Analysis of crash data from around the world shows that 11 of the crashes involving the same type of seaplane in the past ten years took place in Canada, killing 32.

Four took place in the US, killing eight and one person died in a crash in Iceland.

The last fatal crash in Australia involving a DHC-2 Beaver took place in 1994 when the pilot died as he was spreading fertiliser over farmland.

Ms. Bowden's 11-year-old daughter Heather was also among the dead in the New Year's Eve tragedy

In the worst previous incident over the past decade, six died  including a baby  when a plane came down in Lyall Harbour in Canada. The pilot and a female passenger survived.

Four months ago, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada raised concerns about the same type of aircraft stalling in mid-air. It called for all commercial DHC-2s in Canada to be fitted with a stall warning alarm as a last line of defence.

It is not clear if the Australian plane which crashed at 3.10pm on Sunday in the Hawkesbury River had such a system.

Aviation expert David Learmount said a pilot of Mr Morgans experience would not have stalled unless something has gone very wrong.

Police believe 58-year-old Richard Cousins (pictured), the retiring chief executive of the 25 billion Compass catering firm, died almost instantly when the plane hit the water

He said: It may well have banked too steeply, but Id want to know why this happened, because experienced pilots dont perform such a manoeuvre at such a low altitude.

In the Canadian crash in 2015, the aircraft stalled in a steep turn and hit a rocky outcrop, killing the Hewitt family, who were on a tour of Quebec.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said all incidents involving the same model of plane would be looked into as part of its investigation.

Mr Cousins and Miss Bowden were planning to marry in July. He lost his wife Caroline to cancer two and a half years ago.

Ian Thorpe, the brother of Mr Cousins first wife, said: It is with such cruel irony that Richards brothers will be planning funerals for five instead of looking forward to a summer wedding.Three people who were among a group of nine rushed to hospital after a suspected mass drug overdose have returned home, as three of their friends fight for their lives.

A total of nine people were found unconscious at a home in Perth about midnight on Tuesday, the group were 'rolling around' on the floor when paramedics arrived.

It's understood the nine victims, two women and seven men, are all aged in their 20s and are believed to be foreigners currently backpacking or studying in Australia.

Less than 24 hours after their shocking near death experience three of the travellers returned to their accommodation wearing hospital gowns and smiles on their faces, as three others remain in comas in Royal Perth Hospital.

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A backpacker involved a suspected mass drug overdose has returned home (pictured) with a smile on his face, despite having three of his friends fighting for their lives in hospital

A total of nine people were found unconscious at a home in Perth about midnight on Tuesday. When paramedics arrived at the home members of the group were 'rolling around' on the floor

Ambulance officers who attended the scene told of their shock at finding the group in a zombie-like state, 'rolling around' on the ground of the home when they arrived.

Paramedics had to sedate all nine people at the home due to them 'punched' and 'kicking' at emergency services as they tried to help.

Of the nine three remain in ICU at Royal Perth Hospital, with their physician saying it was lucky any of them are alive.

'There were nine people at this location, three of whom are still in a critical condition in ICU,' a Royal Perth Hospital spokesperson said on Wednesday.

'They were brought to us in a state of agitated delirium, they were hallucinating, their hearts were racing. Several of them have had to be put in a medically induced coma.

'I need to emphasise how seriously unwell they are. It was lucky there was someone on scene who could call an ambulance, because their lives were in danger.

It's understood the nine victims, two women and seven men, are all aged in their 20s and are believed to be foreigners currently backpacking or studying in Australia

'It appears the patients didn't know where they were, they were rolling around on stretchers and at the scene as well.'

The spokesperson said doctors were yet to determine exactly what drug the group had allegedly taken, but said their symptoms were common with many substances.

'We don't know the drug involved at this stage so we don't really want to speculate any further at this point,' the spokesperson said.

That cluster of systems is quite common to a lot of illicit drugs. There are many synthetic drugs now... and we don't really know much about them.'

Neighbours who watched on as the group was helped from the house described the chaotic scenes as 'really, really scary.'

'They were all coming past in a line, it was so scary and they had glassed eyes and they were like in a different world, it was so scary to look at a lot of them were having seizures,' Sophie Barnet told the ABC.

Emergency services were called to the home in Perth just before midnight on Tuesday, finding a group of seriously ill people in different states of unconsciousness

Doctors have not yet determined which drug the group had taken, but said they were acting as though they didn't know where they were when paramedics arrived

The house also has a large pool in the backyard

'There was one guy that was really violent on the stretcher, he was like punching the air and everything.'

Another local resident described the house as a backpacker's 'bed and breakfast', and said the victims were acting in an almost zombie-like state.

'It was just absolutely crazy. People just started coming out in stretchers, most of them were in like an unconscious state, but one of them was kicking and having almost like a spasm.'

Three men were taken from the house on Colombo Street in Victoria Park to Royal Perth Hospital, with two in critical condition and one serious.

Two men and a woman were taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital and their conditions are currently unknown.

The other three effected, two men and a woman, were rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where two remain in intensive care.

A neighbour told the ABC the house was like a backpackers 'bed and breaskast'

The large wood-finished home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a battle-axe driveway that leads to off-street parking

Police have seized substances from the home and Organised Crime have been notified of the presence of drugs.

The large wood-finished home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a battle-axe driveway that leads to off-street parking.

The house also has a large pool in the backyard.Police are investigating a Twitter fraudster who masqueraded as Coronation Street actor Derek Griffiths and conned fans into handing over cash in fake charity auctions.

The fraudster auctioned off meals with the TV star, vowing the funds raised would be going to autism and dementia charities.

Victims of the scam included Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness, who said he bid 600 for dinner with 71-year-old Mr Griffiths.

Police are investigating a Twitter fraudster who masqueraded as Coronation Street actor Derek Griffiths (pictured)

The Twitter account had directed fans of Mr Griffiths to a JustGiving page, according to the Sun Online.

'Turns out this sack of s*** has been scamming money off people under the guise of charity for a long time,' Mr McGuinness told his followers.

'Next stop for me is @gmpolice to report this scum bag.'

In September, he had tweeted his delight after winning the auction.

Victims of the scam included Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness, who said he bid 600 for dinner with 71-year-old Mr Griffiths

Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness said he would be reporting the scam to Manchester Police

'I've only gone and got myself dinner with @DerekGriffiths I id on eBay, all money to Autism charities, everyone's a winner #Legend.'

Duncan Young, a 50-year-old timber window firm manager from St Albans, Hertfordshire, said he was also taken in by the scam and had given 270.

'The Twitter account was blue tick verified and had 24,000 followers, so looked like the real deal,' he told the Sun.

'I know of about 15 other people who also gave money.'

He said he had reported it to the City of London police.A jail was set on fire with toilet paper and mattresses after up to 120 inmates started a riot when a prisoner refused to leave his cell.

South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra, NSW, was put in lockdown as guards stormed the maximum-security wing and fired tear gas.

An inmate who would't leave his cell sparked the riot about 9.30am on Wednesday and other prisoners soon got involved, setting five cells on fire.

A jail was set on fire with toilet paper and mattresses after at least 300 inmates started a riot when a prisoner refused to leave his cell

'Immediate action team officers were forced to deploy gas in order to safely remove all inmates from the area,' Corrective Services NSW said.

'About the same time, two other inmates climbed on to an awning of an internal building and came back down shortly after without instruction.

'The maximum-security wing has now been placed in lock-down with all inmates secured in their cells.'

Firefighters, police, and ambulances rushed to the jail to put out the fire and help anyone hurt, though no injures were yet reported.Thousands of grammar places have been created in the past seven years despite a ban on setting up selective schools.

Official figures suggest families are so keen to get their child into a grammar that many schools have bowed to pressure and expanded their intakes.

The 7,600 extra places  at a rate of more than 1,000 a year  add up to the equivalent of 11 typical grammar schools.

Girls at Colchester County High School for Girls in Essex celebrate their A-level results. The school has seen a substantial rise in pupil numbers in recent years

The number of pupils aged 11-15 in grammars has gone from 110,600 in 2010 to 118,200 now  a rise of 7 per cent.

This is despite the number of children in areas with such schools falling by 2.5 per cent.

If the trend continues, by 2020-21 there will be a further 6,900 pupils. Compiled by the BBC from Department for Education data, the figures follow Theresa May's decision to abandon her dream of creating a new wave of grammars.

She had wanted to overturn a ban on new selective schools imposed under Tony Blair in 1998. But this plan was mothballed when she lost her Commons majority.

In a speech last year the PM insisted she would still encourage good grammar schools to expand because they are 'popular with parents'.

In Gloucestershire, every grammar has added extra places since 2010, even though there has not been an increase in 11-year-olds.

Ruth Cornish, a local mother, told the BBC: 'I do think it's harder for children to get good results, to get to university, get a good job.

'So anything we can do to help them seems to me a no-brainer. It's a consumer society  parental demand is there and children want to go.'

The figures follow Theresa May's decision to abandon her dream of creating a new wave of grammars

One of the schools that has expanded the most is Stratford Girls' Grammar in Warwickshire, where pupil numbers increased by 50 per cent.

Bourne Grammar in Lincolnshire also saw numbers increase by half while at Newport Girls' High School in Shropshire they rose by 42 per cent.

At Alcester Grammar in Warwickshire the intake surged by 38 per cent and by 37 per cent at Boston Grammar in Lincolnshire.

Others seeing substantial rises included Burnham Grammar in Buckinghamshire, Tiffin Girls' in Kingston upon Thames, Queen Mary's Grammar in Walsall, Colchester County High School for Girls in Essex and Invicta Grammar in Kent.

There was also a rise of over 20 per cent at the Weald of Kent Grammar, which in 2015 was given permission to create a sister campus several miles away to accommodate demand.

Some grammar heads told the BBC they had also taken extra pupils to create 'economies of scale' to plug funding shortages.

Clive Sentance, principal of Alcester Grammar, said it had been expanding its intake over the past few years from 450 to 750 students partly to make ends meet. Grammar schools are state secondary schools that select their pupils by means of an exam taken by children at age 11.

There are 163 in England, out of some 3,000 state secondaries, and a further 67 in Northern Ireland.

There are no state grammars in Wales or Scotland.

Mrs May, who attended a grammar herself, says she hopes the schools will continue to change their admissions policies to prioritise poorer pupils who would benefit from an academic education.An Islamic undertaker from western Sydney has made a bizarre video warning Muslims about the evils of celebrating New Year's Eve - as he wheeled a dead body into a fridge.

Ahmad Hraichie, a funeral director with the Lebanese Muslim Association, spent the last day of 2017 ranting against Muslims who disobeyed their faith by drinking alcohol or having sex outside of marriage.

'This is where we are all going to spend to spend our New Year's party if we die on New Year's Eve  in a fridge, in a fridge where the brothers and sisters have now have probably got their drinks all in the fridges and their snacks,' he said.

Rookwood Cemetery undertaker Ahmad Hraichie ranted about Muslims having sex outside of marriage as he put a dead body into a fridge

'We're going to put our brother in the fridge.

'That could have been me. That could have been you. That could have been anybody. I say this with my heart: this brother was alive now he's not.

'I could be next, you could be next.'

Attending to a dead body in a funeral parlour near Sydney's Rookwood Cemetery, Mr Hraichie railed against Muslims who had sex outside of marriage with another Muslim.

'Beware of what youse do tonight. Anyone who's going to do anything that goes against our religion of Islam  drinking, fornication, Zina  look at this man and this is an example Allah has given us.

The Muslim undertaker warned Muslims against the evils of celebrating New Year's Eve

Ahmad Hraichie denounced Muslims who drank alcohol or had sex as he wheeled a dead body

'Stop it. Stop it before it's too late.'

He also called on Muslims to avoid celebrating New Year's Eve with non-believers who drank alcohol.

'Any other day is alright but not tonight because tonight we know what goes on.'

Mr Hraichie told Daily Mail Australia he made the video to remind Muslim youths to 'uphold their faith' and enjoy the fireworks away from the party temptations.

'Like all true Christians or Jews who abstain from sex before marriage and drinking alcohol, it's a reminder to stay steadfast in life and honest and true no matter what religion you are,' he said on Wednesday.

'My point is to our youth who lose their ways when they go all crazy partying.

'What begins with one drink ends up with drink driving and all other problems.'

He slammed the Muslim fundamentalist Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Association, which has called for Muslims to avoid non-Muslim activities altogether, adding he had no problem with Christmas decorations or New Year's Eve fireworks.

'They are extreme and there is no place for extremist clowns in Australians society,' he said. 'Everyone is entitled to worship what they want.

'I actually enjoy seeing houses decorated and the holiday season.

'Nothing wrong with fireworks. I actually watched them from the TV. Best view.'

In November, Mr Hraichie filmed a message of forgiveness from the father of a nine-old- boy, who was killed when a four-wheel drive crashed into his classroom at Greenacre, in Sydney's west.

Mr Hraichie drove the hearse carrying the body of Jihad Darwiche - one of two boys who was killed when a Toyota Kluger was accidentally accelerated at Banksia Road Primary School in Greenacre.

Amad Hraichie drove the Ford Ltd hearse containing the late Jihad Darwiche, who was only 9

During the trip in the hearse, he videoed a conversation with Jihad's grieving father, Raed, agreeing that forgiveness was 'the way a proper Muslim acts in a time of calamity and tribulation'.

Mr Hraichie's estranged 20-year-old son Bourhan, an Islamic State sympathiser, clearly didn't get the message, as he serves time inside Goulburn Supermax, Australia's highest-security prison.

During his initial sentence at Kempsey prison, Bourhan was charged with carving the Islamic State slogan 'e4e', or 'an eye for an eye', into a fellow inmate's forehead in April 2016.

Bourhan also threatened to behead New South Wales prisons boss Peter Severin.

During his career Ahmad Hraichie has buried underworld figures.

He grew up in Penshurst, in Sydney's south, alongside many men who eventually turned to a life of crime, including ex-Comanchero bikie boss Mick Hawi.Prince Harry shared a joke with a heroic amputee Royal Marine, ahead of the ex-serviceman's record breaking attempt to row solo across the Atlantic.

Lee Spencer, who survived 24 years as a Marine and three tours of Afghanistan only to lose his right leg while helping a traffic accident sat down for a cup-of-tea with the recently engaged Harry.

Discussing Spencer's final preparations in becoming the world's first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from Europe to South America, the Royal quipped: 'At least you won't have to make conversation.'

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Prince Harry shared a joke with a heroic amputee Royal Marine Lee Spencer, ahead of the ex-serviceman's record breaking attempt to row solo across the Atlantic

Spencer, dubbed 'The Rowing Marine' is setting off from Gibraltar on January 18 in nothing but a 7-meter rowing boat, and attempting to row solo and unsupported 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

This double Guinness world record is setting a new world record and also attempting to beat the current able bodied record of 96 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes.

The Royal Marine is on a personal mission to challenge the perceptions around disabilities. Spencer, who lives in Tavistock, Devon lost his right leg when he stopped to help a motorist on the M3 in Surrey in 2014.

He was hit by flying debris as he made his way to the stricken vehicle and his right leg was severed in the impact.

Lee Spencer, who survived 24 years as a Marine and three tours of Afghanistan only to lose his right leg while helping a traffic accident sat down for a cup-of-tea with the recently engaged Harry

Discussing Spencer's final preparations in becoming the world's first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from Europe to South America, the Royal quipped: 'At least you won't have to make conversation.'

Upon meeting Prince Harry, Lee commented: 'Prince Harry's support and the work he and the Endeavour Fund do has made a very big difference to many people's lives and in a very real way.

'When you meet him you feel an overwhelming sense of fellowship and I particularly respect the fact he has kept and will continue to keep wounded and injured servicemen and women in the nations conscience and that he genuinely cares.

'I am extremely proud to be able to raise awareness of the Endeavour Fund and the work they do in supporting the recovery of servicemen and women.

'I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to share the details and reasons why I am doing my challenge with Prince Harry directly.

Spencer, dubbed 'The Rowing Marine' is setting off from Gibraltar on January 18 in nothing but a 7-meter rowing boat, and attempting to row solo and unsupported 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean

During the feat which will demand extraordinary physical and mental endurance, the former soldier will battle 30 foot waves and 3,500 miles of unpredictable ocean in nothing more than a 7 metre long ocean rowing boat

'It has made me incredibly proud and determined and I will carry with me his words of support across every one of the 3,500 Atlantic ocean miles I am about to face.'

He added: 'I don't believe anyone should be defined by something they can't do or their limitations. It's about rediscovering who you are, not redefining who you are and being labelled.

'I hope I am able to inspire all those who seek to rediscover themselves and raise awareness and funds for two very worthy charities who have supported and inspired me'.

During the feat which will demand extraordinary physical and mental endurance, the former soldier will battle 30 foot waves and 3,500 miles of unpredictable ocean in nothing more than a 7 metre long ocean rowing boat.

Suffering from sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue, sea-sickness, fear and solitude he will be out of helicopter range and totally unsupported on the water.Google has moved more than 14 billion into a tax haven in a controversial bid to slash its bills.

The internet search giant funnelled the cash through low-tax European countries and then into Bermuda, in a switch thought to have saved it 2.7 billion in 2016.

It is the latest example of the firm using complex arrangements to shield itself from tax.

The search engine giant funnelled the cash through low-tax European countries and then into Bermuda, in a switch thought to have saved it 2.7 billion

Last night Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said the move was galling and a campaign group said it showed international tax rules were deeply flawed.

It was revealed yesterday after filings with regulators in the Netherlands were published.

To reduce its bills, Google books most of its international advertising revenues  including those from the UK  in low-tax Ireland.

It then passes this on to a company in the Netherlands, where there are also generous tax laws, in a strategy known as the Double Irish with Dutch Sandwich.

From there the money is sent to Bermuda, where the corporate tax rate is zero.

The firm used the same technique in 2015, though the amount it had saved in 2016  the most recent accounts available  was 7per cent higher, according to Bloomberg.

Major tax reforms recently passed in the US are also likely to mean it can more easily repatriate its 45bn overseas cash pile.

It will be allowed to do so by paying a one-off 15.5 per cent rate on the stash, under changes pushed for by President Donald Trump.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable branded Google's move galling and called for governments to collaborate to end its practices

A Google spokesman last night insisted the company paid all the taxes that were due.

But the company is under growing pressure to pay more tax, with bureaucrats in Brussels currently drawing up plans to squeeze more cash out of it and its rivals.

Technology companies are also under fire on a range of other issues, including their efforts to tackle content featuring extremism and abuse on their platforms.

On Sunday, UK security minister Ben Wallace said Google and its competitors needed to be more responsible or be prepared to face an onslaught of new taxes.

The tax loophole that allows companies to do the Double Irish was closed in 2015 but those using it still have until 2020 to change.

Sir Vince Cable, former business secretary and leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: This is just another example of a big internet company showing total disregard for national tax authorities.

Google says it pays of the taxes due and complies with the tax laws in every country we operate in around the world

It is beyond galling for small business owners and ordinary people who pay taxes but these technology giants consider themselves to be above national jurisdictions.

They can get away with it and will continue doing so until governments cooperate to tackle this issue.

In 2016, the UK Government was accused of agreeing a derisory 130 million tax deal with Google, which has made 6 billion in profits in the UK over the previous 10 years.

Alex Cobham, an economist and director of the Tax Justice Network, said: It is not clear whether the transactions underlying these practices are lawful tax avoidance because it has never been properly tested in court.

But clearly shifting enormous profits in this way is against the spirit of the law and demonstrates how completely broken the international tax system is.

What is interesting is that Google has been the poster boy for this kind of aggressive profit shifting but it does not seem to have cost them. I think the reason for that is many people do not buy things directly from them  most of their money is made in advertising.

A Google spokesman said last night: We pay all of the taxes due and comply with the tax laws in every country we operate in around the world.

We remain committed to helping grow the online ecosystem.

According to filings in the US, Alphabet, Googles parent company, paid an effective tax rate of 19pc  about 3.4 billion on profits of 14.3 billion.

Its rivals Facebook and Apple have also been accused of using similar tax arrangements to shave billions off their total bills as well.

Apple is thought to have the biggest offshore cash pile, at about 185 billion.Alaska Airlines had to cancel a flight out of California after a rat boarded one of its planes at Oakland International Airport.

The airline said that passengers were boarding the Portland, Oregon-bound flight on Tuesday morning when the rat jumped from the jet way on to the plane.

Passengers already on board came off, and the plane was taken out of service.

Alaska Airlines said that passengers were boarding the Portland, Oregon-bound flight in Oakland, California, on Tuesday morning when the rat jumped from the jet way on to the plane

Alaska Airlines says it will resume using the plane when a professional exterminator certifies it is rodent-free (file photo)

Most of the 110 passengers scheduled to take the flight were re-booked on a later flights to Portland.

'An Alaska Airlines aircraft departing Oakland International Airport was cancelled today due to reports of a mouse in the cockpit of the aircraft,' Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Keonnis Taylor said in an email to the Mercury News.

Taylor added: 'The flight's 110 passengers are being accommodated as appropriate by Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco and San Jose airports.'

While most passengers were able to get new flights on Tuesday, some had to wait until Wednesday to fly out.

Alaska Airlines says it will resume using the plane when a professional exterminator certifies it is rodent-free.

Most of the 110 passengers scheduled to take the flight were re-booked on a later flights to Portland. Some passengers had to wait until Wednesday to fly out

The aircraft will also be inspected for any damage.

Oakland woman Ginger Hintz was one of the passengers who had to reschedule plans because of the rat.

'I asked the captain, "If we took a vote and accepted the risk of flying with it could we still go?"' Hintz told Mercury News. 'The pilot said he didn't want it around his feet. Maybe he had a phobia?'

She said she was given a $12 food voucher from the airline and was booked a new flight out of SFO - across the Bay from Oakland - on Tuesday night.

She was given a $12 food voucher and a new flight out of SFO on Tuesday night.

Video footage obtained by CBS San Francisco showed the plane being towed away after it was deplaned.Kim Jong-un is reopening a hotline with South Korea after nearly two years as he forges ahead with peace overtures ahead of the Winter Olympics.

The hotline, cut by Pyongyang in 2016, was due to be restored this morning after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the North Korean dictator.

Kim's overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone, as tensions over its banned weapons programme have surged in recent months following a flurry of missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet.

Kim Jong-un is to reopen a hotline with South Korea after nearly two years as he forges ahead with peace overtures ahead of the Winter Olympics

The hotline, cut by Pyongyang in 2016, was due to be restored this morning after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the North Korean dictator

Seoul responded with an offer to hold talks on January 9 - the first since 2015 - to discuss 'matters of mutual interest' including Kim's suggestion that the reclusive nation could participate in the Pyeongchang Games.

But Kim's New Year address also included a warning to the US that he has a 'nuclear button' on his table, prompting a furious response from President Trump via Twitter.

'North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.'

'Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!' he said.

Trump's remarks came as his ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed Seoul's offer to hold talks, calling it a 'band-aid'.

US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert also warned that Kim 'may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the two nations -- between our nation and the Republic of Korea'.

Kim's overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone, as tensions over its banned weapons programme have surged in recent months following a flurry of missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet

Kim's New Year address also included a warning to the US that he has a 'nuclear button' on his table, prompting a furious response from President Trump via Twitter (above_

But the rapprochement seemed to be moving ahead on Wednesday, with Kim welcoming Seoul's support for his overtures, according to Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs.

The two countries, which are divided by a Demilitarized Zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, last held high-level talks in 2015 to try to ease tensions.

The hotline, located in the truce village of Panmunjom, remained operational until February 2016, with operators from both countries checking it twice a day.

The channel was shut down when relations deteriorated over a dispute involving the Kaesong industrial complex, which was jointly operated by both countries.

Seoul welcomed Pyongyang's decision to reopen the hotline as 'very significant', with chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan saying 'it creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times'.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In has long favoured engagement with the nuclear-armed North, but the Trump administration insists the regime must give up its weapons drive before any negotiations can take place.

Ambassador Haley told reporters that Washington could not take the talks seriously 'if they don't do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea'.

North Korea has shrugged off a raft of new sanctions and heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with its weapons program, which it says is for defence against US aggression.

Pyongyang claims it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from a hostile Washington and has striven to create a warhead capable of targeting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

Moon on Tuesday welcomed Kim's olive branch as a 'positive response' to Seoul's hopes that the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a 'groundbreaking opportunity for peace'.

But any rapprochement between the two countries will take place against a backdrop of suspicion, if not outright hostility, by Washington, with Trump and Kim exchanging angry insults since the US leader took office a year ago.

Trump has mocked Kim as 'fat' and a 'little rocket man.' Kim, for his part has described Trump as a 'mentally deranged US dotard.'A five-year-old boy was seriously injured after he fell off his bike and was run over by a reversing 4WD in a car park.

The boy suffered multiple severe lower limb injuries in the accident about 9.40am in the car park on Spit Road in Mosman on Sydney's north shore.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and he was airlifted to The Children's Hospital at Westmead in a serious but stable condition.

A five-year-old boy was seriously injured after he fell off his bike and was run over by a reversing 4WD in a car park

The boy suffered multiple severe lower limb injuries in the accident about 9.40am in the car park on Spit Road in Mosman on Sydney's north shore

The boy was suspected to have a broken pelvis and femur, ambulance NSW said.

A small blue blue bike with red handlebars and training wheels was pictured at the scene after the child fell.

The male driver was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests and police set up a crime scene to investigate.A hiker who miraculously survived five days lost in Victoria's rugged Grampians mountain range says he was 'really thirsty' when rescuers finally found him.

Julio 'Lester' Ascui left home to go bushwalking at Halls Gap on December 29 and his family had not had any contact with him since.

A relative of the hiker said watching television adventurer Bear Grylls helped him survive in the wilderness.

More than 50 police officers and searchers ramped up the hunt for Mr Ascui on Wednesday morning, with his family joining them in a bid to find him.

He was found alive in Halls Gap just before lunchtime on Wednesday and was asked how he felt when rescuers made contact.

'Amazing... But I was really thirsty,' he said just moments after he was rescued.

Julio 'Lester' Ascui, who was lost in Victoria's rugged Grampians mountain range for five days says he was 'really thirsty' when rescuers finally found him

Mr Ascui was found alive in Halls Gap just before lunchtime on Wednesday, and when asked how he felt when rescuers made contact, he said: 'Amazing... But I was really thirsty'

Mr Ascui also revealed he drank water from a river, ate eucalyptus and slept under rock overhang during his five days in the wilderness.

Footage posted online showed the emotional moment he was reunited with his family.

'It's him... holy s***,' voices are heard saying as Mr Ascui stepped off the rescue helicopter to the embrace of a family member.

Other footage shows Mr Ascui eating a banana and smiling for the media as he walked with Sergeant Karen Bain.

Emotional family members learned of the news Mr Ascui had been found on Wednesday morning

Footage posted online showed the emotional moment he was reunited with his family

'Police would like to thank everyone involved in the search for Julio whose efforts have resulted in this successful outcome,' Victoria Police said in a statement.

His cousin Luis Ascui said he was 'very happy' at the news he had been found.

'As soon as I see him, I'll give him a hug, then I'll give him a slap,' he said, adding that his cousin often went hiking.

'Every weekend he'd go to the mountains or the bush. He's aware of the situation but something must've gone wrong here,' he said.

Mr Ascui's daughter Jessica Ascui-Ordonez said it was unusual for him to not to say where he was going.

'He didn't tell anyone he was coming here to the Grampians, we just found out on Facebook when he uploaded photos and tagged himself here,' Ms Ascui-Ordonez said on Tuesday, before Mr Ascui was found.

Julio Ascui, known to loved ones as Lester, shared this final photo from his solo visit to Victoria's Grampians National Park on December 29 before disappearing

Mr Ascui revealed he drank water from a river, ate eucalyptus and slept under rock overhang during his five days in the wildernessRepublicans have reportedly found written evidence that proves the FBI found 'criminality' during the agency's 2016 probe of Hillary Clinton's email server.

A new report by The Hill claims Republicans on key congressional committees have secured written documentation that the FBI believed there was evidence that some laws were broken when Clinton and her top aides sent classified information through her private email server.

The evidence reportedly includes FBI documents stating the 'sheer volume' of classified information that was transmitted through Clinton's insecure server was proof of criminality.

Republicans have reportedly found new irregularities in the FBI's 2016 probe of Hillary Clinton's email server. Then FBI Director James Comey (right) sent a message to three top officials in the bureau on May 2, 2016, summarizing the position on the Clinton probe

Then FBI Director James Comey sent a message to three top officials in the bureau on May 2, 2016, summarizing the position on the Clinton probe.

It included the damning sentence: 'There is evidence to support a conclusion that Secretary Clinton, and others, used the private email server in a manner that was grossly negligent with respect to the handling of classified material.'

The phrase 'grossly negligent' was critical as that is the standard which needs to be reached to bring a federal prosecution for mishandling classified intelligence. In other words, Comey was saying that she should be charged.

Comey's message included the damning sentence: 'There is evidence to support a conclusion that Secretary Clinton, and others, used the private email server in a manner that was grossly negligent with respect to the handling of classified material'

But the language was changed on June 10 and the phrase 'grossly negligent' was replaced by former FBI agent Peter Strozk with 'extremely careless' - below the standard for prosecution.

The memo then formed the basis for Comey's following statement on Clinton which said she would not be charged.

Comey made the announcement that Clinton wouldn't be charged even though she and her aides had transmitted more than 110 pieces of classified information through her insecure email server, some of it at the 'top secret' and 'secret' levels.

In June 2017, when Comey publicly sat before the Senate Intelligence Committee, to testify about his firing by President Trump, the ex-FBI leader explained how the infamous tarmac meeting between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former president Bill Clinton compelled him to make certain decisions in the handling of the Hillary Clinton probe.

Comey said at the time that he decided he needed to hold a press conference and announce that the FBI would recommend to the Justice Department that no charges be filed to 'protect the credibility of the investigation'.

Prior to that, he was bothered when Lynch told him to call the Clinton investigation a 'matter' instead of an actual criminal probe, which it was.

In June 2017, when Comey sat before the Senate Intelligence Committee, he explained how the tarmac meeting between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch (pictured) and ex-president Bill Clinton compelled him to make certain decisions in the handling of the probe

Lawmakers told the Hill that during the December House Judiciary Committee briefing with FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe (center), the bureau official said the investigation and charging decisions were controlled by a small group in Washington headquarters

'At one point, the attorney general had directed me not to call it an investigation but instead to call it a matter, which confused me and concerned me,' Comey testified.

'That was one of the bricks in the load that led me to conclude I have to step away from the department if we're to close this case credibly.'

Lawmakers told the Hill that during the December House Judiciary Committee briefing with FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the bureau official confirmed that the investigation and charging decisions were controlled by a small group in Washington headquarters.

After the briefing with McCabe, some Republicans were left convinced that FBI leadership rigged the outcome of the investigation to clear Clinton.

Rep Matt Gaetz, a House Judiciary Committee member, told the Hill that 'Hillary Clinton obviously benefited from people taking actions to ensure she wasn't held accountable.'

Gaetz said he believes the FBI deviated from its 'normal objective practices' while investigating Clinton.

Rep Matt Gaetz (pictured), a House Judiciary Committee member, said: 'Hillary Clinton obviously benefited from people taking actions to ensure she wasn't held accountable'

Investigators told the Hill that the FBI began drafting a statement exonerating Clinton of any crimes while evidence responsive to subpoenas was still outstanding.

The statement exonerating Clinton was in the draft process before agents had even interviewed more than a dozen key witnesses, which is the most glaring irregularity investigators have found, according to the news site.

Gaetz said his panel has evidence the FBI took actions while writing the exoneration statement that required the Justice Department's input, such as immunizing witnesses in June 2016.

A House GOP lawmaker told The Hill his staff also has identified at least a dozen interviews that were conducted after the drafting effort began, including of some figures who would have key information about intent or possible destruction of evidence.

A senior law enforcement official told The Hill that the FBI 'did have evidence of statutory violations' but the decision not to prosecute was driven by a belief that there wasn't enough proof Clinton and aides intended to violate those laws or even knew they were violating them.

The official also acknowledged evidence gathering continued even as Comey began drafting the public statement, including the execution of an immunity deal on June 10, 2016, with Clinton advisers Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson that resulted in laptops with evidence being turned over to agents late in the probe.

'The leadership had a sense of where the evidence was likely headed and the idea was they would begin drafting their conclusions and if we found anything that changed that sense we'd alert them,' the official said.

According to the Hill, there is also an admission of a false statement by one witness in the case.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (pictured) is working to try and determine whether the FBI investigated possible violations of the Federal Records Act, which required the preservation of all of Clinton's work-related emails

The witness, an employee of a computer firm that managed Clinton's personal server, admitted to permanently erasing an archive of Clinton's messages in 2015 after they had been subpoenaed by Congress. The computer technician was also granted immunity.

The official said the decision to grant immunity to the Clinton advisers and the computer technician involved in the email deletions was made 'with the idea it would be better to know all the circumstances' before the case was closed out.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is working to try and determine whether the FBI investigated possible violations of the Federal Records Act, which required the preservation of all of Clinton's work-related emails.

The FBI admits it recovered thousands of State emails that originated or passed through Clinton's private server. Some of those had been deleted and some were never turned over to the State Department.

While the FBI believed none of those were deleted intentionally to keep them from the government, the Records Act allows for a misdemeanor charge in each instance where a government document is destroyed carelessly, investigators said.

More answers should come to light in the first quarter of 2018 when the Justice Department inspector general is expected to release initial findings in the Clinton email case.A senior zookeeper has been rushed to the hospital after she was gored by a rhino at a zoo on Wednesday afternoon.

The 47-year-old was attacked around 1pm while on a rhinoceros tour at Mogo Zoo on the NSW south coast.

She has a 'penetrating injury' on her left arm and is suspected to have a fracture, a NSW Ambulance spokesman said.

The woman was flown to the ACT for treatment. She is in stable condition.

In a brief statement the zoo confirmed both the woman and the rhino, named Kei, 'are okay', and that the occurrence was a 'minor incident'.

'Whilst all safety measures are taken to minimise risk for both animals and keepers, occasionally accidents can occur when dealing with large mega fauna,' park owner Sally Padey said.

A woman has been rushed to the hospital after she was gored by a rhino at a zoo on the NSW south coast on Wednesday afternoon (a picture of a rhino from Mogo Zoo's Facebook)

The 47-year-old is alleged to have been attacked around 1pm while on a rhinoceros tour at Mogo Zoo

Mogo Zoo is located about 10 kilometres of Batemans Bay. The attack occurred in a part of the park that is closed to the public.

Kei arrived at the park in 2015, alongside his half-brother Jabari. The two white rhinos are both aged 11.

The facility offers a wide range of hands on experiences with its rare animals, including meeting and feeding the creatures.

They offer a 45-minute session with their rhinos for as much as $150 per person.

'For the animal enthusiast who wants to get behind the scenes and see how it all works. This encounter not only brings you Up Close and Personal with our impressive male White Rhinos but also allows you access to our off exhibit area,' the program description reads.

'You will be guided behind the scenes by an experienced keeper where you can see the night dens, yards, feed area and learn all about how we manage these two beautiful boys.'

'Why not bring the whole family down to enjoy and learn together? You might even get to have a scratch! What an amazing photo opportunity.'

Mogo Zoo say they will be investigating their current safety protocols.Mitt Romney gave the latest indication he will run for the Utah senate seat by updating his twitter bio location hours after Sen. Orrin Hatch announced he will not be seeking another term.

Romney, a fervent critic of the President, updated his location to Holladay, Utah on Tuesday, adding to growing speculation about his plans for the future.

Hatch, 83, announced his plan to retire Tuesday, despite the president's pleas to stay on longer than his already four decades in the senate.

A source close to Romney told the Daily Beast that Romney is planning to run for the seat, but would not be announcing his candidacy anytime soon in deference to Hatch.

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Before, after: Mitt Romney updated his Twitter bio to Holladay, UT hours after Senator Orrin Hatch announced he would not be seeking another term

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hatch says he is retiring after four decades in the senate

President Trump tweeted congratulations to Hatch, after he failed to prevent the 83-year-old from seeking another 6-year term

Romney could create real road blocks to the administration's agenda.

If Romney is elected in the notoriously red state of Utah, his role as a never-Trump voice could occasionally ally him with Democrats working to counter the president.

During a famous campaign speech, Romney said: 'I'm afraid that when it comes to foreign policy he is very, very not smart.'

'Dishonesty is Donald Trump's hallmark,' Romney said in the blistering remarks.

On Tuesday, Trump praised Senator Hatch.

'Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career,' Trump wrote.

'He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate!'

Trump's statement referenced an emotional statement by Hatch praising the president who looked on at the White House upon Senate passage of a $1.5 trillion tax cut Hatch had a hand in crafting.

Hatch ignored President Trump's pleadings to seek reelection despite an intensive lobbying campaign that could have prevented the emergence of a potentially serious Republican overseer in Romney.

President-elect Donald Trump and Mitt Romney dine at Jean Georges restaurant, November 29, 2016 in New York City when Romney was under consideration for secretary of state

Mitt Romney leaves after meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump at the clubhouse of Trump National Golf Club on November 19, 2016 in Bedminster, New Jersey

'Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves,' Hatch, 83, said in a video announcement. He was elected in 1976, on a campaign that warned against the dangers of staying in office too long.

The president went out of his way to keep Hatch in the chamber, lauding him repeatedly in public, and slicing away permanent environmental protection from huge swaths of land in Utah that had been designated as a national monument.

The president 'has the greatest and deepest amount of respect for Sen. Hatch,' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday, adding that Trump was 'very sad to see Sen. Hatch leave.'

Sanders declined to answer whether Trump would campaign for whoever becomes the GOP nominee in the deep-red state.

'Obviously, I don't think we've made a determination in terms of campaigning, but the President certainly has the greatest and deepest amount of respect for Senator Hatch and his over four decades of experience in the Senate,' she said.

'He's particularly thankful for the Senator's leadership and massive effort that he played, and the role that he played in getting the tax cut and reform package passed. And the President certainly praises his service and is very sad to see Senator Hatch leave and knows that he will certainly be missed.'

Asked about harsh statements between Trump and Romney, Sanders invoked the Hatch Act, named for the late Sen. Carl Hatch of New Mexico, and its prohibitions on certain political activities by government officials.

'I haven't had that conversation with him. And I think I would be prohibited from weighing in too far right now, given the Hatch Act, on who we might or might not support in that race,' she said.

Romney, in his 2016 speech, said: 'Now, I'm far from the first to conclude that Donald Trump lacks the temperament to be president. After all, this is an individual who mocked a disabled reporter, who attributed a reporter's questions to her menstrual cycle, who mocked a brilliant rival who happened to be a woman due to her appearance, who bragged about his marital affairs, and who laces his public speeches with vulgarity.'

Romney continued: 'Donald Trump says he admires Vladimir Putin, at the same time he has called George W. Bush a liar. That is a twisted example of evil trumping good.'

He added in the March 2016 speech: 'Think of Donald Trump's personal qualities. The bullying, the greed, the showing off, the misogyny, the absurd third grade theatrics. You know, we have long referred to him as 'The Donald.' He's the only person in the entire country to whom we have added an article before his name, and it was not because he had attributes we admired.'

Hatch said in a video announcing his retirement: 'When the President visited Utah last month, he said I was a fighter. I've always been a fighter. I was an amateur boxer in my youth, and I brought that fighting spirit with me to Washington. But every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves. And for me, that time is soon approaching.'

'That's why, after much prayer and discussion with family and friends, I've decided to retire at the end of this term.'

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, he helped write the tax cut Trump just signed, though he also delegated responsibilities to other senior lawmakers on the committee.

Romney served as governor of Massachusetts, where he developed a prototype of a state plan that helped inspire Obamacare.

He later ran against Barack Obama in 2012, and won an endorsement from then-businessman Trump.

'It's my honor, real honor, to endorse Mitt Romney,' Trump said, calling him 'tough' and 'smart.'

But Trump soon soured on Romney, and repeatedly said during his own campaign Romney had 'choked' against Obama.

In addition to being a fierce critic of Trump, Romney is a Russia hawk. He famously said in a 2012 debate with President Obama Russia posed the greatest international threat to the country.

A Facebook post by Romney didn't mention his own interest in the position.

'As Chairman of the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees and as the longest-serving Republican Senator in U.S. history, Senator Hatch has represented the interests of Utah with distinction and honor,' Romney wrote. 'Ann and I wish Senator Orrin Hatch and his loving wife Elaine all the best in their future endeavors.'

Hatch also serves as president pro tempore of the Senate, which places him third in line for the presidency. The next most senior Republican once Hatch leaves the Senate would be Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa.A teenager has faced court charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his father with a pair of scissors on a remote community island.

Nathaniel James Murray, 19, was charged on Monday after allegedly stabbing his 52-year-old father in the neck with a pair of scissors during an argument at a Palm Island home in north Queensland during the afternoon of New Year's Day.

The father was pronounced dead at Townsville Base Hospital on Monday evening after undergoing surgery.

Nathaniel James Murray has been charged with stabbing his father with a pair of scissors

The teenager from Palm Island in north Queensland has been charged with one murder count

'We believe the murder weapon may be a pair of scissors and we're undertaking a search at the present time to locate that,' Detective Inspector Leonie Steyger told reporters in Townsville on Tuesday.

'We're not completely sure what the altercation was about.'

The teen from an indigenous community was remanded in custody after a brief hearing in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday and is due to appear again next week.

'Any investigation where family or close associates are involved does make it very emotive and very difficult but all witnesses and family members are being co-operative at this time,' Det Sgt Steyger said.

'Obviously they're quite devastated by the incident. They've lost a father, husband and also have the son or brother who may be responsible for that.'Police have denied referring to Aboriginal people as animals after being accused of racism over a New Year's Day comment.

Social media users reacted with outrage over the tweet, which was posted on January 1 by police from Shark Bay, 800kilometres north of Perth.

Police said the comment was not aimed the indigenous community, but at an environmental group who have illegal beach bonfires every year.

Police have denied referring to Aboriginal people as animals after being accused of racism over a New Year's Day comment (pictured)

'Even though theres [sic] a full fire ban, the usual suspects in this community feel the law doesn't apply to them,' the tweet read, SBS reported.

'It's hard to believe these same people are supposed to be representive [sic] of the environment. #stillnotlearning #fb#animals [sic].'

It was followed by a skull and crossbones emoji, and was soon shared by the Mid West Gascoyne District Police on Facebook.

'Here we go again, during the 60s we came under the Flora and Fauna Act and that classified us as animals and not human beings,' wrote one Facebook user.

'No matter what, they will call us animals because that's what their grandfather them, when they were cops.'

WA Police told Daily Mail Australia the post did not refer to Aboriginal people or call them animals.

Social media users reacted with outrage over the tweet, which was posted on January 1 by police from Shark Bay (pictured, stock image), 800kilometres north of Perth

'The original post on Twitter by Shark Bay Police was targeted at a very specific group of people, known to be publicly associated with environmental matters, and with no links to the indigenous community,' a police spokesperson said.

'The District Inspector has personally spoken to the officers concerned and highlighted the unintended perception of the tweet to those outside the Shark Bay area.

'The officers identified the people involved in the bonfire and the Inspector has satisfied himself the tweet was not directed at Aboriginal people.

'Here we go again, during the 60s we came under the Flora and Fauna Act and that classified us as animals and not human beings,' wrote one Facebook user (pictured)

WA Police told Daily Mail Australia the post did not refer to Aboriginal people or call them animals (pictured is a comment accusing police of calling Aboriginal people animals)

'There were specific references to that group involved with the bonfire that locals would be aware of.

'The beach bonfire occurs each New Years Eve, to the frustration of those local police.

'They are investigating the matter and wanted the local community to be aware of this issue.

'The Twitter feed is intended for the local Shark Bay community, and was carried across to the District Facebook page as a warning about total fire bans, as a responsible public awareness measure.

'The posts have since been removed as the message was being misconstrued by a wider audience unaware of the local issues.'President Donald Trump has been mercilessly mocked on Twitter for taking credit for 2017 being the safest year in commercial aviation.

'Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation,' Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. 'Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!'

Trump was referring to a study by the Dutch aviation group To70, which reported that there were zero deaths in passenger travel for 2017.

And Twitter was definitely paying attention, with some folks questioning what the president meant when he said he was 'very strict' on commercial aviation.

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President Trump, seen here arriving at his New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, tweeted Tuesday and took credit for there being 'zero deaths' in commercial aviation in 2017

The president tweeted that 2017 was the 'best and safest year on record' for commercial aviation as the Dutch aviation group To70 and the Aviation Safety Network reported that there were zero deaths in passenger jet travel

And Twitter was definitely paying attention, with some folks questioning what the president meant when he said he was 'very strict' on commercial aviation

"Very strict on Commercial Aviation." What does this even mean? What, if anything, has he done? There hasnt been a deadly scheduled airline crash in the US since 2009. The 2017 news is a global achievement,' one user tweeted.

Another said: 'We had no gas explosions in our house this year. Thank you, Mr. President, for your hands-on leadership of FERC.'

One person even compared Trump's 'stats' to former president Barack Obama's.

'Unlike Obama, Trump won't let any planes crash. Not even a little bit. He's very strict,' the tweet read.

'If Trump was a rooster, he'd try to take credit for the sunrise,' another person said.

"'Very strict on Commercial Aviation." What does this even mean? What, if anything, has he done? There hasnt been a deadly scheduled airline crash in the US since 2009. The 2017 news is a global achievement,' one user tweeted

Some users compared stats of other tragedies that took place in the US this year, such as multiple mass shootings.

'I wish POTUS would also be more strict on mass shootings since 2017 was the worst year on record,' one user tweeted.

'How about the 14 coal miners who were killed in 2017, compared to the 9 killed in 2016,' another person wrote.

While Trump's reading of the global report was close to being correct, the tweet was ill-timed as family members and friends mourn the deaths of 10 Americans who were killed in a New Year's Eve plane crash in Costa Rica.

On Sunday, two American families, their Wisconsin-born tour guide and two local pilots were killed when their Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Nature Air charter jet went down in a wooded area of the Guanacaste Mountains.

This user noted that the last recorded fatal airline passenger jet crash occurred in February 2009

Some users compared stats of other tragedies that took place in the US this year, such as multiple mass shootings

Witnesses said the airplane seemed to 'cartwheel' before it crashed just a minute after takeoff from the Punta Islita airport.

High winds are potentially being blamed for the crash of the charter plane, a private aircraft owned by Nature Air airlines, Costa Rica's largest domestic airline.

The size of the aircraft would exclude the New Year's Eve accident from To70's study, likely along with the private nature of the flight.

'Our analysis documents accidents to passenger flights commercial air transport operations in aeroplanes with a maximum take-off mass of 5700kg or above,' the study's note on methodology said.

'This excludes a number of small commuter aeroplanes in service around the world, including the Cessna Caravan.'

The president's boast comes on the heels of a plane crash in Costa Rica that killed 10 Americans. Because of the plane's small size it wouldn't have counted in the aviation study to which the president was referring

The victims of the New Year's Eve plane crash in Costa Rica are seen being removed from the crash site

Amanda Geissler, 33, died when the Nature Air charter jet went down in a wooded area of the Guanacaste Mountains in Costa Rica Sunday

Costa Rica's government said the plane was also carrying family of five identified as Bruce Steinberg, Irene Steinberg, Matthew Steinberg, William Steinberg and Zachary Steinberg (all pictured)

The Cessna Caravan was the type of plane involved in the Costa Rica crash.

According to the study's methodology, 'accidents to military flights, training flights, private flights, cargo operations and helicopters are excluded'.

Overall, the To70 study found that there were 111 accidents involving larger passenger aircraft, two of which included fatalities.

There were also 13 lives lost in two regional airline accidents.

'An estimated three per cent growth in air traffic for 2017 over 2016 means that the fatal accident rate for large aeroplane in commercial air transport is again reduced; this time to 0.06 fatal accidents per million flights,' the study said.

'That is a rate of one fatal accident for every 16 million flights.'

Pieces of a burned aircraft is seen at the site where the plane crashed in Costa Rica

As for Trump's boast that he's been 'very strict' on commercial aviation, White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah explained that the president 'raised the bar for our nation's aviation safety and security'.

In October, the president announced that he was backing the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act, which  among other things  would privatize the nation's air traffic control system.

The bill passed committee last June, but never saw a floor vote in 2017.

'Last year, the President announced his initiative to modernize Air Traffic Control and under his leadership, the Department of Homeland Security released enhanced security measures to ensure safer commercial air travel,' Shah said in a statement.

Beyond that, the Trump administration spent most of the president's first year in office fighting in court over his controversial travel ban, which would limit travel into the US from a number of Muslim-majority countries.

'The President is pleased there were no commercial airline deaths in 2017, and hopes this remains consistent in 2018 and beyond,' Shah said.

NBC's Peter Alexander made the point that the last commercial plane crash over US soil was in 2009 and wondered if Obama should get credit.

Mitchell, 52, and Leslie Levin Weiss, 50, and their 19-year-old daughter Hannah Mae, were killed in the plane crash in Costa Rica. Ari Moses Weiss, 16, has also been reported as dead after the tragedy

Pilot Juan Manuel Retana (left)- who is the cousin of former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, was also among the dead. Emma Ramos (right) was the copilot

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the same point when she addressed reporters from the podium for the first time this year.

'Look, the president has raised the bar for our nation's aviation safety and security,' she said, pointing to his backing of the legislation and the new Homeland Security rules.

'Look, the president is very happy that there were no commercial airlines deaths in 2017 and we hope that that trend continues well into 2018 and beyond,' Sanders added.

The president's detractors saw the tweet as Trump taking credit for something he had no hand in.

'He can't resist taking credit when it's utterly ludicrous, I mean there's nothing he did that had anything to do with this,' the Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol said Tuesday on CNN. 'It shows a kind of narcissism that is a little ... worrisome.'

Consumer airline advocate Chris Elliott told NBC News that Trump's push to cut federal regulations may, in the future, actually make flying less safe.

'If you're trying to remove regulations, eventually you're going to stumble across a regulation that saves lives.'Iran's feared Revolutionary Guards today declared an end to 'sedition' after dispatching forces to three provinces to snuff out anti-regime unrest.

The head of the elite force claimed the maximum number of 'trouble makers' involved in the unrest, which led to 21 deaths and hundreds of arrests, did not exceed 15,000 people nationwide.

Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari announced the 'end of the sedition' and said forces had been sent to Isfahan, Lorestan and Hamadan provinces to tackle any new uprisings.

Jafari said: 'Today we can announce the end of the sedition. There were a maximum of 1,500 people in each place and the number of trouble-makers did not exceed 15,000 people nationwide.

'A large number of the trouble-makers at the centre of the sedition, who received training from counter-revolutionaries... have been arrested and there will be firm action against them.'

Pro-government demonstrators march in Iran's southwestern city of Ahvaz on January 3

Tens of thousands of regime backers have marched through cities across Iran in a show of support after a brutal clampdown on protesters left at least 21 dead. This was the scene in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz

Jafari said the Guards, a parallel security force directly loyal to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, only intervened 'in a limited way' in the provinces of Isfahan, Lorestan and Hamedan.

It comes as Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said a European citizen has been detained on espionage allegations after leading rioters during anti-government protests.

Three Iranian intelligence agents killed in clashes Clashes with militants near the border with Iraq have resulted in the death of three security agents, Iranian state TV reported. The broadcaster's website reported that the clashes took place near the Kurdish town of Piranshahr, some 730 kilometers (450 miles) northwest of the capital, Tehran. The report says 'armed counter-revolutionary bandits' are at large and Iranian forces are tracking them. It did not elaborate on the affiliation of the militants. Kurdish separatists and Islamic extremists have carried out past attacks near the borders with Iraq and Turkey. Advertisement

The report quotes Hamid Reza Abolhasani, head of the justice department in the western city of Boroujerd, as saying the suspect was trained by European spy agencies, without elaborating.

There have been no reports of protests in Boroujerd in recent days.

Earlier, tens of thousands of regime backers marched through cities across Iran in a show of support after a brutal clampdown on protesters.

Chants of 'Leader, we are ready' were heard as state television images showed huge crowds rallying in the cities of Ahvaz, Kermanshah, Gorgan and elsewhere.

The demonstrators waved Iranian flags and pictures of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as placards saying 'Death to seditionists'. 'We offer the blood in our veins to our leader,' was another popular chant.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is said to have told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that he hopes the protests in Iran will end in a few days.

But it comes as the Trump administration has thrown the weight of the U.S. government behind anti-regime unrest.

Iranians take part during a state-organized rally against anti-government protests in Qom

Chants of 'Leader, we are ready' were heard as state television images showed huge crowds rallying in the cities of Ahvaz (pictured), Kermanshah, Gorgan and elsewhere

The US President is rooting them on despite Tehran having blamed the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Britain for the protests.

He declared on Tuesday it was 'time for change' and praised demonstrators for 'finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime.'

Washington has continued to exert pressure on the Islamic republic, with its UN ambassador Nikki Haley calling for emergency UN talks to discuss the situation.

'The people of Iran are crying out for freedom,' she said at a news conference. 'All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause.'

Iran's leaders have said the protests, which began over economic issues on December 28 but quickly turned more radical, were part of a foreign plot to destabilise the regime.

'The enemies have united and are using all their means, money, weapons, policies and security services to create problems for the Islamic regime,' Khamenei said.

'The enemy is always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate and strike the Iranian nation.'

The demonstrators waved Iranian flags and pictures of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as placards saying 'Death to seditionists'

The pro-government marchers reportedly chanted: 'We offer the blood in our veins to our leader'

This grab from a video provided by Iran Press, a pro-government news agency based in Beirut, shows pro-government demonstrators marching in Qom today

Iranians carry a flag through the street during a pro-government march in Qom

During the protests, six died when protesters clashed with security forces as they tried to storm a police station in Qahderijan, a town of 30,000 in the Isfahan region of central Iran. Pictures have emerged purportedly showing the clash on Tuesday

This picture is believed to show a clash at a police station in Qahderijan in which six protesters died

Iran's leaders have said the protests, which began over economic issues on December 28 but quickly turned more radical, were part of a foreign plot to destabilise the regime. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech during his meeting with families of martyr's in Tehran yesterday

Even reformists, who backed the last major protest movement against alleged election-rigging in 2009, condemned the violence and the support it has received from the United States.

But they also urged the authorities to address economic grievances that have fuelled the protests.

'Officials must acknowledge the deplorable situation of the country as the first step to hearing the protesters,' tweeted Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, whose father Mehdi Karroubi has been under house arrest for almost seven years for helping lead the 2009 demonstrations.

Many have been turned off by the violence, which has contrasted with the largely peaceful marches in 2009.

But on the streets of the capital, there is widespread sympathy with the economic grievances driving the unrest, particularly an unemployment rate as high as 40 percent for young people.

Iranians march in support of the government in the capital Tehran on December 30

Protests in cities across Iran have left at least 21 dead in recent days while hundreds more have been arrested

'The poorer section of society is really under pressure,' Sakineh Eidi, a 37-year-old pharmacist in Tehran, told AFP. 'But I don't think it will continue.'

'Even those who maybe acted emotionally, vandalising things and setting fire to public property, know that the smoke will get into everyone's eyes and that insecurity in the country is not in anyone's interest.'

Others rejected the official line that foreign powers were behind the unrest.

'I don't agree. People have reached a stage where they can no longer tolerate this pressure from the authorities. They have burst and are now out in the streets,' said Soraya Saadaat, a 54-year-old unemployed woman.

There were only limited reports of violence and clashes in provincial areas on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.

Two men fired on a bank and police post in the central province of Isfahan, without causing casualties, said state television.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (centre) has acknowledged there is 'no problem bigger than unemployment'

'No information has been published on clashes or arrests in Tehran,' said reformist news agency ILNA late Friday.

Police presence in the capital also appeared to have dwindled, official media and AFP journalists said.

That was in contrast with the previous two nights, when multiple deaths were reported across smaller towns, including six protesters killed during attacks on a police station in Isfahan province.

As violence grew, authorities stepped up arrests, with at least 450 people detained in Tehran between Saturday and Monday, and many more in outlying areas.

Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but high living costs and a 12 percent unemployment rate have left many feeling that progress is too slow.

Rural areas, hit by years of drought and under-investment, are particularly hard-hit.

Rouhani on Sunday acknowledged there was 'no problem bigger than unemployment', and also promised a more balanced media and more transparency.

In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests against the re-election of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At least 36 people were killed, according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.Starting the New Year off with a bang is important for most people but these pedestrians got more than they bargained for when a car passenger began shooting fireworks at them.

In the clip from Bonn, Germany, a car is seen driving forwards and reversing as red and green fireworks shoot from the passenger window.

Although it isn't clear what the person is using to shoot the fireworks, they do appear to be aiming the fireworks towards people as they run away.

In the clip from Bonn, Germany, a small red car is seen driving back and forth on the street

From the passenger window someone is aiming fireworks towards pedestrians and shooting them

Filmed from the vantage point of a window high above the chaos, the person shooting the video can be heard laughing as the pedestrians scatter.

At first the pedestrians continue as normal before realising what is happening and running away.

They begin to run faster when the small red car speeds around the corner and approaches them in the district of Tannenbusch.

The clip has been viewed nearly 30,000 times.

German police do not believe anyone was injured after the attack.

According to German newspaper Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger, police are investigating the video and attempting to establish its authenticity.

Pedestrians can be seen running away from the car as it pursues them. Filmed from several stories above, the cameraman can be heard laughingA defiant Liam Fox (file image) has called on Remain supporters to use the new year to end 'self-defeating pessimism' over Brexit

Britain could join a Pacific trade zone with Canada and Mexico after Brexit, it has been revealed.

The Government has held informal talks about joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to stimulate exports outside the EU.

The move would make the UK the first member that does not border the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea - and ministers believe it could send a dramatic signal about our global ambitions.

The proposals are being developed by Liam Fox's Department for International Trade.

The TPP group lost its largest member when President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement last year.

The 11 remaining member states include Australia, Mexico, Singapore and Canada.

Trade minister Greg Hands told the Financial Times there was no geographical restriction on Britain joining trade groups.

'Nothing is excluded in all of this,' he said.

'With these kind of plurilateral relationships, there doesn't have to be any geographical restriction.'

A defiant Dr Fox yesterday called on Remain supporters to use the New Year to end 'self-defeating pessimism' over Brexit.

As he flew to China on a trade mission, the Cabinet minister said leaving the EU was not a 'time bob to be defused' but was in fact a 'great opportunity'.

Dr Fox said the hallmark of 2017 for him had been positive visits around the world to launch trade talks only to return home to a 'wave of negativism' from 'people who would rather see Britain fail'.

'The interest being shown in Britain overseas, and an increasing willingness to trade and invest with us, was in stark contrast to the self-defeating pessimism that is too often on show from certain politicians, commentators and media outlets over here,' he wrote on the ConservativeHome website.

'It is easy to get the impression that these people would rather see Britain fail than see Brexit succeed.'

The Trade Secretary is on a two-stage visit to Beijing and Shenzen this week, promoting British trade and attempting to increase economic cooperation.

He will meet Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan and the chairman of one of the world's largest insurance companies, Ma Mingzhe from Ping An.

Liam Fox's visit to China comes less than a month after Chancellor Philip Hammond made his own visit to Beijing (pictured with Premier Li Keqiang last month)

Theresa May has been eager to continue relations and is widely expected to make a long-awaited visit to Beijing herself later this year (she is pictured arriving in China for a G20 summit in September)

David Cameron invited President Xi Jinping for a state visit in 2015, personally entertaining him near the PM's country estate at Chequers (pictured)

The visit to China comes less than a month after Chancellor Philip Hammond made his own visit to the country.

The UK Government has made massive efforts to court the Chinese, both before and after Brexit.

David Cameron invited President Xi Jinping for a state visit in 2015 while George Osborne hailed a 'golden era' of relations.

Theresa May has been eager to continue relations and is widely expected to make a long-awaited visit to Beijing herself later this year.

China is the UK's fifth largest trading partner in the world, with trade between the countries worth 59.3billion in 2016 based on the latest figures.

In the same period the UK exported 16.8billion of goods and services, making China the UK's eighth largest export market.Social media sites face fines of 44million for failing to remove hate speech under tough new German laws.

Sites with more than 2million users that fail to remove 'obviously illegal' posts within 24 hours will have to pay up under rules which are now being enforced.

It comes after Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of Germany's far-right AfD party had her Twitter count suspended over an offensive message about Muslims - sparking a debate about freedom of speech.

Social media sites with more than 2million users will have 24 hours to remove 'obviously illegal' or face hefty fines under new laws in Germany (file image)

The new Network Enforcement Act also forces companies to put in place proper procedures so posts can be easily reported.

Germany's justice ministry website will also feature complaint forms for users to report when content has not been removed quickly enough.

The law is aimed at sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, but will likely encompass the likes of Reddit, Tumblr and Russian social network VK, and potentially Vimeo and Flickr as well, the BBC reports.

Facebook has reportedly recruited several hundred staff to deal with the new rules.

The law has been controversial in Germany with some saying it could lead to inadvertent censorship or curtail free speech.

Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of Alternative for Germany (AfD), had her Twitter account suspended in recent days for an offensive post about Muslims

Von Storch herself waded into the debate when she hit out at Cologne police, angry that they had tweeted out a New Year message in Arabic.

She accused officers of placating 'barbaric gang-raping hordes of men' in reference to mass sexual assaults that took place during 2015 New Year celebrations in the city.

Her account was suspended for 12 hours and she now faces investigation by police and possible charges of incitement to hatred.

When von Storch regained access to her social media account she posted that she had been 'censored', adding that 'This is the end of the constitutional state.'A brazen car theft has been carried out despite the owner standing right next to the vehicle with his back turned at the time.

The terrifying robbery was caught on camera, and has been shared by a Melbourne business owner fed up with the crime wave sweeping his city.

CCTV footage shows the owner of a white Hyundai 4WD step out of his car to lock the gates of a business just before the thief struck.

A brazen car theft has been carried out despite the owner standing right next to the vehicle with his back turned at the time

As the man locks the security gates of the factory in Campbellfield a white station wagon stops next to him.

A man jumps out, gets into the driver's seat and takes off with the owner racing after him yelling 'Oi, stop!'

The owner of the factory, Michael Mahoney, said he does not believe the theft was planned, but said the area is plagued by crime in general.

'What happened to us is not a one-off,' he told 3AW.

The terrifying robbery was caught on camera, and has been shared by a Melbourne business owner fed up with the crime wave sweeping his city

Mr Mahoney said courier drivers and even Australia Post workers had told him of similar thefts, raids on postal vehicles, and items stolen from inside cars.

He said he and the car's owner called Triple Zero but received no response back, and called Broadmeadows Police Station to make a formal complaint hours later.

'I've lived in Melbourne all my life and I am absolutely disappointed with what I'm seeing around Melbourne with all the other issues,' Mr Mahoney said.

The owner has been rocked by the incident, which has left all of Mr Mahoney's staff members feeling shocked and unsafe.

'You can't even hop in your car without having to have security guards around, is it really getting to that stage in Melbourne, it's ridiculous,' he said.

The man's car is a Hyundai IX5, registration ZLQ939, and anyone who sees the car is urged to call Crimestoppers.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Victoria Police for comment.This is the tragic final photo of the mother and daughter killed in the Sydney seaplane crash.

Emma Bowden, 48, posed up with her 11-year-old daughter Heather in front of Sydney Opera House days before the doomed 1960s single-engine DHC-2 Beaver plane plunged into the Hawksbury River, north of Sydney, Australia on New Year's Eve.

They were both killed immediately alongside Richard Cousins, 58, and his two sons William, 25, and Edward, 23.

Last night, Emma Bowden's father Gerry Bowden, a former Conservative MP, spoke of the familys devastation at losing his daughter and granddaughter.

Emma Bowden, 48, posed up with her 11-year-old daughter Heather in front of Sydney Opera House days before the doomed 1960s single-engine DHC-2 Beaver plane plunged into the Hawksbury River, north of Sydney, Australia on New Year's Eve. This is the final known photo of the two together

Former Tory MP Gerry Bowden, pictured here with Margaret Thatcher, has spoken of his devastation at the loss of his daughter and granddaughter

Pictured: Emma Bowden, 48, with her daughter Heather in Sydney, days before her death

Passers-by try valiantly to save the family in the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, Australia

Richard Cousins, 58, who was chief executive of Compass Group Plc and his two sons William, 25, and Edward, 23, also died

Mr Bowden, 82, who was MP for Dulwich for nine years having first been elected in the Margaret Thatcher landslide in 1983, said his daughter spread happiness and joy wherever she went.

In a statement given to The Telegraph on behalf of himself and his surviving children Kate, Rebecca and Oliver, said:

Gerry Bowden and all his family are devastated by the loss of dear Emma and dear Heather who spread happiness and joy among all they met throughout their lives.

We deeply feel their loss but their memory will shine brightly forever.

We were looking forward to the wedding in the summer. We were all utterly delighted. Emma and Richard were so obviously in love and looking forward to a life together.

As a family we would appreciate peace and privacy at this sad time.

A friend of the family said Emma had found 'true happiness' with the Cousins family, into which she was due to marry in July.

Charlie Phillips who attended London College of Printing with Emma has paid tribute to a 'special girl' who was 'full of happiness to the end'.

Charlie, founder of MindsEye, a London-based film production company, met Emma at art college in 1988 and studied with her for the following five years.

The pair have stayed in regular contact over thirty years and met up as a group with other art graduates twice a year.

Mr Phillips, 47, said: 'She was a special girl who always had a smile on her face and she had really found true happiness.

'Life can be so cruel. She was supposed to get married in July.

Pilot Gareth Morgan, 44, from Canada, also died when the plane hit the water, killing all on board instantly.

It emerged overnight the same model of aircraft that was chartered by the family, from Tooting in south-west London, has been involved in a total of 17 crashes in the past ten years, aviation figures show.

Charlie Phillips (right) who attended London College of Printing with Emma (centre) has paid tribute to a 'special girl' who was 'full of happiness to the end'

Mr Cousins' sons Ed, 23, and Will, 25, (left to right) were also killed along with experienced pilot Gareth Morgan, 44, when the plane crashed into the water and sank on New Year's Eve

This is believed to be the last photograph of pilot Gareth Morgan, taken by a British holidaymaker hours before the doomed flight

The incident has drawn comparisons to a crash in Quebec, Canada, in August 2015, involving another Beaver plane (pictured), in which a British family-of-four, a French tourist and the pilot died

Fiona Hewitt (left), of Milton Keynes, and her son Harry, 14 (right) were killed alongside her husband Richard and her teenage daughter Felicity died in the crash in Canada in 2015

The other victim of the Canadian crash in 2015 was Emilie Delaitre, a 28-year-old French tourist

A similar seaplane crashed in Canada in August 2015 after stalling during a steep turn.

In that incident, Fiona Hewitt, 52, her husband Richard, 50, and children Harry, 14 and Felicity, 17, all from Milton Keynes, died, along with another passenger and the pilot.

Australian investigators are trying to establish if the latest crash was caused by the single-engine seaplane stalling after banking too steeply.

Analysis of crash data from around the world shows that 11 of the crashes involving the same type of seaplane in the past ten years took place in Canada, killing 32.

Four took place in the US, killing eight and one person died in a crash in Iceland.

The last fatal crash in Australia involving a DHC-2 Beaver took place in 1994 when the pilot died as he was spreading fertiliser over farmland.

Four months ago, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada raised concerns about the same type of aircraft stalling in mid-air. It called for all commercial DHC-2s in Canada to be fitted with a stall warning alarm as a last line of defence.Lord O'Neill, who served in the Treasury under George Osborne, said it was 'mad' for ministers to focus on relatively small markets such as New Zealand

A former minister has torn into Theresa May's 'clueless' Brexit team saying their strategy for boosting trade outside the EU is 'fantasy'.

Lord O'Neill, who served in the Treasury under George Osborne, branded Boris Johnson 'ludicrous' and said it was 'mad' for ministers to focus on relatively small markets such as New Zealand.

He said it had taken far too long for the government to pay attention to the massive potential of China.

The bruising comments by the former Goldman Sachs banker - who famously coined the term 'BRIC' to describe the emerging global economies - came as Trade Secretary Liam Fox demanded more optimism about the UK's prospects outside of the EU.

It has emerged that the government is considering joining a Pacific trade zone with Canada and Mexico after Brexit.

The move would make the UK the first member of the the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that does not border the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea. Ministers believe it could send a dramatic signal about our global ambitions.

The TPP group lost its largest member when President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement last year.

The 11 remaining member states include Australia, Mexico, Singapore and Canada.

But in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, Lord O'Neill condemned the government's whole approach to life outside the EU.

The peer said the importance of trade ties with former Commonwealth countries, was being overestimated.

'It's kind of fantasy. This year, China is going to grow by 6.7 per cent,' he said.

'In nominal GDP-dollar terms, China will create a new Australia this year. It will create four New Zealands this year.

Lord O'Neill levelled fierce criticism at Liam Fox (left) and Boris Johnson over Brexit plans

Theresa May is expected to make a long-awaited visit to China later this year (the PM is pictured arriving in China for a G20 summit in September)

'And Liam Fox and our ludicrous foreign minister spend half of their life going to New Zealand. It's mad.'

In a blunt assessment of ministers such as Mr Johnson and Dr Fox, he said they were 'intellectual, smart people'.

'But they have no clue about the world economy. They are clueless, sadly. Clueless,' he added.

Dr Fox has been visiting to China, where he is meeting government officials and business leaders.

But Lord O'Neill said the efforts to court the Asian giant were coming too late.

'Within a week of the [EU] referendum the Chinese approached us about a free trade agreement," he said.

'Under Cameron and Osborne they would have had that discussion 15 months ago.'A well-known family vlogger took advantage of sub-zero temperatures to explore the Mpemba effect by throwing boiling water into the air and freezing it.

David Freiheit, from Quebec, Canada, posted a video to his YouTube channel where he throws a huge bucket of boiling water into the air before it turns into ice.

In the clip, filmed at sunset, the father-of-three puts his trust in the scientific theory to make sure he isn't burnt by the water he throws above his head.

In the clip David Freiheit swings the bucket of boiling water through the air

As it hits the air above him the water freezes instantly in the -28C temperatures of Quebec, Canada

WHAT IS THE MPEMBA EFFECT? The Mpemba effect is the theory that warmer water can freeze faster than colder water. The effect has been noted since ancient times but scientists have struggled to explain why it occurs. A team of Singapore scientists think the secret lies in the unique properties of the bonds that hold water together. Hydrogen bonds bring individual water molecules into close contact, which triggers natural repulsion between the water molecules and causes the bonds between oxygen and hydrogen atoms to stretch as well as store energy. So as the liquid warms, it makes the water molecules sit further apart from each other as the hydrogen bonds stretch. When the molecules shrink again and give up their energy, this results in it cooling, which the scientists say means that warm water cools faster than cold water and explains the Mpemba effect. Advertisement

The Mpemba effect is the theory that warmer water freezes faster than colder water.

In the video Mr Freiheit swings the bucket in a circular motion, throwing the water into the air above his body.

As the hot water touches the cold air it turns to ice.

Not a single drop of water touches the floor as it has completely frozen.

Mr Freiheit said: 'I spent the entire day boiling a huge lobster pot of water, running down to the lake and throwing it in the air, trying to get the perfect Mpemba effect.

'I eventually found some red dye and on my last attempt into the setting sun, I achieved Mpemba perfection.'

The Canadian is a popular family vlogger who went viral in 2013 after posting a video of a squirrel stealing his GoPro and running up a tree with it.

Since then his videos have racked up millions of views.

The video demonstrating the Mpemba effect was filmed in -28C (-18.4F) temperatures, and took several attempts to get right.

After successfully capturing the shot of the Mpemba effect in action, he flings the empty bucket to the ground in celebration.

Mr Freiheit is demonstrating the Mpemba effect - the theory that warmer water freezes faster than colder water

The water turns to ice above him and falls to the ground. Mr Freiheit said: 'I spent the entire day boiling a huge lobster pot of water, running down to the lake and throwing it in the air, trying to get the perfect Mpemba effect'Disgraced fashion photographer Terry Richardson is being investigated by police after yet another model claimed he sexually assaulted her during a photoshoot.

Caron Bernstein, 47, says Richardson forced her to perform oral sex on him in his New York studio in 2003.

She claims the 52-year-old had asked her to model a perfume for V magazine, and that during the shoot he 'exposed his penis and forced himself into her mouth'.

Accusations: The NYPD is investigating Terry Richardson, left, after Caron Bernstein, 47, right, accused him of forcing her to perform oral sex on him during a photoshoot in 2003

However, the publication told the New York Daily News that they 'had no knowledge of a 2003 editorial feature assigned to Richardson'.

Richardson's lawyer told the paper that Ms Bernstein was aware that she was shooting 'sexually explicit photos' with no connection to any magazine or ad campaign.

Following the allegations, several alleged victims have now been contacted by the NYPD's Special Victims Squad regarding the photographer, the New York Daily News reports.

Ex-model: Ms Bernstein pictured in 2007

The paper, who first published the claims made by Ms Bernstein, says this also includes former model Lindsay Jones who also accuses Richardson of forcing her to perform oral sex on him during a photoshoot ten years ago.

Richardson has been accused of sexual assault several times in the past 15 years, but he vehemently denies that any crime has been committed, claiming all sexual interactions with models have been consensual.

The New Yorker is known for incorporating explicit themes into his shoots, and directed the sexually-charged music video to Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus - which she later said she regrets.

As recently as October last year, Conde Nast International, which publishes Vogue, GQ, Glamour and Vanity Fair, severed its tied with Richardson as a result of allegations of sexual assault.

They joined an expanding list of brands no longer working with Richardson, including H&M, Target and Aldo, to which high-end fashion houses Valentino and Bulgari have since been added.

Allegations against Richardson include those made by model Sena Chech in 2009, when she says claimed that Terry's assistant had asked her to perform a sexual act on him.

In 2010 a model named Rie Rasmussen confronted Terry at a party in Paris accusing him of manipulating underage models 'to take their clothes off and take pictures of them they will be ashamed of.

Raunchy: Model Enriko Mihalik and photographer Terry Richardson pose during the creation of the 2010 Pirelli calendar

Hanging with fame: Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton and Terry Richardson attend the Jeremy Scott fashion show during MADE Fashion Week Spring 2014 in New York City

The same year, model Jamie Peck revealed that when she was 19, Richardson had asked for her to give him her used sanitary product.

She said that she also sexually stimulated the photographer with her hand after being encouraged to do so - not only by Terry - but by his team, after he took all of his clothes off.

In March 2014, model Charlotte Waters posted a piece on Reddit claimed that during her shoot Terry became aggressive and it 'became sexual act after sexual act.'

Richardson has rarely responded to allegations over the years, but in a blog posted in October after being dropped by Conde Nast, he wrote that he 'collaborated with consenting adult women'.

'I have never used an offer of work or a threat of rebuke to coerce someone into something that they did not want to do.'

Representatives for Mr Richardson have been approached for comment.This is the shocking moment three scantily clad women pull each other's hair and trade punches during a vicious catfight in the street.

The brawling women can be seen rolling around on the floor in the viral 30-second clip, which has been viewed more than 40,000 times.

Half a dozen men can be seen struggling to separate the trio as the brutal fight escalates outside a nightclub in Argentina in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The footage, filmed by a bystander in the northern city of Tucuman, begins with two women wrestling on the pavement of dimly-lit street.

A man standing beside one of the fighting women can be seen trying to pull her away - but with no success.

Looming above the other wrestling female is a third woman, who rains down a series of punches on her head.

Suddenly a gentleman wearing a white t-shirt lunges towards her, forcefully pushing her away from the squabbling pair still locked in combat.

But seconds later the blonde - wearing a skimpy minidress and enormous platform heels - returns to the scuffle.

Grabbing one of the brawler's hair in her fist, she violently shakes her backwards and forwards, pulling so hard that the woman is momentarily lifted off the floor.

More bystanders rush to intervene as the aggression escalates, obscuring the three women from view.

Footage shows three scantily clad women pull each other's hair and trade punches during a vicious catfight in the street outside a nightclub in Argentina

The violent brawl is said to have happened outside a nightclub called Yerba Buena in the northern city of Tucuman

At one point a car park attendant at the nightclub near where the orgy of violence started ran over shouting 'Stop senorita. Let's go.'

The lady in the platform heels can be seen falling to the floor as the woman whose hair she was pulling drags her viciously along the pavement in retaliation.

The brunette, dressed in yellow disco pants and a red top, then proceeded to repeatedly punch her rival in the head.

Finally, the fight is broken up and the two brawlers move off in one direction as the blonde is led off in the other by a burly security guard.

One of the women filming the ugly incident, said to have happened outside a nightclub called Yerba Buena, could be overheard mumbling 'degenerates' to a friend as she witnessed the fight.

Bystanders rush to intervene as the aggression escalates, desperately trying to separate the warring women

A female wearing a skimpy minidress and enormous platform heels can be seen wrenching the hair of one of the original brawlers, pulling so hard the woman is lifted off the ground

No police appeared to stop the brawl, which happened in the early hours of New Year's Day during a party, and it is not thought any arrests took place.

Local reports said a fourth woman was involved in the violence, although only three could be seen in the video taken on a mobile phone.

It was not immediately clear what had prompted the violence.

Local Susana Pichi Motta wrote on Facebook: 'They pulled each other's hair, they kicked each other, they dragged one another along the ground and they slapped each other round the face but at least they didn't lose their high heels. How glamorous!!'

Tamara Payaslian added: 'What animals! How can they fight like that.'

Cari Median suggested: ' A bucket of freezing cold water over their heads to get them to stop. That would have been a good idea.'

No police appeared to stop the brawl, which happened in the early hours of New Year's Day during a party

Local reports said a fourth woman was involved in the violence, although only three could be seen in the video taken on a mobile phone

This is not the first time shocking violence among women has been captured in Argentina.

In November, mums outside a school gate in the city of Rio Tercero in Cordoba Province were filmed getting into an ugly fight in front of a shocked parent carrying a baby in her arms.

Footage taken by a motorist listening to rap music in his car outside the school showed a woman in jeans and a dark top walking up to a mum sat down by the school entrance and grabbing her hair before shoving her backwards by the head.

The victim reacted with a karate kick from her sitting position as the terrified mum with the child in her arms attempted to reach safety.

The two rivals forced passing motorists to slow down as they continued slapping and punching each other in the road.

The fight is finally broken up and the two brawlers move off in one direction while the blonde is led off in the other by a burly security guard

The viral 30-second clip has been viewed more than 40,000 times on YouTube

The man at the wheel did nothing to stop the violence - but could be overheard shouting at the pair to be careful of his car as they fell on top of the vehicle.

One of the women yelled to the other 'Stop it or I'm going to kill you.'

Two girls were also videoed fighting for the prize of a fizzy drink in extraordinary scenes filmed in the same month in a park in Argentina.

The street battle, filmed in a park called Parque de las Naciones in the central Argentinian city of San Luis, ended up turning into a free-after-all with the girlfriends of the two street fighters intervening with their own kicks and punches as the pair ended up on the ground.Corey Johnson will likely be elected as the next New York City Council speaker on Jan. 3, with his victory cemented by support from the Bronx and Queens council delegations. The race functionally ended when Johnson, a frontrunner in the race, received a phone call on Dec. 20 from Rep. Joe Crowley, the influential Queens County Democratic Party chairman, expressing his support.

It is not expected to be a smooth coronation for Johnson, as Council members Jumaane Williams and Inez Barron remain in the race. Their candidacies protest another white man being placed in a leadership position in a majority-minority city. But while there may be tension in City Hall during the vote, Johnsons ascendance is almost certain.

RELATED: Six things to know about Corey Johnson

The decision by Crowley and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the Bronx Democratic Party chairman, to support Johnson represents a larger partnership between lawmakers in Queens and in the Bronx. This long-standing alliance allows the two boroughs to influence political outcomes and provide a counterweight to Brooklyn, the citys largest borough.

Its a priority for the Bronx to maintain a strong working relationship with Queens, and its a priority for Queens to maintain a strong working relationship with the Bronx, Councilman Ritchie Torres, a former speaker candidate, told City & State in a November interview. I think were more powerful together than we are in isolation.

This strong working relationship goes back at least 30 years, when Peter Vallone Sr. was elected majority leader of the council in 1986, according to Evan Stavisky, a political consultant and partner at Parkside Group. The Bronx and Queens delegations supported Vallone, and were able to ensure his election as a unified bloc of voters. The council had only 35 members and significantly less power in 1986, but this success set a precedent for future victories in and outside of the council.

The Queens and Bronx delegations have generally voted as a bloc, and generally stuck together, and seen success as a result, Stavisky said about why the partnership has persisted. There's an old saying, don't mess with success. And this has obviously been a successful arrangement for both counties.

The Bronx has eight council members, and Queens has 14, giving them a combined 22 votes. This leaves only four votes needed to reach a 26-member majority in the council. With only three members, Staten Island provides a small, but occasionally critical, unit of votes. Manhattan has 10 members, but its party organization is not as powerful as that of Brooklyn, the Bronx or Queens, explained Bruce Berg, a political science professor at Fordham University.

There is no Manhattan Democratic Party, Berg said, meaning that the Manhattan Democratic Party, which is chaired by Keith Wright, is not nearly as influential as its outer-borough counterparts. Its a district-to-district, block-by-block thing. This allows Manhattans council members to be a malleable group of voters, who may choose to align themselves with the other delegations.

Previous council speakers Gifford Miller and Christine Quinn represented Manhattan, Mark-Viveritos district spans across Manhattan and the Bronx, and Johnson is also a Manhattanite. The power brokers in Queens and the Bronx often choose to support speaker candidates from Manhattan because of the math involved with obtaining a majority. If the 22-member combined delegation wants to get to 26 votes, and Manhattan votes are generally up for grabs, it helps to have a speaker from that borough.

Brooklyn has 16 council members, and has been traditionally been unable to exert the level of influence of Queens and the Bronx because of internal divisions. Stavisky said that the Brooklyn delegation contains several factions, including southern Brooklyn, central Brooklyn and progressive brownstone Brooklyn.

Thats just been a political fact since the 80s, he said, alluding to Vallones initial election as majority leader. Trying to get them to go in the same direction is difficult because they spend most of their time fighting each other in primaries.

Ken Fisher, a partner at Cozen OConnor and a former councilman from Brooklyn, said that the Brooklyn delegation is still reeling from shakeups in leadership. Former county Democratic Party leader Clarence Norman resigned after being convicted on corruption charges in 2005. He was succeeded by Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who then stepped down amid a sexual harassment scandal in 2012. Lopez was replaced by Frank Seddio, who was a key player in the 2014 speakers election.

Yet in 2014, Brooklyn officials were able to outmaneuver Crowley and then-Bronx Democratic Party Chair Carl Heastie in the speaker race. Stavisky called these political machinations the exception that proves the rule of Queens-Bronx political influence.

Newly elected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Seddio threw their support behind Mark-Viverito four years ago, while Crowley backed Councilman Dan Garodnick. De Blasio was able to help typically fractured delegation rally around Mark-Viverito, while members of the Bronx and Queens were not as united as usual.

The only time they were able to overcome those differences was when you had a popular mayor from Brooklyn out of the brownstone faction able to put influence on the party regulars, and even then, they still needed a couple votes out of Queens and the Bronx, Stavisky said, referring to members such as Ritchie Torres of the Bronx and Julissa Ferreras-Copeland of Queens, who broke with their delegations to support Mark-Viverito. Torres and Ferreras-Copeland were members of the Progressive Caucus on the council, which had considerable influence in the 2014 race.

It looked like the Progressive Caucus was the center of gravity and people were attracted to that, Fisher said, adding that the caucus and Mark-Viverito had the support from several unions. After de Blasios election, there was a political movement bolstered by the new mayor and the Progressive Caucus. Whereas Garodnicks candidacy represented the status quo, Mark-Viveritos and, earlier, de Blasios candidacies symbolized the backlash against 12 years of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

RELATED: Departing NYC Council members reflect on their legacies

Seddio threw his support behind Mark-Viverito after being asked by de Blasio, despite initially promising to stand with the Bronx and Queens parties. Mark-Viverito was ultimately elected speaker, although it was uncertain what the result would be until the day of the election.

Four years later, the vote was determined weeks in advance, and the alliance between Queens and the Bronx appears to have reasserted its power. Crowley negotiated with Crespo and members of the citys congressional delegation to deliver the votes for Johnson. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn, an ally of Crowley, reportedly helped to deliver the votes from Brooklyn. De Blasio and Seddio were outmaneuvered.

De Blasio was at an event in Iowa when negotiations were finalized, but his status as a soon-to-be lame duck mayor had already dampened the influence he exerted over the race. Every candidate to be speaker this time around, excluding Robert Cornegy Jr., was a member of the Progressive Caucus, dividing focus and diminishing its ability to influence the race. Seddio was also a minor figure, in large part because he had alienated the Queens and Bronx county leaders in 2014. Fisher said that the two delegations were so united in 2018 in part because of the desire to prevent the Brooklyn Democratic leader from picking the next speaker.

Stavisky, who was previously the principal strategist for Crowleys reelection campaign, argued that Crowley did not play the role of kingmaker in this race, but chose to support Johnson based on feedback from members of the Queens delegation. Johnson had secured the support of several of his colleagues  including influential Queens Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz  which the Queens congressman took into account before deciding which candidate to support.

The county chair's job is to facilitate  it's not to dictate, it's to facilitate, Stavisky said.

The alliance between the Queens and Bronx party chairs persists because it is larger than the institution of the council. It plays important role in statewide politics as well, and helped to propel Heastie to become Assembly speaker in 2015, as Queens was the first delegation to support his candidacy outside of the Bronx.

With Heastie in the Assembly speakers chair, political power in the city is now largely concentrated in the two boroughs, said Fisher, ensuring that the alliance will endure. Crowley is chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives, and is widely considered to be a leading contender for speaker of the House if the Democrats gain a majority. Heasties election ended Brooklyns hold on the Assembly speakership, diverting more power to the Bronx. Bronx state Sen. Jeff Klein is the leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, wielding significant influence in the state Legislature.

Johnsons likely election to the speakership will further anchor the partnership between Queens and the Bronx, allowing for it to influence city and state politics for the foreseeable future.

It endures because it works, Fisher said. It worked for Vallone, it worked for Miller, it worked for Quinn, and in the absence of the Progressive Caucus as a significant factor this year, it's worked for Corey Johnson as well.A gun range owner who in 2014 banned Muslims from her business as a matter of 'public safety' has announced that she now intends to stand for governor in the US state of Arkansas.

Republican Jan Morgan officially announced her candidacy at a New Year's Eve event in her hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas. She will be challenging incumbent Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson in May.

Ms Morgan, who has served as national spokesperson for Citizens for Trump, created a storm in 2014 when she claimed Islam was 'not a religion' and should not be afforded protections under the US Constitution.

Ms Morgan, who says she has been threatened before, wrote a rambling blog post two years ago: 'Why would I want to rent or sell a gun and hand ammunition to someone who aligns himself with a religion that commands him to kill me?'

Ms Morgan's Facebook account reflects her fervent support for the right to bear arms

Ms Morgan says that Nazis and Ku KluxKlan supporters would be equally unwelcome on her gun range

Ms Morgan has regularly appeared on Fox News to articulate her conservative views

Commentators say that Ms Morgan's bid to become Arkansas governor is unlikely to succeed

Ms Morgan has served as national spokesperson for Citizens for Trump

She agains drew publicity two years ago when she turned away a Hindu father and son from her gun range.

The men, of Indian descent, said they had arrived hoping to shoot but were immediately asked where they were from and told it was a Muslim-free range.

Ms Morgan has claimed that business is booming since her Muslim ban and that threats of a lawsuit by federal civil rights enforcers have failed to materialise.

In a bizarre blog post two years ago, she asked why she should 'rent or sell a gun and hand ammunition to someone who aligns himself with a religion that commands him to kill me?'

The shooting range owner said she made the decision after two customers she deemed suspicious visited. She said their furtive behavior and cellphone ringtones of 'Allahu Akhbar' prompted her to revise her range's policies.

Ms Morgan said she excluded from her range those she believes to be Muslim by assessing their names.

'We are dealing in lethal firearms,' Morgan she told FoxNews.com at the time. 'I'm not going to let a Nazi shoot in here, or a Ku Klux Klan member in here, either.'

She added in her blog that she believed the Koran contains '109 verses commanding hate, murder and terror,' and claims threats on her life have been made by Muslims.

The gun range owner has made no secret of her patriotism or her conservatism

The gun range owner says that she chooses to err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of her patrons

The Council on American-Islamic Relations recently asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Ms Morgan on the grounds of racial and religious discrimination

Ms Morgan's critics say that not all Americans are as welcome on her gun range as she would have people believe

'I understand that not all Muslims are terrorists," she said at the time.

'I also believe there are as many Muslims who do not know what is in their Koran as there are Christians who do not know what is in their Bible.

'Since I have no way of discerning which Muslims will or will not kill in the name of their religion and the commands in their Koran, I choose to err on the side of caution for the safety of my patrons.'

Comentators say that although Ms Morgan has already created a campaign website and has started to solicit campaign contributions for her 2018 push, she is not expected to unseat Mr Hutchinson who she has has consistently described as 'RINO' - 'Republican in name only' - on her Facebook page.

She has accused Mr Hutchinson of 'campaigning like a conservative Republican but governing like a liberal Democrat'.

In addition she has alleged that that the sitting governor of not sufficiently conservative on gun rights and not sufficiently combative when it comes to challenging sharia law.A world-famous harpist who performed for the Queen allegedly engaged in a three-in-a-bed sex act with a 14-year-old boy after being introduced to him by her church warden lover, a court heard today.

Danielle Perrett, 59, met the teenager after her then partner Richard Barton-Wood, now 68, took him to watch her play the harp in a hotel recital.

The pair then both allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the teen on numerous occasions over a six-month period between March and September 1984.

Perrett played at Prince Philip's 70th birthday party and has also performed for Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duchess of York.

Danielle Perrett, 59, arrived at Ipswich Crown Court this morning. She allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the teen on numerous occasions over a six-month period between March and September 1984

Perrett played at Prince Philip's 70th birthday party and has also performed for Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duchess of York

Prosecutor William Carter told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court today: 'He (the victim) was obviously too young to consent to what was happening.

'He described her as kind and gentle and says he felt safe around her. Her actions, pleasant though they seemed to him at the time, were unacceptable.'

The court heard how after first meeting the teen at a hotel, Perrett later slept with him on multiple occasions at a flat in London where Barton-Wood was also present.

Mr Carter said: 'It was through Richard Barton-Wood that [the victim] met Danielle Perrett.

'He [the victim] remembers being taken to a hotel where they sat at a table, watching Danielle Perrett play the harp. The three of them also stayed together in a flat.'

One at least one occasion, Barton-Wood also allegedly got into bed with the pair to engage in sexual activity with both Perrett and the teenage victim.

Richard Barton-Wood, pictured here with a woman believed to be his new partner, has denied five charges of indecent assault

Mr Carter said: 'He recalls she smelled of roses. Afterwards, Richard Barton-Wood came into the room. He got into bed so [the alleged victim] was between them.

'In the morning, [the alleged victim] had a shower. He was joined by Danielle Perrett and she performed oral sex on him.'

The prosecutor told the jury of another occasion in which Perrett got into bed with the young victim.

Perrett has received several awards from the Arts Council of Great Britain

'The victim went to bed and after a while Danielle Perrett came into the bedroom,' said Mr Carter.

'She got undressed and cuddled up to him. They then had sex. The victim said he was attracted to her and the sex was nice as well.'

The court heard how Barton-Wood got to know the victim in 1984 while working as a substitute teacher at a school and in a relationship with Perrett.

The church warden is accused of sexually abusing the boy on various occasions - including while camping and on a sailing trip.

The jury heard how the former teacher would give him money, and buy him cigarettes and alcohol, and sometimes they would smoke cannabis together.

Mr Carter said: 'Such sexual activity was not confined to the boat.

'The final occasion was one where he had tied his trousers to prevent them being removed and woke to find Barton-Wood trying to pull them down.'

In 2001, the victim contacted Barton-Wood, saying he wanted to meet to find out why he had done what he did, the court was told.

Perrett has played for VIPs at stately homes around the UK as well as at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and the Palace of Versailles

WORLD RENOWNED ROYAL HARPIST Perrett has played for VIPs at stately homes around the UK as well as at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and the Palace of Versailles. She has performed solo and chamber music in the USA, Canada, Australasia, South East Asia, India, Hong Kong, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and all over Europe. Her recordings have received critical acclaim and she has had broadcast on radio and TV. She has also appeared in several films, including the BBC's TV film of the Jane Austen novel Persuasion. Perrett's biography states she is also a qualified Pilates teacher and a leading figure in promoting good posture and healthy performance practice for harpists and other musicians. She gained diplomas in harp playing whilst still at school and the Royal College of Music junior department just five years after taking up the instrument Perrett has received several awards from the Arts Council of Great Britain as well as the Royal Overseas League Harp Prize. Advertisement

In a statement, Barton-Wood claimed he was being blackmailed.

Mr Carter said: 'He felt the email was in some way threatening.

'[The victim] said there were things he could say about him and Richard Barton-Wood felt he was being blackmailed.

'There were subsequent phone conversations where he said he wanted money.'

Perrett was also contacted by the victim and she too claimed she was threatened.

'She said she thought [the victim] was blackmailing her, although she had nothing to be blackmailed about,' said Mr Carter.

'They both continue to deny that anything of this sort occurred.

'She says she didn't say something earlier because she feared her position as a musician would be damaged.'

Barton-Wood is a warden and publicity officer at 12th century Wymondham Abbey.

Perrett, from Alpheton in Suffolk, denies eight counts of sexual assault.

Barton-Wood, from Wymondham, Norfolk, denies one count of attempting to commit the act of buggery on a male person, attempting to commit indecent assault, and indecent assault on a male person.

The trial which is expected to last two weeks and is being overseen by Judge Rupert Overbury, continues tomorrow when the victim is expected to give evidence.A polar bear cub has been born in the UK for the first time in 25 years - after some confusion over whether the new mother was just getting fat.

Victoria, the mother polar bear, piled on 440 pounds last year convincing the zookeepers at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, Scotland she was pregnant.

However it turned out that Victoria, the only female polar bear in the UK, wasn't expecting at the time.

But she has now welcomed a new cub into the world which has been described as an 'outstanding achievement which will have interest across the world' by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).

Victoria (pictured), a polar bear from the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, Scotland has given birth to a cub

Victoria mated with father of the cub, Arktos, back in March last year and gave birth ten months later

The uncertainty stems from the inability to test whether the giant white beasts are pregnant so it is hard to say why the weight gain is happening.

The first three months of the cubs life can be perilous, whether wild or captive born, because the mortality rate of new borns is so high.

For this reason celebrations are being put on hold at the zoo because cubs have an undeveloped immune system and the mothers need for privacy.

Any disturbance to the mother and baby during the bonding process can risk the cub being killed or abandoned.

The birth was the first of its kind in 25 years, the last time a polar bear cub was born in the UK was in 1992 at Flamingo Land in Yorkshire

In 2016 after mating season Victoria piled on 440 pounds however zookeepers were disappointed when they realised she wasn't actually expecting

High pitched sounds from Victoria's maternity den at Highland Wildlife Park confirmed the staff's hopes - she was giving birth.

Una Richardson, the park's Head Keeper responsible for carnivores, said, 'We first heard promising noises in the week before Christmas and these have now continued into the new year. Because we don't have sight inside her cubbing box we can't be sure if Victoria has had more than one cub but we can confirm the birth.

'While we are absolutely thrilled, we are not celebrating prematurely as polar bear cubs have a high mortality rate in the first weeks of life due to their undeveloped immune system and the mother's exaggerated need for privacy, with any disturbance risking the cub being killed or abandoned.

POLAR BEAR CUBS Why do polar bears give birth so rarely? It is difficult for polar bears to get pregnant as they need to put on vast amounts of weight. After they mate in spring a fertilised egg does not implant until months later when the female has put on hundreds of pounds. This is because they need sufficient fat reserves to survive hibernation in a den. In the wild they do not generally eat for six months after giving birth. In zoos staff use cameras to see if a bear has given birth and there is no way to test if they are pregnant. The polar bear breeding window is also very short, between one and three weeks. The last polar bear cub born in the UK was in 1992 at Flamingo Land in Yorkshire. Why can't you disturb them at birth? At birth polar bear cubs weigh around one pound and are around the size of a human hand. During their first three months of life, cubs have a particularly undeveloped immune system. In captivity the survival rate for polar bear cubs in the first weeks is around 50 per cent. They live in dark 'birthing dens' to give the mother privacy as small disturbances can cause her to abandon or kill her young. The motives behind this behaviour are not clear. Captive polar bears have particularly high levels of infant mortality and abnormal behaviour making the first weeks of life particularly perilous. Advertisement

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland 'outstanding achievement which will have interest across the world'

'We will continue to monitor Victoria and very much hope for the best possible news when she emerges around March. Until then, Victoria's enclosure will be closed to the public and keeper activity will be at a minimum to give her offspring every chance of survival.'

New-born polar bear cubs are blind, around 30cm long and weigh little more than a guinea pig. They only open their eyes when they are a month old and are entirely dependent on their mother, feeding on fat-rich milk to grow quickly, weighing around ten to 12 kg by the time they leave their den.

Douglas Richardson, Head of Living Collections at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, said, 'The arrival of a polar bear cub is a tremendous husbandry accomplishment for our team.

'When Victoria arrived here in 2015 it was another tangible step in RZSS developing a new method of captive polar bear management, by providing a naturalistic habitat in a climate that is not so different from the one they have evolved to cope with.

High-pitched sounds that were heard from Victoria's maternity den confirmed staff's hopes that she was giving birth

'This success has been based on a radically different approach to their care and husbandry to mirror what would happen in the wild.'

Polar bears usually give birth between December to January after the breeding season in March.

Victoria mated with one of the park's two males, Arktos, who will remain on view with the other male, Walker, in their enclosure due the the pairs popularity with visitors.

Barbara Smith, RZSS Chief Executive, said, 'The birth of the first polar bear cub in the UK for a quarter of a century is an outstanding achievement which will arouse interest around the world. It is testament to the commitment and professionalism of our team and hugely exciting.

The uncertainty stems from the inability to test whether the giant white beasts are pregnant so it is hard to say why the weight gain is happening

'At RZSS we believe we have a duty to help protect this magnificent species, with the reduction in sea ice, the polar bear's primary seal hunting platform, predicted to significantly reduce numbers over the next 40 years.

'Our polar bears are part of the European Endangered Species Programme and we hope Victoria's offspring will survive to reinforce the captive population, which may be needed in the future to augment and help restore a markedly reduced and fragmented wild population.'

Staff at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig have kept Victoria well-fed on fish and vegetables.

Polar bears usually give birth to twins, with new-born cubs being around the same size and weight as an adult guinea pig.

Victoria and her new arrival will be given privacy for three months because any risk of disturbance can cause the mother to abandon or even kill the cub

However Victoria's mating partner Arktos will be kept in his regular enclosure with the park's other male polar bear Walker

The last polar bear cub born in the UK was in 1992 at Flamingo Land in Yorkshire.

And the last born in Scotland was on November 15, 1991 when female Ohoto was the second cub to Mercedes at Edinburgh Zoo. Mercedes had previously given birth to male Minty at the zoo in 1988.

The mating success of Victoria is in contrast to Scotland's pandas.

Female Tian Tian, which means Sweetie, and male Yang Guang, meaning Sunshine arrived at Edinburgh Zoo six years ago but, despite the best efforts of zookeepers, have so far failed to produce a cub.

The polar bear breeding window is also very short, between one and three weeks.

Birth is normally in December or January. In the wild, the females go into their snow dens and stay there for up to four months. They don't go out to feed, which is why they build up their reserves during pregnancy.

The polar bear breeding window is very short, between one and three weeks and usually occurs in March

Victoria previously gave birth in 2008 at Aalborg Zoo. Milak, her first cub, became an online sensation when hundreds of thousands of people from 75 countries around the world followed the early days of the cub's life while still in the maternity den.

Arktos was born at Vienna Zoo in Austria and he was chosen as Victoria's mate because his genetics are less represented within the vital European breeding programme.

Both he and Walker, the other male polar bear at the park, currently live together in an expansive, natural enclosure, while Victoria has her own equally spacious enclosure at another location.

The separate male and female enclosures mimic the behaviour of polar bears in the wild where the sexes generally only come together to mate.

In 2006, the RZSS decided to diversify the native wildlife collections at the park to include international species suited to cold climate and tundra habitats befitting the Cairngorms setting.

This diversification, and successful breeding programmes, has led to an increase in visitor numbers, establishing the Highland Wildlife Park as one of Scotland's top 20 paid visitor attractions.

And with patter of tiny polar bear paws it is likely to soar near the top.Five men and a woman from around the country have been arrested on suspicion of being part of banned far-right group National Action.

Anti-terror police swooped on suspects from Banbury in Oxfordshire, Cambridge and Wolverhampton in early morning raids today.

The group - who are aged between 21 and 37 - are being questioned by police in the West Midlands.

Far-right group National Action have been banned under terrorism laws. File photo

A police spokesman described the men as 'a 26-year-old from Cambridge, a 21-year-old from Banbury, Oxfordshire, a 28-year-old from Wolverhampton, a 26-year-old from Leicester and a 24-year-old from Stockport'.

The woman arrested is 37 and also from Banbury.

The police spokesman said: 'All six have been detained on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed organisation (National Action) contrary to sec 11 of the Terrorism Act.'

They are the latest in a wave of arrests of alleged National Action members since the group was banned by the Government.

Counter-terror police have detained dozens of people, including some on suspicion of plotting terror attacks, since the order formally came into effect.

A number of properties are being searched in connection with today's arrests.

Police said the arrests were 'pre-planned and intelligence-led' and insisted there is no threat to public safety.

A string of counter-terrorism units were involved in the operation, including from the West Midlands, North West, South East and East England.

Two people from Banbury, Oxfordshire are among the six arrested in raids by anti-terror police

The arrests come a month after Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson received a letter from the group which warned him that they were 'watching him'.

Mr Anderson today said he was pleased to hear about the arrests.

He said: 'They are terrorist, racist thugs and I am glad to see these arrests have been made - they are inciting all kinds of horrible things.'

There has been no suggestion by police that today's arrests were linked to the letter received by Mr Anderson.Two French police officers have already shot themselves dead in 2018 - following a record 66 similar suicides in 2017.

It was on Monday - New Year's Day - that a father-of-three in his 40s ended a night shift in the northern port of Dunkirk by taking his own life.

Another in the Brittany city of Quimper and in his 50s used his service pistol on himself following a long career in the force.

Two French police officers have killed themselves with their service weapons so far in 2018, following a record 66 suicides in 2017 (file image)

The deaths come amid an uptick in violence against police (pictured, a video of a female officer being beaten this week) and after cops were allowed to take their weapons home

It comes after French police were given permission to take their service weapons home following the Paris terror attack in 2015.

That temporary rule was made permanent in July 2016 after an officer and his wife were stabbed to death by a jihadist

The disturbing figures have also been accompanied by an increase in violence against those upholding law and order.

This week video emerged of a woman officer being beaten up by a baying mob in the Paris suburb of Champigny-sur-Marne, which has become synonymous with Portuguese immigration.

President Emmanuel Macron has promised a crackdown after footage of French police being beaten went viral

A male colleague of the victim also suffered a 'criminal lynching', according to President Emmanuel Macron, who pledged urgent action.

Another officer was also assaulted by a gang in the nearby town of Aulnay-sous-Bois, in the troubled Seine-Saint-Denis department.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb called the attacks against police 'unacceptable', and said violence in Parisian societies 'must be stopped'.

Collomb said reforms were needed to improve lives in 'pauperised, ghettoised' French suburbs, which have long suffered a reputation for violence and poverty.

More than a thousand cars were burned across France on New Year's Eve, a ritual among youths living in deprived high-rise suburbs.

'These are neighbourhoods that must change,' Collomb said, ahead of new pilot schemes in local policing set to begin next month following a large-scale consultation with security forces.

An Interior Ministry source confirmed that 49 national police officers and 17 gendarmes - paramilitaries who work alongside the police - killed themselves in 2017.

'The figures are rising, and are extremely alarming,' said the source. 'Work is becoming extremely dangerous for officers, and the pressures are becoming too much for some.'

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb called the attacks against police 'unacceptable', and said violence in poor Parisian suburbs like the one pictured 'must be stopped'

France was in an official State of Emergency up until last year following a series of Islamic State and al-Qaeda terrorist attacks - some aimed directly at police.

Neglected suburbs on the edge of major cities including Paris have also become increasingly dangerous places for officers to patrol.

It has all led to the suicide risk among French police officers being at least three times higher than the national average, according to Interior Ministry figures.

They show that Paris officers are more likely to shoot themselves dead, and that males were most at risk. Of last year's 66 deaths, only three were women.

Just over 1,100 French police officers have committed suicide since 1992, with more than 50 per cent using their own service weapons to do so.

For confidential UK support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details

In France contact Suicide Ecoute on 01 45 39 40 00 or visit www.suicideecoute.pads.fr/accueilWhite House adviser Kellyanne Conway has said said that the Trump administration is ready to impose sanctions on Iran if Tehran continues to crackdown on protests - and they'll likely target the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

President Donald Trump is rooting for anti-government protesters despite the risk of helping Iranian authorities dismiss the demonstrations as the product of American instigation.

He declared Tuesday it was 'time for change' in Iran. At the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki Haley sought a Security Council meeting to show support for those protesting.

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said that President Donald Trump is ready to impose sanctions to the Revolutionary Guard if Tehran continues to crackdown on protests

Conway told Fox News on Tuesday that the administration is reviewing the possibility of new sanctions if the state crackdown on protests continues.

Sanctions will likely be targeted at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced this week that it was taking control of security in Tehran after clashes in the country killed at least 21.

Trump 'stands with the Iranian people', Conway said. 'He doesn't want to remain silent the way too many people were silent in 2009.'

White House Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders also spoke out in support of the protests.

She said they were 'an organic, popular uprising organised by brave Iranian citizens on the largest scale since 2009'. She added: 'The international community cannot sit silent as it did then.'

From the White House podium, Sanders also took aim at the regime, accusing it of spending Iran's 'wealth on spreading militancy and terror abroad, rather than ensuring prosperity at home'.

'Prices for everyday staples and fuel are rising, while the Revolutionary Guard spend the nation's wealth on foreign militant groups and enrich themselves in the process,' she said.

President Donald Trump is rooting for anti-government protesters despite the risk of helping Iranian authorities dismiss the demonstrations as the product of American instigation

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran's enemies were using money, weapons, politics and spies 'to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution'

Trump - flanked in the White House by a coterie of former generals who spent a career fighting Iranian proxies from Beirut to Baghdad - has taken a hard line against Iran since coming to office.

Iran's government blamed the United States, Saudi Arabia and Britain for the protests.

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran's enemies were using money, weapons, politics and spies 'to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution'.

Trump was undeterred, praising Iranians for 'finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime'.

Meanwhile, pro-government demonstrations have been taking place in cities across Iran after a week of protests and unrest over the country's poor economy, according to state media.

The anti-government protests, the largest in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, began on December 28 in the city of Mashhad, Iran's second-largest, over a weak economy and a rise in food prices.

They have since expanded to cities and towns in nearly every province.

The anti-government protests (pictured above in Tehran), the largest in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, began on December 28 in the city of Mashhad, Iran's second-largest, over a weak economy and a rise in food prices

Meanwhile, pro-government demonstrations (pictured in Qom, outside Tehran) have been taking place in cities across Iran after a week of protests and unrest over the country's poor economy, according to state media

Hundreds have been arrested, and a prominent judge warned that some could face the death penalty.

English-language broadcaster Press TV broadcast Wednesday's pro-government rallies live, saying they were to 'protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities'.

Demonstrators waved Iranians flags and signs supporting Iran's clerically overseen government.

Tehran has since shut down access to Telegram and the photo-sharing app Instagram, which join Facebook and Twitter in being banned, in an attempt to slow the unrest.

The Trump administration called on Tehran to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites.

Undersecretary of state Steve Goldstein said Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are 'legitimate avenues for communication'.

The head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court also reportedly warned that arrested protesters could potentially face the death penalty.

'Obviously one of their charges can be Moharebeh,' or waging war against God, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Mousa Ghazanfarabadi as saying.This is the moment a group of heroic bystanders leapt into action in a desperate attempt to save a British family of five and the pilot of a seaplane that plunged into the Hawkesbury River.

Kurt Bratby, Todd Sellars and Lachlan Hewitt watched in horror as the aircraft 'fell from the sky' on New Year's Eve, tragically killing all six on board.

The trio were enjoying a beer with other friends on the popular river, north of Sydney, when they a heard a 'huge noise, a boom'.

They lassoed a rope around the sinking plane, tied the tailfin to their dingy and took it in turns to dive 7ft down into the water in a bid to pull the family to safety.

Tragically, the doors could not be opened and the fuel in the water stifled their rescue attempt.

This is the haunting moment three fishermen dove beneath the surface of the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, in an effort to save six people trapped on-board the seaplane

Todd Sellars (pictured left) and Lachlan Hewitt (right) watched in horror as the aircraft 'fell from the sky' on New Year's Eve, tragically killing all six on board

Real estate agent Kurt Bratby, 27, and his friend Lachlan Hewitt rushed to the scene of the crash

Emma Bowden, 48, posed up with her 11-year-old daughter Heather in front of Sydney Opera House days before the doomed 1960s single-engine DHC-2 Beaver plane plunged into the Hawksbury River, north of Sydney, Australia on New Year's Eve. This is the final known photo of the two together

Despite onlookers warning them the fuel could spark, Kurt said he and his three friends did not give up hope when they could not wrench open the door of the plane.

'We were just loading up the houseboat when my friends called out. We got out to the scene in under a minute,' said Mr Bratby, a 27-year-old estate agent.

'We didn't think about the dangers. Once the adrenaline kicked in we were just thinking about the people we could save.'

The men rushed to the scene on a smaller boat before diving underwater through fuel and debris in a desperate bid to pull the passengers to safety.

The friends then tied the tail of the doomed plane to their dinghy and tried in vain to drag the aircraft to the shoreline, but it was too late.

Mr Sellars, 32, whose social media accounts show a man with a love for the outdoors and hunting, said police told him the friends did all that they could.

'They had probably suffered catastrophic injuries and been killed in the crash,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

'I'm not sure if I saw a lady or it was the lights playing tricks on me... It was awful because we knew people were in there and we couldn't get them out.'

The friends, including Central Coast bricklayer Lachlan Hewitt (pictured), repeatedly dived underwater to get to the wreckage in a bid to pull the six passengers to safety

Kurt Bratby with his girlfriend, Renae Grayston and friend Lachlan Hewitt. The men pictured left and right attempted to save the victims of the seaplane crash

'We were just loading up the houseboat when my friends called out. We got out to the scene in under a minute,' said Mr Bratby

The trios' friend Will McGovern, who stayed at the wheel of the boat as his mates dove in search of survivors, said he feared they too may become victims.

'Dead set, they could have died... The whole time I was freaking out that this fuel was going to spark,' he told the ABC.

'The plane was moving fast, it was going down fast - they could have got sucked in.'

Mr McGovern said despite the tragedy, he hoped the family of those killed would be comforted in some way by knowing strangers had done everything to save them.

'The families of these poor people, they need to know people were there risking their lives trying to help their family members,' he said.

'It was an extraordinary level of bravery that my three mates showed getting in the water.'

Mr Bratby, a 27-year-old estate agent from the Central Coast, said: 'We didn't think about the dangers. Once the adrenaline kicked in we were just thinking about the people we could save'

One of the three heroes, Central Coast bricklayer Lachlan Hewitt, is pictured at Sydney's ANZ Stadium

The crash killed high-profile UK businessman Richard Cousins, 58, his sons, Edward and William Cousins, aged 23 and 25, Mr Cousins' fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, and her daughter, Heather Bowden-Page, 11.

Experienced pilot Gareth Morgan, 44, also died.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators worked with divers at the crash site on Tuesday to assess how best to recover the wreckage.

A crane or airbags are being considered as options to refloat the plane, hopefully on Thursday, the ATSB said.

Mr Bratby told how he risked his own life in an underwater battle to save the passengers of the doomed Sydney seaplane crash

The crash killed experienced pilot Gareth Morgan (left), 44, and high-profile UK businessman Richard Cousins (right), 58,

Emma Bowden, 48, and her daughter Heather, 11, died in the horror seaplane crash in the Hawkesbury River

Investigators hope data will be recovered from the plane's avionics instruments and any smartphones or cameras which were on board to piece together the final moments before the crash.

The Seaplane Pilots Association Australia said the aircraft involved in the crash is considered safer than other small planes because of its capacity to land on water in an emergency.

But it is believed the plane nosedived suddenly, leaving the pilot no time to make a mayday call before it plunged into the river.

Mr Cousins' sons Edward, 23 (left) and William, 25 (right) were also killed when their seaplane plunged into the Hawkesbury River

This is believed to be the last photograph taken of pilot 44-year-old Gareth Morgan, 44Advertisement

As New Year comes, China's northern region has turned into a frosty ice kingdom.

Harbin, China's 'City of Ice', will host its annual winter festival with a breath-taking frozen city. The magical colourful kingdom boasts three neon-lit theme parks all created from ice.

Incredible drone footage captures the 197-acre, rainbow-coloured city, which features iconic landmarks from all over the world, including Russia's St. Petersburg, Japan's Kanazawa Castle and the famous silk road.

Harbin welcomes its guests with hundreds of ice sculptures lit up in neon lights in a park as part of ice festival celebrations

This year marks the 34th year of Harbin hosting the festival to promote the city as top winter travel destination in China

The ice sculptures can be seen lit up with colourful neon lights.

This is the 34th consecutive year that Harbin has hosted the festival through which visitors could experience temperature as low as minus 30 degrees while playing in the park.

The theme of this year's International Ice and Snow Festival is 'Pearl on the Ice Crown in Harbin'.

Some of the attractions were unveiled to visitors by the end of December as part of the soft opening. The official opening is set to take place on January 5, 2018.

The famous festival located in Heilongjiang province began in 1985.

The light show on the ice sculptures can display different light effects as shown on these rocket-shape towers

The festival is set to open on January 5 but some such as the ice-snow world launches soft opening to public in December

Visitors can walk up the staircases to get a closer look of the Russian onion dome-like buildings

Apparently, the ice sculptures are also devoted to celebrate China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, which was unveiled by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and envisages linking China with Africa, Asia and Europe through a network of ports, railways, roads and industrial parks.

Landmarks along the ancient Silk Road and from the countries involving in the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative are presented in the ice city, including the Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan, South Korea, the onion dome-like buildings in Russia and Kanazawa Castle in Japan.

It also features a life-size icy map of China's hit mobile game, King of Glory.

Harbin government aims to promote the city as China's top winter travel destination as they roll out ice-sculpting competitions, outdoor hot springs, and winter sports, reported People's Daily Online.

Magical kingdom! All of the structures are carved out of ice and will be lit up after dark for the duration of this annual festival

It also features South Korea's Buddhist temple (front), China's Temple of Heaven (middle), Harbin's flood control memorial tower (back) and Japan's Kanazawa Castle (right)

There are ice rinks and ice bumper cars as well as a giant 365-metre-long (1,197 feet) slide made with ice.

In these stunning photographs the festival's amazing sculptures are seen illuminated from the inside after nightfall - with visitors meandering in between the impressive works.

They can walk on ice bridges that connects to the sculpture of temples whilst others can climb up the staircases of ice cathedral and towers.

The ice festival will last until the beginning of March when the snow starts to melt.

In the theme of 'One Belt One Road' initiatives, visitors will be able to walk along the ice-cold Silk Road in the parkA lecturer watched his friend plunge to his death from a moving train in India after the pair realised they were on the wrong service and decided to jump off.

Fabian Galama, 53, a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, and his friend Erik Suidman, 51, were travelling by train to Agra on the last leg of a two-week journey in western India on Tuesday.

But the Dutch pair mistakenly boarded an Express to New Delhi and decided to jump off the train as it left the platform in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.

Mr Galama jumped first and sustained minor injuries - but Mr Suidman suffered fatal head injuries after he lost his balance as he jumped and landed inches from the track.

University lecturer Fabian Galama (right) watched his friend Erik Suidman (left) plunge to his death from a moving train in India after the pair realised they were on a service to the wrong city and decided to jump off

Mr Galama, an art and design lecturer, said: 'I do not know what happened. It was all of a sudden.

'I jumped off first and then he followed but something went wrong in between. He had his bags with him and the train was rolling.

'It was speeding up and Erik seemed to have lost his balance. He fell just inches away from the tracks. When I picked him up he was bleeding severely.'

The two tourists had flown into New Delhi two weeks ago on a holiday which had taken them across the northern Indian state of Rajasthan.

Mr Galama said that Agra was to be the last leg of their journey, before they were due to fly home on Saturday, January 6.

He added: 'We were waiting for the train in platform 1 and when it chugged in, we asked at least three people if it was going to Agra. All of them replied with a "yes".

'But it was not a local train, it was an Express, so we were confused.

Mr Galama (left) jumped first and sustained minor injuries - but Mr Suidman (right) suffered fatal head injuries after he lost his balance as he jumped and landed inches from the track

The two tourists had flown into New Delhi two weeks ago on a holiday which had taken them across the northern Indian state of Rajasthan (file picture)

'When we went to look for our window seats, we found them occupied already. It was then that we realised we were on the wrong train. As the train was leaving the platform we decided to quickly jump off.

Mr Suidman was rushed to a nearby hospital approximately seven minutes after the accident, but died of his injuries on the way.

The local police have registered the matter and are keeping Mr Suidman's body in a mortuary for a post-mortem examination, before it can be sent back to his home.

Giga Ram, the railway police officer looking into the case, said: 'The foreign tourists had arrived in Rajasthan on Monday and were travelling to Agra but wrongly boarded the New Delhi bound train.

'As soon as the Express left the platform, they found that they had boarded a wrong train.

'The two jumped off the train minutes later and Erik suffered fatal head injuries. We are waiting for a post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death.

'The body will be handed over to the embassy after the reports.'Palestinian leaders say they will not be 'blackmailed' after Donald Trump threatened to cut aid worth more than $300million annually.

Relations between the White House and the Palestinians were already tense after the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month.

The December 6 announcement concerning the disputed city led Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to say the US could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

Trump's threat in a tweet on Tuesday to try to force the Palestinians into negotiations led to further outrage, though Israeli ministers lauded the move.

Palestinian leaders say they will not be 'blackmailed' after Donald Trump (pictured) threatened to cut aid worth more than $300million annually

Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel led Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (pictured) to say the US could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process

The Palestinians rely heavily on international aid, with many analysts, including Israelis, saying such assistance helps maintain stability in a volatile region.

'We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect,' Trump tweeted.

'With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?'

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for UN programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel receives more than $3 billion in military aid per year from Washington.

Abbas's spokesman said they were not against negotiations, but that talks should be 'based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital'.

The Palestinians rely heavily on international aid, with many analysts, including Israelis, saying such assistance helps maintain stability in a volatile region

'Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions,' Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP.

Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement that 'we will not be blackmailed'.

'President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice,' she said.

'Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!'

However, several Israeli ministers voiced support for Trump, with the country's right-wing government having seized on the US president's support to push ahead with initiatives seen as dealing further blows to remaining hopes for a two-state solution.

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said 'you cannot on the one hand receive $300 million in American aid per year and at the same time close the door on negotiations'.

'We are dealing with a president who says what he thinks clearly and does not resort to diplomatic convolutions that mean nothing,' Regev told Israel's army radio.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the 'ultimate deal' that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most of the past half century the United States has been seen as the indispensable - if sometimes imperfect - arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto 'embassy' in Washington in addition to recognising Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by Trump's Jerusalem recognition, breaking with decades of US policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Abbas - 82 years old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who 'lost Jerusalem' - to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay a December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides on Tuesday rejected rumours of further delays.

'As we've said all along, the vice president is going to the Middle East in January,' said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

'We're finalising details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days.'Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his eighth State of the State address today before an audience of prominent New York political figures, including members of the state Legislature and his rival New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The 90-minute speech was given at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, which seemed hardly warmer than the 25 degree weather outside. The governor was accompanied by a slideshow illustrating each topic he addressed. Cuomo, taking a page from the presidential playbook, also invited several guests and referred to them at different points in his speech to emphasize his administrations accomplishments.

The speech was a showcase for Cuomos agenda as he seeks his third term as governor this year. Below are the key takeaways from Cuomos state of the state address, from his often hyper-local initiatives to clear hints at his national aspirations:

Taking the fight to Washington

The federal tax overhaul passed in Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in December was a focal point for Cuomos address. The governor referred to the tax plan as an arrow to the economic heart of New York, largely due to the provision that will cap the state and local tax deduction for property and income taxes. This measure is especially damaging to high-tax, progressive states like New York, Cuomo said, calling the measure an economic civil war where increased taxes from blue states will subsidize red states.

Cuomo avoided naming Trump specifically when discussing the tax plan, but instead referred to the federal government in Washington that had passed the bill  illustrated with a picture of the Capitol dome. The governor announced a three-pronged approach to combat its effects. First, Cuomo said that New York will challenge the law in court, calling the unprecedented federal taxation of state and local taxes unconstitutional. He said New York would also become the epicenter of repeal and replace efforts, leading the resistance to the bill. Finally, Cuomo said that the best way to avoid the effects of this bill is to get out of the way. He announced that the state was developing a plan to reduce reliance on property taxes by adopting a payroll tax system. He also suggested creating additional charities to make those contributions tax-deductible.

Warning that residents might leave New York because of their increased federal tax bills, Cuomo said, If we do not fix this problem, it is a question of New Yorks viability long-term.

Skirting congestion pricing  for now

Transportation, especially New York Citys increasingly unreliable subway system and ever-worsening traffic, has recently been a source of major public discontent. But Cuomo largely avoided those thorny issues, instead focusing on mostly-unrelated and usually smaller-bore transportation for investments such as additional security for the states transit hubs to introducing cashless tolling to all New York thruways. He also discussed accelerating the redevelopment of Penn Station.

However, Cuomo barely touched the contentious issue of congestion pricing, or the idea of adding charges to drive in certain bridges, tunnels and areas of New York City during times of heavy traffic. Congestion pricing has been proposed as a method to fund the beleaguered MTA, which released a $836 million plan to fix the citys subway system over the summer.

Cuomo said that the MTA needs immediate short-term funding for emergency repairs and to install equipment necessary for long-term fixes.

We also need long-term funding that is fair to all and also addresses the growing traffic and population problems, Cuomo said, adding that the Fix NY panel will shortly present a report that may include congestion pricing options before the state budget is presented at the end of the month, including defining exclusive zones in Manhattan where additional charges could be paid.

In the meantime, cheap political slogans are just that, cheap political slogans. Its not a real policy, he added, perhaps taking a shot at de Blasio, who has disparaged congestion pricing and proposed a plan for millionaires tax as a source of funding for the MTA.

Pushing criminal justice reform

Cuomo heavily emphasized criminal justice reform. He proposed that a person should only be held in jail if a judge finds a significant flight risk or threat to public safety, and otherwise should be released on his or her own recognizance. He also discussed speedy trial reform, which will be addressed in the budget.

The most emotional moment came when Cuomo called out a surprise guest  Akeem Browder, a primary challenger to de Blasio in 2017. With his voice occasionally breaking, Cuomo told the story of Browders brother, Kalief, who was held in Rikers for three years on suspicion of stealing a backpack, and committed suicide because of this traumatic experience. Cuomo said that Kalief Browder did not die in vain, because Browders tragic death inspired his bail reform proposal and measures to improve conditions in jails Cuomo added he would direct the state corrections commission to develop legally-binding correction plans or closure orders on jails that with poor conditions, telling Browder that the state would make it right. This announcement came the same week that the de Blasio administration announced one of the jails in the Rikers complex would be closed by the end of 2018.

Positioning as a 2020 presidential candidate

Cuomos speech seemed intended to prove his progressive credentials, from making advancing the womens agenda the first topic of his address  an effort to perhaps capitalize on the #MeToo movement  to his numerous proposals to protect the environment. This could help him ward off a potential primary challenger in the 2018 election, and improve his standing among Democratic presidential primary voters in 2020.

Near the end of his address, after listing in detail plans such as dedicating a $30 million Photonics Attraction Fund in the greater Rochester area, Cuomo waxed philosophical. Referring to his sixtieth birthday in December, Cuomo said that he was reflecting on his values, and his fear that division is spreading among our people. He said that the federal government was spurring further divisions in the country, but that inclusion is the operating principle of New York.

This is not a new principle, it is not a Democratic or Republican idea, nor is it even uniquely New York, he said, expanding his speech from being New York-specific, instead seeming to address the nation with rhetoric reminiscent of Barack Obamas famous speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Cuomo noted how the words e pluribus unum  out of many, one in Latin  were stitched in the seal on the flag that sits behind Trumps desk in the Oval Office.

To find the way forward, the president only needs to turn around and look at those words, Cuomo said, to a standing ovation. That is the true formula for what makes America great.

By invoking Trumps famous campaign slogan, make America great again, Cuomo positioned himself as an alternative to the president. He may be up for reelection in 2018, but Cuomo is clearly already looking ahead to 2020.Boris Johnson waded into an angry row over the appointment of Toby Young to a new universities regulator today, claiming his 'caustic wit' qualified him for the job.

The appointment of Mr Young, a pioneer of Tory-inspired free schools, has prompted a storm of criticism better candidates were rejected for a Conservative supporter.

Mr Young has come under fire for a series of sexist, misogynistic and offensive tweets.

Ministers have insisted Mr Young's 'diverse experience' qualifies him for the post and the Foreign Secretary insisted today he would offer 'independence and rigour'.

But critics - including Tory MP Margot James - have branded his remarks 'unacceptable'.

The appointment of Toby Young (file), a pioneer of Tory-inspired free schools, has prompted a storm of criticism better candidates were rejected for a Conservative supporter.

Boris Johnson (pictured last month) waded into an angry row over the appointment of Toby Young to a new universities regulator today, claiming his 'caustic wit' qualified him for the job

Ministers have insisted Mr Young's 'diverse experience' qualifies him for the post and the Foreign Secretary insisted today (pictured) he would offer 'independence and rigour'.

The board of the Office for Students (OfS) will open in April and be in charge of granting universities degree-awarding powers.

Mr Young is one of 13 board members including academics, officials and business representatives under chairman Sir Michael Barber, a former teacher and government adviser.

Since his appointment was confirmed this week, articles referring to 'hard-core dykes' and attacking school wheelchair ramps as 'ghastly inclusivity' have re-emerged.

On Twitter, Mr Young jibed 'f*** you, penis breath', called George Clooney 'queer as a coot', while at the Emmys in 2009 he wrote: 'There should be an award for Best Baps.' Many of the tweets have since been deleted.

As the row grew today, Mr Johnson tweeted: 'Ridiculous outcry over Toby Young.

'He will bring independence, rigour and caustic wit. Ideal man for job.'

THE FULL OFFICE FOR STUDENTS BOARD Sir Michael Barber, Chairman Simon Levine, CEO of DLA Piper Toby Young, journalist Elizabeth Fagan, managing director of Boots Katya Hall, formerly of HSBC Monisha Shah, chair of Rose Bruford College Ruth Carlson, student Martin Coleman (deputy chair), civil servant Chris Millward, from HEFCE Gurpreet Dehal, from HEFCE Kate Lander, from HEFCE Carl Lygo, former vice-chancellor of private university BPP David Palfreyman, Director of the Oxford Centre for Higher Education Policy Studies Steve West, vice-chancellor of UWE Advertisement

But Tory business minister Margot James broke ranks to criticise Mr Young.

She tweeted: 'Toby Young is worthy of his appointment to the OFS but it is a mistake for him to belittle sexist comments by labelling them ''politically incorrect'' a term frequently used to dismiss unacceptable comments about, and behaviour towards, women and minorities.'

Shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler said: 'If she fails to rethink this appointment, the message Theresa May is sending to students is that under the Tories, misogyny and homophobia will not just be tolerated but rewarded.'

There have been questions raised about the Department for Education's descriptions of Mr Young's experience.

The Guardian said it had been told on Monday that Mr Young's 'diverse experience includes posts' at Harvard and Cambridge.

But Mr Young later clarified that while he did teach students at the institutions, these were not academic roles.

'I taught undergrads at Harvard and Cambridge and was paid to do so but these weren't academic 'posts' and I've never made that claim,' he told The Guardian.

In a statement, the DfE later said: 'Toby Young's diverse experience includes time at Harvard and Cambridge as well as co-founding the successful West London Free School.

'This experience will be vital in encouraging new providers and ensuring more universities are working effectively with schools.'

But critics - including Tory MP Margot James - have branded his remarks 'unacceptable'.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said Mr Young's appointment undermined the credibility of the OFS board

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), who said: 'If this organisation was to have any credibility it needed a robust board looking out for students' interests.

'Instead we have this announcement sneaked out at new year with Tory cheerleader Toby Young dressed up as the voice of teachers and no actual representation from staff or students.'

On Twitter, writer Frances Coppola tweeted: 'There can only be one reason for appointing @toadmeister to the board of the new Universities Regulator, and that is to promote Tory party policy on universities. He is otherwise wholly unqualified for the job.'

Mr Young, who tweets as @toadmeister, replied: 'I've worked at Harvard and Cambridge, am a visiting fellow of the University of Buckingham, a Fulbright Commisssioner and, as the co-founder of four free schools and director of @theNSN, have some experience of innovation in the public education sector.'

Left-wing journalist Paul Mason tweeted: 'Toby @toadmeister Young despises working class kids who try to make good through education.

Education Secretary Justine Greening confirmed the board for the new OFS this week ahead of it officially beginning work in April

'That's why the Tories have put him on a body responsible for regulating higher education.'

Mr Young replied: 'I've helped set up four state schools that when full will educate nearly 2,000 children.

'At the secondary, @33% are eligible for the pupil premium and we reserve 20% of the places at the primaries for same.

'What have you done to help working class kids Paul?'

In an interview for the Spectator Coffee House podcast, Mr Young said he was 'tangentially qualified' for the role, due to his work on areas such as widening participation in higher education and setting up new state schools.

He suggested the reason there had been 'such a fuss' about his appointment was 'because I'm an outspoken Tory and defender of the Government's education reforms'.Advertisement

Violent clashes have broken out as bailiffs and police tried to clear an unauthorised squatters' camp in Bournemouth.

Protesters set off flares and launched paint and dye at eviction officers as authorities cut their way onto the disused site.

As many as 20 people have been living on the closed off piece of land in the seaside town since before Christmas.

They are understood to be a mixture of homeless people and campaigners from the group Occupy Bournemouth, who were evicted after taking over the town hall in 2012.

This camp consisted of around 20 tents, had its own kitchen, a constant campfire and a medical tent. In the days leading up until Christmas, it even had a seven-foot tall tree complete with lights and decorations.

Enforcement officers moved onto the camp at about 11am on Tuesday and were met with resistance from protesters who attempted to barricade the front gates with wooden pallets and masonry.

The entrance was soon cleared and bailiffs set about clearing the camp, but protesters made life difficult by hurling blue dye and powder paint at the bailiffs.

Organisers who established the site have now slammed Bournemouth Council for their attitude towards homelessness, labelling their stance 'disgusting'.

Enforcement officers moved onto the camp at about 11am on Tuesday and were met with resistance from protesters who attempted to barricade the front gates with wooden pallets and masonry

Protesters set off flares and launched paint and dye at eviction officers as the authorities cut their way onto the disused site

Homeless activist Lawrence Best said: 'I am demonstrating against Bournemouth Borough Council against their lack of care, lack of thought. This place here is a sanctuary, we have a kitchen, a medical tent, this is our home.'

Karen Ralph, who was at the eviction to support the homeless site, said: 'People have been donating left, right and centre. There is support locally for the camp. Everywhere I go there are homeless people, I'm not one of these people that can just stop and walk past.

'This is a bad situation they find themselves in.

'These people just need somewhere to put their home, so they can be safe. It is all very well and good saying, on Monday you can sleep here, on Tuesday you can sleep there, they need continuity.'

Despite the disapproval from residents, most of the site's tents have now been cleared, and the rough sleepers moved on.

There are now plans for a 96-bed flat complex on the site with a group of developers gaining outline planning permission.

The move has proved controversial but Bournemouth Council are adamant the decision to disband the camp is the right one.

Robert Chapman, Bournemouth central councillor said: 'It is totally unsuitable for people to be sleeping on this site.

'There is no need in this day and age for people to be sleeping like that and I'm quite sure the majority are not genuinely homeless.'

The entrance was soon cleared and bailiffs set about clearing the camp, but protesters made life difficult by hurling blue dye and powder paint at the bailiffs

Occupy Bournemouth figrues who established the site have now slammed the town's council for their attitude towards homelessness, branding their stance as 'disgusting'Theresa May hailed the success of her reforms to stamp duty today as she kicked off the first stage of a new year relaunch.

The Prime Minister said more than 16,000 first time buyers have already saved up to 5,000 by changes in the Budget that axed the property tax for 80 per cent of first time buyers.

Mrs May today visited Wokingham, Berkshire, to meet some of the new homeowners who took advantage of the reform, which kicked in in November.

She was welcomed by new buyer Laura Paine on her trip and showed a new housing estate by Tory MP John Redwood.

The trip is the first act of a January push set to include weekend media interviews and rumours of a reshuffle to shake up her government.

Theresa May (pictured today in Wokingham with first time buyer Laura Paine) hailed the success of her reforms to stamp duty today

The Prime Minister (pictured visiting first time buyer Laura Paine today) said more than 16,000 first time buyers have already saved up to 5,000 by changes in the Budget that axed the property tax for 80 per cent of first time buyers

A policy blitz will continue into February and a third major Brexit speech is thought to have been pencilled in by Downing Street.

Ahead of today's visit, Mrs May said: 'I have made it my personal mission to build the homes this country needs so we can restore the dream of home ownership for people up and down the UK.

'In the autumn we set out ambitious plans to fix the broken housing market and make sure young people have the same opportunities as their parents' generation to own their own home.

'This has had an immediate impact, with thousands of people already making savings thanks to our stamp duty cut, and over a million first-time buyers over the next five years are expected to save money that they can put towards a deposit, solicitors' fees or furniture.'

She added: 'We are building a Britain that is fit for the future and our message to the next generation is this - getting on - and climbing up - the housing ladder is not just a dream of your parents' past, but a reality for your future.'

Mrs May was joined by local MP and senior Brexiteer John Redwood on her visit to new-build homes in Wokingham today (pictured)

Mr Redwood gave the PM a tour of the new estate, some of the buyers of which have been bought by first time buyers helped by the stamp duty reform

In the autumn Budget the Government abolished stamp duty altogether for first-time buyer purchases up to 300,000, and made this relief available for the first 300,000 of properties worth up to 500,000, providing help for people in higher value areas.

The Government claims that 16,000 first-time buyers have already saved thousands of pounds since the changes took effect and more than a million first-time buyers are set to benefit in total over the next five years.

It said the change builds on the steps already taken to help young people enter the housing market, including the Help to Buy scheme and introduction of Lifetime Isas.

Labour's shadow housing secretary John Healey said the Government's policy on stamp duty would just drive up prices.

He added: 'Cutting stamp duty without the increase in affordable house-building that Labour has promised will only drive up prices, rather than help the millions of young people who want to buy a home of their own.

The trip is the first act of a new year relaunch set to include weekend media interviews and rumours of a reshuffle to shake up her government, amid reports of a move for Boris Johnson

'The number of young home-owners is in free-fall but under the Tories the number of new low-cost homes for first-time buyers has halved and not a single one of the 200,000 'starter homes' promised has been built.

'After almost eight years of Conservative failure on housing, homelessness has doubled, home-ownership has fallen to a 30-year low and the number of new social rented homes is at the lowest level since records began.

'It's clear Theresa May has no plan to fix the country's housing crisis.'

It was claimed earlier this week that Boris Johnson could be offered a new Brexit 'super-ministry' as part of a New Year reshuffle.

The Prime Minister is expected to offer him a role encompassing parts of the Business Department and major infrastructure decisions to prepare Britain for leaving the EU.

But last night allies of the Foreign Secretary said he would refuse to accept anything that looked like a demotion.

The Mail understands the long-awaited reshuffle could begin as early as next week. Senior sources said it was 'looking very likely'.Brigitte Macron has been mocked as the new Queen of France over her insistence on standing next to her husband as opposed to behind him as tradition dictates.

Eight months after her husband Emmanuel was elected, it appears the first lady is not content with waiting in the wings.

Talking to French radio, the 64-year-old said: 'A woman does not have to be behind,' referring to the age-old protocol.

It prompted some to sneer at Mrs Macron, comparing her to Marie Antoinette - the last Queen of France before the French Revolution.

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French president Emmanuel Macron (left) and his wife Brigitte Macron (right) wave after reviewing the presidential guard during an official welcoming ceremony on September 7, 2017, as part of a two-day official visit of the French president to Greece. She can clearly be seen in front of him

Brigitte Macron has been mocked as the new Queen of France over her insistence on standing next to her husband as opposed to behind him as tradition dictates. They are pictured in August flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

Eight months after her husband Emmanuel Macron was elected, it appears the first lady is not content with waiting in the wings

Purists took to social media to point out the swerving of tradition of spouses and partners stepping back while on public appearances

Purists took to social media to point out the swerving of tradition of spouses and partners stepping back while on public appearances.

Over the years, the Duke of Edinburgh has regularly stood aside to let Queen Elizabeth II take centre stage, as did Carla Bruni with Macron's predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy.

Some took to social media to poke fun at Mrs Macron for her apparent self-promotion.

One said: 'It's confirmed: Brigitte Macron, unelected, takes herself for the Queen of France,' according to The Times.

The popular figure was not short of supporters leaping to her defence, and as the debate escalated, some accused critics of sexism.

But another user pointed out: 'The French elected Emmanuel Macron, not Brigitte.

'No sexism in it, only the Constitution of the Republic and the expression of democracy.'

Carla Bruni stands behind her husband and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy as he talks to Francois Hollande

The Queen walks in front of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, showing how tradition dictates public engagements should be carried out

Mrs Macron's youthful fashion sense and 24-year age gap with husband Emmanuel Macron raised eyebrows when she became the First Lady of France

Her youthful fashion sense and 24-year age gap with husband Emmanuel Macron raised eyebrows when she became the First Lady of France.

But Brigitte Macron has broken the record for the number of letters received by the Presidents wife, with hundreds of mature women clamouring to praise the 64-year-olds style.

Mrs Macron receives up to 200 written messages a day from admirers who thank her for showing that older women can attract and seduce younger men, according to the First Ladys adviser.

Carla Bruni, wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, previously held the record, receiving around 35 letters a day.

Pierre-Olivier Costa, Mrs Macrons chief adviser, said the First Ladys inner circle were shocked by the number of people asking for her help.

Brigitte Macron has broken the record for the number of letters received by the Presidents wife, with hundreds of mature women clamouring to praise the 64-year-olds style

Many women in their 60s or 70s write to Brigitte to say Merci, thank you because I didnt know it was possible, thank you because I didnt dare wear that sort of dress, thank you for showing that one can still seduce at 65, he told the Telegraph.

We were incredibly surprised at the scale of requests for help from Brigitte Macron.

Mrs Macron, a retired teacher, first met Mr Macron, 40, when he was in her drama class.

The couple ended up pursuing a passionate affair before the mother of three - who is known for her youthful figure - left her first husband.

Since her husband was elected earlier this year, she has received praise for her modern dress sense and youthful style.

Christelle Graillot, vice president of Vivendi Talent Management, said she uninhibited women of her generation and the Macrons demonstrate that everything is possible.

She told Vogue magazine: She has dusted off the style of the First Lady. She is a free French woman.

In August Mrs Macron admitted she was reminded of the age gap every morning when she looked at the boyish French president, who is 39.

Of course, we have breakfast, me with my wrinkles, him with freshness, but thats how it is, she said.

She also addressed the public backlash that had seen the Macrons forced to abandon their plans to give her the official title of First Lady - claiming she was not too bothered.

I dont feel like a First Lady, said Mrs Macron. Thats the translation of an American expression, and I dont like anything about it.

Carla Bruni, wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, can be seen here stood behind her husband in the traditional fashion

Mr Macron had wanted his wife to be given more formal recognition as she carried out her day-to-day work. Previously presidents spouses have not been given an official title.

But more than 300,000 people signed an online petition against the status of First Lady for Brigitte Macron.

However, Mrs Macron said she had no regrets about moving into the Elysee Palace.

She said she would now post a job description online, highlighting her charity work and other engagements, which she will do for free.

I will take on my public role, but the French people will know the resources at my disposal, she told Elle magazine.

Describing their story as being so simple, she said: If I hadnt chosen this, I would have missed out on my life.

The only problem with Emmanuel is that hes younger than me.Israel said it would pay thousands of African migrants living illegally in the country to leave, threatening them with jail if they are caught after the end of March.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in public remarks at a cabinet meeting on the payment programme, called the migrants' presence a threat to Israel's social fabric and Jewish character, and one government minister has referred to them as 'a cancer'.

Some 60,000 have crossed into Israel from nations such as Eritrea and Sudan, many fleeing war and persecution as well as economic hardship.

The plan launched this week offers African migrants a $3,500 payment from the Israeli government and a free air ticket to return home or go to 'third countries', which rights groups identified as Rwanda and Uganda.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in public remarks at a cabinet meeting on the payment programme, called the migrants presence a threat to Israels social fabric and Jewish character, and one government minister has referred to them as 'a cancer'

Netanyahu said: 'We have expelled about 20,000 and now the mission is to get the rest out.'

An immigration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there are some 38,000 migrants living illegally in Israel, and some 1,420 are being held in two detention centres.

'Beyond the end of March, those who leave voluntarily will receive a significantly smaller payment that will shrink even more with time, and enforcement measures will begin,' the official said, referring to incarceration.

Some have lived for years in Israel and work in low-paying jobs that many Israelis shun.

Israel has granted asylum to fewer than one percent of those who have applied and has a years-long backlog of applicants.

Rights groups have accused Israel of being slow to process African migrants' asylum requests as a matter of policy and denying legitimate claims to the status.

Children from South Sudan hold their hands up against a bus window where an Israeli aid worker had written 'I Love U' on the window as dozens of South Sudanese migrants from the Tel Aviv area are deported from Israel, 17 June 2012

A refugee from the Sudan peers through the bars of his prison cell at Maasiyahu Prison, in Ramle, Israel, Sunday, May 28, 2006

Teklit Michael, a 29-asylum seeker from Eritrea living in Tel Aviv, said in response to the Israeli plan that paying money to other governments to take in Africans was akin to 'human trafficking and smuggling'.

'We don't know what is waiting for us (in Rwanda and Uganda),' he told Reuters by telephone. 'They prefer now to stay in prison (in Israel) instead.'

In his remarks, Netanyahu cited the large presence of African migrants in Tel Aviv's poorer neighbourhoods, where he said 'veteran residents' - a reference to Israelis - no longer feel safe.

'So today, we are keeping our promise to restore calm, a sense of personal security and law and order to the residents of south Tel Aviv and those in many other neighbourhoods,' he said.A World War Two fighter plane which was found in the Sahara desert five years ago has been given a 'hideous' makeover.

The crashed RAF P40 Kittyhawk was discovered in 2012 in 'time capsule' condition in the middle of the Sahara where it had lain untouched for 70 years.

British aviation historians have now spoken of their disgust after it was given a 'truly awful and unsympathetic' restoration by the Egyptian government.

The work has seen the vintage aircraft sprayed in garish yellow and brown colours and a set of sharks teeth painted on the front.

The RAF P40 Kittyhawk (pictured) has been given a makeover which has been described as looking like a badly-made AirFix model

The crashed RAF P40 Kittyhawk was discovered in 2012 in 'time capsule' condition in the middle of the Sahara (pictured)

Flight Sergeant Dennis Copping was the plane's pilot during the Second World War

The P40 Kittyhawk was found perfectly preserved in the middle of the Sahara desert five years ago

It has gone on display at the El Alamein Museum but experts said the plane should have been left untouched as a memorial to its pilot, Flight Sergeant Dennis Copping.

There was evidence he survived the crash but died from exposure in the inhospitable conditions. His body was never found.

The plane's emergence as a museum exhibit 1,500 miles away solves a three-year mystery over its whereabouts and its future.

It also brings to an end a sorry episode involving the RAF Museum at Hendon, north London, which gave away a rare Spitfire from its collection in an unsuccessful attempt to bring the P40 back to Britain.

Andy Saunders, the editor of Britain at War Magazine, said: 'They have ruined it. The plane was a time capsule and it should have been left how it was found.

'It is a truly awful and unsympathetic restoration. There is no mention of Dennis Copping who has been neglected. It looks hideous, like a badly-made AirFix model.

'They appear to have remade some parts with fibreglass and patched up the various holes.

'A lot of the P40s had sharks' teeth on the front but we know that this one didn't. They have embellished it. The paintwork and teeth just doesn't look right.

'Anyone in aircraft preservation and restoration is horrified by what they have done.'

Mr Saunders said that any complaints that British historians had would fall of deaf ears with the Egyptians.

He said: 'You can't expect the Egyptians to be sympathetic to our cause. It was a war fought on their territory but was nothing to do with them.

'And anyway, I am sure there are a few artefacts in the British Museum that they would like back.'

A spokesman for the El Alamein Military Museum confirmed the P40 now on display was the one found in 2012

British aviation historians have now spoken of their disgust after it was given a 'truly awful and unsympathetic' restoration

The plane was found in 2012 and has now been restored and is on show at the El Alamein Military Museum

The crashed RAF P40 Kittyhawk was discovered in 'time capsule' condition and experts said the plane should have been left untouched as a memorial

He added: 'Had the RAF Museum had it they would never have restored it. My understanding is that they would have displayed it in a large sand pit and almost replicated the scenario in which it was found.'

A spokesman for the El Alamein Military Museum confirmed the P40 now on display was the one found in 2012.

Ajay Srivastava, of the RAF Museum, defended its role in the recovery of the historic fighter plane which cost them a Spitfire.

He said: 'The Kittyhawk is a unique example of its kind and therefore, as a matter of urgency, needed to be secured from the attention of looters.

'The choice back in 2012 was to either let the aircraft be destroyed or to ensure this important piece of Royal Air Force heritage was kept safe.

'Our immediate priority was to ensure the Kittyhawk was recovered to a secure location. This was achieved successfully.

'The process of negotiations to achieve its delivery to the UK was complicated by the delicate political situation in Egypt.

'The Egyptian Government informed the RAF Museum last year that they intended to keep the aircraft and display it at the El Alamain Military Museum.

'Clearly the RAF Museum would have preferred the Kittyhawk to be brought back to the UK but it is legally the property of the Egyptian Government and we welcome the fact that it is safe and on public display.'A straight-A pupil in China has been forced to do his homework every day on an overpass because his home is too dark.

The boy's ill mother accompanies the eight-year-old on the 164-foot-high flyover whenever he writes on his workbooks as cars travel past them.

The boy, who is a second-grade pupil, said his wish for the New Year is to have a desk lamp, that way he would be able to write at home.

Qu Sinian, a second-grade student in China, writes his homework every day on a flyover

The eight-year-old boy, a straight-A pupil, has to sit outside to write as his home is too dark

Sinian (pictured with his mother) lives in a small room next to the overpass with his parents

The boy, named Qu Sinian, lives with his less-fortunate parents in a small rental room next to the overpass in Guiyang, southern China, according to reports.

He writes his homework on the overpass for about four hours every day until nightfall.

Sinian's mother, Li Gaoju, told a reporter while weeping: 'Our room has poor lighting. It's too dark. Our family is too poor. (He) has to come here to do homework, there is no other way.'

The boy's mother accompanies the eight-year-old on the 164-foot-high flyover whenever he writes on his workbooks. She said: 'Our house is too dark. There is better lighting outside'

Sinian writes his homework on the overpass for about four hours every day until nightfall

Sinian and his parents live in a single room measuring about eight square metres (86 square feet).

The dim-lit rental home costs 400 yuan (45) per month and they family spend about 100 yuan (11) per month on coal, which they use to cook and keep warm.

It's said that his father was a migrant worker who moved from his hometown in Sichuan to Guiyang. Unfortunately, he became disabled around eight years ago after falling from heights during work.

As the sole breadwinner of the family, the man now makes a living by driving a motorbike, and earns around 1,000 yuan (113) per month.

On the other hand, Sinian's mother suffers from a heart disease and cannot work.

He said his New Year wish is to have a desk lamp, that way he would be able to write at home

Sinian is a top student and has received A in every exam. He is pictured with his mother in their 45-per-month rental home with his academic awards hung on the wall behind them

Sinian told a reporter from Pear Video that he wanted to become a doctor when he grows up.

He explained: 'That way, I would be able to make money to treat my mum and dad.'

Sinian is a top student in his school and has received A in every exam.

One teacher has described him to be a 'diligent', 'down to earth' and 'kind' pupil, according to the school's comments shown to a local reporter by Sinian's mother.

The boy said his wish for the New Year is to have a desk lamp because he would like to do his homework at home.

Sinian said he would like to be a doctor in the future so that he could treat his ill parentsHeathrow is charging double the price of some of the world's biggest airports for passengers to leave their cars behind while they go on holiday.

A MailOnline investigation has revealed Heathrow to be the most expensive of the ten busiest airports across the globe when parking a vehicle long-term.

The figures show that in many cases, a family would be expected to pay more to park at Heathrow than it would on flights.

A family wanting to leave their car at Terminals 2, 3, 4 or 5 while they go on holiday would be expected to fork out 163.40 for seven days.

However, the same stay at the world's second busiest airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, would cost the equivalent of just 63.49.

The high parking figures has led to many families opting to use third-party providers, which offer meet-and-greet services for a little as 10 a day.

A MailOnline investigation has revealed Heathrow to be the most expensive of the ten busiest airports across the globe for parking, as well as other top transport hubs such as JFK

A family wanting to leave their car at Heathrow Airport while they go on holiday would be expected to fork out 163.40 for seven days, putting it at the top of our list

The high parking figures has led to many families opting to use 'cowboy' third-party providers, which offer meet-and-greet services for a little as 10 a day (stock image)

But many passengers have complained about such 'cowboy' firms, with accusations of vehicles were being returned dirty, damaged or with too many miles on the clock.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, told the MailOnline that it was unsurprising that passengers opted to use cheaper alternatives.

With prices as high as these, it is little wonder that drivers consider different parking options such as third-party providers Jack Cousens, AA's head of road policy

He said: 'With prices as high as these, it is little wonder that drivers consider different parking options such as third-party parking providers, or even finding free on-street parking near the airport and then getting a taxi to the terminal.

'These cheaper options carry their own risks though, so proper research is needed before drivers get into holiday mode.'

Mr Cousens warned that high prices could put some families off travelling abroad altogether.

'Many British holidaymakers will be unsurprised that Heathrow tops the list of airport car park charges across the globe,' he said.

Heathrow (pictured) also compares unfavourably to some of Europe's top airports, such as those in Germany and the most popular destination for Brits travelling abroad, Spain

A family wanting to leave their car at Terminals 2, 3, 4 or 5 while they go on holiday would be expected to fork out 163.40 for seven days (pictured: car parking at Heathrow)

'With parking rates more than the cost of some flights it can be off-putting. Those seeking a break may decide to holiday in the UK or even consider a "staycation".

'When looking at travelling to the airport, the best thing to do is plan ahead and see if you can make some savings by booking a parking space in advance.

'Failing that taking a taxi or asking friends and family if they can drop you off and pick you up, could mean having some extra spending money when you get to your destination.'

Heathrow also compares unfavourably to some of Europe's top airports, such as those in Germany and the most popular destination for Brits travelling abroad, Spain.

Spanish and Qatari consortium which owns and runs Heathrow Heathrow is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, which itself is owned by FGP TopCo Limited. FGP is a multi-national consortium lead by the Spanish firm Ferrovial, with large chunks owned by the Qatar state, a Canadian pension fund and the Singapore government. Ferrovial bought the airport, as well as Gatwick and Stansted, from BAA in 2006. The consortium would sell the other two airports three years later, and changed its name to Heathrow Airport Holdings to represent its sole involvement in one airport. The company, which is based on the airport's site in Hillingdon, London, posted a revenue of 2.765 billion in 2015. Advertisement

The same seven-day stay would also cost just 71.33 at Madrid Barajas International Airport, while Fiumicino Airport in Rome is even cheaper, at 61.14.

Paris' Charles De Gaulle Airport is among Europe's most expensive for parking, but it is still 10 cheaper than Heathrow, at 153.27 for a week-long stay.

Heathrow was also the third most costly for single-day parking, with Tegel Airport in Berlin topping the list but offering bigger discounts for longer stays.

The cost of airport parking in Britain is consistently high, with Edinburgh and Glasgow ensuring its not just London where holidaymakers feel overcharged.

In the light of high parking fees, the Campaign for Better Transport has called for Heathrow to improve public transport to and from the transport hub.

Speaking to MailOnline on behalf of the campaign group, Bridget Fox said the airport had a duty to provide passengers with better alternatives to long-term parking.

She added: 'Rather than having to fork out for expensive parking at Heathrow, on top of having to put up with one of the most congested parts of Londons road network, it's vital that the airport has adequate and affordable public transport connections, including rail.

High parking prices forcing families to turn to 'cowboy' third-party firms High parking prices at some of Britain's biggest airports has led to the rise of third-party companies offering discounted 'meet-and-greet' services. The firms, who offer parking facilities for as little as 10 a day, offer to pick up the car at the entrance and bring it back to meet flyers at the same spot. However many passengers have revealed horror stories when using such companies, some of which have been branded 'cowboy parkers'. Police were called to a site run by Parknfly Limited in Stanwell after two horses escaped and were seen rolling around in mud next to the cars In some cases, the cars are parked on insecure and unlit fields nearby, while other flyers have told of returning to discover their car keys have been lost. A parking firm operating at Heathrow came underfire this week after it was revealed that customers believing their motors would be left in a 'secure' car park were dumped in a small field surrounded by a tiny fence. Police were called to a site run by Parknfly Limited in Stanwell after two horses escaped and were seen rolling around in mud next to the cars. A mound of manure was also seen next to the expensive vehicles, which included an 80,000 Range Rover, a 57,000 Mercedes plus BMWs and Audis. A mound of manure was also seen next to the expensive vehicles, which included an 80,000 Range Rover, a 57,000 Mercedes plus BMWs and Audis Advertisement

Cars daubed with graffiti next to John Lennon Airport in Liverpool on Tuesday. Homeowners are angry at passengers for leaving their cars in residential roads to avoid huge parking fees

'Leaving the car at home is better for passengers' pocket and for the environment.

'Airport parking is a nightmare for all concerned, and controversial plans to expand Heathrow will only make things worse.'

A Heathrow spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We encourage passengers to pre-book parking, even 24 hours in advance rather than turning up on the day, to ensure they receive the best possible prices.

'89 per cent of customers booked in advance last year and paid on average just 8.38 per day.

'Pricing is based on demand and passengers choosing to arrive without pre-booking may have to pay a higher price where demand is limited.

'There are also a number of public transport options available for passengers travelling to the airport.'The murky political intelligence firm who commissioned the infamous dirty dossier is hitting back at Republican investigators, and asserting that the document was not the basis for the FBI's investigation ofDonald Trump.

Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch penned an op-ed in the New York Times in which they blast Republicans for focusing on them and their research, rather than a skein of ties between Trump associates and Russia.

They also confirmed the outlines of what has been reported about the dossier: that Fusion GPS, founded by the former journalists, took funds from Republican and Democratic clients to dig up dirt on Trump, then hired ex British intelligence officer Christopher Steele to gather information from around Europe.

'We dont believe the Steele dossier was the trigger for the F.B.I.s investigation into Russian meddling,' wrote Simpson and Fritsch.

The heads of the political intelligence firm that oversaw the Steele dossier of dirt on Donald Trump are defending their conduct and blasting GOP investigators for focusing on themselves

Glenn Simpson (left) Peter Fritsch (right) penned an op-ed in the New York Times where they blast Republicans for focusing on them and their research, rather than a skein of ties between Trump associates and Russia

'As we told the Senate Judiciary Committee in August, our sources said the dossier was taken so seriously because it corroborated reports the bureau had received from other sources, including one inside the Trump camp.'

'We walked investigators through our yearlong effort to decipher Mr. Trumps complex business past, of which the Steele dossier is but one chapter,'

They say they have handed information over to Republican investigators.

'And we handed over our relevant bank records  while drawing the line at a fishing expedition for the records of companies we work for that have nothing to do with the Trump case,' they write.

And they deny having advance knowledge about a Donald Trump Jr. meeting with Russians at Trump Tower in June 2016  despite reports that the firm also worked independently with the Russian lawyer who attended as she battled a U.S. law slapping sanctions on Russians.

'In the year since the publication of the so-called Steele dossier  the collection of intelligence reports we commissioned about Donald Trumps ties to Russia  the president has repeatedly attacked us on Twitter. His allies in Congress have dug through our bank records and sought to tarnish our firm to punish us for highlighting his links to Russia. Conservative news outlets and even our former employer, the Wall Street Journal, have spun a succession of mendacious conspiracy theories about our motives and backers,' they complain.

'We told Congress that from Manhattan to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and from Toronto to Panama, we found widespread evidence that Mr. Trump and his organization had worked with a wide array of dubious Russians in arrangements that often raised questions about money laundering. Likewise, those deals dont seem to interest Congress,' according to the op-ed.

'Yes, we hired Mr. Steele, a highly respected Russia expert. But we did so without informing him whom we were working for and gave him no specific marching orders beyond this basic question: Why did Mr. Trump repeatedly seek to do deals in a notoriously corrupt police state that most serious investors shun?'

'Yes, we hired Mr. Steele, a highly respected Russia expert,' they write in a new op-ed. 'But we did so without informing him whom we were working for and gave him no specific marching orders beyond this basic question: Why did Mr. Trump repeatedly seek to do deals in a notoriously corrupt police state that most serious investors shun?'

They say they were shocked by what Steele uncovered, but never themselves went to the FBI.

'What came back shocked us. Mr. Steeles sources in Russia (who were not paid) reported on an extensive  and now confirmed  effort by the Kremlin to help elect Mr. Trump president. Mr. Steele saw this as a crime in progress and decided he needed to report it to the F.B.I.'

'We did not discuss that decision with our clients, or anyone else. Instead, we deferred to Mr. Steele, a trusted friend and intelligence professional with a long history of working with law enforcement. We did not speak to the F.B.I. and havent since,' they added.

The firm's cofounders said they 'helped' Steele when he decided to share the dossier with Arizona Sen. John McCain after the election. McCain subsequently brought the dossier to the FBI.

'The goal was to alert the United States national security community to an attack on our country by a hostile foreign power. We did not, however, share the dossier with BuzzFeed, which to our dismay published it last January,' the cofounders wrote.A restaurant chef has resigned after boasting of spiking a vegan group's meals.

Laura Goodman, 47, ranted on Facebook about how she spent hours preparing a special menu for a party of vegan and vegetarian guests at her Italian restaurant.

But she lost her temper when one of them ordered a Margherita pizza topped with mozzarella on Saturday night.

The chef, who co-owns the Carlini Italian in Shifnal, Shropshire, drank wine before going on Facebook to tell how she 'spiked a vegan a few hours ago'.

She has now apologised after it emerged police are investigating death threats made against her.

Social media users have said that Laura Goodman (pictured) should be charged with assault for spiking the food. She has since received death threats for her post on Facebook

Friends close to the chef say she is in a 'bad way' after her co-workers revealed she had stood down from her role.

A spokesman for the restaurant said: 'Laura Goodman has today tendered her resignation from Carlini and the board of directors are currently considering their options.

'Whilst this process is being completed, Laura will not be working at either of the restaurants, which will re-open later this week.

'As part of a pre-planned recruitment drive, Carlini is also recruiting for an additional head chef to work across both its restaurants in Shropshire.'

Ms Goodman posted on a Facebook group boasting that a 'pious, judgmental vegan' had gone to bed thinking she was still a vegan after eating at her restaurant

She later claimed that she had 'spiked' the vegan at the Carlini restaurant she co-owns in Shifnal, Shropshire

A friend said: 'Lisa is in a bad way. She is too scared to leave the house. The police are taking the threats against her very seriously.

'She can't believe how she has found herself in this position. She actually made a flippant remark which wasn't even true. She didn't actually 'spike' anyone's food.

'It's been a nightmare for her.'

Shropshire Regulatory Services have launched a probe into Goodman's original Facebook posts.

Yesterday MailOnline reported how Ms Goodman had spent hours preparing special meat, dairy and egg-free dishes for a party visiting her Italian restaurant.

But she was disappointed when one of the group ignored her efforts and ordered a pizza topped with mozzarella  which is not vegan-friendly  off the normal menu.

Venting her frustration on Facebook, Miss Goodman wrote: 'Spiked a vegan a few hours ago.' In another message on Twitter, the 47-year-old said a 'pious, judgmental' diner had gone to bed 'still believing she's a vegan'.

Although she had only meant to be 'flippant', her comments prompted a furious reaction and drew calls for her to be prosecuted for assault.

The incident happened on Saturday at Miss Goodman's restaurant in Albrighton, Shropshire, one of two she runs in the county under the Carlini name.

The TripAdvisor and Google pages of her business have now been bombarded with poor reviews, dragging it down from five stars to one.

Plans were under way to hold a protest this weekend. And posters have been created warning diners they might be 'poisoned'.

But Miss Goodman's fiancee and business partner last night apologised for her outburst  insisting she had not served meat and had written the comment after having 'too much to drink'.

A poster warning diners about Laura Goodman

Michael Gale, 62, said she had been left feeling 'almost suicidal' by the reaction, and police were called to the restaurant yesterday because of the threats.

He said: 'Laura loves cooking vegan and vegetarian food, because it challenges and there is complexity to it.

'She came up with some recipe ideas so that they would have more choice than the two or three items on our standard menu.

'So Laura went off and bought the ingredients for those dishes... on Saturday they showed up and, as is quite within their right, chose dishes off the regular menu. One of them ordered a margherita pizza which is not vegan-friendly.

'Laura said that if you were a vegan you'd know that mozzarella is not vegan. So, slightly disappointed that they hadn't chosen to have what she'd prepared for them, and amused at the thought that they had had that pizza, she made this flippant remark on Facebook.'

He said she made the comments on a Facebook page called The Very Boring Group, which encourages contributions about banal everyday events.

One Google reviewer slammed Ms Goodman (pictured) and said: 'It would be the same if someone of a religious background came in and she spiked their food with prohibited substances'

Mike Gale, pictured here with Ms Goodman, said: 'This has all got out of hand. There was absolutely no meat in the dishes. We have received death threats and had all sorts of vitriol thrown at us'

It has since received a barrage of one-star reviews, dragging the rating down to 1.1 stars out of five

Mr Gale said: 'Since then our world has been turned upside down with death threats, threats of violence, threats of lawsuits from all around the world.

'The essential story is some vegetarians and vegans went to a restaurant, had vegetarian and vegan food, and left.

'We don't even know if the person that ordered the pizza was vegan, she could have just been vegetarian, in which case there would have been no problem with her ordering that.

'We now understand that in the vegetarian and vegan world, saying that you've 'spiked' someone's food means that you put meat in it, which isn't the case here.'

He added: 'At the time of making the post, it was in the small hours of the morning, and Laura had probably had too much to drink.

Police were spotted leaving the Carlini restaurant earlier today

A Tweet calling for people to email, call, or leave a negative review has also racked up hundreds of retweets and likes

Local group Telford Vegan Action are planning a demonstration outside the restaurant (pictured) and have called for it to be shut down

'She had probably overindulged a bit and was angry that they hadn't chosen to have the dishes that she had prepared for them. She is horrified, embarrassed and deeply sorry.'

He said the restaurant had received phantom bookings and one of the waitresses' mothers has been contacted.

By lunchtime yesterday, hundreds had posted online comments urging Miss Goodman to take down her restaurant Facebook page.

Asha Negahbani wrote: 'Shropshire restaurant Carlini  best avoided. Chef Laura Goodman spikes meals  not the sort of person you want preparing your food.'

Another poster said: 'Is sabotaging the food of customers because you don't agree with them normal practice here? Would it be funny if it was 'spiked a girl's drink'?'

Jess Lewis wrote: 'Who is the pious and judgmental one here really?'

The demonstration is being organised by Telford Vegan Action, which also wants the restaurant shut down.

The restaurant was closed this morning (pictured left) with no answer at Carlini (right)

Hope Lye, of the campaign group, said: 'More people are going vegan and ... we will be highlighting this outside Carlini in the hope more people go vegan.'

A Tweet calling for people to email, call, or leave a negative review has racked up hundreds of retweets and likes. One reply said: 'It's literally assault upon a person.' Another said: 'This seems worthy of a lawsuit.'

Others saw the funny side. Chris Lewis wrote: 'My sister-in-law is a vegan, her Christmas dinner was, in her own words, the best ever. It was cooked in goose fat.'

Miss Goodman, who was born in Rome, opened her second branch of Carlini in Albrighton in November, adding to one that opened in nearby Shifnal in February.

The couple invested 200,000 in the new venture, creating 20 jobs and receiving rave reviews online.

Veganism is becoming increasingly popular and more than 52,000 people in the UK have signed up to take part in Veganuary, shunning meat, dairy and eggs for January.

A spokesman for Shropshire Council said: 'We have received complaints in relation to this matter and are currently investigating.'Manila (CNN Philippines Life)  Around Holy Week last year, photos of garbage started cropping up all over Instagram. The photos  composed mostly of piles of plastic bottles, cups, utensils, sachets, and candy wrappers littering the shores of La Union  were part of a social project called Banned from the Beach, which was created by a resident surfer to remind tourists about proper waste management, especially along our shores. The Philippines ranks number three among the worlds worst offenders of plastic polluters in our oceans, and that plastic doesnt just come from careless beach-goers. A lot of the plastic that goes into the ocean comes from illegally dumped garbage that is collected from our homes and businesses. This waste ends up endangering our wildlife, including seabirds and turtles that consume the harmful waste.

With January being the month of committing to new habits, and, coincidentally, National Zero Waste Month, its the perfect time to consider making a commitment to lessening your plastic consumption and disposal this year.

Avoid single-use plastic products

One of the biggest contributors to plastic waste is single-use, disposable products  plastic cups, bottles, utensils, straws, food containers, shopping bags  items which already have sustainable counterparts readily available today.

Cut out plastic cups and water bottles from your life by always having a water tumbler handy. Ditch plastic utensils and straws for wooden or metal ones. A Philippine-based company called Sip PH sells a stainless steel straw set that come with a canvas pouch and a brush, as well as a larger set with bamboo utensils.

Meanwhile, disposable personal hygiene products like sanitary pads and diapers, along with items with short lifespans like toothbrushes and disposable shavers, are also seeing their own reusable, sustainable counterparts. For toothbrushes, there are bamboo alternatives. For shavers, metal ones. Cloth diapers and cloth pads are readily available in specialty stores and online, while local company Sinaya produces menstrual cups, which are washable and reusable cups made of medical grade silicone meant to replace sanitary pads and tampons.

Avoid plastic packaging

Its difficult to avoid plastic altogether, as most of the things we use today are made up of or contain plastic materials to some extent. Most products also come in plastic packaging, from laundry detergent to snacks. However, it is possible to be mindful of our purchases.

If you can, buy bigger bottles of shampoo and detergent, or, better yet, use bars instead of liquids. When shopping for fruits and vegetables at the market or grocery, bring reusable bags so you can opt out of wrapping each item in individual plastic bags.

Stuff plastic bottles

It isnt easy for everyone to make adjustments in their purchases. Sachets are cheaper and thus more accessible to those with limited budgets. But this doesnt mean that you cant still make a contribution. If you cannot make changes in how you consume products, perhaps you can try changing your disposal habits. For example, instead of throwing everything out to the garbage, which is collected and sent either to overflowing landfills or illegally disposed in bodies of water, you can choose to collect your plastic and non-biodegradable waste in a plastic water bottle to create an ecobrick.

The ecobrick movement rose to popularity this year with local initiatives like The Plastic Solution, a movement that encourages people to repurpose plastic bottles into ecobricks, which serve as alternative fillers in construction. Ecobricks are simple to make: fill a plastic bottle with cut-up non-biodegradable waste until the bottle is stuffed. The bricks can then be sent to various drop-off points that partnered with the team behind the movement.

Start small, think big

The commitment to slowly eliminate plastic from your life can be an exciting and noble pursuit, but beware of getting caught up in the green trend, where switching to greener alternatives can make one feel like the battle is won. Personal consumption and disposal do contribute to the problem, but the issue is systemic, and much larger in scale.

In an audit conducted by Greenpeace on Manila Bay where over 54,000 pieces of plastic waste were collected, the bulk were of single-use plastics such as utensils, bottle, and straws, along with sachets and wrappers from products by major corporations like Nestle, Unilever, and Universal Robina. For the millions of Filipinos living in poverty, hygiene essentials and food are only attainable in small amounts, thus the popularity of sachets. Big companies bank on low-income families dependence on this mode of consumption.

With the audits release, some companies have vowed to make efforts towards finding alternatives to plastic packaging, while other companies are choosing to discontinue certain products altogether. Interest in more sustainable efforts are slowly pushing big companies to find better ways in packaging and presenting their products. Meanwhile, government efforts to ban plastic is there, but it is sparse. Many cities have issued their own ordinances banning the use of plastic bags, but we have yet to see a national bill that bans plastic altogether.

Though small, personal steps are good, the fight against plastic waste cannot be won through individual actions alone. Officials and private companies should also have a more active role when it comes to protecting our oceans.An Iran-backed terror cell made up of Palestinians have been busted in Israel after planning suicide bombings with a king pin based in South Africa, it has been claimed.

Israel said on Wednesday it had cracked the militant cell suspected of having been recruited and handled by Iranian intelligence officers who worked out of the African nation.

The Shin Bet security agency said three Palestinians from the occupied West Bank had been indicted on espionage and terrorism charges having confessed to accepting missions assigned to them by Tehran.

One of the three arrested is said to be computer engineering student Mohammed Maharmeh (left), 29. He is said to have been enlisted by his uncle Bahar Maharmeh (right), who had been living in South Africa.

One of the three arrested was computer engineering student Mohammed Maharmeh, 29, according to Fox.

He is said to have been enlisted by his uncle Bahar Maharmeh, who had been living in South Africa.

Mohammed's job was to recruit suicide bomber and gunmen for attacks against Israeli's, according to Fox, and he was paid $8,000 from Iran.

Two of those he enlisted were Nur Maharmeh and Diaa Sarahana, both 22, who were both arrested in the sting.

Bahar remains at large.

On the rap sheet is said to be preparation of a suicide bombing and providing their handlers with Israeli cellphone SIM cards.

In its statement, the Shin Bet said the suspects' point of contact was a Palestinian who lived in South Africa and had been recruited by Iranian intelligence.

It gave no indication whether the South African government knew of the alleged Iranian activity, or of the Palestinian man's whereabouts.

Israel has long been locked in a shadow war with arch-foe Iran, which supports Islamist guerrillas and whose nuclear programme is widely believed to have been targeted repeatedly by Israeli saboteurs.

South Africa, where pro-Palestinian sentiment is strong, has strained relations with Israel, but the Shin Bet statement also suggested the country effectively served as an Iranian spy hub.

Shin Bet said: 'It became clear, during the the Shin Bet investigation, that Iranian intelligence used South Africa as a significant arena for locating, recruiting and running anti-Israel agents in the West Bank,' adding that several Iranian officers had travelled there 'from Tehran' for the operation.

South Africa's Foreign Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry and the Iranian embassy in Pretoria did not immediately respond to the Israeli allegations.

The Shin Bet did not say when it cracked the Palestinian cell or when the trial of the suspects would begin.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Wednesday the case showed that 'Iran operates in a subversive and terrorist manner ... not just in aiding terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic jihad, but also in attempts to organise terror activities within the state of Israel against its civilians'.

The Shin Bet did not describe any of the attacks or espionage missions allegedly planned by the suspects as having been near to fruition.

It also did not say whether the three had been assigned lawyers or how they might plead to the charges.

A Shin Bet veteran interviewed by Israel Radio about the case suggested the purported South African link may be unprecedented.

'Apparently the Iranians found fertile ground in South Africa,' said ex-officer Adi Carmi, adding: 'I do not recall South Africa ever having been used by the Iranians as a terrorist recruiting ground for the aim of carrying out attacks.'Richard Holden, the former adviser to ex cabinet minister Sir Michael Fallon, has denied sexual assault

A former special adviser to politician Sir Michael Fallon today denied sexually assaulting a woman at his 1million home.

Richard Holden, 32, allegedly groped the woman's bottom and crotch during a Christmas party at his three-bedroom house in central London in December 2016.

The woman, who is in her 20s, reported the incident to the Conservative party's central office and the civil service authorities as well as making a complaint to the police.

Holden insisted the allegation was 'completely and utterly untrue' when he appeared at Westminster magistrates' court last month.

Wearing a pin-striped suit over a white shirt and blue spotted tie today, he denied a single count of sexual assault.

Defending, Anya Lewis said he was keen to have the case tried 'as soon as possible' as the matter had been 'hanging over Mr Holden since February of last year'. He was charged in November.

But Southwark Crown Court heard the case could not be accommodated until May.

Holden joined Conservative Campaign Headquarters in 2007 and later became deputy head of the party's press office and a special advisor to former leader of the House of Lords Baroness Tina Stowell.

The court heard today that he is eager to have the case heard as soon as possible

He was promoted to serve as a media adviser for Sir Michael last year before the former defence secretary resigned amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour back in November.

The London School of Economics graduate joined Newington Communications as an associate director in September of last year, but his contract was terminated once the firm found out he was charged with this offence.

Judge Michael Grieve, QC, said: 'I am sorry it is not possible to do it earlier but I take the view that this should be a fixed rather than a warned list trial so I fix it for May 21.'

Holden was bailed to return to the same court on that date.A four-year-old boy found living in a closet in a Texas home has tested positive for methamphetamine and told investigators his friends were the rats and roaches that would visit him.

Police say they found the little boy when they raided the Houston-area home on December 20 because they believed meth was being made and sold there.

Investigators are not sure how long the boy was living at the home but he told them he wasn't allowed out of the closet for hours at a time.

The four-year-old boy was found living in the tiny closet when police raided a home in Houston, Texas on December 20 because they believed meth was being made and sold there

Attorney Rachel Leal-Hudson, who is representing the child's interests, said the boy believed his only friends were the 'rats and roaches'.

His mother April Burrier has been charged with endangering a child

'He can articulate some things that are really shocking and surprising that tell us he was in there for a quite a length of time,' Leal-Hudson told KTRK.

'The detail on this case is very awful. This is a four-year-old child who has seen things an adult should not have seen.'

She said the child talked of sneaking away from the closet and that his punishment was being forced to sit on top of a refrigerator where he was afraid he would fall after nodding off.

A Harris County judge ruled on Tuesday that child welfare officials were allowed to keep the boy in their temporary custody while the case remains under investigation.

The boy's mother, April Burrier, was not at the home during the search warrant but was arrested when she showed up later.

Police had been monitoring the home for about a month believing that methamphetamine was being made and sold there

The boy, pictured above hugging a bear given to him by police, told authorities he wasn't allowed out of the closet for hours at a time

Clothes, animals and rubbish filled the home where the little boy was found last month

She has been charged with endangering a child.

Burrier told authorities someone else was supposed to be taking care of her son but could not identify that person.

Authorities are now seeking the man believed to have been making and selling drugs at the house.

The boy's father, Robert Dehard, said on Tuesday that he had left the boy with Burrier after Thanksgiving and was now seeking to regain custody of his son.

Child welfare officials said he had previous drug convictions and until Tuesday had refused to submit to drug testing.

His custody request has been delayed until next month to await test results.

Police found meth and marijuana when they raided the home. Authorities say the drugs were being made and sold at the propertyA Texas teen has been charged with murder after she allegedly shot and killed her new boyfriend on New Year's Eve .

Yvonne Raquel Ramirez, 19, gunned down aspiring Marine Joshua McKinney, 19, during an armed robbery on Sunday, prosecutors say.

They say Ramirez conspired with others to steal her new boyfriend's guns, and then demanded that he pay her $2,000 to get them back.

McKinney gathered up some money and then met with Ramirez in a neighborhood in Baytown early Sunday morning around 4:30am.

Scroll down for video

Yvonne Raquel Ramirez, 19 (left), shot dead her boyfriend Joshua McKinney, 19 (right), in an armed robbery on New Year's Eve in Baytown, Texas

This was Ramirez's last Facebook post before the shooting

During the meeting, a witness said that McKinney grabbed his girlfriend and put her in a chokehold, aiming a gun at her head.

The witness went to get help at a family member's nearby home when they heard gunshots.

By the time the witness returned, he found McKinney dead in the driveway and Ramirez suffering a gun shot wound to her shoulder.

Gloria Chaplin lives in the home near where McKinney was killed and says that he used to play video games with her grandson.

She says he came running to her house shortly before he was killed.

Prosecutors say the teen (pictured left and right) stole her new boyfriend's guns and then demanded he pay her $2,000 to get them back. Her tattoo in he picture above reads 'Jose Martinez'

During a meeting to get the guns back, Ramirez (left and right) shot and killed McKinney

'Josh come beating on the door saying someone was after him,' Chaplin told Fox 26.

'And then he ran back out, and just a sec- it all happened between 4 and by 4:30 the police were here. It all happened so quick.'

Ramirez was taken to the hospital where she told police initially that she grabbed her boyfriend's gun in self defense after he dropped it.

But they said her story did not add up, and that they have proof she stole his wallet after killing him.

Ramirez at first told officers that she shot McKinney in self defense, but investigators didn't buy her story

Ramirez was subsequently charged with murder.

She did not attend her first court appearance because she was still recovering from her injury, but she could appear in court again as early as Wednesday. She is being held on $50,000 bond.

Police continue to search for anyone who may have aided Ramirez.

Friends say that McKinney planned to join the Marines after graduating from college.

'Oh hes a sweet guy, and he was good mannered, and he always said "thank you" and "please" and when hed eat hed help me with the dishes. I mean he was a nice guy,' Chaplin said.A San Diego man has been banned from Alaska Airlines for life after being accused of sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

Mike Timon, 53, reached out to the San Diego Union-Tribune on December 27, the morning after he was escorted by police off his evening flight from Portland to San Diego.

Timon said he is accused of touching a flight attendant on her buttocks while requesting an alcoholic beverage, but refutes this claim.

'For me to be accused of this, and for me to be escorted off the plane by police? This is it. Im blowing up... Its unnecessary. Its discrimination toward me,' Timon said.

Mike Timon, 53, from San Diego said he has been accused of sexually assaulting an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and has been banned from the airline, pending an investigation

Timon said the trouble started when he asked a female flight attendant for a drink, but it did not come.

He said he wanted a second alcoholic beverage during his first class flight, so he touched her 'politely' on the back, not on the buttocks, 'to get her attention.'

That's when Timon said he was immediately accused of touching her inappropriately.

He later rang his call button, to which a male flight attended responded and told Timon he had been 'cut off' from alcohol and would be met by authorities when the plane landed in San Diego.

Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Ann Johnson would not discuss specific details of the alleged incident, but said in a statement issued Thursday that Alaska 'will not be providing further transport to the offending passenger,' while an investigation is underway.

'Alaska Airlines will not tolerate any type of sexual misconduct that creates an unsafe environment for our guests and crew members and we are fully committed to do our part to address this serious issue,' Johnson said.

This comes as Alaska Airlines has been in the news following sexual harassment allegations lodged by former Facebook executive Randi Zuckerberg in November.

Zuckerberg detailed an experience in a social media post made on November 29 where a man seated next to her made 'explicit, lewd, and highly offensive' sexual comments to her. She claims she complained to staff but nothing was done.

She wrote: 'Feeling furious, disgusted and degraded after an Alaska Airlines flight during which the passenger next to me made repeated lewd, inappropriate, and offensive sexual remarks to me. Both me and my colleague reported the incident to flight attendants who told me this was a frequent flier, brushed off his behavior as "oh, he just doesn't have a filter," kept feeding him more drinks, and suggested that I move to the back of the plane if I was uncomfortable.'

Randi Zuckerberg detailed an experience where a man seated next to her on an Alaska Airlines flight made 'explicit, lewd, and highly offensive' sexual comments to her, in a post on November 29

Zuckerberg urged her friends on Facebook to share the post, which included the letter she wrote to the airline

Zuckerberg urged her friends on Facebook to share the post, which included the letter she wrote to the airline, adding:

'We cannot support businesses that are complicit in allowing this behavior, and value the money of harassers over the comfort of their passengers.'

Later, Zuckerberg added that the passenger in question has also been banned, pending an investigation.

'While it never should have happened in the first place, I am thankful that they are taking the situation seriously,' she wrote.

Regarding Timon's suspension from travel on the airline, he said he was '100 percent sober' at the time of the encounter he described from December 26, and that the experience amounted to 'reverse discrimination' against men.

'What about us guys?' Timon said.

'I cant tap a flight attendant on her back to politely ask for something, yet I get accused of something? Its out of control and I am pissed.'

San Diego Harbor police said that it received statements from Timon and others, upon the plane's landing.

No arrests have been made related to the December 26 incident as described by Timon, and no requests were made to file charges.The Polish man filmed trying to leave a Ryanair plane at Malaga Airport after climbing onto the wing via an emergency door lived in a homeless hostel in Spain and cannot afford a hefty fine, MailOnline can reveal.

Romuald Graczyk, 57, leapt through the emergency exit after his flight from London was grounded on the tarmac in Spain for an hour.

Mr Graczyk, who recently lived in a 140-a-month homeless hostel in Malaga, afterwards told the pilot he did it because he was 'overwhelmed' at having to wait for so long in the aircraft after it landed.

Fellow passenger Fernando del Valle Villalobos, who got out his phone to record the dramatic moment he exited the packed plane, said: 'He came from the front of the plane and seemed to be asking people very politely to let him past. None of the flight crew saw anything because they were by the cockpit.

A Ryanir passenger is facing a hefty fine after tiring of waiting for permission to leave his plane and leaving in this unconventional way via an emergency exit and the wing

'I thought he wanted to look out the window to see if the bus to take us back to the terminal had arrived but the next minute he opened the door using the lever and poked his head out.

'He had a look around and then turned round to pick up his rucksack before walking out onto the wing.

'Everyone was totally flabbergasted. No-one saw it coming and so there wasn't time to say anything.

'He sat down on the end of the wing and was there for around five minutes while we were inside the plane until he was persuaded to return by ground staff.

'He then attempted to walk off with the rest of us when we were given the okay to leave but the pilot stopped him and asked him in English why he had done what he did.

'He replied in Spanish, saying that it had just got too much for him having to wait so long without any explanation as to why we were being kept inside the plane. The word he used in Spanish was that he felt 'agobiado.'

'We had left Stansted late and we were then kept waiting a long time after we landed but it was obviously a very drastic measure to take. I still can't quite believe what happened.'

The balding man decided on his rash exit from the aircraft after it reached Malaga Airport from London Stansted on Monday night an hour late

Ground staff ordered him back on the plane and he was held there until Civil Guard officers arrived to take him away and record his details

The passenger was described last night as a 57-year-old Polish national living in Malaga

Another passenger on Ryanair flight FR8164, which landed late in Malaga just after 11pm on Monday, said Mr Graczyk was suffering an asthma attack and needed air.

Although Mr Graczyk is expected to face a heavy fine for his actions, it was unclear last night if he would end up paying anything.

Civil Guard officers have taken down his details and will pass a report on to the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA), the state body that ensure civil aviation standards are observed in all aeronautical activity in Spain.

It will be up to the AESA to decide the size of the fine for breaching air security, which is expected to be around five figures.

Although Mr Graczyk's current whereabouts is unknown, he was living at a charity-run hostel up to around a year ago.

His last-known address was Hogar Pozo Dulce in Malaga, run by the Catholic Church's official organisation in Spain for charity and social relief.

A source at the hostel, which houses people deemed to be 'at risk', said Mr Graczyk had been living there for more than a year until around a year ago, paying around 140 a month for a bed and three meals a day.

He said: 'He seemed nice enough but seemed pretty private. Everyone who comes here has very little resources but I didn't know his life story. There were never any problems while he was here.'

He is also believed to have used a municipal hostel in Malaga in the three months, although there was no official confirmation from local authorities today.

The reason for his visit to the UK has not been made clear.

'He told me he suffers from asthma. He got up all of a sudden and decided to leave. I don't blame him.'

Civil Guard officers did not arrest him - but recorded his name and age so they could report him for an infraction against airport security

It happened just after 11pm on Monday when flight FR8164, which should have left London Stansted just before 7pm but left nearer 8pm, touched down in the Costa del Sol capital

He is expected to be hit with a hefty fine which will be at least four figures and possibly more

Mr Mistry added: 'If a plane is at a standstill for over 30 minutes and you have no freedom and a health condition, you are bound to do something.'

He said the man doesn't deserve the backlash he's received online, adding: 'If only they knew about his condition, they'd probably understand.

'I really hope they don't fine him.'

A spokesman for Ryanair said: 'This airport security breach occurred after landing in Malaga airport on January 1.

'Malaga airport police immediately arrested the passenger in question and since this was a breach of Spanish safety and security regulations, it is being dealt with by the Spanish authorities.'Police have arrested the a man for killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run inNew York City after a two month search.

Xavier Ward, 23, from Brooklyn, is facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident with failure to show license and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Video shows the moment that the driver of a 2016 Jeep Renegade hit 34-year-old Manhattan chef Adrian Blanc on November 14 while making an illegal turn onto a one-way street in Union Square.

The driver, now believed to be Ward, briefly stops after hitting Blanc, but never gets out of his car and eventually speeds away without getting help.

Police in New York City have arrested for the driver believed to be responsible for killing a 34-year-old in a hit and run in November

The NYPD released shocking video of the hit and run incident that claimed Adrian Blanc's life

The driver of the 2016 Jeep Renegade, now believed to be 23-year-old Xavier Ward, briefly stopped after the accident, but never got out of his car to aide Blanc

Photographs of Ward have not yet been released.

Blanc had just finished up his shift at Murray Hill restaurant Hill and Bay, and walked down to Union Square to catch the subway back to his home in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Blanc (pictured) died the next day at the hospital

The executive chef died at Bellevue Hospital the following day, tragically just a month before he was set to wed.

His fiancee was in Venezuela at the time, finalizing plans for their destination wedding.

Those plans were then scrapped for a funeral.

Police released footage of the hit and run the next day in hopes of tracking down the person responsible for Blanc's death.

They discovered that the SUV used in the accident was a Zipcar. Zipcar is a company that charges members a monthly fee to use their fleet of cars to run errands.

It's popular in large cities like New York City where many don't own cars.

Members book cars online and gain access to them using their smartphones or a special key card.

After the fatal accident, police found the car in a parking garage in Flatbush, near the Kings County Hospital.

Blanc's brother Agner spoke with the media after his death, saying that he was the 'captain of the ship' of their family

Blanc's brother Agner spoke to the media after his death and said he was the head of their family.

'He was the oldest brother, and like I said, he was the captain of this ship, he was the captain, he was the glue, so this is a really hard time for us to have to go through this,' Agner said.

His death is all the more tragic because he was planning on starting a family soon, like he had always dreamed of.

'He wanted kids. He loved my kids so much. I was actually with him on Sunday and he was playing with my son and, it's just, I'm at a loss for words,' Agner said.

Blanc was just a month away from getting married. His brother said he looked forward to starting a familyFurious residents have daubed graffiti on cars parked on their streets by holidaymakers who are 'using the area as an airport car park'.

A number of vehicles parked on Western Avenue and Hale Road, near Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, were vandalised over the new year period.

White lines have been sprayed all over the cars with the windows and outer panels covered by the paint.

Signs have also been stuck on car windows reading: 'THIS IS NOT A CAR PARK FOR THE AIRPORT'

Vehicles have been vandalised while their owners are away on holiday

Residents who live in the surrounding streets of Hale Road and Western Road have revealed the area has been troubled with airport users filling up spaces on the roads for years

Signs have also been stuck on car windows reading: 'THIS IS NOT A CAR PARK FOR THE AIRPORT'.

Residents who live in the surrounding streets of Hale Road and Western Road have revealed the area has been troubled with airport users filling up spaces on the roads for years.

One local said: 'We don't know who has done this but I think it is a sign people have just had enough.

'We are sick and tired of people - often foreigners - ditching their cars outside our homes and businesses.

'It is inconvenient as they can be just left for days and weeks.

'I've heard it has got so bad that the airport car park has seen a drop in the numbers of cars being parked.

'The cars clutter up our area and it is so bad that people aren't coming to the local shops as they can't find anywhere close to leave the cars.'

Locals have also complained about the parking on social media groups.

A handful of vandalised cars remained in the area this evening suggesting they had not returned from their break.

Vehicles parked on Western Avenue and Hale Road, near Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, were attacked over the new year period

One local said: 'We don't know who has done this but I think it is a sign people have just had enough'

Locals have also complained about the parking on social media groups

A handful of vandalised cars remained in the area this evening suggesting they had not returned from their break

However not all residents agree with the vandalism.

One woman wrote online: 'Gives the place a bad name, no wonder they won't invest in the place! Scum bags dragging it down.

'Don't see the problem in people parking if they're not causing an obstruction.

'How many people have parked their cars down a street they don't know because it's quicker to get the shops? All I imagine.

'It's a public road - you can park anywhere. Doing that to people's cars knowing they're not cheap to fix, just after Xmas too. It's not on.'

However not all residents agree with the vandalism. One woman wrote online: 'Gives the place a bad name, no wonder they won't invest in the place! Scum bags dragging it down'

One person said: 'It's a public road - you can park anywhere. Doing that to people's cars knowing they're not cheap to fix, just after Xmas too. It's not on'

CAR PARKING CHARGES AT JOHN LENNON AIRPORT This is what motorists are charged to park at the John Lennon Airport. Long stay carpark - Pay On Foot Price 1 day 35 2 days 60 3 days 70 4 days 75 5 days 80 6 days 85 7 days 90 8 days 95 9 days 100 Multi-Storey car park Up to 40 Minutes 5 Up to I Hour 6.50 Up to 2 Hours 10 Up to 4 Hours 15 Up to 24 Hours 40 Advertisement

Another posted: 'I don't see what harm anyone does by parking their car on any road, providing they're not causing obstruction.

'We have cars parked in our road all the time - just some people are horrors.'

A third resident added: 'The cars outside the shops are causing no obstruction to anyone, it's a joke and what a sad little life you must have if you feel the need to go and spray paint cars that are not affecting you.'

A sign has also been erected on Hale Road in partnership with police, Liverpool Council and the airport to ask people using the airport to 'park in designated car parks'.

Community Policing Inspector Andy Wignall said: 'Merseyside Police was contacted at 2pm on Monday January 1 to a report of criminal damage to a Citroen DS3 car parked on Western Avenue in Speke.

'It is believed that between 5am and 1pm that day unknown offenders sprayed white paint on the car.

'A number of other cars in the area appear to have been damaged although at this stage we have only received one damage report.

'This behaviour will not be tolerated and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything or has any information about the damage to contact Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'

White lines have been sprayed all over the cars with the windows and outer panels covered by the paint

The vandalism took place earlier this week and many of the cars remain in place - suggesting the owners may not yet be aware of the damage

This is not the first time action has been taken over cars parking close to the airport - Neil Junglas, 36, from Hunts Cross, wrapped a car in cling film after becoming frustrated with people parking outside his house and then going on holiday last year.

And in 2016 a pensioner claimed the introduction of a drop-off charge at Liverpool John Lennon airport led to his road being used as a car park.

Anthony Brown, 66, said since airport bosses introduced a 2 drop-off charge in 2014, Hale Road, opposite the airport, has been used by holidaymakers on the way to the terminal.

This comes as a MailOnline investigation revealed Heathrow is charging double the price of some of the world's biggest airports for passengers to leave their cars behind while they go on holiday.

Heathrow is the most expensive of the ten busiest airports across the globe when parking a vehicle long-term.

The figures show that in many cases, a family would be expected to pay more to park at Heathrow than it would on flights.

A family wanting to leave their car at Terminals 2, 3, 4 or 5 while they go on holiday would be expected to fork out 163.40 for seven days.

However, the same stay at the world's second busiest airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, would cost the equivalent of just 63.49.

The high parking figures has led to many families opting to use third-party providers, which offer meet-and-greet services for a little as 10 a day.

Residents in the area said they were 'sick and tired of people ditching their cars outside our homes and businesses'Police Sergeant Ares Michaelides is on trial for sexual assault over claims he stroked a woman's thigh during a visit to her home

A police officer sexually assaulted a woman after inviting himself into her home while delivering crime prevention kits, a court has heard.

Sgt Ares Michaelides, 49, allegedly stroked the 22-year-old's thigh while out in Enfield, north London, on 23 November 2016.

He was on duty handing out Smartwater Home Security Packs, containing invisible liquid that can mark valuables so they can be traced back to their owner.

The woman claims the officer asked if he could come in after explaining on the doorstep how there had been a spate of recent burglaries in the area.

Jurors heard Michaelides told her: 'It's not often I get gorgeous girls like you coming to the door.'

But the officer claims she simply became 'angry, upset or annoyed' at having spotted his wedding ring after they had 'flirted a little'.

He says the woman divulged that she had 'just come out of a five-year relationship' and told him: 'I'm looking to have a bit of fun.'

His accuser admitted talking about her relationship but told the court it was 'just small talk' whilst they completed paperwork.

He denies the claims, insisting the woman was 'upset' after she saw his wedding ring

Jurors heard at Southwark Crown Court were told Michaelides asked for a cup of tea and told his host he took no qualms with having it black when she said there was no milk in the fridge.

Defending, Jennifer Dempster, asked the woman: 'Did you at any point say 'Oh, you like your tea as I like my men?'

She admitted making the remark but insisted it was because she 'found it cheeky when he asked'.

'So, I thought I would just put it out there that there was no attraction,' she added.

Ms Dempster confirmed: 'You said that to give him the impression that you were not attracted to him because he was not black-skinned?'

The woman replied 'yes' but denied the barrister's suggestion she had been 'flirting with him at this point'.

Southwark Crown Court (pictured) heard the woman phoned 999 after the visit and the officer was arrested

Michaelides insists the only physical contact between them occurred when he checked if her hand was burned after she accidentally poured hot water on it.

The woman denies claims she told the officer: 'My parents won't be in tomorrow, give me a call.'

She told his colleagues after calling 999 that Michaelides described 'normally dealing with weird old people', adding: 'You're turning me on.'

'I just thought he was disgusting,' she said, describing how she felt 'singled out' when the officer declined to enter any other homes on the street.

However, defence lawyer Ms Dempster suggested the officer left 'on pretty much the exact same terms as when he arrived, and there had been a degree of mutual flirting' between them.

Michaelides, of Enfield, north London, denies a single count of sexual assault. The trial continues.Talk about a fast delivery.

Parents Tiffani Von Glahn and Carl Alewine had just finished ringing in the New Year at their Saint George, South Carolina home when Von Glahn suddenly went into labor.

The first-time mom wasn't supposed to give birth for another three and a half weeks, but baby Anastasia was ready to make her entrance into the world.

The engaged couple immediately hopped into their jeep and made a mad dash for Medical University of South Carolina in downtown Charleston, nearly an hour away.

Tiffani Von Glahn and Carl Alewine were home celebrating the New Year when Von Glahn went into labor. As the couple sped down I-26 in Charleston, around 20 cop cars swarmed their vehicle in a police chase trying to get them to stop

Baby Anastasia was born on in the middle of the interstate on the hood of her parent's vehicle on New Year's Day

He was going about 90-95mph and a police officer came up behind us to pull us over, Von Glahn told WCBD.

Because the pregnancy was high-risk and Von Glahn was told that she may need a C-section, she told Alewine not to stop the car.

I was thinking there was no way I could have her naturally, she said.

When Alewine failed to slow down or pull over, the officer following them thought it was a chase and called for backup.

Before the couple knew it, around 20 cop cars were pursuing them and blocking the exits on the interstate.

Von Glahn said police eventually boxed them in to force the couple to stop, and Alewine was placed in handcuffs as officers assessed the situation.

Once police realized that Von Glahn was in labor and about to give birth, they sprang into action.

Baby Anastasia was born weighing six pounds and two ounces

Tiffani Von Glahn and Carl Alewine said their daughter's crazy, high-speed delivery story is something they will never forget

Baby Anastasia and her mom are said to be doing fine and hope to leave the hospital soon

Neal Arrington, a firefighter with the Goose Creek Fire Department, delivered baby Anastasia in the middle of the interstate on the hood of the couples car.

She was born at a healthy six pounds two ounces.

I asked the mom how many weeks she was, sat there and told her I need to take a peek, saw a head full of hair and then caught it, Arrington told Live 5 News.

Alewine, who watched the delivery while handcuffed, said it was a moment he would never forget.

'I've seen a lot of things in my life you guys... but watching my daughter be born on a New Years midnight in the middle of the interstate through tear soaked eyes, in handcuffs, from the hood of my jeep, in the reverie of 100 blue patrol lights as fireworks burst all around us... And seeing so many of the low country's finest clap as they took the handcuffs off ... I've never seen or felt something so human and compassionate in my life,' Alewine wrote on Facebook.

Both mom and baby are said to be doing fine and hope to leave the hospital soon.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday issued new policies to streamline and ease foreign exchange transactions in the Philippines in a bid to support the country's economic activities.

The BSP in a press release said it has lifted a prior rule that required purely private sector loans -- or loans without any exposure of any public sector entity -- to gain approval from the central bank first.

Unlike previous policies that required private companies to gain BSP approval before acquiring foreign loans, such transactions now only need to be registered with the BSP.

The BSP also decreased requirements for the registration and purchase of foreign exchange. They will now accept more forms of documents, including scanned "Application to Purchase FX" forms.

The central bank has also opened a temporary six-month window for the registration of purely private sector loans that were obtained without BSP approval prior to the new policy. This will be based on guidelines set by the BSP.

"The BSP registration of these accounts will qualify the outstanding balances of the obligations to be paid on scheduled due dates using FX (foreign exchange) resources of the banking system," it said.

Prior to this reform, loans could only be settled either with foreign exchange by the borrower, or sourced outside the banking system.

The BSP said the six-month window is so it can widen its record on the country's external obligations to enhance policy review and formulation.

These reforms will take effect starting January 15, 2018.

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the move is in line with the central bank's goal to ease the use of foreign exchange in the banking system for "legitimate needs." He added, it comes as the central bank notes the "continuing volatility" of external financial markets.

This is the 11th wave in a series of liberalized foreign exchange policies made by the BSP since 2007.

CNN Philippines' Claire Jiao and Amanda Lingao contributed to this story.More than 60,000 illegal migrants are living Australia, the vast majority of whom are visa overstayers.

Officials from the new Department of Home Affairs are calling for tougher screening to enable them to detect people living in the country illegally.

Home Affairs staff believe illegal migrants view the department as 'toothless', and are demanding harsher fines and better visa screening.

More than 60,000 illegal migrants are living Australia, the vast majority of whom are visa overstayers (stock image)

An internal government report urged action and claimed the current situation is in favour of visa overstayers, The Daily Telegraph reported.

'Temporary visitors to Australia are willing to risk remaining illegal as they are making far more money in Australia than they could at home,' the report stated.

'Even if they are deported, they still see an advantage in having had to opportunity to earn money in Australia.'

Three quarters of the 62,900 illegal migrants entered the country on tourist visas, and another 15 per cent were students.

Officials from the new Department of Home Affairs are calling for tougher screening to enable them to detect people living in the country illegally (pictured is Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs)

One third of the total have been hiding out for at least 10 years, and 18,750 have been living in Australia for 15 year or more.

China or Malaysia account for a quarter of the illegal migrants, and there are 5170 Americans and 3680 from the UK.

Some even aim to spend a decade in Australia after having children so they can then apply for citizenship.

Home Affairs staff want better screening at airports to prevent illegal migrants changing their names to re-enter the country, the report stated.

They also called for 'better data matching with the Australian Taxation office and Department of Human Services to identify and locate illegal workers in the community', and harsher fines for those employing them.

The report recommends finding ways to detect illegal migrants when they attempt to open bank accounts, rent property, use daycare and get driver's licences.The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said Deputy Lawrence 'Larry' Falce (pictured) 'succumbed to injuries' following a roadside altercation

A southern California police officer who was 'violently attacked' following a minor traffic collision on New Year's Eve has died.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said in a statement on Tuesday that Deputy Lawrence 'Larry' Falce 'succumbed to injuries' following a roadside altercation with a motorist on Sunday morning.

Falce was off-duty when he was allegedly assaulted by a driver at around 10.30am after their cars collided on Kendall Drive and University Parkway, according to KTLA.

Authorities said that they have arrested a suspect in the incident but are withholding the identity citing an ongoing investigation. Detectives added that they are still trying to determine a motive for the attack.

The Sheriff's Department said that Falce never regained consciousness after being rushed to the hospital and was taken off of life support at 8pm on Tuesday night.

Authorities have arrested a suspect in the incident but have not released a name citing an ongoing investigation (Pictured: Friends and colleagues stand outside hospital to honor Falce)

Falce, 70, joined the Sheriff's Department in 1981 after having first served in the US Army (Pictured: Site of the incident, which took place on Kendall Drive and University Parkway)

'The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is mourning the death of one of their own tonight. Moments ago, Deputy Lawrence 'Larry' Falce succumbed to injuries he sustained from the violent attack on Sunday, December 31, 2017,' the Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

Falce's fellow officers described the 32-year-veteran 'as an honorable man,' and a 'lifelong public servant who cared deeply about this profession.'

Dozens of deputies and law enforcement officials lined up outside Loma Linda University Medical Center Tuesday night to pay their respects and honor Falce shortly after the Sheriff's Department announced his death.

'Larry is survived by his sister, Marjorie, and his girlfriend of many years, Deborah. He also leaves behind many extended loved ones,' The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department added.

Falce, 70, joined the Sheriff's Department in 1981 after having first served in the US Army.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department urged anyone with additional information to call Detective J. Casto at 909-384-5747 or Sgt. Mahan at 909-388-4955.Kasim Lewis, pictured in a court sketch, is accused of murdering barmaid Iuliana Tudos

A 31-year-old charged with the murder of a barmaid last seen on Christmas Eve has been remanded in custody.

Iuliana Tudos, 22, was stabbed to death after finishing a shift at the Worlds End pub in Camden, north London, on December 24.

Kasim Lewis, 31, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today and was accused of killing her some time in the three days after she disappeared.

He was remanded in custody before appearing at the Old Bailey later this week.

Lewis, who lives in north London above a disused Greek restaurant, was dressed in a grey prison tracksuit uniform and had a goatee beard.

He spoke only to confirm his name and to give his nationality as English.

Ms Tudos's body was found in a disused building near her home in Finsbury Park at 4.25pm on December 27.

Iuliana disappeared after leaving work in Camden. She was later found dead from stab wounds

Murder detectives are scouring a flat above this disused Greek restaurant in the hunt for clues

A post-mortem gave the cause of death as a stab to the abdomen and a head wound.

She was last seen by friends on Christmas Eve around 8pm waiting for a bus and had been due to spend Christmas Day at a friend's house.

Detectives have taped off the door to the flat in Southgate, north London, where Lewis is believed to have lived.

Plain clothes police have also asked business owners to let them search the rear of their properties as part of the investigation.

A local shop worker claimed the flats are a 'half-way house' which see a regular stream of tenants.

The mother said she was not the kind of woman to make enemies or get in trouble

Friends of Ms Tudos paid tribute to her in the days after she was found dead.

One said: 'She was working and studying and never got herself in trouble.

'When she went missing I asked her friends if that ever happened to her before and they told me that she had never disappeared before and would never turn off her phone.

'From what I hear, she was just following her usual route from her workplace back home. She took that route many times.'

Floral tributes were left at the site where her body was found in North London.

Her family, who are from Moldova and Cyprus, flew to London, following her murder.

Her mother, Elina Vasiliu, said she 'didn't have any enemies'.

She said: 'She was very friendly and didn't have any enemies. I've never heard that she got into an argument with anyone, or made any enemies.

'I didn't hear that someone was threatening here either. She was a very nice and likeable person.'

Police at the scene in Finsbury Park where Iuliana's body was found shortly after Christmas

Her mother added: 'Besides, she was getting an education and working and she didn't even have enough time for all that.

'She was a friendly and honest girl. And was close with her friends. It was actually very rare that she would be alone.

'She was renting a place with a friend - and she usually spending time with her friends. She didn't have a boyfriend, so it was her and her friends usually.

'She always talked about how amazing they were, and I got to experience how they kept fighting to find her all this time.'

Lewis's hearing was transferred from Wimbledon Magistrates to central London.President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary statement bashing former top advisor Steve Bannon after the president's longtime consigliere was quoted trashing Donald Trump Jr. and claiming his father would have immediately been made aware of an infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russians.

Bannon claimed a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer, supposedly to obtain unflattering information about Hillary Clinton, was 'treasonous' and 'unpatriotic,' prompting an unprecedented brushback of the former White House aide from the president.

'Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency,' Trump said in a statement provided by the White House that torches his former chief strategist. 'When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.'

Trump's press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, then told reporters that the president was 'furious' and 'disgusted' by Bannon's assault on the president's son and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who also attended the Trump Tower meeting.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Former White House strategist Stephen Bannon has termed a June 2016 meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russians 'treasonous' in a forthcoming book about the Trump White House

The White House's full-scale attack on Bannon, who was once one of Trump's top advisers, was ripe with personal slights, exposing a dramatic rift between the president and the conservative provocateur who is also the Breitbart News executive chairman.

It followed Bannon's comments undercutting the president's eldest son and a suggestion that Donald Trump was involved in the 2016 meeting with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer that Bannon is now quoted as saying should have been reported to the FBI.

'Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican Party,' Trump said. 'Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look.'

Trump said Bannon 'doesn't represent my base, he's only in it for himself' and 'had very little to do' with his victory, but 'everything to do' with the loss of the Alabama Senate seat.

The cutting statement went on to say, 'Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was.'

Bannon backed losing candidate Roy Moore, who Trump ultimately campaigned for in the special election after claiming the Republican would have a tough time winning the general election and endorsing his primary opponent.

Sanders said Wednesday that the loss contributed to the falling out between the president, who last spoke to Bannon sometime in early December.

Accusing the president's son of treason is also not a way to 'curry favor' with Trump, she stated, calling the allegation 'ridiculous.'

'I think there are a number of factors that played in,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I would certainly think that going after the president's son and an absolutely outrageous and unprecedented way, is probably not the best way to curry favor with anybody.'

Steve Bannon, chairman of Breitbart News Network LLC, speaks during a campaign rally for Roy Moore, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alabama

After the press briefing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, whose wife Callista is U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, walked through a press work space on his way to a Fox News interview.

'Bannon has no contingent,' he told DailyMail.com and another reporter ripping into the former White House aide. 'There's a Trump wing of the Republican Party. There's not a Bannon wing.'

The White House had also rejected the notion that feud would weaken Trump's base.

'The base and the people that supported this president supported the president and supported his agenda, those things haven't changed,' Sanders said at her briefing. 'The president still exactly who he was yesterday as he was two years ago when he started out on the campaign trail.'

Trump's spokeswoman said, 'Look at all he's accomplished, I think they're pretty happy with where he is.'

President Trump had also sought to discredit Bannon, considered to have a played a key role in shaping his own victory.

'Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books,' the president said.

Trump Jr. also hit back at Bannon after taking fire throughout passages in the book.

'Steve had the honor of working in the White House & serving the country,' Trump wrote on Twitter. 'Unfortunately, he squandered that privilege & turned that opportunity into a nightmare of backstabbing, harassing, leaking, lying & undermining the President. Steve is not a strategist, he is an opportunist.'

The blast came just hours after Bannon was revealed to have called the infamous June 2016 meeting between top Trump campaign officials and Russians 'treasonous.'

Further, Bannon expressed certainty that then-candidate Donald Trump would have been made aware of the meeting at the time  a claim that, if verified, could play into a collusion narrative being explored by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Trump said Bannon 'spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was'

Bannon, who held a top role in the campaign, shares his disdain in Michael Wolff's forthcoming book, excerpts of which were published Wednesday, that other top officials went into the Trump Tower meeting blind instead of dispatching a legal team to vet information in a hand-off way and failing to alert authorities of a possible crime.

'Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s***, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately,' Bannon mused.

He went after Donald Trump Jr. explicitly for participating, then expressed certainty about what happened next.

'The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these Jumos up to his father's office of the 26th floor is zero,' Bannon said, in an excerpt from 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.'

SEAT OF POWER: 'Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books,' said Trump

White House Director of Strategic Communications Hope Hicks (L) and former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon (R) walk to board Marine One as US President Donald Trump departs the White House for Harrisburg, Pensylvannia

TRUMP'S STATEMENT TORCHING BANNON The following is a 'Statement from the President of the United States' released by the White House: Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party. Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesn't represent my basehe's only in it for himself. Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was. It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books. We have many great Republican members of Congress and candidates who are very supportive of the Make America Great Again agenda. Like me, they love the United States of America and are helping to finally take our country back and build it up, rather than simply seeking to burn it all down. Advertisement

'The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers,' Bannon vented in excerpts in the book obtained by the Guardian

The White House issued a separate statement from Sanders before her daily news conference trashing the expose.

'This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House,' Sanders said.

'Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy,' she added.

Stephanie Grisham, communications director for Melania Trump, responded to claims in the book that the first lady cried when Trump the election because she never expected him to win.

'The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section. Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run for President and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did,' Grisham said.

The book also claims the Trump have separate bedrooms in the White House.

NBC News reported Bannon's comment about the chance Donald Trump also met the Russians.

Sanders pointed to Trump's previous denials of collusion when it came up at her news conference.

Trump Jr. told the House Intelligence Committee during testimony that he did not tell his father about the meeting at the time it took place, the Washington Post reported in December.

He told Fox News host Sean Hannity after word of the meeting broke: 'In retrospect, I probably would have done things a little differently.'

He said he did not tell his father about the meeting because nothing came of it.

'It was just a nothing,' the president's son said. 'There was nothing to tell.'

Attending the meeting were Donald Trump Jr., Trump son in law and Bannon's White House rival Jared Kushner, and former campaign chair Paul Manafort, who has since been indicted on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

They met with Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya after an offer of potential dirt on Hillary Clinton got dangled to Trump Jr. via an email approach.

'They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV,' Bannon, a former Naval officer and Goldman Sachs employee who runs Breitbart News, said of the president's eldest son.

They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV

He laid out how the campaign should have handled such an approach. If any meeting happened, it should have been done 'in a Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, with your lawyers who meet with these people'. That would allow information to get 'dump[ed]  down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication,' he said, referencing the Breitbart News site he runs.

'They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV,' Bannon said of the president's eldest son, who attended the Trump Tower meeting

A picture taken on November 8, 2016 shows Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya speaking during an interview in Moscow

Bannon took new shots at his rival Trump son in law Jared Kushner. He predicts special counsel Mueller will go after top officials on money laundering to get to President Trump

White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon (R) listens to U.S. President Donald Trump at the beginning of a meeting with government cyber security experts in the Roosevelt Room at the White House January 31, 2017 in Washington

Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon speaks during the Asahi Shimbun interview on November 16, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan

'You never see it, you never know it, because you don't need to  But that's the brain trust that they had,' he said dismissively.

Trump named Bannon as chief executive of his campaign in August 2016, two months after the Trump Tower meeting with Russians occurred.

Bannon, who says he continues to advise President Trump, also issued predictions about the Mueller probe.

'You realize where this is going,' he said. 'This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Wessman first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to f***ing Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner  It's as plain as a hair on your face,' he said.

According to the Guardian, Bannon insisted that he doesn't know Russians, won't be a witness in the related probes, won't hire a lawyer and won't end up on TV answering questions.

Trump Jr. has denied doing anything improper and says he got nothing of value out of the meeting. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges. Kushner's lawyers say he is cooperating with investigators.

The book also quotes a friend of President Trump confidant Tom Barrack as having told a friend: ''He's not only crazy, he's stupid.'Advertisement

Anyone who has been to a festival will have seen some astonishing sights, but perhaps none as eye-opening as this holy man at a Hindu religious festival in India.

The sadhu - a holy man following the Hindu or Jainist tradition - was photographed performing a bizarre feat of strength as he pulled a truck around using only his penis.

He was spotted in Allahabad, in northern India, where hundreds of thousands of Hindus are gathering for the annual Magh Mela festival which began on January 2.

A sadhu - a Hindu or Jainist holy man - performs a bizarre feat of strength to prove his spirituality during the annual Magh Mela festival in northern India

Sadhus reject early pleasures in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and as such often shun wearing clothes altogether. They are known for performing strange or impressive feats of mental and physical strength

The 45 day event sees worshipers bathe in the waters of Sangam, the confluence of the holy Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, on appointed dates.

Sadhus are wandering holy men who have rejected earthly comforts in search of spiritual enlightenment in the hopes of breaking the cycle of reincarnation, a major tenet of Hinduism.

As such they own no possession and opt for only modest clothes, or in some cases decided to live naked, relying on the kindness of strangers to provide for them wherever they go.

Often sadhus will perform feats of physical or mental strength as a display of their spirituality and mastery of yoga techniques, as the majority of them are also yogis.

Sometimes this involves lifting or carrying objects with the penis, though many other demonstrations take place.

For example Radhey Shyam Prajapati holds the Guinness World Record for the longest time stood motionless, at 8 hours, 5 minutes and 5 seconds, while Rajikumar Chakraborty did a static wall sit for 11 hours and 5 minutes.

Magh Mela takes place every year in Allahabad when people bathe in the water of the Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers of Ganges and Yamuna

A sadhu offers prayers after taking a ritual swim in the waters of Sangam during the first day of the Magh Mela festivalTiki Vashti Podray, 41, is accused of drunkenly crashing her Maserati into another car on New Year's Eve in Palm Beach, Florida

A Florida socialite has been arrested for allegedly drunkenly crashing her Maserati on New Year's Eve while a polo-playing Rockefeller scion was in her car.

Tiki Vashti Podray, 41, is accused of crashing into a white Honda Accord on Florida's Turnpike near Palm Beach on Sunday at about 6.50pm.

Podray then allegedly fled the scene in her Maserati before breaking down less than a mile away.

Police said Podray's eyes were bloodshot and she was slurring her words.

Her blood alcohol levels came back at nearly twice the legal limit, according to an arrest report obtained by the Palm Beach Post.

Podray's passenger, Richard L. Rockefeller, told police that the driver of the other car had threatened to shoot him in the neck with what he believed was a gun.

Podray had Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, a member of the famed philanthropic family, in the car with her at the time. He posted a photo of them on Instagram (above) at the International Polo Club Palm Beach for New Year's Eve prior to the crash

Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, pictured above with Podray last year, is a member of the famous philanthropic family. His mother, Donna Rockefeller Deyoung Simpson, is the great-great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller

It turns out it was just a cellphone, according to the arrest report.

He did not want to press charges against the driver.

Rockefeller, who goes by Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, is a member of the famous philanthropic family.

His mother, Donna Rockefeller Deyoung Simpson, is the great-great-granddaughter of billionaire oil entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller.

The 33-year-old is openly gay and is a model and an award-winning equestrian rider.

Podray was arrested for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash. She is pictured above in her Maserati last year

Rockefeller had posted a photo on Instagram of him and Podray at the International Polo Club Palm Beach for New Year's Eve prior to the crash.

The polo club is 11 miles from where the crash occurred.

The pair have also appeared in photos together on Podray's Facebook page last year when they were driving around in her Maserati.

Podray was arrested for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash.

She was released from Palm Beach County Prison on New Year's Day on her own recognizance, according to online records.A former sailor who spent a year in jail for taking classified pictures aboard a submarine has fallen on hard times, but hopes that a pardon from President Trump could turn things around.

In 2009, at age 22, Kristian Saucier took six photographs inside the classified area of the U.S.S. Alexandria, a nuclear submarine and eventually pleaded guilty of unauthorized possession and retention of national defense information.

Now, after being released from prison, his house is in foreclosure as he tries to make ends meet as a garbageman, Fox News has learned.

'We're really struggling,' he told the network Tuesday in a new interview. 'We cant pay our electric bill. Bill collectors are calling every day, I make only half what I used to make.'

The president sparked renewed interest in Saucier's case by tweeting about it on Tuesday.

Kristian Saucier spoke with Fox News Channel after being brought up by President Trump in a tweet on Tuesday. Saucier served a year in jail for taking photos in a classified area of a nuclear submarine he was serving on

President Donald Trump expressed that he thought it wasn't fair that Saucier had served jail time when Hillary Clinton's top aide Huma Abedin 'disregard[ed] basic security protocols' when she was at the State Department, according to the president

President Trump spoke about Kristian Saucier's case on the campaign trail, suggesting he was sentenced too harshly while Hillary Clinton and her aide Huma Abedin walk free. The president brought up Saucier's case again this week

'Crooked Hillary Clinton's top aid[e], Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols,' Trump wrote. 'She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents.'

'Remember sailors pictures on submarine?' Trump asked, referring to Saucier. 'Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others.'

A photograph of Kristian Saucier from his time serving in the U.S. Navy

Saucier told Fox News on Tuesday that the tweet renewed his hope for a pardon.

'We're hopeful with that tweet today,' he told the network. 'He mentioned me quite a few times when he was campaigning, and said it was a double standard how Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin were handled.'

'I mishandled low-level class information and they went after me with the full weight of the government,' Saucier said.

The former sailor spent a year in a Massachusetts federal prison for his crime.

His lawyer, Ronald Daigle, told Fox that he believed Saucier was a 'political pawn' to be made an example of, as two other Alexandria crew members were caught taking photos at the same locations and were punished, but never prosecuted.

'Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin flagrantly mishandled high-level information, making it available to a pedophile, and they get away with it,' Saucier said, referring to Abedin's estranged husband, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who's serving jail time for sexting with a minor.

On Friday, the State Department released a cache of Abedin's emails that were stored on Weiner's laptop, including at least five emails determined to be classified.

A total of eight pages had been classified at the 'confidential' level, the third most sensitive labeling the U.S. government uses.

Saucier said he believed Abedin should be prosecuted.

'She should be put through the same legal system that went after me, and unfortunately I didn't have near the legal resources that she does or Hillary Clinton does, so they'll be able to mount a much better defense than I could, but even still, they should be charged the same as me,' Saucier said.

Saucier's case was prompted when a cell phone belonging to the sailor was found in a dumpster in March 2012 by the supervisor of a town dump in Connecticut.

That individual found photos Saucier had taken aboard the Alexandria and alerted his friend, a retried Navy chief, who in turn took the images to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, who eventually contacted the FBI.

The images showed various control panels on the submarine, along with a panoramic image of the ship's reactor compartment, according to the Navy Times.

Saucier told Fox he took the photos to show his family the exciting environment he was working in.

'I made an innocent mistake,' the former sailor protested. 'Many people [who have served in the military] have said they also took pictures not for nefarious purposes.'

'The pictures were on my own personal device, not for distribution, which so many people do,' he maintained.

'Because the FBI and Department of Justice wanted to get someone at that time, they went after me and destroyed my life,' Saucier said.The grandson of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden has died, it has been claimed.

The child, named Osama like his terrorist grandfather, was praised for his 'martyrdom' by father Hamza Bin Laden, who jihadis have hailed as the 'heir' to the leadership of al-Qaeda.

A letter written by Hamza, whose father was shot dead by a US Navy Seal team in 2011, mourned the death of the 'hero cub' and described his eldest son as 'the grandson of bravery' - adding that he liked to play-act scenes of martyrdom.

The note called 'Letter From Sheikh Mujahid Hamza Bin Laden', was published by Al-Qaeda's propaganda arm, the Global Islamic Media Front, along with a picture image of a young Osama and addressed to the Bin Laden family.

The child, also named Osama, was praised for his 'martyrdom' by his father Hamza Bin Laden (pictured), who jihadis have hailed as the 'heir' to the leadership of al-Qaeda

A letter written by Hamza, whose father Osama Bin Laden (pictured) was shot dead by a US Navy Seal team in 2011, mourned the death of the 'hero cub' and described his eldest son as 'the grandson of bravery' - adding that he liked to play-act scenes of martyrdom

It said: 'We console ourselves and you on the martyrdom on the hero cub... the grandson of bravery... our son Osama, may Allah have mercy on him.'

No details are given about the boy's age or how he died.

However, Saudi news website Al Arabiya said sources had revealed he was 12 and suggested he had died of an illness.

The note says that young Osama often play-acted scenes of martyrdom while playing with other children - but it is not known where he lived.

In November, Osama bin Laden's 'favourite' son called on Muslims around the world to launch terror attacks on the US for killing his father.

In an audio message, Hamza bin Laden, believed to be around 28, urged Muslims to 'to take revenge on the Americans, the murderers of the Shaykh [Osama bin Laden], specifically on those who participated in this heinous crime.'

It came just days after Hamza's wedding video was released, showing the 'Crown Prince of Terror' as an adult for the first time.

This was released by the CIA as part of a trove of material recovered during the May 2011 raid that killed the terror group leader at his compound in Pakistan.

In November, Osama bin Laden's 'favourite' son Hamza (pictured as a child) called on Muslims around the world to launch terror attacks on the US for killing his father

Until then, the public had only seen childhood photos of Hamza, which have been used as propaganda tools by al Qaeda. It's believed the militants have not released pictures of him as an adult for his own safety.

In recent years, he has emerged as the heir to his father's throne and become a prominent member of the terrorist organization.

Dubbed the 'Crown Prince of Terror', he has purportedly called for terrorist attacks on London, Washington and Paris in an audio message released by Al Qaeda.

In January of this year, he was officially designated a terrorist by the United States.

The U.S. State Department added him, to its list of global terrorists after confirming he had followed in his father's footsteps to join al Qaeda.

Al Qaeda senior leader Ayman al-Zawahiri released a tape in August 2015, claiming that Hamza had joined the group. In the audio message, Hamza himself spoke and called for lone wolf attacks.

The Al Qaeda leadership believes there is huge propaganda value in invoking the bin Laden name because it allows them to stake their claim to be the legitimate representative of jihad in the Middle East.

In recent years Al Qaeda and its Syrian affiliate, Jabhat al Nusra, have lost territory and fighters to the more dominant ISIS during a long-running mutually destructive conflict. Al Qaeda has also lost key leaders as a result of ISIS assassinations and Coalition bombings.Sony's new Cleopatra movie may have more in common with House of Cards than the 1963 film about the Egyptian queen starring Elizabeth Taylor.

Screenwriter David Scarpa, the scribe behind this year's All the Money in the World, is writing the screenplay and says he wants the film to be a 'dirty, bloody' political thriller as opposed to the usual stifling period piece.

'With Cleopatra ... instead of doing the movie as the prestige picture  the three-hour, lots of pageantry, people with fans and English accents and all that stuff  [we] really treat it as a political thriller.

Screenwriter David Scarpa is working on a script for a new film about Cleopatra. He says he wants to make the film a 'dirty, bloody' political thriller told from a woman's perspective. Above, a still from the 1963 film about the Egyptian queen starring Elizabeth Taylor

'Dirty, bloody, lots of people swearing and having sex and all of that other stuff and just treat it as a two-hour, lean, mean political thriller, full of assassinations, etc. Just going the opposite direction from the way we think that movie is going to go,' he told The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie has been in the works since Stacy Schiff's biography on the female Pharoah was released seven years ago.

The book became a best seller for its feminist retelling of Cleopatra's life story.

Scarpa is clearly inspired by the spirit of the book, and says he wants to throw out the misogynistic myths that have plagued Cleopatra's legend over the years.

Several directors have been attached to the project over the years, but it now looks like Denis Villeneuve (right) will helm the ship. Scarpa is pictured on the left

'There have been so many narratives of Cleopatra that have all been framed through the eyes of men. The entire history of that period is framed through the eyes of men, specifically Roman men.

'And the idea was were gonna approach it through her point of view. Were going to assume that the narratives that have been created by the Roman writers of the time were slanted, and were going to unskew them. So it gave us an opportunity to approach history in a radical way as well,' he told Collider.

Directors such as James Cameron, Paul Greengrass and Ang Lee were attached to the film over the years but eventually moved onto other projects.

The film, being produced by Sony, is based on Stacy Schiff's biography of the Egyptian queen

Most recently, director Denis Villeneuve was in talks to take over the movie. He recently won acclaim for the toned-down alien film Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049.

Because Villeneuve has been busy promoting Blade Runner, Scarpa says he hasn't had a lot of time to talk to him about the project yet.

'Basically Denis Villeneuve has expressed an interest in directing the movie. I havent talked a lot to himhe was off doing Blade Runner and press for Blade Runnerso I have honestly very little knowledge into what his point of view on the movie is, and Im sure hes got one. But Im interested to see what happens,' he said.

It's still unclear who will play the lead part. When director David Fincher was in talks to direct, Angelina Jolie expressed interest in playing Cleopatra, according to emails released in the 2014 Sony hack.

But Scott Rudin, one of the producer behind the project, was less than enthused.

In one of the emails, he called Jolie a 'minimally talented spoiled brat'.A father was woken by the sound of daughter's screams after a man broke into their home yesterday morning.

The intruder walked into the girl's room at around 6:15am during a break-in in Greenhithe, near Dartford, Kent.

When the youngster began screaming, the man ran from the house, having stolen personal items and car keys.

An intruder walked into a sleeping child's bedroom during a break-in at this block of flats

Police have now launched an investigation and are hunting the man, who was dressed all in black and wearing black gloves.

A police spokesman said: 'A man was seen inside a house after he walked into the bedroom of a young girl who then woke up and upon seeing the man started to scream.

'Having been startled the suspect then ran from the house.

'The childs father then woke up and found that the front door was open and a number of items were missing including house and car keys.

'Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01474 366 149 quoting crime reference XY/000224/18. Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.'Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2)  Authorities are expecting millions of devotees to participate in this year's procession commemorating the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

After a series of bombings in Quiapo in April and May, and the Marawi crisis which left over a thousand dead after months of fighting last year, authorities in Manila are bracing for another security challenge as millions are expected to gather for the Black Nazarene feast on January 9th.

Police say they are prepared to secure the annual event as this year's expected crowd will be the biggest in the event's history.

Supt. Erwin Margarejo, Manila police spokesperson, said, "We will be considering all threats and we are well-prepared for it "

Margarejo said security will be tighter with more checkpoints to be put up in strategic locations. Drones will be banned, while the entire procession route will have cellphone signal jammers.

And then the manpower: 6,500 policemen will be deployed, an increase from last year's 5,000.

They will respond to all kinds of threats, including gang wars and petty crimes.

Margarejo said, "Considering na mas maraming pupunta ngayon [more people will be going this time], of course we will be beefing up our security measures...And this is a challenge for the Manila Police District."

For their own safety, police are warning participants not to bring objects with sharp edges, as well as expensive items like jewelry.

They should also not bring along small children. Devotees should bring enough food and water, and be physically prepared for the event.

As early as now, some devotees are backing out of the procession.

Analiza Samera, a devotee of the Black Nazarene said, "Marami po kasing tao at saka baka magsabay-sabay tapos madaganan kami."

[Translation: There will be a lot of people and they might all come at the same time, we might get trampled.]

"Precy," another devotee said, "Eh siyempre iniiwasan ko rin yung disgrasya, eh."

[Translation: Of course I'm guarding against anything bad happening.]

But Gina Batucan will be there, and against the advice of authorities, will bring her two-month-old baby.

She said her child is a gift from the Black Nazarene.

She said, "Hindi ko naman po siya isisiksik sa balyahan, tama na po yung maka-ano kami sa Kanya....Kasi ano, hiniling namin ito sa Kanya. Nagkasakit din siya ng ano, nag 50-50 din siya tapos dito din talaga ako nag-ano, tumawag din ako sa Kanya."

[Translation: I will not put my baby in harm's way, it's enough that we see Him...We prayed for this baby. Our child got sick and almost died, and we called on Him for help.]

Batucan said her faith will push her to join the event despite the physical risk, including that of her baby's.The seaplane that crashed into a Sydney river on New Year's Eve killing all six people on-board had been 'destroyed' in a fatal accident more than two decades earlier.

An investigation report from 1996 reveals the same aircraft was involved in another fatal crash before it was rebuilt into the seaplane that flew around Sydney harbour.

The aircraft, which was built in 1963, crashed into the Hawkesbury River about 3pm on December 31, killing the experienced pilot and a British family-of-five on-board.

And now the troublesome past of the aircraft has been revealed, with a government investigation into its previous fatal crash examining how it ran into trouble from hot and gusty winds while flying over rural farmland.

Scroll down for video

The seaplane that crashed into a Sydney river on New Year's Eve killing all six people on-board had been 'destroyed' in a fatal crop dusting accident more than two decades earlier (pictured)

An investigation report (pictured) from 1996 reveals the same aircraft was involved in another fatal crash,

It was later rebuilt into a plane that regularly flew around Sydney harbour (like the one pictured landing on water in May)

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation reveals the plane took off from Armidale, in northern NSW, on November 15, 1996 with just the pilot on-board.

Having already dropped a load of phosphate fertiliser on a paddock that morning the driver loaded up the plane again for another run in the afternoon.

But shortly after take off the driver 'observed the aircraft was flying lower and closer into the strip than had been the normal route to the treatment area'.

The report states the aircraft 'didn't seem to be climbing sufficiently to pass over the hill' and shortly after its 'left wingtip contacted the ground'.

After cartwheeling several times it came to rest at which point the driver ran over to the aircraft and found the lifeless pilot still inside the cockpit.

Under 'damage to the aircraft' simply wrote 'destroyed'.

Gusty winds were found to have contributed to the accident, but investigators failed to determine why the pilot did not dump the rest of his load to help him climb.

According to WA Today, the aircraft was later rebuilt, recertified and moved between a number of businesses before being bought by Sydney Seaplanes.

A haunting photo captured the moment three fishermen dove beneath the surface in an effort to save six people trapped on-board a seaplane which had crashed just minutes earlier

By the time the three men made it to the seaplane it was almost completely underwater, with only the tip of a wing (pictured) able to be seen above the surface of the Hawkesbury River

The body of a passenger recovered from the downed seaplane that crashed on Sunday killing six people is carried by police and paramedics

A New South Wales policewoman is seen holding a piece of debris from the seaplane which crashed in the Hawkesbury River

From the early 2000s it completed thousands of trips around the harbour before the horror crash on Sunday.

The Civil Aviation and Safety Authority confirmed that the plane had met all safety requirements before it flew again.

Earlier this week Sydney Seaplanes owner Aaron Shaw claimed aircraft were looked at and assessed regularly, with engines replaced every 1100 flying hours.

The revelation of the plane's history comes after three heroes told how they dove into the water in the minutes after the crash to try and rescue those on-board.

Emma Bowden, 48, and her young daughter Heather were among the British family-of-five killed in the crash on the Hawkesbury River, about 3.15pm on Sunday.

Ms Bowden's fiance Richard Cousins, 58, a millionaire CEO, was also on-board with his two sons Edward, 23, and William, 25.

Experienced pilot Gareth Morgan, 44, a long serving employee of Sydney Seaplanes, also died in the accident.

Close friends Kurt Bratby, Todd Sellars and Lachlan Hewitt jumped off their boat and dove below the surface, despite fearing they would be sucked down with the plane.

But by the time the three men made it to the plane, it was almost completely under the water, with only the tail sitting above the surface of the Hawkesbury River.

Emma Bowden, 48, posed up with her 11-year-old daughter Heather in front of Sydney Opera House days before the doomed 1960s single-engine DHC-2 Beaver plane plunged into the Hawksbury River, north of Sydney, Australia on New Year's Eve. This is the final known photo of the two together

Richard Cousins (right) - a millionaire CEO in charge of British catering company Compass - was on board the plane with his fiancee, her daughter and his two sons

Mr Cousins' sons Edward, 23 (left) and William, 25 (right) were also killed when their seaplane plunged into the Hawkesbury River

This is believed to be the last photograph of pilot Gareth Morgan, taken by a British holidaymaker hours before the doomed flight

A haunting photo taken in those frantic moments shows one of the heroes clinging to the plane's tail as others get set to dive into the water.

Mr Sellars, a father-of-three, said he and his mates got to the plane within a minute of the accident, but already it was too late.

'I couldn't get the doors open because I kept running out of air,' Mr Sellars told The Daily Telegraph.

'It was awful because we knew people were in there and we couldn't get them out.

'The only way I could tell where I was going was to feel my way down the sides of the windows... it was pretty dark down there.'

Another of the fishermen, real estate agent Kurt Bratby, said visibility was so poor he couldn't see inside the plane to check if the passengers were still alive.

'It was hard because of the oil, but I could see the windows,' he said. 'We just couldn't dive down deep enough really to see more.'

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators are expected to take weeks, if not months, to determine the exact cause of the New Year's Eve crash.A couple who had planned to secretly serve their wedding guests a vegan feast - only to reveal it had been meat and dairy free at the end of the reception - are suing their caterers over the 'horrific food'.

Siara Zee Elovich Williams, 33, and Kevin Williams, 31, are demanding $150,000 for breach of contact over claims their special day surprise was ruined and their meal was a 'disaster'.

The couple, who tied the knot at A'Bulae, in St. Paul, Minnesota, last May, said servers let guests know they were eating vegan food because they told guests they weren't allowed to have coffee creamer or soy sauce because they weren't vegan, according to the lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court.

Siara Zee Elovich Williams, 33, (left and right) and Kevin Williams, 31, are demanding $150,000 for breach of contact over claims their special day surprise was ruined and their meal was a 'disaster'

The couple are suing the venue A'Bulae (pictured, left and right) and their caterers, complaining their special day was a 'disaster'

'The food and service at the wedding was horrific,' the couple stated in the lawsuit, obtained by KSTP.

Siara, a dentist from St Paul. and Kevin, a University of Minnesota graduate and believed to be a chef at a senior living home, claim the Thai inspired food was disastrous; the pad Thai had mushy noodles, in 'sickening sweet' sauce' while one dish had 'an exorbitant amount of carrots.'

The flatbread pizza, served later on in the evening, was 'simply nasty and inedible.'

A guest with celiac disease mistakenly ate a seitan skewer - a vegan wheat protein meat replacement which resembles a chicken or pork skewer - and fell ill.

One starving guest was able to bring in chicken fingers from a wedding vendor without consulting the couple, they complained in the lawsuit.

The couple is demanding $21,721.05 for each of seven counts of alleged breach of contract in the lawsuit against caterers Mintahoe, wedding reception venue A'Bulae, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and their parent company Bellagala.

Their guests were served disappointing vegan fare and one celiac guest became sick after they ate a seitan skewer - a vegan wheat protein meat replacement which resembles a chicken or pork skewer (pictured is a stock image of a skewer from Mintahoe)

The couple claim, in their lawsuit, that caterers Mintahoe served 'horrific food' to their guests

They say that the trouble began before the wedding day after they 'accidentally' discovered the Mintahoe's chef they had been working with had left the company just days before the big day.

The Williams also complain, in their lawsuit, about the service.

The suit states that the venue was too hot, that less than half the beer they bought was served and that the father of the bride was told, when he requested a glass of water, to get one himself from the bar.

Several guests, including the mother of the bride, complained their slices of cake were taken away when they stepped out to visit the bathroom or during the speeches.

Any leftover cake was supposed to be sent home with the bride and groom. Instead, the lawsuit states, that the pastry chef took it.

Neither the caterer nor the bride responded to reporters' requests for comment.An 18-year-old cold case is heating up in Oklahoma after long-lost investigative notes were found inside a police department closet.

The sheriff found a treasure trove of information relating to missing 16-year-old girls Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible, while he was moving into his new office in Welch.

The pair were last seen on December 29, 1999, at mobile home of Ashley Freeman and her parents while having a birthday sleepover.

The bodies of Ashley's parents were found after fire ripped through the property, but the girls vanished.

The case had gone cold over the years until the discovery of the investigation notes last month, around the 18th anniversary of their disappearance.

'Craig County Sheriff Heath Winfrey has provided investigators previous(ly) unknown notes and documents he discovered referencing the Freeman/Bible case that was left from the previous sheriff administration,' Gary Stansill, District 12 District Attorney's Office investigator told the Tulsa World

'These notes and documents have proven to be extremely valuable,' he said. 'This information has produced leads that have produced additional leads.'

Newly unearthed notes could provide clues to the disappearance of best friends Ashley Freeman (left) and Lauria Bible (right) in Oklahoma in December 1999

Ashley (left) and Lauria (right) were last seen at Ashley's parent's mobile home in Welch while having a birthday sleepover. Ashley's parents were found dead a day later after a fire ripper through the property

The girls were having a sleepover on the night of December 29th, 1999 at Ashley's mobile home celebrating her 16th birthday.

Some time during the night authorities say someone set fire to the motor home using an accelerant near a wood burning stove

Investigators found the body of Kathy Freeman, Ashley's mother in the charred remains of the mobile home.

An autopsy released later noted that Kathy's skull had been shattered by a bullet.

Danny Freeman's skull, also found on the scene, was reportedly crushed as well.

Video courtesy of FOX 23

Investigators at the scene of the mobile home fire where Kathy and Danny Freeman's remains were found, they have continued to search for clues for nearly 20 years

Investigators found the body of Kathy Freeman, Ashley's mother in the charred remains of the mobile home (above). Danny Freeman's skull, also found on the scene, was reportedly crushed as well

There was no trace of the teenagers, but Lauria's car was still parked in the driveway with the keys in the ignition.

Investigators in the ensuing years have tirelessly searched for clues across the country and even into Canada and Mexico.

Convicted killer Jeremy Jones, once confessed that the girls were in a mineshaft in Kansas.

A search turned up nothing, and Jones, who is on death row in Alabama, has recanted that confession.

Lorena Bible has called herself a pot-stirrer and says she won't give up the search for her daughter Lauria. Lorena is pictured in 2005 during the search after convicted killer Jeremy Jones said he'd hidden the girls' bodies in a mine. He later recanted his statement

The newly unearthed notes have lead investigators to people who have knowledge about the murders of Kathy and Danny Freeman, and others who have come forward since the case is still open.

Authorities ask that anyone with information contact the Oklahoma State Bureau of investigations.

Lorene Bible, who has never stopped searching for her daughter, is watching the new developments. She said, 'Our family hopes and prays that these new leads bring Lauria home.'



A mother has apologised after posting a video of her toddler crossing a collapsed suspension bridge over deep water to get to school.

Siti Zaharah posted the video of her 40-year-old husband guiding the boy across the bridge in Kuala Lipis, Malaysia, on Facebook.

The 85-metre long bridge moves in the breeze as the pair slowly make their way across holding on to just a thin cable.

Siti Zaharah posted a video of her 40-year-old husband guiding the boy across the bridge in Kuala Lipis, Malaysia, on Facebook

In the clip the 85-metre long bridge moves in the breeze as the pair slowly make their way across holding on to just a thin cable

Her Facebook post said: 'My son is so determined to go to school that I have to be brave to cross this "sophisticated" bridge.

'Already a year and still there is no change, the hanging bridge of Bukit Bentong in Kuala Lipis.'

Since the video went viral, reaching nearly 160,000 views, many have criticised her for endangering her son's life.

Now Jelai state assemblyman Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail has told Mrs Zaharah that repairs on the bridge will start within a week.

The alternative route was inaccessible due to heavy floods, but it is possible to use boats to cross the river.

Her Facebook post said: 'My son is so determined to go to school that I have to be brave to cross this "sophisticated" bridge'Barclays has apologised for charging customers double when they used their bank cards.

The bank said the duplication payments across an undisclosed number of accounts had been caused by a 'small technical glitch'.

It said the problem had now been fixed and insisted no customer had been left out of pocket.

Barclays customers said they were 'frustrated and worried' by the duplication of deducted payments

However frustrated customers said they were 'worried' the duplication of deducted payments had happened again.

A similar problem hit the bank in October 2015 and 2016.

Linda Taylor, 31, a social worker from Milton Keynes, told MailOnline: 'Barclays Bank have once again had a glitch with their system and duplicated payments. They are cagey as to why this has happened. I had over 300 in duplicated payments - totalling 600.

'The phone lines had over an hour waiting times and when I called earlier they said it would be fixed the same day, but wasn't. This happened to all customers who spent on their card on December 31. Customers were refunded this afternoon.

'It's very frustrating and worrying this has happened once again.'

Steve Hobson wrote on Facebook: 'Barclays bank are at it again. Another error with their system causing duplicate transactions. Nice of them to let people know.

'It took me three days with a number of calls and web chat to get an answer. I kept getting told it was my fault and then it was the merchant's fault. Finally got a response via the web chat who informed me about the error.'

Barclays issued an apology this afternoon but insisted no customer had been left out of pocket

Customer Katrina Foster said she was 'absolutely fuming' as the duplication payments meant she couldn't go food shopping because there was no longer enough money in her account.

She said Barclays later texted her saying she was going to be charged because she had overdrawn from her account.

Polly Mae Daniels also said she had been 'left with no money' because of the technical glitch.

She said she was 'disgusted and stressed' and had been 'fobbed off' by Barclays when she contacted customer service support.

A Barclays spokesperson said: 'We're sorry to all who've been affected by our problem with outstanding card payments. We've now fixed the issue and all balances are as they should be.

'This matter is now resolved and no customer will be left out of pocket. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.'

Barclays said they didn't know how many customers had been affected but that it 'wasn't everyone'.A 15-year-old girl who suffered from epileptic fits refused to take all of her medication just weeks before she died, an inquest heard.

Megan Robertson had complained of side-effects of anti-seizure tablets which came with the drugs - including dizziness, nausea and extreme tiredness.

The teenager was found slumped in her bedroom on the day of her death after saying to her mother she was exhausted following a shopping trip.

Wakefield Coroners Court heard how she suffered from frontal lobe epilepsy which invoked nocturnal epilepsy seizures and night-time fits.

Megan Robertson (pictured) was found slumped in her bedroom by her sister, after complaining about the side-effects of anti-seizure tablets

Despite Megan suffering from seizures, pathological experts say they could not rule out an abnormal heart condition was the cause of the teenager's death.

Coroner Kevin McLoughlin read out evidence by specialist epilepsy nurse Janet Kellet to the court following the youngster's death on December 27, 2016.

He said Ms Kellet said Megan was only taking three out of seven doses of her carbamazepine medication in the weeks leading up to her death.

The nurse's evidence read: 'Megan said she did not want to take her medication as prescribed because it made her tired.

'Megan was a typical teenage girl', says mum Speaking after an inquest, her mother Samantha, 47, said: 'Megan liked make-up, music and going out with friends. 'She could be bolshie and an absolute madam - when things didn't go her way she would slam doors like all 15-year-olds. 'But she was a really funny kid with a great sense of humour. 'She was very popular and had hundreds of friends - many of them on Snapchat and other social media outlets. 'Megan was a gorgeous girl and is really missed - there was something about her you couldn't help liking even though you wanted to tear her to pieces at times. 'She was a big character and we never expected anything like this to happen.. 'That night I just went into autopilot - it was just horrific.' Megan leaves behind two sisters, Georgina, 25, and Francesca, 21, and two brothers, Keiran, 23, and William, 20. Advertisement

'I discussed with her the risk of a higher frequency of night seizures and the risk of sudden death as a result.'

Megan spent several hours on the day before her death in bed 'due to exhaustion' following a shopping trip with her mother Samantha Robertson.

She was found on the floor of her bedroom at her family home with her head resting on a chest of drawers by her sister Georgina at about 7.30pm.

Trainee nurse Georgina began CPR until paramedics arrived but Megan was pronounced dead upon arrival at Leeds General Infirmary at 8.20pm.

The inquest was told by Neurologist Dr Munni Ray that tiredness was a known side-effect of the drug.

She also said Megan's frontal epilepsy seizures were less frequent when she adhered to the correct dosage.

However, Megan's mother Samantha told the inquest: 'She was not just tired - she couldn't walk down a corridor at school in a straight line.

'She couldn't go two or three nights without having a seizure. Megan was getting dizzy if she took the meds in the morning so she stopped taking them.

'If I could have made her take them I would have - but you cannot force a 15-year-old to take medication if they don't want to.'

Addressing Dr Ray, Samantha told the court how her daughter had requested a different type of drug as she was still suffering seizures.

The teen, who lived in Leeds, West Yorkshire, had refused any more consultations with Dr Ray and died some weeks later.

Dr Ray told the court how she had tried to arrange more tests to find out if Megan was suffering from a different type of epilepsy to help find a better drug.

However, the teen, who lived in Leeds, West Yorkshire, had refused any more consultations with Dr Ray and died some weeks later.

Pathologist Jens Sthalschmidt had told the corner how his postmortem revealed the teen suffered from an abnormal heart condition.

He told the court that the condition - myocarditis - had caused inflamation of Megan's heart which could lead to the heart stopping and sudden death.

The doctor confirmed that this could have killed Megan regardless of whether she had been suffering a seizure.

Coroner Mr McLoughlin concluded that Megan died of natural causes.Police are investigating the death of a dog that was chained outside a Connecticut home in the bitter cold and found frozen inside its doghouse on New Year's Day.

Hartford police say the dog might have been outside for as long as a month before it was discovered by police.

'As morbid as it is, the dog was frozen solid when the officers got it,' Deputy Chief Brian Foley told WTIC on Tuesday.

Hartford police say the dog might have been outside for as long as a month before it was discovered by police

They say the dog's owner has been in jail for six-months on drug charges and claimed to have made arrangements for the dog's care.

WTIC-TV reports that a veterinary assessment says the dog had been lying in fecal material which was found frozen on its body.

Police were alerted after a concerned neighbor called to say that a dog had been left out during the bitter cold weather.

Police say that the owner is cooperating with their investigation and animal cruelty charges are expected (Pictured: Deputy Chief Brian Foley)

'The dog was not provided any type of protective measures against the cold,' police told the Fox affiliate.

A police report also showed that the three-year-old pitbull mix was malnourished upon its death.

'He was underweight for his body size with low body fat and low muscle density,' the report reads.

'His bones were easily palpable and often visible beneath the skin - his ribs and pelvic bones were prominent.'

Police say that the owner is cooperating with their investigation and animal cruelty charges are expected.

'There's a common misconception that since a lot of animals live outdoors... that they're okay to tolerate these types of temperatures, but unfortunately theyre just as vulnerable as we are to hypothermia' veterinarian Dr. Callie Tatro told WTIC.A Colorado ski area employee was crushed to death while working on a snow-level lift just three days after celebrating Christmas with his wife and three children.

Clear Creek County officials say 40-year-old Adam Lee got caught in the equipment at Loveland Ski Area and suffered crushing chest injuries last Thursday.

Lee had only recently moved to his native Colorado from Michigan with his wife of 14 years, Erika, their two daughters and a son.

KUSA-TV reported Friday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the cause of the freak accident.

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Tragic loss: Adam Lee, a married father-of-three and a Colorado ski area employee (front left) was crushed to death while working on a snow-level lift on December 29, 2017

Lee, 40, was performing maintenance on a conveyor-belt 'magic carpet' ski lift when the equipment was allegedly switched on

Lee had worked at the Loveland Ski Area in Colorado (pictured) for three years

OSHA area director Herb Gibson says the magic carpet lift  essentially a conveyor belt that ferries skiers and snowboarders uphill  was not in use when Lee was fatally injured at around 11am last Thursday.

Gibson tells KUSA the 40-year-old victim got caught up in some of the equipment.

Erika Mackay Lee, Adam's wife, has expressed frustration at the lack of answers about what happened to her husband.

'I asked that question five times and every single time I was told it was a freak accident,' the widow tells The Denver Channel.

In the days since her husband's death, Erika has learned some of the details from Adam's co-workers.

'He was under the magic carpet conveyor belt,' Erika told CBS4. 'And thats supposed to have a lock-out system. But somebody came up and started it. And he was dragged under.'

Lee had started out as a liftee, then was promoted to a mechanic, which allowed him to relocate his entire family (pictured together, right) to Colorado

The family had spent the previous two winters apart because of Lee's job at the ski resort

Loveland Ski Area Marketing Director John Sellers would not disclose any details concerning the investigation into the accident, but he extended condolences to Lee's family and friends, describing his sudden passing as a 'tragedy.'

Lee had worked at Loveland Ski Area for three seasons, initially as a lift operator and most recently as a mechanic.

According to his widow, their family have been living paycheck to paycheck and she has been working two jobs - as a teacher and a Target sales clerk - just to help make ends meet.

Over the past two years, Erika and Adam had been spending their winters apart, with her in Michigan and him working at Loveland Ski Area in Colorado. They finally reunited and relocated to his home state last summer, reported KDVR.

She tells CBS Denver the 40-year-old was a dedicated employee who loved his job and would sometimes even work on his days off.

Passion: Lee was described by his widow as a dedicated worker who loved his job at the ski area

For richer, for poorer: Lee and Erika (pictured) had been married for 14 years

A friend has launched a YouCaring campaign to help the Lee family pay for Adam's funeral and to cover everyday expenses. As of Wednesday morning, nearly $15,000 has been raised in donations.

On Wednesday, Adam's middle child, a daughter, turned 10 years old. He is also survived by a 12-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. The couple's other son died in infancy in 2011.Tragic: Damian Pelsma, 39

A former Easyjet cabin manager who suffered from Tourettes died after drinking a weeks supply of morphine in one night during a drugs binge with his partner.

Damian Pelsma, 39, was found dead by his partner in the flat they shared together in Brighton, East Sussex, on the morning of Thursday, September 14 2017.

A coroner heard how the airline worker battled borderline personality disorder and missed an appointment to see therapist just days before his death.

His doctor also told the court Mr Pelsma was a frequent drug user who fought addictions against illegal and prescription substances.

Mr Pelsma listed himself as an easyJet cabin manager on his Linkedin website page, a job he landed after losing a previous his dream job with American Express.

The court heard how he was left with an alcohol problem and feeling depressed after he was dismissed from the US credit card firm. He set up a change.org petition in response to his sacking.

One supporter of the petition commented at the time: 'Damien is a dear friend of mine and I think it is commendable that he still has such a good work ethic in spite of having two life-threatening conditions - Tourette's plus a mental health problem that is hard to live with.

Pictured: Damian, left, was found dead by his partner Andrew Gibson, right, in the flat they shared together in Brighton, East Sussex

'He is a caring, intelligent and hard working man and he deserved compassion and support, not discrimination.'

Brighton Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley heard that Mr Pelsma indulged with his partner in a drug binge which involved taking at least seven different substances.

Syringes, empty bottles of alcohol and an empty bottle of morphine solution picked up at 9am on the day he died were found in the couple's 'chaotic' flat.

Detective constable Dee Wells, who was called to investigate Mr Pelsma's death, told the inquest they believed a week's supply of morphine had been drunk between the pair by 3am.

'Hard worker': The coroner heard how Damian struggled with mental health problems after being dismissed from his 'dream job' at American Express. Shortly after, he found work with budget airline Easyjet (pictured above)

His partner described him as a 'bit of a bugger' and said he was always taking medication.

The death was concluded as an unintentional overdose of morphine and the coroner recorded a verdict of misadevnture.

Miss Hamilton-Deeley said: 'It sounds as though we've got a drug binge that sadly has ended with the death of Damien and with his partner in hospital.

'They might have taken too much of a prescribed medication, not with the intention of killing themselves, but just because they take too much.'

The coroner concluded that Damien had died of misadventure in the early hours of September 14 after accidentally overdosing on morphine during a drug binge where multiple different drugs had been taken.

The coroner concluded that Damien had died of misadventure in the early hours of September 14

She said: 'I don't take it as intentional because he wanted to end his life but he wanted to take the drugs. He died of misadventure. It is a deliberate act which unexpectedly and unintentionally takes a turn which leads to death. Damien would have said it was not expected or intended.

Damien's partner, Andrew Gibson, had awoken at 3am on September 14 and discovered Damien was not breathing.

Mr Gibson was also suffering the effects of an overdose and was taken to hospital before he was arrested by police for buying the crystal meth.

Mr Bebee, said: 'Andrew was suffering the effects of an overdose and was taken to hospital. The flat was chaotic and there was evidence of drug use, empty bottles of alcohol and morphine solution dated September 13 - the day before.'

Detective constable Wells, said Mr Gibson was arrested for buying crystal meth but later released.Hundreds of thousands of commuters are facing travel chaos in three days of rail strikes next week - just days after fare hikes were announced.

But talks have been held in a bid to avert some of the strikes planned on the railways next week.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union met senior managers from South Western Railway and Arriva Rail North to try to find a solution to the long-running dispute over the role of guards.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: 'RMT has held talks with South Western Railway today.

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Hundreds of thousands of commuters are facing travel chaos in three days of rail strikes next week - just days after fare hikes were announced. Pictured, Waterloo station on January 2

'We have set out the union's position during those talks and we now await a formal response from the company.'

A series of strikes is due to be held next week at both companies as well as on Southern, Merseyrail and Greater Anglia.

Members of the RMT union at Southern will walk out for 24 hours on Tuesday and Thursday in a row over staffing and driver-only trains.

And members of the drivers' union Aslef on London Underground will strike on Thursday in a row over working conditions.

Talks have been held in a bid to avert some of the strikes planned on the railways next week

Transport for London has warned of significant delays on all lines if the strikes go ahead.

It came after commuters faced stiff increases in rail fares on the first work day of the new year.

Travelers on Tuesday faced average fare hikes of 3.4 percent, prompting outrage from activist groups and London's mayor amid complaints of unreliable rail service.

It came after commuters faced stiff increases in rail fares on the first work day of the new year

Anthony Smith, chief of the independent group Transport Focus, said fares are going up as workers' wages stagnate, placing an unfair burden on commuters.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was wrong to burden commuters with 'eye-watering fare hikes today after suffering 12 months of delays, cancellations and poor service.'

He said the government and private rail companies have to give passengers better service at a fair price.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2)  The head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said while he condemns the botched operation in the Mandaluyong shooting, the police response to a supposed crime was expected.

PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa told CNN Philippines' News Night that the ten policemen involved still performed their duties.

"On my part naman, kino-condemn ko 'yung kapalpakan noong operation, pero di ko kino-condemn 'yung pagre-react nila doon sa crime scene dahil may tawag eh. There's still regularity in the performance of duty. Pumalpak nga lang," he said.

[Translation: On my part, I condemn the failure of police operations. But I don't condemn how the police reacted to the crime scene, because there was a need. There's still regularity in the performance of duty. It just failed.]

The police responded to reports from barangay security personnel that a gunman from an earlier shooting in Barangay Additional Hills escaped in a white van. A police team led by Senior Inspector Maria Cristina Vasquez fired upon the vehicle along Shaw Boulevard.

The incident left two dead  Jonalyn Ambaon, a victim of the prior shooting, and Jomar Hayaun, a passenger.

Vasquez has not yet surrendered to authorities, while the nine are under police custody. All police officials as well the three barangay tanod were charged with homicide on Monday.

Dela Rosa clarified that while they will provide legal assistance to those charged, it does not mean the police will cover up the botched operation.

"Kailangan talagang pananagutan nila 'yan dahil may dalawang buhay na nasawi," he said.

[Translation: They have to answer for their actions because two people were killed.]

He added it is his moral obligation to help policemen facing charges.

Going after the tanod

Dela Rosa said the police did not prioritize apprehending the tanod, who reportedly fired at the Mitsubishi Adventure that was rushing a shooting victim to the hospital.

"Maiintindihan natin 'yung sitwasyon na 'yun sa pulis. Hindi sila naka-focus doon sa tanod, naka-focus sila doon sa alleged na reported na armado sa loob ng sasakyan. Nandoon 'yung threat. Hindi nila ni-consider 'yung tanod as threat," he explained.

[Translation: I understand the situation of the police. They were not able to focus on the watchers, they were focused on the alleged, reported armed men in the vehicle. That was the threat. The watchers were not.]

Earlier, Dela Rosa ordered the arrest of community watchmen who carry firearms.

READ: PNP Chief orders arrest of all armed barangay tanod

Under Executive Order 546, the PNP can deputize the tanods as "force multipliers," while a 2008 memorandum from PNP's handling agency, the National Police Commission, allows the barangay officials to be deputized as members of the Police Auxiliary Unit (PAU). PAU members have the opportunity to carry firearms, provided they follow training, uniform, and gun registry guidelines.

But Metro Manila police chief Director Oscar Albayalde and Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos earlier said barangay tanods are not allowed to carry guns while on duty.

Gilbert Gulpo, one of the tanod, is still at large.Two sisters have been found dead in a New Jersey home after the ex-boyfriend of the one of the women went on a stabbing frenzy following a nasty break up.

Colleen Brownell, 48, and Alysia McCloskey, 41, were found stabbed to death inside the home in Collingswood on Saturday night.

Brownell's ex-boyfriend, Mark Lyczak, has been charged with their murders.

Police say they were called to McCloskey's home at about 5pm after neighbors called 911 when they heard the women screaming.

Colleen Brownell, 48, (right) and Alysia McCloskey, 41, (left) were found stabbed to death inside the home in Collingswood, New Jersey on Saturday night

Friends said Brownell had moved into her sister's home, which is where McCloskey's two children lived as well, to get away from Lyczak after they split during the summer.

Brownell had complained that her ex-boyfriend had become too overbearing and feared he would one day confront her.

She had a restraining order out against him, but moved in with her sister out of fear of living alone, her friends told NJ.com.

Lyczak, 44, was still at the home when police arrived and he was taken into custody.

He is also accused of trying to kill a third woman inside the home.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the third woman, who hospitalized due to her injuries, is Lyczaks current girlfriend, according to NJPen.

Brownell's ex-boyfriend, Mark Lyczak, has been charged with stabbing both women to death

Friends said Brownell had moved into her sister's home, which is where McCloskey's two children lived as well, to get away from Lyczak after they split during the summer

Brownell's friends said she had been planning to quietly move to Florida and had been interviewing for jobs prior to the tragedy.

They said she had also recently connected with her 26-year-old son who she had given up for adoption years earlier.

McCloskey's two sons are now in the custody of their father.

'Anyone who knew Alysia, knows her children were her life, love, and whole heart,' a GoFundMe page set up by friends to help her children read.

Lyczak has been charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of first degree attempted murder.

He has been remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a pretrial detention hearing.The BBC has been hit by accusations of anti-Semitism by Jewish groups following the airing of its new crime drama McMafia.

McMafia explores the world of organised crime and follows the story of Alex Goodman, played by actor James Norton, the English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia history.

But since the first two episodes were aired this week, it has been hit by complaints, with viewers saying it contained 'gratuitous slurs' and 'lazy stereotyping' against the Jewish community.

The BBC's new drama McMafia has been criticised over its depiction of Semiyon Kleiman, a well-connected Israeli played by American actor David Strathairn (pictured)

The UK Lawyers for Israel group (UKLFI) has issued a statement over the portrayal of Semiyon Kleiman, a disreputable businessman and politician, played by American actor David Strathairn.

The group also claim the eight part big budget thriller makes references to Israel which are not contained in the 2008 book of the same name by author, Misha Glenny.

In a further criticism, UKLFI also accused the programme-makers of misquoting the motto of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad.

In a statement posted on UKLFI's Facebook page, the group encouraged those offended to write in and complain formally to the BBC.

James Norton's character Alex Goodman (pictured) was shown becoming more and more embroiled in corrupt deals involving the smuggling of counterfeit goods

It added: 'McMafia uses gratuitous slurs against Israeli businessmen and makes references to Israel which aren't mentioned in the original book.

'Furthermore, the mini-series distorts the motto of Mossad which was quoted in the drama, as 'By deception we will do war'.

'The actual motto comes from Proverbs, 24.6 and says 'For by wise guidance you can wage your war'.

'The use of the word 'deception' in substitute for the words 'wise guidance' attacks the integrity of Mossad and insinuates that Israel officially sanctions deception in its intelligence activities.'

The influential UK Lawyers for Israel group have accused the BBC series of 'gratuitous slurs' against Israeli businessmen and references to Israel which weren't mentioned in the original book by Mischa Glenny

In the opening episode of the series, watched by more than 5.7 million viewers, Kleiman was shown hatching plans for a multi-million floating casino off the coast of Eilat.

In its description of the series, the BBC describes Kleiman as a 'well-connected Israeli businessman with a twinkle in his eye that betrays deeper secrets'.

Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, tweeted: 'Watching McMafia. Pretty appalling that all the villains so far are explicitly Jewish.'

His tweet elicited a reply from John Meredith, who said: 'In fact, I think, after only one ep, all the heroes are Jewish and the baddies (real baddies, not devious loveable uncle Boris) not.'

Mr Pollard replied: 'Fair enough. I gave up after half an hour. Seemed very very tedious to me.'

John Brissenden added: 'McMafia: at best liberal, Harry Potter know-nothing nonsense. At worst, anti-semitic propaganda.'

Ze'ev Rosenstein: Drug kingpin who inspired BBC drama's characters Israeli police escort alleged mafia boss Ze'ev Rosenstein in a Jerusalem court in 2004 While the storyline in the BBC drama and its characters are fictional, the inspiration comes from journalist Misha Glennys non-fiction book McMafia: Seriously Organised Crime. The prominence of Russian-Israeli gangsters on the show comes from Glennys material. In his book, he writes about the rise of organised crime in Israel following the huge influx of Russian-Jews into the country following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The character of Semiyon Kleiman, played by American actor David Stathairn, appears to be an amalgamation of various criminals - including Zeev Rosenstein, a notorious Israeli drug kingpin who is featured in the book. Rosenstein, who was born in Tel Aviv to a Romanian Jewish father and a Mountain Jewish mother, was a burglar who later moved into ecstasy distribution. Although not Russian, like Kleiman, he dabbled in politics, which often intersected with crime in Israel, according to Glenny. Kleiman is also relevant in one of few scenes that were lifted directly from the book  when a young trafficked woman tries to escape her captors is knee-capped and left to die. He later takes delivery of another trafficking victim. However, while Rosenstein was primarily involved in the drugs trade, human trafficking and prostitution increased in Isreal after the Soviet Union collapsed. Advertisement

Noah Katz posted: 'I'm sitting here confused as to why they included the unnecessary Jewish stereotyping...just more anti-semitic/Zionist c**p from the BBC.'

There were also complaints on the Jewish Britain Facebook group.

Damon Lenszner wrote: 'Jews run the banking system - check. Jews are crooks - check. Jews are filthy rich - check', to which another viewer replied: 'Ticks all the boxes for people who are already anti-semitic and they think all these things already.'

One commentator posted: 'You may have been disturbed, as I was, at the gratuitous slurs against Israeli businessmen and the many references to Isreal.

'But in particular I took great exception to the reference to the motto of Mossad...an attack on the integrity of Mossad.'

The BBC refused to comment.KFC took inspiration from President Donald Trump as it took a dig at McDonald's on Twitter.

Aiming a swipe at its rival's mascot on Wednesday morning, the KFC UK & Ireland Twitter account said: 'McDonald's leader Ronald just stated he has a "burger on his desk at all times".

'Will someone from his big shoed, red nosed regime inform him that I too have a burger on my desk, but mine is a box meal which is bigger and more powerful than his, and mine has gravy!'

The tweet was a clear parody of President Trump's statement that his nuclear button was 'much bigger and more powerful' than that of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

KFC aimed a swipe at its rival McDonald's on Wednesday morning in a parody of President Donald Trump's warning to North Korea

The KFC tweet said in a reference to the McDonald's mascot: 'Will someone from his big shoed, red nosed regime inform him that I too have a burger on my desk'

Kim had warned the U.S. in a New Year speech that he had a button on his desk ready to fire at America.

But the President hit back, saying on Twitter: 'North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.

'Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!'

KFC's comment has so far been retweeted more than 24,000 times, while McDonalds has yet to respond.A desperate British father is battling to save his wife from being deported to one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Scott Handy, 42, has amassed more than 50,000 signatures in a bid to stop his wife Glenda, 35, being sent back to Guatemala.

Her application for an entry visa was refused after more than a year of waiting on the grounds that the couple had 'illegally entered with the intention of overstaying a six-month tourist visa to deliberately settle in the UK.'

But this is something the couple, who have two young children together, are desperate to disprove.

Scott Handy (pictured with his wife Glenda and their children) is battling to save his wife from being deported to one of the most dangerous countries in the world

The Home Office told Mrs Handy she can keep in touch with her family through Skype, but an impending appeal will be held in London on January 19.

Mr Handy, of Bideford, Devon, said he hopes a petition he set up in November would help their case after it received more than 51,000 signatures.

'It's crunch time now as our evidence bundle is in its final stages of preparation and will soon be sent to the courts in advance of the hearing,' he said.

'Upon review there is a possibility that our evidence is regarded as sufficient enough to overturn the original 'unjust' decision to refuse my wife leave to remain in the UK.

'She is an instrumental part of our family's life and vital for our children's upbringing and development of their strong emotional well-beings.'

He added: 'I can't thank you all enough for all of your support and kind words, 51,000 is amazing.

Mr Handy has amassed more than 50,000 signatures in a bid to stop his wife Glenda (pictured together, on their wedding day) being sent back to Guatemala

The couple have two children - Xavier, three, and Xander, two - (pictured with Mr Handy) and say their future hangs on the outcome of the appeal

'Let's hope the judge agrees with our plight and adds the final signature and allows Glenda to stay.'

The couple have two children - Xavier, three, and Xander, two - and say their future hangs on the outcome of the appeal.

'Having the entry visa rejected was devastating,' Mr Handy said.

'My wife lost the plot, she desperately doesn't want the boys to go back to Guatemala and is mentally preparing herself to return home without her children.

'It would be devastating to lose this appeal, we don't want to live in Guatemala it's too dangerous. If Glenda has to return there without her children she will fall apart, and so will I.

'As far as immigration are concerned we just didn't tick a couple of boxes, I'm not saying it's unlawful but there definitely seems be a culture of denying applications like ours.

The Home Office told Mrs Handy she can keep in touch with her family through Skype, but an impending appeal will be held in London on January 19

The couple made an application as a spouse for leave to remain under grounds of human rights - but this was rejected by the government

'The Home Office has told me that we could maintain a normal family life over Skype and we were told because the boys are below school age there would 'no problem' with them going back, despite the Government's own advice on travelling to the area.'

If they lose their appeal, they will either all have to travel to Guatemala or Mr Handy and the children will remain in the UK while Mrs Handy returns to Guatemala.

The Central American country is described by the UK's Foreign Office as having 'one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America.'

In 2015 alone, there were around 5,718 violent deaths and 'the majority of crime involves local gangs.'

Incidents are said to usually be indiscriminate and can occur in tourist areas.

The couple first met in Guatemala in July 2012, when Mr Handy was helping to create an endangered wildlife conservation and community development charity.

The couple first met in Guatemala in July 2012, when Mr Handy was helping to create an endangered wildlife conservation and community development charity

In April 2016, they returned to the UK with Mrs Handy entering on her third six-month tourist visa.

With the help of Social Services, the couple made an application as a spouse for leave to remain under grounds of human rights - but this was rejected by the government.

Mr Handy noted that Article Eight of the Human Rights Act protects 'your right to respect for private and family life, your home and correspondence' and that the UK Immigration Acts states 'the best interest of a child's well-being is considered a priority in regard to family life.'

He said: 'I have financially supported my family since the day we arrived in the UK earning above the immigration minimum wage requirement of 18,600 per year.

'Glenda cannot and does not work until a visa is issued, and she has not and cannot apply for a single welfare benefit.

'So in regard to Article 8 and in financial terms, I personally see that there are no blockages to accepting her application and allowing us to live as a family unit here in the UK, and start the five-year leave to remain settlement process.'A CNN segment that followed a group of marijuana smokes while they rode around Denver on a 'cannabus' and later joined a 'Puff, Pass and Paint' party surprised a number a viewers - and host Anderson Cooper.

The 50-year-old silver fox stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, and spoke about his night in Times Square with new co-host Andy Cohen, who replaced Kathy Griffin after she was fired by the network.

And when the topic turned to Randi Kaye's night with a handful of stoners, Cooper said: 'The whole thing surprised me as much as anyone else. I have to tell you.'

He said this through a fit of giggles, having previously pointed out that recreational marijuana use is in fact legal in Colorado.

Coop and Colb: Anderson Cooper sat down with Stephen Colbert for an interview on Tuesday (above), two days after he hosted CNN's New Year's Eve coverage

Mile high: Randi Kaye hosted CNN's 2017 New Year's Eve coverage from Denver, Colorado on a 'cannabus' (above)

Colbert got the ball rolling early in the interview, asking: 'Do you still have a contact high from Randi Kaye? You guys got a little teasing.'

After pointing out the legality of the substance, Cooper added; 'We are grown adults. And she did not smoke.'

His surprise, meanwhile, seemed to be with the last party Kaye attended that night.

'She ended up at a paint party where I guess this pot bus ended up...where, for whatever reason, people riding around getting stoned all night want to end up painting in day-glo colors.'

Colbert then joked that the segment had buried the lede.

Cooper later admitted he was not surprised about marijuana now being legal in California for medicinal purposes.

'I think California, it makes sense. It's California,' said Cooper.

Kaye's segment was incredibly polarizing, and drew an immediate response from many on social media

Off guard: 'I guess this pot bus ended up at a paint party where, for whatever reason, people riding around getting stoned all night want to end up painting,' said Cooper

Anything goes: Cooper comically shrugged while watching the marijuana-laced shenanigans of Kaye and company

'Can someone explain why CNN is showing people smoking weed with a bong??!! My kids are watching this for the ball drop and I had to turn it all off!', wrote one mother on Twitter.

'Black men are IN JAIL for SELLING WEED and CNN is interviewing white people smoking weed and painting,' wrote another critic of the segment.

And one woman noted: 'A #CNN reporter just lit some dude's bong live on #CNNNYE before talking about different types of weed and her party bus's lack of a stripper pole. I see 2018 journalism's off to a great start.'

And to end the segment, Kaye threw back to host Andy Cohen - who makes near-nightly references to his own marijuana usage on his Bravo program Watch What Happens Live - by offering up a joint.

Kaye also asked Cohen if he wanted her to pick anything up for him, and he requests Cheeba Chews, which are a marijuana-infused taffy candy

'Dose yourself properly, Randi. We don't want any trouble from you,' he then joked.

After her segment ended, Cohen turned to Cooper and asked: 'Is Randi Kaye like, a notorious stoner that I don't know about?'

'No, not at all. She's just very game to report and go to the front lines on things,' replied a very serious Cooper.A businessman cleared of sexually assaulting a woman at a London nightclub only after vital CCTV emerged at the last minute has slammed police and prosecutors.

A judge demanded an inquiry after footage which would have exonerated Valentin Krzyzyk, 27, was not seen by his defence team until the trial.

Internet entrepreneur Mr Krzyzyk always denied he had grabbed the woman's bottom and called her a 'thot', meaning 'that ho over there', at London's Cirque Le Soir nightclub.

But CCTV footage showing the alleged victim continuing to drink with friends after the alleged attack was only released to defence and prosecution barristers on the first day of trial.

Lawyers had previously been informed by the officer in the case that there was nothing of relevance in the footage, the court heard.

Speaking after after he had been cleared, internet entrepreneur Mr Krzyzyk spoke of his relief - and his anger at alleged prosecution failures.

Valentin Krzyzyk was cleared of sexual assault after vital CCTV footage was finally handed over to his defence team. The businessman has slammed the alleged failures of prosecutors

He told the Standard: 'The arrest has been a huge trauma and it took me a very long time to be able to sleep again.

'Also there is the stress caused when you are wrongly accused of such a serious crime and all the shame that comes with it.

'It is also very stressful to face trial for such serious allegations and to know that the police is keeping information from you that would show your innocence straight away.'

The first time Mr Krzyzyk saw the footage was when the jury were shown it in court and the complainant broke down in tears when it was played to her, saying she also had not seen it before.

At one point in the footage the view is blocked for a short 'vital moment' when someone walks in front of the camera for five seconds.

However Judge Recorder Michael Bromley-Martin QC said: 'That does not mean that the CCTV on the whole was not very important and significant evidence in the case.'

The case comes amid mounting concerns over how sex attack cases are prosecuted.

Mr Krzyzyk was accused of grabbing a woman's bottom and called her a 'thot' after splashing out 6,000 on Dom Perignon on 20 December 2016. The word is said to stand for 'That Ho Over There'.

Mr Krzyzyk always denied slapping the woman's bottom during a row at a nightclub

Krzyzyk had been partying with friends at London's Cirque Le Soir club when he was said to have lifted the complainant's skirt before slapping her hard on the buttocks and groping her crotch.

The woman tearfully gave evidence claiming she had been hysterical and crying after the alleged incident.

But the French businessman flatly denied making any contact with her whatsoever and insisted he merely shooed the woman away after she helped herself to the table's drinks.

When a 'combination of errors' by the Crown Prosecution Service and police saw no witnesses called to give evidence on the first day of trial, Krzyzyk's barrister Narita Bahra made a fresh request for CCTV footage from the nightclub to be handed over.

It was referred to in court in February last year and should have automatically been served on the defence without them having to ask.

But neither Mr Krzyzyk or his lawyer had seen it despite repeated demands across the 10 months leading to trial.

After being told there was nothing relevant on the disk, Ms Bahra spent the night trawling through five hours' worth of footage before finding evidence which completely contradicted the complainant's account.

The film showed her appearing to carry on drinking and nonchalantly flicking her hair after the alleged attack.

She could then be seen strolling over to security and pointing her so-called assailant out to door staff who dragged him away and booted him out.

The row was caught on CCTV at London's Cirque Le Soir nightclub, but the footage was not handed over to the accused's defence team

The case was left to a jury at Southwark Crown Court on the basis that 'at a vital moment' five seconds of footage was obscured by two revellers passing in front of view during the alleged incident.

Jurors reached a majority verdict clearing Krzyzyk of a single count of sexual assault last month.

Following the verdict, the judge, Mr Recorder Michael Bromley-Martin QC, ordered an inquiry into why no witnesses were available to be called on the first day.

He also ordered a similar probe into the reasons behind the 'reprehensible' late service of footage.

Both the CPS and Metropolitan Police were represented in court today as they conceded there had been an 'unnecessary or improper act or omission' in respect of the first failure.

Judge Michael Bromley-Martin QC, pictured, said the late handing over of the CCTV was 'reprehensible'

The judge awarded Krzyzyk 4,800 in wasted costs after he had to pay for his barrister and solicitor to attend the fifth day of what was scheduled to be a four-day trial.

'I am entirely satisfied that there has been an unnecessary or improper act or omission in the failure on the part of the prosecution to warn any prosecution witnesses, including the complainant, in this allegation of sexual assault for the first day of the trial,' the judge said.

'Indeed, it is conceded on behalf of the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service that the cause of the failure was a combination of errors by the witness care unit to liaise with the officer in the case and the inaction of the CPS.'

The judge said there was a 'serious omission' by the prosecutor and officer in the case to check the 'very important and significant' CCTV evidence, let alone serve it on the defence.

'For reasons that are not clear to me, even though that CCTV footage was produced by a prosecution witness and therefore an exhibit in the case it was not produced to the defence despite many requests for its production,' he said.

'There has been a suggestion that this was a failure of disclosure of unused material.'

He added: 'This was very far from being unused material. This was evidence which was referred to in a witness statement and as such should have been an exhibit.

'This was not a failure of disclosure - this was a failure to serve the prosecution case.'

The judge said 'it is necessary for the Crown Prosecution Service to make sure that evidence upon which they wish to rely, particularly evidence which is capable of assisting the defence as well, it is necessary for the CPS to ensure that such a failure never occurs again'.

'But I emphasise this is not a case of the failure of disclosure which has been in other recent cases the subject of publicity,' he concluded.A black panther mauled a man to death at a private zoo in Russia.

His mutilated blood-drenched body was found with multiple bites inside the animal's cage.

The male big cat called Milan 'bit through the man's neck' after pouncing on the Ukrainian aged between 25 and 30 as soon as he unlocked the entrance to the cage.

The man was found with multiple bites in the panther's cage after being pounced on by the animal

Milan, pictured, 'bit through the man's neck', then escaped through an open door and was caught 'several hours later'

The panther escaped through the open door.

The predator was caught 'several hours later' following a major search, according to reports.

A picture shows the man's body in the cage.

Another image highlights the animal after the fatal attack.

Initial reports said the dead man was a keeper.

But millionaire zoo owner Sergey Knyaginichev denied this, claiming the man was a visitor from Ukraine who should never have gone inside the cage.

The attack took place at a private zoo a village in the Moscow region, which also houses a tiger

The zoo is owned by millionaire Sergey Knyaginichev. Initial reports said the dead man was a keeper

The owner of the zoo said the Ukrainian man should never have entered the animal's cage

He did not explain why the man was wearing a keeper's uniform when he was killed.

The owner blamed the man for the incident and refused to put down the panther.

An autopsy was being carried out on the body of the Ukrainian man.

Knyaginichev claimed the man may have been drunk.

The attack was at a private zoo in the village of Obnovlenny Trud - meaning 'Renewed Labour' - in the Istra district of Moscow region.

One neighbour said the only previous problem was when she heard the sound of a lion's roar

The private zoo is in the village of Obnovlenny Trud, meaning 'Renewed Labour' (pictured)

Locals said there were no previous incidents at the private zoo.

'The only problem was hearing a lion's loud and somewhat annoying roar,' said one neighbour.

The zoo includes other big cats including a lion and tiger.

The Investigative Committee - which deals with serious crimes in Russia - said a probe has been launched into the accident.

'The man wanted to feed the animal and the panther attacked him when he entered the cage,' said a spokesman.

The zoo owner is described as the general manager of Business Aero Airlines in Moscow.

A TV report five years ago said his wife Yelena's lion had terrorised the local village.

The report claimed residents were nervous about dangers from the big cats in the private zoo.

The zoo has been open around ten years, according to reports.Jyoti Surjeet Singh, a bar dancer and part-time model from Mumbai, was allegedly beheaded by her lover Pritesh Patel

A married man allegedly sliced off his lover's head with a sickle because he thought she had another boyfriend.

Police have arrested Pritesh Patel, 30, over the death of Jyoti Surjeet Singh, a bar dancer and part-time model from Mumbai in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The murder is alleged to have taken place at Patel's farm in the village of Timba near the city of Surat in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Although already married, Patel developed a relationship with Singh after visiting dance bars where she worked in Mumbai.

She reportedly visited him in Timba and celebrated his birthday with him on December 27.

A police statement said that the pair travelled to Mumbai on December 28, to ring in the New Year before returning to Timba on January 1.

The next day, the victim went to Patel's farm with her driver Sandeep Singh and his wife.

Patel (left) is said to have used a sickle in a gruesome attack on Ms Singh (right). The alleged incident was reportedly sparked by a row over Ms Singh's boyfriend

While there, Patel pulled his lover to one side and they became embroiled in a jealous argument, it is alleged.

Local media reported that Patel chopped off his lover's head using a sickle and fled the scene.

Sandeep Singh and his wife also ran away, fearing that Patel would return to attack them. They went straight to police to report the crime.

During questioning, Patel told police that he had spent a lot of money on his mistress and that he suspected her of having a relationship with another man.

It was reported that Patel's relationship with his wife also became strained during his affair with the victim.

It was not clear whether he confessed or what stage police investigations were at.

This is the sickle allegedly used to murder Jyoti Surjeet Singh, a bar dancer and part-time model from Mumbai in the western Indian state of MaharashtraOn Wednesday, the two newest members of the U.S. Senate got three vice presidents to attend the ceremony to swear them in.

Current Vice President Mike Pence was the man to do the deed, but Vice President Joe Biden visited the Senate floor to stand alongside Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones.

Not to be outdone, new Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith had a vice president of her own, inviting former veep Walter Mondale to stand at her side.

Former Vice President Joe Biden (left) accompanies Doug Jones (right), the new Democratic senator from Alabama, to his Senate floor swearing-in ceremony

New Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith (center) takes the oath of office on the Senate floor Wednesday, flanked by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (center right) and former Vice President Walter Mondale (right)

THREE VEEPS A CHARM: Current Vice President Mike Pence (left) hangs out with two men who have held the job, Walter Mondale (center) and Joe Biden (right)

Sen. Tina Smith (left) is sworn in as the newest Democratic senator from Minnesota, replacing Sen. Al Franken. She was joined on the floor by her colleague Sen. Amy Klobuchar, another Democrat and the senior senator from the state

Vice President Mike Pence was on Capitol Hill Wednesday to swear in two new Democratic senators

Doug Jones (left) and Tina Smith (right) raise their right hands and take the oath of office administered by Vice President Mike Pence (center left) and attended by former Vice President Joe Biden (center right)

Vice President Mike Pence did the honor of swearing in two new Democratic senators: Doug Jones of Alabama and Tina Smith of Minnesota

Minnesota's senior senator, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, also joined the huddle on the Senate floor.

Both Democrats' paths to the Senate were unusual.

Smith was her state's lieutenant governor until sexual misconduct allegations forced Sen. Al Franken to resign last month.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat like Franken, appointed Smith to take his place for the next year.

Voters will then be able to choose a candidate of their choice in a November special election, with that individual serving out the rest of Franken's term.

He wasn't up for re-election until 2020.

On December 12, Jones became the first Democrat to win an Alabama Senate race in 31 years, as he won the state's Senate special election over Republican Roy Moore.

Sen. Doug Jones takes the oath a second time at his ceremonial swearing in held in the Old Senate Chamber, where photos are allowed to be taken

TAKE TWO: Sen. Tina Smith (left) gets sworn in again by Vice President Mike Pence (right) this time for the cameras

Vice President Joe Biden (left) hangs out with new Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (center) and his family at the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber on Wednesday

Former Vice President Joe Biden (right) gives a hug to newly-minted Sen. Doug Jones (inner right), the first Democrat from Alabama to be elected to the upper chamber in 31 years

Former Vice President Joe Biden (right) grabs the hand of the man currently in the job, Vice President Mike Pence (left)

New Sen. Tina Smith (center) is flanked by her mentor, former Vice President Walter Mondale (left) and current Vice President Mike Pence (center right) as her husband Archie Smith (right) looks on

Vice President Mike Pence waves to reporters as he walks outside the U.S. Senate chamber in the Capitol Building on Wednesday

Sen. Tina Smith (left) gets sworn in at her ceremonial swearing in by Vice President Mike Pence (right), as she's accompanied by her husband Archie Smith (center)

Sen. Doug Jones (second from right), the first Democrat to be elected to an Alabama Senate seat in 31 years, takes the ceremonial oath of office from Vice President Mike Pence (right)

The socially conservative Moore had won a GOP primary run-off over Sen. Luther Strange who Alabama's governor had appointed to fill now Attorney General Jeff Sessions' Senate seat.

In November a number of women told the Washington Post that Moore had preyed on them when they were teenagers. Another woman came out publicly and said Moore had tried to force himself on her in his car when she was underage.

Those allegations coupled with Moore's right-wing record of being twice suspended from the Alabama Supreme Court, where he served, allowed the race to tilt in Jones' favor.

While a number of Republicans admonished Moore, he got late backing from President Trump, as the president's former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon had consistently rallied at the judge's side.

After Jones and Smith were sworn in in the Senate chamber, they participated in a ceremonial swearing-in where still cameras are allowed.The US military member who was killed fighting in Afghanistan has been identified as a 34-year-old New Jersey man.

The dead soldier was identified on Wednesday as Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin.

Golin, who was from Fort Lee, New Jersey, was fatally shot in the January 1 battle in the Achin district of Nangarhar province.

The slain soldier was was born in Riga, Latvia, before moving to the US in 2004. He enlisted in the US Army a year later.

US soldier Mihail Golin, 34, of New Jersey, was killed fighting in Afghanistan on New Year's Day

Golin had already been on three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was the recipient of a Purple Heart.

'We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own,' Gen. John Nicholson, the top US commander in Afghanistan, said.

'At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers.'

Four other soldiers were wounded in Monday's attack.

The soldlier was fatally shot in the January 1 battle in the Achin district of Nangarhar province. Four other US soldiers were injured in the attack

Two of the wounded were in stable condition and the other two have returned to duty.

The United States formally concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014 but still carries out operations against the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate, both of which are active in Nangarhar.

While Afghan security forces are conducting most of the fighting against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, US troops operate alongside them in a training capacity and are frequently on the front lines.

There are currently about 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  Military troops have been ordered to resume its combat operations against communist insurgents, after the holiday ceasefire expired Tuesday night.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief General Leonard Rey Guerrero told reporters Wednesday the order against members of the New Peoples' Army (NPA) is implemented nationwide.

"We have observed there were indeed violations committed by the NPA, as far as the ceasefire is concerned, considering they have also their own unilateral ceasefire," Guerrero explained.

On December 19, 2017 President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the NPA effective 6 p.m. of December 23, 2017 to 11:59 p.m. of December 26, 3017 and on the same hours from December 30, 2017 to January 2.

In response, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared its own holiday ceasefire, effective 6 p.m. on December 23, 2017 to 6 p.m. on December 26, 2017 and the same hours on December 30, 2017 to January 2.

Meanwhile, Guerrero said the military has done his part in the ceasefire.

"For the part of the AFP naman, we have been, so far, able to implement 'yung ating ceasefire agreement, and we have able to secure at saka protect 'yung communities natin in the duration of the ceasefire," he said.

Duterte issued Proclamation 360 on November 23, 2017, effectively terminating the peace talks for the first time in 18 years. The government cited a rash of NPA attacks to support the President's decision.

On December 5, 2017, Duterte declared the CPP-NPA a terrorist organization. This designation as a terrorist group will be official once approved by a regional trial court, under Human Security Act of 2007.

CNN Philippines' Correspondent David Santos contributed to this report.Alan Edward Graystone, 60, was discovered by emergency services after the horrific incident on Wednesday, December 27

The first picture has been released of a pub landlord who died after being found on fire in the middle of a street in Hull.

Alan Edward Graystone, 60, was discovered by emergency services after the horrific incident on Wednesday, December 27, and died despite medical treatment at the scene.

Mr Graystone ran the Blacksmith Arms, known as Blackies, for the past ten years and was previously the president of the Hull Licensed Victualler's Association (LVA).

It is not known whether Mr Graystone set fire to himself or whether there was another cause, but police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Current LVA president Dave Whitehand paid tribute to Mr Graystone, saying: 'I was told by a member of the association about Alan's death and it was a massive shock. It is such a sad thing to happen.

Mr Graystone was the landlord of the Blacksmith Arms in Hull (pictured), known as Blackies, for the past ten years and had been the president of the Hull Licensed Victualler's Association

'He was very passionate about the pub industry and running Blackies. As president of the association he was dedicated and very informative.

'I know he was a very popular landlord and the pub was always busy. He didn't talk too much about his personal life but I know he had children. You could always rely on Alan and he will be a great loss to the Hull LVA and to everyone who knew him.'

Humberside Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious after Mr Graystone suffered 'serious burns'.

A father-of-four has described his efforts to save Mr Graystone after seeing him out of his porch window.

Daniel Lingwood, 32, told the Hull Daily Mail: 'I felt sheer panic and just rushed over to help. Some other people were already there, but it just felt like the whole street was in a panic.

Humberside Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious after Mr Graystone suffered 'serious burns'

'There were some women going round to get buckets of water to chuck over him, but I have done first aid before and I knew that would be bad for his skin, so me and another bloke tried to roll him on the ground to put the fire out.

'I just keep seeing his face. I couldn't go to work today. I keep thinking about what happened.'

Tributes were also paid on Facebook, with Theresa Scott saying: 'Cannot believe this. You was one funny guy had many laughs with you R.I.P Alan thinking of your family xxx.'

Bryan Murphy added: 'RIP Alan. Had some great nights in Blackies when I played darts in there. Alan always looked after us.'

And former colleague Natalie Phillips said: 'Loved working for you behind that bar. Made some great memories. RIP Alan xx.'

Detective Superintendent Dave Wood from Humberside Police said: 'We were called to reports of a man who was on fire on 27 December 2017 on Thanet Road in Hull just after 8pm.

It is not known whether Mr Graystone set fire to himself, or whether it was caused by other means, but police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident

'The ambulance and the fire service were already in attendance at the scene. The man had suffered serious burns in the isolated incident. He was given emergency treatment but he sadly died.'

An inquest into Mr Graystone's death was opened on Tuesday and has been adjourned for a date to be set, according to Hull Coroner's Court.

The incident comes just two weeks after a man died catching fire as he walked down a street in north London.

Witnesses saw John Nolan, 70, ablaze in a street in Haringey in the middle of the day and attempted to put out the flames before calling police and fire crews.

The unmarried former construction worker, who was originally from County Mayo in Ireland, was flown to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex by air ambulance but died the next day.

His body was 65 per cent covered in third-degree burns.

London Fire Brigade specialist investigators were unable to find anything at the scene that would have sparked a fire.

No property or any one else was harmed in the blaze.President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary statement bashing former top advisor Steve Bannon after the president's longtime consigliere was quoted trashing Donald Trump Jr. and claiming his father would have immediately been made aware of an infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russians.

Bannon claimed a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer, supposedly to obtain unflattering information about Hillary Clinton, was 'treasonous' and 'unpatriotic,' prompting an unprecedented brushback of the former White House aide from the president.

'Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency,' Trump said in a statement provided by the White House that torches his former chief strategist. 'When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.'

Steve Bannon, chairman of Breitbart News Network LLC, speaks during a campaign rally for Roy Moore, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alabama

Trump's press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, then told reporters that the president was 'furious' and 'disgusted' by Bannon's assault on the president's son and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who also attended the Trump Tower meeting.

And late on Wednesday evening, attorneys for Trump issued a cease and desist letter to Bannon threatening legal action.

Trump attorney Charles Harder said in a statement: 'This law firm represents President Donald J. Trump and Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.

'On behalf of our clients, legal notice was issued today to Stephen K. Bannon, that his actions of communicating with author Michael Wolff regarding an upcoming book give rise to numerous legal claims including defamation by libel and slander, and breach of his written confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement with our clients. Legal action is imminent.'

The cease and desist letter reads in part: 'You [Bannon] have breached the Agreement by, among other things, communicating with author Michael Wolff about Mr. Trump, his family members, and the Company [the campaign], disclosing Confidential Information to Mr. Wolff, and making disparaging statements and in some cases outright defamatory statements to Mr. Wolff about Mr. Trump, his family members.'

The White House's full-scale attack on Bannon, who was once one of Trump's top advisers, was ripe with personal slights, exposing a dramatic rift between the president and the conservative provocateur who is also the Breitbart News executive chairman.

It followed Bannon's comments undercutting the president's eldest son and a suggestion that Donald Trump was involved in the 2016 meeting with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer that Bannon is now quoted as saying should have been reported to the FBI.

'Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican Party,' Trump said. 'Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look.'

Trump said Bannon 'doesn't represent my base, he's only in it for himself' and 'had very little to do' with his victory, but 'everything to do' with the loss of the Alabama Senate seat.

The cutting statement went on to say, 'Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was.'

Bannon backed losing candidate Roy Moore, who Trump ultimately campaigned for in the special election after claiming the Republican would have a tough time winning the general election and endorsing his primary opponent.

Sanders said Wednesday that the loss contributed to the falling out between the president, who last spoke to Bannon sometime in early December.

Accusing the president's son of treason is also not a way to 'curry favor' with Trump, she stated, calling the allegation 'ridiculous.'

'I think there are a number of factors that played in,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I would certainly think that going after the president's son and an absolutely outrageous and unprecedented way, is probably not the best way to curry favor with anybody.'

After the press briefing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, whose wife Callista is U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, walked through a press work space on his way to a Fox News interview.

'Bannon has no contingent,' he told DailyMail.com and another reporter ripping into the former White House aide. 'There's a Trump wing of the Republican Party. There's not a Bannon wing.'

The White House had also rejected the notion that feud would weaken Trump's base.

'The base and the people that supported this president supported the president and supported his agenda, those things haven't changed,' Sanders said at her briefing. 'The president still exactly who he was yesterday as he was two years ago when he started out on the campaign trail.'

Trump's spokeswoman said, 'Look at all he's accomplished, I think they're pretty happy with where he is.'

President Trump had also sought to discredit Bannon, considered to have a played a key role in shaping his own victory.

'Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books,' the president said.

The blast came just hours after Bannon was revealed to have called the infamous June 2016 meeting between top Trump campaign officials and Russians 'treasonous.'

Further, Bannon expressed certainty that then-candidate Donald Trump would have been made aware of the meeting at the time  a claim that, if verified, could play into a collusion narrative being explored by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Trump said Bannon 'spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was'

Bannon, who held a top role in the campaign, shares his disdain in Michael Wolff's forthcoming book, excerpts of which were published Wednesday, that other top officials went into the Trump Tower meeting blind instead of dispatching a legal team to vet information in a hand-off way and failing to alert authorities of a possible crime.

'Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s***, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately,' Bannon mused.

He went after Donald Trump Jr. explicitly for participating, then expressed certainty about what happened next.

'The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these Jumos up to his father's office of the 26th floor is zero,' Bannon said, in an excerpt from 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.'

'The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers,' Bannon vented in excerpts in the book obtained by the Guardian

The White House issued a separate statement from Sanders before her daily news conference trashing the expose.

'This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House,' Sanders said.

'Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy,' she added.

Stephanie Grisham, communications director for Melania Trump, responded to claims in the book that the first lady cried when Trump the election because she never expected him to win.

'The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section. Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run for President and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did,' Grisham said.

The book also claims the Trump have separate bedrooms in the White House.

NBC News reported Bannon's comment about the chance Donald Trump also met the Russians.

Sanders pointed to Trump's previous denials of collusion when it came up at her news conference.

Trump Jr. told the House Intelligence Committee during testimony that he did not tell his father about the meeting at the time it took place, the Washington Post reported in December.

He told Fox News host Sean Hannity after word of the meeting broke: 'In retrospect, I probably would have done things a little differently.'

He said he did not tell his father about the meeting because nothing came of it.

'It was just a nothing,' the president's son said. 'There was nothing to tell.'

Attending the meeting were Donald Trump Jr., Trump son in law and Bannon's White House rival Jared Kushner, and former campaign chair Paul Manafort, who has since been indicted on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

They met with Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya after an offer of potential dirt on Hillary Clinton got dangled to Trump Jr. via an email approach.

'They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV,' Bannon, a former Naval officer and Goldman Sachs employee who runs Breitbart News, said of the president's eldest son.

They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV

He laid out how the campaign should have handled such an approach. If any meeting happened, it should have been done 'in a Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, with your lawyers who meet with these people'. That would allow information to get 'dump[ed]  down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication,' he said, referencing the Breitbart News site he runs.

'They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV,' Bannon said of the president's eldest son, who attended the Trump Tower meeting

A picture taken on November 8, 2016 shows Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya speaking during an interview in Moscow

Bannon took new shots at his rival Trump son in law Jared Kushner. He predicts special counsel Mueller will go after top officials on money laundering to get to President Trump

White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon (R) listens to U.S. President Donald Trump at the beginning of a meeting with government cyber security experts in the Roosevelt Room at the White House January 31, 2017 in Washington

Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon speaks during the Asahi Shimbun interview on November 16, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan

'You never see it, you never know it, because you don't need to  But that's the brain trust that they had,' he said dismissively.

Trump named Bannon as chief executive of his campaign in August 2016, two months after the Trump Tower meeting with Russians occurred.

Bannon, who says he continues to advise President Trump, also issued predictions about the Mueller probe.

'You realize where this is going,' he said. 'This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Wessman first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to f***ing Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner  It's as plain as a hair on your face,' he said.

According to the Guardian, Bannon insisted that he doesn't know Russians, won't be a witness in the related probes, won't hire a lawyer and won't end up on TV answering questions.

Trump Jr. has denied doing anything improper and says he got nothing of value out of the meeting. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges. Kushner's lawyers say he is cooperating with investigators.

The book also quotes a friend of President Trump confidant Tom Barrack as having told a friend: ''He's not only crazy, he's stupid.'This is the nail-biting moment a fleeing thief was seriously injured after riding a stolen moped across a busy street - where he was struck by a lorry and then a car.

The suspect, who has yet to be identified, miraculously survived the dramatic accident and even managed to escape the crash site with the help of his accomplice.

Police in Guangdong Province in South China say they are investigating the whereabouts of the suspects, who worked together to steal the scooter which was smashed to pieces in the escape attempt.

This is the nail-biting moment a fleeing thief was seriously injured after riding a stolen moped across a busy street - where he was struck by a lorry and then a car

The owner of the white moped said he caught the pair red-handed.

The suspects then fled the scene on the two vehicles.

CCTV footage of their escape shows the first thief speeding across a street where he is then hit in succession by a lorry and saloon going in opposite directions.

Police in Guangdong Province in South China say they are hot on the trail of the suspects, who worked together to steal the scooter which was smashed to pieces in the escape attempt

The suspect, who has yet to be identified, miraculously survived the dramatic accident and even managed to escape the crash site with the help of his accomplice

CCTV footage of their escape shows the first thief speeding across a street where he is then hit in succession by a lorry and saloon going in opposite directions

The collisions cause him to fly off the moped and out of camera shot, with the stolen scooter later found destroyed and beyond repair.

The owner, who gave chase, said the man's accomplice helped him onto the back of his motorcycle and the pair escaped.

Police in Guangdong Province are searching for the suspects and have alerted hospitals about them too.Frances first lady Brigitte Macron has come under fire from her own bodyguards who have been forced to endure the worst of the winter weather standing outside her seaside villa.

The UNSA police union has issued a scathing attack on the glamourous grandmother about their hostile work conditions as they maintain a 24-hour watch over the Macrons second home in Le Touquet, a channel tourist spot.

The furious CRS officers complain they are forced to stand in torrential rain for hours at a time, have nowhere to go to the loo and are calling for shelters to be built to house them during their security vigil.

One body guard who took shelter in his police car during a particular fierce rain storm is now facing a disciplinary charge for leaving his post.

France's first lady Brigitte Macron (pictured here with her husband President Emmanuel Macron) has been slammed for making her bodyguards stand in the rain

A police union has complained about the work conditions as officers maintain a 24-hour watch over the Macrons second home in Le Touquet (pictured), a channel tourist spot

In a carefully written tweet issued on 27 December they wrote: We all know the difficult conditions at the pace of Calais but the hierarchy of the CRS 41 is not inclined to take into account this geographical and seasonal data.

A static officer [on guard] in front of the house of the guarded person in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage sheltered in his vehicle during a heavy rain storm.

His commanding officer did not appreciate this initiative, yet legitimate, and ask him to establish a report that may lead to a penalty.

The 40-strong half-company of specially drafted CRS riot police say they have no problem with keeping a 24-hour watch on Mrs Macrons family home, as guarding the French leader second home is part of their responsibility.

But the tough officers have complained they have literally been left out in the cold  and wet  in one of the most inclement parts of the France  the Pas de Calais, which is renowned for its driving wind and rain.

The union added: For the sake of hygiene and safety as well as to avoid this type of problem in the future, we urgently request the instillation of a static cabin at command points.

Bodyguards stand guard at the property round-the-clock. But one officer is facing disciplinary action after seeking shelter in his car during a fierce rain storm

These temporary shelters are often used by some police services that provide a warm and dry place to work from.

The UNSA police union said: The living conditions of the CRS officers in front of the Macron villa have been revealed.

The UNSA police union condemns these conditions as winter settles in.

The mayor [of Le Touquet] does not say no to our requests, but we are waiting for our top brass [for a decision].

Union spokesman Denis Hurth added: The police have always kept guard over the second homes of the presidents, but give us the means to do so in Le Touquet.

Brigitte, then Trogneux, set up home in Le Touquet, an upmarket seaside resort often referred to as Paris Plage, following the collapse of her marriage to banker Andre Louis Auziere due to her romance with pupil Emmanuel Macron.

The Elysse Palace, the office of President Macron, have declined on comment on the issue

The 64-year-old grandmother has surrounded herself with her children from her first marriage in the coastal town, where her wealthy Trogneux family had always had a holiday home.

And Le Touquet was where Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron married in 2007, in the town hall, opposite the villa Monejan, that stands at the centre of the latest scandal.

In August last year the Macron protection detail in Le Touquet were ordered not to patrol with their firearms visible, so as not to worry the neighbours  and tourists.

The bodyguards were allowed to take up their arms again in October, once the tourist season was over.

The Elysse Palace, the office of President Macron, have declined on comment on the issue.

The latest controversy comes after Mrs Macron was mocked as the 'new Queen of France' over her insistence on standing next to her husband as opposed to behind him as tradition dictates.The devastated parents of three young children killed in a house fire on New Year's day have spoken about the tragic loss.

Mayley Jean Redbird, who was just 22 months old, 3-year-old Gunner Ray Redbird and 4-year-old Amylah Dawn Redbird died when their bedroom went up in smoke, at the family's El Reno home, Oklahoma.

'We are in total devastation right now,' said a tearful James Redbird and wife Kee Yanna Osage, as they addressed the press.

'You can only imagine what it's like to lose three children of your own. I just ask that the kind people continue to pray and keep us in your prayers as we do our best to lay our children to rest.'

Mayley Jean Redbird, who was just 22 months old, 3-year-old Gunner Ray Redbird and 4-year-old Amylah Dawn Redbird died when their bedroom went up in smoke

The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday. Fire crews say a space heater appeared to be at the center of the blaze but are still investigating the cause, News 9 reports.

Officials said that fire crews arrived to see the parents, and another unnamed adult, carrying the children out in their arms. The parents said later that as soon as they saw their children, they knew they'd 'gone.'

Paramedics immediately began to try and resuscitate the victims, and their efforts continued all the way to the hospital.

Sadly, all three were later declared dead.

The blaze broke out in the children's bedroom at the family's El Reno home, Oklahoma (pictured is the fire damaged property)

Fire crews arrived at the home (pictured) to see the parents, and another unnamed adult, carrying the children out in their arms

Video courtesy of NewsOK.com

The state medical examiner's office has not yet released the official cause of death from the autopsy. But Chief Kent Lagaly told News 4 that the children's injuries were consistent with smoke inhalation

'I've had a brief moment to walk inside,' said Lagaly. 'Looks like the fire was contained to one room.'

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family pay for the funeral, and has already raised more than $7,400.

'We did the best we could for our children,' James said. 'We just want to thank everybody for the prayers, the donations. We're not asking for anything. We're just asking for prayers at this time.'

James Redbird and wife Kee Yanna Osage said they were devastated by the loss

The entire El Reno community is reeling from the loss of the three young children (pictured)

Redbird's aunt, Melissa Goodblanket, added on Facebook that 'to lose a child is horrific, to lose three at the same time is unimaginable. Universal powers hear my cry for help for them. I'm just so heartbroken...want to wipe away this pain for them...ease it somehow!'

The entire El Reno community is reeling from the loss of the children.

'It's just a terrible, terrible, gut-wrenching feeling to have these three, beautiful lives lost from our community,' El Reno Mayor Matt White said. 'Our community is very upset along with the family. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and the firemen that had to go out to that scene. It's just gut-wrenching.'

Lagley added that his first responders were also struggling with the loss of three children, although he added that their feelings 'are second to the family right now, and that is where our focus is going to be and to support them in any way we can.'

The investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.France is to become the first country in the world to shut down alleged 'fake news' websites and social media accounts if they are suspected of interfering with democratic elections.

In a move that will be watched closely in the UK, President Emmanuel Macron said dishonest outlets should not be allowed to influence public opinion.

Instead, victims including politicians will be able to apply to courts to have sites and accounts erased from the Internet.

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President Macron said social media providers will be obliged to be transparent

'If we want to protect liberal democracies, we must have strong legislation,' said Mr Macron, during his first Paris press conference of 2018.

'When fake news is spread, it will be possibleto go to a judge and if appropriate have content taken down, user accounts deleted and ultimately websites blocked.'

Mr Macron added: 'Platforms will have more transparency obligations imposed on them regarding sponsored content, making the identity of sponsors and those who control them public.'

The President said there would also be strict 'limits on the amount' of sponsored content, and more power would be given to the CSA, France's media watchdog.

He insisted that press freedom would not be threatened, because the laws would only apply during elections.

However, there is sure to be a backlash from those who believe that the media should be free from political control.

The French legislation is yet to be finalised, but deciding on what is or is not fake news is bound to be the main problem.

Mr Macron's announcement follows his own presidential election campaign last year being plagued by Russian hackers and pseudo-journalists.

The French leader met Vladimir Putin soon after he took office and directly accused the Russian leader of spreading fake news about him

He has been particularly critical of Russian media, openly accusing it of spreading lies about him on websites and social media.

In a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin after his win in which he referenced Moscow outlets, Mr Macron said: 'I will not give an inch on this.

'During the campaign, Russia Today and Sputnik were agents of influence which on several occasions spread fake news about me personally, and about my campaign.'

Mr Macron's campaign was also hit with a last minute email leak by suspected Russian hackers who stole thousands of classified documents and dumped them online.

Russian fake news journalists and bots are also said to have influenced Donald Trump's election as American president in 2016, and to have interfered with the Brexit vote in Britain in the same year.

The EU has launched anaction committee to draft rules at combatting fake news, but no legislation iscurrently in place.

President Trump is oneof the most outspoken critics of fake news, although like most politicians heis also regularly accused of lying himself in a bid to influence voters.Police are investigating the state of mind of pilot Gareth Morgan, who lost control of the seaplane that plunged into the Hawkesbury River, killing him and a British family of five

Police are investigating the state of mind of a pilot who lost control of the seaplane that plunged into the Hawkesbury River in Sydney, killing him and a British family of five.

The Sydney home of Gareth Morgan, 44, is set to be searched by detectives, who will probe his religious and political leanings, as well as his social behaviours, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Mr Morgan's flatmate Luke Thornley said police had on Wednesday requested to inspect the Enfield property, in Sydney's inner-west, and the pilot's bedroom.

'As far as we are aware, Gareth was fine and happy and didn't give the impression anything was wrong,' Mr Thornley told the paper.

'He went for runs every morning, even on New Year's Day and was excited at the prospect of becoming a commercial pilot for Qantas and was studying for exams.'

Mr Morgan died along with high-profile UK businessman Richard Cousins, his two adult sons Edward and William, his fiancee Emma Bowden and her 11-year-old daughter Heather.

The pilot's devout Christian father, Dudley Morgan, is said to have told friends: 'I never envisaged burying our son, the whole process is incomprehensible.'

An autopsy was performed on Wednesday to determine Mr Morgan's cause of death and whether drugs, alcohol or medical reasons caused him to lose control of the aircraft, according to the paper.

The crash killed experienced pilot Gareth Morgan (left), 44, and high-profile UK businessman Richard Cousins (right), 58

Victims Emma Bowden, 48, and her 11-year-old daughter Heather in front of Sydney Opera House days before the doomed 1960s single-engine DHC-2 Beaver plane plunged into the Hawksbury River

Emma Bowden, 48, and her daughter Heather, 11, died in the horror seaplane crash in the Hawkesbury River

Mr Cousins' sons Edward, 23 (left) and William, 25 (right) were also killed when their seaplane plunged into the Hawkesbury River

The first pictures have emerged showing the wreckage of the Sydney Seaplane which crashed into a river on New Years Eve killing all six people on board being pulled out of the water

Authorities are expected to use a floating crane to recover the seaplane, which crashed into the river, north of Sydney, on New Year's Eve.

NSW police will attempt to recover the Sydney Seaplanes DHC-2 Beaver on Thursday in an operation that's expected to start at dawn and run into the afternoon.

The plane is resting on its roof in about 15 metres of water, said All Waterfront Constructions operations director Chris Kemp, who will work to recover the aircraft.

Two slings will be lowered and passed through the aircraft's cabin by police divers, Mr Kemp said.

'Then we'll be lifting the whole lot up and placing it on the barge,' he said.

Emma Bowden, 48, with her daughter Heather in Sydney, days before the pair died in the crash

The Sydney home of Mr Gareth (pictured left and right with his friend Gary Homanick) will reportedly be searched

The horror crash killed the experienced pilot, along with his five British passengers

This is believed to be the last photograph taken of pilot 44-year-old Gareth Morgan, 44

The New Year's Eve crash killed all six on board. A group of friends who rushed to the scene of the crash are pictured trying to save the victims

'One of the wings is pretty badly damaged and bent over on the plane itself, so we'll be pulling that back down and lashing it to the plane,' Mr Kemp said.

'We were on it the other day with the police divers and the cameras and it looks like there is still a wing intact on the fuselage.'

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is working to determine why the seaplane went down. One possibility is the plane stalled.

Aircraft maintenance engineer Michael Greenhill told AAP on Wednesday that while it was not mandatory in Australia for Beaver planes to have stall warnings installed, most did.

Wreckage of the Sydney Seaplane which crashed into a river on New Years Eve killing all six people on board has been pulled out of the water

The plane is resting on its roof in about 15 metres of water, according to All Waterfront Constructions operations director Chris Kemp

Parts of the plane are being loaded onto a barge to be taken away

The tragic crash killed all six people on board including a British family of five

In addition to recovering the plane police are investigating the cause of the crash

The seaplane is pictured in Sydney just hours before the tragic accident that killed six people

'A stall is when the airflow over the aircraft's wing becomes insufficient enough to produce lift,' Mr Greenhill said.

'So basically the wing stops flying.'

Investigators hope data will be recovered from the plane's avionics instruments and any smartphones or cameras which were on board to piece together the final moments before the crash.

The Seaplane Pilots Association Australia said the aircraft involved in the crash is considered safer than other small planes because of its capacity to land on water in an emergency.

But it is believed the plane nosedived suddenly, leaving the pilot no time to make a mayday call before it plunged into the river.

The operation started at dawn and is expected to run into the afternoon on Thursday

Wreckage from the fatal flight is being pulled out of the Hawkesbury River

Parts of the plane are pulled up from the river north of Sydney

Crews are attempting to lift parts of the plane onto a barge from the river

A crane is used to pull the mangled wreckage from the water

One of those involved in the recovery said one of the wings was badly damaged in the crash

New South Wales Police will attempt to recover the DHC-2 Beaver from the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney on ThursdayA man who forced his girlfriend to walk through Harlem in the nude, on a cold January day, because she had allegedly been messaging with other men, has been given the maximum sentence.

A Manhattan judge sentenced 26-year-old Jasson Melo to 2 1/3 to seven years in prison on Wednesday - the maximum sentence that the prosecution had sought.

He was convicted last month on charges of coercion, assault, menacing, aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.

'Jasson Melo's view of women belongs to the Dark Ages,' Justice Robert Mandelbaum said, according to the New York Daily News. 'To him, women are property.'

In addition to making his girlfriend perform the walk of shame, he also filmed it and put the video up online - and subsequently tried to make money off of it.

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Jasson Melo, 26 (pictured), was sentenced to 2 1/3 to seven years in prison on Wednesday by a Manhattan judge

The Harlem man (left and right) was convicted for making his girlfriend, the mother of his child, do a nude walk of shame on a cold January day in 2016

The 25-year-old victim, who is the mother of Melo's child, testified during the trial. Mandelbaum said her words show she 'remains scarred from the fear and humiliation, maybe forever.'

The victim was not in court for the sentencing, but wrote a letter that was read by prosecutor Caitlin Connolly.

She said that 'the pain and emotions were and still are unexplainable and unimaginable'.

He claimed he forced her into the act as she had been messaging other men

Melo allegedly tried to profit off his twisted fame by trying to sell merchandise with quotes from the degrading footage

'Mr. Melo destroyed me in so many ways, and didn't stop as he would continuously taunt me as if his nightmare was his sick joke,' she wrote.

Connolly called Melo 'remorseless and laughing about his conduct'.

Melo's attorney had argued for a lighter sentence, saying he was triggered emotionally by seeing a picture of another man's penis on his girlfriend's phone.

'He didn't handle it properly. There were lawful ways to deal with this matter,' Herlich said. 'But he didn't do it for sport.'

Melo was previously offered plea deals that came without jail time, but he declined and decided to fight the charges at trial.

The incident in question happened in January 2016.

The ordeal lasted for several hours as Melo threatened to kill her after finding explicit texts from other men on her phone.

Melo also allegedly swung a heavy stone Buddha statue at her, as if he intended to bash her head in, while their two-month old daughter lay on the bed, just feet away.

He said, you know what, you're gonna pay. You're gonna get naked and you're gonna go out on the street, and you're gonna pay,' she testified.

The woman, whose name has been withheld, said Melo 'tortured' her for two hours before he pushed her out into the cold and pulled out his cell phone to record her

The woman, who initially wore a towel in the video, was then forced to strip and walk around a Harlem street naked

In the footage which was posted to Instagram and LiveLeak, Melo could be seen following the woman wrapped in a bath towel, down the block while he berated her in Spanish.

In the two-minute clip which was seen by jurors on Monday, Melo was seen pulling the towel away forcing her to stand between two parked cars in an attempt to cover her modesty.

Melo says: 'Take off your towel! Co-operate b***h. Show what you are, so pretty and so great. She's a tart. Let's go. Let's go. Say hi to the camera and say why you're doing this

'Take off your towel and pay the price for the shame I feel after telling you how pretty you were and that I wanted to start a family with you, but it the meantime you were talking to seven other men.'

The woman retorts: 'But not to have sex with them.'

He then rips the towel from her, leaving her completely naked in the street, apart from a pair of boots. As she tried to hide between parked cars, he continued to hurl insults at her.

'Pay the price for your shame!' he bellowed at her. 'You're going to pay the price for being a whore. Since you're a whore, you're going to pay like a whore.'

'There, on the trash, exactly,' he sneered as she stopped by some trashcans. 'Pose with your trash.'

The woman eventually wrapped herself in a motorcycle cover while Melo continued to film.

Adding insult to injury, Melo later tried to sell merchandise based on the video, including t-shirts and hats bearing his quotes.

One flat-billed cap bore the phrase, 'Let's go, participa,' which Melo says in the video

At the time of his arrest Melo defended his actions saying: 'I didn't hit her or anything. Even the detectives are here with me and some of them congratulated me because they see how happy she is and I didn't pull her hair or anything.He was found living in a shelter in West Midlands by local police in

His family last saw him at his uncle's funeral in England

It has been almost two years since an Australian man who was forced to live on the streets in the UK for 16 years reconnected with his family in February 2016.

Jason Ronald Douglas, 36, went missing after suffering the loss of his uncle  who he had been living with in the UK.

His family saw him at his uncle's funeral in 1999, then they returned home to Australia but he decided to stay in England.

He was living with a friend in Milton Keynes, but was kicked out in 2000. This is when he lost contact with his loved-ones back home.

Jason Douglas (pictured) went missing in 1999, his sister Sally Douglas (pictured) has been looking for him ever since, and after 16 years apart has finally manage to track him down

Mr Douglas lost contact with his family when he was kicked out of his friend's house. He has been living rough ever since, without a passport or any money

Since then they have been searching the country for him, finally finding him in a homeless shelter in the West Midlands, less than an hour and a half away from where he disappeared.

His family, who had been contacting police in England ever since his disappearance, spoke with an officer who happened to know Mr Douglas.

He passed a message on to the man who was living in a local shelter and numbers were soon exchanged.

His sister, Sally Douglas, told the Independent he cried throughout their first conversation in 16 years.

The siblings will finally be able to reconnect after thinking they would never speak with each other again

'He told me that the first ten years of him being there, he was homeless and living on the street as his passport and any ID he had was stolen, so he couldn't get any benefits to survive.

'So he turned to petty crime such as shop-lifting to eat and begging for money on the street,' she said.

The man told his cousin that he thought his family had 'abandoned him' that they had 'given up' and that 'no one cared'.

Mr Douglas says he lost his passport and ID when he first became homeless

He has told family members he is ready to come home and he thought they had 'forgotten' him

His cousin, Lisa Andrews, has been a major part of the search party set up to find Mr Douglas in 2000.

She spoke to The Herald Sun about the heartache the family experienced every day he was missing.

'No one can imagine what a family goes through in these sort of circumstances.

'Every birthday, Christmas, it was just devastation and sadness, wanting him to come home.

The man expressed anger when he was first found but came to realise he wasn't 'abandoned' like he thought.Cebu (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The remains of Archbishop Teofilo B. Camomot is set to be exhumed in Carcar City, Cebu on Wednesday.

He will then be transferred from the Daughters of Saint Teresa Mother House to a bigger chapel and museum, the Domus Teofilo, dedicated to the late bishop.

Viewing for the public will be open at 5:00 p.m. and will run until Thursday, January 4 in Villadolid.

Observers from the Vatican will be present, as the Archdiocese of Cebu steps up its campaign to have Camomot beatified and, later, canonized.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said in late December the process was "moving fast" and he hoped to call the late archbishop "Blessed," the title for beatified persons, before his retirement.

Camomot, who lived from 1914 to 1988, was known for his simplicity while he served as parish priest in Misamis Oriental, El Pardo in Cebu, and his hometown of Carcar. He was also coadjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro.

Under his watch as parish priest, he helped gather and establish the Daughters of Saint Teresa, a religious congregation involved in Catholic education and pastoral and social services.

The priest died at the age of 74 in a vehicular incident while on his way back to his parish.

Even in death, Camomot enjoys a large following  with some devotees attesting to being cured of illness after praying to the priest.

Camomot is a Servant of God, a title given to candidates for beatification. It also puts the priest two steps shy of becoming a saint.

To date, there are only two Filipino saints: Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod.

The exhumation of Camomot comes after the Diocese of Dipolog forwarded its own cause for beatification for Fr. Francesco Palliola, S.J., an Italian missionary who died while working with the Lumad in Zamboanga del Norte.

CNN Philippines stringer Dale Israel contributed to this story.A backpacker who snorted a synthetic drug that sent nine people to hospital in a mass overdose says it felt like his face was 'melting off'.

Three of the tourists returned to the Perth share house on Wednesday, one in a hospital gown and another shirtless and still wearing his ECG electrodes.

The nine who overdosed were only saved from death when two others who didn't take it called triple-0 and they were rushed to hospital on Tuesday night.

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A backpacker involved a suspected mass drug overdose has returned home (pictured) with a smile on his face, despite having three of his friends fighting for their lives in hospital

A total of nine people were found unconscious at a home in Perth about midnight on Tuesday. When paramedics arrived at the home members of the group were 'rolling around' on the floor

The drug was on Thursday identified as motion sickness drug hyoscine, which is also used as a date rape drug as it puts victims into a 'zombie-like' state.

One of the backpackers said he was 'trying to scream for help' but his mouth wouldn't move throughout the 'terrifying' ordeal.

The young man said he thought the white powder sent to the house from New York by mistake was cocaine.

He was one of five French citizens, aged between 21 and 24, two Germans, aged 21 and 22, an Italian, 25, and a Moroccan, 24, released from hospital on Wednesday.

Two Frenchmen were still fighting for life in Royal Perth Hospital and a German woman was in an induced coma in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

The unknown drug, which was sent for testing, was addressed to someone who never lived at the house, apparently by mistake.

It had a pamphlet inside with the word 'scoop' printed across it and a piece of paper glued down with a lightning bolt symbol, according to Seven News.

It's understood the nine victims, two women and seven men, are all aged in their 20s and are believed to be foreigners currently backpacking or studying in Australia

Ambulance officers who attended the scene told of their shock at finding the group in a zombie-like state, 'rolling around' on the ground of the home when they arrived.

Paramedics had to sedate all nine people at the home due to them 'punched' and 'kicking' at emergency services as they tried to help.

Doctors said the victims would have died if ambulances hadn't been immediately called.

Royal Perth Hospital clinical toxicologist Jessamine Soderstrom said overheating bodies were eventually fatal.

'You go into multi-organ failure and patients die from that,' she told reporters.

'If it wasn't for the timely call of the resident, some of those patients inevitably would have died.'

Emergency services were called to the home in Perth just before midnight on Tuesday, finding a group of seriously ill people in different states of unconsciousness

Royal Perth Hospital emergency doctor David McCutcheon said the patients arrived hallucinating, ill and in a state of agitated delirium and, most seriously, had racing hearts and overheating bodies.

'Several of them have had to be put in a medically induced coma,' he said.

'I need to emphasise how seriously unwell they are. It was lucky there was someone on scene who could call an ambulance, because their lives were in danger.

'It appears the patients didn't know where they were, they were rolling around on stretchers and at the scene as well.'

Dr McCutcheon said doctors were yet to determine exactly what drug the group had allegedly taken, but said their symptoms were common with many substances.

'We don't know the drug involved at this stage so we don't really want to speculate any further at this point,' he said.

Doctors have not yet determined which drug the group had taken, but said they were acting as though they didn't know where they were when paramedics arrived

The house also has a large pool in the backyard

That cluster of systems is quite common to a lot of illicit drugs. There are many synthetic drugs now... and we don't really know much about them.'

Neighbours who watched on as the group was helped from the house described the chaotic scenes as 'really, really scary.'

'They were all coming past in a line, it was so scary and they had glassed eyes and they were like in a different world, it was so scary to look at a lot of them were having seizures,' Sophie Barnet told the ABC.

'There was one guy that was really violent on the stretcher, he was like punching the air and everything.'

A neighbour told the ABC the house was like a backpackers 'bed and breaskast'

The large wood-finished home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a battle-axe driveway that leads to off-street parking

Another local resident described the house as a backpacker's 'bed and breakfast', and said the victims were acting in an almost zombie-like state.

'It was just absolutely crazy. People just started coming out in stretchers, most of them were in like an unconscious state, but one of them was kicking and having almost like a spasm.'

Police seized substances from the home and Organised Crime were notified of the presence of drugs.

The large wood-finished home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a battle-axe driveway that leads to off-street parking, and a large pool in the backyard.Police believe a Bonchon Chicken cook was shot dead over the weekend after getting into an argument with his manager over negative Yelp reviews.

Norris Jackson, a 36-year-old father of seven, was shot dead around 11:45am at the location in Manchester, Connecticut.

Multiple witnesses saw kitchen manager James Groolsby, 28, pull the trigger.

Law enforcement sources told the Hartford Courant on Tuesday that Jackson was killed by Groolsby after negative Yelp reviews fueled animosity between the two of them.

Norris Jackson, 36 (pictured), was shot dead at the Bonchon Chicken restaurant in Manchester, Connecticut where he worked as a cook around 11:45am Saturday

Multiple witnesses saw the restaurant's kitchen manager, James Groolsby, 28 (left), pull the trigger after a heated argument. Groolsby's girlfriend, Leanna Robitaille, 23 (right), was charged with hindering prosecution. The couple pictured above in court on Tuesday

Above, a picture of the location after the Saturday morning shooting

According to the website, the restaurant has a fair amount of negative reviews, with users critical about small portion sizes and the restaurant being understaffed.

After the deadly shooting, Groolsby went on the run, but he was eventually located on Tuesday at warming center in Hartford.

His girlfriend Leanne Robitaille, 23, who also works at the restaurant, turned herself into police for hindering prosecution.

Both appeared in court on Tuesday where Groolsby was charged with murder. He is being held on $1million bail while his girlfriend has a $100,000 bond. They are due back in court for another hearing on January 18.

Capt Christopher Davis said Wednesday that there was an on-going dispute between Jackson and the couple.

Law enforcement sources told the Hartford Courant that Groolsby and Jackson argued about negative Yelp reviews that the restaurant was receiving, like the one above

Jackson started working at the Bonchon this summer but did not appear to like the work.

He post multiple times on Facebook about how he found the job disagreeable.

'6 straight days all 12hr shifts. And I gotta due this s*** Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun.' he said in one post.

In another post, he held up the middle finger while manning a fryer.

After the shooting, Groolsby told a number of relatives about the incident. One family member said he told him that he shot Jackson for disrespecting his girlfriend.

Another relative said that Groolsby said he had ruined his life and was crying about what happened.

Jackson started working at the Bonchon over the summer. He has written multiple negative posts about the job on Facebook

Jackson died Sunday at Hartford Hospital. He had been shot four times, including the fatal bullet to the neck.

His mother said he grew up in Hartford, and had moved back recently. Before that, he lived in East Hartford with several of his children, his girlfriend and her three children.

His mother said she decided to let surgeons harvest her son's organs and that his right kidney has already helped save a 49-year-old man's life.

The Korean restaurant chain issued this statement after the deadly shooting: 'We at Bonchon Franchise are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Manchester, CT today, and are deeply concerned about the family and friends who are suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and their family as we also respect their privacy during this ordeal.'French President Emmanuel Macron has said the Donald Trump's comments about the protests in Iran is in danger of of putting America on a path to war with the Islamic Republic.

The U.S president weighed into the current wave of protest gripping Iran, tweeting his support for the demonstrators and heavily criticising the government.

But President Macron said it was important to maintain dialogue with Iran, warning that the tone of comments adopted by the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia towards Tehran was virtually a path to war.

Emmanuel Macron has warned against the tone of the comments made by Donald Trump about Iran

'The official line pursued by the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia, who are our allies in many ways, is almost one that would lead us to war,' Macron told reporters.

The line being taken was 'a deliberate strategy for some,' he said, adding that France wanted to maintain some balance.

'Otherwise, we end up surreptitiously rebuilding an "axis of evil",' he said, referring to a comment by former U.S. President George W. Bush, who once used that term to describe countries including Iran, Iraq and North Korea.

Macron also said he would only visit Iran if there was a return to calm and respect for freedoms.

On Friday he tweeted Trump tweeted on Friday night in support of protests against Iran's economic problems that had spread to several towns and cities in Iran.

Donald Trump has been vocal in his criticism of the Iranian government and in support for the protesters

The U.S president has used his favourite medium of Twitter to weigh into the situation in Iran

'Many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with regime's corruption & its squandering of the nation's wealth to fund terrorism abroad,' he wrote.

In a tweet at the weekend, US President Donald Trump warning that the country's people want change and 'oppressive regimes cannot endure forever.'

Trump posted on Twitter two clips of his speech to the UN General Assembly in September in which he took aim at the Iranian regime, which Washington has held out as its top adversary in the Middle East.

'Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching!' he tweeted, quoting from the speech.

The President warned 'the U.S. is watching' as he branded Tehran 'brutal and corrupt' following a judge's warning that Iranian demonstrators will face the death penalty.A five-year-old boy remains in a critical condition after being accidentally shot in the face by his older cousin.

The child was hit by a bullet fired from a .22 rifle at a Cottonvale property, near the Queensland-NSW border, on Tuesday.

The shot was accidentally fired by the boy's 12-year-old cousin when the pair and a third child were playing with the gun at the rural property, according to reports.

Police described the incident as a 'tragic accident', though investigations are continuing.

The boy was rushed to hospital with a facial wound before being airlifted to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane.

A five-year-old boy remains in a critical condition after being accidentally shot in the face by his older cousin

The boy was rushed to hospital with a facial wound before being airlifted to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane

His family was by his side on Thursday after undergoing emergency surgery overnight, but his condition did not improve, according to Nine News.

Police are reportedly investigating whether the gun was stored in an appropriate place.

The victim's distraught grandfather, Tony Calvisi, said the rifle was kept in a spot where children shouldn't have been able to access it.

'They were playing with something they were always told never to touch, and I don't know why,' Mr Calvisi told The Courier Mail.

'[The gun] was in a place where they shouldn't have got to it. But children, they find things.'

Police have urged gun owners to keep their weapons locked up and secured.A Texas imam who said that it was the duty of Muslims to kill Jews in light of President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital has issued an apology.

Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan made a two-part apology statement on Wednesday nearly a month after delivering an inflammatory sermon at the Tajweed Institute in Houston.

'The Muslims will kill the Jews, and the Jews will hide behind the stones and the trees, and the stones and the trees will say: "Oh Muslim, oh servant of Allah, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him,"' Al-Rousan said in a video posted and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) on December 8.

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On December 8, Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan, pictured, said it was the duty of Muslims to kill Jews just two days after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Al-Rousan made the two-part apology statement on Wednesday nearly a month after delivering the inflammatory sermon at the Tajweed Institute in Houston

'The Muslims will have victory. [Jews] know these facts, brothers and sisters, but they are trying to delay it because they don't want for us to be religious,' the imam added.

In his apology video, posted to the Tajweed Institute website, Al-Rousan said he wanted to atone for his remarks after discussing the controversial statements with respected Islamic leaders and intellectuals.

The decision provoked mass demonstrations especially in the Muslim world (Pictured: Exterior shot of Tajweed Islamic Institute in Houston)

'I must start by saying to anyone that I have offended or to whom I have caused to be uncomfortable or afraid, that I sincerely apologize without any qualification.'

'I have been in touch with many Islamic scholars and Muslim leaders who have helped me understand how my sermon can be seen as a call for violence against Jews,' Al-Rousan said.

'I must restate that I do not believe in violence, and will not allow any speech in my presence that threatens any group of people, Jews, Christian, or any other group. I also remain hopeful that I will find partners from the Jewish community and the larger faith community so that we can build meaningful relationships,' he added.

The video apology was also accompanied by a written statement which claimed Al-Rousan was 'mortified that an impassioned sermon I gave in light of President Trump's Jerusalem declaration is being seen as a call for the very things I despise.'

Some Jewish community leaders remained skeptical of the imam's statement, however, accusing the cleric of equivocating in his condemnation of violence (Pictured: Al-Rousan delivering a sermon at the Tajweed Institute in Houston)

Some Jewish community leaders remained skeptical of the imam's statement, however, accusing the cleric of equivocating in his condemnation of violence.

Roz Rothstein, CEO and co-founder of the Israel advocacy group StandWithUs, told Fox News the imam's apology is 'still concerning because he frames the problem as one of interpretation, rather than acknowledging that his sermon was fundamentally anti-Semitic and supportive of violence.'

Echoing the sentiment was leader of the Anti-Defamation League Houston branch, Dayan Gross, telling The Algemeiner online publication that Al-Rousan 'doesn't fully understand the ramifications of his sermon.'

'Although he says he opposes anyone who could "commit, call for, or threaten violence against civilians," and that he's "mortified" that his sermon is "being seen as a call for the very things I despise," video of the sermon unmistakably shows him citing an apocalyptic Hadith (a saying attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) which declares "Judgment Day will not come until... The Muslims will kill the Jew,"' Gross posited.

The ADL is a US-based international NGO that combats antisemitism around the world.

Al-Rousan's controversial sermon came two days after Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, changing decades of American foreign policy in a move he claimed would advance regional peace efforts.

Trump also said the United States embassy in Israel would, over time, be moved there from Tel Aviv, provoking mass demonstrations around the world.Passengers hoping to catch a Delta flight from Atlanta to London Tuesday night were left stranded after mysterious loud 'bang' noises forced two different airplanes to turn around.

Delta Flight 284 was scheduled to leave Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport shortly after 7pm, but due to a mid-flight emergency had to turn around and come back to the airport, WSB-TV reports.

The company said the pilots, and some of the passengers, heard a loud noise coming from the plane. Erring on the side of caution, the pilots decided it was best to return to Hartsfield.

Two Delta flights from Atlanta to London were forced to turn around Tuesday night after passengers and the pilots heard mysterious loud bang noises (file picture)

The first Delta flight, which left Atlanta shortly after 7pm, had just made it over North Carolina when the incident occurred

Passenger Alex Brown told ABC that it was a 'complete disaster.'

'Got on the flight this morning coming out here. We were delayed for maybe about an hour. Then we left. The takeoff was fine. About roughly 35 minutes into the flight there was some bangs going on,' he said.

Brown said the co-pilot came on the speaker and told everyone that she was declaring an emergency because of the noise and the plane would head back to Atlanta.

The flight had just made it over North Carolina when it re-routed. It arrived back in Atlanta shortly before 9.30pm, more than two hours after it had left.

Brown, and more than 200 other passengers, waited at the airport for hours as Delta reissued tickets and put them on another flight.

The second plane, which had the same flight number, left for London around midnight.

Brown said 35 minutes into that flight there was a loud bang noise. He described the sound as someone dropping a lead ball on the floor.

'(The pilot) came back on and said we're going to turn around,' Brown told the outlet. 'I understand that things go wrong, but two flights, same things, same timing. Everything was the same. It was surreal and scary.'

The second aircraft made it back to Hartfield around 1.30am. Delta then put passengers into nearby hotels.

A spokesperson for the company told WSB that airplane mechanics were checking on the planes to determine what the noises were, and passengers would be re-booked for a Wednesday evening flight to London.Abattoir processes beef, lamb and has an annual revenue of more than $1 billion

Investigators are trying to establish the cause of a huge fire at South Australia's largest meat processing company.

More than 100 firefighters attended the blaze at Thomas Foods International at Northern Heights east Adelaide, around 7pm on Wednesday.

Police say the fire, which engulfed the facility, caused major damage but no one was injured.

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Investigators are trying to determine cause of fire at Thomas Food International (pictured)

Fire fighters still trying to extinguish the blaze on Thursday (pictured) a day after it started

Plant still smoking on Thursday (pictured) despite fire breaking out around 7pm on Wednesday

More than 100 firefighters attended the blaze which broke out at 7pm Wednesday (pictured)

Residents were told to keep doors and windows closed because of black smoke (pictured)

The plant has a workforce of about 1400 and it's unclear how many were on site at the time, but the company has reported that all workers were evacuated safely.

Metropolitan Fire Services pumped water from a nearby lagoon to try to bring the blaze under control.

Local residents were told to keep doors and windows closed because black smoke was drifting up and across from the fire.

Stuart Dawes of the Metro Fire Service told 9NEWS that the fire was still burning and crews remain on the scene.

"This is one of the largest fires that we would generally go to in a 12 month period.

"The fire is still burning quite intensely as we have structural collapse now and its hard to access the seat of the fire.

Thomas Foods International said that all staff members were evacuated safely on night of fire

The plant (pictured) has a workforce of 1400 and it's unclear how many were on site at the time

Fire crews are still pumping water (pictured) to try to bring the blaze under control

"Were still working quite hard, the fire has been contained to the building of origin, but were going to be here basically all day trying to access the seat of the fire," Mr Dawes said.

The privately-owned abattoir processes beef, lamb, goat and mutton and has an annual revenue of more than $1 billion.

The company said it's made alternative processing arrangements to meet the needs of its customers.

It operates another processing plant at Lobethal, in the Adelaide Hills, and also has operations at Tamworth in NSW and at Wallangarra in Queensland.An Airbnb guest trashed his rented home, and their neighbor's, when he threw a wild New Year's Eve party.

Police were called to the address in Shelley Drive in Seven Hills, Ohio, at 11pm on Saturday night after complaints of loud noise and cars blocking the street.

When they arrived, they found hundreds of revelers, packed tightly into the property. Officers say they saw party goers throwing up where they stood, smashing windows and causing property damage.

An Airbnb guest trashed his rented home, and their neighbor's, after he threw a wild New Year's Eve party (pictured)

A neighbor said her home was also damaged by the 'mob' at the party

Cops also noted the strong smell of marijuana and alcohol in their police report.

The homeowner, named only as Simon, told police that he had rented out a room in their house for $40 a night.

The guest, Isaiah, then advertised the 'New Year's Banger' on Twitter for $5 a person, according to the police report.

At least 250 people responded and turned up to the residential home, forcing the homeowner to lock himself in his bedroom and call the police after five men at the party threatened him.

A neighbor, who says her home was also damaged by the raucous event, described it as a 'mob.'

The homeowner told police that they had rented out a room in their house (pictured) for $40 a night

The guest then advertised the 'New Year's Banger' on Twitter - for $5 a person, according to the police report (the property is pictured)

'I observed several hundred people packed so tightly in each of the rooms and up the stairwell, it did not appear there was space for anyone to extend their arms,' an officer wrote in the police report, adding the crowd were shouting anti-police comments.

It took an hour to clear the house, police said.

Simon, who was cited for a noise disturbance, has since filed a claim with Airbnb and told police his entire home had been trashed by the event.

The Airbnb guest was not arrested but is facing charges of disorderly conduct for unreasonable noise and hindering movement on public streets, furnishing alcohol to minors, alcohol activities without a permit and criminal damaging.

Isaiah also wrote a review of the property after, stating: 'Wrong key, called police on the party.'

Isaiah, the guest, posted this review after renting out the room. He wrote: 'wrong key, called police on the party'

Airbnb has agreed to compensate both the owner and the neighbor and said in a statement provided to DailyMail.com: 'There have been over 260 million guest arrivals in Airbnb listings to date, including nearly 3 million on New Years Eve, and incidents like this are incredibly rare.

'We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior and have permanently banned this individual from our platform and are fully supporting our host under the Airbnb Host Guarantee program.

'Our team is also reaching out to law enforcement to offer them our assistance with their investigation. The safety of our community is the most important thing we work on every day.'Labour's economic strategy amounts to a 'high risk' gamble, a senior ally of Jeremy Corbyn admitted last night.

Angela Rayner acknowledged that Labour's plan to raise taxes and borrow hundreds of billions to fund a massive spending spree amounted to a 's***-or-bust strategy'.

But she said 'great advancements in the past' had only ever come when politicians had the courage to 'take a risk'.

In a frank interview with The Spectator magazine, the shadow education secretary defended Labour's lavish spending and borrowing plans.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner (pictured) has defended Labour's lavish spending and borrowing plans in a frank interview

'We are in different times, radical times where we need to have a real investment in Britain's future. Genuinely. I don't mean that as a slogan, I mean it as an economic strategy,' she said. 'It is a bit of a s***-or-bust strategy, I get that. It's a high-risk strategy. But all of Britain's great advancements in the past have been because we've had the gumption to take a risk.'

In comments likely to raise eyebrows on Labour's Left, she also warned the recent focus on ethnic minorities and women's agendas has had a 'negative impact' for white working-class boys.

Tory MPs last night accused Miss Rayner of letting the cat out of the bag over Labour's economic plans. Jacob Rees-Mogg praised her 'refreshing honesty', but said: 'You can delete the expletive  it is simply a bust strategy. It has been tried and tested all over the world and has failed each time.

'All the great advances overseen by governments have come from carefully thought out strategies  Margaret Thatcher's economic reforms were the result of years of preparation, the welfare state took decades of work by Beveridge and others. Of course some plans turn out to fail. But the idea that great economic advancements are ever made by taking a punt is simply wrong.'

Miss Rayner's comments stand in stark contrast to claims made by Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell (pictured) during last year's election campaign

Miss Rayner's comments stand in stark contrast to claims made by Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell in the run-up to last year's election.

Mr McDonnell has pledged to borrow up to 500billion to fund a massive spending programme, as well as nationalising utilities and raising taxes on the better off.

He said Labour's manifesto, which proposed almost 50billion of higher taxes was fully costed. But the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the tax proposals would 'not raise anything like' the sums claimed, while the Tories warned that Labour's borrowing plans would cost billions in higher debt interest payments.

After the election, Mr McDonnell admitted that Labour was preparing for a potential run on the pound and flight of capital if it ever seized power.

Miss Rayner is seen as one of Labour's brightest stars and tipped as a future leadership contender. In the wide-ranging interview yesterday, Miss Rayner, who left school without qualifications after becoming pregnant at 16, said there was a 'lag' in achievement by white working-class pupils and that more support was needed to help them make a success of their lives.

'They have not been able to adapt,' she said. 'Culturally, we are not telling them that they need to learn and they need to aspire. They are under the impression that they don't need to push themselves, in the way that disadvantaged groups had to before.'

A Labour Party spokeswoman said: 'Angela was saying that we have a once in a generation opportunity, with historically low interest rates, to invest in our infrastructure, new technologies and our people, underpinned by our Fiscal Credibility Rule - and that we must take it.

'She was also making the point that Labour has been more transparent about our economic plans than any opposition in history. We published a fully costed manifesto unlike the Tory manifesto, where the only figures were the page numbers. They have continued this practice since the election, for example their 1 billion bribe to the DUP came with no explanation of how they would fund it.'President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary statement bashing former top advisor Steve Bannon after the president's longtime consigliere was quoted trashing Donald Trump Jr. and claiming his father would have immediately been made aware of an infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russians.

Bannon claimed a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer, supposedly to obtain unflattering information about Hillary Clinton, was 'treasonous' and 'unpatriotic,' prompting an unprecedented brushback of the former White House aide from the president.

'Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency,' Trump said in a statement provided by the White House that torches his former chief strategist. 'When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.'

Trump's press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, then told reporters that the president was 'furious' and 'disgusted' by Bannon's assault on the president's son and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who also attended the Trump Tower meeting.

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Former White House strategist Stephen Bannon has termed a June 2016 meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russians 'treasonous' in a forthcoming book about the Trump White House

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The White House's full-scale attack on Bannon, who was once one of Trump's top advisers, was ripe with personal slights, exposing a dramatic rift between the president and the conservative provocateur who is also the Breitbart News executive chairman.

It followed Bannon's comments undercutting the president's eldest son and a suggestion that Donald Trump was involved in the 2016 meeting with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer that Bannon is now quoted as saying should have been reported to the FBI.

'Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican Party,' Trump said. 'Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look.'

Trump said Bannon 'doesn't represent my base, he's only in it for himself' and 'had very little to do' with his victory, but 'everything to do' with the loss of the Alabama Senate seat.

The cutting statement went on to say, 'Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was.'

Bannon backed losing candidate Roy Moore, who Trump ultimately campaigned for in the special election after claiming the Republican would have a tough time winning the general election and endorsing his primary opponent.

Sanders said Wednesday that the loss contributed to the falling out between the president, who last spoke to Bannon sometime in early December.

Accusing the president's son of treason is also not a way to 'curry favor' with Trump, she stated, calling the allegation 'ridiculous.'

'I think there are a number of factors that played in,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I would certainly think that going after the president's son and an absolutely outrageous and unprecedented way, is probably not the best way to curry favor with anybody.'

Steve Bannon, chairman of Breitbart News Network LLC, speaks during a campaign rally for Roy Moore, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alabama

After the press briefing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, whose wife Callista is U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, walked through a press work space on his way to a Fox News interview.

'Bannon has no contingent,' he told DailyMail.com and another reporter ripping into the former White House aide. 'There's a Trump wing of the Republican Party. There's not a Bannon wing.'

The White House had also rejected the notion that feud would weaken Trump's base.

'The base and the people that supported this president supported the president and supported his agenda, those things haven't changed,' Sanders said at her briefing. 'The president still exactly who he was yesterday as he was two years ago when he started out on the campaign trail.'

Trump's spokeswoman said, 'Look at all he's accomplished, I think they're pretty happy with where he is.'

President Trump had also sought to discredit Bannon, considered to have a played a key role in shaping his own victory.

'Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books,' the president said.

The blast came just hours after Bannon was revealed to have called the infamous June 2016 meeting between top Trump campaign officials and Russians 'treasonous.'

Further, Bannon expressed certainty that then-candidate Donald Trump would have been made aware of the meeting at the time  a claim that, if verified, could play into a collusion narrative being explored by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Trump said Bannon 'spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was'

Bannon, who held a top role in the campaign, shares his disdain in Michael Wolff's forthcoming book, excerpts of which were published Wednesday, that other top officials went into the Trump Tower meeting blind instead of dispatching a legal team to vet information in a hand-off way and failing to alert authorities of a possible crime.

'Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s***, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately,' Bannon mused.

He went after Donald Trump Jr. explicitly for participating, then expressed certainty about what happened next.

'The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these Jumos up to his father's office of the 26th floor is zero,' Bannon said, in an excerpt from 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.'

SEAT OF POWER: 'Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books,' said Trump

'The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers,' Bannon vented in excerpts in the book obtained by the Guardian

The White House issued a separate statement from Sanders before her daily news conference trashing the expose.

'This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House,' Sanders said.

'Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy,' she added.

Stephanie Grisham, communications director for Melania Trump, responded to claims in the book that the first lady cried when Trump the election because she never expected him to win.

'The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section. Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run for President and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did,' Grisham said.

The book also claims the Trump have separate bedrooms in the White House.

NBC News reported Bannon's comment about the chance Donald Trump also met the Russians.

Sanders pointed to Trump's previous denials of collusion when it came up at her news conference.

Trump Jr. told the House Intelligence Committee during testimony that he did not tell his father about the meeting at the time it took place, the Washington Post reported in December.

He told Fox News host Sean Hannity after word of the meeting broke: 'In retrospect, I probably would have done things a little differently.'

He said he did not tell his father about the meeting because nothing came of it.

'It was just a nothing,' the president's son said. 'There was nothing to tell.'

Attending the meeting were Donald Trump Jr., Trump son in law and Bannon's White House rival Jared Kushner, and former campaign chair Paul Manafort, who has since been indicted on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

They met with Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya after an offer of potential dirt on Hillary Clinton got dangled to Trump Jr. via an email approach.

'They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV,' Bannon, a former Naval officer and Goldman Sachs employee who runs Breitbart News, said of the president's eldest son.

They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV

He laid out how the campaign should have handled such an approach. If any meeting happened, it should have been done 'in a Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, with your lawyers who meet with these people'. That would allow information to get 'dump[ed]  down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication,' he said, referencing the Breitbart News site he runs.

'They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV,' Bannon said of the president's eldest son, who attended the Trump Tower meeting

A picture taken on November 8, 2016 shows Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya speaking during an interview in Moscow

Bannon took new shots at his rival Trump son in law Jared Kushner. He predicts special counsel Mueller will go after top officials on money laundering to get to President Trump

White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon (R) listens to U.S. President Donald Trump at the beginning of a meeting with government cyber security experts in the Roosevelt Room at the White House January 31, 2017 in Washington

Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon speaks during the Asahi Shimbun interview on November 16, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan

'You never see it, you never know it, because you don't need to  But that's the brain trust that they had,' he said dismissively.

Trump named Bannon as chief executive of his campaign in August 2016, two months after the Trump Tower meeting with Russians occurred.

Bannon, who says he continues to advise President Trump, also issued predictions about the Mueller probe.

'You realize where this is going,' he said. 'This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Wessman first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to f***ing Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner  It's as plain as a hair on your face,' he said.

[item name=undefined id=2478858 style=2 /]

According to the Guardian, Bannon insisted that he doesn't know Russians, won't be a witness in the related probes, won't hire a lawyer and won't end up on TV answering questions.

Trump Jr. has denied doing anything improper and says he got nothing of value out of the meeting. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges. Kushner's lawyers say he is cooperating with investigators.

The book also quotes a friend of President Trump confidant Tom Barrack as having told a friend: ''He's not only crazy, he's stupid.'Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The Energy Department on Wednesday reminded the oil industry and the public that higher fuel taxes should only take effect after January 15.

Energy Assistant Secretary Bodie Pulido said they expect stable fuel prices in the next 15 days.

"One, we have an Executive Order 134 that requires a minimum inventory for liquid petroleum products for 15 days. Two, based on the data in the possession of the Department of Energy and based on the projections we made on the data made available to us we believe that the existing old stocks would take at least 15 days before it is exhausted," Pulido said.

After 15 days, new stocks will be sold at the pump where gasoline prices will be higher by 2.97 per liter. This means from the current average price of 47.15 per liter, the price will be 50.12 per liter.

Diesel will cost 2.80 more, so the average price of 37.39 per liter will be 40.19.

Kerosene will cost 3.36 more, raising the average price of 42.50 to 45.86.

The excise tax plus 12 percent VAT of 12.32 per 11-kilogram tank of LPG or cooking gas should take effect after at least seven days from January 1st.

The current average price of 550 for an LPG tank will be adjusted to 562.32.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said fuel prices should not be affected by the tax reform law just yet as existing inventories were not slapped new taxes.

"As repeatedly mentioned by the Department of Finance and the Department of Trade and Industry, the imposition of excise taxes should not affect current prices now," he said in a separate media briefing.

Energy officials also warned oil companies they are strictly monitoring and doing random checks on all oil prices in the market to pinpoint those taking advantage of the new law. They could be charged with unreasonable pricing and estafa.

"As directed by President Duterte, the government taxes should not profit the companies, because these are all intended for the services of the government to the public and the public alone," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Authorities are requiring retailers to submit inventories and documents for close monitoring of fuel stocks.

The tax adjustments will only be the first tranche as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) or the new tax reform law recently signed by President Rodrigo Duterte will have two more tranches. In other words, more increases will happen in 2019 and 2020.

While energy officials say oil industry players agree on the effectivity of the excise tax at the pump, pump prices will also be influenced by world market prices that move on a weekly basis.

The price adjustment on January 1 was due to changes in the world market.

"Every Tuesday ang price movement. 'Yun ay due to factors of supply and demand," said Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella.

CNN Philippines' Correspondent Cecille Lardizabal contributed to this report.The DNA of a six-week-old Native American infant who died 11,500 years ago has rewritten the history of the Americas.

The young girl's genes reveal the first humans arrived on the continent 25,000 years ago - much earlier than some studies claim - before splitting into three Native American groups.

This is the first time that direct genetic traces of the earliest Native Americans have been identified.

The girl belonged to a previously unknown population of ancient people in North America known as the 'Ancient Beringians.'

This small Native American group resided in Alaska and died out around 6,000 years ago, researchers claim.

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Ancient DNA (six) reveals that humans arrived on the North American continent 25,000 years ago (two) before splitting into three Native American groups (three and four). The girl belonged to a previously unknown group called the 'Ancient Beringians' (five)

ANCIENT BERINGIANS According to the researchers' timeline, a single, ancestral Native American population first emerged as a separate group around 36,000 years ago in northeast Asia. Constant contact with Asian populations continued until around 25,000 years ago, when the gene flow between the two groups ceased. This cessation was probably caused by brutal changes in the climate, which isolated the Native American ancestors. At this point the group likely began crossing to Alaska via an ancient land bridge spanning the Bering Strait which was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age. Then, about 20,000 years ago, that group split into two lineages: The Ancient Beringians and the ancestors of all other Native Americans. The newly discovered group continued to breed with their Native American cousins at least until the Upward Sun River girl was born in Alaska around 8,500 years later. Advertisement

It is widely accepted that the earliest settlers crossed from what is now Russia into Alaska via an ancient land bridge spanning the Bering Strait which was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age.

Issues such as whether there was one founding group or several, when they arrived, and what happened next have been the subject of extensive debate.

Some scientists previously hypothesised about multiple migratory waves over the land bridge as recent as 14,000 years ago.

But the new study shows that this migration occurred in one wave, with sub-divisions of Native American groups forming later on.

It also shows that a previously undiscovered group named the 'Ancient Beringians' formed as part of this split, taking the known number of ancestral Native American groups from two to three.

'We didn't know this population existed,' said study coauthor Professor Ben Potter, an anthropologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

'These data also provide the first direct evidence of the initial founding Native American population, which sheds new light on how these early populations were migrating and settling throughout North America.'

The international team of researchers, led by scientists from the Universities of Cambridge and Copenhagen, studied the full genome of an ancient Native American infant.

Named Xach'itee'aanenh t'eede gay, or Sunrise Child-girl, by the local Native community, the young girl's remains were found at the Upward Sun River archaeological site in Alaska in 2013.

Although the child had lived around 11,500 years ago, long after people first arrived in the region, her genetic information did not match either of the two recognised branches of early Native Americans.

These are referred to as Northern, residing mostly in what is now Alaska and Canada, and Southern, residing mostly in what is now the United States.

The girl appeared to have belonged to an entirely distinct Native American population, which they called Ancient Beringians.

Named Xach'itee'aanenh t'eede gay, or Sunrise Child-girl, by the local Native community, the young girl's remains were found at the Upward Sun River archaeological site in Alaska in 2013 (excavations pictured)

WHEN DID HUMANS ARRIVE IN NORTH AMERICA? It is widely accepted that the earliest settlers crossed from what is now Russia into Alaska via an ancient land bridge spanning the Bering Strait which was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age. Issues such as whether there was one founding group or several, when they arrived, and what happened next have been the subject of extensive debate. The earliest evidence of human settlers on the continent dates to around 14,000 years ago, with the remains of an ancient village found 'older than Egyptian pyramids' found in April 2017. Artefacts uncovered at the settlement, found on Triquet Island 310 miles (500km) northwest of Victoria, Canada, include tools for creating fires and fishing hooks and spears dating from the Ice Age. Other research has suggested that humans reached North America between 24,000 and 40,000 years ago. A 24,000-year-old horse jaw bone found in January 2017 in a cave in Alaska had the marks of stone tools, suggesting it was hunted by humans. Advertisement

Further analyses showed the group were separated from the same founding population as the Northern and Southern Native American groups, but that they separated from that population earlier in its history.

'The Ancient Beringians diversified from other Native Americans before any ancient or living Native American population sequenced to date,' said study lead author Professor Eske Willerslev, from the University of Cambridge.

'It's basically a relict population of an ancestral group which was common to all Native Americans, so the sequenced genetic data gave us enormous potential in terms of answering questions relating to the early peopling of the Americas.

The DNA of a six-week-old Native American infant who died 11,500 years ago has rewritten North American history. The young girl lived at the Upward Sun River camp (artist's impression) in what is now Alaska

WHEN DID NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NATIVES SPLIT? While the Ancient Beringians split from all other Native Americans around 20,000 years ago, the Northern and Southern groups diverged later on. Based on previous research, this suggests they must have already been on the American continent south of the glacial ice when they diverged. The divide probably occurred after their ancestors had passed through the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets. These are two vast glaciers that covered what is now Canada and parts of the northern United States, but began to thaw around this time. The ice sheet isolated southbound travellers from the Ancient Beringians in Alaska, who were eventually replaced or absorbed by other Native American populations. Although modern populations in Alaska and northern Canada belong to the Northern Native American branch, the new analysis shows that these derive from a later 'back' migration north, long after the initial migration events. Advertisement

'We were able to show that people probably entered Alaska before 20,000 years ago.

'It's the first time that we have had direct genomic evidence that all Native Americans can be traced back to one source population, via a single, founding migration event.'

The study compared data from the Upward Sun River remains with both ancient genomes, and those of numerous present-day populations.

According to the researchers' timeline, the ancestral Native American population first emerged as a separate group around 36,000 years ago in northeast Asia.

The findings represent a major shift in scientists' theories about how humans populated North America. Pictured are Alaskan Natives filmed as part of the 1949 documentary Eskimo Hunters in Alaska - The Traditional Inuit Way of Life

NEW NORTH AMERICAN TIMELINE 35,000 years ago: Single founding ancestral Native American group split from East Asians 25,000 years ago: This group began crossing to North America in a single wave via an ancient land bridge between eastern Russia and Alaska 20,000 years ago: Founding population split into two groups: The Ancient Beringians and the ancestors of all other Native Americans 17,000-14,000 years ago: Native Americans then split into Northern (aka Canada and Alaska) and Southern (aka USA) branches 6,000 years ago: The Ancient Beringians were eventually absorbed into or replaced by Northern Native American populations Advertisement

Constant contact with Asian populations continued until around 25,000 years ago, when the gene flow between the two groups ceased.

This cessation was probably caused by brutal changes in the climate, which isolated the Native American ancestors.

At this point the group likely began crossing to Alaska via an ancient land bridge spanning the Bering Strait which was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age.

Then, about 20,000 years ago, that group split into two lineages: The Ancient Beringians and the ancestors of all other Native Americans.

The newly discovered group continued to breed with their Native American cousins at least until the Upward Sun River girl was born in Alaska around 8,500 years later.

Dr Jos Vctor Moreno-Mayar, from the University of Copenhagen, said: 'It looks as though this Ancient Beringian population was up there, in Alaska, from 20,000 years ago until 11,500 years ago, but they were already distinct from the wider Native American group.'

The researchers also showed that the Northern and Southern Native American branches only split between 17,000 and 14,000 years ago.

The study showed that the Northern and Southern Native American branches only split between 17,000 and 14,000 years ago. While the Northern group stayed mostly in Canada, the Southern group migrated to what is now the USA. Pictured are Native Americans in the US

Based on previous research, this suggests they must have already been on the American continent south of the glacial ice when they diverged.

The divide probably occurred after their ancestors had passed through the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets.

These are two vast glaciers that covered what is now Canada and parts of the northern United States, but began to thaw around this time.

The ice sheet isolated southbound travellers from the Ancient Beringians in Alaska, who were eventually replaced or absorbed by other Native American populations.

Named Xach'itee'aanenh t'eede gay, or Sunrise Child-girl, by the local Native community, the young girl's remains were found at the Upward Sun River archaeological site in Alaska in 2013

Although modern populations in Alaska and northern Canada belong to the Northern Native American branch, the new analysis shows that these derive from a later 'back' migration north, long after the initial migration events.

'One significant aspect of this research is that some people have claimed the presence of humans in the Americas dates back earlier - to 30,000 years, 40,000 years, or even more,' Professor Willerslev added.

'We cannot prove that those claims are not true, but what we are saying, is that if they are correct, they could not possibly have been the direct ancestors to contemporary Native Americans.'Japanese scientists have create a creepy machine that can peer into your mind's eye with incredible accuracy.

The AI studies electrical signals in the brain to work out exactly what images someone is looking at, and even thinking about.

The technology opens the door to strange future scenarios, such as those portrayed in the series 'Black Mirror', where anyone can record and playback their memories.

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Scientists in Japan have developed an AI that can decode patterns in the brain to recreate what a person is seeing or imagining. This let them build up pictures of everything from simple shapes and letters to ducks and postboxes, seen or imagined by volunteers

HOW IT WORKS The breakthrough relies on neural networks, which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn. These networks can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images - and are the basis for a large number of the developments in AI over recent years. They use input from the digital world to learn, with practical applications like Google's language translation services, Facebook's facial recognition software and Snapchat's image altering live filters. The Kyoto team's deep neural network was trained using 50 natural images and the corresponding fMRI results from volunteers who were looking at them. This recreated the images viewed by the volunteers. They then used a second type of AI called a deep generative network to check that they looked like real images, refining them to make them more recognisable. Advertisement

The findings were made by researchers from the Kamitani Lab at Kyoto University, led by Professor Yukiyasu Kamitani.

Experts used a neural network to create images based on information taken from fMRI scans, which detect changes in blood flow to analyse electrical activity.

Using this data, the machine was able to reconstruct owls, aircraft, stained-glass windows and red postboxes after three volunteers stared at the pictures.

It also produced pictures of objects including squares, crosses, goldfish, swans, leopards and bowling balls that the participants imagined.

Although the accuracy varied from person to person, the breakthrough opens a 'unique window into our internal world', according to the Kyoto team.

The technique could theoretically be used to create footage of daydreams, memories and other mental images.

It could also help patients in permanent vegetative states to communicate with their loved ones.

Writing in a paper published in the online print repository BioRxiv, its authors said: 'Here, we present a novel image reconstruction method, in which the pixel values of an image are optimized to make its Deep Neural Network features similar to those decoded from human brain activity at multiple layers.

'We found that the generated images resembled the stimulus images (both natural images and artificial shapes) and the subjective visual content during imagery.

'While our model was solely trained with natural images, our method successfully generalized the reconstruction to artificial shapes, indicating that our model indeed 'reconstructs' or 'generates' images from brain activity, not simply matches to exemplars.'

The breakthrough relies on neural networks, which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn.

Experts used a neural network to predict visual features based on information taken from fMRI scans, which detect changes in blood flow to analyse electrical activity. This let them build up pictures seen by or imagined by volunteers, like this iguana

The technique opens the door to a scenario portrayed in the Crocodile episode of the latest series of Black Mirror, which features a device that can access and replay any memory

These networks can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images - and are the basis for a large number of the developments in AI over recent years.

They use input from the digital world to learn, with practical applications like Google's language translation services, Facebook's facial recognition software and Snapchat's image altering live filters.

The Kyoto team's deep neural network was trained using 50 natural images and the corresponding fMRI results from volunteers who were looking at them.

This recreated the images viewed by the volunteers.

Three volunteers were asked to stare at a range of images, including animals - like this owl - as well as aircraft and stained glass windows, while their brain activity was monitored

The Kyoto team's neural network was trained using 50 natural images, like this swan, and the corresponding fMRI results from volunteers who were looking at them. This recreated the images viewed or imagined by the volunteers

They then used a second type of AI called a deep generative network to check that they looked like real images, refining them to make them more recognisable.

Professor Kamitani previously hit the headlines after his fMRI 'decoder' was able to identify objects seen or imagined by volunteers with a high degree of accuracy.

The researchers built on the idea that a set of hierarchically-processed features can be used to determine an object category, such as 'turtle' or 'leopard.'

Such category names allow computers to recognise the objects in an image, the researchers explained in a paper published by Nature Communications.

Subjects were shown natural images from the online image database ImageNet, spanning 150 categories.

They then used a second type of AI called a deep generative network to check that they looked like real images, refining them to make them more recognisable

Although the accuracy varied from person to person, the breakthrough opens a 'unique window into our internal world', according to the Kyoto team. This image shows a selection of the objects recreated

Volunteers were also asked to imagine shapes likes squares, crosses, as well as everyday objects from goldfish and swans to bowling balls

They were also asked to picture letters of the alphabet with their mind's eye, which the system had less difficulty recreating

Then, the trained decoders were used to predict the visual features of objects  even for objects that were not used in the training from the brain scans.

When shown the same image, the researchers found that the brain activity patterns from the human subject could be translated into patterns of simulated neurons in the neural network.

Geraint Rees, an expert on neuroimaging at University College London, told the Times that the latest study marked a big advance in the technology.

He was impressed by the way the AI had learnt to read letters of the alphabet that it had never encoutered before.

'This is a significant improvement on their earlier work,' Professor Rees said.

This could then be used to predict the objects.Last week Apple issued an unprecedented apology following its admission that it slows down older iPhones to save battery life.

Now, it appears the Cupertino-based firm will replace all batteries in the iPhone 6 or later - even if it passes their Genius Bar diagnostic test.

An internal memo states customers should receive a battery for $29 (25) - even if a diagnostics tests proves it can retain more than 80 per cent of its original capacity.

It comes as the firm faces several lawsuits from customers in states including California, New York and Illinois, as well as customers in Israel and France.

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Last week Apple issued an unprecedented apology over its handling of the admission it slows down older iPhones. Now, it appears the Cupertino-based firm will replace all batteries in the iPhone 6 or later - even if it passes their Genius Bar diagnostic test. This image shows CEO Tim Cook at the launch of the iPhone 6 on September 9, 2015

HOW TO TEST YOUR BATTERY Apple users can run a diagnostics test remotely. To initiate this contact the firm or schedule an appointment using the Apple Support App. Reports suggest customers who paid to have their batteries replaced before the announcement are eligible for a refund on request. Initially the company said the price would be effective from the end of January but has since said it applies immediately. Earlier models such as 5, 5S and 5C are not covered. Reports suggest customers who paid to have their batteries replaced before the announcement are eligible for a refund on request. Advertisement

The concession was made two weeks after the firm admitted it 'throttles' phones to extend their life and stop them from shutting down as batteries age and become less effective, triggering lawsuits across the world.

Last week the company published a letter saying 'We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down', and revealed it is planning to show users exactly how much their battery has degraded.

To appease angry customers, Apple said it is reducing the price of an out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacement by $50  from $79 (79) to $29 (25)  for anyone with an iPhone 6 or later whose battery needs to be replaced.

However, a new report by French website iGeneration suggests that as of yesterday Apple will replace batteries even if they pass their diagnostics test.

Apple users can run a diagnostics test remotely so you don't need to visit an Apple store. To initiate this, contact the firm or schedule an appointment using the Apple Support App.

Reports suggest customers who paid to have their batteries replaced before the announcement are eligible for a refund on request.

Earlier models such as 5, 5S and 5C are not covered.

'We apologize. Theres been a lot of misunderstanding about this issue, so we would like to clarify and let you know about some changes were making', the company said.

Last week the company published a letter saying 'We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down', and revealed it is planning to show users exactly how much their battery has degraded. Pictured is the iPhone 7

'First and foremost, we have never  and would never  do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades,' Apple said.

'Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.'

Early in 2018, it will issue an iOS software update with a new features that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhones battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance.

The firm said two weeks ago that it slows down phones to extend their life and stop them from shutting down as batteries age and become less effective, triggering lawsuits across the world.

In addition a South Korea's Communications Commission has reportedly asked for an explanation of the issue from Apple, while in France a consumer group has filed filed preliminary, legal complaints in court.

'We are hoping to get some answers on whether Apple intentionally restricted the performance of old iPhones and tried to hide this from customers,' the Korean Commission said.

French consumer association called 'HOP', standing for 'Stop Planned Obsolescence', has filed preliminary, legal complaints in court against Apple and Epson.

APPLE'S BATTERY LETTER IN FULL 'Weve been hearing feedback from our customers about the way we handle performance for iPhones with older batteries and how we have communicated that process. We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down. We apologize. Theres been a lot of misunderstanding about this issue, so we would like to clarify and let you know about some changes were making. First and foremost, we have never  and would never  do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades. Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that. How batteries age All rechargeable batteries are consumable components that become less effective as they chemically age and their ability to hold a charge diminishes. Time and the number of times a battery has been charged are not the only factors in this chemical aging process. Device use also affects the performance of a battery over its lifespan. For example, leaving or charging a battery in a hot environment can cause a battery to age faster. These are characteristics of battery chemistry, common to lithium-ion batteries across the industry. A chemically aged battery also becomes less capable of delivering peak energy loads, especially in a low state of charge, which may result in a device unexpectedly shutting itself down in some situations. To help customers learn more about iPhones rechargeable battery and the factors affecting its performance, weve posted a new support article, iPhone Battery and Performance. It should go without saying that we think sudden, unexpected shutdowns are unacceptable. We dont want any of our users to lose a call, miss taking a picture or have any other part of their iPhone experience interrupted if we can avoid it. Preventing unexpected shutdowns About a year ago in iOS 10.2.1, we delivered a software update that improves power management during peak workloads to avoid unexpected shutdowns on iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE. With the update, iOS dynamically manages the maximum performance of some system components when needed to prevent a shutdown. While these changes may go unnoticed, in some cases users may experience longer launch times for apps and other reductions in performance. Customer response to iOS 10.2.1 was positive, as it successfully reduced the occurrence of unexpected shutdowns. We recently extended the same support for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in iOS 11.2. Of course, when a chemically aged battery is replaced with a new one, iPhone performance returns to normal when operated in standard conditions. Recent user feedback Over the course of this fall, we began to receive feedback from some users who were seeing slower performance in certain situations. Based on our experience, we initially thought this was due to a combination of two factors: a normal, temporary performance impact when upgrading the operating system as iPhone installs new software and updates apps, and minor bugs in the initial release which have since been fixed. We now believe that another contributor to these user experiences is the continued chemical aging of the batteries in older iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s devices, many of which are still running on their original batteries. Addressing customer concerns Weve always wanted our customers to be able to use their iPhones as long as possible. Were proud that Apple products are known for their durability, and for holding their value longer than our competitors devices. To address our customers concerns, to recognize their loyalty and to regain the trust of anyone who may have doubted Apples intentions, weve decided to take the following steps: Apple is reducing the price of an out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacement by $50  from $79 to $29  for anyone with an iPhone 6 or later whose battery needs to be replaced, starting in late January and available worldwide through December 2018. Details will be provided soon on apple.com.

Early in 2018, we will issue an iOS software update with new features that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhones battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance.

As always, our team is working on ways to make the user experience even better, including improving how we manage performance and avoid unexpected shutdowns as batteries age. At Apple, our customers trust means everything to us. We will never stop working to earn and maintain it. We are able to do the work we love only because of your faith and support  and we will never forget that or take it for granted. Advertisement

HOP said it filed its complaint against Apple in Paris last week.

A prosecutor opened an investigation into Epson in November, a judicial source said on Thursday, following a complaint filed in September by HOP in a court in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

Laetitia Vasseur, co-founder of HOP, told Reuters the aim of both complaints was to apply the French consumer law, which was modified in 2015 to include the notion of planned obsolescence.

Apple is already facing lawsuits in the United States over accusations of having defrauded iPhone users by slowing down devices without warning to compensate for poor battery performance.

Under French law, companies risk fines of up to 5 per cent of their annual sales for deliberately shortening the life of their products to spur demand to replace them.

All the US lawsuits - filed in U.S. District Courts in California, New York and Illinois - seek class-action to represent potentially millions of iPhone owners nationwide.

A similar case was lodged in an Israeli court last month, the newspaper Haaretz reported.

One of the lawsuits, filed in San Francisco, said that 'the batteries' inability to handle the demand created by processor speeds' without the software patch was a defect.

'Rather than curing the battery defect by providing a free battery replacement for all affected iPhones, Apple sought to mask the battery defect,' according to the complaint.

The problem now seen is that users over the last year could have blamed an aging computer processor for app crashes and sluggish performance - and chose to buy a new phone - when the true cause may have been a weak battery that could have been replaced for a fraction of the cost, some of the lawsuits state.

'If it turns out that consumers would have replaced their battery instead of buying new iPhones had they known the true nature of Apple's upgrades, you might start to have a better case for some sort of misrepresentation or fraud,' said Rory Van Loo, a Boston University professor specializing in consumer technology law.

But Chris Hoofnagle, faculty director for the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, said in an email that Apple may not have done wrong.

'We still haven't come to consumer protection norms' around aging products, Hoofnagle said.

Pointing to a device with a security flaw as an example, he said, 'the ethical approach could include degrading or even disabling functionality.'

The lawsuits seek unspecified damages in addition to, in some cases, reimbursement.

A couple of the complaints seek court orders barring Apple from throttling iPhone computer speeds or requiring notification in future instances.

Stefan Bogdanovich and Dakota Speas from Los Angeles have filed a lawsuit with the US District Court for the Central District of California.

They are accusing Apple of interfering with their devices without consent.

The pair are trying to get the case certified to cover all people in the United States who owned an Apple phone older than the iPhone 8.

Their application for the lawsuit states: 'Plaintiffs and Class Members never consented to allow Defendants to slow their iPhones.

HOW APPLE'S THROTTLING WORKS Apple says with a low battery state of charge, a higher chemical age, or colder temperatures, users are more likely to experience unexpected shutdowns. To get around this, it introduces software in iOS to manage the issue. 'This power management works by looking at a combination of the device temperature, battery state of charge, and the batterys impedancem' Apple says. 'Only if these variables require it, iOS will dynamically manage the maximum performance of some system components, such as the CPU and GPU in order to prevent unexpected shutdowns. 'As a result, the device workloads will self-balance, allowing a smoother distribution of system tasks, rather than larger, quick spikes of performance all at once. In some cases, a user may not notice any differences in daily device performance. The level of perceived change depends on how much power management is required for a particular device. In cases that require more extreme forms of this power management, Apple says users may notice effects such as: Longer app launch times

Lower frame rates while scrolling

Backlight dimming (which can be overridden in Control Center)

Lower speaker volume by up to -3dB

Gradual frame rate reductions in some apps

During the most extreme cases, the camera flash will be disabled as visible in the camera UI

Apps refreshing in background may require reloading upon launch However, it says the following areas are not affected: Cellular call quality and networking throughput performance

Captured photo and video quality

GPS performance

Location accuracy

Sensors like gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer

Apple Pay Advertisement

'As a result of Defendant's wrongful actions, Plaintiffs and Class Members had their phone slowed down, and thereby it interfered with Plaintiffs' and Class Members' use or possession of their iPhones.'

A second lawsuit, filed by five plaintiffs in the Northern District of the State of Illinois, accuses Apple of deliberately keeping its power management features under wraps to persuade people to upgrade to newer devices.

'Apple's iOS updates purposefully neglected to explain that its purposeful throttling down of older model devices and resulting lost or diminished operating performance could be remedied by replacing the batteries of these devices,' the lawsuit states.

'Instead, Apple's decision to purposefully slowdown or throttle down these devices was undertaken to fraudulently induce consumers to purchase the latest iPhone versions of the iPhone 7, as well as new phones such as the iPhone 8 and iPhone X .'

In a statement sent to MailOnline last week, a spokesman for Apple said: 'Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices.

'Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components.

'Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions.

'We've now extended that feature to iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, and plan to add support for other products in the future.'Hundreds of Android apps covertly use your phone's microphone to listen in on your TV habits, a new report has found.

More than 250 games on the Google Play Store, some of which are for children, were found to use software that documents the TV adverts and shows you watch.

The information is collected even when the apps are not running and is sold on to advertisers for ad targeting and analysis.

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Hundreds of Android apps covertly use your phone's microphone to listen in on your TV habits (left), a new report has found. More than 250 games on the Google Play Store were found to record TV habits, some of which are for children, including 'Honey Quest' (right)

HOW IT WORKS Created by a company called Alphonso, the programme listens for audio signals in TV adverts and shows through the smartphone's microphone. The software, developed by San Francisco company Alphonso, even detects sounds while stored in a pocket if the apps are running in the background. The firm's chief executive Ashish Chordia said Alphonso has even partnered with film studios to spy on people's viewing habits in theatres. 'A lot of the folks will go and turn off their phone, but a small portion of people don't and put it in their pocket,' Mr Chordia told the New York Times. 'In those cases, we are able to pick up in a small sample who is watching the show or the movie.' Advertisement

According to a new New York Times report, more than 250 games on the Google Play Store use the software.

Created by San Francisco firm Alphonso, the programme listens for audio signals in TV adverts and shows through the smartphone's microphone.

The software even detects sounds while stored in a pocket if the apps are running in the background.

According to Alphonso, its software does not record human conversation, and people are free to opt out of its tracking service at any time.

The firm's chief executive Ashish Chordia said Alphonso has even partnered with film studios to spy on people's viewing habits in theatres.

'A lot of the folks will go and turn off their phone, but a small portion of people don't and put it in their pocket,' Mr Chordia told the New York Times.

'In those cases, we are able to pick up in a small sample who is watching the show or the movie.'

Most of the apps found using the software are available in the Google Play Store, while a smaller number can also be downloaded from Apple's App Store.

Some of the apps disclose the software's 'TV viewership detail' tracking under the 'read more' button in their descriptions, as well as their software use policies.

Both Google and Apple require apps to ask specific permission from users to access a device's microphone, but many users don't read these disclosures.

Some of the apps disclose their TV tracking under the 'read more' button in their descriptions (left). 'Teeth Fixed' (right) tracks viewing habits, and was developed by KLAP Edutainment, which describes itself as 'focusing on offering educational games for kids and students'

'The consumer is opting in knowingly and can opt out any time,' Mr Chordia said.

He added that the firm provides instructions on its website on how to opt out of the software and that its disclosures comply with Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

While Mr Chordia claimed Alphonso does not approve of its software being used in apps targeted at children, it has been found integrated into a number of games such as 'Zap Balloons' and 'Teeth Fixed' by India-based KLAP Edutainment.

The software, developed by a company called Alphonso, even detects sounds from TV adverts and shows while stored in a pocket if the apps are running in the background (stock image)

The developer describes itself as 'primarily focusing on offering educational games for kids and students.'

Dave Morgan, founder and CEO of Simulmedia, which works with marketers on targeted ads, told NYT: 'We have to be really careful as we have more devices capturing more information in living rooms and bedrooms and on the street and in other people's homes that the public is not blindsided and surprised by things.

'It's not what's legal. It is what's not creepy.'In nearly a year since he took office, President Donald Trump has had countless meetings with leaders all around the world  and, with that, countless awkward handshakes.

But, with a little training, one robot-maker says the notorious grip can be defeated.

A hilarious video has demonstrated the Donald Trump Handshake Robot, which aims to mimic the unpredictable nature of the presidents handshake to reveal the best option for reciprocating.

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The robot itself is essentially just a robotic arm, decorated in a large suit and topped off with a cut-out of the presidents face. There are several different types of handshakes it can do, from regular and hand on shoulder, to locking fingers

MILLENNIALS HAVE A WEAKER HANDSHAKE Recent research from the Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina found men and women under 30 have a weaker grip strength than they did in 1985. The researchers asked 237 participants aged under 30 to exert as much force as they could on a hand dynamometer, which measures grip force in pounds. The results showed that strength scores were lower for both men and women than they were in 1985. Specifically, men's hand strength decreased by 20 pounds and women's hand strength decreased by about 10 pounds. The only group where this was not the case and hand strength did not show significant changes were women aged 30-34. Advertisement

The video created by YouTuber Useless Duck Company resurfaced this week after its initial popularity last year.

Useless Duck Company CEO, introduced simply as Mike, explains that the robot was made to simulate the exact handshake that Donald Trump does.

The robot itself is essentially just a robotic arm, decorated in a large suit and topped off with a cut-out of the presidents face.

There are several different types of handshakes it can do, from regular and hand on shoulder, to locking fingers.

President Donald Trump has become known for his awkward handshake encounters, with grips that last too long, and a forceful pull that draws the other person in close.

And, the robotic arm in the video does the same, even varying its timing to mimic the real life unpredictability.

You just press this button and then the Arduino will pick a random time between 1 and 5 seconds, Mike explains in the video.

This is important, as with Trump you never know when hes going to actually pull your arm.

'Once the time is reached the solenoid will charge an air piston which will retract the arm.

The video shows how the robot bests its creator nearly every time.

Except, that is, when the mode of greeting is changed.

As Mike hilariously reveals, the most effective option appears to be a fist bump.

President Donald Trump has, in real life, had several awkward handshakes over the last year  most notably including a white-knuckle exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and a face-off with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left)

President Donald Trump has become known for his awkward handshake encounters, with grips that last too long, and a forceful pull that draws the other person in close. And, the robotic arm in the video does the same, even varying its timing to mimic the real life unpredictability

In the video, the robot-maker replaces the hand with a tiny fist, which cannot clasp or pull.

President Donald Trump has, in real life, had several awkward handshakes over the last year  most notably including a white-knuckle exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron and a face-off with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who held onto the President to circumvent his pull.

In November, he was baffled by a group handshake in the Philippines.

And, in September, Trump even shared an awkward handshake with his own wife, as First Lady Melania introduced her husband at a US Air Force event.Celebrity Big Brother fans have mocked Malika Haqq for lamenting her broken nail during the DIY-themed first task on launch night.

Khloe Kardashian's 'professional best friend' moaned over her ruined manicure while trying to construct a fuse box during the immunity challenge on Tuesday.

But frustrated viewers slammed Malika, 34, for stressing over something so 'petty' and highlighted the 'irony' of her reaction - especially in the context of a series designed to bring together 'strong and independent women'.

Not impressed: Celebrity Big Brother fans have mocked Malika Haqq for lamenting her broken nail during the DIY-themed first task on launch night

Malika was paired with Boris Johnson's sister Rachel in the challenge, battling it out with the other pairs for immunity from Friday's first public vote.

The housemates had to race against each other to fix the circuit board, with the first pair to do so pulling a lever to signify their immunity.

Emma watched on as they all got stuck in, with Amanda Barrie and Jess Impiazzi championing over their fellow housemates to win immunity.

As Amanda applauded Jess for taking charge on the task, a disappointed Malika revealed she had 'broke a nail' in the process.

Oh dear: Khloe Kardashian's 'professional best friend' moaned over her ruined manicure while trying to construct a fuse box during the immunity challenge on Tuesday

Backlash: But frustrated viewers slammed Malika, 34, for stressing over something so 'petty' and highlighted the 'irony' of her reaction - especially in the context of a series designed to bring together 'strong and independent women'

Fans were unimpressed with the scene, with one deadpanning on Twitter: 'Yip. Feminism at its finest right there.... Malika broke a nail..... f**ks sake......'

Another added: 'Well done CBB Year of the woman, look at us all bring strong independent wome.....oh my gaaaawd Ive broken a nail, has anyone got a nail file, could we get a nail technician in here do you think?

A third penned sarcastically: 'Omg malika is fuming about her nail i honestly would have a panic attack about it and quit or ask for delayed entry for medical reasons (sic).'

'Women rule the world.... 0.54 seconds into a task there's a complaint of a broken nail,' a fourth viewer wrote.

Double time: Malika was paired with Boris Johnson's sister Rachel in the challenge, battling it out with the other pairs for immunity from Friday's first public vote

Oh dear: As Amanda Barrie and Jess Impiazzi won the task, a disappointed Malika revealed she had 'broken a nail' in the process

Not happy: Fans were unimpressed with the scene, with one deadpanning on Twitter: 'Yip. Feminism at its finest right there.... Malika broke a nail..... f**ks sake...'

Connect four: The ladies were tasked with fixing a faux circuit breaker

The latest series has an all-female cast of celebrity housemates in a salute to a centenary of womens suffrage and will initially explore how the women interact, from politicians to performing artists, as they enter the house first, ahead of this year's male housemates.

Commenting on this year's theme, Malika said: 'This year's theme is actually really special, its women's turn to be celebrated but I think the year of the woman is every year.

'Being a role model is a responsibility that I'm proud of, I'm young successful and you have to be mindful that you're sharing a message to other young women.'

She proved emotions were running high on the night as she burst into tears while talking about her God-sisters.

Up against it: The prize was immunity from the first eviction

Winners: Jess and Amanda stormed the task

Unlucky: Less successful were Ashley and Ann

Contemptuous: Some viewers were scathing about the reality star's mishap, accusing her of 'whinging' about her nail

Supportive: However, other fans rallied around Malika, declaring that women are 'absolutely boss', while another insisted she 'didn't cry' about the broken nail, she simply carried on

Malika had been joined by her God-sisters, who had flown into the UK to support her as she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, and bidding them goodbye left the star fighting back tears.

Forced to explain to a baffled Emma what God-sisters are, Malika then came over all emotional as she was granted one last hug with her loved ones before taking the stairs up to her new home for the next few weeks.

A little taken aback by her display, host Emma Willis remarked: 'Oh my god, she is crying already!' as she helped Malika up the stairs in her towering heels, as the beauty joined a VERY glamorous Jess Impiazzi for the show's first all-female series.

Despite expressing her concerns that the house can be quite 'aggressive' after tuning in to previous series, Malika had predicted she would be the one to turn on the waterworks as she claimed ahead of her appearance: 'I'll be the fun housemate, talkative, the housemate that cries.'

Empowered: The latest series will have an all-female cast of celebrity housemates in a salute to a centenary of womens suffrage and will initially explore how the women interact, from politicians to performing artists, as they enter the house first, ahead of this year's male housemates

Strong Commenting on this year's theme, Malika said: 'This year's theme is actually really special, its women's turn to be celebrated but I think the year of the woman is every year

She also made sure to name-check her connection to the Kardashians, as she said: 'Khloe is my best pal, the girl I can talk to about anything.'

Malika, 34, fuelled rumours when she took to her Instagram with a cake that read: 'Congratulations on CBB' - leaving many fans of the show hoping she will spill juicy Kardashian related secrets.

She wouldn't be the first friend of the family to appear on the show, as Kim Kardashian's best friend Jonathan Cheban also appeared on the series in 2016 - but left the series voluntarily in order to return to his creature comforts.She's been enjoying a luxury family holiday in Canada.

And AFL WAG Rebecca Judd couldn't contain her excitement in a snap shared to her Instagram account on Wednesday.

Clad in ski gear at resort Whistler Blackcomb, the 34-year-old captioned the photo: 'On top of the world.'

'On top of the world!' AFL WAG Rebecca Judd, 34, couldn't contain her excitement in an Instagram snap on Wednesday, that saw her standing on top of a ski mountain

Rebecca shared with her 666,000 Instagram followers a photo of herself standing on a ski mountain, at Whistler Blackcomb resort, in British Columbia, Canada.

The entrepreneur looked very much the part, sporting a khaki puffer vest, grey trousers, skis, a helmet and goggles.

Rebecca captioned the moment 'On top of the world at @whistlerblackcomb.'

Celebrations: The luxury getaway also marks Rebecca and her AFL star husband Chris Judd's seventh wedding anniversary. On Monday, the brunette, who shares four children with Chris, 34, shared a party snap of the pair to Instagram

Family time: The loved-up couple are currently enjoying a vacation in Canada, with their children, son Oscar, six, daughter Billie, three, and one-year-old twin sons Tom and Darcy

The luxury getaway also marks Rebecca and her AFL star husband Chris Judd's seventh wedding anniversary.

On Monday, the brunette, who shares four children with Chris, shared a party snap to Instagram.

Rebecca in a faux-fur pink vest and coordinating head accessory, sidled up to Chris, 34, who donned a grey sweater, a denim button-up shirt and white round-rimmed hat.

The television personality proudly captioned the image: 'Happy new year, happy 7 year wedding anniversary. Fab dinner at @fairmontwhistlr with friends and family tonight.'

Captured: The model and television personality has wasted no time in sharing adorable posts of her offspring hitting the slopes

Love story: Rebecca, who wed Chris in a lavish ceremony in Melbourne back in 2010, told Show and Tell in May last year, that it was love at first sight

Rebecca playfully added the hash-tags #notsureaboutthecostumes and #thathat.

The loved-up couple are currently enjoying a vacation in Canada, with their children, son Oscar, six, daughter Billie, three, and one-year-old twin sons Tom and Darcy.

Rebecca, who wed Chris in a lavish ceremony in Melbourne back in 2010, told Show and Tell in May last year, that it was love at first sight.

'I met him at the pub, and (it was) like, instant. And I was 19. At the Cottesloe Sunday session,' the brand ambassador divulged.With the turn of the new year, the sound of wedding bells ringing is getting audibly louder.

A plethora of celebrities have announced their intentions to walk down the aisle and wedding fever is sky-high as fans await the lavish ceremonies, star-studded guest lists and romantic declarations of love.

From The Bachelor's genetically blessed golden couple Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards to Victoria's Secret stunner Shanina Shaik and DJ Ruckus FINALLY making it official, Daily Mail Australia reveals the most anticipated star nuptials set to take place this year.

ANNA HEINRICH AND TIM ROBARDS

'Sooner rather than later': The Bachelor Tim Robards asked Anna Heinrich to marry him in May, with the blonde beauty confirming to Daily Mail Australia their vows are fast approaching

Reality stars Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards fell in love before the nation's eyes in the inaugural season of The Bachelor Australia back in 2013.

And their fairy tale romance progressed to next stage when the buff personal trainer popped the question with a sparkler - estimated to be worth $173,000 - in May.

The duo took to Instagram to announce the happy news and told Daily Mail Australia in August their special day would come around 'sooner rather than later'.

But while they were happy for the beginning of their relationship to be up for public consumption, Anna also confirmed that there would be no TV crews filming their big day.

PIA MILLER AND TYSON MULLANE

'Yes today Yes always': In November, sizzling Summer Bay stunner Pia Miller shared news of her model beau Tyson Mullane getting down on one knee

She's the sizzling Home And Away stunner who found love with Tyson Mullane after splitting with her AFL star husband Brad Miller in 2015.

And 2018 looks set to be a huge year for Pia Miller after her model beau got down on bended knee in November in a secluded forest decorated with candles.

Sharing the news of her engagement on Instagram, Pia emotionally wrote: 'In a hundred lifetimes, In a hundred worlds, In any version of reality - Id find you & Id choose you. Yes today Yes always.'

SHANINA SHAIK AND DJ RUCKUS

Finally! Though Shanina Shaik and DJ Ruckus have been engaged since Boxing Day, 2016, the Australian model announced on Instagram: 'We getting married this year 2018!'

Could 2018 finally be the year that Australian model Shanina Shaik and her beau DJ Ruckus (real name Gregory Andrews) tie the knot?

While the musician asked for Shanina's hand way back in 2016, the couple have long been vocal about enjoying a drawn-out engagement.

However, the date looks to be rapidly arriving, with the Victoria's Secret stunner announcing on Instagram after the New Year's Eve countdown: 'We getting married this year 2018!'

ERIN MOLAN AND SEAN OGILVY

That's a lot of bling! Erin Molan flaunted her sparkler - estimated to be worth a whopping $100,000 - on Instagram

Tying the knot: The NRL Footy Show host is set to wed her policeman fiance Sean Ogilvy

TV personality Erin Molan revealed she and her policeman boyfriend Sean Ogilvy were set to wed by announcing the happy news while hosting an episode of the now-axed NRL Footy Show in April.

The blonde stunner later flaunted her huge sparkler on social media.

With Erin's 2.2 carat engagement ring estimated to be worth a whopping $100,000, it's fair to suggest that there will likely be no expense spared on their nuptials as well.

ROXY JACENKO AND OLIVER CURTIS

Second time's a charm: After his release from prison, Oliver Curtis wasted no time in asking for wife Roxy Jacenko's hand in marriage - again

Turning things around: Roxy and Oliver's marriage was almost at breaking point before he popped the question again and if they choose to have a second ceremony, it will no doubt be a lavish affair

PR maven Roxy Jacenko was ready to call it quits with husband Oliver Curtis as their marriage veered towards breaking point after a tumultuous year that saw the disgraced businessman languishing behind bars for insider trading.

But after his release from Cooma Correctional Centre in June, Oliver turned things around by asking his wife to marry him - again.

He went all out for the proposal, surprising Roxy with balloons, champagne, candles and rose petals at a lavish suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.

Since then, Roxy has given mixed messages about whether they'll actually have another ceremony but all signs point to yes.

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW AND NEIL VARCOE

Already making plans: In April last year, Sunrise's Edwina Bartholomew announced her engagement to partner-of-six-years Neil Varcoe

In April last year, Sunrise's Edwina Bartholomew announced her engagement to partner-of-six-years Neil Varcoe by sharing with a photo of her glitzy knuckle-duster engagement ring on social media.

Concrete plans for the wedding have already begun, with Edwina and Neil locking in their 41 hectare Glen Alice farmstead as their wedding venue for 2018.

EMMA FREEDMAN AND CHARLIE RUNDLE

Newly engaged: Radio star Emma Freedman and financier Charlie Rundle shared their happy news on Tuesday night

One of the most recently announced celebrity engagements is that of radio star Emma Freedman and financier Charlie Rundle.

The Triple M Grill Team co-host took to Instagram on Tuesday night to reveal the relationship development and it's only a matter of time before the pair walk down the aisle.

'A few days ago, asked me to marry him! And of course I said YES! As you can see, were absolutely thrilled,' Emma spilled.

ALEX NATION AND MAEGAN LUXA

Moving fast: Just weeks after publicly revealing they are dating, Alex Nation (right) and Maegan Luxa (left) announced last month they are engaged

They only confirmed their relationship in November but The Bachelor's Alex Nation and Maegan Luxa are moving fast when it comes to their relationship.

Just weeks after publicly revealing they are dating, Alex and Maegan announced last month they are engaged.

If their nuptials come around as rapidly as the proposal did, they could be one of the first couples to walk down the aisle this year.

PIA MUEHLENBECK AND KANE VATO

Low-key announcement: Kane Vato revealed social media sensation Pia Muehlenbeck will soon become his wife by changing his relationship status on Facebook

Lawyer-turned-social-media-sensation Pia Muehlenbeck topped off an already successful year with the announcement she's set to wed longtime boyfriend Kane Vato.

The reveal was relatively low-key for the Instagram star who boasts two million followers, with the big news being made public thanks to a humble Facebook relationship status change.He's the Today show host who famously wore the same suit on air for 12 months as a comment on sexism.

And Karl Stefanovic proved that the idea of recycled fashions had rubbed off, with the 43 year old stepping out for a drink with partner Jasmine Yarbrough in an outfit that was decidedly similar to one he was sen in the following day.

Karl, who was in Byron Bay with Jasmine, looked relaxed in an untucked light blue collared shirt that was unbuttoned to the chest, and a pair of light pink patterned boardshorts.

Going casual: Karl Stefanovic proved that he's a fan of recycled fashions, stepping out for a drink with partner Jasmine Yarbrough in an outfit that was decidedly similar to one he was seen in tjust days later

He finished his summer ensemble with a pair of Ray Ban siunglasses, Lacoste sandals and his trademark Akubra hat.

Jasmine, too, was the picture of summer cool in a striped playsuit and a pair of tan-coloured strappy sandals.

However, it appeared that the silly season had caused Karl's enthusiasm for mixing it up had waned as he wore a very similar get-up just days later during New Year's Day celebrations.

Karl, who was in Byron Bay with Jasmine, looked relaxed in an untucked light blue collared shirt that was unbuttoned to the chest, and a pair of light pink patterend boardshorts.

Karl and Jasmine celebrated the start of 2018 at exclusive Byron Bay venue Rae's and Karl didn't mind giving his casual outfit another airing.

Wanting to prove a point about sexism, in 2014 Karl wore the same blue Burberry knock-off suit on air for 12 months.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald at the time Karl revealed that no one noticed his fashion revisionism - something that wasn;t the case for his female co-stars

Social experiment: Wanting to prove a point about sexism, in 2014 Karl wore the same blue Burberry knock-off suit on air for 12 months.

'No one has noticed; no one gives a s**t,' he told the publication 'Women, they wear the wrong colour and they get pulled up.

'They say the wrong thing and there's thousands of tweets written about them.

He continued: 'I'm judged on my interviews, my appalling sense of humour  on how I do my job, basically. Whereas women are quite often judged on what they're wearing or how their hair is ... that's (what I wanted to test).'She arrived back in Sydney on Tuesday, following a luxury family vacation on the Gold Coast.

And just a day later, Roxy Jacenko was back to the grind, fitting in a personal training session with Ryan Cairns in Paddington.

The 37-year-old captured the workout to her Instagram account, drawing attention to her ample cleavage and washboard abs in a low-cut crop top and leggings.

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Back to business! PR queen Roxy Jacenko, 37, flaunted her ample cleavage and washboard abs in a low-cut crop top and leggings, during a personal training session captured to Instagram on Wednesday

Known for being social media savvy, Roxy shared with her 207,000 Instagram fans, a close-up look at her balcony workout.

The mother-of-two sported a low-cut crop top that accentuated her cleavage, teamed with three-quarter leggings that clung to her trim pins.

Looking the part, Roxy accessorised with a navy cap and a delicate gold Cartier bangle.

Breaking a sweat: A balcony workout saw the mother-of-two sporting a very low-cut crop top that accentuated her cleavage, teamed with three-quarter leggings that clung to her trim pins

Resistance training: Roxy was taken through her paces by trainer Ryan Cairns, completing a series of squats with a resistance band and kettle bell

The brand ambassador was taken through her paces by trainer Ryan Cairns, completing a series of squats with a resistance band and kettle bell.

Roxy captioned the short clip: 'First session post 5 week medical break - prep commences for campaign shoot,' referencing her breast reconstruction surgery.

Also taking to her Instagram Story, the talent manager was seen toning her inner thigh muscles with a resistance band placed around her ankles.

Toning: Also taking to her Instagram Story, the talent manager was seen toning her inner thigh muscles with a resistance band placed around her ankles

Body of work: Roxy performed a series of subtle side steps, also engaging her core in the process

Roxy performed a series of subtle side steps, also engaging her core in the process.

The workout comes a day after the businesswoman returned from the Gold Coast on a family vacation, with husband Oliver Curtis, and their two children, Pixie, six, and Hunter, three.

Roxy and her clan stayed at the luxurious Sheraton Grand Mirage resort, and shared a series of picture-perfect snaps to Instagram.

The trip follows an eventful past 12 months for the family, with Oliver's release from prison and Roxy's breast cancer battle.

Getaway: The workout comes a day after the businesswoman returned from the Gold Coast on a family vacation, with husband Oliver Curtis, and their two children, Pixie, six, and Hunter, threeMetro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The Palace has deferred naming the high ranking government official President Rodrigo Duterte wants fired.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he was ordered to hold the announcement a few hours before the scheduled media briefing Wednesday morning.

"No reason cited other than please hold in abeyance the announcement," Roque told reporters. He earlier said the big announcement will happen Wednesday.

He added he was not even sure if the dismissal would push through.

"Like all presidential appointees, he's being sacked - or I do not know if he's still going to be sacked - because of loss of trust and confidence," he said.

Roque said the President is reviewing the charter of the concerned agency.

"I will concede this much na I know that there was a legal written document already being prepared. But I guess even that is held in abeyance," he said.

Not PCSO chair

Roque also said the official was not from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

"I can make the confirmation that the official who I was tasked to announce and belatedly told to hold in abeyance is not from the PCSO," he said.

His statement douses speculation that Duterte will sack PCSO Chairperson Alexander Balutan, accused by newly appointed board member Sandra Cam of approving a P6-million Christmas party for his office.

Roque said the President "holds in high esteem" both officials despite their exchange of tirades.

He refused to answer whether the mysterious government official in danger of losing his post is Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro III.

Amaro is accused of embarking on junkets abroad, the same reason cited by Duterte for firing all commissioners of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).

The President on Wednesday issued a memorandum order regulating government officials' foreign trips.

Dangerous Drugs Board Chief Dionisio Santiago was also asked to resign in November due to allegations he spent government money on junkets abroad.

PCUP officials and Santiago have since denied allegations.

Duterte earlier sacked National Irrigation Administration Chief Peter Lavina and Interior Secretary Mike Sueno over irregularity and corruption allegations.

CNN Philippines' Ina Andolong contributed to this report.He's the 'Human Ken Doll' who has reportedly spent over half a million dollars on plastic surgery.

And Rodrigo Alves has revealed that one of the biggest inspirations for his unique look was ex-pat Australian model Jordan Barrett.

Speaking to news.com.au this week, the Brazilian personality admitted that he thought Jordan's visage - particularly his eyes, were 'perfect', asking his surgeon to replicate the in-demand peepers on his own face.

Human Ken Doll Rodrigo Alves has revealed that one of the biggest inspirations for his unique look was ex-pat Australian model Jordan Barrett

Stunning: 'I met him once in France and I really loved the shape of his jawline, the shape of his chin,' Rodrigo revealed to news.com.au. 'I loved his eyes I think he is perfect. So, I asked the doctor to try and replicate it'

'I met him once in France and I really loved the shape of his jawline, the shape of his chin,' Rodrigo revealed. 'I loved his eyes I think he is perfect. So, I asked the doctor to try and replicate it.'

While Rodrigo admitted that he wasn't trying to be an exact replica of the Australian 20-year old he added that he was a more 'heightened'' version of Jordan.

'I don't think i look exactly like him, but if I lose weight my face will look more similar to his ,'he said.

Rodrigo added: 'I am like the exaggerated form and he is the natural form.'

Posed: While Rodrigo admitted that he wasn't trying to be an exact replica of the Australian 20-year old he added that he was a more 'heightened'' version of Jordan

Looking good: 'I don't think i look exactly like him, but if I lose weight my face will look more similar to his' and added, 'I am like the exaggerated form and he is the natural form'

The 34-year old has reportedly spent an eye watering 400,000 (AUD $694,652) on improving his body cosmetically.

Hotly tipped to be one of the stars entering the UK Celebrity Big Brother house, it was revealed on Wednesday that he wont be making an appearance amid claims he's set to have some ribs removed in what would be his 60th surgery.

In December, Rodrigo revealed plans to have six ribs removed in what would be his landmark 60th cosmetic procedure.

Frustrated: He was left left annoyed after surgeons refused to perform the full procedure over fears it would compromise his lungs

Instead; A top Hollywood surgeon will remove four floating ribs in a 28,000 procedure to give the jet-setter an 'elegant and classic figure'

Similar: 'I don't think i look exactly like him, but if I lose weight my face will look more similar to his ,'he said. Rodrigo added: 'I am like the exaggerated form and he is the natural form'

But he was left left frustrated after surgeons refused to perform the full procedure over fears it would compromise his lungs.

Instead, a top Hollywood surgeon will remove four floating ribs in a 28,000 procedure to give the jet-setter an 'elegant and classic figure.'

'It will be my surgery number 60 between countless procedures but I'm nervous yes because this is not a plastic surgery where skin or fat will be removed, we are talking about my floating ribs,' he told Mail Online.

No expense spared; The 34-year old has reportedly spent an eye watering 400,000 (AUD $694,652) on improving his body cosmeticallyIt's a timely New Year's reunion.

America Ferrera, fresh after announcing she's expecting her first child with husband Ryan Piers Williams, posed on Tuesday in an Instagram shot with her co-stars from the 2005 movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel.

The Superstore actress was posed on a couch with all three of her longtime friends patting her baby bump.

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Happy days: America Ferrera, 33, (2nd from L) posed on Tuesday in an Instagram shot with her co-stars from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, (L-R) Alexis Biedel, 36, Amber Tamblyn, 34, and Blake Lively, 30

The actresses were all clad in comfortable clothes, as Ferrera, 33, wore a long-sleeved white top with black leggings; Bledel, 36, wore a navy blue top with black pants; Tamblyn, 34, wore a medallion yellow sweater with blue jeans; and Lively, 30, wore a long-sleeved white sweater with blue jeans with panels of custom stitching.

All three of Ferrera's co-stars have children, as Tamblyn's mom to 15-month-old daughter Marlow Alice with her husband, comic David Cross; Bledel and spouse Vincent Kartheiser have a one-year-old son; and Blake has two young girls with her movie star husband Ryan Reynolds, three-year-old James and one-year-old Ines.

Ferrera wrote on the Instagram shot: 'Starting the New Year off with blessings from my Sisterhood. Weve got work to do for the next generation. Lets get to it,' adding the hashtag '#TIMESUP,' in reference to the newly-announced anti-sexual harassment movement she's involved with.

Tamblyn also uploaded the photo, adding that she 'didnt think anything could beat starting off the new year with the #TIMESUP Legal Defense Fund initiative yesterday, but then...'

Way back when: The quartet embraced in a promotional shot for the 2005 flick

Big announcement: America and her husband of six years, Ryan Piers Williams, revealed they're expecting a baby Sunday

The Ugly Betty actress and her husband of six years revealed they're expecting on New Years Eve Sunday in a photos. Both wore novelty 2018 glasses as America held a onesie that read 'Mas Besos Por Favor,' which is Spanish for 'More kisses, please.'

She wrote, 'Were welcoming one more face to kiss in 2018! Wishing you #MasBesos in the New Year! #babybesos #HappyNewYear.'

Williams reposted the shot, writing, 'Making room for new and beautiful things to come in 2018!#happynewyear.'

Making a statement: America is one of the 300 stars behind a new anti-sexual harassment initiative called Time's UpShe's received rave reviews for her role as infamous ice skater Tonya Harding.

And now Margot Robbie has undergone another dramatic physical transformation, on the set of historical film Mary Queen of Scots.

A still sees the 27-year-old actress sporting a porcelain complexion, tight red ringlets and attire reminiscent of the Elizabethan period.

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What can't she do? Margot Robbie, 27, transformed into Queen Elizabeth I on the set of historical epic Mary Queen of Scots, after receiving rave reviews as a figure skater in I, Tonya

Taken on the London set, Margot ditches her trademark blonde locks in favour of tight red ringlets, framing a porcelain complexion.

Portraying the role of Queen Elizabeth I, the former Neighbours star dons a grey bustier and voluminous skirt, reminiscent of the Elizabethan period.

An exaggerated collar, also known as a ruff, adds a form of embellishment alongside a layering of jewels.

Transformation: Margot's transformation as Queen Elizabeth I, follows on from her portrayal of infamous ice skater Tonya Harding, in the film I, Tonya

Margot takes on the lead role in the film, which also stars Irish and American actress Saoirse Ronan, 23.

Saoirse features as Mary, Queen of Scots, or otherwise known as Mary Stuart.

The film centres around Mary Stuart's attempt at overthrowing her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, in 1568, after she famously acceded the Scottish throne at just six days old.

Husband and wife act: The starlet is tipped for awards glory after major industry publications praised her performance in the film I, Tonya, produced by Margot and her husband Tom Ackerley

Margot's transformation as Queen Elizabeth I, follows on from her portrayal of infamous ice skater Tonya Harding.

The starlet is tipped for awards glory after major industry publications praised her performance in the film I, Tonya, produced by Margot and her husband Tom Ackerley.

The film has managed to score an 90 per cent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Margot lauded for her funny and sympathetic portrait of Tonya.

Reviews: The film has managed to score an 90 per cent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Margot lauded for her funny and sympathetic portrait of Tonya

Top film critic Peter Travers wrote in Rolling Stone that Margot was 'never better' and portrayed the skater to perfection.

'Robbie turns her features hard  and her attitude harder  to play the queen of the triple axel,' he wrote.

'She never begs for sympathy, though we give it willingly thanks to the pow of the star's take on Harding as a woman who refuses to be a punchline.'She's the former Home And Away actress who has gone on to try her luck in the US.

But Esther Anderson has returned to Australia for a short New Year stay.

The 38-year-old was spotted with her husband Howard Moggs out on a stroll through Bondi Beach on Monday.

Summer love! Former Home And Away actress Esther Anderson has returned to Australia for a short, New Year stay. The 38-year-old was spotted with her husband Howard Moggs out on a stroll through Bondi Beach on Monday

The LA based couple put on a loved up display with their arms around each other's waist as they strolled along the beach's famous foreshore.

She flaunted her slender figure in a short, flowy black dress that featured a plunging neckline that hinted at her cleavage.

Her outfit was matched with a small black cross body bag as well as a pair of flat strappy sandals.

Esther kept the ensemble sun safe with a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of dark sunglasses.

Chic: She flaunted her slender figure in a short, flowy black dress that featured a plunging neckline that hinted at her cleavage. Her outfit was matched with a small black cross body bag, a pair of flat strappy sandals, with a wide brimmed hat and a pair of dark sunglasses

Cosy: The LA based couple put on a loved up display with their arms around each others waist as they strolled along the beach's famous foreshore

Meanwhile, her husband also dressed for the summer heat in a white shirt, ripped denim shorts and flip flops.

Much like his actress wife, he protected his skin with a similar pair of dark sunglasses and a straw brimmed hat.

During their stroll Esther also made time for a quick catch-up with a friend, sharing a snap of their reunion.

Sun safe: Meanwhile her husband also dressed for the summer heat in a white shirt, ripped denim shorts and flip flops

Romantic stroll: Much like his actress wife, he protected his skin from the with a similar pair of dark sunglasses and a straw brimmed hat

'Back in my old stomping ground with bestie and hubby,' she said in the caption of her post.

Aside from marrying her British beau last year, Esther had only one acting role on the Netflix series Glow as Carolyn.

Esther left her role as the feisty police officer Charlie Buckton on Home And Away in 2013.

She went on to do a few stints on reality TV including Dancing With The Stars and The Celebrity Apprentice.She just spent the New Year's holiday in Aspen with Scott Disick.

But by Tuesday Sofia Richie was back in Calabasas, California, looking fresh as a daisy.

The aspiring model was seen grabbing a light snack as she joined a female friend at a frozen yogurt shop.

She already home! Sofia Richie was back in Calabasas, California, on Tuesday looking fresh as a daisy after a trip to Aspen

The freshly brunette 19-year-old wore minimal makeup as she sported casual trousers and white sneakers.

Pulling her hair back in a neat ponytail, she carried a small handbag while draping a white T-shirt over her slender frame.

The daughter of Lionel Richie was also seen getting into the drivers seat of her car after her quick meet up.

Refueling: The aspiring model was seen grabbing a light snack as she joined a female friend at a frozen yogurt shop

Sofia and and her older beau Scott, 34, arrived over the weekend in Colorado via a private plane.

The young lady made sure to document the trip on her social media, sharing images of her and her man on the airfield.

The duo went public with their romance in September, although they were linked as far back as May.

They have been spotted together in Miami, Puerto Vallarta, Milan and Venice, Italy and Los Cabos since going public with their relationship.

What a couple: They took to social media on Friday to reveal they were headed skiingShe's returned back to Sydney after enjoying a fun-filled getaway to the Gold Coast with her husband and children.

And it seems PR queen Roxy Jacenko's taste for the finer things in life has rubbed off on her daughter Pixie Curtis.

The 37-year-old shared a snap of her six-year-old getting comfortable aboard their private jet on the flight back to Sydney and noted: 'Kid knows how to relax.'

A typical six year old! Roxy Jacenko captures her daughter Pixie Curtis relaxing with her feet up on their private flight to Sydney after a luxury filled week on the Gold Coast

Pixie was dressed in a pair of denim mini shorts with a floral embellishment and a white lace top for the one hour and 30 minute journey.

Relaxed in the leather seat, she reclined back and put her legs up on the shoulder rest of the seat in front of her.

Wearing Beats headphones and staring into her iPad, the young entrepreneur appeared keen to tune out the distractions around her for some alone time.

Roxy captured the moment and shared it with her 200,000 Instagram followers.

Mummy daughter time: During their Gold Coast stay, the mother and daughter duo also enjoyed a pamper session together at the Clean Beauty Market

She's a natural! This comes after Pixie debuted her own unique talents to her legions of Instagram followers on New Year's Day, she wowed with an impressive action shot

During their Gold Coast stay, the mother and daughter duo also enjoyed a pamper session together at the Clean Beauty Market.

This comes after Pixie debuted one of her unique talents to her legions of Instagram followers on New Year's Day.

In a picture captioned 'Pool time with my cousins,' she wowed with an impressive pool bomb.

Too cool! Pixie was pictured jumping confidently into the water, managing to strike a cute pose in the milliseconds before hitting the water

She was pictured jumping confidently into the water, managing to strike a cute pose in the milliseconds before hitting the water.

That's certainly something we haven't seen from Roxy as of yet.She's the reality TV 'villain' set to return to our screens on the upcoming reality show, Bachelor in Paradise.

And on Wednesday, Bachelor alumni Keira Maguire, 31, spent some time in another 'paradise.'

On Wednesday, the blonde bombshell posed and pouted for a very busty Instagram video and showed off her sizeable assets in a skimpy black top.

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Blonde bombshell: Bachelor alum Keira Maguire, 31, shared a busty shot of herself on her Insta-story, wearing a cleavage-baring black singlet top, which showed a hint of her lace bra

The shapely blonde, who gave a glimpse of her lace bra, completed her look with denim cut-offs, a simple gold necklace and a large pink flower in her hair.

It comes after the blonde beauty - who has been linked to Bachelorette reject Jarrod Woodgate - reflected upon her successes over the past year.

Taking to Instagram, the TV star posted her 12 most popular posts on the social media site and captioned it: 'Actually my best year yet!!!!'

'Best year yet': On New Years Day, Keira Maguire, 31, reflected upon her successes over the past twelve months while also adding fuel to rumours she's found love with Jarrod Woodgate

She then continued, 'Some of my highlights and most memorable moments ... Going into the South African jungle on I'm a Celebrity, I got invited to the Logies 2017, spent over a month in Italy,' she continued.

'Made some amazing friendships & so much more ... can't wait to see what 2018 brings ... Bring on Bachelor in Paradise.'

In the black-and-white composite, it shows a number of bikini shots, with the blonde beauty adding tags to the images, 'yasss,' and 'lit,' along with the word 'savage' and an emoiji crown topping her head.

Happy place! Taking to Instagram, the TV star posted her 12 most popular posts on the social media site, before captioning, 'Actually my best year yet!!!!'

Meanwhile, handsome Jarrod has been tight-lipped about his possible new love interest over the Christmas and New Year period.

On a number of occasions, the pair have been caught getting cosy with each other, with it rumoured the pair are trying to keep things quiet before Bachelor in Paradise hits TV screens.

Early last month, the pair were snapped getting very cosy together while filming the show in Fiji.

Tough break: Jarrod was left heartbroken after he appeared on The Bachelorette opposite Sophie Monk, with the good-natured hunk failing to win her heart

After that, Sydney-based Keira was snapped at her potential suitor's home, with magazine Woman's Day reporting she was, 'sneaking over to Jarrod's house,' appeared to show the pair were an item.

Jarrod is completely smitten and thinks Keira is The One,' an insider reportedly told the publication.

A source also told the publication that the blonde beauty is considering a move to Melbourne to be closer to her new beau.

Skin tight! Keira Maguire shared a daring snap of herself in a tight outfit early last month, with Jarrod 'liking' the image, the reality start was dressed in a tight white singlet, skinny jeans and clear heels

For her sneaky visit to Jarrod's home, the stunner donned a pair of Daisy Dukes teamed with a tight tank top that highlighted her artificial assets.

More recently, the pair did little to quell speculation, with Jarrod 'liking,' a busty image of the blonde reality star.

In the image, Keira is wearing a tight white singlet, skinny jeans, paired with clear heels and a pink Gucci bag.Her Instagram page is regularly inundated with admiring comments from male fans.

And after rumours ran rampant last year, Schapelle Corby appears to have dropped a cheeky hint she is interested in being the next Bachelorette.

On Wednesday, the 40-year-old convicted drug trafficker shared a playful Instagram video of her posing with a red rose - the flower famous for its role in the dating series.

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Did Schapelle Corby just confirm she's the next Bachelorette? Bali drug trafficker, 40, poses with a VERY familiar red rose in playful Instagram snap

Taking to Instagram, Schapelle shared a video of her playing with her cute pooch, using a filter to add a red rose.

The post will do nothing to quell fan speculation that Schapelle is set to make her mark in reality TV since being deported from Bali back to Australia in May 2016.

Social media went into meltdown last year with fans speculating Schapelle could be set to follow in Sophie Monk's footsteps and go on The Bachelorette.

Sending a message? Taking to Instagram, Schapelle shared a video of her playing with her cute pooch, using a filter to add a red rose

One Twitter user mused, '"The Bachelorette 2018: Schapelle". You can hear the TV execs frothing now. #schapellecorby'.

Another suggested, '#bachelorette starring #Schapelle,' and tagged the show in their comments.

However, Schapelle's sister Mercedes Corby dismissed the rumours, telling The Kyle and Jackie O Show in May: 'That's not gonna happen!'

Social media speculation: One Twitter user mused, '"The Bachelorette 2018: Schapelle". You can hear the TV execs frothing now. #schapellecorby

Fake news? However, Schapelle's sister Mercedes Corby (pictured second from left) dismissed the rumours, telling The Kyle and Jackie O Show in May: 'That's not gonna happen!'

Since starting her Instagram account upon her return to Australia, Schapelle has proved a hit with her male social media followers.

Her Instagram comments are often peppered with compliments, date requests and even the occasional marriage proposal.

Schapelle made headlines in Australia, and around the world, after she was arrested in Bali in October 2004.

After boarding a flight to the Indonesian island from Brisbane, via Sydney, customs officers discovered cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag.

Popular: Since starting her Instagram account upon her return to Australia, Schapelle has proved a hit with her male social media followers

Plenty of admirers: Her Instagram comments are often peppered with compliments, date requests and even the occasional marriage proposal

Despite always maintaining her innocence, she was convicted of drug smuggling in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Schapelle's sentence was later reduced, and she received several remissions for good behaviour over the years. She was eventually released on parole in February 2014.

She remained in Bali during her parole period until May this year, when she was deported back to Australia.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Schapelle for comment.She's been working non-stop on acting projects this past 12 months.

So it's no surprise Margot Robbie is making the most of her time off, hitting the slopes and going snowboarding with her girlfriends this week.

Snaps shared to Instagram show the 27-year-old enjoying a ski break after spending Christmas with her family on the Gold Coast.

Hitting the slopes! Margot Robbie goes snowboarding with her friends after spending Christmas on the Gold Coast with her family

A photo shared to Instagram by Margot's friend Lottie Faulkner shows the blonde beauty stopping for a quick selfie in ski gear.

'Silly good day!' Lottie captioned the Instagram snap.

Another photo shared by Margot's pal Laura Jackson showed their group posing on the slopes.

Sitting on the snow, the I, Tonya star raises a ski in one hand as she beams happily for the camera.

Say cheese! Another photo shared by Margot's pal Laura Jackson showed their group posing on the slopes

'Ski fall ski drink ski drink food ski drink dance ski love ski drink,' Laura captioned the photo.

Margot's trip to the snow comes after she spent Christmas with her family on the Gold Coast.

It was the first time the actress, who is based in Hollywood, had been home in a year after she revealed she struggles with homesickness.

Happy Holidays! Margot Robbie celebrates Christmas (complete with ugly sweaters and Santa hats) with family and friends in Australia

'Obviously (I miss) big things like my family and my friends, being there to see my nephew grow up, weddings, funerals, all those big important moments where everyone comes together,' she told The Courier-Mail.

Margot was with her mother Sarie Kessler, her three siblings, her husband British director husband Tom Ackerley and friends on Christmas day.

Her brother Lachlan shared several family snapshots from the day to Instagram.

In one, he and Margot were filtered, wearing elf hats in festive bright colours of red and green.

Another was a family picture with a humorous touch. While the rest of the Robbie family are seen smiling for the camera Margot's face is obscured by an emoji.

Sibling fun: Margot also posed with her other brother Cameron - a bauble reflection

However, the sibling lighthearted ribbing was overshadowed by Lachlan's heartfelt caption, which read: 'Family isn't always about the last name or blood but the loyalty, the love and the ability to show up and be accounted for when called upon.

'They will have your back even when you feel like you've fallen flat on it, they will be a light when life feels like it's at its darkest. Together for each other we motivate and inspire to get the best from ourselves.

'Material possessions can be given and taken away but what we all have cannot and that is a true gift I'm lucky enough to share with them on Christmas.'

'Material possessions can be given and taken away but what we all have cannot' Margot's brother Lachlan gave his Christmas family portrait a humorous touch by obscuring his sister's face with an emoji but his caption was heartfelt

Margot was also seen enjoying time with friends who posed for a group shot of them wearing ugly Christmas sweaters in front of a Christmas tree.

This is the I, Tonya star's first time back Down Under since her wedding to Tom last year.

She returned to her wedding location of Byron Bay, New South Wales, on her one-year wedding anniversary for a friend's hens party.

Pictures and short video clips showed her enjoying beer, cocktails, and relaxing at a poolside suite as she celebrated with girlfriends.Rob Kardashian has denied his ex-fiancee Blac Chynas claims that he assaulted her during an alleged incident in April 2017.

The 30-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star shares 13-month-old daughter Dream with his former partner, who has claimed in a lawsuit filed late last year that he had been violent towards her during their tumultuous relationship.

Chyna claimed in the documents filed in November that when she tried phoning her former partner Tyga - with whom she has five-year-old son King Cairo - the alleged attack happened.

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Happier times: Rob Kardashian denied Blac Chynas claims that he assaulted her during an alleged incident in April 2017; seen in 2016

She claims Rob 'immediately grabbed the phone from her hand and violently knocked her to the ground where she landed on her hands and knees.'

However, in a response filed last week and obtained by The Blast on Tuesday, the star insisted Chyna did not 'suffer any injury or harm' at his hands.

'Plaintiffs causes of action are barred because she did not suffer any injury or harm as a result of any conduct by Defendant,' part of the response said.

Court: The 30-year-old television personality has 13-month-old daughter Dream with his former partner, who claimed in a lawsuit filed late last year that Rob had been violent toward her during their tumultuous relationship; seen in May 2016

Parents: She shares co-parenting responsibilities of her five-year-old son King Cairo with her former partner Tyga; seen in 2014

'Damages resulting from any injuries or harm Plaintiff claims to have suffered must also be offset against the damages Defendant suffered as a result of Plaintiffs wrongful acts.'

It comes after Chyna, 29, also claimed she 'suffered pain and difficulty walking for days' after the alleged incident.

She said she called King's nanny, who took him away, before locking herself in her bedroom.

No harm: However, in a response filed last week and obtained by The Blast on Tuesday, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star insisted Chyna did not 'suffer any injury or harm' at his hands; seen in April

On the mend: Chyna, 29, also claimed she 'suffered pain and difficulty walking for days' after the alleged incident; seen in January 2017

However, she then alleged that 'Rob Kardashian lost all control and tore the hinges off of Ms. White's bedroom door. Ms. White then retreated to the bathroom, hid in the bathroom closet, and locked the door.'

The court documents state: 'Ms. White suffered pain and difficulty walking for days following the domestic dispute as a result of Rob Kardashian violently knocking her to the ground.'

In addition to alleging that Rob assaulted her, Chyna is also seeking legal action against his famous family, whom she claims prevented their reality show Rob & Chyna from being renewed for a second season.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  Senate President Koko Pimentel urged the Health Department (DOH) to suspend its "no license, no massage" order to open employment to more Filipinos.

He said on Wednesday the DOH should work with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and come up with requirements which are "inexpensive, accessible, and inclusive."

The DOH administrative order, issued in 2010, requires massage therapists to pass a written and oral exam.

According to Pimentel, those who can take the exam are "required to undergo six months of training" from DOH-accredited training centers, which may cost up to P15,000.

"Furthermore, only high school graduates are allowed to take the exams and become (licensed massage therapist)," a press release from the senator's office said.

"It's a painful reality that many of our people cannot afford to go to school and obtain their high school degrees. But that shouldn't prevent them from getting employed," said Pimentel.

"Imposing unreasonably restrictive requirements on LMTs could negatively impact an industry that employs thousands of our citizens, including Filipinos with disabilities," he added.

The senator said the DOH can help TESDA improve its existing training program, adding the certificate issued by TESDA is also recognized in other countries.

"It would be instructive for the DOH and TESDA to study how a country like Thailand--known worldwide for its massage industry--certifies its massage therapists. From what I understand Thai massage therapists only need to undergo 150 hours of massage training and attend a one-week seminar before becoming an accredited massage therapist. These are reasonable requirements," Pimentel said.She is set to front Universal's upcoming biblical drama film, Mary Magdalene, in March this year.

And award-winning actress Rooney Mara cut a relaxed figure in an all-black ensemble as she enjoyed a laid-back shopping trip in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old star still managed to showcase her chic fashion sense in her low profile appearance, which featured a simple turtleneck jumper and glossy straight legged trousers.

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Laid-back: Rooney Mara, 32, cut a relaxed figure in an all-black ensemble as she enjoyed a casual shopping trip in West Hollywood on Tuesday

Clad in comfy attire, Rooney looked conventionally stylish as she took a stroll along the streets of Los Angeles.

Her oversized jumper included buttoned details at the neckline, while she paired her loose bottoms with light grey Converse plimsolls.

Holding onto huge shopping bags, the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo actress sported trademark circular-framed MOSCOT sunglasses while her tawny tresses were slicked into a side-parted comb over style.

Rooney went for minimal makeup as she wore a faint rose lip which complemented her delicate pale skin.

Relaxed: Clad in comfy attire, the award-winning actress looked conventionally stylish as she took a stroll along the streets of Los Angeles

Casual: Rooney's oversized jumper included buttoned details at the neckline, while she paired her loose bottoms with light grey Converse plimsolls

Her sighting comes after film company Universal Pictures recently released the first trailer of Mary Magdalene - where she plays the title role opposite her real-life beau Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus.

This is not the Hollywood pair's first time working professionally together, as the film stars fronted Spike Jonze-directed Her in 2013.

The moving 156-second clip for Mary Magdalene follows the outcast young woman as she searches for a new way of living.

Trendy: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo actress sported trademark circular-framed MOSCOT sunglasses while her tawny tresses were slicked into a side-parted comb over style

Constricted by the hierarchies of the day, Mary defies her family to join a new social movement led by the charismatic Jesus of Nazareth.

Directed by Garth Davis and written by Helen Edmundson and Philipa Goslett, Mary Magdalene also stars Tahar Rahim as Judas Iscariot and Ryan Coor as Joseph.

Mary Magdalene will be released in the UK on March 16 and the US on March 30 to coincide with Easter.He is making sure his son has a taste for the finer things in life.

And Scott Disick was certainly giving his eight-year-old boy Mason a lesson in fine dining on Tuesday evening in Malibu.

The 34-year-old was spotted taking his son to Nobu for dinner at the exclusive eatery.

Fine meal: Scott Disick was certainly giving his eight-year-old boy Mason a lesson in fine dining on Tuesday evening in Malibu

The duo sported coordinated tracksuits, with Scott opting for all-black while Mason went for all white.

The one area of departure was their choice in sneakers, with the elder Disick wearing white shoes and his son sporting some cool red high tops.

Scott shares two other children with ex Kourtney Kardashian - daughter Penelope, five, and son Reign, three.

High class: The 34-year-old was spotted taking his son to Nobu for dinner at the exclusive eatery

Matching: The duo sported coordinated tracksuits, with Scott opting for all-black while Mason went for all white

Cool dudes: The one area of departure was their choice in sneakers, with the elder Disick wearing white shoes and his son sporting some cool red high tops

That same day Scott's younger girlfriend Sofia Richie was back in Calabasas, California, looking fresh as a daisy.

The aspiring model was seen grabbing a light snack as she joined a female friend at a frozen yogurt shop.

The freshly brunette 19-year-old wore minimal makeup as she sported casual trousers and white sneakers.

She already home! Sofia Richie was back in Calabasas, California, on Tuesday looking fresh as a daisy after a trip to Aspen

Refueling: The aspiring model was seen grabbing a light snack as she joined a female friend at a frozen yogurt shop

Pulling her hair back in a neat ponytail, she carried a small handbag while draping a white T-shirt over her slender frame.

The daughter of Lionel Richie was also seen getting into the drivers seat of her car after her quick meet up.

Sofia and and her older beau Scott, 34, arrived over the weekend in Colorado via a private plane.

What a couple: They took to social media on Friday to reveal they were headed skiing

The young lady made sure to document the trip on her social media, sharing images of her and her man on the airfield.

The duo went public with their romance in September, although they were linked as far back as May.

They have been spotted together in Miami, Puerto Vallarta, Milan and Venice, Italy and Los Cabos since going public with their relationship.She has been defending her 'risky' with Holland Taylor due to their 31-year age gap.

And Sarah Paulson, 43, looked happy and confident after opening up about her romance with the Two And A Half Men star, 74.

The American Horror Story star stepped out in style wrapped up in a cosy black trench coat as she arrived at LAX on Tuesday.

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Looking good: Sarah Paulson, 43, stepped out in style wrapped up in a cosy black trench coat as she arrived at LAX, after talking about her relationship with Two And A Half Men star Holland Taylor, 74

Going strong: Sarah Paulson opened up about her 'brave' two-year relationship with the actress and playwright in a cover feature for the February 2018 issue of Town & Country magazine - pictured together in April

The actress accessorised with a pair black sunglasses featuring a stylish preppy frame.

She showcased a black and white silk scarf around her neck which flaunted paisley and floral prints.

Her looked was complete with a pair of comfortable plimsolls in a contrasting white tone.

In all the details: The actress accessorised with a pair black sunglasses featuring a stylish preppy frame

The star opened up about her 'brave' two-year relationship with actress and playwright Holland in a cover feature for the February 2018 issue of Town & Country magazine, shot by Victor Demarchelier.

She explained the couple's union 'represents hope and risk', as she detailed her fears about starting a family and being too 'selfish' to ever be a mother.

'I do not want to be defined by who I share my bed, my home, my soul with,' she said. 'My choices in life have been unconventional, and that's my business.'

Relaxed: Her looked was complete with a pair of comfortable plimsolls in a contrasting white tone

Looking happy: Her hectic work schedule has not hindered the Emmy winner as she still finds time to have a personal life

Sarah was enjoying some well-earned down-time ahead of a particularly busy 2018; to date, she has roles in seven upcoming films and fans are counting on her return for season eight of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story.

Despite her hectic work schedule, the Emmy winner still finds time to have a personal life.

Sarah's role in American Horror Story has propelled her to fame since she landed her part back in 2011, and she has since gone on to receive numerous award nominations for the critically-acclaimed FX series.They're the genetically blessed former reality star couple, currently living it up in Los Angeles.

And Noni Janur went quite literally all out in celebration of that fact by putting on a very busty display ahead of her date night with Sam Johnston.

In an Instagram picture captioned 'Taco Tuesday,' the beauty showed off her bountiful cleavage in a plunging yellow crop top.

'Taco Tuesday': Noni Janur goes all out in a busty date night display for beau Sam Johnston... amid rumours the pair got married in a secret LA wedding

Leaving little to the imagination, both her assets and toned stomach were on view in the top that tied above her waist.

She completed the look with a pair of acid wash jeans.

Looking appropriately dressed for a Mexican fiesta, Noni styled her brunette locks into a playful bun, adding a colourful bandanna.

Sadly, fans didn't get an update on the recently sparked rumours of a secret wedding.

Date night! Noni left little to the imagination, offering glimpses of her assets and toned stomach in a top tied above the waist, completing the look with a pair of acid wash jeans

The rumours began circling after Noni shared a snap to her Insta-stories on Sunday, showing her model beau wearing a suspicious gold wedding band.

In the photo, US-based model and actor Sam looks relaxed on the phone, wearing a checkered red and black shirt, an LA Dodgers cap and a number of rings, including the 'wedding band.'

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the same ring on his wedding finger back in October and speculated about a possible elopement in the comments section.

No update? While the Bachelor series stars looked ready for a big night, they kept fans in the lurch regarding their recent wedding rumours

However, Sam denied speculation, telling Daily Mail Australia this week that the pair are not married.

'It's just a ring that fits on that finger,' he said of the ring, before adding, 'wouldn't worry about it until she's wearing a ring.'

Speaking to NW earlier this year, Noni said: 'We've talked about it and Sam's said, 'Once I get my permanency (in LA) we can get married and you can come over'.'

Married? The rumours began circling after Noni shared a snap to her Insta-stories on Sunday, showing her model beau wearing a suspicious gold wedding bandKim Kardashian has reportedly locked all her expensive jewellery in storage to deter burgulars from targeting her home in California, TMZ reports.

The 37-year-old reality star - who was robbed at gunpoint in Paris - is also said to have armed security on hand at her home.

She moved into her luxury $20million Hidden Hills home last month with husband Kanye West and children North, four, and Saint, two.

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Contingency plan: Kim Kardashian has reportedly locked all her expensive jewellery in storage to deter burgulars from targeting her home in California, TMZ reports

Kim's extensive jewellery is also said to be under constant supervision in its new storage facility to ensure that nothing is taken.

Kim and the family recently moved into their 16,000 square foot Hidden Hills dream home that they bought for $20m in 2014 and had renovated twice.

The property has eight-bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, and also includes the once-neighboring $2.9 million lot next door.

MailOnline has contacted Kim's representatives for comment.

Burgled: The 37-year-old reality star - who was robbed at gunpoint in Paris and had her $4million engagement ring stolen - is also said to have armed security on hand at her home

Kim's extreme approach to home security comes after she was robbed at gunpoint when thieves stormed her hotel room during Paris Fashion Week.

The heist, which took place on October 3, 2016, was France's biggest jewelry theft involving a private citizen in more than two decades.

There were 17 people arrested in connection to the armed robbery and ten have been charged so far. The thieves stole an estimated $10million worth of jewels including her 20 carat engagement ring.

Cute couple: Kim moved into her luxury $20million Hidden Hills home last month with husband Kanye West and children North, four, and Saint, two

Hidden Hills: Kim and Kanye's luxury property has eight-bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, and also includes the once-neighboring $2.9 million lot next door

Speaking about the harrowing incident, Kim admitted she believed she was going to be raped and killed by the thieves.

She also revealed the ordeal had made her less materialistic, as she confessed on Ellen: 'I was definitely materialistic before, not that there's anything bad with having things and working hard to get those things. I'm really proud of everyone around me that's successful.

'But I'm so happy that my kids get this me, that this is who I am raising my kids. I just don't care about that stuff anymore. I really don't.'Grant Denyer's wife Chezzi has received her first good health news this year.

After making the decision to undergo risky eye surgery to stem the flow of debilitating migraines last month, the 38-year-old is finally seeing progress.

Now, Chezzi is basking in the little victories, taking to Instagram on Wednesday to celebrate simply being able to wear sunglasses comfortably again.

'First time I've been able to wear sunnies!': Grant Denyer's wife Chezzi overjoyed at signs of progress following 'life-saving' eye sugery to fix debilitating condition last month

Looking great in a revealing bikini top, the mother-of-two smiled for a selfie, posing in a pair of sunglasses for the first time in over a month.

'The first time I've been able to wear sunnies comfortably since my surgery last month!!' she rejoiced in the caption.

'I'm taking full advantage by soaking up this glorious Queensland *sun emoji* for a tiny bit!'

Clearly not taking for granted the amazing efforts of medical staff, she included the hashtags 'slip slop slap,' and 'alive.'

Progress: After making the decision to undergo risky eye surgery to stem the flow of debilitating migraines last month, the 38-year-old is finally seeing progress

Chezzi has come a long way in a short time, revealing her struggles just to get through 'everyday life' less than a month ago.

'The week of my birthday earlier this month (November), I was sent to hospital with a severe migraine pain in my left hand side of my head,' she wrote back then.

'I've not experienced anything like it and thought it was caused by me detoxing?'

Rejoice! 'The first time I've been able to wear sunnies comfortably since my surgery last month!!' the wife of Family Feud star Grant Denyer celebrated in the caption

'Some days I have such severe vertigo that I nearly fall over if I get up too quickly or if I move my head in a certain way.'

Following her successful surgery on December 6, Chezzi took to her Instagram heaping praise on her doctor, gushing: 'This man has seriously changed my life!'

'Things are really starting to feel so much better already!! So much so, I wanted to do an appreciation post to the man featured with me here my sinus saviour for rectifying my horrible condition.'

'I've got a little way to go still with recovery but my energy levels are coming back. My hearing, my smell and my taste are once again beginning to function... And Dr Will has overseen a very comprehensive plan moving forward...'

Thankful! Following her successful surgery on December 6, Chezzi took to her Instagram heaping praise on her doctor, gushing: 'This man has seriously changed my life!'She is best known for playing Maria Von Trapp in beloved musical The Sound of Music, set in the Austrian city of Salzburg.

And Julie Andrews returned to her famous Alpine surroundings on Wednesday, as she was spotted enjoying a relaxing getaway to Gstaad, Switzerland.

The actress, 82, proved to be as glamorous as ever in a chic white coat and pin curls, as she embarked on a food shop with friends in the winter holiday hotspot.

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Back to the hills! Julie Andrews, 82, was spotted enjoying a holiday in Gstaad, Switzerland on Wednesday

The hills are alive once more: Julie made her fame in the Alps - playing Maria Von Trapp in 1965 musical The Sound of Music, shot in Salzburg (above)

Julie looked far younger than her years in black flares and a padded white coat as she headed to the supermarket in the luxurious ski resort.

Wrapping up warm in the cold, the actress co-ordinated her bright red jumper with a striped scarf, and kept comfortable for her outing in sturdy black ankle boots.

Yet, despite her casual look, Julie accessorised with a sleek leather handbag, embellished with silver studs, and styled her hair into tight pin curls for a touch of old school glamour.

Effortless: The star wrapped up warm in a white coat and bright red jumper, but maintained her usual glamour with dark sunglasses and pin curls as she embarked on a food shop

Tying her look together with dark, oversized sunglasses, the musical star was the picture of sophistication as she picked up a few essentials with friends, for their relaxing trip away.

Julie has starred in a number of big films and musicals over the years, but is perhaps best known for playing Maria in the 1965 classic The Sound of Music.

The film, shot in fellow Alpine city Salzburg, sees nun Maria sent to the villa of retired naval officer Georg von Trapp, played by Christopher Plummer, to be the governess of his seven children.

It has since become one of the most popular musicals of all time, and Julie even returned to Salzburg in 2015, to film a documentary in honour of the movie's fiftieth anniversary.

Leading lady: Julie is best known for playing Maria in the Sound of Music - a nun who is sent to the villa of retired naval officer played by Christopher Plummer, to look after his seven children

Speaking to People at the time, Julie admitted she never thought the musical would be such a success - let alone one that has brought so much joy into her life.

She said: 'I never anticipated that 50 years after the film was released, Id be sitting here. Its brought me many gifts and many friends, truthfully.'

After the success of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, Julie went on to star in the likes of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Victor/Victoria, for which she bagged the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.

She has since turned her attention to vocal roles in recent years - acting as the narrator in 2007 fantasy musical Enchanted, and providing voices in the Shrek and Despicable Me franchises.Jerry Seinfeld mixed business with pleasure over the holidays while visiting Tel Aviv for the second time with his comedy show.

The comedian, 63, was joined by his wife Jessica and their three children Sascha, 17, Julian Kal, 14, and Shepherd Kellen, 12, who enjoyed the sites together when he wasn't working.

The family of five were all smiles as they posed in front of the famous Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem in warm winter coats.

Greetings: Jess Seinfeld shared a photo of their trip to Jerusalem on Wednesday

This is the first time his family has visited Israel. The star of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee spent a lot of time in the country in the summer of 1970 when he cut leaves in the banana fields.

He promoted his Bee Movie there in 2012 and he performed four comedy shows during a trip in 2015.

During this tour, he performed two sold out shows on December 20 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv.

Hungry: Jerry visited a popular falafel eatery shortly after he landed in Tel Aviv

Take flight: The comedian made a stop with the Israel Air Force near the Egyptian border

The Seinfeld creator was spotted out and about in the major Israeli city including stops at Hakosem Falafel just hours after his arrival into the country.

He enjoyed their most popular item while wearing a New York Mets cap.

The New York native also visited with the Israeli Air Force's Ramon airbase near the Egyptian border.

Say cheese: Members of the Israeli Air Force met with the funnyman after his two sold out performances

Tricks are for kids: Sascha Seinfeld saw mentalist Lior Suchard perform a trick with a Rubik's Cube

His daughter also enjoyed her time in the country. She met with master mentalist Lior Suchard at Studio Arcadia on Monday in Jerusalem.

Her mom shared a video to her Instagram where the mentalist performed a trick using a Rubik's cube.

Seinfeld will return to the United States to continue his tour on January 10 for a show in Louisiana.



Amanda Barrie has branded women 'stupid' for sleeping with disgraced American producer Harvey Weinstein to win a role.

The Coronation Street actress, 82, was discussing the 65-year-old - who has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women - in scenes set to air on Wednesday night's Celebrity Big Brother.

Her comments incensed fellow housemate Malika Haqq, who argued that the abuse isn't always 'obvious' and that some women feel backed into a corner by powerful figures.

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Controversial: Amanda Barrie has branded women 'stupid' for sleeping with the disgraced American producer Harvey Weinstein to win a role

The debate kicked off with newsreader India Willoughby asking Amanda if she had ever been discriminated against in terms of casting.

Barrie replied: 'When it comes to Harvey Weinstein ... I just think somebody should have said, "It's not really worth it darling, I'd rather not get the part!" '

Ex-MP Widdecombe, 70, chipped in: 'I tend to agree, there was a choice.'

India pushed Barrie further, and asked: 'Were you ever in a situation where a director made it obvious you wouldn't get a part unless you succumbed to his charms?'

Backlash: The veteran star's comments incensed fellow housemate Malika Haqq, who argued that some women feel backed into a corner by powerful figures and said the abuse isn't always 'obvious'

Opinionated: Amanda said: 'When it comes to Harvey Weinstein ... I just think somebody should have said, "It's not really worth it darling, I'd rather not get the part!" '

Disgraced: Weinstein, 65, has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women including prolific A-listers like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cara Delevingne (pictured with Gwyneth and Cameron Diaz in the late 90s)

Barrie said: 'It was always being indicated, but that is just - if you're stupid enough to go to bed with somebody because you want the part... I just don't get it.'

Her comments clearly left the housemates taken aback, while journalist Rachel Johnson, Boris Johnson's sister, said: 'Many, many actresses were stupid enough to do that, and ended up big stars.'

Widdecombe shot back: 'But that's down to them, they had a choice.'

Ex On The Beach star and glamour model Jess Impiazzi said she would feel 'terrified' if she was propositioned during an audition, to which Widdecombe said: 'You say no.'

Malika stepped in to point out that sometimes it's not as simple as saying no, giving the example of a producer asking to see a woman at his office, or at his house after an audition.

Curious: India pushed Barrie further, and asked: 'Were you ever in a situation where a director made it obvious you wouldn't get a part unless you succumbed to his charms?'

Bold comments: Barrie said: 'It was always being indicated, but that is just - if you're stupid enough to go to bed with somebody because you want the part... I just don't get it'

She said: 'Thats how people sometimes end up subjecting themselves in situations and scenarios you dont see it coming and you end up doing something you really dont want to end up doing it.

'Its not always that obvious.'

Weinstein, 65, has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women including prolific A-listers like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cara Delevingne.

The conversation moved on to former detective constable Maggie Oliver, who was asked if she felt that the police force was male-dominated.

Not impressed: Malika stepped in to point out that sometimes it's not as simple as saying no, giving the example of a producer asking to see a woman at his office, or at his house after an audition

Clash: She said: 'Thats how people sometimes end up subjecting themselves in situations and scenarios you dont see it coming and you end up doing something you really dont want to end up doing it. Its not always that obvious'

'I wouldn't say I was treated differently because I was a woman, but I do feel the old boy's network is still alive and kicking,' Oliver told her housemates.

'And if you look around at senior police officers, the vast majority are men and they've got a vested interest in keeping it that way. So women to get to the top of that profession, you really...'

Widdecombe then interrupted, referring to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police: 'But Cressida Dick's managed.'

Rachel argued: 'That's only one, Ann. That's like saying Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, therefore we don't have a problem with women's representation in Parliament.'

Debate: Journalist Rachel Johnson, Boris Johnson's sister, said: 'Many, many actresses were stupid enough to do that, and ended up big stars'

'Well, actually I don't think we do,' Widdecombe says.

In another part of the episode, Widdecombe told Amanda and India that she 'didn't notice' that she was a woman in a male-dominated world when she was a Member of Parliament.

'I never thought of myself as a woman MP, I was an MP who happened to be a woman, just as I was an MP who happened to be short rather than tall.

'Because I think that every woman in Parliament has got the same right to look every man in Parliament in the eye and know that she got there on exactly the same basis as he got there.'

She added: 'I hate positive discrimination with a passion.' Viewers will also see Oliver granted immunity from the first elimination, along with Impiazzi and Barrie.

Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on Channel 5She's the former high-class escort who's hung up her heels.

But despite leaving the practical side of the industry, Samantha X, real name Amanda Goff, has voiced her support for sex workers providing for their children, in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

Sharing a screen shot of an article that detailed a mother beating her five-year-old daughter to death, the 43-year-old wrote: 'To any woman out there who thinks their job as a stripper/sex worker/dancer/porn star makes you a "bad mother" - NO. Abusing and killing your kids makes you a bad mother.'

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'Escorting does NOT make you a bad mum': Samantha X, real name Amanda Goff, 43, defended mothers working in the sex industry, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, and claimed ex-husbands 'cannot take kids away based on moral judgement'

Samantha shared a link to an article that featured a video of a mother beating her five-year-old daughter to death, and then ordering her husband to hide the body in the family's restaurant.

Directing at those who consider escorts or sex workers to be bad mothers, Samantha, who is a mother to two children, wrote alongside the article: 'To any woman out there who thinks their job as a stripper/sex worker/dancer/porn star makes you a "bad mother" - NO.

'Abusing and killing your kids makes you a bad mother. Not providing for them.'

Online: Samantha shared a link to an article that featured a video of a mother beating her five-year-old daughter to death, and then ordering her husband to hide the body in the family's restaurant

Vocal: Directing at those who consider escorts or sex workers to be bad mothers, Samantha, who is a mother to two children, wrote alongside the article: 'To any woman out there who thinks their job as a stripper/sex worker/dancer/porn star makes you a "bad mother" - NO'

She continued: 'Abusing and killing your kids makes you a bad mother. Not providing for them'

Samantha went on to add: 'It makes me sad when women come to me petrified their exes threaten to take the kids away because of their jobs. You cannot take kids away from their mothers based on moral judgement'

Samantha went on to add: 'It makes me sad when women come to me petrified their exes threaten to take the kids away because of their jobs. You cannot take kids away from their mothers based on moral judgement.'

The post resulted in Samantha's followers voicing their opinions, all of which agreed with the media personality.

One commented: 'Couldn't agree more!!!' while another followed with 'Amen.'

Others were more descriptive in their answers, with one posting: 'This!! I am over sex workers being put down for being Mums. It makes my blood boil. Most of the girls at work are Mums and I think they're incredible.

Support: The post resulted in Samantha's followers voicing their opinions, all of which agreed with the media personality. One commented: 'Couldn't agree more!!!'

Following suit: Another followed with 'Amen'

Opening up: Others were more descriptive in their answers, with one posting: 'This!! I am over sex workers being put down for being Mums. It makes my blood boil. Most of the girls at work are Mums and I think they're incredible'

Former life: Samantha announced she was 'hanging up the heels' and retiring as an escort on October 24 last year

'I personally couldn't do it cause kids made my boobs and tummy sag beyond repair. More power to any woman who can do the work, I say!!'

And another with: 'Sex work is real work, the stupid stigma is annoying. You're a wonderful person @samanthaxreal.'

Samantha announced she was 'hanging up the heels' and retiring as an escort on October 24 last year.

She enjoyed a romantic holiday to Europe, before going public with her relationship with Channel Seven journalist Ryan Phelan.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The leader of the police team in the Mandaluyong shooting is now under custody.

Senior Inspector Maria Cristina Vasquez reported to the National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig at 10:45 a.m, according to a Wednesday report from the Eastern Police District (EPD).

She was brought to EPD Director, Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Biay before she was placed under the restrictive custody of Superintendent Enrique Agtarap, Mandaluyong City Police Station officer-in-charge.

Vasquez led the nine policemen who fired at a white vehicle carrying a shooting victim on Dec. 28, 2017. Her team responded to reports from barangay tanod that a gunman fled another shooting incident in Barangay Additional Hills, Mandaluyong.

The ten police officers and two barangay tanod are now under police custody, while another tanod is still at large.

"Continuous efforts are being done to locate and persuade Gilbert Gulpo, the Barangay Watchman who is one of the suspects of the Mandaluyong shooting incident who was gone in hiding after the incident happened, to voluntarily surrender," Biay said in a statement.

The tanod reportedly fired at the van in the first shooting. Under the law, only tanod of the Police Auxiliary Unit are allowed to carry firearms. Others cannot bear firearms.

CNN Philippines' Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.He was painted as the 'villain' of the 2017 series of The Bachelorette after he ruffled feathers for his overconfidence.

And it appears that Ryan Jones has moved on since failing to find love with Sophie Monk on the hit reality show, taking to Instagram to share a photo cuddling up to rumoured new girlfriend Tahlia Rozis.

The Sydney-based construction manager's post was soon besieged by trolls, with John Ibrahim's son Dan Taylor stepping in to help Ryan hit back.

New flame? It appears that bachelorette villain Ryan Jones has moved on since failing to find love with Sophie Monk on the hit reality show, taking to Instagram to share a photo cuddling up to blonde gal pal Tahlia Rozis

The photo showed Ryan, clad in a black linen shirt, white shorts and tan shoes, standing in a driveway with his arm around Tahlia.

Tahlia, meanwhile, matching Ryan in a black sleeveless linen top and white skirt, had her arm around the reality TV star's shoulder while flashing a 'peace' sign with her right hand.

While it is unclear if romance had blossomed between the two, their body language suggested they were close, nonetheless.

The woman has also made regular appearances on Ryan's Instagram Stories, including on Christmas Day and during a recent holiday to the Gold Coast.

Are they? While it is unclear if romance had blossomed between the two, their body language suggested they were close, nonetheless.

Daily Mail Australia has approached Ryan Jones for comment.

'Who wore it better?' Ryan captioned the photo, before one disgruntled follower let loose with a string of insults.

They wrote: 'Ryan you look like a little lesbian lol. And what's with the chubby knees? For someone who has high expectations when it comes to woman , you certainly are below average.'

Harsh: The post was then besieged by a troll who suggested Ryan looked like a 'lesbian' with 'chubby knees'

Defence; Ryan's mate Dan Taylor, son of the 'King Of the Cross' John Ibrahim, hit back at the troll with no holds barred

Heated exchange: Ryan himself then joined the conversation asking what was wrong with lesbians to which the unflappable keyboard warrior replied; 'funny thing is that you actually think that's a witty question??? Lol'

Ryan's mate Dan Taylor, son of the 'King Of the Cross' John Ibrahim, hit back at the troll with no holds barred.

'This coming from someone with 163 photos but zero followers. I'd hate to see what you looked like.....probably Hagrid from Harry Potter,' he said.

The troll wasn't silenced, escalating the situation with: 'haha d***head, I dont accept followers ! The photos on here are saved to my camera roll for business reasons moron! Thanks for looking though.'

Unlucky in love: Ryan was portrayed as the 'villain' on The Bachelorette after Sophie Monk was left unimpressed by his behaviour

Ryan himself then joined the conversation asking what was wrong with lesbians to which the unflappable keyboard warrior replied; 'funny thing is that you actually think that's a witty question??? Lol'

It was Ryan who had the last word, though suggesting that the follower 'get a life.'

'No youre just a gronk who makes fake profiles for some sort of entitlement to troll people who you think give a f**k about what you have to say. Get a life.'They have only been living in the famous Borehamwood mansion for 24 hours.

But Ann Widdecombe and India Willoughby embarked on the first fight of the series on Wednesday night's Celebrity Big Brother, when they clashed over their sleeping situation.

The former politician, 70, demanded she sleep in the bed India had chosen as it bore a towel with her name on - causing fans to brand her as 'childish' on Twitter, and even accuse her of flinching when the transgender newsreader, 51, touched her.

At war: Ann Widdecombe and India Willoughby embarked on the first fight of the series on Wednesday night's Celebrity Big Brother, when they clashed over their sleeping situation

Not happy: Ann, 70, demanded she sleep in India's bed as it bore a towel with her name on - causing fans to brand her as 'childish' and claim she 'flinched' when India touched her

During their first night in the house Ann claimed one of the single beds had been assigned to her, as it bore a towel with her name on.

India, who had chosen the bed for herself, refused to move, and Ann instead agreed to sleep in a separate room, so she would not bother her co-stars with her snoring.

However Ann was quick to express her annoyance in the Diary Room, and claimed the beds had been assigned to each housemate by stating: 'They put our name towels on our beds for a purpose.

I want that one: Ann claimed one of the single beds had been assigned to her, as it bore a towel with her name on - but India refused to budge

Wronged: She said in the Diary Room: 'I thought that the bed marked with the towels that said Ann was meant for me, but I'm certainly not going to get involved in trivial arguments'

'The vote was taken that anybody that snores goes to the other room. I thought that the bed marked with the towels that said Ann was meant for me, but I'm certainly not going to get involved in trivial arguments.'

However things came to a head later on when India asked Ann if she was OK, prompting her to claim Big Brother had assigned beds to people - which remained unconfirmed throughout the episode.

She said: 'They had designated beds, but quite frankly I'm happy to be on my own. I don't want any company at all in the nicest possible way.'

Still not happy: However things came to a head later on when India asked Ann if she was OK, prompting her to claim Big Brother had assigned beds

Not bothered: Ann said: 'They had designated beds, but quite frankly I'm happy to be on my own. I don't want any company at all in the nicest possible way'

India then discussed her side of the argument in the Diary Room - where she deemed Ann 'rigid' and expressed her hopes that the attitudes towards her in the house will 'slacken off' in time.

She said: 'Some of the women in the house are a little bit unsure about me and hopefully that will slacken off in the next day or so.

'I hope Ann wasn't upset earlier on. I really like Ann, I like people with strong opinions. She likes to follow rules and is quite linear and rigid.'

'She likes to follow rules and is quite linear': India then discussed her side of the argument in the Diary Room - where she deemed Ann 'rigid'

Beofre adding firmly: 'Her understanding was that a towel with her name on was on my bed meant that it was her bed - but it's not.'

Fans were quick to brand the pair 'childish' for the fight on Twitter, and targeted Ann in particular for her trivial behaviour.

One wrote: 'India and ann beefing over a bed.... how childish #cbb' while others added: 'Ann is doing my head in. Its just s bed man. #CBB' and 'Oohhh shut up and go to bed Ann #CBB.'

Others claimed she was immature, chiming in: 'Anns already bugging me. Whys she fighting over a bed at her big age? #CBB' and 'Ann doesnt want to get involved in trivial arguments but she just started one with the towels on the bed... #CBB'

Ridiculous: Fans were quick to brand the pair 'childish' for the fight on Twitter, and targeted Ann in particular for her trivial behaviour

'Imagine living with her': Viewers questioned why Ann was fighting over a bed and called for her to stop 'moaning'

While another agreed: 'Ann has been moaning about a f***ing bed for ten minutes. Imagine living with it #CBB'

One viewer reasoned: 'If they wanted you to have that bed Ann, Im pretty sure they wouldve called you in to say that. #cbb'

Former BB star Sam Giffen then criticised Ann for segregating herself from the house altogether, by choosing a single bed.

He wrote: 'Sharing a bedroom with everyone is the best part of Big Brother!! It's so much fun & getting in to bed at night was always the funniest part of the day. Ann is missing out #CBB'

Awkward: Some fans even claimed the former Privy Councillor had flinched when India reached out to her, in a bid to make amends

Some fans even claimed the former Privy Councillor had flinched when India reached out to her, in a bid to make amends.

One viewer wrote: 'Undia trying to clear any misunderstanding about beds and Ann body language says different she dont like her she quickly moved over when approached by India putting a barrier right up '

Another added: 'Wow. Did you see the way Ann backed away at lightning speed when India put her arm on Ann? Where's @thejudijames when you need her?'

Further fans were quick to agree, noting: 'Ann proper flinched when India touched her' and 'Why am I getting an inkling that Ann has got a problem with India and potentially due to her being transgender...#CBB'

Ridiculous: However, a number of other viewers took Ann's side, and slammed India for making a big deal of the situation

Fair: Many viewers thought Ann was hilarious, and agreed with her side of the argument

However, a number of other viewers took Ann's side, and slammed India for making a big deal of the situation.

One penned: 'Am I the only one thats angry at India for taking Anns bed? #cbb' as another added: 'Stop making a big deal about this bed situation India...Ann's not even bothered.. #cbb #CBBUK'

Another agreed with Ann's reasoning, writing: 'Am i just being thick but if there was a towel with my name on it on a bed I would assume that bed was meant for me too. dont know why Ann is getting all the stick.' (sic)

Further fans simply commented on the hilarity of the situation, writing: 'Ann Widdecombe is P***ed off about the bed situation!!! Loving her already. Haha #CBB'

And: '#CBB B***dy love Ann! That would be me choosing the bed!'Family and friends have paid tribute to a South Australian hiker who died after being struck by lightning in central Australia.

The 35-year-old man, Antony Van Der Meer was hiking the Rim Walk at Kings Canyon with four others when he was struck on Monday afternoon.

A crowdfunding page set up for his family said Mr Van Der Meer was an amazing husband, son, brother and friend who will be sorely missed.

"Anyone who was lucky enough to call Antony Van Der Meer a friend for the past 35 years knew what a big-hearted, generous and hilarious man he was," the page said.Labor warns welfare recipients could be forced into homelessness or a life of crime if the federal government pushes ahead with a planned crackdown.

The government is close to securing the Nick Xenophon Team's support for its welfare bill which has been languishing in the Senate.

The minor party is likely to support a large chunk of the proposed welfare changes, with conditions, in exchange for $40 million towards drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek warned punishing vulnerable Australians by docking their payments and pushing them into poverty would not work.

"There is a risk that people will be pushed into homelessness and even potentially pushed into a life of crime," she told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann insisted the changes will help more Australian off welfare and back into the workforce.

"They help ensure our welfare system remains affordable and financially sustainable for future generations," he said in a statement.

The government was forced to abandon plans to drug test welfare recipients from January after the Senate shot down the idea late last year.

But it's pushing ahead with a demerit-point system in which people could lose payments for up to a month if they don't apply for enough jobs.

The government is also still seeking to introduce cashless welfare cards to two new trial sites, tighten exemptions for drug and alcohol dependence, and roll seven welfare payments into one.Federal Labor warns Tony Abbott on the warpath might sink the Turnbull government's proposed national energy guarantee policy.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is reportedly facing a backlash in government ranks from conservative MPs including the man he replaced in the top job, over his energy policy.

Mr Abbott has declared he doesn't support plans for overseas carbon credits being made available to Australian businesses, describing it as a carbon tax under a different name.

Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said it's only three days into the new year and the Liberal Party was at war with itself over climate change action.

"Who knows what the future of the national energy guarantee is If Tony Abbott is on the warpath again?" she told reporters.

"There's one thing you can guarantee for sure is Malcolm Turnbull going underwater," she told reporters in Sydney.

The national energy guarantee would involve energy retailers delivering a set level of ready-to-use power in each state to shore up reliability, while also being compelled to meet a lower emissions target.

Ms Plibersek said major business and industry groups support reducing carbon pollution by trading in well-regulated markets.A Brisbane city bar has been fined $15,000 after a drunk minor was found passed out in a CBD laneway.

Queensland's Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation said the unnamed venue was recently convicted and fined after being found guilty of numerous breaches of the liquor act.

The offences included failing to prevent a minor from entering the premises, allowing alcohol to be consumed by a minor and having no approved crowd controller present.

The investigation into the bar was launched after a minor was found intoxicated and unconscious in a city laneway after drinking at the venue.Victoria's youth affairs minister has defended the state's juvenile bail laws after a 15-year-old boy accused of trying to kill pedestrians with a car on AFL grand final day was released from custody.

The teenager - who has been charged with attempted murder and other offences over an alleged attempted rampage on September 30 - was granted bail by a Children's Court on Tuesday.

"We have made very significant reforms to the bail system. Of course, decisions are made by the judiciary in relation to particular individuals," Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Wednesday.A NSW jail has been placed in lockdown after a maximum-security prisoner deliberately started a fire in his cell, authorities say.

The prisoner lit the blaze about 9.30am on Wednesday at the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra and then refused to leave his cell, a Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman told AAP in a statement.

Prison officers on the scene deployed tear gas to safely remove all inmates from the area.

Meanwhile, two other inmates climbed onto an awning of an internal building at the prison but later came down of their own accord.

Firefighters rushed to the scene following reports of the blaze but were denied access to the high-security prison.

"I understand that following on from that (first fire) a number of smaller fires were lit in additional cells, once that had occurred the prison was placed in lockdown," a Fire & Rescue NSW spokesman told reporters on Wednesday.

"The fire was extinguished by staff."

Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin praised prison officers for their response to the incident saying it was the type of situation officers dealt with regularly.

"Corrective Services officers face a difficult job each day in managing some of the most dangerous people," Mr Severin said in a statement.

An investigation is under way into the incident and the inmates involved could face charges.A former British MP whose daughter and granddaughter were killed in a seaplane crash near Sydney is "devastated" by their loss just months ahead of a planned wedding.

Emma Bowden, 48, perished in the Hawkesbury River crash along with her daughter Heather, 11, husband-to-be Richard Cousins, 58, and his adult sons William and Edward.

The pilot, Gareth Morgan, 44, also died.

The Bowden family, including Emma's father - former British Conservative MP Gerry Bowden - revealed their heartbreak on Wednesday.

"Gerry Bowden and all his family are devastated by the loss of dear Emma and dear Heather who spread happiness and joy among all they met throughout their lives," the family said in a statement to London's The Telegraph.

"We deeply feel their loss but their memory will shine brightly forever."

The family added: "We were looking forward to the wedding in the (northern hemisphere) summer. We were all utterly delighted. Emma and Richard were so obviously in love and looking forward to a life together."Former finalist Alexandr Dolgopolov has booked a potential clash with Nick Kyrgios after brushing aside Horacio Zeballos of Argentina in the Brisbane International second round on Wednesday.

World No.38 Dolgopolov of Ukraine, ranked 28 spots higher than his opponent, was the first through to the men's quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-2 win that lasted barely an hour at Pat Rafter Arena.

The 29-year-old Dolgopolov - the 2012 Brisbane finalist - will meet the winner of Wednesday's second-round clash between third seed Kyrgios and fellow Australian Matthew Ebden.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, ranked Pope Francis as the "most favorable" world leader, according to an international survey.

Nine out of 10 Filipinos or around 87 percent of the Filipinos surveyed in the Philippines have a "favorable" opinion on the Pontiff, according to Gallup International's 41st Annual Global End of Year Survey.

Only 7 percent or around 70 people of the 1,000 Filipinos surveyed have an "unfavorable" opinion on the Pope, giving him a net score (favorable - unfavorable) of 80.

The Pontiff also got the highest ranking worldwide where 56 percent said they have a "favorable" opinion of the Pope.

According to 2010 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, around 81 percent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic.

Pope Francis visited the Philippines in January 2015.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump ranked as the second most favorable world leader in the Philippines, with 72 percent seeing him as "favorable" and 23 percent "unfavorable," giving him a net score of 49.

Trump attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Philippines in November, where he also met with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ranked third, with 47 percent "favorable" and 27 percent "unfavorable."

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has 35 percent "favorable" and 36 percent "unfavorable," putting his net score at -1.

China and the Philippines enjoy closer ties with the Duterte administration. China donated P1 billion for the Marawi rehabilitation and promised the construction of two bridges along Pasig River.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ranked the lowest in the Philippines, with 23 percent "favorable" and 30 percent "unfavorable," with a -7 net score.

The poll was conducted from November 16 to 29, 2017.The search for MH370 has resumed after a research ship left South Africa, bound for a search area off the coast of Perth.

The Malaysian Government has enlisted US seabed exploration company Ocean Infinity, which chartered Norwegian ship Seabed Constructor, due to arrive in Perth on February 7 after it set sail from Port Durban on Tuesday.

The Malaysian Airlines flight disappeared on March 8 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board, sparking the largest search in aviation history.A humble toothpick is being blamed for causing severe abdominal pain for an Australian woman after it was found by surprise in her gut during surgery.

Doctors in Melbourne were stunned to find the toothpick in the 70-year-old woman's colon during an operation they were carrying out after diagnosing her with acute diverticulitis, a condition that causes the walls of the large bowel to become inflamed.

Before the surgery, the woman had turned up with abdominal pain four times in a month at a hospital emergency department.

But when her doctors began operating, they found part of her colon had ballooned in size and been pierced by a toothpick.

Routine scans carried out before the surgery didn't detect any foreign objects in her gut, and even after the operation the woman denied she'd used toothpicks or eaten a meal served with the tiny wooden sticks.

Details of the case were included among hundreds of other intriguing medical mysteries published as case reports by the British Medical Journal on Wednesday.

The woman's doctors, Shanesh Kumar, Ramin Mehdipour, Asiri Arachchi, and Antony Cass, said that given half of all patients who end up ingesting toothpicks don't realise they have swallowed one, medics should consider checking for foreign objects in patients with abdominal pain.

"Appropriate pre-operative investigations such as endoscopy and CT, despite their fairly low sensitivity, should be performed to increase the ability to accurately diagnose this condition and therefore optimise subsequent management," they wrote in their case report.

Included in the BMJ's other case reports were details about how a British woman was nearly blinded after a piece of glitter from a Christmas card lodged in her eyeball.

Her doctors in England initially thought her swollen eye was caused by a herpes simplex infection.

However a powerful microscope helped them detect a tiny piece of glitter, which the woman later recalled lodged in her eye after coming loose from a Christmas card.If you were to randomly select any biography on Wikipedia to read in English, there is less than a one in five chance it would be about a woman.

That statistic has prompted a global movement to create more entries about women in the online encyclopedia, and Australians are playing a role.

Among them is a group, of staff and students, from Melbourne University who were encouraged to join the movement, originally launched by the US-based Art+Feminism, which runs an annual global "edit-a-thon" to add more female artists to Wikipedia.

The Melbourne University group held their own "edit-a-thon" in 2017, adding more than 30 women to the site, most of whom have attended the institution.

They included aeronautical engineer Diane Lemaire, the first woman to graduate from the university with an engineering degree, and Jean Laby, an early atmospheric physicist and the first woman to be awarded a PhD in physics.

Dr Mary Tomsic, from the university's school of philosophical and historical studies, says the group plans a second edit-a-thon in 2018.

She says the fact only 17 per cent of Wikipedia pages in English are about women is part of a broader trend where men still tend to be taken more seriously than women.

"Things about women are generally not seen as having as high a status," Dr Tomsic told AAP.

"Women in public life get questioned in ways that men don't.

"That all contributes to this kind of environment where we still see more men's stories, things about men, and that's where serious ideas occur."

Small edits can also play a significant role in ensuring women are better represented on Wikipedia, Dr Tomsic said, such as making sure when a woman's page links to her husband's, his page links back to hers.

"If we think of this as an overall picture, it's really quite significant," she said.

Dr Tomsic said it was evident groups such as hers were having an impact, with the number of biographies about women in English on Wikipedia lifting from about 15 per cent in 2014 to 17 per cent in 2017.

That's not insignificant when there are more than 1.5 billion biographies in English on the site, which is Australia's sixth most popular.

Dr Tomsic said enabling people to come together through edit-a-thons was a great way of encouraging the movement.

But anyone can help women become better represented on Wikipedia from home, once they'd read the site's rules.

"I would encourage everyone to look up a woman - an author or someone you like - and see what their entry is like and see if you can fix it or improve it," she said.Western Australia has had its first case of meningococcal for 2018 after an adult patient was diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease over the festive period.

The Health Department says the patient has recovered and been released from hospital after being diagnosed with the serogroup Y strain of the bacteria.

Six people died and 46 cases of meningococcal occurred in WA during 2017, double the number reported in 2016, with the increase attributed to new, virulent strains of serogroup W and Y.

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and/or the membranes lining the spinal cord and brain, and occasionally other areas such as the throat or large joints.

The bacterium is in droplets discharged when coughing or sneezing, but cannot be spread by saliva and does not survive more than a few seconds in the environment.

A state-funded vaccine for the strains A, C, W and Y is available for those aged 15 to 19, with those who missed out at school able to get a free jab from their GP, community health clinics and some university health centres.Today's Birthday, January 4: Australian hip hop artist Seth Sentry (1983-).

Born Seth Gabriel Morton in 1983, the middle child of three grew up infatuated with words in the Mornington Peninsula town of Sorrento.

As a kid, Morton's academically-inclined mother gifted him a typewriter allowing him to write out science fiction tales.

This combined with his father's love of arts as a violinist, painter and author, meant the youngster certainly had the necessary tools to become a musical lyricist.

Through high school, Morton would often use free time to write out and perform pretend B-side lyrics to whatever hip hop music he could find in local record shops.

He then moved to Melbourne as a 19-year-old to pursue his musical dream and started performing on the live circuit in 2003 with local hip hop drum and bass outfit D.S.O.L.

After honing his freestyle techniques, Morton forged professional relationships with producer DJ Matik and up-and-comer rapper Perry Chapman, better known as Pez.

Morton eventually dropped his last name and adopted the alias Sentry, a reference to the Marvel comic book hero, and the trio started writing, performing and touring together.

After appearing on a 2007 mix tape, Sentry had two guest features on the Pez's debut 2008 album A Mind Of My Own.

Not long after he released his own debut five-track EP, The Waiter Minute, which helped him gain Triple J Unearthed recognition and support tours.

Continued airplay of EP hit The Waitress Song made Seth Sentry a Triple J staple in 2009, with the track polling No.31 in the Hottest 100 countdown.

After more touring in 2010, Morton went to ground to craft his 2012 debut album This Was Tomorrow.

The album earned him another two Hottest 100 entries with Dear Science and Float Away as well as a 2013 ARIA Award nomination.

In 2013, Sentry shot to international fame with an American tour and late night US television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Sentry's ARIA-winning 2015 follow-up LP, Strange New Past, further enhanced his reputation for clever wordplay and catchy beats with popular tracks Hell Boy and Dumb.All staff at a large South Australian abattoir east of Adelaide are safe after a fire engulfed the facility.

About 100 firefighters continued to battle the blaze late on Wednesday at the Thomas Foods International facility at Northern Heights near Murray Bridge.

The Metropolitan Fire Service said a building had started to collapse and livestock were being moved as efforts continued to bring the blaze under control.

The MFS said firefighters had to use defensive strategies against the flames after a partial structure collapse, with water being pumped from a nearby lagoon.

Management had also started moving livestock to safer ground.

In a statement, the company said the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage were yet to be determined.

"Thankfully all our employees on site were safely and promptly evacuated," the statement said.

The company said it was making alternative processing arrangements to meet the needs of its customers.

The abattoir has a workforce of about 1400 but it was unclear how many were on site when the fire broke out.

The public were asked to avoid the area and a smoke advice alert was in place for nearby suburbs.

Local residents were being told to keep doors and windows closed.

"The emergency is causing smoke to drift across Northern Heights and surrounding suburbs," an advice alert said.

The Labor candidate for the local seat of Hammond Mat O'Brien said he was "in my yard watching in disbelief as Thomas Foods is ablaze".

"No reports of injuries but my thoughts are with employees and families of Murray Bridge's largest employer as they face uncertain times," he tweeted.

Thomas Foods International is Australia's largest, family-owned meat processing company, which has annual revenue in excess of $1 billion.

It operates another processing plant at Lobethal, in the Adelaide Hills, and also has operations at Tamworth in NSW and at Wallangarra in Queensland.Four men have drowned at Victorian beaches in two weeks, with the latest death occurring on the Mornington Peninsula.

The man was seen face down in the water at the beach on Point Napean Road at Rye shortly after 2pm on Wednesday.

Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

On Monday, a man drowned at Woolamai Beach on Phillip Island after seemingly being caught in a rip.

A week earlier, 28-year-old Hemant Govekar disappeared in the water off Cape Woolamai after he was spotted in trouble by surfers on Christmas Day.

Mr Govekar was at the beach with his family and had recently graduated from the University of Queensland.

A 41-year-old Sydenham man died at a Skenes Creek beach on the Great Ocean Road on December 21 while trying to rescue his two children.A 39-year-old woman has been charged with the shooting murder of her partner at a Gold Coast home, police say.

The man was shot sometime around 2am on Wednesday at a Southport home and died at the scene after receiving treatment from paramedics.

The man's partner was taken into custody and charged with murder and possession of a category H weapon on Wednesday evening.

Detective Acting Inspector Matt Ward said the woman, who lives at the home, called triple zero to report the shooting.

He said a weapon had been located inside the house but he couldn't confirm if it was the gun used in the shooting.

"We are still in the process of processing that crime scene, it will remain with us for up to two days," Det Act Insp Ward said.

Police are also interviewing two other people who were in the home at the time of the shooting while a child and two other adults were in a caravan on the property.

The man, who did not live at the property, is believed to have arrived at some point during the night.

"Suffice to say he hadn't been there for a substantial period of time," Det Act Insp Ward said.

He said while there was no history of domestic violence involving the couple, it was an avenue police were investigating.

The woman is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.The Victorian government continues to fend off criticism over its handling of youth crime from federal MPs talking in Sydney.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton believes people in Melbourne are "scared to go out at restaurants" at night because of African street gang violence.

"People don't see this in NSW, in Queensland, but the reality is people are scared to go out at restaurants of a night time because they're followed home by these gangs, home invasions, and cars are stolen," Mr Dutton told Sydney radio 2GB on Wednesday, without referring to any specific examples.

His comments come after Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull on Monday from a Sydney beach blamed Premier Daniel Andrews for "growing gang violence and lawlessness".

Acting Premier and Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas, says Mr Dutton should apologise for his comments.

"I think the people of Werribee and the people of Wyndham deserve an apology from Mr Dutton. He's gone too far just to make a political point," Mr Pallas told the Nine Network.

He said the federal government was also to blame for the situation, for reducing allocations to migrant services including employment services.

Victoria's Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos said tackling youth crime and gang violence would take more than the simplistic answers offered up by critics.

"For those people who are running around putting about simplistic answers, all I can say is that is a complete con job," she told reporters in Melbourne.

"Because one thing alone is not going to fix this issue."

Ms Mikakos said youth crime was not a new issue, and authorities had been working with police and community organisations to focus on prevention and early intervention for a number of years.

Data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows a decline in the number of young criminals, as well as a decline in the proportion of total crime committed by young people, over the past 10 years.Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will be among the dignitaries gathering in Kingaroy to farewell Lady Florence Bejelke-Petersen.

A state funeral will be held on Thursday for the former Queensland senator and wife of Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, in her home town at the Kingaroy Town Hall.

It is the same venue that hosted the state funeral for Sir Joh, Queensland's longest-serving premier, in 2005.

Lady Bjelke-Petersen died at the age of 97 on December 20 following complications from a fall she suffered weeks earlier.

While best known for being the wife of Sir Joh and for her pumpkin scones, Lady Flo - as she was affectionately known - served as a Nationals senator from 1981 to 1993, and served on a number of Parliamentary Senate Committees.

One of her final wishes was for her controversial husband's tarnished political reputation to be restored, after he was dumped as leader of the Nationals in 1987 after almost 20 years in office amid a corruption scandal.

In 1991, the 80-year-old was charged with perjury arising from his evidence to the Fitzgerald Royal Commission, but a jury was unable to reach a verdict.

Mr Turnbull, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Ms Palaszczuk are expected to speak at the service.(CNN)  The United States is "closer to a nuclear war with North Korea" than ever before, Adm. Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Sunday, adding that he does not "see the opportunities to solve this diplomatically at this particular point."

In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Mullen warned that President Donald Trump's provocative rhetoric aimed at North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely indicates he would prefer to take a more aggressive approach to countering the rogue regime's rapidly evolving nuclear weapons program.

"I'm just more inclined to see over time that the rhetoric seems to be where the President is," Mullen said, adding that Defense Secretary James Mattis, national security adviser H.R. McMaster and White House chief of staff John Kelly have managed to deter Trump from following through on his threats of unleashing "fire and fury."

"My concern is how long that actually lasts," Mullen said, adding that, at some point, Trump may be inclined to ignore advice from his top national security advisers that runs counter to his own instincts.

Mullen's warning about the possibility of war with North Korea was echoed by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, who said Sunday that 2018 could be a year of "extreme danger."

"We've got a chance here to deliver some fatal blows to some really bad actors in 2018. But if we blink, God help us all," Graham said in an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Earlier this month, Graham predicted that there is a 30% chance Trump orders a first strike on North Korea to prevent the rogue nation from acquiring a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the United States.

"I would say there's a three in 10 chance we use the military option," the South Carolina Republican first said in an interview with The Atlantic and later confirmed to CNN. If the North Koreans conduct an additional test of a nuclear bomb  their seventh  "I would say 70 percent," he said.

While Graham, an Air Force veteran who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, is widely considered a Republican foreign policy hawk, he repeatedly said in the interview with The Atlantic that he hopes military options are never employed and advocated meeting with the North Koreans in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to tensions between the two nations.

In his interview Sunday, Graham said his prediction on the chance of a war with North Korea is "based on a lot of time with President Trump."

"He made a decision early on to deny the North Korean regime the capability to hit America with a nuclear-tipped missile," including the use of military force, if necessary, Graham said.

Asked if he thought that meant a preemptive strike in the coming year, Graham said: "2018 is going to be the year to deny North Korea the capability to hit the homeland. Sanctions will never work completely without the threat of credible military force. How do you change a man's behavior who's willing to kill his own family, torture his own people to stay in power?"

"The only way he'll change his behavior, if he believes Donald Trump would use military force to destroy his regime," Graham added. "And the Iranians are watching how Trump deals with North Korea."

A report released Saturday by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said the country will remain committed to nuclear development in 2018

"Do not expect any change in its policy," the report read.

"Its entity as an invincible power can neither be undermined nor be stamped out. The DPRK, as a responsible nuclear weapons state, will lead the trend of history to the only road of independence and justice, weathering all tempests on this planet," the report continued, referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Former Joint Chiefs chairman: Nuclear war with North Korea closer than ever."Authorities are expected to use a floating crane to recover a seaplane that crashed into a river north of Sydney on New Year's Eve, killing all six people aboard.

NSW police will attempt to recover the Sydney Seaplanes DHC-2 Beaver from the Hawkesbury River on Thursday in an operation that's expected to start at dawn and run into the afternoon.

Experienced pilot Gareth Morgan died along with high-profile UK businessman Richard Cousins, his two adult sons Edward and William, his fiancee Emma Bowden and her 11-year-old daughter Heather when the plane plunged into Jerusalem Bay on December 31.

The plane is resting on its roof in about 15 metres of water, according to All Waterfront Constructions operations director Chris Kemp, who will work to recover the aircraft.

Two slings will be lowered and passed through the aircraft's cabin by police divers, Mr Kemp told AAP.

"Then we'll be lifting the whole lot up and placing it on the barge," he said.

"One of the wings is pretty badly damaged and bent over on the plane itself, so we'll be pulling that back down and lashing it to the plane," Mr Kemp said.

"We were on it the other day with the police divers and the cameras and it looks like there is still a wing intact on the fuselage."

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is working to determine why the seaplane went down. One possibility is the plane stalled.

Aircraft maintenance engineer Michael Greenhill told AAP on Wednesday that while it was not mandatory in Australia for Beaver planes to have stall warnings installed, most did.

"A stall is when the airflow over the aircraft's wing becomes insufficient enough to produce lift," Mr Greenhill said.

"So basically the wing stops flying."

A Canadian report, published in September 2017, recommended the warning system be mandatory on all Beavers.

Mr Greenhill has flown in the plane that crashed on New Year's Eve. He couldn't remember if it had the warning system installed but said it may not have helped in any case.

"Even if the Beaver had this system fitted there's a large possibility there would have been insufficient time to rectify the situation due to the low altitude and approaching terrain."

The wreckage of the plane is expected to be recovered about midday on Thursday before being taken to a reserve in Bayview.

The ATSB is investigating witnesses' claims the plane made a right-hand turn before it fell into the water.A man and a woman are behind bars after police seized more than $1 million worth of cannabis from a home in Sydney's south.

A tip-off from the community led officers to the house in Riverwood about 9.40am on Wednesday where they uncovered 266 cannabis plants and 12.7kgs of loose cannabis, police say.

The haul is estimated to have a potential street value of more than $1 million.

The 47-year-old woman and the 26-year-old man were refused bail and are due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.Queensland Police are looking for a man who allegedly fired shots into a ute north of Brisbane.

Bullets were allegedly fired into the side of a Holden Rodeo dual-cab ute on Anzac Avenue at Kallangur around 9pm on Tuesday, causing damage to the front passenger door.

The driver of the ute, a 22-year-old man, was not injured.

Police believe the shots were fired from a silver Holden Commodore or Calais and are looking for the driver, described as 25- to 30-years-old with a sleeve tattoo on his right arm.

Anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information should contact police.Retired-major-general-turned-federal-politician Jim Molan has cast doubt over whether the US military is strong enough to guarantee Australia's security.

Liberal senator-designate Molan will enter parliament next month replacing Fiona Nash who was booted from upper house over her dual citizenship status.

He warns the Australian Defence Force needed greater self-reliance and should address critical vulnerabilities such as fuel and weapons holdings.

"Without doing so, we could be reduced to impotence in less than a week," he wrote in an opinion piece for The Australian.

He said Australia has an expectation, not a right or guarantee, that the US will come to our aid in an extreme scenario.

"There seem to be very strong grounds to question that expectation and to adjust our policy accordingly while remaining the staunchest of US allies," he said.

Under the ANZUS treaty, parties are required to consult and act to meet common danger. But it does not guarantee American military intervention.

Senator-designate Molan said until he was deployed to Iraq with the US military in 2004-05 he made the mistake of assuming US power was infinite.

He detailed shortcomings in the US military.

* Of the 50 Army brigades that make up the combat elements of the 10 US divisions, only three are said to be combat ready.

* The US Navy had 594 ships in 1987 but today it has 278 and needs 355.

* The US Air Force says it needs 1200 fighters but has 923. It's short of 1000 pilots and 3000 maintenance workers. Pilot experience is said to be at historic lows.Glenn Maxwell's surprise omission from the Australian one-day squad has divided opinion, with Jeff Thomson arguing "he can't play" in a scathing assessment.

But fellow former fast bowler Rodney Hogg expressed confusion around the Victorian's non-selection for the five-match series against England starting January 14.

"We might need another batsman in South Africa. Great time to play (Maxwell) in ODIs but not picked. The mind boggles," Hogg tweeted.

Captain Steve Smith raised questions around Maxwell's attitude in calling on him to train better and focus less on "expansive" batting.

Thomson suggested batting allrounder Maxwell's axing may have been a "shock to his ego".

"Maxi's always had that aura around him that it's the 'Big Show' and all that. I've hardly ever seen him do a big show," Thomson told Fox Sports.

"It's always been a little show.

"I always thought, 'who's this bloke they're pumping up?' And people have said to me, 'Thommo, he can play'. And I said, 'no, he can't play'.

"When he gets something, then you can tell me he can play."

Thomson also dismissed the Victorian's lead run-scoring efforts in the Sheffield Shield as a sign of the decline of the competition's standard.

Maxwell averages 73.75 from his nine Shield innings, with top scores of 278 and 96 this season.

"Look at our Test team. We had an injury to Mitchell Starc and we played Jackson Bird. Jackson Bird looked like cannon fodder (in the fourth Ashes Test)," Thomson said.

"If he's the next best bowler out of our Shield season, how are our batters then?"

Head selector Trevor Hohns has called for more consistency from Maxwell, saying his 22 average from his past 20 50-over matches was not good enough.

Retired star batsman Mike Hussey said Maxwell should view his omission as a wake-up call.

"I was a little bit surprised, I think because he's been doing so well for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield," Hussey told Fox Sports.

"A bit disappointing for him but hopefully it's a kick up the backside that he needs and he can keep working hard on his game."Australia's budding medicinal cannabis sector is set for a major windfall after winning approval to begin exports.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said allowing medicinal cannabis product exports will help the developing domestic market to grow.

"By helping the domestic manufacturers to expand, this, in turn, helps to ensure an ongoing supply of medicinal cannabis products here in Australia," Mr Hunt said in a statement.

He hopes Australia can be the world's top supplier of medicinal cannabis.

The export permit will be done by regulation.

The federal government in 2016 legalised patient access to Australian-grown and manufactured medicinal cannabis, subject to state and territory regulations.

Victoria became Australia's first state to legalise cannabis for medical use and was quickly followed by NSW.

As of May last year, only 150 patients had accessed Australian-grown medicinal cannabis products and there are some concerns doctors are unwilling to prescribe it.Palestinian protesters run for cover during clashes with Israeli security forces south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on December 22, 2017. President Donald Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve peace in the Middle East

President Donald Trump admitted the Middle East peace process was in difficulty Tuesday and threatened to cut US aid to Palestinians, currently worth more than $300 million a year.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for the UN's programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most the last half century the United States has been seen as indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognizing Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking with decades of American policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay his December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides were on Tuesday forced to reject rumors of further delays.

"As we've said all along, the Vice President is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. "We're finalizing details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."Joshua Boyle was freed by Pakistani forces last October along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity

A Canadian man who was held captive by a faction of the Afghan Taliban for five years has been arrested on 15 charges including sexual assault, illegal confinement and issuing death threats, according to reports on Tuesday.

Joshua Boyle was freed last October along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity.

The identity of the alleged victim was being withheld by a court, according to Boyle's lawyer Eric Granger.

Granger added his client was "presumed innocent" and had never been in any form of legal trouble before.

"We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges," he said, adding Boyle would appear before a court in Ottawa on Wednesday.

According to news channel CTV, Boyle is facing eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, as well as one each of misleading police to "divert suspicion from himself," uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, Trazodone.

In a statement to The Toronto Star and published on the newspaper's website, Boyle's wife would not comment on the specific charges "but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this."

She said "with compassion and forgiveness that I... hope help and healing can be found for him."

Coleman added that she and the children were healthy.

Boyle and Coleman, who have been married since 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through war-torn Afghanistan in 2012, and were later transferred to the custody of the Haqqani faction, known for its alleged ties to the Pakistani military.

They were freed on October 12, but refused to board a US military plane. Boyle, a Muslim convert and long-time advocate of freed Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr, cited fears over his background.

Upon his arrival in Toronto two days later Boyle accused his captors of raping his wife and killing his baby daughter, a fourth child -- allegations swiftly refuted by the Taliban's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Mujahid admitted a baby had died but said it was a result of a natural miscarriage.

A month later Coleman also spoke of a sexual "assault" by two of her captors in an interview with ABC news.

Boyle has been an outspoken advocate for Omar Khadr, a Canadian captured at the age of 15 in 2002 in Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay before being transferred to Canada and later released.

He married Khadr's sister in 2009.

Pakistan's military says the family was freed in a daring rescue operation.

But some US and Canadian officials have questioned that account, suggesting to news outlets it may have involved a "negotiated handover" with the Haqqani network which Islamabad is said to covertly back.California, the most populous US state, became the largest legal market for marijuana in the world on Monday, and public reaction to the law change has been enthusiastic, with long lines and stock shortages reported at clinics already licensed and open

The legal cannabis sector is expected to generate $40 billion and more than 400,000 jobs by 2021 in the United States, according to a study released Tuesday.

The estimate by consulting firm Arcview includes direct purchases by consumers of $20.8 billion and indirect revenue for growers and various subcontractors as well as money spent with businesses not affiliated with the sector, such as supermarkets.

The projection would represent a rise of 150 percent on the $16 billion revenue recorded in 2017, according to the study, released the day after recreational use of marijuana became legal in California.

Arcview and its partner in the research, BDS Analytics, expect $4 billion in taxes to be generated within three years.

The new regime will lead to the creation of nearly 100,000 cannabis industry jobs in California by 2021, about a third of the nationwide figure and 146,000 jobs overall when indirect effects are considered.

Customers and operators in California have complained however about the punitive sales taxes to be applied to cannabis and its derivative products, which can hit 35 percent when state, county and municipal levies are taken into account.

California, the most populous US state, became the largest legal market for marijuana in the world on Monday, and public reaction to the law change has been enthusiastic, with long lines and stock shortages reported at clinics already licensed and open.

Berkeley mayor Jesse Arreguin hailed the reforms at a ceremony on Monday at Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the United States.

"I'm stoked about this historic moment, not just for Berkeley, but for the state of California," Arreguin said, praising the state for "embracing this new economy."

Cannabis possession remains illegal under federal law, and Arcview's Tom Adams said fewer than 100 out of the 3,000 outlets and delivery services operating in California were ready to go with the required local and state permits.

"Those that were generally report doing multiples of their typical day's business with a far more diverse and less experienced customer base that need a lot of hand-holding and educating from their bud-tenders," he added.

"We were very cautious in projecting revenue growth from $3 billion to $3.7 billion in this first year of adult-use legality in California, but we'll have to revise that upwards if, as now appears likely, San Francisco and Los Angeles are going to get permits issued more quickly than we expected."US President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure campaign" aimed to force North Korea to give up its nuclear program

US President Donald Trump is not one to hold back when it comes to indulging in nuclear and diplomatic brinkmanship with North Korea's leader whom he calls "Little Rocket Man."

True to form, after Kim Jong-Un boasted that he could launch a devastating strike on the US mainland from his desk, Trump took to twitter.

With his trademark haphazard capitalization and punctuation, Trump demanded: "Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

But Kim's New Year speech had not been limited to similar bluster. He also suggested Pyongyang send a Winter Games team to South Korea -- and Seoul, in turn, reciprocated by suggesting high-level talks.

Trump's earlier response to this idea was more cautious: "Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not -- we will see!"

Perhaps he was more ambivalent about the talks plan because, on the face of it, the North's 34-year-old dictator may be calling the bluff of an antagonist he has dismissed as the "mentally-deranged US dotard."

Trump's "maximum pressure campaign" was designed to plunge Pyongyang into such international isolation that it is forced to give up its nuclear program. Instead, Kim is making overtures to Washington's ally South Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In's party came to office promising smoother ties with its neighbor, only to see Kim test-fire missiles and Trump threaten "fire and fury."

Moon's unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon is now offering to hold "talks with the North at any time and place in any form" -- perhaps as early as next week.

Washington has also suggested talks to end the stand-off, but only if Kim accepts he must give up his expanding nuclear arsenal before joining the international community.

If Moon's opening marks a crack in allied solidarity, it will be a blow for this policy, and not one that US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley would accept lightly.

"We won't take any of the talks seriously if they don't do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea," she told reporters at the United Nations on Tuesday.

"We don't think we need a Band-Aid and we don't think we need to smile and take a picture," she insisted.

"North Korea can talk with anyone they want, but the US is not going to recognize it or acknowledge it until they agree to ban the nuclear weapons that they have."

Kim has shown no willingness to surrender his expensively assembled arsenal, especially now that it appears to include a missile theoretically capable of hitting US mainland cities.

- Will Moon blink? -

This picture from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) taken and released on January 1, 2018 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un delivering a New Year's speech at an undisclosed location

In his New Year address, the provocative autocrat instead vowed to "mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and to speed up their deployment."

So will Moon seize the opportunity of talks on North Korea's Olympics team to seek a way to live more safely on the doorstep of a new nuclear power?

US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert insists not.

"Kim Jong-Un may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the two nations -- between our nation and the Republic of Korea," she said.

"I can assure you that that will not happen. That will not occur. We are very skeptical of Kim Jong-Un's sincerity in sitting down and having talks."

Amid the uncertainty, risk specialists are nervous that a miscalculation by either side could lead to disaster.

Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, warns that the period when the world could put off a decision on the North's weapons has come to an end.

"Now what we see is that there are certain trends moving towards breakthrough and there are certain trends moving towards confrontation," he told reporters.

"The risk of miscalculation is high," he warned.

- Hell to pay -

South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-Gyon is offering talks with North Korea "at any time and place"

North Korea, he notes, has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile and now may feel more secure in terms of being able to deter a pre-emptive American strike.

"That's a positive," Bremmer argued. "It allows them to talk about reaching out to the South Koreans, the Chinese ... you always want to negotiate from a stronger position."

Seoul, meanwhile, sees that "Trump's policy is an 'America First policy.' It is not a South Korea first policy."

Bremmer, who has spoken recently to South Korean officials, said he sees a real chance Seoul may agree to freeze joint military exercises with the US to secure talks with Kim.

This would be a win for China and a rebuff for Washington, which refuses to accept any equivalence between the US military stance and Kim's illegal nuclear program.

Trump may choose to play along with such a regional solution, or even seek credit for it. Or he may continue to insist that Kim backs down -- boosting the chance of war.Lo appealed all the way to the supreme court after lower courts ruled in favour of her son

Taiwan's top court has ordered a dentist to pay his mother around Tw$22.33 million (US$744,000) as reimbursement for the money she spent raising and educating him.

The supreme court Tuesday upheld a previous ruling that the 41-year-old, identified by his family name Chu, should honour a contract he signed with his mother 20 years ago promising to refund her.

The plaintiff, surnamed Lo, divorced her husband in 1990 and raised their two sons on her own.

Worried that nobody would look after her when she got old, Lo signed the contracts with her sons after they both turned 20, stipulating that they must pay her 60 percent of the net profit from their incomes.

Lo accused her sons of ignoring her after they both started relationships, saying their girlfriends even sent her letters through their lawyers demanding her not to "bother" her sons, according to local reports.

She filed the lawsuit eight years ago when they refused to honour the contracts. The older son eventually paid her Tw$5 million to settle the case.

Her younger son claimed that the contract violated "good customs" as raising a child should not be measured in financial terms, and went to court against his mother.

Lo appealed all the way to the supreme court after lower courts ruled in favour of her son.

The supreme court said the contract was valid as Chu was an adult when he signed it, and that as a dentist he was capable of repaying his mother.

Cases of abuse and abandonment of senior citizens have been on the rise in Taiwan in recent years, prompting calls for a law to jail adults who fail to look after their elderly parents although it is yet to pass.Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un have exchanged angry insults over the past year

North and South Korea on Wednesday reopened a cross-border hotline which had been shut down since 2016, forging ahead with peace overtures despite taunts from US President Donald Trump who said he has a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim Jong-Un.

The hotline was restored at 0630 GMT after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the North's leader, who has offered to send a team to next month's Winter Olympics in the South.

"The phone conversation lasted 20 minutes," a South Korean Unification Ministry official told AFP, adding details were not known immediately.

Kim's overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone. Tensions have surged in recent months following a flurry of North Korean missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet.

Seoul responded with an offer to hold talks on January 9 -- the first since 2015 -- to discuss "matters of mutual interest" including the North's Olympic participation.

But Kim's New Year address also included a warning to the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, prompting a furious response from Trump via Twitter.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.'

No caption

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" he said.

The tweet generated Twitter responses largely of scorn and alarm.

"This borders on presidential malpractice," said Democratic Senator Ed Markey.

"Our President is a child. 'Mine is bigger than yours' may sound tough on the playground, but this is no juvenile affair. Literally millions of lives are at stake," tweeted Colin Kahl, a former national security adviser to then Vice-President Joe Biden.

But Trump's ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley maintained the tough line, playing down Seoul's offer to hold talks. These would be a "band-aid" unless denuclearisation was also up for discussion, she said.

US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert also warned that Kim "may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the two nations -- between our nation and the Republic of Korea (South Korea)".

But the tentative rapprochement seemed to be moving ahead on Wednesday, with Kim welcoming Seoul's support for his overtures, according to Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs.

- Hotline 'very significant' -

The two countries, divided by a Demilitarized Zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, last held high-level talks in 2015 to try to ease tensions.

The hotline in the border truce village of Panmunjom remained operational until February 2016. It was shut down when relations worsened over a dispute involving the jointly operated and now closed Kaesong industrial complex.

Seoul welcomed Pyongyang's decision to reopen the hotline as "very significant".

Its President Moon Jae-In has long favoured engagement with the North, but the Trump administration insists the regime must give up its weapons drive before any negotiations can take place.

North Korea has shrugged off a series of tougher sanctions and heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with its weapons programme.

It says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from a hostile Washington and has striven to create a warhead capable of targeting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

Moon on Tuesday welcomed Kim's olive branch as a "positive response" to Seoul's hopes that the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a "groundbreaking opportunity for peace".

But any rapprochement between the two countries would take place against a backdrop of suspicion, if not outright hostility, by Washington. Trump and Kim have exchanged angry insults since the US leader took office a year ago.

Trump has mocked Kim as "fat" and a "little rocket man". Kim, for his part has described Trump as a "mentally deranged US dotard."

Twitter reaction to Trump's "button" remark was largely scornful.

Go Myong-Hyun, of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, told AFP North Korea was using the South as a "shield" as it tries to fend off sanctions and pressure from the US.

"If the South becomes the North's dialogue partner, the US-South Korea alliance will face difficulties", he told AFP.

burs/ckp/smBitcoin is perhaps the best known and most popular virtual currency and its value surged as high as $19,500 in December from around $1,000 in January

A top European Central Bank official on Wednesday called for governments to regulate and tax bitcoin, labelling the cryptocurrency an object of speculation and a tool for money laundering.

"One ought to apply what the basic rule is in any other financial transaction: everyone involved should reveal their identity," ECB governing council member Ewald Nowotny told the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

"We need a value-added tax on bitcoin, since it's not a currency," said Nowotny, who is head of Austria's central bank.

Nowotny's comments echo those by other ECB officials, who regard the bitcoin's spectacular surge in value as a bubble, rather than a sign it could be a digital competitor to the euro single currency used by its 19 member nations.

Nevertheless, the "digital gold" is a concern for central bankers as it can allow money launderers to dodge around increasingly strict rules in the traditional financial system.

"It can't be allowed that we've just decided to stop printing 500-euro notes to fight money laundering, that we've slapped strict rules on every tiny savings club, and then have to watch people blithely laundering money around the globe with bitcoin," Nowotny said.

Bitcoin, launched in 2009, is a virtual currency created from computer code. It and other virtual currencies use blockchain, which records transactions that are updated in real time on an online ledger and maintained by a network of computers.

Bitcoin is perhaps the best known and most popular virtual currency and its value surged as high as $19,500 in December from around $1,000 in January, but has slipped back after a series of warnings from governments and analysts about the risk and volatility associated with cryptocurrencies.

While blasting the cryptocurrency's bubble-like characteristics, Nowotny acknowledged the topic had "reached the heart of society," with people now asking him on the Vienna metro whether they should buy bitcoin, rather than gold as in the past.

But "the central bank would only have to intervene if (bitcoin) were to change people's behaviour. There are no signs of that yet," he said, noting that wild gyrations in bitcoin's value and slow transaction speeds made it hard to use for everyday payments.Israel sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's office said Wednesday Jerusalem is "not for sale" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut annual aid of more than $300 million to force them to the negotiating table.

"Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP, referring to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

"We are not against going back to negotiations, but (these should be) based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital," Abu Rudeina said.

Trump made the funding threat in a tweet on Tuesday, saying: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect."

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for UN programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

Such programmes are seen by many analysts, including Israelis, as helping maintain stability in the Palestinian territories.

Israelis see the whole of Jerusalem as their undivided capital.Foreign Minister of Zambia Harry Kalaba addresses the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2014

Zambian foreign affairs minister Harry Kalaba has resigned citing "swelling" corruption in government and criticising President Edgar Lungu, officials confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.

Kalaba, who was appointed in 2014, wrote a scathing message on social media on Tuesday, lashing out at the state of the ruling Patriotic Front party.

"We cannot proceed to manage national affairs with cold indifference when the levels of corruption are swelling and being perpetrated by those who are expected to be the solution," Kalaba wrote.

"It would appear that the poor Zambians have ceased to be the reason we are holding power."

Kalaba is seen as a successor to Lungu, but Lungu is planning to run again for office in 2021 in a bid that his critics say is unconstitutional as he has already served two terms -- the maximum permitted by law.

Lungu became president in 2015 after the death of president Michael Sata and was reelected in 2016.

Kalaba said that he had submitted his resignation letter, but the presidential spokesman said that it not officially been received.

"We have not seen his letter. He has not brought it here," Amos Chanda told AFP.

Kalaba was not available to comment, but foreign ministry officials confirmed to AFP that he had resigned.

Transparency International's Zambian representative Reuben Lifuka said that public anger over alleged graft was growing.

"The resignation of Harry Kalaba vindicates many people who have expressed concern about the levels of corruption," he said. "It's time we see real action from President Lungu."

Recent allegations of corruption have focused on the state's procurement of 42 fire trucks for $1 million (830,000 euros) each, a $1.2-billion road project and the purchase of 50 ambulances for $228 million.A high-tech vessel run by a US exploration firm is en route to resume the hunt for flight MH370 in a new bid to solve one of aviation's greatest mysteries.

The Malaysia Airlines jet disappeared with 239 people on board in March 2014 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing after diverting from its flight path.

No sign of the plane was found in a 120,000 square kilometre zone selected by satellite analysis of the jet's likely trajectory and the Australian-led hunt - the largest in aviation history - was called off in January last year.

A high-tech vessel (pictured) run by a US exploration firm is en route to resume the hunt for flight MH370 in a new bid to solve one of aviation's greatest mysteries

But it looks set to resume soon. Research vessel Seabed Constructor, leased by exploration firm Ocean Infinity, has set off from South Africa for the Indian Ocean with the aim of arriving in the search zone by mid-January, a source familiar with the matter said.

It is hoped by this time the Malaysian government and Ocean Infinity will have finalised a deal for the hunt to resume.

Malaysia's Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi said negotiations for the firm to restart the hunt on a 'no find, no fee' basis were in the final stages.

'They [Ocean Infinity] know we are very serious in taking their offer,' he told AFP.

The Malaysia Airlines jet disappeared with 239 people on board in March 2014 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing after diverting from its flight path

A spokesman for the company added: 'The company are awaiting final contract award before the search recommences.'

Ocean Infinity was one of three companies which had bid to resume the hunt.

The source, who declined to be identified, said that the firm had decided to send the Seabed Constructor, a Norwegian research vessel, to the southern Indian Ocean so that it was ready to start searching in a window of good weather expected in January and February.

The vessel is carrying several autonomous submarines which can be launched from the boat to scour the seabed for fragments of the jet.

Australia's national science body CSIRO released a report in April suggesting the doomed plane was 'most likely' north of the former search zone in an area of approximately 25,000 square kilometres.

Only three confirmed fragments of MH370 have been found, all of them on western Indian Ocean shores, including a two-metre wing part known as a flaperon.China's capital Beijing reportedly enjoyed 226 "good air" days last year -- 28 more than in 2016

Air quality in China's notoriously smog-ridden capital in 2017 was the best since pollution control measures were implemented five years ago, the Beijing government announced Wednesday.

The city met its targets with year-on-year "improvement of regional air quality and overall favourable meteorological conditions", a statement posted on the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau's website, said.

According to the bureau, the average PM2.5 level in 2017 was 58 micrograms per cubic meter -- down 20.5 percent from the year before.

PM2.5 is a measure of the density of hazardous particulate in the air. The World Health Organization recommends an annual PM2.5 level of 10 micrograms per cubic metre.

Beijing also recorded improvements in the density of other major pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM10, the latter also 20 percent lower than in 2016.

And while the number of heavy pollution days decreased from 58 in 2013 to 23, Beijing also enjoyed 226 "good air" days last year -- 28 more than in 2016, the bureau said.

Li Xiang, a bureau employee, told the official Xinhua news agency that "demolition of coal-fired boilers, phasing out vehicles with high emission and upgrading of industrial structure" have all contributed to smog reduction.

In the last five years, she said, Beijing has shut down six cement plants and closed or upgraded nearly 2,000 companies in printing, casting, furniture manufacturing and other sectors.

The capital has experienced an unusual streak of clear air this winter, a season that is historically the worst for smog. In November, PM2.5 levels dropped 54 percent year-on-year.

Notably there has been absence of coal in at least three million homes surrounding Beijing, with many towns and cities newly equipped with gas or electric heaters.

However, some residents have complained of inconsistent or unaffordable heating in designated "no coal" zones in northern Hebei province.Experts say vast crowds of tourists increase wear and tear on the Taj Mahal

India is to restrict the number of daily visitors to the Taj Mahal in an attempt to preserve the iconic 17th-century monument to love, its biggest tourist attraction.

Millions of mostly Indian tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year and their numbers are increasing steadily as domestic travel becomes easier.

Experts say the vast crowds increase wear and tear on the white marble tomb, which already must undergo regular cleaning to stop it turning yellow from polluted air, and could put pressure on its foundations.

In future only 40,000 local tourists will be allowed to enter the historic complex per day, authorities said Wednesday.

"We have to ensure the safety of the monument and visitors as well. Crowd management was emerging as a big challenge for us," an official with the Archeological Survey of India -- which controls the monument -- told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The restrictions will not apply to foreigners, who pay 1,000 rupees ($16) to enter.

Indian visitors normally pay just 40 rupees, but will be able to buy the more expensive ticket if they want to get around the limit.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth in 1631.

Anyone wanting to see the main crypt, which houses the couple's spectacular marble graves inlaid with semi-precious stones, will also have to pay for the pricier ticket.

The graves also date back to the 17th century but do not actually contain the bodies of the royal couple, who are buried under a separate lower chamber.

- Chaotic -

Visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site already have to contend with lengthy queues and heavy security.

The plan to restrict visitors comes after five people were injured in a crush on the last day of the year, which often attracts large crowds.

"It's a welcome move because the last time we came here it was very chaotic," Seema Sarkar, a tourist from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, told AFP.

Local tourist police inspector R.B. Pandey said it was a much needed step.

"It's priceless heritage and if we don't cap the tourist numbers it will be lost for future generations," he said.

"You just cannot control such huge crowds."

Daily visitors to the Taj Mahal average 10,000-15,000 but can be much higher at weekends, going up to around 70,000.

Nearly 6.5 million visited the monument in 2016, according to government figures.

The Taj Mahal has attracted world leaders and royalty, including former US President Bill Clinton.

Diana, the late British princess, was famously photographed alone on a marble seat there in 1992.

But the mausoleum faces an array of threats, including the yellowing effects of smog.

In 2016, green stains on its rear wall were blamed on excrement from insects.

Authorities have in the past covered the iconic monument's facade with "mud packs" made of fuller's earth, which draws out the impurities, to restore its whiteness.Gas exports have helped make Qatar one of the world's richest countries

Qatar said Wednesday that the two state-owned firms running the country's natural gas business had merged in a move aimed at cutting costs and creating a global energy giant.

Qatargas and RasGas, operators of the wealthy emirate's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, were merged under the brand name Qatargas.

Qatar is the world's largest exporter of LNG and the tie-up comes at a time of political crisis for the Gulf state, which has been blockaded by neighbouring countries for the past seven months.

"On January 1, we announced the birth of the new Qatargas," the chief executive of national oil company Qatar Petroleum, Saad al-Kaabi, told a press conference.

Kaabi said the merger will save two billion Qatari riyals ($545 million) annually.

When the plan was first announced in December 2016, Qatar said it wanted to create a truly unique global energy operator in terms of size, service and reliability.

Gas exports have helped make tiny Qatar one of the world's richest countries.

Before the tie-up between the two companies, RasGas held no assets but oversaw and managed all LNG operations in the emirate.

Qatargas is the world's largest LNG producer with output of around 77 million tonnes per year.

Last year, Qatar announced it would increase production in the North Field, the world's largest gas field which it shares with Iran, to 100 million tonnes by 2024.

Both of the merged companies had joint ventures with oil companies including ExxonMobil, Total and Shell.

Senior executives from those companies were at Wednesday's press conference.

Kaabi also confirmed that Qatar Petroleum is interested in investing in Iraq's energy market.

He said he had held talks with Iraqi ministers about possible commercial tie-ups.

"Iraq is a very important country in the region," he said.Pro-government demonstrators with a huge national flag march in Iran's holy city of Qom on January 3, 2018

Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief announced the "end of the sedition" Wednesday as tens of thousands rallied in a show of strength for the country's Islamic rulers after days of deadly unrest.

General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the Guards only intervened "in a limited way" against fewer than 15,000 "troublemakers" nationwide, adding that a large number had been arrested.

The White House declared it would seek new sanctions against those involved in the crackdown.

Protests over economic problems broke out in Iran's second city Mashhad last week and quickly spread across the country, turning against the regime as a whole in the biggest test for the authorities since mass demonstrations in 2009.

A total of 21 people have died in the unrest as protesters in some areas attacked government buildings and police stations.

"Today we can announce the end of the sedition," Jafari said, quoted on the Guards' website.

"A large number of the troublemakers at the centre of the sedition, who received training from counter-revolutionaries... have been arrested and there will be firm action against them," he said.

Deadly protests in Iran

Jafari added those behind the protests had "intervened massively on social media" but that "once restrictions were started, the troubles reduced".

His declaration came after major rallies by regime supporters.

Chants of "Leader, we are ready" were heard as images showed thousands marching in the cities of Qom, Ahvaz, Kermanshah and elsewhere.

The demonstrators waved Iranian flags and pictures of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as placards saying "Death to seditionists".

- US exerts pressure -

A White House official, who asked for anonymity, said Wednesday the administration would look for "actionable information" to try to begin imposing sanctions on those responsible for any crackdown.

US President Donald Trump insisted Iranians were trying to "take back" their government, extending a drumbeat of encouragement for the protests.

"You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" he tweeted, without offering any specifics.

Iran's UN Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo said in a letter that the US government "has stepped up its acts of intervention in a grotesque way in Iran's internal affairs and accused Washington of violating international law and the principles of the UN charter.

AFP journalists reported a heavy police presence still on the streets of central Tehran, along with a large number of Revolutionary Guards.

There were few reports of anti-regime protests overnight Tuesday to Wednesday, although it remained difficult to verify information from the provinces.

Online messaging and photo sharing platforms Telegram and Instagram have been blocked on cellphones since soon after the protests began on December 28.

Telecoms Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi said Telegram would only be unblocked if it removed "terrorist" content.

President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope in a phone call with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the protests would end in a few days, a Turkish presidential source said.

Pro-government demonstrators hold posters of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L), and the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Iran's holy city of Qom on January 3, 2018

The political establishment has closed ranks against the unrest, with Khamenei on Tuesday saying the regime's enemies were "always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate".

Even reformists in Iran, who backed the 2009 protests, have condemned the violence and the support the demonstrations have received from the United States.

But they also urged the authorities to address economic grievances.

"Officials must acknowledge the deplorable situation of the country as the first step to hearing the protesters," tweeted Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, whose father Mehdi Karroubi has been under house arrest for almost seven years for helping lead the 2009 demonstrations.

The head of Lebanon's powerful Tehran-backed Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah said that "there is nothing to worry about and what happened in Iran is well contained."

- 'Some freedom in Iran' -

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deplored the loss of life, saying: "Further violence must be avoided."

An image grab from the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) state television channel on January 3, 2018 shows pro-government demonstrators in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz

Many Iranians appear to have been turned off by the violence, which has contrasted with the largely peaceful marches in 2009.

Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but high living costs and unemployment have left many feeling that progress is too slow.

Rural areas, hit by years of drought and under-investment, are particularly hard-hit.

On the streets of the capital, there is widespread sympathy with the economic grievances driving the unrest, particularly an unemployment rate as high as 40 percent for young people.

Pro-government demonstrators gather in Iran's holy city of Qom on January 3, 2018

"People have reached a stage where they can no longer tolerate this pressure from the authorities," said Soraya Saadaat, a 54-year-old jobless woman.

But some Tehranis said claims from the US that they were desperate for freedom were overblown.

"We do have some freedom in Iran," Hamid Rahimi, a 33-year-old bank employee told AFP.

"If the people of Iran have something to say, it's about economic problems. They want to see their demands, what they voted for, fulfilled."

Mojtaba Mousavi, a Tehran-based political analyst, said Iranians do not generally support violence, no matter how unhappy they are with their government.

"There are certainly Iranians who aren't happy with certain policies, frustrated people who would like to protest against their economic situation, but history shows none of these people support violence and subversion," he said.

In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests against the re-election of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At least 36 people were killed, according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.A Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on New Year's Eve killing both pilots following a technical fault, Moscow's defence ministry said

A Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on New Year's Eve killing both pilots following a technical fault, Moscow's defence ministry said Wednesday.

The Mi-24 military helicopter was flying to Hama, northwestern Syria, and there was no firing from the ground, agencies quote the ministry as saying.

"Both pilots died in a hard landing 15 km (nine miles) from the air base," the ministry said, adding that a technician had been injured and taken to another air base at for emergency treatment.

The investigative blog Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) quoted a post from Forumavia aviation forum saying the helicopter had tripped over power line wires and crashed while escorting a convoy.

The post did not specify whether the helicopter was escorting a humanitarian convoy or combat unit and the defence ministry did not give any further details.

Russia became involved in the multi-front conflict in September 2015, when it began an aerial campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad's military.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu last month said the military had completed the partial withdrawal from Syria ordered by President Vladimir Putin, but Russia will maintain a presence in the country, including three battalions and two bases.

Moscow acknowledged in recent months that its special forces are also active on the ground in the offensive against Islamic State jihadists.Police stand guard during the Dalit protest in Mumbai

Demonstrators from India's lowest caste blocked roads and railways across Mumbai on Wednesday in protest against violence involving Hindu nationalist groups at an event commemorating a 200-year-old battle.

Members of the Dalit community obstructed roads, damaged buses and marched down railway tracks, delaying train services which are the lifeline of India's bustling financial capital.

Some schools and business opted to close as a precaution while the city's famous lunchbox delivery men, called "Dabbawalas", also cancelled their services.

The protests came in response to violence which broke out at a ceremony in a village near Pune in Maharashtra state on Monday, leaving one man dead.

Dalits had gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in 1818, in which they helped British colonial forces defeat the high-caste Peshwas.

Dailt leaders accused right-wing Hindus of inciting Monday's clashes, which spread to other areas of Maharashtra of which Mumbai is the capital.

The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the clashes.

Mumbai police said more than 100 demonstrators had been arrested and nine cases of unlawful activity had been registered.

On Wednesday politicians called for a peaceful end to the violence.

"There is an attempt to create a social divide which we have to foil unitedly," said Neelam Gorhe, a leader of the right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena.Deadly protests in Iran

Violent demonstrations have rocked Iran since Thursday last week leaving at least 21 people dead, with protests that started over the economy turning against the Islamic regime as a whole.

The wave of demonstrations, that kicked off in second city Mashhad on December 28 and quickly spread, is the biggest in the tightly controlled country since unrest over a disputed election in 2009.

Here is a summary:

- First demonstrations -

A few hundred demonstrators gather in Mashhad and several other towns on December 28 to protest high living costs after a call reportedly goes out on the Telegram social messaging service.

Videos on reformist media show protesters focusing their ire on President Hassan Rouhani but there are also slogans lambasting the entire regime and Iran's involvement in conflicts around the Middle East.

- Protests spread -

The next day larger-scale protests flare up in more cities including the western Kermanshah and religious centre Qom, where footage shows hundreds of demonstrators chanting "Death to the dictator" and "Free political prisoners".

First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri suggests hardline opponents of Rouhani's government may be behind the demonstrations.

- Warnings, violence, marches -

On December 30, regime supporters rally around the country for officially sanctioned demonstrations to commemorate the defeat of the 2009 protest movement.

Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli calls on the public to avoid "illegal gatherings".

But the protests grow. In Tehran, scuffles break out and videos show demonstrators attacking a town hall, overturning a police car and burning the Iranian flag.

- 10 die in one night -

On December 31, the authorities issue more warnings and officials say 200 people were arrested during the demonstrations in Tehran and another 80 in Arak, some 300 kilometres (190 miles) away.

In a bid to stall further demonstrations, the authorities block access to online messaging services, including Telegram.

Rouhani insists people are "absolutely free" to express their anger but "criticism is different to violence and destroying public property".

But the unrest continues as videos on social media show demonstrations hitting areas across the country for a fourth night.

Iranian media and officials report 10 people died in protests overnight Sunday to Monday in different areas in the west of the country.

In a second statement on January 1, Rouhani plays down the protests as "nothing" and insists the Iranian people will "respond to rioters and lawbreakers".

US President Donald Trump says it is "time for change" in Iran.

As fresh protests break out in Tehran at nightfall Monday, state television says a policeman had been killed and three others wounded by fire from hunting rifles in the central city of Najafabad.

- More deaths, arrests -

State television says nine people, including the policeman, were killed in unrest overnight Monday to Tuesday.

Six died in the town of Qahderijan, in the central province of Isfahan, where protesters had tried to storm a police station, the state broadcaster reports.

- 'Enemies' -

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei breaks his silence, saying on January 2 that Iran's "enemies have united and are using all their means" against the regime.

Trump denounces a "brutal and corrupt" Iranian regime.

The United Nations says it expects "the rights to peaceful assembly and expression of the Iranian people will be respected" and the United States demands Iran end social media blocks.

US envoy Nikki Haley calls for emergency sessions on Iran at the UN Security Council and the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Commission.

Rouhani phones his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to demand action against a "terrorist" Iranian opposition group he accuses of fomenting the protests. He appears to be referring to an exiled Iranian opposition group based in Paris and called the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq.

The French president calls for "restraint and appeasement".

- Pro-regime defiance -

On January 3, after few reports of anti-regime protests overnight, tens of thousands gather across the country in a massive show of strength for the regime.

Chants of "Leader, we are ready" are heard as images show thousands rallying in the cities of Ahvaz, Kermanshah, Gorgan, and elsewhere.

In a telephone call, Rouhani tells his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan the protests will end in a few days.Lebanese President Michel Aoun (L) receives the credentials of new Saudi Ambassador Walid al-Yaqub on January 3, 2018

Saudi Arabia's new ambassador presented his credentials to Lebanon's president on Wednesday, a month after the crisis sparked by the Lebanese premier's mysterious resignation from Riyadh.

President Michel Aoun said in an online statement that he received the credentials of Walid al-Yaqub.

The move came days after Saudi Arabia agreed to the appointment of Fawzi Kabbara as the Lebanese ambassador.

Kabbara had been in Riyadh for five months and the delay had been interpreted by some observers as a sign of strained ties despite reassurances from the Lebanese foreign ministry.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation on a Saudi-owned channel from Riyadh two months ago, in a move that caused widespread perplexity and fears of fresh chaos in Lebanon.

Amid speculation he was being held hostage by Saudi Arabia, a French-led diplomatic effort appeared to resolve the crisis and allowed Hariri to return to Lebanon where he withdrew his resignation.Violence between farmers and herders is a perennial security headache for Nigeria, which also battles Boko Haram Islamists

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said recent deadly clashes between farmers and herders were "wicked and callous" as hundreds took to the streets protesting against the violence.

Protesters flooded Makurdi, the capital of Nigeria's eastern Benue state, following attacks on Monday and Tuesday that reportedly saw Fulani herdsmen kill 20 farmers in Guma and Logo local government areas.

The mainly Muslim nomadic cattle rearers have been clashing with largely Christian farmers over grazing rights in Nigeria for decades.

"This is one attack too many, and everything must be done to provide security for the people in our rural communities," Buhari said in a statement.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Benue governor Samuel Ortom said that more than 20 people were killed in the violence, though an official toll has yet to be released.

"People were slaughtered like animals," Ortom was quoted as saying by Nigerian newspaper The Guardian.

More than 1,000 people took to the streets of Makurdi and blocked the highway on Wednesday morning, according to Helen Teghtegh, the head of local non-governmental organisation Community Links.

"There have been no policies implemented to slow down the attacks made by Fulani herdsmen," she said.

"We feel that (President Buhari) being a Fulani man, he's turning a blind eye on the issue."

Teghtegh said another protest was planned for Thursday.

The killings usually occur at the end of rainy season between December and March, when the Fulani pastoralists arrive in large numbers to graze their cattle and the farmers start harvesting yams.

But as the country's population explodes -- Nigeria is set to become the world's third most populous country by 2050 according to the UN -- the battle over land is intensifying.

Hundreds of people were reported dead in Benue state in early 2016 following a week-long clash between herdsmen and farmers.

In November, at least 30 people were killed after farmers attacked herdsmen in the Numan district in eastern Adamawa state.

The violence is a perennial security headache for Nigeria, which has been battling Boko Haram Islamists in the northeast since 2009 and a flare-up of militancy in the oil-producing south.

The International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think-tank, said in a September that some 2,500 people had been killed and tens of thousands were forced from their homes last year.

Such attacks were "becoming as potentially dangerous as the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast", it added.An Iranian woman raises her fist during a protest driven by anger over economic problems in Tehran on December 30, 2017

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday that the unrest that had rocked Iran over several days was at an end, and that a maximum of 15,000 people had taken part nationwide.

"Today we can announce the end of the sedition," said Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Revolutionary Guards.

"There were a maximum of 1,500 people in each place and the number of trouble-makers did not exceed 15,000 people nationwide," he said on the Guards' website.

"A large number of the trouble-makers at the centre of the sedition, who received training from counter-revolutionaries... have been arrested and there will be firm action against them."

Jafari said the Guards, a parallel security force directly loyal to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, only intervened "in a limited way" in the provinces of Isfahan, Lorestan and Hamedan.

Protests over economic problems broke out in second city Mashhad on December 28 and quickly spread across the country, turning against the regime as a whole.

A total of 21 people have died in the unrest, with protesters attacking government buildings and police stations in some areas.

"The counter-revolutionaries intervened massively on social media," Jafari said.

He said thousands were based abroad and trained by the United States, while internal "monarchists" and supporters of the exiled People's Mujahideen opposition group were also involved.

"The lack of action" by Iranian officials to shut down online supporters of the unrest had "reinforced the troubles", he said.

"But once restrictions were started, the troubles reduced."US President Donald Trump promises unspecified US support for Iranian protesters

US President Donald Trump pledged unspecified support for Iranians trying to "take back" their government Wednesday, extending a drumbeat of encouragement for countrywide protests.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government," Trump tweeted early Wednesday.

"You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" he said, without offering any specifics on what or when that might be.

Trump has sought to ramp up pressure the Iranian regime, which has struggled to contain a week of protests across the country.

But so far his administrations input has been rhetorical and diplomatic.

Trump on Tuesday described the regime as "brutal and corrupt," ignoring warnings that his intervention could backfire.

Trump's administration also demanded a snap UN Security Council meeting to debate unrest that has killed 21 people -- mostly protestors.

His top diplomat at the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki Haley, used her public platform to recite protesters' slogans and declared that "the people of Iran are crying out for freedom."

Trump -- flanked in the White House by a coterie of former generals who spent a career fighting Iranian proxies from Beirut to Baghdad -- has taken a hard line against Iran since coming to office.

He has abandoned Obama-era diplomatic overtures and embraced allies in Israel and Saudi Arabia who are keen to confront Iran's growing regional power.

Much of Trump's response has focused on playing up perceived errors by the Obama administration, not least a deal that gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

Trump -- who built his broader political fortunes around opposing America's first black president -- has, for now, left the fate of that deal with Congress while he continues to oppose it.

But he must soon decide where to extend sanctions relief. If he declines, the deal could effectively be dead.

Obama's muted support for 2009 protests in Iran has also appeared to play a role in the Trump administration's' more vocal response.

- Iran blames 'enemies' -

Protests began in Iran's second largest city Mashhad and quickly spread to become the biggest challenge to the Islamic regime since mass demonstrations in 2009.

In response to Trump's latest Twitter attack, Iranian officials have said online accounts in the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia are fomenting protests, which Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed on the country's "enemies."

"President Trump is not going to sit by silently like President Obama did. And he certainly supports the Iranian people and wants to make that clear," said White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday that the unrest that rocked Iran over several days was at an end, and claimed that a maximum of 15,000 people had taken part nationwide.

"Today we can announce the end of the sedition," said Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Revolutionary Guards.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) speaks during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on January 3, 2018

Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill making it easier for "terrorists" to be sentenced to death after a push by right-wing politicians for the deeply controversial legislation.

The bill, approved 52-49, would ease the requirements military courts must meet to sentence those convicted of "terrorist" crimes to death. Israel has not carried out any executions since 1962.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in favour of the legislation, saying it was necessary in extreme cases. It requires three more votes in parliament to become law.

As the law stands now, a panel of three military judges must unanimously approve any death penalty in military courts.

The bill, put forward at the initiative of Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, would change the requirement to a majority instead of unanimity.

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank face military courts when arrested by Israel.

Israel abolished the use of capital punishment for murder in civil courts in 1954, though it can still in theory be applied for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, treason, and crimes against the Jewish people.

In July as Netanyahu visited with family members of three Israelis stabbed to death by a Palestinian, he expressed support for the death penalty in certain cases.

"The death penalty for terrorists -- it's time to implement it in severe cases," he said while speaking with the family members.Former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon has described a meeting between Donald Trump Jr and a Russian lawyer during the election campaign as 'treasonous'

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has described a meeting between President Donald Trump's son Don Jr and a Russian lawyer during the 2016 presidential election campaign as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Bannon made the scathing comments in a book to be published next week -- the "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," by journalist Michael Wolff, the newspaper said.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon reportedly said.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, was also quoted as saying that the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election will focus on money laundering.

Donald Trump Jr. has testified before congressional committees over his contacts with Russians during his father's election campaign

Bannon, an executive with right-wing news outlet Breitbart News, joined Trump's White House bid two months after the June 9, 2016 meeting between Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya and Trump campaign officials.

Besides Donald Trump Jr, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort attended the meeting at Trump Tower in New York.

Donald Trump Jr took the meeting with the Russian lawyer after an intermediary promised material that would incriminate Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers," Bannon was quoted as saying in the book. "They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," he said.

- Money laundering -

The investigation by Mueller, a former FBI director, is looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected -- a charge the president has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon (L) reportedly has harsh words for President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner (R) in an upcoming book

Trump said in an interview with The New York Times last week that he expected the Mueller probe to be "fair" and Donald Trump Jr has denied any wrongdoing.

Manafort and a business associate have been indicted on money laundering charges unrelated to the election campaign. Trump's former national security adviser Mike Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russians.

Using a hurricane metaphor, The Guardian quoted Bannon as suggesting in the book that the White House was being complacent about the Mueller probe.

"They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five," he said.

Bannon's relations with Kushner were reportedly strained during their tenure at the White House.

And Bannon had particularly harsh comments in the book about the wealthy New York real estate developer who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka and serves as a senior adviser to the president.

"You realize where this is going," Bannon said of the probe by special counsel Mueller. "This is all about money laundering.

"Their path to fucking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Jared Kushner... It's as plain as a hair on your face," he said.

"It goes through Deutsche Bank and all the Kushner shit... The Kushner shit is greasy. They're going to go right through that."

Since leaving the White House in August, Bannon has staked out some positions at odds with the Trump administration.

In the most notable break, he defied the president and backed a rival Republican candidate in a Senate race in the southern state of Alabama. Trump eventually changed his position and also supported Roy Moore, who lost.

Wolff, whose books include a biography of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, reportedly interviewed the president and more than 200 members of his inner circle and others for "Fire and Fury."President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, seen addressing the UN General assembly last year, is Africa's longest-serving president after 39 years in power -- but rights groups condemn his violent suppression of the opposition, civil society groups and the media

Equatorial Guinea is ruled by Africa's longest-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who took power by overthrowing his uncle and has since weathered several coup attempts himself.

After claims of a new attempt late December, here is some background about the small nation tainted by claims of corruption and rights abuses.

- Same leader for decades -

Obiang, 75, has ruled the West African country of 1.2 million people for 39 years.

He took power in a bloody coup in August 1979 by ousting his own uncle, first post-independence president Francisco Macias Nguema, who was shot by firing squad.

Obiang has been regularly re-elected but often by default, with opposition parties boycotting the elections.

He won a fifth seven-year term in 2016 with nearly 94 percent of votes.

Obiang's regime regularly comes under fire from rights groups for violent suppression of the opposition, civil society groups and the media.

- Several coup attempts -

The country has seen a string of attempts to overthrow or assassinate the president.

Authorities say there were four between 1983 and 1988 with several of those behind one in 1986 from Obiang's own family.

A foiled coup was announced in March 2002, when about 60 people were jailed, and there were rumours of another in October 2003.

The most high-profile attempt was in March 2004 when British mercenary Simon Mann and 60 men were arrested in Zimbabwe, where they were accused of stopping off to fetch weapons ahead of joining a team in Malabo, led by South African Nick du Toit.

British mercenary Simon Mann was sentenced to 34 years in jail in 2008 for his role in an attempted 2004 coup but was pardoned a year later along with South African Nick du Toit

Du Toit and Mann were sentenced to 34 years in prison but were pardoned in 2009. Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's son, Mark, pleaded guilty to financing the planned coup.

Also in 2004 a group of Equatorial Guinea "rebels" had tried to invade the island of Corisco and strike a military garrison, the regime said.

And in February 2009 the palace was attacked from the sea with the president the target, authorities said.

- Dependent on oil wealth -

Equatorial Guinea is one of Africa's most recent oil exporters, beginning exploitation of its oil and gas deposits in the early 1990s when several mainly US oil companies moved in.

Petroleum production dominates the economy. Oil income, however, has dropped heavily since 2014, amid a global fall in prices.

Gross national income per person dropped from $12,850 in 2014 to $7,180 in 2016, according to the World Bank.

A large section of its population live below the poverty line and power cuts are frequent.

Human Rights Watch says the government spent only around three percent of its budget on health and education in 2008 and 2011, for when data is available, while devoting a large chunk to major infrastructure.

- Among Africa's smallest countries -

The former Spanish colony consists of several islands off the coast of western Africa plus a mainland territory south of Cameroon.

At 28,051 square kilometres (10,831 square miles), it is around the same size as Belgium and one of Africa's smallest countries.

The political capital, Malabo, is located on the biggest island, Bioko. Bata, the main city on the mainland, is the economic capital.

- Corruption, wealthy elite -

The country is often accused of corruption, with the profits of oil production largely shared among the ruling family, according to multiple human rights reports.

Teodorin Nguema Obiang, the president's son and vice-president in charge of security and defence, received a three-year suspended jail term from a French court last year siphoning off public money to fund a jet-set lifestyle in Paris

In October 2017 a French court handed down a three-year suspended jail term and fine to Obiang's son, Teodorin, who is also vice president, after convicting him of siphoning off public money to fund a jet-set lifestyle in Paris.Freed Canadian hostage Joshua Boyle, pictured here on October 14, 2017, shortly after he was freed from the Taliban after five years in captivity with wife and three children

A Canadian man who was held captive by a faction of the Afghan Taliban for five years appeared briefly in an Ottawa court on Wednesday, facing a slew of charges that include sexual assault, illegal confinement and issuing death threats.

Joshua Boyle, 34, appeared for less than five minutes by video link at the court hearing, which was described by his lawyer, Eric Granger, as a "purely administrative" procedure. The next hearing was set for January 8.

Boyle, who was rescued by the Pakistani military together with his wife Caitlin Coleman and their three children last October, faces charges on 15 counts, including eight of assault, two of sexual assault and two of illegal confinement.

The other charges included issuing death threats, forcing a person to consume a "noxious" substance thought to be an anti-depressant, and of misleading the police. All were said to have taken place since he returned to Canada.

A court order prevented publication of the identities of his alleged victims.

His wife Caitlin told the Toronto Star she blamed "the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state" for her husband's alleged actions.

She said it was "with compassion and forgiveness that I... hope help and healing can be found for him."

Boyle and Coleman, who have been married since 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through war-torn Afghanistan in 2012, and were later transferred to the custody of the Haqqani faction, known for its alleged ties to the Pakistani military.

They were freed on October 12, but refused to board a US military plane. Boyle, a Muslim convert and long-time advocate of freed Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr -- whose sister he was formerly married to -- cited fears because of his background.Music sales grew at a robust pace for a third straight year in the United States in 2017 as listeners kept flocking to streaming outlets, an industry monitor said Wednesday.

Analytical firm BuzzAngle Music said that consumption in the world's largest music market jumped 12.8 percent in 2017, well outpacing the 4.2 percent growth seen a year earlier.

On-demand streaming services led by Spotify are quickly replacing downloads on platforms such as iTunes, which shook up the music business a generation ago.

Spotify is one of several on-demand music streaming services leading the charge in industry sales, but many artists are not cheering

SPOTIFY'S IPO Music streaming service Spotify has filed confidentially for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is moving ahead with a direct listing in the first half of the year, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. If Spotify, with was valued at as much as $19 billion last year, goes ahead with its plans, it would make it the first major company to carry out a direct listing, an unconventional way to pursue an IPO without raising new capital. It also mainly eliminates the need for a Wall Street bank or broker to underwrite an IPO along with many associated fees and could change the way companies approach selling shares to the public. The confidential filing was initially reported by news outlet Axios. Spotify is the biggest global music streaming company and counts Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc as its main rivals. Reuters has previously reported Spotify was aiming to file for an IPO in late 2017 and list with the New York Stock Exchange early this year. Spotify could not be reached for comment. Advertisement

BuzzAngle Music found that nearly three times as many songs were streamed on an average 2017 day in the United States - 1.67 billion - than the 563.7 million tracks that were downloaded over the entire year.

Audio streaming grew overall by more than 50 percent in 2017 from the previous year.

In more good news for the industry, BuzzAngle Music said that 80 percent of audio streams came through subscription sites, as the music business encourages listeners to pay monthly rates rather than seek out songs for free online.

The growth reflects a reversal of the long rut in music sales following the rise of the internet.

But not everyone is cheering, with many artists complaining that they are seeing little of the profit.

Wixen Music Publishing, which owns rights to songs by artists such as Neil Young and The Doors, last week filed a $1.6 billion suit against Spotify, arguing that the Swedish company failed to seek proper licenses in its rush to build its catalog of 30 million songs.

And in a recent Twitter thread that drew wide attention among artists, Geoff Barrow of English trip-hop group Portishead said it was 'almost impossible to make a living' through Spotify for musicians who do not figure out how to 'work the system well.'

Spotify counters that it has provided a rare source of growth and helped bring new audiences to artists, who increasingly make their living off concerts rather than recordings.

Spotify faces a growing number of rivals including the streaming services of tech giants Apple and Amazon, as well as Paris-based Deezer and rapper Jay-Z's Tidal.

While sales of full albums kept dropping in 2017, there was one big exception -- vinyl.

Album sales on vinyl grew by 20 percent, keeping up the revival of the classic format that has been embraced anew by hardcore fans and collectors.

Album sales on vinyl grew by 20 percent in 2017 -- good news for businesses like Erika Records in California

Vinyl buyers disproportionately bought rock and older titles.

The top-selling vinyl title of the year was a soundtrack to the superhero film 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' which was first released in 2014 and featured songs by music legends such as David Bowie and Marvin Gaye.

The taste of vinyl lovers was sharply different from mainstream choices.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' was by far the top-selling album of 2017, selling nearly 1.9 million copies, according to BuzzAngle Music.

Swift maximized sales by keeping 'Reputation' off streaming services for its first three weeks - an increasingly unusual commercial strategy that only stars with a dedicated fan base can pull off.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' was by far the top-selling album of 2017, selling nearly 1.9 million copies, according to BuzzAngle Music.

Sales of cassettes - which have also found a renewed following, in part for their kitsch appeal - more than doubled in 2017, but at fewer than 100,000 copies, the format remains miniscule in the overall market.

The US sales are in line with global trends.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry will release worldwide figures in the coming months.Vietnamese intelligence officer Phan Van Anh Vu (centre) has been detained in Singapore

A fugitive Vietnamese intelligence officer detained in Singapore has "serious concerns" for his well-being if he were sent home, his lawyer warned Wednesday, a move that could see him condemned to death.

Phan Van Anh Vu was "very frustrated" and could not understand why he had been detained, lawyer Remy Choo said after meeting him.

Vu, also a property developer, was arrested last week at a Singapore border crossing en route to Malaysia. Vietnamese police have said he is being sought for disclosing state secrets without giving further details.

A lawyer in Germany is pushing for the 42-year-old to be sent there, arguing he could help the investigation into a Cold War-style kidnapping in Berlin of a Vietnamese oil executive that sparked a major diplomatic row.

The case was one of the most high-profile in a sweeping anti-corruption crackdown in Vietnam that has seen scores of former officials, bankers and executives from state-run companies arrested and jailed over the past year.

The German lawyer, representing both Vu and the executive who was allegedly kidnapped, Trinh Xuan Thanh, has said Vu held a senior rank in the Vietnamese secret police and warned he could face the death penalty if sent back.

After Wednesday's meeting, Choo said that "there is a very high chance he could get repatriated."

"He has serious concerns for his well-being if sent back," he told AFP.

Vu was "very frustrated because he doesn't understand why this is happening to him," the lawyer added.

He said Vu had used the same travel document, his Vietnamese passport, to enter Singapore before and immigration authorities had not given a reason why he had been detained.

Singaporean officials have publicly confirmed only that Vu was arrested on Thursday last week for allegedly committing immigration offences.

Vietnam does not have an extradition treaty with the city-state but he could be repatriated if convicted of immigration offences.

Observers say Vietnam's anti-corruption sweep, which has echoes of a graft crackdown in Communist China, is being led by a conservative leadership in place since 2016.

Many believe it is as much about weeding out political enemies aligned with the former leadership as cracking down on graft.

The abduction of Thanh from a Berlin park last year prompted Germany to decry a "scandalous violation" of its sovereignty but Vietnamese officials insist he returned home voluntarily.This file picture taken on September 11, 2017 shows Palestinian children doing their homework during a power cut in an impoverished area of Gaza City

The Palestinian Authority said Wednesday it had agreed to restore payments for electricity in the Gaza Strip after a cut in June worsened a power crisis in the blockaded enclave.

The electricity payments have been a key issue in ongoing efforts at reconciliation between Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah.

A cut in PA payments to Israel to supply power to Gaza in June reduced the amount being delivered to the Palestinian territory by some 50 megawatts. Many residents had been left with around four hours of electricity per day as a result.

The restoration of the 50 megawatts will return the Gaza Strip to the situation it faced before June, when public mains electricity was supplied to residents in eight-hour cycles.

Businesses and residents in the Gaza Strip who can afford them use generators to supplement electricity supply.

Announcing the reversal, the PA government said Wednesday it "took this decision to ease the hardships faced by Gaza residents."

The cut came as part of measures taken by Abbas to pressure Hamas after the Islamist movement created what was seen as a shadow government in the Gaza Strip.

Israel had not commented on the PA's decision or confirmed when it could begin restoring the power cut.

The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, called the PA's decision "a positive development that should ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza and increase the chances of returning the strip under the control of the Palestinian Authority."

Israeli NGO Gisha, which monitors humanitarian conditions in Gaza, also welcomed the PA decision, but said more must be done.

"Even if supply is restored, much more needs to be done to meet actual demand for electricity," it said.

"Israel must cooperate to solve the ongoing electricity crisis in the strip."

Hamas and Fatah signed a landmark reconciliation accord in Cairo in October aiming to end their decade-long feud and hand power in the Gaza Strip back to the Palestinian Authority.

Reconciliation efforts however later stalled and the rival factions missed a December deadline to transfer power in Gaza.

Security control in Gaza remains a major issue, with Hamas refusing to disarm its 25,000-strong armed wing.AFRICOM says the vehicle it struck was to be used in a bomb attack such as this one in Mogadishu on October 28, 2017

US forces in Somalia have conducted a strike against a bomb-laden vehicle that was going to be used against civilians in Mogadishu, the US military's Africa Command said Wednesday.

The strike against Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab militants occurred early January 2 about 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of the capital.

It killed "two terrorists and (destroyed) one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, preventing it from being used against the people in Mogadishu," AFRICOM said in a statement.

"We assess no civilians were killed in this strike," the statement read.

The Shabaab has been fighting to overthrow successive internationally backed governments in Mogadishu since 2007 and frequently deploys car and truck bombs against military, government and civilian targets.

The group lost its foothold in Mogadishu in 2011 but has continued its fight and still controls vast rural areas and is widely blamed for the country's worst ever bombing, which in October left 512 dead.

According to a study released Wednesday by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank, the United States conducted 35 air strikes in Somalia in 2017, a big increase over prior years.

The additional strikes come as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to increase anti-jihadist actions across the region, including in Yemen.The entrance to Rikers Island, the infamous New York prison which is to shutter one its facilities this year in what Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes will be a first step to its eventual total closure

New York is to close the first of nine facilities that make up the notorious prison of Rikers Island this summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday.

The Democratic mayor hopes to one day close the entire prison, located on an island in the East River and infamous for its harsh conditions and violence.

Rikers currently houses 8,705 inmates, the lowest number since 1982.

The first Rikers section to close will be the George Motchan detention facility, which houses 600 inmates, the department of corrections said.

"Every day we are making New York Citys jail system smaller and safer," said the mayor on his Twitter account. "This is an important step in our plan to close Rikers Island and create more community-based facilities to better serve people in custody and our hard-working correctional staff."

Lawyers and criminologists have been calling for the prison's closure for years, citing its age and almost daily violent incidents against both inmates and guards, which are blamed in part on its remoteness, which inhibits family visits to the jail.

A drop in the New York crime rate has led to a corresponding decline in the prison population on the island: the average number of inmates dropped from 11,696 in 2013 to 8,705 on January 1, 2018.

The mayor hopes that the decline will carry on, with the goal of housing just 5,000 prisoners in five years time.

Around 80 percent of the inmates at Rikers are awaiting trial and have not been found guilty of any crime.

Rikers Island is one of the most recognizable of US prison names, together with Sing Sing, located in the village of Ossining in New York state, San Quentin in California and ADX in Colorado, a so-called "supermax" prison nicknamed the "Alcatraz of the Rockies."US President Donald Trump: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect"

Palestinian leaders said Wednesday they will not be "blackmailed" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid worth more than $300 million annually, his latest provocative move that could upturn years of careful diplomacy.

Relations between Trump's White House and the Palestinians were already tense after the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month.

The December 6 announcement concerning the disputed city led Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

Trump's threat in a tweet on Tuesday to try to force the Palestinians into negotiations caused further outrage, though Israeli ministers lauded it.

The Palestinians rely heavily on international aid, with many analysts, including Israelis, saying such assistance helps maintain stability in a volatile region. The European Union is also a major contributor.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more.

"But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for UN programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said so far it had not been informed by the United States of any changes in financing.

Israel receives more than $3 billion in military aid per year from Washington.

- 'Irresponsible actions' -

Abbas's spokesman said they were not against negotiations, but that talks should be "based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital".

"Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP.

Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement that "we will not be blackmailed".

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice," she said.

"Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!"

However, several Israeli ministers voiced support for Trump, with the country's right-wing government having seized on the US president's backing to push ahead with initiatives seen as dealing further blows to remaining hopes for a two-state solution.

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said "you cannot on the one hand receive $300 million in American aid per year and at the same time close the door on negotiations".

- Peace efforts derailed -

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most of the past half century the United States has been seen as the indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington in addition to recognising Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by Trump's Jerusalem recognition, breaking with decades of US policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

On Wednesday, a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead in clashes with the Israeli army near Ramallah, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Fourteen Palestinians have been killed since Trump's Jerusalem declaration, mainly in clashes with Israeli forces.

The declaration also prompted Abbas -- 82 and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay a December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides on Tuesday rejected rumours of further delays.

"As we've said all along, the vice president is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah.

"We're finalising details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."

burs-mjs/srmFormer White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon has described a meeting between Donald Trump Jr and a Russian lawyer during the election campaign as 'treasonous' -- earning quick scorn from the president

US President Donald Trump unleashed a spectacular denunciation of one of his closest political allies Wednesday, describing former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon as insane and irrelevant.

After the release of explosive excerpts from a new book in which Bannon reportedly described Trump's eldest son's meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," Trump wasted no time firing back.

The embattled Republican president issued a response that was searing even by his combative standards.

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said in a written statement.

Trump said Bannon -- who engineered the New York real estate mogul's link to the nationalist far right and helped create a pro-Trump media ecosystem -- was "only in it for himself."

Trump's fury appeared to have been provoked by the publication of startling extracts from "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by author Michael Wolff.

Passages published by The Guardian and New York magazine quoted Bannon being highly critical of Trump's children Donald junior and daughter Ivanka.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, is also quoted as saying that the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election will focus on money laundering.

The investigation by Mueller, a former FBI director, is looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected -- a charge the president has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

- 'You should have called the FBI' -

Don Jr took a meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya in June 2016 after an intermediary promised material that would incriminate Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump Jr. has testified before congressional committees over his contacts with Russians during his father's election campaign

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort also attended the meeting at Trump Tower in New York.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers," Bannon was quoted as saying in the book.

"They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," he said.

- 'Little to do' with election win -

Trump responded quickly and cuttingly to the reported comments by Bannon, a former investment banker and the executive chairman of influential ultraconservative outlet Breitbart News.

US President Donald Trump (L) and then top aide Steve Bannon -- shown boarding Air Force One in March -- are now in open war with each other

"Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country," Trump said.

"Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was," he added.

"Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books."

Wolff's book -- which he says is based on interviews with Trump, his senior aides and others -- also mentions that Trump did not initially know who former House speaker John Boehner was, and that he eats food from McDonald's because he believes it to be safe.

"This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House," said Trump's press secretary Sarah Sanders.

Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for First Lady Melania Trump, denied allegations that she cried tears of sadness when her husband won.

"The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section. Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run for President and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did," Grisham said in a statement.

The feud between Trump and Bannon raises questions about whether the president's victorious electoral coalition can stay intact ahead of legislative elections in November.

If Republicans fracture and Democrats do well, regaining the House of Representatives, Trump could face impeachment.US President Donald Trump promises unspecified US support for Iranian protesters

President Donald Trump pledged to help Iranians "take back" their government Wednesday, as his White House weighed new sanctions against elements of the regime involved in a violent crackdown against protestors.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" Trump tweeted Wednesday.

The mercurial president offered no specifics, but a senior administration official said that the White House was "looking across the board" at sanction authorities allowing Trump to target organizations or individuals involved in human rights violations, censorship or preventing free assembly.

"That requires information, but there is a lot of information out there, so we intend to start assembling that and see what we can do," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The United States will "use all the information sources at our disposal to be able to get actionable information about who is doing the crackdown, who is violating human rights, who is using violence against protesters and to feed that in to our sanctions designation machinery," the official said.

Trump has sought repeatedly to ramp up pressure the Iranian regime, which has struggled to contain a week of protests across the country.

- Rhetoric and diplomacy -

But until now, his administrations input has been rhetorical and diplomatic.

On Tuesday he described the regime as "brutal and corrupt," ignoring warnings that US involvement could make it easier for the regime to blame outsiders for the unrest.

Trump's administration also demanded a snap UN Security Council meeting to debate unrest that has killed 21 people -- mostly protestors.

The official said the United States would also seek condemnation of Iran at The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, used her public platform to recite protesters' slogans and declared that "the people of Iran are crying out for freedom."

US officials said Iran appeared to be using local police, the Basij militia and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to crack down on protests, much as it did in 2009 to crush the last major bout of unrest.

But the latest protests, having spread to 26 cities fueled by public discontent over economic conditions, appear more difficult to quell.

"We are looking at something different, we are looking at something new that we have not seen in Iran since the Islamic Revolution, so the last 40 years," a senior administration official said.

"That means it's not entirely clear what it means politically inside Iran, it's unpredictable."

Washington believes the protests, which began in Iran's second largest city Mashhad, initially targeted reformist President Hassan Rouhani and may have been led by conservatives linked to prominent Mashhad cleric Ebrahim Raisi -- who lost to Rouhani in 2017 elections.

But once begun, the demonstrations over food and fuel prices appear to have metastasized into a much broader movement against the country's clerical regime.

- Preparing the ground -

Trump -- advised by a clutch of former generals who spent a career fighting Iranian proxies -- has taken a hard line against Iran since coming to office.

He abandoned his predecessor Barack Obama's diplomatic overtures and embraced allies in Israel and Saudi Arabia who are keen to confront Iran's growing regional power.

Not least among the Obama-era policies that Trump has targeted is a 2015 deal that gave Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

Trump for now has left the fate of the nuclear deal with Congress while he continues to oppose it.

But he must soon decide whether to extend sanctions relief. If he declines to do so, the deal could effectively be dead.

Obama's muted support for Iranian protests in 2009 has also appeared to play a role in the Trump administration's' more vocal response.

- Iran blames 'enemies' -

In response to Trump's latest Twitter attack, Iranian officials have said online accounts in the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia are fomenting protests, which Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed on the country's "enemies."

On Wednesday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed that the protests were over, and said that at most 15,000 people had taken part nationwide.

"Today we can announce the end of the sedition," said Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Revolutionary Guards.Inter-korean dialogue is always "a positive development," says Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, pictured on December 21, 2017

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the reopening of a hotline between North and South Korea, and voiced hope for more diplomatic initiatives to end the peninsula's nuclear standoff.

North and South Korea earlier Wednesday reopened the communication channel that had been shut since 2016, following an offer from North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to send a team to next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea.

"It is always a positive development to have a dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.

Guterres "welcomes the reopening of the inter-Korean communication channel," he added.

UN Security Council resolutions call for the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula and "we hope that enhanced diplomatic initiatives will help to achieve that goal," said Haq.

South Korea has offered to hold talks with the North on January 9 to discuss "matters of mutual interest" including the North's Olympic participation.

Guterres' support for inter-Korean dialogue stood in contrast to remarks from US Ambassador Nikki Haley, who on Tuesday dismissed the overtures between Pyongyang and Seoul as a "Band-Aid".

The United States, backed by Japan, is pushing for sanctions and total isolation of Kim's regime in response to a series of missile launches and nuclear tests.

Russia, and North Korea's sole major ally China, have repeatedly called for talks to de-escalate tensions, but the United States has been adamant that Pyongyang must first freeze its military programs.

Haley warned on Tuesday that if Pyongyang carries out another missile test, it would face the likelihood of even more sanctions.

The Security Council adopted a new raft of sanctions on December 22 to restrict oil supplies to North Korea -- the third set of measures imposed on Pyongyang in a year.Iranian students scuffle with police at the University of Tehran during a demonstration on December 30, 2017

If US President Donald Trump has wasted no time in offering vocal support to Iran's anti-government protesters, Europe's governments are treading a much more delicate diplomatic line.

European leaders have largely stuck to bland expressions of concern as the demonstrations have spiralled into unrest that has left at least 21 people dead -- far from Trump's outspoken tweets against a "brutal and corrupt" regime.

Trump, who considers the Islamic Republic his enemy number one in the Middle East, on Wednesday promised unspecified support for Iranians trying to "take back" their government -- ignoring warnings that his intervention could backfire.

In contrast, the European Union -- which has been normalising ties with Tehran since the nuclear deal sealed in 2015 -- issued a carefully worded statement mourning the loss of life and calling for "all concerned to refrain from violence".

Berlin called for the regime to respond to the protests "through dialogue", urging Tehran to "respect freedom of assembly and expression".

French President Emmanuel Macron, a key defender of the historic Iranian nuclear deal in the face of Trump's opposition, telephoned his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani calling for "restraint".

A visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Tehran was due in the coming days but has been put back due to the delicacy of the situation.

Britain's reaction, meanwhile, has been limited to a call for "meaningful debate" over the protesters' complaints, with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson saying: "The UK is watching events in Iran closely."

Protests over high living costs and other economic problems started on December 28 before turning against the regime as a whole.

But on Wednesday, as tens of thousands of regime supporters rallied, analysts said Europe was banking on the anti-government protests coming to little.

A demonstration in support of the Iranian people amid a wave of protests spreading throughout Iran, on January 3, 2018, in Paris

"The European position is certainly less advantageous in terms of public opinion, but it is wiser," said Francois Nicoullaud, a former French ambassador to Iran.

"What is happening in Iran is an expression of deep suffering but without a structure or programme, its chances of success are very limited," he added.

"In a serious clash with the regime, it would be crushed."

- 'Oil on the fire' -

The EU regards the hard-won nuclear deal as the best chance of stopping Tehran from getting its hands on a nuclear bomb -- unlike Trump, who has left the accord's fate up to Congress.

Protesters gather at a demonstration in support of the Iranian people amid a wave of protests spreading throughout Iran, on January 3, 2018, in Brussels

Some have warned his rhetoric on the protests could backfire by lending ammunition to Iranian hardliners looking for evidence that the West is out to get them.

"It would be unwise for the West, and especially for President Trump, to egg on the protesters, as this could rally the hardliners," Britain's Times newspaper wrote on Monday.

"Better to wait and watch a flawed regime unravel in its own contradictions."

Thierry Coville, an Iran specialist at French think-tank Iris, said Europe's business interests were at play, as well as concerns that Tehran should be handled carefully due to its involvement in Syria, Yemen and beyond.

"Before the economic sanctions against Iran, the EU was this country's most important commercial partner," he said.

"And on a diplomatic level, Iran is a key player in multiple regional crises. All this contributes to the idea in Europe that we need to maintain normalised relations with Tehran," he added.

"The European reaction must be seen in this context."

In his view, he added, the best way to support Iranian civil society activists is "to try to improve the economy -- not to throw oil on the fire."Former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, seen here leaving a federal court last month, alleges that Russia probe special prosecutor Robert Mueller has overstepped his mandate

Former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort sued special prosecutor Robert Mueller and the Justice Department Wednesday for allegedly overstepping their mandates, in a challenge to the Russia probe that threatens the US president.

Two months after his arrest for tax evasion and money laundering, Manafort charged in a civil suit that the department and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein gave Mueller excessively broad authority in his investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election.

He also alleged that Mueller strayed from a focus on alleged collusion in pursuing charges against Manafort related to his work for former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych years before the election campaign.

"The investigation of Mr. Manafort is completely unmoored from the special counsel's original jurisdiction to investigate 'any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump,'" the lawsuit said.

Manafort's dealings with Russia-backed Yanukovych, all before 2014, "had no connection whatsoever to the 2016 presidential election or even to Donald Trump," it said.

A long-time Washington political consultant, he was recruited to head Trump's presidential campaign in June 2016 but stepped down two months later after allegations surfaced from Kiev that he had been paid more than $12 million by Yanukovych's party.

On October 30 he and former aide Rick Gates were charged with 12 counts of conspiracy to launder money, tax evasion, and other related crimes related to the money they earned advising Yanukovych.

Manafort, 68, argued that he had already been interviewed by the FBI in 2014 about his Ukraine activities, which date back to the mid-2000s, further placing them outside the contours of Mueller's investigation.

Mueller, a former FBI director, was named by Rosenstein to head up an independent investigation of possible links between Russian activities and the Trump campaign last May.

The appointment order gave him the power to examine "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation" into possible collusion.

Manafort argues that such a broad brief is not authorized under Justice Department rules, and that the charges against him should be thrown out.

If Manafort's suit is upheld, it could constrain Mueller's ability to examine, for example, Trump's finances, including business deals with Russian property investors, which have drawn his attention according to recent media reports.

In July Trump said in an interview that his finances were a "red line" that Mueller should not cross.

But even if, as analysts predict, the lawsuit fails, it adds to a recent campaign by Republicans to undermine Mueller and weaken any case he might build against President Trump or his close family and allies.

"My initial reaction is that Manafort, an expert in the dark arts of manipulating public opinion, wants to gain additional media exposure without putting this in front of the judge who would ultimately sentence him if convicted," said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, on the Just Security website.Bill and Hillary Clinton -- shown here in their New York hometown of Chappaqua in November 2016 -- were not home when a small fire erupted on their property

Emergency crews extinguished a small fire on the property of former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary in Chappaqua, New York on Wednesday, officials said.

"A small fire broke out in the facility today on Clinton property, in a building not connected to their home," Hillary Clinton's spokesman Nick Merrill said on Twitter.

"The Clintons were not home. All is ok!"

A police spokesman in New Castle, a town near Chappaqua, told AFP that the call came in just before 3:00 pm (1951 GMT), the fire was put out, and there were no injuries.

"There's still an on-scene investigation," the police spokesman said.

The cause of the fire was not known.

The Clintons bought the five-bedroom house in 1999 when Hillary Clinton decided to run for a US Senate seat in New York, which she won in 2000.Iran's envoy to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo, pictured in 2015, accused the United States of violating international law and the principles of the UN charter with its verbal support for anti-government protests

Iran on Wednesday angrily accused the United States at the United Nations of meddling in its domestic affairs after President Donald Trump backed anti-government protests.

Iran's UN Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo said in a letter that the US government "has stepped up its acts of intervention in a grotesque way in Iran's internal affairs under the pretext of providing support for sporadic protests, which in several instances were hijacked by infiltrators."

Khoshroo charged that the United States had violated international law and the principles of the UN charter, and urged countries to condemn Washington's statements.

"The president and vice president of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts," said Khoshroo in the letter to the Security Council and to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"The US Department of State went so far as admitting that the US government wants to encourage protestors in Iran to change their government, admitting that the US is engaged in interfering with the internal affairs of Iran through Facebook and Twitter," he added.

The letter was released after Trump pledged to help Iranians "take back" their government and the White House weighed sanctions against those involved in the crackdown against demonstrators.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" Trump tweeted.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said Tuesday she would be seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the violence that has left 21 dead.

But diplomats said Wednesday that no such meeting was scheduled for the time being.

Russia and China are among the countries that are expected to oppose Security Council action on Iran, diplomats said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier deplored the loss of life during the anti-government protests and said "further violence must be avoided."

UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein separately urged Iranian authorities "to handle the wave of protests that have taken place around the country with great care so as not to further inflame violence and unrest."

Protests over economic problems broke out in Iran's second city Mashhad on December 28 and quickly spread across the country, turning against the regime as a whole.

Tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets in several cities on Wednesday for pro-regime rallies.On average, there were 0.7 surgical specialists -- surgeons, obstetricians and anaesthesiologists -- to every 100,000 patients in Africa, the study also found

The risk of dying from scheduled surgery in Africa is more than double the global average, researchers said on Wednesday, in a study shedding light on one of the continent's biggest but poorly investigated healthcare problems.

Patients who go under the knife in Africa in theory have a lower profile for risk than counterparts elsewhere, as they tend to be younger and are likelier to be admitted for minor rather than major surgery, the investigators found.

But, they discovered, nearly one in five people who underwent surgery in Africa developed complications.

In the case of elective surgery -- operations that are scheduled in advance and do not involve a medical emergency -- the death rate was 1.0 percent, compared with 0.5 percent in the global average.

The paper, published in The Lancet medical journal, is described as the deepest and widest probe into surgery across Africa.

It brought together more than 30 researchers who trawled through data from 247 hospitals in 25 countries.

The main goal was to cover the outcome on 10,885 in-patient surgical procedures, a third of which was for a Caesarean section.

But the data net also included details about any complications, the number of beds, operating rooms and surgical staff, providing vital but fine-grained information about hospital infrastructure.

More than four in every five patients could be considered low-risk candidates for surgery, as they were physically strong and were young, with an average age of 38.5 years.

But complications, mostly entailing an infection, occurred in 18.2 percent of all patients. Nearly one in 10 (9.5 percent) of patients with complications died.

- Post-operative risk -

Lead researcher Bruce Biccard, a professor at the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, pointed the finger at the post-operative phase, where 95 percent of surgery deaths occurred.

Many of these fatalities could have been prevented, he said.

"Many lives could be saved by effective monitoring of patients who have developed complications and increasing the resources necessary to achieve this objective," Biccard said.

"Surgical outcomes will remain poor in Africa until the problem of under-resourcing is addressed."

- Dire need for surgery -

Other experts said they were even more alarmed by other figures that turned up in the study -- Africa's glaring need for surgery.

On average, just 212 operations were carried out per 100,000 people, said the commentary, authored by Anna Dare from the University of Toronto; Bisola Onajin-Obembe from Nigeria's University of Port Harcourt; and Emmanuel Makasa from University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

"These numbers are 20 times lower than the crucial surgical volume required to meet a countrys essential surgical needs each year," they said.

On average, there were 0.7 surgical specialists -- surgeons, obstetricians and anaesthesiologists -- to every 100,000 patients in Africa, the study also found.

This, too, is far below recommended levels of 20-40 specialists per 100,000 patients.

Even though improvement in post-operative care is crucial, "the absence of surgery in Africa represents a silent killer that probably claims more lives," the commentary said.

The study included Algeria, Libya and Egypt in its scope, but did not include some of Africa's poorest countries, such as Burkina Faso, Liberia and Sudan, or war-torn Somalia. Smaller remote hospitals, too, generally lay outside the data haul.Equatorial Guinea says it has thwarted a coup against President Teodoro Obiang

Troops in Equatorial Guinea shot dead a "mercenary" during clashes Wednesday near the border with Cameroon, state television reported, hours after an official said the government had thwarted a coup against President Teodoro Obiang.

TVGE, the official news channel in the tiny west African nation, said security forces had killed "a mercenary... and used gunfire to disperse them (others) in the forests along the border".

The report did not mention how many "mercenaries" were involved or for how long clashes lasted.

Hours earlier, Security Minister Nicolas Obama Nchama told public radio that the country had thwarted a "coup" in December that was aimed at toppling Obiang, Africa's longest serving president.

"Mercenaries... were recruited by Equatorial Guinean militants from certain radical opposition parties with the support of certain powers," he said.

The plot had been prevented thanks to an operation carried out "in collaboration with the Cameroon security services", Obama said.

The announcement came after Cameroon on December 27 arrested 38 heavily-armed men on the border with the tiny state.

Two days later, Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to France, Miguel Oyono Ndong Mifumu, referred to the incident as an "invasion and destabilisation attempt".

The suspects, taken into custody in a bus on the border, had rocket launchers, rifles and a stockpile of ammunition, according to his office.

On Saturday, the 75-year-old Obiang said "a war" was being prepared against his regime, "because they say I have spent a lot of time in power".

Obiang has been president for more than 38 years.

He took power in a coup on August 3, 1979, ousting his own uncle, Francisco Macias Nguema, who was shot by firing squad. He was re-elected to a fifth seven-year term in 2016.

Equatorial Guinea is one of sub-Sahara's biggest oil producers but a large proportion of its 1.2 million population still lives in poverty.

His regime regularly comes under fire from rights groups for violent suppression of the opposition, civil society groups and the media.ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) - The chairman of a company that publishes six newspapers in Alabama has been accused of assaulting female employees by spanking them while he was a newsroom executive decades ago.

In reports published in Alabama news outlets, at least three women say H. Brandt Ayers, who became a nationally known voice of Southern liberalism during his tenure as editor and publisher at The Anniston Star, assaulted them in the mid-1970s, once using a metal ruler. The women and other former newsroom employees say Ayers had a reputation for spanking other women.

Ayers - now 82 and chairman of Consolidated Publishing Co., which operates six papers including The Star - issued a statement saying he "did some things I regret" when he was a "very young man with more authority than judgment."

An online publication, Alabama Political Reporter, first reported the allegations of former Star employee Veronica Pike Kennedy. The Star later published its own account quoting Kennedy and two other women who declined to have their names published; the Montgomery Advertiser also interviewed Kennedy and cited one woman who asked to remain anonymous.

Kennedy told the Advertiser she was working as a part-time clerk in a nearly deserted newsroom on a Saturday morning more than 40 years ago when Ayers after he asked her to read one of his columns and she jokingly asked who had written it.

"And he said, 'Oh, you are being a bad girl,'" Kennedy said. "'You know what I do to bad girls? I spank them."

Ayers forcibly pulled her out of a chair and whipped her with a metal ruler, Kennedy said. Kennedy said the episode led her to seek counseling years later.

"It was hard to trust anybody in authority for a long time after that," she said. "I had anger I didn't realize I had."

Mike Stamler told the Advertiser he was in the newsroom that day, working on a story. He said he remembered seeing Ayers and Kennedy disagreed about something, then saw the assault.

"I was stunned," he said.

Trisha O'Connor, a journalism professor who worked at the Star as a reporter and editor during the period, told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday that although she didn't witness or experience assaults, stories of Ayers' behavior were so numerous that she and other women at the paper would tell new female workers to avoid Ayers and stay away from his office unless accompanied by a supervisor.

"We took it to upper management and said, 'We need assistance. This is terrible.' Basically, from what we were able to see, nothing happened," said O'Connor, who teaches at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina.

Ayers did not return an email seeking comment. He addressed the accusations in a statement published by The Star on Monday:

"As a very young man with more authority than judgment, I did some things I regret," Ayers said. "At my advanced age I wish I could relive those days again, knowing the seriousness of my position and with the accumulated judgment that goes with age."

The incidents described are too old for any criminal charges to be filed.

Ayers stepped down last year as publisher of the Anniston newspaper. His successor, Bob Davis, did not return an email seeking comment on Ayers' position at Consolidated Publishing.

Ayers is a member of the Alabama Academy of Honor, which recognizes living Alabamians for their achievements. His syndicated column has been carried in papers statewide.

A longtime advocate of progressive policies in a deeply conservative state, Ayers has written articles for publications including The New York Times and was once a regular contributor to "Morning Edition" on National Public Radio.BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Police are investigating after a giant star at the top of Boise's official Christmas tree vanished on New Year's Day.

Downtown Boise Association Executive Director Lynn Hightower said the association reported the theft to police Tuesday morning after a video surfaced. She said the star will cost $500 to replace.

"Hopefully whoever took it will find it in themselves to return it," she said in an email.

KTVB-TV reports that Darrin Walton was staying in a nearby hotel and shot video at 3 a.m. on Monday apparently capturing the crime after he noticed movement on the tree.

Lighted branches on the 30-foot (9-meter) tree are seen swaying as someone climbs to the tree's top. Then the white light of the star goes dark as the person apparently detaches it and climbs back down the tree with it.

Boise police say the star is about 3 feet (1 meter) across and that nothing else is missing from the area.

"It is definitely rare to have someone climb the tree and steal the star," said Boise Police spokeswoman Haley Williams.

Hightower said that on Nov. 24 about 5,000 people attended the lighting of the tree in a downtown pedestrian area called the Grove Plaza that's close to shops and restaurants. She said the star has been in use for about a decade.

The tree is scheduled to come down the week of Jan. 16, depending on the weather, she said.

Another big Boise Christmas tree is decked out a few blocks away in front of the Idaho Statehouse.

"Nothing has happened to our tree," said Diane Blume, spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Administration, responsible for that tree. "In fact, we're taking it down right now."

That tree was scheduled to come down this week ahead of the Idaho Legislature that goes into session starting Monday.

___

Information from: KTVB-TV, http://www.ktvb.com/DENVER (AP) - Videos made by the man who shot and killed a Colorado sheriff's deputy after concerns were raised about his mental health show the gunman calling 911 and then opening his apartment door and talking to responding officers before the shooting.

The footage , livestreamed on Periscope, was obtained by Denver's KUSA-TV. The station broadcast clips from two videos in which Matthew Riehl says he would not hurt anyone except to defend himself before calling authorities.

"Maybe I bought over 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Walmart. It's not illegal," he says.

Gracie Parrish, center, holds a candle for her late husband Zackari Parrish, a Douglas County deputy, at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colo., Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. A man who shot and killed the Colorado deputy and wounded several others along with a few civilians was an attorney and an Iraq war veteran who had posted videos online in recent months criticizing professors and law enforcement officials, authorities said Monday. (Dougal Brownlie/The Gazette via AP)

Later, he tells a police dispatcher that a man had invited him to his house and was acting strangely.

When authorities arrive at Riehl's suburban Denver apartment, the footage shows him talking to at least two officers, telling them he wants to file an emergency restraining order against his domestic partner. He is upset when one officer offers to give him a phone number to call, and leaves the doorway to go back into a room.

"Did you not get the message? Wow. They didn't get the message. They lied," he is heard saying on the video.

At another point, Riehl is seen holding a glass in his hand and says he's had two scotches. He is heard saying that drinking would help him defend himself if someone bothers him.

The TV station said Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock verified the authenticity of the videos and said the 911 call made by Riehl was the second one from his apartment in Highlands Ranch, 16 miles (about 25 kilometers) south of Denver, on Sunday.

The first 911 call was made by Riehl's roommate, who told authorities Riehl was acting strangely and might be having a mental breakdown. Responding deputies to that call found no evidence of a crime and left.

The footage shows the shooting but the station did not air that footage. A clip purporting to show it has been posted elsewhere online.

Riehl, an attorney and an Iraq war veteran, previously posted videos criticizing Colorado law enforcement officers in profane, highly personal terms.

Wyoming College of Law students had been warned about Riehl, a former student, because of his social media posts critical of professors at the school in Laramie.

A Nov. 6 email from Assistant College of Law Dean Lindsay Hoyt told students to notify campus police if they spotted Riehl or his car near campus, KTWO-AM in Casper, Wyoming, reported. In addition, security on campus was increased for several days.

Campus officers called police in Lone Tree, Colorado, in mid-November to warn them about Riehl, suggesting his rants were indicative of mental illness, UW Police Chief Mike Samp told The Denver Post.

Samp said it's possible that Colorado authorities faced the same issue as Wyoming officials when an apparently mentally ill, dangerous person makes indirect threats.

The deputy's slaying was the most recent in a string of fatal shootings involving suspects who may have had mental health problems, and the state has expanded services in hopes of finding a solution.

Colorado opened 12 walk-in mental health crisis centers across the state and set up a 24-hour hotline after a gunman killed 12 people in a suburban Denver movie theater in 2012. Doctors testified the gunman, James Holmes, was mentally ill.

The Colorado Office of Behavioral Health has said more than 580,000 people have taken advantage of the expanded services, going to a crisis center or calling or texting the hotline or a separate help line for less urgent cases.

Riehl was licensed as a lawyer for five years in Wyoming and voluntarily gave up his license in 2016, said Wyoming Bar Association executive director Sharon Wilkinson.

He practiced at a law firm in the small city of Rawlins and later opened his own practice but withdrew from the bar in October 2016, making him ineligible to practice law in the state, Wilkinson said. That's the same year records indicate he moved back to Colorado.

Wilkinson says the bar received no complaints about Riehl.

Authorities have said he fired more than 100 rounds before he was killed by a SWAT team.

Riehl, armed with a rifle, wounded four deputies, including Zackari Parrish in the initial gunfire. The other three deputies managed to get away but had to leave Parrish behind because of their injuries and the ongoing gunfire. Parrish later was declared dead.

About 1  hours later, the SWAT team arrived and exchanged fire with Riehl. He was killed and a fifth officer was wounded.

Two people in nearby apartment units were also wounded sometime during the prolonged standoff.

Elizabeth police officer Sean Bigler, middle, gets a hug from a fellow officer during a candle light vigil for their friend and fellow officer Douglas County deputy Zackari Parrish at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colo., Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. A man who shot and killed the Colorado deputy and wounded several others along with a few civilians was an attorney and an Iraq war veteran who had posted videos online in recent months criticizing professors and law enforcement officials, authorities said Monday. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via AP)

This undated photo provided by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office shows Castle Rock Police Department Officer Tom O'Donnell. Several sheriff's deputies and O'Donnell were injured when a man fired dozens of rounds at the deputies on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. (Douglas County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Officer Sean R. Bigler reacts during a candlelight vigil at Mission Hills Church on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, for Deputy Zackari Parrish, 29, in Littleton, Colorado. A man who shot and killed the Colorado deputy and wounded several others along with a few civilians was an attorney and an Iraq war veteran who had posted videos online in recent months criticizing professors and law enforcement officials, authorities said Monday. (Dougal Brownlie/The Gazette via AP)

Gracie Zacakri, left, is embraced by her small group as family, friends, and community attended a remembrance and candlelight vigil for Deputy Zackari Parrish at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colo., Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. A man who shot and killed the Colorado deputy and wounded several others along with a few civilians was an attorney and an Iraq war veteran who had posted videos online in recent months criticizing professors and law enforcement officials, authorities said Monday. (Dougal Brownlie/The Gazette via AP)

With flags at half staff, Maribeth Forst, with her dog Max, stands near a makeshift memorial on a police cruiser for the victims of what authorities describe as an ambush Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at the Douglas Country Sheriff Substation in Highlands Ranch, Colo. A sheriff's deputy was killed and other deputies were shot while responding to a call at an apartment complex early Sunday. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via AP)

Tributes to a sheriff's deputy killed in a shootout are seen outside a Douglas County, Colo., Sheriffs Department substation Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. A few deputies were shot, one fatally, while responding to a call at a nearby apartment complex early Sunday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A memorial is seen on a police cruiser for the victims of what authorities describe as an ambush Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at the Douglas Country Sheriff Substation in Highlands Ranch, Colo. A sheriff's deputy was killed and other deputies were shot while responding to a call at an apartment complex early Sunday. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via AP)ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Al Franken's replacement in the U.S. Senate is ready to take office.

Tina Smith is set to be sworn in during a Wednesday morning ceremony at the Capitol. Smith was Minnesota's lieutenant governor and Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's choice to take Franken's seat.

Franken announced his plan to resign last month after a swirl of sexual misconduct allegations. His resignation was official Tuesday.

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith speaks in St. Paul, Minn. Tina Smith, who was appointed to replace Al Franken following his resignation over accusations of sexual misconduct will be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2018. (Aaron Lavinsky /Star Tribune via AP, File)

Smith is a longtime Democratic political operative who served as Dayton's top aide before joining him on the ticket in 2014. She also worked as a vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Smith's resignation as lieutenant governor took effect at midnight Tuesday. She plans to run for the Senate seat in a November special election to finish Franken's term.MILWAUKEE (AP) - The American Red Cross of Wisconsin said Wednesday it was reversing a new policy in Milwaukee that would have forced predominantly black and Latino residents from low-income areas to travel to receive the organization's volunteer assistance after a house fire.

Volunteers will continue going to help fire victims wherever they are in the city, the organization said in a statement Wednesday in which it apologized for the policy it briefly implemented in late December. The Red Cross had quickly faced backlash over the change, which critics said was discriminatory and favored wealthy residents.

"In an effort to continue to serve people affected by home fires, we recently implemented new procedures in Milwaukee that we now understand were insensitive to the communities we serve," Regional Chief Executive Officer Patty Flowers said in the statement. "We apologize for this mistake and will immediately return to the way we have responded to home fires in the past, consistent with American Red Cross practices and values nationwide."

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaks to reporters outside his office about the Red Cross asking fire victims in some parts of the city to come to them or a nearby police station on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Milwaukee. The Red Cross Milwaukee chapter said the policy change is to address a volunteer shortage, but the move has sparked outrage because the areas affected are low-income and predominantly black and Latino. (AP Photo/Ivan Moreno)

The agency's policy called for people living in 10 ZIP codes to go to a nearby police station or a Red Cross office for help, rather than volunteers going out to homes in those areas. The organization's Milwaukee chapter had said it planned to expand the policy citywide, but it didn't provide a timeframe.

Flowers had said the group was short on volunteers and wanted to use its limited resources more efficiently, having helpers meet victims at a warm and safe location. On Wednesday, she said resource constraints remain but group will redouble its efforts to recruit more volunteers.

The Red Cross provides fire victims a place to sleep, food and water, health services including mental health, and help filling out prescriptions among other things.

Elected officials had criticized the new policy.

"The optics of it is classic red-lining. It's not simply a race issue. I would say it's a class issue," said Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, who represents one of the ZIP codes affected by the since-thwarted policy.

Under the initial rollout of the policy, more affluent and largely white areas downtown and along the city's lake shore were not impacted.

"This was a situation where initially they made a decision and they didn't, I think, understand the ramifications of the decision and how it would be perceived," Mayor Tom Barrett said Wednesday after the Red Cross' announcement.

Barrett said the agency was "operating in goodwill" and with the change "recognized that this was not what they intended."

He said they're looking at the issue as an opportunity to recruit more volunteers.

The Milwaukee Red Cross chapter had said the 10 ZIP codes it chose for initial implementation of the policy were simply the busiest. They spanned the majority black north side of the city and southern neighborhoods largely populated by Latinos. In one ZIP code on the north side, 53206, nearly half of the residents live below the poverty level.

"I don't want a differentiation based on where someone lives and to me I thought that was the perception and in a sense a reality," Barrett said.

Some of the ZIP codes also have among the highest crime rates in the city, leading some aldermen to speculate that the Red Cross may also be concerned about volunteer safety. But Flowers has insisted that was not the motivating factor.

Rainey said before the organization's reversal that city residents should be "extended the basic courtesy" of having a volunteer meet them in person.

"Considering the Red Cross is an organization that goes into war-torn countries," he said. "To actually think that they would discontinue the service of comforting families who may have experienced the greatest loss of their life, it was very disturbing."TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country on Wednesday, state media reported, after a week of protests against the government and unrest that has killed at least 21 people.

While the rallies showed support among Iran's 80 million people for its clerically overseen government, the unrest which has swept through several cities appeared to be reaching smaller towns in the countryside, according to protesters' online videos.

Official and semi-official media did not immediately offer new details of the unrest Wednesday. Demonstrators' videos corresponded with The Associated Press' reporting from outside of Iran, though individual protesters themselves remain unreachable. The protests appear to remain leaderless.

This frame grab from video provided by Iran Press, a pro-government news agency based in Beirut, shows pro-government demonstrators marching in Qom, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Iranian state TV channels aired footage of pro-government demonstrations in cities across the country after a week of protests and unrest over the country's poor economy. (Iran Press via AP)

The protests, the largest seen in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, began on Dec. 28 in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city and a bastion for hard-liners. While initially focusing on Iran's flagging economy and rising food prices, they've morphed into demands for wholesale change in Iran's theocratic government.

On Wednesday, state TV reported that pro-government demonstrations took place in dozens of cities and towns, including Ahvaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan; the Kurdish town of Kermanshah in the country's west; and Qom, the religious capital of Shiite Islam in Iran.

Demonstrators carried pre-printed signs and Iranian flags, with state TV offering a swooping helicopter shot in Ahvaz to show their scale. Ahvaz and the wider Khuzestan province is home to many ethnic Arabs and has seen unrest amid the protests.

In Qom, state TV cameras focused on the Shiite clerics taking part, many wearing the black turbans identifying them as direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

The English-language Press TV broadcast Wednesday's pro-government rallies live, saying they sought to "protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities." State TV said the demonstrations served as an "answer to the protests," which it blamed on "servants of the U.S."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday blamed days of protests across the country on meddling by "enemies of Iran."

"Look at the recent days' incidents," Khamenei said. "All those who are at odds with the Islamic Republic have utilized various means, including money, weapons, politics and (the) intelligence apparatus, to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution."

Khamenei avoided identifying any foreign countries, although he promised to elaborate in the coming days. Undoubtedly high on his list is the United States, where President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for the protests for several days. Some pro-government demonstrators carried signs showing Trump's face covered with a bright red "X."

On Wednesday, Trump again tweeted about the protests.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government," he wrote. "You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!"

Iran's government has since shut down access to Telegram and the photo-sharing app Instagram in an attempt to contain the unrest. Facebook and Twitter were already banned.

The Trump administration has called on Iran's government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites. U.S. Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein said Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are "legitimate avenues for communication."

The head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court has warned that arrested protesters could potentially face the death penalty.

"Obviously one of their charges can be Moharebeh," or waging war against God, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Mousa Ghazanfarabadi as saying. Moharebeh is punishable by death in Iran.

Later Wednesday, Turkish officials said Iran's President Hassan Rouhani told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he hopes the protests "will end in a couple of days." Officials in Erdogan's office said the two had a telephone conversation on Wednesday during which Erdogan stressed the importance of stability and calm.

A statement from Rouhani's office quoted the president as saying: "Iranian police's wise, calming presence in recent limited unrest indicates that we fully trust the security and stability in our country."

The United Nations' high commissioner for human rights meanwhile called on Iran to investigate all deaths in the protests and act "with great care so as not to further inflame violence and unrest."

"The Iranian authorities must respect the rights of all demonstrators and detainees, including their right to life, and guarantee their safety and security," Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said in a statement.

An activist video meanwhile showed unrest in Noor Abad, in Lorestan province, some 360 kilometers (225 miles) southwest of Tehran.

Demonstrators in the video are seen coming to the aid of another protester, who appears seriously wounded. They later set fire to an ambulance in anger over what they describe as the local hospital's refusal to treat their wounded.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, demonstrators, mostly clerics, attend a pro-government rally in the holy city of Qom south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, a move apparently seeking to calm nerves after a week of protests and unrest that have killed at least 21 people. (Mohammad Ali Marizad/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, women hold posters showing portraits of late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a pro-government rally in the holy city of Qom, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, a move apparently seeking to calm nerves after a week of protests and unrest that have killed at least 21 people. (Mohammad Ali Marizad/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

This frame grab from video provided by Iran Press, a pro-government news agency based in Beirut, shows pro-government demonstrators marching in Qom, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Iranian state TV channels aired footage of pro-government demonstrations in cities across the country after a week of protests and unrest over the country's poor economy. (Iran Press via AP)

This frame grab from video provided by Iran Press, a pro-government news agency based in Beirut, shows pro-government demonstrators marching in, Arak, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, a move apparently seeking to calm nerves after a week of protests and unrest that have killed at least 21 people.(Iran Press via AP)

This frame grab from video provided by Iran Press, a pro-government news agency based in Beirut, shows pro-government demonstrators marching in Bushehr, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, a move apparently seeking to calm nerves after a week of protests and unrest that have killed at least 21 people. (Iran Press via AP)

In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, women attend a pro-government demonstration in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government demonstrations in several cities across the country on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, a move apparently seeking to calm nerves after a week of protests and unrest that have killed at least 21 people. (Morteza Jaberian/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 file photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, a university student attends a protest inside Tehran University while a smoke grenade is thrown by anti-riot Iranian police, in Tehran, Iran. In 1979, massive crowds marched through the streets of Iran's capital and other cities demanding change in the first major unrest to shake the rule of hard-line Muslim clerics. Now Iran's Islamic Republic is seeing a new, equally startling wave of unrest. This time it appears to be fueled by anger over a still faltering economy, unemployment and corruption. (AP Photo, File)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, university students run away from stones thrown by police during an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, in Tehran, Iran. Demonstrations, the largest seen in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, have brought six days of unrest across the country and resulted in over 20 deaths. (AP Photo)

This frame grab from video was taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran from FreedomMessenger, that describes itself as an "independent Iranian news agency seeking complete change of the Iranian regime by reporting on the human rights situation in Iran," purports to show attack on Iran police station in Qahdarijan, Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Six rioters were killed during the attack on the police station, according to Iranian state TV. It reported that clashes were sparked by rioters who tried to steal guns from the police station. (FreedomMessenger via AP)WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration on Tuesday threw the weight of the U.S. government behind the protesters taking to the streets of Iran, rooting them on despite the risk of helping Iranian authorities dismiss a week of major demonstrations as the product of American instigation.

As Iran's supreme leader accused "enemies of Iran" of trying to destabilize his country, the State Department pressed Tehran to unblock social media sites used by the protesters. It even offered advice to tech-savvy Iranians on circumventing state internet controls.

President Donald Trump declared it was "time for change" in Iran, and other officials floated the possibility of additional sanctions. At the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki Haley sought a Security Council meeting to show support for those protesting in the Islamic Republic.

In this Dec. 30, 2017, photo, Iranian protesters chant slogans at a rally in Tehran, Iran. The Trump administration is calling on Iran's government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites as Iranians demonstrate in the streets. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

"We want to help amplify the voices of the Iranian people," said Haley, who appeared before cameras to recite the chants of protesters across Iran. She said Iran's claim that other countries were fomenting the unrest was "complete nonsense," describing the dissent as homegrown.

Borrowing from a response playbook it has used before, Iran's government blamed the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Britain for the protests. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 78-year-old supreme leader, said Iran's enemies were using money, weapons, politics and spies "to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution."

Trump was undeterred, praising Iranians for "finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime." In an allusion to possible sanctions in response to human rights violations, Trump said the United States would closely monitor the situation.

"The U.S. is watching!" the president tweeted.

Beyond rhetoric, though, it wasn't clear what the Trump administration could do substantively to empower the protesters, who are railing against corruption, mismanagement and economic woes including higher food prices. His support also sets up a potential test of his presidential leadership if the protests - already deadly - grow more violent.

At least 21 people have died and hundreds have been arrested over six days of demonstrations, the largest in Iran since the "Green Movement" that erupted in 2009 following a disputed presidential election. The new outbreak started in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, and has expanded to many others.

Iranian authorities have sought to suppress the protests in part by shutting down key social media sites protesters use to communicate, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and the messaging app Telegram. On Tuesday, Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein urged Iran's government to unblock the sites.

"They are legitimate avenues for communication," Goldstein said. He said the U.S. has an "obligation not to stand by."

Iranians seeking to evade the blocks can use virtual private networks, Goldstein said. Known as VPNs, the services create encrypted data "tunnels" between computers and can be used to access overseas websites blocked by the local government.

The primary U.S. goal is to ensure enough global attention to deter Iranian authorities from violently cracking down on protesters with impunity, said a senior State Department official involved in Iran policy. The official wasn't authorized to comment by name and demanded anonymity.

For Trump, the protests have served as an unexpected but welcome opportunity to rally the world against Iran, and U.S. officials said the administration was actively encouraging other countries to back the protests. Early U.S. attempts to get European allies to coordinate their messaging with the U.S. ran into obstacles, but several countries including France and Italy have joined in expressing concerns.

In the U.S., Trump's full-throated support for the protesters has renewed the debate about how best to encourage change in Iran, whose government Trump deems a top national security threat.

Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. took a more cautious approach during the last major wave of anti-government protests. It was concerned about enabling Iranian authorities to exploit longstanding suspicions of the U.S., dating back to American and British support for a 1953 coup toppling Iran's elected prime minister.

Ben Rhodes, Obama's former deputy national security adviser, said "too much ownership" of the protests by Trump would likely be counterproductive.

"I can't imagine that the people marching in the streets of Iran are looking to Donald Trump for inspiration or support," Rhodes said. "I just don't think it helps things for the White House to make this into a U.S.-versus-the-Iranian-government circumstance."

But former Sen. Joe Lieberman, a staunch Iran critic, said it's a given Tehran will portray dissent as externally provoked.

"That's a very weak excuse for American inaction and inconsistency with our own interests and values. I'm glad President Trump is not following that advice," Lieberman said in an interview.

It wasn't immediately clear what effect Trump's support was having on the protests, although Iran's state TV reported his tweets and some Iranians shared them online.

When it comes to supporting the Iranian aspirations, Trump's credibility may be dented by his hostility to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and his inclusion of Iranians in his travel bans.

Trump's insistence in an October speech on using the term "Arabian Gulf" in place of the Persian Gulf also riled the Iranian public. There also was criticism of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for saying America was working with people in Iran for a "peaceful transition of that government."

___

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

___

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

This frame grab from video was taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran from FreedomMessenger, that describes itself as an "independent Iranian news agency seeking complete change of the Iranian regime by reporting on the human rights situation in Iran," purports to show attack on Iran police station in Qahdarijan, Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Six rioters were killed during the attack on the police station, according to Iranian state TV. It reported that clashes were sparked by rioters who tried to steal guns from the police station. (FreedomMessenger via AP)NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - A Kenyan official says suspected members of the Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab have killed five police officers in the northern county of Mandera.

North Eastern regional coordinator Mohamud Saleh said Wednesday the vehicle carrying the three police reservists and two administration police officers was attacked.

He says several other officers were injured in a second attack on security officials who responded Tuesday evening along the Elwak-Kotulo road.

Al-Shabab has carried out a series of attacks in Kenya since 2011, when Kenya deployed troops to neighboring Somalia to fight the extremists.

Al-Shabab has vowed retribution for the Kenyan troop presence in Somalia. In recent years, most of the al-Shabab attacks have been limited to areas near the Somali border and have mainly targeted security forces.SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - After one of the most fraught years on the Korean Peninsula in recent memory - threats of war amid North Korea's strongest-ever nuclear bomb test and repeated missile launches - an unexpected, very tentative interest in peace seems to have broken out.

In rapid succession: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un floats the idea in a New Year's speech of better ties with his southern rival. Maybe, he says, he'll even send a delegation to next month's Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Seoul quickly offers to meet and talk. And on Wednesday, the North announces that Kim views the South's offer positively and the two sides begin preliminary contact on a newly reopened cross-border communication channel.

Is it an elaborate ruse by the North? Wishful thinking in the South?

A map of two Koreas showing North Korea's capital Pyongyang and South Korea's capital Seoul is placed at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday as the rivals explored the possibility of sitting down and talking after months of acrimony and fears of war. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Some answers to questions about what it may all mean:

___

Q: How likely is it that the two sides will actually meet?

A: There's a pretty good chance, though meeting is the easy part.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has favored better ties with North Korea for years, and he campaigned on pledges to take a softer line than his conservative predecessors.

Moon was a top aide for a previous liberal president who maintained a so-called "Sunshine Policy" toward Pyongyang, with large amounts of aid shipped to the North and the two sides pursuing cooperative tourism and business programs.

Although Moon, who took office in May, has been pushed into a hard-line stance by the North's repeated missile and nuclear tests, he would clearly like dialogue.

The North's Kim, on the other hand, has shown little interest in pursuing peace since taking power in late 2011. That said, he has made repeated suggestions about improving ties in past New Year's speeches. Skeptics will point out that he mixed his peace overtures with threats of war and has conducted weapons tests within weeks of past speeches.

There's also suspicion that Kim will use any talks as cover to continue perfecting an arsenal of nukes that can reliably hit the U.S. mainland, and that his overture is mainly meant to disrupt ties between Seoul and Washington so he can weaken international pressure and sanctions.

___

Q: Why is it so difficult for the Koreas to make peace once they sit down and talk to each other?

A: Seven decades of simmering animosity and bloodshed is the short answer.

The Koreas were divided in 1945 at the end of World War II into a U.S.-controlled southern side and a Soviet-controlled north. Three years later, the division became formal with the founding of the opposing republics. Two years after that, the North launched a surprise invasion and the Koreas fought, with the help of the United States, the United Nations and China, one of the bloodiest wars of the 20th century.

Since then, there has been steady bloodshed, though mostly from the North, including assassinations, kidnappings and, in 2010, attacks blamed on North Korea that killed 50 South Koreans.

When the history is this bloody, and the two sides are squared off across the most heavily armed border in the world, every detail is usually contested.

___

Q: Even if they meet, is there any chance for a breakthrough?

A: Any time the Koreas talk it's a victory of sorts, especially after the misery of last year.

Still, the rivals have done this dance many times before, and their talks don't have the best track record when it comes to results, often blowing up before anything really gets done.

If there are talks, the first round will likely be lower-level discussions meant to set up a higher-level meeting. Previous such talks have bogged down on matters of protocol, for instance, with one side objecting to the "rank" of a proposed participant.

If a next round is decided upon, the actual negotiations of what to do about Olympic cooperation would begin. But with decades of accrued animosity between them, nothing is guaranteed.

___

Q: What about President Donald Trump's tweet in which he taunted Kim Jong Un, who'd earlier said he has a nuclear button on his desk, by boasting of a bigger and more powerful "nuclear button" than Kim's.

A: For the time being, both Koreas are ignoring it.

Trump's tweets worried South Koreans at first, but they are becoming used to them. President Moon will likely prefer to focus on the rare signs of rapprochement with the North.

The North, however, rarely lets an insult pass, though there's a chance it could keep its outrage against Trump separate from whatever its intentions are with the South.

___

Foster Klug is the AP's bureau chief in Seoul and has covered the Koreas since 2005. Follow him at @apklug

A South Korean government official checks the direct communications hotline to talk with the North Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea on Wednesday, another sign easing animosity between the rivals even as Kim traded combative threats of nuclear war with President Donald Trump. (Yonhap via AP)

People watch a TV screen showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's New Year's speech, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. North Korea announced Wednesday that it will reopen a cross-border communication channel with South Korea, officials in Seoul said, another sign of easing animosity between the rivals after a year that saw the North conduct nuclear bomb and missile tests and both the Koreas and Washington issue threats of war. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Visitors use binoculars to see the North side from the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday as the rivals explored the possibility of sitting down and talking after months of acrimony and fears of war. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A destination sign to North Korea's capital Pyongyang, top, is seen at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday as the rivals explored the possibility of sitting down and talking after months of acrimony and fears of war. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester City playmaker David Silva says his son is "fighting day by day" after being born prematurely.

The Spain international missed two of City's four games over the festive period to return to his native country for what the Premier League club said were personal issues.

In a post on his Twitter account on Wednesday, Silva thanked City for "understanding my situation" and said his son, Mateo, "was born extremely preterm and is fighting day by day with the help of the medical team."

Manchester City's David Silva, right, vies for the ball with Watford's Ben Watson during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad stadium, in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Silva played in City's 3-1 win over Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday. After the match, City manager Pep Guardiola said Silva would be free to set his own schedule to deal with his family situation.

Guardiola said "he wants to stay because he enjoys it a lot, but family is the most important thing in life. It doesn't matter if we drop a lot of points because he is not here. I will never push him."JOHANNESBURG (AP) - A U.S.-based company has dispatched a ship into the Indian Ocean in hopes of quickly resuming the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 if it soon secures a contract to do the job.

The search vessel named Seabed Constructor left the South African port of Durban on Tuesday as part of the Ocean Infinity company's plan to look for debris in the southern Indian Ocean. The ship has unmanned submarines that can descend deep into the ocean.

Ocean Infinity was taking advantage of favorable weather to move the vessel toward "the vicinity of the possible search zone," the company said in a statement.

"This is designed to save time should the contract award be forthcoming, as hoped," it said. "We will confirm as and when the contract is awarded and the search can resume."

The Malaysian government is negotiating with Ocean Infinity and will make an announcement next week, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said on Wednesday.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 disappeared soon into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. The plane was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew.

The governments of Malaysia, China and Australia called off the 1,046-day official search on Jan. 17 last year. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report on the search conceded that authorities were no closer to knowing the reasons for the plane's disappearance, or its exact location.

Australia ran the original search on behalf of Malaysia because the airliner is thought to have crashed in the vast area of Australian search and rescue responsibility.

New Australian Transport Minister Barnaby Joyce told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday that the decision on whether to resume the search was Malaysia's.

"I can understand how Malaysians are incredibly driven by finding the wreckage," said Joyce, who became transport minister two weeks ago.

"I have, to be quite frank, some concerns as to whether it will be found," he added.

Search conditions are best during the current southern hemisphere summer, before the colder months bring storm-force winds and mountainous seas.

___

Associated Press reporters Syawalludin Zain in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - The prime ministers of Hungary and Poland said Wednesday their countries' anti-immigration policies are gaining strength within the 28-nation European Union.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, making his first bilateral visit since assuming office in December, and his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban, pointed to Austria, where conservative and nationalist parties formed a coalition government last month.

"Democracy has been restored in Austria because the Austrians who reject immigration elected a government that also does not want immigration," Orban said. "This will be the case everywhere in Europe and I believe it is only a matter of time."

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban inspect the honour guards during the welcoming ceremony in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Morawiecki said the immigration issue, which he called a matter of national sovereignty, was "getting even hotter" in the EU "and it seems that it is going in our direction."

The two leaders again rejected EU efforts to resettle refugees among members of the bloc, while emphasizing their contributions to rebuilding efforts in the Middle East aimed at keeping more people at home.

"The EU's immigration policy is not working. What is more, it is not only not working but it has failed spectacularly," Orban said. "It is clear that the European people don't want immigration, while several European leaders are still forcing the failed immigration policy."

Poland is facing possible sanctions from the EU because of its perceived erosion of democratic principles, including recent steps increasing political control of the judiciary. While Orban has vowed to block any punitive measures against Poland by the EU, neither leader mentioned the issue during their news conference.

Later Wednesday, Orban said on Poland's state TV that Hungary "stands by Poland" in the conflict, arguing that the EU procedure it has "no real grounds." He added Poland and Hungary are economically strong, proud nations that will not take dictation from anyone.

"The way Poland is treated now may in the future be applied to other nations," Orban told TVP1.

Orban's domestic policies have also drawn strong EU criticism.

In their news conference, Morawiecki and Orban also emphasized the growing economic status of Central Europe and the Visegrad Group that also includes Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Orban said Germany's trade with the four countries is now larger than its trade with France.

"Economically, this is at least as important for Europe as German-French cooperation," he said.

___

Associated Press writer Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Poland contributed.

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban arrive for their joint news conference following their talks in the Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tibor Illyes/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban inspect the honour guards during the welcoming ceremony in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban walk on the red carpet during the welcoming ceremony in front of the Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban chat during the welcoming ceremony in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, listens to his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban during their joint news conference following their talks in the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tibor Illyes/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban attend the welcoming ceremony in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, is guided by his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban after they inspected the honour guards during the welcoming ceremony in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary,. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, listens to his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban during their joint news conference following their talks in the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tibor Illyes/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, listens to his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban during their joint news conference following their talks in the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Tibor Illyes/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki arranges ribbons as he lays a wreath at the Memorial Stone of Heroes on the Heroes' Square in Budapest Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki kneels down as he lays a wreath at the Memorial Stone of Heroes on the Heroes' Square in Budapest Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP)

Staying on an official visit in Hungary new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, shakes hands with Hungarian President Janos Ader during their meeting in the presidential Alexander Palace in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Noemi Bruzak/MTI via AP)BERLIN (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is meeting with the leaders of two other parties to prepare the ground for preliminary coalition talks starting Sunday.

Martin Schulz of the center-left Social Democrats said the talks Wednesday would focus on technical issues rather than political substance.

Schulz and Merkel are joined by the chancellor's Bavarian ally, Horst Seehofer, whose party has demanded a tougher line on immigration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for pre-talks on forming a new government coalition in Berlin Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)

Seehofer's center-right Christian Social Union is holding a three-day meeting starting Thursday to discuss its political positions.

The parties formed the "grand coalition" that has ruled Germany since 2013, but all three lost votes in September's national election.

The failure to form a new government has left Germany without new leadership following an election for the longest period since 1949.

Germany's Social Democratic Party, SPD, chairman Martin Schulz, left, briefs the media as he arrives for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavarian state governor Horst Seehofer, for talks on a new German government in Berlin, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Germany's Social Democratic Party, SPD, chairman Martin Schulz arrives for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavarian state governor Horst Seehofer, for talks on a new German government in Berlin, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on the trial of a Turkish banker (all times local):

3:10 p.m.

A prosecutor calls the conviction of a Turkish banker in a conspiracy to help Iran evade U.S. sanctions a warning to foreign banks not to cheat on sanctions. A defense lawyer says Mehmet Hakan Atilla will appeal.

FILE- In this Dec. 15, 2017 courtroom artist's sketch, defendant Mehmet Atilla, right, testifies during his trial on corruption charges in New York. The Turkish banker accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions has been convicted Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, by a jury in New York, after a trial that sowed distrust between the two nations. He was convicted of four conspiracy counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, plus one bank fraud count. He was acquitted of a money laundering charge. (Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)

The comments came after a New York jury returned a guilty verdict Wednesday on five of six counts against Atilla at a federal trial that lasted more than a month. Sentencing was scheduled for April 11.

The conviction came on the fourth day of deliberations at a trial that lasted more than a month, including a weeklong break for the holidays. Jurors declined to comment afterward.

The case was closely watched in Turkey, where top government officials complained that Atilla, an executive at a state-owned bank, was unjustly prosecuted.

___

2:10 p.m.

A Turkish banker accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions has been convicted by a jury in New York after a trial that sowed distrust between the two nations.

The verdict came Wednesday at a trial where witnesses described corruption at the highest levels of Turkey's government, prompting its leaders to lash out at the U.S. prosecution.

The verdict pertained solely to Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla, but its ramifications were likely to affect relations between Turkey and the U.S.

Atilla was convicted of five counts, including conspiracy. He was acquitted of one money-laundering charge.

Throughout the monthlong trial, Turkish officials spoke out against the prosecution. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called it a U.S. conspiracy to "blackmail" and "blemish" his country.

___

11:05 a.m.

A jury deliberating the fate of a Turkish banker charged with helping Iran evade U.S. economic sanctions wants to know what happens if it reaches a verdict on only some charges.

The Manhattan federal court jury asked the question as it returned to work Wednesday after holiday break in the trial of Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla. The trial has drawn heated criticism from Turkish leaders, who say it is designed to discredit the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The jury was off all last week for the holidays.

Judge Richard Berman said the jury's question did not indicate they were deadlocked so he instructed them to continue their work.

Atilla testified that he acted professionally and legally.

___

12:25 a.m.

After an extended holiday break, a New York jury is poised to resume deliberating the fate of a Turkish banker charged with helping Iran evade U.S. economic sanctions.

The Manhattan federal court jury enters a fourth day of deliberations Wednesday in the trial of Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla. The jury was off all last week for the holidays.

Atilla has pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped Iran launder oil and gas revenues through world banks, including in the U.S.

The trial attracted considerable interest in Turkey, where government officials criticized the United States for the prosecution.

The criticism came in part because the government's main witness was a Turkish gold trader who testified that bribes to government officials helped the conspiracy proceedNEW YORK (AP) - Despite scathing reviews from critics, Netflix has greenlit a sequel to "Bright," with star Will Smith and director David Ayer expected to return.

The streaming service announced the plans Wednesday, just two weeks after the fantasy police drama debuted. "Bright" is Netflix's first big-budget, tentpole-style release, with estimates that it cost at least $90 million to produce.

With a sequel, Netflix hopes to turn "Bright" into its first film franchise - the kind Hollywood studios rely on. But it will be doing so with one of the worst reviewed films of the year. "Bright" has garnered just a 28 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

FILE - This undated image released by Netflix shows Will Smith, left, and Joel Edgerton in a scene from, "Bright." Despite scathing reviews from critics, Netflix has greenlit a sequel to "Bright," with star Smith and director David Ayer expected to return. The streaming service announced the plans Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, just two weeks after the fantasy police drama debuted. (Matt Kennedy/Netflix via AP, File)

Yet viewer data suggests "Bright" is a hit - or, at least, a Netflix version of one. Nielsen reported that 11 million watched "Bright" in the United States in the first three days release. If that many moviegoers had paid tickets for "Bright," it would have earned close to $100 million over its first weekend, if going by the average movie ticket price. And Nielsen's tabulation is based on TV-connected Netflix viewing, and doesn't include those watching on their phones or computers.

Netflix doesn't release viewing numbers, but it said "Bright" has been its most viewed movie in all of Netflix's 190-plus countries. It called "Bright" its highest viewed original film ever in its first week of release.

The film stars Smith as a police officer in an alternate version of Los Angeles where orcs, fairies and magic co-exist. Netflix announced the sequel with a mock audition tape from various orcs hoping to land a role in the follow-up.

Co-star Joel Edgerton is also set to return. One person not coming back is screenwriter Max Landis, whose original script sparked a bidding war. Ayer ("Suicide Squad," ''Fury") will write the sequel.SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Latest on the death of the leader of the Mormon church (all times local):

___

4:12 p.m.

FILE - In this April 4, 2015, file photo, President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves to the audience during the opening session of the Mormon church conference in Salt Lake City. Monson, the 16th president of the Mormon church, died after nine years in office. He was 90. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Funeral services for Mormon church president Thomas S. Monson have been set for Jan. 12 in Salt Lake City.

Church officials said Wednesday that a public viewing will be held all day on Jan. 11 with the funeral to follow at noon the next day.

Both events will take place inside the religion's conference center, which has a 21,000-seat theater.

Monson died Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. He was 90.

Monson was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for nearly a decade and had served in leadership positions for more than 50 years.

____

10:30 a.m.

Mormons are honoring church leader Thomas S. Monson after his death at age 90 on Tuesday night.

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, entertainer Marie Osmond and conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck were among those tweeting memories and condolences Wednesday.

Monson was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served in top leadership positions for more than 50 years, making him a well-known face and personality to multiple generations of Mormons.

Romney says in a statement that he'll remember Monson's compassion for the downtrodden. Osmond tweeted a picture of her embracing Monson, saying he was always there for her family. Beck recalls Monson's kindness and humility.

Condolences also came in from Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who announced his retirement Tuesday.

____

1:15 a.m.

Thomas S. Monson, the 16th president of the Mormon church, has died after nine years in office. He was 90.

Church spokesman Eric Hawkins says Monson died Tuesday night at his home in Salt Lake City.

Monson spent more than five decades serving in top church leadership councils - making him a well-known face and personality to multiple generations of Mormons.

Monson's presidency was marked by his noticeably low profile during a time of intense publicity for the church, including the 2008 and 2012 campaigns of Mormon Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination, and the faith's involvement in the passage of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in California.

The next church president was not immediately named, but is expected to be Russell M. Nelson. He is the next longest-tenured member of the church's governing Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - A Kosovo court has found four opposition lawmakers guilty of repeatedly disrupting parliament by using tear gas.

The four members of the left-wing Self-Determination Party - Albin Kurti, Donika Kadaj Bujupi, Albulena Haxhiu and Faton Topalli - were sentenced Wednesday to up to 18 months in prison. They won't be jailed, however, if they do not commit the same crime during a two-year probation period.

The verdict said in four parliamentary sessions the defendants had used "tear gas without authorization" to block lawmakers from working.

The opposition lawmakers since 2015 have used tear gas, blown whistles and thrown water bottles in parliament to protest a proposed border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. They say Kosovo is ceding territory under the agreement, a claim denied by the previous government and by international experts.

The agreement, which is yet to be approved by parliament, is a pre-condition for a visa-free regime for Kosovo citizens in the European Union's Schengen travel zone.

Haxhiu defended their actions, saying "we defended the republic, its sovereignty and integrity."

Political tensions in Kosovo remain high over the border deal, which is to be approved soon. Another issue is the opposition against a special court established to prosecute crimes committed during and after Kosovo's 1998-1999 war with Serbia for independence. It is expected to issue indictments against former independence fighters.

Wednesday's verdict comes at a delicate moment for the Self-Determination Party, the biggest single party in parliament, whose leader resigned recently amid party turmoil.

Next month Kosovo celebrates the 10th anniversary of its independence from Serbia, declared unilaterally in 2008 and recognized by most western nations but not by Serbia.MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Sony Pictures is trying to capitalize on a tragedy by releasing a movie starring horror character Slender Man, according to the father of one of two Wisconsin girls who attacked their classmate to please the fictional boogeyman.

Bill Weier, father of Anissa Weier, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday that he hopes local theaters won't show the movie when it's released in May.

"It's absurd they want to make a movie like this," Bill Weier said. "It's popularizing a tragedy is what it's doing. I'm not surprised but in my opinion it's extremely distasteful. All we're doing is extending the pain all three of these families have gone through."

FILE - In this April 20, 2010 file photo, Director Sylvain White arrives at the premier of the feature film "The Losers" in Los Angeles. Sony Pictures plans to release a "Slender Man" movie this spring, featuring the horror character that inspired two Wisconsin girls to nearly kill their classmate. The movie is set for a May 18 release. Slender Man has appeared in video games and online stories, but the Sony production marks the first full-length feature built around the character. The picture is directed by White, who also helmed 2007's "Stomp the Yard," and stars Javier Botet as Slender Man. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

Sony Pictures media relations officials didn't reply to two emails left in the company's general inbox for reporter's inquiries.

Weier and Morgan Geyser lured classmate Payton Leutner in 2014 to a wooded park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. There, Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times, narrowly missing her heart, while Weier urged her on. Leutner managed to crawl out of the woods to a path where a passing bicyclist found her. She survived the attack.

Weier and Geyser told detectives they had to kill Leutner to prove to Slender Man that they were worthy of being his servants as well as protect their families from him. All three girls were 12 years old at the time of the attack.

Geyser, now 15, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors, who have asked she get at least 40 years in a mental hospital when she's sentenced in February. Weier, now 16, was sentenced to 25 years in a mental institution last month after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide.

Slender Man was created online by Eric Knudson in 2009 as a mysterious specter photo-edited into everyday images of children at play. He's typically depicted as a slim, spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face that preys on children. He has grown into a popular boogeyman and has appeared in video games and online stories.

The Sony production, entitled "Slender Man," marks the first full-length feature built around the character. The picture is directed by Sylvain White, who also helmed 2007's "Stomp the Yard," and stars Javier Botet as Slender Man.

The studio released a trailer Wednesday. It's unclear from the preview whether the movie will include any elements from the Wisconsin case, but in one scene a wall is covered with drawings of Slender Man that resemble sketches Geyser drew. Other scenes show Slender Man stalking a girl in the woods and a girl stabbing herself in the head with a scalpel in school, showering a classmate with blood.

Geyser's attorney, Anthony Cotton, declined to comment on the movie. A spokesman for Leutner's family didn't immediately reply to email and voicemail messages.

Slender Man has been cited as a factor in other crimes. Days after the Wisconsin stabbing, a 13-year-old girl in Hamilton County, Ohio, attacked her mother with a knife. The mother told WLWT-TV that she thought the girl was obsessed with Slender Man. In September of that same year, a 14-year-old girl in Port Richey, Florida, set her house on fire. Sheriff's deputies said she started the fire after reading an e-book called "Soul Eater" and reading about Slender Man.

___

Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https://twitter.com/trichmond1Sahara Barkley, 24, was shot and killed late on New Year's Day in Jacksonville

A one-year-old's mother who was fatally shot outside a Florida gas station pleaded 'Please don't let me die' to an attendant who came to her aid.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Sahara Barkley was killed late on New Year's Day.

Barkley apparently left her car running outside a BP gas station at 10.30pm on Monday when a man and a woman attempted to steal it.

The man drove off, leaving the woman behind.

Barkley confronted the woman, who then shot her.

Store clerk Nyla Garner rushed to help Barkley. Garner said Barkley kept saying, 'Please don't let me die, I got a baby.'

'I am not going to let somebody die on my watch if I can do something about it,' Garner said to News4Jax.

Scroll down for video

Barkley her car running entering a BP gas station when a man and woman tried to get inside the vehicle

'She didnt deserve to be shot,' Rozella Brooks-White, Barkley's mother, said in tears

Just hours before her death, Barkley was with her mother and her one-year-old son.

'She didnt deserve to be shot,' said Rozella Brooks-White, Barkley's mother. 'Shes got a one-year-old son. What am I gonna tell my grandbaby?'

'This just still feels so unreal. You see this all the time, but you never think that its going to hit your door, but it shows me nobody is exempt. Justice will be served for my daughter.'

Barkley was with her one-year-old son and mother just hours before her death

Barkley went to the gas station often because it was only a couple blocks away from where she lived

Her mother said that Barkley's life revolved around her son and she went to the gas station often because it was only a couple blocks away from where she lived.

Jacksonville police are investigating the shooting as a possible carjacking. No arrests have yet been made.

Barkley died at the hospital that night.

Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance video trying to identify the suspects.SAO PAULO (AP) - Brazilian Industry Minister Marcos Pereira has resigned and is expected to seek a seat in Congress in October elections.

Pereira cites only "personal and party" reasons in the resignation letter posted Wednesday on his Facebook page. But local news media say he plans to become a candidate for his right-of-center Brazilian Republican Party.

Labor Minister Ronaldo Nogueira resigned last week in order to run for a congressional seat for the Brazilian Labor Party.

On Wednesday the presidential press office announced that Nogueira will be replaced by Congresswoman Cristiane Brasil of the centrist Brazilian Labor Party.Olivia Munn has been named as the host of the 2018 Critics' Choice Awards.

The actress, 37, will take the helm of the annual ceremony, which takes place on January 11 at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, and will be broadcast on The CW.

The XMen: Apocalypse star is set to follow on from last year's host, actor and comedian T.J. Miller, 36, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman when he was in college.

New role: Olivia Munn has been named as the host of the 2018 Critics' Choice Awards (pictured in December 2017)

Munn is among producer Brett Ratner's sexual harassment accusers and has been fighting for reforms in the movie industry.

The screen star's next movie due for release is action thriller Hummingbird, followed by Shane Black's The Predator, in which she will appear opposite Keegan-Michael Key and Sterling K. Brown.

Joey Berlin, president of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, said in a statement that her work as an actress along with her activism give her a powerful voice, making her the perfect candidate to lead the night.

He said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have Olivia hosting this years ceremony, and know that she will deliver an entertaining and sharp-witted evening to everyone in the room, and the viewers at home.

Activist: The actress, 37, will take the helm of the annual ceremony, which takes place on January 11 at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar in California (pictured in December 2017)

'Beyond her skills as an actress, Olivia's work as an activist within the industry gives her a powerful voice, making her the perfect candidate to lead this night honoring the best and brightest in film and television.'

The annual awards ceremony is organized by the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association.

It comes after it was revealed Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot, 32, will be receiving the the #SeeHer award at the Critics' Choice Awards for 'pushing boundaries' for women in Hollywood.

A spokesperson said in a statement: 'Gadot broke through this year as a powerful voice advocating for women, not only on screen as the iconic Wonder Woman, but in life as well, using her platform to encourage those in the entertainment industry and beyond to strive for fairness and parity across genders.'

The XMen star is set to follow on from last year's host, actor and comedian T.J. Miller, 36, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman when he was in college (pictured June 2017)

Bob Liodice, Association of National Advertisers CEO, added: 'We're honored to recognize Gal this year with the second annual #SeeHer Award.

'Not only was she able to challenge stereotypes in film and find success by starring in one of the biggest blockbusters this year, she also used that success to shine a light on her own industry and push the boundaries on gender equality in real life.'

This year's Critics' Choice Awards nominations has seen Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, starring Sally Hawkins as a mute custodian befriending a captured sea creature, triumph with an incredible 14 nods in the film category.

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) also bestowed eight nominations each for Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird, Steven Spielberg's The Post, and Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name.

Streaming giant Netflix amassed 20 nominations in the TV category for Stranger Things, GLOW, Master of None, One Day at a Time, American Vandal, Godless, The Crown, BoJack Horseman, and House of Cards.CINCINNATI (AP) - The mother of a 2-year-old Ohio girl who was starved and beaten to death pleaded no contest to murder and child endangering charges on Wednesday.

Andrea Bradley, 31, entered the plea in a Hamilton County courtroom in Cincinnati. Bradley and her boyfriend were both charged in the March 29, 2015, death of their daughter, Glenara Bates.

County prosecutors said the child had belt and bite marks, bruises, missing teeth, broken ribs, head trauma and other injuries. She weighed only 13 pounds when she died.

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in Cincinnati shows Andrea Bradley, the mother of Glenara Bates, a 2-year-old Ohio girl who died March 29, 2015, after she was starved and beaten. Bradley pleaded no contest to murder and child endangering charges Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Cincinnati. The girl's father, Glen Bates, was convicted of aggravated murder in 2016, and sentenced to death. (Hamilton County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Bradley's attorney, William Welsh, said that she is "definitely remorseful" and that the "long, enduring case has had lasting emotional effects on her."

The Cincinnati woman also had been charged with aggravated murder. She turned down a plea deal in 2016 that would have removed the death penalty if she had been convicted of that charge. A judge later ruled that Bradley was not eligible for the death penalty even if convicted of aggravated murder, after a psychologist's report found that Bradley is intellectually disabled. The U.S. Supreme Court has found that executing people with intellectual disabilities violates the U.S. Constitution

Bradley could get 23 years to life in prison at her Jan. 24 sentencing.

The child's father, Glen Bates, was convicted of aggravated murder in 2016 and sentenced to death.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters had said in a statement announcing the indictments of Bradley and Bates in April 2015 that Glenara's injuries were inflicted over an extended period of time.

"The abuse this baby suffered is beyond belief," he said.DETROIT (AP) - A convicted killer from Arkansas who went to Michigan on a five-day furlough in 1970 but never returned to prison has died in suburban Detroit.

Michigan became a sanctuary for Lester Stiggers. He worked at a Chrysler factory and became a plumber, all while under the protection of the state's governors for decades.

Stiggers, 68, died Saturday at his apartment in Warren, probably from a heart attack, daughter L'Donne Hampton told The Associated Press.

FILE- In a April 26, 2013 file photo, Lester Stiggers is interviewed in Warren, Mich., by the Associated Press. The convicted killer from Arkansas has died in suburban Detroit, 47 years after he visited Michigan on a brief furlough, and never returned to prison. Stiggers was 68 years old. His daughter, L'Donne Hampton, tells The Associated Press that he died Dec. 30, 2017 at his apartment in Warren, probably from a heart attack. Stiggers made headlines in 2013 when Arkansas asked Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to send him back. Snyder said Stiggers wasn't a threat to anyone. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio_File)

Stiggers was a teenager when he was convicted of killing his father in Arkansas in the 1960s. He said his father regularly abused him and his mother.

Despite serving a life sentence, Stiggers was given a few days of freedom in 1970 because of good behavior and decided to visit his mother in Michigan. He never returned to Arkansas, however, because he feared he wouldn't survive beatings by prison guards.

In 1971, Michigan Gov. William Milliken rejected Arkansas' demand that Stiggers be turned over, citing, in part, "cruel and unusual treatment" of black men in southern prisons.

Stiggers made headlines in 2013 when Arkansas suddenly took a fresh interest in getting him back. But Michigan's current governor, Rick Snyder, noted his poor health and said it wasn't the "highest priority."

"I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't do nothin'," Stiggers told the AP at the time, summing up his life in Michigan. "I walked away from a lot of fights. ... They told me to stay out of trouble."

Indeed, Hampton said Stiggers' life was simple but satisfying.

"He worked and took care of his family," she said Wednesday.

___

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwhiteapWASHINGTON (AP) - Former Attorney General Eric Holder says he is "deeply disturbed" that Attorney General Jeff Sessions hasn't spoken out to defend his employees at the Justice Department amid Republican criticism of the FBI.

Holder said Wednesday that Republicans who have criticized the agency are trying to delegitimize the department without any thought of the long-term consequences.

"It's time for the leaders of the Justice Department to speak on behalf of the dedicated career men and women who sacrifice a great deal, are patriots and who do the nation's business without any consideration of partisan politics," Holder said in a brief interview with The Associated Press after he attended the swearing-in of his friend, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, on Capitol Hill. "And it is something that is both disturbing and heartbreaking to see them being unfairly attacked, and to have nothing but silence coming from the 5th floor of the Justice Department."

Former Attorney General Eric Holder takes questions from reporters at the Capitol where he attended the swearing-in of Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. Holder says he is "deeply disturbed" that Attorney General Jeff Sessions hasn't spoken out to defend his employees at the Justice Department amid Republican criticism of the FBI. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sessions' office is on the 5th floor of the main Justice Department building.

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have increasingly lashed out at the department after hundreds of text messages were revealed between an FBI counterintelligence agent and an FBI lawyer criticizing Trump. Both had at one point been assigned to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference, which has already resulted in charges against four of Trump's campaign advisers and increasingly appears focused on Trump's inner circle of associates and advisers.

Last month, Trump tweeted that the FBI is a biased agency whose reputation is "in Tatters - worst in History!"

Just before leaving for the holiday break, two Republican-led House committees began a new investigation of the FBI and its 2016 inquiry into Democrat Hillary Clinton's email server. The House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees spent hours behind closed doors with Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who was involved in that probe.

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, one of the most forceful recent critics, tweeted on Wednesday 18 questions he said he has about the FBI and Russia. Several involved the texts and also a dossier of allegations about Trump's ties to Russia that was partially paid for by Democrats.

"We are not ruled by unelected bureaucrats, police forces, or intelligence agencies," Jordan tweeted. "In America, We The People ELECT officials who govern."

Holder said he doesn't think the attacks will affect Mueller's probe, but worries there will be a "collateral negative impact" when agents are doing their jobs.

"Our institutions are strong, I think our founding documents are strong, but I think we are seeing a stress test the likes of which we have not seen since Watergate," he said.

In 1973, President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of the independent special prosecutor overseeing the Watergate investigation, prompting the resignations of the top two officials at the Justice Department.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by Trump in May, sent a similar message on Twitter Wednesday.

Comey tweeted, "Where are the voices of all the leaders who know an independent Department of Justice and FBI are essential to our liberty?"

He then quoted Protestant reformer Martin Luther: "You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say."WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the Russia investigation (all times local):

2:30 a.m.

Paul Manafort has filed a lawsuit challenging the legal authority of special counsel Robert Mueller in the Russia probe. Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, was indicted on charges related to his lobbying work on behalf of a Russia-friendly Ukrainian party. He says prosecutors overstepped their bounds by charging him for conduct he says is unrelated to Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

In this Nov. 6, 2017 photo, Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, leaves the federal courthouse in Washington. Manafort has sued special counsel Robert Mueller saying he exceeded authority in the Russia probe. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

___

10:30 p.m.

The Republican chairman of the House intelligence committee says the panel has reached an agreement with the Justice Department on witnesses and documents in its probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Rep. Devin Nunes of California said in a statement Wednesday night that he has spoken with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who had met privately with House Speaker Paul Ryan earlier Wednesday.

Nunes says he believes the department will soon provide the committee with the documents it had requested and access to the witnesses it had wanted to hear from.

The requested documents include materials related to how the FBI used a dossier of allegations about Donald Trump's ties to Russia.

Nunes sent Rosenstein a letter last week saying he wanted the information by Jan. 3.

__

6:30 p.m.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has left a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan concerning the House intelligence committee's probe into Russian interference.

Rosenstein requested the meeting, according to a congressional aide. The aide declined to be named because the meeting was private.

House intelligence committee Chairman Devin Nunes has asked Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray to produce a number of documents related to the Russia investigation. These include materials related to how the agency used a dossier of allegations about Trump's ties to Russia that was partially paid for by Democrats.

Nunes sent Rosenstein a letter last week saying he wanted the information by Jan. 3.

- By Mary Clare Jalonick

___

5:20 p.m.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan about the House intelligence committee's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Rosenstein requested the meeting with Ryan, according to a congressional aide. The aide asked not to be identified because the meeting is private.

Republicans have criticized the Justice Department and the FBI in recent weeks after the revelation of text messages between an FBI counterintelligence agent and an FBI lawyer criticizing Trump. Both had at one point been assigned to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference.

Republicans have also pushed the department to release more documents to the House committee.

The GOP-led House panel has started to wind down its investigation as Democrats have pushed to keep it going.

- By Mary Clare Jalonick

___

3:35 p.m.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman is suing special counsel Robert Mueller and the Justice Department.

Paul Manafort alleges in the lawsuit that Mueller exceeded his authority by investigating him for conduct that was not related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Manafort was indicted in October and has pleaded not guilty.

The suit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington.

Manafort's lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment, and a spokesman for Mueller's office declined to comment.LIMA, Peru (AP) - Rescuers finished pulling 51 bodies from the wreckage of a bus that tumbled over a cliff in Peru in one of the deadliest vehicle accidents in the nation's history, authorities said Wednesday.

Nearly everyone on board was killed Tuesday after the passenger bus collided with a tractor trailer on a narrow stretch of highway known as the "Devil's Curve."

Firefighters and police worked for more than 24 hours to recover the remains, tying bodies onto stretchers and pulling them up the cliff with ropes. The bus landed on a rocky, isolated beach north of Lima with no road access.

In this photo provided by the government news agency Andina, rescue workers surround an injured man on a stretcher who was lifted up from the site of a bus crash at the bottom of a cliff, after the bus was hit by a tractor-trailer rig in Pasamayo, Peru, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. A Peruvian police official says at least 25 people died, and that there were more than 50 people on the bus. (Vidal Tarky, Andina News Agency via AP)

Six survivors were taken to hospitals, including one man who told doctors he escaped harm by jumping out of a window moments before the bus fell into the abyss.

"The patient is totally stable with just some cuts and a fracture to his arm," Dr. Victor Viru, director of the Chancay Hospital, told a local television station.

The crash's death toll is equal to that of a 2013 accident that is the deadliest in recent Peruvian history. In that crash, 51 Quechua Indians were killed when the makeshift bus they were traveling in fell off a cliff and into a river.

Deadly wrecks with large numbers of victims occur with relative frequency along Peru's roadways, with more than 2,600 people killed in 2016. The crashes often involve buses carrying mostly poor Peruvians traveling outside major cities. Transportation experts blame a combination of bad road conditions and little enforcement of traffic safety regulations.

President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski announced Wednesday that he was ordering the nation's Ministry of Transportation to begin working on plans to expand a nearby road farther from the cliff so buses no longer have to use the "Devil's Curve."

The road near the Pacific contains 52 curves in a stretch of just 22 kilometers (14 miles) bordered by a low wall just 50 centimeters (20 inches) high. It is frequently covered in mist and has been the site of numerous accidents.

In a statement issued through the Roman Catholic Church in Peru, Pope Francis offered his condolences and prayers for "the eternal rest of the victims." The pope is scheduled to visit Peru later this month.

In this photo provided by the government news agency Andina, an injured man is transported over water from a bus that fell off a cliff after it was hit by a tractor-trailer rig, in Pasamayo, Peru, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. A Peruvian police official says at least 25 people died, and that there were more than 50 people on the bus. (Vidal Tarky, Andina News Agency via AP)

EDS NOTE GRAPHIC CONTENT - In this photo provided by the government news agency Andina, firemen recover bodies from a bus that fell off a cliff after it was hit by a tractor-trailer rig, in Pasamayo, Peru, Tuesday, Jan 2, 2018. A Peruvian police official says at least 25 people died, and that there were more than 50 people on the bus. (Vidal Tarky, Andina News Agency via AP)MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on Sony Pictures' plans to release a movie featuring horror character Slender Man (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

The father of one of two Wisconsin girls who attacked their classmate in an effort to please horror character Slender Man says Sony Pictures' decision to release a movie about the character is in poor taste.

The movie is due out in May. The studio released a trailer Wednesday with scenes depicting a girl stabbing herself and Slender Man stalking a girl in the woods.

In Wisconsin, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser were 12 when they lured a classmate to a wooded park in 2014. Geyer stabbed her 19 times. Both girls told detectives they had to kill their classmate to protect their families from Slender Man.

Weier's father, Bill Weier, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that making the movie is in "extreme poor taste" given the Wisconsin incident. He says local theaters shouldn't show it.

Sony Pictures media officials didn't reply to an email seeking comment.

___

10:50 a.m.

Sony Pictures plans to release a movie this spring featuring Slender Man, the horror character that inspired two Wisconsin girls to nearly kill their classmate.

The studio released a trailer for the movie on Wednesday morning. In one scene a wall is covered with drawings of Slender Man that resemble sketches one of the Wisconsin girls, Morgan Geyser, drew. Other scenes depict a girl stabbing herself and Slender Man stalking a girl in the woods.

The movie is set for release in May.

Geyser and Anissa Weir lured classmate Payton Leutner to a Waukesha park in 2014. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times before she and Weier fled. They said they believed they had to kill Leutner so they could become Slender Man's servants and protect their families from him.SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Condolences and remembrances poured for Mormon church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday, the day after he died at age 90. They came from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leaders of other faiths and public figures like former vice president Al Gore.

Monson was president of the church and served in top leadership positions for more than 50 years, making him a well-known fixture for generations of Mormons.

Some responses to news of his death:

FILE - In this April 2, 2016, file photo, President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raises his hand during a sustaining vote at the two-day Mormon church conference, in Salt Lake City. Monson, the 16th president of the Mormon church, has died after nine years in office. He was 90. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Mitt Romney, former Republican presidential candidate:

"Thomas S. Monson walked where Jesus walked, lifting the downtrodden, comforting the wounded, healing the sick, brightening the lives of the lonely at heart." Romney was the first Mormon major-party presidential candidate.

___

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops:

"As we engage important questions on family and the dignity of the human person, Catholics and Mormons work together and support each other." DiNardo highlighted Monson's hands-on approach and concern for the poor in a statement. "Today, Catholics join their Latter-day Saints brothers and sisters in commending his soul to the mercy and love of God."

____

Donny and Marie Osmond, entertainers and Mormons:

"He has always been there for our family during special occasions and even in the most difficult of times," Marie Osmond said in a tweet that included a photo of her with Monson.

"He was a man of God, a friend to all, and one who truly lived what he preached," Donny Osmond tweeted.

___

Glenn Beck, conservative talk-show host:

Beck, who is Mormon, tweeted that Monson was "one of the kindest, most humble and loving men I have ever met."

___

Rabbi Noam Marans, American Jewish Committee:

"President Monson played a key role in deepening Jewish-Mormon relations," he said in a statement. "I'm a great believer that by working together we eliminate the weakness of one standing alone and substitute the strength of many standing together."

___

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake:

"His legacy is one of kindness, peace, and hope," said Flake, a Republican and a member of the church, in a tweet. "As he always said, 'the future is as bright as your faith.'"

__

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch:

"I'm so grateful for the life of my dear friend and for the example he left for everyone to follow," the Republican Hatch, a Mormon, said in a statement.

FILE - In this July 10, 2015, file photo, shows President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attends the memorial service for Mormon leader Boyd K. Packer at the Tabernacle, on Temple Square, in Salt Lake City. Monson, the 16th president of the Mormon church, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, after nine years in office. He was 90. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - In this July 10, 2015, file photo, President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attends the memorial service for Mormon leader Boyd K. Packer at the Tabernacle, on Temple Square, in Salt Lake City. Monson, the 16th president of the Mormon church, has died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, after nine years in office. He was 90. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)The Christmas chocolate tubs are barely off the shelves but supermarkets are already replacing them with Easter eggs, to shoppers bemusement.

Although Valentines Day is the next chocolate-heavy event on the consumer calendar, Easter is already making its presence felt on grocery shelves.

Not even new year and the Easter Eggs have appeared pic.twitter.com/RGuDikpjTw  Darren Collingwood  (@DCollingwood40) December 28, 2017

Easter Sunday, although falling early this year, is still 12 weeks away on April 1.

Easter eggs have started to appear on supermarket shelves

The Co-operative, which is giving over shelf space to Easter eggs, said many customers liked to buy them as soon as they can.

Customers have taken to social media to voice their opinions, with many saying they believe March 1 is a reasonable start date to be subjected to Easter advertising and related products.

For goodness sake.. give us a break! Hot-cross buns and Easter eggs already out in supermarkets! Thats appalling! pic.twitter.com/k5riclZBsj  Allan Raskall (@AllanRaskall) January 2, 2018

Lucy Lawson, who posted a picture of chocolate eggs in a Co-operative store in Settle, North Yorkshire, simply wrote: I kid you not, while other opinions differed little from way too early to thats actually insane.

A spokeswoman for the Co-operative said: As a convenience retailer our stores often have limited backroom space which means products go on shelf when space appears.

Sales figures also show that many customers will buy Easter eggs as soon as they can.

Dear @Tesco @asda @Morrisons @coopuk and any other supermarkets with Easter Eggs on your shelves. It is still Christmas, Easter is almost 3 months away! Find something else to fill the seasonal aisle please. pic.twitter.com/utZmipiHc9  Deacon Jon (@Jon_the_Deacon) January 2, 2018

A number of consumers have also posted pictures claiming to have seen Easter eggs on sale at Tesco stores, despite the supermarket saying it was not selling them currently, while Jon Gregory wrote on Twitter: Get lost @Morrisons. Creme eggs, mini eggs and malteaster bunnies already at PoS [point of sale]! Theres a quarter of the year before Easter.

Sainsburys said it was not selling them at the moment.A petition has been launched to change the name of a street after residents described it as offensive.

People living in Bell End in Rowley Regis, Sandwell, West Midlands, have complained it is one of the rudest street names in England.

The petition has so far attracted 12 signatures after claims that young residents would be bullied at school.

Residents have now called on Sandwell Council to change the name of the street because they have become a laughing stock.

The road was ranked fourth on a list of the top 15 most rude-sounding street names in the UK in 2014.

Bell End in Rowley Regis, West Midlands

The petition page on change.org reads: As you may be aware, the term Bell End can be seen and used as a rude and/or a offensive word.

It can affect people including children being bullied and teased at school and generally now become a laughing stock, as seen very recently on Facebook and other social media sites, and its time for a change.

Stephen Young, 72, of Minge Lane in Worcester, which was also voted one of the rudest-sounding street names, believed the reaction of Bell End residents to be over the top.

He said: There has been no plan to change the name of our road.

We have had a problem with people nicking the sign but nobody is that fussed about the name.

There are no plans to start a petition, people are happy with the name of the road.

Speaking about the plans of residents from Bell End, Mr Young said: Its a bit silly really. It is a bit over the top.Chris Woakes is set to have a scan on his left side and is a doubt for the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Woakes, who missed much of last summer with a similar injury, has been an ever-present in Englands campaign this winter, in which they lost the Ashes in Perth, secured a draw in Melbourne last week and are hoping for a consolation victory to reduce the scoreline to 3-1.

The absence of key bowling all-rounder Woakes would be a significant setback to the tourists, who have been planning to hand 20-year-old leg-spinner Mason Crane a debut at the SCG.

Woakes played little part in net practice on Tuesday afternoon.

Mason Crane

On Wednesday in Sydney, a brief England and Wales Cricket Board update read: Chris Woakes is going for a scan this morning (on his) left side.

(He) is a doubt for the match.

The 28-year-old, a regular across all formats and part of the one-day international squad to face Australia after the end of the Ashes, suffered a torn side in the first match of Englands Champions Trophy campaign six months ago and did not return until the Headingley Test against West Indies 11 weeks later.

If, as seems likely, he misses the Sydney Test, England must work out not just who replaces him in their attack but who can feasibly make runs at number eight too.Britains financial watchdog has opened an investigation into infrastructure giant Carillion as the troubled firms woes continue.

The company, which is embroiled in an ongoing crisis that has involved a string of profits warnings, said on Wednesday that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is probing the timeliness and content of announcements made between December 7 2016 and July 10 2017.

It covers a period of turmoil for the HS2 contractor, in which the firms share price plunged and its chief executive departed following a warning over profits.

The FCA is probing Carillion (PA)

Carillion said it is co-operating fully with the FCA.

In December, the firm, which is scrambling to reduce its debt pile, struck an agreement with its lenders to defer a crucial financial covenant test, a development that will give the troubled group more breathing space.

In November, the HS2 contractor issued its latest profit warning and said it will breach its debt covenants, which resulted in another share price collapse.

The firm said at the time that annual profits are set to be materially lower than current market expectations as it grapples with a string of delays and smaller-than-expected improvements to margins on certain contracts.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years as the rivals explore the possibility of talks after months of acrimony.

Mr Kims announcement, read by a senior official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks to find ways to co-operate on next months Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for Peaceful Reunification, said Mr Kim welcomed South Koreas overture and had ordered officials to reopen a communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom.

South Korea quickly welcomed the decision and later confirmed the two Koreas had started preliminary contacts on the channel.

A South Korean government official checks the direct communications hotline to talk with the North Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea (Yonhap via AP)

But even among the sudden signs of easing animosity, Donald Trump threatened Mr Kim with nuclear war.

In his new year address on Monday, Mr Kim said he was willing to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics, but he also said he has a nuclear button on his desk and that all US territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons.

This prompted the US president to boast of a bigger and more powerful nuclear button than Mr Kims.

The two leaders exchanged crude insults last year after the UN imposed new sanctions over the Norths sixth and most powerful nuclear test explosion and a series of intercontinental ballistic launches.

The recent softening of contact between the rival Koreas may show a shared interest in improved ties, but there is no guarantee tensions will ease.

There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, but the efforts often end in recrimination and stalemate.

Outside critics say Mr Kim may be trying to use better ties with South Korea as a way to weaken the alliance between Washington and Seoul as Pyongyang grapples with toughened international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes.

Since taking office last May, South Koreas liberal President Moon Jae-in has pushed hard to improve ties and resume stalled co-operation projects with North Korea. Pyongyang had not responded to his outreach until Mr Kims new year address.

Relations between the Koreas soured under Mr Moons conservative predecessors, who responded to the Norths expanding nuclear programme with hardline measures.

All major rapprochement projects were put on hold one by one, and the Panmunjom communication channel has been suspended since February 2016.

Mr Moon has pushed for more pressure and sanctions on North Korea, but he still favours dialogue as a way to resolve the nuclear stand-off.

The Trump administration says all options are on the table, including military measures against the North, but Mr Moon has repeatedly said he opposes any war on the Korean peninsula.

Some observers believe these differences may have led Mr Kim to think he could drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington as a way to weaken their alliance and international sanctions.

Talks could provide a temporary thaw in strained inter-Korean ties, but conservative critics worry that they may only earn the North time to perfect its nuclear weapons.

After the Olympics, inter-Korean ties could become frosty again because the North has made it clear it has no intention of accepting international calls for nuclear disarmament and instead wants to bolster its weapons arsenal in the face of what it considers increasing US threats.England will have to somehow get the better of Australias two Ashes powerhouses if they are to score an improbable consolation victory in Sydney.

Captain Steve Smith, scorer of more than 600 runs towards the hosts unassailable 3-0 lead, and the series leading wicket-taker Mitchell Starc are both raring to go.

Smith has suffered minor discomfort from his back in practice, but confirmed he will not be seriously troubled when the action starts again - while Starc is bowling at full pelt again, having had to sit out last weeks bore draw in Melbourne with a bruised heel.

Australia confirm Mitchell Starc to return in place of Jackson Bird.



Scheduled release of players for @BBL commitments:



Ashton Agar to Brisbane tomorrow

Peter Handscomb to Melbourne on Friday

Bird to Hobart on Sunday#Ashes  cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2018

Starcy has pulled up pretty well this morning, and says hes ready to go, said Smith, who did voice the caveat that Australia will not unnecessarily risk the left-armers availability for the remainder of their high-profile winter.

Asked his advice for Starc, he added: Make sure youre completely fit, and dont be doing further damage.

We have obviously got some one-dayers after this, Twenty20s and an important (Test) series in South Africa as well.

That was the conversation I had after the Perth Test match  weve wrapped up the series, which is great, and we want to continue winning  but youre a key member of our line-up, so dont do further damage - because we need you in South Africa.

Leading wicket-taker in the Ashes series, Mitchell Starc, will return for the final Test after a heel injury (Jason O'Brien/PA)

Starc insists, however, he is fit again.

The break hes had has helped his heel heal  so hes confident, said Smith.

Youve also got to take players word sometimes. I hope he gets through and is fine if he gets the opportunity.

Smith reports he too is ready to go again in search of what would be a fourth century of the series.

Im a little bit stiff, but noting I havent dealt with before, he said.

Ill have good hit today and catch, (and) Ill be fine tomorrow.

Australia have made a variant call to England after reading conditions here - and unlike the tourists, will stick with one specialist spinner.

England captain Joe Root has confirmed one change to the team for the 5th Test with @masoncrane32 coming in to make his debut replacing the injured @chriswoakes. pic.twitter.com/BxVMWmjaSQ  England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 3, 2018

Smith said: The wickets got a fair bit of grass  so Id say well probably opt for just the one spinner.

Nathan (Lyon)s done a terrific job throughout this series, so Id say well go down that route.

Smith, a menace to Englands bowlers all series, will have an extra personal cheer squad for his home Test.

For the fourth successive year, Steve Smith scored 1000+ Test runs. Will he make it five in a row?https://t.co/YXhboJk30q pic.twitter.com/AqIODmoDg0  ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 1, 2018

Therell be a few friends, mum and dad, grandparents.

Its a special occasion to captain an Ashes Australian team on my home ground, and they will all be cheering for me.

Australias selectors sprang a controversial surprise by omitting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell from their one-day international squad to face England later this month.

Smith reiterated the remarks of national selector Trevor Hohns when he called for more consistency from Maxwell, but added too he believes a more focused attitude in practice will also help.

JUST IN: Glenn Maxwell left out of ODI squad as Lynn returns alongside a couple of new faces: https://t.co/grrzOBaPfS #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/bMXCqWfelb  cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2018

Its unlucky on Glenn, he said. Looking at the way he trains, he could train a bit smarter.

Weve seen the way he can play and do all his funky stuff and be pretty cool with that  but when he puts head down, hes a really good batsman.

If he keeps switched on, trains well, focuses on basics more than expansive things, it will help him have consistency.

If hes doing that, you want him in the team.Donald Trump has appeared to threaten to cut off US aid money to the Palestinian Authority, asking why Washington should make any of these massive future payments when Palestinians are no longer willing to talk peace.

The US president, in a pair of tweets, said we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue  peace treaty with Israel, he wrote.

He infuriated Palestinians and Muslims across the Middle East when he announced late last year that the US would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there, upending decades of US policy and igniting protests.

While the Palestinians have not closed the door to a potential deal with Israel, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the announcement had destroyed Mr Trumps credibility as a Middle East peace broker, calling the decision a declaration of withdrawal from the role it has played in the peace process.

Senior Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement that Mr Trump had single-handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace with his Jerusalem declaration.

Tuesdays tweets were a tacit admission by Mr Trump that his decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has thrown a spanner into his administrations plans to restart the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, which he had dubbed the ultimate deal.

Protests against US president Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah (Nasser Nasser/AP)

He tasked son-in-law Jared Kushner with restarting the effort, and brought his former lawyer Jason Greenblatt into the White House to lead the negotiations.

Mr Trumps Middle East peace team held meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders for nearly a year ahead of an expected peace proposal.

But by recognising Israels claim to Jerusalem, he was seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict.

The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem - which Israel captured in 1967 - for their capital.

Mr Trump said his decision merely recognised the reality that Jerusalem already serves as Israels capital and was not meant to prejudge the final borders of the city.

Protests in the West Bank city of Nablus

In his tweets, he argued his decision had taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more.

In the days after the decision, Trump administration officials said the strategy was based on the notion that Israel had lost faith in the US as a committed partner during the Obama administration.

With trust in Washington restored, Benjamin Netanyahus government would be more inclined to make tough concessions that would ultimately be needed for a peace deal, US officials argued, and Israeli officials quietly indicated they could do so.

No one spelled out, however, what the Palestinians would receive in return.

Mr Trump on Tuesday also issued a threat to cut off foreign aid dollars to an unspecified list of countries that do not reciprocate.

Its not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others, he wrote, appearing to reference a January 1 tweet attacking Pakistan for failing to do enough to combat terror groups while taking US aid.The first polar bear cub born in the UK for 25 years is being monitored at a wildlife park.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said its resident female polar bear Victoria has given birth at the Highland Wildlife Park.

The charity described the birth as an outstanding achievement but stressed that the first three months can be perilous for polar bear cubs, both in the wild and in captivity.

Polar bear Victoria has given birth to the first cub born in the UK for 25 years at the Scottish wildlife park (PA)

Staff at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, at Kincraig near Kingussie, confirmed the birth after hearing high-pitched sounds from Victorias maternity den.

Were thrilled to announce that Victoria, the UKs only female polar bear, has given birth here at the Highland Wildlife Park! This is the first time a polar bear cub has been born in the UK for a quarter of a century https://t.co/2Fy1k6SeHF pic.twitter.com/ySVmn1euvK  Highland Wildlife Park (@HighlandWPark) January 3, 2018

Una Richardson, the parks head keeper responsible for carnivores, said: We first heard promising noises in the week before Christmas and these have now continued into the new year.

Because we dont have sight inside her cubbing box we cant be sure if Victoria has had more than one cub but we can confirm the birth.

While we are absolutely thrilled, we are not celebrating prematurely as polar bear cubs have a high mortality rate in the first weeks of life due to their undeveloped immune system and the mothers exaggerated need for privacy, with any disturbance risking the cub being killed or abandoned.

We will continue to monitor Victoria and very much hope for the best possible news when she emerges around March.

Until then, Victorias enclosure will be closed to the public and keeper activity will be at a minimum to give her offspring every chance of survival.

Great news for @EAZA breeding programme as @rzss @HighlandWPark announces first polar bear cub to be born in the UK in 25 years. https://t.co/aQR2LnMzf5 pic.twitter.com/w3BSVxoNds  BIAZA (@BIAZA) January 3, 2018

New-born polar bear cubs are blind, around 30cm long and weigh little more than a guinea pig, the charity said.

They only open their eyes when they are a month old and are entirely dependent on their mother, feeding on fat-rich milk to grow quickly, weighing around 10 to 12kg by the time they leave their den.

The polar bear breeding season began in March last year, during which Victoria mated with Arktos, one of the parks two males.

Arktos and Walker, the other male bear, remain on view to visitors to the attraction.

RZSS chief executive Barbara Smith said: The birth of the first polar bear cub in the UK for a quarter of a century is an outstanding achievement which will arouse interest around the world.

At RZSS we believe we have a duty to help protect this magnificent species, with the reduction in sea ice, the polar bears primary seal hunting platform, predicted to significantly reduce numbers over the next 40 years.

Our polar bears are part of the European Endangered Species Programme and we hope Victorias offspring will survive to reinforce the captive population, which may be needed in the future to augment and help restore a markedly reduced and fragmented wild population.

Victoria, born in Germany in 1996, previously gave birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008.

She arrived at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015.A taxi driver is celebrating after winning nearly 25 million on the Lotto.

Amo Riselli, 50, from Gloucester, scooped 24,501,283 after matching five main numbers and the bonus ball in the must-be-won Lotto draw last Wednesday.

The new multi-millionaire did not have all six numbers but the top prize had to be won, so the jackpot rolled down to those who had matched five numbers and the bonus ball.

The main numbers were 18, 36, 48, 57, 58, 59 and the bonus ball was 50.

Introducing our SECOND huge winner today - 24MILLION #Lotto jackpot winner Amo Riselli from Gloucester!! CONGRATULATIONS!!  pic.twitter.com/cqh9FSOnDj  The National Lottery (@TNLUK) January 3, 2018

After sharing the news with his family - including his mother Maria who turns 80 in February, his four brothers and sisters and his five daughters - he called Camelot to confirm his win details.

As it was a busy time over the festive period, Mr Riselli still had a few regular taxi runs to do before he decided to hang up his car keys for good and retire.

I will miss all my friends at work as we really have a laugh together, but Ive decided Im going to retire - just because now I can, he said.

Mr Riselli is still overwhelmed with the enormity of his win, but reality is now kicking in with news of his luck spreading as far as Italy, where his parents are originally from, and people getting in touch to congratulate him.

Amo Riselli with his sister Lisa during a photocall at Hatherley Manor Hotel in Gloucester (Andrew Matthews/PA)

After treating family and friends, Mr Riselli is planning on moving house.

He wants a four bedroom home with a swimming pool but still in the Gloucester area, where he has lived all of his life.

He is also going to celebrate by arranging a big get together as a thank you for all his colleagues from the Grosvenor taxi rank, where he was self-employed for 12 years.

A holiday to Las Vegas is on the cards, but more than anything else, he just wants to have a great time with his family.

Im not going to play the lottery any more, as Ive already conquered that big win - it is someone elses turn now, he said.

I may now be a multi-millionaire but I am still the same normal person I always was, just with a bit more loose change in my pocket.

Mr Riselli bought his winning ticket from Seymoor Road Post Office, Seymoor Road, Gloucester.Prince Harrys rhino conservation charity is appealing for help with a new year challenge, naming a rhino.

Fans of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels by Alexander McCall Smith are being asked to pick one of three animals which will be given the name of the authors heroine Precious Ramotswe.

The books are set in Botswana, a country Harry calls his second home and where he invited fiancee Meghan Markle to camp out under the stars in the early days of their relationship.

A Precious Ramotswe candidate who could win the public vote to name a white rhino (Rhino Conservation Botswana)

The prince is UK patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana (RCB) which has selected three female rhinos for the naming competition, that match McCall Smiths description of his lead character, traditionally built and beautiful.

Sophie Stafford, a spokeswoman for RCB, said: These ancient and precious animals are being poached to extinction in many parts of Africa, but are thriving in Botswanas Okavango Delta thanks to robust wildlife protection laws and RCBs work to keep them safe and healthy.

She added: The idea behind the vote is to celebrate the anniversary of Mma Precious Ramotswes fictional debut while also raising awareness of the invaluable work happening in her homeland to protect wild rhinos.

Prince Harry: "Being Patron of RCB is an opportunity to give something back to a country that has given me so much" https://t.co/E16pyo9zIc pic.twitter.com/csaX11koGN  Rhino Conservation Botswana (@RhinosBotswana) January 19, 2017

The conservation organisation helps protect Africas two surviving native rhino species, the black and the white rhino, rescuing them from poaching hotspots across southern Africa and relocating them to northern Botswana.

Black rhino are classed as critically endangered with fewer than 5,000 left in the wild, while white rhino are near threatened with an estimated population of around 20,000.

Harry joined an RCB operation to help protect black rhinos in Botswana in September 2016, clearing thorn bushes from around sedated rhinos so tracking equipment could be fitted, he also monitored the animals breathing and heart rate and helped to keep them cool with water.

The 20th anniversary of the publication of McCall Smiths first book in his detective series is celebrated this year.

A spokesman for the author said: We are all thrilled that Precious Ramotswe might be able to help the Rhino Conservation Botswana charity in some small way. She would be delighted.

Voting to choose one of three white rhinos to be named will remain open until June 30.Controversial columnist Katie Hopkins has joined right wing Canadian website The Rebel Media after exiting her post at the Mail Online.

The site announced that Hopkins would be writing a regular column as well as posting video commentaries and filing investigative reports.

Hopkins, who left her job at the Mail Online by mutual consent in November, will be writing her column for The Rebel Media under the banner of her HopkinsWorld website.

Katie Hopkins

In her post, she writes: The aim of Hopkins World is to tell the stories not being told. And to help your voice be heard at a time when too many of us feel the list of things we cant say is longer than the list of things we can.

When so many platforms are under the control of the Saudis, tied to fickle commercial advertisers or beholden to special interests and religious lobbyists, it is a real thrill to find a place for us to speak without censorship.

If you hear yourself saying: Im not supposed to say this, but  then I am here to reassure you that you are. Your views matter. You matter.

Other contributors to the site include former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, who writes regular anti-Muslim columns.

After leaving the Mail Online, it emerged the site had paid substantial damages and legal costs to a teacher whom Hopkins falsely claimed had taken her students to an anti-Trump rally.

Teacher Jackie Teale had in fact taken a banner made by her year eight students along to the protest featuring a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

The Mail Online said in a statement: We apologise to Ms Teale for this error and have agreed to pay Ms Teale substantial damages and legal costs.

In May last year, Hopkins also left her job at broadcaster LBC.

The radio station declined to comment on her departure but it came in the wake of her tweet calling for a final solution following the Manchester Arena bombing that left 22 people dead.

The wording echoed the Nazi term for the eradication of Jews in concentration camps during the Second World War.

She later deleted the tweet and re-posted it with the words true solution.PARIS, Jan 2 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron urged his Iranian counterpart in a phone call on Tuesday to show restraint in dealing with protests, Macrons office said in a statement.

The statement said Macron had expressed his concern to President Hassan Rouhani over the number of casualties in the six-day-old protests, and told him that freedom of speech and protest must be respected.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drians planned trip to Tehran later this week was also postponed to a future date, the French presidency said.

Iranian media said Rouhani had asked France to act against Mujahideen exiles working against the Iranian establishment from Paris.

(Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Geert De Clercq and Kevin Liffey)BUCHAREST, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Wednesday.

FX RESERVES

Romania's central bank to release foreign exchange reserves data for December.

DEBT PLANS

Romania plans to sell 4.5-5.0 billion euros ($6.03 billion) of eurobonds on the international markets and an indicative 48-50 billion lei ($13.00 billion) of domestic debt next year, the finance ministry said on Saturday.

CEE MARKETS

Central European currencies jumped on Tuesday, buoyed by strong Czech, Hungarian and Polish manufacturing surveys that indicated the region's economies were continuing to power ahead.

For the long-term Romanian diary, click on

For emerging markets economic events, click on

For an index of all diaries, click on

For other related news, double click on: --------------------------------------------------------------- Romanian equities RO-E E.Europe equities .CEE Romanian money RO-M Romanian debt RO-D Eastern Europe EEU All emerging markets EMRG Hot stocks HOT Stock markets STX Market debt news DBT Forex news FRX For real-time index quotes, double click on: Bucharest BETI Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX --------------------------------------------------------------- ($1 = 0.8295 euros) ($1 = 3.8473 lei)By Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales

MANILA, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The Philippines has barred a branch of an American call centre firm from expanding in the country following a pre-Christmas fire that killed dozens of its employees, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Charito Plaza, director-general of the government's Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), said the agency had suspended the operations of American firm Research Now SSI, as well as the shopping mall hosting it, for failing to meet certain safety requirements since 2013.

"They can operate again once they get a clearance from the Bureau of Fire and the local government," Plaza told Reuters in a text message.

The authority's suspension took effect on Dec. 29, but it only covers SSI's branch in the southern city of Davao where the Dec. 23 blaze broke out at a furniture and fabric store on a lower floor of the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) mall before engulfing the call centre's offices.

Thirty-eight people were killed.

SSI's office in Cebu, in the central Philippines, would not be affected as it has been complying with PEZA rules, Plaza said.

Investigators looking into fire said there were indications safety lapses may have contributed to the tragedy.

"Violations were more of the non-compliance of annual emergency drills to test the fire safety equipment, response and rescue capability, sprinklers and emergency exits," Plaza said.

SSI and the mall were registered with PEZA in 2008, as a business process outsourcing firm and an economic zone developer, respectively.

PEZA did not issue fire inspection and safety certificates to NCCC and SSI from 2013 to 2017, Plaza said.

But the companies were able to renew their business permits with the city government of Davao after passing fire safety inspection by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Plaza said.

How SSI and NCCC secured fire safety inspection certificates from the bureau is one of the things an inter-agency task force looking into the blaze is investigating.

Four fire officials being questioned over the blaze have been relieved of their duties after initial findings showed they have "some liabilities", a government investigator said on Monday.

Davao planning chief Ivan Cortez said the city gives business permits to companies after they get a fire safety and inspection certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

"The agency focusing on fire is the Bureau of Fire. The local government will not release a permit without the approval of the Bureau of Fire. They are the last office. When they approve, that is the time we release the business permit," Cortez told Reuters.

NCCC could not immediately be reached for comment. An SSI official declined to comment and referred Reuters to its legal representative.

It was not clear yet how the suspension would affect SSI workers.

SSI employed 500 people at the Davao call centre and since the fire said it would not comment until after investigations were concluded.

NCCC has insisted it had met safety requirements. (Reporting by Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel)By Marcin Goclowski and Krisztina Than

BUDAPEST, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The European Union's migration policy has failed, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday, as he and his Polish counterpart demanded a bigger say in the bloc's future.

Orban and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki lead conservative governments under fire from Brussels over their refusal to take in migrants under a quota system and over their efforts to tighten state control of their courts and media.

"In terms of migration and quotas that were to be imposed on (EU) member countries we strongly reject such an approach as it infringes on sovereign decisions of member states," Morawiecki told a joint news conference after talks with Orban in Budapest.

Echoing that line, Orban said: "The EU's migration policy... has failed."

"We want to have a strong say, as these countries (in Central Europe) have a vision about the future of Europe," added the Hungarian leader, who is expected to win a further four years in power in an election due in April.

Orban led criticism in ex-communist central and eastern Europe of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to open Germany's doors to more than one million, mostly Muslim migrants and refugees fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and beyond.

"At times we feel as if someone was shooting us in the back for defending the interests of the entire Europe," Orban told Poland's public broadcaster TVP of Hungary's efforts, which included a barbed-wire fence on its southern border, to stop the flow of migrants through its territory towards western Europe.

Orban, addressing talks in Brussels over the EU's next seven-year budget that starts in 2021, said governments in central Europe had the economic might to negotiate effectively.

The ex-communist central European nations are all net recipients of EU funds, with Poland - the region's biggest economy - benefiting most. Wealthier western EU states such as Germany want to keep a firm lid on spending, especially with the planned departure of net donor Britain from the bloc in 2019.

Poland could also see the money it receives dwindle if other EU governments agree to proposals set out by Berlin to freeze access to EU funds for countries that fail to meet EU rule of law standards.

Orban said trade between countries in central Europe and Germany was bigger than between Germany and France and therefore the region should "look to the future with optimism".

"We are not knocking on doors, we aren't begging ... we represent an economic force," he said in the TVP interview.

Morawiecki, a former finance minister who only became prime minister last month, said central European countries would present a common front in the talks.

CLOSE TIES

Morawiecki and Orban appeared to have struck up a good personal relationship, reinforcing their countries' diplomatic rapprochement within the EU.

When the EU's executive Commission launched an unprecedented legal action against Warsaw in December in an attempt to force it to reverse judicial reforms that Brussels says undermine democracy, Orban signaled he would use Hungary's right of veto to prevent any punitive sanctions against Poland.

Orban cited Austria's recent election - which resulted in a far-right party joining the conservatives in a new coalition - - as proof that concerns about immigration were not limited to the ex-communist east.

"(Democracy was) reinstalled as Austrians who do not want immigration elected a government which also opposes immigration. This will be the same everywhere in Europe, I believe this is only a matter of time," said Orban.

Both Orban's Fidesz and the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) in Poland are riding high in national opinion polls, thanks to their strong economic record, their tough anti-migrant policies and their defiance of EU institutions.

Critics say reforms introduced by Fidesz in Hungary and by PiS in Poland undermine democracy and the rule of law, charges rejected by Budapest and Warsaw. (Reporting by Marcin Goclowski and Krisztina Than; additional reporting by Justyna Pawlak; editing by Gareth Jones and Grant McCool)BRASILIA, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Brazilian Industry Minister Marcos Pereira resigned on Wednesday, becoming the third cabinet minister to quit in a month.

Pereira, who posted his resignation letter on his verified Facebook page, is expected to run for Congress in October for his Brazilian Republican Party.

In his resignation letter he cited "personal and party" reasons for leaving the job and thanked President Michel Temer for the posting.

A few hours after Pereira stepped down, the leader of the government-allied Brazilian Labor Party, Roberto Jefferson, said his daughter, federal Congresswoman Cristiane Brasil, would become the next labor minister. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing by Bruno Federowski; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Bill Trott)The Tourist Police with the assistance of the Local Government bodies, the Tourism Development Authority and the Tourist Board will conduct raids on restaurants, villas and tourist lodges in the southern tourist belt that cater only to foreigners and discriminate against Sri Lankans under the directive of the Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha.

The Management of tourist facilities who were found discriminative on Sri Lankans during the raids will be prosecuted under the common law and Tourist Promotion law and their trade permits will be withdrawn.

A crucial discussion was held at the Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry chaired by Minister Musthapha, took this decision to prevent what he described as the outcome of a slavish or colonial mentality.

Minister Musthapha pointed out that a large number of villas, restaurants and tourist lodges from Wadduwa to Tangalle have put up boards Tourist Only in front of their facilities on the Southern Coast and restricted access to Sri Lankans which is a violation of the Constitution, human rights and confronts the dignity and self respect of Sri Lankans.

This cannot be accepted. We have experienced second hand treatment on us at some times at certain countries as Sri Lankans. It is impossible to keep exclusive areas for tourists alone and bar Sri Lankans which is an affront to our national dignity, Minister Musthapha stressed.

Officials of the Tourist Board and Tourism Development Authority pointed out that many of these establishments had not been duly registered with the Tourist Board and run on a Trade License obtained from the local government authority which is also illegal.

Officers from the Tourist Police pointed out that the management of these establishments tell when questioned that local tourists behave indecently and harass tourists and therefore they have barred Sri Lankan tourists from their facilities.

However, it was revealed at the discussion that those excuses were a ruse to prove their point and this kind of incidents happen rarely.

The villas, lodges and restaurants discriminative on Sri Lankans were run mainly in Wadduwa, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, Habaraduwa and Unawatuna, it was revealed. Raids will be started from tomorrow (4) and continue until all those tourist facilities discriminative against Sri Lanka tourists are apprehended and prosecuted. Officials of the Tourist Police will carry out raids with the help of officials of the respective local government body, Tourism Promotion Authority and Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

The programme to eliminate this discrimination against Sri Lankans will be expanded to tourist areas in other parts of the country with the experience gained from these raids, Minister Musthapha added.

It was also revealed at the discussion that some tourist facilities with Foreigners Only tag are owned by foreigners and they do not pay taxes and income is taken out of the country without any contribution to the tourist industry or to the economy.

It was also revealed that there are 14 tourist villas and restaurants at Weligama alone that cater only to foreigners.

A senior police officer pointed out that a person or establishment that discriminates against a Sri Lankan can be prosecuted under the provisions of the Constitution and Criminal Code.

The discussion was attended by Secretary of the Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Ministry Esala Weerakone, Secretary, Local Government and Provincial Councils Kamal Pathmasiri, Chief Secretary of the Southern Provincial Council, R.C.De Soyza, representatives of the Tourist Hotel Association, Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Tourism Promotion Authority. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Video by BuddhiThe PCoI report has recommended that necessary action should be taken against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake under the section of bribery and corruption as he was responsible for the allegation against him regarding the payment of rent for the penthouse apartment belongs to the Aloysius Family and their Walt and Rowe Company.

It also said further legal action should be taken against Mr. Karunanayake under the penal codes for giving false evidence at the Commission.

President's statement

May the Triple Gem Bless You

First of all, I offer my best wishes for the New Year.

As the people of the country are very eagerly waiting with high interest, I wish to make a statement on the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Bond Issuance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which was appointed by me taking into considerations the opinion of the people regarding allegations of corrupt practices and misdeed during the period 2015 and 2016. This report was handed over to me on December 30, 2017.

The Commission was mandated to inquire into the period from 1st February 2015 to 31st March 2016 to find out actual facts and to make recommendation with regard to the steps to be implemented in the future.

I thank the Supreme Court Judges and former Auditor General who functioned as members of the Commission and its Secretary and the staff, and those who assisted the work of the Commission, Attorney Generals Department, Police Department and other relevant organizations and individuals.

The Commission is of the opinion that similar incidents as revealed in the Commission Report had happened even in 2008. The Commission recommends that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka should first conduct a forensic audit with regard to the alleged fraud and corrupt practices from 2008 and based on such findings legal steps should be taken.

Commission states that funds of the Employment Provident Fund (EPF) were lost mostly during that period.

The Commission has submitted a full report covering the period 2015 and 2016, comprising 1257 pages and it is not an interim report. The Commission has taken 10 months for this task.

I have already submitted this report to the Attorney General and the Commission recommends that the criminal and civil court action must be taken through the Criminal Investigations Department and the Bribery or Corruption Commission.

The Commission has clearly stated the structure of the Central Bank, Public Debt Department, direct issuance of bonds and the pros and cons of the system of bond issues and bond auctions. The report stated that the Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made profits through illegal means with the involvement of Mr Arjuna Mahendran, Bank officials and some outside individuals.

In the auction held on 27th February 2015 alone the Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made a minimum benefit of over Rs 688 million. The Commission is of the opinion that further investigations could reveal that this amount could even be more than that. As revealed during the investigations Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made undue profit of Rs 11,145 millions in the secondary market. In this Employees Provident Fund and other government institutions had lost more than Rs 8,524 million or Rs 8.5 billion.

It is stated that senior officials of the Central Bank were inactive before the former Governor of Central Bank, Arjuna Mahendran. It is believed that because they had not questioned about these and had become inactive, such incorrect decisions were made. Mr Mahendran has made interference into bond auctions through a system of incorrect and unconventional methods and he was responsible for providing internal information to outsiders. One party has used such information to obtain undue monetary profits.

The Commission report said that the honorable Prime Ministers responsibility in the appointment of Mr. Arjuna Mahendren as the governor to the Central Bank was proper. The Commission is of the opinion that the Prime Minister made his statement in Parliament regarding the appointment of Mr Mahendran believing in the facts presented by Mr. Mahendran and Mr.Samarasiri, especially the promises made by Mr Mahendran. The Report also says that the Prime Minister should not have done that.

The Commission stated that moreover these facts were before the COPE committee and the Prime Minister had not stated that because of that he had not taken the proper action against Mr. Mahendern.

The Commission report refers to the allegation against former Finance Minister Mr Ravi Karunanayake regarding the payment of rent for the penthouse apartment belongs to the Aloysius Family and their Walt and Rowe Company and stated that Mr Karunanayake was responsible for that and recommended that the government should to take necessary action against Mr. Ravi Karunanayake under the section of bribery and corruption and further legal action under the penal codes for giving false evidence at the Commission.

The Commission stated to the misuse of funds of the Employees Provident Fund and stated that EPF should be investigated under the forensic audit examination to find out the amount of losses. The repot has recognized that, the dishonesty of a particular party had lead to this kind of malpractice on EPF funds. The people responsible for these frauds have been identified and the Commission recommends legal action against them.

The report recommends that, the legal action against relevant persons and officials who are responsible for the fraud including Perpetual Treasuries Limited, Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palihena should be taken. Accordingly, the government is in consultation with the legal authorities.

Recommendation

*Considering the recommendations of the Commission, the government recommends adapting a new Monetary Law Act in order to avoid this kind of malpractices in the Central Bank in future. The existing legal provisions are old and need replacement.

*It is also recommended that the Registered Share Market Act must be replaced by a new legal act.

*Members of Monetary Board and Central Bank Governor must be appointed by the Constitutional Council in concurrence of the members. The regulations must be amended accordingly.

*The report recommends that there should be utmost supervision over the State Credit Department. As auditing at the Central Bank has not been conducted in a proper manner, the Commission recommended that the Audit Department must be reconstituted completely. A Legal Department must be established in the Central Bank and ensure that the Legal Department functions efficiently.

*As the Commission did not have the mandate to inquire into treasury bond issues from 2008 to 2015, the Commission had not done that. However, Commission recommends that there should be an investigation into that period too.

*The Commission recommends that the dealings with the Pan Asia Bank and the conduct of Chairman must be investigated unto.

*The recommends that activities of the EPF must be looked into and in order to bring the ETF into a proper order, steps must be taken to restructure the ETF.

*A code of conduct for the officials of the Central Bank must be introduced. The code of conduct for Primary Dealers must be revised and updated.

*The Commission has stated that the Attorney General and the Bribery or Corruption Commission must take the legal actions to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

*Under normal circumstances, recovery of money is done through civil legal action. However, it is a time consuming method. As an alternative, the Commission recommend that a Parliamentary Legislation could be passed and the money could be recovered in a speedy manner through a Parliamentary procedure. We agree to that recommendation.

*The recommendation of te Commission is that all the expenditure occurred for the Commission must be recovered from the Perpetual Treasuries Limited.

*I have already submitted a copy of the Commission Report to the Attorney General and he will identify the persons against who the legal action must be taken and initiate necessary criminal or civil legal action to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

*I wish to clarify here, that a minor amendment to the Bribery or Corruption Commission Act must be enacted to take legal action on the recommendations of the Commission. For this purpose, already experts at the legal draughtsman are working on the required amendment.

*The steps needed to make Bribery or Corruption Commission more active and efficient should have been done long time ago, and now we are taking required steps for that purpose.

The confidentiality, astuteness and auditing methods of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka were extremely weak. There were no tele-recording systems, electronic monitoring or even CCTVs. The current Governor of the Central bank has already taken steps to remove weaknesses and rectify these errors.

The Governor has informed that he has suspended some employees of the Central Bank after their malpractices were revealed in the investigations in the Commission and disciplinary actions are being taken against those officers.

I expect the Governor to make a statement in the near future regarding the shortcomings in the Central bank as revealed in the Commission Report.

I urge the Justice Ministry and the Attorney General to take early steps to draft the three bills proposed by the Commission present them to Parliament, in order to make required changes at the Central Bank to ensure such corrupt practices, frauds and malpractices would not take place in the future.

I have informed my Secretary to hold monthly review meetings with the heads of relevant departments and institutions to examine the progress in implementations of the recommendations of the Commission to take legal steps against those individuals and take other required steps in an efficient and speedy manner.

I would like to specifically state here that I would not hesitate to take steps to recover the loss of Rs 11,145 million and take legal action against the offenders and punish them.

The sum of Rs 8529 million of the total losses Rs 11,145 million was the funds of the Employees Provident Fund, Mahapola Scholarship Fund, National Savings Bank and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. The balance was from private institutions. Hence the loss to the public sector  EPF, Mahapola, NDB and SLIC was over Rs 8.5 billion. The Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made this profit of Rs 11,145 million within a short period of 5 months.

Finally, especially I would like to mention that this final report must be presented to the Parliament and through this initiative the report must be open to the public. In the future, necessary as well as legal steps in this regard will be taken expeditiously according to the advice from the Attorney General. I kindly request to consider the openness of the facts of this Commission Report and I assure that any hesitation would not occur in filing cases against the offenders. Furthermore, I wish to state that this is the final report of the Commission.

I have previously appointed a Commission and the report of that has been handed over to me. It is the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).

This Commission carried out their respective duties during the past two and half years. I extend my gratitude to the staff of the Commission and all the institutions including the Secretary and High Court judges for giving their support in this task. Already, 34 reports of that Commission had been handed over to me and recently 17 reports have been handed over and another 17 previously, the 17 reports handed over previously I have submitted to the Attorney General to take necessary actions through relevant institutions.

By now, the Fraud and Corruption Commission, institutions, departments and Police have taken actions to file cases based on the facts of these reports. The report which was handed over to me before two days I will submit to Attorney General within this week to take appropriate actions. Especially I have to mention the actions on this report will be taken in the near future.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges has presented several major facts and it is the responsibility of the Government to implement facts presented at the Commission. I will explain to you regarding those facts for the general public information. Training and appointment of suitable officials as there is lack for skilled well-trained officials to carry out investigation regarding fraud and corruptions. This Commission emphasized that people without required qualifications had been appointed and only the qualified persons should be appointed to essential positions including the State institutions, Authorities and Constitutional Boards.

The Commission revealed that the money spent by the Government for the establishment of this Commission has already been recovered through the cases initiated through the findings of this Commission. A system must be implemented to hearing the cases in the courts in other areas as holding these cases only in Courts in Colombo is causing difficulties for those who travel from distances.

I must states a special thing, before I conclude the facts of these two reports, I saw a great eagerness and inquiring trend among the general public regarding these Commissions. At the same time when the Commissions were appointed, especially before the appointment of the Bond Commission, some people commented, even in Parliament that nothing had happened to previous commissions and the same fate would happen to this commission too. They also said the intention of appointment of a commission was to cover up the wrong doings.

But all of us must be very pleased regarding the fulfillment of duties of these Commissions and again I must thank the judges and all those who contributed in this regard for their great service rendered while wining the confidence of the general public.

Finally, I must state regarding the allegations leveled against me by some political parties for appointing these Commissions. I never appointed these commissions targeting any political party. I must specially mention in future when the cases are filed in accordance with the investigations and the recommendations and information of these Commissions, individuals belongs to two main political parties will be among the defendants in the legal process. We must be happy over our independent and impartial Judiciary. I must state all of us will provide our maximum support for this process.

Thank YouPlaces ETI Finance and SFS under 3-member expert panel

Restricts withdrawals; interest will be paid on deposits

Says two companies not insolvent as they are asset-rich

Reveals plans to inject Rs.22bn in liquidity support





By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

The Central Bank on Tuesday revealed a host of measures to bring the illiquid, mismanaged, non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) in the ETI Group back into liquidity within six months, after placing the management of the parent company in the hands of an expert panel.



We are confident that this will succeed, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy said Tuesday evening while being questioned critically by journalists at a hastily organised media briefing over the regulatory actions taken against the NBFIs, which have been in trouble since 2012.



ETI Groups ETI Finance Ltd and Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFS) have become illiquid but arent insolvent, as they are asset-rich, according to the governor.



It was seriously mismanaged. It is asset-rich so theres no reason for it to have got to this situation, he said.



He requested the depositors of the two firms not to panic, as the Central Bank has put together a six-month programme to make available over Rs.22 billion in liquidity to ETI Finance, during which period, all interest due on deposits would be paid.

ETI Finance, which is the parent firm with Rs.33 billion in assets, is worse off than its subsidiary SFS, which has Rs.2.5 billion in assets, Dr. Coomaraswamy said.

ETI Finance has 33,000 depositors with Rs.33.5 billion in deposit, while SFS has 2,300 depositors with Rs.2.4 billion in deposits, he said.



The largest liquidity support is expected to come from an unnamed potential foreign investor, who is currently in negotiations with the ETI board to invest up to US $ 75 million or Rs.11 billion to acquire nine ETI Finance subsidiaries, including SFS, Dr. Coomaraswamy said.



He said that the only qualifications of any investor are to prove their credibility, existence and source of funds and transmit the funds through formal banking channels.

This highlights the heightened concerns in the Central Bank after a string of bogus investors attempted to invest in local NBFIs recently.



Dr. Coomaraswamy said the interested foreign party has already given a US $ 2.6 million loan over the past several months as liquidity support for ETI Finance, while another US $ 8 million will be required as investment in the negative net worth SFS, placing the total funding requirement at US $ 85 million.



Some of the nine ETI subsidiaries however are involved in industries such as media and cinemas, which arent open to foreign investment and Dr. Coomaraswamy said that options will be explored to facilitate the investment without breaking the laws.



Another Rs.6 billion is expected to come in through lease and pawning interest income and some minor investments over the six-month period, the governor added.

On top of that, the Central Bank is negotiating with a bank to have a standby credit line of up to Rs.5 billion that the Central Bank will guarantee, he said.



Ironically, the liquidity crisis hit the lowest and prompted strict regulatory action after the news reports on the ETI Group being sold to a potential foreign party were published, resulting in a number of deposits being withdrawn from the two firms, Dr. Coomaraswamy said.



The Central Bank has appointed a three-member panel comprising former Central Bank Assistant Governor Sepala Ratnayake, former Bank of Ceylon Senior Deputy General Manager P.A. Lionel and former Bank of Ceylon Assistant General Manager H.M. Thilakarathne, to return the companies to normalcy.



We are fortunate to get, at such short notice, a set of people who have the correct skills and expertise required to do this job, Dr. Coomaraswamy said, noting that Ratnayake is an expert on NBFIs, while Lionel is an expert on government securities and Thilakarathne is an expert on pawning.



Most of the ETI Groups financial operations are based on pawning and to a lesser extent, on leases.



All powers of the ETI board have been vested with the panelexpandable upon requirementexcept for the powers to liaise with depositors, to convert deposits to shares and to conduct negotiations with an investor.



ETI and SFS depositors however have been restricted from prematurely withdrawing their funds, while all maturing deposits within the six-month period would be renewed for a further six months, in order to reduce outflow of funds.



ETI would also be restricted to investments in government securities and deposits in banks and NBFIs, while restrictions have also been placed on dividend and retained earnings payouts.



Dr. Coomaraswamy said that six members of the Central Bank NBFI Supervision Department will be on site at ETI Finance for several weeks to ensure that the directives issued yesterday would be followed properly, since the group got into trouble for mismanagement and not following the previous directives issued in 2012.

If the six-month programme is not successful, the nuclear option of liquidation is available, Dr. Coomaraswamy said.



ETI Finance and SFS represent just 0.3 percent of the assets in the Rs.11.2-trillion banking and NBFI industry.



So the systemic risk is miniscule, Dr. Coomaraswamy said.

Political interference waning that blocked action on finance firms

The Central Bank has experienced a five-month period of regulating the financial system minus political interference, according to Dr. Coomaraswamy and a number of initiatives have been undertaken to improve the Central Banks regulatory capacity.

We have lacked political interference for about four to five months, he said.



He explained that the Central Bank had been constantly criticized, specially for its attempts to regulate the financial system, at the sittings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) and that he had each time explained that political interferences had resulted in regulatory forbearance.



So, they said they would end political interferences, Dr. Coomaraswamy said.



Although initially describing the situation as a carte blanche being extended to the Central Bank, he later took back that description.



The Central Bank, which should regulate the financial system and set monetary policy independently, had regularly been a victim of poor fiscal policy and Machiavellian finance ministers looking to expand power.



Controversial former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who just last week lashed out at the Central Bank, had quite openly attempted to take the Central Bank operations under his wing in early 2017, before he was forced to vacate his post.



Meanwhile, Dr. Coomaraswamy said that the culture is now changing, due to a lack of regulatory restraint stemming from political interference.



He said that the RED (Resolutions and Enforcement Department) unit has been set up within the Central Bank to investigate criminal mismanagement in financial institutions.



Central Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe meanwhile said that expeditious legal action by the Attorney Generals Department would be preferred going forward when the Central Bank requests legal action to be taken against financial crimes.



Dr. Coomaraswamy said that a team would be set up in partnership with the Attorney Generals Department, comprised of a criminal lawyer, a civil lawyer and several other legal professionals, to ensure efficiency in the legal processes.Sri Lankas first-ever European Union (EU)-mandated GSP exporter listing call went live on the web yesterday.



I commend the Commerce Department under our ministry for setting up this system and operationalising exactly on the first working day of 2018. We thank the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) for their support too, said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday.



Bathiudeen was addressing the launch of Sri Lanka Commerce Departments revamped website at doc.gov.lk, which for the first time also integrates the REX Registration system that will become a mandatory requirement for all exporters to the EU, those who want to claim the EU GSP Plus benefits.



Joining the event were Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary K.D.N. Ranjan Ashoka and DG Commerce Sonali Wijeratne.



Sri Lankas total exports to the EU increased to US $ 3.1 billion in 2016 from 2015s US $ 3 billion. Usually around 60 percent of it are apparel exports.



The REX Registration system that will become a mandatory requirement for all exporters to the EU those who want to claim the EU GSP Plus benefits  the zero tariff-on their exports.



Approximately 3500 Lankan exporters are expected to register before the end of this year online through the doc.gov.lk site. (This registration is not required for Lankan exporters to the EU, who do not want to claim GSP Plus benefits. It is also not required for Lankan exporters who export to the EU and want to claim the GSP Plus benefits but their value of the export is less than 6000 euros).



The REX registration is free of charge. Once the online documents are submitted, printed copies of the submission too should be sent to the Commerce Department by the exporter, after which the department in Colombo, having conducted site and factory visits of the exporting company, will decide on awarding the unique ID number called the REX number (in the LK-REX [TIN] format), which the exporter will hold as a verification number of him over the long term and would be able to provide to any EU importer for verification at the importers end. This REX number is issued for long-term use and each registered exporter will receive his own REX number once they qualify through the Commerce Department, the deciding authority for Sri Lanka. Already 30 Lankan exporters to the EU have submitted and the department is processing them at present.



The exporters who want the EU GSP benefits cannot submit applications after December 31, 2018 and therefore, all such exporters need to complete and obtain their REX numbers within this year.



The exporters to the EU, who qualify and earn a REX number, are not required to submit certificates of origin (COO) but are only required to submit a statement of origin for their exports.



All details on REX registration are accessible online at the revamped Commerce Department website at Doc.gov.lk>Our Services>REX System Registration.

According to the Commerce Department, there are more than 5000 Lankan exporters registered with the department to export under various trade agreements and facilities (such as FTAs, APTA, SAFTA, GSP Plus, etc.) and 3500 of them are exporting to the EU under the GSP Plus facility and who are now called complete their listing on or before December 31, 2018, totally free of charge.Former OIC of the Divulapitiya Police, IP Sumith Premakumara had been arrested by the CID in connection with the death of a suspect in detention at the Negombo Prison.

An investigation was launched after the 50-year-old prisoner at the Negombo Prisons died after being admitted to Hospital in October last year.

The OIC has been arrested on the charges that the prisoner had been assaulted, while he was detained by the Divulapitiya Police.

Earlier, the Police arrested the Acting Crimes OIC of the Divulapitiya Police, IP Saman Priyanka also over the death of the prisoner.Since the withdrawal of the United States from the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) early this year, the once promising mega trade deal has lost momentum.



However, the agreement is gaining renewed attention, with the remaining 11 members pushing to conclude TPP 11, under its new titlethe Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.



Whats the motivation, costs and benefits behind this move?



First, the US withdrawal is undeniably a setback to the potential scale of economic benefits. With the US, total exports of the 12 members would have accounted for 26.6 percent of world trade, of which 11.4 percent would have come from trade among the members themselves.



With 11 members, their world trade share falls to 15.2 percent and intraregional share to mere 2.3 percent, respectively. This is due to the US being the largest trade player among the original 12 TPP countries, representing 11.4 percent of world trade and 41 percent of trade among members.

At the country level, Canada and Mexico show the highest ratio at 0.72 and 0.71 respectively under TPP 12



But the revived deal retains significant potential for gains for its 11 members, though the impacts will vary across different countries.



After the US, Canada was the second largest in terms of the intraregional trade (trade among TPP members) share at 16.2 percent. In a TPP 11 scenario, the countrys intraregional trade share plunges to only 9 percent, which significantly drives down Canadas economic benefit from lower tariff and other trade barriers from the deal relative to others.



Japans intraregional trade share, on the other hand, jumps to 24 percent from 10.4 percent. This partly explains why Japan has a keen interest in sustaining TPP 11, as do Australia, Malaysia and Singapore, whose intraregional trade share also increases in an agreement without the US.



The devil, though, is in the details.



The 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have free trade agreements (FTAs) among themselves and with Japan, while Canada has no FTAs with any Asian countries in the TPP 11. Also, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore are Canadas important trade partners in terms of trade volume. In this sense, Canada can still expect significant gains from TPP 11 by cultivating broad opportunities of preferential treatments provided by Asian trade partners.



Economic gains



One way to gauge the potential impact of a regional trade deal is to examine the wedge (ratio) between each countrys intraregional trade share and its share of total world trade.



If the former is much greater than the latter, the country has relative bias toward intraregional trade. This can bring about larger economic gains due to lower trade barriers from the trade deal. It can also entail smaller trade diversion effect  a sort of distortion by diverting efficient goods and services transactions with non-member countries toward less efficient transactions with member countries to avail of preferential treatment, causing negative welfare impact to non-member countries and inefficiencies in resource allocations.



Overall, the average ratio declines from 0.42 under TPP 12 to 0.21 under TPP 11, implying smaller potential gains from lower trade barriers and higher possibility of trade diversion effects to incur to non-members at the same time. At the country level, Canada and Mexico show the highest ratio at 0.72 and 0.71 respectively under TPP 12, while Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, and Malaysia lead under TPP 11.



Numbers aside, TPP 11 is expected to ensure much larger economic gains to members due to further liberalization of investment flows, facilitation of cross-border e-commerce transactions, and better protection of intellectual property rights among others.



Particularly worth noting is the introduction of cumulative rules of origin, by which member countries will be able to flexibly use inputs across different member countries to obtain preferential tariff treatment from other members. This will promote strong regional value chains among member countries, which is difficult to expect from typical bilateral trade deals.



The flip side of these benefits is the lost opportunity for the US by pulling out of the deal. In addition, Asian TPP members that dont have FTAs with either the US and Canada will have more incentive to invest in Canada to manufacture products there and export them to the US in order to gain from the preferential treatment offered by the North America Free Trade Agreement to Canadian exports to the US.



So, while tariff gains for Canada and Mexico could be much smaller under TPP 11, these countries may become a stronger foothold for investors from Asian TPP members.



The remaining 11 countries still have good reason to maintain the TPP momentum in one way or another, as shown by the ongoing push to finalize the deal. Certainly, this is the right direction at the right time, with global growth still struggling to gain traction. Furthermore, the pacts members should proactively consider expanding the scope to encompass additional members who are willing to commit to similar obligations.



By expanding the scope of economies covered instead of standing as an exclusive trade bloc, the new trade deal would amplify the mutual benefits among members while minimizing negative economic fallout for the rest of the world.



(The writer is the Principal Economist, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, ADB)Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Arjuna Ranatunga stated that most of his ministerial colleagues call him the chairman of cleaning services.

He made this comment during a function to celebrate the New Year held at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday, the ministry said in a statement.

Minister Ranatunga further stated that he hoped to reduce corruption as well as initiate development projects within last 6 months.Earlier, Lanka OIC was a part of oil distribution. Some people are trying to be a third or fourth party to this. We dont prefer privatization and the responsibility of protecting this institution falls on us. Our workers have completed 99.9% out of the work. We commenced a project to construct oil tanks after 40 years. We expect to commence the construction of another 6 in six months time. No one wanted to construct a refinery system. But we expect to construct it soon. Some people are attempting to stop this project while suggesting that we import oil at higher prices. I dont intend to stick around if they are not allowing me to work, the minister said.

I always take decisions which are favorable for the country. When the President and the Prime Minister handed over this ministry they requested me to solve all the issues which existed in this ministry. Most of my colleagues jokingly call me the chairman of cleaning services. I have already worked hard and made institutions profitable, Minister Ranatunga stated.The extra set of Cabinet and non-Cabinet ministers appointed by the National Government has become unconstitutional and illegal today, the Joint Opposition (JO) said today.

It said the number of Cabinet and non-Cabinet ministers had been determined by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and that number stands at 70.

According to the clause 46 (a) and (b) of the Constitution, the number of Cabinet ministers shouldnt exceed 30 and non-Cabinet ministers 40. However, it says in an event where a National Government was formed, the number of ministers could be increased. Hence, we have 100 ministers, 30 extra, today, JO National Organiser and MP Dullas Alahapperuma told a news briefing.

He said with the expiration of the agreement between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) for a National Government on December 31, the functioning of excess 30 ministers was unconstitutional and illegal.

Continuing to maintain these excess ministers on public funds was a a blatant waste, he said.

The MP said the SLFP belittles concerns raised by others to the effect of the expiry of the agreement for a National Government. Perhaps the two parties already have an agreement in secret, he said.

When asked about the action the JO was mulling to take over the unconstitutionality of the Cabinet, he said they will have to wait till Parliament convenes on January 23 or Supreme Court on January 6.

However, we will take all necessary action, he said.

Meanwhile, he said everyone who is against the government should vote for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna at the Local Government election on February 10.

Make us victorious and before the National New Year in April, we will show how to change the government, he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)National Savings Bank commenced the first working day of the new year, 2018, by a ceremonious event held at the Head Office Premises of NSB in Kollupitiya, on January 2nd 2018, in the morning hours.



The proceedings of the event began with the chanting of Pirith and Anushasana by the members of Maha Sangarathne, which continued with invoking of blessings by the clergies of Christian, Hindu and Islamic religions. The occasion was graced by the GM/CEO Dhammika Perera, SDGM Jagath Gamanayake, DGMMs,

consultants, whilst it was attended by the AGMM, and Senior Management and the entire staff of the head office.



GM/CEO Dhammika Perera, addressed the staff and he stressed, in one voice, the need for the collective effort of the staff for the betterment of the bank and the country, in future.



The staff of the bank , commenced work for the new year by giving an oath to serve the people efficiently, productively with firm determination, utmost commitment, honesty, dedication and loyalty to the people.



The National Savings Bank wishes its valued customers and all Sri Lankans a happy and prosperous new year.Save the dates: October 313, 2018. On those dates, Astronomy Magazine and our travel partner, TravelQuest International, will host an amazing trip to Iceland to bask in the overhead glow of auroral displays and wander in amazement at Icelands unique geology. Its one of the best places on the planet to see the Northern Lights, and also a place so geologically interesting, with geysers, geothermal pools, waterfalls, and amazing landscapes, that you will have never seen anything like it before.

The trip, Iceland: Great North, Westfjords and Aurora Borealis, will carry you to staying in comfortable, remote hotels and lodges, where you can step outside to see a vast, luminous curtain of green, blue, red, and purple glows undulating over the Arctic Circle. Its heaven on Earth!

The itinerary begins with arriving in the capital city of Reykjavik, an amazingly interesting place. Youll then experience a short flight to the northern part of Iceland, where youll see some of the countrys greatest waterfalls, natural wonders of the Lake Myvatn region  including its starkly beautiful Dimmuborgir Lava Field and the volcanic pseudo-craters of Skutustaoagigar. The following day, join in whale watching off the coast, along with an exploration of the fishing village named Husavik, along with dolphins and seabirds.

The next day, youll find yourself visiting Dettifoss, perhaps the most spectacular waterfall in all of Iceland, waltzing through the fumarole zone of Hverarond, where groundwater is superheated by magma, and relaxing with a soak in the Myvatn Geothermal Baths. All the while, each night offers views of auroral activity right above your head.

The next day offers more geological wonders. Passing through the Akureyri, Icelands Capital of the North, travelers will examine the Herring Era Museum in Siglufjorour, exploring the town that once was the Herring Capital of the World.

And then comes a plunge into Icelandic history with the Glaumbaer Folk Museum to learn about the lives of early Icelanders. Then comes an Icelandic horse exhibition, followed by the amazing Kolugljufur Waterfall, and a destination of the historic village of Laugarbakki, with its salmon-filled Midfjardara River.

Then the expedition heads into the Westfjords, where fertile farmlands, fjords, and scenic fishing villages will greet you. Exploring more fjords and scenic coastlines will lead to the Arctic Fox Center in nearby Sudavik.

The group will then visit a Viking longhouse, more waterfalls and volcanic craters, and arrive back in Reykjavik. What an incredible adventure with eight nights of aurora watching!!

You can find complete information on the trip and a booking form here:

http://www.astronomy.com/magazine/trips-tours/2018-IcelandThe Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Ministry announced the appointment of two new officials to the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) with effect from yesterday.



Travel trade veteran, Kumar De Silva, takes over as Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourisms dedicated meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) promotional arm, the SLCB, while Inoshini Perera, who hails from a financial background, takes over as General Manager of the bureau.



The respective letters of appointment were presented to the two officials by Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga at his office this morning.



De Silva first joined the travel trade in 1983 and has since risen to the position of General Manager of a leading global airline in Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal and

the Maldives.



He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK, Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK and is an Executive Committee Member of the Board of Airline Representatives of Sri Lanka and Executive Committee Member IATA-APJC Sri Lanka.Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda officially released an Occasional Paper containing a draft Code of Conduct for the Indian Ocean

The Pathfinder Foundation commenced the new year by inaugurating its Centre for the Law of the Sea (CLS) at Riverpoint, Peliyagoda.



Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda officially released an occasional paper containing a draft Code of Conduct for the Indian Ocean at the organisations new year celebration held at the MMBL-Pathfinder Group headquarters yesterday.



This draft code of conduct is open for public discussion and is accessible on the Pathfinder Foundation website: www.pathfinderfoundation.org.



The draft Code of Conduct for the Indian Ocean was created to assist consideration of the idea by the 21 littoral states members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).



The draft is based on the Djibouti Code of Conduct concluded by the East African countries in 2009 and the Yaounde Code of Conduct signed by the West African countries in 2013. The former was aimed at providing maritime security to counter piracy and armed robbery against ships by nine states in the Western Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea areas. The latter, concluded by 25 countries in Western and Central Africa, seeks to eliminate armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity. These two codes of conduct were adopted under the aegis of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).



President Maithripala Sirisena, when speaking at the IORA Summit held in Jakarta in May 2017, called on the member states to work out a stable legal framework to deal with drug smuggling by sea, while maintaining principles of freedom of navigation.



Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, referring to wider security concerns, proposed adoption of a code of conduct to apply in the Indian Ocean in several forums, including the second Indian Ocean Conference held in Colombo in September last year. In an address at Deakin University in Australia last February 2017, he observed that there had been a massive transfer of economic and military power to the Asian countries of the Indian Ocean and Pacific and emphasized the need for a code of conduct on freedom of navigation to be observed in the Indian Ocean, adding that any such proposal would also need to deal with the escalation in human smuggling, illicit drug trafficking and the relatively new phenomenon of maritime terrorism.



Sri Lanka is not alone in expressing concern over the recent developments in the Indian Ocean. Speaking at the second Indian Ocean Conference, Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj emphasizes the need to develop an arrangement that strengthens the culture of cooperation and collective action.



She said, The Indian Ocean is prone to non-traditional security threats like piracy, smuggling, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing and trafficking of humans and narcotics. We realize that to effectively combat transnational security challenges across the Indian Ocean, including those posed by non-state actors, it is important to develop a security architecture that strengthens the culture of cooperation and collective action.



The list of issues raised by Sirisena, Wickremesinghe and Swaraj is significant and piracy in the Indian Ocean became so rampant around 2009. It resulted in the stationing of multi-national naval task groups and warships of several individual navies of major maritime users of the Indian Ocean. Some of these activities caused political and security concerns to some countries.



In addition, merchant ships operating in the high-risk area in the western Indian Ocean too were compelled to implement additional security measures such as privately contracted on board security personnel and hardening of vessel against possible attacks by pirates.



Development of a code of conduct could be a time-consuming exercise as 21 countries, who are members of the IORA, would need to negotiate the final document. The intention of the CLS is to facilitate such a process and building of consensus leading to a final text, which would be acceptable to the Indian Ocean community.

The CLS has become a reality with a generous contribution made by Moragodage Christopher W. Pinto, former Legal Adviser and head of the Legal Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He also served as Sri Lankas Ambassador to Germany and Austria. A former Chairman of the United Nations International Law Commission, he was later appointed as Secretary-General of the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, at the invitation of both countries concerned.



The Moragoda Trust established by him has funded internationally recognized professors of public international law to teach at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in their areas of specialization since 2014.



Moragoda, CLS Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke, CLS Director Admiral Dr. Jayanath Colombage, Pathfinder Foundation Senior Fellow Lalith Weeratunga, Pathfinder Foundation Executive Director Luxman Siriwardena, MMBL-Pathfinder Director Nandana Devage and MMBL-Pathfinder Director Legal K.D. Liyanage participated

in the event.Peoples Leasing and Finance PLC (PLC), the leading non-bank finance company in Sri Lanka was conferred with two coveted Gold awards, a Silver award and a Bronze award at the 53rd edition of the CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards 2017 held at the BMICH, recently.



At this gala ceremony organised annually by the premier accounting body in the country, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, PLCs Annual Report for the financial year 2016/17 themed Collecting Moments was recognised.



Cream of around 140 Sri Lankas leading companies took part for this years awards.



PLCs untiring and consistent efforts on integrated reporting were honored with a Gold award in the Best Disclosure on Business Model category.



The companys noble CSR initiatives were recognised with a Gold award in the Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting category.



PLC Annual Report secured the Silver award in a highly competitive category in the competition, the Finance Companies and Leasing Companies (Total Assets above LKR 20 Billion) category.



The Management Discussion and Analysis of the Annual Report being the core of the Annual Report clinched the Bronze award in the Overall Management Commentary Award category.



With these awards PLC excelled as the finance company that clinched the highest number of awards in this years CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards competition.

PLC CEO/General Manager Sabry Ibrahim voicing his thoughts on the recognition bestowed upon the company commented: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka with its CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards inspires companies to benchmark with best practices in effectively communicating with stakeholders.

He added: PLC is committed to create value for its stakeholders. These prestigious awards won by PLC at the CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards 2017 are an endorsement on PLCs reporting and communicating capabilities and good governance. This recognition thus is testament to our dedication towards accountability and transparency.



Peoples Leasing Company was incorporated in 1995 as a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the largest state banks in Sri Lanka, the Peoples Bank. The company has maintained its market leader states for 15 consecutive years in the non-bank finance sector in Sri Lanka.President Maithripala Sirisenas special statement on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the Central Bank bond issue will be aired at 6 pm this evening.

President's statement

May the Triple Gem Bless You

First of all, I offer my best wishes for the New Year.

As the people of the country are very eagerly waiting with high interest, I wish to make a statement on the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Bond Issuance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which was appointed by me taking into considerations the opinion of the people regarding allegations of corrupt practices and misdeed during the period 2015 and 2016. This report was handed over to me on December 30, 2017.

The Commission was mandated to inquire into the period from 1st February 2015 to 31st March 2016 to find out actual facts and to make recommendation with regard to the steps to be implemented in the future.

I thank the Supreme Court Judges and former Auditor General who functioned as members of the Commission and its Secretary and the staff, and those who assisted the work of the Commission, Attorney Generals Department, Police Department and other relevant organizations and individuals.

The Commission is of the opinion that similar incidents as revealed in the Commission Report had happened even in 2008. The Commission recommends that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka should first conduct a forensic audit with regard to the alleged fraud and corrupt practices from 2008 and based on such findings legal steps should be taken.

Commission states that funds of the Employment Provident Fund (EPF) were lost mostly during that period.

The Commission has submitted a full report covering the period 2015 and 2016, comprising 1257 pages and it is not an interim report. The Commission has taken 10 months for this task.

I have already submitted this report to the Attorney General and the Commission recommends that the criminal and civil court action must be taken through the Criminal Investigations Department and the Bribery or Corruption Commission.

The Commission has clearly stated the structure of the Central Bank, Public Debt Department, direct issuance of bonds and the pros and cons of the system of bond issues and bond auctions. The report stated that the Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made profits through illegal means with the involvement of Mr Arjuna Mahendran, Bank officials and some outside individuals.

In the auction held on 27th February 2015 alone the Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made a minimum benefit of over Rs 688 million. The Commission is of the opinion that further investigations could reveal that this amount could even be more than that. As revealed during the investigations Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made undue profit of Rs 11,145 millions in the secondary market. In this Employees Provident Fund and other government institutions had lost more than Rs 8,524 million or Rs 8.5 billion.

It is stated that senior officials of the Central Bank were inactive before the former Governor of Central Bank, Arjuna Mahendran. It is believed that because they had not questioned about these and had become inactive, such incorrect decisions were made. Mr Mahendran has made interference into bond auctions through a system of incorrect and unconventional methods and he was responsible for providing internal information to outsiders. One party has used such information to obtain undue monetary profits.

The Commission report said that the honorable Prime Ministers responsibility in the appointment of Mr. Arjuna Mahendren as the governor to the Central Bank was proper. The Commission is of the opinion that the Prime Minister made his statement in Parliament regarding the appointment of Mr Mahendran believing in the facts presented by Mr. Mahendran and Mr.Samarasiri, especially the promises made by Mr Mahendran. The Report also says that the Prime Minister should not have done that.

The Commission stated that moreover these facts were before the COPE committee and the Prime Minister had not stated that because of that he had not taken the proper action against Mr. Mahendern.

The Commission report refers to the allegation against former Finance Minister Mr Ravi Karunanayake regarding the payment of rent for the penthouse apartment belongs to the Aloysius Family and their Walt and Rowe Company and stated that Mr Karunanayake was responsible for that and recommended that the government should to take necessary action against Mr. Ravi Karunanayake under the section of bribery and corruption and further legal action under the penal codes for giving false evidence at the Commission.

The Commission stated to the misuse of funds of the Employees Provident Fund and stated that EPF should be investigated under the forensic audit examination to find out the amount of losses. The repot has recognized that, the dishonesty of a particular party had lead to this kind of malpractice on EPF funds. The people responsible for these frauds have been identified and the Commission recommends legal action against them.

The report recommends that, the legal action against relevant persons and officials who are responsible for the fraud including Perpetual Treasuries Limited, Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palihena should be taken. Accordingly, the government is in consultation with the legal authorities.

Recommendation

*Considering the recommendations of the Commission, the government recommends adapting a new Monetary Law Act in order to avoid this kind of malpractices in the Central Bank in future. The existing legal provisions are old and need replacement.

*It is also recommended that the Registered Share Market Act must be replaced by a new legal act.

*Members of Monetary Board and Central Bank Governor must be appointed by the Constitutional Council in concurrence of the members. The regulations must be amended accordingly.

*The report recommends that there should be utmost supervision over the State Credit Department. As auditing at the Central Bank has not been conducted in a proper manner, the Commission recommended that the Audit Department must be reconstituted completely. A Legal Department must be established in the Central Bank and ensure that the Legal Department functions efficiently.

*As the Commission did not have the mandate to inquire into treasury bond issues from 2008 to 2015, the Commission had not done that. However, Commission recommends that there should be an investigation into that period too.

*The Commission recommends that the dealings with the Pan Asia Bank and the conduct of Chairman must be investigated unto.

*The recommends that activities of the EPF must be looked into and in order to bring the ETF into a proper order, steps must be taken to restructure the ETF.

*A code of conduct for the officials of the Central Bank must be introduced. The code of conduct for Primary Dealers must be revised and updated.

*The Commission has stated that the Attorney General and the Bribery or Corruption Commission must take the legal actions to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

*Under normal circumstances, recovery of money is done through civil legal action. However, it is a time consuming method. As an alternative, the Commission recommend that a Parliamentary Legislation could be passed and the money could be recovered in a speedy manner through a Parliamentary procedure. We agree to that recommendation.

*The recommendation of te Commission is that all the expenditure occurred for the Commission must be recovered from the Perpetual Treasuries Limited.

*I have already submitted a copy of the Commission Report to the Attorney General and he will identify the persons against who the legal action must be taken and initiate necessary criminal or civil legal action to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

*I wish to clarify here, that a minor amendment to the Bribery or Corruption Commission Act must be enacted to take legal action on the recommendations of the Commission. For this purpose, already experts at the legal draughtsman are working on the required amendment.

*The steps needed to make Bribery or Corruption Commission more active and efficient should have been done long time ago, and now we are taking required steps for that purpose.

The confidentiality, astuteness and auditing methods of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka were extremely weak. There were no tele-recording systems, electronic monitoring or even CCTVs. The current Governor of the Central bank has already taken steps to remove weaknesses and rectify these errors.

The Governor has informed that he has suspended some employees of the Central Bank after their malpractices were revealed in the investigations in the Commission and disciplinary actions are being taken against those officers.

I expect the Governor to make a statement in the near future regarding the shortcomings in the Central bank as revealed in the Commission Report.

I urge the Justice Ministry and the Attorney General to take early steps to draft the three bills proposed by the Commission present them to Parliament, in order to make required changes at the Central Bank to ensure such corrupt practices, frauds and malpractices would not take place in the future.

I have informed my Secretary to hold monthly review meetings with the heads of relevant departments and institutions to examine the progress in implementations of the recommendations of the Commission to take legal steps against those individuals and take other required steps in an efficient and speedy manner.

I would like to specifically state here that I would not hesitate to take steps to recover the loss of Rs 11,145 million and take legal action against the offenders and punish them.

The sum of Rs 8529 million of the total losses Rs 11,145 million was the funds of the Employees Provident Fund, Mahapola Scholarship Fund, National Savings Bank and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. The balance was from private institutions. Hence the loss to the public sector  EPF, Mahapola, NDB and SLIC was over Rs 8.5 billion. The Perpetual Treasuries Limited has made this profit of Rs 11,145 million within a short period of 5 months.

Finally, especially I would like to mention that this final report must be presented to the Parliament and through this initiative the report must be open to the public. In the future, necessary as well as legal steps in this regard will be taken expeditiously according to the advice from the Attorney General. I kindly request to consider the openness of the facts of this Commission Report and I assure that any hesitation would not occur in filing cases against the offenders. Furthermore, I wish to state that this is the final report of the Commission.

I have previously appointed a Commission and the report of that has been handed over to me. It is the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).

This Commission carried out their respective duties during the past two and half years. I extend my gratitude to the staff of the Commission and all the institutions including the Secretary and High Court judges for giving their support in this task. Already, 34 reports of that Commission had been handed over to me and recently 17 reports have been handed over and another 17 previously, the 17 reports handed over previously I have submitted to the Attorney General to take necessary actions through relevant institutions.

By now, the Fraud and Corruption Commission, institutions, departments and Police have taken actions to file cases based on the facts of these reports. The report which was handed over to me before two days I will submit to Attorney General within this week to take appropriate actions. Especially I have to mention the actions on this report will be taken in the near future.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges has presented several major facts and it is the responsibility of the Government to implement facts presented at the Commission. I will explain to you regarding those facts for the general public information. Training and appointment of suitable officials as there is lack for skilled well-trained officials to carry out investigation regarding fraud and corruptions. This Commission emphasized that people without required qualifications had been appointed and only the qualified persons should be appointed to essential positions including the State institutions, Authorities and Constitutional Boards.

The Commission revealed that the money spent by the Government for the establishment of this Commission has already been recovered through the cases initiated through the findings of this Commission. A system must be implemented to hearing the cases in the courts in other areas as holding these cases only in Courts in Colombo is causing difficulties for those who travel from distances.

I must states a special thing, before I conclude the facts of these two reports, I saw a great eagerness and inquiring trend among the general public regarding these Commissions. At the same time when the Commissions were appointed, especially before the appointment of the Bond Commission, some people commented, even in Parliament that nothing had happened to previous commissions and the same fate would happen to this commission too. They also said the intention of appointment of a commission was to cover up the wrong doings.

But all of us must be very pleased regarding the fulfillment of duties of these Commissions and again I must thank the judges and all those who contributed in this regard for their great service rendered while wining the confidence of the general public.

Finally, I must state regarding the allegations leveled against me by some political parties for appointing these Commissions. I never appointed these commissions targeting any political party. I must specially mention in future when the cases are filed in accordance with the investigations and the recommendations and information of these Commissions, individuals belongs to two main political parties will be among the defendants in the legal process. We must be happy over our independent and impartial Judiciary. I must state all of us will provide our maximum support for this process.

Thank YouApproval sought before Spore PMs visit on 23rd

FTA negotiations kicked off in July, 2016

Imports from Spore tops US $ 1bn in 2016

Exports from SL were at meager US $ 114mn

By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

The first draft of the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement has been forwarded to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval ahead of the visit of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsieng Loong to Sri Lanka later this month, a leading civil servant said.



The first draft has been forwarded by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade to the Cabinet to gain approval before the Singaporean Prime Ministers visit on the 23rd, Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary Ranjith Asoka said.



The government has long been planning to have the FTA ready by the time Lee visited Sri Lanka.



Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama in November 2017 said that final negotiations were taking place during that month and that the agreement would be ready by January.



However, Asoka said that FTA negotiations are still ongoing for the next draft, while another official present said that negotiations could take years.

Negotiations for the FTA kicked off in July 2016 during Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes visit to Singapore.



Unlike trade negotiations with behemoths such as India and China, politically-backed protests have not taken place against the Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA negotiations.

The trade pact with Singapore was exploring the possibility of moving beyond the physical location of a company, to letting companies of one country to operate as a local company in the other country through a digital presence, according to the ICT Agency, which would open up opportunities in the digital sphere.



Singapore was Sri Lankas third largest import source in 2016, with imports worth US$ 1.18 billion. Main imports were petroleum products, machinery, electronic equipment, chemicals, plastic, and food products.



Sri Lanka exported just US$ 114 million, or 1.1 percent of the countrys total exports, to Singapore during the same year, which included petroleum oils, tea, rubber tyres, precious and semi precious stones, flour, and fish.



Although both the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the International Enterprise Singapore have been tight lipped about the negotiations, Mirror Business reliably learns that the countries are facing difficulties in finding common ground on the negative lists, with Sri Lanka wanting to protect several industries, while Singapore, which became one of the worlds richest countries through free trade, wanting more openness.



Sri Lanka is one of the most protected economies in the world, according to the World Bank.



The current government, in the 2018 budget, removed para-tariffs on thousands of products and has attempted to liberalize some industries, but some of the more prominent protectionist industries have yet to be fully challenged.



These industries have historically ended up being protected under FTAs as well.The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced the new year with the governments pledge for all public sector employees.



The function to mark the official commencement of work in the SLPA took place yesterday with religious activities at the Sambuddha Jayanthi Cahithya premises.

Speaking at the occasion, SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake said that 2018 became an exclusively important year for the SLPA.



With a productive salary increment for all employees, the SLPA hopes to effectively face global maritime competition and challenges in collaboration with the SAGT and CICT. In order to fulfil this initiative, it is important that all employees ensure an efficient service to increase further productivity in the institution.



During the year, employees will also see an enhanced human resource development through a new human resource development plan. Steps will also be taken to expedite the total constructions to commence operations at the East Terminal, Dr. Dissanayake added.



Dr. Dissanayake also stated that 2017 was a landmark year for the SLPA that worked to get rid of the burden of high debts, through timely strategic procedures implemented with the initiative and under the leadership of Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.



Further speaking he said that the SLPA with enhanced efficiency together with other terminals achieved over six million TEUS at the Port of Colombo in 2017 for the first time in the history.



In its journey towards achieving the hub status in the region, the Port of Colombo has achieved the first place in the South Asian region. I am pleased to extend my gratitude to the management, staffs and all employees of the SLPA and other stakeholders who immensely contributed towards such achievements through dedicated efforts, Dr. Dissanayake said.



SLPA Vice Chairman P.G. Dasanayake, Managing Director H.D.A.S. Premachandra, Additional Managing Director A.D.T. Gunasekara, officials of the Ports and Shipping Ministry, the SLPA directors and heads of divisions, a number of staff executive officers, representatives of trade unions and employees of the SLPA also attended the occasion.Around 150 nursing staff attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH) had refused to report to duty today in protest of a newly introduced fingerprint machine, SJGH Director Dr. Susitha Senaratne said.

Dr. Senaratne said the group of nurses staying at the nurses quarters had refused to report to duty until the fingerprint machine was removed.

He said that earlier discussions had been held with the nurses trade union regarding the matter, but were not successful.

However, hospital authorities will discuss the matter with Government Nursing Officers Union (GNOU) President Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera in a short while, he said.

Dr. Senaratne said the protest however had not impacted hospital services. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)Buddhist discussion on Poya day

While mindfulness has taken the west by storm with neuroscientists and psychiatrists recommending it to everyone across the globe. More than 2500 years ago Gautama Buddha espoused mindfulness as the gate keeper that protects his noble disciples.

Drawing parallels between a well-protected fortress of a city and the life of a disciple, the Enlightened One had emphasized the centrality of mindfulness in the Simile of Fortress in Anguttara Nikaya.

The Buddha pointed out that using mindfulness a noble disciple discerns skillful and unskillful thoughts and cultivates the skillful ones while abandoning the unskillful ones, thus paving the way for wisdom. The Buddha equated this mindfulness to the vigilance of a gatekeeper who carefully lets in the friends and loyalists while keeping away the enemy.

This very topical theme was the focus on the afternoon Dhamma sermon of the English Dhamma programme of Mahamevnawa, held on January 1st (Duruthu Poya Day) at the Institute of Personnel Management, Colombo 5.

Mahamevnawa, one of the largest Buddhist monastery networks in the world with over 40 local and overseas branch monasteries and about 700 monks under its wing, was founded by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera.The Poya Day English Dhamma programme is organized every month under the guidance of the much respected Ven. Gnanananda Thera in view of disseminating Buddhas message to the English speaking followers of the Dhamma. Its specially aimed at enhancing the Dhamma knowledge of the Buddhist students attending private and international schools so that they can grow up to become noble citizens.

A useful simile

Elaborating on the simile that was used, Ven. Kurunegala Rohanakitti Thera, who conducted the afternoon session of the programme, drove home the appropriateness of this simile including the word fortress drawing parallels between seven features of a fortress. These are features that should be present in the practice of all Buddhists.

The Unshakable confidence towards the Buddha was compared to the, strong firm pillar dug half of the pillar to the ground, which is located in the front of the fortress and the deep and the wide moat or the canal around the fortress to the sense of shame of a disciple which keeps him away from the unwholesome.

The Sutta which was delivered by the Enlightened One in Sravasti compares the road that encircles the fortress to the sense of concern of the repercussions of bodily, verbal and mental transgression and the weapons stored in the fort to the Dhamma knowledge stored and retained by The Buddhas disciples, by listening to Dhamma. The latter helps a disciple to differentiate between the wholesome and the unwholesome.

Parallels have been drawn between the army including elephants and cavalry to persistence with which a disciple abandons the unskillful and cultivates the skillful and the ramparts to his discernment of the arising and passing away.

The audience which comprised students from private and international schools and a sizeable adult crowd displayed keen interest for the topic with Ven. Rohanakitti Thera regularly posing questions to the audience to keep the session interesting and useful. The Thera also explained the steps taken by his teacher Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnananda Thera to ensure that the Sri Lnakan children who emigrate for higher studies are given an opportunity to continue their association with the Dhamma. Mahamevna through Mahamevna branch monasteries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and several other countries helps these students in their attempts to pursue the Dhamma.

The discussion on the Simile of Fortress was followed by a meditation session and another Sutta discussion.We dont mind President Sirisena using his sword against wrongdoers including the ones who responsible for allege deforestation in Pukkulam as requested by the environmentalists, as our hands are clean, State Minister of Irrigation Palitha Range Bandara said today.

Responding to the recent allegations leveled against him on deforestation in Pukkulam, the State Minister said he had done nothing illegal.

We will face the sword fearlessly as we havent done anything illegal in Pukkulam, he said.

The State Minister said none of the allegations leveled by the Ven.Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera or the other environmentalists can be proven as no such deforestation has been carried out in the said area.

He also added that he didnt mind even if he is taken to Hague as he could used the opportunity to complain against the NGOs that make false allegations and expose their true colours.

Recently in a press briefing, Environmentalists led by Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera charged that the State Minister Palitha Range Bandara was behind the alleged deforestation in Pukkulam which he had said is belonged to Wilpattu National Park.

However, State Minister denied the fact and said Pookulam is outside the boundary of the forest reserve. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)Mumbai: With the increased participation of retail investors, the mutual fund industry has registered a phenomenal growth over the last few years. The total AUM held by retail investors grew from Rs 7.56 lakh crore in November 2016 to Rs 11.10 lakh crore in November 2017, registering a growth of 46.94 per cent during the period. A bulk of these investors are fresh investors, who may not have a clear understanding of terms used in mutual fund investing.

Here is a list some of important terms used in mutual fund industry that every investor should be aware of.

Net Asset Value (NAV)  This is one of the most common terms you come across while investing in mutual funds is NAV. It denotes its per-unit market value of fund at which investors can buy and sell. The NAV of a fund is derived by dividing its Asset Under Management (AUM) with the number of its outstanding units. AUM is the total market value of various securities held by a mutual fund in the form of shares, gold, cash, bonds, etc. minus its liabilities.

As the market value of the securities held by a fund changes everyday, a funds NAV too changes on a daily basis. The change in the NAV of your fund will state the gain or loss made by you on investing in that fund. The change in the NAV over a period of time will also state about its performance vis a vis its peer funds and benchmark indices.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)  SIP is a simple and hassle-free method of investing fixed sums in mutual funds at regular intervals. While the minimum investment amount under SIP can be as low as Rs 500, the investment frequency can be weekly, monthly, fortnightly and quarterly. For instance, if you opt for monthly SIP option of Rs 2,000 in a mutual fund scheme with investment date on 1st day of the month, then the said sum will be automatically debited from your bank account on the first of every month and the proceeds will be used to buy fund units for you. This saves you from the hassle of timing your investments, ensures regular investment and averages your purchase price during falling markets.

Systematic transfer plan (STP) - STP is similar to an SIP except that the role of your bank account is replaced by a mutual fund where you are already invested. Under STP, a predetermined amount is automatically transferred from one mutual fund to another on a specified date. However, both funds involved in an STP would have to be from the same fund house. This plan is especially helpful when you have a large sum of money for investment but do not wish to it in an equity mutual fund at one go. You will invest the entire sum in a liquid or ultra-short term fund, which will generate higher returns than savings account. Meanwhile, your staggered investment in equity funds through the STP route would reduce the risk from market volatility.

Systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) - SWP can be rightly considered as the reverse process of SIP. Under SWP, a pre-determined sum of money will be redeemed from your existing fund at regular intervals and the proceeds will be directly credited to your bank account. These withdrawals can be made on weekly, fortnightly monthly or quarterly basis. This plan is especially helpful for investor categories like retirees, who seek to create a regular income from their existing investments.

Growth and dividend option - Dividend option allows you to receive dividend as and when it is declared by the mutual fund. However, contrary to a common misconception, dividend is calculated on the face value of the fund, which is usually Rs 10 in most cases. For instance, a fund having an NAV of Rs 40 and face value of Rs.10 declares a dividend of 20 per cent, investor will receive Rs 2 (20 per cent of Rs.10) as dividend and not Rs 8 (20 per cent of Rs 40). Moreover, the funds NAV too would decrease by the amount paid as dividend. So, in this case, the NAV will become Rs 38 (Rs 40  Rs. 2) after the dividend payout. Hence, dividends are not windfall income; they are paid out of your own investments only.

Under growth option, you will not receive any dividends. Your entire principal amount along with the returns generated stays invested, thereby reaping greater benefit from the power compounding. Hence, always prefer the growth option, unless you are seeking regular income from your investment.

Asset allocation - Asset allocation is the process of allocating investments across various asset classes such as equities, bonds, money market, gold and other securities. A peek into the asset allocation table of a fund will inform you how the fund wishes to distribute its investments across various asset classes for attaining it investment objective.

Benchmark Index - Mutual fund houses set benchmark indices for each of their funds to provide a point of reference for measuring their performances. The benchmark indices are selected on the basis of the stated asset allocation strategy of the funds. For example, a large cap fund may use BSE 100, SENSEX or NIFTY as its benchmark index while a mid-cap fund may use NSE Midcap or BSE Midcap as its index. A fund outperforming its benchmark index by a wide margin indicates a good performance.

By Manish Kothari  Director, Mutual Funds, Paisabazaar.comMumbai: It was reported that Alia Bhatt will work with her father Mahesh Bhatt in his 1991 directorial Sadak's sequel. However, due to her extremely busy schedule and certain major work commitments, the film that was supposed to hit screens in August might be delayed.

Alia Bhatt was supposed to work with Mahesh Bhatt in Sadak's sequel alongside her alleged beau Sidharth Malhotra.

As per a report in Mid-Day, a source said, "Alia is juggling Brahmastra and Gully Boy. While the former releases in 2019, the latter is scheduled to hit screens later this year. Alia will also be busy promoting Raazi for a couple of months, as it releases in May. So Sadak 2 has been postponed and it will roll by the end of 2018."

Apart from Brahmastra and Gully Boy, Alias who also wrapped up the shooting by the end of 2017 for Meghna Gulzars Raazi will release in May 2018 and Alia will get busy in promotions for that film, thus delaying papa Bhatts Sadak 2.

Let's see how Alia figures out dates for her father's film.Mumbai: Award shows seem to have deteriorated their standards by each passing day. It was already known that most award shows are rigged, and now to add to another controversy, Star Screen Awards has introduced a random category which the whole world is trying to figure out yet. This award is called Nothing To Hide award.

Shahid Kapoor received this award for the male section, and Kriti Sanon went home with it for the female counterpart.

Twitteratis went crazy trolling the award category calling it The Good for Nothing Award Show and Nothing To Hide Awards Shows Stupidity Award.

Here are some tweets:

Star Screen Awards has introduced a new category.



'Nothing To Hide' Award.



Yes, you read that right: 'Nothing To Hide' Award category.



This is why aliens always go to America and never to Mumbai when they visit Planet Earth.  Phoenix of Vienna (@Andec_Tanker) January 1, 2018

It's Nothing To Hide Award Or Its Nothing To Hide Awards Shows Stupidity Award ?? pic.twitter.com/5mkSRV4oOk  PRANAV (@pranav1490) January 1, 2018

"Iss saal hum star screen award mein nayi category introduce karne wale hain, nothing to hide award"

Me: pic.twitter.com/J3558Tq7EW   (@roundorocks) December 31, 2017

So what exactly is a "Nothing to hide" award?  pic.twitter.com/mUFAfqh0X7  PADMAVATIIIIIIII (@shahidskudi) December 31, 2017

So just gave away an award called "Star Screen Nothing To Hide Award"  Even the actors are finding it hard now to not be sarcastic in their Thank You Speeches  #StarScreenAwards  Akshay Sharma (@Noby1993) December 31, 2017

"Nothing to Hide Award" for @kritisanon #StarScreenAwards should win "The Good for Nothing Award Show"  yasserabidin (@yasserabidin) January 2, 2018

Nothing to Hide Award. lol Wat more to come ?  https://t.co/zGgt9mSM6E  Jeby (@jabinchacko) January 1, 2018

Shahid is currently busy promoting Padmavat and shooting for Batti Gul Meter Chaalu. Kriti on the other hand is prepping for Arjun Patiala with Diljit Dosanjh.Breaking all the shackles and bending, actually, even defying all the rules, the prince of Surat, Meer Jafar Ali Khan fought a battle all by himself. And win he did!

The book Surat by Moin Mir begins with a truth that will send a chill down anyones spine. It is about how the East India Company took control of the great port city, Surat. They violated a treaty with the Nawab of Surat which stated that his family would be secure from generation to generation by stopping the familys income, usurping the palaces, estates, jewellery and all that was part of the private estates of the Nawab, leaving the infant granddaughters of the last Nawab on the brink of destitution. In a counter attack Meer Jafar Ali Khan, father of the two infant girls stood to defy an empire and expose the corrupt practices of the Company in Victorian England.

Spearheading a legal offensive that would shatter the Companys reputation, Khans campaign for justice generated great heat and debate in British Parliament. Fighting against all odds this prince won it all back for his daughters and found true love says Mir. Two things that inspired me to write this, one that the lead character was a father on a quest to fight for justice in 1844 by planting himself there and defying an empire on its own soil. The second reason to write this book was the city of Surat which was an important port. I wanted people to know that how this thriving maritime port was brought down by the English East India Company, he adds.

Wanting to release the book on Meer Jafar Ali Khans 200th birth anniversary, Mir thought that 2017, was the right time to release it. The message he wants to give is that it is a story of a man who believed in his cause. Its a story of a city, an individual, a father and an Indian man in London in 1844. That is rare. And not just being an Indian in London but fighting the empire on their home turf. What are the chances of you winning? Zero! As the empire was at the peak of its power, he signs off.NEW YORK: McDonald's is testing the use of fresh beef in another burger, the latest move by the fast food chain to swap out frozen beef as it seeks to improve its image.

The company said Tuesday that the new burger, called Archburger, is being tested in seven McDonald's restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma. McDonald's held similar tests for fresh beef Quarter Pounders for about a year before announcing in March that it would roll it out to most of its 14,000 restaurants by the middle of this year. McDonald's said the latest test is limited, and it is seeking feedback from customers and its restaurants.

McDonald's Corp. has made several changes to its menu in recent years in an attempt to appeal to Americans who are increasingly concerned with the ingredients in their food. The world's largest burger chain, for example, has cut artificial preservatives from Chicken McNuggets and switched out the apple juice in its Happy Meals for one with less sugar.

Fresh beef is a big change for the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company, which has relied on frozen beef patties for more than 40 years.

The Archburger test could mean the company is open to expanding the use of fresh beef to even more menu items, analysts at Nomura said in a note to clients Tuesday. The analysts also said the rollout of fresh beef Quarter Pounders later this year could boost a key sales figure at the chain.

At less than 3 ounces, McDonald's said the fresh beef patties used in the Archburger are slightly smaller than those in the Quarter Pounder and larger than the ones in its hamburgers and cheeseburgers.This could possibly cause cancer to metastasize, or spread, even before a tumour has developed. (Photo: Pixabay)

Normal immune cells that live near milk ducts in healthy breast tissue may play a key role in helping early breast cancer cells leave the breast for other parts of the body, researchers say.

This could possibly cause cancer to metastasize, or spread, even before a tumour has developed, according to Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso of The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and colleagues. The study was published online January 2 in Nature Communications.

In previous work, the team identified a group of early cancer cells that get disseminated into the body during the earliest stages of breast cancer, before any cancer can be detected.

In the current study, they report that immune cells called macrophages play an important part in this process. Working in mice and in human cells in the laboratory, the team found that dissemination occurs when macrophages are attracted to the milk ducts, where they trigger a chain reaction that enables the early cancer cells to leave the breast.

We show that by disrupting this (process), we can prevent early dissemination and, ultimately, deadly metastasis, Aguirre-Ghiso said in an email to Reuters Health.

Our study challenges the dogma that early diagnosis and treatment means sure cure, he said.

It could also be a starting point for a test that could identify patients with the earliest form of breast cancer, known as ductal cell carcinoma in situ, who may already have disseminated disease, he suggested.

Future work will involve identifying the type of macrophages involved in early dissemination and exactly how the process occurs, which potentially could lead to the development of novel therapies to prevent it.

The kind of large, double-blind clinical trial that could prove this approach is still far in the future, Aguirre-Ghiso noted.

Even so, he said, our findings point to the notion that early treatment of high-risk patients may prevent the formation of deadly metastasis better than the current standard of treating metastatic disease (only after it has appeared).

Cancer geneticist and researcher Dr. Theodora Ross of UT Southwestern in Dallas told Reuters Health by email, The concept that macrophages are assisting in early metastases is so intriguing. But for now, she cautioned, the extension of this hypothesis to humans remains speculative.

However, the point that patients with small early breast cancers are not necessarily cured (by early treatment) is a good one, she said. What if metastases happen way before you ever see the cancer on a screening test?The researchers used stem cells from mice, and grew both upper and lower layers of skin, which developed hair follicles as they would in a mouses body. (Photo: Pixabay)

A cure for baldness has moved closer to reality after researchers were able to create hairy skin in the lab for the first time.

The researchers used stem cells from mice, and grew both upper and lower layers of skin, which developed hair follicles as they would in a mouses body.

The lab-grown skin tissue more closely resembles natural hair than any previous models, and could be used in trials of baldness-treating drugs.

The study, conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, is a breakthrough which will shed first light on hair growth,

Stem cell therapy has been suggested as a possible future treatment for hair loss for years.

Although various methods of generating skin tissue have already been developed, their ability to imitate the real thing has consistently fallen short.

Skin consists of 20 or more cell types and the present models only contain five or six where none are capable of hair growth.

Lead author of the study, Professor Karl Koehler originally began using stem cells to create tiny versions of real organs called 'organoids'.

The stem cells he used can theoretically turn into any organ, but the researcher aimed to create tiny versions of the inner ear to treat deafness.

After his team discovered they were generating skin cells in addition to inner ear tissue, they decided to try to coax them into sprouting hair follicles.

The research, published in Cell Reports, found a single skin 'bud' developed in culture can give rise to both the upper and lower layers of skin, known as the epidermis and dermis respectively.In future only 40,000 local tourists will be allowed to enter the historic complex per day, authorities have said on Wednesday. (Photo: Soumyabrata Gupta)

India will soon restrict the number of daily visitors to the Taj Mahal in an attempt to preserve the iconic 17th-century monument that is dedicated to love.

Millions of Indian tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year and their numbers are constantly on the rise with domestic travel becoming easier.

However, according to experts, the vast crowds increase wear and tear on the white marble tomb, which already must undergo regular cleaning to stop it turning yellow from polluted air, and could put pressure on its foundations.

Thus, in future only 40,000 local tourists will be allowed to enter the historic complex per day, authorities have said on Wednesday.

According to an official from the Archeological Survey of India which controls the monument they have to ensure the safety of the monument and visitors as well as crowd management was emerging as a big challenge for them. The official spoke to AFP on conditions of anonymity.

However, interestingly, the restrictions will not apply to foreigners, who pay 1,000 rupees ($16) to enter.

Indian visitors who normally pay just 40 rupees, will be able to buy the more expensive ticket if they want to get around the limit.Doctors are known for their saving peoples lives and carrying out one of the most crucial jobs in society with responsibility. But some shocking cases of medical negligence on part of practitioners or hospitals can tarnish the image of this profession.

In an appalling incident from Madurai, the family of a 60-year-old deceased woman were shocked to discover that they were handed over someone elses corpse. The family were informed that the body they received after post-mortem from the hospital was not that of Annalakshmi.

The womans body was wrapped in white cloth and given to her family by the hospital after she died in a road accident. The family members realised the hospitals error when they removed the cloth during her last rites as they saw the corpse of a younger woman who had succumbed to burn injuries.

The family went back to the hospital with the dead body and got Annalakshmis corpse after protesting with the hospital staff, following which they performed her funeral rites.Hyderabad: A physical training teacher of Sri Sai High School in Old Malakpet was arrested by the Chaderghat police for sexually harassing a 20-year-old faculty. The man, identified as Kattala Srikanth, 28, a resident of Golnaka, was working as a physical training teacher in the school where the victim was a faculty in the primary department, said the police.

He has been harassing her since a month by touching her inappropriately inside the school premises. Unable to bear it, she filed a case on Tuesday, said G. Sattaiah, inspector of Chade-rghat.

Based on a complaint, a case was booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment) of the IPC. He was arrested and sent to judicial remand on Tuesday.The ban on the importation of single-use non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes in Vanuatu will start on January 31.The guard was missing and later discovered that he had decamped with gold jewellery and cash. (Representational Image)

BENGALURU: A security guard broke into his landlord's house and escaped with 1.190 kg of gold jewellery, worth Rs. 25 lakh, and Rs. 10,000 in cash while the landlord had gone out of station. The incident took place in R.T. Nagar police station limits on Tuesday.

The accused has been identified as Govind, 29, who hails from Nepal, and is currently absconding. The landlord, Krishnappa, a resident of Sultanpalya main road, was formerly a land developer and currently has let out some houses on rent.

According to the police, after Krishnappa left for Mysuru on January 1, the security guard broke the window grills and entered the house from behind. He broke open the cupboard and committed the robbery.

When Krishnappa returned on Tuesday morning, he noticed that the guard was missing and later discovered that he had decamped with gold jewellery and cash.Chennai: Doctors at government hospitals across Tamil Nadu observed Black Day against the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill by suspending outpatient services for an hour from 9.30 am to 10.30 am on Tuesday.

Doctors and nurses in government hospitals resumed work only after 10.30 am, while patients waited at out-patient blocks, clinics, laboratories and pathology.

PG students staged the protest on Madras Medical College campus wearing black badges and black armbands and held placards against the NMC bill.

Indian Medical Association had also declared a 12-hour nation-wide protest from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday and many clinics, laboratories and private hospitals struck outpatient services since morning. However, IMA state president Dr. A. Jayalal said that most hospitals in the state supported the strike and suspended the outpatient services, but emergency services and inpatient services were functional.

IMA called off the strike after the bill was referred to a parliamentary standing committee after recommendations from medical associations and has been asked to give its report before the Budget session.

Union health minister J P Nadda had earlier said that the bill is beneficial for all the sectors of the medical profession and will aid to raise the medical education standards. The talks are on with IMA and we have heard the doctors to clear their doubts, he said.

Earlier, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss had recommended either withdrawing the Bill or referring it to a parliamentary standing committee to amend the provisions such as entrance test for MBBS students after graduation to avail practicing license and promotion of alternative medicine.

According to the Bill that proposes to replace Medical Council of India, the National Medical Commission will have a panel of five elected and 12 ex-officio consisting of a government-nominated chairman and members, while the board members will be selected by a search committee under the cabinet secretary.

However, medicos are demanding the formation of a panel as under the existing structure of Medical Council of India that has only medical doctors as council members.

Doctors alleged that the government is trying to promote practitioners of alternative medicine like homeopathy, Ayush, Unani and others, which are basically unapproved treatments.

Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association state headquarters secretary Dr P. Balakrishnan said that the provision to allows medical practitioners of Indian medicine to practice allopathic medicine following a bridge course should be dropped from the Bill.

Out-patient services affected due to one-hour strike

The one-hour strike by government doctors led to overcrowding of out-patient blocks on Tuesday, while services remained suspended between 09.30 am to 10.30 am. Out-patient services were also affected in private hospitals on Tuesday after IMA declared to strike work for 12 hours against the National Medical Commission Bill.

The strike beginning at 6 am on Tuesday was called off after the bill was moved to a parliamentary standing committee. More than 30,000 doctors participated in the protest and resumed duty after the strike was called off late afternoon. Emergency and in-patient services were functional as normal. Members of IMA have been opposing the move declaring it anti-poor and undemocratic in nature, as it will take away the right of doctors to elect their council.A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a USD 500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed "regret" over the decision just ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first visit to the country. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

New Delhi/ Jerusalem: A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a USD 500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed "regret" over the decision just ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first visit to the country.

"Rafael has now received an official notification from India's Ministry of Defence concerning the cancellation of the Spike deal," Ishai David, a spokesman for the Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, told PTI.

Spike, in use by 26 countries around the world, is said to have been selected by India after a long and rigorous process and after complying with all the defence procurement regulations.

"It should be emphasised that the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the contract and despite Rafael's compliance with all the demands," the company said in a statement.

"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," it added.

The company did not give a reason for the cancellation of the deal.

The cancellation comes days before Netanyahu's four-day visit to India starting January 14 and is likely to be taken up for discussion. Rafael's CEO would also be accompanying Netanyahu.

The company recently inaugurated its facilities in Hyderabad where the project was to be executed but company sources said that it is "designed to accommodate a number of other projects Rafael is engaged in with its Indian partners".

As per the original proposal, India had planned to acquire the ATGMs for the Army at a cost of USD 500 million.

The Indian defence ministry has been strongly pushing for transfer of technology in procuring various weapons and other platforms from foreign defence majors as part of its broad policy initiative to encourage domestic defence industry.

Official sources in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the proposal to acquire the missile system faced hurdles when Israeli side apparently expressed reservations in ensuring full transfer of technology as per the provisions of the 'Make in India' initiative.The police arrested Mani within an hour and during the interrogation he confessed to attacking Rani over her illicit affair.

BENGALURU: Suspecting an illicit affair, a man attacked his wife with machete when she was heading to work on Tuesday morning in Nandini Layout police station limits.

The victim, Rani (34), wife of Mani, residents of Preeti Nagar Leggere, has been hospitalized and is undergoing treatment while Mani (46) has been arrested by the police.

The couple got married nine years ago and has a son. They hail from Tamil Nadu and moved to Bengaluru a few years ago. While Mani took up job at a construction site, Rani worked at a garment factory.

Nearly five months ago Mani began suspecting Ranis fidelity and the couple used to frequently quarrel over the issue.

Manis alleged Rani was having an illicit affair under the pretext of going to work.

On Tuesday morning too the couple picked up fight over the same issue. Later Rani left for work along with her friends.

In a fit of rage, Mani followed her and attacked with machete. Rani collapsed and was rushed to a nearby hospital by her friends.

The police arrested Mani within an hour and during the interrogation he confessed to attacking Rani over her illicit affair. Mani was produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.BSF head constable RP Hazra, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal, has served for about 27 years in the border guarding force. (Photo: ANI)

Jammu: A BSF jawan deployed along the International Border (IB) in Jammu was killed on Wednesday after Pakistan launched unprovoked firing on an Indian post in the first such incident this year, officials said.

Fifty-year-old head constable RP Hazra was severely wounded after Pakistani forces "sniped" from across the border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir at about 4 pm.

The jawan, who was rushed to a nearby medical centre, succumbed to his injuries.

He was born on this day in 1967.

Retaliatory fire has been initiated, a senior BSF officer said.

Hazra, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal, has served for about 27 years in the border guarding force. He is survived by a daughter (21) and son (18).

The incident came just days after an Army personnel was killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on December 31, 2017.

Sepoy Jagsir Singh (32) was killed when he was shot by Paksitani troops from across the border along the LoC in Rajouri district on the last day of 2017, the year which recorded the highest number of ceasefire violations in the past decade resulting in the death of 35 people including 19 Army personnel and four BSF men.

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

On December 23, an Army major and three soldiers were killed along the LoC in Rajouri and in retaliatory action, Indian troops killed three Pakistani soldiers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) two days later.

The BSF guards the Indo-Pak International Border (IB) in the region.The forage carried out by taxmen during the last fortnight has resulted in a revelation of Rs 65 crore of previously undisclosed income as well as seizure of Rs 5 crore worth of concealed assets.

BENGALURU: The Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation) in Karnataka-Goa has unearthed a major scam of tax evasion in hair purchased and exported from temples, beauty parlours and ladies hostels. The forage carried out by taxmen during the last fortnight has resulted in a revelation of Rs 65 crore of previously undisclosed income as well as seizure of Rs 5 crore worth of concealed assets which include cash and jewellery from human hair exporters in the region. The DGIT officers seized Rs 2.5 crore unaccounted cash, Rs 2.5 crore worth of jewellery and 140 kgs of silver items from a human hair exporter in North Karnataka alone.

According to the official sources, some hair exporters purchase hair offered in temples, from beauty parlours and girls hostels and export them to Africa and Europe. Africa has a sizeable market of wigs, weaves and extensions made out of human hair. In 2015, it was estimated at $6 billion. The search teams also seized incriminating evidences of tax evasion that has been going on for many years. It was found that second quality sales and wastage sales are not accounted and declared in the IT returns apart from bogus billing of purchases to siphon of money into huge investments, added the source.Kozhikode: The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum at Kozhikode slapped a Rs 4 lakh fine on a nature cure activist and anti-vaccine propagator Jacob Vadakkanchery and others in a petition filed by relatives of advocate Vinayanadan, who died during treatment.

Vinayanandan, 40, a lawyer in Kozhikode was suffering from diabetes, peptic ulcer and kidney stone and got admitted at the Nature Life Hospital and Remedies in Kochi, which is being run by Vadakkanchery, on November 7, 2005. After five days, Vinayanandan suffered fatigue, collapsed and subsequently died at the hospital. The petitioners approached the forum alleging that the hospital authorities insistence on practising yoga in the morning that day led to Vinayanandans death as the deceased was also a heart patient.

The forum president Rose Jose in her order said that though the direct cause of the death was not because of the treatment at hospital there was gross negligence on the part of Vadakkanchery, his hospital, Joshi M. Vargeese, a naturopathy practitioner at the hospital and Director of Sujeevitham, self-treatment centre in Aluva in giving care and attention to the patient.

The forum took into consideration the submission of the hospital and Vadakkanchery that the relatives had not shown the ECG report of Vinayanandan at the time of admission indicating that the deceased was a heart patient.

In its order, the forum also said that during the cross examination, Vadakkanchery and Joshi M. Vargeese had admitted that both of them did not know how to read and understand ECG. Advocate Vinayanandan had come to know about Vadakkanchery and his treatment after hearing a speech of the former in Kozhikode.

Jacob Vadakkancherys stance against modern medicine practice and vaccination has reached a scary level where a strong group was formed to campaign against immunisation programme.The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday asked the petitioners to clarify by January 23 whether the Indian Science Congress Association is a government body or not.

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday asked the petitioners to clarify by January 23 whether the Indian Science Congress Association is a government body or not.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice G. Shyam Prasad was dealing with a PIL by S. Kiran Kumar and another, both research scholars of Osmania University, seeking to direct the Telangana state government and the authorities concerned to ensure that the Indian Science Congress (ISC) is held at Osmania University as scheduled.

The bench made it clear that if the Indian Science Congress Association is not a government body, it (the court) cannot issue a writ of mandamus against a private body.

The petitioners submitted that the vice chancellor and regi-strar of the university had made all the arrangements for the Science Congress to be held at Osmania from January 3 to 7 and had spent `50 crore for this.

They alleged that the conference was postponed because of false reports submitted by the chief secretary, principal secretary to Home, DGP and Hyderabad city police commissioner, to the Centre and the Indian Science Congress Association, by citing law and order problems as the reason.Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge also said that a Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima Koregaon violence. (Photo: Screengrab)

New Delhi: Dalit protests which enters its third day on Wednesday in Maharashtra lead to a heated debate in the parliament with the Government and the Congress exchanging angry accusations in the House over alleged targeting of Dalits.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that "anti-Dalit violence is increasing" and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the caste clashes in Maharashtra is astounding.

"He can't stay mum! He is a 'mauni baba' (mute spectator) on such issues," the Congressman said.

Kharge also said that a Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima Koregaon violence.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister and BJP leader Ananth Kumar retaliated, accusing the Congress of inflaming caste tension.

"Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega. Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahe hain. Aur Sabka saath sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain (Instead of praying for peace in Maharashtra, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress is applying the divide and rule policy. They have replaced the British in using the policy)," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a member of the Lok Sabha, was not present and Opposition MPs shouted slogans of "Ask him to come to the House."

Clashes between Dalit and Maratha groups broke out on Monday during an event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchable -- were part of the East India Company's forces.

However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to the celebration of 'British' victory.

Incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism occurred at Bhima Koregaon in Shiroor tehsil on Monday afternoon when people were heading for the war memorial in the village, police said.

One person was killed in the protests on Monday in Pune.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a sitting judge to determine how the man was killed.

Tensions escalated in Mumbai on Tuesday with mobs, allegedly comprising of Dalit supporters, attacking buses and blocking train tracks.

A massive bandh was called on Wednesday by Dalit leaders and supporters. At least 13 buses were damaged by noon, and some trains were running late.Clashes erupted when Dalit groups reached Pune to mark 200th anniversary of the battle. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: In a scathing attack on the ruling BJP government and its parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday extended support to the Bhima-Koregaon battle celebration, calling it a "potent symbol" of resistance to RSS-BJP's "fascist vision".

Lashing out at the saffron party over the Pune violence, the newly-appointed Congress President said, "the core of the RSS/BJP's fascist vision for India is that the Dalits should remain at the bottom of the society".

Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance, he said.

A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 2, 2018

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury also slammed the BJP for the violence and said that the ideology of the RSS/BJP has always believed in suppressing those who are historically oppressed.

He said the latest events in Maharashtra and several other incidents in the recent past proved the true ideology of the party.

The ideology of the RSS-BJP has always believed in suppressing those historically oppressed. This latest episode in Maharashtra, alongwith several others in the recent past just reinforces this. https://t.co/qWEjFtJjT1  Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) January 2, 2018

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati accused the BJP along with the RSS of instigating the Bhima-Koregaon violence. The BJP, the RSS and other 'caste forces' are behind this, she said.

Patidar leader Hardik Patel also took to twitter to express his anger over the clashes.

Hitting at Modi's New India vision, Hardik asked how the PM's vision could be fulfilled when the year 2018 has begun with the bloodshed of Dalits, farmers and soldiers.

    !!!

,       2018  ,        ??  Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) January 2, 2018

Violence erupted in Pune, on Monday over the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Koregaon -- won by the East India Company -- which also claimed the life of a Nanded youth.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community  then considered untouchable -- were part of the East India Company's forces.

The violence sparked off protests in various parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai where the Dalit protesters took to streets and vandalised vehicles and shops.

The protesters blocked roads and disrupted train services leaving commuters stranded in various parts of the city.New Delhi: Keeping its promise of cleaning up election funding, the government on Tuesday notified the scheme of electoral bonds. A donor can now buy these bonds from the State Bank of India and give them to political parties which can encash them only through a designated bank account.

The takeaway from this scheme, which finance minister Arun Jaitley had announced in his budget speech, however, is that the name of the person buying the bonds will be kept secret though he or she has to fill up a KYC form. The bonds will provide an alternative to cash donations made to parties. The bond can be bought for any value, in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh or Rs 1 crore.

Making an unscheduled announcement on the scheme in the Lok Sabha, he said, The government has now finalised the scheme of electoral bonds. After Mr Jaitely shared the contours of the scheme, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge questioned as to what purpose the bonds will serve without disclosing the donors name. To this, Mr Jaitley replied that the bonds will get reflected in the balance sheet of the donors. It will ensure cleaner money coming from donors, cleaner money coming to political party and ensure significant transparency, he said.

Time limit bars bonds misuse

Finance minister Arun Jaitley said, at present, details of donors, quantum and source of funds is not known. The electoral bonds can be given to any registered political party which has secured at least one per cent vote in last election.

That party will have to give details of one bank account to the Election Commission and it will have to be encashed within 15 days.

The bonds resembling a promissory note will not carry any interest. The lender will remain the custodian of the donors funds until the political parties are paid.

The bonds will be available at specified branches of State Bank of India (SBI) for 10 days each in months of January, April, July and October. The bonds will be valid for 15 days.

Later talking to reporters, Mr Jaitley said that the 15-day validity time has been prescribed for the bonds to ensure that they do not become a parallel currency.

Every political party will file before Election Commission return as to how much money has come through electoral bonds, he said.

When the government had announced its intention to launch electoral bonds last year, it had not put a time-bar on the redemption of electoral bonds, leading to several experts questioning its motive.

Financial experts and anti-corruption activists feared that the issue of bearer bonds of high value could lead to the rich converting their black money into the bonds for convenience of storage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also started a debate on the governments funding the election expenses of political parties to curb corruption.

Good or bad

The 15-day limit on the validity of electoral bonds is positive as it would prevent the restricted-bearer bonds from becoming alternative to cash or making it easier for the rich to hoard cash in the form of bonds. However, there are questions that need clarifications.

Some of them are

Government: Electoral bonds must be bought with accounted or white money only.

Question: If companies are expected to use only white money for buying electoral bonds, they could even now donate money through cheque, which is completely transparent.

Government: Electoral bonds would cleanse the system of electoral funding.

Question: If a donor wants to be anonymous, he would donate money in cash or use proxies to buy the electoral bonds. The second route would create secondary market for electoral bonds and a chain of agents. So how does it cleanse the system?

Government: Donor's identity would remain secret.

Question: When the donor is using white money for buying electoral bonds, why should the donor's identity remain secret? Is it to protect companies and political parties from the subsequent allegations of quid quo pro at a later date when the ruling party seeks to return the favour?

Government: Electoral bonds would be valid only for 15 days from the date of issue.

Question: When a cheque, which doesn't have a validity limit, can be issued to political parties, why should companies or individual donors take pain of converting their money into electoral bonds? Won't the online fund transfer to political parties' bank accounts be a better alternative?

Government: Electoral bonds would bring transparency in electoral funding as it will eliminate cash funding.

Question: A donation to a political party through a cheque would have been much more transparent than electoral bonds. But the funding through cheques did not gain currency in India. As companies didn't want to burn bridges with different political parties, cash remained king. Though electoral bonds do not have the name of purchaser, the bank would have all the details of the purchaser, which can help the ruling party for witch hunting the funding sources of rival parties. So what benefits companies have in electoral bonds that cheque-based donations did not have?According to the FIR, in May 2004, Mr Reddy floated a number of companies.

HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday attached assets worth Rs 117.74 crore in connection with a money-laundering case it is investigating against YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy and others.

The Enforcement Directorate began investigating Mr Jaganmohan Reddy and his associates based on a FIR filed by the CBI.

According to the FIR, in May 2004, Mr Reddy floated a number of companies wherein quid pro quo investments were made by those who benefited from decisions of the state government in various projects like SEZs (special economic zones), irrigation contracts, relaxation/permission for real estate ventures and mines among others.

In July 2017, the ED had attached assets worth over Rs 148 crore of Mr Reddy for illegally allotting 11,804.78 acres of land to companies of Nimmagadda Prasad in Prakasam and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh.MUMBAI: The Maharshtra bandh called by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday, crippled the road and rail traffic in Mumbai. The bandh, which was in protest against the caste clashes in Pune last week on the 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, was withdrawn around 4.30 pm.

During the day, the suburban railway network saw 29 instances of rail-roko protests by Dalit activists. Protesters blocked all highways and arterial roads of the city and vandalised 48 BEST buses. Metro services were partially shut from Ghatkopar station and Airport road between 11.45 am to 5 pm.

Many people rescheduled their flights and long-distance trains too were delayed for hours. More than 40 cars and auto rickshaws were attacked in Vikhroli and Govandi area. Some auto drivers were dragged out of their vehicles and thrashed by the mob. There were also reports of shops being attacked in some localities in Chunabhatti and Chembur. BEST, Metro and Railways had to stop their services because of the violence. Many Mumbaikars complained that the Google Maps app, which shows traffic updates, was temporarily unavailable due to which commuters had difficulty in choosing their commute routes.

Central Railway (CR) said they had 110 cancellations on Wednesday but sources revealed that the number touched a shocking 400 services.

According to a CR official, We saw 400 cancellations and even more delays. So we do not even know how to put it on record as we have never seen such a high number of rail rokos in a day.

The first rail-roko was seen at Thane station around 7.45 am and was resolved at 8.30 am.

The second rail-roko was seen on the Harbour Line at Juinagar station from 11.20 am to 11.40 am. Fifteen Central Railways stations saw protests but the biggest rail-roko on this line was between Thane and CSMT and lasted for more than three hours as many stations in between like Kanjurmarg, Ghatk-opar made it impossible to continue services.

Western Railway (WR), on the other hand, saw the longest rail-roko of the day, clocking almost four hours at Goregaon and Malad stations from 8.53 am to 1.38 pm. WR saw 15 rail-rokos throug-hout the day

The most violent train rail roko was seen at Kanjur Marg, where commuters pelted stones and finally unhinged the steel benches placed on platforms and threw them on to the track.

Around 15 long-distance trains were delayed by two to three hours on CR while two long distances were hit on WR.

Arterial roads like Jogeshwari-Vikhroli-Link-Road (JVLR), Sion-Panvel Highway, S. V. Road, Eastern Expres-sway, Western Express-way and spots like Kala Nagar-Bandra, Dahisar, Worli Naka and MMRDA junction were blocked by the protestors.Vehicles s passing through snow-bound Zojila pass, situated at a height of 11,578 ft, on the strategic Srinagar-Leh Highway.

New Delhi: In a significant move, the Centre on Wednesday approved the strategic Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate all-weather connectivity between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, which remains cut off during winter due to heavy snowfall.

The Cabinet also approved the `5,369-crore Jal Vikas Marg Project for enhanced navigation on the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of National Waterway-1 (NW-1).

The Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh NH which remains closed between December and April.

Cabinet approves Zojila tunnel project, Jal Vikas Marg project, an official source said here after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said, We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project.

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered re-bidding for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Mr Gadkari, after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract. The ministry, however, had denied the charges.

IL&FS Transportation in July last had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for `4,899-crore Zojila pass tunnel project.

The Rs 5,369-crore Jal Vikas Marg Project (JVMP), which received the Cabinets clearance, falls in UP, Bihar, Jharkha-nd, West Bengal and major districts under its ambit are Varanasi, Ghazipur, Ballia, Buxar, Chhapra, Vaishali, Patna, Begusarai, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur, Sahibganj, Murshidabad, Pakur, Hoogly and Kolkata.

The project is expected to be completed by March, 2023 and will provide an alternative mode of transport that will be environment friendly and cost-effective.

The project will contribute in bringing down the logistics cost, the government said adding that it will boost infrastructure development like multi-modal and inter-modal terminals, Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) facilities, ferry services, navigation aids.

NW-1 development & operations will lead to direct employment generation to the tune of 46,000 and indirect employment of 84,000 will be generated by vessel construction industry, the statement said.Hyderabad: TRS Vemulawada legislator Ramesh Chennamaneni on Wednesday moved the Hyderabad High Court challenging the action of the Union home ministry in dismissing his plea to review its order in cancelling his citizenship.

He challenged the proceedings issued by the Union home ministry on December 13, dismissing his plea for a review for its order dated August 31 over his citizenship. Dr Ramesh contended that it was in violation to the Indian Citizenship Act and also Article 14 of the Constitution.

He submitted that though he was granted citizenship by Germany in 1993, he spent most of the time in his native district of Karimnagar.

The Centre granted him Indian citizenship in 2007 based on the recommendation of the superintendent of police and considering his service to the people. The MLA told the court that the home ministry cancelled his citizenship without following due procedure.

He urged the court to declare the action of Union ministry illegal and restore his citizenship.Hyderabad: The Congress on Wednesday questioned the state government for claiming credit for supplying uninterrupted power to all sectors, and starting 24X7 free power to the agriculture sector.

Top TS leaders made a Powerpoint presentation and tried to convey that the availability of power was made possible only by Congress governments, and that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao could not claim credit.

The party floated a new slogan, Kaam hamara, naam thumara (we did the work, you claim credit).

TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy, former energy minister Shabbir Ali, the Leader of Opposition in the Council, and chief spokesperson Dr Sravan Dasoju during the hour-long presentation in Gandhi Bhavan said the claims of the Chief Minister were a bundle of lies while the facts remained otherwise.

Summarising the presentation, Mr Reddy accused Mr Rao of misleading the people with wrong statistics. He said the total installed generation capacity was being shown as 14,138 MW in 2017 from 6,574 MW in 2014. He said this included Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and the energy being purchased from private parties in this figure.

He said that the 1,200-MW coal based power plant at Jeypore, 600 MW Bhupalpally power unit and hydropower plants at Jurala and Pulichintala were sanctioned and designed by the Congress regimes and construction had reached an advanced stage during the tenure of the party governments.

He reiterated that not one power plant had been started and not a single additional unit was generated after Mr Rao became Chief Minister. Mr Reddy said the 4x270 MW Bhadradari power plant would become a burden on the people as it was using outdated sub-critical technology. He said hundreds of crores of rupees would be required for its maintenance every year.

He pointed out that Mr Rao had assured the Assembly in 2014 that the plant would be ready within two years. Even now there are no sign of completion of the project.

Mr Reddy said buying power from Chhattisgarh would prove costly. Against the availability of power at Rs 3.50 to Rs 4 per unit, the state was paying Rs 5.50 to Rs 6.

He also questioned the TRS government over the drop in the efficiency of TSGenco. While Genco had a plant load factor (PLF) of 85 per cent during the Congress regime, it had fallen to 69 per cent.

He said generation from Genco was being reduced to facilitate purchase from private parties.

Mr Shabbir Ali and Dr Sravan gave a detailed presentation on the status of the energy sector in Telangana including statistics pertaining to power projects and power supply position across the country.Chennai: The Superstar Rajinikanth has been making a quiet visit in the first week of January every year to the Gopalapuram residence of DMK chief M Karunanidhi to seek his blessings in the New Year. On Wednesday, when the actor, who has just announced his political foray, met Karunanidhi there was a buzz in political circles.

I informed him (Karunanidhi) about my political foray and he blessed me, Rajinikanth told journalists who virtually mobbed him as he made his way from the Gopalapuram residence to his car. The actor-politician did not, however, take any more questions from mediapersons.

Karunanidhi and Rajinikanth have shared a great rapport over the past few decades, but the two giants  the former in politics and the latter in tinsel town  will now be in diametrically opposite camps. While the film star has made it clear that he would practice spiritual politics, the DMK swears by the Dravidian movement whose bedrock is based on rationalism.

Karunanidhi is a known rationalist who does not swear by god, but Rajinikanth is a staunch follower of spirituality and believes in god. Their ideologies are diametrically opposite to each other, a senior DMK leader said. Karunanidhis son and DMK Working President MK Stalin also sought to downplay

the visit by saying even Vijayakant had sought Karunanidhis blessings when he entered politics.

Rajinikanth has been meeting Thalaivar (Karunanidhi) for years now. There is nothing to be surprised by their meeting, Stalin said. He also utilised the occasion to send a strong message to those who are hoping to demolish Dravidianism.

Stalin went on to say, Rajinikanth has made it clear that he would practice spiritual politics. But some people are saying that some force that wants to demolish Dravidianism is directing him.

Tamil Nadu belongs to the Dravidian movement and its leaders Periyar, CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi propagated the Dravidian ideals. None can dismantle Dravidianism.

Sources said Rajinikanth has always sought Karunanidhis blessings in the New Year. Even if he was out of town during the New Year he would meet Karunanidhi whenever he came back, a politician disclosed.New Delhi: Members in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday burst into laughter during a brief conversation on Hindi between Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

When he began to speak on the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra, Mr Kharge referred to the rejection of his adjournment motion on the issue by Mahajan. However, the Speaker thought Mr Kharge had said his adjournment motion has been accepted (swikar ho gaya).

To this, Mr Kharge clarified that he had said it has been rejected or aswikar ho gaya.

I too know a little bit of Hindi (Mereko bhi thoda thoda Hindi ata hai), Mr Kharge said, leading the entire House to burst into peals of laughter. Ms Mahajan, on her part, replied, I find it difficult to hear, as you people make so much noise.

To this, Mr Kharge retorted, saying, Will let you know about a good doctor, which triggered another round of laughter.It is possible that Kulbhushan Jadhav will go home free in 2018. It is possible that the Pakistan government has other plans for the convicted man, spy or no spy.

All countries spy on each other. Israel spies on the US and the US spied on the German Chancellor. The CIA woman who walked away with a flash drive full of top secrets from an inaccessible alcove of Indian intelligence should be enjoying premature retirement, resting on her laurels in Hawaii or some such happening place. The US has also hosted the RAW agent who deserted his post. Has that stopped Indian nationalists from clamouring to sit in Donald Trumps lap?

Indians and Pakistanis are perhaps the only countries that would beat up each others suspected spies or, in some instances, even rough up diplomats accredited to their capitals.

A Pakistani diplomat L.K. Advani threw out over charges of spying  falsely, according to Indian diplomats  returned to visit Delhi as his countrys foreign secretary, and he continued to party with his Indian friends on both sides of the border. Jadhav was caught red-handed if that is what happened. It is hardly unlikely that India has not pounced on one of Pakistans intelligence men, which some say has indeed happened  in Nepal. If an accident doesnt occur, this could be a fit case for a swap though we may never know of it, somewhat like Rudolf Abels release for Gary Powers. A Steven Spielberg fan in Bollywood may then consider an Indian sequel to the Bridge of Spies, a story told so delicately about the US-Soviet spy exchange at the height of the Cold War.

Neither of the two possibilities confronting Jadhav would erase the bitter memories that my friend and fellow journalist Iftikhar Gilani carries in his heart since the fateful day in 2002 when he was arrested for several months on fictitious charges of spying. He was to be released just as inexplicably. Nor will it undo the damage done to the fragile child that Ghalib was when his father Afzal Guru was hanged on a cold morning without the courtesy of informing his wife.

I stand firmly with the Indian critics  civilians, media analysts and MPs alike  who have slammed Pakistan for not letting Jadhav embrace his wife and mother, and for not allowing him to speak in Marathi. The difference is that I also stand with Gurus wife who was denied a last meeting with her husband, and son who was too small to tell the difference. When the Indian Parliament was berating Pakistan for its omissions and commissions with the Jadhav meeting, and when Indian TV channels were going ballistic about the event, they were being blind to exactly how they approach their own prisoners.

A 90 per cent crippled teacher from Delhi University is lodged in a despicable condemned mens cell in Nagpur because he is suspected of being a Maoist. Saibaba believes he wont come out alive. Does one remember how vehemently Arun Shourie the journalist, before he became a politician, fought for Kehar Singh, the Sikh arbitrarily executed as a conspirator in Indira Gandhis assassination?

Do we care that Indira Gandhi hanged Maqbool Bhat years after he was tortured and turned into a vegetable in Tihar jail? But Jadhavs partisans  and I consider myself one, being an opponent of the death penalty  should read Gilanis harrowing stories from Tihar jail in his excellent notebook of the incarceration published as My Days in Prison. Thursday, June 20, 2002, was Gilanis fourth day at the jail. Nobody had come for mulaqat (visit) to see him. He was worried. He did not have proper clothes and was wearing the shirt drenched in human faeces, with which he had cleaned the toilet. He went to the social welfare officer and told him the matter. The social welfare officer was appointed to look after the welfare of the inmates. Counselling first-time inmates and informing their families was one of the important functions of the officer. The social welfare officer Sanjay Kumar told him that his wife had also been arrested and he should forget about the mulaqat. Someone should pass this chapter over to irate BJP and Congress MPs.

In the evening, a munshi came calling and asked Iftikhar to accompany him to the deodhi (entrance). He told my friend that his wife Aanisa had come and led him to the mulaqat room. The system of mulaqat is another horrendous indictment of our prison system as far as the human dignity is concerned, Iftikhar Gilani records in the book. There is a small hall-type room specifically meant for mulaqat. This room has built up enclosures having brick walls up to around three feet height and the rest of the height is covered by the grills and meshes. The inmates and their visitors have to talk to each other in a standing position. The room does not have ventilation sufficient enough for almost 200 people present in every mulaqat session. At one time, authorities allow 60 prisoners to see their near and dear ones for half an hour. On the other side of the meshed grills, on an average two to three persons visit one prisoner. They are almost two feet apart with thick mesh of double grills and wires parting them. The description of Gilanis meeting with his wife would perhaps make Jadhav cry. I saw Aanisa. She was looking tired and pale. It was extremely frustrating not to be able to talk to her without the barriers. It was very difficult to see her under the watchful eyes of my tormentors. I could see Aanisa was also under great anxiety Just getting to jail was difficult, and added to that was the incontestable humiliation at the hands of the jail staff she had to contend with. Need one say more?

By arrangement with DawnInspired by NASA's experiments to grow wheat in space, Australian scientists have developed the world's first 'speed breeding' technique that can boost the production of the crop by up to three times. The NASA experiments involved using continuous light on wheat which triggered early reproduction in the plants.

"We thought we could use the NASA idea to grow plants quickly back on Earth, and in turn, accelerate the genetic gain in our plant breeding programs," said Lee Hickey, Senior Research Fellow at University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia. "By using speed breeding techniques in specially modified glasshouses we can grow six generations of wheat, chickpea and barley plants, and four generations of canola plants in a single year  as opposed to two or three generations in a regular glasshouse, or a single generation in the field," Hickey said.

"Our experiments showed that the quality and yield of the plants grown under controlled climate and extended daylight conditions was as good, or sometimes better, than those grown in regular glasshouses," he said. There has been a lot of interest globally in this technique due to the fact that the world has to produce 60-80 per cent more food by 2050 to feed its nine billion people, researchers said. The speed breeding technique has largely been used for research purposes but is now being adopted by industry.

In partnership with Dow Agro Sciences, the scientists have used the technique to develop the new 'DS Faraday' wheat variety due for release to industry this year. "DS Faraday is a high protein, milling wheat with tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting," Hickey said. "We introduced genes for grain dormancy so it can better handle wet weather at harvest time  which has been a problem wheat scientists in Australia have been trying to solve for 40 years," Hickey said. "We have finally had a breakthrough in grain dormancy, and speed breeding really helped us to do it," he said. UQ PhD student Amy Watson, a co-first author of the paper published in the journal Nature Plants, conducted some of the key experiments that documented the rapid plant growth and flexibility of the system for multiple crop species. The new technology "could also have some great applications in future vertical farming systems, and some horticultural crops," Hickey added.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.One of the inmates still on the run, Kevin Heromanly, is 20 years old.Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: President Donald Trump admitted the Middle East peace process was in difficulty on Tuesday and threatened to cut US aid to Palestinians, currently worth more than USD 300 million a year.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" he said.

...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth USD 319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional USD 304 million for the UN's programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most the last half century the United States has been seen as indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognizing Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking with decades of American policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay his December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides were on Tuesday forced to reject rumors of further delays.

"As we've said all along, the Vice President is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. "We're finalizing details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."Trump who shares a bitter relationship with the mainstream American press has said he will announce the most dishonest and corrupt media awards next week. (Photo: File)

Washington: President Donald Trump who shares a bitter relationship with the mainstream American press has said he will announce the "most dishonest and corrupt" media awards next week.

Trump has been at loggerheads with several US mainstream media outlets, including the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post among others.

He has quite often described these popular media houses as "fake" media.

The term is now popularly related to news with which one does not agree with.

"I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o'clock," Trump said in a late-night tweet.

I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

"Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!" Trump said.

He, however, excluded Fox News, his favourite news channel.

In November, he tweeted about a competition among news networks for the "Fake News Trophy", excluding Fox News.

"We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favourite President (me). They are all bad.

Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!" Trump had tweeted on November 27.

Late in the evening, Fox News listed out some news stories of other networks that later proved to be inaccurate.

In an email to his supporters on December 28, the Trump campaign sought nomination for the "King of Fake News" trophy.

"At President Trump's request, we are holding a contest to name the 2017 KING of Fake News. And we want to hear from you," the email said.

"The FAKE NEWS has utterly abandoned their duty to fairly report the news to the American people. Some journalists and liberal pundits think that Americans are too stupid to see through their amateur efforts to manipulate public opinion, but THEY'RE WRONG," the email wrote.

Noting that Americans are sick and tired of being lied to, insulted and treated with outright condescension, the Trump Campaign said "That's why President Trump is crowning the 2017 KING OF FAKE NEWS before the end of the year".

"There's no point in pretending that some journalists are anything more than peddlers of falsehoods and liberal propaganda," it said.

As per the Trump Campaign list, the competition for "King of Fame news" is between three news outlets.

"ABC News 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Trump directed Michael Flynn to make contact with Russian officials before the election," it said.

"CNN 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Donald Trump and his son Donald J Trump Jr had access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks," is the second story on the list.

"TIME 'MISTAKENLY' reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King Jr from the Oval Office," the email said as it asked the participants to "let the President know if there is another story you think should be crowned as the 2017 KING of Fake News."US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Kim Jong-Un that he possessed a nuclear button that is 'much bigger and more powerful' than that of the North Korean leader. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Kim Jong-Un that he possessed a nuclear button that is "much bigger and more powerful" than that of the North Korean leader.

He tweeted: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Trump's message came after Kim used his annual New Year address to warn he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but sweetened his remarks by expressing an interest in dialogue and taking part in the Pyeongchang Games next month.

Read: US must realise nuclear button is always on my table: Kim Jong-Un

South Korea responded positively Tuesday, proposing high-level talks with Pyongyang on January 9.

But US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed the proposed dialogue between the Koreas as a "band-aid," warning that Washington would never accept a nuclear-armed Pyongyang.Washington/United Nations: The United States on Tuesday said that Pakistan has been playing a double game for years on fighting terrorism. It said that Islamabad will have to earn American aid worth millions of dollars by taking decisive action against militants operating from its soil.

The tough message from the US came after an angry tweet from US President Donald Tru-mp on New Years day that America had been rewarded with nothing but lies and deceit by Pakistan in return for its over $33 billion aid in the last 15 years.

Soon after the US Presidents tweet, the White House confirmed that the US had suspended its $255 million military aid to Pakistan.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley defended Mr Trumps decision to block aid to Pakistan and said, There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years.

They (Pakistanis) work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghan-istan. That game is not acceptable to this administration, Ms Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

The Trump administration expects far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, she said.

Mr Trump is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism, Ms Haley said.Seoul: Pyongyang said it will restore a hotline with the South, after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un's calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics.

Kim also welcomed Seouls support for his overtures, a North Korean official told state television. In his New Year address, Kim warned the US that he has a nuclear button on his table, but extended an olive branch to the South, saying his country might take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month.

In response, South Koreas unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon on Tuesday offered to hold high-level talks on January 9 to discuss the Norths participation in the Olympics as well as other matters of mutual interest.

By upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner, the Yonhap news agency quoted Ri Songwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs, as saying.

It reported that the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) said it will discuss practical matters involving the participation of North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang Games.Kim expressed welcome after South Korean President Moon Jae-In said he supported Kim's offer of seeking reconciliation, Ri said on North Korean TV.Madrid: A Ryanair passenger, reportedly a 57-year-old Polish national called Victor, who apparently got fed up waiting to get off a plane surprised fellow passengers by using the emergency exit to jump onto a wing.

The incident on New Year's Day took place 30 minutes after the flight landed in the southern Spanish city of Malaga from Londons Stansted Airport, where it had also been delayed.

The man, ended up perching on the wing of flight FR8164 as it sat on the tarmac at Malaga airport having landed an hour late from London. He was coaxed back into the plane and police was called.Islamabad: Pakistan is set to review its relations with the United States after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid. An official said Pakistan would not accept any demands to do more, and could stop all kinds of cooperation with the US. The only response to any do more demands will be no more. The future policy with the US would be limited to cooperation for cooperation and relations based on equality. This policy will be adopted gradually, he said.

Foreign minister Kha-waja Mohammed Asif and other officials will contact friendly countries, including China, to take them into confidence.

Pakistan, according to the sources, has also decided to reduce dependency on the US in different fields and look for alternatives. It will also speed up the process of implementing its strategy for increasing diplomatic, trade and other relations with China, Russia and other countries. Pakistan Peoples Par-ty (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto said President Trumps allegations against Pakistan mean the US is no longer interested in defeating terrorism.

In a string of tweets, a day after Mr Trump accused Islamabad of deceit and lies, the PPP chairman said cutting money to Pakistan will discourage friendship. In a reference to US Presidents claim that Washington had given more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years to Islamabad, Bilawal Bhutto said: Someone please explain to Donald Trump difference between coalition support fund reimbursement for work done and US aid ostensibly given for humanitarian reasons, to win hearts and minds.

The PPP chief chairman criticised the US President for his tirade, and called for Islamabad to articulate and implement a counter violent extremism strategy not because of what the US wants but because we need to succeed. We have to come to terms with the fact, US is no longer interested in defeating terrorism, he added.The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a deal between the embattled Sharif family, returned to the country Tuesday. (Photo: File)

Islamabad: Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday appeared before an anti-graft court to face trial in corruption cases against him in the Panama Papers scandal that forced him to resign.

Sharif, 67, reached the court along with his daughter Maryam.

The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a "deal" between the embattled Sharif family, returned to the country Tuesday.

Three corruption cases were registered against him on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that also disqualified Sharif as the prime minister and ordered National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for institution of cases.

The NAB produced two witnesses in the court today who recorded their statements and defence layer also cross-examined them.

The three cases pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their overseas properties.

Last hearing of the case of held on December 19.

So far 10 witnesses have recorded their statement on behalf of the prosecution. This was the 11th time that Sharif has attended the hearing.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the countrys most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, has been hanging in balance since then. If convicted, Sharif can be jailed.

Sharifs family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.Unveiling his new South Asia policy in August, Trump had warned of tougher measures against Pakistan if it failed to cooperate with the US in the fight against terror. (Photo: File)

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday expressed "deep disappointment" over US President Donald Trump's scathing remarks against it, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the "trust" between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi convened a National Security Council meeting in Islamabad after Trump strongly rebuked the country, accusing it of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and sheltering terrorists in return for USD 33 billion in aid over the last 15 years.

The NSC meeting, attended by the powerful military chief and other top senior military and government officials, observed that statements by the US leadership were "completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation".

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also attended the NSC meeting, which discussed Pakistan's response to President Trump's fresh tirade while also reviewing the country's overall foreign policy, the Dawn News reported.

Following the NSC meeting, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

The foreign minister offered that Trump could hire a US-based audit firm "on our expense" to verify the USD 33 billion aid figure and "let the world know who is lying and deceiving".

"Pres Trump quoted figure of USD 33 billion given to PAK over last 15 yrs, he can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure & let the world know who is lying & deceiving" Asif tweeted.

The meeting of the NSC, the top-level civil-military platform on security matters, in statement said that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism primarily using its own resources and at a great cost to its economy.

"...the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan, including the loss of tens of thousands of lives of Pakistani civilians and security personnel, and the pain of their families, could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value  and that too an imagined one, the committee observed.

It said Pakistan would continue to play role for peace in Afghanistan.

The Committee reached a consensus that despite all unwarranted allegations, Pakistan cannot act in haste and will remain committed to playing a constructive role towards an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, not just for the sake of its own people, but also for the peace and security of the region and international community, according to the statement.

The Committee reiterated firm support of Pakistan for the US-led international effort in Afghanistan, including continuously facilitating vital lines of communications for smooth counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan by the international coalition.

It observed that close interaction with the US leadership following the initial pronouncement of Trumps policy on South Asia had been "useful in creating a better understanding of each others perspectives on the best way forward to achieve durable peace and stability in Afghanistan."

"Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan and that blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, according the NSC.

The NSC was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was held a day earlier to come up with a response to the accusations of Trump.

Shortly before the meeting commenced, the military had finalised its suggestions for Pakistan's response to Trump's allegations in a Corps Commanders' Conference held at General Headquarters.

A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has also been called on 5 January to discuss the US' allegations.

In his first tweet of the new year, Trump had accused Pakistan of basing its relationship with the US on nothing but lies and deceit.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he tweeted.

Following Trump's tweet, Asif Tuesday responded immediately saying, "...Will let the world know the truth...difference between facts and fiction".

He said Pakistan had told the Trump administration that it would do "no more" for it (in the fight against terrorism).

The Pakistan Army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, had at a press conference last week asserted that the aid Pakistan received from the US was "reimbursement for support we gave to the coalition for its fight against Al Qaeda."

"Had we not supported the US and Afghanistan, they would never have been able to defeat Al Qaeda," he had said.

Unveiling his new South Asia policy in August, Trump had warned of tougher measures against Pakistan if it failed to cooperate with the US in the fight against terror.

The White House on Tuesday confirmed that an already-delayed USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan had been blocked.

It said the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil.For 26 men with a history of crime, the New Year dawned with an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. Literally.

Inspector L Y Rajesh called them to the Attibele police station on Sunday, and presented them with saplings. He counselled them to stay away from crime. The gathering comprised those convicted of offences ranging from petty theft to murder.

"Planting a sapling is going to be a positive, long-term lesson," he told DH. He advised the history-sheeters to water the saplings regularly.

"A beat constable will monitor the history-sheeters and also file periodical reports on the growth of the saplings," Rajesh said.

Many who received the saplings were pleasantly surprised.

"Sir handed each of us a tulsi sapling and a book. I will water the sapling every day, and begin my day with prayers," said Suchendra (32), who runs a tea shop in Attibele. "I will also read at least one page a day from the book."

The book, 'Karunaalu Baa Belake,' is a self-improvement guide by Gururaj Karjagi.

Rajesh's green initiative was prompted by what he saw in Delhi. "I saw the smog and thought I should do something to stop Bengaluru going that way," he said.

Police have assured the history-sheeters help to take up jobs that suit their educational qualifications.

Staggered by kind act

Lorry driver Prem Kumar (26), among those who received the New Year gift, said: "It was a shock. None of the policemen had ever treated us with such kindness."

Early on Sunday, when he got a call from the police station, he was upset. "But when I went there, I felt energised. I vowed not to commit any crime," he said.

Karthik (24), who took a similar oath, hailed Rajesh for the initiative. "There are many like us desperately waiting to for a fresh start. We need someone to trust us and give us moral support," he said.President Donald Trump admitted the Middle East peace process was in difficulty Tuesday and threatened to cut US aid to Palestinians, currently worth more than $300 million a year.



"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for the UN's programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most the last half century the United States has been seen as an indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal by threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognizing Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israeli relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking with decades of American policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay his December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides were on Tuesday forced to reject rumors of further delays.

"As we've said all along, the Vice President is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. "We're finalizing details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."

In another blow to remaining hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel's parliament on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation aimed at making it more difficult for the government to hand the Palestinians parts of Jerusalem under any future peace agreement.

Legislators approved the measure 64 to 51.

The new law determines that any ceding of lands considered by Israel to be part of Jerusalem would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in parliament -- 80 out of 120 members of the Knesset.

It also enables changing the municipal definition of Jerusalem, which means that sectors of the city "could be declared separate entities," a statement from parliament read.

Israeli right-wing politicians have spoken of unilaterally breaking off overwhelmingly Palestinian areas of the city in a bid to increase its Jewish majority.

Israel occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognized by the international community.

It claims all of Jerusalem as its united capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

The issue is among the most contentious in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The Palestinians will not be "blackmailed" by US President Donald Trump, a senior official said Wednesday, after he threatened to cut aid to them worth more than $300 million a year.



"We will not be blackmailed," senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!"The US is considering new regulations aimed at preventing the extension of H-1B visas, predominantly used by Indian IT professionals, as part of president Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative, a media report has said.



The move could directly stop hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from keeping their H-1B visas while their green card applications are pending.

The proposal which is being shared between the Department of Homeland Security Department (DHS) heads is part of Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative promised during the 2016 campaign, US-based news agency McClatchy's DC Bureau reported.

It aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

"The act currently allows the administration to extend the H-1B visas for thousands of immigrants, predominantly Indian immigrants, beyond the allowed two three-year terms if a green card is pending," the report said.

"The idea is to create a sort of 'self- deportation' of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans," it said, quoting a source briefed by Homeland Security officials.

"The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President's Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes," said Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The proposed changes would have a dramatic effect particularly on Indian visa holders considering more than half of all H-1B visas have been awarded to Indian nationals, the report said, quoting the Pew Research Center report.

"This would be a major catastrophic development as many people have been waiting in line for green cards for over a decade, have US citizen children, own a home," said Leon Fresco, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in the Obama administration who now represent H-1B workers.

Fresco estimates more than 1 million H1-B visa holders in the country are waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for more than a decade.Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday appeared before an anti-graft court to face trial in corruption cases against him in the Panama Papers scandal that forced him to resign.



Sharif (67) reached the court along with his daughter Maryam.

The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a "deal" between the embattled Sharif family, returned to the country on Tuesday.

Three corruption cases were registered against him on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that also disqualified Sharif as the prime minister and ordered National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for institution of cases.

The NAB produced two witnesses in the court on Wednesday who recorded their statements and defence layer also cross-examined them.

The three cases pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their overseas properties.

Last hearing of the case of was held on December 19.

So far, 10 witnesses have recorded their statement on behalf of the prosecution. This was the 11th time that Sharif has attended the hearing.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, has been hanging in balance since then. If convicted, Sharif can be jailed.

Sharifs family claims that the cases are politically motivated.The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking quashing of certain provisions in the new policy for Haj pilgrims that bar differently-abled persons from undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage.



A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Hari Shankar issued a notice to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Haj Committee of India on the petition claiming that some provisions of the new policy violated Articles 14, 21 and 25- pertaining to equality and freedom to practice religion of the Constitution.

The court directed authorities to file their response by April 11 on the petition filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal.

The guidelines under the 'eligibility for Haj' mentions that any Indian citizen who is a Muslim can apply for the pilgrimage except those "who do not have the mental or physical health to perform the pilgrimage, persons whose legs are amputated, who are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically/mentally incapacitated".Condemning the stand taken by Goa state Congress over the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute, BJP workers called for a bundh in Nargund, Gadag district, on Wednesday.



The activists staged a protest by blocking the highway and burning tires. They forced shops to shut down.

Due to the roadblock, free flow of traffic on Hubballi-Vijayapura national highway was totally disrupted.

Tight police security has been delpoyed in Nargund town. Three DySPs, 10 CPIs, 14 PSIs, 29 ASIs, four KSRP platoons, five DAR platoons, 120 police staff and 100 Homeguards are on vigil.

When the BJP workers tried to light up tires, the police tried to stop them. At this point there was an argument between the police and the protesters. But the latter went ahead and burnt tires and shouted slogans against the Congress, anyway.

"The BJP is trying to settle the Mahadayi water dispute. Meanwhile the Congress is acting against the settlement. The Nargund bundh has been called to protest this issue," said BJP Nargund mandal president Mallappa Meti.

As part of the bundh a protest march will be taken out in the main streets of the town to end at Raitha Veeragallu, he added.In a ghastly road accident, two software engineers were killed on the spot when the car they were driving in, collided with a 10-wheeler truck in Kengeri on Wednesday morning.



Eyewitnesses told police, the car was over-speeding and trying to overtake other vehicles when it collided with the rear of the truck moving in the same direction.

The driver of the truck told the police it was foggy during the time the accident occurred.

The deceased are Prashanth Gopalakrishna (27), a resident of K N Extension in Yeshwanthpura and Akshay Kumar B K (25), a resident of Kadabagere, the police said.

Prashanth worked as a senior software engineer in Altis Source Business Pvt Limited in Domlur and Akshay was a techie at First Source, the police said.

The accident occurred around 6 am on the NICE road stretch in Kengeri near a bridge where Vrishabhavathi river flows underneath.

The Tata Indica car bearing registration number KA-05-ME-1798, coming from Tumakuru entered the NICE Road from Magadi toll booth and was heading towards Hosur side, the police said.

The impact of the accident was such that the entire frontage of the car was mangled, killing the techies instantly.

Prashanth, the driver and Akshay, both believed to be friends, sustained head injuries and had to be extricated with great difficulty from the mangled remains of the car.

"Both the victims were not wearing seat belts and there were no security features in the car such as airbags that could have saved their lives," said a senior police officer.

Their bodies were shifted to Rajarajeshwari Hospital on Mysore road after which the police informed their families.

Kengeri traffic police have detained the truck driver, Mohammed Ali and seized the truck.

"As the car was over-speeding and collided with the truck from the rear, the truck driver cannot be held responsible for the accident," a senior police officer said.

Kengeri traffic police have registered a case of accidental death due to negligence and are investigating further.India is ready to bear all expenses, if necessary up to Rs 400 crore, to make Hindi one of the official languages of the United Nations but its rules for acquiring such a status prevents the country from doing so, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday.



According to the UN rules, the support of two-third member countries (129 nations) is required of the total 193 member nations, Sushma said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

Besides, all member nations will have to bear the cost of making Hindi one of the official languages of the UN.

"It is not difficult to get the support of two-third member nations. But when the issue of bearing the expenses comes, many small nations become hesitant which has led to a big hurdle in making Hindi an official languages of the UN," she said, adding that despite this, the efforts are on.

When a BJP member said that India has to pay Rs 40 crore as the cost for making Hindi one of the languages in the UN, the minister the government is ready to pay "even Rs 400 crore if required" but the world body's rules does not allow to do so.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked why India should make the effort to make Hindi as one of the languages in the UN as it is only India's official language and not the national language.

"If tomorrow someone from Tamil Nadu or from West Bengal becomes the prime minister, why should we force him to speak in Hindi at the UN," he said.

Tharoor also said Hindi is the official language of only one country - India.

However, Sushma countered Tharoor saying he was unaware that Hindi is the official language of Fiji and is also spoken widely in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and many other countries.Nearly 2,300 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh run the risk of losing their recognition for not submitting their details on the website of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Board, the state's minority welfare minister said on Wednesday.



The state's minority welfare department is considering a proposal to treat these Islamic institutions as "fake", Uttar Pradesh Minority Welfare Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, there are 19,108 madrassas, which have been recognised by the state Madrasa Board. Of these, 16,808 madrassas have submitted their information on the website of the board. There are no details submitted by nearly 2,300 madrassas," said Chaudhary .

"Now where are these madrassas? We are considering them as fake. There is a possibility that action may taken against these madrassas by end of January," Chaudhary said.

However, he added, the state government will wait till the month-end for the madrassas to furnish information on this regard.

"The government-recognised madrassas, which have not furnished their relevant details on the website can approach the government in case they face any difficulty. If they tell us their problems, we may help in resolving them," he said.

With that said, the minister also made it clear that no student of the registered madrassa will be deprived of the opportunity to appear for any examination.

"We had extended the last date for submission of details by madrassas on the web portal of the department a number of times. Dates were extended on July 15, 2017, July 30, 2017 and on August 15, 2017. But, surprisingly no student, teacher, principal or manager of any of the 2,300 madrassas approached us," Chaudhary said.

Taking a jibe at Opposition parties for blaming the Uttar Pradesh government and giving the matter a political twist, he said the aim of the government is to ensure proper education system in madrassas.

"The aim is to ensure there is no exploitation of teachers and other staff and that the scholarship is directly transferred to the account of the students," he said.

The minister noted that the present government has "effectively rendered the mafia useless" by putting a stop to the old practice of money being transferred from a district minority officer to the account of madrassa management.

He also pointed out a Rs 20 crore madrassa-related scam in Shahjahanpur district, adding that a vigilance probe has been ordered into it.

"It also came to our notice that one student was enrolled at more than one madrassa. Similarly, there were teachers who were relatives of the madrassa management members," the minister said.

Meanwhile, registrar of Madrasa Board Rahul Gupta said, "The deadline to submit information on the departmental website has expired. As a result, the registration of 2,300 madrassas will be cancelled."

"This year, as many as 3,691 aaliya level (above class 8th) madrassas have been registered. Students of these madrassas will be allowed to sit in board examination. The last date to fill examination form is January 15," he said.

However, the Teachers' Association Madaris-e-Arabia (a body of madrassa teachers) demanded that before taking any action against madrassas, their background should be verified.

"We demand from the state government that it should seek information from the respective district minority officer as to how many madrassas have submitted their details to the office of district minority officer, and of these how many have submitted the information on the web portal.

"Only then a clear picture will emerge," Association general secretary Diwan Sahab Zama said.Pakistan's ousted premier Nawaz Sharif today claimed he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on flimsy grounds and said there was no proof of any wrongdoing by him, after appearing in the anti-graft court trying him for alleged corruption in three cases.

The cases are related to the Panama Papers scandal that had forced the three-time prime minister to resign.

"They have not been able to prove any crime against me yet," he said.

Sharif, 67, said he was disqualified on flimsy grounds and alleged efforts were on to find "evidence of any wrongdoing by me".

The cases were launched on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that disqualified Sharif as prime minister and ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for the institution of cases against him.

Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir conducted the hearing against Sharif, his daughter Maryam, and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar.

The court later adjourned the hearing till January 9.

The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a "deal" with Pakistan's powerful military, returned home yesterday along with his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.

The NAB produced two new witnesses in court who recorded their evidence and the defence lawyer also cross-examined them. A third witness who had already appeared also was recalled to provide additional documents.

After the hearing, Sharif again lambasted his political rival Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan who was given bail by an anti-terror court yesterday in four cases pertaining to violence during his protest march in 2014.

He also criticised the Supreme Court for quashing a corruption case against Khan last month.

"Khan had admitted fraud but still his apology was accepted by the court," Sharif said.

He also criticised opponents for politicising his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and said they were trying to damage Pakistan's historical ties with the kingdom.

The three cases against the Sharif family pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB cases, while Maryam and her husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield case.

In November, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while Maryam and Safdar, co-accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted.

Sharif reached the court here along with his daughter before the start of proceedings.

Cabinet members and leaders of Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party were present at the court.

The previous hearing in the case was held on December 19. The court has held 16 hearings each of the Flagship Investment and Avenfield properties references, and 20 of Al-Azizia Steel Mills.

This was the 11th time that Sharif attended the hearing. So far 10 witnesses have recorded their statements on behalf of the prosecution.

Elaborate security measures were taken on the occasion of Sharif's appearance in court.

The political future of Sharif, who heads the country's most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, has been hanging in the balance since his ouster. If convicted, he could be jailed.

Sharif's family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.There have been instances of some Rohingya Muslims obtaining Aadhaar, PAN and voter cards, but there is no report of providing accommodation to the illegal migrants, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.



Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said there have been no specific reports that some people were providing illegal accommodation to Rohingyas.

However, instances of some Rohingyas having obtained documents like Aadhar, PAN and voter cards through fraudulent means have been reported, he said in reply to a written question.

The minister said as and when such instances are detected, the respective state governments and other authorities concerned take necessary action for cancellation of such documents along with other actions.

Rijiju said as per an estimate, around 40,000 Rohingyas are living in India.Unauthorised rituals held by tantriks at the Kanadurga temple in Vijayawada on the night of December 26 has cost the temple executive officer her job and forced the government to initiate a probe on the whole issue.



The pooja took place after the temple was closed to the general public with the connivance of chief priest Badrinath Babu.

On Wednesday, the endowments department based on prima facie evidence suspended A Surya Kumari pending inquiry and replaced her with Ramachandra Mohan, EO of Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam.

Sources said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has asked for a detailed report about the desecration of the famous temple.

So far, the Vijayawada Police have arrested three priests Pranav, Srujan and Raja who confessed to having performed "tantric pujas" at the behest of chief priest Badrinath Babu.

The EO who is under suspension speaking with media on Wednesday denied reports of tantric rituals saying that it was a routine cleansing process.

The CCTV footage, available with the police, shows that three priests along with an unidentified person performing some rituals after the closure of the temple hours.

Normally, the temple closes to devotees for darshan of goddess Kanaka Durga at 9 pm.

However, the priests continued to perform bhairavi pooja on the aggressive form of Durga in the inner temple till 12.45 am.India has hosted a major cultural event in the Indonesian city of Bandung, as part of efforts to boost bilateral ties.



The grand finale of the 'India Culture Week' was held at the central public square in Bandung on December 31 with a gala Indian music and dance performance that was attended by more than 3,000 local citizens and art lovers in Bandung.

The event was organised by the Indian Embassy along with the regional government of Bandung.

The mission used local resources and artists from its Jakarta-based cultural centre (JNICC) to hold the event, which was jointly inaugurated by India's Ambassador to Indonesia Pradeep Kumar Rawat and the Mayor of Bandung Ridwan Kamil.

India was the first country chosen by the Bandung regional government as its partner for celebrations that were held in this format for the first time in the city.

The week-long festivities included a high profile 'Visit India Tourism Seminar', an Indian food festival, film festival and a photo exhibition depicting key moments in India- Indonesia diplomatic history.

The mayor of Bandung expressed hope that the event would lead to increased flow of tourists from both nations.

The Indian envoy highlighted the scope of enhancing cooperation in tourism sector between India and Bandung.The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Karnataka government on a plea by a man, who along with two sons, was convicted of assaulting a Dalit woman with an intent to outrage her modesty.



A bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Amitava Roy sought the government's response on a special leave petition filed by Mallana and others, challenging the Karnataka High Court's judgement of April 28 last year.

Admitting the petition filed by Mallana and others for consideration, the court asked the state government to file an affidavit within four weeks. It also directed that the order for exemption from surrender of the appellants will continue.

The high court has confirmed a Yadgir court's order, awarding two years imprisonment to Mallana, his two sons Bikashawath and Anaveerappa and his relative Basavaraj under Section 3(XI) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and other offences.

Mallana, in his plea, contended the order of conviction was illegal, arbitrary and erroneous as there was a delay of over 24 hours in registering the FIR and further only interested witnesses were examined in the case.

According to the prosecution, Bikashawath had entered the house of the victim on January 27, 2008, and outraged her modesty by holding her hands.

When she raised a hue and cry, other family members arrived in the house and held the accused to hand him over to the police.

But, meanwhile, Mallana and others arrived and set free the accused and further abused her by taking the name of her caste.

The trial court had on June 8, 2011, sentenced the four people for the offence of outraging the modesty of the victim and confining her and other offences under the SC/ST Act.The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is conducting its 17th annual convocation on January 9 (Tuesday) at 11 am at its headquarters Jnana Sangama here.



All India Council for Technical Education chairman Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe will deliver the convocation address, while Governor and Chancellor Vajubhai Vala will preside. Higher Education Minister and pro-chancellor Basavaraj Rayareddi will grace the occasion.

Vice Chancellor Dr Karisiddappa told reporters here on Wednesday that honorary degree of Doctor of Science will be conferred on Indian Space Research Organisation chairman A S Kiran Kumar and Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, Mumbai.

At the convocation, VTU is conferring 61,790 BE, 384 BArch, 4,592 MBA, 2,741 MCA, 4,347 MTech, 15 MArch, 20 MSc (engineering) degrees. This year, the varsity is awarding 302 doctrates to research scholars, the highest so far, he added.BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, on Wednesday, accused MLC Basavaraj Horatti of indulging in selfish politics over the separate Lingayat religion issue.

Addressing the gathering at a function here, he said Horatti was creating confusion through his statement that a few BJP legislators were also backing the demand for a separate Lingayat religion.

Yeddyurappa said he would abide by the stand of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the Siddaganga seer and other Veerashaiva pontiffs.

The former chief minister said BJP legislators were united. Veerashaiva and Lingayat were the same and that the Congress was bent upon dividing the community, in particular, and the society in general.Hindu organisations Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Durgavahini women's wing today began a 15-day awareness programme in the district against 'Love Jihad', the organisers said. They took out a rally from the Sri Laxmi Narayana Temple here to mark the start of the programme.



Love Jihad is a term used by sections of Hindu activists to describe marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men, who they claim seek to propagate Islam. The organisers said workers of the three outfits would visit colleges, workplaces and homes in the district to distribute pamphlets to create awareness on "Love Jihad". Awareness programmes would be conducted in each ward, committees formed in parts of the coastal district and monthly meetings held to prevent young girls becoming 'Love Jihad' victims, they said.



VHP working president M B Puranik and Bajrang Dal convenor Sharan Pumpwell led the rally. The issue of religious conversions figured in the "Dharma Sansad", a conclave of Hindu seers, mutt heads and VHP leaders on November 26 last year at Udupi. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke about religious conversion and the need to reach out to those who are prone to it.Wearing "tight" and "fashionable" burqa is against the tenets of Islam, according to the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom, Deoband.



A fatwa (religious decree) issued by the seminary - based in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district - about 500km from here, said Islam did not permit women to do anything that was unnecessary and might attract the attention of the men.

"Tight and fashionable burqas expose women's bodies and attract men... the women must avoid them," the fatwa, which was issued in response to a query, said.

The Darul Ifta (Department of Fatwa) of the seminary said in the religious decree that the objective of wearing a burqa was to "hide" the body and avoid attention from men.

The clerics of the seminary said women should not even venture out of their homes unnecessarily.

"They should cover their bodies in such a way that no portion of it is exposed," the fatwa said.

The fatwa evoked a mixed reaction from Muslim women. While a section of them agreed with it, others said that there was no need for such a fatwa.

"What the fatwa says is right. Tight and designer burqas should not be worn," said All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board chairperson Shaista Amber.

Women's activist Naish Hasan, however, said there was no need for issuing such a fatwa.

She said that it was an attempt to divert the attention of the community from important issues it was facing.

Other fatwas have been issued by the Darul Uloom in the past.The Finance Ministry has approved a proposal for infusion of Rs 7,577 crore in six weak public sector banks (PSBs) as part of the recapitalisation plan to bolster capital adequacy ratio.



All these banks, which got capital support, are under the prompt corrective action of the Reserve Bank of India.

The funding comes under the Indradhanush scheme of the government, which promised Rs 70,000 crore over a period of four years ending March 2019.

Lenders, which will receive capital through the preferential issue of shares, include Bank of India, IDBI Bank and UCO Bank. The actual fund infusion will take place in the next few weeks, after they get the necessary regulatory approval, including a nod from shareholders.

UCO Bank on Wednesday announced approval of the board for the proposal to issue equity shares on preferential basis to the government, against the capital contribution of Rs 1,375 crore subject to necessary approval.

Besides, Central Bank of India said that the capital raising committee of the board approved raising of equity capital by allotting up to 3.88 crore shares at the issue price of Rs 83.15 per unit, aggregating to Rs 323 crore.

At the same time, the government has decided to infuse Rs 2,257 crore in Bank of India, Rs 2,729 crore in IDBI Bank, Rs 650 crore in Bank of Maharashtra, and Rs 243 crore in Dena Bank.

While the government decides the mode for the recapitalisation of all state-run banks, it advanced the release of funds to these six banks to help them meet their equity requirements and enable them to resume normal business and help them come out of prompt corrective action.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in October had announced an unprecedented Rs 2.11 lakh crore two-year roadmap to strengthen PSBs, reeling under high non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans. Their NPAs have increased to Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of June 2017, from Rs 2.75 lakh crore in March 2015.

The plan includes floating recapitalisation bonds of Rs 1.35 lakh crore and raising Rs 58,000 crore from the market by diluting governments stake.

The government is working on the modalities for issuing the recapitalisation bonds, as it aims to front-load the infusion with an aim to strengthen the state-owned banking sector, sources said, adding that the announcement in this respect, including detailed guidelines, will be made during this month.

Jaitley had also announced that banks would get about Rs 18,000 crore under Indradhanush over the next two years.

Under the Indradhanush roadmap announced in 2015, the government had announced infusion of Rs 70,000 crore in the state- owned banks over four years, while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the market to meet their capital requirement in line with global risk norms, known as Basel-III.

In the last three-and-a-half years, the government pumped Rs 51,858 crore capital in the PSBs. The remaining Rs 18,142 crore will be injected into the banks over the next two years.The Karnatak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has planned to call a meeting of people's representatives of the region, to raise the demands to establish large and medium industries in North Karnataka region, to properly implement Dr Nanjudappa Committee report to remove regional imbalance, and to shift offices of some departments from Bengaluru to Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi.



KCCI President V P Linganagoudar told media persons here on Wednesday that Union Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar has assured to sanction a Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) for this region, if the State Government identifies place and submits a proposal.

The government has been urged to take up the second phase development of the multi-purpose exhibition centre near the APMC. Steps should also be taken to further develop Tarihal, Gokul Road, Lakamanahalli and Rayapur industrial estates. APMC cess should be reduced, while cotton mills should be revived. The work to set up a maize park on 40 acres of land at Ranebennur should be speeded up. The KCCI would make organised efforts on all these issues, he said.

Police commissioner and HDMC commissioner would be urged to take steps to reduce the traffic congestion in the twin cities. Hubballi-Ankola railway line project implementation, direct flight between Hubballi and New Delhi, daily flight between Hubballi and Mumbai, and speedy settlement for Mahadayi dispute are also the major demands of the KCCI, Mr Linganagoudar added.

Daily flight

Air India Manager Manjunath noted that a proposal would be sent to make Hubballi-Mumbai flight a daily service, as the response for tri-weekly service is very good. Rs 1,575 is the fare if a ticket is booked at least 10 days in

advance, he said.

KCCI Vice-Presidents Mahendra Laddad, Ashok Tolanavar, G K Adappagoudar, Honorary Secretary Vinay Javali, and others were present.Terming the grants under the Central Road Fund (CRF) as the right of the State Government, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister H C Mahadevappa stated that he has already approved 19 road works in the twin cities, worth around Rs 200 crore, under the the second phase of the CRF.



Speaking after performing Bhoomi Pooja for the development of Tender SURE road from Arts College Circle in Vidyanagar to Tolanakere via Shirur Park here on Wednesday, he noted that the CRF grants are the tax amount collected on fuel consumption in the State, reimbursed to the State Government by the Union Government.

The Union Government has in principle approved to upgrade around 6,000 kms of roads in the State into national highways, and with that, the State would have 14,000 kms of national highways. In last four-and-a-half years, the State Government has developed 31,000 kms of core road network covering all Assembly segments, without any political discrimination, he said.

Earlier, the PWD had sanctioned Rs seven crore for the development of 2.2 km long Shirur Park road. Later, the government accepted the constructive suggestion by the Opposition, and approved Rs 35 crore Tender SURE work on this stretch. Hubballi-Dharwad BRTS Company Limited is contributing Rs eight crore for this project. It shows how a long-lasting and modern work can be taken up if leaders of all political parties work together. Gokul Road is also being concretised at a cost f Rs 27 crore, Mr Mahadevappa noted, adding that Hubballi-Dharwad should also develop on the lines of Bengaluru and Mysuru.

'Call tenders'

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar urged Mr Mahadevappa to start the tender process for around Rs 200 crore worth road development works under the CRF, as works only worth Rs 150 crore are taken up so far. He also sought funds to develop a road connecting Tolanakere to airport, as a parallel road to Gokul Road.

"We will pressurise Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to approve the DPR forwarded by the State Government on the proposal to construct flyovers at Chennamma Circle and Jubilee Circle in Dharwad, and to provide additional funds required," Mr Shettar added.

MLC Basavaraj Horatti lamented that all political parties are concentrating on the development of Bengaluru alone, where only 23% of residents are Kannadigas.

Like people's representatives of Old Mysuru region, elected representatives in this region also should make united efforts and should forget politics while taking up development works, he said, stressing the need to complete BRTS project implementation fast.

'Future road'

Jana Urban Space Foundation co-founder Swati Ramanathan, who provided designs for the project, stated that Tender SURE road would prevent repeated road digging for utility line laying or repairing, but people have to tolerate the inconvenience for one year of implementation period. Both BJP and Congress governments have shown the will to implement Tender SURE roads in Bengaluru, without any politics, she added.

District In-chanrge Minister Vinay Kulkarni, and Corporator Mahesh Burli also spoke. Mayor D K Chavan, MLA Aravind Bellad, MLC Pradeep Shettar, Karnataka Balavikas Academy Chairman Vedavyas Kaulagi, NWKRTC Chairman Sadanand Danganavar, and others were present.

H C Mahadevappa, Jagadish Shettar and Swati Ramanathan were felicitated on the occasion.A day after avian flu hit Bengaluru, surveillance measures have been intensified.



In a meeting called by the additional chief secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ajay Seth, officials were asked to take measures to intensify the surveillance activities up to 10 kilometres radius of the affected area.

District collector, police commissioner and officials from the Health Department attended the meeting.

"We have asked to cull the chickens in one-kilometre radius. But there are no poultry farms in this area. We are also conducting house-to-house surveillance to know if people are infected," Ajay Seth said.

He added that people, as well as doctors, were being informed about the flu. They can inform the department if they find any such cases.

"As of now, there is nothing to panic," he added.

The avian flu has not spread from Yelahanka zone, confirmed Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner, health, BBMP.

"We along with the Health Department have taken proper precautionary measures and there is no need to be panic. The officials have been instructed to report us immediately if they find there is a report about infection," Khan said.Citizens are responding with little enthusiasm to the Provisional Revised Master Plan 2031 prepared by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).



The authority has received just 1,550 responses since November 2017, when it announced the plan and invited responses.

BDA commissioner Rakesh Singh admitted the response was poor, but was optimistic the numbers would increase towards the January 23 deadline.

The BDA is dividing the responses into categories such as cartography, demography and economy, environment, governance, heritage and urban design, land use zoning, physical infrastructure, traffic and transport, zoning regulations, and miscellaneous.

Keep it brief

A BDA official said citizens should send in their responses briefly, and specify categories, if possible. A separate response in each category is advised, he said.

The BDA website is not user-friendly and it is difficult to download plan files, citizens complained.

Many resident welfare associations, historians and government officials are still drafting their responses.



RWAs thinking

N S Mukund, Citizens Action Forum, said members of the forum had just finished analysing the master plan.

"People have not yet been able to absorb what it says. The master plan is a very heavy document," he told DH.

The forum plans to make RWAs aware of what the plan contains, and collect their responses.

Rajeev G, a resident of Jayanagar who attended the BDA's public consultation, said responding to the plan is pointless as what citizens had suggested earlier has not been incorporated.

"I spent about 15 days reading the master plan and realised it is a futile exercise. There is no coordination within government agencies. The master plan is a mere budget speech, giving no details," he said.

Layout switch

The BDA has published a list of Arkavathy Layout site allottees eligible for sites of the same dimension in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout.

It has received 300 applications, and is scrutinising them for allotment in Phase 2 of the Kempegowda Layout.

The response to Phase 2 has been poor, an official said. The BDA opened bookings on December 19.

BoX

More details in Kannada

The BDA web page provides more information in Kannada than in English. That is because the documents are written in Kannada, and translation is time-consuming, an official said.

"We focus more on Kannada in keeping with the orders of the Kannada Development Authority," he said.

Citizens who can't read Kannada say they are missing out on the details. "There are many in Bengaluru who can't read Kannada, but regularly browse the BDA website," said Sampath K, a citizen.

BoX



Jan 23 deadline

Citizens can download a two-page form from the BDA website and use it to send in their suggestions and objections to the plan. January 23 is the last date to file responses.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday snubbed Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Lok Sabha for questioning the rationale of the government's efforts to get Hindi official language status at the United Nations.



"Your comment that Hindi is spoken only in India reflects your ignorance, nothing else," Swaraj told Tharoor during Question Hour. Her comment was prompted by Tharoor's argument that Hindi was not the national language of India and, hence, the government should not waste resources to promote Hindi and make it an official language at the United Nations.

Swaraj informed the Lower House of Parliament the efforts of the government to get "due recognition" for Hindi at the United Nations. In response to a question, she told the House that a resolution had to be passed by a two-thirds majority by the United Nations General Assembly to make Hindi an official language of the international organisation.

Cites Act

Tharoor, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, cited the Official Languages Act of 1963 to drive home the point that Hindi and English were both official languages of India. He also cited the Gujarat High Court's observation in 2010 that Hindi was not the national language of India. "So, for us to be spending government resources in seeking to promote Hindi in this manner raises an important question," the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram said while posing a supplementary question to the External Affairs Minister.

He said that Hindi was only used as an official language of India and it was not an official language in Mauritius, Surinam and in some other countries.

"If indeed, we have a Prime Minister or a Foreign Minister, who prefers to speak in Hindi (at the United Nations), they can do so and we can pay for that speech to be translated. Why should we put our future Foreign Ministers and Prime Ministers, who may be from Tamil Nadu or West Bengal, in a position where they are condemned to be speaking a language for which we are paying?" wondered Tharoor, who earlier served as Under Secretary General of the United Nations.

"I understand the pride of Hindi speakers in this country. But people in this country who do not speak Hindi also take pride in speaking other Indian languages," he said.

Swaraj said that Hindi was an official language, not only for India but also for Fiji.

"There are Hindi-speaking people in Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius and Surinam. The Non-Resident Indian people in the United States do speak in Hindi. Hindi is also spoken in Nepal," said Swaraj to dismiss the argument of Tharoor.The word 'Braille' has become synonymous with the cluster of raised dots on a piece of paper which the blind would run their fingers over to read.



But the much revered coded text for the blind actually bears the name of its French inventor, whose birthday organisations and blind individuals across the globe celebrate on January 4.

"This is an important day for the community," said R Anand from the city-based NGO, IAR India. "This is more to remind the community and the wider world about the importance of the coded dots that help millions of people with blindness to gain knowledge."

Anand, an instructor for the blind, believes that Braille literacy has been on the decline for the past 10 years, "thanks to the advancement in voice-guided technology that allows the blind to work with ease on computers and smartphones".

"Braille provides the basic building block for learning," agrees Madhu Singhal, managing trustee of Mitra Jyothi, involved in training and empowerment of the blind in the city. "There are several organisations that spend a lot of time transcribing textbooks and other study materials into Braille, which help those who cannot afford computer or mobile phones."

The fact that Braille is cheap and readily accessible without complicated contraptions makes it the system of choice for several persons with blindness. "There's a debate in the community whether Braille is still relevant in the world of technology, but there's no doubt that it has its place," Madhu insists.

"Even today, it's easier to teach Braille to a blind child than technology, though no one can dispute the advantages technology has brought."

Anand said people going blind later in their lives usually struggle to learn Braille. "On the special day, my request would be that blind people should take Braille seriously," he said. "Even the government agencies should take up campaigns to promote Braille literacy."Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister, K J George, has instructed the officials to complete the construction of the multi-speciality hospital in Shivajinagar by February 15.



The hospital is being built by the BBMP in association with Narayana Health.

George, Urban Development Minister and Shivajinagar MLA, R Roshan Baig, Mayor R Sampath Raj and BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad inspected the hospital site on Wednesday and instructed the officials to open it to the public next month. The team also visited an under-construction Indira Canteen in the Jayamahal ward.

This apart, officials were given instructions to set up 'transfer stations' so that waste is taken directly from auto-tippers to waste segregation units.

FKCCI meeting

At a meeting, FKCCI members requested the mayor to develop more roads under the TenderSURE project. He promised to consider the request.

In the evening, Raj visited rooftop pubs and bars in Banaswadi and promised to issue notices to all unauthorised establishments.The much-awaited tiger census will commence from January 8 and the safari will be closed during this period, from January 7 to 13.



The Forest department has advanced the census and closed safari to ensure that staffers are not strained and animals are not disturbed, said a forest official.

Also, for the first time the lone tiger residing in Banneraghatta National Park (BNP) will also be included in the census.

The staffers of BNP will also be trained for the census. However, this time there is little scope for volunteers as the department is keen to ensure that it is a serious business.

Also for the first time, the Forest department will be using M- Stripe app's ecological feature to upload data and share it with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

M- Stripe is an upgraded version of Karnataka's Huli app. These apps are not available on Play Store.

Chief Conservator of Forests, Manoj Kumar, nodal officer for the census explained that M- Stripe has patrolling, ecological and conflict modules. Details of the census will be uploaded on the ecological module.

The app is not online. Ground staffers will take photos of carnivores, pug marks and other details with GPS coordinates on the app.

It will be stored on the backup file of the phone. At the end of the day, the data will be uploaded and sent to the nodal officer, who in turn will upload it to NTCA and WII.

Tiger deaths

Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai said that there are chances that the tiger population could have come down this time because of the number of deaths due to various reasons.

According to NTCA records, India lost 93 tigers in 2017, of which 12 were from Karnataka.

Last year 100 tigers died in India and 16 of them were from Karnataka.

Kumar said that though NTCA had given time to complete the training and census by February and August, Karnataka is keen to complete it by end of January, as dry seasons starts from February and the staff needs to concentrate on ensuring that there are no forest fires.

Camera traps are being increased inside the forests and added beyond tiger reserve boundaries.

Habitat quality, carnivore and mega herbivore (elephant and gaur) population will also be assessed across the landscapes, said Punati Sridhar, PCCF (Wildlife).Tara Prabhu, the 40-year-old homemaker murdered in Central Bengaluru last week, was killed by her lover when she demanded that he repay Rs 11.8 lakh she had lent him, the Commercial Street police said.



Gopinath, the 35-year-old suspect, told the police that Tara had threatened to inform his wife about their affair, besides filing a rape complaint against him if he failed to repay the money.

Tara's decomposed body was found in her mother Sarala's home on Sangam Road near Commercial Street on Monday. Police believe she was murdered three or four days earlier.

Gopinath was a friend of Tara's husband Prabhu Kumar, a small-time moneylender. He had gone to their home for the first time in January 2016. Kumar introduced him to Tara and their children. As time passed by, Gopinath and Tara became friends and started an affair.

Gopinath borrowed Rs 11.8 lakh from Tara but failed to repay it in time.

On December 29, 2017, Tara invited Gopinath over to her mother's house. Once he arrived, she told him she urgently needed money to release some jewellery she had pledged with a pawnbroker. She asked him to return the money. Gopinath sought some time, saying he didn't have any money right then.

But Tara had no patience to listen to him and told him that if he failed to return the money, she would file a rape case against him besides informing his wife and relatives about their illicit relationship.

Sensing that she was adamant, he decided to kill her. He smothered her with a pillow, slit her throat and locked the door from outside and fled the spot, according to the police.The triple talaq bill hit a hurdle in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with the Opposition stalling a debate on it.



This came after the government refused to accede to the Opposition's demand for sending the bill to a select committee to correct what they claimed was "faulty".

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, at 3 pm amid high drama in a noisy House with Congress' Anand Sharma and Trinamool Congress' Sukhendu Shekhar Roy moving almost identical motions, asking the bill to be referred to a select committee.

The House was adjourned 50 minutes later as the Opposition, which has numerical superiority over the government, insisted on a division over its amendment to the motion for considering the bill.

The bill will now come up for consideration on Thursday.

Moving the bill, Prasad said the Supreme Court on August 22 "called triple talaq as unconstitutional... The judges appealed to Parliament to come out with a law."

As the Opposition created a ruckus, Prasad said that they were "deliberately stalling" the passage of the bill that is in favour of women.

The BJP asked the Congress why it was creating stumbling blocks while it supported the bill in the Lok Sabha when it was passed.

The Opposition then clarified that they were in favour of the bill but wanted it to be vetted by a select committee.

Sharma and Roy, as well as other Opposition MPs, demanded a vote on sending the bill to a select committee, leading to sloganeering from the ruling and the Opposition benches.

Besides the Congress, SP and TMC, the names proposed by Sharma and Roy for the panel included leaders from the AIADMK, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI, CPM, TDP, RJD, BJD, JMM, IUML and nominated member K T S Tulsi.

The leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sought to find fault with the amendments moved by the Opposition, saying it was not in order.

Jaitley also said that Sharma's motion was "invalid", saying Rule 70 (sub-rule 2a) cited by the Congress leader was not applicable because the bill did not originate from the Upper House.

Jaitley also said that the notice for setting up a select committee was not given in advance and this was a violation of parliamentary procedure.

As the Opposition continued to protest, the ministers and BJP MPs were on their feet asking, "Is it wrong to give respect to women?"

Sharma countered them saying the Congress respects women's rights and supports the bill.

"We are not opposing, we are supporting it. We are not hypocrites. We want to ensure the bill goes through legislative scrutiny. If you respect women, you should bring the women's reservation bill," Sharma said.The Union Environment Ministry plans to convert 10 popular sea beaches into international quality Blue Flag destination in 2018 to ensure cleanliness and safety of these beaches.



Of the 10 beaches, Karnataka's Malpe beach has been listed on the Blue Flag list. Tourism Director Manjula said that it was a welcome decision. "We had listed this beach as it fits into most of 33 categories listed by the ministry to select," she said.

All the coastal states have nominated the pilot beaches. Formal nominations are, however, awaited from Union territories like Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Environment ministry sources told DH Andaman would be the only place from where two beaches might be selected for the Blue Flag certification.

These ten beaches are being taken up as demonstration projects. Once they are cleaned up, 90 more beaches would be turned into Blue Flag zones.

The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education to ensure following a set of stringent standards to clean up the popular seaside destinations. None of the Indian beaches carry this certification, while Spain has 578 Blue Flag beaches.

Other countries with a large number of Blue Flag beaches are Turkey (436), Greece (395), Italy (342) and Portugal (299).

The developmental activities along the beach would include the creation of toilets and proper management of the waste material generated by tourists.

According to the existing Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) regulations, developmental activities are permitted in CRZ-2 (urban) and CRZ-3 (rural) areas. However, construction is prohibited in the CRZ-1 areas, which is they are between the high tide line and low tide line along the 7,500 km coastline.

"There is an absolute no-no on the developmental activities on 10% of coastline. On the remaining part, certain construction activities can be allowed with certain conditions," said an official.

The CRZ norms are under review at the green ministry, which is yet to come out with the fresh draft of the new norms.

Meanwhile, a tussle between the environment and finance ministries led to an impasse on spending nearly Rs 40,000 crore, parked in a Supreme Court-monitored kitty known as compensatory afforestation fund (CAMPA).

While the finance ministry wanted the transfer of the money to the consolidated fund of India before spending, the green ministry favoured spending under a separate head for better monitoring and utilisation of the fund, sources said.Lives of around 340 people flying from London to Mumbai on New Year day were put in peril as pilots fought each other and one leaving the cockpit.



The incident took place on the Jet Airways flight and the airline has de-rostered both the pilots.

The airline has reported the matter to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The incident took place when the Commander of the plane, which was flying 324 passengers and 14 crew members, is reported to have slapped the woman co-pilot mid-air following which she left the cockpit.

She was in tears and after much coaxing by cabin crew, she then returned the cockpit. However, a fight once again broke out between the pilots prompting the woman co-pilot to once again come out.

This panicked the cabin crew who kept on requesting the co-pilot to return to the cockpit keeping in mind the safety of fliers, whose journey time was nine hours.

In between, the commander also left the cockpit to request the co-pilot to return. This was against safety protocol.

According to Jet Airways, a "misunderstanding" occurred between the cockpit crew. However, it was "quickly resolved amicably" and the flight continued its journey to Mumbai and landed safely.The medical education department's decision to demolish a block in the Vani Vilas Hospital has left conservation architects, structural engineers and the donor's family in deep shock.



A day after DH carried a report on the department's move to demolish the Sajjan Rao Block adjoining Vani Vilas, members of the philanthropist's family expressed their anguish and asked the authorities not to act in haste.

The department said drilling of the underground tunnel for the metro rail has damaged the building, and asked for

Rs 48 crore as compensation to raze and rebuild the SR Block, besides repairing four other edifices in the hospital premises.

Ajay Kadam, Rao's great grandson and administrator of the Subramanyaswamy Temple Trust, said the decision to break down the building has deeply upset the family.

Rao donated Rs 50,000 for the construction of the building in the early 1930s to set up a specialised maternity ward.

"Young women were dying at childbirth due to inadequate facilities, which prompted Sajjan Rao to donate the money. (But) it is unfortunate that today it faces the threat of demolition," Kadam rued.

A regular visitor to the hospital, Kadam said the building's structural damage was noticed only after the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) began the construction of the metro rail line. He also added that the building was neglected for several years.

"There was no adequate planning on the part of the BMRCL, which blames the age of the structure instead of taking the onus," Kadam said. "How can a sturdy 80-year-old building suddenly develop deep cracks if not for the excavation (to lay the rail line)? The building is strong despite its age."

The BMRCL acted with care while drilling the tunnel before the Vidhana Soudha. The corporation even hauled away the Ambedkar statue to ensure its safety. "But there are so many heritage buildings in the area and the government has not acted with caution," Kadam said.

He said the government should consult structural experts before taking further action. "Modern technology is available to restore the building; it can be saved. I will write to the medical education minister, requesting him to revisit the matter," he said.

Intach's conservation architect Pankaj Modi said the organisation would write to the government to restore the building.

"It's an iconic building. Ironically, it is listed and mapped in the revised master plan 2031 as a heritage building", he said.Conservation architect Sathya Prakash Varanashi pointed out that load-bearing wall structures could be easily restored, even if the building's foundation was weak.

"A majority of the heritage structures in the country are load-bearing wall structures," Varanashi said. "There are examples of many of them being restored effectively."

He faulted the government for not taking opinions of the subject experts.In a swift action, the Mangaluru police arrested four people suspected who are suspected to have murdered BJP activist Deepak Rao (32) at Surathkal on Wednesday.



The police chased the car in which the suspects had come. As they did not stop, the police opened fire at the car and brought it to a halt at Mijar near Moodbidri.

The arrested have been identified as Pinki Nawaz, Naushad, Rizwan and Nishan, police sources in Mangaluru said.

As the Hindu organisations and the BJP have planned to take out a massive funeral procession on Thursday, the police have clamped prohibitory orders from 10 pm on Wednesday to 10 pm Thursday to prevent untoward incidents.

Speaking to DH in Bengaluru, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that he has directed ADGP (Law and Order) Kamal Pant to visit Surathkal to take stock of the situation and conduct a thorough investigation.

Pant has been directed to deploy KSRP forces in sensitive areas, the home minister added.

Surathkal bandh today

Hindu Jagarana Vedike Dakshina Kannada district president Kishore Kumar said in Mangaluru that the Vedike, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have called for a bandh at Katipalla, Surathkal and Kulai on Thursday to protest Rao's murder.

Meanwhile, it is suspected that a clash related to tying of flexes during a religious programme on December 1 could have led to Rao's murder.

The Muslims in the coastal district had observed Eid-Milad on December 1.

A 'Bhoothakola,' a Hindu religious event, at Katipalla Kaikamba temple was also held on the same day. Every year during the 'Bhoothakola', the organisers put up flexes at a particular spot. However on December 1, the Muslim youths had put up a flex at the same spot, which had led to a clash between two groups, it is said.According to the police, there are no criminal cases against Rao. However, preliminary investigation has shown that he was in the group that had an altercation with the other group over putting up a flex on December 1. The police are investigating into the issue as well, a source said.A majority of rooftop pubs and bars in the city are illegal, BBMP officials admitted on Wednesday.



DH visited some watering holes in the central business district. Many operate on rooftops, with no approved building plan.

What it means: managements brazenly flout building and fire-safety regulations, and friendly officials turn a blind eye to the violations.

It also means people unwittingly risk their lives when they go to these pubs and bars.

Lady Baga, a bar and restaurant specialising in seafood, is located on Lavelle Road. The approved building plan shows a ground floor and first floor, but all the action is on the rooftop. Similar is the case with Attic, a bar near Lady Baga.

Mayor R Sampath Raj blamed the managements. "Not only do they have no plan sanctions, they have also not compiled with fire safety norms. They have no emergency staircases either."

He said notices were issued to 40 rooftop pubs and bars.

BBMP will also act against senior health officers who allowed the setting up of rooftop bars, he said.

But for pubs and bars facing the prospect of closure, this is just a routine threat. They are confident they will be back in business within a day or two.

One of the owners said his bar, closed following the issue of a notice, would reopen "after a meeting with the officials".

He was instructing his employees to get fire-safety stickers ready. When DH asked him why enforcement was kicking in only now, he said, "Maybe they are just doing their job after receiving a call from their higher authorities."

The action against the pubs and bars comes in the wake of the Kamala Mills fire tragedy in Mumbai, which claimed the lives of 14 guests at a rooftop pub, Sampath Raj said.

"Many roads in Bengaluru are so narrow fire engines can't enter them. These rooftop bars use bamboo which catches fire easily," he explained.

Vijayan Menon, activist from Citizens Action Forum, said enforcement was welcome since it could make a difference between life and death.

"It is a good initiative but nothing will change unless there is some legal action," he said.

BBMP has issued notices to 17 roof-top pubs in Indiranagar alone. "They have no approved building plans to operate on their rooftops," a senior BBMP official said.Yes. I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home.

No. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage.

I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it.

Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time.

Vote

View ResultsA new small cell network of 150 sites across the city of San Diego will have an antenna located in Carmel Valley. The Mobilitie antenna and equipment will be located on a streetlight on 2602 1/3 Carmel Country Road, near the entrance to the Elysian condominium complex.

At least one Carmel Valley resident, Amnon Ptashek, has expressed concerns about the potential health impacts of placing a site emitting radio frequency emissions so close to a residential neighborhood. Ptashek was involved in the fight in 2014 to oppose a cell tower placement on the Carmel Valley Library. The sites were proposed to be enclosed in cupolas (towers with domed roofs) and petitioners successfully kept the antennas off the library and re-located on the shopping center across the street.

Im not against modernization, what Im trying to say is that where there are libraries, schools, residences, the city should be more careful, Ptashek said.

The proposed node locations are selected by the wireless carrier based on network needs, according to Paul Brencick, the senior public information officer for the Development Services Department.

Mobilite is required to obtain a master use and occupancy permit to allow for the installation of the small cell network. Each of the networks 150 sites will be installed on city-owned streetlights. Each site will consist of a subterranean vault, a single microwave backhaul system (called UE Relays) and an antenna with associated radio and equipment within a cabinet that would be placed on the existing streetlight.

The City of San Diego conducted an environmental review that determined the project would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, said Brencick.

The project meets the criteria in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) which allows for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the determination. The project would result in a negligible expansion of use, Brencick said.

The notice of the right to appeal the environmental determination went out on Nov. 21, giving 10 business days to appeal. Ptashek said it seemed unfair that that the timeline to appeal was over the Thanksgiving holiday and that to file an appeal or suggest an alternative, residents had to physically go downtown, it could not be mailed or e-mailed.

The Carmel Valley Community Planning Board also missed the window to respond as it was dark in December and its next meeting is not until the end of January.

Ptashek was in the electrical technology field for several years as well as the mobile healthcare software industry. With his experience working for a communications company and operating communications equipment, he said he knows that the more people consume data these days, the cell site needs to be smaller more bandwidth is needed for video, social networking and for 5G (fifth generation wireless systems) communication.

The cell site is shrinking and they need to put in more sites, which I understand. Using city light poles makes sense because it reduces infrastructure and consumption of electricity if you do it nicely, Ptashek said. But to put the site in a distance of 20 feet from a bedroom just doesnt make sense.

Ptashek said there are alternatives to be considered, such as to locate sites where people are coming and going but not slowly radiating at a very low power at a short distance somewhere like a parking lot.

Ptashek has argued that to be close to a cell tower is like putting your head in a very slow-cooking microwave but due to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, states and local governments cannot consider potential health impacts of RF radiation from cell towers when a wireless company files an application to install one.

The bottom line is it is what it is, Ptashek said. You need to appeal by architectural or other reasons.

While his concerns may not be heard in this case, he hopes that some city planning efforts will be made to keep future installations farther away from where people live as he believes the distance does make a difference.

Earlier this year, Senate Bill 649 was proposed to streamline Californias process to install small cells like this site. The bill wouldve allowed the construction of cellular antennas on public property without local review in an effort to ensure that communities across the state have access to the most advanced communications technologies and keep up with growing demands for 5G.

In addition to providing that a small cell is a permitted use, per the bill language there would be a cap on the amount that could be charged for leasing the space, an amount not to exceed $250 for each small cell attached to local infrastructure.

Rent is different for each type of telecommunication equipment or location in San Diego, according to Brencick. The current rate for small cell sites is $4,000 per site, per year. Currently, San Diego is making approximately $4.2 million annually on telecommunication agreements.

In July the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board wrote a letter urging Mayor Kevin Faulconer to oppose the bill, as it would take away community input on the visual impact of cell sites as well as the siting of equipment. Senate Bill 649 passed the senate and the assembly but Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill in October.Save my User ID and Password

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Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.Subscriber content preview

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP)  An Alaska company was awarded a multi-million-dollar water utility expansion project in North Pole.

Exclusive Paving will connect about 700 more parcels in and around the city to the municipal water system, according to a project description provided by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.





. . .Subscriber content preview

The 8.6-mile line between Tillamook and Oceanside would improve electrical grid reliability.



SALEM, Ore. (AP)  A proposed electrical transmission line in northwestern Oregon has run into opposition from landowners in its path.

The Tillamook Public Utility District says the 8.6-mile line between Tillamook and Oceanside will improve the reliability of the electrical grid. Currently, a single distribution line serves about 3,000 properties in the Oceanside area, which is three times more prone to outages than other areas on the grid, said Todd Simmons, the district's general manager.





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Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of ZimbabweNYPD investigating 'ISIS selfies' outside NYC museum: report

Authorities in New York are reportedly investigating photographs of a possible ISIS supporter taking selfies outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in view of One World Trade Center.The chilling images, that began circulating on social media over the weekend, shows an individual posing while wearing an ISIS-branded scarf over his face.The picture was captioned with We are in your own Backyard, according to The New York Daily News.The NYPD is aware of the photograph. As with all terror related threats, the NYPD is looking into the incident. At this time there are no credible threats related to New York City, an NYPD spokesman told the newspaper on Tuesday.Another photograph subject to the investigation is a snap of a person holding a phone with an ISIS flag in the shadows of the One World Trade Center building. The image was reportedly taken in a similar spot where, weeks later, the Manhattan truck attacker killed eight people.Eric Feinberg, the co-founder of GIPEC, a cyber-intelligence company that tracks terrorism-related hashtags, told the Daily News that imagery like that are aimed at spreading fear and possibly inspiring so-called lone wolf attacks.But he warned that it remains unclear whether the pictures are authentic, adding that they may have been doctored. Maybe its Photoshopped, maybe its not. It should be taken seriously, he said.The attempts to induce fear and inspire lone jihadists have increased since ISIS retreat in Iraq and Syria, where the group lost most of its territory and fighters to the U.S.-led military campaign. Increasingly, the group tends to focus on inciting terror attacks in Europe and the U.S. rather than recruiting militants to the Caliphate.Last month, a Bangladeshi man, Akayed Ullah, reportedly inspired by the terror group attempted to commit a bomb attack inside New Yorks Port Authority bus terminal during rush hour.Indian and Chinese security forces are locked in a standoff near Bishing in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district for close to a week now, reports today said, citing the Indian security establishment. Chinese soldiers with road-building machines crossed up to 200 metres into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh in late December, almost reaching a border village in the Upper Siang district before Indian troops stopped them, locals in the border state told Hindustan Times (HT). The standoff began after troops of India's Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army were informed by local villagers that a Chinese road-building team had entered India with bulldozers. ''My friend was driving to a place which lies beyond Tuting. He was stopped by the Army, who said he cannot go further because a standoff between Indian and Chinese soldiers is on. The locals there too had confirmed this to my friend,'' an Arunachal-based lawyer-activist told The New Indian Express (NIE). China's latest incursion comes four months after the two nuclear-armed neighbours ended a tense border standoff at Doklam plateau near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. It is unusual for this time of the year as the Chinese rarely launch incursions in winter. A security establishment source told HT that there is ''no face-off now'' but that the ''Chinese have left their road construction material on the site''. Locals say Indian security personnel intercepted the Chinese troops near Bising village under Tuting subdivision along the eastern bank of Siang River. Indian soldiers confronted their Chinese counterparts and seized their road construction machines including two excavators. Some of the locals said they are not being allowed to go beyond Geling village, the next administrative circle after Tuting town and towards the border with China. A source in the security establishment said the standoff began before the new year and ''is continuing as we speak''. Another source said, ''We do not want to escalate matters and make a Doklam out of it. So the government has asked us not to go public.'' He was referring to the 72-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam in Bhutan last year that had escalated tension between the neighbours. HT has learnt that the incursion took place around a week to 10 days ago, almost coinciding with a meeting of the special representatives of India and China in New Delhi. The two representatives, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Member of Politburo of Communist Party of China's Central Committee Yang Jiechi on 22 December, stressed the need to resolve border differences at the earliest and discussed confidence-building measures to ensure peace. Duli Kamduk, the deputy commissioner of Upper Siang, told the paper, ''Our officials in Tuting subdivision have not reported any Chinese incursion. There is no word from the armed forces too.'' An Army spokesperson did not respond to queries. Army officials in the Northeast said any denial or confirmation of the incident was in the domain of the army headquarters. The armies disengaged after China promised to make ''necessary adjustments'' to their troop deployment, and Indian troops withdrew to their posts in Sikkim. In a narrative pieced together by NIE from sources in Arunachal Pradesh, last week, probably around 28 December, the Chinese road-building team was spotted by villagers. The team included civilians as well as uniformed personnel. The villagers informed a local policeman, who in turn alerted the ITBP deployed in Medog, near Bishing. The area is north of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, called Siang in India, after it enters Arunachal in an ''S'' bend. The ITBP reached the spot and asked the Chinese to return. There was an exchange of words but the Chinese refused to yield. The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay. Though the site is part of the ITBP's area of responsibility, the Army is heavily deployed in the region. In December 2016, the Army and the Air Force re-activated an Advanced Landing Ground at Tuting where military cargo planes can fly from a short runway. The faceoff site is near the Gelling subdivision. It is not clear if the standoff is over. Some say the civilians in the road-building team retreated to Chinese territory and the faceoff dissipated. Others say the standoff is still on and it occasionally involves bargaining over the custody of the dozers. There are more Chinese soldiers now since the road-building party was intercepted. The district authorities as well as the Arunachal chief minister's office expressed ignorance on the incident. Local MP, Ninong Ering, too, did not have knowledge of the faceoff. ''The Army is not letting people go beyond Gelling village, which is the next administrative circle after Tuting town towards the international border,'' said the lawyer-activist. A comparison with Doklam is easy but not quite accurate, as Doklam involved a third country, Bhutan. In this case, the standoff is firmly within Indian territory, about 4 km from the McMahon Line.









There are reports of flooding problems across Donegal tonight with heavy rainfall continuing throughout the county.

Met Eireann had issued astatus yellow warning for heavy rain for Donegal and all of Connacht.

Donegal County Council, through their official Twitter account, are advising against any unnecessary travel.

Motorists in different parts of the county have been encountering heavy flooding with reports of problems in Gaoth Dobhair and in the east of the county between Newtowncunningham and Killea, and also close to Bridgend.

#StormEleanor roads flooding in Carndonagh, especially around Simpsons (Tul na Ri) area, sandbags are available for collection at the old Co op yard Tul na Ri.  RoadsDCC (@RoadsDCC) January 2, 2018

There were reports that a number of cars were off the road close to Burt Chapel while fire crews were reported to be dealing with flooding in Burnfoot with some houses under threat.

In Letterkenny, there were reports of heavy flooding in the Lismonaghan area.

In Donegal town, vehicle owners were advised to move their cars from the Quayside car parks due to the threat of flooding.

There are also problems at Kilross Junction, close to Stranorlar.

Weather forecasters had warned of thundery downpours in places this afternoon and early evening with falls of 20 to 25 mm in some parts.

Met Eireann had already issued a status yellow wind warning for Donegal as Storm Eleanor hits Ireland.

A status orange wind warning is in place for Munster, Leinster and south Galway.

The rest of the country is subject to a status yellow warning.Heavy rain and strong winds are showing no sign of easing up this morning in many parts of Donegal.

A Status Orange wind warning is place for a number of counties, including Donegal. According to Met Eireann, westerly gale to storm winds together with high tides and exceptionally high seas will result in coastal damage and flooding. Damaging gusts likely inland also as Storm Eleanor continues to batter the country.

All across Donegal last night, there were reports of flooding problems after heavy rain hit the county from early on Tuesday.

Donegal County Council, through their official Twitter account, advised against any unnecessary travel.

Motorists in different parts of the county encountered heavy flooding with reports of problems in Gaoth Dobhair, Newtowncunningham, Killea, Bridgend, Burt and Letterkenny.

In Donegal town, vehicle owners were advised to move their cars from the Quayside car parks due to the threat of flooding.

There are also problems at Kilross Junction, close to Stranorlar.

Fire crews were deployed to assist with flooding problems in different parts of Inishowen.

There are also power outages in Buncrana and Kilcar and ESB crews are working to restore power.

36 homes are without power in the Kilcar area while at Ballymagarry, Buncrana, 46 customers are without power.Oh those Germans, they need to settle down.



Bestiality has been legal in Israel since 1977 and legal in Russia since way back in 1903 but you don't see bestiality brothels springing up all over Israel or Russia, do ya?



And it's legal in Texas, Wyoming, West Virginia, and Kentucky, all good, solid red states, and you don't see no beasty brothels popping up there neither, do ya?TIMELINE: Dundalk Attacks - what we know so far

UPDATE: Gardai brief press about suspect in fatal attack

UPDATE: Dundalk gardai praised for bravery in disarming 'crazed' knife attacker

UPDATE: Dundalk stabbing suspect arrested

UPDATE: Three scenes being investigated in Dundalk as part of fatal stabbing incident

A NUMBER of gardai are attending the scene of a serious incident which is being reported as a "fatal stabbing" on the Avenue Road, Dundalk.

There are unconfirmed reports that other people have been injured as well. Armed gardai are at the scene as part of a large garda presence.

A man has reportedly been arrested in the area.

The road has been sealed off and traffic is being diverted. It is believed one person may be dead.

According to a Dundalk garda, the Superintendent is at the scene. He added that gardai are in the early stages of an investigation and that it's too early to comment further on the nature of the incident.

It will be another hour or two before we can say more. It's too early to say, he said. The incident occurred shortly before 9am this morning.A FORENSICS team is currently examining the scene of a fatal stabbing on the Avenue Road, Dundalk. Gardai arrived at the scene of the serious incident this morning at 9.07am .

Residents in the area have expressed their shock. One resident told The Dundalk Democrat: "I can't believe this has happened. It's like something you read about in the papers that happens somewhere else."

A man (age unknown) has been pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people have also been injured in this incident but their injuries are not serious.

One man has been arrested and is currently detained in Dundalk Garda Station. No further details are available at present.

Update: The Garda dog unit has arrived at the scene of the murder on the Avenue Road.

Video, sourced from: Niall O'Connor

There are currently three scenes preserved for technical examination, Avenue Road, Inner Relief Road, and Seatown.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.The new Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Cypriot Navy Commodore Andreas Ioannides arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus Naval Analysis reported on Twitter. Cyprus ordered the OPV from Israel in December 2015, the vessel was built by Israel Shipyards Ltd. in Haifa. There is an option for a second boat while some days ago the Cypriot MoD announced that Cyprus will purchase two more offshore patrol vessels.

he 1st offshore patrol vessel in the history of the #CyprusNavy arrived today in Larnaca, Cyprus. Exclusive photos by @EvstPalaiologos! pic.twitter.com/zTd0X5uPz5

 Naval Analyses (@D__Mitch) January 2, 2018

The mission of the OPV is to protect the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. Based on the SAAR 4 design the Cypriot OPV has a displacement of 430 tons, an overall length of 62 meters. The vessel is operated by 30 crewmembers and has accommodations to carry additional personnel or rapid response force. The OPV has advanced electro-optical and radar sensors and is armed with two Typhoon remotely operated guns.A DUNDALK man who was working in the area at the time a suspected murder occurred on the Avenue Road has described the scene as "horrific".

The man told The Dundalk Democrat that he was working at the rear of his property when he heard a "big commotion".

"I realised something serious had happened. The scene was horrific. The man who was stabbed was in a bad way."

The suspect in a fatal stabbing incident on the Avenue Road, Dundalk is being detained at Dundalk Garda Station. It is believed he is originally from the Middle East.

He is being detained for questioning and can be held for 24 hours. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder. It is also understood that the male victim (age unknown) who has been pronounced dead is from Asia.

The serious incident occurred this morning shortly before 9am. Two others were injured in the stabbing incident. It is believed gardai confronted and disarmed the attacker when they were called to the scene.

There are currently three scenes preserved for technical examination, Avenue Road, Inner Relief Road, and Seatown.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Gardai have confirmed that they plan to hold a press conference later in the day with updates to follow.THE Garda Press Office has confirmed that there will be a media briefing on the suspected murder on the Avenue Road at Dundalk Garda Station later today.

The press briefing is due to take place at 3pm. The suspect in a fatal stabbing incident on the Avenue Road, Dundalk is being detained at Dundalk Garda Station. It is believed he is originally from the Middle East.

He is being detained for questioning and can be held for 24 hours. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder. It is also understood that the male victim (age unknown) who has been pronounced dead is from Asia.

The serious incident occurred this morning shortly before 9am. Two others were injured in the stabbing incident. It is believed gardai confronted and disarmed the attacker when they were called to the scene.

There are currently three scenes preserved for technical examination, Avenue Road, Inner Relief Road, and Seatown.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.GARDA STATEMENT 5pm : Witness Appeal

A witness appeal issued by Gardai this evening revealed the deceased man is a Japanese national aged 24 years, who had been living in Ireland for the last year. A post-mortem of the victim's body is currently taking place in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

The Garda statement said: "Gardai have arrested an 18-year-old male, an Egyptian National, in connection with the fatal stabbing that occurred in Avenue Road, Dundalk shortly before 9a.m. this morning.

"He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, and being held at Dundalk Garda station. The deceased man, is a Japanese National 24 years who had been living in Ireland for the last year. The post-mortem is currently taking place in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

"Gardai are appealing for any persons that were in the Avenue Road area shortly before 9a.m. this morning, or on Coes Road or Seatown Place areas or the Inner Relief Road of Dundalk between 8.30a.m. and 9.40a.m. to contact them at Dundalk Garda Station on (042) 9388471 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111."

ATTACK TIMELINE

10am  Gardai say they are at the scene of a 'serious incident' on the Avenue Road

A section of the Avenue Road near Medebawn is cordoned off by Gardai and an ambulance is on the scene. Reports circulate about a 'serious incident'.

10.30am  One person believed to be dead

The Avenue Road has been sealed off and traffic is being diverted. According to reports on Today FM, it is believed one person may be dead after an incident which occurred shortly before 9am this morning.



There are unconfirmed reports that other people have been injured. Armed gardai are at the scene as part of a large garda presence. A man has reportedly been arrested in the area.



A Garda says they are in the early stages of an investigation and that it's too early to comment further on the nature of the incident.



11.30am - Three scenes around Dundalk being investigated as part of 'stabbing'

Gardai say they are preserving three scenes for technical examination  the Avenue Road, Inner Relief Road and Seatown. A man, whose age is unknown, is pronounced dead at the scene.



11.45am - Forensics team attending scene of fatal stabbing in Dundalk

A forensics team arrives to examine the scene of the fatal stabbing on the Avenue Road, Dundalk.

Residents in the Avenue Road area express their shock saying: I can't believe this has happened. It's like something you read about in the papers that happens somewhere else." Gardai appeal for witnesses.



12.05pm  Suspect believed to be from the Middle East

Reports circulate that the man who carried out the stabbings is from the Middle East. He is detained in Dundalk Garda Station. It's understood that the male victim, who was pronounced dead, was from Asia. It is believed gardai confronted and disarmed the attacker when they were called to the scene.

12:09pm - Two other people injured in morning attack

Gardai confirm that two other people have been injured in the attack. The other victims, who are believed to be Irish, were subsequently stabbed or assaulted nearby but the extent of their injuries are not known.



12.16pm  Sniffer dogs arrive at the scene

Two sniffer dogs are brought in to examine the scene on the Avenue Road.



12.20pm- Eyewitness describes the scene on the Avenue Road as horrific

A Dundalk man who was working in the Avenue Road area this morning tells The Dundalk Democrat the scene is "horrific.

The man says: "I realised something serious had happened. The scene was horrific. The man who was stabbed was in a bad way."



12:44pm - Dundalk Gardai praised for bravery

Dundalk Gardai are praised for their bravery after they disarmed the crazed knifeman who killed one and injured two more in the attack.

RTE reports that Gardai were called to the scene where they confronted and disarmed the attacker.



1:00 pm  Attacker was armed with a knife and an iron bar and injured two people on the Inner Relief Road before fatally stabbing a man on the Avenue Road

It has been reported that the attacker was armed with a knife and an iron bar and that the two injured men were struck with the bar along the Inner Relief Road, before the third man was fatally stabbed on the Avenue Road.

1:05pm - Garda Press Office announce media briefing about murder

The Garda Press Office confirm that they will hold a media briefing at 3pm regarding the stabbing incidents.



1:09pm - Gardai try to establish a motive for the stabbings

Gardai say they are trying to establish a motive for the stabbings and are trying to determine if the victims knew the attacker each other or if it was a random attack.



2pm - Suspect revealed as Egyptian, not Syrian

The suspect in the fatal Dundalk stabbing is Egyptian not Syrian as widely reported. It's understood he came to Ireland recently.Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

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Support our mission and join our community now.Fianna Fail TD, Jim OCallaghan has expressed his shock at the 'senseless attack' which unfolded in Dundalk this morning.

The TD who is a Spokesperson on Justice and Equality has also called for a "thorough investigation" into the tragic incident and expressed his concern that the authorities couldn't determine how the attacker entered the State.

Deputy OCallaghan said: This senseless attack comes as a shock to the local community in Dundalk. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased along with the two other people who were injured during this horrific attack.

 An Garda Siochana need to be supported in carrying out a full and thorough investigation into this attack. I urge anyone with information to come forward and contact the Gardai."

He continued: "Its worrying that, at this time, the authorities are unable to determine how exactly the perpetrator of this vicious attack entered the State.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan needs to clarify as to what extent this person was known to the authorities, what his status in the country was and whether he traveled to another EU country prior to his arrival in Ireland."

At a press conference attended by The Dundalk Democrat this afternoon, Gardai revealed that they are still investigating a motive for the fatal attack which left one 24-year-old Japanese man dead and two other Irish victims with injuries.

The attack was carried out by an 18-year-old Egyptian man who was disarmed by a garda after being confronted. He is currently being questioned at Dundalk Garda Station and can be held for 24 hours.

At the media briefing, Gardai revealed that the suspect had "routine" contact with gardai on January 1. There is no known address for the man at present.

The two Irish victims sustained injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.GARDAI have recovered one of the weapons used in an attack in Dundalk which left one man dead and two others injured, according to Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan.

The press briefing given by Chief Superintendent Mangan took place at 3pm at Dundalk Garda Station. It was attended by Chief Supt Mangan, Superintendent Gerard Curley, and Detective Inspector Pat Marry.

Chief Supt Mangan told the media present that a Japanese male was found in an unresponsive state after being stabbed on the Avenue Road. The suspect is an 18-year-old man with an unknown nationality.

The 24-year-old Japanese man was attacked while on his way to work at approximately 9am this morning. It is believed the fatally wounded man was working at National Pen.

A second man from Dundalk was stabbed on the Coe's Road shortly afterwards. A third as yet un-named male, who is fromjust outside Dundalk, was attacked with a fencing post at Seatown Place.

It is thought the attack and two assaults were random and unprovoked but gardai said they are also investigating a possible terror link. A motive for the attack has yet to be established.

The 18-year-old suspect is being detained at Dundalk Garda Station for questioning and can be held for 24 hours. The suspect has been in Dundalk since January 1, 2018.

Gardai in Dundalk are being assisted by national and local units. Chief Supt Mangan praised people in Dundalk for coming forward with information relating to the attack and assaults.

Gardai are appealing to anyone with relevant information to come forward and contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400 or to call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.TIMELINE - Dundalk Attacks: What we know so far

Dundalk Gardai have been praised for their bravery after they disarmed a crazed knifeman who has killed one and injured two more in an attack shortly before 9am this morning on the Avenue Road.

Gardai were called to the scene where they confronted and disarmed the attacker.

Three separate areas are now sealed by the Garda Forensic teams, and one man has been reported to have been arrested on the Inner Relief Road close to the scene of the stabbing.

It has been reported that the attacker was armed with a knife and an iron bar and that the two injured men were struck with the bar along the Inner Relief Road, before the third man was fatally stabbed on the Avenue Road.

Niall O'Connor, a journalist with The Irish Mirror tweeted: "The bravery of uniformed unarmed #Gardai in #Dundalk is extraordinary.

"They disarmed a crazed knifeman who was hell-bent on stabbing as many people as possible."

Louth Sinn Fein Councillor Ruairi O Murchu visited the murder scene on the Avenue Road in Dundalk today to speak with locals and commend Dundalk Gardai for their fast reactions.

Cllr O Murchu said: "The community is in shock and they are appalled to hear what has happened. I want to also commend the actions of the Gardai as they were summoned to the scene they were able to disarm the attacker and have subsequently arrested him."

A Garda spokesperson said the man, who is believed to originally from the Middle East, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He is currently being detained at Dundalk Garda Station where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

Gardai told RTE news that they are currently trying to establish a motive for the attack, including the possibility that it was planned.

Dundalk Gardai updated their Twitter at 10.30am to say: "Due to a serious incident a number of roads are currently closed in the Dundalk area Avenue Rd, Inner relief Rd and Seatown. Diversions are in place."

Louth Sinn Fein Councillor, Ruairi O Murchu added: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured."FINTECC grant will help poultry producer launch new technologies, improve energy management

The EBRD provided a senior loan of  25 million to PJSC Myronivsky Hliboproduct (MHP), a London Stock Exchange listed Ukrainian producer of poultry meat, grain and fodder. The loan will be used to construct and put into operation a 10 MW biogas plant in the town of Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region. The biogas plant will utilise chicken manure and other agricultural residues from MHPs poultry and grain operations.

By financing this project, the EBRD is helping MHP implement its long term strategy to develop green energy capacity, become self-sufficient energy-wise, reduce its environmental footprint and manage waste. This will be the second biogas plant for MHP and the largest biogas facility in Ukraine to date.

The project will benefit from a US$ 358,000 grant available under the EBRDs Finance and Technology Transfer Centre for Climate Change (FINTECC) programme. It will support improvements in the technology of biogas production and the implementation of energy management system.

It is expected that once operational the biogas plant will reduce MHP GHG emissions by 90,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

Technical cooperation funds for the project were provided by the EU Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF) and the Japan-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund.

The EBRDs FINTECC programme is designed to transfer technology in the area of climate change mitigation and adaptation and was launched in Ukraine in February 2016. The three-year FINTECC programme is supported by US$ 7 million of grant funding from the GEF and a 4 million grant from the EUs NIF.

The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. To date, the Bank has made a cumulative commitment of almost 11.6 billion through 383 projects since the start of its operations in the country in 1993.The show notes for Episode 66 are at http://www.eclectablog.com/2018/01/episode-66-the-u-s-census-is-like-the-base-for-the-stew-with-special-guest-ari-berman.html

Ari Berman on Twitter: @AriBerman

Ari Berman at Mother Jones: Trumps Pick to Run 2020 Census Has Defended Racial Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression Laws

The Good:

Thomas Fuller at The New York Times: Recreational Pot Is Officially Legal in California

The Bad:

James Hohmann at The Washington Post: Trumps true priorities revealed in holiday news dumps

The Shrugly \_()_/:

Gissou Nia at Politico: Why the Other Iran Is Taking to the Streets

It's possible to both support those on the streets in #IranProtests while also being concerned that much external criticism of Iran is dangerous.  Julian Sayarer (@JulianSayarer) January 2, 2018

Thank you. Yes, the idea that "regime change" in dictatorships shouldn't be a priority is ridiculous. Authoritarianism is the root cause of war, terror, famine, nearly every evil we face. https://t.co/BJezmgRuRW  Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) January 2, 2018

As protesters in Iran chant "we live like paupers as they live like princes," USG should release details on the billions in stolen assets held personally by regime & IRGC officials & Supreme Leader.  Kenneth Weinstein (@KenWeinstein) December 31, 2017

Michael S. Schmidt at The New York Times: Excerpts From Trumps Interview With The Times

FLINT UPDATE

Leonard Fleming at The Detroit News: Flint mayor sees pipe gains despite reporting problems

Steve Carmody at Michigan Radio: Attorneys ask federal judge for more data from Flints pipe replacement program

Give us a five-star review at iTunes!

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The Sit and Spin Room logo by Anne C. Savage.

Music clips

Intro and Outro music: Zoolookologie by Jean-Michel Jarre

Civil War by Guns N Roses

Dont Stand So Close To Me by The Police

Unclaimed by Mike Wagner/Total Strangers

[CC photo of stew by JeffreyW | Flickr]By ABC News , Dec. 31 , 2017





Californians may awake on New Year's Day to a stronger-than-normal whiff of marijuana as America's cannabis king lights up to celebrate the state's first legal retail pot sales.



The historic day comes more than two decades after California paved the way for legal weed by passing the nation's first medical marijuana law, though other states were quicker to allow the drug's recreational use.

Read More: http://abcnews.go.com



Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com

Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter

"Like" Larry Elder on Facebook



Hmmm! I guess it begins with knowing in advance what the turnout is going to be! After all you would not want to go to all that effort and lose anyway...

1 month ago50,000 refugees have been captured in 2017 in Edirne

At least 50,000 refugees and undocumented migrants have been caught trying to reach Europe across Turkey.

Over the past year, thousands of migrants and refugees have made the short but dangerous attempt to cross the Aegean in a bid to reach Greece, before continuing on to northern and western Europe, however, weather conditions in the winter make the trips even more dangerous.

Turkey, making tight controls to prevent illegal migrations to across Aegean sea, have caught 50,000 refugees and undocumented migrants in the northwestern province of Edirne.

MORE THAN 6,000 REFUGEES WERE SEND BACK TO TURKEY

31,000 undocumented migrants had been caught in 2016 in Edirne. There is a 60 percent increase in 2017 on illegal migration.

Refugees and migrants mainly aim to reach their friends and families in several european countries, especially in Italy, Germany, France, Holland and Belgium. After trying to make a dangerous journey across Aegean, refugees mostly get caught or die.

Refugees often left around Turkey by human smugglers or drown while trying to get across.

Over the past year, more than 6,000 refugees and migrants were send back to Turkey by Greek government despite the international refugee agreement.Ugly Betty is about to get the most beautiful blessing!

America Ferrera is going to be a mom!

On Sunday, the Superstore actress took to Instagram to confirm that she and husband, Ryan Piers Williams, are expecting their first child together.

In the Instagram post, the pair poses with sparkly 2018 glasses. Ferrera poses with a kiss while holding a mas besos (por favor) onesie and William's smiles.

"We're welcoming one more face to kiss in 2018! Wishing you #MasBesos in the New Year! #babybesos #HappyNewYear," Ferrera captioned the photo.

Williams took to his Instagram to repost the image with the caption "Making room for new and beautiful things to come in 2018!"

The couple first met when Williams casted Ferrera in his student film at the University of Southern California. After getting engaged in June 2010, the pair tied the knot in January 2011.

"We kind of connected from the get-go on that professional level and that was something that really drew us to each other," Ferrera told People.

The parents-to-be celebrated 12 years together in summer 2017.

While Ferrera is best known for role as Betty Suarez in ABC's comedy drama Ugly Betty, she has also starred in several films such as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, How to Train Your Dragon, Gotta Kick It Up!, and Our Family Wedding.

Ferrera makes her debut on the screen, while Williams works behind the screen. Williams has directed films such as The Dry Land and X/Y.

Ferrera Takes A Stand

The Golden Globe winner broke the news one day before she announced the Time's Up initiative to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and the workplace. Ferrera as well as other well-known actresses such as Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, and Reese Witherspoon have all decided to take a stand against sexual harassment.

As previously reported, the campaign was announced on Monday, Jan. 1, along with an open letter that included signatures from celebrities such as Emma Stone, Taylor Swift, Shonda Rhimes, and Ashley Judd.

The campaign aims to push for laws that punish companies that fail to take action against sexual misconduct in the workplace and to fight against the use of non-disclosure agreements that protect sexual abusers.

On Monday, the actress took to her Twitter to share a photo of herself holding a New York Times newspaper to show that the Time's Up letter of solidarity is official. Ferrera, as well as other female actresses, also took to Twitter to share the letter.Sofia Richie and Scott Disick appear to be having fun with their new relationship, but according to a new report, the 19-year-old model has been a bit spooked by her boyfriend's bad-boy ways.

As fans of Keeping Up with the Kardashians will recall, Disick, 34, has often exhibited wild behavior, and since splitting from Kourtney Kardashian in 2015, he has been linked to a number of women, including Bella Thorne. At times, he's been linked to multiple women at once.

Although Disick appears to be keeping his focus on Richie, the young model allegedly has her doubts about his ability to stay faithful and has reportedly been on a roller-coaster of emotions since they began dating.

Shes a young kid and shes not emotionally secure to handle this romance, a friend explained to Radar Online on Jan. 2.

According to the report, Richie is jealous and insecure about the time Disick has spent with other women. Because of that, Disick reportedly has the upper hand in their relationship.

Hes older and on the sly side, and he takes advantage of her inexperience, the insider continued, adding that Richie is totally paranoid about Disick and often goes through his phone when he isnt around.

In addition, the insider continued, Richie is reportedly unhappy about Disick's closeness with his ex-girlfriend, Kourtney Kardashian, 38, and doesn't like to be left out of the things they do with their kids, 8-year-old Mason, 5-year-old Penelope, and 3-year-old Reign.

Disick and Kardashian dated on and off for nine years before calling it quits after he was caught getting cozy with ex-girlfriend Chloe Bartoli in the south of France. In the years that followed, Kardashian was linked to Justin Bieber before striking up a romance with 24-year-old model Younes Bendjima.

Just last week, Kardashian welcomed Bendjima to her family's annual Christmas party at the home of her mother, Kris Jenner. Meanwhile, though Disick was allowed to attend, Richie was reportedly banned from attending the star-studded event.

To see more of Kourtney Kardashian, Scott Disick, and their family, tune in to new episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians season 14 on Sundays at 9 p.m. on the E! Network. No word yet on whether or not Sofia Richie will be added to the cast for any of the show's upcoming episodes.Letters

COVID It is ironic the Federal Government appointees are blaming the unvaccinated U.S. citizens for the new COVID-19 explosion. When at the same time, people  900,000 so far and going up  are crossing the southern border, coming in hot with COVID in their body. Government appointees sprinkle these people into the interior of the U.S.

Safety At Rural Road Intersections Crawford County Farm Bureau Board of Directors wants to remind everyone when traveling on rural roads to slow down at intersections, especially where there is tall corn.

A plea for a plea To the Editor, Mr. Schauer and Ms. Creasman wrote a pitiful plea to their followers (Times News July 14) to be Silent No More. Their call to action for support of 

In response to the July 14 Letter to the Editor by Harrison County Chair and Vice-Chair. It was a relief to read the recent Letter to the Editor submitted by Benjamin Schauer and Jan Creasman. Their letter strongly outlined our current political climate, but did so in a respectful manner. They asked the reader to think, rather than telling the reader what to think.

Dig Deeper After my last editorial in this paper on the extreme property tax increases being forced on Harrison County taxpayers, I was tipped off to dig deeper into what really is going on with our County Assessor and Boards.

Read more lettersRental occupancy

restrictions

Changes in society have brought changes in familial relationships. A law amending Iowa Code 414.1, subsection 1, limited the ability of cities to set occupancy restrictions for rental properties based on familial relationships.

A city shall not, after January 1, 2018, adopt or enforce any regulation or restriction related to the occupancy of residential rental property that is based upon the existence of familial or non familial relationships between the occupants of such rental property.

The change was opposed by several cities, including the university towns of Ames and Iowa City. Property owners in those towns were actively limiting the number of students moving into historically single-family neighborhoods.

Medical cannabis

On May 12, 2017, the governor signed the Medical Cannabidiol Act. Cannabidiol is medical marijuana with CBD, which has been shown to have positive medicinal properties, and with trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive part of the Cannabis plant, resulting in no chance of a patient getting high or the substance having recreational use, according to the Iowa Department of Health.

The Act requires the Department of Health to create a Medical Cannabidiol Baord and select and license up to two medical cannabidiol manufacturers to supply cannabidiol in Iowa.

The deadline for licensing the manufacturers was Dec. 1, 2018. The IDPH issued a license to MedPharm Iowa, a newly formed company owned by Chris Nelson of Kremin Industries. Nelson is also a managing partner of MedPharm Colorado, and the medical product will use intellectual property from the Colorado company, according to a release by MedPharm Colorado.

The IDPH received nine letters of interest from potential manufacturers, but only MedPharm submitted a license application before the deadline.

Patients with certain medical conditions may apply for a Cannabidiol Registration Card. The law allows patients to obtain a card with certification from the patients primary healthcare practitioner confirming the patients qualifying medical condition. Patients are allowed to possess, but not sell, manufacture or transport cannabidiol across state lines. Having an in-state manufacturer and expanding the qualifying conditions for a card has added effectiveness to the original 2014 law signed by then-Governor Terry Branstad.

Stephen Richards, a pharmacist from Spirit Lake, is the sole member of the Medical Cannabidiol Board from northwest Iowa.

From the passage of the Act May 12, 2017 through Dec. 28, the Iowa Department of Health approved 241 registration cards for patients or primary caregivers. Sixteen applications are pending and 13 were denied.

Officials with the IDPH said they were unable to state the number of cards issued in Emmet County because the number is at this time so small that doing so might identify the person in possession of a card. MedPharm Iowa was required to begin supplying cannabidiol Dec. 1.The 16 th century bones - two femurs (thigh bones) and an ulna (wing)  have been analysed by University of Exeter archaeologists

Are bones discovered under an Exeter street from the first turkey dinner in England?

Bones dug up from under an Exeter street may be the remains of the first ever turkey dinner in England, archaeologists believe.

The 16th century bones - two femurs (thigh bones) and an ulna (wing)  have been analysed by University of Exeter archaeologists and identified as among the first turkeys to be brought to England from the Americas.

The bones are on display at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) where Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware from the same site are also displayed. These items could have been on the table when the turkey dinner was served.

The first turkeys were introduced to England in 1524 or 1526 by William Strickland, a member of Parliament in the reign of Elizabeth the first, following a voyage to the Americas.

Strickland is recorded to have bought six turkeys from Native American traders, and after he sailed back with them to Bristol, which is 80 miles away from Exeter, sold them for tuppence each.

When turkeys first appeared in England they would have been a rare sight and the first ones are more likely to have been kept as pets for display of wealth rather than served as food.

The bird became very popular after 1550 and already a common sight at Christmas dinners by the 1570s, before Thanksgiving in America was celebrated. Popular history even suggests that Henry VIII may have had turkey for Christmas. The bird became so popular that thousands of turkeys were driven in to London like cattle in the 17th century.

The bones were found in 1983 as part of excavations at Paul Street, in central Exeter, before the building of a shopping centre but have never been identified or dated. Archaeologists at the University of Exeter have now examined the bones and judging from pottery lying beside them, they date from the period 1520 to 1550.

Professor Alan Outram, zooarchaeologist and Head of Archaeology at Exeter, said: As the date of these bones overlaps with the historical evidence of Sticklands introduction of the birds, the remains of this feast may well represent the earliest physical evidence for a turkey dinner in Britain. This is an important discovery and could allow more research to be carried out about early domestic breeds and how the turkey has changed genetically since the 16th century.

Analysis by Malene Lauritsen, a post-graduate researcher in the University of Exeters archaeology department, has proved from the bones that the turkeys were butchered and were probably eaten as part of a feast by wealthy people. The pottery lying alongside was also of high quality.

They were found together with the remains of a veal calf, several chickens, at least one goose and a sheep. This selection of food  some of which were very expensive at the time  suggests this was the rubbish created by a feast attended by people of high status.

What is exciting about these turkey bones found in Exeter is that they date from almost exactly the same time as the first birds came to England. Their age certainly means it is possible that these are the remains of one of the first turkeys to come to England, or a turkey bred from this group, Ms Lauritsen said.

It is extremely rare to find turkey bones from this period. Remains from the first half of the 16th century have only been found in two other sites in Britain, the oldest from at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire. I have found cut marks on the bones, showing the birds were butchered. We can only guess at who ate them, and for what reason, but turkey would have been very expensive and the same household certainly ate other pricy meat too, so this must have been a special occasion.

Wild turkeys were eaten by native Americans and their feathers were also used for ceremonial purposes, including headdresses and robes.

They were first brought to Britain from America by William Strickland, a Puritan, who traded them with Native Americans. He continued to import them and made so much money, he was able to build a stately home in Yorkshire.

Strickland, who became an MP and was known for his ferocious debating style, adopted the turkey as the symbol on his family crest in 1550. His coat of arms is reported to be the first depiction of the turkey in Britain. The village church where Strickland is buried has images of turkeys depicted in stained-glass windows, a carved lectern and even stone sculptures on the walls.

The bones found during excavations at Paul Street, in central Exeter, have been stored in boxes in the Royal Albert Memorial Museums stores, and are on temporary display.

The bones are part of the collections at RAMM, and are on temporary display to celebrate the new discovery about their origins. In February 2020, the bones will be displayed in RAMMs Making History Gallery alongside all the discoveries made from a wider archaeological research project with the University of Exeter called Exeter: A Place in Time.

RAMM Assistant Curator Tom Cadbury said: This is a fascinating discovery and really shows what an international place Tudor Exeter was. RAMM already displays some of the Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware found on the site, perhaps the turkey dinner was eaten off one of these. RAMM welcomes research on the archaeological finds from Exeter in the museum; evidence such as this helps us uncover stories about the lives of past people in Exeter.

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy & Culture and Deputy Leader of Exeter City Council said: Exeter is blessed having a museum and a university that are both world-class. Working together, they are uncovering information about Exeters past that would have been inconceivable only decades ago. Collaborations such as these are vital to Exeters success.Hello,



My wife is from Costa Rica and I am from UK. She is hoping to apply for the spouse visa fairly soon but we are trying to figure out some of the details at the moment and start preparing some of the documents.



Is there a general list of documents we should aim to be collecting? I read the stickies here and I will certainly be posting a list of what we have closer to the time but is there a particular example of a document list which is good to go by?





I currently live in a shared house but when my wife applies we are planning on listing my parent's house as her accommodation, they have a spare room and I thought that it would be easier getting the permission from them rather than from my housemates and landlord.

Do we have to state that we will both be living there? Or can we explain that she will be there herself until we have found somewhere we can move in together?

Also, my parents rent their house so it is necessary to get a letter of permission from the owner of the house or can it just be from my parents?





Finally, the .gov website says that she has to apply through and application centre which is a real pain because the closest one to her is in Panama. Now this is where I am confused, she will need to take all her documents and hand it over with her passport to the office in Panama? How does she get back to Costa Rica? It seems pretty strange that she would have to go to a foreign country to hand over her passport and be stuck there.That's what you get for eating too much cream at Christmas Veronica, slowwwwwws the mind. ha ha

CheersA Binghamton University senior and her colleagues recently uncovered evidence that the current treatment for Parkinsons disease may not be as effective as it could be.

Lakshmi Hareendran was part of a research team investigating drug treatment for Parkinsons, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a loss of the brain chemical dopamine.

The dopamine circuit involved in motor movements consists of two receptors in the brain, the D1 and the D2 receptors. The current treatment for Parkinsons is the drug L-DOPA, which acts on both of these receptors to release and replenish dopamine in the brain.

Hareendran and her colleagues in the Freshman Research Immersion program (FRI) at Binghamton provided evidence that stimulating the D2 receptor produces cognitive deficits, illustrating that L-DOPA may not be the best treatment for Parkinsons.

The researchers treated rodents with L-DOPA and drugs that target either the D1 or the D2 receptors and then observed the effects on their ability to complete a behavioral task.

Stimulating the D2 receptor caused attention deficits on the behavioral tasks in both Parkinsons and control models. Stimulating the D1 receptor produced no such effects.

Parkinsons disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world, Hareendran says. Knowing that the current treatment isnt as effective as it could be is important.

Hareendran, 21, has wanted to be a doctor since she was growing up on Long Island, influenced by several doctors in her family. Even then, she was interested in neuroscience.

I had an uncle who was a brain surgeon, Hareendran says. As a kid, just thinking about him being able to understand something as complex as the human brain really inspired me to go down that path.

Hareendran wants to work with Doctors Without Borders someday. An experience with MEDLIFE, an organization that provides medical care to impoverished areas, helped to solidify her goal. Hareendran traveled with the group to Peru and Ecuador to help set up medical clinics.

My parents are refugees from Sri Lanka, Hareendran says. There was a genocide happening there for a while, so specifically with Doctors Without Borders I want to go and give back there.

Hareendran is also president of the Indian International Student Union and was a peer mentor for FRI after she finished the program.

Corinne Kiessling, research educator for the FRI neuroscience stream, emphasized Hareendrans dedication.

She was one of those students that puts extra hours in, came in early, stayed late, Kiessling says. As a peer mentor, she was very open and receptive, and she challenged students to find answers. Shes a natural leader.

Hareendran and her colleagues published their research in UCLAs undergraduate research journal.Whether you rang in the new year with some Champagne, pinot grigio or malbec, High Street Wine Co. General Manager and Beverage Director Scott Ota has a talent for finding the perfect bottle at whatever price to fit both your palate and budget.

Ota, who arrived in San Antonio to open High Street in 2016, has come a long way from his first restaurant job as a waiter at Kobe Steak House in 2005, during his senior year at Texas State University, where he studied marketing.

He worked his way from waiter to wine captain and sommelier at the Driskill Grill in Austin after passing the introductory exam for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas in Dallas in 2010. He passed the next level the next year to become a certified sommelier in 2011, with the top score on the test.

In 2013, he was honored as the best sommelier in Texas while working at modern French restaurant Arro in Austin.

Not only did Ota, 35, pass the advanced sommelier exam on his first try in 2014, he earned the highest marks and the prestigious Rudd Scholarship from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.

Its an exclusive club. The test itself has a pass rate of about 25 percent. Hes now working on getting his master sommelier designation  a title earned by just 247 people in the world and the highest distinction of honor in the food and wine industry, according to Kathleen Lewis, executive director of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.

Knowing a lot about wine, however, is very different from knowing a lot about running a business, Ota said.

He now has to work with more than 20 distributors to maintain High Streets wine list, which typically fluctuates between 170 and 210 labels, Ota said. The wine bar will cycle through anywhere between 35 and 55 cases of wine a week, Ota said.

He oversees everything: staffing schedules, inventory and training for his staff of 11 and even insurance for the business. He typically puts in about 70 to 80 hours a week, handling special orders, wine tastings and special events. He also recently wrote the beverage program for The Bar at The Bottling Department, the food hall at the Pearl.

He was brought in at the end of April 2016 and was responsible for a lot of the details, large and small, that went into High Street when it opened.

When I got here, there was a business plan and architecture drawings, Ota said. And that was really it.

He said he remembers writing notecards of everything that needed to get done.

I would write something like, handbook. And another one would be staff. Another one is like, wine list, Ota laughed. And its funny, because each one of these had probably like another hundred steps.

Now Playing: Business reporter Samantha Ehlinger sat down to talk with High Street Wine Co. General Manager and Beverage Director Scott Ota. Video: San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio Express-News sat down with Ota on Dec. 5 at High Street before the holiday festivities got underway.

More Information Quick facts on Scott Ota What's your typical morning routine like: I guess it's almost kind of a transition, so one of the last things I do before I call a work day done is I write down the five most important that I'll do the next day. So, as soon as I get up I know that I'm immediately going to be tackling them. Part of it is GuildSomm. It's a website for sommelier professionals. It's a professionals' website, you pay a hundred bucks for it, but it's best hundred bucks I spend every year. Second is I then check NPR, and then third is I check the scores of my favorite sports teams, this week. Then I jump in the shower and start my day. And as soon as I get here, the first thing I do is I tackle the five most important things. I certainly do that before I jump in to emails. Days typically start anywhere between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and I will typically finish here around - if I have to go all the way to closing, it'll be 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. So it's a very long day. Are you reading a book right now: I'm not reading anything new, but I'm always rereading. So, "Understanding Wine Technology" by David Bird. It's really nerdy, but at the same time, I think it's one of the better ways to really understand the process. What's your favorite restaurant in San Antonio: Thai Dee. What's your passion or hobby outside of work: It really kind of comes down to three things. Girlfriend, wine and dog. And work. So basically, I'm a pretty boring person. Those are the four things that really drive my life. If you had one superpower, what would it be: I think flying would be pretty sweet. I'll go with flying. See More Collapse

Q: When did you decide to get into the wine business? Howd you get interested in doing this?

A: Love for food? I dont know how many wine professionals really start by saying, Im going to be a sommelier. I dont  I think it just kind of happens to a lot of us. I think that curiositys a big part of it, and I think one thing that always drew me, at least, to food was flavor. How is someone able to turn these ingredients into something so flavorful? I think wine takes it one step further.

So you think about not only economics, but agriculture and geology and meteorology and time. And these bottles are time capsules. And the fact that  fast-forward maybe 10 years, and I get to drink a 2007, what, yesterday? Its  I dont know. I think it sounds maybe a bit crazy to some folks, but its food to another level. Because its a time capsule. I cant believe it hasnt made it to my liver.

Q: How many hours a day, a week, do you work?

A: Im getting better at it. When we first started, I still can count, Ive only taken 141/2 off since I started around here at the end of April of 2016. So not a lot of time off. I think if youre trying to make a successful business, you end up giving a lot of yourself to it. Ive gotten a lot better, and Ive started taking half-days, which is pretty incredible.

Coincidentally enough, today Im going to done by 3 oclock, which is crazy! So only a 9 a.m.-to-3 p.m. day, and then I turn it over to some really good folks. I would say on the average now, Ive gotten it down to about 70 hours a week. Before, when we were starting, I was easily doing 80 to 90 a week.

Q: Whats your vision for High Street, especially since you guys are just past a year. So going into year two, what are you hoping this place will be?

A: I tell the staff that this is the hardest part. I find that personally, year two or three is  at least from what Ive seen in the restaurant business  the hardest. One, youre going to be busy because youre new.

You have these people who are going to come in just because youre new. I think weve done a very good job of satisfying that group. But how do we then, in years two and three, continue to evolve, continue to push the bounds of hospitality and beverage in San Antonio in a comfortable and approachable way, to then get mass market appeal? Thats something that we constantly talk about. How do we keep evolving?

A challenge for me is how do I keep pushing our staff. Weve been very fortunate enough that weve had some very strong staff members on the team who remain on the team. And a challenge to myself is then, how can we then bring them up? And my goal for High Street has always been umbrella mentorship.

And when I say mentorship, not just for our staff, but to then teach others around us, how do we then build the city of San Antonio, to where we can be an educational centerpiece for wine?

Q: How are you guys prepping for the holiday season, and do you have to do anything different than you normally would, just in terms of the volume, and not being sure how many people youre going to get, around Christmas or for New Years Eve time?

A: I think as the weather turns, people start to think about drinking wine a little bit more. The holiday seasons can be pretty stressful for a lot of folks. So I think that certainly drives people to drink as well. But well certainly do a bit more in terms of retail sales. Were offering some holiday three-to-six-packs, to make it easy for people to come in and pick up a gift.

Well certainly do a little more I think in the retail sector. But even then, if you just need to come in and survive the holidays with a glass or two, were certainly here for you.

Q: Do wine choices  what you anticipate people might pick  differ at all during the holidays? Because again you go back to the, Im stressed and I just need a glass of wine kind of thing.

A: Yeah, I think people drink seasonally. So whenever the weather turns, as its starting to turn, youll notice people getting a little bit more towards the reds, a little bit more away from the whites and roses. Certainly the sparkling wines will pick up as well, especially as we get towards New Years.

But I just think as it gets colder, the wines tend to get a little bigger, a little bit richer.

sehlinger@express-news.net | Twitter: @samehlingerNew York-based Hearst Corp., the parent company of the San Antonio Express-News, achieved its seventh-consecutive year of record profits in 2017, Hearst CEO Steven Swartz said in a letter to employees Tuesday.

Revenue in 2017 was flat at $10.8 billion from 2016, but profit reached a new high partly because of gains on sales of investments, Swartz said in the letter. The diversified media company, which is privately owned, didnt disclose its earnings. The year was still marked with plenty of challenges, especially in its core publishing businesses.

Last year was another great year to be a consumer of media products but less so to be a provider of that content, Swartz said. While platform companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix thrived through their dominance of advertising and ecommerce channels, many individual media brands struggled to get their share of the advertising pie and consumers bought fewer television bundles or magazine subscriptions.

Hurricane Harvey eroded otherwise growing profits at the companys newspaper division, which also includes the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Beaumont Enterprise, Swartz said. The newspaper division was on track for its sixth-straight year of profit growth before Harvey hit the Houston and Beaumont markets, he said.

The company spent more than $200 million on capital improvements last year, mainly for new software, equipment and office space and $30 million on various venture capital projects in technology, finance and health care, Swartz said.

Hearst added to its newspaper holdings last year, acquiring newspapers in the New Haven, Connecticut, and Alton, Illinois, areas.

We certainly expect to acquire more newspapers over time, largely where geographic synergies and/or regional market opportunities are possible, Swartz wrote.

Revenue from print and digital subscriptions and from digital advertising reached 57 percent of total newspaper revenue. That is a key measure in our effort to lessen our dependence on print advertising revenue, Swartz said.

While our focus is increasingly on selling subscriptions to our premium news products, traffic to our free-to-the-consumer breaking news websites surged in 2017 to 7 billion page views and 42 million unique users, increases of 12 percent and 60 percent respectively, Swartz reported.

An expected revenue drop in the Hearst Television group of 30 stations occurred in 2017 after a record year in 2016 was driven by the presidential election and the Olympics. He predicted a strong year in 2018 with the Olympics and mid-term elections.

Hurricanes hitting our newspaper and television markets in Texas and Florida and terrible fires in California reminded readers and viewers of the essential role our journalists play in their communities, Swartz wrote.

He said the magazine and television groups were in the crosshairs of disruption and the magazine division needs more change.

With respect to many of our titles, we need the readers to pay more for the product. And we need to find a way to make digital subscription products work for magazines in the way that they are starting to work for newspapers, he said.

Swartz said bond rating company Fitch Group, led the way with an outstanding performance across the world.

Aviation safety company called CAMP was also profitable along with the Hearst Health portfolio and a business media unit that sells data and software used by consumers in daily activities.

The Hearst magazine unit added a new title in 2017, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, with Food Network star Ree Drummond. Hearst also acquired existing magazines, Mens Health, Womens Health and Prevention, from Rodale Inc.

dhendricks@express-news.netFormer FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates says co-defendants state Sen. Carlos Uresti and Gary Cain intend to lay the blame on him for allegedly defrauding investors in the now-defunct oil field services company.

The trio are scheduled to stand trial later this month, but Bates is asking to be tried separately from Uresti and Cain because they intend to use him as a foil and a fall person in the case.

Uresti and Cain are going to show the jury that they were victims of Bates fraud, just like the investors with FourWinds, Kurt G. May, an assistant federal public defender representing Bates, said in a Thursday court filing.

A separate trial is necessary to ensure that Bates receives the fair trial that he is entitled to, the filing said.

May said Uresti and Cain plan to use an antagonistic defense, blaming Bates for the alleged fraud. He said their lawyers previously said all three would present a united defense, which May now says was was at best, misleading and at worst, false assertions.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra previously said Uresti and Cain are not planning on acknowledging a criminal conspiracy and that Mr. Bates was the actor and they were the unknowing dupes. That is not their defense. Thats what would concern me and would require a severance, but thats not whats going to happen. Ezras comment was included in a Tuesday filing by federal prosecutors in opposing Bates request.

Bates, Uresti and Cain were indicted in May by a federal grand jury on a combined 22 felony counts in connection with their involvement in FourWinds, a bankrupt frac sand company no longer in business.

Prosecutors have alleged that FourWinds was a Ponzi scheme that defrauded a handful of investors. Jury selection is scheduled for Jan. 18.

Bates was FourWinds majority owner, while Uresti served briefly as its outside legal counsel, held a 1 percent ownership interest in the company and recruited investors. Cain was a company consultant. Each has disputed the charges.

May said Uresti and Cain will attempt to paint Bates as a liar and fraudster.

One of Urestis exhibits that May included in his filing, titled Lavish Spending of Stan Bates, shows a photo of Bates with pictures of a Mercedes SUV with the license plate BATESUP, clip art of piles of cash and booze, and the logos of Adult Megaplex, Victorias Secret and Prada Gucci.

Uresti, a San Antonio Democrat, also submitted a FBI report documenting Bates alleged misrepresentations regarding his military career. His DD Form 214, detailing his career in the Marine Corps, shows he served more than seven years as an artillery cannoneer and four years as a mortarman. The FBI report, though, indicates Bates had told investors and FBI agents that he was a sniper despite no such mention on his DD Form 214.

With Uresti and Cain shifting blame entirely upon Bates, May said in the filing, Bates now must defend himself against both the government and his co-defendants allegations.

Bates would be forced to take the stand in order to respond to the governments allegations and the co-defendants attacks in hopes of presenting any type of a defense, May added. This violates Bates due process rights to a fair trial and to not testify.

May and a lawyer for Uresti didnt respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Charles Chad Muller III, a lawyer for Cain, said he opposes Bates motion for a separate trial.

I think the case should be tried together, Muller said. All of the defendants are there, to try to piecemeal the case as a single story. I just think that thats the better way to tell it.

Federal prosecutors also want the three defendants tried together, arguing in a Tuesday court filing that there (are) no mutually antagonistic defenses because they each engaged in the fraud and reaped illegal profits. Bates got more than $500,000, while Cain received about $360,000 and more than $120,000 went to Uresti, prosecutors allege.

Bates motion for a separate trial should be denied to avoid the scandal and inequity of inconsistent verdicts and save the government, the court, and the victims from a second lengthy trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell said in the filing. He declined to comment.

Ezra said at a Dec. 20 court hearing that there would be no justification for trying Bates separately.

May included more than 400 pages of exhibits to support his request for a separate trial. Among the exhibits is a Sept. 29 email from Bates to his former counsel, Karl Basile, in which he strenuously objected to presenting a united defense with Uresti and Cain.

We have had discovery from the FBI and U.S. attorneys office for 4 months and you havent even called me about one thing! Bates said to Basile in the email. Your only suggestion was to team up with Piece if (sic) (Expletive) Gary Cain and his lawyer! WHAT  (expletive) is that!!! He and Uresti are scumbags and the Reason my life has been destroyed.

That email and texts between Bates and Basile show Bates was being deprived of his right to put on a meaningful defense, May said in the court filing.

Ezra removed Basile from the case in October after finding that the lawyer was not adequately prepared.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | pdanner@express-news.net | @AlamoPDNo more using e-cigarettes  or vaping  on school grounds, say UT Health San Antonio officials.

The university recently updated its tobacco-free policy, in place since 2000, to include such items.

UT Health SAs Eliminate Tobacco Use committee has been at the forefront of the universitys policy changes and has been putting up new signs advertising its tobacco-free policy around campus since December.

The 14-member committee also will be handing out kits to help smokers quit at Healthier You events Jan. 8 and 9.

As role models for public health in San Antonio, were excited to improve the tobacco-free status and resources of UT Health San Antonio to help our faculty, staff, students, and visitors have the healthiest lives possible, Amelie Ramirez, co-chair of the Eliminate Tobacco Use at the university, said in a news release.

The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas gave Ramirez a $1.3 million grant last year to further implement a bilingual texting service she co-launched in 2015 called Quitxt, designed to help students stop smoking.

UT Health also has a tobacco cessation program that gives free information sessions every third Tuesday of the month. Also, those who observe violations of the tobacco-free policy can report them anonymously via an online tool.

Last June, the University of Texas System became the first entirely tobacco-free university system in the state, officials said, and the largest single employer prohibiting tobacco use statewide.

The committee is now working with UT-Austins Center for Health Communication to start a marketing campaign against smoking, according to the release.

Our campaign identifies the negative consequences of smoking, as well as the benefits of quitting, but does so within a larger emotional frame that emphasizes independence, Mike Mackert, director of the Austin-based center, said in the news release.HOUSTON  Ejected from his motorcycle after his tires hit a patch of oil, Michael Cassidy landed on a fire hydrant with such force doctors described it as splitting him up the middle.

Emergency responders worked heroically to save Cassidy, but by the time Life Flight arrived at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, he was fighting for his life, vital signs fading, both brain and heart starving for more blood. Transfusions couldnt keep up with the loss.

He was actively bleeding to death, said Dr. Michelle McNutt, chief of trauma at Memorial Hermanns Red Duke Trauma Institute.

But McNutt and her team had a new device developed and manufactured by a Boerne company that gave hope for Cassidy  a catheter that opens a balloon in the bodys main artery, temporarily stopping the hemorrhaging that threatens a patients life. Doctors describe it as an internal tourniquet and call it a game changer in the field of trauma.

Adapted use

The idea was inspired by the decades-old use of such balloon-tipped catheters in cardiovascular patients and first envisioned for the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, where soldiers still routinely die from internal bleeding when the injury is to the abdomen and pelvis.

Two military doctors with backgrounds in vascular surgery figured the technology that worked in heart patients could work in combat too and fashioned the first balloon-tipped catheter for soldiers with injuries lower in the body,

More Information Video: Check out a demonstration of how the ER-REBOA Catheter works. See More Collapse

Memorial Hermann is leading the effort to bring internal tourniquets to civilian trauma patients. Its doctors published the first case studies employing the technique, using catheters designed for heart patients instead of waiting for the internal tourniquet in development. They learned the technique from Dr. Todd Rasmussen, one of the visionary doctors in the Middle East, then back at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio.

Rasmussens idea didnt actually make it to the battlefield until 2016, after the device was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Its manufactured by Prytime Medical Devices, a Boerne-based company that refined the military prototype, initially as a philanthropic venture, then a commercial one. Prytime worked with Rasmussen and Dr. Jonathan Eliason, the other military surgeon.

No one else would listen to (the military doctors), said David Spencer, Prytime CEO and president. I did not see a market beyond the military initially either, but the more I got into it, the more I saw there was a there there.

Today, he says, Prytimes ER-REBOA (the Eliason-Rasmussen Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta) device is being employed in 200 U.S. trauma centers.

San Antonio Military Medical Center has been using the ER-REBOA catheter for about six months, Spencer said. University Hospital in San Antonio also has shown interest in the device and recently put some of its senior surgeons through certified training that the American College of Surgeons offers for the technique.

An ideal patient

Cassidy was an ideal patient for the device because his source of bleeding was only his pelvis, not his chest or abdomen.

From the groin, McNutt threaded the catheter through the primary artery in Cassidys thigh up to the aorta, then opened the balloon in the pelvis region. With the hemorrhaging blocked, Cassidys systolic blood pressure rose from an almost lifeless 60 to a normal 140 and his heart rate slowed from 150 to 120.

In the half-hour window before blood flow had to be restored, McNutts team stopped the bleeding and prevented infection, a concept known as damage control surgery. They then removed the catheter, able to live to fight another day, in McNutts words.

Cassidys complex combination of injuries  his pelvis was fractured and his colon and bladder also were injured  required multiple subsequent reconstructive operations. But in 30 days he was discharged from the hospital.

Without the internal tourniquet, Cassidy would surely have died, says McNutt. Nine months later, the only vestige of the injury is a limp.

Defining achievement

Such internal bleeding is one of the great killers of trauma patients. Despite improvements in such care in recent years, the death rate for patients with excessive bleeding in the torso, chest or pelvis remains about 50 percent, according to Rasmussen. Until the advent of the internal tourniquet, doctors only recourse had been the thoracotomy, which involves cracking open the chest and whose results are typically poor.

Such a minimally invasive way to control hemmorrhage is remarkable, says Dr. Laura Moore, medical director of the Red Duke Institutes Shock Trauma ICU and a professor of surgery at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. There hasnt been a lot of technical advancement in trauma resuscitation in the last 20 years  I think REBOA is going to be the defining achievement.

Still, the device is in the early stages of research. Moore says researchers are trying to determine the best patient populations, including whether it can revive patients dead for a few minutes by the time they reach the ER.

Memorial Hermann is leading a multi-institutional trial whose results with a variety of patients will be compared with similar patients treated at centers not yet deploying the device.

Expectations are still measured, mostly because hemorrhaging patients likely to benefit from the device typically have multiple other problems that can result in death. McNutt says the majority of deaths among patients on whom the internal tourniquet is used occur because of brain trauma, often only discovered after the device stopped the patients internal bleeding.

Very fortunate

Memorial Hermann has employed the tourniquet on roughly 100 patients, whose outcomes depended on the severity of their injury, not the device. Trauma center leaders said in each case, the devices value was that it bought time.

One Memorial Hermann-University of Maryland Trauma Center study, for instance, showed doctors were able to restore spontaneous circulation, blood pressure and a pulse in 60 percent of patients who arrived at the hospital in cardiac arrest, CPR already in progress.

The odds were certainly against Cassidy making it that far. He survived not just because of the REBOA device, but also because two nurses were in a car behind him when his motorcycle lost control and quickly came to his aid; because recent innovations on Life Flight, such as an in-air blood transfusion, kept him alive during the trip; and because a Memorial Hermann team was ready even before he got there.

Its funny, I was real calm after the accident, sure everything was going to be OK, says Cassidy, 26, a Cypress door assembler who recently became a father. I didnt realize how bad it was until after the surgery. Im very fortunate to be alive.

Express-News Staff Writer Peggy OHare contributed to this report.In an unusual move, San Antonio police launched a recent human smuggling investigation without the help of federal immigration authorities.

Herbert Alan Nichols, 58, of Houston was arrested Dec. 23 after an SAPD officer found him near a tractor-trailer with 12 people inside. Instead of turning the case over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements criminal investigation arm, police charged Nichols under a state smuggling law.

Detectives interviewed the 12 people found in the truck, who were suspected of being in the country illegally, then released them, a police report states.

Nichols arrest comes as the city has been at the forefront of national immigration issues. San Antonio is part of a lawsuit challenging the new Texas law on so-called sanctuary cities, which created penalties for local officials who have policies preventing law enforcement officers from asking about immigration status of people they detain.

San Antonio previously prohibited its officers from making such inquiries  because immigration is a federal matter  but had to remove the prohibition under the new law. The citys new policy simply makes it clear to officers that immigration enforcement is not a priority.

Courts struck down the portion of the law that punishes officials who materially limit  the enforcement of immigration laws. An appeal is pending in the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

A spokesman for Mayor Ron Nirenberg referred questions about the recent incident to SAPD.

Sgt. Michelle Ramos, a police spokeswoman, said the department received a $500,000 grant last year to train officers to identify and investigate human smuggling and trafficking.

We do have a state statute that allows us to investigate these cases, Ramos said. My understanding is because this is the second one this year, I think its a good idea that we do take the lead on this.

We certainly will work with our federal counterparts, Ramos added. We have a working relationship.

The December incident came months after police found dozens of people from Mexico, Guatemala and Ecuador who had been smuggled from Laredo in a tractor-trailer and left in a South Side parking lot last July. Ten people died from suffocation in the sweltering trailer.

Most of the 29 survivors were detained by federal officials and many later were deported. In that case, the survivors were flushed down the tubes, said Jonathan Ryan, the executive director of Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services. He applauded San Antonio police for not turning the witnesses of the December incident over to ICE.

In both cases, what you had was an individual being prosecuted for smuggling, for exploiting peoples hopes and fears and taking money and risking their lives in the process. In both cases, the immigrants served as the principal witnesses, without whose testimony there would be no prosecution, said Ryan, whose organization represents immigrants who were being smuggled in both incidents. In the July event, the individuals were being held in a private, for-profit prison for weeks at taxpayer expense, to achieve what appears to be the same result the police are going to get in this case by pursuing state smuggling charges.

On Dec. 23, a police officer found Nichols pacing outside a tractor-trailer parked in the 1600 block of Splashtown Drive after being flagged down by a motorist that afternoon, a police report says.

The complainant then stated that there was a trailer with some individuals in it and that two females were right outside crying, the report states.

The officer found 12 people in the trailer, ages 16 through 41, none of whom required medical attention. One man from Guatemala said hed been picked up from somewhere in the woods and was given a ride to San Antonio, the adds.

Police Chief William McManus arrived on the scene and Nichols, a 57-year-old woman who also was considered a suspect and the 12 immigrants were taken to police headquarters.

There, Nichols admitted picking up the immigrants at a warehouse in Laredo and transporting them to San Antonio, according to the police report. The 12 immigrants were released.

Nichols was charged with smuggling of persons, a state law that can carry up to 20 years in prison if one of the people being smuggled is younger than 18. He still was in Bexar County Jail on Wednesday afternoon.

Local police rarely use the charge. In Bexar County, only one person has been prosecuted under the state smuggling of persons law, which was created in 2011, online court records indicate.

An ICE spokeswoman said the agency offered assistance, but police decided to pursue the case on their own.

The state smuggling law doesnt require police to show that the people being smuggled are illegal immigrants, only that the smuggler used a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft to transport an individual with the intent to  conceal the individual from a peace officer or special investigator and did so for a pecuniary benefit.

Local law enforcement agencies that encounter human smugglers usually reach out to Homeland Security Investigations, the criminal investigative branch of ICE, said Julian Calderas, the former deputy field office director in San Antonio for ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, the branch that handles deportations.

Its really unusual. I dont think that I ever saw a situation where there was clearly organized smuggling that they didnt, said Calderas, now the CEO of the consulting firm XFed. This is clearly organized; 18-wheelers, those are usually smuggling rings or organized crime. It would seem very unusual that they would not reach out for some sort of assistance or even give (federal officials) the opportunity to prosecute.

Calderas said he was surprised police decided to charge the state crime, especially in light of the recent deaths in an 18-wheeler last year in a similar situation.

If ICE had handled the investigation, the immigrants likely would have been held as material witnesses and possibly put into deportation proceedings.

Luis Vera, a lawyer for the League of United Latin American Citizens who represents the border town of El Cenizo in its challenge to SB 4, said he thinks its unlikely San Antonios decision to use the state charge and release the immigrants being smuggled violates SB 4.

The question is, does the city have a policy that interferes with an officers right to question or arrest? Vera said. SB 4 talks about policy. The courts have said that localities have a right to manage their local funds and to prioritize how they use those funds.

jbuch@express-news.net

Staff Writer Emilie Eaton contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with the correct time that police were called to the scene.Ready for a break from freezing temperatures? Relief will arrive this weekend.

San Antonio is in the midst of what will be a six-day cold snap, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Low temperatures will continue to dip below freezing in the Alamo City on Thursday and Friday mornings. Residents should keep their pets and plants inside and protect any water pipes at risk of bursting.

No precipitation is expected.

Temperatures should return to more typical January levels this weekend, with highs projected to reach 58 degrees on Saturday and the mid-60s on Sunday, according to the weather service. Overnight freezes will no longer be a threat.

While San Antonio hasnt set any record lows during this uncomfortable stretch of cold, it is unusual for the local area to experience this many consecutive days of freezing weather, said Brett Williams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Austin and San Antonio office.

If the forecast holds up, were going to be below freezing for six consecutive days, Williams said, referring to a period extending from New Years Eve through Friday morning.

The last time San Antonio recorded six consecutive days of low temperatures below the freezing mark was February 2011, Williams said.

Earlier this week, temperatures at San Antonio International Airport remained at or below freezing for 39 consecutive hours, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday and ending at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Williams noted. Yet that stretch didnt come close to the freeze of February 2011, when temperatures remained at or below freezing for around 65 consecutive hours, he said.

Temperatures hit a low of 26 Monday morning and a low of 29 Tuesday morning. Wednesday mornings low was expected to plunge to as low as 23 degrees, Williams said.

The weather service is expecting lows to reach 26 degrees Thursday morning and 31 degrees Friday morning.

Highs will hover in the range of 50 to 54 degrees through Friday.

Although thats warmer than it has been this week, its still colder than normal. The typical low temperature for San Antonio in the first week of January is 40 degrees, while the normal high is 62 degrees, Williams said.

The cold snap prompted the Salvation Army to set up its mobile canteen west of downtown late Tuesday afternoon to distribute hot cocoa, tomato soup and crackers to the homeless and others in need. Volunteers from Gonzaba Medical Group joined the effort, handing out blankets, toiletries and other necessities that its employees had donated.

Priscilla Miramontes, her husband and three children had been struggling to keep warm at their trailer home in Adkins after their heater malfunctioned. After seeing news of the Salvation Armys handout on TV, the family drove to San Antonio as fast as they could. They arrived at the mobile canteen wearing only summer clothes or thin pajamas.

Gonzaba volunteers quickly covered the Miramontes children in blankets, caps and gloves.

I came to get more clothes for my girls because weve seen all the tragedies that have been happening  I don't want that to happen to us, Priscilla Miramontes said. With this, I've seen that theres a lot of hope.

Christinia Delacruz, a 24-year-old mother from Los Angeles, smiled as she organized blankets and toiletries in a pink backpack. Delacruz said she and her children live in a tent with a small heater.

My ID, my wallet, everything was stolen, so its hard for me to go out and get a job to support my kids, Delacruz said. This means a whole lot to me  its like Santa Claus.

Terrie Taylor, who just turned 44, also stocked up on necessities provided by the group. Volunteers sang Happy Birthday to her as she held her cocoa and a cup of soup.

It feels good, Taylor said, thankful for the aid.

The Salvation Armys emergency family shelter at 515 W. Elmira St. was at capacity, but people without a place to keep warm are still welcome to stay in the facilitys lobby, spokesman Brad Mayhar said.

Much of the country is experiencing miserable cold as well.

Nashville is plunging to lows of 9 to 10 degrees and wont see high temperatures above the 20s Thursday and Friday. Albuquerque is hitting lows of 19 to 20 degrees. New York Citys temperature is expected to remain between 10 and 14 degrees on Friday.

The vast majority of the continental United States right now is below freezing, Williams said Tuesday.

Almost every major city in Texas was colder than the 43 degrees reached in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday afternoon, National Weather Service reports showed. El Paso was the only exception.

Peggy O'Hare is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | pohare@express-news.net | @Peggy_OHare | Staff Writer Kelsey Bradshaw contributed to this report.WASHINGTON  With the specter of Russian meddling in U.S. elections again roiling Washington, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein wants Brad Parscale, the San Antonio digital expert and ally of President Donald Trump, to submit to an interview and provide documents related to any contacts with Russians or their operatives.

Feinstein, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent Parscale a letter Wednesday requesting an array of materials, including communications with Russians and documents related to emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons presidential campaign.

In her letter, addressed to Giles-Parscale Inc. in San Antonio, Feinstein noted that Parscale ran the Trump campaigns digital operation in 2016, overseeing advertising and data collection.

Given your role on the campaign, we believe that you have information that would assist the committee in its investigation related to the 2016 presidential election, Feinstein wrote.

The Trump administration has sought to put the Russian interference behind it, but the issue surfaced explosively Wednesday in a newly published book quoting former presidential adviser Steve Bannon calling a June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr., Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Russians treasonous and unpatriotic.

In Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, by Michael Wolff, Bannon, a chief architect of Trumps victory who later was fired from his White House job, expresses scorn and astonishment that such a meeting took place.

Feinstein also requested an interview and documents from White House social media director Dan Scavino concerning Russia and also about Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey and the hiring and firing of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Feinstein has sent similar letters to other Trump campaign officials since she and Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, decided in October to operate separately in their investigations.

Their committee, along with Senate and House Intelligence panels, have pursued investigations since U.S. intelligence officials concluded last year that Russia meddled in American elections with social media, online trolls and internet propaganda.

Special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible collusion between the Russian government and Trumps team has led to four indictments related to obstruction of justice and financial crimes.

Feinstein said last month: I think what we're beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice.

The Judiciary split and recent reports that the GOP-led House Intelligence Committee is speeding its investigation to conclusion suggest the likelihood of separate Republican and Democratic reports on findings, and the possibility of questions left unanswered.

Parscale did not respond to an email about the letter. He agreed to appear in front of the House Intelligence Committee last year and has scoffed at suggestions that his San Antonio-based digital operation had anything to do with Russians or their operatives during the campaign.

Appearing on CBS 60 Minutes in October, Parscale called allegations of collusion a joke.

I know my own activities, and I know the activities of this campaign. I was there. It's just a farce, he said.

Parscale is active in the presidents re-election planning. It was widely reported that he and other present and former Trump aides met with the president at the White House last month to warn of GOP vulnerabilities heading into mid-term congressional elections this year.

blambrecht@express-news.netA man who fire officials believe may have accidentally set himself on fire Tuesday morning in the kitchen of his East Side home, resulting in his death.

Firefighters responded to the blaze just before 9 a.m. at a home in the 200 block of Belmont Avenue, where they found the 75-year-old victim dead.

A neighbor initially saw smoke rising from the victims house and rushed over to see if the man was OK, according to Woody Woodward, a spokesman for the San Antonio Fire Department. The house is equipped with burglar bars, but the neighbor was able to break them loose and force his way inside.

He was able to see his neighbor in the front of the house, said San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood, but the man was basically on fire.

The neighbor pulled the man to the doorway of the home, sustaining minor burns to his hand in the process, and then put out the fire on the victim using flour, according to Woodward.

We want to thank the neighbor for his quick action, Hood said.

More Information Winter heating safety tips Stove: Never use to heat a home. Space heaters: Keep all combustible material at least 3 feet away. Do not stand next to a space heater since clothing can catch fire. Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical outlet. Clean thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner to prevent a buildup of dust or lint. Floor furnaces: They are safest when equipped with a thermostat and automatic shutoff device. Remove the grate and use a vacuum to remove any dust or lint. Central heaters: Clean or replace the furnace filter. Clean the entire furnace to remove dust and lint. Do not store any combustible material in the heater closet. Fireplaces: Inspect the fireplace and chimney at least once a year. Look for cracks in the firebox, flue and chimney. Also check for buildup of soot inside the flue. Open the damper enough to allow the smoke and gases to escape up the chimney. Never start a fire with gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid. Always keep a good-quality metal fireplace screen in front of the fireplace whenever it is being used to prevent burning logs from rolling out or embers from flying out. Clutter: Hoarding leads to homes filled with clutter, making it harder and riskier to fight a fire and to find and rescue any people or pets. See More Collapse

Authorities then arrived and pronounced the man dead. Firefighters checked the rest of the house and found no other occupants.

Woodward said the victim may have been using his stove to stay warm or had possibly been trying to extinguish a toaster fire when his shirt ignited.

This very well could have been a kitchen fire where the occupant set himself on fire accidentally, Hood said. Its very tragic.

Hood warned San Antonians to not use unorthodox means to heat their homes, despite the cold weather. The fire department said it has already responded to numerous house fires since the beginning of the new year, many of which have started because people were trying to stay warm in the freezing weather.

At least two of them were started by space heaters being too close to other objects, according to the department.AUSTIN  Don Willett pledged his first oath of office to the Texas Supreme Court 4,512 days ago. About four years later, he sent his first tweet.

Now, the conservative jurist and one of Texas most social media savvy public officials known for tweeting about the Constitution and his faith and cracking dad jokes to 111,000 followers is the newest member of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He was sworn in Tuesday.

A strong judiciary is indeed essential to a strong state and to a strong United States, Willett told a packed audience inside the Texas Supreme Court courtroom. My title today has changed from justice to judge, but my task has not. Judging according to the rule of law is a sacred trust.

Willett was nominated to the federal court by President Donald Trump last September. Although U.S. Senate Democrats grilled him during his confirmation hearings for a tweet they said demeaned a transgender teen, the chamber confirmed his nomination on party lines in December.

His shift to the federal appeals court based in New Orleans is something of a homecoming for Willett, who clerked at the 5th Circuit after law school a quarter century ago.

I will continue serving the Lone Star State on a new court, but always with a full heart, said Willett, who has been dubbed the unofficial Tweeter Laureate of Texas and has sent nearly 26,000 tweets.

Also nominated and confirmed to the 5th Circuit Court is James Ho, a Dallas appellate lawyer and former Texas solicitor general who became a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. Both are respected in conservative circles and were recommended by Texas two Republican U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.

I learned pretty quickly that being a judge was not for lazy minds or giant egos, Cornyn, a former member of the Texas Supreme Court, said during the ceremony. Judges shouldnt go rogue, meddle in politics or legislate from the bench, he added.

The job requires painstaking attention to detail and nuance. Its very hard work, he said.

The federal appellate court handles appeals from U.S. district courts in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The 5th Circuit is one of the countrys more consistently conservative courts, said Justin Levitt, law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

The challenge for Willett, Levitt said, will be interpreting laws that he had no occasion to interpret in his role as a Texas Supreme Court justice, and he will be dealing with U.S. Supreme Court rulings in a very different way.

High-profile cases from Texas that have been taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years include a challenge to Texas abortion restrictions, which the high court struck down, and a case pushing back against the Obama administrations executive action on immigration.

James Davis Blacklock, Gov. Greg Abbotts general counsel, also was sworn onto the bench Tuesday. He will finish Willetts term on the Texas Supreme Court, which ends Dec. 31, 2018. He is running for election to the post.

He is one of these people who comes to this court, as they say, with batteries included. He comes prepared to serve from Day 1, said Abbott, who praised Blacklock as brilliant with masterful insight and extensive experience with appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump hit back at Steve Bannon in scathing comments on Wednesday saying that when his former White House chief strategist was fired "he not only lost his job, he lost his mind".



President Trump's comments, which came in the form of a written statement from the White House, were in response to Bannon's strident criticism of Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort for sitting down with a group of Russians who promised damaging information against Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election in excerpts from a new book by Michael Wolff, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House".



Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party, the president said in a statement. Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesnt represent my base  hes only in it for himself.



The statement went on to read Bannon pretends to be at war with the media and yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was.



For his part, Bannon is quoted as worrying about the legal implications of the June 2016 meeting according to Wolff's book.



Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad [expletive], and I happen to think its all of that you should have called the FBI immediately, Bannon is quoted as saying of the legal implications of the June 2016 meeting according to Wolff's book.



Later in the day on Wednesday, Bannon told a listener who called into Breitbart News' SiriusXM show, "The president of the United States is a great man. You know I support him, day in and day out, whether going through the country giving the Trump miracle speech or on the show or on the website."



In the book, Bannon suggests such information should have been passed on to lawyers as intermediaries and pushed for publication "down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication."



Bannon returned to Breitbart as executive chairman in August.



Bannon did not immediately respond to ABC News when asked for comment on whether he disputes the quotes attributed to him in the article.



Spokespeople for Kushner and Trump Jr. did not immediately respond to request for comment.



Bannon is also quoted in the book as offering a candid and damning outlook on the prospects of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential Trump campaign collusion with Russian efforts to meddle in the 2016 election and raising alarm over investigators directing their inquiry into the finances of those in Trump's inner circle.



You realize where this is going, Bannon is quoted as saying. This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to [expletive] Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Jared Kushner  Its as plain as a hair on your face.



Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman, pleaded not guilty after he and his associate Rick Gates were indicted in October on charges including conspiracy against the United States, money laundering and working as unregistered foreign agents.



It's not the first time Bannon, who continues to advise the president from outside the White House, has drawn attention for his candid comments after leaving his post.



In a September interview with '60 Minutes,' Bannon described Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey as the "biggest mistake in modern political history."



During the White House press briefing, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump was furious and disgusted to learn of the comments Bannon made to Wolff.



Sanders said that Wolff never actually sat down with the president and when they did it was one brief conversation for five to seven minutes in total and thats it since hes taken office. As for his access to the White House staff, Sanders said I think close to 95 percent of the just over a dozen interactions were done so at Steve Bannons request.



Several prominent news outlets have raised concerns about the reliability of Wolffs reporting.



For whatever reason, Wolff seems to have arrived at a stunning amount of incredible conclusions that hundreds of dogged reporters from major newspapers havent, wrote Aaron Blake, a political reporter with the Washington Post. Whether that's because he had unprecedented access  or because his filter was just more relaxed than others, it's worth evaluating each claim individually and not just taking every salacious thing said about the White House as gospel.



In response to those concerns, a spokesperson for Henry Holt and Company, the books publisher, told ABC News that Wolff stands by the reporting.



The spokesperson did not answer specific questions about how the claims in the book were fact-checked.



New York Magazine, which published an excerpt from the book on Wednesday, provided some additional details about the reporting process in an editors note.



Wolff, who chronicles the administration from Election Day to this past October, conducted conversations and interviews over a period of 18 months with the president, most members of his senior staff, and many people to whom they in turn spoke, the note reads. Shortly after Trumps inauguration, Wolff says, he was able to take up something like a semi-permanent seat on a couch in the West Wing.



The magazine also addressed the unique set of journalistic challenges in reporting on the Trump White House, including seemingly blurred lines between on- and off-the-record conversations.



In true Trumpian fashion, the administrations lack of experience and disdain for political norms made for a hodgepodge of journalistic challenges, the note continues. Information would be provided off-the-record or on deep background, then casually put on the record. Sources would fail to set any parameters on the use of a conversation, or would provide accounts in confidence, only to subsequently share their views widely. And the presidents own views, private as well as public, were constantly shared by others.





Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.STAMFORD - Mayor David Martin said his office will work with the Board of Representatives, heavily dominated by his Democratic Party, on its decision to delay his request to reappoint a member of his cabinet.

City representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to hold the reappointment of Operations Director Ernie Orgera, citing his involvement in controversies that span his long history with the city. Representatives said they want the boards Appointments Committee to re-interview Orgera, 73, who is seeking his third stint as director of the Office of Operations.

It is common practice for the board to hold items if they believe additional consideration is appropriate, the mayor said in an email. Given the circumstances, it is understandable that some representatives want a review of some past issues, although I am not certain it is always productive to repeatedly re-litigate allegations made years ago under a different mayor.

During the newly elected boards January meeting, city Rep. Megan Cottrell, D-4, summed up the feelings of many representatives, who voted 30-6, with one abstention, to hold Martins request.

A lot of questions still need to be asked, Cottrell said.

Questions date to Orgeras original tenure as director, which began with Martins predecessor, former Mayor Michael Pavia. When Martin first became mayor in 2013, he held Orgera over from the Pavia administration.

Orgera has been involved in controversies that include distribution of sexist and racist emails among employees in his department, the unauthorized sale of city scrap metal for cash, and the hasty demolition and disposal of a burned Shippan Avenue home in which three girls and their grandparents were killed on Christmas Day 2011.

City Rep. Nina Sherwood, D-8, is among Orgeras critics.

Mr. Orgera has admitted that he used money acquired from the sale of city scrap metals to pay for parties for employees. If I went outside my house and dismantled some city light poles and sold them to buy beer and pizza for the board, would that be OK? Sherwood said. In the Christmas fire, there is a back and forth between Mr. Orgera and the building official about who decided to tear down the house. Whoever decided, Mr. Orgera is the boss, and there should have been consequences for not following the rules, but there werent.

My constituents have reached out to me to say, We need an operations director who can have our trust, Sherwood said. Thats what we, as representatives, are obligated to give them.

Harassment claims

During the meeting, representatives focused on another set of questions involving claims of sexual harassment and possible racial bias brought by Charlene McArthur, who was the citys only female employee in trash collections, a department overseen by Orgera. McArthur was fired in 2015.

City officials have said McArthur was let go because she failed to return to work after an extended sick leave. McArthur has said she was repeatedly harassed by men in her department who believed a woman shouldnt work garbage detail. They told her she should be home baking cakes, they put pornographic photos on her windshield, and when she asked to use a different bathroom from the men, she found a rat trap on the toilet, McArthur has said.

McArthur, who is black, also questioned an email, titled Proud to Be White, that was circulated several years ago among Operations employees. The email had been forwarded to Orgera. City policy requires that such use of email accounts be reported.

Because of that, McArthur asked to address the boards Appointments Committee at its Dec. 16 meeting, when members took up the Orgera reappointment. It was not a public hearing so her request was denied, but McArthur was allowed to submit written materials for the committees review, according to a Dec. 13 email from the boards legislative officer.

Committee members, however, did not discuss McArthurs case during their meeting, at which they voted 3-1, with three abstentions, to recommend that Orgera be reappointed.

Vote to hold

But Tuesday night, when the committees recommendation came before the full board, there was a motion to hold the Orgera reappointment. Representatives then asked why the committee did not discuss McArthurs allegations.

City Rep. Dennis Mahoney, R-20, cited recent revelations about sexual harassment in workplaces nationwide that have resulted in the firings or resignations of prominent men in media, business, politics and Hollywood.

He thinks the Appointments Committee should re-interview Orgera and maybe pay slightly more attention to the claims made by McArthur, Mahoney said.

Its important for the committee to find a way to properly air the claims and, if untrue, to repair the directors reputation, he said. And if  there is any credence, I think its beholden on us as representatives ... to address it properly in committee and then address it properly on the floor before the full board.

City Rep. Denis Patterson, D-6, a member of the Appointments Committee, said McArthurs claims were effectively understood during committee deliberations.

Just because it was not brought up doesnt mean it wasnt considered, Patterson said.

City Rep. Monica di Costanzo, D-7, said the Orgera decision should be held because many representatives still have questions and need time to get answers.

A vote now would not be fair to Mr. Orgera because people would abstain, di Costanzo said. We should not proceed if this turns out to be a very close vote.

City Rep. John Zelinsky, D-11, said the vote should go forward.

Mr. Orgera is here in the audience. Its unfair to him, Zelinsky said. I dont think anything is going to change between tonight and next month, when the Appointments Committee could again take up the reappointment.

But Zelinsky was substantially out-voted, and the Orgera decision was held.

McArthurs allegations are serious, and we take them seriously, Martin said. We will be available to the board to share the complete story with (the) Personnel Committee later this month.

Other cabinet members

Representatives voted without discussion to reappoint Kathryn Emmett as director of Legal Affairs and Ted Jankowski as director of Public Safety, Health & Welfare. They voted 30-4, with three abstentions, to reappoint Director of Administration Michael Handler.

Zelinsky questioned whether Handler, who is a Republican candidate for governor this year, can fulfill his duties to Stamford taxpayers. Handler told the Appointments Committee he would resign if his campaign should interfere with his job.

What if he decides around budget time that he has a conflict? Do we have to start looking around for his replacement during budget time? Zelinsky said. For that reason I oppose this reappointment.

City Rep. Raven Matherne, D-19, like Zelinsky, cited Handlers skill with city finances. Matherne, however, supported Handlers reappointment.

Ambition is a valued trait. Its a sign of a persons ability to perform, Matherne said.

But she was among those who voted to hold off on Orgera.

Improper emails

Orgera faced tough questions the first time Martin sought to keep him in the directors job. When Martin originally became mayor in 2013, it was assumed that, as a Democrat, he would replace Orgera not only because hed served in the Republican Pavia administration but also because of his involvement in controversies dating to his years as a supervisor in the highways division of the Office of Operations.

In 2005 Orgera was cited in an incident in which five city employees were suspended for using their city email accounts to exchange jokes and pictures offensive to women. Orgera had to undergo sexual-harassment training for receiving the emails and failing to report them as required by city policy.

In 2014, when Orgera was seeking reappointment as Operations director under Martin, another series of emails surfaced. They were exchanged between 2007 and 2010 and disparaged Latino immigrants. Orgera had forwarded some of the emails from his city account to city employees, friends, and to his personal account.

Orgera told members of the Appointments Committee then that he did not read through the emails before sending them on. The committee voted to recommend that his reappointment be rejected, but Martin stood behind him, saying he needed someone with Orgeras experience and that he was taking measures to enforce the email policy and change the culture in city departments.

Amid protests from the Latino community, the full board voted 24-12 to keep Orgera in the job in 2014.

Shippan tragedy

Orgera came under criticism again last year after depositions were released in the case of the Christmas 2011 fire, in which three girls and their grandparents were killed.

The family sued Orgera, the city and Chief Building Official Robert DeMarco, whom he supervises, for demolishing the Shippan Avenue house the day after the fire and hauling the debris away without permission from the owner, Madonna Badger, the girls mother.

The Badger family wanted further investigation into the cause of the fire and alleged that the city quickly removed the debris to cover up botched inspections of a major renovation of the house. DeMarco testified that Orgera told him to tear it down; Orgera said it was DeMarcos idea.

To date, the city has settled two of the lawsuits for a total of $8 million. Settlement in a third suit is pending.

When the Appointments Committee last week voted 3-1, with three abstentions, to recommend that Orgera be reappointed again, they praised him for his strong work ethic and responsiveness to problems but also asked him to recount his experience in the Badger fire.

I didnt start that fire, Orgera told the committee. Nobody from the city started that fire. He also said that only DeMarco has the authority to order a building demolished and that he told DeMarco, If you feel its unsafe, you do what you have to do.

With his reappointment pending, Orgera will be on the job, Martin said. He is continuing his work throughout the community and working with his staff to preparing for the winter storm forecast for Thursday, the mayor wrote.

acarella@stamfordadvocate.com.By Lee Schulz, Russ Euken

Livestock producers who purchase feeder cattle or weaned pigs plus the feed, and then sell finished animals at a specific point in time, take on a significant amount of both input and output price risk. Feeder cattle, weaned pig and feed prices account for a significant share of the total input cost and along with market livestock prices are volatile, adding to a producers risk.

The crush margin, a term borrowed from the soybean processing industry, describes the margin that can be hedged using futures contract prices for soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil. A crush margin also can be calculated for cattle and hogs and can be used as a risk management tool. For fed cattle, the margin is live cattle value minus feeder cattle value and estimated corn fed value. For market hogs, the margin is lean hog value minus weaned pig value and estimated corn and soybean meal fed value.

Lee Schulz, ISU Extension and Outreach livestock economist, has been tracking the crush margins for cattle and hogs and posting them online for several years. The margin is calculated every Wednesday using the futures close on that date. The web page will continue and have historical margins in addition to comparing placement month margins.

This new ISU Livestock Crush Margin App is in addition to the ISU Livestock Crush Margin website and allows users to select cattle or hogs and pick their placement date for feeder cattle or weaned pigs. It will use the appropriate futures contract close price from the previous day to calculate the margin without any additional inputs. Historical basis information Schulz has compiled is programmed to be used in the app. Users also can enter their own prices or basis for the inputs if they wish to override the defaults.

Russ Euken, ISU Extension and Outreach livestock specialist, said the app was designed to minimize inputs, yet still provide some flexibility for users.

The app is a web-based app and internet access is needed to use the app to access CME futures price," Euken said. "The app will run in a browser on your computer or the app can be saved on a smart phone for access by selecting the icon from the screen.

The app was developed as part of a North Central Region Risk Management Education grant for livestock price risk management education. Schulz said evaluating margins and taking advantages of profitable opportunities can be a valuable asset to producers in managing risk.

Using futures prices to evaluate and manage the crush margin between revenue and the major input costs, which change with market conditions, is a good price risk management strategy," Schulz said.The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.Brunhilde Pomsel, from A German LifeAt the Cinema Village in Greenwich Village, one of New Yorks last remaining arthouse movie theaters, I went to a screening over the holidays of A German Life. It was a brutal experience.

The New York Times described it as likely to be the last new movie of its kind: a documentary that presents contemporary testimony from someone who witnessed the inner workings of the Nazi high command.

The film centers on an interview with Brunhilde Pomsel, who served as Joseph Goebbels secretary and who was 103 when she was recorded, with video frequently punctuated by raw archival footage from WWII and post-war material.

It was natural to watch the film and to feel utter and complete revulsion at Ms. Pomsels testimony, as she struggles with her own guilt and complicity, being present and working at the epicenter of Nazi atrocities. She asks, Is it bad, is it egoistic when people who have been placed in certain positions try to do something that is beneficial for them, even when they know that by doing so they end up harming someone else?

She describes her decision to join the Nazi party as, Why shouldnt I? She talks about the workplace and professional benefits she would receive as a party member, as we might describe signing up for a music streaming service. In the end, she almost reluctantly admits that she was one of the cowards.

But oddly enough, as discussed in a New York Times article, Ms. Pomsels personal guilt was not the directors main focus. Rather, the movie makers wanted it to be a reminder of the human capacity for complacency and denial.

Taking it a step further, one of the directors, Olaf Muller, said: One of the main aims of the film is to have the audience question: How would I have reacted? What would I have done in her situation for a new step in my career?

Im glad I read the NYT interview with the directors before I watched the film. Why? Because Olafs challenge made me uncomfortable. It caused me to think deeper than I otherwise would have, to imagine myself at that place and time, confronted with similar circumstances.

Like everyone, Id like to think I know exactly how I would have reacted. We can all cast ourselves in the role of always doing whats right, especially with the benefit of hindsight.

But in our world today, where globally disbursed personnel face constant ethical dilemmas in their lives and work, and where subtle and obvious forces intertwine with emotional biases and decision making, these crucibles are powerful tools for business and compliance leaders to look deeper into the question, What would I do?

And Ms. Pomsel also provides a chilling reminder for commercial personnel to think beyond their own ecosystem, where corruption might look like a business win-win, without the calculus of who am I hurting, even if unintended.

Compliance leaders have a unique opportunity to embrace Olafs challenge. Here is where cross-functional teams can collectively struggle with ethical dilemmas in order to help safeguard the front-lines of operations. We dont need to wait for a blog post, podcast or enforcement action to ask ourselves, What would I have done?

So many of these conflicts and challenges are inevitable and almost predictable, so why not surface them now? Why wait for an imminent crisis to face our future choices? As a clergyman once said to me, The best time to build a house is when theres not a storm.

___

As a postscript, Ms. Pomsel died about a year ago at 106. She served five years of prison in the then Soviet Union, after her capture in the bunker where Hitler and Goebbels committed suicide.

A trailer for A German Life is here.

I wish everyone all the best for a Healthy and Happy 2018, with lots of difficult, challenging and uncomfortable conversations.

____

Richard Bistrong is a contributing editor of the FCPA Blog and CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery LLC. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate the FCPA and served fourteen-and-a-half months at a U.S. federal prison camp. He was named to Compliance Weeks list of Top Minds in 2017 and was one of Ethispheres 100 Most Influential in Business Ethics in 2015.

His popular real-life compliance training video, Behind the Bribe, produced in cooperation with Mastercard, was released in June.

To request a demo of the full eleven-minute video or a licensing fee schedule, please click here.There was plenty to ponder when looking for the biggest FCPA stories from last year. The flurry of enforcement actions in January before the transition in Washington to a new Administration. Suspense about whether the new crew would enforce the FCPA at all. Two hundred and ten whistleblower tips to the SEC about potential FCPA violations. And some startling mega-cases that reshuffled the Top Ten list.

But when the ball dropped on 2017, our picks for the three most important FCPA stories of the year are these:

Number 3  More individuals held accountable. First under the Pilot Program, and now under the new DOJ guidance, companies are trying to qualify for cooperation credit. That puts more attention than ever on the individuals actually responsible for the overseas bribery. The fruits of the policy were evident in 2017.

Last year a dozen individuals either pleaded guilty or were convicted of FCPA offenses. Seven others were indicted, and eight were sentenced.

(For comparison, in 2016 ten individuals pleaded guilty to FCPA criminal charges and two individuals were sentenced for criminal FCPA offenses. In 2015, four individuals pleaded guilty to DOJ charges and two were indicted on new charges. And in 2014, six individuals pleaded guilty to DOJ charges.)

The DOJ promised more individual prosecutions. In 2017, it happened.

* * *

Number 2  The new guidance. In November Rod Rosenstein announced that the FCPA Pilot Program had become permanent, and that the DOJ had incorporated it into the U.S. Attorneys Manual.

Contributing editor Bill Steinmen wrote a helpful post about whats new in the guidance:

First, a presumption of declination. Companies that satisfy the cooperation standards will enjoy a presumption that theyll receive a declination, Bill said. Dont pop the corks too soon, however. The presumption is subject to several rather substantial qualifiers, he said.

Second, an unqualified 50 percent. Full credit for voluntary self-disclosure, full cooperation and timely and appropriate remediation could qualify for a 50 percent reduction from the bottom end of the Sentencing Guidelines range. The old language in the Pilot Program said the credit could be up to a 50 percent reduction. The up to is gone.

Third, those worrisome messaging apps. Full remediation credit for corporations now requires them to prevent employees from using software that generates but does not appropriately retain business records or communications. Its not going to be easy for companies to control the use of messaging apps such as Snapchat and Wickr. But at least the guidance is clear.

Fourth, more clarity around de-confliction. The new policy, Bill said, makes clear that the DOJ may request companies to hold off on certain investigative steps (such as interviewing specific individuals) so that the agency can proceed with its own investigation. But these de-confliction requests will be narrowly tailored, and will last for a limited period of time. And the DOJ will notify the company when it has lifted the de-confliction request.

Finally, a new way companies need to demonstrate appropriate remediation. Companies have to undertake a root cause analysis of the conduct in question. Of all the changes in the new policy, this is perhaps my favorite, Bill said. Its about corporate ethics and culture. Its how companies that have had a problem can really fix things and move forward.

* * *

Number 1  New structure for global FCPA resolutions. Its official. The DOJ and SEC have a new way to structure global settlements with companies accused of overseas corruption. The feds impose a total penalty on the FCPA defendant, but allow some of that amount to be paid to enforcement authorities and regulators in other countries.

Thats what happened in 2017 with Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary in their $422 million FCPA resolution. The deferred prosecution agreement with Keppel Offshore and the plea agreement with its U.S. unit assessed the full penalty.

But the DPA said half the penalty is payable in Brazil. A quarter is payable in Singapore. And a quarter is payable to the United States Treasury. According to the DPA, if Keppel pays less than the allocated amounts in Brazil or Singapore, its obligated to pay the difference to the United States.

Telia Companys $965 million resolution in September 2017 also followed this new pattern. There, the total penalties were specified in the DOJs deferred prosecution agreement and the SECs administrative order. Telias DPA, like Keppels, said the total criminal penalty would be offset by penalties paid to Dutch and Swedish authorities.

The practice was also used in late 2016 for the Odebrecht / Braskem FCPA enforcement action, which allowed for offsets against payments to authorities in Brazil and Switzerland, and for VimpelCom in early 2016, where some SEC-ordered disgorgement was payable to the Netherlands.

Why is the new structure important? It helps companies avoid paying penalties more than once for the same bribery offenses. The DOJ deals with enforcement agencies in other countries, keeping the global resolution process more orderly.

The new settlement structure also encourages other countries to enforce their anti-corruption laws. Who doesnt want a share of the penalties flowing from a huge FCPA settlement? Now other countries can have that if they bring their own enforcement actions but coordinate the process through the U.S. Its a multiplicity of actions, without the chaos. Thats good policy.

Welcome to the era of enlightened global enforcement.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.A woman has put her virginity up for auction.

Woman offers up virginity

Bailey Gibson, 23, is an adopted daughter of devoutly religious parents and lived in an all-girls Christian boarding school growing up, but has decided to try a new way of life and has promised the highest bidder will be able to pop her cherry at a brothel.

In a blog post, according to The Sun Online, she said: ''I grew up nestled in a gated community in the suburbs of Sacramento, California.

''I was adopted when I was one year old, and grew up with very strong Christian values as my adoptive father was an elder at our home church.

''I was not allowed to watch TV, listen to any music other than Christian music, have friends over, or have sleepovers ever. If we did watch a movie, it was on the Hallmark or Disney channel. If we were allowed to watch TV, we were allowed to only watch programmes like 'Little House on the Prairie'. I remember sneaking and watching Carmen Sandiego cartoons and Hannah Montana with my sister.''

Bailey is planning on losing her virginity at the Bunny Ranch - which is owned by Dennis Hof who has capitalised on a number of deflowerings over the years - in Nevada.

Hof said: ''She's a good girl, as sweet as they come.

''She wanted to save herself for the right guy and live what she thought was a wholesome and righteous life, and the world threw her a nasty curve ball.''

''So many millennials find it difficult to get their footing in today's post-recession America, and young women have it harder than anyone.

''I applaud Bailey for using every commodity at her disposal to make a better life for herself and cultivate a prosperous future.''America Ferrera is celebrating her first pregnancy with showbiz pals Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel.

Alexis, Bledel, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Blake Lively

The 'Ugly Betty' star is expecting her first child with director husband Ryan Piers Williams and is busy working with a host of other actresses on the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, an anti-harassment initiative meant to combat sexual harassment in the industry.

America shared a picture of herself celebrating her pregnancy with 'Gossip Girl' star Blake, 'House' actress Amber and 'Gilmore Girls' star Alexis, all putting their hands on her baby bump as they embraced.

She captioned the picture: "Starting the New Year off with blessings from my Sisterhood. We've got work to do for the next generation. Let's get to it. #TIMESUP (sic)"

America and Ryan proudly announced that they are expecting their first child as they celebrated the start of the New Year.

America posted a picture of the pair wearing 2018-shaped glasses and holding up a Babygro which reads, "Mas besos (por favor)" which means, "More kisses please."

The actress captioned the picture: "We're welcoming one more face to kiss in 2018! Wishing you #MasBesos in the New Year! #babybesos#HappyNewYear (sic)"

America was born in Los Angeles to Honduran parents and speaks both Spanish and English.

The 'Superstore' star first met Ryan, 36, when he cast her in a student film and they married in 2011.

He also posted the same picture on his social media account , writing: "Making room for new and beautiful things to come in 2018! #happynewyear (sic)"Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are set to make a royal visit to Coventry later this month.

Prince William and Duchess Catherine

The royal couple - who are parents to Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two, as well as expecting a third child in April - have made plans to head to the central English city on January 16, which has been named the UK City of Culture for 2021.

During the trip, William and Catherine will visit landmarks including Coventry Cathedral and Coventry University, as well as The Positive Youth Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation based in the city centre, specialising in helping young people across Coventry.

Last year, the foundation was awarded the Gold Standard for Investors In People (IIP), for its work in helping young people across the Midlands to improve their lives.

William and Catherine, both 35, will start their visit at Coventry Cathedral, where they will have a short tour, before taking part in the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation.

Here, they will also meet members of the choir, along with volunteers at the Cathedral's social enterprise, the Rising Cafe, which provides work and opportunities for those overcoming drug and alcohol addictions.

The royal duo will then move on to Coventry University where they are set to open the new 59 million Science and Health Building.

The impressive new facility is the first of its kind in the UK, and will allow students to learn to care for a patient at every stage of their medical experience; from paramedics arriving at their house and their ambulance journey, to their stay in hospital, through to their rehabilitation at home.

For Catherine, the trip to Coventry will be one of her last royal outings before giving birth in four months time.

Recently, a source claimed the beauty was "feeling great" about her pregnancy, after having suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum - which is a severe form of morning sickness - in her first trimester as she did with her previous pregnancies.

They said: "[She is] enjoying her later months of pregnancy and feeling great. It's amazing what a difference the later trimesters feel like compared to the early days, which she really struggled with more than ever this time."Celebrity Big Brother made its return last night (January 2) with a special launch show that comprised only of female housemates. Its the first time its happened on the celebrity edition of the show and as eight famous female faces walked through the infamous houses doors and into a potential month of excitement and chaos, over two million tuned in to find out who would be competing.

Celebrity Big Brother: Year of the Woman has arrived

The result? Eight incredibly different women, from all walks of life who have made a name for themselves in a number of ways. In case you missed it, here are the celebrity women taking part in this Januarys edition of Celebrity Big Brother

Ann Widdecombe

This former Conservative politician is somebody host Emma Willis never thought would agree to appear on the show, but at 70-years-old, Ann thinks its time to jump right into the action. Having made a name for herself in the world of politics, opposing abortion, voting for the reinstatement of the death penalty, being against same-sex marriage and calling modern-day feminism a big whinge, Ann left the world of politics in 2010 and chased a career in the spotlight, appearing in Strictly Come Dancing and starring in pantomime.

Maybe Big Brother thinks Ill be very easily irritated with some of the other people, Ann says. Maybe they think Ive got a short fuse and that Ill produce them with a lot of very interesting clashes.

Malika Haqq

Unable to get any of the actual Kardashians in the house, Celebrity Big Brothers casting agents continue to pick from the friends surrounding the clan (or should that be Klan?), this year bringing in the stunning Malika Haqq. Best friends with Khloe Kardashian, Malika is a confident woman who says shes mostly looking forward to winning.

I think I will be the fun housemate, she says, the talkative housemate. The housemate that cries. The helpful housemate. I think I will be a lot of things. Shedding some tears with her God-sisters before entering the house, and breaking a nail in her first task, we think there will be lots of facets to this Americans personality!

Rachel Johnson

Though shes the sister of current Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Rachel Johnson is somebody who can stand out in her own right, having cemented a successful career for herself in the world of journalism and writing. Working for the likes of The Financial Times, The Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday and more, Rachel would become the ninth editor of The Lady in 2009. Shes also released a number of novels and appeared on panel shows such as Question Time and BBC Breakfast.

I want to be a good housemate, Rachel admits. I want to be seen as a good egg. You know, not the b***h from hell. Having seen the success of father Stanley Johnson in Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, we know shes got the genes to do well!

Ashley James

Excited to celebrate female history in the Celebrity Big Brother house, Ashley admits that shes been a fan of the franchise ever since she was a child. Having appeared on Made In Chelsea alongside her career as a DJ and television presenter, Ashley is no stranger to the world of reality TV, but the house will be on a whole other level to anything shes experienced before.

Feeling very strongly about female empowerment, Ashley recently launched her own t-shirt collection egaliTEE, featuring slogans of equality and empowerment for women. We cant wait to see what this young feminist brings to the house.

India Willoughby

Now 52-years-old, India is the UKs first transgender television newsreader, as well as the first trans panellist on Loose Women. Born as Jonathan, she started her career on ITV back in 2000, marrying a woman and becoming a parent to a son, who is now 19. It may have taken India 50 years to shed Jonathan from her life, but now shes finally living the life she was meant to live.

Youre gonna have the tough girls and the softer girls and theres gonna be a hierarchy in play, India muses about the house. And then the guys are gonna come in  some of the girls are gonna fancy some of the guys. Some of the guys are gonna fancy some of the girls. And then its all gonna kick off. We cant wait.

Maggie Oliver

This former DC is perhaps the most surprising contestant of the year, but somebody whos absolutely worth celebrating. Best known for working within the Greater Manchester Police, Maggie would go on to expose the Rochdale child sex grooming scandal, but was forced to quit the force after serving for 16 years because of her whistle-blowing, exposing senior officers within the force.

Chatting about the show, Maggie says: I think Ill be the mum of the house maybe or the agony aunt, listening to other peoples problems. Im quite a good listener. We think Maggie will do very well indeed.

Jess Impiazzi

This glamour girl is best known to reality TV lovers as an entrant to Ex On The Beach and a former TOWIE cast member, but that doesnt mean she hasnt opened up her career to other outlets, with the 28-year-old even starring in the movie Dangerous Game with Darren Day and Calum Best.

I think Ill be quite a fun housemate, Jess says, adding: I get bored very, very, very easily and lose concentration so probably be a bit annoying, but I dont mean to be I just want to have fun and enjoy myself.

Amanda Barrie

At 82-years-old, Amanda is this years oldest contestant and, according to host Emma Willis on the launch show last night, the oldest celebrity to ever walk into the house. Best known for playing the role of Alma Segdgewick in Coronation Street, shes taken on a number of huge female characters throughout her career, and even appeared on the big screen in two of the Carry On films.

This years Celebrity Big Brother theme is wonderful, Amanda says. Its about women and empowerment. We cant wait to see more from this showbiz legend.

Celebrity Big Brother continues each night on Channel 5, with men joining the house on Fridays live show.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

find me on and follow me onBritney Spears and Jason Allen Alexander would have celebrated their wedding anniversary today, had they stayed together, so we share some things you might not know about the former couple.

Britney Spears

1. The pair got married on the 3rd January 2004.

2. They were longstanding childhood friends before they struck up a romance tied the knot.

3. The couple announced their love for one another at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas where Spears still frequents for her tours.

4. The marriage was annulled only 55 hours after they took their vows.

5. Spears stated that she had a lack of understanding of her actions, making it one of the shortest Hollywood marriages in history.

Source: Wikipedia and IMDB.

by Lucy Moore for www.femalefirst.co.uk

find me on and follow me onWith an average lifespan of 84 years Hongkongers have the world's highest life expectancy, according to the local Department of Health higher even than Japan's.

For the citys insurance companies, though, that presents a major quandary because they dont have long-term investment opportunities to match their growing liabilities. This is partly as a result of the retirement products taken out by Hong Kongs ageing population.

But help could be at hand thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinpings pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative, since this mammoth multi-national undertaking will require the building of infrastructure, lots of infrastructure, which in turn will require lots of patient, long-term...Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2018) - Bluestone Resources Inc. (TSXV: BSR) ("Bluestone" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jeff Reinson as the Company's new Vice President, Project Development. Mr. Reinson will be responsible for overseeing the Feasibility Study currently underway on the Cerro Blanco gold project. Additionally, Mr. Reinson will assume leadership over all development and project execution related activities for the Cerro Blanco gold and Mita geothermal projects in Guatemala.

Mr. Reinson previously held senior project and engineering management roles with Goldcorp Inc., AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Newmont Mining Corporation, and Rio Tinto Ltd. where he led numerous major heavy civil infrastructure projects from conceptual studies through execution. Fundamental to these successful projects was Mr. Reinson's leadership in developing and integrating community and social engagement plans within Project Execution Plans.

Bluestone's President and CEO, Darren Klinck, commented "We are very pleased to welcome Jeff to the Bluestone team. Jeff brings a wide range of studies management, development and project execution experience throughout the Americas and will immediately take on an important role of turning his attention to the Cerro Blanco feasibility study." Mr. Klinck added, "I am delighted to have someone of Jeff's caliber join Bluestone's executive team and I look forward to working with him as we advance key priorities in 2018."

Jeff Reinson, M.Sc.

Mr. Reinson is a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience leading major heavy civil infrastructure projects from early conceptual studies through to execution and handover. After spending 10 years honing his technical expertise as a consulting engineer, Jeff spent the last 15 years of his career with major international mining companies leading or supporting large, multi-disciplined project teams throughout Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Canada. Most recently Jeff was Project Director for Goldcorp, where he was leading the safe construction of Penasquito's +$750 million tailings storage facility expansion, a heap leach facility expansion feasibility study and a large groundwater remediation project.

Jeff holds master's and bachelor's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Saskatchewan where he received the Wong-Fredlund Unsaturated Soils Scholarship.

The Company also announces that, pursuant to the Company's stock option plan, Bluestone has granted incentive stock options to certain employees, officers and directors of the Company, exercisable to purchase up to 920,000 common shares until January 2, 2021 at an exercise prices of $1.50 per share.

About Bluestone Resources

Bluestone Resources is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its 100% owned Cerro Blanco gold and Mita geothermal projects located in Guatemala. The Cerro Blanco Project economics, as disclosed in the Company's Cerro Blanco Preliminary Economic Assessment which is available at www.sedar.com, and updated mineral resource estimate for Cerro Blanco indicates a robust project with an expected nine-year mine life producing 952,000 ounces of gold and 3,141,000 ounces of silver. Initial capital expenditures estimated in the PEA to fund construction and commissioning is estimated at US$170.8 million with all-in sustaining cash costs (as defined per World Gold Council guidelines, less corporate general and administration costs) estimated to be US$490 per ounce of gold produced. The Company trades under the symbol "BSR" on the TSX Venture Exchange.

On Behalf of Bluestone Resources Inc.

"Darren Klinck"

Darren Klinck | President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

For further information, please contact:

Bluestone Resources Inc.

Phone: +1 604 646 4534

info@bluestoneresources.ca

www.bluestoneresources.ca

Cautionary Language

The PEA is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

The scientific and technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Robins, Executive Chairman of the Company, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release 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 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that Bluestone Resources Inc. ("Bluestone" or the "Company") believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation: the proposed timeline and benefits of the Feasibility Study; statements about the Company's plans for its mineral properties; Bluestone's business strategy, plans and outlook; the future financial or operating performance of Bluestone; capital expenditures, corporate general and administration expenses and exploration and development expenses; expected working capital requirements; the future financial estimates of the Cerro Blanco Project economics, including estimates of capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production and of sustaining capital costs, estimates of operating costs and total costs, net present value and economic returns; proposed production timelines and rates; funding availability; resource estimates; and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to Bluestone and often use words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "may" or variations thereof or the negative of any of these terms.

All forward-looking statements are made based on the Company's current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. Generally, these assumptions include, among others: the ability of Bluestone to carry on exploration and development activities; the price of gold, silver and other metals; there being no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environment; the exchange rates among the Canadian dollar, Guatemalan quetzal and the United States dollar remaining consistent with current levels; the presence of and continuity of metals at the Cerro Blanco Project at estimated grades; the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within estimated delivery times; metals sales prices and exchange rates assumed; appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in economic analyses; tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; the availability of acceptable financing; anticipated mining losses and dilution; success in realizing proposed operations; anticipated timelines for community consultations and the impact of those consultations on the regulatory approval process.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Bluestone. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks and uncertainties related to expected production rates, timing and amount of production and total costs of production; risks and uncertainties related to ability to obtain or maintain necessary licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining development activities; risks and uncertainties related to the accuracy of mineral resource estimates and estimates of future production, future cash flow, total costs of production and diminishing quantities or grades of mineral resources; risks associated with geopolitical uncertainty and political and economic instability in Guatemala; risks and uncertainties related to interruptions in production; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; uncertain political and economic environments and relationships with local communities; risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the mineral identified as mineral resources from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; developments in world metals markets; risks related to fluctuations in currency exchange rates; as well as those factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Amended and Restated Annual Information Form.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Bluestone disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Bluestone believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aursen is delighted to announce the launch of its innovative and Apple laptop charger product named Aursen Lion Wireless Charger taking the use of innovative aluminum alloy shell. This charger is suitable for Samsung Note8, S8+, S8,Note5, S7 edge, S7, S6 edge plus, S6 edge and iPhone8/iPhone 8plus/iPhone X. Aursen is focused on the design and manufacture of full line of award-winning and captivating products, ranging from phone case to power bank, keyboard and 3c electric accessories etc.

"Aursen engineers who came from Huawei designed the Aursen Lion Model using the most popular ergonomic technology and the most advanced short circuit protection ABS & PC materials to ensure the safety of the user and their precious computer. Meanwhile, it's equipped with over-voltage & overload protection filter", stated Frank Ma, the founder and CEO of Aursen. "What's more, every Lion is tested through full load high temperature burn machine. Safety first is always the first priority in the mind of every Aursenstaff."

"The double-coil design makes it possible to charge the phone while watching a film with both horizontal and vertical placement ", stated Horde, the designer of Lion,"To make the Lion pass all the OVP, OCP, SCP high standard in Aursen, I tested thousands of components from hundreds of best companies in the world, finally selected a high output voltage accuracy component. This component makes Lion cost-effective, quality reliable and absolutely unique in market. " Aursen is confident with its product and now has ensured a 12 months guarantee to all its Lion product. Aursen CEO also guarantees that his company will compensate 10 times of the damage his Lion has made to its customer.

According to a survey in Germany, France, Italy, UK and Spain from Aursen, the customers consider safety first before purchasing a wireless charger.Aursen Lion Charger with its comprehensive safety features has no double to meet the need of the mass customer in Europe. For more information about Lion, please visit:https://www.aursen.com/

About Aursen:

Aursen is a top company in mobile & PC accessory industry. It was founded in 2012 by Frank Ma who has strong belief that safe accessories should be available for every mobile device user, and makes this concept happens.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/622887/Aursen_charger.jpgSINGAPORE, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Editage inaugurated its new office in the central business district of Singapore. The global scholarly communications company has increased its physical presence in South East Asia by setting up an office at Chevron House, a well-known skyscraper in Raffles Place, Singapore. Being a customer-centric company, Editage has grown organically by catering to their clients through localization. In Asia, Editage's customer base has been growing at a rapid pace and a presence in South East Asia is expected to only hasten the pace of this growth.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/548043/Editage.jpg )



Cactus Communications, Editage's parent company, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year and has already inaugurated three new workspaces in the last fiscal quarter alone. When asked about Editage's aggressive expansion in a milestone year, Abhishek Goel, Co-founder and CEO, Editage, replied succinctly, "Singapore is an important business hub in South East Asia, and we expect our customer base to grow much faster in this region. Singapore's unique time zone and business-friendly environment helps us serve our clients faster and interact more efficiently with our freelancers and contractors. We have grown over the past 15 years because we have always understood the importance of localized offices and a local workforce. We hope to continue in the same manner."

Since Singapore and China share time zones, this new workspace indicates Editage's growing customer base in China. Recently, Editage also set up an office in London, UK to increase its physical presence in Europe. An increased presence in Europe and Asia will help Editage strengthen relationships with authors as well as publishers; thereby, acting as a bridge between Asian authors and Western publishers.

About Editage

Founded in 2002, Editage (a division of Cactus Communications) is a global scholarly communications company with offices in Japan, China, South Korea, India, United Kingdom, Singapore, and the United States. Employing a global in-house workforce of over 750, Editage has served over 230,000 authors and edited over 810,000 papers across 1,200 disciplines to date. Editage aims to help scholars break through the confines of geography and language, bridge the gap between authors and peer-reviewed journals, and accelerate the process of publishing high-quality research. In addition to offering high-end scientific communication solutions, Editage is actively involved in author education through its comprehensive author resources site Editage Insights.

Please visit http://www.editage.cn to learn more.

Media Contact:

Hridey Manghwani

PR@cactusglobal.com



BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - MoneyGram International Inc. (MGI) and Ant Financial Services Group said that they have mutually agreed to terminate their Amended Merger Agreement following the inability of the companies to obtain the required approval for the transaction from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or 'CFIUS', despite extensive efforts to address the Committee's concerns.



Following the announcement by MoneyGram and Ant Financial of the termination of their Merger Agreement, Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (EEFT)Separately said that it continues to believe there is compelling commercial logic to a combination between Euronet and MoneyGram. However, significant developments have been disclosed by MoneyGram since Euornet's offer and Euronet has not conducted any evaluation of the business in that time.



'While we continue to view a transaction with MoneyGram as logical, there is no guarantee any offer will be made or any transaction will ultimately occur,' Euronet said.



Meanwhile, MoneyGram and Ant Financial also announced that they plan to work together on new strategic initiatives in the remittance and digital payments markets that will help each company achieve its objective of enabling consumers around the world to enjoy better money transfer services.



Alex Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of MoneyGram, said, 'The geopolitical environment has changed considerably since we first announced the proposed transaction with Ant Financial nearly a year ago. Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the U.S. government, it has now become clear that CFIUS will not approve this merger. We are disappointed in the termination of this compelling transaction, which would have created significant value for our stakeholders.'



As per the new strategic business cooperation, MoneyGram and Ant Financial will explore and develop initiatives to bring together their capabilities in remittance and digital payments to provide their respective customers with user-friendly, rapid-response and low-cost money transfer services into China, India and the Philippines, among other Asian markets, as well as in the U.S. and other key regions around the world.



As previously announced on April 16, 2017, MoneyGram and Ant Financial entered into an amended merger agreement under which Ant Financial would acquire all of the outstanding shares of MoneyGram for $18.00 per share in cash. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, simultaneous with termination of the agreement, Ant Financial paid MoneyGram a $30 million termination fee.



MGI closed Tuesday's regular trading at $13.31, up $0.13 or 0.99%, But, in the after-hours trade, the stock dropped $0.91 or 6.84%.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de(1) Performance results are presented on a gross and net-of-fees basis. Net returns reflect the deduction of, among other expenses, management fees, brokerage commissions, administrative fees, and accrued and/or crystallized performance fees, if any, and include the reinvestment of all dividends, interest, and capital gains. Net returns reflect the performance of the Company's Public Shares. Depending on the timing of an individual investor's specific investment, net performance for an individual investor may vary from the net performance as stated herein. Gross returns reflect the performance of the Company's shares in the aggregate and are presented before the deduction of management fees and performance fees, if any. On May 2, 2017, the Company began its share buyback program whereby its buyback agent began to repurchase Public Shares subject to certain limitations. Any positive impact on performance due to these share buybacks is reflected herein. Performance data and other information contained herein are estimated and unaudited. Net performance is a geometrically linked, time-weighted calculation.

(2) Reflects the number of positions in issuers in which the Company has previously publicly disclosed an investment, which occurs after the Company has completed its accumulation. Cash, cash equivalents, direct or indirect currency or other hedges and income/expense items are excluded. Multiple financial instruments (for example, common stock and derivatives on common stock) associated with one (1) issuer count as one (1) position. A position that is included in the number of positions will be removed from the table only if the investment becomes 0.0% of the portfolio.

(3) For the purpose of determining the equity and debt exposures, investments are valued as follows: (a) equity or debt is valued at market value, (b) options referencing equity or debt are valued at market value, (c) long call options and short put options (or vice-versa, short call options and long put options) held on the same underlying issuer and with the same strike and same expiry are grouped together and treated as synthetic equity positions, and are valued at the market value of the equivalent long equity position (or vice-versa, the equivalent short equity position), and (d) swaps or forwards referencing equity or debt are valued at the market value of the notional equity or debt underlying the swaps or forwards. Whether a position is deemed to be long or short is determined by whether an investment has positive or negative exposure to price increases or decreases. For example, long puts are deemed to be short exposure.

(4) Includes all issuer equity, debt, and derivatives related to issuer equity and debt, and associated currency hedges. Cash, cash equivalents, direct or indirect currency or other hedges and income/expense items are excluded. The market values of associated currency hedges are included as part of the associated investment. In the event that there is a change in market cap category with respect to any non-publicly disclosed position, this information is not updated until such position is publicly disclosed.

(5) Portfolio composition is reflective of the publicly disclosed portfolio positions as of the date of this report. A position in an issuer is only assigned to a sector once it has been publicly disclosed.

(6) "Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. AUM" equals the assets under management of Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Any performance fees crystallized as of the end of the year will be reflected in the following period's AUM.

(7) "Total Strategy AUM" equals the aggregate assets under management of Pershing Square, L.P., Pershing Square International, Ltd., Pershing Square II, L.P. and Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (collectively, the "Core Funds"). Redemptions effective as of the end of any period (including redemptions attributable to crystallized performance fees/allocations, if any) will be reflected in the following period's AUM.

(8) "Total Firm AUM" is the aggregate of Total Strategy AUM and the assets under management of Pershing Square VI Master, L.P. which operates as a co-investment vehicle investing primarily in securities of (or otherwise seeking to be exposed to the value of securities issued by) Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ("PSVI") without double counting investments by any Core Fund in PSVI.Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) today announces that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's ordinary shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Date of purchase: 2 January 2018 Number of Shares purchased: 19,291 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 1,018 pence 13.83 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 1,012 pence 13.74 USD Average price paid per Share: 1,014.22 pence 13.77 USD

Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Date of purchase: 2 January 2018 Number of Shares purchased: 43,146 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 13.80 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 13.64 USD Average price paid per Share: 13.74 USD

PSH intends to cancel these Shares. The net asset value per Share related to this Share buyback is USD 17.41 GBP 12.90 which was calculated as of 31 December 2017. After giving effect to the above Share buyback, PSH has outstanding 234,654,373 Shares. The prices per share in USD were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the 1 special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) has not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180102005950/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Maitland

James Devas, +44 20 7379 5151

Media-pershingsquareholdings1@maitland.co.ukWASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) said that its board authorized a bonus to all of its Employees to celebrate the recent passage of the tax reform legislation. All Fulltime and Parttime Southwest Employees employed with Southwest on December 31, 2017, will receive a $1,000 cash bonus on January 8, 2018. Southwest also said it is increasing its fleet investment with its longtime business partner, Boeing, to support future growth opportunities and fleet modernization at favorable economics. The Company exercised 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 options for 15 firm orders in 2019 and 25 firm orders in 2020, and deferred 23 Boeing 737 MAX 7 firm orders from 2019 through 2021 to 12 firm orders in 2023 and 11 firm orders in 2024. The Company's 2018 available seat mile growth plans remain unchanged. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - PPG Industries Inc. (PPG), a paints, coatings and materials company, announced Tuesday that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire ProCoatings, an architectural paint and coatings wholesaler located in The Netherlands. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. PPG expects the transaction to close in the first quarter 2018, subject to customary closing conditions. ProCoatings, established in 2001, distributes a large portfolio of well-known professional paint brands through its network of 23 multi-brand stores. The company employs nearly 100 people. Jean-Marie Greindl, PPG senior vice president, said, 'This acquisition will provide our business with even greater opportunities to support our customers and strengthen our presence in this important market.' PPG said it has a long history in The Netherlands, dating back nearly 300 years. PPG now employs nearly 1,000 people in the country. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.SANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2018 / When examining the different asset classes, real estate is generally far less volatile than shares and real estate tends to be the haven that investors flock to when other asset classes are suffering.

It is true to say that investment properties in Los Angeles can have many benefits in terms of building long-term wealth, but we must never forget that this wealth is not guaranteed!

Following the global real estate boom of the late 1980's many investors learnt this hard lesson when they found their properties were worth far less than they had actually paid for them and the bottom seemingly fell out of the over-inflated market. The bottom did not truly fall out of the market however as all real estate retained value; the real estate market simply experienced an overdue rebalance and has gone on to build from this point of stability, according to Neil Shekhter, founder and CEO of Santa Monica-based NMS Properties.

Since the booming 80's 'sensible' investments in real estate have still offered major attractions and advantages, and it is back to real estate that investors have turned in recent years.

With real estate prices in some countries soaring, and first time buyers struggling to get onto the first rung of the real estate ladder, many people are looking further a field for investment property opportunities, Neil Shekhter points out.



A recent report in the UK highlighted a 130% rise in the value of farmland since the 1990's for example - fuelled entirely by a new breed of non-farming buyers. With bricks and mortar real estate prices in the UK now so exorbitant, these non-farming buyers are looking for alternatives for their money.



They may be unable to afford real-estate investments and unwilling to risk their cash on the ever volatile stock market and so they are buying up fields and pastures to get in on the real estate investment game!



Others interested in property investment have been examining the real estate markets around the globe for value for money, return on investment, potential for growth and development, rental market opportunities and basic stability. With current research showing that up to one in eight Britons intend to purchase an overseas real estate within the next five years you can see that overseas real estate investment is very big business.



Neil Shekhter explained that relatively newly discovered property markets are opening up or expanding in countries such as North Cyprus , South Africa and Bulgaria for example - where potential buyers are afforded incredible value for money when it comes to real estate. The real estate market in countries such as these has been artificially restricted through the threat of war or political instability, and now with their recent history showing that they are stable countries with strong economies and populated and governed by those with a first world perspective, property investors are finding markets rich in diversity and potential.

Dubai is another country offering interesting real estate investment opportunities. Since May 2002 when the crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom issued a decree allowing foreigners the right to buy freehold real estate there, the real estate market has exploded!

Properties available in Dubai range from modest one bedroom flats to freehold exclusive islands! And property there still offers very good value for money - furthermore the tax and business advantages in Dubai are very appealing and so real estate investment in Dubai is enjoying a buoyant upward trend.

And then there are the 'old' favourites - France and Spain for example are all countries with a long history of investment real estate appeal - especially for Britons and Northern European residents looking to escape the weather and invest in a home in the sun. Whether you are looking to secure a home for holidays, your retirement or you are looking for a long-term investment opportunity these countries still offer the investor potential for real estate growth per Neil Shekhter.

When it comes to considering real estate as an investment vehicle it is a tried and tested method used for attempting to secure long term gains - but as with any investment, gains, returns and security of investment are not guaranteed. Whether real estate investment is right for you and matches your circumstances and attitude to risk is something that you need to consider.

Launching NMS Properties in 1988, Neil Shekhter assumed the role of CEO in January 1995. The real estate management company focuses on multi-family and mixed-use properties in the Greater Los Angeles area and in Santa Monica. At present, NMS properties manages more than 70 properties.

Neil Shekhter - Founder and CEO of NMS

Apartments For Rent In Los Angeles NMS Residential: http://www.nmsresidential.com

NMS Properties - Real Estate Management Firm: http://www.nmsproperties.com

Contact Information:

Neil@neilshekhter.com

info@neilshekhter.com



Author - Rhiannon Williamson http://www.shelteroffshore.com/



SOURCE: NMS Properties, Inc.



CAMBRIDGE, England, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Article in JACC: Basic to Translational Science Validates Feasibility and Unique Potential of LBS to Detect Biomarkers for Coronary Artery Disease

PLAQUETEC LTD ('PlaqueTec') today announced the publication of the first peer-reviewed article demonstrating the feasibility and potential of the PlaqueTec Liquid Biopsy System' (LBS) to detect biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD). The open-access article, appearing online in the 1 December 2017 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology [JACC]: Basic to Translational Science, reports results from the first-in-human studies of the LBS in detecting biomolecular gradients in diseased coronary arteries of symptomatic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

The PlaqueTec LBS' is the first product approved in the European Union for collecting biomarkers directly associated with plaques within coronary arteries, as a means to assess -- and potentially resolve -- residual inflammatory risk. It is the first and only dedicated liquid biopsy catheter that can be deployed at the site of coronary plaque to assess risk.

"The LBS fills an unmet clinical need to detect coronary atherosclerotic plaques that are likely to rupture and therefore precipitate acute coronary syndromes," explained lead author Nick E.J. West, MA, MD, FRCP, Chief Medical Officer of PlaqueTec and an interventional cardiologist at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK. "This innovative catheter enables, for the first time, the definition of a biochemical signature for vulnerable plaques in living patients. Our experiments suggest that the LBS may facilitate identification of prognostic biomarkers and development of surrogate endpoints for future clinical trials."

Dr. West and colleagues analysed data from the first-in-human safety and feasibility study and the first human proof-of-concept evaluation of the LBS (n=58). The LBS was used as an adjunct to coronary angioplasty and stent deployment in patients with stable angina pectoris or stabilised non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The system draws blood samples from the 'boundary layer,' close to the vessel wall, where biomolecules released from plaques are likely to be most concentrated. It can also detect small gradients of released molecules by simultaneously collecting blood both upstream and downstream of individual plaques.

Deployment of the LBS into unobstructed coronary arteries and its use in taking four simultaneous blood samples was shown to be feasible and safe in patients undergoing angioplasty to a target in a different coronary artery. In unobstructed vessels with no lesion, the investigators observed no significant gradients of 92 biomolecules involved in the CAD process. In contrast, they observed statistically significant gradients of bioactive molecules across intact and disrupted atherosclerotic plaques, implying the release of substances from plaques into the boundary layer of the vessel. The investigators detected several inflammatory mediators, consistent with the inflammatory status of the endothelium.

After angioplasty, the investigators observed the release of additional substances, including matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12), which is normally undetectable in endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells and expressed only around the core of vulnerable plaques. Due to the causative role of MMP12 in early strokes and its association with subsequent strokes and major adverse events, the investigators surmised that the post-angioplasty gradient of MMP12 may yield important diagnostic or prognostic information.

"This paper validates the feasibility of using the LBS to generate scientifically and clinically valuable information that may improve risk assessment and facilitate earlier intervention in patients with coronary artery disease," said Annalisa Jenkins, MBBS, FRCP, Chief Executive Officer of PlaqueTec. "In the future, the system may be used to sample across multiple sites of disease in a patient's coronary artery to highlight the biologically active areas at highest risk of disease progression. The signals that are found may inform the development of new assays and treatments. Although much remains to be done in defining the optimal biochemical signatures to predict patient risk, our proof-of-concept studies support the path forward."

About Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death worldwide, is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by a build-up of cholesterol in fatty deposits (plaques) within the inner walls of the arteries.Plaques, which also comprise other substances such as inflammatory cells, cellular breakdown products, proteins and calcium, can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle by physically narrowing the artery or by causing abnormal artery function.An inadequate blood supply can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Plaque deposits within coronary arteries can also rupture, causing the formation of localised blood clots. If a clot does not break apart it may suddenly block the blood supply to the heart muscle, causing an acute coronary syndrome and potentially death.

About PlaqueTec Ltd

PlaqueTec was formed in 2008 within Papworth Hospital in Cambridge (UK), as a spinout from PA Consulting. With funding from IPEX Capital and guidance from a strong network of scientific advisors and clinicians, the company has developed the first-of-its-kind PlaqueTec Liquid Biopsy System' (LBS), a platform technology that enables unparalleled resolution of the processes that lead to coronary artery disease (CAD). Since 2012, PlaqueTec has validated its LBS device in two clinical studies and identified numerous biomarkers that are associated with CAD. The company is using these biomarkers to build a database to provide a better understanding of CAD that can be used by clinicians, researchers, and biopharmaceutical companies to conduct translational research and develop next-generation personalised therapies. The product is not approved for use in the U.S.

For further information about PlaqueTec and CAD, please visithttp://www.plaquetec.com.London stocks were set for a flat open on Wednesday as investors eyed the latest reading on the UK construction sector and minutes from the Federal Reserve. The FTSE 100 was expected to open unchanged at 7648, with the UK construction PMI due at 0930 GMT and the latest FOMC minutes at 1900 GMT. London Capital Group analyst Jasper Lawler said: "Weakness in the US dollar looks to be having far-reaching effects. A near $20 jump in gold, other commodity prices moving higher, as well as gains for the ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.Most organizations have realized that the GDPR countdown has started and that they need to be able to prove they compliantly handle the privacy data of EU citizens, or risk heavy fines and image loss, among others.

Organizations have realized that they need an EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant access governance solution to address vital challenges. They also know they need a solution in place by May 25 2018. Consequently, Omada experiences a strong uptake of its unique governance solution as-a service, which addresses precisely these issues.

"Omada provides an excellent enterprise grade governance solution running on Azure. The Omada solution, in combination with Azure AD Premium for single sign on and authentication, offers the full palette of functions required for organizations in one single, strong combined package", says Claus Jul Christiansen, Director for Partners SMCs at Microsoft Denmark. "The Omada GDPR SaaS solution is a great example of how the partnership between Microsoft and Omada has evolved and is used to create great value for organizations. The Omada solution is fueled by Azure cloud, and it utilizes strong Azure features such as geo-redundancy and in general benefits from the high security standards provided in Azure"

The future-proof solution

Omada and Microsoft announced a strategic alliance in late 2017 and in connection with the announcement, Alex Simons, Director, Product Management, Microsoft Identity Division, Microsoft Corp. said, "The Omada platform is built on Microsoft technology and is the perfect fit for Azure Active Directory Premium. The two solutions combined give customers a future-proof, and easy-to-use, identity management and access governance solution across on-premises and cloud."

Creating even greater value to the customers

In 2017, Omada was also named Microsoft Security Partner of the Year in the Danish market a recognition that underlines the strong partnership.

"More and more organizations appreciate that the Omada Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution allows organizations to demonstrate progress and obtain significant value in just a few months, providing a fast track to get in control of their privacy data and demonstrate compliance with easy-to-use, easy-to-manage dashboards," says Morten Boel Sigurdsson, CEO, Omada. "The solution provides full provisioning and lifecycle governance capabilities across all enterprise systems on-premises and in the cloud, and is created to meet today's business and technology needs and drivers as it is delivered as-a-service and drives down the total cost of ownership".

Morten Boel Sigurdsson continues: "Azure is a powerful cloud, and we are very pleased to have chosen Azure as the platform of choice. It enables us to scale the capacity of our solution to meet our client's needs and we look forward to expanding our solution even further, servicing even more clients in the future, as they increasingly realize what they can accomplish with this solution."

About Omada

Omada is a global leader in identity access governance, with almost two decades of experience and millions of identities under management. Omada is a strategic Microsoft Alliance Partner, international cybersecurity Microsoft ISV, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Microsoft Partner of the Year (DK) 2017 and three times global Microsoft Award winner within Identity Secure Access. The Omada solution is recognized by Gartner in the 'Critical Capabilities report for IGA', where Omada ranks among the three top scoring products in two out of four use cases. According to Gartner, "Most organizations find that governance-oriented capabilities provide the most value, with less deployment risk than provisioning." (Gartner 2017).

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005058/en/

Contacts:

Omada

Anne-Louise Dam-Rasmussen

+4531671068

adr@omada.dkSANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2017 / New York City is known for bustling city streets, towering skyscrapers and extravagant real estate. While there is a lot of talk about the rare $50 million penthouse that occasionally hits the market, most buyers are searching for properties that are more affordable and much more realistic for everyday life in the Big Apple. Most residents of the city dream of spacious properties that are close to public transportation, and this desire certainly controls the real estate market. More often than not, however, residents find that they must consider other options. It is likely that large properties in prime locations throughout NYC will forever remain in high demand, although these five emerging trends in the market may play a role in your next purchase, Neil Shekhter points out.

1. Co-ops vs. Condos

In 2017, there has been a noticeable surge of interest in co-op properties across New York City. In fact, sales increased by a staggering 22.2 percent in the span of one year. This is largely believed to be linked to lower costs of the cooperative properties in relation to condominiums as well as the tax-deductible status of monthly maintenance fees, according to Neil Shekhter, founder, and CEO of Santa Monica-based NMS Properties.

2. Increased Interest in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx

Neighborhoods in the Northern Manhattan area, including Harlem and Morningside Heights, have become four times more popular than they were a mere 25 years ago. This is because these regions offer more affordable prices while still granting residents easy access to other boroughs in the city. Similarly, the Bronx area is increasing in popularity, with plans for neighborhood renovations, public transportation expansions and city cleanups.

3. Townhouses Rise in Popularity

Neil Shekhter explained that apartments and condos have remained a hot commodity in NYC for decades. An emerging trend, however, is the newfound interest in townhouses. While townhouses are significantly more spacious than most apartments, they are not as readily available in the city. The average price of townhouses has increased by a whopping 36.3 percent in the last year. This takes the price of townhouses up to $943 per square foot. This trend is also a likely contributor to the new interest in areas such as the Bronx, where townhouses are more prominent.

4. Buyer's Market

In the past, bidding wars and cash offers were prominent in the NYC real estate market. This year, however, it seems as if the tables have turned. NYC real estate is emerging as a buyer's market, with sellers across the city slashing their prices. As many sellers are looking to upgrade to bigger places where they receive more bang for their buck, they may see a decrease in the resale value of their homes but pay less than expected for their new one per Neil Shekhter.

5. Rising Rent; More Homeowners

In the last 10 years, the average cost of rent i n various boroughs of NYC has been on the rise. While the cost of rent has remained fairly stable in the last year, the prices are still much higher than many residents can afford. In efforts to escape the fluctuating costs of rent, many residents are opting to become homeowners instead. Because of this, sales of townhouses, co-op apartments, condominiums and single-family homes are expected to rapidly increase in the years to come.

While the real estate market is an ever-changing field in NYC, it is likely that these emerging trends will stick around for the foreseeable future.

Launching NMS Properties in 1988, Neil Shekhter assumed the role of CEO in January 1995. The real estate management company focuses on multi-family and mixed-use properties in the Greater Los Angeles area and in Santa Monica. At present, NMS properties manages more than 70 properties.

Neil Shekhter - Founder and CEO of NMS Properties

Apartments For Rent In Los Angeles NMS Residential: http://www.nmsresidential.com

NMS Properties - Real Estate Management Firm: http://www.nmsproperties.com

SOURCE: NMS Properties, Inc.

BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The pound retreated from its early highs against its major opponents in early European deals on Wednesday, after a data showed that U.K. construction activity grew at a slower pace in December.



Survey results from IHS Markit showed that U.K. construction PMI fell more-than-expected to 52.2 in December from 53.1 in November. The expected score was 53.0.



Nonetheless, the indicator remained above the 50.0 no change threshold for the third successive month.



Investors await the latest FOMC meeting minutes due later in the day for more direction.



The currency was higher against its major rivals in the Asian session.



The pound retreated to 1.3582 against the greenback, from a 3-1/2-month high of 1.3613 hit at 1:30 am ET. The pound is seen finding support around the 1.33 level.



Following a 1-week peak of 1.3231 hit versus the franc at 3:00 am ET, the pound reversed direction with the pair trading at 1.3216. If the pound extends decline, 1.31 is likely seen as its next support level.



Data from the Federal Labor Agency showed that Germany's unemployment decreased notably in December.



The number of people out of work declined 29,000 in December from November. Economists had forecast a decrease of 13,000.



The pound reversed from an early near a 4-week high of 152.83 against the Japanese yen, easing back to 152.51. The next possible support for the pound is seen around the 151.00 area.



The pound, having advanced to near a 2-week peak of 0.8848 against the euro at 3:05 am ET, reversed direction and eased to 0.8865. On the downside, 0.90 is likely seen as the next support for the pound.



Looking ahead, U.S. construction spending for November, ISM manufacturing index for December and FOMC minutes of December 12-13 meeting are set for release in the New York session.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de

AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Commercial passenger jets recorded zero accident deaths last year, marking 2017 the safest on record, according to a Dutch consulting firm and an aviation safety group that tracks crashes.



Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump took his share of credit for the achievement. In a Twitter post on Tuesday, he said, 'since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!'



Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 and the Aviation Safety Network both reported Monday that there were no commercial passenger jet fatalities last year. Adrian Young of To70 said, '2017 was the safest year for aviation ever.'



As per reports, decades of work from regulators including the FAA, as well as the work of airlines and plane manufacturers to reduce accidents, increased flight safety.



In the Civil Aviation Safety Review for 2017, To70 estimated that for large commercial passenger flights, the fatal accident rate is 0.06 per million flights, or chances of a plane being involved in a fatal accident is now one in 16 million. The report noted only two fatal accidents, both involving small turbo-prop aircraft, with a total of 13 lives lost. It showed that no jets crashed in passenger service anywhere in the world.



According to the Aviation Safety Network, there were no commercial passenger jet deaths in the year. But, 10 fatal airliner accidents were recorded, resulting in 44 fatalities onboard and 35 persons on the ground, including cargo planes and commercial passenger turboprop aircraft.



In 2016, 271 people lost their lives in seven fatal events, reports noted. Aviation deaths around the world have been steadily falling, the Aviation Safety Network said. In 2005, there were 1,015 deaths aboard commercial passenger flights worldwide.



But Young, senior aviation consultant for To70, warned that 'It is unlikely that this historic low will be maintained; in part, these very positive figures rest on good fortune.'



Trump's administration in last October implemented new screening procedures for U.S.-bound flyers. Previously, the Department of Homeland Security had ordered nine airlines to ban carry-on electronic devices.



Deputy White House Press Secretary Raj Shah reportedly told NBC News, 'Last year, the president announced his initiative to modernize Air Traffic Control and under his leadership, the Department of Homeland Security released enhanced security measures to ensure safer commercial air travel. The president is pleased there were no commercial airline deaths in 2017, and hopes this remains consistent in 2018 and beyond.'



The UK is said to have the best air-safety record of any major country with the last fatal accident involving a British airline happened in 1989.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.deBNN Technology said it failed to declare a 270,000 bonus for its former chief executive as the troubled company's listing on AIM hung in the balance. The Chinese data and payments company, whose shares are suspended, said it was continuing talks with former CEO Darren Mercer over repayment of a 450,000 loan made to him. The previously undeclared bonus has reduced the value of the loan, BNN said. BNN said the bonus was agreed in June 2016 and had not been paid. The board became aware of the ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.Ban Ki-moon and Heinz Fischer launch a new Centre for Global Citizens to empower young people.Wien (ots) -Today Ban Ki-moon, (UN Secretary-General from 2007-2016) and Dr. Heinz Fischer, (Federal President of Austria from 2004-2016) offcially inaugurated the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens in Vienna at a ceremony at the Federal Chancellery of Austria, at the invitation of the Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Sebastian Kurz.After an encouraging message sent by current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, former UNSG Ban Ki-moon said "We are 7,6 billion people globally. Half of the world is women - half of the world is under 25 years of age. There are billions of people underprivileged, marginalized, jobless and hopeless. To peacefully empower them, particularly women and the youth has to be our top priority to advance humanity".Mr. Ban Ki-moon highlighted in the presence of members of the Austrian government, including Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and more than 100 members of the diplomatic corps, high-level representatives of the Vienna based International Organizations, and representatives from NGOs, academia and young aspiring leaders that "We can only empower those in need, if each and every one of us acts with passion and compassion as a global citizen."Building on the legacy of their previous roles, the Centre was founded by the former UN Secretary-General and the former President of Austria and will focus on providing women and young people with a greater say in their own destiny and a greater stake in their own dignity. The Centre will work within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It will have affiliated offices in the Republic of Korea at Yonsei University and is planning to have an affiliated office in the Middle East."The Ban Ki-moon Centre's focus on the future of young people, especially women, is extremely important. We need to make sure that the young generation all over the world has a real perspective for a decent life. I am sure that the Ban Ki-moon Centre will be a strong partner for international efforts in this regard", said Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of Austria."Young people and especially young women are vital to resolve current local and global challenges", said Dr. Heinz Fischer drawing attention to the global need for the eradication of poverty and illiteracy, the fight against gender inequality, radicalization and youth unemployment."A global citizen is someone who self-identifies first and foremost not as a member of a State, a tribe or a nation, but instead as a member of the human race, looking beyond the narrow scope of national or personal interests. It is global citizens who support solutions to today 's global challenges", said Monika Froehler, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Ban Ki-moon Centre.By assisting in efforts to reduce the numbers of young people dying prematurely every year, by examining and presenting solutions to de-escalate conflicts and maintain peace, by supporting educational programs ranging from youth mentoring projects to sports, and by providing special support to young women and encouraging academic institutions to integrate global citizenship issues into their curricula, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens wants to do its share in building a brighter future for all and contribute to the implementation of the SDGs.The Centre will not duplicate but complement ongoing efforts, based on a high-level strategy to be adopted in February at the next Board meeting in Korea at the margins of the Winter Olympic Games in February. The Centre is located in Vienna and will incrementally build capacity as funds become available.Currently the Ban Ki-moon Centre is supported by the governments of Austria, Korea and Kuwait and by a high-level Board of individuals and organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, UNESCO, the UN Foundation, the Alexander Bodini Foundation, the Junior Chamber International, FIA, the NGO Global Citizen, RELX Group, Rotary International and many more.Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon concluded his speech by saying "Today marks the beginning of a journey and I call on the members of the largest generation of youth in history to confront challenges and consider what we can do to resolve them. We all have to work together to set our world on course for a better future. To leave no one behind."Notes to EditorsThe Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens is an independent non-profit organization and registered as an Association under Austrian law. It was founded in 2017 by Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Dr. Heinz Fischer, former Federal President of Austria. It filed an application for Quasi-International-Organization status (QIO) in Austria.Ruckfragehinweis: Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens www.bankimooncentre.org public relations e-mail: pr.bkmcentre@outlook.com phone: +43 676 676 5300Digitale Pressemappe: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/30754/aom*** OTS-ORIGINALTEXT PRESSEAUSSENDUNG UNTER AUSSCHLIESSLICHER INHALTLICHER VERANTWORTUNG DES AUSSENDERS - WWW.OTS.AT ***OTS: Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/129172 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_129172.rss2DENVER, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --NexiTech, Inc. is proud to announce the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) has awarded the company a prestigious contract. This contract introduces active cyber defense technologies to an industry that typically uses only passive techniques, such as encryption and authentication. The focus of this contract is to develop solutions for the most challenging threats facing both the private and public sectors, including the DHS and the financial services sector. The first phase of the contract will be completed in February, 2018.

Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/622378/NexiTech_cyber_security.jpg

"This project could potentially be of great interest to CIOs at financial services firms, as well as the many IT professionals specializing in data storage at those firms, not to mention the dedicated professionals at the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies who safeguard much of our nation's critical data," stated Donald Matthews, President and CEO of NexiTech. "The impact of this project would be felt in the commercial market for storage arrays, backup appliances and storage area networks."

The SVIP is a unique new program within the DHS that expands the DHS's reach to find new technologies that strengthen national security with the goal of reshaping how government, entrepreneurs and industry work together to find cutting-edge solutions.

Said Matthews, "Our patent-pending Moving Target Defense technology uses storage virtualization techniques to create multiple abstractions of a device that will confuse potential attackers. We are very excited to be working with DHS in addressing the ever-growing issue of cyber threats to our critical national infrastructure."

COMPANY OVERVIEW: NexiTech, Inc. is a software company with locations in Woodland Park, CO and Broomfield, CO. The company specializes in cutting-edge storage networking solutions and advanced cybersecurity techniques for actively defending against cyber threats to critical data storage resources. NexiTech has served world-class customers like Broadcom, Intel, Micron and Microsoft, and prime defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and other well-known organizations. Learn more at www.nexitech.com.

DISCLAIMER: Research reported in this press release was supported by the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate under award number HSHQDC-17-9-00036. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Homeland Security.

Contact:

Lisa Apolinski

888-628-5556

lisa@3dogwrite.comWINNIPEG, Manitoba, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Strengthens Canada Life's presence in the U.K. retirement income market

Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX: GWO) today announced that its European subsidiary The Canada Life Group (U.K.) Limited has completed the previously-announced acquisition of financial services provider Retirement Advantage. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This transaction strengthens Canada Life's scale and capabilities in the growing United Kingdom retirement income market, and further strengthens Canada Life's position as a leading insurer in the U.K.," said Paul Mahon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Great-West Lifeco.

The transaction is expected to be earnings accretive, although it is not expected to have a material impact on Great-West Lifeco's financial results.

About Retirement Advantage

Retirement Advantage is a well-established business with roots dating back to 1852. In 2015, the business rebranded and started trading as Retirement Advantage following the merging of the retirement income and equity release divisions (previously trading under the MGM Advantage and Stonehaven brands respectively), to help provide those who are in, at or approaching retirement with a range of simple, secure and flexible products to suit their needs. To learn more, visit http://www.retirementadvantage.com.

About Canada Life U.K.

Canada Life began operations in the United Kingdom in 1903 and looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals and companies. The company offers protection, life cover, critical illness cover, and whole of life cover for groups and individuals; and retirement income planning, annuities, pension bonds, savings and investments, investment bonds, inheritance tax planning, and offshore investments. The company is based in Potters Bar, United Kingdom. To learn more, visit http://www.canadalife.co.uk.

About Great-West Lifeco

Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX:GWO) is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Great-West Lifeco has operations in Canada, the United States andEurope through Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life, Irish Life, Great-West Financial and Putnam Investments. Great-West Lifeco and its companies have approximately C$1.3 trillion in consolidated assets under administration as of September 30, 2017 and are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. To learn more, visit http://www.greatwestlifeco.com.

Media Relations: Tim Oracheski, Communications, Great-West Lifeco, tim.oracheski@gwl.ca , +1-204-946-8961; Investor Relations: Deirdre Neary, Investor Relations, Great-West Lifeco, deirdre.neary@gwl.ca, +1-416-552-3208; Canada Life U.K.: Laura O'Connell, Instinctif Partners, Laura.OConnell@instinctif.com , +44(0)207-427-1414HOUSTON, TEXAS -- (Marketwired) -- 01/03/18 -- Cub Energy Inc. ("Cub" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: KUB) comments on the newly enacted law reducing natural gas royalties on new wells drilled in Ukraine.

On December 30, 2017, Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko signed a new law reducing the natural gas royalty rate on all new wells drilled after January 1, 2018 from 29% to 12%. The law states that Parliament cannot change this law for a minimum of five years, being January 1, 2023, at which time Parliament may leave the law in place or may amend the royalty rate.

Mikhail Afendikov, Chairman and CEO of Cub said: "The Ukraine parliament followed through on their commitment to encourage domestic production of natural gas. The reduced royalty rate of 12% coupled with an 18% corporate tax rate and high natural gas price environment provides renewed incentive to invest in growing the country's natural gas resources."

About Cub Energy Inc.

Cub Energy Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KUB) is an upstream oil and gas company, with a proven track record of exploration and production cost efficiency in Ukraine. The Company's strategy is to implement western technology and capital, combined with local expertise and ownership, to increase value in its undeveloped land base, creating and further building a portfolio of producing oil and gas assets within a high pricing environment.

For further information please contact us or visit our website: www.cubenergyinc.com.

Reader Advisory

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Cub believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable; however there can be no assurance those expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Ukraine and globally; political unrest and security concerns in Ukraine; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the prices of natural gas and foreign currency; governmental regulation of the natural gas industry, including environmental regulation; unanticipated operating events or performance which can reduce production or cause production to be shut in or delayed; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for natural gas; liabilities inherent in natural gas operations; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, drilling, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the natural gas industry; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

This cautionary statement expressly qualifies the forward-looking information contained in this news release. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Cub Energy Inc.

Mikhail Afendikov

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(713) 677-0439

mikhail.afendikov@cubenergyinc.com



Cub Energy Inc.

Patrick McGrath

Chief Financial Officer

(713) 577-1948

patrick.mcgrath@cubenergyinc.com



PALM BEACH, Florida, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

A handful of Canadian major and junior miners are ramping up operations to mine cobalt and lithium in 2018, betting on demand for a reliable source of the metal that is in high demand as a key component of electric cars all while battery makers seeking new sources of cobalt and lithium. One of the key trends seen in 2017 has been increasing EV sales forecasts, which have made the end game much clearer. Looking ahead to 2018, investors are wondering whether the electric car revolution will continue to have an impact on lithium, and more importantly, what to expect from the market going forward. In terms of prices, Andrew Barber, investor relations manager at Orocobre (TSX: ORL), said current lithium carbonate (LCE) pricing is running at around $12,000 to $14,000, while lithium hydroxide prices are $2,000 to $3,000 higher. He forecasts that this trend will "remain firm" going forward. With one eye on accelerating demand for electric vehicles, BMW AG said it is talking to suppliers of cobalt and other battery materials amid fears that stocks will run short and push already inflated prices higher. Today's active miners with current developments in the market include:LiCo Energy Metals Inc. (OTC: WCTXF) (TSX-V: LIC), Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF) (TSX: KAT), NRG Metals Inc. (OTC: NRGMF) (TSX-V: NGZ), Glencore plc (OTC: GLNCY) (LSE: GLEN), First Cobalt Corp. (OTC: FTSSF) (TSX-V: FCC).

LiCo Energy Metals Inc. (OTCQB: WCTXF) (TSX-V: LIC.V) is pleased to report assay results for drill holes TE17-02 and TE17-03 completed on the Teledyne Cobalt Property, located 6 km northeast of Cobalt, Ontario.

A summary of the most significant results of the recent drill core assays are:

- TE17-02 0.95% Co over 1.9 m from 143.0 to 144.9 m, incl. 2.58% Co over 0.60 m from 144.30 to 144.90 m

- TE17-02 0.59% Co over 3.9 m from 156.0 to 159.9 m, incl. 2.22% Co over 0.60 m from 156.6 to 157.2 m

On the Teledyne Cobalt Property, the Company completed a total of 11 diamond drill holes totaling 2,200 m in the fall of 2017. The drilling has confirmed the cobalt mineralization on the Property which is consistent with historical grades and widths reported historically.

As reported on the Company's November 30th, 2017 news release, LiCo has recently completed its 2017 diamond drilling program on its Teledyne and Glencore Bucke Properties completing a total of 32 diamond drill holes, drilling 4,100 m of core. This exploration work satisfies both its flow-through financing obligations and the contractual obligations outlined in the recently acquired Glencore Bucke Property from Glencore plc of Baar Switzerland (LSE: GLEN). The overall drilling program has confirmed and extended the cobalt mineralization on each property and these results are consistent with historical grades and widths in the overall Cobalt Camp. As reported previously, visual cobalt camp style mineralization has been noted in every drill hole that the Company has logged. The results for diamond drill hole TE17-02 to TE17-03 is summarized in Table 1 that can be seen at: http://www.marketnewsupdates.com/news/wctxf.html



Tim Fernback, President & CEO of LiCo comments, "Having consistently found cobalt in commercial grades of 0.50% and higher is very exciting for our team. This is especially true when we also see extended zones with greater than 2.0% cobalt in the same drill core. We are very much looking forward to getting the remaining drill core results back from the assay lab to confirm that the same cobalt mineralization is found throughout our Glencore Bucke and Teledyne cobalt properties." Read this and more news for LiCo Energy at:http://www.marketnewsupdates.com/news/wctxf.html



LiCo Energy Metals Inc. has implemented a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program for both the Glencore Bucke and Teledyne Property drill programs. Diamond drill core was logged, then sawed in half, with one half placed in a labelled bag, and the remaining half placed back into the core box and stored in a secured compound. Either a standard or a blank was inserted every 20th sample. All samples were shipped to Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario. Each sample is coarsely crushed and a 250 g aliquot is pulverized for analysis. A 0.25g sample is digested with a near total digestion (4 acids) and then analyzed using an ICP. QC for the digestion is 14% for each batch, 5 method reagent blanks, 10 in-house controls, 10 samples duplicates, and 8 certified reference materials.An additional 13% QC is performed as part of the instrumental analysis to ensure quality in the areas of instrumental drift. If over limits for Cu, Pb, Zn, and Co are encountered, a sodium peroxide fusion, acid dissolution followed by ICP-OES is completed. For Ag over limits, a four acid digestion is completed followed by ICP-OES.

In other mining industry news and developments:



Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF) (TSX: KAT.TO) recently completed the hot commissioning of the core of the first train of its new whole-ore-leach (WOL) processing facility at its subsidiary Kamoto Copper Company's (KCC) copper and cobalt mine in Lualaba province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Luilu site, where the WOL and electrowinning plants of KCC are located, successfully produced its first copper cathode on Dec. 11, 2017. Copper and cobalt production at KCC has been suspended since September, 2015, pending the construction of the WOL project. A progressive ramp-up and commissioning of the remainder of the first train are expected to follow over the ensuing three months, with the objective of achieving full capacity on the first train by the end of Q1 2018.

NRG Metals Inc. (OTCQB: NRGMF) (TSX-V: NGZ.V) recently announced it has completed the first drill hole at the Salar Escondido lithium project, Catamarca Province, Argentina. The hole was drilled to a depth of 307 metres due to hole conditions. The hole bottomed in brine and the brine target remains open at depth. At a depth of 210 metres the hole was converted from core drilling to tricone rotary drilling due to challenging drilling conditions. Now that the hole has been terminated, the interval from 307 m to 210 m will be sampled using either a double packer or bailer system, depending upon the conditions in the hole. Consistent with the company's geophysical data and geological model, the target zone of sediments saturated with brine that could contain lithium was intersected at 140 m, and has continued to the completed depth of 307 m with the brine-zone target open below that depth. Recent sampling in the interval from 183 m to 198 m returned an average of 229 milligrams per litre lithium as reported in the company's press release dated Dec. 7, 2017. On-site quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) were supervised by William Feyerabend, a certified professional geologist and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

Glencore Plc (OTC: GLNCY) (LSE: GLEN.L) recently agreed to sell an underground coal mine in eastern Australia to GFG Alliance, an industrial conglomerate that last year picked up steel and iron-ore mining assets in the country. Glencore said the deal for its Tahmoor mine remains subject to state government approval and is expected to be completed this quarter. No financial details were disclosed by the company, which is one of Australia's largest coal producers with 17 operating mines across the east.

First Cobalt Corp. (OTCQB: FTSSF) (TSX-V: FCC.V) recently announced it has completed the financing announced on December 8, 2017 with the Underwriters fully exercising their option to sell an additional 4,550,000 Units. The Company issued on a bought deal basis (i) 4,700,000 units of the Company ("Flow-Through Units") at a price of $1.51 per Flow-Through Unit (the "FT Offering") and (ii) 20,950,000 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $1.10 per Unit for aggregate proceeds of $30,142,000 (the "Offering"). The syndicate of Underwriters for the Offering was led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., together with TD Securities Inc., GMP Securities L.P., Eight Capital and Red Cloud Klondike Strike Inc. Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Common Share") of First Cobalt and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant a "Warrant") of First Cobalt. Each Flow-Through Unit consists of one common share of the Company qualifying as a 'flow-through share' (a "Flow-Through Share") of First Cobalt and one-half of one Warrant. Each full Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company at a price of $1.50 per Common Share, for a period of 24 months following the date of issue of Warrants.

DISCLAIMER: MarketNewsUpdates.com (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. MNU's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed MNU has been compensated forty-one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by LiCo Energy Metals Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MNU undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

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NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - India's Finance Minister has made it clear that crypto-currencies are not legal tender in the country, and those indulging in such transactions are doing it at their own risk.



Arun Jaitley was responding to a question in the Upper House of Parliament if the government was considering regulating crypto-currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.



'The government is examining the matter. A committee under the chairmanship of secretary, department of economic affairs, is deliberating over all issues related to cryptocurrencies to propose specific actions to be taken,' he told the Rajyasabha.



The government would take steps on the matter after getting an expert panel report on cryptocurrencies, he said.



Jaitley recalled that the government and the Reserve Bank of India have alerted the public time and again through multiple notifications that bitcoins and other forms of virtual currencies will not be considered lawful or legal tender in India.



India is estimated to account for more than 11 per cent of such trade globally.



Besides India, the central banks of China and South Korea have warned investors against betting on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.



The central banks of Indonesia and Bangladesh have also banned the use of bitcoin as a payment tool, while South Korea has banned ICOs as a way of raising money.



In Japan, however, companies have started offering to pay salaries in bitcoin.



Despite increased scrutiny and regulation across the globe, the price of bitcoin has soared 1300 percent in 2017.



The most recent spike was spurred by the launch of bitcoin future trading in two American exchanges, providing the cryptocurrency with a greater level of credibility in the financial world.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.deORLANDO, FL--(Marketwired - January 03, 2018) - Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund and Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund - Term I (the "Funds") announced their participation in up to a $110 million Senior Secured First Lien Note issued by ARB Midstream, LLC. The transaction was negotiated and structured by EIG on behalf of its managed investment vehicles and the Funds.

ARB Midstream is a growth-oriented private company headquartered in Denver, Colorado providing midstream and marketing services for crude oil, liquid petroleum gas, and refined products with a majority interest in the Platte River Gathering System located in Weld County, Colorado. The floating rate note matures in four years and is secured by all assets of the Issuer as well as a pledge of the common equity of the Issuer and of each of its operating subsidiaries.

"ARB is our first privately originated midstream investment. This strategic investment further diversifies our portfolio and provides our investors access to critical midstream infrastructure in the region," said Jeff Karansky, Triloma Energy Advisors' portfolio manager.

About Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund and Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund - Term I

Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund and Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund - Term I are unlisted investment companies that invest primarily in global portfolios of privately originated energy company and project debt. Their investment objectives are to provide shareholders with current income, capital preservation and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. The Funds are managed by Triloma Energy Advisors and EIG Credit Management Company, wholly owned subsidiaries of Triloma Financial Group and EIG Global Energy Partners, respectively. For additional information, please visit trilomaenergy.com.

About Triloma

Triloma Financial Group (Triloma) is a relationship-focused investment management firm doing business to change lives. Through our partnership approach and independent model, our seasoned team is able to better anticipate client needs to help them meet their goals. We manage and sponsor a group of private and publicly offered investment programs focused on private equity, real estate and energy investments. For additional information, please visit triloma.com.

Triloma Financial Group is the parent company to Triloma Securities, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, and Triloma Energy Advisors, an SEC-registered investment adviser, (collectively referred to herein as "Triloma"). Triloma Energy Advisors serves as the investment adviser to the Triloma EIG Energy Income Funds.

Securities offered through Triloma Securities, member FINRA/SIPC.

Triloma, EIG Global Energy Partners, ARB Midstream, LLC are not affiliated.

About EIG Global Energy Partners

EIG Global Energy Partners (EIG) is a leading institutional investor to the global energy sector with $17.0 billion under management as of September 30, 2017. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 35-year history, EIG has invested over $24.0 billion in the sector in more than 320 projects or companies in 36 countries on six continents. EIG's clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul. For more information, visit eigpartners.com.

This is not an offer. The respective offerings of Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund and Triloma EIG Energy Income Fund - Term I (the "Funds") common stock can be made solely by means of a written prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. The prospectuses and their supplements, which contain important information about the Funds, can be obtained upon request and without charge by writing to the Funds at 201 N. New York Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789, or by calling the Funds collect at 407-636-7115. Prospective investors should read the prospectuses and their supplements carefully before investing. Investors are advised to consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectuses contain this and other information about the Funds. There can be no assurance that the Funds will achieve their investment objectives.

The Funds' investments in various types of debt securities and instruments may be secured, unsecured, rated and unrated, are subject to non-payment risk, and may be speculative in nature. Investments in senior secured debt present additional risks, including that there is a higher risk of default than with investment-grade bonds. Generally, investments in debt securities with longer-term maturities are subject to greater volatility than investments in shorter-term obligations. The Funds' investments in energy companies expose the Funds to risks associated with adverse economic, environmental or regulatory occurrences affecting the energy sector, a higher volatility of the market and a downturn in the energy sector could have a larger impact on the Funds than on funds that are broadly diversified across many sectors and industries.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements identified by the use of words such as "outlook," "indicator," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Triloma, EIG and the Funds believe these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Fund's registration statement, as such factors may be updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are accessible on the SEC's website at sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in the Fund's filings. Triloma, EIG and the Funds assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events or circumstances.

Triloma Media Contact

Lauren Bowes

Findsome & Winmore

lbowes@findsomewinmore.com

407-722-7843Regulatory News:

In connection with AP Alternative Assets, L.P.'s ("AAA"; Euronext Amsterdam: AAA) equity investment in Athene Holding Ltd. ("Athene"), AAA, the largest shareholder of Athene, informs its investors that Athene has filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to register an indeterminate amount of securities, including common shares, preferred shares and debt securities, and a preliminary prospectus supplement relating to a proposed offering of senior unsecured notes. A copy of these documents is available for free on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Any offering will be made by means of a prospectus filed with the SEC. When available, a copy of the prospectus related to the offering will be accessible for free, on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

About AP Alternative Assets

AAA was established by Apollo Global Management, LLC and its subsidiaries ("Apollo") and is a closed-end limited partnership established under the laws of Guernsey. Apollo is a leading global alternative investment manager with 27 years of experience investing across the capital structure of leveraged companies. AAA is managed by Apollo Alternative Assets, L.P. For more information about AAA, please visit www.apolloalternativeassets.com.

This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction, nor does it constitute a prospectus or an offer within the meaning of article 3 of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC).

The distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from the historical experience and expressed or implied expectations of AAA. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and AAA does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements unless required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005689/en/

Contacts:

AP Alternative Assets

Gary Stein (New York), +1 (212) 822 0467Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 3, 2018) - War Eagle Mining Company Inc. (TSXV: WAR) ("War Eagle" or the "Company") and Champagne Resources Limited ("Champagne") are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement to merge the two companies. Champagne is a Toronto-based private company with a significant land position (3,296 ha) in the world class Kirkland Lake Gold Camp in the Abitibi Greenbelt 8 km from the Town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario and adjacent to Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.'s high grade producing mine. Paul Carroll, Chairman of War Eagle said "We chose this investment because the best place to find gold is where it has been found before."

The merger will be effected by what is known as a "triangular amalgamation" whereby Champagne will merge with a subsidiary of War Eagle and become a subsidiary of War Eagle itself. On the merger, which values the companies equally, Champagne shareholders will receive an aggregate of 21,990,276 War Eagle common shares, matching the current outstanding shares of the Company. Outstanding Champagne share purchase warrants and options are expected to be exchanged on equivalent terms for War Eagle securities. War Eagle and Champagne have agreed to finalize and sign an amalgamation agreement by January 15, 2018 and the merger, which is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, is expected to be completed by the end of February once all conditions have been met including required Champagne shareholder and approvals. The transaction is an arms' length transaction and no finder's fees are payable.

Mr. Carroll explained that the acquisition represents the culmination of two years of searching for a mineral property to replace the Tres Marias and Terrazas zinc-copper projects in Chihuahua, Mexico, and is a return to Canada for the Company.

Champagne's100% owned Goodfish Kirana Project at Kirkland Lake is a contiguous, 10 km long by 3 km wide land package that until now has never been consolidated or systematically explored on surface or below 200 m depth. Daniele Spethmann, President and CEO of Champagne, stated "Numerous historical gold showings, significant structural breaks and a land package that has been under-explored with modern technology provide for an exciting and unique discovery opportunity. We look forward to completing a winter work program that will include airborne and ground geophysics that will better define drill targets for a Q2 exploration program."

Geologically, the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp is favourable because of major structures and breaks that are host to world class high grade gold deposits. Historically, the Kirkland Lake Camp has been host to over 42 million ounces of gold production. Operationally, the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp is a first class location due to its long mining history which has fostered local mining-skilled personnel including supportive First Nations, year-round ease of access via local airport and three main highways, and truck and ATV accessible bush roads.

Champagne's committed management and technical team with proven track records of discovery is led by Daniele Spethmann, an exploration geologist with over 30 years experience in northern Ontario, Canada and internationally including being the senior geologist on two projects with significant discoveries (Choco 10 - Carolina zone and Fruta del Norte) in Venezuela and in Ecuador. Ms. Spethmann is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.

Upon the merger with War Eagle, Ms. Spethmann will be appointed as President and CEO of War Eagle, and as a director and Mr. Carroll will remain Chairman. War Eagle will have three representatives on the board of directors and Champagne will have two representatives, being Ms. Spethmann and Peter Winnell, another Champagne-appointed director. Donald Padgett is expected to resign from the Board of War Eagle on closing of the merger to accommodate the incoming Champagne representatives. War Eagle may consider an increase in the board to six directors at its next annual general meeting.

Daniele Spethmann, P. Geo., President and CEO of Champagne, is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

For additional information please contact:

War Eagle Mining Company Inc.

Paul A. Carroll Q.C.

Chairman, President and CEO

416-703-9120

Email: info@wareaglemining.com

Website: www.wareaglemining.com

Champagne Resources Limited

Daniele Spethmann, P.Geo

President and CEO

(647) 344-3433

Email: www.champagneresources.com

Website: www.champagneresources.com

This news release was prepared by management of War Eagle, which takes full responsibility for its contents as it relates to War Eagle. Information about Champagne Resources Limited has been provided by Champagne.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although War Eagle believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because War Eagle can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in the Company's management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended March 31, 2017 and the second quarter ended September 30, 2017, which are available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and War Eagle undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - January 3, 2018) - CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article covering Friday Night Inc. (CSE: TGIF) (OTCQB: TGIFF) and its presence in both of the booming Nevada and California markets for hemp-based cannabidiol products.

California's Hemp Industry

The hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) market is projected to become a billion-dollar market in just three years, according to the Brightfield Group. After crossing the $170 million mark in 2016, the analyst projects a 55% compound annual growth rate over the next few years. California could experience some of the most significant growth given the legalization of both medical and adult-use cannabis next year - a move that could increase consumer exposure to cannabinoids.

"One of the most surprising things we found during this research was how many companies are currently operating in the space, and how few of them are generating significant revenue," said Brightfield Director of Research Bethany Gomez. "Essentially, everyone is trying to do hemp, but only a handful are doing it well. It's seen as easy because it can be sold online but, with restrictions on traditional marketing, it is very difficult to connect with your core customer."

The hemp-based CBD market is a highly-fragmented space where distribution is a key bottleneck. Investors interested in the space should therefore seek out established companies that have existing distribution channels for their products, particularly in states like California that are likely to see a sharp increase demand next year. Furthermore, investors may want to consider companies that are diversified across other areas of the market to reduce risk.

Expanding into California

Friday Night Inc. (CSE: TGIF) is a Canadian public company that owns both cannabis and hemp-based assets in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to its 91% owned Alternative Medicine Association - a licensed medical and adult-use cannabis cultivation and production facility - the company owns 91% of Infused MSG, which produced hemp-based CBD products using high quality organic botanical ingredients that are thoughtfully crafted into premium products.

On December 15, the company announced that its Canna Hemp product line would be sold to cannabis dispensaries and other retail outlets in the State of California. Management indicated that it has already received multiple purchase orders from several California retailers, which represents the first step in its efforts to expand its brand into California. The state is widely seen as becoming a hub for nationwide cannabis brands given its large size.

Friday Night's current distribution into existing dispensaries across California solves a key issue facing many other hemp-based CBD manufacturers. The exposure of its brands in these retail locations could also increase awareness and further differentiate its products from other companies developing CBD-based supplements. With a cannabis cultivation arm, the company is uniquely positioned to build upon these relationships and create diverse revenue ahead.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/friday-night-expands-distribution-california/

For more information, visit the company's website at www.fridaynightinc.com.

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

CFN Media

Frank Lane

206-369-7050

flane@cannabisfn.com

BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Peter Thiel, who is Paypal co-founder and an angel investor known for early bets on Facebook and SpaceX, has added bitcoin into his portfolio even as other venture capitalists remain wary of the highly volatile cryptocurrency.



Founders Fund, a venture capital firm co-founded by Thiel, bought around $15 million to $20 million bitcoin, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources. This forms a minuscule part of the firm's total assets of more than $3 billion.



The WSJ report further said the investment is spread across several of the firm's most recent funds. This includes one fund started in 2017 that has bitcoin as one of its first investments.



Thanks to bitcoin's surge in 2017, the holdings are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars, the firm reportedly told its investors.



The price of bitcoin spurted nearly 9 percent to $15,030 as of 2.44 pm ET on coinbase, after the news of Thiel's monster bet on the digital currency hit the wires.



Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Thiel's firm had been buying small amounts of bitcoin since 2012, totaling no more than $20 million. That move would be true to his reputation of betting early in nascent technology.



Citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said Thiel found bitcoin expensive in November and was comfortable buying it around $2,000 to $3,000.



The firm's bitcoin investments are not made public yet.



The Bloomberg report also cited a Founders Fund spokeswoman as confirming that the firm invested in bitcoin infrastructure providers such as BitPay, BitGo, Polychain and MetaStable.



Thiel has voiced support for bitcoin earlier, while remaining skeptical of other crytpocurrencies.



In October last year, Thiel had said people are 'understimating' the value of bitcoin. He said it has great potential if it ends up being the cyber equivalent of gold.



'It is like a reserve form of money, it's like gold, and it's just a store of value,' Thiel said during an investor conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 'You don't need to use it to make payments.'



Further, Thiel said bitcoin is based on 'the security of math' which means it cannot be diluted by any government, or hacked, and hence, it is absolutely secure.



However, traditional finance is yet to welcome bitcoin entirely into the mainstream though the Chicago exchanges have started futures trading in the digital currency. Many prominent bankers such as Jamie Dimon has called it a 'fraud'.



Governments and central banks are also uncomfortable with the recent surge in the cryptocurrencies' value. China has already banned initial coin offerings and India likened these currencies to ponzi schemes in a warning to investors, reiterating that they are not legal tender.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.deLondon's FTSE 100 was up 0.3% to 7,668.66 in afternoon trade on Wednesday thanks to a solid performance from retailers. Next surged as it nudged up its full-year profit target after a better online sales performance in the run up to Christmas, but the clothing retailer said it expects profits to fall in the coming year. Full price sales in the 54 days up to and including Christmas Eve were 1.5% higher than in the same period last year, much better November's guidance for a continuation of the ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.Technavio's latest market research report on the global industrial fractional horsepower clutches and brakes market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technaviodefines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005503/en/

Technavio has published a new market research report on the global industrial fractional horsepower clutches and brakes market 2017-2021 under their industrial automation library. (Graphic: Business Wire)

One of the key factors resulting in the growth of the global industrial fractional horsepower clutches and brakes market is the increase in demand for automated material handling in the industrial sector. Industrial players are increasingly stressing on post-manufacturing operations and exploring cost-cutting opportunities in material handling through lean management principles.

Avail Technavio's Year-End Special offer: Get 50% off on this report and all other reports covering industries like ICT; energy; food and beverage; healthcare and life sciences; automotive; industrial automation; education; and many more. Offer valid only from Dec 18 Jan 7

The three emerging market trends driving the global industrial fractional horsepower clutches and brakes market according to Technavio research analysts are:

Software to enhance the design process

Improvement in services and support

Changes in the global labor force

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Software to enhance the design process

Several vendors of the global industrial clutches and brakes market are using software applications to design products. These software applications assist in the reduction of the fabrication cost in prototyping and help in determining the flaws in the design.

According to Raghav Bharadwaj Shivaswamy, a lead analyst at Technavio forautomation,"Vendors are also using analytics software from vendors such as Teamcenter PLC and NX CAD, to understand the performance of the products. This has helped vendors in improving product quality, reducing their operational cost, and differentiating themselves from the competitors."

Improvement in services and support

Owing to the requirement of high torque by some processes and the need for these processes to be capable of handling high RPM, industrial fractional horsepower clutches and brakes need to be customized to handle these situations. Vendors in the global industrial clutches and brakes market are offering customization services to differentiate themselves from the competition and cater to customer needs. A team of domain experts from the vendors help the end-users in analyzing their requirements and suggest appropriate products as well as help in the installation of the products. The forecast period will also see an enhancement in services such as installation support and product performance checks.

Changes in the global labor force

The working-age population in the world is expected to decrease significantly by 2050, especially in countries such as China, Japan, Germany, Russia, and France. A high proportion of skilled workers are expected to retire. This has triggered the increased adoption of automated equipment in industries for reducing the requirement of manual labor to oversee the entire operation. Rapid industrialization in developed and emerging economies has led to an increased demand for labor. This has resulted in a hike in the average labor cost and less availability of skilled workers in industries across the globe.

"As lengthy shift times can reduce productivity and efficiency of employees along with the possibility of faults due to human error, industrial players are expected to adopt equipment that can improve industrial operations. The high adoption of equipment for key industrial applications will propel the demand for components such as industrial fractional horsepower clutches and brakes," says Raghav

Browse Related Reports:

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About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005503/en/

Contacts:

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Jesse Maida

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US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

www.technavio.comCompany expands single-blood-tube, cancer-targeted therapy and immunotherapy testing to parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

CIRCULOGENE, advancing precision medicine through molecular genetics testing, has entered into an international licensing agreement with Turkey-based CIRCULOGENE Saglik.

Under terms of the agreement, CIRCULOGENE's low-volume, high-yield, extraction-free and loss-free sample preparation coupled with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology is being licensed to CIRCULOGENE Saglik of Istanbul, Turkey.

"As the exclusive licensee of CIRCULOGENE in these regions, we are excited to make advanced liquid biopsy testing widely available," said Goksin Ozel, M.D., Co-Founder, Chairman CEO of CIRCULOGENE Saglik. "We strongly believe in CIRCULOGENE's technology and in the importance of partnering with health care professionals to help save and extend lives. We are also committed to serving the communities in which we live and work, and providing the highest level of customer service possible."

The agreement gives CIRCULOGENE Saglik exclusive rights to use CIRCULOGENE's proprietary, direct-on-specimen, nucleic-acid enrichment technology in Turkey as well as surrounding countries and regions, including to parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

"This agreement aligns strongly with our aggressive growth and revenue strategy, expanding our laboratory's testing capabilities and availability internationally," said CIRCULOGENE CEO Mike Mullen. "We have a strong relationship with CIRCULOGENE Saglik dating back to 2016, and we look forward to working with this outstanding laboratory group to make advanced cancer diagnostics widely available to the medical facilities, physicians and patients that it serves."

In March 2016, CIRCULOGENE began processing its first international orders from GGT Global Genetik, parent company of CIRCULOGENE Saglik.

"That's when we realized the tremendous value our unique enrichment and sequencing capabilities could offer the international market," said Mullen. "We're able to deliver maximum output from minimum input with the fastest turnaround times and lowest costs in the industry. We're the only company in the industry able to do that using a single tube of blood, and our new MSI testing capabilities build on the strong value proposition we already provide the cancer diagnostics market."

CIRCULOGENE recently introduced Microsatellite Instability (MSI) biomarker testing for precision cancer immunotherapy with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) across multiple cancer types, or Opdivo (nivolumab) for colorectal cancer. The company's laboratory operations have been streamlined and automated for an industry-leading, three-day turnaround-time capability for all DNA, RNA and immunotherapy test results at a fraction of current industry costs.

CIRCULOGENE is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified and provides biomarker testing for a broad range of cancers, allowing physicians to match results to specific drugs and clinical trials. For more information, visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, or email us at info@circulogene.com or call 855-614-7083. Clinicians interested in ordering tests may visit the Contact page on CIRCULOGENE's website.

About CIRCULOGENE

Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., CIRCULOGENE is an innovative molecular diagnostics company founded and operated by a team of experienced industry executives and skilled molecular diagnostics scientists. Applying its proprietary laboratory developed test for cfDNA, cfRNA and MSI liquid biopsies, CIRCULOGENE has developed the next-generation sequencing (NGS) method to provide full genomic load analysis from one standard tube of blood and in less than seven days, enabling more accurate data to help clinicians and their patients choose targeted therapies, monitor efficacy and monitor for recurrence. For more information, visit www.circulogene.com or call 855-614-7083.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005917/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

MedTech Content Marketing

Dan Snyders, 720-231-9990

dan@medtechcontent.com

or

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CIRCULOGENE

Scott Rezek, 205-278-1607

srezek@circulogene.comNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2018 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against RYB Education, Inc. ("RYB" or the "Company") (NYSE: RYB) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, for the Southern District of New York, and docketed under 17-cv-09261, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons other than defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired RYB's American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"): (1) pursuant and/or traceable to RYB's false and misleading Registration Statement and Prospectus, issued in connection with the Company's initial public offering on or about September 27, 2017 (the "IPO" or the "Offering"); and/or (2) on the open market between September 27, 2017 and November 22, 2017, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by defendants' violations of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

If you are a shareholder who purchased RYB securities between September 27, 2017, and November 22, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until January 26, 2018, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and amount of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

RYB Education, Inc. offers educational services. The Company operates kindergarten and pre-schools. RYB Education provides training in a variety of subjects and languages, teacher recruitment, guidance, innovative learning, development of children, rating systems, parents consulting, and other services.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) RYB failed to establish safety policies to prevent sexual abuse from occurring at its schools; (ii) RYB's failure to remedy problems within its system exposed children to harm and unreasonable risk of harm while in the Company's care; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, RYB securities traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period, and class members suffered significant losses and damages.

On November 24, 2017, various news outlets reported that police have opened an investigation into RYB after numerous parents accused a RYB nursery of drugging and molesting their children. Beijing's education authority confirmed the police investigation in a statement. According to China's leading newspaper Xinhua News Agency, RYB has suspended multiple teachers at RYB Education New World after kindergarten students were "reportedly sexually molested, pierced by needles, given unidentified pills," and forced to undress and locked in a dark room. Parents reported that at least eight children have been abused at the school and that the children had given similar accounts with respect to their abuse.

On this news, RYB's ADR price fell $10.28 per share, or over 38% from its previous closing price, to close at $16.45 per share on November 24, 2017.

On the following day, several news outlets reported that Chinese police had detained teachers in connection with its RYB's child abuse inquiry. According to police reports, one of the teachers was arrested after needle wounds were found on at least eight children aged 2 to 6 years at the kindergarten. In a statement issued later that day, RYB announced it had fired the detained teachers, as well as the head of one of its kindergartens.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLPThe Trumpist forces of authoritarianism are circling the wagons. Trump and his allies have no intention of going down quietly and care not a whit of what damages they do to a constitutional democracy which they abhor anyway in the process of preserving their own grasp on power. This week one of Trumps long time closest confidents, wrote a How To for a neo-fascist website, How The President Can Checkmate Mueller And Dismiss His Partisan Hit-Squad. Its what all the kids on the far right fringe are talking about on Fox and Hate Talk Radio, among the worst partisans in Congress (like Floridas neo-nazi stooge Matt Gaetz) and all through the fringes of the far right. Senor Trumpanzee has only one viable option, wrote Stone, to repel the partisan lynch mob now nipping at his heels in the form of a taxpayer-funded pack of legal hyenas. These hyenas are masquerading as objective prosecutors under the droopy eyes of old reliable deep state hatchet man Robert Swan Mueller III, the special counsel appointed to investigate the Clinton-Podesta-Schiff-Democrat Party-Corporate Media fabricated Russia collusion delusion. As the GOP Congress finally begins to stir , as events make it increasingly impossible to deny the true nature of Muellers handpicked partisan hit squad of Trump-hating, Hillary-supporting D.C. swamp lawyers and arrogant federal careerists, as firings and other departures quickly erode the carefully-contrived, totally-counterfeit veneer of credibility ascribed to Mueller and his hench-people, my advice to the president has only become more aproposand more imperative.

He urges Trumpanzee to act to kill two birds with one stone. Trump has no sense of history and no dignity. Expect him to follow Stones recipe, at least in part, for and end to our democracy, regardless of consequences. Stone calls on him to completely disempower and dismantle Robert S. Muellers fraudulent rogue prosecution gang, which is merely an extension of a larger corruption of power that is unparalleled in our history [and to] use every resource at his disposal to prosecute the almost-seditious abuses of power by lawless Clinton-Obama FBI and NSA apparatchiks who:

5) Perpetuated this massive criminal fraud on the American people for nearly a full year by manipulating and abusing the investigatory and prosecutorial powers of the Department of Justice.

3) Used the fruits of this political espionage activity to damage or otherwise hinder this candidate after he had become president-elect and eventually president of the United States through surreptitious releases of the criminally-procured information,

2) Colluded with foreign and non-state intelligence agents to manufacture evidence used as false pretexts for securing Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) warrants(s) that employed the national security laws of the United States to give illicit, illegal cover to this political espionage,

This is the kind of crap and simpleminded conspiracy theory pablum those on the fringes are being brainwashed with. Now, come omn who didnt always know that the Ramones were way ahead of their time:

And another one from Rocket To Russia. No coincidence, believe me, no coincidence.

Stone keeps referring to him as President Trump. I just cant do it, so Ive substituted the more accurate term, Senor Trumpanzee, each time Stone tries conveying some kind of legitimacy on him.

To this end, Senor Trumpanzee must begin at the intersection of these seditious current and former federal officials who had previously facilitated and covered up a similarly-breathtaking criminal fraud on the country during the previous presidential administration, to include the previous president.





El Senor T must order his attorney general to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Obama-Clinton-Mueller-Rosenstein criminal collusion that enriched the Clinton-Democrat crime syndicate by hundreds of millions of dollars and further embedded the power of the deep state operators who facilitated the multi-billion-dollar Uranium One pay-to-play scam.





This incredible scheme perpetrated by the criminal Clintons and their coterie of minions and fellow travelers implicates top officials of our federal governmentincluding and especially the U.S Department of Justice, including and especially Robert Mueller and Rod Rosenstein.





An investigation is manifestly in the best interests of this country and of justice. It is not some political maneuver against el Senors cynical partisan persecutors or some clever machination to spare his presidency from the illegitimate cabal that is single-minded in its intent to fraudulently remove el Senor from office, by any means possible.





This course of action by el Senor is both legally and constitutionally necessary to preserve any remaining credibility in our institutions of government, which now hinges on whether or not justice will, once and for all, be visited upon the Clintons and their well-placed partisan accomplices, finally vindicating our system of law and justice after decades of yet-unpunished corruption that the Clintons and their ilk have insinuated into these institutions, bringing unparalleled and a now-accelerating degradation to American civic life itself.





Proactive Republican lawmakers have already demanded the resignation of Robert Mueller, as a start, and are calling for a thorough probe of his entire ad hoc operation, which is now coming apart at the seams with almost daily revelations of its rotten fraudulent core.





Muellers decades as an establishment federal careerist, which only ended with his ceding of the FBIs top job to his good pal, criminal leaker and manipulator Big Jim Comey, offer more than enough grounds for Muellers disqualification for merely the appearances of impropriety and professional conflicts of interest they raise. They are of such incestuous nature as it concerns key figures of the conspiracy to remove the president that Mueller should never even have been considered for appointment.





That Mueller took the special counsel appointment without even blinking, despite his own close professional and personal connections to key figures implicated in the Department of Justice, National Security Agency and FBI corruption in service to ulterior partisan ends, via the Clinton crime family, was a major red flag, right from the beginning.





Reinforcing this red flag was the fact that Muellers entire (supposed) vetting for this sensitive, consequential special counsel position amounted a single-sentence approval letter signed by some faceless deputy attorney general barely a day after the appointment was promulgated.





Aside from Muellers blatant disregard for both attorney and public service ethics in accepting the special counsel appointment, some GOP lawmakers have also cited the former FBI directors close involvement with the Obama administrations secret Russian-U.S. uranium deal as more than enough reason for his immediate removal and the commencement of a real (untainted) investigation of the Obama-Clinton Russia-connected treason that Mueller has been instrumental in abetting and covering up.





So exactly what is the story with Uranium One?





Uranium One 101





The short version is that in 2010, when Mueller was FBI director, members of an interagency committee working under the Obama administration facilitated a highly-suspicious business deal that had grave public implication. The result of it was that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton effectively handed Russia and Vladimir Putin control over as much as 20 percent of the uranium production capacity of the United States.





As this deal was coming to fruition, after years of nefarious Clintonian machinations urging it along, Muellers FBI was investigating and may have uncovered clear evidence of Russian bribery and fraud to the detriment of U.S. uranium contractors, as part of a larger Russian (Putin) racketeering scheme to gain control of global uranium resources, namely by purchasing the power and influence being peddled by the Clintons to anyone who would meet their terms.





The FBI appears to have been investigating a Moscow-compromised uranium trucking company called Tenex As early as 2009. Tenex was allegedly engaged in racketeering through a pattern of bribes and kickbacks in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.





Tenex was operating out of Bethesda, Maryland through a subsidiary named Tenam USA. The company was run by a Russian official named Vadim Mikerin. As the FBI was investigating Tenams alleged extortion and bribery scheme, Russia was seeking permission from the Obama administration and the Clinton State Department to acquire ownership in Uranium One. Despite evidence of Tenexs and Mikerims alleged corruption as early as 2009, the Obama administration rubber-stamped a U.S. work visa twice for Mikerim, as late as 2014.





And what did our intrepid paragon of justice Robert Swan Mueller III do to thwart this alleged scheme and arrest its perpetrators? The answer is absolutely NOTHING. In fact, a confidentiality agreement prevented a key witness to the Clinton-Russia uranium treason from testifying. The Justice Department only just lifted on October 25, 2017, a full seven years after the fact, under pressure from congressional intelligence committee leadership.





Robert Mueller ensured that his own FBI investigators were effectively walled off from exposing the real players in our own government who were complicit in this epic influence-peddling scam founded on the Clintons ruthless greed and epic criminality.





Obamas Justice Department and Muellers FBI knowingly kept Congress and the American people in the dark about Russias significant and quite possibly illegal manipulations involving American uranium companies and the highest officials of American government, possibly among them U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The result was that the Clintons criminal treason, in collusion with Russian nuclear criminals, went full steam ahead, unperturbed.





Muellers key role in the covering up of these Russia-Clinton uranium dealings constitutes more than enough justification for Robert Muellers immediate and unceremonious removal as an autonomous, secretive inquisitor limitlessly probing the newly-inaugurated president who defeated Muellers former Obama administration crony and cohort, Hillary Rodham Clinton.





There are probably a dozen other reasons why Mueller should be criminally charged but, for now, lets just focus on this most heinous of schemes to which Mueller has been party: the transfer of our precious uranium resources to criminal Russian oligarchs to benefit the Clinton-Obama crime junta and sleazy hucksters from the ranks of the Democratic Party.





You might ask: How is it even possible that Russia (a supposed enemy) could acquire an in U.S. uranium capacity? The answer is that while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State under President Barack Obama, the Russian atomic energy agency, Rosatom, was handed official U.S. government authorization to purchase a Canadian company named Uranium One which controlled uranium mining stakes stretching from Central Asia to the American West...





Uranium One, as handed over to the Russians by the Obama-Clinton cabal, was effectively the creation of a Canadian entrepreneur named Frank Giustra. Mr. Giustra conveniently happened to be a major Clinton donor and a personal friend of Bill Clinton.





The Clinton-Giustra genesis of the Uranium One scam was detailed in a lengthy New York Times story in April 2015 titled Cash Flowed to Clinton Foundation Amid Russian Uranium Deal.





(Based on the old Grey Ladys incessant animus for Donald Trump and its complicity in puffing up the Russia collusion delusion about the president, it would seem that Clintonian amnesia is the order of the day at the New York Times.)





In 2005, Clinton was flown on Giustras lavish private jet to Kazakhstan, a central Asian country once part of the former Soviet Union. By some estimates, Kazakhstan possesses around 12 percent of the worlds uranium resources and Giustra wanted to acquire ownership interest in several uranium mines.





Using his substantial network of contacts as a former U.S. president, Bill Clinton reportedly had arranged for Giustra and himself to dine with Kazakhstans despotic ruler, Nursultan Nazarbeyev. During the meal, Clinton handed the Kazakh president a propaganda coup when Clinton expressed support for Nazarbayevs bid to head an international elections monitoring group.





Apparently it was of no consequence or concern to officialdom in Washington that this move by Clinton ran directly counter to American foreign policy and undermined much-deserved criticism of Kazakhstans poor human rights record by, among others, Clintons wife, at the time a U.S. senator.





The new company Giustra formed to effectuate the Uranium One deal, UrAsia Energy Ltd., reportedly signed a preliminary deal giving it stakes in three uranium mines controlled by Kazatomprom, the government agency that runs Kazakhstans uranium mines and nuclear energy industry. In 2007 UrAsia merged with Uranium One in what was described as a $3.5 billion transaction, with the successor company retaining the name Uranium One.





Mukhtar Dzhakishev, president of Kazatomprom, subsequently alleged that then-Senator Hillary Clinton had pressured Kazakh officials to cede the uranium rights to Giustra.





Basically, Hillary served as the stick to her husband Bills proverbial carrot in making the deal happen.





According to the Washington Post, Dzhakishev described the deal as a financing mechanism of the Democratic Party and said a Clinton adviser named Tim Phillips championed it in meetings with him and other officials.





From the same WaPo article:













When all was said and done, UrAsias investors controlled the new Uranium One. The chairman of the new company was Canadian Ian Telfer.





Telfer reportedly donated $2.3 million to the Clinton Foundation.





Frank Giustra, who had shepherded Bill Clintons influence with the Kazakhstanis, held a personal stake in the deal estimated by some reports at about $45 million. Through a spokesperson, Giustra said he sold his stake in 2007. According to the New York Times, one year after the 2005 uranium deal was final Giustra donated $31.3 million to the Clinton Foundation with a promise of $100 million more.





One adviser on the Uranium One-UrAsia merger was Paul Reynolds.





Reynolds reportedly donated $1 to $5 million to the Clinton Foundation.





A company called U.S. Global Investors Inc. held $4.7 million in Uranium One shares. A U.S. Global executive named Frank Holmes reportedly donated $250,000 to $500,000 to the Clinton Foundation.





This is just the short list of Uranium One-connected donations that flowed back to the Clintons. Although the Clintons had an obligation to report these donations, they conveniently waited until 2008 to do so, and only when the New York Times was poised to expose and publish details about this obvious multi-million dollar pay-to-play scheme.





As is modus operandi with all of the Clintons sleazy machinations, any questions or suggestions posed about the connections between shady Clinton influence-peddling business deals and the inevitable cash windfalls realized by the Clintons were glibly pooh-poohed as either mere coincidence (please!) or lacking any evidence (as if we need signed receipts and written agreements to connect the obvious dots of the Clintons epic lucre).





With classic Clintonian prevarication, treating the public as either blind or stupid (or both), the Clintons steadfastly deny the obvious quid pro quo connections at the root of the Uranium One Kazakhstan acquisitions.





Of course, the Clinton crony-beneficiaries of the deal knew enough to follow suit with similar huffy denials, lest they meet with an unfortunate premature demise like so many others who have dared run afoul of the Clintons scamming and scheming, all the way back to their Arkansas backwater days.





Russo-Clinton Treason: Phase II





Once Uranium One was set up with the Kazakhstani uranium holdings firmly in the control of Clinton cronies, the stage was set for the next step in the Clintons treasonous plot: handing over Uranium One and its holdings to the Russians, or more accurately to Vladimir Putin.





The Clinton cabals uranium wheelings and dealings began immediately at the commencement in 2009 of the Obama administration, under the close direction of newly-installed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.





In order for Russian nuclear entity Rosatom to purchase Uranium One the deal required approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS.. The committee consists of top officials from nine different federal agencies. Not surprisingly, given the foreign subject matter intrinsic to the committees work, the key agency the main driver out of all government players involved is the U.S. Department of State, which was conveniently headed by Mrs. Bill Clinton in 2009.





To be clear, Hillary Clinton did not have the authority to push such a potentially-controversial deal through by herself. Such power ultimately resides with the president, in this case Barack Obama.





The CFIUS voted twice, first in 2010 and then in 2013, to approve Rosatoms acquisition of Uranium One, thereby conceivably giving Vladimir Putin control of up to 20 percent of all U.S. uranium capacity.





It would be ridiculous to think that Obama, Hillary, Holder and Mueller would not have been well aware of the FBIs investigation into the Russian racketeering and all of the bribes and kickbacks in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act that formed a backdrop to the Uranium One acquisition by Russia.





These sworn federal officials did not step in to expose and halt the tainted Uranium One deal. They may have cleared the way for it.





Robert Mueller appears to have known about the delivery of 10 grams of HEU (highly enriched uranium) to the Russians in September 2009.





The highly enriched uranium in question had been confiscated in 2006 by the U.S. Department of Energy in a nuclear smuggling sting operation involving one Russian national and several Georgian accomplices. A cable, one of several released by WikiLeaks, details Director Muellers mission to personally deliver the HEU to Russian law enforcement at the behest of Hillary Clinton.





Another interesting bit of innocent timing or convenient coincidence (take your pick): In June of 2010, the same month that Rosatom struck its deal for a majority stake in Uranium One, Bill Clinton spoke in Moscow for the tidy sum of $500,000, the second-highest fee he had ever received for a speech.





Clintons half-million dollar bonanza for 90 minutes of work was paid by Renaissance Capital, a Russian investment bank with ties to the Kremlin.. Renaissance Capital analysts talked up Uranium Ones stock, assigning it a buy rating and saying in a July 2010 research report that it was the best play in the uranium markets. Of course this, too, is just a coincidence.





If you think all of these connections and occurrences are too mind-boggling to accept as mere coincidence, hold onto your seat for this next one. Remember how the alleged Tenam/Rosatom racketeering activities were centered in Bethesda, Maryland at the Tenex U.S. offices? As rank-and-file FBI agents were assiduously investigating these Russian schemes to obtain U.S. uranium resources through corruption of public officials, Robert Mueller handed his longtime legal crony the Uranium One case to be buried and forgotten, clearing the way for approval of the Rosatom deal by the Obama administration and Hillary Clinton.





The cronys name was Rod Rosenstein.





And the rest is history.





I leave you, good reader, to draw the obvious conclusions about what is really behind this cozy little bromance between Robert Mueller and Rod Rosenstein, the two lawyers who promulgated Muellers grotesque, unaccountable partisan hit squad that is clearly intent on taking out our president.





Lets not forget what Donald Trump said to Hillary Clinton and the entire nation in a televised presidential debate on October 9, 2016:













After his election, Donald Trump chose to be magnanimous and forward-looking rather than follow through on his words and appoint that special prosecutor. Trump naively thought he could commence his presidency free from the tentacles of his seething, embittered dragon lady of an opponent.





Donald Trump genuinely did not want his presidency tangled up with the Clinton stain. He knew this would be impossible to avoid were he to see to the much-deserved prosecution of Hillary Clinton and her extensive syndicate of cohorts, cronies, flunkies and fellow travelers, including the likes of Mueller and Rosenstein, for their countless crimes and endless scandals.





Unfortunately for Donald Trump, they turned his debate promise around and gave him his special prosecutor. And now this prosecutor is ruthlessly and illegitimately driving towards nothing less than a coup detat, that will only end with Donald Trumps removal as the duly-elected el Senor of the United States.





It will be ugly. It will be noisy. It will be dirty. It will be extremely difficult. The deep states spooky guardians will threaten el Senor with everything they can summon. But, by God, it is high time for Senor Trumpanzee to end this despicable sedition being perpetrated by repugnant, monomaniacal partisan degenerates and begin the work of draining the swampfor real.JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has threatened in posts to Twitter to cut off U.S. aid to the Palestinians unless their leaders resume peace negotiations with Israel. The tweets from Trump on Tuesday come after he previously criticized U.S. aid to Pakistan, which he accused of giving safe haven to terrorists. 'It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others,' Trump tweeted. 'As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.' 'They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more,' he added. 'But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?' The comments from Trump come after he drew widespread criticism last month for officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. A report released by the Congressional Research Service in December of 2016 showed that U.S. economic support to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around $400 million a year since fiscal 2008. Palestinian Liberation Organization executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi suggested Trump was attempting to blackmail the Palestinians. 'President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice,' Ashrawi said in a statement. 'Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!' (Photo: Gage Skidmore) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.NEW YORK, NY / January 3, 2018 / ACCESSWIRE / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Kobe Steel Ltd. ("Kobe Steel" or the "Company") (OTC PINK: KBSTY) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, for the Southern District of New York, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Kobe Steel's American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") between May 29, 2013, and October 12, 2017, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated there under, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased Kobe Steel securities between May 29, 2013, and October 12, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until February 26, 2018, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

Kobe Steel is one of Japan's largest steel manufacturers and a major supplier of aluminum and copper products. The Company's other business segments include wholesale power supply machinery, construction machinery, real estate and electronic materials.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company falsified data on many of its aluminum, copper and steel products sold to customers; (ii) the Company sold products that in reality failed quality control tests in violation of laws and regulations; (iii) the Company's financial performance relied on selling products that did not meet quality standards in violation of laws and regulations; (iv) the Company would incur significant costs and lose customers if customers became aware of the substandard quality of products they purchased; (v) the Company's compliance initiatives, corporate governance and risk management activities were ineffective and inadequate at preventing product data manipulation, fraud and other related misconduct; (vi) the Company's internal reporting systems failed to foster employee participation and adequately address employee concerns, and there was an excessive propensity by senior management, including the Individual Defendants, to hyper-emphasize profitability at all costs, that promoted a pervasive culture of corner-cutting, and looking the other way in the face of compliance violations, as long as profits were achieved, which deterred employees from making claims over product quality for fear of retribution and/or management failing to properly investigate claims; and (vii) as a result of the foregoing, Kobe Steel's shares traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period, and class members suffered significant losses and damages.

On October 8, 2017, the Company issued a press release entitled "Improper conduct concerning a portion of the aluminum and copper products manufactured by Kobe Steel." The press release disclosed that certain of Kobe Steel's products "did not comply with the product specifications" and "[d]ata in inspection certificates had been improperly rewritten etc., and the products were shipped as having met the specifications concerned."

On this news, Kobe Steel's ADR price fell $0.62, or over 10% from its previous closing price, to close at $5.30 per share on October 9, 2017.

On October 10, 2017, before the U.S. market opened, Reuters published an article entitled, "Kobe Steel's data-fabrication stuns Japanese manufacturers," which disclosed that several major manufacturers had confirmed use of the affected Kobe Steel products.

On this news, Kobe Steel's ADR price fell $1.30, or over 24% from its previous closing price, to close at $4.00 per share on October 10, 2017.

On October 12, 2017, post-market, Bloomberg published an article entitled, "Kobe Steel Scandal Expands Into Core Business Overseas," which reported that the Company's fake data scandal included its core business of providing steel to numerous international companies.

On October 13, 2017, Kobe Steel issued a press release entitled, "Report on improper conduct concerning Kobe Steel and its group of companies." The press release provided updated information about an investigation into the falsified data and related wrongdoing and listed numerous nonconforming products the Company had identified to date. On the same day, several media outlets reported that the number of impacted customers had more than doubled from the initial estimates of 200 customers.

Following these news, Kobe Steel's ADR price fell $0.40, or over 10% from its previous closing price, to close at $3.55 per share on October 13, 2017.

Subsequent news reports and the Company's own internal investigation revealed that Kobe Steel's lack of quality controls and data tampering was a result of, among other things, wholly inadequate and ineffective corporate governance and compliance initiatives.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has suggested that a meeting between members of President Donald Trump's campaign and Russian operatives was 'treasonous' and 'unpatriotic.'



Bannon reportedly made the comments in an interview for a book by author Michael Wolff that was seen by the Guardian.



The Guardian noted Bannon was particularly scathing about the June 2016 meeting involving Trump's son Donald Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner, then campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower.



Emails released by Trump Jr. indicate the meeting was set up because a 'Russian government attorney' was willing to provide information that would 'incriminate' Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.



'The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor - with no lawyers,' Bannon told Wolff. 'They didn't have any lawyers.'



He added, 'Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s---, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately.'



Bannon also suggested that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in last year's election would focus on money laundering.



'You realize where this is going,' Bannon reportedly said. 'This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy.



'Their path to fucking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner,' he added. 'It's as plain as a hair on your face.'



Manafort and former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates have been indicted on charges that include money laundering.



Trump lashed out at Bannon in a statement responding to the report, claiming his former adviser has 'lost his mind.'



'Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind,' Trump said.



Trump claims Bannon had very little to do with his victory in the presidential election and blamed the Breitbart Executive Chairman for Republicans losing the Alabama special Senate election.



The Guardian said Wolff's book titled 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House' is based on more than 200 interviews with Trump, his inner circle and players in and around the administration



(Photo: Gage Skidmore)



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.deNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2018 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Crypto Company ("Crypto" or the "Company") (OTC PINK: CRCW) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, for the Central District of California, and docketed under 17-cv-09157, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Crypto securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants' violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you are a shareholder who purchased Crypto securities between August 21, 2017, and December 18, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until February 20, 2018, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

The Crypto Company is engaged in the business of advising regarding, investing in, trading and developing proprietary source code for digital assets with diversified exposure to digital asset markets. The Company's core services include consulting and advising companies regarding investment and trading in the digital asset market and investing in a manner that diversifies exposure to the growing class of digital assets.

The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Crypto unlawfully engaged in a scheme to promote and manipulate the Company's stock; and (ii) as a result, Crypto's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On December 19, 2017, the SEC temporarily suspended Crypto stock from trading due to concerns that the stock was being manipulated after the shares surged more than 17,000% in less than 3 months. The SEC said it was alarmed about "the accuracy and adequacy of information" relating to the compensation paid for promotion of its and statements in SEC filings about the plans of the Company's insiders to sell their stock. Crypto stock was trading at $575 per share at the time trading was suspended and the suspension will remain in effect until January 3, 2018.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLPTORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/03/18 -- Unigold Inc. ("Unigold" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: UGD) is pleased to announce that Normand Tremblay, Unigold's major shareholder, has joined the Board of Directors. Mr. Tremblay is the former CEO of United Bottles & Packaging of Laval, Quebec.

The Company also would like to advise Unigold shareholders that it's still waiting to hear from the Ministry of Energy and Mines of the Dominican Republic regarding the granting of the Neita Fase II Exploration Concession.

The Company has complied with all requests received from the Direccion General de Mineria, including the payment of the annual surface tax, in accordance with Article 116 of the Dominican Republic Mining Law.

Joseph Del Campo, Interim President and CEO of Unigold commented, "We are very happy to have Normand join our board and we look forward to working with him in our continuing exploration efforts in advancing the Neita property."

For further information please visit www.unigoldinc.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this document, including statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on our assumptions and estimates and are subject to risk and uncertainties. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words like "strategy", "expects", "plans", "believes", "will", "estimates", "intends", "projects", "goals", "targets", and other words of similar meaning. You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We wish to caution you that such statements contained are just predictions or opinions and that actual events or results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Where applicable, we claim the protection of the safe harbour for forward-looking statements provided by the (United States) Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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.

Contacts:

Unigold Inc.

Mr. Joseph Del Campo

Interim President & CEO

416.866.8157

jdelcampo@unigoldinc.com

www.unigoldinc.com



Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 3, 2018) - Peat Resources Limited (TSXV: PET) (the "Company"), announces that the Company is increasing the size of its previously announced brokered private placement (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company led by IBK Capital Corp. The Offering will now consist of the sale of up to 15,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share for aggregate proceeds of the up to $750,000.

In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to pay IBK Capital Corp. a cash commission equal to 9% of the amount raised and broker warrants equal to 10% of the number of common shares issued pursuant to the Offering. Each broker warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.05 per common share for a period of five years from the date of issuance.

The securities to be issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period from the date of issuance. The closing of the Offering remains subject to completion of formal documentation and receipt of regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

For additional information, please contact:

Peat Resources Limited

Patricia Mannard

Telephone: (416) 862-7885

Email: pmannard@peatresources.com

Website: www.peatresources.net

IBK Capital Corp.

Michael White, President & CEO

Telephone: (416) 360-4511

Email: mwhite@ibkcapital.com

Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. These include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review registered filings at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - China will on Thursday see December results for the services and composite PMIs from Caixin, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The services PMI is expected to show a score of 51.8, down marginally from 51.9 in November. The composite PMI showed a score of 51.6 in the previous month. Japan will see final December figures for the manufacturing PMI from Nikkei; the previous reading showed a score of 54.2. Australia will provide December results for the Performance of Service Index from AiG; in November, the index score was 51.7. The Philippines will release December numbers for consumer and producer prices. In November, consumer prices were up 0.5 percent on month and 3.3 percent on year, while producer prices added 0.4 percent on month and 0.3 percent on year. Hong Kong and Singapore will see December results for their private sector PMIs from Nikkei; in November, their scores were 50.7 and 55.4, respectively. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc., (CSE: MYM) (CSE:MYM.CN) (MYM.CN)(the "Company" or "MYM") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 3,571,000 units at a price of CAD$2.80 per unit.

Each unit will consist of one common share and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the private placement at a price of CAD$4.00 per warrant share.

In the event that, after the date that is six months and one day following the closing of the offering, the closing volume-weighted average price of the common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange, or such other exchange on which the common shares may primarily trade, is greater than or equal to CAD$5.50 for a period of ten consecutive trading days, the Company may, at its sole option, accelerate the expiry date of the warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof, and in such case, the warrants will expire on the 30th day after the date on which such notice is given by the Company.

The offering was priced in the context of the market based on a price reservation made by the Company with the Canadian Securities Exchange. The private placement is subject to the approval of the CSE and the securities will be subject to a four-month hold period under securities laws. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the private placement for general working capital and corporate purposes.

About MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. is an innovative company focused on acquiring Health Canada licenses to produce and sell high-end organic medicinal cannabis supplements and topical products. MYM has two production projects in Quebec that when completed will have over 1.5 million square feet of production space. MYM is also a partner in a 1.2 million square-foot production project (the Northern Rivers Project) in New South Wales, Australia. Australia is an exciting new market that has recently legalized medicinal cannabis. To ensure a strong presence and growth potential within the industry, MYM is actively looking to acquire complementary businesses and assets in the technology, nutraceuticals and CBD sectors. MYM shares trade in Canada, Germany and the USA under the following symbols: (CSE: MYM) (OTC:MYMMF) (FRA:0MY) (DEU:0MY) (MUN:0MY) (STU:0MY).

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results, including with respect to a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") and the use of proceeds therefrom. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied several material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumptions that: the Offering will proceed and be completed as planned and required regulatory approvals will be obtained. These forward-looking 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, among others and in addition to those described elsewhere in this release, inability to obtain regulatory approvals of the Offering, inability to complete the Offering on the proposed terms or at all and delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements, except as required by applicable securities legislation. 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 http://www.sedar.com .

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 the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE or CNSX Markets), nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the "United States", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated 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 requirements is available.

Investor Relations

Terry Brown

+1-855-696-2261

terry@mymarijuana.ca

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Rob Gietl, CEO

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.

http://www.mymarijuana.ca

Investor Relations

Terry Brown

+1-855-696-2261

terry@mymarijuana.ca

Keep up to date with MYM on our social media channels:

Twitter: @MYM_Nutra

Facebook: @mymcanada

Instagram: @MYM_NutraLovepop, a Boston, MA-based technology company focused on the greeting card and social expression company industry, raised $12.5m in Series A funding.

The round was led by Highland Capital Partners with participation from return investors Accomplice, Wayfair CEO and co-founder Niraj Shah, Crashlytics founder Wayne Chang, DraftKings CEO and co-founder Jason Robins, and Bain Capitals Bob White. In conjunction with the financing, Lycos founder and Highland Capital Partners, General Partner, Bob Davis, will join Lovepops Board of Directors.

The company plans to use this funding to continue to build out their technology, marketing, and design teams, invest in their manufacturing and operations, and scale their custom wedding invitation business.

Founded in 2014 by former ship designers and college classmates John Wise and Wombi Rose while attending Harvard Business School, Lovepop aims to innovate the $7B traditional greeting card industry through the deployment of creative technology tools, both licensed and proprietary content, and omni-channel distribution. The companys products are available at www.lovepop.com, at hundreds of specialty retailers, and at over 15 company-owned retail locations. Also, Lovepop recently introduced a complete line of wedding invitations.

The company, which nearly tripled in size, growing to become a 600-person global team in 2017, has also announced the addition of Diane Swint as the General Manager, Consumer Business.

FinSMEs

03/01/2018ReadCoor, Inc., a Cambridge, MA-based company innovating omics and pathology with its panomic spatial sequencing platform, received a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and DAF, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

The amount of the grant was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds to spatially map cortical cells using Fluorescent in situ Sequencing (FISSEQ) for the Human Cell Atlas.

Led by Shawn Marcell, Chief Executive Officer, ReadCoor delivers a panomic spatial sequencing platform to the global audience of researchers, clinicians, pharma and diagnostics companies. Its Fluorescent in situ Sequencing (FISSEQ) simultaneously integrates high-throughput sequencing, and three-dimensional morphometric analysis.

The collaborations goal is to benchmark in situ technologies and establish best practices for the Human Cell Atlas. The atlas will contain in depth variance maps of cell transcriptomes, genomes, proteomes, metabolomes, and epigenetic landscapes. FISSEQ will provide deep insight into cell variation in the context of the tissue microenvironment. FISSEQ also delivers researchers an opportunity to locate genes that have mutated away from the original sequence due to its ability to produce reads without known gene targets.

The research project is part of an Allen Institute-led consortium of world-class research institutions. Members include:

 the Allen Institute for Brain Science (Ed Lein and Hongkui Zeng),

 Broad Institute (Aviv Regev, Evan Macosko and Fei Chen),

 California Institute of Technology (Long Cai and Barbara Wold),

 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (Anthony Zador),

 Harvard University (George Church, Paola Arlotta and Xiaowei Zhuang),

 Karolinska Institute (Sten Linnarsson),

 KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Joakim Lundeberg),

 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ed Boyden),

 Stockholm University (Mats Nilsson), and

 the University of California, San Diego (Kun Zhang).

FinSMEs

03/01/20182017 was not a great year for international politics. The sentence I heard the most during conferences and other academic gatherings was that the global order is in crisis. Granted. It all started in 2016 with the victory of Trump, Brexit and the No to the Peace Agreement in Colombia. Nationalist ideologies have nothing but grown in 2017, when the victories of Marine Le Pen in France and of Geert Wilders in the Netherlands all of a sudden seemed plausible. Luckily, they did not materialise. We also had auto-proclaimed nations that demanded independence, such as Catalonia or Kurdistan. To top it all, the far right did win elections in Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. This nationalist move is having consequences across the world. In the Libyan costs migrants are being sold as slaves by smugglers or are locked up in hangars with no access to the most basic needs, after the European Unions enactment of its policy of helping Libyan authorities intercept people trying to cross the Mediterranean and return them to prison.

Nevertheless, I want to argue that 2018 is the year of hope, and that some of our worst nightmares will be nothing more than a bad dream.

But before going through the top 5 issues in IR for 2018, the post comes with a cautionary note: it is a year of elections. As a matter of fact, 8 out of 10 Americans with voting rights will be called to vote: USA renews its House of Representatives and a third of the Senate. There are presidential elections in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Paraguay. In Europe, there will be elections in Italy, Presidential elections in Czech Republic and Cyprus, legislative elections in Hungary, and there will be a new German government soon. Putin will certainly renew its presidential mandate next March. Cambodia, Thailand, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, DRC, Mali, Palestine and Libya also have elections scheduled for 2018. In Cuba, Raul Castro has announced he will soon leave the Presidency. It is therefore very difficult to predict what geopolitical events 2018 will bring, but I offer some ideas here under.Industry body Assocham on Wednesday recommended a weighted tax deduction of 150-200 percent on actual cost of specified components for the consumer electronics sector in the upcoming Union Budget

New Delhi: Industry body Assocham on Wednesday recommended a weighted tax deduction of 150-200 percent on actual cost of specified components for the consumer electronics sector in the upcoming Union Budget.

The deduction is required as costs pertaining to finance, energy and logistics/transportation constitute a major portion of consumer electronics sector, the chamber said in a release.

"Further, these costs are auditable and duly included in the financial statements of a company," the release said quoting the recommendations on direct tax made by the body to the centre.

With a view to revive private investments in the electronics sector, Assocham has suggested that venture capital pool may be introduced in the sector and coordinated by a bank/special purpose vehicle or under public-private partnership mode, according to the release.

"In order to boost the availability of capital funds to India's $100 billion worth electronics industry, it is imperative that a venture capital pool be created and allied tax incentive provided to enable genuine private players to use funds of such pool through a stringent mechanism," said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham.

Contributors may be offered tax incentives on the dividend, while manufacturers may be provided with tax exemptions, it said.

To make the business more competitive in the electronics sector, Assocham has recommended the government to link the India BPO Promotion Scheme with direct tax benefit.

For full coverage of Union Budget 2018, click here.Donors of bonds dare not use their black money for this munificence because they have to be bought from designated branches of the State Bank of India through ones bank account complying with KYC norms

Electoral bonds were thought of by the Narendra Modi government as conferring anonymity to donors as against the present norm when corporate donors are exposed to scrutiny regarding their political leanings thanks to the requirement in the Companies Act to disclose the names of the political parties benefiting from such corporate largese and munificence through cheques. In other words, the USP of electoral bonds is its anonymity---it is a bearer bond, as it were, but can be cashed in only by registered political parties that received at least 1 percent of the votes in the recent state or general elections.

According to an ADR (Association of Democratic Reforms) analysis, out of the Rs 78.33 billion national and regional parties received as funding between 2004-05 and 2014-15, as much as 69 percent were from unknown sources. The analysis further showed that 83 percent income of the Indian National Congress and 65 percent income of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came from unknown sources during this period.

The cash route is still alive and kicking. Earlier, the norm was any donation more than Rs 20,000 had to be routed through banking channels. Now that figure is Rs 2,000. But this would hardly deter anonymous cash donations. Earlier, the political party wanting to explain away a hefty Rs 20 crore cash donation as from small donors had to contrive to account for it as having been received from ten thousand persons; now it has to do more hard work---issue receipts to anonymous cash donors aggregating to one lakh, each carefully donating just Rs 2,000 on an average!

The Modi government believes that electoral bonds would strike a balance between cash and cheque. Cash is from anonymous donors, so are electoral bonds but the donor of bonds dare not use his black money for this munificence because they have to be bought from designated branches of the State Bank of India (SBI) through ones bank account complying with KYC norms. To be sure, this would be a deterrent against blithely depositing ill-gotten wealth into ones bank account and then donating it to a political party. But equally, that would also repulse donors with an evil intent---they would rather settle for cash donations, leaving political parties to explain them away as being from small donors each for Rs 2,000 or less.

The government has erred with both -- the availability of cash and bonds dispensation. The existence of the former would tantalize crooks into abandoning the bonds dispensation. Be that as it may, let us now focus on the nitty gritty.

Parties can encash the bonds within 15 days of issuance in their bank accounts disclosed to the Election Commission of India (EC). Electoral bonds will be available for purchase for a period of 10 days in January, April, July, and October, and for 30 additional days during the year in which the Lok Sabha elections take place. One wonders why the bond window is kept open for 30 additional days in a general election year alone, i.e. normally once in 5 years. Regional parties who normally fancy their chances more in Assembly elections are bound to complain vociferously against this discrimination.

The SBI and EC would know how much money is poured in as donations through electoral bonds and in fact they can cross-verify the figure for their accuracy---SBI supplying the donor figure and the EC the donee figure. Both must tally. Can the government of the day using its coercive powers put pressure on the SBI to disclose the name of bond purchasers? If it can, this would be yet another inhibiting factor against this mode of political donations especially for corporates.

That the bonds would be available even in as low a denomination as Rs 1,000 is meant to endear it to the common man but it begs a question---Why would he bother to hotfoot to the nearest designated branch of the SBI and again hotfoot to the political party he is fond of when he can straightaway walk into the political partys office and take Rs 1,000 from his purse or donate the same amount from the comfort of his home by using the online banking facility?

Corporate donations through electoral bonds might become popular thanks to the anonymity conferred provided the government of the day is barred through an express provision from forcing the SBI to disclose the names of the buyers of bonds. But company promoters are no fools. They dont donate to political parties with altruistic motives. Rather they do so to curry favor with the ruling dispensation or sometimes with the Opposition as well in the manner of buttering both sides of the bread just in case. The only difference between cash and bond donations is that parties would be spared the tedium of counting and accounting for wads of currency notes.Aiming to make political funding more transparent, the idea of electoral bonds was first floated by Arun Jaitley in his last Budget

New Delhi: The printing of electoral bonds will have as much secrecy as being maintained in case of currency notes as the government wants to make this system of political funding foolproof by eliminating any fake instrument coming to market.

The bonds, which will have a tenure of just 15 days, cannot be gifted to a new political party so as to ensure that new outfits are not floated overnight to launder funds, a source in the finance ministry said.

Besides, the bonds will be sold by the country's largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) through its select branches, mostly in state capitals and major cities, he said.

In a bid to clean election financing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday outlined details of the new electoral bonds, which are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties.

While the donor's identify will be kept secret, the bonds can be encashed by receiving political parties only through a designated bank account.

"The bonds would be printed with utmost secrecy. The details would be as confidential as is kept at the time of printing of currency notes," the source said.

Besides, to ensure single point availability of these bonds, the government has mandated only SBI to sell these bonds for 10 days each in months of January, April, July and October.

"The bonds would be available at most in 8-10 branches of SBI, including those in state capitals," he added.

Aiming to make political funding more transparent, the idea of electoral bonds was first floated by Jaitley in his last Budget.

As per the contours of the scheme, the bonds will not carry the donor's name even though the purchaser would have to fulfil KYC norms at the bank.

The source further said that maintaining secrecy of the donor's name would help the opposition parties as the donors would now have a free hand to donate to them without worrying about his identity being divulged.

"If the donor's name was not kept secret, then it would have encouraged cash donations which would run contrary to the idea of making the system of political funding transparent," he added.

The electoral bonds can be given to registered political party which has secured at least 1 percent vote in last election. That party will have to give one bank account to the Election Commission and the bonds would have to be encashed within 15 days.

"As per the norms, new political parties cannot encash the bonds. These have been done to ensure that no one floats a party to launder money," the source added.

For full coverage of Union Budget 2018, click here.The Bill tightens the definition of visa-dependent companies, and imposes fresh restrictions in terms of minimum salary and movement of talent.

New Delhi: The proposed US Bill -- Protect and Grow American Jobs -- is riddled with "onerous conditions" and places "unprecedented obligations" on both Indian IT companies and clients using H-1B visas, software body Nasscom has cautioned.

Nasscom said it has flagged its concerns around visa-related issues in the US with the Senators, Congressmen and the administration, and will engage further in a dialogue over the next few weeks over the proposed legislation.

The bill proposes new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas. It tightens the definition of visa-dependent companies, and imposes fresh restrictions in terms of minimum salary and movement of talent.

Apart from prescribing higher minimum wages, the Bill places the onus on clients that they will certify that the visa holder is not displacing an existing employee for a tenure of 5-6 years.

"That formulation has conditions which are extremely onerous and makes it very difficult for people to not just get the visa but also on how they can be used," R Chandrashekhar, President, National Association for Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) told PTI.

The Bill has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee and is now headed for the US Senate.

"We do not know the exact timeline but we have been told it will come up early 2018," he said.

Chandrashekhar said another "extreme concern" is that "in the name of protecting American jobs, this has been applied only to the so called visa-dependent companies that translates to Indian companies".

"There is no doubt we have been seeing an increasingly negative environment and this is a part of the protectionist, anti-globalisation trend," he said referring to a slew of measures taken by the US in the recent past, including increased visa scrutiny, premium visa processing being put on hold for a few months, etc.

Chandrashekhar also pointed out that the use of visas by Indian IT firms has fallen by 50 percent in the last two years and that the number now stands below 10,000.

"It is below 10,000, which is a minuscule fraction of 85,000 visas (H-1B visas) issued every year... how such onerous restrictions on 12-15 per cent of the visas that are being issued protect American workers, certainly defies logic," he said.

Chandrashekhar explained that the Bill proposes to raise the minimum wage substantially to about $100,000 if the company has to be exempted from the labour certification requirements.

Also, the client deploying the H-1B visa worker will have to certify that no American worker will be displaced for the 5-6 year period. Further, the software services provider will have to notify the US authorities if the client has displaced a worker, an obligation that is unprecedented, he said.

Chandrashekhar added that many of these changes were "emotive and political" rather than being based on "economic arguments".

He said that Nasscom has shared its concerns with both Indian and the US governments.

"...We will probably be having further interaction in next few months. In next couple of months, we expect to have interactions once again with the US authorities," he added.For Parekh, who has come on board for a tenure of five years, top priorities would include bringing back focus on revenue growth and business strategy.

Salil Parekh who took charge as managing director and chief executive of IT major Infosys on Tuesday and said he was excited to lead the company at a time when technology is changing at a fast and disruptive pace.

On his first day at the corner-office, Parekh met some employees and toured the sprawling Infosys campus. He was even seen posing for a selfie with a few of them.

In a video address to employees, Parekh is said to have emphasised that each worker has a role to play in this "world of continuous technology disruption" and that they will have to be ready for the future, geared with necessary skills.

Parekh stated that he had met a few Infoscions and hoped that they can work together to accelerate the company's transformation.

Infosys, on its Twitter account, shared some pictures of the first day at work for Parekh.

In one of the pictures, he is seen posing against a backdrop with the familiar blue Infosys logo and a message that read "Welcome to Infosys, Salil".

In another photograph, the former Capgemini executive is seen interacting with some employees. A group of six also managed to get a selfie with the new CEO.

For Parekh, who has come on board for a tenure of five years, top priorities would include bringing back focus on revenue growth and business strategy.

His role will also be challenging considering that Infosys is trying to put behind the almost year-long public standoff between Infosys' high-profile promoters and the past leadership.

Some of the big tasks for Parekh will include driving growth amid increasing scrutiny in key markets like the US, retaining talent and skilling manpower on new-age technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Investors and market watchers will keenly wait for Parekh to spell out his strategy to spur growth for Infosys, which is slated to announce its third quarter financials on 12 January.Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Oct had announced an unprecedented Rs 2.11 lakh crore recapitalisation road map to strengthen PSBs

New Delhi: The finance ministry has approved proposal for infusion of Rs 7,577 crore in 6 weak public sector banks (PSBs) as part of the recapitalisation plan to bolster capital adequacy ratio. All these banks, which got capital support, are under prompt corrective action of the Reserve Bank of India. The funding comes under Indradhanus plan of the government which promised Rs 70,000 crore over period of four years ending March 2019.

Lenders, which will receive capital through preferential issue of shares, include Bank of India, IDBI Bank and UCO Bank. The actual fund infusion will take place in the next few weeks after they get necessary regulatory approval, including nod from shareholders. Kolkata-based UCO Bank on Wednesday announced approval of board for the proposal to issue equity shares on preferential basis to the government against capital contribution of Rs 1,375 crore subject to necessary approval.

Besides, Central Bank of India said the capital raising committee of the board approved raising of equity capital by allotting up to 3.88 crore shares at the issue price of Rs 83.15 per unit aggregating to Rs 323 crore. At the same time, the government has decided to infuse Rs 2,257 crore in the Bank of India, Rs 2,729 crore in IDBI Bank, Rs 650 crore in Bank of Maharashtra, and Rs 243 crore in Dena Bank.

While the government decides the mode for recapitalisation of all state-run banks, it advanced the release of funds to these six banks to help them meet their equity requirements and enable them to resume normal business and help them come out of prompt corrective action.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in October had announced an unprecedented Rs 2.11 lakh crore two-year road map to strengthen PSBs, reeling under high non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans. Their NPAs have increased to Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of June 2017, from Rs 2.75 lakh crore in March 2015. The plan includes floating re-capitalisation bonds of Rs 1.35 lakh crore and raising Rs 58,000 crore from the market by diluting governments stake.

The government is working on the modalities for issuing the recapitalisation bonds as it aims to front-load the infusion with an aim to strengthen the state-owned banking sector, sources said, adding that the announcement in this respect, including detailed guidelines, will be made during this month.

Jaitley had also announced that banks would get about Rs 18,000 crore under the Indradhanush plan over the next two years. Under the Indradhanush road map announced in 2015, the government had announced infusion of Rs 70,000 crore in state-owned banks over four years, while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the market to meet their capital requirement in line with global risk norms, known as Basel-III.

In the last three-and-a-half years, the government pumped Rs 51,858 crore capital in the PSBs. The remaining Rs 18,142 crore will be injected into the banks over the next two years.Sensex opened a shade higher at 33,929.61 and advanced to 33,998.37, before falling to a low of 33,765.43

Mumbai: Benchmark Sensex ended marginally lower in volatile trade on Wednesday as wary investors remained on the sidelines ahead of the corporate results season.

Participants pocketed gains in auto, IT, oil and gas, teck and healthcare counters, which dragged the index lower in fag-end trading.

The 30-share Sensex opened a shade higher at 33,929.61 and advanced to 33,998.37, before falling to a low of 33,765.43. It recovered some lost ground on value-buying and finally ended the day at 33,793.38, down 18.88 points, or 0.06 percent. The gauge had lost 244.57 points in the previous two sessions.

The broader NSE Nifty finished at 10,443.20, up just 1 point, or 0.01 percent. Intra-day, it hovered between 10,503.60 and 10,429.55.

"Market pared early gains due to lack of domestic triggers and rising oil prices impacting the premium valuation while global macros stayed positive and is giving support.

"Metals outperformed on expectation of earnings growth whereas auto stocks witnessed profit booking after the recent run up. Investors are awaiting the result season for signs of earnings upgrade," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net bought shares worth Rs 522.74 crore on Tuesday. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also bought equities to the tune of Rs 64.70 crore.

Dr Reddy's was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack, sinking 2.97 percent.

Other laggards were Wipro, ONGC, Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, HDFC Bank, Infosys, NTPC, Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Bank and HDFC Ltd, losing up to 2.73 percent.

On the other hand, Adani Ports climbed 2.78 percent, followed by L&T, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, Coal India, Power Grid and Tata Steel.

Reliance Industries rose 0.54 percent after the recent commissioning of a refinery off-gas cracker at Jamnagar.

Hero MotoCorp edged up 0.17 percent following a healthy 43 percent jump in December sales.

Titan rose 1.30 percent after the company said its third-quarter jewellery retail growth is in-line with its expectation.

Punjab and Sind Bank jumped 3.32 percent.

Fertiliser stocks were in demand. Nagarjuna Fertilizers gained 19.91 percent, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd 5.72 percent, Gujarat State Fertilizers 2.49 percent, National Fertilizers 4.05 percent, Zuari Agro Chemicals 2.46 percent, Mangalore Chemicals 3.59 percent and Chambal Fertilisers 2.07 percent.

Most of the damage came from the auto index, which fell 0.55 percent. IT, oil and gas, teck and healthcare were the other losers in the sectoral space.

Bucking the trend, the BSE small-cap index rose 0.98 percent while mid-caps gained 0.53 percent.

Overseas, Asian markets finished higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.15 percent and Shanghai Composite was up 0.62 percent. The Japanese market was shut.

European stocks too joined the global market upmove in their early deals.

Key indices in Paris and Germany advanced up to 0.28 percent. London's FTSE too rose 0.01 percent.Narendra Modi should remember that bilateral talks with warm hugs go nowhere if not accompanied by negotiations that push for free trade in multilateral forums like the WTO

On the face of it, this is a hugely successful week for India in its relations with the US, because President Donald Trump tweeted a warning to Pakistan, calling it a safe haven for terrorists, while his aide at the UN, Nikki Haley, spoke of withholding aid to the country -- albeit a measly $255 million after splurging $33 billion in aid to Islamabad.

Now, look beyond the headlines -- and maybe at some other headlines over the past year, and you will know that India may be losing its bargains and interests in feel-good hugs and tweets.

Posturing is not policy.

News this week that the US is planning to change its visa regime so that those who hold H-1B visas (essentially long-term work permits) will have to go back home if they have green card (permanent residency) applications pending is nothing but old protectionism speaking new idioms. Ground exists under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules for India to challenge that, but thus far, South Block's diplomacy has been weak and wobbly on that issue.

As many as 500,000 Indian workers, mostly techies, may be deported back to India if Washington's proposal comes true. Software association Nasscom has called the criteria attached to the US proposal as "onerous" as it lobbies to help IT companies such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services.

Make no mistake, visa restrictions under the "Buy American, Hire American" plan is essentially a non-tariff barrier to free trade. Trump has been proudly defending American interests in jobs, forgetting that trade is a two-way street, especially between nations. While India can potentially gain from US visa restrictions by getting more work outsourced to offshore locations like Bangalore or Chennai, in terms of fair trade, India should not let the US get away with its arbitrary policies.

Last year had its low moments when Trump mentioned India among the countries with which it wants to reduce US trade deficit. He publicly asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce the $31 billion trade deficit in favour of India.

India is giving such a free hand to US companies like Amazon and Uber, that local startups like Flipkart, Olacabs and MakeMyTrip have been groaning about "capital dumping" by US giants and the lack of a level-playing field for local companies.

Contrast this with China, which has managed to harass the hell out of Uber and restrict Google, Facebook and Amazon through opaque local practices and restrictions while merrily using a global free trade regime to its advantage.

On the other hand, India, with its good boy behaviour with regard to both terrorism and technology, is ending up with empty compliments and little else to show.

It is pertinent to look at the US visa regime under World Trade Organisation's rule for "movement of natural persons" that promotes free trade in services. India can -- and should -- invoke the rule, which squarely applies to workers who are deputed by suppliers of services, to discuss H-1B restrictions in the US.

Bilateral talks with warm hugs go nowhere if not accompanied by negotiations that push for free trade in multilateral forums like the WTO. It is true that "movement of natural persons" is a tricky issue as it involves complexities. However, it provides elbow room for India to talk tough, raise new concerns on trade restrictions and drive a hard bargain.

India has already raised its concerns under the General Agremeent on Trade in Services (GATS), but needs to get tougher and be more specific on its demands.

India should be under no compulsion to reduce its trade deficit with the US, nor should it feel obliged to give a free hand to US technology giants to serve the Indian market if Chinese restrictions are any indication. India, in the end, must look at its own interests. be it a red carpet for Amazon or H-1B visas in the US. It is squarely the government's job to look beyond friendly noises to place hard issues on the negotiating table.

(The author is a senior journalist. He tweets as @madversity)Amitabh Bachchan says Christopher Nolan, who uses only film for his movies, will fly down to Mumbai and inaugurate the new Kodak facility.

Mumbai: Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan will be coming to India in a month, according to Hindi movie star Amitabh Bachchan.

Bachchan, via his blog, revealed that Kodak will open its facility here by March."It is all about to change yet again Kodak, that largest name for film, is coming back. Many in the world of direction and production are finding values in the product done on film to be the more liked subject. So, like Dunkirk, the film by that renowned Christopher Nolan (who) uses only film for his picture. And in a month or so, the man himself Mr Nolan is coming to India to inaugurate or at least lend support to a few matters," Amitabh wrote.

The cine icon, 75, is upbeat about the development as just last month, he was contemplating on why the movie world is still referred to as the 'film industry' in the digital age. Hollywood, he says, is getting back to film, again.

"Firstly, the archival of films, their repairs and preservation, and secondly to support the Kodak world all over again. I believe that Los Angeles, Hollywood is already all back to film again. They say the quality and feel and colour of film is unmatched, so what happens to digital... It shall exist, it shall co-exist and film shot on celluloid shall be sent to the lab for its development, but all post-production work shall be digital. I mean what kind of times are we living in," Big B questioned.

Amitabh also tweeted his excitement on Kodak film's comeback to India. "News! Don't know if it deserves the tag 'breaking' but celluloid film is back. Kodak is to open its facility again fresh and productive in Mumbai soon by March 2018! Hollywood is apparently switching back to film. Hai hai apni digital film ka kya hoga (What will happen to our digital film)" he tweeted.James Toback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing Bugsy, has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women.

Los Angeles: Prosecutors in Los Angeles are weighing criminal charges in five cases against writer and director James Toback.

Los Angeles County district attorneys office spokesman Greg Risling said on Tuesday (2 December) that prosecutors are reviewing two cases from the Los Angeles Police Department and three submitted by Beverly Hills police.

Toback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing Bugsy, has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women. Many of the women said Toback had promised them stardom and their meetings would end with sexual questions and Toback masturbating in front of them or simulating sexual intercourse with them.

Toback has vehemently denied the allegations.

The cases are being reviewed by a task force District Attorney Jackie Lacey established to handle any criminal complaints arising from the Hollywood scandal.Mayurakshi could have been a great film, had it not been for the indulgence that the writer-director allows himself. It left me wanting for more, and not in the positive sense of the term.

There are some films in which everything seems to work, everyone seems to have done his or her bit, and yet, there remains an undeniable gap between what was finally offered and what could have been a delectable treat that members of the audience could go home with. Atanu Ghoshs new film Mayurakshi is exactly that sort of a film, where the whole is significantly less than the sum of its parts.

A middle-aged man named Aryanil, with a chronic history of failed marriages, comes to Kolkata from Chicago to visit his father  a renowned historian named Sushovan, who is now eighty-three years old, and who has just begun to show signs of geriatric dementia and cognitive dysfunction. Sushovans housekeeper Mallika informs Aryanil that he has been asking for someone named Mayurakshi lately, although no one knows who the said person could be.

Thrown in, primarily to lend the story some support, and also to offer relief from the purely paternal-offspring goings-on, is Aryanils long-time friend  the debonair Shahana  who, like a true friend, stands rock-steady beside Aryanil through his troubled times. The rest of the film shows the octogenarian scholar slowly sink into the throws of old age, while his only son  riddled with his own problems, as it is  tries to cope with his fathers rapid decline down the inescapable spiral of time.

The strength of the film lies in its cast and their impeccable performances. Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee is on-point in the role of the aged patriarch. Even when he simply sits in a chair and stares into the void, he is a treat to watch, and easily makes you believe that he is completely lost inside  a man engulfed in dense sheets of fog, clutching at bits and pieces of memory to survive and make sense of the world around him. You cant help but feel sorry for him, when on being asked to try and remember something, he grimaces in visible agony and says  I cant, and dont keep asking me over and over agan. Why wont I, if I could have?

In perhaps his most subtle and muted performance after Rituparno Ghoshs Dosar, Prosenjit Chatterjee is brilliant as the ailing mans son. Being tugged in several directions at the same time, his is a live-by-the-day existence, as he walks through his life without any shred of pleasure or hope whatsoever. Chatterjee offers a nuanced performance, one which makes us wonder who is more lost  he, or his father. There are scenes, of course, in which you feel that he has very little to work with, and despite his best and most well-intentioned efforts to hide the gaps, they show. Consider, for instance, the scene in which, weary and exhausted, he simply falls asleep in his friend Shahanas lap. Or the final scene of the film, in which, riddled with the guilt of being an escapist, he breaks down in the middle of the airport. One wishes these scenes would have been written better, so that Chatterjee would have had something more to offer.

As the carefree and yet emotionally invested Shahana, Indrani Halder does the job entrusted to her quite well. She brings in a sense of hope to the otherwise grim situation, and there are times when we root for the beautiful relationship between her and her friend Aryanil. She is the proverbial silver lining in the story, and shines just enough to make us like her. Hers, one must understand, is perhaps the trickiest role in the film, one that could have been messed up completely, with even the slightest bit of overacting. But Halder has her grip firmly on the role, and does not disappoint.

Something similar can be said about Sudipta Chakrabortys role as the housekeeper Mallika, who comes across as someone who truly cares. Responsible, sensible, dutiful, intelligent and emotionally attached to her patient, she is easily the most likable character in the film. Chakraborty has always been a natural actress, and once again, she shows that in the medium of film, less is more.

It is the writing that does the film in, though. The plot  and there is one, mind you  begins beautifully, the premise set up remarkably well. But somewhere in some bend of the meanderings, write-director Atanu Ghosh loses his grip on the plot. In the end, the film goes nowhere, and fails to make either a comment or a lasting impression. Ghosh tries to end the film too quickly for comfort, and in no way keeping with the pace of whatever has been happening so far.

The effect is jarring, to say the least. One almost feels as if he has taken the easy way out, leaving his audience wondering what in the world just happened, and why is it that the film ended where it did. Mayurakshi could have been a great film, had it not been for the indulgence that the writer-director allows himself. It left me wanting for more, and not in the positive sense of the term.One look at the first teaser of Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India and we are already hooked. The upcoming Telugu film starring Allu Arjun and Anu Emmanuel is an intense action drama

One look at the first teaser of Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India and we are already hooked. The upcoming Telugu film starring Allu Arjun and Anu Emmanuel is an intense action drama with Allu Arjun at his rugged best.

The highlight of the latest teaser is definitely Allu Arjun's angry young man look. This definitely seems like an avatar that the actor hasn't taken on before. Arjun plays Surya in the film, a hard hitting soldier with anger management issues.

Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu follows the pressurising situations that Surya faces as an adamant soldier and the events that follow.

While Allu Arjun sheds his mass and entertaining image for this one, the film too follows suit with a story that presents the actor away from the usual song, dance and humor routine.

We also can't wait to watch how Anu Emmanuel's role as Arjun''s love interest will impact this soldier. In flashes, it already seems like the two share some sizzling chemistry.

Also starring Boman Irani, R.Sarathkumar and Arjun Sarja, fans are now eager to find out more about Allu Arjun's mission in this upcoming soldier story.

The film has also been abuzz for music by Vishal-Shekhar and the background score.

Diected by Vakkantham Vamsi, Naa Peru Surya - Naa Illu India will release in April 2018.Saif Ali Khan-Kareena Kapoor's son Taimur Ali Khan has been in the limelight even before his birth. Saif says he is a 'blue eyed boy'.

Mumbai: Saif Ali Khan, known for films like Being Cyrus, Omkara and Parineeta, says he will be a better actor in English as it is his primary language.

During an episode of online streaming service Saavn's upcoming show Take 2 with Anupama and Rajeev, Saif spoke about his career, his daughter Sara and son Taimur, read a statement.

"One of the reasons why I got into films unfortunately, I'm being honest, is because I wasn't interested in my exams and academics and I just ran away from home and said 'Oh movies sound great'. But I didn't really know what I was talking about," said Saif.

"So, this desire and this understanding of acting came a bit late for me if it had always been there. If it had been there earlier maybe I might have chosen to struggle in the US, I don't know."

"But I think being sensible about it, you have more opportunities and again it's that nepotism thing again. Being mum's son (veteran actress Sharmila Tagore) would give me a more chance here to meet people than in America. But I think in English, I speak in English as a primary language, unless I'm speaking to someone who is working for me usually.

"There's a difference there, so I think I will be a better actor in English because I'll know when I'm lying whereas in Hindi I've never said to a girl aapki aakhein itni khoobsoorat hai' (your eyes are so beautiful) so I don't know whether that sounds genuine or not, I'm not used to saying that," he added.

On his daughter Sara, who is gearing up for her debut film Kedarnath, Saif says he always knew she wanted to be an actress.

"I have seen her do a very funny advert when she was four and she's been like this all along. There was actress Aishwarya Rai on stage in New York with people going ballistic and Sara sitting on the floor behind the curtain saying 'This is what I want to do'," said Saif.

"She always wanted to do this, it's just that she took a header you know a shine to academics and then ended up doing so well at Columbia that one thought came, listen maybe a slightly more stable thing because I don't know... who knows. I wish her all the best.

"It is like Soha's track but Soha didn't always want to become an actor, Sara did and this is something that she really wants to do so absolutely good luck I think it's a great job. We'd be talking about Sushant Singh Rajput all day which is great but it's not as interesting as discussing history with art like we used to," he added.

Taimur has been in the limelight even before his birth. Saif says he is a "blue eyed boy".

"He is a genetic treasure trove, he is. He has got a bit of Rabindranath Tagore, he is a bit of Raj Kapoor, a bit of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, little bit of Bhopal. It's beyond me," said Saif.Swan Lake  the co-production by the Royal Russian Ballet and Navrasa Duende  will begin its tour on 13 March with 25 shows in Mumbai, followed by 5 shows each in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and New Delhi.

After its resounding success in 2017, the iconic ballet, Swan Lake, is all set to make a return to India with a multi-city tour in March this year.

The co-production by the Royal Russian Ballet and Navrasa Duende will begin its tour on 13 March with 25 shows in Mumbai, followed by 5 shows each in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and New Delhi.

Choreographed by Vladimir Troschenko and directed by Anatoly Kazatsky, the performances will see Matsak Natalia reprise her role as both the white swan and the black swan.

Dinesh B Singh, founder and CEO of Navrasa Duende said it was the "delightful" response they received that made them bring Swan Lake back to the country, this time, with shows across different cities.

"All we can say right now is that the shows will be as grand and splendid as the first time around, and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all of them are as big a success as Swan Lake was in its maiden Indian staging in Delhi," he said.

Held in September last year, the performance featured 41 artists of the Royal Russian Ballet, who left audiences spellbound as the young troupe brought alive the spectrum of emotions that Tchaikovsky's musical score is famous for.

Over a century old, Swan Lake is performed on the classical compositions written by Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The story originates from Russian folk tales, with Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse, as the principal character.

With its primary themes as love, and the battle between good and evil, the story holds a special place in the hearts of viewers across all ages even today and never fails to move them despite the era it belongs to.In modern India, political regimes of Telangana and Andhra have fought tooth and nail for the monopoly of the water source of both rivers.

Quiet flow the Godavari and Krishna rivers, the largest and longest waterways south of the Vindhyas in India, unmindful of political feuds, social and economic disparities that dominate the livelihood of people in their basins and hinterlands.

Both rivers are the lifeline of the entire region spread across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh predominantly and also partially for Odisha.

In modern India, political regimes of Telangana and Andhra have fought tooth and nail for the monopoly of the water source of both rivers. Over 350 petitions and litigation are pending before various courts and the tribunals on sharing of waters of these two rivers over the past three decades. This has also meant that the two rivers are fast becoming the most exploited in the country and this is worrying environmentalists as various state governments build massive water projects.

Environmentalists say that environmental concerns, routine auditing, cost overruns and other sensitive issues are thrown to the wind as both governments have made the construction of both prestigious projects an election issue for 2019. "It is sad that the BJP-led NDA government is also playing to the gallery and blind to concerns raised by environmentalists and intellectuals on the safety, forest denudation, destroying tribal livelihood and cost-effectiveness of these projects," said another environmentalist T Shivaji Rao, honorary director for the Centre for Environmental Studies, Visakhapatnam.

In early 2006-07 World Wildlife Forum had also conducted media tours of the Polavaram forest terrain from Bhadrachalam up to Rajahmundry to showcase the rich fauna and flora and tribal habitats that would be destroyed by the Polavaram project. The Adivasi Konda Reddi Sangham secretary Murla Ramesh says that round 7,445 Konda Reddi tribal people belonging to a total of 2,446 households in as many as 83 habitations including 20 hilltop habitations in Kunavaram, Chintur, VR Puram, Velerupadu, Aswaraopet and Dammapeta mandals in the Bhadrachalam Agency were affected.

Government agencies say about 98,000 tribals in 150 tribal villages have to be rehabilitated and the package is estimated at Rs 32,000 crore. APCC president N Raghuveera Reddy says that the delay in Polavaram project during the Congress regime was both on the issue of tribal relocation and the huge cost it involved. "It is the Congress government which has completed 90 percent of the canal works and only the barrage work was left out due to environmental issues, he said.

Last month both the Ministry of Water Resources and the Andhra Pradesh government were at loggerheads over contractor Transstroy. Naidu wanted to change him and bring the same contractor who built the Pattiseema project - MEIL (Mega Engineering Industries Ltd) but Nitin Gadkari rejected it, following which Naidu threatened to wash his hands of the project and let the Centre handle it completely. The Naidu government favoured the MEIL bid for Pattiseema for 21.5 percent higher than government estimates and also gave the company a bonus after completion of the project in flat 14 months.

"We are observing restraint only because we are allies. I am unable to understand why so many problems are being created for Polavaram. If the Centre plays tough I am ready to hand over the project to Centre completely," Naidu had thundered after a cabinet meeting in Amaravati.

Andhra invited bids early in November for selecting a new contractor and hoped to complete the process by 15 December as it felt that Transstroy was unable to execute the works at the desired pace. The states plan, however, hit a roadblock two days ago when the Union Water Resources Department secretary wrote a letter to the chief secretary directing that the tender process was stalled.

"For decades, the project works did not progress at the desired pace but once I took over as chief minister in June 2014, I streamlined everything and things are now moving ahead and poised to be completed by 2018 or 2019 at the most. A sum of Rs 12,000 crore was so far spent while another Rs 42,000 crore is required to complete it," the chief minister said.

That is the major concern for which Naidu said he continued the alliance with the BJP-led Centre. Finally, a truce was worked out two weeks ago with Naidu and Gadkari meeting after the Gujarat polls and MEIL being given subcontracts for some components of the project like spillways.

What is left in the Godavari river?

Environmentalists and water engineers say that water source in Godavari and Krishna is fast deteriorating in view of the concretisation of the catchment areas, denuding of forests and greenery in upstream regions. The internal reports of the tribunals on both rivers and the Central Water Commission indicate a gradual reduction of water resource of 3-8 percent over the past decade.

The second longest river in India after the Ganga, originating at Triambakeshwar, Maharashtra, the Godavari flows east for 1,465 kilometres across Maharashtra (48.6 percent), Telangana (18.8 percent), Andhra Pradesh (4.5 percent), Chhattisgarh (10.9 percent), Madhya Pradesh (10.0 percent), Odisha (5.7 percent), Karnataka (1.4 percent) and Puducherry, finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal through its extensive network of tributaries. Rightly tagged as the Dakshin Ganga, it forms one of the largest river basins in peninsular India.

The Godavari enters into Telangana in Nizamabad district at Kandakurthy and its Andhra Pradesh entry is by its minor tributary of Kinnerasani. Except for the Sriramsagar ayacut in Nizamabad district, the Godavari flows idly across Telangana over to Andhra Pradesh. In view of the larger width of the river and the alleged Maoist menace, no infrastructure has been developed all these years. The attempts by former Congress chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy with his Devadula project and Chevella-Pranahita projects were short-lived and forgotten after his untimely death.

As per the projections of National Water Development Agency, at 50 percent availability, the water sources in the Godavari is at 2060 TMC and 2191 TMC in the Krishna basin. Though there are over six to eight minor river basins in both the states crisscrossing and joining the Godavari or Krishna, the prime activities of farming, and drinking water sourcing is mainly from the Krishna and Godavari.

Ironically in Andhra Pradesh, it has the lowest coverage and no catchment areas either but has maximum utilisation through Godavari delta canals and irrigation infrastructure developed by Sir Arthur Cotton across Dhawaleswaram barrage, just before it discharges into the sea. Its full utilisation is in the East and West Godavari districts with several tributaries and before entering the Bay of Bengal it creates a Konaseema  a fertile rice granary where tobacco, sugarcane, and coconut plantations are also in abundance.

Telangana special chief secretary Shailendra Kumar Joshi had alleged injustice to the state in sharing Godavari water at a meeting in February 2017 with AK Bajaj, chairman of the Central Water Commission. Telangana was entitled to use 954 TMC water from the Godavari out of 1480 TMC to undivided Andhra Pradesh by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal. The Telangana government would utilise its water allocation of 1300 TMC in both rivers wherever it initiated its series of projects at a total outlay of Rs 2.3 lakh crore. The Andhra Pradesh government raised objections over Kaleswaram and over projects on the Krishna river alleging that Telangana was diverting Godavari water without approval from the CWC.

Similar is the stand taken by Andhra Pradesh government to utilise its water allocations in the Godavari but the catch is its diversion of Godavari water to Krishna basin of 80 TMC, which is again contested by Telangana.

Environmentalists also accuse the Andhra Pradesh government of its lopsided environment assessment and R&R package. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project says 276 villages with 1,77,275 people will be affected. The Polavaram Project Environmental Impact Appraisal Report of 1985 expected 1,50,697 people to be displaced in 226 villages. But researchers estimate the number of affected population at 4,00,000.

River wars

Telugu Desam Party supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu raised a public furore over Karnataka raising the dam height on the Krishna river at Almatti in 1996 and threatened to withdraw support to the then United Front government at the Centre led by HD Deve Gowda. He also took out demonstrations against Maharashtra for building barrages and gates at Babli, on the river Godavari in July 2010, courted arrest and spent time in Aurangabad jail refusing bail. But none of these impacted the upstream states which in spite of political demonstrations did not much bother.

Since the formation of Telangana in 2014, massive construction activity in the basins of both rivers has once again become the point of discord between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are bitterly at loggerheads over water resources in the Godavari river by each other.

Past rulers of united Andhra Pradesh, Congress and TDP ignored Telanganas needs and focused only on promoting irrigation potential of the Godavari to Seemandhra, according to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti(TRS). "What audacity do they have that they named two districts as East and West Godavari, as if the river is their own, though it flowed only few hundred kilometres in their region?" the late R Vidyasagar Rao, a retired irrigation engineer, and adviser to Telangana government had told this journalist before his demise.

The Polavaram project by Andhra and Kaleswaram project by Telangana on the Godavari basin expected to be completed by 2019 at a huge cost to derive political advantage ahead of the 2019 general elections. Both have filed petitions against each other in the respective tribunals and courts. In pursuit of their political agenda, they also opposed each other's projects on Godavari basin and are at each others throats with a spate of allegations and accusations.

What is worse is that the Centre has given the green signal and environmental clearances for both projects and the NDA has declared Polavaram as a national project (as part of the deal in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014) and is funding it. Though the government of India is responsible for funding the entire project costing over Rs 60,000 crore, it has left the responsibility of supervision and construction activity to the whims and fancies of the Chandrababu Naidu government.

Environmentalist and former energy secretary EAS Sarma alleges that the Polavaram project is illegal and has been demanding a CBI probe. "The expenditure on the project was open-ended and highly suspect and even the contractor Transtroy figures among the top few wilful defaulters to the banks," he said.

Likewise perhaps worried over the acidic attack of the TRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the Centre has granted all environmental clearances to the Kaleswaram project in Telangana upstream of Polavaram with a project cost of Rs 80,499.71 crore to utilise 225 TMC of Godavari water which is expected to inundate 37,000 hectares.

It involves the construction of three barrages, construction of 1,832 km of canals, 81 km of the tunnel. The Kaleswaram project is unique for its longest tunnel to carry water in Asia between the Yellampally barrage and the Mallannasagar reservoir and using 139 MW, the highest in the country to lift 180 TMC of Godavari water annually.

As the wars and the projects, continue in full swing, the question that is becoming most crucial is this  who will save the Godavari and the Krishna?Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday that people should not get stuck into 'microscopic identities' but instead rise together as one, and exhorted the youth to join the force to feel the idea of India's unity

New Delhi: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday that people should not get stuck into "microscopic identities" but instead rise together as one, and exhorted the youth to join the force to feel the idea of India's unity.

"You want to feel the oneness, join the army, and see how we people, from different backgrounds, live together as Indians. Remember first, we are all Indians. We are proud of that, and the nation must come first. Then we can learn to live together," Rawat said. "We are Indians and we don't call ourselves as Bengalis or Assamese or from Arunachal Pradesh."

Rawat was interacting with 27 youth from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, who were in New Delhi as part of a national integration tour. The students were visiting Delhi for the first time. They met President Ram Nath Kovind. The Army chief, later interacting with reporters, said, "We have to rise above the idea of microscopic identities and embrace ourselves as Indians."

He underlined that development cannot happen if a region is affected with insurgency. He urged the Indian youth to work hard and contribute actively to the nation-building process, by becoming teachers, engineers, and doctors.

"Then go back to your villages and serve them. Assam has many good schools but not enough teachers. If there are hospitals in villages, not enough doctors," he said.

The students presented the Army chief a gamocha (a traditional Assamese cloth) and a xorai (traditional offering tray with a stand at the bottom).

Of the 27 youths, 25 are from Assam and the rest from Arunachal Pradesh, an army official accompanying the group said. Their tour was flagged off from Joypur, Assam, on 26 December.

"We first reached Delhi by train and after that we went to Jaipur and Agra for sightseeing. In Jaipur, we saw the Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall and Amer Fort, and in Agra we saw the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. "In Delhi, we visited Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Birla Mandir and National Science Centre. The traffic was so heavy on Tuesday that we were stuck for hours near India Gate," the official said.

The national integration tour is organised as part of the army's outreach programme to foster the "spirit of nation first".Euphoria over the first draft of updated NRC in Assam fast evaporates after many applicants have found their or family members names missing.

Assam scripted history at the stroke of 31 December midnight by becoming the first state in the country to get the first draft of an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) which was exclusively compiled for the northeastern state in 1951. However, euphoria over this historic moment fast evaporated in the state primarily for two reasons.

Firstly, partial inclusion or complete exclusion of names of family members left lakh of families including many indigenous Assamese families across the state unhappy, if not worried or panicked. Secondly, the draft does not give any indication of the number of illegal Bangladeshi migrants staying in Assam. There has been a political consensus that the updated NRC will help detect, once for all, the Bangladeshi migrants, who had entered Assam post-25 March (midnight), 1971 cut-off date stipulated in the Assam Accord and are illegally staying in the state.

The first draft, the timeframe for publication of which was set by the Supreme Court, includes 1.9 crore of the total 3.29 crore applicants. The NRC authorities have appealed to the remaining 1.39 crore applicants not to panic as the verification process was on and wait patiently till the publication of the complete draft. Registrar General of India Sailesh said that the entire process of verification of remaining applications and publication of the final draft would be completed in 2018. The Supreme Court has fixed 20 February for further orders on the matter.

Those excluded in the first draft will be able to file claims for inclusion or those having any objection to inclusion of any names in the first draft will be able to do so only after the publication of the complete draft, irrespective of whether they have been verified or not unless the apex court intervenes issues any directive in this regard.

Hours after the formal publication of the first draft, news channels, news websites, newspapers published the next morning ran or published stories of surprise exclusions of top political leaders and activists, leaders and activists of student and youth bodies, legislators or their family members in the first draft.

On New Years Day, people rushed to NRC Seva Kendras or scanned the NRC websites and other related links to check the first draft to ascertain if their names have been included or not. Towards noon social networking sites were flooded with mixed inputs. Some shared the image of the NRC draft displaying the names of all the family members and showering praise on the NRC authorities for the achievement after a mammoth exercise while many expressed anguish over either partial inclusion of family members in the draft or complete exclusion of all the applicants of their families.

Official Facebook page of the office of the State NRC Coordinator was flooded with queries by those whose names have not been included in the first draft or names of some of their family members are missing. People have also expressed unhappiness on the timelines of various social media network sites over partial inclusion or exclusion of their family members.

NRC authorities have requested them to wait till the release of the complete draft. "Please do not worry. Verification process is going on and once your application is verified and found admissible; your name will be added in the Complete Draft of NRC. Be patient and just wait for the release of the Complete Draft of NRC. Regards, Team NRC was the reply given on the Facebook page of NRC Assam when a visitor drew the attention of the NRC authorities that his name has not been published even though he had submitted valid documents and asked if he would be pushed to Bangladesh.

Please note that verification takes time and we are carrying out the process with due scrutiny. Applications whose verification is shown as pending, their verification will be completed in due time and when found eligible, will be added in the Complete Draft of NRC, its response to a query about the partial inclusion of members of the same family.

The NRC authorities have also assured that correction of mistakes in names and other errors in the part draft would be taken up separately and necessary guidelines would be issued in due course.

Some applicants who had submitted their application online have complained on the NRC Facebook page that while NRC part draft link was showing ARN (Application Receipt Number) pending for verification no one visited their houses for verification.

In response to a query by an applicant if the physical verification team shall visit door to door to all persons, whose names have not been included the first draft the NRC authorities have clarified that verification will be conducted only for those whose documents have discrepancies. In such cases, members will be contacted.

However, those who could find their names posted congratulatory messages to Team NRC.

The NRC authorities claimed that documents verification process adopted is the "first of its kind wherein all documents are being verified through comparison with the original records/backend available with the issuing authorities." Clearly, the first draft includes those applicants who have been verified as citizens and claims of all others are pending verification and till verification all the remaining 1.39 crore applicants get over nobody is going to get an idea as to the actual number of illegal Bangladeshis in the state.

It is not for the first time that document-based verification of Indian citizenship by executive machinery has led to such a situation in the state of partial inclusion of names of members of a family in a comprehensive list such as electoral rolls. Assam has many migrant linguistic and religious minority families with names of some their family members tagged with the letter "D" ("D" standing for Doubtful) on electoral rolls while other members of the same family are enrolled as genuine voters. These D voters, (those persons who are identified during electoral roll revision as D Voters, cases of which are pending with the Foreigners Tribunals or as declared as foreigners by the Tribunal) are not allowed to vote till their cases pending before various Foreigners Tribunals are disposed of. The NRC modalities allowed "D" voters to apply for inclusion of their names in the updated NRC but stipulated that "D" Voters name will be included in NRC only after getting clearance from the Foreigners Tribunals. The NRC authorities clarified that "someone who has his/her Legacy Data record is eligible to for inclusion in the updated NRC, irrespective of the fact that his/her father or mother has been identified as D Voters."

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday that 19,612 'D' voters were declared foreigners till October 2017. As of 3 September, 2017, there were 1,25,155 "D" voters in the state, according to information furnished by the Assam government on the floor of the Assam Assembly.

However, this is perhaps for the first time that many indigenous Assamese families have gone through a similar situation of partial inclusion of some members in the first draft of the NRC when some other members have been excluded. While they may not be worried or panicked, the flood of messages on the NRC Facebook page or their own timelines show that they are certainly not happy about it.

The author is editor, Nezine.It is still unclear who instigated the Bhima-Koregaon clash that sent ripples of violence and rioting across Maharashtra but the political reactions to the unfortunate incident points to a disturbing road ahead as the country hurtles towards the 2019 general elections.

Amid allegations and counter allegations, it is still unclear who instigated the Bhima-Koregaon clash that sent ripples of violence and rioting across Maharashtra but the political reactions to the unfortunate incident points to a disturbing road ahead as the country hurtles towards the 2019 general elections.

It now seems certain that the caste-division formula that we saw during the Gujarat Assembly elections will be increasingly replicated elsewhere as BJPs political rivals try to find a way to fracture the Hindu votebank. The odds for such a possibility are extremely high because on the one hand we have upper-caste anxiety resulting in aggressive demand for a share of the reservation pie and on the other, a rising Dalit assertiveness that feeds on decades of social oppression.

At two ends of the social circle, both these churnings ironically draw from the same resentment  the governments failure to mitigate the agrarian crisis or create employment for millions of youths. The Opposition, which has been struggling to cope with BJPs aggressive rise and expansion of national footprint, sees in this adversity a chance to fracture the polity and halt the Narendra Modi juggernaut.

Caste fault lines have always existed. In 2014, Modi had been able to paper over the cracks through his campaign of hope. That hope is receding fast, reality is setting in and the fault lines are regaining prominence.

As this article in The Indian Express argues: "...poor Patels, Jats and Marathas are now lagging behind affluent OBCs (sometimes even the Dalits)... (and) their demand for quotas reflects anxieties regarding education and jobs. They go on to write, the current services-led economic growth demands a certain level of education, social skills and attributes. The dominant castes often lack these assets, and while the SCs and OBCs miss them too, they partly make up for this because of reservations."

All it needs for this cauldron to burst in flames is a trigger of resentment and the Opposition, led by the Congress, has lately been trying to do just that. Congress president Rahul Gandhis tweet  posted shortly after reports emerged of violence spreading from Pune to different parts of Maharashtra and angry Dalit youth hitting the streets  is a callous and dangerous statement that laid bare the party strategy.

Even as one Maratha youth died, a 35-year-old police constable suffered grievous eye injury, curfew was imposed in some parts, 187 government buses along with dozens and dozens of other private vehicles suffered damages, trains stopped on tracks and shops and commercial establishment downed shutters, Rahul Gandhi saw in the violence a potent symbol of resistance.

A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 2, 2018

Instead of displaying a modicum of responsible behaviour as the president of Indias grand old party, Rahul's tweet was an effort to keep alive the rifts that he hopes would bring political dividends. This wasnt an isolated effort. Members of his party started issuing similar statements, as did some Opposition leaders.

AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra, Mohan Prakash, claimed "wherever the BJP is in power, its supporters and RSS execute such actions when events related to Dalit pride are organised". Prithriraj Chavan, senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister saw in it "a deliberate attempt to cause a law-and-order situation by certain forces." He blamed it on chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, whereas NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "I am told that some outsider, right-wing elements are instrumental in provoking violence."

Mondays incident at Bhima-Koregaon and adjacent villages in Pune is now under a judicial probe by a sitting judge but a blame game is already under way with repercussions being felt on Wednesday in the Parliament.

Two local Hindu right-wing leaders  Milind Ekbote of Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratisthan  have been booked by the police for instigating violence. A counter-complaint has also been filed against Dalit leader and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and JNU student Umar Khalid  both invited at the bicentenary celebration of Bhima-Koregaon battle  for inciting the crowd.

The police complaint against Mevani states that the Gujarat Dalit leader told people to come on street and retaliate that resulted in tension erupting between the two communities.

While the truth behind allegations will eventually emerge  and it is entirely possible that right-wing groups were indeed behind the clash -- it seems odd that RSS or the BJP would actively instigate division between Hindu communities that defeats its stated purpose of one India. If anything, a fracturing of the Hindu vote bank immensely benefits its rivals and unless the BJP is on a suicide mission, it makes no sense for the party to drive a wedge between Dalits and the Marathas.

To increase voter base and pitch it as a pro-poor party, Amit Shah and Modi have been trying vehemently to rid BJP of its bania-trader-upper-caste moorings and spring development as a plank to cement the fault lines. It had paid handsome dividends in the past. It is unclear why BJP would suddenly reverse its efforts and court trouble in an election year. Expectedly, BJP leaders have been circumspect, issuing statements to control the damage.

A report in The Indian Express quotes a BJP MP as saying that the party is worried at the turn of events. This (Gujarat Dalit leader Mevanis presence in Bhima-Koregaon) suggests a deepening of caste fault lines. This is not good for us and highlights the increasing challenge for the BJP to use our promise of vikas (development) to paper over this fault line.

Conversely, Gujarat experiment has convinced the Congress that it can benefit from a laser focus on caste equations and break into the BJP vote bank. A News18 report quotes a post-Gujarat Lokniti study to show that "36 percent of the Patel votes went to Congress this time" as opposed to 10 percent in 2012. "The most number of votes from the community  46 percent  came from Leuva Patels. This is a 31 percent increase from what the party got in 2012 state elections when only 15 percent of the Leuva Patels had voted for the Congress. The party also received 27 percent Kadwa Patel votes, an 18 percent increase compared to 9 percent in 2012. It also registered an uptick in OBC votes.

These data points indicate that caste unrest could be the magic bullet for Opposition to counter the 'Modi phenomenon.' What is unfolding in Maharashtra is possibly just the trailer.The new monument bill seeks to include an exception for public works in the prohibition on construction in the 100-metre protected area around a monument.

Contemporary discourse on power politics commonly include references to soft power. Soft power is the ability to exert power over others by attraction, and not coercion. Further, a regions soft power can often be an alternate bridge to other regions and communities. The history of a land, its art forms, language, music, and culture together form this soft power. The monuments of a region, the ruins of a bygone era form tangible relics of the history of a land. A conservation of the same can, then, be considered as an exercise in strengthening soft power.

It is in this light that we must see The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which is up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the former Union minister Dr Mahesh Sharma in the Monsoon Session of 2017. It seeks to include an exception for public works in the prohibition on construction in the 100-metre protected area around a monument.

The current prohibition on construction was imposed through a 2010 Amendment to the Monuments Act, along with the constitution of a National Monuments Authority (NMA).This bill dilutes the present legislation by excluding public works from this prohibition. It defines public works as those which are carried out, and financed, by departments of the central government and are necessitated by a danger to public security. This raises a concern that many activities which can impede conservation efforts shall henceforth be carried out in the garb of public works.

The concerns that stem from this ambiguous definition can be broadly characterised into two main categories. Firstly, it opens up the scope for conflict among the Union and state government. The bill grants authority only to the central government to propose said projects. Challenging the same, Vandana Chavan, a Rajya Sabha MP, said that the bill takes away power from the people in deciding which projects are needed in the vicinity of a protected monument. The people, she said, have the best understanding of the public safety needs of a city and this bill excludes people at the grassroots from having a say in the projects that are proposed.This bill also casts a shadow on Article 49 of the Directive Principles of State Policy which calls on states to protect monuments.

Secondly, this provision casts doubt on the true autonomy of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Take for example the proposal to build a flyover in front of Akbars tomb in Agra. While this proposal was rejected, given the current prohibition on construction in the protected zone, the present amendment shall empower the central government to increasingly propose and intervene in the functioning of aforementioned authorities.On the same, Vandana Chavan remarked that the bill shall incentivise the government to appoint government loyalists to organisations like the NMA and ASI to gain concessions on the projects that it seeks to pursue.

The discussions on the same in the parliament saw the proponents of the bill saying that it gives greater power to the central government to develop areas in the vicinity of a protected monument as a tourist hub. Further, a 2013 CAG report noted the paucity of human and financial resources with the ASI, and cited encroachment in 546 of the 1655 monuments surveyed as an example. The efforts of the central government to augment these tourism hubs must be seen as an effort in boosting soft power.

The concern for the MP is that any infrastructure that seeks to develop an area as a tourism hub must complement the aesthetic of the monument, something that the central government authorities sitting in Delhi can scarcely assess and realise. Such decisions, the MP said, are best taken after taking into consideration the collective wisdom of the inhabitants of the city, and the protected area that shall be altered by such decisions.

Given that the current amendment has no provisions for the same, all development that shall be carried forward henceforth shall be highly top-down and alien to the local architectural heritage. The parliament must consider the concerns raised above, in terms of destruction of structures due to construction activities, and the cascading impact this amendment shall have on the functioning of an already poorly resourced ASI and NMA. Finally, the parliament must also take into consideration the impact of this bill on Indias soft power, given that the conservation of Indian monuments forms a vital pillar of it.

Raghav Katyal studies political science at Ashoka University and working with Idiog Consulting in New Delhi.China on Wednesday said it was not aware of the reported intrusion by its troops into Arunachal Pradesh in December.

Beijing: China on Wednesday said it was not aware of the reported intrusion by its troops into Arunachal Pradesh in December, emphasising that the so-called state in India's northeast does not exist.

According to media reports, Chinese soldiers with road-building machines entered up to 200 metres into Arunachal Pradesh in 2017.

"First of all, on border issues with India, China is clear and consistent. We never acknowledge the existence of so-called Arunachal Pradesh," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang. "For the specific situation you mentioned, I am not aware of it," he said.

China claims India's Arunachal Pradesh as its own and calls it Southern Tibet. The northeast state lies in the eastern sector of the 3,448 km-long un-demarcated Sino-Indian border.

"I want to mention that between China and India, there is a well-developed mechanism on border related affairs. Through this mechanism, Beijing and New Delhi can manage their border affairs," Geng said. "Also, maintaining peace and stability on border areas suits the interests of both China and India."

China-India ties took a nosedive last year when their armies were locked in over a two-month face-off at Doklam in the Sikkim section of the border.

The crisis was resolved in August and both sides at their 20th round of border talks in December pledged to maintain peace and tranquillity along the disputed boundary.After generating tension in Mumbai, Pune and a few other cities in Maharashtra, the state-wide bandh, called by Dalit organisations to protest the violence post an event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, was called off on Wednesday evening.

The Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit organisations to protest the violence after an event to mark the 200th anniversary of Bhima-Koregaon battle was withdrawn on Wednesday evening.

Here are the ten key points from the bandh on Wednesday:

1. Dalit groups call off strike after Prakash Ambedkar holds talks with police

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and Dalit icon BR Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar called off the shutdown on Wednesday afternoon.

He had called for the Maharashtra bandh to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

#BhimaKoregaonViolence #MaharashtraBandh | Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader, Prakash Ambedkar, discussing the situation with police outside Rajgruh, Dadar Hindu Colony. pic.twitter.com/cG5M1jvfUd  Mumbai Mirror (@MumbaiMirror) January 3, 2018

2. Maharashtra home ministry says no Dalit killed in Bhima Koregaon violence Calling the situation in Maharashtra "peaceful", Minister of State Deepak Kesarkar claimed on Wednesday that there had been no death from the Dalit community.

There has been no death of a person from Dalit community. Wrong messages are being spread on social media, people have to be very cautious. The situation overall is peaceful in Maharashtra: Deepak Kesarkar, MoS, Home Rural on #BhimaKoregaonVoilence pic.twitter.com/TtHeqE5oTm  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

3. Dalit groups protest outside residence of Milind Ekbote, the man allegedly behind Bhima-Koregaon incident

A group of protesters surrounded the residence of Milind Ekbote, who was booked by Pune Police under relevant sections of the Prevention of Atrocities Act and "orchestrating the violence at Bhima-Koregaon.



A large group of protesters gathered outside his home in Model Colony area in Pune.

4. Normal life hit in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad

Normal life in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and a few other areas in Maharashtra was disrupted as protesters attacked buses, stopped suburban local services and blocked roads at various places.

In view of protests in Mumbai, police diverted traffic for smooth movement of traffic. Stone pelting was reported at a few places on the Harbour line.

Commercial establishments in Nashik and Satpur, Ambad, Nashik Road localities remained closed. Buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and auto rickshaws too remained off the road.

Buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited were pelted with stones, an official said. Since Tuesday, 42 buses were damaged in stone pelting and since Wednesday morning, 10 to 12 busses were damaged in the city.

Schools and colleges were shut in most affected areas. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University remained closed for the entire day.

Around 5.30 pm, after the bandh was called off, traffic diversions in various places of Mumbai were affected. In the main city area, Mela Junction, Worli Naka, Malet/Orange Gate Junction were affected. The Eastern Express Highway witnessed congestion at Sion Junction, Amar Mahal Junction, Chhedanagar Junction, Ramabai Nagar, and Mankhurd Junction. Traffic diversions in LBS Road and JVLR were affected, while the Eastern freeway also witnessed some congestion. In the Western suburbs, traffic in Samata Nagar and Akurli Road was affected.

5. Film, TV shoots affected

The state-wide bandh called by Dalit groups affected the film and television industry with some shoots being disrupted and others being cancelled as a precautionary measure.

A song launch event of Kartik Aryan's upcoming film "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" scheduled for Wednesday at a popular suburban restaurant was cancelled.

"There was an ad shoot lined up but it is not happening now. No shoots are currently happening at the studio," a functionary from Mehboob studio said.

6. War of words in Parliament over Bhima-Koregaon incident

As a ruckus was created in the Rajya Sabha soon after the triple talaq bill was introduced, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Opposition was using the issue of Bhima-Koregaon violence to deliberately prevent the passage of the Bill.

The Opposition, which was demanding the prime minister's statement on the issue, reacted strongly and Prasad was shouted down.

"We condemn the statement by the law minister that we are raising Bhima-Koregaon violence issue to stall the Bill. We have been raising the issue of Dalit atrocities as this government is anti-Dalit," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in Rajya Sabha.

7. Train services affected

In Mumbai, protesters jumped on the rail tracks of Harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours.

Similar protests at Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar stations on Central Railway led to a long queue of trains on tracks.

Several trains running towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus were halted at various stations because of the protesters who stood on the tracks.

Hundreds of commuters were spotted walking on the railway tracks. On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara Station.

Services of AC locals were suspended for the day. However, there was no cancellation of long-distance trains, the Western Railway informed.

Mumbai-Hyderabad Hussain Sagar Express was held up just before it reached Kurla station. A ticket counter was vandalised at Dombivali station.

8. Ambedkar Samaj supporters try to barge into Mumbai collector's office

Ambedkari Samaj, comprising several Bahujan organisations, came together to protest the Bhima-Koregaon attack. A delegation went to meet the Mumbai collector and submit a memorandum on the issue.

However, after the Dalit leaders' group realised that the collector was not in office and their memorandum would not be accepted, some agitated members of the Ambedkari Samaj tried to force their way into collector's office building. Kherwadi Police eventually closed the gates and prevented a break-in after women protesters took lead and tried to barge in.

9. Congress and NCP call for peace

As violent protests were reported from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, political parties reacted cautiously, appealing for peace.

State NCP president Sunil Tatkare said the need of the hour was to restore peace and harmony in the state.

"(NCP chief) Sharad Pawar has already said that everybody should try to ensure that there is peace and harmony," Tatkare told PTI.

Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe said incidents of violence at Bhima Koregaon and elsewhere in the state were unfortunate. "There is an attempt to create a social divide which we have to foil unitedly," she said.

The government has ordered a judicial inquiry and "root cause of the violence will be clear after the probe," she added.

The district collector and police should have taken appropriate steps to help those stranded at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district after the violence on 1 January, she said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan told PTI that restoring normalcy should be the priority. "Just an inquiry is not enough. Strict action against the guilty is needed. There should be an inquiry by a sitting judge appointed by the chief justice," he said.

10. Students protest in Delhi outside the Maharashtra Sadan

Security outside the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi was scaled up as protests continued in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Students belonging to All India Students Association (AISA) protested against the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra, reported CNN-News18. The student protesters demanded judicial probe against those responsible for the violence.

With inputs from PTIThe Chinese Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that an earthquake in Tibet last year was the reason behind the turbidity of the waters of river Brahmaputra.

New Delhi: The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday confirmed that an earthquake in Tibet last year was the reason behind the turbidity of the waters of river Brahmaputra which originates as the Yarlung Tsangpo in China.

"According to the investigations by relevant departments of China, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake stuck Milin county of Nyingchi city in Tibet at 6 a.m. on November 18," Embassy spokesperson Xie Liyan said in a statement.

"The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Bend Region was seriously affected by the earthquake, resulting in shattered land surface, reduced vegetation and soil exposure," Xie said.

"Massive landslide and collapsing occurred along the Yarlung Zangbo river range, causing negative impact on water quality of the river. Indeed, water in Motuo sector of the Yarlung Zangbo river turned turbid."

Xie's comments come after sections of the Indian media reported that the reason behind the Brahmaputra's turbidity was construction of projects on the Chinese side of the border.

According to reports, a huge amount of debris has accumulated and blocked three locations, forming natural dams on the river across a 12-km stretch in China.

India worries that these three landslide-induced dams and lakes may give way, leading to a huge deluge downstream.

Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that according to verification by the relevant authorities, this lake was to the east section of the China-India boundary.

"It is caused by natural factors, it is not man-made," Hua said.

According to Tuesday's statement by Xie, analysis of satellite images, environmental and hydrological data showed that there have been no large-scale human activities around relevant sections of the Yarlung Zangbo river.

"The change of colour of water in the lower reaches of the river should have been caused by natural factors including earthquakes, rather than man-made incidents, and there were no artificial lakes in relevant parts of the Yarlung Zangbo river," Xie said.

"The Chinese side will stay in touch with the Indian side on the issue concerning trans-border rivers through existing channels."

India and China have an understanding on exchange of data on the rivers flowing from China, but last year New Delhi said Beijing did not stick to this.A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a $ 500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed 'regret' over the decision

Jerusalem: A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a $ 500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed "regret" over the decision just ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first visit to the country.

"Rafael has now received an official notification from Indias Ministry of Defence concerning the cancellation of the Spike deal," Ishai David, a spokesman for the Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, told PTI .

Spike, in use by 26 countries around the world, is said to have been selected by India after a long and rigorous process and after complying with all the defence procurement regulations.

"It should be emphasised that the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the contract and despite Rafaels compliance with all the demands," the company said in a statement.

"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," it added.

The company did not give a reason for the cancellation of the deal.

The cancellation comes days before Netanyahus four-day visit to India starting 14 January and is likely to be taken up for discussion. Rafaels CEO would also be accompanying Netanyahu.

The company recently inaugurated its facilities in Hyderabad where the project was to be executed but company sources said that it is "designed to accommodate a number of other projects Rafael is engaged in with its Indian partners".

As per the original proposal, India had planned to acquire the ATGMs for the Army at a cost of $ 500 million.

The Indian defence ministry has been strongly pushing for transfer of technology in procuring various weapons and other platforms from foreign defence majors as part of its broad policy initiative to encourage domestic defence industry.

Official sources in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the proposal to acquire the missile system faced hurdles when Israeli side apparently expressed reservations in ensuring full transfer of technology as per the provisions of the Make in India initiative.India has less than one doctor for every 1,000 citizens, which is less than the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard that prescribes a doctor population ratio of 1:1,000.

India has less than one doctor for every 1,000 citizens, which is less than the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard that prescribes a doctor population ratio of 1:1,000.

In July 2017, Union minister of State for health Anupriya Patel had told Parliament that as per information provided by the Medical Council of India (MCI), there were a total 10,22,859 allopathic doctors registered with the MCI or with state medical councils as of 31 March, 2017.

Given these statistics, it can safely be assumed that a sizable number of India's population are denied timely medical healthcare  and they are likely to be the poor strata of society. It is therefore surprising that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has already labelled the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill as "anti-poor" and "anti-people".

"The NMC Bill in the present form is not acceptable. This is anti-poor, anti-people, non representative, undemocratic and anti-federal in character," newly-appointed IMA national president Dr Ravi Wankhedkar said on Tuesday.

The IMA has already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union health minister, urging them to redraft the bill and rectify some of its provisions to protect the interests of medical practitioners. It claimed that the provision in the bill which allows AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) graduates to practice modern medicine after completing a bridge course will promote quackery.

"The bill purported to eradicate corruption is designed to open the floodgates of corruption. A bill to regulate the medical education and practice without the concurrence of the medical profession will be a disaster," Wankhedkar added.

But does the IMA have any answer as to why is there so much corruption in the existing medical system, where qualified doctors with MBBS, MD and MS degrees are calling the shots? Or why so many disasters continue taking place in private super-speciality hospitals where AYUSH graduates don't treat patients? Does Wankhedkar have any answer as to why is there public loot in private nursing homes and hospitals?

With registered medical practitioners refusing to serve in rural areas, the IMA's claim about the bill being "anti-poor" seems a little hollow  if the national body is so concerned about the poor, why doesn't it enforce rural service for all its members for a stipulated period?

It's no secret that for providing treatment, a large number of nursing homes and private hospitals charge exorbitant amounts from patients  in the name of diagnosis, investigations, medicines, ICU facilities, etc.

The worst sufferers in this vicious cycle are the poor and marginalised sections of society. A large number of patients have even moved courts filing suits against such hospitals. There are not thousands, but lakhs of poor people in far-off rural areas who don't have access to timely healthcare, due to the sheer unavailability of qualified doctors.

In the past, various governments had tried to send medical practitioners to villages, but their efforts met with less success and more failure. Various incentives failed to enthuse even medical graduates (MBBS students) to serve in rural centres. All over the country, thousands of vacancies for doctors continue to remain unfulfilled.

Through the NMC Bill, the Centre intends to come up with a solution where an AYUSH graduate, after completing a "bridge course", can serve poor patients in rural areas. At present, there are thousands of AYUSH graduates across the country who are treating patients in far-flung remote areas. The government wants them to enhance their skills and make them professionally capable, so that they can deliver better quality services in rural areas, places where the medical graduates and post-graduates do not tread at all.

There had been incidents in the past, when qualified doctors practicing allopathy strongly criticised AYUSH practitioners, but this reeks of classist supremacy. It's a known fact that medical facilities offered by large reputable private hospitals are beyond the reach of most citizens. Government hospitals, meanwhile, are in a deplorable condition. To the extent that in one government hospital in Uttar Pradesh, even eye surgeries were conducted by torchlight!

However, noted cardiac surgeon and chairman of Narayan Health, Dr Devi Shetty, told News18 on Tuesday that the bill was being misinterpreted and Ayurvedic doctors were not going to be allowed to practice Allopathy. "It is not part of the bill. If Ayurvedic doctors are allowed to be allopathic practitioners, it is unacceptable. And I think it is being misinterpreted," Shetty said.

Urban-centric doctors needn't worry just yet, especially since the NMC Bill has been referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee. It's only after this announcement that the IMA called off its 12-hour nation-wide strike. Till then, no one bothered about the serious patients across the country, who remained unattained.

Shetty has a point. The government needs to clarify what it wants from the bill  mention exactly what relief the bill would provide to the poor patients, rather than handing over an opportunity to the Opposition backed by the doctors' lobby to dump the bill.

As Shetty rightly said, the bill should be supported because it was good for the people of India. "We should look at what is good for 60 percent of the rural population. I think the government should clarify certain points. They have to clarify exactly what it is. There is a lot of ambiguity. Some kind of amendment or clarification is needed. But this bill will make a big difference in delivering health in rural India," Shetty observed.A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan deployed along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir was killed on Wednesday in an incident of unprovoked firing

Jammu: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan deployed along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir was killed on Wednesday in an incident of unprovoked firing, officers of the force said.

Head Constable RP Hazra was killed after Pakistan forces "sniped" from across the border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Retaliatory fire has been initiated, a senior BSF officer said.

"After the BSF strongly and effectively retaliated, heavy firing exchanges are now going on between the two sides in Samba and Hiranagar sectors", the offical said.

The incident took place around 4.30 pm.

The BSF guards the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in the region.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November, 2003.A pilot and his co-pilot were de-rostered by Jet Airways on Wednesday after they reportedly had a fight with each other during their 1 January London-Mumbai flight

Jet Airways grounded two pilots after they reportedly fought in the cockpit during a London-Mumbai flight on 1 January, according to several media reports.

According to a report in The Times of India, the captain of 9W 119 flight from London to Mumbai allegedly slapped his lady co-pilot. The co-pilot left the cockpit in tears, returning only when the frightened crew persuaded her to safely operate the flight to its destination, the report added.

The incident took place on Monday, when the aircraft was in over the Iran-Pakistan airspace, and was 2.45 hours away from its destination, an airline source told PTI on Wednesday.

However, the source alleged that the male pilot who has been working with the airline for over a decade had some "argument" with the female commander over some issues.

The source said these two senior pilots have been flying together for many years and have had arguments in the past as well. But that on the Monday flight, arguments turned violent and he slapped her

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later de-rostered the pilots, and ordered an internal investigation, Hindustan Times reported.

DGCA chief BS Bhullar termed the incident as a "serious issue", added that they have suspended the co-pilots license, Financial Express reported.

The airline confirmed the incident, saying the matter was resolved amicably later, DNA reported.

"At Jet Airways, safety of guests, crew and assets is of paramount importance and the airline has zero tolerance for any action of its employees that compromises safety", the airline said in a press statement, DNA reported.

The flight was carrying 324 passengers, including two infants, according to News18.

With inputs from PTIPuducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Wednesday met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and thanked him for gifting Puducherry with 'key officers of integrity'.

Puducherry: Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Wednesday met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and thanked him for gifting Puducherry with 'key officers of integrity'.

Bedi in her Twitter account, said she met Gauba at Delhi and thanked him for gifting the Union Territory with key officers of integrity and clearing the backlog of promotions for officers in the Union Territory.

She also thanked him for resolving "many irksome pending issues which is good for the Puducherry Administration".

Bedi, however, did not elaborate on who the key officers were and also the 'irksome pending issues.'

Official sources here said Bedi left here yesterday for New Delhi and would return tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy also flew to Delhi on Wednesday and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the Special Representative of Puducherry government in Delhi, A John Kumar.

The purpose of his visit could not be known immediately.

The Congress government and Bedi have been at loggerheads over many issues, including medical admissions and induction of three nominated MLAs, ever since she assumed office in 2016.

Narayanasamy recently alleged that Bedi's "style of functioning is more like a leader of opposition than an administrator" of the Union Territory.

However, in a break from the frequent wranglings, the chief minister thanked her on Tuesday for 'extending cooperation' in maintaining law and order during new year's eve celebrations.

The Lieutenant Governor in a tweet had welcomed the praise for her cooperation by posting the symbol of 'Namaste' to express her thanks to Narayanasamy.There have been instances of some Rohingya Muslims obtaining Aadhaar, PAN and voter cards, but there is no report of providing accommodation to the illegal migrants, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

New Delhi: There have been instances of some Rohingya Muslims obtaining Aadhaar, PAN and voter cards, but there is no report of providing accommodation to the illegal migrants, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said there have been no specific reports that some people were providing illegal accommodation to Rohingyas.

However, instances of some Rohingyas having obtained documents like Aadhar, PAN and voter cards through fraudulent means have been reported, he said in reply to a written question.

The minister said as and when such instances are detected, the respective state governments and other authorities concerned take necessary action for cancellation of such documents along with other action.

Rijiju said as per an estimate, around 40,000 Rohingyas are living in India.Contrary to the home department finding, the NIA that investigated a few cases of conversion in the state had found an 'organised effort' behind the conversions.

Love is the major factor behind conversions to Islam in the southern Indian state of Kerala, according to the state home department. The department has zeroed in on the reason for the conversion after scrutinising over 7,200 cases of conversions during the period from 2011 to 2016.

The investigation conducted with the help of Central intelligence agencies could not find any evidence to support the allegation by certain Hindu groups that the conversions were part of an organised move to convert Hindu girls to Islam. The Hindu organisations had alleged that some Muslim outfits had pressed trained youths to trap Hindu girls by feigning love. They called the operation love jihad.

The allegation got credence after it was found that 21 people who left Kerala in June 2015 to join the Islamic State (IS) included five Hindus and Christians, who had converted to Islam.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the case, found that the youths who hailed mostly from Kasargod and Palakkad districts in the state had landed in the IS front in Afghanistan.

The investigation into conversions was ordered by the government after the Sangh Parivar took it up and unleashed a nationwide propaganda. The investigation report said the driving force behind the conversions recorded in the state during the six-year period was love.

The investigation showed that as many as 61 percent of the 7,229 cases analysed by them had embraced Islam for the sake of love. The probe report cited family problems (12 percent), poverty (8 percent), social reasons (8 percent) and mental disturbances (7 percent) as the other key reasons for conversion.

The investigation revealed that only a small percentage of people had converted due to faith in Islam. A significant finding of the investigation is that a lions share (82 persons) of the converts were Hindus. Christians, who constitute about 18 percent of the states population, accounted for 17.9 percent of the conversions.

Another important finding of the investigation is that 64 percent of those who changed their faith during the six-year period belonged to economically backward sections. About 35 percent are from middle class. None from affluent sections of Hindu and Christian communities joined Islam.

The report states that 74 percent of those who converted to Islam are below the age of 35. As many as 40 percent are between the age of 18 and 25. Thirty-five percent of the converts have not completed their school education. The percentage of those who have completed school education is 45 percent. Eleven percent are graduates and 4 percent postgraduates.

About 65 percent of those who have converted to Islam hailed from nuclear families. Thirty-two percent of them came from joint families. Thrissur district in central Kerala accounted for the maximum number of conversions, followed by Palakkad.

Contrary to the home department finding, the NIA that investigated a few cases of conversion in the state had found an "organised effort" behind the conversions. In a status report filed before the Supreme Court two months ago, the agency said that five women they examined as part of the investigation had claimed that they were lured to convert to Islam.

The report said that there was a common thread behind the cases they investigated. The NIA had picked 30 out of 89 cases referred to them by the Kerala Police for scrutiny. The agency took up the cases after Supreme Court asked them to investigate the case of Akhila Asokan alias Hadiya, a 25-year-old Hindu woman, who converted to Islam and married a Muslim man.

Rahul Easwar, a writer and social activist, said he chose to agree with the findings of the Kerala home department. He told Firstpost that the probe report identifying economic factor as one of the reasons for conversion had supported his position that the major reason for conversion from Hinduism to Islam was the lack of social support system in the Hindu community.

"Muslims can turn to the jamat and Christians to the church for help whenever they face a crisis in their life. The temples where the Hindus go have no provision to offer any such aid. A poojari in a temple does not have time even to listen to the woes of the faithful. If such people take refuge in another faith they cannot be blamed," said Rahul, who is the grandson of the supreme priest of the famed Sabarimala hill shrine.

The activist said the Hindus were vulnerable to conversion since they also lacked spiritual orientation and religious education as the Christians and Muslims. The Sunday schools in the churches and the madrasa classes in the mosques on Fridays lay a strong religious foundation to Christians and Muslims.

"The temples have no such communions to fathom the spirituality of the faithful. The Hindus come together only during the annual festivals in the temples. Unfortunately, these festivals have turned out to be carnivals these days," Rahul said.

He said the Hindu community could not blame others for the conversions. "Conversions will continue if the community does not reform itself. The need of the hour is inner strengthening. Unfortunately, the leaders of the community are trying for organised polarisation," he said.

"The leaders are trying to polarise the Hindus by spreading hatred against the Muslims. This will not help the community. This will only suit the political agenda of the leaders. What we need is reforms from within. Unfortunately, the ruling class is trying to address the issues in other religious communities," Rahul said.Sambhaji Bhide, also known as Bhide Guruji and a resident of Sangli was in national spotlight in 2008 when his followers ransacked movie halls protesting against the release of movie Jodha-Akbar.

Maharashtra, on Wednesday, remained on edge after the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions even as a statewide bandh was called to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence witnessed stray protest by Dalits. Dalit protesters tried to block tracks at the Thane railway station on Wednesday morning, but they were chased away soon and the traffic on the Central Railway line remained uninterrupted, said a railway official.

On Tuesday, a criminal case was filed against two pro-Hindutva leaders, Milind Ekbote of Samast Hindu Aghadi, and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, under charges of orchestrating violence during celebrations of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon on Monday. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the FIR was registered at Pimpri police station and was later sent to Pune Rural Police which has Koregaon Bhima under its jurisdiction. The complaint against Bhide, Ekbote and their supporters was filed by 39-year-old social worker Anita Ravindra Salve, a member of the Bahujan Republican Socialist Party.

Reports claimed that it's no surprise that the duo haven't been arrested yet as both have deep links with the RSS and wield considerable clout within the ruling dispensation in the state and at the Centre.

Sambhaji Bhide, also known as Bhide Guruji and a resident of Sangli was in national spotlight in 2008 when his followers ransacked movie halls protesting against the release of the film Jodhaa Akbar. Bhide enjoys immense political clout among senior BJP and RSS leaders.

In the run-up to the 2014 General Election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Sangli "especially" to meet Bhide and had said that he had come to see 'Guruji' not on his request but on his order. Both Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, top leaders of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, were seen seeking Bhide's in the run-up to the elections in 2014.

Another instance that shows the clout that Bhide enjoys is when the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis halted his helicopter convoy to meet with Bhide and discuss an "imperative political matter."

The 85-year-old leader is an ardent follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji. An RSS pracharak, Bhide has a degree in MSc in Atomic Science from the elite Pune University. Bhide has also served as a professor of Physics at Pune's Fergusson College. Reports have described Bhide as a leader who is "down to earth" and they back their claim because Bhide, instead of travelling in cars, uses a bicycle to travel and "remains barefooted no matter where he goes", travels in state-run buses, and doesn't own a house.

Bhide's speeches on the lives of Shivaji Maharaj and his heir Sambhaji Maharaj often brim with hatred for a minority community.

Ekbote, who lives in Pune, has 12 cases of rioting, trespassing, criminal intimidation, and attempts to spread enmity between two communities against him. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Ekbote was convicted in five of these cases.

Members of Ekbote's organisation have been alleged to have intercepted hundreds of vehicles carrying cows. On Tuesday, Ekbote condemned violence in Koregaon-Bhima. He also claimed the case against him was completely false. The leader added that people were being deliberately misled to create communal tension.

"I am saddened by the inconvenience caused to Dalits due to rioting after their visit to Bhima-Koregaon and we condemn the act of rioting," Mirror report quoted him as saying. Ekbote also added that his organisation considered Ambedkar and Lahuji Vastad (19th Century Dalit warrior who fought against the British) as icons and that a large number of Dalit activists are a part of Hindu Ekta Manch.

In his first term as a BJP corporator in Pune between 1997 and 2002, Ekbote had come to a fist-fight with a Muslim corporator over the construction of Haj House. Ekbote fought as an independent for a second term and won after he was denied a ticket. After losing the corporation election in 2007, he launched his Hindu Ekta Manch the same year, which has since then spearheaded anti-Valentine's Day protests.

In 2014, he contested the Assembly elections on a Shiv Sena ticket and lost. Ekbote's sister-in-law Jyotsna Ekbote is a sitting BJP corporator in Pune.Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar on Monday courted controversy after he misquoted the number of people who died in the Kamala Mills fire.

Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar on Monday courted controversy after he misquoted the number of people who died in the Kamala Mills fire.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for constable Sudarshan Shinde, Mahadeshwar said that the fire had killed 34 people, reported Hindustan Times.

14 people had actually died and over 20 others injured after a major fire broke out at 1Above, located on the terrace of a building in Kamala Mills compound on Senapati Bapat Marg in Lower Parel on 29 December.

"The number 34 is on my mind all the time, as I won the elections by 34 votes," the report quoted Mahadeshwar as saying.

In the aftermath of the Kamala Mills fire, it was politics as usual for Maharashtra's bickering ruling alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena, as the former sought to pin the blame for the Mumbai fire tragedy on the Sena, which controls the city's civic body.

BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta on Tuesday also visited Kamala Mills compound apparently to take stock of the action initiated by the civic body.

Mehta was accompanied by Chief Fire Officer, besides top officers of police and the civic body.

In the aftermath of the fire tragedy, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed Mehta to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 15 days.

In the wake of the fire incident, the BMC launched an aggressive campaign to detect illegal alterations made by restaurants and pubs across the city and demolished them.

Although Mehta didnt speak to media persons, a senior civic official said it was his routine visit to take stock of the BMCs works.Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of BR Ambedkar, calling off the Maharashtra bandh around 4.15 pm on Wednesday,told Firstpost: 'Whatever was in my hand, I controlled it today. The bandh took place without any major losses. Now, the law and order is in the hands of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and he can control the situation.'

Mumbai: Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, calling off the Maharashtra bandh around 4.15 pm on Wednesday, told Firstpost: "Whatever was in my hand, I controlled it today. The bandh took place without any major losses. Now, the law and order is in the hands of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and he can control the situation."

Ambedkar, president of the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, explained that the bandh was slated for one day only, which is why it was called off in the early evening. He also said he spoke to Fadnavis on Tuesday night, before he called for the statewide bandh. "I have no political agenda," he said.

Ambedkar said that barring two incidents in Mumbai and one in Aurangabad, the bandh remained peaceful. "I want to congratulate the protesters for keeping their calm when emotions were running high," he said. He claimed that nearly 50 percent of the state's population participated in the bandh.

Ambedkar also appealed to the Maharashtra government and Fadnavis to arrest Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote, the two men booked for the Bhima Koregaon violence.

"Hindu outfits are playing a key role in disturbing a peaceful society. I appeal to the state government and the chief minister to show guts to arrest Bhide and Ekbote. If Yakub Memon was booked under Section 302, why didn't the Home Department headed by Fadnavis book Bhide and Ekbote under the same section? I demand the immediate arrest of Bhide and Ekbote who provoked people to attack the Dalit community," he said.

"The 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune was on Monday, but why were there so few police?" he asked, alleging that Bhide and Ekbote incited mobs against those that had gathered at Bhima Koregaon on 1 January. He stated that he would continue to follow up until they were both behind bars.

"People are extremely hurt at the communal tensions in the state. The contributions of the marginalised community towards nation building are being questioned today. Right-wing organisations are dangerous for the country. People can decide for themselves if they want a peaceful lives or the always hidden tension that comes with right-wing ideology like that of the RSS," Ambedkar said.

"Fadnavis may have ordered a judicial inquiry, but it won't satisfy us if he simply appoints a Dalit judge to investigate the matter. We want a thorough inquiry," Ambedkar added.

The bandh, which was called by Dalit leaders on Wednesday morning to protest against the clashes that took place during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district on 1 January, affected normal life in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and various other parts of Maharashtra.

"We are examining CCTV footage," Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai. Fadnavis also appealed for calm on social media.

CM @Dev_Fadnavis appeals for peace and unity to all and assures that complete investigation will be taken to logical end. #BhimaKoregaon pic.twitter.com/kjEyKObGQu  CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 3, 2018



Several incidents of road and rail route blockades were reported during the day as protesters took to the streets. In Mumbai, the bandh took a toll on road traffic, rail traffic, business and even Bollywood. Incidents of vandalism of buses, taxi, autos and private vehicles were also reported in eastern and western parts of Mumbai.Any bill which brings criminal sanction must be satisfactorily deliberated in the legislature but the bill's opponents have squandered this opportunity.

Uproar is expected in the Rajya Sabha as the triple talaq bill is scheduled to be tabled in the Upper House on Wednesday. The Narendra Modi government hopes to pass the controversial bill which gives a legal right to Muslim women against talaq-e-biddat or instant triple talaq and makes the practice a "cognisable and non-bailable offence". The bill has been the subject of protests by the Opposition which has asked for it to be sent to a parliamentary panel for further deliberation.

Similar apprehensions were heard when Muslim women in a batch of petitions challenged the validity of instant triple talaq on the ground that it violated their fundamental right to equality. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was questioned on two grounds. Firstly, that the Muslim Personal Law (MPL) is not law as defined in Article 13 of the Indian Constitution. Therefore it cannot be challenged on the grounds that it violates the right to equality. Secondly, that reforms in personal laws are policy matters and it is for the legislature to decide on them and not the court.

The Supreme Court did not agree with these arguments, and a five-judge bench by a majority of 3:2, held that instant triple talaq is unconstitutional, arbitrary and unreasonable. Now, as the Parliament has initiated the legislative process in continuance of the verdict, Islamic scholars and organisations are questioning the authority and intent of the Parliament arguing that there is no need for legislative intervention after the court's decision. This dubious attitude only raises doubts about the intentions of these avowed liberal scholars and organisations.

Judiciary and Legislature are both authorised to initiate reform

MPL, which derives its sanctity from Article 25, has two significant limitations which are integral to Article 25 itself. The first limitation is discernible from Article 25(1), which authorises the courts to review personal laws if they contradict public order, health, morality or any of the fundamental rights. Therefore, even if the practice of talaq-e-biddat has to be considered integral to the religious denomination in question, it is still open to judicial scrutiny by virtue of Article 25(1). In other words, personal law is protected only to the extent that it is not against public order, morality, health, and the other fundamental rights. However, the two judges in the minority were inclined to believe that talaq-e-biddat has been gender discriminatory but proposed that the remedy lies with the legislature and not the judiciary.

The second restraint on personal law is found in Article 25(2) (read with Article 246 and Entry 5 of the Concurrent List) which empowers the Parliament and state legislatures to make laws for social welfare and reform. And if the State does that, it would not be correct to argue that social welfare and reform impinges upon the religious freedom of any section of citizens of India. Hence, questioning the authority and intention of the legislature to enact the triple talaq law is entirely incorrect.

Necessity of law after judicial declaration

The question arises whether a legislative intervention is needed after a judicial declaration has been made declaring talaq-e-biddat unconstitutional. But what if a Muslim husband, in spite of this judicial injunction still practices instant triple talaq? Recent data supports this hypothesis. Will it be viable for every Muslim wife to approach the Supreme Court for civil contempt? A mere declaration by the Supreme Court will not be of much help unless it is accompanied by a legislative mechanism.

For example, the Constitution declares that untouchability in any form is not permitted. However, there is also a legal provision punishing the same under the Protection of Civil Rights Act. The right to information too had been declared as a Fundamental Right by the Supreme Court but had little impact till the Right to Information Act, 2005 was passed by the Parliament. Similarly, the Supreme Court declared the right to education as an integral part of Article 21 but the situation improved only after the Parliament enacted the Right to Education Act. Therefore, it has been seen that it is necessary to provide a legislative and executive framework to bring actual change on the ground. Otherwise, judicial declarations will remain a futile exercise. The legislature and the judiciary complement each other in bringing social change.

Criminalisation of instant triple talaq and quantum of punishment

Another argument raised by some scholars is that personal law is branch of civil law and therefore the state cannot criminalise instant triple talaq. This argument is simply ludicrous. Domestic violence, Sati, bigamy amongst Hindus and Christians, dowry etc. have been criminalised in spite of being civil matters. Bigamy, for instance, is an offence both against marriage (in the Hindu Marriage Act) as well as a penal offence (under sections 494 and 495 of the IPC).

The primary justification for the inclusion of maintenance  a purely civil matter  in section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code is to provide a remedy speedier and more economical than is available in civil courts, failing which vagrancy and destitution could arise. Therefore, criminalisation of an act relating to or arising from marital relationships is not an unusual phenomenon and is well-supported with multiple precedents. However, the proposed bill does not restrict a wife from approaching the civil court for the enforcement or termination of marriage contract i.e. nikahnama. There have been many acts which constitute both civil and criminal wrongs.

Quantum of punishment is another contentious issue, though not unfamiliar for an act arising from marital relationships. Bigamy amongst Hindus and Christian is punishable with seven years of imprisonment which may extend to ten years in special circumstances. The maximum punishment for instant triple talaq is prescribed to be three years, which will normally be awarded in exceptional cases. It must be noted here that sentencing and quantum finally depends on the judges discretion.

Making Offence cognisable is uncommon but not beyond imagination

As a matter of public policy, offences relating to marriage as long as they do not result in any physical harm to the wife, are made non-cognisable. It is not because they are less serious but to ensure that third parties do not seek redressal for wrongs committed between two private parties. Making instant triple talaq a cognisable offence is indeed a departure from general policy but it is not completely beyond imagination. In August 2009, the Law Commission of India in its 227th report recommended that even bigamy should be made a cognisable offence because making an offence actionable contingent on the wifes consent may not be effective. In fact Andhra Pradesh, by a local amendment in 1992 made the offence under Section 494 a cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. If cases of instant triple talaq are very rare and already on verge of extinction, as it is claimed by Islamic scholars, then their uproar around this bill is unwarranted.

Opportunity squandered

Any bill, especially one which brings criminal sanction must be satisfactorily deliberated in the legislature but the bill's opponents have squandered this opportunity. Instead of creating an uproar in the name of intrusion in Islamic law and challenging the authority of the Parliament to criminalise instant triple talaq, they could have used this occasion to suggest constructive changes to the bill. For instance, in ensuring that the fear of prosecution does not result in the wife's abandonment or mechanisms to ensure speedy disposal of cases so that women do not become victims of our traditional criminal justice complexities. An ambiguity seems apparent while reading section 5 and section 6 of the bill which provide that a woman is entitled to maintenance and custody of her minor children. If the talaq itself is void, there can hardly be a question of maintenance or custody, which are post-divorce institutions. It is hoped that the Rajya Sabha will ensure that the necessary changes are made to the bill.

A wife will not take recourse to criminal law unless viciously threatened by circumstances where not only her own life and dignity is compromised but also the life and future of her children may be at stake. In such a situation, the law must come to her rescue. Let the AIMPLB and other such organisations take initiatives to create a nation-wide legal awareness campaign to save the community from the allegedly arbitrary State power. Let not even a single case reach the police stations, because the government in power will definitely continue to take a look  and rightly so  at other uncivilised practices of nikah-halala and polygamy that are allowed under the guise of gender equality and secularism.

The author is Associate Professor of Law, NLU Odisha and Deputy Registrar (Research), Supreme Court of India.Noisy showdown is expected in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as the Narendra Modi government hopes to pass the controversial bill on triple talaq which gives legal right to Muslim women against talaq-e-biddat or instant triple talaq and makes the practice a 'cognizable and non-bailable offence'.

Noisy showdown is expected in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as the Narendra Modi government hopes to pass the controversial bill on triple talaq which gives legal right to Muslim women against talaq-e-biddat or instant triple talaq and makes the practice a "cognizable and non-bailable offence". The government, which has left no stone unturned to get the Bill ratified as a law, has issued a three-line whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament for the next two days.

The fate of the bill that seeks to criminalise instant divorce by Muslim husbands remained shrouded in suspense as the government virtually rejected an overwhelming demand from the Opposition for referring it to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha for detailed consideration and rectify "lacunae" in the controversial legislation.

The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, had seen protests by opposition parties like the Congress, Left, AIADMK and DMK, asking for it to be sent to a parliamentary panel to further understand the "need" for a civil issue to be turned into a criminal one.

A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha ended without a consensus on the issue as the government was keen that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 be adopted as passed last week by the Lok Sabha.

At the meeting, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, also the Union Finance Minister, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HN Ananth Kumar were believed to have told the Opposition that they should not insist on amendments to the bill or to recommend its reference to a parliamentary committee.

However, the entire Opposition, including those friendly to the ruling BJP like TDP and AIADMK, demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee so that "lacunae" in the legislation could be rectified.

In the BAC meeting, the Congress and other opposition parties put up the proposal to send the bill to a select committee, sources privy to the discussion told IANS. The government insisted on bringing the bill to the House and take its sense before deciding about its final fate.

The sources said the ministers were learnt to have told the opposition members that the bill cannot be sent to a select committee on the basis of views expressed in the BAC and if they want to do so, they can defeat it on the floor of the House.

The sources said there was a view in the treasury benches that most opposition parties in case of a division will not vote against the legislation "for gender justice". The BAC has allotted time of four hours for a discussion on the bill on Wednesday.

However, the picture may become clear at the meeting that Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu is going to have with floor leaders on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Ananth Kumar said the government was in talks with the Congress and other parties for ensuring smooth passage of the bill in the Upper House.

"We are in talks with the Congress and others for the triple talaq bill, and hope for a smooth passage in the Rajya Sabha. It can be taken up tomorrow (Wednesday). May be tomorrow," he told reporters outside Parliament.

He also said the Congress did not press for amendment in the Lok Sabha and should similarly ensure smooth passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The opposition parties are said to be planning for either amendments against criminalising triple talaq or referring the bill to a select committee for detailed consideration.

CPI leader D Raja said the Left wants the bill to be referred to a select committee and accused the government of "bypassing" parliamentary panels on crucial bills. "As far as Left parties are concerned, we want this bill to be referred to a select committee. But the BJP-led NDA government is bypassing the committee system," he said.

"They are saying 'don't send bills to the standing committee for closer scrutiny'. When it comes to the Rajya Sabha, we will demand that it should be sent to a select committee," he said.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill was listed for introduction in the Rajya Sabha by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 2 January, according to the list of business of the Upper House.

However, the bill could not be taken up due to protests and disruptions by the Opposition members on Tuesday.

This bill gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children in the case of instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat.

A victim can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate. Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form  spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp  would be illegal and void.

With inputs from agenciesAAP announced its candidates for the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. They are Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Sushil Gupta.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its candidates for the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, and has named Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Sushil Gupta to the Upper House of Parliament. The decision was taken by the party's Political Affairs Committee.

    Political Affairs Commitee             - 1. 

2.   (N.D. Gupta)

3.    AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 3, 2018

Elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi would be held on 16 January. The AAP, which enjoys an overwhelming majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, is set to win all three seats.

Sanjay Singh is a member of AAP's Political Affairs Committee and is known as the 'Sankat Mochan' of the party, reported News18. Singh had emerged as a trusted lieutenant of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, second to only Manish Sisodia. He is the go-to person when it comes to tricky negotiations and conflict resolutions, and has been the campaign committee in-charge of three elections although he himself hasn't contested any. Born in 1972 in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Singh was an activist before joining AAP.

ND Gupta is a chartered accountant. Among the AAP brass, opinions on his professional credentials are varied. Interestingly, his nomination to the Rajya Sabha comes at a time when the AAP is embroiled with income tax notices over fund raising allegedly done through dubious means.

Sushil Gupta is a Delhi-based businessman whose net worth is over Rs 164 crore. He was earlier associated with the Congress. He fought 2013 Delhi Assembly election on a Congress ticket from Motinagar. Despite sparing no expense, he lost that race and faded into oblivion. He joined the AAP a month ago, but party insiders didn't read much into that. The media didn't give him much coverage either.

Firstpost had earlier reported that Kejriwal's preference for relatively unknown politicians like Sushil and ND Gupta at the cost of Vishwas and Ashutosh is surprising. "Who is Sushil Gupta? Who is ND Gupta?" is the common refrain. Party leaders are at a loss to explain what prompted their chief to select them for the coveted parliamentary post.

News18 reported that there is unease within AAP over the nominees. The party was looking for candidates who could take on the ruling BJP in the Rajya Sabha and amplify its voice beyond Delhi. Will Sushil and ND Gupta be able to perform that role? The party was also on the lookout for a strong legal voice with just two days to go for nominations, this is also ruled out.

Other candidates considered by AAP

The AAP had approached former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan in this regard but he declined the offer. There were reports that the party talked to the former chief justice of India TS Thakur who also did not accept the party's offer. Other names which did the rounds were BJP leaders and former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi.

The tenure of the current members Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi and Karan Singh of the Congress will end on 27 January.

The last date to file nominations for the three Rajya Sabha seats is 5 January.

With inputs from agenciesBy deciding to nominate Sushil Gupta, Narayan Das Gupta and Sanjay Singh for three Rajya Sabha seats from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has pushed his party into a crisis of credibility.

By nominating Sushil Gupta, Narayan Das Gupta and Sanjay Singh for three Rajya Sabha seats from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has pushed his party into a crisis of credibility.

A person's ideology, dedication to party work, oratorical skills and profile is seemingly irrelevant when being considered for something as important as being sent to Parliament on a party ticket. Instead, selection seems to hinge on extraneous factors and the whims of the party chief.

It should be noted that Kejriwals search for Rajya Sabha MPs on an AAP ticket began with the likes of former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and former Chief Justice of India TS Thakur and ended with Sushil Gupta, a turncoat moneybags from the Congress and ND Gupta, a chartered accountant.

The other side of the story  as narrated by Kejriwals deputy in the government and in the party, Manish Sisodia  is equally interesting. This is what he said at the press conference held after the parliamentary affairs committee meeting where Kejriwal put his signature and seal to the decision to send two unknowns to the Upper House of Parliament.

Sisodia said the party offered the Rajya Sabha seat to "18 big shots". Names to be reckoned with in the fields of economics, media, judiciary, law and academics. However, they all politely refused. The reason he ascribed to their refusal to what would otherwise be an irresistible post-retirement offer to most people in that list of 18 or outside is even more noteworthy: They had earned an image after years of hard work and they wouldnt like that to be spoiled by associating themselves with the AAP, even if it meant a berth in Parliament.

Which effectively means that the AAP has suffered a crisis of credibility. That these individuals did not want to be seen as pillion riders to Kejriwal. There were even reports that two aging BJP discards, Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, were among those who refused Kejriwal. With his latest act of selecting the unknown outsiders Gupta and Gupta, Kejriwal further deepened that crisis of credibility, both without and within the party.

That the likes of Kumar Vishwas and Ashutosh, who have been associated with AAP since the days of the Anna Hazare movement, and are considered among the most articulate and outspoken in the party ranks, were dumped to accommodate two Guptas says a lot about the way Kejriwal runs his party and going forward, the way the party intends to structure itself.

The way Kejriwal has acted suggests he considers himself more like an owner of a private company than as a convener  as he has been designated  of a democratic party which originated from a public movement.

On Tuesday, Firstpost reported how Sushil Gupta and ND Gupta were nominated at the cost of Vishwas and Ashutosh. The report also detailed how, over a period of time, Kejriwal became determined to marginalise Vishwas.

Now, getting back to Sisodias official briefing, where he said there were 18 other names on the list, that a lot of brainstorming took place within party and that there was a view that persons from within the party should be named for the coveted Rajya Sabha seats.

So far so good. Sisodia then added that Kejriwal wanted people to be brought in from the outside for the Rajya Sabha nominations and that if the big wigs approached were unwilling, the party ought to consider other names which were not on such a pedestal, but were in sync with party ideology.

Sisodias statement is contradictory. Firstly, the AAP always claimed that it was a party of volunteers where everyone was equal. That it was so democratic, it would go to the people before taking any decision. The deputy chief minister did not mention who all were involved during the brainstorming sessions when the names were finalised.

Was it limited to Kejriwal and Sisodia? Or were Satyendra Jain and some other leaders also involved? From Sisodias statement it's clear that the view that those within the party should be given the opportunity for a Rajya Sabha berth was overlooked and only Kejriwal's opinion mattered.

And second, how did they suddenly discover that Sushil Gupta and ND Gupta were in sync with the AAP "ideology"? Sisodia did not reveal that. Sushil was, for long, associated with the Congress. His estimated net worth is Rs 164 crore. He fought as the Congress candidate from Motinagar during the 2013 Delhi Assembly election. Against the AAP.

Sushil resigned from the Congress last month and joined the AAP, but since he'd never been a name to reckon with in city politics, nobody cared. Sushil must have either received enlightenment akin to what Buddha received under the Bodhi tree or experienced an Albert Einstein eureka moment to realise that he embodied the AAP's ideology, either real of professed. Remember, the AAP was borne on the plank of fighting the Congress' corruption and misrule.

This tweet from Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken is very revealing:

On 28th Nov, Sushil Gupta came to submit his resignation- I asked him-Why? ,      -was his answer!  -I smiled

   ..-He smiled Less than 40 days-Less said the better! Otherwise,Sushil is a good man known for his charity! pic.twitter.com/DgrYhVaFJA  Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) January 3, 2018

An AAP insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: "It has been proven today, yet again, that the AAP is not the same party which originated from Ramlila Maidan. Kejriwal has completely deviated from what he professed and promised.As several parts of Maharashtra continued to reel under caste violence, Congress on Wednesday accused the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering it and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes.

New Delhi: As several parts of Maharashtra continued to reel under caste violence, Congress on Wednesday accused the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering it and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes.

Forcefully raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wondering why he was maintaining a studied silence on the issue.

"The RSS and certain hardcore Hindutva outfits are behind the violence. They are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in Maharashtra," Kharge alleged.

A visibly anguished Kharge also tore some papers he was holding when BJP members vociferously protested his remarks.

"Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on the issue? He always maintained silence on issues relating to Dalits. He has become a 'Mouni Baba'on Dalit issues," he said.

The Congress leader said similar violence against Dalits have been witnessed in a number of states including Gujarat where BJP was in power.

Kharge's comments triggered an angry response from the BJP MPs, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar rebutting the charges and accusing the Congress of trying to play politics over the issue.

"Congress wants to politicise the issue. The party suffered electoral drubbing in so many states in the recent past and that is why they want to milk political mileage over the issue," Kumar alleged.

The minister's response infuriated the Congress MPs who trooped into the Well of the House and shouted slogans like 'Stop humiliating Babasaheb Ambedkar', 'stop dividing the country' and 'PM speak up'.

Earlier, when BJP MPs tried to disrupt Kharge's speech, the Congress leader even tore some papers and voiced anguish over not being able to put across his point of view.

Later, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan pacified him.

"Similar violence against Dalits have been witnessed in so many states including in Gujarat and Maharastra. Wherever BJP is in power, such violence against Dalits takes place," he said.

Kharge also alleged that "some fascist forces always want to keep the Dalits in lowest strata of the society".

Maharashtra remained on edge after the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune brought to fore simmering caste tensions which engulfed several other areas in the state.Gujarat Koli community veteran Parshottam Solanki threw a tantrum asking Vijay Rupani to give him a better ministry after winning five terms in a row.

Gandhinagar: After Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel created a stir over allocation of portfolios not befitting his status, Gujarat Koli community veteran Parshottam Solanki on Tuesday threw a tantrum asking Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to give him "better", "more than one" and a Cabinet status after winning five terms in a row.

Solanki, once accused by the Srikrishna Commission in connection with the 1993 Mumbai communal riots, also held out a veiled threat that his Koli community would "demonstrate this during the 2019 Lok Sabha election whom they support and who they won't".

The minister, who represents the Koli community that has a whopping 26 percent population concentrated in the key Saurashtra region, called on Rupani and told him that it was a sentiment of his community to have a better say for him in the government.

"I came to meet the Chief Minister but got stuck in bad traffic and his chamber was choc-a-bloc with people and we could not have a detailed chat. He said a decision about this could be taken after three days," Solanki told reporters at the Sachivalaya in Gandhinagar. "I am not asking for anything, it is my community that is asserting and feels that I, since I am the only one in the government, be given a respectable due. The Chief Minister himself keeps 12 portfolios, some first-time ministers have three to four good portfolios, but I have only one and that too a negligible one," the Minister of State for Fisheries said.

Solanki was elected from the Bhavnagar Rural Assembly seat for the fifth time in a row, thanks largely to his Koli community. The Kolis form 26 percent of the population in Gujarat and have strong presence in over 40 assembly seats.

Meanwhile, the BJP high command galvanised into damage control and drafted senior minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama (who had also played a key role in resolving the Nitin Patel issue) to assuage Solanki.

Chudasama told reporters, flanked by Solanki: "He is not angry with the party. He is a senior leader and has only expressed his community's sentiments to the Chief Minister. This does not tantamout to mean that he is angry or there is some crisis in the party. Please don't compare (him with) Nitin Patel. It was a different issue which has been already sorted out."

Solanki went on, in front of Chudasama: "I have been given a single department of Fisheries unlike the last four times when I was also given Animal Husbandry. Looking at the population of Kolis across the state, what do I do with one ministry. I obviously don't feel going to office. The people of my community want the government to do something about it. I should be given other portfolios too," he said.West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the BJP-led central government of 'hatching a conspiracy' to drive out Bengalis from Assam by 'excluding' their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Amodpur: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the BJP-led central government of "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify original residents of the state in order to check illegal migration. Its first draft was published on 31 December midnight.

Banerjee cautioned the Centre on the issue, saying it should not "play with fire".

"People have gone there (Assam) to work. In the name of NRC, they are planning to drive them out. I warn the BJP government at the Centre not to play with fire. They should not follow the divide and rule policy," she said while addressing a meeting here.

"This is a conspiracy of the central government to drive out around 1.80 crore people from the state," Banerjee alleged.

She said that people migrate to other states for jobs which is their right. "Slowly, they settle down just like there are people from other states who are working and staying in West Bengal," she said.

She claimed that the Trinamool Congress is the only party which speaks for the cause of the people.

"We will continue speaking for the people and if anything happens to them, we will not keep silent," she said.

The chief minister said that if trouble breaks out in Assam, it will have an effect on Bengal, but added: "we will keep the Assamese residing in Bengal close to our bosom".

The first draft of the NRC has listed 19 million people out of the 32.9 million applicants as legal Indian citizens, in a massive exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh.According to allegations, the school with which Sushil Kumar Gupta is associated has not paid many its teachers arrears of salary payable as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission despite a Delhi High Court order to do so.

New Delhi: Skeletons are tumbling out of the cupboard of Ganga International School in New Delhi, run under the chairmanship of Aam Aadmi Partys Rajya Sabha nominee Sushil Kumar Gupta, as serious allegations of exploitation teachers surface.

According to allegations, the school authorities have not paid many of its teachers arrears of salary payable as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission despite a Delhi High Court order to do so.

The high order read, Petitioner will get the entire payment of salary as per the Sixth Pay Commission Report prospectively and continuously from the date of three years before filing of the writ petition till the filing on 1.5.2015 and the petitioner accordingly will be entitled to her salary in terms of the Sixth Pay Commission Report as applicable to schools by the order of the Director of Education dated 11.2.2009, and which amounts will be again determined by the Director of Education or his nominee."

The allegations are seen in sharp contrast to AAPs claims about Guptas formidable contribution in the field of health and education.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia hailed Gupta as a social worker while announcing the names of the AAPs Rajya Sabha nominees at a press conference on Wednesday.

"He has contributed to the education sector by running charitable schools in 14 districts of Delhi and Haryana and he provides free education to 15,000 children," said Sisodia.

Though the deputy chief minister abstained from mentioning the names of the charitable schools run by Gupta, the website of the Rajya Sabha nominee shows his involvement with more than 25 private schools, educational trusts and NGOs.

The school, which tops the list of educational institutes he is associated with, is Ganga International School, Hiran Kudna, which is a senior secondary co-educational residential school. The expenses of studying in this school as a day scholar could be as high as Rs 5,845 per month and as a boarder, a student has to bear more than Rs 3,25,520 a year as boarding expenses.

At present three cases filed by the teachers against the authorities of the Ganga International School raising allegations of depriving them of due benefits under the provisions of the Sixth Pay Commission are being heard in the Delhi High Court.

Sources in the school on condition of anonymity said that despite the order of the Delhi High Court the school is yet to clear all its salary dues to the teachers and consequently three of them have filed an appeal in the high court.

Ashok Agarwal who argued the case in favour of the petitioners and also once the member of the executive council of AAP said to Firstpost that AAP is governed like a private limited company.

"It is very much possible that Rajya Sabha nominations are also decisions taken like the way taken in a private limited company," Agarwal said.The fate of the triple talaq bill, that seeks to criminalise instant divorce by Muslim husbands, remained shrouded in suspense on Tuesday.

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Speaking to ANI, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "For the first time a prime minister has accused former prime minister, former vice-president and diplomats of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat elections. Modi must clarify in Parliament."

After bitter and acrimonious campaigning for Gujarat election, the Opposition, especially Congress, is up in arms and it is therefore expected that the first day of the Winter Session will be a stormy one.

Hoping that the Winter Session will be a "constructive" one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said, "The Winter Session of Parliament is starting and I am confident that it will be productive session. I hope there is constructive debate and we come up with innovative solutions to our nation's problems. May this Parliament Session contribute to the nation's growth. At yesterday's all-party meeting, we all were clear that we need to take the country ahead and this session should be used positively to achieve that."

I am confident that it will be a productive session: Narendra Modi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, in response to Narendra Modi's appeal for a constructive session, said, "We are always in favour of constructive suggestion. We are very much interested to run Parliament and issues to be discussed, provided the government should take interest and create such an atmosphere which is conducive for discussion. They should respect the opposition."

After obit references, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the Lower House for the day. The House will meet again at 11 am on 18 December, 2017. Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election results will be announced on 18 December, as well.

The Winter Session will see some 19 amendment bills as part of the agenda. Some of these amendment bills such as the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013  makes prior sanction necessary to in order to investigate officials  and the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015  specifies grounds under which disclosures related to corruption may not be made  may attract a lot of flak from the anti-corruption brigade. Both the bills, have also been criticised for their half-hearted attempts to curb corruption.

According to PRS Legislative , on agendar are some 40 bills focussing on areas such as overseas citizenship, consumer protection, rights of compensation for Mulsim divorced women, education, surrogacy, bankruptcy, corruption, and labour and transgender rights among others.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill gives women from the community the right to seek maintenance from their husbands in case of triple talaq, while the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017 prohibits certain persons, including promoters of defaulter companies, from submitting a resolution plan, the PRS added.

The new bills listed for introduction and passage include Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill, 2017 and Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States_Amendment Bill), 2017.

Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha questioned the Chair's decision to disqualify senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav. Even as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu continued to tell the leaders of Opposition to sit down, Leader of Opposition in Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Opposition did not intend to question the Chair's decision but demanded clarification on why was Yadav expelled from the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition forced the first adjournment of the Rajya Sabha as leaders stormed the well demanding an explanation over JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's expulsion. The Upper House is adjourned till 12 pm.

Advocate Nizam Pasha, who filed the plea on the behalf of the leader, said the matter regarding which faction is the real Janta Dal was sub judice and a final decision is yet to be passed.

Yadav was elected to the House last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Anwars term was to expire early next year.

The JD(U) had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of Opposition parties in Patna in violation of its direction.

The Rajya Sabha chairman had agreed to the JD(U)s contention that the two senior leaders had voluntarily given up their membership by defying the partys directives and attending events of Opposition parties.

Yadav, along with another MP Ali Anwar, was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on 4 December. Yadav had joined hands with the Opposition after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the grand alliance with the RJD and the Congress in Bihar and tied up with the BJP in July this year.

Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on 12 December, 2017 moved the Delhi High Court seeking setting aside of his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha. Yadav, in his plea, said he was not given any chance by the authorities before passing an order against him.

The notification for the new seating arrangements has been issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat for new members. Shah's seat is on the other side of the aisle from Modi and BJP's leader of the house, Jaitley.

Shah has been allotted a front row seat of the treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Shah will be occupying the seat held by M Venkaiah Naidu till he was elected as the Vice-President.

BJP chief Amit Shah made his debut in Parliament today. He was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat in August this year.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of Modi's allegations against former prime minister Manmohan Singh and others of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat election. "Ye sadharan aarop nahi hai (This isn't a ordinary allegation)," Azad said.

The Upper House witnessed two adjournments in the morning of the first day of the Winter Session. While it saw an adjournment for 20 minutes till noon in the beginning after Opposition uproar over disqualification of rebel JDU leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari, the second one was over the Prime Minister's remarks.

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after third adjournment on the first day

"Congress has lost Himachal Pradesh, and I want to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the unprecedented victory in Gujarat," Somaiya said

While opposition members were seen standing at their seats and protesting, from the treasury benches  BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had the first question listed against his name, said the Bharatiya Janata Party was headed for victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The Lok Sabha witnessed an adjournment minutes after it met on Monday amid an uproar, and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12 noon.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday after Opposition continued to raise slogans in the House.

The Opposition raises slogans demanding an apology from Narendra Modi ("Pradhan Mantri maafi mango"). Meanwhile the Speaker continues to run the House as numerous motions are passed in rapid fashion by voice votes.

While Yogi Adityanath and Keshav Prasad Maurya resigned as they shifted to Uttar Pradesh politics, Nana Patole had quit the party citing Modi government's indifference towards agrarian crisis.

While Nitin Gadkari is expected to move the Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, Hardeep Puri is expected to do so with the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill.

Calling the FRDI bill anti-people, the Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties are all set to corner the government over the law.

The TMC has issued a notice for discussion on FRDI bill in Lok Sabha.

The Congress has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment on Manmohan Singh.

Now, Congress MPs come to the well of the Lok Sabha

While Derek O' Brien raises the issue of FRDI bill, Congress MP Anand Sharma talks about undertrials in India, urging the Modi government to do something to curb the issue.

Leader of House Arun Jaitley says, "Everybody must get speedy trials. Do we have vested interests in delaying trials of politicians?"

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, SP MP Naresh Agarwal asks Arun Jaitley if the NDA government will create special trial courts to try those who defaulted on Rs 8 lakh crore. His statement came after the government sought to push a new law to expedite the trial of MLAs and MPs.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation.

Speaking in RS, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy urges government to protect the personal data linked to the Aadhar. He adds that privacy is a fundamental law and hence the government needs to make a law to protect the data from third party external organizations.

Slogan shouting continued in the Lok Sabha as the Chair asked them not to disturb the Question Hour. "If you don't want the House to function, give that in writing," Mahajan said before adjourning the LS for half an hour.

"The farming community in the coastal belt stands thoroughly devastated. I ask the government, 'Why can't you declare this as a national disaster? What is preventing this?'" CPI leader D Raja asks the government.

Anand Sharma of the Congress says, "If the perception is created that special courts are needed only for MPs, other people should not have to bear the brunt of it." He adds, "It has an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day."

"Government believes in "sabka saath sabka vikaas". The committee is trying to create communal divide in the country. i request the government to replace the managing committee of Dyal Singh College in Delhi," SAD MP Naresh Gujaral says while requesting the government to not rename the institute "Vande Mataram College."

Azad raises the issue of alleged EVM tampering in Gujarat. He also raises the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making insinuation against Manmohan Singh, Hamid Ansari and Mani Shankar Aiyar.

In RS, Azad says if any leader is found to be guilty then punish them. "PM Modi maafi maango" is heard in the House.

While the Lok Sabha reconvenes, the noise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement continues to disturb the working of the House.

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asks Congress to not raise the issue and disrupt the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. He said that the issue needs to be sorted out with a discussion with the Leader of the House (Jaitley).

JP Narayan Yadav of the RJD tells the House, "I request Lalu Prasad Yadav's NSG protection to be reinstated. He might be killed today. A lot of people adore him and he needs to be protected."

In Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley says, "Leaders of opposition shall be invited to discuss this issue." After his assurance, the House has been functioning smoothly.

Over a question whether the government is taking any steps to address the lack of medical infrastructure, Nadda says that AIIMS standards cannot be diluted. But he adds that there is a lack of faculty which is being addressed.

He said that despite the crude oil prices falling, the price of diesel and petrol has remained the same. "Now that BJP is in power and at Centre, when will it bring the petroleum under GST?" he adds.

"When will the GST council decide to bring it under the ambit of GST? what is the position of the Centre?" the former finance minister asks. Chidambaram says that the Centre has a veto power over the decision taken by the council.

"A constitutional bill has been passed. It stated that petroleum products is not out of the law. It is a part of GST but the decision to levy GST is concerned, it will be taken only after council takes decision. For that we need a 3/4th majority," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

The issue has been raised by several Assam MPs in Lok Sabha. Looking at the seriousness of the issue, Union Minister Ananth Kumar has assured the House that the Centre will look into the issue.

"Not happy with what they did. That they came into the well is shameful. You can interrupt us but do not disrupt the proceedings. They insulted the Chair. Even Mallikarjuna Kharge disrupted the House. We condemn it." Ananth Kumar said.

The government has tabled the Companies Act (Amendment), 2017 in the Rajya Sabha. On the other hand, the government has introduced the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha.

Chidambaram said that the Bill has noble objectives. However, he added that the relaxations given to small and medium companies under this law will apply to all companies because we have only one Companies Act. Chidambaram said that there is a need to consider having a separate comprehensive legislation for small and medium companies.

This Bill seeks to repeal 131 Acts. Among the Acts that will be repealed, 30 are pre-Independence laws. This Bill also includes nine Ordinances promulgated before Independence.

What will the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 do?

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, " While there is no doubt that the Emergency in 1975-77 affected many people, there is a kind of Emergency without even constitutionally declaring it nowadays. It is important to make a distinction between the official emergency in 1975 and the post-2014 situation," Banerjee adds.

There is an undeclared Emergency now, says TMC MP

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

"Corporate Governance leaves much to be desired in India. May be it is a legacy issue in the country. The law is old. It took 15 years for us to bring the new law. In between, there were various excesses in corporate world. There have been no proper regulation of companies. So, there is much to be desired. Like, many companies do not pay taxes but are part of the Registrar," Chidambaram says while concluding his speech.

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

Shiv Sena in the Lower House, demanded that along with the 235 archaic laws, the government must also repeal Section 377, which grants Jammu and Kashmir special status.

"Changes required to ensure that reserved seat for woman director is not occupied by family members of promoters," Seth said. He also raised the point of concentrated expenditure of CSR funds. "A lot of big companies are in Maharashtra, Gujarat. Hence CSR money is spent in those regions. CSR must be done in other regions of this country," he said.

"This bill fails to address the differences between various acts like the RBI act, and SEBI act. There are various discrepancies which must be addressed," Gupta said.

The bill will lead to conflict between two arms of the government. The removal of certain reasonable restriction will make money laundering easier," Gupta said. He said that the provision to give deposit security has been done away with, which is a serious problem.

Gupta also said that the government is trying to fit everyoe under a sigle law, while evidence from past points to the contrary. He said that small and medium enterprises continues to suffer and the Companies amendment bill has nothing to address that issue.

One size can't fit all, says Vivek Gupta in Rajya Sabha

Meanwhile in LS, Law Minister RS Prasad responds to objections and questions raised on repealment of archaic bills

The minister conceded that there is merits in decriminalizing Section 377 but there is opposition to it as well. There needs to be democratic consensus to repeal it. We need to debate, discuss and decide.

He also said that the bill allows same relaxations to SMEs as it does to big companies which "amounts to holding the country at ransom."

The CPM leader pointed out that the expenditure of CSR funds is not yet bounding on companies. He said that the Corporate Affairs Ministry merely accepts a mere explanation as to why money on CSR has not been spent.

Roy also demanded a white paper on the actual ground work done in his ministry.

He says that Gadkari used to be a vikas purush, but has now become a sapno ka saudagar (trader of dreams)." He said that whenever someone raises the point of funds, he says he will manage from foreign funds or here or there.

On a lighter note, however, Roy wondered why, Rudy, the speaker before him was removed from the cabinet, even though he is a splendid speaker.

"He is channeling money from one pocket to another pocket of his own ministry and we do not oppose it," Roy said. He said that since the money was being rerouted he will support the bill.

"Odisha coast canal should be included in the national waterways to give the state the benefit of the revolutionary transport network," Jena said.

Jena said that the state of Odisha has since-long been discriminated agaist by the central government. He requested Gadkari to formulate schemes to include the state in the development of transport networks.

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal objected to the passage and debate on two bills in the same day, adding that it eats away the time of short duration discussions. After a brief exchange, Yadav only resumed his seat after being assured from the Treasury Benches that at least one short duration discussion will be held in the House.

IIM amendment bill proposes larger autonomy for management institutes and provisions to allow them to grant postgraduate degree rather than a diploma

In Lok Sabha, Dushyant Chautala raises point of depleting water resources as House debates increasing budget for development of waterways

The matter was raised by Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during Zero Hour.

After Lok Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over the Brahmaputra river being polluted by China, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar assured the House that he will take up the issue at the "highest level" in the government.

He also brought up the problems faced by students passing from regional language schools.

Agrawal said he would support the bill only for the fact that at least there was some will to bring about the change. He, however, lamented the lack of similar reforms in other educational institutes such as IITs or other higher education institutes.

Naresh Agrawal says he supports IIM bill but questions lack of similar reforms in IITs, AICTE

Gadkari told the Lok Sabha that a river traffic control system was already functioning between Haldia and Patna. He added that work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, however, said the rural development ministry had advised the states and union territories to explore the possibilities of using consent-based Aadhaar authentication for registration of properties under the provisions of the Registration Act, 1908.

There was no proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property transactions, Parliament was informed today.

Lok Sabha concludes proceedings for the day, to reconvene tomorrow at 11 am

Congress leader said that the government should describe how they plan the transition between the current boards at IIMs and the Board of Governors as proposed in the new bill. He also asked what would be the criteria for appointment of these governors.

Jairam Ramesh questions how board of directors will be appointed at IIMs after new bill

Times Now reports that the government may meet Opposition leaders in a bid to find an amiable solution to the deadlock that rose after Narendra Modi insinuated that Manmohan Singh and his colleagues met Pakistani delegation during elections.

The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017 will be tabled by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha.The bill will make it an institution of national importance.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the old and many irrelevant pre-Independence laws were the "unfortunate part of the colonial legacy" and repealing them was a progressive move that reflects the "pro-reform" approach of the government.

The Lok Sabha also passed two Bills to repeal 245 obsolete and archaic laws, including the 158-year-old Calcutta Pilots Act of 1859 and the 1911 Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act.

The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.

The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017  which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year  grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running including the appointment of directors and faculty members.

The bill amended the companies law to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business in the country.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by a voice vote. It was adopted by the Lok Sabha in July this year during the Monsoon Session.

"Now you are in the opposition and have a greater flexibility in changing your position," he said. He said the present government has persuaded the states to include petrol within the GST and the states reluctantly agreed to do so.

He also sought to know why the prices of petrol and diesel did not decline with a fall in the global crude prices. Jaitley responded saying that a person familiar with the issue had asked the question. He said the UPA in its draft GST bill had kept petrol out of its ambit as it knew that the issue would be a deal-breaker between the Centre and the states.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram sought to know the Union government's position on bringing petrol and diesel under the GST.

The Centre favours including petroleum products in the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but it would want a consensus with the states before taking such a step, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday.

Day 3 of the Winter Session had some lively debate on GST

Opposition leaders come to well of the Rajya Sabha to protest against Modi's comment on Manmohan.

Venkaiah Naidu's plea to Congress MPs to go back to their seats fall on deaf ears.

Shrivastava said Veerendra Kumar, who was elected to the Upper House from Kerala last year with support from the Congress-led UDF, resigned "so that no one questions his integrity that he is aligning with (Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U President) Nitish Kumar".

The 80-year-old, also a Karala media baron, submitted his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday morning, Arun Kumar Shrivastava, also a rebel JD-U leader, told IANS.

Disgruntled Janata Dal-United leader MP Veerendra Kumar on Wednesday resigned from the Rajya Sabha, days after rebel JD-U leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Upper House.

"This is not the way," he said. "This is Parliament. This is Rajya Sabha. Wrong message is going." Stating that he did not appreciate their behaviour, Naidu said, "Please don't exceed limit. Please go to your seat."

Naidu asked them not to create obstruction and allow other members to raise important issues.

At this point, Congress members rushed to the Well of the House shouting slogans.

No sooner had the listed papers been tabled, Congress members were up on their feet demanding an explanation from the prime minister on his remarks against Singh. Naidu disallowed them.

Opposition Congress members today disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha over the insinuations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

However, the Congress MPs have again created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over Narendra Modi's comment against Manmohan Singh. Some of the MPs descended to the well of the House. The slogans of "Narendra Modi maafi maango" are being echoed in the House.

Meanwhile... sloganeering can be heard in the Lok Sabha too

The Lower House is currently being presided by Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai. The House is discussing the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Bill (Amendment), 2017. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri.

Over 1,000 cases of people securing jobs using forged caste certificates have been reported by various central government departments, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. The Department of Personnel and Training had in June sought data from all central government organisations regarding appointments made on the basis of fake caste certificates.- PTI

"There is no question of middle path...The country's prime minister has alleged that the former prime minister has taken steps against the country and that too with the enemy nation. Don't you think it is an issue that calls for an apology?" Chowdhury told reporters.- PTI

With Parliament witnessing repeated adjournments over Narendra Modi's remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday said that there was "no question of a middle path" on the matter till the prime minister apologised for his comments.

Provisions of this bill violate rights of people, whose land is being acquired: MK Premchandran, RSP

Bijoya Chakraborty of Guwahati BJP said this bill will immensely help tribal people

G Hari of AIADMK enlists benefits of bamboo, says hopes this would be taken into consideration while passing bill

BJD's Tathagata Satpathy objects to bill, says farmers will be affected by removal of bamboo from bill

More than two lakh Chinese tourists visited India in 2017, according to data provided by the tourism ministry in Parliament on Wednesday. The figures provided by Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons in the Rajya Sabha assume significance in the backdrop of India's recent standoff with China over the Doka La issue.- PTI

The farmer does not need our sympathy, they need less interference, says Tathagata Satpathy of BJD

"I had done research. We had sent researchers in Tripura, Nagaland., Sikkim. Problems found were mainly regulatory. One of the reasons of high cost is on the count of the fact that bamboo, the amount of rent-seeking behaviour is just too much. Therefore, as a first step, we need to take a holistic approach. The first step is to redefine bamboo (by removing it from tree category)," Rai said.

Rai demanded that the bamboo be unleashed from "all kinds of regulations". In 2014, He added that he had brought a similar bill on bamboo with a private members' bill in 2014.

"People of north Sikkim were completely cut-off because of Mantam lake which was created because of landslide. They then made a bamboo bridge and are now able to cross the lake on foot," Prem Das Rai said in Lok Sabha.

In India, one tonne bamboo costs Rs 10, 000 in some parts and Rs 10-15,000 in other parts

The legislation to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt felling and transportation of bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the state permit, was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017  which would omit bamboos growing in non-forest areas from the definition of trees  was introduced by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan even as BJD leader B Mahtab raised concerns and opposed the legislation.- PTI

Legislation to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt felling and transportation of bamboo

Union environment minister Harshvardhan says soon people will be encouraged to take up bamboo cultivation

Vociferous sloganeering on Thursday disrupted Sachin Tendulkar's maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha since his nomination. Members of the Opposition shouted "BJP sharam karo" as sloganeering continued in the Upper House of Parliament on the fourth day. Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on Friday following stormy scenes on the floor of the House.

BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has given adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on remarks of Congress leaders against PM Modi

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the bill which will double the salaries of judges of the Supreme Court and 24 high courts, reported The Indian Express . The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill 2017 provides for increased salaries as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission.

Discussion on natural calamities in the country with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India

In the Rajya Sabha, M Venkaiah Naidu read the obituary of legislator Jalaluddin Ansari and a minute's silence was observed. Question hour starts in Lok Sabha.

Business in the Rajya Sabha is proceeding fairly quietly while there is constant sloganeering in the Lok Sabha by the Opposition.

Raut raises the issue of the deaths in the Gorakhpur hospital. He asks for the Centre to keep a check on the funds which are given to the state governments for health issues. Anupriya Patel, MoS, Health and Family Welfare answers saying that the Centre does indeed monitor the funds and the MP could monitor those funds for their own constituency as well.

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien says Rajya Sabha TV should not be cut off when protests are taking place as that is one of the ways for the Opposition to express itself

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asks for Rajya Sabha to be adjourned till the parties decide on the remarks issue outside Parliament

In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition insists that it is better to adjourn the matter with it raising uproar. It asks the Rajya Sabha to be adjourned till 2 pm till when the issue is resolved.

Adjournment means no legislative business will take place in the Rajya Sabha over the next four days as well

It seems doubtful that Triple Talaq criminalisation bill will be discussed today

The issue of nurses' allowances has been raised. The concerned minister insists that most of the nurses' demands have been met and discussions are ongoing for the others.

In the revised list issued by the Lok Sabha, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Bill, 2017 was removed. In the original list , law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was scheduled to introduce a bill to "protect the rights of married Muslim women and to prohibit divorce by pronouncing talaq by their husbands and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto".

He admits that enough warning was given but there is a need for specific alarm systems. "Modern technology is needed to help the people. Unfortunately there has been a lapse by the authorities in informing the people about the cyclone. I am not blaming anyone as this should not be a political issue," he said.

Professor Richard Hay, the nominated member from Kerala, talks about the ground situation in Kerala in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi

Richard Hay says he had visited the coastal area of Kerala and Kanyakumari himself. "The fisherfolk want homes, food, education and security. I am not getting this from the media. I have visited the people and have listened to them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had consoled those people," he said.

Mahtab talks about how unseasonal rain and cyclones cause great harm to crops and farmers as well. He says the infrastructure needs to rebuilt after these calamities.

"Once the deadlock in the Parliament is resolved, we will raise the issue of Jadhav in Parliament. What has happened to Jadhav's family in Pakistan is inhuman. We will demand a discussion on this issue in the House and will ask the Centre and the international community to ask an explanation from Pakistan on this matter."

The Opposition, led by the Congress, plans to corner the central government in Parliament over the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a report on India Today said. Congress leader Pramod Tewari was quoted as saying the party wants the government to clear its policy on how it plans to bring Kulbhushan Jadhav back from Pakistan.

Trinamool joins Opposition Congress party in demanding a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs over the Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with his wife and mother in Pakistan.

Any view that Narendra Modi meant to insult Manmohan Singh or other leaders during election speeches is erroneous and uncalled for, Arun Jaitley says

I,on behalf of Congress, say that we disassociate from any comments that may have hurt prime minister's dignity, says GN Azad of the Congress

Soon after the Lok Sabha resumed, Congress MP's started waving placards at the Treasury benches. They were protesting against Anant Kumar Hegde's comments on Constitution.

Amid controversy over Naresh Agrawal's comment, the SP MP has written to Rajya Sabha chairman over the alleged ill-tretment of Indian prisoners in Pakistan. He also alleged that the government was not doing anything about it.

AITMC MP Saugata Roy requested the Speaker to not pass bills while the House is not in order. He also said that the Speaker must pull up Union minister Anantkumar Hegde for insulting the makers of Constitution. He also added that he would not voice his opinions in the House as a mark of protest. Lok Sabha Chairman, however, dismissed the request and added that the House cannot be adjourned every day.

From the Opposition, CPM MP Mohd. Saleem stood up to respond but refused to speak during the din. He again brought up the comments made by Hegde, but the Speaker refused to take those remarks on record.

Discussion about unauthorised colonies in Delhi is underway in Lok Sabha. BJPs Ramesh Vidhudi has alleged that the Congress party has left the issue hanging for years.

The Speaker took strong objection to the use of words and expunged the comments from record. She also added that nobody knows for certain what the minister had said, and since he was not present in House, the House's time should not be wasted on the issue.

Reacting to Anantkumar Hegde's comments on secularists and the Constitution, senior Congress MP Malliakrjun Kharge attributed these words to Hegde: Those who label themselves secularists, they neither have mothers nor fathers, their blood line is not know. Kharge then asked that whether the minister was calling secularists Ba*****.

"I just want to say that Modi ji and our Govt are committed to the constitution of India and ideals of Baba Saheb Ambedkar: Ananth Kumar," Parliamentary Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha on Opposition uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's remark.

In a reply to a question from Satyapal Singh, Minister of State for Human Resource Development (Higher Education), Rajan Gohain, MoS, Railways said in Lok Sabha that patients suffering from arthritis can book a berth of their choice (lower berth in this case) on first come-first serve basis.

The railways today said it had no quota for patients suffering from arthritis and no plans of offering any concession in passenger fare for them as it was already losing revenue over the discounts granted in over 50 categories.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said he will convey their demand to the Law Minister. Later, Law Minister Ravi Dhankar Prasad said he will give a statement on the issue tomorrow. At present, the Andhra Pradesh High Court is the common High Court for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The TRS MPs also trooped into the Well of the House, showing placards and raising slogans demanding setting up of a High Court for Telangana.

Members of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha demanding immediate setting up of a High Court for Telangana. Raising the issue, TRS parliamentarian AP Jithender Reddy said the Centre is yet to set up a High Court for Telangana even three years after the formation of the state.

The approved strength of the Supreme Court is 31, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

There are six vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court, while nine high courts are working without regular chief justices, but the government has not received any proposal from the apex court collegium to fill up the slots, the Rajya Sabha has been informed. Union Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary, in a written reply, has informed the Upper House of Parliament that the "government has not received any proposal for filling up of the six vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court and for appointment of chief justices in the nine high courts, which are functioning with acting chief justices".

'Govt yet to receive proposal to fill up judges' vacancies in SC'

Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said if the Bill is not passed, it will lead to "unprecedented chaos" in the national capital. The legislation will give cover against punitive action on "as is where is basis" until December 2020, he said.

The Lok Sabha today passed a bill to protect slums and unauthorised colonies in the national capital region from punitive action till a framework for orderly arrangements are in place. The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill gives immunity to slums and some unauthorised constructions till 31 December, 2020. The immunity under the existing Bill ends on 31 December.

Rajya Sabha extends time until The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017 is passed

"Many members have expressed concerns over the autonomy of the institute. I would like to assure them in this House today that it is our government's intention to make the institute fully autonomous. However, we cannot expect it to turn into a JNU, or DU from day 1. In the initial phases, there will be some hand holding but later on it will be completely autonomous.," Pradhan said.

The authorities were ascertaining whether the "metallic object" in the shoes was a camera or a recording chip, Pakistan Today quoted Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mohammad Faisal as saying.

Pakistani authorities have sent the shoes worn by Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife for forensic examination to determine the nature of the suspected presence of a foreign object, a media report said on Wednesday.

"There was something in the shoe. It is being investigated. We gave her a pair of replacement shoes. All her jewellery et cetera were returned after the meeting," Faisal said.

In the statement, Pakistan had rejected as "baseless" India's contentions that Jadhav's wife and mother were harassed and claimed that his wife's shoes were confiscated on security grounds as there was "something" in it.

"This included removal of mangal sutra, bangles, and bindi, as well as a change in attire that was not warranted by security," it said.

India also accused Pakistan of disregarding cultural and religious sensibilities of family members under the pretext of security.

The external affairs ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Pakistan went so far as to have the mangal sutra, bangles, and bindi of Jadhav's mother and wife removed before they could meet him.

The diplomatic strain over Jadhav's meeting with his family grabbed headlines not just in India, but also in Pakistan. Almost all major Pakistani newspapers gave prominence to the issue and carried reports of the Foreign Office issuing statement after India claimed that Jadhav's responses were "clearly tutoured" that the alleged spy was "under duress" during the meeting.

The editorial lauds the Pakistan government's attempts to do what was "necessary in the international scheme of things" and "ignoring the deafening cacophony to do what was necessary."

The Nation commented on the "cacophony of opinions" circling the issue. The piece in The Nation took a more balanced view of the issue at hand and wrote, "Ultimately however, these are all irreconcilable opinions and each can be considered correct if viewed from their subjective angle."

"We are even more depressed now than we were before the visit," a relative of Kulbhushan Jadhav told news agency PTI. The family refrained from commenting further as it is an international issue. "If we speak something about it, that may hamper the process," he said.

Various political parties, including the Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress and AIADMK, strongly protested how Pakistan treated the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former navy officer sentenced to death in Pakistan. The episode drew outrage on social media as well.

Jadhav's mother and wife were also harassed and subjected to outrageous questions by Pakistani journalists after they were forced to wait for their car. The family faced questions hurled at them like - "Aapke patidev ne hazaron begunah Pakistaniyo ke khoon se Holi kheli ispar kya kahengi? (your husband killed thousands of innocent Pakistanis, what do you have to say about that?)'" and "Aapke kya jazbaat hain apne kaatil bete se milne ke baad? (How do you feel after meeting your killer son?)".

According to CNN-News18, the BJP has issued a whip to all its MPs to attend today's proceedings in Parliament. The Lok Sabha will be discussing the triple talaq bill today.

The Indian National Congress is celebrating its 133rd foundation day today. It is for the first time that Rahul Gandhi will be steering an event as the president of the party.

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal hit back at the Congress, saying she does not know to what level theopposition party can fall, if it could not come together on the issue of treatment of women by a "terrorist" country which always worked towards harming India.

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily on Wednesday hit out at the government, accusing it of "diplomatic failure", after Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother and wife were harassed by the Pakistani side during their meeting with the Indian national in Islamabad.

We will get some relief because of new law, says a victim

The bill, prepared by an inter-ministerial group headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, makes instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat in any form  spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp  "illegal and void" and provides for a jail term of three years for the husband.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 28 December, according to the list of business in the Lower House.

The bill will increase the salaries of the Chief Justice of India, other judges of the Supreme Court, chief justices of the high courts as well as other judges of high courts by over 2 times.

Later, Prasad will table The High Court And The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries And Conditions Of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017.

Bills to be tabled in Lok Sabha apart from triple talaq

He was of the view that Pakistan "did not do any good for itself" by its handling of the meeting while showcasing to the world its gesture, a statement issued by the Vice President's Secretariat said.

Referring to the restrictions, Naidu said the move to ask Jadhav's wife take off her 'mangal sutra' has not got down well with the people of India.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu termed as "inhuman" the restrictions imposed by Pakistan during Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with his wife and mother in Islamabad, saying it has hurt the sentiments of Indians.

Sources told CNN-News18 that Pakistan will share the report on Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife Chetnakul's slipper with India. Pakistan had taken the slipper away suspecting a metallic object to be in it.

This day will be more significant in Muslim women's life than Eid or Bakrid, says victim

Congress sources tell CNN-News18 is that the party will be supporting the anti-triple talaq bill. However, the party is apprehensive of the criminality clause in the law, adding that the three-year jail for the divorce is arbitrary and Draconian.

Three days after his controversial statement over the word 'secularism' in the Constitution, Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde has said the Constitution of India is supreme for him.

"I can never go against the Constitution as a citizen. It is Supreme for me," says Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde. However, Mallikarjuna Kharge interrupts and says that Hegde has insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar.

"We fear that if we speak a lot here, then there will be a danger to the life of Jadhav. but we know that the Pakistani Army does not believes in democracy. It does not know how to behave with prisoners who have been implicated in false case. What they did with Jadhav's wife and mother is condemnable. We may have political differences but on this issue we stand with the government," the LoP in Rajya Sabha said.

"I spoke to the family of Kulbhushan Jadhav over the phone. She said that he was speaking under duress. He was telling whatever he was being tutored. He did not look healthy too. I hope people all Members of Parliament as well as the common man will denounce the behaviour of Paksitan," Sushma Swaraj said while concluding her statement.

In a rare sense of unity, all parties in the Rajya Sabha have denounced the manner in which Jadhav's family was treated in Pakistan.

"It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again & again & an environment of fear was created for them," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha

"Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother was not allowed to speak in Marathi. Two Pakistani officials present in the meeting kept stopping her repeatedly but when she continued, the intercom was switched off," Sushma Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.

Jadhav's mother was not allow to speak in Marathi

Union Minister Ramdas Athavale gives a poetic statement to back Sushma Swaraj's statement, "Kulbhushan ki khatre mey hai jaan, Hua hai unke maata pita ka apmaan". He also thanked the Congress for supporting the government.

Rahul had twisted Jaitley's name as "Jaitlie" in his tweet.

The Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm after Congress raises objections over Hegde's comments on the Constitution.

After harassing his mother and wife, Pakistan media now claims that Kulbhushan Jadhav "confessed" to being an "Indian spy" during the trio's recent meeting. Pakistan's Geo News claims that the mother immediately chided Jadhav and asked him to speak the truth. The mother and wife, after the meeting, have repeatedly reiterated that the former Navy officer was being forced to toe Pakistan's narrative.

The Congress party is continuing to create a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde's comments against the Constitution. The Congress MPs are demanding a point of order in Question Hour. However, Chariman Venkaiah Naidu refused to allow it.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned within five minutes after being reconvened. The Upper House has been adjourned till 2 pm.

"In April 2017, I had said that the death sentence was given in illegal manner. We were in constant touch with the family. We were helping them connect with Jadhav. The Pakistan government allowed a meeting in December. It is unfortunate that the meeting could have been a path-breaking event but Pakistan used it as a propaganda tool,"

Not returning the shoes was an act of cruelty, says Swaraj

Opposing the bill over the criminalisation of the Islamic practice, Owaisi said that the law will be injustice to Muslim woman and lead to the abandonment of Muslim woman.

Toeing the Opposition's line, the Biju Janata Dal said that the bill has fundamental flaws in it.

"This is a hisotric day for India. This law is not linked to any religion, it is about the honour of women. The SC outlawed talaq e biddat But still goes on. Injustice is still going on. However, I ask whether the Parliament will still be silent? The parliament has to decide whether the Muslim women have any rights. Triple talaq still goes on. We are bringing a law finally. People say that it is against basic structure of the Constitution but isn't the honour of women important?" asked Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Triple talaq bill is for the honour of women, says RS Prasad

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says that the party does not support the triple talaq bill as ruckus breaks out in the Lower House over the bill.

On Thursday morning, in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, a woman was divorced through instant triple talaq for waking her husband up late in the morning. The husband left his home after divorcing her and is untraceable as of yet.

The triple talaq bill will be put to vote and passed in the Lok Sabha today itself, announced Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Pakistan Foreign Office is set to hold a press conference at 5:30 pm IST. The dept will be responding to Indias claims that #KulbhushanJadhavs family was mistreated. Pak FO will also clarify its stand on taking away Jadhavs wifes shoes and not returning them.

While the discussion and voting over the triple talaq bill will take place after 2 pm, the Lok Sabha is currently conducting Zero Hour.

Speaking during the Zero Hour, West Bengal Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said, "Maldives media has been showing Narendra Modi as anti-Muslim. Now, China through its OBOR plan is entering the periphery of our neighbouring countries. I believe that our neighbourhood policy needs to be reoriented."

"Congress supports the Supreme Court's judgment. Triple talaq should definitely go but as far as the bill is concerned, it will be scrutinised by the Parliamentary committee. If there are difficulties in the provisions that will be dealt with. Congress is definitely supporting triple talaq bill but the provisions will be scrutinised," says Manish Tiwari to CNN-News18.

Now, Pakistani authorities are talking of chip, camera or a recorder being installed in the shoes, she said. The charge is "absurbity beyond measure," she said, adding that the two women had cleared security at airports in Delhi and Dubai and in Pakistan and no such device was detected during these thorough airport security checks there.

"The Pakistan authorities have been cautioned against any mischievous intent in this regard through a Note Verbale yesterday," PTI quoted her as saying.

After the meeting, Pakistani authorities also did not return the shoes of Jadhav's wife despite repeated requests. Swaraj said not returning the shoes has given rise to suspicion that Pakistan was up to some "mischief".

This money will be spent on the affected people and areas, Tomar said while replying to a question during the Question Hour.

Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told the Lok Sabha that district mineral foundations, which were created after the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act came into being, have received Rs 13,398 crore and Rs 2,260 crore have been spent so far in developing local areas.

A new law, which has made it mandatory for spending of a part of revenue made from auctioning mines in developing the areas they are located in, has resulted in improved living conditions of people in these regions, government claimed today.

It takes time to set up separate high courts after bifurcation of states. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana need to sort out the issue with mutual consent, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Responding to the questions related to the bifurication issues, Home Minister Rajnath Singh added that governments of both states need to work together to resolve the issue.

However, the Chair urges Congress MP BK Hariprasad to express regret for defying Chairman of the House.

With the GST bill being declared a money bill, SP's Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal cries foul, saying that if every bill passed in the Lok Sabha is declared a money bill, then what will be the utility of the Upper House. To this, PJ Kurien, the deputy chairman of the House , taunted that the Samajwadi MP can amend the Constitution if he wants to.

If every bill is money bill, then what is the use of Rajya Sabha? asks Naresh Agrawal

"Nobody wants anyone to become unemployed. We don't want Air India to go the Kingfisher (Airlines) way. We want the Air India to serve the nation, to serve the people and fly high," he said during the Question Hour.

The government does not want anyone working in Air India to lose job, Raju said in the Lok Sabha, adding that the disinvestment process of the national carrier has been initiated.

The government does not want Air India to become defunct like the Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and wants it to serve the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said today.

Given the circumstances detailed above, it seems naive at best  and delusional at worst  not to have expected the very worst from Pakistani hospitality in this situation, because it's clear that Islamabad expected the worst from New Delhi. Ultimately, Pakistan treated the family of someone it accuses of spying on it (and being involved in the deaths of many of its citizens) in a very predictable manner.

By March 2019, all homes in the country will be provided uninterrupted 24-hour power supply throughout the year, Power Minister R K Singh said today. Singh said by December 2018, 1,694 villages, which are yet to be electrified, will have electricity connection and works in this regard has been going on. All homes will get 24-hour power by March 2019, he said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, calling it a "historic day" amid opposition to its introduction by members of different parties, including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League.

A bill to make instant triple talaq illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

Bill on National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special provisions) Second Amendment Bill 2017 has been tabled in Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Wednesday.

The immunity under the exisiting Bill ends on 31 December. Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said if the Bill is not passed, it will lead to "unprecedented chaos" in the national capital.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill gives immunity to slums and some unauthorised constructions till 31 December, 2020.

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha had passed the bill to protect slums and unauthorised colonies in the national capital region from punitive action till a framework for orderly arrangements are in place.

What will The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill do?

"Countries like Eqypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh have regulated triple talaq. The Islamic countries have regulated triple talaq. They have said you can't say talaq in one sitting. The big question that I want to raise is that Islamic. India is a secular country. If here the women are facing abuse, we need to take a decision," said Prasad.

"We hoped that the condition would improve after the Supreme Court's decision," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Prasad, who is also the IT minister, further added: "I had gone to Patna. I witnessed burqa-clad women were learning IT. On one side, we are hailing digital India and on the other side there is 'talaq, talaq, talaq'". Lok Sabha is India's biggest panchayat. I appeal, firstly, that this bill not be seen as a succession bill. Secondly, don't tie it under caste aspect,and, thirdly, don't tie it with religion. Fourthly, don't view it under vote bank."

"The issue is not of faith, or puja but it is simply of gender justice, equality," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

INC leader Sushmita Dev said, "When the Supreme Court's judgment came Congress had a press meet. We welcomed the Supreme Court judgment. When the Supreme Court requested the Parliament to legislate on it, in a technical term, I'd say it was a minority judgment. The bill seeks to amend a critical law. We have seen historically that talaq is a unilateral act. Since 1939, women have been approaching court. However, the reality is, that this is a practice that is prevalent till today."

INC leader Sushmita Dev said in Lok Sabha: "Everybody wants social reforms. It is not just an idea, it is a right. I want to ask Ravi Shankar Prasad, will we see the women's reservation bill coming to the Parliament. It is not just the representation of women, if you would have allowed more women in the Parliament, a legislation like this, full of lacunae, wouldn't have seen the light of the day in this House."

Lekhi went on to call the practice of instantaneous divorce as "a joke on marriage". "This is practice over Whatsapp, email, text message. When you get married, you take the society along with you," she said

Lekhi said that the laws of the Hindus and the Christians have been modified such that customary practices do not interfere with the rights of women. Women are the biggest minority in this country, Lekhi said.

"The bill is not a ramvan to end all miseries. The practice of triple talaq needs to be discouraged. Supreme Court has said it is an arbitrary practice. Many people think women are commodities and that needs to be stopped," she further said.

"Why didn't UPA end medieval laws," BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi asked in Lok Sabha as the Lower House discussed the bill on triple talaq.

"Our opposition is about the way you intend to apply this bill. This bill is definitely not an initiative of this government. We always pass bills but we always seem to forget the implementation aspect and that is where things are going wrong in this country. Despite the AIMPLB saying that no such acts will happen, 100 plus annulments happened after the Supreme Court judgment."

In Lok Sabha, Biju Janata Dal leader Tathagata Satpathy said: " This is about more than a decade that I have been noticing, we have only been passing economy-related bill. This (bill on triple talaq) is one of the socially relevant bill that the govt has found time for. The Opposition is very focussed. We are opposing the way it is being introduced.

He added: "Bringing in criminality angle. When we are talking about introducing criminality into divorce, this is a civil matter. I am talking of the poorest of the poor. They see law in different angles. When there is compulsion by law that either you live together or go to prison, there could be happenings that are beyond the control of the government functionaries."

In Lok Sabha, BJD leader Tathagata Satpathy criticised the government for delaying taking up the issue of triple talaq. "The government is so focussed on discussing whether bamboo is a grass or a tree to did not feel it necessary to bring forth an ordinance in this particular case. The game is somewhere else," he said.

Sampath further criticised the Standing Committee for not involving women's organisations before the bill was tabled. "None of the women's organisation were consulted. We think we know what women want. We dictate and they have to receive. We make rules and they have to accept," he said.

CPM leader A Sampath said in Lok Sabha:" My party has made its stand very clear. This bill is a transgression of the civil side and the criminal side. Marriage, succession, inheritance, adoption, dissolution of marriage is on the civil side. What type of criminal remedy can be attached to it? Supreme Court called the practice illegal. Here we have issues of equality also come into the fore."

YSRC leader Varaprasad Rao Velagapalli said: "By putting extra (efforts to criminalise Muslim men), we are dealing the case in diverse manner for Hindus and Muslims. The punishment of 3 years should be taken back. I wish that government should have taken advice of state government.. I think this is the high time. The government is shedding extra tears for Muslim women"

NCP leader Supriya Sule claimed that the bill on triple talaq did not help married Muslim couples reconcile. She said: "Marriages can be reworked. when you put a father in court. He could be a bad husband, but he could also be a wonderful father. Are we here to break marriages or to reconcile? This nation needs legislation from the heart. The personal touch with so much digitisation has just gone."

SP leader Dharmendra Yadav said that the Centre should involve the state government while making the triple talaq bill into a law. He further criticised the three-year jail term suggested for offenders in the bill.

ET Muhammed Basheer said that of the population of Muslims in the country, triple talaq cases were negligible. "You are unnecessarily taking gun to kill the mosquito. You have jeopardised the sanctity of the House," he said.

RSP leader NK Premchandran said: "The main apprehension is the over enthusiasm of the NDA government led by the BJP. There is a cloud of suspicion. Triple talaq is already declared by Supreme Court as null and void. It has become the law of the land. Then the question is what is the need of further legislation?"

Owaisi alleged that the Centre was giving an advantage to the offenders and was not helping the situation. "Your dream of having more Muslims in jail will be achieved. Please send the bill to the Standing Committee. You are forcing a Muslim woman to file an FIR against her husband. You are giving a handle to the Muslim man, who will have 90 days. If you are true to your intentions, create a corpus of 1000 cr," he said.

"The Union law minister has failed to discriminate between civil law and criminal law. Not a single Muslim country has a penal provision. Triple talaq is a verbal and emotional abuse," Asaduddin Owaisi said.

Lashing out at the concerns over the criminal aspect of the offense, Prasad said," We have left the decision of jail term on the magistrate."

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "We did not mislead the House. Supreme Court said that triple talaq is wrong. The law has not been made in haste. We are viewing this with the prism of humanity, not politics."

Speaking to India Today, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that he understood the concerns of victims of triple talaq. "I have to maintain a balance between the law and your(victims') concerns. I hope that Congress support the bill in Rajya Sabha the same way it has in Lok Sabha," he said.

"Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while tabling the bill also quoted the board and a lady MP of the ruling party tried to answer the queries raised by the Board in a letter to the prime minister proving that the government recognises the board. So the board should have been taken into confidence," Nomani said

The Shia Waqf Board, meanwhile, called for making the punishment to those indulging in 'triple talaq' more stringent. "We will take whatever steps required through democratic means to amend, improve or scrap it. There is no move to go to court as of now...The bill was brought in a haste," AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Sajjad Nomani said. He said the board should have been taken into confidence on the issue.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) expressed serious reservations over the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha and said it will take steps through democratic means to "amend, improve or scrap" it.

Will take steps through democratic means to 'amend, improve or scrap' triple talaq bill: AIMPLB

He claimed that the Muslim women celebrating the bill "did not know the law" and hoped that the Select Committee reject it in Rajya Sabha since the bill needs to be debated.

"Section 3 says triple talaq does not end marriage. The burden of proof will now be on the innocent women. What kind of justice is this that a non-Muslim gets 1 year but Muslim will get 3 years," Asaduddin Owaisi told India Today.

BJP issues a whip to all its parliamentarians asking them to remain present in the Parliament between 2-4 January

NCP wants the Triple Talaq bill to be sent to select committee, DMK wants criminalisation clause removed

According to the sources, Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad has convened a meeting of the leaders of his party (Congress) as well as other parties in his Parliament chamber tomorrow, before the bill is taken up.

The Congress would consult Opposition parties before finalising its stand on the contentious bill which proposed to ban instant triple talaq and make the practice a cognisable offence, party sources said on Monday.

NCP leader Majeed Memon says the party has already made it clear that it is entirely against criminalisation of triple talaq

Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will chair a meeting in half-an-hour to discuss the triple talaq bill, reports News18 . MPs from both Congress and BJP will attend the meeting.

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says that the triple talaq bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha with constructive debate and discussion

The bill is an attempt to regulate the liquidation and insolvency of companies that file for bankruptcy. According to PRS legislature the bill prohibits certain persons from submitting a resolution plan in case of defaults. These include: (i) wilful defaulters, (ii) promoters or management of the company if it has an outstanding non-performing debt for over a year, and (iii) disqualified directors, among others. Further, it bars the sale of property of a defaulter to such persons during liquidation.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, as it stands today, proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines, such as homeopathy and ayurveda, practice allopathy after completing a bridge course. However, the Centre has agreed to refer it to Parliamentary Standing Committee for closer scrutiny after the uproar over the bill.

The Indian Medical Association had called for suspending routine services today to protest against a bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body.

"The Prime Minister has also been quiet on the issue. On the other hand, National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval) is meeting his Pakistani counterpart..." he said.

"Pakistan-sponsored terrorists attacked a CRPF camp, in which five of our jawans were martyred. The concern is that while on one hand, Army jawans sacrifice their lives, on the other hand, government does not appear serious about it. In the last three years, there have been so many incidents..." Scindia said.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raised the issue during the Zero Hour and also mentioned Bharatiya Janata Party member Nepal Singh's comments, who reportedly said "those in the Army are bound to die".

The House also witnessed slogans against Pakistan being raised, as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan entered the House, with some shouting 'Pakistan Murdabad'.

The attack on a training centre of the Central Reserve Police Force in Jammu and Kashmir was raised in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with opposition leaders accusing the government of inaction.

He said there were 785 different types of cryptocurrencies operating worldwide.

"The government is examining the matter. A Committee under the chairmanship of the Economic Affairs Department Secretary is deliberating over all issues related to cryptocurrencies to propose specific actions to be taken... Instead of taking any knee-jerk action, let's wait for the report of this committee."

"One of the features of cryptocurrency is that there is lack of dependence on the state. It functions with a degree of anonymity. It operates within a virtual community which is created and enjoys the trust of that virtual community," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the Rajya Sabha.

There is no mechanism to prevent the misuse of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin by terror groups and other anti-national elements, the government said on Tuesday, adding it was awaiting the report of an expert group on the subject.

The government has no plans to create a second capital in South India, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, while replying to a written question on whether the government has any proposal to create a second capital in South India (Hyderabad), said, "No".

The Congress had moved amendments to certain provisions of the bill in the Lok Sabha but did not press for a vote.

The Lok Sabha has already cleared the 'Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill and it is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the government would like the Congress to maintain the stand it took in the Lok Sabha by not pressing for amendments.

The government today urged the Congress not to press for amendments to the triple talaq bill, which seeks to criminalise the practice of instant divorce among Muslims, when it comes up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha likely tomorrow.

The bonds, which would be valid for 15 days, will not carry the donor's name even though the purchaser would have to fulfil KYC norms at the bank, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha while announcing the contours of the scheme.

The electoral bonds, which are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties, will be available at specified branches of State Bank of India (SBI) for 10 days each in months of January, April, July and October.

In a bid to clean election financing, the government on Tuesday outlined contours of the new electoral bonds that donors can buy from SBI and said receiving political parties can encash only through a designated bank account.

During the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the comments by the BJP MP reflected that the government was not serious about the lives of the armed forces personnel.

The Congress today demanded an unconditional apology from BJP MP Nepal Singh for his reported comments that army jawans should expect death because of the profession they are in.

The BJP held its parliamentary board meeting on Wednesday, whereby they discussed the triple talaq bill and the Constitution's 123rd amendment bill which will give constitutional status to the OBC commission.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon after a massive ruckus was caused over Dalit protests in Maharashtra.

"Whether it is in Gujarat, Una, Rajasthan, there is nothing but injustice wherever BJP is in power," Kharge said. "A Supreme Court judge should be appointed and he should inquire this. The prime minister should come to the House and make a statement. When such incidents are happening, he does nothing," he added.

"RSS is behind the Bhima-Koregaon violence," said Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha. Uproar erupted in the House as soon as Kharge made this statement.

Forcefully raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wondering why he was maintaining a studied silence on the issue. Read more here.

As several parts of Maharashtra continued to reel under caste violence, Congress on Wednesday accused the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering it and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes.

Triple talaq practice is still continuing in some areas, says RS Prasad

TMC and Cong want the bill to be sent to the Select Committee for consideration. "We are not opposed to the bill, but we want the bill to be strengthened. We want it to be sent to the Select Committee," TMC leader said.

TMC, Congress want the bill to be sent to the Select Committee for consideration

The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be given at least 24 hours in advance, says Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice.

House is taken by surprise, says Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice

Jaitley referred to judgement of SC, I want to correct the record, says Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the fourth time till 11 am on Thursday as ruckus over triple talaq bill continued

We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens ' groups, stakeholders were consulted, says TMC MP Derek O' Brien

He added: "If the other House has not scrutinised the bill, it is the constitutional duty of the Rajya Sabha to do that. The government doesn't want a debate on it, so it is wrong on the part of the Law Minister to say that we (Opposition) don't want to debate it."

"The government is playing politics in the name of triple talaq bill by selectively misquoting and misrepresenting even the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench judgement, which was done by Leader of Rajya Sabha (Arun Jaitley) today," Sharma said.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Finance Minister have lied on the issue.

He added: "It is legally mandatory that all bills must go through a standing committee of Lok Sabha and if it doesnt happen then such bill should be referred to select committee of the Rajya Sabha."

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that the BJP does not believe in democracy. "The bills are generally referred to the select committee based on the Sense of the House i.e majority. But, the government didnt accept which once again proved that the BJP doesnt believe in democracy, parliament, and parliamentary democracy," Azad said.

The government alleged that the Congress and other Opposition parties were trying to derail the bill by demanding it should be referred to a select committee, that too without giving a notice a day in advance.

The Congress said that the government was lying about the Oppositions intentions on Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha.

BJP president Amit Shah is expected to make his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha today if a bill for the amendments to the Goods and Services Tax law, which has been fiercely attacked by the Congress during last month's Gujarat elections, is taken up by House for debate and voting.

Amit Shah's maiden speech on GST could have a few pointers for Congress?

As BJP's chief strategist, Amit Shah, rises to speak from his front-row seat in Rajya Sabha on amending the law to allow for imposing compensation cess on intra-State and inter-State supply of goods and services on Thursday, a BJP leader told NDTV said the Congress should expect a stinging rebuttal to its election campaign.

Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017 State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017 Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 High Court and The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017 Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017 Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

"We should not see the Bhima-Koregaon as a political issue. Rather than politicising the issue, we should try to control the situation and bring life back to normalcy. The state government will take strict action against the culprits," he said.

"Everyone must strive to end caste wars and conflicts. Those involved in the incident must be brought to hook," says Ramadas Athawale.

"Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid made inflammatory speeches leading to violence in Maharashtra. The Congress tries to connect every Dalit atrocity with Sangh. This too should be condemned like attacks against Dalits," says BJP MP Amar Shankar Sable in the Rajya Sabha amid protests from other members.

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva says following ban on firecrackers in Delhi, factories in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, have shut down causing deep economic hurt to businesses. "Fireworks is not the only reason for pollution. The work goes on throughout the year but the sales come up during Diwali," says Siva.

West Bengal MP Ritabrata Banerjee said the Centre should consider renaming West Bengal as Bangla. A resolution in the matter was already passed in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, he said in Rajya Sabha.

Flagging the issue of H-1B visas in the US under Donald Trump's administration, Congress MP from Karnataka Rajeev MV Gowda said, "More than 50% of H-1B visas issued goes to Indians. It is bad for US to engage in such a disruptive move. I urge the government to engage with their US counterparts as livelihoods of thousands of Indians is at risk."

Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar responds to questions on the education sector. When asked about the dropout rate, Javadekar said one of the reasons was the lack of toilets. We constructed more toilets. Another reason was due to lack of quality training, he said.

TMC MP Saugata Roy said the first draft of the NRC in Assam is a conspiracy to drive out Bengalis from Assam.

As protests erupted in Lok Sabha over the Assam National Registry of Citizens, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Assam NRC is being conducted under the Supreme Court's supervision. If somenone's names have been left out, they can register again. It cannot be deleted. It is not a conspiracy to drive out certain sections of the population. Such allegations are baseless."

Claims of Assam NRC driving out a certain section of population are baseless allegations: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha

In Rajya Sabha, questions were raised on persons with disabilities and if there is a need for their Aadhaar identification since their fingerprints are almost always mismatched, according to The Indian Express .

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, BSP MP from Uttar Pradesh, Satish Chandra Misra says disabled persons need a place to stay apart from opportunities to come up in life.

Disabled persons needs place to stay apart from opportunities, says BSP MP Satish Chandra Misra

Most of the opposition parties, including the Congress, had supported the passage of the Bill in the lower house with some reservations. BJPs absolute majority in the Lok Sabha helped the ruling dispensation in the easy passage of legislation. The statute when brought to the Rajya Sabha faced some stiff resistance on Wednesday when a collective opposition insisted on sending the Bill to the Select Committee of the House.

According to sources, Centre will try to hold a debate at 6 pm on the triple talaq bill before sending it to the Select Committee. The Bill, which criminalises instant divorce among Muslims with a three year penal provision, was passed by the Lok Sabha last week.

RSP MP from Kollam, NK Premachandran raised the issue of Chinese aggression on Indian borders after reports emerged of China's incursion for one kilometre into Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. He called it an issue of national security and demanded the Centre's response to it. He also added it was important was as Chinese officials have openly stated China has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.

Chinese incursion for one kilometre into Arunachal Pradesh is matter of national security: RSP MP NK Premachandran

He asked the government to specify the national investment, debts, and other economic indicators. He claimed that both national investment rate, and national saving rate, which are indicators of financial wealth of citizens, have fallen. He also said that the ratio between GDP growth and debt was increasing.

Sharma said that Indian economy, contrary to the prime minister and finance minsters' claim, is not a galloping economy but a gasping economy. "None of the growth engine of the economy are running," Sharma said.

He said that the Commission will have members from the Opposition as well and it is more open and inclusive than the collegium system.

Shetty, while speaking on the discussion over The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017 touched upon the National Judiciary Appointment Commission.

Shetty said that the entire process of fighting a litigation has become so costly that justice will soon evade common man. He said that the advocates usually charge a fee every time even if the court just reschedules the date of hearing. He said that there should be a mechanism to regulate the fees charged by advocates.

Gopal Chinayya Shetty says there is a need to regulate advocates fees too

"I heard that an honourable member said that this government celebrates even slightest of improvements in numbers and metrics of economy like a little rainfall is cherished after a drought. It is right because the policy paralysis under the 10 years of UPA rule were akin to not just a drought but a misery. That's what they gave the nation in their 1o year's rule," Yadav.

"Justices Nariman and Lalit ruled that since triple talaq could not be construed as an essential religious practice, the submission on behalf of the Muslim Personal Board that the ball must be bounced back to the legislature does not at all arise. the article read.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, held instant triple talaq unconstitutional and invalidated the practice. However, the final ruling by the majority judges catagorically mentioned that there was no need to pass the ball to the legilstaure's court, as this article in News18 points out.

Notwithstanding the Congress' remarks on metrics demonstrating the health of economy, Yadav said that the figures are merely a web to confound the common man, and mean little on the ground. He said that if the people in villages are getting enough to eat, earning enough to protect themselves in harsh winters, then the economy is good otherwise it is not.

Speaking during the discussion on state of Indian economy, Ram Gopal Yadav said that the elections are never fought on facts and figures or policy matters. They are won on slogans. However, the government must work for improving the state of economy.

Elections can be won on mere slogans, but please work in the interest of nation, Ram Gopal Yadav urges govt

Speaking on a bill to raise salaries of judges, BJP MP Tathagata Satpathy said that the judiciary needs several basic reforms. His suggestions included that advocates be allowed to advertise for their services, judges should have a system for automatic appraisal of salaries rather than the House debating each time they gate a pay hike. He also said that there was no reason that the judiciary was so reluctant to open itself to scrutiny. He said the provision for an TRI should be brought in.

Speaking in the Lok Sabaha, TRS MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy said that the hike in the judge's salary has been long ovrdue. To reassert his point, the MP said that while advocate charge lakhs of rupees for every sitting, the judge earns only Rs. 90,000. "Even a mid-level executive earns more than a High Court judge. The Pakistan judges are paid more than 10 times of what we are paying here," he said.

Even Pakistan pays more salary to their judges than we do, says TRS MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy

Now with just one more day remaining in the ongoing Winter Session, the fate of the controversial bill remains shrouded in suspense as the government virtually rejected an overwhelming demand on Thursday from the Opposition for referring it to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for detailed consideration. The Opposition, on the other hand also refused to relent as Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Bill was not fit to be passed as it as it would "finish off Muslim women" instead of "empowering them."

Various reports suggest that owing to the lack of numbers and consensus in the Rajya Sabha the ruling party will be forced to send the bill to a Select Committee of the House. And it would only be taken up again in the Budget Session in 2018.

Triple talaq could most likely be taken up again in 2018 Budget Session

According to News18 , MPs from Opposition parties have been told that both houses will be adjourned sine die (with no appointed date for resumption) post lunch.

Arun Jaitley says the agriculture sector needs support. "Both the central and state governemtns have been making efforts," says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha.

"The Committee observes that the problems affecting the airlines are not personal; it is institutional. An institution like Indigo has to develop a consumer friendly approach in dealing with their passengers. The Committee believes that being a leader in market share, Indigo needs to look inward and find out the reasons for the discourteous attitude and rude and indifferent behavior of their employees, whether it is their cabin crew or the ground staff. The Committee emphasizes that the arrogant behavior of employees should stop."

Extract from the Parliamentary panel chaired by TMC MP Derek O'Brien on rude staff behaviour, especially IndiGo

Ram Vilas Paswan rose to withdraw the The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. The Consumer Protection Bill and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill have been introduced.

As per PRS Legislative , LS sat for 13 days, 61 hours with 78 percent productivity. Sixteen bills were introduced during this time in the Lok Sabha. Twelve bills were passed by the Lower House. Apart from this, 46 starred questions were answered orally during Question Hour.

As per PRS Legislative , LS sat for 13 days, 61 hours with 78 percent productivity. Sixteen bills were introduced during this time in the Lok Sabha. Twelve bills were passed by the Lower House. Apart from this, 46 starred questions were answered orally during Question Hour.

Congress MP Viplove Thakur asks if Narendra Modi's promise of paying 50 percent more than the MSP to the farmer is being fulfilled. Jairam Ramesh also asks how is the cost of production fixed for MSP, "What is the new system for fixing the cost of production?"

Jhama Das Badiya, CPM MP from Tripura says her luggage was stolen from Rajdhani Express. There are thousands like her who go through this with no security reinforcement.

Rajya Sabha erupts in laughter after BJP MP Sarojini Hembram says her luggage was also stolen on trains

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal replies that action against such oganised gangs will be taken and if any member has information about it, they should come forward and inform the ministry. The ministry is also trying to bring in a network of CCTV surveillance on trains and stations, Goyal informed the Rajya House.

The Bhima-Koregaon violence issue has caused an uproar in the Parliament, creating a ruckus in the Parliament throughout the day. Rajya Sabha has been adjourned thrice.

The Rajya Sabha was supposed to debate the triple talaq bill on Wednesday, a week after it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

The fate of the bill that seeks to criminalise instant divorce by Muslim husbands remained shrouded in suspense on Tuesday as the government virtually rejected an overwhelming demand from the Opposition for referring it to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for detailed consideration and rectify "lacunae" in the controversial legislation.

A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha ended without a consensus on the issue as the government was keen that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 be adopted as passed last week by the Lok Sabha.

At the meeting, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, also the Union Finance Minister, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HN Ananth Kumar were believed to have told the Opposition that they should not insist on amendments to the bill or to recommend its reference to a parliamentary committee.

However, the entire Opposition, including those friendly to the ruling BJP like TDP and AIADMK, demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee so that "lacunae" in the legislation could be rectified.

In the BAC meeting, the Congress and other Opposition parties put up the proposal to send the bill to a select committee, sources privy to the discussion told IANS.

The government insisted on bringing the bill to the House and take its sense before deciding about its final fate.

The sources said the ministers were learnt to have told the Opposition members that the bill cannot be sent to a select committee on the basis of views expressed in the BAC and if they want to do so, they can defeat it on the floor of the House.

The sources said there was a view in the treasury benches that most Opposition parties in case of a division will not vote against the legislation "for gender justice".

The BAC has allotted time of four hours for a discussion on the bill on Wednesday.

However, the picture may become clear at the meeting that Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu is going to have with floor leaders on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Ananth Kumar said the government was in talks with the Congress and other parties for ensuring smooth passage of the bill in the Upper House.

"We are in talks with the Congress and others for the triple talaq bill, and hope for a smooth passage in the Rajya Sabha. It can be taken up tomorrow (Wednesday). May be tomorrow," he told reporters outside Parliament.

He also said the Congress did not press for amendment in the Lok Sabha and should similarly ensure smooth passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition parties are said to be planning for either amendments against criminalising triple talaq or referring the bill to a select committee for detailed consideration.

CPI leader D Raja said the Left wants the bill to be referred to a select committee and accused the government of "bypassing" parliamentary panels on crucial bills.

"As far as Left parties are concerned, we want this bill to be referred to a select committee. But the BJP-led NDA government is bypassing the committee system," he said.

"They are saying 'don't send bills to the standing committee for closer scrutiny'. When it comes to the Rajya Sabha, we will demand that it should be sent to a select committee," he said.The Parliament saw a stormy session on Wednesday with the Rajya Sabha being adjourned four times amidst uproar on Maharashtra bandh and triple talaq bill.

The Parliament saw a stormy session on Wednesday with the Rajya Sabha being adjourned four times amidst uproar on Maharashtra bandh and triple talaq bill.

As soon as the Upper House convened at 2 pm after two adjournments earlier, BSP MP Satish Chandra Mishra stood up and demanded a discussion on the bandh, saying "peaceful people" were targeted in Maharashtra and accusing the state government of hatching a conspiracy. However, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien told him that the matter had already been disposed of by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu earlier in the day.

Hearing this, several members, including Congress leader Anand Sharma, stood up and claimed that entire Maharashtra was burning due to caste violence.

The BJP also held its parliamentary board meeting on Wednesday, where they discussed the triple talaq bill and the Constitution's 123rd amendment bill which will give constitutional status to the OBC commission.

Maharashtra violence

One of the simmering issues in the two Houses on Wednesday was the Dalit protests in Maharashtra. As the Congress and the BJP clashed in the Lok Sabha, Congress leaders blamed the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the unrest while the BJP accused the Congress of politicising the issue and "dividing the masses".

Before the issue was raised, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan cautioned that allegations and counter-allegations cannot solve the problem.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said atrocities against Dalits were on the rise and blamed "some fascist powers" for it.

The Congress demanded a probe in the Bhima-Koregaon incident headed by a Supreme Court judge and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

"When Dalits start living with dignity, and organise some event, there are some people who try to disturb it. This happened in Koregaon (in Pune district)," Kharge said.

Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader and Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav gave adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over Bhima Koregaon violence issue

Triple talaq bill

The government on Wednesday tabled the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha amid uproar, with the Congress and other Opposition parties demanding that it be referred to a parliamentary panel for detailed consideration.

As Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, which seeks to criminalise instant divorce by uttering talaq thrice, Congress leader Anand Sharma moved a notice asking the legislation be referred to a select committee.

Prasad objected, saying the Congress was stalling the Bill and not understanding the urgency to enact the law that criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq and imposes a jail term of up to three years on the guilty husband. The bill was earlier cleared by the Lok Sabha on 28 December.

Prasad said "the practice continues" even after the triple talaq bill was passed in the Lok Sabha and cited an alleged case of a woman in Moradabad who was divorced instantly over dowry.

Sharma argued the Bill had shortcomings and needed to be referred to a panel to clear them.

"The rule is very clear. If the member in charge moves the bill, it will be taken into consideration. I move the following motion that this House being strongly committed to women's rights wants to refer the bill to (a) Select Committee," said Sharma, also a member of the Business Advisory Committee.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is also the Leader of the House, mounted a strong defence of the government saying the Bill had already been circulated two to three days in advance.

"Notice for consideration of an amendment has to be given at least one day ahead. This motion was not given one day before," Jaitley said.

OBC bill

Earlier, the government on Wednesday tabled in the Lok Sabha the crucial OBC bill, proposing to negate the amendments proposed by the Rajya Sabha in the last session, with the ruling BJP asserting that it underscored the government's commitment to empower backward classes.

The Bill, which proposes constitutional status for the OBC commission, carries most of the provisions it had in its original version passed by the Lok Sabha before the Opposition got amendments passed in the Upper House in the last session.

However, the discussion on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 ended abruptly due to heated exchanges between Union minister Giriraj Singh and TMC member Kalyan Banerjee, which led Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House till Thursday.

The government has no plans to accord minority status to linguistic minorities, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated this in a written reply.

To a query whether the government has any plan to give minority status to linguistic minorities, Naqvi replied, "No, madam".

To another query, he said the Centre declared six communities as minorities at national level under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992.

With inputs from agenciestech2 News Staff

Google is planning to launch a smartphone priced around Rs 2,000 in India. The device will run on the customised operating system called as Android Oreo Go which is meant for entry-level smartphones.

Mobile devices are expected to be launched based on the Oreo Go OS by various manufacturers. According to FactorDaily Google has partnered with various companies including Micromax, Intex, Lava, Karbonn to launch the devices based on the Go edition of the Android Oreo.

Micromax is expected to launch a device based on Android Go OS by the end of January.

This move by Google is addressed to tap the growing internet users in the country. The phone will come with Google apps including Maps, YouTube, Gmail among others. The phones will come with less than 1 GB RAM.

Google recently launched the Google Maps Go app in India. The app has been made for Android smartphones with less than 1 GB RAM. A lighter version for YouTube, YouTube Go is already available on the Google Play Store.

MediaTek, a semiconductor company, that also manufactures chipset for mobile devices, announced that chipset supporting Android Oreo Go will be available globally from 2018.tech2 News Staff

Samsung Mobile has announced its target for 2018 and it looks like it will not be too far off from its 2017 target. Samsung plans to sell 320 million smartphones this year.

Samsung Mobile has sent this number to its suppliers according to a report in GizmoChina. Along with this, Samsung also plans to sell 40 million units of features phones, 20 million units of tablets and 5 million units of wearable devices.

The reason for a similar target as 2017 for smartphones can be attributed to the onslaught from Chinese smartphone makers. According to GizmoChina, another reason being speculated is saturation of the smartphone market space. Having said that, Samsung's projections are still higher than Apple and Huawei which manage to sell around 200 million and 150 million units per year.

According to SamMobile, Samsung may be focussing on improving its profitability by selling more premium handsets.

According to the Q3 2017 numbers, Samsung shared the top spot with Xiaomi in terms of the market share in India. Both companies had a 23.5 percent market share, with Xiaomi growing nearly 300 percent.

Samsung registered 39 percent sequential growth (QoQ) and 23 percent year-on-year (YOY). Galaxy J2, Galaxy J7 Nxt, and GalaxyJ7 Max were the key models that contributed to almost 60 percent of Samsung's volume.

For Xiaomi, Redmi Note 4 continues to be the best-selling smartphone in India as the company shipped approximately four million units in this quarter.IANS

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is likely to step down from the board of the Boao Forum by not extending his term which ends in April, industry watchers said on 3 January.

"Lee's term is expected to end in April," a business official said, adding it would be difficult for Lee to continue his role as a member behind bars.

Lee was named as a board member of the regional forum in 2013, succeeding SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Boao Forum, held every April, aims to expand cooperation among countries and businesses in Asia.

It is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business, and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this region and the world at large.

The 49-year-old Lee has been behind bars since February 2017 amid allegations that he took part in a major political scandal that led to the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye last year.

A court sentenced him to five years in jail in August after being convicted of bribery, embezzlement and other charges.

Samsung's global strategies are facing hurdles due to the absence of major leaders, according to industry watchers.

Lee's father Lee Kun-hee also has been hospitalised since 2014 after suffering a heart attack and is currently unable to participate in the group's management.

The older Lee also stepped down from his membership on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in August. He had been an IOC member since 1996.IANS

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday issued a consultation paper seeking stakeholders' view to formulate the National Telecom Policy 2018.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its letter dated 21 August 2017 requested TRAI to suggest its policy inputs for the formulation of National Telecom Policy 2018.

The DoT, on its website, has stated that the new telecom policy will be governed by the key guiding principles of alignment with the national vision. Its major themes will be regulatory and licensing frameworks impacting the telecom sector, connectivity-for-all, quality of services, ease of doing business, and absorption of new technologies including 5G and Internet of Things (IoT).

The policy has, "Common Strategies to leapfrog India amongst Top 50 nations in international rankings in terms of network readiness, communications systems and services, to attract an investment of $100 billion in the telecommunication sector, and to attain an average speed of 20 Mbps for wireless and 50 Mbps for wireline internet connectivity."

The government through the new telecom policy seeks to spur the socioeconomic development up to the bottom of the pyramid by ensuring voice, video and data connectivity for all, provide reliable and secure connectivity with assured quality of service.

Stakeholders are requested to furnish their written comments by 19 January 2018.

The Indian telecom sector is the second largest in the world by the number of telephone subscribers with 1.2 billion subscribers as on 31 October 2017. India also has the world's second-largest internet subscriber base with 340 million internet subscribers as on 31 October 2017. It has one of the lowest tariffs for telecommunication services in the world.

The mission of the policy is to fulfil the communication needs of the people, enterprises, and industries at affordable prices. Also to develop state-of-the-art secured communication infrastructure for delivering high-quality quality services to man and machines in urban as well as rural area.

"To establish India as a global hub for internet and data communication systems and services in a net-neutral environment. To aim for self sufficiency in telecom equipment manufacturing ," the consultation paper said.

It has the objective to increase rural teledensity to 100 percent. "To leapfrog India amongst top-50 nations in international rankings in terms of network readiness, communications systems, and services."PTI

A trial of the panic button feature on mobile phones to ensure safety of women will begin in Uttar Pradesh from 26 January, Union minister Maneka Gandhi said on 2 January.

In April 2016, the Department of Telecommunications, through a gazette notification, made it mandatory for mobile phone manufacturers to provide panic buttons in cell phones by January 2017.

The order said the phones will have to have the panic button in the form of numeric key 5 or 9 to invoke emergency calls. Smart phones without the facility of an emergency call, too, will have to have the same provision, or allow use of power on or off button as the panic button.

However, the implementation of the order was delayed by a year for various reasons.

From 26 January, UP will start a trial of panic button, which is backed by real time police response, the Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister told reporters at an event here.

"If it works in UP, it can work anywhere," she quipped, in a veiled reference to the high crime rate in the northern state.

Gandhi said an earlier trial of the project saw a large number of prank calls, leading to a delay in implementing the panic button feature.

Chetan Sanghi, Joint Secretary, WCD, explained that all the new phones in the country now have a panic button, but the back-end architecture is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh.

A smartphone user will have to download a mobile application which will send alerts if a victim long presses the panic button on the phone.

However, a person using a basic phone may only press the designated key, he said.

Although, the government is yet to notify which button on a phone would function as the panic button, the senior official said.

Once a user presses the panic button five calls will be made to emergency number 112, which is being integrated with emergency number 100.

Call log details as well as geo location of the victim will be sent by SMSes as well as emails to police officials at the state, district and local level.

SMSes will also be sent with the victims location to five family members or friends.

Similar SMSes go to 25-50 volunteers in the vicinity.

The WCD joint secretary said the volunteers would be screened by the authorities and would receive an orientation on how to provide help to a woman in distress.

Once the trial is successful in UP, it will be implemented in three other states identified by the Centre and eventually in the entire country.

Sanghi said the objective is to ensure pan-India implementation of the panic button before the end of this calendar year.

The Justice Verma Committee, constituted after the 2012 Delhi gang-rape, had recommended setting up of a public emergency response system.Reuters

American YouTube star Logan Paul on 2 January apologised for posting a video of a suicide victim in Japan, saying he had made a huge mistake and was ashamed of himself.

Paul, 22, whose almost daily video blogs on YouTube have over 15 million followers, apologised for laughing with friends about the body they filmed hanging on a tree in Japans so-called suicide forest and posted to the video-sharing channel.

Logan deleted the video on 1 January after it caused a social media backlash.

Ive made a severe and continuous lapse in my judgement and I dont expect to be forgiven. Im simply here to apologise, Paul said in a YouTube video called So Sorry.

He said the shots of he and his friends laughing nervously after the discovery of the body were raw and unfiltered reactions and that the video should never have been posted or even filmed.

Ive made a huge mistake. I dont expect to be forgiven... Im ashamed of myself. I am disappointed, he added.

Logan shot the video on a visit to Japans Aokigahara forest on the slopes of Mount Fuji, that is known for its high number of suicides. He promoted it on his Twitter account at the weekend as the craziest and most real video Ive ever uploaded.

Reaction was swift with critics calling the video disgusting and tasteless.

Paul believes hes making YouTube history by vlogging the body of a young person who died by suicide... Youre not Neil Armstrong bro, its simply a thing no one else has been tacky enough to do outside rotten. com circa 2000, tweeted Caitlin Doughty, a Los Angeles mortician and author of From Here to Eternity.

Former Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul said suicide was no joke. You disgust me. I cant believe that so many young people look up to you, the actor tweeted to Paul, who he is not related to. Hopefully this latest video woke them up. You are pure trash. Plain and simple. Suicide is not a joke. Go rot in hell.US president Donald Trump promised America's support to the Iranians who are protesting against their government across the country.

Washington: US president Donald Trump promised America's support to the Iranians who are protesting against their government across the country.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" Trump tweeted.

A week of protests against the government has left more than 21 people dead across the country over the past one week.

Tens of thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government rallies in several cities across the country.

On Monday, Trump had said that it is "time for change" in Iran which is "failing at every level".

Twenty-one people have so far been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran's country-wide protests that began last Thursday, initially over price rises and corruption but quickly turned into anti-government demonstrations.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday blamed the country's "enemies" for the unrest.US president Donald Trump will go all out to cut off aid to Pakistan if it continues to back terrorists, US permanent representative Nikki Haley has warned.

United Nations: US president Donald Trump will go all out to cut off aid to Pakistan if it continues to back terrorists, US permanent representative Nikki Haley has warned.

"The President is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan if they continue to harbour terrorism," she told reporters on Tuesday.

"The administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan" because its "double game" of working with US at times and with terrorists at others "is not acceptable to this administration" she said. "We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism," she added.

In her meeting with the media to outline the US priorities for 2018, Haley, who represents the administration's hawkish positions, mentioned Pakistan's terror ties as the third area of concern after Iran and North Korea.

In his first tweet of the New Year, Trump had called out Pakistan for giving "safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan" while making "fools" of US leaders. "No More" continuing aid to Islamabad, he declared.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018

Haley said that withholding aid to Pakistan was not linked to Islamabad's support for the General Assembly resolution criticising Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel although she had suggested before the vote that those backing it could lose aid.

It "has nothing to do with vote on Jerusalem. It is entirely connected to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists," she said. "However, as I said in December, we won't forget the Jerusalem vote," she added.

On Iran, Haley expressed support for those in Iran protesting against the government and said that she wanted to amplify their voices. She said the US was calling for special sessions on the Iranian protests both at the UN headquarters in New York and at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Haley said that the US would never accept North Korea as a nuclear power and threatened more sanctions if it carried out any more nuclear or missile tests.French president Emmanuel Macron expressed his concern over unrest in Iran during a telephone conversation with counterpart Hassan Rouhani and called for 'restraint and appeasement,' his office said

Paris: French president Emmanuel Macron expressed his concern over unrest in Iran during a telephone conversation with counterpart Hassan Rouhani and called for "restraint and appeasement," his office said.

Macron brought up "the number of victims from the demonstrations", and the two leaders also decided to postpone French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's visit to Teheran to a later date, the Elysee said.

Twenty-one people have died and hundreds have been arrested in nearly a week of protests in Iran. Macron's office said the French leader underscored that "fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate must be respected".

Rouhani in turn asked Macron to take action against a Paris-based Iranian opposition group called the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, who he accused of fomenting the recent protests. "We criticise the fact that a terrorist group has a base in France and acts against the Iranian people... and we await action from the French government against this terrorist group," Rouhani told Macron, according to a report on Iranian State television.

Macron's office did not offer any comment on this matter but said the two leaders had evoked the 2015 nuclear accord, saying that the French president wanted its "strict application under international supervision" while Rouhani sought "the backing of the international community to defend this accord and respect the commitments undertaken".

President Donald Trump has hinted of a possible US withdrawal from the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers  Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States  that was a signature foreign policy achievement of the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama.

General Rassul Sanairad, a political deputy to the head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, said on Tuesday that the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq had been instructed by the Saudi rulers and some European states to "create insecurity" in Iran, Tasnim

news agency reported.Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother Shahbaz's recent visit to Saudi Arabia had 'nothing' to do with a reported 'deal' with Pakistan's military establishment to provide their family a relief from the corruption cases, a close aide of the ousted prime minister has said.

Lahore: Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother Shahbaz's recent visit to Saudi Arabia had "nothing" to do with a reported "deal" with Pakistan's military establishment to provide their family a relief from the corruption cases, a close aide of the ousted prime minister has said.

Sharif, 67, left for Saudi Arabia on a Saudi Airlines flight on 30 December. His younger brother and Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif was already in Saudi Arabia on an "official visit".

It was reported that Shahbaz had gone there to prepare the ground for the visit of his brother who Opposition parties claimed needed his friends in the Saudi royal family to reach a "deal" with Pakistan's military to get a relief from the graft cases linked to the Panama Papers scandal.

"Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif met Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah during their stay. However, their meeting had nothing to do with any kind of deal in Pakistan," said Senator Pervaiz Rashid, a close aide of Sharif.

He said the details of the visit to will become known in the coming days.

Both brothers had a meeting with the crown prince during their stay. Sharif stayed for three days while Shahbaz for a week in Saudi Arabia.

Shahbaz told reporters on his return on Tuesday that their visits to Saudi were not of "unusual" nature. "Our visit to Saudi Arabia was not unusual. I will hold a separate press conference to discuss the visit," he said.

Asked if the visit had anything to do with the attempts to get another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for the Sharif family to get relief from corruption cases, he said, "For God's sake. Saudi Arabia is one of the best friends of Pakistan. It has always helped Pakistan during crises like floods, earthquakes and wars".

Opposition leaders Imran Khan and Asif Ali Zardari have consistently held that the only reason the Sharif brothers had visited Saudi Arabia was to talk about a possible "deal" with the establishment.

The ruling PML-N maintains that the visit was related to the matters of "national interest".

Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad said Chief Minister Shahbaz had met Mohammad to discuss Saudi Arabia's absence from the summit on Al-Quds in Turkey last month, and insisted that his meeting should only be seen in this context.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif rejected the Opposition's charges, arguing that the Sharifs had spent eight long years in exile in Saudi Arabia and enjoyed good relations with the royal family.

Saudi Arabia had brokered a deal with former army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2000 to provide safe passage to the Sharif family to live in exile in the kingdom after Musharraf had toppled Sharif's government in 1999.

Sharif had to step down as chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after he was disqualified as prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal.

The Sharif family is facing three corruption cases linked to the scandal.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the country's most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed.

Sharif's family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.Pakistan on Tuesday expressed 'deep disappointment' over US President Donald Trump's scathing remarks against it.

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday expressed "deep disappointment" over US President Donald Trump's scathing remarks against it, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the "trust" between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi convened a National Security Council meeting in Islamabad after Trump strongly rebuked the country, accusing it of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and sheltering terrorists in return for USD 33 billion in aid over the last 15 years.

The NSC meeting, attended by the powerful military chief and other top senior military and government officials, observed that statements by the US leadership were "completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation".

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also attended the NSC meeting, which discussed Pakistan's response to President Trump's fresh tirade while also reviewing the country's overall foreign policy, the Dawn News reported.

Following the NSC meeting, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

The foreign minister offered that Trump could hire a US-based audit firm "on our expense" to verify the USD 33 billion aid figure and "let the world know who is lying and deceiving".

"Pres Trump quoted figure of $33 billion given to PAK over last 15 yrs, he can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure & let the world know who is lying & deceiving..," Asif tweeted.

The meeting of the NSC, the top-level civil-military platform on security matters, in statement said that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism primarily using its own resources and at a great cost to its economy.

"...the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan, including the loss of tens of thousands of lives of Pakistani civilians and security personnel, and the pain of their families, could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value  and that too an imagined one, the committee observed.

It said Pakistan would continue to play role for peace in Afghanistan.

The Committee reached a consensus that despite all unwarranted allegations, Pakistan cannot act in haste and will remain committed to playing a constructive role towards an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, not just for the sake of its own people, but also for the peace and security of the region and international community, according to the statement.

The Committee reiterated firm support of Pakistan for the US-led international effort in Afghanistan, including continuously facilitating vital lines of communications for smooth counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan by the international coalition.

It observed that close interaction with the US leadership following the initial pronouncement of Trumps policy on South Asia had been "useful in creating a better understanding of each others perspectives on the best way forward to achieve durable peace and stability in Afghanistan."

"Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan and that blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, according the NSC.

The NSC was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was held a day earlier to come up with a response to the accusations of Trump.

Shortly before the meeting commenced, the military had finalised its suggestions for Pakistan's response to Trump's allegations in a Corps Commanders' Conference held at General Headquarters.

A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has also been called on 5 January to discuss the US' allegations.

In his first tweet of the new year, Trump had accused Pakistan of basing its relationship with the US on nothing but lies and deceit.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he tweeted.

Following Trump's tweet, Asif yesterday responded immediately saying, "...Will let the world know the truth...difference between facts and fiction".

He said Pakistan had told the Trump administration that it would do "no more" for it (in the fight against terrorism).

The Pakistan Army spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, had at a press conference last week asserted that the aid Pakistan received from the US was "reimbursement for support we gave to the coalition for its fight against Al Qaeda."

"Had we not supported the US and Afghanistan, they would never have been able to defeat Al Qaeda," he had said.

Unveiling his new South Asia policy in August, Trump had warned of tougher measures against Pakistan if it failed to cooperate with the US in the fight against terror.

The White House on Tuesday confirmed that an already-delayed USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan had been blocked.

It said the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil.North Korea said it will reopen a hotline with the South to discuss attending the Winter Olympics, forging ahead with peace overtures.

Seoul, South Korea: North Korea said on Wednesday it will reopen a hotline with the South to discuss attending the Winter Olympics, forging ahead with peace overtures despite taunts from US president Donald Trump who said he has a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim Jong-un.

The hotline, which was cut by the North in 2016, is to be restored at 0630 GMT after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the North's leader ahead of February's Pyeongchang Games.

Kim's overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone, as tensions over its banned weapons programme have surged in recent months following a flurry of missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet. Seoul responded with an offer to hold talks on 9 January 9  the first since 2015  to discuss "matters of mutual interest" including Kim's suggestion that the reclusive nation could participate in the Olympics.

But Kim's New Year address also included a warning to the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, prompting a furious response from President Trump via Twitter. "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" he said.

Trump's remarks came as his ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, dismissed Seoul's offer to hold talks, calling it a "band-aid". US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert also warned that Kim "may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the two nations  between our nation and the Republic of Korea".

But the rapprochement seemed to be moving ahead on Wednesday, with Kim welcoming Seoul's support for his overtures, according to Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs.

Hotline 'very significant'

The two countries, which are divided by a Demilitarized Zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, last held high-level talks in 2015 to try to ease tensions. The hotline, located in the truce village of Panmunjom, remained operational until February 2016, with operators from both countries checking it twice a day.

The channel was shut down when relations deteriorated over a dispute involving the Kaesong industrial complex, which was jointly operated by both countries.

Seoul welcomed Pyongyang's decision to reopen the hotline as "very significant", with chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan saying "it creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times". South Korean President Moon Jae-In has long favoured engagement with the nuclear-armed North, but the Trump administration insists the regime must give up its weapons drive before any negotiations can take place.

Ambassador Haley told reporters that Washington could not take the talks seriously "if they don't do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea".

North Korea has shrugged off a raft of new sanctions and heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with its weapons program, which it says is for defence against US aggression. Pyongyang claims it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from a hostile Washington and has striven to create a warhead capable of targeting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

Moon on Tuesday welcomed Kim's olive branch as a "positive response" to Seoul's hopes that the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a "groundbreaking opportunity for peace".

But any rapprochement between the two countries will take place against a backdrop of suspicion, if not outright hostility, by Washington, with Trump and Kim exchanging angry insults since the US leader took office a year ago. Trump has mocked Kim as "fat" and a "little rocket man." Kim, for his part has described Trump as a "mentally deranged US dotard."During a child custody hearing in late November, a doctor testified before a court that Sherin, who was adopted from India, had broken bones and had injuries in various stages of healing, indicating abuse.

Houston: The much-awaited autopsy report in the death of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews says she died of "homicidal violence," US media reported on Wednesday, nearly three months after the adopted Indian girl was found dead in a culvert in suburban Dallas.

Sherin went missing from her home in Richardson on 7 October and her body was found on 22 October in a culvert in suburban Dallas by a cadaver dog after an intense search. The toddler's body was identified days later using her dental records.

Sherin died of "homicidal violence", a law enforcement official in Dallas, Texas, confirmed to WFAA TV station, indicating the manner of death for the girl.

A cause of death could not be determined due to extensive decomposition, the official said. Steven Kurtz with the Dallas County medical examiner's office said that Sherin was a victim of homicide, the Associated Press reported. An earlier report had said that the autopsy report of Sherin has been handed over to the attorneys for the adoptive Indian-American parents of Sherin - Wesley Mathews and Sini Mathews.

During a child custody hearing in late November, a doctor testified before a court that Sherin, who was adopted from India, had broken bones and had injuries in various stages of healing, indicating abuse.

Initially, Sherin's foster father Wesley told police that he put her outside their home at 3 am to discipline her for not drinking her milk. His story changed after her body was found in a culvert, telling police that he "physically assisted" with pouring the milk down Sherin's throat and then moved her body after he realised she had choked and died.

Wesley also admitted to police that he removed Sherin's body from the home after changing his story multiple times on the events leading up to her death. Wesley and his wife Sini also left Sherin home alone the night before her disappearance, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Wesley, 37, is charged with injury to a child, while the adoptive mother, Sini, 35, is charged with abandoning or endangering a child. Both are currently lodged in a Dallas jail.

The attorney representing Sini Mathews said the report, received on Tuesday evening from the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, does not implicate her in Sherin's death.

"There is nothing in the autopsy results that indicate Sini Mathews had anything to do with the death of Sherin Mathews," Mitch Nolte told WFAA in a statement.

The news about the autopsy report on Sherin has reportedly been sent to Wesley and Sini as they are expected to appear in court later today for a Child Protective Services (CPS) custody hearing for their 4-year-old biological daughter. She was removed from the home by CPS officials after Sherin went missing.

The couple can either forfeit their parental rights during today's hearing, or the court could decide a date for a civil trial to possibly terminate their rights, the report said.

Wednesday's hearing would mark the third CPS hearing for the Indian-American adoptive parents of Sherin. Last month, the couple, hailing from Kerala, temporarily

lost their rights to see their biological child, who has been placed with a family member in the Houston area. During the hearing, both Wesley and Sini pleaded the fifth amendment in court in response to pointed questions about their alleged involvement in Sherin's death to avoid self-incrimination.

Wesley is still being held on a $1 million bond. Sini had her bond reduced from $250,000 to $100,000 in December. If she is indeed released, she will be required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, as she is said to be a 'flight risk' who could try to flee to India.

Richardson Police have scheduled a press conference later today to release more details of the case. Meanwhile, a community group in Richardson has thanke the Richardson Police Department for its ongoing investigation into Sherin's death. A group made up of Richardson residents presented police with a plaque on Tuesday, thanking them for their response and hard work in the complex and high-profile case that had attracted international media attention.

Bill Allen, who lived near where Sherin's body was found, presented the special plaque to the police department. With his neighbours, they formed an informal group to express gratitude for all the investigators. They also dedicated a bench in Sherin's memory this past weekend, FOX4News.com reported.

"To have the community come together and come to us and acknowledge the good work that the men and women of this police department have done means so, so much to us," said Richardson Police Department Chief Jimmy Spivey.Working from home? Switch to the DIGITAL edition of CLICK HERE to signup now!WASHINGTON  Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark., and Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., in December announced they will not renew their memberships in the Grocery Manufacturers Association in 2018. Tyson and Unilever will join four other major food companies  Campbell Soup Co., Nestle, Dean Foods and Mars  that earlier this year announced they, too, will leave the G.M.A. after 2017.

Some of the companies departing the G.M.A., such as Campbell Soup, Nestle and Unilever, increasingly found themselves at odds with the association on several issues, including how to approach G.M.O. labeling, the mandatory labeling of added sugars and voluntary sodium reduction. More broadly, there were differences on how best to provide the transparency in food product ingredients and nutrition increasingly demanded by consumers.

It was uncertain whether the announced departures marked the beginning or the culmination of an exodus from the G.M.A. on the eve of its 110th anniversary year. The association has deep roots in the food industry, and all trade associations face the need to adjust to changing times. G.M.A. executives acknowledged the need to reinvent and evolve the trade association.

In statements provided to Politico, Unilever and Tyson Foods explained their reasons for leaving the G.MA. Unilever said, We review and assess our trade association memberships each year and decided not to renew our membership in 2018 as we increase our focus on advocacy aligned with delivering our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.

Unilever launched its Sustainable Living Plan in 2010 in order to grow our business, while decoupling our environmental footprint from our growth and increasing our social impact.

Tyson told Politico, While we respect the work of the organization (G.M.A.), our company is moving toward a more global discussion about the future of food.

At least six major food companies will not renew their memberships in the Grocery Manufacturers Association in 2018.

Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J., in July announced its decision to leave the G.M.A., the first of the six companies to do so. Denise M. Morrison, president and chief executive officer, said during a July 19 corporate analysts meeting, As we continue to evolve as a purpose-driven company, many of our beliefs have diverged from the rest of the food industry and from our trade association.

Ms. Morrison elaborated, Our purpose has led us to take principled positions about the most pressing issues facing the food industry. One of the problems with having principles is you have to live by them. And as a result, at times, we find ourselves with philosophical differences with many of our peers in the food industry on important issues. For example, viewing G.M.O.s through the lens of our purpose caused us to think very differently about transparency, and we changed our position on G.M.O. labeling. It was a popular decision in the eyes of consumers and customers. Another recent issue is the delay in the implementation of the Food and Drug Administrations new Nutrition Facts Panel. While the F.D.A. has agreed to delay implementation, were continuing to strive to meet the original deadline of July 2018.

Ms. Morrison added that when you think about it, you step back, it (G.M.A.) is composed of mostly very large food companies and not a lot of small companies, and our philosophy seems to be aligning more with the smaller companies.

In October, Campbell Soup joined the Plant Based Foods Association, becoming that associations largest member.

Mars, Inc., McLean, Va., in a statement on its leaving the G.M.A., said, At this time, we believe we can more effectively drive our business objectives and meaningful progress for our categories and consumers by working with other like-minded companies and through other sector-specific trade associations and collaborations.

Roger Lowe, executive vice-president of strategic communications at the G.M.A., told Food Business News, G.M.A. and its board are continuing our work to build the new G.M.A. for the future to meet the needs of longtime and new member companies and of consumers. The food industry is facing significant disruption and is evolving  and so is G.M.A. We all will continue to evolve and change at an even faster pace. We are always sorry when member companies decide to leave and hope to work with them on issues of mutual interest in the future.

Companies  and G.M.A.  are all different today than they were five years ago, three years ago or even a year ago  and all will be different in a year from now. We have been actively working with member companies for a number of months on ways to reinvent and evolve G.M.A. as our industry evolves.

Mr. Lowe noted that many food brands represented by the G.M.A. have been around for more than 100 years because their companies evolved to meet changing consumer needs.

Not surprisingly, each company evolves differently, and sometimes that evolution is seen in their public policy positions, he said. G.M.A. has been around for more than 100 years  110 years in 2018  and as a member-driven organization, we are evolving along with our member companies.A few years ago, while I was the 2012 San Diego Comic Con, I picked up a book from the Top Shelf Books Booth called Wizzywig. While I was there, I talked to the creator, Ed Piskor. Ed was a great guy and when I got back to the hotel room, I read his book from cover to cover. Since then I followed his work to Hip Hop Family Tree and even tracked down his previous collaborations with Harvey Pekar, Macedonia and The Beats. His latest work is X-Men: Grand Design which he writes, illustrates, colors, and letters. I had the opportunity to speak with Ed about this cool new project. This conversation took place two days after Christmas, December 27, 2017.

* * * * *

FOG!: Hi Ed! Thank you for talking with us today here at Forces of Geek! The first question is, what was the impetus and inspiration for this project?

Ed Piskor: In a lot of ways its because Axel Alonso called a bluff of mine. I put a tweet out there into the ether. I just simply said in that tweet Why dont you let me make whatever kind of X-Men comic I want.

Axel responded, Well why dont you pitch something, goddammit!

And I couldnt refuse. If this is the only Marvel thing I ever do, then I want to draw all of it. All of X-Men. I said, let me take this whole convoluted history and try to make a story out of it. Make a story with an honest to goodness beginning, middle, and an ending. And that is what I am trying to accomplish with X-Men: Grand Design.

Thats great. How long is it projected from start to finish to get this project done?

Well, the first issue that came out last week, I finished a year and a half ago.

You see, it takes me six months to do an issue. This is one of the only Marvel Comics in history all done by a single person. Penciling, inking, lettering, coloring. Every line you see on the page is me. That and trying to put the history in a cohesive order takes a lot of time. So the last couple of issues you wont see for a bit.

Whats going to happen is, issue number two comes out next week (today, January 3, 2018). Then theres going to be a trade paperback in April.

And then in the summer, there will be another wave of two issues. That wave will be called X-Men Grand Design: Second Genesis.

And thats going to be the primo stuff with Wolverine and the Dark Phoenix Saga and all of that stuff.

Theres going to be the Dark Phoenix movie coming out at the end of the year and thats when the second trade is going to come out.

Wow, thats perfect timing for you!

(laughing) Totally, man! Im fortunate. Theres also going to be a third wave coming out in 2019. Im not sure when that will be.

I heard that you are taking the X-Men history in this series up to issue 300 if I am not mistaken?

I think Im going to about issue 280? I might not even get that far. It will be most of the Claremont stuff.

Yeah, thats about when I quit reading X-Men as a teenager. Once we got past the X-Tinction Agenda, which I liked as a kid, it started going downhill for me. A few issues after that, I said: At this point Im done. Im tapping out.

(laughing) Its very funny because I was in third grade when X-tinction Agenda came out. And that was like primo stuff to me then. I still have those issues. I was eight years old.

(laughing) I do, too. I loved Brandon Peterson on it.

Yeah, man. When Scott Lobdell and those other guys took over from Claremont? I jacked out almost immediately. The tone and difference between Claremonts writing and theirs was so drastic that it was very easy to pull the ripcord and say Yup. Im done with that. Let me see what else is out there.

I think we left the X-Men at the same time with the same set of emotions! (laughing) I think a lot of us reading comics at that time felt the same thing and decided to over and try Image at that point.

Because of the X-books, I was a Jim Lee fan. I was a Rob Liefeld fan. So when they split, I split. I went right along with them.

I read an interview with you from a few years back, that I believe you said that reading Image books opened up the door to other independent books as well?

Yeah, my interests in comics are a little different than the current comics interests of fans of the Big Two. I like to see a fully realized vision created by a single person. Thats what I like. Those are the kinds of comics that I read. Give me a Dan Clowes comic over any of the nonsense that the Big Two publishes on any given day.

You mentioning Dan Clowes. Ive read as far back as your collaborations with Harvey Pekar. You started off before that with a self published comic. Is there anything like that in the future? I do think that all of your comics are personal. Hip Hop Family Tree and Wizzywig are. But is there an Ed Piskor comic in the future akin to something that somebody like Joe Matt does? or Seth? Or Chester Brown?

Yes, perhaps. At this very moment, I want to stick to landing with this X-Men comic. Its at the front of my thoughts completely. Seven days a week. Man, I have dreams about this comic. I think its the only way to make good comics.

I think you have to fully immerse yourself. I have a lot of friends who are good artists and good writers. But theyre not necessarily fully invested and the results are as such. I really want to make something great and I dont want to dilute my thoughts with what comes nextjust yet.

You just focus on whats in front of you. Good for you. I wish more creators were like that in the field.

I do too. I find it to be a dubious proposition when youre doing five monthly books or something.

So I see that you colored the original X-Men #1. I just saw it and its amazing.

Yeah, thats for the trade paperback.

For my money, its going to the best color Kirby reprint in the history of comics. I think that a lot of readers dont necessarily pay attention to it. I hate most of the Kirby color reprints sort of with a passion. It just feels like its kind of slapped together. No consideration for the presentation.

So, this is what happens when somebody actually gives a crap! (laughter)

Yeah, you see the color in all of those reprints and you cant help but feel that way. Even those Marvel Masterworks. So, I guess this is what happens when somebody puts love into it.

Yeah. Im just trying to restore the Kirby in Kirby when it comes to that stuff. You cant put computer bells and whistles on top of Kirby and retain, his magic.

If you remember, way back, for a couple of months in old Marvel, the little corner box said Pop Art Comics. Thats what the art was built for. The four color process. To be honest, Im just trying to make the color as good as the initial issue. You know for readers, it came out in 1963 and like them, I dont have access to that original anymore. You know, that thing costs 50 thousand dollars or something. So people can actually read it here in this format and its accessible.

I havent picked up an X-Men comic in years. In reading this, it all came rushing back to me how exciting it was. Even from the very beginning. Switching gears, lets talk about Hip Hop Family Tree. Any more of those coming out? Any news about the animated series?

Theres nothing much to say about the animated series right now. One thing I can say, is that I am really happy I didnt sell it to Russell Simmons. (chuckles) He has a lot of stuff hes dealing with right now. It would have been a bad look.

In terms of the Hip Hop Family Tree comic, yeah, it could very well be my lifes work. I do have a lot of other ideas besides it. X-Men is my focus right now. Over the course of this year, I might just die a horrible death, so I cant predict what may happen.

I remember hearing you say you wanted to take it as far as Tupac? Or Wu Tang Clan?

You know, If I was blessed with eternal life or something, it would be a forty volume series.

Yeah, eternal life and an extra 8 hours added on to each day.

Thats it right there, man.

So, Ill start wrapping this up. But first: What are your guilty pleasures? When youre done looking are X-Men all day, what do you do to relax? Something that nobody would expect?

(laughing) So, its funny, so first off I absolutely do not believe in guilty pleasures. I indulge in everything!(laughing) If Im into it, Im into it. But I will say, and Im not trying to sound crazy, but theres very little relaxation. I work on this thing from day to night and every single night I absolutely earn my bedtime. You know what Im saying? Like when I hit the sheets man, I die. I literally cannot do or accomplish another thing for that day. All creative capital is spent. And maybe Ill watch a half hour of something on Netflix. Thats it, man. Im fully invested. Ive sacrificed my social life for this thing. I sacrificed a whole lot to try to make this X-Men comic the best that it can be.

Is that why you stopped doing the mini comics for Image Plus Magazine?

Yes. I only did three of them. And they would certainly be happy to have me do more. I just got into this space of completely getting obsessive with this X-Men comic. So Im not really doing anything else. Everything else had to be put to the side. I could do 1000 pages of the Image Plus style comics because I do have a lot to say about the value of Image Comics and the Image founding fathers. And maybe that will be the thing that I do next, you know? Maybe Ill do Batman next. I dont know. Maybe Ill do Spider-Man next.

But right now Im just focused on this one thing.

Very cool. Anything else you would like to let our readers know?

Well this thing is an enormous investment of time. It was created inside a vacuum. I had no idea what the response would be. But when it hit shelves, it absolutely let me know that the fans are into it and excited about it. For that, Im very grateful.

Well, Im a forty year old man. You made me feel like I was 13 again. (laughing) Thank you again for doing what you do.

Thank you, man. Thanks for helping spread the word.

X-Men: Grand Design #1 & #2 by Ed Piskor

are available now from Marvel Comics!

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Beach tourists and even local Lee County beachgoers have a new place to catch an easy ride to Fort Myers Beach.

Last week, LeeTran opened its new Beach Park and Ride at 11101 Summerlin Square Drive in December.

That was pretty exciting, opening that up, said Larry Kiker, Lee County Commissioner. It took us 10 years to get that done.

The new facility provides 129 all-day parking spaces, wifi, charging stations and public restrooms for its bus hoppers. An electronic interactive map allows passengers to check routes.

The biggest perk of the facility is the routes that converge here.

Bus 50 is a direct route from the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), and stops here to transfer passengers grabbing the trolley to the beach. Bus 130 connects the park-and-ride to the South Fort Myers loop.

Bus 400 services the beach from April through the first week of January; From January to April, the bus numbers are 410 and 490. Bus 490 takes passengers to Bowditch Point to transfer to 410, which runs from Bowditch to Lovers Key.

This is for people who dont want to fight traffic or try to find parking, said Katie Meckley, spokeswoman for LeeTran.

All-day parking is free at the facility for passengers. Its 75 cents per person for a one-way trip, $2 for an all-day pass, and $4 for a three-day pass. The trolleys have space for luggage, beach bags, coolers and chairs, Meckley said.

Fares must be paid in exact change on the bus, or purchased at a number of other locations, including Publix. Meckley said theres no ticket counter at the new facility now, but the infrastructure is in place to put one there if demand would support it.

The trolley is supposed to arrive at Summerlin Square approximately every 45 minutes, and a ride from the facility to the Times Square stop is approximately 20 minutes (although you can get off earlier on the stop next to 7-11, just north of Times Square). Season traffic can delay those arrival times.

Youre still sitting in traffic, but you dont have to worry about it, Meckley said.

The project, on the 5.5 acre property, cost approximately $5.2 million. Florida Department of Transportation gave the county a grant $2.4 million.

Danielle Neureuther and Jeff Kasper, island residents who manage an AirBnb property, said theyd probably start recommending the trolley to their guests. Many of them dont really want to rent a car  an unnecessary expense on the very walk-able or bike-able north end of the island  and with the airport route transferring directly to the beach route, guests could have an easy, and cheap, alternative.

Its super easy, its air conditioned, she said. You cant get irritated, with a smart phone your kids can watch a show while youre in traffic.

Terry Kipikas and her husband moved to Fort Myers five weeks ago. On Thursday, they thought theyd try out the new Park and Ride and go to the beach for an early dinner.

It was very convenient, and scenic, she said. When you see all that traffic  this was the best way.

Car or trolley: which passenger makes it to Times Square first?

Islanders Danielle Neureuther and Jeff Kasper participated in an Observer experiment to see which mode of transportation could get someone from Summerlin Square to Times Square the quickest, easiest and for the least amount of money during a heavy day of beachgoing traffic.

Heres how it went on Thursday, Dec. 28:

2:21 p.m. Neureuther and Kasper arrive at facility (just missed the 2:20 trolley).

3:05 p.m. (on time) Trolley and Kasper depart for beach

3:22 p.m.: Trolley catches up to Kasper in stop-and-go traffic

3:28 p.m.: Kasper passes trolley

3:33 p.m.: Trolley bypasses Kasper by taking the trolley-only lane

3:37 p.m.: Neureuther disembarks trolley at Lynn Hall Park stop.

3:39 p.m.: Neureuther stands below the Times Square clock. Winner!

3:45 p.m.: Kasper finds a parking spot.

Results:

It cost 75 cents ($1.50 for a round trip ride) and approximately 32 minutes for Neureuther to reach the clock at Times Square.

It cost Kasper $3 per hour for parking and 40 minutes to reach Times Square  and it could have been longer, he said, if he hadnt been lucky in finding a parking space early on.Break out your grass skirts and puka beads, it is back this year by popular demand  the Fort Myers Beach Tropical Beach Party at Lovers Key State Park. Mark your calendars for Thursday, Jan. 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and join the Friends of Lovers Key for a special island evening on the beach at the park, at 8700 Estero Blvd.

The Tropical Beach Party is a variation of our past two years of reggae and ribs themed events, event coordinator Sarah Horvatich said. We have made a few modifications, taking the best parts and then adding to them.

You can start with your tropical threads by pulling out your bathing suits and boards shorts. Next, explore your closet for any clothing with flowers, birds  flamingo and parrots rule  or palm trees. Then, accessories can be plentiful or scare. Straw hats, beads, leis, sarongs and lots of coconuts. Half the fun is checking out everyone elses interpretation of tropical attire. Create your own style, plus your dancing shoes or favorite pair of flip flops.

Local favorite musician Johnny Caribe will get your toes tapping and feet grooving. After dancing up an appetite, you can hang 10 fingers around a delicious barbecue dinner of ribs, chicken and pulled pork, catered by Texas Tonys. Leave room for all the yummy desserts sprinkled with island flavors.

This event is always special because of our fabulous beach, the always beautiful sunset, great food and drinks, music and dancing, opportunities to win one of our drawings of chance, spending an evening with friends both old and new  all make for a very special evening, Horvatich said. On top of that, all the profits of the evening will help equip the new Environmental Education Center that will be built on Lovers Key.

All proceeds for the event benefit the future Environmental Education Center at Lovers Key State Park. Everyone is welcome whether you are a FOLKS members and non-members.

Park admission, food, two drinks, dancing, and an enchanting evening are included in the $50 per person ticket. A cash bar will also be open for all your shaken and stirred. Enjoy the celebratory drawings of chance that will be held for specialty items donated from local artists and eateries. Local businesses have graciously contributed their unique items to help FOLKS raise money for the new Environmental Education Center. Drawing tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Lovers Key is one of the few beaches in Florida that is still old Florida, while theyre shoveling snow up north we will be partying on the beach in the middle of January, Horvatich said. Don your beach clothes and your dancing shoes, well be under the stars on the glorious beach at Lovers Key.

Space is limited so RSVP early: Call 513-503-8750 or beachparty@friendsofloverskey.orgNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling for more offshore wind energy projects and new caps on carbon emissions from smaller power plants.

The Democratic governor announced the measures on Tuesday, the day before he delivers his state of the state address to lawmakers.

Specifically, Cuomo wants the state to seek 800 megawatts of new offshore wind projects in 2018 and 2019, enough to power 400,000 households.

He's also calling on state environmental officials to impose a carbon emissions cap on smaller power plants that aren't currently covered by existing emission limits.

Additionally, Cuomo is proposing investments in energy storage and new incentives for solar power for low-income homeowners.

He says that taken together the proposals would all advance efforts to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable power sources.Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is becoming a California marijuana entrepreneur.

TheBlast.com reports that Tyson and partners on Dec. 20 broke ground on a plot for a cannabis resort in California City, a remote Mojave Desert town that's about a 110-mile (177-kilometer) drive north of Los Angeles.

Partner Robert Hickman tells the website that the undeveloped lands are primed to be cultivated and that Tyson Ranch will be an oasis.

In a video of the event, California City Mayor Jennifer Wood thanks Tyson for his commitment to the community, saying the industry will provide medical marijuana to people in need, revenue, jobs and income for residents.

Calls and emails from The Associated Press to a Tyson representative and the mayor were not immediately returned Tuesday.A U.S. government panel rejected Ant Financial's acquisition of U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International over national security concerns, the companies said on Tuesday, the most high-profile Chinese deal to be torpedoed under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The $1.2 billion deal's collapse represents a blow for Jack Ma, the executive chairman of Chinese internet conglomerate Alibaba Group Holding, who owns Ant Financial together with Alibaba executives. He was looking to expand Ant Financial's footprint amid fierce domestic competition from Chinese rival Tencent Holdings WeChat payment platform.

Ma, a Chinese citizen who appears frequently with leaders from the highest echelons of the Communist Party, had promised Trump in a meeting a year ago that he would create 1 million U.S. jobs.

MoneyGram shares were down 8.5 percent at $12.06 in after-market trading.

The companies decided to terminate their deal after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) rejected their proposals to mitigate concerns over the safety of data that can be used to identify U.S. citizens, according to sources familiar with the confidential discussions.

"Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the U.S. government, it has now become clear that CFIUS will not approve this merger," MoneyGram Chief Executive Alex Holmes said in a statement.

A standard CFIUS review lasts up to 75 days, and the companies had gone through the process three times in order to address concerns. Additional security measures and protocols that the companies suggested failed to reassure CFIUS, the sources said.

The U.S. Treasury said it is prohibited by statute from disclosing information filed with CFIUS and declined to comment on the MoneyGram deal.

The U.S. government has toughened its stance on the sale of companies to Chinese entities, at a time when Trump is trying to put pressure on China to help tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions and be more accommodative on trade and foreign exchange issues.

The MoneyGram deal is the latest in a string of Chinese acquisitions of U.S. companies that have failed to clear CFIUS. They include China-backed buyout fund Canyon Bridge Capital Partners' $1.3 billion acquisition of U.S. chip maker Lattice Semiconductor, China Oceanwide Holdings Group's $2.7 billion acquisition of U.S. life insurer Genworth Financial and Chinese buyout firm Orient Hontai Capital's $1.4 billion acquisition of U.S. mobile marketing firm AppLovin.

FINANCIAL SERVICES DEALS

The MoneyGram's deal demise is also the latest example of how CFIUS' focus on cyber security and the integrity of personal data is prompting it to block deals in sectors not traditionally associated with national security, such as financial services.

Other U.S. financial services deals by Chinese firms are waiting for approval from CFIUS, including HNA Group's acquisition of hedge fund-of-funds firm SkyBridge Capital LLC from Anthony Scaramucci, the Trump administrations former communications director.

Skybridge and HNA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Dallas-based MoneyGram has approximately 350,000 remittance locations in more than 200 countries. Ant Financial was looking to take over MoneyGram not so much for its U.S. presence but to expand in growing markets outside of China.

Ant Financial and MoneyGram said they will now explore and develop initiatives to work together in remittance and digital payments in China, India, the Philippines and other Asian markets, as well as in the United States. This cooperation will take the form of commercial agreements, one of the sources said.

Any arrangements reached by Ant Financial and MoneyGram that do not involve a transaction would not be subject to review by CFIUS.

Some U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, had written to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who also serves as chairman of CFIUS, to express concern that Ant Financial's acquisition of MoneyGram could pose national security threats, arguing that the information of U.S. citizens, including military personnel, could be compromised.

Ant Financial had argued that MoneyGram's data infrastructure would remain in the United States, with personal information encrypted or held in secure facilities on U.S. soil. It had also pointed to existing U.S. regulations that call for such protections.

CFIUS had approved a previous deal by Ant Financial, its acquisition in 2016 of Kansas City-based EyeVerify, which designs a mobile eye verification technology.

"What is more likely to happen at this point is that MoneyGram will sell to another company, and one company that has shown interest in the past is Euronet," said Gil Luria, an equity analyst at D.A. Davidson & Co.

Ant Financial clinched an $18 per share all-cash deal to acquire MoneyGram in April, seeing off competition from U.S.-based Euronet Worldwide, which had made an unsolicited offer for MoneyGram and openly lobbied U.S lawmakers, saying Ant's proposal created a national security risk.

"Euronet continues to believe there is compelling commercial logic to a combination between Euronet and MoneyGram. However, significant developments have been disclosed by MoneyGram since Euronet's offer, and Euronet has not conducted any evaluation of the business in that time. While we continue to view a transaction with MoneyGram as logical, there is no guarantee any offer will be made or any transaction will ultimately occur," Euronet said in a statement.

Ant Financial said it paid MoneyGram a $30 million termination fee for the deal's collapse.

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Additional reporting by Nikhil Subba and Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Cynthia Osterman)U.S. construction spending rose to an all-time high of $1.257 trillion in November, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday, as the construction sector overall gears up for a boom in 2018.

A new report released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found that net optimism among contractors was at its highest level in the surveys history, thanks to a newly-approved tax reform bill, the governments push to rollback red tape, strong economic growth and a continuation of favorable sector trends.

In response to these positive triggers, construction firms are looking to expand their labor forces. The AGC found that 75% of companies want to increase headcount in 2018, with 18% of those surveyed looking to hire more than 25 new employees and 17% expecting to add between 11 and 25 new workers. Half of the companies who participated in the AGCs study expect their workforce to increase by 1% to 10% in the coming year.

While all signs are pointing up for the construction sector this year, there is one significant headwind contractors are worried about: finding qualified workers to fill the open spots. Fifty percent of companies reported having a difficult time filling both craft and salaried worker positions versus only 9% that said they were having no problems filling open jobs. Over the coming 12 months, 53% of companies told the AGC that they expect to continue experiencing difficulty finding qualified applicants. These challenges come despite the fact that 60% of firms reported increasing base pay to retain or recruit professionals and 36% provided incentives and bonuses toward the same end.

One of the items on the White House agenda for the coming year is implementing a massive, $1 trillion infrastructure overhaul, which is expected to include everything from roads and bridges to airports and broadband access. Owing to the labor shortage, the construction industry would have to change a few systemic processes in order to accomodate the increased capacity.

"With the labor shortage, you can't do the amount of projects, there's not enough capacity right now  not at the level of $100 billion [in] infrastructure per year. It's going to really stretch our industry," Dr. Stephen Mulva, director of the Construction Industry Institute (CII), told FOX Business. "I think if we reform the current model a little bit  we're going to be able to solve the problem."

Companies reported dealing with the skills gap in a couple of ways, including retraining current employees, providing training for new employees and increasing investments in new technologies in order to be able to accomplish more with fewer people. The AGC also urged Congress to pass the Perkins Act, which would increase funding for career and technical education programs. Addressing the skills gap has been a priority for the administration since President Donald Trump took office.

Dr. Mulva told FOX Business the industry needs to reform the commercial model to streamline projects and drive down costs.The number of jobless people in Germany fell by 183,000 in December compared with a year earlier and the country finished the year with a record 44.3 million people in work.

The unemployment rate remained unchanged from the month before at 5.3 percent according to Germany's national jobs agency. Some 2.385 million people were unemployed. Their number rose 17,000 in December over the month before, but that was less than the usual winter increase.

Agency head Detlef Scheele said Wednesday that the demand by companies for new employees was still "rising strongly."

Germany has seen its unemployment rate fall amid strong exports and rising domestic demand for goods.

The number of people in work was the highest since German reunification in 1990.What happened

Shares of SCANA Corporation (NYSE: SCG) rocketed on Wednesday and were up 23% at 10:30 a.m. EST. Powering the surge was the announcement that it would combine with Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) in an all-stock deal.

So what

SCANA Corporation agreed to merge with Dominion Energy in a stock-for-stock deal, with SCANA investors receiving 0.669 shares of Dominion stock for every share of SCANA stock they own. The transaction values the company at $7.9 million, or $14.6 billion after including the debt that Dominion will assume as part of the deal.

For Dominion, the deal will bolster its size, with the combined company serving 6.5 million electric and natural gas customers in eight states. Further, Dominion believes the acquisition will be immediately accretive to earnings and enhance its earnings-per-share growth. In fact, the company estimates that the merger will boost its compound annual earnings-per-share growth target through 2020 to 8% or higher, up from the previous view that profits would increase 6% to 8% through 2020.

Meanwhile, for SCANA investors, the deal will enable them to salvage some value after a disastrous 2017, when the stock plummeted nearly 46% after the company pulled the plug on a nuclear project in South Carolina when its contractor went bankrupt. The company and its joint-venture partner initially expected the project to cost $11.5 billion, but they abandoned construction after that estimate soared above $25 billion. While ratepayers in South Carolina were on the hook for most of the incurred costs, legal battles threatened to push those expenses back on SCANA, which investors worried would significantly impair its ability to operate.

That said, by agreeing to merge with Dominion, ratepayers in South Carolina would see significant savings because Dominion would write off more than $1.7 billion of the failed-project's cost. Further, the company would pay out $1.3 billion to consumers (or about $1,000 for the average residential customer), while also reducing rates by about 5%, saving the average customer $7 per month.

Now what

The deal looks like a win for everyone involved. SCANA investors will recoup some of the value they lost last year, while also joining forces with Dominion to create a stronger company. Dominion, meanwhile, gets to expand its footprint for a bargain price, which will enhance its growth prospects. Finally, even SCANA customers in South Carolina -- myself included -- win, since we'll enjoy lower electricity rates and can recoup some of the costs we've paid toward the failed project.

10 stocks we like better than SCANAWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

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Matthew DiLallo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Dominion Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.The third quarter of 2017 should have been Apache Corporation's (NYSE: APA) big moment. The company's surprise Alpine High play in West Texas was ready to start pumping oil in earnest, its subsea tieback in the North Sea was being installed ahead of schedule, and it had managed to do it all without cutting its dividend like ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) and many other oil and gas industry companies had.

Unfortunately for Apache, Q3 arrived with a whimper, not a bang, and the company limped to the end of 2017 with a stock price that was down 33.5%.

Here's where things went wrong for Apache in 2017, and why the stock market may be a whole lot kinder to the beaten-down oil driller this year.

First, what went right

It wasn't all bad for Apache in 2017. The company announced that it would be building out the infrastructure of its massive Alpine High find, and those improvements were running ahead of schedule in the first half of the year.

During that time, the company took a page from Conoco's playbook and sold off many of its underperforming Canadian assets. That was good for both the company's balance sheet and its operating margins, because while some companies had been able to get competitive returns out of the resource-intensive heavy crude and bitumen that come from Canadian oil sands, Apache was never one of them (neither was Conoco, for that matter).

In July, Apache went a step further than Conoco and just threw in the towel on Canada altogether, selling what was left of its Apache Canada Ltd. subsidiary to Paramount Resources Ltd. The combined transactions netted the company about $713 million, which management plans to use to reduce debt or fund additional capital expenditures.

Unlike Conoco's share price, though, Apache's didn't jump after any of these transactions were announced. But it sure did take a hit later in the year.

The planned and the unplanned

Apache's stock tanked hard after it reported lackluster Q2 2017 earnings. The company reported an adjusted quarterly loss of $0.21 per share and lowered its production guidance for both 2017 and 2018.

This was actually something the company had been projecting for several quarters. During Q2, the installation of a subsea tieback -- an underwater connection between Apache's new Callater discovery and its existing production fields -- in the North Sea was going to curtail production there. Also, incomplete infrastructure at Alpine High meant it wasn't yet producing at meaningful levels and the sale of the company's Canadian assets was always going to affect 2018 production. So it should have come as no surprise. But the market shaved 8% off the stock anyway.

But in late August, something decidedly unexpected happened: Hurricane Harvey. The storm had three big effects on Apache's operations:

Apache's corporate headquarters in Houston was closed for a week as floodwaters ravaged the city. Luckily, it escaped without any significant damage, so that impact was minimal. Harvey caused production shut-ins of between 1,000 and 2,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and also impacted third-party downstream infrastructure on the Gulf Coast, disrupting key markets for Apache's Permian Basin oil and gas. Approximately 2% to 3% of Apache's gross operated sales volumes from the Permian Region was impacted during the storm and its aftermath. The storm damaged third-party Houston-area manufacturers that were making components for two Alpine High central processing facilities, which were delayed until late 2017 or early 2018, pushing back the big surge in volume from Alpine High.

The third effect in particular turned what should have been a blowout third quarter into merely a profitable one. Investors had expected more, and the stock continued to slide.

Looking ahead

The delays in Alpine High production coupled with some unscheduled North Sea downtime in the final week of 2017 is likely to cause Apache to miss its original 2017 production goals. So it won't be until the company reports Q1 2018 earnings that we'll actually start seeing what Apache is capable of when all of its operations (Alpine High, North Sea, and everything else) are online.

It's yet another delay that's trying the tolerance of Apache investors, who have been a very, very patient bunch through one problem after another.

Hopefully, though, there's light at the end of the tunnel now that Hurricane Harvey, the Canada exit, and the North Sea shut-in are all in the rearview mirror. And, of course, Apache is sporting a best-in-class 2.3% dividend yield, which helps the buy thesis for the stock.

Consider this, too: Oil prices have been rising over the past few months. Both Brent and WTI Crude spot prices are well above $50 per barrel. Many oil producers like Conoco have seen their stocks rise accordingly, but Apache has not. That could mean there's still some upside to the stock that the market hasn't yet factored into Apache's low share price.

I'm holding on to my Apache stock, and at the current price of about $42 per share, would even consider buying more. But if the company can't get its act together by the end of Q1 2018, investors will need to make some hard decisions about how to proceed.

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John Bromels owns shares of Apache. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.A federal judge has dismissed a Pennsylvania lawsuit against the peeps who make marshmallow Peeps.

The Morning Call newspaper reports U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Schmehl ruled last week the Just Born Quality Confections company in Bethlehem failed to prove about 400 union employees violated a no-strike clause when they walked off the job Sept. 7, 2016.

The company also makes Mike and Ike candies and had said the strike was timed to hurt production of Peeps, which are typically made in the fall for the following Easter sales.

Most employees returned to work in October 2016, but no new contract has been reached.

The president of the Local 6 union says "it was a frivolous lawsuit from the beginning."

Just Born had sought unspecified monetary damages. Spokesman Matt Pye says the company will appeal.

___

Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com(Reuters) - Sangamo Therapeutics Inc and Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) said on Wednesday they would work together to develop a gene therapy to treat ALS, a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

The gene therapy will also be used to treat patients with a brain disorder caused by mutations of a gene that is linked to about a third of hereditary ALS cases.

The partnership comes at a time when gene therapy is gaining momentum, after several high profile failures in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently updating guidance to help speed up development of such treatments.

The agency last month approved Spark Therapeutics Inc's treatment for a rare form of blindness, marking the first approval of a gene therapy for an inherited disease.

Under the terms of the deal, Sangamo will receive a $12 million upfront payment from Pfizer and an additional $150 million in milestone payments, the companies said.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), whose sufferers include renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking, attracted international attention in 2014 with the "Ice Bucket Challenge", in which people posted videos of pouring ice-cold water on themselves to encourage donations to research.

Shares of Sangamo were up 5.4 percent at $18.50, while those of Pfizer were up marginally before the bell on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Akankshita Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)Washington's attorney general sued Motel 6 on Wednesday, alleging the national budget chain disclosed the private information of thousands of its guests to U.S. immigration authorities in violation of the state consumer protection law.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson said motel employees divulged the names, birthdates, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers and room numbers of at least 9,150 guests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents without a warrant. At least six people were detained on or near motel property during a two-year period.

Motel 6 was aware that the agents used the guest registry information to single out guests based on their national origin in violation of Washington state's anti-discrimination law, the state's lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court alleged.

Ferguson said at least six Motel 6 locations in the state  all in the Puget Sound region and corporate-owned  provided the information without guests' knowledge or consent. Washington's Supreme Court makes it clear that guest registry information is private, he said, and Motel 6 violated the law each time it gave out private information.

"In September, Motel 6 issued a directive to every one of our more than 1,400 locations, making it clear that they are prohibited from voluntarily providing daily guests lists to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," the company said in an emailed statement.

"Motel 6 takes this matter very seriously, and we have and will continue to fully cooperate with the Office of the State Attorney General," the company added.

A spokesman for immigration and customs enforcement couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

At one Motel 6 in Everett, north of Seattle, for example, agents visited early in the morning or late at night and received a daily list of all guests staying at the location, Ferguson said. The agents would target guests with Latino-sounding names, he said. The agency would then figure out if any of the guests were wanted in connection with civil immigration issues, the lawsuit alleges.

The attorney general's office began investigating after news reports that Motel 6 workers at two Phoenix locations provided guest information to agents who later arrested 20 people on immigration charges.

At the time, Motel 6 said in a tweet: "This was implemented at the local level without the knowledge of senior management. When we became aware of it last week, it was discontinued."

Ferguson said the cases in Washington state shows that the practice was not isolated to the two Phoenix locations. "The company's actions were methodical. They trained their new employees on how to do this," Ferguson said.

Motel 6 trained its new employees to provide guest lists to agents when they asked for it, without requiring the agents to show a search warrant or probable cause, the lawsuit alleged.

Between 2015 and 2017, four of six corporate-owned locations that provided information to the federal agency released more than 9,150 guest names. That number is expected to grow significantly, Ferguson said. His office is looking into whether 15 other Motel 6 locations that operate as franchises divulged similar private information. Five locations did not disclose such information.

The state's lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation.The White House and top congressional leaders from both major parties issued upbeat assessments Wednesday after a Capitol Hill meeting in which they forged progress on a stack of unfinished Washington business, starting with a hoped-for bipartisan budget deal.

The session in the office of House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., came with little more than two weeks before the next threatened government shutdown. Topping the agenda was an effort to spare both the Pentagon and domestic Cabinet agencies from spending cuts. Other issues, including immigration, disaster aid, and health care, were also discussed in hopes of resolving the raft of leftover issues, which could be a prelude to moving on to new business such as President Donald Trump's overdue infrastructure plan.

Both sides issued bland but positive statements after the session, which lasted more than an hour and included White House budget director Mick Mulvaney.

"We had a positive and productive meeting and all parties have agreed to continue discussing a path forward to quickly resolve all of the issues ahead of us," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a joint statement.

The White House, Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a joint statement of their own that they "hope that further discussions will lead to an agreement soon." McConnell briefed fellow Republicans afterward and told them the session was "surprisingly good," according to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said, "I don't think they reached any conclusions, but I think it was a fairly good meeting is what we were told."

The budget debate has been roiled by a demand from Democrats that nondefense programs win increases equal to those to be awarded to the Pentagon. That was a feature of prior budget pacts in 2013 and 2015 that were negotiated during the tenure of President Barack Obama.

Now, with Trump in the Oval Office, Republicans insist that this idea of parity between guns and butter belongs on the scrap heap.

"We need to set aside the arbitrary notion that new defense spending be matched equally by new nondefense spending," McConnell said earlier in the day. "There is no reason why funding for our national security and our service members should be limited by an arbitrary political formula that bears no relationship to actual need."

But unlike the recently passed tax bill and the GOP's failed efforts to repeal the Obama-era health care law, the upcoming agenda will require votes from Democrats. Bipartisanship has been in scarce supply under Trump, and heading into the session, spokesmen for Ryan and Schumer were not banking on a breakthrough.

The budget battle is but one element of a tricky Washington matrix facing the White House, its GOP allies and Democratic rivals like Schumer.

Particularly challenging is the question of immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children but who face deportation in March because of Trump's decision to strip away Obama-issued protections for them.

Democrats say they won't go along with any budget deal until those immigrants, commonly referred to as Dreamers, are guaranteed protections. That has sparked pushback from GOP leaders who have refused to cede leverage to Democrats and insist on dealing with politically nettlesome immigration issues on a separate track.

Cornyn told reporters that he and other Republicans on the Judiciary panel, which has jurisdiction over immigration, are meeting with Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss the issue.

"I think there's plenty of goodwill and interest in trying to come up with a solution, but we're not quite there yet," Cornyn said, adding that GOP negotiators want a better sense from Trump about what he will support to better inform further talks with Democrats.

Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., said the president has made clear that immigration is an important issue he wants Congress to tackle.

"Our leadership's made it clear, and I agree with them, that this is not something that is negotiated as part of a spending package, but it is a separate issue that should merit debate and discussion aside from the spending discussion," Graves said.

The statement from Republicans said Democrats should "not hold funding for our troops hostage for immigration policy."

Less partisan is a leftover disaster-aid bill and renewal of a children's health insurance program that has sweeping bipartisan backing.

"I hope this year can be one of bipartisanship focused on improving the stock of the middle class," Schumer said. "We can start on the budget, with opioids, and veterans' health care and pensions. With children's health insurance and disaster aid. And we can resolve the fate of the Dreamers, and say to these hardworking kids that America has a place for them, too."Throughout Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, he promised to drain the swamp and to end political corruption in Washington. An organization called OpenTheBooks.com could be the key to making President Trumps promise a reality.

The government watchdog organization discloses the amount of spending at every level of government across the U.S. Recently, the website released a 40-page report called Mapping the Swamp that reveals all publicly disclosed federal salaries and bonuses of government employees for the 2016 fiscal year.

OpenTheBooks.com CEO Adam Andrzejewski said Tuesday that his organization could help provide President Trump with data supporting his claims of government corruption.

One thing that drives taxpayers crazy is the $1.5 billion worth of bonuses that are given out each year. So all of these agency heads and the president leading on this can bring forth civil service reform this year-weve got the data to back it all up, he told FOX Business David Asman on After the Bell.

According to the Mapping the Swamp report, 29,852 federal employees make over $190,823 a year, which out earned each of the 50 state governors.

These employees are scattered all over the country. Weve got an interactive map of everybody all 2 million federal bureaucrats and weve mapped them by zip code, so you can see your little piece of the swamp anywhere across the country, he said.

Federal employees also receive very generous benefits, the Mapping the Swamp report revealed that government workers receive eight and a half weeks vacation.

Andrzejewski said cutting back on government workers vacation time could easily save taxpayers $5 billion a year.

Instead of eight and a half weeks paid time off; lets cut it back to six weeks paid time off. That saves taxpayers $5 billion, he said.Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is reaching out to a couple of trusted advisers now working at his hedge fund, Solamere Capital, to build a campaign apparatus as he moves closer to running for a U.S. Senate seat  and possibly weighs another presidential run, FOX Business has learned.

As reported, Romney is considering to run for the seat being vacated by veteran GOP Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah, who announced hes retiring at the end of 2018 after he completes his final term in office. One indication that Romney is likely to compete for the GOP nomination is that he has already cobbled together a small campaign staff to be headed by his long-time political aide and business partner, Spencer Zwick, the co-founder and managing partner of the company, and Matt Waldrip, the head of business development at Solamere, according to three sources familiar with knowledge of the matter.

Zwick confirmed to FOX Business that he will work with Romney if he decides to run; the decision is expected imminently and will be made after Romney consults with his family and his wife Ann.

If he makes that announcement, will I help him? Of course I will, Zwick said in a telephone interview. As for particular roles, none of that has been decided. [He] has to decide that this is something they want to do first.

Contacted by email, Waldrip did not deny that he would be part of a potential Romney Senate run, telling FOX Business: "With Senator Hatch just announcing his intentions yesterday, Mitt and Ann will be discussing with family and friends over the next few days and talking to people in Utah."

A spokeswoman for Romney did not return repeated calls for comment.

GOP operatives are buzzing about Romneys next move in politics. After losing the 2012 presidential election, the former Massachusetts governor briefly flirted with running for president in 2016. His on-again-off-again feuding with President Trump, and his stature within establishment Republican circles has kept him in the political headlines as a possible counterweight to the populist Trump wing of the party.

Romney is a Mormon, and given Utahs large Mormon population, he would seem a natural fit to succeed Hatch and complete his remaining 12 months thats left of the term if he decides to run. Moreover, Romney successfully managed the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. That made him a state-wide hero after he raised significant sums of outside cash for the games that erased a massive debt amid a bribery scandal.

But GOP operatives say if Romney does capture the seat, he will also have his eye on a bigger prize and possibly look to challenge Trump in 2020, particularly if the presidents historically low approval ratings continue.

The rumor is that if Romney runs and wins Hatchs seat, and Trump looks vulnerable, he might make a go for the White House in 2020, said one major GOP fundraiser. It will be a bloodbath for sure but if Trump looks weak, it might happen.

Zwick and Waldrip have extensive experience in campaign fundraising and are part of Romneys old guard during his two attempts to run for president, giving him an advantage in the Senate race regardless of who opposes him. Zwick is so close to Romney and his extended family that hes often referred to as the Sixth Romney (Romney has five sons, including Tagg Romney who is also a managing partner of Solamere).

Zwick and his machine are ready, said one GOP operative who regularly works on campaigns in Utah. With Zwick in charge of funding, they dont need to overspend and the general election will likely be a breeze.

Waldrip was a key campaign aide for Romneys 2008 run for president and later became the deputy finance director for his 2012 presidential campaign. Zwick was finance chairman for both the 2008 and 2012 campaigns and was Romneys deputy chief of staff when he was governor of Massachusetts.

Still, sources close to Romney say the former Massachusetts governor, who has a home in Utah, has indicated that he is likely to move ahead with a campaign run immediately after Hatch, one of the GOPs elder statesmen, announced his retirement after 40 years in the Senate. Most recently, the 83-year-old Hatch served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and helped craft the Republican tax reform bill that passed through Congress in December and was signed by President Trump later that month.

Some GOP operatives have speculated that Romneys brand of establishment politicshes in favor of free trade and is less populist on issues like immigrationis out of step with many base GOP voters. When he ran for president, losing the GOP nomination to Arizona Sen. John McCain in 2008 and his unsuccessful 2012 campaign against former president Barack Obama, Romney was known to accept contributions from the highest levels of Wall Street, with much of the fundraising being assembled by Zwick. In 2012, executives from Goldman Sachs contributed more than $1 million to his campaign and securities and investment firms as a whole coughed up more than $23 million for that year alone, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

After Romney criticized Trump during the 2016 campaign, Trump called Romney a phony and said during a rally that Romney came begging for his endorsement in 2012.

"I could've said, 'Mitt, drop to your knees,'" Trump added.

Still, once Trump became president-elect in November 2016, he briefly considered naming Romney his secretary of state, a post that went to Rex Tillerson. And Romney aides see an opening for their man that might extend beyond the Senate seat, if he decides to run, to include a possible presidential run if the current president enters 2020 in a weakened state.

Trumps brand of populist politics combined with his volatile personal nature has made him one of the least-popular presidents in modern history. Special counsel Robert Mueller continues to investigate alleged Russian meddling into the 2016 election and whether key people in the Trump orbit aided those efforts. Meanwhile, voters have rejected some of Trumps most recent populist candidates such as Roy Moore, the conservative firebrand who lost to Democrat Doug Jones in the solidly-Republican state of Alabama.

Hes not going into this as a never Trumper, Zwick said in an interview. The guy interviewed to serve in President Trumps cabinet so thats not the case. What Mitt has proven time and time again is that he will call things out as he sees them. Whether its against the Senate, the House or the president, thats who Mitt Romney is, Zwick said.Amid President Trumps threat to withhold roughly $300 million in aid to Palestine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus spokesperson, David Keyes, tells FOX Business the Palestinians have continuously turned down peace offerings.

Its outrageous what the Palestinians are spending their money on, Keyes said to Neil Cavuto on Cavuto: Coast to Coast. Not only are they running away from every single peace offer we have offered, not only are they saying no to every single time Prime Minister Netanyahu has called to sit with the Palestinians to negotiate in good faith and of course the Palestinians have turned that down as they have turned down the hundreds of other calls that the Prime Minister has made for peace.

While it remains an American decision to cut off aid, Keyes questioned Palestinians spending habits.

Not only are the Palestinians turning down every peace offer, they are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to kill Israelis, he asserted.

Meanwhile, unrest continues to escalate amid ant-government protests in Iran. President Trump on Wednesday vowed to give great support to Iranians, days after the supreme leader blamed the nations enemies for anti-government protests. Keyes however, had a different opinion.

Those claims are laughable, they are wrong, said Keyes. President Rouhani is insulting the intelligence of the Iranian people by saying that. Its very evident who is in charge of these protests. These are average Iranians. These are students and housewives. These are people who care deeply about the future of Iran, and its obvious why they are coming out into the streets.

Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

For decades, the Iranian regime has been accused of funding global terrorism and suppressing the Iranian people. In December, government officials banned social media, deeming it necessary to maintain public safety.

The regime fears their own people, and they fear the truth. Thats why they are banning social media, said Keyes. Its very disturbing to see these pictures, and the Prime Minister heard the silence of some European leaders and said its just not right to stay silent in the face of this repression and thats one of the main reasons why he decided to speak out and to wish the Iranian people every success in their noble quest for freedom.

Keyes added that Prime Minister Netanyahu ultimately believes that Iranians and Israelis will be great friends once again.North Korea announced on Wednesday it will reopen a cross-border communication channel with South Korea, after almost two years, according to officials in Seoul.

This came just hours after President Donald Trump taunted North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un about the size of his nuclear button, after Kim stated a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office, in a speech on Monday.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

However, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton called the claims by Kim political hoopla.

What the North Koreans are doing is pure propaganda. Im not sure it has anything to do with U.S. pressure. I think it has more to do with the fact that they are very close to achieving the long sought objective of being able to deliver nuclear weapons to any target they want in the United States or worldwide, Bolton told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria.

Bolton added that North Korea is playing into the gullibility of the South Korean government and American political leaders to make it look like somehow they are trying to open a channel of communication.

President Trumps tweet proclaimed I too have a nuclear button, but in Boltons opinion the taunting is fundamentally irrelevant and a stronger military presence in Guam and Japan would convince China, a mediator between America and North Korea, that the U.S. is a credible military threat.

The potential use of military force is going to be taken seriously until that buildup takes place, he said. I think the one chance we have of convincing China that they better crack down themselves on North Korea, my view is, we should reunify the peninsula but to get Chinas attention is to make the military threat credible and that hasnt happened yet.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo in October said North Korea was months away from delivering a nuclear weapon to the United Statesa projection Bolton believes is accurate.

Theres not a lot of time to waste here, Bolton warned. Talking to the North Koreans is a waste of time. Talking to the Chinese is increasingly unlikely to produce the kind of result we need. So youre getting down fairly quickly to a binary choicelive with North Korea with nuclear weapons ... or look at military force.A high-speed pursuit in South Dakota ended with a grim discovery when police found the body of a dead woman wrapped in a blanket in the back of the SUV they were chasing.

The incident was outlined by a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper in a court affidavit filed on Tuesday. The Associated Press reports that the vehicle was first spotted going 100 mph on I-90 near Spearfish and hit a top observed speed of 118 mph as the driver tried to avoid being pulled over.

Some 45 miles later outside Rapid City, police laid a spike strip in the road ahead of the car, which caused it to come to a stop in a ditch. The driver, Tosten Walsh Lommen, 30, of Santa Cruz, Calif., ran from the scene but was quickly apprehended as he tried to climb over a fence.

Police found a beer growler and prescription drugs in the car, and a breath test determined that Lommen had a blood alcohol level of .142, which is well above the states legal limit of .08. A search of the vehicle, which did not belong to Lommen, then turned up the body. Authorities have not revealed the cause of death or the identity of the deceased.

Lommen has not yet been charged with any crimes connecting him to the death as the investigation continues, but is being held in Pennington County Jail with a bond set at $2.5 million.

Keloland News reports that Lommen had previously faced DUI charges in California and had a restraining order filed against him in 2015 by a woman  not the same woman, however, listed as owner of the SUV he was driving in the South Dakota incident.

Sources tell Newscenter1 that the vehicle belonged to Lommen's mother, with whom he lived in Palm Springs, Calif., according to public records.Two cases investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein are being reviewed by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.



Two cases have been presented to our office by the Beverly Hills Police Department regarding Mr. Weinstein and are under review, Greg Risling, a spokesperson for the District Attorneys office, told Fox News in a statement.

SALMA HAYEK ON 'MY MONSTER' HARVEY WEINSTEIN: HE SAID 'I WILL KILL YOU'

No other information regarding the cases was provided by the office.

A review of the two cases follows other police investigations looking into accusations made against Weinstein. The shamed media mogul is also under investigation by police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London.

More than 70 women  including stars such as Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rose McGowan  have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape since early October.

Weinstein has routinely denied all accusations of nonconsensual sex.Michelle Obama wasnt able to save a veteran from NBCUniversals tight security, according to a new lawsuit obtained by Page Six.

Greg Duncan filed a suit against NBCUniversal on Dec. 29, 2017, after he alleges he was booted from a taping of The Voice on May 2, 2016. He claims he was banned from the NBCUniversal lot permanently and its costing him work as an aspiring actor.

He is now suing for an unspecified amount of damages.

In docs viewed by Page Six, Duncan claims the former first ladys office invited him to a taping honoring military veterans and that he confirmed his attendance ahead of time. He says he went through two security screenings after he arrived at the NBCUniversal lot and even had a conversation with a security staffer that ended in Enjoy the show. He consumed food and drink on the lot for hours before taking a shuttle to the studio where the taping was taking place, but he didnt get the chance to see the show.

As the shuttle reached the studio, Mr. Duncan and the other guests disembarked, the suit alleges. While standing in the line prior to actual studio admission, Mr. Duncan was approached by an NBCUniversal, Inc. security manager. This security manager told Mr. Duncan that Mr. Duncans photograph, as well as a video of Mr. Duncans likeness had been distributed to all NBCUniversal, Inc. security personnel. This particular NBCUniversal, Inc. security manager indicated that he recognized Mr. Duncan. When Mr. Duncan reminded the security manager that he had previously worked various jobs on the lot as a security officer and commercial actor, the security manager independently corroborated the fact.

But Duncan says he was asked to leave by two Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies and two NBCUniversal security personnel.

These four individuals informed Mr. Duncan that they had been directed to take such action by members of the U.S. Secret Service, the suit read. The U.S. Secret Service had requested that Mr. Duncan be escorted off the premises. Mr. Duncan asked to know the reason for his expulsion. All four individuals indicated that they were ignorant with respect to the specific reason Mr. Duncans guest privileges were being revoked.

Duncan, a US Coast Guard commander, claims he tried to set up meetings with the Secret Service to straighten out the situation, but he was never able to confirm a date before visiting the lot again to film a commercial.

Duncan was informed when he showed up for work that he was banned permanently from the property for [resembling] a lookout who shouldnt have been on the set. The Secret Service cleared him of any wrongdoing in a meeting after the fact, but NBCUniversal never cleared him, per the suit.

Duncans lawyer did not comment. NBCUniversal didnt return our request for comment.

This article originally appeared in Page Six.What is Taylor Swifts Reputation worth? Not the jacked-up prices shes charging for concert tickets.

Thats the verdict from ticked-off fans, who are balking at buying seats for the 28-year-old pop stars tour to promote her new Reputation album, citing stratospheric markups and greedy sales gimmicks.

I paid $150 for my ticket with amazing seats for the 1989 tour. Now for the same seats I have to pay about $500, Twitter user swiftieloves recently griped.

A look at Ticketmasters interactive seat charts confirms that Swifts schedule of 33 dates for the North American Reputation tour has yet to produce a single sellout, from its May 8 launch in Phoenix to its Oct. 6 finale in Arlington, Texas.

Thats despite seats being available to the general public since Swifts birthday on Dec. 13. By comparison, all the dates on Swifts 1989 tour in 2015 sold out within minutes, according to concertsandsports.com.

Sales so far have been a mega disappointment, one music industry insider told The Post. There are hundreds if not thousands of tickets left for every show.

The stumble out of the gate is especially embarrassing given that the Reputation album sold more than 1 million copies within four days of its Nov. 10 release.

On top of high prices, some prospective buyers are getting irked by Ticketmasters Verified Fan program, which required participants to register weeks before tickets went on presale, proving they were bona fide fans and not bots looking to buy tickets for scalpers.

Ticketmaster, which has used Verified Fan for U2 concerts, Hamilton, Springsteen on Broadway and other big shows, told The Post the program tries to provide fans with the most reliable access to tickets and combat bad actors that use bots that subvert that process.

But Verified Fan  which got rebranded to Taylor Swift Tix for the tour  has added a controversial feature called boosts that promises fans a chance to improve [their] position in line to purchase tickets.

Some boosts were innocuous, such as joining Swifts official mailing list. But others cost money, such as pre-ordering the Reputation album, shelling out $50 for a T-shirt or purchasing the $60 snake ring that Swift wore in her Look What You Made Me Do music video.

To get further in line to buy Taylor Swift tickets she wants you [to] buy merch from her  this greedy snake, Twitter user Q_Taryntino fumed.

Music blogger Bob Lefsetz called Taylor Swift Tix a tone-deaf scam that amounts to upselling with a theoretical benefit rather than a guarantee of better seats.

Indeed, some fans who bought into the Reputation tours presale between Dec. 5 and Dec. 8 got nasty surprises when tickets opened up to the general public five days later.

I wasted my time buying with the presale code as the tickets available to the public were much better, Twitter user paigelizabethh wrote.

Any particular reason that #Reputation tickets in the 100s section during presale last week were $446 APIECE and now theyre $267???? asked bigbiiisch.

Ticketmaster touted Taylor Swift Tix as an unparalleled success, saying it delivered the biggest registration weve ever had.

By charging higher prices and blocking out scalpers, Swift and her tour promoter Louis Messina could fatten their coffers by as much as $1.5 million per show, according to an estimate in Billboard.

That sounds like a shrewd business strategy, but Swift still has a lot of tickets to sell to make that upside. In the meantime, the Swifties are getting restless.

Taylor Swifts 1989 tour tickets sold out in only a couple of hours, one disaffected fan, alexiam77, tweeted. Today, you can *still* get really well-placed Reputation floor seats. If that doesnt tell you your tickets are too expensive, idk what will.

Messina didnt respond to requests for comment. Swifts music distributor, Universal, said it wasnt immediately able to comment.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post.It looks like ABC is going to have to do something new with three hours of broadcast time on Feb. 7 now that its officially scrapping the Rolling Stone 50th Anniversary Show.

Announced in May at the networks upfront presentation, the special was set to be a three-hour exploration into the impact Rolling Stone had on pop culture, music and politics throughout the past five decades. It promised live performances and stars as well in a big spectacle. But ABC made the abrupt decision to cancel the special in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against the rock n' roll magazine's founder, Jann Wenner.

Back in November, Ben Ryan, a freelance writer for Rolling Stone came out with allegations against Wenner and explained his encounter with the publisher to BuzzFeed News. Ryan told Buzzfeed that Wenner proposed career advancement in exchange for sex during a 2005 meeting.

And just last week, a former employee, Jonathan Wells, accused Wenner of sexually assaulting him more than 40 years ago  his relationship with the publisher was allegedly what got the former press director hired and later fired from the company.

Wenner has denied both of the allegations against him.

But prior to the Wenners assault allegations, Rolling Stone also faced a tough time and received harsh backlash in 2014 after publishing a story of a campus gang rape at the University of Virginia that was incorrectly reported, and was later debunk by the Washington Post. The lawsuit against Rolling Stone was settled in April.

In December, Wenner ended his 50 years of owning the rock n' roll magazine and sold his controlling stake in his publication to Jay Penske at Penske Media, publishers of Variety and Womens Wear Daily.Christina El Moussa is ringing in the new year with a new love interest!

ET has learned that the "Flip or Flop" star is dating British host Ant Anstead. Over the weekend, El Moussa congratulated the 38-year-old TV personality on the premiere of his show, "Wheeler Dealers," by posting a selfie of them riding bicycles.

"Congrats to this guy @ant_anstead," she wrote. "His show, #WheelerDealers airs in the UK today! #HMF"

Christina El Moussa on Moving Forward, Co-Parenting & How the Last Year Made Her a 'Better Person'

The 34-year-old HGTV star also responded to a fan who asked about Anstead, writing: "Nice, sweet, funny and handsome."

Meanwhile, Anstead shared a video on his Instagram of himself on a boat in Newport Beach, California, where El Moussa lives with her two children. "New Year's Eve on the Duffy Newport Beach," he wrote. "Driving and catching marshmallows with the kiddies and friends! Perfect end of a tough year."

New Year's Eve on the Duffy Newport Beach. Driving and catching marshmallows  with the kiddies and friends! Perfect end of a tough year

El Moussa was last dating Orange County businessman Doug Spedding, but the two parted ways in October. The mother of two also separated from her husband, Tarek El Moussa, in December 2016.

Christina El Moussa Opens Up About 'Special' Holiday Plans

In an interview with ET, El Moussa opened up about her personal life and her plans for the future. "I just sort of take things day by day and I don't overthink things," she said.

As for her split from her husband, she added, "I don't have any regrets. I think that things happen for a reason and this is just what was best for us. I think everything is as it should be."

Reporting by Brendon Geoffrion.The New York Times says the recent deadly protests that exploded in Iran have not led the company to cancel any of its $8,000 tours of the terror-sponsoring rogue nation being offered this year, conferring the prestige of the paper on wealthy customers  as the paper seeks to find new sources of revenue.

At least 21 people have died and hundreds of others have been arrested in the demonstrations, which have erupted in several cities and are the largest since those that followed the disputed 2009 presidential election.

Despite the bloodshed, the first Times Journeys excursion to Iran of 2018 is scheduled to take place between March 5 and March 17. The cost: as low as $7,895 -- but not including airfare.

"Though Iran often rejects Western ways and is frequently under fire for its positions on human rights, its nuclear program and Israel, its role as a birthplace of civilization cannot be denied," reads the introductory text on the tour's website.

The tours, which began in 2015, have stirred criticism among some Iran watchers who accuse the paper -- and journalists who take part in the tours -- of collaborating with the Tehran regime in a moneymaking venture.

"[S]uch voyages to Iran would be impossible absent approval from high-level figures in the host countrys government," James Kirchick wrote in Foreign Policy in December 2015. "Luxury tours of this sort bring much-needed revenue to the country. And since they are operated by Americas newspaper of record, they also provide a stamp of legitimacy to a regime most Americans rightly loathe."

"The safety of our travelers is our primary concern and we continue to monitor the situation in real time through contact with diplomatic representatives and security firms on the ground in Iran," a Times spokesperson told Fox News in an emailed statement. "If we can't guarantee the security of travelers, we will cancel any given trip."

Times spokeswoman Eileen Murphy told Kirchick in 2015 that the trips "in no way represent an endorsement by The Times and have no impact on our news coverage. Instead, the trips reflect the broad range of interests of our readers."

"Nonetheless," Kirchick wrote in response, "it stands to reason that the Times would jeopardize its newfound business relationship with Iran if Tehran no longer approved of the papers coverage."

The Times spokesperson did not respond to other emailed questions from Fox News, including whether the company had been in contact with Iranian officials to discuss any aspect of the tour and whether any suppliers the company contracted with had ties to the Iranian government.

The Times trips to Iran also go against the advice of the State Department. In a revised travel warning issued this past August, the department said U.S. citizens "should very carefully weigh the risks of and consider postponing planned travel to Iran."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Before Meghan Markle or even Kate Middleton, it was Princess Diana of Wales who was setting beauty trends across the globe. And it turns out her signature look was a spontaneous choice made by the royal.

Sam McKnight, who once served as Dianas stylist, revealed in his new book, titled Hair by Sam McKnight, that her iconic haircut first made its grand debut in a 1990 magazine cover. And while that image of the late princess has since been immortalized, McKnight insisted the hairdo in the photo wasnt actually real.

PRINCE HARRY SAYS MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCESS DIANA WOULD HAVE BEEN 'THICK AS THIEVES'

I made her hair look short in the tiara for the shoot and she decided she liked it, wrote McKnight, as reported by Us Weekly. As she was leaving, Diana asked what would I do to her hair if I had free reign I suggested cutting it short and she, to my surprise, agreed, and we did it there and then."

McKnight added he used hair grips to tuck Dianas shoulder-length tresses under the tiara, a style that would soon become one of the most sought after looks during her lifetime.

Perhaps Diana was looking for something to lift her spirits at the time. Just two years later, journalist Andrew Morton penned the 1992 biography Diana: Her Story, which was based on the secretly recorded conversations between the princess and her friend, James Colthurst, before her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996. The book was published with Dianas consent.

It was a sign at that time [of] this desperation to get the [real] story out, Morton told Fox News in July 2017. I asked her [why] and she just felt the public didnt really know who she was. They were responding to a two-dimensional image. This kind of media cut-out she felt like she was enduring a lonely miserable life inside the palace and outside, she was adored It was incredibly frustrating as far as she was concerned because everyone still believed in the fairy tale. And she knew it was a nightmare.

Diana had long suspected her husband Prince Charles was having an ongoing affair with his ex-girlfriend Camilla Parker Bowles, Morton said.

The mother of two died in 1997 from a car crash in Paris at age 36.

Charles married Camilla, now Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005.A chef accused of spiking a vegan diner's meal has quit her job after receiving death threats.

Laura Goodman found herself at the center of a storm and even called in cops after making the "joke" in a late night Facebook post.

She has now left her job at Italian restaurant Carlini in Shropshire, about 155 miles north-west of London, after being bombarded with angry messages.

A spokesman for the restaurant said: "Laura Goodman has today tendered her resignation from Carlini and the board of directors are currently considering their options.

"Whilst this process is being completed, Laura will not be working at either of the restaurants, which will re-open later this week.

"As part of a pre-planned recruitment drive, Carlini is also recruiting for an additional head chef to work across both its restaurants in Shropshire."

Goodman was embroiled in the scandal after boasting in a Facebook group how she "spiked a vegan a few hours ago" on Saturday evening.

The Rome-born chef also blasted: "Pious, judgemental vegan (who I spent all day cooking for) has gone to bed, still believing she's a vegan."

A pal said today she was in a "bad way" and "too scared to leave the house" following the fury.

The friend added: "She can't believe how she has found herself in this position. She actually made a flippant remark which wasn't even true. She didn't actually 'spike' anyone's food. It's been a nightmare for her."

Yesterday, her fiance and business partner Michael Gale said their "world has been turned upside down" since the flippant remark was shared around the world.

He said Laura had been drinking and was annoyed after a group of vegans did not order from a special menu she created for them - and one even ate a margarita pizza with mozzarella cheese.

He said: "We've completely shot ourselves in the foot. We now understand that in the vegetarian and vegan world, saying that you've 'spiked' someone's food means that you put meat in it, which isn't the case here.

"I think that the whole storm that has arisen has come from that word 'spike'.

"She deeply regrets that she used it, she didn't mean to cause offence when she used it, and she's sorry.

"She's sorry not just for us, but for all of the people that she's offended.

"At the time of making the post, it was in the small hours of the morning, and Laura had probably had too much to drink and was angry that they hadn't chosen to have the dishes that she had prepared for them.

"It was a stupid remark in a closed group. She didn't expect it to go viral, which was maybe a bit naive of her.

"She's horrified by what she's done, embarrassed and deeply sorry.

"With some of these threats that she's received, she's almost suicidal. She doesn't want to go outdoors."

Gale said Goodman has received threats of death, violence and lawsuits from all over the world.

Carlini and a sister restaurant in Shifnal, Shrops, also called Carlini, have received phantom bookings and their Google and Tripadvisor pages have been flooded with one-star reviews.

One furious troll even contacted a waitress's mother.

Gale said: "I would just like to reassure customers that they shouldn't be concerned about this flippant remark, because it doesn't have any bearing on the food that we serve here.

"Laura bent over backwards to try and come up with something special for them, and it's so sad that it's ended like this."

Since Goodman's post, the restaurant's Facebook page has been deleted but people have posted dozens of bad reviews in response on TripAdvisor and Google.

One TripAdvisor user called for Laura to be prosecuted for her actions.

Another said on Google: "Feeding a non vegan meal to someone who has made the compassionate or potentially even medical choice not to eat animal products intentionally is disgraceful.

"And then to brag about it on your Facebook Page, I hope you're ashamed of yourself.

"Your business is not too far from where I live and you can rest assured you will never have the custom of me or any of my friends again."

Another added: "This lady should be charged with assault.

"We are vegan for a reason, to disregard our wishes and boast about contaminating food is at least a sackable offence."

Vegans now plan to protest outside the restaurant, demanding it be shut down.

And the storm of criticism over the restaurateur's comments have now seen Shropshire Council involved.

It confirmed: "We have received complaints and are investigating".

This article originally appeared on The SunA woman who thought she was suffering from Crohns disease for six years found the sauce of the problem when doctors discovered pieces of a Heinz packet in the lining of her intestine.

The 41-year-old woman went to doctors after she experienced abdominal pain and bloating that was similar to Crohns disease symptoms, an inflammatory bowel disorder, the British Medical Journal said in a report.

WOMAN SUES HOSPITAL OVER NUDE PHOTO TAKEN ON OPERATING TABLE

Doctors at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital in Britains Slough monitored the symptoms and gave her standard treatment for the disease  but to no avail. The womans symptoms became so severe that doctors opted for keyhole surgery.

Surgeons discovered an inflammatory mass that was two pieces of plastic with the words Heinz printed on them.

The patient had no recent recollection of consuming a meal involving the product found intraoperatively, the report stated.

The woman recovered quickly and the symptoms she experienced disappeared five months after the surgery. She has remained in good health since then.

This isnt the first time an object caused someone to believe they had Crohns disease, according to the British Medical Journal. A man had similar symptoms until doctors discovered there was a toothpick lodged in his intestine.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FROM FOX NEWS HEALTH

The womans health scare was the first case a synthetic plastic packaging was mimicking symptoms of Crohns disease.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Americans got a tax cut. The economy is booming. Hispanic and African-American unemployment rates are at historic lows. The ISIS caliphate is destroyed. In the United States, MS-13 gang members are now afraid for their future, while American citizens finally have a sense their future is back.

All of this was enough to throw actress Alyssa Milano into the fetal position. Her horror continued, as she complained that her feet were cold.

On Dec. 30, Ms. Milano, the actress and shampoo spokes-model, distress-tweeted: Just made the mistake of reading all of @RealDonaldTrumps tweets from the last few days. Im now curled up in the fetal position with an [sic] Cinderella tiara on my head. Also, my feet are cold. So very cold.

What was President Trump saying, exactly, that reduced Ms. Milano to an infantile state?

He touted the commitment against a transnational terrorist group in the U.S., Arrests of MS-13 Members, Associates Up 83% Under Trump. And then theres this: Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Then he joked about so-called global warming: In the East, it could be the COLDEST New Years Eve on record. Perhaps we could use a little bit of that good old Global Warming that our Country, but not other countries, was going to pay TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS to protect against. Bundle up!

If youre a normal person, you laughed at that, and were grateful that Mr. Trump kept us from becoming an ATM for an increasingly corrupt Europe.

Alyssa Milano is a famous American feminist who presents herself as a champion for women and the downtrodden. Yet she is reduced to a shivering infant because the president confidently and proudly promotes an agenda that is improving everyones lives.

He also made clear his position on DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and border security: The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration.

But most of his focus was on supporting the Iranian protesters. Among his many encouraging tweets: The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Irans people are what their leaders fear the most.

Indeed. Which brings us back to Ms. Milano, a famous American feminist who presents herself as a champion for women and the downtrodden. Yet she is reduced to a shivering infant because the president confidently and proudly promotes an agenda that is improving everyones lives.

Perhaps it was the president reminding her of what real feminists look like  Iranian women protesters putting their lives at risk as they condemn their tyrannical Islamist government. Already an icon has emerged: a young woman holding up her hijab as an act of defiance against the regime. We do not know what happened to her, but Ms. Milanoand every American liberal should watch whats unfolding in Iran and learn a lesson, or two or a thousand, about who the heroes are, and what courage and feminism in the face of danger really is.

If there was any doubt Mr. Trump won 2017 with the results of hard work despite every corrupt establishment and the Deep State against him, Ms. Milanos behavior is the perfect single illustration of that success. She also embodies what happened to the pussy-hat wearing set of Hollywood brats.

They went from marching in Washington, D.C., screaming with rage about the newly elected president, to curled up in the fetal position because Mr. Trump is actually making American great again. Who knew it was more than a slogan!

Hollywoods smug infant feminists would do well to read Rita Panahi, an Iranian-born Australian and a columnist at the Herald Sun. She wrote, In Iran, the changes that stripped women of their rights were not accepted without a fight. In 1979, about 100,000 women bravely took to the streets of Tehran to protest the imposition of Islamic law.  Some of the protesters were stabbed by Islamists, others were imprisoned, and ultimately the fight was lost. To see the feminists of the 2017 Womens March embrace the hijab as a symbol of diversity and empowerment is an affront to many women forced to wear it. Those who fetishise the hijab, niqab and burqa ignore the plight of millions of oppressed women in the Muslim world.

Indeed.

As the Iranian people rise up and Ms. Milano curls up, the Obama gang echo-chamber is desperately trying to keep Mr. Trump and America from helping the desperate Iranian people. The same ship of fools that sent at least $1 billion dollars in unmarked cash to that terrorist cesspool, is now out in force telling the president to shut up about Iran.

Former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice tweet-promoted an article titled, How Can Trump Help Irans Protesters? Be Quiet. This shut up meme is echoed on social media throughout the Obama dumpster-fire of advisers.



In the process of trying to stop Mr. Trump from exposing their fraud and failure, we can be confident they, too, are curled up and wearing their tiaras.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Trump is up 3 percent!

I refer to the betting odds. Gamblers (mostly in Europe because political bets are legal there) now give the president a 53 percent chance of finishing his first term.

That's it -- they barely think he'll complete four years. This must seem wrong to Trump supporters, but when Trump won the presidency, the odds were significantly lower -- many people thought he wouldn't finish one term.

"He can't take the criticism! He'll get mad and quit! He'll get bored and quit! He'll return to making money! He'll be impeached! Assassinated! He'll get so angry that he has a stroke!"

I live in New York City, so I heard (and hear) all that and more.

Still, I thought the people saying he'd be gone in less than four years were wrong. So, I took bets from friends. So far, it looks like I'm winning.

You can follow the odds at ElectionBettingOdds.com, a site created by my associate Maxim Lott. He doesn't create the numbers -- just translates the bets into odds Americans can understand.

I know you Trump fans mock the betting odds. I read your comments on Facebook and Twitter: "Stossel the Fool, your website got Trump's election wrong! Why trust your site now?"

Here's why: Betting odds are more reliable predictors of future events than polls, pundits and everything else.

True, before Trump won, gamblers gave him only a 20 percent chance. But 20 percent isn't nothing, and by election night ElectionBettingOdds.com recognized the truth faster than the TV commentators did.

As I write, the bettors predict that in this year's congressional elections, Republicans will hold the Senate but lose the House.

In 2020, who will be elected president? Trump leads, but oddsmakers give him just a 29 percent chance.

His biggest competition among Democrats is, surprisingly, California Senator Kamala Harris. She has a 7 percent chance. Then Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. (Hillary Clinton ranks even lower: just 2 percent.)

His biggest rival overall is Vice President Mike Pence, at 8 percent.

Yes, it's too early to predict this November's results, let alone 2020's. But watching the odds change is fun (they update every five minutes), and gamblers are the best guide.

Of course, I want a libertarian to win.

For my YouTube video this week, I asked Libertarian Party chairman Nick Sarwark, "Why bother competing? Last election, even though so many people hated both the Democrat and Republican, Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson got less than 4 percent of the vote."

"We tripled all previous records," he replied. "In the 45-year history of the Libertarian Party, we've never had that kind of support."

Not good enough, I said.

"Success is a long-term thing," Sarwark assured me. "More people are seeing that when you elect Republicans you don't get the sort of small government they run on. If you elect Democrats, you don't get civil liberties. ... Both parties are fighting over the ability to take your tax money and give it to their corporate special interest friends."

But those two corrupt major parties keep winning!

"We're growing and they're dying," replied Sarwark. "Voter registration identity with Republicans and Democrats is dropping. Voter registration identity with Libertarians is the only party that's growing."

Some Libertarians claim the party would have done better in 2016 had Gary Johnson been a better candidate. Some complained, "He's too low-key. He sounded like he was stoned."

"No one has the perfect combination of credibility, experience, purity of message," replied Sarwalk. "He was the best candidate the delegates could have picked. And we had the best success that we've ever had."

Win or lose, he added, Libertarians will remind Americans about basic principles we have in common: "The rights of the individual, the right to free speech, to keep and bear arms, limitations on the powers of government. We want a right to live our life and pursue happiness any way we choose -- as long as we don't hurt other people and don't take their stuff. And the two old political parties, that's not what they're about. They're about taking power and controlling you."NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Among the good people we lost in 2017 was Maurice Mickey Carroll. A mentor in my early days of journalism, Mickey spent his last years as the face of Quinnipiac Universitys polling operation, though he never lost his habit of making points through amusing stories.

One seems especially relevant to our hyper-polarized times. As Mickey described it, a New Jersey town with a population 90 percent Irish and 10 percent Jewish held a mayoral election, with a candidate from each tribe.

After the Irish candidate got 90 percent of the vote and the Jewish candidate got 10 percent, the Irish candidate hailed the show of municipal unity while condemning Jewish clannishness!

The story is uncomfortably close to the everyday reality New Yorkers endure, with the victors routinely spying clannishness in the defeated.

Consider that Mayor de Blasio kicked off his second term by inviting Sen. Bernie Sanders to his inauguration, where the Vermont socialist trotted out his favorite whipping boys, millionaires and billionaires.

Auditioning for Sanders support, de Blasio himself denounced this heyday of hatred, this new dawn of divisiveness, presumably coming from Donald Trump. Then he lined up his usual list of bogeymen, saying New York is no longer run by the big landlords and big developers and the titans of Wall Street and the 1 percent.

From tax cuts to deregulation to building up the military to his judicial selections, Trumps policies are far more mainstream and deliberate than even many of his supporters anticipated.

In other words, hate and divisiveness are fine  as long as you hate the right people. The attack seemed especially ungrateful given that big developers are de Blasios biggest donors, but being a politician means never having to say youre wrong or sorry.

Gov. Cuomo has a bogeyman, too, the new federal tax law. He calls GOP supporters of it Benedict Arnolds who are guilty of treason. He claimed the law was designed to hurt New York and other high-tax states, calling it an economic dagger pointed at the heart of blue bastions.

His language is reckless and his argument financially illiterate, for most New Yorkers will get a tax cut thanks to the law, and slashing corporate rates should produce more jobs for New Yorkers. But Cuomo has risen above facts and appeals only to an us against them tribalism, where them is anybody who disagrees with him.

Yet the search for the darkest heart in New York politics must stop with state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Having recently filed his 100th legal action against the Trump administration, Schneiderman revealed his radical rationale.

We try and protect New Yorkers from those who would do them harm, he told a reporter. The biggest threat to New Yorkers right now is the federal government, so were responding to it.

Silly me, I thought the biggest threat to New Yorkers were Islamic radicals determined to top the horrors of 9/11, North Korean nukes aimed at us, and maybe the possibility the subway system will grind to a screeching halt.

But now that Schneiderman has set me straight, I realize we should all lie awake at night, terrified of distant policymakers who have a different view of government than Schneiderman does. After all, theres nothing more dangerous than democracy when the other side wins.

The really scary part about this fear-mongering is de Blasio and Cuomo want to go national with their apocalyptic visions. To demonstrate his all-in commitment to resisting Trump, the mayor even floated the idea that American cities should refuse federal infrastructure money.

Thankfully, none of the other mayors in the room was buying his bunk, which would have hurt New Yorkers just so he could score political points with the far left and raise money from hate-Trump megadonors like George Soros and Tom Steyer.

But that moment of common sense  or at least an unwillingness from the other mayors to turn down free federal money  is proving too rare these days. Trump, for all his flaws and quirks, is pursuing fairly conventional ideas from the Republican playbook, but for the left to admit that would be to normalize him and deprive themselves of using fear as a weapon.

But it remains nonetheless true that, from tax cuts to deregulation to building up the military to his judicial selections, Trumps policies are far more mainstream and deliberate than even many of his supporters anticipated.

Above all, with each passing day, it gets harder to deny the Trump effect on the economy. With the stock market hitting some 70 new highs, and with consumer and business confidence at record highs and unemployment at record lows, the slow-growth Obama years are looking worse and worse. And cruel because its now achingly obvious the former presidents policies denied millions a spot on the ladder of opportunity.

Yet fish gotta swim and deniers gotta deny, so Democrats can be counted on to spread fear. Many already are demanding Trumps impeachment, even when they need to concoct a parade of horribles out of whole cloth to justify it.

Thats the current state of play, and as we get deeper into the midterm campaign, its worth keeping a close watch on how far Dems will go with their fear mongering, and how much success they will have with it.

My hope is that they wont get far at all, and will be forced to offer voters honest alternatives instead of just loud false alarms. Or is that asking too much?

Keep reading Michael Goodwin's column in the New York Post.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Since he took office, President Trump has been clear in his message that unemployed adults capable of working should expect welfare changes designed to move them off welfare and into jobs.

Millions lifted from welfare to work is not too much to expect, President Trump told a joint session of Congress in February.

Early signals from the Trump administration are positive signs that it is moving forward with this commitment. Thats a good thing, because with more than 6 million open jobs in the country right now, employers desperately need adults to trade in their welfare applications for job applications.

President Trumps proposed budget demonstrates his commitment to making this a reality by making changes to the way the food stamp program (officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is administered, closing bureaucratic loopholes that accelerated the growth in food stamp caseloads.

In addition, President Trumps budget proposes reigning in the expansion of food stamps by eliminating waivers for work requirements.

Federal law requires childless, able-bodied adults to work, volunteer or train at least 20 hours per week to receive food stamps. But Obama-era bureaucrats mounted a campaign allowing states to request waivers to opt out of the work requirement.

While the Trump administrations efforts to reinforce work requirements by stopping these waivers are commendable, reality persists. And the reality is that while Congress attempts to accomplish something and the budget sits on the sidelines, dependency is thriving in America.

Millions of able-bodied adults without children are still stuck on food stamps. And states continue to submit new waiver requests, ensuring those adults remain trapped on welfare.

Its a sad fact, because when work requirements are in place, these adults dont just go back to work  their incomes increase and their time on welfare is minimized. In Kansas and Maine, incomes more than doubled after work requirements for food stamps were restored.

Federal law says that waivers to the work requirement for food stamps cant be granted unless there is a 10 percent unemployment rate or a real lack of jobs. But thats not the case now. So why are these childless, able-bodied adults not working, even when businesses are desperate for workers?

As it turns out, states continue to ask the federal government to let them keep waiving the work requirement  and so far, the federal government keeps saying yes.

Take California, for example. Throughout 2017 Californias unemployment rate has been below 5 percent. Yet the state continues to ask the federal government for permission to let more than 600,000 able-bodied, childless adults receive food stamps without working.

Michigan has just a 4.3 percent unemployment rate, but still ignores the work requirement for all but four of its counties. One Michigan county that waives the work requirement has just a 2.7 percent unemployment rate  seven percentage points under the statutory threshold to waive work requirements.

And one county in Colorado that that has just 1.4 percent unemployment was given permission by the Obama administration to waive work requirements.

Across the country, there are more than 1,300 work-free counties, cities, and other areas where able-bodied adults, 18-49 years old, with no kids, get a completely free ride while on food stamps. There are no work requirements  no incentive for these people to pull themselves out of government dependency and create a better life, free from welfare.

Of these 1,300 areas, only 28 have unemployment rates above 10 percent  the level that Congress set when it enacted work requirements into federal law.

With unemployment below 10 percent and 6 million jobs open across the nation, there is no reason that waivers to the work requirement should continue to be granted.

And the Trump administration doesnt have to continue the trend. These waivers have been abused because of overreaching regulations and aggressive action by the Obama administration.

The work requirement law gives the secretary of the Department of Agriculture the authority to reject these waivers and reinstate the work requirement across the country. The secretary should do just that, to fast-track the American comeback and help fulfill President Trumps promise.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

CNN does not understand why viewers across the fruited plain are disgusted with the cavalcade of depravity displayed during the networks New Years Eve broadcast.

The Most Trusted Name in News hauled out a bunch of middle-aged journalists (who have trouble holding their liquor) to flirt on live television, cavort with drag queens, and deliver sexually-charged banter.

My balls are bigger than your balls, Brooke Cant Say Boobs on the Air Baldwin told Don Pierce Me Lemon.

Click here for a FREE subscription to Todds newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives!

Probably, Lemon responded.

Anderson Cooper stood up for The Most Toasted Name in News explaining that smoking pot from a bong and getting a Rocky Mountain High is not a crime.

The duo was broadcasting from a New Orleans bar  and they were presumably referring to Baldwins Mardi Gras beads. Presumably.

Earlier in the telecast, Lemon instructed Baldwin to pinch the tail and suck the head. Presumably, he was referring to how to properly eat a crawfish. Presumably.

But most of the nations disgust was reserved for the networks decision to embed reporter Randi Kush Kaye in a roving marijuana party bus.

Kaye regaled viewers with live hits from across Denver that included tutorials on getting stoned and how to use a gas mask bong.

CNN is trying to trademark the debauchery as its brand for New Years Eve coverage, Media Research Center President Brent Bozell told Fox News.

Anderson Cooper, who spent much of the broadcast giggling like a school girl at a Justin Bieber concert, defended the networks programming decision.

She did not smoke, Cooper said Tuesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

I seem to recall someone else who once used the infamous I did not inhale defense.

As Colbert pointed out  the danger was from second-hand smoke.

Do you still have a contact high from Randi Kaye? he asked.

Cooper stood up for The Most Toasted Name in News explaining that smoking pot from a bong and getting a Rocky Mountain High is not a crime.

Its legal in Colorado  grown adults, Cooper said.

In other words, dont be surprised if CNN dispatches a reporter to cover New Years Eve 2018 from the Moonlite Bunny Ranch. Prostitution is legal in parts of Nevada  grown adultsPresident Trump threatened to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority Tuesday, saying that organization was "no longer willing to talk peace."

In a pair of tweets, Trump complained that "we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue ... peace treaty with Israel."

Trump added that the U.S. had taken "Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more ... why should we make any of these massive future payments to [the Palestinians]?"

Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi responded: "We will not be blackmailed. President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!"

Last month, Trump announced that the U.S. would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there.

Trump has long said he wants to broker Mideast peace, calling it "the ultimate deal." He tasked son-in-law Jared Kushner to restart the effort, and brought his former attorney, Jason Greenblatt, into the White House to lead the negotiations.

Trump's Mideast peace team had held meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders for nearly a year ahead of an expected peace proposal.

But by recognizing Israel's claim to Jerusalem, Trump was seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem -- which Israel captured in 1967 -- for their capital.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the announcement destroyed Trump's credibility as a Mideast peace broker, calling the decision "a declaration of withdrawal from the role it has played in the peace process."

On Twitter, Trump also issued a threat to cut off foreign aid dollars to an unspecified list of countries that don't reciprocate.

"It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others," Trump tweeted, appearing to reference a Jan. 1 tweet lambasting Pakistan for failing to do enough to combat terror groups while taking U.S. aid.

"No more!" Trump had tweeted Monday.

It's a striking departure from bipartisan American practice and reflects Trump's transactional view of global affairs. U.S. leaders of both parties have long utilized foreign assistance dollars -- a minor percentage of the overall budget -- to promote American interests abroad, alleviate humanitarian crises and support oppressed peoples.

Trump's envoy to the United Nations, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley, foreshadowed Trump's warning earlier Tuesday at the U.N. Security Council. Haley said the president doesn't want to give any more funds "until the Palestinians are willing to come back to the negotiation table."

"We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table," Haley said. "As of now, they're not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We're going to make sure that they come to the table."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.President Donald Trump hit back Tuesday night at Kim Jong Un shortly after the North Korean dictator claimed to have a button for nuclear weapons on his desk.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,' the president tweeted. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Trumps response followed Jan. 1 remarks in which Kim claimed the rogue nation's nuclear capabilities are now reality.

The U.S. should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table, he said during the televised speech, according to an Associated Press translation. The entire area of the U.S. mainland is within our nuclear strike range. ... The United States can never start a war against me and our country.

Kim continued, We need to mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and accelerate their deployment.

The back-and-forth between Trump and Kim followed recent military activity near known North Korean missile sites in the past week. The activity prompted U.S. analysts to believe that North Korea was prepping for another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test  likely this week.

But those plans appear to have been put on hold after South Korea offered to host talks with the North next Tuesday.

Still, the latest intelligence, according to a U.S. defense official, suggested North Korea wanted to try again with the ICBM that it last tested to perfect the weapon's reentry - which has yet to be successful. The Pentagon had anticipated a move this week but now believes it may be delayed.

During the New Year's address, Kim also called for improved relations with South Korea. Mentioning the upcoming Winter Olympics, Kim said the event in South Korea could be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation.

Fox News Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said Tuesday that he would not be intimidated into silence on Twitter after his account was briefly suspended over tweets bashing the media.

In a now-deleted Saturday tweet, Clarke said he wanted to punch the lying lib media and make them taste their own blood. The tweet also included an edited photo showing Clarkes face superimposed on a wrestler kicking another wrestler (labeled CNN) held by a likeness of President Trump.

It read: "BREAKING NEWS! When LYING LIB MEDIA makes up FAKE NEWS to smart me, the ANTIDOTE is go right at them. Punch them in the nose & MAKE THEM TASTE THEIR OWN BLOOD. Nothing gets a bully like a LYING LIB MEDIAS attention better than to give them a taste of their own blood #neverbackdown"

Twitter initially did not take action against Clarke but reversed course after receiving multiple complaints. Clarke's account was placed on a temporary lock that allowed him to send direct messages only until he took corrective action.

Clarke, a strong Trump supporter and senior adviser to the America First Action PAC, returned to Twitter on Tuesday morning, and the offending tweets were deleted from his page.

I will not be intimidated into silence by lying lib media, Clarke tweeted. I will not be intimidated by liberal hyper partisan government hacks who weaponized government authorirty [sic] to go after people whose views they dont like. I will stand and fight for truth and what I believe is right. Join me.

A spokesperson for Clarke confirmed to Fox News that his account was temporarily suspended but denied that any tweets were deleted.

A Twitter spokesperson confirmed the incident but did not comment further on the matter.Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Wednesday that an invitation for the research company behind the Trump dossier to testify in public remains on the table -- while outlining the chairman of the firms reluctance to do so.

Grassley, R-Iowa, was responding to a New York Times op-ed in which Fusion GPS founders Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch accused congressional Republicans of refusing to release testimony to the public, but leaking certain details to friendly outlets.

Republicans have refused to release full transcripts of our firms testimony, even as they selectively leak details to media outlets on the far right, Simpson and Fritsch wrote.

They also accuse Republicans in the thrall of the president of waging a campaign to portray Fusion GPS as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation.

But Grassley spokesperson Taylor Foy said in a statement that Grassley has always been and remains for transparency and that certain investigative factors must be considered to protect information during an ongoing inquiry.

Foy said that Simpson has previously used his Fifth Amendment right to push for a closed-door interview.

Despite his public statements, Mr. Simpson and his attorney demanded during the interview that the transcript be kept confidential, the statement said. Mr. Simpson has refused to answer dozens of questions voluntarily, and has failed to provide the Committee with documents and responses to follow-up questions after the interview.

The statement added: The Committees invitation for Mr. Simpson to testify at a public hearing remains on the table.

Fusion GPS commissioned the dossier about then-candidate Trump, which contained a series of salacious allegations that were not proven. The dossier became public in 2017. Republicans have been investigating whether the dossier formed the basis for the Department of Justice and the FBI to obtain FISA surveillance on a Trump campaign adviser.The Senate's newest members were sworn in Wednesday, as Democrats Doug Jones, of Alabama, and Minnesota's Tina Smith took their oaths.

Jones, who won a bruising special election against Roy Moore, and Smith, appointed to temporarily replace disgraced former lawmaker Al Franken, were both sworn in by Vice President Pence.

The 63-year-old Jones, who was accompanied on the Senate floor by his family and former Vice President Joe Biden, will occupy the Senate seat left open by Republican Jeff Sessions, who last year became U.S. attorney general. Jones' stunning victory narrowed the GOPs Senate majority to 51-49.

He arrives after one of the most controversial special Senate elections in recent history -- defeating Moore, whose general election bid was toppled in the closing weeks by allegations of sexual misconduct earlier in his political career.

Republicans had held the seat for roughly 25 years, before Moore, a firebrand conservative, lost in mid-December. The seat is up for reelection again in 2020.

Republican Luther Strange occupied the seat until Jones victory. Strange, as the preferred candidate among Washington Republicans, lost a primary bid against Moore to keep the seat for the GOP.

Jones, a former federal prosecutor, has vowed to make a top priority of getting long-term funding for CHIP, formally known as the Childrens Health Insurance Program.

Congress, as part of the temporary spending bill it passed last month, gave $3 billion to restart the program and keep it running through March. Congressional Democrats and Republicans support the program, which ran out of money in September 2017, but the parties disagree over how to keep it going.

Jones recently told Fox News that he supports liberal-backed issues like continued protections for young illegal immigrants and not using taxpayer money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. But he suggested he wanted to wait until being sworn in before taking on such complicated issues.

Still, he has acknowledging winning in conservative-leaning Alabama with bipartisan support and has expressing a willingness to find common ground with congressional Republicans on legislative issues.

The senators and the guests chatted on the Senate floor for several minutes after the brief swearings-in and before going to the Old Senate Chamber to allow photographers to take pictures.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, was among five GOP senators to attend the event. Chuck Grassley from Iowa, he said while shaking Joness hand.

Biden then jumped in. Hes a good guy, he said of Grassley.

The other GOP senators were Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky, and Sens. John Barasso, Wyoming; Thom Tillis, North Carolina, and Susan Collins, Maine. There were about 20 Democrats in the chamber.

The 59-year-old Smith was Minnesotas lieutenant governor until appointed last month by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton to serve in place of Franken.

Franken left Congress last month and officially resigned Tuesday, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. He apologized but says he has a different recollection of at least some of the encounters.

Smith said when appointed that she intends to compete in the special election in November to serve the final two years of Franken's term.

She is considered a liberal Democrat and expected to largely support Senate Democratic leaderships agenda.

Former Minnesota GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann added some early drama to the upcoming race when she expressed interest in running for the seat.

In the Old Senate Chamber, former Vice President and Minnesota Democratic Sen. Walter Mondale, who accompanied Smith, said, This was a forgotten room when I was here. I used to come over a lot.

Pence also spoke briefly with Mondale, noting how Mondale was the first vice president to live full time in the vice presidents residence.

Come over any time, Pence told Mondale. Wed love to have you.

Pence also called being with two other vice presidents on Capitol Hill very humbling.

Fox News Chad Pergram contributed to this story.Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, caused a stir on social media Wednesday when he posed with a book promoting the violent "Antifa" movement.

In a post on Twitter, Ellison said that he found the book "Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook" at a Minneapolis book shop and said it would "strike fear in the heart of @realDonaldTrump."

"Antifa," written by former Occupy Wall Street organizer and current Dartmouth visiting scholar Mark Bray, is promoted on Amazon as "a smart and gripping investigation ... of the full history of anti-fascism from its origins to the present day." The book's Amazon page includes complimentary reviews by The New Yorker, The Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Since Trump's election as president, Antifa activists have initiated violent clashes on college campuses and at other gatherings. The group has been accused of using coordinated violence against people they deem to espouse far-right ideology.

PELOSI ON VIOLENCE ANTIFA MEMBERS: LOCK THEM UP

In August, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., condemned what she called the "violent actions of people calling themselves Antifa" and distanced them from the Democratic Party.

"Youre not talking about the far left of the Democratic Party  theyre not even Democrats," Pelosi told the Denver Post editorial board. "A lot of them are socialists or anarchists or whatever."

Ellison's post drew a negative response from conservatives on Twitter. Jordan Schachtel of Conservative Review noted, "The FBI and DHS consider Antifa a domestic terrorist organization ... Does the @DNC now support terrorist groups? Every Democrat in Congress should have to answer for this ON the record."

Washington Free Beacon reporter Alex Griswold pointed out that Ellison was endorsing a book "that advocates for violence in the streets".

However, others on Twitter responded approvingly to Ellison's post, with one user writing, "ugh why is he not in charge of the dnc."

Another posted, "that all Keith Ellison has to do is hold up a book with the word ANTIFA on it and it triggers millions of whiny MAGA babies into a rage means he should definitely do it more."For the first time in more than 20 years, Alabama has a Democratic senator  Doug Jones.

Jones beat out controversial Republican Roy Moore in a special Senate election last month. Jones, a former prosecutor, is the state's first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate since Richard Shelby in 1992. Shelby, who is still in the Senate, later became a Republican.

Jones was sworn in to the U.S. Senate Wednesday. He is expected to be escorted by former Vice President Joe Biden, a Biden aide confirmed to Fox News.

When asked by Fox News if he had a message for Alabama voters, Jones simply responded, Thank you.

What is Doug Jones background?

A former U.S. attorney during the Clinton administration, Jones, 63, is perhaps best known for successfully prosecuting two members of the Ku Klux Klan accused of bombing a Birmingham church in 1963 that killed four young girls.

I may have the honor of serving Alabama as your senator, but the most important thing I have done is prosecuting those klansmen who killed 4 little girls at 16th St Baptist Church, Jones said in a November tweet ahead of his election.

Because of his resume, Steven Taylor, a political science professor at Alabamas Troy University, said Jones is considered to be a quality candidate in the political science world. He's someone who is credible and, therefore, competitive, Taylor told Fox News.

Weve not seen a lot of quality Democratic candidates for Senate because Sen. [Richard] Shelby and Sen. Sessions, they were so strongly ensconced in their positions that the Democratic nominee was most often a more fringe candidate and not taken very seriously, Taylor said. Jones doesnt fall in that category  he has a background as a prosecutor, he has linkage to civil rights prosecution for the bombers in Birmingham. This makes him a more serious and significant candidate.

What about his politics?

Openly critical of Trump, Jones promised to fight for pro-abortion policies, tackling student loan debt and raising the minimum wage.

He also made it clear during the special election that he is opposed to Republicans efforts to repeal former President Barack Obamas signature health care overhaul. He called those efforts a nonstarter.

There are a lot of people who didnt vote for me, and I hope they will keep an open mind because I am going to try to be the best senator I can for the state to try to move the state forward as a whole and not just one particular group or philosophy, Jones said.

"I will be an independent voice and work to find common ground with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle..."  Doug Jones

Jones will represent one of the most conservative states in the nation and has already expressed his strong desire to work with both parties while in office. He will be under some pressure to find areas of agreement with Republicans and has hinted that infrastructure improvements could be one such arena.

I will be an independent voice and work to find common ground with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get Washington back on track and fight to make our country a better place for all, Jones previously said.

Before the Senate seat belonged to now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions  whom Jones is replacing  it belonged to the man Jones considered his mentor, the late Sen. Howell Heflin. Jones worked for Heflin as a staffer after graduating from law school in 1979.

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, a Democrat, praised Jones for being a fighter for his entire career. He previously told Fox News that Jones would bring unity and civility to the Senate and would work with lawmakers across the aisle to better Alabama.

How did Jones handle the allegations against Roy Moore?

During the campaign, Roy Moore, Jones Republican opponent, was accused of having inappropriate sexual relations with minors while Moore was in his 30s. Moore, now 70, adamantly denied allegations of misconduct but did tell Fox News Sean Hannity that he generally didnt date women who were teenagers when he was in his 30s and would not date someone without her mothers permission.

While Jones initially stayed away from the accusations against Moore, the Democratic candidate came out swinging during a speech the week before the election.

I damn sure believe that I have done my part to ensure that men who hurt little girls should go to jail and not the United States Senate, Jones said.

Jones received surprising financial backing from a Senate Republican  Jeff Flake. The Arizona senator tweeted a photo of a check made out to Jones with the subject line saying, Country over Party.

Flake, who has announced he will not seek re-election in 2018, was openly critical of Moore and called on the Republican candidate to step aside from the race.

What has Trump said about Jones?

After Moore won the Republican primary in the special election, President Trump offered his support. But once Moore lost, Trump congratulated Jones and attempted to distance himself from the beleaguered former judge.

Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win, Trump said. The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!

Fox News Guerin Hays and Mike Emanuel contributed to this report, along with The Associated Press.Top FBI agents who were part of just a small circle at the bureaus headquarters investigating Hillary Clintons private email server were preparing to exonerate the Democratic presidential candidate long before they finished gathering critical evidence and witness accounts, a new report reveals.

The proof, according to a published report by The Hill Wednesday, provided damning evidence showing that Clintons handling of her emails was potentially criminal conduct.

The report suggested that congressional investigators had written evidence showing that the FBI believed that Clinton and her top aides broke some laws by transmitting classified information through her insecure private email server.

When asked for comment, an FBI source directed Fox News to former FBI Director James Comeys July 5, 2016 statement, in which he seemed to acknowledge possible criminality but said it wasnt enough to charge the then-presidential candidate.

Although there is evidence of potential violation of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case, Comey said in the statement. Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before bringing the charges. There are obvious considerations, like the strength of the evidence, especially regarding intent.

The wording implied Comeys decision not to recommend criminal prosecution was based on the former secretary of states intent and not on the violation of the statutes covering handling of classified information. That raised eyebrows in legal circles at the time, as the relevant criminal statute specifically does not require that prosecutors establish intent, merely recklessness in the handling of classified information.

They concluded that she had no criminal intent, no intent to commit espionage, retired Assistant Director of the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division Ronald Hosko told Fox News. I dont make much off of the language two words crack the statute, two of the others are identical twins.

Hosko added: She was grossly negligent, totally reckless, ignorant of what was expected of a senior level government employee  to me, it all seems to match the language of the statute, which is part of the discussion and debate.

As previously reported, Comey drafted an exoneration statement months prior to conducting interviews with key witnesses, including Clinton herself. Hosko acknowledged that such a living document could be drafted early in the process and later altered.

The Clinton investigation was, in some respects, extraordinary, he said. The director decided to draft a document that I would assume was a living document, which is common in the organization, but for us it was a factual document, not meant to absolve someone.

Hosko added: I think whats dramatically different here, from my experience, was that there were conclusions in it. And those conclusions appeared to have prematurely absolved her in some way.

The Hill also reported that the FBI considered the investigation into Clintons server special, meaning it was handled, in full, at the FBIs headquarters in Washington D.C, as opposed to the FBIs New York field office in an effort to minimize the chain of command and reduce the number of eyes on sensitive information in the case.

Based on typical procedure, the field office in the location of where the alleged wrongdoing occurred was where the investigation would take place, with investigators then recommending charges to the bureaus headquarters. But Clintons was special, according to the report.

When you have a particularly sensitive investigation, there may be decisions made to staff a particular case as special because of its scope, because of its sensitivity, because of the nature of the case outside the normal process, Hosko explained to Fox News. Is it unusual? It is unusual.

Hosko said that because the Clinton case was so sensitive, keeping the investigation at the FBI headquarters would limit leaks and limit eyes on the probe.

With politically charged cases, it is prudent to do that, Hosko said. The public wants to know [information about the case] and there is a tremendous demand. The effort ought to be in maintaining the integrity of the investigation and keeping it zipped up.

According to Hosko, who worked under former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who is now special counsel, said that after 9/11, the FBIs headquarters was considered the brains of the operation and that the field offices were the arms of the headquarters.No sooner did the new publisher of the New York Times promise his readers to uphold the principles of independent journalism yesterday than President Trump took a giant whack at the paper.

Welcome to 2018, which is shaping up much the same as 2017 when it comes to the president and the press.

A.G. Sulzberger, who just took over the job from his father, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., said in a full-page letter:

"Misinformation is rising and trust in the media is declining as technology platforms elevate clickbait, rumor and propaganda over real journalism, and politicians jockey for advantage by inflaming suspicion of the press."

Well, hes right about the declining trust part. And its not hard to figure out which "inflaming" politician he had in mind.

That person quickly got on Twitter and said: "Get impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent 'sources,' and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you won't have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done!"

(Actually, Sulzberger Jr. had written a public letter after the 2016 election asking: "Did Donald Trumps sheer unconventionality lead us and other news outlets to underestimate his support among American voters?" There was no apology.)

Just last week, President Trump told the same newspaper that he has an ace in the hole for 2020: the press.

Now this might seem a tad counterintuitive, since he has been lambasting the news business for more than two years as a bastion of bias, a fortress of fake news. And much of the media have responded with aggressive coverage that every study has found to be predominantly negative.

If there's any entity out there that is not exactly disposed to give this president the benefit of the doubt, its the fourth estate.

Yet Trump believes that, when it comes to the bottom line, the media need him.

This is not based on unnamed sources, whose very existence is often challenged by the president, but from the newsmaker-in-chief himself.

As Trump told Times reporter Michael Schmidt:

"Another reason that I'm going to win another four years, is because newspapers, television, all forms of media will tank if I'm not there because without me, their ratings are going down the tubes ...

"So they basically have to let me win. And eventually, probably six months before the election, they'll be loving me because they're saying, 'Please, please, don't lose Donald Trump.' O.K."

Well, lets just say Im skeptical about the "have to let me win" part. But Ive been saying for a long time that Trump, as a political phenomenon, has been a gold mine for the media business.

Fox News was the highest-rated cable network in 2017, for the second straight year. But MSNBC and CNN also had record-breaking years. The Times is not so failing, enjoying a mammoth surge of digital subscriptions.

In fact, there are very few media outlets that havent benefited from Trumps nonstop newsmaking. Those openly opposed to Trump are marketing themselves to the resistance, those openly backing Trump appeal to his loyal supporters (who dont trust the MSM), and those that are trying to position themselves in the middle benefit from a hyped-up atmosphere in which everyone is debating politics, from the coffee shop to Twitter and Facebook.

Thats the great irony of this new era: the media, targeted and taunted by Trump, are also riding the financial wave hes created.

And the president, in turn, feeds off the constant media attention to drive his agenda.

As a businessman, it's not surprising that Trump believes the press will want to keep the cash registers ringing after 2020. He thinks in terms of monetizing assets. He once threatened to pull out of a CNN debate, noting the soaring advertising rates, unless its president Jeff Zucker donated the profits to veterans' causes.

But most journalists don't think like corporate suits. The notion that they would go easy on Trump in the next campaign to avoid killing the golden goose strikes me as far-fetched (though they have a responsibility to be equally tough on the Democratic candidate). In fact, I could imagine many pundits taking a victory lap if they felt they had contributed to sending the president back to Trump Tower.

Donald Trump undoubtedly knows this. I suspect he's trolling the media, having a little fun at their expense. But he's also right that the constant combat has been ringing their cash registers.Tina Smith was officially sworn into the U.S. Senate Wednesday afternoon by Vice President Mike Pence.

The former Minnesota lieutenant governor was selected to take over Al Frankens Senate seat in December after the lawmaker resigned over various allegations of sexual harassment.

When he appointed Smith, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, said she is "extremely intelligent, quick to learn and always open to hearing other views."

Smith was escorted by former Vice President Walter Mondale, also a former Minnesota senator, on Wednesday.

What is Smiths political background?

Like Dayton and Franken, Smith, 59, is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Smith has been a longtime adviser to Dayton, serving as his chief of staff before becoming lieutenant governor.

She has also worked on multiple campaigns, including managing Walter Mondales unsuccessful 2002 Senate run as well as his son Ted Mondales 1998 gubernatorial campaign  which was also unsuccessful. She was the chief of staff for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak before joining Dayton.

It was thought that she may have run for governor earlier this year to replace Dayton in 2018 but ultimately passed on the gubernatorial bid.

Lawrence Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, said that Smith doesnt come across like other kind of major politicians, citing such examples as Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Shes soft-spoken. She would prefer to be in a room negotiating or talking with people than giving a political speech. Thats not really her style, Jacobs said. She can do it, but its something that shes had to learn.

During the presidential election, Smith campaigned for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Clinton won Minnesota by a little more than 1 percent.

What else has Smith done?

Originally from Albuquerque, N.M., Smith moved to Minnesota in 1984 for a marketing job with General Mills. She grew more politically active in the 1990s, founding her own marketing and consulting firm.

Smith served as the vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota from 2003 to 2006.

She has excellent relationships in the business community, Jacobs said, adding that Minnesota business leaders speak fondly of Smith as someone who understands their issues and is pragmatic.

Smith received her bachelors degree from Stanford University and has an MBA from Dartmouth College. She is married with two children.

What will she bring to Washington?

Prior to Daytons announcement, Minnesota DFL Party Chair Ken Martin told Minnesota Public Radio that Smith would be a brilliant choice in a lot of ways.

Shes been a great lieutenant governor. I would argue probably the best lieutenant governor our state has ever seen, he said. Shes a true public servant whos served this state in many roles.

Jacobs described Smith as an almost throwback to another time, someone who is thoughtful, built strong personal relationships and is fact-based.

As for her voting record, Jacobs said Minnesotans can expect her to vote similarly to Minnesotas other Democratic senator, Amy Klobuchar: pragmatic and along party lines while still looking for ways to partner with Republicans.

Franken praised the appointment of Smith, who he called a "dedicated public servant."

"Her record of accomplishment as Lieutenant Governor demonstrates that she'll be an effective senator who knows how to work across party lines to get things done for Minnesota," he said in a statement.

But National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Michael McAdams slammed Smith as "another DFL insider handpicked by Mark Dayton."

"The last thing Minnesotans want is a political operative committed to raising taxes while representing them in the U.S. Senate," he said.

Due to Minnesota election laws, Smith would serve in Frankens seat until 2018 when a special election would be held, and the winner would serve for the remainder of Frankens term  until January 2021.

Smith would not be obligated to run in the 2018 special election, but she is expected to do so, Fox News has learned.

Fox News Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Throughout the first year of his presidency  and even as he campaigned for the office  President Trumps rhetoric regarding North Korea has been harsh.

He warned earlier this year that Americas nuclear capabilities were much bigger [and] more powerful than that of the Asian nation. And at the end of 2017, Trump designated North Korea a state sponsor of terror again  a classification that came with additional sanctions.

On the heels of a planned, historic summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trumps tone softened, saying great progress has been made. But Trump ultimately cancelled that meeting, citing "open hostility" from North Korea.

From agreeing to meet with Kim to dubbing him Little Rocket Man, heres a look at what Trump has said about North Korea and its leader over time.

Back together again

After meeting with a North Korean official in the White House for more than an hour, Trump announced the June summit with North Korea is back on.

We'll be meeting on June 12 in Singapore," the president told reporters after the meeting.

Let's call the whole thing off

Trump announced on May 24 that he has decided to pull out of the June summit with North Korea.

"We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant," Trump said in a letter to Kim. "I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."

"You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used," Trump said.

"I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you," he added. "In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated."

Deal or no deal?

After speaking with the South Korean president amid threats from the rogue regime to cancel talks, Trump suggested the historic summit between him and Kim might not happen after all.

If it doesnt happen, maybe it will happen later. You never know about deals. Ive made a lot of deals, Trump said on May 22. You never really know. It may not work out for June 12.

Trump said he wants the Korean peninsula to be denuclearized in an all in one manner.

I can guarantee Kims safety. He will be safe. He will be happy, Trump said. His country will be rich.

Trump also said hes noticed a change in Kims attitude recently.

I cant say that Im happy about it, he added.

Save the date

Trump officially announced that he would meet with Kim in Singapore on June 12.

We will both try to make it a very special moment for World Peace! Trump said in a tweet.

The announcement came hours after Trump and the first lady welcomed the three Americans freed from detention in North Korea at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland early on May 10.

After Trump met with the three men, he publicly thanked Kim for releasing the prisoners.

Were starting off on a new footing, Trump said.

Positive gesture of goodwill

In announcing that a date and place has been set for his much-anticipated meeting with Kim, Trump also confirmed three American prisoners have been released.

The three Americans  Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song  are returning to the U.S. with newly-confirmed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump said in a tweet. The president confirmed the three men are also in good health.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORIC SUMMIT BETWEEN TRUMP, KIM JONG UN

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that Trump appreciates Kim Jong Uns action to release these American citizens, and views this as a positive gesture of goodwill.

Another American detainee, Otto Warmbier, died in June 2017 after he was released back to the U.S. with severe brain damage.

Good relationship formed

Trump has confirmed that CIA Director Mike Pompeo  his pick to lead the State Department  secretly met with Kim in April and a good relationship was formed. He said the meeting went very smoothly.

The president also disclosed that the U.S. and North Korea have held direct talks at extremely high levels in preparation for the summit.

Kim will do what is right

After Kims first reported visit to China, Trump said there is a good chance that Kim Jong Un will do what is right for his people and for humanity.

For years and through many administrations, everyone said that peace and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was not even a small possibility, Trump said in a March tweet, adding that he is looking forward to his upcoming meeting with the North Korean leader.

He also gave North Korea the benefit of the doubt earlier that month, saying he believes the country will abide by its pledge to suspend missile tests.

When Trump delivered a speech in Pennsylvania, the crowd booed the mention of Kim, but the president stopped them.

No, it's very positive ... no, after the meeting you may do that, but now we have to be very nice because let's see what happens, let's see what happens, Trump said.

Invitation accepted

Trump accepted an invitation from Kim to meet, the White House said. While a time and place has yet to be determined, the two leaders are expected to meet by June.

The invitation to convene was extended by Kim.

Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached, Trump said on social media. Meeting being planned!

The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined, he later said.

Possible progress

As North Korea is reportedly willing to negotiate its nuclear weapons, Trump cautiously acknowledged possible progress.

For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned, Trump said on Twitter. The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!

At a later White House news conference, Trump said he believed North Korea, which has a long history of deception and threats to target U.S. cities with nuclear missiles, is sincere.

We have come certainly a long way, at least rhetorically, with North Korea, Trump said. Of the possibility for peacefully resolving the nations deep differences, he said: Itd be a great thing for the world, would be great for North Korea, it would be a great thing for the peninsula.

But well see what happens, Trump said.

Spirit of the Olympics

At the conclusion of the 2018 Winter Olympics, North Korea sent the U.S. a message through South Korea, saying it has ample intentions of holding talks with America.

During a meeting with the nations governors at the White House in February, Trump said those talks will only occur under the right conditions.

The administrations position has been that North Korea must get rid of its nuclear and missile programs first before any talks can take place.

Relationship status: Its complicated

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump reportedly said he probably has a very good relationship with North Korea.

Trump also suggested that he is open to diplomacy with the country hes spent years criticizing, the newspaper reported.

I have relationships with people. I think you people are surprised, Trump said.

The Wall Street Journal released the audio and transcript of the interview after Trump denied making the comments.

'Success for the world'

Trump told South Korea that he would be open to talks with its northern neighbor under the right circumstances, the White House said.

Trump also took credit for the talks between North and South Korea ahead of next months Winter Olympics. At a January Cabinet meeting, Trump said it was his administrations pressure on North Korea that caused the rogue nation to negotiate with the South.

"Without our attitude that would have never happened," Trump said of the inter-Korean dialogue. "Who knows where it leads. Hopefully it will lead to success for the world  not just for our country but for the world, and we'll be seeing over the next number of weeks and months what happens."

Whose button is bigger?

After Kim warned Trump about North Koreas nuclear capabilities, Trump hit back on social media, arguing that his Nuclear Button is bigger [and] more powerful.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,' the president tweeted. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Kim previously warned the U.S. should know that the button for nuclear war is on my table.

The entire area of the U.S. mainland is within our nuclear strike range, he said. The United States can never start a war against me and our country.

Good news or bad news?

Trump insinuated at the start of the new year that sanctions and additional pressures are having a big impact on North Korea.

Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea, Trump said. Kim now wants to talk to South Korea for the first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see!

In his tweet, Trump was seemingly referring to the recent, dramatic escape of at least two North Korean soldiers across the heavily militarized border into the southern country He also alluded to Kims recent comments indicating he would send a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be hosted in South Korea.

Trump also took credit for the talks between North and South Korean leaders.

With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North, Trump said in a Jan. 4 tweet. Fools, but talks are a good thing!

'Sick puppy'

While giving a speech on tax reform at a Missouri event in November, 2017, Trump digressed from the topic to call the North Korean leader a "sick puppy."

His comments drew hoots from the crowd.

State sponsor of terror

Trump re-designated North Korea a state sponsor of terror on Nov. 20, 2017, citing its support of international terrorism, including assassinations on foreign soil.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump announced the designation came along with new sanctions on the murderous regime as part of the administrations maximum pressure campaign in dealing with North Korea. He said these sanctions will be the highest level of sanctions on the North.

North Korea was on the list but was taken off by the Bush administration in 2008.

Why can't we be friends?

In a series of tweets while in Vietnam, Trump said he doesn't know why the North Korean dictator would "insult" him.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat? Trump said. Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!

The comment came after Kim referred to Trump's speech in South Korea as reckless remarks by an old lunatic.

'Dont try us'

In Asia, Trump issued a stern warning to North Korea, saying it would be a fatal miscalculation for the country to attack the U.S. or an ally.

This is a very different administration than the United States has had in the past. Do not underestimate us. And do not try us, Trump said during an address at South Koreas National Assembly.

North Korea has interpreted Americas past restraint as weakness, Trump said.

'Lets make a deal'

While on his Asia trip, Trump implored North Korea to come to the table for talks on its nuclear weapons program. Trumps request for North Korea to make a deal was in stark contrast to his previous hardline rhetoric when it comes to the rogue nation.

"It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and for the world," Trump said during a news conference alongside South Korean president Moon Jae-in in November 2017.

Trump also said hes seen a lot of progress in dealing with North Korea but still called the country a worldwide threat.

In a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo the day before, Trump repeated his assertion that the era of strategic patience with North Korea was finished.

Some people say my rhetoric is very strong but look what has happened with very weak rhetoric in the last 25 years, Trump said then.

'Rocket Man' is on a 'suicide mission'

After dubbing him Rocket Man in a tweet, Trump eventually tried out the new nickname for Kim during his inaugural address to the U.N. General Assembly.

During his speech, Trump vowed to totally destroy North Korea if the country so provokes him. He also said Kim was on a suicide mission.

No more talking

After North Korea said it successfully launched a missile over Japan, a U.S. ally, and into the Pacific Ocean, Trump initially had a subdued response.

"Threatening and destabilizing actions only increase the North Korean regime's isolation in the region and among all nations of the world," Trump said in a written statement after North Koreas missile soared almost 1,700 miles into the Pacific Ocean, triggering alert warnings in northern Japan and shudders throughout Northeast Asia. "All options are on the table."

The missile launch was said to be a precursor to North Koreas containment of the U.S. territory of Guam by Kim, according to state-run media.

But in a tweet, the president suggested the U.S. is finished talking to North Korea.

The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer, Trump tweeted.

The U.S. is 'locked and loaded'

Trump took to social media in August 2017 to proclaim that the U.S. military is locked and loaded in case North Korea act[s] unwisely.

'Fire [and] fury' isn't 'tough enough'

With the threat of nuclear violence growing, Trump warned North Korea on Aug. 8, 2017 that he would unleash fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before.

But when tensions continued to rise and North Korea threatened to attack Guam, Trump said maybe that comment wasnt "tough enough."

"Lets see what [Kim] does with Guam. He does something in Guam, it will be an event the likes of which nobody has seen before  what will happen in North Korea," Trump said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump was "sending a strong message to North Korea in language that Kim Jong Un can understand, because he doesnt seem to understand diplomatic language."

Kim Jong Un is 'not getting away with it'

Trump said Kim has disrespected our country greatly.

He has said things that are horrific. And with me, hes not getting away with it, Trump said. He got away with it for a long time, between him and his family. Hes not getting away with it. Its a whole new ball game.

'Strategic patience  is over'

After meeting with the South Korean president in Washington, D.C., in June 2017, Trump said that the era of strategic patience with the North Korean regime has failed.

Frankly, that patience is over, he said.

As Trump made these comments, the U.S. was rocked with the death of Otto Warmbier, the 22-year-old American college student who suffered extensive brain damage while being held captive in North Korea for more than a year.

There are 'worse things' than assassinating Kim Jong Un

In an interview with CBS News during the presidential campaign, Trump said he could get China to make [Kim Jong Un] disappear in one form or another very quickly.

When asked if he was talking about assassinating the North Korean dictator, Trump shrugged.

Well, you know, Ive heard of worse things, frankly. I mean, this guys a bad dude  and dont underestimate him, Trump said. Any young guy that can take over from his father with all those generals and everybody else that probably wants the position, this is not somebody to be underestimated.

'What the hell is wrong with speaking?'

Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in Atlanta that should Kim want to come to the U.S., he would be accept[ed].

I wouldnt go there, that I can tell you. If he came here, Id accept him, but I wouldnt give him a state dinner like we do for China and all these other people that rip us off when we give them these big state dinners, Trump said in June 2016.

What the hell is wrong with speaking? Trump said, referencing the criticism he received for being willing to talk with North Korea. Its called opening a dialogue.

'Maniac'

During a GOP presidential debate in September 2015, Trump railed on the maniac in North Korea while answering a question about Planned Parenthood and womens health issues.

Nobody ever mentions North Korea, where you have this maniac sitting there, and he actually has nuclear weapons and somebody better start thinking about North Korea and perhaps a couple of other places. But certainly North Korea, Trump said.

You have somebody right now in North Korea who has got nuclear weapons and who is saying almost every other week, Im ready to use them, and we dont even mention it, he continued.

China needs to solve the problem

Even before he was president, Trump urged China to step in and help alleviate problems with North Korea.

North Korea is reliant on China. China could solve this problem easily if they wanted to but they have no respect for our leaders, Trump tweeted in March 2013.

In April 2013, Trump continued that line of thinking, adding that North Korea cant survive, or even eat, without the help of China. He then accused China of taunting the U.S.

As president, Trump has said he is very disappointed in actions China has taken regarding North Korea, particularly allowing oil to go into the nation. He also said a Chinese envoy to North Korea had no impact on Kim.

Additionally, Trump has said hes spoken to Chinas President Xi Jinping regarding the provocative actions of North Korea as well as the planned meeting between Trump and Kim.

President Xi told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative, Trump said in March 2018. China continues to be helpful!

'Wack job'

In April 2013, Trump urged then-President Barack Obama to be very careful with the 28-year-old wack job in North Korea.

At some point we may have to get very tough, he tweeted.

'Negotiate like crazy'

Trump warned that the U.S. needed to do something to stop North Korea in 1999 during an interview with the late Tim Russert on Meet the Press.

"Do you want to do it in five years when they have warheads all over the place, every one of them pointing to New York City, to Washington and every one of us, is that when you want to do it, or do you want to do something now? Trump said. You'd better do it now. And if they think you're serious  they'll negotiate and it'll never come to that.

He said then that if he ever became president, the first step he would take would be to negotiate like crazy to make sure that the country would get the best deal possible. Trump also predicted then that in three or four years, North Korea would have weapons aimed all over the world, including at the U.S.

Fox News' Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report.President Trump doubled down on his support for Iranian protesters Wednesday morning, assuring that at the appropriate time they would see aid from the United States.

Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time! Trump tweeted.

The president initially posted a tweet that described Iran as a corrupt and poorly run country, but then deleted the tweet, changing his statement to corrupt government, as opposed to the country as a whole.

Protests have rocked the Islamic Republic for nearly a week, leaving at least 21 people dead. At least 450 have been arrested in protests that have spread from Tehran to cities throughout the Muslim nation, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported.

The Iranian regime has moved to squash protests by cutting off communication and moving to block social media platforms, as it did nine years ago during the Green Movement of 2009.

The State Department announced Tuesday that it would use Facebook and Twitter to communicate directly with Iranian protesters, posting in Farsi on the social media platforms.

STATE DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY TO BACK IRANIAN PROTESTERS

The decision to do so came after the Iranian government shut off access to Instagram as well as Telegram, a popular messaging app used by activists to organize demonstrations.

In 2009, the Iranian regime did the same, as the nation was rocked by protests and restricted social media platforms.

Unlike the Obama administrations response to that movement, which stood largely silent amid those protests, the Trump administration is openly supporting pro-democracy demonstrations.

The president has repeatedly issued tweets of support, noting that The U.S. is watching.

Other officials, like U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, urged the international community to join in on the administrations efforts.

We must not be silent, Haley said Tuesday. The people of Iran are crying out for freedom. All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause.

The Trump administration has said it is preparing to impose new sanctions on the regime if it attempts to use force to end the demonstrations. The sanctions would be in response to any human-rights violations.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Tuesday that Trump supported sanctions, but that no final decision has been made.

Fox News' Kristin Brown contributed to this report.Its probably safe to say the self-professed mastermind behind President Trumps election wont be back in 2020.

Trump issued a blistering, four-paragraph takedown of Steve Bannon on Wednesday, hours after it was reported that Bannon had called Donald Trump Jr. treasonous for meeting with Russian operatives during the campaign.

Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency, Trump wrote. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party.

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency."  President Trump

The statement came after excerpts of a forthcoming book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, by author Michael Wolff surfaced Wednesday. In the book, Bannon slams the presidents son, Donald Jr., Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort and calls their infamous meeting with a Russian lawyer during the campaign treasonous and unpatriotic.

In his statement, Trump said Bannon didn't deserve any credit for his White House win.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look, Trump said. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesnt represent my base  hes only in it for himself."

The president also accused Bannon of leaking to the media while serving as an adviser at the White House.

Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was, Trump said. It is the only thing he does well.

He added, Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books.

Trump Jr. also fired back at Bannon in a series of tweets.

"Steve had the honor of working in the White House & serving the country," the president's son said. "Unfortunately, he squandered that privilege & turned that opportunity into a nightmare of backstabbing, harassing, leaking, lying & undermining the President. Steve is not a strategist, he is an opportunist."

At the daily press briefing, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed that there had been about a dozen visits by Wolff to the White House, but said that close to 95 percent of them were requested by Bannon.

As for Trump, there was one phone conversation between him and Wolff, lasting five to seven minutes, she said, but it had nothing to do originally with the book.

Trump and Bannon last spoke in the first part of December, according to Sanders.

Sanders said Trump was angry when he read what Bannon had said.

I think 'furious,' 'disgusted' would probably certainly fit when you make such outrageous claims and completely false claims against the president, his administration and his family, she said.

She also dismissed the allegation that Donald Jr.s behavior was treasonous as ridiculous.

When asked if there would be a split in the base with a brewing war between Bannon and Trump, Sanders said that was not a concern.

The base and people that supported this president support the president and his agenda; those things havent changed, she said.

Asked if Bannon was off the list of those invited to social engagements, Sanders said, Probably so.

Bannon spent just over a year formally working for the president, leaving the White House in August and returning to Breitbart News, the populist news site.

When he left the White House, Bannon said he would work to help Trump and wage a populist campaign from the outside.

If theres any confusion out there, let me clear it up: Im leaving the White House and going to war for Trump against his opponents -- on Capitol Hill, in the media and in corporate America, Bannon said at the time.

Recently, he notably backed former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore in the state contest for a Senate seat. Trump, on the other hand, backed appointed incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in the Republican primary, arguing that he was more electable.

Moore, facing allegations of past sexual misconduct, went on to lose the race for the seat once held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Democrat Doug Jones, who was sworn in on Wednesday as Alabama's newest U.S. senator.

After Jones was sworn in, Donald Trump Jr. sarcastically tweeted: "Thanks Steve. Keep up the great work."

He also said, "Andrew Breitbart would be ashamed of the division and lies Steve Bannon is spreading!"

On Wednesday, after Trump's statement, the Twitter account of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- who has sparred with Bannon -- released an image of a smiling McConnell.

Trump was gracious when Bannon left the White House, thanking him for his help during the campaign.

I want to thank Steve Bannon for his service, the president tweeted. He came to the campaign during my run against Crooked Hillary Clinton -- it was great! Thanks S.

Bannon joined Trumps team in August 2016, when he was tapped as chief executive of the campaign.

After Trump won the presidential race, Bannon was appointed to a senior adviser role at the same time that Reince Priebus was named chief of staff.

Fox News' Adam Shaw and Kristin Brown contributed to this report.With 34 Senate seats up for grabs this year, Republicans would seem to have plenty of options for preserving their two-seat majority. But their success or failure will likely come down to a handful of closely watched races.

The Republican Party are employing a strategy of the best defense is a good offense, targeting Democratic incumbents in Florida, Missouri and West Virginia in a bid to increase their majority and provide insurance against anticipated losses.

President Trump last year won all three states, making Democrats Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill, of Missouri and Bill Nelson, of Florida GOP targets. Overall, the president won 10 states in which Senate Democrats are seeking reelection this year.

WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia has become increasingly conservative in recent years, with the GOP now holding all three House seats, controlling the state legislature and voters skewing Republican in the past five presidential elections. Trump won 68.5 percent of West Virginia votes in 2016.

Republicans, including Trump, have reached out to the moderate Manchin for bipartisan support on bills, but the election gives them a chance to replace him with one of their own.

Joes a nice guy  but he doesnt do anything, Trump recently told the New York Times.

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Bob Salera was more blunt: President Trump has exposed Joe Manchin for what he really is -- a phony centrist who will always vote with Washington Democrats when it really matters.  Manchins refusal to work across the aisle on anything of substance will be devastating to his reelection chances.

FLORIDA

Nelson hasnt invited a GOP challenge. He is not a vocal Trump critic and has served three terms with no major controversies. But the 75-year-old senators relatively low-key style appears to be hurting his reelection efforts. One poll shows half of registered voters dont know how effective he is in Congress.

Beyond Trumps 2016 success in Florida, Washington Republicans like their chances of beating Nelson based on strength of their preferred candidate, outgoing GOP Gov. Rick Scott.

They like Scott for several reasons, including his solid job-approval rating and success in Floridas recent hurricane preparedness and recovery efforts. His wealth from a career as a health care executive would allow him to largely fund his own campaign.

Trump appears to be recruiting Scott, even hosting him for lunch last week at the presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida.

Several early polls show Scott in a tight theoretical race with Nelson. But the governor has yet to officially commit, with energized Democrats and Trumps low approval rating creating a tough political climate next year for Republican candidates.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee deemed 2017 The Year of the Republican Recruitment Failure and continues to argue that the lack of top-tier candidates is setting up divisive and expensive GOP primaries that will help the party in the general elections.

They refuse to run against formidable Democrats, a party official said Tuesday. The official also acknowledged that Democrats indeed face a difficult election map, in which they must defend 34 seats, including two held by Independents, compared to eight for Republicans.

ARIZONA

Democrats say a prime example of Republicans candidate woes is the likely GOP primary battle to replace outgoing Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake, an outspoken Trump critic.

Arizona is among the countrys most conservative-leaning states. But the anticipated matchup between GOP Rep. Martha McSally and Kelli Ward, Democrats say, could leave either damaged or financially drained enough to allow for an upset by Democrat Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.

Ward is a former state legislator and doctor who lost a 2016 primary challenge against Sen. John McCain.

She has the backing of Steve Bannon, the Breitbart News executive chairman and former Trump political strategist who is trying to dismantle the Washington establishment, with his own brand of candidates.

Dr. Ward believes in defending the Constitution, securing the border, repealing ObamaCare, growing the economy and fixing the disastrous VA system for our veterans, the campaign says about its candidate.

Bannons full-on support for GOP candidate Roy Moore in the recent special Alabama Senate race proved disastrous for Republicans, giving Democrats the seat for the first time in 25 years and cutting the GOP Senate majority to 51-49.

Trump has expressed support for Ward, tweeting this summer: Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!"

However, he has yet to endorse the insurgent candidate. In fact, a White House official was quick to make clear last week that Ward was not at Mar-a-Lago over the holiday season to meet with the president and said that the two only exchanged pleasantries.

McSally, a former Air Force fighter pilot whos considered a rising GOP star, did not publically endorse Trump and has publically opposed some of the presidents comments and political positions, including his threat to abandon NATO allies. She has yet to say whether she will indeed run for the open seat.

INDIANA, MISSOURI, NEVADA

Scott Rasmussen, a Republican-leaning strategist, thinks the outcome of the Indiana, Missouri and Nevada Senate races will be a predictor for the other 31 contests and for which party will lead the chamber.

Democratic incumbent Sens. Joe Donnelly, of Indiana, and Claire McCaskill, of Missouri, are running in states Trump carried. And GOP Sen. Dean Heller is seeking a second full term in Nevada, the only state that Hillary Clinton carried in 2016 in which a Republican is up for reelection.

If Democrats want to win control the Senate, they will have to win all three races, Rasmussen said Tuesday. And if the political environment is good enough for them to win all three, races like Arizona will also head in that direction. If Republicans win all three, then you have to think they might beat Manchin or (North Dakotas) Heidi Heitkamp.

Rasmussen noted that Election Day is 11 months away, and said voter turnout will be a major factor.

Democratic Senate Campaign Committee spokesman David Bergstein believes his party's base will be energized, as it was in the recent special election Alabama, where Democrats won a seat in a traditionally red state.

Obviously Senate Democrats face a very challenging map, but Republicans are facing expensive and divisive primaries and an electorate that is repulsed by their agenda -- higher health care costs, a tax hike on working families, and months of total control of Washington that has produced nothing but broken promises," Bergstein said. "We are running with strong incumbents and challengers, and are preparing to take advantage of every opportunity we can.Beachgoing sandcastle builders know the exquisite frustration of tunneling into sand that's too dry. The tunnel simply won't hold its shape and quickly collapses.

But some types of desert spiders have mastered the technique of working with dry sand, excavating subterranean burrows  a few grains of sand at a time  that somehow retain their form and withstand pressures from wind and the shifting weight of the sand around them.

In a new study, scientists closely observed four species of desert spiders known to excavate vertical sand tunnels for hiding, resting and breeding, in order to dig up their engineering secrets. Unexpectedly, the researchers discovered that the arachnids used different yet equally effective methods for collecting and moving sand while they worked, and they strengthened the tunnels as they dug with carefully laid supporting layers of silk webbing. [Photos: Modeling Scorpions' Lairs in 3D]

Burrow-dwelling spiders like those in the study are strictly nocturnal. For the scientists, that meant spending long hours crouched in sandy environments with a flashlight, the study's lead author Rainer Foelix, an arachnologist at the Neue Kantonsschule Aarau in Switzerland, told Live Science in an email.

One of the spider species  Cebrennus rechenbergi, which is native to the deserts of northern Morocco  is also known as the cartwheeling spider for the unusual rolling locomotion that it uses when threatened. It has a body length of about 0.8 inches (2 centimeters), and digs burrows measuring about 10 inches (25 cm) deep and around 0.8 inches in diameter. When study co-author Ingo Rechenberg, a professor at the Technische Universitat Berlin (Technical University of Berlin) and the scientist who discovered and named the spider, observed how these spiders worked, he noted that they built their tunnels "like people build a well," Foelix told Live Science.

First, the C. rechenbergi spider excavated a hole on the surface; then it added a stabilizing ring of silk, in the same way a human well builder would add a tin sheet to hold the walls of the hole in place. Once the walls of a tunnel section were secured, the spider would remove another layer of sand and soil, moving farther down and reinforcing the walls as it went, the study authors reported.

"Rechenberg watched carefully and noticed that a spider has to make about 800 runs to carry a small load of sand aboveground"  a task that took the spider about 2 hours to finish, Foelix said.

But how did the spiders remove so much sand? It turned out that different species of burrow-digging spiders used very different methods, according to the study.

C. rechenbergi relied on long bristles fringing its pedipalps and chelicerae appendages that frame its head and mouth  to carry sand out of its growing tunnel. Some of the bristles grow at right angles to other tiny hairs, forming a type of mesh basket that contains arid sand even when there's nothing else holding grains together. In fact, the tiny piles of sand that the spider discarded from these "baskets" disintegrated immediately once the arachnid released them, the scientists wrote in the study.

However, the wolf spider Evippomma rechenbergi  also discovered and named by Rechenberg  which inhabits the same desert environment as C. rechenbergi, lacks the specialized bristles of its neighbor. When the scientists carefully inspected clumps of sand left at the mouth of the wolf spider's burrow, they detected strands of silk binding the sand together, to make it easier to carry.

Another type of wolf spider, Geolycosa missouriensis, found in North America, was known from prior research to transport solid pellets of sand. But it did not appear to bind them with silk, perhaps relying on surface moisture to hold the sand grains together. However, as the researchers gathered their data about this spider from previous studies, they could not say for sure what technique the spiders used to consolidate their sand bundles.

The variety of sand-moving methods demonstrated by the spiders  using a hairy "carrying basket," blending sand with silk or clumping sand grains together  showed that these tiny builders are capable of finding unique construction solutions to address similar environmental challenges, Foelix told Live Science.

In fact, the researchers were surprised to see that spiders living in the same ecosystem practiced such diverse techniques for achieving the same goal, he said. And considering there are other types of tunnel-digging spiders  as well as ants and wasps  there are likely even more practices that these industrious insect engineers are putting to work, which are yet to be discovered, Foelix said.

"Certainly, many more species need to be inspected," he added.

The findings were published online Dec. 11 in the Journal of Arachnology.

Original article on Live Science.2018 is going to be a big year for futuristic helicopters as new helos and next-generation designs emerge. These exciting new helicopters are becoming more powerful, flying far faster and even flying missions by themselves.

For the military, helicopters are absolutely crucial, and will only become even more so, in war zones. They also play vital roles in humanitarian missions.

The Paris Air Show and Farnborough Air Show are iconic fixtures on the aircraft circuit where the top companies in the world showcase their latest and greatest. There was no shortage of cool aircraft on show in 2017, with some particularly innovative new military helicopters grabbing attention. The best aerospace companies continue to pioneer military aircraft and 2017 was a year of exciting advances in rotorcraft.

The new futuristic RACER helicopter made waves at Paris with its unique futuristic look. Development work on another futuristic helicopter, the X6, is also underway. This new helicopter could mean that the military capabilities of key American allies may be boosted.

THE MOST EXCITING MILITARY VEHICLES OF 2017

Back in the states, there was massive news for the Marines. In September, it was announced that the ultra-powerful King Stallion with far more advanced capabilities will begin construction and soon join the Marine Corps.

Here are 3 of the most amazing reveals of new military helicopters in 2017.

King Stallion

This ultra-powerful new helo can carry an astonishing three times more weight than its predecessor.

And it is not just super-strong, the Marines cutting-edge new helicopter is incredibly advanced in other ways too. In fact, it is so smart it can nearly fly itself.

With the King Stallion, the Marine Corps will be able to rapidly move more Marines from a ship to join the fight in a war zone. In addition to better supporting special operations missions, the advances will also provide advantages for search and rescue missions and quickly transporting supplies to Marines at remote, hard-to-reach, operating bases.

10 BIGGEST WEAPONS STORIES OF 2017

It could also help save lives - King Stallion will be able to evacuate more casualties to medical aid more quickly.

Made by Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the CH-53K King Stallion will be the Marine Corps next-gen heavy lift helicopter, replacing the CH-53E Super Stallion.

In addition to world-class self-defense weapons, the new helo incorporates advanced lightweight armor-enhanced ballistic protection. The troop seats and retracting landing gear are also engineered to be crashworthy.

Capable of carrying vehicles as massive as HMMWVs, or Humvees, the new helo is still fast and will have a cruise speed of 141 knots with a range of about 530 miles.

3 OF THE CRAZIEST BULLETPROOF BODY ARMOR ADVANCES OF 2017

King Stallion has many safety features built in to enhance the safety of Marine Corps personnel. One of the most important features will let pilots see through DVE - Degraded Visual Environments  that continue to be a dangerous threat in war zones.

Find out more about what the new King Stallion can do and the new technology that will help keep Marines safer [New King Stallion helicopter boosts Marines aerial power]

PODCAST: LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE A HELICOPTER CRASH AND MORE OF THE DEADLIEST WITH THIS SPECIAL FORCES EXPERT

New X6 Military Helicopter

The large, next-generation X6 helicopter also arrived at Paris Air Show as a belle of the ball with big news -- the European Commission green lit funding the development of the new helicopter.

The radical twin-engine X6 could replace the widely-used military Super Puma and H225 helicopters that provide long range capabilities while carrying a lot of personnel. Both helicopters can reach speeds of about 140 knots and carry up to about 19 warriors.

Some of the design is expected to be similar to Airbuss recent H160 medium five-bladed helicopter. Like the H160, the X6 will be a quieter aircraft thanks to features like advanced low-noise blade technologies. It is also expected that the X6 will be made from new advanced materials.

NEW F-35A FIGHTER JET GETS A NEW POWERFUL BOMB

Many of the details remain under wraps, but the heavyweight X6 should deliver next level range, power and speed  and with further advantages like fuel and cost reductions.

While the X6 concept was first featured in 2015, it was 2017 when the futuristic aircraft became more than a dream. France will be loaning 330 million and Germany 47.25 million to make the X6 a reality. [Paris Air Show: 4 exciting new aircraft featured]

In just two years or so, the very first X6 may be hitting the skies.

PODCAST: HEAR FIRSTHAND HOW THIS MARINE CORPS SPECIAL OPERATIONS FIGHTER PILOT DEFEATED CERTAIN DEATH

New Search and Rescue RACER Helicopter

A new, futuristic-looking helicopter for search and rescue called RACER (Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft) was revealed at the Paris Air Show.

Made by Airbus, the goal is to make the helicopter 50 percent faster than todays regular helicopters. The new helicopter has a very distinctive look in part due to the box wing," which can help reduce drag, while improving fuel efficiency.

MEET THE US ARMY'S NEW PISTOL

Speed would play a vital role in reaching wounded warriors quickly and getting them back to field hospitals far faster  this sort of speed would save lives.

Although it looks very futuristic and is only in the design phase, the RACER is expected to be in the air flying within three years.Alaska Airlines reportedly banned a California man over allegations that he sexually harassed a flight attendant.

Mike Timon, 53, told the San Diego Union-Tribune Saturday that he is being accused of touching the attendants buttocks while he was in first class on a flight from Portland, Ore. to San Diego the day after Christmas.

Timon told the paper that he wanted another drink and politely touched the woman on her back to get her attention. He said he was immediately accused of touching her inappropriately and was greeted by police when the plane landed.

For me to be accused of this, and for me to be escorted off the plane by police? This is it. Im blowing up. Its unnecessary. Its discrimination toward me, he told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Timon said he only had one drink and claimed to be 100 percent sober at the time of the incident.

Alaska Airlines told the newspaper in a statement that it will not accommodate the passenger ever again.

Alaska Airlines will not tolerate any type of sexual misconduct that creates an unsafe environment for our guests and crew members and we are fully committed to do our part to address this serious issue, the company said.

The airline did not get into the specifics of the incident, citing an ongoing investigation.

San Diego Harbor police said that it received statements from Timon and others. No arrests were made.Third times the charm?

A Delta flight scheduled to fly from Atlanta to London on Tuesday evening was forced to return to its departure airport not once, but twice  and both shortly after takeoff.

BIRD FLIES INTO COCKPIT, FORCES FLIGHT TO TURN AROUND

Delta Flight 284 first declared an emergency around 9 p.m. on Tuesday and landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after turning around over North Carolina, Fox 5 reported. The airline told WSB-TV that it heard a noise coming from the plane and diverted course out of caution.

Passengers were then placed on another plane and left shortly after midnight, but this aircraft turned around as well. Both journeys lasted around 1 hour and 20 minutes, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.

A passenger on the second flight said he heard a loud banging noise.

It was like someone dropping a lead ball on the floor, the Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted Alex Brown as saying to Channel 2. And [a Delta official] came back on and said were going to turn around. Everything is OK with the airplane but  were going to turn around.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

The flight will is scheduled to leave Atlanta for a third time tonight at 7:30 p.m.After nearly 50 years, the venerable Boeing 747 is being retired in the United States as a commercial airliner.

Once hailed as the Queen of the Skies, the workhorse been embraced by every major U.S. carrier since the first model rolled off the line in 1968. At one point in 1990, there were 130 of the jets in operation throughout the country, but many airlines gradually retired their fleet with cheaper, more efficient models including Airbuses or newer Boeings in more recent years, Flight Global reports.

And on Wednesday, Delta Air Lines is flying the last of the countrys 747s from its hub in Atlanta to Pinal Airpark  an airport graveyard  in Marana, Ariz.

Its saying goodbye to an old, trusted friend  Pilot Robin Boone

DELTA PILOTS MAY HAVE INCENTIVE TO FLY OLDER, LOUDER PLANES

This particular plane, a 747-400 model operating as Delta Air Lines 9771, will reportedly be piloted by Delta Capt. Paul Gallagher, per a report by The Points Guy. Aviation editor Jon Ostrower confirmed on Twitter that its passengers will include a mix of Delta employees and reporters.

The flight doesnt come without its share of bittersweet fanfare, of course. In anticipation of its final Boeings retirement, Deltas last Boeing aircraft embarked on a farewell tour in December that made stops in Atlanta, Minneapolis and Los Angeles following a final trip to the Boeing factory in Everett, Wash., allowing fans and admirers one last voyage.

Its saying goodbye to an old, trusted friend, said pilot and Boeing enthusiast Robin Boone to USA Today, following one of the aircrafts farewell flights in December. Its so sad to see it go. But it was an incredibly wonderful career, and this airplane was the highlight."

DELTA FLIGHT RETURNS TO ATLANTA AIRPORT TWICE AFTER REPORTS OF STRANGE NOISE

Delta had previously flown its last commercial passenger flight aboard a 747-400 on December 19, from Seoul to Detroit.

Prior to Delta, United Airlines was the last major carrier to utilize Boeing 747 aircraft. Its fleet was retired in Nov. 2017.Oh, rats!

An Alaska Airlines flight got altogether cancelled after a rat was seen getting into the aircraft at the Californias Oakland International Airport.

The critter presumably hopped from the jetway to the plane as passengers were boarding the Portland, Ore.-bound flight on Jan. 2, the Associated Press reported. Flight Alaska 915 was originally scheduled to depart at 8:30 a.m., according to KPIX 5.

MECHANICAL ISSUE ON AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT SENDS 4 TO HOSPITAL

Passengers who had already boarded were asked to exit the aircraft, and most of the 110 travelers were rescheduled to fly on a later trip to Portland.

The plane is currently out of service. It will be returned to operations once its certified rodent-free by a professional exterminator, Alaska Airlines confirmed via email to KPIX 5. The aircraft will also be thoroughly inspected to ensure no damage has been done.

BIRD FLIES INTO COCKPIT, FORCES DELTA FLIGHT TO TURN AROUND

Some took to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the inconvenience of the situation.

In other recent aircraft stowaway news, on Dec. 30 an Atlanta-bound Delta flight was forced to return to Detroit to Atlanta shortly after takeoff after a sparrow was found in the cockpit.

Sneaking in during boarding, the bird was apparently so small that neither the crews nor the captain could locate it after searching for over an hour before takeoff, Fox 5 Atlanta reports.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWSWaiting to deplane is arguably the most frustrating aspect of flying, but a Ryanair passenger in Spain has found a genius  albeit inadvisable  alternative.

A passenger aboard a Jan. 1 flight from London to the Spanish city of Malaga was arrested by airport security for opening the emergency exit and climbing out onto the wing of the aircraft shortly after landing.

TEEN JUMPS OUT OF EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR IN SAN FRANCISCO

The man, whom fellow passengers identified as a Polish national in his 50s, had reportedly grown tired of waiting to disembark the aircraft, which had already been sitting at the Malaga airport for 30 minutes, the BBC reports.

According to fellow passenger Fernando del Valle Villalobos, who spoke with the Associated Press, the offending passenger "very calmly asked permission to get past, opened the emergency exit, looked out, saw the wing [and] went back for his backpack before exiting out onto the wing.

He activated the emergency door and left, saying, 'I'm going via the wing', del Valle Villalobos added to The Daily Mail. It was surreal.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR OPENS MID-FLIGHT?

Another passenger who spoke with the Mail, however, is claiming that the man was suffering from an asthma attack and said he witnessed him puffing from his inhaler several times throughout the flight.

He told me he suffers from asthma, said Ryanair passenger Raj Mistry. He got up all of a sudden and decided to leave. I don't blame him.

The man was eventually coaxed back onto the plane when police were called, though only after taking a seat on the edge of the wing. Ryanair has also confirmed that the man was immediately arrested once authorities arrived on the scene.

This airport security breach occurred after landing in Malaga airport yesterday (1 Jan), wrote the airline. Malaga airport police immediately arrested the passenger in question and since this was a breach of Spanish safety and security regulations, it is being dealt with by the Spanish authorities.

Following the incident, the rest of the passengers aboard the London-to-Malaga flight were kept on the aircraft for a further 15 minutes before being allowed to deplane.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.The Colorado Army veteran who killed a sheriffs deputy and wounded six others in an ambush-style attack on New Years Eve reportedly escaped from a psychiatric facility years earlier.

Matthew Riehl, 37, a veteran who served in the Iraq War, escaped from a veterans mental health ward in Wyoming in 2014 following a psychotic episode, The Denver Post reported Tuesday, citing a document from the U.S. Department of Affairs.

On New Years Eve, Riehl allegedly livestreamed himself firing more than 100 rounds at law enforcement from within his apartment in Highlands Ranch, killing Douglas County Sheriffs Deputy Zackari Parrish and wounding three other deputies, a police officer, and two civilians.

Riehl, who was believed to have held a grudge against law enforcement, was found dead in his bedroom.

Riehl was hospitalized at an unidentified mental health ward in April 2014, according to The Post. He had escaped/eloped from the Mental Health Ward, was located and brought back, and placed on a 72 hour mental health hold, the VA report read.

GUNMAN IN DEADLY COLORADO DEPUTY SHOOTING IDENTIFIED AS IRAQ WAR VET WITH GRUDGE AGAINST SHERIFF

Riehl reportedly had developed a pattern of mental illness, and in July 2015, had an urgent contact for Mental Health and a mental health assessment in August of that year.

According to the newspaper, Riehl later skipped an appointment in November 2015 and declined to reschedule an internal medicine clinic appointment in August 2016.

Riehl joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 2003, and in 2006 enlisted in the Wyoming National Guard. Riehl reportedly deployed overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2009 until March 2010, and was honorably discharged in 2012.

A report from KMGH, citing a police report, states Riehls brother told police the gunman had been diagnosed as bipolar and recently suffered a manic breakdown and broke off contact with his family.

Riehl also threatened law professors at Wyoming College of Law, where he received his law degree in 2010. A Nov. 6 email from Assistant College of Law Dean Lindsay Hoyt told students to notify campus police if they spotted Riehl or his car near campus. In addition, security on campus was increased for several days.

Fox News Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report.The New Jersey teen who reportedly killed his parents, sister and a family friend on New Year's Eve shot them several times at close range, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at the family's Long Branch, N.J. home and only the 16-year-old's brother and grandfather were able to escape, according to investigators.

The weapon used during the bloody event had a 15-round magazine, according to prosecutors. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Monday that the gun was believed to be a Century Arms "semi-automatic assault rifle," and was purchased legally and was registered to a family member.

TEENAGE MURDERS HIS FAMILY MEMBERS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, OFFICIALS SAY

Police arrived at the family's home shortly before midnight and the suspect was taken into custody without incident, Gramiccioni said. He added that the attack was an "isolated" domestic incident and there was no known history of violence at the house.

"We are confident that this is a domestic incident that is completely isolated," Gramiccioni said Monday. "It's a terribly tragic incident."

BROTHER OF TEEN ACCUSED OF SLAUGHTERING FAMILY PENS TRIBUTE TO PARENTS, SISTER

The deceased individuals were identified as Steven Kologi, 44, Linda Kologi, 42, Brittany Kologi, 18 and Mary Schultz, 70. Schultz was identified as a "family acquaintance" by the prosecutor's office.

A court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday but was later postponed a day so the judge could decide whether to grant a media request allowing the proceedings to be open to the public.

Authorities haven't disclosed a motive but have said they will seek to move the case to adult court.

Fox News' Kaitlyn Schallhorn and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Four members of an Arizona family were found dead in a cabin on New Year's Day after a "significant failure" in the building's heating system, officials disclosed Tuesday.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office said in a news release the family was found dead Monday inside the cabin they were staying at in Parks, located in the northern part of the state between Williams and Flagstaff.

The sheriff's office identified the individuals as 32-year-old Anthony Capitano, 32-year-old Megan Capitano, 4-year-old Lincoln Capitano and 3-year-old Kingsley Capitano.

Authorities received an initial call around 12:26 p.m. from a friend of the family who said relatives had been trying to contact the Capitanos "for a few days with no success" and had became concerned and wanted a welfare check.

A deputy who arrived at the home around 1:17 p.m. reported a strong odor of gas coming from the home and requested fire officials. Officials from the Ponderosa Fire Department put on protective breathing equipment before entering the cabin, where they made the grim discovery.

"We believe possibly carbon monoxide poisoning malfunction in the heater or any other gas appliance in the residence. We have not determined what that was exactly yet," Jon Paxton of the Coconino County Sheriff's Office told FOX10 Phoenix.

FLORIDA FAMILY OF 4, BASKETBALL STANDOUT AMONG NEWLY IDENTIFIED VICTIMS OF COSTA RICA PLANE CRASH, REPORTS SAY

On Tuesday, a contractor found a "significant failure" in cabin's the heating system, which would be consistent with carbon monoxide overcoming the residence, according to the sheriff's office. The heating unit was the only gas appliance in the structure.

While officials have determined the heating system failed, the official manner and cause of death of the family is still to be determined by the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office.

Neighbors and friends of the family said Tuesday they were devastated by the loss.

"He loved his family, he loved his children, just a great example to follow," Daniel Matlock told FOX10 about his friend, Anthony.

The couple were diehard Arizona Cardinals fans, frequently posting social media pics attending games, and had a family dynamic Matlock said was "something all can strive towards."

A neighbor who did not know the Capitanos personally said she planned to monitor their house to make sure no one took anything from the home.

"When it comes to little people, it's upsetting, but to lose your whole family," Chrissy Smith said.A "bomb cyclone" is set to take aim at the Northeast after dumping snow and ice Wednesday across places that rarely see winter weather, the latest bombardment of frigid weather that's brought freezing temperatures to vast portions of the United States.

The National Weather Service said Wednesday a mix of snow and freezing rain is moving along the East Coast from Florida to North Carolina before rapidly strengthening at sea.

The weather service warned a so-called bomb cyclone will bring blizzard conditions" across portions of eastern New England late Thursday.

"This winter storm is forecast to bring the potential for a mix of freezing rain/sleet/snow from portions of northern Florida to North Carolina, and snowfall northward along portions of the Mid-Atlantic into northern New England," the NWS said in an advisory.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, bombogenesis or bomb cyclone occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours. A millibar measures atmospheric pressure."

'BOMB CYCLONE' WINTER STORM TO HIT US EAST COAST: WHAT IS IT?

"This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters. The formation of this rapidly strengthening weather system is a process called bombogenesis, which creates what is known as a bomb cyclone, NOAA said.

The NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Southeast Georgia, Interstate 10 corridor in Northeast Florida, and portions of the North and South Carolina coasts due to the possibility of ice and snow. The agency warned areas along coastal areas of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic could see up to 6 inches of snow, while parts of New England may see over a foot and high winds, prompting a Blizzard Warning.

"The storm will then have explosive strengthening over the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, bringing hurricane-force winds and blizzard conditions for parts of coastal New England tomorrow," Fox News Senior Meteorologist Janice Dean said Wednesday.

Dean warned Wednesday on "FOX and friends" the storm is going to "almost going to be like a hurricane off shore" once it reaches the Northeast after bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the Southeast.

"A mix of freezing rain, sleet then snow is making travel difficult if not impossible for areas stretching from north Florida to the coastal Carolinas and southeast Virginia," she said.

In Brunswick, Georgia, on the Atlantic coast, law enforcement agencies reported freezing rain and ice on bridges early Wednesday in south Georgia as the storm revved up along the East Coast. Brunswick police reported on their official Twitter account that area bridges iced up.

The icy conditions also were hampering early morning travel in Florida, as authorities were forced to shut a stretch of Interstate 10 east of Tallahassee.

It even snowed briefly in Tallahassee, Fla. for the first time in 28 years, which brought reactions from residents who never see the white stuff.

Sharon Rosenberg, a 35-year-old physical therapist who has lived in the state capital her entire life told the Associated Press she didn't think it was going to happen, and then "literally two seconds later it started snowing."

"The storm will then have explosive strengthening over the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic bringing hurricane-force winds and blizzard conditions for parts of coastal New England tomorrow."  Fox News Senior Meteorologist Janice Dean

Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach urged residents to stay home and keep off the roads. The city, which has not seen measureable snowfall since 2010, saw a mix of of snow and sleet. Nick McCready, who made a 25-mile commute from Savannah to Bluffton, South Carolina, before dawn Wednesday, told the AP there were "accidents all over."

"On my way back, I slid a little bit on a couple of bridges," he said.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper each declared a state of emergency in their respective states due to the storm system. Airports in South Carolina and Georgia also closed as snow and ice fell along coastal areas.

Several other parts of the U.S. were expected to experience dangerously cold temperatures as well.

The National Weather Service issued wind chill advisories and freeze warnings Tuesday covering a vast area from South Texas to Canada and from Montana through New England. After the storm exits the area, more bitter cold is expected to pour in for the weekend, according to Dean.

"Some areas could see over a foot of snow, and the exact track of this storm is still yet to be determined ,so people should be prepared for possible power outages and several inches of snow along with even cold air with windchills below zero heading into the weekend," Dean said Wednesday. "This will be life-threatening if people are still without power."

The cold weather has already been blamed for at least a dozen deaths as well as freezing a water tower in Iowa and halting ferry service in New York.

Indianapolis saw temperatures reach a whopping low of -12 degrees, tying a record low set in 1887. Chicago-area wind chills were also expected to between -35 and -20 degrees.

Traveling in the ice and snow has also proven to be treacherous.

At least one person was killed in upstate New York in an accident involving dozens of vehicles on I-90 east, WIVB-TV reported. At least 11 others were hospitalized.

Plunging temperatures in Texas brought rare snow flurries as far south as Austin, and accidents racked up on icy roads across the state. The Abilene police chief said more than three dozen vehicle crashes were reported in 24 hours.

Officials in Michigan said dozens of cars piled up in crashes on Sunday, according to the Detroit News. Officials said there were no deaths reported in the crashes, but there were at least seven hospitalized.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Erika Crooks remembers the day well. On Memorial Day weekend four years ago, she, her husband and their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter went to a local Target near their home in Elk Grove, Calif., to purchase barbecuing supplies. When they returned, their home was engulfed in flames.

It was like an out-of-body experience, Crooks, 33, told Fox News. You see fires on TV and are desensitized to them. But you never know when it's going to be your home.

It was a last-minute decision that saved Crooks and her family from the flames; she and her husband decided to make the trip to Target a family outing, opposed to one of them staying home with their young daughter, she said.

It was like an out-of-body experience."  Erika Crooks

Crooks family, who had only been living in the house for five months, watched their home burn for roughly seven hours before the fire was contained. The fire marshal on duty that day told Crooks that it was an exterior fire, most likely sparked by something flammable thrown into a trashcan near their home.

I was shocked, frightened and saddened, she said. I wanted to run in and grab pictures and my daughters favorite blanket -- material things that you take for granted.

Crooks family lost a lot that day. But thanks to a $100 gift card from the California Fire Foundations SAVE program, they were able to buy food and pajamas for their daughter that night.

The foundation works with local fire agencies to provide immediate, on-site assistance to families that have suffered a residential loss of at least 25 percent, according to its website.

It also provided assistance to those who were impacted by the wildfires in Southern California, which scorched hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and forced more than 200,000 people to evacuate at the height of the fires.

The foundation gave roughly 500 gift cards to Southern Californians who were affected by the wildfires, Lou Paulson, chairman of the California Fire Foundation, told Fox News.



Here's how the wildfire victims have been helped so far.

President Trump approves California's disaster declaration

On Jan. 2, President Trump declared that a "major disaster exists in the state of California." He also ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires, mainly in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties where the Thomas Fire has hit the hardest.

Certain non-profit organizations were also eligible to receive funds, according to a statement from the White House.

Trump previously declared a state of emergency in California on Dec. 8, which allowed federal assistance to supplement the state and local response to the fires. His declaration was in response to a letter from California Gov. Jerry Brown. Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Riverside counties will receive federal assistance.

More specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency, the emergency management agency said in a statement. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, was also provided at 75 percent federal funding.

United Way of Ventura County

In a partnership with the American Red Cross of Ventura County and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services, the United Way of Ventura County started the Thomas Fire Fund to assist community relief efforts in the county, which was primarily been impacted by the Thomas Fire. This wildfire -- which is now the largest in the state's history -- has scorched more than 281,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 structures.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Ventura Corps accepted food, water and money donations to help those who were impacted by the wildfires, especially those who were evacuated to the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Up until Dec. 9, the organization served a combined total of 4,619 meals to evacuees at the fairgrounds and at Nordhoff High School in Ojai, Calif., which also served as a temporary evacuation center.

The Red Cross

Roughly 615 people who were forced to leave their homes due to the wildfires sought refuge at the 13 Red Cross community shelters in Southern California.

Go Fund Me

Many individuals started fundraising campaigns on Go Fund Me in light of the wildfires.

California Community Foundations Wildfire Relief Fund

The California Community Foundation's Wildfire Relief Fund provides immediate and long-term wildfire recovery efforts. Since 2003, the fund has raised $3.5 million to support relief and recovery efforts.

More specifically, the fund supports those who have suffered long-term mental or health issues as a result of wildfires, helps to rebuild homes and provides financial assistance to victims, among other things.

L.A. Kitchen

L.A. Kitchen provided meals to firefighters and displaced wildfire victims.

Humane Society of Ventura County

The Humane Society of Ventura County housed more than 100 animals due to the wildfires. At the time, they were in need of basic animal supplies such as: cat food, alfalfa, hay, water troughs, hoses, flashlights and rabbit food.A British chef is facing death threats after confessing on Facebook that she spiked a pious and judgmental vegans meal at her Italian restaurant on Saturday night.

Laura Goodman lost patience with a group of difficult vegan and vegetarian diners, who did not order some of the vegan recipes the Italian-born chef spent all day cooking for the group, the Telegraph reported.

Upset vegans attacked her actions on social media. Some said she should be charged with assault, while others even threatened her with death, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Michael Gale, Goodmans partner, apologized for the matter and told the Telegraph it was a misunderstanding.

"Laura had spoken to them before they came in and had suggested some dishes they might like to try which they said they would be happy to order, Gale said. "But instead when they did come in they only ordered two dishes off the standard menu, a roasted cauliflower dish and a margherita pizza which obviously has buffalo mozzarella cheese.

The restaurant reported death threats to the police, the report said.

One commenter posted, "Feeding a non vegan meal to someone who has made the compassionate or potentially even medical choice not to eat animal products intentionally is disgraceful and then to brag about it on your Facebook page. I hope you are ashamed of yourself."Drug cartels are using unmanned drones to carry drugs across the southern border, challenging the U.S. technological ability to stop the advance.

Brandon Judd, an agent and president of the National Border Patrol Council, warned that the border patrol does not have the technology to contain drones.

The number is just astronomical, Judd told The Washington Times.

At least 13 drones believed to be carrying drugs were spotted in November alone, agents said, according to the Times. The San Diego border area has seen the most activity.

The moment drones started becoming household items, CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) should have anticipated their use for criminal enterprise, Judd told the publication. Instead, and in typical CBP fashion, it waited until an issue became a crisis before it chose to act.

Defending against drones are inherently challenging and there are no policies in place, which is reportedly a source of frustration for patrol agents.

Were hoping that D.C. gets off the dime or starts getting ahead of the curve instead of being behind the curve, and gives us the tools to keep the country safe, Christopher J. Harris, an agent and secretary of Local 1613 of the National Border Patrol Council told the Times.

Last year, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen was charged with using a drone to smuggle more than 13 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico. He reportedly used drones to smuggle drugs five or six times over the period of six months, before he was arrested last year.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., proposed a bill last year to expand the rules of engagement of border patrol agents with drones. The draft bill, circulated back in November, would authorize federal agencies to track and disrupt drones, in addition to seizing control or firing them down if they deemed a threat to safety.

The Associated Press contributed to this reportAuthorities in New York are reportedly investigating photographs of a possible ISIS supporter taking selfies outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in view of One World Trade Center.

The chilling images, that began circulating on social media over the weekend, shows an individual posing while wearing an ISIS-branded scarf over his face.

The picture was captioned with We are in your own Backyard, according to The New York Daily News.

The NYPD is aware of the photograph. As with all terror related threats, the NYPD is looking into the incident. At this time there are no credible threats related to New York City, an NYPD spokesman told the newspaper on Tuesday.

Another photograph subject to the investigation is a snap of a person holding a phone with an ISIS flag in the shadows of the One World Trade Center building. The image was reportedly taken in a similar spot where, weeks later, the Manhattan truck attacker killed eight people.

Eric Feinberg, the co-founder of GIPEC, a cyber-intelligence company that tracks terrorism-related hashtags, told the Daily News that imagery like that are aimed at spreading fear and possibly inspiring so-called lone wolf attacks.

But he warned that it remains unclear whether the pictures are authentic, adding that they may have been doctored. Maybe its Photoshopped, maybe its not. It should be taken seriously, he said.

The attempts to induce fear and inspire lone jihadists have increased since ISIS retreat in Iraq and Syria, where the group lost most of its territory and fighters to the U.S.-led military campaign. Increasingly, the group tends to focus on inciting terror attacks in Europe and the U.S. rather than recruiting militants to the Caliphate.

Last month, a Bangladeshi man, Akayed Ullah, reportedly inspired by the terror group attempted to commit a bomb attack inside New Yorks Port Authority bus terminal during rush hour.A Utah mom killed her 9-year-old daughter before turning the gun on herself in a "shocking" murder-suicide discovered on New Year's Eve.

The bodies of Karina Clark, 41, and Madison Clark, 9, were discovered inside their home in Magna, near Salt Lake City, after a neighbor asked cops to do a welfare check when a Christmas present sat on their front porch, unretrieved.

Madison had just been baptized in the [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints] and they both had so much going for them, Clarks older daughter Bailey Miller wrote on Facebook.

Miller added her mother struggled from mental illness for a while but her heart was always in a good place. She called the incident shocking.

Investigators found three gunshot wounds in Madison and one in Karina, according to Miller.

The family set up a YouCaring page to cover funeral expenses thats already raised more than $4,500.

Police said the bodies had been in the house for as long as one to three weeks before being discovered.

Friends and neighbors said they were stunned by the incident.

It just doesn't make sense, Ben Cummins, a neighbor, told Deseret News. It's in your neighborhood. It's right next door to you. And you feel like, Why didn't I see something?

Another friend, Karena Marvell, said: I don't think she could do that to herself. She was very spiritual and everything, but you never know.

This isnt the first tragedy the family has dealt with.

Karinas two other children, twins named Bailey and Brandon, lost their father earlier in childhood due to a suicide, according to the YouCaring page.

Mental illness is such an ugly and heartbreaking thing! You never know what someone is going through and capable of and my heart is breaking for these kids who now have to bury their mother and little sister, a post on the YouCaring page said.

Miller wrote on Facebook: Madison's sweet loving personality will live on in the hearts that knew her. I love you so much girly, I know you are dancing in heaven now.Much of the southeastern U.S. was slammed by a brutal winter storm Wednesday, with Florida, Georgia and South Carolina seeing a rare blast of snow and sleet  the worst snowstorm to hit some cities in decades.

Forecasters have warned the same weather system could soon strengthen into a bomb cyclone as it continues to travel north on the East Coast. The storm could produce strong, damaging winds  possibly resulting in downed trees, power outages and coastal flooding, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

At least 17 deaths have been blamed on dangerously cold temperatures that for days have gripped widespread areas of the U.S. from Texas to New England.

Floridians in Tallahassee saw snow for the first time in 28 years.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday recorded 5 inches of snow and significant accumulations of ice in Charleston, South Carolina. Across the Georgia-South Carolina state line, the weather service reported 1.2 inches of snowfall in Savannah.

Those are the highest accumulations recorded in either city since December 23, 1989, when Charleston saw a record 6 inches of snow. Savannah had 3.2 inches on the same date  its second-highest snowfall on record.

Some Floridians took the snow in stride.

"It was very neat to see. It had been since the early '90s since we got any snow like that," Laura Donaven told The Associated Press. "I made a snowball and threw it at my dad."

William Shaw said that Savannah, forecast to see up to 2 inches of snow Wednesday, had an eerie feeling.

"It almost seems the town is deserted just like in the last hurricane," Shaw said of Savannah. "There's no one on the street. It's got a little eerie feeling."

Darius Rucker, of Hootie & the Blowfish fame, took to Twitter to share a photo of his front yard in Charleston covered in snow alongside the caption: WOW!!!!

Rob Atkinson, who took his pet outside to enjoy the weather, told Fox News the unusual weather for the city of Charleston is "beautiful."

"This is great," Atkinson said. "We just moved from New Jersey after being away for about twenty five years. Its beautiful out here."

A winter storm warning extended from the Gulf Coast of Florida's "Big Bend" region all the way up the Atlantic coast. Forecasters said hurricane-force winds blowing offshore on Thursday could generate 24-foot seas.

Interstate 95 saw ice-covered lanes almost all of its 200 miles, while Florida officials closed a stretch of Interstate 10 in Florida due to the wintry weather.

'BOMB CYCLONE' WINTER STORM TO HIT US EAST COAST: WHAT IS IT?

The icy weather forced airports in both Savannah and Charleston to shut down, while water attractions at Florida's largest theme parks were closed.

Record cold in Jackson, Mississippi has so far broken 37 of the city's water mains, spokeswoman Kai Williams said Wednesday. The city has declared an emergency and is hiring outside contractors to help fix the breaks.

Blizzard warnings have been issued from Rhode Island to Maine. New England, according to Weather Prediction Center lead forecaster Bob Oravec, could see wind gusts up to 70 mph.

Bomb cyclones, or bombogenesis, occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours. A millibar measures atmospheric pressure, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters. The formation of this rapidly strengthening weather system is a process called bombogenesis, which creates what is known as a bomb cyclone, NOAA said.

"It's sort of akin to a hurricane travelling up the coast," Ryan Maue, a meteorologist at the private firm Weather.US., said.

He added people "shouldn't be as worried about the storm as they should be about the extremely cold air behind it. The actual impacts aren't going to be a bomb at all. There's nothing exploding or detonating."

The NWS warned areas along coastal areas of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic could see up to 6 inches of snow, while parts of New England may see over a foot and high winds, prompting a blizzard warning.

Airlines are preparing for the storm in advance, and have canceled more than 3,060 flights Thursday as of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday night, according to FlightAware.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio canceled school for New York students on Thursday amid the impending weather.

Fox News' Terace Garnier, Travis Fedschun and The Associated Press contributed to this report.A 4-year-old Texas boy, who was allegedly forced to live in a closet of a home believed to be the site of a meth-making operation, will remain in the custody of child welfare officials while his case remains under investigation, a judge ordered Tuesday.

The boy was discovered after deputies showed up to the Houston home on Dec. 20 with a search warrant because they believed meth was being made and sold there, authorities said.

It remains unclear how long the boy had been living in the house.

The boy tested positive for methamphetamine exposure and told investigators that his friends were rats and roaches, police said.

The boys attorney Rachel Leal-Hudson told KTRK-TV that the boy told investigators he wasnt allowed out of the closet for hours at a time.

"He can articulate some things that are really shocking and surprising that tell us he was in there for a quite a length of time," she said. "The detail on this case is very awful. This is a 4-year-old child who has seen things an adult should not have seen."

April Burrier, the boys mother was not in the home when authorities showed up but was later arrested.

The childs father, Robert Dehard, said he had not seen his son since Thanksgiving. He is now seeking to regain custody of his son. Child welfare officials said he had previous drug convictions and until Tuesday had refused to submit to drug testing. His custody request has been delayed until next month to await test results.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.A Texas imam has apologized after issuing a video statement last month in which he said it was the duty of Muslims to kill Jews because of President Trump's decision to move the United States' embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan, the founder of an Islamic institute in Houston, said [Judgement Day] will not come until Muslims fight the Jews there, in Palestine in a Dec. 8 sermon titled Our duties towards Al-Quds [Jerusalem].

The Muslims will kill the Jews, and the Jews will hide behind the stones and the trees, and the stones and the trees will say: Oh Muslim, oh servant of Allah, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him. This is the promise of Allah, the imam said in a video posted and translated by MEMRI TV.

He added: The Muslims will have victory. [Jews] know these facts, brothers and sisters, but they are trying to delay itbecause they dont want for us to be religious.

Al-Rousan issued two statements following the inflammatory video, the second of which was an apology without any qualification.

Initially, the Texas imam said, in light of his being opposed to all forms of terrorism, he was mortified that an impassioned sermon I gave in light of President Trumps Jerusalem declaration is being seen as a call for the very things I despise.

In his second statement, Al-Rousan explained Islamic scholars and Muslim leaders helped him understand how his sermon can be seen as a call for violence against Jews.

But the CEO and co-founder of StandWithUs, Roz Rothstein, told Fox News the imams apology is still concerning because he frames the problem as one of interpretation, rather than acknowledging that his sermon was fundamentally anti-Semitic and supportive of violence.

And Rothstein said Al-Rousan was not alone in his incendiary rhetoric about Jerusalem.

Another imam was suspended for one month without pay after his own Dec. 8 sermon, for saying Jerusalems Al Aqsa Mosque remains prisoner in the hands of the Jews and praying for the annihilation of the plundering oppressors, as reported by NJ.com. The imam, Aymen Elkasaby, also referred to Jewish people as apes and pigs.

And in July, a California imam apologized after a videotaped excerpt was translated showing him calling on Allah to liberate Al Aqsa Mosque from the filth of Jews, as reported by the LA Times.

Oh, Allah, count them one by one and annihilate them down to the very last one, he said.

Rothstein said she hoped the controversies turned into a "teachable moment."

Unfortunately, importing this kind of hateful rhetoric to the United States may become common if we are not careful, she said.A Texas woman accused in the fatal New Year's Eve shooting of a man she was dating had stolen his guns before the murder, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Yvonne Raquel Ramirez, 19, was arrested and charged in the death of Joshua McKinney, 19, FOX26 Houston reported. She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to her shoulder.

Ramirez reportedly met McKinney recently and the two had been spending time together before the deadly shooting, according to KTRK. She allegedly stole McKinney's guns and, when they met up again, Ramirez told McKinney she would give the weapons back if he paid her $2,000 for them.

At some point, Ramirez also told authorities she fired the weapon out of self-defense, KTRK reported.

A witness told authorities she saw McKinney place Ramirez in a neck hold while holding a pistol to her head, but the woman ran to call 911 before the deadly shots were fired.

Gloria Chaplin, an area resident, told FOX26 that McKinney ran to her house and said someone was after him.

And then he ran back out, and just a [second], it all happened between 4 and by 4:30 the police were here. It all happened so quick, Chaplin said, adding that she heard 20 to 30 gunshots but did not see anyone else in the area.

She said, There was so many bullets flying. All I did was duck in the house. I didnt even see it happen.

Police are looking for possible accomplices involved in McKinneys death, according to FOX26.

Ramirez is being held on $50,000 bond. She is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.A woman who set up a GoFundMe account for her slain co-worker's 11-year-old daughter ended up pocketing more than $35,000, officials said.

Police said a GoFundMe campaign raised about $38,000 for the daughter of Stephanie Goodloe, a church youth ministry director in Washington, D.C. who was killed in her home near Capitol Hill in June 2016. Her ex-boyfriend, Donald Hairston, 49, has been charged with first-degree murder in her death.

But the money raised never reached Goodloes daughter, The Washington Post reported.

Instead, Arlene Petty, 30, from Capitol Heights, Md., kept the majority of the funds raised for herself.

Petty has been charged with one count of first-degree fraud over the fund.

We plan on following this case really closely, Goodloes cousin, Kim Smith, told the Post in reference to the fraud charge against Petty. Along with the murder trial, this is yet another case that the family has to follow so we know that justice has been served.

The GoFundMe campaign was created on June 20, 2016, two days after Goodloe was killed. Police said it was set up as a joint account involving Petty and the childs grandmother.

In March 2017, however, a relative filed a complaint after the grandmother said she'd been locked out of the account.

In court documents, Police said Petty had transferred $35,054 to a personal bank account.

Bobby Whithorne, a spokesman for GoFundMe, told the Post that misuse of the platform makes up less than one-tenth of one percent of all campaigns. He said the company will work with police and the court system to ensure all of the money raised goes to the family.

He added if the courts were unable to recoup the money, GoFundMe will make a donation to the family.An Iranian-backed terror cell intent on launching espionage missions and terror attacks in the West Bank was uncovered by Israeli security forces, authorities said Wednesday.

The Shin Bet said in a statement Wednesday three Palestinians were arrested, among them 29-year-old computer engineering student Mohammed Maharmeh, from Hebron.

Maharmeh is suspected of being enlisted by his uncle, identified as Bahar Maharmeh, who had been living in South Africa and working as an Iranian operative.

Officials said the younger Maharmeh was recruited and allegedly tasked with enlisting suicide bombers and gunmen for attacks against Israelis. The Shin Bet said he received $8,000 from Iran.

Officials said the younger Maharmeh also recruited two men from the Hebron area  Nur Maharmeh and Diaa Sarahana, both 22.

All three men were arrested. Bahar Maharmeh remains on the run.

Israel has long accused Iran of funding Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are responsible for attacks against Israel. The Shin Bet said in the statement South Africa is being used as a major arena for locating potential recruits and enlisting agents to operate in the West Bank.

The activities that have been exposed illustrate Iranian involvement in the encouragement of terror against Israel and exposes the arms that are sent by Iran to different countries around the world for the sake of promoting hostile activities against Israel, the statement read.

The announcement came shortly after the Israeli military said Islamic Jihad was believed responsible for firing Iranian-made mortars at Israel from the Gaza Strip last week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Shin Bet for thwarting the terror cell.

"I wish to stress to you that Iran is employing terrorism against Israel, not just by assisting terror organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but also through attempts to organize terror attacks inside Israeli territory, he said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.As fierce protests continued across Iran for the sixth consecutive night Tuesday, among the thousands taking to the streets were those who widely appreciate words of support from President Donald Trump  and hope for more substantial support.

Here is real hell, a 31-year-old protest leader in Tehran, who Fox News will identify only as Azi, said in a telephone interview during the early hours of Wednesday morning. This is a real revolution against the mullahs. Iran is uprising. I thank Mr. Trump for his support, but we need more.

President Trump has taken to Twitter several times to note the protests in Iran, and on Wednesday morning hinted the U.S. could become more involved  in due time.

Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!

While the protests - a jolting, collective response to Irans receding economy, flagrant corruption and the escalating cost of fuel and goods - sprung up unexpectedly, the turmoil had been brewing for some time. According to one U.S-based intelligence source, the possibility of large-scale demonstrations - or riots as described by Irans state-owned media  have been on the table for the last two years.

The seeds of protest were sown months after sanctions were lifted by the Obama administration as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)  commonly called the Iran deal  when many felt that they had not benefitted from the fiscal boost. Younger Iranians in particular people banded together as advocates for change, largely through social media and apps such as Instagram and Telegram.

Iranian authorities have responded by shutting down social media access, making it more difficult for protesters to organize, but making demonstrators more creative in their quests to circumvent the ban.

Obama betrayed the Iranian people. He gave the mullahs are ransom and cooperated with (Supreme Leader) Khamenei, he betrayed the Syrian people too. But Trump did not. So we have real expectations, said Azi. We want sanctions against the Iranian regime. They plundered our money. The U.S should not pay the mullahs.

Azi said he doesnt know the fate of friends who have been arrested in the ongoing demonstrations. But he assured they are prepared to fight until the bitter end.

This time, even if we die, we will not stop. This is the price of freedom. We are not afraid, he vowed. I am a freedom fighter. Maybe tonight I will be killed.

Others Iranians who spoke to Fox News agreed their objective is simple: No more rule by the countrys mullahs.

The issue is not just economic, it is political. People will give many reasons for protesting, and all the reasons have led to us losing patience, said Nik, a 27-year-old engineering student in Tehran.

All the money given in the Iran deal went to expand security forces in Syria and Lebanon, all the people know this. We will continue until we overthrow this regime. We thank Mr. Trump for support, but we need all the countries not to remain silent.

Others on the ground in Iran told Fox News most of the protest participants are young people  many students of universities, along with a number of high schoolers and supporters of the MEK opposition group.

Another protester, a 23-year-old communications student named Haroon, concurred the bulk of protesters were fellow students fed up with their dim prospects.

Students and ordinary people are being killed and wounded police, he insisted. Because we tear down posters of the tyrannical leaders and we burn them. We only want happiness. We want help from the Americans to end this regime.

According to data obtained by Sc2 Corp, which provides unique social insight data to the U.S Special Operations community, the Trump tweets  along with the support by UN ambassador Nikki Haley  generated an instant spike in positive references from Iran, triggering comments from Viva Iran, Viva USA, Viva Trump to proud of you president trump that strongly support the people.

At least 21 Iranians have been reported killed in the protests, with hundreds more arrested.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday night counter-protesters took to the streets, marching in solidarity with the countrys leadership.

Haroon said anti-government protests were growing day by day, despite the effort by authorities to shut them down. Nik said that overnight Tuesday, security forces had buses in place to brutally sweep up as many protesters as possible.

We are looking for any opportunity, some threw trash in the streets or chanted, he said. And there are many women with us too. They have a special role in this. They want equal rights. Tonight we will go to the streets again.

As the protests have grown in intensity, so too have the acts of violence.

The agitation has reportedly become more violent with protesters attacking security forces and the government seems to be gradually increasing the use of force to quell the unrest, noted Kamran Bokhari, a Senior Analyst with the intelligence firm, Geopolitical Futures and with the Center for Global Policy.

There is considerable debate over just how involved the U.S. should become in the Iranian demonstrations.

U.S. involvement will likely work to the advantage of the regime, which is trying to show that the unrest is American-sponsored in an effort to delegitimize the opposition, Bokhari speculated.

TRUMP SAYS IRANIAN PROTESTS WILL SEE SUPPORT FROM U.S. 'AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME'

Others disagreed, and support a different strategy.

President Trump needs to get behind this situation, just as we did with various regime changes in the fall of the Soviet Union, contended James Waurishuk, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and former Trump campaign advisor. The U.S. needs to bolster its strategic influence and public diplomacy efforts.

According to Farjam Behnam, founder of the Iranian Affairs site IRAN ALMANAC, President Trumps support is widely appreciated, but people need practical action.

Free high-speed internet would be a great first step, he said.

INSIDE IRAN: WESTERN TOURISM A GROWING GOVERNMENT MONEY-MAKER

On a recent trip to Iran by Fox News, the cracks of disappointment were clearly evident. Cab drivers and restaurant waiters routinely went out of their way to explain they had multiple college degrees, yet were drastically underemployed.

Instead, students gathered under bridges late at night to drink black market alcohol, where women wore the mandatory hijab as loosely as possible.

We had hope in Rouhani, much more than Ahmadinejad, one waiter whispered, referring to their current president who took the reins in 2013 with the promise of lifting sanctions and improving the economy. But our lives are no better yet.Joshua Boyle, the former hostage of a Taliban-linked group who was held captive with his family in the Middle East for five years, was arrested Monday in Canada and faces a slew of charges following his return home in mid-October.

Boyle, 34, is due in court again Wednesday after appearing earlier this week on a variety of charges, ranging from two counts of sexual assault to two counts of unlawful confinement, The Toronto Star reported. Hes reportedly also been charged with uttering death threats, misleading police, assault, and causing someone to take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone.

"This is an individual obviously we all know has been through a lot, is an individual otherwise who hasnt been in trouble before, and hes presumed innocent of these charges," Boyles lawyer, Eric Granger, told CTV News Tuesday.

The alleged actions by Boyle reportedly occurred between Oct. 14 and Dec. 20, The Star reported, citing a court document.

CAITLAN COLEMAN FAMILY REFUSES RETURN TO US; HUSBAND FEARS GITMO OVER PAST

Boyle, a Canadian, and his American wife, 31-year-old Caitlan Coleman, along with their three young children, were rescued on Oct. 11 by Pakistani troops from captivity in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where they were held by Taliban-linked extremists.

Boyle and Coleman were held for five years after being abducted during a backpacking trip in Afghanistan in October 2012.

Following their release, Boyle and Coleman met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a private sitdown.

The Prime Minister did meet with the Boyles earlier this week, and like all Canadians, we are relieved that their terrible ordeal is over and they are back home safely, a statement from the prime minister's office said at the time.

Coleman was seven months pregnant at the time of her abduction. Coleman said her captors forced the abortion of her daughter after Boyle refused to join their terrorist organization.

Following her husbands arrest, Coleman said in a statement to The Star, I cant speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.

BEHIND THE DRAMATIC RESCUE OF AMERICAN-CANADIAN COUPLE FROM HAQQANI CAPTIVITY

She added: Obviously, he is responsible for his own actions, but it is with compassion and forgiveness that I say I hope help and healing can be found for him. As to the rest of us, myself and the children, we are healthy and holding up as well as we can.South Korea said Wednesday it has begun preliminary contacts with North Korea on a reopened cross-border communication system.

The two rival nations were communicating through the channel at the border village Panmunjom, the Souths Unification Ministry said.

Officials said they were first trying to examine whether the communicating lines were working well.

North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un ordered the border communication channel to be reopened a day after South Korea proposed high-level talks with Pyongyang to find ways to cooperate on next months Winter Olympics.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, made the announcement on Kim Jong Un's behalf, according Seoul's Unification Ministry.

Ri said North Korea will try to engage with South Korea in a "sincere and careful" manner by "upholding the will of the supreme leader," in a reference to Kim, the ministry said.

Although the development is a positive sign that the Koreas are working toward improved ties, theres no guarantee that tensions will ease. There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, and even when they do meet, the efforts often end in recriminations or stalemate. North Korea didn't say whether it would accept the South Korean offer for talks.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump lashed out at the North Korean dictator on Tuesday, reprising his rocket man label for Kim and arguing that U.S. sanctions are working against North Korea.

Trump later tweeted his nuclear button is larger and more powerful than Kims.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,' the president tweeted. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Fox News Katherine Lam, Alex Pappas and Matt Richardson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.Pakistan plans to seize control of charities and financial assets linked to the Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, designated a terrorist by the U.S., according to officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.

The countrys civilian government explained its plans in a secret order to various departments on Dec. 19, three officials told Reuters, targeting two of Saeeds charities for takeover.

The United States has labeled JuD and FIF terrorist fronts for Lashkar-e-Taiba (Army of the Pure or LeT), a group Saeed founded in 1987 and which Washington and India blame for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

The move comes as tensions have grown between the U.S. and Pakistan. On New Years Day, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to withhold $255 million in foreign military aid to Pakistan, tweeting that Pakistan has given us nothing but lies & deceit and provided terrorists a safe haven.

The U.S has grown frustrated with Pakistan in recent months, with officials accusing the country of repeatedly failing to cooperate on anti-terrorism probes and harboring known terrorists. Pakistani officials have dismissed those allegations and called Trumps recent comments incomprehensible and of no importance.

Saeed has denied being involved in the Mumbai attacks and a Pakistani court failed to convict him due to lack of evidence.

In response to the Reuters article, JuD spokesman Yahya Mujahid said the organization will go to court against the government.

TRUMP WITHHOLDING $255 MILLION IN AID TO PAKISTAN

We will not keep silent. We will fight a legal battle, Mujahid said in statement to Reuters, terming the governments move illegal.

Pakistan's financial regulator issued an order prohibiting all companies from giving money to Saeed, LeT, JuD and other groups named on U.N. Security Council sanctions lists.

In the capital Islamabad, the district magistrate banned proscribed organizations from fundraising in any kind and social, political, welfare and religious activities by these groups, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.

If the government follows through with the plan, it would mark the first time Pakistan has made a major move against Saeeds network, which includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services.

The JuD and FIF alone have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers, according to two counter-terrorism officials.A senior Palestinian leader has expressed outrage at President Donald Trump's threat to cut funding to the Palestinian Authority, calling his tweets "blackmail."

Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement on Wednesday that Trump "singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace" by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month. She says the Palestinians "will not be blackmailed."

She also says "Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice."

The United States has given the Palestinians over $5 billion in economic and security aid since the mid-1990s, according to Congressional research figures, with an average of $100 million annually since 2008 for President Mahmoud Abbas's security services.

Cutting the funding could prove disastrous for Israel, which relies on security cooperation with the PA to maintain calm in the West Bank.A U.S.-based company has dispatched a ship into the Indian Ocean in hopes of resuming the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, even though the company doesn't have a contract to do the job.

The search vessel named Seabed Constructor left the South African port of Durban on Tuesday as part of the Ocean Infinity company's plan to look for debris in the southern Indian Ocean. The ship has unmanned submarines that can descend deep into the ocean.

Ocean Infinity was taking advantage of favorable weather to move the vessel "towards the vicinity of the possible search zone," the company said in a statement.

"This is designed to save time should the contract award be forthcoming, as hoped," it said. "We will confirm as and when the contract is awarded and the search can resume."

The Malaysian government is negotiating with Ocean Infinity and will make an announcement next week, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 disappeared soon into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. The plane was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew.

The governments of Malaysia, China and Australia called off the 1,046-day official search on Jan. 17 last year. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report on the search conceded that authorities were no closer to knowing the reasons for the plane's disappearance, or its exact location.The Trump administration on Tuesday expressed reservations at the prospect of high-level talks between North and South Korea, dismissing the effort as an appeasement to Pyongyang, The New York Times reported.

Following Kim Jong-Uns proposal to meet with Seoul for high-level talks, some analysts said the overture was a duplicitous ploy to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul, and escape the harsh sanctions imposed on North Korea.

While South Korean President Moon Jae-in has responded positively to Pyongyangs proposal for high-level talks with North Korea, Washington has been ambivalent about the prospect.

The United States is committed and will still continue to put maximum pressure on North Korea to change and make sure that it denuclearizes the peninsula. Our goals are the same and we share that with South Korea, but our policy and our process has not changed, Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said.

United States Ambassador Nikki Haley took a more austere approach at the United Nations on Tuesday saying, We wont take any of the talks seriously if they dont do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea. We consider this to be a very reckless regime, we dont think we need a Band-Aid; we dont think we need to smile and take a picture. We think we need to have them stop nuclear weapons and they need to stop it now.

The Trump administration is still asserting its position on high-level talks between the North and the South without United States involvement.

Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, warned that any strategy by North Korea to strain relations between South Korea and the United States would not succeed.

While Trump initially responded with caution at the idea of the North and the South meeting without the United States, tweeting Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! a later tweet boasting about having a bigger button than Kim drew more media coverage.

Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Myoung-gyon suggested the talks between the two Koreas be held next Tuesday in Panmunjom, a village along the border of the Demilitarized Zone, which had previously been used for high-level talks.Free Freightnet Membership

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Local football games cancelled The 2021 high school football season is starting to resemble the shortened and COVID-plagued 2020 season. Gaffney High officials announced Thursday afternoon it was unable to find a replacement game...

STUDENT NOW COLLEAGUE Mercedes Davidson, a first-year seventh grade math teacher at Gaffney Middle School, is not only working at the school she once attended, but alongside one of her seventh grade teachers...

Bond hearing held for murder suspect A Circuit Court judge took under advisement Wednesday a request to set bond for a 28-year-old accused of murder. Zevonta Queon Shands has remained in the county detention center since...Free

centerpiece

Arctic blast has Galveston County bracing against cold

STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Ally Humphrey of League City stops to photograph icicles hanging from a fountain at League Park in League City on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Texas City employee Job Greer adjusts his hood while working outdoors on Sixth Street in Texas City on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News A sponge and brush are frozen onto a fence in League City on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News A Texas City police officer works at the scene of an accident caused by road icing on the Emmett F. Lowry Expressway overpass in Texas City on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Ice clings to a chain link fence in League City on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/ The Daily News Cars drive through sand on Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Bridges are more prone to accumulating ice, so the Texas Department of Transportation sanded the bridge in an effort to prevent accidents. kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/The Daily News Around 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, McCoys Building Supply in Galveston had only five space heaters in stock after Galveston residents bought out most of the supply. Temperatures were below freezing most of the day in Galveston County.

Shelby Alexander was troubled Tuesday. The furnace was broken at the Dickinson apartment she moved into after being displaced by Hurricane Harvey from her home in Bacliff.

On Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures hovering around freezing, she was having trouble getting her landlord to fix the problem or provide some other relief, she said.

This morning it was 23 degrees, Alexander, a mother of two working a delivery job at a Galveston restaurant, said. I have one radiator heater and two small heaters, but its too much for the breakers.

Unless she found some other way to heat the apartment, she planned to use an electric cooking stove, she said.

Galveston County was gripped by unusual cold Tuesday. In a part of the country where winter weather is usually on the mild side, freezing weather had some in the area scrambling for warmth and shelter.

The day began with some sleet falling on parts of Galveston County. Temperatures continued to fall throughout the day.

Temperatures stayed below 30 degrees for most the day. The sleet and the low temperatures caused some traffic trouble, including a minor accident on the Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City.

Ice was reported on the Galveston Causeway, although it didnt cause any traffic disruptions, officials said. Crews from the Texas Department of Transportation spread sand and de-icer on bridges and overpasses.

At McCoys Building Supply in Galveston, store manager Taylor Jameson said space heaters had been a hot seller in recent days, with about two dozen being sold and only a handful of smaller heaters left on Tuesday afternoon.

Pipe insulation also was a big seller, he said.

At The Salvation Army shelter in Galveston, the only overnight homeless shelter in the city, Capt. Kenny Smith said he expected a 40 percent increase in the number of people staying overnight. The group doesnt turn anyone who needs shelter away, he said. Extra cots had been laid out to meet the demand.

I dont know where they stay at any other time, but theyre here when it gets cold, Smith said of the groups clients. They just come in.

The shelter also extended its hours, allowing people to stay inside, away from the freezing temperatures outside.

While the freeze prompted some local cities to warn residents to wrap their pipes and bring their pets in from outside, there were no emergency cold shelters opened anywhere in the county.

Some people did try to find enjoyment in the winter weather.

Yesenia Leks walked with her husband and her brother-in-law on an otherwise empty beach, the three bundled in thick or puffy jackets.

Leks, from Houston, bent to pick up seashells on the hardened sand as waves rolled in behind her, near 40th Street and Seawall Boulevard.

Her brother-in-law, who was visiting from out of town, wanted to see the beach, Leks said. The family didnt let the colder-than-usual weather deter them.

Its kind of a new experience, right? Leks said. A cold island.

Leks kept her hands in her pockets, out of the path of the wind. If anything, the family would be able to get an ironic picture of them wearing heavy clothes on a stereotypically sunny beach, Leks said.

We thought it would be cute and kind of weird in photos, Leks said. Its very pretty. Cold, but pretty.

There were no record lows set in Galveston County on Tuesday. The coldest recorded temperature on Jan. 2 ever on the island is 20 degrees, a mark set in 1928, according to the National Weather Service.

Still, the temperatures were well below average for the county. The average daily temperature on Jan. 2 is 55 degrees.

Temperatures in Galveston County were expected to drop to 30 degrees on Tuesday evening  with flurries of snow possible  and the county is under a hard freeze warning until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to rise and clouds are expected through the end of the week. High temperatures could reach into the 60s by Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Source: VNA)



During the year, diplomatic activities were implemented proactively, actively and drastically, both bilaterally and multilaterally, contributing to the countrys socio-economic achievements and the fulfillment of major strategic targets set by the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he said.

The most outstanding activity was Vietnams hosting of the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year, with the peak being the APEC Economic Leaders Week in the central city of Da Nang in November.

The APEC Year 2017 has affirmed APEC as a leading forum for cooperation and connectivity in the region while highlighting Vietnams role in an event of global importance, helping promote the countrys image, position and prestige in the world, the Deputy PM and Foreign Minister affirmed.

Vietnams organizational work and initiatives at the event have been applauded by other APEC member economies and international media, he added.

Minh described APEC Year 2017 as a vivid manifestation of the advancement of Vietnams diplomacy towards proactively contributing to building and shaping common rules, thus effectively protecting and promoting Vietnams strategic interests in security and development.

The event has also demonstrated that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community, and created new awareness, new trust, new strength and momentum for the countrys international integration, he stressed.

Besides, Vietnam has made great efforts to step up relations with its neighbours, regional countries, world powers and traditional friends, the top diplomat said, noting that the countrys high-ranking officials had made 18 visits to 19 countries and attended eight multilateral international events, along with hundreds of bilateral meetings with many countries leaders.

Vietnam also hosted 36 visits by foreign heads of State and Prime Ministers.

During the APEC Economic Leaders Week, Vietnam welcomed two State visits on the same day by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, visits by the Chilean President and the Canadian Prime Minister, and held more than 50 meetings with leaders of other APEC economies.

The country also organized various activities to mark major anniversaries in bilateral ties with Laos and Cambodia, and high-level visits to Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.

Through such diplomatic activities, Vietnam has increased political trust and promoted the efficiency of pragmatic cooperation wit neighbouring countries, while fostering political and economic ties with other key partners like China, Russia, the US, Japan and India.

In the year, Vietnam established comprehensive partnerships with Myanmar and Canada.

In his article, the Deputy PM and FM also underlined Vietnams international economic integration during 2017, mentioning efforts made by the country and other members to accelerate talks on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Vietnam is also working with other countries to promote negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and lobbying for the early official signing, ratification and implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.

At the same time, the country has intensified defence-security cooperation with partner countries, helping enhancing mutual understanding and trust, Deputy PM Minh said.

He cited as examples the completion of border demarcation and marker planting along the Vietnam-Laos border, and 84.6 percent of the work in the common border with Cambodia has also been done.

Vietnam and other ASEAN countries and China have made joint efforts for the approval of the draft framework of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and officially began negotiations on the COC itself.

The country has also cooperated with other countries to protect the legal status of more than 5,500 Vietnamese citizens and repatriate nearly 2,000 fishermen detained abroad.

Deputy PM Minh further said cultural diplomacy and external information service has been promoted, contributing to enhancing Vietnams image.

He stressed that in 2018 and the years to come, diplomatic tasks will continue be carried out synchronously.

Vietnams diplomatic sector is ready to face all challenges in 2018 and continue to serve national construction and defence, he emphasized./.It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discoverCalifornia State In USA Legalizes Sales Of Marijuana, Hundreds Of People Queue Up To Buy (PHOTOS)

kejguv at 3-01-2018 12:53 PM (3 years ago) (m)

California has become the largest state in the United States of America to legalise the sale of recreational cannabis(Marijuana)As of 1 January 2018, adults aged over 21 can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of the drug and can grow up to six marijuana plants at home. Hundreds of excited customers waited in huge lines in California as the Golden State turned a shade greener with its first sales of recreational marijuana on New Years Day. California launched the worlds largest regulated commercial market for recreational marijuana on Monday, as dozens of newly licensed stores opened for business up and down the state.

California has become the largest state in the United States of America to legalise the sale of recreational cannabis(Marijuana)As of 1 January 2018, adults aged over 21 can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of the drug and can grow up to six marijuana plants at home. Hundreds of excited customers waited in huge lines in California as the Golden State turned a shade greener with its first sales of recreational marijuana on New Years Day. California launched the worlds largest regulated commercial market for recreational marijuana on Monday, as dozens of newly licensed stores opened for business up and down the state.

Post Reply Writing is my passion and facts-proofing is my hobby, I have been writing at Gistmania for close to a decade now and It is one of the most exciting things I do. Outside writing, I love enjoying time with my loved ones - if you have any tip for me, please do get in touch Posted: at 3-01-2018 12:53 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac

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I keep telling them, if they smoke naija Igbo, nah correct craze go follow them. Posted: at 3-01-2018 11:59 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac The Igbo weh dey smell awful. The shacking level is at par with Benson and Hedges.I keep telling them, if they smoke naija Igbo, nah correct craze go follow them. Reply

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Dramaking at 4-01-2018 11:07 AM (3 years ago)

(m) Smh.... Thats why i have given up on marrying any white chick, i will try a manage our 9ja girls, coz their madness no near the white chicks own. Lol. #Shame. Posted: at 4-01-2018 11:07 AM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Smh.... Thats why i have given up on marrying any white chick, i will try a manage our 9ja girls, coz their madness no near the white chicks own. Lol. #Shame. Reply

slimber at 5-01-2018 11:41 PM (3 years ago)

(f) Hmmmm good for them Posted: at 5-01-2018 11:41 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Hmmmm good for them ReplyVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irving Resources Inc. (CSE:IRV) (Irving or the Company) is pleased to announce it has received final Bulk Leach Extractable Gold (BLEG) analyses from stream sediment samples collected during its 2017 field program at its 100% controlled Omu high-grade gold-silver project, Hokkaido, Japan. The recently completed 2017 exploration program at Omu was undertaken by Mitsui Mineral Development Engineering Co., Ltd. (MINDECO) under the supervision of Irving personnel. BLEG analyses discussed in this news release are the second dataset of four to be released by Irving. Gravity data was discussed in Irvings news release dated December 6, 2017, and detailed soil grid analyses and drone-based magnetics will be reported in news releases over the next few weeks as these become available. Irvings 2017 field program was geared toward target generation in preparation for more advanced work including trenching and drilling in 2018.

Omu BLEG Au results by stream catchment



Omu BLEG Ag results by stream catchment



Omu BLEG As results by stream catchment



Omu BLEG Hg results by stream catchment



Omu BLEG Sb results by stream catchment





BLEG Analyses Reveal Extensive Mineralized Systems at Omu

About 100 stream sediment sites were sampled across the Omu project between June and October, 2017. Very fine clay sediment was collected from each location and subjected to ultralow gold and trace element analyses. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate gold (Au) and silver (Ag) results, respectively, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 present pathfinder elements arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and antimony (Sb), respectively.

Au anomalism around the historic Omui mine area is far more extensive than previously recognized. Au response from stream catchments situated east and southeast of the kettle-shaped Omui mining lease suggests the footprint of mineralization extends into those areas. Of particular note is a strongly anomalous stream catchment situated about 1.5 km southeast of the mining lease. Similar elevated response is seen among elements Ag, As, Hg and Sb. Irving anticipates expanding its exploration efforts eastward and southeastward from Omui in 2018.

Stream catchments north and south of the historic Hokuryu mine area are strongly anomalous in Au indicating a substantially larger mineralized system is present than previously thought. Interestingly, stream catchments northwest of the catchment in which Hokuryu mine is situated return higher Ag, As, Sb and Hg responses than that at Hokuryu suggesting significant potential for new discovery away from the historic mine. These areas are dominated by steep terrain and heavy vegetation and little is known about the region. Irving anticipates prospecting these new areas further in 2018.

Strongly elevated Au, Ag and pathfinder elements found along the river extending northeast from the Hokuryu area are believed to reflect residual anomalism downstream from the Hokuryu mineralized center. An uptick in Hg anomalism is evident where this river passes by the Omu sinter terrace. Hg is commonly enriched in high levels of epithermal hot spring systems, so such a response is not surprising. Irving believes the Omu sinter represents an intact mineralized hot spring system making it a high quality exploration target.

Subtle but significant Hg and As anomalism is evident in stream catchments between Omui mine and the Omu sinter. Such response may indicate preservation of high-level parts of a mineralizing system in this area. At least two catchments are also slightly elevated in Au providing further intrigue for undiscovered potential. This area is believed to be underlain by a major graben-bounding fault discussed in Irvings news release dated December 6, 2017. Irving anticipates conducting further prospecting activities in this region in 2018.

Our 2017 BLEG sampling program, the first such survey to be conducted in Japan, has proven resoundingly successful, commented Dr. Quinton Hennigh, Technical Advisor and a director of Irving. Mineralizing systems around the historic Omui and Hokuryu mine areas are far more extensive than we previously thought. Subtle, high-level epithermal anomalies are evident from Omui northward to the Omu Sinter suggesting the graben-bounding structure we recently identified by gravity data may have been an important conduit for mineralizing fluids. We eagerly await remaining soil and magnetics data that will allow us to define drill targets for 2018.

MINDECO staff, under supervision of Irving personnel, collected stream sediment samples discussed in this news release. Samples were dried, sieved, and then shipped to ALS Chemex, Vancouver for analysis. Gold was analyzed by ICP-MS following CN digestion and trace elements by ICP-MS following aqua regia digestion. Standards and blanks were introduced at a rate of 1:20.

Quinton Hennigh (Ph.D., P.Geo.) is the Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Hennigh is a technical advisor and a director of Irving Resources Inc.

About Irving Resources Inc.:

Irving is a junior exploration company with a focus on gold in Japan. Irving also holds, through a subsidiary, Project Venture Agreements with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) for joint regional exploration programs in the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Malawi and the Republic of Madagascar. JOGMEC is a government organization established under the law of Japan, administrated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and is responsible for stable supply of various resources to Japan through the discovery of sizable economic deposits of base, precious and rare metals.

Additional information can be found on the Companys website: www.IRVresources.com.

Akiko Levinson,

President & Director

Forward-looking information

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, the statement as to the expected receipt of results from various exploration and testing activities. 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, customary risks of the mineral resource exploration industry as well as Irving having sufficient cash to fund the planned exploration activities.

THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59eb5714-c4c3-417b-8b58-311f0521f23b

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a992437d-e99c-449e-8ef2-b0f0442fb08c

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ca80687-e342-4d62-a87c-9014f73cbe97

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/417388fb-972b-496b-98e9-35ad20718fb6

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d39cecc-7fa6-4299-a7ba-e87267fc430b



For further information, please contact:

Tel: (604) 682-3234 Toll free: 1 (888) 242-3234 Fax: (604) 641-1214

info@IRVresources.com

Vancouver, January 3, 2018 - War Eagle Mining Company Inc. (TSXV: WAR) ("War Eagle" or the "Company") and Champagne Resources Limited ("Champagne") are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement to merge the two companies. Champagne is a Toronto-based private company with a significant land position (3,296 ha) in the world class Kirkland Lake Gold Camp in the Abitibi Greenbelt 8 km from the Town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario and adjacent to Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.'s high grade producing mine. Paul Carroll, Chairman of War Eagle said "We chose this investment because the best place to find gold is where it has been found before."The merger will be effected by what is known as a "triangular amalgamation" whereby Champagne will merge with a subsidiary of War Eagle and become a subsidiary of War Eagle itself. On the merger, which values the companies equally, Champagne shareholders will receive an aggregate of 21,990,276 War Eagle common shares, matching the current outstanding shares of the Company. Outstanding Champagne share purchase warrants and options are expected to be exchanged on equivalent terms for War Eagle securities. War Eagle and Champagne have agreed to finalize and sign an amalgamation agreement by January 15, 2018 and the merger, which is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, is expected to be completed by the end of February once all conditions have been met including required Champagne shareholder and approvals. The transaction is an arms' length transaction and no finder's fees are payable.Mr. Carroll explained that the acquisition represents the culmination of two years of searching for a mineral property to replace the Tres Marias and Terrazas zinc-copper projects in Chihuahua, Mexico, and is a return to Canada for the Company.Champagne's100% owned Goodfish Kirana Project at Kirkland Lake is a contiguous, 10 km long by 3 km wide land package that until now has never been consolidated or systematically explored on surface or below 200 m depth. Daniele Spethmann, President and CEO of Champagne, stated "Numerous historical gold showings, significant structural breaks and a land package that has been under-explored with modern technology provide for an exciting and unique discovery opportunity. We look forward to completing a winter work program that will include airborne and ground geophysics that will better define drill targets for a Q2 exploration program."Geologically, the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp is favourable because of major structures and breaks that are host to world class high grade gold deposits. Historically, the Kirkland Lake Camp has been host to over 42 million ounces of gold production. Operationally, the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp is a first class location due to its long mining history which has fostered local mining-skilled personnel including supportive First Nations, year-round ease of access via local airport and three main highways, and truck and ATV accessible bush roads.Champagne's committed management and technical team with proven track records of discovery is led by Daniele Spethmann, an exploration geologist with over 30 years experience in northern Ontario, Canada and internationally including being the senior geologist on two projects with significant discoveries (Choco 10  Carolina zone and Fruta del Norte) in Venezuela and in Ecuador. Ms. Spethmann is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.Upon the merger with War Eagle, Ms. Spethmann will be appointed as President and CEO of War Eagle, and as a director and Mr. Carroll will remain Chairman. War Eagle will have three representatives on the board of directors and Champagne will have two representatives, being Ms. Spethmann and Peter Winnell, another Champagne-appointed director. Donald Padgett is expected to resign from the Board of War Eagle on closing of the merger to accommodate the incoming Champagne representatives. War Eagle may consider an increase in the board to six directors at its next annual general meeting.Daniele Spethmann, P. Geo., President and CEO of Champagne, is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.Paul A. Carroll Q.C., Chairman, President and CEO416-703-9120Email: info@wareaglemining.comWebsite: www.wareaglemining.comChampagne Resources LimitedDaniele Spethmann, P.Geo, President and CEO(647) 344-3433Email: www.champagneresources.comWebsite: www.champagneresources.comThis news release was prepared by management of War Eagle, which takes full responsibility for its contents as it relates to War Eagle. Information about Champagne Resources Limited has been provided by Champagne.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although War Eagle believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because War Eagle can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in the Company's management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended March 31, 2017 and the second quarter ended September 30, 2017, which are available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and War Eagle undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.Vancouver, BC (FSCwire) - Far Resources Ltd. (CSE:FAT) (FSE:F0R) (OTCPK:FRRSF) (www.farresources.com) (Far Resources or the Company) announces that following the resignation of Mr. Jeremy Ross from its Board of Directors, it has appointed Mr. Toby Mayo to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Mayo brings over twenty years of comprehensive and varied global resource industry experience to the Far Resources board. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Geology from the University of Edinburgh and an LL.B. (Hons) in Law from the University of London. Mr. Mayo has most recently held senior management positions at two TSX Venture Exchange listed mineral exploration companies as President and CEO and also brings extensive consulting and corporate development experience. He began his career as an exploration geologist for Rio Tinto in South America, northern and eastern Europe. Subsequently Mr. Mayo worked in a number of senior consulting roles including within the Investment and Business Planning group at Hatch in London and as Senior Technical Advisor for Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. on the development of the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. He also has experience within the technology and software industry, providing services to the resource sector. Mr. Mayo possesses financial, commercial, technical, project management, IR and legal skills, with experience completing techno-economic and transaction-related studies of mining and metals projects across the globe.

Keith Anderson, President and CEO of Far Resources commented, We are very pleased to welcome Toby to the Board of Directors; he brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable to us as we move forward with our plans for the Zoro Lithium Property and the spin off of the Winston Project in 2018. I would also like to thank Jeremy Ross for his service to the Company and together with the rest of the Far Resources team, to wish him well in his future endeavours.

Option Grant

In conjunction with Mr. Mayos appointment to the Board, the Company has granted to him 250,000 options to acquire common shares in the equity of the Company (the Options). Each Option is exercisable into one (1) common share in the equity of the Company at an exercise price of $0.79 per option share, expiring 5 years from date of grant. The issuance of securities described in this news release are subject to acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange. All amounts quoted in this news release are in Canadian funds.

Legal Entity Identifier

Far Resources has been granted a Legal Entity Identifier ("LEI"). The Company's LEI code is 254900WZMB2G5CQ0LA13.

The LEI is a 20-character code used to identify entities that enter into financial transactions. LEIs, like other identifiers, allow issuers to fulfil their reporting obligations and are also key for matching and aggregating market data, both for transparency and regulatory purposes. The objective is to create a global reference data system that uniquely identifies every legal entity or structure, in any jurisdiction, that is party to a financial transaction. Endorsed by the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (G20), the establishment of a Global LEI System is critical to improving measurement and monitoring of systemic risk.

About the Company

Far Resources Ltd. is an exploration company, publicly traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol FAT, focused on the identification and development of high potential mineral opportunities in stable jurisdictions. Far Resources may acquire or option properties of merit to meet its ongoing goal to locate, advance and unlock the potential of these mineral opportunities. Far Resources has two option agreements in place. The Zoro Lithium Property covers a number of known lithium pegmatite occurrences and is located near Snow Lake, MB. Manitoba has been ranked as the worlds second best jurisdiction for mining investment by the Fraser Institute. The second option is on the Winston Property in New Mexico, USA, another historic mining property with potential for silver and gold; New Mexico is also listed by the Fraser Institute, ranking in the top 25 mining jurisdictions in the world. Please visit our updated website at www.farresources.com for full details on our current projects. Far Resources has optioned its wholly owned Tchentlo Lake Property in British Columbia, Canada to Alchemist Mining Inc.

###

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

Far Resources Ltd.

Keith C. Anderson, President

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT

CorpCom@FarResources.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance (including our planned exploration for the Winston Project and the Zoro Lithium Property) and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required under applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell securities and the Company is not soliciting an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/FarResources01032018.pdfSource: Far Resources Ltd. (CSE:FAT, FWB:F0R, OTC Pink:FRRSF)

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Copyright  2018 FSCwireCALGARY, Jan. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - PRIZE MINING CORPORATION ("Prize" or the "Company") (TSXV:PRZ) (OTCQB:PRZFF) (MQSP:GR:FRANKFURT) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its second and final drilling program of 2017 on the Toughnut Property near Nelson in southeastern British Columbia.

A total of 11 diamond drill holes were completed totalling 1,729.96 meters from 7 drill pad locations including 1 helicopter pad. The drill core logging has been completed. Hole 1 to 5 and 11 which included 660 samples have been sent for assaying. The remainder will be sent out in early January. The Company anticipates a total of 1,175 core samples to be assayed.

Feisal Somji, Prize's Chief Executive Officer, commented "We look forward to the results from our recently completed Toughnut drill program. The 1010-hectare property includes the Toughnut showing (MF 092FSW294) with nearby historical drilling in 2010 returning intersections of up to 14.47 g/t Au over 4m within a broader 24.3m zone of 4.02 g/t Au. The property lies contiguous to the west side of Prize's Daylight property and is part of our district wide approach."

Daylight Property update

The company anticipates having drill results from it's 18 hole drill program within the next several weeks.

As a 3rd party contractor, Terralogic personnel has maintained a rigorous and independent QA/QC program throughout the duration of the Toughnut drilling program. Sample chain-of-custody was instituted with analysis being completed by Bureau Veritas, in Vancouver BC. Analytical packages utilized include a strong acid ICP analysis (MA250) and gold fire-assay analysis on a large 50g split (FA450). Gravimetric analysis (FA550) will be carried out on any over detection gold assays greater than 10 g/t. Bureau Veritas is wholly independent of Prize Mining and TerraLogic and is accredited under CAN-P-4E (ISO/IEC 17025): General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories ISO/IEC 17025-2005Jarrod Brown, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About Prize Mining Corp.

Prize is a Calgary-based junior mining issuer with offices in Calgary, Alta., and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Prize is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mining properties.

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Forward-Looking Statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "potential", or other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "could" occur.

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SOURCE Prize Mining Corp.Governor Kate Brown appointed Adrienne Nelson to the Oregon Supreme Court on Tuesday, marking the first time an African American has served on the high court in the state's 158-year history.No African American judge has served on the state's second highest court -- the Oregon Court of Appeals -- either.Nelson, who is in her early 50s, has presided as a Multnomah County Circuit judge for nearly 12 years.At the time of her circuit appointment by then-governor Ted Kulongoski in 2006, she was the only African American judge in a state court system of about 200 judges. Today, there are five, three of whom were appointed by Brown last year."In addition to her work in the courtroom, she has made extraordinary strides to make the trial bench more receptive to the needs and experiences of diverse and underserved communities in our state," Brown said in a news release."Judge Nelson is a widely respected civil rights champion, whose perspective on the bench moves us closer to our shared vision of justice for all."Nelson fills a vacancy created by retired Justice Jack Landau. Her appointment starts immediately."I'm very excited for the opportunity," Nelson told The Oregonian/OregonLive Tuesday.The news organization wrote about Nelson in 2007, the year after she became a circuit court judge. She said when she moved to Oregon in the 1990s, some people didn't expect an African American woman to be a lawyer, and she was mistaken for a paralegal, a social worker or the suspect's girlfriend. Read that story here.Nelson grew up on Arkansas. While in high school, her mother sued her school district for refusing to permit an African American student to be recognized as a valedictorian, according to the governor's office. Nelson's mother prevailed, and Nelson was named valedictorian, the governor's office said.Nelson attended the University of Arkansas and later the University of Texas law school. She worked as a public defender at Multnomah Defenders Inc. for three years starting in 1996. From 1999 to 2004, she worked at the Portland law firm of Bennett, Hartman, Morris and Kaplan.She was coordinator of Student Legal and Mediation Services from 2004 to 2006 at Portland State University before being appointed as a circuit court judge.She is a past recipient of the Multnomah Bar Association's Award of Merit and the Oregon State Bar's Diversity and Inclusion Award.Description

GIS - 03 January, 2018: In his New Year message to the Nation, which was broadcast on 1 January 2018, the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, defined his priorities for the country and assured a better quality of life for the whole community by making a difference on issues that matter most to peoples daily lives, namely education, training, economy, unemployment, poverty, environment, and law and order. Speaking about Governments foremost priority which is education and training, the Prime Minister recalled that the future rests on education and it is important to give youngsters the education they need for their development and achieve their ambitions. In his New Year message to the Nation, which was broadcast on 1 January 2018, the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, defined his priorities for the country and assured a better quality of life for the whole community by making a difference on issues that matter most to peoples daily lives, namely education, training, economy, unemployment, poverty, environment, and law and order.

We are investing a lot in education because we want our children to have a holistic development, he said while highlighting that the education reform, with the introduction of the Nine Year Schooling, is now a reality.

While referring to the strategy to take the country to another level of development, Mr Jugnauth stated it is fundamental that appropriate training be provided to the youth leaving colleges and universities. In this context, Government is offering high standard training in a number of fields, namely ICT, construction, cinema industry, tourism and financial services. More than 4 000 young people have benefitted from those trainings, he pointed out.

According to the Prime Minister Governments major task is to build an economy that fits for the future. 2017 was an important year for Mauritius and measures implemented have helped to bring the country to a more steady growth. The growth rate for end 2017 was 3.9% and we are expecting it to be more than 4% this year showing a clear indication that the country is on the right track, he said.

Figures from World Banks Ease of Doing Business report show that Mauritius received Rs 15 billion in terms of foreign investments thus shifting the countrys ranking from the 49th to the 25th place. We are still rated first in Africa and are working to make sure to stay the number one, said the Prime Minister.

With regard to unemployment, Mr Jugnauth stated that statistics show a decrease in the number of unemployed and the unemployment rate is expected to down to less that 7% this year. We want a better quality of life for all citizens and my Government has kept its promise to come forward with the National Minimum Wage, he said. The National Minimum Wage of Rs 9 000, with the aim to providing a decent salary to workers of both the public and private sectors, is being introduced as from this month and concerns 100 000 workers.

The Prime Minister listed out measures implemented to combat poverty, namely negative income tax and social housing. Government is assisting low income families by providing housing units around the island. Some 1 155 houses were built last year and for 2018, 4 000 housing units for middle income families will be constructed.

Government aims at improving the quality of services offered to the population and on that score, several infrastructural projects will kick start in 2018, Mr Jugnauth said. As far as the Metro Express project is concerned, works between Port Louis and Rose Hill will start this month. Other projects to set off this year comprise the new Supreme Court building, a multisports complex and the ENT hospital. The Safe City project will be launched and 4 000 surveillance cameras will be installed on 2 000 sites to fight criminality and empower the Police Force. A National Drug and HIV Council will also be set up under the aegis of the Prime Ministers Office.

Nothing is impossible if we work together and the best example is the African support we received at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the Resolution Seeking International Courts Advisory Opinion on Pre-independence Separation of Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, said the Prime Minister.

He further recalled that, as Mauritius gears itself to celebrate its 50th independence in March 2018, the measures being implemented by the Government constitute the first steps to give a better future to the population. We should keep working hand in hand to make our country prosper, Mr Jugnauth said in his concluding remarks.Mapzen, a mapping platform company lauded among developers and civic hackers for its open-source approach, is shutting down.For fans of the company, theres a bright spot: because its data and code is open, users will still be able to run the projects they built using Mapzen tools, as well as some of the companys tools, on their own. They have until Feb. 1  the day the company will shut down its APIs, services and support  to grab what they need.Count Michael Schnuerle, chief data officer of Louisville, Ky., among those fans. Upon hearing the news that Mapzen was shutting down, Schnuerle grabbed a snapshot of data for his city from OpenStreetMap using Mapzens exporter tool, which he said is among the easiest free tools available. Then he posted it on Louisvilles open data portal.The extraction contains a wealth of GIS data to help civic hackers, data analysts, citizens and other users create maps, do research and learn about cities. Schnuerle said he thinks other cities should do the same and grab OpenStreetMap data using Mapzen and put it up on their data portals.If you have to go to one of the export tools and download it, Id say it would take maybe an hour to do the first time, he said.Schnuerle has been using Mapzen for years, since before he signed on as Louisvilles CDO. He recalled using Mapzen while working with the local Code for America brigade in Louisville to export the footprint data for every building in the city  around half a million  and then using Mapzens functionality in the brigades projects.It was really valuable to be able to see the results and filter the results  to check your work, basically, he said.Randy Meech, chief executive officer of the company, noted that hes heard a lot of positivity around what the company has done since the announcement about its closure hit the Internet on Jan. 2. On Twitter, leaders from other companies started imploring Mapzen employees to consider applying to their own firms.A lot of people will be working on similar stuff but at different places, he said.There will likely be a lot of work in the next month as Mapzen prepares for closure. The company had tens of thousands of users, Meech said, and many will be looking to clone what they can before Feb. 1. He said its tough to say how much of the companys user base was in government, but he knows there were many in public service, law enforcement and health care using Mapzen.One recent example is the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, or TriMet, using Mapzens geocoder as part of a project to help citizens identify multiple ways of making a trip.The reasons for Mapzens closure arent clear, and Meech declined to comment on why the company is wrapping up its business. It belonged under the umbrella of Samsung Next, which provided funding, and in its privacy policy Mapzen described itself as a division of Samsung Research America.As it closes, one piece of Mapzens legacy will be its efforts in improving access to elevation data. Though the U.S. Geological Survey already offered the data, Mapzen took it and aggregated it along with local data, creating ready-to-use elevation map tiles that Schnuerle said looked better than anyone elses.The elevation data fed into Mapzens routing engine, which meant that routes could take elevation into consideration  something particularly important for bicyclists, pedestrians and people with disabilities.That data is much more accessible as a result of us and the work weve done, Meech said.That, said Schnuerle, is a big reason why he admired the company: Mapzen helped people use maps.They took stuff that was complicated and made it easy to do, he said.(TNS)  The Lake Oroville spillway crisis and evacuation last February might have only lasted a few days for Yuba-Sutter residents, but the ordeal left many with unanswered questions and a newfound fear of the unknowns of living downstream from an aging water storage facility and system.Questions about who is to blame for the spillway's failure, how it happened and what can be done to prevent it from happening again continue to resonate with local residents close to a year after the event occurred.The Appeal-Democrat reached out to community members and officials about the incident to gauge how they were impacted by the event, what the most significant takeaway was for them and what they would like to see changed moving forward.Their responses varied, but all seemed to agree that there are positives that can be taken from the Lake Oroville spillway incident and the events that followed.Aikens said it's terrible any time an emergency evacuation is ordered, but there is a "silver lining" in discovering the weaknesses with the Oroville spillways in an event that didn't overwhelm the levees or end in a disaster."I think the most significant thing that will come out of it, is that because of all the attention and scrutiny that this crisis sparked, this community will be safer," Aikens said. "The industry has a good record of learning from these experiences and making improvements to avoid reoccurrence."While YCWA only operates along the Yuba River, the agency has to pay attention to what's happening along the Feather River. In order to coordinate flows at the confluence of both rivers during high-water events, the agency has to work with the Department of Water Resources and other agencies on reservoir releases.As part of the Forecast-Coordinated Operations program, which was initiated by YCWA, the county agency works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service-River Forecast Center and the DWR Flood Operations Center. Aikens said he was proud of how that coordination worked out between all of the parties involved."Our program ensured that during this period of historical runoff, we were all in sync about releases from both New Bullards Bar Reservoir and Lake Oroville, planning and coordinating our operations to reduce the downstream flood risk," Aikens said. "We would talk every day, look at what was happening, and consider both the short-term and long-term forecasts."When the initial word came down that there were problems with the Lake Oroville spillway, Aikens said the agency sprang into action to make sure its own facility -- New Bullards Bar Dam -- was safe by instituting additional inspections of the spillway. After a thorough review, Aikens said the spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam is in "good condition to perform its designed function.""We are continuing with a more in-depth investigation of the spillway to catch and correct any issues before they arise," Aikens said. "That experience really gave us great confidence in our own level of safety."Still, the Oroville incident should serve as a strong reminder that living in Yuba-Sutter does come with significant flood risk and that residents should always be prepared, he said."I think this was a stark reminder that we have to be prepared and practiced for every possible scenario, and we need to make sure that we have absolute clarity about how to communicate with each other and the public in a crisis of any kind," Aikens said. "I also hope that the public realizes the importance of investing in our infrastructure, and of signing up for the county's emergency notification system, so that they can be reached by a call to their home or mobile phone, a text or email, any time there's an emergency that might impact them."It wasn't just his constituents who were affected by the incident. As a Yuba City resident himself, Gallagher said his family went through the same hectic experience many others endured last February."The spillway crisis brought back painful memories of flooding in our region," Gallagher said. "I witnessed the panic and devastation from the floods of 1986 and 1997. In February, I saw that same sort of panic as residents were fleeing the area. It was a terrible dej... vu. I never want to see that again, and I am resolved to see this all the way through."Gallagher said he was thankful for the men and women that worked so hard to stabilize the emergency situation and reconstruct the spillway in such a tight window. He said he was appreciative of Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea for "making the right call" in evacuating his county when the situation took a turn for the worse.He said one of the most significant takeaways was in how the incident united downstream communities and a diverse group of stakeholders, who have since formed a coalition to fight for things like accountability, oversight and long-term changes in operations and infrastructure at Lake Oroville."We knew from the onset that our region could be much more influential moving forward if we were united," he said. "Counties, cities, farm bureaus, chambers of commerce, labor and even environmental groups have been working together to advocate for change."In terms of the negatives, Gallagher said he has not been satisfied by the answers given by DWR or the state regarding the spillways' failures."The lack of action on the long-term issues at Oroville frustrates me and the constituents I represent. But since February, we have been channeling our frustrations into action and urging change that we believe will better protect residents living downstream," he said.Moving forward, Gallagher said he would like to see many things change, including improved inspections, implementing fixes in a timely manner and upgrading the state's aging infrastructure. He also said the culture at DWR needs to change."I am hopeful that the new director can be the catalyst for change within the department. I want DWR officials to operate that dam as if their families were living directly downstream. This history of letting the lake fill up when there's a huge snowpack and warm storms approaching is flawed," Gallagher said.The Lake Oroville incident wasn't just an eye-opening experience for residents, it was a wake-up call for civil engineers around the world, Inamine said.Inamine and his team from SBFCA have spent years and hundreds of millions of dollars on improving the levees along the west bank of the Feather River. If that wasn't the case, the events of last February could have been much worse."Feather River water levels (in 2017) were actually rather modest, yet the damage to unimproved levees required immediate and substantial repair," Inamine said. "Without these interim and long-term measures, these levees might have failed during this or a future flood event. The importance of building resilience -- the capacity to absorb the unexpected -- into all of our major public safety structures was highlighted during this event, not only at the Oroville spillway, but also throughout our imperfect levee system."The positives, he said, are that the area's repaired and improved levees did well. However, the entire situation highlighted the fact that 50 years of good performance doesn't necessarily mean that a flood-control structure will hold up under different conditions the following year, he said."Oroville captured everyone's attention due to dramatic media coverage and the catastrophic consequences of spillway failure," Inamine said. "But even with the weaknesses exposed at Oroville, a rigorous risk assessment may well disclose that the biggest potential threat to our community is a sudden failure of a levee in downtown Yuba City in the middle of the night."He said even though dams and downstream levees are two important components to the state's flood-control system, the two different types of structures are built, operated and maintained to "wildly different standards." That's a problem, Inamine said, and that flawed model must be corrected.Moving forward, Inamine said SBFCA will continue pressing the federal government to make funding available for a project to repair 5 miles of unimproved levees in south Sutter County -- south of Star Bend Road.He said the project to improve the stretch of levee, which suffered distress and damage during last winter's high-water events, was authorized by Congress in 2014 but has not received the necessary funding."In early 2018, we anticipate a decision to fund federal flood projects, and hopefully ours will be among them," he said.Any time a major emergency event arises in the area, county personnel  from a wide variety of departments and services  switch hats and assist in the response. That too has been the case for McGrath who has been doing so since the 1986 flood and every major event since -- including the 1988 49er Fire, the 1997 flood and the Williams fire later that summer, the Pendola Fire in 1999, and now the Oroville spillway incident and the Cascade Fire."From my perspective, the Oroville incident was unique  not because of how close we came to another devastating flood, but because it really brought our focus back to how fragile our water management infrastructure can really be," McGrath said. "Those of us living in Yuba County should be rightly proud of how we have improved our levee system, but those levees would be meaningless in the face of an epic dam failure."The spillway incident was a reminder of what can happen when aging infrastructure breaks down, he said. However, Emergency Operation Centers of today are "light-years ahead" of how they were managed 20 years ago, with the help of new technology, training and increased staff levels.With more than 30 years of experience responding to emergencies, McGrath said there isn't much he hasn't seen before. Still, he said one of the most impressive things to occur during the Oroville situation happened behind the scenes."Moving the Yuba County EOC from the courthouse up to the Nevada County Government Center, and being staffed and operational, in just a matter of hours was really phenomenal," he said. "For folks without any emergency operations experience, the best analogy I could give you would be as if Rideout Hospital had to shut down and relocate its entire emergency room operations to, say, the Colusa Medical Center, and had a three-hour window to complete moving its equipment over roads full of fleeing persons, get staffed and organized, be fully functional, and also to make arrangements on housing and feeding everyone over the course of several days."Aside from the logistical feat of moving operations to a different county, he said the ordeal reinforced just how difficult the public information aspect of managing a disaster has become."We live in a time of instant information, and everyone demands it," McGrath said. "Unfortunately, speed does not equate with accuracy, and anyone can post anything to the net."He said disseminating information in this day and age during an emergency situation really comes down to four things: accessing and vetting the information that comes into the EOC before disseminating it to the public, putting out credible and accurate information on social media, monitoring social media to address rumors and handling the incoming calls."I think there has been a fundamental shift in the way we perceive Oroville Dam," Smith said. "We've gone from thinking about the dam as a structure to create a lake many of us enjoy visiting to a volcano that can go off at any minute. As a community, we're reassessing our relationship to the dam -- it's distance and its potential for a disaster."When looking at Lake Oroville and its facilities as a whole, Smith said there are a lot of ways something can go wrong. With six different dams (the main dam, two smaller dams holding water in the reservoir, and three downstream in the forebay and afterbay) and two spillways, failure of any one of the structures would cause problems for downstream residents, he said.Even though the dam itself was never in question, he said the failure of the emergency spillway -- the structure that experienced erosion in February and prompted the Butte County sheriff to issue a mandatory evacuation -- would have sent about 800,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Feather River channel, where the levees can only handle about 150,000 cfs at Marysville and Yuba City.That threat, along with images of the eroded main spillway, the "nature and agony" of a no-notice evacuation, the traffic congestion and the uncertainty that comes along with an evacuation only reinforced the "new collective perspective" that the dam was less of a flood-control structure and more of a threat, he said, "and maybe that is healthy."Smith said it's important for the community to consider what would happen if any of the region's dams were to fail -- not just Lake Oroville Dam, but also New Bullards Bar Dam and the Shasta Lake Dam. He also said dam operators -- like DWR -- and communities downstream must work together to understand the full extent of potential threats."A coalition of downstream interests has developed to agitate for more transparency from the Department of Water Resources, and I think DWR is learning how to be more transparent," Smith said. "I'm not sure either DWR or the downstream communities were even aware of the disconnect until potential disaster was imminent. But there's a lot of distrust, obviously."Smith said the February incident was "anguishing," given that it was a no-notice evacuation, there was not enough highway infrastructure to evacuate 180,000 people from three counties smoothly, and there was "little to no information" coming from DWR as the day turned into night. However, on a personal level, he said he was proud of how Sutter County's emergency operations staff handled the ordeal."All things considered, the community responded very well to an improbable, almost impossible situation," Smith said.The biggest takeaway from the Lake Oroville spillway incident is the effects it had on the Feather River, Stone said.Because of the erosion at the spillway and DWR's rapid fluctuations in releases, he said, the channel downstream has been significantly damaged -- banks eroded, wildlife habitats destroyed and massive sediment buildups causing problems for boaters trying to navigate the river."All of the sediment that is deposited in the lower river affects my organization and my personal livelihood as a fishing guide on the river," Stone said. "We have killed much of the wildlife, the riparian trees and the fish that once inhabited this great area. It is going to have an economic impact on our community of great proportion, and if we don't clean up the mess that we have created we are only leaving our public trusted resources worse off for our children and grandchildren."Now the entire river needs a "major makeover," he said, or else there will be consequences, primarily in the form of environmental and fishery issues. Stone said DWR and the State Water Project contractors that rely on the water should be on the hook, both for clearing out the river and establishing a maintenance program to make sure something like what happened in 2017 never happens again.However, there were some positives to come out of the entire ordeal, he said."I'm very happy that the Department of Water Resources agreed with our organization -- Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen's Association -- that we cannot determine how many fish were killed because of the incident," Stone said. "The California Department of Fish and Wildlife were willing to raise 2 million extra fish at the hatchery. The Department of Water Resources is funding this project that cost more than $200,000, including the required coded wire tags."Levee District 1 maintains the levees protecting Yuba City -- from about Queens Avenue to about 13 miles south of Yuba City. During high-water events, levee maintaining agencies like LD1 monitor levees for potential problems like seepage and boils.Last February was Stresser's first significant storm event as general manager of LD1. Luckily for him, he said, the district's board had more than 75 years of combined experience fighting floods in the region, so he had the help to get through it."It was a very trying time for everyone involved, from the public to the local agencies protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents," Stresser said. "There was a great deal of frustration directed at DWR and the Oroville Dam for the lack of information we were provided."The rumors circulating on social media didn't help, he said, but that was largely due to the fact that there was poor communication coming from the state up at Oroville. Either way, he said, his district learned a lot from the ordeal. He said the incident even resulted in downstream agencies seeing a greater need in partnering up during similar instances to share accurate information and support each other's operations."One of the most significant things that has come out of this event is an enhanced focus on flood control and its importance with regards to operations and maintenance of the levees," Stresser said. "And most notably, the repair of three miles of levee through downtown Yuba City."Though much has been done to bolster the area's levee system, Stresser said he would like to see the remaining section of levee south of Tudor Road repaired, as well as the Sutter Bypass levee."It is also important that we annually fund and provide on-going maintenance of the levees, as well as an aggressive annual maintenance program for Oroville Dam," he said.___(c)2018 the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.)Visit the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) at www.appeal-democrat.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.(TNS)  WALNUT CREEK, Calif.  They have already been sighted here and there on downtown streets in recent months (with human handlers nearby), but small delivery robots figure to be making more appearances now that the city council has approved agreements with two more companies for pilot programs specializing in last-mile deliveries.What had been a toe dip for Walnut Creek has now become a walk into the ocean, with the city council on Dec. 19 asking city staff to set up pilot programs with two companies, Oakland-based Boxbot and Marble Robotics, based in San Francisco. The agreements would run through May 2019, at which time they will be evaluated.These follow the July approval of a similar pilot program with Starship Technologies, an England-based company with an office in Redwood City, for autonomous robots in Walnut Creek. With the December approvals, all three companies will operate separate local pilot programs.Walnut Creek will be the first pilot program for Boxbot, which focuses on package delivery, and will start in early 2018, said Austin Oehlerking, Boxbots CEO.Marble builds courier robots that can deliver anything from food and groceries to prescriptions. Marble already has a presence both in San Francisco and in Concord, where the city council struck a deal with them this past summer.The Boxbot and Marble personal delivery devices (PDDs) will be allowed to operate throughout Walnut Creek, wherever sidewalks exist. Their main territory figures to be the downtown area, where business-to-business and business-to-resident connections in close proximity abound. But the PDDs could also see use in places like the Shadelands Business Park, where there is potential for business-to-business deliveries.Were excited about the East Bay in general, Oehlerking said in an email Thursday. Walnut Creek has great infrastructure and a population that orders a lot of e-commerce. The building density and traffic level are ideal for an autonomous delivery network.Governments around the nation are working to design the best vaccine policies that keep both their employees and their residents safe. Although the latest data shows a variety of polarizing perspectives, there are clear emerging best practices that leading governments are following to put trust first: creating policies that are flexible and provide a range of options, and being in tune with the needs and sentiments of their employees so that they are able to be dynamic and accommodate the rapidly changing situation.(TNS)  Three years after a major overhaul of the way the state controls its information technology systems, Louisiana is saving millions of dollars, and officials say that it's well positioned to protect information from security threats.Efforts are underway to learn even more about cybersecurity threats and what more can be done."Right now, I think the state is in its best posture ever, and we're continuing to improve upon that," Dustin Glover, the chief information security officer in the state's Office of Technology Services, said in a recent interview with The Advocate.Gov. John Bel Edwards, through a recent executive order, created a 15-member "cybersecurity commission" to identify and mitigate the state's risks.In announcing the group, Edwards said his goal was for the state to "continue our commitment to establishing cybersecurity capabilities and resources in order to adequately maintain the stability of public services while ensuring proper privacy and protection for the data that is entrusted to the state by our citizens."Edwards has picked Craig Spohn, executive director of the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, to lead the new commission. It will be staffed under the Louisiana National Guard.Aside from monitoring the state's security measures, part of the council's charge is to foster cybersecurity education programs, research and jobs.Louisiana leaders say the state is always vulnerable to cyber-attacks that aim to breach or damage computers and networks. In addition to potentially costing the state money, those threats also pose privacy risks for residents."It's always going to be a target," Glover said.Rep. Barry Ivey, a Central Republican who often totes an iPad around the State Capitol, sponsored legislation last year requiring an overview of Louisiana's current cybersecurity measures and other information technology issues. He's on the National Conference of State Legislatures' task force on cybersecurity.He said he doesn't have legislation in mind just yet, but he hopes that the report due to the Legislature next month will help identify areas where improvements can be made."It will help us understand where we truly are vulnerable and assess whether additional funding is needed and where the most critical needs are," Ivey said. "Understanding where the big holes are could help us prioritize the spending."He said he worries because most breaches exploit vulnerabilities. Without knowing those potential entry points, the state is less prepared to stop threats, he said."We are responsible for so much personal information that we must do what is necessary to make sure it's safe and secure," Ivey said.Louisiana set out on a wave of upgrading its computer systems and consolidating its information technology efforts under the executive branch in 2014. The move has been the subject of glowing articles in Forbes magazine and other business publications."A budget-constrained state government may be the last place youd expect to find a top-to-bottom digital transformation that ranges from citizen-facing services all the way to the underlying network. Louisiana, however, is well on its way to such a transformation," Forbes reported in August.The Office of Technology Services manages an average of 585 million "events per day"  which can include someone logging into a computer, sending an email or visiting a website. There are about 40,000 users in the executive branch.Whenever an activity is flagged, the IT team reviews the issue.Eight issues reached the level of becoming "incidents" that had to be more thoroughly investigated in 2017, Glover said. None reached the level of becoming a breach or major issue."That's where we want to be, obviously," Glover said.A cybersecurity report compiled by Verizon in 2017 found that public sector entities were the third-most common breach victims, behind financial organizations and health care organizations. That report also found that public-sector entities were most likely to be intentionally targeted.Often threats come in the form of emails that appear to be authentic and are tailored to a state-specific function.Glover said that attempts to click on suspicious links or open attachments are flagged by his department and evaluated before the tasks can be completed.He said the goal is always to improve and make the system as efficient as possible. "We're making significant strides within that regard," he said.Glover said the consolidation of information technology services under the Jindal administration has helped the state modernize its efforts.Before state agencies were moved under a centralized operation, each managed its own information technology efforts. Glover said that left holes in the system. Some smaller agencies didn't even have a dedicated IT professional on staff full time.The Jindal administration announced in 2015 that in the first year of the consolidation, the state saved about $75 million on its IT services  about $20 million of that in the general fund.Williams looks set to announce a two-year contract with Sergey Sirotkin.

Earlier, the British team dithered over its choice of replacement for Felipe Massa, also seriously testing and considering the former BMW and Renault driver Robert Kubica.

But Russian Sirotkin, backed heavily by the Vladimir Putin-linked SMP Bank, appears to have won the day with a two-year deal now being reported by Auto Bild.

However, former Swiss F1 driver Marc Surer thinks it could still go either way.

"You could actually toss a coin," he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"One has a great story and the other a lot of money. But neither is in the category that you absolutely have to take him."

Massa departed Williams declaring that he was not surprised about the team's deliberations, saying it's "all about the money".

And Williams' last title winner, 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve, is also not surprised.

"They already sold their soul to the billions of Lawrence Stroll, who only cares about his son," he said.

"Even Massa was faster than Lance. His podium in Baku does not convince me as it was pure luck," added Villeneuve.

(GMM)Plans for a grand prix in Copenhagen are speeding ahead.

Ekstra Bladet newspaper reports that F1 chief executive Chase Carey is planning to travel to the Danish capital next week to meet with mayor Frank Jensen and other key figures.

"We're not ready to agree yet," race promoter Helge Sander warned.

Meanwhile, German broadcaster SWR is reporting that Carey also wants Germany's place on the F1 calendar to be secure beyond 2018.

Talks with the Nurburgring are reportedly taking place about a 2019 race, after circuit boss Mirco Markfort attended the 2017 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

(GMM)Mercedes is just 50 horse power shy of the landmark 1000hp breakthrough with its current F1 'power unit'.

Auto Motor und Sport reports that GPS measurements made by a rival of the German marque's engine output at the end of 2017 showed 949hp.

But the report claims Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell is "confident Mercedes will succeed" in breaking through the 1000hp barrier before the regulations conclude in late 2020.

"If the world champions maintain their approximate development speed, 1000hp will be reached in 2019," correspondent Michael Schmidt said.

Ferrari is next in the power rankings with 934hp, followed by 907 for Renault and Honda's 860hp.

Finland's Ilta Sanomat reports that Ferrari is pushing to get an extra 40hp from its engine in 2018, even though engine boss Lorenzo Sassi is moving to Mercedes.

"I don't know who said Sassi is a phenomenon, but I don't remember saying it," Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne told Marca.

"What is true is that our problems were due not only due to him. Our intention was to keep him in GTs, but unfortunately he decided to leave and continue his career elsewhere.

"For the team it's a normal change and now we have Corrado Iotti and we're fine with him," Marchionne added.

Finally, Renault's Cyril Abiteboul told Auto Hebdo that he blames former boss Flavio Briatore for the French marque's current power deficit.

"We are still paying the price for Flavio's decision in 2007 to dismiss hundreds of people when engine development was frozen," he said.

(GMM)C-Crete Technologies LLC Hexagonal Boron Nitride Reinforced Multifunctional Well Cement for Extreme Conditions

C-Crete will provide a systems approach for developing the next generation of well cement. This cement will prevent offshore spills and leakages at extreme high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive conditions. A proof-of-concept hexagonal boron-nitride/cement composite will be developed and tuned to offer optimum slurry formulation and rheological properties, and the best hybrid nanostructure. By preventing offshore spills and leakages at extreme conditions, this project will increase cost-efficiency and production, mitigate risk over the productive life of the wells, and improve environmental and worker safety. DOE Funding: $1,500,000

Non-DOE Funding: $375,000

The Institute of Gas Technology Hydraulic Fracture Test Site II (HFTS2)  Delaware Basin

The Institute will carry out multiple experiments to evaluate well completion, design optimization, and environmental impact quantification. The Institute will conduct these experiments using a hydraulic fracture test site experimental well in the Delaware Basin portion of the Permian Basin of Western Texasspecifically targeting the Wolfcamp formation. Anadarko Production Company and Shell Exploration and Production Company have both agreed to host the test site on their acreage. DOE Funding: $7,974,000

Non-DOE Funding: $12,590,000

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Eagle Ford Shale Laboratory: A Field Study of the Stimulated Reservoir Volume, Detailed Fracture Characteristics, and EOR Potential

The project will improve the effectiveness of shale oil production by providing new scientific knowledge and monitoring technology. This technology will be for initial stimulation/production as well as enhanced recovery via refracturing and enhanced oil recovery methods. This research will enable operators of thousands of existing fractured horizontal wells to better select refracturing candidates and design refracture treatments. Researchers will also gain knowledge about created fracture geometry when the two new production wells are monitored with high-resolution distributed sensing technologies during fracturing. DOE Funding: $8,000,000;

Non-DOE Funding: $2,000,000

The Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines In-Situ Applied Coatings for Mitigating Gas Hydrate Deposition in Deepwater Operations

CSM will develop and validate robust pipeline coatings to prevent deposits of hydrates in undersea oil pipelines. These coatings, for field and commercial deployment, are critical in offshore leak and spill prevention. The coating system can be applied in situ to treat existing flowlines. This technology will aid in flow assurance by decreasing the need for hydrate treatments and by avoiding plugging and subsequent safety and environmental consequences of the flowline. It will be a major, fundamental breakthrough in hydrate science and engineering, and is critical to deepwater field operations. DOE Funding: $1,498,000

Non-DOE Funding: $374,000

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Laboratory (TMSL)

TMSL will address knowledge gaps regarding the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS), enabling more cost-efficient and environmentally sound recovery from this unconventional liquid-rich shale play. The TMS has been estimated to contain 7 billion barrels of recoverable light, sweet crude oil, while its current total average production is only about 3,000 barrels of oil per day. Development of the TMS in eastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi could significantly impact local communities economically. However, over the past several decades, operators have been unsuccessful in the TMS play, in part due to its clay-rich nature which makes it sensitive to water. Improved understanding of the TMS, along with public scientific assessment of new approaches for developing the play, will expand and accelerate industry efforts to cultivate this resource with minimal environmental impact. DOE Funding: $3,680,000

Non-DOE Funding: $5,977,000Mercedes could soon follow Ferrari's lead and establish a formal alliance with another F1 team, says Toto Wolff.

Ferrari has enjoyed a technical partnership with Haas since the US outfit's arrival in F1, and recently established closer ties with Sauber to whom the Italian manufacturer will supply its current power unit in 2018, but under the Alfa Romeo name.

Sauber will also act as a training ground for the Scuderia's young talent, with 2017 F2 champion Charles Leclerc running with the Swiss outfit this year and Antonio Giovinazzi hired as the team's reserve driver.

Wolff views Ferrari's collaborations as a smart move and one Mercedes must keep an eye on.

"I think what [Ferrari president] Sergio Marchionne and Maurizio [Arrivabene] are doing is very clever," said Wolff in a lengthy interview with ESPN.

"They've had a good relationship with Haas. That has helped Haas and helped Ferrari and what they are doing now with Sauber is very visionary.

"With Fred [Vassuer] he has a team principal on the other side who knows the business inside out and it can be an alliance that can be dangerous for us."

Mercedes currently supplies its engines to two customer teams, Force India and Williams. And Wolff is considering the idea of a more elaborated tie-up with a partner-team, a la Ferrari-Sauber.

"It's something that we are considering. It's not easy because you don't want to distract your own organisation with a collaboration with another team on the other side.

"We are not the only ones who are having intelligent ideas -- we are having discussions but nothing is done yet."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and TwitterSYDNEY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Australian stock market opened firmer on Wednesday, riding on solid Wall Street gains to start the new year on a confident note.

At 10:31 (AEDT), the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 4.5 points or 0.07 percent at 6,065.8, and the broader All Ordinaries index added 4.6 points or 0.08 percent at 6,170.6 points.

U.S. investors were helping to start the year "with a confidence-boosting rally in cyclical stocks", CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner said in a morning note.

Overnight solid gains included those in the consumer discretionary, materials and info tech sectors, fueled by the "coordinated global growth theme" and "reinforced by tax cuts", he said.

The confidence is set to induce a firm start for Australia's main ASX200 index, "supported by good gains in the iron ore price". A better-than-expected read in the Caixin PMI Chinese manufacturing activity gauge will also provide background support for mining stocks, he said.

"While U.S. indices got the year off to a good start, they fell short of a strong move into new high ground, leaving open the possibility of a range trading scenario developing for a while," said Spooner.

"It seems likely the ASX200 will also remain below its recent high leaving room for doubt about the direction of the next major move. Yesterday's news of further weakness in the housing market is likely to be a headwind for the banks and the ASX200."

ANZ added 0.49 percent, Commonwealth Bank of Australia was up 0.25 percent, National Australia Bank lifted 0.24 percent and Westpac gained 0.35 percent.

Mining giant BHP Billiton jumped 2.12 percent and rival Rio Tinto climbed 2.14 percent. Newcrest Mining lifted 0.87 percent while Oil Search was up 0.13 percent.

Supermarket chain Wesfarmers dipped 0.29 percent and rival Woolworths fell 0.44 percent.

Qantas was up 0.2 percent, telecom giant Telstra slipped 0.14 percent and biomed group CSL edged 0.11 percent higher.

[ Editor: WPY ]For many people, their first job was a memorable life experience. Local nonprofit Woofgang & Co. is working to make sure young people with disabilities have the same opportunities.

The Fairfield-based organization, which makes and sells dog treats, toys and other items, recently opened a retail location at 1300 Post Road, adding another aspect to the operation that offers vocational training to young adults with disabilities.

Its really providing them with the skills, and for me I just wanted to showcase our young adults in a really positive, shiny way that the public would be attracted to, said co-founder Amy Stern.

Stern and fellow Fairfield residents Kris Burbank and Kelly Maffei came up with the concept for Woofgang & Co. three years ago. They formed the nonprofit to provide work opportunities to young adults who are on their way out of the school system with few job options.

According to Stern, the idea for the organization stemmed from seeing the effect a job at Stew Leonards made on her 23-year-old son, Patrick, who has Down syndrome.

I saw that Patrick was given so much by this job, and it was incredible what he is able to get from this job in feeling good about himself; his speech improved and everything, Stern said.

The operation breaks away from the typical vocational training program, Stern said, adding that it creates a fun and nurturing environment where people can work and develop their skills on the job.

The trio began the business over the summer and, with the help of participating families, started making dog treats out of the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities.

After gaining attention in October at the Parade Your Paws for a Cause event, Maffei said they were approached by a local family that offered a storefront location for the nonprofit to sell its goods along the Post Road.

Since opening the storefront on Dec. 4, Woofgang and Co. branched into other goods like no-sew blankets and braided dog toys, shirts and other donated salable goods like jewelry and more.

With the addition of the retail space, the nonprofit offers different job opportunities depending on peoples skills and preferences.

A lot of our kids probably wouldnt get this opportunity lets say at a Gap. Maffei said.

The nonprofit is running without the help of government funding, according to Burbank, who said it has relied on sales and donations to keep the operation going.

All the people who work for the nonprofit are volunteers, Burbank said, adding that she and her co-founders hope to find angel investors and community funding to transition the young adults into full- and part-time employees.

We have these young people who are graduating, Burbank said. They are facing a very unstable future. The state of Connecticut in terms of the budget and everything the government is doing is actually taking funding away from people like this and the agencies that serve them, so were trying to create a community resource and a solution that doesnt rely on the government and the governments budget.

Burbanks 21-year-old-son Andrew, who has cerebral palsy, also works at the store, assisting with sales and tech-related tasks. Along with interacting with co-workers and customers, the Fairfield resident said the nonprofit gave him an opportunity to take on new challenges.

Right now I am using a point of sale machine that gives pictures of the items, and you punch in the items and click on them with your index finger on the iPad. he said. That way the purchases are so much easier to buy then they were in the past.

Andrew Burbanks co-worker, Chris Lopes had similar feelings, adding that the he has felt more independent since he began working at the store last month.

It was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me, Lopes said. Ive done other jobs but this is the first job that I have that I dont have another program to help me with it.

jordan.grice@hearstmediact.comGREENWICH  Greenwich Public Schools announced open house dates for prospective students to visit the districts five magnet schools Tuesday.

Families can visit New Lebanon School, an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme elementary school school, on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. or Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. New Lebanon has been a magnet school since 2009, but has been able to accept few magnet students in past years due to overcrowding at the school, school officials say.

The districts other IB elementary school, International School at Dundee, will hold open houses on Jan. 9 at 9:15 a.m. or Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. International School at Dundee was the districts first magnet school opening in 2000. It receives over 110 magnet applications each year, whereas other Greenwich magnet schools frequently receive less than 50 applications, according to data provided by Greenwich Public Schools.

Elementary students interested in science and math can visit Hamilton Avenue School, which adopted a STEM magnet theme in 2015. Hamilton Avenue will host prospective families on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 23 at 9:15 a.m.

For language lovers, Julian Curtiss School, a world language-themed magnet, will host open houses on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. or Jan. 17 at 9:15 a.m. Julian Curtiss offers the choice of learning either Spanish or French in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The districts only middle school magnet is Western Middle School, which is an authorized International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme school. Families can visit Western on Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. or 7 p.m.

All schools have snow dates in case open houses need to be canceled. Details are available on the districts website.

The deadline for magnet applications for the 2018-19 school year is Feb. 9, 2018.

While all magnet schools teach the same curriculum as the districts other public schools, their magnet school themes add emphasis in certain learning areas.

School choice provides opportunities to attend a school with programs that may be of particular interest to a family and/or an individual student, school officials wrote in a statement.

Magnet schools also serve an important function for the districts school capacities and racial balance.

School choice also provides the district with a means of balancing enrollment among its schools on a voluntary basis rather than by mandating school attendance area changes, school officials wrote.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunsonGREENWICH  In 2014, Bill Forrest donated a kidney to his daughter in a surgery at the Boston Childrens Hospital.

In late 2017, the Forrest family of Greenwich made a contribution of $2.5 million to the hospital to improve the success rate of kidney transplants for young people like Isabella Forrest, who has thrived since the operation.

Nancie Julian, the mother of Isabella and Bill Forrests wife, said the family was feeling fortunate after the successful transplant and hoped that their donation would help others in the same situation.

Bella is a healthy 15-year-old and a top skier, her mother said.

Were extraordinarily lucky that not only was he a match, but he was able to do it, she said.

As to the financial donation to Boston Childrens Hospital, the family is looking to make a positive difference for a group that has not been favored by research dollars, young people with kidney ailments, they said.

Boston Childrens Hospital was chosen by the Forrest family for the legacy because the treatment strategies it offers patients appealed to them, they said. The hospitals research on kidney transplants and long-term health was another appealing aspect the hospital offered.

Its a really small population of children who are affected in this way. And because its a relatively small group of people, theres a need for funding. We felt we were in a unique position to fill that gap, said Julian.

The grant will help collect data and allow research into ways in which an individuals bio-chemistry and treatment can be adjusted for the best possible outcome, so-called precision medicine.

Dr. David Briscoe, a specialist in the transplant program, said the grant could be very beneficial in treating patients who have undergone transplants, limiting the problems with rejection.

Imagine using a simple blood or urine test, rather than a biopsy, to assess the health of a graft so that we can adjust medication to each childs needs, he wrote in a statement while announcing the grant. And our molecular discovery work may point to a new breed of treatments that regulate the immune system without suppressing it  avoiding harmful side effects.

Bill Forrest is a financial executive working in the private equity field.A noreaster thats expected to track farther west than originally forecast will give us between 3 and 6 more inches of snow, strong winds and terrible driving conditions much of Thursday.

Normally, a snowstorm doesnt trigger an activation but you have the trifecta going here, said Dan Warzoha, Greenwichs emergency management director. You have the snow coming and you have the likelihood of high winds both during and after the storm and then you have the possibility of coastal flooding. We want to be ready to go and have the emergency operations center all set up in case our regular operations get overwhelmed.

Accuweather says the storm is projected to undergo rapid strengthening, referred to as bombogenesis.

According to the National Weather Service, Fairfield County will see snowfalls, depending on location and the track of the storm, of 3 inches to more than half a foot. A winter storm watch is in effect for Fairfield County from 1 a.m. Thursday to midnight Friday for southwest Connecticut.

Because of on-shore winds pushing water into western Long Island Sound, a coastal flood advisory has been issued for coastal Fairfield from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Tides are expected to be up to two feet above normal.

The most snow is forecast for the northeastern areas of New England. Boston and Providence are expected to get up to 14 inches. Most of Maine is under a blizzard warning.

The snow is expected to begin early Thursday morning and continue through at least the early afternoon. Winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph -- up to 44 mph along the Long Island shoreline  are expected to cause areas of blowing and drifting snow with a danger of falling tree limbs and scattered power outages.

The strongest winds are expected on Cape Cod; Provincetown could see gusts as strong as 70 mph and Hyannis at 63.

The snow was expected to start after 3 a.m. Wednesday with a total nighttime accumulation of 1 to 2 inches and continue throughout Thursday, stopping shortly before 9 p.m. with a total accumulation of 3 to 7 inches, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Thursdays high temperature is expected to be near 28 degrees with a wind chill factor making the air feel like it is between 5 and 10 degrees.

Warzoha said the town Highway Department and Department of Parks and Recreation work crews would be getting out as needed around 2:30 to 3 a.m. early Thursday morning.

They are all set and ready to go, he said.

The rest of the week and weekend is expected to be sunny with a chance of snow early Monday and a chance of rain after 3 p.m.Black-necked cranes are seen in Linzhou County of Lhasa City, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 1, 2018. Tibet has become the world's largest winter habitat for critically endangered black-necked cranes. It is currently temporary home to over 8,000 black-necked cranes, around 80 percent of the world's total population. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng)

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]Woodside Cafes superlative thali platter, momos, and more. Photo: Liz Clayman

Himalayan food is surprisingly well-represented in this city: You can find yak-butter tea and the doughy, juicy meat-, veg-, or cheese-filled dumplings known as momos, versions of which feature prominently in the distinct but often overlapping cuisines of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, everywhere from the Lower East Side to Ridgewood. This sort of food has proliferated so much in Jackson Heights and neighboring Woodside, in fact, that some have taken to calling the area Himalayan Heights. Weve rounded up the best places in New York to go to for said momos and tea, plus Indian-influenced Nepalese curries and thalis; Chinese-influenced Tibetan spicy noodles; the cheese-and-chile Bhutanese dish known as ema datsi; and other specialities of the Himalayan region.

The Absolute Best 1. Woodside Cafe

64-23 Broadway, Woodside; 347-642-3445 There are a lot of momos in this city, but not a lot of momos that taste like the chile-momos at the pleasant Woodside Cafe, which once offered Italian food in addition to classic dishes of Nepal, but now deals exclusively in the latter. These perfect, fat little packages of dough, twisted neatly at the top and filled with your choice of juicy ground beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables (beef comes recommended), are fried till their chewy exteriors are also crisp, then slicked in an appealingly pink sauce thats equal parts spicy and sweet, and hopelessly seductive. Strewn with sauteed peppers and onions and snips of fresh cilantro, theyre a true pleasure. Other standouts include the traditional set meals known as thalis, which arrive on a gleaming, round platter, featuring little piles or dishes of mustard greens; black-eyed peas; roasted soybeans; lentil soup; and chutney, plus a choice of curry and jasmine or beaten rice, for which the grains are flattened into crunchy, dry flakes. The wai wai sadeko, a chaat made with creamy spiced chunks of potato, little curls of dried instant noodles, red onion, cilantro, lemon, and green chile is so good, we would eat it right now if we could.

2. Dawas

51-18 Skillman Ave., Woodside; 718-899-8629

Photo: Liz Clayman

Were sorry, but youd have to be crazy to order off the side of the menu thats not labeled Himalayan-inspired here  unless youve got an allergy or something, in which case, enjoy the New American food, were sure its great. (The chef, who was born in Nepal, went to culinary school in the U.S. and worked at Mercer Kitchen and Reynard). If theres nothing holding you back, youre in for a true treat, or several of them, in the form of, for example, the pork chilli, a Bhutanese-style stew bobbing with tender, bite-size chunks of fatty, slow-cooked meat and heady with hot red chiles, plus ginger, scallion, and fermented bamboo shoots. It comes with the steamed bread known as tingmo, this version made with tangy whole-wheat flour and coiled beautifully into a roselike bun. The thenthuk, a mild but complexly flavored soup, is also excellent; its bone-marrow broth is flecked with hot chile skin and tiny branches of dill, and rich with chewy beef, silky tears of noodle, translucent coins of daikon, and the occasional salty exclamation point of a fermented black bean. The whole-wheat momos are good, too, though outshone by the exceptionally bright, slightly sweet tomato-and-fenugreek puree they arrive on.

3. Dhaulagiri Kitchen

124 Lexington Ave., nr. 28th St.; 917-675-7679

Photo: Melissa Hom

In the sea of restaurants in Manhattans Curry Hill, Dhaulagiri, whose original location was in Jackson Heights, stands out not only as the only Nepalese-Tibetan place among them but also for serving some of the very best food. Though the dining room is disconcertingly basementlike, a meal here is truly transportive. Despite an abundance of momos and a wai wai sadeko almost as good as the version at Woodside Cafe, the best way to travel around the world may be by way of the great deal that is the dhendo platter, which is similar to a thali, with portions of curry, lentil soup, mustard greens, and spicy pickle to be mixed together, but rather than eating them with rice, you get a big, spongy ball of buckwheat-flour porridge, a.k.a. dhendo, to tear apart with your hands and dip.

4. Lhasa Fast Food

37-50 74th St., Jackson Heights; 646-256-3805

Photo: Melissa Hom

If youve ever heard of a momo counter hidden in the back of a cell-phone store, youve heard of Lhasa Fast Food, which is not just a novelty but also delicious. What it lacks in atmosphere (its as tiny and windowless as it sounds) it makes up for in fragrant, steamy beef-and-cilantro momos, served in a bamboo steamer, and addictive, nutty, numbing spicy cold noodles  slippery and threaded with crunchy matchsticks of carrot, ribbons of cabbage, snips of scallions, and leaves of cilantro (beef optional).

5. Weekender Billiard

41-46 54th St., Woodside; 718-406-6672

Weekender Billiard is as much of a cultural experience as it is a culinary one  its a literal pool hall, with plenty of tables, and makes for a fun scene, even without the large area cordoned off for dining. The traditional Bhutanese dishes on offer include ema datsi, a pile of just-cooked, still-crunchy, medium-spicy green chiles dressed in a mild melted cheese (sort of like a reverse chile con queso) and punctuated by the occasional morsel of stewed tomato. Fat little thin-skinned momos arrive super hot, containing rich, steaming broth and super flavorful (if slightly gristly) beef mixed with just-cooked chopped white onion and cilantro.

Honorable Mentions

Cafe Himalaya

78 E. 1st St., nr. First Ave.; 212-358-0160

Youve probably walked by this not-particularly-appealing-looking storefront a million times, and if its not quite worth a special trip, it is worth a visit if youre in the neighborhood and hungry for momos, shredded-chicken soup, or perhaps best of all, the avocado, spiced-potato, and chickpea salad, tossed in a bright lemon dressing.

Cafe Tibet

1510 Cortelyou Rd., nr. Marlborough Rd., Ditmas Park; 718-941-2725

Tucked between a bodega and a Q-train station, the tiny, narrow, blink-and-youll-miss-it Cafe Tibet rivals Lhasa Fast Food for most surprising location, and its food  momos, of course, and hearty entrees like the bright, crispy chili chicken  is surprisingly good, as well.

While in Kathmandu

758 Seneca Ave., nr. Woodbine St., Ridgewood; 718-386-3416

Though this Ridgewood spot has been open for some months now, its still technically in soft-opening mode, which means the menu is limited to brunch items, and on weekdays, service ends at 4 p.m. There are several varieties of decent pot-sticker-shaped momos (pork is best) in a citrusy, gingery broth, but more importantly, there is a wonderful, savory-sweet, crunchy fried doughnut made from gritty, fresh-ground soaked rice, and a dense millet pancake, also savory-sweet, each of which comes with cumin potatoes, tomato chutney, and a tiny dish of curry.Photo taken on Jan. 2, 2018 shows ice cubes along Songhua River in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. In winter, Harbin hosts an international ice and snow festival and a number of ice carving competitions annually. The ice cubes collected from the frozen Songhua River are in large demand. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

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[ Editor: zyq ]National joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy and companies incorporated in it paid UAH 106 billion of taxes and dividends to the national budget in 2017 as of late December. This is a 1.5-fold rise year-over-year.

The press service of Naftogaz reported that this sum includes UAH 14.3 billion of corporate tax, UAH 30.2 billion of VAT, UAH 33.9 billion of royalties and UAH 13.3 billion of dividends.

Payments from Naftogaz group accounted for nearly 14% of total revenues of the national budget in 2017, compared with UAH 68.8 billion of Ukraine's defense budget and UAH 51.1 billion of gas subsidies for households covered by the national budget.

As reported, Naftogaz Ukrainy as a separate legal entity in 2016 saw a net profit of UAH 26.529 billion against a net loss of UAH 27.749 billion in 2015. Its net income increased by 43.1%, to UAH 161.383 billion.

According to the consolidated report of Naftogaz, the group in 2016 saw a net profit of UAH 22.532 billion against UAH 35.062 billion in net loss in 2015. Its consolidated revenue from sales rose by 48%, to UAH 192.764 billion.

Naftogaz Ukrainy unites oil and gas production assets in Ukraine, and is the country's gas transit, underground gas storage, and oil pipeline transportation monopoly.Schaafsma says major Oz distribution deal makes Broadland "relevant" for the future

By Jo Gilbert

Broadland Wineries is aiming to become a one-stop shop for antipodean wines thanks to a new major distribution deal which will see them partner with Australias biggest bulk wine supplier.

The new deal is with Pinnacle Drinks, the brand supplier to Endeavour Drinks Group - the alcohol division of leading Australia retailer Woolworths Group.

Through Pinnacle, Broadland will be able to distribute the likes of Barossa Valleys well-known Dorrien Estate, although the biggest coup for Broadland is the potential for expanding its portfolio of Broadland branded, private label and own-label wines.

According to new CEO Paul Schaafsma, the deal means Broadland will be able to source wine from every region of Australia in the right volumes and at the right price.

Schaafsma took over as CEO in September, bringing across contacts and enthusiasm for Aussie wine from Australian-based wine giant, Accolade Wines.

Today, he expanded on plans laid out in September to mine Broadlands significant untapped potential by becoming more competitive for supermarkets which will increasingly feel the pinch from global shortages and squeezed margins in 2018.

The deal will capitalise on the fantastic bottling operations and gains in distribution we have already made, but it will also mean we will have the most competitively priced Australian and New Zealand wine in the UK, he told Harpers.

Australia is incredibly important in the UK. It has 21% of the wine market. Next year will be a real challenge for supermarkets with exchange rates the way they are and also wine shortages. They will be looking for a supplier which can offer them the volumes they want at the prices they want.

Woolthworths  which has no relation to the now defunct British store of the same name  is the largest takeaway alcohol retailer in Australia and the countrys biggest bulk wine supplier.

It also owns alcohol supermarket chain Dan Murphys and also smaller BWS stores, which altogether make up over 50% of the take-away alcohol market in Australia, worth 7.1 billion AUD in 2016 (Roy Morgan Research).

Schaafsma believes the agreement will increase Broadlands relevance going into 2018 and beyond, by allowing them to operate more effectively in a climate defined by range consolidation and price competition.

Broadland Wineries currently operates in the UK, North America and Nordic countries as a supplier, producer, and importer serving the on and off-trades, with a portfolio that is skewed towards New World wines for distribution here in the UK.

Schaafsma said: The business currently has 60 million in turnover which includes British and Australian-made wines and also fusion drinks. We also represent Old World wines, but in terms of what we can do well, it's New World wines because they predominantly need to bottled here to make them economically viable.

Following on from the deal, which Lloyd Stephens, general manager international markets at Pinnacle Drinks said was based on the UKs status as a country where strong Australian and New Zealand brands can be built, Broadland is now planning continue the expansion of its New World contracts with further partnerships set to be announced in the new year.









Claims of Ukrnafta minor shareholders against Ukraine in Stockholm up to $5.4 bln

The claims of the minority shareholders of Ukrnafta against Ukraine have increased to $5.439 billion, according to materials posted by the Ministry of Justice in the ProZorro procurement system.

In September 2017 the prospectus of Ukraine's eurobonds stated that the claims of the minority shareholders against Ukraine in accordance with the suit filed to the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce amounted to $4.7 billion.

According to the document, oral hearings in the arbitration are scheduled for February 19-March 2, 2018.

As reported, the minority shareholders of PJSC Ukrnafta (Cypriot Littop Enterprises, Bridgemont Ventures, Bordo Management) in June 2015 filed a lawsuit to the Stockholm arbitration against the state of Ukraine.

In particular, they accused Ukraine of causing damage due to the withdrawal of gas produced by Ukrnafta without payment or with payment at an underestimated price, the failure of Naftogaz and Ukrtransgaz to comply with the rulings of Ukrainian courts, a sharp increase in royalties for subsoil use, and the reduction of quorum for holding meetings of joint-stock companies.Illegal armed groups have carried out six attacks on positions of the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) forces on Wednesday, two soldiers have been slightly injured, the press center of the ATO headquarters has reported.

"The Russian-occupation troops continue firing on the positions of the ATO forces and disrupt the agreements of the Trilateral Contact Group on the ceasefire regime during the New Year and Christmas holidays. Over the past day, all enemy fire activity was recorded in the Donetsk sector," the ATO staff said in its report on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

The militants violated the cease fire regime with large-caliber machine guns and small arms near Avdiyivka. In the area of Verkhniotoretske, militants used 82-mm mortars and infantry weapons against Ukrainian soldiers. In the Mariupol sector, the invaders also fired on the Ukrainian defenders on the approaches to Hnutove with 82-mm mortars, arms of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms.

In addition, the enemy fired on the defensive fortifications of ATO forces around Vodiane several times over the entire range of infantry armaments.

In other parts of the Ukrainian defense, no violations of the ceasefire were recorded.With Montana's suicide rate persisting in the top five for decades, health officials say they are excited about a new resource they hope will address the issue early - the Montana Crisis Action Toolkit on Suicide.

The goal for the Suicide Toolkit is that schools have available an all-encompassing, comprehensive instrument, Karl Rosston, suicide prevention coordinator for Department of Public Health and Human Services, said.

"We wanted to have an overall resource, not just for post-vention, but prevention, to give schools some tools to enable them to assess students who may be at risk and give them a checklist on exactly what they should do - as far as notifying parents, talking to kids - to reduce the risk of suicide contagion, that ripple effect that is often associated with school suicide," Rosston said.

Montana had the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. in 2014, and for nearly 40 years, it has consistently been in the top five for highest suicide rate, according to the American Association of Suicidology. The Suicide Toolkit, a combination of statical information and practical recommendations, is part of an effort to follow House Bill 381, which requires schools to have a standardized universal crisis response plan, Rosston said.

Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson said the district uses the protocol QPR - question, persuade, refer - for students in suicide-related crisis. He doesn't know if the Suicide Toolkit is something the district will use.

The QPR approach is included in the Suicide Toolkit, Rosston said.

Since it had just been released November, no school districts have committed to its implementation yet, Rosston said Friday.

The Officer of Public Instruction created a committee on suicide prevention and Havre schools district leaders will be watching what comes of that, Carlson said. The Suicide Prevention and Response Negotiated Rulemaking Committee is expected to provide a recommendation to Superintendent Arntzen after the meeting, which was held Dec. 20. The minutes of that are being made available just today and there is no information yet as it relates to the toolkit, a spokesperson for OPI has said.

Dr. Scott Pollard is the leading author of the Suicide Toolkit. Pollard is a licensed psychologist, a nationally certified school psychologist professor at the Center for Psychological Studies, the author of multiple books on suicide and has served as the Prevention Director for the American Association of Suicidology.

Suicide is personal for Pollard.

"I'm a survivor of my father's suicide, but I only became passionate about the subject when I was faced with the suicide of three students the first semester that I was made the director of psychological services for a large Houston school district," Pollard said recently.

Pollard wrote in the American Association of Suicidology about seeing his father for the last time before he committed suicide:

"My recollection of the last day with my father is crystal clear even after 35 years. I was worried about his health, especially his alcoholism, but knew that I would be seeing him in a month for Thanksgiving. He shook my hand goodbye as he never was one for hugs and headed to his plane. I watched him go and was waiting for him to turn around and wave. He never turned to look back. Later that evening my mother called and her exact words were, 'Something terrible has happened!' The moment I heard those words I knew that my father had returned home and shot himself."

The Montana 2016 Suicide Mortality Review Team Report, part of the Suicide Toolkit, is an in-depth review of suicides statistics, a large portion of it based on 555 suicides that occurred in Montana between Jan. 1, 2014 and March 1, 2016. It comprises statistics from the 2014 National Vital Statistics Report (2015), the Center for Disease Control-WISQARS (2016), the Office of Epidemiology and Scientific Support and Montana DPHHS.

The report says there are multiple reasons people in Montana kill themselves.

"Access to lethal means, alcohol, a sense of being a burden, social isolation, altitude, undiagnosed and untreated mental illness, lack of resiliency and coping skills, and a societal stigma against depression, all contribute to the long-term, cultural issue of suicide in Montana," the report says.

The Suicide Toolkit lists practical applications, including screenings that can be used with every student.

Recommendations include universal screenings for depression starting at age 12. The Suicide Toolkit talks about what to do with a student after an attempted suicide and discusses the role bullying plays in suicide.

"One of the big interventions that we use is called the Columbia Safety Plan - created for students to allow them to have a plan of action if they think they are suicidal," Rosston said.

The Review begins with information about suicide being a national crisis before delving into its prevalence in Montana.

About 1,069,325 people a year in the United States attempt suicide. Since 2000, the suicide rate has increased 28 percent. The intermountain western states have the highest suicide rates, Montana persistently ranking at the top annually.

In Montana, there were 3,183 suicides from 1995 to 2014. During that period, Hill County had 46, Blaine 24, Chouteau 20. Numbers for Liberty were not available because fewer than 20 events does "not meet standards of precision or reliability," the report says. Yellowstone County, with 405 suicides, and Missoula with 349, recorded the most suicides from 1995 to 2014.

Of the 14 listed tribes, Chippewa Cree Tribe had the most suicides between 2014 and 2016, with 9, followed by six each for Salish Kootenai and Crow. The Chippewa Cree population, 3,323 at the 2010 census, is significantly smaller than both of those tribes.

Over the past 10 years, Montana is averaging approximately 19 American Indian suicides a year, for a rate of 27.3 per 100,000 compared to 200 suicides for whites over the same period of time for a rate of 22.11 per 100,000, the report says.

Most American Indian suicides, 83 percent, were committed by males. The age range with the most Native suicides is 15 to 24. Forty-five percent of Native suicides were committed by hanging. Toxicology reports indicate 56 percent of those who committed suicide had alcohol in their system and 36 percent had methamphetamine.

From 2014 to 2016, of the 555 overall known suicides in Montana, 440 were committed by males, 505 by whites and 42 by Native Americans, 350 by use of firearms and 108 by hanging.

Seventy-six percent of those who committed suicide had less than a college degree, and 53 suicides were committed by people between 35 and 64.

During the 2014-to-2016 span, a higher percentage of suicides happened in January, August and September, and a lower percentage in February and December. Based on identifiable criminal records, 86 percent of people had offenses, drug charges being the most common.

From 2005 to 2014, Montana's youth suicide rate per 100,000 people was 8.9 compared to the national average of 3.59. Firearm-caused suicide rate for Montanan youth was 5.56 compared to the national average of 1.41.

The report presented youth suicide information based on death certificates identifying the dead between 11 and 17 years old. Additional information was obtained from coroner reports, questionnaires, health records and information from families, the review says.

Of the 555 suicides in the report, 15 percent were committed by those aged 11 to 24. The age range with the most suicides were 55 to 64 with 19 percent.

Based on cases which mental health information was available, 83 percent had mental health issues, the most prevalent of them being depression.

A bill passed by the Legislature last year sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, set programs to help prevent suicides in Indian Country, of military veterans and among rural youth and provide grants to communities to fund suicide prevention efforts.

The new report is more directly connected to House Bill 381, although it is loosely connected to Windy Boy's bill, as well.

Identifying mental health problems is key, experts say.

"Suicide is not the sole issue, it's the end result of a bigger issue, and that's undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues," Rosston said, adding people can be treated if properly diagnosed. "So we're trying to raise awareness on the warning signs and how to intervene with people at risk and how to connect them to resources available at state or local level."

Montanans who are feeling suicidal can text the crisis text line at 741-741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.A week after he graduated from college, Ryan Welch arrived in from Havre from Springfield, Missouri, to begin work as a photographer with the Havre Daily News.

Welch, 23, graduated from Missouri State University in December with a Bachelor of Science in journalism and minor in political science.

Welch was a photographer and later photo editor for The Standard, Missouri State's campus newspaper. He also worked in the university's photo department and had an internship at KSMU, Springfield's local National Public Radio affiliate, where his duties included taking photos for the station's website.

Havre's remote location and small population definitely represents a change coming from Springfield, a large city, Welch said.

"It's a little more relaxed, slower-paced, coming from Springfield, which is like 150,000 people," he said. "That is definitetly nice."

Havre Daily News Managing Editor Tim Leeds said the newspaper is looking forward to publishing Welch's work.

"We are excited to let him use his skills to share photos of local people and events with our readers," Leeds said. "He also has some ideas on how we can do a bit more with social media, and I am interested in working on his suggestions."

Welch said that, during his journey, he was surprised by the open prairies and mountainous landscapes.

"It was just vast," he said.

"You are coming over a hill and then all of a sudden there is just mountains on one side ... and then the other side is just complete rolling hills with no trees."

Welch said he was drawn to photography during his senior year of high school while on a trip in Moab, Utah, with his father, an amateur photographer.

One night, while on the trip, his father took a picture of the landscape and the night sky. The image with the starlit sky and rocky landscape, Welch said, was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"And I said, 'I want to do that,'" he said.

Welch said, he took up photography as a hobby, and photojournalism wasn't his first career choice.

He said biology was his first major, something he was drawn to by his inquisitive nature.

He later switched his major back and forth between biology and political science and then anthropology.

Welch said he finally decided on photojournalism because it allows him to get to know people and satisfy his sense of curiosity.

"It's not a science, but you can pretty much do whatever you want with it," he said.Havre Police Department

Officers arrested a 16-year-old on charges of partner or family member assault and theft after a Sixth Street caller reported Tuesday at 12:25 p.m. a disturbance.



Officers investigated after a Third Street caller reported Tuesday at 1:55 p.m. that a blue bicycle with a basket had been stolen.



Officers investigated after someone said Tuesday at 2:56 p.m. that they needed to speak to officers about a stolen cellphone.



Officers investigated after a U.S. Highway 2 East caller reported Tuesday at 5:37 p.m. that a van trailer was stolen.



Lara Shante Lawrence of Harlem, 20, was issued a summons on a charge of violating a no-contact order. Dispatch log records indicate she reported Tuesday at 6:23 p.m. to police that property had been stolen. At 7:24 p.m. an officer near a First Street business reported that someone had driven off without paying for gas.



Officers made an arrest during a motor vehicle stop today at 12:34 a.m. on Sixth Avenue. No further information was provided on the arrest.



Officers investigated after a First Street caller reported today at 1:13 a.m. that a wrecked green Honda was parked with its tail end sticking out onto First Street.

Hill County Sheriffs Office

Deputies issued a warrant and arrested Kevin Russell Bigby of Havre, 34, on a Justice or City court warrant Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. at the detention center.



Deputies issued a summons to Lydell Meyers of Box Elder, 46, Tuesday at 3:43 p.m. on a theft charge.



Deputies investigated after a Ninth Street West caller reported today at 12:10 a.m. that a juvenile had not come home yet.

Havre Fire Department

Medical crews responded to four calls Tuesday and two today.

Havre Animal Shelter

The animal shelter held this morning one medium-haired, one long haired and three short-haired cats.



The animal shelter held this morning a female pit bull terrier, a female Labrador retriever, a female akbash-Australian shepherd mix and a female affenpinscher.Press release

Four Montana Farm Bureau members including a Chester farmer have been chosen to serve on National Issue Advisory Committees for American Farm Bureau Federation.

Were very pleased to have four members of Montana Farm Bureau represented on these very important committees, said MFBF President Hans McPherson. The appointments are for two years, so we thank those who have served in past years, and look forward to these new committee members being active on the national level.

These committees play an important role in AFBFs policy implementation and development. Over the past years, committee members have made significant contributions to AFBFs mission, from participating in advocacy fly-ins and doing media interviews to helping Farm Bureau develop comments on proposed regulations and providing input into the resolutions process.

The committees will meet March 8-9 at the American Farm Bureau offices in Washington, D.C., where they will discuss issues and how Farm Bureau policy can be crafted to address the concerns of the nations farmers and ranchers.

The four Montana agriculturalists are:

 Farm Policy  Megan Hedges, wheat and pulse farmer, Chester

 Animal Care  Tonya Liles, cattle rancher, Terry

 Environmental Regulations  Don Steinbeisser, Jr., diversified farmer, Sidney

 Federal Lands  Chuck Rein, cattle rancher, Big TimberTahiti shipowner builds interisland ferry in Philippines

by Michael Hansen, Hawaii Shippers Council, January 2, 2018

The Henderson, Western Australia-based shipbuilder, Austal Limited, posted on December 28, 2017, to their corporate webpage a press release, New passenger ferry contract from SNC Aremiti celebrates Austals fifth vessel for French Polynesia, announcing finalization of a newbuild contract with French Polynesian shipowner SARL Aremiti Transport. The vessel will be built at Austals Philippine yard for Australian $30 million (U.S. $ 23.4 million).

Aremiti currently operates a ferry service between the Gare Maritime de Papeete (Papeete Ferry Terminal), Tahiti Island, and Vaiare Wharf, Moorea Island, with two fast catamaran ferries (the AREMITI 5 and AREMITI FERRY 2) over the 9.2 nautical mile route between the two Islands in the Society Group. Each vessel makes 5 rotations per day. Aremiti means wings of the ocean in the Tahitian language.

Aremiti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Le Groupe Degage, a local diversified corporate group based in Papeete, owned by the Degage family of French Polynesia and led by Eugene Degage. The Group also operates a cargo shipping service to the Tuamotu Archipelago (Angieray & CIE) with two vessels (DORY & AUTRES), a passenger service to the Tuamotu Archipelago (Degage & CIE) with two vessels (COBIA & AREMITI 1), a local air charter service (Tahiti Air Charter), a maintenance facility in Papeete for maritime and commercial vehicles (Tahiti Mecanique & Maintenance), and a travel agency (Ratere).

The Aremiti ferry service between Papeete and Moorea operates in competition with SNGV 2 Mooreas TEREVAU, which is a high speed catamaran operating 6 rotations per day.

Established in 1988, Austal, with headquarters in the Perth suburb of Henderson, designs and builds high speed aluminum vessels in mono-hull, catamaran and trimaran configurations. They operate three shipyards. Defense vessels are designed and constructed in Henderson and Mobile, Alabama. Commercial vessels are constructed in Balamban City, Cebu Island, the Philippines.

The Austal USA Inc. shipyard in Mobile Bay, Alabama, was established in 1999 to build ships in the U.S. for the U.S. Navy as is required by law. Today Austal USA builds the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the US Navy.

In 2011, Austal acquired a major shipbuilding facility at Balamban to construct high speed passenger, vehicle-passenger ferries, offshore crew transfer and windfarm vessels for commercial markets worldwide.

The Austal USA yard specializing in defense shipbuilding constructed for the Hawaii Superferry Inc. two high speed catamarans for commercial inter Hawaiian Island ferry service, the ALAKAI (2007) and the HUAKAI (2009), for a total reported cost of U.S. $160 million or $80 million apiece. Hawaii Superferry was required to build its vessels in the U.S. by the Jones Act.

Although the cost of the Hawaii Superferry vessels were nearly four times the cost of the instant Aremiti catamaran, there are significant differences in the size of the vessels. For example, the ALAKAI is 349 feet in length and has a capacity of 866 passengers and 282 autos. In comparison, the AREMITI TBN will be 160 feet in length and have a capacity of 620 passengers and 30 motorbikes and autos.

In addition, the sea routing and conditions are very different. The Papeete / Moorea passage is 9.2 nautical miles over generally calm seas, while the ALAKAI routing between Honolulu (Oahu Island) and Kahului (Maui Island) is 67 nautical miles over generally very rough seas. As such, the Hawaii Superferry vessels had to have greater endurance and be of more robust construction.

However, the significantly lower construction cost at the Austal Philippine yard has enabled French Polynesian operators to acquire several high speed catamaran vessels and operate competitive interisland services without government subsidy.

Its also noteworthy that the Papeete / Moorea fast ferries make between 5 and 6 rotations per day producing a very high utilization factor and justifying the cost of operating a high speed as compared to the single rotation that the ALAKAI typically performed each day. The revenues generated by multiple daily rotations make the operation feasible.

Key excerpts from Austal:Maui hospitals point the way

by Aaron Lief, Grassroot Institute, Jan 1, 2018

After years of hemorrhaging millions of Hawaii taxpayer dollars, the three state-run hospitals in Maui County have been turned over to a public-private partnership that now is improving the quality of the medical services at those facilities while reducing their financial burden on the public.

Maui Health System, an affiliate of Kaiser Permanente, took over management of Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lanai Community Hospital in July 2017 from the states Hawaii Health Systems Corp. (HHSC), which required $43,276,265 in state subsidies to keep the three hospitals running in 2014 and $43,734,699 million in 2015.

In 2016, the HHSC required $121 million in state subsidies  15 percent of its budget  to keep all its medical facilities statewide operating.

During the transition to Maui Health System, the state agencys subsidies to the three Maui hospitals are expected to be higher than before, to help cover the transition costs. But over time, those subsidies are expected to decrease.

For fiscal 2017, those higher costs included $30.6 million for union worker severance benefits, and in total amounted to almost $90 million. In fiscal 2018, the total will be almost $70 million. Afterward, the subsidies are expected to decline to $11.5 million by fiscal year 2022  a reduction of over 75 percent , compared to the pre-transition high in 2015.

If such budgeting remains on track, the new hospital management could save the state $27.3 million in the years through fiscal 2022, and eventually as much as $46 million a year (the 2015 high), if the subsidies ever are eliminated completely.

The greatest savings at the three hospitals likely will come from control over employee costs. When they were state-operated, their employees wages and benefits were determined through collective bargaining between the employees unions and state negotiators on Oahu. This left the hospitals out of the negotiations, usually saddling them with unsustainable employee benefits.

This is still the case at the remaining 12 state-run hospitals and medical facilities, where employee salaries and benefits on average account for 61 percent of all expenses; at Kohala Hospital on the Big Island, the total is almost 75 percent , the highest in the state. For the three hospitals in Maui County, however, Maui Health System can now, for the first time, negotiate directly with the United Public Workers (UPW) and Hawaii Government Employees Associatiom (HGEA) unions.

Of course, hospitals are about more than just labor relations and meeting a bottom line, and the 2015 law that enabled the management transition, HB 1075 , was structured to induce Maui Health System to not only reduce the cost of its medical services, but also improve the quality of its patient care. If the quality-improvement guidelines in HB 1075 arent maintained throughout Maui Health Systems 30-year contract, or if the new management requires increased subsidies, the state can fire Kaiser Permanente and find a new company to take over.

Maui Health System already has introduced new policies and technology that align with the requirements outlined in HB 1075, according to Chastell Ely, Maui Health System communications director.

Some improvements have increased efficiency, like the transition from paper to electronic filing. Others have increased transparency, such as Maui Health Systems new patient portal that allows instant access to personal medical records via the internet.

There also has been improved patient safety, through the introduction of the Pyxis medication-management system, which at other U.S. hospitals has reduced potentially deadly  and costly  medication errors by as much as 33 percent .

And there has been increased job opportunities for Hawaii nursing graduates.

Prior to the transition, Maui Memorial employed a significant number of traveling nurses from other states, who saved the hospital money because they were already highly skilled and didnt receive benefits. As former hospital Chief Executive Officer Wesley Lo explained to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Maui Memorial simply couldnt afford to hire many new local nursing graduates because of the cost of training.

Maui Health Systems Ely said the hospital has since has reduced its traveling nurses staff by more than half, creating much-needed jobs for residents and improving the quality of care through reduced employee turnover.

In these and other ways, the three hospitals in Maui County are paving the way for all state-run hospitals to be privatized.

Jay Kreuzer, CEO of the West Hawaii public hospital system, which includes the Kohala and Kona Community hospitals, has already shown interest in finding a private partner.

Privatization is needed to provide the services in this community that we need, he told Hawaii Business magazine. Theres still almost 40 percent of the population on this island that goes to Oahu or Maui for their health care. Our goal is to grow our services here. We need a partner to do that.Managerial and professional staff in the sector introduced an overtime ban at 2pm on Tuesday and have announced their plans to stage a one-week-long strike on 17 January. A total of 3,000 employees are expected to participate in the industrial actions.

Paper industry employees have taken industril action in protest of proposed revisions to their terms and conditions of employment, reports Trade Union Pro.

The employees view that the proposed revisions to the collective bargaining agreement are unreasonable in an industry with remarkably high productivity and profitability.

Trade Union Pro estimates in its press release that, if implemented, the strike would cause severe disruptions at paper industry workplaces across Finland.

The industry has experienced a period of excellent increases in productivity and improvements in profitability. Wage earners in the industry deserve greater wage increases than those in other industries. Our objectives in the [bargaining] negotiations have been reasonable and in line with the overall situation, comments Jari Uschanov, the head of collective bargaining at Trade Union Pro.

Finnish Forest Industries, in turn, believes employees in the paper industry should follow in the footsteps of employers and consent to revisions that improve the productivity of the industry. It also demands that the employees immediately call off the planned industrial actions.

Trade Union Pro has unfortunately been unable to resolve the dispute at its own negotiation table but presented the case to the National Conciliator. Launching a strike at a moment when exports are picking up is irresponsible, retorts Nina Parssinen, the head of labour market affairs at Forest Industries.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Martti Kainulainen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi SuomiKyiv Court of Appeal has postponed until January 11, 2018 the hearing of a complaint lodged by the prosecutor's office against the decision by the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv to refuse to place the leader of the Movement of New Forces party, former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, under house arrest.

According to an Interfax-Ukraine reporter, a respective ruling was announced at a court session on Wednesday, in particular, because seven deputies said they were ready to bail out Saakashvili, but not all of them came to court.

As reported, on December 5, Saakashvili was detained, but his supporters blocked the police van and "freed" him. The politician was placed on the wanted list.

Saakashvili was detained again on December 8. The case on Saakashvili was opened pursuant to Part 2, Article 256 of the Criminal Code (assistance to participants of criminal organizations and concealment of their criminal activity), which envisages from five to ten years of imprisonment. After his arrest, he was taken to the SBU's detention center in Kyiv, where he went on a hunger strike.

On December 11, the court refused to grant the motion submitted by the prosecutor's office to choose a measure of round-the-clock house arrest to Saakashvili.

On December 22, it was planned to consider an appeal from the prosecutor of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine against the decision of the Pechersky District Court to refuse to apply the measure of restraint for Saakashvili in the form of house arrest.The former Georgian president and the leader of the Movement of New Forces party, Mikheil Saakashvili, has called on all opposition forces in Ukraine to coordinate future mass rallies and other actions.

"I want to call on all true opposition forces of Ukraine, regardless of their opinion about each other, to sit down and decide together on the dates of future rallies and other subsequent actions," he told reporters after a session of Kyiv Court of Appeal in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Saakashvili noted that such coordination of actions was needed for greater effectiveness of rallies.

"I do not want unilateral actions and initiatives so that there are no attempts to call it 'Mikhomaidan,' 'Saakashvili's rallies' or 'rallies in support of Saakashvili,'" he said.German Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has said that Berlin will continue to do everything to find a solution to the crisis in Donbas that would bring peace to this region, the German Embassy in Kyiv has reported on its Facebook page.

According to the report, Gabriel is heading to Kyiv on Wednesday, January 3, and to the contact line near Mariupol (Donetsk region) on Thursday, January 4.

According to the embassy, during his visit to Ukraine, the German foreign minister will hold political talks, in particular, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and members of the OSCE international monitoring mission in eastern Ukraine.

The subject of negotiations with the Ukrainian authorities will also be the course of reforms in Ukraine, in particular, the fight against corruption, the report says.

"Last year we saw the most violent months in eastern Ukraine since the signing of the Minsk agreements. There are still too many shots in Donbas. There are still a lot of heavy weapons in the Donbas region," Gabriel said before his flight to Ukraine.

At the same time, the minister noted that two encouraging signals had been given by the recent exchange of hundreds of detainees and the agreement on a Christmas truce.

"It has to go on line this. Today I'm flying to Kyiv and tomorrow to Mariupol in order to show people in Ukraine that we will not let you down. For us, this conflict is neither frozen nor forgotten, quite the contrary, it is highly topical and highly dangerous. We will continue to do everything in order to find a solution to this crisis that would finally bring peace to this region," he said.Among the Ukrainians released from certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on December 27 last year, there are suspects of financing terrorism and transferring information to members of illegal armed groups, Deputy Minister for Temporary Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Heorhiy Tuka has said.

"There are people who are suspected of more serious crimes, of handing certain information over to the enemy. As for civilians, there are people who are suspected of fraud, financing terrorism and transfer of information," Tuka said on the air of the 112.ua TV channel on Wednesday.

He said that 26 civilians who had previously lived in the occupied territory were released from captivity of the militants.The Utah County Commission approved the creation of five new precincts Tuesday in response to rapid population growth in some areas of the county.

Three of those new precincts are located in Utahs House District 6, which encompasses the Lehi area.

The other two were created in House District 2, which covers Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs.

During Tuesdays commission meeting, Utah County Clerk Bryan Thompson said the optimal level to keep precincts at, as far as population of registered voters, is somewhere in the 1,250 range.

Saratoga Springs precincts 3 and 8 had grown to more than 2,000 people, and will essentially be cut in half to add two new precincts of 9 and 10.

Lehi precincts 1, 14, 18, 20, 22 and 23 ranged from 1,300 to 1,600 in population.

The boundaries of Lehis precincts 18 and 20 will be modified to include a third precinct 25, precincts 14 and 22 will be modified to include a third precinct 24 and precincts 1 and 23 will be modified to create a third precinct 26.

Thompson said changes and tweaks will go into effect for this coming election cycle.

Those that were in those other precincts will be notified of the new precinct, and where their caucus will be, Thompson said. It will be to their benefit. For example, in Saratoga Springs, instead of 2,000 active voters it will now be in the 1,000 range  it will be a little more intimate in the caucus.

Those affected by the boundary changes will be notified before the caucuses take place March 20, Thompson said.

Precinct boundaries are evaluated about every 10 years to see where changes need to be made, Thompson said. Further evaluations will be made around 2020, but these precincts were top priority and needed adjustment before that time.Pro-choice group firm in mission despite SCOTUS ruling

Since the Roe v. Wade ruling by the Supreme Court in 1973, opponents have worked to overturn it. With the new court, they have been more honest and straightforward  they want to get rid of Roe, said Karrie Galloway, Planned Parenthood of Utah president and CEO. Wednesdays decision regarding abortion laws in Texas moves those opponents one step closer. The Texas law prohibits abortion as soon as a heartbeat can be detected, which is typically around six weeks into a pregnancy. This law, according to Planned Parenthood and multiple news sources, was written to avoid any legal ...Ukraine's Navy in 2018 will continue reforms and building up capabilities, Navy chief Ihor Voronchenko has said.

"Building up capabilities, ensuring reform plans are met and development are the main tasks for 2018," he said, noting the Navy was tasked with defending Ukraine's mainland from the sea and in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone.

"Last year we completed navigation training," Voronenko said, noting that four modern Gyurza-M ships were added to the fleet. He said the Navy would soon decide plans for the Vinnytsia corvette.

"The vessel is already at the docks. We're checking out the hull, deck machinery, and electrical gear," he said.According to preliminary results of the forensic examination, stab wounds were found on the body of murdered lawyer Iryna Nozdrovska, but the final cause of death has not been established yet, the National Police of Kyiv region reported.

"We do not have the results of a final official examination yet. These data are preliminary. There is no definitive cause of death. There are stab wounds, but we cannot yet say what exactly she died from," head of the Kyiv region's national police communication department Mykola Zhukovych told Interfax-Ukraine agency on Wednesday.

According to him, the theory about the rape has been dropped. Law enforcers work through the remaining lines of investigation, there are no suspects yet.

Answering the question when the final results of the examination are to be expected, Zhukovych said: "We do not conduct it. We think that on Friday there will be some results of our investigation."

As reported, human rights activist and lawyer Nozdrovska disappeared at the end of 2017 and was found dead in a river in Vyshgorod district, Kyiv region, on January 1. Her body was sent to a forensic medical examination. The police have opened a criminal proceeding on counts of deliberate murder.

Bloc of Petro Poroshenko MP Mustafa Nayyem said that Nozdrovska for a long time sought a verdict for the murderer of her sister, Svitlana, who was killed in a road accident in September 2015.

"The woman was knocked down by a drunk driver, the nephew of the chairman of Vyshgorod District Court, Dmytro Rossoshansky. Despite the obvious nature of the crime, relatives sought justice for more than two years. Lawyer Iryna Nozdrovska personally oversaw the case, spoke in court, and due to this she repeatedly received threats from the defendant and his relatives," he wrote on his Facebook page.

"In June last year, she managed to achieve justice. Rossoshansky was sentenced to seven years in prison. On December 27, the court heard an appeal. The court rejected an appeal lodged by the killer's lawyers, sent the case to a trial court and extended the defendant's arrest for 60 days. The father of the accused threatened Iryna: 'You will end badly.' And two days later, on Friday, December 29, Iryna disappeared," Nayyem said.

Vitaliy Serheyev, a former fiance of Nozdrovska, was interrogated as a witness as part of the investigation. According to him, he last saw Nozdrovska in August 2017.

On January 2, Zhukovych said the investigation is working out four main theories of Nozdrovska's murder. "Her professional activity. The second is more specific, on the last case of a traffic accident. The next is hooliganism, and another version is that, that someone wanted to rape her," the spokesman said.In 2013, at a meeting with Nepali interlocutors, the then Chinese ambassador to Kathmandu said, I will do all that the Indian ambassador does here. Given the traditional range of interests and activities of an Indian ambassador in Nepal  from forming and toppling governments to funding leaders, from influencing bureaucratic appointments to being the primary development donor  the statement was a stark expression of ambition.

With the government announcing Vijay Keshav Gokhale as Indias next foreign secretary (FS)  and given that the FS personally monitors the neighbourhood  it is a good time to review Indias key challenge in the region. The fact that Gokhale is an old China hand helps since Indias major challenges in its periphery are now inextricably linked to Beijings growing footprint in the same region.

What is Indias key problem in the neighbourhood today?

It is simply that even though Delhi believes having friendly regimes is indispensable for its security, it has not been able to shape domestic political outcomes in key neighbouring capitals as it desires; where it has succeeded in doing so, the situation remains fragile; and Delhis favourite political allies are ranged against Beijings preferred political allies.

In Maldives, India dislikes the Abdulla Yameen government, but despite its best efforts, has not been able to weaken or displace it. With Chinese and Saudi backing, Yameen remains comfortably entrenched in Male. In Nepal, India dislikes the China-backed KP Oli and ousted him from power in 2016  but he has emerged as the primary leader after recent elections and is in pole position to form the government. This was despite Delhis generous support to Olis rival, the Nepali Congress.

In Sri Lanka, Delhi succeeded in engineering an anti Mahinda Rajapaksa alliance in 2015  and brought together Chandrika Kumaratunga, Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe on a common platform. Sirisena became the president, Wickremesinghe became PM. But ties between the two remain fragile; the government has continued its economic relationship with China; it has not been able to deliver constitutional concessions to Tamils; and Rajapaksa remains popular among his southern Sinhalese base and could well come back in the next round of elections.

In Bangladesh, Indias friend, the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina, has continued to remain in power for two consecutive terms. Delhi ensured that the 2014 elections, which the Begum Khaleda Zia-led BNP boycotted thus converting it into a one horse race, was treated as internationally legitimate. But popular resentment against the Awami League is growing. The BNP, whose links with the Jamaat remain intact, is all set to participate in the next elections and could well emerge victorious.

To deal with the specifics of each country, Gokhale has to answer the fundamental set of questions which have preoccupied his predecessors: When should India get involved in internal politics of its neighbours? Does it make sense to define interests narrowly (for instance, only security cooperation) or more broadly (for instance, economic integration or justice for minority communities with cross border ties or behaviour contributing to long-term democratic stability) in terms of expectations from a neighbouring government? What are the specific redlines which Delhi cannot allow to be violated? What is the leverage India has to prevent these redlines being violated and punish those who do cross it, especially in a context when neighbours have an alternative in China? Is India willing to exercise the leverage despite losing goodwill among constituencies in that country? Ito get out of domestic political intervention and stop having favourites in each country or is that too big a security risk especially when Chinas micro-management of domestic politics has grown? How does India deal with the politics of these states when their respective societies are becoming more autonomous of Indian influence than the past?

Politics is a dynamic business and no neat theory can help deal with rapidly evolving circumstances. But if the next foreign secretary can build on the work done by his current boss, S Jaishankar, and offer a more coherent paradigm to deal with how the internal churning in neighbourhood and Chinas growing role affects India, and how India should respond to it; it can lead to a more stable foreign policy. The clarity will help Delhi, and it will help the neighbours.

prashant.jha1@htlive.comThe steady advance of anti-secular forces in the country over the last five years has challenged the very Idea of India, and, in particular, forced Indian Muslims into an uncertain silence. The sad thing is that we have to pretend that acts of terror seen in the Mumbai blasts or associated with the Batla House encounter are not part of a cause and effect chain. To even suggest it brings the charge of being sympathetic to terror. One can surely fundamentally abhor terrorism, yet analytically believe it to be precipitated by some rightly or wrongly perceived failure of justice.

When an honest attempt to understand the angst that leads to acts of subversion and virtual self-destruction itself is branded an illegitimate anti-national act , what hope is there that we will ever understand what is going wrong? How will we ever be able to eliminate the menace of wanton destruction?

Islams association with mindless violence in several parts of the world is truly painful. But let us not forget that the resort to weapons by the PLO was also linked with Islam but nobody except perhaps the Zionists would have thought them to be dishonourable. On the other hand, which Muslim in our world would condone the acts of Osama Bin Laden or the ISIS? Misinterpretation or misuse of its doctrines for extraneous political ambitions must not make an artificial enemy of a great, egalitarian religion. Co-existence, not confrontation, is the answer for survival and prosperity. People who demonise Islam to serve their personal agenda are no better than those who use it to perpetuate everything that it opposes in its true form.

There was a time when India had a voice and for reasons other than the fact that it has the second-largest Muslim population of the world. India was heard for what it meant to the oppressed anywhere. But how do we seek a voice now when we cannot even have an honest conversation at home. By stifling the voice of Muslims at home do we have the locus to speak to them and for them as trusted friends in the world? So Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the GCC, Syria and the OIC no longer wait to hear from India before acting or reacting to events. Russia no longer consults us and the US merely wants support for its fight against terror, not having supported us when terror stalked us but left it alone.

Leaderless and voiceless, the Indian Muslim lives in a fresh limbo. Political parties that have made much political capital out of the support for Muslims over the decades now caution patience and tactical forbearance. The idea of India we inherited from our founding fathers has proved to have the strength to overcome the challenge of adversaries over the decades. It will be overwhelmed by them only if we lose faith in its capacity to prevail.

The dilemmas faced by Muslims are even greater for their supposed leaders. To begin with they have traditionally been perceived as leaders of Muslims rather than leaders who are Muslims. But unlike Dalit and OBC leaders, Muslim leaders first suffer by restrictive labels and then are accused of being communal. At the same time, their own community questions their intent if not capacity to represent them. The 2017 Gujarat election was an obvious example of how it is permissible to use caste for justice, majority religion for equality, but impermissible to seek equity for the minorities. One wonders if the rights story has given way to the might narrative permanently. India will indeed be more powerful than Pakistan but will we be able to claim the intellectual and moral superiority of our polity?

Salman Khurshid is a senior advocate and former Union Minister

The views expressed are personalBollywood actors enjoy nothing less than a demi-god status in our country, where people worship them (literally). Legions of fans are quick to come to their stars defence should any problem arise. But sometimes, this fan-love goes a bit too far. Make that way too far!

The latest example is that of a 29-year old man, Sangeeth Kumar from Andhra Pradesh, who is claiming that actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is his mother! Yes, you read that right! He claims that he was born six years before she went on to win the Miss World crown in 1994.

As bizarre as it may sound, he has added that he was born through IVF, and spent the first two years of his life with his grandparents Brinda Krishnaraj Rai and Krishnaraj Rai, Aishwaryas parents. Aishwarya is yet to comment on this.

This is just the latest entrant to a list of such hard-to-believe claims made by fans in all these years.

Actor Shahid Kapoor acquired a mystery wife and had to go to the police to get rid of her.

SHAHID IS MY HUSBAND!

In 2012, the late actor Rajkumars daughter, Vastavikta, claimed to be actor Shahid Kapoors wife. She would follow him to his shoots and wait outside his building. Matters came to a head when she scaled Shahids building perimeter wall and reached his apartment on the 13th floor. Shahid ultimately had to file a police complaint against Vastavikta.

***

Actor Raveena Tandon found herself saddled with a second husband on top of her legal one.

MARRIED TO THE ALREADY MARRIED RAVEENA

Actor Raveena Tandon found herself at the receiving end of a fans obsession in 2014  he claimed to be her husband. Raveena, who is married to film distributor Anil Thadani, filed a police complaint after he allegedly attacked Anils car when the latter was arriving home, and even threw stones at the couples house. The police took action against the man, who said he was just trying to protect Raveena.

***

Actor Shah Rukh Khan was informed that he had a mother... a spare one... apart from his actual mother.

MOTHER OF GOD!

So this woman believed that she was the mother of Shah Rukh Khan. Yes! This happened way back in 1996, when a woman from Latur, Maharashtra, went to court, saying that Shah Rukh Khan was her son, and that she had taken him as a child in the 1960s to Mumbai, where she worked as a labourer. She had lost him there, but after all these years, recognised him from his films poster. The court, however stayed the proceedings.

***

Actor Dhanush got not just a mother, but a whole new set of parents, and had to appear in court.

WE ARE DHANUSHS PARENTS

In March 2017, R Kathiresan and his wife K Meenakshi from Melur, Tamil Nadu, filed a lawsuit saying that actor Dhanush was their long-lost son, who had run away to Chennai when he was 16. They asked him to give them a monthly maintenance of Rs 65,000. However, the actor moved the Madurai bench of the High Court, requesting the proceedings to be quashed, and appeared before the court to verify that he doesnt have the specified birthmarks that the couple had insisted on.

***

Actor Abhishek Bachchan was about to wed Aishwarya Rai when another woman claimed marriage with him.

BACHCHAN JRs OTHER WIFE

This happened in 2007, when a model, Jhanvi Kapoor, attempted suicide outside the Bachchans residence in Mumbai. She cut her wrists, claiming that she was unable to bear Abhisheks marriage with actor Aishwarya Rai later in the day. Jhanvi later said that she had met Abhishek on the sets of his film Dus, where she was one of the dancers in a song sequence. The two exchanged phone numbers and interacted regularly through e-mail, she claimed. And then came the bombshell: the model said that Abhishek had applied sindoor on her forehead the previous year, and married her in the presence of a few friends. However, she couldnt produce any proof.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreThe preparations for Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoors ambitious project, Brahmastra, have begun and it will begin filming this February in Israel. Karan Johar, who is producing the fantasy film, shared a picture of Alia and Ranbir, along with director Ayan Mukerji late Tuesday.

The first part of a planned trilogy, Brahmastra is a fantasy adventure and will hit theatres on August 15, 2019. It also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Mouni Roy.

The new year begins with the prep of #BRAHMASTRA....the countdown of the epic journey of our film begins! Filming commences in February 2018! Ayan Mukerji helms this magical trilogy! @SrBachchan #ranbir @aliaa08 and an exciting ensemble!, KJo wrote along with the picture.

The new year begins with the prep of #BRAHMASTRA....the countdown of the epic journey of our film begins! Filming commences in February 2018! Ayan Mukerji helms this magical trilogy! @SrBachchan #ranbir @aliaa08 and an exciting ensemble! pic.twitter.com/pXraaH1425  Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 2, 2018

Talking about the film, Ayan had earlier said, It is set in India as it exists today but the name of the film is called Brahmastra because the energy, wisdom and powers in the film come from ancient India. As far as costumes are concerned, there are some which may not be the way you would expect them to be.

In its core it has romance as an element but it has got a new flavour to it. Its a huge project and lot of people have faith in it and in me so I need to deliver for my own career, for the producer, the actors and the entire crew, he added.

Johars Dharma Productions, in collaboration with Fox Star Studios and Namit Malhotra, CEO of Prime Focus, will be producing Brahmastra.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreThanh was the former secretary of the Lang Son Party Secretary Committee and appointed to the head of PVN in December.

PVN is in serious trouble as a number of its senior leaders have been arrested on economic mismanagement charges while oil prices have fallen sharply in recent years.

Speaking at a ceremony on January 3 when Thanh officially assumed the new role, PM Phuc underlined the role of PVN in ensuring Vietnams energy security and affirmed the countrys national sovereignty.

He asked Thanh and other PVN leaders to drastically deal with the five loss-making projects undertaken by the group, namely the Dinh Vu Polyester Plant, Dung Quat Shipyard and three biofuel projects.

The new chairman was also asked to accelerate key national oil and gas projects which are facing delays and the equitisation plan for the 2017-2020 period as approved.

For his part, chairman Thanh said he would join hands with the entire staff of PVN to help the group overcome difficulties and take it to further development.

In 2017, the groups profits reached VND31.9 trillion (US$1.4 billion).Actor Madhuri Dixit-Nene, who celebrated her New Year in Tokyo, got a chance to try the Samurai headgear during her visit to a museum.

Madhuri shared a photograph of herself wearing the headgear on Twitter on Wednesday. Tried the Samurai headgear (weighs a ton) and sword. All the warriors all over the world must have been so strong to wear such heavy gear, ride their horses and fight with heavy swords. Respect! Salute! Samurai diaries, Madhuri wrote alongside the image.

Tried the Samurai headgear (weighs a ton) and sword. All the warriors all over the world must have been so strong to wear such heavy gear, ride their horses and fight with heavy swords. Respect! Salute! #Samuraidiaries pic.twitter.com/h4olQvWdfL  Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) January 3, 2018

Madhuri was last seen on-screen in 2014 film Gulaab Gang.

In an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, Madhuri Dixit talked about her international music debut. The actor is set to release her first extended play (EP) this year, which will be presented by a popular international music studio. The EP will be launched with the debut single called Tu hai mera.

She said in the interview, Music has been a part of my being from the very beginning. I was pretty clear that I wanted to kick-start this new chapter with a sense of celebration and gratitude towards my fans, who have offered their unrelenting support and all their love no matter what. So what better way to embark on this journey than by celebrating their appreciation.Fresh pairings in Bollywood is something that the audience looks forward to each year. With a host of top actors being cast together for the first time, 2018 will see as many as 15 fresh on-screen pairs. While some of the highly publicised ones include Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma, there are a few unusual ones, too, such as Rajkummar Rao and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Mouni Roy, Sanjay Dutt and Chitrandga Singh. So what is it about these fresh pairs that click with the audience?

Whole new game

When viewers see something new on-screen, theres a fresh vibe, of course. Producer Rahul Mittra, who is working with Sanjay Dutt for Torbaaz and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, explains, Ive always believed in casting coups and Im extremely conscious while choosing actors. With proper casting, theres this whole new freshness that the audience is able to savour. So, rather than the typical casting, I prefer [to keept it] a bit unusual.

Actor Taapsee Pannu, who has been cast as the lead opposite Diljit Dosanjh in Soorma, says in agreement, Audiences always crave new interesting pairs on-screen; we as actors, too, always look forward to working with new people. It helps bring out a fresh side to us. Of course, Id love to work with people I enjoy working with over and over again, but a certain freshness always has a great appeal, especially if a filmmaker brings two unlikely people together on screen.

Fresh pairings to watch out for in 2018 Varun Dhawan-Anushka Sharma: Sui Dhaaga: Made in India Akshay Kumar- Radhika Apte: PadMan Ayushmann Khurrana-Sanya Malhotra: Badhaai Ho Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt: Brahmastra Alia Bhatt-Vicky Kaushal: Raazi Sushant Singh Rajput-Jacqueline Fernandez: Drive Sanjay Dutt-Chitrangda Singh: Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt: Gully Boy Sidharth Malhotra-Rakul Preet Sigh: Aiyaary Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-Rajkummar Rao: Fanne Khan Tiger Shroff-Disha Patani: Baaghi 2 Akshay Kumar-Mouni Roy: Gold Taapsee Pannu-Diljit Dosanjh: Soorma Kriti Sanon-Diljit Dosamjh: Arjun Patiala Kareena Kapoor Khan-Sumeet Vyas: Veere Di Wedding Sanjay Dutt-Nargis Fakhri: Torbaaz

No baggage

Watching a Shah Rukh-Kajol or a Shah Rukh-Rani movie would mostly lead to viewers comparing their previous performances, but with fresh pairings, such comparisons dont exist. Actor Vicky Kaushal, cast opposite Alia Bhatt in Meghna Gulzars Raazi, feels that theres an intrigue value when two actors come together in a film for the first time. [Also] the audience has no pre-conceived notions of its expectations from [a fresh] pair. At the end, however, its the story that clicks and the honesty with which the actors have lived their characters, he says.

Age of experiment

In 2017, many fresh on-screen pairs were praised by fans and critics alike. There were Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan (Raees), Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam (Kaabil), Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar (Toilet: Ek Prem Katha), Kriti Sanon and Ayushmann Khurrana (Bareilly Ki Barfi), and Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor (Half Girlfriend), to name a few. Film critic Omar Qureshi points out that earlier, films had more or less a set formula and, hence, we saw hit pairs such as Dharam-Hema, Amitabh-Jaya, Rishi-Neetu being cast again and again. Today, with experimentation in cinema at an all-time high, characters are more important than the stars. So, if the shoe fits, go for it. Yes, there were pioneers like Shammi and Rishi Kapoor, who took pride in launching 21 and 26 new heroines opposite themselves each, but that helped when a newbie, fresh actor was required. Today, its the characterisation that matters, says Qureshi.

Curiosity quotient

A new pairing has a direct connect with box-office numbers  trade experts feel that the curiosity element often helps. Filmmakers today cast according to the requirements of the script and what the audience wants, unlike in the past, when the actors were finalised first and later the script was worked upon, says trade analyst Atul Mohan. The business part can work for the film if the storytelling and casting are appreciated [by viewers].

Follow @htshowbiz for moreThe central government has asked the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to submit monthly reports on disciplinary action taken against chartered accountants (CAs) involved with shell companies, said sources.

The task force of shell companies created in 2017 has directed the ICAI to submit reports on CAs found operating, auditing or certifying such companies. The task force has been discussing the role of CAs in routing black money through financial institutions using shell firms. Its been noticed that the track record of the ICAI in taking action against these erring CAs is poor, said a government official who did not wish to be named.

The Union ministry of corporate affairs has been asked to monitor all disciplinary action taken by the ICAI. The task force created in February last year has members from department of financial services, tax department, central board of excise and customs, CBI, ED, serious fraud investigation office and financial intelligence unit. The team is headed by secretaries of the revenue department and the ministry of corporate affairs. ICAI has also been asked to take speedy action against CAs under probe by agencies such as ED and CBI.

This comes at a time when the government is already increasing regulation for CAs.

It is likely to notify the National Financial Reporting Authority, a regulator for chartered accountants (CAs), in January as it gets serious about efforts to crack down on financial crimes including money laundering.

Minister of state for corporate affairs PP Chaudhary had said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that in addition to the self regulation mechanism existing within the ICAI framework, there is need for an independent regulator... to oversee compliance with accounting and auditing standards and for oversight of audit professionals.

The ICAI, however, said the existing framework is robust. Until 2006 there were huge delays, but we have brought down the pendency of cases from seven years to three years as of July 2017. This will go down to one year soon, said ICAI president Nilesh Vikamsey. As of December 20, a total of 1,583 cases were pending before the ICAI.DEHRADUN: Gearing up for the urban local body (ULB) polls to be held in April, Uttarakhand Congress is set to from panels of candidates from different categories for mayoral and chairman positions.

This is being done as the status of reservation of seats for the polls has not been declared yet, Congress state president Pritam Singh said.

ULBs in the state are undergoing expansion these days with nearby rural areas being incorporated in their municipal limits. However, the process of finalising delimitation (carving out of new/modification of areas in existing wards) and fixing of reserved seats in various ULBs, are yet to be completed.

We want to be battle-ready for the polls and keep a list of best candidates from all sections handy so that we can announce the final contenders as soon as the reservation status is announced, Singh said. District committees were asked to zero in on strong candidates from general, women, scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and backward classes categories, and form the required panels.

Party insiders, however, said the move was aimed at placating the ticket hopefuls in the party which was already battling factionalism. It will pacify at least some of them.but the final selection will certainly cause many a heartburn, a party leader told HT.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had clinched 57 seats, Uttarakhand Congress won only 11 of the states 70 assembly seats. Through the civic polls, the Congress is now looking to regain its lost base. A number of party members have already directly or indirectly staked claim to various seats.

Uttarakhand Congress chief spokesperson Mathura Dutt Joshi said creating panels of probable candidates has been a tradition which helps in selection of the best possible candidates from among the many ticket aspirants. The party should weigh in all the factors and political equations before finalising the candidates, Congress leader Azad Ali, who is seeking a mayoral ticket from Dehradun, said.The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has directed the Uttarakhand forest department to take immediate action against Haridwars the then divisional forest officer (DFO), who started Wildlife Transit and Rehabilitation Centre in Chidiapur without seeking permission under The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A report conducted by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has also exposed poor conditions at the centre.

In a letter issued on November 15, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times, CZA member secretary DN Singh has written to the chief wildlife warden mentioning that the permission under section 38 H (1a) of the act was not taken to run the centre due to which action should be taken against the DFO.

The centre started functioning in 2010 and was the first rescue centre in Uttarakhand to house leopards that face major conflict. Along with the centre, theres another centre where simians are sterilised.

The centre was established owing to increasing leopard-human conflict which has succumbed lives of over 600 people since state formation and injured over 3,000 others.

This decision came after 18 months since AWBI members NG Jayasimha and Gauri Maulekhi co-opted member of the board conducted a joint inspection at the centre on April 17, 2016.

The report submitted to the CZA exposed overcrowding and lack of hygiene at the centre.

The report stated: Leopards were observed to be crammed in small rooms since there are not enough enclosures at the centre. It has also been established through the documents received that the size of the room in which each individual leopard is kept is too small for permanent housing.

The report also raised concern over permanent housing of the leopards-which is against the CZA protocols as the animals shall be transferred to zoo if they cannot be released in open. All leopards reported during the inspection were man-eaters.

The leopards seem under stress as they were housed in small rooms. No scientific attempt has ever been made to establish compatibility amongst them. The centre is poorly staffed and lacks a permanent veterinarian. Most importantly, it is illegal running such a centre without the permission of the Authority, Animal Welfare Board of India member Maulekhi told Hindustan Times.

HK Singh was the DFO Haridwar when the centre was established who is now attached at the forest headquarters. Insiders claimed that chief wildlife warden Digvijay Singh Khati has asked chief conservator of forest (CCF) Garhwal to take appropriate action against the DFO.

But, officers deny receiving any such mail. I am out of station and have not come across any such letter, Khati said. The Board has recommended handing over the centre to Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for scientific management of leopards that were declared man-eaters. They have also demanded to engage an independent director and veterinary officer for the welfare of animals.Thirty-five Metro passengers fell prey to thieves and pickpockets every day in 2017, with wallets, cellphones and small bags topping the list of stolen items, Delhi Police data shows.

There has been a 33% rise in crime on the Delhi Metro premises, which includes trains, with 12,854 cases reported in 2017, compared to 9,621 in 2016.

The crime graph has kept pace with the increase in passenger load. There has been a 13-fold jump in crime on the Delhi Metro premises over the last five years during which the ridership rose from 1.92 million a day in 2012-13 to 2.76 million in 2016-17.

Pickpockets remain a menace, with womens gangs operating freely.

A report by the Central Industrial Security Force, tasked with guarding the premises, in June said womens gangs were responsible for more than 90% of such cases.

The offenders were often well-educated and difficult to profile, a police official said.

Big-ticket items, too, went missing. Fifty-seven vehicles were stolen from parking lots in 2017 against 31 the year before, shows the data.

Not just thefts, more women  23  were molested as against 15 such cases reported in 2016.

One case was that of a journalist who was molested at the ITO station in November. A vendor who sold tea from a kiosk outside the station was arrested.

Special commissioner of police (operations, airport and Metro) Sanjay Baniwal attributed the spurt to e-filing of FIRs and the launch of new Metro police stations.

More FIRs means that more people are making use of our free-and-fair registration initiative. The availability of e-FIRs even allows commuters to file their cases online, Baniwal said, adding increased ridership and a widening network were contributing factors as well.

When it was launched, the Metro had just 40,000 passengers in 2002-03. It now carries 2.7 million passengers on a 230km-long network.

Serious offences such as murder, dacoity, robbery, rape and abductions were negligible. Only three such cases  two of robbery and one of rioting  were reported, compared to five in 2016 which also saw a murder.

Police have tasted some success as well. They solved around 21.5% cases in 2017 compared to just 3% in 2016.The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday nominated senior leader Sanjay Singh, Delhi-based businessman, Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant Narain Dass Gupta as its Rajya Sabha nominees, triggering a spat within the party and attracting criticism from opposition parties on its picks.

After deliberations over eight names in the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), we have decided to nominate party leader Sanjay Singh, chartered accountant, Narain Dass Gupta and social worker, Sushil Gupta for Rajya Sabha, said Delhis deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia.

Both the Guptas are not very well-known and the move to pick them comes after former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan, former union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, and former chief justice of India TS Thakur turned down AAPs offer of a Rajya Sabha seat. The decision to nominate Sushil Gupta, a businessman and a former Congressman, over a host of party leaders has not gone down well with many including AAP leader Kumar Vishwas.

Be the PAC or my elder brother Arvind Kejriwals decision on issues like the surgical strike, taking a soft stand on terrorists, his silence on ticket distribution and JNU... whatever truth I spoke, I have been rewarded and punished today, said Vishwas, whose views on many of these issues ran counter to AAPs own,

Justifying the nominations, Sisodia said Singh was chosen for his grassroots work as a leader in Uttar Pradesh; Dass Gupta for his contributions in economics and government policies; and Sushil Gupta for his work in the areas of health and education.

Dass Gupta, 72, is a practising chartered accountant, and a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Gupta, 56, is a businessman who runs Delhis Ganga Group of Institutions and hospitals. He contested and lost the 2013 assembly election from Moti Nagar on a Congress ticket. He had declared assets worth Rs 164 crore in his election affidavit.

Responding to queries on Gupta, Sisodia said, I think a person who sponsors 15,000 underprivileged students is a deserving candidate. He said all nine PAC members agreed on Singh and Dass Gupta, and one objected to Guptas nomination. AAP said the partys senior leader Ashutosh, also in the running for a Rajya Sabha seat, opposed Sushil Guptas nomination.

Gupta resigned from the Congress party on November 28, 2017. Delhi Congress chief, Ajay Maken shared his resignation letter and a photograph, saying less said the better.

Elections for three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi are scheduled on January 16; terms of the incumbents, Dr Karan Singh, Janardan Dwivedi and Parvez Hashmi, all from the Congress, expire on January 27.The ruling AAP which has an overwhelming majority of 66 members in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, is set to win all the three seats. The three candidates are likely to file nomination on Thursday.

AAPs estranged founder Yogendra Yadav was among those who attacked party chief Kejriwal for the choice of Gupta, saying he was ashamed on having defended him (Kejriwal) against the charges of corruption earlier.

AAP , made from the ashes of Anna Andolan, on the promise of representing the common man, has nominated 2 khaas Aadmis, Narain Dass Gupta and Sushil Gupta, to the Rajya Sabha. Far from aam aadmi it is a party of khaas aadmi, tweeted Vijendra Gupta, the leader of opposition in Delhi assembly.The Delhi governments scheme to pay for providing free diagnostic tests and surgeries at private centres continued has become the latest issue to add to the list of controversies around the relations between the AAP dispensation and the Lieutenant Governors office.

The Delhi government has opposed L-G Anil Baijals rider of introducing an income criterion for availing free diagnostic tests and surgeries. Baijal, on the other hand, maintained that he put the condition based on the recommendations of the finance and planning departments, which come under the Delhi government.

Around 11,000 people have benefitted from the schemes in nine months  March to November 2017  Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said. The objections will render the whole scheme unworkable, he said.

Currently, anyone who needs a diagnostic test prescribed by doctors in Delhi government hospitals that cannot be done in the hospital or has a long waiting period, can avail it from 67 empanelled private labs and hospitals. For a surgery, if the waiting period is more than a month, the patient can get it done in one of the 48 empanelled hospitals.

The only criterion was that they have to be citizens of Delhi.

The government had been paying private centres either at CGHS rates, which are usually half of the market rates, or a fraction of it. We are not introducing any tax for it or even asking the centre for money. We are making the schemes work within the existing health budget, then what is the problem, Jain said.

To this, the L-G said that no government can have unlimited resources and that the affluent sections of the society should not crowd out the deserving poor. It is really strange to note that the elected government is of the view that the resources of the state should be used to provide financial assistance to the rich people staying in posh colonies, a statement from the L-Gs office read.

The government has also objected to L-Gs advice that an income criterion be introduced for the tests being provided at mohalla clinics and polyclinics.

Till now, all treatment including all medicines, tests and consultation was free for all patients, irrespective of income limit, in all mohalla clinics and polyclinics. Now, according to the L-G, all consultations and medicines would continue to be free for all patients but patients above a particular income limit would be charged for diagnostic tests. Additional staff would also need to be deployed to receive payments from rich patients for diagnostics tests, a government press release read.

The government has said that the income criteria is not required as only the poor visit the government hospitals and introducing it will make the whole process cumbersome and require additional staff to identify eligible people.

A patient, who has been prescribed a diagnostic test, will first (have to) go to an SDM office to procure an income certificate... If you need any certificate on an emergency basis from SDM office, one knows that you would end up paying huge bribes. Secondly, false income certificates are available at a cost, read a government release.

However, the L-G stated that the easiest way to do this was to introduce self certification instead of asking for income certificate.

The minister questioned as to why the middle class cannot be allowed to avail the facility. The L-Gs office reverted that he never advised to exclude the middle class from the scheme. The government is free to choose an appropriate income level that does not exclude the middle classes and the poor from the scheme.

The government has also been asked to come up with a system to monitor that unnecessary tests are not ordered in collusion with private centres. The L-G also asked that a mechanism be developed for taking action against private centres if their quality was found to be poor, or if they indulged in any malpractices.Tuesday was not the first time when 43-year-old Naresh Dhankar had displayed his violent streak, that left six people dead in Haryanas Palwal.

Dhankar had allegedly once slapped a policeman and on another occasion threw a brick at his neighbour for intervening in his domestic quarrels.

But the person who allegedly bore the brunt of his violent nature was his wife, Seema, her family members said. The physical and mental abuses began soon after Seema married Dhankar in 2007, said Seemas sister who did not want to be named.

Dhankar had sought voluntary retirement from the Army in 2003 because of his mental disorder. He was undergoing treatment for it too. The combination of his mental disorder and bad temper had turned him into a monster, claimed Seemas sister.

A native of Machgar village in Faridabad, Dhankar had bought a flat in the Omaxe City, a gated neighbourhood in Palwal. Since Dhankar is a serving sub-divisional officer (SDO) with the Haryana governments agricultural department in Bhiwani, he would visit Palwal once every few weeks.

Dhankars wife and their eight-year-old son lived in the Palwal flat. Whenever Dhankar would come home for a vacation or a visit, Seema would come and live with our parents. My sister had no choice because of his abusive behaviour, said Seemas sister.

A neighbour added that whenever Dhankar would return to Palwal, he would always land up outside his in-laws home and create a ruckus. Dhankar would often abuse in English and sometimes breakdown and beg to be allowed to meet his son, the neighbour said.

He is very attached to his son and would beg to be allowed to see the boy. He would arrive with large boxes of fruit. If he was not allowed inside, he would create a ruckus. During one such ruckus six months ago, he even assaulted a neighbour with a brick for trying to intervene, said the neighbour.

Seema said that when Dhankar visited her at her parents house on December 31, he was allowed to come inside. He gifted me a suit (salwar kurta) and left in the afternoon. I could see he was troubled, but I did not know he had such murderous plans on his mind, said Seema.

Seemas sister said that their family had asked Dhankar to divorce her sister, but he refused. We had complained to the police once, but had later reached a compromise, she said.

According to a statement issued by the Haryana Police, Dhankars killing spree on Tuesday was during an unauthorised leave from work. They said Dhankar had been booked for assault in 2015 after he allegedly hit a policeman in Palwal.

The police were, however, unable to comment on his mental status.The Haryana government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances under which a government official murdered six people in Palwal on Tuesday.

The accused, Naresh Dhankar, a sub-divisional officer (SDO) with the Haryana governments agricultural department in Bhiwani, had bludgeoned six people to death with an iron rod in a two-hour-long mayhem in the early hours of Tuesday in Palwal. Dhankar had taken voluntary retirement from the Army as a lieutenant in 2003.

The decision to form a SIT was taken after family members of the six victims staged demonstrations on Wednesday and demanded monetary compensation and jobs. The government later announced Rs 3 lakh each for the kin of the murdered victims.

A tense atmosphere prevailed in Palwal throughout Wednesday even as police heightened security arrangements in the town.

Police said they are yet to interrogate Dhankar, who remained unconscious throughout Wednesday after suffering brain haemorrhage during confrontation with a police team.

Undergoing treatment at Delhis Safdarjung Hospital, Dhankar underwent a neurosurgery on Tuesday evening. On Thursday, his vitals  body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure  turned stable. Although his condition is serious, doctors have said that he is likely to make a full recovery, said Poonam Dhanda, spokesperson of Safdarjung Hospital.

The families of victims, meanwhile, voiced their anger against the Rs 3 lakh compensation announced for them. Satish Sharma, brother-in-law of victim Khemchand, demanded at least Rs 20 lakh compensation for the family. Khemchand worked at a milk plant and was the sole earning member of his family. How are his wife and three young children going to survive, said Sharma.

Khemchand was found murdered at Palwals Rasulpur Chowk.

According to Sulochana Gajraj, Palwals superintendent of police, the SIT will probe circumstances that triggered the murders, whether Dhankar intended to target his wife and in-laws and the source of the iron rod which the suspect allegedly used during the killings.

Dhankars wife, Seema, meanwhile, said that though her husband abused her regularly, he paid for their eight-year-old sons tuition fees and monthly instalments of their three-bedroom flat in a residential society in Palwal town.

Seema, however, remained unsure if her husband should be punished for the crime. If a normal person does it, then punishment is justified. But I believe he was not normal. I had earlier taken him to a private hospital in Faridabad (for getting Dhankar treated for his mental illness), she told Hindustan Times.In its recent article, an Asian Correspondent said not only was Vietnam the top-performer in the region, but it ranked second behind India  the only country which achieved growth of over 7 percent in 2016  in the list of fastest-growing economies worldwide.

It stressed that there are multiple reasons for Vietnams strong performance in recent years  especially in comparison to other ASEAN countries, including the country strategy of diversification of its economy - in terms of both the range of goods produced, and its export destinations.

According to the newspaper, Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive investment destination due to its rapidly expanding population and its demographics, with a youthful population amounting to a large and capable workforce, consisting of both skilled and unskilled labour. Vietnams geography also remains an important factor, with its long coastline allowing free-flowing seaborne trade with countries in the surrounding region and beyond.

Tourism is seen as one of the main drivers of Vietnams economic growth, according to Mayo Advertiser tourism website. With attractions such as Ha Long Bay, Hoi An town and Da Nang city, Vietnam is a perfect place to honeymoon.

Meanwhile, Forbes mentioned efforts made by the Communist Party of Vietnam in fighting corruption, saying that the on-going crackdown on corruption among Vietnams numerous state-owned enterprises is to ensure that graft doesnt spoil its economic miracle.

In addition, some news agencies also stressed the challenges related to economic development, education, environmental pollution and aging-population that the country is facing.

Asia Times said though Vietnam is growing fast on nearly all economic fronts, overcrowded roads, ports and airports threaten to throttle the expansion.

According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnams GDP in 2017 was estimated to increase 6.81 percent  the highest rate in the last decade. The country is forecast to continue succeeding at attracting FDI and expanding manufacturing industry, contributing to heighten its GDP.The national capital is set to get a state-of-the-art convention centre on the lines of the ones in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore for hosting exhibitions, trade fairs and summits of international standards.

To be constructed in Dwarkas Sector 25, three kilometers from the IGI airport in south-west Delhi, the two-phased project was approved by the Union cabinet in November while the contracts were awarded last week. Architects working on the project, billed as one of the biggest in Asia, said it is conceived as a smart, zero energy, world-class facility designed for an events like G-20 summit.

The exhibition-cum-convention centre in Dwarka and its allied infrastructure which includes, an arena, primary structure, Delhi Metro, road connectivity, hotels and office spaces, is being constructed at an estimated cost of 25,703 crore. It will be completed by 2025, a statement of Union ministry of commerce and industry informing about the Cabinet decision said.

Officials associated with the project said the first phase, comprising convention centre with a seating capacity of 10,000 guests, two exhibition halls spread over 80,000 square metre area and a foyer, would be ready by October 2019 and will be constructed as non-public-private partnership (PPP) component. The second phase, comprising the remaining exhibition area will be ready by 2025 and facilities such as hotels, retail space and offices will be completed on a public-private partnership (PPP) mode, it said.

The contract for the first phase was awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) by Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC)  a knowledge partner for the project  in December last year. DMICDC appointed CP Kukreja Architects as its engineering and architectural consultant.

It is an honour to design and work closely on projects like the Dwarka convention centre, that showcase our architectural prowess on a global scale. Our architects are creating world-class state-of-the-art buildings and the convention centre in Dwarka, said Dikshu Kukreja, principal architect, CP Kukreja Architects.

A government company has been incorporated to work as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project with 100% equity from Centre through department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

The Centre will provide budgetary support of 2,037.39 crore to the SPV over a period of three years to fund trunk infrastructure, a part of exhibition centre, convention centre, Metro and road connectivity. This includes cost of the road to be paid by Delhi Development Authority (DDA), water and sewerage infrastructure, railway land for Metro connectivity and expenses towards other Non-public-private partnership (PPP) components.

The project was first mooted in 2010 but was stuck due to delay in transfer of land from DDA. Construction work is expected to start soon at the site.

The project is estimated to generate over five lakh employment opportunities, the statement said.There has been some heady talk of an Iranian Spring following the rare protests in several cities across Iran, but it would probably be closer to the truth to say the demonstrations have triggered uncertainty about stability in the country and the region. The protests, initially fuelled by the Iranian governments failure to fight corruption as well as disappointment that the landmark 2015 nuclear deal did not lead to better economic conditions, began in a small way on December 28 at Mashhad, Irans second largest city, considered a bastion of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Events since then have shown that things could easily spiral out of control: 21 people have died as the protests spread to more than 50 cities and towns. More than 450 protestors were detained in Tehran alone, and hundreds of others across the country.

Many of the protestors were young people  60% of Irans population of 81 million is under 30, more educated than past generations and avid users of social media  who have been grappling with unemployment and the impacts of sluggish economic growth. There were chants of death to the dictator, a reference to Khamenei, as the protests assumed a political tone over the weekend, and some have questioned why Tehran was spending millions of dollars to back factions fighting in Syria and Yemen at a time of economic hardship within the country.

Those talking of an Iranian Spring and backing the protestors, such as US President Donald Trump, are probably hoping the demonstrations will lead to the rise of more moderate forces or weaken the regime in Tehran so that it has less time to interfere in countries across West Asia. The reality is that the protests could lead to more unrest, especially if the clergy decides to use state forces to crack down.

India will be keeping a close watch on the developments in Iran for a variety of reasons. Though New Delhi curtailed oil imports from Tehran following a row over the allocation of the Farzad-B gas field to a Russian company, Iran was the largest supplier of crude to India last year. Though India is looking at diversifying its energy sources, Iran will continue to be a key supplier in the near future. Then there is Irans role in Afghanistan, where it is believed to be working in concert with Russia to strengthen links with the Taliban to counter US influence. Iran is also key to the development of a transit corridor centred round the Chabahar port that India hopes to use to circumvent Pakistan. If there is a wave of unrest in Iran, the ripples will also be felt in India.Jammu Jammu and Kashmir education minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has said that the state government will refer 8,700 more vacancies for the post of teachers to the Services Selection Board (SSB) to be advertised next month.

As many as 8,700 more vacancies for teachers posts, in addition to 2,154 posts referred already, will be referred to the recruitment agency to meet the dearth of staff in government schools, the minister said recently at a function here.

He reiterated the governments resolve to meet targets set in the rolled-out roadmap to fill critical gaps in infrastructure and staff in the education sector.

Education department is expecting some new initiatives to be announced by the finance minister Haseeb Drabu in the Budget 2018-19 for this key sector, Bukhari said.

He said that the government had been tirelessly working on a well-defined roadmap to revamp the education sector in the state which included consolidation of school infrastructure and meet the staff strength requirements which the state still lacked.

Despite critical gaps, the school education department and teachers have shown great results in the recent past, he said.

The minister took a dig at some political parties for playing politics over certain issues despite not having made much progress while remaining in power for several years.

I have no hesitation in saying that the education sector has been continuously ignored over the last 70 years by these people, but despite that they are playing politics whenever the department comes up with new reforms and policies, he said.The Central Board of Secondary Education has declared the National Eligibility Test (CBSE UGC Net) results, 2017. The exams for CBSE UGC NET were held on November 5, 2017. You can check your results at cbse.nic.in or at cbseresults.nic.in.

The exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the posts of assistant professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Successful candidates are also eligibility for assistant professor posts, both in universities and colleges in India.

The award of JRF and eligibility for assistant professors post depends on the performance of the candidate in all the three papers of NET. However, candidates qualifying exclusively for an assistant professor are not considered for JRF.

Candidates who have scored at least 55% in their masters degree are eligible for NET.

The exam was conducted in 84 subjects in 91 cities across the country.

Steps to check your results

To check the results, one can follow the below-mentioned steps:

1.Check www.cbseresults.nic.in.

2.Click on UGC NET Result November 2017

3. Enter application number, roll number and date of birth

4. Your CBSE UGC NET Result 2017 will be displayed.

5. Download and take a printout for future use.Boston  Nearly half of the largest US public universities do not track suicides among their students, despite making investments in prevention at a time of surging demand for mental health services.

Tabulating student suicides comes with its own set of challenges and problems. But without that data, prevention advocates say, schools have no way to measure their success and can overlook trends that could offer insight to help them save lives.

If you dont collect the data, youre doing half the job, said Gordon Smith, a former US senator from Oregon who became a prevention advocate after his son, Garrett, took his life in 2003 while attending college. We need information in mental health if were actually going to be able to better tailor health and healing.

The Associated Press asked the 100 largest US public universities for annual suicide statistics and found that 43 currently track suicides, including 27 that have consistently done so since 2007. Most others said they dont track suicides or could provide police reports for only a few cases known among campus administrators.

Schools that dont track suicides include some of the nations largest, including Arizona State University and the University of Wisconsin. Officials from those schools declined to comment, but both have dealt with student suicides in the recent past, according to news reports, including at least two at Arizona State in 2017.

Some others refused to provide records, citing student privacy concerns, including North Carolina State University.

The issue has come to the fore as some schools report that todays students are arriving on campus less prepared for the rigors of college. Many schools have increased spending on mental health services to counter what the American Psychological Association and other groups have called a mental health crisis on campuses.

Surveys have found increasing rates of anxiety and depression among college students, but some experts say the problem only appears to be worsening because students who might have stayed silent in the past are taking advantage of the increasing availability of help.

Its unfortunate that people are characterising this outcome as a crisis, said Ben Locke, who runs a national mental-health network for colleges and leads the counselling centre at Penn State. Its counterproductive because its criticising the exact people weve encouraged to come forward.

Adding to the scepticism is that young adults in college have been found to have lower suicide rates than their peers. But they are also at an age when disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar depression often start to develop.

Federal health officials have sought to encourage data collection as part of a grant programme named after Smiths son, which has awarded $76 million to more than 230 colleges since 2005. Schools have separately spent millions on their own, often adding programmes that teach basic life skills, and training staff across campus to identify students in need.

The US Education Department asks colleges to collect data on student deaths but not suicides specifically, and a variety of factors can discourage schools from tracking it.

Often its difficult to confirm the cause of death, and medical examiners dont always notify universities when a cause is determined. There are concerns about legal liability. Some families prefer to keep it private. Even schools that collect data differ on whether they count suicides that occur away from campus or during breaks.

And if the statistics become public, some schools fear it could damage their reputations.

No school wants to be known as a school with multiple suicides. Its not good for business, said Nance Roy, chief clinical officer for the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit that works with colleges and high schools on prevention.

Advocates in at least three states have pushed to require universities to collect suicide data  in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington  but without success so far.

After the 2014 suicide of freshman track star Madison Holleran at the University of Pennsylvania, one of her former teachers in her hometown of Allendale, New Jersey, was surprised to learn many universities dont report suicide statistics. He pushed for a law that would have required the states public universities to collect and publicise annual numbers, but it never made it to a vote amid pushback from schools.

He felt that it was something that the public had every right to know, said Pam Philipp, a New Jersey mental-health advocate who lobbied for the legislation along with Hollerans former teacher, Ed Modica, who died in 2017 at age 66.

A similar proposal by a state task force in Washington was sidelined amid budget woes last year, while lawmakers in Pennsylvania have yet to vote on recommendations to improve data collection.

National studies have found that suicide rates are on the rise in the United States, reaching 13 per 100,000 among all Americans and 12.5 among those ages 15 to 24. Much of the data on suicide comes from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which does not specifically track college suicides.

The gap in information led Dr. James Turner to seek funding for a national reporting system for student deaths in 2009 when he was president of the American College Health Association, but the National Institutes of Health didnt see the value, he said, and it never happened.

I became puzzled, because we as a society are so interested in the health of college students, said Turner, who is now retired from the University of Virginia. Why is it we dont have a comprehensive way of approaching this?

The NIH declined to comment for this article.

A total of 27 schools provided statistics to the AP that they say were consistently tracked from 2007 through 2016, amounting to an overall suicide rate of about 4 per 100,000, although numbers from some universities were so low that experts including Roy at the Jed Foundation questioned their accuracy. The University of Arizona, for example, averaged more than 40,000 students per year over the decade but reported just three suicides, a rate of 0.7 per 100,000.

Earlier studies have found average rates between 6.5 and 7.5 per 100,000 among college students. Schools that provided data to the AP had rates ranging from 0.27 to 8. Because of the inconsistency in responses, The Associated Press is not publishing figures for colleges that provided data.

Schools that do track suicides, however, often use their data to refine prevention efforts.

After Clemson University started gathering more data in 2015, campus officials noticed an increased suicide rate among transfer students. The school is now redoubling efforts to connect those students with campus services.

Data at other universities have led officials to secure access to certain rooftops.

Among the oldest examples is at the University of Texas at Austin, where officials in the 1990s installed iron barriers atop a clock tower that had previously been closed following several student suicides. The 10-year rate on that campus is in line with averages found in earlier studies, its data show, and has decreased in the second half of the past decade, even as national rates increase.

But Chris Brownson, the counselling centre director who analyses the universitys suicides, said its hard to celebrate success when every new case brings so much pain.

One death is one death too many, he said, and thats why we come to work every day  to do the things that we do here to try to prevent any of those from happening.Apart from successfully managing high school and intermediate examinations involving over 67 lakh students this year, the UP Board now has an additional responsibility.

The board has been approached by the government of Nepal for support and guidance to its newly established National Examination Board of Nepal after it was impressed with its expertise in accommodating lakhs of students.

The Nepal board, formed last year through an amendment to countrys Education Act, 1971, will now be conducting the high school and Intermediate examinations in the country instead of Nepals Higher Education Examination Board.

UP Board officials have shared various details of their board exams and the processes involved in undertaking this major exercise with officials of Nepal and even handed over copies of some documents for their reference.

Janak Khatri, under-secretary, Nepal National Examination Board, has taken these documents from the UP Board headquarters to Nepal to chart out the process to be undertaken to conduct exams in his country.

It was just after the formation of the Nepal Board that education officials from the neighbouring country held a meeting with officials of Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE), a voluntary association of all the Boards of School Education in India.

The meeting was held during the annual meet of COBSE held at Nepals capital Kathmandu in November.

Here, UP Boards additional secretary (administration) Shiv Lal interacted with the Nepal education officials.

It was followed by Nepals quality education director, Ramchandra Pandey, contacting officials of the UP Board here in Allahabad.

We have shared various details of the evaluation process, question paper moderation, centre allotments to printing of the question papers and the answer sheets among other things with senior Nepal board official Khatri. The discussion was comprehensive and it will help Nepal better understand the UP Boards examination process and adapt it to the best of their needs, said Lal.

We have also made available copies of some of the exam-related instructions for their reference, he added.

All possible help will be extended to Nepal in streamlining their high school and intermediate examinations process. If they so desire we are also ready to send our officials there, said Neena Srivastava, secretary, UP Board.

UP Board or Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad was set up in 1921 and conducted its first public examination in 1923. Considered one of the largest examination bodies of the world, UP Board in its first exam in 1923 had a mere 5,744 students including 5,655 high school and another 89 intermediate candidates. In 1923, the UP Board had conducted its exams through just 179 centres for high school and one centre for intermediate students. Today the board has a total of 67,29,540 students including 37,12,508 high school and 30,17,032 intermediate registered for its 2018 exams. The 2018 board exams would be conducted at around 8540 centres spread across 75 district of Uttar Pradesh.New Delhi The Directorate General of Training has de-affiliated 385 industrial training institutes (ITIs) during the last five years (2013-17) owing to their non-compliance with norms, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

The Directorate General of Training is an arm of the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship.

These ITIs were found non-conforming to the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) norms and; accordingly, processed for de-affiliation as per the prevailing de-affiliation procedure, minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship Anantkumar Hegde said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

As per the reply, majority of the de-affiliated ITIs belong to Punjab, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

At present, there are nearly 14,000 government and private ITIs functioning in the country.Theres one thing we know for sure: Kareena Kapoor is a pro in front of the camera. The actor (back from her 2016 hiatus) proves it once again with her sexy looks and poses in Vogue Indias January 2018 issue. The magazine shared photographs from the shoot on Instagram on Tuesday.

At 37, the new mother, is quite the fashion It Girl: Shes starred in major campaigns, basically rules the red carpet, and manages to give us outfit inspiration every time she steps out of the house. But in her latest magazine photo shoot, this much-loved actor proves she has what it takes to become an icon.

Kareena Kapoor wearing Italian designer Giambattista Valli and Osman Studio.(Instagram/ vogueindia)

With brand new hair by Gabriel Georgiou (the man behind actor Anushka Sharmas winning wedding hairstyles), jaw-dropping make-up by Mickey Contractor, and a bit of sexy lingerie, styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, Kareenas sexy shoot left us in awe.

Shot by photographer Errikos Andreou at Amanpuri, a luxury beach resort in Phuket, Thailand, the Chameli actor wore a gold bikini from Melissa Odabash on the Vogue cover. And she certainly fit the high fashion bill with her lush hair, pouty lips and quirky styling.

Kareena Kapoor wearing a teal blue dress with pleated details by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Its been a while since Kareena last appeared on the cover of a magazine. But, her first cover since the birth of her son, Taimur Ali Khan, is all about reinvention. By titling its photo shoot, Kareena Kapoor and the art of having it all, its evident the Vogue team wanted to portray the award-winning actor in a way the world had rarely seen her before.



In a few of the shots, her hair was styled in a wet-look with grungy waves, and her make-up included kohl-ringed eyes and a glossy lip. The badass It Girl showed off her skills in a few other photos by jumping into a pool and scaling a rock at the beach  all the while maintaining her high-fashion look. But all of Kareenas pictures from the shoot had one thing in common  they were sexy!

Kareena Kapoor in a Dior maxi dress with a side slit. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

In addition to a fashionable photo shoot, Kareenas interview was equally fascinating, where she talked about her upcoming film, Veere Di Wedding, her love for Indian food, and her weight loss journey. Ive never been fat, but Im a Punjabi girl  I like my food. I ate well when I was pregnant  sometimes too well. Id put away six parathas, and eat white butter. But I avoided all processed foods and kept myself super active, a Vogue India report read.

For your viewing pleasure, weve rounded up Kareenas best pictures from the photo shoot. Scroll ahead to see them all. For more pictures from the stunning shoot, check out Vogue Indias Instagram.

Kareena Kapoor wows in Cult Gaia and Gucci. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Kareena Kapoor in Oscar de la Renta. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Kareena Kapoor in a plum Givenchy number. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Kareena Kapoor wearing a blush Christopher Kane dress and leather slingback pumps from Prada. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Kareena Kapoor slays in a bandeau bikini from AntaraXnm. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Kareena Kapoor in a La Perla two-piece and Balmain beach cover-up. (Instagram/ vogueindia)

Follow @htlifeandstyle for moreA Child Care Institute (CCI), the only shelter home in Gurgaon for HIV-infected children or whose parents are HIV Positive, has come under the scanner of the district administration after two minor siblings recently ran away from the institute. The CCI houses 28 children, including girls and boys.

The boys, whose parents are HIV Positive, reportedly escaped on December 14 and went to their aunts home in Delhis Rohini after they were allegedly beaten by the caretaker of the private illegal home. The incident came to light during the counselling session at the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after the children, aged 13 and 14 years old, were produced before it on December 18.

During counselling, the boys told the CWC officials that one of the boys, who scored less in exams, forged the signature of the caretaker and was caught by the teacher. He was allegedly brutally assaulted by the caretaker after the teacher complained. The boy, along with his brother, fled the home on December 14.

Please dont send us back to the same place, the bhaiya beats us, puts red chili powder in eyes, forces us to drink liquor and often misbehaves with the other children at the home. He threatened my parents that your boys have raped before fleeing from the CCI, the 14-year-old boy told CWC officials.

On December 14, the officials at the CCI informed their parents that the boys fled the home. Their mother called Childline, a child helpline, informing them about the disappearance of her kids. The parents had left their kids, who are healthy, at the home three years ago so that they could study and be independent.

We received a call on 1098 (Childline) from Delhi at 8pm on December 14 that two children are missing from Gurgaon CCI and they wanted our help to find the two boys, said Rishi Kant, who runs Shakti Vahini, a Childline in Gurgaon.

Meanwhile, the boys reached their aunts place in Rohini and narrated their ordeal to her.

After two days, the mother called again and informed they are reaching Gurgaon with her two boys, said Kant

The District child protection unit (DCPU) officials came to know about the incident on December 18 when a team visited the CCI for inspection after receiving an application for registration of the institute. During inspection, the DCPU officials were told the boys had gone to meet their mother as she was critical. On their return from inspection, the DCPU officials found the boys at their office as they were brought there by the Childline.

The boys had minor bruises and were in tears. They refused to go back (to the CCI) and said if we will be sent to the same place, they will no longer be alive, said Shakuntala Dhull, chairperson, CWC Gurgaon.

After recording their statements, the CWC sent the reports to the DCPU and she mailed the Gurgaon police to take action under JJ ACT. Fifteen days have gone by but there has been no progress in the case. The boys were shifted to another CCI in Gurgaon, said Dhull.

Meanwhile, the police said they are conducting investigations and will take action as per the reports under JJ Act.

The CCI officials admitted that the caretaker often assaulted the boys and his conduct was not good with the children.

As soon as we got the information we punished the caretaker. He was immediately terminated from our institution. We have trained our staff and will ensure no such act is repeated at our home in the future. We have also written to the CWC regarding the same, said the CCI officials.

State coordinator for Bal-Bigul, a Haryana Alliance on Child Right, Arijit Adhikary, they have written to the district administration, DCPU and CWC several times regarding the illegal HIV home but no action is taken by any of them.Traffic crawled in the city on a misty Wednesday morning, as motorists drove at a snails pace through the thick layer of fog. Visibility dropped alarmingly as a thick blanket of fog shrouded the city, prompting commuters to take caution and reach their destinations late.

Foggy conditions have been prevailing in the city over the last four days.

Despite setting out before the rush hour, it took me more than 90 minutes to make the journey from Saket (in Delhi) to DLF Phase 4, owing to a thick blanket of fog near the Gurgaon border. On better days, weather wise, this journey usually takes me around 45 minutes, Manoj Sharma, a resident of Saket, said.

Such was the extent to which visibility dropped on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway that motorists had to flip on hazard lights on their vehicles to navigate the streets.

I could barely see anything barely metres away and had to switch on hazard lights on my vehicle to make my way and avoid a collision. The thick layer of fog that dragged down visibility stretched from Dhaula Kuan (in Delhi) till Rajiv Chowk (in Gurgaon). I was anxious through the journey and it was scary experience. Till such time the visibility improves, I wont venture out unless its urgent, Archana Dhar, a resident of Civil Lines, said.

Some residents claimed that lack of functional streetlights on roads during the morning hours made commuting through the thick fog a risky proposition.

Whenever fog descends on the streets, the authorities need to ensure that streetlights are switched on till late morning hours to ensure motorists and commuters in general have no trouble navigating the roads. While making my journey today, I found that streetlights on some stretches had been switched off by 6am, Aniket Kapoor, a resident of DLF 5, said.

Read I Bracing for fog, Gurgaon police seeks road safety measures

With fog continuing to prevail in the city since Saturday, Gurgaon police recently put out an alert on the social media urging residents to remain alert to the situation and take necessary precautions.

It is fogged out on Gurugram roads. Please be cautious while driving (sic), the Gurgaon police posted on Twitter.

Few experts also highlighted the need for engineering changes on roads to tackle the fog.

Weather conditions are unavoidable, be it fog or rain. It is, therefore, important to design roads and city streets keeping such conditions in mind so that crashes are at a minimum and no lives are lost.Basic safety measures, such as good functional streetlights, reflective road markings and signage and blinkers or cat-eyes are the key to making the streets safe on misty mornings, Amit Bhatt, director, Integrated Transport, WRI India, said.

Last month, the Gurgaon police wrote to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) asking it to plan for foggy mornings and ensure fresh road markings and installation of blinker lights, road stud reflectors and signage on the expressway.

In response to a query by Hindustan Times on steps to tackle fog, the NHAI said it had undertaken necessary measures to deal with indifferent weather.

The smart LED street lighting project which the MCG is looking to launch from March onwards, will involve a centralised control and monitoring system from where all the streetlights can be turned off and on. This will eradicate the issue of deputing an official on the ground and lights could be turned on and off after assessing visibility, V Umashankar, MCG commissioner, said.

Quizzed on its fog preparedness, NHAI project director Ashok Sharma said, MCEPL (NHAIs concessionaire) has undertaken adequate measures and has briefed the police on the same as well.

BOX: Measures by authority to tackle fog

NHAI: Ensure surface markings, blinker lights, road stud reflectors and signage on roads and expressway to enable commuters to journey safe

Gurgaon police: Send out alerts to commuters via social media on low visibility and advise them to take caution

MCG: Keep streetlights switched on until late morning hours to ensure higher visibility in areas in its jurisdiction.In 2017, Vietnamese tourism saw strong growth in the number of international visitors thanks to many policies and mechanisms creating favourable condition for them, including visa exemption for citizens from several countries, e-visa applications, and the enhancement of tourism promotion at international events and through social media channels.

However, in general, Vietnam still focused on increasing the number of tourists without paying much attention to high-spending customers as well as interdisciplinary solutions and policies to increase spending for visitors. Management capacity and the building of specialised tourism products for destinations did not meet the diverse demands of visitors. The investment for tourism promotion at the national level has been ineffective with only around US$2 million spent, while many other countries in the region have allocated around US$50 million to US$100 million.

In addition, the implementation of policies has not been flexible or in accordance with reality. Specifically, the visa policy for international visitors to Vietnam is still less competitive than other countries in the region as the visa exemption has been applied for citizens from only 23 countries and for just 15 days (less than the average stay time of international arrivals to Vietnam). The list of countries that are offered entry visa exemption has been published annually and from one to three months before the time of implementation, which makes it difficult for travel businesses to make plan for promoting and welcoming visitors from these markets.

The regulation which states that the next entry without a visa must be at least 30 days after the previous exit also causes difficulties for international visitors who join tours linking neighbouring countries. For example, with the Vietnam - Laos  Cambodia tour, after visiting Vietnams Northern provinces and then moving to Laos and Cambodia, visitors have not been able to return to the southern provinces of Vietnam within 30 days.

With the inadequate tourism environment, Vietnamese tourism ranked at an average level in terms of its competitiveness. Many international visitors have been disturbed by the unprofessional business sense in destinations. The situation of inviting visitors with insistence, begging, theft, a lack of food hygiene safety, littering and unsafe traffic continues to occur. Several administrative procedures and the enforcement of policies and laws have not been consistent at the public authorities, causing difficulties for enterprises.

Regarding the development of policies to create a favourable environment for tourism development, most experts and tourism workers suggested that ministries and agencies should make adjustments on visas, particularly the regulations on the length of stay and the distance between the entries to extend the stay for international visitors to Vietnam. Information on visa exemptions should be announced soon and applied steadily over a certain period of time, creating conditions for travel businesses to build strategies and plans to welcome visitors.

The management index of the destinations quality should be based on the management practices of the business units and visitors comments instead of administrative imposition from state management agencies on tourism and should be announced periodically. It is crucial to pay great attention to effectively promoting the investment for tourism promotion at national level as well as enhance the application of information and technology in management.

In order to create favourable conditions for international visitors, Vietnam should continue to implement the issuance of e-visas for citizens from more countries, creating a breakthrough in visa issuance thanks to the simple and rapid procedures. In addition, enterprises, tourism and aviation associations should strengthen the coordination in communicating e-visa issuance to major markets. Notably, travel businesses should also focus on improving the quality of their services and competitiveness to attract more tourists.

With efforts and synchronous solutions in building and implementing polices, Vietnamese tourism is expected to record high growth in the number of international arrivals to Vietnam, earning larger revenue from tourism and maintain the sustainable development.Day after Manesar panchayat members refuted the governments claim that 65 acres have been transferred to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for relocation of the Kherki Daula toll plaza, the roadways authority said that the land at Sehrawan, around 11km from the existing toll point, will soon be in its possession.

Ashok Kumar Sharma, project director, NHAI, for the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, tweeted on Tuesday that the land in question has already been transferred.

This is a fact that the 65 acre 5 kanal and 14 marla land required for construction of new toll plaza at Sehrawan has been transferred to the NHAI vide deputy commissioner (DC) office Gurgaon letter dated December 26, 2017 and the NHAI will take possession of the land shortly (sic), Sharma tweeted.

The Manesar panchayat, however, issued a stout denial to the NHAIs claim reiterating that 59 acres, which is part of the 65 acres in question, is still with it.

Till date, no such transfer has happened and the land still belongs to the Manesar panchayat. We also havent budged an inch from our demand that the(Kherki) toll be relocated 5km from Sehrawan towards the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway. That way, 59 acres of our land wont have to be acquired. I will also have a word with revenue officials in this regard, Puja Kumari, chairperson, Manesar panchayat, said.

Tejram and Dharambir  zila parshads (district councillors) of Manesars Ward 9 and 8 respectively  also refuted the NHAIs claim.

This is a blatant lie. The government had acquired village lands earlier. We requested the government to spare 59 acres, so that the land could be used for village purposes. Our panchayat even passed a resolution to that effect a month ago. We dont understand why the NHAI is peddling a lie, Dharamvir said.

Read I Gurgaon: Long weekend reduces road traffic as commuters cruise

Sudhir Chaudhary, a local activist, said, The land in question is still in the custody of Manesar gram panchayat. The CM has to give his approval for it to be transferred to the NHAI. Gram panchayat has had no communication from the CMs office (on the transfer) till date.

On December 26, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the transfer of 65 acres to the NHAI while inaugurating a PWD rest house in Gurgaon.

Quizzed on the NHAIs transfer claim, Gurgaon deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh assured that he would look into the matter.Scott Derrickson, the director of Marvels Doctor Strange, has been leaving a trail of revelatory insider information about Hollywood decision-making on Twitter. The filmmaker has been a vocal critic of US president Donald Trump, and has condemned sexual harassment in the industry.

His first tweet came on 30 December, in which he recounted a story about when Bob Weinstein, disgraced producer Harvey Weinsteins business partner and brother, called him to ask him for some last-minute help with a movie. Bob wanted Derrickson, who has made several horror movies such as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister, to rewrite the film Dracula 2000 just two weeks before it was supposed to begin filming. Here is their exchange.

ME: Hello?

BOB: Its Bob Weinstein. You gotta save my life.

ME: How so, Bob?

BOB: My movie needs a rewrite. Shoots in two weeks. Its called Dracula 2000. Its terrible. But Im making it anyway.

ME: If its terriblewhy make it?

BOB: Because its called Dracula 2000.#TrueStory  Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) December 31, 2017

His second tweet came on January 2. In it Derrickson recounted a conversation he had with an unnamed studio boss, who wanted him to make a movie about the Salem Witch Trials, but in which the witches were real. Derrickson responded with a pertinent question.

STUDIO HEAD: If you love the concept, well make the movie.

ME: Okay.

STUDIO HEAD: "The Salem Witch Trials, but the witches are REAL!"

ME: (pause) Thats kinda like saying "Its a holocaust movie, but the Jews deserved it"

STUDIO HEAD (pause): Ill call you back.#TrueStory  Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) January 2, 2018

The third tweet came on January 3. This time, Derrickson told a true story about casting, and how a studio head shot down his suggestions - Hilary Swank, Laura Linney and Benicio del Toro - in the most defamatory manner. According to Derrickson, the boss refused to cast del Toro in the film because, hes dirty, he smells. The studio boss reasons for not casting Linney and Swank - both Oscar winners - was laden with expletives.

ME: How about Hillary Swank?

STUDIO HEAD: I wouldnt let her wash my car



ME: Maybe Laura Linney?

PRODUCER: I wouldnt fuck her with somebody elses dick



ME: I want Benecio Del Toro

STUDIO HEAD: No

ME: Why not?

STUDIO HEAD Hes dirty, he smells, I can tell#TrueCastingStories  Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) January 3, 2018

Follow @htshowbiz for moreFilmmaker James Gunn has called actor-director Jodie Foster old-fashioned over her criticism of superhero films, saying her belief system although common, it is not totally without basis.

The director of the Marvel film franshise, Guardians of the Galaxy, posted a six-tweet response disagreeing with Fosters remark, in which she blamed the big-budget fantasy movies for ruining the viewing habits of the audiences worldwide.

Gunn said such films can be both larger-than-life and have good content.

1. I think Foster looks at film in an old-fashioned way where spectacle film cant be thought-provoking. Its often true but not always. Her belief system is pretty common and isnt totally without basis. https://t.co/IgthsjsSYm  James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018

2. I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are somewhat soulless - and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions.  James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018

3. For cinema to survive I believe spectacle films NEED to have a vision and heart they traditionally havent. And some of us are doing our best to move in that direction. Creating spectacle films that are innovative, humane, and thoughtful is what excites me about this job.  James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018

4. But, to be fair, at least from Fosters quotes, she seems to see filmmaking as something thats primarily about her own personal growth.  James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018

5. For me, that may be part of why I do this, but spending many millions of dollars on a film has to be about more than that - its communication - so my experience is merely one spoke on that wheel.  James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018

6. But I respect Foster and her talent and what shes done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywoods landscape.  James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018

I think Foster looks at film(s) in an old-fashioned way where spectacle film cant be thought-provoking. Its often true but not always. Her belief system is pretty common and isnt totally without basis.

I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are somewhat soulless - and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions, he wrote.

Gunn, 51, said according to him cinema needs spectacle films with a vision and heart and creating these movies is the best part of his job.

He partially agreed with the 55-year-old directors opinion that she seems to see filmmaking as something thats primarily about her own personal growth.

Director James Gunn and Chris Pratt (Star-Lord) on set of Guardians of the Galaxy.

For me, that may be part of why I do this, but spending many millions of dollars on a film has to be about more than that - its communication - so my experience is merely one spoke on that wheel.

But I respect Foster and her talent and what shes done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywoods landscape, Gunn added.

In a recent interview, Foster slammed big studios for promoting bad content and she does not want to be associated with films cashing in on this latest trend.

Jodie Foster has directed an episode of Black Mirrors latest season- Arkangel.

Going to the movies has become like a theme park. Studios making bad content in order to appeal to the masses and shareholders is like fracking - you get the best return right now but you wreck the earth.

Its ruining the viewing habits of the American population and then ultimately the rest of the world... she had said.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreThe ruling AIADMK on Wednesday tried to put up a show of unity by getting almost all its legislators to attend a pre-assembly session meeting where it discussed the floor strategy in the wake of rebel leader TTV Dhinakarans entry into the House.

Emerging from the meeting, held at the party headquarters, state fisheries minister D Jayakumar told media persons that 104 MLAs were present, while rest could not come as they were preoccupied with other works.

He said the absentees had taken permission from chief minister Edapaddi Palaniswami to skip the meeting.

Tamil Nadu assembly session will commence on January 8 amid speculation that many AIADMK MLAs are in touch with sidelined party leader Dhinakaran after the latters victory in the RK Nagar assembly by-election held on December 21.

Dhinakaran, who was ousted from the party in September last year, contested as an Independent candidate.

Soon after the victory from the seat which was represented by former chief minister and AIADMK leader late J Jayalalithaa at the time of her death in December 2016, Dhinakaran said the mandate proved that he was the real successor of Ammas legacy and that party supporters were with him.

The late leader was reverently called Amma (mother) by her supporters.

Jayakumar, however, denied that any of the legislators was in touch with the rebel camp led by Dhinakaran.

Neither Dhinakaran nor DMK leader MK Stalin could destabilise the government, he said after the meeting, which was addressed by Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam.

Despite downplaying Dhinakarans victory, the party advised the legislators not to be provoked by any criticism from the rebel leader

Legislators were advised to maintain caution while dealing with Dhinakaran inside the assembly and not to give him any scope criticise the behaviour of the ruling party MLAs as that could go against the partys image, said an AIADMK MLA who attended the meeting.

We will safeguard the assemblys prestige, he said adding Dhinakaran cannot do anything. His presence in the assembly will have no impact. He is a one-man army.

The party leaders also discussed the idea of owning a television channel and newspaper to propagate its views and governments achievements.

During the previous session, speaker P Dhanpal had disqualified 18 MLAs supporting Dhinakaran, bringing down the effective strength of the House to 216 from 235.

The disqualified legislators have challenged the decision in the Madras High Court.

These MLAs had petitioned the then acting state governor C Vidyasagar Rao for a change of leadership of the AIADMK legislative party.

The winter session will commence with the customary address by state governor Banwarilal Purohit.The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday initiated a probe after allegations of an outsider performing Bhairavi puja, a tantric ritual, in the sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada riled Hindu seers while the opposition YSR Congress accused chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu of ordering the ritual.

The government moved quickly to contain any fallout and shifted executive officer (EO) of the temple A Surya Kumari and replaced her with Ramachandra Mohan, EO of Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam.

Official sources said the chief ministers office (CMO) has called for a comprehensive report from the Endowments Department authorities at the earliest over the alleged tantric ritual in the temple.

The Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri Hill in Vijayawada, managed by Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, is the second most popular temple in Andhra Pradesh after Tirumala and draws lakhs of devotees throughout the year.

The Vijayawada police took three priests of the Kanaka Durga temple  Pranav, Srujan and Raja -- into custody and during the interrogation, they are learnt to have confessed to have performed some tantric puja at the behest of main priest Badrinath Babu.

The action against the temples executive officer Surya Kumari came within hours of her denying allegations of the tantric ritual. She told the media on Tuesday evening that the temple priests had performed the ritual of only cleaning the sanctum sanctorum by reciting mantras, a routine procedure done once in a month.

Ahead of the government shunting her out, she transferred Badrinath Babu to one of the smaller temples managed by the Kanaka Durga temple trust on the charges of flouting rules.

The video footage obtained by the authorities of the Endowments Department and the police revealed that the three priests along with an unidentified person were performing some rituals after the temple closed for devotees on December 26.

The temple closes for the devotees for darshan of Goddess Kanaka Durga at 9 pm, but the priests continued to perform some puja in the inner temple till 12.45 am. Unconfirmed reports said the priests had decked up the presiding deity as Goddess Kali (an aggressive form of Durga) and performed Bhairavi puja for more than two hours. They had even prepared kadamba prasadam (food to be offered to the deity) in the temple kitchen.

The alleged tantric rituals in the Kanaka Durga temple evoked strong reactions from Hindu seers. Describing it as desecration of the temple, Swamy Swaroopanandendra Saraswati of Visakha Sarada Peetham said it was unfortunate that the Hindu temples had been misused as political rehabilitation centres. He wondered why the temple was not cleansed after the alleged ritual.

I will write a letter to chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to sack all those responsible for such acts. If no action was taken, we will move the court, he said.

YSR Congress party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu alleged that the tantric rituals were performed in the Vijayawada temple only at the behest of chief minister Naidu himself, who wanted to secure divine powers for his son and IT minister Nara Lokesh so that he could become chief minister of the state in future.Maharashtra police have registered cases against two local Hindu right-wing leaders for allegedly orchestrating the violence on January 1 in Pune district that caused the death of a 28-year-old man during bicentennial celebrations of a British-era war.

The two leaders  Milind Ekbote of Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratisthan  are accused of stoking the violence near Bhima Koregaon and booked under the Scheduled Castes And Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

A separate complaint has been filed against Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid in Pune for allegedly making controversial statements during an event in the city on December 31.

Ekbote, an ex-corporator, who unsuccessfully contested civic elections on a Shiv Sena ticket in 2017, refuted the charges and said some organisations were deliberately trying to shift the blame on Hindutva outfits. Me or my organisation has never discriminated between Dalits and non-Dalits, he said. Bhide was unavailable for comment.

Maharashtra has been on the boil over the violence in Bhima Koregaon on January 1 that led to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Phatangale and left four others injured. More than 40 vehicles were burnt or damaged and several houses and shops torched at a time when hundreds of thousands of Dalits were visiting Bhima Koregaon to celebrate a 1818 war between the Peshwa and British.

Many believe Dalit soldiers in the British army helped defeat the Peshwa, who was said to have instituted oppressive caste practices.

The violence sparked angry protests across the state on Tuesday with demonstrators damaging buses, torching cars and blocking traffic. A statewide bandh has been called on Wednesday.

The case against Ekbote and Bhide came on a complaint by Anita Savale, a member of the Bahujan Republican Socialist Party. The case has been shifted to Shikrapur police station, under which Bhima Koregaon falls. The complaint against Mevani and Khalid is being probed at Vishrambaug police station in Pune.

On Tuesday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar blamed outsiders for stoking the violence. Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar also blamed Hindutva outfits and named Ekbote and Bhide. The state government has ordered a judicial probe.Chinese soldiers with road-building machines crossed up to 200 metres into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh in late December, almost reaching a border village in the Upper Siang district before Indian troops stopped them, locals in the border state said.

People in the security establishment confirmed the development to Hindustan Times on Tuesday.

Chinas latest incursion, which comes four months after the two nuclear-armed neighbours ended a tense border standoff at Doklam, a largely uninhabited plateau near the strategic India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, is a rare one for this time of the year. The Chinese rarely launch incursions in winter.

One of the people in the security establishment said that there is no face-off now but that the Chinese have left their road construction material on the site.

The Chinese have increased their road construction activities in the area in recent past, added this person, who asked not to be identified.

Locals say Indian security personnel intercepted the Chinese troops near Bising village (under Tuting subdivision), along the eastern bank of Siang river.

According to them, Indian soldiers confronted their Chinese counterparts and seized their road construction machines including two excavators.Some of the locals said they are not being allowed to go beyond Geling village, the next administrative circle after Tuting town and towards the border with China.

HT has learnt that the incursion took place around a week to 10 days ago, almost coinciding with a meeting of the special representatives of India and China in New Delhi. The two representatives, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Member of Politburo of Communist Party of Chinas Central Committee Yang Jiechi, on December 22, stressed the need to resolve border differences at the earliest and discussed confidence-building measures to ensure peace.

Duli Kamduk, the deputy commissioner of Upper Siang said: Our officials in Tuting subdivision have not reported any Chinese incursion. There is no word from the armed forces too.

The army spokesperson did not respond to queries on its version of the happenings. Army officials in the Northeast said any denial or confirmation of the incident was in the domain of the army headquarters.

The governments lethargy in developing roads and bridges in Arunachal Pradesh is encouraging China to occupy Indian land as they have already built a two-lane road to the border at many points, said Vijay Taram, a lawyer and green activist based in Pasighat, headquarters of the East Siang district.

The 73-day Doklam standoff began after the Indian Army asked China to halt road construction in Bhutanese territory. It ended on August 28 after both sides agreed to pull back their troops and China halted road construction.

During the Doval-Yang meeting, the two countries underlined the need to resolve their differences with due respect for each others sensitivities, concerns and aspirations. That dialogue marked the 20th round of talks between the special representatives to find a solution to the intractable boundary row between the two countries.Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday accused the Congress of political hypocrisy, saying the party supported the triple talaq bill in Lok Sabha, but cobbled up with other parties to stall the legislation in Rajya Sabha.

The remark came after the Upper House was adjourned for the day amid heated exchanges between BJP and the opposition over sending the triple talaq bill to select committee.

We are certainly deeply distressed by the political hypocrisy of the Congress party. They supported (the bill) in the Lok Sabha...In Rajya Sabha, they ganged up with other political parties, and opposed it, Prasad told a TV channel.

The Union minister said he had nothing to say about regional parties as they might have opposed the bill due to regional pressures.

Congress is a national party, headed by a woman. It is today denying the right of Muslim women who face humiliation and barbarism in the name of triple talaq, he charged.

The law minister also lamented recent reports of triple talaq in Moradabad and Rampur areas in Uttar Pradesh.

Such reports may not have surfaced. What does the Congress party want? Should we allow Muslim women be victimised like this? Does the Congress have some concerns about the daughters and sisters of Muslim community? he asked.

The BJP leader added that he was ready to listen to differing views of the opposition on the matter.

When asked whether he was hopeful about passage of the contentious bill in the current session of parliament, he said, We will try our best. Our commitment to gender justice is total. This government has got the political courage and commitment to stand by this cause.

We will try to persuade (the opposition parties to support the bill). I know vote bank politics is taking over the Congress party, but such politics has limitations, he added.The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday booked eight persons including four senior Customs officials for facilitating import of electronic waste (e-waste) through Kochi port.

These consignments were imported as computer spares and new photocopiers, but later it was found they were e-waste containing hazardous substances such as cadmium, according to the probe agency.

Exposure to cadmium in high doses over short periods can cause respiratory irritation, but over a long period of time, it can cause lung and kidney disorders.

The CBI found 25,000-odd used multi-functional photocopiers, mainly from US and Germany, came through the Kochi port in the last three years.

The directorate general of foreign trade stipulates a licence for importing second-hand photocopiers, classified as hazardous waste. The CBI found some of the Customs officials were aware of the fraud and they issued certificates saying they were all brand new items.

We raided 12 locations in Kochi and three in Kolkata. We have registered cases against four customs personnel and officials of a Kolkatabased domestic appliances company, a CBI spokesperson said in Kochi. Equipment worth Rs 100 crore was imported in three years, the spokesperson added.

During investigation, the agency found that multiple Kolkata-based companies that imported these machines were bogus. The machines were imported by a single agency under different names, according to the CBI.

India produced 2 million tonnes of e-waste in 2016, according to a United Nations-backed report released in December 2017.

India has one of the fastest growing electronics industries in the world, and its e-waste production is likely to touch three million tonnes in 2018.

Improper disposal of e-waste leads to toxicity from exposure to lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls through inhalation or because of build-up in the environment.Patients suffering from thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease etc will soon start getting disability certificate from designated government hospitals which were earlier denied to them for lack of guidelines.

The Union ministry of social justice and empowerment has framed guidelines for the assessment of those disabilities which were added for the first time in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Fourteen new categories of disabilities were included in April 2017 in the new Act replacing the previous law, Persons with Disabilities Act 1995. Rules to implement the new law were framed in June 2017. However, the guidelines for assessment and certification of disabilities were not immediately framed. That loophole has now been plugged.

We have already framed the guidelines and in a couple of days all the hospitals will be intimated to issue certificates to new category of disability, a social justice and empowerment ministry official told HT on Tuesday.

Hospitals, designated to issue certificates, say that every day they receive one or two patients who suffer from new disabilities.

They want to apply for certificates but we have to refuse them because there is no guideline from the ministry, says Dr Poonam Kapur, additional medical superintendent, Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in Delhi.

For instance, until we have a guideline that tells us the extent of blood disorder in a person to bring him under the definition of the disabled, we cant issue any certificate, she adds.

Disabled candidates complain that they are unable to get the benefits of reservations in admission, jobs and various government schemes for the lack of disability certificates.

I am a thalassemia patient and I want to apply for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission in MBBS. I dont know if I should select the disability option while filing the form. In case I dont come under the definition of disabled, I dont know the fate of my application, says a student.

TD Dhariyal, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Delhi says the two important issues for the government to deal with were, one, whether a particular disease falls under the category of disability and if yes then whats the percentage of the disability that can be given benefits under the law.

The government has dealt with the first part and identified 21 disabilities, out of which, 14 are new ones. Some of the new disabilities like muscular dystrophy, a disease of increasing weakening and breakdown of skeletal muscles, get covered in the previous guidelines. But disabilities based on blood disorder among others needs guideline for assessment, says Dhariyal .Doctors perform an operation on a child in Tibet. Photo: IC

For years, a mystery illness had given Lurong Dregar, 19, severe headaches and seizures, and even left the young Tibetan woman blind in her left eye. It was not until earlier this year when she underwent an MRI scan at a hospital in Xichang, some 500 kilometers away from her home, that doctors finally found the culprit - a parasite.

Bumpy mountain roads meant Dregar and 46 other locals from the Tibetan Autonomous County of Muli in Liangshan prefecture of southwest China's Sichuan Province had to travel more than two days to get the brain scans.

Eleven of them, including Dregar, were confirmed to be infected with cysticercosis, a fatal but common parasitic tapeworm disease that affects China's herding communities.

"The incidence is quite high even for infectious diseases," said Su Guohua from a hospital in the prefecture.

The disease is usually acquired by eating food or drinking water contaminated with tapeworm eggs from feces. It mainly affects herding areas in China's Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet and Xinjiang.

Matter of urgency

Local authorities in many regions are providing medication to infected residents at no charge, but patients with acute symptoms need more urgent help.

The free MRI scans Dregar and the others received were sponsored by a joint project between China and the United States. In April 1987, Tibet's capital Lhasa established a sister city relationship with the US city of Boulder, Colorado.

Since then, the two have partnered in various programs to improve education in health care, environmental protection as well as art and culture in Lhasa and other Tibetan areas in China.

"MRI brain scans are the best method to detect the disease," said Dr. Li Tiaoying at the Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention. To relieve Dregar's anguish, an immediate surgery was needed because the MRI discovered cysts and severe hydrocephalus.

The surgery cost about 9,000 yuan ($1,377), which Dregar's family was unable to afford. Bill Warnock, CEO of the Boulder-Lhasa Sister City Project, agreed to cover her surgery with donations from the project.

The five-hour operation in November was a success, and a month later, her brain pressure finally went back to normal.

"We never thought we could receive help from the United States. They gave us hope," said Dregar's father.

Warnock has visited Tibetan areas 23 times over the past three decades. Having participated in several medical programs in the region, he knows exactly how much medical treatment lags behind there.

As cysticercosis infection can be prevented through good personal hygiene and sanitation, Warnock has made it the project's next key task.

"I am very excited about this project. I think it's going to be a big chance for them to have a successful future," said Warnock.

"Next year, we plan to focus on prevention of cysticercosis through education of rural doctors working in prevalent areas of Sichuan Province."

Xinhua

Newspaper headline: Partnership of hopeOn Tuesday, Kapil Vikal could have ended up being the seventh victim of Naresh Dhankars killing spree in Palwal, if not for his prompt action.

Dhankar, a 43-year-old government official, bludgeoned six persons to death with an iron rod in a two-hour-long mayhem in the early hours of Tuesday in the Haryana town.

While three of his victims were watchmen, Dhankar also entered a hospital where he allegedly killed a woman attending to her sick relative. Five of the victims were found dead in a 400 metre radius from the Palwal city police station. All the victims had head injuries.

I was used to Dhankar creating a ruckus outside his in-laws home every few weeks. On Monday night too, Dhankar created a scene, abusing his wife and in-laws who refused to let him in. He left a little before midnight, recounted Vikal, a neighbour of Dhankars in-laws. He works as a manager with an automobile firm.

Vikal added that he was woken up around 6.30am on Tuesday by a loud rattling of his iron gates. Dhankar was back. He was shouting abuses at his wife and rattling on my gates, urging me to let him in, Vikal said.

Vikal refused to oblige, prompting Dhankar to resort to requests and pleadings. Dhankar told me he was dying due to the cold. He begged me for a cup of tea. I took pity, said Vikal.

But as soon as Vikal had unlocked the gates, Dhankar tried to barge in. It was then that I noticed the heavy iron rod in his hand. His clothes were covered in blood. He took a swipe at my hand with the rod and left me injured. But I managed to push him out and lock my gates again. He then broke an iron piece from my gate and hurled it at me from outside, recounted Vikal.

Vikal, who was alone at his house at that time, immediately tried to call the police, but failed to get through. So, he called one of his friends and urged him to bring a police team. Dhankar, meanwhile, had walked over to a neighbouring street, allowing Vikal to come out of his house and keep an eye on him.

But the moment Dhankar saw him outside, he chased him with the rod in his hand. He kept shouting that he was going to kill me. I could have been his seventh victim, had he not missed by a fraction of a second, said Vikal.

Vikal later gathered a few neighbours and ensured that the killer did not leave the area. It was around 7.15am that three police vehicles finally rolled into the neighbourhood.

When the police arrived, Dhankar ran into a house that was open. Fortunately, there was no one inside. When the policemen tried to restrain him, he attacked one of them with the rod. The police immediately responded and beat him up with their lathis, with one of the policemen even whipping out his gun, said Vikal.

Before Dhankar could be overpowered, he reportedly made a last ditch attempt to escape by jumping into a drain flowing in the neighbourhood. He, however, was overpowered, taken into custody and booked for murder.The Centre issued an advisory on Tuesday asking states to include milk in the midday meal scheme and other nutritional programmes with a view to tackle high levels of malnourishment in the country, an official said.

The advisory also told states to make milk a part of the supplementary-nutrition programmes of anganwadi, a chain of 1.4 million mother and childcare centres funded by the women and child development ministry, which also provide pre-school education and health services.

The Centre is also recalibrating policies to focus on nutrition and hunger with an aim to improve the national nutritional outcomes, another official said requesting anonymity

The Centres advisory comes amid high milk output, which is more than sufficient to meet the countrys requirement, the official cited in the first instance said. Government data showed that from 2013-14 to 2016-17, Indias milk production shot up by 18.81% to reach 163.6 million tonnes, the highest in the world.

Hunger problem

Despite a series of interventions, such as the National Food Security Act, 2013, India continues to witness a serious hunger problem, International Food Policy Research Institutes (IFPRI) Global Hunger Index (GHI) Report, 2017, stated.

According to the report, More than a fifth of Indias children under 5 weigh too low for their height and over a third are too short for their age.

The report ranked India 100th among 119 developing countries, behind Iraq and North Korea, on GHI.

I hope the Centre assures states that it will make adequate funding provisions. That is the key. In the interest of decentralisation, the menu of school meals is best left to states, according to local preferences but milk and eggs are essential, said Radhika Singh of Balahita Trust.

Under the mid-day meal programme, the cost of foodgrains is borne by the Centre, while the cost of vegetables, pulses, oil, condiments and fuel is shared by the central and state governments in the 60:40 ratio, in most cases.

In the north-eastern states, the Centre bears 90% of the schemes financial burden.

BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh had last year shot down a proposal by one the states departments to introduce eggs in school meals, citing religious sensibilities. The state has one of the highest proportions of malnourished children among the states in India.

A Project Evaluation of Entitlement Programmes (PEEP) survey of IIT-Delhi had found that Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh were among states that excluded eggs from school menu.As anticipated, the budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature began on a stormy note on Tuesday as an unrelenting Opposition including Congress and National Conference (NC) first interrupted governor NN Vohras address to both the houses of legislature and then staged a walkout.

At 11 am sharp, the governor reached the central hall. As soon as the national anthem ended upon his arrival, the governor was about to start his address when members of the Opposition stood up from their chairs and started shouting slogans.

Senior NC MLA Mohammad Shafi Uri started reading out from a written memorandum listing charges against the government. The governor gave him a patient hearing and asked him to submit the memorandum so that he can begin his speech. Though Shafi handed over the memorandum to the governor, Opposition MLAs resorted to sloganeering when Vohra started his address.

After a brief pause, the governor began his address amid high-pitched protests, noisy scenes and thumping of desks in a bid to disrupt his speech, but he continued his address.

I firmly believe that dialogue is the core of a strong and vibrant parliamentary democracy. Looking forward to a fructuous winter session of the Assembly. 

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti

Holding placards in their hands which read  "restore the spirit of Panchayati Raj Act" , "Panchayat ki taqat ko wapis karo", " Zamhoriyat Ki Qatil Sarkar Awam ko Jawab Do," " Zalimo Hosh Mein Aayo", and " Awam Dushman Sarkar Hai Hai".

While Congress legislators raked up the issue of weakening of the Panchayati Raj Act by the present PDP- BJP government, NC was furious over alleged human rights abuse and deteriorating security scenario in Kashmir.

Vohra, on a couple of occasions, asked the Opposition to stay calm but it was of no use. Later, talking to media outside the central Hall, leader of the Congress Legislative Party, Nawang Rigzin Jora said they boycotted the address because the present government violated the constitutional provisions by not holding the session within the stipulated time period of six months.

"They held the session for three days in Srinagar for the passage of GST Bill. That was not a proper session," he said. He also lashed out at the government saying that by not implementing the 73rd amendment of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, this government has deliberately left the door open for horse-trading.

NC members boycotted the address on alleged human rights abuse, missing basic amenities and poor power scenario. The ruckus continued for 18 minutes and the NC and Congress legislators staged a walkout in the middle of the governors address.

However, Independent MLA Engineer Rasheed Ahmed continued interrupting the governor address with his protests by speaking on the governments failure to save innocent lives in Kashmir.

Speaking to the media, NC MLA Ali Mohmmad Sagar said the government had failed on all fronts from security to governance. NC MLA Ali Mohammed Sagar said that party has submitted a memorandum to governor on the total failure of the government and demanding its dismissal.

NC is of the opinion that the present Government has brought the state to a passe where the identity of the state and its constitutional status is being challenged and is under threat. The present dispensation has failed to protect the special status guaranteed to the state and its people under Article 370 and 35-A of the Constitution of India, he said.

He also expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in the state and the continued political vacuum that has affected the states human rights situation, economy and growth adversely.

Paying for Cong-NC misdeeds: PDP

Talking to the media, the public works department minister and spokesperson of the ruling PDP-BJP alliance Naeem Akhtar said he was upset over the unruly behavior of the Opposition. They (Congress and NC) sowed the seeds of the venom of terrorism in the past 50 to 60 years in the state and we are paying for their misdeeds, he said.

It was a solemn occasion but they didnt maintain decorum. It was inept on their part, he said. He also said that the previous NC-Congress government had played havoc with the administrative machinery. They appointed casual workers, unpaid workers while our government regularised 60,00 casual workers. We also brought reforms in the financial system, he said.

Earlier this morning, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti posted on her twitter account, saying, I firmly believe that dialogue is the core of a strong and vibrant parliamentary democracy. Looking forward to a fructuous winter session of the Assembly.

Panchayat elections from Feb a cruel joke

While the PDP-BJP alliance had earlier announced the Panchayat elections from February 15 this year, Congress and NC have called it a cruel joke with the people of the state as the government has not implemented the 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution to the J&K Panchayati Raj Act.

In 1992, the Indian Parliament had passed the 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution to strengthen the Panchayati Raj System and remove its inherent weaknesses.

The broader contours of the 73rd Amendment talk about creation of a State Election Commission to conduct elections to Panchayats, five-year tenure of Panchayats (fresh polls within six months, if dissolved before tenure), state finance commission to review their fiscal health, one-third reservation for women and reservation for SC/STs.Jet Airways has grounded two of its senior pilots following a mid-air fight on a London-Mumbai flight on January 1, in which the male commander allegedly slapped his female co-pilot.

The incident took place this Monday, when the aircraft was over the Iran-Pakistan airspace, and was 2.45 hours away from its destination, an airline source told PTI .

When contacted, a Jet Airways spokesperson said there was a misunderstanding between the cockpit crew and the same was resolved amicably and quickly.

A misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew of 9W119 London-Mumbai flight on January 1. However, the same was quickly resolved amicably and the flight with 324 guests including two infants and 14 crew members completed its journey in Mumbai safely, the airline spokesperson said.

However, the source alleged that the male pilot, who has been working with the airline for over a decade, had some argument with the female commander.

The source said these two senior pilots have been flying together for many years and have had arguments in the past as well. But that on the Monday flight, arguments turned violent and he slapped her, after which she came out of the cabin crying, the source said.

The cabin crew persuaded her to go back to the cockpit but she refused. Following this, the male pilot came out of the cockpit, leaving the operations to the care of a cabin crew (which is a violation of flight safety norms) and persuaded her to return to the cockpit, the source said.

The airline has reported the matter to the DGCA and the pilots involved in the incident have been taken off duties pending investigation that is underway, the airline spokesperson said.Protesters briefly disrupted train services and pelted stones at state-run buses in a few areas in Mumbai on Wednesday during a state-wide shutdown to protest Mondays violence in Bhima Koregaon in Pune district as the Centre and Congress party sparred over the issue in Parliament.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations erupted at Bhima Koregaon and neighbouring villages during the celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of a British-Peshwa battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwas army. (Catch LIVE updates here)

A 28-year-old man was killed in the violence.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge blamed the RSS and Hindutva outfits for the violence against Dalits in Bhima Koregaon, saying they were to trying drive a wedge in the society.

A Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in the Bhima Koregaon violence. The PM should also give a statement, he cannot stay mum. He is a mauni baba (mute spectator) on such issues, he said in the Lok Sabha.

The government, however, accused the Congress of politicising the incident.

Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega (Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are trying to add fuel to the fire. The country will not tolerate it), parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said.

Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahi hai. Aur Sabka saath sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain (The Congress is using the divide and rule policy. And Narendra Modiji is trying to bring the country together through the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas policy), he said.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2pm as several opposition members, including those from the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party, raised the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra.

The shutdown evoked a greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Nagpur and other cities.

In the morning, Dalit protesters jumped on railway tracks, shouting slogans and waving flags to block tracks at the Thane railway station, but were prevented by the security forces and the traffic on the Central Railway line remained uninterrupted, said a railway official.

Protesters also tried to block rail traffic on the Western line in suburban Goregaon, said a police official.

In Mumbai, schools and colleges opened as usual but schoolbuses stayed off roads as a precaution. A private school bus was stoned in Chembur but there were no injuries.

While the state government clarified that it has not declared a school holiday, bus operators said they wont run school buses in Mumbai.

We cant risk students safety and security. Will take a second decision at 11 am if we can run them in the second half, depending on the situation, a School Bus Owners Association spokesperson said.

St Xaviers College in south Mumbai cancelled the Class 11 examinations, college authorities said.

Though many taxi-auto rickshaw unions have supported the shutdown, the citys lifeline, the suburban trains and the BEST (Bombay Electric Supply And Transport) bus services were plying near-normally.

Some autos and taxis were also seen plying in various areas, but the famed Dabbawalas cancelled their services for the day. Many shops and establishments also opened for work as usual in the city and the suburbs and there were the familiar crowds on roads and highways.

In Pune, shopkeepers opened their establishments and public transport was running smoothly during the morning hours but many schools in the city were shut after the authorities asked students not to come as a precautionary measure.

Officially, we did not declare that we will close the school. But, we are not taking any attendance. If parents want to bring their children to schools, then its fine, principal of St Joseph School Flory Fargose said.

Some parents chose to keep their children home, others were rendered helpless as the pool-cars and school vans did not come to pick them.

We were waiting and anxious in the morning about the situation in schools, but eventually couldnt send our child to school today, as the van driver refused to come, Suresh Nikam, a parent, said.

None of us are going to pick the students for school in this high-risk situation. This was decided last night itself, Sachin Dinde, a van-driver from Vishrantwadi, said.

The Savitribai Phule Pune University postponed its examination for MCom to avoid possible inconvenience to the students.

Many state transport buses did not ply between Pune and nearby villages in view of the violence, said officials.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near-total shutdown, as also Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar. Internet services were suspended in Aurangabad for the day.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses in some sensitive districts have been suspended as a precaution after it suffered damages to 187 buses in Tuesdays violence.

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by the grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, called for a peaceful Maharashtra shutdown on Wednesday to express anger over the Pune incidents of January 1.

The shutdown call has elicited support from various Dalit parties, Leftist parties, some Maratha groups with the likelihood of other parties supporting it.

Prakash Ambedkar has alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi was responsible for the violence. He said Maharashtra Democratic Front, Maharashtra Left Front and some 250 other organisations have supported his call.

Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, who was in Mumbai on Tuesday, alleged that the attacks on Dalits in Pune district were carried out by supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

These organisations are modern-day Peshwas, representing Brahminism in its worst form. Two hundred years ago, our forefathers fought against the Peshwas. Today, Dalits of my generation are fighting against the new Peshwas, he said.

Why cant Dalits peacefully commemorate the anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle? The attackers have resorted to such methods because they are scared of Dalit assertion, he said.

Pune Police said on Tuesday that they have received a complaint against Mevani and Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid for their provocative speeches at an event in Pune on December 31.

Mevani and Khalid had attended the Elgar Parishad, an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in Pune.

Hundreds of thousands of people gather at Bhima Koregaon every year to mark the anniversary of an 1818 war between the British and the Peshwa.

Many Dalit leaders believe the war was won by the British with the help of Dalit soldiers in the regiment, who defeated a large army of the Peshwa, who was alleged to have instituted oppressive caste practices.

The celebrations gathered momentum in 1927 after BR Ambedkar visited the spot and called the Bhima Koregaon battle a war against caste. Historians are divided on the subject.

But this year, the celebrations have been controversial, with several right-wing groups, such as the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasangh calling the event anti-national.The protests by Dalits in Maharashtra spread to adjoining Gujarat on Wednesday, where members of the community took out a rally in Surat and shouted slogans outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office.

A Dalit group held a protest march in Udhna locality to express solidarity with the community members in Maharashtra over the caste violence in Pune district on January 1.

The Maharashtra bandh, however, was withdrawn later in the day.

Hundreds of Dalit community members gathered under the banner of Samast Ambedkar Samaj and took out a rally. They briefly staged a dharna in front of a stationary train at Udhna Railway Station and blocked a road, affecting the movement of traffic for a while.

Dalit groups had called for a bandh in Maharashtra to protest the violence over the bicentennial celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

We organised a rally to express solidarity with the members of our community who protested against the violence near Pune.

As per our plan, we took out the rally in Udhna and blocked a train and road traffic, and shouted slogans outside the BJP headquarters, said Kunal Sonawane who led the protesting group.

Police said the protest was peaceful and no such agitation was reported from anywhere in the state.

Gujarats in-charge DGP Pramod Kumar said the Surat protesters had sought police permission to organise the march.

Some 150-200 people had sought permission from the Commissioner of Police to organise a rally, and they were given permission for the same. No untoward incident was reported during the protest, he told reporters.

Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja and senior police officials held a meeting to assess law and order situation in Gujarat following developments in Maharashtra. Kumar also participated in the meeting.

Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwas army. Right-wing groups have been blamed for the clashes which left one person dead.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Companys forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of Dalit assertiveness.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday discussed the intensification of Indo-Russia ties with President Vladimir Putin, as the two sides agreed to strengthen the bilateral special and privileged partnership.

Modi, during a telephonic conversation, greeted the Russian leader on the occasion of the New Year, a release from the Indian Embassy in Moscow said.

They discussed the intensification of the bilateral relations between India and Russia and their cooperation in the international forums, the release said.

They positively reviewed the exchanges between the two countries in 2017 and agreed to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, it said.A majority of public grievances were raised against governments of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi on a range of issues last year, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Around 3 lakh grievances were received by the Centre against the Uttar Pradesh government, 1.81 lakh complaints against Maharashtra and 1,65,310 complaints against Delhi, between January and November in 2017, minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.

These grievances were received through the Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) -- a centralised system to receive public complaints against various government organisations.

A total of 17.28 lakh grievances were received through the CPGRAMS in 2017 (till November).

About 2.88 lakh and 1.65 lakh grievances related to Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments, respectively were disposed of, the minister said.

In case of the Delhi government, a total of 1,65,486 complaints as against 1,65,310 grievances filed, were disposed of. Around 170 more grievances, brought forward from previous years, were cleared in 2017, Singh said.

There were 2.41 lakh and 1.36 lakh grievances against Uttar Pradesh government in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Maharashtra had got 1.71 lakh and 87,711 complaints in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Whereas, the Delhi government had 1.63 lakh and 1.24 lakh public grievances respectively, he said.

A total of 14.83 lakh and 10.49 lakh grievances were received on the CPGRAMS during 2016 and 2015, respectively.

There were 91,926 complaints against BJP-ruled Rajasthan government, 81,275 against Madhya Pradesh, 77,560 against Gujarat and 26,738 against Chhattisgarh during 2017, the minister said.

Karnataka had got 88,074 public grievances, West Bengal 85,440, Haryana 74,002, Tamil Nadu 71,525, Bihar 64,852, Kerala 43,893, Punjab 36,819, Telangana 33,037, Jharkhand 32,759, Odisha 32,225 and Andhra Pradesh 30,020, between January and November last year, he said.

Uttarakhand got 29,263 public complaints, Assam 23,950, Himachal Pradesh 12,991, Jammu and Kashmir 11,757, Chandigarh 9,215, Goa 4,182 and Tripura 3,135, Singh said.

There were 2,233 complaints against Meghalaya, 2,220 against Puducherry, 2,144 against Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 1,544 against Manipur, 1,002 against Arunachal Pradesh, 701 against Nagaland, 674 against Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 585 against Sikkim, 491 against Daman and Diu and 104 against Lakshadweep administrations during the same period, the MoS added.Expressing concern over the rude behaviour of domestic airlines employees towards passengers, a parliamentary panel said in a report that air carriers should train their staff in soft skills in order to improve consumer satisfaction.

The panel on transport, tourism and culture, in its draft report titled Issues Related to Improving Consumers Satisfaction of Airlines, particularly singled out Indigo airlines for its employees misbehaviour. The airline has been shrouded in a controversy after its staff manhandled a passenger last year

While narrating some of the incidents of misbehaviour in airlines, especially in Indigo, majority of the members opined that the attitude of the airlines staff is very condescending, often uncooperative and on many occasions, downright rude, the report said.

The panel has asked the government to frame a standardised training programme suitable to Indian conditions, emphasising courteous behaviour to the passengers.

Indias civil aviation sector has seen a boom in terms of passenger growth but it has been accompanied by a rise in complaints related to customer service, flight cancellation and delays.

People familiar with the matter said the panel, headed by Trinamool Congress Derek OBrien, also took note of the incident in which an Indigo ground staff manhandled a passenger at the Delhi Airport in October. The airline later apologised to the flyer and explained its employees actions to Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Indias aviation regulatory body,

When contacted, Indigo declined to comment on the House panels report.

Indias aviation sector has seen double digit growth for over three years. Among the domestic airlines, IndiGo dominated Indian skies with a market share of 39.5% in November followed by Jet Airways at 17.4%, Air India at 13.5%, SpiceJet at 12.6% and GoAir at 8.9%.

The panels draft report, to be presented in Parliament during the winter session, said the problems affecting airlines are not personal but institutional. It recommended that employees of airlines should be trained to effectively manage crises such as delays and diversion.

The parliamentary committee also criticised the training process adopted by the airlines. In some cases, the training programmes are non-existent or just for namesake, the report stated.

The panel has asked the government to make arrangements so that passengers dont need to spend more than 10 minutes at check-in counters. Aviation experts, however, pointed out that the responsibility to reduce long queues is also that of airport operators. They will have to provide more space to airlines to increase the number of counters and hence reduce delays while checking in, they added.Ministry of defence has called off an order to buy Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israels state-owned defence contractor Rafael, the company said on Wednesday.

The deal was worth about $500 million and the announcement of its termination came just a couple of weeks before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit India.

Indian officials had no immediate comment.

The countries have grown closer since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rose to power in 2014, broadening commercial cooperation beyond their long-standing defence ties.

Modi became the first sitting Indian prime minister to visit Israel last summer, and Netanyahu will fly to India on Jan. 14.

Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian ministry of defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems, the company said.

Rafael, whose CEO will join Netanyahu on his trip, said the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the final contract and despite its compliance with all demands.The Chinese-built 756 km electrified rail project connecting landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti officially started commercial operations on Monday with a ceremony held in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Contracted by two Chinese companies, the first 320 km of the rail project from Sebeta to Mieso was carried out by the China Rail Engineering Corporation (CREC), while the remaining 436 km from Mieso to Djibouti port section was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Shide, Ethiopian Minister of Transport, hailed the standard gauge project a milestone in China-Africa cooperation.

In addition to further enhancing economic ties as well as the people-to-people links between Ethiopia and Djibouti, it will have significant contribution to the ongoing development efforts of building a new Ethiopia, said the minister.

Commending China as well as other stakeholders for their contribution towards the successful realization of the rail project, the minister urged local people, especially residents living by the line of the rail to take care of it for its successful and sustainable operation.

Emphasizing on its huge significance and importance, Tan Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, noted that the project would contribute to the industrialization and diversification of the Ethiopian economy, and also towards successful implementation of the country's growth and transformation plan.

"It is the first trans-boundary and longest electrified railway on the African continent. We, the Chinese, see this as earlier harvest project of the Belt and Roadinitiative. It is regarded by many as a lifeline project for both countries, for Ethiopia and for Djibouti. And we see this as a railway of development; as a railway of cooperation; and as a railway of friendship," he said.

The ambassador has reiterated China's commitment to further cooperating and closely working with Ethiopia and Djibouti to the railway's smooth operation.

The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway project has been carried out with an investment of 4 billion US dollars, and China's Exim Bank has provided a loan.

Speaking on his part, Djibouti Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohamed Idriss Farah, said the railway project would have significant contribution to the economic integration between Djibouti and Ethiopia.

"This is important corridor, important railways between Djibouti and Ethiopia; we are working for our economic integration between our two countries. And this project was part of the economic integration, but not only economic integration but also connecting the peoples of Djibouti and Ethiopia," said the ambassador.

The railway provides both passenger and freight services between Addis Ababa and Djibouti.A day prior to the Lethpora attack, the Jammu and Kashmir police shared specific and actionable intelligence with senior CRPF officials about the impending attack by terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives who were carrying armour-piercing bullets.

Five personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) died in the attack that went on for 36 hours in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on December 31.

Muneer Khan, Inspector General (Kashmir Range) of Jammu and Kashmir police shared with his counterpart in the CRPF in Srinagar, Ravideep Sahi, (details of ) the imminent attack on Lethpora, a senior Jammu and Kashmir police official said on condition of anonymity.

Intel was very specific about the Lethpora camp being the target of Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives and attack was supposed to begin on night of December 31 at 1am. The attack actually began at 2:15am, he added.

The official said that prior to this, Indias external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) also shared intelligence with CRPF that the residences of its two inspectors general in Srinagar might by attacked by Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists.

Yes, there was an intelligence input that was shared locally by the Jammu and Kashmir police with regard to Lethpora camp. After getting the inputs, we had taken adequate measures to secure the camp and thats why we managed to kill one of the attackers in the outer cordon itself, said CRPF chief RR Bhatnagar.

The Lethpora camp houses the Pre-Induction Training Centre and the 185 battalion headquarters of CRPF. It is spread over 131 acres and has a perimeter of around 4.5kms. The perimeter wall outside the camp is still not complete and has been covered with concertina wire. CRPF officials admitted it is poorly guarded.

After getting the inputs, night patrols were activated and even a Jammu and Kashmir police deputy superintendent of police was on patrol with us, said Bhatnagar.

This is not the first time in recent years that despite specific and actionable intelligence, terrorists and their handlers sitting across the border in Pakistan have managed to carry out attacks.

Hours before the attack on the Pathankot airbase began on the intervening night of January 1 and 2, 2016, Indian security agencies managed to pick up conversations between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan which suggested an imminent attack on military installations in Pathankot. The initial inputs about terrorists roaming in the area came from Punjabs superintendent of police Salwinder Singh whose vehicle was hijacked by the attackers on the night of December 31.

Domestic intelligence agency, Intelligence Bureau issued alerts with regard to a possible suicide attack in Uri area, prior to the targeting of the army brigade headquarters in Uri.

The CRPF chief who visited the camp on Tuesday said two CRPF men received injuries while in a bullet-proof vehicle because the terrorists were using armour-piercing bullets.

After one attacker was shot dead in the outer cordon, the second attacker went inside and took stairs to the type-two quarters building and reached at the fourth floor. He was cornered there by our room intervention team and killed. One of our boys died there. The third attacker went to nearby type-four quarters building which houses the signal room and a base clinic. One of our inspectors, who was in the signal room, died due to cardiac arrest while being evacuated, added Bhatnagar.

Security personnel flew drones to locate the position of third terrorist and once all personnel were evacuated from the type-four building, they fired mortars, almost demolishing it, Bhatnagar said.

There were around 300 personnel in the camp at the time of attack.

The CRPFs three-page report on the attack to the Union home ministry has given details about action taken by the force to neutralise the attackers.Seeking early construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, several Hindu religious leaders have said the government should treat those, who sacrificed their lives or were jailed during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, on par with the freedom fighters.

It is the responsibility of the (Narendra) Modi and Yogi (Adityanath) governments to accord the status of Ram Sevaks to those who sacrificed their lives or were jailed during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and treat them on par with the freedom fighters, said a resolution passed at a gathering of Hindu religious leaders.

The resolution was passed at the Vaicharik Mahakumbh, a four-day conclave of over 50 mahamandaleshwars from across the country, held at Bhayander, near Mumbai, from December 29 to January 1.

Another resolution, passed at the gathering said a Ram temple should be built at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh at the earliest as it was a matter of belief of 125 crore Hindus, said a mahamandaleshwar, who took part in the meet.

Mahamandaleshwar is a title used by Hindu seers of the Dashanami order of renunciates (swamis), founded by Shankaracharya, and refers to a person who has been elevated by his peers to the highest level of traditional Hindu spiritual guardianship.

The participants at the meet, which was organised by Anantshri Vibhushith Mahamandaleshwar Swami Chidambaranand Saraswati Maharaj, passed another resolution, seeking a ban on cow slaughter in the country and a declaration of cow as the national animal and the Bhagavad Gita as the national literature.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded former Sikh bureaucrat and Union minister of state (independent charge) of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country.

The 65-year-old leader, belonging to the second biggest minority group in UP, filed the nomination for the seat vacated by former defence minister Manohar Parrikar after his appointment as the chief minister of Goa.

With the BJP having the requisite numbers, his election is a mere formality. Once he is formally declared elected, Puri would be expected to adopt and nurture villages in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, along with deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma and other ministers, walked down from the BJP office to the Vidhan Bhawan building to show support for Puri. The CM said that the partys decision would benefit the state.

After thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, Puri said representing UP was an honour for him.

In coordination with PM Modi and CM Yogi, we will do whatever we can for the development of UP, he said.

Though Puri had two months time, the BJP leadership decided to utilise the existing vacancy to field him from a state where the previous Samajwadi Party government had appointed a Sikh, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, as a cabinet minister for the first time.

During the 2017 UP assembly elections, Ramoowalia had said that though numerically small, Sikhs influenced voting in around 30 assembly constituencies of the state.

The BJPs ally in Punjab  the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had held meetings in the state ahead of the assembly elections to galvanise the community in favour of the BJP.

The Yogi Adityanath government already has a Sikh face in Baldev Aulakh, a BJP lawmaker from Bilaspur. Inducted into the Modi ministry on September 3, Puri needed to fulfil the constitutional requirement of becoming a member of either house of the Parliament within six months.

A BJP office-bearer who was present to support Puris candidature said, Muslims are not the only minority in the country. There are others who are conveniently forgotten. BJP does not believe in vote bank politics. The decision shows our focus on Sabka saath, sabka vikas.

In his bureaucratic career spanning 39 years, Puri held many top positions in India and abroad including permanent representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva and New York, president of the United Nations Security Council and chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council in 2011-12.Indias financial capital ground to a halt on Wednesday as Dalit groups damaged buses, blocked roads, railway lines and Metro services to protest against the death of a 28-year-old man and violence near the bicentennial celebrations of a British-era war. (Bandh highlights)

Daily life also came to a standstill in the suburbs of Thane, Dombivali, Navi Mumbai and across Maharashtra in cities such as Nagpur, Pune and Aurangabad because of a statewide bandh. The bandh was called off later in the day.

Inquiry will be conducted in the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra. We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the evening.

Echoes of the protest also reached Parliament in Delhi where the Congress disrupted Lok Sabha to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of fuelling violence against Dalits.

We demand that the prime minister, who shows sympathy for Dalits during polls, should clarify his position inside Parliament on violence against Dalits, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.

Protesters block the road on Western Express Highway at Khar in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

The bandh, called by BR Ambedkars grandson Prakash Ambedkar and supported by 250 groups, was against violence that broke out near Bhima Koregaon, 40 kilometres from Pune, on January 1 that left one man dead and 40 vehicles charred or damaged.

Hundreds of thousands of Dalits had gathered to commemorate the 200th anniversary of a battle between the Peshwa, the erstwhile rulers of the state, and the British. Many believe the Dalit soldiers in the British army defeated the much larger army of the Peshwa, who is said to have instituted oppressive caste practices.

Barring a couple of incidents, the bandh was observed in peaceful manner. Like minded groups and left parties participated in the bandh, said Prakash Ambedkar, calling off the bandh around 4.15pm. He also demanded the arrest of two Hindu right-wing leaders  against whom FIR has been registered for allegedly inciting the January 1 violence  and warned the state government. If the government fails to act, it will have to bear the consequences, he said.

The two accused are Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratisthan from Sangli and Milind Ekbote of the Hindu Ekta Aghadi from Pune. These two should face similar action to that of Yakub Memon in the Mumbai blasts. They are also terrorists, added Prakash Ambedkar.

Protesters block the road on Western Express Highway at Bandra in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

Response to the bandh was lukewarm in the morning but picked up by afternoon when protesters started targeting railway stations. Train services on the Western, Central and Harbour line were crippled by afternoon as protestors sat on tracks at Dadar, Thane, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Goregaon, Virar, Andheri, Kalyan, Kanjurmarg railway stations.

Registration of FIRs is going on at different places. More than 150 miscreants detained at different places, says Mumbai police spokesperson Sachin Patil in the evening.

Shops across the city voluntarily shut as protesters,including women, picketed areas such as Powai, Dadar, Chembur, Bandra East, Ghatkopar etc. Police were out in large numbers on roads and at stations but said they had been asked to not take action unless the protesters indulged in violence. We have directed the police to not resort to lathi charge or any aggressive steps until the protests are held in peaceful manner. The protestors too have restrained from violent steps, said an officer from home department on the condition of anonymity.

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST) buses were vandalised and stone pelting was reported from some locations city. Mumbai Metro services were affected too in the morning due to the protests and services between Airport and Ghatkopar were temporarily shut.

Major arterial roads such as the Western and Eastern Express highways, Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, SV Road, LBS Marg were also blocked by protestors at various locations. Section 144 was imposed in Thane. Hundreds of protesters took out a bike rally in Thane. Two state-owned buses and an auto-rickshaw were vandalised, leading to injuries to four people.

The bandh evoked a mix response in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. While shops and other commercial establishments were open, some schools were shut. There were two incidents of stone pelting in the morning.

Nagpur and other parts of the Vidarbha region on Tuesday witnessed road blockades and vandalism against the violence at event marking the 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune.

Shops were closed at chief minister Devendra Fadnavis Mul village in Chandrapur district after several Dalit organisations protested against the violence in which one person was killed. Miscreants damaged a couple of state-run buses.

The Vidarbha region, including Nagpur, saw some incidents of stone pelting and damage to property. A large number of protesters blocked the busy Jabalpur-Hyderabad highway and blocked interstate bus services.

(With agency inputs)Last week, AIADMK parliamentarian A Navaneethakrishnan demanded shifting of Parliaments winter session outside Delhi due to high levels of pollution in the national capital.

The demand captures the inadequacy of societys response to the problem of air pollution. Everybody worries about pollution during winter but disregards it once things improve because of climatic factors. Even Google search data suggests that online searches regarding pollution peak in winter months.

It is a known fact that peninsular India is much better in terms of air quality than the northern parts.

For 11 cities in the north, including Gurgaon, Delhi and Lucknow, the air quality index (AQI)  a measure of pollution  was either poor, very poor or severe on 47% days in 2017, Hindustan Timess analysis of daily PM2.5 data shows. (PM refers to minute pollutants called particulate matter that lodge deep in the lungs.)

In 12 cities lying in the peninsular region  that includes Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad  the air quality was poor or worse on just 4% of the days. On 96% of the days, the air was either good, moderate or satisfactory.

Not all people living in north India can think of migrating to cleaner places in winter despite the fact that health hazards due to air pollution are too dangerous to ignore.

This underlines the need for putting in place a holistic strategy to deal with air pollution. The first prerequisite of formulating any such strategy is the availability of detailed data, across time and regions, on pollution. An HT analysis shows there are big gaps on all counts.

The online portal of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) provides air quality data from government-operated air quality monitoring stations across the country.

According to data on the CPCB website, there are 94 such monitoring stations across 53 cities. But not all of them function regularly. In 2017, at least 54 stations functioned for more than nine months. But 26 stations had data for less than three months. Still, this is an improvement. In 2015, just 19 stations functioned for more than nine months.

Defunct stations are not a problem in just smaller cities. For instance, in Kolkata, no PM2.5 data for 2017 is available on the CPCB website.

Most cities neither have enough stations nor do they cover all pollutants. For example, only 23 cities had at least one monitoring station providing PM2.5 data for more than 80% of the days.

Of this, 17 had just one station. Delhi had the most: nine active monitoring stations, as per the CPCB portal. Other organisations, such as SAFAR, have their own monitors but are not part of the CPCB portal.

The lack of stations is problematic: a single station doesnt capture the spatial distribution of pollution in the city.

This (single stations) is inadequate as it generates a statistically insignificant sample to represent the city or the range of sources contributing to the air pollution problem in the city, says the website of Urban Emissions (India), an independent research group on air pollution.

Based on a thumb rule proposed by CPCB and the district-level urban and rural population (as per 2011 census), Urban Emissions estimate the need for 4,000 continuous monitoring stations (2,800 urban and 1,200 rural) to spatially, temporally, and statistically represent the PM2.5 pollution in the urban and the rural areas of India.

Sarath Guttikunda, the director of Urban Emissions, estimates that the government would need to spend Rs 7,500 crore every year for the next ten years. Heres hoping that the New Year would see parliament demanding more funds for improving pollution monitoring than seeking greener pastures during Delhis toxic winter.There is nothing quite like getting married in India with the sheer number of ceremonies, guests, and the pomp and grandeur adding to the experience.

And this warmth spurred a Japanese couple to fly 6,400km from Tokyo to a south Indian city to tie the knot in a traditional ceremony on Sunday.

According to The News Minute, Chiharu Obata and Yuto Ninaga got married in April last year in a small ceremony in their home country. But Obata, who is doing linguistic research in Tamil Nadu since 2014, nurses a special love for the state and its culture.

The 27-year-old came in contact with V Vinodhini and her husband Venkatesh - a couple from Madurai now settled in Japan. And they were behind all the arrangements for the Japanese couple so that they could get married in a Hindu ceremony in the temple city.

From exchanging the wedding vows in Tamil to taking the sathapathi or seven rounds around the fire, the wedding went strictly by the book. The couple also had their wedding cards printed in Tamil.

Many people in Japan desist from marrying the traditional way. Some get married in a church but we decided to do it here. Both sides of the family barely needed any convincing. Im really happy today, Obata told The Hindu.

Obata, who now speaks smooth Tamil, credits the fluency to her research on similarities between the south Indian and Japanese culture.

Speaking to The News Minute, her husband Ninaga revealed his fondness for Kollywood actors Dhanush, Vijay and said that he took inspiration from them to tie his veshti - a long loincloth traditionally worn during weddings.

The 31-year-old said he was getting used to the Tamil culture, even as the rituals were foreign to him.

The wedding was also attended by their families  all of whom dressed in traditional Indian attire.Eleven people were killed and 12 injured in a head-on collision between a Rajasthan public transport bus and a truck on National Highway 11 in Sikar district on Wednesday, said police.

The bus driver was trying to overtake another bus when it collided with the truck coming from the opposition direction around 8am, police added.

The accident took place near a village in Fatehpur on the Bikaner Road (NH-11), about 60 km from Sikar. The bus was coming from Sardarshahr to Jaipur.

The bus was completely damaged and we are in the process of identifying the deceased. Either the bus driver or the conductor has died. We are in the process of verifying as the bodies have been severely mangled, said Sabbir Khan, station house officer (SHO) of Fatehpur Sadar police station.

The truck driver is among the deceased. The 12 injured have been admitted to hospitals in Sikar and Jaipur, the SHO added.

Police identified eight of the deceased as Barkat Ali, Mani Ram, Sirajuddin, Noparam, Rajendra, Gopiram, Shakeel and Surendra.

Of the 12 injured, three were critical and referred to a hospital in Jaipur.

Sikar collector Naresh Kumar Thakral, Superintendent of Police Vinit Kumar and other officials reached the spot to supervise relief operations.

The district administration declared a compensation of Rs 50,000 each for the kin of the deceased.

The accident came within hours of another in the state in which eight persons were killed and six injured.

The victims were returning from a wedding in a tempo when it collided with a truck in Renwal in Jaipur district on Tuesday night, said police.

Police identified the deceased as Pappu Pareek, Mohammad Ali (36), Shareef (45), Shama Bano (35), Gulshan Bano (56), Firoz (35) and Rihan (9) and Aahil (3), the police said.

(With inputs from PTI)Tourists visiting Bharatpurs Keoladeo National Park will not be able to enjoy boating, one of the main attractions at the sanctuary famous for migratory birds, due low level of water in the lake, officials said.

Last year, boating was provided for tourists following a good monsoon in the district and water released from the Panchna Dam in Karauli but scanty rainfall during the monsoon has lowered the water level of the lake this season, they said.

The park has four boats joyrides in lake and for tourists to watch migratory birds that roost in the trees to the lake.

Thousands of migratory birds from Europe, Siberia, China and Asia visit to park for nesting on the babool trees in every winter.

A World Heritage Site, the national park has been facing lack of water due successive scanty monsoon, hitting the breeding of local birds.

State forest and environment minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar issued an order to release 150 mcft of water to the park from the Chambal project during a meeting with park officials on October 17 last year in Jaipur.

Birds, including painted stork that visit the park for nesting and breeding every year, have gone to other lakes due to shortage water, said park director Ajit Udhoi.

More than 2,000 painted storks come to the park to breed every year, he said.

Each painted stork that lays 2-4 eggs, needs fish to feed the chicks that needs more than 500g of fish every day and we hope to receive 150 mcft of water from the Chambal Canal project to fill the six blocks in park, he said.

But due to scanty rainfall in the district we have not received water from the Panchna Dam in Karauli.

Apart from migratory birds, local species, including open bill stork, cormoret, snake bird, egret, painted stork, spoonbill, eye vish, grey heron, purple heron, cattle egret, large egret, medium egret, Indian seg come to the park to breeding before the monsoon, he said.

Birds that nest on babool trees near the lake need fish, vegetation to survive and water from the Panchna Dam brings fish, vegetation to the lake.

Official data state that 21,409 foreign tourists visited the park between April 2015 and March 2016, 25,417 during April 2016 to March 2017, and 8,418 visited the park between April 2017 to October 2017 to watch migratory birds.

The bird watching season at the park starts from the first week of October and ends in the first week of March.

Migratory birds, including northern shoveller, pintail, gadwall, Eurasian wigeon, common teal, garganey teal, common poachard, tufted and ferruginous ducks, red-crested and bar-handed goose, graylag goose, greater spotted eagles among others, visit the park during the winter months.

The national park, spread over 29sqkm, was set up on March 10, 1982 and declared a World Heritage Site under the World Heritage Convention in 1985.Security personnel at Jaisalmer Air Force station caught a Pakistani national when he was trying to enter the airbase early on Wednesday, police said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the Pakistani national came to India more than 18 years back and had been staying at Vijaynagar in Rajasthans Ganganagar district.

Security personnel have recovered an Aadhar card from him. Authorities suspect that the arrested person may have links with Pakistani spying agencies.

Officials said man was caught when he was trying to enter in the air force station along with daily wage workers.

During interrogation, the arrested person revealed that he had been working a farm worker at Vijaynagar.

Gaurav Yadav, Jaisalmer superintendent of police, confirming the report, said the district police was aware of the arrest but the air force authorities have not handed the arrested Pakistani national over to the police.

Sources at the air force base said the arrested Pakistani national has been identified as Purkha Ram.

Four other Pakistani nationals were caught from restricted border areas in Barmer. The four were arrested for violation of visa norms, police said.

Following a tip-off, police arrested two Pakistani nationals from Kaprau village late on Saturday, said Surendra Kumar, station house officer at Chohtan police station.

The arrested duo has been identified as Jan Mohhamad (67) and Barkat Ali (78), both resident of Ghamroda in Pakistans Chachron district, he said.

The two came to India through the Wagah border in Punjab with valid visa for Barmer, but were arrested as they violated visa norms by staying in the restricted area near the India-Pakistan border, Kumar said.

During investigation we got information about two other Pakistani nationals staying at Bachbhar villager under Ramsar police station area and informed our Ramsar counterpart.

Before the Ramsar police could raid the village where the two Pakistan nationals were staying, the duo left the restricted area and moved to Barmer, police said.

The duo, identified as Jumma Khan and Sabu Khan, was traced in Barmer and arrested, he said.

The arrested Pakistani nationals told police that they used to stay in Kaprau village until 1961 and then moved to Pakistan and that they came to India to meet their relatives.

Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Act, movement of foreign nationals is restricted in the bordering villages and western part of the National Highway-15 in Barmer as the international border in the state has been declared as a protected area.

A foreign national is not allowed to visit a protected or restricted area except in exceptional cases with prior permission.The health department has sounded a red alert in the state as swine flu (H1N1) has been spreading at an alarming rate. In two days (Monday and Tuesday), a total of 63 people have been tested positive for the flu and two have died.

Looking at the situation, health minister Kali Charan Saraf on Wednesday addressed all chief medical and health officers and principal medical officers across the state.

Rapid response teams will be sent to the affected areas where swine flu positive cases have been found to stop the spread of the disease. Checking is being done to find influenza-like symptoms among people within the vicinity of swine flu positive cases. Medicines are also being distributed, said Saraf. He has also appealed to people to immediately contact doctors in case flu-like symptoms occur.

Swine flu is a human respiratory infection caused by an influenza strain that started in pigs.

The health minister reviewed swine flu screening, availability of medicines, facility of collecting samples, arrangements for investigation, situation of isolation wards, arrangements of ICU, effectiveness of control room and referral facilities and gave necessary directions.

He said that in December, 2017, 416 positive cases were found and taking note of this, a red alert has been sounded in the state and its being ensured that arrangements for collecting samples to test H1N1 are in place.

Saraf directed health officials to send samples immediately to medical colleges to get the reports at the earliest and to start treatment immediately for those testing positive. He also instructed that rapid response teams will go for door-to-door screening of swine flu in affected areas and immediately provide treatment to suspected patients.

He also directed auxiliary nursing midwives (ANMs) and accredited social health activists (ASHAs) to do screening and to create awareness among people.

Among the 63 who have tested positive are from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Dausa, Tonk, Karauli, Pali, Alwar and Kota. The maximum  52 cases  number of positive cases is from Jaipur. The two deaths have been in Jodhpur and Pali.

In January 2017, there was only one positive case and one death, while in January 2016 there were 86 positive cases and 19 deaths. In 2015, there were 173 positive cases and 43 deaths.

Saraf said that swine flu test is done free of cost on the doctors advice at all government medical colleges and Desert Medicine research Centre in Jodhpur.

For investigation and treatment, 24-hour outpatient department (OPD) and 24-hour sample collection facility is available at Sawai Man Singh hospital in Jaipur. The report is being given within 24 hours. At SMS hospital, there are 15 beds at the swine flu observation ward along with a 13-bedded ICU.

SMS Medical College microbiologist Dr Bharti Malhotra said that a latest study clearly shows that tamiflu is effective and suitable for Michigan strain H1N1 virus. This year, the strain of virus changed from California to Michigan.Local management body accused of abuse of power

The provincial government of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has launched an investigation following a claim about the local business environment, an official with the Heilongjiang News Press Office surnamed Wei told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Mao Zhenhua, chairman of Heilongjiang Yabuli Sun Mountain Resort and founder of China Chengxin Credit Rating Group, said that he has invested more than 2 billion yuan ($308 million) in Yabuli Sun Mountain Resort, but the Yabuli Ski Resort Management Committee has abused its power to impede the company's development. The claim was made in a video posted by Jiang Guangce, chairman of Tibet Dechuan Investment Management Co, on his Sina Weibo account on Tuesday.

The Yabuli Ski Resort Management Committee was set up in May 2014 after being approved by the Heilongjiang provincial government, domestic news site ifeng.com reported on Tuesday.

Mao said the committee had illegally occupied 230,000 square meters of land that belongs to Mao's company.

"Mao's Sun Mountain Resort has long been the most popular tourist spot in Yabuli. I haven't seen the video yet," an intern who refused to be identified from Heilongjiang Yabuli Tourism Resort told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Mao and Heilongjiang Yabuli Sun Mountain resort could not be reached by the Global Times as of press time.

"Mao's issue is just a special case. The investment climate has been improved greatly in recent years and the government has done a lot about this issue," said Liang Qidong, vice president of the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, while admitting that there is "still a long way to go."

Pan Shiyi, chairman of real estate developer SOHO China, on Tuesday commented on the issue on Weibo, saying "a transparent business environment is necessary for businesses to grow in Northeast China."

"The saying 'never invest beyond Shanhaiguan,' which means it's unwise to invest in Northeast China, has long been heard among investors. I hope through government efforts this curse will disappear soon, since we have rich resources for investors," Liang said.

Also on Tuesday, China's Supreme People's Court issued a document stressing that the validity of contracts signed between the government and enterprises must be properly recognized.

If the government breaks the contract only because of a transition in the government or replacement of the senior officials, reasonable demands by the enterprises should be met, and if enterprises' property is taken for public use, compensation should be offered, the document said.Bharatpur: The state-level celebration of the 69th Republic Day will be held at the Lohagarh stadium in Bharatpur.

Officials from Jaipur and the district inspected the preparations for the celebration and security arrangements at the stadium on Wednesday.

State principal secretary of the general administration department PK Goyal and additional director general of police K Narasimha Rao visited Bharatpur to inspect the venue and review security arrangement.

The duo also held a meeting with district administration and police officials to review the arrangement for the Republic Day celebration.

District police officials were directed to ensure tight security arrangement and deploy drone cameras for aerial surveillance during the celebration.

The chief minister decided to celebrate the state-level Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations at the divisional headquarters along with Jaipur, said Goyal.

Earlier the state government celebrated the two functions at Kota, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer and Bikaner.

There are seven divisions in Rajasthan.JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government will issue tenders for the lease of two heritage hotelsKhasa Kothi in Jaipur and Anand Bhawan in Udaipur--by March, a top official said on Wednesday.

The requests for the proposal for the two properties are being finalised and by March tenders will be issued, state chief secretary Nihal Chand Goel told Hindustan Times.

The two properties are not being sold but are being given on lease on a public-private-partnership model for operating and maintaining for a period of 30 years, Goel said.

The properties on lease will provide annual revenue to state government as the hotels are running in losses and not optimally utilized, he said.

The move to lease out would add revenue not just to the state but to the city as well, he said, adding that the government will ensure that the heritage character of the properties is maintained.

The government conducted a study by the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal to ensure that the heritage values of the properties are not tampered with.

The Hotel Jaipur Ashok, which in September 2017, was transferred to the Rajasthan government by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), will be also be run by the state government, Goyal said.

The state government had paid 14 crore to the ITDC.

There are more than 65 employees working at the Anand Bhawan and Khasa Kothi, with an annual financial liability of 3 crore, a senior official, who did not wish to be named, said.

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) is facing a debt of more than  154 crore, the official said, adding that the RTDC will not be able to function effectively if the liability continues to increase.West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday criticised the bill that criminalises instant triple talaq, claiming that the impending legislation is not designed to protect Muslim women and will merely poke the community.

The bill that the Union government is trying to push through is not meant to protect the womenfolk. Rather, it will cause unnecessary trouble. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is indulging in politics with it, Banerjee said at a public meeting in Birbhum district.

The issue has been a rather tricky one for West Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress party since it is solidly backed by the Muslims, who constitute 27.01% of the 91.3 million population (2011 census). Banerjee has faced frequent criticisms from political opponents that she has appeased the Muslims to consolidate her partys vote bank.

Banerjee was speaking for the first times since August 22, 2017, when the Supreme Court described the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional with three of the five judges in the panel ruling against it.

Moreover, Trinamool Congress legislators did not participate in the discussion in the Lok Sabha where the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill was introduced and passed on December 28.

Banerjee also lashed out at the BJP and alleged that since the party formed the government in Assam, the names of Bengalis living in the northeastern state for years are being struck off the roles.

One has already committed suicide. I shall embrace people from Assam, but they should also not hound us, Banerjee said.

Leaders from the state unit of the saffron party reacted sharply to her comments.

Her party adopts one role in Lok Sabha and another in public. This is politics of opportunism. It also proves that the woman chief minister does not feel the pain of Muslim women, BJPs national secretary and former Bengal president Rahul Sinha said.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member and Lok Sabha MP Md Salim also accused her of playing to the gallery.

The party leaders remained silent where they needed to speak (in the Lok Sabha). And now she is playing to the gallery. The BJP has a single point agenda that is Hindutva. But Mamata Banerjee has a multi-point agenda where she is playing with fire, Salim said.

The CPI-M said the bill is unwarranted and politically motivated while taking part in the discussion in the Lok Sabha.

Ishrat Jahan, who was one of the petitioners against triple talaq in the Supreme Court, has shown interest in joining the BJP. The 31-year-old mother of two lives in Howrah.A German couple, who are on a world bicycle tour to foster international cultural understanding, reached Varanasi on Tuesday.

Imke Frodermann and Ralph Lang have covered 17,000 kilometres since August 2016 when they began their tour which also aims to raise awareness about India in the world.

We are very thankful for the hospitality and friendship (in India), Imke Frodermann said, adding, since they give us a deep insight into the Indian soul and spirit.

Vikas Maharaj, a Varanasi-based musician and friend of the couple, said they started their tour from the United States, where they cycled for four months in the Rocky Mountains. After travelling across North Africa and Europe, they left for India in February 2017.

Over 10 months later, they reached India after riding their bicycles through Austria, Italy, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and China.

Maharaj said they spent three months crossing the Taklamakan and the Gobi Desert. After that, they cycled across the Himalayas.

During their tour, they crossed almost all the major mountain ranges of the world: the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, the Atlas, the Caucasus, the Pamir, the Tien Shan and the Himalayas. In an uninhabited desert regions, they had to camp in a tent, enduring extreme temperatures of over 45 degrees centigrade of heat and cold up to minus 20 degrees, Maharaj said.

They faced many dangers not only on the streets but also from wild animals. In the USA, they slept in areas infested with bears, wolves and mountain lions, Maharaj said.

In the Pamir and Himalayas, they often heard wolves close by their tent.

They were now happy to be in India, which they have visited many times before, Maharaj said.

Imke Frodermann and Ralph Lang were earlier teachers at their hometown Biberach in Germany.

In 2014, they set up a school for poor children in Rajasthan. They, along with their German pupils, provide the funds for this school.

In the next phase of their journey, they will travel to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore from where they head for Australia. All together, the trip will cover 35,000 kilometres.Uttar Pradeshs Gonda town, ranked Indias dirtiest in a government survey last year, joined the new year celebrations like the rest of the world.

The only difference was that the celebrations in this eastern UP town, home to some two million people, were held outside a hospital and for a cause.

Past midnight on December 31, Gonda district magistrate JB Singh along with his staff, doctors and district administration officials arrived at the district hospital to welcome the birth of Khushi, the name given to the first girl child of the district in 2018. She is the youngest child of an upper caste family with two male children.

The celebrations were purposely planned in Gonda. It was reported among the countrys gender critical districts in the 2011 census despite an increase in the sex ratio (921:1000) in 2011 census over the 2001 census figure when the ratio was lower at 906 females for every 1000 males.

We had alerted the hospitals to inform us as soon as a girl child was born. The celebrations were part of the effort to create awareness around the governments beti bachao, beti padhao issue and we will all be proud when the girl born to parents residing in Bhadua Somvanshi village goes on to make a big name for herself later in life, the Gonda DM told HT on the phone.

Despite increasing female literacy 27% in 2001 to nearly 47% in 2011  the district fares poorly on another parameter: the open defecation free (ODF) mission. Many villages in the district are reported to be resisting efforts to build toilets, an issue that makes women who have to go out in the fields to answer the call of nature vulnerable to crime.

We also created awareness on the ODF issue on the occasion, a member of the district administration team present on the occasion said. The official admitted that despite growing awareness, cases of discrimination, exploitation and ill-treatment of girl child continue to be reported.

Only last year, a family abandoned a one year old girl who is now in a child shelter home and such cases have been frequently reported, said Ajay Srivastava, a local journalist complimenting the efforts of the district magistrate.

Thats why the bursting of fire crackers and distribution of clothes on Khushis birth were part of efforts by the district administration to promote and popularise Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, an initiative of the Modi government at the centre.

I have two grandsons, but I desperately prayed for a daughter this time. As soon as she was born we named her Khushi to indicate our feeling. Girls are a blessing and the celebrations sponsored by the local administration that followed the birth of a girl child were indicative of the fact that we have indeed come a long way from my days when girls were considered a burden, said Phool Kunwar, Khushis grandmother on the phone from the local hospital.Parking at Lucknows most celebrated annual fest would no longer trouble the visitors as this year the district administration is going to launch a mobile application designed to guide the visitor in and out of the mahotsav venue.

Officials with the district administration said the mobile application was an innovative move to curb the parking woes at the festival venue. Parking is always an issue at the mahotsav venue, but with this app, the issue is expected to get resolved. The mobile application is under development, said an official.

The application would be available for free and people can download it either from the Google Play Store or from the official website of Lucknow Mahotsav www.lucknowmahotsav.in. On clicking the link, the person would be redirected to the mobile application, which the smart phone users can download, he added.

After downloading the application, the operator would be asked to open an account and complete the formalities after which he/she can access the application, said the officer who was engaged in the apps formation.

The app is designed in a way to give a complete layout of the parking lots. It would be in a gate wise manner. Besides, it will also be programmed to show the vacant space at the parking lot, in order to assist masses in parking their vehicles, he said.

He added, the parking application would streamline the parking hassles and would also help in avoiding jam like situation in and around the mahotsav venue.

This year, Lucknow Mahotsav is being organised at Shilp Gram near Shaheed Path and would start from January 24 onwards. The festival will conclude on February 2. District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said both UP Diwas and Lucknow Mahotsav would be observed together.

He said initial three daysthe programs of UP diwas would be observed during the day while in the evening Mahotsav programs would be held. After January 26, the mahotsav programs would be staged throughout the day.

Inauguration of both UP Diwas and Lucknow Mahotsav will be done by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on January 24. The UP government has decided to organise UP Diwas for the first time since the state came into existence in 1950.

Lucknow Mahotsav usually begins from November 25 every year. But this time it was postponed due to civic body elections.Following the state education departments declaration on Tuesday evening that educational institutions across Maharashtra would not be shut for the bandh, most schools and colleges in the city were kept open on Wednesday morning, though attendance was poor at less than 50%.

Several schools in Powai, Mulund and Thane chose to remain shut though, as did Jasudben ML School in Khar and Hansraj Morarji School in Andheri. Our students parents were worried about sending children to school today, so we didnt take any chances. We will make up for this day on a weekend, said an official from Hansraj Morarji School, who did not wish to be identified.

Parents said they preferred to keep their children home because of the protests. Police bandobast was very strong everywhere, but I didnt want to risk sending my daughter to school in such a situation, so we decided to skip school, said Amrita Mehta, mother of a Class 6 student.

The School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) kept its buses off the roads on Wednesday, though some school buses were seen ferrying children to school in the morning.

Most city colleges saw only 20 to 35% student attendance in the morning, and called off lectures by 9am. We have postponed our Class 12 preliminary examinations to avoid last-minute problems, said Marie Fernandes, principal of St Andrews College, Bandra.In a bid to avoid any escalation of protests, the police have been told not to use force against demonstrators as long as their agitations are peaceful, Maharashtra government officials said on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who heads the home department, has been monitoring the situation across the state, and reportedly spoke to Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Prakash Ambedkar to ensure that the agitation remained peaceful.

We are taking stock of the situation on an hourly basis. The CM is being apprised at regular intervals. We are in constant touch with senior officials, including the director general of police and police commissioners. The protests are peaceful, and the situation is expected to return to normalcy by evening, minister of state for home Dipak Kesaekar told HT.

Officials from the home department said no major incidents of violence have been reported from anywhere in the state. We have directed the police not to resort to lathicharge or take any aggressive steps as long as the protests are peaceful. The protestors, too, have by and large restrained from violence, said a senior officer.

The state government has reportedly requested RPI leaders who called the bandh to ensure the situation does not get out of hand. The CM has told them that violence from any side will not be tolerated by the government. The Dalit leaders were told that the government has taken adequate action against people responsible for the violence at Bhima-Koregoan on Monday, said a senior minister, on condition of anonymity. The dialogue between the government and protesters has helped keep the situation under control.After deciding to set up 100 international schools across Maharashtra, the state has planned to form the Maharashtra International Education Board (MIEB).

It will be an autonomous body, which will decide curriculum for the schools and conduct examinations.

The MIEB will be second board of the state after Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE).

The decision to establish 100 international schools, on par with international standards, was taken to provide quality education in the state. The schools are likely to start from the next academic year.

Vinod Tawde, state education minister, said the MIEB will have the autonomy to take every decision related to the international schools.

In the first phase, we want to start 100 international schools that will impart international-level education. All these will be existing government schools, which will be affiliated with the MIEB, he said.

Appointments on the board will be made soon and an expert committee will be formed to decide curriculum for the schools, said a senior official from the school education department.

Maharashtra has international boards such as International Baccalaureate (IB), headquartered at Geneva, and the Indian General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), run from Cambridge, UK. It is for the first time that the state will have its own international board.

Unlike other international boards, the MIEB will have international schools in languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarati, Telegu, Kannada and Tamil. The board will also have the authority to affiliate schools from other states and even international schools, the official added.

As per initial plan, 10 schools from the state will be shortlisted as model schools and will each help nine other schools to become international schools. The model schools will be named as Ojas and remaining 90 will be called Tejas.

The international schools will impart primary, secondary and higher secondary education that means from Class 1 to 12.

Tawde said the schools will also help students who cant afford international-level education at private schools.Despite widespread protests and rail and road blocks across the city, the University of Mumbai refused to postpone exams for the day. A total of 13 exams for law and BEd courses were conducted in two shifts on Wednesday, as per schedule.

We informed all colleges to allow students inside the exam centre no matter how late they are, and allow extra time to students to finish their papers, said a statement released by the university on Wednesday. The statement also said that students could go to their nearest exam centre to appear for the exam.

A total of 35,000 stents were expected to appear for exams on Wednesday, but many were worried about making it to any exam centre in time. I left home at 11am to reach my exam centre before 3pm, but trains are not running beyond Ghatkopar for the past one hour, said Radhika Arvind, a second-year law student.7,200 kilograms of seized ivory were displayed at a customs compound in Hong Kong, July 6, 2017. [Photo: www.dfic.cn]

The world's leading conservation organization World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has applauded China's ban on ivory sales.

WWF said in a statement that with the doors to the ivory trade closed in China, the world starts 2018 a step closer to a land free of the slaughter of endangered animals.

China's ivory ban took effect on Sunday.

"China's actions, more than those of any other country, can reverse the trend of elephant poaching and illegal ivory trafficking, and have a significant impact on the future survival of African elephants," WWF said.

A recent WWF survey shows that the ban has widespread support from most consumers asked. The organization suggests the ban is likely to substantially reduce ivory purchase.

Dr. Fred Kwame Kumah, Director of WWF Regional Office for Africa, commented that "China has shown great leadership on this urgent issue".

"This ban means we start 2018 a step closer to a world where the demand for ivory is extinct not elephants," Kumah said.

China's State Forestry Administration says by fulfilling its commitment to ending processing and sales of ivory by the end of 2017, China has sent a new-year gift to elephants.

China's official data show that the move will affect 34 ivory processors and 143 trading venues. All of them are set to be closed.

John E. Scanlon, Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has also praised China's latest move, noting there is certainly reason for hope.

"The world still needs to do more to tackle both supply and demand to put an end to the poaching of elephant and trafficking in ivory," he said.Rahul Phatangale was out to buy vegetables in a local market in Sanaswadi, around 40km from Pune city, on Monday afternoon when he was hit by a stone in the head. He collapsed on the ground and was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to injuries by evening.

The 28-year-old man died in violence that erupted near Bhima Koregaon, where hundreds of thousands of people gather to celebrate an 1818 war between the Peshwa and the British, whose army comprised many Dalit soldiers. Many Dalit thinkers believe that the vastly outnumbered British army defeated the Peshwas.

Back at his home in Sanaswadi, a modest two-room affair with no power connection and dung cakes on the walls, Phatangales family is still in shock.

Huddled in a corner, Phatangales parents said those involved in the violence were largely outsiders in large numbers. The violence that singed four neaby villages left four people injured and 40-odd vehicles burnt or damaged.

I have lost my young son. With him, we have lost everything. We now want investigation and punishment to those involved in violence, said the deceased father Babaji Phatangale.

The 28-year-old ran a garage in the area and hailed from Gholapwadi, around 18 kms from Shikrapur, ahead of Koregaon Bhima. He had stepped out on his two-wheeler at around 2.30pm to buy something. He came under stone pelting, sustained serious head injury and died, said his cousin Tejas Dhawade.

Dhawade collected the body from the local Sassoon Hospital in the evening after Phatangale passed away. The family will now be given Rs 10 lakh as compensation and Phatangales death will be investigated by the CID, the CM has said.Following the protests over the Bhima Koregaon violence, Dalit outfits in the state have called for a Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday.

Prakash Ambedkar, president of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and grandson of Babasaheb Ambedkar, said: Hindutva outfits are responsible for the violence. The government should take steps to arrest the guilty to avoid terrible repercussions.

Maharashtra police chief on Tuesday said they were ready to tackle the situation. We have made arrangements at all locations such as highways, railways and sensitive areas, Satish Mathur, director general of police, told HT. Additional reinforcements have been provided in towns and cities that have a history of group violence.

Ambedkar called Mondays incident a pre-planned attack on Dalits by fringe elements. The stones were kept ready on terraces of buildings on Koregaon-Shirur Road. Milind Ekbote of Hindu Ekta Sanghatana and Sambhaji Bhide of the Shivraj Pratisthan are behind the violence and should be arrested immediately, he alleged.

The Pimpri police have booked Ekbote and Bhide under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Dalit leader and writer Arjun Dangle blamed the BJP government for the incident. Ever since the BJP-led government came to power, Hindutva organisations have a free reign. They attack anyone as they are confident of protection from the ruling party, Dangle said.

Ambedkar ruled out that it was a clash between Marathas and Dalits, saying that the Sambhaji Brigade, one of the front for Maratha outfits, had organised the programme to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle, and are even supporting the bandh. He said even the descendants of Peshwas and the Akhil Bhartiya Brahman Mahasabha, which initially opposed the function, agreed after negotiations.

Police personnel have been instructed to keep a watch on mobs on Wednesday. Wherever required, we will impose section 144 to regulate crowd and control rumour-mongering, said Mathur. Senior officers have been deployed to avoid panic or gatherings which could be unlawful or lead to any violence.

Railway police sources said necessary precautions have been taken in view of rail rokos. Security has been beefed up at railway stations across the city and in neighbouring Thane and Navi Mumbai as well.

We are on high alert and as we dont have any reserves. We had asked for additional manpower for which we have been provided 100 constables on all three railway lines, said Niket Kaushik, commissioner, GRP.

The police have urged people to maintain peace and not spread rumours or incite communal hatred, and have warned that action would be taken against rioters and those spreading rumours.Thirteen policemen deployed to guard Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Bodh Gaya were suspended for alleged negligence on Wednesday.

Gaya senior superintendent of police Garima Malik, who is monitoring the security arrangements for the Dalai Lama, took the action after the 13 policemen went missing from their assigned positions. The police officer told mediapersons that she will tolerate no lapse in security arrangements for the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

The suspended police personnel were identified as sub-inspectors Chhotu Prasad Chaudhary and Mani Bhusan Paswan; assistant sub-inspector Lallan Razak; and constables Vinay Kumar, Prashant Kumar, Upendra Prasad, Ranjan Kumar, Shweta Kumari, Anjali Sharma, Kauleshwar Paswan, Shobha Kumari, Punam Azad and Anjali Asmita.

The Tibetan spiritual leader has been provided Z-plus protection by the Centre as well as the Bihar government during his stay in the state. The step was taken in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Union ministry of home affairs.

The Dalai Lama arrived at Bodh Gaya, 110 km south of Patna, for a month-long stay on Monday evening. He will address over 50,000 disciples from places across the world at Kalchakra Maidan in two sessions, from January 5 to 7 and January 14 to 16. He is also expected to attend the opening function of the three-day Bodh Mahotsav on February 1.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has also stepped up security around the Tibetan monastery, where the Dalai Lama resides during his visits to the Buddhist pilgrimage centre. CTA officials expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements, and praised Maliks efforts in particular.

Bodh Gaya witnessed a terror attack, with nine serial explosions targeting the Mahabodhi temple complex, in July 2013.The two men booked for violence that brought Pune, Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra to a standstill fancy themselves as protectors of cows, Hindutva and Maratha pride.

Sambhaji Bhide, a gold medallist in physics, and Milind Ekbote were booked for January 1 violence at Koregaon Bhima that left a man dead and angered Dalits, who on Wednesday called a Maharashtra bandh.

Violence broke out at Koregaon Bhima, 40km from Pune, where hundreds of thousands of people, most of them Dalits, had gathered to mark the anniversary of an 1818 war between the British and Peshwa Bajirao II.

Many Dalit leaders believe the war was won by the British with the help of Dalit soldiers who defeated a large army of the Peshwa, who allegedly instituted oppressive caste practices.

Despite tight security, some groups waving saffron flags allegedly pelted stones at the gathering and it degenerated into a riot.

Bhide and Ekbote were booked for stirring trouble.

Ekbote, a former corporator who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 assembly election on a Shiv Sena ticket, refuted the charge, saying few organisations were trying to shift the blame on Hindutva outfits.

We condemned the violence at Koregaon Bhima. Me or my organisation has never discriminated between Dalits and non-Dalits, he said.

Bharipa Bahujan Samaj leader Prakash Ambedkar accused Ekbote and Bhide of instigating violence by visiting Vadu village.

Tension gripped Vadu, 3km from Koregaon Bhima, last week after 49 people were booked for allegedly vandalising a nameplate at the tomb of Govind Mahar Gaikwad.

A Dalit farmer, Gaikwad had defied Aurangzebs to arrange the final rites on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who was murdered by the soldiers of the Mughal Emperor.

Ekbote, a known hardliners, and his followers are often in news for cow vigilantism in Pune and neighbouring districts.

The 60-year-old has 12 cases against him, with most pertaining to promoting enmity between various groups.

He and his Hindu Ekta Aghadi members regularly intercept vehicles carrying cows and have got police complaints filed against those trafficking animals for slaughter.

Two days before the Koregaon Bhima anniversary, Ekbote had addressed a press conference in Pune and spoken against a Dalit event planned at Shianiwarwada area of the city on December 31 to commemorate the battle.

Bhide is a former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh worker and came of his own in late 1980s when he launched Shiv Pratisthan after he fell out with the BJPs ideological parent.

He sees himself as an ardent follower of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji and every year takes youngsters for a tour of Maratha forts across the state.

His Shiv Pratisthan activists visit the Raigad fort every day for the upkeep of Shivajis samadhi.

Bhide, who considers himself a keeper of Maratha pride, faced a police case for tearing off posters of Jodhaa Akbar for alleged controversial references in the film.

Sangli and adjoining towns had observed a complete shutdown when Bhide was hurt during a cane charge in February 2008 after he and his workers stopped the screening of the film.

He was in the news during 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Raigad fort on his invitation.

Bhide hails from Sabniswadi in Satara district and has a masters in physics, with a gold medal, from Pune University.

He taught in a college for a few years before he moved to Sangli in 1975 and became an RSS pracharak. Though he gave up his RSS membership, he continues to be a staunch Hindutva activist.The suicide by Inderpreet Singh Chadha, 52, the son of sacked Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) president Charanjit Singh Chadha, 83, on Wednesday brings to an end the 14-year reign of the prominent business family in the socio-religious politics of Punjab. Inderpreet killed himself a week after a woman school principal lodged a sexual harassment complaint against his father after an objectionable video surfaced. Inderpreet was also booked for criminal intimidation along with his father after the woman complained that he threatened to eliminate her for making the allegations.

While Charanjit is absconding, Inderpreet, a former vice-president of the CKD, appeared before the special investigation team on Tuesday.

Inderpreets younger brother, Harjit Singh, 40, and their sister Veeta Chadha, 54, are now left to look after the familys business. The family was known for its hold on the liquor business till two years ago. It is into the real estate business and owns three hotels in Amritsar besides houses in Chandigarh and Delhi.

The family owns a fleet of trucks run under Chadha Transport and also manufactures tyres.

Inderpreets wife Inderjit Kaur is a cousin sister of liquor baron Ponty Chadha, who was shot dead in a crossfire with his brother Hardeep Singh in 2012.

The rise of Charanjit Singh

Charanjit shot into limelight after taking over as president with the support of then Akal Takht jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti in 2004. Gradually, he built his monopoly over the 115-year-old organisation, which was a part of the Singh Sabha movement launched during British rule to propagate Sikhism.

The CKD runs 50 schools besides two management colleges, a nursing college, an orphanage, two old age homes and a hospital.

Chadha started inducting his relatives into the organisation for which he even amended its constitution. During his tenure, he cornered his opponents and expelled old members, including honorary secretary Bhag Singh Ankhi and former Akali minister Manjit Singh Calcutta. His son, Harjit, was made the joint secretary of the CKD.

Charanjits opponents allege that he turned the CKD into Chadha and Company and did not stick to the aim of imparting education and propagating Sikhism.

Political clout

The lavish wedding and reception of Inderpreets elder son, Anmol Singh, were organised at a hotel in Dubai a month ago. Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh attended the wedding at a gurdwara in Dubai.

Though Chadha did not have any direct affiliation to any political party, he is considered close to the Akalis and tightened his grip on the CKD during the decade-long rule of the party.

He was inducted as vice-president of the Khalsa College Governing Council that manages Amritsars Khalsa College. He stayed close to the party in power. After the Congress won the Punjab elections last year, he met chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh.An impoverished elderly woman in Jharkhands Garhwa district, about 200 km northwest of Ranchi allegedly died of starvation after her family was denied free ration for three months due to failure in biometric authentication, an NGO has claimed.

Etwariya Devi, who lived with her son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren at Sonpurwa village, allegedly died of hunger on December 25. The family was entitled to get 25 kg of ration per month through their ration card which was linked with Aadhaar.

The biometric authentication could not be done in October because of poor internet connectivity and thereafter the local public distribution system (PDS) dealer offered a host of excuses, said activists of Right to Food Campaign, Jharkhand, who investigated the circumstances leading to the womans death.

This is the fourth alleged starvation death in Jharkhand in the last six months. The government has denied starvation being the reason for the deaths, and attributed them to illness.

Garhwa deputy commissioner Neha Arora said that a public distribution system (PDS) dealer cannot deny ration to beneficiaries citing lack of internet connectivity as a reason. In case of poor internet connectivity, the dealer should have manually entered her details in a register and given her ration. Action will be taken against the PDS dealer if he is found to be at fault, she said.

Etwariyas daughter-in-law Usha Devis fingerprint could not be authenticated in the Aadhaar-based biometric point of sale (POS) machine at the local ration shop in October and the dealer told her to come later, according to the NGO.

When Usha went back to the shop a few days later she was told the ration stock was over. The dealer did not give her ration in November either, claiming he was not allotted grains for the month. No grain was distributed at the ration shop in December till Etwariyas death as the POS machine was allegedly dysfunctional, the activists said.

The NGOs investigating team also found discrepancies in Etwariyas Aadhaar and ration card details.

Her age was mentioned as 88 years in the ration card, 67 years in Aadhaar and 68 years for the pension scheme, said Siraj Dutta of Right to Food Campaign, Jharkhand.

Food wasnt the only problem for Etwariya Devis family. Her last pension in October was also delayed.

Anil Choudhary, the contributory pension scheme dealer in Etwariyas village, said poor internet connectivity was a major hurdle in the region. The internet connectivity is intermittent. Etwariya Devis old age pension of Rs 600 was delayed in October due to failure in biometric authentication. It is a common problem here, said Choudhary.Telugu industrys big Sankranti release is Pawan Kalyan starrer Agnyaathavaasi, which marks his third time collaboration with filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas. After the grand reception for the films teaser which was released last month, it is learnt that the makers are likely to release the trailer on January 4. While the makers yet to make any announcement regarding the trailer launch, reliable sources hint that they just might surprise fans by releasing it without much ado.

The films title and first look poster was officially launched on director Trivikrams birthday on November 7 last year. As the film gears up for January 10 release, the makers are busy with the release plans and it has been confirmed by the films overseas distributor that Agnyathavaasi is set to release in 209 Cinemark centres across USA, surpassing the release of Baahubali in 126 locations.

Apparently, this is the biggest ever release for any Indian film. After the debacle of Sardaar Gabbar Singh and Katamarayudu, Pawan Kalyan has pinned high hopes on this project as he hopes to bid adieu to acting with a bang, provided this film turns out to be a blockbuster.

The film also stars Keerthy Suresh and Anu Emmanuel, who have teamed up for the first time with Pawan Kalyan. The makers recently wrapped up the final schedule in Varanasi and have already begun the post-production work. As the Sankranti release, the film will lock horns with Balakrishnas Jai Simha at the box-office. In the film, Pawan will be seen in the role of software professional and major portion of the film was shot in Hyderabad in a set worth over Rs 5 crore. The team, in July earlier this year, shot a 20-day schedule in Europe where they canned crucial action episode featuring chase sequences and couple of songs.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktopAt 132 mins, Vignesh Shivan directed Thaana Serntha Kootam (TSK) could be the shortest film in Suriyas long and illustrious career. The film, confirmed to hit the screens this Pongal, was passed by the Central Board of Film Certification with U/A certificate on Monday and it has confirmed its place in the Pongal race alongside Prabhudhevas Gulebaghavali, Arvind Swamis Bhaskar Oru Rascal and Vikrams Sketch. Despite good competition, TSK has an upper hand given its overall positive buzz and the fact that its high on comedy, a genre thats most suited for festive occasion.

Rumoured to be the remake of Akshay Kumars Special 26, TSK is a heist comedy featuring an ensemble cast of Karthik, Keerthy Suresh, Senthil and Baahubali fame Ramya Krishnan. Going by the first poster of the film, it can be assumed that audiences will get to see vintage Suriya in an avatar thats very close to his real self. The makers have released four posters so far and all of them have been received very well, especially the second one being complimented for its creative touch. The second poster befits the title and does full justice to the films basic premise.

Suriya will be seen in two different looks in Thaana Serntha Kootam, in which he has tried his hands at comedy after a long time and this shift from regular action films might work in his favour. In a recent interview to a leading channel, Suriya said that this is his first film in a film that doesnt preach any message to the audience and hes glad about it. The film has been dubbed in Telugu as Gang, and will release simultaneously with the Tamil version. For the first time in his career, Suriya has dubbed in Telugu and this might work in the films favour. Produced by Studio Green, the film marks the first collaboration of Suriya and Vignesh Shivan. Keerthy Suresh, Ramya Krishnan and Senthil play pivotal roles in the film.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktopOn Tuesday night, US President Donald Trump tweeted that he, too, has a nuclear button which is bigger and more powerful [than North Koreas], and that it works.

Trump said, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button?

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump already picked a fight with Kim by saying that US sanctions and other pressures on North Korea are having a big impact.

Trump also asserted that North Korean soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. He said that Kim now wants to talk to South Korea for the first time, which is perhaps good news, perhaps not  we will see!

His comments came after Kim called for improved relations with South Korea, using the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics as an opening.

US Senator Lindsey Graham said 2018 will be a year of extreme danger as the US faces mounting tensions with North Korea and Iran. Graham also predicted that there will be a 70-percent chance that Trump will use a military alternative against North Korea if North Korea conducts another nuclear test.

Former chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Mike Mullen holds a more pessimistic perspective. He claimed that the US is closer to a nuclear war with North Korea, and said he does not see an opportunity to solve the matter diplomatically at this particular point.

Mullen warned that Trumps provocative rhetoric against North Korea indicates that the US president may turn to a more aggressive option to counter the regimes nuclear weapons program.Viewers intrigued by the Gianni Versace murder case featured in the new season of American Crime Story can retrace the fashion designers steps at his former mansion in South Beach. Tourists stop on its stone front steps every day to pose for pictures where Versace was fatally shot by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997. Theres more to the Mediterranean-style mansion than Versaces death, however.

Now, a boutique hotel, The Villa Casa Casuarina, Versaces former home still reflects his glamorous designs and opulent lifestyle. Visitors can swim in the pool he lined with 24-karat gold tiles, sleep on double-king-sized beds so large they require custom-made sheets, gaze at the ocean from his rooftop observatory and dine in a gourmet restaurant established in his former dining room.

A resident artist maintains the mosaics and frescoes that Versace had made for the property, including designs showcasing his signature snake-haired Medusa head, said Chauncey Copeland, the hotels general manager. We actually have preserved what Versace created here and just augmented it with some modern touches for the convenience of our hotel guests and restaurant patrons, Copeland said.

Versace spent $33 million renovating the three-story building he purchased in 1992. It was originally an apartment complex built in 1930 by Standard Oil heir Alden Freeman. After Versaces death, his family sold the property. The Villa Casa Casuarina now is part of the Victor Hotels group, which acquired the mansion at a 2013 auction for $41.5 million.

The opportunity to sleep in Versaces former bedroom stands out among other luxury hotel experiences, even in glitzy South Beach, said Joey Cargill, of Manila, Philippines, a hotel guest relaxing in the pool just after Christmas. Its just the history, and Versace was an artist, and I kind of consider myself a little bit of an artist. Maybe I can grasp a little bit of that, in a different fashion, Cargill said.

To live like Versace is to live large, transforming the most ordinary things into outrageous memories. I cant even hit all sides of the bed, its so big. I just take a corner of it, Cargill said.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for morePakistan has acted against Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation not under pressure from the US but after serious deliberations, defence minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said on Wednesday.

Pakistan has banned Saeed-led JuD and FIF from collecting donations on Monday, after US President Donald Trump accused Islamabad of giving nothing to the United States but lies and deceit and providing safe haven to terrorists.

The government has banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF and other organisations on the UNSC sanctions list.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued a notification prohibiting the collection of donations by the JuD, the front organisation of banned outfit Lashkar- e-Taiba, as well as several other such organisations named in a list of banned outfits by the UN Security Council.

We have taken action against the JuD and the FIF not on the pressure of the Trump administration. We have initiated action against Saeeds organisations after serious deliberations. It is not taken in haste, Khan told BBC Urdu.

He said the action was part of the Operation Radul Fasaad, launched in February last year by the Pakistan military to disarm and eliminate the hidden terrorist sleeper cells across the country with support of local law enforcement agencies.

We have taken action against the organisations which are on the UNSC sanctions list, so that our children remain safe in schools. We do not want that one day they (people associated with these organisations) attack their own country with guns, the minister said.

The PML-N government is also considering taking over the control of charities run by the JuD and the FIF. If action is taken, the JuD may lose its headquarters in Muridke, near Lahore, to the government.

The FIF is a Pakistan-based organisation that is closely connected to banned terrorist group LeT and JuD. It is also said that FIF is JuD with a new name, designed to evade scrutiny and sanctions.

Yesterday, the JuD and the FIF activists held a rally outside its headquarters in Muridke near Lahore in protest against the government action and also blocked a road.

Addressing the rally, JuD leader Hafiz Abdur Rehman Maki alleged that the action against the JuD and the FIF has been taken on the pressure of the US and India.

Those trying to strangle the JuD and the FIF will soon be in the grip of Allah. We are not committing any crime to serve the humanity, he said.

Maki also said that any move by the government to take the control of Markaz-e-Taiba (the JuD headquarters) and charity would not be accepted.A Canadian man who was held captive by a faction of the Afghan Taliban for five years has been arrested on 15 charges including sexual assault, illegal confinement and issuing death threats, according to reports on Tuesday.

Joshua Boyle was freed last October along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity.

The identity of the alleged victim was being withheld by a court, according to Boyles lawyer Eric Granger.

Granger added his client was presumed innocent and had never been in any form of legal trouble before.

We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges, he said, adding Boyle would appear before a court in Ottawa on Wednesday.

According to news channel CTV, Boyle is facing eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, as well as one each of misleading police to divert suspicion from himself, uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, Trazodone.

In a statement to The Toronto Star and published on the newspapers website, Boyles wife would not comment on the specific charges but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.

She said with compassion and forgiveness that I... hope help and healing can be found for him.

Coleman added that she and the children were healthy.

Read | Kidnapped US-Canadian family freed in Pakistan: Who are they and how were they released?

Boyle and Coleman, who have been married since 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through war-torn Afghanistan in 2012, and were later transferred to the custody of the Haqqani faction, known for its alleged ties to the Pakistani military.

They were freed on October 12, but refused to board a US military plane. Boyle, a Muslim convert and long-time advocate of freed Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr, cited fears over his background.

Upon his arrival in Toronto two days later Boyle accused his captors of raping his wife and killing his baby daughter, a fourth child  allegations swiftly refuted by the Talibans spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Mujahid admitted a baby had died but said it was a result of a natural miscarriage.

A month later Coleman also spoke of a sexual assault by two of her captors in an interview with ABC news.

Boyle has been an outspoken advocate for Omar Khadr, a Canadian captured at the age of 15 in 2002 in Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay before being transferred to Canada and later released.

He married Khadrs sister in 2009.

Pakistans military says the family was freed in a daring rescue operation.

But some US and Canadian officials have questioned that account, suggesting to news outlets it may have involved a negotiated handover with the Haqqani network which Islamabad is said to covertly back.

Read | Pakistan hostage story: Rescue, release or handover?Emilie Koenig, a Frenchwoman suspected of recruiting fighters for the Islamic State group who figured on US and UN blacklists, has been arrested by Kurdish forces in Syria, her mother said Tuesday.

The 33-year-old daughter of a gendarme is being held in a Kurdish camp and has been interrogated and tortured, her mother told Ouest-France newspaper.

Koenig went to Syria in 2014 and three of her children were born in that country.

She was put on the UN list of the most dangerous fighters and a year later figured on a US terror list.

Koenig converted to Islam after marrying her first husband, a man of Algerian origin, who was arrested for drug trafficking.

She learnt Arabic, changed her name to Samra and started wearing a veil. She left for Syria to join her new partner, who was eventually killed.

She appeared in several propaganda videos in which she appealed for jihad as long as the enemy is around.

Koenigs mother said she wanted to return to France and to seek forgiveness of her family, her friends and her country.A German satirical magazines Twitter account was blocked after it parodied anti-Muslim comments, the publication said on Wednesday, in what the national journalists association said showed the downside of a new law against online hate speech.

Titanic magazine was mocking Beatrix von Storch, a member of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, who accused police of trying to appease the barbaric, Muslim, rapist hordes of men by putting out a tweet in Arabic.

Twitter briefly suspended her account and prosecutors are examining if her comments amount to incitement to hatred.

Titanic magazine published its send-up late on Tuesday, in a tweet purporting to be from von Storch to the police, saying: The last thing that I want is mollified barbarian, Muslim, gang-raping hordes of men.

Titanic said on Wednesday its Twitter account had been blocked over the message, which it assumed was a result of a law that came into full force on Jan 1 that can impose fines of up to 50 million euros ($60 million) on social media sites that fail to remove hate speech promptly.

We are shocked, Titanic editor Tim Wolff said on the magazines website, adding that Chancellor Angela Merkel and Justice Minister Heiko Maas had promised that the new law would not have this kind of effect.

A Twitter spokesman said the company did not comment on individual accounts, for reasons of privacy and security.

The Association of German Journalists (DJV) said the Twitter move amounted to censorship, adding it had warned of this danger when the law was drawn up last year.

A private company based in the United States decides the boundaries of freedom of the press and opinion in Germany, DJV Chairman Frank Ueberall said in a statement, calling on parliament to reverse the hate speech law.

Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms are scrambling to adapt to the law, and its implementation is being closely watched after warnings that the threat of fines could prompt websites to block more content than necessary.

Germany has some of the worlds toughest laws on defamation, incitement to commit crimes and threats of violence, with prison sentences for Holocaust denial or inciting hatred against minorities.

Merkels conservatives accused the AfD of undermining the post-war democratic consensus in Germany.

The racism that AfD lawmakers have been tweeting for days is intentionally violating, with criminal intent, the basic consensus which democrats have built up since 1949 despite all disagreements, Armin Laschet, party deputy of Merkels Christian Democrats, tweeted.

By doing this, they want to pave the way to a totally different republic. ($1 = 0.8317 euros)

(Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)Israels parliament gave preliminary approval on Wednesday for legislation that would make it easier for a court to impose a death sentence on assailants convicted of murder in attacks classified as terrorism.

Israeli military courts, which handle cases involving Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, already have the power to issue the death sentence, although this has never been implemented. The only case of an execution in Israel was carried out against convicted Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.

The amendment to the penal code would still require three more readings if it is to become law. Currently, a death penalty can only be imposed if a panel of three military judges passes sentence unanimously. If the amendment is adopted, a majority verdict would suffice.

Wednesdays motion was brought by Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an ultra-nationalist in the conservative coalition government, who advocates tough action against Palestinian militants. Fifty-two of parliaments 120 members voted in favour, and 49 were opposed.

Qadoura Fares, chairman of the Palestinian Prisoner Club which represents Palestinians jailed in Israel, denounced the vote as an expression of the state of blindness and confusion in the policies of this fascist regime (where) extremist parties race to pass racist laws.

While the world moves toward repealing the death penalty, Israel is working to ratify this law, which is directed against the Palestinians, Fares told Reuters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted for the motion but said that such legislation required deeper discussion and that the matter would now be considered at ministerial level before further debate in the Knesset.

In remarks to lawmakers, he said: I think that in extreme cases, when somebody slaughters and laughs (as he kills), he should not spend the rest of his time in jail and should be executed.

Asked by an Israeli Arab lawmaker whether he would also apply this reasoning to Jewish militants convicted of killing Palestinians, Netanyahu said: In principle, yes.

The successful vote was the latest in a number of motions brought by right-wing coalition members who feel able to pressure Netanyahus brittle government into enacting hard-line legislation.US president Donald Trump has ratcheted up the rhetoric with North Korea threatening a nuclear exchange, saying in a tweet he has a nuclear button too and its much bigger & more powerful than Kim Jong Uns.

Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Trump was responding to a New Year day address by the North Korean leader in which he said: Its not a mere threat but a reality that I have a nuclear button on the desk in my office...All of the mainland United States is within the range of our nuclear strike.

North Koreas nuclear arsenal of an estimated 60 warheads is no match for 6,800 of the United States, but Pyongyang has the capability to deliver its missiles to the American mainland now, and that should be a sobering thought.

But not to President Trump, who has matched the North Korean leaders rhetoric, insult for insult, and boast for boast. Trump has called Kim Rocket Man and short and fat, and threatened to totally destroy the Asian country.

But earlier on Tuesday, Trump had seemed less angry in a tweet taking credit for US actions to bring North Korea around to consider talks. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea, Trump wrote. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!

In his address, the north Korean leader had expressed willingness to engage South Korea, and send a team to the Winter Olympics being hosted by South Korea. North Koreas participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to show unity of the people, and we wish the games will be a success, Kim said.

Just hours after his earlier tweet, the US president was taunting the North Korean leader, boasting about the size of his nuclear button and winning in an exchange. The reason for the change in tone and tenor was not immediately clear, but the tweet set off a storm of sorts with commentators, TV pundits and late-night show hosts.

Please dont make me picture your Button, Stephen Colbert, a late-night show host and strident critic of the president tweeted. also dont start a nuclear war 

As a matter of fact, the US president doesnt really have a nuclear button on his desk. As was pointed in a report by Associated Press, the launch process starts with a small briefcase that is carried along by military officers accompanying the president, called the football, which contains communication tools and a book with war plans.

Read | Rocket man versus dotard: Will Kim Jong Un win war of words against Trump?

The president initiates the process with a call to Pentagon. He identifies himself with certain codes, the report said, which are then fed into a card that he carries, called the biscuit. Once the protocol is established, the president can communicate the launch instructions to the Pentagon and Strategic Command.

But in the tweet, the president meant the size of the US arsenal. And, size matters to the president, as some commentators remarked, referencing his presidential campaign dust-up with Senator Marco Rubio. They had exchanged insults about the size of their hands, after Trump had taken to calling the Florida senator Little Marco.North Korea said on Wednesday it will reopen a hotline with the South to discuss attending the Winter Olympics, forging ahead with peace overtures despite taunts from US President Donald Trump who said he has a much bigger nuclear button than Kim Jong-Un.

The hotline, which was cut by the North in 2016, is to be restored at 0630 GMT after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the Norths leader ahead of next months Pyeongchang Games.

Kims overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone, as tensions over its banned weapons programme have surged in recent months following a flurry of missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet.

Seoul responded with an offer to hold talks on January 9 -- the first since 2015 -- to discuss matters of mutual interest including Kims suggestion that the reclusive nation could participate in the Olympics.

But Kims New Year address also included a warning to the US that he has a nuclear button on his table, prompting a furious response from President Trump via Twitter.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.

Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! he said.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the "Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times." Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Trumps remarks came as his ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed Seouls offer to hold talks, calling it a band-aid.

US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert also warned that Kim may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the two nations -- between our nation and the Republic of Korea.

But the rapprochement seemed to be moving ahead on Wednesday, with Kim welcoming Seouls support for his overtures, according to Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Koreas agency handling inter-Korean affairs.

Hotline very significant

The two countries, which are divided by a Demilitarised Zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, last held high-level talks in 2015 to try to ease tensions.

The hotline, located in the truce village of Panmunjom, remained operational until February 2016, with operators from both countries checking it twice a day.

The channel was shut down when relations deteriorated over a dispute involving the Kaesong industrial complex, which was jointly operated by both countries.

Seoul welcomed Pyongyangs decision to reopen the hotline as very significant, with chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan saying it creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In has long favoured engagement with the nuclear-armed North, but the Trump administration insists the regime must give up its weapons drive before any negotiations can take place.

Ambassador Haley told reporters that Washington could not take the talks seriously if they dont do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea.

North Korea has shrugged off a raft of new sanctions and heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with its weapons program, which it says is for defence against US aggression.

Pyongyang claims it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from a hostile Washington and has striven to create a warhead capable of targeting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

Moon on Tuesday welcomed Kims olive branch as a positive response to Seouls hopes that the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a groundbreaking opportunity for peace.

But any rapprochement between the two countries will take place against a backdrop of suspicion, if not outright hostility, by Washington, with Trump and Kim exchanging angry insults since the US leader took office a year ago.

Trump has mocked Kim as fat and a little rocket man. Kim, for his part has described Trump as a mentally deranged US dotard.The United States accused Pakistan on Tuesday of playing a double game on fighting terrorism and warned Islamabad it would have to do more if it wanted to maintain US aid.

They can do more to stop terrorism and we want them to do that, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

The White House said it would likely announce actions to pressure Pakistan within days, shortly after US ambassador Nikki Haley said at the United Nations that Washington would withhold $255 million in assistance to Pakistan.

There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years, Haley told reporters. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan.

That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

The comments followed an angry tweet from President Donald Trump on Monday that the United States had been rewarded with nothing but lies and deceit for foolishly giving Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years.

They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he tweeted.

Pakistan civilian and military chiefs on Tuesday rejected incomprehensible US comments and summoned American Ambassador David Hale to explain Trumps tweet.

Relations with Washington have been strained for years over Islamabads alleged support for Haqqani network militants, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban.

The United States also alleges that senior Afghan Taliban commanders live on Pakistani soil, and has signalled it will cut aid and take other steps if Islamabad does not stop helping or turning a blind eye to Haqqani militants crossing the border to carry out attacks in Afghanistan.

In 2016, Taliban leader Mullah Mansour was killed by a US drone strike inside Pakistan and in 2011, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found and killed by US troops in the garrison town of Abbottabad.

Pakistan needs to earn its aid

At the State Department on Tuesday, spokesman Heather Nauert said Pakistan knows what it needs to do, including taking action against the Haqqani network and other militants.

Pakistan needs to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, she said.

Islamabad bristles at the suggestion it is not doing enough to fight militants, noting that its casualties at the hands of Islamists since 2001 number in the tens of thousands.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday chaired a National Security Committee meeting of civilian and military chiefs, focusing on Trumps tweet. The meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was brought forward by a day and followed an earlier meeting of army generals.

The committee, in a statement issued by the prime ministers office, did not name Trump but spoke of deep disappointment at a slew of critical comments coming from US officials over the past few months.

Recent statements and articulation by the American leadership were completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation, it said.Pakistans top leadership reacted angrily on Tuesday to President Donald Trumps threat to cut off aid over the countrys counter-terrorism efforts, saying the US accusations had damaged trust between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi went into a huddle with civilian and military leaders to frame a response to the allegations by Trump, who, in his first tweet of 2018, said the US had foolishly given $33 billion as aid to Pakistan and got nothing but lies and deceit.

The Foreign Office summoned US ambassador David Hale on Monday night and lodged a protest. Foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua sought an explanation from the envoy over Trumps tweet.

Following the meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Abbasi, an official statement said recent statements by the US leadership were completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between (the) two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices by Pakistan.

The leaders contended Pakistan had fought the war against terrorism with its own resources and at great cost to its economy. Pakistans sacrifices could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value  and that too an imagined one, the statement said.

Expressing deep disappointment at the recent statements of the US leadership, the statement said Pakistan would not act in haste and will remain committed to a constructive role for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process despite all unwarranted allegations.

Trumps accusations were also puzzling because they were in contrast to the positive direction of bilateral ties following close interaction with the US leadership after the unveiling of Trumps new policy on South Asia, it added.

The NSC contended Pakistans counter-terror campaign had prevented the possible expansion of terror groups in Afghanistan. Most of these terrorists have repeatedly launched cross-border attacks against innocent Pakistanis with impunity by exploiting the presence of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, a porous Pak-Afghan border and large tracts of ungoverned spaces inside Afghanistan, the statement said.

The NSC said Pakistan is firmly supporting US-led efforts in Afghanistan and facilitating this through vital lines of communications. As a result of Pakistans cooperation, al-Qaeda had been decimated from the region while Pakistan had suffered a brutal backlash because of this support.

The NSC said the real challenges in Afghanistan were political infighting, massive corruption, phenomenal growth of drug production and expansion of ungoverned spaces...full of sanctuaries for multiple international terrorist organizations. It said Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan and that blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace.

Pakistans ambassador to the US was called to Islamabad for the meeting, which also reviewed Islamabads overall foreign policy. The meeting was attended by the chiefs of the three services and National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua.

Shortly before the meeting, the powerful military finalised its suggestions for Pakistans response during a Corps Commanders Conference chaired by army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa.

Pakistans parliament also convened a meeting of its committee on national security on Friday to discuss Trumps threat.US President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he departs a CEO town hall on April 4, 2017. File photo: Reuters

Trumps first year in office will go down in history as the most talked about rookie year of any US president. But it is how people have responded that makes 2017 unique. Its a reaction US media has labeled the Trump effect.

Trumps visit to China may have been the most anticipated event of the year. When President Xi Jinping visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida earlier in the year, he invited him to China. When Trump arrived in Beijing in November, it was the first time the presidents of both countries visited one another in the same year.

Trade agreements were reached, and deals were signed. It was a signal to the world that bilateral relations between the two nations were on a win-win path.

And newspaper owners secretly love Trump, while their staff writers rail against him. He has inspired people to start paying for news once again. Digital news subscription rates have been on the rise since the day after Trump won the election.

Within weeks after his victory, Trump nominated Elaine Chao (R) for Secretary of Transportation. She had previously served two cabinet terms as Secretary of Labor under the Bush administration, making her the first Asian American to hold a cabinet seat in US history.

Political pundits are still trying to figure out why Exxon/Mobile CEO Rex Tillerson was picked to run the State Department, while many are still wondering why he hasnt been fired.

When Trump visited Beijing in November, it was diplomacy on display, China style. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson accompanied the president throughout Asia. Consolidation and downsizing are corporate tactics that work in the business world but not when it comes to diplomacy, and hopefully Tillerson has learned this by now.

It was reported that since running the State Department, roughly 100 Foreign Service officers have resigned or theyve been let go, and applications are down 50 percent this time last year.

Tillerson was presented with the Order of Friendship, the highest honor Russia bestows upon foreigners, by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But now we have Susan Thornton, a Trump nomination, who will serve under Tillerson. Fluent in Russian and Mandarin, Thorntons presence indicates how bilateral relations with China remain a priority.

Trump has single-handedly saved Twitter, but the social media platform has never made a lot of money.

John O. Brennan, former CIA director, opened a Twitter account, another example of the quality of content the platform now provides.

Twitter doubled its character capacity from 140 to 280, giving users more room to put their thoughts in one single tweet. Trump was notorious for breaking off his tweets, treating them like cliffhangers, sometimes waiting hours before finishing them. Twitter executives said the decision was a financialone and not inspired by Trump.

As for his campaign promises, he delivered on a few.

He promised to repeal Obamacare and got as far as a mandate rollback,which only undermines the health measure.

He promised to slash federal regulations, and he did. On October 16, just weeks before the election he said, For every new federal regulation, two existing federal regulations must be eliminated. Regulations are killing our country and our jobs.

In May, Trump signed a $1.1 trillion spending bill so the lights at Capitol hill could stay on through the third quarter. Tucked inside the bill was the Rohrabacher - Blumenauer Amendment, a measure prohibitingfederal authorities from using federal dollars to go after medical marijuana businesses.

Trump promised to exit the Paris climate agreement because he felt it was waste of US taxpayer dollars, and on June 1 he delivered. And hes weeks away from telling NAFTA goodbye as sixth-round talks convene on January 18.

He delivered on filling the vacant Supreme Court justice seat, and his Neil Gorsuch nomination was met with Congressional approval.

2018 could be the year for marijuana as California voters approved to make recreational use legal. Analysts have predicted the state could earn up to 700 million for the year. Whatwas once considered a poison has now become a remedy for US states running out of ways to make money.Pakistans ousted premier Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on flimsy grounds as there was no proof of wrongdoing by him, after he appeared in an anti-graft court trying him for alleged corruption.

Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar Hussain appeared in the accountability court in Islamabad shortly after he returned to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia, ending speculation that he could go into self-exile.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Sharif said, They have not been able to prove any crime against me yet.

Sharif, 67, said he was disqualified on flimsy grounds and said efforts were on to find evidence of any wrongdoing by me. The Sharif family says the cases are politically motivated.

The cases are related to the Panama Papers leaks that resulted in the ouster of the three-time prime minister after the Supreme Court launched an investigation into the issue. The accountability court began hearing the cases in September after the apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe the corruption allegations.

Sharif protested against the frequent summons issued by the court and said opposition leader Imran Khan had accepted he had committed fraud but was declared sadiq (truthful) and ameen (honest) while no evidence has been found against me.

He noted that Khan had been granted bail by an anti-terrorism court on Tuesday in four cases pertaining to violence during his protest in 2014. He also criticised the Supreme Court for quashing a corruption case against Khan last month.

Sharif has appeared in the accountability court 10 times, his daughter 12 times, and his son-in-law 14 times.

Responding to criticism of his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Sharif said, Saudi Arabia is our friend, my visit there was not exclusive.

Sharif, who travelled to Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a deal with Pakistans military, returned on Tuesday with his younger brother, Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir recorded the evidence provided by two witnessed produced by NAB and the defence lawyer cross-examined them. A third witness provided additional documents. The court then adjourned the case till January 9.

A large number of leaders from the ruling PML-N accompanied the Sharif family to the judicial complex, while party supporters were asked to stay away.Winter storms swept up the US Southeast toward New England on Wednesday as snow, freezing rain and strong winds added to record-shattering cold that had much of the eastern United States in its grip. in Europe, violent storm packing winds up to 100 mph (160 kph) played havoc on transport, derailing trains in Switzerland and Germany and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes across France, Switzerland, Britain and Ireland without power.

In the US, the wintry mix and low wind chills could cause widespread power outages and leave roads icy, making commuting treacherous for millions of Americans from northern Florida to southern Virginia, the National Weather Service said in a series of warnings.

Some schools and universities in those states were closed on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm. Many flights out of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia and Tallahassee Airport in Florida were cancelled.

The weather service said its Tallahassee office measured a snow and sleet accumulation of 0.1 inch (2.5mm) on its roof early in the day, the first time Floridas capital has had snow in nearly 30 years.

The service said travel in northeastern Florida was likely to be difficult and dangerous.

Two to 3 inches of snow was expected in northeastern Florida, coastal Georgia and South Carolina, according to early morning forecasts, said weather service meteorologist Bob Oravec.

Some Florida and Georgia residents shared images on social media of light snow accumulating.

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott urged residents in the north of the state to brace themselves for the cold. He said cold weather shelters have either opened or would be opened in 22 of the states 67 counties.

Some coastal areas of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia could ultimately receive up to 6 inches (15 cm) of snow, along with an accumulation of ice, while parts of New England could see 12 to 15 inches (30-38 cm) of snow and wind gusts of 35 miles per hour (55 km per hour) by the end of week, the weather service said.

1 dead, 15 injured in western Europe

In western Europe, a violent storm packing winds up to 100 mph (160 kph) derailed trains, toppled trees and halted flights. Authorities said one person was killed and at least 15 others were injured in France and Switzerland.

Several people were injured when a train was blown off the tracks near Lenk, a town south of Bern, the Swiss capital, local media reported. In western Germany, a train derailed near Luenen when it crashed into a tree that had fallen onto the tracks, according to the dpa news agency. No injuries were reported.

The storm forced the cancellation of flights at Zurich and Basel airports and toppled a truck on a Swiss highway. Thousands of households at Lake Zurich were left without power, and firefighters were called to help with toppled trees blocking streets and flooding due to heavy rain.

Sea foam whipped up by high winds in Blackpool northwest England as a storm lashed Britain with violent storm-force winds of up to 100mph, leaving thousands of homes without power and hitting transport links. (AP Photo)

Swiss police say several people were stuck inside a cable car that halted in the ski resort of Pizol in the Swiss Alps. St. Gallen police said several rescue teams were trying to get them out. High winds prompted ski lifts to stop running at other Swiss resorts as well.

In England, the storm brought hail and lightning. Overturned vehicles forced officials to close portions of three major highways. Some bridges were also shut down.

In the Paris region, a falling tree hit a car and seriously injured one person, while another resident was seriously hurt falling from a building. In all, the Interior Ministry said 15 people in France were injured, with four in serious condition, following accidents caused by high winds.

Strong winds also caused delays at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, as extra precautions were taken to safely get travelers into aircraft.

In Germany, highways near Duisburg and Juelich in the west were partially blocked because of toppled trees and flooding. The zoos in Munich and Augsburg in Bavaria closed for the day and the railway going up Germanys tallest mountain, the Zugspitze, was shut down because of the storm.

In neighboring Austria, a ski jumping practice in Innsbruck was cancelled due to the strong winds and snow.

(With inputs from Reuters and AP)Fourteen worshippers were killed Wednesday when a suicide bomber attacked a mosque on Nigerias border with Cameroon, civilian vigilantes told AFP.

The suspected Boko Haram jihadist blew himself up amid worshippers inside the mosque in Gamboru around 5:00 am (0400 GMT), shortly before morning prayers.

Fourteen bodies have been pulled out of the rubble, said Umar Kachalla, a civilian militiaman, who said the mosque had been completely destroyed.

Only the muezzin has survived and we believe more bodies are buried under the debris, said Kachalla. The death toll may likely rise.

An hour earlier, a patrol of vigilantes spotted four suspected suicide bombers on the outskirts of the town and arrested one of them after a chase, said a second vigilante, Shehu Mada.

Two of them turned back and fled while the fourth disappeared into the darkness and we believe it was he who attacked the mosque, Mada said.

Boko Harams eight-year insurgency against the government of Nigeria has spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, killing around 20,000 people and displacing more than 2.6 million.

In August 2014, the group seized Gamboru, a trading hub along with neighbouring town of Ngala.

Nigerian troops retook both towns in September 2015 with the help of Chadian forces following months-long offensives.

Despite the recapture of the area, Boko Haram fighters continue to launch sporadic attacks, laying ambush on troops and vehicles as well as attacking and abducting farmers.

On Tuesday Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video message claiming a series of attacks in the northeast including those in Gamboru.Nearly nine years ago, the upheaval was stunning. Massive crowds marched through the streets of Irans capital and other cities demanding change in the first major unrest to shake the rule of hard-line Muslim clerics over the country since they came to power in 1979.

It was sparked in the summer of 2009 when the reformist opposition raised accusations that the re-election victory of the hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was rigged. The response was an earthquake. Pent-up resentment over political oppression brought millions nationwide out in protests over the next months, becoming known as the Green Movement.

Eventually, the response of Irans ruling establishment, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was brutal. The elite Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer force known as the Basij cracked down, opening fire on marchers and launching a wave of arrests. Dozens were killed, many more were jailed and tortured. The movements political leadership was put under house arrest.

Now Irans Islamic Republic is seeing a new, equally startling wave of unrest. This time it appears more amorphous and spontaneous, fueled by anger over a still-faltering economy, unemployment and corruption. Since last Thursday, protests have burst out in towns and cities around the country. At least 21 people have been killed. With no central movement behind the unrest, its supporters on social media have come to refer to it with any number of hashtags--or simply as Tazahorat-e Sarasari--Farsi for Protests Everywhere.

Heres a look at the differences between 2009 and now that could give hints on what happens next.

In this June 15, 2009 file photo, supporters of leading opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, turn out to protest the result of the election, in Azadi square, Tehran. (AP)

Whos protesting

In 2009, the demonstrations swelled to throngs of hundreds of thousands on some days and were focused in Irans main cities and provincial capitals, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz.

In contrast, the past days fury has burst out mainly in mid-size cities and towns. The protests have been smaller-- its hard to get credible numbers, but they seem to each be in the hundreds or, at most, several thousand--but they have swiftly erupted in far more places than more than eight years ago.

The first protest, sparked by a rise in egg and poultry prices, broke out in Mashhad, a city in the east that is considered a stronghold for conservatives. But the unrest quickly spread across dozens of towns throughout the country. These sorts of mid-sized communities in the provinces have suffered heavily from the poor economy, with large proportions of young people unemployed and mired in despair over the future.

Rejecting the system

The protests may be rooted in anger over the economy and corruption, but protesters quickly started chanting slogans directly against Khamenei and denouncing the Islamic Republic itself--not just a call for reforms, but an open and outright rejection of the ruling system.

This is a dramatic shift from 2009. Protesters then had major demands  they wanted Ahmadinejads re-election overturned, reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi installed as president, greater social freedoms and an end to the security forces tight oppression. But their demands largely stayed in the framework of existing politics. Some voices called for Khameneis removal, but they were limited; the Green Movements leaders went out of their way to say they werent aiming to bring down the system, whether out of pragmatism or true faith in the potential for the republic part of Islamic Republic.

Now videos show some protesters chanting, Death to the dictator and calling for the end of the nearly 40-year-old Islamic Republic. That reflects how many now see families of prominent cleric-politicians and Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a corrupt economic elite, monopolizing business, hoarding wealth and leaving ordinary people with no place in the economy.

That presents a dangerous development for Irans rulers. The protests have revealed a hidden vein of sentiment--and not just among a Westernized urban elite--that has lost hope for clerical rule and openly wants to toss the whole thing out.

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran (AP)

Leadership

The Green Movement of 2009 was firmly rooted in the reformist political movement, symbolised by former President Mohammad Khatami, the would-be president Mousavi and other prominent politicians who advocated greater margins of freedom and opening to the West. That gave the protests a base and organization able to mobilise massive numbers. It also gave protesters a defined set of demands--or to look at it from another angle, limited their ambitions.

So far no clear leadership has emerged for Protests Everywhere. Even opposition activists in Tehran are unsure who are involved. Still, the marches--with videos showing crowds of largely young men and women--have proven persistent and organized. Supporters on social media say that shows the breadth of support for a leaderless popular movement.

Reformers and hard-liners

In 2009, hard-liners were in firm control. Ahmadinejads policies and abrasive manner galvanized opposition  even part of the clerical establishment was against him  giving a wide base of support for protests.

Now the constituency that would be expected to join marches is more uncertain.

A relative moderate, Hassan Rouhani, is president, brought into office by the votes of reformists. Many of those voters now feel his nuclear deal with the West has failed to bring economic benefits he promised.

If large numbers decide there is no hope in the system and turn to the streets, it could push the protests into the scale of 2009. But many may hesitate, calculating that an uprising will plunge Iran into the unknown and that trying for gains under Rouhani is safer. The ferocity of the 2009 crackdown traumatized the opposition. The state showed it was prepared to unleash lethal force, arrests and torture; many activists were relentlessly harassed and persecuted for years afterward. That makes many wary of street protests again.

Rouhani has so far advocated a softer hand, saying Iranians have a right to protest. Reform politicians are calling for changes in economic policy to defuse the unrest. But ultimately, as in 2009, it will be Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard that decide  and if they sense the unrest is growing out of control, they could unleash a brutal and bloody response.

In this June 15, 2009 file photo, a protester allegedly injured by gunfire from pro-government militia is helped by another protester near a rally in Tehran (AP)

Twitter then--Telegram, WhatsApp now

When Neda Agha Soltan was shot to death during one of the 2009 protests in Tehran, the 26-year-old woman became an icon of the uprising. Video of her wrenching last moments circulated widely on Twitter and other social media. It was a cycle that fed the protests: Young men and women were killed, then their images inspired others to join.

That was when the Social Media Age was just being born. Twitter had only been launched three years earlier. Facebook was only a bit older. At the time, fewer than 1 million Iranians had smart phones.

Now the reach has been exponentially magnified. Today, an estimated 48 million Iranians have smart phones, more than half the population. Social media apps have flourished  besides Instagram, the messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp are wildly popular. They are also encrypted, giving a degree of protection from state surveillance and providing a major organizing tool and a space for images and videos to circulate.

Still, 2009 in Iran and the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings also showed the limits of social media; organization and imagery in the virtual realm dont always translate into effectiveness on the ground.

International scene

President Donald Trump is an unpredictable new factor. Trump has dismissed what he portrayed as a weak response by then--President Barack Obama to the 2009 protests. Critics contend Obama should have thrown the US weight behind the uprising in an effort to bring down the Iranian government.

But Trump faces the same question Obama did: how much effect can the United States really have on the ground? Too close an association with the US and with Trump could discredit the protests in the eyes of some Iranians. So far, the rhetoric from the administration has mirrored Obamas  both demanding Iran allow free expression and warning that the world is watching. The State Department has also raised the possibility of new sanctions on Iran over any crackdown on protesters.The passenger of a Ryanair flight from London to Malaga in southern Spain, apparently tired of waiting inside the plane on arrival, got out and sat on the wing, a witness and the airline said Wednesday.

We had been waiting around half-an-hour to get out of the plane, Fernando del Valle, another passenger, told AFP of the incident on Monday evening.

The man calmly went to the emergency exit, pulled the mechanism to open the door, looked out, came back to get his backpack and went out on the wing.

Del Valle filmed the incident and posted it on his Facebook page. His footage reveals a man walking on the wing, putting his backpack down and sitting next to the bag.

The captain was stunned... he asked who had got out on the wing, said del Valle, a Spaniard who was coming back from London on the flight which left an hour late but arrived around 20 minutes after the planned time late on Monday.

The man, whose age and identity have not been revealed, was immediately arrested, Ryanair said in a statement.

A spokesman for Spains Guardia Civil police force, meanwhile, said the captain had asked them to intervene, adding they had reported the passenger to air safety authorities.Acknowledging his push to broker peace in the Middle East has stalled, President Donald Trump on Tuesday appeared to threaten to cut off US aid money to the Palestinian Authority, asking why the US should make any of these massive future payments when the Palestinians are no longer willing to talk peace.

Trump, in a pair of tweets, said the US pays the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue ... peace treaty with Israel, he wrote.

Trump infuriated Palestinians and Muslims across the Middle East when he announced late last year that the US would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there, upending decades of US policy and igniting protests.

While the Palestinians havent closed the door to a potential deal with Israel, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the announcement had destroyed Trumps credibility as a Mideast peace broker, calling the decision a declaration of withdrawal from the role it has played in the peace process.

Tuesdays tweets mark a tacit admission by Trump that his decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has thrown a wrench into his administrations plans to restart the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, which he had dubbed the ultimate deal.

Trump tasked son-in-law Jared Kushner to restart the effort, and brought his former attorney, Jason Greenblatt, into the White House to lead the negotiations. Trumps Mideast peace team had held meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders for nearly a year ahead of an expected peace proposal.

But by recognising Israels claim to Jerusalem, Trump was seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem  which Israel captured in 1967  for their capital.

Trump said his decision merely recognised the reality that Jerusalem already serves as Israels capital and wasnt meant to prejudge the final borders of the city.

In his tweets, Trump argued his decision had taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more.

When Trump declared Jerusalem to be Israels capital, he insisted, counterintuitively, that the move would improve, not hurt, prospects for clinching a peace deal.

In the days after the decision, Trump administration officials said the strategy was based on the notion that Israel had lost faith in the US as a committed partner during the Obama administration. With trust in Washington restored, Netanyahus government would be more inclined going forward to make tough concessions that would ultimately be needed for a peace deal, the US officials argued at the time, and Israeli officials quietly indicated that they could potentially do so.

No one spelled out, however, what the Palestinians would receive in return.

Trump on Tuesday also issued a threat to cut off foreign aid dollars to an unspecified list of countries that dont reciprocate.

Its not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others, Trump wrote, appearing to reference a January 1 tweet lambasting Pakistan for failing to do enough to combat terror groups while taking US aid. No more! Trump had tweeted Monday.

Trumps language marks a striking departure from decades of bipartisan American practice and reflects Trumps transactional view of global affairs. US leaders of both parties have long utilised foreign assistance dollars  a minor percentage of the overall budget  to promote American interests abroad, alleviate humanitarian crises and support oppressed peoples.

Trumps envoy to the United Nations, US Ambassador Nikki Haley, foreshadowed Trumps warning earlier Tuesday at the UN Security Council. Haley said the president doesnt want to give more funds until the Palestinians are willing to come back to the negotiation table.

We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table, Haley said. As of now, theyre not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. Were not giving the aid. Were going to make sure that they come to the table.

Since a December 21 UN vote condemning Trumps Jerusalem decision, US officials have been weighing various options for retaliating against the Palestinians for pushing the resolution, which passed by a 128-9 margin.

Those options, which were to be discussed by Trumps top national security aides at a meeting next week, included several involving cutting off some or all aid to the Palestinian Authority. Another option would cut funding to the UN agency that provides services to the Palestinians in places like Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon.

The talks are in their very early stages, with no determination yet of a fixed amount or percentage of assistance to be cut, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

However, the officials noted that only a relatively small amount of the more than $220 million that the US was planning on sending to the Palestinians in the current budget year actually goes to the Palestinian Authority. Most of that assistance flows to non-governmental groups that are involved in building civic organisations that promote good governance, anti-corruption efforts, and health and education projects.

The officials said one possibility would be to redirect aid from the Palestinian Authority to those groups. Similar proposals were envisioned for the UN relief agency for Palestinians, the officials said, noting that Palestinian children in Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon would be disproportionally affected by an immediate and complete cut-off.

Chris Gunness, a spokesperson for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, said it had not been informed of any changes to US funding at this time.

One basket of money that is unlikely to be affected is security assistance that helps the Palestinian Authority coordinate police cooperation with Israel, the officials said. They spoke on conditions of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about internal deliberations.Six groups involved in activities related to Jammu and Kashmir and Khalistan remain on Britains list of banned organisations - called proscribed terrorist entities - according to the latest update that names 74 groups operating in and across various countries.

New Delhi has often asked London to clamp down on groups allegedly indulging in anti-India activities from British soil.

The International Sikh Youth Federation, banned in 2001, was removed from the list in March 2016. The current list includes Babbar Khalsa, which the Home Office describes as a Sikh movement that aims to establish an independent Khalistan within the Punjab region of India.

The six groups include four related to Jammu and Kashmir: Harakat-Ul-Jihad-Ul-Islami (proscribed in October 2005), Harakat Mujahideen (proscribed in March 2001), Jaish-e-Mohammed and splinter group Khuddam Ul-Islam (JeM proscribed in March 2001 and KuI proscribed in October 2005), and Jamaat Ul-Furquan (proscribed in October 2005).

Also named in the list is Indian Mujahideen (proscribed in July 2012), described as an organisation that aims to establish an Islamic state and implement Sharia law in India using violent means.

Under Britains Terrorism Act 2000, proscription makes it a criminal offence to belong, or profess to belong, to a banned organisation in the UK or overseas, or to invite support for a proscribed organisation (and the support is not restricted to the provision of money or other property).

It is also a criminal offence to arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation.British officials planning the October 1985 visit of prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to London were keen to schedule at least three sessions with his counterpart, Margaret Thatcher, but she turned them down, saying: Too many - we shall be bored.

This and other nuggets such as Gandhis flowers for the first session with Thatcher are mentioned in a classified file that was long due for release but was retained and made available at the National Archives last week. It contains documents with some redactions on the then sensitive issue of Khalistan.

Containing documents marked confidential or secret, the file presents a detailed account of how officials micromanaged Gandhis visit on October 14 and 15, and includes briefs on the sale of Westland helicopters to India, immigration, Sri Lanka, South Africa and other issues.

Officials informed Thatcher that Gandhi was less sentimentally attached to the UK than Mrs (Indira) Gandhi, but added, We are confident that RG shares his mother's personal regard for you, although this needs to be refurbished in the light of his youth and different chemistry. She had several meetings with him during the visit.

Thatchers eagerness to ensure the visit was a success is evident from a confidential note of a meeting: The prime minister said that the prime minister of India Mr Rajiv Gandhi was making an official visit to London. Indians were prone to regard the British as still harbouring colonial attitudes and as being interested in India only as an export market. It was therefore important that Mr Gandhi should receive the best possible treatment during his visit.

Gandhis visit took place against the backdrop of tensions in Punjab, the signing of the Punjab Accord and ennui in New Delhi over the British government allegedly not taking action against pro-Khalistan elements making statements from London.

The perception in London then was that this had led the Gandhi government to impose what were seen as sanctions on bilateral issues.

Days before the visit, Peter Ricketts of the Foreign Office wrote to 10, Downing Street: Mr Gandhi remains acutely sensitive about the hostile activities of Sikh (and Kashmiri) extremists in Britain, seeing them as a threat to the settlement he has wrought in Punjab and to his own safety and that of his family.

There can be little doubt that he approved the sanctions applied against us earlier this year: these included the cancellation of Ministerial visits and a major industrial exhibition, prevarication over commercial contracts, in particular the sale of Westland helicopters; and repeated obstruction to negotiations on defence contracts. There are now signs that he has relented. We have been given assurances there are no political obstacles to trade.

Charles Powell, Thatchers foreign policy adviser, wrote to her on October 10: You will see quite a lot of him (Gandhi)...On the bilateral front, a main issue will be Sikh extremism on which Mr Gandhi apparently still needs reassurance.

He added, The Indians are not blameless on the terrorism issue. We have offered full security cooperation but they have provided us with very little information.

However, another classified note stated: RG (Rajiv Gandhi) well understands that HMG (Her Majestys Government), under your directions, has gone as far as it possibly can, to contain...incitements to violence in Punjab.

It remains the case, however, that Indians nonetheless believe that the UK is less sensitive to India's fears of Sikh terrorism in London than it is about IRA terrorists...RG is under pressure to express this.

Gandhi, however, returned pleased with the visit, according to an account of his meeting with then British high commissioner, Robert Wade-Gery, during a social occasion in New Delhi in November 1985. Gandhi reportedly took the diplomat aside and made his views known.

He (Gandhi) said that, from his point of view, the visit had been a total success. It had never been meant as an occasion for concluding specific bits of business. but it had fulfilled all his hopes in deepening and strengthening his personal friendship with Mrs Thatcher. This had been of immense value, a document said.

Gandhi was accompanied by his external affairs minister, Baliram Bhagat, Natwar Singh and Romesh Bhandari. The file includes profiles of the individuals, as well as draft responses to 12 questions to Thatcher as part of a pre-visit interview to the Press Trust of India.

Rajiv Gandhis 1985 UK visit - how the British viewed the visitors:

Rajiv Gandhi: Rajiv is quietly spoken, courteous and diffident. He is not an intellectual, nor impulsive. He is a good listener and seems sincerely concerned to get to grips with some of india's big national problems. Although withdrawn in some ways, he is mentally tough and shows signs of an independence mind. He is thus in many ways like his mother was before she became Prime Minister. His great advantages are that he is his grandfather's grandson, his mother's son, that he is decent and an Indian aristocrat, and that he is on the way to acquiring an all-Indian, not sectional, image.

Natwar Singh: He is highly intelligent, witty and decisive, but can also be moody and irritable. He is vain and liable to perceive a slight where none is intended. Unlike most Indians he regards the colonial past as humiliating, and he has often been thought of as an Anglophobe. British officials have certainly found him difficult to deal with in the past, but in recent years he seems to have mellowed.

Romesh Bhandari: Bhandari is an extremely busy and ambitious operator. He is a good negotiator...He is quite well disposed towards Britain and in Indian terms holds moderate views on most international economic questions. He is not always completely straight in his dealings and needs handling with care.On the deck of the destroyer USS Murphy, the bearded king perched on his gilded throne, surrounded by gorgeous oriental carpets and fierce barefoot bodyguards carrying daggers and swords. Nearby, on the ships fantail, the kings sheep grazed in an improvised corral.

It was Valentines Day 1945, and King Ibn Saud, the ruler of Saudi Arabia, had come to visit President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The 69-year-old king was a warrior whod conquered a vast desert that turned out to be sitting atop an ocean of oil. In 1943, two of his many sons toured the United States and dined in the White House. Back home, they informed their father that Roosevelt was an avid stamp collector. So the king sent the president a set of rare Saudi stamps. In his thank-you letter, FDR said he hoped to meet the king: There are many things I want to talk to you about.

Months later, the two leaders agreed to rendezvous aboard the USS Quincy, the cruiser that was taking FDR home from his conference with Stalin and Churchill at Yalta. The meeting would take place in Egyptian waters near the Suez Canal. But first FDR dispatched the Murphy to pick up the king in Jeddahan errand that turned out odder than anyone anticipated.

When the destroyer arrived in Jeddah, William Eddythe retired marine colonel who was Americas representative in Saudi Arabia escorted the kings foreign minister aboard to inspect the ships guest quarters. The foreign minister was appalled. The king, he said, couldnt possibly live in quarters like this!

So Eddy and the minister concocted another plan: The kings servants would pitch a royal tent on the destroyers deck.

That solved one problem, but another arose. The king customarily traveled with an entourage of 200, including wives, slaves, cooks, aides, a ceremonial coffee server and the royal astrologer. Eddy informed the minister that the ship couldnt possibly accommodate so many guests, and they somehow managed to whittle the entourage down to a mere 42.

The next day, the king arrived with a load of supplies, including carpets, tents, the royal throneand 86 sheep.

The ships captain balked at the sheep, so Eddy huddled with the king, who explained that the animals were for eating en routeand, of course, hed brought enough to feed the ships crew. Eddy thanked him for his generosity but said regulations prohibited the crew from eating anything but navy chow.

So the king agreed to bring only enough sheep for his entourage about 10. With that problem solved, the king came aboard.

The immediate impression was one of great majesty and dignity, wrote Captain John Keating, the ships commander. One sensed the presence of extreme power.

The voyage up the Red Sea to Suez took two nights and a day. The sailors entertained their royal guest by firing cannons and machine guns and detonating depth charges. The king loved it. First I am a warrior, he said, then I am a king.

The king also ate his first slice of apple pie a la mode, which he loved, and watched his first movie, a documentary about aircraft carriers. He enjoyed the film but told Eddy that he wouldnt permit his subjects to watch movies because they would distract them from their religious duties.

Meanwhile, aboard the USS Quincy, Rooseveltailing, exhausted and only two months from deathmet with King Farouk of Egypt and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Then he prepared for his meeting with Ibn Saud by studying a briefing book, which reported that The Kings three admitted delights in life are said to be women, prayer and perfume. The briefing book also revealed that the king was a fierce warrior, a skillful politician and a devout Muslim who abhorred liquor and tobacco. The president, who loved martinis and cigarettes, agreed to refrain from those pleasures during the kings visit.

On the deck of the Quincy, the president sat in his wheelchair surrounded by sailors, watching the approach of the Murphy, where the king sat on his throne, surrounded by bodyguards.

When the two ships were finally nestled together, Ibn Saud walked up the gangway, lordly in his flowing robes but with a pronounced limp, apparently from a wound received in internecine warfare in Arabia, wrote American diplomat Charles Bohlen. He greeted the president, who was in his wheelchair, and the two went to a cabin to confer.

With Eddy translating, the leaders hit it off. The king, wrote Eddy, spoke of being the twin brother of the president, in years, in responsibility as Chief of State, and in physical disability.

But you are fortunate, Roosevelt replied, to still have the use of your legs to take you wherever you choose to go.

It is you, Mr. President, who are fortunate, said the king. My legs grow feebler every year. With your more reliable wheelchair, you are assured that you will arrive.

I have two of these chairs, Roosevelt said. Would you accept one as a personal gift from me?

Gratefully, said the king. I shall use it daily and always recall affectionately the giver, my great and good friend.

Lunch was serveda curried lamb dish concocted by the ships chief cook, a man named Ordona. The king ate with gusto and informed the president that it was the first meal hed eaten in ages that didnt cause digestive distress. Consequently, he asked if FDR would kindly give him the cook as a gift.

Hearing Eddy translate that request, a waiter slipped away to warn Ordona: Run! The king wants to take you to Arabia!

While Ordona hid below deck, Roosevelt informed the king that, alas, he could not grant his request because the cook was obliged to serve out his navy enlistment.

After lunch, Roosevelt raised a more serious subjectthe fate of European Jews who had survived the Holocaust and now hoped to create a homeland in Palestine.

The king objected. If the Jews need a homeland, he said, it should be in Germany, not Palestine. What injury have Arabs done to the Jews of Europe? the king asked rhetorically. It is the Christian Germans who stole their homes and lives. Let the Germans pay. The Arabs, he added prophetically, would rather die than yield their land to the Jews.

The king raised the issue of French colonies in Syria and Lebanon, and the president promised to work for their liberation.

The two men parted in friendly fashion. The king presented FDR with elegant Arab robes, perfume and a sword in a diamond-studded scabbard. The president gave the king a DC-3 airliner equipped with a rotating throne so he could always face Mecca while flying. And, of course, one of his wheelchairs. (But not his cook.)

The bizarre encounter lasted only five hours. Butas Thomas W. Lippman, a historian of Middle East diplomacy, has pointed outthe king departed with a fondness for the president that evolved into a lasting alliance between their nations: Under Roosevelts spell, he had cast his lot with the United States, and there it stayed.

Originally published in the December 2010 issue of American History. To subscribe, click here.Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

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Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.A medical aid team of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers arrived at a center for people with disabilities in Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone, to provide medical assistance to the disabled orphans on December 30, 2017.

The disabled orphans, ranging in age from 5 to 25, make a living by making indigenous costumes and wooden crafts.

The medical experts physically examined the orphans and employees at the center, taught them how to prevent infectious diseases, donated anti-malarial medicine and books to them, disinfected the surrounding areas, and tested the drinking water.

In addition, the medical experts put on performances and made Chinese dumplings with the orphans to celebrate the New Year together, making them feel warm.

Although China and Sierra Leone are far apart geographically, the two have established a close relationship, said Huang Lei, an expert with the team, adding that they hope to help the poor children in Sierra Leone to shake off poverty and fight diseases and build a better future for them.Cavan based Senator Joe OReilly said: I find it seriously disturbing that Sinn Fein are seeking to profit from the IRA, which was responsible for the deaths of more than 1,800 people."

In a press release embargo until this morning, which was issued by the Fine Gael press office, it was stated: "A Fine Gael Senator has questioned Sinn Feins commitment to peace as the party continues to sell IRA memorabilia on the partys website to raise funds."

The Senator added: Sinn Fein is seeking to exploit their association with a terrorist group that brought fear and bloodshed to Ulster predominantly for decades.There are a staggering 656 people waiting for a bed in hospital  thats the highest number since records began, according to the latest stats from the Irish Nurses and Midwives reveal

Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher says todays record trolley figures are a "damning indictment" of this Governments failure to effectively tackle the overcrowding problems in our health service.

The figures released today are truly extraordinary and paint a very vivid picture of just how dire the overcrowding crisis in our hospitals has become," he tells us.

"Despite assurances from Minister Simon Harris that this years winter initiative would be able to deal with the expected increase in pressure on our health system, the reality is that the plan is failing miserably."

He adds: The Governments mismanagement of this issue is now being blatantly exposed. Every January we see a significant spike in trolley figures, but todays stats are record breaking.

"Minister Harris and his predecessors Leo Varadkar and James Reilly all pledged to tackle overcrowding, but the reality is the situation is getting worse, not better.

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St. Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny has 57 patients on trolleys this morning, University Hospital Limerick has 55, 45 people are waiting for a bed in South Tipperary General Hospital, while Cork University Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital have recorded 38 and 35 people on trolleys respectively.

We need to urgently increase the number of beds available in our hospitals to help ease the burden. According to the most recent figures, Ireland had one of the lowest numbers of acute hospital beds in the OECD at 2.4 per 1,000 of population compared with the OECD average of 3.6 per 1,000 in 2015.

"I want Minister Harris to ensure that the bed capacity review is published as a matter of urgency so that action can be taken.The Coast Guard sent Wesley Felix to Houston and assigned him to a group monitoring vessel traffic on the Houston Ship Channel.

Memorizing docks, buoys and radio checkpoints proved relatively easy for the California native.

Figuring out the thick Cajun accents of mariners steering towboats and barges from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway was another matter.

"I completely didn't understand what they were saying, whatsoever," he said.

From the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston Vessel Traffic Service building at Ellington Airport, civilians and service members work side by side to monitor the busy Ship Channel with cameras, radar and the automatic identification system, or AIS, that ships use to share their location, vessel type, speed and route.

VTS workers are in constant communication with a diverse group on the waterway to help provide safe navigation. Their duties include alerting mariners about when they'll meet other vessels in the waterway or when a faster vessel will overtake them.

"A lot of these guys on the radio are used to talking to each other on the radio, and so they speak really fast," said Lt. Jessica Flennoy, a VTS watch supervisor.

Felix, a Vessel Traffic Service specialist, eventually came to understand that "top and around" meant the mariner was turning around. And a certain string of syllables meant the mariner was aboard the Caroline Guidry, a particularly tricky boat name to catch over the radio.

"It does not sound like 'Caroline Guidry,' " he said. "You just learn the grunt and know what they're saying."

There's somewhat of a language barrier for those on the water, too. Towboat captains, for instance, can struggle with military jargon, said Jim Guidry, executive vice president of vessel operations for Houston-based Kirby Corp., the country's largest operator of tank barges.

Guidry emphasized this isn't a complication that would cause incidents or accidents. It's just a quirk of the diverse maritime industry. A towboat captain from Louisiana might be speaking to a Russian ship captain and then a Coast Guard member from New York.

"Everybody's speaking a common English language that no one understands," he said. "Everybody gets used to it."

Brownwater University, sponsored by the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association and the American Waterways Operators, helps bridge the divide. The 2-day session is held in Houston at least once a year to bring together the towboat industry, Coast Guard and Houston Pilots. It's an opportunity to meet each other in person and learn about the different workplaces.

"It's been very successful," said Jim Stark, president of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association, "and I think it goes a long way to building personal relationships."

Petty Officer 3rd Class Joyce White, an operations specialist, checked into the VTS on Oct. 1 and, after more than two months of book work, put the radio headset on for the first time Dec. 14. Someone else listened in, too, to provide assistance.

White was nervous at first about putting her book knowledge to use, but she was feeling confident by Day 3. She didn't look to her supervisor as often for assistance, and she felt better asking mariners to repeat themselves or spell out information with the military alphabet - Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.

For Felix, it took four to six months for the radio conversations to become second nature. He worked for the Vessel Traffic Service for four years as a member of the Coast Guard. He left the Coast Guard but was later hired back as a civilian.

Felix enjoys the work. And he's proud of his role in keeping mariners safe and, ultimately, helping facilitate the economic impact spurred by the Ship Channel.

"It's just a unique job," he said. "Because of the importance of it, I feel good going home and feeling I did something for the community."Chinas ivory trade ban starting from the first day of 2018 as an effort in cracking down on illegal trade of ivory and protection of African elephants is hailed by foreign media, cankaoxiaoxi.com reported on Jan. 2.

Deutsche Welle, Germanys public international broadcaster, reported on December 31, 2017, that China announced it would end the commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of 2017, according to Chinas State Forestry Administration, calling it was a New Year gift to the elephant.

The ban means all 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues have been closed in what was once the worlds largest ivory market.

Statistics shows that the number of ivories ferreted out by China Customs declined by 80 percent since China joined global efforts to ban imports of ivory and ivory products.

A report by World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC also say that Chinese consumer awareness of the ivory trade ban should still be improved.The new tax code will reportedly boost the economy by cutting $1.5 trillion in taxes over 10 years, but compared to the drag created by the nation's opioid crisis, that's chickenfeed.

Pain pills, heroin and exotic drugs like carfentanil created millions of addicts, caused thousands of overdose deaths and cost the U.S. $504 billion in economic losses in 2015 alone, according to a report released by President Donald Trump's White House Council of Economic Advisors. That's three times the annual benefit of the tax bill.

"The problem is worsening at an alarming pace, with opioid-involved overdose deaths doubling in the past ten years and quadrupling in the past sixteen," the report, released in November, said.

The loss of 63,600 lives to drug overdoses is the main cost driver. The vast majority of the victims are between the ages of 25 and 54, the prime working years when they would contribute the most to the economy.

The Centers for Disease Control found that the majority of the two million Americans addicted to opioids fall into the prime worker category. But unlike cocaine addicts who get hooked looking for a good time, most opioid addictions started in a doctor's office.

The crisis began in 1995 when Purdue Pharma introduced a new opioid pill called Oxycontin. Purdue promised that unlike Percocet, or other morphine-like drugs, Oxycontin presented a low risk for addiction.

Purdue spent hundreds of millions of dollars promoting their patented formulation. Doctors, regulators and lawmakers began handing out Oxycontin like aspirin, making it the No. 1 narcotic prescribed in the U.S. and generating $35 billion in revenues for Purdue.

By 1999, though, the body count was mounting. Purdue accused patients of misusing their drug, but in 2003 the Drug Enforcement Administration blamed Purdue's "aggressive marketing" for the widespread abuse.

By 2004, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal filed the first legal complaint. In 2006, Purdue plead guilty in Virginia to marketing Oxycontin with "with the intent to defraud or mislead." The company stopped claiming the formulation was safer than other opioid drugs.

Momentum, though, was on Purdue's side. Doctors prescribed Oxycontin to 97.5 million Americans in 2015, even though the National Survey of Drug Use and Health reported that one in four patients will abuse it.

The DEA is moving to reduce the amount of opioid medication manufactured in the U.S., and doctors are cutting back on prescriptions. But that has only sent many addicts to the streets, where they buy heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil, a large animal tranquilizer.

Opioid abuse has become so widespread it is reducing the available workforce and lowering life expectancies.

Since 1999, the number of prime age men on disability insurance has risen steadily, and half of them are on opioids, according to Princeton economist Alan Krueger.

In a study released in October, Krueger discovered that the increase in opioid prescriptions from 1999 to 2015 could account for 20 percent of the decline in the men's labor force participation rate during that period, and 25 percent of the decline in women's participation.

Addiction is also tied to economic well-being. A CDC study last month found that doctors in suburban areas, small cities and rural areas were prescribing opioids at much higher rates than big city doctors. High prescription rates also overlapped with "regions of economic hardship."

U.S. life expectancy dropped for the second year in a row in 2016, largely because of rising drug overdose deaths in younger Americans, the CDC said.

Opioid addiction is not just a heath care crisis, it is an economic one. Because any plan to boost U.S. economic growth relies on more Americans working and earning more money.

The U.S. unemployment rate, which measures the number of people who want a job, but don't have one, is currently at 4.1 percent, a level that many economists consider full employment. The problem is the workforce participation rate for people between 25 and 54 has dropped from 84.6 percent in 1999 to 81.6 percent in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The participation rate peaked when Purdue's marketing effort reached full tilt, and the U.S. now has the lowest participation rate among wealthy countries. More than 10 million prime age Americans have dropped out of the workforce.

Economic growth depends on helping otherwise healthy people kick opioids and get back in the workforce. Firing, jailing or shunning will only hold our nation back.

Harris County was smart to join the dozens of other state and local officials suing opioid makers for sparking this epidemic. Paying for treatment and rehabilitation will be costly, and the drug pushers should help pay.

Unfortunately, opioid manufacturers don't have nearly enough money to pay for all the costs of the crisis, and we will be paying the price for decades.Authorities on Tuesday determined that a suspicious package did not contain explosive material, according to two police agencies.

Pearland police were alerted at 12:46 p.m. of a suspicious package under a van at the Back to Basic Christian Child Care at 7408 Broadway St., according to a department Facebook post.WASHINGTON - Since 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency has been embroiled in an enforcement battle with a Michigan-based company accused of modifying the state's largest coal-fired power plant without getting federal permits for a projected rise in pollution.

On Dec. 7, as the Supreme Court was considering whether to hear the case, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a memo that single-handedly reversed the agency's position. No longer would the EPA be "second-guessing" DTE Energy's emission projections. Rather, it would accept the firm's "intent" to manage its pollution without requiring an enforceable agreement - part of President Donald Trump's broader push to reduce the "burden" on companies, he wrote.

The little-noticed episode offers a glimpse into how Pruitt has spent his first year running the EPA. In legal maneuvers and executive actions, in public speeches and closed-door meetings with industry groups, he has moved to shrink the agency's reach, alter its focus and pause or reverse numerous environmental rules. The effect has been to steer the EPA in the direction sought by those being regulated.

Along the way, Pruitt has begun to dismantle former president Barack Obama's environmental legacy, halting the agency's efforts to combat climate change and shift the nation away from its reliance on fossil fuels.

Such aggressiveness on issues from coal waste to vehicle emissions has made Pruitt one of President Trump's most high-profile and consequential Cabinet members. It also has made him one of the most controversial.

Critics describe his short tenure as an assault on the agency's mission, its science and its employees.

"We've spent 40 years putting together an apparatus to protect public health and the environment from a lot of different pollutants," said William Ruckleshaus, the EPA's first administrator, who led the agency under both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. "He's pulling that whole apparatus down."

Yet, allies praise Pruitt for returning more power to individual states while scaling back what they see as the previous administration's regulatory excesses.

"It is a stark change, the way they solicit input from the industry that they're seeking to regulate," said Karen Harbert, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute, who welcomes the shift.

In an interview, Pruitt said a priority during his first 10 months in office has been listening to "stakeholders that actually live under the regulations that we adopt . . . I don't understand how that's not what I should be doing."

Already, some people are speculating about what his future holds.

As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt was widely viewed as a potential gubernatorial candidate there. Since he joined the Trump administration, rumors have swirled about whether he might pursue a Senate seat. He regularly heads to the White House mess for lunch, which provides more opportunities to run into key presidential aides. Privately, he has mused about whether he could occupy other Cabinet spots, according to individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential conversations.

The man who spent years railing against the long reach of the federal government now seems determined to make his mark in Washington.

Pruitt, 49, stands on the opposite end of the political spectrum from his immediate predecessor, Gina McCarthy, but the two share something in common: a willingness to use the agency's broad executive authority to act unilaterally.

"Vested in the administrator is this incredible power and this incredible regulatory reach," said Ken Cook, president of the advocacy organization Environmental Working Group (EWG). "When there's someone on the inside willing to unlock the door and let these special interests in, they can do tremendous damage to the environmental rule of law."

From the moment he arrived at the agency in February, Pruitt began using his levers of power to halt existing regulations and shift the bureaucracy.

"The administrator has been effective and very decisive on a number of issues [where] he can do things with the stroke of a pen," said Jeffrey Holmstead, a former top EPA official under George W. Bush and now a partner at the law and lobbying firm Bracewell. "He came in with a list of targets he needed to deal with, and he's been very decisive on saying, 'Here's what we need to do.' "

Within days of taking office, Pruitt canceled EPA's request that nearly 20,000 oil and gas companies gauge their emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The following month, he withdrew a proposed ban on a commonly used pesticide, chlorpyrifos, that the EPA's own scientists had argued posed risks to human health.

Last month, the EPA issued a guidance document outlining how it would implement a bipartisan 2016 law that for the first time requires the agency to rule on a new chemical's potential risks before allowing it on the market. Instead of including "reasonably foreseeable uses," the document states, the agency will now consider only the "intended" conditions of use submitted by the manufacturer - a significant and contentious change.

Three of the bill's Democratic authors say the interpretation defies the law's intent. But it is precisely the approach pushed by the American Chemistry Council.

Despite his scant experience running environmental programs, Pruitt sued the Obama EPA 14 times as Oklahoma attorney general and challenged the agency's authority to regulate toxic mercury pollution, smog, carbon emissions from power plants and the quality of wetlands and other waters.

"All that suing he did for years steeped him in the knowledge of the agency and how it works," Ruckleshaus noted.

That doesn't mean Pruitt has prevailed on all fronts this year. In July, a federal appeals court vacated EPA's attempt to delay a rule limiting methane and other pollutants from oil and gas operations. The next month, after Democratic attorneys general and public health groups went to court, the agency reversed its decision to delay implementating an Obama-era rule requiring more stringent air quality standards.

David Rivkin, a partner at Baker Hostetler and one of the administrator's informal advisers, said Pruitt remains acutely aware of the gauntlet he faces. "I cannot think of any administrator who paid so much attention to creating rules that are legally defensible," Rivkin said.

Pruitt says he has set about "revitalizing" the agency and focusing on areas, such as the Superfund cleanup program, that were "dormant" in past administrations. He seems confident that he will succeed in reshaping the EPA as he and Trump envision, despite environmental advocates vowing to battle him at every turn.

"I'm pretty sanguine about our ability to defend our actions here at the agency, so long as we do things timely and within the text of the statute," he said. "The problem the agency had historically is when [officials] have not done things in the time frame they were supposed to do something. That's invited lawsuits that then allow others to set the priorities."

From his wood-paneled office complex on the third floor of EPA's headquarters, Pruitt operates in a cocoon of sorts.

He is accompanied 24/7 by a security detail - a setup that has tripled past staffing requirements. He has installed biometric locks on his office doors, as well as a $25,000 soundproof booth from which he can make secure calls to the White House. And he has shied away from using email at the EPA, which would be subject to open records laws, preferring instead to communicate by phone or in face-to-face meetings.

While he has met with scores of industry executives, trade groups, farmers and ranchers, spoken to conservative political organizations and shuttled back and forth to the White House, Pruitt's calendars show limited contact with the EPA's own career staff. He has visited 30 states, by his count, but has yet to visit any of EPA's 10 regional offices.

The EPA routinely refuses to release details about where Pruitt will be any given day, citing security concerns. So as he travels the country and sometimes the world, his appearances often come as a surprise to the media and the public.

Despite Pruitt's claims that his door is open, advocacy groups such as the Sierra Club and EWG haven't bothered to request meetings. But when Earthjustice asked to attend a May session with state officials about how EPA planned to give them more authority over storing toxic coal ash, the agency refused. It also denied access to a 247-page guidance document it was drafting.

Other organizations have come up against similar walls. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request from a public watchdog group, government lawyers said Pruitt's Superfund Task Force took no minutes of its meetings. On one of the administrator's top priorities, the task force apparently produced just one document - a list of final recommendations.

The paradigm shift at EPA has been dominated so far by a handful of political aides and trusted advisers, led by the agency's chief of staff Ryan Jackson, who didn't require confirmation. The Senate only recently confirmed several of the agency's top deputies.

"It doesn't take a big staff to delay things and provide almost no reasoning," said Georgetown University law professor Lisa Heinzerling, who served as EPA's associate administrator for the Office of Policy between July 2009 and December 2010. But she cautioned that Pruitt eventually will have to provide more detailed legal justifications for his own regulatory proposals. "That's where it's going to get trickier."

Legal fights aside, Pruitt is making a more fundamental push to alter the agency's composition and mind-set. Too often in recent years, he said, the agency has come at issues in terms of "prohibition" - "It was to put up fences. It was to keep fossil fuels in the ground, as an example." By contrast, he sees his role as allowing the country to responsibly tap its natural resources.

"He understands the culture of the agency as part of the problem," said former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, who joined Pruitt in suing the Obama administration. Some EPA staff "believe they have been anointed by God" to pursue a specific agenda, he said.

To that end, Pruitt has moved aggressively to shrink the agency. More than 700 people have left, several hundred through buyouts this summer. With them have gone decades of scientific expertise. The EPA now has about 14,400 staff - fewer than at any time since the final year of the Reagan administration. The exodus has dampened morale, numerous current and former career staffers say.

At the same time, Pruitt has overhauled the EPA's scientific advisory boards, getting rid of numerous academic researchers in favor of experts from regulated industries and conservative states.

EPA's leader argues that he is trying to make it more efficient, to create "almost a franchise model" where regional offices around the country would act with more uniformity. He recruited a former top Arizona environmental official to create metrics for the agency's performance.

What Pruitt describes as efficiency, his critics see as undermining the EPA's ability to fulfill its mission. But friends and foes alike agree that he has been straightforward about his intentions.

Environmental group Trout Unlimited's president, Chris Wood, met with the administrator early on. The two spoke cordially about cleaning up abandoned mines, but the reception "was a lot chillier" when Wood suggested maintaining Obama-era policies to protect seasonal streams and block a proposed gold mine near Alaska's Bristol Bay.

"It was an incredibly honest meeting," Wood recalled. "He didn't pretend he was going to be Theodore Roosevelt."

Both at home and abroad, Pruitt is proving to be anything but a typical EPA head.

While he successfully lobbied Trump to exit the 2015 Paris climate accord, leaving the United States as the only nation in the world to reject it, Pruitt has shown an interest in raising his profile beyond U.S. borders.

In June, he took seven political aides to Rome before attending a summit of G-7 environment ministers in Bologna, Italy. Their first stop featured not just a meet-and-greet with business executives but two days of papal visits, including a private tour of the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica.

This month, he and an entourage of aides traveled to Morocco at a price tag of roughly $40,000. Pruitt met with the country's foreign minister, talked about solid waste and toured a solar energy installation. But he also spent time touting the advantages of U.S. natural gas exports.

It was an extraordinary occurrence: the leader of the EPA, in a foreign land, serving as one of the most outspoken salesmen for the nation's fossil fuel industry.U.S. crude oil production is flirting with record highs heading into the new year, thanks to the technological nimbleness of shale oil drillers who have unleashed the crude bonanza.

The current abundance has erased memories of 1973 gas lines, which raised pump prices dramatically, traumatizing the United States and reordering its economy. In the decades since, presidents and politicians have mouthed platitudes calling for U.S. energy independence.

President Jimmy Carter in a televised speech even compared the energy crisis of 1977 to "the moral equivalent of war."

"It's a total turnaround from where we were in the '70s," said Frank Verrastro, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Shale oil drills can now plunge deep into the earth, pivot and tunnel sideways for miles, hitting an oil pocket the size of a chair, Verrastro said.

The United States is so awash in oil that petroleum-rich Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil and natural gas company is reportedly interested in investing in the fertile Texas Permian Basin shale oil region, according to a report last month.

That is a far cry from the days when U.S. production was on what was thought to be an irreversible downward path.

"For years and years, we thought we were running out of oil," Verrastro said. "It took $120 for a barrel of oil to make people experiment with technology, and that has been unbelievably successful. We are the largest oil and gas producer in the world."

Shale oil drillers have spawned a revolution using high-pressure drilling, coupled with a mixture of water and sand, which breaks open - "fractures" - hard-to-reach oil pockets trapped in rock.

The major shale oil fields are in southern and southwest Texas, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and parts of Nebraska. There are also deposits east of the Mississippi in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

U.S. oil production has averaged around 9.6 million barrels per day in 2017. The highest U.S. production based on monthly government data is above 10 million per day, which dates back to 1970.

Production hit 9.58 million barrels per day in May 2015 before prices dropped because of an oil glut.

The resilience of U.S. oil producers has come as the price of crude rose above $60 per barrel on world markets. Many shale drillers can start and stop on a dime depending on the world oil price. The sweet spot for shale profit is in the neighborhood of $55 to $60 per barrel.

An expanding world economy and production cutbacks by Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have helped push prices above $60 per barrel in recent days.

The oil-friendly Trump administration has approved the controversial Keystone XL pipeline and is reportedly considering loosening offshore oil drilling regulations. The Republican tax bill signed by President Donald Trump allows oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, a potentially rich pool that conservationists oppose on grounds that it will ruin one of the planet's last wild places.

"This tax bill trades away a national treasure - for what - oil we don't need," said David Yarnold, president of the National Audubon Society, in a statement last week. Yarnold called the Arctic Refuge "one of the Earth's last wild places."

U.S. average daily oil production of 10 million barrels a day wasn't thought possible a few years ago. Daily U.S. output plummeted to 3.8 million barrels per day in September 2005 and again in September 2008.

That's nowhere near the nearly 20 million barrels per day in petroleum products that the United States consumes, but the volume of domestic production allows the country to tamp down oil prices by maintaining supply.

The increased production "doesn't make us independent, but now we have a lot of low-cost natural gas and low-cost oil. And we have become exporters of natural gas," Verrastro said. "It's a rosy scenario. At least for now."

Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network, said the various shale producers have coalesced into a few big players, resulting in more predictable production.

That results in a less volatile price.

"If producers can set the price, then oil companies can be a great investment," McMillan said. "If they are forced to compete, oil companies won't be."It was "cryptic notes" scattered around a Tomball man's downtown Houston hotel room along with a small stash of guns and ammo that sparked concerns of a possible Las Vegas-type shooting plot on New Year's Eve, a top county prosecutor said Tuesday.

Two days later, that fear has all but fizzled out.

Russell Lawrence Ziemba was arrested Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Houston after hotel staff called police over Ziemba's allegedly drunken behavior - and officers then found an AR-15, shotgun and handgun in his hotel room.

Now Playing: Authorities are investigating whether a man arrested at a downtown Houston hotel on an assault charge after a stash of weapons was found inside his hotel room shortly before a New Year's Eve celebration was seeking to harm others. Russell Lawrence Ziemba was jailed Sunday on charges of assaulting an officer and trespassing at the Hyatt Regency Houston, according to court documents. Raising the possibility that his aim could have been "inflicting casualties," Harris County prosecutors initially opposed bond - then asked for $500,000. Video: Houston Chronicle

The 49-year-old Tomball man was charged with trespassing at the hotel, after police alleged he would not leave after officers ordered him to. He is also charged with allegedly assaulting a police officer during his arrest.

Concerns about Ziemba's intent with the small collection of weapons, however, led prosecutors to request a magistrate to order a hefty $500,000 bail late Monday night, which experts described as a de facto pretrial detention order, issued only when a person's release from jail would pose a significant public safety threat. It was ultimately set at $105,000, after the court heard about the long-time machinist's honorable Army service and Bronze star.

On Tuesday, Harris County First Assistant District Attorney Tom Berg explained the pieces of information that factored into such a rare request by prosecutors. He made clear that, by now, authorities have moved further away from the belief that Ziemba was possibly plotting to harm anyone. But at first, a confluence of suspicious activity had investigators on high alert.

Police showed up around 1:30 a.m. Sunday to handle a belligerent man who'd been drinking at the hotel bar. He reeked of alcohol and slurred his speech, according to a statement read in court late Monday.

After causing problems in the lobby, Ziemba returned to his room on the 28th floor of the 1200 Louisiana high-rise. Minutes later, police were summoned upstairs to investigate guest complaints.

The responding officer didn't find anything on the 28th floor, but as he headed back downstairs he ran into a couple in the elevator complaining about a man in lobby.

Downstairs, the on-duty manager told Ziemba he needed to leave and police brought him to his room to retrieve his belongings. As he packed his clothes, the officer spotted several shotgun shells and a magazine for an assault rifle on a desk near the TV.

When Ziemba got back dowstairs, he allegedly refused to leave the building, triggering the trespassing charge. In the lobby, authorities said, he refused to put his hands behind his back and tussled with police, ultimately kicking one before several officers subdued him.

In addition to the weapons recovered during his arrest, Berg said police also found pieces of paper with "cryptic notes" written on them in the hotel room, including one that simply said "f*** it."

Taken all together, Berg said, prosecutors felt the safest option would be to keep Ziemba detained by requesting a high bail while local and federal investigators sought answers - and they had to wait hours for him to sober up.

"There was a legitimate public safety concern," Berg said. "At the onset, people had visions of Las Vegas, and quite fortunately those didn't pan out, but the initial impulse was there. At that point, he hadn't been interviewed by the feds conclusively, and his intent had not been established. There were lots of questions. I think many of those questions are now answered."

The FBI also confirmed to the Chronicle Tuesday that, after joining the Houston Police Department in the investigation early on, the agency was no longer assisting on the case, given no federal charges were warranted.

According to HPD, investigators learned through interviews with Ziemba and his wife that he had kept his guns in the hotel room because he didn't want them to be stolen from his vehicle. The weapons were legally owned, police said.

Berg said the fact that he was out on bond for another weapons offense - unlawful carry of a handgun - also contributed to prosecutors' decision to request a higher bail amount.

Ziemba was arrested two days before Christmas for allegedly keeping a handgun in plain view in his vehicle; he made a $1,000 surety bond in that case before being arrested at the Hyatt on December 31. He was charged once before with a weapons offense in 2014, but that unlawful carry charge was dropped when he was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

Ziemba is set to appear in court on the felony charge of assaulting a public servant tomorrow morning in the 230th state district court. No attorney is listed, though the attorney representing him for the misdemeanor charge of trespassing, Dan Richard, said he will have an opportunity to contest his bail before the judge.

Despite the fact that authorities don't appear to believe any longer that Ziemba intended to hurt people during the Hyatt's New Year's celebration, he remains detained on the $105,000 bail.

Berg said Ziemba's attorney may seek a bond reduction tomorrow, but that overall prosecutors at the onset sought to be safer rather than sorry due to their concerns.

"Drunks with guns are different than drunks without guns," he said.AUSTIN - Gold-framed portraits of past male justices line the wood-paneled walls of the Texas Supreme Court in Austin. Tucked in the back corner of the windowless courtroom is a painting of three women, who together for a brief period in 1925 composed the state's highest court.

Texas made history then for having the first all-woman high court in the country, just a few years after women won the right to vote.

But the progressive moment was short-lived: The women were appointed to hear just one case. Texas then waited almost 60 years before the next female justice was appointed to the state Supreme Court, in 1982. And since then, only seven more women have served on the state's highest bench.

"It was the first all-women panel to ever serve in the country. It does have historical significance from that perspective," said Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann, one of two women currently on the bench. "Does it have historical significance of being reflective that women were being acknowledged and treated equally? No."

While women make up half of all law students nationwide, less than one-third of all state judges are women - a figure that roughly reflects the makeup of Texas courts, according to the Gavel Gap, a report from the American Constitution Society. By the end of the recent filing period, only one female candidate had signed up to run in the March primaries for a spot on the state Supreme Court, now made up of nine justices.

"The glass ceiling that people talk about is still there to a certain extent; we need to examine why that is. And what we need to do is to try to get beyond it," Lehrmann said.

Debate surrounds the story of the 1925 all-woman court.

What is certain is that a year earlier, in 1924, Gov. Pat Neff faced a dilemma. All three male Supreme Court justices had recused themselves from an upcoming case that involved Woodmen of the World, a popular fraternal organization in which they were members, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Scholars disagree

As one oft-repeated story goes, Neff searched for fill-in justices but was stymied when every male attorney or judge he approached was also a member of the Woodmen. With just a week until the case was scheduled to begin, Neff decided to appoint three women as special justices, since they couldn't have a conflict with the all-male organization, according to a reported account from H.L. Clamp, who was the court's deputy clerk at that time.

Several scholars, however, disagree that Neff turned to women as a last resort, and instead say he intended to appoint an all-female panel to boost women's political activism.

Known for elevating women to state boards, Neff was also the first governor to appoint a woman as his personal secretary. And it wasn't the first time he had to name a special judicial panel to hear a case related to Woodmen of the World. In those earlier instances, he had successfully found male attorneys to fill in, according to a history of the all-woman court published by Alice McAfee in the St. Mary's Law Journal. As an outgoing governor, appointing the all-woman panel was one of his last acts in office.

"I am in hopes that this recognition of the womanhood of the State as attorneys will be helpful in many ways to those women, wherever they may be, who are fighting single-handed the battles of life," Neff wrote in a letter about the all-woman court.

Even then, appointing a panel of women proved a challenge because there were fewer than 30 female attorneys in Texas at the time. An even smaller percentage - roughly 10 - met the requirements to serve on the state's highest court, according to McAfee. Two of Neff's initial appointees had to step down because they hadn't already practiced law in Texas for the requisite seven years.

'I feel proud of them'

Eventually, Neff named Hortense Sparks Ward, one of the first practicing lawyers in Texas who passed the state bar exam in 1910, as special chief justice. For the associate justice positions, he chose Dallas lawyer Hattie Leah Henenberg and Ruth Virginia Brazzil, who graduated from the University of Texas as a "special student" in law, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

When the women first met in January 1925, the event drew national publicity. One reporter noted the women's court was "no freak affair, but a tribunal thoroughly competent to sit in judgment and reach a conclusion just as sound as a decision might have been made with all the Mr.'s since Adam stacked behind it."

Still, the justices weren't immune to commentary on their appearances, with a reporter noting the women "were a good deal better looking than the Supreme Court which regularly deliberates on the third floor of the capitol," according to McAfee.

The case involved claims for two pieces of land in El Paso. Once the women reached a decision - siding with a lower appeals court in favor of Woodmen of the World - they stepped down.

Henenberg went on to become assistant attorney general of Texas and later special assistant U.S. Attorney General. Ward continued practicing law, but never inside a courtroom for fear her gender would prejudice her clients, according to McAfee. Little is known of Brazzil, the third justice.

In the portrait, which closely mirrors a photo taken at the time, the three women look at ease sitting on the bench. Ward wears a string of pearls.

"I can't know what the significance of it was in 1925, but I do know that in 2017 I look at that picture and it's exciting," said Lynne Liberato, a partner at Haynes and Boone and the first female president of the Houston Bar Association. "When I look at that picture of those women sitting on the bench, it is a visceral reaction to me. I feel proud of them, I feel good about being a woman lawyer."A man who was found dead in the waters of Padre Island National Seashore was identified as a New Braunfels resident Monday, according to a report from the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.

Visitors found the man's body in the surf on Friday evening south of the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center, according to the report.



The man was identified as Kevin Francis O'Toole, 60, the report states.

RELATED: Neighbor found man 'smoldering' in East Side home, broke in to save him but was too late

Now Playing: Padre Island National Seashore shared this vidoe of high tide on South Beach taken at 3 pm on October 4, 2017. Video: Courtesy Padre Island National Seashore/Facebook





Park rangers called on the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office to investigate the death after they found that O'Toole had severe head trauma.



Though an investigation is underway, the case did not close off any area of the area's popular tourist spots to visitors.

The sheriff's office is reportedly investigating the incident as a suspicious death and have not ruled it a homicide as of Monday.

The man was identified as Kevin Francis O'Toole, 60, the report states.

READ ALSO: Teen detained in San Antonio Walmart shoplifting case arrested on heroin charges

Park rangers called on the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office to investigate the death after they found that O'Toole had severe head trauma.

Though an investigation is underway, the case did not close off any area of the popular tourist spot to vistors.

The sheriff's office are reportedly investigating the incident as a suspicious death and have not ruled it a homicide as of Monday.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSAThe Chinese Embassy in India on Tuesday denounced Indias accusation that contamination of the Brahmaputra River was caused by Chinese construction projects, adding that the Chinese side will stay in touch with its Indian counterparts concerning trans-border rivers through existing channels.

According to the analysis of satellite imagery and environmental and hydrological data, there have been no large-scale human activities around relevant sections of the Yarlung Zangbo River. The change of water color in the lower reaches of the river was likely caused by natural factors including earthquakes, rather than man-made incidents, said Xie Liyan, spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India on Tuesday.

Xie explained that due to a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Milin County of Nyingchi City in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China on November 18, 2017, the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Bend Region was seriously affected, resulting in massive landslides and mountainside collapses occurred along the Yarlung Zangbo River range, which affected water quality.

The remarks are Chinese authorities latest response to Indian media outlets groundless accusation that Chinese dam building projects are polluting the Brahmaputra River. According to The Times of India, the Assam government in December 2017 raised its finger at China, saying that dam building activities across the Indian border could be a reason for the pollution of the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, which has now contaminated the Brahmaputra River as well.

As one of the most important rivers in Asia, the Brahmaputra, originates in Tibet and flows down to India before entering Bangladesh where it joins the Ganges and empties into the Bay of Bengal. The river is known by various names in the region. The upper stream which lies in Tibet, is known as Yarlung Zangbo. After reaching Assam, the river is known as Brahmaputra.

Finger-pointing between India and China regarding the major waterway has escalated in recent years. In August, India accused China of not sharing the hydrological data of the Brahmaputra River, while the latter explained that the failure of information sharing was caused by upgrades of the data collection station in Tibet.AUSTIN - Former San Antonio mayor and U.S. HUD Secretary Julian Castro has publicly launched a political action committee to support Democratic Party efforts to take control of the U.S. House and gain seats in state legislatures.

Castro, who established the PAC last summer, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

He announced the public rollout in news media interviews.

He earlier had said the PAC will focus on securing Democratic control of the House, gaining seats in state legislatures for Democrats before the next round of redistricting in 2021, and prepping younger Democrats to run for office.

Castro, 43, frequently has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2020, and candidates considering a run for the nation's highest office often get involved in such midterm election campaigns as a way to build political networks for their own future races.

Paperwork filed last year to establish the PAC lists Castro as president.

Castro, who made Hillary Clinton's short list for vice president in 2016, repeatedly has said he has not made a decision on a presidential run.

So far, the PAC has supported lawyer Colin Allred, a former HUD official who worked for Castro, as a Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas, according to news reports.

It also backed two candidates who won their campaigns for seats in the Virginia General Assembly, earlier announcements show.

According to Politico, Castro also traveled last year to Georgia to help Democrat Jon Ossoff turn out voters ahead of a special House election there and endorsed Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum's campaign for governor in Florida.

Castro was elected to the San Antonio City Council in 2001. At age 26, he was the youngest councilman in the city's history. He was elected mayor in 2009, becoming the city's fifth Latino mayor and the youngest mayor of a Top 50 American city.

His signature achievement was leading the 2012 voter referendum to increase the local sales tax to fund citywide prekindergarten education, called Pre-K 4 SA. The program's four centers, along with grants to fund Pre-K in school districts, will provide full-day education to 3,700 students this year.

Castro broke onto the national scene in 2012 with a well-received keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. President Barack Obama nominated him to his Cabinet in 2014.

Since he left the HUD post, he has since been traveling, writing his memoir and lending his name to several Democrats in local and congressional races, the Houston Chronicle reported in August.

Mark Jones, a political scientist at Houston's Rice University, said that heading such a PAC benefits Castro politically.

"It's a step toward building a national political network and burnishes his credentials as a national politician, not just a politician in Texas," Jones said. "You could look at it as him laying a foundation for 2020, either in helping him get a plum cabinet position in the next administration should the Democrats win, or in aiding his own future political ambitions. Everyone he helps get elected to the U.S. House or other office is someone who can help him."Donald Trump wrote the book on the art of the deal.

Now he says he wants to cut a deal with the Dreamers.

At issue is the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In a sneaky twist on self-deportation, President Obama conned 800,000 undocumented young people into turning themselves into Immigration and Customs Enforcement in exchange for a temporary reprieve. Yet the only "action" being deferred was deportation.

In time, the Dreamers might have figured out that the Democratic president was not the friend he pretended to be.

But, as usual, Trump made the DACA story all about him when he terminated the program last year. If nothing is done, Dreamers could be deported after the program expires on March 5.

Oddly, Trump had previously told reporters that he "loved" the Dreamers and that the high achievers were "terrific."

Comments like those help explain why Dreamers have made such a large imprint on the immigration debate. According to polls, most Americans don't think we should punish young people brought here as children for the sins of their parents or uproot them from the only country they know.

This is why liberals want to keep the Dreamers in the mix as part of the larger pool of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. It's also why conservatives want to peel them off with a special accommodation - which could make it easier to deport the rest.

Meanwhile, Trump claims he'll support a bill giving legal protection to Dreamers - especially if, in return, he gets a truckload of goodies from Congress. He wants funding for a proposed wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, and support for his administration's crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities. He also wants a radical revamp of the overall immigration system. The number of legal immigrants admitted to the United States each year would be cut in half. And there would also be an end to the practice that some call "chain migration" while giving preferential treatment to skilled and educated immigrants.

What Trump is asking for has nothing to do with Dreamers. It's about shaping U.S. immigration policy going forward - which, although Republicans refused to admit it when Obama was in the White House, a president has the right to do. So if the Dreamers can get Trump and Congress to improve on DACA by giving them permanent legal status, even if it doesn't come with citizenship, they'd be wise to take the deal.

Yet, apart from serving the narrow interests of the Dreamers, the proposed bargain would be bad for the country. And the terms are sure to be harmful to the immigration debate. The concern isn't that Trump is asking too much. It's that what he's asking for is impractical. Some of it doesn't make sense. Other parts won't work. And, overall, the items on his wish list would make America weaker.

Take funding for the wall, which is expected to run as high as $25 billion. Forget Democrats. Republican budget hawks will never sign that check, not for a publicity stunt on the border that won't keep out the desperate, destitute and determined.

Or the administration's war on alleged sanctuary cities, those make-believe municipalities where federal immigration law doesn't exist and illegal immigrants live happily ever after. If you want to visit one of these places, follow the signs for Fantasyland.

Then there's the targeting of chain migration, where immigrants bring in family members. What many people are really worried about is changing demographics. But you don't say so because you don't want to be called racist - even though you kind of are.

Finally, there's the offensive idea of making America tougher to get into than the Ivy League - with an elitist point system that would have kept out most of the Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants who helped build this country. It's absurd. There is all this loose talk about how the United States should only admit immigrants with high education and valuable skills. Yet the people pushing this idea aren't smart enough to understand the value of the skills most immigrants bring to this country - like ambition, perseverance, optimism, ingenuity or work ethic.

Trump probably thinks that, by asking for a slew of concessions on immigration, he is showing Americans that he's a tough negotiator. But all the president is demonstrating is that - on this issue - he is in way over his head.

And that's a big deal.

Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. His daily podcast, "Navarrette Nation," is available through every podcast app.At the core of the net neutrality repeal is the idea that broadband competition will give consumers more options. In other words, if one internet service provider starts blocking your favorite sites or slowing down your video stream, or if your provider is too slow or too expensive or too unreliable, you should be able to take your business elsewhere. The city can do more to encourage competition between broadband internet providers.

But healthy broadband competition does not exist today. For speeds above 15 mbps, or megabits per second, more than 64 percent of Houston has two or fewer broadband options at home. And while cell providers promise broadband-like speeds with their upcoming 5G networks, there are enormous barriers to entry that prevent startups and industry disruptors from entering the field. And in Texas, cities are prohibited from creating a municipal-owned broadband network.Linux Journal, the Houston-based publication that covered and championed the open-source computer operating system for 23 years, won't shut down after all.

Publisher Carlie Fairchild said Monday in a post to the Linux Journal website that the online magazine has been "rescued" by Private Internet Access VPN, a company owned by London Trust Media of Denver.

Fairchild said in early December that Linux Journal was closing largely due to debt accrued during its days as a print publication, even though it went online-only in 2011. At the time, she mused that "there is some hope . . . that a savior might come through." And that is what happened.

"In addition, they aren't merely rescuing this ship we were ready to scuttle; they're making it seaworthy again and are committed to making it bigger and better than we were ever in a position to think about during our entirely self-funded past," Fairchild wrote in her New Year's Day post.

Fairchild will remain as publisher, and Linux Journal will continue to be based out of Houston, she said in a Facebook Messenger interview. In her web post, she said the publication's high-profile writers will remain on board, and the publication will explore "new and better business models."

more techburger Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook. See More Collapse

"Doc Searls, who in addition to his work at Linux Journal has been running ProjectVRM out of Harvard's Berkman Klein Center since '06, is eager to use Linux Journal 2.0 as a laboratory for expanding one corner of that work: creating better ways of doing advertising that supports publishers, rather than the kind that chases tracked eyeballs  and for moving beyond the advertising model as well," she wrote.

Fairchild said "Linux Journal 2.0" is actively seeking feedback from its subscribers about what the publication should become. Those interested in contributing can go to the Internet Relay Chat site freednode.net and log into the #linuxjournal channel.

Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook.Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

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If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry.

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Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. The information provided here is done so for personal edification; It's up to the reader to separate truth from error, and to examine everything (like the Bereans) from a Biblical perspective. Let the Holy Scriptures be you guide! - - - FAIR USE NOTICE: These pages/videos may contain copyrighted () material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, POLITICAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, economic, DEMOCRACY, scientific, MORAL, ETHICAL, and SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes.As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

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The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those.Whats the fallout for Switzerland and Europe from the US decision to overturn net neutrality regulations? It could stifle online innovation, says an American researcher working in Zurich on internet access issues. But paradoxically, many laws aimed at mandating a neutral internet may have the same effect.

The decision creates a world in which you must be at least this tall to play, says Brian Trammell of the United States Federal Communications Commissions vote last week to overturn regulations that kept internet service providers from charging content providers money for better access to their networks.





Net neutrality: the principle that internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or blocking particular products or websites. Since the US internet is no longer required to be neutral  or a level playing field for all seeking to use and access it  Trammell foresees that large companies like Google and Facebook could have their arms twisted into paying internet providers to show people their content faster, with smaller Web projects and innovations left in the dust. Since the US internet is no longer required to be neutral  or a level playing field for all seeking to use and access it  Trammell foresees that large companies like Google and Facebook could have their arms twisted into paying internet providers to show people their content faster, with smaller Web projects and innovations left in the dust.

Trammell specifically works on so-called transport protocol evolution on the internet, which refers to how internet traffic gets from point A to point B and who can see it. He and his research team, coordinated from Zurich but spread out across Europe, are working on a new type of transport protocol called QUIC that would better encrypt internet traffic on its way from source to destination, giving users greater browsing speed and online privacy.

Trammells project is one example of an innovation that may not have happened without a neutral internet and that could run up against challenges posed by the end of net neutrality.



Thats because US internet service providers  such as Comcast or Verizon  are now free to set up special online monitoring tools to be able to know whos using what services and charge money for access to them. Those tools, explains Trammell, could end up interfering with or blocking certain applications such as QUIC, which is expected to drive a significant amount of internet traffic within the next three or four years.

Are more laws the answer?



For Trammell, the net neutrality decision is just the latest example of a deepening transatlantic split between the US and European internet markets and practices.

The idea that your internet service provider can hold you hostage because they want more money is not one that has a lot of sympathy in Europe, among any political circles, he says.

And then theres the simple fact that the Swiss market and others in Europe have much more competition among internet service providers, rather than the pseudo-monopolies that many US providers enjoy in large swaths of the country. This makes it more difficult for a single provider to start charging for access to certain types of content without customers running to the competition.

But several years ago, in 2013, a law related to net neutrality did gain traction in Swiss political circles  albeit for the opposite reason as in the US. As Switzerland was developing a new version of its telecommunications law, parliamentarian Balthasar Glattli of the leftwing Green Party introduced a motion seeking to forbid any actions by internet service providers which violate the idea of a neutral internet.

At the time, Trammell was part of a panel discussion on the proposal, which ultimately did not make it into the telecom law. He thinks thats a good thing.

A lot of the techniques that an internet service provider would use to willfully violate net neutrality are indistinguishable from techniques you would use to actually manage the network [and improve it for customers], he explains.

The dividing line comes down to the business intent which is very hard to monitor.

The idea that your internet service provider can hold you hostage because they want more money is not one that has a lot of sympathy in Europe, among any political circles."

End of quote

Simple guidelines, expert eyes

Switzerlands parliament is about to negotiate another version of its telecommunications law, up for debate in parliament in 2018. It will likely include a section on net neutrality, but Matthias Hurlimann, head of the telecom law unit at the Swiss Federal Office of Communications, says opinions vary widely regarding how it should be written.

Some lawmakers, he says, believe that the legislation should contain clear rules banning violations of net neutrality by internet service providers, along the lines of what Glattli was advocating for. But others feel that discrimination of online sources should be allowed, as long as its fully transparent to customers.

In 2013, Carsten Schloter, then-head of Switzerlands largest telecom provider Swisscom, came down on the side of the latter argument. During the same panel discussion that Trammell was a part of, he stated his support for letting internet providers do what they want regarding net neutrality but requiring them to be very open about it.

Trammell largely agreed with that approach at the time but has now come to believe that describing to the average customer whats happening behind the scenes with their internet connection in a way that allows them to make informed decisions may be impossibly hard.



Instead, Trammell argues for a less heavy-handed approach to regulation, with simple rules and a group of experts tasked with analysing whether internet service providers are playing fair. He cites the European Unions BEREC net neutrality guidelinesexternal link, introduced in August 2016, as a good example. Non-EU member Switzerland has taken part in discussions about those guidelines, but is not bound by them.

BEREC, Trammell says, is not unlike the guidelines the United States had on the books  until last Fridays FCC ruling.

Now, that's been overturned, as well as a fair amount of rule-making going back to the administration of George W. Bush.

Internet governance forum From December 18-21, nearly 3,000 people are gathered in Geneva for the Internet Governance Forumexternal link, an annual meeting over how countries should make rules governing the use of online space. Geneva is hosting the event for the first time.



In her opening remarks at the Forum, Swiss President Doris Leuthard urged delegates to work towards a fairer and more stable digital future and called for an atmosphere of freedom, dialogue and consensus at the talks.

Source: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/more-or-fewer-laws-_net-neutrality-ruling--deepens-the-split--between-us-and-europe/43768658Snow, Cold Temperatures On Tap For This Weekend

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshires will see subzero temperatures again this weekend.

The National Weather Service says temperatures will continue to be bitter cold and another 3 to 5inches of snow is expected to fall this week. A coastal storm is expected to coat the entire state with snow and the wind-chill factor will make it as cold as minus-35 degrees in the Berkshires.

"The National Weather Service is forecasting a strong coastal storm on Thursday that will bring accumulating snow across the entire state, with the eastern half of the state seeing the greatest amounts. Strong and possibly damaging winds are also expected, with the greatest threat along the coast, including the Cape and Islands. Starting on Friday, bitterly cold weather will return and persist into the weekend," reads an alert put out by Christopher Besse, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's public information coordinator.

The forecast calls for snow to start early Thursday morning and last throughout the day. The snowfall rate could be as much as one to two inches per hour.

The storm moving north along the East Coast from Florida is being described as a "bomb cyclone" because its pressure could drop so fast. The center of the storm is expected to be off the coast, south east of Cape Cod, and could create blizzard conditions in some coastal areas.

The greatest amount of snow is expected in eastern and central Massachusetts, where between 8 and 12 inches are expected. Berkshire County is expected to see less, with about 3 to 5 inches falling.

Wind gusts in Pittsfield will be as much as 33 mph while on the eastern part of the state, the gusts could get up to 65 mph.

On Friday, frigid temperatures will come into the Berkshires. The daytime temperature on Friday and Saturday is expected to stay somewhere around 0 and then drop to between minus-10 and minus-20 overnight.

MEMA says the wind chill on the weekend is potentially life-threatening and can cause frostbite and hypothermia in as quickly as 30 minutes. MEMA also expected an increase in fires and carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe use of alternative heating sources, and possible water main breaks, pipe bursts, and vehicle failure.

MEMA previously released the following safety tips.

 Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

 Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.

 The warning signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. Get the victim to a warm location. If the person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care.

 Have a well-stocked home emergency kit that includes a flashlight, sleeping bag or blanket, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable food. Add seasonal supplies to your emergency kit such as extra winter clothing and blankets.

 Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half-full. Carry a winter emergency car kit including blankets, extra clothing, a flashlight with spare batteries, a can, waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods, windshields scraper, shovel, sand, towrope, and jumper cables in the trunk.

 Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need additional assistance.

 Limit outdoor time for your pets. Freezing temperatures are dangerous to animals as well as humans.

 Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers covered with plastic to keep them from freezing. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze. If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes or wrap them with towels soaked in hot water, starting where they are most exposed to the cold. A hair dryer, used with caution, works well to thaw pipes.

 Although temperatures may be cold, bodies of water covered in ice are likely unsafe given recent temperature fluctuations. Residents are urged to stay off frozen bodies of water until ice is at least 4 inches thick.

 Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as alternate emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as an emergency generator, your fireplace, wood stove, or space heater, take necessary safety precautions:

 Keep a fire extinguisher handy and ensure everyone knows how to use it properly.

 Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven or charcoal barbecue grill.

 Make sure all heating devices are properly ventilated and always operate a generator outdoors and away from your home. Improper heating devices can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home. Make sure you test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause flulike illness or death. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately, get the victim to fresh air, and open windows.

 Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters. See more winter heating safety tips from the Department of Fire Services.

If you need information on the location of open warming centers or shelters check with local authorities or call 2-1-1The new School Committee convened on Tuesday with Mayor Thomas Bernard and new members Ian Bergeron and James Holmes, at left.

North Adams Schools Select Interim Manager for Business Office

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The School Committee on Tuesday authorized the superintendent to enter into a contract with a business management firm for up to 60 days.

The School Department has been unable to replace Business Manager Nancy Ziter, who retired effective Dec. 31.

"We are now past Dec. 31, Nancy has ridden off into the sunset," Superintendent of School Barbara Malkas told the committee. "But we are in the position where we are without a school business administrator and yet the district still needs to operate and to move forward with our business and finance operations."

The department will contract with The Management Solution of Auburn, with a scope of work expected to be submitted to the company by Wednesday.

The initial posting for the job a few months ago attracted six applicants, but only two of them where licensed and both withdrew prior to interviews. Two other candidates were versed in municipal finance but had no extensive experience working in school finance.

Two of the original six applicants reapplied along with several other candidates when the job was reposted but out of that group, only one was licensed. Malkas said she could not recommend that candidate upon review of the individual's work history and references.

The posting will remain open while TMS takes over the day-to-day operations. Andy Paquette, a founder of TMS with David Lockwood, explained to the board their background and long experience in school finance.

Both men worked as lead examiners with the state's former Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, reviewing more than 100 school districts to determine how effective they were in meeting educational standards.

"If you look at the literature back then, it was the highest rated accountability system in the country," he said.

Paquette said they found that school districts most struggled with business and financial management and human resource support. When it became apparent the semi-independent agency would be subsumed by the Department of Eduction, the decided in 2006 to combine their financial acumen and knowledge of best practices to form TMS. They are state and nationally in a number of programs and associations.

"We have a wide range of resources, we're implementing best practices in our clients we serve," he said. "We don't come in with a canned way of doing things. We absorb ourselves into the culture of the district and we work and we do speak truth to power regarding site-based management."

TMS is currently in 13 school districts, including Mount Greylock Regional School District that has also had difficulty finding a qualified business manager. It offers both long and short-term services. For example, it ran the business office of the Greenfield Public Schools for a year until that district could find a business administrator several years ago; that person has now left, and TMS is back in Greenfield for the interim.

"It's nice to hear that we're coming into a district that the business manager had a solid operation going on," Paquette said. "Because a lot of the time, we're being invited into a district that's in trouble."

The company has 10 full-time staff and another 15-20 part-time bullpen ranging from former school business managers to retired superintendents to facilities managers. It offers a broad array of services including accounting, bidding, contract and accounts analysis, audits, and development of policies and controls.

School Committee member Heather Boulger questioned if these services should go through the bidding process but Malkas said it was not required because it was temporary and she expected to come to the committee with candidates within the two months.

Ziter had indicated a willingness to continue in some capacity until her post could be filled but was unable to get a waiver of the 60-day no-contract period from the Retirement Board.

"In 60 days, we could potentially contract with her but I'm hoping within 60 days, we would have an agreement to bring forward to the School Committee for consideration," Malkas said.

This was also the first committee meeting for new Mayor and School Committee Chairman Thomas Bernard and new members Ian Bergeron and James Holmes.

The mayor briefly welcomed the new committee and those attending the meeting. Officers re-elected were Boulger as vice president, a post she's held for many years, and Karen Bond as secretary.

Bernard made appointments to the negotiations subcommittees of Karen Bond, Nicholas Fahey and Chairwoman Tara Jacobs for professional employees and Bergeron, Boulger and Chairman Holmes for nonprofessional employees. Bergeron, Jacobs and Fahey, as chair, were appointed to the finance & facilities subcommittee and Bond as chair and Holmes to the endowment committee.Palestinian officials voiced outrage on Wednesday over President Donald Trump's threat to cut funding to the Palestinian Authority, calling his tweets "blackmail" in the aftermath of the U.S. administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's office rebuffed the U.S. leader's remarks, saying that "Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor silver."

Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh said that "if the United States is keen on its interests in the Middle East, it must implement the international resolutions which call for a state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital."

"Without this, the United States will push the region to the abyss," Abu Rdeneh added.

Trump expressed frustration on Tuesday over the lack of progress in his attempts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and pointed his finger at the Palestinians.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," he tweeted. "But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Trump upset the Palestinians last month by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and announcing plans to move the U.S. Embassy to the holy city.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, a move that has never been recognised by the international community.

The Palestinians accused Trump of siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict and subsequently said the U.S. could no longer serve as a mediator.

Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said the Palestinians "will not be blackmailed" by the president, adding that Trump "singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace" by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month.

"Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice," she said Wednesday.

American officials have been weighing possible retaliatory actions against the Palestinians for a U.N. resolution rejecting Trump's Jerusalem decision. The resolution passed last month by a 128-9 margin.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presaged Trump's threat on Tuesday, saying the president doesn't want to give more funds "until the Palestinians are willing to come back to the negotiation table."

"We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table," Haley said. "As of now, they're not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We're going to make sure that they come to the table."

In addition to its support for the Palestinian Authority, the U.S. is also the largest donor UNRWA, the U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees.

The U.S. donated $355 million to UNRWA in 2016, nearly 30 percent of its total funding. A large portion of the organization's activity is focused on providing health care, education and food aid to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Ending this aid could precipitate a humanitarian crisis, particularly in impoverished Gaza, where a majority of residents are eligible for UNRWA support.

UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said it had not been informed of any changes to U.S. funding at this time.

Culture Minister Miri Regev, a senior member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet, said she was "very pleased" by Trump's call to cut funding to the Palestinians. She said the Trump administration's call to cut aid to UNRWA was "correct and important."

*This story is edited by Ahram Online

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The Ayatollah Empire Is Rotting Away

The Fellowship | January 3, 2018 Embed from Getty Images

Protests continue in Iran  protests against the countrys evil regime, protests for freedom  even as the Iranian government tries to quash them. Writing at Tablet, Edward Luttwak explains that a breakdown of the Iranian regime is inevitable because of the harm done to the Iranian people by the Islamic Republics corrupt leadership:

Whether or not this past weekends mass demonstrations in Iran will spread, whether a second revolution is imminent or not, the numbers for the ayatollah empire just dont add up. A breakdown is materially inevitable.

With some 80 million people, and with oil accounting for 80 percent of its exports, Iran would need to export some 25 million barrels a day to make a go of it, but it can barely export 2.5 million. That would be luxuriously ample for the likes of Abu Dhabi with fewer than 800,000 citizens, but it is a miserable pittance for Iran, with a population more than 100 times as large.

Iran cannot even match the $6,000 income per capita of Botswana. That most fashionable of safari destinations is a fine and well-governed country to be sure, and far from poor by African standardsbut then its citizens are not required to pay for extensive nuclear installations, which are very costly to maintain even in their current semi-frozen state, or for the manufacture of a very broad range of weaponsfrom small arms to ballistic missilesfor which much expensive tooling is imported daily from the likes of our own dear ally South Korea. Neither is Botswana mounting large-scale military expeditions in support of a foreign dictator at war with 80 percent of his own population or providing generous funding for the worlds largest terrorist organization, Hezbollah, whose cocaine-smuggling networks and local extortion rackets cannot possibly cover tens of thousands of salaries. The ayatollah empire is doing all those things, which means that average Iranians are actually much poorer than their Botswanian counterparts.

You would never know it looking at photographs of Tehran, one more bombastic capital city fattened on intercepted oil revenues and graft, but Iran is dirt poorGermany is worried about the situation in Iran escalating, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on a visit to Ukraine, Gabriel also said he was skeptical that a decision by the United States to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine would help lead to a resolution of the Donbass conflict.

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Prince Charming may not be so... you know where this is going.

Kazue Muta, a professor at Osaka University has reportedly claimed that certain fairytale princes are less about romance and instead perform "quasi-compulsive obscene sexual acts on an unconscious partner".

The feminist academic and author of Boss, That Love is Sexual Harassment! apparently argues that princes in stories such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are portrayals of assault, Fox News reports.

In December she shared a news story linking to a real case where a man had been arrested for kissing a sleeping woman on a train.

Is Snow White a sexual assault victim? Feminist professor argues some fairytales promote 'sexual acts on an unconscious partner'

"When you think rationally about Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, that tell of a 'princess being woken up by the kiss of a prince', they are describing sexual assault on an unconscious person," she explained. "You might think I'm ruining the fantasy of it all, but these stories are promoting sexual violence and I would like everyone to be aware of it."

Last year in November a mother made headlines after she called for Sleeping Beauty to be removed from her son's primary school curriculum because of its "inappropriate sexual message".

Sarah Hall complained that the story teaches children that it is acceptable to kiss a woman who is not conscious.

"I think it's a specific issue in the Sleeping Beauty story about sexual behaviour and consent," she told the Newcastle Chronicle. "It's about saying: Is this still relevant, is it appropriate?"

Ongoing criticisms of classic fairytales have prompted debates over whether some of the more dubious portrayals of romance need an update.

Follow Independent Culture on FacebookMeryl Streep has finally spoken about the sexual harassment allegations against her 1979 Kramer vs Kramer co-star Dustin Hoffman.

When claims against Hoffman first surfaced regarding his inappropriate behaviour, an interview with Streep featured in a 1979 issue of TIME Magazine resurfaced regarding a particularly disturbing instance.

In it, she said the actor - now 80 - had grabbed Streep's breast in their first meeting.

A representative for Streep revealed that Hoffman had apologised for his actions and Streep had accepted.

However that apparently wasn't the only time Hoffman had overstepped:

In an interview with The New York Times about the #MeToo movement and her new film with Tom Hanks, The Post, Streep revealed Hoffman actually slapped her in their first scene together.

"That was when we were making Kramer vs Kramer," Streep said of the experience. "This is tricky because when youre an actor, youre in a scene, you have to feel free. Im sure that I have inadvertently hurt people in physical scenes. But theres a certain amount of forgiveness in that."

It was unsettling for Streep though.

She continued, "But this was my first movie, and it was my first take in my first movie, and he just slapped me. And you see it in the movie. It was overstepping. But I think those things are being corrected in this moment. And theyre not politically corrected; theyre fixed. They will be fixed, because people wont accept it anymore. So thats a good thing."

The Post actress then goes on to discuss her experiences with sexual harassment beyond what happened with Hoffman.

Back in the day, when everybody was doing cocaine, there was a lot of behaviour that was inexcusable," Streep said of her days as a young actress. "But now that people are older, and more sober, there has to be forgiveness, and thats the way I feel about it."

Streep feels that "if the world is going to go on, we have to find out a way to work together" and thinks things will be better when men see women as equals.The legalisation of marijuana just got a lot more interesting: former boxer Mike Tyson is planning to open a resort dedicated to the plant in California City.

The former heavyweight champion will cash in on the legalisation of the drug with a 40-acre plot of land, where he wants to grow cannabis and put money behind research into the medical effects of it.

Tyson's name, of course, will brand the resort nestled in Southern California: it will be known as 'Tyson Ranch'.

Gary Trock of The Blast claims 20 acres of the ranch will be used to craft "high-quality strains of THC and CBD," and will include "glamping" campgrounds, cabins, an edible factory, extraction facility, a hydro-feed plant and supply store and the Tyson Cultivation school where there will be educational sessions for new growers.

Basically, Tyson Ranch is a weed-lover's amusement park.

It's no surprise that Tyson has honed in on his love of the drug: he admitted in his memoir he got high before his fights and was even fined for testing positive for the drug in 2000.

When he was sentenced for cocaine possession in 2007, he admitted he also used cannabis at the time.

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As of January 1, California is the sixth state to permit recreational use of marijuana.

With regards to Tyson's resort, California City seems thrilled about the new property.

Mayor Jennifer Wood referred to Tyson Ranch as a "rebirth" of California City as it will likely provide a slew of new jobs for the community.A strange star deep in space probably doesn't have a giant alien megastructure wrapped around it, according to new research.

The strange sun  known as Tabby's star  became famous in 2016 when some suggested that its strange behaviour could be explained by aliens building a huge structure around the star. Since then, scientists have been attempting to find whether that was true, or if there is another explanation.

The strange behaviour was noticed when scientists saw that the star seemed to dimming and brightening sporadically, in a way that was like no other seen before and couldn't easily be explained. It led to the star becoming known as the "most mysterious star in the universe".

Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427  more commonly known as WR 124  and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead  sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later  having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region

Now detailed research suggests that it is in fact dust swirling in front of the star that is causing the strange dimming behaviour. That's the conclusion of nearly a year of work that saw scientists look deeply at the light coming from the star.

The research was funded by a crowdfunding campaign off the back of interest in the star. That money was used to watch for the strange dips in the light emerging from it, and study what they looked like.

"They're ancient; we are watching things that happened more than 1,000 years ago," write the authors of the new paper. "They're almost certainly caused by something ordinary, at least on a cosmic scale. And yet that makes them more interesting, not less. But most of all, they're mysterious."

The new data doesn't entirely discount that an alien megastructure or hidden planet is getting in the way. But it provides compelling evidence that it's probably not.

"Dust is most likely the reason why the star's light appears to dim and brighten. The new data shows that different colors of light are being blocked at different intensities. Therefore, whatever is passing between us and the star is not opaque, as would be expected from a planet or alien megastructure," said Tabetha Boyajian, the astronomer who the star has been named after.

The strange behaviour of the star was found by citizen scientists looking through the huge amounts of data being generated by Nasa's Kepler mission to look for new planets. The scientists involved in the new research praised the work of the public in both finding the star and then funding the further research on what exactly was happening.Donald Trump's tweet threatening nuclear war probably won't ever be removed from Twitter, despite the chance it could bring about destruction to the world.

The President mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after he said that he has the nuclear button always on his desk. Mr Trump also has a nuclear button, he made clear, and one that "works".

Despite the fact that the tweet could easily be read as a threat of nuclear war, it's unlikely the post will be removed. Twitter has committed to keeping Mr Trump's tweets up, even when they include threats of violence and false information.

11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Show all 11 1 /11 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Turn on Night Mode Twitters dark blue Night Mode is a lot easier on your eyes than its regular, vibrant theme. On the site, you can enable it by clicking your profile photo (on the right-hand side of the bar at the top of the screen) and selecting Night Mode. On Android and iOS, you need to tap your profile picture at the top of the screen and select Night Mode. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Lengthen your tweets A small group of users are no longer restricted by Twitters 140-character tweet limit. Even if youre not a chosen one, you can double your limit to 280 characters on desktop by downloading the Tampermonkey plugin, going to https://gist.github.com/Prof9/c16fc4997e0ef5b22a15c43edd7f5f49, clicking Raw and then Install. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Improve search Twitters regular search tool can be a little messy, but Advanced Search makes it much easier for you to find specific things. Go to https://twitter.com/search-advanced and filter your search by word, hashtag, exact phrase, location, date and account. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Disable read receipts Like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, Twitters direct messaging service shows you when your messages have been seen by the person you sent them to. You can disable read receipts though. On Android, iOS and the site, go to Settings and Privacy, click on Privacy and Safety and disable read receipts. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Monitor your tweets Retweets and Likes only form part of the story, as far as tweet engagement is concerned. You can view a lot more information about how people have reacted to your updates, including the number of times theyve been seen and the number of times people have interacted with them. Just open your tweets and hit the View Tweet Activity button. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Trim the fat If you feel like youre drowning in push notifications, you can cut down the number you receive from Twitter by going to Settings, Notifications, Push Notifications and deselecting the types of notifications you wouldnt like to receive. You can also enable sleep settings, which allow you to switch off all mobile updates during certain hours of the day. On the site, go to Settings, Mobile and select your hours. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Save data You can stop videos from playing automatically on desktop and the Twitter app. On the site, you can do this by going to Settings, Account, Video Tweets and unchecking Video Autoplay. On both the Android and iOS versions of the app, go to Settings, General, Data Usage, Video Autoplay, and choose between Mobile data & Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Only, and Never. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Save even more data You can save even more data and completely transform your timeline in the process by disabling images. Just go to Settings, Data Usage and uncheck the Image Previews box. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Customise your profile Editing your Twitter profile is really straightforward, just go to your profile and click the large Edit Profile button. However, theres one customisation option thats easy to miss. As well as your name, bio and profile photos, you can change your colour scheme. The option is only available on the Twitter site, and is sandwiched between the Website and Birthday sections. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Browse properly One of the Twitter apps most annoying features is its in-app browser, which links automatically open up in. You can sacrifice it for your favourite mobile browser by going to Settings, Display and Sound and unchecking the Use In-App Browser box. 11 useful Twitter features you might not know about Subscribe to tweets You can set up alerts that let you know whenever a certain account tweets, but its a two-stage process. First, on the app, go to Settings, Notifications, Push Notifications, Tweets and turn the toggle button on. Then open the profile page of the account you want to receive notifications from, tap the Bell icon next to the Following button and choose between All Tweets, Only Live Video and Off.

The newest tweet came despite an apparent suggestion from Pyongyang that it could open talks with South Korea. Mr Trump, however, appeared to be taking specific aim at Kim Jong-un's earlier comments about the nuclear button.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" the President tweeted.

It's not the first time that Mr Trump has used aggressive language on Twitter that has been taken as a threat of war, and which has stayed up. In September, North Korea said that it considered the President's tweet that Kim "wont' be around much longer" a declaration of war  but the site said it considered posts on a variety of criteria, one of which is newsworthiness, and that since it satisfied that it would be staying on the site.

In December, when Donald Trump retweeted Islamophobic and false posts from Britain First, the site said that it would leave the posts online so that people could "see every side of an issue". It also said that it believes "there is a legitimate public interest in [the] availability" of those posts, a defence it has used repeatedly in keeping up Mr Trump's tweets.

The latest tweets and threats of violence are in contravention of Twitter's terms of service, which explicitly forbid violent and abusive posts.

Numerous people claimed that the post didn't only break Twitter's terms of service, but potentially the constitution of the US.

"This Tweet alone is grounds for removal from office under the 25th Amendment," tweeted Richard Painter, who served as George Bush's ethics lawyer. "This man should not have nukes."

But the site is almost certain to leave the post around as a result of its newsworthiness. Twitter has repeatedly suggested that Mr Trump's position means that he is subject to different rules from other Twitter users, and that violent or even warmongering postsA boy from Egypt has been dubbed the smartest child in the world after winning first place at a global competition.

The Intelligent Mental Arithmetic International Competition took place in Malaysia in late December to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Intelligent Education Group.

Abdulrahman Hussain was one of 3,000 competitors taking part.

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The thirteen-year-old boy from Egypt solved 230 complex arithmetic problems in a mere eight minutes to win the coveted prize, Al Arabiya reports.

This year the IMA International Competition was held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Malaysia.

An astounding number of nationalities came together for the tournament, with children from over 70 countries put to the test in a series of gruelling tasks.

Hussain spoke to Al Arabiya after his victory, saying that his amazing achievement all bottles down to the support and guidance that hes received from his teachers and family.

Hussains teacher, Batul Mohammed Montasser, explained that Hussain has been training his mental capabilities for five years in preparation for the competition.

In 2012, Hussain began his training using the Malaysian mental skills development programme and has partaken in a number of previous competitions.

On the Intelligent Education Group website, they provide resources for people to learn from the Intelligent Mental Arithmetic Programme.

They explain that child prodigies are simply children who have received an effective early education, writing: According to a scientific study, the so-called child prodigy is but a common individual who happens to have developed an earlier and better mental faculty.

For the schooling children, the method will be of great help to them in their ability and capability of calculation, response, concentration and memory, which in turn will assist them to balance their brain power and strengthen the function of both their left and right brains."Post-menopausal women who eat just 9g of processed meats a week could be at a greater risk of developing breast cancer, a new study has found.

The guidelines equate to just three rashers of bacon or two sausages and researchers at the University of Glasgow found that older women who eat either one on a weekly basis could be a fifth more likely to contract the disease.

The study examined 260,000 middle-aged British women and revealed that even those who ate less than 9g of processed meats a week were still 15 per cent more likely to get breast cancer than those who refrained completely.

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Public health experts at the university believe processed meats could be responsible for hundreds of cases of breast cancer each year that could be avoided.

When the research was combined with ten previous studies accounting for 1.7 million women and 40,000 cases of breast cancer, it revealed that eating processed meats could increase the risks for post-menopausal women by a tenth, The Times reports.

However, their findings, published in the European Journal of Cancer, found no similar links in young women.

Co-author Naveed Sattar, a professor at the university, said: In addition to the previously known effects of processed meat on other kinds of cancer, this adds further evidence that it may have a deleterious effect on breast cancer, particularly in post-menopausal women.

If you take it at face value and say theres an association, then it means that if people were to eat less processed meat they might well reduce their risk of breast cancer.

Processed meat refers to red meat that has been through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking or other processes.

The review found no links between breast cancer and unprocessed red meats, such as beef, veal, pork and lamb.

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the UK and accounts for 11,000 deaths each year, according to the most recent figures.

The new study comes three years after the World Health Organisation classified processed meats as carcinogenic, placing them in the same ranking as cigarettes, alcohol and asbestos.January 8 is being dubbed Divorce Day by lawyers because of the spike in couples considering ending their marriages after the festive period.

According to relationship experts, it often comes down to the stress of trying to have a perfect chocolate box Christmas when youre simply no longer happy with your spouse.

Relate, one of the UKs biggest relationship charities, has revealed it receives a peak in calls in January as issues within a marriage or a long-term relationship come to a head over Christmas.

Recommended Online divorce searches are about to surge

Whats more, according to data analysed by divorce support service Amicable, more than 40,500 people will search divorce online in January.

Last January, Relate received a 24 per cent increase in calls to their helpline compared with the average month, and councillors expect to see a similar peak this year.

Its a busy time of year for family lawyers, as Charlotte Leyshon, founder of Cardiff-based firm Lux, explains, revealing that she and her colleagues usually see a surge in divorce inquiries when they return to work in January.

Leyshon was once called by a wife on Christmas Day after she found a receipt for a diamond Rolex that was never placed under the family tree, and was instead intended for a woman with whom her husband was having an affair.

Relates chief executive, Chris Sherwood said: The reality is that many of the calls we receive in January are from couples who are already at crisis point after existing relationship tensions have come to a head over Christmas.

The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Show all 10 1 /10 The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd The cartoons that perfectly sum up relationships Catana Chetwynd

With one in five people in the UK in a distressed relationship, wed urge anyone who isnt getting on with their partner to seek support as early as possible.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, there was a five per cent increase in divorce petitions submitted to courts in 2016 compared with the previous year.

Sadly, 42 per cent of marriages now end in divorce, with the average marriage now lasting 12 years.Three members of the Iranian security forces were killed in clashes along the border with Iraqi Kurdistan, the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement on Wednesday.

The attack was not thought to be linked to the past week's unrest and protests.

The statement, reported by the conservative Mehr news agency, said the attack happened in the border area of Piranshahr, a region that sees sporadic clashes with Kurdish separatists based in Iraq.

Those responsible were still being pursued, the report said.

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The notion that blondes have more fun is an age-old myth.

However, research has discovered that hair colour can influence the way in which youre regarded by the opposite sex in terms of attractiveness, youth and overall health.

Psychologists from the Augsburg University in Minnesota recently carried out a study to determine to what extent the hair colour of women can impact the way in which theyre perceived by men.

The group of 110 male participants were presented with computer-generated images of women with either blonde, brunette or black hair.

The study found that the majority of the men would generally associate the women with lighter hair as being more youthful and attractive in comparison to the women with darker hair.

Furthermore, the women with lighter blonde or brunette hair were typically considered as having greater potential as a romantic partner and a parent than those with black locks.

The researchers concluded: These results suggest that males are able to make complex judgements about women concerning their desirable relationship and parenting potential based on discernable characteristics such as hair colour and length.

The topic of whether men prefer blondes or brunettes has fascinated people for decades.

It even stumped one of the most famous scientists of all time, the naturalist Charles Darwin.

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In 1869, Darwin received letters from Dr John Beddoe after asking for data from the doctor concerning his female patients.

Dr Beddoe recorded which of his dark and light-haired female patients were married in order to help Darwin explore a theory that blondes were more likely to stay single, The Telegraph reported.

In the end, Darwin gave up the investigation after receiving inconclusive results.

In the corner of the last letter that the renowned scientist received from Dr Beddoe, Darwin wrote: I must give up the whole case."A Sydney-based woman has spoken out about breaking up with a boyfriend because of the uncomfortably close bond he had with his younger sister.

Jacinta Coelho explained that she ended the relationship after just four month because Jack made her feel like she couldnt compete with his 21-year-old sister Melinda - both names are pseudonyms.

The 30-year-old writer revealed how Melinda would hardly ever leave the couple alone and rarely spent time with any friends of her own.

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Writing in a post for Mamamia, Coelho said that Melinda would glaringly watch the pair cuddling on the sofa before promptly storming off to her room.

Did I think it was weird her staring at us? a littlebut honestlythat was only the beginning, she writes.

On one occasion, Coelho recalls how Melinda confessed that she was probably still single because she hadnt found anyone that matched up to her brother.

The siblings often slept in the same bed together, which only further unnerved Coelho.

When she confronted him about it, Jack responded: Oh, sometimes her room creeps her out, she feels safer in my bed so I let her sleep there."

This, Coelho explains, was the straw that broke the camels back.

My 'close sibling weirdness' threshold was then broken, she said.

After she asked him about it, Jack responded defensively which led Coelho to ultimately break things off, not wanting to come between him and his family.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's sweet when siblings are close, she resolved.

But to me there is such a thing as 'too close'.Troubled construction firm Carillion has announced that it is being investigated by the financial watchdog.

In a short statement on Wednesdaymorning, Carillion said that the Financial Conduct Authority had commenced the investigation in connection with the timeliness and content of announcements it had made between early December 2016 and July 2017.

The company said that it was cooperating fully with the FCA but didn't provide any further details.

The FCA declined to provide further comment when contacted by The Independent.

During the time period to which the investigation related, Carillion published a full-year trading update, its result for 2016, a statement on its annual general meeting and a trading update on the first half of 2017.

On 10 July it published a statement announcing that chief executive, Richard Howson, was to step down and be replaced by Keith Cochrane on an interim basis. On the same day it also announced a review of its business, that it was suspending its dividend and that it expected corporate performance to undershoot management expectations.

Carillion has endured a rollercoaster ride in recent years, as a result of major project delays and a challenging overall market. Back in November, it issued a profit warning  its third in the space of five months  and shares have fallen by around 90 per cent over the last year.

On Wednesday they ended the session down more than 5 per cent on the London Stock Exchange.Iceland has become the first country in the world to make it illegal to pay men more than women.

Under the legislation, companies and government agencies with more than 25 employees will be required to obtain government certification for their equal-pay policies.

Those failing to demonstrate pay equality will face fines.

"It's a mechanism to ensure women and men are being paid equally," Dagny Osk Aradottir Pind, a board member of the Icelandic Women's Rights Association, told Al Jazeera.

"We have had legislation saying that pay should be equal for men and women for decades now but we still have a pay gap."

Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Show all 13 1 /13 Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Ida Wells An African-American journalist and activist born in Mississippi in 1862, she wrote prolifically on the fight for womens suffrage as well as the struggle for civil rights. She documented the practice of lynching black people in the southern states showing how it was often used as means of controlling or punishing black people who competed with whites rather than as a means of justice for crimes. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Lotifa El Nadi Egypts first female pilot born in 1907 in Cairo. Although her father saw no need for her to pursue secondary education, expecting her to marry and have a family, she rebelled and worked as a secretary and telephone operator at a flying school in exchange for lessons as she had no other means to pay for the training. Her achievements made headlines around the world when she flew over the pyramids and competed in international flying races. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Frida Kahlo A Mexican painter and activist born in Mexico City in 1907, her work has been celebrated internationally as emblematic of Mexican national and indigenous traditions and by feminists for its honest depiction of female experience. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Lina Bo Bardi A Brazilian architect, born in Italy in 1914, she devoted her life to the promotion of the social and cultural potential of architecture and design. She is also celebrated for her furniture and jewellery designs. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Olga Skorokhodova A Soviet scientist born into a poor Ukranian peasant family in 1911, she lost her vision and hearing at the age of five. Overcoming these difficulties in a remarkable way, she became a researcher in the field of communication and created a number of scientific works concerning the development of education of deaf-blind children. She was also a teacher, therapist and writer. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Miriam Makeba A South African singer and civil rights activist born in Johannesburg in 1932, she was forced to work as a child following her fathers death. She became a teenage mother after a brief and allegedly abusive marriage at 17, before she was discovered as a singer of jazz and African melodies. After becoming hugely successful in the US and winning a Grammy, she became involved in the civil rights struggle stateside as well as in the campaign against apartheid in her home country, writing political songs. Upon her death, South African President Nelson Mandela said that her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Sally Ride An American astronaut and physicist, she was born in Los Angeles in 1951 and joined NASA in 1978 after gaining her PhD. She became the first American woman and the third woman ever to go into space in 1983 at the age of 32. Prior to her first space flight, she attracted attention because of her gender and at press conferences, was asked questions such as, Will the flight affect your reproductive organs? She later worked as an academic at the University of California, San Diego. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Halet Cambel A Turkish archaeologist born in 1916, she became the first Muslim women to compete in the Olympics in the 1936 Berlin games as a fencer. She declined an invitation to meet Adolf Hitler on political grounds, and after the conclusion of the Second World War, she trained as an architect and later worked as an academic in Turkey and Germany. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Ada Lovelace An English mathematician and writer born in 1815, she became the worlds first computer programmer. The daughter of poet George Byron, she is chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine, and was the first to recognise the machine had applications beyond pure calculation, creating the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such a machine. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Rukmini Devi An Indian dancer and choreographer credited with reviving Indian classical dance, she was born in 1904 and presented her form of dance on stage even though it was considered low and vulgar in the 1920s. She features in India Todays list of 100 people who shaped India having also worked to re-establish traditional Indian arts and crafts and as an animal rights activist. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Cecilia Grierson An Argentine physician, reformer born in Buenes Aires in 1859, she became the first woman in Argentina to receive a medical degree having previously worked as a teacher. Women were barred from entering medical school at the time, so she first volunteered as an unpaid lab assistant before she was allowed to train as a doctor. She was acclaimed for her work during a cholera epidemic before going on to found the first nursing school in Argentina. The harassment she experienced at medical school helped make her a militant advocate for womens rights in Argentina. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Lee Tai-young Koreas first female lawyer and judge born in 1914 in what is now North Korea, she was also an activist who founded the countrys first legal aid centre and fought for womens rights throughout her career. Her often mentioned refrain was, No society can or will prosper without the cooperation of women. She worked as a teacher, married and had four children before she was able to begin her legal career after the Second World War, becoming the first woman to enter Seoul National University. She also fought for civil rights in the country and was arrested in 1977 for her beliefs, receiving a three-year suspended sentence and a ten year disbarment. Google marks International Women's Day with 13 amazing women Suzanne Lenglen A French tennis champion born in 1899, she popularised the sport winning 31 championships and dominating the womens sport for over a decade. She was the first female tennis celebrity and one of the first international women sports stars, overcoming a childhood plagued with ill health including chronic asthma  which continued to plague her in her adult life. At 15, she became the youngest ever winner of a major championship and lost only seven matches during her entire career. She received widespread criticism for her decision to turn professional, but defended her right to make a decent living in the days when the grand slam tournaments paid a relative pittance to the winners.

The law came into effect on Monday, the first day of the new year. It was announced on International Women's Day on 8 March last year.

The legislation was supported by Iceland's centre-right coalition government, as well as the opposition, in the country's parliament, where nearly 50 per cent of members are women.

"I think that now people are starting to realise that this is a systematic problem that we have to tackle with new methods," Ms Aradottir Pind told Al Jazeera.

She added: "Women have been talking about this for decades and I really feel that we have managed to raise awareness, and we have managed to get to the point that people realise that the legislation we have had in place is not working, and we need to do something more."

Iceland, which has a strong economy based on tourism and fisheries, has been ranked the best in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for nine years in a row.

The UK came in 15th place in 2017, with a 16.9 per cent pay gap between men and women.

Iceland's government has committed to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, told The Independent: Unequal pay is already illegal [in the UK], but what Iceland are doing is requiring employers to take a proactive approach with government certifying what they have done.

From April this year the UK is introducing gender pay gap reporting, which will require employers with over 250 employees to publish their gender pay gaps. This is a welcome step forward but we may need to consider more proactive measures, particularly to tackle workplace harassment and discrimination which have been highlighted recently as a major issue in many workplaces.

She added: We must also remember that this isnt just about what is in womens interests. Holding women back holds our economy back. Tackling gender inequality and discrimination is good for business and for all of us.

Brazils state-run oil company, Petrobras Brasileiro, said it will pay $2.95bn (2.2bn) to settle a US lawsuit brought by investors who claim they lost money due to a massive corruption scandal that hit the energy giants shares.

The deal ends a three-year legal battle for Petrobras that began after Brazilian prosecutors exposed a web of bribes and kickbacks that has engulfed several high-profile politicians, including two former presidents.

In July, former Brazilian premier, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva  Lula, as he is widely known - was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison after being found guilty on corruption and money-laundering charges. He has appealed the decision. His successor, Dilma Rousseff, also faces charges relating to the scandal but denies wrongdoing.

The complainants in the class action suit argued that Petrobras knew about corruption at the company and was complicit in concealing it from investors and the public.

They alleged that the company inflated the value of assets and projects so it could boost the profits of contractors who then kicked hundreds of millions of dollars back to Petrobras employees and politicians. The company later wrote down the value of assets by billions of dollars.

In a stock market announcement on Wednesday, Petrobras denied any liability and did not admit any wrongdoing. The company said it was a victim of the bribery scheme which was uncovered by a criminal investigation known as Operation Carwash.

The firm said it had recovered 1.475bn Brazilian reais in restitution and will continue to pursue all available legal remedies from culpable companies and individuals.

Petrobras will make two payments of $983m and a further instalment of $984m, with the final amount due in January 2019. The settlement, which still requires approval by a judge, will bring an end to some of the uncertainty surrounding Petrobras potential liabilities relating to Operation Carwash, which some analysts had predicted could be significantly higher.

Only investors who bought shares in the US are covered by the deal, Petrobras said.Budget airline Ryanair has reported an increase in passenger numbers for 2017, despite a scandal-hit year which saw it cancel thousands of flights.

The Irish airline said its annual traffic grew 10 per cent in 2017 to 129 million customers.

Traffic climbed 3 per cent year-on-year in December to 9.3 million, matching the previous months figure.

Meanwhile, its load factor  which gauges how efficiently the airline is filling its seats  rose one percentage point year-on-year to 94 per cent.

Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs attributed the growth to lower air fares.

Ryanair was forced to cancel 20,000 flights from autumn onwards due to a shortage of pilots and a problem with the holiday rota.

The latest traffic figures come a day after the airline said it was applying for a British operating licence to keep flying from the UK in the event of a hard Brexit.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

Other airlines have made similar moves to make sure their operations can continue seamlessly after March 2019.

Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air, which operates flights across Central and Eastern Europe, announced it was establishing a British operation in October.

UK-based easyJet has also established a division in Vienna to allow it to keep flying across the EU.Integral to every society, comedy is there to ridicule the powerful and relieve the rest of us. But rapid social change can act as a divide between comedians and audiences, begging the question: can comedy only evolve alongside societys attitude shifts for so long?

The debate was once whether racist, homophobic and sexist jokes were okay. And while that has long been shut down with a resounding no, social change is causing a new divide between those who think that comedy shouldnt offend, and those who insist offending is at the heart of good comedy  alongside the argument that comedians are too offensive, versus audiences being too easily upset.

Both comedians and their audiences are reflecting recent cultural shifts society has made towards a more inclusive society, including improved attitudes towards gender equality and LGBT rights.

Mays MTV Movie and Film Awards acting trophies, for example, were no longer categorised by gender, but given to the Best Actor in a Movie and Best Actor in a Show, in a move to modernise and reflect younger generations views of gender as a spectrum.

And last month, the New York subway announced it will use gender-neutral pronouns instead of ladies and gentlemen.

Just like comedy routines about predictive texting might as well be from the Stone Age now, these milestones society has made to become more inclusive are rapidly dating some of the UKs most loved comedies. For example, its hard to believe that as recently as 2006 comedians Matt Lucas and David Walliams dressed as transvestites and wore fat suits on their sitcom Little Britain.

But more recently, Lucas said dressing as a rubbish transvestite now seems extremely insensitive. Even family friendly Peter Kay and his character, Britains Got The Pop Factor winner Geraldine, would struggle to get the laughs it once did.

David Walliams and Matt Lucas as Little Britain characters Desiree and Bubbles Devere (BBC/Little Britain)

Weve surpassed the point where wed question whether a man clumsily dressed as a woman is funny. Jen Lavery, spokesperson for comedy club The Stand, says, Previously a comedian may have been able to get away with a sexist comment; you can see audiences are now generally less comfortable with that type of rhetoric, she says.

People are also far more aware of trans issues now too, and certain jokes which may have got a laugh even a couple of years ago would now be viewed very differently.

Now, the PC argument has moved on to whether comedians should address all genders at the expense of brevity, give audiences trigger warnings and avoid any controversial topics, despite coming at them from a liberal angle.

Lavery says she has seen a rise in the number of audience complaints from its comedy venues across Edinburgh over the past few years. Some of these, she says, are knee-jerk reactions to a specific word or phrase, without paying attention to the context, like when someone complained about a comedian making jokes about epilepsy, despite the fact the act had made clear that they themselves were epileptic.

Speaking to the BBC, journalist Jon Ronson said that audiences no longer pick up on the nuances of jokes: Nobody seems to be able to tell the difference between a racist joke and a liberal joke that comments on racism.

And social media, some argue, only exacerbates the issue. Comedian Andrew Doyle noted in an article for Spiked that hes seen an increase in people taking stand-up comedy at face value.

He wrote, Many comedians Ive spoken to agree that this kind of entitled, moralistic response is more commonplace than ever before. Perhaps its related to what psychologists have identified as a general escalation of narcissistic behaviour. Or maybe its an inevitable byproduct of social media, through which offence-seeking has turned into a kind of amateur sport.

British comedian Gina Yashere now lives and works in the US, but began her career in the UK, and recently argued on BBC radio that theres been a big shift in everybody getting offended about everything. She said social media has amplified how audiences respond when they hear something they dont like. Usually, when people were offended they walked out and told their friends and family and that was the end of it. Now, everybody has an opinion and everybody has to let everybody else know what this opinion is and something has to be done about it.

Gina Yashere worries that social media has amplified peoples offended responses (Getty) (Getty/Britweek)

And this is affecting comedians, according to Doyle. He says, Easily offended audiences arent necessarily a threat to comedy insofar as the best comedians will always say whatever they want irrespective of societal pressures to tone down. That said, for economic reasons more and more comedians are self-censoring.

Comics who make controversial decisions in their writing tend not to make the transition to television, for obvious reasons. And comedy club promoters are unlikely to rebook acts if they are perceived to be divisive.

But not all comedians are noticing a shift towards more easily offended audiences, and say this could come down to demographics. Jenny Eclair said on BBC radio that her audience doesnt mind being addressed within the constraints of traditional male and female genders.

She said they arent particularly petty because theyre middle-aged women with real issues to deal with, such as dying parents and redundancies. They have bigger fish to fry  they arent actually sitting there thinking, Oh, they called us ladies and gentlemen, I dont like that, she said.

Doyle agrees that comedians shouldnt have to change how they address their audience, or refer to men and women. He says, Id only laugh if anyone made the suggestion. It sounds like the sort of thing the Daily Mail invent to show how PC has gone mad. The only time Id ever use the phrase person with male sexual organs instead of man is if I were ridiculing the absurd excesses of the liberal-left.

Anyway, with that kind of convoluted phrase youd totally mess up your timing.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Show all 14 1 /14 The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A young elephant seals looks shocked at his friends revelation in George Cathcart's "WTF?!", taken in San Simeon, California George Cathcart / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A Green Turtle vs a Napoleon Maori Wrasse in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia Troy Mayne / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Andrea Zampatti won the On The Land category with this precious snap in Italy Andrea Zampatti / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) mother with cub hitching a ride on mama's bum. Wapusk National Park in Manitoba, Canada Daisy Gilardini / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A sea otter pictured cheering after sleep in early morning in Elkhorn Slough, California Penny Palmer / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 An owl struggles to keep his grip as his owl friends look the other way in Tibor Kercz's "Help!!!" in Opusztaszer, Hungary Tibor Kercz / CWPA / Barcroft Im The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A red fox surveys his shot in Douglas Croft's "Must Have Three-Putted" Douglas Croft / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Two mudskippers sing their hearts out on tidal mudflats, taken in Krabi, Thailand Daniel Trim / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Jean-Jacques Alcalay was highly commended for his snap of a blue wildebeest appearing to ride a wave of hundreds of other wildebeest in Masai Mara, Kenya Jean-Jacques Alcalay/ Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A wild rabbit seen collecting nesting material in Belgium Flanders, Bredene Olivier Colle / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Three king penguins approach the only church on South Georgia Island appearing to be headed for services. Titled as Mom, do we always have to be the first ones at church? Carl Henry / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 The Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) tried to hide in the bush for a quick tryst, but they were surely caught in the act Bence Mate / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A bunch of Widgeon pictured flying but one was seen flying exactly in front of a high airline plane, taken in Preston John Threlfall / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 These two monkeys broke away from their group to 'test drive' a motorbike parked near the entrance to the reserve in Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve, Indonesia Katy Laveck Foster / CWPA / Barcroft

Comedian Sofie Hagen hosts the podcast Made of Human, where she often discusses activism and social issues including body positivity and feminism, and tries to always have gender neutral toilets at her gigs. And she believes its easy for comedians to accommodate everyone. She says, I think comedians can positively contribute to the world by being politically correct, which is simply a term that covers not being toxic. It is so easy saying all genders instead of men and women.

Hagen is so serious about being politically correct that she pays activists to approve her work before its performed, but she insists the joke always comes before semantics.

A joke is funnier if the sentences and words are short, she says. So a lot of this depends on where this word-you-shouldnt-say is placed within the joke. If it is part of the setup to the joke and you can easily say a person with male sexual organs instead of man, then by all means, do it.

But if the punchline ends with the word man, the laugh would be demolished by a person with male sexual organs.

Hagen also admits that, while staunchly believing in not offending or alienating her audience, her writing process relies on her not censoring herself.

It is difficult being a comedian and also be constantly aware of all the words that come out of your mouth. I have to make rules for myself. When Im writing material and working out what to say, I cant make any promises, she says.

It will all be stream-of-consciousness and it might be awful, because it is just my thoughts unedited. I have to access that part of my brain that makes all of the mistakes, because that is also where the jokes are: among all the problematic stuff that I have been conditioned to think by society.

And being culturally sensitive doesnt need to threaten a comedians success, according to James Woroniecki, director of the London comedy venue The 99 Club. He says hes noticed comedians becoming more politically aware in the past couple of years, and increasingly aware of how language is shifting.

Sometimes that may mean changing certain phrases so theyre more inclusive, or challenging current assumptions and finding the absurd in the new debates that society is grappling with, he says, and insists that this hasnt dulled their work.

Comedy clubs are a bastion of free speech, where skilled comics are free to explore difficult issues, he says. A good comedian can track how an audience is feeling about a subject and make their jokes as clear and effective as possible.

Peter Kay as Geraldine McQueen, one of his most beloved characters (Rex)

All a comedian needs to do to avoid offending people, Woroniecki says, is to be very funny. A highly capable comic such as those we book can address difficult and challenging subjects with such a level of hilarity that no offence is taken.

Some may argue that changing language to this degree and avoiding offensive topics is pandering to audiences poised to take down a comedian on social media for a joke they only half listened to, but Hagen is resolute: being politically aware isnt personal, and being non-offensive doesnt mean a comedian is nice.

A comedian colleague of mine recently said to me, Your brand is being nice and it terrified me, she says.

Id hate it if people assumed that I am nice, just because I try to be inclusive. Its making the political too personal. I said to her, startled, I will fight to my death for your right to feel safe, but Ill be a f*cking c**t to your face.Scientists investigating the DNA of a prehistoric human child have found it belongs to the earliest colonisers of the Americas ever discovered.

The findings suggest Alaska was likely populated 25,000 years ago, 10,000 years earlier than the time of arrival suggested by many archaeologists.

It represents the oldest lineage of Native Americans so far discovered, said Professor Eske Willerslev, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Cambridge who co-authored the study documenting the findings.

Its the fact that this population is older than all other known Native American groups that makes it very important in addressing how the Americas were first populated, he said.

The findings were published in the journal Nature.

Scientists uncover ancient human remains Show all 3 1 /3 Scientists uncover ancient human remains Scientists uncover ancient human remains 349364.bin AFP PHOTO/HO/Brett Eloff/COURTESY OF LEE BERGER /UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND Scientists uncover ancient human remains 349381.bin Paul Dirks/PA Wire Scientists uncover ancient human remains 349382.bin Paul Dirks/PA Wire

The scientists have called this new population the Ancient Beringians, and so far they are only known from the single individual they studied.

Known as "Xach'itee'aanenh T'eede Gaay", or sunrise girl-child, by the local indigenous people, the remains of the Ancient Beringian girl provided Professor Willerslev and his colleagues extensive insight into American prehistory.

The child herself lived 11,500 years ago at a site known as Upward Sun River in Alaska.

However, comparison of the number of genetic similarities and differences with those of other ancient and contemporary humans allowed the scientists to roughly time the movement of ancient people from Asia to North America to a much earlier date.

Their analysis suggested Ancient Beringians and the ancestors of other Native Americans all descend from a single founding population that split decisively from East Asians around 25,000 years ago.

Excavation of the Upward Sun River site in Alaska where the prehistoric child's remains were found (Ben Potter)

"It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this newly revealed people to our understanding of how ancient populations came to inhabit the Americas," said Dr Ben Potter, an anthropologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and one of the lead authors of the study.

"This new information will allow us a more accurate picture of Native American prehistory. It is markedly more complex than we thought."

Contrary to the research teams expectations, the ancient girls DNA did not match the genetic profile of other ancient Native American people from the north.

This suggested the Ancient Beringian population split from other Native Americans 20,000 years ago when the latter moved south along the Pacific coast.

Once further down the coast, Native Americans split into two distinct genetic groups, one in the north and one in the south.

The northern group then moved back further north, pushing out the Ancient Beringians.

As for the modern indigenous inhabitants of Alaska, it is unclear exactly what connection they have with these ancient people.

"These findings create opportunities for Alaska native people to gain new knowledge about their own connections to both the northern Native American and Ancient Beringian people," said Dr Potter.

Professor Willerslev said to the best of their knowledge Alaskan Native Americans do not directly descend from the Ancient Beringians, instead deriving their genes from the northern population of Native Americans who returned to the region.

However, that said few Natives from Alaska have been sequenced so far, and who knows if some of them survived? Time will tell, he said.Members of the public who donated more than 50,000 for a homeless man hailed as a hero in the Manchester Arena attack will have their money returned after he admitted stealing from victims.

Chris Parker gave emotional media interviews claiming a woman died in his arms after an Isis supporter detonated a suicide bomb amid crowds leaving an Ariana Grande concert.

But disturbing CCTV footage undermined his account, showing him picking his way over bleeding victims and bodies before taking a purse and phone.

Parker pleaded guilty to stealing from injured Pauline Healey, whose 14-year-old granddaughter was dying metres away, and another teenage girl.

He also admitted one count of fraud by using Ms Healeys debit card in McDonalds.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that although Parker provided some limited assistance to victims, he equally took the opportunity to commit the thefts.

It was a far cry from the global praise that greeted Parkers media interviews in the immediate aftermath of Salman Abedis atrocity on 22 May.

They inspired Michael Johns, a member of the public with no connection to the homeless man, to set up a crowdfunding page called Help Chris Parker.

More than 52,000 was raised for Chris Parker by well-wishers

Quoting a news report of the defendants account of his selfless actions after the blast shook the foyer where he frequently begged, Mr Johns wrote: Homelessness in this country is a widespread tragedy but it is absolutely unacceptable that someone who can react so heroically in such a terrifying situation should be on the streets.

Hopefully this campaign will go some way to helping Chris off the streets and also show our gratitude for his actions.

The GoFundMe page quickly gathered international support and attention, with donations spiralling to reach 52,539 from 3,798 people.

It remained online as Parker admitted theft and fraud with a judge telling him he was most likely to be jailed when he next appears in court on 30 January.

A spokesperson for GoFundMe told The Independent it remained in full control of the funds and that they had never been passed to Parker.

Were working with our payment partners on refunds now, which will be in full to every donor with no fees taken, he added.

Well get them to donors as soon as possible, which should be within 10 working days.

Mr Johns said it was only appropriate for the page to be closed and all donations returned.

Manchester explosion in pictures Show all 37 1 /37 Manchester explosion in pictures Manchester explosion in pictures People running down stairs as they attempt to exit the Manchester Arena after a blast, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Twitter/@ZACH_BRUCE/ via REUTERS Manchester explosion in pictures Helpers attend to people inside the Manchester Arena after a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people PA wire Manchester explosion in pictures Armed officers guard outside a hotel near the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester, Britain EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Police officers are seen outside the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester, northern England Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police and fans close to the Manchester Arena, after reports of an explosion Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of explosion in Manchester, England, at a concert in Manchester Arena AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police stand by a cordoned off street close to the Manchester Arena Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of explosion in Manchester, England AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of a reported explosion during a concert in Manchester, England, on May 23, 2017. British police said early May 23 there were "a number of confirmed fatalities" after reports of at least one explosion during a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Ambulances were seen rushing to the Manchester Arena venue and police added in a statement that people should avoid the area AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures An ambulance drives away from the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures Police escort members of the public from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A woman sits in the street in a blanket near the Manchester Arena as police guard the area following reports of an explosion, in Manchester, Britain EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Two women wrapped in thermal blankets stand near the Manchester Arena, where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures A Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) bomb disposal robot is unloaded outside the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester. At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and others 50 were injured, authorities said. It is being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise EPA Manchester explosion in pictures A Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) bomb disposal robot is unloaded outside the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Members of the public receive treatment from emergency service staff at Victoria Railway Station close to the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed this evening. Greater Manchester Police have have confirmed there are fatalities and warned people to stay away from the area Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Armed police after a suspected terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US star Ariana Grande left 19 dead PA wire Manchester explosion in pictures Emergency services arrive close to the Manchester Arena in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures An amoured police vehicle patrols near Manchester Arena in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A man carries a young girl on his shoulders near Victoria station in Manchester AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police officers stand at the Miller Street and Corporation Street Crossroads, in front of the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police block a road near to the Manchester Arena in central Manchester, England AP Manchester explosion in pictures Armed police patrol near Victoria station in Manchester, northwest England. Twenty two people have been killed and dozens injured after a suspected suicide bomber targeted fans leaving a concert of US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police forensic officers leave the Manchester Arena as they investigate the scene of an explosion in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A forensic officer collects evidence on a walkway between Victoria station and Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A woman and a young girl wearing a t-shirt of US singer Ariana Grande talks to police near Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, Getty Manchester explosion in pictures EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese speak to the media outside Manchester Town Hall after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester Dave Higgens/PA Wire Manchester explosion in pictures The media gather behind a police cordon in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Flowers left close to the Manchester Arena, the morning after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester Danny Lawson/PA Wire Manchester explosion in pictures Ariana Grande concert attendees Karen Moore and her daughter Molly Steed, aged 14, from Derby, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last night's explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Manchester explosion in pictures Signs saying 'We love Manchester' are displayed in a window in Manchester, England Getty Images

I do this without any personal judgement on Chris and with complete respect to the ongoing court proceedings, he wrote.

Whereas I do believe Chris has a right to be rehabilitated and have help to turn his life around, prison would be a waste of time and money otherwise; I also must take in to account the integrity of the donations made.

Social media users expressed outrage that the fund remained online following Wednesdays hearing, with many calling for the money to be donated instead to victims of the Manchester attack or a homeless charity.

Mr Johns said it was impossible for him to transfer the 52,000 to another cause under GoFundMe policies but encouraged people to make their own donations.

I would like to extend my sympathies to his victims that night and also apologise to them for any distress this campaign may have caused them whilst they continue to recover and grieve, he added.

Regardless of the outcome, this was still a fine example of what can be achieved when we refuse to be cowed by those who seek to divide.

Separate crowdfunding pages were set up for Stephen Jones, another homeless man who rushed to help victims of the Manchester attack and described pulling shrapnel from the faces of injured children.

It is the latest controversy over crowdfunding pages, seeing host websites face criticism for failing to fact-check causes or monitor what donations are used for, and disputes break out between beneficiaries.

Crowdfunding has been used for products that never emerged, cancer sufferers that did not have cancer and exploited by fraudsters and extremists.A man accused of murdering a young woman whose body was found in a London park has appeared in court.

Kasim Lewis spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality during a 90-second hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court.

The 31-year-old, of Friern Barnet in north London, is accused of murdering Iuliana Tudos between 24 December and when her body was found three days later.

The 22-year-olds body was discovered by a member of the public in a disused building in Finsbury Park on 27 December.

Ms Tudos, who was of Russian and Greek origin, was last seen by friends at around 8pm on Christmas Eve when she headed for a bus from Camden.

She was due to meet them at another friend's home in Enfield later that evening before spending Christmas Day there, but never arrived.

A court sketch of Kasim Lewis appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on 3 January (PA)

A post-mortem gave the cause of death as a stab wound to her abdomen and a head injury.

Ms Tudos was also known as Julia and Lili, and worked at the Worlds End pub in Camden.

Friends and customers remembered her as a welcoming and friendly woman with a beautiful soul who made an awesome impression on all those she met.

A crowdfunding page set up by friends has so far raised almost 17,000 for her family and funeral expenses.

Friend Krystyna Rymarczyk, who started the campaign, wrote: We are deeply moved by the generosity and kindness you have expressed with your donations.

Julies spirit and energy will live on through her family and friends.

Iuliana Tudos, a bartender who was found murdered in Finsbury Park (Iuliana Tudos/Facebook)

Mr Lewis was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing scheduled to take place at the Central Criminal Court on Friday.



Additional reporting by PAA Russian military MI-24 helicopter crashed in Syria on Dec. 31 due to a technical fault, killing both pilots, Russian news agencies cited the Ministry of Defence as saying on Wednesday.

The helicopter crashed en route to the Hama air base, RIA news said, citing the ministry.

Short link:

A man has survived being stabbed more than 10 times in London following a spate of knife murders in the capital.

Police are appealing for information after the latest victim was chased through the streets of Harrow and ambushed on the doorstep of a home he fled to for help.

The 20-year-old victim suffered significant blood loss and remains in hospital, but doctors do not believe his injuries are life-threatening.

The victim was chased by a unknown group of four to five males, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said.

The victim ran to a residential property and knocked on the door for help. However, he was ambushed by the group and repeatedly stabbed on the doorstep.

It came after four murders swept London as millions celebrated New Years Eve.

The first victim, an 18-year-old man, was stabbed in Larmans Road, Enfield, at around 11.30am on Sunday and died later in hospital. Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

A police van on Memorial Avenue in West Ham, east London, near to the scene of a stabbing. (PA)

Shortly after 7.30pm, a 20-year-old man was attacked in Memorial Avenue, near West Ham Tube station in east London.

Police arrived to find the victim suffering from several stab injuries and paramedics could not resuscitate him, pronouncing him dead at the scene.

Three hours later, a 17-year-old boy was attacked near Tulse Hill railway station following an argument on a bus, dying on the pavement from a single stab wound to his heart.

Then in the early hours of the New Year, at around 2.30am, a 20-year-old man died of knife injuries at a flat in Bartholomew Court, Islington.

Police said he had been celebrating at a house party when a disturbance broke out that saw him and another 20-year-old man, who remains in a critical condition, stabbed. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police condemned the senseless killings, which pushed the number of people stabbed to death in London to 80 in 2017.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. 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There is mounting concern and anger over a spike in knife attacks in the capital, coming alongside rises in moped-enabled crime and violence including acid attacks and robberies.

Sir Craig Mackey, the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said it was truly unusual and extraordinary for so many murders to take place in such a short period of time.

There are a number of issues affecting knife crime, he added. We are doing our part... but we need others working with us to help tackle those underlying issues around a knife culture that has emerged across London.

The unrelated stabbings took the number of teenagers murdered in the capital to the highest for almost a decade, with 20 stabbed, five shot and one victim dying of multiple injuries last year.

No arrests have been made over the attack in Harrow, which happened at around 11.30pm on Tuesday, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

"This was a vicious unprovoked attack on a young male who had been enjoying an evening with friends when he was chased, ambushed and repeatedly stabbed by a group of males for an unknown reason, said Detective Sergeant Amar Patel.

"We have already spoken to lots of people in the area about the incident, but I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the attack and hasnt spoken to us about it yet to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.Six alleged members of the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences.

Five men and a woman were detained in coordinated dawn raids across the Midlands are being held for questioning.

Five specialist counter-terror units were involved in the raids and investigators are continuing to search the suspects homes.

The arrests were pre-planned and intelligence-led; there was no threat to the publics safety, a spokesperson for West Midlands Police said.

Those detained are a 26-year-old man from Cambridge, a 21-year-old man from Banbury, a 28-year-old man from Wolverhampton, a 26-year-old man from Leicester, a 24-year-old man from Stockport and a 37-year-old woman also from Banbury.

Police said they were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, namely on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed organisation [National Action].

The operation came as a British soldier and another man accused of being members of National Action appeared in Birmingham Crown Court in an unrelated case.

Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen and civilian Alexander Deakin did not enter pleas on a charge of membership of a proscribed organisation.

Mr Vehvilainen pleaded not guilty to two counts of stirring up racial hatred and one count of possessing a document containing information likely to be useful to a person preparing an act of terrorism.

National Action group, seen here in York, has now been banned; it is a criminal offence to belong to or invite support for the organisation (National Action)

Mr Deakin, of Great Barr in Birmingham, denied distributing a terrorist publication and two charges of possessing a document containing terrorist information.

They are next due to appear in court on 19 February, ahead of a trial set to start in March.

In a separate case, a man from Lancashire will go on trial later this year accused of buying a machete with the intention of murdering Labour MP Rosie Cooper.

The man and five others accused of involvement in the terror plot are all alleged members of National Action.

It became the first far-right group to be banned in the UK last December, causing its members to split into renamed regional factions in an attempt to evade the crackdown.

The Government has since proscribed two of its aliases, Scottish Dawn and NS131 (National Socialist Anti-Capitalist Action), which had been operating in the Midlands.

Extending the ban in September, Amber Rudd vowed to combat the vile racist, homophobic and antisemitic groups and their ability to glorify violence and stir up hatred.

I will not allow them to masquerade under different names, the Home Secretary said at the time.

By extending the proscription of National Action, we are halting the spread of a poisonous ideology and stopping its membership from growing  protecting those who could be at risk of radicalisation.

Founded in 2013, National Action promotes the idea that Britain will inevitably see a violent race war and has been linked to violent plots, while its members ran what activists called a terror training camp at its former base in Warrington.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave Getty UK news in pictures 16 July 2021 The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 15 July 2021 Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a 7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport's Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe PA UK news in pictures 14 July 2021 Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the worlds first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the Mary Shelleys House of Frankenstein experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July PA UK news in pictures 13 July 2021 Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford PA

It praised the murderer of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed by a far-right extremist during the EU referendum campaign in 2016 and called for white jihad against perceived enemies including Jewish people and the LGBT community.

The group was known for using the phrases Hitler was right and Britain is ours, the rest must go at marches, and online propaganda included images showing members performing Nazi salutes inside a German concentration camp.

Sabby Dhalu, the joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism (UAF), said greater prominence must be given to combating far-right terrorism.

She accused the Government and media of focusing disproportionately on Islamist extremism, adding: The murder of Jo Cox and the outrage in Finsbury Park show that this is not a minor threat.

Fellow joint secretary Weyman Bennett said hate crime attacks on Muslims and mosques also demonstrated the threat.

After being defeated at the ballot box and on the streets, the far right is increasingly turning to violence and terrorism, he added.

National Action are despicable Nazis who use Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia and threats of violence to intimidate all who oppose their sick ideology. They are a tiny part of the growing threat of far-right terrorism which must be prioritised and defeated.

A series of large-scale police operations against National Action contributed towards a 77 per cent annual rise in the number of white terror suspects arrested in the UK  the largest increase on record.

Security services have warned that the number of people attracted to far-right extremism was growing after a rise in those referred to Prevent to 7,631 in a year.

Of those who are then taken on by the Channel counter-extremism programme, around 70 per cent are Islamists but more than a quarter are right-wing extremists and officials expect the number to rise this year.A restaurant chef who received death threats after boasting about spiking a vegan customers meal has resigned.

Laura Goodman, co-owner of Italian restaurant Carlini in Shifnal, Shropshire, wrote in a Facebook group that she had spiked a vegan a few hours ago, adding that a pious, judgemental vegan had gone to bed still believing shes a vegan.

Her posts provoked a slew of bad online reviews, plans for Telford Vegan Action to stage a protest outside the restaurant, and, allegedly, death threats.

The Shifnal restaurant and its sister Carlini venue in Albrighton closed as Facebook users urged others not to trust Ms Goodman and to avoid anything cooked by her.

Ms Goodman later apologised, with her fiance and business partner saying her flippant post stemmed from disappointment at cooking special vegan dishes for a group of diners, only for one to choose a pizza from the regular menu that contained mozzarella cheese and was not vegan.

Now, though, it appears that Ms Goodman, 47, has resigned.

In a statement issued on behalf of the restaurant on Wednesday, a spokesman said: "Laura Goodman has today tendered her resignation from Carlini, and the board of directors are currently considering their options.

"Whilst this process is being completed, Laura will not be working at either of the restaurants, which will reopen later this week.

(Facebook (Facebook)

(Facebook (Facebook)

Before her resignation, Michael Gale, Ms Goodmans fiance and business partner, insisted she never put meat in the vegans food and never meant to say she had.

At the time she wrote her Facebook comments, he explained, Ms Goodman did not know that to vegans and vegetarians, references to spiking someones food specifically meant putting meat in it.

Mr Gale, 62, said: She had spent a lot of time designing a special vegan menu for a party, who then decided to choose something from the existing menu  one meal of which was a cheese-based pizza, which isnt vegan friendly. This is what she meant by the Facebook comment. In no way does this excuse the comment and we totally understand the anger it has subsequently caused.

However, we want to assure everyone that the meals were all prepared to our usual high standards and in accordance with the Food Standards Agency. No meat was used in any of the dishes.

Mr Gale also said Ms Goodman had received death threats, which had been reported to the police.

Ms Goodman made her comments in a Facebook group called "The Boring Group", in the early hours of Saturday. Her posts have since been removed.Irish police are investigating a possible terrorist incident after a man was fatally stabbed and two others injured in the town of Dundalk.

A Japanese national was killed and an Irish man was also injured in the attack. Another local man had been attacked with a fence pole. Neither of Irish victims sustained serious injuries.

An 18-year-old Egyptian man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and the subsequent assaults.

Gardai have not established a definite motive for the violent spree, but Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan said: "A terror attack is a line of inquiry."

He added: It is certainly a line that we would look at. We will endeavour to establish the suspects background, who they are and where they have come from and why are they here.

Those are the very important questions we are endeavouring to ask and answer. And as to why the attacks took place, why an innocent bystander going about their work would be attacked in the middle of Dundalk in the morning slightly before 9am.

Chief Superintendent Mangan declined to confirm whether a potential mental health link was another line of inquiry.

He said the suspect had come into contact with gardai on 1 January when inquiries about his immigration status were conducted.

He added that he believed the teenager was seeking asylum in the Irish Republic. He believed the perpetrator was on foot and the victims were selected at random.

There is nothing to suggest whatsoever that any of these people involved in the attack and the subsequent assaults were known to each other, he said. It would certainly appear to be random and unprovoked.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 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He said there was no evidence that anyone assisted the attacker and officers were making efforts to contact the dead mans relatives.

It is going to be very, very hard for the family, he said. They have someone over here working and the next thing they get attacked and killed in a foreign country.

He said the investigation would have an international dimension and gardai would be liaising with the authorities in Egypt.

Councillor Ruairi O Murchu, who lives close to the scene of the attack said there was major concern among local people.

The community is in shock, said the Sinn Fein representative. Our thoughts are with the family of the person killed and those that have been injured.

Additional reporting by agenciesNikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, has said America will withhold $225m (166m) in aid from Pakistan.

Ms Haley said there were clear reasons for stopping the payment, adding that Pakistan had played a double game for years.

They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan, she said. That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

Her comments mirrored those of her president, Donald Trump, who had previously accused the south Asian country of lies and deceit.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools, Mr Trump tweeted.

They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!

Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqn Abbasi, responded by calling a meeting of the countrys National Security Committee (NSC), which comprises of military and security chiefs as well as civilian leaders.

The committee condemned Mr Trumps accusations, saying they were completely incomprehensible and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation.

Pakistans UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi replied to Mr Trumps Twitter post by saying her countrys fight against terrorism was based on national principles, rather than on aid packages it may receive.

We have contributed and sacrificed the most in fighting international terrorism and carried out the largest counter terrorism operation anywhere in the world, Ms Lodhi said. We can review our cooperation if it is not appreciated.

Relations between Pakistan and the US have soured in recent years over Islamabads alleged support for Haqqani network militants, who are linked to the Afghan Taliban.

The US also claims senior Afghan Taliban commanders live on Pakistani soil. In 2016, Taliban leader Mullah Mansour was killed by a US drone strike in Pakistan and in 2011, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by US troops in Abbottabad.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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Pakistans foreign minister, Khawaja Asif, accused the Mr Trump of trying to blame his nation for the US failure in the war in Afghanistan.

Trump is disappointed at the US defeat in Afghanistan and that is the only reason he is flinging accusations at Pakistan, he told the Pakistani TV news channel Geo.

He added that Pakistan is ready to publicly provide every detail of the US aid that it has received.

The White House said it was likely to announce measures to exert pressure on Pakistan in the coming days. Press secretary Sarah Sanders said: They can do more to stop terrorism and we want them to do that.

Agencies contributed to this reportBoris Johnson has defended the controversial appointment of Toby Young to the board of the new higher education watchdog, saying the right-wing journalist is the ideal man for the job.

The Foreign Secretary - a former editor of The Spectator magazine, where Mr Young has been a contributor - said the outcry at his selection was ridiculous and praised the free school pioneer for his caustic wit.

Mr Youngs was named as a board member for the newly-created Office for Students (OfS) on Monday, which has prompted an angry row over his professional experience and his outspoken remarks, which included derogatory comments about women and gay people.

Labour has demanded that Theresa May reverse the appointment, telling The Independent that she was sending a message to students that misogyny and homophobia will not just be tolerated but rewarded.

Mr Johnson posted on Twitter: Ridiculous outcry over Toby Young. He will bring independence, rigour and caustic wit. Ideal man for job.

Much of the criticism has focused on historic tweets and articles containing derogatory remarks about women and gay people, including a column where he railed against "ghastly" inclusivity of wheelchair ramps in schools.

Questions were also raised about the Department for Education's descriptions of Mr Young's experience, after incorrect claims emerged that he had held posts Harvard and Cambridge.

But Mr Young later clarified that while he did teach students at the institutions, these were not academic roles.

A DfE spokesperson said: "Toby Young's diverse experience includes time at Harvard and Cambridge as well as co-founding the successful West London Free School.

"This experience will be vital in encouraging new providers and ensuring more universities are working effectively with schools."

Mr Young said he regretted that several of his comments were "sophomoric and silly" but claimed some of his words were being deliberately misinterpreted to characterise him as a "heartless Tory toff".

He said in a statement: "For the record, Im a supporter of womens rights and LGBT rights. Indeed, I was a supporter of gay marriage, defended the policy in the Sun on Sunday and debated Nigel Farage on the topic in the Daily Telegraph.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave Getty UK news in pictures 16 July 2021 The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 15 July 2021 Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a 7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport's Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe PA UK news in pictures 14 July 2021 Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the worlds first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the Mary Shelleys House of Frankenstein experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July PA UK news in pictures 13 July 2021 Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford PA

"Im also a defender of teaching children with disabilities in mainstream schools. I have an older brother with learning disabilities and Im a patron of the residential care home hes lived in for 20 years.

"But I am a Tory, obviously, and for some people that alone is enough to disqualify me from serving on the OfSs board. Thats plainly nonsense. If the OfS is to do its job properly it should include people from both sides of the political divide, left and right."

The OfS has been established to hold universities to account on issues such as free speech and vice chancellor's pay.Labour is to force a parliamentary vote later this month on the Governments refusal to enshrine the EUs Charter of Fundamental Rights in UK law after Brexit.

Keir Starmer, the Shadow Brexit Secretary, said ministers analysis of how the basic rights outlined in the Charter will be incorporated into British law was woefully inadequate.

Labour wants the provisions of the Charter to be guaranteed in full in legislation. The document is currently one of the few parts of EU law that will not be transferred into UK law when Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.

Recommended UK no longer top destination for foreign jobseekers since Brexit vote

The Government avoided a potential parliamentary defeat on the issue late last year after promising to undertake a right-by-right analysis of how the protections enshrined in the Charter will be guaranteed after Brexit.

The potential rebellion was averted when Tory rebels including former Attorney General Dominic Grieve agreed to back down after receiving reassurances from ministers.

However, Mr Starmer said the subsequent analysis, published last month, had failed to guarantee that basic rights will be protected.

Labour will now table an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, which is due to return to the House of Commons on 16 January, seeking to keep the Charter as part of British law.

The current draft of the Bill states: The Charter of Fundamental Rights is not part of domestic law on or after exit day.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

Mr Starmer told The Guardian: The document they released fails to provide any assurance that essential rights will be protected once we leave the EU.

On the contrary, it takes rights from the charter and scatters them to their original sources: the polar opposite of effective human rights protection.

We need a cast-iron guarantee in law that the rights contained in the charter will be given the same legal protection as those currently contained in the Human Rights Act.

This is not a party political issue. It is about the type of nation we want to be. Britain should be a proud advocate of human rights. Thats why I would urge all MPs to back Labours amendment to the withdrawal bill when it is debated in January.

The Governments document outlined how each of the 50 rights outlined in the Charter will be guaranteed through other legislation after Brexit. They cover freedoms such as the right to a private life, freedom of speech and employment rights governing how workers are treated.

While many of the rights are enshrined elsewhere in UK or EU law, others are not. Some commentators say the Charter also acts as a safeguard that makes it harder for a government to amend legislation in a way that reduces peoples liberties.Britain is exploring the possibility of joining a trans-Pacific trade bloc after Brexit in a bid to find alternative markets for exports that currently go to Europe, it has emerged.

Ministers believe that membership of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be part of the process of forging new trade deals when Britain leaves the EU.

The unusual move  all 11 of the groups current members have borders on the Pacific Ocean or South China Sea  could be an alternative to signing separate, bilateral agreements with TPP countries.

Officials at the Department of International Trade are believed to have already held preliminary talks with the group about the possibility of joining.

TPP previously included the United States but Donald Trump withdrew from the bloc last year, saying: Weve been talking about this for a long time. Its a great thing for the American worker.

The agreement was made in 2015 under the Republicans predecessor, Barack Obama. It was also criticised during the 2016 presidential campaign by Hillary Clinton, who claimed it had resulted in jobs being lost.

TPP members agreed last year to continue without the US and may see UK membership as an attractive, if partial, replacement. They are currently negotiating a new deal, due to be completed early this year, but the UK would be unable to join until it leaves the EU in March 2019.

Other TPP members include Australia, Canada, Japan and Mexico.

Greg Hands, a trade minister, said there was no geographical barrier to the UK joining the Pacific bloc.

He told the Financial Times: Nothing is excluded in all of this. With these kind of plurilateral relationships, there doesnt have to be any geographical restriction.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The UKs current trade with members of TPP is significantly smaller than its trade with the EU.

In total, the 11 TPP members accounted for less than 8 per cent of UK goods exports last year, compared to a third that went to just five EU countries: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Spain.

Lord Marland, David Camerons former trade envoy, said joining TPP was not a bad starting place for the UK.

Highlighting that six of the 11 TPP members are in the Commonwealth, he told the BBC Today programme: It makes complete sense because a lot of people say to me, Britain is the leading country in the Commonwealth  why arent we doing something with the Commonwealth? Well were about to deal with six of them.

Quite rightly we are exploring lots of different other avenues of trade arrangement.

 Theresa May says 2018 will bring 'renewed pride' to Britain amid Brexit divisions

However, critics said membership of TPP would not compensate for leaving the EUs single market.

Tim Farron, the former Liberal Democrat leader, said: This smacks of desperation. These people want us to leave a market on our doorstep and join a different, smaller one on the other side of the world. Its all pie in sky thinking.

And Simon Fraser, previously the most senor civil servant at the Foreign Office, tweeted: Welcome to cloud cuckoo land.

It comes as Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, travels to China for a three-day visit aimed at boosting trade. He will visit Beijing and Shenzhen to meet with Chinese ministers and business leaders.

Mr Fox said he hoped to capitalise on the explosion of interest from China and other countries in British technology and innovation.Theresa May could lose more than half of her London boroughs with the Conservatives facing the fight of their lives in the capital at this years local elections, according to a Tory peer.

In a dire set of predictions for the Prime Minister, Conservative peer and election expert Robert Hayward said it is likely that the party could lose two of its nine councils in London in spring, and could be fighting to cling on to a further three.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Lord Hayward, who has previously advised Tory HQ, said the Conservatives could even be defeated by Labour in Margaret Thatchers former local borough, Barnet Council.

He added that it is impossible to call Kensington and Chelsea after the fire at Grenfell Tower last year. Currently the council is dominated by Conservatives, but it is likely they will face a considerable backlash after the widely criticised handling of the tragedy.

He said: Nationally the Conservatives appear to be getting themselves back together, so they may be in a better position come May to ease the loses.

But they are going to have the fight of their lives to hold on to Wandsworth and Westminster. On the evidence, it looks like a bad night for them and a good night for Jeremy Corbyn in London.

Recommended Jeremy Corbyn declares he will keep up Labour momentum until 2022

The comments come after the Labour leader told The Independent in an interview that he was hoping to make gains in the elections in May, in which all of the 32 London boroughs will be contested.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave Getty UK news in pictures 16 July 2021 The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 15 July 2021 Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a 7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport's Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe PA UK news in pictures 14 July 2021 Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the worlds first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the Mary Shelleys House of Frankenstein experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July PA UK news in pictures 13 July 2021 Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford PA

Asked what he would like to see in the local elections, Mr Corbyn replied: Well, the biggest elections are going to be in the main cities, particularly London, Birmingham, Newcastle  were going to be working very hard on them. In London particularly, they are going to focus on housing.

But its also emphasising the way local authorities have been so underfunded by this Government, that they are all facing real difficulties that we are going to emphasise in the election. This is the product of seven years of austerity.

Im hoping to do very, very well, but Im not putting a figure on it, he said.

The last time all the London boroughs were up for grabs, in 2014, Labour gained three councils while the Conservatives under David Cameron lost two, leaving them with nine in the capital.Jeremy Hunt has apologised to patients after tens of thousands of non-urgent operations were postponed in England.

The Health Secretary admitted there were real pressures facing the health service as NHS England urged hospitals to defer routine procedures such as hip replacements until the end of January to free up hospital beds and staff, amid reports many hospitals were plunged into crisis over the festive period.

Mr Hunt said the move, which could lead to up to 55,000 routine operations being delayed, was absolutely not what I want but conceded that hospitals were under huge pressure from the ageing population and a spike in flu and respiratory diseases.

Meanwhile, Theresa May acknowledged the news was frustrating for affected patients but said the NHS was better prepared for this winter than ever before.

However, critics said the situation was putting patients at risk, with former Liberal Democrat health minister Norman Lamb warning there was no doubt that patients will die and families will suffer because of the pressure the NHS is under.

Mr Hunt told Sky News: There are real pressures, no doubt about it. This is the busiest week of the year for the NHS and the first thing I want to say is a massive thank you to NHS staff who are working incredibly long hours, throughout the night and beyond the call of duty in every possible way.

What is different this year compared to last year is that [last year] we had a lot of operations cancelled at the last minute, a lot of people were called up the day before their operation and told, Im sorry, it cant go ahead.

And we recognise that it is better, if you are, unfortunately, going to have to cancel or postpone some operations, to do it in a planned way, and thats why this year this independent panel has decided to take this decision and that, I think, in the end, is better for people.

Although if you are someone whose operation has been delayed, I dont belittle that for one moment and indeed I apologise to everyone who that has happened to.

The move was revealed in new guidance from the health services national emergency pressures panel which told NHS trusts to extend cancellations of non-urgent operations until the end of January to manage winter pressures. The temporary block had been in place until mid-January.

The Prime Minister dismissed suggestions that the health service was in crisis and pledged operations would be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Speaking to reporters on a visit to Wokingham, Ms May said: The NHS has been better prepared for this winter than ever before, we have put extra funding in.

There are more beds available across the system, weve reduced the number of delayed discharges of elderly people who would otherwise have been in NHS beds rather than in social care.

But I recognise for those people that have had their operations postponed this is disappointing, its frustrating.

Mr Lamb said apologies from ministers would be of little comfort to people who have had their operations delayed.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. 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He said: Tragically this crisis was wholly predictable and preventable. People will rightly be infuriated that the Government has refused to put in enough resources to stave off another winter crisis.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the comments revealed how entirely out of touch the Prime Minister was over the challenges facing the health service.

He said: The reality is we see hospitals at full capacity, ambulances backed up, cancelled operations and patients waiting for hours on trolleys.

Instead of burying her head in the sand, Theresa May needs to explain why she has allowed underfunding and cuts to health and social care to continue.

Doctors leaders have warned of pressures on every part of the system, from GP surgeries to community care, while social care shortages mean patients who are well enough to leave are trapped in hospital.

Dr Anthea Mowat, representative body chair of the British Medical Association, said: The NHS is in the grips of another winter crisis, as patients face long delays in care, operations are cancelled and staff find themselves working under extremely difficult circumstances.

Short-term fixes, however well meaning, will only get us so far. Each winter the pressure on the NHS worsens, and politicians are not taking the long-term view needed to ensure the NHS can keep up with rising demand.The European Union's migration policy has failed, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday, as he and his Polish counterpart demanded a bigger say in the bloc's future.

Orban and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki lead conservative governments under fire from Brussels over their refusal to take in migrants under a quota system and over their efforts to tighten state control of their courts and media.

"In terms of migration and quotas that were to be imposed on (EU) member countries we strongly reject such an approach as it infringes on sovereign decisions of member states," Morawiecki told a joint news conference after talks with Orban in Budapest.

Echoing that line, Orban said: "The EU's migration policy... has failed."

"We want to have a strong say, as these countries (in Central Europe) have a vision about the future of Europe," added the Hungarian leader, who is expected to win a further four years in power in an election due in April.

Orban led criticism in ex-communist central and eastern Europe of Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to open Germany's doors to more than one million, mostly Muslim migrants and refugees fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and beyond.

Morawiecki, a former finance minister who only became prime minister last month, said Central European countries would also present a common front in looming negotiations on the EU's next seven-year budget that starts in 2021.

The ex-communist central European nations are all net recipients of EU funds, with Poland - the region's biggest economy - benefiting most. Wealthier western EU states such as Germany want to keep a firm lid on spending, especially with the planned departure of net donor Britain from the bloc in 2019.

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Morawiecki and Orban appeared to have struck up a good personal relationship, reinforcing their countries' diplomatic rapprochement within the EU.

When the EU's executive Commission launched an unprecedented legal action against Warsaw in December in an attempt to force it to reverse judicial reforms that Brussels says undermine democracy, Orban signalled he would use Hungary's right of veto to prevent any punitive sanctions against Poland.

Orban cited Austria's recent election - which resulted in a far-right party joining the conservatives in a new coalition - - as proof that concerns about immigration were not limited to the ex-communist east.

"(Democracy was) reinstalled as Austrians who do not want immigration elected a government which also opposes immigration. This will be the same everywhere in Europe, I believe this is only a matter of time," said Orban.

Both Orban's Fidesz and the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) in Poland are riding high in national opinion polls, thanks to their strong economic record, their tough anti-migrant policies and their defiance of EU institutions.

Critics say reforms introduced by Fidesz in Hungary and by PiS in Poland undermine democracy and the rule of law, charges rejected by Budapest and Warsaw.

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High-profile members of Theresa Mays Brexit team, including Boris Johnson, have been branded as ludicrous and clueless about the economy by a former Conservative Treasury minister.

Lord ONeill of Gatley, who left the Government in September of 2016 and was appointed by George Osborne, added that it was mad for ministers to channel so much energy into markets such as New Zealand rather than China.

In bruising comments, published in the German newspaper Die Welt, the former Goldman Sachs economist, said: Brexiteers in Mays Cabinet like Boris Johnson or Michael Gove were very intellectual, smart people.

But they have no clue about the world of economy. They are clueless, sadly. Clueless.

Lord ONeill  now a crossbench peer after resigning the Conservative whip following reported disagreements with the Prime Minister over her approach to China  continued: Within a week of the [EU] referendum the Chinese approached us about a free trade agreements.

Under Cameron and Osborne they would have had that discussion 15 months ago. Theresa May, on the contrary, doesnt get out and about and think about China.

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Referring to the Governments strategy and recent trips to New Zealand, he continued: Its kind of fantasy. This year, China is going to grow by 6.7 per cent. In nominal GDP-dollar terms, China will create a new Australia this year. And Liam Fox and our ludicrous foreign minister spend half of their life going to New Zealand. Its mad.

But Lord ONeills remarks come after Mr Fox urged opponents of Brexit to end obsessive criticism, adding before a visit to China: Brexit is not a time bomb to be defused but a great opportunity to be embraced.

In an article for Conservative Home, he continued: One of my most frequent, and frustrating, experiences of 2017 was returning from a positive and optimistic international visit only encounter a wave of criticism at home.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 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The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. 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The interest being shown in Britain overseas, and an increasing willingness to trade and invest with us, was in stark contrast to the self-defeating pessimism that is too often on show from certain politicians, commentators and media outlets over here.

And on Wednesday, it emerged that Britain is exploring the possibility of joining a trans-Pacific bloc after Brexit in a bid to find alternative markets for exports that currently go to Europe.

But the move was immediately criticised. Tim Farron, the former Liberal Democrat leader, said it smacks of desperation while Simon Fraser, previously the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, tweeted: Welcome to cloud cuckoo land.Harry Kalaba, Zambias foreign affairs minister, has resigned over what he claimed were swelling levels of corruption in the southern African nation.

He posted his resignation letter on Facebook as a struggle in the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) over President Edgar Lungus ambitions to run for another term in office intensifies.

Mr Kalaba is seen as a potential PF candidate in a 2021 presidential election. But analysts suggested his chances of winning the PF nomination could stall if Mr Lungu won a court battle allowing him to run for a third term.

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We cannot proceed to manage national affairs with cold indifference when the levels of corruption are swelling and being perpetrated by those who are expected to be the solution, Mr Kalaba wrote.

Mr Kalaba will not step down as a member of parliament and will remain in PF, according to the news website Lusaka Times.

Experts said Mr Kalabas resignation was intended to apply pressure on Mr Lungu, who is accused by his opponents of chasing an unconstitutional third term.

People have started realising that they will not get nominated as long as Lungu insists on standing, Lee Habasonda, an analyst from the University of Zambia, said.

Zambias constitution limits presidents to two terms but Mr Lungu argues that his first period as leader doesnt count because he did not serve a full term after he assumed power following the death of predecessor Michael Sata in 2014.

Mr Lungu was then elected for a five-year term in 2016.

He warned constitutional court judges in November not to stop him running again and his allies have asked the Supreme Court to confirm that he will be eligible to stand.

Zambias former first lady, Charlotte Scott, said in a tweet: Harry Kalaba may have woken up, but hes got an awful lot of explaining to do.

He had no regard for the Republican constitution or for the PF constitution either. Where did he think that approach would take us?

National assembly member Sylvia Masebo, who ran on the PF ticket in 2011, said in a statement: The levels of looting and gross mismanagement of state resources that we are currently witnessing under Edgar Lungus regime is disheartening and unprecedented and threatens national security and unity.

The decision to resign by [Mr] Kalaba is noble and should be commended by all patriotic Zambians regardless of political affiliation.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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On its own Facebook page PF decried ridiculous calls from the opposition UPND for Mr Lungu to step down.

The party acknowledged Mr Kalabas resignation by saying democracy provides for such individual decisions.

It added in a statement that its firm foundation as an institution and movement of the people had not been shaken.

PF was committed to its pledge to leave no citizen behind, it said.

Additional reporting by agenciesThe advent of a new year means the ushering in of new laws in the US which include everything from changing the rules around nappy changing, to marijuana consumption, and pet custody in divorce proceedings.

The arrival of 2018 also welcomes a new law which means Barack Obamas home state will commemorate his birthday.

Illinois has ruled every 4 August will be Barack Obama Day to honour the former presidents legacy.

Obama, whose birthday falls on 4 August, began his political career in the Illinois Senate in 1997 and served there until his election to the US Senate in 2004.

But this is just one of tens of thousands of new laws which came into effect in states across the US on New Years Day.

Tens of millions of Americans are now able to legally purchase and use marijuana for recreational purposes.

On Monday, California became the sixth state to legalise the use and sale of marijuana for recreational purposes. Adults in Maine and Massachusetts will be able to use recreational cannabis later in 2018.

But in California this does not result in marijuana being any easier to actually purchase. A full rundown of the details of the law from The Independent's Jeremy B White in San Francisco can be read here.

California will also welcome a slew of other new laws in the new year, including new protections for undocumented immigrants, parents not having to list their children's gender on their birth certificates, and schools being required to give lunch to children who cannot afford it.

Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Show all 15 1 /15 Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden watch Barack Obama's farewell speech on 11 January. Obama called Biden his 'brother' Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years US President Barack Obama speaks alongside US Vice President Joe Biden about the Affordable Care Act AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama Getty Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years President Obama listens to Joe Biden speak of his work on defeating cancer on 18 October in the White House Reuters Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years U.S. President Barack Obama is applauded by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden while delivering his final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in Washington Reuters Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years U.S. Vice President Joe Biden interjects as President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a reception for the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics at the White House in Washington REUTERS Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Obama and Vice President Joe Biden react after a heckler was removed for their extended interruption (Reuters) Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) as Vice President Joe Biden looks on Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Barack and Michelle Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden observing a moment of silence outside the White House to mark the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Barack Obama and Joe Biden putt on the White House putting green Getty Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years President Barack Obama and Joe Biden in April 2013 AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years January 1, 2013: U.S. President Barack Obama winks as he arrives with Vice President Joe Biden (L) in the briefing room Reuters Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and others receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House May 1, 2011 in Washington, DC Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Vice-President Joe Biden, right, confirmed that the US was looking at ways of taking legal action against Julian Assange - back in December 2010 GETTY IMAGES Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Joe Biden, left, and retired military officers watch President Barack Obama sign orders to close down the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2009 GETTY IMAGES

There are also a range of new laws which apply to pets. Residents in South Carolina will no longer be allowed to own big cats, non-native bears or apes and a new law in Nevada prohibits the possession or sale of body parts of rare animals like sharks, rhinoceroses, elephants, hippopotamuses and tigers.

In Illinois, divorcing couples who are unable to agree on who keeps the pet will now potentially be subject to split custody arrangements.

The judge will decide who gets custody or partial custody based on a couple of different factors, including who cares for the pet on a daily basis, spends money on their food and arranges vaccinations.

New laws also relate to barbers in Tennessee who are now legally able to pay house calls. Prior to this, barbers were only able to do so for clients "who are actually ill", but now even those who are totally healthy will not need to leave their sofa to get a trim.Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing multiple cases against Harvey Weinstein, who has faced allegations of sexual assault but not criminal charges.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said two cases have been presented to our office by the Beverly Hills Police Department regarding Weinstein and are under review".

It was not clear what allegations underlay the Beverly Hills Police Departments investigation of Weinstein.

Were not releasing any details about the allegations while the cases are under review, Beverly Hills Police Department spokesman Elisabeth Albanese said.

Numerous women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or harassment, but none of those allegations have yet produced charges against the former Hollywood mogul. Through a representative, Weinstein has unequivocally denied allegations of non-consensual relationships.

While multiple law enforcement agencies have said they were investigating claims made against Weinstein, the Beverly Hills Police Department forwarding information to the district attorneys office moves a step closer to prosecutors deciding whether to bring charges

In early November, New York City Department Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said investigators were building a strong rape case against Weinstein after actress Paz de La Huerta shared a credible and detailed narrative that they were able to corroborate.

But that effort was complicated by the time elapsed since the alleged crime, Mr Boyce said, and the fact that Weinstein did not live in New York.

Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Show all 42 1 /42 Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein Harry Weinsteins reputation as one of Hollywoods leading executives was long cemented in stone. The acclaimed movie mogul, who produced Oscar-winning films Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and The Artist, clocked up box office successes and accolades aplenty. But this has quickly changed since a chorus of women have come forward to accuse the Hollywood producer of sexual harassment and assault. Since the New York Times bombshell report disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul dating back decades, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and has had his wife leave him. Weinstein has apologised for having caused a lot of pain but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Annabella Sciorra The Sopranos actor alleged Weinstein raped her after shooting The Night We Never Met, a 1993 movie that Weinstein produced. Similar to the stories told by other women, Weinstein drove the actor home, only to reportedly burst into Sciorra's apartment and start unbuttoning his shirt. He shoved me onto the bed, and he got on top of me, Sciorra said. I kicked and I yelled. Weinstein then allegedly locked her arms and forced sexual intercourse on her. After the incident, Sciorra found it increasingly hard to get work, many filmmakers saying 'We heard you were difficult', something the actor claims was because of the 'Weinstein-machine'. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Natassia Malthe The model and actress, who has appeared in around 50 films, said she met Weinstein at a BAFTA after party in 2008 while she was working as a spokeswoman for LG. She told a press conference in New York that she felt pressured into telling Weinstein she was staying at the Sanderson Hotel after being put on the spot. Malthe, now 43, said after her shift on February 10 she went back to her room and went to sleep, but was awoken by "repeated pounding" on her door, from someone yelling: "Open the door Natassia Malthe, it's Harvey Weinstein." Feeling humiliated, she said she opened the door. She alleged Weinstein began implying sex would get her a role in an upcoming film while semi-undressed and then he began to masturbate. "I was sitting on the bed talking to Harvey when he pushed me back and forced himself onto me. It was not consensual. He did not use a condom," she said. AP Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sean Young The actor, best known for her role in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, said that Weinstein exposed himself to her in the early 1990s, when she was starring in the Miramax-produced Love Crimes - a production company that Weinstein headed at the time. "I personally experienced him pulling his you-know-what out of his pants to shock me," she said. "My basic response was, 'You know, Harvey, I really dont think you should be pulling that thing out, its not very pretty.'" Young never worked with Weinstein again after the incident. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lupita Nyong'o In an op-ed for The New York Times, the Oscar-winning actor said she was invited to Weinsteins family home in Connecticut on the premise of watching a film shortly after they met in 2011. But she said shortly after it started he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and she was led to his bedroom. The Kenyan-Mexican actress, now 34, said she felt pressured into giving him a massage after he offered her one. "Before long he said he wanted to take off his pants," she wrote."I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that." Over the years that followed, he continued to get in touch, Nyong'o said, and when she declined another proposition she felt her career was threatened. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lena Headey Writing on social media, the Game of Thrones actor claims she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005 where, after taking her for a walk by the water, he made some suggestive comment and gesture. Headey claims she bumped into Weinstein years later where he kept asking her questions about her love life. She alleges that, when Weinstein invited her to his hotel room to show her a script, the "energy shifted. The actor notes how, after saying she was not interesting in anything but the work, Weinstein was furious, apparently marching her back to a lift, "grabbing and holding tightly to the back of [her] arm." She claims that, after paying for her car, he whispered in her ear: "Don't tell anyone about this, not your manager, not your agent. Headey finished the post, writing: I got in the car and I cried. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Laura Madden Madden, a production assistant who worked at Miramax for a decade, told the Times that Weinstein allegedly prodded her for massages at hotels, a common theme among the sources the Timess reporters spoke with. On one occasion, she claims she locked herself in his hotel bathroom, sobbing Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Judd recounted for the Times how Weinstein allegedly harassed her while she was filming Kiss the Girls in 1996, inviting her to his hotel room and asking her for a massage, then inviting her to watch him shower. Judd first went public with the allegations in a 2015 interview with Variety during which she discussed the experience without naming the producer involved. She described Weinsteins alleged behaviour as coercive bargaining; I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask, she told the Times AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rose McGowan McGowan reportedly reached a previously undisclosed $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997, over an incident that occurred in a hotel room Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emily Nestor Nestor had been temping at the Weinstein Company for only one day in 2014 when Weinstein allegedly offered to boost her career in return for sexual favours, according to the Times. She declined and reportedly complained of his behaviour to colleagues, who later passed the information on to senior executives. An internal Weinstein Company document cited by the Times describes Nestors encounter with Weinstein as follows: She said he was very persistent and focused though she kept saying no for over an hour Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ambra Battilana In March 2015, Battilana, an aspiring model and actress, was reportedly summoned to Weinsteins office on a Friday night to discuss her career. According to a police report cited by the Times, Battilana claimed she was assaulted by Weinstein, who grabbed her breasts after asking if they were real and put his hands up her skirt. Weinstein later claimed that Battilana had set him up, according to colleagues of his who were interviewed by the Times. The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, later declined to press charges, and according to the Times, made a payment to Battilana. On 5 October, the International Business Times reported that after Vance dropped the charges, he received $10,000 from Weinsteins lawyer Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lauren OConnor Lauren OConnor, an employee of the Weinstein Company, penned a memo to executives alleging a toxic environment for women at the company. The memo cited numerous incidents of Weinstein harassing or coercing women who worked for him. She expressed fear that Weinstein was using her and other female employees to facilitate liaisons with vulnerable women who hope he will get them work. That same year, Weinstein allegedly reached a settlement with OConnor Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Kate Beckinsale The actor, who starred in the Weinstein Company films Serendipity and The Aviator, alleges that she was invited to Weinsteins hotel room at the age of just 17. When she approached the door, the producer reportedly greeted her dressed in just a dressing gown. I was incredibly naive and young and it did not cross my mind that this older, unattractive man would expect me to have any sexual interest in him, she wrote on Instagram. After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Gwyneth Paltrow The actor alleges that after he cast her in the title role of the film Emma when she was 22, he took her to his hotel room, placed his hands on her and suggested massages. I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified, Paltrow told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Asia Argento Italian actress Asia Argento has alleged that in 1997 Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. When I see him, it makes me feel little and stupid and weak, Argento told The New Yorker. After the rape, he won. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Cara Delevigne The British model and actress penning an Instagram post claiming that Weinstein had ordered her to kiss another woman in his hotel room, and tried to kiss her on the lips. AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Ashley Judd said she rebuffed Harvey Weinsteins unwanted sexual advances by offering to consent only after she had won an Oscar. When she was initially invited to a meeting with Weinstein, Judd said, she was surprised to learn the producer was in his hotel room - a tactic that recurs in other womens accounts. Echoing the accounts of other women, Judd said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage and then invited her to watch him shower. After a volley of nos she said she would only after she wins an Oscar, fleeing after making the comments. Reuters/Mike Segar Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Judith Godreche French actress Judith Godreche said when she was 24 Weinstein invited her to his hotel room and asked to give her a massage. The next thing I know, hes pressing against me and pulling off my sweater, she told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mira Sorvino The Oscar-winning actor said she found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein in 1995 where he started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around. According to an interview in The New Yorker Weinstein subsequently arrived at her apartment late at night and she had to call a friend to come over to pose as her boyfriend in order to get Weinstein out of the house. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Katherine Kendall The actress said Weinstein undressed and chased her around a living room when she was just 23. She subsequently felt that telling others meant Ill never work again and no one is going to care or believe me, she told the New York Times. WireImage Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Tomi-Anne Roberts As an aspiring actress and working in a restaurant in New York, Tomi-Ann Roberts encountered Weinstein who encouraged her to audition for one of his films back in 1984. She subsequently went to meet him and found him naked in the bath and invited her to get naked and get into the bath with him, she told the New York Times. She said she left feeling manipulated. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Myleen Klass It has also been alleged that the disgraced film producer propositioned Myleene Klass with a sex contract at Cannes Film Festival in 2010. One of the singer and television personalitys friends reportedly told The Sun, Klass had told Weinstein to f*** off. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sophie Dix Sophie Dix, best known for her role as Captain Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier, described her encounter with Weinstein when she was 23 as the single most damaging thing thats happened in my life. She told The Guardian Weinstein had pushed her to her bed and was tugging at her clothes. She rushed to the bathroom to escape, but when she came out she found him standing there masturbating. I quickly closed the door again and locked it, she said. Then when I heard room service come to the door I just ran. Rex Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lea Seydoux The actor and director claims she had to fight off Weinstein after he brought her to his hotel room during what she remembers to be 2012. He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. Hes big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him. I left his room, thoroughly disgusted, she wrote in The Guardian. AFP/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Claire Forlani British actress Claire Forlani wrote on Twitter that she had evaded Weinsteins advances on five occasions at the age of 25. At meetings with the Hollywood a-lister, she says massage was suggested, and that Weinstein had boasted of all the women hed had sex with. Mark Douet Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Florence Darel French actress Florence Darel claimed Weinstein relentlessly pursued her in the mid 1990's and propositioned her while Eve Chilton, his wife at the time, was in the hotel room next door. I was astonished, she told People magazine. When you have someone so physically disgusting in front of you, continuing and continuing as though this was all perfectly normal What happened to me may not be illegal but it was inappropriate. Very inappropriate. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lysette Anthony Lysette Anthony, who starred as Marnie Nightingale in Hollyoaks, has claimed Weinstein raped her in the late 1980's after turning up to her London home in the late 1980s. She described the disgraced film producers alleged attack as pathetic and revolting and said it left her feeling disgusted and embarrassed. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Dawn Dunning Dunning said she met Weinstein in 2003 when she was 24-years-old and the disgraced film producer suggested she have a threesome with him and someone else. She told the New York Times Weinstein got angry when she refused. Youll never make it in this business, she said he told her as she left. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Arquette was already well known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, when she said she met Weinstein at his hotel to pick up a script in the early nineties. Weinstein was dressed only in a dressing gown, and tried to put her hand on his erect penis. Speaking to the New York Times, Arquette said as she left she told him: I will never be that girl. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emma de Caunes Caunes, a French actor, claimed Weinstein took her to his hotel room in 2010 supposedly to retrieve a book he was making into a film, but once there he went into the bathroom. De Caunes said he then emerged naked, with an erection and told her to lie on the bed. She fled the room. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Zoe Brock Model Zoe claimed that she had to lock herself in a bathroom at Weinsteins hotel in 1997, after the mogul had sent all of the assistants out of the room, and then appeared naked. I was alone with Weinstein, she told ITVs This Morning programme. He very quickly left the room and came back naked. He chased me naked. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Barth Actress Jessica Barth described an encounter with Weinstein in 2011 in an interview with The New Yorker in which she said Weinstein veered between offering her roles in films and demanding a naked massage. She alleges the producer said to her: So, what would happen if, say, were having some champagne and I take my clothes off and you give me a massage? When she tried to leave, he then promised to give her the number of a female executive at the company. He gave me her number, and I walked out and I started bawling, Barth said. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Romola Garai The actress told The Guardian she felt violated after she went to a meeting with Weinstein at the age of 18 and he met her in his hotel room wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Heather Graham Graham claimed that during a casting opportunity in the early 2000's Weinstein had told her he had an open relationship with his wife. He could sleep with whomever he wanted when he was out of town. I walked out of the meeting feeling uneasy, Graham told Variety. There was no explicit mention that to star in one of those films I had to sleep with him, but the subtext was there. Graham was never hired to work in a Weinstein film. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Hynes Spaced and W1A star Jessica Hynes tweeted about an encounter with Weinstein earlier this week, but subsequently deleted the tweet. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louisette Geiss The former actress said she met Weinstein to pitch a film script she was working on. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly went out and reappeared naked and got into a jacuzzi where he masturbated in front of her and said he would make the script into a film if she stayed and watched. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Liza Campbell Liza Campbell, a British writer and artist, alleged that Olympically ugly Weinstein asked her to join him in the bath and began getting undressed at a hotel. In a piece for The Times, Campbell claimed she was forced to sprint to the door to escape. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louise Godbold Writing in a blog post, Louise Godbold, a non-profit director in Los Angeles, said her encounter with Weinstein took the form of an office tour that became an occasion to trap me in an empty meeting room. She said then Weinstein was begging for a massage, his hands on my shoulders as I attempted to beat a retreat.

If this person was still in New York and it was recent, we would go right away and make the arrest  no doubt, he told reporters

Authorities in London have also said they were examining allegations against Weinstein.A father held hostage by Taliban-linked militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan for five years has been charged with sexual assault.

Joshua Boyle, 34, who with his wife Caitlan Coleman Boyle was captured by the Haqqani network in Afghanistan in October 2012, will have his case discussed during a brief preliminary hearing at a court in Ottowa, Canada, on Wednesday.

The Canadian citizen, whose American wife gave birth to their three children while in captivity, faces a total of 15 charges, including eight counts of assault, two of sexual assault, two claims of unlawful confinement, and one accusation of uttering death threats.

All the alleged offences are said to have occurred after the Boyles returned to Canada having been rescued following a gunfight between Pakistani security forces and their captors in October 2017. A court order prevents identification of any of the alleged victims.

Boyles lawyer Eric Granger has said: "Mr Boyle is presumed innocent. He's never been in trouble before. We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges."

Ms Boyle, originally from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, told the Toronto Star: I cant speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.

 Father-of-four held captive by Taliban-related group gives press statement following release

After being rescued, the couple said their captors had killed one unborn daughter by forcing Ms Boyle to undergo an abortion.

They also said Ms Boyle was raped while they were being held hostage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, being drugged and put in the boots of cars when the Haqqani network guerrillas wanted to move them.

Ms Boyle had been heavily pregnant with their first child when the couple were captured during an extended backpacking trip that had taken them to a remote area of Afghanistan outside Kabul. Mr Boyle has previously said he and his wife had gone to the area to assist people "who live deep inside Taliban-controlled Afghanistan where no NGO, no aid worker and no government has ever successfully been able to bring the necessary help."

After their first baby was born, the couple decided to have more children, despite being in captivity.

Shortly after her release, Ms Boyle explained to the Toronto Star: Its difficult to explain all the reasons, but, for me, a large part was that it has always been important to me to have a large family.

This [was] captivity with no end in sight. And so I felt that it was our best choice at that time. We didnt know if we would have that opportunity when we came back. We didnt know how long it would be.

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 couple, however, said that after Mr Boyle refused to join the Haqqani network, the militants killed their unborn daughter, whom they called Martyr, by dosing Ms Boyles food to make her oestrogen levels so abnormally high that she miscarried.

They killed her [Martyr] by dosing the food, Ms Boyle said. They put massive doses of oestrogen in the food.

Ms Boyle said after that she kept her two later pregnancies secret, with her husband delivering the babies by torchlight while she kept as quiet as possible despite her labour pain.

The familys ordeal ended on October 11 2017 when Pakistani security services rescued them as they were being transported in a car boot.

Mr Boyle said he had been hit by shrapnel during the shootout and the last thing he remembered his captors saying was kill the hostages.

After the successful rescue, Ms Boyles parents expressed delight that she had been freed, but reportedly expressed anger that their son-in-law had taken their heavily pregnant daughter to Afghanistan.

The Boyles met over the Internet and married in Costa Rica in 2011.

Mr Boyle had previously been briefly married to Zaynab Khadr, the older sister of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr.

Canadian-born Mr Khadr was 15 when he was captured by US troops after a firefight in Afghanistan in July 2002. He had been taken to Afghanistan by his father, who had reportedly been a senior al-Qaeda financier.

Mr Khadr, who protested his innocence and said he had only pleaded guilty to war crimes because he saw it as his sole hope of getting out of Guantanamo Bay, was returned to Canada in 2012 and released from custody in 2015.

In 2014 US officials said that Boyles link to Khadrs sister had nothing to do with him and his wife being taken hostage. One official told the Associated Press that the link was just a horrible coincidence.

After the Boyles were released, members of the Haqqani network and the Taliban denied the couples claims of rape and forced abortion.One of the largest cities in Canada is following through on a promise to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags within its borders, hoping to cut down on the amount of waste the city produces each year.

Retailers in Montreal have been given a grace period before penalties go into effect, after World Environment Day on June 5. Jean-Francois Parenteau, the citys executive committee member responsible for the environment, says that, given the amount of plastic bag wasted in the province, the rules are a no-brainer.

Quebecers use two billion bags a year, and the recuperation rate is only 14 per cent, Mr Parenteau told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. We find these bags in the trees, on the South Shore  everywhere in nature.

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The ban applies to more than just your average plastic bag, too. Biodegradable bags, as well as several other types of bags that can be broken down in nature, are also set to be banned. Certain smaller bags  like those that consumers put fresh produce into  will not be banned.

I dont think its a bad idea eliminating bags. People will probably get used to bringing their own, Taso Erimos, the owner of a grocery store in Montreal, told the network.

Montreal joins several other cities to try and curb the use of last bags in North America. In New York City, for instance, the municipality has imposed a 5-cent fee for each bag used. In California, there have been at least 88 municipalities to ban the bags, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. In many other states, plastic ban laws are either gaining traction or being passed.

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 ban in Montreal will carry with it fines for individual retailers ranging from $200 to $1,000 for first infractions, and anywhere from $300 to $2,000 for subsequent ones. Companies will face fines ranging from $400 to $4,000.Playboy magazine could soon be pulled from newsstands as uncertainty around the future of the iconic American mens lifestyle publication grows.

Playboy Enterprises Inc. is said to be thinking about dropping the print magazine which was started more than six decades ago by the late Hugh Hefner - the millionaire mogul who died in September.

The magazine, which is not just famed for its risque photos of naked women but also its gamut of short stories, is believed to be moving its direction towards overall branding rather than print media.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ben Kohn, a managing partner at Rizvi who is Playboy Enterprises chief executive, wants to move the firms emphasis to brand partnerships and licensing deals.

We want to focus on what we call the World of Playboy which is so much larger than a small, legacy print publication. We plan to spend 2018 transitioning it from a media business to a brand-management company, Mr Kohn told the publication.

US circulation has plummeted to less than 500,000 an issue - a steep decline since its peak of 5.6 million in 1975 - a symptom of difficulties in an increasingly tough print magazine landscape.

Playboys print magazine, which now publishes six issues a year, has lost $7m annually in recent years, according to the Journal.

Mr Kohn said: Historically, we could justify the losses because of the marketing value, but you also have to be forward thinking. Im not sure that print is necessarily the best way to communicate to our consumer.

Most famous Playboy covers Show all 10 1 /10 Most famous Playboy covers Most famous Playboy covers December 1953 The very first Playboy magazine front cover with Marilyn Monroe Most famous Playboy covers July 1958 The bright yellow Playboy cover in summer of 1958 featured popular nude model Agnes Laurent Most famous Playboy covers August 1962 The shot of a woman posing on a beach in a bikini celebrated the first ever cover featuring bikini swimsuit Most famous Playboy covers May 1964 This cover featured Playmate of the year Donna Michelle who used her legs to recreate Playboy's famous rabbit logo Most famous Playboy covers August 1968 The cover of August 1968 edition featured Playmate Gale Olson with the famous Bunny logo covering her body Most famous Playboy covers October 1971 Darine Stern was the first black Playmate to feature on the cover of the magazine Most famous Playboy covers January 1985 The New Year cover in 1985 featured Goldie Hawn who was promoting her latest film Protocol Most famous Playboy covers July 1990 Sharon Stone was featured in the issue to promote her starring role in the upcoming movie Total Recall Most famous Playboy covers December 2007 Kim Kardashian appeared on the cover of the issue to promote the first season of the E! reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians Most famous Playboy covers January 2014 The eagerly anticipated shot with Kate Moss in the famous bunny outfit celebrated the magazine's 60th anniversary

Hefners death is said to have prompted a process that will move ownership of the company from his family to the largest shareholder Rizvi Traverse.

It was Rizvi Traverse which helped Hugh Hefner take Playboy private in 2011 and gained control of nearly two-thirds of the company.

Ritzi Traverse, a private equity firm, is said to be keen to centre efforts on the Playboy brand and its globally recognised bunny logo.

We want to focus on what we call the World of Playboy which is so much larger than a small, legacy print publication, Mr Kohn said. We plan to spend 2018 transitioning it from a media business to a brand-management company.

According to the Journal who spoke to an unnamed person aware of what is going on, the private equity firm is now in discussions to gain the 35 per cent stake Hefner left in trust to his heirs. The source told them Playboy wants to raise $25 million to $100 million early this year to help buy back the shares and fund future partnership deals.

Playboy, one of the most famous brands in the world, is not only famed for its centrefolds of nude and semi-nude models but also published fiction and non-fiction from writers such as Ray Bradbury and Margaret Atwood during its peak.

It has published thousands of critical essays, interviews, short stories and features covering a plethora of subjects including religion, race issues, sex and sexuality.

Hefner himself once told a group of former playmates: Without you, Id be the publisher of a literary magazine.

The magazine, which was founded in Chicago, stopped publishing nude images of women in 2016 but brought them back in 2017.

A final decision has yet to be made about the future of the print magazine but a potentially dark storm cloud is reported to be hanging over its future.

The Independent contacted a representative of Playboy for comment.Thomas S. Monson, the 16th president of the Mormon church, has died after overseeing the religion for nine years. He was 90.

Monson died Tuesday night at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins.

Monson spent more than five decades serving in top church leadership councils  making him a well-known face and personality to multiple generations of Mormons.

A church bishop at the age of 22, the Salt Lake City native became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counsellor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008.

Recommended New Zealand prime minister left Mormon church to support LGBT rights

The next president was not immediately named, but the job is expected to go to next longest-tenured member of the church's governing Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Russell M. Nelson, per church protocol.

Monson's presidency was marked by his noticeably low profile during a time of intense publicity for the church, including the 2008 and 2012 campaigns of Mormon Mitt Romney for President. Monson's most public acts were appearances at church conferences and devotionals as well as dedications of church temples.

Monson will also be remembered for his emphasis on humanitarian work; leading the faith's involvement in the passage of gay marriage ban in California in 2008; continuing the religion's push to be more transparent about its past; and lowering the minimum age for missionaries.

Mormons considered Monson a warm, caring, endearing and approachable leader, said Patrick Mason, associate professor of religion at Claremont Graduate University in California. He was known for dropping everything to make hospital visits to people in need. His speeches at the faith's twice-yearly conferences often focused on parables of human struggles resolved through faith.

He put an emphasis on the humanitarian ethic of Mormons, evidenced by his expansion of the church's disaster relief programmes around the world, said Armand Mauss, a retired professor of sociology and religious studies at Washington State University.

"President Monson always seemed more interested in what we do with our religion rather than in what we believe," Mauss said.

A World War II veteran, Monson served in the Navy and spent a year overseas before returning to get a business degree at the University of Utah and a master's degree in business administration from the church-owned Brigham Young University.

Before being tabbed to join the faith's church's governing Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Monson worked for the church's secular businesses, primarily in advertising, printing and publishing including the Deseret Morning News.

Monson married Frances Beverly Johnson in 1948. The couple had three children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Frances died in 2013 at the age of 85.

Throughout his life, Monson was an avid fisherman who also raised homing pigeons, specifically, roller pigeons who twirled as they flew. He was known for his love of show tunes, Boy Scouts and the Utah Jazz.

Monson's legacy will be tied to the religion's efforts to hold tight to its opposition of same-sex marriage while encouraging members to be more open and compassionate toward gays and lesbians as acceptance for LGBT people increased across the county.

One of the most memorable moments of Monson's tenure came in October 2012, when he announced at church conference that the minimum age to depart on missions was being lowered to 19 from 21 for women; and to 18 from 19 for men. The change triggered a historic influx of missionaries, and proved a milestone change for women by allowing many more to serve.

The man expected to take Monson's seat, the 93-year-old Nelson, has been a church apostle since April 1970. Out of respect for Monson, his appointment will not be officially named until after his funeral services.

The Mormon church was founded in 1830 in upstate New York by Joseph Smith, who claimed he was visited by God and Jesus while praying in a grove of trees and was called to found the church. Members are known as Mormons because of the religion's keystone scripture, the Book of Mormon.

APDonald Trump will hold an exclusive party for countries who did not vote to approve a United Nations resolution condemning his administration's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN, said the US would be staging a reception for those nations who did not oppose Americas position on Jerusalem on Wednesday night.

"As I said in December, we won't forget the Jerusalem vote. To that end, tomorrow night, we are having a reception for the countries who chose not to oppose the US position [on Jerusalem], Ms Haley said at a news conference on Tuesday.

In December, Ms Haley sent a "Save the Date" invitation to the 64 countries who did not lend their backing to the resolution to thank them for their "friendship to the United States."

Last month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution criticising Americas decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital and launch the process of transporting its embassy there. The move radically reversed decades of US policy in the region and the majority of observers said it would hinder attempts to establish peace in the Middle East.

Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Show all 22 1 /22 Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of Difa-e-Pakistan Council a coalition of right wing Islamic parties, burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump, during a protest in Quetta, Pakistan EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli police scuffle with a Palestinian protester outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn pictures of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protesters outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on 7 December 2017 AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organization, chant slogans as they burn Israeli and US flags during a protest against Donald Trump in Peshawar REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinians paint an 'X' over the face of a picture of US president Donald J. Trump which was painted on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors burn the Israeli flag and a poster of US President Donald Trump in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party rally against Donald Trump in Lahore AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn the US and Israeli flags in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A poster depicting U.S. President Donald Trump is burnt during a protest against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes that followed protests against US President Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters shout slogans against Donald Trump EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops during protests AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party chant anti-American slogans during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistanis burn a representation of the U.S. flag during a protest rally in Hyderabad AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Young Palestinian women look on as smoke billows from burning tyres as fellow Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops AFP/Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protesters burn a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump at a protest in Islamabad REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protestors shouts slogans against US President Donald Trump as they hold Palestinian and Turkish flags during a protest near the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors put their feet over a picture of US president Donald Trump during a protest in the West Bank City of Nablus EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistani protesters burn tires at an anti-Donald Trump rally in Multan AP

Although the resolution is not legally binding, it is part of a global effort to push the Trump team to rethink its decision.

In an embarrassing blow to the US president on the global stage, the UN General Assembly voted by 128 to nine to announce his controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital null and void.

Togo, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Micronesia, Palau, Honduras and Guatemala joined America and Israel in voting against the UN resolution so have all been invited to the special party.

Britain voted for the motion, as did India and Russia.

Thirty-five countries, many in Africa and Latin America, abstained from the vote. Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Malawi, and several Caribbean and Pacific island nations all sat out of the vote.

Canada, Poland, Australia, and Mexico also abstained in what was perhaps linked to other political pressures from the US.

Prior to the vote, the Trump administration threatened to take names of countries and cut off humanitarian aid funding.

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Ms Haley issued a stern warning the US would be taking names of any countries who supported the resolution condemning the actions of the Trump administration. According to the Associated Press, Ms Haley wrote to most of the 193 UN members states warning of possible retaliation, saying Mr Trump was taking the issue personally.

For all these nations, they take our money and then vote against us. They take hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars and then they vote against us, Mr Trump said to members of his cabinet before the vote.

Were watching those votes. Let them vote against us. Well save a lot. We dont care.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbass spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah hailed the UN vote as a victory for Palestine.

He said: We will continue our efforts in the United Nations and at all international forums to put an end to this occupation, and to establish our Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Just days before the vote, the US used its veto power at the UN Security Council to block a similar measure.President Donald Trump has slammed former adviser Steve Bannon, claiming the political strategist had "lost his mind," after he was quoted calling a Trump campaign meeting "treasonous".

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency," Mr Trump said in a statement. "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

He added: "Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country ... Steve doesnt represent my basehes only in it for himself."

The comments came in the wake of an explosive report in which Mr Bannon was quoted mocking a June 2016 meeting between key members of the Trump campaign and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Mr Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr, agreed to the meeting after an intermediary promised "dirt" from Russia on campaign rival Hillary Clinton.

Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s***, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," Mr Bannon said of the meeting, according to journalist Michael Wolff.

The meeting has been of intense interest to Congressional investigators, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Mr Trump issued his fiery response in an official White House statement hours after the report first surfaced. He accused Mr Bannon, once thought to be his most trusted adviser, of leaking false information to the media, and downplayed his former White House role.

"Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books," Mr Trump said.

Mr Bannon was seen as a key architect of the Trump campaign, helping the candidate tap into his populist message and pushing him towards more nationalist ideas. He was also a driving force behind Trump administration policies like the travel ban and the repeal of Obama-era regulations.

 'Political genius': Senate Leader Mitch McConnell mocks Steve Bannon

Mr Bannon left the White House in August, amid controversy over the President's response to a white supremacist rally in Virginia. Close advisers had long urged Mr Trump to oust his chief strategist, and the President himself was beginning to suspect him of leaking to the press, according to the New York Times.

Nonetheless, Mr Trump complemented Mr Bannon as he left to resume a leadership role at Breitbart News.

"Steve Bannon will be a tough and smart new voice at Breitbart News ... maybe even better than ever before," Mr Trump tweeted at the time. "Fake news needs the competition!"

Mr Bannon went on to work with Alabama Judge Roy Moore on his ill-fated Senate campaign. Mr Moore lost the race after being accused of sexual misconduct with underage women, giving Alabama its first Democratic senator in 25 years.

Mr Trump taunted his former adviser for the loss in his statement, writing: "Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look."

"Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country.," he added. "Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans."Egypt's foreign reserves increased to $37.019 billion by the end of December, up from $36.723 at the end of November, the Central Bank of Egypt announced on Wednesday.

Egypt's net foreign reserves had first hit pre-2011 levels in July 2017, reaching $36.036 billion after a $4.7 billion surge in July alone.

The reserves have been climbing since Egypt signed the $12 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in November 2016, following the decision to float the pound.

Egypt is expected receive its next IMF loan disbursal in the third week of December

Short link:

Donald Trump has pledged "great support" for the people of Iran from the US over street protests currently taking place across the country.

The tweet, which said support would come at "the appropriate time" as Iranians look to "take back their corrupt government", replaced an earlier deleted tweet which called Iran a "corrupt and poorly run" country which its people were in a "fight" to take back.

Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time! the full Twitter post reads.

Recommended US to call for emergency UN meetings over unrest in Iran

Iran has endured its biggest unrest in nearly a decade after protests erupted late last month.

Seemingly spontaneous demonstrations erupted in Iran's second largest city, Mashhad, on December 28, and have since spread across the country.

The protests, according to reports, are stronger in the provinces than they are in Tehran, and are composed predominantly of working class people under the age of 25 who are angry that the benefits from the partial lifting of sanctions following the 2015 nuclear deal with the United States haven't been spread evenly amongst the population.

Iran protests  in pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Iran protests  in pictures Iran protests  in pictures University students at an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures A university student at a protest inside Tehran University while a smoke grenade is thrown by anti-riot Iranian police, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures University students at a protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures University students run away from the police during an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures An image grab taken from a handout video released by Iran's Mehr News agency reportedly shows a group of men pulling at a fence in a street in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests  in pictures Demonstrators gather to protest in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests  in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, December 30 2017 Iran protests  in pictures Iranian clerics take part during a state-organized rally against anti-government protests in the country, in the holy city of Qom, south west Iran, 3 January 2018 EPA Iran protests  in pictures In this photo provided by the Iranian Students' News Agency, a clergyman takes a picture of a pro-government demonstration in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iran, 3 January 2018 ISNA via AP Iran protests  in pictures Pro-government demonstrators gather at the Massoumeh shrine in Iran's holy city of Qom, some 130 kilometres south of Tehran, 3 January 2018 AFP/Getty

Mr Trump, for his part, has been a frequent critic of that nuclear deal, which was negotiated by his predecessor, President Barack Obama. He has so far stopped short of eliminating the understanding between the two countries outright, but refused to recertify the deal last year, opening up the possibility that Congress could take action and reimpose sanctions that would break the agreement. His decision not to recertify when the October 15 legal deadline arrived came in spite of findings by international inspectors who said that Iran has so-far complied with its obligations under the deal, which includes dismantling centrifuges, and limiting uranium enrichment.

But, the protests come at a particularly vulnerable time for that deal's continued existence.

Observers note that Mr Trump could potentially seize upon the unrest in Iran to follow through with his campaign promise to tear up the deal, even though some of his top advisers have warned him that doing so could embolden Iranian hard-liners to restart their pursuit of nuclear arms, while simultaneously isolating the United States on the issue.

Mr Trump will be forced this month to make a decision on the deal, and whether to waive the sanctions that the agreement has lifted. That is, unless Congress manages to forge its own legislation to address the issue, proving to the President that it has been strengthened while simultaneously garnering enough support in the Senate to meet a 60-vote threshold that would require some Democrats to come on board.

Some Republican hawks are pushing for further restrictions on Iran in light of the protests, including targeting short-range missiles that were not a part of the original deal because they are not nuclear-related. Others see the protests as a potential opportunity to reinforce existing laws targeting Iran, including the Global Magnitsky Act, which was passed in 2016 and extended a statute targeting human rights abusers in Russia to violators internationally.

Iran has repeatedly indicated that they would not renegotiate the nuclear deal.

At least 20 people have been killed in the protests, and at least 450 have been arrested in just Tehran, according to the Associated Press.

While Trump administration officials have so-far been careful in their statements surrounding the protests, hesitant to play into Iranian government propaganda that would allow the government to portray the issue as a conflict between outside forces and Tehran, experts have cautioned that reimposing sanctions could allow the government to do just that.

"Reimposing all the nuclear sanctions allows the regime to say they are standing up to pressure from the outside," Dennis Ross, a Middle East adviser to presidents from both parties, told POLITICO. "They want to turn this into a nationalist issue. We want to raise the costs of a crackdown. Don't give them a reason to focus on us."A former Trump campaign chairman indicted on money laundering charges by special counsel Robert Mueller as a part of his probe into Russias meddling in the 2016 election is suing the Justice Department and Mr Mueller, saying that the special counsel didn't have the authority to charge him.

The lawsuit, brought by Paul Manafort, represents the latest effort by allies of President Donald Trump to stem the special counsels investigation. That backlash has included pressure from some congressional Republicans, who have called publicly on the Justice Department to shutter the Mueller probe.

Mr Manafort, who was indicted last year on the charges alongside his deputy Rick Gates, filed the suit Wednesday in US District Court in Washington, challenging Mr Muellers decision to charge him for the alleged crimes, saying that they had nothing to do with the 2016 campaign. Both Mr Manafort and Mr Gates have plead not guilty to the charges related to money laundering and failing to file federal financial disclosures.

Recommended Trump says he believes the Russia investigation will treat him fairly

Mr Manafort and his lawyers say the accusations stemmed from lobbying work that he and his deputy did for a formerly pro-Russia Ukrainian source, long before the 2016 campaign. That lobbying work ended in 2014, the suit says, before Mr Trump even announced his bid for the US presidency.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein exceeded their authority in bringing forth those charges, because the law that dictates parameters for special counsel appointments do not allow far-reaching investigations of those kind. The order to appoint the counsel  which Mr Rosenstein signed after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself  goes beyond the deputy attorney generals authority, the lawsuit says.

Specifically, the lawsuit focuses on the terms in the order that say Mr Mueller can investigate any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation into the 2016 meddling.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Mr Rosensteins order gives the special counsel carte blanche to investigate and pursue criminal charges in connection with anything he stumbles across while investigating, no matter how remote from the specific matter identified as the subject of the appointment order, the lawsuit reads.A Jewish lawyer who once worked for Roy Moore and was touted by his campaign as proof he could therefore not be antisemitic, has revealed that he is a long-time friend of the former judges victorious opponent and voted for him.

In the days before last months special election for a vacant senate seat for Alabama, Mr Moore, a conservative evangelical Christian, was accused of making antisemitic comments.

To try and counter the claims, Mr Moores wife, Kayla, who had been an outspoken defender of her husband after he was accused of sexually abusing young girls and women - claims he stridently denied - said one of their legal acquaintances was Jewish.

Fake news will tell you that we dont care for Jews. I tell you all this because Ive seen it also I just want to set the record straight while theyre here, she told supporters at a rally on the eve of voting. One of our attorneys is a Jew.

 Roy Moore's wife claims he can't be antisemitic because 'one of our attorneys is a Jew'

But that lawyer, Richard Jaffe, who once apparently did some work for Republican Mr Moores son, has now reportedly revealed he is a long time friend of Mr Moores opponent, Doug Jones, and voted for him in the election that the Democrat won - the first to win a senate seat in Alabama for 25 years.

Mr Jaffe told the Washington Examiner he has been friends with Mr Jones for over 30 years and both raised and donated money to his campaign.

Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Show all 12 1 /12 Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones speaks to reporters after voting Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore (L) and his wife Kayla ride their horses to the polling station to vote AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones David Watson waves in a Santa suit as he holds a Doug Jones sign AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks to the media as his wife Kayla (R) looks on AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones casts his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Roy Moore speaks to the media after he rode in on a horse to vote AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic candidate Doug Jones greets supporters after casting his ballot AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore departs on horseback after he cast his ballot in Gallant REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters wait in line to cast their ballot at a polling station setup in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Senatorial candidate Doug Jones (L) greets voters outside of a polling station at the Bessemer Civic Center Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the Fire Department Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones speaks with the media after casting his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church Reuters

There could not be a more passionate supporter of Doug than me, he said.

The newspaper reported that he represented Mr Moores son Caleb in 2016. Mr Jaffe could not be immediately reached for comment.

Claims that Mr Moore, who was supported by Donald Trumps former top strategist, Steve Bannon, was antisemitic increased after he suggested billionaire and Democratic donor George Soros, who is Jewish, was going to hell.

Hes still going to the same place that people who dont recognise God and morality and accept his salvation are going, Mr Moore told supporters. And thats not a good place.

The infamous meeting between a Russian lawyer and Donald Trumps eldest son and other senior members of his campaign team, was treasonous and unpatriotic, according to ousted White House strategist Steve Bannon.

In explosive leaked comments from a much-anticipated book about Mr Trumps campaign and his seizing of victory, Mr Bannon claims that Special Prosecutor Robert Muellers probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election is increasingly focused on possible money laundering.

Theyre going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV, he adds, according to details of the book seen by The Guardian.

Responding to the claims, Mr Trump issued a furious statement saying Mr Bannon had little to do with his presidential victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans, Mr Trump said of Mr Bannons backing of unsuccessful candidate Roy Moore, who Mr Trump himself also belatedly supported.

The president said Mr Bannon was trying to promote himself by leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was.

Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books, Mr Trump added.

At a later press conference, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders dismissed the accusation of treason as ridiculous, saying that Mr Trump was furious and disgusted by Mr Bannons comments.

Ms Sanders also released a statement calling the book trashy tabloid fiction.

This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House, she said. Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy.

 Steve Bannon says the firing of James Comey was the biggest mistake in modern political history

It is not clear when Mr Bannon spoke with journalist Michael Wolff, who is the author of the forthcoming Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. Mr Bannon, a pugilistic nationalist and conservative, became the head of Mr Trump election campaign in August 2016 and served as senior adviser to him in the White House from 20 January 2017 until he was fired in August.

Since then, Mr Bannon has returned to the helm of his right-wing news site Breitbart News and put his support behind the failed candidacy of insurgent Roy Moore in Alabama. He has vowed to funnel money and support to other non-establishment candidates in the 2018 midterms.

Mr Bannon was not a part of the Trump campaign when the billionaires eldest son, his son-in-law Jared Kusher and then campaign manager Paul Manfort, met at Trump Tower with Kremlin-linked lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Also present was a Russian lobbyist, Rinat Akhmetshin, who has long worked in Washington on issues of importance to President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Trump Jr claimed he agreed to attend the meeting after being told Ms Veselnitskaya had incriminating material on his fathers rival, Ms Clinton, saying: I love it.

After details of the meeting were revealed last year by The New York Times, Mr Trump Jr sought to play down its significance. He claimed Ms Veselnitskaya in truth only wanted to talk about lifting US sanctions on Russia and had no material to offer on Ms Clinton. His father said he supported his sons decision: Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don Jr attended.

Meanwhile, Ms Veselnitskaya claimed she had not offered any information and did not work for the Kremlin.

Despite Mr Trumps Jrs claims of innocence, critics of the President claimed the June 2016 meeting in New York was evidence of collusion with Russia that many had alleged and which Mr Muellers team is currently investigating.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Mr Wolff claims Mr Bannon was scornful of the meeting: The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didnt have any lawyers, the former strategist is quoted as saying.

Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately.

He said if there had been a need for such a meeting it should have been held at a Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, with your lawyers who meet with these people, and not such a high-profile location.

He said if the campaign members had obtained anything incriminating, it could have been passed down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication.

Mr Bannon added: You never see it, you never know it, because you dont need to. But thats the brain trust that they had.Steve Bannon has said he was certain Donald Trump Jr took a group of Russians with alleged links to the Kremlin to meet his father, after a now notorious meeting at Trump Tower, according to a forthcoming political book  leaked details of which are gripping political observers.

Excerpts from Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House claim Mr Bannon told author Michael Wolff the meeting between the billionaires eldest son, his then campaign manager, Paul Manafort, son-in-law Jared Kushner and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya was treasonous and unpatriotic.

Yet he opens the possibility that Mr Trump also met with the lawyer, and Russian lobbyist, Rinat Akhmetshin.

The chance that Don Jr did not walk these Jumos up to his fathers office of the 26th floor is zero, Mr Bannon said, according to an excerpt obtained by NBC.

He does not say he knows for certain that Mr Trump met with the Russian party, whom his son had agreed to talk to.

Commentators have pointed out that Mr Bannon did not join the Trump campaign until August 2017  two months after the meeting at Trump Tower that Donald Trump Jr has said he agreed to after being promised incriminating material about Hillary Clinton, his fathers electoral rival.

 'Political genius': Senate Leader Mitch McConnell mocks Steve Bannon

Others have questioned, why, if Mr Bannon believed the meeting was treasonous, he has waited for the 2018 publication of a political book to make such views public.

After the New York Times revealed that the meeting had taken place in the summer of 2016, Mr Trump claimed his son had done nothing wrong.

My son is a wonderful young man. He took a meeting with a Russian lawyer, not a government lawyer, but a Russian lawyer, he said alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris last July.

It was a short meeting. It was a meeting that went very, very quickly, very fast.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

He added: I think from a practical standpoint most people would have taken that meeting. Politics isnt the nicest business in the world, but its very standard.

Mr Trump Jr subsequently claimed his father knew nothing about a meeting with the Russian lawyer. There was nothing to tell, he told Fox News when he was asked if he had told his father anything about the meeting.

He added that meeting was a wasted 20 minutes and in retrospect he would have done things a little different.

The President himself initially said he knew nothing about the meeting until details of it were revealed in the Times.

Yet Mr Trump later changed his position, telling reporter as he flew back from France  having helped dictate his sons statement on the issue: In fact maybe it was mentioned at some point.

He added: They talked about the adoption stuff which was actually a big thing at the time but nothing happened.

He said he was not informed that the meeting had been held because the Trump campaign members believed they were to be given incriminating material on Ms Clinton provided by elements of the Russian establishment.

Ms Veselnitskaya has always denied working for the Kremlin or offering dirt on Ms Clinton.

Yet she has been at the front of efforts to overturn a set of US sanctions, known as the Magnitsky Act. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin, made it more difficult for Americans to adopt Russian children.

Mr Trump responded to the publication of excerpts of the book by claiming he had lost his mind.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look, said Mr Trump. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country.Donald Trumps foreign policy team has become a snake pit rife with infighting, a new report has claimed.

Mr Trump argues regularly with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and national security adviser HR McMaster  and the two advisers clash with each other, too, a senior Republican said.

There are personality tensions between the president and Tillerson, between the President and McMaster, between McMaster and Tillerson, the Republican, who is in close contact with the President's foreign policy team, told Politico.

Recommended Donald Trump insists he is not firing Rex Tillerson

Its broken and its going to have to be fixed one way or another," the person added. "It cant go on like this.

Another source, an outside adviser to the team, described Mr Tillerson and Mr McMaster as in a death struggle, with each of them trying to get rid of the other.

Mr Trumps disagreements with his Secretary of State are well documented  from the time the President told Mr Tillerson not to bother with diplomacy in North Korea, to the now-infamous moment the Secretary reportedly called his boss a moron. (State Department employees denied this occurred.) Rumours have swirled since this summer that Mr Tillerson was looking to quit.

Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Show all 22 1 /22 Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of Difa-e-Pakistan Council a coalition of right wing Islamic parties, burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump, during a protest in Quetta, Pakistan EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli police scuffle with a Palestinian protester outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn pictures of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protesters outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on 7 December 2017 AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organization, chant slogans as they burn Israeli and US flags during a protest against Donald Trump in Peshawar REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinians paint an 'X' over the face of a picture of US president Donald J. Trump which was painted on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors burn the Israeli flag and a poster of US President Donald Trump in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party rally against Donald Trump in Lahore AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn the US and Israeli flags in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A poster depicting U.S. President Donald Trump is burnt during a protest against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes that followed protests against US President Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters shout slogans against Donald Trump EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops during protests AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party chant anti-American slogans during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistanis burn a representation of the U.S. flag during a protest rally in Hyderabad AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Young Palestinian women look on as smoke billows from burning tyres as fellow Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops AFP/Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protesters burn a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump at a protest in Islamabad REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protestors shouts slogans against US President Donald Trump as they hold Palestinian and Turkish flags during a protest near the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors put their feet over a picture of US president Donald Trump during a protest in the West Bank City of Nablus EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistani protesters burn tires at an anti-Donald Trump rally in Multan AP

Mr Trump has also reportedly clashed with Mr McMaster, who, according to a BuzzFeed News report, called the President a "dope" and an "idiot" with the mind of a "kindergartner. Bloomberg reported in August that the President was furious with Mr McMaster for contradicting him in conversations with South Korean leaders. Mr Trump denied this at the time, claiming he couldn't be happier with HR.

As these battles between Mr Trump and his advisers played out in the media, Mr Tillerson and Mr McMaster have appeared to be allied. Both men reportedly urged Mr Trump to certify Irans compliance with a historic nuclear deal, and to rethink his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Both were reportedly shocked when Mr Trump failed to pledge his commitment to Article 5 in his NATO address.

 Rex Tillerson evades answering whether he called Trump a moron

But according to the latest report, the Secretary of State and national security adviser began feuding this summer, when Mr McMaster grew frustrated with what he saw as Mr Tillersons overstepping of boundaries.

Discord within the foreign policy team is especially significant now, as the Trump administration faces increasing challenges abroad. On top of the Jerusalem decision  which set off days of violent protests and a UN vote condemning the move  Mr Trump has also waded into conflicts in both Iran and Pakistan.

In his first tweet of the New Year, the President accused Pakistan of harbouring terrorists. In the next, he praised anti-government protesters in Iran, writing: The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!

Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Ghasemi, called Mr Trump's remarks on the situation "deceitful and opportunist". Pakistan has summoned the US ambassador in the country to explain the President's tweets.US President Donald Trump was described as "insane" by several Latin American leaders after he expressed surprise that they did not want a war with Venezuela.

Politico reported a former US official who attended the dinner said many of the leaders and gathered officials thought This guy is insane.

Governments around the world have criticised President Nicolas Maduro for not allowing a democratic transition to a new administration and skyrocketing prices on basic goods, but none have proffered armed conflict as a solution.

Recommended Venezuela blocks opposition candidates from presidential election

There have been some economic measures from the EU and neighbouring countries, but they have done nothing to stem Mr Maduros political power.

Ministers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Panama, however, remember Mr Trumps proposal for a military option to ensure Mr Maduro leaves office.

Rex tells me you dont want me to use the military option in Venezuela, Mr Trump said according to one dinner attendee, referring to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who was sitting to his left.

After all, those at the table agreed that it would be an extreme measure, the President said: Is that right? Are you sure?

By the time the dinner was over, the leaders were in shock, and not just over the idle talk of armed conflict. No matter how prepared they were, eight months into an American presidency like no other, this was somehow not what they expected, Politico reported.

The former US official said that without fail, [the Latin American leaders] just had wide eyes about the entire engagement and were surprised at Mr Trumps lack of knowledge about US engagement in the region and how unpredictable he could actually be even though it was eight months into his term at that point.

A turbulent year in Venezuela Show all 11 1 /11 A turbulent year in Venezuela A turbulent year in Venezuela Demonstrators scuffle with security forces during an opposition rally in Caracas, Venezuela, April 4, 2017. Venezuelan security forces quelled masked protesters with tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray in Caracas after blocking an opposition rally against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. The clashes began after authorities closed subway stations, set up checkpoints and cordoned off a square where opponents had planned their latest protest against the government and the crippling economic crisis. Carlos Garcia Rawlins: "For me that was the day that made a difference, never before had I seen the protesters and police clashing men-to-men and struggling back and forward. From then, the strategy of the police changed and they never faced the protesters so close again." Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela A man who was set on fire by people accusing him of stealing during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro runs amidst opposition supporters in Caracas, Venezuela, May 20, 2017. Marco Bello: "I spotted a man running in front of me as a group of protesters, most of them hooded and with makeshift shields, were chasing him so I followed them. Some 100 meters down the street, the protesters caught the man and surrounded him. When I walked up and went through the circle of people to take pictures, someone had already poured gasoline over the man and set him on fire. Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela "Rowdy groups of government supporters busted into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly. There were several clashes happening at the same time, so I tried to follow a small group of attackers as they pushed their way through the main building. By the time I got into the building, they had already finished hitting people and were on their way out, leaving behind an opposition lawmaker covered in blood. I quickly went over to the politician, Leonardo Regnault, whose grey suit was spattered in blood. He was up against an ornate wooden door, clearly in a state of shock. Another opposition lawmaker, Luis Stefanelli, was standing next to him, hands up in a sign of surrender and pleading with the attackers to stop the beating. Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela A member of the riot security forces points a gun through the fence of an air force base at David Jose Vallenilla, who was fatally injured during clashes at a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela A demonstrators attends a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, June 19, 2017. Ivan Alvarado: "I was under the highway photographing some protestors who had surrounded a woman they accused of stealing a phone from someone. I turned around to check what was happening behind me and saw this man appearing from the shadows to see what was going on. The white on his face is salt, which the protestors said helped to reduce the effects of the tear gas." REUTERS A turbulent year in Venezuela Riot security forces clash with demonstrators as a motorcycle is set on fire during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in San Cristobal, Venezuela, May 29, 2017. Carlos Eduardo Ramirez: "Security forces arrived to disperse demonstrators that already had burned two taxis and a bus, throwing tear gas and pellets and the demonstrators' response was to throw molotov cocktails and one of those petrol bombs reached a National Guard member, setting him and the motorbike on fire." Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela Riot security forces detain a demonstrator during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 28, 2017. Rock-throwing Venezuelans braved tear gas and rainstorms, blocking streets in protest against a legislative super-body to be elected two days later that critics call an attempt by President Nicolas Maduro to create a dictatorship. Carlos Garcia Rawlins: "After many hours of very violent clashes between the demonstrators and security forces, the National Guard in an attempt to end the situation, suddenly advanced their line very quickly, even going beyond where I and other photographers were taking cover. All the protesters who did not react fast enough to leave the place were detained." Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela Opposition lawmaker Carlos Paparoni is hit by jets of water during riots at a march to the state ombudsman's office in Caracas, Venezuela, May 29, 2017. A group of young Venezuelan lawmakers has risen to prominence on the violent front line of anti-government marches that have shaken the South American country for three months, bringing 75 deaths. On the streets daily leading demonstrators, pushing at security barricades and sometimes picking up teargas canisters to hurl back at police and soldiers, the energetic National Assembly members are heroes to many opposition supporters. Carlos Garcia Rawlins: "I remember clearly how instants after I spotted Paparoni standing in front of 'The Whale', the common name of the water cannon armoured cars, he was flying through the air due to the unstoppable power of the water, as if he was a feather. Fellow protesters had to drag him out of the place, because from where I was, he seemed to have been unconscious." Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela Flames erupt as clashes break out while the Constituent Assembly election is being carried out in Caracas, Venezuela, July 30, 2017. Deadly protests rocked Venezuela as opposition voters boycotted an election for a constitutional super-body that unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro vowed would begin a 'new era of combat' in the crisis-stricken nation. Carlos Garcia Rawlins: "Suddenly, a bomb exploded in the capital during an opposition protest and wounded seven police officers in what seemed to be the spread of more aggressive tactics. We were taking photos from close by but the police panicked and chased everyone away, firing teargas, rubber bullets and pellets." Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela An injured opposition supporter is helped by volunteer members of a primary care response team during clashes with riot security forces at a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, June 22, 2017. Ivan Alvarado: "This image was taken next to an airforce base where another protestor was fatally injured that day. I don't know how this man was injured, I first saw him as the first aid volunteers carried him out from the midst of the tear gas. You can really see the pain in his expression as he cries out. After I took the image the motorbike speeded off down the highway." Reuters A turbulent year in Venezuela A demonstrator shouts slogans in front of police officers during a women's march to protest against President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela Reuters

Mark Feierstein, who was the National Security Council's senior director for the Western Hemisphere during Barack Obama's administration, said at an Americas Society/Council of Americas event in December that Mr Trumps National Security Council "has been told that Venezuela is one of [the Presidents] top three priorities. Iran and North Korea being the other two.

Just one month ahead of the September dinner, Mr Trump said there were "many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option, if necessary so there was already some anxiousness on the part of the foreign leaders by the time the dinner took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Maduro used that to rally support to his side and American diplomats in the region scrambled to allay fears and tensions, according to Business Insider.

Fears were also stoked given the Presidents comments about North Korea during his official UN speech - calling leader Kim Jong-un rocket man and promising fire and fury should the country not halt development of its nuclear weapons.

The US is currently imposing fairly harsh sanctions on Venezuela - the US third-largest oil supplier - at the moment, including its state-owned oil company PDVSA.Palestinian authorities have reacted with outrage and accused Donald Trump of blackmail after the US suggested it would temporarily stop funding humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.

In a tweet, Mr Trump accused the Palestinians of being no longer willing to talk peace. The Palestinians previously said they rejected any US role as a mediator in the Middle East in protest over Mr Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The Palestinian Presidents office rebuffed Mr Trumps remarks, saying: Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor silver.

Mahmoud Abbass spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said if the United States is keen on its interests in the Middle East, it must implement the international resolutions which call for a state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Without this, the United States will push the region to the abyss, Mr Abu Rdeneh added.

Mr Trumps tweets were presaged by comments from the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who was asked about future US funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

The President has basically said he doesnt want to give any additional funding, or stop funding, until the Palestinians agree to come back to the negotiation table, Ms Haley said.

She added: We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table.

As of now, theyre not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. Were not giving the aid. Were going to make sure that they come to the table.

Chris Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, said it had not been informed of any changes to US funding at this time.

After Ms Haleys comments, Mr Trump tweeted: We pay the Palestinians HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel.

We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, he added, in reference to his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Recommended Donald Trump threatens to withhold aid to Palestinians

But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, said the Palestinians will not be blackmailed by the US President, adding that Mr Trump single-handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace by recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital last month.

Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice, she said.

Culture minister Miri Regev, a senior member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet, said she was very pleased by Mr Trumps call to cut funding to the Palestinians.

She said the Trump administrations call to cut aid to UNRWA was correct and important.

Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Show all 22 1 /22 Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of Difa-e-Pakistan Council a coalition of right wing Islamic parties, burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump, during a protest in Quetta, Pakistan EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli police scuffle with a Palestinian protester outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn pictures of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protesters outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on 7 December 2017 AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organization, chant slogans as they burn Israeli and US flags during a protest against Donald Trump in Peshawar REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinians paint an 'X' over the face of a picture of US president Donald J. Trump which was painted on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors burn the Israeli flag and a poster of US President Donald Trump in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party rally against Donald Trump in Lahore AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn the US and Israeli flags in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A poster depicting U.S. President Donald Trump is burnt during a protest against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes that followed protests against US President Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters shout slogans against Donald Trump EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops during protests AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party chant anti-American slogans during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistanis burn a representation of the U.S. flag during a protest rally in Hyderabad AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Young Palestinian women look on as smoke billows from burning tyres as fellow Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops AFP/Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protesters burn a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump at a protest in Islamabad REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protestors shouts slogans against US President Donald Trump as they hold Palestinian and Turkish flags during a protest near the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors put their feet over a picture of US president Donald Trump during a protest in the West Bank City of Nablus EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistani protesters burn tires at an anti-Donald Trump rally in Multan AP

The United States is the largest donor to the agency, with a pledge of more than 270m as of 2016, according to UNRWAs website.

The site says there are 5.9 million UNRWA refugees and other registered persons eligible for its services, which include education and health care, in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Additional reporting by agenciesAnimal protection workers are investigating after a dog was found frozen solid on a porch in Toledo, Ohio.

The dead animal, believed to be a three-year-old American Bulldog, was found curled up outside a house in King Street in the city by the Toledo Area Humane Society, which works to prevent cruelty to animals.

I dont know how long she was out there, she was frozen solid, Megan Brown, an investigator for the organisation told local newspaper The Blade.

Another American Bulldog, reportedly a four-year-old male, was also found inside the house, which Ms Brown said was shivering. It was so malnourished its spine and ribs were prominent and neither dog had food or water, she added.

Owner Victor Vallejo Sr, 40, told the newspaper he was not staying at the house, but had been going back to feed the animals.

He last saw them two or three days previously and had left them with food and water, yet utilities to the house had been shut off, he said.

I kind of fell on some bad times, he said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Vallejo said the female dog was called Nanas, while the male was referred to as Haze, and he intended to breed them. He was not sure how Nanas could have got out of the house, which was locked, he said..

Ms Brown said Haze appeared to be in good health, apart from being underweight and dehydrated when he was found.

The Toledo Area Human Society was pursing pressing animal cruelty charges against Mr Vallejo.At least 12 people have died in brutal winter weather that is shattering records across the US.

Americans rang in the new year with freezing temperatures stretching across 90 per cent of the country. More than 100m people from Canada to Mexico were under wind chill warnings and advisories on the second day of the year, according to CNN.

For some, the winter chill proved deadly.

At least six suspected cold-related deaths were reported in Wisconsin, where temperatures averaged 6.1 degrees Fahrenheit(-14C) between Christmas and New Years Day, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. A 27-year-old woman died from cold exposure after injuring herself while walking to shore from a fish shanty on Lake Winnebago. A 57-year-old man was found dead after wandering away from a Veteran Affairs hospital in Madison.

Authorities in Bismarck, North Dakota found a dead body on a boat dry-docked near the Missouri River, after temperatures in the state dipped as low as minus 58 degrees(-50C) with wind chill. The man was believed to have died from exposure to the cold.

 Flights delayed at Buffalo Airport due to heavy snow amid arctic U.S. weather

The cold snap was especially deadly for the homeless population. Authorities found the frozen body of a homeless man on a porch in Charleston, West Virginia. Another man was found dead in a trash bin in St Louis, Missouri, after the temperature dropped to minus 6 degrees (-21C).

States like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama opened warming shelters to serve the homeless population. In Georgia, hospitals welcomed people suffering from hypothermia and other cold-related ailments off the streets.

"We have a group of patients who are coming in off the street who are looking to escape the cold  we have dozens and dozens of those every day," Dr Brooks Moore, the associate medical director in the emergency department of Grady Health System, told the Associated Press.

Tony Sampson tries to warm up by a fire under the Eastex Freeway in Houston, Texas, as temperatures drop (AP)

The fatalities extended to animals as well, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warned against leaving pets outside. The body of a dog was found curled up dead on a porch in Toledo, Ohio. Local Humane Society investigators told the Toledo Blade the animal was frozen solid.

In Massachusetts, at least three sharks washed up dead due to cold shock, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania hit a record daily low of zero degrees(-18C) on Wednesday, and Sioux City, Iowa set a record low of minus 28(-33C) the day before, according to weather.com. The last week of 2017 marked the coldest last 7 days of the year for both Buffalo and Watertown, New York, the NWS reported.

Another cold front was expected to hit later this week.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.The Egyptian government has agreed to sign three important international agreements, including a 540 million euro deal with the European Union to support social security, legislative reforms and new projects in renewable energy in Egypt, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr announced on Wednesday.

Nasr said at a press conference at the cabinet headquarters in Cairo that the government has also approved a deal with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development worth 12 million Kuwaiti dinars to establish a water station in North Sinais El-Arish.

The third agreement is to receive the final tranche, worth $1 billion, of a $3 billion loan from the World Bank to support Egypts economic reform programme, Nasr said.

Short link:

North Korea has reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years as the rival nations explored the possibility of high-level discussions.

Kim Jong-un's decision to open the communications channel came as Donald Trump threatened him with a nuclear strike in response to a threat he made earlier in the week.

In his New Year's address, the North Korean dictator said he was willing to send a delegation to next month's Winter Olympics in Seoul, but he also said he had a "nuclear button" on his desk and all US territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons.

 Kim Jong-un signals 'path to dialogue open' with South as he warns US of 'nuclear button'

The US President ridiculed his comments when he boasted about having a bigger and more powerful "nuclear button" than Mr Kim.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! Mr Trump tweeted.

The two leaders have exchanged a series of bellicose insults in recent months, with Mr Trump at times dismissing the prospect of a diplomatic solution to a crisis in which North Korea has threatened to destroy the United States.

However, the recent thaw in relations between North and South Korea may show a shared interest in improving ties, although there is no guarantee it will ease tensions.

The North reopened the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom at 6.30am, when South Korean officials at the border received a call from the North.

During their 20-minute communication, officials of the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communication lines to make sure they were working, Seoul's Unification Ministry said.

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town in Kaesong that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.

"We will try to keep close communications with the south Korean side from sincere stand(sic) and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," the North's KCNA news agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, as saying.

The talks would aim to establish formal dialogue about sending a North Korean delegation to the Olympics in February, Mr Ri said.

North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images

US officials have voiced scepticism about the possibility of meaningful talks, particularly if they do not take steps towards banning North Korea's nuclear weapons.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea against staging another missile test and said Washington was hearing reports Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile.

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts towards alleviating tension.

"All relevant sides should grab hold of this positive trend in the Korean peninsula and move in the same direction," Mr Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy South Korea, the US and Japan, and says its weapons are necessary to counter US aggression.

The US has around 28,500 troops stationed in the South, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.

Additional reporting by agencies Close Trump to Kim Jong-un: 'My button is bigger than yours'

North Korea has reopened its border hotline with South Korea hours after Donald Trump mocked Kim Jong-un by saying he has a "bigger and more powerful" nuclear button than the North's leader.

The North Korean dictator ordered the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom to be reopened at 6.30am.

Officials from the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communications lines to make sure they were working during a 20-minute conversation, Seoul's Unification Ministry said.

The hotline was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town the two Koreas jointly operated.

North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images

The North's decision to open the border phone line came a day after South Korea proposed high-level discussions amid a tense standoff over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes.

Recommended North Korea reopens hotline with South Korea

It followed Mr Kim's New Year address, in which he said he was open to speaking with the South and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held just across the border in Pyeongchang in February.

Hours before the communications channel was reopened, Mr Trump, who has mocked Mr Kim as "Little Rocket Man", again ridiculed the North Korean dictator on Twitter over a warning from Mr Kim that he had a nuclear launch button within easy reach.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Mr Trump tweeted.

 Kim Jong-un signals 'path to dialogue open' with South as he warns US of 'nuclear button'

The White House defended that tweet on Wednesday afternoon, saying Americans should be concerned about the North Korean leader's mental fitness, not their president's.

Asked whether Americans should be concerned about the president's mental fitness after he appeared to be speaking so lightly about nuclear threats, White House spokeswoman Sara Sanders told a regular news briefing:

The president and the people of this country should be concerned about the mental fitness of the leader of North Korea.

He's made repeated threats, he's tested missiles time and time again for years, and this is a president who's not going to cower down and who's not going to be weak and is going to make sure that he does what he's promised to do and that is stand up and protect the American people.

Mr Kim's latest announcement, which was read by a senior Pyongyang official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on February's Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son-Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, cited Mr Kim as welcoming South Korea's overture and ordering officials to reopen the communications. Mr Ri also quoted Mr Kim as ordering officials to promptly take substantial measures with South Korea out of a "sincere stand and honest attitude," according to the North's state TV and news agency.

US officials said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearising North Korea.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea against staging another missile test and said Washington was hearing reports Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile.

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts towards alleviating tensions.

"All relevant sides should grab hold of this positive trend in the Korean peninsula and move in the same direction," Mr Geng said.

Additional reporting by agenciesDonald Trump has threatened North Korea with a nuclear strike, boasting of Americas superior capabilities.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! Mr Trump wrote on Twitter.

As the world has struggled to contain North Koreas belligerence, with sanctions failing to deter the isolated state from repeatedly testing intercontinental ballistic missiles, Mr Trump has regularly taunted the nation and its leadership.

He has dubbed Mr Kim Little Rocket Man and repeatedly threatened to punish North Korea with a military response.

That has fuelled a cycle of mutual animosity. Mr Kim dismissed Mr Trump as a mentally deranged US dotard in a rare address, and Pyongyang called Mr Trumps threat before the United Nations to totally destroy North Korea if necessary a declaration of war.

North Korea similarly calls joint US-South Korean military exercises provocations that are preludes to an invasion and characterised a recent round of sanctions as an act of war. It has threatened to annihilate its Asian neighbours and the US territory of Guam.

Pyongyang boasted that its most recent ballistic missile test demonstrated its ability to strike anywhere in the mainland US. Military officials said the missile soared higher than any previous test, highlighting North Korea's increasing military sophistication.

North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images

While the Trump administration stresses that it seeks a diplomatic solution to North Korean threat, the President and his advisers have regularly floated the possibility of military action if an ally is threatened and Pyongyang refuses to renounce its nuclear programme.

If war comes make no mistake: the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed, American ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said during a Security Council meeting that followed North Koreas most recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Those warnings have prompted concerns from members of Congress that a President known for impetuous decision-making could hastily launch a nuclear conflict.

 UN security council unanimously agrees new sanctions for North Korea

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last year, military experts testified that the Presidents power to unilaterally launch military strikes was mitigated by expert review. The commander of US Strategic Command said in November that he would resist an illegal nuclear strike order.

But fears of a nuclear strike have persisted.

I dont think that the assurances that Ive received today will be satisfying to the American people, Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey said during the Senate hearing. I think they can still realise that Donald Trump can launch nuclear codes just as easily as he can use his Twitter account.

After Trumps latest tweet, California Democrat Eric Swalwell called on Republicans to help ensure that sure Congress has some say before he pushes that button.

If you love our country, help me put this lunacy in check, Mr Swalwell said.A German prison has become an object of derision after nine inmates escaped in five days.

Six of the escaped inmates from Plotzensee jail in Berlin are still on the run, after four separate break outs.

It's open house at Berlin's prisons, one politician joked , while others said the jail was like the famous Berlin nightclub the Berghain  Its easier to get out than in.

On 28 December four prisoners took tools including hammers and an angle grinder from the jail workshop which they then used to smash through a support beam in a ventilation gap and used the power tool to cut through the exposed steel.

They squeezed out into the open and then left by crawling under the perimeter fence where they were caught on camera.

Unfortunately no-one was monitoring the CCTV at the time and the alarm was only raised 41-minutes later.

The four were serving sentences for theft, assault and extortion.

The next day, guards discovered another prisoner on day release had failed to return to the prison on 29 December.

On Monday morning, New Years Day, the jail said two more prisoners had slipped out overnight through a cell window, with one reporting back hours later.

The pair had also been held under an open-prison policy that allows detainees to go to work during the day but obliges them to spend nights back at the prison.

They could have left the prison the next morning by simply walking out through the front door, a Berlin city administration spokesman told national news agency DPA.

Finally, on the 2 January two more prisoners escaped, taking the total to nine. It is not known whether they escaped the prison grounds or absconded from day release.

Berlin's Green Senator for Justice, Dirk Behrendt, faced calls to quit on Thursday from the city-state's opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) after the series of escapes.

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

One German commenter joked that due to the speedy planning and implementation of a construction project the prisoners should be put in charge of the building of the Berlin Brandenburg airport, which has faced lengthy construction delays.Norway has suspended exports of munitions and arms to the United Arab Emirates as a "precautionary line," based on its assessment of the situation in Yemen.

A Saudi-led coalition including the UAE has been fighting Shia rebels in the country for nearly three years.

Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said she had "no information" that any of Norway's military exports have been used in Yemen, but that there's "great concern" over the humanitarian crisis there.

The Emirati government offered no immediate comment on Norway's decision.

The Saudi-backed coalition and an internationally recognised government have been at war with the rebels, known as Houthis, since March 2015.

It has made little progress amid a bloody stalemate, with the Iran-allied rebels still in firm control of the capital, Sanaa and much of the north.

The fighting has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced 3 million and fuelled a cholera epidemic in the Arab world's poorest country.

Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang published a video by the Houthis, in which they claim to have seized "a US spy submarine."

The report said it was a REMUS 600 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle made by Norway's Kongsberg group.

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

There was no comment from Kongsberg or from the Saudi-led coalition. It was also not clear when the sub was purportedly seized.

Eriksen Soreide said Norway has allowed the sale of weapons and ammunition to the UAE since 2010. The decision to suspend sales for so-called A-material  munitions and arms was made 19 December, but only announced this week.

Norwegian news agency NTB said Norway's exports of weapons, munitions and other military equipment to the UAE were worth more than 100 million kroner (9m) in 2016.

Line Hegna, of Norway's chapter of the international aid group Save the Children, said the decision was "important and the right thing to do."

"The decision taken by the Norwegian government can act as an example for other exporting nations to act responsibly in the face of repeated violations of international humanitarian law," she said in a statement.

APHuge counter-demonstrations have taken place against the protests in Iran with the head of the Revolutionary Guards declaring victory against forces of sedition which had sought to create anarchy, insecurity and intrigue in the Islamic Republic.

As what was described by the state media as the revolutionary outburst of Iranian people against lawbreakers took place in towns and cities, General Mohammad Ali Jafari announced that units of the Guards had been deployed in the three provinces of Isfahan, Lorestan and Hamadan, which had been the main centres of the demonstrations.

However, the week of marches and rallies which led to violence with 21 dead and more than 450 arrested has exposed deep divisions in the country which are likely to resurface. There are concerns that interference by the Trump administration may exacerbate political and economic situations in the future.

There is growing evidence that the days of upheaval were the result not just of economic hardship but the long-running power-struggle between hardliners and reformists, with groups outside the country attempting to exploit the violence.

It has emerged that Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, the father-in-law of Ali Raisi, the hardline candidate who lost in last years presidential campaign to the reformist Hassan Rouhani, has been ordered to appear before Irans National Security Council to be questioned about his role in a rally at Mashhad where the protests began last Thursday. Mr Alamolhoda has denied being ordered to appear, with his office calling such talk rumours.

Gatherings at Mashhad, a conservative Shia holy city, which is home to Mr Raisi and Mr Alamolhoda, started with slogans about rising prices which soon turned to ones against President Rouhani and his government.

Liberals claimed the rally was orchestrated by hardliners who lost control as demonstrations started across the country, with angry abuse directed at mullahs, the Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij militia.

Iranian clerics take part in a state-organised rally against anti-government protests in the city of Qom, in south-west Iran (EPA)

But the publication of the governments budget plans, including sections hitherto kept confidential, also appeared to have fuelled anger towards clerics and sections of the security forces.

They showed that billions of dollars of state money was going to hardline religious organisations, senior clerics and the Revolutionary Guards while cash subsidies were cut for the public, price of food and fuel rose, and public entities, including educational organisations, were privatised.

This was followed by a tweet from Hesamodin Ashna, a close advisor to President Rouhani, which focused on the unbalanced distribution of budget pointing out how much was being spent on religious institutions as well as the military.

Iranian forces are heavily engaged in Syria and in a much more limited capacity in Yemen. It is the expenditure incurred in these missions which are believed to have led to vocal criticism of aspects of foreign policy.

Many of those protesting stressed that their anger was not directed towards the Rouhani government, but the hardliners and the clergy.

The overall popular reaction may help the liberals in the long run, especially as the conservatives appear to be split.

Iranians march in support of the government in Tehran on 30 December (AFP/Getty)

General Jafari made a point of putting some of the blame for the disturbances on a  former official. This is believed to refer to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the populist hardline former president, who has been vocally critical of officials, in particular Sadegh Amoli Larijani, the powerful head of the judiciary, as well as President Rouhani.

There is, however, apprehension among reformers that attempts would be made by the hardliners to portray the protests as being directed by foreign powers.

Iran protests  in pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Iran protests  in pictures Iran protests  in pictures University students at an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures A university student at a protest inside Tehran University while a smoke grenade is thrown by anti-riot Iranian police, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures University students at a protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures University students run away from the police during an anti-government protest inside Tehran University, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures An image grab taken from a handout video released by Iran's Mehr News agency reportedly shows a group of men pulling at a fence in a street in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests  in pictures Demonstrators gather to protest in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AP Iran protests  in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, 30 December 2017 AFP/Getty Iran protests  in pictures Iranians chant slogans as they march in support of the government near the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, December 30 2017 Iran protests  in pictures Iranian clerics take part during a state-organized rally against anti-government protests in the country, in the holy city of Qom, south west Iran, 3 January 2018 EPA Iran protests  in pictures In this photo provided by the Iranian Students' News Agency, a clergyman takes a picture of a pro-government demonstration in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iran, 3 January 2018 ISNA via AP Iran protests  in pictures Pro-government demonstrators gather at the Massoumeh shrine in Iran's holy city of Qom, some 130 kilometres south of Tehran, 3 January 2018 AFP/Getty

Western European states have turned down a US plan to sign a joint declaration condemning the Iranian government. But Donald Trump has maintained his Twitter offensive, one of the latest instalments promising Iranian people unspecified help.

Sohrab Norouzi, a building contractor from Isfahan who wants economic reform, said: That is the biggest worry, saying that we are being influenced by outsiders. No one in his right mind would take Trump seriously, but the principalists [conservatives] will use him to try and discredit genuine protest.

I have not experienced this, but I have also heard that there have also been messages to cause trouble from some extremists outside the country. This is something we need to avoid as well.

Grand Ayatollah Khamenei has blamed the protests on enemies of Iran, declaring all those who are at odds with the Islamic Republic have utilised various means, including money, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution.

General Jafari blamed anti-revolutionaries, monarchists and forces supposedly announced by [Hilary] Clinton to create cultural, economic and security threats against Islamic Iran.The Israeli government has ordered thousands of African refugees and migrants to leave the country within three months or face prison.

The Population and Immigration Authority called this week on those from Sudan and Eritrea to leave "to their country or to a third country", meaning Rwanda or Uganda.

Those who leave by the end of March will be given $3,500 (2,600), along with money to cover their airfare. But those who do not have been threatened with imprisonment.

Children, the elderly and victims of human trafficking are exempt from the action.

Campaign group the Hotline for Migrant Workers condemned the move, saying expulsions "put the refugees' lives in danger.

Thousands of Africans crossed from Egypt into Israel before it erected a fence along the border.

Israel calls them "infiltrators" and says they are mostly economic migrants whose numbers threaten its Jewish character.

But many of the roughly 38,000 infiltrators in the country have fled conflict and persecution.

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

Data from the Population and Immigration Authority suggests 27,500 asylum seekers from Eritrea are living in Israel, along with 7,900 from Sudan and 2,600 from other African countries.

Israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has previously rejected claims that those coming from countries including Rwanda and Uganda are asylum seekers.

"We will return south Tel Aviv to the citizens of Israel, they are not refugees, but infiltrators looking for work," he said in August.

Additional reporting by agenciesAmerica may withhold aid money to the Palestinians if they walk away from peace negotiations, Donald Trump threatened.

In a pair of tweets, Mr Trump wrote that we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more, Mr Trump said in reference to his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them.

The provocative messages are likely to inject further uncertainty into Americas relationship with Palestinian leadership, already strained by Mr Trumps move to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital. Palestinian officials and other critics warned Mr Trumps move squandered American credibility as a neutral mediator, undercutting the prospect of a peace settlement.

Americas ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, had foreshadowed the Presidents tweets, saying the Trump administration was considering clamping down on funding for the the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

He doesnt want to give any additional funding until the Palestinians agree to come back to the negotiation table, and what we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation, Ms Haley said. Were trying to move for a peace process, but if that doesnt happen, the president is not going to continue to fund that situation.

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 United Nations resolution Ms Haley referenced passed overwhelmingly last month, assailing Mr Trumps Jerusalem decision and declaring the move null and void. While that resolution did not carry legal force, it prompted a sharp rebuke from Ms Haley, who warned that America will remember this day when we are called upon once again to make the worlds largest contribution to the United Nations.

When a nation is singled out for attack in this organisation, Ms Haley warned the UN, that nation is disrespected. Whats more, that nation is asked to pay for the privilege of being disrespected.

The Presidents latest tweets, like Ms Haleys response to the UN resolution, articulated a recurring theme in Mr Trumps world view: the idea that America doles out money to international entities and other nations without receiving enough in return.

Earlier this week, the President stirred geopolitical turmoil by lashing out at Pakistan on similar grounds, proclaiming on Twitter that America has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.When even the heartiest souls in Western New York hear a weather forecast for unseasonably cold, arctic air, they head straight indoors and sit by a fire. When I see the near record low temperatures on New Years Day hovering around -13C, however, I stir my parents from the couch and suggest a road trip 50 miles west to Niagara Falls. I want to see what thousands on social media are calling an ethereal winter wonderland.

Growing up in Rochester in New York State, a visit to the famous waterfall in July or August was a reprieve from the hot, humid weather that felt so oppressive after months of rain and snow. My voyages on the Maid of the Mist boat, sailing around the lower basin below the falls, were a touristy but awe-inspiring favourite. Draped in a thin blue poncho and soaked in coconut-scent sunscreen and waterfall spray, the thundering rush of cooling water and endless rainbows never failed to impress.

Frozen in Niagara Falls Show all 8 1 /8 Frozen in Niagara Falls Frozen in Niagara Falls Droplets freeze as they bounce off the falls Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls The spray is freezing mid-air Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls Niagara has become a winter wonderland Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls The daily light show looks different when it's frozen Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls Chunks of ice float towards the falls Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls Brave tourists are still venturing out Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls Frozen Canada Kristin Amico Frozen in Niagara Falls Even the street lights are covered with icicles Kristin Amico

This week is nothing like that. With temperatures dipping well below freezing and forecast to remain frigid for at least another week, the area is an icy spectacle packed with locals, tourists and those seeking the perfect Instagram shot. Its so cold that snow crunches under our feet as we take a brisk walk on the promenade along Horseshoe Falls: one of the three enormous waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls.

While 3,160 tons of water (or 600,000 gallons) typically rush over Niagara Falls every second, the slushy current is braking to a lumbering flow today as it struggles to push through partially frozen passages. It even sounds duller and less thunderous than in summer months. The surrounding earth is completely ice-encrusted, shining like jewels when the occasional ray of light peeks through heavy clouds.

The Maid of the Mist shuts down for winter, but its still possible to get close to the extravagant winter display. The Cave of the Winds Pavilion at Bridal Veil Falls offers an abbreviated tour in winter months, taking you to a sheltered viewing platform (though if you want to hike the famous wooden walkway around the cave, you need to wait until it reopens in April).

Niagara Falls this week... no place for T-shirts (The Canadian Press/Aaron Lynett)

Across the river on the Canadian side of the border, I descend 125 feet through carved tunnels as part of the Journey Behind the Falls attraction for a behind-the-scenes perspective. Typically visitors see the backside of the wall of water; todays view is a glimpse of a giant ice sheet, with only the sound of the falls to signal my location. In fact, only two of the three tunnels are open due to inclement conditions.

Alternatively, the 520-foot Skylon Tower offers an indoor observation deck for those who want to see the frozen tundra without the wind burn. I opt to keep my visit a purely outdoor adventure and skip the tower in favour of leaning over frosty railings to feel the cold air on my face. My parents dont share my sub-zero excitement, and opt to watch the scene from the comforts of the gift shop cafe.

An icy spectacle provides that perfect Instagram moment (Aaron Lynett/The Canadian Press via AP)

My fingers turn red and stiffen as I snap a few photos, rubbing shoulders with others wincing from the bitter wind chill. As we chat, our breath crystallises, as if forming cartoon conversation bubbles, then drifts away and melds into the mighty plume of frozen droplets floating above the waterfalls. The mist coats everything in a layer of ice, including the wisps of my hair peeking out from my earflap hat. After an hour outside I feel like Luke Skywalker in that scene in The Empire Strikes Back where his icicle-encrusted body takes shelter in the belly of his furry pack animal.

Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Show all 7 1 /7 Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls A partially frozen American Falls in sub freezing temperatures is seen in Niagara Falls, Ontario Reuters Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls A partially frozen American Falls is seen in Niagara Falls, Ontario February 17, 2015. Reuters Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls Visitors view frozen Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, New York February 17, 2015 Reuters Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls Niagara Falls lit by colourful lights during sub freezing temperatures in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 2014 Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls Niagara Falls shown in 2014 when it partially froze twice Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls Visitors view Niagara Falls in sub freezing temperatures Reuters Niagara Falls partially frozen 2015 Niagara Falls A partially frozen Falls in sub freezing temperatures is seen in Niagara Falls Reuters

To warm up, I head inside to Tim Hortons, Canadas favourite coffee-shop chain. Its crowded, with people lining up and circling around the visitors centre. I wrap my hands around a black coffee, getting the needed jolt to dash back out after the sun goes down. The nightly light show  which beams multi-coloured illuminations over the falls  turns natures ancient attraction shades of red, blue, purple and yellow.

Niagara Falls and Buffalo (the city to the south) are accustomed to extreme weather. The area is known for brutal winters and vast amounts of snow, thanks to the phenomenon known as lake-effect snow, a meteorological event thats the result of cold air from the Midwest flowing over the warmer Great Lakes. The dry air quickly absorbs moisture like a sponge, then immediately releases the freezing precipitation when the clouds drift over land.

However, extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures, especially this early in winter, are not as frequent. The area surrounding the falls ices over every few years depending on temperatures, but rarely does water flow completely stop. Given the forecast for a prolonged deep freeze, theres a chance nature will recreate the atypical frozen conditions last experienced during the polar vortex of 2014. Thats when Niagara Falls was brought to an icy halt twice in the span of a few weeks. If that happens again, its worth a road trip or plane ticket.

But bring North Pole-appropriate clothing.

Click here to find hotels near Niagara FallsA number of countries around the world are celebrating important anniversaries in 2018. With the year marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, many nations will mark the centenary.

And there are other notable anniversaries happening too. Here are 10 to keep an eye out for.

USA

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr King was killed, hosts MLK50: Where Do We Go From Here?, with exhibits, events and memorials taking place throughout the year. Meanwhile, around the US there will be many events to commemorate Kings death and celebrate his lifes work, including a series of lectures for young students at The King Center in Georgia.

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Tallinn was voted the best value city for 2018 (Getty/iStockphoto) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Czech Republic

In 2018, the Czech Republic celebrates three anniversaries: the foundation of the First Republic in 1918; 25 years since the country split with Slovakia; and the 50th anniversary of the Prague Spring, which briefly saw the then-communist country introduce moderate reforms ultimately crushed by the Soviet army. To celebrate the countrys centenary, the National Technical Museum is staging an exhibition Made in Czechoslovakia 1918-1992  industry, which conquered the world, while the Czech Philharmonic will give an open-air concert.

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Estonia

Like the Czech Republic, Estonia first gained independence in the aftermath of the First World War. In celebration of this, events and exhibitions will be held throughout the country. Each city, town and village has been invited to host its own Estonia 100 party, before passing the baton on to the next host. With Tallinn voted Lonely Planets best value city for 2018, the capital is certain to be abuzz with activity this year too  though with around 50 per cent of the country covered in forest, a visit to Estonia is a good opportunity to enjoy its stunning nature and wildlife, alongside the historical celebrations.

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Swaziland

Somhlolo Day, Swazilands Independence Day, is celebrated on 6 September every year. In 2018, the event will take on a special significance, marking 50 years since the small African country gained independence from Britain. The country will enjoy a double celebration in 2018 when King Mswati III celebrates his 50th birthday. Details of planned events have yet to be released, but lavish parties and traditional ceremonies can be expected.

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Mauritius gained independence from Britain in 1968 (Getty/iStockphoto) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Mauritius

Mauritius, like Swaziland, celebrates 50 years of independence from Britain in 2018. The country is currently compiling a calendar of events to mark the occasion, with 12 March, the date of independence, likely to be quite a party in the small island nation. The country has teamed up with the BBC to release two films to both celebrate its independence and showcase everything that makes it a great holiday destination.

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In 2018, Seville in Spain celebrates the life and work of Baroque painter Bartolome Esteban Murillo, who was born in the city 400 years ago. Famous both for his religious paintings and drawings of women and children, Murillos life will be remembered with a series of exhibitions, concerts and other events honouring his artistic and cultural contribution to the city.

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Vienna, Austria, celebrates the lives of two of its most prominent characters this year. One hundred years on from their deaths, the city will breathe new life into the works of painter Gustav Klimt and architect Otto Wagner, while Vienna will also host a number of other exhibitions under the 2018 theme Beauty and the Abyss.

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Faro, where Ingmar Bergman shot many of his films (Getty/iStockphoto) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Faro

Every year the Bergman Center in Faro, Sweden, hosts Bergman Week, celebrating the life of the famous director. Ingmar Bergman lived on the island in his later years, and also shot many of his films there, including Through a Glass Darkly, Shame and Scenes from a Marriage. The 2018 edition takes place in the centenary year of the directors birth, from 25 June to 29 July.

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Latvia

Like Estonia to the north, Latvia celebrates 100 years since the foundation of its first republic in 1918, with numerous events planned, including a series of Latvian film screenings and a Song and Dance event celebrating the best of Latvian culture.

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2018 marks 200 years since Chile became independent from Spain (Getty) (Getty Images)

Chile

Chile celebrated its bicentennial in 2010, commemorating the start of the process that ultimately led to independence, but there will be further celebrations and commemorative events in 2018. Moreover, Chile is Lonely Planets top country to visit in 2018  and with direct flights now available between London and Santiago, its never been easier to get there.

Find hotels in ChileSwan Lake, the well known ballet and a centerpiece in the repertoire of many ballet troupes, will return to the stage of the Cairo Opera House, between 10 and 13 January. The ballet will be then performed at the Alexandria Opera House on 17 and 18 January.

The ballet will be performed by the Cairo Opera Ballet Company and the Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui.

Swan Lake has been performed by the Cairo Opera Ballet Company on many occasions between 1991 and 2003. After 2003, Swan Lake was no longer staged at the Cairo Opera House, until 2011 when it was practically rebuilt from scratch, being the first work performed by the company after the January 25 Revolution.

With Erminia Kamel as artistic director and Abdel-Moneim Kamel as director, the 2011 performance's challenge lied in recreating the work with a company that lost many of its foreign dancers, as most of the foreign artists left Egypt at that time.

The work returned to the stage again in 2012, shortly after the death of the company's then director Abdel-Moneim Kamel. It was then performed again in consecutive years.

The ballet is now being revived by Erminia Kamel, the company's current artistic director, following Abdel-Moneim Kamel's vision.

With music by Tchaikovsky, the choreographers base the ballets four acts on Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, as this is the version considered to have reached absolute perfection and beauty. They are, however, invited to add their own touches to acts 1 and 3 where there is room for variations. In those acts in particular Abdel-Moneim Kamels choreography is most obvious.

Kamel's creativity is especially apparent in a bridge created between acts 3 and 4, a segment that he painted to ressemble a five-minute long dream or a flashback of the whole story. Fully choreographed by Kamel, the bridge is based on two pieces of music drawn from other parts of the ballet.

At Petipas time, the performance was almost four hours long. Further stagings tended to remove some parts to make the ballet more concise. The current version is just two and a half hours long.

Programme:



10, 11, 12, 13 January at 8pm

Cairo Opera House

17 and 18 January at 8pm

Alexandria Opera House

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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A frustrated Ryanair passenger left a plane via the emergency exit and ended up perched on the wing after his flight was delayed on New Years Day.

The man in question, reportedly a 57-year-old Polish national called Victor, told fellow passengers, Im going via the wing, reports the Mail Online.

He pulled the stunt as flight FR8164 sat on the tarmac at Malaga airport; the flight had been delayed by an hour leaving London Stansted and was reportedly left for 30 minutes once it arrived at Malaga at 11pm with no information given as to why passengers could not disembark.

Fellow passenger Fernando Del Valle Villalobos told Mail Online: This man decided he wasnt going to wait any longer.

He activated the emergency door and left, saying, Im going via the wing. It was surreal.

He was sat on the wing for quite a while until the crew managed to get him back inside.

I dont know why he did it. He must have just lost it and it was the first thing that came into his head.

Recommended Donald Trump takes credit for zero passenger flight deaths in 2017

Del Valle Villalobos filmed the incident, during which a man can be overheard saying, What a f***ing star, hes off, in Spanish.

Meanwhile Raj Mistry, who was sitting next to the man on the plane, told Mail Online it might have been because he suffered from asthma.

It seems nobody noticed that the man who decided to exit the plane was suffering from asthma, said Mistry.

He needed air, hence he decided to exit the plane but Civil Guards didnt want to listen to what he had to say.

The Polish national, who reportedly lives in Malaga, took a winter coat and his hand luggage with him.

Concerned ground crew managed to talk him back onto the plane, where he was arrested.

 Ryanair passenger films shaky landing in a snowstorm 'blizzard'

A Ryanair spokesperson said: This airport security breach occurred after landing in Malaga airport on 1 January.

Malaga airport police immediately arrested the passenger in question and since this was a breach of Spanish safety and security regulations, it is being dealt with by the Spanish authorities.

A police source told Mail Online: We responded to a call from Ryanair staff on flight FR8164 from London saying a man had opened an emergency door and had walked out onto the wing.

The pilot filed a formal complaint as is standard procedure and handed officers a copy of it.

The man is expected to be fined for breaching security regulations.There are few things more painful than when hot love turns cold.

For a long time, Donald Trump and Steve Bannon were hard to separate. The former naval officer was one of just a few who genuinely believed the reality television star could win the White House.

When he did so, Trump rewarded Bannon with an office in the West Wing and a top job. Trumps daughter and son-in-law thought Bannon was vulgar and uncouth and the President smarted when his special advisor got better press coverage, but in the abrasive, aggressive Bannon, with his motto of always attack, Trump had found someone he could relate to. Someone whom he could trust.

Even when Bannon was forced from the White House, a victim of competing factions and the arrival of former general John Kelly as the Chief of Staff, Trump continued to dial Bannons cell phone and seek his counsel.

That bromance now seems over. After excerpts of a forthcoming book were leaked in which Bannon was quoted as criticising Trumps eldest son and son-in-law, and saying a meeting they held with a Russian lawyer was treasonous, the President hit back in a way Bannon may quietly have approved of.

Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind, Trump said in a statement, that would have been staggering had it come from someone else.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country.

He added: Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was. It is the only thing he does well.

 Peter King: Steve Bannon 'looks like some disheveled drunk that wondered onto the political stage'

Trump was stung after excerpts were published, first by the Guardian, from journalist Michael Wolffs forthcoming book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. In it, Bannon is quoted as saying the meeting Trump Jr held with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya was treasonous and unpatriotic.

The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didnt have any lawyers, the former strategist is quoted as saying.

When Bannon left the White House, he speculated that he was just as powerful outside, back at the controls of Breitbart News, as he was in the West Wing.

Ive got my hands back on my weapons, he told one interviewer. I built a f***ing machine at Breitbart. And now Im about to go back, knowing what I know, and were about to rev that machine up. And rev it up we will do.

The danger for Trump attacking Bannon in such stark, personal terms is what his former confidante does next. Bannon and Breitbart are backed by the Mercer family, Republican mega-donors whose wealth was established by tech entrepreneur Robert Mercer.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

The Mercers were also financial supporters of former judge Roy Moore in the Alabama senate race, one of a series of insurgent candidates Bannon intends to put his support behind between now and the midterm elections of November.

Many of Trumps supporters obtain their news through sources such as Bretibart. While admirers of Bannon have to date largely been hard to separate from supporters of Trump, if the 64-year-old decides to use his news site to attack the President, will it impact his base? Trumps White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, claimed it would not.

I dont think it does anything to the Presidents base. The base and the people that supported this President supported the President and supported his agenda, she told reporters. Those things havent changed. The President is still exactly who he was yesterday as he was two years ago when he started out on the campaign trail.

Breitbart News reporting of the spat on Wednesday was pretty straightforward. But if he wanted to twist the knife, Bannon has a powerful weapon in his hands.

Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller has so far charged four former Trump associates as he continues to probe Russias alleged meddling in the election. While Trump may try to airbrush Bannon from history, Bannon was a central figure during the transition and in setting the tone during the first six months of this strangest of presidencies. He helped draft his America First inauguration speech.

It is unclear what other damaging allegations he may be in a position to make. Bannon has so far spoken out only against Trumps son, son-in-law and daughter. He has been careful to avoid criticising Trump himself.

After today, that may change.May says it is frustrating and disappointing for us out here to have treatments cancelled. She says how we are valued by her, Hunt and the rest of her pet club.

Well May  scrap the pay cap, stop accepting huge pay rises yourselves and then telling us theres no money tree. She is a hypocrite and if the papers want to support us, they should challenge the Governments incompetence, their back door privatisation and put pressure on May to get rid of that inept, unqualified Hunt. They get private care, of course and it also comes to something when a Tory MP votes in favour of the pay cap when shes been a nurse herself (Maria Caulfield).

Never mind showing the love, we need to fight them and their lies about the NHS: Norman Lamb has just pointed out that this is the longest period of under-funding ever. Hammond lied outright about nurses pay rises and he should resign like Green did. May and Hunt are despised by ALL of us in the NHS.

Dr R Kimble

Hawksworth

Social media detox

Like many other people this year, I have deleted my Facebook, Messenger and Twitter apps. Life is noticeably more pleasant.

Patrick Cosgrove

Shropshire

Pot, kettle, black

Hilarious that Toby Young should be making disparaging remarks about working class undergraduates at Oxford University being universally unattractive and small (and) vaguely deformed (Young should be removed from government over misogyny and homophobia). Has he looked at himself in the mirror lately?

Rob Prince

London SE13

Iran

Peyvand Khorsandis article (One political leader has the necessary status to intervene in the Iranian protests  its Jeremy Corbyn) about the situation in Iran makes the entirely unsupported claim that the Stop the War Coalition regards the Islamic Republic as a friend in the struggle to free Palestine and as a stalwart against Western Imperialism. Such misrepresentation is completely wrong. Stop the War does not support the Iranian government. Our opposition to intervention in Iran, either militarily or through sanctions, is because we have seen the bitter consequences of such military intervention too many times.

Stop the War has been at the forefront of opposing Western intervention in a string of countries, from Afghanistan and Iraq to Libya and Syria. In each case our opposition has been vindicated. Those who support these wars always want to claim that this is tantamount to supporting existing governments. This is not only misjudged, but also weakens the vital struggle against more catastrophic military adventures which do nothing to bring democracy or human rights.

With Trump in the White House, Iran is once again threatened with intervention. We will continue to campaign against this and Western backed aggression in the Middle East. We urge basic accuracy in the reporting of our campaign.

Lindsey German  Stop the War Convenor

Its time to streamline Parliament

As our parliamentary incumbents once again insist that all public bodies should somehow find ways to do ever more with even less, apparently through the further utilisation of modern technology, I wonder whether I can be the only person who fondly envisages the streamlining of our Government by means of such cutting-edge tools.

Julian Self

Milton Keynes

Animals do not belong in zoos

Your articles on the deaths of animals in UK zoos (recent and not so recent) shine a sad light on the problems of captivity.

Organisations campaigning in this sector have shown time and again that the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 is unworkable; inspections are not being carried out or are conducted improperly. This is unsurprising as inspectors may be part of the zoos business system, which is intent on getting visitors through the gates to see as many sweet baby animals as possible. Conservation and education are, quite frankly, fairy stories (most species in zoos are not endangered, and theres very little education beyond signs that people pass by very quickly).

The patas monkeys, having to be kept warm at night and at risk of electrical faults in the heating system, are on the wrong continent.

Zoos are no place for animals.

Sue Berry

PrestonIndias financial centre  the city of Mumbai  has been partially paralysed since Monday. Protesters have burnt buses, forced shops to close, disrupted the railways and caused untold financial damage. A general shutdown across the state has just been narrowly averted.

Those protesting are Dalits, a reference to their low-caste status in the Hindu social hierarchy that dominates India. There are over 200 million Dalits in India  almost a fifth of the population  and they have every right to be angry.

The spark came on New Years Day. This year is the bicentenary of a decisive battle between British forces and local Hindu rulers called the Peshwas. Tens of thousands of Dalits had travelled to a small village near Pune city to commemorate the event.

But heres the twist. The Dalits fought with the British against the upper-caste Peshwas who had treated them like dirt. As far as the Dalits are concerned the battle was one step forward in their emancipation. In 1927, the spiritual leader of Dalits, BR Ambedkar, also a titan of the Indian freedom struggle, paid tribute to the battle and the tradition has continued since then.

Hindu nationalists were predictably aggrieved. Why celebrate a victory of the British against Indian rulers, they ask, ignoring the oppression that Dalits faced. As the celebrations started to wind down, groups of saffron-clad nationalists started attacking Dalits and left one man dead. That sparked the larger counter-protests.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

But this isnt just about one death. This controversy is a microcosm of the upheaval in India. Anger among lower-caste Hindus has been building up for years, over how they continue to be treated in Indian society. Lower-caste Hindus still face horrific levels of violence, rape and property theft against them  the police does little to help.

It also illustrates how the Indian establishment avoids taking Dalit concerns seriously. The police failed to provide them with adequate protection and only came out in force when Dalits did. Journalists in the national media, also dominated by upper-caste Hindus, routinely accuse them of poisoning the country for demanding change. One editor even claimed he was a Dalit (shudra) caste when Im cleaning things. Dalits are usually only allowed to do the worst, most menial jobs in society. Such shocking attitudes are everywhere.

Indias Hindu nationalists talk about making their country great. But theirs is a vision restricted only for the upper-caste Hindu elite. Lower-caste Indians and other religious minorities arent just ignored, they are accused of being anti-national if they demand equal rights.

The saffron-flag waving Hindu nationalist movement has nothing to say about Indias caste elitism. It ignores the daily violence against lower-caste Hindus. It has nothing to say about oppression other than casting themselves as victims against Muslims.

This attitude isnt restricted to India either. British Hindu groups are dominated by the same upper-caste, middle-class elite. And so, inevitably, they dismiss any idea of caste discrimination here as some sort of a British conspiracy despite mountains of evidence.

Many Dalits had hoped the new BJP government, which talked loudly of development, would help them to progress through better jobs. Those dreams, now shattered, are turning to anger.

Nothing shakes the lethargic Indian establishment from its complicity in Dalit oppression quite like street riots. And yet, not much changes even then. The media and politicians just criticise them for creating chaos and move on. The anger in Mumbai today is merely advance warning of a bigger wave of rage that is coming.Nigel Farage is travelling to Ireland next month to attend a conference calling for Ireland to leave the European Union. Ive got bad news for him: this ludicrous notion is as likely to catch on as the Irexit portmanteau being used to describe it.

Farage has previously said that Ireland should follow Britains example and leave the EU because it would benefit the Irish people financially. In reality, its a selfish idea which a few hardline Brexiteers, high on jingoism, have dreamt up so that they dont have to compromise on the thorny issue of the Irish border, which they so blissfully ignored during the campaign.

52 per cent of the British people may have followed Pied Piper Farage off a political cliff, but the Irish? In the words of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern: Were mad, but were not that mad.

Its true that Ireland has a history of being somewhat Eurosceptic, but after rejecting the EU Treaties of Nice and Lisbon by referenda in the 2000s, both were renegotiated and accepted; a demonstration of how the Irish work to change things for the benefit of all member states, rather than simply throwing our toys out of the pram when we dont get our own way.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. 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Europe has helped Ireland to strengthen its voice on the international stage, and yes, it bailed us out when the banks failed in 2010  a moment of national shame from which the country swiftly bounced back.

A May 2017 poll showed 88 per cent of Irish people think Ireland should remain in the EU, and a further survey in August 2017 showed Ireland was the country most optimistic about the EUs future, with 77 per cent of people responding favourably.

And yet the Facebook page for Februarys event warns that Ireland is at risk of becoming a powerless EU province. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As of 2017, Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness is the Vice President of the European Parliament and last month, the EU gave Ireland the final say on whether or not Brexit negotiations should move on to the next stage. This was not for one-upmanship against the British, but because Irish politicians and diplomats had lobbied hard to put the border issue at the top of the agenda, and because other EU leaders appreciate the complex issues which have forged a unique situation on the island of Ireland.

This was a display of consensus, respect and solidarity  concepts which may look unfamiliar if your political background is the muddied, chaotic ranks of Ukip.

 Nigel Farage says he has done more to stop the far-right than anyone

It is hypocrisy of the highest order that Nigel Farage  who was apoplectic when US President Barack Obama warned of the dangers of Brexit in 2016  has spent the majority of his post-Brexit redundancy period touring other countries, instructing them in their domestic political affairs.

Nigel may have been warmly embraced by some unsavoury characters in Berlin and Alabama, but hell find few welcome bedfellows in Dublin. No far-right party has ever taken foot in Ireland, and the country takes an immediate dislike to anyone who gets notions about themselves  let alone demagogues. Just ask Bono.

So let me save you the Ryanair fare, Nigel. When the Brexiteers voted to take back control, that didnt include the Irish Republic. The days of Britain telling Ireland, or any other country what to do, are long gone.The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities is set to recover from the US three fragments from three different mummies that had been stolen and smuggled out of Egypt in the early 20century.

Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, supervisor-general of the ministrys Repatriation Department, told Ahram Online that the fragments were seized in Manhattan when their owner tried to sell them.

Abdel-Gawad says that the fragments, which are in a very good conservation condition, consist of two hands and a head from three mummies.

The fragments had been bought by an American citizen in 1927 from an antiquities worker who stole them from an illegal excavation at an archaeological site in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

The ministry has authenticated the fragments, which are being recovered in accordance with Egyptian Antiquities law number 117/1983 and its amendment number 3 for 2010.

The fragments are now in the possession of American authorities, and will be handed over to the Egyptian embassy on 8 January at a large celebration in New York, Abdel-Gawad said.

Short link:

Dalits stage a demonstration Jan. 2 in Mumbai a day after violence erupted in the village of Koregaon-Bhima Jan. 1 during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Jan. 2 announced a Bombay High Court investigation into the riots that left one person dead. (IANS photo)Mothers attend to their newborn babies at the special newborn care unit at the district hospital in Sangareddy in Telangana state, Oct. 19, 2017. According to IndiaSpend, in 2018 India will see progress on many fronts, including reductions in infant and maternal mortality rates. (Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images)External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at Parliament Jan. 2. Swaraj and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor exchanged arguments in the Lok Sabah Jan. 3 on whether Hindi should be made one of Indias official languages at the United Nations, with Swaraj arguing that it should. (IANS photo)16 suspected kidnappers terrorising commuters on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway have been arrested by the operatives of Nigeria Police Force.

The force recovered from the suspects five AK47 rifles, 1598 7.62 X 39mm AK47 ammunition, two swords and cutlasses, four pairs of suspected fake military uniforms and mobile phones.

Parading the suspects on Tuesday at Sabon Wuse, Minna, Niger State on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, explained that some of them were nabbed while waiting to kidnap people returning from the Christmas and New Year holidays.

He said, After an intense gun battle that lasted more than five hours between the F-SARS Special Tactical Squad attached to Operation Absolute Sanity and the first gang along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, the police team arrested the four suspects including their leader who is a trained armourer and the hit man.

Moshood disclosed that the arrested gang members include Ibrahim Umar, a.k.a Oro, 20; Mohammadu Auta, a.k.a Babawuro, 27; Musa Usman, 25 and Abdullahi Abubakar, 28 years.

The police described the suspects as the most vicious kidnappers arrested in recent times, adding that Umar confessed to have killed more than 10 persons.

He also confessed to have sucked the blood of his victims after killing them. He was identified by some of the victims rescued from captivity by the police in the forest during the gun battle, the police spokesman stated.

Moshood said efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang, adding that those in custody would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )Five Kenyan policemen were killed in an attack on their vehicle in the northeast county of Mandera near the border with Somalia, a government official in the area said on Wednesday.

Dozens of Kenyan security personnel have been killed in recent months in the remote lands near the border with Somalia, in raids by the al Shabaab Islamist militants from Somalia.

The group claimed responsibility for the latest attack.

Daniel Bundotich, the deputy county commissioner for Mandera South, said those killed included three police reservists, local civilians who assist the police and were assigned uniforms and arms.

The militants also set on fire a police lorry, the police officers were on patrol along Elwak-Kutolo when they were ambushed, he told Reuters.

Al-Shabaab has also launched other attacks in Kenya; targeting civilians, in revenge for Kenya moving its troops into Somalia in late 2011.

Source : (Reuters/NAN)The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kwara State, Prof. Timothy Opoola, on Tuesday confirmed that, some female Christians who were returning home after the New Years service were raped.

According to reports, some of the youths were said to have on Monday attacked Christian and Muslim worship centres after they were prevented from organising a carnival for the New Year.

However, Opoola, during a media briefing in Ilorin, said CAN believed that it was some Muslim fundamentalists that attacked the churches and raped the women.

He said, During the attack, they chanted Islamic slogans saying, Allah Akbar, this land belongs to Muslims. They threw stones and destroyed the windows of the Christ Apostolic Church in the area when they could not gain access.

In fact, some Christian worshippers returning home were raped. Some of the ladies ran into the Methodist Cathedral naked for safety.

These Muslim fanatics broke the gate of the cathedral and destroyed the church building and some vehicles.

The Muslims later moved to St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral and also destroyed the church building. The fundamentalists damaged two statues; those of St. Joseph and the resurrection scene.

When the fundamentalists entered the cathedral, they robbed the worshippers of their phones, bags and other valuables.

If the police and other security operatives had acted on time to curtail the unfortunate incident, the magnitude of the destruction would have been minimised.

Opoola called on the state government to prevent further attacks on churches and Christians in Kwara State, particularly in Ilorin metropolis.

He warned that the Christian community in Kwara State may be forced to defend itself, saying nobody had the monopoly of violence.Blogger Emeh Achanga of Misspetite who recently spoke on the crash of her 2-year old relationship has penned an emotional piece on her experience with post-natal depression.

Hello guys, yesterday, I shared my thoughts with journalist Tope Delano about Post-natal depression and how it affected me .

Though a few headlines were slightly taken out of context as my intention was to focus on my battle with post-natal depression and how it affected me professionally,not on my personal life.

I also want to categorically state that, I did not suffer any form of physical abuse from my babys father.Also ,contrary to popular opinion,I have never been legally married (that was a personal desicion too).

That said, I really feel Postatal-depression is something many Nigerians should be aware of

For those who are not aware, anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of new mothers experience the baby blues  an emotional state of tearfulness, unhappiness, worry, self-doubt, and fatigue.

However, if your feelings seem unusually intense and have lasted longer than two weeks straight, you could have postpartum depression (PPD).

Post partum depression is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth.

Some symptoms include

Extreme sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness

-Crying all the time

-Loss of interest or lack of enjoyment in your usual activities and hobbies

-Trouble falling sleep at night, or trouble staying awake during the day

-Loss of appetite or eating too much, or unintentional weight loss or weight gain

-Overwhelming feelings of worthlessness or overpowering guilt

-Restlessness or sluggishness

-Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

-Feeling that life isnt worth living

-Being irritable or angry

-Avoiding friends and family

-Worrying excessively about your baby

-Being uninterested in your baby, or unable to care for her

-Feeling so exhausted that youre unable to get out of bed for hours

In rare cases, some women with PPD experience delusional thoughts or hallucinations and may harm their baby.

While the exact cause of PPD is unclear, the cause is believed to be a combination of physical and emotional factors.

Depression or anxiety during pregnancy

Stressful life events during pregnancy or soon after giving birth

Traumatic childbirth experience

Preterm delivery

A baby needing neonatal intensive care

Lack of social support and many more.

In March ,celebrity Chrissy Teigen opened up on her battle in a Essay for Glamour magazine.

A year ago, in April, John and I started our family together. We had our daughter, Luna, who is perfect. She is somehow exactly me, exactly John, and exactly herself. I had everything I needed to be happy. And yet, for much of the last year, I felt unhappy. What basically everyone around me  but me  knew up until December was this: I have postpartum depression.Personally,as a blogger,I dealt with post-natal depression and it affected my output and everyday is still a struggle.Yes while people see me and say goals, I see a shattered woman who sits and sometimes daydreams of ending it all.

And did I open up? Yes I did but no one understood me.

I recall my first experience with depression started after having a c-section,I hated myself.I was crying non-stop and worried about blogging.

Confined to a hospital bed and unable to eat or drink water for the first 3 days was hell for me.The, I remember not feeling attached to my baby and I hated when anyone touched or came close to her. I wasnt allowed to hold her for long as I was still in pain.So anytime she cried in hunger, the nurses or her fathers mum would brig her to me to breastfeed. Oh the pain was intense ! Once i was done, I would want to cuddle her a bit to relieve the pain and she would be snatched away from me (for my own good)

However, I did not see it that way. I wanted her on the bed with me,not in a cot.I felt like I was of no use and felt like a bad mother for going through a c-section.

Continuously sedated because of the intense pain,I walked to the hospital corridor,desperately seeking the opinion of a doctor.

Had hallucinations I would die if I slept off after being sedated.

A young male doctor approached and saw me in tears outside and was shocked .

Madam what are you doing outside, you are not allowed to sit up,you need to lie down he said

No,no, doctor,please help me.I am feeling crazy.I think they are trying to take my baby away from me.Please, tell everyone not to touch my baby.

He looked at me like I was crazy..And he was right.I was crossing the thin line between sanity and insanity.

Doctor, you dont get it.Im depressed. I hate myself right now.I am not bonding with my baby and im scared of hating her.He looked at me like and though he seemed confused,he said ok ok, lets go back in and I would tell everyone around.

He took me in and told my daughters father, his mum ,my friend to not take the baby from me immediately Im done breastfeeding to enable me bond with her.

They were of the opinion that I have a whole lifetime to bond with her. Afterall,she was my daughter and they said I would get tired of bonding. But those first few days were crucial to me.I didnt want to end up on the news as that new mum who strangled her baby in her sleep.

I recognized early that I was going through post-natal depression and made a conscious effort to fight it.

Sadly, millions of women in Nigeria have no idea about it and people mistake depressed new mothers as just troublesome,nags and more.

Instead, their spouses or partners, withdraw ,isolate them,refuse to take them out ,get lovers and continue to isolate the women.

However, some lucky women get all the support they need,understanding,get medical help and therapy.

Teigen wrote

I couldnt figure out why I was so unhappy. I blamed it on being tired and possibly growing out of the role: Maybe Im just not a goofy person anymore. Maybe Im just supposed to be a mom.

When I wasnt in the studio, I never left the house. I mean, never. Not even a tiptoe outside. Id ask people who came inside why they were wet. Was it raining? How would I knowI had every shade closed. Most days were spent on the exact same spot on the couch and rarely would I muster up the energy to make it upstairs for bed. John would sleep on the couch with me, sometimes four nights in a row. I started keeping robes and comfy clothes in the pantry so I wouldnt have to go upstairs when John went to work. There was a lot of spontaneous crying..Unfortunately,in Nigeria, there is hardly provision for that.

In other climes, the doctor I cried out to would have realized I needed therapy and treatment .Once I mentioned death and suicide ,I needed to be immediately placed under observation,not as a new mum,but a depressed mum.

As Chrissy wrote she got medical help.

My doctor pulled out a book and started listing symptoms. And I was like, Yep, yep, yep. I got my diagnosis: postpartum depression and anxiety. (The anxiety explains some of my physical symptoms.)

I remember being so exhausted but happy to know that we could finally get on the path of getting better. John had that same excitement. I started taking an antidepressant, which helped. And I started sharing the news with friends and familyI felt like everyone deserved an explanation, and I didnt know how else to say it other than the only way I know: just saying it. It got easier and easier to say it aloud every time. (I still dont really like to say, I have postpartum depression, because the word depression scares a lot of people. I often just call it postpartum. Maybe I should say it, though. Maybe it will lessen the stigma a bit.).She concluded

I wanted to write an open letter to friends and employers to explain why I had been so unhappy. The mental pain of knowing I let so many people down at once was worse than the physical pain. Her quote above explains why I too am speaking out on this.And while it is no excuse for violence by women against their spouses and kids, the case of nursing mum,Maryam Sanda, who stabbed her late husband, Bilyamin Bello, the son of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Mohammed Haliru Bello,comes to mind.

Please if you have a nursing mother at home,read more about it and be supportive You are not only saving her, but are saving yourself from what could be a potentially fatal ending.The main line of thought in the Trump administrations first national security strategy, released on 18 December 2017, is returning America to its post-Cold war position of sole supremacy. A derivative is that the administration sees China and Russia as competitors. This demonstrates Americas recognition that today it has serious rivals in important political, economic, and military theatres.

This recognition gives rise to three implications.

First, America will use its military might decisively if, what it considers to be, its strategic interests are threatened. And so, for example, we see a conspicuously clear military "solution" to the confrontation with North Korea, as well as talk of crushing militant Islamists (as opposed to engaging in a battle of ideas or ways of empowering reformists).

Second, the strategy sees organisations such as the UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation, primarily, as instruments to be used in different situations. Some might argue that this has always been the case. But even if that is true, what this strategy points to is a brusque modus operandi in the international political-economic landscape.

And third, the strategys approach to strategic challenges is anchored in prioritising outcomes in the short term. And so, for example, the political shape of the Korean Peninsula after a military confrontation with North Korea is far more important here than any ideological discussion on an "axis of evil" (of the George W Bush administration) or theoretical discourses such as "arcs of history" (from President Obamas strategic doctrine).

Many observers see national-security strategies as documents with limited bearing on actual policy-making  a Congressional requirement that any administration must deliver, but which it hardly intends to stick to. Others see it as a marketing document intended to please the administrations core constituency of voters. True  but dismissing the strategy altogether would be mistaken.

The Trump administration is rich in highly assertive men who truly believe that Americas approach to global politics since the end of the Cold War resulted in weakness relative to the emerging challengers. And so, in their view, Americas engagements in the world must restore what has been lost in those 25 years.

This worldview and these implications do not necessarily result in doom and gloom. Two outcomes are actually welcomed. First, this strategy is honest about the feelings and anxieties of scores of Americans at this moment  whether because of the rise of China (arguably the most important geo-strategic development since the end of the Second World War) or transformative technological changes that will, certainly, leave tens of millions of Americans worse off. This honesty aligns foreign-policy objectives with the concerns of American voters, which leads to consistency, and to voters owning the consequences of these policies.

The second outcome to be welcomed here is sobriety. In the 1990s, America was drunk on its Cold War victory. Some saw an end of history, whereby the liberal-democratic order had won forever. Others talked of a decades-long peace dividend. In the 2000s, America embarked on a-trillion-dollar messianic mission to fix certain places in the world. The 1990s worldview has been proven wrong; the mission of the 2000s yielded disasters. Todays approach stems from a practical view of how to respond to the strategic challenges that America faces.

But this approach will generate three major problems.

First, this strategy pays lip service to the interests of key American partners, primarily Europe. In reality, it demands of them certain military, political, and economic commitments without putting forward a case for why Americas strategic goals (which stem from the administrations America First idea) correspond to theirs. For example, it is far from clear why Berlin, Paris, Rome and Brussels (the seat of the European Union) must commit to Americas strategic competition (let alone potential confrontation) with China, which will almost certainly be Europes biggest market and a key provider of investment capital, in the coming two decades. Without persuading Europe, America First might end up being America Alone.

Second, the strategys decisiveness, assertiveness, and seeking clear wins in the short term do not correspond with any meaningful assessment of Americas resources today. Resources here does not mean only economic and financial resources, but also technological advancement; access to raw materials, talent, and markets; hard and soft power; and the ability to shape the global landscape to its advantage. In almost all of these areas, the strategys grand rhetoric could well be undermined by American losses in the last two decades.

Third, the strategy does not reflect on how China will respond to this blunt American attempt to preserve and perpetuate Americas sole supremacy. China does face many challenges and handicaps, but China today has arrived at a stage whereby it is not totally occupied with its economic growth. China will neither acquiesce nor sit idle as the US attempts to contain and curtail its rise as a rival superpower.

In a way, this strategy could be seen as a discussion-starter  between America and its allies, as well as its competitors. This discussion could avert misunderstandings, especially since there are strategic theatres where misunderstandings could result in miscalculations with grave consequences. These theatres include the Korean Peninsula and the entire EU-Russia border (where America, through NATO, has major military presence).

For the rest of the world, this strategy should lead to corresponding national-security thinking. The complexities in what the US administration is trying to undertake will likely cause the administration to move sharply and often surprisingly. The rest of the world will have to learn, quickly, how to anticipate and mitigate against the risks that such moves would generate.



*The writer is the EBRDs Senior Political Counsellor for the Arab World, and the author, most recently, of Islamism: A History of Political Islam from the Fall of the Ottoman Empire to the Rise of ISIS (Yale, 2017).



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The Yuletide is observed globally as a period to party with friends, family members, loved ones and meet new people. Some people in Africa and Nigeria are known to engulfed in excesses while celebrating with their people.

The result of the excessive consumption of alcohol has left being being embarrassed in public places. Some social media users have compiled pictures of individuals who had too much to drink during the holiday period.

Most of the pictures are undated and the identities of the individuals are not available. They are currently being shared for humour on social media.

See more photos:

-ToriThe Lagos State Government on Wednesday sealed off a Petrol Filling Station, an Hotel and Event Centre belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamal.

The structures, situated along Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road in Sabo area of Ikorodu were sealed for violating the States Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.

The Police, had on December 22, 2017, declared Alaka wanted in connection with series of well-orchestrated killings and nefarious activities of the Badoo cult group in Ikorodu and Epe area of the State.

Alaka is believed to be the ring leader of the Badoo menace.

The State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the order sealing off the structures was in pursuant to Section 60 of the said Law.

It would be recalled that the States Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, on Tuesday, paraded a Badoo kingpin arrested in Ikorodu axis who confessed to the killings and took Police to their shrine in Imosan, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State where the groups chief herbalist, Fatai Adebayo was arrested.

Adebayo, who is popularly known as Alese, was said to specialize in administering oath on Badoo members before they go for any operation.

According to Ayorinde, The Lagos State Government is joining the Nigerian Police in asking the said Alaka to come out of hiding and submit himself to the law in his own interest.

The State Government has also enjoined the Police to offer the public a reward for any useful information on the owner of the Alaka Filling Station, Hotel and Event Centre in Ikorodu.

The government is once again asking its citizens to go about their businesses without fear. We will leave no stone unturned in keeping the State safe in 2018, Ayorinde assured.

SIGNED

STEVE AYORINDE

COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION & STRATEGY

LAGOS STATE

JANUARY 3, 2018.

Source: ( Linda Ikeji )There was unrest in the Ijegun suburb of Lagos on New Year Day, when a 39 year old man, identified bad Olayiwola Stephen, allegedly stabbed to death by his friend and co-tenant, Mr. Ibrahim Adetunji, during a quarrel.

An eyewitness, Mr. Ademola Adegbola, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that a quarrel started between the two friends when the victim was trying to broker peace between Adetunjis wife and other tenants in the building.

Adetunji allegedly got angry at the way the deceased was addressing his wife when mediating in the dispute, the eyewitness said.

The eyewitness said that Adetunji, in anger, used a broken bottle to stab the victim.

He said that the incident happened at about noon on January 1 at 66, Lafunke Street, Ijegun.

Another eyewitness, Mr. Sharafa Ogunbisi, said that Stephen was first treated at a nearby hospital from where he was referred to the Ayinke Hospital in Ikeja due to excessive bleeding.

Ogunbisi said that Stephen eventually died on the way to the hospital and his corpse was deposited at the Isolo General Hospital mortuary.

The suspect was detained at the Isheri-Oshun Police Station for further interrogation.

The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Chike Oti, told NAN that he had yet to be briefed about the incident.

The late Stephen was an indigene of Ilua in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He left behind a wife, Mrs. Fasilat Olayiwola, and five children.

Source: ( NAN )No fewer than 50 persons have been killed in fresh attacks on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen after they invaded parts of the Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state on New Years Day.

The attacks, which spilled over to Tuesday, came on the heels of the implementation of the anti-open grazing law, which the Fulani herdsmen considered detrimental to their means of livelihood.

There are now massive protests in Makurdi against the killings. See photos belowThe naira closed at N363 per United States dollar at the parallel market on Tuesday, the same rate it closed before the New Year break on Friday.

The naira has been been moving around 365/dollar for some months, rose to 364/dollar as the Christmas holiday approached.

The naira later rose to 364/dollar last week before closing at 363/dollar on Friday.

Foreign exchange traders and currency analyst had predicted that the naira would be stable during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

They said the Central Bank of Nigerias regular interventions through the injection of dollars into the market would deter currency speculators from making a bet on the local currency.

The naira has been hovering at 360/dollar at the Investors and Exporters FX Window, while it has been quoted at 306.05 at the official market, the level at which the central bank has been intervening.

The CBN has been injecting dollars into the forex market on weekly basis in the past few months.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )Guardian

Ibrahim Umar, a 25-year-old kidnap-for-ransom kingpin, said he had not only killed over ten of his victims in recent times but also drank their blood raw.

Vanguard

The Eighth House of Representatives will probably go into history as on that showcased the highest number of probes.

Punch

Again, a violent clash by rival youth groups has led to the death of two youths in Ondewari community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Thisday

The Lagos State Police Command yesterday made a major breakthrough in the fight against the menace of Badoo cult with the arrest of the groups herbalist, Fatai Adebayo, alias Alese.

The Sun

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it will capture Lagos in the 2019 governorship election.

Daily Times

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome has lambasted the incumbent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of being corrupt and lacking focus, stressing that the administration as presently constituted can never deliver the much needed dividend of democracy to Nigerians.

Daily Trust

The Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has handed out cash to 526 petty traders and artisans to boost their income.

Tribune

Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, met with oil marketers in Abuja on Tuesday where a committee was set up to explore ways to augment the cost of petroleum importation incurred by oil marketers.

The Nation

The bloodletting which started in Rivers State on New Years Day has spread to Benue State.A multimillion naira car was spotted on the streets of an unidentified city in Nigeria and has left many in awe.

The luxury car, a Rolls Royce Phantom, which is said to be worth over $535,000 (N192 million), can be seen in the photo covered in dust and has been abandoned by its owner.

The photo which was shared by @supercarsofnigeria on Instagram, followed with a insightful caption.

His post reads: There is no point losing your integrity for anything, can there be anything that will last forever? This is a $535,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom drop head, Im sure when it was living, police escorts wouldnt allow the shadow of a poor man to cross by it. Today, the children of the poor men defecate on it, dont do what you shouldnt do cos you want a material thing, Samsung S9, S10 still dey come, dont let them show your face on Instablognaija cos you stole Samsung S7edge #rollsroycephantomdrophead #lagos#nigeria #supercarsofnigeria.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdS-jmIlfed/

Checkout a photo of a cleaned up Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead:According to THISDAY, President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly reappointed the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, as his campaign Director-General for the 2019 election.

Although the president has not come out to declare his intention but has given hints that he might seek a second term in Office.

Twice last year, Buhari had hinted about the possiblity of him seeking a second term.

First, he did so during a summit on counter-terrorism in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, and the second time last November, when he visited Kano State on a two-day working visit.

Amaechi, who led Buharis campaign in 2015, has reportedly been issued a letter of appointment for next years election and would make an official announcement on his appointment anytime soon.

The minister of Transport is likely to hold a press briefing in the next few days to announce his reappointment as well as unveil the agenda for the Buhari 2019 project.

-ThisdayA Russian military MI-24 helicopter crashed in Syria on December 31, 2017, due to a technical fault, killing both pilots, Russian News Agencies cited the Ministry of Defence as saying on Wednesday.

The helicopter crashed en route to the Hama air base, RIA news said, quoting the ministry.

Similarly, a MiG-29K fighter aircraft of the Indian navy also crashed at an airport in Indias western state of Goa, officials said.

The fighter jet overshot runway at Dabolim airport in Goa and caught fire.

However, a trainee pilot inside the MiG managed to eject from the aircraft well before it went into flames, officials said.

A MiG 29K aircraft with under-trainee pilot goes off runway while taking off at Goa airport. Pilot ejects to safety.

Fire on aircraft being extinguished, an Indian navy spokesperson said.

Immediately after the accident, fire tenders were rushed to the spot to extinguish the fire.

Officials said the firefighting operation was going on at the airport.

Following the incident, authorities closed the airport for flight operations.

External fire has been extinguished.

Efforts in hand to localise and extinguish internal fire on board the MiG-29K aircraft, the spokesman said.

Authorities are trying to resume the flight operation at the airport.

Reports said this was the first MiG-29 lost by the Indian Navy which operated the jet off the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The jet, according to reports, will also be deployed off the INS Vikrant, the first indigenous aircraft carrier being built for the Indian navy.

Source : (Reuters/NAN)This Mercy Aigbe saga is still trending as the real owner of the Dress @Rettypety has once again blast her designer, @rikaotobyme for trying to lie to the public and claiming all that happened earlier was a mistake.

It all started when a newly wed called out a Nigerian tailor/fashion designer, for giving her outfit to Actress, Mercy Aigbe for her birthday shoot, thus disappointing her on her wedding day.

Read Her Story;

This was too bad. On the 29th of December 2017 which happens to be a day to my wedding, a greedy designer decided to ruin my big day. I cried all day no stop.

I bought this lovely fabric from @bshani_bridalfbrics and asked her to deliver to this designer @rikaotobyme after I had concluded the style and price with @rikaotobyme I made a 50% payment to her as soon the fabric got to her.

Told her its my wedding reception dress she assured me it will be ready on 26th. on that 26th i chatted her up to ask for my dress she replied saying it was ready as u can see on the chat above, she also said she will send a pics, eventually now sent a video d next day which was 27th u can also see that on the chat above.

I sent the balance 50% to her on 28th when I had seen the dress and was satisfied, she couldnt send that day cos all flights coming to Benin that day were cancelled. So we were now left with 29th a day to my wedding, I called her by 6am that morning and she told me d delivery Guy has gone to d park to send my dress that she will send the waybill details(sending details ) across shortly. I waited till 9am no words from her.

I started calling to ask for the waybill details she wasnt taking my calls, atimes she even cut the calls. I sent several messages no response at 1pm I started crying cos the situation got beyond my control.

My hubby,friends and family requested for the number and also started calling her but she obviously decided not to take any calls again. Until 4pm when I was drained in tears she then called and was apologising that she didnt know what to say to me that y she refuse taking calls, she continued saying the delivery guy she gave my dress to is no where to be found.

when she heard how I was crying she then suggested to give me one of her old dresses for me to use for the day, I had no choice cos I was desperate I then accepted it.i got d dress on my wedding morning.

I went on IG yesterdy only to see @realmercyaigbe wearing my dress with the same fabric I bought and she tagged same designer @rikaotobyme.how much did she pay u to disappoint a bride on her wedding day? U are heartlessly wicked and u will sure not get away with this @rikaotobyme

The Tailor of course reacted to the whole drama, and claimed it was a dispatch error.. She wrote;

Our attention has been drawn to the ongoing chaos surrounding a dress and one of our esteemed clients on Instagram and possibly on other blogs and social media sites. . . .

We would have preferred if this matter was addressed directly to us for a quick resolution and to avoid the media frenzy, but unfortunately it wasnt.

. . .

We hold our clients dearly and offer our services on first come first served bases with no iota of discrimination or insinuation of such.

. . .

We admit that a dispatch error occurred in the delivery of a dress to Miss Lawrentta, who was set to get married on the 30th December, 2017 and the pick up of another dress on behalf of actress, Mercy Aigbe. . . .

Please note that both dresses were of the same style, the same colour (red) and almost the same measurement.

. . .

On realising the error on dispatch, we quickly tried to rectify the mix up. But it was too late as the wrong dress was already on its way to Edo state for the bride to be.

. . .

We contacted the bride and explained we had an issue and asked if she would be comfortable with another dress, of same kind (which was the one meant for Mercy Aigbe), the bride agreed, so we allowed the dress to be delivered as time to recall dispatch was short in relation to the time of the wedding.

. . .

We have already apologised to Miss Lawrentta, but once again use the public fora to tender an unreserved apology to her and by extension to Mercy Aigbe who shouldnt have been dragged into this.

. . .

We assure all our clients, past and future that our resolve to deliver top notch designs to clients within the country and beyond will not be compromised and the error that led to this unhappy situation has since been corrected. Thank you.

The real owner of the dress, the newly wedded bride, has fired back at the tailor, she also shared a screenshot of a text message from the tailor where she said the dress was on her the way to her The text message was dated 29th of December.

Reading your reply @rikaotobyme to the pain and embarrassment you deliberately caused my me for financial profit on the eve of and on my wedding day, I am convinced that you are indeed wicked. A wickedness that has consequences.

Firstly, in your response you claim there was a dispatch error. Was the error of dispatch the cause of the delivery agents number being not reachable as you claimed?

Secondly, you also claimed the dispatch error was too late to be rectified as the wrong dress was already on the way to Edo state. At what point was the dispatch error discovered since your staff Kate, dropped off the dress at Ojota at around 9pm for nightbus delivery?

Thirdly you claimed also that similarities in the dresses caused the mixup. If that was the case why did @realmercyaigbe on receipt of a dress that wasnt hers still go ahead to wear it for her 40th birthday shoot and post on social media on the 31st of December ? Mind you, the dress you sent to me was torn and musty on delivery, not in any shape for a client how much more a celebrity. While that which conveniently landed with Mercy Aigbe, was a fabric i purchased myself from @bshani_bridalfabrics.

Lastly in your response, you lied about apologizing to me. Since the 29th i have not heard a single word from you and there is not a chance in hell that what you called an apology on public fora or the chat above would suffice.

In all of this, its blatantly obvious from your statement you have refused to accept responsibility like a true professional should and sincerely apologize for your moment of indiscretion and weakness. Until then I am personally committed you face the full consequences of your actions and the pains you meted on me.

-GistreelA Nigerian woman named Morelolapro, who lost her newborn daughter shortly after delivery, has welcomed a set of triplets.

Morelolapro who is also a makeup artist, gave birth to the triplets, yesterday in Indiana, US.

She took to her instagram page to share a picture of the triplets and wrote;

My testimony!

In 2016,I lost a beautiful baby girl 24hrs after delivery,I was sad,broken and hurt,I still have no idea how I survived that pain.but in my pain I struck a deal with God instead of crying and wailingi asked for double for my trouble!!

Moved into 2017 with so much anxiety,I kept wondering when God was going to turn my shame into joy..

April 2017,an ultrasound found two sacsi danced and was amazed at how God works.my tunmininu and dunmininu has finally come,I couldnt believe I indeed got double for my trouble

June 2017,another ultrasound found 3 babies.hmmnn my God gave me jara!only a fool will say God doesnt exist!!

After a very long and eventful pregnancy and nicu journeymy hands and heart is full.so much love it feels like my heart is gonna explode!!!

Jan 2018

Walking into the year with my trio and a heart full of gratitude and still in awe of Gods greatness, wishing yall a very happy fulfilled new year!#myrainbowafterthestorm#triplets#bbg#yummymummy#pregnancyandbeyond#mytestimony#3ismyluckynumber#threeforthepriceof1Brazil executives black and white

Negotiated elements do not always necessarily have a remuneratory character, being not the object of taxation, notably due to the contributions to the Social Security and Welfare.

Situations as the payment of contract bonus, retention bonus, consideration for non-competition clauses and profit sharing are just a few of the matters which have been discussed by the Internal Revenue and companies in judicial and administrative courts.

We have noticed an intense debate about the share purchase option plans and arrangements for payments based on shares. On one side, taxpayers argue that such contracts do not have a remuneratory character, but rather a merchant one; on the other side, the Internal Revenue alleges that the elements of these contracts denounce the remuneratory intention, justifying the taxation.

We also note an intense debate as to the fruition of social contribution exemption and the possibility of deducting expenses with payments of profit sharing or results granted to those which occupy management positions. This is because, under the perspective of the Federal Internal Revenue, business administrators would not be included in the exemption rule, only employees  and only employees who do not occupy administration positions, at that.

There have already been significant decisions within the administrative sphere concerning this debate. Recent decisions of the Administrative Council of Fiscal Appeals, the highest court of analyses of notices of assessment issued by the Internal Revenue, stated that payment plans based on shares, including share purchase option plans, would have a remuneratory character.

Likewise, as to profit sharing, it has been consolidated within the administrative sphere that only payments of profit sharing or results carried out under the terms of Law no. 10.101/00 would tax exempt. Specifically on this matter, there is also a debate as to the comprehensiveness of administrators under the mentioned law, which shows that the discussion should be further extended.

Within the judicial sphere, the discussions are still in their infancy. We also notice just a few decisions in the Federal Regional Courts, and in the Superior Courts, about these policies of remuneration to executives; mainly payments based on shares and profit sharing.

With respect to profit sharing, recent one-off decisions by the judicial courts indicate that there would be restriction of the use of tax exemptions on payments made to administrators. On the other hand, with respect to payments based on shares, in recent decisions the courts have recognised the merchant nature of these contracts, stirring the debates between the Internal Revenue Service and the taxpayers.

It was within this context that Law no. 13.467/2017, known as labour reform, and more recently, Provisional Measure no. 808, of November 14, 2017, known as reform of the reform were published.

Such norms brought significant changes to the labour relations governed by the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT)  Decree-Law no. 5.452/1943, in order to regulate the legislation to the new labour relations (part of the preamble of the law). The mentioned changes have not reached only elements of the labour law, but they have also directly impacted the source of financing of social security.

Remuneration of executives

To the reality of what we are discussing herein  remuneration of executives  two points of the reform were more significant.

The first of these concerns the prevalence of the negotiated over the legislated. For employees who have a university degree and receive monthly remuneration above twice the maximum limit of benefits of the General Regime of Social Security (currently BRL 11,062.62; $3,376.64), the reform authorised individual agreements to freely rule about certain matters, even if the legislation or collective negotiations (agreements or collective conventions) provide differently, among them: position and salary plans, remuneration by productivity, incentive premiums and profit sharing.

Thus, executives who have employment link, who were previously linked exclusively to the provisions under the legislation or in collective negotiations, can have greater autonomy when negotiating certain elements of their contracting with companies.

The second aspect refers to the payment of premiums.

Law no. 13.467/2017, besides changing exclusive rulings of the employment relation, excluded the premiums from the basis for calculation of the social contributions destined to social security.

This innovation is diametrically in opposition to what was part of the legislation before, which provided for the taxation by the social contributions of the variable parts of the remuneration, both of employees and of other workers, including the executives.

While in the reform of the CLT, the changes pursued to set a few minimum criteria to define what would this premium be. For the other workers, there was not any imposition of an objective criterion defined under the law. Thus, a possible interpretation would be that any premium paid as remuneration would be excluded from the taxation by the contributions to social security.

In view of all this, many companies have re-analysed their remuneration policies, studying moves to migrate from certain models to others, or assessing the risks of assuming certain postures in relation to fiscal treatment.

However, we understand that this moment calls for caution. Besides the action we can already expect from the Internal Revenue Service  of questioning the payment of premium, as as it has been doing with profit sharing and with payments based on shares  many other departments and class entities have manifested criticism against the innovations introduced by the reform.

For these reasons, we believe that the debates between the Internal Revenue Service and the taxpayers will only intensify.

This article was prepared by Isabel Bueno and Luiz Fernando Goedert Leite of Mattos Filho, International Tax Review's tax disputes correspondents in Brazil.

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Share this articleNEWTON, MA and NEW YORK, NY - January 3, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) MariMed Inc. (OTCQB:MRMD) has completed a $4 million loan financing through its subsidiary MariMed Advisors with Best Buds Funding LLC. MariMed and its affiliate companies intend to use the proceeds to complete the build out of its medical cannabis cultivation and production facility in Hagerstown, Maryland. MariMed Inc. is an industry leader in the design, development, operation, funding, and optimization of medical cannabis cultivation, production, and dispensary facilities, and the development and licensing of branded precision dosed cannabis products.

"With this transaction, MariMed has secured debt and equity of approximately $22.348 million this year, proving our ability once again to raise funds in a traditionally very difficult microcap environment coupled with the challenges of the medical cannabis industry," stated Robert Fireman, CEO of MariMed. "We appreciate Best Bud's investment and look forward to future transactions supporting our anticipated continued growth and momentum as we expand with facilities and branded products across the U.S."

Graubard Miller provided legal representation for Best Buds LLC Funding for the transaction.

Search us and post about us on social media with the hash tag #MedicatedByMarimed:

Twitter: @MariMedInc

Facebook: @MariMedInc

Instagram: MariMedInc

YouTube: MariMedInc

About MariMed Inc.:

MariMed is an industry leader in the development and operation of state licensed regulatory compliant cannabis cultivation, production, and dispensary facilities in multiple states nationwide. These facilities are models of excellence in horticultural principals, cannabis production, product development, and dispensary operations. MariMed is also on the forefront of precision dosed branded products for the treatment of specific medical symptoms. MariMed distributes its branded products in select states and is currently expanding licensing and distribution to numerous additional states encompassing thousands of dispensaries. MariMed Inc., is one of the 17 top-performing public cannabis companies in the U.S. tracked on the U.S. Marijuana Index, (www.marijuanaindex.com) and CannabIndex. For additional information, visit www.MarimedAdvisors.com

MariMed Contacts:

Business Development

Jon Levine, CFO, MariMed, Inc.

+1 844-244-0200

Investor Relations

Tyler Troup, Circadian Group

tyler@circadian-group.com

+1 (866) 950 8300

Media Relations

Julie Shepherd, Accentuate PR

Julie@accentuatepr.com

+1 847-275-3643

Forward Looking Statements:

This release contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to MariMed Inc., that is based on the beliefs of MariMed Inc. management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events including estimates and projections about its business based on certain assumptions of its management, including those described in this Release. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, among other factors, changes in demand for the Company's services and products, changes in the economic environment and changes in the legal status of cannabis. Additional risk factors are included in the Company's public filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as "hoped," "anticipated," "believed," "planned, "estimated," "preparing," "seek," "potential," "expected" or words of a similar nature. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. None of the content of any of the websites of any other party referred to herein (even if a link is provided for your convenience) is incorporated into this release and the Company assumes no responsibility for any of such content.

More Info:

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Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspJanuary 3, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Clive Maund conducts a technical analysis on a silver company and finds it is at a good entry point.

There are a number of precious metals stocks that are looking promising here, with one of them being Silver Bull Resources Inc. (SVB:TSX; SVBL:NYSE.MKT).

Silver Bull looks very attractive. After a long bear market from early 2011, it has been basing since 2015, and its volume pattern is positive and its volume indicators are very strong indeed. Good entry point here, with it not far above its rising 50-day moving average after a correction unwound an earlier overbought condition. This is especially the case given that silver's latest COTs look very bullish indeed. Rated a strong buy here.

Silver especially looks like it is going to have a good year.

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.

Read what other experts are saying about:

Disclosure:

1) Clive Maund: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. CliveMaund.com disclosures below. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector.

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Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspGoogle moved 15.9bn to a Bermuda shell company in 2016, saving at least $3.7bn (3bn) in US taxes that year, regulatory filings in the Netherlands show, writes Jeremy Kahn.

Google uses two structures, the double Irish and a Dutch sandwich, to shield the majority of its international profits from taxation. The setup involves shifting revenue from one Irish subsidiary to a Dutch company with no employees, and then on to a Bermuda mailbox owned by another Ireland-registered company.

The amount of money Google moved through this tax structure in 2016 was 7% higher than the year before, according to new company filings with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

Google is under pressure from regulators around the world for not paying enough tax.

Last year, the company escaped a 1.12bn French tax bill after a court ruled its Irish subsidiary, which collects revenue for ads the company sells in France, had no permanent base in the country.

The EU has been exploring ways to make US tech companies pay more.

The Government here closed the tax loophole that permitted the double Irish tax arrangement in 2015 but companies can use it to the end of 2020. The total pool of foreign earnings Google was holding overseas, free from US taxation, was $60.7bn at the end of 2016.

The US tax law passed last month would give companies an incentive to repatriate much of that cash by offering them a one-time, 15.5% tax rate. Foreign earnings would then be taxed at 10.5%, although companies can deduct foreign tax liabilities.

The law will also impose a 13.1% tax on certain patent royalties that could hit Googles tax arrangement in which its Bermuda-based subsidiary licenses its intellectual property to its other foreign subsidiaries.

Google Ireland Ltd collects most of the companys international advertising revenue and then passes this money on to the Dutch subsidiary, Google Netherlands Holdings. A Google subsidiary in Singapore that collects most of the revenue in the Asia-Pacific region does the same.

The Dutch company then transfers this money on to Google Ireland Holdings Unlimited, which has the right to license the search giants intellectual property outside the US.

That company is based in Bermuda, which has no corporate tax.

BloombergSeven people have been rescued from a flat complex after a motorbike was set on fire in a hallway.

Residents of the two-storey block in the Ardoyne Road in Belfast were trapped in their homes due to smoke, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said.In many countries societies are divided on globalisation and immigration. Only by listening to the grievances of those left behind can we find a way forward, says Tony Blair.

The centre ground of Western politics is known as the field of pragmatism, quiet reason, and evolution, where political actors eschew extremes and seek compromise.

Because political centrists are distrustful of loud-mouthed and divisive rhetoric, they have taken a somewhat de haut en bas view of the way the political world functions.

Now they are being overwhelmed. Populism of the right and the left is rampant. The old rules no longer apply.

Things said which would have disqualified a candidate a few years back are now a passport to voters hearts. Policy positions previously regarded as mainstream are sneered at, and those regarded as outlandish are very much inland today. And political alliances that have endured for a century or more are breaking apart, owing to profound social, economic, and cultural changes.

The right is fissuring. The prevailing sentiment is nationalist, anti-immigration, and often protectionist, giving rise to a new alliance. In the United Kingdom, traditional Labour supporters in old industrial communities and wealthy de-regulators and business owners have united in their dislike of the way the world is changing and political correctness.

Whether this coalition  and similar formations in other countries  can survive its inherent economic contradictions is unclear, though I would not underestimate the cohesive power of a shared sense of cultural alienation.

But, as can be seen in the fighting within the Republican Party in the United States, the Conservative Party in Britain, and across Europe, a significant part of the right still sees itself as championing free trade, open markets, and immigration as a positive force.

The left is also dividing. One part is moving to a much more traditional statist position on economic policy, and to a form of identity politics that is much more radical on cultural norms. The other part clings to an attempt to provide a unifying national narrative around concepts of social justice and economic progress.

Of course, what used to be called the mainstream of both the left and the right could take back control of their political parties.

For now, however, the extremes are in charge, leaving many  socially liberal and in favour of a competitive market economy alongside modern forms of collective action without a political home.

Is this temporary, or are we at an inflection point?

It is globalisation that is changing politics. The real division today is between those who view globalisation essentially as an opportunity carrying risks that should be mitigated; and those who believe that, despite its apparent advantages, globalisation is destroying our way of life and should be heavily constrained.

I have sometimes expressed this as the difference between an open and closed view of the world.

But while that language captures some of the essence of the difference, I have come to think it is inadequate, because it doesnt pay sufficient respect to the feeling that the globalisers are ignoring genuine problems with the way their creation is working.

The danger of Western politics is that, without a broad and stable centre ground, the two extremes meet in uncompromising confrontation. The degree of polarisation in both the US and the UK is frightening.

In both cases, the public is dividing itself into two nations that dont think like each other, work with each other, or actually like each other.

This is dangerous, because if it persists, democracy loses its appeal. Government becomes paralysed. The strongman model become s more attractive. When our political and economic systems become a competition animated by a winner-take-all mentality, those who win at some point begin to regard the losers as enemies, rather than opponents.

Democracy has a spirit, not just a form; and todays level of polarisation is inconsistent with it.

That is why we need a new politics that seeks to build bridges and bring people together  a politics that differs from the centrist politics of yesterday in two respects.

First, we must understand the need for radical change, not merely incremental reforms. Technology alone will transform the way we live, work, and think.

We must show those feeling left behind that there is a way through the challenge of change and that it is transformative.

And we should address their understandable anxieties over issues like immigration, which are complex and multilayered, and cannot simply be dismissed as whining by nativist deplorables.

In other words, we must show that we have listened to the legitimate sense of grievance about certain aspects of globalisation.

Second, we have to acknowledge that contemporary politics is not operating adequately to meet the challenge.

While it remains taboo for politicians occupying the centre ground in traditional parties to work with each other, they are ineffective, unable to say what they really believe, and unable to represent those who urgently need to be represented.

In short, in these times, revolution is too much the zeitgeist to be left to the extremes. The centre should also become capable of exploding the status quo.

Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, is Chairman of the Africa Governance Initiative.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.orgAt least 30 people were killed when a bus tumbled down a cliff onto a rocky beach along a narrow stretch of road known as the "Devil's Curve," Peruvian police and fire officials said.

The bus was carrying 57 passengers to Peru's capital when it was struck by a tractor trailer and plunged down the slope, said Claudia Espinoza with Peru's voluntary firefighter brigade.People living next to railway lines in the UK are being urged to secure their outdoor belongings after two trampolines were blown on to tracks by Storm Eleanor.

The trampolines were discovered by train crews near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, last night.The current system, Storm Eleanor, has been more of a challenge but still had nothing like the strength of the most ferocious storm to hit Ireland in 2017.

By the time Ophelia struck on October 16, it had already been downgraded from a hurricane to a storm, but not so youd notice.

As it swept across the country, it left major destruction in its wake, causing millions of euro in damage to homes, businesses, and public utilities.

This was an unprecedented weather event for Ireland with record-breaking wind speeds that precipitated the issuing by Met Eireann of a red-level severe weather warning for the entire country.

Figures released yesterday by the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government reveal the storm caused widespread damage and disruption, with 385,000 businesses and households without power and 109,000 people without water at the peak of the storm.

Ophelias visitation was fast and furious but so was the response of local authorities and government departments. Despite the damage and disruption, the recovery was remarkably swift, with practically all roads re-opened within 24 hours of the storm and all those who were without water having their supply restored within four days. All electricity customers were reconnected within eight days.

According to a statement from the department: The speed of this work was enabled through the co- ordination work of the local authorities who led the response at local level in co-operation with the other principal response agencies, An Garda Siochana and the HSE.

The department made over 7m available to local authorities to support this work.

Ex-hurricane Ophelia was not the only extreme weather event of the year. On August 22, an extreme pluvial rainfall event occurred which caused extensive damage on the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal.

Damage and disruption was widespread, with 59 households forced to evacuate their homes due to inundation by floodwaters and damage caused by landslides.

Infrastructural damage was extensive, principally in terms of the roads network, with many bridges and culverts badly damaged or washed away. The total cost of damage to the roads network was 15.3m.

The response, led by Donegal County Council in co-operation with the other principal response agencies, was swift and effective. The department made 1.73m available to the council to cover some of the clean-up costs.

On November 22, severe flooding affected Mountmellick, Co Laois, following an extreme rainfall event that caused the River Barrow to overflow its banks. Roads were impassable due to floodwaters and some homes and businesses in Mountmellick were inundated and a number of houses had to be evacuated. Emergency accommodation was provided by Laois County Council for the households affected.

The department provided 208,000 to Laois County Council to help with clean-up costs.

According to Minister Eoghan Murphy, a contingency fund is now needed for storms and flooding which are becoming more widespread.

He said: These severe events are becoming less exceptional, and a standing fund is now needed to guarantee to local authorities that expenses incurred in protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure will be covered  so that they can provide the most effective response, both before and after such an event.

Event with response and clean-up costs

Ex-Hurricane Ophelia 7,027,506.48

Inishowen Flooding 1,729,122.41

Mountmellick Flooding 208,727.00

Total: 8,965,355.89Yesterdays special sitting was to deal with a custody case after some 60 matters before Killarney District Court were adjourned in the morning when the scheduled sitting of the Killarney court was cancelled as people assembled and waited for Judge James OConnor, who presides over the Kerry district courts.

District court clerk Jane Harrison told the court in Killarney shortly before 11am of the need to adjourn because the judge was ill. Up to 50 people were in the court in Killarney, including solicitors and gardai. The next sitting is January 16. People summoned or otherwise obliged to attend yesterday will have to appear then.The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said 460 admitted patients waited on trolleys in emergency departments and 196 waited on wards.

It is the highest figure recorded by the INMO.

On January 3 last year, 612 patients were waiting for a bed.

Newly-appointed INMO general secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, has sought an urgent meeting with the HSE to put a plan in place.

What I am trying to determine from them (HSE) is what they are going to do, if, God forbid, the flu epidemic takes a hold in a way that we just couldnt cope with, said Ms Ni Sheaghdha.

I am just not sure that the HSE have a plan. We have to be assured that they do, in fact, have one.

Director of public health Dr Kevin Kelleher has predicted that the flu season could run for a further six to eight weeks.

Dr Kelleher said that there had been fewer than 10 flu-related deaths so far this winter.

Around 190 people had been hospitalised  65 in the week before Christmas.

The HSE was expecting the number of cases to peak later this month.

Dr Kelleher said hospitals had plans in place for handling flu cases, including cancelling planned activity, but it was no easy task because a flu outbreak was difficult to predict.

Health Minister Simon Harris said that no effort or resource was being spared to improve the situation.

Among the escalation measures taken by the HSE was moving patients between hospitals to make the best use of capacity.

Other measures included increasing consultant rounds and extending access to diagnostics and assessment units.

St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny had the highest number of admitted patients waiting for a bed yesterday, at 57.

There were 26 on trolleys in the emergency department and 31 on wards.

University Hospital Limerick had the second highest number, at 55. There were 36 patients on trolleys in the emergency department and 19 on wards.

According to the HSEs own trolley count, there were 457 admitted patients on trolleys in emergency departments yesterday with 220 waiting over nine hours for a bed.

The HSE pointed out that there were 480 patients on trolleys on the same day last year  291 were waiting over nine hours, and this was a decrease of almost 5% in trolley waiters.

HSE national director with responsibility for winter initiative, Damien McCallion, said hospitals were having to open additional capacity earlier than planned because of an increase in patients with respiratory illnesses and more patients with complex care needs.

Clearly when we hit a peak like this, we dont have that capacity to grow, particularly in our medium-size hospitals, said Mr McCallion.

It would take a number of days for medium-sized hospitals to get themselves back into a more reasonable state.

With our population ageing, it is critical that we develop our primary care system to try to alleviate some of the pressure on hospitals, he said.

Fianna Fails health spokesman Billy Kelleher said the record trolley figures were a damning indictment of the Governments failure to tackle hospital overcrowding.

We need to urgently increase the number of beds available in our hospitals to help ease the burden, said Mr Kelleher.

President of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, Dr Tom Ryan, said the record number of patients on trolleys requiring hospital care was entirely predictable and unacceptable.

He said acute hospital inpatient bed numbers were cut by 1,400 in the past decade when they should have increased at a minimum in tandem with the countrys growing and ageing population.

As a record 656 patients wait for a bed, nurses union seeks reassurance that HSE has plan in placeAt Cork District Court, Judge Con OLeary convicted James Lynch, aged 56, who was then living at The Paddock, Drinagh, Co Cork, on October 16, 2015.

The judge fined him 100 for threatening behaviour outside the Bridewell Garda Station and another 100 for drink driving at Albert Rd, Cork. Lynch was also disqualified from driving for six years. Four related charges were dismissed.

Lynch was in a wheelchair in court. His solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said the accused had a serious disability. The defendant said he could walk on the flat or up one step but not up a staircase.

Garda Karen Ring said: He shouted at myself and Garda Linda OKeeffe, you are only two fucking women. He said he was refusing to get out of the car. He said, fuck off, guards, I am not getting out of the car, you will have to carry me in.

Mr Cuddigan referred to the accuseds constitutional right to his personal dignity.

Sgt Micheal Lucey testified: It was venomous stuff coming from Mr Lynch. We had no choice but to lift him from the patrol car to the garda station. From start to finish, he was incredibly difficult to deal with  horrible on the night.

I have heard mention of the Constitution and everything. It was not that he had objections to the Bridewell per se. He just would not get out of the Garda car. We did not want to lift him but we had no choice.

Lynch testified: I said I cannot get up these steps. The judge knows I cannot get up steps. He told Inspector Brian ODonovan: I was not abusive. I was protesting. There was no cursing. It is not in my nature.

He said the gardai were lying and covering up because he was going to make a complaint about another garda who was not in court.

I was brought in to the station like a splayed frog. I asked did you get your training in Templemore, Poland or Peru they treated me like dirt, the defendant said.

The judge convicted him of the drink driving and added: His behaviour outside the Bridewell was unacceptable, abusive and insulting.Latest figures show more than 3,200 children and 9,000 people are homeless.

Ms Zappone, speaking to the Irish Examiner, said it is understandable people feel it is not good enough for politicians to simply say they are upset over the crisis.

Asked if it is time homeless levels are officially recognised as a national emergency, she said there is no point in using carefully crafted words or excuses to avoid the reality and that the scale of the situation needs to be fully acknowledged.

In a thinly veiled warning to her coalition colleagues Fine Gael, Ms Zappone said while it is important to put plans in place for future house building and capital projects, it is essential the problems occurring now are immediately addressed.

It is a national emergency, it is increasing to that point. I mean, what language will we use? Why dont we just say these are the numbers that we have, said Ms Zappone.

Of course Im very upset about it and of course people say, Well thats not good enough that youre very upset. As a Minister for Children youre aware of it.

As a member of Cabinet, were all responsible for it and the increasing numbers of children in homelessness, and my focus has been on looking at how we prevent more children and families going into homelessness.

My colleagues in Fine Gael have focused on rebuilding, capital plans, vacant sites. Its not that Im not listening to that, and yes, supporting that, but thats further down the road.

I have a responsibility to make available to the children who are in emergency accommodation services to mitigate the impact of homelessness in their lives.

Ms Zappones comments come as the Government continues to face criticism over its handling of the homelessness crisis.

At the Fine Gael ard fheis last November, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar provoked criticism when he claimed Ireland has a low homeless rate by international standards, despite the fact the report he used to back up his claim specifically says it is difficult to compare international figures.

At a Dail debate on the homelessness crisis on the last day of the Dail term before the winter break, just 19 TDs out of 158 attended. They included just three Government members: Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, housing committee chair Maria Bailey, and back-bencher Kate OConnell.Last years Made in Cork exhibition at the Crawford Art Gallery was a huge success, showcasing masterpieces from the arts and crafts movement in the city and county from 1880s to 1920s.

Curator Vera Ryan has now produced a beautifully illustrated book inspired by the exhibition, which also highlights how the Cork School of Art (later the Crawford) was a vibrant presence in the movement, and also in the life of the city and beyond, especially in Youghal, which was a hub of craftsmanship at the time.

Ryan says the reaction to the exhibition was a big factor in the production of the book, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Crawford Gallery.

The Crawford had already hosted the Watson [Youghal stained glass makers] exhibition, and the number of people from Youghal who came in, it was fantastic, says Ryan. There was a very warm feeling about that idea of Youghal craft being recognised. A lot of the same people visited for the Made in Cork exhibition. There are a lot of memories still lingering and as a local history project, it was enormously successful.

Ryan says the exhibition and the book are also important in facilitating a reassessment of the arts and crafts movement nationally.

We dont have enough emphasis on the arts and crafts movement in Ireland and that is partly because of the division between fine art and craft. We have this idea that artists like Jack Yeats, Sean Keating and Gerard Dillon, did all the great work of the period. But in fact there was a cross-gender and cross-art group of people in the arts and crafts movement who achieved an enormous amount.

More lovely images from the launch of MADE IN CORK: The Arts and Crafts Movement 1880s to 1920s by Vera Ryan!



A true celebration of #Cork and Ireland's rich cultural heritage. Smiles all round  #PureCork pic.twitter.com/znRCmLc5w5  Crawford Art Gallery (@CrawfordArtGall) November 26, 2017

While the arts and crafts movement in Britain, synonymous with William Morris, is well-recognised, the work in Ireland has lacked attention in comparative terms.

According to Ryan, this was as much because of the relative harmony in which those involved worked.

It was democratic and very much about cooperation. It was also about giving women a place  the number of arts and crafts practitioners who married female artists and encouraged them to continue working was quite high. It was very much a period where people felt they were doing their bit for their country because the arts and crafts movement led to employment. This economic consideration was quite a high-minded ideal when compared with modernism. It was addressed to the needs of the people and secondarily, the needs of the market. It didnt have egos, people who are at the top of the tree. Even William Morris would have dirtied his hands, dyeing

fabrics and so on.

RELIGIOUS DIVIDE

There was also a lot of cooperation across the religious divide in the arts and crafts movement. The production of Youghal lace was pioneered by nuns based in the town, who would have received guidance in design from James Brenan, head of the Cork School of Art from 1860-89.

The nuns were brilliant at teaching the girls how to make lace but they werent as good at drawing and design. Brenan co-operated very well with the nuns, who were entrepreneurial women of high ability.

Ryan says that while Cork has been given credit as home of the Honan Chapel, viewed as a jewel in the crown of the arts and crafts movement, in many other aspects its full contribution was not acknowledged because of the political and cultural climate of the time.

With the establishment of the Free State, there was less fluidity, less confidence, more fear about creative co-operation, it would have appeared you were a West Brit or something, whereas you might have just been an ordinary Protestant craftsperson.

That impacted in Cork particularly as it was a compact city and your neighbours were so close.

One of the most interesting figures in the arts and crafts movement in Cork at the time was sculptor Joseph Higgins, whose brother Pat is the subject of a portrait bust in lime wood from 1916, which is featured in the book.

#PureCork! Come along at 2pm to the launch of Vera Ryan's new book, MADE IN CORK: The Arts and Crafts Movement 1880s-1920s, with guest Conal Creedon.



The book is selling for 15 - or 2 for 25 (with a free Harry Clarke canvas bag for the first 50 customers). Free event! #Cork pic.twitter.com/NCueHsig5M  Crawford Art Gallery (@CrawfordArtGall) November 24, 2017

Joseph Higgins doesnt appear to have been involved politically himself but his brother Pat was involved in the IRA and the movement for independence. Their father had been arrested for Fenianism in 1866, nearly 20 years before Joseph was born.

They had this nationalist tradition but Joseph was married to a Protestant girl whose father was English. He was in a complicated bind, not that different to that of Terence McSwiney, with whom he was friends.

PROUD TRADITION

While eras in art are often delineated retrospectively, Ryan says those involved in the arts and crafts movement would have been well aware of its significance when they were producing work.

The school of art here would pay for the carriage and entry fee of objects for selection to the arts and crafts movement exhibitions in Dublin. It was a great honour to be selected. Many of the men and women who had their work selected were from trading families in the city and they were very proud of this display of their work in Dublin. The school of art had day pupils and evening students. The evening students were usually of the artisan class who would come in to improve their drawing and modelling skills. Very often, the more privileged economic group would come during the day.

While many of the objects of the arts and crafts movement were beyond the reach of ordinary workers, items such as silver teapots or sugar bowls would have been given as gifts among the artisan class, according to Ryan.

She believes that the work of Youghal Art Metal Workshop, which produced mirrors acquired by WB Yeats for the Abbey Theatre, is due a revival.

We got quite a few inquiries from British auction houses and after the exhibition, I was told that prices had gone up. There are pieces still around.

Ryan believes there is more to be discovered about the arts and crafts movement in Ireland. This book furthers the story, it reflects on what is known but there is more to be told.A report last year from the National Council for Special Education found that 14,000 students have an autism diagnosis  thats one in every 65 students or 1.5% of the school population. A 2013 study estimated that there was a one in 100 autism rate among children.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterised by difficulties in social interaction and communication and a restricted, repetitive repertoire of interests and activities. Global studies have estimated that one child in every 160 has an ASD, but the World Health Organisation says recent studies have reported a substantially higher rate.

There is no shortage of literature on autism. Google it and youll see for yourself. However, for parents who are trying to balance everyday life with the needs of their child, a text-heavy read at the end of a long day may be more hindrance than help.

Tony the Turtle books stem from a simple concept that is making a big difference in the lives of children on the spectrum and the families who care for them. They are the brainchild of Cork home tutor Valerie Sheehan and offer parents, children, and carers tested, positive strategies to support everyone in getting through everyday activities with reduced anxiety and minimum stress.

The Facebook page describes them as story books for children who see and feel the world differently and helpful tips for their parents.

Author Valerie knew she wanted to work with children after a spell of work experience in Lota, Brothers of Charity, Cork, when she was 16 and in transition year. She befriended a young boy with Down syndrome and said he was the kindest child she had ever come across. Although she didnt know it at the time, the same child prompted her towards her future career.

After studying social studies in CIT, she did a work placement in Enable Ireland and worked in a homeless shelter. She then became a special needs assistant and spent nights studying for a Montessori degree, focusing on special education. After obtaining her degree, she went out on her own as a home tutor for children with autism. She has worked with over 40 children and says she has learnt something new with each child.

Through her work, she discovered a massive lack of resources in the area and began writing little stories to help families after the initial diagnosis. The feedback was very positive.

I started to go into a little more detail, then I began to make them rhyme and they began to snowball after that, she says, adding that the name Tony was inspired by her father, who died three weeks after the first books were published.

I was thrilled my dad got to see them and to know he would be forever immortalised as a turtle. I wanted the main character to have a shell so I could show the significance of the child coming in and out of his shell when his environment becomes too overwhelming.

The concept of the books is that everybody learns. The child identifies with the character, the parents can plan for their day  for example swimming, park, shopping  by learning tips to help make the activity less challenging. Not every book works for every child but Ive been a tutor for 12 years and Im always learning. Kids teach me, I learn from them, says Valerie.

Many children with autism get their sensory issues mixed up, they are not filtered properly. For example, lights and noise in the supermarket can be painful and they cannot block them out so they go into their shell. And these books teach that sometimes going into your shell is OK, is the right option. While Valerie encourages parents to help their child out of his/her shell, there will be times when it is necessary and helpful for the child to stay in.

Going in to your childs world instead of getting them to come into yours is as important as coaxing them out.

It wont take too long to figure out what upsets or triggers your child so you can do things, where possible, to avoid your child getting too overwhelmed. The book features recurrent themes which are learning tools for parents to help daily activities  including haircuts, parties, and toilet training  run smoother.

There is a strong emphasis on the visual aspect of the books, which Valerie says can increase independence and reduce anxiety.

Visuals help children on the spectrum as they clearly indicate what has been completed and what must be done next, she explains, thereby reducing the amount of stress and anxiety in a child. They can also help communication skills.

Tony uses visuals in all the stories with his day plan, First and Then chart, feelings, and learning to wait his turn. Once using visuals become part of your daily routine, you will see a big difference.

Valerie says she has only received positive feedback and was delighted when renowned author and speaker on autism, Dr Temple Grandin, sent her a message praising the concept. The books also got a ringing endorsement three years ago when they were mentioned on the Late Late Toy Show.

Going forward, she would love to get the books in mainstream classrooms. These books are not just for children with autism, and other children may be able to understand more if they read books like this  they are for every child and encourage inclusion and integration.

Tony the Turtle books are stocked in Waterstones and can also be bought online (tonytheturtle.com or see Facebook.com/tonytheturtlebooks)

Sam Scriven and her son Ollie, 4, from Cork

Ollie was diagnosed early and we started intervention at the age of two and we met Valerie through the home tuition programme. Through her work with Ollie, she directed us, took us all on board and he simply flourished. The more we did, the more we realised he does understand. She sees him every week and he also goes to Sonas in Carrigaline.

Valerie introduced us to the Tony Turtle books and we read them with all the children (Sam also has Lucy, 7, and Charlie, 3, as well as a grown-up daughter).

Its not just for children with autism, it helps the other children relate to Ollie. Like Charlie craves interaction with his brother, and we can read it together at bedtime  its hard to explain to kids about autism, these books help with that.

Our lives are so hectic  we need to slow it down, take it back. Reading the book at night, we can plan the task for the next day  park, swimming, shopping  bringing the activity into everyday life and prepare the child for it. They like to know whats coming around the corner, they need coping mechanisms and a planned schedule.

Sam, who studies in UCC, is a firm believer of inclusion for children on the spectrum and believes getting books like Tony the Turtle introduced into schools would be a positive development.

Children need to understand autism, it needs to be the norm so that children with autism are not outsiders in mainstream schools.It was an almost true statement. The scale of broadening advocated will irrevocably change the nature of the presidency, but not for the better. I usually try to avoid vituperation, and feel genuinely ashamed for occasional lapses. But this is one of the most stupid, ill considered, populist wheezes Ive heard of in a long time. It takes an institution that works and, for the sake of it, shakes it up just to see what happens. Meantime, a longstanding proposal to give our diaspora seats in the Seanad remains mothballed. Having had nearly a week to think about it, thats the mildest censure I can come up with.

Coveneys statement follows coverage on Christmas Eve of his minister for state Ciaran Cannon, who specifically promised a referendum in 2019. At first it seemed Santa got lost on his way home to the North Pole; but no. What he left behind is an enormous Lego set, with enough pieces to build an edifice far bigger than the modest home it has been left in.

Up to 70m people around the world claim Irish ancestry and heritage. Thats a flexible measure of self-identity. To put context on that scale, the ministers department in its 2015 document Global Irish: Irelands Diaspora Policy estimated that in proportion to the total population on the island of Ireland, Irish-America numbers 550.5%. Next down the scale are Germans, with German-Americans numbering 59.3% of their respective home population. The scale of the Irish diaspora is staggering by any comparison globally.

In considering eligibility to extend voting rights, numbers matter. Elections are a numbers game. If the diaspora is based on self-selected affinity, citizenship is defined and voting rights even more so. We have an electorate of 3.2m but a further 3.5m citizens living outside the State including Northern Ireland. There are additional kinks in our system including the fact that British citizens resident here are eligible to vote in general elections but not in a presidential election.

Assuming not a single additional person who is entitled to seeks citizenship, we would more than double the electorate, and most of it would be outside the state. These are 2016 figures. In the same year the number of passport applications in Britain increased by 40%. This is a scale of citizenship outside the state of origin, unseen since the end of the Roman Empire.

What is being ignored, regrettably, are long-standing and sensible suggestions to ensure a deeper connection with the Irish abroad. Principally, these include representation in the Seanad. Since 2013, the bill proposed by then senators Feargal Quinn and Katherine Zappone which would have allowed citizens abroad to vote in Seanad elections, and thus considerably widen the platform for public conversation and legislation has sat sadly unsupported. It would not, however, have fundamentally disturbed the basis of functioning democracy, which requires that decision making ultimately rests with those within the State, who must bear the consequences. With the presidency, it would be an election where the result is the ultimate free kick. The kick could come from anywhere in the world.

We may yet elect a president we regret, but we havent yet.

Our nine so far have been exemplary. What is it about the institution that has now drawn this government, not once but twice, to attempt to disorder something that clearly doesnt need to be fixed? In May 2015 the referendum to reduce the eligible age for presidential candidates from 35 to 18 was both unasked for, and comprehensively rejected. On a relatively high turnout of 60.5%, it was defeated by a margin of 73.06% to 26.94%. No referendum ever went down to deeper defeat.

It was coincidently on the same day as the marriage equality referendum. It was clearly tossed out without a thought. No effort whatever was made to campaign for it. So why? One thought which occurred to me, is that on the basis that a proportion of the electorate will always vote against whatever government proposes because it feels out of sorts with them, better then to give them something to actually vote against. Even the fact of debating this nonsense serves as a sandbag to soak up discussion of issues that might actually be damaging to government. I long ago learnt that most so-called crises and public rows have no effect at all on the electorates ultimate political decision. The more time and oxygen they take, the better. Whatever the ultimate motive behind this proposal now, if it is put to us the people in 2019, it must be dismissed decisively.

Widening the electoral franchise to all citizens regardless of where in the world they live, or whether they have ever lived in Ireland, may first of all have the completely opposite effect of its intended consequence. It this is actually about reaching out to the Irish abroad,

a cack-handed proposal that is likely to be soundly defeated, will garner headlines for all the wrong reasons. A defeat will be both a necessary response at home, and taken as a slap in the face abroad. If it were passed, and it must be taken at face value that this is really the intention of its proposers, then firstly the nature of a presidential campaign will be completely changed, and ultimately the nature of the presidency.

When framing law, it is necessary to examine the law of unintended consequences. Only the extraordinarily well funded, the very famous, or both could mount an effective electoral appeal in a global constituency. The scale of that constituency relative to its base, is ultimately unknown. But we can say definitely nothing like it, has been attempted in the history of democracy. I wish the Standards in Public Office Commission well in policing a process across five continents. That is not to mention the cost to the exchequer. I presume exact detail on that will be part of the finalising now promised.

Then there is the presidency itself. The constitution specifically requires that The President shall not leave the State during his term of office save with the consent of the Government. This is to ensure that the Government alone controls foreign policy. By embedding the presidency in an electorate beyond the borders of the State, an insolvable tension is created. That is not to think of a future government, denying a presidents request to travel and effectively seeking to knobble his re-election. I could go on.

Whether the ultimate consequences are unintended or simply uncared for, I dont know. What is proposed is absurd gigantism. Its an exploding leprechaun sort of politics.

A defeat will be both a necessary response at home, and taken as a slap in the face abroadAn Irving High School student, one who didn't even speak English when she arrived in the United States at the age of 12, is on her way to Stanford University with a full-ride scholarship, thanks to a non-profit in California searching for deserving and promising students just like her.

Miriam Trigo is on track to be the 2018 valedictorian at Irving High. She's also an athlete on the volleyball team, an academic decathlete, currently holds a 4.0 GPA, and offers her time as a mentor and tutor to younger children.

"Which I love," she said. "My classmates tell me that I work too much sometimes. But I do it because I know it will pay off."

And it did.

Because in California, there is a program called the Quest Bridge College Match. The non-profit, funded by millions in donations from thousands of corporate and independent donors, offers scholarships to academically-deserving low-income students to attend some of the best universities in the country.

This year 918 students will receive a four-year full ride.

Miriam got the news Dec. 1, surrounded by her friends in the counselor's office. Photos captured the moment she learned her full ride would be to Stanford University.

"And as soon as I saw it I was in shock, I couldn't believe it," she said. "It got very loud for a second, because we were all screaming and crying. It was crazy. This is a huge gift. The gift of education."

But Miriam's journey from being a Mexican immigrant to valedictorian at Irving High School is remarkable for one more reason.

She will study bio-chemistry, bio-medicine, or bio-engineering. She hopes to be a pediatrician someday. Right now her mom is a housekeeper at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

In Spanish, with Miriam translating for her, Magdalena Trigo said she's proud of her daughter, but that it will be very difficult to see her leave for California. But she said it will be worth it to watch her daughter chase her dreams.

"The fact that with possibly being a doctor in the future, I'm going to be able to give back to my mom everything that she's given me. That's something that I really look forward to," she said.

Stanford University costs nearly $70,000 a year. That's more than both Miriam's mom and dad, a City of Irving groundskeeper, make in a year. This dream would not be possible without help.

"It's an honor," Miriam said. "I just feel blessed and I know I'm going to use that opportunity to do something good."

Miriam's parents, as far back as their days in Guadalajara, Mexico, always told her that if she worked hard enough, any dream was possible.

Thats why they came to work as legal residents in the United States.

"I think I could have a shot over there, of making a difference," Miriam said.

In her parents' eyes, she already has. No translation needed to understand that.

Read full story at WFAA Channel 8 WebsiteThis Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.Focus on Lisa Netz, co-owner of The Lavish Loft

Submitted by Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick, Federation Business and Community Development Director For the Voice What was your path to South Jersey? I grew up in...

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Focus on Abigail Dahan: Owner of the Bake School

Tell me a bit about your life in South Jersey. I grew up in Cherry Hill. We moved here from Paris when I was six...Emily Mieure covers criminal justice and emergency news. She also leads the News&Guides investigative efforts. She has reported for WDRB TV in Louisville, Ky., WFIE TV in Evansville, Ind., and WEIU TV in Charleston, Ill.Kylie Mohr covers the education and health beats. Mohr grew up in Washington and came to Wyoming via Georgetown. She loves seeing the starry night sky again.Email your Circling the Square information to Connie Owen at connie_owen@msn.com or call her at 734-9512.Scene Editor Billy Arnold covers arts and entertainment. He apprenticed as a sound engineer at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio before making his way to Jackson, where he has become a low-key fan of country music.Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado.Industry players said they don't see much immediate change after a new regulation that bans online catering and ordering services without brick-and-mortar restaurants officially took effect on Monday. However, experts warned of a shake-up for platforms offering services provided by individuals cooking in their own kitchens.

Online catering and ordering services should be subject to the same rules as physical restaurants, according to the regulation issued by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) in November 2017.

The new regulation stipulates that only catering businesses with actual restaurants and proper business licenses may offer online catering and ordering services. It also sets hygiene requirements for food delivery staff.

However, business seems to be going on as usual for online-to-offline (O2O) catering services platforms such as Home-Cook, which operates via an app on mobile devices that allows customers to place orders at private home kitchens.

The Global Times placed an order and successfully went to one home kitchen in Beijing to fetch food on Tuesday.

House calls and visits to the kitchen are encouraged by Home-Cook as a way to ensure hygiene levels, along with other measures such as real-name registration, random checks by platform staff, insurance for each meal and word-of-mouth supervision by the public via the app, according to information shown on the app.

The food producer, who didn't wish to be identified, told the Global Times on Tuesday that so far the business was going on as usual. "It is impossible for me to run a brick-and-mortar restaurant, just consider the rents in Beijing!" the person said.

Email inquiries sent to jiashuangkuaizi, the operator of Home-Cook, went unanswered on Tuesday.

Wang Ling, an analyst at Beijing-based consultancy iResearch, said the businesses offered by the likes of Home-Cook are small compared with services offered by companies like ele.me in terms of volume.

"While public supervision is a useful supplement to government supervision, the public has neither the needed authority nor power to impose penalties like government agencies do. All considered, the future of such services is bleak," Wang said.

Brick-and-mortar restaurants make it possible for officials to perform their supervisory roles, but home kitchens don't, Wang said.

"Whether such services need to be shut down can be discussed at a later time, but the platforms may face a business shake-up," Li Junhui, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

A PR employee at Shanghai-based food-ordering platform ele.me told the Global Times on Tuesday that the company had not been caught off guard.

"The regulation that just took effect, and it is in every way within the framework of China's Food Safety Law (2015). The new regulation gives more details of that law, but the company has been aligning its business practices according to the 2015 law for a long time," the person said.

In August 2017, ele.me bought rival waimai.baidu in a takeover deal valued at about 0 million.

Waimai.meituan.com, an O2O food delivery platform owned by China's leading group-purchasing site meituan.com, did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Meituan, ele.me and baidu together hold more than 90 percent of China's food delivery market.Jia Yueting, founder of LeEco Group, responded to an order issued by the Beijing branch of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) via an open letter on Tuesday, saying that he has entrusted his family to deal with the listed company's debts, media reports said.

Jia said he has entrusted Jia Yuemin, his elder brother, and Gan Wei, his wife, to communicate with the CSRC over his rights as a shareholder in the listed company and to carry out related responsibilities, thepaper.cn reported on Tuesday.

Gan Wei updated her Weibo account on Tuesday, confirming that she has been entrusted by Jia to solve the debt problems.

Gan also stated that Jia has paid 2 billion yuan (7 million) in taxes, that the company's pledge loan balance is currently 6.9 billion yuan, and that guarantees for the company amount to more than 10 billion yuan.

The CSRC Beijing Bureau told the Global Times on Tuesday that the office will post a decision regarding Jia's response on its official website.

Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp, the listed arm of LeEco, also commented following Jia's open letter, saying that the company has been pushing to solve its debt issues with non-listed entities, so as to resume its normal operations, eastmoney.com said.

Jia has repeatedly promised to do his best to settle the debts attached to the company and to make up for the impact and losses caused by ineffective management.

In the letter, he apologized to society, the government, investors, shareholders, services suppliers and employees while also promising to fulfill his responsibilities as a shareholder.

He also said he will discuss proposed solutions for the debt issues with employees of the firm.China is on a mission to save donkeys around the world to ensure a steady supply of the animal's hide for producing a traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao, which has been around for thousands of years and has become an increasingly hot commodity given its health benefits.

The Chinese government has lowered the tariff on imported donkey hides to cut costs for companies and supported their endeavors in promoting donkey breeding at home and abroad.

Industry experts said such efforts are conducive to protecting the animal from becoming endangered, a risk that has been largely blamed on rising Chinese demand, while ensuring steady supply of donkey hides. The hides are used to produce gelatinized ejiao that could be used to treat health issues such as anemia and other ailments.

On Monday, China officially lowered the import tariff on donkey hides from 5 percent to 2 percent, according to a tariff adjustment plan for 2018 published by the General Administration of Customs.

The move could save companies millions of yuan in importing donkey hides, according to media reports.

Just for Dong'e Ejiao Co, China's largest donkey-hide gelatin producer, the lower tariff could save the company import costs of more than 6 million yuan (8,250) each year, a spokesperson for the company told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"Don't take these number just on face value. These are actual savings  it will help us to ensure quality ejiao production and address our problem of high tariffs on donkey hides," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson pointed out that the demand for ejiao has expanded exponentially in recent years, buoyed by an increasingly health-sensitive and aging Chinese population, which in turn drove up demand for donkey hides to a point that exceeded domestic supply. In 2016 alone, China had to import 3.5 million donkey hides, according to the statement.

Facing rising demand for ejiao amid a shortage of supplies, many have resorted to illegal measures, including smuggling donkey hides from Africa and elsewhere, while others have cheated consumers by using other animal hides rather than those of donkeys, according to media reports.

The lower tariff could be conducive to reducing such illegal activities by cutting costs, industry experts have said. However, the main solution should be finding a sustainable way to ensure donkey hide supplies, according to the Dong'e Ejiao Co spokesperson.

Dong'e Ejiao has been investing heavily in establishing donkey breeding facilities in East China's Shandong Province, where the company is based.

Qin Yufeng, president of Dong'e Ejiao, said that the company has invested 200 million yuan in recent years to set up 100 facilities in Liaocheng, Shandong for donkey breeding, according to a statement published on October 11 on the company's website.

Breeding donkeys is a tough business that requires long-term investment and produces low return, which has contributed to the decline in the donkey population. To address this issue, Dong'e Ejiao and the Shandong provincial government have worked together to offer subsidies for farmers who choose to raise donkeys, as a part of national effort to alleviate poverty, according to a statement from the National Donkey Industry Technology Innovation Strategy Alliance, an industry group that focuses on the ejiao industry.

The Shandong provincial government has set a goal of increasing the number of donkeys in the province from 112,000 to 500,000 by 2020, the industry group said in a statement on December 26.

Dong'e Ejiao is also investing in donkey breeding facilities in other parts of the country such as Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and even other countries such as Australia and Italy, according to media reports.

At an August international conference on donkeys, which was organized by Dong'e Ejiao, the company announced that it would set up a million innovation fund in the next five years to drive technological innovation in the donkey industry, according to a company statement.

"Rather than going around the world to look for donkey hides, we should focus on self-sufficiency," Qin said at the conference, adding the company would be self-sufficient in donkey hide supplies by 2020.Combined profits of Chinese smartphone brands crossed .5 billion for the first time in a single quarter as they ratcheted up resources to make inroads into the premium segments.

According to the latest report by Counterpoint Technology Market Research, the cumulative profits of Chinese brands crossed .5 billion in the third quarter of 2017, due to their efforts to streamline the supply chain and the rising mix of mid to high end smartphones in their portfolios.

Tarun Pathak, associate director at Counterpoint, said usually, most of the profits were shared by just two brands-Samsung Electronics Co and Apple Inc. However, Chinese brands have now made inroads, he said.

"In the premium segment, Chinese players like Huawei Technologies Co Ltd are positioning their flagship models just below the premium offerings from Apple and Samsung. This strategy is designed to penetrate the premium market while maximizing revenue and profit", Pathak said.

The Counterpoint report showed that Huawei witnessed the highest profit growth of 67 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017. Its average smartphone price grew 6 percent year-on-year, driven by its Mate and P series. Huawei accounted for 4.9 percent of global profits by market share in the third quarter of last year.

Oppo and Vivo captured fourth and fifth spot in global handset profit share, respectively, with 4 percent and 3.1 percent, mainly driven by their performance in China.

Apple continued to command the lion's share of the mobile handset industry profits and accounted for nearly 60 percent of the market share. However, this is down from 86 percent in the same quarter of 2016, when Samsung had to gulp up a loss due to the Galaxy Note 7 debacle.

The rising profits for Chinese smartphone makers also came amid surging cost of components such as screens and chips. It highlights their resilience in the face of bigger cost pressures.

Xiang Ligang, CEO of telecoms industry website Cctime, said there is no shortcut for Chinese players to take on Apple and Samsung. They have to constantly experiment with new features while controlling costs.

"Their overseas expansion plan will have an impact on their profit margins, which they would like to mitigate by increasing the mix of mid segment devices in markets outside China," Xiang said.

The Chinese smartphone market is reaching a saturation point, which in turn has prompted companies to make ambitious overseas plans. Honor, a smartphone brand of Huawei, said it aims to increase the contribution of its overseas revenue to total revenue from 15 percent in 2017 to 50 percent by 2020.A self-driving vehicle produced by Baidu Inc undergoes a road test in Xiongan New Area, Hebei province, on Dec 20, 2017. (Provided to China Daily)

China's automotive market is likely to remain the primary source of growth for the global industry in the foreseeable future, with self-driving cars gaining more market share, research indicates.

The country's auto market rebounded in 2016 from an earlier period of slow growth, with 22.8 million cars sold, according to a report by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

Although sales are expected to increase by a relatively modest 5 percent every year through 2022, this will nonetheless equal 53 percent of total growth in the global market, the report said.

"In other words, one out of every three new cars sold in the world will be sold in China. The United States and European markets, by contrast, will either stagnate or contract during this period," it said.

"China will remain a must-win market for car brands in the foreseeable future," said Paul Gao, senior partner and head of McKinsey's automotive practice in Asia. "As Chinese consumers continue to become more sophisticated, automakers must reinvent their success formulas to surprise and delight them."

It's estimated that the number of self-driving cars in China, the United States and EUthe three primary marketswill reach about 81 million by 2030, according to a report by global consulting firm Strategy&.

China would own more than 40 percent, the largest share among those markets, it said.

Those vehicles would be either level four or level five autonomous. Level four self-driving cars have the capabilities of handling most driving situations themselves, whereas those in level five cover complete automation in any condition.

The bold prediction was backed by Chinese consumers' optimistic attitudes towards the disruptive technologies.

In China, more than 60 percent of survey respondents believe their families will be riding in autonomous cars in the future, compared with 43 percent in the United States, and 31 percent in Germany, McKinsey's report found.

"More tech savvy and sophisticated, today's auto buyers demand more digital features and are increasingly unhappy with the traditional dealer experience," said Wouter Baan, associate partner at McKinsey.

"The emergence of this more demanding segment of car buyers is reshaping the car industry," Baan said.

When it comes to operating an autonomous vehicle fleet, many respondents have preference for parties outside of the traditional automotive industry, according to one of McKinsey's surveys.

One-third of respondents say car original equipment manufacturers enjoy the best positioning, while 26 percent and 15 percent prefer the government or new mobility players respectively.Cannabis seedlings are shown at the new Aurora Cannabis facility, Friday, November 24, 2017 in Montreal. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) says it has purchased 116,000 common shares of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:CMED), increasing its equity stake in the company to about 2.3 per cent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzA homeless person is seen in downtown Toronto, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Toronto is revisiting a shelved proposal to use a federal armoury to cope with unprecedented demand on its homeless shelter system, the city's mayor said Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovIn this Nov. 6, 2017 photo, Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, leaves the federal courthouse in Washington. Manafort has sued special counsel Robert Mueller saying he exceeded authority in the Russia probe. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)A domestic helper has been detained for stealing over 2,500 yuan (5) from a household over a two-month period.

Shanghai police said on Tuesday that the suspect, surnamed Chen, was reported to the police last month by her employer who spotted her stealing while examining shots taken by a home surveillance camera on his mobile phone.

Chen's employer, surnamed Xu, caught her stealing money from a wallet placed on the TV stand while mopping a floor on the morning of December 20, police added.

Xu, who was at home that day, called the police in Yangpu District. Chen stole 110 yuan from the wallet, police said.

The suspect allegedly admitted that she has stolen money from her employer's home over 10 times since the end of October, taking a few hundred yuan at a time.

Xu said he and his wife noticed money going missing in October and installed a surveillance camera as they thought their apartment was being burgled.A South Korean government official checks the direct communications hotline to talk with the North Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea on Wednesday, another sign easing animosity between the rivals even as Kim traded combative threats of nuclear war with President Donald Trump. (Yonhap via AP)Hochul breaks long-standing glass ceiling in New York Kathy Hochul became the first female governor in the history of the State of New York at midnight Tuesday, Aug. 24, taking over the states...

Spindle Items ..NEW LOCAL HISTORY BOOK  The history series Images of America has a new book coming out Monday, Sept. 6: Medical Society of Erie County,...

Out of the Past 25 Years AgoSept. 4, 1996 A public hearing to discuss the widening of Brighton Road at Niagara Falls Boulevard will be held in the Kenmore...

Health agencies agree: Students need to be back in the classroom First I would like to introduce myself as the new superintendent of the Sweet Home Central School District. I was born and raised in North...Five university students in Shanghai have been fined for hacking into the WeChat system and grabbing "online hongbao," according to Changning District People's Court.

Popular social media platform WeChat launched its WeChat hongbao, or red packet payment, service in early 2014 to "digitalize" the tradition of giving red envelopes filled with lucky money. It quickly became popular. But some people took advantage of loopholes in the system to make illegal profits.

The five students hacked into the system, changed the source code and grabbed the hongbao money, the court said. Each of them earned from 1,000 (5) to 2,000 yuan.

They were convicted of theft in a recent trial, the date of which wasn't disclosed. As they had shown regret and returned the ill-gotten gains, they didn't face a jail sentence. Instead, each was fined from 1,000 to 2,000 yuan.

Since 2013, the court has heard 25 such cases and punished 26 "online thieves." The average age of the culprits was 23.On average 120,000 people a day used Shanghai as the gateway to enter or leave China last year, according to the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection.

The number of inbound and outbound passengers reached 43.75 million in 2017  a record high. More than 80 percent of them traveled through Pudong International Airport, which has been the most popular airport on the Chinese mainland for 15 years.

On New Year's Day, Pudong airport opened an extra 21 self-service immigration clearance channels, bringing the total number so far to 88. Hongqiao International Airport has 25 such channels.

Pudong airport recorded a year-on-year increase of 80 percent in number of people using the channels, which take an average 10 seconds to use.

Last year, 4.03 million of passengers, more than 99 percent of whom were Chinese, used the service at Pudong airport. A daily record of 30,000 was achieved on December 17.

Relaxation of visa restrictions for short has worked to boost local tourism.

Last year, 83,000 foreign visitors took the option of the 144-hour, visa-free transit policy offered by the city's airports and ports, up 135 percent on 2016. A further 8,500 foreign visitors, who joined package tours and arrived in Shanghai on cruises, were allowed visa-free stays of up to 15 days, up 40 percent on 2016.

The station said a record 4 million freight passengers were recorded traveling through Shanghai's ports last year, and the city remains to be the busiest port in Asia.Kilkenny needs three pedestrian and cyclist overbridges on the Citys Ring Road and a bucket of white paint wont do, according to Green Party Councillor Malcolm Noonan.

Speaking following the December meeting of Kilkenny County Council where options were informally presented to members to deal with pedestrian and cyclist safety, Cllr Noonan said that he remains convinced that the only viable solution is to place three overbridges at key roundabouts on the Ring Road network and he questioned why these were not designed into the original Ring Road scheme.

He said: Over five years ago I commissioned this feasibility study and costing for overbridges.

At our monthly meeting we were presented with three options; a full pedestrian overbridge, overbridge with a lift (to reduce the need for land acquisition) and a road surface pedestrian crossing.

It is my view that the only viable option to protect pedestrian and cyclists safety is for the complete overbridge option on the Botharnatounish Roundabout, old Dublin Road roundabout and the Hebron Road roundabout.

A bucket of white paint to mark on advisory stopping points will not work as the speed limits up to the roundabouts is 100kph and many drivers simply plough through the roundabouts on a daily basis.

Cllr Noonan said that the road engineering section were proposing option three based on cost and the need to purchase what is zoned land to construct the very lengthy gradient approaches to the overbridges.

He said that cost should not be a factor and that perhaps many of the businesses in the IDA Business Park and Danville Business Park might be willing to contribute to a scheme.

The combined workforce of Statestreet, Taxback, Transfermate and the other businesses on the Ring Road combined with residents is significant.

It is not in their interest to continuously expand flat surface car parking to accommodate expansion.

We will soon have an expanded city bus service and many employees in these companies that I have spoken to would love to walk or cycle to work but they feel it is currently too dangerous to cross the Ring Road.

He added: The old Dublin road roundabout has many hundreds of residents on the opposite side of the Ring Road and these people are particularly disenfranchised by an ever increasing volume of traffic, particularly HGV traffic.

He said: I think we can make a strong case to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and to the multinational financial services and indigenous businesses operating along the Ring Road to fund such a project; all we need now is the political will to make it happen.China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC) announced on Tuesday it signed a railway contract worth 3.53 billion yuan (3.6 million) with Iran.

CCECC is a subsidiary of State-owned China Railway Construction Corp (CRCC), a major construction group with business in more than 60 countries and regions around the world, according to its website. CCECC signed the contract with Iran's Construction & Development of Transportation Infrastructures Co to develop a 263-kilometer railway, according to an announcement CRCC sent to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

The company belongs to the Ministry of Road and Transportation of Iran, the announcement said.A Kilkenny nun has been publicly lauded by Queen Elizabeth for her pastoral work with prisoners and her care for the terminally ill and their families.

Sister Philomena Purcell was born in Mullinavat before moving to England in the 1950s, where she joined the Ursuline order. The 77-year-old has been working with prisoners at Chelmsford Prison since 2002 while also working one day a week at the St Francis Hospice in Essex.

After retiring as a teacher in 2001, she joined the chaplaincy service in Her Majestys Prison in Chelmsford.

She has now been awarded the British Empire Medal. She also received her second High Sherriffs Award for Lifetime Achievement, the first awarded 10 years previously for her work on Fathers Inside, a training programme helping prisoners become better fathers.

Sister Philomena is the longest-serving member of the chaplaincy team at HMP Chelmsford, said prison governor, Rob Davis.

She continues to offer exceptional service to both staff, prisoners, and the community at the age of 77 with an enthusiasm and energy seldom seen in people 30 years younger.

Sister Philomena is an extraordinary woman and has always had a knack of knowing when perhaps I have been distracted or am slightly low in mood, he added.

She has a natural gift for raising peoples spirits and uses this for the benefit of all. and is a great advocate for all the prisoners of all religions and none. Chelmsford prisoners have a great respect and love for her.

Her co-workers in St Francis Hospice in Essex, said that they were thrilled for Sister Philomena, adding that she was very deserving of this award.ROCHESTER, Minn.  Rochester police say a pastor was assaulted after two people broke into an apartment on the citys northwest side.

At round 4:50 on Dec. 29, police responded to the 1000 block of 41st St. NW after a pastor went from the bedroom to the living room and saw two black males wearing dark clothing in the living room.

Police say the suspects ran into the pastor, pushed him down, punched him in the face and hit him with a stick-like object.

The also allegedly said he was a lousy Christian.

The pastor suffered bruising on the leg, face, shoulder and cheek. He was treated at the scene. No arrests have been made.FOREST CITY, Iowa  A Winnebago County woman facing multiple drug charges is pleading guilty.

35-year-old Natalie K. Dann of Lake Mills was charged in May with two counts of delivery of marijuana, two counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug, sponsoring a gathering where controlled substances are used, and child endangerment. Authorities say she sold marijuana on two occasions in April, that a search of her home found two medications without prescriptions, and that Dann behaved in a way that created a substantial risk to her seven-year-old son.

On Tuesday, Dann entered a guilty plea to one count of delivery of marijuana. Her sentencing is scheduled for February 27.FOREST CITY, Iowa  A North Iowa man is set to stand trial on charges of 2nd degree burglary and assault.

21-year-old Terell Romell Wilson of Forest City was arrested in December. A man says he saw Wilson and another man on August 20 going through some cars along Oakridge Drive in Forest City. The man says when he yelled at them to stop stealing from his neighbors, Wilson hit him in the jaw. Police say the mans jaw was broken in two places and had to be wired shut for 6 to 8 weeks.

Wilson has entered not guilty pleas and his trial is scheduled to begin on February 14.MASON CITY, Iowa- It is a title that only happens once a year; having the first baby born in the New Year. This year Shelby and Jeremy Lester of Britt get to celebrate the title as they welcome their new baby boy in to the new world.

Brendon Lester was born January 2nd at 8:02 AM at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Baby Brendon is 7.9 pounds and 21 inches long. The family tells us theyre excited to hold the title as first baby born in the New Year.

We are pretty excited, says Jeremy Lester. I didnt think, being born on the second that we would have the first baby born in the New Year, but I guess it worked out to our advantage.MASON CITY, Iowa  A central Iowa man is pleading not guilty to drug and weapons charges in Cerro Gordo County.

37-year-old Jason Scott Clark of Churdan was arrested after a traffic stop on December 13, 2017 near the intersection of South 40th Street and 4th Avenue South in Clear Lake. Law enforcement says Clark had a loaded Springfield Armory XD handgun that was reported stolen out of Rockwell City in July 2017. Authorities also say Clark had a baggie of methamphetamine in his jeans.

According to court documents, Clark has three prior drug convictions. He also reportedly told officers he bought the handgun off Craigslist for $200.

Clark is charged with trafficking in stolen weapons, carrying weapons, possession of a controlled substance-3rd or subsequent offense, and possession of a firearm as a felon. His trial is set for March 20.WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa  The Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office is asking the public to be aware of a burglary.

According to a press release, the Bluffton Store was burglarized by two people around 4 a.m. on Dec. 31.

Due to the unique circumstances of this burglary we believe it is likely they may attempt to burglarize other businesses in the near future. There were at least two subjects involved with this burglary and they seemed very familiar with the Bluffton Store, the press release states.

The case is under investigation.(Kitco News) - News that billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiels Founders Fund bought hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptos, boosted bitcoins deflating price levels on Wednesday.

Thiels fund purchased somewhere between $15 million to $20 million worth of digital currencies since mid-2017, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Following the news, bitcoin prices surged back up to over $15,000, but then retreated and were last seen at $14,790, up 0.46% on the day, according to Kitcos aggregated charts.

After reaching nearly $20,000 in mid-December, bitcoins record price, the cryptocurrency has been on a decline, registering a low of $10,700 on December 22.

Thiel is known for his impressive investment track record  he is the co-founder of PayPal and one of the first investors in Facebook.

Bitcoin Is Like Gold

Back in October, Thiel referred to bitcoin as the gold of the cyber age.

Its like gold and its just a store of value. You dont actually need to use it to make payment, he told Fox Business Networks Maria Bartiromo at an event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

When discussing all types of cryptocurrencies, Thiel pointed out: While Im skeptical of most of them, I do think people are a little underestimating Bitcoin specifically.

Its a very different kind of thing. People in Silicon Valley normally focus on companies, not algorithms or protocols, but maybe this is one exception thats very underestimated, he added.

Founders Fund manages around $3 billion of assets, which makes its investment into bitcoin very minor. It has investments in trendy tech startups, such as Lyft, Airbnb, Spotify, and Stripe.

But, bitcoins future, as its price levels, looks very fragile and volatile.

In one of the latest moves against bitcoin, Egypt's top imam spoke in support of a ban on bitcoin trading, stating it is forbidden by Islam.

Bitcoin trading has high risks of fraudulence, lack of knowledge, and cheating, said Sheikh Shawki Allam, the Grand Mutfi.

Bitcoin is forbidden in Sharia as it causes harm to individuals, groups and institutions, Egyptian daily Ahram quoted the fatwa as saying on January 1.FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germans are investing heavily in gold, Deutsche Boerse said on Wednesday, with holdings of a gold-backed security it offers rising almost 50 percent in 2017.

Gold is seen as a safe haven for investors during times of uncertainty. Spot gold prices gained about 14 percent during 2017.

Deutsche Boerse said its Xetra-Gold notes, which are backed by physical gold, rose in demand to a record 175.04 tonnes of gold at the end of 2017, up from 117.59 tonnes at the end of 2016. The total amount of assets invested in Xetra-Gold are worth 6.1 billion euros ($7.3 billion), Deutsche Boerse said.

The increase is due above all to the high demand from institutional investors, said Michael Koenig, managing director of Deutsche Boerse Commodities GmbH. However, an increasing number of asset managers, family offices and retail investors are becoming interested in gold as an asset class.(Kitco News) - Gold prices are hovering near unchanged levels in early U.S. trading Wednesday, as the market pauses after hitting a 3.5-month high overnight. Silver prices are a bit weaker but scored a five-week high overnight. Gold and silver bulls have the technical momentum to suggest more price gains in the near term. February Comex gold was last up $0.70 an ounce at $1,316.70. March Comex silver was last down $0.056 at $17.15 an ounce.

World stock markets were mostly firmer overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward higher openings when the New York day session begins. The U.S. indexes are at or near their record highs. The ability of gold and silver prices to rally while the competing asset class of equities is also rising, is impressive from the metals bulls perspective.

Tensions in Iran are still on the front burner of the market place. Demonstrators in that country are demanding an overthrow of the ruling government. Several protesters have been killed and the situation is not improving, according to reports. This matter is supporting the safe-haven gold and silver markets, as well as the crude oil market.

North Korea is also in the news. The rogue nation made an overture to South Korea for negotiations, but is also maintaining its plans to become a nuclear power. Reports said North Korea could be ready to launch another ballistic missile.

The U.S. economic highlight Wednesday will be the release of the minutes of the last Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting held on Dec. 12-13. Traders will parse the statement for clues on the direction and timing of U.S. monetary policy in 2018.

The key outside markets on Wednesday morning find the U.S. dollar index higher on a corrective bounce from recent strong selling pressure. Meantime, Nymex crude oil prices are higher and hit a 2.5-year high near $61.00 a barrel. The Iran demonstrations are supporting the oil market.

U.S. economic data due for release Wednesday includes the weekly MBA mortgage applications survey, the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, the ISM New York report on business, construction spending, the ISM manufacturing report on business, domestic auto industry sales, and the FOMC minutes from the last meeting.

Technically, February gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a steep three-week-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls next upside technical objective is pushing and closing prices above chart resistance at $1,350.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is closing prices below solid technical support at $1,280.00. First support is seen at todays low of $1,313.20 and then at this weeks low of $1,304.60. First resistance is seen at todays high of $1,323.00 and then at $1,325.00. Wyckoffs Market Rating: 6.0

March silver bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a steep three-week-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. The next upside price breakout objective is closing futures prices above solid technical resistance at the October high of $17.59 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the October low of $16.435. First resistance is seen at todays high of $17.265 and then at $17.37. Next support is seen at $17.00 and then at last Fridays low of $16.865. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.5.American scientists have cultured the skin tissue with hairs in a laboratory, using stem cells from mice.

The study, published on Tuesday in Cell Reports, said it lent a clue to the better understanding of hair growth and a new possibility for drug testing.

The study showed that a single skin organoid unit developed in culture can give rise to both the upper and lower layers of skin, and the two layers grew together to allow hair follicles from which the hairs grew to form as they would in a mouse's body.

Karl Koehler, author of the paper and a researcher at the Indiana University School of Medicine, described the tissue like "a little ball of pocket lint that floats around in the culture medium."

"The skin develops as a spherical cyst, and then the hair follicles grow outward in all directions, like dandelion seeds," Koehler said.

Researchers said that the skin grew a variety of hair follicle types similar to those present naturally on the coat of a mouse. It consisted of three or four different types of dermal cells and four types of epidermal cells, making a diverse combination that more closely mimics mouse skin than previously developed skin tissues.

They learnt that the epidermis grew to take the rounded shape of a cyst, then the dermal cells wrapped themselves around these cysts. But when this process was disrupted, hair follicles never appeared.

"It's very important that the cells develop together at an early stage to properly form skin and hair follicles," Koehler said.

None of the previously cultured skin tissues were capable of hair growth.

The rounded shape of the tissue, however, prevented the hairs from shedding and regenerating as the hair follicles grew into the dermal cysts.

Koehler's team believed, once the hair follicles found a way to complete their natural cycle in the culture medium, the organoids were looking to offer more possibilities for medicine and be used as a blueprint to generate human skin organoids.

"It could be potentially a superior model for testing drugs, or looking at things like the development of skin cancers," Koehler said.Domestic tech companies to seek expansion at global event

Some Chinese tech companies have been busy getting ready for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, an event that provides a global stage for companies showcasing their innovative gadgets, which will kick off on Tuesday (U.S. time) in Las Vegas.

It is the first time that companies like China's Siri-like voice recognition service provider iFlytek Co will participate in this annual event hosted by the U.S.-based Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

The company will introduce its flagship products such as the electronic translator, which so far can translate Chinese into seven languages including English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Tibetan, Uyghur and Korean, a move that will bring a real-time speech transcription tool to the U.S. market, iFlytek said in a document sent to the Global Times.

But iFlytek was not the only Chinese company that saw its power swell in 2017 thanks to wider application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in China, motivating it to look toward tapping into overseas markets.

"With 2017 being considered the year of the AI boom, the technology will be a hot topic during this year's CES," Wang Yanhui, head of the Shanghai-based Mobile China Alliance, told the Global Times.

One of the three major trends to look for at CES 2018 will be the narrow application of AI, including speech recognition, computer vision and machine learning, according to the official website of CTA.

Two other trends to look for are smart cities for connected people and voice computing.

At this year's event, 20,000 products will be launched, with featured products ranging from Internet of Things (IoTs) and robotics to intelligent machines and self-driving vehicles, the CTA website said.

"Last year's event was mainly about VR/AR [virtual reality/augmented reality], but those technologies did not meet market expectations later on," Wang said over the weekend.

During CES 2017, major players in the tech industry unveiled new products and highlighted VR, and in particular, U.S. chipmakers such as Qualcomm and Intel talked up the technology in their keynote speeches, media reported in January 2017.

"[Chinese] AI-powered firms will not let us down this year," Liu Dingding, a Beijing-based industry analyst, told the Global Times on Monday. As some applications of AI technologies are now "just around the corner," Chinese companies are likely to become leaders instead of followers in some domains such as speech recognition, computer vision and autonomous driving, he noted.

However, Chinese companies did not catch much attention at CES 2017, despite the fact that one-third of all participants came from China, the Beijing News reported in 2017.

Among the 1,300 Chinese companies that participated in the event last year, 652 came from Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, which is seen as the world's manufacturing hub, the media report noted. But few new gadgets unveiled by Chinese firms were applauded by the audience, apart from Chinese-made drones.

"Usually, China's small- and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] make up a large part of CES participants. When big players join the event, they will increasingly make the presence of Chinese tech firms felt," Wang said.

Rising innovation

Indeed, two major Chinese tech firms - e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding and internet search provider Baidu, Inc - are listed as key exhibitors at this year's CES.

Particularly, Beijing-based Baidu is set to unveil its autonomous driving system Apollo 2.0, the company told the Global Times.

Baidu also said Apollo provides a comprehensive and reliable all-in-one solution that supports all major features and functions of an autonomous vehicle, and Apollo 2.0, which is the latest version of the system, will enable cars to drive autonomously on simple urban roads. Meanwhile, the company will also unveil brand-new AI hardware powered by DuerOS, a conversational AI platform.One student was killed and 16 people injured after a truck collided with a school bus in central China Tuesday afternoon.

The out-of-control truck hit the 19-seater school bus which had 17 people on board, including 15 students, at around 3:50 p.m. Tuesday in Ningxiang City of Hunan Province, according to the city government.

The elementary school bus rolled over following the collision, injuring all 17 on board. One student died after medical efforts failed, while the rest are in hospital under observation.

An investigation is underway"Heung Bu," starring the late South Korean veteran actor Kim Joo-hyuk (left), opens in theaters in the Lunar New Year holiday season in early February.



By Ko Dong-hwan



Two movies starring a popular actor killed in a car accident in October will be released this year.



In February, period drama "Heung Bu," starring the late Kim Joo-hyuk, opens in South Korean theaters. The movie is based on popular Korean folklore novel "Heungbu and Nolbu," a story promoting virtue and reproaching vice. It features embittered younger brother Heungbu and greedy older brother Nolbu.



The film, set during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), follows a prodigal author named Heung Bu (played by Jung Woo) who writes a novel, "Heungbu and Nolbu." Kim plays Heungbu in the novel, a debonair man who pities people of low social class. Nolbu is an opportunist with a constant desire for money and power.





Kim Joo-hyuk played the leader of a North Korean criminal ring in "Confidential Assignment" (2017).



Fans remember Kim in real life as not so different from Heungbu. In the KBS reality comedy show "2 Days & 1 Night", the actor was gentle, full of joy and caring.



"Kim's actual character has a large common denominator with his role in the movie, which will make the movie doubly reminiscent of him," a netizen said about the film that opens close to the Lunar New Year holiday season in early February.





Kim Joo-hyuk at a script reading for "Drug War," a crime-action film that opens this year.By Park Hyong-ki



South Korea's inbound foreign investment hit a record high of nearly $23 billion last year, despite geopolitical tensions with North Korea and China, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Wednesday.



This is an increase of 7.7 percent from 2016, it added.



Korea has attracted more than $20 billion in foreign investment for three straight years.



The ministry attributed this mainly to the country's Aa2 stable rating and its efforts to attract foreign investment in fields related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.



The commercial real estate sector also enjoyed an inflow of foreign capital, it noted.



Foreign investment in the first quarter of 2017 was a bit slow as usual, but it picked up momentum toward the end of last year in manufacturing sectors such as chemicals and information technology.



Those two industrial sectors, particularly displays and renewable batteries, gained attraction from foreign investors as they have been highlighted as prominent businesses in the new digital age.



Displays and renewable batteries and energies will be part of the core industries backing the Fourth Industrial Revolution.



In finance, foreign investment dropped 56.7 percent to $2.7 billion.



Foreign investment from the United States remained the biggest, growing nearly 22 percent to $4.7 billion last year.



Japanese investment in Korea followed with an increase of about 48 percent to $1.8 billion as Japanese investors have been aggressive in overseas acquisitions and equity investment.



"We will seek to continue this momentum this year as Korea seeks to spur innovation through foreign direct investment," a trade ministry official said.



China, Korea's largest export destination, decreased its investment in Korea by more than 60 percent to $810 million amid a dispute over an antimissile defense shield against North Korea.



Moody's Investors Service said while the risk of a war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula remains low, South Korean companies could face some impact on their credit ratings should the tension persist.



"Consequently, credit-negative implications would be limited for the Korean sovereign and for many companies and financial institutions in the country," it said.





The possibilities of a hot war on the Korean Peninsula are still low, but a potential prolonged conflict would have a serious impact on the South Korean economy, a report by Moody's Investors Service said Wednesday.

"While the potential of a military escalation on the Korean Peninsula remains for now a low-probability event, the credit impact of a conflict whether short or prolonged would affect domestic and global issuers," it said. "A relatively short-lived conflict, lasting a few weeks, would cause material physical damage, but not fundamentally or durably weaken Korea's economy, government finances or institutions."

It said such conflicts can lead to credit implications through three courses: immediate physical damage to infrastructure and assets in the country, global trade disruptions and financial-market volatility.

"In this scenario, Moody's expects the government's capacity and willingness to support the entities it owns to remain unchanged," the report said.

However, in case of a protracted conflict, one lasting one or two quarters, Moody's noted that almost every sector of the South Korean economy would be affected, with the national government's ability to support companies and financial institutions being compromised. (Yonhap)By Nam Hyun-woo



Financial firms are starting the New Year with a drive for overseas expansion through mergers and acquisitions (M&As).



According to NongHyup Financial Group, Wednesday, it expects to reach an agreement on an acquisition of a microfinance firm in Cambodia by the end of the month.



Like other countries in the region, Cambodia's microfinance market has lower barriers against foreign financial firms. Along with NongHyup, other Korean financial groups are eyeing microfinance markets in Southeast Asia as additional revenue sources.



If the acquisition deal closes successfully, it will be the group's latest move in Cambodia, which is rising as the group's key Southeast Asian market.



Last month, NongHyup Financial Group Chairman Kim Yong-hwan met Cambodia's Posts and Telecommunication Minister Tram Iv Tek in Seoul and agreed the group will help Cambodia Post's entry into the financial service.



An official at the group said it seeks to utilize its expertise in agricultural financing for its businesses in Southeast Asian countries, which have high demand in the domain. NongHyup Financial is a financial holding firm of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, or NongHyup.



Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) is also ratcheting up its M&A efforts. According to sources, IBK is close to acquiring two banks in Indonesia.



The acquisition, if successful, will be the bank's first overseas acquisition deal.



Under Indonesian regulations, foreign financial institutes cannot buy more than a 40 percent stake in one Indonesian bank. They have to approach at least two banks after gaining approval from the government there.



"This comes as a tricky part," an IBK official said. "Because we can apply for a banking license after acquiring two local banks, it is taking time, but our intention to buy two banks is solid."



Shinhan Bank is also reportedly looking for an expansion in Vietnam through acquiring more banks.



In April last year, Shinhan Bank Vietnam acquired ANZ Bank's retail business in Vietnam. After its merger in December, the number of Shinhan Vietnam's business channels increased from 18 to 27, becoming the largest foreign bank in Vietnam.



Despite the financial firms' drive, their overseas business accounts for a small portion of their profit. According to NICE Investors Service researcher Chae Myeong-seok, domestic banks' overseas branches account for less than 5 percent of their assets and less than 10 percent of their net profit.



"Domestic banks are facing structural limits in their growth and profitability and accelerating their overseas drives," Chae said. "Overseas expansion is a positive opportunity in terms of diversifying revenue sources and improving profitability, but at the same time may become a diminishing factor to the stability of their capital adequacy.



By Kim Jae-kyoung



This is the fifth in a series of interviews with international experts on Korea to discuss pending issues surrounding the nation on the occasion of the beginning of 2018 _ ED.



For many South Koreans, diplomacy with the United States and China is a zero-sum game.



In other words, strengthening ties with China means weakening the alliance with the U.S.



This belief provoked a public outcry after South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on "Four Principles," including the unacceptability of war on the Korean Peninsula during his recent visit to Beijing.



Some argue the agreement indicates Moon was tipping the diplomatic balance in favor of China over the U.S. but Balbina Hwang, a visiting professor at Georgetown University's Center for Security Studies, downplayed concerns about Moon's China strategy.



"Although the Four Principles were a tremendous concession by South Korea towards China, it is a mistake to view or consider South Korea's relationship with China and South Korea-U.S. relations as a zero-sum game," Hwang said in an interview.



"These two relationships are not, and do not have to be mutually exclusive."



Hwang served as a special adviser on East Asian affairs to the U.S. State Department in the George W. Bush administration.



From Hwang's perspective, South Korea can, and should, pursue a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with China, but that does not mean doing so has to diminish relations with the U.S.



"China, it seems, would very much like to weaken the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but South Koreans do not have to succumb to such pressure, nor should they view improvement of South Korea-China relations as a lessening of South Korea-U.S. relations," she said.



"Nor should Americans be suspicious of improved South Korea-China relations. Indeed, it is clear positive and stable relations among China, South Korea and Japan are all of utmost benefit and interest to the U.S."



She described Moon's two-track policy toward North Korea _ seeking dialogue and imposing sanctions at the same time _ as a reformulation of his predecessors' policies, including the one by Park Geun-hye, and even Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy.



"This is essentially the basis of U.S. policy since the 1990s, and followed by the last three presidents, and to some extent even the Trump administration, at least in principle," she said.



She pointed out the reason such an approach has not proven successful in all its various formulations is that such a strategy is entirely dependent on the ability to separate North Korea's nuclear ambitions completely from improving relations with the North in every other arena _ social, economic, political, even conventional military.



"Such a separation is, of course, an impossibility not only for the U.S. and South Korea, but also North Korea," she said.



US-N. Korea meetings likely in 2018



The Washington-based North Korea expert suggested the U.S. and South Korea should not blindly pursue talks because talks themselves cannot fundamentally resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.



"There is always the possibility of talks between the U.S. and North Korea. And in fact, in 2018, we may see some meetings occur," she said.



"But the talks themselves are not important, and not necessarily significant."



She explained there were actually numerous talks conducted between relatively high-level officials under the Obama administration, even after the Six-Party Talks were suspended in 2008 but those talks never produced any lasting or significant results.



Against this backdrop, the issue in her view is not whether "talks" are possible or even whether they will occur.



"The real issue is whether or not there can be any progress in reaching any agreement with North Korea _ whether through talks or not _ that will halt, reverse, or even eliminate the North's pursuit of nuclear weapons programs," she said.



"It is unlikely that any kind of talking or diplomacy alone will ever cause Pyongyang to change its ambitions to achieve a fully functional and capable nuclear weapons program."



Since 1991, three previous U.S. presidents have attempted, and even reached various levels of progress in negotiating agreements with North Korea, and yet none have ultimately proven lasting or permanent.



Delaying drills is a serious mistake'



The former research fellow for the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul advised Moon not to delay the next round of South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises until after the Winter Olympic Games to avoid provoking North Korea.



"I think this would be a very serious mistake. The entire premise of the issue is wrong," she said.



"If the U.S.-South Korea starts to make decisions that weaken the military strength of the longstanding bilateral security alliance, it not only sends a very negative message to other U.S. allies, but also to others, such as China and Russia, but especially to North Korea."



She added that joint exercises have been an annual planned event for decades, and are not provocations because they are for the sole purpose of improving defensive and deterrence capabilities.



"If South Korea were to alter such annually planned exercises which are based not on political dynamics but military necessity, then it is a signal that sovereign South Korea security decisions are subject to foreign interference or approval," she said.



She thinks this was China's exact objective in pressuring South Korea economically over its decision to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.



"South Korea must show resolve in asserting its sovereign right to proceed with its own security decisions," she said.



Regardless of the North's missile and nuclear capabilities, she stressed the world should not accept the reclusive regime as a legitimate nuclear weapons state.



She said accepting the North as a "legitimate" nuclear weapons power not only defeats the sole purpose of negotiations, but even more problematic is that doing so will destroy the entire global non-proliferation regime.



"This is the real global danger of Pyongyang's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons," she said.



"So the international community cannot, and should never legitimize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, unless it is willing to completely abandon the global NPT."



Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, announced the reopening of the inter-Korean hotline on behalf of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a televised address, Wednesday. / Yonhap



By Park Si-soo



North Korea reopened the border hotline with South Korea at 3:30 p.m. today.



It came a day after Seoul proposed high-level inter-Korean talks in the truce village of Panmunjeom on Jan. 9 to discuss matters related to the North's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month.



North Korea made a phone call to the South at the stroke of 3:30 p.m. and the two sides had a brief conversation, Seoul's unification ministry said. Both sides checked the condition of the hotline and fax machines. Details of the talks were unknown.



The cross-border hotline has been cut since February 2016 when the previous Park Geun-hye administration unilaterally closed the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in response to the North's fourth nuclear test.



Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, announced the reopening on behalf of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a televised address around 1:30 p.m.



Ri said North Korea will try to engage with South Korea in a "sincere and careful" manner by "upholding the will of the supreme leader." He said Kim welcomed South Korean President Moon Jae-in's dialogue offer made a day earlier.



South Korea's presidential office welcomed the decision, calling it a move toward "direct and frequent dialogue" between the two Koreas.



"I believe it signals a move toward an environment where communication will be possible at all times," the chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan told reporters.



The remarks came shortly after the North's reopening announcement.By Jun Ji-hye



North Korea could be getting ready to conduct another missile test possibly later this week despite the ongoing mood of reconciliation between the two Koreas, according to U.S. media outlets.



CBS News reported Tuesday that the North "appears to be in the early stages of a launch cycle for another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test," saying that the missile activities have been detected at the same location where the last ICBM test took place in November.



"If there is a test, it would likely take place later this week or next," the report said.



During the November test, the North fired a Hwasong-15 ICBM, which flew 960 kilometers in 53 minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 4,475 kilometers. Pyongyang at the time claimed it was a new, more powerful ICBM capable of carrying a "super-large heavy warhead" and striking any part of the U.S. mainland.



NBC News also quoted U.S. officials as saying that the regime in Pyongyang could fire a ballistic missile in a few days.



In a Dec. 27 report, CNN reported _ citing multiple U.S. officials _ that there were new signs of Pyongyang preparing to launch a satellite or a ballistic missile.



The news about the North's possible provocations came after leader Kim Jong-un expressed a stronger willingness than ever to improve inter-Korean relations ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, scheduled for Feb. 9 to 25.



During his New Year address, Kim said his regime was willing to send a delegation to the Olympics, suggesting a meeting between officials from the two Koreas to discuss the North's possible participation.



The conciliatory gesture toward the South led to Seoul's offer Tuesday to hold high-level talks, Jan. 9.



The U.S. media is paying keen attention to the North's possible military provocations, given that Kim sent a warning message to Washington during his address.



He said all parts of the U.S. mainland were within range of North Korean ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads, stressing, "A nuclear button is always on the desk of my office and this is just a reality, not a threat."



U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said harsher measures need to be imposed against the North if it conducts another ballistic missile test.



"As we hear reports that North Korea might be preparing for another missile test, I hope that doesn't happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear on the North Korean regime," she said during a news conference at U.N. headquarters in New York.

By Oh Young-jin







North Korea may test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) this week or next, a U.S. broadcaster reported Tuesday.







CBS's Seoul correspondent said the North is in the early stage of a launch cycle. The report said preparations were being made north of Pyongyang and were following the pattern of the November launch. A launch this week or next would be the most likely.







The report did not cite any sources.







However, it remains to be seen whether the North would press ahead with a launch, considering its leader Kim Jong-un floated in his New Year address the idea of sending a team to the PyeongChang Olympics in February.







Seoul asked for a high-level meeting the day after Kim's speech.







On Nov. 29, North Korea test-fired an ICBM that Reuters called the Hwasong-15. It flew for 53 minutes, soaring up to 4,500 kilometers before landing in the East Sea 210 kilometers from Japan's coast.





Kim boasted then that his country had become a nuclear weapons state.





Experts say the missile's trajectory meant it could target the entire U.S.





It was not certain, however, whether the North was successful with two pivotal technological breakthroughs -- miniaturization of the missile's payload and reentry know-how.

By Yi Whan-woo



The United States has remained cautious about possible talks between the two Koreas after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his willingness to send a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics during his New Year address Monday.



Kim's rare offering of an olive branch prompted South Korea to propose high-level talks with the North, amid U.S.-led sanctions and pressure against the repressive state.



But Kim warned Washington by underscoring a "nuclear button on his desk" capable of launching missiles at the U.S.



President Donald Trump, the White House, Department of State and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley voiced skepticism about Kim's intentions although they did not oppose South Korea's move to resume inter-Korean dialogue.



"Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not -- we will see!" Trump tweeted Tuesday, amid speculation that Kim's peace overture was intended to ease his regime's isolation.



Trump referred to dramatic escapes of at least two North Korean soldiers across the Demilitarized Zone into the South recently.





President Xi Jinping Wednesday instructed the armed forces to strengthen real combat training and improve its war-winning capability.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while issuing an order at a mobilization meeting held by the commission.Graduates of the IEEA Global Campus program and family join for a photo during a graduation ceremony at COEX in southern Seoul, Friday. A private institute, IEEA Global Campus offers preparatory courses to students who are admitted to U.S. universities. It teaches computer and language skills. Almost 100 students graduated that day. / Courtesy of IEEA Global Campus



By Ahn Seong-jin



More than 120 students have completed a one-year course for the IEEA Education Abroad program that will allow them to study at one of 21 universities in the United States in the spring semester.



They attended the program's 2017 graduation ceremony at COEX, southern Seoul, Friday.



IEEA Global Campus is an educational institution helping local students find and prepare for opportunities overseas. Once students are accepted into one of the U.S. partner universities, they are enrolled in the one-year program here.



The universities include Temple University, Georgia State University, Florida Institute of Technology, Washington State University, Utah State University, Southern Utah University, California State University San Marcos, State University of New York Albany and State University of New York at Oswego.



"Our students have finished the program here and now they will go to the U.S. to complete the courses of college education," said Mathew Kim, director of external affairs at the institution.



The students went through the institution's English training program called Proficiency of English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) and general education preparation courses before matriculating as college students.



"It is so meaningful that we have completed the one-year course and will embark on our new journey soon," said Yeonju Seo, a student who will study at the State University of New York at Oswego, during a speech on behalf of all the students. "I am little afraid of life in the U.S. but, at the same time, I am really looking forward to it."



The institution provides diverse programs, including a professional pilot program and cabin-service program.



Twenty-nine students received $3,000 to $16,000 in scholarships, based on their academic performance and class participation during their year at the institution.



The total amount of scholarships was $638,250.



Nine outstanding students also received scholarships from IEEA for their scholastic achievement and leadership.



Lee Chang-sup, President-Publisher of The Korea Times, made a congratulatory speech at the ceremony.



"I do realize that the one-year English training course was not easy, and I appreciate your hard work and your parents' support," Lee said. "I hope all of you will become leaders in the global era after studying at reputable universities in the U.S."

By Jun Ji-hye





The Park Geun-hye government secretly signed a mutual logistics support agreement (MLSA) with the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) military in 2013, according to media reports, Tuesday.



The deal applies to the reciprocal provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the militaries of the two in return for either cash payments or reciprocal provisions.



The news about the secret deal raised speculation the Ministry of National Defense under the Park government inked such an agreement in return for a $40 billion bilateral deal in which Seoul was to build and operate four nuclear reactors in the Middle Eastern country. The nuclear deal was signed in 2009 under the Lee Myung-bak government, Park's predecessor.



It has also been speculated that presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok's recent visit to the UAE was related to the issue, though Cheong Wa Dae claimed the visit was meant to boost morale of Korean soldiers stationed in there and enhance bilateral ties.



The Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, quoted an unidentified former government official as saying working-level officials of Korea and the UAE met around October 2013 and signed the MLSA behind closed doors.



"The government of the time did not even notify the National Assembly of the signing of the MLSA, considering diplomatic relations with Middle East countries," the official was quoted as saying. "The deal was signed secretly at the direction of Cheong Wa Dae and then-Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin."



The official also said working-level officials of the two sides have since held regular meetings every year to improve military cooperation.



Mentioning that Korea has deployed the "Akh" unit that has assisted in training UAE soldiers since 2011 and then signed the MLSA in 2013, the newspaper noted the Korean unit there may have to intervene in possible strife in the Middle East.



Seoul's 2016 defense white paper identifies 15 countries that the nation has signed MLSAs with, including the United States, the Philippines, Israel and Cambodia. But the paper does not mention the agreement with the UAE.



Defense ministry spokeswoman Choi Hyun-soo refused to confirm the signing of the MLSA with the UAE, saying, "We cannot confirm that, considering the trust between the two countries."



For his part, former President Lee denied rumors that corruption was involved in the 2009 deal via a double contract.



"There was no double contract," Lee said during a meeting with reporters at his residence in Seoul, Monday.



On the controversy over the presidential chief of staff's visit to the UAE, Lee said, "He might have made the visit as there had been urgent business. I can't talk about it anymore."













An ambulance carrying an infant suffering a possible medical emergency and an SUV collided at an intersection in Songpa-gu, Seoul, early Jan. 1. / Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan



The driver of an ambulance carrying an infant suffering a possible medical emergency faces prosecution for ignoring traffic lights after the vehicle and an SUV collided.



The incident happened about 2 a.m. on January 1 at an intersection south of Olympic Bridge in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The ambulance, with its siren sounding, was coming from North Chungcheong Province and heading to Seoul Asan Hospital. It was also carrying the three-month-old child's parents and a nurse. The infant was in a critical condition with fluid on the lungs.



The ambulance ran a red light before the collision with the SUV. Police said the SUV driver's blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent, enough for license revocation. No one was seriously injured in the crash.



Songpa police booked both drivers without arrest  the ambulance driver for ignoring the traffic light and the SUV driver for driving under the influence of alcohol.



The ambulance driver's charge raised questions over the legitimacy of prosecuting him for ignoring traffic lights in an emergency.



The police traffic investigation department said it remains to be seen whether the ambulance driver can be prosecuted and, if so, how serious the punishment will be.



"The determination depends on various elements such as the traffic condition, the level of emergency of the situation and the alarm level of the ambulance siren," department investigator Song Soo-hyun told The Korea Times.



Song emphasized the importance of the emergency's seriousness.



"If the situation was not urgent and so didn't require the driver to run the red light and he did so, then he cannot dodge prosecution," Song said. "We will see if the baby was actually in a critical condition. Once the emergency level is confirmed, the driver can avoid being prosecuted."

By Kim Rahn



Rep. Yoo Seong-min, chairman of the minor conservative Bareun Party, has demanded the Moon Jae-in government include the North Korea nuclear issue on the agenda of high-level talks between the two Koreas, if such talks are held.



Yoo said in a party meeting Wednesday, "North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles are the greatest threat to security on the Korean Peninsula, and peace cannot be truly achieved without denuclearization."



He made the comments after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Monday Pyongyang was willing to send a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and was open to talks with Seoul. In response, Seoul proposed Tuesday holding high-level talks on Jan. 9 to discuss the issues.



"I hope the two Koreas can reach an agreement on the successful hosting of the PyeongChang Olympics and a reunion of separated families," Yoo said. "However, the South needs to continue sanctions and pressure on the North because they are the only non-military solution to the nuclear issue."





Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo, left, shakes hands with former President Lee Myung-bak during a visit to Lee's office in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon



By Jun Ji-hye



Suspicions are growing that former President Lee Myung-bak may be behind the main opposition Liberty Korea Party's (LKP) attacks against the Moon Jae-in government over alleged problems in bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).



The conservative party has ratcheted up its attacks against the Moon administration since Im Jong-seok, presidential chief of staff, visited the Middle Eastern country in December.



The attacks have intensified recently, with LKP members meeting with Lee increasingly more often.



LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo met with Lee Wednesday, while Reps. Chung Jin-suk, Park Soon-ja and Lee Eun-jae attended a New Year's meeting held at Lee's residence Monday.



The main opposition party claimed the Moon government has caused trouble in relations with the UAE while seeking politically motivated revenge on the conservative bloc.



Hong said the ruling Democratic Party of Korea should accept the LKP's demand for a parliamentary investigation into the various suspicions surrounding Im's visit to the UAE.



Floor leader Rep. Kim Sung-tae also said, "The Moon government impaired the nation's credit and caused a crisis in Korean firms' projects being conducted in the UAE."



The LKP's mounting attacks have led to speculation former President Lee is playing a role in stirring controversy over the Moon government while deliberately releasing selected information.



At the time of Im's visit, Cheong Wa Dae said the visit was meant to boost the morale of Korean soldiers stationed there and enhance bilateral ties, but rumors were raised that the visit was actually aimed at mitigating the UAE's concerns over the possible impact of President Moon's nuclear phase-out policy on a $40 billion bilateral deal.



Under the deal, signed in 2009 under the Lee Myung-bak government, Seoul was to build and operate four nuclear reactors in the Middle Eastern country.



Various media outlets reported the UAE has criticized the Moon government for carrying out the nuclear phase-out policy and harboring suspicions that corruption was involved in the 2009 deal via a double contract.



The government's alleged move to withdraw Korean troops from the UAE has also created speculation about the ties between the two countries, including one that Korean firms have had difficulty running projects in the UAE. This speculation seemed to be backed by the fact Im met with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won before leaving for the UAE.



Cheong Wa Dae said Im's meeting with Chey was unrelated to the chief of staff's visit to the UAE.



The defense ministry also denied Wednesday that the government has considered withdrawing troops from the UAE.



For his part, former President Lee denied rumors of the double contract in the 2009 deal. However, later he mentioned a "revelation," saying "I cannot say anything (about Im's visit to the UAE) as anything I say will reveal something."



Lee has been at odds with the Moon government as state prosecutors look into various suspicions involving him, his aides and his family members as part of Moon's initiative to eradicate wrongdoings of the former governments.

By Kim Se-jeong



More than six out of 10 Koreans do not view migrant workers as "members of Korea," a survey showed Wednesday, indicating the country still has a long way to go until becoming a truly multiracial society.



According to the Overseas Korea Foundation's survey of 820 adults nationwide, 61.1 percent of respondents have difficulties in accepting migrant workers as members of society, a sign of deteriorating public opinion toward non-Koreans.



In the foundation's 2013 survey, only 57.5 percent said they did not accept them as members of Korean society.



Last year, 56,000 new migrant workers came to Korea on a working permit program, mostly from Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines. Since 1995, the government has been inviting migrant workers to fill in gaps in the labor market.



The foundation didn't ask for reasons behind the respondents' viewpoint, but concluded that a recent economic downturn was to blame. "Bad economic conditions seemed to have contributed," Lee Sung-june from GRI Research, which was commissioned to conduct the survey, said. "This won't help Korea to grow and become a more diverse and open society. Something has to be done to overcome it."



The result reflected traditional Korean society that believes in homogeneity.



As Korea's economic growth draws many foreigners looking for opportunities or to travel, more foreign visitors and residents complain about racial discrimination.



The negative attitude toward foreigners also serves as an obstacle for the government that is considering opening up the labor market for immigrants. Many experts warned that with a working population that is rapidly declining, the government must pursue an active immigration policy that makes up for this. But public opinion is apparently leading it to remain on the sidelines.



One positive aspect shown in the survey was that 57.1 percent acknowledged that they were not open enough to and discriminative of foreigners.



Asked about foreigners living in Korea for a long period of time, 57.3 percent answered they had no problem with this, down from 62.1 percent in 2013. Those who showed outright opposition were 13.4 percent, up from 12.3 percent. Almost 30 percent said their answer would change depending on where the foreigners came from, showing discrimination.



Asked about interracial marriage, 34.3 percent of single respondents answered they would marry a foreigner, while 65.7 percent said they wouldn't. Yet, asked about having a non-Korean family member, 65.7 percent answered they had no problems with that.

By Kim Se-jeong







Women were found to suffer greater workplace stress when supervised by female bosses or surrounded by female colleagues, a study showed Wednesday.







In a research paper, "Are Women Enemies of Each Other?; Impact of Boss's Gender on Female Workers' Performance," by the Korean Labor Economic Association, researcher Chung Han-na wrote stress levels were 3.5 percent, higher compared to when they were supervised by men or surrounded by male colleagues.







"In the male-dominated corporate culture of Korea, women in a leadership position tend to be more competitive, masculine and demanding than their male colleagues, and they make life more difficult for their female subordinates," the author explained. "Also these women in power tend to lose their innate leadership qualities like patience, friendliness, empathy, nurturing and listening skills (which are important to female workers)."







The author drew conclusions by analyzing raw survey data from the Korean Women's Development Institute which surveyed 2,361 female workers in leadership positions since 2008.







Having a female boss also meant fewer promotion opportunities for women, according to the study. And it was worst for those in the lowest ranks.







"By the same token, these competitive female bosses have high expectations for their team members and are often perfectionists," Chung wrote.







The study was the first of its kind done in Korea.







Globally, numerous studies are done on the same topic and mixed conclusions have been drawn.







Some scholars concluded women's stress levels decreased when they have female bosses and are surrounded by more female colleagues because they have more to share and a sense of understanding. Other scholars concluded the opposite as seen in Korean workplaces.





By Dina Khapaeva





ATLANTA  While much of the world is busy dismantling monuments to oppressors, Russians are moving in the opposite direction, erecting statues to medieval warlords who were famous for their despotism. Understanding this revival can shed light on the direction of Russia's politics.



Last October, with the endorsement of Russia's culture minister, Vladimir Medinsky, the country's first-ever monument to Ivan the Terrible was unveiled in the city of Orel. A month later, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, called for Lenin Avenue in Moscow to be renamed Ivan the Terrible Highway. And in July last year, President Vladimir Putin christened Moscow's own tribute to the tyrant, declaring, erroneously, that "most likely, Ivan the Terrible never killed anyone, not even his son."



Most historians agree that Ivan lived up to his name; not only did he kill his son and other relatives, he also ordered the oprichnina, the state-led purges that terrorized Russia from 1565 to 1572. He also presided over Russia's defeat in the Livonian War, and his misrule contributed to the Time of Troubles and the state's devastating depopulation.



Joseph Stalin initiated the modern cult of Ivan the Terrible. But, since the mid-2000s, Russia's Eurasia Party  a political movement led by the pro-fascist mystic Alexander Dugin  has moved to position Ivan as the best incarnation of an "authentic" Russian tradition: authoritarian monarchy.



Dugin's brand of "Eurasianism" advocates the embrace of a "new Middle Ages," where what little remains of Russian democracy is replaced by an absolute autocrat. In Dugin's ideal future, a medieval social order would return, the empire would be restored, and the Orthodox church would assume control over culture and education.



Eurasianism, which was marginal in the 1990s, has gained considerable popularity in recent years by contributing to the formation of the so-called Izborsky Club, which unites the Russian far right. On several occasions, Putin has referred to Eurasianism as an important part of Russian ideology; he has even invoked it as a founding principle of the "Eurasian Economic Union," a burgeoning trade area of former Soviet states.



Eurasianism has given ultra-nationalist groups common ground around which to unite. It has also given symbols of totalitarianism, like Ivan the Terrible and Stalin, new legions of support.



Chief among them are members of the Eurasia Party, who consider political terror the most effective tool of governance and call for a "new oprichnina"  a staunchly anti-Western Eurasian conservative revolution. According to Mikhail Yuriev, a member of the political council of the Eurasia Party and author of the utopian novel "The Third Empire," the oprichniks should be the only political class, and they should rule by fear.



Ivan the Terrible is not the only medieval vestige being revived in Russia. Cultural vocabulary is also reverting. For example, the word kholop, which means "serf," is returning to the vernacular, a linguistic devolution that parallels a troubling rise in Russia's modern slavery. Data from the Global Slavery Index show that more than one million Russians are currently enslaved in the construction industry, the military, agriculture, and the sex trade. Moreover, serf "owners" are also happily identifying themselves as modern-day barins.



Even Russian officials speak approvingly of modern slavery. Valery Zorkin, who chairs the Constitutional Court, wrote in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the official government newspaper, that serfdom has long been a "social glue" for Russia. And another medieval term  lydi gosudarevy, which translates to "servants of his majesty"  has returned to favor among high-ranking bureaucrats.



Nostalgia for serfdom compliments the desire for a return to autocracy. Prominent Russian intellectuals  including the filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov, journalist Maksim Sokolov, and Vsevolod Chaplin, a Russian Orthodox cleric  call for the coronation of Putin, and petitions of support are gaining signatures online. Significantly, the protests against Putin's regime in 2012 have since been interpreted not as a protest against Putin himself, but rather against the social order to which Eurasianism aspires.



Putin's tacit support for the Eurasian vision of a neo-medieval Russia invokes the historical memory of Stalinism. According to Dugin, "Stalin created the Soviet Empire," and, like Ivan the Terrible, expresses "the spirit of the Soviet society and the Soviet people." No wonder, then, that monuments to Stalin, too, are multiplying in Russian cities.



Neo-medievalism is rooted in nostalgia for a social order based on inequality, caste, and clan, enforced by terror. The lionization of historical despots reflects the contemporary embrace of such pre-modern, radically anti-democratic and unjust values. For Ivan's contemporary champions, the past is prologue.



Dina Khapaeva is professor of Russian at the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Modern Languages. Her most recent book is "The Celebration of Death in Contemporary Culture." Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate ( www.project-syndicate.org).

North Korea should show sincerity for thawing ties





Expectations are growing for inter-Korean dialogue as Pyongyang reopened a suspended communication link with Seoul, Wednesday, in response to the latter's proposal for high-level talks. The talks are aimed at discussing North Korea's willingness to send a delegation to take part in the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The move came after Kim Jong-un expressed his intention regarding the Olympics in his New Year address.



The dialogue, if realized, will be the first since the two Koreas held a vice ministerial meeting in December 2015. Since then South-North talks have been suspended amid deteriorating ties due to Pyongyang's continued nuclear tests and missile launches. Delegates of both sides are likely to sit together at the truce village of Panmunjeom early next week to discuss issues related to the North's participation in the Winter Games which will open Feb. 9 in PyeongChang.



We hope Seoul and Pyongyang will hold successful talks so that North Korean athletes can compete in the Olympics. Their participation will send a positive, albeit symbolic, message not only to the Olympic movement but also with regard to efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula and across the globe. It could also serve as a turning point in defusing tensions arising from Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development programs.



However, it is still too early to paint a rosy picture about inter-Korean rapprochement. We cannot be too optimistic because the two Koreas may face difficulties in deciding who should represent each side and what to discuss even if they agree to hold talks. In this regard, the liberal Moon Jae-in government should take a cautious approach in order not to play into the hands of Kim Jong-un who is waving an olive branch to the South while threatening to use his "nuclear button" against the U.S.



The Moon administration may be too focused on attracting a North Korean delegation to the Olympics without asking the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions. It is worth noting President Moon stressed in welcoming Kim's address that an improvement in inter-Korean ties cannot go separately with resolving Pyongyang's nuclear program. So Moon should take a firm position that the ultimate goal of any dialogue with the North is to achieve its denuclearization.



The South needs to take the lead in the talks to make a breakthrough and get a negotiated settlement of the nuclear crisis. Kim may try to use the Olympics as a leverage to neutralize the U.N. Security Council sanctions against his country as well as drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington to weaken their alliance. He may also attempt to create an ideological divide between progressives and conservatives in the South over the North's peace overture.



Therefore it is important for Seoul to strengthen its alliance with Washington. The Moon government should pay more attention to deep skepticism among American leaders and policymakers about Kim's real intentions. Finally we urge Kim to remove such skepticism by changing course and taking the path toward denuclearization.





MOSCOW, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian troops in the country's far north and the Arctic will be equipped with the Tor-M2DT autonomous short-range anti-aircraft missile system in 2018, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The decision was announced by Alexander Leonov, Chief of the Russian Land Force's Air Defense Lieutenant.

The Tor-M2DT system adapted to severe climatic conditions is intended to operate at extremely low temperature and difficult terrain, the ministry statement read.

Russia is strengthening defense forces in the Arctic as it has stepped up efforts to exploit resources in the region and explore a polar shipping route.LG Chem Vice Chairman and CEO Park Jin-soo gives a lecture to the firm's new employees at the LG Training Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. / Courtesy of LG Chem



By Kang Seung-woo



LG Chem's chief said Wednesday that he is committed to discovering and nurturing talented workers.



Vice Chairman and CEO Park Jin-soo gave a lecture to 500 new employees who are undergoing job training at the LG Training Center, or "Inhwawon," in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.



This was the first time that Park began a New Year on-site visit to meet new recruits -- a move showing his philosophy that human resources are responsible for the company's sustainable growth. Previously, plants in Ochang, North Chungcheong Province, or Yeosu, South Jeolla Province were the CEO's first destination in the New Year.



"An excellent horse became well known because it was discovered and trained by the greatest equine appraiser of the age," Park said, citing an anecdote from the renowned ancient Chinese historical work Zhan Guo Ce, or Strategies of the Warring States in English.



"Like the appraiser, I plan to go all-out to find excellent personnel and train them."



While unveiling the company's future direction toward sustainable growth, Park lectured new employees about his vision and management philosophy as well as the attitude prerequisites for talented employees.



"Success comes from strict discipline and steady efforts," Park said, citing former Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson.



"I entreat you to observe rules that will help the company gain trust from customers and last permanently."



Park also called for newcomers to think long term.



"Rather than being obsessed with short-term goals, employees need to set their long-term visions," he said.



"How people do their work far outweighs what kind of job they do."



Finally, the CEO, who took office in 2014, encouraged an attitude that balances optimism and realism, citing the Stockdale Paradox.



This is named after James Stockdale, a retired U.S. Navy admiral who was a prisoner of war (POW) for eight years during the Vietnam War.



"While Stockdale was held captive in Vietnam, he never lost faith that he would get out, but at the same time, he was ready to accept the most brutal facts of his current reality," Park said.



"Everybody needs to have a strong faith in the future, but what is more important is that they should look dispassionately at the realities and thoroughly prepare for them, as well."



The nation's leading chemical company, has spent more than 1 trillion won ($940 million) on research and development, while expanding its presence in energy, water and bio businesses through facility investment and merger and acquisitions.



As a result, the company has hired more than 1,000 new employees every year, with a plan to hire more this year.



"Thanks to business expansions, the number of young employees is on the increase. For the sake of a unified organizational culture, the vice chairman will communicate with employees more often," said an LG Chem official.







Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a joint news conference after the 1st China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Beijing, China, Dec. 26, 2017. / REUTERS-Yonhap



By Shi Jiangtao





Beijing's top diplomat in charge of North Korean and Asian affairs has been promoted to deputy foreign minister, underlining China's efforts to stabilise its often troubled relations in the region.

The appointment of assistant foreign minister Kong Xuanyou was unveiled along with a slew of personnel changes at the ministerial level by state media on Tuesday.

Analysts said the move showed a generational shift in the diplomatic establishment was under way that would likely see a reshuffle of Foreign Minister Wang Yi and several of his deputies, as well as the heads of key diplomatic missions around the world.

The promotion of Kong  a Japan expert and China's new point man for defusing tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations  also sheds light on how Beijing plans to roll out President Xi Jinping's new era of global power diplomacy, which he spelled out at the party congress in October.

It is also a clear sign that Beijing wants to improve strained ties with major Asian powers such as Japan, according to observers.

Kong, 58, is a fluent Japanese speaker who has mostly handled Japan issues during his rise through the foreign ministry ranks, holding various posts at Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan since the mid-1980s, according to the ministry website.

He was minister at the Chinese embassy in Japan between 2006 and 2011, serving as top deputy to three Chinese envoys to Tokyo, including Wang Yi, incumbent ambassador to Washington Cui Tiankai and Cheng Yonghua.

It had been rumoured Kong would replace Cheng, 63, who succeeded Cui in March 2010 and has become the longest serving Chinese ambassador to Japan.

Beijing's relations with Tokyo have been tense in the past decade amid disputes over territorial and historical issues and old animosity, and the situation has worsened since Xi took office in 2012.

But there have been signs of a momentous shift in recent months, with both Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promising a "fresh start" during a meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, to avoid confrontation and jointly tackle unruly North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"It is certainly recognition of Kong's ability and the promotion of a Japan affairs specialist shows Beijing is willing to usher in a new chapter in Sino-Japanese relations," said Zhang Liangui, an expert on North Korea at the Central Party School in Beijing.

Pang Zhongying, a Beijing-based international affairs expert, said if Beijing and Tokyo wanted to reset and improve ties, Xi and Abe should take the next step with official visits to each other's countries.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing said this could be on the cards, with diplomats in both capitals working to make bilateral visits by the top leaders happen this year. Chinese and Japanese leaders have not visited each other since 2008.

Pang said Abe appeared to be keen to move closer to Beijing, especially after US President Donald Trump developed a personal rapport with Xi last year.

"Apart from Abe's personal ambition for Japan to maintain its regional influence, Tokyo has largely followed Washington's formula of engagement plus competition' in dealing with a rapidly rising China," he said.

An ethnic Korean born in Heilongjiang in the northeast, Kong is also believed to be a proficient Korean speaker and was officially named China's top envoy on Korean peninsula affairs in August, replacing 71-year-old veteran diplomat Wu Dawei.

But observers said Kong's latest promotion would do little to help de-escalate North Korea tensions. Beijing's efforts to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions had largely been futile under the 13-year watch of Wu, with Pyongyang launching five nuclear tests and over a dozen missile tests last year, including two intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The long-stalled six-party denuclearisation talks between China, the US, North and South Korea, Russia and Japan  led by Beijing and once seen as a sign of its emerging diplomatic clout  were no longer considered to be the way forward, Zhang said.

"I don't think Kong will have a major role to play on North Korea issues apart from attending routine diplomatic meetings and talks because he is dealing with a much more challenging and volatile Korean peninsula than his predecessors," Zhang said.

"There is no realistic hope of resuming the six-party talks because North Korea, which is now a de facto nuclear-armed country, has said repeatedly it would never return to the negotiating table with the other five parties."GAZA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes launched on Tuesday a raid on the Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported, according to Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses.

Sources reported for Xinhua that Israeli aircraft targeted with a number of rockets the "marine" site, located in Khan Younis governorate south of the Gaza Strip, belonging to Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas movement.

No injuries or material damage were reported in the targeted area, the sources explained.

sraeli army said the warplanes raided a military compound belonging to Hamas movement in a response to a rocket fired from Gaza on Monday evening. No injuries or damage were caused in the incident.

The army added in a statement that Hamas is solely responsible for what is going on in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, none of Palestinian factions claimed responsibility for the incident.

It is noteworthy that Palestinian territories witness mounting unrest following U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration last December on recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving U.S. embassy there.In his first tweet of 2018, US President Donald Trump opened fire on Pakistan. He wrote, "the United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"

It is unimaginable how much outrage this tweet can create in Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif soon responded that "We have already told the US that we will not do more, so Trump's 'no more' does not hold any importance."

Pakistan has made tremendous contributions and sacrifices to the international anti-terrorism campaign. Since the outbreak of the Afghan war in 2001, Pakistan has been the biggest support base for US military operations in Afghanistan. Until today, the nation is still a part of the crucial onshore supply line for US troops in Afghanistan.

Being involved in the Afghan war triggered political divergences in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the country has been hit hard by terrorism. It is facing a severe long-term anti-terror task.

New Delhi has been accusing Pakistan of providing shelter for terrorists who attacked India. Such a view coincides with US allegations that Islamabad is not helpful in fighting terror. With regard to the Pakistani government's poor ability to control some of its tribal areas, Washington and New Delhi refuse to show sympathy.

If the US and Pakistan break up, then Islamabad will be forced to move closer to China and Russia. Since China and Pakistan enjoy an all-weather strategic partnership of cooperation, Beijing will without doubt not give up on Islamabad. Pakistan is also the only Islamic country in the world that has nuclear weapons. If the nation is pushed to the limit, the results could be disastrous.

A major reason for the fact that Washington dares to humiliate Islamabad now is that it does not depend on the country the way it used to. The scale of today's US troops in Afghanistan is much smaller than before. Washington is casting Pakistan aside now Islamabad has served its purpose.

The Trump administration's decision might also be linked to the Indo-Pacific strategy proposed not long ago. Washington could rope in New Delhi more closely through the move. A spokesperson for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed Trump's tweet.

Trump might also want to save some pennies. Since taking office, his administration is eyeing both big and small fortunes, squeezing other countries to contribute to a lazy American society.

China should continue strengthening its friendly cooperation with Pakistan, making it feel that its all-weather friend is reliable. But Chinese should not fall into the logic of confronting the Indo-Pacific strategy. We do not want to make India think that China's support for Pakistan is aimed at New Delhi.Written by Guo Silu

BEIJING, Jan 3 (ChinaMil) -- The ChinaRS Geo-informatics Co., Ltd (ChinaRS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced the official launch of the "Hainan No. 1" satellite project on Dec.14, 2017. Hainan will launch its first satellite in 2019 and the Hainan satellite constellation system will be completed within the next four to five years.

According to the plan, there will be six optical satellites in the Hainan No. 1 project as part of the future Hainan satellite constellation, while the Sanya No. 1 project will have two hyper spectral satellites and two SAR satellites.

According to calculations, once the number of satellites in the constellation has increased to eight, the system will be able to achieve non-stop all-weather observations of all tropical and marine areas between the 30th south and north latitudes. The satellite constellation project will achieve full uninterrupted observations of the South China Sea.

Yang Tianliang, director of the project, said that the initiative was proposed by Guo Huadong, chief scientist of the project and a CAS academician.

"Hainan has the advantages of low latitude and wide range, so we need to clarify our thinking and formulate measures to find the right point of development," said Guo Huadong at the launching ceremony. Relying on Sanyas natural advantages, the CAS established a space station there in 2001 and added an institute within the following two years.

At present, the project has completed its overall demonstration and system design. The testing of satellite systems and ground systems will be gradually carried out starting from next year.

Launching low latitude satellites is of great significance to China.

On the global scale, more than 90 percent of the remote sensing satellites are located above the north and south poles, but have a lower frequency of observation in low latitude areas.

Through repeated simulations and projections, experts of the ChinaRS found that constellations of three satellites at low latitudes can achieve daily observations and multiple observations each day in key areas.

"This area covers not only all the countries on the Silk Road, but also 92 percent of the world's rice acreage. The system can help monitor the growth of rice but also can help marine dynamics research," said Guo.

More importantly, the Hainan satellite constellation will become a huge "skynet" covering the South China Sea.

"There are more than 50 islands, reefs and beaches scattered in the South China Sea. The monitoring and management of such vast oceans, the safeguarding of our national sovereignty and the building of a strong maritime province require the assistance of remote sensing technology," said Yang Tianliang. He added that the Hainan No.1 satellitescan monitor every island and reef and every ship of the South China Sea.

Li Xiaoming, member of the project, said at the launching ceremony that Hainan is the strategic base of the South China Sea and therefore developing a satellite system in Hainan is a responsibility and requirement of the strategy of strengthening China's maritime power. It can provide effective information assurance for China's South China Sea management and control.

Through the Hainan constellation system, China can gain a wide range of observational capabilities over the South China Sea and its surrounding areas. The system can help China realize real-time dynamic observation and meet the needs of development and effective control in the South China Sea.

In the meantime, accurate and rapid response can also be achieved in the event of an emergency.The system is a guarantee for China's strategy of becoming a maritime power.

"People will pay more and more attention to the sky in Hainan with the completion and use of the launch site in Wenchang. The launch today is just the beginning. I believe there will be more moves in the future," said Yang Tianliang.Rome, January 3 - Niger is a "strategic ally" of Italy's in Africa, Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said after meeting his counterpart Ibrahim Yacoubou in Niamey Wednesday, the Italian foreign ministry said. "The friendship between our countries is becoming closer," Alfano said. Niger is the first stage of a three-country trip that will also take in Senegal and Guinea. Earlier Alfano tweeted: "just landed in #Niger for African mission, which will also take me to #Senegal and #Guinea. Focus on Italian priorities: security, migrant flows and partnership for development".Rome, January 3 - Two people were pulled out alive but two more are missing and feared dead after an avalanche in the Alta Val Venosta Wednesday. The avalanche came down in the area of Malga San Valentino, above Lake Resia, near the Haideralm ski centre. Alpine rescue teams are on the spot but helicopters are very hard to use because of heavy snow.Rome, January 3 - Niger is a "strategic ally" of Italy's in Africa, Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said after meeting his counterpart Ibrahim Yacoubou in Niamey Wednesday, the Italian foreign ministry said. "The friendship between our countries is becoming closer," Alfano said. Niger is the first stage of a three-country trip that will also take in Senegal and Guinea. Earlier Alfano tweeted: "just landed in #Niger for African mission, which will also take me to #Senegal and #Guinea. Focus on Italian priorities: security, migrant flows and partnership for development". Alfano went on to inaugurate the Italian embassy in Niamey, Italy's first in the whole of the Sahel region. "Here we have invested in cooperation and security and we have reaped the fruits," he said. New Ambassador Marco Prencipe was appointed and took on his duties at the start of 2017.The 11th annual soundON Festival of Modern Music, themed Voyages, will take concert-goers on a four-day excursion through workshops, panel discussions, open rehearsals and chamber music concerts, Jan. 4-7 at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St.

The title, said San Diego New Music (SDNM) executive director and trombonist Eric Starr, could not be more appropriate. NOISE is the ensemble-in-residence for SDNM, and NOISE performers were originally all San Diego-based, but now span the globe, traveling from far and wide each year for the festival.

Festival curator Mark Menzies lives in New Zealand and travels to California every year because he wants to continue working with these people, Starr said. So he comes back every year during his summer break, which is winter here. There are also composers from Southern California, one from Ecuador and another based in Mexico. The concert is going to be diverse and excellent.

Performers include the NOISE ensemble: flutists Rachel Beetz and Michael Matsuno, guitarist and conductor Colin McAllister, violinist Mark Menzies, cellist Franklin Cox, clarinetist Robert Zelickman, pianist Christopher Adler and percussionist Morris Palter; along with guest artists: harpist and composer Anne LeBaron, tenor and composer Juan Pablo Contreras, composer Juan Campoverde Q., and violinist Mona Tian.

Said Starr: The ensemble playing is virtuosic, talented and dedicated. As a musician and an artist, its hard to cultivate a career, but these performers all have other musical jobs. For contemporary musicians, it is even more challenging, but they do it.

According to press material, this years festival features works by international composers, including LeBaron, Katharaina Rosenberger, Toshio Hosowaka, Contreras, Liza Lim, Roger Reynolds, Samuel Holloway, Adam Greene, Glenda Keam, and Antonio Gervason; and a world premiere commissioned by the Athenaeum and composed by Campoverde Q.

We want audience members to engage with music that is different, that they havent heard before  because people get comfortable with what they are familiar, Starr said. We promote open-mindedness and exploration of music. For me, these are great things to promote in general. I tell people coming to the festival for the first time to not have any preconceived notion of what the instruments will do. One student last year said it was like yoga for your ears, in that it stretches them out.

Amalgamating in different combinations, NOISE and its guest performers take to the stage 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4 with Exotic images from an inner journey; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 with  to serenade even the celestial paths; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7 with It matters not the destination  SDNM will also present a workshop concert at noon, Saturday, Jan. 6 to provide local student musicians with the opportunity to engage with and perform contemporary music.

IF YOU GO: All soundON concerts take place at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Festival passes: $70 for non-Athenaeum members, $55 for members and $25 for students. Individual concerts: $25 for non-members, $20 members and $10 for students. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/sound-onThe one thing thats clear, absolutely crystal, about organized, encouraged, endorsed or enforced policies related to COVID-19 response was summed up in just a few words last week by Huntersville ...

Theres an intriguing sounding course being offered this fall at Davidson College. It hasnt stirred any local or national uproar, it hasnt motivated people to attack its concept without understanding ...

More than a half-century ago, the first sections of pipe that would become part of the Colonial Pipeline were laid in the Huntersville community. That also marked the start of..."Dear squad leader, I'm wondering if you still remember me? It is ok if you do not. I was a trainee at the "Hong Kong College Students Military Life Experience Camp" and am one of Hong Kong's seven million people who are paying attention to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison. If it were not for you, I would have become a child who knows nothing and would not be able to understand the PLA style."--- Huang Yiqing

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (ChinaMil) -- In the summer of 2017, as Hong Kong marked the 20th anniversary of return to the motherland, a Hong Kong girl wrote a letter to the officers and soldiers of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, telling them she had become a young instructor at the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association Limited (HKACA). Her decision to take on that role came from her experience at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks in Hong Kong two years ago.

Her time with the garrison enabled her to make up her mind to help more young people in Hong Kong understanding their motherland.

Huang Yiqing:

My name is Huang Yiqing, I am a graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I was a student of the fifth "Hong Kong College Students Military Life Experience Camp". After that, I came to HKACA to work as an instructor. I wrote a letter to my squad leader in June 2017. I wrote this letter because July 1, 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the stationing of the PLA in Hong Kong.

I would like to write a letter to express my gratitude to my squad leaders as well as the officers and soldiers stationed in the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.

It was the first time for me to participate in the Hong Kong College Students Military Life Experience Camp, and even as a local resident of Hong Kong, I was not familiar with the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.

I had heard before that military personnel are very strict and harsh, so I was very nervous before I went to the camp.

But after the 13-day training in the Camp, I gradually realized that they are actually not just harsh, they are very friendly as well and they care for us indeed.

The most unforgettable moment was the tour of Victoria Harbor on the military vessel from the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks. This is the first time that my friends and I had boarded a military vessel. We enjoyed the whole trip from beginning to end.

In fact, we were very unwilling to leave the camp at the end. On the day of departure, all of our classmates were lined up and our squad leaders all lined up outside and watched us get on the bus one by one.

That feeling was actually very sad, and when we sat on the seats, many people were already in tears. We felt very unfamiliar and a bit scared in the beginning but we wanted to stay in the barracks when the camp came to an end.

I hope to publicize or share more about our motherland through platforms like HKACA.

There are actually two reasons why I joined HKACA. I wanted to share what I learned in the barracks with more Hong Kong adolescents. And I hoped that through my role as an instructor, I could help more people to know and understand our motherland, then they could have better thinking and reflection.

In fact, our compatriots in the Mainland love us very much. Just like the officers and soldiers of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, we can go to talk with them and they will not feel strange. We are just like families because they care for us.

When I know that the troops stationed in Hong Kong actually protect us all the time, I feel that the relationship between us is particularly intimate and cordial with no sense of distance.

Backgrounder: Since Hong Kong's return to motherland 20 years ago, the PLA Hong Kong Garrison has organized 29 military camps, more than 6.8 million local people have got in close touch with the PLA. And it has also organized 13 youth military camps and 7 military life experience camps for students, more than 3,600 students have been trained. Such activities enable young people to have a deeper understanding of national defense and their motherland.PRESS RELEASE

Along the Belt and Road: Ethiopia-Djibouti Railroad Officially Opens to Much Enthusiasm

Jan. 2, 2018 (EIRNS)The Ethiopia-Djibouti railroad officially began commercial operations yesterday. Built by the China Rail Engineering Corporation (CREC) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. (CCECC) with a $4 billion investment, the 750 km electrified rail line connects landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti and is seen as a crucial contribution to the development of both nations, promoting their economic integration as well, Xinhua reported.

During yesterdays inaugural ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopias Transport Minister Ahmed Shide hailed the project as a milestone of China-Africa cooperation. It will have major positive impact on the efforts to build a new Ethiopia, he proudly stated.

Chinas Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian emphasized that the project would contribute to the industrialization and diversification of Ethiopias economy. "This is the first trans-border and longest electrified railway on the African continent," he said.

"We, the Chinese, see this an early beneficial product of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is regarded by many as a lifeline project ... for Ethiopia and for Djibouti. And we see this as a railway of development; as a railway of cooperation, and as a railway of friendship."

Djiboutis Ambassador Mohamed Idriss Farah said that the rail line "is an important corridor.... We are working for economic integration between our two countries."PRESS RELEASE

Roger Stone Warns of Assassination Threat to President Trump

Jan. 2, 2018 (EIRNS)In an interview with the New American magazine, quoted by yesterday's Daily Caller, Trump friend and collaborator Roger Stone warned that the "globalist cabal" which hates the President will stop at nothing to remove him, including assassination if all else fails.

"Its easy to forget that the shocking upset that Donald Trump pulled off has never been forgotten or acknowledged by the globalist cabal that has really infected both of our major parties,"

Stone explained. And, he continued,

"its easy to misread the deep enmity and hatred that the globalists and the insiders have for the President and to underestimate their resolve to remove him."

Trump, he said, is a real "anti-establishment figure," whose independence and rejection of the status quo "terrifies the elites."

Stone describes a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C which the "Deep State" has devised to deal with the President. Plan A is to bring him down through the investigation run by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. That seems to be falling apart, however, Stone pointed out, so Plan B will entail efforts to portray Trump as mentally unfit to serve and invoke the 25th Amendment. Hence, the uptick in "Trump is crazy talk."

He cautioned that there are some very senior Administration officials who would throw Trump under the bus if given the opportunity. There are "globalist insiders" in the cabinet who would readily "stick a dagger in his heart." For one reason or another, Stone said, individuals "who do not share the Presidents vision of reform, and are not loyal to him" got into the cabinet, naming former Chief of Staff Rence Priebus and current National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster as two examples of the problem.

Stone doesnt mention the case of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who tells Trump its a good idea to keep Wall Street happy and assume that the stock market is a measure of economic wellbeing. So Mnuchin is given free rein, despite the real suffering his policies cause to the American people. Moreover, theres little news on the progress of deals which Trump signed in China. Are they moving forward?The Chinese Academy of Sciences' (CAS) oceanology institute on Tuesday denied reports of leading military-oriented underwater surveillance in the South China Sea.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Monday reported that China's new hi-tech underwater surveillance network system project, which gathers underwater data, particularly water temperature and salinity, could help the navy more accurately lock in on targets and improve navigation and positioning.

The report said that the project, led by the institute, is allegedly part of an "unprecedented military expansion to challenge the US in the world's oceans."

A South China Sea Institute of Oceanology employee told the Global Times that the institute is not aware of any system mentioned in the SCMP report and that the institute had never posted information on any military use network on its official website.

The only maritime environment system the institute involved in is scientific research in nature, according to the employee.

"China has never placed any surveillance facilities in the South China Sea," Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the South China Sea, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"There's no need to do so and such a project costs a lot," Chen said.

However, it is totally legitimate for China to place facilities in the region for scientific research, such as monitoring the hydrological or climate changes in the waters, Chen added.

In May 2017, China approved a plan to build an underwater observation network in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

China will invest 2 billion yuan ($292 million) to build the network, which will be capable of all-weather and real-time HD multi-interface observation from seabed to surface, China Central Television reported in May.

"Military use is only one part of the planned use of the system, but civilian uses will have a much wider and diversified scope in the future," Liu Jiangping, a military analyst, told the Global Times previously.

"Foreign countries should not make a scene of China's legitimate development in the South China Sea region, as the country will not stop its efforts to improve oceanic research and these efforts could also contribute to innovations in oceanic technology and research," Chen explained.PRESS RELEASE

White House Meetings on Infrastructure This Week

Jan. 2, 2018 (EIRNS)President Trumps schedule today included a meeting on infrastructure policy with Gary Cohn, director of the White House National Economic Council, whose credentials include being former head of Goldman Sachs. Advance coverage by Newsweek and Politico of what is expected from Cohn on Trumps forthcoming policy, is that Cohn will reiterate platitudinous evasions about how the scheme is supposed to work, of having $1 trillion go into infrastructure over 10 years, with $800 billion coming from states, localities, and PPP deals. The special pitches said to be expected from Cohn are: reduce the time spent on pre-approval of projects (bridges, roads, etc.,) reduce regulations involved, and favor privatization.

Cohns advance comments along these lines, reported in Newsweek, include such pronouncements as, "The biggest single thing we can do for infrastructure in this country is we can shorten and improve the approval process." Do that, and "there is money," he says.

Meantime, there are expressions of disgust at this cant, and demand for real action. The New Years Day edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette carried a statement by the editorial board, titled, "Time To Build: Infrastructure Should Top U.S. Agenda in 2018." Referring to the American Society of Civil Engineers Report Card giving the U.S. a D+ for infrastructure, the paper reviewed the "disgraceful" condition of all categories of structures, including such examples as the 11-hour power outage at the Atlanta International Airport recently, exemplifying aged electrical systens. "Infrastructure investment was a priority for Mr. Trump during the campaign season."

Trump on Jan. 4 is to meet with Republican Congressional leaders at the White House, with Marc Short, his legislative liaison.The United States racked up another sterling year for airline safety: Zero people died in crashes of commercial jets on U.S. soil in 2017, for the fourth year in a row.

Worldwide, there were 10 fatal airliner accidents and 44 fatalities  25 passengers and 19 crew members, according to the Aviation Safety Network, a group that tracks accidents involving airliners, military transport planes and corporate jets. But that was down from 16 accidents and 303 fatalities in 2016. The number of deaths caused by airline accidents has steadily declined for several years, the group said, and on average, for every 7 million flights worldwide, there is one fatality.



For the record: An earlier version of this story said 2017 was the eighth year in a row in which the U.S. had no fatalities in crashes of commercial jets. It was the fourth year in a row in which no crashes by commercial jets on U.S. soil resulted in any deaths, and the eighth year in a row in which no crashes by U.S. airlines resulted in any passenger deaths.Jan. 2, 5:10 p.m.: An earlier version of this story said an airplane might have flown 3,000 hours before needing to be rebuilt in the 1980s. It should have said an airplane engine would have flown that long.

President Trump sought to claim credit for the good year. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation, he tweeted Tuesday morning.

Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

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But the streak long predates Trumps administration. The last commercial jet accident on U.S. soil that resulted in any passenger fatalities was in 2013, when an Asiana Airlines plane went down in San Francisco, said Harro Ranter, head of the Aviation Safety Network.

And the last time a crash by a U.S. airline resulted in any passenger deaths was in 2009, when a Colgan Air flight crashed en route to Buffalo, N.Y., said aviation expert Barry Schiff.

The Federal Aviation Administration has had the same chief since 2013. Trump did select the current chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, but he had been serving on that board since 2006.

Flying is safer now than ever before because of measures taken by international safety organizations such as the Flight Safety Foundation and the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, Ranter said.

For example, the UNs aviation organization has audited aviation authorities such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to see how well they have implemented international standards and recommended practices, Ranter said.

It gives [them] a clear insight into how and where they should do better, he said.

There have also been significant advancements in engineering and manufacturing in the last 40 years. Aviation safety consultant Robert Ditchey said that in the 1980s, engine failures were common and an airplane engine might have flown for 3,000 hours before needing to be rebuilt. Now, he said, its about 10 times that.

When an accident does happen on a major flight, Ditchey said, it usually isnt triggered by one problem alone but rather by a combination of reasons; for example, design issues, maintenance issues and pilot errors.

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The Aviation Safety Network based its data on all fatal commercial aircraft accidents worldwide, which includes passenger and cargo flights on planes that carry 14 or more passengers.

The safety network data doesnt include less-regulated aircraft, such as privately owned, military and government planes.

Last June, 122 people died in the crash of a Myanmar Air Force plane. Those fatalities werent counted in the data, but according to the safety network, 2017 still had the fewest fatalities in modern aviation history even when all fatalities from military flight accidents are counted.

alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com

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Twitter: @r_valejandraThe next fight over the debt limit could take place earlier than anticipated.

The Republican tax bill could force Congress to act sooner to raise the nations $20.5-trillion borrowing ceiling because less money is expected to flow into the Treasury in coming weeks.

On top of that, the possibility of increased federal aid for victims of California wildfires and other disasters, as well as a budget deal that could boost military spending, would drain the Treasurys coffers faster than expected.

All of those factors mean that lawmakers might have to accelerate their timetable to begin the contentious debt-limit debate. They have been operating under a still-vague deadline  known as the X date  of sometime in March or early April when the Treasury would run out of cash and risk a federal government default.

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I think this is the most uncertainty theres ever been in projecting an X date given that there are so many policy levers in flux right now, said Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think thank that has done extensive work on the debt limit.

He estimated Wednesday that the X date would still be in March, but now could be earlier in the month.

The debt limit  a statutory restriction on the federal governments borrowing  has existed since 1939 and for decades was raised routinely with little controversy. But starting in the 1980s, both parties began using the need to raise the limit as political leverage.

In recent years, as government borrowing soared, some Republicans have sought to tie debt-limit increases to spending cuts. Democrats have argued that is inappropriate because the borrowing is simply for expenditures that Congress already has authorized.

A 2011 standoff over the debt limit, which was raised at the last minute, led Standard & Poors to downgrade the nations AAA credit rating for the first time. Two years later, another showdown, which also was resolved shortly before a possible default, caused investors to avoid buying some government bonds and led to higher government borrowing costs.

Congress Joint Economic Committee has estimated the tax bill would reduce federal revenue by $136 billion this year. Even when taking into account a possible economic boost from the tax cuts, the committee estimated that federal revenue would decline by $104 billion this year.

How much of that reduction will take place in the coming weeks is not known. As of Tuesday, the Treasury had $190 billion in cash.

The estimates of when the government would run out of enough money to pay all its bills in full is based on the existing federal budget. But lawmakers could pass a new budget that boosts defense spending, as Republicans are advocating. And the budget also could include $81 billion in disaster aid to deal with wildfires in California and other Western states, as well as damage from major hurricanes last fall.

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Even just a few weeks of larger-than-anticipated federal spending could affect when the Treasury risks a default if the debt limit is not raised and borrowing can resume.

While none of these in and of themselves is a game-changer it just creates a lot of uncertainty about exactly what those cash flows will be given that were only two months out from the deadline, Akabas said.

The nation technically hit the debt limit on Dec. 8, but Treasury officials have been using what they call extraordinary measures to stave off default by temporarily creating more borrowing authority through the juggling of some government investments.

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin wrote to lawmakers last month stressing that honoring the full faith and credit of the United States is a critical commitment.

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I encourage Congress to raise the debt limit at the first opportunity so that we can proceed with our joint priorities, Mnuchin wrote.

Congressional leaders could try to include a debt limit increase in a government spending bill that must be passed by Jan. 19. Failure to pass the spending bill would lead to a partial federal government shutdown.

Mnuchin believes that the measures can fund the government at least until the end of January, a Treasury spokesperson said Wednesday. Treasury is constantly reviewing the data but is not in a position to give a more precise estimate at this point, the spokesperson said.

Declining to give a more detailed projection could add to the pressure for Congress to act. In the past, Treasury projections have lined up with those by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and the Bipartisan Policy Center, but so far the departments vague estimate is more conservative.

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The Congressional Budget Office estimated on Nov. 30 that Treasury officials would exhaust their extraordinary measures and the federal government would run out of money to pay all the nations bills by late March or early April.

Early last month, the Bipartisan Policy Center projected that Treasury would hit that X date sometime in March. But that was before Congress passed the Republican tax bill, which the think tank warned could lower federal revenue as individuals and corporations reduced their withholdings in response to lower rates.

Another reduction in federal revenue could come because of the tax bills new $10,000 annual limit on the amount of state and local taxes that Americans can deduct.

Some homeowners in California and other high-tax states rushed to pay 2018 property tax bills before the end of last year so they could deduct them before the laws changes kicked in. Those extra deductions could further reduce federal tax revenue as Americans file their tax returns in the coming weeks, Akabas said.

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But there is some uncertainty with those deductions. The Internal Revenue Service said last week that some might not be allowed if the property taxes were paid before they were assessed by the local government.

People due tax refunds tend to file their returns early and a lot of those checks are sent in February, he said.

jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com

Twitter: @JimPuzzanghera

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UPDATES:

2:45 p.m.: This article was updated to include a new figure on how much cash the Treasury has.

This article originally was published at 2:05 p.m.With international visitation to the U.S. continuing to decline, travel industry leaders say they plan to form a coalition of American businesses to send the message that the country welcomes foreign tourists.

In the first six months of the year, international visitors to the U.S. dropped 4% to 41 million visitors compared to the same period in 2016, according to the latest data from the National Travel and Tourism Office. It marks a change of direction for visitation numbers, which had been surging for a few years.

Travel leaders have placed part of the blame for the decline on Donald Trump, who launched his presidential campaign by criticizing immigrants from Mexico and later pushed for a ban on travel from several largely Muslim countries.

Other experts attribute the slowdown to the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to many foreign currencies and new security measures on air travel to the U.S.

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International travelers generated $246 billion in spending in 2016 according to the U.S. Travel Assn., the trade group for the nations travel industry. About half of all foreign visitors to the U.S. come from Mexico and Canada, with the rest coming from Europe, Japan, China and Brazil, among other countries.

Jonathan Grella, executive vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Travel Assn., said the declining visitor numbers are an undeniable wake-up call that we must turn this into a national priority.

The trade group plans to launch a coalition with other U.S. industries, called Visit US, he said. The goal is to send the message that the U.S. welcomes international visitors, Grella said, adding that the travel group plans to announce details of the coalition in the next few weeks.

He declined to blame Trumps anti-immigration diatribes for the decline in visitors but said a very big portion of the coalitions work is to promote more balanced rhetoric.

We want to get to the place that the administration says we are closed for terrorism but open for business, Grella said.

A representative for the White House didnt respond to a request for comment.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.Two U.S. airlines  American and Southwest  offered employees $1,000 bonuses to mark the tax overhaul Congress put in place for 2018.

American Airlines Group Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. announced the bonuses after the close of business Tuesday.

Banks, insurers and airlines have led the way on such handouts  all industries that have important regulatory issues pending with the Trump administration. The moves appear to be an effort to sway public opinion in favor of the unpopular tax bill. Republican legislators pushed to pass the overhaul in December as President Trumps crowning achievement of 2017.

We applaud Congress and the president for taking this action to pass legislation, which will result in meaningful corporate income tax reform, Southwest Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said in the companys statement.

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Both carriers said they will make the payments to workers this quarter. The bonuses will total $130 million for American, which doesnt currently pay cash federal taxes because of past financial losses.

This is not an action we take lightly, when balanced against the returns our shareholders/owners demand and deserve, American CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in a message to workers. But we believe it is the right thing to do for our team, which ultimately benefits our shareholders too.Orlando Franklin, a former San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos offensive guard, has sold his home in Poway, an affluent community in San Diego County, for $1.5 million.

Franklin bought the property two years ago for $1.85 million, records show. The sale price was $395,000 less than the $1.895 million Franklin sought when he relisted the 2004-built house in April. More recently, the house was listed for $1.775 million.

Set at the end of a cul-de-sac, the single-story house has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and slightly more than 6,500 square feet of interior space. Living areas include a beamed-ceiling great room, formal living and dining rooms, a game room and an eat-in kitchen.

1 / 42 The acre-plus estate in Poway, Calif., features a free-form swimming pool, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor dining area. (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties) 2 / 42 The acre-plus estate in Poway, Calif., features a free-form swimming pool, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor dining area. (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties) 3 / 42 The acre-plus estate in Poway, Calif., features a free-form swimming pool, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor dining area. (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties) 4 / 42 The acre-plus estate in Poway, Calif., features a free-form swimming pool, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor dining area. (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties) 5 / 42 The acre-plus estate in Poway, Calif., features a free-form swimming pool, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor dining area. 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The master suite has two-walk-in closets, a wet bar and a fireplace.

Outside, theres a free-form swimming pool, a fire pit and built-in barbecue island. Tropical plantings, lawns and a horseshoe pit fill out the one-plus-acre of grounds.

Franklin, 30, was released by the Chargers in May, two years after joining the team on a five-year, $36.5-million free-agent deal. He briefly latched on with New Orleans and Washington this season, appearing in one game with the Redskins.

He is currently a free agent.

Jessica Foote of Keller Williams Realty was the listing agent. Sam Rasoul, also with Keller Williams, represented the buyer.

neal.leitereg@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATHotProperty

MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY:

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Jay-Z and Beyonce headline L.A.s most expensive home sales of 2017

DJ Calvin Harris buys a new spot with a recording studio in the Hollywood Hills

Arcadias most expensive home sales of 2017 top out at $11.88 million

Kristen Wiig and Meryl Streep are the latest stars to land homes in PasadenaA revised gender-pay lawsuit seeking class-action status against Google faults the online search giant for asking new hires about their prior salaries, a practice that is now banned in California.

The suit, filed Wednesday, also adds a fourth complainant, a preschool teacher with a masters degree. The four women allege Google underpaid them compared with their male counterparts.

The suit  which is led by lawyer James Finberg of San Francisco law firm Altshuler Berzon  argues that Googles use of prior compensation to set starting pay for employees results in men receiving higher starting salaries and better career tracks. Because the company also sets job classification levels relative to prior pay, newly hired women will consistently make less than men over time, the suit says.

Googles under-leveling of women not only resulted in Google paying them lower base salaries than if they had been properly leveled, but also resulted in Google paying them smaller bonuses and fewer stock units and options than if Google had placed them in the proper level, the lawsuit says.

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The suit was refiled after being dismissed last month for defining the class of affected workers too broadly. It now aims to represent women who hold the positions of engineer, manager, sales or early childhood education.

The amendment came shortly after a new law took effect in California prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about prior salaries, a measure designed to narrow the pay gap between men and women. If an applicant volunteers prior pay information, the law bans employers from using it to set salaries.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of a three-year federal Labor Department investigation into pay practices at Google, which is a subsidiary of Mountain View, Calif.-based Alphabet Inc. The Labor Department sued last January to bar Google from doing business with the federal government until it released thousands of documents related to an audit that preliminarily found widespread pay gaps between men and women.

Google has disputed those findings and says its own analysis shows no gender pay gap. In a statement Wednesday, Google said it disagrees with the lawsuits allegations.

Job levels and promotions are determined through rigorous hiring and promotion committees, and must pass multiple levels of review, including checks to make sure there is no bias in these decisions, Google spokeswoman Gina Scigliano said.Music streaming giant Spotify has confidentially filed to go public  moving forward with an unusual plan to list its shares directly on the New York Stock Exchange  even as it faces a new $1.6-billion lawsuit alleging copyright infringement.

Calabasas music publisher Wixen Music Publishing Inc. is suing Spotify, alleging that the company violated its copyright on more than 10,000 songs  including titles by Tom Petty, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks.

A high-stakes lawsuit of this nature could scare potential investors, upset existing investors and tank the companys market value.

Spotify confidentially filed paperwork for an initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday. Axios first reported news of the filing.

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Instead of holding a traditional IPO, Spotify plans to list its shares directly on the New York Stock Exchange without raising capital or issuing new shares. That unusual move would enable Spotify to go public while saving money on the hefty underwriting fees that companies typically pay to investment banks when they hold an IPO.

The company could be worth as much as $20 billion when it goes public, according to recent reports.

Founded in Sweden in 2008, Spotify is one of the worlds largest music streaming services. It boasts a catalog of more than 30 million songs, more than 60 million paying users and more than 140 million total users, and it is available in 61 countries.

In 2017, in preparation for going public this year, the company inked multi-year licensing agreements with record labels including Sony, Universal, Warner and Merlin.

But now it needs to deal with Wixens lawsuit. At the heart of the suit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, is Wixens allegation that Spotify failed to obtain one of two licenses required to distribute music.

Under the Copyright Act, there are two separate copyrights to every recorded song: one for the sound recording (this revenue typically goes to the record label) and one for the musical composition (this revenue typically goes to the publisher and songwriter). The lawsuit alleges that Spotify took a shortcut and did not obtain the musical composition copyright for some 10,784 songs published by Wixen.

The lawsuit alleges that Spotify outsourced its copyright responsibility to a third party, Harry Fox Agency, which was ill-equipped to obtain all the necessary mechanical licenses. It also alleges that Spotify knew the agency did not possess the infrastructure to obtain the required mechanical licenses, that it knew it didnt hold the licenses required to stream certain songs, and that it barreled ahead anyway.

Spotify did not respond to a request for comment.

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Music licensing is notoriously complex, with each song having multiple rights holders who can be difficult to identify and locate. Unlike performance rights for musical compositions, which are typically administered through a handful of performing rights organizations, mechanical rights are not centrally administered and could belong to one of thousands of independent music publishers.

Wixen handles titles by Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Tom Petty, the Doors, and Weezers Rivers Cuomo, among others. In its lawsuit, it said its songs have been downloaded or streamed billions of times through Spotify, and that it received no revenue for that.

Spotify has built a billion dollar business on the backs of songwriters and publishers whose music Spotify is using, in many cases without obtaining and paying for the necessary licenses, the lawsuit says. Spotify brazenly disregards United States copyright law and has committed willful, ongoing copyright infringement.

Wixen demands injunctive relief, as well as payment of $150,000 per song whose copyright it says Spotify infringed, or at least $1.6 billion.

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In May, Spotify paid $43.4 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by musicians Melissa Ferrick and David Lowery, who accused the digital music service of streaming their songs without a license. The settlement has yet to be finalized; if it goes through, the $43.4 million will go into a fund to compensate rights holders for past infringement.

In its own lawsuit, Wixen described the 2017 settlement as grossly insufficient.

As digital downloads and streaming have increased and album sales have plummeted, services such as Spotify have found themselves at the heart of a debate about how musical artists should be compensated.

In 2014 Taylor Swift pulled her music from Spotify, taking umbrage with the fact that her music was offered free on the service. (Spotify offers paid subscriptions and an ad-supported version thats free of charge.)

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I think there should be an inherent value placed on art, Swift told Time at the time. I didnt see that happening, perception-wise, when I put my music on Spotify. Everybodys complaining about how music sales are shrinking, but nobodys changing the way theyre doing things. They keep running towards streaming, which is, for the most part, what has been shrinking the numbers of paid album sales.

Swift made her music available on Spotify again last year.

tracey.lien@latimes.com

Twitter: @traceylien

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ryan.faughnder@latimes.com

Twitter: @rfaughnderThe men conspire as the woman awaits execution.

The fate of Soraya is the fierce center of A Letter to the President, a film from a female Afghan director that explores patriarchy and tribal justice in a nation battered by suicide bombers and generations of war. A married woman and a police chief, Soraya is an inspiration to feminists and a threat to the cruel designs of a male-dominated culture.

The feature film, which will be shown at this months Palm Springs International Film Festival, was directed by Roya Sadat with an unsettling power that explores a society that executes women for adultery and teaches girls they matter less than their brothers. Sorayas rejection of this orthodoxy leads to a series of events, including the accidental killing of her abusive husband, that land her in a Kabul jail, where she pens her defense in a letter to the president.

Silencing my voice, she writes, will always haunt your conscience.

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A Letter is a foray into a country the West views mainly through the prism of Americas longest war against the Taliban. It is a beguiling land of mountain passes, whirling snows and brilliant sunsets. At a time when the U.S. is confronting a stream of sexual harassment accusations, the movie is a pointed reminder of the systemic discrimination and brutality women daily endure in the worlds remote shadows, away from the hum of Twitter, the glare of television coverage and the protection of courts.

The catalyst for the film  Afghanistans Academy Award foreign language entry  was to break the silence, to give a voice to the most suffered and marginalized people: women, Sadat, who was a teenager under Taliban rule, said in email correspondence from Afghanistan. The current stories of women in Afghanistan are stories of victims,  their bravery, honesty and emotions.

The films cultural and traditional explorations are similar to The Stoning of Soraya M. (2008), based on the real-life execution of an Iranian woman accused of adultery, Persepolis (2007), a black and white animated tale of a girl witnessing the loss of womens freedoms during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and Layla M. (2016), which follows a European Muslim to the Middle East, where she grows disillusioned by the radicalized Islam that turns her husband into a suicide bomber.

You will have to burn in pain and put up with it. A mother tells a daughter to endure an abusive husband

In A Letter, Soraya (portrayed by Leena Alam) wears a veil, but her position as a police investigator unnerves tribal elders when she stops one of them from killing his young wife over accusations that the girl dishonored him. The men in Sorayas life  husband, father-in-law, intelligence officer and a provincial commander  regard her intervention as a blasphemous affront to male dignity. She doesnt relent, and in a scene that stunned Afghan audiences, as if the arrival of a longed-for cultural reckoning, Soraya slaps her husband after he first strikes her.

Its not just about a slap, but it is a slap on the face of injustice, discrimination and violence. Thats why people liked it, said Sadat, whose husband, Aziz Deldar, wrote the screenplay. Radicalism, illiteracy and poverty impact womens rights. Its still too early to claim that there is a major change in womens rights despite [some] overall improvements. However, my society is changing rapidly to find its way.

The movie opened in Kabul and was praised in many quarters, including by Farkhunda Zahra Naderi, a female advisor to President Ashraf Ghani, who was quoted in the local press as saying: Even though we are in the middle of a war, at the same time we see brave faces and talented faces of Afghanistan who make us proud.

The film has played at film festivals in Switzerland and South Korea. In a review, Variety called the film rough-edged as cinema, but pointed and persuasive as social polemic.

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Sadat, who directs TV dramas and movies, has emerged as one of her nations most important artistic voices for women. One of her earlier films told the tale of a woman coerced into drug trafficking and, like A Letter, took on themes of gender and corruption in a fractious country of clans and warlords. Afghanistan is a crossroads for the opium trade and radical Islam, a land that harbored Osama bin Laden and daily battles the Taliban, which a U.S.-led invasion overthrew in 2001.

We had to use different routes and move in small groups to not put the entire team at risk. Roya Sadat on filming in dangerous Afghanistan

Afghanistan has no professional studio, so Sadat had to contend with gun battles, terrorist attacks and extremism during filming.

I had to shoot in real locations, which were mainly in insecure areas, she said. In order to mitigate the risks, I had to cut the shooting period short to avoid the crew being identified and targeted. We had to use different routes and move in small groups to not put the entire team at risk.

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Such tension seeps into daily life and corrodes the soul in real life and in fiction. Soraya is a successful detective, but she sees in her husband a once loving man turned violent toward her as he is diminished by bribes, tribal pressures and the uncertainty that threatens his standing and income. Soraya too feels the burden, moving through scenes in shafts of clean and dusty light in what becomes a tortured grace.

She is whittled but not defeated, even when she appears at her mothers house after being beaten by her husband and is told: You will have to burn in pain and put up with it.

The consequences are profound when she cant. Soraya begins her letter, which grows into a book, in a cell awaiting execution. Men scheme against her. The president, a solemn leader facing existential threats from many sides, factors her into his equations in a tick-tock drama that leads Soraya to the gallows. Calls are made to save her. But will they reach the hangman in time? Her fate, Sadats film argues, is also her nations.

See the most-read stories this hour 

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Twitter: @JeffreyLAT

jeffrey.fleishman@latimes.com

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Fatih Akins new thriller In the Fade looks at neo-Nazis and a disturbing world of terror and hate

Tweets, sexual abuse and racial divides shook the entertainment industry and beyond in 2017An Indian road construction project connecting all border posts along the China-India frontier could lead to new military standoffs between China and India, Chinese experts warned on Wednesday.

During his New Year visit to the "Indo-Tibet Border Police" at Nelong valley in Uttarkashi district bordering China on Monday, Indian Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that a number of border posts had already been connected with roads and many would soon be linked, The Times of India reported on Monday.

Singh added that "this would enhance the operational efficiency of the officers and reduce mountain-related sickness among them," said the report.

He also promised that special lightweight winter clothing, snow scooters, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and mountaineering equipment would be provided to the border troops.

India is clearly preparing for war, and it is drawing much experience from the defeat it swallowed in 1962 when it lacked such an infrastructure, Wang Dehua, head of the Institute for South and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, told the Global Times.

The road infrastructure will surely enhance Indian border force maneuverability, but also increases the possibility of confrontations between the patrols of the two countries as the border issues remain unsettled in many of these areas, Qian Feng, a researcher at the Chinese Association for South Asian Studies and a senior fellow of Tsinghua University's National Strategy Institute, told the Global Times.

It also shows the double-faced nature of the Modi administration as it promised to safeguard the stability of the border area but has instead continued to prepare for military operations against China, Qian added.

According to Qian, such a mentality would make it more difficult to improve Sino-Indian ties.

China and India have established a border management mechanism, through which both sides are expected to handle border issues.

Both sides have an interest in safeguarding peace and stability along the border areas between China and India, Geng Shuang, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said during a daily press conference held on Wednesday.Were in the darkest days of winter, just after the holidays, and spring break is not too far away, which means that, for many, a warm-weather escape is in order. If youre looking to skip lengthy trip planning, consider an all-inclusive resort. These oft-maligned destinations have made a resurgence with better amenities and even better food. So, grab your bikini -and a few of these dynamic travel gear items - and head south, just below Playa Del Carmen, to the recently opened Hotel Xcaret Mexico.

The All-Fun Inclusive Program

Sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and the Riviera Maya jungle, with views of Cozumel in the distance, Hotel Xcaret Mexico makes vacationing easy-whether youre looking to leave the property and visit all of the Experiencias Xcaret Parks and Tours or you just want to toe-poke the ocean and soak up Vitamin Sea. The All-Fun Inclusive program includes admission to the nearby family of resorts that includes waterparks and zip lines. The best part? Roundtrip transportation is included.

Gear Pro-Tip: Check out KAST Fitness Wear, colorful authentic Brazilian capris and leggings-they pack small; can be worn in the ocean, pool, or at the gym; and provide sun protection.

Mint Property

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The first things youll notice when you arrive at the hotel are the nods to Mexican traditions, art, and culture. Everything in the rooms - from the pair of wooden chairs to the pink plush pillows to the hand-painted blue tiles - is from Mexico. The resorts eco-friendly sustainable design has already earned the property certification by EarthCheck, a certification and advisory organization, for its Planning and Design.

Explore private coves and caves. Walk sand-covered paths through rainforest paths and bridges that are strung over snaking canals, connecting the lush jungle to the shoreline. The entire resort blends the breezy outdoors into every interior space.

Gear Pro-Tip: Quite possibly the best travel packs are Osprey - at the airport, roll its carry-on wheeled travel packs, like the ultralight Ozone Convertible, and wear it as a backpack to traverse the sand.

Room to Move

The smartest design move was to make the resort appealing to both families and adults traveling without children. Adults traveling alone should opt for the Casa Feugo area, which includes a rooftop pool, bar, and you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it views of the Riviera Maya. Families will feel comfortable at Casa Viento or Casa Tierra, near the kids and teens club, a family restaurant, and an Octopus pool with slides. If spa treatments are your thing (how can they not be?), then book a room at Casa Agua, for access to Muluk Spa-the hydrotherapy circuit and a traditional Mayan massage are included.

Gear Pro-Tip: Dont leave home without some lightweight, polarized shades like Sunskis flexible frames.

Noshes and Nibbles

With 10 restaurants and even more bars, there are more than enough choices to keep you satiated and entertained during your stay. The colorful La Trajinera, located near the main pool, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ignore your mother and after eating go straight into the pool for a cocktail at the swim-up bar. Mexican Steak House is the place for, you guessed it, steak. This traditional cantina-style restaurant is also home to live music, original cocktails, and a plethora of tequila and mezcal. The casual El Mercado is a wonderful place for a hearty breakfast - the fig butter is a must. Chibali is a kids paradise with loads of delectable grab-and-go items for little fingers: mozzarella sticks, pizza, mini sandwiches, and sweets galore. Other restaurants include: Teatro Del Rio, Xin-Gao-the sushi here is incredible, Las Playas, and Las Cuevas.

The standout, however, is HA, serving contemporary Mexican gastronomy. Water flows throughout the restaurant, including a large water vortex in the center. Leave with a belly full of signature dishes created by the photogenic chef Carlos Gaytan, the very first Mexican Michelin-starred chef.

Gaytan, a former Top Chef cheftestant, began his career in Chicago, working his way up the chain from pantry cook to line cook to Chef Garde Manger to Chef de Cuisine to restaurant owner. Mexique on Chicago Avenue opened in Chicago in 2008. The American Culinary Federation awarded Gaytan Chef of the Year in 2011, among his other honors. At HA, youll be served house-made bread during the middle of the meal, when it complements the dish, rather than at the beginning when it can spoil your appetite. Make a reservation here, you wont regret the decision.

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Gear Pro-Tip: Keep your credit cards safe anti-theft gear maker PacSafes RFIDsafe TEC passport wallets, purses, and backpacks. The Transit Travel Hoodie has pockets for your passport, boarding passes, wallet, phone and other tech, making it a carry-on in a jacket.

Explore more all-inclusive resorts with our list of the worlds 101 best.

View slideshow

Plan a Mexican EscapeOn the first day of recreational marijuana sales in West Hollywood, the mood was celebratory and the line was long.

A crowd of about 80 people stood outside MedMens Santa Monica Boulevard location on Tuesday, willing to wait as long as 45 minutes for their chance to buy marijuana from a retail storefront without a prescription.

Im glad I got to experience the feeling, the moment of purchasing marijuana from a store, as opposed to acquiring it other ways, said shopper Sandra Jimenez, a Connecticut resident visiting Los Angeles for the holidays.

Wearing shirts that read Its legal, MedMen employees checked IDs at the door and stamped red marijuana plants onto customers hands. Guards kept the shop from getting too crowded, letting in only five customers at a time. Customers took selfies as they waited their turn.

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Eron Silverstein, right, shops at MedMen in West Hollywood on the first day of recreational marijuana sales. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

Cities and counties across California were greenlit to allow the recreational sale of marijuana on Jan. 1. But when it comes to issuing permits to marijuana businesses, municipalities are taking different approaches at different speeds.

Several stores in Santa Ana, San Diego and Palm Springs opened for recreational sales Monday. MedMen was one of three West Hollywood businesses that began recreational sales Tuesday, attracting shoppers from the city, as well as from Inglewood and even New York.

Im overwhelmed by the products, said Becky Filer as she looked over weed infused lip balm, honey and teas. The New York resident said it was perfect timing for her vacation to coincide with the debut of recreational marijuana in California.

Dispensaries have eagerly awaited recreational sales, which could bring a new demographic of customers  and more revenue  to their shops. MedMen spokesman Daniel Yi said the company was ready for the influx of customers.

This store pretty much looks the same as it did two to three days ago when it was selling medical marijuana, he said.

For the most part, shoppers werent put off by the long lines.

Were making history for L.A., said a West Hollywood resident who gave his name as Mike C. Its pretty cool people want to be a part of it.

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Marijuana on display at MedMen in West Hollywood on the first day of recreational sales. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

There were two lines inside Alternative Herbal Health Services, a dispensary several blocks east on Santa Monica Boulevard  one to look at the display case and get recommendations from an employee, another to make a purchase.

Some customers waited more than an hour.

West Hollywood resident Ryan Glasgow, 46, has long used his medical marijuana card at Alternative Herbal Health Services to purchase edible pot products to treat back pain and help him sleep.

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Usually a quick transaction, Tuesdays line, he said, was a little inconvenient.

Customers shop at MedMen in West Hollywood. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

Jeff Cosper shows the inside of a stainless steel pot filled with marijuana for sale at MedMen in West Hollywood. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

A line continues across the street to shop at MedMen in West Hollywood on the first day of recreational marijuana sales. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

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Selena Solis fills customer orders at MedMen in West Hollywood. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

michael.livingston@latimes.com

@mikelive06

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UPDATES:

4:15 p.m.: This article was updated to include descriptions of the scene at Alternative Herbal Health Services.

This article was originally published at 3:10 p.m.As Los Angeles moves toward allowing the sale of recreational marijuana, joining cities across the state in the newly legal enterprise, police here offered a stern word of caution.

Yes, recreational pot will be legal to sell (and buy, and consume, and cultivate). But there are limits. And the Los Angeles Police Department will help enforce them.

Let me be clear, Assistant Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday. The use of marijuana needs to be done in a responsible manner thats consistent with the law.

What isnt allowed? Driving under the influence of marijuana. Consuming pot in public. Purchasing or consuming recreational cannabis by someone under the age of 21.

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LAPD Assistant Chief Michel Moore addresses a room full of reporters Tuesday at the departments downtown headquarters. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times )

Those are all illegal actions, Moore said. And the department will take aggressive action in enforcing the law.

Moores comments came a day after the sale of recreational marijuana became legal in California, a voter-approved endeavor that has presented challenges for police and city leaders across the state as they decide how to handle the hotly anticipated retail sector.

Most cities in California have yet to sign off on the commercial sale of cannabis. Others that have  including L.A.  scrambled to get policies and procedures in place before the January deadline.

Los Angeles, the states biggest city, decided it would permit the sale of recreational pot, but it has yet to start approving marijuana businesses for those transactions after the City Council backed a set of complicated new regulations in December.

As long lines of customers snaked outside pot shops from Sacramento to San Diego on Monday, and again Tuesday in West Hollywood, L.A.s dispensaries had to wait.

We are going to do this the Los Angeles way, said Cat Packer, the head of the citys Department of Cannabis Regulation. That means that were going to have to do this responsibly. And if that means that we start this process a few days late, Im perfectly fine with that.

Existing L.A. medical marijuana dispensaries that have been following city rules should be able to start applying Wednesday and are expected to get some form of temporary approval from the city quickly  some could have them by Monday, Packer said.

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Raring to buy recreational pot in Los Angeles? Not so fast 

Under city regulations, they are supposed to be protected from local prosecution while they seek licenses.

But the lack of local authorization has left some medical marijuana dispensaries nervous about whether they could be at risk before that approval is granted. And it is unclear when the city will start approving other kinds of pot businesses, including existing marijuana growers and manufacturers that supply dispensaries.

Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the state Bureau of Cannabis Control, said Tuesday that the agency is prepared to take enforcement action against shops that are not properly licensed. The bureau, he said, was ready to investigate complaints and conduct compliance checks at any time.

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Moore said the LAPDs approach to medical marijuana shops would not necessarily change, even if shops do not yet have the local approval required under the new rules.

Shoppers at MedMen in West Hollywood on Tuesday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

Otherwise law-abiding shops could continue to sell medical marijuana, Moore said. If the states cannabis bureau were to ask the LAPD to take enforcement action against them, he said, the department would decide if it was an appropriate use of our resources given the circumstances.

Both Moore and Packer acknowledged the adjustment period ahead, as residents, businesses and police become accustomed to the new rules. Some elements of those laws are nuanced, Moore said.

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For marijuana users, its high times as California makes recreational use legal 

For example, people can grow marijuana, but no more than six plants at a time, and only in locked spaces out of public view. And drivers can have marijuana in their vehicles, but must keep it in a container in the trunk.

The LAPD is working to educate officers through written bulletins and during roll-call meetings. The department is also working with the countys Health Department and other agencies to determine the intended and unintended consequences the legal use of recreational marijuana might have on public safety, Moore said.

This is a new day for us as well, he said.

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It was also a new day in West Hollywood on Tuesday, the first day recreational pot could legally be sold in the city. Outside the MedMen store on Santa Monica Boulevard, the mood was celebratory and the line was long.

Wearing shirts that read Its legal, MedMen employees checked IDs at the door and stamped red marijuana plants onto customers hands. Guards kept the shop from getting too crowded, letting in only five customers at a time. Customers took selfies as they waited their turn.

Customers line up outside MedMen in West Hollywood on Tuesday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

Im overwhelmed by the products, said Becky Filer as she looked over weed-infused lip balm, honey and teas. Filer, a New York resident, happened to be on vacation in California when recreational sales became legal.

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It was perfect timing, she said.

Times staff writers Michael Livingston, Emily Alpert Reyes and Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report.

kate.mather@latimes.com

For more LAPD news, follow me on Twitter: @katematherA Los Angeles man arrested on suspicion of making a 911 call to police in Wichita as part of a deadly swatting prank told a judge Wednesday that he will not fight extradition to Kansas.

Tyler Raj Barriss, 25, declined to fight extradition during a brief hearing in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, and a judge said he should be handed over to authorities in Kansas no later than Feb 2. Until then, he will be held in California without bail.

Tyler Raj Barriss appears for an extradition hearing at Los Angeles Criminal courts. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )

Barriss kept his head down during the hearing, only speaking to say Yeah or I did to acknowledge the judges questions.

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Barriss was arrested last week in South L.A. on an arrest warrant issued by Sedgwick County, Kan., authorities said. The warrant is related to a hoax call to Wichita police in which someone claimed he had killed his father and was holding his mother and sibling at gunpoint.

The call prompted a SWAT team to surrounded a Wichita residence and shoot an innocent man who answered the door. Wichita authorities say the man was shot when he lowered his hands toward his waistband. Family members identified the dead man as 28-year-old Andrew Finch.

Authorities identified Barriss as the caller.

This is not the first time Barriss has been accused of making false reports of an emergency. In October 2015, the Los Angeles County district attorneys office charged him with phoning in a bomb threat to KABC-TV Channel 7 in Glendale. Barriss pleaded no contest.

The term swatting refers to false emergency calls that prompt police departments to deploy SWAT teams to an address. Pranksters typically claim that an armed intruder is inside the home.

The FBI estimates that roughly 400 cases of swatting occur annually, with some using caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. Swatting cases that result in the death of a victim are less common, however.

An FBI supervisor in the Kansas City, Mo., office, which covers all of Kansas, said the agency joined in the investigation in Wichita at the request of local police.

Gaming websites and news outlets have given heavy coverage to the deadly swatting episode.

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The digital security news website Krebs On Security captured some of the tweets reportedly written by the caller under the now-suspended Twitter handle @SWAuTistic. The tweets contain the address where Finch was shot and killed. The tweets also say the user didnt kill anyone because he or she didnt fire a weapon.

The YouTube channel DramaAlert, which covers the gaming community, published a 10-minute interview with a man claiming to be the person who made the swatting call. The interview suggests that a dispute between two online gamers over a $1.50 wager led to the swatting call.

In the interview, the man claims that he had also called in bomb threats to the Federal Communications Commission and an events center in Dallas. He also said he did not feel entirely responsible for Finchs death because he did not pull the trigger.

Times staff writer Jack Leonard contributed to this report.

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joseph.serna@latimes.com

james.queally@latimes.com

For more breaking news in Southern California, follow us on Twitter: @JosephSerna and @JamesQueallyLAT

UPDATES:

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10:50 a.m.: This article was updated with details on the extradition hearing.

This article was originally published at 6 a.m.In a significant expansion into the criminal investigations of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said it was reviewing two sex crimes cases presented to prosecutors by Beverly Hills police detectives.

More than 80 women  some of them prominent actresses  have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual misdeeds spanning four decades. This marks the first time prosecutors in Los Angeles County have taken up cases against him. They will ultimately decide whether to charge Weinstein with a crime.

Beverly Hills police detectives presented evidence from their investigations to the special district attorneys office task force reviewing the evidence, said Greg Risling, a spokesman for the office. Risling said the office would not detail the allegations made against Weinstein in those probes or say when the alleged incidents occurred.

Beverly Hills authorities said last month they had a dozen investigations ongoing into celebrities accused of sexual assault, battery or other related crimes, including one concerning Weinstein. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Elizabeth Albanese confirmed the delivery of the investigations to prosecutors but said the department wont make the details public at this point.

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Sources familiar with the investigation said that Beverly Hills police have not interviewed Weinstein or attempted to contact him or his attorneys about the accusations in the two investigations.

Prosecutors also said they are reviewing five investigations into director James Toback. Beverly Hills police handled three of those cases and the Los Angeles police the other two. Toback, like Weinstein, has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women.

Since a New York Times article Oct. 5 first revealed allegations against Weinstein, accusations and condemnations have engulfed him. The mogul was fired from the company he cofounded and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and other groups. At least 17 other criminal investigations have been initiated in Los Angeles, London and New York into Weinsteins alleged actions.

The statute of limitations, however, may restrict prosecutors ability to charge Weinstein. Many of the accusations are too old to prosecute.

Weinstein has repeatedly denied through his lawyers any criminal behavior.

Mr. Weinstein has never at any time committed an act of sexual assault, and it is wrong and irresponsible to conflate claims of impolitic behavior or consensual sexual contact later regretted with an untrue claim of criminal conduct. There is a wide canyon between mere allegation and truth, and we are confident that any sober calculation of the facts will prove no legal wrongdoing occurred, attorneys Blair Berk and Ben Brafman said in a statement. Nonetheless, to those offended by Mr. Weinsteins behavior, he remains deeply apologetic.

Actresses Asia Argento, Rose McGowan, Lucia Evans and Lysette Anthony have all publicly stated that they were raped or forced to perform a sex act by Weinstein.

In Los Angeles, police are investigating an Italian model-actress accusations of being forced by Weinstein to have sex with him in her hotel room in 2013.

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The LAPD is also examining a more recent lewd conduct accusation against the producer, but that allegation is also probably too old to prosecute.

New York police are investigating at least four accusations against Weinstein. Boardwalk Empire actress Paz de la Huerta has told New York police that Weinstein raped her in 2010.

De la Huerta, who has gone public with her allegations, filed a complaint with the New York Police Department on Oct. 25.

That departments chief of detectives has said De la Huertas accusations are credible and partly corroborated but that the investigation was ongoing.

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British police are investigating at least 11 allegations of sexual assaults by seven women against Weinstein.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

richard.winton@latimes.com

Twitter: @lacrimes

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UPDATES:

7:10 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information on allegations against Weinstein and director James Toback.

This article was originally published at 4:30 p.m.The White House offered a mixed reaction Tuesday to an apparent diplomatic overture from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to neighboring South Korea, and to Seouls proposal to begin talks directly with Pyongyang next week, a move that could sideline the United States in the volatile region.

After staying mum for two days about Kims offer, President Trump issued a tweet early Tuesday that repeated his favorite insult for the North Korean ruler, and then seemed to take partial credit for any thaw on the Korean peninsula while staying ambivalent about possible outcomes.

Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote.

But on Tuesday night, Trump added a truculent nuclear taunt in response to Kims claim that the United States is within the range of our nuclear strike and a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office.

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Moments after Fox News highlighted the quote, Trump tweeted: Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

If Washington was wary, Seoul appeared eager to accept Kims offer, which was part of a New Years speech that is closely analyzed each year for clues to the enigmatic leaders thinking. The two longtime adversaries have not held direct talks for more than two years.

Cho Myoung-gyon, South Koreas minister for unification, proposed Tuesday that negotiators meet on Jan. 9 at the divided border village of Panmunjom to discuss cooperation at next months Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and how to improve overall ties.

So far, no North Korean athlete has qualified for the Games, which start on Feb. 9. But South Korean officials have said they are working with the International Olympic Committee to grant wild cards to North Korean athletes in a sign of inter-Korean reconciliation.

The Jan. 9 talks, should they take place, notably would not include the United States, China, Japan or Russia, which have dealt with North Korea in unsuccessful multi-party negotiations in the past. Nor would they include U.S. demands that Pyongyang give up its growing nuclear arsenal, and stop testing long-range ballistic missiles.

That raised red flags for U.S. officials who questioned Kims motives, his sincerity and South Koreas ability to deal with the wily ruler.

We wont take any talks with North Korea seriously if they dont do something to ban their nuclear weapons, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said at the U.N. on Tuesday. She said Pyongyang was a reckless regime that could not be counted on to enter talks in good faith.

We dont need a Band-Aid, she said. We dont need to stop and take a picture.

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The State Department was less openly critical even as it urged caution.

We are close allies, and if [South Korea] wants to sit down and have a conversation with North Korea, thats fine, thats their right, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. But we arent necessarily going to believe that Kim Jong Un is sincere.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted that the U.S. alliance with South Korea is stronger than it ever has been, with both countries working toward a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

U.S. strategy continues to be maximum pressure to convince Pyongyang to end its nuclear program, she said. We are going to keep all of our options on the table.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, at a regular news briefing on Tuesday, said China welcomes and supports an opportunity for the two Koreas to improve relations, ease tensions and denuclearize the peninsula. This is a good thing, he said.

Some analysts suggested that Kim was attempting to exploit recent divisions between Washington and Seoul. Relations between the long-standing allies have been strained under Trump, who has openly clashed with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Trump, who visited Seoul in November, has repeatedly threatened to scrap a bilateral free trade deal with South Korea, and last summer condemned what he called Seouls talk of appeasement with the North. Talks are not the answer! he tweeted on Aug. 30.

Moon, in turn, appeared to rebuke Trumps threat to unleash fire and fury against North Korea, saying any military actions on the Korean peninsula required consultation and agreement from Seoul. He has publicly suggested military talks with the North in an effort to ease the growing impasse.

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On Tuesday, Moon appeared to align with the U.S. view about the long-term goal of any negotiations, suggesting talks with Pyongyang this month might be a first step.

The improvement of relations between North and South Korea cannot go separately [from] resolving North Koreas nuclear program, Moon said ahead of a Cabinet meeting.

Kim may feel he can offer talks from a position of strength. In September, his government tested its sixth and most powerful nuclear device. In November it tested a long-range ballistic missile that U.S. officials said could potentially reach anywhere in America.

In his New Years speech, Kim declared his nation had achieved the historic feat of completing its nuclear force and that the entire United States was now within range. He also warned that the nuclear button was on his desk, although it appears more symbolic than strategic.

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North Korea still has not developed a nuclear weapon that can survive a missile launch and reentry, though U.S. officials say thats probably a matter of time. And the country still uses liquid-fueled ballistic missiles that take hours or days to launch.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

In his speech, Kim appeared conciliatory toward South Korea, saying the two countries should lower the military tensions on the Korean peninsula to create a peaceful environment.

Rather than showing strength, Kim may be showing his skill at making the best of a weak hand, said Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst who now holds the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a nonpartisan Washington think tank.

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With his outreach offer, he has the potential to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul at no cost to himself, she said, adding he might even demand concessions in return for participation in the Olympics.

It would be a propaganda gold medal for Kim, Terry said. But if the Moon administration makes unilateral concessions to the North, she added, it significantly risks straining the alliance with the Trump administration.

Over the last year, the United Nations Security Council and the Trump administration have both imposed trade sanctions on North Korea, curtailing its ability to buy oil and gas, sell agricultural products, use overseas workers to raise foreign capital, or conduct other business in international markets.

Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, a risk analysis consultancy, said Tuesday that the chances of a significant breakthrough, forged on the back of the Olympic Games, have elevated. But the unknown and potential spoiler is Trumps reaction.

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Trump could launch an enormously dangerous Twitter firestorm, Bremmer said, or take a 180-degree turn, take credit for any progress, as his tweet Tuesday seemed to do, and then revive talk of a possible deal with Pyongyang that only he could cut.

We are at a bigger chance than during any time in the Obama administration for dialogue, Bremmer said. And we are at a bigger chance for war.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter

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UPDATES:

7:38 a.m.: This article was updated with a new headline.

5:55 p.m.: This article was updated with a tweet from President Trump.

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4:45 p.m.: This article was updated with reaction from China.

This article was originally published at 4 p.m.After enduring more than a week of frigid weather, vast swaths of the country can expect more of the same as a bomb cyclone unleashes more snow, ice, rough surf and cold winds from Florida to New England.

The National Weather Service said the strengthening storm could make travel hazardous, lead to power outages and trigger tidal flooding through Thursday. Temperatures will be 20 to 25 degrees below normal by the end of the week from the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard.

It is going to be a very powerful noreaster, weather service meteorologist Alan Dunham said in Boston. Thats what we call these type of storms because they move up the coast in a northeasterly direction, and these storms can generate very, very strong winds.

The storm is also known as a bomb cyclone, or bombogenesis. That refers to a storm that is rapidly intensifying. The cold had already been responsible for least 12 deaths across the U.S., the Associated Press reported.

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The weather service estimated that 6 to 12 inches of snow could fall along the East Coast from southern Virginia to Boston. In northern New England, up to 18 inches are possible.

Boston was already feeling the big chill. The city on Tuesday tied a record with its seventh consecutive day when the high temperature failed to top 20 degrees. On Wednesday, the high for Boston was 28 degrees.

The extreme cold has produced what one would expect  airport closures, flight delays and traffic accidents.

But frozen sharks?

In recent days around Cape Cod in Massachusetts, three thresher sharks were found frozen solid. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said a 14-foot male was so frozen that researchers were unable to perform a necropsy.

Called out to yet another frozen thresher today. More info is on our facebook page: https://t.co/GgGsCpZqAL #FrostyTheThresherShark pic.twitter.com/nfae404lAv  Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (@A_WhiteShark) December 29, 2017

We hauled the shark off the beach and it is currently thawing at NOAA Fisheries Service to be dissected later, the conservancy said on Facebook. A true sharkcicle!

Michelle Wcisel, conservancy program director, said finding frozen sharks was very rare. Its more common, she said, for sea turtles to die from the elements. Indeed, on the South Texas coast, crews with the National Park Service worked to save cold-stunned sea turtles.

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Diverse parts of the country have seen winter anomalies during the current long-running cold snap.

In Southport, N.C., as firefighters were finishing the cleanup of a fire at a local restaurant, the water on the ground started to freeze. In northern Iowa, a water tower froze, causing the town of Evansdale to lose water service.

Evansdale Mayor Doug Faas said he has lived in the town of almost 5,000 people for 36 years and had never seen the tower freeze. Officials were able to restore service in about an hour, but had to issue a boil order.

It was just a fluke occurrence, Faas said. We had 20-below [zero as a low] for three nights in a row, and it never warmed up above 5 of 6 degrees during the day and no sunlight to warm the metal.

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In New York City, streets and parks were quiet Tuesday. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 52-acre park usually teeming with tourists, was nearly empty.

Temperatures rose to the comparatively mild mid-20s on Wednesday but werent expected to surpass freezing the rest of the week and could fall as low as 3 degrees on Saturday, with the wind chill far lower.

The city could receive half a foot of snow or more beginning Wednesday night, with snowfall expected to occur at times at the rate of 1 inch per hour. The citys Department of Homeless Services issued a code blue emergency notice to help homeless New Yorkers find shelter.

People posted images of icicles hanging inside subway stations. Farther north in New York state, Niagara Falls froze, a rarity this early in winter.

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At the Grand Street station on the L train these stalactite-like icicles formed above the platform this morning. Photo Credit: @DeMedievalist pic.twitter.com/IhJZynttoP  Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) January 2, 2018

Across the South and Midwest, forecasters urged residents to stay indoors, keep pets out of the elements and check on neighbors who are vulnerable to the cold.

The National Weather Service in Chicago warned people spending any time outdoors to wear waterproof boots and cover their faces to avoid hypothermia and frostbite.

Across most of northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, wind chill values of minus-20 to minus-25 degrees were expected Wednesday evening.

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Across the South, millions of residents were experiencing unseasonably cold weather.

The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia and the Charleston International Airport in South Carolina were both closed Wednesday morning because of the storm.

One distinguishing feature of this cold snap has been how long it has lingered, especially in the South, where residents arent used to the Arctic air.

For example, in South Florida, the high this time of year is usually in the mid- to upper 70s, and lows usually stay in the 60s. In the coming days, temperatures could dip into the low 40s, the coldest it has been in the area in three years.

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Thats one of the things that makes this unique for us, said Stephen Konarik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami. It would be rare for us to get through a winter where we wouldnt have temperatures this cold, but maybe only for a night.

jaclyn.cosgrove@latimes.com

@jaclyncosgrove

nina.agrawal@latimes.com

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@AgrawalNina

Cosgrove reported from Los Angeles and Agrawal from New York.

UPDATES:

2:50 p.m.: This article was updated with the latest forecasts and comments from Doug Faas and National Weather Service officials.

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This article was originally published at 10:10 a.m.Its entirely appropriate for President Trump to offer support for peaceful protesters in Iran and to demand that the government there respond with restraint. Despite claims by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that they were instigated by foreign enemies, the protests that erupted in that country last week seem to be home-grown and motivated by dissatisfaction with high prices, unemployment and a corrupt ruling elite.

Some protesters may also have objected, as Trump claimed in one of his tweets, to the fact that their wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism.

But Trump and other American politicians need to be careful not to issue calls for regime change, however veiled, that the United States is unable and unwilling to back up with military action. The president came close to making such a promise in a tweet on New Years Day that began with Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration and ended with the exclamation TIME FOR CHANGE! In a similar vein, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said: We should support the Iranian people who are willing to risk their lives.

Such language offers Iranian dissidents false hope, just as former President George H.W. Bush raised the hopes of Iraqi Shiites and Kurds in 1991 when, near the end of the first Gulf War, he said that the Iraqi people could take matters into their own hands, to force Saddam Hussein, the dictator, to step aside. When those Iraqis rose up against Saddam, U.S. forces didnt come to their aid. Trumps words also make it easy for the Iranian regime to dismiss their protests as American-inspired. That doesnt mean U.S. politicians cant sympathize with the concerns of young, disaffected people in Iran or that the U.S. cant penalize Iran when it believes that country has misbehaved. The U.S. already has imposed sanctions on Iran for its support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and for its testing of ballistic missiles potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

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Finally, Trump must resist the temptation to seize on the protests in Iran as an excuse for further undermining the nuclear agreement. In October, Trump declined to certify to Congress that staying in the nuclear deal was in Americas interest even though the International Atomic Energy Agency repeatedly has said that Iran has complied with the agreement. But he didnt say that he would reimpose the sanctions that were lifted in connection with the deal or demand that Congress do so.

At the same time, Trump warned that the agreement would be terminated if Congress didnt take action to improve on the agreement  action that hasnt been forthcoming, raising the possibility that he might reimpose sanctions this year, effectively ending the agreement.

Might the protests in Iran  and the governments response to them  give Trump another reason for taking that extreme step? (In one of his tweets, the president mentioned all of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave [Iran]. ) That truly would be an irresponsible reaction. The nuclear agreement wasnt a favor to Iran; in restraining its nuclear program, it contributed to the security of the whole world. That was true before the protests and its still true.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookTo the editor: It is important to highlight the difference between the Trump and Obama responses toward Iranian unrest, as the results may prove to be historic. (Trumps backing of Iranian protesters could backfire as Tehran cracks down, Dec. 31)

The Iranian people have long expressed a desire for change, seen by the Green Movement of 2009 that did not receive forceful support from the Obama administration. The Iran nuclear deal of 2015 unfroze billions of dollars in Iranian assets that will enrich government officials, but the people continue to lack true democracy or prosperity.

President Trumps tweets on the ongoing Iran protests were immediate, have been daily and are likely to grow and transform into real change for Iranians. All the while, Europes silence is deafening and shameful and likely rooted in its financial dealings.

Trump is many things to different groups, but what he is not is a European pushover or afraid to side with the hungry and deserving people of Iran against the corrupt Revolutionary Guard lead by the supreme leader.

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Michael Kendall, Azusa

..

To the editor: Trump tweeted that Iranians are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered. He might as well be talking about what he and his fellow Republicans have done to the American middle class with their tax plan.

Even if Democrats manage to win both houses of Congress in 2018 and Trump is impeached, nothing will change until the electorate installs a democratic president and Congress. Maybe by 2020 they will realize just how costly giving Republicans complete governing power has been.

Bob Murtha, Santa Maria

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookPresident Igor Dodon rejected the court's Tuesday ruling, which said his powers should be given to the Parliament speaker or prime minister. He accused the court of being "a political tool, not a constitutional body."

Moldova's Constitutional Court has temporarily stripped the country's pro-Moscow president of his duties for his refusal to endorse new ministers in a political standoff.

Dodon is at odds with the ruling coalition, which favors closer relations with the European Union and the U.S.

In October, the court suspended his powers after he refused to appoint another minister. This time, Dodon said the ministerial candidates were incompetent, claiming some were involved in a 2014 scandal in which $1 billion was siphoned from Moldova's banking system.

The ruling coalition asked the court to suspend Dodon's powers so ministers could be appointed.Gavin Newsom releases ad that highlights his push to allow same-sex couples to marry By Phil Willon A new ad from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom features Phyllis Lyon, who with her partner, Del Martin, received the first marriage license after Newsom vowed to allow same-sex couples to marry when he was mayor of San Francisco in 2004. The current lieutenant governors push for marriage equality thrust him into the national spotlight and he has emphasized that effort to portray himself as a bold, progressive leader. Facebook

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Failed California housing bill was not a bad idea, Gov. Jerry Brown says By Liam Dillon Gov. Jerry Brown (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Earlier this month, high-profile housing legislation that would have allowed for four- to five-story apartments and condominiums near transit stops failed to advance in the state Legislature. But had it reached his desk, would Gov. Jerry Brown have signed it? Maybe. I think that was not a bad idea, Brown said of Senate Bill 827 at a meeting with business leaders from the Bay Area Council on Monday afternoon. The bill, written by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), attracted national attention and a maelstrom of opposition in part because it would have eliminated single-family zoning near transit stops in favor of apartments or condominiums. Brown said that a relative of his who lives in West Portal, a low-density neighborhood in San Francisco, told the governor he was horrified by the bill. Brown also lamented dramatically rising housing costs. He said he bought his first house in Los Angeles in 1973 for $75,000 at a time when his salary as secretary of state was $35,000. Now, he said, buying a house for a little over twice ones annual salary is virtually impossible anywhere in the state. FOR THE RECORD

May 1, 9:32 a.m.: This post originally misstated the year Brown purchased his house as 1970. It was 1973. Facebook

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John Cox begins California barnstorm with the delivery of gas tax repeal signatures By Javier Panzar Gubernatorial candidate John Cox, left, and Assembly candidate Bill Essayli load boxes of signatures for the gas tax repeal initiative. (Francine Orr) GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox strolled up to the stack of 12 boxes in front of the Los Angeles County registrar-recorders offices in Norwalk on Monday and placed his hands on top of his partys hope for success in 2018. The boxes, stacked four across and three high, contained 211,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal recent increases in Californias gas tax and vehicle fees. Cox says the effort has gathered more than 940,000 signatures from registered voters to put the measure on the ballot  far more than the 585,407 signatures that are required. The aim: to bring out the partys base to the polls this November and help candidates in tough congressional and legislative races down the ticket. A USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll in November found 54.2% of registered voters surveyed said they would repeal the tax and fee hike, but a survey a month earlier by another group said a majority would vote to keep the higher taxes. Cox was flanked by Bill Essayli, a former federal prosecutor who is challenging Democratic Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes of Riverside in the June primary. Cervantes voted for the gas tax and Essayli plans to use that vote against her. He even launched his campaign at a 76 gas station in Norco. This is a central issue in my campaign, he said. Cox also submitted signatures in San Diego on Monday and is headed to Bakersfield, Fresno and Sacramento, as well as Shasta and Butte counties in coming days. We are going all across the state, Cox said. The whole state is paying this tax and the whole state wants it gone. Facebook

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All Californians would be able to serve on state boards  even people in the U.S. illegally  under new bill By Jazmine Ulloa Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation that would allow all Californians to serve on state boards and commissions regardless of immigration status. Senate Bill 174, by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), comes as the state is locked in a broader legal battle with the Trump administration over state immigration laws and his call for mass deportations. Lawmakers point to what they say is the states own discriminatory history as their basis for introducing the legislation. The proposal would amend an 1872 provision that was first adopted to exclude Chinese immigrants and other transient aliens from holding appointed civil positions. At the time, antipathy toward the Chinese had been building in California, though, Chinese immigrants opened hundreds of businesses across the state and would play a critical role in building the transcontinental railroad. The Senate bill would delete the phrase transient aliens from the government code and make clear that any person, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, can hold an appointed civil office if they are at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. That would allow any Californian to serve on hundreds of boards and commissions that advice in an array of policy areas, including farm labor, history and employment development. Californias two million undocumented immigrants are a source of energy for our state, Lara said in a statement. It is shocking to read the words of fear and exclusion that are still in California law but belong in historys trash can. Facebook

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Tony Mendozas fundraising dries up after resignation amid harassment inquiry By Patrick McGreevy Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). (Steve Yeater / Associated Press) Political contributions to Tony Mendoza, who resigned from the state Senate under pressure amid sexual harassment allegations, have nearly dried up. New documents he filed with the state in his bid to reclaim the seat he once held show that his support has eroded. As a result, five other candidates for the 32nd District senate seat in the June 5 election have raised more than Mendoza so far this year. With the June 5 election approaching, Mendoza has reported raising just $7,750 in cash from six supporters during the nearly four-month period from Jan. 1 to April 21. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, went on a leave of absence from the Senate Jan. 3 and resigned a month later under the threat of expulsion from colleagues. An investigation ordered by the Senate found a pattern of unwanted flirtatious or sexually suggestive behavior based on testimony from six women. Mendoza has denied wrongdoing. Last year, Mendozas reelection campaign raised $412,600, or an average of about $34,000 per month, from more than 350 supporters. Most of Mendozas 2018 total was contributed by the political arm of the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16 on Jan. 22, a month before Mendoza resigned. Mendoza also reported that his campaign loaned $125,000 this year to his legal defense fund. That left him with $446,600 in his campaign account at the end of April. Mendoza is running against eight Democrats and two Republicans. Democrat Bob J. Archuleta, a Pico Rivera city councilman, raised the most, $210,000, during the period. On Monday, Mendoza suffered another setback when the State Legislative Womens Caucus endorsed Democrat Vicky Santana, a member of the Rio Hondo College Board. Facebook

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Newsom and Villaraigosa affairs coming to TV ads in California By Phil Willon An independent political committee backing Republican John Cox for governor released an ad blasting both Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for their past sexual affairs. The California Deserves Better ad, which was first reported by Politico, criticizes Newsom for having an affair with a woman on his staff in 2005 while he served as mayor of San Francisco. It also goes after Villaraigosa for having an extramarital affair with a television reporter in 2007 while he was mayor of Los Angeles. The ad, which begins airing on Fox stations in the states top media markets Monday, links Newsom and Villaraigosa to the men accused of sexual impropriety in the #MeToo movement, including movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and disgraced Today show veteran Matt Lauer. Powerful men are finally being held to account, punished for inappropriate sexual conduct with women over whom they exercise power, the ad begins. Newsom and Villaraigosa think the rules shouldnt apply to them. The independent campaign committee, called Restore Our Values, already has raised more than $100,000, said Leigh Teece of Emeryville in Northern California, co-founder of the group. Teece, the CEO of a nonprofit that helps line up students with professional mentors, said the campaign will actively support Cox. She called him a true conservative and noted that he supports cutting taxes and opposes Californias sanctuary state policy. John is a business person who has demonstrated integrity, Teece said. Facebook

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Was that Cisneros in the voicemail? Dispute is latest espisode of Democratic infighting in crowded primary races By Christine Mai-Duc Gil Cisneros speaks during a forum at Fullerton College in January. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) With less than five weeks to go before Californias primary, insults and accusations are flying with abandon in the most crowded races Democrats hope to ultimately win. The latest example of this is in the 39th Congressional District, where a half dozen Democrats are vying for a chance to replace Rep. Ed Royce, whos retiring. Its one of several California contests where Democratic leaders are already worried that divisions could ultimately split votes and shut Democrats out of key pickup opportunities. In that race, millionaires Gil Cisneros and Andy Thorburn are going negative  about going negative. Cisneros was recently elevated to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees Red to Blue program in hopes it would serve as a signal to Democratic activists and donors that his campaign was the most viable. But both Cisneros and Thorburn have poured millions into the race, which promises to be a knock down, drag out fight through June 5. At the center of the latest controversy is a voicemail, allegedly left by Cisneros on Thorburns home answering machine earlier this month. The recording, which the Thorburn campaign turned over to media outlet The Intercept, lasts less than 10 seconds. Hi Andy, its Gil Cisneros. Im gonna go negative on you, a mans voice is heard saying. Cisneros campaign manager Orrin Evans denied the candidate made the call, posting a cease and desist letter to The Intercept on Twitter. The letter, sent by a Cisneros campaign attorney, called the voicemail fabricated and demanded that the story be taken down, calling it defamatory. It gave the publication until 3 p.m. Friday to take down the story before they pursue all legal rights and remedies. An attorney for The Intercept, in a letter to Cisneros, said the publication confirmed with multiple sources familiar with Mr. Cisneros that his voice was on the recording, and that it stands by its reporting. Thorburns camp says it flatly rejects Cisneros denial, and that the timing of a negative website filled with unflattering background on Thorburn, released three days later, suggests it was him. Track the California races that could flip the House According to The Intercepts report, Cisneros campaign manager did not respond to initial inquiries about the voicemail, calling its questions ridiculous. In a follow-up statement Friday, Evans said called the episode a dirty, desperate trick by the Thorburn campaign and said they are readying to pursue legal action for defamation and false light against both him and the publication. It sounded like him to me! said Thorburns wife, Karen, in a statement released by the campaign. She was the one who first heard the voicemail, they said. Thorburn campaign manager Nancy Leeds called Cisneros threats Trump-like tactics and accused the candidate of trying to harass and intimidate anyone who stands in his way. Its not the first time candidates from the same party have clashed in the lead-up to the June 5 primary, and its all but certain to not be the last. Cisneros sued two of his opponents, Thorburn and Sam Jammal, over their ballot descriptions until they had to change them. Earlier this month, Democrat Bryan Caforio asked his opponent, Katie Hill, to sign a pledge rejecting the use of independent expenditure committees, entities that neither of them can legally coordinate with, in the race to unseat Rep. Steve Knight (R-Lancaster). Hill refused and called the attempt hollow and likened it to political theater, while Caforio accused her of empty campaign promises. Facebook

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California Politics Podcast: The money raised in the race for governor hints at a race thats now red hot By John Myers With less than six weeks before election day, the cash raised in the California governors race mirrors the overall dynamics: one major front-runner and a heated race for second place. This weeks podcast episode offers a glimpse into those cash reports and how the Republican field seems more settled in a new statewide poll than the battle between Democrats. We also examine the reasons why a nationally talked-about housing bill in Sacramento was killed by the Democratic authors own allies. Im joined by Times staff writers Melanie Mason and Liam Dillon. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher. Facebook

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L.A. County politician sexually assaulted woman when she was 16, lawsuit claims By Dakota Smith A woman sued an unnamed politician in Los Angeles County on Friday, alleging the man sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager after he gave her an unusual-tasting drink. The politician, identified as John Doe, was in his early 40s and a public figure at the time of the 2007 assault, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The man is an elected official today and lives in Los Angeles, said attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing the woman identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe. Bloom declined to say what branch of government the man represents. Read More Facebook

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Villaraigosa touts his working-class upbringing, accomplishments as mayor in first TV ad By Phil Willon Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa released his first TV ad in the governors race Friday, touting his record and accomplishments as mayor of Los Angeles when up against the economic downturn during the recession. The 30-second television spot opens with a sweeping shot of Los Angeles and cuts to Villaraigosa sitting on a bus. In kindergarten, my sister and I took three buses to get to school. As mayor, I remembered that, Villaraigosa says into the camera. And despite the recession, we built more new schools and rail lines than any city in America, added 200,000 living wage jobs, built 20,000 units of affordable housing and nearly doubled graduation rates. Campaign spokesman Luis Vizcaino said the ad will air statewide over the next week at a cost of approximately $1 million. The commercial will being airing Saturday. Two Democratic rivals in Californias race for governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Treasurer John Chiang, also launched ads this week, signaling the biggest ramp-up of the campaign as the June 5 primary approaches. Newsom is the front-runner, while Villaraigosa is battling for second place with Republican John Cox. One recent poll has Villaraigosa trailing both Cox and Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach. Chiang has been stuck in the single digits in almost all polling in the race. Last week, an independent expenditure group called Families and Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor, funded largely by a trio of wealthy charter school backers, launched a spot in support of the former mayor of Los Angeles. That ad campaign is focused on increasing Villaraigosas chances of coming in second in the June 5 primary and moving on to the general election. Villaraigosas ad, titled Three Buses, emphasizes the struggles he faced growing up in East Los Angeles and addresses one of his central campaign themes  that hes the candidate best suited to help working-class Californians. I know how far a bus can take you, Villaraigosa says in the ad. Facebook

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein wont participate in pre-primary debate By Sarah D. Wire (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call) California Sen. Dianne Feinstein will not participate in a proposed pre-primary debate because there are too many candidates in the race, her campaign spokesman said Thursday. Political activists with the group Indivisible Los Angeles said they had a venue and date  May 5  reserved for a debate with four of the Senate candidates. But they said if Feinstein does not participate, it will be canceled. Feinstein faces 31 primary opponents in her bid for a fifth full term representing California in the Senate. Feinstein staffers initially said she had a prior commitment on May 5 in San Francisco. When organizers offered to let her campaign pick another date, her campaign said it wasnt fair for the group to invite only some of the candidates when there is such a big field, said Tudor Popescu, volunteer community organizer with Indivisible Los Angeles. The invited candidates, all Democrats, were Feinstein, state Sen. Kevin de Leon, political action committee director Alison Hartson and lawyer Pat Harris. They were selected based on fundraising and poll numbers. There are 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, nine independents and 2 third-party candidates running for Senate on the June ballot. Indivisible Los Angeles is still hoping Feinstein will pick another date, Popescu said. Feinstein spokesman Jeff Millman pointed to a San Francisco Chronicle endorsement of Feinstein, which indicates that she told the editorial board she would be willing to have a debate ahead of Novembers general election. Senator Feinstein looks forward to debating her opponent in the general election, Millman said in an email. Feinstein holds a substantial lead in both fundraising and in the polls. Front-runners in statewide races have routinely declined to debate their challengers, knowing that its free publicity for candidates who dont have the cash to increase their name recognition on their own. De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the state senator has done candidate forums before, but planned to attend the May 5 debate only if Feinstein did. We basically said well clear his calendar 100%, well clear his calendar if Feinstein shows up, Underland said. Wed love to make it happen, but we want her to be there. Facebook

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NRA, Olympic shooter sue California over its restrictions on ammunition sales By Patrick McGreevy Olympian Kim Rhode is a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the NRA and its state affiliate against California. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The National Rifle Assn. and its state affiliate have filed a fourth lawsuit against California over its gun control laws, this time challenging new restrictions on the sale and transfer of ammunition. The NRA and the California Rifle and Pistol Assn. filed a challenge in federal court to a requirement that ammunition sales and transfers be conducted face to face with California firearms dealers or licensed vendors, ending purchases made directly from out-of-state sellers on the internet. The lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California also challenged a requirement starting next year for background checks for people buying ammunition. The lawsuit was filed in the name of Kim Rhode, a six-time Olympic medal-winning shooter, and others. It challenges Californias new ammunition sales restrictions as a violation of the 2nd Amendment and the commerce clause of the United States Constitution. Restrictions on ammunition purchases were included in Proposition 63, approved by voters in 2016, and in bills approved by the Legislature. As a result of these laws, millions of constitutionally protected ammunition transfers are banned in California, Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRAs Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement. Californias law-abiding gun owners are sick of being treated like criminals and the NRA is proud to assist in this fight. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is running for governor, defended his initiative and vowed to fight the NRA lawsuit. We wrote Proposition 63 on solid legal ground and principle: If youre a felon banned from possessing guns in California, then you should not be able to purchase the ammunition that makes a firearm deadly, Newsom said in a statement. California voters said loudly and clearly that guns and ammunition do not belong in the hands of dangerous individuals  but once again, the NRA has prioritized gun industry profits over the lives of law-abiding Californians. Facebook

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Republicans hope to ride a gas-tax repeal to victory By Patrick McGreevy In a Central Valley barn decked out in red, white and blue, dairyman and state Senate candidate Johnny Tacherra drew cheers from a crowd of fellow farmers when he said he opposes the California Legislatures hike on gas taxes and vehicle fees. I would not have voted for that. It is not the time to be voting on (raising) the gas tax, said Tacherra, a Republican running against Democratic Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, who voted for the tax increase last year. Three hundred miles away the same week, a campaign mailer arrived at homes in Orange County from an Assembly candidate with a message blaring from the cover in bold type: Republican Greg Haskin  tough enough to stand up to Jerry Brown and repeal the gas tax. Read More Facebook

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Treasurer John Chiang launches ad in governors race touting his record as a fiscal steward By Seema Mehta In his first television ad in the governors race, state Treasurer John Chiang touts his record on fiscal issues as California faced the recession. Some thought we were done, Chiang says in a voiceover in the 30-second spot he released Thursday, with images of him standing seriously at a lectern and complimentary headlines about his work as controller and treasurer. But I knew better. I made the tough calls. And brought California back from the brink of financial disaster because you trusted me to manage our economy. Chiangs campaign is spending about $500,000 to air the ad in Los Angeles and San Diego in coming days. That buy is dwarfed by seven-figure purchases for ads supporting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Newsom is the front-runner, while Villaraigosa is battling for second place with Republican businessman John Cox. Chiang has been mired in the single digits in almost all polling in the race. His ad, called Quiet Storm, tries to portray Chiang as a progressive who is effective and can move policy in Sacramento. Chiang points to his work challenging Wells Fargo before arguing that he could accomplish what doubters say is impossible to improve the states healthcare, housing and schools. I say, we got this, Chiang concludes. Facebook

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Been ignoring the race for California governor? Thats OK, in some ways its just starting By Mark Z. Barabak On a recent trip to Iowa, Eric Garcetti  the mayor of Los Angeles and a possible 2020 White House contestant  raised eyebrows with a bit of exuberant outreach. Los Angeles and Iowa, Garcetti insisted, have a ton in common, and he didnt simply mean both are inhabited by carbon-based life forms needing oxygen to survive. Urban or rural, farmer or fashion plate, all of us harbor the same hopes and dreams, the mayor suggested, and if it wasnt a terribly original thought it also wasnt the most egregious sort of political pandering  like, say, ordering that every home in Los Angeles be powered by Iowa-produced ethanol. Read More Facebook

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California voters should expect to decide on an $8.9-billion water bond in November By Liam Dillon (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A proposal to borrow $8.9 billion for improvements to Californias water quality systems and watersheds and protection of natural habitats is eligible for the statewide ballot in November, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced in a press release Wednesday. Padilla said the measure, which is backed by agricultural interests, had exceeded the 365,800 valid signatures it needed to qualify for the general election ballot. The bond measure will appear on the ballot unless proponents withdraw it by June 28, the release said. The bond is one of many voters could decide on in 2018. A $4-billion bond for parks and water infrastructure improvements will appear on the June 5 ballot. State lawmakers approved it last year. Facebook

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They came for Darrell Issa. They stayed with their inflatable chicken, blue wall and signs for political therapy By Christine Mai-Duc (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune) A mother of two turned ringleader of the resistance and more than a hundred of her faithful followers gathered on Tuesday morning outside Rep. Darrell Issas office in a northern San Diego County suburb. Across the street was her foil, a wedding DJ in a red Make American Great Again cap, setting up hefty speakers for an upcoming war of words. For about 65 weeks the deep divide in America played out along this 100-yard stretch of road in Vista. Here, at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, passersby found signs, chants, songs and, if they were lucky, sometimes a 20-foot-tall inflatable chicken with a Trump-esque coif. Theyd also glimpse the state of the body politic in 2018, a time when shock has turned to anger and post-2016 calls for reconciliation have morphed into grudging acceptance that each side might be better off in their respective corners. Or in this case, their sides of the street. On Tuesday, the anti-Issa, anti-Trump contingent fought this particular battle for the last time, declaring it their final protest at the congressmans office. They said they planned to use their energy to knock on doors and get out the vote, with an occasional protest on the side. Their pro-Trump rivals vowed to show up wherever they do. Read More Facebook

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Efforts to regulate bail companies have some unlikely allies: bail agents By Jazmine Ulloa Jane Un, chief executive and founder of Abba Bail Bonds, works with a client. ( Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) In recent years, the seriousness and number of official complaints related to the bail industry in California have significantly increased while bail agents and bounty hunters face limited oversight, putting vulnerable communities at risk of fraud, embezzlement and other forms of victimization. This year, as Gov. Jerry Brown has pledged to work with lawmakers in a push to overhaul how courts assign defendants bail and to better regulate bail agencies, even some who profit from the court practice admit its time for regulation. These bail and bail-recovery agents could become unlikely allies, saying they advocate for change because theyve seen the system abuse the poor. Read More Facebook

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California voters: Get ready for an onslaught of television ads By Seema Mehta After a sleepy campaign, California voters are now being bombarded with television advertisements in the governors race, an onslaught that is expected to ramp up in coming weeks. The ads most frequently seen on television are those promoting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the front-runner in the race, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is trying to secure the second spot in the June primary. Newsoms campaign and an outside group backing Villaraigosa are spending seven figures weekly on these efforts, according to filings with the California secretary of states office and a media buyer who asked not to be identified in order to freely discuss the ads. Other gubernatorial candidates are expected to hit the airwaves soon, the media buyer said. State Treasurer John Chiang has reserved a half-million dollars in the coming days in the Los Angeles and San Diego markets, and Villaraigosas campaign has requested availability in at least five of the states biggest TV markets. The GOP candidates in the race, who will be seeking the state Republican Partys endorsement at its convention next weekend, have been much less active. Businessman John Cox in recent weeks has been spending about $90,000 per week, but doubled that this week in Los Angeles and added small buys on KFI-AM radio and cable in markets including Fresno, Bakersfield and Salinas. State Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach, who has been scooping up Republican Party endorsements across the state, has yet to make a notable television or radio buy, though he and Cox have received some attention as commentators on Fox News. Facebook

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Republicans ready to turn in signatures for ballot measure to repeal California gas-tax increase By Patrick McGreevy A Chevron gas station in Sacramento shows prices last year. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Republican activists said Tuesday that they have collected at least 830,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal recent increases in Californias gas tax and vehicle fees, more than enough to qualify the measure for the November ballot. The activists need 585,407 signatures of registered voters to qualify the ballot measure. Because signatures are still being processed and counted by the campaign, backers hope to have 900,000 by the time they begin turning them in to the counties on Friday, according to Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member and organizer of the drive. The breadth and depth of voter anger over the car and gas tax hikes is just amazing, said DeMaio, who hosts a radio talk show. We are seeing Democrats, independents and Republicans sign the petition and volunteering to carry the petition, people from all walks of life. The initiative targets a law approved in April 2017 by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown that is expected to raise $5.4 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and improvements to mass transit. The money comes from a recent 12-cents-per-gallon increase in the gas tax, a 20-cent increase in the diesel fuel excise tax and a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25 for cars valued at under $5,000, to $175 for cars worth $60,000 or more. The petition drive raised more than $2 million with significant contributions from the California Republican Party and Republican members of Congress from California, including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Reps. Ken Calvert of Corona and Mimi Walters of Irvine. Republicans hope the issue will help their candidates for office in this years election and hurt Democrats who support the higher taxes. I think this is going to put Democrats in real bad spot, DeMaio said. A spokesman for Brown declined to comment until the signatures are filed. DeMaio said there were approximately 20,000 volunteer petition circulators who brought in more than 250,000 signatures, with the rest collected by paid circulators who received $1 to $2.50 per signature. Its a pretty comfortable margin [of signatures] that we have been able to hit here, DeMaio said. Opposition will grow, he said, as more Californians get their annual vehicle registration notice. The repeal campaign hopes to raise $5 million for the campaign to pass the constitutional amendment, which would not only repeal the increase in the gas tax and vehicle fees but require future increases to be submitted to voters. We know that Gov. Brown and his cohorts are going to spend an amazing amount of money to mislead voters, DeMaio said. But I feel pretty confident that we will repeal the gas tax. Read More Facebook

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Rep. Duncan Hunter sets up trust to raise money for legal expenses amid ongoing criminal investigation By Morgan Cook Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, has filed paperwork to establish a legal expense fund amid an ongoing federal criminal investigation into misused campaign cash. Hunter filed the required paperwork March 27, seeking a rarely granted Legal Expense Fund through which members of Congress under investigation or being sued in connection with doing their jobs or running for office can raise money for their legal expenses. Such funds are administered by an independent trustee and allow donors to give above the maximum amount they can contribute a candidates campaign. Hunter has spent more than $600,000 of campaign money on lawyers. Read More Facebook

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Kamala Harris says she wont take corporate donations anymore By Sarah D. Wire (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press) California Sen. Kamala Harris says she will no longer accept money from corporate political action committees. In an interview with WWPM-FMs The Breakfast Club, in New York that aired Monday, the senator said she wasnt expecting a question at a town hall this month about whether she would accept money for corporations or corporate lobbyists. At the time, Harris said it depends, but she said on Monday that she had reflected on the matter and changed her mind. Money has had such an outside influence on politics, and especially with the Supreme Court determining Citizens United, which basically means that big corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money influencing a campaign, right? Harris said. Were all supposed to have an equal vote, but money has now really tipped the balance between an individual having equal power in an election to a corporation. So Ive actually made a decision since I had that conversation that Im not going to accept corporate PAC checks. I just  Im not. You can watch the video of the interview here. (Harris corporate money comments come about 30 minutes in.) Harris wouldnt be on the ballot for a second Senate term until 2022, though its widely believed that she is planning a presidential bid in 2020. Other potential 2020 presidential candidates, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have also ruled out taking corporate PAC money. Soon after Mondays show aired, Harris campaign sent out a fundraising request noting her new stance. As corporate PACs continue to corrupt our politics and twist Congress priorities at your expense, were going to focus on raising money from small-dollar, individual donors like you, the email says. Facebook

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With money tied up in court, California lawmakers try again with new plan to spend $2 billion on homeless housing By Liam Dillon A man sleeps on the sidewalk in front of the Union Rescue Mission in the skid row neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) A measure to spend $2 billion on housing homeless Californians could be on the November statewide ballot. State Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) is pushing the idea to deal with what he said was a burgeoning humanitarian crisis whose epicenter is here in California. De Leons new measure is a do-over for a 2016 plan passed by the Legislature to redirect $2 billion toward building homeless housing from a voter-approved 1% income tax surcharge on millionaires that funds mental health services. A Sacramento attorney sued over that decision, arguing that the move violated constitutional rules on approving loans without a public vote and that lawmakers shouldnt take money away from mental health treatment. The case remains active in Sacramento Superior Court and its unclear when, or if, the state will be able to spend the $2 billion. De Leons Senate Bill 1206 would put the $2-billion loan on the ballot in November, freeing up the money if voters approve the measure. De Leon said had he been able to predict the 2016 plan would end up in court, he would have sought a ballot measure at the time. We thought this was like apple pie and baseball and puppies, De Leon said. Who would oppose the idea of repurposing the dollars to build immediate housing as a permanent solution for homelessness? Obviously with a crystal ball, had I anticipated the litigation, I would have worked to place it on the ballot. De Leon noted that the 2016 plan had bipartisan supermajority support in the Legislature, something his new bill also will need to get on the ballot. Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) is a coauthor of the plan. SB 1206 is scheduled for its first hearing in the Legislature on Wednesday. Should De Leons measure be approved, it will join a crowded list of housing issues before voters in November. Californians will decide on a separate $4-billion bond to help finance new low-income housing and home loans for veterans. De Leon said hes not worried those two measures will compete against each other because voters are aware of the scale of the states housing problems and the proposed homeless housing bond redirects existing dollars instead of raising taxes. Once [voters] know that the impact on their pocketbook is not existent, Im confident that theyll join me and my colleague John Moorlach in support of this measure, De Leon said. Facebook

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California lawmakers say too many former felons are being denied professional licenses By John Myers Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) along with supporters of bills to allow more former felons to receive professional licenses. (John Myers/Los Angeles Times) A trio of California Assembly members urged colleagues on Monday to pass legislation that would prohibit state commissions and agencies from rejecting a professional license for those who were once convicted of less serious crimes. We cant say we want to rehabilitate people, and then block them from getting the jobs that they need when theyre released, said Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco). That leads to more recidivism and to more crime. The bills, scheduled to be heard in Assembly committees Tuesday, would ban the use of arrest or conviction records as the reason for denying a professional license. The bill would not apply to Californians who served time for any of the offenses on the states list of violent crimes. The authors, all Democrats, said that a government-issued professional license is required for some 30% of all jobs in the state. Their bills would change the licensing process at the California departments of Consumer Affairs and Social Services and agencies that certify emergency medical technicians. The bills would block prior convictions from leading to the delay or denial of a license unless that crime is directly related to the profession the person intends to pursue. Two of the bills also specifically say convictions less than 5 years old could continue to play a role in licensing decisions. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that keeps private sector employers from inquiring about a job applicants conviction history prior to an offer of employment. Advocates joined the lawmakers at a press conference in Sacramento to point out that limits on awarding licenses should focus only on those whose prior criminal activity could pose a threat to consumers. Continuing to hold people back for crimes that are 6, 7, 8, 10, 20 years old does not actually make sense if youre looking at public safety, said Jael Myrick of the East Bay Community Law Center. One of the proposals, Assembly Bill 2293, seeks to make it easier for ex-felons to get a license allowing a job with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection  the same agency that often uses prison inmates to battle blazes around the state. If a person is good enough to risk their life fighting fires for the state of California as an inmate, said Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-Grand Terrace), their previous actions should not prevent from having a job utilizing the skill set that they learned. Facebook

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Assembly speaker rebukes building trades union after it targets Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia By John Myers ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) The decision by a politically powerful labor group to openly campaign against an embattled Los Angeles-area lawmaker drew a sharp rebuke on Friday from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. The Lakewood Democrat lashed out hours after the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California filed paperwork for a political action committee to defeat Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). Garcia, whos seeking her fourth term, took an unpaid leave of absence in February following allegations of sexual misconduct. She has denied the reports and an Assembly investigation remains underway. Rendon didnt criticize the labor group by name, insisting instead that the decision was driven by oil and gas industry interests. This is a thinly veiled attempt by Big Oil and polluters to intimidate me and my members. It is an affront to my speakership, Rendon said in a statement. We are proud of the work that the Assembly has done to increase jobs and wages while defending our environment. We will vigorously defend the members of our caucus from any ill-advised political attack. A statement from the labor group, which sparred with Garcia last year on her effort to link new climate change policies with a crackdown on air pollution, said it had decided to reverse past support for her. The Trades have thousands of hard working members in Garcias district, and we look forward to lifting up another Democrat in the 58th Assembly to better represent them and their families, said the statement. The political action committees campaign finance filing on Friday listed nonmonetary in kind contributions from Erin Lehane, a public affairs consultant aligned with the building labor group. Lehane said she had begun researching Garcia in November. In January, a former legislative staffer accused her of groping him in 2014. Lehane, who identified herself as a spokesperson for the labor groups political action committee, said on Friday that she believed Garcias hypocrisy threatened a movement that will dictate how much harassment and abuse my daughter will face in her work life. Garcia, who has been an outspoken advocate for women in the #MeToo movement, has complained that her political opponents helped fan the flames of the accusations. Through a campaign consultant, she declined to comment on Friday. Rendons critique came on the heels of a full-page ad in The Times on Friday, partly paid for by the Trades Council, that criticized well-funded ivory tower elites who push proposals that hurt the oil and gas industry. We are the real jobs that fuel the real California economy, read the advertisement. Facebook

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Legal tiff breaks out over independent committees ad backing Antonio Villaraigosa for governor By Phil Willon An attorney representing Gavin Newsoms campaign for governor is demanding that California television stations cease airing an ad by an independent political committee supporting his Democratic rival Antonio Villaraigosa. Attorney Thomas A. Willis, in a letter to the stations, said the ad is false and misleading and violates California law because it uses snippets of video footage from Villaraigosas own campaign ads. Willis called that illegal coordination between the campaign and PAC. Under California law, advertisements made by entities other than a candidate are presumed to be coordinated  and thus not independent expenditures  when the advertisement replicates, reproduces or disseminates substantial parts of a communication, including video footage, created and paid for by the candidate, the letter states. A representative for the independent expenditure committee  Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor  fired back. Attorney Brian T. Hildreth says those allegations have no merit and accused the Newsom campaign of being misleading. Hildreth sent a letter to the television stations in response, urging them to ignore the Newsom campaigns accusations. He said the Newsom camp appears to intentionally misrepresent the law and that the video use was permissible. He said only six seconds of video from Villaraigosas campaign ads was used, which is well within the legal limits. The independent committee is sponsored by the group California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, according to the California secretary of states office. The ad is airing on broadcast and cable stations statewide. The committees ad is focused on Villaraigosas record as Assembly speaker and as mayor of Los Angeles when there was a drop in crime. Facebook

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Governors race snapshot: Californians are generally upbeat but not focused on the campaign By Mark Z. Barabak Armand Werden, a 29-year-old community college student who works the taps at Dust Bowl Brewery in Turlock, said the state is on the upswing. (Phil Willon / Los Angeles Times) As California chooses a new governor  one of just a handful in the last 40 years not named Jerry Brown  the state seems to be enjoying something unusual in these tumultuous political times: a feeling of relative contentment. Not to say things are perfect. Still, more than 100 random interviews conducted over the length and breadth of the state  from Redding in the north to Santee in the south, from the Pacific coastline to the edge of the Sierra Nevada  found most saying things are looking up, at least so far as Californias direction is concerned. Read More Facebook

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Sierra Club backs Gavin Newsom for California governor By Phil Willon Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with members of the public following a debate at USC in January. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The Sierra Club endorsed Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in the race for California governor, with officials in the established environmental group praising the Democrats record on climate change and clean energy. He has a proven record for leading on environmental protection, public health and clean energy, Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California, said in a statement released by the Newsom campaign. He understands that we are feeling the effects of climate change and that California must reduce carbon emissions and reach 100% renewable energy to achieve our climate goals. Phillips said the Sierra Clubs extensive network of volunteers will campaign for Newsom as the June 5 primary approaches. Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune also praised the Democrat, saying he will protect California from Donald Trumps attacks on our clean air and water. The Sierra Club joins a series of other influential groups in California that have backed Newsom. The California Medical Assn., the powerful state doctors lobby, announced its endorsement of Newsom on Thursday. The California Nurses Assn. and the Service Employees International Union, one of the most powerful labor unions in the state, also support Newsom. Newsom is the races front-runner in polls and fundraising. A poll released earlier this month by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that 26% of likely voters backed Newsom. John Cox, a Republican from Rancho Santa Fe, was favored by 15% of likely voters and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, by 13%. Facebook

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Californias GOP House members are taking their challengers more seriously and the numbers show it By Christine Mai-Duc For much of last year, consultants and campaign managers for some of Californias most vulnerable Republican incumbents maintained a bullish tone on the prospect that the GOP would hold the House in this years midterms. The National Republican Congressional Committee insisted that longtime Republican incumbents in California had built up reputations as effective champions of local issues that would help them weather a flood of Democratic enthusiasm. Since then Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) have decided not to seek reelection and the NRCC has opened a West Coast headquarters in Orange County. Read More Facebook

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California officials say Pentagon has confirmed National Guard funding despite Trump threat By John Myers (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The awkward dance between Gov. Jerry Brown and the federal government over the National Guard jerked back toward discord on Thursday, when Trump said he would refuse to pay for a new deployment of troops  just hours after his administration said otherwise. And a few hours later, California officials said they had received written confirmation from the Pentagon that the mission would indeed be funded. Trump had earlier called Browns decision to approve 400 troops for a mission focused on combating transnational crime and drug smuggling a charade in a tweet. We need border security and action, not words! the president wrote. Governor Jerry Brown announced he will deploy up to 400 National Guard Troops to do nothing. The crime rate in California is high enough, and the Federal Government will not be paying for Governor Browns charade. We need border security and action, not words!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2018 A spokesman for Brown pointed to a tweet written Wednesday night by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, thanking the California governor for his efforts. Trump was meeting on Thursday with Nielsen at his Mar-a-Lago estate not long after his tweet was posted. A tweet later posted by the California National Guard said that almost three hours after Trumps comment, the state received written confirmation from the Pentagon to fund the mission as outlined by Brown the day before. In short, nothing has changed today, said a subsequent Guard tweet. Just spoke w @JerryBrownGov about deploying the @USNationalGuard in California. Final details are being worked out but we are looking forward to the support. Thank you Gov Brown!  Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@SecNielsen) April 19, 2018 Brown was the last of the nations border governors to respond to Trumps insistence earlier this month that National Guard troops were needed to assist with immigration-related duties at the U.S.-Mexico border. And he has consistently refused to allow California troops to engage in any mission related to federal immigration law. This will not be a mission to build a new wall, Brown wrote last week to Nielsen and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis. It will not be a mission to round up women and children or detain people escaping violence and seeking a better life. Exactly what the California operations will cost remains unclear, as state officials have said it will depend on decisions made once the mission begins. The funds would not be transferred to the state, but instead would be paid directly by the Department of Defense. Trump has critiqued California several times over the past few days, often writing tweets that embrace the actions by some cities and counties to join his administrations lawsuit against the states sanctuary immigration law. He made similar comments to reporters on Thursday afternoon. If you look at whats happening in California with sanctuary cities  people are really going the opposite way, Trump said. They dont want sanctuary cities. Theres a little bit of a revolution going on in California. 2:26 p.m.:This article was updated with additional information from the California National Guard and with remarks from Trump. This article was originally published at 9:51 a.m. Facebook

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Gay conversion therapy services would be banned under measure advancing in California By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The California Assembly voted Thursday to add gay conversion therapy to the states list of deceptive business practices, following a debate that focused on the personal experiences of several lawmakers and hinted at potential lawsuits to come. It is harmful and it is unnecessary, Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell), the bills author and one of the Legislatures most vocal LGBTQ members, said of the practice. Low, who told Assembly members that he explored conversion therapy as a teenager and suffered depression over his sexual orientation, insisted that the bill would be limited to efforts that involve the exchange of money. Theres nothing wrong with me, he said in an emotional speech on the Assembly floor. Theres nothing that needs to be changed. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, has become the focal point of intense debate on social media. Some religious groups have said that such a law would be a violation of their constitutional rights, while advocates insist the provisions are narrow and theres no credible evidence that the services work. One key part of the debate centers on whether Assembly Bill 2943 would stretch beyond businesses that charge for these programs and extend to printed documents, even Bibles. An analysis by the Assembly Judiciary Committee says the bill would apply only to services that purport to change a persons sexual orientation and offered on a commercial basis, as well as the advertising and offering of such services. Lawmakers who spoke in support of AB 2943 also made clear that they believe those kinds of services have been discredited. This is fraudulent, it should not be occurring, said Assemblywoman Susan Eggman (D-Stockton). But you can still try to pray the gay away, if you like. Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who said the bill addresses a difficult issue, nonetheless said that its important to ensure laws dont tamper with religious freedom. We have to think about the legitimate experience of people who have gone through conversion therapy and said this was a good thing for them, Gallagher told his colleagues. California law already bans the use of conversion therapy by mental health professionals on those under age 18. Lows bill would expand the states efforts beyond minors. It would join a list of commercial activities deemed unfair or deceptive acts or practices and therefore banned under state law. Facebook

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Gavin Newsom gets backing from doctors group, despite differences over single-payer healthcare By Melanie Mason Gavin Newsom speaks at the California Democrats State Convention in San Diego on Feb. 24. (Kent Nishimura) Californias doctors are siding with Gavin Newsom in the governors race, even though they dont see eye-to-eye on a defining issue of the campaign: single-payer healthcare. The California Medical Assn., the state doctors lobby and a political heavyweight, announced its endorsement of the lieutenant governor on Thursday. Gavin is a lifelong champion for health care in California, and we know he will continue to fight for pragmatic solutions to our most crucial health care challenges, including working to achieve universal access and tackling our states physician shortage, CMA President Theodore M. Mazer said in a statement. Newsom has made his support for state-financed healthcare a centerpiece of his campaign, and he earned the early backing of the most ardent single-payer supporters, the state nurses union. The doctors, meanwhile, oppose the nurses bill, SB 562, which emerged as a flashpoint in the healthcare debate last year. The CMA said the bill would dismantle the healthcare marketplace and destabilize Californias economy. Newsom has said SB 562 should advance in the Legislature, but also said it has open-ended issues that still need to be addressed. The doctors group is also battling with another prominent Newsom endorser, the Service Employees International Union, over a new measure that would impose price caps on an array of medical services paid for by commercial health insurers in the state. The SEIU is a leading sponsor of the proposal; the doctors fiercely oppose it. Newsom and the physicians group have a history of political alignment. Newsom was the first statewide official to support Proposition 56, a 2016 tobacco tax pushed by the CMA that raised revenue in part to increase money for doctors who saw Medi-Cal patients. That year, the association also endorsed two initiatives championed by Newsom: Proposition 63, which imposed new gun control measures, and Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana. Facebook

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Independent committee backing Antonio Villaraigosa for governor hits the airwaves with first ad By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at the 2018 California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego in February.. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press) A well-financed independent committee backing Antonio Villaraigosas bid to be Californias next governor released its first television ad Thursday, praising his record for working with Republicans and as a candidate for all of California. The ad, which is to air statewide on broadcast and cable stations, is focused on Villaraigosas record as Assembly speaker and mayor of Los Angeles, including on education and a drop in crime while he was at City Hall. To move California forward, we need to help more Californians get ahead, the ad says. Thats why Antonio Villaraigosa brought both parties together to balance the state budget with record investments in public schools and new career training programs. The independent expenditure committee behind the ad campaign, Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018, is sponsored by the California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, according to the California secretary of states office. The committee is spending seven figures per week on the ad buy, said Josh Pulliam, a political consultant for the committee. As mayor of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa clashed with teachers unions, starting with his failed attempt to take political control of the Los Angeles Unified School District. His fight with those unions continued after he left office in 2013. Money has poured into the committee this month from wealthy charter schools supporters: Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, donated $7 million, and Los Angeles billionaire and philanthropist Eli Broad donated $1.5 million. On Wednesday, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan donated $1 million. The independent expenditure committee is expected to provide a boost to Villaraigosas campaign. Democratic front-runner Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has a major advantage in fundraising over all other candidates in the race and has received the backing of the California Teachers Assn. and other education unions. A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll also showed Villaraigosa lagging in third place in the race, trailing Newsom and Republican businessman John Cox. The candidates who finish in the top two in the June 5 primary will advance to the November general election, regardless of their party affiliation. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown says Trump administration will fund his National Guard mission  without immigration duties By John Myers (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown formally mobilized 400 California National Guard members Wednesday for transnational crime-fighting duties, thus preventing any effort by President Trump to have the troops focus on immigration enforcement on the Mexican border. The governor announced that federal officials have agreed to fund the plan he announced last week  a mission to combat criminal gangs, human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers in locations around California, including near the border. The order Brown signed makes clear that the troops will not be allowed to perform a broader set of duties as envisioned by Trumps recent comments. California National Guard service members shall not engage in any direct law enforcement role nor enforce immigration laws, arrest people for immigration law violations, guard people taken into custody for alleged immigration violations, or support immigration law enforcement activities, the order read. The cost of the mission, a spokesman for Brown said, will be paid directly by the federal government. No initial estimate has been made, as the exact amount will depend on exactly how the troops will be used. Though the duties of California Guard members were outlined last week, the state had been waiting for an agreement by federal officials to pay for the operations. Since that time, the president has taken Brown and the state to task over its decision to avoid any immigration-related duties at the border. On Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted, Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW! There is a Revolution going on in California. Soooo many Sanctuary areas want OUT of this ridiculous, crime infested & breeding concept. Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018 Looks like Jerry Brown and California are not looking for safety and security along their very porous Border. He cannot come to terms for the National Guard to patrol and protect the Border, Trump tweeted Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Browns announcement. On Tuesday, Brown told reporters in Washington that his plan was consistent with a safer border. That sounds to me like fighting crime, the governor said. Trying to catch some desperate mothers and children, or unaccompanied minors coming from Central America, that sounds like something else. The order Brown issued Wednesday after returning from a brief trip to talk climate change in Toronto and to speak to a national trade union and visit with reporters in Washington is set to expire at the end of September. It specifically says no Guard service member may participate in a mission that would exceed the mission scope and limitations related to transnational crime activity. It also says troops cannot help build any new border barrier. 5:27 p.m.: This article was updated with information related to the cost of the Guard mission and Browns trip to Washington. This article was originally published at 5:13 p.m. Facebook

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California bill aims to end practice that keeps workplace misconduct cases out of court By Melanie Mason A California bill would prohibit employers from requiring workers to use private arbitration to settle disputes, a practice that critics say shields improper workplace conduct from public view. The bill by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) would bar businesses from making employees, when they are hired, waive their future rights to take any harassment, discrimination or other claims to court. Arbitration can be a highly effective dispute resolution method when both parties can choose it freely, when both parties are equal, Gonzalez Fletcher said at a news conference on Wednesday. It is far less successful when the more powerful party forces the other to accept those terms, especially as a condition of employment. Forced arbitration has come under increasing scrutiny since the #MeToo movement, with high-profile figures such as former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson pointing to the practice as shielding workplace abusers from public disclosure because arbitration resolutions often include nondisclosure agreements. Last year, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to end mandatory arbitration in employment agreements. Gonzalez Fletcher said she was pursuing an unusual tool to draw attention to the issue  a subpoena issued by the Legislature to compel testimony from a worker bound by a nondisclosure agreement as a result of arbitration. The Legislature has subpoena power but it is rarely used. The bills sponsors believe lawmakers last issued a subpoena in 2001 while investigating price manipulation by Enron. Gonzalez Fletcher said she has requested Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) to issue the subpoena to require Tara Zoumer, who sued the company WeWork in 2016 for overtime pay, to testify before the Assembly Judiciary Committee next week. Zoumers suit was moved to arbitration and resolved. She is now subject to a nondisclosure agreement and could face a financial penalty for speaking publicly about her case. A spokesman for Rendon said the subpoena request is under consideration. Business groups oppose the bill, AB 3080. The California Chamber of Commerce has dubbed it a job biller, claiming it would dramatically increase legal costs for businesses. Banning such agreements benefits the trial attorneys, not the employer or employee, the group said. The bill must first advance from the Assembly Labor Committee on Wednesday. Facebook

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At least 240 House lawmakers want a vote on immigration. California supporters say they arent ready to force one By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), flanked by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) and Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) speak about DACA legislation (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Rep. Jeff Denham says at least 240 of the 430 current House members have signed onto his resolution to hold votes on four immigration bills, and he hopes House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and President Trump are paying attention to the show of support. But, the Republican from Turlock and his allies said Wednesday that they are not yet willing to commit to forcing Ryans hand through a little-used procedural move called a discharge petition; they acknowledged theres no guarantee that all of 47 Republicans and 193 Democrats House co-signers will back them up if they try to force the issue. Im sure that it is something that will be discussed in the coming weeks. You should not need a discharge petition. When you can show the overwhelming majority of the House, the support of it, you should not need a discharge petition, but it is something we would talk about in the future, Denham said. It is far too early to talk about next steps. Ryan said last week that he opposes Denhams effort, saying its a waste of time for the House to vote on bills the president might veto. Denhams resolution would prompt debate and votes on four very different immigration bills: one favored by the Trump administration, one preferred by Democrats, one bipartisan proposal and another immigration bill of Ryans choice. Whichever got the most votes would move forward to the Senate. All four bills would help Dreamers to differing degrees and include varying levels of border security or immigration enforcement. For example, the Trump-backed bill would also dramatically reduce legal immigration, while the Democrats would only deal with legal status for Dreamers. Democrats say they dont expect the show of support will sway Ryan. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) said Tuesday night she expects Ryan will have to be forced into allowing a vote. It doesnt matter how many signatures we get. We could have every signature, technically, except his, on the floor of the House and... if he doesnt want to, it doesnt happen, Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) said. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), who gathered the Democratic co-sponsors for Denham, also wouldnt give a deadline for House leaders to act, but said the co-sponsors are only willing to wait weeks not months. We do want to give them an opportunity to bring up the rule and to use whatever process they want, Aguilar said. They do have options, but I think they need to understand that we have options too. Facebook

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Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer endorses Kevin de Leon in his insurgent bid against Sen. Dianne Feinstein By Seema Mehta Tom Steyer, left, and California state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). (Getty Images; Los Angeles Times) Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer is endorsing state Sen. Kevin de Leon in his insurgent challenge to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and did not rule out funding an outside effort to boost De Leons chances. I think hes the kind of young progressive that reflects California and would be a very strong advocate for our state nationally, Steyer said in an interview on Tuesday, pointing to De Leons efforts on issues such as immigration, climate change and gun control while he was the state Senate leader. I know him well and hes a friend. We share a lot of values. Steyer, who flirted with running for the Senate seat, did not criticize Feinstein as he has in the past. Sen. Feinstein has been an outstanding public servant who has dedicated the bulk of her adult life to the service of our state and the country, he said. These are two strong, very good Democrats. I just believe Kevin is the true progressive and he reflects something we need representing California going forward. I have nothing bad to say about Dianne Feinstein. I have a lot of good to say about Kevin de Leon. De Leon faces enormous odds as he tries to oust Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, is well known to the states voters and has daunting leads in polls and fundraising. But De Leon has gained notable endorsements, most recently from the 2.1-million-member California Labor Federation last week. Campaign finance reports released this week show that Feinstein has more than $10 million in the bank, while De Leon has just more than $670,000. Feinstein, a multimillionaire and one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, has already lent her campaign $5 million and could easily write another check. But Steyer, a billionaire former hedge fund manager, could write a larger one. He is among the largest Democratic donors in the nation and has already committed more than $50 million to push for the impeachment of President Trump and to register young voters. He was noncommittal when asked if he would fund an independent expenditure group on behalf of De Leon. I dont have any concrete plans for that, he said. Read More Facebook

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Californias largest pension fund sends next years invoice to state government: $6.3 billion By John Myers The California Public Employees Retirement System building (Max Whittaker / Getty Images) As part of a shift toward less optimistic expectations for investment returns to pay for government worker pensions, board members of the California Public Employees Retirement System voted Tuesday to require an almost $6.3-billion payment from the state budget in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The action, which could receive final approval on Wednesday, reflects a gradually higher annual contribution to public employee pensions by the state and from local governments across California. In 2016, CalPERS approved a half-percentage point decrease in its official estimate of the long-term investment return on its $353.3-billion portfolio. That shift was designed to happen over several years, in hopes it would lessen the financial shock of shifting more of the costs onto government employers. The highest costs are also, in part, a reflection of increases in the size of the states payroll. The states CalPERS payment will be about $450 million more than the total paid in the current fiscal year and more than double what it was only a decade ago. CalPERS board members voted on Tuesdays staff proposal with little discussion, save for a question about the increase in contributions also required from workers hired after a pension overhaul that took effect in June. It seems like it will be a ding on peoples salaries, said Theresa Taylor, the chairwoman of CalPERS finance committee and a member of SEIU Local 1000, the union that represents some 96,000 state employees. The $6.299-billion payment required from Californias state government must now be factored into the budget crafted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in late June. Brown had already assumed a similarly sized payment in his budget proposal unveiled in January. In February, a coalition representing city governments warned about the effects of rising pension costs under the expectations of less money from Wall Street investments. The report issued by the League of California Cities projected an average increase of more than 50% in annual pension payments made by the states largest cities over the next seven years. A CalPERS staff report notes that the net return on all of the funds investments for the fiscal year that ended in July was 11.2%. But expectations on profits over the next 30 years remain significantly more modest, and theres long been a robust debate about how to properly set those future expectations. The lower the rate of projected investment return, the larger the share of pension costs that must be covered by taxpayers and some employees. Overall, CalPERS officials believe the system has assets to cover 71% of its long-term obligations. Facebook

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California warns legal pot sellers not to participate in unlicensed 4/20 events By Patrick McGreevy Marijuana on display at a dispensary in Los Angeles. ( (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)) The state issued a warning Tuesday that businesses holding licenses to sell marijuana could face penalties if they participate in unlicensed temporary events away from their stores, including on Friday, April 20, which has become an annual celebration for counterculture groups. The warning was issued ahead of 4/20 by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control. Since Jan. 1, the bureau has issued more than 700 state licenses to sell marijuana for medical or recreational use. The bureau has issued 47 temporary event licenses to groups that are limited to holding the marijuana celebrations on county fairgrounds that have authorized such events with city approval. Any bureau licensee participating in an unlicensed cannabis event may be subject to disciplinary action, the warning said, adding that lawful participation by bureau licensees in any temporary cannabis event that allows sales and/or consumption is dependent upon issuance of the appropriate licenses from the bureau. While many Californians have been issued medical approval to sell or use marijuana, the law does not allow them to participate in unlicensed events, also referred to as Proposition 215 events after the ballot measure that legalized medical pot two decades ago in the state. Participation in such events may lead to civil penalties for unlicensed commercial cannabis activity, the warning said. Meanwhile, a survey of some 1,000 marijuana users that was released Tuesday by the firm LendEDU found that the average 4/20 participant plans to spend $71 on marijuana to celebrate the unofficial holiday, and about 35% of respondents are planning to take off work Friday. Facebook

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California police groups shift position on officer discipline records, now consider support for making some of them public By Liam Dillon Los Angeles Police Department recruits at a graduation ceremony in April (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Some major law enforcement groups signaled Tuesday they are willing to support making part of police officer disciplinary records public, a dramatic departure from their past positions. Local and national attention on police shootings and misconduct has led law enforcement organizations to reconsider their blanket opposition to proposals that would give public access to some internal disciplinary investigations of officers. Were going to be open to supporting efforts that would allow for some records to be released, said Ryan Sherman, a lobbyist with the Riverside Sheriffs Assn. Debate over secrecy provisions in officer disciplinary files came during a legislative hearing on Senate Bill 1421 from Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). Skinners bill, which advanced out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, would require public disclosure of all internal officer shooting investigations and confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. Currently, all police discipline information is confidential outside of a courtroom in California, which has some of the nations strictest standards against public disclosure. Unfortunately, the fact that we have such strict restrictions on any access to public records has affected certain communities trust towards our law enforcement, Skinner said during the hearing. Prior to Skinners effort, other have tried to loosen these rules, some of which date back 40 years. Most recently in 2016, a bid by then-Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) failed in a Senate committee. In debate two years ago, no major law enforcement groups indicated they would accept changes to state laws that would make individual internal investigations public, saying they were essential to protect officer privacy and safety. But Tuesday, Sherman and other lobbyists including those representing the states largest police labor organization, signaled they might be willing to entertain changes. They said they were negotiating with Skinner on the bills details. Law enforcement groups still have major concerns about SB 1421 as written. Ed Fishman, an attorney for the Police Officers Research Assn., told legislators that the bill would wrongfully expose police officers who acted within departmental policy to invasions of their privacy. It has unintended consequences that are extreme and will hurt the public, Fishman said. Tuesdays hearing featured testimony from many who have had relatives killed by police officers in recent years advocating for the bill. Senators on the Public Safety Committee also gave public rebukes to law enforcement lobbyists, criticizing them for a lack of diversity and insensitivity to concerns raised by communities of color. I think that you are completely and utterly out of touch with the realities of how those you are representing are perceived by major segments of California, said Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). You are not going to be able to continue to lobby your way out of it. The bill faces at least one more committee hearing in the Senate before reaching the floor. It will have to pass both houses of the Legislature by the end of August. Facebook

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Newest member of the California Assembly arrives ready to work on criminal justice issues By John Myers Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove prepares for the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon with her husband, Austin Dove. (California Assembly Democrats) Two weeks after winning a Los Angeles special election, the newest member of the California Assembly says she hopes to focus on reforms to the states criminal justice system during her time in Sacramento. Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) took the oath of office on Monday, filling one of three vacant seats representing Los Angeles County in the lower house. The Democrat, a former community college trustee and legislative staffer, thanked her mentors in remarks from the Assembly rostrum. So many women, and in my life so many black women, have paid in giving me the kind of morals and integrity and grit that is required to fight on behalf of people that you know, and people that you dont know, she said. Kamlager-Dove won handily on April 3, receiving 70% of the votes cast in the 54th Assembly District which encompasses communities west of downtown Los Angeles, from Crenshaw to Culver City and as far north as Westwood. She will serve the remaining eight months of the term of former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, who resigned last year citing health concerns. She has said she hopes to focus her attention on poverty issues and on reform of the states criminal justice system. I think we have an opportunity to really push the needle in terms of how we look at rehabilitation, how we look at incarceration, and how we look at changing the lives oftentimes of poor men and women of color, Kamalager-Dove said on Monday in a video released by Assembly Democrats. Facebook

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Survivors of violent crime raise their voices in California to call for a new approach to criminal justice By Jazmine Ulloa Aaliyah Smith marches with her cousins. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Her father, uncle, a cousin and two older brothers. Those are some of the family members 16-year-old Aaliyah Smith has lost to gun violence. Then there are her friends. Jermaine Jackson Jr., 27, was shot and killed in 2016 while he painted over graffiti in San Francisco. Toriano Tito Adger, 18, was shot there a year later at a bus stop. He called Smith, who was nearby, and warned her to run. She made it inside a library moments before the crack of gunfire. Last week, Smith was among hundreds who gathered in Sacramento for annual National Crime Victims Rights Week events, where calls were issued for a new approach to criminal justice and public safety in California, one that puts survivors at the center of policy. But a debate is brewing over what that entails. Read More Facebook

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California expects $14 billion in tax payments this month By John Myers State workers handle income tax returns at the California Franchise Tax Board offices. (Laura Morton / For The Times) Gov. Jerry Browns proposed state budget is built on what taxpayers might find an audacious assumption: almost $14 billion in tax payments in the month of April, an average of $83 million collected per hour on every business day of the month. Most of that money will come from the taxes Californians pay in advance of Tuesday nights filing deadline for income tax returns. If history is any guide, the rate of payment could quadruple by weeks end. While tax rules have shifted some of the payment schedules to other months, April remains a vitally important month to the fiscal health of state government. The state controllers office reports more than 15% of all personal income tax revenues in 2017 were collected in April. In the recession years of a decade ago, tax revenue predictions were frequently off the mark by hundreds of millions of dollars. The last two state budgets have seen significant windfalls of personal income tax revenue, thanks in part both to an improving economy and to the continuation of a temporary surcharge on the wealthiest taxpayers  extended by voters in 2016. In the budget plan he sent to lawmakers in January, Brown projected a $6.1-billion windfall and proposed using a sizable amount to top off Californias rainy-day fund ahead of schedule. The independent Legislative Analysts Office reports that through the end of last week, the months income tax tally stood at $3 billion, slightly ahead of projections. By the end of the current week, a single days total could be almost that large. Lawmakers began reviewing the governors $190.3-billion spending plan during the winter, but few decisions are made until they get a look at Aprils tax revenues. The governor will release a revised plan based on the new data next month; lawmakers are required to send him a completed budget no later than June 15. Facebook

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Feinstein war chest tops $10 million while Kevin de Leon struggles to keep pace By Sarah D. Wire Sen. Dianne Feinstein widened her already-massive fundraising advantage in the run-up to Junes primary, raising twice as much in the first quarter than her strongest Senate challenger has sitting in the bank. Feinstein raised $1.3 million between January and March, bringing her war chest to just over $10 million as Californias U.S. Senate race begins in earnest, according Federal Election Commission reports. Former state Senate leader Kevin De Leon, the best known of the more than 30 people who will appear with Feinstein on the June primary ballot, raised just $575,991 in that same period, bringing his cash on hand to $672,331, according to his quarterly FEC report. Read More Facebook

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Trump has met his match, says Gov. Jerry Brown in promoting climate action on a quick trip to Canada By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown told a Canadian audience Monday that he believes President Trumps efforts to reverse course on climate change policy are a momentary deviation as others in the United States seek limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Thats very temporary, I can assure you, Brown said at a joint event in Toronto with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. The governors quick international trip, announced only late last week, comes as Wynnes Liberal Party faces a stiff challenge in Junes election from the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and its leader, Doug Ford. Critics of Wynnes party have called for Ontario to pull out of the Western Climate Initiative, a cooperative agreement between three Canadian provinces and California on efforts to limit greenhouse gases. Brown sought to link the efforts of Canadian conservatives with Republicans in the United States who oppose existing climate change programs. In contrast, he told the audience, several GOP lawmakers voted last summer to renew Californias cap-and-trade program. I would say to the conservatives of Canada, wake up and see what your friends in California are doing, he said. The Democrat took particular notice of Trumps efforts to shift away from climate change policies from the administration of former President Obama, as well as a push by the Environmental Protection Agency to cancel Californias strict limits on automobile emissions. If Trump tries to change that, well have litigation well beyond his term in office, Brown said while also noting Chinese government efforts to produce more low-emissions vehicles. Between California and China, Trump has met his match. What hes saying is not going to happen. Many of the governors remarks, though, were aimed at the tough political situation in which Wynne finds herself with seven weeks to go before Ontarios parliamentary elections. Dangers abound, but success is right in our hands, Brown said. So dont blow it! Facebook

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California voters are getting to know the states attorney general through his aggressive stance challenging Trump By Patrick McGreevy Less than two months from his first statewide election, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has become adept not only at challenging President Trump but at using the bully pulpit of his office to raise his profile with voters. The aggressive effort may help boost the former Los Angeles congressmans chances at winning a full term in office this fall, almost two years after he was appointed to replace Sen. Kamala Harris in 2017. Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown, Becerra took office as attorney general four days after Trumps inauguration. Thats afforded him an opportunity to get in front of Californians  and potential voters  on an array of issues including immigration, healthcare and the environment. Read More Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown forms commission for 2020 census outreach By Melanie Mason In an effort to make sure California has a strong showing in the next national census, Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday established a state commission to prepare outreach for the decennial count. It is vitally important for California to do everything it can to ensure that every Californian is counted in the upcoming census, Brown said in a prepared statement. The commissions formation comes on the heels of a Trump administration plan to ask about citizenship status as a part of the census. State officials fear that such a question, which has not been asked in a census since 1950, could chill participation among California residents. That could result in the state losing billions of dollars in federal funds and a seat in Congress. The 23-member panel, appointed largely by Brown as well as picks by legislative leaders, comes from private- and public-sector backgrounds, including civil rights groups, religious institutions and educational institutions. Facebook

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Garcetti kicks off Iowa visit with 2020 on his mind and a hardhat on his head LA Mayor - and 2020 prospect - Eric Garcetti makes his Iowa debut at the Carpenters Union Training Center. Fearlessly flaunts the never be photographed in head gear/safety glasses rule. pic.twitter.com/14bUOPXMvF  Mark Z. Barabak (@markzbarabak) April 13, 2018 Facebook

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Asm. Rocky Chavez takes the lead in race to replace Issa, while Doug Applegate slips By Joshua Stewart A new poll shows that Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez has taken a clear lead over 15 other candidates running to replace Rep. Darrell Issa in Congress and has overtaken Democrat Doug Applegate, the previous frontrunner. In a SurveyUSA poll by 10News and The San Diego Union-Tribune, Chavez, R-Oceanside, has support of 16 percent of likely voters, putting him ahead of Applegate, a lawyer, who was favored by 12 percent of voters and is in second place. The top two vote-getters in June, regardless of party, will proceed to a November runoff election. Competing with Applegate for the No. 2 spot is Democrat Mike Levin, also a lawyer, with support of 9 percent of voters. Several other candidates were right at his heels. Democratic Businessman Paul Kerr and Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, were tied for fourth at 8 percent each. Read More Facebook

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Pro-Kevin de Leon group launches ad castigating Dianne Feinstein By Seema Mehta A group that is supporting Kevin de Leons bid for the U.S. Senate launched a blistering ad against Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday, questioning her progressive principles and tying her to President Trump. The ad buy from A Progressive California is minuscule  $10,000 to air it in Los Angeles for one day on CNN and MSNBC during programming such as The Rachel Maddow Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews and Anderson Cooper 360. The minute-long ad features news clips about Feinstein not getting the California Democratic Party endorsement earlier this year, as well as footage of Feinstein saying that Trump can be a good president and appearing to share a laugh with Trump. That moment actually came during a White House meeting in the aftermath of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting when the president suggested an assault weapons ban should be included in a bipartisan bill to expand gun background checks. It also features extensive clips of de Leons speech at the state partys convention. De Leon, who just ended his final term as leader of the state Senate, announced last year he would run against fellow Democrat Feinstein as she seeks her fifth full term. Feinsteins longtime political advisor dismissed the ad, noting the size of the buy. Its not really a buy, said Bill Carrick. Ten thousand dollars in cable in L.A. Poof, its gone. Still, he said he planned to have the campaigns lawyers review the ad to see if it violates campaign law that limits what outside groups like A Progressive California can do. Such groups cannot coordinate with campaigns or candidates, and are limited in how much their messages can support a candidate. Ann Ravel, the former chair of the Federal Election Commission and the California Fair Political Practices Commission, said if the ad was in a state race, she is certain that the state commission would open an investigation into potential coordination with de Leons campaign because of the messaging and the types of footage in the ad. But the bipartisan federal commission cant agree on how to enforce the federal regulations, she said. The problem is [outside groups] understand that given the lack of very strong enforcement at the federal level, theres the ability to stretch the law, she said. A spokeswoman for the FEC declined to comment. Dave Jacobson, a spokesman for A Progressive California, disputed the suggestion that the ad violated campaign law. This frivolous allegation shows that Sen. Feinstein is afraid of the public seeing an ad which showcases her own words, that Donald Trump can be a good president, he said. Facebook

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Dispute over money emerges in campaign to repeal Californias gas tax increase By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) A proposed initiative to repeal hikes to Californias gas tax has been caught in the middle of a dispute involving Republican rivals in the governors race. Assemblyman Travis Allen, a Republican candidate for governor, decided in January to drop plans for his own initiative and said he would urge supporters to sign a separate petition being supported by several Republican members of Congress. Then last week, the committee Allen formed to finance his ballot measure reported a $300,000 contribution from PISF Inc., a Novato, Calif., real estate firm. Now, an organizer of the still active Give Voters a Voice committee is urging the Allen committee to immediately donate their funds in support of the ongoing signature gathering efforts. There is only one gas tax repeal measure currently in circulation and that is the measure sponsored by the Give Voters a Voice Committee, said Dave Gilliard, a consultant to the group. PISF Inc., he said, gave to repeal taxes aPetition drive to repeal California gas tax increase temporarily slows down By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. ( (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)) Paid signature-gatherers for a ballot measure that would repeal gas tax increases may be hard to find on the streets of California this week. Organizers say its not a money issue, adding that they needed to briefly halt paid signature-gathering to catch up on collecting petitions from volunteers. The petition drive has so far collected more than 327,800 verified signatures of the 587,407 needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot, according to Dave Gilliard, the political strategist behind the drive. We knew it was popular but the incredible pace is even faster than we expected so we outran the capacity of our verification operation over the Christmas holiday and told our crew managers to slow down so we could catch up, Gilliard said. We will be back up to speed by the end of this week. The gas tax and vehicle fee increases signed by Gov. Jerry Brown are expected to raise $5.2 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and expanded mass transit. The gas tax jumped from 18 cents to 30 cents per gallon on Nov. 1, and vehicle fees of at least $25 kicked in Jan. 1. The gas tax repeal petition is breaking records for both paid and volunteer signatures and were using the next two weeks to catch up on validation of signatures already received, said Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio talk-show host. As a grass-roots-funded effort we are also continuously raising funds and volunteer support. We are highly confident well qualify this Initiative for the November 2018 ballot. Facebook

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State pot bureau ready to enforce Californias new marijuana laws as license applications flood in By Patrick McGreevy Workers at Torrey Holistics, a San Diego marijuana dispensary. The state has issued 104 licenses for retail stores to sell marijuana for recreational use in California and 239 other applications for those permits are pending, officials said Tuesday. An official with the state Bureau of Cannabis Control added that the agency is prepared to begin taking enforcement action against pot shops that are not properly licensed. The bureaus enforcement team is ready to respond to any complaints it receives and start doing compliance checks and site visits at any time, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the bureau. Selling marijuana without a license is a crime punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $500. Those convicted of engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license will also be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of the license fee for each violation. A new report issued Tuesday indicated the bureau has issued 478 temporary licenses to firms to test, distribute and sell medical and recreational marijuana, which began Jan. 1 after voters approved a legalization initiative, Proposition 64, in 2016. Businesses have received 153 licenses to sell marijuana for medical use. Another 1,458 firms have applied for licenses that are still being processed. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has separately issued 207 licenses to marijuana growers. Facebook

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Two possible instances of discrimination reported after California issues drivers licenses to immigrants here illegally By Jazmine Ulloa The front of the AB 60 license. (Courtesy: California Department of Motor Vehicles) The California Research Bureau on Tuesday released its first report on incidents of discrimination under a 2015 state law that has provided drivers licenses for hundreds of thousands of immigrants here illegally. Researchers found no complaints have been made against government agencies tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws. But two possible instances of discrimination were reported in focus group interviews conducted by Drive California, a coalition of advocates studying the impact of the new law. In one case, a woman in Fresno was told her license was not a valid form of identification at a retail store, though it was unclear whether the incident reflected intentional discrimination or simple ignorance of the license marking, the report states. A MoneyGram clerk in another case denied a license holder the ability to cash a check. The same person was later rejected again at a bank. The state Department of Motor Vehicles has issued 960,000 AB 60 drivers licenses as of Nov. 30. The state research bureau produced the report for the Legislature as part of the new law, which declares discrimination against an AB 60 license holder a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Facebook

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California lawmaker proposes requiring panic buttons for hotel workers in response to widespread sexual harassment By Patrick McGreevy More than half of hotel workers surveyed report being sexually harassed at some point. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) Alarmed by a survey indicating sexual harassment of hotel housekeepers is widespread, a California state lawmaker on Tuesday proposed requiring employers to provide panic button devices to their employees so they can summon help if abused by a guest. The bill to be introduced Wednesday by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) would also require individual hotels to impose a three-year ban on guests who engage in harassment on the property. We want to protect our most vulnerable women workers, hotel maids who are going into rooms alone, from sexual harassment, said Muratsuchi, who co-authored the bill with Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward). The legislation signals that concerns over sexual harassment that dominated the state Legislature last year will continue to be an issue for lawmakers as they begin the new legislative year Wednesday. Harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, comedian Louis C.K. and other high-profile men have involved sexual misconduct in hotel rooms. A survey in July by Unite Here Local 1 found that 49% of female hotel workers in Chicago had experienced a guest answering the door naked or exposing himself. The report titled Hands Off, Pants On, found 58% of hotel workers said they had been sexually harassed by a guest. Californias Unite Here Local 11 has been calling for the action proposed in the legislation. It is the intent of this measure to protect hotel employees from violent assault, including sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and to enable those employees to speak out when they experience harassment on the job, said the introduction to the legislation introduced by Muratsuchi. In addition to requiring hotels to provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in rooms, the bill requires hotels to take written complaints from employees and keep them for five years. Any complaint backed by evidence including a statement given under penalty of perjury would result in a guest being banned from a hotel for three years. Hotels would also be required to post a notice on the inside of hotel room doors warning guests about the consequences of sexual harassment. Updated at 4:10 pm to include comment from Assemblyman Muratsuchi. Facebook

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Money, Republican malaise and Tom Steyer: These are the things to watch for in Californias 2018 statewide elections By Seema Mehta Get ready, California. What had been a behind-the-scenes dash for cash closely watched by few other than political observers is about to burst into public view. Voters this year will decide who will succeed Democrat Jerry Brown as the next governor and whether they will send Sen. Dianne Feinstein back to Washington. Before the June 5 primary, candidates will ramp up their campaigns with messages on television and stuffed into mailboxes. Heres a primer on the states two marquee races. Read More Facebook

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Fickle L.A. County is pivotal in the race for California governor By Phil Willon Treasurer John Chiang, left, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, center, and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Los Angeles Times) Home to a quarter of Californias 5.2 million registered voters, Los Angeles County is the biggest prize in Californias 2018 race for governor. For two hometown Democratic candidates especially  former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang of Torrance  doing well in L.A. County is essential if they hope to best the front-runner, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Yet this overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold continually bedevils even the most adept campaigns. Read More Facebook

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A renewed brawl over single-payer healthcare in California is on deck for 2018 By Melanie Mason Carolyn Angela Chen, a registered nurse, gives a free hepatitis A vaccination to Glenn Gardner, 52, at Joshua House Clinic (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) California officials are bracing for healthcare battles in Washington to have a major impact on the states budget and programs. Activists and politicians are planning a showdown over whether or not to establish a single-payer healthcare system in the state. And prescription drug manufacturers are the target of a number of bills meant to target the rising costs of medication. Sound familiar? Turns out the brewing healthcare battles in California in 2018 arent all that different from those from 2017. Heres a primer on the upcoming healthcare agenda in California: Read More Facebook

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How California lawmakers plan to protect the online privacy of consumers in 2018 By Jazmine Ulloa (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) With federal regulation rollbacks and a rise in data breaches, California lawmakers this year are looking for ways to protect consumers and their personal information. Some legislation under consideration could give people more notice and control over what data is collected, without having to pay for privacy or better services. Other bills could provide free credit freezes for consumers and require new privacy features for products that connect to the internet. Read More Facebook

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2018 will see California motorists pay more to the state to repair roads and bridges By Patrick McGreevy The Main Street offramp from the Southbound 5 in L.A. in June 2015. (Los Angeles Times) The new year brings with it new vehicle fees in California ranging from $25 to $175 depending on the value of your car, but Republican lawmakers are hoping to qualify a ballot measure in November to repeal the higher charges. The fees and a 12-cent increase in Californias gas tax last year are part of a plan by Democrats to raise more than $5.2 billion annually to deal with a backlog of road and bridge repairs. Petitions to qualify a repeal initiative are circulating now. Read More Facebook

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A rent control battle tops the list of California housing issues to watch in 2018 By Liam Dillon A new-home community in Anaheim in 2016 (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers arent wasting any time in tackling one of the most contentious issues in state housing politics this year. On Jan. 11, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee is set to hold a hearing on legislation that could lead to a dramatic expansion of rent control policies across the state. The debate over rent control could spill over onto the 2018 ballot, where Californians also could see proposals to expand or curtail the property tax restrictions ushered in 40 years ago by Proposition 13. Lawmakers will have to wrestle with how to follow up a package of housing bills that passed last year. The measures provided new funding and regulations designed to encourage homebuilding, but are unlikely to make an appreciable difference in housing costs. Read More Facebook

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Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is resigning By John Myers Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas abruptly announced his resignation from the California Legislature on Wednesday, citing health reasons. Ridley-Thomas, a Democrat from Los Angeles, informed Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) Tuesday night. The reason for this difficult decision is that I am facing persistent health issues, Ridley-Thomas, 30, said in a written statement on Wednesday. On December 18th, I underwent surgery for the fifth time this year. Although I expect a full recovery, my physicians advise that I will need an extended period of time to recuperate. Earlier this year, Ridley-Thomas was absent from work for more than two weeks. Staff members initially said the absence was a personal leave, then said the time off was due to unspecified medical reasons. His resignation letter on Wednesday offered no additional details. When I resume public life, I intend to remain active in civic affairs, where my passion lies, he said in the statement released by his office. Ridley-Thomas was first elected to the Assembly in a 2013 special election. He is the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Before winning elected office at age 26, the younger Ridley-Thomas worked as an aide for Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price and managed a 2012 Assembly campaign in San Bernardino County. In a statement about his sons decision, Mark Ridley-Thomas said he and his wife more than anyone, have seen him struggle with health challenges this year, and we fully support his decision to step down from the state Legislature so that he can recuperate with complete rest, in accordance with his doctors orders. His solidly Democratic district includes the west Los Angeles neighborhoods of Westwood, Culver City, Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills. He is chairman of the influential Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, which oversees all tax-related legislation. Ridley-Thomas is a proponent of changes in the operation of the state Board of Equalization, though his plan would have allowed the agency to ultimately retain many of its duties. A more substantial shake-up was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in June. Ridley-Thomas was the author of a bill signed into law in October giving the Los Angeles Unified School District the power to preserve some of its existing single-gender schools. He was unsuccessful, though, in an effort to stop local governments from imposing taxes on streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu. Ridley-Thomas departure will require a special election in 2018. He is the fourth Southern California legislator to leave office this year. The election of Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) to Congress also required a special election. The other two lawmakers Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills)  stepped down in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, which both men have denied. A special election to fill Bocanegras seat will be held on April 3, with a potential runoff on June 5. A special election date has not yet been set for Dababnehs seat. My colleagues and I wish Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas all the best going forward as he deals with his health challenges, Rendon said in a statement. The Assembly will continue to assist the residents of the 54th Assembly District until a new assemblymember is seated. This post was updated with comment from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, as well as more information about special elections. It was originally published at 11:10 a.m. Facebook

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California Senate Democrats are considering some ideas to counter the GOP tax plan By Liam Dillon Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Democrats in the California Senate are planning to write legislation to lessen the effects of the elimination of popular tax breaks in the GOPs overhaul of the federal tax system. To finance broad-based corporate tax cuts and reductions in individual tax rates, the GOP plan caps the deductibility of state and local income and property taxes  a benefit used often in suburban areas of California. The Republican tax scam disproportionately harms California taxpayers, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said in a statement. Our hard-earned tax dollars should not be subject to double-taxation, especially not to line the pockets of the Trump family, hedge fund managers and private jet owners. De Leon, who also is running for U.S. Senate, said the state Senate is working with law professors at UCLA, UC Davis and the University of Chicago to develop the legislation. Ideas being considered, according to a de Leon spokesman, include: Reducing state personal income taxes through a tax credit program and offsetting that amount through payroll taxes.

Allowing individuals to make voluntary gifts to the state of California, which would be deductible as a charitable donation under federal law. The deduction for the donated amount would replace the state and local tax deduction. Lawmakers return to Sacramento in January.

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L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti admits considering a 2020 bid: I am thinking about this By Seema Mehta Eric Garcetti (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Its no secret Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is interested in running for president. When reporters ask about his intentions, he has used all sorts of ways to deflect, typically by saying hes focused on his day job  for the moment. But speaking in Spanish to a Univision reporter this week, Garcetti edged ever closer to the telltale admission hes actually considering it. I am thinking about this, said Garcetti, who is partly of Mexican heritage but learned Spanish attending private school. The majority of time goes to my work as mayor of Los Angeles, but every [citizen] should think about what our role is in these difficult times, in these dangerous times. Garcetti added that he expects many mayors to run for president, and noted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently visited Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest. Garcetti has long been rumored to be flirting with a White House bid, and he has fueled such speculation by traveling out of state to places such as the early presidential primary state of New Hampshire to campaign for a mayoral candidate. Facebook

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Gov. Brown makes judicial appointments, including attorney who helps train Legislature on anti-sexual-harassment policies .@JerryBrownGov makes two court of appeal and 33 superior court appointments including Lauri Damrell in Sacramento. Damrell, an attorney at Orrick, testified at the Assemblys recent hearing on sexual harassment, outlining the assemblys current prevention efforts.  Liam Dillon (@dillonliam) December 22, 2017 Facebook

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Californias former top cop forms marijuana distribution firm in new age of legalization By Patrick McGreevy Former state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer (Robert Durell) Former California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer is going from enforcing laws against marijuana to legally distributing the drug under the states new rules that allow the sale and possession of pot for recreational use. With state-licensed sales of marijuana starting Jan. 1, Lockyer has co-founded a firm, C4 Distro, that will distribute packaged marijuana concentrates and edibles to stores in Los Angeles. He says Californias new regulated system has a chance to be a model for the rest of the country. For me as somebody who was on the law enforcement side for so many years, I saw the inadequacies of the effort to regulate something just by calling it illegal, Lockyer said. I think legalizing will help stabilize and help legitimize this industry and result in better consumer protection and other public benefits. Lockyer, a Democrat who served in the state Assembly and was leader of the state Senate, has co-founded the firm with Eric Spitz, who was chairman and president of the former parent company of the Orange County Register. The businessmen aim to get their products to pot shops in L.A. in late January or early February, Spitz said. Asked if he uses marijuana himself, Lockyer, 76, said, Not in any recent times, but there were college years. He said he sees his involvement in the marijuana industry as a mixture of helping to pay for his kids college tuition and public service to help the new regulations work. This whole industry has to come from the dark side to the light, he said. By focusing on delivery to as many as 700 stores that might open in Los Angeles, C4 Distro hopes to capture a targeted market while other firms distribute statewide. The business has a warehouse in southeast Los Angeles County and is close to applying for a distributors license from the state, Lockyer said. Lockyer served a quarter century in the state Legislature before he was elected as state attorney general in 1999. He left that office in 2007 when he was elected as state treasurer, serving until his retirement from politics in 2015. Before co-leading a group that bought the Register newspaper in 2012, Spitz served as chief financial officer at Narragansett Brewing Company. Spitz left the Registers Freedom Communications in 2016. 2 p.m.: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said Spitz left Freedom Communications in 2015. Facebook

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House passes disaster aid bill with wildfire funding, 18 Californians vote no By Sarah D. Wire (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Eighteen of Californias 53 House members voted no on an $81-billion disaster aid package Thursday, which includes funds for Californias recent wildfires. The 17 Democrats and one Republican voted no on the bill, which passed the House by a 251 to 169 vote. The Senate is not expected to take up the bill until January, when Congress returns from its holiday break. The entire California delegation had recently signed onto a letter asking for the disaster aid. In a speech on the House floor before the vote, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) pleaded with colleagues not to take a political stance on a disaster aid bill. Dont play politics on a vote to give aid to the people of Texas, to the people of Puerto Rico and to the Virgin Islands, to the people of Florida, and to the people of California that are still fighting the fires. Dont play politics on a bill where you hope to maybe stop another. That would be the worst of any politics Ive seen played here, McCarthy said. Here and now, right before Christmas, dont vote against aid for Americans who just lost everything. Several of the Democrats who voted no also voted against the spending bill Thursday, and said that they felt they could not support either because the bills did not include Democratic priorities for the end of the year, including protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Others said the aid bill doesnt provide enough money for California and doesnt treat Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands fairly in terms of competing for the funds. The 18 representatives voting no were: Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro)

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)

Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles)

Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park)

Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana)

Anna Eshoo (D-Menlo Park)

Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles)

Ro Khanna (D-Fremont)

Barbara Lee (D-Oakland)

Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove)

Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey)

Linda Sanchez (D-Whittier)

Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough)

Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin)

Norma Torres (D-Pomona)

Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) Facebook

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Three California House members cross party lines on spending bill to keep government open By Sarah D. Wire Democratic Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno (Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call) Three California House members crossed party lines Thursday on a vote to pass a spending bill that will keep the government open until mid-January. Democratic Reps. Jim Costa of Fresno and Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert joined the majority of Republicans to vote for the bill. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine joined Democrats to vote against it. The bill, which funds the government through Jan. 19, passed the House 231 to 188, right before representatives left for the holidays. Costa said in a statement that he voted yes because keeping the government open is Congress job, but he called the vote a continuation of the dysfunction in Washington. It further illustrates the damage that results from partisan politics and irresponsible leadership. It is unacceptable that we have to resort to funding the government for weeks at a time because we cannot sit down together  Democrats and Republicans  and negotiate a real budget bill, Costa said. Hunters staff said the congressman was concerned that military spending in the bill was extended for only a short period. He had wanted the spending to be extended until September. Facebook

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Poll points to all-Democrat runoffs in California races for governor and senator By Seema Mehta Top row, from left: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Treasurer John Chiang, former schools chief Delaine Eastin. Bottom row, from left: Assemblyman Travis Allen; attorney John Cox; Sen. Dianne Feinstein; state Senate leader Kevin de Leon. (Associated Press; Getty Images; Los Angeles Times) Californians could see two Democrat-on-Democrat contests in the states premier races in 2018, according to a new poll released Thursday. In the gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom remains the front-runner with the support of 26% of likely voters in a Berkeley IGS poll. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came in second with the backing of 17%. The poll found notable demographic differences in the two mens bases of support. Newsom had strong leads in the Bay Area, where he once served as the mayor of San Francisco, as well as among white voters, liberals and the wealthy. Villaraigosa saw strong backing in Los Angeles County, among Latino voters and among those who earned less than $40,000. Republicans splintered in the race, placing businessman John Cox and Assemblyman Travis Allen in a tie for third place with 9% each. Two other Democrats, state Treasurer John Chiang and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin, each won the support of 5% of likely voters. If Republicans fail to consolidate behind a candidate in the June primary, voters will for the first time see no GOP candidate on the November ballot for governor. Its a repeat of what occurred in the 2016 U.S. Senate race, and what is likely to occur again in the 2018 U.S. Senate race if the field does not grow. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has the support of 41% of likely voters in her reelection bid, but her rival, fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, won the support of 27%, according to the poll. There is no GOP candidate in the race. Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, has enormous advantages in fundraising, name recognition and support among powerful political groups. However, the poll found that nearly one-third of likely voters said they are undecided or would like to support another candidate. Facebook

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California legislator wants to curb sexual harassment in Hollywood and eating disorders for models By Melanie Mason Fashion models show off the BCBG MAX AZRIA Spring 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week. (Richard Drew / AP) A new proposal by a California assemblyman is taking aim at two of the more criticized phenomena in the entertainment industry: sexual harassment and unhealthy body standards for fashion models. The legislation, by Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), would require the states Occupational Safety and Health Standards to adopt guidelines for fashion models in an attempt to combat the prevalence of eating disorders and excessive thinness in the industry. This is the second time Levine has tried to take on the fashion industry. His similar bill to impose standards on models sputtered in 2016. This time, Levine also is trying to address the prevalence of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry by requiring that talent agencies  which represent actors, performers and other artists  provide training on sexual harassment and how to identify and prevent inappropriate behavior. I believed women who told me their stories of abuse when I introduced legislation to provide workplace protections in the fashion industry in 2016 just like I believe them now, Levine said in a statement. Its time that law reflects societys rejection of sexual harassment in all workplaces, including Hollywood. My bill aims to address the problem before it starts, but also empowers survivors with the tools to report these cases. Facebook

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Local Indivisible group picks Democrat to endorse against Rep. Duncan Hunter By Christine Mai-Duc Ammar Campa-Najjar, 28, is running against Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) With an already crowded field of contenders hoping to unseat Rep. Duncan Hunter and months to go before the candidate filing deadline, one local activist group has made an early endorsement in the race. Indivisible CA50, made up of activists mostly in San Diego County, announced Thursday that its endorsing Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat and public affairs consultant whos challenging Hunter. The endorsement comes as liberal activists and interest groups all over the state are grappling with whether  and how  to winnow down the dozens of candidates vying for 10 GOP-held seats in California. The group held more than half a dozen endorsement meetings to allow members throughout Hunters district to vote on their preferred candidate. One of the candidates, Pierre Beauregard, dropped out of the race recently and endorsed Campa-Najjar. In a statement Campa-Najjar said in a statement that the nod represents the enthusiasm of hundreds of progressive grassroots activists. Indivisibles national political director Maria Urbina said the endorsement was the first made by any California chapter in the 2018 midterms. Aside from Campa-Najjar, two other Democrats are running for Hunters seat: Josh Butner, a school board trustee and former Navy SEAL, and realtor Patrick Malloy, who ran last year and lost to Hunter by nearly 27 percentage points. Hunter will also face at least two GOP challengers: Shamus Sayed and Andrew Zelt. Hunter is not considered to be particularly vulnerable in next years election, but an investigation into his alleged misuse of campaign funds has caused at least one election handicapper to move his race from solid Republican to the likely Republican column. Facebook

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San Francisco is getting a new mayor and creating a political star. Who will it be? By Mark Z. Barabak San Francisco is the city everyone loves, even if they hate it. The stately Victorians, like a gingerbread dream come to life. The majestic Golden Gate Bridge, standing like heavens portal above the fog. The plucky cable cars, scrabbling up its impossible hillsides. It can almost make you forget the bands of ravaged homeless, the paralyzing traffic, the scent of human waste wafting from sidewalks outside the citys posh eateries and palatial tech headquarters. San Francisco is getting a new mayor, owing to the sudden death of incumbent Ed Lee. All of the grandeur, and all of the grit, accompany the position. To say the race is wide open  Lee having died just about a week ago  is an understatement. Read More Facebook

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure over a fix for Dreamers By Sarah D. Wire California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure from activists and fellow Democrats to withhold support for a spending bill that would avert a government shutdown in exchange for protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Feinstein said in October that protections for so-called Dreamers are the most important thing we can get done, but the senator known for her moderate bent said this week that she wont try to block the end-of-the-year spending bill over it, and has not offered an explanation. Dreamers this week flooded Feinsteins five California offices and her office on Capitol Hill. Two UCLA students refused to leave her Capitol Hill office after three hours Tuesday and were briefly detained by police. On Wednesday, about a dozen students and parents returned and were asked to leave after about 30 minutes of shouting in her office lobby. Read More Facebook

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The GOP tax plan passed. Now Democrats have another big issue to use in the midterms By Sarah D. Wire As GOP leaders in Congress met behind closed doors to hash out the details of their massive tax overhaul, a group of UC Irvine graduate students met in Rep. Mimi Walters district, fretting about how the plan could cost them money. About 20 miles north, dozens of activists in top hats stood outside Rep. Ed Royces Brea office as they chanted, Shame on you! And up in the Central Valley, protesters gathered outside Rep. Jeff Denhams Modesto office to sing Protest ye dreary congressman  Remember that he voted to take healthcare away. To save himself from taxes now, so you will have to pay. Read More Facebook

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Kevin de Leon to Feinstein: Dont come back to California without forcing a government shutdown over Dream Act By Jazmine Ulloa State Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), left, and Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), right. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Taking direct criticism to the woman he is attempting to unseat in next years U.S. Senate race, California Senate leader Kevin de Leon on Wednesday urged Democrats to block a year-end spending bill as leverage to pass a Dream Act  clean of GOP demands for increased border security. At a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, De Leon commended Sen. Kamala Harris for pledging to block the measure, saying he could not understand why her colleague Sen. Dianne Feinstein had failed to take a similar stance in pushing for legislation to protect the so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. Dreamers make up hundreds of thousands of Sen. Feinsteins constituents, and while talking a good game on Dreamers, when it comes to standing up and supporting them, she is AWOL, said De Leon (D-Los Angeles), who has attempted to position himself to Feinsteins left as he campaigns for her seat. His statements follow days of demonstrations by young protesters at legislators offices in Washington and California. The coalitions of activists have been calling on Democrats to hold up the spending bill, a move that could force a government shutdown. They want to pass Dream Act legislation that would provide protections and a path to citizenship to young people without legal residency in the U.S. At least two young protesters were arrested Tuesday outside of Feinsteins Capitol Hill office, and more demonstrations took place at her offices in Washington and San Francisco on Wednesday. Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) have sponsored Dream Act legislation but have not pledged to hold up the spending deal. A separate bipartisan group of senators is advocating punting the issue to January. President Trump has asked Congress to come up with a solution by March. Standing next to De Leon and immigrant rights advocates on Wednesday, state Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) said advocates had to double down the shame on any Democrat who thinks its time to wait on the issue. De Leon said they had made that message clear to Schumer, saying, It is time to find your spine, sir. To Pelosi and Feinstein, he said: Dont come back to California if you havent demonstrated your leadership and your courage to stand up for these young men and women. I can tell you this, De Leon said. If the Republicans were on the other side, they wouldnt hesitate for a nanosecond to shut down the government to move forward what they believe in. Facebook

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12 California Republicans vote to support tax overhaul for a second time; Rohrabacher and Issa say no By Sarah D. Wire The House gave final approval for the GOP tax bill Wednesday, with 12 Republicans in the state delegation again voting in favor of the bill. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Darrell Issa of Vista voted no. The House and Senate both passed the bill Tuesday, but, because Democrats raised procedural objections that forced the bill to be changed in the Senate, the House had to vote on the bill again Wednesday before sending it to President Trump for his signature. Though many California taxpayers are expected to see an initial income tax cut under the plan, a significant number probably will have higher taxes because of the lost deductions. Analysts also expect the biggest cuts to flow to corporations and the states wealthiest residents. Republicans are expected to head to the White House later Wednesday for a celebration with Trump. No House Democrats, including the 39 from California, supported the bill. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) was not present for the second vote, but she voted no on Tuesday. See the Republican votes here: Facebook

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Californias Democratic senators vote no on GOP tax bill Californias @SenKamalaHarris and @SenFeinstein join rest of Democrats in the Senate in voting no on the GOP tax bill, which passed 51-48 along party lines. Sanders, who is an Independent, voted with Democrats.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "At a time when wages have stagnated and working Americans are trying to do more with less, this tax plan pulls the rug out from the middle class to give billions to those who already have so much. This is an attack on our values, and Americans deserve better," Harris said.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "Californians will be hit especially hard by the cap on the state and local tax deduction, making it more difficult for communities to pay for services that our families rely on, Its no wonder a bill that primarily benefits the wealthy is so unpopular..." Feinstein said  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 Facebook

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GOP tax overhaul passes House with help from a dozen California Republicans By Sarah D. Wire Despite weeks of consternation from some California House Republicans, a dozen of them joined their colleagues to pass an overhaul of the U.S. tax code Tuesday. Two  Reps. Darrell Issa and Dana Rohrabacher  voted against the plan. In the weeks before the vote, Republican Reps. Mimi Walters of Irvine and Steve Knight of Palmdale cited new caps on popular deductions as reasons they were uncertain about whether to vote for the bill. Both worked behind the scenes on changes and ultimately supported the bill, which passed the House on a near party line vote 227-203. Knight said hes satisfied the changes are enough to to turn what would have been a tax increase into a tax cut for his constituents. Read More Facebook

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More than half of Californians oppose GOP tax bill, according to new poll By Sarah D. Wire House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) arrives for a news conference about the tax plan. (Win McNamee / Getty Images) More than half of Californians oppose the GOP tax bill expected to be approved by Congress today, and just 20% believe it will have a positive affect on their families, according to a poll released Monday. Just over half of California voters, 51%, oppose the tax bill, and 30% support it, according to the newest IGS Poll, a survey by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. And the belief falls largely along party lines, with Democrats opposing the bill by a more than 4-to-1 (67% to 15%) margin and Republicans supporting it 3 to 1 (60% to 21%). The House and Senate are expected to vote on the tax bill Tuesday. Californias Republican members of Congress largely support the bill despite some concerns about how cuts to the state and local tax deduction and mortgage interest deduction might affect Californians. Democrats in the delegation oppose it and have said they will use the vote against vulnerable Republicans in the 2018 midterm elections. When asked about the impact they think the bill will have on themselves and their families, just 20% of the polls respondents said they think it will benefit them directly, while 40% foresee a negative impact. About 27% do not expect much of an impact, and 13% said they dont know if theyll be affected. The poll of a random sample of 1,000 registered voters was completed by telephone in English and Spanish from Dec. 7 to 16. Facebook

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A quick look at some of the biggest tax changes for Californians By Sarah D. Wire (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) Congressional Republicans are framing their tax cut bill as a Christmas gift that will give Americans an average tax cut of $2,059. For Californians, especially in the wealthier areas along the coast, the situation isnt as clear-cut. When the measure comes up for a vote in the House on Tuesday morning, its expected to pass along party lines. At least two Republicans say they will join Democrats in the California delegation to oppose the plan because they fear it will hurt their constituents bottom line. Take a quick look at what some of the biggest changes in the tax bill might mean for average Californians. Read More Facebook

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Lawmakers, pot growers say Californias marijuana cultivation rules favor big corporate farms By Patrick McGreevy Civil engineer Praj White assesses a site in Humboldt Countys Eel River watershed that is home to a marijuana farm. (Humboldt County) Californias new rules allowing marijuana cultivation favor large corporate farms despite a promise in Proposition 64 that small growers would be protected, according to a group of state lawmakers and marijuana industry leaders who called Monday for the policy to be changed. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued emergency rules last month that allow for small and medium-sized farms of up to a quarter acre and one acre, respectively, to get licenses for the first five years. That five-year head start for small farms was promised in Proposition 64, the initiative approved last year by voters that legalized growing and selling marijuana for recreational use. Individuals and businesses can get only one license for a medium-sized farm, but the new rules do not set a limit on how many small-farm licenses can be obtained by one person or business. That could allow a corporation to assemble a 20-acre farm by obtaining 80 licenses for a quarter-acre each, opponents worry. Democratic state Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Mike McGuire of Healdsburg, Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and the California Growers Assn. asked for swift action by the state agricultural department to change the rule. This is clearly a broken promise, McGuire said. For two years, every discussion has included a cap on cannabis grows and the Department of Food and Agriculture needs to fix this massive loophole they have created. This last-minute revision rolls out the red carpet for large corporations to crush the livelihood of small family farmers. With cultivation licenses set to take effect next month, the lawmakers also promised legislative hearings on why the rules were drafted to disadvantage small, mom-and-pop farms. California only has one chance to get this right, and it is already on the wrong path with this last-minute change that flies in the face of what the backers of Prop. 64 promised, said Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Assn. This single decision will hand over the California marketplace to multinational corporations and a wealthy few at the expense of thousands of growers who are ready to play by the rules and provide economic opportunity in communities that until recently were criminalized or  at the very least  marginalized. The industry estimates there are about 3,500 independent growers on track to get a state license in the first half of 2018. Allens group estimates that number could grow to as many as 10,000 or 15,000 by the end of 2020, but not if large corporate farms are allowed in early. The agricultural agency issued a response later: A one-acre canopy limit has not been in proposed regulations at any point and was not included in the emergency regulations due to the fact that Proposition 64, the law guiding the process, did not provide authority to include it. However, local jurisdictions may impose that limitation on their own if it meets the needs of their constituents. Updated at 5:10 pm to include comment from agricultural agency. Facebook

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Final tax bill dramatically softens blow to mortgage interest deductions in California By Christine Mai-Duc Last-minute changes to the Republican-led tax overhaul seem to be tailor-made to entice support from California GOP lawmakers, several of whom voted against a previous version passed in the House last month. The House version, passed with the support of all but three California Republicans, had proposed capping the mortgage interest deduction at loans of $500,000 or less. Republicans in high-tax, expensive states had voiced concerns the bill would have major effects in their districts. But the final version of the bill dramatically slashed the percentage of new mortgages that would be affected if the package becomes law. *New mortgages over $500,000 include data through Sept. 2017. New mortgages over $750,000 include data through Oct. 2017. Source: Times analysis of data provided by CoreLogic The particulars of the mortgage interest provision and other popular deductions were major sticking points as House and Senate negotiators hammered out a compromise between the two versions. A previous Times analysis showed that more than half of new mortgages this year in Rep. Dana Rohrabachers coastal Orange County district exceeded the $500,000 cap laid out in the House version. Text of the new bill released Friday outlined a cap of $750,000, which would apply to just under a quarter of new mortgages there through October 2017. Rohrabacher was one of three California Republicans, along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) who previously voted against the measure. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) said she supported the House version after receiving assurances from leaders that the bill would be changed to account for the loss of deductions, The percentage of new mortgages over the cap dropped from 48% to 14%. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), whose district had 1% of mortgages exceeding the $500,000 cap proposed previously, saw that share drop almost to zero; 27 of 7,515 mortgages in his congressional district this year have been for more than $750,000. The House is expected to vote on the final tax bill Tuesday. Facebook

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A major change to Proposition 13 takes its first step toward the 2018 ballot By Liam Dillon A commercial property in San Bernardino County that could face higher property taxes under a proposed ballot measure (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Proponents of making a dramatic change to Californias landmark Proposition 13 property tax restrictions took their first step to getting a measure on the November 2018 statewide ballot Friday. The change would allow the state to receive more tax dollars from commercial and industrial properties by assessing them at their current market value, an effort known as split roll because existing tax protections on homes would remain in place. Advocates of the measure, including the League of Women Voters of California and community organizing nonprofits California Calls and PICO Network said the change could raise billions of dollars that could be spent on public schools and community colleges. I think the cumulative effects of the unfair tax system have gotten to the point where its created crippling economic impacts on the state, said Melissa Breach, executive director of the League of Women Voters of California. Backers filed their proposed initiative Friday. The attorney generals office will prepare an official title and summary for the measure and it will receive a financial analysis. From there, advocates will decide if they will collect signatures to put the measure on the ballot. Proposition 13 passed in 1978 amid concerns that rising property taxes could force people out of their homes. The ballot measure limited property taxes to 1% of a propertys value at the time of purchase and ensures that the assessed value on which taxes are based can only increase by a maximum of 2% a year  no matter how much a propertys market value goes up. Split-roll measures have been long debated in state politics, but business groups and anti-tax groups have expressed substantial opposition to the idea, arguing that it would cause major harm to the states business climate. Breach said she expected an avalanche of big money against the measure should it go forward, but said that her organization wouldnt get involved without believing it could raise sufficient funding.S For the record 1 p.m., Dec. 18: An earlier version of this post said the split roll ballot measure would allow California to charge higher tax rates on commercial and industrial properties. It would allow the state to assess those properties at current market value, not charge higher rates. Facebook

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Three more women accuse California assemblyman of sexual misconduct By Melanie Mason Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) A Los Angeles woman has filed a police report alleging Democratic Assemblyman Matt Dababneh had sex with her without consent four years ago, adding new allegations of sexual misconduct to those that led the politician to announce his resignation last week. He says her claims are false. Nancy Miret, 26, told The Times that when she was 22 and a recent college graduate, she spent time with Dababneh over two months in late 2013, primarily at his Encino apartment. At the time, Dababneh was running for Assembly to represent the western San Fernando Valley. They had consensual sex on one occasion, but after that, Miret said she had multiple nonconsensual sexual encounters with Dababneh that left her traumatized. Miret, who now works in commercial real estate, is one of three women interviewed by The Times who have made new allegations concerning Dababnehs behavior. These allegations are false and Im confident that when all the facts are in, it will clearly show that these claims are not true, Dababneh told The Times. Read More Facebook

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San Diego business is first in California to be issued license to sell marijuana for recreational use By Patrick McGreevy Marijuana for recreational use goes on sale Jan. 1 in California. (Los Angeles Times) A San Diego medical marijuana business is the first firm to be issued a license by the state of California to sell marijuana for recreational use, officials said Thursday. Torrey Holistics received two of the first 20 licenses granted by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control this week to sell or distribute marijuana, although the licenses do not take effect until Jan. 1, according to bureau chief Lori Ajax. An additional 180 firms have applied for licenses but they are being processed. Last week, we officially launched our online licensing system, and today were pleased to issue the first group of temporary licenses to cannabis businesses that fall under the Bureaus jurisdiction, Ajax said in a statement. We plan to issue many more before January 1. The bureau is issuing temporary, four-month licenses to firms initially, but will eventually require firms to undergo background checks and pay a $1,000 application fee for yearlong permits. Tony Hall left a chemical distribution business two years ago to start Torrey Holistics with a friend and classmate at San Diego State. He said he was ecstatic to have the first recreational permit in California. He also obtained a new license to continue selling marijuana for medical uses. We feel fricking great about it, he said Thursday. Its just exciting. This is a once in a multi-generational event, he added, likening it to the end of prohibition. Added Ruthie Edelson, the firms marketing director, We will be open at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Last year, voters approved Proposition 64, which makes California one of eight states that allow the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational uses. Facebook

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Conservative activist group files a lawsuit over Los Angeles County inactive voter list By John Myers (Los Angeles Times) A Washington-based conservative-leaning activist group filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging Los Angeles County officials are refusing to cancel the registrations of voters who are ineligible to cast a ballot. The legal action by Judicial Watch comes four months after the organization first accused elections officials across the state of maintaining registration lists that are larger than their voting-age population. The lawsuit also names Secretary of State Alex Padilla as a defendant and alleges the voter lists violate the National Voter Registration Act, or NVRA. They dont care about removing ineligible registration, said Robert Popper of Judicial Watch. I think we have a very strong lawsuit. The lawsuit names four Los Angeles County voters as co-plaintiffs and asserts that a countys two lists of voters  the file of active voters and those whose registration has been placed on inactive status  should be combined into a single total. The inactive list includes people who havent cast ballots in recent elections and havent responded to inquiries from elections officials. Though the names on that list are considered voters, they are not counted in official registration reports and are not mailed election material. Popper led an effort earlier this year to estimate the size of each countys voting-age population using the Census Bureaus American Community Survey. He said the surveys five-year average of county populations was then adjusted by focusing just on the estimate of those over the age of 18, and then comparing that with the combined active and inactive voter lists. Popper dismissed any concern that the resulting number might be skewed by the different standards used by counties for the inactive list, which could include names of voters who moved or died and thus be an imperfect guide. I believe that a court is going to accept our numbers, he said. Dean Logan, the registrar of voters in Los Angeles County, said his staffs practices are consistent with federal law. This lawsuit appears to fundamentally interpret the requirements of the NVRA in a manner inconsistent with ensuring voter enfranchisement and appropriate list maintenance, he said. The lawsuit also alleges that Los Angeles elections officials failed to provide Judicial Watch with requested data about the size of the inactive list, and accuses Padilla of failing to address the groups concerns about California not following NVRA rules. In a statement on Thursday, Padilla said county inactive-voter files are not out of compliance with the law. He criticized Judicial Watch for its baseless assertions, bad math, and flawed methodology. Local elections officials have said very few inactive voters show up on election day, and that any who do would be asked to cast a provisional ballot  one that isnt counted unless the voters eligibility is confirmed through additional review. Popper insisted that if the list is never used, theres no reason to keep it. Judicial Watch, which sued for access to Hillary Clintons emails in 2016, alleged that its calculations show 11 California counties with questionable voter registration totals. Facebook

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Voters in California GOP districts may get calls asking them to thank their member of Congress for tax plan By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Voters in four key Republican-held congressional districts could get a robocall starting Friday urging them to call and thank their member of Congress for supporting the tax bill. Its a last minute effort by American Action Network, a politically active nonprofit connected with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) that has spent millions to shore up Republican support for the bill. The robocalls include the members office number. The four California members being targeted are Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock, David Valadao of Hanford, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Mimi Walters of Irvine. All four represent districts that backed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and are Democratic targets in 2018. Knight and Walters had been particularly vocal about their concerns with the plan, saying it might raise taxes for their constituents. The final text of the bill is set to be released Friday, with a vote expected early next week. In total, American Action Network plans to place 1 million robocalls in 29 districts nationwide. Facebook

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Merry Christmas Republicans in Congress: Funny or Die video goes after California lawmakers over DACA By Christine Mai-Duc As members of Congress try to pass a controversial tax bill and a measure to keep the federal government funded, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is hitting Republicans hard over another unresolved issue: the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children who could face deportation if lawmakers dont act. Amid negotiations over a long-term spending bill, Democratic leaders have been pushing their GOP colleagues to include a fix for those who were granted temporary protection under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA. President Trump announced an end to the program earlier this year and gave Congress a March deadline to address it. Funny or Die and BOLD PAC released a video Friday featuring comedians skewering GOP members, including two in California, for their inaction. In the video, Oscar Nunez, best known for his role on The Office, calls out Reps. Steve Knight (Palmdale), Ed Royce (Fullerton), Carlos Curbelo (Florida) and John Culberson (Texas), who get to go ahead and celebrate as thousands of Dreamers are banished from the only country theyve ever called home. How many broken promises can fit in a stocking? Nunez asks later. Im asking for a congressman. The political action committee says its spending six figures on the weeklong buy, which will go out nationwide across Funny Or Dies social media channels. They are known for blasting out irreverent, often viral parodies that play to young audiences. The video will also be targeted to constituents in each of the four congressional districts. A separate video released by the ACLU last week also urged members of Congress to strike a deal on DACA. Many California Republicans have remained mum on the issue, particularly those facing tough races in 2018. So far, only Reps. David Valadao (Hanford), Jeff Denham (Turlock) and Mimi Walters (Irvine) have pressured fellow Republicans to come up with a solution before Congress breaks for Christmas. Following Trumps decision, Knight said the issue should receive attention by Congress. Royce, who has taken hard-line stances on immigration in the past, urged his colleagues to provide a permanent, legislative solution that gives certainty to these kids. Neither elaborated on what that solution should be. Facebook

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For a prominent California consumer group and savvy political consultants, documents reveal a close financial relationship By John Myers If theres a clear mantra for Consumer Watchdog, one of Californias most visible and vocal advocacy groups, its that hidden financial relationships shouldnt shape politics and public policy. The Santa Monica-based nonprofit has spent more than three decades reprimanding politicians and interest groups for doing the bidding of those who give them money. Its official motto is expose, confront, change. We are loud, and we speak more of a populist truth than the way people usually talk to each other in Sacramento, said Jamie Court, Consumer Watchdogs president. Read More Facebook

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Regional director resigns from California Democratic Party amid sexual misconduct claims By Jazmine Ulloa Craig Cheslog (Photo courtesy the California Democratic Party) A regional director with the California Democratic Party submitted his resignation on Thursday, nearly two weeks after a 23-year-old woman reported that he sexually assaulted her last year, spurring party leaders to seek his ouster. Craig Cheslog served as Region 2 director spanning the East Bay, Napa, Sonoma and the Clearlake areas. In a statement, his lawyer, Mary P. Carey, said she and her client were confident that a full and fair exploration of this matter, undertaken in an appropriate, fact-governed venue, would exonerate Mr. Cheslog. We are prepared, if necessary, to put forward the facts of this matter in just such a venue, she said. Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman and other officials initially called for Cheslogs removal in a Nov. 29 letter to state party secretary Jenny Bach. They said he was seen acting in an inappropriate and sexually aggressive manner toward a member of the party in a public area of the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel, following a Nov. 18 executive board meeting. The level to which this activity advanced made a number of those in attendance uncomfortable, the letter stated. It added that another member reported that Mr. Cheslog raped her at a CDP executive board meeting the previous year. Party officers said the incident occurred during a weekend where the prevention of sexual harassment of women in politics was a dominant theme in the wake of the #metoo movement. Before the meetings conclusion on Sunday, the California Womens Caucus approved a resolution making clear that sexual harassment, bullying and other forms of abuse are grounds to lose endorsements and be stripped of party membership. Maddy Dean, who was not named in the letter, spoke at the meeting about her experiences of sexual harassment in the movie industry, and told the Times that she reported Cheslog. She said she could not provide further details about her allegation as she explores possible legal paths moving forward. This was about protecting other women and in particular other young women, she said of reporting the assault. In his own letter to Bach on Thursday, Cheslog did not acknowledge any wrongdoing. He said he was stepping down to prevent any personal misconduct allegations from creating a distraction with the party at a critical moment in national and state politics. I am confident of the results that would be forthcoming in a fair, fact-based exploration of this matter, he said. Since the report, Cheslog has been fired from his job at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate media and technology. He also has stepped down from his position on the Acalanes Union High School District Board of Trustees. The conduct represented a serious violation of both company policy and the way in which our employees are expected to conduct themselves in the community at large, Common Sense spokeswoman Corbie Kiernan said in a statement. We immediately suspended Mr. Cheslog and conducted an investigation. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Cheslogs employment with Common Sense was terminated. 4:05 p.m.: This post was updated with Cheslogs resignation from the school board. Facebook

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Sen. Bob Hertzberg will cooperate with investigation into unwanted hugs By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Bob Hertzberg works at his Senate Chambers desk. He faces an investigation into unwanted hugging (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) said Thursday he will cooperate with a state investigation into complaints from a former legislator that she was uncomfortable with his repeated hugs after she asked him not to touch her. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said Thursday that a team of outside attorneys will investigate a complaint by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Hertzberg has made her uncomfortable with hugs that were too close and lasted too long. Hertzberg, well-known for hugging other lawmakers, said he supports having any allegations investigated by the two outside law firms. I just learned of the investigation, and will fully cooperate, he said. The use of an independent third party investigator is essential to improving transparency and trust in the system. Halderman said Thursday she was encouraged that her concerns will be investigated, but said it was disturbing  that attorneys for one of the law firms selected, Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, contributed more than $90,000 in campaign funds to sitting legislators including Hertzberg. Halderman, a surgeon, served in the state Assembly from 2010 through 2012 and said Hertzberg hugged her multiple times even after she asked him to stop because she was uncomfortable. The last incident occurred in a hallway of the Capitol, she claimed. I told him I dont care to be hugged. Dont touch me,  Halderman recalled. He then grabbed me and pinned my arms to my side and used his hands to press my lower back into his groin and he essentially pinned me so I couldnt push off of him to get away the way I ended previous hugs. It was certainly so over the line, she added. Halderman said a current female senator and assemblywoman also have complained about inappropriate hugs from Hertzberg. However, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) defended Hertzberg, saying she has known him for many years and he has always acted as a gentleman. I have never felt uncomfortable with him, and have always felt his hugs were a display of affection - which I appreciate, she said. I consider him a dear friend. Updated at 5:30 pm to include comment from Sen. Galgiani. Facebook

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Rep. Maxine Waters asks Justice Department to investigate fake letter tweeted by Republican opponent By Sarah D. Wire (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Rep. Maxine Waters is asking the Justice Department to look into a fake letter posted to Twitter by her Republican challenger that falsely indicated the congresswoman wants to resettle tens of thousand of refugees in her Los Angeles district. The GOP candidate, Omar Navarro, posted the letter on what looks like official House of Representatives letterhead to Twitter on Monday. The letter, which purports to be from the congresswoman, says the congresswoman wants to bring refugees to her congressional district after the 2018 election and perhaps even once I have secured the Speaker of the House position. Navarro accompanied the tweeted letter with a message: According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District. As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. Its been retweeted more than 680 times. But the letter is a forgery and a fake, her chief of staff, Twaun Samuel, said in a news release. The letter, dated June of this year, also contains several inaccuracies. It references multiple committees and subcommittees Waters does not serve on, and lists an address for a district office that has been closed for nearly a decade. Waters filed a complaint about the tweeted letter with the House general counsel, who forwarded the complaint to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and the fraud section of the Criminal Division for the United States Department of Justice. The complaint states that Waters has not communicated with the letters purported addressee  Teri Williams, who is president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles-based OneUnited Bank, about any refugee resettlement program. Impersonating a federal official and misusing a federal seal are federal crimes. Navarro, who is backed by big name far-right conservatives, said Thursday that the letter was sent to his campaign through Facebook by a person he didnt know. He said neither the Justice Department or Waters staff has asked him about the letter. I dont know if its real or not, so I put it out there, Navarro said, adding that he believed his followers would help him determine if it is real. It doesnt say that I know. Its according to this document  what, am I supposed to send it to her and get an email back from Maxine? According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District.

As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. #VoteNavarro2018https://t.co/vO8YUsyPp3 pic.twitter.com/k7ef0H20if  Omar Navarro (@RealOmarNavarro) December 11, 2017 Facebook

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Sen. Tony Mendoza refuses to take a leave of absence amid harassment probe By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), left, talks earlier this year about a pending bill with Sen. Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado Hills). (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Defying pressure from legislative leadership, state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) refused Thursday to take a leave of absence until an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him is concluded early next year. Mendoza has denied allegations by former employees that he treated three female aides inappropriately, inviting them to hotel stays and asking one to visit his home to work on her resume. I am very disappointed that certain Senate Rules Committee members are apparently asking me to take a leave of absence or resign before any investigation has even begun and without giving me an opportunity to defend myself, Mendoza said in a statement. This is contrary to the very concept of due process, which is a pillar of our American system of fairness and judicial prudence. These actions bypass any process in a rush to judgment. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) earlier Thursday called on Mendoza to take a leave of absence. Mendoza had previously been stripped of his leadership positions, including chairmanship of the Senates committee on banking and insurance. Mendoza questioned statements urging him to step down, saying they leave him concerned about the fairness of the investigation. He also said he has been disappointed that he has been told he cannot publicly address allegations. I was not appointed to the position I hold, but was elected by the voters in my district, he said. I am grateful to the voters in my district and thank them for their trust and their continued support. The Senate owes them an opportunity to hear the truth. I assure them that I will vigorously defend myself to clear my name. Facebook

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State Senate leader asks Sen. Tony Mendoza to take leave of absence amid sexual harassment investigation By Patrick McGreevy (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Senate leader Kevin de Leon said Thursday he has strongly suggested that Sen. Tony Mendoza take a leave of absence until the completion of an investigation by outside attorneys into allegations that Mendoza sexually harassed three former aides. Given the severity of the allegations against Senator Mendoza I do not believe he can perform the duties in Sacramento right now while the investigation is being conducted, De Leon told a packed news conference in his Capitol office. I believe Its the right thing to do, its the fair thing to do, to take a leave, he said. The Senate leader also said the outside attorneys have been asked to investigate complaints by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) inappropriately hugged her on multiple occasions in a way that made her uncomfortable, even after she asked him to stop. De Leon also announced the hiring of two law firms to handle the Mendoza and Hertzberg investigations, and all future probes of harassment and abuse involving Senate employees. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, did not immediately respond to the request to step aside. De Leon, a Democrat from Los Angeles who had been Mendozas roommate before the allegations were made public, said he made the suggestion to Mendoza in a meeting Thursday morning. If Mendoza refuses to take a leave, the Senate has the power to suspend him without pay, but De Leon said that is not currently under discussion. There is an effort underway to force his expulsion in January when the Legislature returns to Sacramento. Former Mendoza employees have claimed that he gave inappropriate attention to a female fellow and intern, inviting one to his home and hotel and giving the other alcohol in a hotel even though she was underage. Another former female aide told the Sacramento Bee that Mendoza invited her to one-on-one dinners and a weekend at Pebble Beach. Mendoza has denied the allegations. The Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and Van Dermyden Maddux law firms have been retained for two years, according to Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), who participated in their selection. Have you experienced sexual harassment in government or politics? Tell us your story   In addition, the state is contracting with Weave, a Sacramento crisis-intervention organization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, to provide counseling and to establish a hotline for Senate employees who are victims of sexual assault. The hotline number is 1-800-729-1443. America is finally reckoning with entrenched inequities in our personal and professional relationships and in workplaces of every type, De Leon said. Nowhere is this reckoning more important than in the halls of power  our political institutions. Facebook

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Watch live: California Senate leader addresses sexual misconduct at state Capitol Facebook

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California state senator pledges to bring back net neutrality rules just as FCC votes to repeal them By Jazmine Ulloa Demonstrators rally in support of net neutrality outside a Verizon store in New York on Dec. 7. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Moments after the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to roll back net neutrality regulations, a state senator pledged to introduce legislation that would preserve open internet protections for consumers in California. Net neutrality is essential to our 21st century democracy, and we need to be sure that people can access websites and information freely and fairly, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement. If the FCC is going to destroy net neutrality and create a system that favors certain websites just because they can pay more money, California must step in and ensure open internet access. The announcement of the proposal came shortly after the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality in an expected 3-2 party-line vote, with Republicans calling for an end to the utility-like oversight of internet service providers. The Obama-era rules put in February 2015 barred broadband and wireless companies, such at AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. from selling faster delivery of certain data, slowing speeds for certain video streams and other content, and discriminating against legal material online. Before the vote, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai argued loosening the regulations would allow the online economy to flourish. FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the the two Democrats on the commission, said the rollback would inhibit the openness that has made the U.S. internet the envy of the world. Supporters of net neutrality are expected to file suit to try to halt the repeal plan. Weiners attempt to institute net neutrality rules in California could have challenges. The FCC order states that allowing state and local governments to adopt their own separate requirements, which could impose a heavier burden on companies, could disrupt the balance between state and federal regulations. The preemption of state and local net neutrality measures is something that could be challenged in court. Amid such legal battles state legislation could face heavy lobbying efforts from internet providers arguing against uneven regulations. A bill by Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) was shelved last legislative session over similar disputes. It would have enshrined in state law other FCC regulations that were rolled back this year by President Trump and Congress. The Internet privacy rules limited what broadband providers can do with their customers data. The bills defeat capped a behind-the-scenes battle that pitted telecom companies against state internet service providers and brought other bills to a halt in the state Senate as negotiations unfolded over legislation that would have had national significance. UPDATES 7:57 a.m.: This post was updated with additional information about the potential legal case. LA Times reporter Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report. Facebook

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L.A. County sheriffs office failed to follow policy for issuing concealed weapon permits, audit says By Patrick McGreevy Handguns are displayed at the Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas in 2016. ( (John Locher / Associated Press)) The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has repeatedly failed to follow its own rules for issuing concealed weapon permits, the state auditor concluded in a report released Thursday. L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell disputed some of the key findings of the audit, saying state officials misinterpreted the policy. The department policy requires applicants to provide convincing evidence of a clear and present danger to life or of great bodily harm to get a license, but the audit found the department issued 24 licenses during the last few years without sufficient evidence. Most of the 197 active licenses in L.A. County as of August went to current or former law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, the audit found. The lieutenant in charge of reviewing applications told auditors that people in law enforcement satisfy the departments requirements by the nature of their jobs. However, making that decision based solely on the applicants profession both directly contradicts Los Angeless written policy  which specifically states that no position or job classification in itself shall constitute good cause for issuance  and has led the department to treat applicants inequitably based on their occupations, the audit says. McDonnell said the audit identified some legitimate issues, and the department has added a checklist to the application process in order to show requirements have been met. But he disagreed on the reports sweeping conclusion that the department consistently failed to follow its own policies. The LASD policy simply requires that the applicant provide convincing evidence that his or her life or physical safety is threatened, the sheriff said. He said the policy does not require additional documentation of that evidence if sufficient information is provided in the application. Auditors also concluded that Sacramento County issued some licenses without proper documentation and that San Diego Countys renewal process led it to inappropriately renew some licenses. Facebook

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Anti-Issa effort discloses donors: Leo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Ted Danson and more By Joshua Stewart A political group that has brought professional political organizers into the campaign against Rep. Darrell Issa has received its most significant contributions to date  from actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities. Fonda gave $100,000 to Flip the 49th! Neighbors in Action, which recently registered as a political committee to get Issa, R-Vista, out of office. Comedian Bill Maher gave $15,000 to the group, a rebuke of a politician who has twice appeared on his talk show. Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer gave $2,500, as did Academy Award recipient Leonardo DiCaprio. Actor Ted Danson gave $1,500. Flip the 49th gave the The San Diego Union-Tribune a list of donors more than a month before its required to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Read More Facebook

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California Senate GOP leader: Release Capitol whistleblowers from non-disclosure agreements By Melanie Mason State Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) (Mark Boster) California Senate Republican leader Patricia Bates is wading into the sexual harassment debate that has swept up the Capitol and is calling on her Democratic colleagues to allow whistleblowers to speak out by releasing them from non-disclosure agreements. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) wrote in a letter to the Democratic legislative leaders  Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount)  that Senate Republicans are calling for the Legislature to allow victims or witnesses who may have signed such agreements to share their experiences publicly. This release from NDAs would empower victims of sexual harassment, create a new atmosphere for resolving sexual harassment or discrimination concerns, increase public awareness and transparency, and ensure that both the Senate and the Assembly fulfill their obligations to the public and their employees for providing a safe and welcoming workplace environment, Bates wrote in the letter, dated Dec. 12. The Republican senator also laid out suggestions to improve the Legislatures handling of sexual harassment complaints, such as jointly convening both houses rules committees  which act as the chambers human resources departments  to have a comprehensive, bicameral and bipartisan review. Bates wrote that the Joint Rules Committee should consider the assigning of an outside entity for assuming responsibility for all issues regarding sexual harassment. She said the California Highway Patrol or an inspector general could serve that function. Bates is currently serving on a panel designated by the Senate Rules Committee to select an outside law firm to investigate sexual harassment complaints. De Leon, in a statement, said he agreed with Bates that sexual harassment is a bipartisan, bicameral problem that requires bipartisan, bicameral solutions. Many of these recommendations we are already pursuing and evaluating in some form and we look forward to working in collaboration with Senator Bates  as we did with the independent selection panel  on additional reforms in the weeks to come, De Leon said. With regard to non-disclosure agreements, De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the Senate is discussing with attorneys and anti-harassment experts about what options are available without violating the privacy rights of past victims. John Casey, a spokesman for Rendon, said the Assembly does not ask for NDAs in settlement agreements. The Speaker agrees with both the Legislative Womens Caucus and the Rules Committee chair that any sexual harassment policy should be both bicameral and bipartisan, Casey said. Facebook

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California plans to send out licenses for pot sales this month  but they wont be effective until Jan. 1 By Patrick McGreevy Patrons shop at Bud and Bloom, a Santa Ana marijuana dispensary, last year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California officials said Wednesday they plan to use email before the new year to send out some licenses to sell marijuana to speed up the transition to a regulated market. The licenses will not go into effect until Jan. 1. Proposition 64, which legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use, required the state to begin issuing licenses by Jan. 1. Because that date is a state holiday, the bureau originally planned to begin sending them out on Jan. 2. That has changed. Much of the date discussion  Jan. 1 versus Jan. 2  was based on whether or not wed be able to be open on a state holiday, said Alex Traverso, a bureau spokesman. The solution to that issue was to issue licenses with an effective date of Jan. 1 since licenses will be issued electronically. That eliminates the need to have the office open on Jan. 1. He said that, as of Wednesday, the bureau has not yet sent out any emails with licenses approved to begin operating Jan. 1. Facebook

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Californias budget director makes last ditch effort to urge GOP members to vote against tax plan By Sarah D. Wire House Republicans hold a news conference after the House passed the GOP tax bill. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) As closed-door negotiations over the final tax bill come to an end, the head of the California Department of Finance is making a last-ditch effort to convince Republicans in the states congressional delegation to vote against the plan. In a letter to the entire delegation Wednesday, Finance Department Director Michael Cohen detailed 10 issues in the current tax proposals about which the state is worried. Some of Cohens concerns may be addressed in the deal that House and Senate leaders said they reached Wednesday morning. Details of the agreement are not yet public. Cohens concerns range from potentially billions less in federal funding available to California to offset the $1.4 trillion the plan is expected to add to the federal deficit, to the environmental effect of ending green energy tax credits. Californias 39 Democratic representatives are expected to oppose the final tax bill, which could come before both chambers of Congress by early next week. Three California Republicans  Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Tom McClintock of Elk Grove  voted against the original House version, and several other California Republicans have indicated they might be willing to vote against the final plan. Cohen specifically pointed to issues that have been raised by the uncertain House members, including the proposal to lower the cap on the mortgage interest deduction, the plan to limit state and local tax deductions and the elimination of a deduction for uninsured personal property damaged in natural disasters such as fires. Facebook

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California lawmakers have fought sexual misconduct on military bases, farms and college campuses. Will they police their own house? By Jazmine Ulloa Over the past decade, California lawmakers have worked to help curb sexual violence in the workplace and other spheres of public life. They have pushed college campuses to keep better track of incident reports, created whistleblower protections for military officers who file claims and established sexual harassment training for farmworkers and janitors. Now, as more than 140 women have come forward in an open letter to denounce a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in the California Legislature, activists and employment lawyers say lawmakers have not held colleagues and staffers to the same standards demanded of those in other fields. Members [of the state Assembly and Senate] are quick at pointing the finger at other folks, said Fiona Ma, a former Democratic assemblywoman from San Francisco who is now running for state treasurer. But they dont want to look inside and fix their own house, air their own dark, dirty laundry. Read More Facebook

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Californias cap-and-trade climate program could generate more than $8 billion by 2027, report says By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown signs an extension of Californias cap-and-trade program in July. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Although Californias cap-and-trade program was designed to combat climate change, a new analysis predicts it could also provide significant cash  as much as $8 billion in a decades time  for state and regional programs. The report issued Tuesday by the independent Legislative Analysts Office projects a wide range of revenue generated by the sale of permits for companies to emit greenhouse gases beyond a state-ordered emissions cap. The most recent auction of those emission permits brought in more than $800 million. The analysis warns that annual cap-and-trade revenue beyond 2020 is highly uncertain, and offers a possible range from $2 billion in 2018 to almost $7 billion in 2030  the final year of the program under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown signed in July. The estimate of $8.3 billion in 2027 is the high-water mark for any year in the report. Researchers cite a number of factors that make a specific prediction impossible, including future technology that allows industries to cut greenhouse gas emissions easily and thus pass on purchasing emission allowances. While it is clear that there will be additional revenues to the state beyond 2020, the amount that will be generated annually is highly uncertain, the report reads. Money collected from the sale of pollution permits is required to be spent on programs combating climate change. A portion of the money also is earmarked for the states high-speed rail program. The report urges lawmakers to provide oversight for future decisions made by the California Air Resources Board, the agency that has taken the lead on climate change efforts. In particular, the analysts warn that allowing businesses to stockpile too many permits  ones bought at current low prices  could lead to excessive greenhouse gas emissions in future years, potentially even causing the state to miss its annual benchmark as soon as 2024. Facebook

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Vice President Pence meets with California lawmakers about massive fires By Sarah D. Wire Briefed bipartisan group of California reps on the fed response to #CAwildfires. @POTUS approved an emergency declaration last Friday & @forestservice is providing air & ground assets including 1,000 personnel. Together, we will help the people of CA restore, rebuild & recover. pic.twitter.com/zn7QdbCZOQ  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 12, 2017 A handful of California representatives discussed the federal response to their states wildfires Tuesday with Vice President Mike Pence. Attending the West Wing meeting were House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara). It was a very bipartisan-spirited meeting. He clearly understood the significance of the fires and the impacts, Brownley said after the meeting. She said Pence offered federal assistance and recognized that recovery was going to be very important and that we want to work together to make sure that we can get the resources needed. President Trump signed an emergency declaration for the Southern California fires last week. Pence visited California this fall to view fire damage in Northern California. He stayed engaged and specifically wanted to make sure that FEMA and the other organizations were continuing to meet or exceed all expectations, Issa said after the meeting. We mostly thanked him for the fact that hes taken a personal interest and his team has been at the heart of the domestic coordination. There was no discussion about reinstating a federal tax deduction for uninsured damage repairs that would end up in the House and Senate tax bills, Brownley said. If you cant deduct uninsured property loss, its devastating. It would be devastating, Brownley said. Facebook

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We must talk about the health aspects of climate change, Schwarzenegger says in Paris By Kim Willsher (Thibault Camus / Associated Press) He showed up at Paris City Hall on Monday on a green bicycle and wearing a green tie to talk climate change with the mayor. But Arnold Schwarzenegger almost didnt make the trip from Los Angeles. One of the wildfires scorching Southern California was threatening his home. Luckily we have extraordinary firefighters, he told a group of officials and journalists. The actor and former governor of California was speaking in Paris as the founder of R20, a nonprofit based in Geneva that aims to help regional, state and local governments reduce their carbon emissions by developing clean energy sources. Read More Facebook

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A special recall election for state Sen. Josh Newman would cost a lot more than waiting for the June primary, state says By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) faces a recall campaign (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) State finance officials said Monday it would cost about $2.67 million for a special election on the recall of state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), but only $931,000 to put his potential recall on the regular June primary ballot, which will also feature races for governor anNewly-elected Alabama Sen. Doug Jones was sworn in Wednesday, narrowing the Republican majority in the chamber to 51-49, just as the White House resumes bipartisan budget talks aimed at averting a government shutdown this month.

That goal becomes slightly harder with the addition of Jones, who won a stunning special election in December to become the first Democratic senator from Alabama in 20 years.

He was seated Wednesday along with Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota, appointed by that states governor to replace former Sen. Al Franken, also a Democrat, who resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Senate leaders praised their new colleagues in a rare moment of comity, but hours later difficult talks resumed on Capitol Hill between White House officials and congressional leaders aimed at reaching a budget deal by a Jan. 19 deadline.

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Administration officials and GOP leaders want to keep negotiations focused on government spending levels, but Democrats are trying to use their leverage to press other issues  particularly extending protections for so-called Dreamers, the nearly 800,000 young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The immigrants face deportation this year because Trump ended the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Republicans said Wednesday they wanted a two-year budget deal, which would limit Democrats ability to use the annual must-pass funding measure to tack on immigration legislation or other priorities, and force them to address those issues now. Any budget deal will need bipartisan support to pass out of the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to avoid a filibuster.

It is important that we achieve a two-year agreement that funds our troops and provides for our national security and other critical functions, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) in a statement. It also remains important that members of Congress do not hold funding for our troops hostage for immigration policy.

Dreamers have become a top priority for Democrats. Even some rank-and-file Republicans want to help the young immigrants, especially as business and community leaders voice concerns about widespread disruption that might occur because of deportations.

Three former Homeland Security Department chiefs Wednesday warned Congress not to wait until Trumps March deadline to terminate DACA to pass legislation protecting the young immigrants.

The realistic deadline for successfully establishing a Dreamers program in time to prevent large-scale loss of work authorization and deportation protection is only weeks away, wrote Jeh Johnson, Janet Napolitano and Michael Chertoff in a letter to congressional leaders. The department would need time to implement the new rules, they wrote.

Congressional delay past the next few weeks will force the employers of hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients into a state of instability, in which they have to plan for losing these critical employees.

Trump, though, has wavered on what to do with the young people. At times he has expressed empathy with them. But he also campaigned on an anti-illegal immigration agenda centered on the promise of a border wall with Mexico.

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Wednesdays talks with Trumps budget director Mick Mulvaney and legislative director Marc Short did not appear to produce a deal.

Democrats are also pushing for disaster aid in the aftermath of hurricanes and wildfires, and healthcare bills that McConnell had previously agreed to consider to help stabilize premium costs under the Affordable Care Act.

We had a positive and productive meeting, and all parties have agreed to continue discussing a path forward to quickly resolve all of the issues, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a statement.

A Democratic leadership aide, granted anonymity to discuss the private talks, said the four leaders and White House officials agreed to keep negotiating on spending levels, a DACA and border agreement, a healthcare package, as well as a disaster aid bill.

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Failure to reach a deal in coming weeks could require Congress to approve another temporary funding measure, similar to three others passed during this fiscal year that began in October, to avoid a shutdown.

Earlier Wednesday, McConnell welcomed the new Democratic senators with an almost resigned relief after the Alabama special election split Republicans over the child-molestation allegations against GOP candidate Roy Moore.

McConnell was among many high-profile Republican leaders who said Moore should step aside, willing to lose the seat that had been held by longtime GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions, now head of President Trumps Justice Department. Trump, by contrast, strongly backed Moore, saying it would be worse to allow a Democrat to take the seat.

Schumer gushed that it was exciting to welcome his new colleagues, noting Smiths expertise in state government, most recently as lieutenant governor.

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Vice President Mike Pence swore in the new senators, who were accompanied by two former vice presidents  Joe Biden, a longtime colleague of Jones who campaigned for the former federal prosecutor, and Walter Mondale with Smith  as visitor galleries filled with family members and supporters.

Among those watching was former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., who was a deputy in the Justice Department when Jones  as U.S. attorney in Alabama  prosecuted Ku Klux Klansmen decades after the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham.

Asked earlier Wednesday what kind of senator he would be, Jones echoed his campaign plea for common-sense leadership. He now represents a deep Republican stronghold where Trump remains popular.

Im hoping to be a good senator, he told NBC. I dont think thats a partisan issue. I think any good senator is bipartisan, and thats what Im looking to do.

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lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaro

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Dreamers will have to wait for Congress long-promised protections

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Congress returns to work with slimmer GOP majority to accomplish Trumps agenda

Is this small-town congressman from New Mexico tough enough to win Democrats the House majority?

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More coverage of Congress

More coverage of politics and the White House

UPDATES:

3:10 p.m.: This article was updated after the budget meeting concluded.

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This article was originally published at 10:55 a.m.White House officials head to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for budget talks with congressional leaders ahead of a mid-January deadline to avert a federal shutdown that could imperil President Trumps agenda.

But Democrats want to talk about more than funding levels, insisting on a legislative solution to protect immigrant Dreamers from deportation and other issues in exchange for helping the Republican majority pass the spending bill.

The afternoon meeting, expected to convene at House Speaker Paul D. Ryans office, resumes high-stakes negotiations that fizzled last year as both sides seek to use the Jan. 19 deadline for leverage.

The White House and congressional Republicans are determined to separate the budget negotiations from other issues, hoping to deprive Democrats of the opportunity to use the must-pass spending bill as a vehicle.

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But because Ryan often relies on Democratic votes to pass spending bills over the objections of the most conservative Republicans in his majority, the dynamic provides House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) with leverage to make demands for her partys votes.

Democrats are focused on fulfilling the many long-overdue, bipartisan priorities facing the American people, Pelosi wrote in a letter Tuesday to House Democrats. We are fighting for funding for the opioid epidemic, veterans, pensions, disaster relief, National Institutes of Health, Childrens Health Insurance Program and community health centers. We are firmly committed to swiftly passing the Dream Act.

The difficult math facing Republicans in the Senate will only get worse as their majority narrows to 51-49 on Wednesday, when the newly-elected senator from Alabama, Democrat Doug Jones, is sworn into office. Funding bills require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster threat and pass in the Senate.

Trump, who had met with congressional leaders to broker early budget deals, is instead sending budget director Mick Mulvaney and legislative director Marc Short to restart Wednesdays talks.

Obviously, the budget is first and foremost one of the biggest priorities right now and certainly the big priority in the immediate term, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Tuesday. She said the meetings this week would touch on various issues, including immigration, healthcare, infrastructure and welfare reform.

Negotiators will try to produce new spending levels to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal 2018. Currently, federal operations are running under a temporary agreement, reached last month, to continue funding at last years levels.

Without a new agreement, funding would revert to previously set spending cuts that kick in automatically under an earlier budget-slashing accord and that both sides want to avoid.

Defense hawks particularly object to the automatic cuts. Republicans are pushing to bolster Pentagon spending, but Democrats insist on parity for nonmilitary programs.

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Democrats also want to use the must-pass bill to tack on other priorities  including more disaster funding after a $81-billion aid package for hurricane and wildfire relief stalled last year in the Senate.

The top priority, however, remains the so-called Dreamers, nearly 800,000 young immigrants who were brought the United States illegally as children and now face deportation as Trump ends the program that allows them to temporarily work and remain in the country.

Last year, Trump announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and urged Congress to come up with a legislative fix before the March deadline. Days later, he made a deal with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to put the immigrants on a citizenship pathway with passage of the Dream Act in exchange for tougher border security measures from Congress.

More recently, though, Trump has reversed course again, returning to anti-immigrant rhetoric from the campaign trail that helped propel him to the White House.

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Over the weekend, Trump made fresh demands that Congress provide funding for his promised border wall with Mexico and clamp down on legal immigration with new restrictions and limitations.

The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration & ridiculous Lottery System of Immigration etc. We must protect our Country at all cost! Trump tweeted.

On Tuesday, he blamed Democrats for the standoff and predicted Latinos and DACA advocates will start falling in love with Republicans and their President if they come up with a solution. Polls show that Latinos have overwhelmingly unfavorable views of Trump.

Trump is expected to meet later this week separately with GOP leaders to map out the partys 2018 agenda.

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lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

@LisaMascaro

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Congress returns to work with slimmer GOP majority to accomplish Trumps agenda

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Congress dashes hope for end-of-year solution for immigrant Dreamers, punts to new year

Is this small-town congressman from New Mexico tough enough to win Democrats the House majority?

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More coverage of politics and the White HouseSen. Orrin G. Hatchs announcement Tuesday that he would retire rather than seek an eighth term representing Utah opened the door to a return to public office by Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and a sometimes harsh critic of President Trump.

The contentiousness between the president and Romney has been so acute that Trump had publicly implored Hatch to run again, a barely veiled effort to deny Romney a route to the Senate. But at 83, having spent nearly half his life as a senator, Hatch spurned the presidents request and made good on his long-ago vow to leave office at the conclusion of his current term. He will depart as the longest-serving Republican in the Senates history.

Ive always been a fighter, but every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves, Hatch said in a video announcing his plans. And for me, that time is soon approaching.

Hatchs departure was another sign of the upheaval that is remaking both parties in Washington, due to political disruptions and the fallout of accusations of sexual harassment.

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The day Hatch announced his departure, Democratic Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota formally resigned his seat, the result of multiple harassment accusations. His successor, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, is scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday. So is Doug Jones of Alabama, another newcomer whose seat in the Senate resulted, in part, from sexual misconduct allegations, in his case accusations against his Republican opponent, Roy Moore.

Two of the Senates most vocal Republican Trump critics, Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee, earlier said that they would not seek reelection this year, the result not of the harassment scandals but the tenor of politics in Washington and the changes in their party brought about by Trumps election.

Their announcements may lead to competitive races that could further curb the narrow Republican control of the Senate. Their departures also created a vacuum into which Romney could slide if elected, as the highest-profile Republican critic of the president.

Romney was not expected to announce his decision for several days or perhaps two weeks, one advisor said. If he does run, as is widely expected, he would start as a prohibitive favorite in a state where he is far more popular than the president.

Other past critics of Trump, like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have bowed to the presidents popularity among Republican voters. But none has started off with as complicated a relationship as the president and Romney.

In 2012, Romney sought and received Trumps endorsement in a visibly nervous ceremony notable for its brevity  five minutes.

Trump tweeted his support for Romney throughout that campaign  but when it came time to launch his own bid, Trump made Romney the target of wounding barbs, calling him a failed presidential candidate who was awkward and goofy.

Romney returned the favor with a blistering denunciation of Trump in early March of 2016, part of an unsuccessful effort to rally Republican opposition to his candidacy.

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Heres what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud, Romney said. Hes playing the members of the American public for suckers. He gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat.

Trump replied via Twitter: Mitt Romney was a disaster candidate who had no guts and choked! Romney is a total joke, and everyone knows it!

The relationship between the 71-year-old president and his 70-year-old rival appeared to have improved after Trumps general election victory, when he considered Romney as secretary of State  or at least claimed to. The price of being considered included several public genuflections by Romney, one at an upscale New York restaurant where a photographer captured him looking wan and Trump gleeful.

The testy relationship resumed as the year continued, most recently when Trump endorsed Moore despite allegations from several women that he had assaulted or made advances on them, in some cases when they were teenagers.

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We need Roy Moore to win, Trump tweeted in early December, declaring his support.

Hours later, Romney responded, also on Twitter: Roy Moore in the U.S. Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation  No vote, no majority is worth losing our honor, our integrity.

Beyond the stakes for Trump, Hatchs retirement announcement underscored tumult among Republicans in the western United States that may complicate their efforts to hold on to the Senate. In Nevada, Republican Dean Heller faces a potentially difficult reelection after tying himself closely to Trump to avoid a challenge from the presidents wing of the party. That has left him vulnerable to a Democratic competitor in a state where Latinos and suburban voters have grown increasingly antagonistic toward Trump.

In Arizona, Flakes seat is expected to be competitive, with Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema lined up to run. The states other senator, John McCain, who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer, is not up for reelection until 2020. But his bleak long-term prognosis has led Republican candidates in the state to ponder a second potential opening.

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Those seats could be competitive. By contrast, the seat held by Hatch is expected to remain in the Republican camp, especially if Romney runs.

Hatch said earlier this year that Romney would be a perfect replacement for him, and Romney associates said a campaign has been under discussion. On Tuesday, Hatch did not dwell on a successor, and Romneys only public statement was to praise the departing incumbent.

I join the people of Utah in thanking my friend, Sen. Orrin Hatch, for his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation, Romney said in a statement released on Facebook. ...Sen. Hatch has represented the interests of Utah with distinction and honor.

Romney was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2002, and declined to run for a second term in order to gear up for his first run for president in 2008. He lost the nomination that year, won it four years later, and lost to President Obama.

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He moved to Utah after his second presidential defeat, returning to the state where he helped rescue the foundering 2002 Winter Olympics. That effort and his familys deep Mormon roots marked him as an honorary native. If he runs and wins, hed be the first person since before the Civil War to have governed one state and represented a different one in the Senate.

Its Mitt Romneys seat if he wants it, said Tim Chambless, a political scientist at the University of Utah. The question is: Does Mitt Romney want it?

Chambless said he was somewhat skeptical given that Romney had gravitated mostly to executive roles in his business career and in politics.

All his life hes always been the boss, the manager, the administrator, Chambless said. Does he consider himself to be a legislator or to be the manager/administrator he always has been?

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A former Romney aide, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said that he expected Romney to run, but to delay an announcement for up to two weeks to allow time for organizing and to keep the immediate focus on Hatch.

One hint, however, came on Twitter a few hours after Hatchs announcement: The line on Romneys Twitter biography showing his location changed from Massachusetts to Utah.

If Romney were to decide not to run, two Republican members of Congress, Chris Stewart and Mia Love, have indicated they might consider the race. Democrat Jenny Wilson, a Salt Lake county commissioner and the daughter of a popular Salt Lake mayor, has been campaigning for the better part of a year.

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For more on politics from Cathleen Decker 

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker

ALSO:

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Updates on California politicsPresident Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year.

With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable.

His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office:

Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing.

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Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea.

Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote.

Later Tuesday, Trump said in a Twitter message: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food-starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians.

The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt.

Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned!

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The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month

But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing.

Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation, he wrote. Good news  it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!

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It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress.

Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

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Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen.

The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers brought to the country illegally as children.

Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics.

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Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed.

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

brian.bennett@latimes.comSeventy-eight days ago, a group of women involved in California politics went public with their allegations of a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in and around Sacramento.

But the state Capitol, at the time, was almost empty. Lawmakers had adjourned for the year. Now they return to consider the changed political landscape.

SACRAMENTO GAVELS IN

Efforts to address sexual misconduct are just one of many items on the to-do list for 2018, as the two houses of the California Legislature convene this afternoon.

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Already, were seeing how the broad national conversation on workplace abuse will change the debate: One state lawmaker said Tuesday he will introduce a bill requiring panic buttons for hotel workers so they can summon help if abused by a guest.

Next week, the focus moves to money, when lawmakers get a budget plan from Gov. Jerry Brown. And then there are dozens of bills left over from 2017 that face a live-or-die deadline by months end.

Our team will be covering all of this on our Essential Politics news feed.

TRUMPS TWEETS: THE 2018 EDITION

Not that anyone suspected President Trumps list of New Years resolutions would be to tweet less. But the past 24-hours have made it clear: Hes in no mood to back off one of the most unusual, and caustic, parts of his presidency.

From the dilemma facing some young immigrants to the size of his nuclear button and beyond, the president reminded everyone that he sees himself as the nations commenter-in-chief.

Trump kicked off the new year with a series of Tuesday tweets about efforts to keep from deportation people brought to the country illegally as children.

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Democrats are doing nothing for DACA  just interested in politics, he wrote in a tweet, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by its acronym.

Later, he threatened to cut off U.S. foreign aid to the Palestinians. He also muddied the waters about his administrations position on the protests in Iran.

NATIONAL POLITICS LIGHTNING ROUND

-- The end of an era in Utah and Washington: The states senior senator, Sen. Orrin Hatch, announced Tuesday that he wont seek re-election. And now the question is whether Mitt Romney, the 2012 presidential nominee and former Massachusetts governor who is a frequent Trump critic, will run for the seat. Cathleen Decker writes that if Romney does run, as is widely expected, he would start as a prohibitive favorite in a state where he is far more popular than the president.

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-- White House officials head to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for budget talks as Congress faces a mid-January deadline to avert a federal shutdown.

-- Lupe Valdez is a gay Latina sheriff running for Texas governor, and she could win even if she loses. For Texas Democrats, boosting registration and turnout could ultimately lead to victory.

-- The president may have tweeted about his own role in the good news, but the fact that nobody died in a U.S. commercial jet crash last year is a trend that predates Trump.

CALIFORNIA POT SELLERS ARE LINING UP

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Mondays kickoff of recreational pot sales in California looks to have been only the tip of the iceberg, as state officials say license applications are flooding in.

While dispensaries like this one in West Hollywood saw brisk business, the number of shops actually open statewide was relatively small. The state has issued 104 licenses for retail stores to sell marijuana for recreational use in California and 239 other applications for those permits are pending, officials said Tuesday.

An official with the states Bureau of Cannabis Control added that the agency is prepared to begin taking enforcement action against pot shops that are not properly licensed.

IS LOS ANGELES THE BIG PRIZE IN THE GOVERNORS RACE?

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Could Los Angeles County be the determining battleground for the governors race? Its home to 1 in 4 of the states voters.

Its diverse, sprawling, expensive to advertise in and voters often dont show up, especially compared with the Bay Area. Thats why anyone hoping to topple Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has to win the county. For two hometown Democratic candidates especially  former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang of Torrance  doing well in L.A. County is essential. Yet this overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold continually bedevils even the most adept campaigns.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

-- More California workers say their bosses are threatening to have them deported, according to the state Labor Commissioners Office.

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-- Ads thanking four California Republicans for their votes to pass the GOP tax plan start airing today.

-- The San Francisco Unified School District has acknowledged a state of educational emergency for low-income black students. As the city grows wealthier and better-off parents send their children to private schools, it has become one of the worst places in California for black students to learn.

-- UC Santa Cruz is redoubling efforts to draw more transfer students in a push to meet state requirements for release of $50 million to the University of California. Why arent more students lured by the universitys top-ranked researchers or surrounding paradise of beaches and redwoods?

-- Two possible instances of discrimination were reported after California issued drivers licenses to immigrants without legal status, a new state report concludes.

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Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox.Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook

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Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings  one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook

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U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook

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Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook

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He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect  despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook

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Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram  which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal  claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook

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It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook

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New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook

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Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause.  #Georgia  Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook

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U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook

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Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook

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Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook

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Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook

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Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution  something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm  U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush.



The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T  Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY  LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook

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Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook

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Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook

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Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook

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Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook

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James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump  as recently as Tuesday  continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along  that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right  to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook

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Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook

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Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook

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Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops  You really are our heroes, he said  as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water  we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook

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Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook

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Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see.  James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook

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Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes  he last won reelection by a 14-point margin  suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook

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Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook

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Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January  eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook

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Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook

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Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook

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Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook

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Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election  again, in blowout fashion  but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook

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Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook

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Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes  which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook

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Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook

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Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook

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GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10.  Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook

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Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW  Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook

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Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook

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Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook

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Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook

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CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook

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Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks  Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank  when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while  including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook

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Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook

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ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook

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Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters...  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook

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Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press  President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook

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Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there  the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day  and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event  a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook

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Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children  the older ones are 5 and 2  about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals  her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican  she the race felt mThe UN Security Council has welcomed six new non-permanent members -- Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru, and Poland.

The six new countries, voted on by the 193-member General assembly for two-year terms, will have a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security during their time on the UN's most powerful body.

"Peace and security are difficult to achieve," Kazakh envoy Kairat Umarov, who took the rotating presidency in January, told council members at a special ceremony. "You are going to have a real chance to make a difference."

Flags of the six new member countries were installed outside the council chambers Tuesday in a ceremony arranged by Umarov.

Wait  did the president really say, Mission Accomplished? By Marc Olson Some are recalling the last time a president declared Mission accomplished, in May 2003 when George W. Bush was talking about Iraq. (Stephen Jaffe / AFP/Getty Images) President Trump on Saturday morning thanked his allies in a tweet that declared the airstrikes on Syria perfectly executed, but he might have wished hed stopped there. Instead, he ended his message with the phrase, Mission Accomplished! Thats a line that might have a previous president shaking his head. On May 1, 2003, President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq under a Mission Accomplished banner aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. That war, which began in March 2003, grew into a prolonged conflict that didnt end until 2011. In 2008, the White House said it had paid a price for the backdrop. A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018 Facebook

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Auditor says Pentagon is censoring key data on the war in Afghanistan By Shashank Bengali The Pentagon is blocking the release of data showing how much of Afghanistans territory lies outside government control, censoring a key metric used to gauge progress in the 16-year war, a watchdog agency said Tuesday. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, an auditing agency established by Congress, said in its latest report that the Pentagon instructed it not to release unclassified data on how many districts and people are controlled or influenced by insurgent groups. This is the first time SIGAR has been specifically instructed not to release information marked unclassified to the American taxpayer, the head of the agency, John F. Sopko, wrote in a letter. Sopko also said the U.S.-led military coalition, for the first time since 2009, classified information about the size and attrition rates of the Afghan security forces, important indicators of progress in building up army and police forces on which the U.S. already has spent $70 billion since 2002. The decision to withhold more information from congressional oversight and the public comes amid growing violence in Afghanistan and an intensifying combat mission involving a greater number of American troops. Following a series of bombings in Kabul that left at least 136 people dead in 10 days, President Trump signaled on Monday that he was focused on trying to win the conflict militarily, saying, We dont want to talk with the Taliban. But data released by SIGAR since 2015 have shown how the insurgents have gained ground against Afghan security forces. In its previous quarterly report, the watchdog said that only 57% of Afghanistans 407 districts were under Afghan government control or influence as of August 2017, the lowest level of control since it began tracking the statistic in December 2015. The steady decline in government control should cause even more concern about its disappearance from public disclosure and discussion, Sopko wrote. The watchdog also accused the Pentagon of overstating the impact of its efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking, among the Talibans main sources of revenue. The Pentagon touted airstrikes that destroyed 25 drug labs in November and December, saying it eliminated nearly $100 million of Taliban revenue. The labs being destroyed are cheap and easy to replace, SIGAR said. According to some estimates, they only take three or four days to replace. Facebook

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Women journalists shunted to rear for Pences visit to Western Wall By Noga Tarnopolsky The view from the womens section. (Noga Tarnopolsky / Los Angeles Times) Vice-President Mike Pences 48-hour visit to Israel stumbled into a public storm Tuesday when female reporters covering his final stop at Jerusalems Western Wall were penned behind four rows of their male colleagues. White House officials told stunned journalists that the arrangement emanated from a request made by the Western Wall rabbi, Shmuel Rabinowitz, and followed Western Wall rules. Some women journalists said they could not recall such treatment in the past. In a statement to Israels Channel 10 news, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said it was exactly as it was during the visit of the U.S. president to the Western Wall last May. Later in the day, in a statement to the newspaper Haaretz, the foundation blamed the United States embassy in Tel Aviv and Israeli security officials for the segregation, and announced they would reexamine the way they handle such events. Women who covered previous VIP visits said the Pence arrangements were significantly more onerous than previous visits, when male and female journalists were separated but not offered substantially different work conditions. LIVE coverage of our male colleagues granted access to cover VP at Western Wall as we are penned into #PenceFence pic.twitter.com/k3svkxfQsa  Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) January 23, 2018 The arrangement reflected procedures at the Western Wall, Judaisms holiest site, where on regular days, men have access to two thirds of the area available for prayer. Tal Schneider, the diplomatic analyst for Globes, a financial newspaper, protested that the separation of men and women may be valid for the requirements of Orthodox prayer, but no one is praying here. We are here to work. I dont appreciate being restricted in my ability to work because I am a woman, she said. The discriminatory attitude towards women is infuriating and is unbefitting of a modern country. Yael Freidson, the Jerusalem affairs correspondent for Yediot Ahronot, Israels widest circulation newspaper, said she worried that her editors could choose male colleagues for the next assignment, knowing they would have better access. Before Pence arrived, journalists were herded onto a specially constructed platform in the middle of the Western Walls esplanade, with women guided to the right behind a white fence, and men, many carrying cameras, directed to the left, where they had more than double the space. Towards the end of the vice presidents 10-minute visit, male journalists were permitted into the VIP tent where he received a gift from Rabinowitz, while the women remained in their enclosure. None of the men publicly protested the treatment of their female colleagues. Israels Association of Women Journalists filed a formal complaint with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, herself a woman. Facebook

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Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, after his pardon from Trump, says hell run for Senate in Arizona By Kurtis Lee (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who last year was pardoned by President Trump in a case stemming from his enforcement tactics aimed at immigrants, announced Tuesday he will run for the open Senate seat in his home state. I am running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Arizona, for one unwavering reason: to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump in his mission to Make America Great Again, Arpaio, 85, said on Twitter. Hell enter a Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake. Last summer, Trump pardoned Arpaio, who was convicted in July of criminal contempt for violating a federal court order to stop racially profiling Latinos. It was Arpaios roughly quarter-century as sheriff that gave him a national reputation for his tough treatment of people suspected of being in the country illegally. Repeated court rulings against his office for civil rights violations cost local taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. In the early 1990s, Arpaio directed construction of a tent city for immigration detainees, a measure he said was intended both to alleviate overcrowding and to underscore his aggressive enforcement measures. But it was open to the burning Arizona sun, and drew widespread criticism. After Trump entered the presidential race in July 2015, Arpaio invited him to Phoenix to talk about a crackdown on illegal immigration. He endorsed Trump just before the first votes in the Iowa caucuses in 2016 and frequently spoke out on behalf of Trumps campaign. Facebook

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President Trump ends controversial voter fraud commission By Kurtis Lee President Trump signed an executive order late Wednesday ending the voter fraud commission he launched last year as the panel faces a flurry of lawsuits and criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Trump signed the order disbanding the commission rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. The Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, created by executive order in May with the stated goal of restoring confidence and integrity in the electoral process, has faced a barrage of lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns, as the commission sought personal data on voters across the country. Read More Facebook

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Congress returns to work with slimmer GOP majority to accomplish Trumps agenda By Lisa Mascaro Congress returns to work this week with unfinished business on spending, immigration and other crucial issues, but with an even narrower GOP majority that will make it tougher to move on President Trumps agenda. The House and Senate will convene Wednesday, swearing in the newly elected Democratic senator from Alabama, Doug Jones, and Minnesotas Tina Smith to replace a fellow Democrat, Sen. Al Franken, who is resigning as the latest high-profile public figure sidelined by allegations of sexual misconduct. The change gives Republicans only a one-seat margin in the Senate. Trump, fresh off passage of the GOP tax cuts bill, is pushing lawmakers to pivot quickly on his new year priorities of infrastructure investment and immigration, as well as his foreign policy agenda. But another legislative victory seems far off. Republicans have struggled to hold their majority together and Congress first must tackle critical stalled agenda items that leaders punted to 2018. President Trump and Republican lawmakers hold a rally at the White House after passage of the tax cut plan last month. (Michael Reynolds / European Pressphoto Agency) Read More Facebook

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Trump threatens to cut off U.S. aid to Palestinians By Tracy Wilkinson (European Pressphoto Agency) President Trump on Tuesday angrily threatened to cut off U.S. aid to Palestinians as punishment for what he called their failure to show appreciation or respect to the United States. Writing on Twitter, the president compared the Palestinians to Pakistan, a nuclear-armed ally that abruptly drew his ire this week and a similar threat to drastically curtail aid. He accused the Palestinians of recalcitrance in what he described as their refusal to negotiate a peace deal with Israel. Palestinian officials have said they can no longer use Washington as a broker to restart peace talks with Israel following Trumps Dec. 6 decision to overturn decades of U.S. policy and recognize the disputed city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and ultimately to move the U.S. Embassy there. The Palestinians also claim part of Jerusalem as the capital of an eventual independent state. Until now, the United States and most of the world agreed the citys political status was a matter to settle in final peace talks. The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned any effort to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, and the Palestinian leadership said it would not meet with Vice President Mike Pence, who had planned a trip to the region. That trip is on hold. [W]e pay the Palestinians HUNDRED [sic] OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect, Trump wrote on Twitter. [W]ith the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them? In response to Trumps tweet, Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, issued a statement saying: Palestinian rights are not for sale. By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israels capital Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city. We will not be blackmailed, she said. President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions! The United States does not pay large amounts of money directly to the Palestinian Authority, the government that rules over parts of the Palestinian West Bank. Instead, most money goes to the U.N., refugee or aid agencies and even Israel to pay for roads, welfare, schools, security and other Palestinian projects. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, said Tuesday that the administration was planning to cut off one of those organizations, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, until the Palestinians return to the negotiating table. UNRWA, which receives around $300 million annually from the U.S., for years has been the lifeline to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It was not clear if Haley was threatening to cut all U.S. support for the agency. Special correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Facebook

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The White House stops short of calling for government overthrow in Iran By Brian Bennett University students attend an anti-government protest at Tehran University on Dec. 30, 2017. (AP) President Trump wants Iran to give its citizens basic human rights and stop being a state sponsor of terror, his top spokeswoman said, but the White House stopped short of calling for a change of government in Tehran. If they want to do that through current leadership, if thats possible, OK, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. Sanders praised the organic popular uprising, which she said the widespread protests in Iran represented. The protests grew out of years of years of mismanagement, corruption, and foreign adventurism have eroded the Iranian peoples trust in their leaders, she said. Earlier Tuesday, Trump called Irans government brutal and corrupt and wrote in a tweet: The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching! Trump also blamed President Obama for foolishly giving Iran money that he said went to fund terrorism. The money he referred to were funds belonging to Iran that had been frozen by the U.S. and were released as part of the deal in 2015, which blocked Irans development of nuclear weapons. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Facebook

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Retirement of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch clears the way for a Mitt Romney revival By David Lauter (Romney family) The retirement of Utahs senior senator, Orrin G. Hatch, opens the way for a widely expected Senate bid by Mitt Romney, the Republicans 2012 presidential nominee and a frequent critic of President Trump. Although Romney previously served for two terms as governor of Massachusetts (and was raised in Michigan, where his father was governor and his mother ran for the Senate), he comes from a prominent Mormon family with strong ties to Utah. He also served as chief executive of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Hes viewed as a strong candidate for the Senate seat. Romneys criticisms of Trump, however, could prompt a challenge in a Republican primary. Trump was widely reported to have tried to convince Hatch to run for a seventh term, in part to head off a Romney candidacy. Last month, Romney and Trump were on opposite sides of one of the biggest political fights of the fall  the battle over the Senate seat from Alabama. The president strongly supported Roy Moore, the Republican candidate who had been accused of sexual misconduct by several women. Romney called Moore a stain on the GOP. Roy Moore in the US Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation. Leigh Corfman and other victims are courageous heroes. No vote, no majority is worth losing our honor, our integrity.  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 4, 2017 On Tuesday, Romney tweeted praise for Hatch, but did not immediately reveal his own plans. I join the people of Utah in thanking my friend, Senator Orrin Hatch for his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation. Read my full statement: https://t.co/YwjUpjez5y  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 2, 2018 Facebook

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U.S. calls on Iran to unblock social media sites amid protests By The Associated Press Anti-riot police prevent university students from joining other protesters in Tehran on Dec. 30. (Associated Press) The Trump administration is calling on Irans government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites as Iranians are demonstrating in the streets. Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein says the U.S. wants Iran to open these sites. He says Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are legitimate avenues for communication. The United States is encouraging Iranians to use virtual private networks, known as VPNs. Those services create encrypted links between computers and can be used to access blocked websites. Goldstein says the U.S. is still communicating with Iranians in Persian through State Department accounts on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. He says the U.S. wants to encourage the protesters to continue to fight for whats right. Goldstein says the U.S. has an obligation not to stand by. Read More Facebook

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Trump blasts Democrats in advance of immigration meeting By Brian Bennett (Brendan Smialowski / Agence-France Presse) The day before a meeting of administration officials and congressional leaders on outstanding legislative business, President Trump accused Democrats of doing nothing to hammer out an immigration deal to protect from deportation people brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA  just interested in politics, Trump wrote in a Tweet on Tuesday morning, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by its acronym. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer along with the Republican leaders, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are scheduled to meet on Wednesday at the Capitol with Trumps legislative director, Marc Short, and budget director, Mick Mulvaney. The White House on Tuesday said the meeting is to discuss separate spending caps on military and domestic programs. Yet the Democrats insist the discussion also must include a variety of legislative issues that Trump and Congress punted into the new year  on immigration, the budget, healthcare and more. That stance reflects Democrats leverage: Republicans need Democratic votes to pass a government-funding bill and avert a federal shutdown when the current funding expires Jan. 19. Democrats especially want separate legislation replacing the Obama-era DACA program; Trump in September ordered a phase-out of the program, beginning March 6, and called on Congress to act before then on an alternative way to address the plight of the group. However, Trump has demanded that any alternative must be part of a package including both money for a border wall and immigration limits. Democrats are opposed. Facebook

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Pakistan hits back after Trump accuses its leaders of lies and deceit By Aoun Sahi Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies and deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. Read More Facebook

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Trump again cheers on Iran protests By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size --- were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 The presidents earlier hailing of the protests drew condemnation from Irans government. A Foreign Ministry spokesman called his comments deceitful and opportunistic. Following an overnight report of the first two fatalities stemming from the protests, Trump raised some eyebrows by expressing concern over human rights violations as authorities move to crack down on the demonstrations. During his first year in office, the president has shown scant inclination to press foreign governments to respect the fundamental rights of their citizens. The USA is watching closely for human rights violations! Trump said in his tweet Sunday. Some domestic critics have pointed to the presidents inclusion of Iranian nationals in his travel ban, suggesting he was more interested in bashing the Tehran government than in supporting freedom of speech in Iran. Even some of the presidents allies said that supporting the protesters on social media did not amount to making policy. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he had urged Trump to give a national address laying out his Iran strategy. President Trump is tweeting very sympathetically to the Iranian people, Graham said on CBS Face the Nation. But you just cant tweet here. You have to lay out a plan. Facebook

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Australian diplomats tip a factor in FBIs Russia inquiry By Associated Press Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer. (Alastair Grant / Associated Press) An Australian diplomats tip appears to have helped persuade the FBI to investigate Russian meddling in the U.S. election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign, the New York Times reported Saturday. Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos told the diplomat, Alexander Downer, during a meeting in London in May 2016 that Russia had thousands of emails that would embarrass Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, the report said. Downer, a former foreign minister, is Australias top diplomat in Britain. Australia passed the information on to the FBI after the Democratic emails were leaked, according to the Times, which cited four current and former U.S. and foreign officials with direct knowledge of the Australians role. The hacking and the revelation that a member of the Trump campaign may have had inside information about it were driving factors that led the FBI to open an investigation in July 2016, the newspaper said. White House lawyer Ty Cobb declined to comment, saying in a statement that the administration is continuing to cooperate with the investigation now led by special counsel Robert Mueller to help complete their inquiry expeditiously. Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and is a cooperating witness. Court documents unsealed two months ago show he met in April 2016 with Joseph Mifsud, a professor in London who told him about Russias cache of emails. This was before the Democratic National Committee became aware of the scope of the intrusion into its email systems by hackers later linked to the Russian government. The Times said Papadopoulos shared this information with Downer, but it was unclear whether he also shared it with anyone in the Trump campaign. Facebook

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Trump offers fresh support for protesters in Iran as demonstrations continue By Lisa Mascaro Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! pic.twitter.com/kvv1uAqcZ9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2017 President Trump again offered support Saturday for anti-government protesters in Iran, where a third day of demonstrations, the largest in years, spilled across the country amid fears of a crackdown. Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump took a break from playing golf near his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to tweet clips from his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September when he called for Iranian democratic reforms. Iranian authorities warned of potential violence as the street demonstrations, which began over economic conditions, swelled into frustrations with the theocratic rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump has maintained a hawkish stance toward Iran, sharply criticizing the landmark nuclear disarmament accord that Tehran reached with then-President Obama and five other nations in 2015. In October, Trump declined to certify the accord to Congress although the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency says Iran is complying with it. Several conservative GOP senators signaled their support for Trumps position and backed the protesters in Iran. Others in Congress did not immediately respond, however, amid conflicting reports over who had organized the demonstrations. Even after the billions in sanctions relief they secured through the nuclear deal, the ayatollahs still cant provide for the basic needs of their own people, said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a Trump ally and opponent of the nuclear deal. We should support the Iranian people who are willing to risk their lives to speak out against it, he added. Trump initially tweeted his support on Friday night. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement at that time as protests spread. There are many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with the regimes corruption and its squandering of the nations wealth to fund terrorism abroad, Sanders said. The Iranian government should respect their peoples rights, including their right to express themselves. The world is watching. Facebook

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When it comes to U.S.-Russia relations, it takes two to tango, Kremlin says By Sabra Ayres The deteriorating relationship between the United States and Russia is one of the biggest disappointments of 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman told reporters today. Russia would like to rebuild relations between the two adversaries, but it takes two to tango, Dmitry Peskov said today during a conference call with the press. We want and are looking for good mutually beneficial relations based on mutual respect, mutual trust with all countries, primarily with European ones, including the United States, but it is necessary to dance tango, as they say. Peskov blamed the ongoing anti-Russian Russophobia in Washington for playing a major role in blocking the two countries from moving forward in their relationship. U.S. investigations into the Trump presidential campaigns alleged collusion with the Kremlin during the 2016 U.S. election and accusations that the Kremlin tried to interfere with the electoral process continue to cast a dark shadow over the relationship, he said. Peskov told reporters that Moscow was perplexed by the investigations. The Kremlin has continued to deny having any involvement with the Trump campaign or doing anything to interfere with the American election. This is definitely a U.S. domestic affair, but in this case it naturally hurts our bilateral relations, which is regrettable, Peskov said. Relations between the U.S. and Russia have been categorized as the worst theyve been since the end of the Cold War. This year, Washington and Moscow have engaged in a diplomatic tit-for-tat in which both sides have been forced to reduce diplomatic staff, embassy properties have been repossessed by the hosting countries and visa services have been interrupted. The U.S. diplomatic mission to Russia shrank from 1,200 personnel, including some Russian local staff, to just over 450 across all its three consulates and embassy in Moscow. In the U.S., Russia was forced to vacate its San Francisco consulate. Moscow has also blamed anti-Russian sentiments on the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee to ban Russian teams from wearing their tricolor uniforms or flags during the upcoming games in South Korea. The international body accused some of the Russian national teams of doping. Facebook

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U.S. and Turkey resume reciprocal issuing of visas but frictions remain By Tracy Wilkinson Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Associated Press) The United States and Turkey began issuing reciprocal visas again on Thursday, more than two months after normal visa service was suspended in a dispute over the arrest of two U.S. diplomatic staffers in Istanbul  the latest friction between the two nominal allies. The State Department said it was lifting the visa restrictions after it was assured by the Turkish government that U.S. Embassy employees would not be arrested when performing their official duties. But the Turkish Embassy in Washington denied assurances were offered concerning the ongoing judicial processes, and suggested that the arrests were legal and justified. It is inappropriate to misinform the Turkish and American public that such assurances were provided, the embassy said in a statement. The dispute has aggravated the already tense relationship between the United States and Turkey, which is a member of the NATO military alliance. The two countries have clashed over U.S. support for Kurdish rebels in Syria and over Turkeys demands that the U.S. extradite a Turkish cleric who lives in rural Pennsylvania. After a failed coup attempt killed more than 250 people in July 2016, Turkeys autocratic president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, launched a harsh crackdown on his political opponents, arresting or firing tens of thousands of teachers, police, journalists, military officers and others. Erdogan accused Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic educator and former political ally, of orchestrating the coup. Gulen, who has lived in a compound in the Pocono Mountains, has denied any involvement. The Justice Department has so far denied Turkeys repeated demands to extradite Gulen. Erdogan raised the issue again at the White House in May, but his visit ended in a public relations disaster when his security guards brutally beat peaceful protesters outside the Turkish ambassadors residence. Two Turkish employees of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul were arrested this fall for alleged ties to the 2016 coup attempt. The U.S. responded by suspending most visa services at its missions in Turkey in October. The Turkish government reciprocated in November. State Department officials said they have repeatedly demanded more information about any formal charges against the two employees. They reiterated on Thursday that serious concerns about the allegations remained. Facebook

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Trump: China caught RED HANDED allowing oil to reach North Korea By Brian Bennett (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) President Trump isnt taking a holiday vacation from Twitter. In one of three tweets early on Thursday from his West Palm Beach golf club, he charged that China was caught RED HANDED allowing oil shipments to reach North Korean ports. Pronouncing himself very disappointed, Trump in effect was acknowledging the failure of his months-long effort to convince China to clamp down further on energy shipments going to the isolated country, which relies heavily on Beijing, as a way to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2017 Trumps tweet came after a South Korean newspaper published what it said were U.S. spy satellite images of Chinese ships selling oil to North Korean ships. The United Nations Security Council, which includes China, has voted repeatedly to restrict fuel shipments to North Korea. Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping in November to cut off North Koreas oil supply entirely, the American ambassador to the U.N., Nikki R. Haley, said at the time. It is unclear if Trumps admonishment of China was based on news reports or classified information he received from U.S. intelligence officials. There was no daily intelligence briefing on Trumps public schedule Thursday. He is expected to return to Washington next week after spending the Christmas holiday and New Years Eve at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Facebook

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President Trump again falsely claims hes signed more bills than any president By Brian Bennett President Trump visits a firehouse in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. (Nicholas Kamm / AFP) After another morning at his Florida golf club, President Trump visited firefighters and paramedics at a West Palm Beach firehouse and praised his own performance as president, including with a false boast. Trump touted his administrations work to roll back government regulations and cut taxes and claimed credit for the stock market hitting record highs. He also said hes signed more bills into law than any other president, which isnt true. We have signed more legislation than anybody, Trump said, standing in front of a rescue vehicle inside the fire station. We have more legislation passed, including  the record was Harry Truman a long time ago, and we broke that record, so we got a lot done, Trump said. An analysis by GovTrack, a website that tracks bills in Congress, shows that Trump has signed the fewest bills into law at this point than any president in more than 60 years, back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Facebook

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Trump administration urges Russia to reinstate monitors in Ukraine, lower violence By Tracy Wilkinson Sergei Lavrov (AFP/Getty Images) Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Russia on Wednesday to reinstate its military personnel at a monitoring station in eastern Ukraine intended to quell escalating bloodshed. In a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, Tillerson also urged Russia to lower the level of violence and underscored the Trump administrations concern over increased fighting in Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement. Russia last week withdrew its monitors from the Joint Center on Coordination and Control, which is tasked with verifying a much-violated ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists. Moscow cited what it called restrictions and provocations from Ukrainian authorities that made it impossible for the observers to do their jobs. Washington has accused the pro-Russia forces of being responsible for many of the truce violations. Late last week, the State Department also announced plans to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, a decision that angered Moscow. The State Department statement did not say whether the weapons deal came up in Tillersons conversation with Lavrov. The two also discussed North Korea, its destabilizing nuclear program and the need for a diplomatic solution to achieve a denuclearized Korean peninsula, the statement said. Russia has offered to serve as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang, but direct talks do not seem likely at this point. Facebook

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U.S. sanctions two more North Korean officials for ballistic missile program By Tracy Wilkinson (Associated Press) The Trump administration announced sanctions Tuesday against two more North Korean officials for their alleged role in Pyongyangs expanding ballistic missiles program. The Treasury Department is targeting leaders of North Koreas ballistic missile programs, as part of our maximum pressure campaign to isolate [North Korea] and achieve a fully denuclearized Korean Peninsula, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement. The nuclear-armed country tested an intercontinental ballistic missile last month that U.S. officials said appeared capable of reaching New York or Washington, a significant milestone in the countrys growing arsenal. The Treasury Department identified the two North Korean officials as Kim Jong Sik, who reportedly is a key figure in the ballistic missile program and led efforts to switch missiles from liquid to solid fuel (which makes them easier to hide before launch), and Ri Pyong Chol, who was reported to be a key official in the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The sanctions block banks, companies and individuals from doing any business with the targeted officials. It also allows the U.S. government to freeze any American assets owned by the officials. On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to add more sanctions on North Korea, its third round this year. The new measures order North Koreans working abroad to return home within two years, and ban nearly 90% of refined petroleum exports to the country. In a statement published Sunday by North Koreas state-run KCNA news agency, the foreign ministry denounced the new U.N. sanctions as an act of war. We define this sanctions resolution rigged up by the US and its followers as a grave infringement upon the sovereignty of our Republic, as an act of war violating peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region and categorically reject the resolution, it said. Facebook

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Salt Lake Tribune calls on Sen. Orrin Hatch to not seek reelection in scathing editorial Perhaps the most significant move of Hatchs career is the one that should, if there is any justice, end it. The last time the senator was up for reelection, in 2012, he promised that it would be his last campaign. That was enough for many likely successors, of both parties, to stand down, to let the elder statesman have his victory tour and to prepare to run for an open seat in 2018. Clearly, it was a lie. Read the editorial>> Facebook

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Christmas Eve, Trump on Twitter: New attacks on FBI official, decrying Fake News By Laura King (Associated Press) President Trump launched a Christmas Eve attack on FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, whom he accuses of favoritism toward his former opponent, Hillary Clinton, and also returned to a longtime favored theme, excoriating the news media for failing to sufficiently extol his accomplishments. .@FoxNews-FBIs Andrew McCabe, in addition to his wife getting all of this money from M (Clinton Puppet), he was using, allegedly, his FBI Official Email Account to promote her campaign. You obviously cannot do this. These were the people who were investigating Hillary Clinton.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017 Thank you President TRUMP!! pic.twitter.com/LKdkT0FL99  oregon4TRUMP (@shawgerald4) December 23, 2017 The Fake News refuses to talk about how Big and how Strong our BASE is. They show Fake Polls just like they report Fake News. Despite only negative reporting, we are doing well - nobody is going to beat us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017 Trump, who is spending the holidays at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, also sent Christmas greetings to deployed military personnel, praising them for success in the fight against terrorism. The early-morning swipe at McCabe followed a flurry of tweets attacking the deputy FBI chief on Saturday. McCabe, who has been a lightning rod for Republican attacks on the FBI, is expected to retire early in the new year. How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wifes campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017 FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?!!!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017 Critics say the president and his allies are in the midst of a systematic campaign to denigrate the FBI and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is looking into potential collusion by the Trump campaign in Russias attempts to sway the 2016 presidential election. In a pair of statements on Twitter, Trump again expressed scorn regarding news coverage of his administration. For months, the president has been particularly critical of reports regarding the Russia investigation and more recently has repeatedly complained he does not receive enough credit for a booming stock market. In his video conference message to troops overseas, the president made apparent reference to the fight against the militants of Islamic State, who over the last year have lost most of the territory they previously controlled in Iraq and Syria, including former strongholds in Mosul and Raqqah. Were winning, Trump told military personnel deployed in Qatar, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay and aboard the guided missile destroyer Sampson. Reporters traveling with the president heard his address, but were ushered from the room before he took questions from the troops. The president often breaks with longtime custom and makes politically charged statements at events in which he addresses military personnel. Facebook

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Trumps Wells Fargo tweet cited in court hearing as reason to remove Mulvaney as CFPB acting chief By Jim Puzzanghera A recent tweet by President Trump about possible penalties against Wells Fargo & Co. was cited during a court hearing Friday as a reason for removing White House official Mick Mulvaney as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The attorney for Leandra English  the bureaus deputy director who has said she is the rightful acting head  said Trumps tweet showed he was trying to exercise improper influence over the independent consumer watchdog. I think that [tweet] shows you this isnt just some hypothetical concern, the attorney, Deepak Gupta, told Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia during a nearly two-hour hearing. Read More Facebook

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Trump administration recognizes Honduran presidents reelection By Tracy Wilkinson Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez is shown during a trip to Texas a year and a half ago. (Associated Press) The Trump administration on Friday formally recognized the incumbent president of Honduras, conservative Juan Orlando Hernandez, as the winner of a bitterly contested presidential election held last month. In a statement, the State Department congratulated Hernandez while also acknowledging widespread irregularities in the Nov. 26 vote and calling for a robust national dialogue to overcome political discord in the Central American country, a close ally of the administration. The Organization of American States, which monitored the election, said it was so flawed that only a new round of voting could establish a fair and transparent outcome. But the U.S. rejected that determination. Uproar over the contest led to demonstrations in Honduras that left numerous civilians dead after state security forces opened fire on the protests. Activists and others voiced criticism Friday of the administrations decision. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a leading Democratic voice on Central American issues, said he was angry and deeply disturbed by the State Department decision. The recent elections in Honduras were deeply flawed, chaotic and marred by numerous irregularities, McGovern said. U.S.-Honduran cooperation on matters such as drug-trafficking, violence and immigration requires a credible, legitimate government that has the support of its people, in Honduras, McGovern said. Hernandezs victory also was controversial because it was the first time a sitting president was allowed to run for re-election, barred until now by the Honduran Constitution. Facebook

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Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says fixing DACA is no emergency until March By Lisa Mascaro Amanda Bayer, left with banner, and Marisol Maqueda, right, join a rally in support of so-called Dreamers outside the White House. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday hes committed to allowing a vote on a bill for so-called Dreamers in January, but sees no rush to resolve the deportation threat posed by President Trumps decision to end a program protecting immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. There isnt that much of an emergency there, he said. There is no emergency until March. Well keep talking about it. Trump called for phasing out by March the Obama-era program that allows the young immigrants, many of them longtime residents, to get two-year deferrals of any deportation threat so they can legally attend school or work. Beneficiaries must be vetted for security purposes. Trump told Congress to come up with a legislative alternative for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which President Obama created by executive order, to protect those currently eligible. A bipartisan Senate group has been working with the White House, but talks stalled this week amid administration demands for curbs on legal immigration flows in exchange for protecting the DACA recipients. Meanwhile, Dreamers and immigrant advocates stormed the Capitol in recent days pressing for the help promised by Trump and Democratic congressional leaders that failed to materialize in the years final legislation. Advocacy groups say more than 120 immigrants each day are falling out of compliance without DACA renewals, putting them at risk of deportation. The number that is projected to swell to more than 1,000 a day in March. Weve been gridlocked on this issue for years, McConnell said. We want to have a signature. We dont just want to spin our wheels and have nothing to show for it. Facebook

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President Trump signs tax bill By Noah Bierman (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump on Friday morning signed a sweeping tax-cut measure  his first major legislative achievement  before heading off for a Christmas vacation at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Fla. The president also privately signed a short-term spending bill to fund government operations through Jan. 19. Congress approved it Thursday, after Republican leaders were unable to bridge differences in their own party as well as with Democrats to get agreement on funding for the full fiscal year. The stopgap bill punts fights on immigration and other issues to January. The tax bill, approved earlier this week in Congress in largely party-line votes, slashes corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and also includes a host of other provisions for individuals, all intended to boost the economy. Critics point to nonpartisan analyses showing that the package, including changes greatly reducing the number of estates subject to taxes, steers the bulk of tax benefits to top earners and the wealthy, including Trump, despite his repeated claims that hell take a hit. Trump signed the bill quietly Friday, but held a public ceremony with Republican lawmakers on Wednesday after the bills passage; he also tweeted about the measure extensively. He is expected to hold another public ceremony after the New Years holiday. Facebook

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Pelosi urges Ryan to prevent Republicans from curtailing Houses Russia probe By Chris Megerian House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin greets House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Friday urging him to ensure the Houses investigation into Russian interference with last years presidential campaign is not cut short. The American people deserve a comprehensive and fair investigation into Russias attacks, wrote Pelosi, of San Francisco, in her letter. Political haste must not cut short valid investigatory threads. The House Intelligence Committee has been probing the issue since March 1, and Democrats have repeatedly warned that Republicans are trying to wrap up its work prematurely. Pelosi said Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, should take urgent action to ensure this investigation can continue. AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said Pelosi simply wants to see this investigation go on forever in order to suit her political agenda. Whether it concludes next month, next year, or in three years, she will say it is too soon, Strong said in a statement. She added, The investigation will conclude when the committee has reached a conclusion. The committees work is led by Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas). His spokeswoman, Emily Hytha, said he remains committed to conducting this investigation as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible. With more interviews scheduled, the investigation shows signs of extending into next year, Bloomberg reported Friday. BREAKING: Steve Bannon and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski have been sent letters requesting they testify to House Intel panel in early January, per @HouseInSession  Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) December 22, 2017 Facebook

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Congress votes to avert government shutdown, but Senate fails to pass disaster aid package By Lisa Mascaro ( (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)) Congress approved a temporary spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, but failed to complete work on an $81-billion disaster aid package to help California, Gulf Coast states and Puerto Rico recover from wildfires and hurricanes, as lawmakers scrambled Thursday to wrap up business before a Christmas break. The stopgap measure continues federal operations for a few more weeks, setting up another deadline for Jan. 19. But it left undone a long list of priorities that members of both parties had hoped to finish this year. Read More Facebook

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Wells Fargo says raises were not linked to tax bill passage  then backtracks By James Rufus Koren Wells Fargo & Co.s move to raise its minimum pay to $15 an hour was part of a long-term plan and not related to the passage of the Republican tax overhaul as the company implied, said a bank spokesman, who later backtracked and stated the hikes were a result of the bills approval. The bank was among several large corporations to publicly announce pay raises or new investments immediately following the final House vote in an apparent public relations offensive to boost the popularity of the tax bill The San Francisco bank had implied the direct linkage to the tax legislation in a news release Wednesday, shortly after Congress passed the tax overhaul, which slashes the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% starting Jan. 1. Read More Facebook

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Obamacare signups beat expectations, despite Trump administrations opposition By Noam N. Levey President Trump with Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Despite Trump administration efforts to discourage people from signing up, the number of people enrolling for Affordable Care Act coverage nearly hit last years level, the government revealed Thursday. Exchange open enrollment for 2018 coverage ended w/ approx 8.8M people enrolling in coverage. Great job to the @CMSGov team for the work you did to make this the smoothest experience for consumers to date. We take pride in providing great customer service.  Administrator Seema Verma (@SeemaCMS) December 21, 2017 The 8.8 million people who enrolled in the 36 states that use the federal governments healthcare.gov system significantly exceeded most forecasts. The Trump administration stopped most outreach and other efforts this year aimed at getting people to sign up. The president also repeatedly said publicly that Obamacare was dead. Open enrollment continues in California and several other states that run their own healthcare marketplaces. The figures from the federal government indicate that when those states wrap up for the year, the number of people covered by Obamacare will be nearly the same as in 2017. Read More Facebook

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U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly condemns U.S. policy change on Jerusalem despite Trumps threats By Tracy Wilkinson U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. (Getty Images) The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted Thursday to condemn President Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite Trumps threats to punish countries that voted against the U.S. position. The resolution passed in an emergency session at U.N. headquarters in New York with 128 in favor, nine opposed and 35 abstentions. The nonbinding resolution demands that Washington rescind its declaration, which included a plan to transfer the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in coming years. The resolution value is mostly symbolic, showing how isolated the U.S. is in the move. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., warned this week that she would be taking names of countries that opposed the U.S., and Trump on Wednesday suggested he might cut U.S. aid to governments that voted in favor of the resolution. Let them vote against us, Trump said. Well save a lot. We dont care. The U.S. recognition of Jerusalem reversed decades of international consensus on the political status of the divided city. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital in a future independent state. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said the U.N. was facing an unprecedented test and that history would remember those who stand by what is right. Facebook

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Democrats defend Robert Mueller, saying Russia investigation must be allowed to continue By Chris Megerian Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) speaking during a committee hearing earlier this year. (Molly Riley / Associated Press) House Democrats said they will fight Republican attempts to discredit and undermine the work of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating whether President Trumps associates helped Russian meddling in last years election. There is an organized effort by Republicans, in concert with Fox News, to spin a false narrative and conjure up outrageous scenarios to accuse special counsel Mueller of being biased, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said. Trump has said he has no plan to fire Mueller, but Democrats are alarmed by escalating criticism of the special counsels work. Why is the president afraid of the facts and the truth? Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said. He added, No matter what the facts are, were satisfied if the investigation is complete. A letter of support signed by 171 Democratic members of Congress will be sent to Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, a former FBI director, and oversees his investigation. Rosenstein has defended Mueller in the face of Republican criticisms. Facebook

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U.S. blacklists Myanmar army general who it says oversaw atrocities against Rohingya Muslims By Shashank Bengali The Trump administration on Thursday blacklisted a Myanmar army general who it said oversaw human rights abuses committed by security forces against Rohingya Muslims. Imposing economic sanctions against the general, Maung Maung Soe, was the toughest action the United States has taken in response to a brutal army offensive that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has described as ethnic cleansing. In a statement, the Treasury Department said it had examined credible evidence of Maung Maung Soes activities, including allegations against Burmese security forces of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and arbitrary arrest as well as the widespread burning of villages. The Rohingya are an ethnic and religious minority of about 1 million people in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, also known as Burma. The United Nations says that more than 640,000 Rohingya have fled the country since August, after the army launched clearance operations in response to attacks carried out by a Rohingya insurgent group against security forces. Rohingya refugees in crowded camps in neighboring Bangladesh have described horrific violence by Myanmar forces, including mass rapes, summary executions and children being burned alive. The aid group Doctors Without Borders estimates that 6,700 people were killed in the first month of the operation. Myanmar authorities deny committing atrocities and say that only a few hundred fighters were killed. Maung Maung Soe was chief of the armys Western Command, which carried out the offensive. He was transferred from his position last month, according to news reports. He was one of 13 individuals worldwide who were blacklisted Thursday under a new U.S. law that gives the Treasury Department authority to target officials for human rights abuses and corruption. Others included former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh; Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the late Uzbekistan dictator Islam Karimov; and Artem Chaika, son of Russias prosecutor-general. Today, the United States is taking a strong stand against human rights abuse and corruption globally by shutting these bad actors out of the U.S. financial system, said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. The sanctions freeze any assets Maung Maung Soe holds in the United States and bars Americans from doing business with him. It is also a sign of how quickly U.S. relations with Myanmar have soured. Under the Obama administration, the United States forged closer ties with the former military dictatorship and eased economic and political sanctions as the country began implementing democratic reforms. But Myanmar, which does not regard the Rohingya as citizens, has lashed out at the international community over the current crisis. It has jailed journalists, blocked access to affected areas in the western state of Rakhine and this week barred a U.N. human rights investigator from entering the country. Rohingya activists said the U.S. action would not have much effect on a country that survived under economic sanctions for years. It is the whole military institution that has a policy to persecute these people, said Nay San Lwin, a Rohingya activist and blogger in Germany. According to the U.S.s own definition, the army is carrying out ethnic cleansing. They have a responsibility to protect these people. Sanctions on one person are really not enough. Facebook

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Dreamers will have to wait until next year for Congress long-promised protections By Lisa Mascaro Amanda Bayer, left with banner, and Marisol Maqueda, right, join a rally in support of so-called Dreamers outside the White House. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)) A promised year-end deal to protect the young immigrants known as Dreamers from deportation collapsed Wednesday as Republicans in Congress  fresh off passage of their tax plan  prepared to punt nearly all remaining must-do agenda items into the new year. Congressional leaders still hope that before leaving town this week they can pass an $81-billion disaster relief package with recovery funds for California wildfires and Gulf Coast states hit during the devastating hurricane season. But passage even of that relatively popular measure remained in doubt as conservatives balked at the price tag. Rather than finish the year wrapping up the legislative agenda, the GOP majorities in the House and Senate struggled over their next steps. Read More Facebook

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Chants of protest drown out any caroling this holiday season at the Capitol By Lisa Mascaro U.S. Capitol Police arrest a man wearing a Santa Claus hat during a protest against the Republican tax bill. (Alex Edelman / AFP/Getty Image) Outside the U.S. Capitol, the lights on a towering Christmas tree are flipped on each evening, giving the Engelmann spruce a festive twinkle; inside the marble halls, wreaths and garlands decorate doorways and alcoves ahead of the holidays. But the spirit of the season has been punctuated by other sights: a Jumbotron parked across from the Capitol reflecting pool broadcasts images of young immigrants who face deportation; Little Lobbyists, children with complex medical needs, were featured in a recent news conference; protesters filed into the visitor galleries to shout against the Republican tax plan. While its beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Capitol, its also shaping up to be a holiday season of protest. Read More Facebook

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Tax bill simplifies filing for some but complicates it for others  and dont count on that postcard By Jim Puzzanghera A priority of the Republicans tax overhaul was simplification, and they drove home the point this fall with an omnipresent prop: a red-white-and-blue postcard. Were making things so simple that you can do your taxes on a form the size of a postcard, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) said last month, pulling one from his jacket pocket as he and Republican leaders unveiled their bill. They gave a couple of the cards to President Trump at a White House meeting a few hours later and flashed them often during news conferences and TV interviews in the coming days. Read More Facebook

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Top U.N. human rights official reportedly wont seek reelection (Getty Images) The top United Nations official for human rights, who has frequently criticized the Trump administration, has reportedly decided not to seek a second term, saying his work had become untenable. Zeid Raad Hussein, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, notified his staff in an email that was obtained by several news outlets, including Agence France-Presse. Staying when his four-year term is up for renewal at the end of August might involve bending a knee in supplication, AFP quoted Husseins email as saying. Hussein is a Jordanian prince who has criticized, among other things, President Trumps attempts to ban visitors or refugees from six predominantly Muslim countries. The news comes a day before the U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote on a nonbinding resolution condemning the Trump administrations formal declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a decision that went against international consensus. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has warned she will be taking names of those who vote against the United States on Thursday. Trump echoed that sentiment Wednesday, voiced support for Haley and implying to reporters that he would consider cutting off U.S. aid to countries that vote against the U.S. Well, were watching those votes, Trump said. Let them vote against us. Well save a lot. We dont care. On Monday, the United States lost a Security Council vote 14-1 on a binding resolution that would have required Washington to rescind its declaration. Haley then vetoed the resolution. Facebook

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Top Democrat warns Trump not to fire Mueller or interfere with his investigation By Chris Megerian (Shawn Thew / European Pressphoto Agency) Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, one of the top Democrats involved in the congressional inquiries into Russian interference in last years election, said Wednesday that any attempt by President Trump to interfere with the separate criminal investigation would be a gross abuse of power. Warner, who is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, delivered his warning from the Senate floor as Republicans escalate their criticism of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and his team of prosecutors and FBI agents. Some Democrats believe Trump is laying the groundwork to fire Mueller even though the president has publicly denied it. Mueller was appointed in May after Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey. In the United States of America, no one, no one is above the law, not even the president, Warner said. Congress must make clear to the president that firing the special counsel or interfering with his investigation by issuing pardons of essential witnesses is unacceptable and would have immediate and significant consequences. Some Democrats say the White House may try to in effect short-circuit the Mueller investigation by replacing Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who is the only official empowered to fire Mueller. Rosenstein recently told Congress that the special counsel is acting appropriately and that he would not dismiss Mueller without just cause. Facebook

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We have essentially repealed Obamacare, Trump says after tax bill passes By Brian Bennett President Trump at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday at the White House. (Chris Kleponis / Getty Images) President Trump is celebrating Republicans passage of the tax overhaul bill as a two-fer: On Wednesday, in addition to tax cuts, he checked off his promise to repeal Obamacare, pointing to a provision in the bill to end the penalty on Americans who dont get health insurance. We have essentially repealed Obamacare, Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. Other provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act are still in place, and Trump and congressional Republicans failed completely on the replace half of their vow to repeal and replace the program. In Trumps view, however, stripping away the laws individual mandate to get insurance or else pay a tax penalty amounts to repeal of the whole law. Congressional analysts have said that millions of people would lose insurance as a result, either by choice or because they cannot afford it without subsidies, and that premiums would increase for others as younger, healthy people drop coverage. We will come up with something much better, Trump said, adding that block grants to states could be one approach. By his comments, Trump tacitly acknowledged that repeal of the mandate is likely the best he can do following Republicans failure this year to agree on a repeal-and-replace bill. Looking back on his first year, Trump also boasted of his administrations efforts against the Islamic State and increased immigration enforcement. He said he had not given up on funding a border wall or tightening immigration law to limit citizens ability to resettle foreign relatives in the country. He said he would very shortly visit the border with Mexico near San Diego to see wall prototypes that have been built. He didnt answer a reporters shouted question about how he would personally benefit from the tax bill. Facebook

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House gives final OK to GOP tax plan, sending it to Trump By Lisa Mascaro Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), left, is with GOP leaders in the Capitol. (Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) Congress gave final approval to the GOP tax plan Wednesday, 224-201, after the House took an unusual do-over vote to clear up differences with the Senate-passed bill. The $1.5-trillion package now heads to President Trump, who plans to sign it into law. The House had approved the tax bill on Tuesday but was forced to take another vote Wednesday because a couple of provisions in the version it approved were found to be in violation of Senate procedures. Those provisions were dropped before the Senate gave its approval early Wednesday. Critics complained the Republicans rushed to pass the sweeping tax plan to deliver Trump a year-end legislative victory, but supporters shrugged off the problems as minor. The tax plan dramatically cuts corporate rates and provides some individual rate reductions, overhauling the tax code for the first time in 30 years. Facebook

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Trump administration effort to block immigrant from having an abortion fails By David Savage Scott Lloyd is director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) President Trumps lawyers rushed to the Supreme Court and U.S. appeals court in Washington on Monday evening to file emergency appeals seeking to prevent an immigrant in detention, dubbed Jane Roe in court, from having an abortion. That set the stage for a legal showdown on whether the administration can block pregnant minors in custody from choosing to have an abortion. But the legal clash, which the administration has seemed eager to have, fizzled out Tuesday when the governments lawyers admitted the 17-year-old unaccompanied minor in their custody was actually 19. They said they had obtained her birth certificate and realized she was not a minor after all. As a result, Roe, who is 10 weeks pregnant, will no longer be held in a detention center for immigrant minors, and will not be subject to an administration policy that tries to prevent minors in immigration detention from having abortions. Administration lawyers told appeals court judges Tuesday night that Roe was being sent to a facility for adults and likely would be released until her immigration status can be resolved. In a brief order, the D.C. Circuit Court agreed to put the case on hold, but told government attorneys to confirm that she will be permitted to obtain an abortion. The administration had earlier tried to delay another young woman, referred to in court as Jane Poe, from having an abortion, but officials relented on Monday because she was 22 weeks pregnant and nearing the time limit for a legal abortion. Facebook

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Senate panel rejects Trumps pick to lead Export-Import Bank, a leader in the effort to shut it down By Jim Puzzanghera A Senate committee on Tuesday rejected President Trumps nominee to lead the Export-Import Bank, extending the chaos at the embattled agency whose job is to help U.S. companies sell their goods abroad. Two Republicans joined all Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee in voting against former Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) to be the banks president. Garrett had been a vocal critic of the Ex-Im Bank and a leader of a conservative effort that shut the bank down for five months in 2015 by blocking its congressional authorization. He and other bank opponents branded the banks aid as crony capitalism. Read More Facebook

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Congress proposes $81-billion disaster aid package, including funds for California wildfires By Lisa Mascaro The Thomas fire rages near Ojai this month. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Congress is set to consider an $81-billion disaster aid package that includes wildfire recovery money for California and other Western states as well as hurricane relief with a price tag reflecting a year of record-setting natural calamities. The legislation, the text of which was released late Monday, would provide almost twice as much as the $44 billion the White House sought last month to cover relief efforts along the Gulf Coast and in the Caribbean. Republican congressional leaders added more money after California lawmakers objected that the administration had failed to include help for areas damaged by wildfires and Democrats protested that the overall amount President Trump asked for was insufficient. Read More Facebook

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White House blames North Korea for worldwide WannaCry cyber attack By Noah Bierman The Royal London Hospital, a victim of the unprecedented global cyberattack in May. (Niklas Hallen / AFP/Getty Images) The White House officially blamed North Korea on Tuesday for the cyberattack in May known as WannaCry that infected hundreds of thousands of computers in 150 countries, affecting healthcare, financial services and vital infrastructure. Thomas P. Bossert, assistant to the president for homeland security and counter-terrorism, noted in a briefing with reporters that the consequences were beyond economic. He warned that North Koreas malicious behavior is growing more egregious. Bossert did not specify what evidence American officials have to blame North Korea, citing security issues, but he cited the countrys prior attacks as revealing hallmarks of how Pyongyang and its network of hackers operates. He said other allied countries had joined the United States in making the determination. The administration did not announce any penalties on the regime, which is already subject to severe sanctions over its nuclear program. They want to hold the entire world at risk, Bossert said of North Koreas rulers, referring to the nations nuclear and missile provocations as well as its alleged cyberattack. Given its isolation and international sanctions, North Korea is desperate for funds. Bossert said the country did not appear to make much money on the ransom attack, as word spread that paying a ransom did not result in getting computers unlocked. Its primary goal, he said, was spreading chaos. Bossert and Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary of homeland security for cybersecurity and communication, said the United States, through a combination of preparation and luck, escaped the worst of the attack, as a patch to the malware was found before U.S. companies and other interests were severely crippled. However, Manfra said, We cannot be complacent. Bossert added, Next time were not going to get so lucky. Manfra praised Microsoft and Facebook for their efforts to combat WannaCry and to block more recent attempts to hack U.S. systems. She and Bossert urged more cooperation and information-sharing from American and multinational companies, arguing a united front is vital to protecting against bad actors who do not differentiate between government and business. Bossert rejected criticism that the the Trump administration has more aggressively called out North Korean cyberattacks than it has Russias meddling in the 2016 election. He said the administration has continued the national emergency initiated by President Obama. Facebook

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GOP lures some mountain bike groups in its push to roll back protections for public land By Evan Halper When their vision of creating a scenic cycling trail through a protected alpine backcountry hit a snag, San Diego area mountain bikers turned to an unlikely ally: congressional Republicans aiming to dilute conservation laws. The frustrations of the San Diego cycling group and a handful of similar organizations are providing tailwind to the GOP movement to lift restrictions on the countrys most ecologically fragile and pristine landscapes, officially designated wilderness. Resentment of these cyclists over the longstanding ban on mechanized transportation in that fraction of the nations public lands presents a political opportunity for Republicans eager to drill fissures in the broad coalition of conservation-minded groups united against the GOP environmental agenda. Read More Facebook

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Vice president postpones Israel trip a second time in case his vote is needed to pass tax cut bill By Noah Bierman (Ethan Miller / Getty Images) Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his trip to Egypt and Israel for a second time in case he is needed to break a tie in the Senate for the tax bill that is expected to pass narrowly this week. Two White House officials confirmed the changed schedule, which they say is unrelated to to protests in the region over the administrations decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Pence had initially been scheduled to leave last Saturday. Late last week, the White House moved the trip back a few days to Tuesday night, in case Pence was needed to break a Senate tie. But Monday, they decided to postpone the trip further, to January, given the possibility of a late Senate vote and the coming holidays. He wants to see it through the finish line, said a White House official, referring to the tax measure that is a centerpiece of the Republican legislative agenda. We dont want to leave anything to chance. The mid-January dates will allow Pence more breathing room to merge schedules with embassies and hotels, the official said. Trump still plans to address the Israeli Knesset, a high-profile venue to discuss the Jerusalem decision where it is most popular. Facebook

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Trump judicial pick who drew ridicule at hearing withdraws By Associated Press A White House official says the Trump judicial nominee whose qualifications were questioned by a Republican senator has withdrawn his nomination. Matthew Petersen, who was nominated by President Trump to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has been the subject of widespread ridicule since he was unable to define basic legal terms during his confirmation hearing Wednesday. A White House official says Petersen has withdrawn his nomination and that Trump has accepted the withdrawal. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the development publicly. Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy pressed Petersen, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, who testified he had never tried a case, on his qualifications to the bench. Facebook

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Trump says McCain will return to Washington if needed for tax vote By Laura King (Associated Press) President Trump said Sunday that Sen. John McCain, who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, was returning home to Arizona for the holidays but would come back to Washington if needed to cast a vote on the Republicans tax overhaul bill. The Arizona Republicans office announced last week that McCain was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington for complications from his cancer treatment. McCains daughter Meghan tweeted earlier Sunday that her 81-year-old father would be spending Christmas in Arizona. The Senate is expected to vote early this week on the tax cut legislation, but the GOP appeared to have secured sufficient support without McCains vote. John will come back if we need his vote, Trump told reporters as he returned from a weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David. Hes going through a very tough time. Facebook

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Putin calls Trump to thank him for U.S. help foiling terrorist strike By Laura King (Getty Images) Vladimir Putin phoned President Trump to thank him for what the Russian president said was CIA help in foiling a terrorist attack, the Kremlin said on Sunday. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the two leaders conversation to reporters. It was the second time that the two leaders had talked in four days; Trump called Putin on Thursday to thank the Russian leader for lauding the U.S. economy. Putin, in his annual year-end news conference, had praised Trump for a strong performance by the U.S. stock market. Perhaps ironically, given his credit to the CIAs recent help, Putin at that news event dismissed as hysteria the consensus among American intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign. In reporting Putins call to Trump on Sunday, the official Russian news agency Tass said Putin thanked his American counterpart for information shared by the US Central Intelligence Agency that had helped break up a plot to set off explosives in St. Petersburgs landmark Kazan Cathedral and elsewhere in the city, which is Russias second-largest. Russian authorities last week had credited their countrys counter-intelligence service, the FSB, for foiling the attacks. They reported that seven people affiliated with Islamic State had been detained in St. Petersburg in connection with the plot. The FSB, the successor organization to the KGB, announced Friday that the group had planned to carry out the attacks on Saturday, and that one of those in custody had confessed to the cathedral bomb plot. Facebook

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Mnuchin: Government shutdown unlikely but could happen By Laura King Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said on Sunday that a government shutdown this week was unlikely but possible. A two-week stopgap spending bill passed by Congress earlier this month provided enough funding to keep the government running through Friday. A deadlock on another temporary funding measure would open the door to a possible shutdown. I cant rule it out, but I cant imagine it occurring, Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday, suggesting everyone had an interest in avoiding the government grinding to a halt and federal workers going unpaid, especially in the holiday season. I would expect that both the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, understand if they cant agree on this, they need to have another short-term extension to move this to January, the Treasury secretary said. We cant have a government shutdown in front of Christmas. In May, irate over concessions made to Democrats in hammering out a spending measure, President Trump tweeted that a good shutdown might help matters. While both parties agree that a government shutdown involves a degree of disruption that is not beneficial to either side, shutdowns in 1995-96 and in 2013 mainly caused a backlash against Republicans. The latest funding measure is to be taken up after a vote on a massive GOP tax overhaul, expected by midweek. Facebook

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Trump transition team says sensitive emails should not have been shared with Robert Mueller By Chris Megerian (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) President Trumps transition team is crying foul over how special counsel Robert S. Mueller III obtained emails for his investigation into Russian meddling in last years campaign and possible Trump campaign complicity. Kory Langhofer, a lawyer for the transition team, sent a letter to Congress on Saturday saying there was an unauthorized disclosure of emails. While the Trump transition is long over, the transition team remains a nonprofit organization. Its emails were hosted by the General Services Administration, a federal agency. Mueller reportedly obtained the emails directly from the agency. There are attorney-client communications, Langhofer said in an interview. There are executive-privileged communications. He added, What were asking Congress to do is to take some legislative action to make sure this never happens again. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsels office, defended the process for obtaining emails. When we have obtained emails in the course of our ongoing criminal investigation, we have secured either the account owners consent or appropriate criminal process, he said. The letter was first reported by Fox News. A request for comment from the General Services Administration was not immediately answered. This story has been updated with a comment from the special counsels office. Facebook

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Virginia house arrest is ending for Paul Manafort By Chris Megerian (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) A federal judge agreed Friday to end Paul Manaforts house arrest in Virginia, allowing President Trumps former campaign manager to return to Florida while awaiting trial. The decision followed a dispute between Manaforts legal team and prosecutors working for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who accused Manafort of violating a court order restricting public statements about the case. Under the terms of the judges order, Manafort will be allowed to live at his home in Florida as long as he stays within Palm Beach and Broward counties and obeys a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. If he misses a court appearance, he would forfeit four properties valued at $10 million total. The deal, which includes GPS monitoring, is not as permissive as Manafort originally sought. He had asked to be able to travel freely among Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington. Manafort faces criminal charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty. Facebook

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GOP negotiators enhance child tax credit to win over Sen. Rubio By Lisa Mascaro Republican negotiators slightly increased the refundable portion of the expanded child tax credit in their tax plan, raising it to $1,400 in hopes of winning back Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) support ahead of next weeks vote. Rubio announced Thursday he was withholding support after negotiators ignored his push to make the expanded tax credit, which increases from the current $1,000 to $2,000 in the proposed bill, fully refundable for lower- and moderate-income filers. The refundable portion in the original bill was $1,100. The Florida senator argued that was not enough to help working-class Americans, many of whom already view the GOP plan as tilted toward the wealthy. Rubios office was waiting to see the final text before commenting on whether the change was enough to win him over. We have not seen the bill text, and until we see if the percentage of the refundable credit is significantly higher, then our position remains the same, Rubios spokeswoman said. Negotiators meeting Friday before unveiling the bill said they thought they had the support they needed from Rubio and other holdouts. Im confident both chambers will pass it next week, said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Facebook

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Sen. Marco Rubio opposes GOP tax bill, depriving leaders of crucial support By Lisa Mascaro Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks to a reporter in Washington. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) 20.94% Corp. rate to pay for tax cut for working family making $40k was anti-growth but 21% to cut tax for couples making $1million is fine?  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 12, 2017 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) says he is currently opposed to the GOP tax plan because it fails to include his proposed enhancements to the child tax credit, leaving leaders without crucial support ahead of next weeks expected vote. Republicans can only lose two GOP senators from their slim 52-48 majority as they push the plan forward under special budget rules to prevent a Democratic filibuster. Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday altered his planned Israel trip so he could be on hand, if needed, to cast a tie-breaking vote. Rubio, and GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, have fought to increase the child tax credit, doubling it to $2,000 in the GOP plan, but they also want to increase its refundability. They argue it will lower taxes on middle-income families at a time when the tax plan is being criticized as tilted to the wealthy. Sen. Rubio has consistently communicated to the Senate tax negotiators that his vote on final passage would depend on whether the refundability of the Child Tax Credit was increased in a meaningful way, Rubios spokeswoman said. Lee stopped short of opposing the bill, but his spokesman said Wednesday he is undecided. GOP leaders, though, have said they believe they have the support for passage. Facebook

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White House gives Roy Moore a unsubtle shove: Time to concede By David Lauter (Alex Wong / Getty Images) The White House sent a clear signal Thursday to the defeated Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama: Its time to concede. Roy Moore refused to concede the race on Tuesday night when Doug Jones, the Democrat, was declared the winner. Election night results show Jones winning by about 1.5 percentage points, three times more than the states standard for a recount. Although a few absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted, theres no indication they would change the result. On Wednesday, Moore notably did not call to congratulate Jones  even as President Trump and other leading Republicans did. Instead, he released a video declaring the battle rages on. Asked at the daily news briefing whether the White House thinks Moore should concede today, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, It probably sounds like it maybe should have already taken place. Sanders also dismissed the idea, pushed by some Moore supporters, that Jones victory was tainted in some fashion. Asked if the Democrat had won fair and square, she said, I think the numbers reflect that. The states Republican senator, Richard Shelby, offered a similar comment in an interview with MSNBC in which he said he was willing to work with Jones. If I was 25,000 votes behind, its not going to change much, Shelby said. Facebook

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House Speaker Paul Ryan says hes not leaving anytime soon By Lisa Mascaro House Speaker Paul D. Ryan speaks earlier this year in Washington. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan shot down suggestions Thursday that he might soon be retiring. Stories often circulate that party leaders, especially the House speaker, are stepping aside. Ryans tenure has been as rocky as that of his predecessor, Rep. John Boehner, who abruptly resigned in 2015 amid GOP infighting. Asked Thursday if he would be leaving, Ryan answered a simple no, as he left his weekly press conference in the Capitol. Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who reluctantly took over the speakers gavel after Boehners departure, had just finished talking up the GOP tax plan, which leaders hope to pass next week. He also outlined his sweeping agenda for his longtime goal of entitlement reform of welfare benefits next year. Two stories published Thursday suggested Ryan may soon be out. This is pure speculation, said spokeswoman AshLee Strong. As the speaker himself said today, hes not going anywhere anytime soon. Facebook

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GOP leaders reach tax deal, cutting corporate rate to 21% and top individual rate to 37% By Lisa Mascaro Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, center, and other Republican lawmakers. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Republican leaders on Wednesday agreed on a revised plan to cut taxes that would lower the corporate rate from 35% to 21% and drop the top individual rate for the richest Americans to 37%, according to GOP senators and others briefed on the deal. The tentative accord marked a significant step in the Republican push to have a tax bill on President Trumps desk by Christmas. Leaders did not release details of the compromise or the text of a final bill as negotiations continued. Its critically important for Congress to quickly pass these historic tax cuts, Trump said Wednesday, promising that Americans could begin to reap the benefits of the plan as early as February, if passed. Critics, however, said the latest changes  particularly the lowering of the top individual rate from the current 39.6%  only reaffirmed several independent analyses that show the bulk of the savings from the Republican plan would go to businesses and the wealthy. Read More Facebook

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Farenthold to retire from House amid harassment accusations By Associated Press Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold wont seek reelection next year, two Republicans said Thursday, adding his name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics, the arts and other fields. The accusations against Farenthold surfaced in 2014,New research estimates that in a single year, some 5,000 lung cancer deaths might be averted if some former smokers who dont currently qualify for lung-cancer screening were to get a computed tomography scan capable of detecting malignancy.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which lays down criteria for most cancer-screening detection methods, recommended in 2013 that lung-cancer screening should be limited to current or former smokers aged 55-to-80 with a 30-pack-year smoking history whove smoked within the past 15 years. A pack year is a year in which someone smoked an average of at least a pack of cigarettes per day. Private insurers, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, largely follow the task forces criteria in deciding whose cancer screening they will pay for.

But in an analysis published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society suggest that its time to broaden those criteria. They suggest instead that a more life-saving approach would end up screening some smokers with history of 20-to-29 pack-years but who also have personal risk for lung cancer that is higher than usual.

The groups finding comes at a time when the number of Americans eligible for lung cancer screening under the task force criteria is falling fast. As the ranks of active smokers fall and more former smokers gain distance on their last quit date, the number of Americans eligible for lung-cancer screening has dropped from 9.5 million in 2010 to 8 million in 2015.

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But among people who quit longer than 15 years ago, or who were not among the heaviest of heavy smokers, some still run a higher-than-average risk of developing  and dying from  lung cancer. Risk factors that increase an individuals likelihood of doing so include a family history of lung cancer, obesity and a past diagnosis of emphysema. A persons sex, race and level of education also factor into the calculation, with women, African-Americans and Asian-Americans, as well as those who completed less education, at greater risk.

The concern, when broadening the population of people screened for a cancer, is that people with cancers that never would have killed them will get results suggesting the need for more biopsies, more procedures and aggressive treatment. But the authors of the latest study said that there is room for expansion before that happens. Screening smokers and ex-smokers whose personal and family histories drive up their lung cancer risk will find, at an early stage, more lesions and nodules that would become deadly if left unchecked, they concluded.

Using 2015 statistics, the new analysis suggests that screening a broader population of current and former smokers could save 5,000 from dying prematurely due to lung cancer.

An economic analysis of the proposal offers a key qualification though. While broader screening criteria would pick up more deadly cancers, its not clear that it would give the overall group of screened patients significantly longer, or better, lives.

In a study published also published this week in Annals, researchers from Tufts Medical Center suggest, in effect, that broader screening will often find lung cancer in patients whose lung function and general health has already been compromised. Finding these patients tumors earlier, they found, will bring attenuated and modest gains in their lifespans.

And because expanding the population always brings many in for screening who never needed it in the first place, the cost-effectiveness of such an expansion is not great. Still, they found the marginal cost to be below the threshold sometimes mentioned as a reasonable standard for justifying a given health service.

In a related editorial, however, experts note that broadening the criteria for those who should have their lungs screened is a distant concern in a time and place where only a tiny fraction of those already eligible are getting screened. Nearly 7 million Americans are eligible under the existing recommendations. But an analysis of claims made in 2017 suggests that just 74,000 people got the screening.

Given how deadly lung cancer can be, and the anemic pace at which CT lung cancer screens are being performed, the more pressing concern is why people, regardless of how their eligibility is defined, are not receiving the test, wrote Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers Dr. Angela K. Green and Dr. Peter Bach.

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melissa.healy@latimes.com

@LATMelissaHealy

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Autism spectrum disorders appear to have stabilized among U.S. kids and teens

Do psychiatrists have any business talking about President Trumps mental health?Across a span of 11,500 years, a baby is speaking to us.

Although she was just an infant when she died, her diminutive remains are helping researchers understand how ancient people first entered and then moved around the Americas.

The little girl recently was given the name Xachiteeaaneh Teede Gaay (Sunrise Girl-Child) by indigenous people in the Alaskan interior who live close to the place where her body was found.

Archaeological evidence suggests her family buried her with care in a pit beneath the central hearth in their temporary home. They laid her to rest on a bed of ocher and placed offerings of weapons around her makeshift grave.

Centuries later, her tiny skeleton was unearthed during an archaeological dig, and, with the permission of local indigenous tribes, samples of her bones were sent off for DNA analysis.

Scientists were stunned by what they revealed: This little girl was born into a previously unknown population of pioneers who were among the first to arrive in North America.

The discovery, reported Wednesday in Nature, has both complicated the story of how humans spread throughout the Americas and brought it into clearer focus, said Ben Potter, an anthropologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who worked on the new study.

No one can deny that this makes our picture of the history of Native Americans more complex and more accurate than ever before, he said.

David Reich, a geneticist at Harvard Medical School, hailed the new work as a crucial step toward better understanding how the earliest migrants to the New World diversified once they got here.

This is an important finding, as it constrains possible scenarios for the early peopling of the Americas in significant ways, he said.

The babys grave was discovered in 2013 in an archaeological site known as Upward Sun River in Alaskas Tanana River Valley. It appears to have been a residential base camp where men, women and children remained for several weeks at a time, primarily in the summer months. The site was occupied multiple times, beginning about 13,000 years ago.

An artist's reconstruction shows the Upward Sun River base camp around the time when the infants were born. Eric S. Carlson in collaboration with Ben Potter

The remains of Xachiteeaaneh Teede Gaay date back to about 11,500 years ago. She was buried along with another female infant who appears to be a close relative, but not a sister, the researchers said. Genetic analysis shows that the two had different mothers.

Its never easy to get usable DNA from ancient bones. But with Sunrise Girl-Child, the research team got lucky. Her DNA was well-preserved in deep sediments, which made it easier for modern scientists to decode it.

Things didnt go as well for the second infant. The research team was able to analyze enough of her nuclear DNA to confirm that the two girls were related. However, a previous study found that their mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited only from ones mother, was different.

Next the authors compared the more complete genetic sequence from Sunrise Girl-Child with that of other ancient genomes, as well as a panel of DNA profiles from 167 populations around the world. The babys DNA was more closely related to present-day Native Americans than to any other tested populations, followed by Siberians and East Asians.

That didnt come as much of a surprise. There is broad agreement among anthropologists and archaeologists that the first people who came to America traveled over Beringia, a strip of land that connected northeast Asia with northwestern North America during the last ice age, when sea levels were lower.

The part that was shocking was the discovery that the baby girl was equally related to both groups of present-day Native Americans  those who live in northern North America, including Athabaskan and Algonkian speakers, and those who live farther south.

For this to be true, she must have belonged to a third group of people who lived before the northern and southern Native Americans split into genetically distinct groups, the researchers said. They dubbed the newly identified group the Ancient Beringians.

This was brand-new, Potter said. Scientists simply didnt have this population on the radar.

The Upward Sun River discovery site uncovered the remains of ancient infants. Ben Potter

Further genetic analysis suggested that the Ancient Beringians split from the ancestors of all other Native Americans about 20,000 years ago, well before Sunrise Girl-Child was born. It is likely that the Ancient Beringians stayed in the north, while the ancestors of all other Native Americans moved south before splitting into two other groups around 15,000 years ago.

Potter said it is still unclear what ultimately happened to the Ancient Beringians. Perhaps they were absorbed by other Native Americans who moved back into their region about 6,000 years ago and intermarried. It is also possible they were killed off or out-competed by their neighbors to the south.

We are still at a very early stage of understanding, he said. The simple answer is we dont know.

However, the story of how people came to the Americas in the first place is becoming clearer.

Thanks to the additional genetic data provided by Xachiteeaaneh Teede Gaay, the authors say they have the first evidence of a single founding Native American population, which split from East Asians about 35,000 years ago.

Finding a single individual that connects both north and south Native Americans genetically is a significant finding because it gives evidence of a single early migration, said John Lindo, an anthropologist at Emory University in Atlanta who was not involved in the work.

He added that the study also gives credence to an earlier theory: that the original migrants to the New World stayed in Beringia long enough to become genetically distinct from people in East Asia.

But Potter said it is still up for debate whether a single group crossed the Beringian land bridge and split afterward, or if the groups already were distinct before coming to the Americas.

We have too little data to firmly reject any of the major ideas for the route that people took into the New World, he said.

He said future discoveries of ancient remains could help answer some of these questions, but those findings tend to be few and far between.

In the meantime, the DNA evidence embedded in Xachiteeaaneh Teede Gaays small bones will enable researchers to craft better hypotheses about how people first came to the Americas that can be tested in other ways  such as archaeology and paleoecology.

The awesomeness of this study is that it gives us a new line of questions to explore, Potter said.

Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you.

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11 science stories were looking forward to in 2018

Do psychiatrists have any business talking about President Trump's mental health?

Autism spectrum disorders appear to have stabilized among U.S. kids and teens"WeChat will not use any content from user chats for big data analysis. Because of WeChat's technical model that does not store or analyze user chats, the rumor that 'we are watching your WeChat everyday' is pure misunderstanding."

"WeChat does not store any users' chat history. That is only stored in users' mobiles, computers and other terminals," WeChat said in a post on the social media platform.

Tencent Holdings' WeChat, China's most popular messenger app, on Tuesday denied storing users' chat histories, after a top businessman was quoted in media reports as saying he believed Tencent was monitoring everyone's account.

Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Holdings, owner of the Volvo car brand, was quoted in Chinese media on Monday as saying Tencent Chairman Ma Huateng "must be watching all our WeChats every day".

Like all Chinese social media platforms, WeChat is required to censor public posts deemed "illegal" by the Communist Party.

WeChat's privacy policy says it may need to retain and disclose users' information "in response to a request by a government authority, law enforcement agency or similar body." WeChat did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

According to a report by Amnesty International, Tencent ranked at the bottom of 11 tech firms running the world's most popular messenger apps for how they use encryption to protect user privacy.

China's cyber watchdog in September announced a new rule making chat group administrators and companies accountable for breaches of content rules.

In the same month it handed down maximum penalties to tech firms including Tencent, Baidu Inc and Weibo Corp for failing to properly censor online content, and asked them to increase content auditing measures.A Burbank Unified teacher was arrested on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor this week after a former student came forward with allegations of an inappropriate sexual encounter, authorities say.

Sean Sigler, 53, has been accused by a 17-year-old girl of engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with her.

According to the Burbank Police Department, Sigler met the girl when she was a fifth-grade student at Gardner Street Elementary School when he was a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Sgt. Derek Green, a spokesman for the department, said the alleged incident occurred recently and there was no information to suggest that it occurred when the girl was in fifth grade or that it happened at a Burbank school. Also, the girl has never been enrolled in a school with in Burbank Unified.

We do know that these two have known each other for many years, but the extent and degree of that relationship is being investigated, Green said.

He added that, although the girl is not a Burbank Unified student, the incident is said to have occurred in the city of Burbank.

Sigler, a Burbank resident, worked for Los Angeles Unified from March 1998 to June 2016. Since 2016, he has been employed as a fifth-grade teacher at Bret Harte Elementary in Burbank.

Matt Hill, superintendent for Burbank Unified, said in a statement the district takes the allegations against Sigler seriously and has placed him on leave. The district is currently on winter break until Monday.

We will cooperate fully with the police investigation and will also conduct our own internal investigation into this matter, he said.

Sigler was placed under arrest by detectives on Tuesday and posted $100,000 bail on Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments website. He is scheduled to appear at the Burbank Courthouse for a hearing on Jan. 25.

Green said Sigler could face additional charges with special enhancements based on the victims age pending further review by the Los Angeles County district attorneys office.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc

UPDATES:

Jan. 5, 4:00 p.m.: This article was updated with information on Siglers court date and bail.

This article was originally published on Jan. 3 at 11:10 a.m.A Huntington Beach police officer who shot and killed a 27-year-old man during a scuffle outside a 7-Eleven store in September will not face criminal charges, the Orange County district attorneys office announced Wednesday.

According to Assistant District Atty. Ebrahim Baytieh, the office determined that Officer Eric Esparza was legally justified when he shot Dillan Tabares, a homeless Navy veteran who had been paroled from state prison eight days earlier. The Sept. 22 shooting was captured on bystanders videos that were widely circulated on social media.

It is clear in this case, based on the totality of all the available evidence, Officer Esparza was justified in believing Tabares posed a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to Officer Esparza and possibly other civilians in the parking lot, Baytieh wrote in a letter to Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

This conclusion is based on all of the circumstances, particularly the conduct of Tabares leading up to the shooting, Baytieh added.

In October, roughly a month after the shooting, Huntington Beach police named Tabares as the suspect in the fatal beating of Richard Darland, 80, who was found outside his home in the 7800 block of Ellis Avenue on Sept. 19, three days before Tabares was shot.

Esparza was in his patrol car in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven store at 6012 Edinger Ave. at about 9:30 a.m. Sept. 22 when he parked and approached Tabares. Esparza told Tabares to stop, but he walked away, according to the D.A.s letter.

Its not clear what prompted Esparza to stop Tabares. The officer, who has been with the Huntington Beach Police Department for three years, declined to provide a statement to the Sheriffs Department, which investigated the case, or to the district attorneys office. His current assignment in the department is not clear.

However, Esparza told another officer at the scene that Tabares was trying to grab his gun from his utility belt during the ensuing scuffle, according to footage from Esparzas body camera that was made public Wednesday.

Warning: The following video contains graphic content.

A registered nurse who witnessed the altercation told investigators that Tabares looked out of it and she thought he might be under the influence of a drug, according to the D.A.s letter. She told investigators that she heard Tabares shouting at the officer and then saw him walk directly at Esparza and swing at him, according to the letter.

As Tabares approached Esparza, the officer used his Taser, but it was not effective, authorities said.

A video taken just before the shooting and later posted on social media shows Tabares and the officer struggling on the ground next to a parked car. Tabares appears to pull an item off the officers utility belt.

Baytieh said the item was the officers flashlight. Tabares DNA was found on the officers flashlight holder, magazine holder and the grip of his Glock pistol, according to an analysis by the Orange County Crime Lab.

Body camera footage and another video show Esparza firing six shots, causing Tabares to convulse and stumble. After a seventh shot, Tabares collapsed on his side against the store.

Tabares was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he was pronounced dead at 10:13 a.m.

Tabares family said he had drug and mental health issues. The D.A.s letter states that an analysis of his blood showed the presence of ethanol and methamphetamine.

The confrontation with Esparza wasnt Tabares first run-in with Huntington Beach police. Officers had arrested him 12 times since 2014, Police Chief Robert Handy has said.

From 2014 to 2016, Tabares was in and out of Orange County jails for misdemeanor convictions including disturbing the peace, carrying a dirk or dagger, possession of an opium pipe and resisting arrest, according to Orange County Superior Court records.

In May 2016, he pleaded guilty to a felony count of battery with serious bodily injury. He was initially sentenced to jail time and three years probation, court records show.

Twice in 2016 he was found to have violated his probation and was sentenced to additional jail time, records show.

In March 2017, Tabares was arrested for violating probation a third time, and a Superior Court judge sentenced him to two years in state prison. However, with time served and other credits, he served about six months in Wasco and Centinela state prisons, according to court and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records.

On Sept. 20, Tabares was considered to be eluding supervision, according to Department of Corrections records.

Police connected Tabares to Darlands slaying after they found his name in Darlands phone and saw him in surveillance footage. They said they had not connected him to the homicide by the time Tabares was shot.

Detectives asked the county crime lab to analyze Tabares clothing that was kept as evidence in the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

A crime lab examiner found blood on Tabares pants that matched Darlands DNA, according to the D.A.s office.

Handy said Tabares first met Darland in 2013 when Darland began helping him. He provided Tabares with food and transportation and allowed him to use his computer and to shower in his house. He also let Tabares sleep outside the house.

Tabares shooting was the seventh and last involving a police officer in Huntington Beach in 2017  a total that exceeded any other year this decade, according to department archives. It was the years second such shooting in which a person was killed.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCNAs 2018 begins, these are some of the stories that will likely be developing during the new year:

City of Glendale awaits result of appeal in $57-million lawsuit

The city of Glendale will learn the result of its appeal of a ruling by an L.A. Superior Court judge last year that said the city was involved in an illegal energy-rate increase.

According to the ruling, the city of Glendale must pay back nearly $57 million to residents for violating state law when it issued an energy rate hike in 2013 as well as return $1.7 million in illegally transferred funds from Glendale Water & Powers waterworks fund to the citys coffers.

Judge James Chalfant previously stated that Glendale had violated its charter when it transferred $85 million from the electric revenue fund to the citys General Fund during fiscal years 2010-14.

As a result, the electric rate increase in 2013  which included the General Fund transfers as an operating cost  was ruled in violation of Proposition 26 because the transfer was not related to the cost of providing electric service and required approval by voters.

The lawsuit was filed by the Glendale Coalition for Better Government in 2013.

City officials are currently engaged in briefings with the courts, said city spokesman Tom Lorenz.

Rent control in Glendale

Last year, the city of Glendale saw a formal push for rent control for its residents when a group of tenants organized the Glendale Tenants Union.

The group collected more than 11,000 signatures in support of a rent stabilization ordinance in Glendale, but a number of filing errors deemed the effort invalid because of compliance issues with state election codes.

Despite the administrative setback, union organizer Mike Van Gorder said in October that the rookie mistakes were a mere bump in the road, and the group will continue to campaign for rent control in Glendale.

Were not taking this as a loss, he said. We got more signatures than any one City Council member got votes in the last election. Well work on fixing where we failed and try again.

Search for permanent City Manager

A permanent choice for the Glendale city manager position has yet to be named, but the City Council is expected to decide how to fill the position this year.

Yasmin Beers, Glendales assistant city manager, was selected to act as interim city manager in November and replaced departing Scott Ochoa, who announced his resignation in 2017 to become city manager of the city of Ontario.

Earlier, Beers was selected as interim city manager in November 2011 after Jim Starbird retired, but it was already known then that Ochoa would become the replacement only a few months later.

The city is currently accepting applications for the position, with a Jan. 12 deadline.

Utility plans upgrade to aging power plant in the midst local dissent

Almost three years ago, the Glendale City Council directed Glendale Water & Power officials to draft plans to renovate the more than 80-year-old Grayson Power Plant.

The ongoing plant renovation is designed to update the facility into a more reliable and sustainable one, with plans to remove, rebuild and replace seven of its eight electrical-generation units. If left as is, utility officials previously said they expect the old units to fail within the next decade.

However, after a formal proposal and draft environmental impact report, utility officials, residents and city officials all seem to be at an impasse about the future of the facility over cost concerns and renewable alternatives.

Councilman Zareh Sinanyan requested last month that the City Council place an item on its Jan. 23 meeting agenda that would ask city staff to prepare a comprehensive report on repowering alternatives at Grayson.

Sagebrush transfer may go through this year

Four years after citizens renewed a decades-long effort to transfer the Sagebrush area of La Canada Flintridge into the La Canada Unified School District, the area could be stripped from Glendale Unifieds jurisdiction following a decision last May by the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization.

The committee voted to give preliminary approval to a petition to transfer the territory into La Canada Unifieds boundaries during an hours-long meeting at the Los Angeles County Office of Education in Downey.

Following the committees approval to transfer the Sagebrush territory, the proposal is now undergoing a California Environmental Quality Act study to determine the environmental impacts of the transfer, which could be completed sometime this year.

If the environmental findings favor a transfer, the matter would go to local voters to decide.Volcanic eruptions are spectacular, to be sure, but they can be dangerous. Thats why January is Volcano Awareness Month on Hawaii Island, home of Kilauea, from which lava continues to flow.

Local public safety officials and the U.S. Geological Survey are offering several presentations geared to locals and tourists.

Four free programs will be held on consecutive Tuesdays at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the hyperactive Kilauea. All begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the parks Kilauea Visitor Center.

Wednesday marks the 35th anniversary of the ongoing East Rift Zone eruption. Since 1983, the flow of lava has buried about 55 square miles on the volcanos south flank.

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Nearly 200 homes, a National Park Service visitor center and 700-year-old place of worship have been destroyed, according to the Hawaii Center for Volcanology.

Hardened black lava  35 feet deep in some spots  covers nearly nine miles of a coastal highway.

But lava was not, as of Tuesday, flowing into the ocean, according to the park service. Many visitors gather at sunset to watch the hot lava splash into the ocean, sending up clouds of steam.

The schedule of presentations

The roiling lava beneath the Earths surface sends super-heated steam skyward through vents that can be seen in various parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (National Park Service )

On Jan. 9, geologist Carolyn Parcheta will discuss the eruptions long history. She will explore not only the early years of the rift but also the last years ongoing flow of red-hot lava into the ocean, which has expanded the size of the island and exposed some park visitors to danger.

On Jan. 16, attendees can view images of Kilaueas fury at a screening of a USGS video featuring the volcano and the lava lake within it. After the documentary, geologist Matt Patrick, who is featured in the video, will lead a question-and-answer session.

The Jan. 23 presentation will focus on the lava lake at Kilaueas summit. (Legend has it that its a collection of tears, hair and ash from Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire.) Don Swanson will discuss significant scientific discoveries he and his fellow geologists have made while studying the lava lake.

On Jan. 30, guests can learn how to turn the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (formerly known as the Saddle Road) into an outdoor classroom. The highway crosses between the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, and you can explore various volcanic features if you know where to look. Geologist Rick Hazlett will help interpret the scenery along the road.

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Info: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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Hawaii as youve never seen it before: a spectacular of a time-lapse of the lava flow from Kilauea Volcano

The Hawaiian snack li hing mui is everywhere, even margaritas and malasadas

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How to save big on Hawaii Island

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelA Canadian man recently freed with his American wife and children after years of being held hostage in Afghanistan has been arrested and faces at least a dozen charges, including sexual assault, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Attorney Eric Granger said Joshua Boyle also faces assault and forcible confinement charges.

Boyle, his wife, Caitlan, and their three children were rescued last year in Pakistan, five years after the couple were abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group while on a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan. The children were born in captivity.

A hearing on the case was scheduled for Wednesday in Ottawa, but the lawyer said Boyle would not attend in person. He said Boyle was in custody.

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Ottawa police declined to comment. Granger said he had not seen the court documents yet.

Mr. Boyle is presumed innocent. Hes never been in trouble before. No evidence has been provided yet, which is typical at this early stage. We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges, Granger said in an email.

A publication ban bars reporting of any information that could identify the alleged victims or witnesses in the case.

In a statement to the Toronto Star, Boyles wife wrote, I cant speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.

Obviously, he is responsible for his own actions, she added, but it is with compassion and forgiveness that I say I hope help and healing can be found for him. As to the rest of us, myself and the children, we are healthy and holding up as well as we can.

The family met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the leaders office last month.

Boyle told the Associated Press in October that his wife had been hospitalized in Ottawa, but did not specify why she was taken to the hospital.

My wife has been through hell, and she has to be my first priority right now, Boyle wrote then.

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Boyle also told AP that he and his wife decided to have children even in captivity because they always planned to have a big family, thinking: Hey, lets make the best of this and at least go home with a larger start on our dream family.

Were sitting as hostages with a lot of time on our hands, Boyle added. We always wanted as many as possible, and we didnt want to waste time. Caits in her 30s, the clock is ticking.

Boyle said then that their three children were 4, 2 and somewhere around 6 months.

Honestly weve always planned to have a family of 5, 10, 12 children ... Were Irish, haha, he wrote in an email in October.

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The parents of Caitlan Boyle, who is from Stewartstown, Pa., said after the rescue that they were elated she had been freed, but they also expressed anger at their son-in-law for taking their pregnant daughter to Afghanistan.

Pakistani troops rescued the family in an operation Oct. 11 targeting their captors from the Taliban-linked Haqqani group.

The Pakistanis caught the Haqqani fighters at some point after they had moved with their captives across the border from Afghanistan. Pakistans Foreign Ministry said the operation was based on a tip from U.S. intelligence.

Boyle had been briefly married to Zaynab Khadr, the older sister of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr and the daughter of a senior Al Qaeda financier who had contacts with Osama bin Laden.

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The Canadian-born Omar Khadr was 15 when he was captured by U.S. troops after a firefight and was taken to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Officials had discounted any link between that background and Boyles capture, with one describing it in 2014 as a horrible coincidence.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday as the rivals explored the possibility of sitting down and talking after months of acrimony and fears of war.

The sudden signs of easing animosity, however, came as President Trump threatened Kim with nuclear war in response to his threat earlier this week.

In his New Years address Monday, Kim said he was willing to send a delegation to next months Winter Olympics in South Korea. But he also said he has a nuclear button on his desk and that all U.S. territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons, comments Trump latched onto Tuesday when he boasted of a bigger and more powerful nuclear button than Kims.

The recent softening of contact between the rival Koreas may show a shared interest in improved ties, but theres no guarantee tensions will ease. There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, but even when they do meet, the efforts often end in recriminations and stalemate.

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Outside critics say Kim may be trying to use better ties with South Korea as a way to weaken the alliance between Washington and Seoul as the North grapples with toughened international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs.

Kims latest announcement, which was read by a senior Pyongyang official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on the Olympics and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, cited Kim as welcoming South Koreas overture and ordering officials to reopen a communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom. Ri also quoted Kim as ordering officials to promptly take substantial measures with South Korea out of a sincere stand and honest attitude, according to the Norths state TV and news agency.

South Korea quickly welcomed Kims decision and later confirmed that the two Koreas began preliminary contacts on the channel. During their 20-minute communication, liaison officials of the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communication lines to make sure they were working, according to Seouls Unification Ministry.According to the Bible, the first siege of Jerusalem occurred in the year 587 BC, when the city and its temple were destroyed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II.

In the 2,605 intervening years, virtually every empire and every great leader has desired to have Jerusalem, or, at least, to leave his mark upon the city.

Consider this: In August of the year 70, the Roman army under Titus command devastated the Judean rebel soldiers holding the city, leading to the Roman sack of Jerusalem and the ruin of the second temple.

Almost 2,000 years later, one can enjoy a gelato in the shade of Romes Arch of Titus, still standing in commemoration of his triumph.

President Trumps Dec. 7 announcement, that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and move its embassy here, broke a 70-year diplomatic precedent, kept a campaign promise and provoked worldwide outrage.

In a video, an exultant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked Trump for his historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. And on Monday, the Knesset, Israels parliament, emboldened by Trumps move, passed a bill requiring that a two-thirds majority of Knesset members vote before any part of the city can be relinquished in any possible peace agreement.

The legislation prompted a harsh and immediate response from senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi, who referred to Israel as a belligerent occupier and said the law severely changes the status of Jerusalem and creates and illegal and extrajudicial Israeli and Jewish exclusivity over all of Jerusalem.

In a final twist, Trump on Tuesday implied that he had done the parties a favor with his declaration on Israels capital. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, he tweeted.

He also complained that the U.S. gets no appreciation or respect for the hundred[s] of millions of dollars a year it allocates to the Palestinians, and concluded with a question: With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

So what is the status of Jerusalem?

The answer depends on whom you ask.

Ask the United Nations: It will tell you that Jerusalem is a corpus separatum (Latin for separate body.) The term is what remains of a plan never put into place, the U.N.s 1947 Partition Plan for Palestine, under which Jerusalem, following the withdrawal of the British Empire, would be governed by an international, extra-territorial authority. While Jerusalem has been governed by many powers (forget Israel, what about the Kingdom of Babylon or the Ottoman Empire?) it has never been ruled by consortium.

Ask the Palestinians: They will say it is an occupied city. The Palestinian Authority claims East Jerusalem for the capital of a future state of Palestine. Having never been implemented, , it is unclear if the concept of corpus separatum has any legal standing, but in her statement, Ashrawi, a lawyer, chose to revive the term.

Ask the Israelis: They say Jerusalem is their capital, plain and simple. Israel won the western half of Jerusalem in 1948, when an alliance of Arab states refused to accept the partition plan that created the nation of Israel. Israel took East Jerusalem from Jordan when it defeated a coalition of Arab armies in 1967. Then in 1980, to universal censure, Israel officially annexed all of Jerusalem to its territory.

Who really wants Trump to recognize Jerusalem? His evangelical supporters at home 

With or without international recognition, Jerusalem has functioned as Israels de facto capital since 1949, and all state offices are located here, most of them in West Jerusalem. The international community keeps its embassies on politically neutral territory in coastal Tel Aviv, but nonetheless conducts all its official business with Israel in Jerusalem, necessitating a perpetual commute for diplomats assigned to Israel.

So most countries do not recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, but operate as if it were the capital?

Basically, yes. On Saturday, for example, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, the foreign minister of Norway, a country that does not formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the city and keeps its embassy in Tel Aviv, will arrive in Jerusalem for a three-day state visit.

Most countries implicitly hold that Israel should retain sovereignty over West Jerusalem if and when a separate Palestinian nation is created, and that a future state of Palestine should have its capital in East Jerusalem. This has been until now the official position of the United States. Yet most countries maintain their missions to the Palestinian Authority not in East Jerusalem but in Ramallah, the Palestinians headquarters in the West Bank. But no one likes to talk about it.

Following Trumps proclamation in December, European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini reiterated that the EUs position continues to be that Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel and Palestine in the framework of a future two-state solution.

The EU keeps its embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv and its mission to the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem.

What?

Yes. Nine countries have consulates or delegations in Jerusalem, functioning as representative offices to the Palestinians. Some, including the American Consulate, are located in West Jerusalem. With the others in Ramallah. And embassies in Tel Aviv.

If you think that makes no sense, welcome to the Middle East.

Does any country other than the United States recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital?

That depends on what recognition you recognize.

Most Latin American countries kept their embassies in Jerusalem until around 1980, when the U.N. voted to condemn Israel for annexing the city. Last week, when revealing that Guatemala planned to follow Trumps lead, its foreign minister, Sandra Jovel, said shed be returning to Jerusalem because we are friends and historical allies with Israel.

The Czech Republic voiced a similar point of view, with President Milos Zeman regretfully saying that had he moved fast enough to recognize Jerusalem as the capital, We would have been the first to do so.

At a Dec. 21 vote at the U.N., Russia voted with most of the world to censure Trumps recognition of Jerusalem. Only eight months earlier, in April, Russia had declared that it views West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (with East Jerusalem to be negotiated as the capital of a future Palestinian state.) Moscows embassy remains in Tel Aviv.

But how much of this is new?

The United States recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital and called for Jerusalem to remain an undivided city under the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act. The law contained an escape hatch: Any president could declare that national security compelled the United States to keep the embassy in Tel Aviv. The waiver, as the declaration is called, has to be renewed by presidential signature every six months, and twice a year, ever since, it has been renewed.

Last month, as he made his dramatic announcement, Trump signed the waiver for the second time.

He did? So what does Trumps decision change?

For now, no one knows. The big presidential announcement coupled with no measurable change in the city has for now created a reality in which world leaders are loudly sparring over their positions (if you wonder why, ask Titus) whereas average Jerusalem residents already feel pretty sure they know what country they live in.

Does the new Israeli law passed this week change anything?

Good question! Right-wing Israeli legislators spent Tuesday congratulating themselves over the laws passage, but like their American counterparts 23 years ago, they carefully wrote a dodge into the law. As explained by Jerusalem Post analyst Lahav Harkov, the bill creates a loophole that would still allow for future Palestinian control of parts of the city.

So what is it about Jerusalem?

It is a breathtaking hilltop city overlooking the Judean desert. On a clear day one can see across the Dead Sea through to the russet Moab mountains of Jordan. It boasts some of the worlds top high-tech incubators, a thriving bar scene, some of the holiest sites of three major world religions and human civilization reaching back some 5,000 years. It doesnt take a latter-day emperor to hold it dear.

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Trump says U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as capital of Israel, upending U.S. policy and sparking protests

Who really wants Trump to recognize Jerusalem? His evangelical supporters at homeHis aides have singled out the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia as the culprits.

On his official website, Khamenei wrote, "In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create troubles for the Islamic Republic."

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused foreign enemies Tuesday of fomenting the demonstrations, which have seen police stations and the offices of Friday prayer leaders attacked. The building of the Justice Ministry was set on fire in the town of Karaj, and in Arak, the governor's office was occupied.

Iran's leaders appear to be divided about the reasons behind the anti-government protests roiling the country, who the demonstrators are and how to curtail the unrest -- the most significant challenge to Iran's clerical leadership since 2009, when authorities resorted to a nationwide crackdown to crush the pro-democracy "green movement."

Other senior Iranian officials, however, have downplayed the alleged role of foreign powers in the protests that began in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, and quickly spread. On Saturday, the protests reached the capital, Tehran, which saw clashes between protesters and riot police around the main university.

Reformist President Hassan Rouhani has identified economic despair as the underpinning of the unrest. "We have no bigger challenge than unemployment. Our economy requires major corrective surgery," Rouhani acknowledged Monday.

Deputy Interior Minister Hossein Zolfaghari noted Tuesday that 90 percent of the more than 450 protesters arrested so far were under the age of 25, and he indicated they were expressing frustration about economic woes. Silent at first on the unrest, the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting has followed the reformists' explanation for the burgeoning trouble, citing economic problems as the root cause of the confrontations that are turning increasingly deadly.

Hardliners who want to launch the kind of security crackdown that crushed the 2009 unrest dismiss the reformist line.

"If people came into the streets over high prices, they should not have chanted those [anti-government] slogans and burned public property and cars," Gen. Esmail Kowsari told a state-owned media outlet Sunday.

Kowsari is a conservative politician and currently the deputy chief of an Islamic Revolutionary Guards unit responsible for maintaining security in Tehran. So far, the government has not heeded his warnings about using an "iron fist" to crush the protesters.

The latest unrest, which is on a smaller scale than that of 2009, say analysts, is being dealt with more cautiously, with authorities instead containing protests locally as they occur, without the mass deployment of Revolutionary Guards units.

Zolfaghari predicted Tuesday the protests would be short-lived, saying security forces "decisively countered the saboteurs" who resorted to violence. "In most parts of the country, the situation is now normal and the unrest that took place in certain areas will soon end with the people's cooperation and the efforts of security forces," Zolfaghari saidAccording to Asia-Pacific shipping records, it belongs to a company based in Dalian, China. Data from vessel-tracking service FleetMon shows that the oil tanker Lighthouse Winmore, which was seized after docking in Yeosu in November, was registered in the Marshall Islands.

Once it started flying the Panamanian flag around June, the Koti's operating range shifted from Indonesia and Singapore to the Korean Peninsula.

The oil tanker Koti, seized in Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port last month for handing over oil to North Korean ships, was a Panamanian flag vessel but had been registered in Malaysia until the first half of last year.

Chinese shipping firms are evading sanctions against North Korea registering ships in third countries. Ships owned by Chinese firms that were seized in Yeosu and Pyeongtaek ports late last year for violating UN Security Council sanctions had all been registered in third countries.

The situation is similar for six other ships that have been caught by the U.S. for violating the sanctions.

The Kai Xiang, which actually belongs to a company in China's Shandong Province, had been registered in Panama until the U.S. turned to the UN last month to stop it and now sails under the flag of Sierra Leone. It seems the ship is avoiding being blacklisted by the UN and continues to sail under changing names with Chinese protection.

The Yu Yuan, another ship nabbed by U.S. intelligence after exporting North Korean coal to Russia last August, is registered in Togo but was registered in Cambodia until the first half of last year. And the Orient Shenyu changed flags twice over the last two years, switching from Fiji to Sierra Leone and Panama.

The Xin Sheng Hai, which the U.S. also suspects of violating sanctions, was registered in South Korea until the first half of last year, but since a Chinese shipping company bought it in June it has been flying the flag of Belize. These ships regularly enter South Korean ports after changing their flags, especially Yeosu port, which is a hub for oil tankers.

Since being registered in Panama, the Koti docked frequently in South Korean ports. From August to December last year, it docked in Yeosu port six times and three times in Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port. On eight of those trips it was to be loaded with oil cargo. Billions No. 18, another ship blacklisted by the UN, docked in Yeosu 27 times last year alone.

It is unclear whether the ships violate UN sanctions each time they dock in Yeosu. But the Lighthouse Winmore, which was seized at Yeosu, had been captured on camera supplying oil to a North Korean ship called Samjong No. 2 on the high seas after being loaded with oil in Yeosu. The other two oil tankers may have engaged in the same illegal activities.

The Shinsung High, which was once registered in South Korea, was bought by a Chinese shipping company and began sailing under the flag of Belize during the second half of 2017. Since then, it has docked in Incheon, Yeocheon, Busan and Pohang.

A Foreign Ministry official said, "Ships that want to trade with North Korea in defiance of UN sanctions may be using South Korean ports. We continue to monitor such activities."

Mercedes-Benz C-Class getting major engine overhaul this year?

Jan 3, 2018, 5:39am ET

New engines and 48-volt systems are on the docket.

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to give the C-Class a mid-cycle update. The visual changes will be minor, as they always have been, but the modifications under the sheet metal will be much more significant.

In America, the C-Class line-up will start with a brand-new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, according to sources who spoke to British magazine Autocar. In some applications, it will be part of a 48-volt electrical system that will provide a small power boost and help the C burn less gasoline.

The gasoline-electric C350e will carry on with a bigger electric motor programmed to provide more power. It will also boast faster charging hardware, and its lithium-ion battery pack will provide up to 31 miles of electric-only driving. That's on the wildly optimistic European testing cycle; the U.S.-spec model's figure will undoubtedly be much lower.

Interestingly, the mid-range C43 won't get Mercedes' new 3.0-liter straight-six engine. It will instead carry on with an evolution of the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that powers today's model. At the top end of the line-up, the C63 will get a tweaked version of AMG's ubiquitous twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8.

All engines will shift through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive will come standard, and Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system will be offered at an extra cost on select models.

Buyers in Europe will have access to several diesel-powered models, including a diesel-electric variant named C400d EQ Power. None of them will be sold in the United States, however.

Autocar's sources suggested the sedan and wagon variants of the 2019 Mercedes C-Class will make their debut in March at the Geneva Auto Show. The German firm will wait until the New York Show to unveil the coupe and convertible variants.

Note: Euro-spec 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 BlueTec Hybrid pictured. Photos by Ronan Glon.The Lee County Department of Transportation will host a public meeting on the Littleton Road/Kismet Parkway Realignment Study from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Northside Baptist Church Worship Center, 8250 Littleton Road, North Fort Myers.

Lee County, in conjunction with the City of Cape Coral, is developing and evaluating alternative realignments for Kismet Parkway and Littleton Road at N.E. 24th Avenue. Littleton Road and N.E. 24th Avenue are on the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organizations 2040 Cost Feasible Road and Highway Projects Long Range Transportation plan to be widened to four lanes. The study includes evaluation of alternative intersection configurations at the N.E. 24th Avenue and Corbett Road intersections. A preferred realignment concept will be determined based on engineering analysis, traffic operations/safety, cost, environmental considerations and public involvement. The study is expected to be complete in summer 2018.

The meeting is an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the status of the study. The workshop is an open house format, and the public is welcome to come at any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Lee County DOT staff will be available to answer questions about the study.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs, or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Joan LaGuardia, (239) 533-2314, Florida Relay Service 711, or jlaguardia@leegov.com. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requestor. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.

Members of the public with questions about the project or scheduled public workshop can contact Lee County DOT Project Manager Vince Miller at (239) 533-8577 or vmiller@leegov.com.

Source: Lee CountyThe victim in Allentown's New Year's Day homicide has been identified as a 23-year-old Bethlehem man, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office said Wednesday.

Kenyatta Eutsey, of Bethlehem in Northampton County, was one of two male victims shot about 12:40 a.m. Monday at a home in the 1100 block of West Tuner Street, authorities said.

He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, and pronounced dead at 1:06 a.m. Monday.

The cause of death was multiple gunshots to the body, and the death was ruled a homicide, Coroner Scott Grim said Wednesday.

The second victim was hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities have not identified him, and police could not immediately be reached Wednesday for an update on his condition.

Eutsey was listed as living in Easton in a traffic citation issued last July for an expired parking meter in Bethlehem, court records show. Previously, he lived in Union, New Jersey, according to an online database search.

Police had no one immediately in custody in the shooting, but asked anyone with information to call investigators at 610-437-7721.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Police are looking for two armed robbery suspects Wednesday morning who fled a Forks Township shopping center in a stolen maroon minivan.

Township police were called for the reported robbery at 10:12 a.m. in the Park Plaza shopping center at 1800 Sullivan Trial, a 911 shift supervisor said.

Police Detective Mike Friel said the target was a van with medical supplies and medication making a delivery to the Neighborhood Pharmacy.

Two white men in ski masks, one of whom was carrying a silver handgun, stole the maroon van with a gray front, Friel said.

Police said the pair headed north on Sullivan Trail in the van, with the Pennsylvania license plate KHX-9890.

The abandoned van was found running at Zucksville and Mitman roads, Friel said. It was being processed Wednesday afternoon by township police.

An employee who answered the phone at gymtiME, which is a few doors down from the pharmacy, said the incident occurred in the shopping center parking lot.

The fitness center locked the doors, and everyone was OK, the woman said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.UPDATE: 2 charged in shooting over hacking attempt, police say

Pennsylvania State Police asked Wednesday for the public's help in locating the suspect in an attempted homicide Tuesday night in Monroe County.

Aquiles Conde-Shenery (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Aquiles Conde-Shenery, 32, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, allegedly shot a Chestnuthill Township resident with a .22-caliber rifle following a brief verbal dispute, state police at Fern Ridge said.

It occurred shortly before 6:45 p.m. outside the home of the victim, 39-year-old Harry Read, at 1411 Donalds Road, according to police.

"After a brief exchange, Read turned and started to walk towards his residence when he was shot in the mid-section by the accused," police said.

Read was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono in East Stroudsburg for treatment. The wound did not appear to be life-threatening, police said.

Conde-Shenery is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 220 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police asked anyone with information on Conde-Shenery's whereabouts to call investigators at 570-646-2271.

News Release regarding Monroe County attempted homicide. If you see this individual, do not approachcontact 911. pic.twitter.com/jUVCcXiO6s  Trooper Petroski (@PSPTroopNPIO) January 3, 2018

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.As citizens of the State we are entitled to timely accessilble, equitable care that is nationally consistent with other parts of the country.

- Dr Michelle Byrne, Laois GP at the Light for Lives anti-downgrade protest in Portlaoise.

I am speaking here to Minister Harris on behalf of every parent and every child who is ever going to need Portlaoise hospital, and who might never have need to us it, but you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Keep your hands off our hospital.

Cliona O'Connell speaking at the Portlaoise hospital protest.

On that night in 1976, five men went out and only four came home. The lives of all those affected, the men and their families, were changed irrevocably by the bomb.

-Elma Peters from Portlaoise and daughter of Tom & Betty speaking after her dad received a Scott Medal for bravery in Templemore.

We are all over the moon to have received the Scott Medal for bravery after 41 years. I want to say here and now that the Scott medal is very important to us and the family of the late Garda Michael Clerkin.

-Sgt Jim Cannon on receiving his Scott Medal

When you are next to homeless and you are offered emergency accomodation, a a hotel is second heaven. We are in a dry room, we have our showers, our breakfast and we ar out the door. It may not be home but it is better than a tent.

-Donal Keenan, Mountmellick whose family was left homeless by the floods in November.

When I arrived in Ireland I was placed into a foster family in Portlaoise together with my young brother. We feel at home here also the fact that we have been in school here and made friends. There is a very good community here.

Serge Kanyamuhanga who was reuinited with his father in December after five years apart.

The Department allows Boards of Management to make that call (school closures due to weather), except in the case of a Status Red alert like Ophelia.

- Enda Hickey, Principal of the Holy Family, Junior School, Portlaoise when snow blanketed Laois in December.

Ye really neeed to rethink this. How safe are things fror those children in teh schoolyard in the morning.

Cecilia Thomas on facebook in response to schools opening in the snow.Saturday night December 2, 2017 will be remembered for many years in Laois.

On the night thousands of people answered the call of the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee to march for their hospital.

Over the years people in Laois and other counties have always stood by the hospital.

But the turnout for the Light for Lives rally was unprecedented.

Our Lives Matter, Hands off our Hospital, Equality Equity Fairness, were the messages on the placards carried by many in the huge crowd that descended on the town centre.

Men and women of all ages and children marched to the town's lower Square to make sure Laois politicians got the clear message that the fight for the hospital has to be won.

Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee Chairman welcomed Minister Charlie Flanagan, Brian Stanley and Sean Fleming to the podium but he had a stark warning.

We are not going to take this lying down. Woebetide on them if our A&E is closed,he said to huge applause.

The month ended with the Minister for Heatlth direction that there should be consultation with the public and local doctors on the hospital's future.

A skirmish was won but the battle for service retention at Portlaoise will be long and hard.

In other December news, Laois was covered with a blanket of snow that hit the county during a seasonally cold snap.

The county was brought to a stanstill as Met Eireann warned warned of hazardous and treacherous driving conditions.

There was consternation among parents on social media at the refusal of many schools to close.

The Deparment of Education leaves the decision to boards of management.

There was high absentee rates is schools that did open and bus services did not run until a thaw made roads safe.

Meanwhile, the sacraficemade by five Laois Offaly Divsion Gardai was honoured in December.

Tom Peters, Jim Cannon, Ben Thornton, Gerry Bohan, and the family late Michael Clerkin were presented with Gold Scott medals by Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charliel Flanagan in Templemore.

The gardai were honoured four decades after they were blown up in an IRA bomb near Portarlington.

Garda Clerkin was killed instantly while the other men suffered serious injuries.

It is a wonderful day. It will help alot and was really and truly worth waiting for, said Ben Thornton.The sense of deja vu is overwhelming but disappointing, nonetheless.

On Tuesday, 656 of our most vulnerable citizens are being boarded on trolleys, the majority of whom are being warehoused for prolonged periods of time in noisy, bright, busy, packed Emergency Departments (EDs) around the country.

We are also seeing children who need a hospital bed being held overnight in EDs; a new and worrying trend that is not captured in any of the official figures.

This is not just a problem today; this situation has been very challenging all through the Christmas and New Year period.

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine is gravely concerned but not surprised at what has transpired. This was always going to be how 2018 started in our EDs. Everyone, from the Minister for Health to the clinician at the frontline knew it, yet little of substance was done by the DoH & the HSE to address it.

TROLLEY COUNT SHOOTS UP IN PORTLAOISE & TULLAMORE

The Health Service is quite simply over-stretched with the ED the part of our acute system that never says no and therefore the place that patients come up against access block, the inability to access an acute hospital bed.

All parts of the system are overstretched; Emergency Medicine, General Practice, the National Ambulance Service, Acute Medicine, Acute Paediatrics are all struggling. Non-urgent surgical care is being cancelled causing frustration for surgical colleagues who see their waiting lists extending and further misery for patients.

There are now large numbers of patients on trolleys throughout the twelve months of the year. EDs are operating all year round at 100% capacity with any increase in workload, such as the predictable flu season and the surge in respiratory admissions at this time of the year causing an even worse crisis.

Currently, there are waits to see a Triage nurse, long waits to see a doctor and for the 25-30% of ED patients that need admission, there are particularly long waits for a hospital bed. Although some may think otherwise, the reality is that patients awaiting a bed cannot be dealt with in Primary Care or diverted to other services.

No solutions seem to be in sight. HSE Plans are unambitious and token and are either not implemented or are too slow or too feeble to respond. The Acute Bed Capacity Review will tell us what we have already known for years, namely that we need many more beds.

In the longer term, investment in Primary Care may improve our nations health but this is currently little more than an aspiration. This winter and next need immediate solutions. Last year, we said we needed more beds. We said that in some hospitals modular ward units needed to be commissioned as a short term measure, pending longer term capital projects. We were told that modular builds would take months. We said start now then but it didnt happen. The number of delayed discharges needs to be reduced dramatically to free up beds.

Any extra beds created will need staff and the reality of persistently difficult working conditions is that we are haemorrhaging doctors, nurses and other staff involved in acute care.

ANNUAL FIGURES REVEAL TROLLEY CRISIS WORSENS AT DUBLIN MIDLAND HOSPITALS

We recognise that it is really tough being a patient in an ED currently. We are also aware just how difficult it is working in grossly crowded EDs at the moment. Our goal continues to be to attend to the sickest as soon as we can but we know that those that are less unwell will unfortunately wait longer.

As we experience another predictable crisis, it is long overdue that the national emergency declared in 2006 by the then Minister for Health, at a time far fewer were on trolleys, finally receives the attention it deserves. How many more have to die needlessly while inertia prevails?A Laois artist has carved a career for himself using the internet to share his art and his latest venture sees him create portraits using Nutella.

The household favourite chocolate spread is the latest material the 23-year-old Portarlington artist, Mike Gibson, has decided to paint portraits of well-known faces with.

Pushed by his huge online following to constantly create new and refreshing art, Mike recently reached for the Nutella jar.

Speaking to the Leinster Express, he said that the feedback has been fantastic.

Everyone knows Nutella, I wanted to use a brand that everyone knew and I just wanted to look into food art and I thought that people might find it interesting and they really did.

It is challenging definitely but I find it quite interesting using different mediums that I wouldn't normally use, different textures and that kind of thing, it is definitely interesting to work with something different, he said.

The Colaiste Iosagain past pupil now works for himself using Instagram as the interactive platform to share his art.

Instagram is a picture and video sharing social media platform where anyone can follow people and brands sharing content they are interested in.

Over 60,000 people follow Mike which gives his artwork a huge global platform.

Some of these people have seen his work shared by celebrities and then chosen to follow him, others he has built up over years by sharing his meticulously accurate portraits.

Mike now supports himself through the work that he is commissioned to do by individuals and brands all over the world - a position that artists worldwide aspire to. He also models with 1st Options Models.

While this is a lifestyle that many aspire to in the 21st century, it took endless hours of hard work and dedication to get to this point.

I started off from putting them up on Facebook just for friends and family to see and it took off from there and it became popular.

It was seen by Rihanna, she was the first big person to notice my work. Now I do a lot of stuff for brands, I model myself and I am able to use my Instagram as a career now.

It is really empowering to think that if you stick to something that you like doing and that you love that it can work out for you.

It was definitely a lot of hard work, a lot of hours of work went into a lot of pieces not all of it was something that happened overnight, some of it was some of it wasnt but it was a lot of hard work that went in behind all these pieces, it wasnt easy, Mike explained.

Most of Mikes work consists of realistic portraits which can take anywhere from 14 hours to weeks depending on the size.

One of his pieces that received the most attention was the evolution of eye makeup from the 1950s to now.

I did a piece last year it was called The Evolution of Eye Makeup, that really took off. It was the evolution of eye makeup from 1950s to now and that went pretty viral. Kim Kardashians makeup artist had it up on his page, Huda Beauty, there was loads of pages and it is still going itself.

It got nearly a combined one million likes from all the pages that had shared it so it done pretty well for me, he said.

With over 60,000 pairs of eyes on his work everyday just on his own Instagram page, Mike often turns to these followers for their input in his work.

A lot of the time they give me ideas. I do know that they are there and I have that foundation there that if I am stuck for an idea I can put a question out there or a poll and they can help me out with it so I am not always completely stuck. I like it because it encourages me more, he said.

Mike said that he never expected his career to work out this way - especially to reach this level of success at such a young age.

His plan for 2018 is to continue pushing himself on his creative journey.

I never expected all of this to come. I just take it as it comes and to be more and more creative every month and think up new ideas. This is definitely what I want to keep on doing.

Just stick to it, put it out there and make sure you have a good support around you and always be creative.

You do get some controversial feedback or constructive criticism but you just have to take it with a pinch of salt because it is a big world you are going to get some people who dont like what you do but you just have to continue doing it if you like it, he said.

From Rihanna to nutella - what will be next for this Laois artist with a global platform at his fingertips?

Read more: 'Extreme winds' and 'bitter cold' to follow Storm Eleanor which was as powerful as Ophelia.

Children forced to stay on trollies overnight in Emergency Departments claim doctors.Assaults and drug finds in the two prisons in Portlaoise are included in Laois crime figures, and a local councillor says this is unfair to Laois.

A repeated request has been made to the Department of Justice to stop including crime in Portlaoise prison campus with county crime figures in Laois, by Portlaoise Cllr Willie Aird.

With his motion heard at the December 2017 meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr Aird complained that it is unfair that the figures for crime and drugs finds in the prison are still lumped in with Laois crime statistics.

There would be a lot of incidents in the prison. It is the biggest in the country by a mile. It is unfair that they are all lumped in. It shows false figures for Portlaoise and Laois. They are listed as if they are happening in Laois, put on our record.

He believes that the figures could put off potential businesses from setting up in Laois.

The IDA and companies looking at Laois would check these, and we are shown to have the second highest rates for assault. I ask that because of the size of the prison, do publicise these figures but please do not include them in Laois, Cllr Aird said.

His motion asked Laois County Council to request that Minister for Justice & Equality Charlie Flanagan, to write to the Laois Offaly Chief Superintendent John Scanlon, to ensure that crimes that are associated with the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise are not reported as part of the crime list for Laois.

I have asked the council to write to the previous Minister for Justice but nothing has been done, he said.

Portlaoise jumps ahead of other Midlands towns in IBAL cleanest town survey

There are two prisons in the Portlaoise campus, the medium security Midlands Prison with 833 prisoners currently detained, and the high security Portlaoise prison with 231 men.

Bitterly cold weather on the way this weekend...A 'mass brawl' reportedly broke out in Midlands Prison during Christmas Day Mass.

The row was reported by national media to be between two rival gangs in the prison, while a priest was saying Mass.

The Irish Daily Star reported that two dangerous prison gangs - one of which is led by infamous tiger kidnapper Thomas Flynn - engaged in a mass brawl as a priest was in the middle of the annual Christmas day ceremony in the Midlands Prison chapel.

A prison officer was injured, and had to be taken to Portlaoise hospital A&E for treatment to his arm. It is understood the officer had soft tissue injuries but will make a full recovery.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service also confirmed to online newspaper Buzz.ie that the matter was dealt with quickly by professional staff.

There was an incident that occurred in the Midlands Prison on Christmas Day and staff intervened very quickly and brought it under swift control, the spokesperson said.

Prison crime 'lumped in' with Laois crime figures makes county look bad for business

The matter is now being dealt with by the governor under the disciplinary code, he said.

A source told the Irish Daily Star that tensions were high between the rival gangs beforehand.

It got out of hand very fast but the officers were straight in and did their best to break it up, the source said.

Flynn (23), originally of Moatview Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 17, is serving a 12-year sentence with three suspended for his role in a tiger kidnapping case in 2013.

Midlands Prison has 833 medium security male prisoners. The older Portlaoise Prison next door is a high security unit with 231 prisoners.People dumping TVs or trolleys in recently cleaned culverts is contributing to flooding woes in the Portlaoise area.

The news was revealed at the December meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District, in response to a motion proposed by Cllr Willie Aird.

Cllr Aird called on the council to give a report regarding areas affected by recent flooding so that alleviation works can be undertaken to prevent future damage in the Mountmellick Road area, especially at Harpurs Lane, Liogard, Rossvale and on the Mountrath Road area at the junction for Boughlone, Pallas and Coolnamona.

When you see something like this happening locally, you have to investigate and ask why is it happening, he said, adding that the main drainage in Portlaoise did help alleviate the problem a little bit.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Noel Tuohy said there was problem at Glendowns, too, which could cause a flash flood.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said there is a culvert at Harpurs Lane which causes problems when it gets blocked up and the pipes are too small to take the flow of water. The water came close to the houses recently and residents had to go out and lift open manhole covers.

The amount of rain that fell was exceptional, she said.

CLEAN GREEN PORTLAOISE CLIMBS LITTER LEAGUE

In response to the motion, Mr Wes Wilkinson, senior executive engineer, said that that the council is checking culverts weekly and cleaning them. However, in some places the council cleans the culvert and then shortly after they find that someone has dumped a trolley or television there.

Its a combination of things, sometimes things get caught in the grill, we will look at a better way of addressing it, he said.

In relation to the rainfall event experienced in late November, the majority of surface water issues in the Portlaoise Municipal District related to the areas on the north-west side of Portlaoise town (the Mountmellick Road area).

Drains, culverts and pipelines were cleared and jetted where required. The Portlaoise MD staff regularly monitor and maintain the inlet points to the major surface water culverts and surface water mains.

Mr Wilkinson said the council will be carrying out additional drain cleaning and jetting works in early 2018. Some survey works will also need to be carried out to understand the issues at certain locations.Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Dermot Pius Farrell, Parish Priest of Dunboyne and Kilbride in the Diocese of Meath, as the new Bishop of Ossory.

Monsignor Dermot Farrell was born in 1954 in the parish of Castletown-Geoghegan, County Westmeath. After completing the Leaving Certificate at Saint Finians College, Mullingar he commenced an eight year period of seminary formation at Saint Patricks College, Maynooth which included degrees in science and theology.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Meath by Bishop John McCormack in 1980. He was awarded a Licentiate in Theology at Maynooth in 1981 and he served for the next four years as a curate in Mullingar.

Monsignor Farrell completed a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University, Rome over a three year period and at the same time served as Dean of Studies at the Pontifical Irish College.

He returned to the Diocese of Meath in 1988 and was assigned to the Parish of Tullamore, in addition to his work as a part-time lecturer at Maynooth. He was appointed Vice President of Saint Patricks College, Maynooth in 1993 and President of the College in 1996. Having held that position for almost 11 years, he was appointed Parish Priest of Dunboyne in September 2007 and Vicar General of the Diocese of Meath in 2009.

The Diocese of Ossory consists of County Kilkenny and portions of counties Laois and Offaly. The Catholic population of Ossory is 84,729. There are 42 parishes in the diocese and 89 churches. There are 58 priests active in the diocese and 15 others. The patron saint of the Diocese of Ossory is Saint Kieran.

The retired bishops of Ossory are Bishop Laurence Forristal (September 2007) and Bishop Seamus Freeman SAC (due to ill health, July 2016).

Bishop Michael Smith welcomed the appointment.

"I warmly welcome the announcement today that Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Dermot Farrell, Vicar General and Parish Priest of Dunboyne, as Bishop of Ossory," he stated.

"Since his ordination in 1980, Monsignor Farrell has served the Diocese of Meath with exemplary dedication, pastoral zeal and an immense capacity for work. His ministry in the Cathedral parish of Mullingar, Tullamore and Dunboyne has been characterised by fidelity, energy and commitment.

"Following his arrival in Dunboyne and Kilbride as Parish Priest in 2007, Monsignor Farrell initiated new pastoral programmes and renewed the parish churches and schools in one of the largest and most rapidly developing parishes in the Diocese of Meath. He brought to the role of Vicar General his particular ability to discern calmly and clearly. He has been a great support to me personally and a well-respected brother to our priests.

"Monsignor Farrells comprehensive pastoral and administrative experience has prepared him well for Episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Ossory. He has already contributed significantly to the wider life of the Church in Ireland. During twenty years of involvement in Maynooth, he served first as a lecturer in Moral Theology, followed by a term as Vice-President and then eleven years as President.

"This coincided with considerable development on the Maynooth campus involving both the National University and the Pontifical University. In these responsibilities, Monsignor Farrell displayed competence and balanced judgment at a time when many challenging decisions had to be made. I have no doubt that the Episcopal Conference will benefit from his wisdom and insights.

"On behalf of the priests and people of the Diocese of Meath, I wish Monsignor Farrell every blessing as he prepares for his new role and I assure him of our prayers and support."Gardai are investigating an incident in which an explosive device was sent to a social worker in Portlaoise.

The incident happened in mid-November and the device was sent to the offices where the woman works in Portlaoise.

"It was a viable explosive device, it was not crude," a Garda source told the Leinster Express.

The device was sent in a box to the offices. The recipient did not initially examine it, but put it in the boot of her car and took it away. She returned to Carlow to collect her child after work, and took the child to a children's event in the town.

It was while the child was attending the event that the woman became suspicious about the contents of the box. The Gardai were called and subsequently the Army Bomb Disposal Unit were called in. They evacuated the area and destroyed the device in a controlled explosion.

Gardai in Portlaoise and Carlow are jointly investigating the incident and say they are pursuing several lines of enquiry.

It's believed the incident is related to the woman's work, but no suspects have been identified as yet.

Speculation that a Dublin criminal gang were involved has been discarded.

"This woman was the target at her workplace," a Garda source said. "This was a malicious and calculating act.

"We are looking at everything. The woman in question had not been threatened prior to this and she had not been subjected to any incidents before.

"She was doing the work of any social worker."

The investigation is ongoing and the Gardai hope to progress it soon.Anam Cara Tipperary, an organisation that supports bereaved parents, is hosting its first monthly meeting of 2018 on Monday 15th of January from 7.30pm-9:00pm in the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The meeting offers parents a safe and comfortable forum where they can connect with other bereaved parents who will understand the depth of their grief and loss.

A parent who attended a recent Anam Cara Tipperary meeting said: What I heard was so familiar to me, I felt less alone and understood.

Anam Cara CEO Sharon Vard stressed that this event is open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age of the child or children, the circumstances of their death, or whether this was recent or not.

For those considering attending but unsure, Vard suggests they visit the website, anamcara.ie.

There, in their own time, parents can watch our short videos with testimonies from bereaved parents and couples who have attended Anam Cara events. The videos, which are just four minutes each, show parents interviewed on topics like A Dads Grief, Sudden and Traumatic Death, and The Grieving Family.

Anam Cara services are offered free of charge, one of the fathers who attends the group urged bereaved parents to give it a try.

There is no pressure to talk, yet you feel supported by the other parents who know how desperately hard it is after your child has died. Like so many bereaved parents Anam Cara has been my lifeline.

For more information see anamcara.ie or ring their Information Line on 085 2888 888.

Read more: Trollies prove Portlaoise hospital needs upgrade not downgrade.

Mountmellick and Galway floods: Councils must be more prepared says Minister.Kildare town has lost out to Ennis as Irelands cleanest town coming in second in the 2017 Anti-Litter League by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

In the league of 40 towns and cities, Ennis edged out last years winner Kildare town and runner up Roscommon.

Kildare town was in the top three this morning and it was hoped it would manage to hold on to its hard won 2016 title as Irelands cleanest town for another year. However Kildare Tidy Towns say they are thrilled beyond words to be Ireland's second cleanest town for 2017 and they have sent their congratulations to the winners, Ennis.

Minister Denis Naughten announced Ennis as the winner at an awards function in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin earlier today.

The two runner-up towns including Kildare town will each receive a number of Emerald Queen Norway maple trees to enhance the local environment, courtesy of the Irish Tree Centre in Cork.

Elsewhere in Kildare, Leixlip was listed as 9th cleanest town in Ireland.

An IBAL spokesperson said to achieve top spot now requires maintaining an entire town in an almost pristine condition, which a local authority cannot do alone, paying tribute to the hard work from voluntary tidy town groups.A Celbridge school has formed an educational partnership with a Clane company to recognise outstanding achievements in engineering.

Salesian College made the announcement at a special presentation ceremony on December 21.

Crystal Air Ltd, based in Butterstream Business Park specialise in the design and installation of air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration systems for the domestic and European market.

The aim of the partnership is to support and reward academic achievement in Leaving Certificate Engineering Technology.

At the ceremony held in Salesian College, David OBrien, Contracts Director for Crystal Air presented an award to five Leaving Certificate students from the class of 2017  all of whom had achieved a H1 in higher level Engineering.

One of the five students being honoured was Gearoid OConnor, who recently received The Young Engineers of the Year Award for achieving first place in Ireland for his work in Leaving Certificate higher level engineering exam 2017.

This national award was presented at an awards ceremony in Letterkenny Co Donegal by the Engineering Technology Teachers Association.

As part of his award Gearoid also received an internship with Randox Teoranta a R&D medical devices company in Donegal where he will get to experience engineering in action.

Gearoid is now pursuing his passion for Engineering in the University of Limerick where he is currently studying Engineering, Design and Manufacture.

Crystal Air, as part of the new partnership, will be providing work placement opportunities for students from the Salesians, allowing them experience engineering at first hand.

Dylan Connolly, Celbridge; Dylan Ryan, Donadea; Caolan Smith, Clane; and Paul Black, Celbridge also scored a H1 in higher level Engineering in the Leaving Cert.Students at Pipers Hill college in Naas are learning through horses.

The school is changing the environment of the classroom from inside to outside and adding some equine input.

Teacher Caitriona OMeara explains: As part of the SPHE (social personal and health education) subject, the students are learning communication skills, teambuilding, problem solving, confidence building, leadership, resilience and decision making outside with the horses. However, both the students and horses needed space, so construction company Ballymore were approached to help. The project needed support from the community so I approached Ballymore who own the land adjacent to the school to see if they would let us use it for this purpose and (two representatives) Don McMahon and Liam Flynn were more than accommodating. They cut the grass, put up fencing and gave us access to the paddock, she added.

Equine-assisted learning has been taught since 2012 with PHC students, initially at Edenderry and then on a nearby location near Broadfield, Naas. All activities are done on the ground and there is no riding.

Logistics were becoming a problem, so the existence of the paddock beside the school meant that students could walk out the door, into the paddock, have their SPHE class and go back inside. The range of learning that the students had was very encouraging, added Ms. OMeara. More students will be involved later this year.Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for developing Irish business globally, has reported strong job creation by its client companies in Co. Kildare, with a 5% increase in the number of jobs created. 9,134 people are now employed by companies supported by the agency in Kildare.

A total of 19,332 new jobs were created by companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2017. 209,388 people are now employed in companies supported by the agency. This is the highest total employment achieved in the history of the agency.

This represents a net increase of 10,309 jobs for 2017, taking account of job losses. In line with total employment levels, the net increase in jobs, is the highest on record with Enterprise Ireland. The job creation figures are up on 2016, showing strong consistent year on year growth, despite the uncertainty that Irish businesses faced in 2017 in the context of Brexit.

Job creation was evenly spread across the country, with every county seeing job increases. Two thirds (64%) of the new jobs created were outside of Dublin. The West, Mid-West and North West saw the largest level of increases at 7% in 2017.

Enterprise Ireland attributes this strong performance by Irish businesses to the continuing growth of an entrepreneurial climate for start-ups, allied to strong jobs growth in the Construction (8% increase), Engineering (8% increase), Lifesciences (8% increase), Digital Technology (6% increase), Electronics (6% increase), Food (4% increase) and ICT sectors (5% increase).

Making the announcement today at the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland client technology company Ding, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Julie Sinnamon said:

Todays figures represent another year of strong performance by our client companies who now employ over 209,000 people and are a barometer of the robust health of Irish businesses. Despite the challenge and uncertainty created by Brexit, Irish companies have continued to grow their global exports, supporting strong job creation across all of the regions of Ireland.LIMERICK'S most senior garda is urging the public not to turn to a vigilante group that has promised to deliver justice to those deserving, with whatever means is necessary.

Styling itself the Limerick Vigilante Organisation, the group has threatened to take the law into its own hands in a letter which was posted to Limerick Leader editor, Eugene Phelan.

In the unsigned typed letter, which was received over Christmas, the group says: Our beloved Limerick City has come under threat to a plague for the last number of years. This disease has rapidly spread under our very noses with little been done about it.

The letter, which was typed on a number of A4 pages, also contains a photograph of a Welcome to Limerick road sign with what appears to be some sort of logo, possibly of an eye, overlaid on it.

A copy of the letter has been handed over to gardai and Chief Superintendent David Sheahan has said he cannot condone the actions which are being proposed or anybody taking the law into their own hands.

The bottom line for me is there is only one law of the land and we have been asked to enforce that law, he told the Limerick Leader, adding that there are various avenues for those who have concerns to follow.

People can call to any garda station and we will discuss it (their concerns) with them and there are public representatives out there as well that they can discuss things with them and they will bring it to our attention, he said.

In addition to criticising An Garda Siochana, the letter which was stamped at the Cork Mails Centre on December 22, 2017, also criticises a number of other agencies, including the Courts and members of the judiciary.

Poor sentencing in the courts with lack of jail time and no juvenial (sic) detention facilities make these types of people reoffend constantly, it reads.

The group claims its membership is growing and that its intelligence has advanced in recent times.

This is no joke, no hoax as you will notice the presence of our organisation in times to come. We will take matters into our own hands, the letter states.LIMERICK council planners have rejected Lidls bid to build a new store on the Dublin Road.

The discount retailer had applied to the local authority to construct a store adjacent to its current outlet in Castletroy, in a move which would increase its trading space to almost 2,000 square metres.

It was then seeking to change the current use of the existing Lidl store into a leisure centre, which be subdivided into two units.

But planners have rejected the proposals over traffic concerns, and the impact it could have on trade in the city centre.

To accommodate this, Lidl was seeking to expand its car parking space to 271.

In a submission to the council, the firm said its plans would future proof the retail operability of this location, with particular regard to staff and customer welfare facilities.

Lidl also pointed out its plans would mean an additional community and recreation focused resource.

It is considered these objectives will reinforce existing synergies between the subject site and the adjacent district centre [Castletroy Town Centre] contributing to its vitality and viability, documents said.

But council planners rejected the blueprint on two conditions.

One of these related to the fact the development would see more traffic on what they say is already a heavily trafficked regional road.

It is considered that the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard, because the extra traffic movements in and out of the site likely to be generated by the proposed development would interfere with the safety and freeflow of traffic on the public road, planners stated.

The rejection on this basis was welcomed by Cllrs Michael Sheahan and Joe Pond.

Cllr Pond also voiced his concern on the impact a Lidl expansion would have on other local retail jobs.THEY JUST dont make them like they used to, as a 56-year-old safe at a West Limerick legal practice proved, when burglars failed to crack it during a recent break-in.

An old Chubb safe at Dennison Solicitors, Abbeyfeale, which was bought by Jim Dennison Snr all the way back in 1961, was enough to outsmart todays criminals when they wasted an entire night trying to get into it.

The robbers spent six hours hammering away at the safe with kango hammers, nail bars and lump hammers, before giving up and making their escape  empty handed  before daybreak.

They went straight for the safe. Im not sure what they would have thought would be in it, as we dont keep cash on the premises, said James Dennison, who today runs the practice founded by his father.

But it was a complete waste of time. They got nothing. They stayed hammering away for around six hours, we estimate, he added.

Client confidentiality is clearly a priority for the solicitor, as the safe would be used predominantly for files and documents.

My father was old-school and held that an essential part of any legal firm is a safe to hold wills and title deeds. He went all out when he bought this one. He went to London in 1961 to deal directly with Chubb, the makers of the best safes in the world. He specified a safe to bankers standard.

My fathers uncle, the late Jack Healy from Brosna, installed the safe to the strict specifications set out by Chubb, which included building a concrete and steel reinforced room around the safe.

The safe door dominates the reception in the legal firm and it has held several thousands of client files over the years, said Mr Dennison.

The burglars must have expected a safe like that has to hold cash. It doesnt, but even if it did, it seems to have stood the test of time. It was an awful lot of effort to go away empty handed, said the solicitor.A KNOWN drug user who is accused of entering a restricted area of a Limerick city hospital has been refused bail pending his appearance before the circuit court.

Paul Foran, aged 35, who has an address at North Claughan Road, Garryowen faces burglary and theft charges relating to four incidents on consecutive days last August.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment and the matter is expected to come before Limerick Circuit Court later this month.

During a contested bail hearing, Garda Donagh Fawl said it will be alleged the defendant stole a backpack and wallet after he entered a staff area at Barringtons Hospital at around 12.15pm on August 17, 2018.

Foran is also accused of entering a staff area at Vanilla Brown Spa at the Absolute Hotel later on the same day from where its alleged he stole a handbag containing an iPhone 6 and around 350 in cash.

The defendant is also accused of stealing four steaks, worth 32 from Supervalu, Grove Island.

Garda Fawl said it will be alleged the 35-year-old stole two bottles of Meade, worth 45, from the visitor centre at King Johns Castle at around 10am the following day, August 18.

Opposing bail, he said CCTV has been obtained as part of the garda investigation and he said it is the State case that Foran made certain admissions during interview following his arrest.

He told Judge Marian OLeary he had concerns he would commit further offences if released and that he did not believe he would comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy submitted there had been a delay in progressing his clients case and that he could be waiting for over a year before securing a trial date given the number of cases currently before the circuit court.

He said his client has an address available to him and that he was willing to abide by any conditions including staying out of specified areas of the city if necessary.

Having considering the garda objection, Judge OLeary said she was concerned the defendant would struggle to abide by any conditions she would likely impose if granting bail.

In the circumstances, she refused bail and remanded Foran in custody pending his appearance before the circuit court next week.

If convicted of the burglary charges, the defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years imprisonment.Stock Market News

CLS Holdings sells three properties for 12.4m 03-01-2018 07:55



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukStock Market News

Commodities: Energy futures jump on US inventory data, winter freeze 03-01-2018 17:55



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukStock Market News

FTSE 100 movers: Next rallies as it lifts guidance; Ashtead boosted by upgrade 03-01-2018 13:36



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukStock Market News

London open: Stocks flat but retailers get a boost as Next lifts guidance 03-01-2018 08:24



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukStock Market News

Mifid II starts smoothly after late exemptions for futures exchanges 03-01-2018 13:26



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukStock Market News

RBS sells offshore leasing assets to Investec and Shawbrook - report 03-01-2018 11:30



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukStock Market News

Wednesday newspaper round-up: Ryanair, house prices, Mifid II, EDF 03-01-2018 07:29



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukKerala likely to do away with lockdown, night curfew

Kerala CM asked local body officials to impose fine on those who venture out from home during the quarantine period, before shifting them to quarantine centres at their own expense.Youths who vape are more likely to light up.

Thats the conclusion reached by UCSF researchers, who found that using any form of tobacco  including electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, water pipes and snuff  makes a teenager more likely to get hooked on conventional cigarettes.

Teens who experimented with tobacco in any form were at greater risk of future smoking, said senior author Benjamin Chaffee, a UCSF dentistry professor and one of those who conducted the study of 10,384 youths ages 12 to 17 who were nonsmokers at the outset of the research.

The authors said their study was the first to investigate whether using all forms of non-cigarette tobacco leads to smoking cigarettes. Clearly, they said, it does.

After a year, 4.6 percent of the youths in the survey had smoked cigarettes. Those who had tried a non-cigarette alternative were more than twice as likely to have smoked a cigarette within the previous month as those who had not tried e-cigarettes or other smokeless tobacco products, the UCSF study said.

Trying more than one alternative increased the odds of becoming a regular cigarette smoker, the researchers said. And all the alternatives  vaporizers, cigars, water pipes, chewing tobacco  were equally likely to lead to cigarettes, the study found.

The study, published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Associations online Pediatrics magazine, runs counter to the message of the e-cigarette industry, which touts electronic vaporizers as a safer alternative to cigarettes. A vaporizer, or vape, allows a user to inhale a mixture of liquid nicotine and water vapor instead of cigarette smoke.

At Gone With the Smoke, an e-cigarette store near Union Square in San Francisco, customers stand at the tasting bar where, for $1, they can sample such nicotine flavors as bubble gum, milk and honey, apple pancake custard and dozens of others designed for young palates. A thick cloud of vapor enveloped the store Tuesday.

Saleswoman Jenny Park said blaming e-cigarettes for hooking children on regular cigarettes wasnt fair.

There could be lots of reasons why people smoke, she said. Peer pressure. Friends. Parents. There are so many factors.

Chaffee called for tighter federal regulation of liquid nicotine, including a ban on flavors and raising the legal age for purchase to 21. The researcher said the e-cigarette industry is using the same arguments  flavor, satisfaction, safety  that the tobacco industry used half a century ago to turn young people into users.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted last year to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and fruit- and candy-tinctured tobacco products. Tobacco firms led by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. fought back, sponsoring a petition drive that gathered nearly double the number of required signatures to put the ban on the ballot. The citys voters will get their say on the matter in June.

A spokesman for Lets Be Real San Francisco, a tobacco-industry-funded group that supported the petition drive, noted that California already bans the sale of e-cigarette products to people under 21. The group is fighting the citys attempt to ban adult consumer choices, said the spokesman, Kevin Keane.

Many consider vaping to be the most successful and widely accessible tool to help adults transition away from smoking, Keane said.

Chaffee, the UCSF researcher, said e-cigarettes are helping to reverse a 20-year decline in cigarette use and are contributing to the rising popularity of cigarettes.

In the last few years, research has focused on the potential of e-cigarettes to engage never-smoking adolescents in tobacco use, Chaffee said. Our findings confirm that the use of the full range of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, tobacco water pipes, and smokeless tobacco, is associated with greater odds of future cigarette smoking.

The study found that 90 percent of adult smokers tried their first cigarette by age 18. In 2016, nearly 4 million middle and high school students said they used tobacco.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.comU.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen became the first Cabinet-level official in the Trump administration to tour Northern Californias wildfire devastation, saying Wednesday that the White House would fully back recovery efforts.

Nielsens visit to Santa Rosa didnt come with any new financial commitments, but it marked a show of support for California as the state muscles for a share of billions of dollars in federal aid being earmarked for states and U.S. territories devastated by hurricanes and other disasters in 2017.

Nielsens department oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been working with state and local officials to find shelter for fire victims and clear remnants of the more than 8,000 buildings that burned last year. Nielsen said crews have so far removed debris weighing nearly as much as the Golden Gate Bridge.

The fires left many Californians with the daunting task of recovery, she said at a news conference in the fire-ravaged Coffey Park neighborhood. We will be here with arms locked with state and community officials.

Before the briefing, Nielsen toured the badly burned Fountaingrove neighborhood and met privately with a handful of local leaders.

It was very important for me to come here and see for myself what the needs are, she said.

A day earlier, Nielsen surveyed the burn zone of the Thomas Fire, which continues to smolder in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties after becoming the states largest wildfire ever at 282,000 acres. More than 1,000 buildings have burned.

The stop in Southern California coincided with the Trump administrations disaster declaration for the area, which frees up federal funds for reducing hazards related to the fire and guarantees reimbursement for at least some portion of the recovery.

The administration issued a similar declaration for Northern California last year after fires in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and other counties burned close to 250,000 acres, killed 44 people and destroyed more than 5,500 homes. State officials estimate that insured damage tops $9 billion.

Californias congressional Democrats have been critical of President Trump for not acting more quickly to ensure wildfire relief. An $81 billion disaster bill that would provide housing and recovery aid to California as well as hurricane-wracked Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands was approved by the House last month but has stalled in the Senate.

Senate leaders have not been able to agree on how to fund the legislation, which would lift last years disaster spending to a staggering $133 billion. The Senate is expected to revisit the bill this month.

Nielsen said her agency has been in constant communication with Gov. Jerry Brown about funding issues. The director of the Governors Office of Emergency Services, who toured Santa Rosa with Nielsen on Wednesday, said he was pleased that the secretary was engaged with Californias recovery.

This effort has really been a one-team, one-fight effort, said Mark Ghilarducci.

Kurtis Alexander is a Chronicle Staff Writer. Email kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexanderA man was shot to death Monday night in West Oakland, marking the citys second homicide of the new year, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 5:25 p.m. on the 3400 block of Adeline Street, near the intersection of 62nd Street, according to the Oakland Police Department.WASHINGTON - The room was filled with towers of storage boxes, stacks of documents and carefully curated artifacts: posters, photographs and typewritten letters; the prosthetic leg he wore at the end of his life; the program from his funeral, with his owlish grin on the cover. Historians eagerly pored over folders filled with his papers, hunting for records to highlight a long and prolific career.

Art Buchwald would have loved this.

"Look at this great pic of him with Eunice Kennedy Shriver," said Barbara Bair, a historian in the manuscript division of the Library of Congress.

"Here's one with Mike Wallace," said Ryan Reft, who specializes in modern United States history, as he sifted through a stack of photographs.

In the basement of the home in Northwest Washington where the legendary American humorist lived his final years with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, the historians gathered a few standout items: a social worker's character evaluation of Buchwald from his early years in foster care; a column he wrote about the war in Iraq, and inscribed to Colin Powell; a fan letter from John Steinbeck. They selected a screenplay, a book manuscript, and transcripts of speeches he'd given about the perils of drug addiction and the need to destigmatize mental illness.

Buchwald's son, Joel Buchwald, watched from the periphery, clutching a video camera in his hand. He wanted to chronicle what was, in a sense, a second and final goodbye - the departure of nearly 200 boxes of his father's prized belongings from the family home, nearly 11 years after his death in 2007.

"This is the end of an era," he said, and smiled. "He's the center of attention again, and that was always big for him."

Buchwald soared to the heights of Washington's A-list social scene in the 1960s, a cigar-puffing, sharp-witted icon renowned for skewering the posh, pompous and powerful. At his peak, his humor column for The Washington Post was syndicated in more than 500 newspapers. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1982; in the years that followed, Buchwald continued to write prolifically about politics and culture, his own grueling bouts with severe clinical depression, and - toward the very end - his views on mortality and the meaning of life.

"I have no idea where I'm going, but here's the real question: What am I doing here in the first place?" he wrote in one of his last columns.

But he seemed to have settled on an answer to that question by the time he recorded his own video obituary, published by the New York Times after he died.

"I was put on earth to make people laugh," he said. "If you can make people laugh, you get all the love you want."

"How many times did you make me laugh this summer? And also Caroline and John," Jackie Kennedy wrote in delicate, looping script on an undated sheet of note paper embossed with a shimmering gold clamshell. The message is one of many from the former first lady in the reams of letters Buchwald held on to; he grew close to the Kennedy family after he and his wife, Ann McGarry Buchwald, moved to Washington in 1963 with their three adopted children.

"As a person who has rarely shied away from the press, I have been the subject of countless articles and stories. . . . Never have I been more flattered than to find myself the subject of an Art Buchwald column," wrote Donald Trump in 1988. (Buchwald had playfully mocked Trump's propensity to make copious purchases and promptly name them after himself: "How does Trump Disney World sound to you?")

Making people laugh was a way for Buchwald to know that he mattered, that he would be remembered.

"What are you gonna leave behind, buddy?" veteran "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace once asked Buchwald, his longtime friend.

His answer was a single, shouted word: "Joy!"

Joy, certainly - and copious evidence of it, stashed in towers of dilapidated boxes in the attic of his son's home.

"It was a big, huge mess," Joel said. "When your parent dies and leaves you all this, what do you do with it?"

Joel's wife, Tamara Buchwald, finally tackled the mountain of records seven years after Buchwald died. It took her three more to organize it all. The effort was tedious, but also touching; she was struck most, she says, by early love notes to his wife - who died in 1994, after the couple had separated - and the richness of Buchwald's correspondence with his friends. It reminded her of how his phone was always ringing off the hook during the years he lived in their home.

Joel and Tamara weren't sure what to do with all of his belongings, but they knew they didn't want them to stay in their house forever. They contacted an auction house in New York, and the Library of Congress - which collects the papers of many prominent political and cultural figures - soon got in touch to discuss an acquisition.

"We want things that are, ideally, about the person's entire life, so it's not necessarily just what they're most famous for," Bair said. "We want people who use these records to be able to find out who a person is, who they loved, who their family members were, who their close networks of friends were - to really see an essential truth about this person."

An essential truth about Art Buchwald: He spent his life trying to fill the absence left by his mother.

He was born in New York in 1925, the son of Joseph Buchwald, a curtainmaker, and Helen Klineberger, who suffered from chronic, debilitating depression. She was institutionalized soon after Buchwald was born, and he never saw her again. This ultimately became his choice; when he was older, he couldn't bring himself to visit her.

"I preferred the mother I had invented to the one I would find in the hospital," he wrote in his 1993 memoir, "Leaving Home."

He masked his sorrow with a keen wit, a survival skill that carried him through life: through a turbulent childhood spent in foster homes, and his service as a teenage Marine in the Pacific theater during World War II; through his young adulthood as a student at the University of Southern California and, later, as a college dropout bound for Paris, where he talked his way into a plum job covering nightlife and dining for the New York Herald Tribune's European edition.

Through it all, "he was always searching for his mother, searching for love," Joel said. But Buchwald craved attention and affirmation on a grand scale, which meant his own family often came second."Because of who he was, his career, his status - he didn't have a lot of time," Joel said. "It wasn't until I was older that he and I really began a conversation."

Buchwald was never shy about soliciting praise, laboring over letters and sending his friends thoughtfully inscribed books and clipped copies of his columns.

"Thank you for not letting me miss the fun," first lady Lady Bird Johnson wrote to him in June 1964, thanking him for mailing her a copy of a column; her note included an invitation to join her for margaritas.

"Reading your most apt columns in the Times is one of my regular morning activities, and it always amazed me that you can sustain your high tone of humor," wrote Adam West of "Batman" fame, in 1966.

"If I send you another fifty dollars, will you write me another letter as funny as the one I just got?" comedian Carol Burnett wrote in October 1989.

Once Buchwald's boxes have been thoroughly inventoried and processed by the Library of Congress over the coming months, the collection will made be publicly available - a trove awaiting discovery by academics, students, journalists and would-be biographers.

Bair expects there may be particular interest in the collection now, as comedians and satirists are once again at the forefront of political commentary. One of Buchwald's Watergate-era columns, mocking Nixon's indignant statements during the burgeoning scandal, had a moment of viral resurgence recently as many of President Trump's critics drew comparisons to his tweets about the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.

During a visit with Joel and Tamara over Father's Day in 2000, Buchwald suffered a sudden stroke, and spent weeks in a coma. After undergoing rehab, he returned to their home in Washington for good.

His health continued to gradually decline after his stroke; his kidneys began to fail, and after his right leg was amputated in December 2005, Buchwald decided he was ready to depart the mortal coil. He kept writing his columns after checking himself into hospice care.

But then: "He suddenly got what he wanted - he got a lot of attention," Joel said. "He dictated a book. Diane Rehm did a show with him. Maria Shriver flew in to visit him. The newspaper, the radio, the networks were paying attention - all of a sudden, he was back on top."

He wound up leaving hospice in July 2006; his family took him for one final summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard. He was, he wrote, "having the time of my life."

He didn't want it to end, but he worried about what people might think if he chose to fight to stay alive after he'd made a point of refusing dialysis and entering hospice. By the time he'd changed his mind about medical treatment, there were few options left. He died at home in Washington on Jan. 17, 2007, surrounded by his family, holding fast to his sense of humor to the end.

"I don't know how well I've done while I was here," Buchwald wrote in his final column, published two days after he died, "but I'd like to think some of my printed works will persevere - at least for three years."Wild Beauty: New and Selected Poems

By Ntozake Shange

Atria. 288 pp. $24

---

The billboard on 42nd Street near Times Square was half a block long. Scrawled in rainbow colors was the title of an innovative new play, "for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf." And adorning that 1977 billboard was a portrait of a young black woman in a do-rag: the playwright Ntozake Shange.

Shange's rise to international fame and her sudden disappearance - followed by decades of physical and mental health challenges - are part of one of the most dramatic lives in Broadway history. Now, Shange reflects on these events and more in a new collection of poetry called "Wild Beauty."

In 1975, Shange had arrived in New York from California with her dancer friend Paula Moss and a satchel of poems. She and Moss began reading and dancing to Shange's poems in New York cafes. The next thing Shange knew, she was being whisked off by theatrical producer Woodie King Jr., who told her what she'd really written was a play. After a few weeks of working with King and others, Shange winnowed her poems down to the voices of seven women, who remain nameless but can be identified by the colors of their dresses.

King produced the nascent play at the New Federal Theatre, and patrons lined up around the block for tickets. The legendary producer/director Joe Papp saw it and brought it to his Public Theater and then the Booth Theatre. In a manner seldom seen on Broadway or anywhere else, "for colored girls" was instantly recognized as classic - a watershed in the history of theater for the way it combined poetry, music and dance into a seamless whole.

But Shange herself, after dancing and performing in her own play on Broadway for the first three weeks, suddenly disappeared. Her departure to Europe at the height of her celebrity seemed a mystery to those who didn't know her well. But in reality what had happened was an old story: a young artist unprepared for fame or big money becomes a casualty of her own triumph.

In Shange's case, the descent into darkness included a lot of other destructive forces. For one, she had undiagnosed bipolar disorder. For another, she unloosed a lot of demons when she voiced the anguish and anger of many women (not just black women) who had experienced rape, domestic violence and child abuse. She endured sharp criticism from contemporary black male writers, including Amiri Baraka and Ishmael Reed, who claimed her play was an attack on black men.

In truth, Shange had become a writer because she felt the new wave of black writing in the 1960s had left women out. She was a proponent of all forms of black liberation, including the Black Arts Movement, but she also felt a lot of that revolution was sexist, and she sought to create a place for women artists. She had not expected the blast of hate that would come back at her.

For decades she fought substance abuse and depression, but as a teacher beloved by students at several universities, she never stopped writing plays. In 1980, she won an Obie Award for her adaptation of Brecht's "Mother Courage." She also published poetry, fiction and essays. Still, a series of debilitating physical challenges continued, including the autoimmune disease CIDP, which left her hands nearly paralyzed for seven years.

Then, on All Saints Day, 2015, she felt "there was a poem floating around in my head." She tried writing it down by hand, and her hand cramped up. She tried writing it on her iPad, and her fingers slipped. At last, she sat down at her laptop, turned off the voice recognition, and told herself, "OK, fool, give it a try!"

Miraculously, she typed out her first new poem in years, an overview of her whole life. Titled "these blessings," it appears in her new collection, "Wild Beauty," which contains more than 60 new and previously published poems, all of which are also translated into Spanish by Alejandro Alvarez Nieves. The bilingual edition was Shange's idea, reflecting her lifelong concern with the African diaspora throughout the Americas.

There is no question that Shange is a black writer. Not only does she write in a style that mimics the sound and syntax of black speech, but much of her material is drawn from the daily realities of black life. No poet since Langston Hughes has insisted so forcefully on black people's right to simply (BEGIN ITAL)be(END ITAL):

(BEGIN ITAL)when we fall from the stars to the bellies of(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)our mothers / some folks say(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL) they's music in the air / dontcha think /(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)we tumble thru a niggah(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)night / etchin light(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL) thru them black holes(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)unimaginable density(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)inconceivable radiance(END ITAL)

But much of what Shange writes is also about a loss of wholeness. More important, she writes of the dream to be whole once again. She continually calls on us to fight against all things that make us less than human:

(BEGIN ITAL)maybe i could grow me something(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)some azure flower that would smell(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)like life to me / a root of some healing spice(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)might push up from my soils / if i(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)dream with the souls of black folks.(END ITAL)

---

Nicosia, the author of "Memory Babe: A Critical Biography of Jack Kerouac," is currently working on a critical biography of Shange for St. Martin's.Peter Martins, the longtime director of New York City Ballet who is under investigation by his own institution following accusations by dancers of physical violence and sexual misconduct, announced on Monday that he is retiring "to bring an end to this disruption."

Yet why retire now, while the investigation is still going on? Nowhere in the letter of resignation that Martins, 71, wrote to board members of NYCB and its affiliated School of American Ballet, which Martins also headed, does he mention what was surely a contributing factor in his abrupt decision to step down: His arrest two days prior.

Martins was arrested the evening of Dec. 29 and charged with driving while intoxicated, according to statements from the Westchester County district attorney's office and the Ardsley, New York, police department. Police in Ardsley, near Martins's home in Irvington, responded to a three-car accident at 8 p.m. and arrested Martins, who refused a blood-alcohol test, according to police. He was issued an appearance ticket; his court date is Jan. 8.

Calls on Tuesday to Martins's home were not answered. NYCB had no comment on the matter.

The DWI charge is a throwback, almost to the day, to a prior charge: Martins pleaded guilty to driving while impaired early on New Year's Day in 2011.

Charles W. Scharf, NYCB board chair, also issued a statement Monday, thanking Martins for his "tremendous contributions" to the company he has led for more than 30 years. Scharf added that the board "takes seriously the allegations that have been made against him and we expect the independent investigation of those allegations to be completed soon."

Neither Martins nor Scharf made reference to Martins's arrest. But Martins wrote in his letter that he believes the investigation's findings "would have vindicated me."

Is that overly optimistic? His statement sounds unduly confident, given what looks like a pattern of destructive behavior. Certainly Martins is no stranger to run-ins with the law - he was also arrested in 1992 and charged with assault on his wife, ballerina Darci Kistler, who claimed he pushed and slapped her, causing her to fall and cut her leg. She later dropped the charges.

Dancers have also accused Martins of hostility and physical aggression. Such accusations are why he has been on leave from the company and the school since early December, when The Washington Post contacted him about an accusation of physical violence made by former NYCB soloist Kelly Boal. Martins denied Boal's claim, as he has denied a charge of sexual misconduct in an anonymous letter that was sent to the school, and subsequent claims of violence reported by the New York Times. He repeated his denials in his letter to board members.

Some NYCB dancers have made supportive statements about Martins. "Devastated for this man who has been nothing but INCREDIBLE to me," tweeted Robert Fairchild, a principal dancer who recently left the company.

Yet others were skeptical that Martins would be removed after the investigation. Boal is one of them, calling into question the quality of the investigation itself.

She said that during her interview with Barbara E. Hoey, the lawyer leading the investigation, "I felt like I was the one being interrogated." Hoey chairs the labor and employment practice at Kelley Drye & Warren. Boal says Hoey challenged Boal's description in The Post of being choked, shaken and verbally humiliated by the 6-foot-2 Martins one night backstage in May 1989, an event that so traumatized Boal she spent several years in therapy.

Hoey did not return a call seeking comment.

"I felt she was uninterested in the facts, and was just trying to mess up the timeline," Boal said. "She asked me, 'Why weren't you watching the performance when he grabbed you?' . . . She was trying to spin it that I wasn't being punished, challenging me on my memory of how often I danced."

Boal said Hoey also asked her about a pool party she attended some time later at the home of Martins and Kistler. "Where is the relevance of that? They're trying to discredit me," Boal said. By the time of that party, she had quit the company and married NYCB principal Peter Boal (who is now artistic director of Pacific Northwest Ballet).

"I had to make peace" with Martins, Kelly Boal said, "because my husband worked with him for the next five or six years. I made the effort to make our lives nicer."

Former dancer Wilhelmina Frankfurt says Hoey asked to interview her but denied her request to record the interview or to provide a transcript. Frankfurt says Hoey told her she could bring someone with her only if that person and Frankfurt signed nondisclosure agreements. Frankfurt declined the interview.

"It's not unreasonable for me to want a witness," said Frankfurt, adding that she was concerned the investigation "just wants to make it all look clean."

Certainly, Martins has his strengths as a director. He's widely regarded as a top-notch fundraiser, and in difficult financial times for the arts, he kept the company going strong. In 2010, NYCB's deficit reached a high of $8.5 million, yet it was eliminated in three years, and the company has boasted a modest surplus since then. A company spokesman confirmed that in the company's fiscal 2017, which ended in June, it also ran a small surplus.

Martins' stewardship of the works left by NYCB founder George Balanchine, the acclaimed choreographer who died in 1983, is a mixed bag. Martins's own choreography is largely workaday and unmemorable. Yet he has a gift for spotting greatness in others; he nurtured the choreographic careers of Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon, both of whom became major artists creating work around the world, and Justin Peck, a younger choreographer whose work is also highly in demand.

Into this wake - with Martins's daunting leadership legacy, and the continuing turmoil over his behavior - who would dare enter?

NYCB has had only two directors, and both have been male. At least one woman, Wendy Whelan, who retired in 2014 as one of the company's most-lauded stars, is throwing her hat into the ring.

Though she says she has not been approached about the position, "I would definitely have a conversation if anybody wanted to," Whelan said Tuesday. "I only want what's best for the company, really, and that's still to be figured out, with a lot of heads.

"I've always seen a man in charge, because it's traditional there. It's a slightly sexist company in that way."

But a woman in charge would be very refreshing. "I think it is time for that to happen," said Whelan, who danced with NYCB for 30 years. "As a world, as an art form."The Western "Hostiles" begins explosively, with a vicious attack on a white farm family by Comanche warriors. It's a brutal expression of hatred, one that leaves a husband and three children dead, and a mother wracked with fear.

It's also symbolic of Hollywood's historic depiction of Native Americans as bloodthirsty savages, deserving of whatever fate vengeful settlers and Manifest Destiny can summon.

But "Hostiles" slowly becomes a more nuanced take on racial enmity, distrust and healing, though the violence and its ramifications are never far away.

Christian Bale is Capt. Joseph Blocker (a particularly grim and glum Christian Bale), a soldier and loner who's done his time with the U.S. Cavalry and is looking forward to getting out. But then he's tasked with one last job: escorting an imprisoned Cheyenne chief named Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi), who's ill with cancer, and his family from New Mexico to their ancestral home in Montana so he can die on his own terms. After a long period of cruelty at the hands of the American government, he's being allowed one stroke of kindness.

Blocker, who has never met a Native American he didn't want to shoot, balks, of course. But the threat of the government withholding his pension turns him into a temporary humanitarian.

So he puts together a group of men to help him on the arduous trek. They include a young Frenchman (the now ubiquitous Timothee Chalamet, "Call Me By Your Name" and "Lady Bird"), an African-American soldier Blocker has served with many times before (Jonathan Majors, "When We Rise"), and another trusted soldier (Jesse Plemmons, "Friday Night Lights"). Along the way, they stumble across Rosalie (Rosamund Pike), the psychologically damaged sole survivor of the farm siege, who's still clutching the corpse of her youngest child. Blocker agrees to take her to a fort along the route to Montana where she may be able to get some help, though she's initially scared off by the presence of the Native Americans in his group.

The journey then becomes the 19th-century, high-desert version of a trust fall, as everyone has to lean on each other to survive a trip where they find themselves under assault from Indians and whites.

Actor-turned-director Scott Cooper ("Black Mass," "Out of the Furnace"), who wrote the screenplay from a story by the late Donald E. Stewart ("Missing"), seems to relish dealing with the reverberations from the violence of manhood, and "Hostiles" is no different. But this is his most persuasive take on the topic and, in a story hog-tied somewhat by its predictability, he manages to throw in a couple of surprises. One of those is an appearance from the always reliable Ben Foster, who played opposite Bale in the 2007 Western "3:10 to Yuma."

If Cooper doesn't have much new to say beyond "can't we all just get along?"; that violence is debilitating, numbing and yet narcotic; and that Hollywood Westerns have only trafficked in half-truths and exaggerations, he's done it with a sense of mounting suspense and visual grandeur.

Along with another 2017 film, "Wind River," "Hostiles" is a welcome story that deals with Native American issues, though what would be even more welcome is Native Americans telling their own stories on the big screen.I am on a roll with my holiday fish-egg fixation, thanks to the new and exceptionally promising Nancy's Hustle in EaDo.

Last week, I wrote about the affordable potato-chip-and-tchoupique-egg extravaganza at Oxbow 7. Now let me introduce you to the equally affordable all-American riff on caviar with blini (tiny Russian buckwheat pancakes) from Nancy's Hustle chef Jason Vaughan, a Houston homeboy recently returned from stints in Chicago.

In this case, the caviar involved is cold-smoked trout roe - fat, shiny tangerine-colored pearls that explode on the palate with a satisfying briny pop. And the pancakes are fluffy rounds in a corn-based johnnycake mode, smooth and melting inside, with a crisp brown sear.

ALISON COOK'S BEST NEW RESTAURANTS OF 2017

What brings pancake and trout roe together in an exhilarating rush is the lavish cushion of house-cultured butter on which the eggs sit. It's so light and fresh and milky, with a honeyed tinge of sweetness, that I could eat it straight, by the spoonful. (OK, I kinda did.) But together with the eggs' slight smokiness and salt, against the mildness of the pancake and the vegetal savor of minced chives, the butter becomes the accelerant that makes the dish happen.

Vaughan's partner in the restaurant, Sean Jensen, is a wine guy of note, having managed at the excellent downtown wine and whisky bar Public Services, as well as creating the offbeat list for Claire Smith's Alice Blue in the Heights. I picked a lovely 2015 French chablis from Olivier Savary to go with my Nancy Cakes, but I am betting Jensen would have excellent suggestions of his own.

Truthfully, I'd be happy to have a couple of $12 orders of the Nancy Cakes all to myself, and I'd consider it a wonderfully indulgent supper. But there is plenty more to enjoy on the 19-item bistro menu, from delicate little Turkish dumplings in a spicy tomato vinaigrette to a terrific pasta dish of sourdough tagliatelle tossed with toasted pistachio, chopped Brussels sprouts and just the right amount of creamy Burgundian cheese.

More Information Nancy's Hustle 2704 Polk, Suite A 346-571-7931 nancyshustle.com Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Tuesday-Sunday See More Collapse

Based on the strength of Vaughan's skinny, flavorful tagliatelle - cooked so that it bites back at you in an engaging way - plus the cavatelli with burrata and smoked butter he did for Alice Blue, I'm already nagging the chef to make a pasta place his next venture. Maybe a manufactory with a big, sweeping counter, like Boston chef Barbara Lynch's Sportello. Hey, a woman can dream.

In the meantime, Houstonians have an appealingly laid-back new Euro-American bistro to enjoy in an east-of-downtown neighborhood that is finally starting to take off in earnest.

So make your way to Polk Street, treat yourself to some Nancy Cakes and toast the new year.Bottoms up, yall.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is upon us, and this years lineup is brighter and shinier than ever. Cathy Siegel, executive director of the Houston Street Charities organization that runs the SACC, said that she expects at least 10,000 people will attend events throughout the four-day conference.

PHOTOS: 'Badass' San Antonio women reign at Cocktail Conference's kick-off event

This one is going to really be special, Siegel said. I look at the schedule and its just amazing to see that talent in the industry that will all be on hand here in San Antonio.

Fortunately, the Express-News Taste Team is here to help you make sense of the imposing lineup of tasting events, seminars and panel discussions.

Click through the slideshow above for our recommendations for can't-miss events and parties.

*Attending this year's Cocktail Conference? Text DRINK to 77453 for exciting alerts during the event.



pstephen@express-news.net; cblount@express-news.net; msutter@express-news.netColonie

I hadn't seen Jeremy Bloom in more than 20 years, so when his face popped up as "The Ambassador" of single malt Scotch whisky on an Empire Wine & Liquor ad wrapped around the Times Union, I was intrigued.

I knew him as a local freelance writer and the son of Rabbi Bernard Bloom of Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady.

When did he become a connoisseur of Scotland's most famous export?

I headed over to Empire Wine in the Northway Mall near the end of his three-hour tasting seminar last Thursday to find out.

Despite flecks of gray in his hair and beard stubble, here was the same Jeremy Bloom I remembered: rail-thin, unfailingly polite, with a stiff formality and the telltale clipped vowels of his Canadian roots.

"It's lightly peated, beautifully balanced and you'll detect notes of honey, coriander and orange," Bloom told a woman as he poured a splash of Oban, a 14-year-old Highland single malt Scotch whisky selling for $65.99 a bottle.

"I took one sip of Oban 14 when I was 22 and I was hooked for life," he continued. "Here I am, 35 years later, still drinking it. It's my favorite single malt. Can I send you home with a bottle tonight?"

Dressed in black slacks, black dress shirt, black vest and navy blue tie, Bloom was a smooth-talking Scotch aficionado who looked the part of a country club bartender or casino dealer. He blended charming conversation with a subtle sales pitch while pouring samples of three brands of single malts into tiny plastic cups. He stood ramrod-straight behind a small folding table, Scotland posters and Highland maps, and cases of whisky bottles he carried to the liquor store.

He tailored his presentation based on the person's whisky sophistication. For the man who spoke the lingo of single malt, he went straight to the highest-priced pour, a Lagavulin 16, at $74.99. "It's got a powerful peaty finish," Bloom said. "The Lagavulin distillery is on the coast and the salt air permeates the casks. You can taste the brine and you get an intense maritime note mixing with the smoke."

The man let the sip of Lagavulin rest on his tongue for a moment. He nodded. "Oh, yeah, that's a really interesting combination."

Of course, price is also a key factor in spirits purchases and the connoisseur went to the register with a bottle of Singleton 12, aged four fewer years and less than half the price of the Lagavulin at $29.99.

"That's just a crazy price," the Lagavulin sipper said. "I can't pass that up."

"A single malt Scotch under $30? It's unheard-off," Bloom said, "which is why it's one of the best-sellers in Taiwan right now."

For the past two months during the holiday season, Bloom has been crisscrossing upstate New York, holding seminars and tastings at dozens of liquor stores as a full-time "ambassador" for the world's largest producer of spirits, Diageo, based in London. He also gets hired for private events at restaurant and country clubs. He was recommended for the job based on his experience in years past pitching for Glenmorangie, a Highland single malt whisky.

"It's easy to sell something you believe in," said Bloom, 57, who lives in the Riverdale section of the Bronx with his wife, Dale, who works for Citigroup. They are expecting their first child next month. An extra paycheck to cover the baby's expenses was the deciding factor to take the whisky gig for Bloom. His main job is as an environmental writer who edits the blog RedGreenAndBlue.

"Single malts have been a passion of mine for most of my life and I always loved sharing my knowledge about them with others," he said. "I am promoting great products whose sole purpose is to make people happy. How can you beat that?"

In the early '90s, when he lived locally, Bloom wrote feature stories for Capital magazine, where he was a senior editor, as well as Metroland, the Daily Gazette and the Times Union. He left the area in 1994 and lived in California and Oregon (he still has Oregon plates on his car, a Scion xB). He worked for a software company, took screenwriting classes at UCLA and tried with little success to break into film and TV as a screenwriter.

The whisky work offers an hourly wage better than many freelance writing rates and Diageo also covers mileage and hotel expenses when he makes a western New York swing.

He was happy to work throughout the Capital Region in recent weeks so he could spend time with his parents, Bernard and Bailey, who are retired and live in Saratoga Springs.

At Empire Wine, he told of his first encounter with single malt Scotch whisky. "I was 22 years old, trying to be a writer like Hemingway and drinking Johnnie Walker," he recalled. "Someone poured me an Oban 14 and I never turned back. It was extraordinary."

His enthusiasm for single malt Scotch  malt whisky from a single distillery in Scotland  rubs off on would-be customers. A woman stopped at Bloom's table, insisted she doesn't like whisky and after coaxing agreed to try "just a splash." She stuck around to taste all three pours before she left without a purchase.

Two young men walked over and sampled all three, as Bloom went into his spiel about peat and smoke and citrus notes. He described the Singleton 12 as "so light and smooth, with subtle honey notes, that it's become my daily drinker."

The pair reached a conclusion: "The cheapest one is the best one," the older guy said. His friend nodded in agreement.

Others concurred. At the end of his three-hour event the total of bottles sold was Singleton (19), Lagavulin (3) and Oban (2).

Paul Grondahl is the director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter. He can be reached at grondahlpaul@gmail.comLast Thursday, Texas' Third District Court of Appeals denied former Webb County Judge Danny Valdez's petition to extend the candidate filing deadline so that he could run for the Texas House of Representatives for District 80.

However, Valdez told LMT on Tuesday that he will be appealing the case to the Texas Supreme Court, and asking for an expedited decision so that he can act before the ballots are printed.

"We're going to go all the way. There's no other way to get that rectified until we get that ruling from the Supreme Court," Valdez said.

READ MORE: Laredo's cold snap causes power outage for more than 5k homes, businesses

According to the lawsuit he filed against the Texas Democratic Party, Valdez's application for candidacy was not filed on time because the search engine Bing has the wrong address listed for the party.

An employee of Valdez's, Claire Escobedo, searched "Texas Democratic Party" on Bing and sent Valdez's application to the address supplied by the search engine, the lawsuit states.

However, the Texas Democratic Party moved offices in November 2015, and the address Bing listed was for their previous location.

Valdez is requesting that the Dec. 11 filing deadline for Texas' primary election be extended for him to file his application for candidacy.

He said his application was sent on Nov. 23 but was not returned to him for having the incorrect address until Dec. 14, three days after the filing deadline.

Valdez's attorneys, Doanh "Zone" T. Nguyen and Eustorgio Perez argue that the Texas Democratic Party is responsible for failing to provide their accurate address and to correct any irregularities in their address online.

RELATED: Valdez may file lawsuit against Democratic Party

In their memorandum opinion, the Third Circuit said the duties of the Texas Democratic Party chair were not violated in this case, citing the 2006 opinion by Texas' 14th District Court of Appeals in the case of Glory Hopkins.

"The legislature has unambiguously placed the risk of untimely delivery or nondelivery on the candidate who mails his or her application and filing fee ...," the Third Circuit quotes from the Hopkins opinion.

Nguyen said Tuesday that he was working to file the appeal to the Supreme Court by the end of the day.

He also said he appreciated that the Third Circuit handed down their opinion on Valdez's case right away, so they have a greater chance of hearing from the Supreme Court before the ballots are printed.

Webb County Elections Administrator Oscar Villarreal said that the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act requires that by Jan. 20 his office sends a ballot to anyone who has requested one and is overseas or in the military. Villarreal said his office has already received a few requests for ballots under the MOVE Act.

READ MORE: Local businessman, theater advocate named 2017 Laredoan of the year

And before the Jan. 20 deadline, the ballots will still need to be proofed, approved by the Democratic and Republican party chairs, sent to the vendor to be printed and returned to Webb County to be stamped with Villarreal's signature before they can be shipped out.

"We're quite frankly running out of time," Villarreal said.

Because the House of Representatives District 80 does not cover all of Webb County, Villarreal said they could have some ballots printed and hold off on the rest while they wait for the Supreme Court's decision. But that just makes it difficult for everyone, he said.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.comA confluence of freezing temperatures and a national holiday had more people than usual cranking up their heat on Monday, causing power outages across Laredo, primarily in the northeast quadrant.

For people to run their heaters takes double or triple the amount of electricity needed to run air conditioning units, said Tony Arce, American Electric Power manager of external affairs, which is why an outage such as this is less likely when are people blasting their AC in the throes of Laredo's August.

READ MORE: Local businessman, theater advocate named 2017 Laredoan of the year

AEP, which delivers electricity to all of Laredo, was prepared to handle the increased demand, Arce said, but the magnitude was even greater on Monday because so many people were home on their day off.

"Yesterday was a holiday when everybody was home. It went to a temperature (that is not normal for us), and people don't go to 68 (degrees), they go to 75," Arce said after a news conference Tuesday.

Outages began to occur around 12:30 p.m. Monday, Arce said, and initially more than 5,300 homes and businesses were affected.

Late Monday, AEP restored power to 4,000 of these accounts, and then to another 200 Tuesday afternoon. They projected to restore service to the remaining 1,000 or so customers by 3 a.m. Wednesday, Arce said.

Laredo City Manager Horacio De Leon is a member of this group that has been without power for more than 24 hours. And although the temperature has not reached below 25 degrees, De Leon said he called the outage a crisis. Laredo isn't used to this kind of cold, he said.

Councilman Charlie San Miguel, whose district was largely affected by the outages, said that this weather event is like Laredo's Hurricane Harvey.

And pockets of south Laredo were experiencing outages as well, Mayor Pete Saenz said.

RELATED: Lawsuit filed in 14-year-old boy's death caused by downed power line

AEP discovered Monday that the source of the outages was their Del Mar electrical substation, which was overloaded, Arce said.

Even considering north Laredo's considerable growth in recent years, this substation can still handle the area, Arce said.

And there are several projects in place that will prepare AEP for continued growth, he told LMT. They plan to increase the capacity at the Del Mar substation, they are building new substation near Unitec Industrial Park, and they are building a second substation in the Mines Road/Las Cruces area. All of these projects are scheduled to be operational by the end of the year, Arce said.

But in the mean time, in order to restore power to everyone, AEP set up a portable substation at Del Mar on Tuesday, which should double that area's power capacity, Arce said.

AEP plans to keep it there for the next several months while the potential for extreme cold looms.

AEP has had a total of 75 distribution and transmission workers at the Del Mar substation, many of whom worked through the night, the company said in a news release.

Conservation and precaution

While 1,000 homes and businesses abide the cold, AEP and the City of Laredo called on residents with power to reduce their consumption to help the restoration efforts.

AEP recommended customers keep their thermostat at 68 degrees so as to use less electricity, close blinds and curtains to keep heat inside and delay using large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.

Health Department Director Dr. Hector Gonzalez said to check on the elderly, loved ones and neighbors during these outages. City officials also endorsed moving pets inside.

READ MORE: Laredo family welcomes new year with first baby of 2018

Bethany House and the Salvation Army were open and had space for people without power, Fire Chief Steve Landin said. The city is prepared to open another shelter if these places reach capacity, but that is not anticipated, he said.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.comThe Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office arrested 117 people for DWI during the recent holiday weeks.

The constable's deputies teamed up with the Harris County Sheriff's Office to crack down on drunken driving in precinct 4, which includes Tomball, Cypress, Spring, Klein and Humble.

"Our goal was to not have any accidents involving drunks and guess what? There was no accidents in Precinct 4 involving drunks," said Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman. "We arrested these people before they had wrecks."

The sheriff's office did not release the number of arrests deputies made during this initiative.

On Christmas Day, sheriff's deputies responded to a vehicle collision that resulted from two Ford Mustangs suspected of street racing while southbound on Texas 249 near Hollister Road.

Both Mustangs struck a Ford Explorer, killing the driver. One of the Mustang drivers later died from injuries at a hospital.

In October and November, three other fatalities involving collisions also occurred along Texas 249, including one pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.

Herman said one of the last incidents during which a deputy arrested a driver for speeding was over the summer for while driving at about 130 mph.

Drivers who are caught by deputies are either arrested or ticketed for reckless driving.

"We see racing and speeding vehicles all the time," he said.Death perches at Devil's Curve, no matter which one.

At least 48 people were killed Tuesday when a bus collided with a tractor trailer and plunged from the sliver of highway running along Peru's coastline. Helicopters buzzed overhead to pluck six survivors from the wreckage and recover bodies strewn across the rocky beach about 262 feet below the highway. There were also three people missing from the 57 total passengers, The Associated Press reported.

The bus was completely destroyed in the collision in Pasamayo, about 43 miles north of Lima, with photographs showing massive damage to the front and a destroyed back end, presumably from the tumble down the cliff.

Locals christened the stretch of highway "The Devil's Curve" because of its proximity to the cliff and regular blankets of fog complicating navigation along its tight turns, where tractor trailers roar to and from the capital. Numerous accidents have occurred at the site, the AP reported. Peru's roadways combine with unforgiving terrain to form a deadly mix; at least 37 people died in a three-bus accident involving a truck in 2015 further north along the coastal highway, and 51 Quechua indigenous were killed when their bus fell off a cliff into a river in 2013.

The roadways are so perilous that the U.S. State Department prohibits diplomatic staff from traveling by motor vehicle outside Lima at night, especially as bus passengers, because of threats of armed bandits and poor road conditions.

Yet that deadly stretch of road is not the only infamous Devil's Curve in Peru. In the far north, near Ecuador, where the jungle and jagged Andes peaks collide, indigenous protesters in 2009 clashed with federal police over government plans to deepen oil drilling and natural resource mining in the Amazon. Spurred by foreign investment and plans to compete economically with its South American neighbors such as Chile and Brazil, then-President Alan Garcia allowed its state oil company to drill on protected lands.

A coalition of indigenous people, the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest, responded with civil disobedience protests, culminating in the Battle of Devil's Curve in June. And like the other Devil's Curve, the harsh terrain played a central role in a tragedy.

Peru is roughly the size of Texas, California and Oklahoma combined, with at least 20 mountains eclipsing 19,000 feet in elevation. Enormous sprawl and high elevation puts a premium on roadways snaking from Lima that taper off in the jungle, which cover 60 percent of the country in dense rain forest. In the northwest Amazon basin, the 5N highway terminates near a protected reserve - one way in for oil transport, and one way out to the highways leading to ports on the northern coast.

Thousands of indigenous people led by activist Alberto Pizango Chota made their stand at Bagua, a jungle town on highway 5N. The road is carved from steep terrain running through two rivers in a series of sharp turns coined "The Devil's Curve." Demonstrators blockaded the roadway with logs and rocks and set up makeshift tents with plastic sheets in a two-month showdown with the government.

On June 5, Garcia dispatched 500 police to put down the protest and open the road. In a predawn raid, police fired tear gas into the crowd, and protesters alleged helicopters raked them with gunfire.

"The number of people injured is unimaginable," reported Carlos Flores, a journalist for Radio La Voz de Bagua, according to Emily Schmall's recount of the incident for World Journal in 2011. "They're strewn all over the highway. Sympathetic townspeople aided the protests, Schmall wrote, and razed a police station to the ground.

At least 34 people were killed by gunfire, including 23 police officers, the government alleged, though the numbers were disputed by both indigenous groups and the government, each accusing each other of inflating the body count for their side. BBC initially reported 22 demonstrators and nine police were killed, and Amnesty International later said 80 of the 200 injured demonstrators had gunshot wounds. Journalists reported seeing the police dump bodies in the nearby Utcubamba River, Schmall wrote, in what other groups alleged was to obscure the true number of dead protesters.

Violence escalated. Protesters captured 11 police officers and killed them the following day in Imacita, to the north, Amnesty International said, with other clashes in the country to come.

Then-Prime Minister Yehude Simon resigned following the incident and Congress repealed at least one drilling authorization that led to the protests. Protesters charged with violence at Bagua were acquitted in 2016.

The incident is known at Baguazo, a modification of the town's name meaning 'big' to signify the importance of what occurred there. Locals might make the same grim change to mark what happened at Devil's Curve in Pasamayo, nine years later.BEIJING - North and South Korea reopened a long suspended cross-border hotline on Wednesday, conducting a brief conversation to pave the way for official talks between the two sides about sending a delegation from the North to next month's Winter Olympics in the South.

Talks, if they take place, would mark the first formal dialogue between the two sides since December 2015, while the hotline has been dormant since February 2016. They could yield an easing of tensions after a year of nuclear and missile tests, hostile rhetoric and the real risk of war. But U.S. officials and experts have reacted cautiously and skeptically, doubting the sincerity of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea had earlier in the day announced the channel would be reopened. The South's Unification Ministry then announced that officials from the North had called using the hotline at the shared border village of Panmunjom on Wednesday afternoon. Officials first tested the line and held a conversation for around 20 minutes, it said, according to news agencies.

The announcement follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's offer on Monday to open a dialogue with South Korea over the North's participation in the Winter Olympics, which begin Feb. 9.

South Korea responded by proposing talks as early as next Tuesday in Panmunjom, which straddles the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone between the two Koreas. The reopening of the hotline is meant to establish arrangements for this formal dialogue.

"The restoration of the hotline is very significant," said South Korea's chief presidential press secretary, Yoon Young-chan, according to news agencies. "It creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times."

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, said his country hoped the Winter Olympics would be a success.

"We will try to keep close communications with the South Korean side from a sincere stand and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," he said, according to the North's official KCNA news agency.

China urged both sides to use the Winter Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties.

"We believe all relevant parties in this issue should seize this positive turn of events in the situation on the peninsula," spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular news conference. "China would like to play a constructive and positive role in bringing this situation back to the right track of peaceful settlement, work for the denuclearization of the peninsula and long-term peace and stability on the peninsula."

However, there is no guarantee talks would find common ground between the two sides, nor lead to any lasting upturn in ties. Experts warned that North Korea was most likely borrowing from a well-worn playbook, hoping to win relief from sanctions and buy time to improve its nuclear program without offering any real concessions. Efforts to improve North Korea's behavior by promoting sporting or cultural links have always failed in the past.

U.S. officials said they doubt Kim's sincerity but declared that Washington would not stand in the way, nor would it allow the North to drive a wedge between South Korea and the United States.

In an indication of the possible hurdles that lay ahead, South Korea's Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon warned Tuesday that North Korea could demand "different treatment," apparently as a nuclear power, if the talks do take place.

North Korea has refused to pick up the hotline since 2016 in retaliation for the closure of an industrial complex jointly operated by the two sides that provided much-needed revenue for the North. Relations have deteriorated as North Korea has accelerated its nuclear and missile program with frequent tests.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday that the United States is hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing for another missile test, warning that such action would necessitate tougher steps against Pyongyang.

In a New Year's Day speech, Kim said he wanted to ease tensions with the South, but also told the Trump administration that a "nuclear button" was on his desk and his missiles could strike any part of the United States.

Trump responded with a threat of his own Tuesday evening.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!," he wrote on Twitter.

Asked about Trump's comments, China's Geng urged "all the relevant parties" to exercise restraint and do more to ease tensions on the peninsula.WASHINGTON - Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, announced Tuesday that he will end a four-decade congressional career at the close of 2018, instantly unleashing the widespread presumption that former presidential contender Mitt Romney will seek to replace him.

Hatch, who is 83 and a close ally of President Donald Trump, decided to step down despite strong encouragement from the president to run for an eighth term in the Senate.

"Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves. And for me, that time is soon approaching," Hatch said. "That's why after much prayer and discussion with family and friends, I've decided to retire at the end of this term."

His decision triggers an open contest in heavily Republican Utah - but it also establishes Romney, a frequent Trump critic, as an instant front-runner. And it sets the stage for Romney to play a very different role in the Senate than Hatch has, potentially complicating the president's already rocky relationship with the GOP on Capitol Hill.

Romney has not made any definitive public statements about his plans.

"I join the people of Utah in thanking my friend, Senator Orrin G. Hatch for his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation," he said Tuesday in a written statement on Facebook that did not address his future.

However, Republicans with a close eye on the race said they have seen signs for a while that Romney's allies have been gearing up for a campaign.

"I think the field is pre-cleared. I think he still wants to serve," Dan Eberhart, a wealthy GOP donor, wrote of Romney in an email. "I think we could use someone with his real world business experience in the Senate."

In fact, by the time Hatch made his announcement Tuesday, talk was already underway in GOP circles about who would staff a Romney campaign and when he might officially jump in. For instance, Matt Waldrip, a longtime Romney adviser, is widely expected to be his campaign manager, according to two Republicans close to the emerging campaign, who spoke anonymously to describe private plans. Waldrip did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Romney enjoys deep family roots and strong institutional backing in Utah, as well as a powerful national donor network that he could quickly activate.

The former Massachusetts governor has shown a willingness this year to cross Trump on divisive matters. Late in 2017, just hours after Trump had voiced support for Roy Moore, the GOP's embattled Senate nominee in Alabama, Romney spoke out on Twitter against Moore. Weeks before that, Romney praised Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., following a speech that featured a sharp critique of Trump's approach to foreign policy.

Jason Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman from Utah and a Romney ally, said he sees potential for Romney and Trump to work together, noting that the president considered Romney for secretary of state during his presidential transition. But there will be a clear limit to what Romney would tolerate without speaking out, Chaffetz said.

"Make no mistake about it: Mitt Romney is going to speak his mind if he thinks the president is saying or doing something silly," Chaffetz said. "He's going to express it."

In early October, Hatch said he had spoken with Romney about the Senate race.

"I like Mitt," Hatch said at the time. Asked if he thought Romney would be interested in coming to Washington during the Trump era, Hatch replied, "I don't know. It didn't seem like it to me," adding a chuckle at the end.

The White House, meanwhile, offered no assurances that Trump would campaign for the eventual Republican nominee in Utah. "I don't think we've made a determination in terms of campaigning," said press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Hatch was a leading public face of Republican tax legislation that Trump signed into law late last month.

Sanders said Trump "has the greatest and deepest amount of respect for Senator Hatch and appreciated the role he played in the tax talks."

In his announcement, Hatch mentioned Trump, who urged him to run for re-election in December.

"When the president visited Utah last month, he said I was a fighter. I've always been a fighter," Hatch said.

For months, Hatch's political future has been on the minds of Republican strategists and officials, many of whom expected him to step down at some at some point soon after the tax bill was completed.

Hatch was first elected to the Senate in 1976. He is finishing his seventh term in the upper chamber of Congress this year as the longest-serving Republican senator in history.

His departure will leave openings in important and symbolic roles. If Republicans hold their majority in this year's elections, Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, would probably reclaim his seniority on the Finance Committee and give up the gavel at the Judiciary Committee.

Hatch will also give up the title of president pro tempore, the constitutional leader of the Senate who is in the presidential line of succession behind the vice president and House speaker. If Republicans hold the majority, Sens. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and then Grassley are next in line to claim that largely honorary role.

Normally mild-mannered, Hatch has flashed a more fiery side at times during his Senate career. He got in a heated debate in November with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, over the tax bill, raising his voice as he objected to Brown's argument that the legislation was tilted in favor of wealthy Americans.

"I come from the lower middle class, originally," Hatch snapped at Brown at a Finance Committee hearing. "We didn't have anything. So don't spew that stuff on me. I get a little tired of that crap."

Hatch was one of the authors of the original Children's Health Insurance Program legislation in 1997, working with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who died in 2009. The program is back in the national spotlight, as lawmakers in both parties push for a reauthorization of the initiative, which expired last fall.

In his announcement video, Hatch touted his legislative resume and record on confirming Supreme Court nominees.

"I've authored more bills that have become law than any member of the Congress alive today," he said.

Although Romney is widely expected to hold a deep advantage in both the nominating contest and the general election, the rules governing the nominating process in Utah are complex and have produced surprises - and the Republican electorate is deeply conservative.

In 2010, the late senator Bob Bennett lost the nomination to Mike Lee after Lee built support at caucus meetings across Utah that stacked support in his favor at the state GOP convention and blocked Bennett from the primary ballot. Since then, the party has changed the nominating rules to allow a candidate to bypass the caucus and convention process by obtaining a minimum number of signatures.

"The Utah Republican Party is quite conservative," said Phill Wright, a member of the state Republican central committee and a former party vice chairman. "It would be hard for someone like Mitt Romney to win at the convention with delegates."

But there is "no question," Wright added, that Romney has the organization and resources to collect the necessary signatures to succeed.

One other Republican candidate, attorney Larry Meyers of St. George, Utah, has announced plans to run for the seat. Meyers tried to unseat Rep. Chris Stewart (R) in 2014, but he was defeated at the state party convention.

Other Utah conservatives in the state have been trying to recruit another conservative to contest Romney from the right, but no candidates have come forward.

"Conservatives are always looking someone with the moral quality Romney has and is conservative at the same time," said Gayle Ruzicka, the president of the Utah Eagle Forum. "He's not conservative."

Among those cheering on Romney to run Tuesday was Evan McMullin, a Utah native who ran for president as an independent in 2016 and who has talked about running for office again some day.

"In this seat, we must have a leader prepared to meet the challenges of our day and our future. I hope that leader will be @MittRomney," McMullin wrote on Twitter.

Jenny Wilson, a Salt Lake City city councilwoman seeking the Democratic nomination for Hatch's seat, said in a statement that Hatch made "the right decision for Utah" and that she would stay in the race.

Paul Kane, Ashley Parker, Philip Rucker and David Weigel contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPostAs temperatures drop in the northeast corner of the United States, icy water that goes over the roaring Niagara Falls crashes into the rocks below and turns solid. Blocks of ice floes freeze together, forming a solid mass wide enough to connect the United States and Canada.

It's called the ice bridge. Children in the late 1880s rode their sleds there, tourists strolled between the two countries, and entrepreneurs sold food and hot drinks from makeshift concession stands. A "sharp rogue," as the Niagara Falls Gazette described a man on Feb. 14, 1883, built a shanty of boards in the middle of the massive bridge - right on the line between the two countries, where no laws apply - and sold liquor.

Mounds of ice piled up high enough to almost reach the top of the falls. One early-20th-century photo, published in "Niagara Falls: 1850-2000" by Paul Gromosiak and Christopher Stoianoff, showed children playing dangerously close to the rapidly falling waters as they stood at the top of an ice mountain.

Such was the geological wonder of the ice bridge and the three falls that form Niagara Falls in New York. American and Bridal Veil falls are next to each other on the U.S. side. Horseshoe Falls, the biggest of the three, straddles both countries. Collectively, more than 3,000 tons of water flows over the falls each second, making Niagara Falls a major source of hydroelectric power for the United States and Canada.

Gromosiak, a Niagara Falls historian, described to the Buffalo News in 2004 what it was like to be there:

"All the trees were bowing to the river, with the weight of ice on their branches. And I looked up at the sky and saw this vortex of ring-billed gulls, thousands of them. . . . The natural scene overwhelms the artificial scene around it. Especially on a day when the ice bridge is massive and you have huge mounds of ice below the American Falls, ice on all the trees, the sun shining and the rainbow in the sky. It diminishes even those skyscrapers on the Canadian side."

But behind the white, pristine beauty was a tragedy that changed the history of Niagara Falls.

About three-dozen people were on the ice bridge that broke at noon on Feb. 4, 1912. A large block of ice fell on the bridge, causing it to crack and the floes to break apart. Many made it to either side of the bridge; three didn't.

Eldridge and Clara Stanton were paralyzed with fear as they stood on a moving ice floe. Clara collapsed, while Eldridge screamed for help. They held each other, looking like a mere dot in a photo taken from a distance. Farther up to their left was Burrell Hecock, who would've made it to the Canadian side had he not stopped to help the Stantons after hearing the screams. Together, they were swept to their deaths.

Their bodies were never found.

Walking over the ice bridge is no longer allowed.WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Democratic leaders on Tuesday over the fate of young undocumented immigrants known as dreamers, claiming they are "doing nothing" to protect them from deportation as a key deadline nears, even though last year he ended the Obama-era program that allowed these immigrants to stay in the country.

But the Twitter salvo masked a murkier reality as lawmakers returned to Washington: Trump remains open to negotiations on a charged issue that has vexed him since his presidential campaign - and his brash partisanship was widely seen as a nod to his base rather than a sudden turn in the talks.

Inside the White House and the Republican Party, Trump is caught in a thicket of political pressures as he maps out possible requisites for a deal. Many of his supporters are clamoring for a standoff over funding for his promised, massive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, while some aides and GOP officials are reminding him of his pledge last year to "show great heart" toward dreamers - immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.

"He's got a very simple core problem. His base regards DACA," the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, "as a sellout," said former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally. "He personally gets it and he personally wants to solve it, but he's got to get something for doing it."

During his recent visit to his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump spoke at length with members of his inner circle about these concerns, according to three people familiar with the conversations.

Trump groused that since Democrats, in his view, were unwilling to work with him on the GOP tax bill that passed last month, he could not expect them to work with him on the dreamers issue, either, and he warned he would be quick to blame them if discussions fell apart, the people said.

But Trump also expressed hope that he could eventually find a way to convince some red-state Democrats to support funding for a wall and would keep prodding them throughout January, the people added.

Even if Trump bends some Democrats to his will, many moderate Republicans are wary of the wall proposal and its implications in their own races, and have asked congressional GOP leaders to act swiftly to address dreamers regardless of whether Democrats agree to Trump's demands.

"The president is boxed in a corner," former Trump adviser Sam Nunberg said. "He knows the base sees the wall a threshold issue and they're worried that establishment Republicans and Democrats want a straight deal, without funding for the wall. But with some Republicans in Congress looking to possibly tie the issue to the budget fight, getting what he wants will be difficult."

Senior aides to Democratic leaders said Tuesday that they are not taking Trump's tweets literally given his shifting stances on immigration matters. More important, they said, is what is said inside the private meetings - and who attends.

Democratic aides said they took notice when White House Chief of Staff John Kelly - and not senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, a border hawk - showed up at a December meeting with leading senators.

At times, "it's unclear who we're even negotiating with in the White House," one House Democratic aide said.

Where Trump ultimately lands - and whether he could accept any border-security provisions other than a physical wall - is likely to consume Capitol Hill in the coming weeks. How the president proceeds could shape the contours of the upcoming midterm elections, where most centrist Republicans are eager to avoid angering voters in states with growing Hispanic populations.

But Trump faces a potential revolt on his right, should he be seen by conservative Republicans as working too closely with the Democrats or failing to secure substantial wall funding, which is in part why he keeps signaling his commitment to the wall on Twitter, according to his associates.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and others allies, such as House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, R-N.C., are increasingly urging Trump to hold to his hard line. A person close to Bannon said Tuesday that if Trump does not begin to build the wall this year, his allies on talk radio and television, and at Breitbart News, which Bannon oversees, will "freak out."

A Tuesday headline at Breitbart blared: "Trump's Prioritizing DACA Illegal Aliens Breaks with 'No Amnesty' Commitment."

Ed Brookover, a former Trump adviser, said the president's challenge in January will be "whether he can take a little bit of the steam out of the tea pot" in the Republican base "and figure out if he can get something done."

Leaders from both parties meet with White House officials on Wednesday at the Capitol to discuss the future of the roughly 700,000 immigrants who were enrolled in the deferred action program in September when Trump announced its termination, along with the impasse over the budget. Legislative director Marc Short and Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney are slated to attend the gathering, where the fate of dreamers will be deliberated.

The bulk of those dreamer work permits will begin to expire on March 5 unless Congress takes action, although thousands of young people have already seen their permits expire since the government stopped accepting renewal applications in October. Funding for the federal government expires later this month.

When asked Tuesday for details about Trump's position, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said he is engaged in the negotiating process and called it a priority.

"The president wants to have responsible immigration reform. He said before that he would like to include a DACA resolution in that process, and we hope to be able to work with members of Congress to get that done," Sanders said.

Hogan Gidley, a White House spokesman, added in an email that Trump will seek "ensuring interior enforcement, eliminating the visa lottery program and ending chain migration" as part of a dreamers deal.

Trump has pressed for additional spending on border security measures aimed not just at building a wall, but also adding thousands of immigration enforcement officers and additional immigration judges to ramp up deportations. He seized on two recent terrorist attacks in New York committed by immigrants to call on Congress to end a long-standing diversity lottery that provides green cards to 50,000 immigrants a year from mostly African nations, as well as enacting deep cuts on legal immigration channels for family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, which critics refer to as "chain migration."

Trump tweeted late last month that "there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL," among other demands. He tweeted on Tuesday that Democrats should agree to his terms or else risk "activists and Hispanics" eventually "falling in love" with Republicans.

Trump has appeared to shift his position since announcing the termination of the dreamers program in September, making the unfolding political drama harder to read for leaders in both parties.

In the days after that decision, Trump suggested he would be open to a deal with Democrats that included providing legal status for immigrants in the program in exchange for additional border security measures, and that a physical wall did not necessarily have to be among the immediate concessions. The wall, he said then, would "come later."

But in recent months, and after some conservatives railed against his remarks, the president has hit Democrats for being soft on immigration and signaled that wall funding, along with curbs to legal migration long sought by border hawks, would have to be included in any DACA deal.

Democrats have said they will refuse any deal that includes such measures, which are strongly opposed by immigrant rights groups.

"We are firmly committed to swiftly passing the DREAM Act, which we know would pass with bipartisan support if brought to the floor," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote in a letter to Democratic colleagues Tuesday, referencing legislation that would grant conditional residency to dreamers.

None of the measures Trump has advocated for is new. Comprehensive immigration bills in 2007, under President George W. Bush, and in 2013, under President Barack Obama, included hundreds of miles of additional border fencing, along with reductions, over time, to legal immigration levels. Both were backed by many Democrats. In both of those cases, lawmakers also proposed providing a path to citizenship to dreamers and millions of other undocumented immigrants. Both efforts ended in failure.

Advocates for dreamers are on edge about the tight time frame for negotiations.

"I think a longer term deal with all these different things everyone is talking about is very challenging in this climate," said Leon Fresco, an immigration attorney and former aide to Senate Democrats who worked on the 2013 bill. "It's very difficult to get the kinds of change necessary to make both sides happy."

Veteran Democrats said Trump's ambition for a border wall for dreamers deal is based more on aspiration than sharp political calculation since most Democrats see an upside to rallying against Trump's proposed structure, which their party's base has cast as anathema to American values.

"Democrats have the high ground on this issue in that DACA is extremely popular and the border wall is extremely unpopular," said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster. "So the deal Trump is offering is a very bad deal. If the polling was different, maybe Trump could drive a harder bargain, but Democrats don't feel a need to concede."

---

The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis and Josh Dawsey contributed.When my company Phone2Action launched in 2013, we tried to manage employee performance with annual reviews. It was pointless. Why wait months to discuss problems that matter now? In a startup, we needed to move faster and calibrate more often than annual reviews permitted.

Related: Want Your Employees to Be High Performers? Tie Goals to Rewards Like Extra Days Off or Cold Hard Cash.

We scrapped reviews and implemented a performance management system developed by Martin OMalley, former governor of Maryland. He "disrupted" conventional management techniques well before Agile and Lean Startup methodologies swept through Silicon Valley.

Today, many companies use "data-driven" management techniques. However, they struggle to find a balance between team and individual accountability, transparency and privacy, and actions and goals. OMalleys approach may help you find the sweet spot.

The CitiStat story

When OMalley become mayor of Baltimore in 1999, the city suffered from chronic absenteeism, excessive overtime and poor response times. He implemented a data-tracking and management approach called CitiStat, inspired by the New York City Police Departments CompStat crime analytics. Between 1999 and 2007, CitiStat saved Baltimore an estimated $350 million yet the program cost only $400,000 per year (spent mainly on staff salaries), according to the Center for American Progress.

Related: Stop! You're Demoralizing Employees With Reviews! And Frequency Isn't the Reason.

CitiStat required city departments to track performance metrics unique to their responsibilities. The Department of Transportation, for example, recorded how quickly it filled potholes after being alerted.

The department heads met with the CitiStat team every two weeks to review the data. If it was trending in the wrong direction, the CitiStat team and department head would brainstorm and test a solution. At the next meeting, the data would reveal whether the follow-up actions had made a difference. By 2007, the Department of Transportation was filling 97 percent of potholes within 48 hours of notification.

Other cities took note of OMalleys success. Mayor Adrian Fenty introduced a version called CapSTAT in the District of Columbia Government, where I learned the system. We used it to track major initiatives such as school openings.

Related: Employee Feedback Is Only Effective If It's Done Right. Here's How to Make Sure It Lands.

"CapSTATs" were intense accountability meetings that gathered all the agency heads. When an initiative hit delays, there was no place to hide. The numbers, the colors (green for on track, yellow for delayed and red for behind) and mapping revealed the status of everything.

Having observed the effectiveness of CapSTAT, I wanted to create a version for Phone2Action. We called it ActionSTAT.

Why its different

There are different schools of thought in performance management. ActionSTAT addresses three conflicts that arise in most performance evaluation systems.

1. Team v. individual

Traditional employee reviews often happen in isolation and emphasize individual achievements. In contrast, ActionSTAT holds both the team and individual accountable by measuring how people spend their time. The system connects individual actions and goals to departmental and company goals.

Related: To Motivate Your Employees, Give Honest Feedback

This kind of "systems thinking" is hard to achieve in government but comes naturally in technology companies, which have standard measures of success. In software-as-a-service (SaaS), these could include annual recurring revenue (AAR), monthly recurring revenue (MMR) and gross retention.

For example, lets say we ask each salesperson to make 40 calls per day. The salespeople who perform this "leading action" close more deals than those who dont. The action appears to work, so we keep doing it. If salespeople made the 40 calls but didnt close more deals, wed test other leading actions. Ultimately, we trace the salespeoples work to AAR and MMR.

2. Public v. private feedback

One of the hardest aspects of performance management is giving and receiving feedback. When a manager gives an employee feedback in private, the company doesnt gain institutional knowledge. Only two people learn from the experience. When performance management is a team activity, a culture of continuous learning, improvement and transparency can emerge.

Related: 3 Changes Your Company Should Make to Performance Management in 2017

Phone2Action holds ActionSTATs every Thursday at 10 a.m. The meetings are open to everyone but focused on one department each week. We start ActionSTAT by reviewing a dashboard that shows the most important metrics of company health. Those include our load time, conversion rate and retention rate.

Next, we look at the departments lagging indicators (marked green, yellow and red, just like in CapSTAT) followed by its "leading actions." Often, we look at individual leading actions, too. The data sparks questions, conversation and feedback from across the company.

Over time, a few things happen:

Everyone in the company gets used to providing and receiving feedback. Everyone gets used to discussing performance publicly. Everyone sees what people do in other departments and therefore learns how each team member contributes to the companys goals.

The health metrics never change, but how teams spend their time can. By discussing the leading actions of each department, we set and correct behaviors.

Related: 3 Steps to Help Employees Understand Your Objectives and Expectations

3. Actions v. goals

ActionSTAT distinguishes between how people spend their time (leading actions) and lagging indicators (goals defined by metrics). This is crucial because companies that manage solely by objectives cannot address the behaviors that drive the outcomes.

If we want to lose weight, jumping on the scale everyday wont change anything. What we eat and how much we exercise will. The same applies to companies. If we measure lagging indicators but not the activities that influence them, we will not identify what works.

Every ActionSTAT becomes a chance to refine leading actions. If we wait one full year to evaluate an employee, we see if she hit the metrics, but we cannot correct behaviors along the way. Performance management is about continuously identifying the actions that produce desirable outcomes.

Related: Should You Ditch Annual Performance Reviews? It Depends.

A thing of the past

Every tech company wants to be "agile," but traditional employee reviews hinder that culture. Annual reviews exhaust managers and stress out employees who might have spent months working tirelessly -- in the wrong direction. Neither the company nor the employee can afford to wait a year for the feedback.

Today, people choose work environments where they can learn continuously and understand how their actions contribute to the companys success. Annual reviews are thing of the past.

Related:



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com

The two children who went missing after their mother was found dead were safely located Wednesday night, according to Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks. Authorities had been searching for the children since New Year's Eve.

Terry Allen Miles, the deceased mother's roommate, was a person of interest in the case. He was caught in Colorado without incident, Banks said at a press conference late Wednesday evening.

"It wasn't if the girls came home, it has always been when the girls came home," said Banks. "That just goes to tell you the passion in returning these girls home safe."

Banks said a Los Animas County sheriff in Colorado located Miles after receiving a tip that he and the girls were in the area. The sheriff found the vehicle and trailed behind Miles, who started driving erratically.

A traffic stop was initiated on the car after the sheriff called for back-up. The two girls were found safe inside the vehicle and Miles was taken into custody.

Two detectives from the Round Rock police department will fly Thursday morning to Colorado to conduct interviews.

A number of tips from the southern Colorado region has led law enforcement to focus on that area, Banks said. A surveillance video showing the deceased mother's roommate, 44-year-old Terry Allen Miles, at an unidentified local business on Dec. 30 in Trinidad, Colorado had also caused authorities to search the surrounding area.

Authorities called off the Texas Amber Alert earlier on Wednesday and issued one for Colorado instead.

"Somebody out there is going to recognize Terry Miles," said Banks during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "Someone out there is going to recognize our two sisters, Lily and Lulu. We want somebody to call us. We want to bring those girls home safely."

Authorities launched a search for the children after responding to a welfare concern in the 2600 block of Leslie Court on New Year's Eve, only to find 44-year-old Tonya Bates dead and the two children missing, according to a police press release.

Police initially said they believed Lilianais Victoria Cake Griffith, 14, and Luluvioletta Mariposo Bandera-Magret, 7, were in "grave or immediate danger" after an abduction.

Miles has been wanted both in connection with the missing girls and as a person of interest in their mother's "suspicious" death.

READ ALSO: Baby found safe after mom's car stolen from gas station with child inside

Banks said the two girls were not seen in the surveillance video. He noted that agencies across the country have been working with Round Rock Police Department to locate the two missing girls.

Miles is described as a 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound white male with hazel eyes, glasses and a beard. He is driving a 2017 Hyundai Accent with a Texas license plate "JGH9845," police said. He was last heard from in Round Rock, a northern suburb of Austin, though police said he could be en route to Louisiana.

READ ALSO: Things to know about the Houston woman accused of murder and kidnapping baby

Griffith is 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, with light brown hair, brown eyes, braces and a stud on the right side of her nose. Bandera-Magret is 4 feet 5 inches tall and 75 pounds, with curly brown hair and brown eyes.

The initial alert covered the Amarillo, Lubbock, El Paso, Midland/Odessa, Austin/San Antonio, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, San Angelo, Fort Worth and Houston-Galveston regions, as well as Norman, Okla. and Shreveport and Lake Charles, La.

Anyone with information about the abduction is asked to call the Round Rock Police Department at (512) 218-5516.In an unusual move, San Antonio police launched a recent human smuggling investigation without the help of federal immigration authorities.

Police arrested Herbert Alan Nichols, 58, of Houston, on Dec. 23 after an SAPD officer found him near a tractor trailer with 12 people inside. Instead of turning the case over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements criminal investigation arm, police charged Nichols under a state smuggling law.

Detectives interviewed the 12 people found in the truck, who were suspected of being in the country illegally, then released them, according to a police report.

Nichols arrest comes as the city of San Antonio has been at the forefront of national immigration issues. The city is part of a lawsuit challenging the new Texas law on so-called sanctuary cities, which created penalties for local officials who have policies preventing law enforcement officers from asking about immigration status of people they detain.

San Antonio previously prohibited its officers from making such inquiries  because immigration is a federal matter  but had to remove the prohibition under the new law. The citys new policy simply makes it clear to officers that immigration enforcement is not a priority.

Courts struck down the portion of the law that punishes officials who materially limit  the enforcement of immigration laws. An appeal is pending in the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

A spokesman for Mayor Ron Nirenberg referred questions about the recent incident to SAPD.

Sgt. Michelle Ramos, a police spokeswoman, said the department received a $500,000 grant last year to train officers to identify and investigate human smuggling and trafficking.

We do have a state statute that allows us to investigate these cases, Ramos said. My understanding is because this is the second one this year, I think its a good idea that we do take the lead on this.

We certainly will work with our federal counterparts, Ramos added. We have a working relationship.

The December incident came months after police found dozens of people from Mexico, Guatemala and Ecuador who had been smuggled from Laredo in a tractor trailer and left in a South Side parking lot last July. Ten people died from suffocation in the sweltering trailer.

Most of the 29 survivors were detained by federal officials and many were later deported. In that case, the survivors were flushed down the tubes, said Jonathan Ryan, the executive director of Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services. He applauded San Antonio police for not turning the witnesses of the December incident over to ICE.

In both cases what you had was an individual being prosecuted for smuggling, for exploiting peoples hopes and fears and taking money and risking their lives in the process. In both cases the immigrants served as the principal witnesses, without whose testimony there would be no prosecution, said Ryan, whose organization represents immigrants who were being smuggled in both incidents. In the July event, the individuals were being held in a private, for-profit prison for weeks at taxpayer expense, to achieve what appears to be the same result the police are going to get in this case by pursuing state smuggling charges.

On Dec. 23, a police officer found Nichols pacing outside a tractor trailer parked in the 1600 block of Splashtown Drive after being flagged down by a motorist that afternoon, according to a police report.

The complainant then stated that there was a trailer with some individuals in it and that two females were right outside crying, the report states.

The officer found 12 people in the trailer, ages 16 through 41, none of whom required medical attention. One man from Guatemala said hed been picked up from somewhere in the woods and was given a ride to San Antonio, according to the police report.

Police Chief William McManus arrived on the scene and Nichols, a 57-year-old woman who was also considered a suspect and the 12 immigrants were taken to police headquarters. There, Nichols admitted to picking up the immigrants at a warehouse in Laredo and transporting them to San Antonio, according to the police report. The 12 immigrants were released.

Nichols was charged with smuggling of persons, a state law that can carry up to 20 years in prison if one of the people being smuggled is younger than 18. He was still in the Bexar County Jail Wednesday afternoon.

Local police rarely use the charge. In Bexar County, only one person has been prosecuted under the state smuggling of persons law, which was created in 2011, according to online court records.

An ICE spokeswoman said the agency offered assistance, but police decided to pursue the case on their own.

The state smuggling law doesnt require police to show that the people being smuggled are illegal immigrants, only that the smuggler used a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft to transport an individual with the intent to ... conceal the individual from a peace officer or special investigator and did so for a pecuniary benefit.

Local law enforcement agencies that encounter human smugglers usually reach out to Homeland Security Investigations, the criminal investigative branch of ICE, said Julian Calderas, the former deputy field office director in San Antonio for ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, the branch that handles deportations.

Its really unusual. I dont think that I ever saw a situation where there was clearly organized smuggling that they didnt, said Calderas, now the CEO of the consulting firm XFed. This is clearly organized; 18-wheelers, those are usually smuggling rings or organized crime. It would seem very unusual that they would not reach out for some sort of assistance or even give (federal officials) the opportunity to prosecute.

Calderas said he was surprised police decided to charge the state crime, especially in light of the recent deaths in an 18-wheeler last year in a similar situation.

If ICE had handled the investigation, the immigrants likely would have been held as material witnesses and possibly put into deportation proceedings.

Luis Vera, a lawyer for the League of United Latin American Citizens who represents the border town of El Cenizo in its challenge to SB 4, said he thinks its unlikely San Antonios decision to use the state charge and release the immigrants being smuggled violates SB 4.

The question is, does the city have a policy that interferes with an officers right to question or arrest? Vera said. SB 4 talks about policy. The courts have said that localities have a right to manage their local funds and to prioritize how they use those funds.

jbuch@express-news.net | Twitter: @jlbuchAcross a span of 11,500 years, a baby is speaking to us.

Although she was an infant when she died, her diminutive remains are helping researchers understand how ancient people first entered and then moved around the Americas.

The little girl recently was given the name Xach'itee'aaneh T'eede Gaay (Sunrise Girl-Child) by indigenous people in the Alaskan interior who live close to the place where her body was found.

Archaeological evidence suggests her family buried her with care in a pit beneath the central hearth in their temporary home. They laid her to rest on a bed of ocher and placed offerings of weapons around her makeshift grave.

Centuries later, her tiny skeleton was unearthed during an archaeological dig, and, with the permission of local indigenous tribes, samples of her bones were sent off for DNA analysis.

Scientists were stunned by what they revealed: This little girl was born into a previously unknown population of pioneers who were among the first to arrive in North America.

The discovery, reported Wednesday in Nature, has both complicated the story of how humans spread throughout the Americas and brought it into clearer focus, said Ben Potter, an anthropologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who worked on the new study.

"No one can deny that this makes our picture of the history of Native Americans more complex and more accurate than ever before," he said.

'An important finding'

David Reich, a geneticist at Harvard Medical School, hailed the new work as a crucial step toward better understanding how the earliest migrants to the New World diversified once they got here.

"This is an important finding, as it constrains possible scenarios for the early peopling of the Americas in significant ways," he said.

The baby's grave was discovered in 2015 in an archaeological site known as Upward Sun River in Alaska's Tanana River Valley. It appears to have been a residential base camp where men, women and children remained for several weeks at a time, primarily in the summer months. The site was occupied multiple times, beginning about 13,000 years ago.

The remains of Xach'itee'aaneh T'eede Gaay date back to about 11,500 years ago. Her DNA was well-preserved in deep sediments, which made it easier for modern scientists to decode it.

Next the authors compared the more complete genetic sequence from Sunrise Girl-Child with that of other ancient genomes, as well as a panel of DNA profiles from 167 populations around the world. The baby's DNA was more closely related to present-day Native Americans than to any other tested populations, followed by Siberians and East Asians.

Unclear what happened

That didn't come as much of a surprise. There is broad agreement among anthropologists and archaeologists that the first people who came to America traveled over Beringia, a strip of land that connected northeast Asia with northwestern North America during the last ice age, when sea levels were lower.

The part that was shocking was the discovery that the baby girl was equally related to both groups of present-day Native Americans - those who live in northern North America, including Athabaskan and Algonkian speakers, and those who live farther south.

For this to be true, she must have belonged to a third group of people who lived before the northern and southern Native Americans split into genetically distinct groups, the researchers said. They dubbed the newly identified group the Ancient Beringians.

"This was brand-new," Potter said. Scientists "simply didn't have this population on the radar."

Further genetic analysis suggested that the Ancient Beringians split from the ancestors of all other Native Americans about 20,000 years ago, well before Sunrise Girl-Child was born. It is likely that the Ancient Beringians stayed in the north, while the ancestors of all other Native Americans moved south before splitting into two other groups around 15,000 years ago.

Potter said it is unclear what ultimately happened to the Ancient Beringians. Perhaps they were absorbed by other Native Americans who moved back into their region about 6,000 years ago and intermarried. It is also possible they were killed off or out-competed by their neighbors to the south.

"We are still at a very early stage of understanding," he said. "The simple answer is we don't know."

Thanks to the additional genetic data provided by Xach'itee'aaneh T'eede Gaay, the authors say they have the first evidence of a single founding Native American population, which split from East Asians about 35,000 years ago.Mayor Sylvester Turner's press secretary was suspended for two weeks without pay last month for conducting personal business on city time and for failing to turn over public records requested by a local journalist.

Darian Ward, who has returned to work, sent or received roughly 5,000 emails from her government account over the last four years related to her company, Joy in Motion Enterprises, or other personal business matters, according to a city memo.Samantha Lorain Beltran always gave 100 percent in anything she did, a commitment that led to her graduating from Brennan High School a year early.

Samantha was very driven and determined to finish school early, said her mother, Cynthia Gomez. I didnt push that on her or force her to finish school early, she took it upon herself.

Beltran took online classes to finish school early, graduating in 2017. She also took AP classes. Her plan was to major in forensic biology at University of North Texas.

RELATED: Man behind River Walk food staples dies at 57

Beltran, 18, died Dec 27 after being in a car accident.

My baby girl was special; her character was pure and real; she was nonjudgmental, her mother said. Samantha stood for three things in life: It was peace, love and equality.

Gomez added, She accomplished so much in her 18 years of life.

More Information Samantha Lorain Beltran Born: Oct. 9, 1999, Austin Died: Dec. 27, 2017, San Antonio Preceded by: Great-grandparents Jesus and Eulalia Amador Survived by: Mother Cynthia Gomez; father Sergio E. Beltran; stepfather Michael Gomez; grandparents Antonio and Virginia Lugo Sr., Bernardo Meza, Margarita Martinez and Angelita Gomez; half-sisters Itzayana Beltran, Atziri Beltran and Dario Beltran; half-brothers Sergio Beltran and Ramses Beltran; stepsister Justine Gomez; stepbrothers Michael Gomez Jr., Andrew Gomez and Jhonathen Gomez Services: Funeral service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, 1700 S.E. Military Drive, followed by interment at San Jose Burial Park, 8235 Mission Road See More Collapse

Beltran was active with her church, First Restoration Christian Church, where her grandfather was a pastor. She would help with any task asked of her.

When Beltran was not helping at her church, she volunteered at the Humane Society, walking and playing with the dogs and cats waiting to be adopted.

Samantha would want to take all of them home. Gomez said. She loved her two Labrador dogs, Ferris and Bibi; those were her babies.

RELATED: Family, friends react in disbelief to shooting death of beloved Fort Sam Houston cook

Beltran also had traveled to Europe, New York, California, Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Some of Samanthas trips was paid by her friends parents  they would call and ask if Samantha could join them on their family vacation, Gomez said. She was loved by her family and friends.

Beltran was Gomezs only child, but she had several half-brothers, half-sisters, stepbrothers and a stepsister.

Michael Gomez, who married Beltrans mother in 2015, recalled that she was always throwing up the peace sign to me.

Samantha and I had a good bond; she knew Thursdays was pizza night before we went to church, he added. I am going to miss her dearly.

RELATED: Woman killed in alleged murder-suicide warned by friend to seek safety

Beltran also had a good relationship with her mother.

We listened to different genres of music, her mother said, Chance The Rapper and One Direction are some of the bands and artist we listened together. The two also participated in 5k races and went on the Texas Gunslinger, her mother recalled.

Samantha was my Bonnie and I was Clyde; we did everything together, she said.

jdelvalle@express-news.netHouse Speaker Joe Straus is the Texan of the Year, according to the Dallas Morning News. But he should be on everyones list in the state for that honor.

The newspaper recognized the speaker for his outstanding leadership during a trying legislative season, but it chose him for its 15th annual award primarily for his stance against a controversial bathroom bill that would have regulated which bathrooms could be used by transgender Texans.

He protected Texas from some of the its worst political impulses, prevented serious damage to the economy, and brought together enough bipartisans to check the far-right dominance in the Republican Party, the newspaper said in its editorial announcing Straus selection.

RELATED: Saying he wants to leave on a high note, San Antonio's Joe Straus announces he won't be coming back to the Texas House in 2018

The newspaper lauded Straus for his uncommon impact in Austin and his leadership on a wide range of issues, including school vouchers, property tax caps and local government control.

Regrettably, after 10 years as House speaker, Straus has chosen not to seek re-election in 2018. His departure from state politics leaves a huge vacuum.

Straus worked to bring Democrats and Republicans together, and that made him unpopular among the more conservative members of his party. Some contended he was not conservative enough and launched repeated attempts to end his tenure as speaker.

Even before Straus announced he plans not to seek re-election, there was an announcement of a new political action committee with a focus on replacing House leaders in the next election cycle.

Thats too bad. The state could use more politicians like Straus who are open-minded, respectful of others, deliberate in their actions and good team players.

READ MORE: San Antonio Republican Joe Straus: 'I know how to govern without being an extremist'

To outsiders, his departure is a casualty of the culture wars and deep divide between social conservatives and pro-business Republicans, the Morning News noted in a long article profiling the speaker.

Fortunately, Straus has not ruled out the possibility of making a bid for another public office in the future.

Theres a real market for a responsible Republican voice and a rational Republican vision for the future. And I want to play a role in that, whether its as a private citizen or some other public service down the road, Straus told the Dallas Morning News.

We agree and hope the next speaker cultivates some of that responsible voice and rational vision of the future for which we came to admire and respect Joe Straus.JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Missouri lawmakers are proposing bills that would make attacking a law enforcement officer a hate crime.

Republican Rep. Marsha Haefner's bill would consider certain offenses hate crimes if they were committed because the victim worked as an officer or first responder, the Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/2gIiIK2 ) reported.

Incoming Republican state Rep. Nick Schroer, who is proposing a similar bill, said protecting law enforcement and first responders is a pressing concern and that he hopes hate crime status would work to deter future attacks.

"The issues that are going on right now with our law enforcement and first responders are just beyond me," Schroer said. "We need to keep them free and keep them out of harm's way the best that we can."

Current state law considers attacks motivated by race, color, creed, country of origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability as hate crimes.

Other police protections are also being called for, including a Blue Alert system similar to Amber Alerts to notify the public about suspects when law enforcement officers are shot.

Missouri has the third-most shootings of officers per capita in the U.S., according to 2016 data from Everytown for Gun Safety.

___

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com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Marshall's men's soccer team made a statement in the first test of its NCAA title defense as the top-ranked Thundering Herd defeated No. 21 James Madison, 6-1, on Thursday night. Vitor Dias had two goals and two assists to lead Marshall.Longford Tourism will be among the exhibitors at this years Holiday World Show.

The Holiday World Show takes place in the RDS Simmonscourt from Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28.

Visitors to the show will be able to find Longford Tourism at Stand W1 in the Home Holiday Pavilion.

The Home Holiday Pavilion will showcase hundreds of destinations and holiday experiences from all across the beautiful island of Ireland. From stunning coastal towns to cosmopolitan cities and unforgettable landscapes, there is so much to discover right on our doorstep!

Speaking at the launch of the Home Holiday Pavilion, Brendan Griffin, TD Minister of State for Tourism commented, Ireland offers endless opportunities for new travel experiences. With accommodation ranging from luxury castles to country cottages, diverse activities such as exploring our new Greenways on foot or by bike, world class cultural attractions and breathtaking beaches, why not make 2018 the year you explore Ireland.

He added, The continued growth of Holiday World Show and its Home Holiday Pavilion is evidence of the increasing appetite of Irish consumers for holidays at home, as well as the wealth of products on offer by Irish tourism providers.

Maureen Ledwith, organiser of the Holiday World Show, said, Holiday World Show offers visitors the opportunity to meet with over 1,000 travel experts from across Ireland and the globe, book fantastic breaks and avail of special show-only offers. Whether you're seeking that once-in-alifetime trip, planning a well deserved family holiday or making plans for a romantic getaway, Holiday World Show is the must-attend event of the year. 

Holiday World Show 2018 will also include the largest ever Visit USA Pavilion, a new French Camping Pavilion, over 55s holiday specials, Irish holiday favourites Spain and Italy, as well as an array of other destinations, cruise companies and airlines.

International award winning travel journalist Eoghan Corry will once again take to the stage and present his newly formatted series of talks called Lets Talk Travel with Eoghan Corry. Eoghan will interview leading industry experts from around the world and answer visitors questions on topics such as Holiday Trends, Africa, Solo Holidays, Visas and Passports, Irish Attractions, Cruises and Adventure Holidays.

For up to date information on Holiday World Show 2018 and to see the full list of exhibitors visit www.holidayworldshow.com

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Job creation in Longford up 5% in 2017 by Enterprise Ireland backed companies

Longford jumps nine places in latest IBAL Anti-Litter League surveyA jury in the trial of a Lanesboro man who was charged with falsely imprisoning a woman in 2015 was directed to find the defendant not guilty following a three day hearing into the matter at Longford Circuit Court last month.

Robert Donoghue, 55 Cnoc na Gaoithe, Lanesboro, Co Longford appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson charged with intentionally or recklessly falsely imprisoning Ann Lawrence without her consent at 20 Mostrim Oaks, Edgeworthstown and at 55 Cnoc na Gaoithe, Lanesboro on November 7, 2015.

During his directions to the jury, Judge Johnson said that it had become clear during the hearing into the matter that the defendant had played a minor role in the incident.

The only way he can be found guilty of false imprisonment at Mostrim Oaks is if the jury were to infer that he aided and abetted his brother with false imprisonment at Mostrim Oaks and therefore we cannot convict, he added.

There was false imprisonment in the car, yes, but there is no charge in respect of this.

Meanwhile, the judge extended his sympathy to Ms Lawrence.

He said both she and her niece had been excellent witnesses in the case.

I hope Ann Lawrence can draw a line in the sand after todays proceedings, the Judge said.

Meanwhile the court heard on day one of the trial that Ms Lawrence - a mother of four - had been staying with her sister in Edgeworthstown at the time of the incident because her relationship with the defendants brother, Peter, had broken down and she was in fear for her life.

Mr John Hayden for the prosecution told the court that the couple had lived in Co Mayo until 2015 and Ms Lawrence had been in an abusive relationship where she had been subject to verbal and physical abuse.

Towards the end of October 2015, she had concerns about her safety and the safety of her children, so she left the family home and went to live with her sister at 20 Mostrim Oaks in Edgeworthstown, Mr Hayden continued.

She also secured a barring order in respect of Peter Donoghue.

The court then heard how on November 7, 2015 Peter Donoghue drove to Mostrim Oaks with his brother Robert and physically removed Ms Lawrence from the house and placed her in the car.

They drove to Roberts house in Lanesboro; Ms Lawrence did not want to be there and there was roaring and shouting in the vehicle, added Mr Hayden, before pointing to the fact that Peter acted aggressively towards his partner while Robert shouted at her.

Meanwhile, in her direct evidence to the court, Ms Lawrence said that she began a relationship with Peter Donoghue in 2012 and together the couple had four children aged two, three, four and five.

She said the family had lived in Co Mayo for a time, but they had move around a lot and also resided in Dublin for a short period.

In October 2015 I was living in Mayo with Peter and the children - it was very hard, he was very violent and I suffered physical and emotional abuse, Ms Lawrence told the court.

I was very concerned, the relationship was getting worse and a knife had been put to my neck.

Peter said he would kill me and explained to me how he would cover it up.

I dont know now how I got out of that house, but I did - I ran to a neighbours house and they called the guards.

I then went to a womens hostel for a short time and my sister Mary said I could stay with here at 20 Mostrim Oaks in Edgeworthstown, so myself and the children moved there.

The court then heard from Ms Lawrence about what happened on the date of the incident.

She said it was a couple of days before her birthday and she was in the kitchen making dinner for her kids at around 2pm on the date in question.

Her 15-year-old niece was also there and she was doing Ms Lawrences makeup, the court was told.

Peter Donoghue just barged in the door; I had the doors locked because I was still nervous, but that day I had forgotten to lock the back door, Ms Lawrence continued, before pointing to the fact that her niece started to scream at that point.

The next thing I saw was Peter standing there in the kitchen; I jumped up and shouted please dont hurt me and backed into the corner of the kitchen.

He lifted me up and at that point my niece ran out to the front door where she tried to lock it from the inside, but Peter dragged me out of the house and shoved me into a car.

Ms Lawrence then told the court that it had only been a short distance from the house to the car and because she had an ingrown toenail at the time, being dragged to the car had caused her a lot of pain.

I actually told Peter if he stopped dragging me, I would walk with him; I didnt want to go with him but I was concerned for the kids who were on their own, she continued in her evidence.

Then I saw Robert - I was continuously crying and saying please dont hurt me and please let me go, but Robert said, shut the f**k up, youre Peters woman and he is not going to hurt you.

The court was then told that Peter Donoghue drove the car while Robert sat in the passengers seat.

We just sped off really fast, said Ms Lawrence, before adding, Robert actually told Peter to slow down and Peter said, we have to get out of here, Im going to be done for kidnap.

I was driven to Lanesboro into some estate where Robert lived.

I was petrified and I knew there was no point in running, my foot was injured and I was in a lot of pain; I also felt very tired.

I dont think that we were in Roberts house for that long - maybe 20 minutes - Robert left me and Peter to talk and I was getting very scared of Peter because he was asking a lot of questions.

I was crying so much that Robert made tea and he brought the tea out to us; I was so upset and then I heard Robert say to Peter, 'Im out of this.

The court then heard that Ms Lawrence was terrified by that stage and just wanted to go home to her children.

Under cross-examination by Counsel for the defence, Mr Paul Dwyer, Ms Lawrence said that she remembered every detail of something as serious as what happened that day.

He put it to Ms Lawrence that the car in which she had been taken to Lanesboro had been parked in a place in Mostrim Oaks where Robert Donoghue would not have had a direct line of sight to the house in which she was staying.

Ms Lawrence confirmed this was the case.

He also said that when his client saw her, she was holding Peter Donoghues hand.

No, Ms Lawrence said, He had a hold of my arm.

She then added, I was held against my will - I didnt want to go, I had no choice.

At this point Mr Dwyer made reference to the fact that Peter Donoghue had stood trial for the false imprisonment of Ms Lawrence and had been sentenced in respect of the matter.

He also said that according to transcripts of her evidence during that trial, Ms Lawrences memory was different now to what it was then.

She subsequently denied that this was the case.

You say that Robert was in the passenger seat when you got into the car, but I am going to put it to you that when you were put in the back seat of that car he got into the back seat too, Mr Dwyer continued, before asking Ms Lawrence if she was certain that Peter Donoghue had used the word kidnap when he spoke to Robert Donoghue in the car.

Peter and Robert were in the front of the car that day and I am certain that Peter said kidnap that day as well, said Ms Lawrence.

That is what I remember.

Meanwhile, on the day two of the trial, it was the States turn to put its case forward to the court.

Photographic evidence was also furnished on the day.

Garda Wendy Courtney said that on the date in question, she attended 20 Mostrim Oaks in Edgeworthstown.

CCTV footage from the estate at the time of the incident was also furnished to the court and this was played during proceedings for the benefit of the jury.

The court saw that the car in question was driven into the estate by Peter Donoghue and later he approached the car with Ms Lawrence by the arm.

The car then pulled of at speed and 10 seconds later it was spotted at the level crossing on the Ballymahon Road out of Edgeworthstown.

The court then heard from the victims niece who was with Ms Lawrence when Peter Donoghue burst into the house and forcefully removed her aunt from the property.

We were cooking dinner when Peter Donoghue came in the patio door at the back of the house; my auntie started moving back towards the living room, she said, before pointing to the fact that she moved towards the front door with the intention of getting help from the neighbours.

My auntie just kept saying no, no, no.

I went to the neighbours house and asked for help and then I saw Peter dragging my auntie down the alleyway beside the house.

Meanwhile, witness Kevin Rooney was next to provide evidence to the court.

Mr Rooney said that at the time of the incident he resided at 19 Mostrim Oaks and was coming back to his house in his car when he noticed a red car parked in a parking area within the estate.

The car seemed like it was moving out slowly but then it stopped; I got out of my car and entered my house, he added, before pointing out that when he entered the kitchen area he heard a commotion outside.

Then I heard shouting and I went to the window of the sitting room and saw a man pulling and dragging a lady from the house next door.

As they went by the window a young girl was shouting and looking for help.

Mr Rooney went on to say that he saw the man pulling the woman to the parked red car and at that point he decided to call the Gardai.

Mr Donoghues interview at Granard Garda Station was then played into evidence.

During the interview, the defendant said that he kinda coaxed in a way his brother Peter to talk to his woman so that they could sort things out.

As far as I know they were engaged to be married and were together five or six years and have four children together, he added.

Those kids are my nieces and nephews and any brother would try to help sort things out.

In relation to the date in question, Mr Donoghue said that he waited in the car for about 10 minutes while his brother entered the house in Mostrim Oaks.

Peter and his partner Ann came back to the car and they were holding hands, the defendant continued.

Peter asked me if I would sit in the back, so Ann could sit in the front; her and Peter seemed in good form to me.

Peter drove - he went to my address in Lanesboro to drop me off and I remember he asked me if they could stay in my house that night, so I waited at the house to get a lift to bring my partner, who was in her mothers house, back home.

I know that Ann rang her sister from the house and told her that she and Peter had made things up and asked would her sister mind the kids for the day. Peter and Ann were holding hands in the house and she was sitting on his lap.

I heard no screaming or shouting that day.

On day three of the trial, Mr Dwyer made an application to the court to have the case against his client struck out.

Counsel for the defence said that there was no evidence to suggest that his client knew that his brother intended going to Mostrim Oaks and behaving the way he did.

Robert Donoghue was not present at 20 Mostrim Oaks, he added, before pointing to the fact that Ms Lawrence, in her evidence, had stated that it was Peter Donoghue that took off at speed from the estate.

She said that Robert asked Peter to slow down but Peter told him that he had to drive fast or he would be done for kidnap.

Ms Lawrence also stated that she was crying in the back of the car and Robert told her to shut the f**k up, Peter is not going to hurt you.

This is not evidence of falsely imprisoning someone; there is nothing to say that he was part of a plot to falsely imprison Ann Lawrence.

Mr Dwyer then went on to say that it was clear from Ms Lawrences evidence that she did not feel that she was being falsely imprisoned by Robert Donoghue.

It was Peter who used the word kidnap and then Robert stayed quiet, Counsel for the defendant continued.

There is simply no proof of intent and no questions were asked about his state of mind at the time; the fact the Peter takes his partner and puts her into the car is something that Robert had no control over.

Given the way the indictment is framed the evidence is not there to support the two charges against my client.

Mr Hayden, on behalf of the State, then said that Ann Lawrence was falsely imprisoned that day and what needed to be looked at was the role that Robert Donoghue played in that.

It is clear that there is evidence that he did aid and abet and encourage what his brother was doing, so it is a matter now for the jury to determine, he stated.

Meanwhile, Judge Johnson said that it was never put to Mr Donoghue in the memo of interview about what was going on at the house in Mostrim Oaks.

We all know that a criminal prosecution must be conducted in a very precise fashion and if we look at this indictment it focuses on Mostrim Oaks and Cnoc na Gaoithe, the Judge said.

There has been specific evidence that there was no agreement between Robert and Peter Donoghue that Peter would take Ann Lawrence by force and Peter told Robert that he had to go fast because he would be done for kidnap.

This would indicate that Robert Donoghue was being informed after the fact.

Judge Johnson went on to say that one of the difficulties he had was the indictment itself.

I would have a difficulty amending that because everything in the trial has been based on it, so I am loath to amend it at this stage, the Judge continued.

Addressing the jury later in the afternoon Judge Johnson said that it was Peter Donoghue that had driven the car on the date of the incident when Ann Lawrence had already secured a barring order against him.

Robert Donoghue acknowledges that he went with his brother so that he could talk to his partner; it is acknowledged that Peter went in the back door of Mostrim Oaks, dragged Ann Lawrence from the property and she says that she was pushed into the car.



She also says that Robert spoke to her in a very aggressive fashion.

The accused denies that he helped his brother to falsely imprison Ann Lawrence and denies that he was aware of his brothers intentions.

The application made by Mr Dwyer is on the basis that the State hasnt proved its case in respect of the indictment where the accused is charged with false imprisonment of Ann Lawrence at 20 Mostrim Oaks and at 55 Cnoc na Gaoithe.



In considering the charge at 20 Mostrim Oaks the jury would have to consider if the accused had acted in concert with his brother and he denies that he knew his brother was going to do what he did.

The accused maintains that he was assisting his brother to talk with Ann Lawrence.

The Judge subsequently directed the jury to find the defendant not guilty on both charges before the court.

I am satisfied, Judge Johnson concluded, that in respect of the charges, the jury cannot convict and I am directing that you find the defendant not guilty.Five Lycoming College students are preparing for new adventures to study abroad with opportunities secured through the Colleges Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences (CEAE). The students will all participate in semester-long programs that will enable them to take classes abroad and receive credits that will count toward their degrees, while fully immersing themselves in a new culture, both academically and professionally.

The CEAE is dedicated to helping students identify and participate in a wide range of experiences that augment their studies at Lycoming, such as internships, faculty-led research opportunities and global travel. There are a variety of funding options for Lycoming students who choose to participate in global education  whether it be a semester-long program, a summer program or a faculty-led travel course  such as Lowry Ambassador Study Abroad scholarships, national scholarships and grants, and in some cases Lycoming College financial aid for direct tuition exchange programs and faculty-led travel courses.

In the spring of 2018, for the first time, Lycoming will send an exchange student to China through a relationship with partner institution, Sias International University. Jose Acosta 20, a business administration major from Denver, Co., will travel to Zhengzhou, China.

Jae Hoff 18, a sociology and Spanish major from Lambertville, N.J., was awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, a program open to Federal Pell Grant recipients to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. This competitive and national scholarship awarded Hoff $3,500 to travel to Cuenca, Ecuador, to complete her studies at Estudio Sampere just prior to graduating from Lycoming College. She also received the Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant, a $1,000 scholarship awarded to only 25 students nationally each spring semester, as well as the Lycoming College Lowry Ambassador Study Abroad Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500.

Rebecca Forbes 19, a quantitative economics and Spanish major with a minor in business administration from Lititz, Pa., also won a $1,000 Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant, as well as a $1,500 Lycoming College Lowry Ambassador Study Abroad Scholarship. Forbes will also study at Estudio Sampere in Cuenca, Ecuador. I am honored to be receiving these scholarships, as they allow me to immerse myself in not only the Spanish language, but a new culture, said Forbes. My love for travel and experiencing different cultures has been hindered in the past by my inability to pay for opportunities, and I am beyond grateful that these scholarships will allow me to take full advantage of this experience. I hope to have a stronger grasp of the Spanish language, a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity, and a more global understanding of the world we live in.

Deisy Moncada 19, a philosophy and religion major from Houston, Texas, was the single recipient of an $8,000 Michele Lavagnilio Charitable Scholarship, through Athena Study Abroad, which will enable her to study at the Lorenzo de Medici School in Florence, Italy. Moncada was also awarded a $1,500 Lycoming College Lowry Ambassador Study Abroad Scholarship. Ive never been to Europe, so its amazing that I will be able to study there for a whole semester, said Moncada. I will be taking courses that I would not be able to take at Lycoming like elementary Italian, and Italian culture through music. Im looking forward to exploring Florence and trying to immerse myself into Italian culture.

Karen Perez 19, a film video art and commercial design major from Houston, Texas, won a Lycoming College Lowry Ambassador Study Abroad Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500. Perez will travel to Seoul, South Korea, to study at Korea University.

Our workforce and society in general is increasingly global, making this a great time for young scholars to broaden their experiences with travel abroad, said Allison Holladay, coordinator of study abroad and travel courses for the CEAE. Financial support for study abroad programs at Lycoming is growing, opening up doors for many students, regardless of financial need.The Mexico Focus 2017 has been published on our website. It includes articles on filing trends, issues arising from the recently-enacted opposition system, court rulings interpreting patent claims, and Mexicos increasing willingness to modernise its IP system.

You can view these articles (and see our other supplements) by clicking here. You can also click on the headlines below.

Filing trends in Mexico

Michael Loney analyses recent filing trends

Complex issues arising from the opposition system

Eduardo Kleinberg and Santiago Zubikarai of Basham discuss the lessons from Mexicos nascent opposition system, including a lack of information about trade mark applications, examiners not being bound by oppositions, controversy over fees, and a lack of clarity about the basis on which an opposition may be filed

Interpretation of patent claims: recent court rulings

Two recent rulings have shed light on the interpretation of claims in Mexican patent litigation. Mariana Gonzalez Vargas of Becerril Coca & Becerril explains they provide an important reference for unity of invention and the doctrine of equivalents

New life for industrial designs and geographical indications

Mexico is showing willingness to modernise its IP system by saying hello to the Hague Agreement and GIs beyond appellations of origin. Christian Thomae of Dumont explains how it will work

The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws.  2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs.

Share this articleNew Delhi: The Union government on last day announced the details of political funding, that can be routed by donors to parties through electoral bonds.

Electoral Bonds will allow a political donor to purchase bonds from authorised banks. These can be only redeemed through the registered accounts of a political party within a prescribed time frame.

Govt has now finalized the scheme of electoral bonds.These bonds would be a bearer instrument in the nature of a promissory note and an interest free banking instrument: FM Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/c92yolMMR4 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

On Tuesday, Finance Ministry Arun Jaitley said that these bonds would be a bearer instrument in the nature of a promissory note and an interest free banking instrument. These can be bought from specified branches of SBI in multiple of Rs 1,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 Lakh or Rs1 Crore.New Delhi: A total of 216 fisherman continue to remain missing in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi, as per the figures available to the State government.

Of the 216 people, 141 people are from Kerala and the remaining 75 from other states. Meanwhile, government officials have informed the details of the missing fishermen with coastal area districts, Chief Secretary and Relief Commissioner of Assam.

But according to a survey carried out at the houses of fishermen by the Latin Archdiocese, more than 149 people from Kanyakumari are yet to return from the sea."Goodfellas" actor Paul Sorvino says he would kill disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who allegedly blacklisted his daughter, actress Mira Sorvino, after she refused his sexual advances.

"If I meet (Weinstein) on the street -- he oughta hope that he goes to jail, because if we come across, I think he'll be lying on the floor, somehow, magically," Paul Sorvino, 65, told TMZ.

He added, "He's going to go to jail. Oh yeah. That son of a [expletive]. Good for him if he goes, because if not, he has to meet me. And I will kill the mother[expletive]. Real simple."

In a column published by Time magazine on Oct. 11, 2017, Mira Sorvino detailed her experiences with the powerful studio head, saying she "lived in vague fear of Harvey Weinstein for over 20 years."

In an Oct. 19, 2017 interview with The New York Times, Mira Sorvino's ex-boyfriend, director Quentin Tarantino, said she had told him about unwelcome advances and touching by Weinstein in 1995.

Tarantino said he had failed to consider whether there was a larger pattern of abuse. Though he continued to hear alarming stories over the years, he proceeded to make film after film with Weinstein.

"What I did was marginalize the incidents," said Tarantino, adding he wrote them off as mild misbehavior. "Anything I say now will sound like a crappy excuse."

Weinstein has been accused of harassing or assaulting 60 women, resulting in at least one federal lawsuit and three criminal investigations.State offices, including courts, will be closed on Thursday in light of the anticipated blizzard.

Gov. Charlie Baker said non-essential executive branch employees will be asked to stay home.

Forecasters are predicting up to a foot of snow in eastern parts of the state. Baker urged Massachusetts residents to stay off the roads.

He asked private employers to allow workers to work from home if possible.

The Massachusetts Trial Court said all courts across the state would be closed Thursday "in the interested of public and staff safety."

"Those with scheduled court events should contact the appropriate Clerk's Office once it reopens," the Trial Court said on its website.SPRINGFIELD -- A Hampden Superior Court judge has ruled Angel Hernandez, awaiting a retrial in a murder case, must remain held without the right to bail.

Hernandez, 49, is charged with murder in the 2008 shooting death of Alberto Rodriguez on Pine Street.

He and a co-defendant were convicted of the charge in 2010, but later granted new trials after witnesses recanted testimony. Convicted at age 44, Hernandez is serving a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

The co-defendant, Charles L. Wilhite, was found not guilty following a retrial in 2013.

Late last month, defense lawyer Linda Thompson argued Hernandez should be released on his own recognizance once he finds a place to live. Thompson said Hernandez has no assets with which to post bail.

But Judge David Ricciardone, in a Dec. 26 decision, said he "assigns much weight to the argument that a prior conviction on the same allegations presents powerful incentive to flee."

He wrote, "Balancing all the factors involved in a traditional bail analysis as against the magnitude of the charged offenses, the court cannot conclude that release on recognizance shall reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant before the court."

The judge said Thompson "argues that the case is not as strong as portrayed, maintaining that a motion to dismiss should be successful." But Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett "contends that the prosecution of this murder indictment remains viable despite the intervening perjury issue," Ricciardone wrote.

Two witnesses who testified for the prosecution at the 2010 trial, Nathan Perez and Giselle Albelo, were later convicted of perjury.

In granting Hernandez a new trial, Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough -- now a state Appeals Court judge -- wrote that, because the perjury convictions and recanted testimony didn't exist at the time of Hernandez's first trial, they meet the definition of newly discovered evidence.

A group of community members, some of whom supported Wilhite at his retrial, were in the courtroom at the bail hearing in support of Hernandez.SPRINGFIELD -- With Puerto Rican students, faculty and staff on campus, Bay Path University has seen the effects of Hurricane Maria in Greater Springfield.

"What happened with the hurricane in Puerto Rico was so devastating, and we were looking for ways to help displaced families as well as organizations in the region who are helping people as they arrive," said Bay Path University President Carol Leary.

The university is offering 10 scholarships to young women who were forced to leave the island and had their education interrupted.

The school also held a holiday luncheon and honored the New North Citizens Council and the Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico coalition for their efforts to assist families in Puerto Rico and in Western Massachusetts.

The New North Citizens Council office on Main Street was designated a welcome center by the city in the weeks following the hurricane.

Jose Claudio, New North Citizens Council chief operating officer, and Maria Perez, a program director, said the need is evident every day.

"We have seen more than 300 families as well as 84 individuals coming through our doors in need of housing, food, clothes and jobs," said Claudio.

Perez said she is grateful to Bay Path for recognizing the work the organization is doing.

"We do this every day for people anyway, but the need we are seeing from Puerto Rican families arriving here is very urgent," she said.

Claudio said he is especially thankful for the staff, volunteers and donors who have given everything from cash to coats and food for displaced families.

"It has been a community effort and it's ongoing. We still have families arriving every day," he said.

Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, spokeswoman for the Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico coalition, said the community has stepped up to help Puerto Rican evacuees.

"There have been multiple phases of this effort from collecting more than 40,000 pounds of goods to send directly to the island to working with the mayors of Springfield and Holyoke to set up welcome centers and partnering with Freedom Credit Union and the New North Citizens Council to raise money for families in Puerto Rico and here in Western Mass.," she said.

Lugo-DeJesus said there is more than $160,000 in the Freedom Credit Union account, most of which will go to organizations working with families directly on the island. A portion will also remain in the region to be distributed among the welcome centers and other partners.

"We are so thankful for everyone's generosity and their open hearts," she said.

Elizabeth Cardona, a Puerto Rican and Bay Path's executive director of Multicultural Affairs and International Student Life, said the university wanted to help.

"We are very diverse at Bay Path, and many of our students' families are from Puerto Rico and we have staff members who are part of the Puerto Rican and Latino community in general, so this is a way for us to come together in solidarity and to really show how much we care about our community here," Cardona said.

The university faculty and staff raised $1,500 in cash, checks and gift cards for the welcome center and also donated coats, food and more.CHICOPEE - The City Council continue its trend of cooperation and harmony by unanimously re-electing two members to serve as president and vice president of the group.

John L. Vieau was elected as president and Shane D. Brooks was elected as vice president in a meeting held after the New Year's Day inauguration. No other members were nominated and the tradition of having councilors vote on paper ballots was waived.

The 13-0 votes are keeping with the past two years when there has been little dissension on the City Council and nearly all votes have been unanimous.

Vieau and Brooks have been serving as president and vice president since 2016. Vieau has been the Ward 3 Councilor since 2004. Brooks is starting his third term as the Ward 2 City Councilor. He previously served on the City Council from 2005 to 2009 and was also a School Committee member.

Both members ran unopposed for re-election in 2017.

"It has been a great honor. It is something I cherish and I look forward to working with each and every one of you," Vieau said.

He promised to continue to work to keep taxes low and offer the best services money can buy to residents.

"It is a good working board and I don't anticipate that changing," Brooks said referring to the three new councilors who were sworn in for the first time on Monday.

The new members are Joel D. McAuliffe, who represents Ward 1, George Balakier, who represents Ward 4 and Derek G. Dobosz, who represents Ward 6.

Balakier said he was always interested in government and studied political science and history in college. This year when long-time Ward 4 councilor William Zaskey announced he would not be running for re-election several people asked Balakier if he might be interested in running.

"It didn't take much convincing. I've always been interested in my community and what is going on downtown and in Chicopee," he said. "I'm interested in good government and getting things done for the citizens of Chicopee."

Balakier ran unopposed for the seat. McAuliffe beat Dino Brunetti, a past councilor who was appointed to the position again in the summer after it became vacant, for the seat. Dobosz beat 10-year incumbent Timothy McLellan to become a city councilor.AMHERST -- Hampshire College is now powered by the sun.

One hundred percent of the campus electricity will now come from a 19-acre solar-energy system approved by Eversource late last month.

Half the system at Hampshire had been operating since June.

According to a press release, campus officials believe this is the first residential college in the United States to have this designation.

Butte College, a community college located about 75 miles north of Sacramento, California, went all solar in 2011.

At Hampshire, the 15,000 photovoltaic-panel arrays on two fields have a capacity of 4.7 DC megawatts -- which means 3,000 metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions will be eliminated a year. That is equivalent to taking almost 650 cars off the road, and enough to power about 530 homes, the college said.

The project is part of the college's Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Initiative.

That initiative includes rooftop solar arrays on its R.W. Kern Center, the CSA Barn, the president's house, and the canopy atop the Chuck and Polly Longsworth Arts Center.

Relying on solar power will also cut costs.

The college is buying the electricity at a fixed rate from SolarCity, which built and owns the system, for about half the rate the college had been paying, according to college officials.

The project is estimated to save the college about $400,000 a year in electricity costs for up to 20 years, for total estimated savings of $8 million.

The college has been planning how to generate all of its electricity from renewable sources since 2014. In 2015 the board of trustees approved a plan for the construction of the array on campus.SPRINGFIELD -- A judge has rejected murder defendant Lee Rios' claim he was too high to understand his rights when interviewed by police.

Rios, accused of murder in the March 2015 shooting of 18-year-old Kenneth Lopez, testified at a hearing in August that he didn't understand his Miranda rights because he was too high.

On the witness stand for a hearing on his lawyer's motion to suppress statements he made during an April 2, 2015 police interrogation, Rios said he had smoked marijuana with PCP sprinkled on it.

But in a Dec. 18 ruling, Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney said Rios, of Springfield, didn't seem high during the questioning.

"Video and audio recording of the interview does not reveal any untoward or unusual conduct, excitement, distress, sluggishness or the like on the part of the defendant," Sweeney wrote in her denial of defense attorney Mary Anne Stamm's motion to suppress.

"Throughout the interview he exhibited a clear and considered effort to protect himself from the accusations at issue," the ruling continued.

A final pretrial conference is scheduled for Jan. 5 and a trial date is set for Jan. 17 for Rios, 24, who will be the first of several defendants tried in connection with Lopez's slaying.

The trial was previously scheduled for Nov. 9, but was postponed pending the judge's decisions on the motion to suppress the statement to police and other motions.

Jonathan Guevera, 20, of Springfield, is also charged with murder in the case. Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett has said Rios was the shooter, but Guevera is a joint venture defendant.

Bennett has also said the case is complicated -- there are other people charged with conspiring with Rios, or being accessories after the fact to the killing.

Some of the same people, plus others, are charged with drug and firearm offenses stemming from a police raid on 196 Nursery St. on April 2, 2015, when police entered with a search warrant and a murder warrant for Rios.

Sweeney also denied a defense motion to suppress the seizure of a letter Rios sent from the Franklin County Jail, where he was being held, to a woman in Connecticut.

The letter, which Stamm's motion sought to exclude from evidence, contained statements "that could be considered admissions" in the murder case, Bennett said at a hearing on that motion.Co-working spaces becoming more popular in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - The growth rate of co-working space has been 53 percent globally over the last five years, while in Vietnam, co-working space supply has been growing 58 percent per year.

















More young entrepreneurs began considering using co-working spaces after Barack Obama or Sundar Pichai met Vietnamese youth at co-working spaces when visiting Vietnam.

The sharing economy has changed many habits of modern life. Many consumers prefer shared riding with Grab and Uber, shared accommodations when traveling with Couchsurfing and Airbnb and shared working spaces.Co-working spaces have grown along with the startup spirit. More young entrepreneurs began considering using co-working spaces after Barack Obama or Sundar Pichai met Vietnamese youth at co-working spaces when visiting Vietnam.

According to CBRE, 17 co-working space service providers by the end of the first half of the year with 14,500 square meters of working areas in 22 places. These include small spaces with the area of 200-300 square meters, and big ones, more than 1,000 hectares.



Ninety-one percent of co-working space users in Vietnam belong to Gen Y, or people aged below 35.



Nguyen Anh Kim, director of UP, said those working are technology startups, businesses with 2-4 members and freelancers.



UP doesnt lease office based on the area of operation, but provides service packages based on client demand. A separate office (8 seats, 12 square meters) has rent of VND16 million a month or higher.



One fixed seat is leased at VND1.5-2.5 million a month, while those working flexibly three days a month have to pay VND200,000.



The rent from leasing working space is the major source of revenue of service providers. They also earn money from food & beverage, connection services and consultancies to startups.



Toong, the first co-working space in Hanoi which opened five campuses across the country, has signed an MOU with United Overseas Bank on providing further support to the fintech community.



Prior to that, Toong joined forces with the Singaporean government and CapitalLand to provide working spaces suited to different staff models.



According to Duong Do, Toongs founder, Toong targets small & medium businesses, startups which have gained revenue or successfully called for capital.



Meanwhile, UP has announced cooperation with VP Bank within the framework of the banks $1 million project on supporting the startup community.



Analysts commented that the demand for co-working space has been increasing rapidly as startups not only can find workplaces, but also can establish relations and learn information. They can also catch the eyes of investment funds behind co-working spaces.



The founders of co-working spaces such as Nam Do (UP) and Trung Tin (Dreamplex) are angel investors themselves. Cyber Agent, a Japanese investment fund, has an office at UP to be able to approach potential startups.





RELATED NEWS

Co-working spaces flourish in Saigon

VN set for co-working office boom: experts





Kim ChiHADLEY -- The Donut Man is gone and the new Dunkin' Donuts has opened in its place.

Michael Pereira, who owns several Dunkin' Donuts franchises, opened the fast food restaurant Dec. 29 at the corner of Russell Street (Route 9) and Middle Street. He spent several months transforming the building from the independent Donut Man to the Dunkin' Donuts model.

Joseph Santos, who owned the Donut Man, said previously he "was pushed out" because his landlord "got a better deal," referring to building owner Raymond Shipman of Shipman Real Estate.

Santos also owned a Donut Man in Pittsfield, which closed in October, according to The Berkshire Eagle. Another Donut Man in nearby Dalton apparently closed sometime after that.

Santos still has one Donut Man in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he now lives.

The Donut Man opened in Hadley in 2003 and announced its closing last summer with a sign taped to the front door. It read that the last day in business was Aug. 27.

"We thank the community for all the support that has been given us. We would like to thank all the customers for their business and support," the sign read.Updated at 7:33 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 to include video of remarks made by new Holyoke Council President Todd McGee.

HOLYOKE -- The public and municipal employees should know that they are welcome in City Council Chambers, said the new City Council President Todd A. McGee Tuesday.

"We as a body are here for you. We are here to work for you ..." McGee said.

The newly seated and reduced City Council voted 11-2 to make McGee, the veteran Ward 7 councilor, the board's first new president in six years as part of the inauguration ceremony for elected officials at City Hall.

"I am deeply grateful and humbled by this and I will work very hard to justify your support as I will work every day with you to serve our great city," McGee said.

His selection was expected as McGee said days after the Nov. 7 election he had secured the votes to be president.

Kevin A. Jourdain, who had been Council president the past six years, didn't run for re-election in November.

The City Council is now 13 members instead of 15, a 2015 voter-approved ballot question having taken effect with the current board to cut the at large seats to six from the previous eight. The Council also has seven ward representatives.

Debates that veer into arguing and shouting laced with cutting remarks can make the City Council must-see TV on the cable access channel. But McGee said he will work to fuse the clash of opinions into work that best suits Holyoke residents.

"This is an important time for all of us as we understand that by working together, we have an ability to tackle those challenges and do great things for the city. Passions run high in this Chamber because not all members share the same priorities or opinons at all times," McGee said.

"But there is no doubt that we as members care for this city. Just because we disagree on a certain issue doesn't mean that those passions have to spill over into the goals that we can achieve to help make the city better. Because the stakes are high. What we do in this chamber and what is said -- and let me say that again, what is said -- in the community sets the tone for how all of us can work together to make this city grow," he said.

An interesting sign for Council watchers will be whether McGee maintains the vocal stewardship of Jourdain, who spoke at length on many issues that arose during Council meetings.

Another will be whether McGee continues the president's report agenda item that Jourdain began in his tenure.

McGee noted his friendship with Jourdain and thanked him for his work on the City Council. Jourdain was a councilors for 24 years.

"No one can deny his decades of dedication to the city of Holyoke," McGee said.

Also closely watched will be which councilors McGee appoints to committee chairmanships, particularly the influential Finance Committee, led by McGee himself for years.

"We have a lot to do and a short time for which to get it done," McGee said. "We as a Council have never been afraid to take on challenges and will continue to work hard to improve our city."

McGee was administered the oath of president by his wife, City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee.

Voting for McGee were councilors Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Ward 1; Nelson R. Roman, Ward 2; David K. Bartley, Ward 3; Linda L. Vacon, Ward 5; Juan C. Anderson-Burgos, the newly elected Ward 6 councilor and the board's only new member; and at large councilors Michael J. Sullivan, Joseph M. McGiverin, Daniel B. Bresnahan, James M. Leahy and Peter R. Tallman, and McGee himself.

Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi and Ward 4 Councilor Jossie M. Valentin voted for Lisi for president.

Lisi said later of her vote, "Todd didn't need my vote to win. I took the opportunity to vote for myself in order to signal that women can and should be considered for important leadership positions in government."

Valentin said of her vote, "I voted for Lisi because that is who I wanted to see as City Council president this time around. She is a strong, smart woman who has proven herself on the Council over the last couple of years, including several as the chairwoman of the Ordinance Committee. As I said to Councilor McGee during the two phone conversations we had since November's election, although I'm sure that he is fully capable of fulfilling this role as president, I think it's time that the Council president be a woman. It is way overdue. Councilor McGee and I had great conversations about this and he understands where I'm coming from. I wish him nothing but the best in this new role and I am sure he will lead us well. I think the biggest change we will see in Chambers is the tone of our meetings and the level of decorum. Let's hope this is the start of a new chapter where we can get the work done and continue to move Holyoke forward."

Mayor Alex B. Morse he welcomed McGee's call for unity and said he hoped McGee would raise the level of civility and decorum in City Council Chambers.

Morse's statement:

"I'd like to congratulate Councilor Todd McGee for being elected Council President. I was pleased to read his message of unity after the election, and agree with him that no matter our differences, we should work together. My hope is that Todd will help raise the level of civility and decorum in the Council Chambers, and that we can partner in making Holyoke the city we know it can be. As I said in my inaugural address, I am eager to work with every councilor, learning from them and hearing their ideas about the work ahead. In the coming weeks I plan on meeting with Todd, and other councilors, to discuss priorities, as well as the ways both branches of our government can have a stronger, more trusting relationship. I am excited for the chance to show the great things we can achieve when we work collaboratively."

Besides appointing the heads of the Finance, Ordinance, Public Safety, Public Service and other committees, the Council president leads the Council meetings that are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month at City Hall.

The president proceeds through the meeting agenda, calls on councilors who have raised hands in order to speak, ensures parliamentary rules are followed such as limiting the number of times a councilor has addressed an item and is supposed to maintain behavior in keeping with good taste during debates.WEST SPRINGFIELD - The ramp connecting the Massachusetts Turnpike with Interstate 91 South is closed temporarily as emergency workers remove a tractor trailer that apparently went off the road and flipped over, according to state police.

The ramp at exit 14, which allows traffic from the turnpike to enter I-91 south, may be closed for some time, police said.

State police are saying it will take a while to clear the scene. Police are detouring traffic until the ramp reopens.

A large crane, some heavy equipment and a fire truck are on scene, as as several police cruisers.

Traffic on I-91 south was flowing normally and seemed unaffected.

The accident was reported at about 3:40 p.m.The culinary industry staffing company Snapchef is expanding its operations in Worcester, with plans to open a full-scale commercial kitchen to support its training operations.

The new space, adjacent to Snapchef's current offices on Southbridge Street, will give local residents access to a free 10-week training program with potential job placements across the region, Snapchef CEO Todd Snopkowski said.

"That will be a full commercial kitchen with classrooms and all the makings of a training scenario, like we have in Springfield and Boston," Snopkowski said.

The Dorchester-based company, which has said it placed more than 1,300 people with jobs in 2016, now has offices in Springfield, Worcester and Providence. Snapchef trains people in culinary skills and safety certifications, typically partnering with large-scale catering companies and institutions like universities and hospitals to provide temporary and permanent workers.

The company expanded into Springfield last April, with support from the city of Springfield, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, and Develop Springfield.

In the Worcester area, Snapchef works with the food services giant Sodexho and has placed cooks at the DCU Center and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Snopkowski said. Graduates of the training program have also worked at Gillette Stadium and Foxwoods.

The company recently secured a $225,000 apprenticeship grant from the Employment Board of Hampden County to expand its training operations.Auburn Police Department Officer George Vranos' jaw began to tighten and he fought back tears. He was starting to discuss the discovery of a 16-year-old girl who was held at an Auburn home, inside a room he described as a torture chamber.

The girl wouldn't look at police. She was crying as officers entered the basement of the home on Dec. 27. Then police asked her to remove her knit hat after seeing a Christmas bag full of hair near the teen.

Her head had been shaved, the officer said after a long pause while testifying in Worcester Central District Court Wednesday.

"She was looking at the floor whimpering," the officer said.

Vranos testified the girl was found in a torture chamber inside the home's basement. He called the area an interrogation room.

Cigarettes, duct tape with hair, an iron and a pot of water were found in the basement room, police testified in court.

The water was for the girl, who asked for it after enduring physical harm, several Auburn police officers testified.

The girl, who was missing from New Jersey, was found inside 10 White Terrace in Auburn after two confidential informants told police a girl in the home needed help.

Four people are accused of forcing the 16-year-old girl to stay in the home against her will along with confining her to a chair, burning her with a lit cigarette and shaving her head. All four suspects were in court Wednesday for a dangerousness hearing.

Several Auburn police officers testified during the hearing in Worcester Central District Court. They began to discuss the discovery of the teen and a reported home invasion at the White Terrace.

As testimony continued, the officers began to describe the alleged atrocities performed on the teen.

The four suspects, Krystal Lugo and her brother Christopher Lugo, Yariel Torres-Abee and Yuleny Ortiz, are accused of assaulting the 16-year-old girl after believing she set up the home invasion inside the Auburn home earlier in the day.

Two armed men rushed into the home earlier on Dec. 27 around 6 a.m. The girl woke up and heard the men asking for the location of the "weed." Shots were fired.

Krystal Lugo, the mother of an 18-month-old child, told police she was in fear for her child at the time. Her brother, Christoper Lugo, was pistol-whipped during the home invasion.

The four suspects believed the 16-year-old set up the home invasion and were determined to learn the names of the two armed men, prosecutor Tara Nechev said.

Krystal Lugo allegedly forced the 16-year-old girl to fight outside. The teen didn't have on shoes in the freezing cold weather.

Officers testified Christopher Lugo and Ortiz ended the fight after neighbors began to watch. The girl was brought back inside the White Terrace home, police and detectives testified.

In the basement, the 16-year-old girl was bound to a chair with yellow duct tape. She was burned with a cigarette and had a machete pressed against her neck, police said.

Krystal Lugo allegedly told the victim the machete would move closer to her neck if she lied during questioning.

The victim told Detective Vincent Ross that Torres-Abee shaved her head. All four suspects participated in the assault, the teen told police.

As Nechev made that statement, Krystal Lugo shook her head in denial. Authorities say Krystal Lugo ordered the other suspects to burn the girl with a cigarette.

The girl was apparently picked up in Leominster on Christmas by Ortiz and Krystal Lugo, Nechev said in court. The girl told police the suspects told her she was given a marijuana cigarette laced with Xanax and they took turns sexually assaulting her on Christmas Day.

As police investigated the home invasion and subsequent discovery of the teen they were able to find marijuana, packaging materials, yellow duct tape with hair on it, knives and other items in the Auburn home, according to court records.

Auburn Police Detective Vincent Ross said the home invasion remains under investigation.

The basement room where the teen was held had some furnishings, Auburn Police Sgt. Kenneth Charlton testified. There was a bed with no box spring and a bureau.

Krystal Lugo, 23, of Webster, is charged with kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and larceny under $250; Christopher Lugo, 19, is charged with kidnapping, rape and drug to confine; Torres-Abee, 22, of Southbridge, is charged with kidnapping and assault and battery; Ortiz, 19, of Auburn, is charged with kidnapping.

Judge Paul LoConto is reviewing interviews and other information in the case. He continued the dangerousness hearings for Christopher Lugo, Torres-Abee and Ortiz until Friday at 2 p.m.

Krystal Lugo continued to shake her head in denial as Nechev discussed the allegations against her during the dangerousness. Her defense attorney, Sean McGinty, said his client was not a danger to society and asked for a low bail and conditions.

Krystal Lugo has a long history with police and officers have been called to the White Terrace location 144 times since 2003, prosecutors said. She allegedly drove at a juvenile with a car on a soccer field in the past, Nechev said.

LoConto deemed Krystal Lugo dangerous and ordered her held without bail as her case continues in court. She will return to court on Jan. 31.The Pawtucket Red Sox are keeping their options open.

In a statement released Wednesday, the team evinced non-committal optimism about a proposed Rhode Island stadium deal, as Pawtucket and supportive Rhode Island lawmakers try to stave off Worcester's efforts to lure the team to Massachusetts.

"While we have not yet had a meaningful opportunity to review the language of the legislation and its latest proposal on naming rights, it is encouraging to see the outlines of a potential framework, as we consider the transformative opportunity that this ballpark and surrounding development project offers for downtown Pawtucket and all of Rhode Island," the team said

The deal is expected to receive a vote in Rhode Island's Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, following a series of public hearings and tweaks to the legislation. Should it win committee approval, the deal would still need support from both the full Senate and the House of Representatives to land on the desk of Gov. Gina Raimondo.

The proposed $83 million deal would keep the PawSox in Pawtucket, heading off a serious bid for the team by Worcester and members of its business community. The team, state and city of Pawtucket would be responsible for $23 million, $15 million and $12 million in debt respectively, with the PawSox also contributing $12 million in construction costs to the project.

While the team has expressed support for the broad outlines of the deal, it has not put forward a public position on some changes made during the hearing process, which include giving Pawtucket a share of naming rights revenue and a requirement that the team develop at least 50,000 square feet of ancillary retail and mixed-use real estate by the time the stadium opens.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman William J. Conley Jr. said tweaks to the legislation were still being made as late as this week, the Providence Journal reported.

The financial viability of the proposal hinges on projections for increased attendance and naming rights revenue, with Pawtucket relying on increased property taxes from associated development to pay its share.

The PawSox currently produce $1.9 to $2.3 million in public revenues, according to a Finance Committee report -- money that is at the core of Pawtucket's case to the state legislature.

"We cannot afford to lose out on this opportunity and the revenue that is currently coming in to the state as a result of the current operations," Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien wrote to legislative leaders last month. "Today, there is an estimated $2.2 million that the state will lose if we allow the PawSox to leave our state to Worcester, Massachusetts. We will also lose the future revenue growth potential and the future revitalization of Pawtucket."

In December, Grebien released a public statement warning that Rhode Island is at risk of losing the team and describing Worcester's bid as "real." In an interview last week, Pawtucket Director of Administration Tony Pires said that assessment was based on publicly available information, not inside knowledge of Worcester's negotiations or tip-offs from the team.

"We have to respect and honor the fact that we don't know what those details are. We only know what we read in the newspapers and media," Pires said. "They haven't disclosed that to us."

If the deal goes through, Pawtucket is seeking to build the stadium on the site of the Apex department store, a long-underutilized site between I-95 and the Seekonk River.

Worcester's bid, which is rumored to involve the vacant Wyman Gordon plot near Kelley Square, has been bolstered by public shows of support from local residents. The Canal District Alliance has organized the sending of thousands of postcards to the team supporting a relocation to Worcester.

At the same time, city officials have engaged in tight-lipped negotiations with the team, with few details publicly known. PawSox officials have been spotted meeting with city officials, including a three-hour visit to City Hall by team chairman Larry Lucchino in December.Since frigid temperatures swept the region, two Worcester shelters have been full as homeless residents seek refuge from the weather.

The shelter at 25 Queen St. has been averaging 100 people per night, according to Katherine Calano, the city's homeless projects manager.

St. John's, which opens when the temperature reaches 32 degrees or below, has been seeing about 50 people a night, she said.

Those numbers are specifically for adults without children, Calano said.

With 6 to 10 inches of snow predicted for Worcester on Thursday, the Quality of Life Task Force has been canvassing the city, making sure that homeless residents are aware of the forecast.

If the storm tracks further west than is currently forecast, communities in Central Massachusetts could see a foot of snow.

The task force handed out winter hats and bags of toiletries on Wednesday, stopping by tents in the woods where people are known to stay.

Thursday's snow is expected to start between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. and end between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday pointed out that in Worcester, the 5-day forecast is colder than in Fairbanks, Alaska.By Roger Cohen

New York Times News Service

I have a New Year's confession: I retweeted President Donald Trump with approval, not something I had expected to do, especially on the subject of Iran. But Trump has been right to get behind the brave Iranian protesters calling for political and economic change.

The tweet in question read: "Many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with regime's corruption & its squandering of the nation's wealth to fund terrorism abroad. Iranian govt should respect their people's rights, including right to express themselves. The world is watching! #IranProtests"

These are the largest popular protests since the Iranian uprising in 2009 against a fraudulent election. I was in an enormous crowd (estimated in the millions) that marched from Tehran's Enghelab (Revolution) Square to Azadi (Freedom) Square three days after the vote. Fear evaporated in that throng.

I asked a young woman to whom I'd been talking what her name was. "My name is Iran," she replied. The memory still gives me goose bumps.

For a few days, the Islamic republic stood on a knife's edge. I have often asked myself what would have happened if Mir Hussein Moussavi, the leader of the reformist Green Movement who was later placed under house arrest, had told that crowd to march on the seats of power in the name of the ballot box over theocratic whim.

Signs of disarray were palpable before the regime led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cracked down through the thugs of the Basij militia. As I wrote at the time, "There's nothing more repugnant than seeing women being hit by big men armed with clubs and the license of the state."

In Tehran, then, the silence of the Obama White House was deafening: too little, too late. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed regret over this in 2014. Excessive caution was the mother of the Obama administration's worst failures, not least in Syria. The slippery slope school of foreign policy has its limitations. Inaction, in the name of the ninth unanswerable "And then what?" question from the president, is as emphatic a statement as action. President Vladimir Putin, among other American rivals, took note.

So Trump - even if he understands little or nothing of Iran, even if his talk of Iranian "human rights" sounds hollow from a sometime advocate of torture, even if his support of the Iranian people today is grotesque from the man who has wrongheadedly barred most Iranians from entering the United States - is right to speak up in solidarity and tweet that the "wealth of Iran is being looted" by a "brutal and corrupt Iranian regime." It is. Given where American-Iranian relations stand, there is not much downside to this bluntness.

Among the most powerful slogans of demonstrators have been those expressing fury at money wasted in Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere when President Hassan Rouhani had promised jobs, not more of the surrogate wars of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

The demonstrations, this time, are different. They are smaller, but more widespread. They reflect the economic woes of the working class more than middle-class disaffection. They are happening, as Karim Sadjadpour has pointed out in The Atlantic, in an Iran of 48 million smartphones, against fewer than 1 million in 2009 (which is why the regime is trying to block the hugely popular Telegram messaging app). They originated in Mashhad and went on to Qom, two traditional regime strongholds - a sign of the regime's ideological bankruptcy.

The West-leaning middle class, fed up with the hypocrisy of the mullahs, has long sought political change. But the working class has been a pillar of the regime - manipulated with handouts and slogans. If they have shifted now, all the aging Khamenei has left is the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij. The Revolution that promised Iranians freedom in 1979 has withered.

The monopoly of force will probably be enough to sustain the Islamic republic. A crackdown is probable at some point. The real crisis of the regime will likely come at the moment of Khamenei's succession. Still, the courage of Iranians should never be underestimated, nor the deep roots of their quest for freedom, and anything is possible.

What has not changed since 2009 is the bravery of Iranians. I watched in awe as women stood their ground and faced down baton-wielding police officers. Today, protesters are chanting that Khamenei should go. They are chanting death to the Revolutionary Guards. They are chanting, "Independence, freedom, Iranian republic."

Trump's White House should keep up the pressure. It should bring European allies in behind its condemnation and warnings. It should stop berating the nuclear deal, which gave Iranians hope and deprives the regime of a convenient scapegoat (it could always say times were hard because of Western sanctions).

It should not, whatever happens, impose new sanctions: They only benefit the Revolutionary Guards. And it should learn, finally, that Iran is not, as Steve Bannon told Joshua Green, "like the fifth century - completely primeval" - but rather a sophisticated society of deep culture full of unrealized promise better served by engagement than estrangement.Paul Manafort, the former chairman of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the U.S. Department of Justice and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's authority to charge him with money laundering and conspiracy counts as part of an investigation into Russian election meddling.

Manafort, who has pleaded "not guilty" to various counts of conspiracy against the United States, among other things, accused the DOJ, Mueller and Acting Attorney General Rod Rosenstein of overreaching with criminal charges, according to a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Attorneys for Manafort argued that Mueller's investigation "extended far beyond 'links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump,'" including looking at Manafort's offshore business dealings dating back to 2005.

The indictment against Manafort, they further contended, "does not charge any links between Mr. Manafort and the Russian government."

"Instead, the special counsel has constructed an indictment that, at its essence, concerns failing to file certain informational reports of offshore bank accounts and failing to register as a foreign agent," Manafort's complaint stated. "None of the charges relate to Mr. Manafort's activities during his brief stint in 2016 as the campaign manager for the Trump presidential campaign."

Calling the Justice Department, Rosenstein and Mueller's actions "arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with the law," Manafort asked the court to set them aside and declare that the special counsel lacks authority to investigate such business dealings.

A Justice Department spokeswoman called the lawsuit "frivolous," but noted that Manafort "is entitled to file whatever he wants," Politico reported.

Mueller, in late October, announced that Manafort and his former business associate Rick Gates faced 12 charges, including conspiracy against the United States and money laundering.

Manafort, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Gates, of Richmond, Virginia, both turned themselves in to the FBI after being indicted by a federal grand jury, according to reports. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Manafort and Gates were the first to be charged in Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and alleged collusion by the Trump campaign.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more information becomes available.Allison Werder, the former president of MassLive, is considering a run for state representative.

Werder, 47, a Republican living in Longmeadow, formed a campaign committee to explore a run for the 2nd Hampden seat currently held by Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow.

"I'm considering it," Werder said in an interview. "I'm having conversations, seeing what the opportunity is."

Werder said she plans to make a final decision by early February.

The district includes Longmeadow, Hampden, Monson and parts of East Longmeadow.

Ashe has held the House seat since 2008 and ran unopposed in the last two elections. He confirmed Wednesday that he plans to run for re-election.

Werder was hired in 2013 as president of MassLive, which is the statewide website affiliated with the The Republican. MassLive and The Republican are separate units of the same parent company, Advance Local. Werder stepped down in February 2017.

In 2016, Werder co-founded WIT: Women Innovators and Trailblazers, an initiative created by the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts and Valley Venture Mentors that provides funding and mentoring to female-led startups in Western Massachusetts. She remains active in that organization today.

Werder said she believes more women need to run for office. "I just think we need a seat at the table," Werder said. "Women's perspective in politics is a valuable one."

Werder said her work at MassLive and her family background have prepared her to run for office. Her mother was a Republican state senator in Western Pennsylvania. Her father is a judge.

Before coming to MassLive, Werder lived in New Jersey, where she worked as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Parade Magazine. She joined Parade in 2002 after working for Time Inc.'s Money and People magazines.

She is a Pennsylvania native. She earned a bachelor's degree from Notre Dame and a master's of business administration from Georgetown University.

After she left MassLive, Werder said she took time off to spend the summer with her children. She has been involved with local nonprofits, including Valley Venture Mentors, has consulted for local organizations, and has been exploring a run for state representative.

In November 2017, Werder donated $1,000 to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and $500 to Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Her husband, Craig Werder, donated $1,000 to Baker in 2016.

Asked about Werder's potential run, Ashe said, "That's what our political system is based on, giving people the opportunity to step up and run. If she thinks she wants to take a shot at this race or any other race, good for her."

This story was updated to add Ashe's comments.Massachusetts congressional lawmakers condemned President Donald Trump this week for threatening to engage in nuclear war with North Korea, stressing that his remarks bordered on "presidential malpractice" and "put American lives in danger."

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, blasted Trump for taking aim at North Korean Kim Jong Un on Twitter Tuesday -- particularly the president's claim that he has a "much bigger and more powerful" nuclear button.

The Democrats raised concerns that the president's tweet may only stoke tensions between the two countries and urged Congress to assert its constitutional power when it comes to the U.S. launching a nuclear first strike.

They further called on the Trump administration to rein in the president's remarks and commit to direct diplomacy with respect to North Korea.

Markey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's East Asia subpanel who has previously criticized the president's approach to North Korea, argued that Trump "must understand that the launching of insults could lead to the launching of nuclear bombs."

That, the senator said, would be a calamity not just for the Korean peninsula, but the entire world.

"President Trump's tweet borders on presidential malpractice, needlessly deepening a crisis and squandering a fresh opportunity to attempt diplomacy as we try to peacefully negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," he said in a statement. "We cannot let this war of words result in an actual war."

"I call on the Trump administration to immediately commit to a credible and direct diplomatic campaign, combined with strict economic sanctions, to bring North Korea to the negotiating table," Markey added.

The Democrat also called for passage of a bill he has offered to prevent any president from launching a first nuclear strike -- one not in response to a nuclear attack -- without Congress first making a declaration of war.

Such legislation is needed given Trump's approach to North Korea, Markey argued.

"Now more than ever, it is crucial that Congress act and reassert its constitutional role as the branch of government with the sole power to decide when the United States will be the first to use nuclear weapons," he said. "The 'cooler heads' and 'strategic doctrine' that once served as our last, best hope against the unthinkable seem less reassuring with every tweet President Trump sends."

McGovern, meanwhile, contended that "Americans shouldn't live in fear of nuclear war with North Korea because (Donald Trump) has the temperament of a toddler."

"Such reckless statements put American lives in danger. We deserve better from our president," he tweeted Wednesday.

Americans shouldn't live in fear of #nuclear war with #NorthKorea because @realDonaldTrump has the temperament of a toddler.



Such reckless statements put American lives in danger. We deserve better from our president. RT if you agree. https://t.co/NEUy7m04Mc  Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 3, 2018

Trump, who previously called the North Korean leader "rocket man," again criticized him on Twitter this week after Kim reportedly said all of the United States is within range of his country's nuclear weapons and that a nuclear button is always on his desk.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,'" Trump tweeted. "Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"Sen. Stanley Rosenberg and his staffers have moved from the ornate space of the Senate President to a nook in the basement of the Massachusetts State House, as a special investigation gets underway.

Rosenberg, D-Amherst, is in the temporary office as attorneys with the firm Hogan Lovells conduct an investigation into whether Rosenberg violated state Senate rules.

Rosenberg stepped down as Senate president in December and senators tapped Hogan Lovells after the Boston Globe reported that four men accused Rosenberg's husband of sexual misconduct.

"I wish to reemphasize that the most important thing is to make sure that anyone who may have been hurt has every assurance that they can turn to whatever authority they feel comfortable with, with absolutely no fear of retribution, and to restore confidence in the Senate," Rosenberg said in a statement on Dec. 4. "During my leave of absence from being Senate President, I look forward to a thorough, fair, and independent investigation."

Attorney General Maura Healey told WGBH on Dec. 21 that potential victims did come forward after she and Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said they were interested in launching an investigation into the allegations against Hefner.

Rosenberg said Hefner did not have influence over policy and the internal operations of the Senate, and if he claimed otherwise, as his accusers allege, "he should not have said that."

Rosenberg moved to Room 70C shortly after stepping aside as president. Other senators have used the space as a temporary office in the past.

Rosenberg remains a state senator.

Rosenberg's basement office doesn't have the high ceilings of the Senate president's office on the third floor, and the basement office has a view of the General Hooker entrance, instead of the State House courtyard.

The Senate presidency also comes with additional space for staff on the fourth floor of the State House.

When he stepped down, Rosenberg also lost the $80,000 stipend that comes with the Senate presidency, MassLive/The Republican reported last month. He keeps his $82,548 base pay, which comes with an office expense stipend.

The new office is near the Gardner Auditorium, which is functioning as a temporary Senate chamber for voting and congregating as the original is overhauled.

Harriette Chandler, the Senate's majority leader and a Worcester Democrat, is serving as the acting president for the duration of the investigations. Several colleagues are angling to take over as Senate president once she steps down and if Rosenberg doesn't return to the top post.

Senators plan to meet in a formal session on Wednesday. Rosenberg was not expected to attend.

This post has been updated. Due to a reporting error, the article incorrectly said Rosenberg was expected to attend a formal session. He was not present at the Wednesday formal session.BOSTON -- Leaders in the state Senate said they may consider making changes to state tax law to address the new federal tax overhaul.

"There probably will be a few (changes) that we will contemplate making," said Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

President Donald Trump at the end of December signed an overhaul of U.S. tax laws that could have a significant impact on Massachusetts taxpayers. For example, the federal tax law caps deductions for state and local property taxes and for mortgage interest. Both changes could hurt taxpayers in a state like Massachusetts with high taxes and high housing costs.

The New York Times reported that officials in some high-tax states like New York and California are considering changing their state tax codes. For example, they might replace state income taxes, which are not fully deductible, with payroll taxes on employers, which are deductible.

Massachusetts Sen. Harriette Chandler, in her first speech from the Senate rostrum as acting president, said Wednesday that lawmakers would look at addressing the impact of the federal tax law.

Chandler said the Senate "will continue to stand as a bastion of protection for Massachusetts residents against those overreaches of the federal government that would negatively impact us, including to investigate and mitigate the consequences of the net neutrality overreach of the FCC, and of the federal tax bill."

In an interview after the speech, Chandler declined to offer specific proposals. "We're not in a position to make any comments at this point because we're still reading and learning, but it will have an impact on us, and we have to understand what it is," Chandler said.

Spilka said senators are talking to the state's congressional delegation and to economists. They may hold hearings to get additional information about what impact the federal tax law will have on Massachusetts.

The senators involved in the effort include Spilka, Chandler, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Revenue Michael Brady, D-Brockton, and Sen. Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport.Mitt Romney is expected to make a Senate bid in Utah following Sen. Orrin Hatch's announcement on Tuesday of his impending retirement.



The former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee kept a Facebook post on the topic ambiguous, thanking "my friend" Hatch for "his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation.



Elsewhere, Romeny's advisors told The Boston Globe the 70-year-old planned to give the matter "serious thought" and that they ultimately expected he would step forward.



Romney, who now lives in Beehive State, also changed his Twitter location from Massachusetts to Holladay, Utah.



Despite Hatch's advanced age -- the Senator is 83 and the longest-serving Republican in the Senate -- President Donald Trump has been urging Hatch to seek reelection in 2018.



Romney's advisors plainly interpreted Trump's intervention in comments to reporters as a means of keeping the Bay State's 70th Governor out.



A strident and principled Trump critic, Romney was a key member of the group of moderate Republicans that organized a last-ditch effort to prevent Trump from clinching the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.



"Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud," Romney said at the time. "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University," Romney said in a March 2016 speech. "He's playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat."



The two have met cordially since, but Romney's criticisms have continued, indicating that if he were to seek the seat, he would continue to be a thorn in the president's side.



A Politico headline on Tuesday breathlessly declared the "rivalry" between the two "set to take center stage again" and referred to Romney as a "longtime nemesis" of Trump.



"Among his tight-knit circle, there is already talk about who will oversee his campaign, a job that will likely fall to longtime top aides Matt Waldrip, Spencer Zwick and Beth Myers," the Politico piece read.



Aides to Romney told various publications a definitive announcement won't come for several weeks at least.





EASTHAMPTON -- Nicole LaChapelle was sworn in as Easthampton's third mayor on Tuesday during a noontime ceremony at the city's public safety complex.

Speaking to a large crowd, LaChapelle promised a new era of citizen engagement, and said her campaign themes of "opportunity, accessibility, transparency, diversity, fairness, equality, and unity" would guide her time in office.

In attendance were several Democratic party luminaries, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, state auditor Suzanne Bump, state Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, Hampshire Register of Deeds Mary Olberding and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.

LaChapelle thanked her predecessors in office -- outgoing two-term mayor Karen Cadieux and former longtime mayor Michael Tautznik -- for "building a strong foundation" in city government. She expressed gratitude to department heads and other public employees for helping effect a "smooth and thoughtful transition."

Neal, a former Springfield mayor, delivered remarks, saying he has known LaChapelle for some time, and "no one is more qualified than Nicole." He noted recent tensions in the city and said he believes they can be resolved. Neal also warned that "the mundane business of government" -- budget season, water and sewer rates, snow removal -- will take up the bulk of a mayor's time.

Bump delivered words of praise for LaChapelle, and the Easthampton Police Department presented a color guard.

LaChapelle is an active member of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and formerly served as the organization's treasurer. She said her state and federal connections would give Easthampton "a seat at the table," and urged residents to get involved in city government.

"I'm ready to work," she said.

Cadiuex, in attendance with her husband Robert, said she is pleased to be retiring. She said during her time in office, she found efficiencies in the city budget and that now there is around $4 million in various reserve accounts.

"I couldn't be happier," said Cadieux.

Also sworn in were a full slate of city councilors and School Committee members.

At-large councilors taking the oath of office were incumbents Joseph P. McCoy, Daniel R. Carey, Margaret "Peg" Conniff and newcomer Owen Zaret.

In Precinct 2 and Precinct 3, new councilors Homar Gomez and Thomas Peake were sworn in, and incumbents Daniel Rist (Precinct 5) and James J.P. Kwiecinski took the oath of office. Precinct 4 councilor Salem Derby was absent and will be sworn in at a later date.



Six School Committee members took the oath of office: incumbents Cynthia Kwiecinski and Marissa Carrere and newcomers Laurie Garcia, Shannon M. Dunham, Jonathan Schmidt and Alexandra Lynn Dodge. LaChapelle, as mayor, was also sworn into the School Committee.BOSTON -- Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, on Wednesday laid out her priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which include boosting housing production, advocating for paid sick leave and addressing the consequences of federal laws, including the recent tax overhaul.

"For nearly 400 years, from this corner of a hill in Boston, we have stood as a forward-looking beacon for the rest of the nation and the rest of the world for what the best of government and the best of individual rights can look like," Chandler said in her first speech from the Senate floor as president. "I don't plan on us losing that status."

Chandler said the Senate "will continue to stand as a bastion of protection for Massachusetts residents against those overreaches of the federal government that would negatively impact us, including to investigate and mitigate the consequences of the net neutrality overreach of the FCC, and of the federal tax bill."

She did not offer details on what lawmakers might propose related to either the new tax overhaul or the FCC's decision to repeal net neutrality rules.

Chandler assumed the presidency on an acting basis during the investigation into former Senate president Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, after Rosenberg's husband was accused of sexual misconduct. She presided over the first formal Senate session of the new year on Wednesday, which included the ceremonial swearing-in of newly elected Sen. Dean Tran, R-Fitchburg.

Chandler did not directly mention Rosenberg or the investigation in her speech. Rosenberg was not in attendance, although his spokeswoman said Rosenberg will be caucusing and voting this session.

Chandler said the Senate must meet both internal and external challenges, including economic and social uncertainty influenced by the "chaos" in Washington, D.C. "These challenges are real. They are serious," Chandler said.

Chandler stressed the importance of "the most vulnerable among us having a voice and never feeling silenced by those in a position in power." She talked about the values of equal access to education, housing, health care, justice, the internet, economic success and civil rights. She pledged to work collaboratively across state and federal government and partner with the House and governor.

It is unclear how long Chandler will hold the reins of the Senate, since she has said she will step down at the end of the investigation. In the meantime, Chandler gave some insight into the issues she plans to focus on.

She said the Senate hopes to complete work on health care reform and criminal justice reform -- both major pieces of legislation that the Senate passed last year but that must be reconciled with legislation from the House.

Chandler pledged to work on paid sick leave, the minimum wage and affordable housing.

There are ballot questions pending for 2018 that would require employers to offer paid family leave and raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The Legislature will have a chance to act on both these issues if lawmakers want to keep them off the ballot.

On housing, Chandler said the state needs to make sure housing "does not shut anyone out," whether recent college graduates, families or those in need of affordable housing.

"We are in danger of losing the next generation of business innovators and leaders -- and our reputation as a nationwide leader in the innovation economy -- if these innovators cannot afford to live in our state," Chandler said."

Chandler also said the Senate will work on developing enhanced civics education guidelines for all students.U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren are seeking answers from top federal regulators after a Tennessee Gas Pipeline contractor improperly spilled 16,500 gallons of tainted wastewater near the company's Agawam compressor station in November.

Warren and Markey on Jan. 2 wrote to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Kevin McIntyre with a list of questions about the incident and its aftermath.

The hazardous spill "may pose a significant danger to surrounding communities and the environment, especially as the discharge may have reached nearby water bodies," Warren and Markey wrote.

The wastewater, stored in an above-ground tank, had been used for "hydrostatic testing" of a pipeline segment associated with the Connecticut Expansion, a recently-completed project in three states that serves natural gas utilities in Connecticut.

The Nov. 20 discharge contained copper, iron, lead, and two chemicals, according to an independent lab report. PERC, an industrial solvent, and DEHP, used to produce polyvinyl chloride, are classified by the EPA as likely carcinogens.

The company submitted the lab report to FERC and the the EPA Region I New England office in response to a Dec. 12 demand letter from the Boston regulators.

While the company told FERC and the EPA the spill did not contaminate a nearby stream, Warren and Markey said that claim "does not appear to be backed up by any additional testing, only a visual observation performed almost 10 days later."

The company told the regulators in December that it "did not observe any environmental damage resulting from the discharge."

However, Kinder Morgan, Tennessee's Houston-based parent company, admitted in a Jan. 3 press statement that contaminants in the wastewater exceeded levels allowed under its federal discharge permit.

The company said that on Nov. 27, it discovered that contractor Henkels & McCoy "had disregarded specific instructions ... by discharging municipal water used in hydrostatic testing at Kinder Morgan's Agawam compressor station property."

As for remediation, "Kinder Morgan will take appropriate action under its contract with Henkels & McCoy for this breach," the company said on Wednesday.

In December, Tennessee told regulators that it discovered the spill when a second contractor showed up to truck the wastewater offsite for proper disposal, and found the tank was empty.

Warren and Markey asked Pruitt if the EPA would require additional soil or water testing, and asked for the agency's remediation and public outreach plan if contamination is found. They requested the results of any testing, and said the EPA should not "simply accept the company's assertion" that no harm occurred.

In their separate letter to FERC, Warren and Markey asked Chairman McIntyre what actions the agency will take to address the situation in Agawam "so that public health and the environment are protected."

They further asked if FERC plans to block Tennessee from operating its new pipeline until it knows that all safety and environmental standards have been met.

FERC is the federal agency that oversees the construction of interstate natural gas pipelines, and the EPA is charged with protecting human health and the environment.

Warren and Markey reminded FERC that they had opposed the agency's "authorization to proceed" with construction of the pipeline last spring, when the five-member federal commission was operating without a quorum.

The project, with its 14 miles of new and upgraded pipeline, has sections in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. A portion of the Massachusetts line constructed through the Otis State Forest in Berkshire County has inspired vigorous protest, with dozens of anti-fossil-fuel activists arrested for trespassing.

A FERC spokeswoman said Chairman McIntyre would respond to the senators in a timely manner when the letter is received. The Republican has also reached out to the EPA.

Warren and Markey told the federal regulators they would like a response to their questions by Jan. 8.If a newspaper delivery person gets hurt on the job, should she be eligible for workers compensation? The answer depends on whether she is an independent contractor or an employee.

That question is at the center of a court case, Ives Camargo v. Publishers Circulation Fulfillment, that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will hear Thursday, which could have significant ramifications for newspapers.

This is one of several pending court cases that could change the benefits available to newspaper carriers.

"The potential implications are huge for the newspaper industry," said Robert Ambrogi, executive director of the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association. Ambrogi said he was not familiar with the Camargo case, but the association has been involved with other litigation relating to newspaper deliverers.

Ives Camargo worked for Publishers Circulation Fulfillment, a company that has contracts with numerous newspapers to deliver papers. In 2010, Camargo fell while at a PCF facility in Chelmsford. She fell again in 2011 delivering papers. She had several periods of disability related to injuries from the fall, and lost her job in August 2012.

That led to a fight between Camargo and the delivery service's insurer over whether Camargo was an employee or an independent contractor and whether she was entitled to workers' compensation benefits. After hearings before the Department of Industrial Accidents, appeals and reviews, the case made its way to the Supreme Judicial Court.

The central legal question is whether an independent contractor is eligible for workers' compensation and whether Camargo should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor.

Camargo, in court briefs, argues that she should be considered an employee for purposes of workers' compensation.

PCF, in court briefs, argues that Camargo was an independent contractor and should not be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. It cites previous cases finding that newspaper deliverers are independent contractors. PCF also says Camargo lied about the extent of her disability.

Paul Kelly, an attorney representing PCF, said Comargo had a contract classifying her as an independent contractor. She wrote off business expenses on her taxes. She hired substitutes when she could not come in. "She operated with almost zero control from the delivery company," Kelly said.

Camargo argues that she had specific obligations she had to meet under her contract with PCF, such as delivering to routes designed by the company.

If newspaper deliverers are considered employees, newspapers would have to pay for workers' compensation and unemployment insurance, withhold taxes and adhere to wage and hour rules.

Attorney Michael Fager, who represents Camargo, said, "If you can say a person doing work for you is not an employee, you can avoid all those things. It leaves the person doing the work at risk."

The case has broader implications beyond Camargo. PCF delivers newspapers for major companies including the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and the New York Times. Many newspaper companies use similar business models, in which newspaper deliverers are classified as independent contractors.

"These cases really threaten that structure because they could impose a huge economic burden on newspapers at a time when newspapers are already suffering from any number of economic burdens," Ambrogi said.

It is not the first time the courts have ruled on cases involving newspaper carriers. PCF, in its court brief, cites unemployment case decisions in 2011 and 2012 that found PCF deliverers were independent contractors. Another case looking at the classification of news carriers, King v. Gatehouse, is pending before the Appeals Court.

Fager said the issue of eligibility for workers' compensation has never before been litigated.

The Republican uses an independent contractor model for newspaper delivery. According to publisher George Arwady, distribution is contracted out to numerous local independent distributors who then contract with adult carriers. The company does not use PCF.

A group of workers rights' groups representing low-income workers filed a legal brief supporting Camargo.

The workers' rights groups, represented by Greater Boston Legal Services and others, argue that the court needs to clarify which workers are considered employees for purposes of workers' compensation.

"When misclassified as independent contractors, and then injured on the job, many workers are wrongfully denied access to workers' compensation coverage for medical care and wage replacement benefits," attorneys for the workers' groups wrote in a court brief. "Other misclassified workers may successfully fight for benefits through legal appeals but, in the meantime, suffer delays in obtaining much-needed benefits and medical care."

The groups wrote that the case goes beyond Camargo or all newspaper deliverers and could "significantly affect the well-being of a broad swath of vulnerable workers in the Commonwealth."

Audrey Richardson, an attorney for Greater Boston Legal Services, said, "It's a question of what standard applies across the board and whether that standard is clear and easily understood by workers and employers and insurers alike."Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon takes aim at Trump campaign officials and raises questions about a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer in a soon-to-be released book, various news outlets reported Wednesday.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, reportedly slammed Donald Trump Jr., White House senior adviser Jared Kusher and then-campaign Chairman Paul Manafort in interviews he gave for Michael Wolff's book "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House."

Bannon specifically condemned the campaign officials for participating in a June 2016 meeting with Russians who promised dirt on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton -- a gathering which he called "treasonous and unpatriotic," according to NBC News, which obtained a copy of the book.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor with no lawyers," he reportedly said. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s--t, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately."

Bannon further speculated that the Russians likely met with then-candidate Donald Trump after the sitdown -- something the president has denied, the news outlet noted.

"The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these jumos up to his father's office on the twenty-sixth floor is zero," he reportedly said in the book.

Bannon also said he anticipates Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian election meddling to focus on money laundering, pointing to his pick of senior prosecutor Andrew Weissman.

"You realize where this is going. This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy," he said, according to NBC news. "Their path to f---ing Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner. It's as plain as a hair on your face."

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," he reportedly added.

The president, however, dismissed Bannon's remarks, saying "when he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

"Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books," he said in a Wednesday statement.

Here's the statement in full: pic.twitter.com/GdosUy38uX  Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) January 3, 2018

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders added that the book "is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House."

"Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy," she said in a statement.

Trump's eldest son tweeted a series of emails in July offering details on the controversial meeting with a Kremlin-linked lawyer during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Donald Trump Jr., who stressed that his father was not aware of the meeting, said it focused on adoption policy and the Magnitsky Act.

After leaving the White House, Bannon returned to his position as the head of Brietbart News.Back in March, Iceland introduced legislation that made it illegal to pay men more than women for the same job. With the start of the New Year, the new law has gone into effect, per Al Jazeera. Now, the island Nordic country is the first in the world to legally require all companies with 25 employees or more to prove that they pay women and men equally. Companies will have to undergo certification every three years to ensure that their pay policies follow the rules. Those that fail to prove pay parity will face fines.

https://www.fastcompany.com/40512507/iceland-just-made-it-illegal-to-pay-men-more-than-women-for-the-same-job?partner=feedburner&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feedburner+fastcompany&utm_content=feedburnerOne of the great debates in American politics and economics in 2018 is likely to be how to help the countrys forgotten towns, the former coal-mining and manufacturing hubs with quaint Main Streets that havent changed much since the 1950s and 60s. Many of these places turned out heavily to vote for Donald Trump. He talks often about wanting to help them, but its unclear how he can.

By Heather Long

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/02/americas-forgotten-towns-can-they-be-saved-or-should-people-just-leave/?utm_term=.43660629055c

***

New coalition to bring more internet to rural America http://www.matr.net/article-80647.htmlHINDSIGHT 2021 Audio Article 10 Years Ago (2011)  As the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks approached, Soldier Brett Kline shared a lookback at the thoughts of the McConnelsville-based Ohio National Guard 2-174th Air Defense Artillery soldiers who were ending a year-long deployment in Iraq. Soldier Brett Kline shared the comments...

The Ohio National Guard Honored 80 Soldiers Audio Article On Friday, Aug. 27, the Ohio National Guard honored a group of around 80 soldiers based in McConnelsville from Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment said goodbye to their families as they prepared to depart for a year-long deployment in support of the U.S. Central Command operations....

Morgan County Sheriffs Office Daily Call Reports Audio Article Editors Note: The following are initial incident reports from callers to a Morgan County Sheriffs Office Dispatcher. Any details, charges or situations may have been distorted by the caller, or perhaps may have been found to be different after the officer further investigated the incident. Friday, June 11, 2021 ...

Morgan County Sheriffs Office Daily Call Reports Audio Article Editors Note: The following are initial incident reports from callers to a Morgan County Sheriffs Office Dispatcher. Any details, charges or situations may have been distorted by the caller, or perhaps may have been found to be different after the officer further investigated the incident. Tuesday, June 8, 2021 ...

Morgan County Sheriffs Office Daily Call Reports Audio Article Editors Note: The following are initial incident reports from callers to a Morgan County Sheriffs Office Dispatcher. Any details, charges or situations may have been distorted by the caller, or perhaps may have been found to be different after the officer further investigated the incident. Thursday, June 10, 2021 ...

HINDSIGHT 2021 Audio Article 10 Years Ago (2011)  Morgan High School Coach Mike Beam announced the cross-country roster for the upcoming season. James Sheets, Grant Smith and Jason Zumbro will represent the boys team. Members of the girls team include Virginia Ferrell, Cheyenne Hanson, Miranda Cain, Baylee Garrett, Korie Robinson, Dani Mae Hopkins,...Ontario has launched OHP+ on Jan 1 which offers the province's 4 million children and youth free access to more than 4,400 approved medications.



Children and youth will need only a valid prescription and a health card to access medication; no deductible or co-payment will be required.

Children and youth will need only a valid prescription and a health card to access medication free of cost.





The Ontario government has said that the aim of pharmacare-for-children program is to allow families to access medications without having to worry about affordability.



Premier Kathleen Wynne said that while she's proud of the province's new program, her government hopes to expand it further.



"Although we are thrilled that OHIP+ is going to cover prescription medications for young people between birth and their 25th birthday, we recognize that there's more that needs to be done. The whole population needs to have access to that kind of support.



Source: Medindia Like many provinces, Ontario already offers drug coverage to seniors, as well as those with exceptionally high drug costs.The Ontario government has said thatPremier Kathleen Wynne said that while she's proud of the province's new program, her government hopes to expand it further."Although we are thrilled that OHIP+ is going to cover prescription medications for young people between birth and their 25th birthday, we recognize that there's more that needs to be done. The whole population needs to have access to that kind of support.Source: Medindia

The program will cover all prescription medications currently listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary. Additional medications eligible for funding through the Exceptional Access Program will also be covered.JOURNALIST: Minister, good day, many happy returns, happy New Year!



N. KOTZIAS: Mr. Skouris, many happy returns to you, and to the women and men in the audience.



JOURNALIST: You put the women first.



N. KOTZIAS: Its a matter of courtesy and esteem.



JOURNALIST: Right! Minister, for many people 2018 is the year when critical issues will open up in our foreign policy. You dont like the ideology of sitting on ones hands with regard to national issues, but many people insist that it may be worse to actually address some pending issues. Perhaps the international state of affairs isnt in our favour?



N. KOTZIAS: For three decades I have been hearing that inertia is the best foreign policy. The result is that our countrys influence has waned in the region, while the influence of other countries  including Turkey and member states of the European Union  has increased. It is in practise that we see whether a policy choice is right or wrong. Our foreign policy has two components in 2018. One is the further promotion of our positive agenda. We will take a major step, I hope, in Rhodes this June, at the 3rd Conference for Security and Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. We launched this about three years ago -two and a half- with the participation of eleven Arab and European states. Twenty-three countries will be participating this year, the two international Arab organizations, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League, and for the first time we will have three observers  Indonesia, Colombia and Vietnam  who are watching our foreign policy and the experience we are gaining very closely. We already have five trilateral cooperation schemes with countries to our south-east, and we will be adding a sixth, Greece and Cyprus with Armenia, which is a step forward in the intensification of our relations with Armenia. I would like to say that, all in all, we have created fifteen new international organizations that function in an exemplary manner and are based on our positive agenda. In other words, how we can move forward together with other states in our region  or globally, as on the issue of forum of civilizations  in order to upgrade the issue we are handling and our countrys role. I also want to say that we handed on the Presidency of the Global Forum for Ancient Civilizations that still play a key role today  in my opinion, an exceptionally good initiative we took  and we will hold the next International Conference in Bolivia, with the aim of implementing what we have agreed on so far.



JOURNALIST: Can you remind us what countries are participating in this initiative, because it is very interesting.



N. KOTZIAS: China, India  we discussed this in depth a few weeks ago, when I was in New Delhi  Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Bolivia and Peru. Whats more, seven states have asked to observe or, if they can, join. Namely Chile, Nicaragua, Indonesia, Armenia. In general, our international initiatives have not only met with a very positive response, but are also attracting new member states, and we have seen greater interest than ever from states who want to be observers  and as the current Presidency we have granted these requests. This is our positive agenda. Elements of the positive agenda are our overcoming the unresolved problems of the past. The biggest of these problems are the Cyprus issue, what I would call historical holdovers with Albania, and the name issue with our neighbouring country fYROM.



JOURNALIST: Lets take them one at a time, and lets look at the fYROM issue, the name issue, which has been the subject of domestic controversy of late.



N. KOTZIAS: On the Skopje issue which hasnt begun yet, essentially there will be negotiations between the two representatives of the two states, with Mr. Nimetz, the UN representative, in attendance. I would say this: our government is determined to contribute towards the resolution of this problem, because, as I have underscored repeatedly, history must be our great school and heritage, and in no way should it be our prison. We arent asking for third parties on the domestic political scene to resolve it for us. That is nonsense, because the party that created this problem, who for twenty-five years, together with their partner in government, were unable to resolve it, and who dont appear to be able to provide even a basic response as the opposition, certainly cant resolve it. They were tested as the government and as the opposition. These arent the right people for the job.



JOURNALIST: I was going to ask you about that. But first, do we have the right conditions, do we have the right moves on the part of our neighbouring country, to open a substantial dialogue and address the substance of the issue?



N. KOTZIAS: I need to tell you two things: as best it can, our neighbouring country has to de-escalate, to do away with the irredentism, just as our country showed and insists that we want this state to exist and we have no intention of undermining it. In other words, restoration of trust in the context of this course towards greater confidence. The confidence-building measures played a major role. When I introduced them two and a half years ago, many sides viewed my proposal with suspicion, including friends of ours in Skopje and in some international organizations. Yet, they proved to be very beneficial to our peoples, and we are preparing a major step in confidence-building measures: the opening of border-crossing points between Greece and our northern neighbour at Lake Prespa, which must and will be exploited for the economic growth of the region. The European Union has promised significant funding that will contribute to the creation of the necessary infrastructure for the development and upgrading of the region.



JOURNALIST: Are we going to the negotiations with a red line? Is there a red line?



N. KOTZIAS: There are no negotiations without a red line. But these red lines arent made public, of course. I want to underscore that I am surprised at the statements made by a number of parties and leading figures who are demanding  before the negotiations have even begun  that I publicly state what the red lines are, where the negotiations are heading, what the objectives are, etc. I dont think it is rational, notwithstanding a party-politics outlook, to want the Greek negotiating team to reveal its negotiating tactics and strategy before the negotiations have even begun. We don't make mistakes like that, Mr. Skouris, because I and our government exercise foreign policy based on the needs of the country, securing the best possible future for the country; a future of peace and stability in the region. A solution with compromises, certainly, but not, as I often say, rotten compromises. Creative and positive compromises. And we are certainly not looking at foreign policy from a standpoint of the countrys domestic politics or the interests some opposition parties have.



JOURNALIST: Will a meeting of political party leaders be needed when the decision has been taken?



N. KOTZIAS: Well see. And in any case this is something that is up to the President of the Republic, in consultation with the countrys Prime Minister.



JOURNALIST: Could there be an issue of stated intention for the government on this issue? Because the opposition ...



N. KOTZIAS: There is no such issue. Ill explain it to you. Listen to this incredible argument: the government should step down because a portion of the parliamentary majority disagrees, has another opinion. First, the government has its way of discussing and resolving the issues. There will certainly be a cabinet meeting in the coming days so we can discuss the matter, and I will present the aspects of the negotiations. But in no way are we crippled in the way that New Democracy was under the then prime minister, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, who was forced to abandon his political line on the macedonian issue because, first, Antonis Samaras left with a group of MPs and, second, Evert, Kanellopoulos and Dimas prevented him from having the majority necessary for making decisions. The party that created this problem, that essentially in reality and formally split over this issue, is now saying that the government should step down because there is another opinion within the governing majority. I dont remember Konstantinos Mitsotakis stepping down during the two major and failed efforts that were made to solve the problem. And it really makes one wonder to hear these things coming from his son, who may not have an adequate knowledge of Greek history, but who should at least know the history of his family and of Konstantinos Mitsotakis.



JOURNALIST: Do you think there is any possibility of the governments having a unified, single position? Of there not being disagreement with ANEL, I mean? Disagreement between the partners in the government?



N. KOTZIAS: I am certain that there will be a majority in Parliament and I realise that some people are bothered because I said the majority will be a majority of MPs, and not a majority of parties. Pardon me. Decisions arent taken in Parliament by a majority of parties. We dont have a party-controlled democracy, where there are seven parties and at least four have to agree. A majority of MPs decides in a democracy. And I think this majority exists. And may I tell you something else? What if this majority didnt exist? The decision wouldnt come, and what would we do? The problem remained unresolved for twenty-five years. We would add another two.



JOURNALIST: Youre saying that if the proposal were rejected ...



N. KOTZIAS: We will never show such irresponsibility. The matter will come before Parliament, the proposal will be extremely good and will be supported by the majority of MPs who think patriotically and responsibly on national issues.



JOURNALIST: Youre saying that the government wont step down if this majority doesnt materialise.



N. KOTZIAS: There will be a majority. There is no question of the governments resigning or not. I find this demand ridiculous, because New Democracy should have learned from its history, having splintered over this issue. It is the party that created the issue and it cant wag its finger at us, the ones resolving it. The same thing happened with the economy. They created the catastrophic economic situation in the country. Its the same with the national issues. Not only did they fail to resolve them, but they created additional problems during their time in government. Those who created the problems and were incapable of solving them shouldnt call to account the people who are solving them.



JOURNALIST: Lets go to the Cyprus issue now, Minister. Under what conditions do you think the negotiations should start again, and do you really think they will start again?



N. KOTZIAS: I remind you that in 2016 I underscored the need for preparatory talks so that we could be fully prepared for a conference on the Cyprus problem. I underscored this to Mr. Eide many times, and he didnt listen because he saw things differently. I underscored it to all sides. Today I am very happy to see that the UN, the United Kingdom and Turkey, and of course the Cypriot government, with whom we share a common course, want talks to be held on the key subject that has not been discussed in adequate depth and that concerns the guarantees and the withdrawal of the occupation force from Cyprus. And I regard it as a major success of Greek diplomacy  and this fact was accepted by everyone on Parliament  that Greek diplomacy changed the agenda of the Cyprus problem and put the real problem on the table. This real problem guarantees and the occupation force has to be discussed by those who violated the guarantees and who have the occupation army  the Turks, in other words  with the other Guarantor Powers and with us in particular. Most certainly, to ensure a chance of success  we don't hold conferences for the sake of holding them, we want the resolution of the Cyprus problem  we need a well-prepared Conference.



JOURNALIST: Do you think the negotiations will begin by Easter?



N. KOTZIAS: I dont know, because  when the negotiations begin between the two communities and at the UN, and in the manner and at the time they decide to hold them  we hope to hold concurrent talks on the issues I mentioned.



JOURNALIST: Are you optimistic about our relations with Turkey, Minister, or do you think tensions will escalate in the coming time?



N. KOTZIAS: Mr. Skouris, we arent prophets and we dont make decisions for the Turkish government. What we are doing is ensuring stability and peace in the region, creating and forming the largest alliances possible with those who understand the need for stability and peace in the region, and, through our stance and the capabilities we have, influencing Turkey so that its restlessness isn't exported towards the Aegean.



JOURNALIST: I say this because, of late, we have heard mainly the Turkish opposition, but also leading figures threatening even war, or putting The Hague on the table for the first time.



N. KOTZIAS: It is very interesting that the secular opposition in Turkey is raising issues concerning Greek-Turkish relations in a very ultra-nationalist and extremist manner, and this shows that, unfortunately, despite the problems that exist with the current Turkish leadership, this same leadership is showing greater rationalism than its secular opposition.



JOURNALIST: And I say this because we are seeing, in contrast, European powers closing or trying to close off Turkeys European perspective; mainly extreme right forces that are now participating in their countries governments.



N. KOTZIAS: Thats true, but you will also see that many powers that were at odds with Turkey in the past, in recent months, will attempt to restore relations with Turkey, and what Greek foreign policy took care to ensure was that, when these powers restore their relations with Turkey, we wont be alone and exposed to an unnecessary hostility.



JOURNALIST: But this is the first time Turkey has tabled the issue of The Hague. I heard top officials in Ankara raise the issue of the International Court in The Hague. Do you believe this is a real prospect?



N. KOTZIAS: Anyone who supports international law is welcome.



JOURNALIST: In 2018 we also have the meeting in Himara between you and your Albanian counterpart. Do you believe there can be a package solution?



N. KOTZIAS: The steps we foresaw and requested have been taken, the Albanian side has complied. I mean three things: That whereas the derelict structure used as the church of St. Athanasios was torn down two years ago, today the Albanian government has taken a decision strongly symbolic, and this has been decided upon to fund the construction of a duly imposing church in its place. At long last, it issued implementation laws on the issue of the cemeteries where the souls of our soldiers can find rest, and it has granted citizenship to the Archbishop of Durres and All Albania, a saintly person in my opinion. I would like to add the following: some people say these things had to be done anyway, these were self-evident moves. Yes, but the self-evident was not done for 25 years. They shouldnt try to call into doubt the improvement in Greek-Albanian relations and how beneficial this is. And I thanked the Albanian government and the Albanian President for the good will they showed, and I want to say here, publicly, that on the biggest problem we feel the Albanians have, that the state of war has not been abolished officially, Greece will certainly respond and there cannot be even a formalistic intimation or an implication that there is a state of war between the two countries. This is historical nonsense and has to end.



JOURNALIST: And what might 2018 bring for the Balkans as a whole, Minister?



N. KOTZIAS: Look, in the Balkans I hope that we resolve the issues with our northern neighbours, as I described, and that we all support their course towards integration into the European structures, their economic development and better cooperation all round. We have begun two major cooperation initiatives  three, I would say  two as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one on the level of Prime Ministers and Presidents in the Balkans: there is the Greek Prime Ministers initiative for cooperation between Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece; there is what we call the cross-border cooperation between Albania, fYROM, Bulgaria and Greece; and there is the cooperation between the four Balkan EU member states, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. These cooperation schemes are exceptional, and I had the pleasure of adding another at the end of last year  and there will be a major conference in Greece  between the Balkan EU member states, the Visegrad countries, and the countries that are candidates for EU membership; that is, the Western Balkan countries and Turkey. And we will hold a major conference here in Athens on the future of Europe, because it is my firm conviction that the countries that are candidates for EU membership must have these opportunities to learn about what we are debating and express an opinion that we take into serious consideration regarding the future of Europe, our common home.



JOURNALIST: And one last question, Minister. Do you think there is potential for the delimitation of the EEZs with Egypt, Italy and Albania within the new year, within 2018?



N. KOTZIAS: We'll see.



JOURNALIST: You dont rule it out?



N. KOTZIAS: We'll see.



JOURNALIST: Thank you very much. Happy New Year!



N. KOTZIAS: Thank you.UPPER THUMB -- Randell Krug, 34, son of Dennis Krug and Marilee Krug (deceased), is preparing for his third deployment to the Middle East.

Krug first enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2001, and recently received a promotion to the rank of Major.

His current role in the Army Reserves is as the executive officer of an Engineer Battalion, meaning he supervises the human resources, logistics and communication functions of between four to six units, which is comprised of between 500-700 Soldiers. Krug also leads military planning for missions that his battalion is tasked to perform.

In 2003, Krug became one of the first soldiers to deploy to Iraq during the invasion. At that time, Krug worked as an Army vehicle mechanic and construction equipment operator, and he also performed dozens of convoys around Iraq.

In 2009, Krug returned to Iraq as a logistician. For that tour, he managed transportation of Army equipment across Iraq from Balad, the country's busiest logistics hub.

Krug is a 2002 graduate of Bad Axe High School. Outside of his military life, he works for the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner.

This month, he will celebrate his four-year anniversary with his wife, Ann. The couple is blessed with an 11-month-old baby girl. They are in the process of moving from Royal Oak to the Phoenix, Arizona area so that Ann can pursue dental school.

Krug's sister, Richelle, also served eight years in the Army Reserves.HURON COUNTY  A bill that aims to make it easier for school districts to secure substitute teachers has passed the Michigan House.

House Bill 4069, introduced by State Rep. Jim Tedder, a Republican from Clarkston, now moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill would lower college credit requirements for a substitute teacher from at least 90 credits to 60 credits or an associates degree.

Current law states the credits must be from a college or university. HB 4069 would change it to college, university or community college, and would change the law so that the 60 semester hours do not need to be from the same school.

Im in support of the bill, as is our state organization, said Huron County Intermediate School District Superintendent Joseph Murphy. We have difficulty finding substitute teachers, so if it creates a little more flexibility by lowering the credit hours required from 90 to 60, I would be in favor of it.

Another requirement for substitute teachers in the state is successfully passing a criminal background check. Huron County Intermediate School District substitutes also must complete some additional training through the districts contracting agency.

Substitute teacher shortages are a consistent problem in Michigan. Substitute teaching for all subjects is listed as being in critical shortage, with only 85 percent of all substitute requests being filled per 100 classrooms, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Unemployment is low right now, so people are employed and plus there is an overall shortage of teachers, Murphy said. Thus, I dont think as many are working as substitute teachers as there once were.

Said Tedder of his legislation: Our students and local school districts need our help. Many classrooms face the possibility of not having qualified teachers, even in a substitute capacity for a few days, and we cannot allow that to continue. This bill will allow districts to work with more professionals without being limited by burdensome restrictions and give students the education they need.BAD AXE -- While the Huron County Board of Commissioners ratified the contract for the Huron County Sheriff's Office road patrol deputies Tuesday, the move was not without controversy.

In a re-vote, Commissioners Ron Wruble and Steve Vaughan again voted against the agreement, with commissioners Sami Khoury, Todd Talaski, John L. Bodis, and John A. Nugent supporting the contract.

Commissioner David G. Peruski, who is having health issues, missed his third commissioners meeting in a row Tuesday when the board reorganized.

The vote was repeated from the board's last meeting, where it was ratified 3-2, when Talaski was also absent.

It was determined this was not a legitimate vote because a majority of elected officials is required to ratify a contract.

Wruble told the Tribune of his reasons for voting no on the four-year contract after the meeting adjourned.

"I value the service of the sheriff's department road patrol," he said. "I don't want to begrudge any benefits  that would be for their service."

But this contract, he added, is "not consistent with the other ones that were negotiated."

The county is facing issues with covering legacy costs, he said.

"And even though we agreed to reinstate retiree health insurance at a limited basis for the (central dispatch union and AFSCME General County Unit 1), it was a situation of fairness that the county's employees were treated on a level playing field."

He added the benefits are not in line with non-union and elected officials across the board.

"And this contract, even though they already have federal retiree health insurance than the AFSCME and dispatch had agreed to, this will escalate it even higher."

"It's going to drive our costs for the county way up."

He said it would cost a minimum of $70,000 per 10 years at today's costs. He later told the Tribune that it would cost the county more than $1 million over the years.

The county is making strides to cover legacy costs, he said.

"I'm not going to be here when this occurs, but I think the county could be possibly heading for a trainwreck in the future (financially)," he said.

He added the road patrol contract will affect the county's ability to provide services in the future.

"I feel the taxpayers in this county want to make sure that their public servants are taken care of. I don't think they would agree to how lucrative this contract is  The taxpayers ultimately pay for this."

"Our public servants need to be taken care of, but this is overboard," he concluded.

"Although I feel there is a need to take care of our law enforcement personnel, this agreement is way out of line," he said in an interview later.

He also added the agreement discriminates against unmarried officers, as it offers them fewer benefits than those who are married.

And Wruble said there would be "unintended consequences" in terms of agreements with other unions that are pending.

Wruble, who was a member of the Personnel Committee in 2017, and participated in contract negotiations, will not continue in that capacity following the board's reorganization.

He told the Tribune he would no longer serve on the Personnel Committee in order "to give somebody else a chance."

The ad hoc committee that had been negotiating with the sheriff's patrol union was dissolved Tuesday as well. Future negotiations with unions whose contracts remain unsettled -- sheriff's office corrections personnel and lieutenants -- will be handled by the newly organized personnel committee: Chair Nugent, Vice Chair Talaski and member, Peruski.

Contracts expired Sunday for the lieutenants and corrections personnel in the sheriff's office.PIGEON -- Scheurer Hospital will be hosting the following events in January:

 American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR: This class will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 8 in the Wilson Education Center at the hospital. This is a three hour class and is $35 per person. Register online at www.scheurer.org. Please call 989-453-5222 for more information.

 Caregiver Connection: This meeting will be held at noon Jan. 11 in the Wilson Education Center at the hospital. At the meeting, Candice Rivera-Tenerife from the Huron County Health Department will discuss adult immunizations and a lunch will be served. Please call 989-453-5222 for more information.MIDDLETOWN  When author Anthony Valerio, whose grandparents emigrated from Naples and Sicily, Italy, learned of the presidents first proposed travel ban, he had a visceral reaction to the news.

Valerio, 77, said he was immediately transported back to his childhood growing up in Brooklyn, New York.

In his new book, Immigrants according to Anthony Valerio, Volumes I & II, he tells a story about his cousin, the butcher, whose shop was on New Utrecht Avenue. John was affable, always smiling, his red hair illuminating his knowing smile. He and my mother were cousins through marriage. Their hilarious interaction in his butcher shop was something to witness, Valerio writes.

There I was, 6 years old, sitting there  it could have been yesterday, so vivid was the whole immigrant culture, he said. When I think about immigrants, thats almost foreign. Its like the people who lived in neighborhoods. We knew He comes from Naples or He comes from Sicily, He comes from Bari.

Valerio grew up in the melting pot that is America, not distinguishing between one or another who was  or wasnt  born on U.S. soil, he said.

We didnt live that way: We were all learning English. We were learning to be American, said Valerio, who has taught at the City University of New York, New York University, and Wesleyan University, where his wife Ellen Nerenberg is a professor in the Romance Language and Literatures Department, as well as dean of the arts and humanities.

Then, when President Donald Trump took office last January, he issued a travel ban on citizens of six Muslim-majority nations, Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, saying they posed a risk to the countrys national security.

That took the air out of my room, Valerio said, in the his sunny living room of his colonial home Tuesday off High Street.

Since then, the presidents executive order has incited passionate reactions and demonstrations, as well as prompted court decisions. Late last month, a federal appeals court panel ruled Trump exceeded the scope of his authority with his latest travel ban. That decision awaits the U.S. Supreme Courts review.

Here I am, the child of immigrants, he said. If it had not been for immigrants, I would not have had life. I would not have created. I would not have loved. I would not have procreated. I would not have shared with my fellows the astounding natural and created images of this world, Valerio wrote in his introduction to Immigrants.

It kind of betrayed our tradition as a country, so I felt propelled as an artist to put forward some manifestation of that feeling, said the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction, including The Mediterranean Runs Through Brooklyn and Anita Garibaldi, A Biography.

Stories in the first part of Immigrants are derived from essays, newspaper articles and books Valerio has written over the years.

The idea for the book was an epiphany of sorts, a reaction to the travel ban as much as it was a realization that much of his work was based on an underlying theme that begged to be compiled. It re-excited a passion, said Valerio, who began his writing career at 21 and became an editing supervisor at McGraw-Hill at 25.

Because immigration in America is such a long-standing and pervasive issue, Valerio set about writing a work for posterity.

I wanted to create a work that would survive this period and be valid 100 years from now, he said.

So for the second half of Immigrants, Valerio turned to writers and editors of varied backgrounds whose connection to America runs the gamut.

The two volumes are available for purchase separately as e-books, or together in paperback.

All of the authors in the second part are women: Annie Gottlieb, who is married to an immigrant from Romania; Edvige Giunta, who was born in Italy, then came to New Jersey as professor; Rose Romano, who was born in the United States then returned to Italy; among others.

It was an immigration the opposite way, Valerio said of Romano. Contributors with such varying backgrounds and perspectives makes Immigrants itself a true melting pot.

As the idea for the Immigrants grew in his mind, Valerio said, he again thought of how immigrants are intertwined with the tapestry that is America. Wow, there it is again, he thought. American citizens who are the children of immigrants, reaching out to other immigrants, even dogs and cats.

In one chapter, Valerio writes about the Italian-American film actor, Rudolph Valentino. His father Dr. William N. Valerio, was near death.

One day I showed him a photograph of the Great Lover to distract him from the imminent loss of his earthly life, Valerio writes. Perhaps the beauty of Valentinos face would call to mind a former lover he wished to visit one last time, he writes, imagining his father going to the cinema under the El with his parents to see The Four Horsemen.

With age and sickness, Valerios father had grown grotesque, he writes.

Only I could look at him. His grotesqueness compounded my love. I adored him. Exactly half his head was bald and half had some prickles of gray hair, Valerio writes as the essay details his unsuccessful attempt to help his father relieve himself.

It is a passage that explores the utter frustration of both men unable to succeed at one of lifes most basic acts  which in Valerio inspires a passionate riff on the act of creation intermingled with the reputation of Valentinos prowess among women.

America is made up of hundreds of ethnic groups: Thats what the country is, Valerio said. We would hope that after a couple of hundred years of this country we would be beyond stereotypes, but were really not, he said.

Even great Americans, theyre children of immigrants, too. To judge an entire race is something that you just cant do, he said.

For information, visit Immigrants according to Anthony Valerio-Volumes I & II-First Edition on Facebook or anthonyvalerio.com.

Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@hearstmediact.com.MIDDLETOWN  The governor signed an executive order Tuesday that separates the Whiting Forensic Division from Connecticut Valley Hospital and creates a distinct hospital, Whiting Forensic Hospital, under a new structure that will allow the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to focus on changes needed to improve the quality of care at the facility.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloys action follows the arrests of 10 Connecticut Valley Hospital workers in September and October for cruelty to persons, part of an ongoing state investigation into the abuse of a single patient who suffered a sustained pattern of attacks and provocations at the maximum security facility, according to court records.

Under the order, beds at Whiting Maximum Security will be consolidated with those at the Dutcher Enhanced Security building, creating a 229-bed forensic hospital, according to a press release from the governors office. The new hospital will have a distinct leadership team with its own governance and policies, procedures and personnel, and the chief executive officer will report directly to the Commissioner of DMHAS, the release continues.

In all, 31 DHMAS employees are on paid suspension for alleged policy violations or accusations of criminal acts. Four more employees were suspended last month for abuse of another patient.

Alleged patient abuse at Whiting has also been the subject of Legislative hearings.

Having these two facilities as distinct entities governed by their own policies, procedures and staff will ensure that we can focus more directly on the changes needed to continue to improve the quality of care at Whiting, Malloy said in a prepared statement.

The new hospital will be structured to meet Connecticut guidelines for similarly licensed facilities. It will continue to be led by Dr. Michael Norko as DMHAS conducts a national search for a permanent CEO of the hospital, the release said.

Creating two smaller specialized hospitals out of the larger Connecticut Valley Hospital will enhance care for the people we serve, DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said in a prepared statement. Supporting recovery in a safe caring environment will always be the departments priority.

The full transition is expected to be completed by the end of January.KILLINGWORTH  Artful Living, Killingworths multi-generational community theatre, is seeking original scripts of short plays from Connecticut high school students. This new program, Playwrights For Tommorrow, offers students the opportunity to win a scholarship and have their play produced on stage at Old Saybrooks Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center (The Kate) on April 29, 2018.

Plays will be reviewed by a panel of theatre professionals. Selected playwrights will be offered the opportunity to collaborate with directors and other theatre artists in the staging of their plays. Submission deadline is January 8, 2018. For details and application, visit www.ArtfulLivingCT.com.

Adult education programs offered

MIDDLETOWN  There are three ways to succeed with Middletown Adult Education. GED preparation classes, independent study, online and classroom instruction are offered.Free day and evening programs are held at 398 Main Street in Middletown. Enrollment is ongoing with no charge for area residents. Call Middletown Adult Education at 860-343-6044.

Middlesex Habitat to hold Home Applicant Meeting

CROMWELL  Middlesex Habitat for Humanity is inviting all interested military families and individuals to attend an applicant meeting for a Habitat for Humanity home. The meeting will be held on

Thursday, Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 E Main St, Portland. The snow date is Jan. 11.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the Habitat for Humanity application process for homeownership. At this time, Middlesex Habitat will distribute applications for the Military Build program. Any eligible military family interested is highly encouraged to attend the meeting to get an application for the next Habitat house in Portland.

The basic requirements to obtaining a Military Build Habitat for Humanity Home: Must be a U.S. veteran or military service member (and their family); must have a DD Form 214 or current Military ID; must have a need for simple, decent housing; must meet the income requirements for a house; must be able to pay an interest free mortgage for the Habitat house; and must be willing to partner with Middlesex Habitat in building the house

Construction of the house will begin in spring 2018, and Middlesex Habitat is now starting the selection process. Any military family interested is highly encouraged to attend should they wish to be considered for this 3-bedroom Habitat home. Children should not attend the applicant meeting. For more information call Alexis Maliga at 203.379.4827 or email at Alexis.Maliga@cancer.org

Madhatters holding auditions for Annie

OLD LYME  Madhatters Theatre Company is accepting appointments for auditions for their spring production of Annie. Auditions will be held at Lyme's Youth Service Bureau 59 Lyme Street in Old Lyme on Saturday Jan. 6, by appointment only.

This production is open to ages 6-18 years of age. Rehearsals will be held in Old Lyme on Saturdays with show week the week of May 15 at Chester Meeting House. To schedule an appointment or for more information, e-mail madhattersctc@aol.com or call 860-395-1861. www.ctkidsonstage.com/madhatterstheatrecompany

Godfrey Library starting writing group

MIDDLETOWN  By popular demand, the Godfrey Memorial Library is starting a writing group. Members will discuss methods and ideas for gathering information and writing a history your family will cherish; use writing prompts to practice writing and sharing passages of your history; and share samples of printed and published material. At this session the group will decide on a time for an ongoing group. The first meeting will be held on Saturday, Jan. 6, 9:30 a.m.

Participants will have time after the presentation to research at the library; bring your laptop.

Godfrey Memorial Library is located at 134 Newfield Street, Middletown. The group is free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more information.

Playhouse to hold auditions

IVORYTON  Ivoryton Playhouse is holding auditions for local actors to participate in its second annual Women Playwrights Initiative on Monday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Ivoryton Playhouse Administrative Offices, 22 Main Street, Centerbrook.

Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 25, actors will have the rare opportunity to work with a director and writer on a new play in a workshop setting and on March 2nd and 3rd perform a staged reading for the public. This is an exciting project and there are a limited number of roles available. Looking for women and men aged 30 - 60+, all ethnicities.

Bring a picture and resume and a short monologue. Sides will be available.

This is an open call - no appointment necessary. Check www.ivorytonplayhouse.org for casting breakdown. For more information, email info@ivorytonplayhouse.org

Kindergarten registration to be held

KILLINGWORTH  Regional School District 17 will be holding kindergarten registration on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Thursday Jan. 11, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at each of the three elementary schools. Each childs birth certificate and proof of residency is required at the time of registration.

A parent information night and an incoming student visitation day will be held in the spring. More information will follow. Children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before January 1, 2019. For additional details, contact Killingworth Elementary School, Dennis Reed, Principal, at 860-663-1121; Burr District Elementary School, Eric Larson, Principal, at 860-345-4584; or Haddam Elementary School, Brienne Whidden, Principal, at 860-345-4551.

Literacy Volunteers offer training

NEW BRITAIN  Each year, Literacy Volunteers of Central CT provides small group and one-on-one literacy tutoring to over 350 low literate adults, using student centered instruction and mentoring from volunteer tutors who receive high quality training and ongoing support. For more information, contact lvccprogassist@gmail.com or call 860 229-7323.GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Dematic Corp.'s announcement that it may lay off up to 60 production workers in the next three months has become "standard procedure" for the company as it shifts production to Mexico, the president of United Auto Works Local 1485 said.

Dematic, which makes automated handling equipment used in online fulfillment centers, airports and industrial warehouses, sent workers and state officials a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) letter on Dec. 22 that suggested it may lay off up to 20 workers a month in January, February and March. The notice was posted on the state's web site this week.

The company has already laid off about 50 product workers since filing a WARN letter in October that said up to 204 workers could be laid by the end of 2017, said Scott Wahlfeldt, president of the union which represents the company 156 remaining production workers.

Dematic is in the process of shifting its production to its new factory in Monterrey, Mexico, Wahlfeldt said. Company officials have told them their Grand Rapids plant will be substantially closed by mid-2018 and completely shut down by year's end, he said.

The layoff notices do not affect about 900 of Dematic's Grand Rapids employees who have white collar and engineering jobs.

Dematic's factory at the corner of Plymouth Road and Michigan Street NE has been a fixture in the Grand Rapids manufacturing scene for more than 75 years.

Wahlfeldt said the union has refused the company's request to negotiate their labor contract because it would force them to give back too much in their wages and benefits. Company workers still have not recovered from concessions they agreed to in 2009, he said.

"It's become standard procedure for us," said Wahlfeldt. Their current contract allows the company to permanently lay off employees in exchange for a severance package that includes a cash settlement and four to eight months of health care insurance.

Most of the workers who have been laid off have found new jobs in West Michigan's booming manufacturing economy or have signed up for retraining programs, Wahlfeldt said. Many of the workers have been there for decades and some followed their parents into the workforce, he said.

Dematic's roots got back to 1939 as the Rapids-Standard Company, when industrialist James R. Sebastian merged his business, Standard Truck Caster Company, with Rapids Manufacturing Company of Grand Rapids. The company's name was changed to Rapistan in 1966.

In 1980, the company was acquired by Lear Siegler Corp. and exchanged hands four times until 2006, when it was acquired by Triton, a private equity firm. It was sold to KION, a German maker of forklift trucks and automated material handling equipment for $2.1 billion in 2016ANN ARBOR, MI - It's a new year and people all over are making resolutions to change the way they live.



Ann Arbor also has a new resolution: power 100 percent of the city's municipal government operations with clean and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2035 or sooner.



The City Council unanimously approved the resolution in December, directing the city administrator to provide a multi-year action plan by September 2018 with five-year target objectives.



Those targets are to be revised as necessary within each year's city budget starting in fiscal year 2019-20.



The city expects to meet the 2035 goal through a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy and optimal business practices, according to the resolution co-sponsored by Mayor Christopher Taylor and Council Members Chip Smith and Chuck Warpehoski.



"I'm delighted that this is moving forward," Taylor said. "Obviously, you know, Ann Arbor has a very ambitious Climate Action Plan. And while the municipal load is small, the work that we're doing here, I think, will have a tangible effect."



The resolution states the city's municipal government operations account for about 1.3 percent of Ann Arbor's total community-wide greenhouse gas emissions.



So, while the 2035 goal is an ambitious undertaking for the city, it's still a relatively small drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things, especially in the context of global climate change, though city officials say Ann Arbor city government is committed to doing its part.



Ann Arbor wants to go solar in a big way to shrink carbon footprint

City government operations for building electricity, heating and vehicles require about 283,000 MMBTUs of energy per year, the potential electricity equivalent of 85,000 megawatt hours, or about 71 megawatts of installed solar capacity, the resolution states.



John Mirsky, a member of the city's Energy Commission and the city administrator's executive policy advisor for sustainability, said the 2035 goal is in line with the city's Climate Action Plan, which calls for reducing the community's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2025 and by 90 percent by 2050, relative to 2000 levels.



Smith, D-5th Ward, gave credit to Mirsky and Wayne Appleyard, the city's Energy Commission chairman, for their work on drafting the 2035 resolution with City Administrator Howard Lazarus.



"The important thing about this is it does direct the city administrator to deliver reports," Smith said.



"And, you know, we have wonderful goals and wonderful intentions, and what I would call very lacking metrics to track our performance in achieving many of these goals. While this resolution, in and of itself, does not create those metrics, we will be tracking them because the city administrator will need to report on these to us."



Mirsky, whose position as a sustainability advisor to the city administrator is an unpaid one, explained to council members some of the potential costs involved in meeting the 2035 goal.



Mirsky said there are multiple options for the city to consider, including joining the MIGreenPower program through DTE Energy, the region's electricity provider. Through the program, DTE customers can voluntarily pay higher rates to support wind and solar projects to offset up to 100 percent of their energy use.



According to information provided by DTE, Mirsky said, the city could enter into a 25-year program and pay a premium of about $14 million over that timeframe for 100-percent renewable energy.



Mirsky said the city would start paying a premium rate in the short term, and as energy costs rise over time, the premium would go down, resulting in paying less at the end of the 25 years.



And around 2035, there could be no additional premium to continue subscribing, according to the city.



Mirsky said another potential option is for the city to install its own solar panels on city properties.



Ann Arbor taking first step to add solar to downtown parking facilities

He said that's somewhat problematic because state law in Michigan creates monopolies for utility companies and doesn't allow someone else to generate electricity on one property and transfer it across property lines. For instance, he said, the city's solar panels at the downtown Farmers Market can't help power adjacent shops.



But assuming the city could produce its own renewable energy (primarily solar) and consume it where installed, it's estimated it would cost about $140 million to offset all of the city's municipal government emissions, including from buildings and vehicles.



"It would cost us $140 million, but by DTE's calculation, we would save $218 million," Mirsky said.



"So, obviously, we're not going to probably come up with a way of spending $140 million right now or in the short term, but it shows that there is a good payback for doing renewable energy."



The city's new 100-percent renewable goal applies to "all Scope 1 and 2 city operations," according to the council's resolution.



Mirsky provided a chart with graphics that define Scope 1 emissions as those coming directly from city facilities and city vehicles, while Scope 2 emissions are those coming from purchased electricity, steam, and heating and cooling for city government use.



There's a third scope that includes indirect emissions such as those coming from employee commuting and business travel, waste generated in operations, purchased goods and leased assets, and the city's 2035 goal does not aim to offset those.

Mirsky said that means the city wouldn't have to offset, for example, the carbon emissions from the production of cement or asphalt that's purchased by the city for streets and other repairs.



Mirsky said there's talk of organizing a local summit to bring together the city, DTE, the University of Michigan and other stakeholders to discuss ways to meet emission-reduction targets.



The state required utility companies to get 10 percent of the energy they supply to customers from renewable sources by 2015. The new requirement is 12.5 percent by 2019, and 15 percent by 2021.



DTE announced last year it plans to reduce the company's carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 by moving away from burning coal, and have 40 percent of its energy coming from renewable sources by 2040. DTE's plan includes interim targets of reducing emissions by 30 percent by the early 2020s, by 45 percent by 2030, and by 75 percent by 2040. That's to be achieved by shuttering aging coal plants and replacing them with a mix of natural gas and renewable sources such as wind and solar. In 2040, DTE's targeted mix of energy is 20 percent nuclear, 40 percent renewable and 40 percent natural gas.



Council Member Jack Eaton, D-4th Ward, said he'd like the city to have a more aggressive timeline than 2035 for going 100 percent renewable, but he acknowledged there are financial costs to consider and he's OK as long as there's built-in flexibility on the timing.



Mirsky said there's really no science to the 2035 timeline, but it's in line with timelines set by some other cities.



"There are cities that have made commitments with actually more aggressive timelines," he said. "Traverse City is one, actually 2025. And there are other cities and other entities -- counties and states -- that have set later timelines. But most cities that have agreed to something like this are in the 2035 timeframe."



He said the relatively long timeframe allows the city time to develop plans, understand what the costs might be, look at various alternatives, and take incremental steps toward the goal. If the city is making good progress, he said, the timeline can be accelerated.



Mirsky said peer cities that have 100-percent renewable goals include Boulder, Madison, Portland and Grand Rapids.



Q&A: Mayor Christopher Taylor offers look ahead to 2018 in Ann Arbor

Council Member Jane Lumm, an independent from the 2nd Ward, asked the city's staff in December how much of the city's Scope 1 and 2 operations currently are offset by renewable energy. The city's staff provided the following response in a memo:

"The DTE grid is currently 10 percent renewable as mandated by state law. Over the next five years, DTE will add another 5 percent. In addition, the city's hydro facilities and landfill gas-to-energy system when combined supply an additional equivalent of 30% of the electricity demand for city operations. When coupling all forms of energy (electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel) approximately 20% of the city's total energy needs are met by these city-owned renewables."

Mirsky said purchasing renewable energy certificates, also known as RECs, might be another option for the city to consider to offset its carbon footprint, but the preference is to meet the 2035 goal through direct investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"There are studies that have just come out again reconfirming that energy efficiency is by far the cheapest way of reducing our footprint and therefore our costs," he noted.

He said purchasing RECs doesn't necessarily drive the creation of new renewable energy.

"We really want to truly add renewable energy where we need it and reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally," he said.

Mirsky explained to council members that his background is as a manufacturing engineer. He said he worked in industry for 37 years and ran a $2-billion global business unit.

Council Member Kirk Westphal, D-2nd Ward, commented on the fact that the city's municipal emissions are relatively small compared to the overall community's emissions.

"I think we'd all love to see some of the advantages of this effort spill over into the general community," he said, asking Mirsky if he sees potential for synergy with community-wide, emission-reduction efforts to help average residents take action.

"Sure," Mirsky said. "Lessons learned from what the city does can be transferred to the general public and the community at large. Also, just the fact that the city is taking the lead, I think, speaks volumes. We practice what we preach, so that's for sure an advantage."

Taylor said Ann Arbor residents are very committed to combatting climate change.

"They are putting their money where their mouth is every day," he said, noting city residents

that is expected to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to help Ann Arbor meet its Climate Action Plan goals.ANN ARBOR, MI - Washtenaw County, and most of southeast Michigan, arguably hasn't had a winter this brutal since the polar vortex of 2014.

The cold weather is here to stay for the near future, too, the University of Michigan's Climate and Space Department says.

Dennis Kahlbaum, a weather observer with the department, said temperatures across Washtenaw County could approach record lows over the next few days.

The low could fall to 8 degrees below zero Wednesday night. The record low for Jan. 3 is 10 degrees below zero, recorded in 1904, Kahlbaum said.

Thursday, the low is forecast to reach 7 degrees below zero. The record low for Jan. 4 is 13 degrees below zero, recorded in 1884, Kahlbaum said.

Friday, temperatures are expected to fall to 11 degrees below zero. Kahlbaum said the record low for Jan. 5 is 17 degrees below zero, also recorded in 1884.

Kahlbaum added that some of the region's coldest days on record have occurred in February.

The National Weather Service urges citizens to bundle up and wear a hat and gloves when going outdoors over the next few days.

Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes, the weather service said.ANN ARBOR, MI - After installing temporary chain-link fencing around the rooftops of six downtown Ann Arbor parking garages last fall, the Downtown Development Authority is planning to do more to try to prevent people from jumping or falling from the garages.



The DDA is seeking bids for permanent fencing for the next two levels down from the rooftops in four garages.



That includes the west side of the Fourth/Washington garage, and all sides of Fourth/William, Liberty Square and Ann/Ashley.



The bid specifications call for two-inch diamond fencing with nine-gauge wire and black, vinyl coating.



Bids are due by Jan. 16 and the DDA expects to proceed with the work soon thereafter, said DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay.



The DDA board voted on Oct. 4 to spend $148,840 to have Warren-based Future Fence Co. install the temporary chain-link fencing around the rooftops of the six garages after several jumps and falls, including another fatal one on Oct. 2 at the Fourth and William garage that police believed to be a suicide.



The fences are not guaranteed to stop anyone from jumping, but they're intended as another barrier and deterrent to give someone with suicidal thoughts a chance to stop and think.



John Greden, founder and executive director of the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Depression Center, told the City Council last fall fencing can help prevent suicides.



"Physical barriers ... such as fencing and screening provide deterrents to these impulsive times. They work. They have been shown to be successful in decreasing suicide rates in high-risk places," he said, adding that means they can save lives. "Those individuals then have a chance and opportunity to get treatment."



The City Council passed a resolution in September urging the DDA to take action to provide physical barriers on parking garages, starting with the levels highest above the ground.



Based on an engineer's estimate, the DDA previously set aside $400,000 in its 2017-18 budget for suicide-prevention efforts, including rooftop fencing on the six parking garages.



Pollay said Future Fence installed the rooftop fencing relatively quickly and the DDA has money left to do more fencing on other levels.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide can get help from:ANN ARBOR, MI - Not long after sheets of glacial ice melted in southeast Michigan, a mammoth walked the tundra-like landscape on some land near Chelsea. The bones of that animal, believed to be at least 15,000 years old, may point to the earliest-known signs of humans in the state.

That's according to University of Michigan Paleontologist Dan Fisher, who says his confidence in his theory has grown following a second excavation at the Chelsea-area farm for ice age mammoth remains.

Fisher has been busy examining the UM archeology team's findings, which include 40 additional bones and bone fragments recovered during a return visit to the farm of Jim Bristle in late November, where the skull, tusks and dozens of intact bones of a woolly-Columbian mammoth hybrid were initially pulled from the ground in late 2015.

After a rushed emergency visit to Bristle's farm in 2015 that required paleontologists to collect their findings in the course of one day, the return trip allowed UM's crew to more thoroughly examine the sediment, pollen and spores of the area directly south of their original findings, as well as gather additional evidence of possible human involvement.

During the first dig, Fisher described "intentional breakage" of multiple skull bones "targeted toward removal of nutritious tissues that humans might wish to harvest," including the brain, the trunk and the tusk pulp cavities. Wooden, stone or bone tools also were apparently used to break bones around the base of both tusks, the base of the trunk, and along the back rear portion of the skull, Fisher said.

The second line of evidence for human involvement with the Bristle Mammoth consists of three boulders recovered alongside the skull during the dig. Fisher suspected early humans butchered the carcass and placed selected portions at the bottom of a pond for storage, then used the boulders to anchor their meat stash.

Ultimately, Fisher said, researchers need at least another year until there is a better understanding of the implications of the latest round of findings.

"There were many aspects of what would have ordinarily considered normal procedures that we had to jettison on that one day we had, because there was no way we could recover what we quickly encountered and get out of there and return everything to a filled state," Fisher said of the returning to the Chelsea dig site.

"We were interested in the history of vegetational change in that area," he added. "That's partly because we are interested in the history of environmental change, generally, but the real key here is that the depth of the material. The bones were found a good 10 feet below the surface, (which) was an early cue that this might be an old site. When we got the radiocarbon date back, it confirmed that impression."

The case for 15,000

Fisher is confident in his assertion that radiocarbon testing shows the mammoth was more than 15,000 years old - much older than the typical 11,000 to 13,000-year-old animals discovered at other sites in Michigan.

"The combination of being more than 15,000 years old and showing some, really any evidence of human activity, is significant," Fisher said of the mammoth, which has been determined to be a male in its mid-40s that would have weighed about 9 tons.

Fisher had been a part of digs that unearthed a mammoth approximately 14,400 years old back in 2010 near Saranac, while participating in another dig in Florida about a year ago in which a mammoth was discovered to be approximately 14,500 years old.

Sites with mammoths estimated to be more than 14,500 years old are generally considered more controversial by nature, Fisher said, particularly when the case for human involvement is being made.

The oldest well-documented, published evidence for humans in Michigan is about 13,000 years ago. But several lines of evidence from the Bristle Mammoth, including the single radiocarbon date, imply that humans processed the carcass more than 2,000 years before the Clovis hunters arrived.

In addition to radiocarbon dating, which typically dates Clovis-aged material between 11,000 and 11,500 years old, Fisher said researchers also determine the age animals through calibrated dating, which converts radiocarbon years to calendar years by taking into account the levels of Carbon-14 - a key element in calculating radiocarbon ages that has not been constant historically.

"There are going to be people who hold back and want to be convinced with stronger and stronger evidence that there were humans that had involvement with this animal," said Fisher, who led both Bristle digs and is overseeing the analysis of the bones and the environmental samples. "I don't want to minimize the problems of making that case. I have outlined some of the lines of evidence that outline and support the notion of human involvement with this animal."

What else was found

Looking beyond human involvement, Fisher said a major objective of the return trip to the Chelsea site was to collect sediment samples from one of the walls of the site. Samples were collected at 2-inch intervals, from a couple feet below the top of the pit wall to the gravel at its bottom, a distance of about 13 feet. The gravel at the bottom of the pit is from a time 17,000 to 18,000 years ago, when glacial ice still covered the region, Fisher said.

Organic material from some of those samples will be radiocarbon-dated in the coming year, Fisher said. If the dates grow steadily older with increasing depth, as expected, the researchers can have increased confidence in the dates of the Bristle Mammoth bones.

"We had not really documented the character of the sediment layers going from the surface down," Fisher said of the initial dig near Chelsea. "We noticed it mentally as we dug and worked, but we didn't measure, photograph or get samples - there wasn't time."

Researchers also collected samples of grains of pollen, fungal spores from the sediments, Fisher said, that could help reconstruct ancient environments and provide proper context for the mammoth find.

If the fungal spores are found in the various ancient sediment layers at the Bristle site, their distribution could reveal when grazing mammals were present at the site as well as the timing of their local extinction.

A particular type of fungi commonly called dung fungi was of interest to the research team, Fisher said, could provide evidence of when large herbivores like the mammoth became extinct.

"When these large herbivores become extinct, there's no more dung," Fisher said. "They don't go away totally, but they're much less common and their spores are much less common. So. they'll do a quantitative assessment of the frequency of these fungal spores up this stratigraphic sequence and we'll be able to pinpoint the time at which there was a decline in the abundance of those spores. We expect it obviously to be after the time of our mammoth."

An update from Byron Center

It's common for Fisher to be immersed in researching remains from multiple dig sites. He and UM researchers also have been working with the owners of Eagle Creek Homes, where mastodon bones estimated to be more than 10,000 years old were found at the end of August near Byron Center.

Remains found at that site might carry a different research value, Fisher said, even if the bones might not offer any groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs.

Eagle Creek Homes donated the bones found at a construction site to UM, which has since found pieces of more than a dozen bones at the site.

Most of the bones they've found, Fisher said, have evidence of damage created by machines, rather than ancient bone fractures that might have occurred as a result of human carcass processing.

"It's likely that most of the damage there is recent damage by excavation equipment," Fisher said. "In fact, it looks very different from damage we have seen and documented on sites we have excavated completely under our control. We now have a set of contrasts between the material we have excavated that's damaged, but it's clear that it's ancient damage, and material we have not controlled that has been damaged independent of our activities, and in all likelihood is machine damage, and it looks very different."David A. McCulloch Jr.

BAY CITY, MI -- A Bay City father has been charged with breaking his newborn son's ankle on Christmas Eve morning.

Shortly past noon on Dec. 24, police responded to the emergency room at McLaren Bay Region hospital for a potential child abuse situation. Upon arrival, officers met with 19-year-old Shelbi Skiff, holding her 25-day-old son Preston. Present with her was the baby's father, 22-year-old David A. McCulloch Jr., and Skiff's parents.

Skiff told police she had been changing her son's pajamas around 9 a.m. and noticed significant bruising on his right leg, prompting her to bring the baby to the ER. She denied having hurt the baby and said she did not think McCulloch had done so either, describing him as a great father who is typically very calm.

Preston and his twin brother were born on Nov. 29, court records show. Skiff said there were no injuries on her other son, Paxton, who was at home with her grandfather.

Police spoke separately with McCulloch, who said he hadn't noticed any bruising on Preston the previous day.

Due to the severity of the baby's injuries, he was transferred to Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. Police notified Child Protective Services, who sent a worker to meet with them and the family at Covenant.

McCulloch did not accompany the rest of the family to Saginaw, instead driving to Traverse City to pick up Skiff's 3-year-old daughter, court records show. Police spoke with McCulloch over the phone and asked him to visit headquarters the following morning.

Hospital staff eventually determined Preston suffered a broken right ankle and pulmonary bruising on his lungs, court records show.

Early on Dec. 25 morning, McCulloch arrived at the Bay County Law Enforcement Center for an interview with a police detective. He told the investigator he had fallen asleep on a reclining section of a sofa while holding Preston.

"When I woke up, Preston was crying and he was in between my hip and the center console of the recliner," McCulloch said, according to police reports contained in court files. "His legs were down in the crack between the recliner and the center part. His chest was up against the center console. I grabbed him and pulled him up from there."

Later in the interview, McCulloch changed his account.

"It didn't happen exactly like I told you," he said.

The early morning of Dec. 24, McCulloch was awakened by Preston's crying. He said he checked on the baby and discovered he had a wet diaper in need of changing.

"When I was changing him, he had his leg curled up and wouldn't straighten it out," McCulloch said. "I pulled his leg straight twice. I pulled it too hard. I was frustrated."

After he finished changing the baby's diaper, McCulloch took Preston to the recliner and they both fell asleep, he said.

"When I woke up, Preston was on the side of me in the recliner and he was crying. I picked him up and was holding him in front of me, facing me. My hands started to squeeze him. I was frustrated." McCulloch said he had squeezed his son for about 15 seconds.

"I was squeezing him too hard," he continued. "I made a mistake. I didn't mean to hurt my child. I've been sick to my stomach about this."

McCulloch on Dec. 28 appeared in Bay County District Court for arraignment on one count of second-degree child abuse. The charge is a 10-year felony.

The arraigning judge set McCulloch's bond at $10,000 cash-surety or 10 percent, which he has since posted. A condition of his bond is that he have no contact with his twin sons.

Skiff has since had a hearing with CPS where she was given full custody of the twins, according to her mother. Skiff and her boys live with her parents.

"He's recovering," Angela Stoddard, Skiff's mother, said of Preston. "He's starting to move his leg a little bit better. He still cries. You can tell he's still in pain sometimes. No 25-day-old should cry out of pain. We don't even know how to grasp this yet."

Stoddard has since started a GoFundMe page to help her daughter acquire a vehicle. As of 11 a.m. on Jan. 3, the page has raised $775.

McCulloch is represented by Bay City attorney Matthew L. Reyes. McCulloch is to appear for a preliminary examination at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 11.BAY CITY, MI -- Already acquitted by a jury on charges that he sexually assaulted a young girl, a 75-year-old man has had similar charges related to a different girl dismissed.

The Bay County Prosecutor's Office on Dec. 13 filed a motion to dismiss three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13 in the case of Merle J. Samborn. The motion states prosecutors sought the dismissal "for the reason that the interests of justice do not require further prosecution in this matter."

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran subsequently signed off on the dismissal. The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning that, theoretically, they could be filed again.

Samborn in July 2016 was arraigned four counts of first- and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13. The five total charges, divided among two files, related to alleged contact with two sisters who are now 11 and 15.

In October, Samborn went to trial on the first file's charges. The proceeding ended with the jury acquitting him. In the immediate aftermath, prosecutors still planned to proceed with a second trial on the remaining file's counts.

"We were confident from the very beginning there wasn't, in our opinion, any proof to show Mr. Samborn had done anything improper," said defense attorney Matthew L. Reyes after the charges' dismissal. "We were confident this was going to be the result. Mr. Samborn and I are happy that we're not going through another trial to end up with same result. He's glad the whole nightmare is behind him and looks forward to moving on with his life."

"After the first trial," added Bay County Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko, "we had discussions with those involved in the case and had further review of the case that was left. We made the determination at that point that we would not be proceeding with the second case."

Both girls testified in Samborn's October trial. The older sister said she and her younger sibling in May 2016 were living at Samborn's Beaver Township residence. Samborn was married to their grandmother at the time.

That month, she learned from relatives that her sister was claiming Samborn had sexual contact with her, she testified.

She went on to say that this prompted her to assert Samborn had similarly assaulted her from the ages of about 4 or 5 to 11. She testified that Samborn touched her "girl part" with "his boy part" and with his hand when her grandmother was not home. She said she didn't tell anyone because she "was scared."

Questioned by Reyes, the girl's account varied as to when the abuse began. During an interview at the Nathan Weidner Children's Advocacy Center, the girl had said the abuse began when she was 8, Reyes reminded her.

She was also unclear on where the alleged abuse occurred.After spending more than six months behind bars, hundreds of Iraqi immigrants who taken into federal custody last year may be released from detention facilities as they await court hearings on whether they'll be deported, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, Jan. 2.

More than 300 Iraqi natives living in Metro Detroit, and hundreds more across the country, have been detained since Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted a massive sweep last summer.

U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith ruled that the affected detainees must be released from jail or given bond hearings within 30 days, granting a motion filed by the ACLU as part of a class-action lawsuit.

Full ruling:

In his ruling, the judge said U.S. "legal tradition rejects the warehousing of human beings while their rights are being determined."

Goldsmith previously ruled the detainees couldn't be immediately sent back to Iraq, granting each a chance to challenge their deportation orders in immigration court, but that could take years, and in the the meantime, the immigrants remained jailed.

"What they seek is consistent with the demands of our Constitution -- that no person should be restrained in his or her liberty beyond what is reasonably necessary ... " the judge wrote is his ruling. "Here, the government may fairly insist that those whose right to remain in this country is yet to be determined must not undermine the administration of justice by fleeing before that determination is made, nor endanger the public while that process unfolds.

"But those interests can be served by a bond hearing process before immigration judges, who can sort out those who endanger the efficacy of the immigration system and public safety from those who will not."

Nearly all of the Iraqi nationals have outstanding and, in many cases, long-dormant deportation orders stemming from prior criminal convictions.

Each of the detainees had been ordered deported years ago, according to ICE, but were allowed to stay in the country under ICE supervision because of the dangers they could face in Iraq, particularly for religious minorities.

The arrests came, according to ICE officials, as a result of a March deal between the U.S. and Iraq in which the war-torn Middle Eastern nation agreed begin taking back immigrants ordered removed from the U.S.

The agreement came around the same time Iraq was removed from President Donald Trump's travel ban list.

The ACLU filed a class-action lawsuit to halt what they called "death deportations." ACLU lawyers argued that Chaldean Christians in particular were likely to be persecuted if sent back to Iraq.

The ACLU argued in Detroit federal court last month that people in immigration proceedings cannot be detained for prolonged periods without individually determining whether they pose a flight risk or danger to their community.

The judge agreed.

A hearing to address any new issues arising from the judge's order is scheduled in Detroit federal court on Jan. 11.FLINT, MI -- A Flint charter school has decided to cancel classes for the rest of the week as a frigid weather pattern has set in across mid-Michigan.

Richfield Public School Academy announced Wednesday, Jan. 3, their buildings will be closed until Monday, Jan. 8, "due to the extreme cold" after deciding to keep students home on Tuesday.

High temperatures on Thursday, Jan. 4, and Friday, Jan. 5, are not expected to climb above single digits, according to the National Weather Service, with wind chill values as low as 26 degrees below zero.

The closure serves as an extension of sorts of the school's winter break, with students having been out of classes since Dec. 22 and scheduled to head back on Dec. 2.

Due to the extreme cold, we will be closed the remainder of the week. We look forward to seeing you on January 8th. Stay warm! Posted by Richfield Public School Academy on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Pamela Haldy, the superintendent at Richfield Public School Academy, could not immediately be reached for comment on the decision.

School districts often have no set policy on making the decision to close for the day in the winter, be it for low temperatures or high amounts of snowfall, which can lead to a debate on the issue.

At least one local superintendent previously took to social media to try and defend the decision to keep students home when there were bitterly cold temperatures, but no snow falling.

In a Jan. 3 blog post outlining its decision-making process, Lapeer Community Schools notes they may close -- regardless of snowfall -- when the actual temperature and wind speed may lead to frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes.

But, the formula does get a little more complicated than that.

"As an example, if the actual temperature were 5 degrees above zero with wind speeds at 40 miles per hour, schools would close (the wind chill would be minus 22 degrees)," according to the post. "However, if the actual temperature were much colder, let's say minus 15 degrees, schools would be open if there was just a trace of wind (i.e. less than 3 mph). In that case, the wind chill and the actual temperature would be the same -- minus 15 degrees. (Point of clarification: the "feels like" or "real feel" temperature that some weather apps use is different from the old standard of wind chill.)"

The post notes there is no state law mandating closures based on the actual air temperature or wind chills values.

High temperatures are forecast to rebound heading into next week, reaching 30 degrees on Sunday and in 34 degrees on Tuesday with a chance of snow showers on each day.Halo Burger is offering a uniquely price cup of joe to heat up mid-Michigan residents through a cold snap that has dragged into the New Year.

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 3, the restaurant chain will offer coffee Monday through Friday at the price of the high temperature in Flint, based off of the figures on weather.com.

The expected high temperatures for the remainder of the week won't exactly help light up the cash register: 17 degrees on Wednesday, 5 degrees on Thursday, and 4 degrees on Friday.

Olivia Ross, the marketing manager for Halo Burger, said the idea came from a customer mentioning a promotion that the Thomas family previously held at their locations.

The pricing will be available at Halo Burger locations in Flint, Burton, Birch Run, Mt. Morris Township, Grand Blanc Township, and Flint Township, but there are a few caveats in place for those looking to cash in on the deal.

The price can drop to no lower than 10 cents per cup and the promotion is only for the regular-sized (14 ounces) coffee that typically runs 99 cents. The promotion runs Mondays through Fridays for a limited time.

No additional purchase is necessary to receive the promotional pricing.(This story has been updated to include comments from a DEQ spokeswoman.)

FLINT, MI -- Flint Community Schools Superintendent Bilal Tawwab says the state can test water from faucets and drinking fountains in its buildings but not without an overall plan that includes multiple rounds of testing.

"The safety and well-being of our students, families and staff has been the focus of Flint Community Schools," Tawwab said during a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 3. "As has been shared with the state of Michigan, Flint Community Schools will not allow students to drink water from the tap in the schools until ... the Board of Education, its superintendent and the health and medical professionals of this great city are satisfied with the safety of the water."

Bottled water will continue to be used in the immediate future, despite test results from 63 other schools, daycare and elder care facilities in the city that recently showed 98.5 percent of samples collected were below the federal threshold for lead.

The state Department of Environmental Quality said last week that Flint school officials wouldn't allow it to flush lines or test water inside any of its 13 buildings.

DEQ spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal that the state has been and remains committed to working with Flint school officials.

"To date, many positive steps have been taken including previous extensive flushing and testing, replacement of fixtures and installation of over 1,400 filters in the schools, day care and elder care facilities," Brown's email says in part.

Joined by Mayor Karen Weaver and retired pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, Tawwab set out conditions for testing Wednesday, including a more clearly defined plan, and said the school district has secured a continued supply of bottled water through June.

"The district has not and will not refuse any request from the state to test water in our buildings (but) the district has requested a long-term plan from the state including multiple rounds of testing to be conducted to the satisfaction of the medical community and (a commitment) that the data is shared in an ongoing basis with the citizens in Flint," Tawwab said.

Water in schools must be free of lead and bacteria and "safe for consumption of students at all times," the superintendent said.

Reynolds, a member of the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee, suggested that group could be a key part of creating a model water testing program.

"We do have a mechanism whereby we can formulate a plan, review the pilot, review the data, and institute a model plan ...," Reynolds said. "We don't need to rush this through. We've been down that road before."

Michigan Transformation Manager Rich Baird, senior advisor to Gov. Rick Snyder, announced the state's interest in creating a "best in class or best practice protocol for schools" in Flint "that we would like to use across the state" last month.

DEQ then released the results of its water flushing and testing at parochial schools and other facilities in the city that serve the young and old.

There is currently no requirement that schools or child care centers have the water tested for lead unless school officials operate their own water system.

Initial water tests at a Flint school buildings in 2015 showed toxic lead levels at faucets and drinking fountains in multiple buildings, including Eisenhower and Freeman elementary schools.

The state has already warned that it could end purchases of bottled water for distribution sites in Flint if testing in the last half of 2017 continues well below the federal lead threshold of 15 parts per billion.

Flint schools are currently supplied with bottled water through donations from Walmart, Coca-Cola, Nestle and PepsiCo.

Weaver said she won't support "any major changes to the water distribution efforts in Flint until I have received input and advice from the medical community."

"I'm taking my lead from them as we determine next steps in the process --especially as it relates to our children," she said.GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America," will be the featured guest speaker at Davenport University's 21st Annual Excellence in Business Dinner Gala in the spring.

Herman Miller CEO Brian Walker will be honored at the private university's biggest scholarship fundraiser with the 2018 Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award.

The May 4 gala will be held at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

Instead of giving a speech, the award-winning journalist will have a conversation with Davenport President Richard Pappas.

"I'm looking forward to a great dialog with Robin Roberts, discovering some of the stories behind her stories," said Pappas, in a statement.

Under Roberts' leadership, the morning news show has won five Emmy Awards.

Roberts has reported from around the globe, including trips to Brussels with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to the Middle East with former First Lady Laura Bush, and to London for the historic wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

She has penned two books, "From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By," published in 2007, and her 2014 memoir, "Everybody's Got Something."

Roberts has been candid about her major health issues. She announced her battle with breast cancer in 2008, and her 2012 diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome. She is in remission from both.

At the 2013 ESPYs, Roberts was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for the strength and courage she has displayed throughout her life and career.

During the gala, Walker will be honored for his career, much of it spent at Herman Miller.

Walker was named president and chief operating officer of the Zeeland-based company in 2003 and became chief executive officer in 2004.

Under Walker's leadership, the iconic furniture-maker strategic has expanded beyond the office furniture industry to the retail furniture market.

Walker also serves as the board chairman of The Right Place, Inc., West Michigan's regional economic development organization, and serves on the Board of Directors for Briggs & Stratton Corporation, The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research, and Universal Forest Products, Inc.

Table reservations and purchase of individual tickets can be made by calling 616-233-3417 or online at davenport.edu/EIB.Scott Gilman

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- An unexpected cash flow shortage has prompted Kent County officials to make sudden cuts to both the staff and programs of Network 180, the county's community mental health authority.

Concerned citizens and representatives from various service providers packed a basement conference room at the Kent County Health Department Tuesday, Jan. 2, to hear Network 180 Executive Director Scott Gilman explain the problem.

"One of our jobs as Community Mental Health, as the public system, is to fight like heck to make sure the people that need the services that they're entitled to get those," Gilman said at the first meeting of the year for Kent County's Family and Children's Coordinating Council.

"The funding that we have for doing that job better is in jeopardy," Gilman said.

He explained Network 180 expected to receive $104 million from Medicaid patients in the 2017 fiscal year, and set its spending plan accordingly. Actual collections for the year came in more than $9 million short, Gilman said.

For a variety of reasons, many of those previously qualifying for Medicaid because they are "disabled, aged or blind" have shifted their participation to the state's newer "Healthy Michigan" plan, Michigan's Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Because a smaller percentage of the money from Healthy Michigan flows back to local community mental health authorities, Gillman said, the shift in participation poses a serious threat to the budget of Network 180 and other agencies like it.

The Lakeshore Regional Entity, which coordinates community mental health services across a seven-county region that includes Kent County, experienced a $23 million loss for the same reason, Gilman said. The regional entity asked Network 180 to cover its share of that loss, which amounts to a budget reduction of $10.7 million.

"We have to operate within the funds that are available to us," Gilman said.

Network 180 first looked inward, he said. The agency of about 200 total employees is now in the process of eliminating 17 positions, primarily from its administrative staff. Hiring for another 15 positions will be frozen and salaries for all employees will also remain stagnant, Gilman said.

But the agency is also planning cuts to existing services and programs that Gilman said it is not required to provide.

One of those is the local "clubhouse" services offered through Cherry Health's Sheldon House program.

Tara VanDyke, program manager of Sheldon House, called the news of the impending cuts "heartbreaking" and a "devastating" blow for their members.

"It's a resource that's critical to our community," VanDyke said.

The clubhouses, which also appear elsewhere in the state, call themselves "working communities," where members are given the support, resources and opportunities to obtain employment, increase independence, develop new skills, return to school and establish the support systems crucial to one's mental health recovery.

Ottawa County residents recently received word that the budget squeeze would impact services at their community's Lakeshore Clubhouse, prompting a flurry of letters from members to their elected officials.

Among other planned Network 180 cuts are its supported housing programs, in which mental health professionals are placed within housing complexes, a nursing home monitoring program, outreach programs for local Hispanic and Native American populations and another outreach service meant to reach those who live in northern Kent County.

Veneese Chandler, director of Family Outreach Center, spoke Tuesday on behalf of the Native American outreach program run by her organization that will be eliminated as part of the planned cuts. Many other programs in the community offering similar services are full, Chandler said.

"We're creating an even bigger hole for a community that's already very, very much underserved," she said.

Gilman said he is not able to set specifc end dates for each program, since Network 180 must first notify the appropriate parties.

"Over the next two weeks, our goal is to make sure that we communicate with the clinical staffs and the courts coordinators so that consumers aren't surprised," he said.

In total, the planned service cuts will result in another $1.2 million in budgetary savings. Gilman acknowledges that is still a distance from the more than $10 million funding gap the agency faces.

"We still have a ways to go," he said.

But with reserve funds drained in recent years, Gilman said, there is no room for error. With such a dramatic cut to operating revenue, the agency will simply be forced to stop providing some services unless it can find funds to replace those lost.

"The region has completely exhausted their cash supply," Gilman said.

West Michigan is not alone. Once other regions spend down any reserve funds, Gilman said, they too will likely come face to face with difficult budgetary choices because of the shift in Medicaid dollars.

"In many ways we're the canary in the coal mine," he said.

The Lakeshore Regional Entity held an emergency meeting on Dec. 27 to discuss the issue, Gilman said. In addition to seeking assistance from the state and pushing for a rapid actuarial review, he said, the region is also probing the possibility of hiring an emergency manager to help it deal with its budget shortfall.

Officials are also calling on individual residents to advocate for help supporting the programs and services on the chopping block.

"Voicing your opinion like our friends at Sheldon House have been doing -- they've been doing an A-plus job, I want thank you guys for what you've been doing -- that's what we need to have happen right now," Gilman said.WYOMING, MI -- LaDale Williams-Nelson was charged with open murder Wednesday, Jan 3., for the New Years Day shooting death of his 25-year-old girlfriend.

The charge came almost nine years after he wrote a letter to Circuit Judge Mark Trusock asking for "one more chance" while awaiting a sentence for his second domestic violence conviction.

"I don't want to be one of the bad statistics or bad citizens that reside in Grand Rapids," Williams-Nelson wrote in March 2009, according to court records. "That's why I'm fighting for my freedom ... I ask for mercy and one more chance to prove I can be a functional citizen in this great city.

"Those mistakes I made will never happen again."

Williams-Nelson was arraigned Wednesday on charges of open murder, felony firearm, third-offense domestic violence, and interfering with electronic communications.

He's accused of shooting Leticia "Letti" Vela -- the mother of one of his children -- following an assault at the couple's shared home in the 2100 block of Lee Street SW in Wyoming.

The 37-year-old man fled the home before being arrested later that morning.

On Wednesday, Wyoming District Judge Pablo Cortes denied a request by Williams-Nelson for bond. He's due back in court Jan. 17 for a probable cause conference.

In his letter to Trusock, Williams-Nelson said he grew up in a "very dysfunctional home" in which he alleged his mother attempted to kill him twice, and his father left before he was 7 years old.

Williams-Nelson wrote that he suppressed negative feelings for 22 years before they began to come out. He admitted that he needed counseling to sort out some issues, and said he sometimes drinks to ease the pain.

His request for "one more chance" back in 2009 came as he planned to plead guilty to a third incident of domestic violence.

Police said he grabbed his then-girlfriend by the throat and wouldn't let her out of their house when officers responded to a domestic assault report on Feb. 11, 2009. An officer kicked the door in, and arrested him at the threat of using a stun gun if he didn't comply, according to court records.

The officer noted in his affidavit that Williams-Nelson refused to answer questions during an interview, and told police they couldn't prove he did anything.

Williams-Nelson pleaded guilty to the assault charge and had the resisting and obstructing an officer charge dropped. He was sentenced to three months of jail time, followed by two years of probation.

In 2011, he violated his probation and was forced to serve an additional 87 days in jail.

Prior to the 2009 incident, he was also convicted of a domestic assault in July 2008, court records show. Details of that assault weren't available at the 61st District Court.

His most recent conviction was in 2014 when he pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to pay child support in Muskegon.WYOMING, MI - Irene Perez said her family will care for her sister's five children after her sister, Leticia "Letii" Vela, was allegedly shot and killed during the early hours of New Year's Day.

She said the children meant everything to her sister.

"She was always there for her kids," Perez said Wednesday, Jan. 3, outside of Wyoming District Court where Vela's boyfriend, Ladale Tracy Williams-Nelson, was arraigned on charges including open murder.

"She didn't deserve what happened to her," she said, with her sister-in-law, Roseanna Vela-Ramirez, at her side.

Perez said that there were a "couple of incidents" between her sister and Williams-Nelson but "I never thought he would kill my sister."

She wanted to confront Williams-Nelson: "Why he did it? Why did he walk away? ... Her son asks me every day, 'Why did he take my mom?' And I can't answer him."

She said her sister loved being with her children.

"She did everything for them."

She urged victims of domestic violence to get help.

Ladale Williams-Nelson

Agencies that help victims of domestic violence include The Center for Women in Transition, which has a 24-hour helpline at 616-392-1970 or 800-848-5991 or Spanish-speaking at (866) 728-2131; Safe Haven Ministries, with a 24-hour support line at 616-452-6664; and the YWCA of Grand Rapids, which offers assistance at 616-454-9922.

Police said Williams-Nelson shot Vela in the face during a fight. Afterward, he dropped the pistol and ran until he was caught by police a mile away, police said in court documents.

Williams-Nelson told police the gun accidentally discharged. He is held without bond.WYOMING, MI - Every day, Leticia "Letii" Vela's 8-year-old son, Angel, asks why his mother is gone.

"I told him I don't know why. I wish I could answer him, but I don't know why," his aunt, Irene Perez, said Wednesday, Jan. 3, outside of Wyoming District Court.

She spoke after Ladale Tracy Williams-Nelson - her sister's boyfriend - was charged with open murder in Vela's New Year's Day killing at the victim's home on Lee Street SW.

Vela, 25, had five children.

Williams-Nelson, 37, was arraigned by District Judge Pablo Cortes, who ordered the defendant held without bond. Williams-Nelson asked for bond so that he could say goodbye to the children - he and the victim had a 1-year-old son - but the judge rejected the request.

Ladale Williams-Nelson

The victim's family gasped upon hearing the request.

"I didn't get to say goodbye to my sister," Perez said later.

Police say that the trouble started during the early hours of Jan. 1 at their home. A witness reported that the two were arguing before the suspect was on top of the victim punching and choking her. She tried to call police but Williams-Nelson knocked the phone from her hand, Wyoming police said in a probable-cause affidavit.

The witness said Williams-Nelson then held the woman against a living-room wall by her throat. He had a pistol in his other hand, against the victim's face, the witness told police.

"The witness moved to call police and (the) witness heard a gunshot," police said in the affidavit.

Irene Perez, right, talks about her sister, Leticia "Letiia" Vela, who was shot and killed on New Year's Day.

The victim, slumped on the floor, suffered an "obvious gunshot wound to her face," police said.

The gun was left at the scene. Police said Williams-Nelson ran from the home but was arrested a mile away.

He allegedly told police that the two had argued New Year's Eve into the early morning. He said she put her hands on him, causing scratches. He admitted to having a semi-automatic handgun in his hand during an argument but denied pointing it at her.

"Ladale states that while the pistol was in his hand it was fired accidentally," the affidavit said.

"Ladale reports that after Leticia fell to the floor he left the firearm behind, left the scene on foot and was apprehended by police about one mile away."

He is charged with open murder, two counts of felony firearms, third-offense domestic violence and interfering with electronic communications. He is charged as a third-offense habitual offender."WARREN, MI -- A man convicted of killing his father in Arkansas nearly 50 years ago has died in Metro Detroit, according to the Associated Press.

Lester Stiggers, 68, died Saturday, Dec. 30, at his apartment in Warren, probably from a heart attack, his daughter L'Donne Hampton told the AP.

Convicted of killing his abusive father and sentenced to life in prison when he was 15, Stiggers escaped to Michigan in 1970 during a five-day leave for good behavior.

Then-Michigan Gov. William Milliken refused to send Stiggers back to Arkansas at that time because of what he called "cruel and unusual treatment" in Arkansas prisons.

Stiggers made headlines again in 2013 when Arkansas asked Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to extradite him to the south. This came after the state ignored the issue for some 43 years.

"I have certain responsibilities as governor, so as things come to me, I'll have to look at the issue," Snyder told MLive in May of 2013. "I have heard of the situation, but I haven't spent much time on it, because my understanding is this person is not a threat to public safety in Michigan at this point in time."

"So, in terms of prioritizing it, I wouldn't say it's the highest priority I have on my desk. This person's been living in our state in a peaceful fashion, is fairly elderly and has significant health problems."Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bob Young is withdrawing his candidacy for Michigan's 2018 U.S. Senate race.

Young first announced his plans on WJR's Frank Beckmann show Wednesday morning, where he said he didn't see a pathway to raise the money needed to defeat incumbent Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

On social media, Young said he's had "a remarkable time in this race" and has been humbled by the support.

After careful consideration, and heartfelt discussions with my family and closest friends and supporters, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy today for the United States Senate. I have had a remarkable time in this race, and have been truly humbled by the amazing support.  Bob Young, Jr. (@BobYoungJr) January 3, 2018

Young's exit from the race leaves Detroit businessman John James, Grosse Pointe businessman Sandy Pensler and Bob Carr as the Republican candidates currently campaigning for the seat.

In a statement, James called Young "a true trailblazer" and a champion of conservative values. Pensler said in a statement that he "will miss his wit, wisdom and bow ties on the campaign trail."

Lena Epstein, a former co-chair for President Donald Trump's Michigan campaign, initially entered the Senate race, but dropped out to pursue a campaign to replace retiring Rep. Dave Trott in the 11th Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, considered a run, but eventually decided to run for reelection in his district.

Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser thanked Young in a statement for his efforts and said he looks forward to Young being involved in the 2018 election cycle.

"He is a principled conservative, our Party is lucky to have him, and I look forward to working with him," Weiser said.

Young retired from the Michigan Supreme Court in April after 18 years on the bench. After his retirement, Young returned to private practice with the firm Dickinson Wright, where he first practiced after graduating from Harvard Law School starting in 1978.

He served on the Court of Appeals before moving to the Michigan Supreme Court. He was chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 2011 to 2017 and was last elected in 2010 to serve an eight-year term that would have ended in 2019.JACKSON, MI - Spring Arbor University is looking to change the narrative surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day from being a "day off" to a "day on."

The university is hosting the "Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Service Day Project" on Monday, Jan. 15, at the Michigan Theatre, 124 N. Mechanic St.

The countywide community service event, organized by SAU's Office of Intercultural Relations, will bring more than 500 service volunteers into one room, said Eric Beda, Office of Intercultural Relations service director.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with a rally and discussion on King's work, led by Lee Hampton, Jackson College's director of multicultural affairs.

While at the theater, volunteers will receive a packet with a location and instructions on where and how they will provide community service throughout the day, Beda said.

More than 300 volunteers participated in the event last year, Beda said. He expects more than 500 volunteers this year, including SAU students, Baker College and Jackson College students and employees of Jackson-area companies.

Service locations include the Cascades Humane Society, Compassionate Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice, John George Home, Our Neighbors Keeper, Rise Above, St. Vincent de Paul, Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church and more.

The main goal of the day is to reinvigorate King's legacy of community action and service in the next generation, Beda said.

"We wanted to make sure we celebrate Dr. King's work in a unique way," he said. "Much of his work is about service, serving your fellow man is his whole philosophy. We wanted to bring that to the forefront of finding ways to serve our community. By doing so, we become a better community together."

Beda and other event coordinators are still looking for additional locations and community service opportunities to send volunteers to on Jan. 15, Beda said.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a service location, contact Beda by emailing eric.beda@arbor.edu. Volunteers can also simply show up to the Michigan Theatre the day of the event.

Volunteers will get free donuts, coffee and a t-shirt.Update: The incident has been cleared as of 1:15 p.m.

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP, MI -- A crash involving two vehicles has blocked a left westbound lane of I-94 on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

The crash was reported at 12:33 p.m. on westbound I-94 at Business Loop I-94 North/Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County's Lincoln Township, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Exit 23 has the left lane currently blocked as authorities work to clear the incident.

What led up to the crash and if there are injuries is unclear. There have been several other lane closures on I-94 today due to crashes.

Updates will be posted when more information is available and when the incidents have been cleared.MARCELLUS, MI -- The Village of Marcellus cut a check for thousands of dollars to its former manager/clerk after she was terminated, before she was charged with embezzling from the village, documents obtained show.

Krista Jourdan, 54, is accused of embezzling from the village and expected in court for a preliminary hearing this afternoon, Wednesday, Jan. 3.

She was terminated from her job June 10, 2016, and asked for more money afterwards, according to village documents.

A letter that appears to have been sent by Jourdan to the Marcellus Village Personnel Committee dated June 27, 2016, shows "details of my employee payout" with a total of $12,087. The total is the sum of amounts the letter ties to vacation pay, sick days and other items.

MLive and The Kalamazoo Gazette obtained the letter and other documents through a Freedom of Information Act request.

In September 2016, the village received a notice of claims made at the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs claiming more than $12,000 was owed to Jourdan, including vacation pay, paid time off, sick pay, holiday pay and overtime, some categories beginning in 2015.

The claims allege the village violated the Michigan Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act.

An investigation by LARA's Wage and Hour Division determined the village owed Jourdan $3,728, and the village was instructed to pay it as soon as possible.

The village wrote a check in November 2016 for $2,532, to Jourdan, village documents show. The check was cashed, Marcellus Village Clerk Jacqueline A. LaBudie said.

The village agrees with the LARA determination that it owed the money to Jourdan, LaBudie said.

As of Dec. 1, the LARA complaint was withdrawn, according to a letter from the state agency. LARA notified the village and Jourdan that the matter was closed and the office would not pursue it further.

Jourdan was arraigned Wednesday, Dec. 13, on charges of embezzlement, and released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

She is charged with three counts of embezzlement, including embezzlement by a public official over $50, embezzlement by an agent or trustee of $200 to $1,000, and embezzlement by agent or trustee of $1,000 to $20,000, court records show. Counts two and three list the Village of Marcellus as the victim, records show.

Detectives believe about $6,000 was taken, the Michigan State Police said.KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo's new budget includes more investment in roads, community projects and initiatives toward strategic goals in 2018.

Tuesday, the City Commission unanimously adopted its FY 2018 budget, approving annual appropriations, millage rates, various fees and an interim appropriation for the year 2019. It includes higher rates for municipal water customers and millions of dollars in new projects.

The $176.8 million budget is $19 million larger than what was presented to the public in December. The 12 percent increase is due to the approval of additional projects, funded by the Foundation for Excellence, which were presented to the public but not assumed to be green-lit before Tuesday.

City Manager Jim Ritsema said the budget reminds him of a motivational saying.

"Today's good is the foundation for tomorrow's better."

He said the 2018 budget is "good," but creates an opportunity for future successes.

"We have a lot of work to do, but it will certainly be a thrill; the next few years of what we have planned to do in Kalamazoo, making this a community for excellence," he said.

A proposed budget issued by city staff to the commission initially totaled $157.6 million, with total general fund expenditures of $60.1 million.

Funds from the Foundation for Excellence, the city's community development nonprofit, will offset most of a small general fund increase and much of the other costs.

The two largest revenue sources, property taxes and Foundation for Excellence funding, represent more than half of all general fund resources. The remaining estimated revenue includes permits, licenses and fees, fines and forfeitures, and charges for services.

General fund expenditures are set at $60.3 million, 4 percent higher than what was adopted in 2017. Half of this is allocated to the Department of Public Safety.

In all, the general fund will end with a fund balance of $10.1 million, 16.7 percent. The target fund balance was also changed this year to no less than 15 percent of revenue, the restoration of a target which was in place before lean budget years.

Deputy City Manager Patsy Moore said the positive outlook of Kalamazoo's balanced five-year fiscal plan encouraged staff to set the 15 percent goal again.

It's the second year the budget includes funding from the Foundation for Excellence, which is used to replace property tax revenue and state revenue, as well as pay for new programs and staff positions.

The proposed budget includes 628 full-time positions, an increase of 28 from last year. This includes more public safety officers, staff in the city's wastewater division, and other office positions.

Last year, the property tax rate was cut from 19.275 mills to 12 mills, offset by $10.9 million from the foundation.

This year's budget also includes additional capital spending in the water system, which will require residents to pay more in 2018.

An 8 percent increase for water and 7 percent for wastewater will take effect in February and is expected to raise $1.13 million for improvements to the city's water system.

Expect the rates to keep going up.

According to city documents, similar increases are expected each year from 2018-22, with smaller hikes from 2023-27 to support system-wide capital needs. Old cast iron water mains on Kalamazoo's water system will need to be replaced by 2040, or main breaks will begin to happen at a rapid rate.

The increase in 2018 would add $2.75 to the monthly bill of the average city resident and $1.60 for customers outside the city.

Kalamazoo residents still pay less than if they lived in Muskegon, Jackson, Wyoming, Holland, Battle Creek and other larger cities like Grand Rapids and Detroit.

There no change in the wastewater rates for Pfizer or Graphics Packaging, according to city documents.

Compared to the original 2018 budget proposal, there is an increase of $2 million for major street capital projects, supported by the foundation. A total of $6.1 million is budgeted for major street construction.

The new 2018 proposal includes $2.6 million more for local street capital projects, including $1.96 million of foundation-funded projects and $641,064 for a grant for a storm water asset management plan, was also added.

Kalamazoo also received a $1.35 million state grant for a wastewater collections asset management plan.

Construction on local streets is budgeted for $3.57 million in 2018.

A $1.5 million economic opportunity fund was also created for projects relating to economic growth.

A $10.46 million increase to the Foundation for Excellence fund will offset the cost of programs and projects presented at a Dec. 11 budget work session.

This includes $3.5 million to Local Initiative Support Corporation for economic development and affordable housing projects, and $500,000 to downtown streetscape improvements.

Each entity involved with the Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority is being asked to provide a share of the capital build out costs for a new dispatch center in Oshtemo Township. The authority was unable to secure financing on its own.

Kalamazoo's share will be $960,000, provided through a bond which will be repaid by the KCCDA during the next 15 years.

The Department of Parks and Recreation slightly increased the cost to rent facilities for activities and private events.

Fees to replace water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners wre decreased by the Department of Community Planning and Development.

The city is required by its charter to approve a budget before Feb. 1. A public work session was held on Dec. 11, and residents were able to attend a public hearing on Dec. 18.

This is the third year Kalamazoo has used priority based budgeting, a model that focuses spending decisions around well-defined programs to maximize resources.

Commissioner Shannon Sykes Nehring was absent from the meeting Tuesday.SAGINAW, MI -- Community boosters, volunteers, religious leaders, retired teachers -- these are some of the community members nominated by MLive readers to be named Saginawian of the Year.

For more than 30 years, The Saginaw News has recognized Saginawians who work to make our community a better place without seeking anything in return, people who make a real difference in the lives of others.

This year, MLive/The Saginaw News would like to recognize three people who stood out among the 14 people readers nominated to be named Saginawians of the Year: Ruth Gomez, Debra Melkonian and Crystal "Crissy" Brown.

Ruth Gomez

Ruth Gomez

Ruth Gomez was born in San Antonio, Texas, but considers Saginaw her hometown.

One of 16 children, her family moved to rural Saginaw County when she was 5 years old.

"We came here as migrant workers," said Gomez, 79, of Carrollton. "At age 5, I was working out in the fields right along with all of my siblings."

As a young child, Gomez attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. She remembers the farmers her family worked for providing them with blankets and helping her parents read letters her teacher sent home.

Now, at 79, Gomez volunteers much of her time working as a translator and lay minister.

"We didn't speak a word of English, so we had to learn from day one," she recalled. "I know what we went through when we came here and had nothing."

Gomez graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1957. She and her late husband, David "Ernie" Gomez, raised four children. After one of their sons, Eddie Gomez, was born with Down syndrome, Ruth Gomez became a staunch advocate for children with special needs, volunteering her time with a number of organizations.

She worked as an administrative secretary in Saginaw Valley State University's College of Education for 16 years. Though she retired in 1995, Gomez never stopped working.

As a lay minister, she prays with and brings communion to patients at St. Mary's of Michigan hospital and leads church services at the Saginaw County Jail and New Hope Valley Assisted Living & Memory Care Community.

Gomez also volunteers as a translator, accompanying Spanish-speaking residents to doctor appointments and other important appointments.

She's active at St. Josaphat Church where she volunteers as a catechism instructor for children and adults with special needs, among other roles.

"She is selfless and constantly putting the needs of others in front of her own," her niece, Roxanne Chantaca, wrote when nominating her.

But Gomez doesn't believe she's worthy of recognition.

"The Lord has actually blessed me quite a bit with health and with knowledge and anything else that goes with being able to help people," she said. "I just don't feel I'm deserving of it because I just feel this is what people should do ... reach out to others and help others."

Debra Melkonian

Debra Melkonian

Debra Melkonian, a well-known face in the community and endearingly called the "president for life" of the Adams Boulevard Area Neighborhood Association, has strong ties to Saginaw, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

Melkonian, 66, moved to Michigan to study education at Michigan State University. She earned a degree and met her husband there.

Juggling many hats in the education field, Melkonian was a teacher at several area schools, a principal for 17 years at Merrill Park Elementary School and later a field supervisor at Saginaw Valley State University.

Melkonian is the president of the Adams Boulevard Area Neighborhood Association. She organizes events such as chili cook-offs, a spring cleanup and monthly meetings that include special guests such as city officials among other events centered around fostering a real sense of community.

When new residents move into the neighborhood, Melkonian provides them a packet filled with information about the neighborhood and the city.

"Melkonian is known for her energy, creativity, and her ability to involve her students, staff, parents and community," Judy and Mike Manley, nominators and residents of the Adam Boulevard neighborhood wrote.

The Brooklyn native said she was inspired to bring her organizational skills she picked up from her dad to her own neighborhood family.

"My dad was always active in our neighborhood, just a positive role model and everybody called him the mayor of the block," Melkonian said.

Outside of her neighborhood, Melkonian is also active in the city. She sits on various commissions and committees and frequents Saginaw City Council meetings.

Melkonian said the first step of creating a sense of community in a neighborhood is getting to know your neighbors.

"A small group of people can make a big difference," Melkonian said.

Crystal "Crissy" Parker Brown

Crystal "Crissy" Brown

Crystal "Crissy" Brown's nurturing heart does not seek attention, so she was surprised to learn she was chosen as one of three Saginawians of the Year.

Brown was nominated for the Stand By Prom in the City event she organized May 6, for people with special needs. The idea came from wanting to help her 24-year-old niece Quavonda "Baby" Ezell have her very first prom.

"I have a special place for taking care of people with special needs because of my niece, who is 25 and has Down syndrome," Brown said.

Brown has health problems of her own.

She was diagnosed in 2012 with a rare cardiac disorder that has no cure.

In August, after 17 years working in patient care at Covenant HealthCare, Brown left on disability.

"I have to learn to live with it and the issues I have on a regular basis," she said.

Brown said the prom helped her deal with her own health issues.

The married mother of three boys said that she was honored to be chosen as a recipient.

"It's a pleasure," she said. "It just let me know that my work didn't go unnoticed even though I didn't do it for the recognition."

MLive reporters Bob Johnson and Isis Simpson contributed to this report.An American Indian tribe with three casinos in Michigan plans to open its first Indiana casino later this month.

The Four Winds South Bend casino will open Jan. 16, the Associated Press reports.

It's a venture of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. That same tribe operates Four Winds casinos at three southwestern Michigan locations. The largest is in New Buffalo.

The new South Bend casino will feature four restaurants, three bars and about 1,800 games.

It is Indiana's first tribal casino. A study showed its operation is expected to cut the state's tax revenue by $350 million in its first five years, the AP said, because it won't pay state gambling taxes and it will reduce business at Indiana's other non-tribal casinos.

But some profits from the new casino will also be funneled back into the city.

The agreement between the tribe and South Bend calls for the tribe to pay an annual percentage of the casino's net win to the city, according to the South Bend Tribune.

The tribe has also agreed to pay millions into local initiatives in its first five years, including city schools, hospitals and recreation upgrades.Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist for President Donald Trump and the White House says a June 2016 meeting between members of the Trump campaign and Russian individuals was "treasonous" and "unpatriotic."

The Guardian reports those comments come from a new book entitled "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" which was obtained by The Guardian this week.

Bannon's comments are part of a passage where he describes a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and other members of the campaign which Bannon says were not attended by Trump lawyers and should have been reported.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor - with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers," Bannon said. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad (expletive), and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately."

The meeting reportedly revolved around information that could be provided to the campaign that would damage Trump's opponent Hillary Clinton.

Along with being critical of the meeting, Bannon says special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, is going to get exposed Trump Jr. and his involvement in the scandal.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon said.

The book is scheduled to publish next week and was written following interviews by the author Michael Wolff with dozens of people including President Trump.

Trump issued a scathing comeback later Wednesday, according to the AP. The president said when Bannon was fired from the White House, "he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."Thomas Cook

Collapsed German airline Air Berlin said on Wednesday it had sold its subsidiary Air Berlin Aviation GmbH to Thomas Cook Group Airlines PLC, continuing the carve-up of its business.

Thomas Cook said the acquisition would give its airline Condor further options for growth, consistent with its plans to grow capacity in the German market to meet increased demand experienced in recent months.

Neither company said how much Thomas Cook was paying, but a person familiar with the deal said the purchase price was a medium single-digit million euro amount.

Air Berlin, which filed for insolvency in August, has already sold major parts of its assets to German flagship carrier Lufthansa and Britain's easyJet.Cryptocurrency mining firm, NiceHash, which dealt with a security breach last month resulting in a wipe-off of bitcoins worth Rs 500 crore, has got a new CEO. Reportedly, Zdravko Poljasevic who headed a Solvenian company Kreativni najemi is set to replace Marko Kobal.

Kobal, who saw through the phase of rebuilding following the attack, announced his decision to step down in a LinkedIn post. We at NiceHash have been working round the clock to rebuild our internal systems as well as management structure, he said.

I shall now stand aside and allow new management to lead the organization through its next, exciting period of growth  therefore I decided to resign as CEO of NiceHash.

Kobal is one of the co-founders of the company.

NiceHash borrows and lends mining power and facilitates the mining of cryptocurrencies for its users. About 4,700 bitcoins were stolen from wallets on its server in a hacking attempt on December 6 and the services were stopped for over 24 hours. The top brass of the company had to apologise to the users in a Facebook live stream.

Also Read: What is bitcoin mining?

Later, the company announced that it will reimburse the users who were robbed in the attack. We have now been able to reserve the funds required to restore balances from a group of international investors in our business, the company said in an announcement. However, balances lower than 0.0001 bitcoin (Rs 95) will be written off, it added.

The investigation into the security breach is still going on. Kobal had said following the breach that prima facie the hackers were from outside Europe. The hackers had accessed the computers of the company and stole a NiceHash engineers credentials. These credentials were used by them to access the payment system.Ashwani Gujral of ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, "Capital First is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 705 and target of Rs 730. Fortis Healthcare is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 164 and target of Rs 178. JSW Steel is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 266 and target of Rs 292."

"Today all kinds of oil marketing stocks are higher and generally Engineers India (EIL) tends to follow their lead. My sense is that you can buy the stock with a stop loss say around Rs 190 and you will probably see Rs 220-225," he said.Amit Gupta of ICICIdirect told CNBC-TV18, "The power and power equipment space is looking better. Power Grid was the leading, but now it has gone for some consolidation and I think the lead will come from NTPC. Now we have already seen NTPC corrected from Rs 185 to 175 and I think it has formed a good base near Rs 175 now and it is moving towards Rs 185 again. We have started recommending this stock to our clients."

"If you look at the open interest position for the last two series, the long positions were getting rolled and in this particular series we have already seen 12 percent of increase in the open interest and that is in the long side. My sense is the stock should pick up momentum as we are moving towards Budget. When it is taking the lead, I think the power equipment space which has been laggard for quite some time now, you can see some kind of short covering there."

"We have already seen green shoots in Cummins India and Siemens in the last one week when the positions are getting closed. Siemens fell towards Rs 1,200. The open interest was almost near the life highs, then it had a further decline in price but the open interest did not increase much. That means whatever shorts were formed it did not increase from those levels and then we have seen almost 15-17 percent of short closers. I think it is the starting of short covering in Siemens India before the Budget and it is possible that the stock can move towards Rs 1,300 or Rs 1,340 levels in the coming sessions."

"From the risk reward perspective it is a good pick from these levels and the same is going to happen with Cummins India."

"We have already seen Cummins India move from a very high volume base of Rs 870, it moved beyond Rs 900 and now it is not falling below those Rs 900 levels. It should act as a good support and should move towards Rs 965-975."

"We have seen the same pattern happening in Siemens with Cummins India as well and almost 9-10 percent of short closer is seen in this particular stock. So, I think NTPC should take the lead and power equipment space now should follow in terms on the back of a short covering in the coming sessions," he said.Yogesh Mehta, Associate VP at Motilal Oswal told CNBC-TV18, "We are looking at two to three perspective on intraday basis. Tata Motors DVR is quoting at Rs 256 -256.50 level in futures segment, we are recommending to buy with a stop loss of Rs 250 and target of Rs 265-267."

"Another stock is Titan Company which has given good range breakout today and all-time highs Rs 872 in spot. So, on a conditional basis if one wants to buy, then for faster and prompt move above Rs 872 in cash and then the target could be in the range of Rs 895. Keep a stop loss of Rs 855."

"Third stock is Tech Mahindra , all the IT sector stocks are in very much strong momentum. Tech Mahindra is quoting at Rs 521.5 in future segments, keeping a near term stop loss of Rs 512, one can buy with a target of Rs 540," he added.Representative image

The government today approved the strategic Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir valley and Ladakh, which remains cut-off from the rest of the world during winters due to heavy snowfall.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

"Cabinet approves Zozilla tunnel project, Jal Vikas Marg project," an official source said here after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IL&FS Transportation last year in July had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,899 crore Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2016, the road transport and highways ministry had ordered "rebidding" for the project awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

"We wish to inform that the company has emerged as the lowest bidder for the aforesaid (Zojila tunnel) project. The company had quoted an amount of Rs 4,899.42 crore to be constructed in a period of 2,555 days (7 years)," IL&FS Transportation has said.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said, "We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project."

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered "re-bidding" for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Gadkari, after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract.

The ministry, however, had denied the charges.live bse live

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The printing of electoral bonds will have as much secrecy as being maintained in case of currency notes as the government wants to make this system of political funding foolproof by eliminating any fake instrument coming to market.

The bonds, which will have a tenure of just 15 days, cannot be gifted to a new political party so as to ensure that new outfits are not floated overnight to launder funds, a source in the finance ministry said.

Besides, the bonds will be sold by the country's largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) through its select branches, mostly in state capitals and major cities, he said.

In a bid to clean election financing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday outlined details of the new electoral bonds, which are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties.

While the donor's identify will be kept secret, the bonds can be encashed by receiving political parties only through a designated bank account.

"The bonds would be printed with utmost secrecy. The details would be as confidential as is kept at the time of printing of currency notes," the source said.

Besides, to ensure single point availability of these bonds, the government has mandated only SBI to sell these bonds for 10 days each in months of January, April, July and October.

"The bonds would be available at most in 8-10 branches of SBI, including those in state capitals," he added.

Aiming to make political funding more transparent, the idea of electoral bonds was first floated by Jaitley in his last Budget.

As per the contours of the scheme, the bonds will not carry the donor's name even though the purchaser would have to fulfil KYC norms at the bank.

The source further said that maintaining secrecy of the donor's name would help the opposition parties as the donors would now have a free hand to donate to them without worrying about his identity being divulged.

"If the donor's name was not kept secret, then it would have encouraged cash donations which would run contrary to the idea of making the system of political funding transparent," he added.

The electoral bonds can be given to registered political party which has secured at least 1 per cent vote in last election. That party will have to give one bank account to the Election Commission and the bonds would have to be encashed within 15 days.

"As per the norms, new political parties cannot encash the bonds. These have been done to ensure that no one floats a party to launder money," the source added.Some cheer for the economy as manufacturing activity hits the highest level in five years and commercial vehicle sales, which is a proxy for growth, surged by 60 to 80 percent in December.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Anubhuti Sahay, India Head for South Asia Economic Research at Standard Chartered Bank discussed how all this could be factored in the Budget.

There are clear signs of normalisation. If you look at auto sector or core sector data, the buoyancy in these numbers are driven by a very favourable base effect. 2016 was bad after the demonetisation announcement, she said.

Growth indicators have seen a pick up due to a favourable base year on year (YoY), she added.

According to her, normalisation is underway but we will need some more time before we can reach economic activity levels, which were recorded before demonetisation.

On Budget, she said that the nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth will be lesser at 10 percent than what the Budget has already factored in which was at around 11.5 percent but fiscal deficit shouldnt have too much of an impact.

Our sense is that the government next year will likely keep the fiscal deficit at closer to 3.5 percent instead of 3 percent which was the fiscal consolidation path, said Sahay.

We are likely to see some more increased spending towards rural area which is needed given the distress in the rural sector but there is too much of concern as we are focusing only on the central government finances, she further mentioned.

From the corporate tax rate perspective, we do expect rate cut to materialise, Sahay added.petrol diesel price hike

Petrol-diesel is going to be costlier in Madhya Pradesh. The states cabinet paved the way for the fuel getting costlier by levying cess of 50 paisa a litre for boosting infrastructure in the state.

The cabinet has approved an ordinance, MP Motor Speed Bill 2018, which enabled government to levy 50 paisa per litre cess on petrol and diesel and the funds would be invested into infrastructure development and improvement of traffic, MP governments spokesperson Narottam Mishra told newsmen after the meeting was over in state capital.

The ordinance has now been sent to Commercial Tax Department and the levy would take time and isnt immediate, he clarified.

The state government is expected to raise Rs 200 crore per year through this cessA bill that will give women working in private or public sector a provision to get two days of paid menstrual leave each month was tabled in Lok Sabha, but it could prove to be detrimental.

Not only will this mean additional 24 leaves for women, but also it will mean loss of 24 days across companies for all the female workforce.

Sonal Arora, Vice-President, TeamLease Services said that menstrual leave for women is a rather misguided attempt. Inclusion of women in workforce cannot be achieved by such random tactics.

Women in any case have the option of taking a sick leave or personal day should they really require this support. Not only is it condescending but also of limited efficacy because less than 10 percent of Indias female workforce works in the organised sector, the remaining 90 percent women are either in the unorganised sector or agricultural sector or self-employed where they will not get any such benefit, she added.

In July 2017, digital media company Culture Machine India allowed female employees to avail of leave on the first day of their menstrual cycle in an attempt to create a conducive work environment for all women employees.

Globally, some countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Indonesia grant leave on the basis of a medical certificate or allot three days a year for it. A senior human resource official with a large conglomerate explained that it may not be viable for companies to allow all women to take two days leave each month.

If it is mandated by law, all companies may be required to give it as an official HR policy. However, this could have serious business consequences considering us and several other large firms have more than 35 percent women in the workforce, she added.

Among countries, Japan was one of the first ones to allow women to avail leaves for painful menstrual cycles. However, they do not have a fixed policy for the number of days that can be taken and individual companies decide on that.

According to a World Bank report, India has one of the poorest performances in terms of female participation in the workforce and ranked 120th among 131 nations surveyed. In the total workforce, women are estimated to be between 26-28 percent in the present date.

Among other benefits for women, Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 has increased maternity leaves from three months to six months. This new law is applicable to all establishments having 10 or more employees and will be applicable only for the first two children.live bse live

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Leading auto ancillary player Greaves Cotton has entered into an agreement with Italian two and three-wheeler maker Piaggio Vehicles India to develop new diesel and clean energy engines.

The new engines to be developed will be meeting the BS-VI emission norms and will be run on diesel and alternative fuels in the clean energy space, the company said today.

Greaves Cotton's engines is the market leader with close to 78 percent market share in the diesel-driven 3- wheeler market and has recently crossed the 5-million engines powering various cargo and passenger vehicles in a three-wheeler and micro four-wheeler space.

Piaggio India started its association with Greaves Cotton in 1998-99 and has since then sold over 5 million engines to Italian major, which is also into four-wheelers with its micro-trucks in the under- 1,000 kg load capacity.

Greaves has automotive engines plants in Aurangabad and Ranipet near Chennai while its R&D centres are in Aurangabad and Pune.

It can be noted that the three-wheeler segment has been down till the third quarter of this financial year. Greaves offers single cylinder diesel and CNG engines to the three-wheeler space.

Speaking on the tie-up, Nagesh Basavanhalli, managing director and chief executive of Greaves Cotton said his company is investing in new technologies and building capabilities to meet the demand for fuel-agnostic, future-ready solutions serving the last mile transportation market.

"Our new solutions will cover a range of fuels from diesel, petrol, CNG to electric which will continue to leverage our strengths," he said.

The company had recently tied up with California based Pinnacle Technology to offer opposed-piston CNG engines which have since shown impressive results. With these BS-VI engines, the company hopes to revolutionise the autorickshaw market by reducing substantial fuel cost and total cost of ownership.

The Rs 1,800-crore Greaves has sold over 3 lakh engines in fiscal 2017 before successfully transiting to BS-IV compliant engines from April 2017.

Greaves is a leading engineering company with core competencies in diesel/petrol engines, farm-focused generator sets and light construction equipment.The year 2017 closed on a strong note with benchmark indices treading in unchartered territory. If we look back, making money in 2017 looked easy as indices went in one direction and that was up with minor corrections, but 2018 presents different challenges for investors.

We start the year on the back of solid performance from equity markets in the year 2017 with benchmark indices registering gains of about 29 percent, but stars foretell a different story for investors in the year 2018 which is related to Moon.

The year 2018 adds up to Number (1+1) 2 which is the numbers for Moon. The characteristics of Moon are Dreamy, Romantic & Restless.

2018=11 (Moon), the meaning of No 11 in Numerology is - This is an ominous number to occultists. It gives warning of hidden dangers, trial, and treachery from others. It has a symbol of a "Clenched Hand", and "a Lion Muzzled", and of a person who will have great difficulties to contend against, Mumbai-based celebrity Astro-Numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani told Moneycontrol.

The world economy could be turbulent with the stock indices swinging crazily both ways. India could be in trying times which may continue until August 2018 as we are in our 71st year of Independence, he said.

71=8, Saturn (Shani) the strict Lord of trials. But, after taking trials, Saturn can compensate well too; our 72nd year (7+2=9) shall be far better, can even be a landmark year as 3,6,9 are a family & India adds to 3, Bharat,6, he said.

Commenting on BJP and general elections in the year 2019, Jumaani is confident that PM Modi should be able to win hearts of Indians once again.

2019=3 again when our Country could inch closer to being a Super-Power; its peak being 2022 (6) a year when even NAMO has put his money on, explains Jumaani.

The year promises better growth rate for the Indian economy due to the placement of Jupiter, but other macro factors such as higher oil prices, rising fiscal deficit could add to woes.

Investors are advised to remain positive on Indian markets and use dips to enter quality stocks on declines. The fund flow picture looks stable as money from domestic institutional investors (DIIs) are likely to continue in the year 2018.

Indian market due to current placement of Jupiter is projected to have one of the best GDP growth among all major emerging markets in the year 2018. A trend that emerged in 17 was that investment by MF industry was Rs1.16 lakh crore compared to Rs 0.51 Lakh crore by FIIs This trend is expected to continue in 18 which means more stability in the market, Astrologer Richa Pathak of Jyotishdham told Moneycontrol.

Though all the signs are very positive, investors will have to be very watchful of Oil Prices, lower GST collections & a rising Fiscal Deficit (3.5% against 3.2% budgeted for FY 18), she said.

According to Vedic Astrology, the ruler of the year 2018 will be Sun. Pathak further added that from Astrological & fundamentals perspective, Indian markets prospects are strong and all the investments in 2018 will become a building block for fantastic growth that will start from 2020 due to planets placement.

Jupiters current position is in Libra which represents trade & business. This will have a positive impact on the financial markets till March when a combination of Mars & Retrograde Saturn will bring the volatility for about two months.

Post this period, the position of Jupiter will again take over & bring the stability back till the middle of October. Jupiters movement to Sagitarious in middle of October will again bring the volatility in the market which will continue in year 19, explains Pathak.

Sectors to bet on:

Astrologer: Satish Gupta of astrostocktips

Sectors which get strong astrological support also start getting favorable news along with all kind of positive support by regulatory authorities in that industry, resulting in strong growth & super positive results. Most of the problems also start resolving. We have seen that happening in the telecom sector.

Infrastructure Sector: stocks to bet on include names like Dilip Buildcon, Vascon Engineering, Garnet Construction, GMR Infrastructure, J Kumar Infra & JMC Project etc. will be receiving astrological support during Samvat 2074.

Tyre Sector: Stock to bet on include names like Ceat, Apollo Tyre, Balkrisna Industries, Goodyear & JK Tyre etc. will be receiving astrological support during Samvat 2074.

Astrologer: Richa Pathak of Jyotishdham

Precious Metals:

Correlating more these developments with astrological predictions, Rahus current position in Cancer is favourable for precious metals especially gold & silver and adverse for the property market.

The views and investment tips expressed by astrologers on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.live bse live

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A selloff in the last hour of trade led to benchmark indices giving up all their gains and ending on a flat note, with the Nifty closing below 10,450-mark.

It was a steady day of trade otherwise, with the Sensexs intraday gain being almost 185 points, while the Nifty was almost on the verge of reclaiming 10,500.

At the close of market hours, the Sensex was down 18.88 points or 0.06% at 33793.38, and the Nifty ended higher by 1.00 points or 0.01% at 10443.20. The market breadth was positive as 1901 shares advanced, against a decline of 980 shares, while 510 shares were unchanged.

Adani Ports, L&T and ICICI Bank were the top gainers, while Dr Reddys and Wipro lost the most on both indices.

Midcaps witnessed a good day, as the Nifty Midcap index closing around a percent lower, the Nifty metal index was up over one percent. The Nifty Bank ended slightly lower as financials dragged. HDFC Bank was a major loser on indices.

Benchmark equity indices opened on a positive note following gains in their US counterparts. However, they pared some of their gains and ended the session on a flat note weighed by profit booking in shares of automobile and healthcare companies, Karthikraj Lakshmanan, Senior Fund Manager  Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund said in a statement.

In precious metals, Silver recovered by Rs 140 to Rs 39,850 per kg at the bullion market today on mild demand from consuming industries.

Gold remained flat at Rs 30,450 per 10 gram in scattered deals even as it weakened overseas. Traders attributed the rise in silver price to scattered demand from industrial units and coin makers at the domestic spot market. Globally, gold fell 0.33 per cent to USD 1,312.80 an ounce and silver by 0.64 per cent to USD 17.04 an ounce in Singapore.

Among stocks, investors in shares of Reliance Industries cheered the commissioning of the worlds largest refinery off-gas cracker complex at Jamnagar. The stock was higher by around 2 percent intraday and ended half a percent higher.

Shares of Aarti Drugs surged 10 percent on the back of a buyback proposal.

Orient Green Power Company ended 20 percent on the divestment of subsidiaries.

Dr Reddys Laboratories fell over 4.5 percent intraday and ended 3 percent lower as investors reacted to the receipt of establishment inspection report (EIR).

Shares of Dixon Technologies ended 2 percent higher as it started manufacturing of CCTVs and DVRs.

Ventura Securities has re-initiated coverage with Buy call on Sagar Cement and set a target price at Rs 1,715, implying a potential upside of 89 percent over 24 months. The stock ended 11 percent higher.

Goldman Sachs has initiated Neutral call on Tata Steel as it feels positives have been fairly priced in. The stock ended over half a percent higher.Auto sales in December 2017 were sharply higher year-on-year, but thats partly because sales in December 2016 were impacted by demonetisation.

However, we believe in the durability of the emerging trends: strong growth in commercial vehicles (CV) because of good monsoon, improved rural sentiment and increased production of BS IV compliant vehicles; signs of revival in three-wheeler sales following governments decision to end permit system and revival in exports due to improving global economy.

We feel most regulatory headwinds are weakening and the situation has returned to near normal. Good monsoon, rural demand and governments capex push are the tailwinds that will drive growth in the sector.

Commercial Vehicle (CV)  Significant growth

The commercial sector has bounced back strongly after setbacks from demonetization and the BS-IV transition in 2017.

Tata Motors reported strong sales number as its innovative Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has been liked by customers. SCR helps reduce diesel engine emissions. Growth in consumption-led sectors like e-commerce, and infrastructure spending by the government funding, along with superior performance of new products increased demand for the new tonnage vehicles,

M&M reported good growth (on a low base) thanks to near normal monsoon, and rural presence of the company. The management expects the growth momentum to continue on the back of some recent refresh launches as well as the better performance of its product portfolio.

Eicher Volvo also witnessed a significant growth of 50.9 percent (Y-o-Y) during December.

Ashok Leyland continue to post strong growth (79 percent YoY) on the back of the low base, good monsoon, and improved rural demand.

Cars Segment  leader continued its mojo

The leader, Maruti, continued to top the chart in PV (passenger vehicle) segment with 10 percent growth, mainly driven by 20 percent growth in UV (utility vehicle).

For Tata Motors, passenger car segment witnessed a strong growth of 31 percent (Y-o-Y) on the back of 406 percent growth in its UV segment, led by strong demand for new generation cars.

Mahindra and Mahindras (M&M) passenger vehicle sales declined 7.5 percent year-on-year.

Two-wheeler (2W) segment: TVS is gaining momentum

In two-wheeler space, Eicher continued its dream run, with sales of sub-350 cc bikes growing 20 percent. Sales of 350 cc-plus bikes fell 20.4 percent year-on-year, a trend for the past few months baring October.

TVS posted a strong growth in 2W segment primarily because of 63.7 percent growth in bikes and 50.6 percent growth in scooters. Bajajs domestic two-wheeler sales were flat.

Hero, a formidable player in 100/110cc bikes, posted a significant growth of 43.2 percent in the month, however, the December volume was way below the monthly run rate of more than 6L units seen for the last many months.

Three-wheeler (3W): the leader posted strong numbers

The overall three-wheeler market is showing significant improvement as is evident from the sales number for the December month. This is primarily due to the end of Permit Raj in Maharashtra and new 10,000 permits in Delhi. Bajaj Auto, the leader in the space, could capture the growth coming in this segment and posted a whopping 180.1 percent (Y-o-Y) growth in the domestic 3W segment.

TVS also posted a strong growth of 72.1 percent (Y-o-Y) in 3W volumes whereas Atul Auto continued to face challenges and witnessed a growth of 13 percent (Y-o-Y) in 3W volumes.

Tractors: gaining on the back of good monsoon

M&M continue to post significant growth (30.2 percent y-o-y) on the back of healthy monsoon, higher Kharif production and improved minimum support price (MSP) for farmers. The management believes that with the healthy reservoir levels and good progress on rabi sowing, the growth momentum is expected to continue in the coming months.

Escorts also posted a healthy growth of 14.2 percent.

Exports: early signs of improvement

Auto Companies had been struggling in the export markets for long. However, going by the monthly numbers, there appears to be signs of recovery. TVS and Bajaj yet again witnessed a strong growth in their exports. Eicher witnessed a significant growth of 48 percent. Escorts and Maruti struggled in the export market during December.

Bajaj Autos performance was on the back of stabilizing currency and retail sector in Nigeria. The management also mentioned that the geographies like Philippines, Latin America, Egypt, East Africa, and Nepal have stabilized. The management believes that the company is on track to achieve 1.5 lakh units of exports per month for the rest of year.

Tata Motors seems to have come out of its problems in export market as it posted a growth of 26 percent.An under construction high-rise residential tower is pictured behind an old residential building in Mumbai, India, February 8, 2016. The Indian government on Monday forecast annual economic growth to accelerate to 7.6 percent in the fiscal year ending in March 2016 after Asia's third-largest economy grew 7.3 percent in the quarter to end-December. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui - RTX25Z75

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has quashed the December 2016 notification issued by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoEF), whereby some provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, that required prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for building and construction activities were diluted, saying that it would permit construction of huge buildings and apartments without strictly complying with the environmental norms.

The notification should be declared as ultra vires and be quashed The challenge to the Notification is on legal grounds as well as on other reasons that it will have an adverse impact on environment, ecology and natural resources. In fact, it is contended that it will also have serious repercussion on climate change. The Notification though claims to serve the social cause of providing housing for the poor but, in fact, the result of its enforcement would be contrary. It would permit construction of huge buildings and apartments without strictly complying with the environmental norms, the Tribunal said.

The December notification was challenged by a group of petitioners on various grounds including the reason for the exemption was 'ease of doing responsible business' and the same cannot be a ground for exempting the application of environmental law. In addition, the other ground i.e Housing for All by 2022 is an attempt to 'hide behind' the poor while actually benefiting the builder lobby. Most significantly, all the exemptions were ironically done by stating that the exclusion of the application of the environmental law was essential in order to improve the quality of the environment, says Ritwick Datta, environment lawyer who had filed the application.

Under the existing law, all building and construction projects from 20,000 sqm require an environmental clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006. In addition, it requires Consent to Establish and Operate under the Air Act, 1981 and the Water Act, 1974. Moreover, any concerned person can approach the National Green Tribunal to challenge the Environmental Clearance or seek action for violation, he says.

In the strongly worded judgment, the Tribunal condemned this act of diluting environmental safeguards in the interest of ease of doing responsible business under the garb of housing for all. It noted that "the said amendment notification is only a ploy to circumvent the provisions of environmental assessment under the EIA Notification, 2006 in the name of ease of doing responsible business and there is no mechanism laid down under the amendment notification for evaluation, assessment or monitoring of the environmental impact of the building and construction activity. The construction industry consumes enormous resources and has a significant energy footprint; the sector emits 22 percent of Indias total annual carbon-dioxide emission.

Last year, the government while promoting Housing for All by 2022, decided to simplify the process of procuring an environment clearance by notifying that all projects greater than 5000 sqm but less than 20,000 sqm could go in for a self-declaration that they are following green norms. Environment clearances take a long time to procure and are perhaps the biggest contributor to real estate project delays, often taking more than 18 months.

For smaller projects (less than 20,000 sqm) it has a "self-declaration" clause which will ensure issuance of permission from urban local bodies. For larger projects of over 20,000 sqm to less than 1.5 lakh sqm, the environmental clearance and building permissions will be given by urban local bodies simultaneously in an "integrated format."

Earlier, EC was mandatory for construction projects larger than 20,000 sqm under EIA notification 2006. It had to be procured from the state environment agency or State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) following the amendment, the developer could take it from the local municipality or the authority at the time of applying for clearance of building plans.

The Tribunal noted that the exemption granted by the notification for residential buildings of size 1,50,000 sqm from the requirement of obtaining consent to establish and operate from the Pollution Control Boards was found to be unsustainable under the law since a subordinate legislation cannot take away the requirements imposed by another legislation. An authority cannot, in exercise of its subordinate legislation, exclude the operation of a substantive law that is the Water Act 1974 and Air Act 1981 enacted by the Parliament, it noted.

The Tribunal noted that the notification was issued without conducting proper study and research. There is nothing on record to suggest that the quality of the environment had increased warranting a dilution of conditions, the Tribunal said. It also found that the objections filed to the draft notification were not considered before issuing the final notification.

The impugned Notification is unsustainable as on one hand it is not based on any study and on the other it ignores the recommendations made in the various studies conducted by the Ministry itself including Dr. Kasturirangans reports. The positive suggestions and recommendations made in these reports have been ignored. The Notification attempts to hide behind the poor for the benefit of the builders. It also lacks in providing for [the] requisite expertise of the members constituting the environmental cell in the interest of [the] environment. No, criteria or qualifications have been fixed for the Member of [the] environmental cell unlike the law in existence, which certainly would have adverse impacts as there will be massive construction activity causing serious environmental degradation.

The Tribunal also said that there was ambiguity and uncertainty over the constitution of the environment cell and its functions. It was also unclear about the qualifications that members of such a cell should possess.

While it decided to severe and quash the objectionable provisions in the notification, it decided to save the provisions that sought to decentralise regulations that were aimed at promoting housing for all and creating a single window mechanism. It also directed the ministry not to give effect to the provisions until further examination.

The December notification had also said that the application for the environment clearance will be processed by the newly created environment cells in the local authorities or development authorities with the help of accredited qualified building environment auditors. It had also revised the compliance reports conditions, saying that instead of filing it every six months, they could be filed in five years.

All state authorities had to ensure that these changes be made part of their bylaws on time for ease of doing business. Delhi Development Authority was the first to make these changes in their building bylaws.

Environment experts had said that while steps taken to simply the environment clearance process cuts down on time, these bylaws adopted by the state authorities are not as comprehensive or as stringent as that of the EIA.

Reducing delay is good but exempting all projects from environment scrutiny is not. The degree of detail and scientific criteria that third-party ratings such as LEED, GRIHA etc have is missing in the local bylaws," they had said.

Until a proper environment cell is created in development authorities, it will make it easier for most real estate developers to bypass environmental scrutiny if the notification is allowed. The bylaws should be amended to include EIA requirements therein, except for the time-consuming survey and test requirements, they had said.

As a result of the above, the bylaws amended by the DDA vide its Notification dated 22nd March 2016 can also not be given effect to, unless the Notification dated 9th December 2016 is amended in terms of this judgement, the Tribunal said in its order.Representative image. (REUTERS)

A case of sexual harassment has been registered by the Mumbai Police against angel investor and Seedfund co-founder Mahesh Murthy following intervention of National Commission of Women (NCW) which received complaints against him.

The case has been registered under sections 354 (D), 509 of IPC and under section 67 of Indian IT Act at Khar Police Station, as per this report.



Mumbai Police have registered a case against renowned venture investor #MaheshMurthy u/s 354 (D), 509 of IPC, read with Section 67 of IT Act based on a complaint filed by a women in Delhi.

 NCW (@NCWIndia) January 3, 2018

A complaint was earlier filed by a woman in Delhi against Murthy, following which Maharashtra Police on December 29, 2017, has registered a case against the Seedfund co-founder.

NCW had written to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra regarding the alleged usage of objectionable, derogatory, sexual remarks and obscene signs made by angel investor Mahesh Murthy on social media platforms against several women.

Besides the complaint made by a Delhi-based woman, the commission also highlighted a similar issue raised by another woman in 2017.

Murthy has posted a blog 'The confessions of serial offender' in February 2017 on blogging platform 'Medium'.

Murthy even claimed to have posted an apology for some of his posts.

In a press noted dated November 17, the National Commission of Women had also requested for the Maharashtra DGP's personal involvement to investigate the matter.

The commission had directed the police to apprise them about the details of the case along with action taken within 15 days.

"Such acts not only amount to outraging the modesty of women but also attract action for cybercrime," the commission had said.live bse live

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Goldman Sachs has initiated Neutral call on Tata Steel as it feels positives have been fairly priced in.

The global research house has set a target price of Rs 780 for the stock, implying a 7 percent potential upside from Tuesday's closing price.

According to the research house, Tata Steel's Phase 1 of Kalinganagar plant is expected to drive near-term volume growth.

Its India profitability is expected to be impacted by narrowing spreads, but European profitability is expected to remain stable over medium term, Goldman feels.

"We dont take view on European JV deal materializing and estimates don't incorporate European JV," it said.

The research house expects volume/EBITDA/net profit to grow at a CAGR of 6/10/21 percent over FY17-20, and Return on equity/return on capital employed to expand to 17/8 percent by FY20 versus 10/5.7 percent in FY17.

"We could turn constructive on visibility of timely execution of expansion plan," Goldman said.

At 13:21 hours IST, the stock price of Tata Steel was up 0.81 percent at Rs 735 on the BSE.Watch the interview of SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com with Anuj Singhal, Latha Venkatesh & Sonia Shenoy on CNBC-TV18, in which he shared his readings and outlook on fundamentals of market and specific stocks.

Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview.

Anuj: Let me first start with this whole space, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) clearly the tractor numbers looked good, maybe Escorts was slightly disappointing, now we have VST Tillers numbers as well. What would be your pecking order in this space, of course VST Tillers is much smaller, but how would you approach this space?

A: Looking to the monthly sales numbers, VST Tillers I agree that this is a smaller one, but I think in terms of the share price appreciation, VST Tillers can stand out on the top, followed by M&M. If you see the numbers for Escorts, they have seen flattish kind of things, and looking to the present valuation of the company or the share price, I dont think that this justifies this kind of things. So, if I put the pecking order in terms of the share price growth, may not be in the absolute number, obviously M&M stands to be the leader and having shown a good growth for the tractor for the month of December, my pecking order would be VST Tillers, M&M, and Escorts.

Latha: We just got this release put out by the rural development ministry that they are going to ask for 20 percent more outlays on NREGS; from Rs 48,000 crore in the current year the outlay is expected to be Rs 60,000 crore. Now we dont know if the Budget will grant it but is this something which the market should take notice of any stocks that would be excited by this?

A: If you really take a call, last years Budget there was not much increase seen on this head. Probably government thought that because the private investment and all will come, and again I dont think that this should be seen beneficial to any particular sector or any particular stock, because this the general catalyst which will really be seeing the revival of the economy or maybe the industrial climate because the kind of rural income, because ultimately that gets distributed to the rural people and more on the government projects like road building and maybe dam or maybe canals and all sort of things.

So, overall this is seen positive and as market has been expecting after the Gujarat elections, that focus will be on the rural income, because government will be hell-bent on increasing the rural income or per capita income of the rural people and I dont think that there is any harm in asking for an increase of 20 percent, obviously that will not get granted by the Budget, but even if it happens at 12-15 percent, the time warrants that and I think this should be seen as positive. Maybe some would call it as a populist measure, but I think that this is very much required in the current context when the focus is more of the government on infrastructure and even India Inc is asking for development of infrastructure.

Sonia: The other stock I also wanted to talk to you about was your own stock idea for the long term, so, if you can just take us through that, it is Videocon Industries  we have of course spoken about this in the past, but what makes you freshly positive on this name?

A: It is right that we have spoken that in the past but sometimes let me say that the media and experts including me we dont know that what is the total NPA of all these cases. We keep discussing that but they have not been in the public domain. If I just specifically, in fact I keep talking for many of the accounts where there has been lot of variance, what has been said by experts and what has been reported by media while the ground picture is totally different. However, if I just take a call on this company particularly, whatever reported or whatever information I have gathered, they have an NPA of about Rs 46,000 crore.

Of Rs 46,000 crore Rs 23,000 crore, exactly 50 percent is from Indian banks and Rs 23,000 crore are from the foreign banks. While the foreign bank debts are all very well serviced, they are not NPA in anyway, and they are backed more by the Indonesian and the Brazilian oil and gas fields which are valued by the experts again, not by the company, anywhere between USD 10-12 billion. So if I rely on those figures and looking to the oil assets and in fact if I see the kind of amount which the company has monetised in 2013 by selling their minor stake in Mozambique oil blocks for about USD 2.5 billion in 2013 and they got reduced their debt in the overseas debt off their overall company, I am not worried on that Rs 23,000 crore. I knock of the assets held by the oil and gas blocks by the company.

Now if I come on the Indian operations, again it is very difficult to take a call, but I presume that all the monetisation which have been happening will ultimately flow for reduction of the Indian debt to the extent of Rs 23,000 crore. If I quickly take the last 12 months or maybe expected moves on monetisation, they monetised their spectrum in six circles by selling their entire spectrum of 60 MHz in 1800 MHz band to Bharti Airtel for Rs 4,400 crore. Recently they have sold their stake in the DTH business to Dish TV and getting of the shares, 88 crore shares of Dish TV valued at Rs 7,300 crore.

Even if I presume that Videocon has about 52-53 percent stake in that company, they will be getting about Rs 3,600 crore. Rs 4,400 crore having come from spectrum and Rs 3,600 crore come from DTH, that adds about Rs 8,000 crore. Again Ken Star brand is on the block which can fetch about Rs 2,000 crore i.e. Rs 10,000 crore. They have 51 percent stake in a general insurance company, market is valuing that company at about Rs 5,000 crore, but even if I presume that they fetch about Rs 3,000 crore for 100 percent, they should get Rs 1,500 crore. So it all makes Rs 11,500 crore which takes care of 50 percent of their business.

If you see this and leave aside their core business which has a huge value, in fact just to give the numbers for FY17, they had an income of Rs 11,700 crore only from consumer electronics on which the EBITDA was about Rs 192 crore. However, in FY16 this same division had a turnover of Rs 11,600 crore with EBITDA of Rs 1,300 crore; that means company is taking a big hit on their core business because of non-availability of finance. Looking at whatever inside information which have been gathering, that banks, the lenders to this company are not interested in pushing it to NCLT. They are seeking the approval from RBI to go for the out of court settlement, even the promoters are seen to be quite keen. They seem to have arranged a big amount of money from a reliable or maybe a big house whatever close sources which we have been gathering.

So, taking all this into consideration, if it turns out truly in this way that Rs 23,000 crore is their debt that is NPA and they have already monetised Rs 11,500 crore I don't see any reason for this company to rule at a level of about Rs 21-21.5. So we have been actually keeping very positive view because any kind of resolution will see a dramatic turnaround and the kind of valuations which the consumer electronic business is getting, I have not included their real estate, I have not included their other kind of business, the small ones in this overall monetisation program, so if this resolution happens I think that stock can just go in the new territory. I am not giving a high hopes but at least I won't be surprised to see a doubling or giving 100 percent return in 2018, but for the time being, kept a target of Rs 28 in next six months or so.Source: Reuters

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Shares of Hindustan Zinc gained 2 percent intraday Wednesday as foreign broking firm Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoFAML) has initiated buy rating with a target price of Rs 345 per share.

According to the broking house the elevated prices will coincide with revival in volume growth. It expect high dividend payout given the significant cash needs of the parent.

Zinc is our favored exposure with strong fundamentals and captive access to 100 percent of its requirements allows to capture the benefit of positive pricing outlook for zinc, it added.

The firm expect the volumes is likely to grow at CAGR of 13 percent over FY17-20.

The premium valuations are justified by strong zinc price outlook and superior profitability, it said.

At 12:20 hrs Hindustan Zinc was quoting at Rs 313.35, up Rs 3.45, or 1.11 percent on the BSE.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 333.40 and 52-week low Rs 226.75 on 03 February, 2017 and 25 May, 2017, respectively.

Currently, it is trading 6.01 percent below its 52-week high and 38.19 percent above its 52-week low

Posted by Rakesh PatilA general view of Reliance Jio headquarters is seen on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, June 1, 2016. Picture taken June 1, 2016. REUTERS/Clara Ferreira Marques

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Investors in shares of Reliance Industries cheered the commissioning of the worlds largest refinery off-gas cracker complex at Jamnagar. The stock was higher by around 2 percent intraday

The company on Tuesday said that the complex will use refinery process residue to produce feedstock used to make petrochemicals.

The ROGC is part of the USD 11 billion capital expenditure RIL had announced in one of the largest brownfield expansion of energy and petrochemical projects globally.

In a press statement, RIL said it has "successfully commissioned and achieved design throughput of the world's first ever and largest ROGC complex of 1.5 million tonnes per annum capacity along with downstream plants and utilities."

ROGC uses off-gases from RIL's two refineries at Jamnagar as feedstock.

"This innovative approach of integration with refineries provides a sustainable cost advantage, making ROGC competitive with respect to the crackers in the Middle East and North America which have feedstock cost advantage," the statement said.

The ROGC design is highly flexible and energy efficient. It is the latest addition to RIL's existing cracker portfolio, consisting of cracker facilities at Nagothane in Maharashtra and Hazira, Dahej and Vadodara in Gujarat.

The company was in the news recently after Reliance Communications entered into an agreement to sell its wireless assets to Reliance Industries' telecom arm Reliance Jio, the Anil Ambani-led company said in a statement on Thursday. The transaction, which is subject to lenders' and other applicable approvals, will close in phased manner in January-March 2018.

As part of the deal Reliance Jio will take over Reliance Communications 4G spectrum in 800/900/1800/2,100 MHz bands, fibre optic cable spanning 1,78,000 km pan India and 43,000 towers.

At 09:38 hrs Reliance Industries was quoting at Rs 919.70, up Rs 8.30, or 0.91 percent, on the BSE. It touched an intraday high of Rs 927.20 and an intraday low of Rs 917.45.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd

(With inputs from PTI)In an interview to Mint, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri has claimed that Smart City mission has been doing as planned and the physical contours for the mission will be visible to people by June 2018. He also mentioned that cities which have been selected have completed 147 individual projects at a cost of Rs 1,872 crore. Another 396 projects are underway with the cost of Rs 14,672 crore. Overall, you are looking at $30 billion of investment, he added.

While the investment has been meticulous and in large amounts, not much progress has been seen in reality in these smart cities. The mission focuses on equipping a small area of a city with smart amenities and replicating them pan-city at a later stage. The project has been inconsistent since 71% of the investment are to be used in those areas alone.

Each state government will fund a part of the mission in their states, with help from the central government and some private sources such as corporate social responsibility. It was recently reported by Business Today, however, that according to data from the urban affairs ministry, only 7% of the funds for Smart Cities has been released for the states, and even that amount is not completely used. BJP leaders are championing the initiative even after this underutilisation of funds.

Around 40 cities received Rs. 196 crores from the government. Ahmedabad spent the most amount of funds, Rs. 80.15 crores. Following closely are Indore at Rs. 70.69 crores, Surat at Rs. 43.41 crores and Bhopal at Rs. 42.86 crores, according to data by the ministry, the BS report said.

Pune Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (PSCDCL) recently came under heavy criticism for charging from citizens for the smart services to be provided. PSCDCL asked Pune Municipal Corporation for funds to compensate for user charges. This indicates that the funds being released may not even be reaching the ground level, to start the operations.

This program has led to Indian cities competing with each other to get the smart city title. The government is also planning to organise a Smart City Awards to further instill a competitive feeling in the cities. This has only led to incomplete and substandard work in smaller areas that are under the spotlight of the mission.

The basic problems being faced by the citizens in these cities like water shortage, power cuts, bad roads and underdeveloped public areas, have been completely ignored in wake of this campaign. Several areas of the smart cities Bhopal, Indore and Pune still face these issues on a daily basis in a majority of the areas.

The mission also needs to sync with various other urban development projects like the Open Defecation free campaign to get maximum results but such a move is yet to be seen.Representative Image

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar has called for Maharashtra bandh today to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district yesterday.

Ambedkar alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi was responsible for the violence.

He said Maharashtra Democratic Front, Maharashtra Left Front, besides 250 organisations, have supported tomorrow's shutdown.

Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, has appealed for peace during the bandh period.

Referring to the caste clashes in Bhima Koregaon, Ambedkar ruled out any conflict between Marathas and Dalits.

"If there was any tension, the 200th-anniversary commemoration of the Bhima Koregaon battle would not have taken place. Yesterday's programme was organised by Sambhaji Brigade (a Maratha organisation)," he said while addressing a press conference here.

He alleged the trouble occurred because of Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan, headed by Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, respectively.

"Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Sabha (ABHS), Peshwa heirs, had opposed the event. We held talks with ABHS after which they decided against opposing," he said.

The event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa's army, was marred by incidents of violence yesterday, with at least one person was killed.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community  then considered untouchable  were part of the East India Company's forces.

Ambedkar alleged that villagers were provoked by the Shivraj Pratisthan while the Hindu Ekta Agadhi hurled stones at people going towards the Koregaon war memorial.

He demanded that various types of grants and subsidies being given by the government to villages along Koregaon, Shiroor and Chakan, be stopped.

Ambedkar said a judicial probe ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis into the violence should be headed by the chief justice of high court and not by a sitting judge.

Yesterday's violence sparked off protests in various parts of Maharashtra today, including in Mumbai where protesters staged a rail roko in suburban Chembur.Policemen try to control the situation after a violent protest by the Dalits. (PTI)

As tensions simmered disrupting life across Maharashtra on Wednesday following a bandh call by Prakash Ambedkar over Bhima-Koregaon violence, political parties indulged in a blame-game in Parliament.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, blamed the BJP saying, "Caste-related violence is on the rise in the country. The RSS and other Hindutva organisations are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on the issue, he should come and speak on the floor of the House. We (Congress) demand an inquiry by a Supreme Court judge."

Reacting to the allegations that the RSS and Hindutva outfits were behind the violence in Koregaon, RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya responded by saying, that the JNU brigade is behind the violence. He said that it was the Congress' habit to malign their image and accused JNU student Umar Khalid, who had come to attend the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon in Pune, for inciting the unrest.

"People who chant 'Bharat tere tukde honge' came here to make speeches. There is a book by Rajiv Malhotra title 'Breaking India' who mentions such anti-national elements. The Azaadi league has been described in detail in that book. The Breaking India brigade wants to divide the nation on the lines of caste and religion," Vaidya said.#BTS BTS to appear on YouTube music show next week South Korean superband BTS, along with Coldplay front man, Chris Martin, will appear on YouTube's weekly music show next week, the septet's agency said Saturday. The K-pop sensa...The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, for questioning in connection with its money laundering probe in the INX media case.

Official sources said Karti has been called here on January 11.

The investigating officer (IO) of the case will record his statement in the case, they said.

The central probe agency had registered a case against Karti Chidambaram and others in May this year.

It had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), ED's equivalent of a police FIR, against the accused named in the CBI complaint, including Karti Chidambaram, INX media and its directors, Peter and Indrani Mukerjea.

The ECIR was registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The sources said that the ED will probe the alleged "proceeds of crime" generated in this case.

A senior journalist, who was earlier associated with INX media, has also been summoned by the agency to record his statement as a witness in the case.

It is the ED which had provided information about the alleged illegal payments made by INX media, based on which the CBI had filed its FIR.

The CBI had also carried out searches at the homes and offices of Karti Chidambaram across four cities for allegedly receiving money from the media firm owned by the Mukerjeas to scuttle a tax probe.

The Chidambarams had denied all the charges made against them.

The CBI had filed an FIR against Karti Chidambaram and the Mukerjeas on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, receiving illegal gratification, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct.

It is alleged that Karti Chidambaram received money from INX Media for using his influence to manipulate a tax probe against it in a case of violation of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) conditions to receive investment from Mauritius.

The CBI had also recovered vouchers of Rs 10 lakh which were allegedly paid for the services.

These vouchers were issued in favour of Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm "indirectly" owned by Karti Chidambaram, the CBI had alleged.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram, after the CBI searches on May 16, had issued a strong statement in response to the raids, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader had said.

The CBI FIR was made out against Karti Chidambaram, his company Chess Management Services, the Mukerjeas (currently in jail on charges of murder of their daughter Sheena Bora), INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its director Padma Vishwanathan.Snow

The Union Cabinet today approved the construction of Asia's longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel at an estimated cost of Rs 6,089 crore, which will reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh to 15 minutes from the current 3.5 hours.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its go-ahead to the 14.2-km long tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of India during winters due to heavy snowfall.

"Zojila tunnel will be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. (Its) construction period (will be) seven years because of a very difficult terrain where in some areas temperature dips to minus 45-degree Celsius. The tunnel shall be an engineering marvel as first of its kind in such a geographical area," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

The project would enhance the safety of travellers crossing Zojila Pass and reduce the travel time from 3.5 hours to 15 minutes, he added.

"Defense forces have to face a hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters. This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past," Gadkari said.

He said the prime minister will lay the foundation stone of the project and work is likely to start this year.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

The government has given its approval to the construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel excluding approaches on Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1A at Km 95 and at Km 118 in Jammu and Kashmir on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode.

Earlier, the government in a statement said apart from providing all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, the project will bring about all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

"The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The construction period of the project is seven years.

"The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4,899.42 crore. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6,808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of the tunnel for four years," the statement said.

The project aims at the construction of 14.15 km long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km long egress tunnel excluding approaches between Baltal and Minamarg in the state.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

The main objective of the project is to provide all-weather connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best 6 months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.

"This project along with other ongoing projects like 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh," the statement said.

It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities, it added.

The government said that on completion, it will lead to an enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.

IL&FS Transportation last year in July had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,899 crore Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We wish to inform that the company has emerged as the lowest bidder for the aforesaid (Zojila tunnel) project. The company had quoted an amount of Rs 4,899.42 crore to be constructed in a period of 2,555 days (7 years)," IL&FS Transportation said.

Gadkari had earlier said, "We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face a severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project."

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered "re-bidding" for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Gadkari after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract.

The ministry, however, had denied the charges.The financial capital of India, Mumbai, came to a halt on Wednesday as several Dalit groups called for Maharashtra Bandh after the protests against the violence that occurred during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune spread to the city on January 2.

All three railway lines  Western, Central, and Harbour  have been affected by violent protests as protestors continued to stall train operations at Mulund, Chembur, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Goregaon, Dadar, Sion, Andheri Elphinston, Thane, Kurla and others. Shops, schools and local transports in some parts of the city are also shut due to violent protest across the city.

In light of the violence across Maharashtra, Section 144 has been imposed in Thane till midnight of January 4. Section 144 prohibits the assembly of four or more people. Here's a look at the recent developments:

Dalits groups protesting during the Maharashtra Bandh called over the Bhima Koregaon violence, in Mumbai. (PTI)

Dalit groups protesting at Thane railway station during the Maharashtra Bandh. (PTI)

A view of deserted roads after Dalits called for Maharashtra Bandh. (PTI)

Police officials patrolling at railway tracks. (PTI)

Dalit groups protesting at Thane railway station. (PTI)

Dalit protesters block a road in Thane. (PTI)

Dalit protesters take part in a bike rally on the Eastern Express Highway in Thane. (PTI)

Protesters burn a bike at Vikroli in Mumbai.(PTI)

Protesters burn tyres to block a road during the Maharashtra Bandh. (PTI)

Police personnel arrive to control the situation after an incident of violent clash at Ambedkar Nagar in Aurangabad. (PTI)

Protesters block the traffic at Western Express Highway near Aarey Check Naka during a 'Rasta Roko' protest. (PTI)

RPI activists, amid teargas, pelting stones at the police during their violent protest in Aurangabad on Tuesday. (PTI)

Policemen guard after a violence broke out. (PTI)

A police van carrying personnel drives past a damaged public bus during a protest in Mumbai. (Reuters)

Members of the Dalit community are detained by police during a protest. (Reuters)

Riot police walk past a damaged public bus during a protest. (Reuters)

A bus vandalised during a protest at Dandekar road following clashes between Dalit and Maratha groups in Pune. (PTI)

Police officials inspect a Police Station that was vandalised by Dalit groups. (PTI)

Policemen try to control the situation after a violent protest by the Dalits. (PTI)

Police personnel in action against RPI activists who went on rampage during their protest in Aurangabad on Tuesday. (PTI)

Charred vehicles following the violence near Pune. (PTI)

Charred vehicles following the violence near Pune. (PTI)January 03, 2018 / 10:08 PM IST

That's all for today, readers. Thanks for staying on with our coverage of the day's action. Your enthusiasm encourages us to better our coverage every day. Do come back tomorrow for more news, views and insights.

20:08 Maharashtra violence: Ram Vilas class="scayt-misspell-word" data-scayt-word="Paswan" data-scayt-lang="en_US">Paswan seeks time-bound inquiry, strict action

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today called for a time-bound inquiry into the Maharashtra caste violence and said strict action should be taken against those found guilty.

Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) which is an NDA ally, also rejected the charge that such violence was taking place mostly in BJP-ruled states, saying that Bihar had witnessed a number of such incidents under the rule of Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad.

"Judicial inquiry should be conducted in a time-bound manner. Some people are saying that it was due to administrative lapses while others are accusing some people behind the violence. Whosoever are guilty, strict action should be taken against them," he told a TV channel outside Parliament.

Condemning the violence, Paswan said that there was also a need to find out the reasons for the caste violence in Maharashtra which had no such history.

17:38 Inquiry will be conducted in the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra. We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence: CM Devendra Fadnavis #BhimaKoregaonViolence , tweets ANI

17:12 Amravati hit by complete shut down, stray incidents of violence reported

Responding to the call given by Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, a total bandh was observed in Amravati.

According to a PTI report, protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Governor through resident deputy collector Nitin Vyavahare.

The memorandum demanded that those involved in the violence at Bhima Koregaon be booked under the National Security Act and the Maharashtra

Control of Organised Act. The protesters also demanded permanent police security for the Smriti Stumbh at Bhima Koregaon and compensation worth Rs. one crore to the family of the deceased and Rs.75,000 each to those injured in the violence.

They also demanded an impartial probe in the matter through a panel headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice KG Balakrishnan. The protesters demanded the arrest of Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide who, they alleged, were responsible for the violence against the Dalits.

16:59 Normal route from South Mumbai to airport through Worli Sea face is clear #TrafficUpdate tweets the Mumbai Police.

16:40 The Western Expressway upto Dahisar Naka, both north and south bound is clear for traffic, tweets the Mumbai Police.

16:36 The financial capital of India came to a halt on Wednesday as several Dalit groups called for Maharashtra Bandh after the protests against the violence that occurred during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune spread to the city on January 2. Here are the latest pictures.

16:22 Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar withdraws Maharashtra bandh call #BhimaKoregaonViolence , tweets ANI

16:18

If you are moving towards Aairport from south Mumbai, kindly follow diversion at Haji Ali Naka and seek assistance of traffic policemen at the point, tweets Mumbai Police.All paths clear on Central Railway. Services are being normalised. No need to panic... we are committed to ensure smooth operations of trains, tweets the Central Railways

16:08 There has been no death of a person from Dalit community. Wrong messages are being spread on social media, people have to be very cautious. The situation overall is peaceful in Maharashtra: Deepak Kesarkar, MoS, Home Rural on #BhimaKoregaonVoilence , tweets ANI

16:06 There is no disruption on WR section in Mumbai.Suburban & Long Distance services are running on all lines. Efforts being made to provide local trains at regular interval/every 10 mins during evening peak hours. Administration & Security Forces on alert & monitoring the situation, tweets the Western Railways.

16:03 Heavy security deployment outside Viviana Mall, #Thane about 30 minutes ago. Looked precautionary. #MaharashtraBandh , tweets Moneycontrol

vandalised

15:11 48 BEST busesin Mumbai

According to various reports, as many as 48 BEST buses have been vandalised in Mumbai and 4 drivers were injured in the process. In the Ghatkopar-Vikhroli belt, there were a few reported instances of cars getting smashed by protestors as well.

Bhima-Koregaon

The Western Express Highway continues to remain affected due to 'rasta roko' protests at several areas, while the Central Line time table for the day has gone completely haywire due to sporadic protests at several stations.

14:53 Ramdas

Athawale

Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday appealed people of Maharashtra to maintain peace and law and order in the state.

"I would appeal to the people not to destroy government properties and have a peaceful shutdown. If strike has been announced people should corporate. Maharashtra government is trying to create peace and maintain law and order in the state.

14:12 Ramdas

Athawale

Jignesh

Mevani

Mumbai University has reportedly put out a circular saying students who couldn't take their examinations that were scheduled for today could do so later. The announcement came after violent protests in Mumbai forced shops and businesses across the city to shut down and disrupted public transport.

Police must have acted if Jignesh Mevanis speech was instigating but he has no relation with this incident, said Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on the complaint lodged against Jignesh Mevani for making provocative statements.

Reports of violence at Dombivli station in Mumbai. Ticket window damaged by protesters.Rasta Roko protest underway at Sion and Andheri in Mumbai.

BJP

The Congress continued its attack on the government over the violence against Dalits in Maharashtras Bhima-Koregaon village. Dalits are being beaten up, raped and murdered in all BJP ruled state. After BJP came in power you can see whats happening all around, said Gulam Nabi Azad.

The newly launched A/C local train service in Mumbai has been suspended for the rest of the day.

Worli

Naka

Protesters block roads in Worli. Shops are shut in the area. Police have asked commuters to avoid Worli Naka for the next few hours.

Any person on the ground witnessing any kind of protest, vandalism or traffic disruptions can share pictures and videos with us by tagging @moneycontrolcom in your tweet.

12:32

The violence has now spread to parts of Navi Mumbai, where protestors forced shops to shut down in Sector 36 in Kharghar. Moneycontrol's Chaitanya Gudipaty confirmed that the protestors threatened to vandalise the shops if they did not shut down immediately.

Harbour

Churchgate

Virar

Panvel

All three lines -- Western, Central, and-- have been affected once again by violent protests. No trains have plied betweenandsince 11 am and the situation is similar with trains to Kalyan and. Passengers waiting for long-range trains have been left stranded at a few stations.

Two Thane Municipal Transport buses and an auto-rickshaw have been vandalised in Chendani Koliwada area. Four passengers have been injured.

St Xavier's College in South Mumbai has postponed Class XI examinations that were scheduled for today in light of the violence in the city since yesterday.

Bandh

Dadar

Parel

Dalit

bandh

Barkat

Wadala

Chembur

Shops in theandareas of Mumbai have been shut since morning aftergroups called for a state-widetoday. EvenAli Road inhas been completely shut down by the police, according to a few media reports.

According to various reports, a school bus in Chembur was pelted with stones but fortunately, no injuries were sustained by anyone on the bus.

Baramati

Satara

Bus services towards Baramati in Pune in district and towards Satara have been suspended till further notice, according to a report by ANI.

CPI leader D Raja gives zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha over increasing atrocities against Dalits. Congress Mallikarjun Kharge and SPs Naresh Agarwal have given an adjournment motion in Rajya Sabha on Bhima Koregaon violence. Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader and Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha.

Lok

Sabha

Congress Mallikarjun Kharge has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha on Bhima Koregaon violence in several parts of Maharashtra.

According to reports and tweets from locals, parts of rural Nashik, Aurangabad, and Pune, including Baramati have been shut since morning today in light of the violence seen yesterday.

A mob today pelted stones towards a private bus which was on educational tour in Aurangabad district, Firstpost reported. Around 40 students from Gagangiri Vidyalaya, Pandharpur tehsil, Solapur district were on board. A teacher and a student are injured in the incident. The incident occurred around 7 am today near Deogiri school, Daultabad fort, 13 km from Aurangabad.

Bandra

Goregaon

Fresh protests have erupted in certain pockets around the city including Bandra and Goregaon, according to Mid Day. Reports state that protestors have staged a rail roko at Goregaon station.

09:23 SPPU

As Pune remained tense on Tuesday, amid protest rallies and reports of a Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday, many city schools declared a precautionary holiday and the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) cancelled an exam scheduled to be held on Wednesday, The Indian Express reported.

An official communication, sent via the public relations department of the SPPU, stated that an MCom exam was scheduled to be held in Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik districts on Wednesday. But in view of the serious situation in some parts of the state, the university administration has decided to postpone the exam. The revised dates for the exam would be declared later.

"Do not believe in or spread rumours and continue with the daily activities. The Police administration is there and geared up to deal with any untoward situations," says Mumbai Police.

rumours

"Please don't believe in rumours. Central Railway will keep you posted with hourly updates," Sunil Udasi, CPRO of the Central Railways tells citizens.

In light of the violence across Maharashtra due to the dispute over the Bhima-Koregaon battle's 200th anniversary celebrations, Section 144 has been imposed in Thane till midnight of January 4. Section 144 prohibits the assembly of four or more people.

A blame game has started in Maharashtra over who triggered the caste clashes, even as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a judicial probe into the violence that kept the state on the edge, Economic Times reported.

State government officials and BJP leaders said the incidents were orchestrated by Left groups  some of them ET spoke to named Jignesh Mewani, the newly elected Gujarat MLA, for instigating Dalits.

Others like Prakash Ambedkar of the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BMM) accused right-wing groups, especially the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan, headed by Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, respectively.

Domestic carriers including government-owned Air India have waived charges for ticket cancellations and no show due to the ongoing unrest in parts of Maharashtra.

Air India said it will not charge any fee for cancellation of tickets or rescheduling of a journey to/from Mumbai on January 2 and January 3. However, private carrier Jet Airways and IndiGo provided the waiver to their customers only for today.

The police yesterday said they had received a complaint against Gujarat MLA and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani and Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid for their "provocative" speeches at an event here on 31 December.

Mevani and Khalid had attended the "Elgar Parishad", an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in the city on 31 December.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday condemned the incidents of violence at Bhima-Koregaon village in Pune district and other parts of Maharashtra.

Manmohan Vaidya, the akhil bhartiya prachar pramukh of the RSS, in a press statement uploaded on the outfit's Twitter handle, stated, The recent incidents at Koregaon, Pune and various other places in Maharashtra are very sad and painful. RSS strongly condemns such violence and feels it is despicable. Those who are found guilty should be punished as per law.

The government signalled it was not expecting much trouble by not asking schools to shut. Some schools, however, declared a holiday on Wednesday and the school buses refused to ply in the morning shift, reported The Times of India.

School students may be inconvenienced as school buses will stay off the roads in Mumbai in view of the Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit outfits. The School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses today.

Anil Garg, president of SBOA, told PTI, "For security reasons, we have decided not to ply our buses in the first shift tomorrow. If the situation remains peaceful, we will run the buses in the second shift" Garg said on Tuesday.Representative Image

The protests by the Dalits in Maharashtra spread to adjoining Gujarat today, where members of the community took out a rally here and shouted slogans outside the BJP office.

A Dalit group held a protest march in the Udhna locality to express solidarity with the community members in Maharashtra over the caste violence in Pune district on January 1.

The Maharashtra bandh, however, was withdrawn later in the day.

Hundreds of Dalit community members gathered under the banner of Samast Ambedkar Samaj and took out a rally. They briefly staged a dharna in front of a stationary train at Udhna Railway Station and blocked a road, affecting the movement of traffic for a while.

Dalit groups had called for a bandh in Maharashtra today to protest the violence over the bicentennial celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

"We organised a rally to express solidarity with the members of our community who protested against the violence near Pune.

"As per our plan, we took out the rally in Udhna and blocked a train and road traffic, and shouted slogans outside the BJP headquarters," said Kunal Sonawane who led the protesting group.

Police said the protest was peaceful and no such agitation was reported from anywhere in the state.

Gujarat's in-charge DGP Pramod Kumar said the Surat protesters had sought police permission to organise the march.

"Some 150-200 people had sought permission from the Commissioner of Police to organise a rally, and they were given permission for the same. No untoward incident was reported during the protest," he told reporters.

Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja and senior police officials held a meeting to assess law and order situation in Gujarat following developments in Maharashtra. Kumar also participated in the meeting.

Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army. Right-wing groups have been blamed for the clashes which left one person dead.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of Dalit assertiveness.New Delhi: A view of Parliament in New Delhi on Sunday, a day ahead of the monsoon session. PTI Photo by Kamal Singh (PTI7_16_2017_000213B)

The AAP today nominated senior party leader Sanjay Singh and two little-known faces, a Delhi-based businessman with past links with the Congress and a veteran chartered accountant, as its Rajya Sabha nominees.

The decision taken by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the AAP was greeted with scorn and disbelief by many party leaders and a barrage of criticism by the likes of Kumar Vishwas who dubbed himself a "martyr", saying he was ignored for the Upper House for speaking against Arvind Kejriwal.

At the PAC meeting, senior leader Ashutosh, believed to be among the upper house hopefuls, red-flagged the billionaire businessman's nomination. He was the only one among the nine PAC members to have raised an objection.

Before the PAC meeting at Kejriwal's residence, around 56 AAP MLAs met the chief minister. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed the MLAs unanimously endorsed the candidates, however, sources said there were disagreements.

Several came out sporting downcast faces and went scurrying for their vehicles, avoiding the media persons gathered outside.

"Arvind Kejriwal wanted three eminent personalities to represent Delhi in the upper house. Accordingly, we got in touch with 18 such persons from various fields including the media, academics, law.

"However, a few among them politely declined to say joining the RS on a party ticket may affect their independence. The rest said identifying with AAP may prompt the Centre to ruin their lives. So we went for a mix and nominated those who may not be of high-level but with significant contributions," Sisodia told a press conference.

Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba congratulated Singh for his candidature. She refused to comment on the other two names.

Singh, a former social activist hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur, is counted among Kejriwal's most trusted lieutenants and has been with him since the India Against Corruption agitation days.

Most recently, Singh (46), a mechanical engineer by training, was the party's Punjab poll in-charge.

56-year-old Sushil Gupta, who unsuccessfully contested the 2012 Delhi Assembly polls on a Congress ticket, has declared assets running into over Rs 160 crore while Narain Dass Gupta (72) is a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

Sushil Gupta, who runs a chain of private and charitable schools and identified himself as an agriculturalist in the 2013 poll affidavit, quit the Congress on November 28, last year.

Kumar Vishwas, who is a PAC member, was not present in the meeting. Immediately after the announcement made by Sisodia, Vishwas lashed out at Kejriwal, saying he was being punished for speaking the "truth".

The poet-politician also charged that around one and half years ago, Kejriwal had in a party's national executive meet said with a smile, "We will finish you, but we will not let you be a martyr."

"I want to congratulate (Kejriwal) that I have accepted my martyrdom," he told reporters at his residence.

The Opposition BJP and former AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan also criticised the AAP's decision.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari hit out at Kejriwal, saying the AAP has "betrayed" the people by nominating "two businessmen" for the polls to the upper house.

Yadav suggested that the AAP has struck financial deals with Sushil Gupta. "I used to say, whatever his other faults @ArvindKejriwal cannot be bought. Defended him against Kapil Mishras allegations. Now I don't know what to say. Speechless, ashamed and numb."

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken tweeted that Sushil Gupta knew about his possible nomination as early as November.

"Otherwise, Sushil is a good man known for his charity!" the Congress leader tweeted.

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, former union minister Arun Shourie, ex-Chief Justice of India T S Thakur are among the personalities the AAP had reached out to for RS nominations.

Elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi would be held on January 16 as the terms of the incumbent members, Karan Singh, Janardan Dwivedi and Parvez Hashmi  all from the Congress  end on January 27.

The AAP, which enjoys a brute majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, is set to win all three seats.

The last date to file nominations for the three Rajya Sabha seats is January 5.Rajya Sabha was abruptly adjourned today till noon as several opposition members, including those from the Congress and BSP, sought to raise the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra.

As soon as the papers were laid during Zero Hour, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to speak.

In the meanwhile, Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP was on his feet and raised the Maharashtra violence eissue, alleging that the RSS and BJP were responsible for the violence against dalits.

Mishra and some other members said they had given a notice for holding a discussion on the matter.

Several other opposition members as well as those from the treasury benches too were on feet.

As many members tried to speak on the issue simultaneously, Naidu adjourned the House till noon.

The adjournment during the pre-noon session comes a day after the House of Elders set a sort of record by completing all the Zero Hour matters and special mentions.

Maharashtra remained on edge after the anniversary celebrations of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions, even as a statewide bandh called today to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence, witnessed stray protests by Dalits.A SpiceJet passenger aircraft taxis on the runway at the airport next to a slum area in Mumbai December 19, 2014. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade/File Photo - RTSEFTH

A CEO of a US-based company has been arrested for allegedly making a hoax bomb call at the Mumbai International Airport after apparently being miffed over flight delays, an official said today.

Vinod Moorjani, who was scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Delhi, was arrested at the airport here on Sunday, he said.

The 45-year-old was later supposed to take a connecting flight from Delhi to Rome en route to Virginia along with his wife and children, the official said.

Apparently annoyed with the flight delays at the airport, Moorjani called a toll free number of the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) and told the woman operator that a bomb exploded ('bomb fata hai') in flight, an investigation officer in the case said.

Before the operator could hear more from Moorjani, he quickly hung up the call. The operator then alerted her seniors who in-turn informed the police, he said.

After an investigation, the Sahar police arrested Moorjani, who was spotted at a telephone booth in the CCTV footage of the airport, the official said.

The CEO of the US-based IT firm made the call to disrupt the Delhi flight schedules so that he could get a late night flight to Rome from the New Delhi airport if his travel from Mumbai got delayed, he said.

He was arrested and booked under IPC sections 506(II) (criminal intimidation), 505(I)(b) (intent to cause fear or alarm to public), the official said.

Moorjani was later produced in the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate Court which granted him bail on a sum of Rs 15,000 and a surety of the same amount.

However, according to the court officials, when Moorjani was produced in the court, his lawyer argued that the accused had only enquired about the status of his flight which was allegedly misconstrued as something else.

According to the lawyer, Moorjani had asked the operator for 'Bom-Del status' and disconnected the call soon due to some disturbance in the telephone line.

This, the accused's lawyer claimed, was misunderstood by the telephone operator as "bomb hai (there is a bomb)".Rajya Sabha today saw two adjournments during the pre-lunch period, as several members including those from the Congress and BSP, sought to raise the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra.

As soon as the Upper House began the proceedings with the laying of papers during Zero Hour, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to speak.

In the meanwhile, Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP was on his feet and raised the Maharashtra violence issue, alleging that the RSS and BJP were responsible for the violence against dalits.

Mishra and some other members said they had given a notice for holding a discussion on the matter.

Several other opposition members as well as those from the treasury benches too were on feet.

As many members tried to speak on the issue simultaneously, Naidu abruptly adjourned the House for the first time till noon.

When the House reassembled at noon, Congress and BSP members were on their feet again to raise the Maharashtra violence issue.

Naidu said this is not the way as the permission was granted to the Leader of Opposition and some others to speak. "But you all did not listen. I don't want to witness this scene," he said and adjourned the House for the second time till 2 PM.

The adjournment during the pre-noon session comes a day after the House of Elders set a sort of record by completing all the Zero Hour matters and special mentions.

Maharashtra remained on edge after the anniversary celebrations of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions, even as a statewide bandh called today to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence, witnessed stray protests by Dalits.An employee poses for photographs with a Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 8 during its launching ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji - RC1A58B75DD0

In what would be the second successive battery problem to affect Samsung's flagship Galaxy Note series, the latest model in the line has been found to suffer a unique issue: some phones do not turn back on when their battery goes to zero.

Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, acknowledged receiving complaints over the battery issue. The issue was first flagged by tech website SamMobile after users started pouring in with their complaints at various forums.

According to affected users, the phone does not switch back on once the battery completely runs out. Once connected to the charger again, though the battery appears to have started charging again, it continues to be dead.

A user complained saying, My wifes Note 8 turned off today and wont turn back on. Tried the soft reset and safe mode button pushes and it wont turn on. When its plugged in, the red light doesnt turn on.

Another complaint on another forum read, Ive tried 3 different power cables and cords but nothing. I charged overnight and still nothing. Completely dead.

While most complain about the phone's inability to start again, some users noticed their smartphones were heating up slightly while connected to the charger. (The phone still remained dead though.)

While acknowledging the issue in UK, the company has advised affected customers to call customer care.

In the meanwhile, Samsung issued a statement in a German news portal pcwelt which said, Of course Samsung takes all reports of this kind seriously. We have received only a very small number of customer inquiries that can be linked to charge management. Unfortunately, we can only comment on the matter further, if we have more detailed information about the affected devices.

Galaxy Note series has faced battery issues even in the past when Note 8s predecessor Galaxy Note 7 ran into an exploding battery fiasco. The fiasco resulted in Samsung reportedly recalling more than 22,000 Note 7 phones.

Eventually, the company scrapped the product after suffering heavy losses amounting to USD 5.3 billion (4.2 billion) in lost profit, besides reputational damage.Flipkart has kick-started the 2018 Mobile Bonanza smartphone sale for the year. The sale, which begins on January 3 and will end on January 5, offers massive discounts on a wide range of smartphones.

The sale includes not only high-end models such as Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Galaxy S7 but also on budget and mid-budget phones such as Redmi Note 4, Mi A1 etc.

The sale will also mark Samsungs On Nxt model being launched on Flipkart for the first time. The 64GB version of the phone comes at a discounted price of Rs 11,900, down from its original price of Rs 17,900. The phone comes with a 5.5 inch Full HD display and is powered by a 1.6GHz Exynos 7870 octa-core processor. Apart from internal memory, the phone supports external memory of up to 256 GB.

The sale also includes the latest iPhone 8 model. While the 64 GB model comes at a discounted price of Rs 54,999, down from its original price of Rs 64,000, the 256 GB model comes at Rs 69,499, down from Rs 77,000.

Another iPhone model available on sale is iPhone SE. While the Rose Gold, Space Grey and Gold colour version phones are available at Rs 17,999, the Silver colour model comes at Rs 18,999. However, iPhone SE models are only available in 32 GB version on Flipkart.

The recently-launched LG Q6 with bezel-less FullVision display is available at Rs 12,990 after a 23 percent discount. Other phones which are on sale and worthy of a look include Mi A1 (available at Rs 12,999), Redmi Note 4 (available at Rs 10,999), the mighty powerful Mi Mix 2 (available at Rs 32,999), Honor 8 Pro (available at Rs 25,999), LG G6 (available at Rs 33,990) and Vivo V7 (available at Rs 18,990).

E-commerce websites welcomed the New Year by offering mouth-watering offers on smartphones. Earlier this week, Amazon India had announced that it was providing a heavy discount of Rs 36,010 on Google Pixel XL 128GB version.

The phone now costs only Rs 39,990, down from the original price of Rs 76,000. A decent specs lineup of 3,450 mAh battery, Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB RAM, 128 GB internal memory combined with Googles promise of unlimited backups for photos and videos makes the 2016 model phone still very attractive.Since July last year, the USA-North Korea rivalry has ruled social media in terms of interest for a particular subject, thanks to the heated and animated exchange of words between their heads of state. Netizens have debated over and over about who is getting the better of the other in this argument and so far, it has been quite a contest.

To be sure, the United States and North Korea have never been the best of chums. After all, the rogue nation has been supported by powerful communist regimes like China and Russia for as long as it has existed. But when North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in July and claimed it had the capability to reach the US mainland, the tensions between the two countries have risen remarkably.

After the missile was fired, US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to take a shot at his adversary. He warned the North Korean dictator that threatening the United States "would be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen". Trump has been known to express a lot of his opinions on Twitter and even make the odd important announcement through his handle.

In response, Kim Jong-Un dismissed the US President's words as a load of nonsense and re-introduced the world to the word dotard. "I will surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged US dotard with fire," Kim Jong-Un had said. He even warned that North Korea was considering striking a US Military Base in Guam. The North Korean media said that sound dialogue was not possible with a guy like Trump, who is bereft of reason" and that "only strong force will work with him.



Military solutions are now fully in place,locked and loaded,should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2017

Over the next few months, Trump used Twitter as his personal weapon and threatened the North Korean dictator on multiple occasions, even calling him Rocket Man.



Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn't mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2017





I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man...

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017



Being nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won't fail.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017





Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

In the latest exchange of words between the two eccentric leaders, Kim Jong Un, in his annual New Years address, said that the United States should know that the button for nuclear weapons was on his table and that he could push it at any time. "The entire US mainland is within our nuclear strike range, these weapons will be used only if our security is threatened, he added.

Not being one to be left behind, Trump responded with his usual ferocity and said that Kim Jong-Un should know that he too had a nuclear button on his table, except his was a bigger one and way more powerful.



North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Many US-based political experts and others from around the world have condemned Trumps tweets as irresponsible and dangerous and have gone as far as to say that even if there is a chance to avoid any kind of conflict between the two countries, this irresponsible exchange of words will make sure it doesn't materialise.Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today appeared before an anti-graft court to face trial in corruption cases against him in the Panama Papers scandal that forced him to resign.

Sharif, 67, reached the court along with his daughter Maryam.

The former premier, who had left for Saudi Arabia on December 30 amid reports of a "deal" between the embattled Sharif family, returned to the country yesterday.

Three corruption cases were registered against him on September 8 following the Supreme Court verdict of July 28 that also disqualified Sharif as the prime minister and ordered National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for institution of cases.

The NAB produced two witnesses in the court today who recorded their statements and defence layer also cross- examined them.

The three cases pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, several companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and London's Avenfield properties.

Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their overseas properties.

Last hearing of the case of held on December 19.

So far 10 witnesses have recorded their statement on behalf of the prosecution. This was the 11th time that Sharif has attended the hearing.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the countrys most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, has been hanging in balance since then. If convicted, Sharif can be jailed.

Sharifs family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.The Palestinians will not be "blackmailed" by US President Donald Trump, a senior official said today, after he threatened to cut aid to them worth more than USD 300 million a year.

"We will not be blackmailed," senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!"North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is seen during the inspection of a potato flour factory in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang. (Reuters)

South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon offered on Tuesday high-ranking government talks with North Korea next week at the border village of Panmunjom, a day after Pyongyang suggested talks despite sticking to its nuclear ambitions.

Cho told a media conference he expects the two Koreas to focus on bringing a North Korean delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which begin next month, should the talks be held on Jan. 9.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year's speech on Monday he was "open to dialogue" with Seoul and for athletes from the North to possibly take part in the Winter Games. However, he also steadfastly declared North Korea a nuclear power.US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to cut aid money to the Palestinian Authority unless it resumes peace talks as he dismissed the global fury over his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The US was the biggest donor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in 2016, giving over USD 368,000,000. It is also the largest overall supplier of financial support for the Palestinians.

Trump last month recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite warnings from the Arab leaders, reversing decades of US and international policy on the holy city. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as their future capital.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," Trump tweeted last night.

"We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" asked the US president.

Trump's last month's decision prompted Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to cancel a planned meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence in December, forcing him to delay his visit to the Middle East until later this month.

Since the establishment of limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the mid-1990s, the US has committed more than USD 5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.

According to the report, from 2008 to the present, annual Economic Support Fund assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around USD 400 million. Much of this goes toward US Agency for International Development (USAID)- administered project assistance (through grants and contracts), and the rest toward budget support for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Earlier in the day, the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said that the Administration has stopped funding the Palestinian Authority.

"The president has basically said he doesn't want to give any additional funding or stop funding until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table," Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

"And what we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation. We're trying to move for a peace process. But if that doesn't happen the president's not going to continue to fund that situation," Haley said in response to a question about the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly against Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Palestinians, she said, now have to show their will that they want to come to the table.

"As of now they are not coming to the table but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We are going to make sure that they come to the table and we want to move forward with the peace process," she said in response to a question.

The US aid to the Palestinians is intended to promote at least three major US policy priorities of interest to Congress.

First  promoting prevention or mitigation of terrorism against Israel; second - fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance that may incline Palestinians toward peaceful coexistence with Israel and a "two-state solution"; and third-meeting humanitarian needs.The fee hike is set to be implemented from October 2, 2020

The US is considering new regulations aimed at preventing the extension of H-1B visas, predominantly used by Indian IT professionals, as part of president Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative, a media report has said.

The move could directly stop hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from keeping their H-1B visas while their green card applications are pending.

The proposal which is being shared between the Department of Homeland Security Department (DHS) heads is part of Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative promised during the 2016 campaign, US-based news agency McClatchy's DC Bureau reported.

It aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

"The act currently allows the administration to extend the H-1B visas for thousands of immigrants, predominantly Indian immigrants, beyond the allowed two three-year terms if a green card is pending," the report said.

"The idea is to create a sort of 'self- deportation' of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans," it said, quoting a source briefed by Homeland Security officials.

"The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President's Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes," said Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The proposed changes would have a dramatic effect particularly on Indian visa holders considering more than half of all H-1B visas have been awarded to Indian nationals, the report said, quoting the Pew Research Center report.

"This would be a major catastrophic development as many people have been waiting in line for green cards for over a decade, have US citizen children, own a home," said Leon Fresco, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in the Obama administration who now represent H-1B workers.

Fresco estimates more than 1 million H1-B visa holders in the country are waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for more than a decade.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.State Lending Law Changes Sweep Across the Country; LO Updates

Regardless of weather, there are 251 business days in 2018, one more than in 2017. For years weve been counting the days for rates to move higher, yet the 10-year Treasury note finished 2017 yielding 2.41% versus beginning 2017 yielding 2.45% - nearly unchanged! Yet the entire yield curve has been flattening: The Fed has raised short term rates, which tend to impact 15-year pricing, while the long end of the curve has barely budged. Loan officers have noticed that the spread between 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, historically around .75%, has shrunk to .50% or less. The flattening yield curve has puzzled many, as typically it leads to a recession, but now some economists are saying there are several causes, none of which warrant a red flag of concern  for now.



State News

If you think lending in one state is tough, and expensive, try making home loans in multiple states. Rewarding, yet expensive and complicated.

From the Minnesota Wisconsin area comes news that Mortgage Lending Services, LLC has changed its name to TruStone Home Mortgage, LLC. The mortgage companys new name takes advantage of the increased brand recognition of its parent company, TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union.

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has recently eliminated certain borrower protections regarding appraisal fees. The survey benchmark? Unnecessary. The Department has decided to eliminate the survey and the usual, customary and reasonable fee pricing concept. The Department has adopted a simple requirement that an appraisal fee charged to a consumer must total no more than the amount charged by a third-party appraiser.

The group also issued a Bulletin setting out the maximum principal amount for loans that may be considered high-cost home loans under the New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002. The adjusted dollar amount may be effective for loan applications received on or after January 1, 2018.

The New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002 requires an annual review and adjustment (if necessary) of the maximum principal loan amount that may be considered a high-cost home loan in New Jersey. The adjustment is based on the housing component of the national Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change in housing prices over time. The definition of high-cost home loan? $487,618.86.

The Ohio Department of Commerce announced its annual loan prepayment penalty adjustment for 2018. The announcement states that no penalties may be imposed on prepayment or refinancing of a residential mortgage loan of less than $89,261.

Because the State of Texas is implementing new requirements for Texas 50(a)(6) refinance loans effective Jan. 1, 2018, including a revised form of 12-day notice, Fannie Mae will not purchase these loans closed during the first 12 days of 2018.Fannie Mae will purchase Texas 50(a)(6) loans that meet its requirements that are closed on or after Jan. 13, 2018. Please note that Texas 50(a)(6) loans closed in 2017 can be delivered any time under normal guidelines.

Black, Mann & Graham, L.L.P. publishes video explaining the changes to Home Equity Lending in Texas  (S.J.R. 60). Click this video link to view the video/download the presentation materials.

Sellers that intend to deliver Texas Section 50(a)(6) Loans and Texas Section 50(f)(2) Loans should review the court case of Garofolo v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, decided by the Texas Supreme Court in 2016. Wells Fargo Funding does not have an overlay specific to the outcome of this case. However, it is strongly recommended Sellers consult their document preparation vendors to implement a Terms and Conditions agreement ensuring borrowers acknowledge all applicable terms and conditions of their Loan as it relates to the Texas Constitution.

Ditech approved correspondent clients should note that on November 7, 2017, Texas voters approved SJR 60 which amends the home equity lending provisions in Article XVI, Section 50 of the Texas Constitution. Effective for loans closed on or after January 1, 2018, total fees paid by the applicant(s) and spouse(s) cannot exceed 2% of the original loan amount over the life of the loan. The cap includes fees paid to the lender, the broker (including borrower paid broker compensation), or any third party, that are necessary to originate, evaluate, maintain, record, insure, or service the extension of credit.

On December 19, 2017, Fannie Mae published Selling Guide Announcement SEL-2017-10 addressing multiple topics, including: Underwriting Borrowers with Frozen Credit, Texas Section 50(a)(6) Loans and Use of Premium Pricing (Lenders Credits). AmeriHome has adopted the announced changes in the timeline provided by Fannie Mae with some restrictions.

AmeriHome updated its guideline on FHA Streamline Refinance transactions to show it is not eligible for either Texas (a)(6) nor Texas (f)(2). Additionally, the requirement for tax and/or W-2 transcripts if all qualifying income is W-2 wage earner income and/or fixed-income typically reported on a 1099 has been removed.

To comply with the recent Texas legislation changes; Plaza will not fund Texas 50(a)(6) loans that close January 1, 2018, through January 12, 2018, due to the waiting period requirement.

PennyMac posted an update regarding the Texas Proposition 2 approval.

Loan closings and funding may now resume for properties impacted by California wildfires located in specified zip codes. Information is located within Flagstars Seller Guide. Once a satisfactory re-inspection has been obtained. Loans that have already been issued a Final Approval Clear to Close status will be placed in an Approved with Conditions status until a re-inspection is performed. For loans that have an appraisal that was ordered via Loantrac, an appraisal re-inspection may be requested via the Appraisal Management module by selecting Yes to the Do you need a Property/Disaster Inspection question.

Plaza issued the following reminder to its clients doing business in California. The Building Homes and Jobs Act (the Act) was recently passed into law in California. One of its provisions is the States imposition of a new fee relating to any real estate related document presented for recording on or after January 1, 2018. The amount of the new fee, to be collected by the County Recorders Office of the jurisdiction, is $75 per document, and up to a maximum of $225 per transaction. The amount of the new fee for the transaction will depend on the number of documents that will be recorded regarding the transaction. This new fee amount is in addition to already existing recording fees, and must be disclosed and included in the total recording fees reflected on the Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure provided to the borrower. Note that the new fee applies to all loans in California, except for owner occupied (principal dwelling) purchase transactions.

For subject properties in the state of California, NewLeaf Wholesale will include the maximum $225.00 CA Building Homes & Jobs Act Fee on all LEs, except LEs for owner-occupied (principal dwelling) purchase transactions. If the initial LE on a loan scheduled to close after January 1, 2018 was not disclosed with the additional $225.00 recording Fee AND the loan file's Started date is prior to January 1, 2018, NewLeaf considers the Fee addition to be a valid Change of Circumstance (COC) that must be disclosed by January 4, 2018.

Weslend Financial issued a reminder that California New Recording Fee Increase is in effect beginning January 1, 2018. An additional recording fee of $75.00 will be charged at the time of recording of every real estate instrument, paper or notice required or permitted by law to be recorded per each single real estate transaction, subject to certain exemptions. The California Building Homes and Jobs Act impacts California refinance transactions and excludes purchase transactions.

The Mortgage Loan Servicer Practices Act necessitates that Oregon mortgage servicers attain a license from the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) by January 1, 2018. To provide time for the application process, a temporary rule has been adopted to create a licensing program in advance of the January 1, 2018 compliance date. This temporary rule, OAR 441-890-0005, adopted by Oregon sets application requirements for obtaining a license, requirements for corporate surety bonds and irrevocable letters of credit, and application and renewal fees.



Capital Markets

The 10-year note began 2018 with modest losses and finished the day yielding 2.47 percent. European Central Bank policy maker Benoit Coeure commented over the weekend that there is a reasonable chance that the central bank would not extend its QE program, which pressured European debt. Combined with equities rising, there wasnt much buying interest to match the supply and prices fell.

Yes, the NY Fed is still buying fixed-income securities, and today the FedTrade operation will purchase a total of $1.38bn 30-year conventional MBS across the 3%, 3.5%, and 4% coupons. Today the focus will be on the meeting between Congressional leaders and White House officials, the MBAs mortgage applications data (-3%, refis -7%, influenced by the tax plan passage and the holidays), US construction spending numbers for November (10AM ET), the US manufacturing ISM for Dec (10AM ET), US auto sales for Dec., Redbooks same-store sales, and the FOMC minutes from the 12/13 meeting at 2PM ET. Remember that on Friday, December pre-payments will be released, with expectations that speeds will show a modest slowing from November, along with the employment data.

With all that going on, we find rates down a shade versus Tuesdays close: the 10-year is yielding 2.45% and agency MBS prices are better by .125.



Business Opportunities, Products, and Promotions

FinLocker, a financial data and analytics company, announced today the addition of Jason Clark to its leadership team. Clark joins FinLocker as an Advisor, where his extensive cyber security experience and industry notoriety will help continue the advancement of FinLocker as a financial services technology innovator. FinLockers platform can dramatically reduce lender costs, processing timelines, and risks by capturing consumer financial information and analyzing the data. FinLockers technology also enables lenders to create a Customer for Life/Lender for Life relationship.

Floify, the mortgage automation app for top-producing LOs, has just announced its most exciting partnership and integration to date  Credit Plus Trended Credit Data solution! With Credit Plus Trended Credit Data solution, LOs who are using Floify to streamline their mortgage process can automatically collect a borrowers credit report upon submission of a loan application or on-demand directly from their Floify account. Credit Plus integration with Floify also eliminates the hassle of collecting credit reports for loans by empowering borrowers to digitally submit their consent directly to lenders with just a few clicks. If youve been considering Floify, now is a great time to take advantage of this powerful mortgage automation solution. Dont wait, experience how Floify has helped LOs close loans an average of 8x faster and increase annual loan volume by more than 11%. To see Floify in action and lock in your 25% discount, request a live demo.

4506-Transcripts.com is NOT experiencing ANY delays in 4506-Transcripts from the IRS. We can access the IRS system because we had our credentials authenticated in advance of the go live date. Please contact us today to get started today and get results fast.

Still looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to manage your vendors in 2018? With ShareDiligence, Strategic Compliance Partners collaborative approach to vendor management, Lenders share the results and costs of due diligence. All you need to supply is your vendor's name and email address and we do the rest! Sound too good to be true? Contact Leslie Benjamin for a demo.

As Los Angeles based City National Bank, an RBC company, transitions its residential lending division from accommodation lending to a focused mortgage strategy, Josh Copeland has recently been brought on as the National Mortgage Sales Director. Hell be responsible for growing the banks mortgage volume in concert with City Nationals larger banking strategy.

The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) Board of Directors has named Garth B. Rieman interim executive director of the association, effective January 1, 2018.

Congratulations to Rob Zimmer who will be Acting Executive Director effective January 1, 2018.

The CMLA Chair Sean ONeill said that CMLAs Search Committee will continue to review candidates with the goal of finding a permanent replacement for retiring Executive Director Glen Corso as soon as possible. Zimmer serves as CMLAs Head of External Relations and has been with CMLA since 2009.Fifteen Montgomery County artists have been selected to receive grants in 2018 through the Artist Opportunity Grant program, which is funded by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD) and administered by Culture Works.

The Artist Opportunity Grant program, now in its second year, provides funding for Montgomery County artists of all disciplines to pursue professional development opportunities and complete new works. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of artists, arts administrators, educators, and community leaders.

Based on the funding recommendations made by the panelists at a public meeting in mid-November, a total of $37,975 will be awarded to this cycles grantees:

Bridgette Bogle  Visual Artist; Assistant Professor of Art, Sinclair Community College

 Visual Artist; Assistant Professor of Art, Sinclair Community College Christie Cerio  Theatre Manager, Town Hall Theatre; Artistic Director, Madame Gigis Outrageous French CanCan Dancers

 Theatre Manager, Town Hall Theatre; Artistic Director, Madame Gigis Outrageous French CanCan Dancers Morris Howard  Visual Artist, Educator

 Visual Artist, Educator Shelley Jagow  Musician; Professor of Music, Wright State University

 Musician; Professor of Music, Wright State University Julie Jones  Photographer

 Photographer Amy Kollar Anderson  Visual Artist

 Visual Artist Annie Lee-Zimerle  Visual Artist

 Visual Artist James McCutcheon  Guitarist, Educator

 Guitarist, Educator Marsha Pippenger  Visual Artist, Educator

 Visual Artist, Educator Danielle Rante  Visual Artist; Associate Professor of Printmaking and Drawing, Wright State University

 Visual Artist; Associate Professor of Printmaking and Drawing, Wright State University Sarah Robertson  Musician, Educator

 Musician, Educator Sharon Short  Novelist; Executive Director, Antioch Writers Workshop

 Novelist; Executive Director, Antioch Writers Workshop Shawanda Smith  Vocalist

 Vocalist Shon Walters  Visual Artist; Owner, Eccentric Wood

 Visual Artist; Owner, Eccentric Wood Joel Whitaker  Photographer

Projects and opportunities being funded by this grant cycle include: the creation of a new mural on Jefferson Street; local exhibitions of paintings and papier colle tapestries; the recording of two albums of original work; and participation in artist residencies, retreats, and workshops in Massachusetts, Tennessee, Switzerland, and Iceland.

The program was originally budgeted to award $30,000 this year, but the amount was increased to accommodate an abundance of strong applications. Matt Dunn, Executive Director of MCACD said, We are pleased by the caliber of the artists that applied and impressed by the opportunities they wanted to pursue. He continued, We were happy to increase the funding to make more opportunities available, and we look forward to the artists sharing their work with the broader community in the coming year.

To learn more about this years grantees, visit cultureworks.org/artistgrants.Will Saudi Arabia and Russia maintain their grip on production, or could they succumb to another surge in U.S. shale? Is it possible for the economic collapse of a major producer to send crude prices soaring, or perhaps Silicon Valley will usher in the end of the combustion engine?

After ending 2017 at a two-year high, oil prices could go either way this year, and these five individuals could play defining roles.

The OPEC Kingpin

Saudi Minister of Energy and Industry Khalid Al-Falih is facing a crucial 12 months. Having defied skeptics in 2016 by reversing the kingdom's strategy and sealing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' first output cut in eight years, the former chairman of Aramco finished last year on another high after securing a deal to extend the curbs to the end of 2018.

Now all Al-Falih has to do is ensure fellow members maintain their pledged cuts, keep Russia invested in the deal, and hope oil prices are high enough to ensure a successful initial public offering of Aramco without spurring another wave of U.S. shale. Simple.

Putin's Oil Man

If OPEC-watchers once fixated exclusively on every word of Saudi Arabia, they now obsess over a country that isn't even part of the cartel. Russia's decision last year to join OPEC in cutting oil production, after years of keeping its distance, has been critical in the success of the strategy.

Consequently, crude traders are just as likely to pore over the statements of Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak as of his Saudi counterpart. Novak, 46, has developed a clear personal bond with Al-Falih, helping the two countries to set aside years of mutual distrust and seal a historic cooperation agreement. Their partnership has been so strong that Citigroup Inc. calls it a " bromance," but it may be tested by pressure from Russian companies pushing for an early end to the cuts.

The Shale Pioneer

Growth in U.S. shale output is the biggest wild card for 2018, with estimates from 700,000 barrels a day to more than 1 million, depending on who you ask. At the center of the industry is the Permian in Texas, and Pioneer Natural Resources Co. is one of the biggest acreage holders in the basin.

Its CEO Tim Dove sees the area as the "lifeblood" of U.S. production for many years, forecasting production there will rise to 3.3 million barrels a day this year from about 2.85 million currently. But it's not all plain sailing. The company underperformed the S&P Energy index in the second half of 2017, possibly a victim of investors losing patience with the shale industry as a whole. Still, the company had already locked in selling prices for more than 70 percent of 2018 production as of the third quarter, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance survey.

The Latin Strongman

Crippling U.S. sanctions, overdue bond payments and dwindling crude production: Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro has a lot on his plate heading into 2018. Promising a "new oil revolution," the increasingly authoritarian leader named a military general as the nation's chief oil supremo and embarked on a wide-reaching purge of officials at state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, including two former petroleum ministers.

The Latin American nation's economic crisis has been worsened by dwindling crude output, which fell to 1.86 million barrels a day in November from more than 3 million in 2001. In 2018, the consultant Rystad Energy estimates some crude fields could decline by as much as 30 percent. That would put Venezuela's output well below its OPEC target, meaning the market could be tighter than the group intends.

The Tech Rockstar

Re-usable rockets and dreams of launching manned flights to Mars have long made Elon Musk a famous name for tech enthusiasts, but 2018 could be the year the oil market really takes notice. The six-foot-two South African entrepreneur hopes that 5,000 units of Tesla Inc.'s new lower-cost Model 3 electric car will roll off the assembly line every week by April. That would be a breakthrough for battery-powered vehicles, bringing what has been a luxury technology to the mass market.

If Musk succeeds, it will surely stoke speculation that electric cars will displace the internal combustion engine faster than expected. Even OPEC has conceded that oil consumption could stagnate in coming decades if battery-powered vehicles go mainstream. For now, oil bulls can take comfort in Tesla's teething troubles -- it's burning through $8,000 a minute and Model 3 deliveries during the third quarter numbered just 260.As this community heads toward an election for the open county judges seat, we thought this was the appropriate time to address the newspapers role in the primary and general election.

Staying consistent with policy, we will not endorse any individual for the primary or general election. We might provide our thoughts on a topic and what we expect from the next county judge, but our goal is to provide information from the candidates and let voters decide.

Candidates will have the opportunity to address four issues in op-ed articles ahead of contested elections. Those questions are:

1. The county had a general fund balance of nearly $79.5 million as of Dec. 15. What is the appropriate amount for the county to have in reserves, and how do you anticipate this changing?

2. How should the county work with other entities to address transportation in the growing community?

3. Public safety and corrections constitute 32 percent of this fiscal years budget. What should be priorities for the sheriffs office? Please include thoughts about the jail in your response.

4. The Horseshoe complex has grown since its opening. There is now an arena, education building, pavilion and amphitheater. Total cost of the complex is greater than $40 million. What would you like to add or see changed at the Horseshoe and/or in its operations?

Each candidate will have the opportunity to answer these questions (responses are limited to 750 words or less). Our plan is to run one question and the responses on consecutive Sundays in February. If a candidate does not submit responses, it will be noted in the presentation that he chose not to participate.

The Democrats do not have a contested primary race for county judge. The Democratic candidates response to these four questions and information on other issues that may arise between now and the fall will run side by side with the Republican nominee ahead of the general election.

Also, the Reporter-Telegram Editorial Board hopes to sit down with each GOP candidate in February. We will present highlights of the meetings before early voting begins. When the general election approaches, we expect to have similar sit-downs with county judge candidates on the ballot.

The Reporter-Telegram has also told the candidates in the upcoming contested primary that we will not write articles on personal endorsements. If there is a list of prominent Midlanders or Midland organizations supporting a candidacy, we will run the list as part of the presentation on Feb. 18, which is the Sunday before early voting starts.

Our readers should also know that  as is typically the case  we will run letters to the editor supporting candidates, no matter the race (contested or not). Candidate letters cannot exceed 200 words. Email them to letters@mrt.com. The deadline for a Sunday issue is noon on the preceding Thursday.

We expect the residents of Midland County will be very interested in the information that comes out of all local races. We will be reporting on the contested races for county judge and county commissioner. As has been policy, we will provide candidates for district judge a questionnaire. Responses we receive from candidates in a contested election will appear in an edition before the start of early voting.

If anyone has any questions about coverage of county elections, please contact Editor Stewart Doreen at 687-8856 or sdoreen@mrt.com.In Focus with Allison Walker is a 30-minute public affairs program, featuring a roundtable of newsmakers representing a range of perspectives, including local officials and expert analysts as they tackle topical issues of importance to Floridians.

In Focus airs Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., right after Political Connections.Area farmers will lose an important resource when USDA Farm Service Agency Farm Loan Manager Mark Latham steps down at the end of the year. Latham has worked with the USDA since January of 1979 and had been working out of the Plainview office since August of 1984.

Latham, who was raised on a farm in Tulia is a Texas Tech alum. He started his career in Tulia where he worked for three and a half years and then worked in Perryton for a year before coming to Plainview.

Originally, he held the title of county supervisor and said that through the years he has held several titles before being named as farm loan manager.

The FSAs role is to help area farmers with loans backed by the federal government.

Our primary role has changed over the years, Latham said. Originally we were meant to be the owners of last resort for farmers. The majority of what we do today is help get newer farmers started in the business.

One of the things Latham said he felt had been accomplished by his agency during his time in the position is that the agency as a whole helped to stabilize the farm economy in the region.

We helped keep a lot of businesses in place by making loans, he said. There have been producers that have not been able to stay in business over the years, but with our help we have many who have been able to stay and thrive.

He said over the last few years, one of his joys has been working with beginning producers to get into the field and develop their farms.

I am going to really miss working with my producers and my staff members, he said. I am going to miss helping the producers reach their goals.

USDA employees Twila Schinkus and Kip Vitato said they are going to hate to see Latham go.

He has run a very efficient and helpful business based upon a customer first mindset, Schinkus said. We are going to all miss him terribly.

He has been my favorite boss of all time, said Vitato, who has worked with Latham for over 14 years. It is going to be difficult here without him.

Schinkus said one of the important aspects Latham brings to the office is a free and open discussion of issues. Schinkus said that staff commonly engaged in discussion sessions to find solutions to complex problems.

Latham said that even though he is retiring he will remain very busy.

My wife (Jackie) and I love to travel, he said. We also have a retail business and she claims that now that I am retired I will be working for her.By Bailey Wright

Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON  Dave Mosher says knowing someone is your soulmate is like knowing the sun is going to come up tomorrow.

And he knew that about his wife and town native Heather Mosher.

I can remember saying to (Heather) that one of two things was going to happen here: either Imgonna get my heart broken or wed be together forever, David Mosher recalled. That was two months into their relationship.

As the couple danced in his kitchen one night, he described a mutual feeling that they had known each other in another life.

Looking back, its kind of crazy to think about it like that, but in the moment you felt it, Mosher said.

They had the same taste in music, and when they drove in his truck together they would make a contest out of who could first guess the song title and artist,

She was very, very smartshe was funnyshe was just like my biggest fan, he said.

On Dec. 22, the couple was married in the St. Francis Hospital chapel in Hartford. Heather, who had triple negative breast cancer, died 18 hours later surrounded by friends and family at the age of 31.

It was probably the saddest day of my life, Mosher said of their wedding day. Sadder than the day she passed.

Heathers dream was to marry Dave.

She put so much energy into getting to the wedding, I knew she wasnt going to last much more than that, he said.

The doctors and nurses at the hospital were just as determined. They wheeled her down to the chapel in her bed and had the foresight to suggest they move up their wedding date because they knew her time was limited. Dave and Heather planned to marry Dec. 30, but that ended up the day of her funeral.

They met at the Hartford Underground, where they both liked swing dancing. Friends for almost a year, they started dating in early 2015 and were engaged at the end of 2016.

Dave Mosher proposed on Dec. 23, 2016, the same day Heather Mosher was diagnosed with cancer and exactly a year before she died.

We thought we were just going in for a biopsy, that it was a nothing thing, Dave Mosher said of the doctors appointment in 2016. He had already planned to propose that day and carried out the plan, taking her on a horse-driven carriage to pop the question.

It gave us something to focus on, he said. It was like we have this really bad diagnosis, but she also had a ring to show off to her family and friends.

Christina Lee Karas, Heather Moshers close friend for four years and bridesmaid at her wedding, said Dave cherished Heather.

It was a beautiful thingshe was just glowing with happiness, Karas said. When they looked at each other you knew they equally valued and cherished each other.

To Dave Moshers two daughters from a previous marriage  Sophia, 8, and Molly, 6  Heather Mosher was a bonus mom.

They would open up to her about things that they wouldnt tell me about, he said. At bedtime, she would ask the girls what the best and worst parts of their day were, which started deeper conversations.

Not long before she was diagnosed, Heather Mosher started work at Stafford Springs Elementary School as a school psychologist. She spent years preparing for the job, interning at various area schools and getting her masters degree at Southern Connecticut State University.

During the 2014 school year, Heather Mosher was an intern at John Barry Elementary School in Meriden, under school psychologist, Margery Stahl.

Stahl said Heather Mosher was specially picked for the position, her graduate professors knowing she could take on the particularly challenging school population.

She loved the children and felt a strong need to be in a profession where she was giving something back to the world, Stahl said. She was on a mission to make the world a better place.

Stahl was diagnosed with breast cancer herself and, although her condition was less severe, she remembers Heather reaching out and saying hey, were going to be radiation buddies for a while.

I just found it particularly touching knowing that she had been in and out of the hospital and (the cancer) had become malignant, Stahl said, recalling when she got her diagnosis in September, around the same time Heather Moshers cancer had spread to her heart and lungs. We knew then that it was terminal and to have her reach out to methats selfless. Thats incredible grace and selfless.

Since her death, Dave Mosher and Karas have been spreading Heather Moshers story around the world. News organizations from London, Africa, Poland, and all around the U.S. have contacted them.

Its been amazing how far-reaching the story has gotten, Dave Mosher said. Its surreal, but I feel like Gods hand is on this and directing this, in a way that Heather didnt die for no reason.

Dave Mosher recalled Heather Moshers video blogs and how, in the last one she made, she had said she wanted to be a beacon of light for God. He believes she has become one by bringing attention to triple negative breast cancer.

Karas said Heather Mosher is also showing people that you dont need to be afraid, even at deaths door.

The focus was always on God having a purpose for her life, Karas said. She never once seemed to think, oh, this might be it. She never lost faith in God. 

On the prayer card distributed at Heather Moshers funeral was her favorite bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11.

It reads, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

bwright@record-journal.com 203-317-2316 Twitter: @baileyfaywrightHealth care professionals in the Meriden area and across the U.S. are scrambling to address shortages of intravenous bags and other medical necessities, as Puerto Rico, a major supplier, continues to recover from Hurricane Maria.

Its greatly complicating things, said Eric Arlia, director of pharmacy at Hartford Hospital. At a minimum its taking at least 50 percent of our time managing drug and intravenous, or IV, shortages. After two three-day weekends, its more like 80 percent.

Supplies of intravenous bags have traditionally been tight, but the hurricane has crippled one of three suppliers, Baxter International Corp. who up until recently, was running on generators.

The medical products industry has a significant presence in Puerto Rico, and the disruption to this industry has had ramifications for patients both on the island and throughout the U.S. stated Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. The FDA has been working closely with federal and Puerto Rican authorities to help stabilize the medical products manufacturing sector.

Hospitals across the country are reporting shortages of intravenous fluids, particularly sodium chloride 0.9-percent injection bags, a type of saline bag. Saline intravenous fluids, used to inject drugs in hospital and out-patient settings, have been in short supply since 2014, but the electrical issues in Puerto Rico has exacerbated the shortage.

The FDA is working with Baxter to help restore operations on the island, and with other manufacturers.

This remains a key area of focus for the agency and we expect that the shortage of IV fluids will improve in early 2018 based on the information we are receiving from the manufacturers, according to the FDAs latest statement.

Locally, hospitals and doctors within the Hartford Healthcare network are monitoring supply and need, and also talking to manufacturers. They are sharing supplies as needed between facilities, and also using alternative treatments that require staff retraining. MidState Medical Center in Meriden and the Bradley Memorial Campus in Southington are part of the Hartford Healthcare network.

We meet two times a week with the pharmacy and the supply chain, Arlia said.

Hospital administrators have also met with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal to explain the challenges.

Were asking what can be done to speed recovery of manufacturing and repair the islands ailing infrastructure, Blumenthal said.

Further complicating matters, a second supplier  Braun Medical Inc.  was forced to shut down its plant in California three weeks ago for repairs. A third manufacturer, Hosperia, was recently sold to ICU Medical.

What we really need in this country is more redundancy, Arlia said. Things happen. Its a setup for failure.

Masonicare in Wallingford is also feeling the pinch as manufacturers ration the supply.

The shortage is real and a concern to all providers, said Masonicare spokeswoman Margaret Steeves. We are fortunate that we have been able to meet our needs and patient care has not been affected; nevertheless, we are watching it very, very closely.

The Connecticut Hospital Association is also monitoring the situation.

The FDA has indicated the supply problem should be resolving soon, said CHA spokeswoman Michele Sharp. The bulk supply of this product is essentially outside the control of hospitals and healthcare providers.

mgodin@record-journal.com

203-317-2255

Twitter: @CconnbizComptroller Kevin Lembo said Tuesday that the states deficit has grown to $224 million this fiscal year, despite a bump in income tax payments over last December.

Lembo said that surge in income tax revenue is likely the result of wealthier residents looking to make those payments ahead of tax changes for 2018, and he warned that recently approved federal tax reforms could make the budget shortfall worse.

The $224 million deficit, an increase from the $207 million shortfall Lembo predicted just a month ago, exceeds the threshold that requires Gov. DannelP. Malloy to submit a plan to the legislature for approval.

Lembo said in his monthly letter to Malloy that tax professionals suspect income tax payments, which far outpaced those in December 2016, came from those looking to prepay their levies before federal changes in 2018 cap the State and Local Tax, or SALT, deductions.

Federal tax changes, particularly the federal SALT deduction, will likely have long-term consequences for Connecticut, Lembo said. Even as Connecticut lags the nation in pace of economic growth, its already disproportionate federal tax burden will grow, forcing Connecticut to fund growth in other states at the expense of our own residents.

Because the caps on SALT deductions didnt take effect until this year, they have no impact on tax bills due in April, but will in 2019.

Lembo also said the reforms could hurt Connecticut, which receives back only 87 cents of every dollar it pays in federal taxes, when it comes to funding improvements and initiatives.

New federal tax changes will now worsen this disparity and likely have long-term consequences for states like Connecticut, impairing the ability of Connecticut state and local governments to afford essential investments in infrastructure, education and workforce training that are necessary to drive economic growth, he said.

Lembo did say that some market indicators show the potential for positive employment trends, despite the state losing 3,500 jobs in November.

He said Connecticut saw modest growth in its financial services sector, population remained essentially unchanged in 2017 after years of decline, and the state ranked 10th in a recent report that measures how closely the 50 state economies match the ideal structure of the innovation-driven new economy.

Lembos deficit projection was $1.5 million more than the figure from Malloys budget office in mid-December, but Lembo said the difference is the result of a recent settlement with Cheshire regarding payments for water service to a prison.

msavino@record-journal.com

203-317-2266

Twitter: @reporter_savinoPresident Donald Trump is taking credit for the safety of the U.S. aviation system even though it is being run by a holdover from the previous administration and has avoided any commercial passenger fatalities for several years before he took office.

"Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation," Trump said in a tweet Tuesday. "Good news it was just reported that there were zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record."

If by "commercial aviation" he means scheduled passenger airline flights, the record actually stretches back to July 2013, when an Asiana Airlines plane struck a seawall as it was about to land in San Francisco, killing three people. The last death on a U.S.-registered airline was in 2009 near Buffalo, N.Y.

Commercial aviation generally refers to paying customers on planes of all sorts. The National Transportation Safety Board reported at least 13 deaths last year in seven crashes involving commercial charter flights in the U.S.

"I'm unaware that the president has had any impact on aviation oversight policy or practice," said Bob Mann, president of aviation consultancy R.W. Mann & Co. "Social media is not 'oversight.' "

"In fact, his stated preferences - less 'red tape,' fewer regulations - would suggest a preference for less oversight, not strictness."

The trend toward safer flying has been building for years as U.S. regulators, the airlines and safety investigators brought on board new safety technologies, better monitoring of potential hazards and improved training.

Indeed, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration during the first year of the Trump administration, Michael Huerta, was appointed by former President Barack Obama. Huerta's five-year term expires Sunday.

Last year's aviation safety record is the culmination of decades of work by industry and governments worldwide and should be applauded as a success story, said John Cox, chief executive officer of consultant Safety Operating Systems and a former commercial airline pilot.

"It's a great thing, but I don't think any one individual can take credit for it," Cox said.

The FAA referred all questions to the White House.

"President Trump has raised the bar for our nation's aviation safety and security," Raj Shah, a White House spokesman, said. He cited anti-terrorism efforts and a plan to privatize air traffic control that has languished in Congress.

Trump had harsh words for the FAA's air-traffic control system last year during the debate over whether it should be privatized and spun off to a non-profit. He cited a technology modernization program he said was not progressing fast enough.

"They didn't know what they were doing," he said of previous efforts to modernize the system. "A total waste of money."A woman on a repair crew was deliberately stranded on top of a 200-foot wind turbine by her male co-workers after enduring months of lewd taunts. An aerospace worker got the nickname Bird Seed because men flocked around her like pigeons. Men dropped tools on female co-workers or deliberately turned on electrical power when they began working on lines.

Sexual harassment has been endemic in blue-collar workplaces from the moment that women entered them and continues to this day, according to interviews with more than a dozen employment lawyers, academics and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission workers, as well as dozens of women who described such incidents.

More than 80 women in these fields responded to a call for accounts of sexual harassment.

One gold miner, Hanna Hurst, described her harassment at work as rougher than any she endured serving in the military in Iraq. Men made remarks about her ovaries and passed around cellphones with pornographic pictures. She left after her drill and walkie-talkie were both tampered with so that she could neither work properly nor hear instructions, jeopardizing her safety.

'I had to quit'

"Mining gets in your blood," said Hurst, who now works as a mining inspector for much less money than what she earned in the mines. "At the end, I walked away. They made it so miserable for me that I had to quit."

Physical danger is one issue that sets sexual harassment in blue-collar environments apart; unions, torn between representing the accuser and the accused, are another. Women in these jobs also often endure deliberate humiliations like not having bathrooms provided for them on construction sites. They can be blacklisted in construction or similar fields where tight networks and referrals are crucial to win the next job.

"Regardless of who you work for, you will run into the same people over and over again who will not want to work with you just because you reported harassment," Concetta Defa, a construction worker in Utah, wrote. "In most cases women become unemployable because of it."

That fear is one reason many experts in the field believe that sexual harassment is underreported - and remains rampant - in blue-collar workplaces.

'Suffer in silence'

"A lot of these blue-collar women, they suffer in silence," said Megan Block, an employment lawyer in Pittsburgh. "They don't have the choice, they don't have the money, they don't have the time."

An analysis of the percentage of women employed in blue-collar occupations from 2000 to 2016 shows that female representation in these industries has shrunk - in some cases by as much as 10 percent - or stayed static over that period.

While there is no direct evidence of causality, many employment lawyers and academics believe that sexual harassment is one of the reasons women leave such jobs or do not enter them in the first place.H-E-B will spend about $19 million to build a six-story parking garage and employee bridge across Cesar Chavez Boulevard for its downtown San Antonio headquarters, a new public filing shows.

The San Antonio supermarket chain told the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation that they aim to begin construction on the bridge and garage in March and expect the process to last 12 months, according to a state construction filing. But company spokeswoman Dya Campos said construction could begin in April.Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates says co-defendants Sen. Carlos Uresti and Gary Cain intend to lay the blame on him for allegedly defrauding investors in a now-defunct oil field services company.

The trio are scheduled to stand trial later this month, but Bates is asking to be tried separately from Uresti and Cain because they intend to use him as a foil and a fall person in the case.

Uresti and Cain are going to show the jury that they were victims of Bates fraud, just like the investors with FourWinds, Kurt G. May, an assistant federal public defender representing Bates, said in a Thursday court filing.

A separate trial is necessary to ensure that Bates receives the fair trial that he is entitled to, the filing said.

May said Uresti and Cain plan to use an antagonistic defense, blaming Bates for the alleged fraud. He said their lawyers previously said all three would present a united defense, which May now says was was at best, misleading and at worst, false assertions.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra previously said Uresti and Cain are not planning on acknowledging a criminal conspiracy and that Mr. Bates was the actor and they were the unknowing dupes. That is not their defense. Thats what would concern me and would require a severance, but thats not whats going to happen. Ezras comment was included in a Tuesday filing by federal prosecutors in opposing Bates request.

Bates, Uresti and Cain were indicted in May by a federal grand jury on a combined 22 felony counts in connection with their involvement in FourWinds, a bankrupt frac sand company no longer in business. Prosecutors have alleged that FourWinds was a Ponzi scheme that defrauded a handful of investors. Jury selection is scheduled for Jan. 18.

Bates was FourWinds majority owner, while Uresti served briefly as its outside legal counsel, held a 1 percent ownership interest in the company and recruited investors. Cain was a company consultant. Each has disputed the charges.

May said Uresti and Cain will attempt to paint Bates as a liar and fraudster.

One of Urestis exhibits that May included in his filing, titled Lavish Spending of Stan Bates, shows a photo of Bates with pictures of a Mercedes SUV with the license plate BATESUP, clip art of piles of cash and booze, and the logos of Adult Megaplex, Victorias Secret and Prada Gucci.

Turn to Wednesdays front page or click here on ExpressNews.com to read the full article.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | pdanner@express-news.net | @AlamoPDStella Sullivan, a Houston artist and teacher for seven decades, died on Dec. 24 after a fall and a brief illness. She was 93.

Sullivan belonged to a generation of Mid-Century Modernists who were rediscovered by 20th century Texas art enthusiasts about a decade ago. She maintained a studio on Main Street for the past 18 years and visited her gallery, William Reaves|Sarah Foltz Fine Art, just a day before she fell.

"Stella was a shining and integral member of the Houston arts community her whole life as a painter, printmaker, fabric designer and jewelry maker," said collector Randy Tibbits, a coordinator of the Houston Earlier Texas Art Group. "As part of the continuum of Houston art history, she was the one degree of separation taking present-day Houstonians back to the beginnings of our modern art culture."

Stella Sullivan discusses "Portrait of McCracken" (1957), one of her paintings in the show, "Houston Reflections: Art in the City, 1950s, 60s and 70s, an exhibition at William Reaves Fine Art.

Tibbits loved hearing Sullivan describe art classes in the studios of founding doyennes of the early scene, including Emma Richardson Cherry, Ola McNeill Davidson, Grace Spaulding John and Ruth Pershing Uhler. Sullivan also was a contemporary of other Houston artists whose work Tibbits collects, including Gene Charlton, Robert Preusser, Frank Dolejska, Carden Bailey, Leila McConnell and Henri Gadbois.

Sullivan's versatility -- especially with silkscreening -- added to her uniqueness. Her cards and printed fabrics were among the highlights of Houston Early Texas Art Group's 2016 exhibition "This Was Contemporary Art: Fine and Decorative Arts in Houston 1945-1965," at the Heritage Society Museum. (Her patterns would be hot sellers today for retailers -- totally fab '50s.)

Sullivan earned an architecture degree in 1945 at the Rice Institute; worked initially as a draftsman; then moved to Detroit to further her art studies in 1950. She returned home with a master of fine arts degree from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1954, adding to the energy of the then-new, artist-driven Contemporary Arts Museum.

Working in a variety of media and styles, Sullivan won numerous awards for her work, including the Museum of Fine Arts' annual purchase prize. She continued to exhibit across the U.S and Texas through the 1960s, and her work was widely collected. Sullivan also produced sacred art, including dozens of Madonna paintings in a colorful Modernist style. And she co-founded the artists' collective shop Handmakers, which showcased a range of fine art and crafts by local artists and artisans.

Stella Sullivan's work included in exhibit of decades' worth of local collectors' contemporary pieces featured in Houston-centric exhibition.

Like so many other artists, however, she supplemented that income with teaching. During various times she was an instructor at what is now the Glassell School of Art, the University of Houston, Sam Houston State University and the University of Delaware. She also established her own studio school in Rice Village, where she taught painting, drawing, design and silk-screening for many years.

Art blogger Robert Boyd, who took painting lessons from Sullivan as a young man, recalled her in a 2010 post as a patient and open-minded teacher. "Her pedagogy was so deliberate that it encouraged us to work very very slowly -- it enabled the worst procrastination from us," Boyd wrote. Sullivan sold a lot of "house portraits" then, he added, "but she was capable of painting anything, and a lot of what she painted were highly symmetrical, hard-edge geometric abstractions."

Sarah Foltz, Sullivan's dealer, praised the artist's mastery of multiple mediums as well as her eye for design, geometry and color. "Stella's creative spirit was both inspiring and contagious," Foltz said. "Houston's art scene would not be the thriving and significant place it is today without artists like Stella who fearlessly paved the way."

A third generation Houston, Sullivan was the youngest of seven children born to Maurice Sullivan and Anne Winston King. She is survived by one of her six siblings, Margaret Ann "Margo" Sullivan Hibler; 21 nieces and nephews and a number of great nieces and nephews.

"It's the end of an era," said Margaret Lawler, one of Sullivan's nieces. "But she left all this wonderful art behind."

Services include a viewing 4-7 p.m. Friday at Joseph Earthman Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam St., will be followed by the Rite of Committal at Holy Cross Cemetery, 3502 N. Main.

For those wishing to honor Sullivan's memory, the family suggests contributions to Holy Rosary Catholic Church (designed by her father, and where her painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe hangs in the South transept), Rice University, Cranbrook Academy of Art or a charity of choice.American Girl, the popular doll brand, is giving young girls everywhere a reason to reach for the stars.

On Monday, it unveiled Luciana Vega as its 2018 Girl of the Year.

Luciana, an 18-inch doll, is a creative, confident 11-year-old girl and aspiring astronaut who dreams of being the first person to go to Mars. She has the skills and brains to meet the goal, but she also is a good leader and team player.

She also has STEM-inspired outfits and accessories, including a Flight Suit and Space Suit, her Maker Station, and a Mars Habitat loaded with science and research essentials. Also, girls can download the American Girl app to unlock exclusive content, including space simulations, quizzes and challenges and more.

"Luciana is a role model for today's girlsempowering them to defy stereotypes, and embrace risks that will teach them about failure and success as they chart their own course in lifewhatever the goal. For us, it's all about building girls of strong character, and it's why we're continuing to encourage girls to lead change and embrace #charactercounts," said American Girl President Katy Dickson.

To help ensure the doll's authenticity, American Girl worked with experts from NASA including, Dr. Ellen Stofan, former NASA Chief Scientist; Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center; Dr. Megan McArthur Behnken, NASA Astronaut; and Maureen O'Brien, Manager of Strategic Alliances at NASA.

American Girl, in partnership with Scholastic, NASA, and Space Camp, has funded Blast Off to Discovery, an educational program to help third- through fifth-grade boys and girls explore the wonder of space through Luciana-inspired content, including STEM-based lesson plans and classroom activities, videos, and more. The program will be available on www.scholastic.com starting January 31.

The Luciana collection is available at americangirl.com and at all American Girl retail locations nationwide.NORWALK Six apartments were damaged in a fire at a Monterey Place apartment complex Wednesday morning.

The fire reported shortly before 7:30 a.m., sent tenants living in the Norwalk Housing Authority building into the cold.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Shay said the fire that started on the first floor, quickly through the 24-unit building.

Three of the six apartments affected by the fire were declared to be unfit for occupancy. The Red Cross is assisting the people displaced by the blaze.

Cold weather including a frozen fire hydrant appears to have complicated the response, according to dispatch reports.

No injuries were reported, police said.

The residents, who were displaced, were moved to a bus to get out of the frigid temperatures,

Fire spread through the three floors of the apartment complex.

Police closed portions of South Main Street, Woodward Avenue and Grove Street.

Some fire engines ran out of water, according to dispatch reports. Mutual aid has been requested from fire departments in nearby towns.

Another fire engine meant to be at the scene was taken out of service after it got involved in a fender-bender on East Avenue, according to dispatch reports.

With the temperature around 9 degrees, water from fire trucks is freezing quickly on the roads around the apartment complex. Fire officials have asked the Department of Public Works to assist in clearing or preventing ice.

Shortly after 8 a.m., the fire had been knocked down., according to Norwalk Police. No injuries have been reported. Traffic is still closed in the area around the complex.GREENWICH  The decision from state Treasurer Denise Nappier to not seek another term may be the impetus Greenwichs John Blankley needs to make his own run for the office.

Blankley, who just completed his tenure on the towns Board of Estimate and Taxation, formed an exploratory committee last year for a potential run for the treasurers position.

Both Blankley and Nappier are Democrats and her decision, announced Wednesday morning, opens up the field for the partys nomination.

I will continue to explore, Blankley said Wednesday, adding he had no timetable to make an announcement. I will decide when the time is right.

But while Blankley has not officially announced himself a candidate, he issued a statement after her press conference announcement that referenced the unfunded liabilities for the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, a collective $32 billion in holdings spread out over multiple plans and funds.

The state treasurer is obliged to pursue investment objectives that are return seeking. Blankleys statement said. It will be my intention if elected to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns that match or exceed the currently reported combined 10 year returns of approximately 5 percent in the three major funds, teachers and state and municipal employees funds.

Blankley added, Furthermore, I will also ensure that our fund management ... take(s) account of social, environmental and governance considerations in their investment and allocation decision-making.

Blankley has visited 60 Democratic Town Committees throughout the state and recently addressed a gathering of nearly 30 more.

Nappier was first elected in 1998 and reelected nine times. She made history as the first African-American person to be elected to state office in Connecticut and the first African-American state treasurer in the country.

At the end of her term Jan. 19, Nappier will have become the longest serving Connecticut state treasurer since 1818.

Nappiers decision leaves three major positions without incumbents leading into Novembers election, following announcements that Gov. Dannel Malloy and Attorney General George Jepsen would not seek new terms in the fall.

On Wednesday, Malloy praised Nappiers service and dedication.

From the moment she made history as the first African-American woman elected to statewide office in Connecticut, Denise has managed the states assets with distinction, routinely surpassing investment-return benchmarks, Malloy said. But perhaps more importantly, she restored dignity and professionalism to an office that desperately needed leadership. Denise has also used her time in public office to advance the cause of social justice, raising her voice for values like diversity and inclusion by standing up for racial and gender parity in corporate boardrooms.

Blankley also praised Nappier, saying he saluted her public service and dedication to integrity.

I am particularly impressed by her commitment to the movement for diversity on company boards, an activism that has contributed to greater gender and minority representation in the governance of corporate America, Blankley said. Her service will be long remembered and I join with others in wishing Ms. Nappier a well-deserved retirement from public service.

Blankley is not the only Greenwich resident who could be on the ballot in November.

Dita Bhargava, who ran with Blankley on the Democratic ticket in 2016 when she unsuccessfully ran for state representative and he for state senator, has also said she is exploring options for state office, including a potential run for governor. No decision has formally been made and a spokesman for Bhargava did not reply to a request for comment.

Additionally, Ned Lamont, a former Democratic selectman and BET member in town, is exploring a run for governor, although has not officially announced his candidacy.

Lamont unsuccessfully ran a primary against Malloy in 2010 when they were both seeking to replace Gov. M. Jodi Rell. He initially made a mark on the national scene in 2006 when he defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman in a primary, a move which forced Lieberman to run, and win, as an independent.

Former town resident Luke Bronin, the Democratic mayor of Hartford, has also formed an exploratory committee for a gubernatorial run.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.comThe atom bomb was no great decision. It was merely another powerful weapon in the arsenal of righteousness.

The words loomed large on a screen at First Presbyterian Church during this weeks Retired Mens Assocation lecture. They belonged to Harry S. Truman  a man of scripture, the 33rd president of the United States, and the president who found himself in command of the worlds first nuclear weaponry.

On Aug. 6, 1945, Truman, despite recommendations from prominent military advisers, gave the order to drop an atom bomb on Hiroshima, ushering in the nuclear age. Three days later, he did the same to Nagasaki.

Seven decades later, the U.S. is still trying to determine the ethics of that decision. On Wednesday Arthur Gottlieb  a local historian, clinical social worker and former curator at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum  brought the conversation to Greenwich.

Gottlieb said the modern discussion is one of morality, based more on philosophy than statistics or other such quantifiers, and weighed down by time.

My bias, if you will, comes from my job at the Intrepid, which is a place where I interviewed personally hundreds of veterans, Gottlieb said.

But whether analysts choose a more traditional or revisionist view of the subject, there are a few contextual clues that lend to a better understanding of why Truman dropped the bomb in the first place.

Gottlieb outlined the events leading up to August 1945: Over the course of World War II, more than 15 million soldiers (a conservative estimate) died in bloody battles; Gottliebs statistics did not take into account the estimated tens of millions of civilians who also lost their lives.

Meanwhile, the conflict drained trillions from international military coffers.

And then there was the reality of the opponent  a Japanese society enamored by the Bushido code where an individual life was expendable. The Japanese forces had suicide jets, suicide submarines, suicide small boats and of course, the Kamikaze suicide squadron.

Were dealing with a culture of death, where its more honorable to be dead than it is to be alive, Gottlieb said. When youre dealing with an enemy, in this case one that is more invested in the glory and from their standpoint the principle of death over life, it is a different ethic that has to be dealt with.

As factions of the U.S. military planned for a Japanese land invasion, troops  including Gottliebs father  waited for deployment. Among the veterans who served in the Pacific theater whom Gottlieb interviewed over the years, none expected to survive a Japanese invasion.

Meanwhile, ethics on the battlefield were already gray. Carpet bombings in Europe  most famously in Dresden and Hamburg  had normalized the war tactic among the Allies. According to statistics cited by Gottlieb, more than 300,000 Japanese were killed during B-29 raids, and the firebombing of Tokyo killed 97,000 people in March 1945.

This is what we were doing night after night, after night, after night, Gottlieb said. The only thing that was missing was the radiation.

In that environment, Gottlieb asked, was dropping the bombs actually an act of mercy?

It really gives you a lot to think about, you know, and the decision that Harry Truman had to make, said Andy Holmes, a member of the RMA. I would not have wanted to be in his shoes.

I think he made the right decision, Holmes continued. Yeah, I think it did end the war more quickly.

Based on his reading of Hiroshima Nagasaki by Paul Ham, Gerald Pollack, another RMA member, questioned some of Gottliebs assertions, especially about an impending Japanese invasion in August 1945. Still, he found the talk to be good.

Given the worlds current political climate, Pollack said it could prove useful to reconsider the original atomic strike.

Its important to look back because it would seem that some of our leaders have lost sight of the catastrophic loss of life entailed in nuclear warfare, he said.

Todays nuclear weapons are far more powerful than those used against Japan, he said. One modern bomb would destroy Manhattan.When a rare map purported to be from the 16th century was presented to Christie's Auction House in New York City, the buyers almost offered the artifact to bidders in December, but a group of paper and antique map experts - including a Clear Lake husband and wife team - determined the document was a fraud and stopped the auctioneer from selling a forgery.

Christie's officials thought they acquired the work of German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller.

Waldseemullerin created a series of maps in 1507 believed by experts to be the first portraying North and South America, and to use the name "America."

On Dec. 10 the New York Times reported the near miss and cited local resident Michal Peichl as part of the investigation.

Peichl, with wife Lindsay Peichl, are the Clear Lake couple who helped expose the forgery with their Paper Restoration Studio where they restore antique documents and consult for private art buyers and collectors.

The New York Times reached out to Michal, who, along with other experts, went to a Minnesota museum to examine the document and compare it with known originals.

"My first reaction when I saw the picture was, 'Oh my God, this is a fake,' " said Michal. "You could tell this was a sheet of paper pulled from a book binding board.

"It was printed on a piece of paper that used to be glued on the back of book and that was a red flag to me because as a forger, if you want to make a fake, that's where you would go to get a clean sheet of paper."

There are four Waldseemuller maps accepted by experts as originals.

On paper, the maps are split into gores, or diamond-shaped panels laid flat next to each other that were historically used to make a globe after being wrapped around the ball.

The one acquired by Christie's would have been a completely unknown fifth piece in the collection.

The German maps are so valuable because Waldseemuller and his colleague, Matthias Ringmann, said the Times, were the first to use the name "America" for the New World in tribute to Florentine explorer Amerigo Vespucci whose letters provided new depictions of the western part of the world.

Waldseemuller left Vespucci's name off later maps after doubts were raised that he ever visited the continent.

Such a rare find estimated the piece would "fetch from $800,000 to $1.2 million when it went on the block Dec. 13 at its (Christie's) London salesroom."

The Times said such an unbelievable discovery would have raised eyebrows in the art world and led to scrutiny of the piece.

Michal was recruited in the initial skepticism that arose.

His expertise in spotting these kinds of minute irregularities on paper began at The Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Slovakia.

"It's an interesting story," said the Czech Republic native. "Originally I went to school to restore antique furniture. I was doing a lot dumpster diving of old prints I like. I thought, 'These would look really nice if someone restored them.' I went to the (paper) department at the university. I fell in love with it, the tools they were using and decided to switch thanks to the dumpster dive."

He came to the United States in 2004 and after some time in New York City, moved to the Clear Lake area in 2013 thanks to his wife, Lindsay, who had lived in the city during the 1990s.

Together, they run the restoration business out of their home studio.

In the decade they've been in business, they've worked on restoring pieces dating back to the 13th century and as late as original Andy Warhol prints, the mid-century pop artist as well as protected art buyers from making uninformed purchases.

"I buy and sell rare maps and prints," said Michal. "When buying at auctions I always have to be look out for forgeries. When you're the one buying, you're really looking for details before you purchase.Friendswood police charged a 21-year-old man with assault, family violence after he reportedly slammed his aunt's head against the wall and bit his uncle Jan. 1.

Officers responding to a disturbance call in the 1200 block of Tall Pines Drive found the uncle on the front porch holding a blood-soaked rag on his arm. He told police he had tried to pull his nephew off his wife, but the nephew bit and scratched him, according to the report.

While police were on the scene, the woman reportedly had a seizure and was transported to a hospital. The nephew's bond was set at $1,500.

BURGLARY

Miscellaneous papers and bills were stolen Dec. 27 from a vehicle parked at H-E-B, 701 W. Parkwood Ave., police said. The suspect damaged the front and back passenger windows, according to the report. The victim said he may have been followed from Wells Fargo following a drive-through transaction.

A gun, money and keys were stolen out of a camper between Dec. 26 and Dec. 28 in the 16200 block of Townes Road, police said.

FRAUD

A Friendswood resident told police a Medicare account was opened fraudulently using his identity, according to a Dec. 27 report. He realized the fraud when he received a letter canceling his insurance because of another policy held in Wyoming.

A Friendswood man discovered two iPhone 8s were purchased through his Xfinity account without authorization, according to a Dec. 29 police report. He canceled the order and later learned the phones were to be delivered to a Grand Prairie address, police said.

A Friendswood resident's identity was used fraudulently to open a Sprint account, according to a Dec. 29 police report.

A Friendswood man discovered an unauthorized $615 Walmart transaction on his debit card, according to a Dec. 29 police report.

A Friendswood man's Social Security number was used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim with the Texas Workforce Commission, according to a Dec. 29 police report.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

The back window of a vehicle parked at Enclave Apartments, 5000 Watkins Way, was broken, according to a Dec. 27 police report. Nothing was reported stolen.

The back window of a truck was shattered Jan. 1 in the parking lot of Wendy's, 104 E. Edgewood Drive, police said. Nothing appeared to be tampered with inside, according to the report.

NARCOTICS

Police charged a League City man, 27, with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop Dec. 29 in the 3100 block of West Bay Area Boulevard. During a vehicle search, the officer reportedly found cocaine, a glass pipe and marijuana. Bond was set at $5,000.

A 22-year-old Houston man was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop for speeding and following too closely Dec. 29 in the 600 block of East Edgewood Drive, police said. The officer reportedly found a glass pipe concealed in a sock in the center console and an Altoids tin containing marijuana in the man's underwear.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

Police charged a Houston man, 51, with DWI and evading arrest or detention Dec. 27 after he reportedly refused to stop for an officer Dec. 27 in the 900 block of South Friendswood Drive. The vehicle continued to travel at about 30 mph, swerving, with the officer behind sounding the air horn and siren, before stopping in the 200 block of West Heritage Drive, according to the report. Bond was set at $6,000.

A Friendswood man, 35, was charged with DWI after a traffic stop for expired registration Dec. 29 in the 3700 block of Friendswood Link Road, police said. Bond was set at $500.

Police charged a Seabrook man, 22, with DWI after an officer reportedly observed him driving erratically Dec. 30 in the 400 block of East Parkwood Avenue. Bond was set at $1,000.

Police charged an Alvin woman, 26, with DWI after a traffic stop for speeding Dec. 31 in the 3100 block of West Parkwood Avenue. She reportedly did not have a driver's license and instead handed the officer her passport. She failed a field sobriety test, according to the report, and bond was set at $1,000.

Police charged an 18-year-old Friendswood man with DWI after he reportedly made an abrupt lane change and cut off another vehicle Jan. 1 in the 2200 block of West Parkwood Avenue. During a traffic stop in the 1400 block of Sunmeadow Boulevard, the officer found several bags containing marijuana residue, a glass pipe, large chunks of marijuana bud and a cup containing an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle, according to the report. Bond was set at $1,000. The passenger, a 43-year-old Friendswood woman, was taken into custody for public intoxication.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

Police charged a Friendswood woman, 24, with public intoxication after a witness reported someone banging on the door Jan. 1 at Enclave Apartments, 5000 Watkins Way. Officers arrived to find the woman crying on the sidewalk. She told police she was looking for her father's apartment, according to the report.

TRAFFIC

Police took a Houston man, 35, into custody for failure to stop and give information after a collision Dec. 30 in the 100 block of North Friendswood Drive. The man reportedly kept driving after the incident but was followed by the other driver, who called police. About five miles from the crash site, in the 4800 block of Main Street in League City, the man reportedly exited his vehicle and rushed toward the victim's vehicle before he saw Friendswood police approaching. The man has never had a driver's license, police said.

Police filed a hit-and-run report after an 89-year-old man standing in his driveway was injured by a small white vehicle that drove over the curb and knocked him to the ground Dec. 30 in the 1000 block of Sunset Drive. The vehicle also took out several Christmas decorations lining the curb, police said.

FOUND PROPERTY

A drone found Dec. 29 in the driveway of a residence in the 300 block of West Castle Harbour Drive was turned in to the police department for safekeeping.Two people are dead after a collision in Humble sent a Dodge Charger careening into a metal light pole, splitting the vehicle in half, Humble police said.

About 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Toyota SUV was traveling southbound on Wilson Road when it collided with the Charger in the intersection at FM 1960, according to the Humble Police Department. The Charger then slammed into the pole, leaving the vehicle so damaged its two halves were nearly unrecognizable.Thieves in Pearland took a cue from the Grinch this holiday season, pilfering packages from porches, swiping cash from wallets and driving away in stolen vehicles.

THEFT

Police issued a citation for shoplifting Dec. 25 in the 11100 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, according to a Dec. 26 report.

Juvenile suspects shoplifted Dec. 26 in the 12700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

A vehicle was reported stolen Dec. 26 in the 3500 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Theft was reported Dec. 26 in the 3900 block of Travis Lake Court, police said.

A handgun was reported missing Dec. 27 in the 1600 block of Lago Vista Drive, police said.

A package delivered by UPS was stolen Dec. 19 in the 12500 block of Broadway Street, according to a Dec. 28 police report.

A woman's belongings left outside to dry after Hurricane Harvey were stolen Sept. 10 in the 2400 block of Business Center Drive, according to a Dec. 28 police report.

Police field a theft report Dec. 28 in the 8300 block of Broadway Street.

Theft of service was reported Dec. 28 in the 8300 block of Broadway Street, police said.

A pickup truck was stolen Dec. 20, according to a police report filed Dec. 29 in the 2900 block of Pearland Parkway.

Shoplifting was reported Dec. 29 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Vehicle theft was reported Dec. 30 in the 2700 block of Old Alvin Road, police said.

Cash was taken from a complainant's wallet without permission Dec. 30 in the 8300 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Three suspects stole televisions Dec. 29 or Dec. 30 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Theft was reported Dec. 30 in the 3200 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Two male suspects shoplifted from a business Dec. 30 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Shoplifting in the amount of $2.79 was reported Dec. 31 at Buc-ee's, 11100 Shadow Creek Parkway, police said.

BURGLARY

A storage unit was broken into between Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, according to a Dec. 26 police report.

Burglary occurred between Dec. 11 and Dec. 26 in the 3300 block of Worthington Drive, according to a Dec. 26 police report.

Theft was reported Dec. 27 in the 2400 block of Peony Meadow Circle, police said.

A wallet and cash were stolen from a vehicle Dec. 27 in the 2900 block of Whispering Winds Drive, police said.

Motor vehicle burglary occurred Dec. 28 in the 12000 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, police said.

Motor vehicle burglary was reported Dec. 29 in the 3200 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police filed a motor vehicle burglary report Dec. 29 in the 11200 block of Broadway Street.

Police filed a burglary report Dec. 30 in the 4800 block of Louise Lane.

Burglary of a habitation was reported Dec. 31 in the 2500 block of Foxden Drive, police said.

Motor vehicle burglary occurred Dec. 30 or Dec. 31 in the 9000 block of Broadway Street, police said.

ASSAULT

Police arrested a Pearland man, 54, for assault, family violence Dec. 26 in the 1500 block of Panorama View Lane.

Assault was reported Dec. 27 in the 3400 block of Robinson Drive, police said.

An elderly woman with dementia assaulted her daughter Dec. 27 in the 3400 block of Wheatmeadow Lane, police said.

Assault was reported Dec. 27 in the 2600 block of Sandstone Creek Drive, police said.

Police issued citations for assault, family violence to a Houston man, 31, and Pearland woman, 31, Dec. 28 in the 2900 block of Oak Road.

Police filed an assault report after a verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation Dec. 30 in the 9500 block of Sunnyview Court.

Assault was reported Dec. 30 in the 8300 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police arrested a Rosharon man, 33, for assault Dec. 31 in the 2700 block of Honeysickle Road.

Police arrested a Pearland woman, 36, for assault, family violence Dec. 31 in the 2100 block of North San Antonio Avenue.

TRAFFIC

Police took a Pearland man, 41, into custody for driving while license invalid Dec. 26 in the 4100 block of McHard Road.

Police arrested a Houston man, 25, for driving while license invalid Dec. 29 in the 5000 block of Broadway Street.

TERRORISTIC THREAT

Police filed a terroristic threat report Dec. 26 in the 9400 block of Broadway Street.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Police arrested a Pearland woman, 35, for disorderly conduct Dec. 27 in the 4000 block of East Spring Branch Drive.

FRAUD, FORGERY

A complainant's debit card was used without authorization Dec. 24 or Dec. 25, according to a Dec. 27 police report filed in the 9700 block of North Capital in Austin.

Police filed a credit card abuse report Dec. 27 in the 2900 block of Oak Road.

Forgery was reported Dec. 27 in the 11300 block of Enclave Lake Lane, police said.

A possible scam was reported Dec. 28 in the 2600 block of Miller Ranch Road, police said.

Credit card abuse was reported Dec. 29 in the 2400 block of South Pearland Avenue, police said.

Credit card abuse was reported Dec. 31 in the 1100 block of Union Valley Drive, police said.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

Police arrested a Pearland man, 47, for DWI after a crash Dec. 27 in the 2000 block of Kingsley Drive.

A Houston man, 60, was taken into custody for DWI Dec. 29 in the 10000 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police arrested a Katy man, 32, for DWI Dec. 29 in the 3800 block of Magnolia Road.

A Houston man, 42, was arrested for DWI Dec. 30 in the 8700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police arrested a Rosharon woman, 31, for DWI Dec. 30 in the 2400 block of Old Alvin Road.

NARCOTICS

Police arrested a Houston man, 37, for marijuana possession and driving while license invalid after a traffic stop Dec. 28 in the 2700 block of Veterans Drive. A Houston woman, 23, also was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the report.

Police arrested a Houston man, 36, for possession of drug paraphernalia, violating a protective order and driving while license invalid Dec. 28 in the 14700 block of Texas 288.

Police arrested a Pearland man, 27, for possession of a controlled substance and marijuana as well as unlawfully carrying a weapon Dec. 30 in the 1500 block of Broadway Street.

Police arrested a Clute man, 54, for marijuana possession Dec. 30 in the 4500 block of Main Street.

An 18-year-old Houston man was arrested for marijuana possession and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle after a traffic stop Dec. 30 in the 10000 block of Broadway Street, police said. A Stafford man, 19, also was arrested for marijuana possession.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Police filed two criminal mischief reports Dec. 29 in the 12500 block of Broadway Street.

Criminal mischief occurred Dec. 30 or Dec. 31 in the 12500 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police filed a criminal mischief report Dec. 31 in the 3800 block of Pine Branch Drive.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

Police arrested a Brazoria County man, 31, for public intoxication Dec. 30 in the 3200 block of Broadway Street.

A Deer Park man, 36, was taken into custody for public intoxication Dec. 30 in the 9000 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police arrested an 18-year-old Pearland man for public intoxication Dec. 31 in the 1600 block of West Pine Branch Drive.

WEAPONS

Police took a Houston man, 37, into custody for a warrant and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon Dec. 31 in the 1700 block of Old Alvin Road.NORWALK  Despite its reputation as a hub for financial elites, Connecticut still isnt making the grade when it comes to financial literacy education, a new report shows.

The state received an F for the third time on the biennial report by the Champlain College Center for Financial Literacy.

Peter Yazbak, spokesman for the State Department of Education, said its unlikely Connecticuts grade will ever improve as long as the basis for such a grade is the lack of a state graduation requirement. Connecticut leaves the majority of curriculum development and requirements in the hands of individual school districts, a decentralized structure Yazbak said will hold the state back when it comes to improving its report card.

Because were a local control state, it means the local agencies have control over their own curriculum, Yazbak said. There are a small percentage of towns that do require it to graduate, but because were a local control state, and Im not sure thats ever going to change, its up to the districts to require it for graduation. Well probably always receive a failing grade, but the report does highlight a lot of good things going on (in Connecticut) in relation to personal finance and financial literacy.

Connecticut does not include personal finance in graduation requirements, either as a stand-alone course or embedded in another course, and personal finance is not required to be offered or taken though some districts may opt to require it on their own. Personal finance can be taken as an elective and counted toward the career and life skills elective requirement beginning in 2021.

Less than 7 percent of Connecticut school districts include require students to take a personal finance course, though more than 90 percent offer an elective personal finance course. Connecticut was one of 11 states to receive a failing grade on the 2017 report. The state previously received failing grades on the 2013 and 2015 reports.

Despite a bleak outlook for the state, Norwalk provides a robust business and economics elective curriculum, though none of the courses are a graduation requirement.

I am proud to say that Norwalk is relatively unique in Connecticut because we do actually offer both Introduction to Personal Finance for grades 9 and 10, and Personal Finance for grades 11 and 12, said Craig Creller, interim chief academic officer for Norwalk Public Schools.

More Information Financial Figures Percent of CT schools that offer a personal finance course: 90 percent Percent of CT schools that require personal finance course for graduation: 7 percent School Number of students enrolled in a personal finance course (2013-14) Number of students enrolled in a personal finance course (2014-15) Number of students enrolled in a personal finance course (2015-16) Brien McMahon High School 73 111 87 Norwalk High School 66 51 36 See More Collapse

Were kind of throwing the gauntlet down on personal finance, Creller said. We have a number of exciting options in the business department. Overall, while Connecticut might receive an F, Id give Norwalk an A. The state does not mandate that students take it for graduation, but were offering it as an elective. Im proud of what Norwalk offers, most schools dont even offer it, they just follow the state requirements.

Creller did not say if the district would ever make personal finance a graduation requirement, but said many students have expressed interest in personal finance, economics and entrepreneurship as elective courses, which has led to expanded course offerings and higher enrollment in those courses.

I think (students) realize its important and weve been responsive to their requests over the years, Creller said. Adding courses like the entrepreneurial course is a response to demand.

Creller said the full business and economics curriculum will be available on the Norwalk Public Schools website by next fall, part of the districts effort to provide curriculum-wide transparency.

Though the states letter grade has not, and may never improve, the state has made some progress toward improving personal finance course offerings for students.

The Connecticut Department of Education has developed financial literacy education frameworks to help districts develop business and finance technology courses that include personal finance. The state has also developed a cross walk that shows how personal finance concepts can be used to teach to the Common Core Math Standards.

In 2015, Connecticut implemented a law that requires the State Board of Education to make available a financial literacy curriculum, other materials and assistance to local and regional school districts for such courses.

Our failing grade  viewed at surface level  doesnt capture the progress Connecticut has made in recent years to incorporate financial literacy and personal finance education into the states curriculum, Yazbak said.

In the past five years, the state Department of Education has distributed more than 20 grants to high schools to provide support with incorporating personal finance courses in their curriculum, and to increase business education classes offered in the high schools, the department worked with the Board of Regents to create additional certification programs approved for Connecticut Certification in Business Education. The University of Bridgeport began running a teacher preparation program for business education beginning August 2017.

Its obviously very important, Yazbak said. I think the education districts provide students is aimed at making them well rounded adults primed for success and knowing how to budget, and personal finance is an important part of that.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasseltNEW HAVEN  Emergency crews are beginning to demobilize Wednesday after the gas leak has been isolated to the corner of Livingston and Canner streets, according to New Haven Assistant Fire Chief Orlando Marcano.

Police asked motorists and pedestrians to avoid streets in the Whitney Avenue and Canner Street area. The leak is generally within the blocks of Canner Street to Prospect Street to Highland Street to Whitney Avenue to Cold Spring Street to Livingston Street, and back to Canner Street. Within that grid, Loomis Place, St. Ronan Street, Autumn Street, Whitney Avenue, Everit Street and Livingston Street may have been closed, police said in a press release.

Marcano said, around 4:30 a.m. emergency personnel responded to 272 Canner St. after they had received a call about the smell of gas. Crews on scene metered the residence and found percentages of 38 percent  which isnt a high enough concentration of gas to level the block if a cigarette were lit  but 0 percent is preferred.

The house was immediately evacuated along with the two adjacent residences, where lower readings of gas were also detected. Crews then went door-to-door, taking additional readings, and any residence where gas was detected was evacuated.

Southern Connecticut Gas was called on scene and began opening up the ground to locate and isolate any potential gas leaks.

Worthington Little Hooker students were relocated, while Foote School and several nurseries were held in place, Marcano said.

There are two parallel 16-inch gas mains that run underneath the streets, but due to the cold temperatures, Marcano said, the leak could have been a block away.

Because of the weather and the frost, it can travel, and when it travels, its difficult, he said. So what we do is, we vent it, and when we vent it, we can find it by the higher concentration of where it would be.

There is no update on what caused the leak. As of 9:30 a.m., there were no confirmed ruptures or breaks.

jessica.lerner@hearstmediact.com; @jesslerner on TwitterLiberals in Congress wanted to scrap the restrictive quota-based system that had governed U.S. immigration policy for decades. Conservatives feared America's ethnic and racial composition would be forever transformed.

So in 1965 they compromised: an immigration model that would favor "family unification." By giving priority to the relatives of U.S. citizens, who were mostly of white, European descent, the Immigration and Nationality Act would assure that future newcomers were overwhelmingly white and European, too.

It did not work out that way. But although the family-unification model went on to enjoy broad support as a source of economic and social stability for immigrants, under President Donald Trump it has earned a pejorative label as the enabler of "chain migration."

Ahead of a meeting Wednesday between congressional leaders and White House staff to discuss the administration's immigration agenda, Trump said ending "horrible chain migration" will be a condition of any deal that may protect those facing deportation after the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) expires starting in March.

"The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration & ridiculous Lottery System of Immigration etc.," Trump tweeted Dec. 29. "We must protect our Country at all cost!"

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and other Trump Cabinet members have also hammered at "chain migration" in recent weeks, calling it a threat to American workers and national security.

They cite the Dec. 11 failed bombing attack on the New York subway by Bangladesh-born Akayed Ullah, who Trump said "entered our country through extended-family chain migration."

Although the term "chain migration" is not a precise technical one, the White House launched a campaign last month with a slide show offering its own dictionary-style definition: "The process by which foreign nationals permanently resettle within the U.S. and subsequently bring over their foreign relatives, who then have the opportunity to bring over their foreign relatives, and so on until entire extended families are resettled in the country."

Trump has endorsed a bill sponsored by Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called the RAISE Act, which would limit visa sponsorship to spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens while implementing a Canadian-style point-based merit system to prioritize skilled workers.

But of the nearly 1.2 million green cards issued during the government's 2016 fiscal year, only about 240,000 went to the type of extended-family visa categories that the legislation would eliminate.

Democrats are unlikely to give ground. Critics see the attack on the family-based system as part of a broader attempt to slow the country's transformation into a more diverse society whose growing rolls of nonwhite voters lean toward the Democratic Party.

They also point out that the diagrams often used to attack "chain migration" - showing a single immigrant bringing dozens of relatives to the United States - hardly reflect the reality of a system that does not move fast enough to allow exponential visa-sponsoring of this sort.

Under the family unification model, U.S. citizens and some legal residents can bring their spouses and minor children relatively easily. But other categories of family members take far longer. An American citizen trying to sponsor a brother or sister from Mexico or the Philippines faces wait times of 20 years or more, because the number of visas that can be issued in the sibling category have annual caps.

Less important than the numbers, said Francis Cissna, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is the principle that "chain migration" fills the pool of would-be immigrants with candidates whose top qualification is a genetic one, not a job skill.

"One thing is family-based migration, which this administration is not opposed to," Cissna said in an interview. "The problematic part is extended family-based migration."

An irony of Trump's campaign against "chain migration" is that the liberal reformers of the 1960s wanted a merit-based model, too.

The restrictive immigration quota system established in the 1920s came during a period of heightened anxiety about mass migration from eastern and southern Europe. The quotas limited newcomers from those regions while almost entirely shutting out migrants from Asia, Latin America and elsewhere.

But by the 1960s, the United States was locked in an global ideological struggle against communism, and its quota system had become a stain on America's global image, said Daniel Tichenor, author of "Dividing Lines: The Politics of Immigration Control in America."

"You had Truman, Eisenhower and other prominent national security foreign policy leaders saying this is crazy, we have people escaping from behind the Iron Curtain who want a haven in the United States, and it helps our national security to welcome them here," said Tichenor, a political scientist at the University of Oregon.

"Just like Jim Crow and the suppression of African-American voters embarrassed us abroad, our immigration policies were so blatantly racist it really hurt the world's perception of the U.S. as global leader and democracy to be emulated," he said.

President Lyndon B. Johnson called for an end to the quota system in his first State of the Union speech in 1964. "In establishing preferences, a nation that was built by the immigrants of all lands can ask those who now seek admission: 'What can you do for our country?' " Johnson told Congress, echoing his slain predecessor. "But we should not be asking: 'In what country were you born?' "

Conservatives, especially the Southern Democrats who opposed Johnson's civil rights legislation and Great Society agenda, were set against the immigration overhaul. But Ohio Democrat Rep. Michael Feighan, a longtime immigration hard-liner, devised the family unification model as a compromise to preserve America's ethnic status quo.

"The idea was that you wouldn't get many Asians or Africans coming in because they didn't have relatives here," said Tom Gjelten, an NPR correspondent and author of "A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story."

At the signing ceremony, Johnson sat at a desk placed in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.

No other piece of legislation has arguably played a greater role in the demographic transformation of the United States in the decades since.

A backlash against the 1965 act has been building, too, but Trump's election win supercharged it. The marriage of "chain migration" to Trump's demands for a border wall make it hard for critics to see the arguments in technical, not racial, terms.

Madeline Hsu, an immigration scholar at the University of Texas, said campaigns to curb legal immigration have been a vehicle for what she called "masked racial discourse" and a fear that "the kinds of people coming in or gaining citizenship are racially not the right kinds of people."

Today the United States issues more than a million green cards each year, and only about 8 percent go to European nationals. About two-thirds of green cards go to the family members of U.S. citizens and legal residents.

"Before, there was a bipartisan view that immigration was good for society and the economy and integral to the history of the United States," said Sarah Pierce, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington think tank that is critical of the Trump administration. "But this administration has radically changed the debate."

"While the idea of reducing legal immigration isn't a new one, it was more fringe until now," she said.

Organizations that have long pushed to restrict legal immigration to the United States are enjoying unprecedented influence at the Trump White House, and they push back at charges of ulterior ethnic or racial motives.

A merit-based system probably would bring far more immigrants from China and India, said Matthew O'Brien, director of research at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a Washington think tank.

"We're cutting out huge numbers of people that have skills and a demonstrated potential," O'Brien said. "And meanwhile we're admitting people simply because they are the extended family of someone who happened to have immigrated previously."Attorney General Jeff Sessions is naming 17 interim U.S. attorneys to run federal prosecutor shops across the country, including the premier office in Manhattan.

Geoffrey Berman, a law partner of Rudy Giuliani at the firm Greenberg Traurig and a former federal prosecutor, was named to the interim post at the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, which handles some of the most high-profile cases in the country, according to a release from the Justice Department.

His appointment was announced along with 16 others, which Sessions said were necessary because those serving on an acting basis had reached the maximum amount of time they would be permitted to do so under federal law.

"As a former U.S. attorney myself, I have seen firsthand the impact that these prosecutors have and it is critical to have U.S. attorneys in place during this time of rising violent crime, a staggering increase in homicides, and an unprecedented drug crisis," Sessions said in a statement. "That is why, today, I am appointing 17 current and former federal prosecutors to serve as U.S. attorneys on an interim basis. Each has excellent prosecution skills and the temperament necessary to succeed in this critical role - and they have already proven that with a number of accomplishments on behalf of the American people."

President Donald Trump ultimately must nominate, and the Senate must confirm, leaders to fill each of the 93 U.S. attorney jobs across the country. In March 2017, the president suddenly removed dozens of Obama-era holdovers, leaving their top deputies to assume leadership roles while Trump contemplated his own picks.

So far, Trump has nominated 58 people, 46 of whom have been confirmed by the Senate. Sessions's picks are not considered presidential nominees and could ultimately be replaced by Trump.

The office in Manhattan is particularly important because, with 220 assistant U.S. attorneys, it is one of the largest in the country and its prosecutors handle some of the country's most high-profile terrorist and financial crimes cases. The former U.S. attorney there, Preet Bharara, was particularly prominent and notably did not step down immediately when asked to by Trump with 45 others in March. He is now the host of a podcast "Stay Tuned with Preet" and is often publicly critical of Trump.

Berman reportedly met with Trump about serving as the U.S. attorney in Manhattan late last year, and Bharara said that when the president personally interviewed him and other U.S. attorney candidates in districts where Trump had property or business interests, it "raises a number of questions." Bharara himself, though, had met with Trump after the election, a meeting in which Trump asked Bharara to stay in the position and Bharara agreed.

The other 16 U.S. attorneys Sessions named included Nicola Hanna, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles and San Diego, for the Central District of California; Richard Donoghue, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York, to head that office; Matthew Schneider, the chief deputy attorney general in Michigan for that state's Eastern District; Timothy Garrison, a prosecutor in the Western District of Missouri to head that office; Craig Carpenito, a partner at Alston & Bird for the District of New Jersey; and Grant Jaquith, the acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York to head that office.

---

Devlin Barrett contributed to this report.Janine Caira's lifelong passion began on a beach in Baja California.

She was in her 20s, studying for her parasitology PhD at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, when a friend who worked as a guard on the California-Mexico border invited her to join him - not for a traditional beach vacation but for a rattlesnake roundup.

Caira recalls thinking, "Rattlesnakes . . . they're apex predators, and that means they're going to have awesome tapeworms." So she hopped in her Subaru wagon and set out on a two-day drive southwest.

She missed the rattlesnake competition - her friend got the dates mixed up - so they went to Baja California instead. Caira suggested they walk down to a waterfront where fishermen were hauling the day's catch onto shore.

"We had to eat," she says. "And I wanted to dissect something."

They bought two small sharks, and Caira cut both open.

One yielded a previously unknown variety of tapeworm - a tiny, squiggly creature with hooks on its head. Caira christened the discovery - her very first - for her border-guard friend, Evan: Calliobothrium evani. "It's a real honor," she still insists. Now a distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, Caira is one of the world's top specialists in the tapeworms of sharks and stingrays and has helped discover and name a whopping 170 tapeworm species.

As for the second shark? Caira laughs. "We ate it."

In 2017, Caira released her magnum opus: "Tapeworms from Vertebrate Bowels of the Earth." The 463-page volume, which Caira edited with University of Kansas scientist Kirsten Jensen, is the result of a eight-year effort to survey the intestinal parasites of animals from around the world. The book inventories 4,810 species collected from two oceans and every continent except Antarctica. It also introduces 211 species that are entirely new to science.

"We're very proud," Caira says.

"Bowels of the Earth" is no metaphor. Caira and some three dozen fellow scientists gutted an estimated 14,884 fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, mammals and birds for this project. They traversed grasslands, waded through marshes and trekked across ice. At one point, Caira found herself abandoned with a seasick colleague on a tiny sandbar in the waters off Mozambique, hoping that their fisherman collaborators would pick them back up before the tide came in. (They did.)

The planet-wide survey was part of a larger push by the National Science Foundation to understand the diversity of Earth's inhabitants - particularly its less cuddly and charismatic ones.

Noting that some 85 percent of species on the planet have not been discovered, the agency sought scientists willing to scour the darkest and most disgusting corners of globe for every member of a given group. Among the targets: a genus of arachnids known as "goblin spiders," a group of shrubs called "spurges" and, of course, the class Cestoda, better known as tapeworms.

With the funding, Caira and her colleagues didn't only find new species. They sequenced genomes, restructured evolutionary trees and sought out previously unknown connections between parasites and their hosts. They built a global cestode database and created an illustrated glossary of tapeworm-related terms (the words "sucker" and "hooks" feature prominently).

"A lot of this is super-basic research," Caira says. "But what's great about it is tapeworms are now one of the most thoroughly known systems in the world. And now we can ask all these really cool questions because we have real data - on the identity of the tapeworms, on the identity of their hosts, on evolution, on parasitism."

"We've set the stage for future generations," she concludes, "and for us."

Why would anyone devote her life to a brainless, spineless, gutless group of parasites?

If you have to ask that question, Caira says, you just need to get to know tapeworms a bit better.

These creatures vary in size and appearance. The smallest could fit on the head of a pin; the largest, found in the gut of a sperm whale, grows up to 30 feet long. But their biology is basically the same. Lacking a digestive system of their own, they survive by absorbing nutrients inside another animal's gut.

Contrary to popular belief, tapeworms don't usually cause their hosts to waste away. In fact, many animals can spend their whole lives with a tapeworm in their gut. These creatures have probably coexisted with vertebrates for as long as we have been around; scientists cutting open a 270-million-year-old shark coprolite (a piece of fossilized poop) once found tapeworm eggs inside.

"It's a super-long-term association," Caira says. "And not only that, it's a successful way of life."

The life of a tapeworm unfolds over three stages. First, their larvae, which dwell in some animals' muscle, are swallowed by another unsuspecting host. With hooks or suckers, they cling to the lining of the gut and get fat off nutrients predigested by the host as they develop. When it comes time to procreate, these hermaphroditic creatures make use of the full suite of male and female reproductive organs packed into their rear ends - they can self-fertilize or mate with another individual. Their eggs are swept out into the world via the host's bowel movements, then swallowed by another host, when the cycle begins again.

Many tapeworms require multiple hosts - one or two in which their larvae develop, another in which they reach maturity. The exact sequence of hosts is specific to each cestode species, so much so that if you handed Caira the spiral-staircase-shaped intestine of any shark, she could guess what animal she was looking at based solely on the tapeworms she found.

This makes understanding tapeworms useful for conservation - their presence can indicate the diversity and health of an ecosystem. It also means that tapeworm family trees might hold clues to our own evolution.

One of the many intriguing revelations from Caira's survey: Deep-sea sharks have fewer tapeworms than their shallow-water brethren. "Maybe it's harder for those life cycles to go on at depth," Caira says.

And yet, they do go on - at the bottom of the ocean, in the guts of highflying gulls, even in our own bellies, if we're unlucky. Three tapeworm species make their livings off humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If left untreated, they can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, even seizures.

Their omnipresence suggests that parasitism is a great evolutionary strategy - but the secrets of tapeworms' success remain a mystery.

"I've described hundreds of them, and all that means is I can tell you what it looks like and where it's found," Caira says. "To me it's just this fountain of the unknown elements of the world. I mean, we're talking about a whole group of animals whose habitat is the body of another animal. Just think about that. There has to be really big advantages to being a parasite in order for your life cycle to be so complicated. . . . So how on Earth does that come about?"

"It just has to be a whole different way of living," she muses. "I think they have figured out answers to questions we don't even know are questions yet."

When I ask Caira about her favorite tapeworm, she directs me to Page 379 of her text, Figure E. There I find a gray-scale scanning electron microscope image of the scolex (head) of Yorkeria izardi, named for an Australian fisherman who provided specimens for the survey.

"Isn't that amazing?" she gushes.

The Y-shaped structure in the image is in no way recognizable as a head. Two elephant-ear-like lobes extend to either side; they are topped by pointed appendages resembling antlers.

"What are those? Antennae?"

"Those are hooks," Caira corrects me. "That's what it attaches to the surface of the gut with."

"Oy." I shudder. "I guess it's kind of a face-only-a-mother-could-love thing?"

That makes Caira indignant. "Let me try another one." In a matter of seconds, an email from her arrives in my inbox. Attached is a JPG labeled "Caira_tapeworm_eyecandy." I open it.

"So?"

This one is colorized in shades of blue, purple and green. Something about it reminds me of a carnivorous plant - not beautiful, perhaps, but undeniably impressive.

"This is actually a species that we auctioned to raise money," Caira informs me. A dentist purchased the naming rights to the species for $3,000. "I'm just saying."

"She was like, 'I want to name it after my sons,' so I asked: 'Oh why? Are they parasites?' And she said, 'Absolutely!' " Caira laughs.WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut off U.S. aid money to the Palestinian Authority amid a backlash over his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that has threatened to undermine potential peace talks in the Middle East.

In a pair of tweets, Trump said the Palestinians show "no appreciation or respect" to the United States for aid money given to Palestinian territories. President Mahmoud Abbas has vehemently objected to Trump's decision on Jerusalem and said his government would not accept any U.S. peace plan with Israel.The San Antonio Fire Department has been busy this year, responding to fires started accidentally by residents trying to stay warm.

Firefighters have responded to 17 confirmed structure fires.

One man and five pets were killed in the fires, and one firefighter suffered a minor ankle injury. All told, the San Antonio Fire Department received 36 reports of fires and dispatched 270 units throughout the city to respond to such reports.

"Whatever we are doing, it is not working as far as protecting our seniors, as far as educating our folks on these issues," said San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood.

RELATED: NW side furniture store leaves on sprinklers overnight, causing icy roads and several wrecks

He held a press conference on Wednesday in order to educate San Antonians on best practices and fire hazards.

The department responds to an average of about four structure fires a day, meaning the fire response rate by Wednesday morning was close to double that.

"With all these fires, you know, it's inherently dangerous for us, so fortunately with all this activity we did only have one ankle injury," Hood said.

So far one person has been killed in a blaze. Officials aren't sure what the 75-year-old man was doing when he set himself on fire in his home in the 200 block of Belmont Avenue Tuesday but they believe he may have either been using his stove to stay warm or attempting to extinguish a toaster fire when his shirt ignited. He has not yet been identified.

Another family lost a pet in a fire on Tuesday at a home in the 200 block of Monpelier Drive. San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said the homeowners were hoarders and the amount of material inside the home contributed to the strength of the blaze.

Wednesday morning, in the 3200 block of War Path, a man set fire to his home while using a barbecue pit to stay warm.

"I'm not going to fault anyone for trying to stay warm if they are cold, but we need to educate them that having such heating devices in your home could kill you," Hood said.

Following the fires on Tuesday, both the Bexar County Fire Marshal and the San Antonio Fire Department released safety guides on how to stay warm during the cold weather without burning your house down.

RELATED: SAFD: Neighbor found man 'smoldering' in East Side home, broke in to save him but was too late

"This time of year, we see an increase of home fires," said Bexar County Fire Marshal Chris Lopez. "Unfortunately we see many cases where residents have used their stove or other sources for heat inside their home to stay warm and then the fire quickly spreads to the rest of the house. Hopefully, we can prevent the loss of life and property this season, by asking everyone to use caution by properly heating their home."

The departments advise people to never use an oven to heat up a home, make sure space heaters aren't clogged by dust and are kept at least three feet away from any flammable material, have their chimneys inspected and to not start their fireplace with gasoline, and to avoid hoarding material. They also ask that residents test their fire alarms to make sure they're functioning correctly and to develop a fire escape plan.

Anyone who needs a smoke detector installed can call 211, and a crew will be sent to your home to install one, Hood said.

Further, anyone who even hears their air conditioning unit or smells something burning is asked to call the fire department immediately.

"We would much rather come out with an engine to check that, than come three hours later to a house that's fully involved in fire," Hood said.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdownsKERRVILLE  Its clear from his swanky accommodations at Kerr Countys animal shelter that Nelson, a large gray pit bull mix lounging on a pillow in the facilitys office, is no ordinary stray.

For the past three years he served as the countys official canine ambassador, appearing at area school campuses and other venues with shelter staffers delivering tutorials about rabies control, the importance of spaying and neutering and related topics.

The kids loved him, said Mike Wong, who met Nelson during the dogs visit at the now-closed countys juvenile detention center, where he was a detention officer.

RELATED: Zeus, the 200-pound Mastiff who bit its owner, is being held on 10-day quarantine

It brought up their spirits, Wong, now a county animal control officer, said Wednesday. Having a dog there reminded them of their own pets at home.

County commissioners decided in November to retire Nelson and discontinue the ambassadorship because of liability concerns after discovering the countys insurance policies didnt cover him. The move also is intended to save the county money.

Three people made unsolicited requests to adopt Nelson, said County Commissioner Jonathan Letz who, like other officials, wants to ensure the county finds a good home for the former ambassador. For now, hes grounded at the shelter.

There has been a hitch, Letz said, because of Nelsons official county diplomatic standing and because taxpayers had covered a $2,306.54 vet bill incurred in 2016 when he was hit by a car while on an official outing.

After the county attorney started looking at it, she concluded that Nelson was a county asset, said Letz. Like property, you cant just give him away after the county had put money into him.

RELATED: S.A. cracks down on dog chaining, will issue citations to owners for loud dogs

The county could declare him surplus and put Nelson up for auction, but theres no assurance that the high bidder would provide a good home, Letz said.

County Attorney Heather Stebbins said that, as county surplus, Nelson could also legally be donated to a nonprofit organization.

He doesnt have the training like a drug dog or a police dog or a cadaver dog, but he was the countys canine ambassador and he is county property, she said. He was more like a service dog than one who could be put on the general adoption rolls.

To try to solve the problem, officials decided to recoup the countys veterinarian expense by setting Nelsons adoption fee at $2,306.54 rather than the shelters normal $45 fee for dogs. Although one would-be adopter agreed verbally to pay the higher fee, Letz said, in the interests of ensuring everyone had a fair chance at acquiring a county asset, the county posted a Dec. 8 notice advising that Nelson was available for adoption at $2,306.54 and setting a Dec. 22 deadline to apply.

But the deadline passed without anyone stepping up to adopt Nelson  prompting unfounded rumors that he would then be euthanized  leading to a cascade of criticism of county officials on social media sites.

Even if the option for euthanasia is off the table  he doesn't deserve to be caught up in government red tape, at the shelter! read a Dec. 30 post on the Facebook page Free Nelson, written by Susan Hunter. He deserved a home to spend Christmas in, and he deserves a home to spend the rest of his life in. He deserves it NOW!

The group page was created by Hunter, a Bandera County resident who until recently had fostered dogs from the shelter and took and posted photos of its adoption candidates.

We feel it is unethical and not good for an animals mental health to be confined to a facility for an indeterminate period of time when there are viable options to allow him to be removed, she said Wednesday. Many people have said they would adopt him in a heartbeat if he were available for a standard adoption fee.

Reagan Givens, the countys director of environmental health and animal services since September, described the outpouring of online opinions and misinformation surrounding the situation as a crazy deal.

Were not a popular department, you could say, he said Wednesday. It definitely did raise safety concerns for my staff.

Theres been comments about our staff being the devils spawn and that animals are better than humans, he said. Everyone is outraged by the adoption fee,

Debbi Haughey wrote on the Free Nelson page, They are going to be getting all that money in pennies??? This is absolutely insane and I pray that Nelson becomes famous as well as the jerks that are exhorting this $$$$$.

Because of the absence of public interest in adopting Nelson for the $2,306.54, Letz said county officials are exploring other options for finding Nelson a good home.

The ironic part is that, for a pet, Nelson is treated like royalty, he said Wednesday, suggesting critics look beyond this one celebrity cause. They should be concerned about trying to adopt the other dogs at the shelter.

Zeke MacCormack is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | zeke@express-news.net | @zekemacA San Antonio man is in jail after a 5-year-old girl said he touched her inappropriately, authorities said.

Martin Sanchez, 20, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of indecency with a child, nearly six months after the girl first reported the abuse, according to an arrest affidavit.

The girl's mother reported on July 26 that her daughter's backside was grabbed inappropriately, officials said.

RELATED: Suspect accused of sexually assaulting child in West Texas caught while crossing border

The girl was interviewed a few weeks later. She allegedly told the forensic interviewer that Sanchez also touched her inappropriately while she'd sleep in her bed with her little brother, according to the affidavit.

She said the abuse happened to two other occasions and that Sanchez asked her not to tell anyone what he did, according to the affidavit.

RELATED: Report: Austin couple caught having oral sex in 'kid-friendly' Tex-Mex restaurant

The girl's mother said Sanchez denied the claims when she confronted him, according to the affidavit.

In a first interview with Child Protective Services, Sanchez admitted to touching the girl's legs and backside but in a later interview admitted to further inappropriate contact, authorities said.

Sanchez was taken into custody on a $100,000 bond, according to court records. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSASAN DIEGO - The U.S. Homeland Security secretary said Tuesday the White House would consider immigration legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of young people, but she emphasized it wasn't an endorsement.

Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said President Donald Trump would consider any legislation Congress passes and noted that some lawmakers want to include a pathway to citizenship for about 800,000 people who have been temporarily shielded from deportation.

Asked whether the president would support citizenship, she said, "I think he's open to hearing about the different possibilities and what it means but, to my knowledge, there certainly hasn't been any decision from the White House."

In September, Trump said he wouldn't consider citizenship for DACA recipients - an Obama-era program that Trump said last year he was ending. He gave Congress until March to deliver a legislative fix.

The secretary said she was hopeful the White House and Congress can reach a deal that includes border and immigration enforcement measures. She said building a wall along the Mexico border was "first and foremost," and the administration wanted to end "loopholes" on issues that include handling asylum claims and local police working with immigration authorities.

"I remain optimistic. You have to be," Nielsen said. "It's very important. The American people have said they wanted it. I think we should find common ground. The devil's in the detail."

Nielsen said she and other senior administration officials would discuss a potential deal with members of Congress this week, and the president would take it up in a meeting Wednesday with congressional leaders on legislative priorities for 2018.

The secretary spoke hours after the president blasted Democrats for "doing nothing" to protect DACA recipients. Trump tweeted that "DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start 'falling in love' with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS."

Nielsen, who visited prototypes of Trump's proposed border wall in San Diego, said the president would request $1.6 billion next year for the barrier, in addition to $1.6 billion he is seeking this year to build or replace 74 miles in California and Texas.

"It's all a down payment," she said. "This is not going to get us the whole wall we need but it's a start."

Trump has met stiff Democratic opposition to the wall, a central campaign pledge. Barriers currently cover 654 miles, or about one-third of the border, much of it built during George W. Bush's presidency.

Nielsen said closing enforcement "loopholes" was also a priority. She mentioned refusals by some local police to honor requests from federal authorities to detain people in the country illegally; special legal protections for unaccompanied children who enter the country illegally and are not from Mexico or Canada; and criteria for passing an initial screening on asylum claims.

Nielsen said she believed any permanent protection for DACA recipients should be limited to the hundreds of thousands who qualified during the three years it was in effect, not anyone who would meet the criteria if it were still in place. Pathway to citizenship aside, she said it should include permission to work.

"It will be interesting to see where (Congress) can get comfortable with what they mean by what is a permanent fix, but the idea would be that you move away from a temporary status, that they have some sort of status at that point that's not in question."As 2018 approaches, Canyon Creek Preserve is poised to become one of the Hill Countrys premier residential communities. Located close to the vibrant town of Helotes, and near San Antonio, this beautiful large acreage development offers freedom from the noise and bright lights of the city, without leaving any of the conveniences behind. If youve been searching for BIG Hill Country acreage just outside San Antonio, with an abundance of wildlife, huge oak trees, a live creek and more, then you owe it to yourself to come explore Canyon Creek Preserve!

Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, near the charming community of Helotes, Canyon Creek Preserve provides the perfect blend of country living and close proximity to the city. Helotes is known to be very family-oriented, and was named Bloomberg BusinessWeeks 2013 Best Small Town in Texas to Raise Kids. The area also boasts a low crime rate, great schools, and favorable weather year round!

Add to that, low ag exempt taxes on your property and theres no better place to call home!

Canyon Creek Preserve is truly in the ideal location, just 15 minutes outside of San Antonio, in the premier Northside Independent School District. This beautiful community has some of the biggest and best large acreage bargains in the area  and offers an incredible opportunity to live in the country, but still be close to the city!

This community is a great place to raise your kids, have a weekend getaway, or build your retirement home! Many of the current owners are looking to escape the bright lights and noise of the city and Canyon Creek Preserve has proven to be their oasis in the country, without having to leave all those city conveniences behind. Canyon Creek Preserve will provide you with the perfect blend of country living and close proximity to your job in the city, so you can live in the country, but still work in the city!

The property has many amazing highlights and features, such as:

 25+ acre tracts

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 Paved roads, electric, cable, & phone

 Premier Northside Independent School District (ISD)

 Prime location  only 13.6 miles to 1604 in San Antonio

 Build now or build later & choose your own builder

And right now is the perfect time to get in on a large acreage land bargain of your own, and save thousands on gorgeous 25+ acre tracts as they kick off their New Year Land Sale with huge discounts. You can find the homesite of your dreams and enjoy the freedom to choose your own builder to create your new custom home.

Steve Brents, project manager at Canyon Creek Preserve, is looking forward to a new year and new inventory. Our Phase 3 homesites have been an overwhelming success. Everyone who comes out is amazed to see the large acreages we have to offer, especially this close to the city. And with our Phase 4 section opening in 2018, well have all new inventory to show and get folks excited about. Were keeping the same great deals in place, and we will have plenty of gorgeous homesites to show.

So, if youve been in the market for BIG Hill Country acreage, with breathtaking hilltop views, great trees, an abundance of wildlife and much more, then you owe it to yourself to come explore Canyon Creek Preserve during the New Year Land Sale. This is a great opportunity to save tens of thousands on your dream homesite! Excellent financing is available, so owning your piece of the American Dream has never been easier or more affordable!

For more information about this community, please call and speak with one of the knowledgable land consultants at 877-888-7579, or visit their website at www.CanyonCreekTX.com. The Canyon Creek Preserve team is ready to answer all of your questions and help find the homesite that is just perfect for you and your family. Contact them today to learn more!

The team here at Canyon Creek Preserve is always happy to help out  to walk you through the steps of buying land, and most importantly  to help you find that perfect piece of paradise youve been looking for all along, says Steve Brents. Give us a call today  you wont be disappointed.

Open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., (877) 888-7579, www.CanyonCreekTX.com.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by National Land Partners LLC. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.WILTON  As an outreach counselor at Wilton High School, Alexa Lee has noticed how some students use substances to self-medicate or to cope with their stress and anxiety. Prior to working at the high school in September, Lee also saw how earlier use of drugs and alcohol among at-risk youths often led to increased use and other issues later in life.

With the amount of anxiety and the depression that are kind of running rampant in the schools, finding ways to promote healthy coping skills instead of maladaptive coping skills is important, Lee said.

While a recent survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows past-year use of illicit drugs (other than marijuana) among high-schoolers are at the lowest levels in more than two decades, Lee sees a need for focusing on the prevention of substance use and abuse among youths.

And so, she was recently hired to lead Wilton Warrior Council  a reboot of Wilton Youth Councils former C.O.D.E.S. high school program that offered students healthy alternatives to substance abuse and an opportunity to build leadership skills.

Starting Jan. 12, the revamped council will offer a substance-free activity in addition to its monthly dinners and discussions. The Jan. 12 activity will be laser tag.

It provides that safe social place for the kids, Lee said. Theres this idea in high school of everyones using, so its really being a part of people who are defying that and saying not everyone has to use substances.

So far, about 20 students have attended Wilton Youth Council with new participants every meeting, Lee said. Reasons for attending vary, Lee said, whether it be that they or their parents are in recovery or they know addiction runs in the family and want to be part of something promotes substance-free living, Lee explained.

The past several meetings have covered substance use prevention, mental health, positive decision making and other teen-related issues. Teens are encouraged to try out the meeting to see if they like it without committing to anything, Lee said. Food is provided by parents and Wilton Pizza.

Theres not these rigorous requirements for the club, Lee said. Its really something thats positive and it doesnt have to be a stressful environment.

Lee leads the council with Joyce Smith, an experienced substance abuse prevention specialist and the president of Ram Council Foundation in New Canaan. Smith was hired as a consultant to the revamped council, thanks to a grant provided by Bankwell Wilton.

Wilton Youth Council Chairperson Vanessa Elias said the council was thrilled to hire both and that the response so far has been tremendous.

In light of the current opioid epidemic all communities are facing, and with participation in our high school club (formerly called CODES) waning, we knew it was time to give it a reboot, Elias said.

Plans of creating a student executive board are in the works, Lee said.

For more information about Wilton Warrior Council, contact Lee at leea@wiltonps.org.

skim@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2568; @stephaniehnkimTough measures to deal with animal cruelty cases have been called for, following a spate of horse deaths in Clonmel in recent weeks.

"The County Council has to come down hard on this and ensure that these animals are looked after in the short-term; and in the long-term (ensure) that these people are seen to be brought to justice", Cllr. Pat English told a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

Three horses starved to death after they were abandoned on land at Knocklofty, with several others left with little or nothing to eat, in the week before Christmas; while the body of a horse was discovered by women out walking their dogs at Suir Island on Wednesday of last week, December 27th.

In a separate incident, District Mayor Catherine Carey (pictured above) said that another pony found "starving to death" near the Questum building on the Cahir Road, Clonmel on Christmas Eve was euthanised on St. Stephen's Day.

Meanwhile, a public meeting to discuss the problem has been organised by Action for Animal Welfare Ireland. This will be held at 7pm in Hearns Hotel next Monday, January 8th.

Cllr. English stated at the council meeting that the only answer to this whole issue was an inter-agency response. There should be a local or national policy, with large fines or prison terms attached, and hopefully that would put a stop to it.

He also said he got "very little hop" when he contacted the Department of Agriculture in Tipperary about the cruelty case in Knocklofty.

Cllr. Catherine Carey said the incident at Knocklofty was the most dreadful case of cruelty she had seen.

As many as 14 live horses that were in the same area were removed and brought to the Cork Horse Pound.

She said they had to get tough on this cruelty, describing it as "barbaric", and said they couldn't bury their heads in the sand.

"It's so sad. When you see the bodies of these horses it would move you to tears", she later told The Nationalist.

On a happier note Cllr. Carey said that, in conjunction with the Action for Animal Welfare group, she had found homes for the 14 horses that were brought to the Cork Horse Pound from Knocklofty.

Cllr. Andy Moloney suggested that the council write to the Department of Agriculture requesting that a survey would be carried out on these horses that were left roaming. People were asking why the council wasn't doing anything about it.

District Administrator Anthony Coleman said the Department of Agriculture was responsible where horses or other animals were on private lands, while the council was responsible when the animals were on public roads or council lands.

Above - This dead horse was found at Suir Island, Clonmel on Wednesday of last week.

Cllr. Siobhan Ambrose said the Department of Agriculture weren't pulling their weight on this, people couldn't contact them and in her view they were "getting away with murder".

She described it as very unfair that the Department wasn't taking its responsibilities seriously. The horses in Knocklofty were on private land and people had to be careful entering private land.

Cllr. Ambrose also accepted that people were distressed about this but she cautioned that they should be careful about what they said on social media.

Cllr. Michael Murphy said there were a number of horses in Rathronan that were waiting for fodder.

Cllr. Micheal Anglim said that anyone who had anything to do with the mistreatment of animals "shouldn't be let within an ass's roar of them" in future.

Cllr. Richie Molloy agreed that they should contact the Department of Agriculture.

This was going on for a number of months now and it should be made clear, possibly on the council's website, as to who was responsible.

Cllr. Martin Lonergan said it should be up to the Department of Agriculture to police these cases. Legislation had to be introduced at national level to ensure that people had passports for horses and that they were micro-chipped.

APPEAL MADE FOR HAY FOR HORSES

In recent weeks the Tipperary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) has appealed for supplies of hay that are urgently needed for what they say are the increasing number of horses roaming across the county.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the TSPCA can contact chairman Conor Hickey at 086-6031366 or e-mail tspca@tspca.net

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Thousands of commuters across Chennai were forced to pay exorbitant fares for OLA and UBER call taxi cabs after a large number of cab drivers affiliated with Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) went on strike on Wednesday.

The Tamil Nadu Call taxi drivers and owners association affiliated to CITU Chennai Maha Nagar Motor Vahana Thozhialar Sangam called for a strike demanding the government to introduce standard auto meters for call taxis and revise the government order relaxing the eight-hours per day restriction on call taxis. They claimed that cab drivers are getting exploited by cab aggregators.

On Wednesday, with about 40,000 vehicles participated in the strike, OLA and UBER introduced the surge price early morning. This led to increasing cab fares across the city up to three times the normal fare.

"I paid Rs 250 for an OLA cab to go to Thiruvalluvar nagar of Thiruvanmiyur from T Nagar Burkit road which normally charged Rs 80", said R Siddharth, an advocate, who since an accident has been regularly availing cab services.

IN PICS: Chennai call taxi drivers association stages protest, demands regularisation of Ola, Uber

The condition of many other commuters who depend on cab services for their transportation was no different. Particularly, those commuters heading to Airport, CMBT terminus, Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore railway stations for outstation travel are worst affected.

The cab fare from Chennai Airport to CMBT increased to Rs 450 as against Rs 230 in normal days. "I have two huge luggage bags which I cannot take into buses. For a travel from Thiruvanmiyur to CMBT, I was charged Rs 260 as against Rs 140 which I regularly pay," said R Sharadha, who took an Ola cab.

The protesting cab drivers urged the government to constitute a committee to fix standard meter fare for call taxis in Chennai. The OLA and CAB take 27 per cent of earnings as commission and they struggle to meet their family demands.

"Cab fare Rs 6 to 9 per kilometer was too low. As more than 50 per cent cabs are running on rentals, while 25 per cent cabs purchased through bank loans. It's nearly impossible to earn Rs 3000 a day if we work only for eight hours. Currently, a driver had to ride for about 250 to 300 km a day within Chennai city to earn Rs 2000. After spending for fuel we earn Rs 450 to Rs 500 a day," said V Athimulam, Treasurer of Chennai 'Thozhargal' unorganized car driver association.

The Tamil Nadu Call Taxi Owners and Drivers Association president P Anabazhagan said the government should fix standard fares for call taxis in Chennai and revise the permit rules to allow two drivers for cars so as to operate tourists taxis for more than 12 hours.

Thousands of drivers who protested near Chepauk stadium raised slogans demanding the government to constitute a committee to protect the welfare of about 60,000 families involved in the business.By Online Desk

The Mumbai Police registered 16 FIRs and detained over 300 people in connection with protests by Dalit groups during the day-long bandh yesterday against the Bhima Koregaon caste clashes, while Internet services were suspended in Kolhapur following tension in the district.

The caste clash in the state has so far left two dead in three days.

Violence had erupted on Monday evening at an event to commemorate the Battle of Koregaon  a heroic episode in the Dalit history -- with demonstrators damaging buses, blocking roads and forcing shops to down shutters.

Here are the latest updates:

Dalits in Bhopal protested the Pune violence . Parts of Burhanpur city were tense after a shutdown was called and more than 10 buses were damaged.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the Bhima- Koregaon violence was very unfortunate , but the Maharashtra governments patience averted situation to become worse.

Over 30 policemen sustained injuries in the city yesterday during the protest called by various Dalit groups, a senior police official said Thursday. More than 300 people had also been reportedly detained as part of the investigations into the incidents that occurred during the protests.

In the wake of protests spreading to Gujarat, buses in Junagarh shifted from depots to a division workshop in order to prevent damage. (ANI)

The Centre has assured the state government that all necessary assistance to deal with the violence and protests and bring back normalcy to the state. (PTI)

The Union Home Ministry has received a factual report from the Maharashtra government on the prevailing situation in the state. (PTI)

Normalcy restored in Mumbai after yesterday's protests over Bhima Koregaon violence in the state.

A Total of 16 FIRs have been registered relating to incidents during the Maharashtra Bandh yesterday and more than 300 miscreants have been detained: Mumbai Police [READ FULL REPORT]

A Dalit group held a protest march in Surat's Udhna locality to express solidarity with the community members in Maharashtra over the caste violence in Pune district on January 1.

BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday accused the BJP and the RSS of engineering the caste violence in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today called for a time-bound inquiry into the Maharashtra caste clash and said strict action should be taken against those found guilty.

A 16-year-old student was killed in violence during a roadblock agitation in this district during Wednesday's Maharashtra 'bandh' called by Dalit parties.

An inquiry will be conducted in the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra. We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Prakash Ambedkar called off its ' Maharashtra Shutdown' which left large parts of Mumbai and rest of the state virtually paralysed for 10 hours.

Normal route from South Mumbai to airport through Worli Sea face is clear: Mumbai Police

Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar withdraws Maharashtra bandh call Bhima Koregaon Violence

There has been no death of a person from Dalit community. Wrong messages are being spread on social media, people have to be very cautious. The situation overall is peaceful in Maharashtra: Deepak Kesarkar, MoS, Home Rural on Bhima Koregaon Violence

All train lines which were blocked by the protesters, have been evacuated and operations have resumed , informed the Western Railways.

Jo organised tareeke se Maharashtra ke andar hinsa karai jaa rahi hai aur jis prakar ke bhashan diye gaye hain, ek baar uss taraf bhi neta-pratipaksh thoda dhyan dein: Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha (ANI)

We condemn the statement by Law Minister, that we are raising Bhima Koregaon Violence issue to stall Triple Talaq Bill. We have been raising the issue of Dalit atrocities as this govt is anti-Dalit: Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha (ANI)

Traffic from Haji Ali Jn has been diverted through Mahalaxmi/ Senapati Bapat Marg temporarily due to congestion at Mela Junction: Mumbai Police

Traffic at Eastern Expressway affected due to Traffic Blockade near Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar. Traffic has been diverted to avoid inconvenience: Mumbai Police

Maharashtra: Heavy Police deployment in Aurangabad, stones pelted & vehicles vandalized by protesters #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8RuCB3hNa2  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Train services on Central Railway's mainline towards CSMT was affected, in turn delaying thousands of office-goers in Mumbai. [READ FULL REPORT]

'Rasta Roko' protest being held in Andheri on the Western Express Highway #Mumbai #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/2vsBRCvRRt  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Several markets and most schools in Nagpur remains closed with protest marches taken out in many sensitive areas in the city. [READ FULL REPORT]

There is no cancellation of long-distance trains so far in Mumbai. (ANI)

Other Mumbai suburban services are being run amid intermittent protests at Elphinstone Road, Goregaon, Dadar, and Malad. (ANI)

Remaining services of Mumbai's AC local suspended for the day. (ANI)

#Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses and a car vandalized by protesters in Powai #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/CuZXzvwa02  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Both up and down lines, which were blocked by the protesters from 12.05 hrs have been evacuated at 12.24 hrs and train operations have resumed at Goregaon. Trains are delayed due to it, according to Western Railways. (ANI)

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge says "Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima Koregaon violence. PM should also give a statement, he can't stay mum! He is a 'Mauni baba on such issues." (ANI)

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raises the issue of #BhimaKoregaonViolence in Lok Sabha, asks "who instigated and interfered in this event?" pic.twitter.com/XyNh3SKJwa  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Security tightened outside Maharashtra Sadan. (ANI)

Two Thane Municipal Transport buses and an auto-rickshaw vandalized in Chendani Koliwada area. Four passengers have been injured in the incident. (ANI)

A rickshaw driver in Mulund told ANI, "We are supporting this bandh only because we are scared of our loss. They can vandalize anything here."

Maharashtra: Protests being carried out in the state; visuals from Nagpur's Shatabdi Square #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/CRxHim7qOl  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Commuters stranded due to less number of auto-rickshaws and other transport in Mumbai. (ANI)

Administration and security forces are making all efforts to normalize the train operations, says Western Railways. (ANI)

Commuters are advised to avoid Kalanagar & MMRDA Junction for some time due to Rasta roko #TrafficUpdate  Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 3, 2018

Large number of protesters have occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting rail traffic. (ANI)

Inter-state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure. (ANI)

Protesters halt buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in Thane, also deflate bus tyres. (ANI)

Mumbai Dabbawallas Association has decided to not run its delivery service, today; head of the association Subhash Talekar says "means of transportation difficult for delivery of tiffins on time during the bandh in Maharashtra. (ANI)

"Few protestors tried to disrupt Railway services at Thane but were immediately cleared by RPF and GRP officials. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway as of now," says CPRO Central Railway. (ANI)

Maharashtra: Protesters halt a train at Thane Railway Station over #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/BHLsWmfpmk  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Protesters halt a train at Thane Railway Station. (ANI)

Section 144 has been imposed in Maharashtra's Thane till January 4, midnight, according to reports. (ANI)

In view of the protests, domestic carriers including government-owned Air India have waived charges for ticket cancellations and no show due to the ongoing unrest in parts of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra government must ensure rule of law. I appeal to the people of Maharashtra to maintain peace, says Jignesh Mevani

CSMT-Panvel harbour line services restored from 1640 hrs. @RidlrMUM @mumbairailusers  Central Railway (@Central_Railway) January 2, 2018

More than 100 people have been detained over different locations: Mumbai Police PRO

Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar had given a call for Maharashtra Bandh on Wednesday to protest against the Bhima Koregaon violence. Left parties have reportedly lent support to the call.

Maharashtra: Republican Party of India workers protest in Thane #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/v9mMS2APNR  ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

Mumbai Special train services being run on Harbour line between CSMT-Kurla and Mankhurd. All other services on Central Railway running normally.

Section 144 has not been imposed in Chembur or other parts of eastern suburbs: Mumbai Police PRO

Many shops are getting closed in Eastern Suburb of #Mumbai. One #BEST bus stoned, rasta roko at Amar Mahal #Mumbai @RidlrMUM pic.twitter.com/KVsL1XKgrx  Rakesh (@rakeshcamin) January 2, 2018

Dont believe in rumours. Traffic on Eastern expressway was affected due to protests. Its moving now. Traffic at Chembur Naka is still affected. There is nothing to panic. Verify facts with police officers and men before posting anything on social media.  Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 2, 2018

Pune: Buses vandalised in Hadapsar, Fursungi; all bus services to Ahemadnagar, Aurangabad suspended #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8ZH7zNsfwD  ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the deceased. He has also ordered a CID enquiry over the youth.

Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis orders judicial enquiry for #BhimaKoregaon incident.

Also orders a CID enquiry for the death of a youth & an assistance of 10 lakh to his kin.

Strict action will be taken against the all those who are spreading rumours & trying to invoke violence. pic.twitter.com/TvMVVgSWRV  CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 2, 2018

Thousands of Dalits from all across the state paid tributes at the Victory Pillar. Members of Samata Sainik Dal also carried out a parade. But, towards evening, a group of youths carrying saffron flags and with their faces covered, came on bikes shouting slogans Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani. Some of them threw stones at people returning from the victory pillar and at the police, an eyewitness said.

Incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism occurred at Bhima Koregaon in Shiroor tehsil on Monday afternoon when people were heading for the war memorial in the village, police said.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale demanded police protection for dalits in the wake of Monday's violence. "Dalit groups visiting Bhima Koregaon were stopped at Sanaswadi near Koregaon. Stones were hurled at them. No police force was available for their protection," Athawale said in a statement.

Jignesh Mewani, Omar Khalid, Prakash Ambedkar and Radhika Vemula in Pune at an event marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon (31.12.17) pic.twitter.com/s4ngA9T8hc  ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

Earlier on Monday, dalit leader and independent MLA from Gujarat Jignesh Mevani visited the war memorial in the village. Mevani had also attended 'Elgaar Parishad' held in Pune to commemorate the battle Sunday.

The pillar commemorates the victory of around 600 British troops, comprising mainly Mahar (Dalit) soldiers, over a 2,000-strong Maratha force under the upper-caste Peshwas that was backed by a larger army of over 28,000 Maratha troops in the battle of Koregaon, which is considered a heroic episode of Dalit history.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchable -- were part of the East India Company's forces.

However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to the celebration of the 'British' victory.Express News Service

GUWAHATI/NEW DELHI: Troops of Indian and Chinese security forces are locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball standoff near Bishing in Arunachal Pradeshs Upper Siang district for close to a week now, sources in the security establishment have confirmed to The New Indian Express.

The standoff began after Indian troops involving the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army were informed by local villagers that a Chinese road-building team had entered India with bulldozers.

My friend was driving to a place which lies beyond Tuting. He was stopped by the Army, who said he cannot go further because a standoff between Indian and Chinese soldiers is on. The locals there too had confirmed this to my friend, an Arunachal-based lawyer-activist said.

ALSO READ: Never acknowledged existence of Arunachal Pradesh, says China

At least three sources have independently confirmed to TNIE that two dozers have been confiscated. A source in the security establishment said the standoff began before the new year and is continuing as we speak.

Another source said, We do not want to escalate matters and make a Doklam out of it. So the government has asked us not to go public. He was referring to the 72-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam in Bhutan last year that had escalated tension between the neighbours.

The armies disengaged after China promised to make necessary adjustments to their troop deployment, and Indian troops withdrew to their posts in Sikkim.

In a narrative pieced together from sources in Arunachal Pradesh, it is understood that last week, probably around December 28, the Chinese road-building team was spotted by villagers. The team included civilians as well as uniformed personnel.

The villagers informed a local policeman, who in turn alerted the ITBP deployed in Medog, near Bishing. The area is north of the Yarlung Tsangpo river, called Siang in India, after it enters Arunachal in an S bend.

The ITBP reached the spot and asked the Chinese to return. There was an exchange of words but the Chinese refused to yield. The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay.

Though the site is part of the ITBPs area of responsibility, the Army is heavily deployed in the region. In December 2016, the Army and the Air Force re-activated an Advanced Landing Ground at Tuting where military cargo planes can fly from a short runway. The faceoff site is near the Gelling subdivision.

There are two accounts on the standoff. According to one, the civilians in the road-building team retreated to Chinese territory and the faceoff dissipated. Another account says the standoff is still on and it occasionally involves bargaining over the custody of the dozers. There are more Chinese soldiers now since the road-building party was intercepted.

The district authorities as well as the Arunachal Chief Ministers office expressed ignorance on the incident. Local MP, Ninong Ering, too, did not have knowledge of the faceoff. The Army is not letting people go beyond Gelling village, which is the next administrative circle after Tuting town towards the international border, said the lawyer-activist.

A comparison with Doklam is easy but it is incorrect. This is because Doklam involved a third country, Bhutan. In this case, the standoff is firmly within Indian territory, about 4 km from the McMahon Line.By Express News Service

MANGALURU: In an incident of alleged moral policing, a 23 year-old youth slapped on the cheeks of a college-going student for going out with a Muslim youth in Pilikula Biological Park in Moodushedde on citys outskirts on Tuesday.

Sampath

Soon after the incident, a video clip of the youth slapping the student in front of police went viral on social media. Police later swung into action and arrested Sampath, identified as member of Moodushedde unit of Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV), along with Varada and Dinesh.

According to police sources, two girl students from a city-based college were found in the company of a Muslim youth at Manasa Water Park in Pilikula Biological Park on Tuesday. Tipped about this, a group of youth belonging to HJV rushed to Manasa Water Park and began reprimanding the youth and girl students.

While handing the youth and girl students to police, Sampath slapped one of the girls in the presence of police.

Soon after the incident, the video went viral in social media. A case was registered at Mangaluru Rural police station in this regard.Cathy Zuraw / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  City officials said that the Burroughs-Saden Library will reopen Wednesday after being closed for a day because of a broken water main.

Officials said that because of the main break, the library had no water, no heat and no bathroom facilities, and library employees were sent home.Joe Ganim got out of the starting blocks of his gubernatorial race Wednesday fast  too fast.

The SUV the Bridgeport mayor was riding in between campaign stops in Hartford and Waterbury was pulled over for speeding by State Police on Interstate 84 in Southington.

The rented Ford Expedition with Pennsylvania license plates was being driven by Ramon Garcia. The speedometer read 100 mph.

A little bit fast, the state trooper said to Ganim through the passenger side window.

He asked what the hurry was.

Ganim apologized as Garcia handed the trooper his license. He made no mention of his candidacy.

Were a little behind schedule, Ganim said. Sorry about that.

No ticket or written warning was issued to Garcia, the driver, who is a Bridgeport police detective and part of Ganims security detail.

State police said the vehicle was clocked at 87 mph, but a reporter who was invited along for the ride observed the speedometer shortly before the car was pulled over.

Fanfare and flummox

Gamin registered Wednesday as a candidate for governor, a bold overture by a politician who served seven years in federal prison for corruption. He instantly becomes the biggest household name  for better or worse  to enter a crowded field dominated by fellow mayors and first selectmen.

This election is not going to be about someones past, Ganim, 58, told reporters outside the Capitol in Hartford. As you know, Im not a guy that shies away from challenges and controversy. Im going to run and Im going to run hard.

The 1994 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, Ganim spent the day doing a roadshow to promote his candidacy, which was greeted with fanfare and flummox. The tour started in Bridgeport and included stops in New Haven and Waterbury.

Republicans immediately tried to cast Ganim as part of a trio of Democratic mayors with gubernatorial ambitions that they say have baggage. The others are Middletowns Dan Drew and Hartfords Luke Bronin.

State GOP Chairman J.R. Romano noted that Ganim is not eligible for public campaign financing under the states clean elections program because of his felony conviction for accepting bribes.

In was a wise decision for the (State Elections Enforcement Commission) to deny Mayor Ganim taxpayer money based on his political criminal record, but with the Democrat field filled with the likes of a failed mayor from Hartford and a mayor currently under investigation by his own common council, I can see why Joe Ganim thinks he has a shot, Romano said.

Staking out the cities

A media throng shadowed Ganim and his entourage, including leaders of the black community, to Hartford for his debut. They crammed into the small third floor offices of the states election enforcement agency, where Ganim handed his candidate registration papers to an enforcement officer.

The agencys offices are across the street from the Capitol, where Ganim held an impromptu news conference in the press gallery. The gaggle was interrupted by a legislative management official, who said only the governor is allowed to hold court in the space.

From the Capitol, Ganim was whisked to Hartfords North End, where the consummate retail politician visited Norris Barber Shop.

I didnt want to come to Hartford and just visit the state Capitol, Ganim told the shops owner, Marcus Brown.

Browns cellphone rang, briefly interrupting the exchange. His ringtone was, ironically, the theme from Law & Order.

The 06120 ZIP code, also visited by Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign, is the poorest in a state with the widest wealth gap in the nation.

We could use all kinds of help, Brown said. Ive seen a lot of good things happen down in Bridgeport.

Ganim made his final Hartford stop at Tangiers, a popular Middle Eastern grocery story and lunch spot. The owners are Lebanese-American like Ganim.

Im so glad you came, said Winfield Latif, one of 11 siblings. If not here, you can come to my home anytime to eat.

Latif prepared baklava to-go for Ganim, who insisted on paying for the dessert. Outside, an elderly man greeted Ganim with As-Salaam-Alaikum, which means peace be with you in Arabic.

New Haven is also expected to play a crucial role in Ganims candidacy. It has the most voting delegates for the state Democratic convention, which will be held in May.

Ganim visited New Haven after a lunchtime stop in Waterbury, recording a 30-minute radio appearance on WYBC 94.3 FM. The divorced father of three told host Yusuf Shah that the state needs a bold visionary.

This is not caretaker time, Ganim said. Its not really anything about me.

The early bird

Ganims day started at 5 a.m. with a five-mile run on a treadmill. He said he runs about an eight-minute mile.

From Bridgeports Margaret E. Morton Government Center, it was a short ride to the Milford studios of WPLR, where Ganim announced his candidacy on the Chaz and AJ Show. In a blue window pane suit, Ganim was greeted by his lawyer brother, Tom Ganim.

Youre looking sharp, Ganims brother said.

Ganims aides had prepared him for a myriad of tough questions, but it was one about Ganims personal life that made Ganims spokeswoman Rowena White drop her cell phone.

Are you dating? Chaz asked.

The answer was, Yes.

During his barnstorming tour of the state, Ganim addressed several parody Twitter and Facebook accounts that have popped up in recent days, including one called Ganim for Prison.

Ganim quoted his onetime friend and associate Donald Trump, who invited Ganim to his wedding to Marla Maples. The two partnered in an unsuccessful casino development in the 1990s in Bridgeport.

I got two words about the traffic stop, Ganim joked at the end of the day. He then quoted his old friend Trump: Fake news.Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers. Thunder possible. High 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 60F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.New Delhi: India has imposed anti-dumping duty on as many as 98 products, as on December 27 last year, imported from China, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

The products on which the duty was imposed include flax fabrics, vitamin C, certain fibres and chemicals, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

He also said trade deficit with China stood at USD 36.73 billion during April-October this fiscal.

"Increasing trade deficit with China can be attributed primarily to the fact that Chinese exports to India rely strongly on manufactured items to meet the demand of fast expanding sectors like telecom and power," he said.

Countries initiate antidumping probes to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by a surge in below-cost imports.

As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral WTO regime.

Antidumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products. PTI RR ADI ANUThere's always a certain curiosity that surrounds Bollywood's kids.

How they look, what they wear, where they party, paparazzi are always on the lookout to catch a glimpse of them.

Thanks to them and the Internet, Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan's daughter Aaradhya is no stranger to the world.

But now a 29-year old man from Andhra Pradesh has claimed that Aaradhya isn't the only Bachchan kid.

Sangeeth Kumar, in his bizarre claim, says he was born to Aishwarya 6 years before she bagged the Miss World crown in 1994. Yes, you read that right.

"I was born to her by IVF in London in 1988. I was brought up in Chodavaram from age three to 27. I was with my grandmother Brinda Krishnaraj Rai's family at the age of one and two in Mumbai. My grandfather Krishnaraj Rai died in April 2017, and my uncle's name in Aditya Rai, Sangeet told media.

Hailing from Vishakhapatnam, Kumar said that he was born in 1988 in London through IVF and was allegedly raised for two years by Aishwarya's parents Vrinda Rai and Krishnaraj Rai.

With no documents to prove his bizarre claims (because apparently, his relatives destroyed them all), Kumar goes on to say that Aishwarya and Abhishek have separated and now his "mother" lives separately.

"My mother got married in 2007 with Abhishek Bachchan and she is separated, living alone. I want my mom to come and live with me in Mangaluru. Its already 27 years since I separated from my family, I miss her a lot." he adds.

"Im getting enormous headache and anger at my native place, most of my relatives have manipulated things since childhood, otherwise I would have come back to my mother before itself with clear information. Due to lack of information, I could not come to my mother, so now I got all clarity," he concluded.

Watch the video here:New Delhi: As Assam released the part of the draft NRC at the stroke of midnight on December 31 with 1.9 crore names in the list, but almost 20,000 people would certainly not find their names on the list anymore.

In a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State of Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said that almost 19,612 doubtful voters were declared as foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal of Assam till October 2017.

Leader of All India United Democratic Front, Badruddin Ajmal, questioned Rijiju about the details of the procedure adopted to declare a person as a doubtful voter and how many such doubtful voters were declared as foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal (FT).

As per the monthly report of disposal of cases in FT of Assam, 19,612 'D' (doubtful/disputed) voters were declared foreigners till October 2017, informed Rijiju on Tuesday.

However, the MoS Home Affairs stated that issuing notice to D voters is a legal process and there is no question of harassing people. D voters are not detained and only people declared as foreigners are kept in detention centres, said Kiren Rijiju.

As per the white paper on foreigners issue, released by Assam government's Home and Political Department during intensive revision of electoral rolls in Assam in 1997, the letter 'D' (for doubtful/disputed) was marked against the names of those electors who could not prove their Indian citizenship status at the time of verification.

It was only based on the verification report that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) decided on whether the matter needed to be referred to an FT to ascertain the Indian citizenship status of such electors.

The Union Minister said that once EROs decided to send such cases to tribunals, such cases were forwarded to the competent authority (Superintendent of Police of the concerned district) for reference to the concerned tribunals.

"Based on the judgments/orders of the tribunals, the letter 'D' was either removed if Indian citizenship status was confirmed or name of the electors deleted from the electoral rolls if citizenship status as Indian could not be established in court," he said.

In 2011, the Gauhati High Court ordered the D voters to be transferred to Foreigners Tribunals set up under Foreigners Tribunal Order 1964 and be kept in detention camps. The Bengali Hindus who migrated from East Pakistan and Bangladesh before and after 1971 are mostly affected by this categorization.

However, now the only route available for these people declared as foreigners would be to approach a High Court or the Supreme Court which will have the authority to overturn the verdict of the foreigner tribunal.

Aman Wadud, a lawyer who has been working closely in the NRC case at the apex court and the Gauhati High Court, told News18 that police would now search for these people declared as foreigners to detain and deport, but Bangladesh would never accept them as they are not Bangladeshis.

These people would never find their names in the NRC. Only higher courts can overrule the decision of the tribunal, but it is very unlikely that verdicts would be delivered in such short span of time. Most of these people are Indians and their documents have now been rejected because of minor anomalies in the documents. The rule is to detain and deport but Bangladesh would never accept them. So, now either they are detained and kept in detention forever or remain in hiding. Police would be searching for them now, said Wadud.

Wadud also mentioned that the figure presented by the Union Minister was a consolidated figure and that around 2,000 to 3,000 have received respite from the higher courts.

The real figures of D voters being declared as foreigners is much higher. But out of the figure cited by Rijiju. Almost 2 to 3,000 have received relief from higher courts often including ex-parte decisions too, said Wadud.

One such case was of Moinal Mullah who had received a notice to prove his citizenship. Owing to his poverty and illiteracy, he could not represent himself in the Foreigners Tribunal and was declared a foreigner. Mollah moved theigh Court, but there was no respite. Later, there was an appeal in the Supreme Court and the SC declared him as an Indian citizen. But the ruling came after Mollah languished for years in jail.Mumbai: Violence that broke out over the 200th anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune on Monday spilled into Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday. Thousands of Dalits disrupted rail and road traffic, and damaged more than a hundred buses in the city as they protested against the death of a 28-year-old man in Mondays violence and demanded action against those involved.

More than a 100 people were detained as protesters went on a rampage and riot police had to be called in. Chembur bore the maximum brunt of the Dalit outrage as more than 20 government buses were set on fire there. Protesters also disrupted road traffic in the suburbs and local train services on the Harbour Line. They blocked roads in several areas, forced shops to shut down, and also attacked a journalist of a television news channel.

State-owned buses were also targeted by Dalit protestors in Pune as 11 buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and the Pune Municipal Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) were damaged.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for calm and ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the Pune violence. He said it needed to be ascertained if there was a conspiracy behind Monday's violence. Fadnavis said Rs 10 lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.

In Pune, cases were registered against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who head the right-wing groups Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

Policemen try to control the situation after a violent protest by Dalits over Bhima Koregaon violence in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle which the forces of the British East India Company had won over those belonging to the Peshwa. Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as soldiers from the Mahar community  then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory was seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

But this year, the protests got a political colour as several right-wing groups objected to the event, calling it anti-national. Fadnavis said that the police force in Pune has shown great restraint and managed to keep the situation under control.

But that did not impress Prakash Ambedkar, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and grandson of B R Ambedkar. He has called for a 'Maharashtra bandh' on Wednesday to protest against the government's "failure" to stop the violence.

In Mumbai, hundreds of protesters also gathered Priyadarshini, Kurla, Sidharth Colony and Amar Mahal areas on the Eastern Express Highway, took out processions and raised slogans against the government and the administration. Demonstrations were also held in Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi.

Charred vehicles following the violence during celebrations of 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, near Pune on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

In Thane, hundreds of protesters sat on a dharna on roads, forced shops to down shutters and damaged buses. Reports of violence and stone pelting were also reported from Pune and Solapur.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi called the event to celebrate the Bhima-Koregaon battle as a "potent symbol" of resistance to RSS-BJP's "fascist vision".

"A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," he tweeted.

The Mumbai police, meanwhile, issued a statement appealing to people not to believe in rumours and verify facts with the police before posting anything on social media. Maharashtra minister of state for home, Deepak Kesarkar, visited Bhima-Koregoan and neighbouring villages and said the situation was under control.

Several domestic airlines, including the government-owned Air India, have waived charges for ticket cancellations and no show due to the ongoing unrest in parts of Maharashtra.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar blamed the administration for the violence and demanded a probe into the incident. Appealing for peace, Pawar said such situations need to be defused patiently by those in political and social spheres without any provocative speeches being made.

"Since the administration did not take precautions, rumours and misunderstanding spread. A youth in Nanded died unfortunately. People from political and social field should defuse the situation harmoniously and patiently without making provocative speeches," the former Union minister said.

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan condemned the violence and urged people not to believe in rumours. Antisocial elements were trying to create tensions between Dalits and Maratha communities for political benefit, he said.New Delhi: The public healthcare sector was brought to a standstill on Tuesday in opposition to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill. The protests came to a rest only after the bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for further deliberation. However, medical professionals and the IMA is worried about the complete lack of the social sector representation in the Commission.

Unregulated seats, district hospitals being handed over to private medical colleges and a plethora of other issues in the new bill, led to the doctors disrupting hospital services for over 12 hours on Tuesday.

All doctors associated with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) are worried.

Its a step in the right direction, said Dr Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). He said, As the attempt to self-regulate has failed, we need to move to a different system. However, there are several shortcomings in the proposed bill and I am surprised by the lack of public sector representation.

Under the current set of laws, doctors regulated themselves by electing members of their own community to the Medical Council of India (MCI), which the new bill seeks to replace with the National Medical Commission. As noted by the 92nd Parliamentary Standing Committee, the earlier regime led to extensive corruption in the MCI and a complete failure to reform medical education and fill the gaps in healthcare.

The committees report is the touchstone of all that went wrong in regulation and what has to be done. However, analysts say the bill fails to hold up in comparison.

The underlying disease that caused corruption in MCI was the exorbitant fee private medical colleges were allowed to charge, said Dr. Abhay Shukla, part of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, a civil society collection of health networks.

This Commission will allow medical colleges to keep 60 percent of the seats to themselves with only 40 percent of the seats up for regulation. Unregulated medical seats in India have been the reason behind many unethical practices in the country such as corruption in the name of donations. Instead of checking this lucrative business, the Commission will only legalise it, said Shukla.

What kind of a doctor will a person turn out to be produced if he has paid Rs 50 lakh- 1 crore for a college seat, said Shukla.

The Parliamentary Committee noted the skewed distribution of medical colleges across India, with medical colleges being concentrated in the southern states and a sparse presence in the north.

However, the move to let private players run medical colleges in existing district hospitals to plug this gap may make healthcare unaffordable for those who depend on these hospitals, said Shukla.

Establishing hospitals where there arent any, needs to be a public sector responsibility, said who was an expert involved in the earlier iterations of a draft bill, which came about after former President Pratibha Patil spoke of one in her first Presidential Address.

While that draft, said the expert, was never cleared by the Parliament, it was fully supported by most states as they were fed up with the MCI.

This bill, the experts feared was stepping into territories much beyond its mandate and capability.

One of the key jobs of the NMC would be to regulate research in the country, a wide field that comes under the Department of Health Research, the Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Science and Technology.

Similarly, the bill seeks to look after healthcare infrastructure too, which comes under the domain of the Union health ministry.

Shukla is of the opinion that students are also going to suffer in the new exit examination for MBBS graduates if the NMC allows colleges to be set up without prior checking of standards and requirements.

As for the controversial bridge examination that will allow AYUSH practitioners to come in to the allopathy fold, Shukla pointed out that it may end up depleting the number of AYUSH professionals, as too many may want to make the move.

The IMA works with a guild mentality of being the only ones who can practice modern medicine, said Shukla.

If the government is serious about promoting AYUSH then they need to give the doctors proper infrastructure, training and medicines and then make them work in the public sector for a few years. AYUSH doctors trained in modern medicine could make up for the shortage of MBBS doctors in primary health centres (PHCs), instead of overcrowding urban markets, Shukla suggested.Lucknow: Cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh will soon display the newly-unveiled logo for Kumbh Mela, right after the national anthem is played, to make youths understand the importance of the religious festival, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The new logo shows a group of sadhus taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Allahabad in the backdrop of temples and a Swastik symbol, Principal Secretary (Torusim) Awanish Awasthi told PTI.

The decision comes soon after the Yogi Adityanath government announced that all official letters will carry the Kumbh logo.

The Kumbh Mela, which has lately joined the UNESCO's list of intangible world heritage, is scheduled to be held in January 2019 in Allahabad.

On the new year day, Adityanath directed departments concerned to complete preparations for the 2019 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad "well in time" for its smooth conduct.

"All preparations should be completed well in time and in a concrete manner, so that the event is held successfully. The Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela 2019 are important from religious and tourism point of view," a government statement quoted him as saying.

The chief minister recently interacted with seers of the Akhada Parishad and the Allahabad administration while reviewing preparations for Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela.

The government has also directed the local administration to display the logo with its tagline 'Sarvsidhiprad Kumbh', meaning Kumbh is the provider of all accomplishments.

In a circular last month, the government had made it compulsory to carry the logo in all publicity material, including hoardings and advertisements, with immediate effect.

The Mela was last held in Allahabad in 2013 and attended by around 10 crore people.

The state government expects nearly 12 crore people to visit Allahabad this time.

The UP government has also changed the nomenclature of the fair. The Ardh Kumbh is to be known as Kumbh.

Orders were also issued to carry only the updated name of the Mela in all correspondence.

Nearly Rs 2,500 crore will be devoted for the first Kumbh in Allahabad in January 2019 under the Adityanath government, over two times more than what Uttar Pradesh had spent on the last Kumbh held there in 2013, official sources said.

They said over 200 projects of 16 departments were coming up at break-neck speed, and this time at the Kumbh, it would not just be about a holy dip in the Sangam but also an "enhanced pilgrim experience".

It will be ensured that pilgrims have to transverse the least distance on foot as shuttle buses will be used for the first time.

A senior UP government official said about Rs 950 crore were spent on Kumbh in Allahabad in 2013. "So it is a two-and-a-half-time jump in budget. Yogi Aditynath government is clear - funds will not come in the way of world-class pilgrim facilities," he said.

The 'Magh Mela' that started in Allahabad yesterday is acting like a dress-rehearsal for the 2019 Kumbh.On Tuesday morning, Dalits took to the streets of Mumbai in protest. Hundreds of Dalits were protesting against the violence during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district. One person had died in the violence.

Prohibitory orders to stop the gathering of more than four people were imposed in parts of the country's financial capital, several schools and colleges were shut, and traffic was hit on Eastern Express Highway near Mumbai. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed for peace, saying Maharashtra is a progressive state which does not believe in casteist violence.

On Monday, groups of Dalits, who were on way to an event near Pune city, to mark 200 years of the Bhima Koregaon battle were attacked and their vehicles were damaged. The celebration of the Bhima Koregaon battle pointed to a sort of re-emergence of the Dalit militancy. It was their way of telling the world: We wont silently suffer through the existing caste hierarchies.

The Dalits, together, were out to celebrate the militancy that is part of their history, and not the history that has shoved down their throat.

And thats what they were doing. They were celebrating Bhima Koregaon that revolves around the defeat of Peshwas by the untouchable soldiers of the colonial army at that time. In the Dalit history, its a heroic chapter.

When several lakhs of Dalits congregated around the Victory Pillar (Vijay Stambh) erected by the British in Sanaswadi village, stone pelting began; allegedly by some right-wing groups carrying saffron flags. In the clashes that ensued between the two groups, more than 30 vehicles, including buses, police vans and private vehicles, were torched or damaged. And in the end, the Dalits couldnt have a peaceful gathering.

History shows that Dalit atrocities in the land of Ambedkar isnt new.

On September 29, 2006, Bhotmange went to work on his farm near the village, and when he came back, he found his wife Surekha, 45, daughter Priyanka, 17, sons Sudhir and Roshan, 21 and 19, murdered by a mob. A mob of 40 people belonging to the Maratha Kunbi caste in Kherlanji, a small village in Bhandara district of Maharashtra, was responsible for it.

The women of the family were stripped, paraded, beat, raped and killed.

There were allegations that the local police shielded the alleged perpetrators in the ongoing investigation. A government report on the killings, prepared by the social justice department and YASHADAthe state academy of developmental administration, has implicated top police officers, doctors and even a BJP member of the Legislative Assembly, Madhukar Kukade in an alleged coverup and hindering the investigations.

Ten years after the Khairlanji massacre, 61-year-old Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, who lost his family, is still waiting for justice.

Communal clashes in Maharashtra are in fact not rare at all.

In the last three years, there have been 270 reported cases of communal clashes in the state. In this, at least 32 people have been killed and over 500 injured.

In 2016, lakhs of people from Maharashtra's most powerful caste group, the Marathas, held a muk or silent rally in Pune to protest the rape and killing of a 14-year-old girl from the community by three Dalit boys in the village of Kopardi in Ahmednagar district. In this protest, the community demanded reservation in education and government services.

Meanwhile, they asked for the abolition of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act (POA) 1989 because they say, the law which is meant to prevent and punish violence against Dalits and Adivasis, is being misused by these groups to target the Marathas. However, incidents over the years have shown that Maharashtra's weakest castes have little access to justice and continue to be victims of discrimination.

That same year, in September, four days after a five-year-old girl from the Banjara community was raped allegedly by a 40-year-old man belonging to the Maratha community in Nashik, there was a rise in tension between the Maratha and the OBC communities with both groups set to organise protests and marches.

The thunder of the massive Muk Morcha staged by the Maratha outfits was undercut by a formidable march held simultaneously by members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community in Nashik. The OBC rally batted for the maintenance of the status quo in quota and demanded that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should not be tinkered with.

The huge rallies divided Maharashtra once again.

In December, when the nation was paying homage to Dr BR Ambedkar on his death anniversary, Dalit houses in Chinchner village near Satara were attacked by a mob. According to reports, Siddhaarth Danane and Aruna Mohite were in love. However, their parents disapproved of their relationship because they belonged to different castes. Mohite was married off to someone else, but they continued to be in touch. As the report suggests, Danane allegedly killed Mohite and buried her body one night after they had an argument. Mohites family attacked houses and vehicles belonging to Dananes family. It turned into caste clashes, yet again.

Three days later, a Shiv Sena leader reached Satara and told the residents that this was a retaliation for killing of a Maratha girl and requested the victims of the mob attack to not label this as caste attack. The residents, in turn, told him that the mob, while burning their houses, was shouting caste slurs against Dalits and raising Maratha slogans. The states Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis kept mum on Satara, despite constantly assuring Dalits that Atrocity Act would not be diluted.

The Bhima-Koregaon violence has once again brought to the fore the complex caste cauldron in the Maharashtra politics. Following the incident, when Fadnavis said, Maharashtra was a progressive State which did not believe in casteist violence, it wasnt quite true. At least, history says otherwise.New Delhi: The posts on Itihasa Paulkhuda, a Marathi page on Facebook  known for posts on history  had set the tone of contestations over the history and memory of Bhima Koregaon, much before the clashes in Pune on Tuesday turned violent.

The provocative updates started pouring in almost a week before the commemoration of the bicentenary celebrations of Bhima Koregaon in Pune city, taking away from the Dalits their tales of valour.

In the countdown to the clashes, the narrative on the online platform  managed by amateur 'historians'  made the rift between the Marathas and Dalits quite apparent. Speaking to News18, Shraddha Kumbhojkar, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Savitribai Phule Pune University, said that the violence was hauntingly expected with so much of social media provocation doing the rounds over the Koregaon war memorial and its history.

Shraddha Kumbhojkar said, The narrative on social media tried to negate and dismiss that of the Dalits. The updates claimed that the Mahars had nothing to do with Bhima Koregaon. In their opinion the battle of Bhima Koregaon is concerned with Peshwas and the British, instead of Mahars.

The event to mark 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army, was marred by incidents of violence on Tuesday, with at least one person getting killed.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchable -- were part of the East India Company's forces. Some right-wing groups in Pune opposed to the celebration of the 'British' victory and started pelting stones at the Dalits who had gathered at the memorial.

On the Marathi Facebook page, the admin shared certain documents from the British records to corroborate their widely held observation.

Kumbhojkar explained, Through these documents, these social media pages are trying to prove that nowhere have the British mentioned anything on the role of the Mahar Battalion. But in reality, Mahar soldiers were very much a part of the British Army though the Mahar regiment was not formed until later.

She argues that the work of some amateur historians who run the Facebook page has caught the fancy of many and has become a trend quite similar to the other alternative narratives they had put forward in the past.

With this, the trend of creating alternative memories about the Bhima Koregaon battle has gained more strength. One can argue that the present day contestations for power are reflected in the contest for alternative narratives, she said.

She shares that during the 1970s, the western Indian state of Maharashtra saw a spate of popular historical novels topping the bestseller lists in Marathi. Many of them still dominate the historical understanding and perceptions of the Marathi-speaking middle classes even today.

Recalling the most important novels of this genre that were authored by Brahmins, she said, Those books described the battle of Koregaon in the passing.

Mantravegla by NS Inamdar is one such book. It is based on the life of the last Peshwa and conveniently claims that the battle was won by the Peshwas. All of this adds to the high sounding rallies that commemorate the Battle of Panipat  which saw a complete defeat of the Peshwa army in 1761  as their victory.

In her articles in international and reputed journals, Kumbhojkar has written about how the Koregaon Memorial has layers of memories surrounding it and occupies a very significant place in todays neo-Buddhist culture. The internet and social media platforms are now used to document and commemorate the Koregaon battle and Ambedkars visit to it.

What adds to this technology is the second generation of Dalits, who are educated and have the means to do the pilgrimage to Koregaon and validate their identity and pay homage  both to the memories of historical prowess as also the memories of Dr Ambedkar, she said.

The contestation over history is also matched by amnesia, where many of the educated high castes in Pune, which was the capital of the Peshwas, are not aware of the Koregoan Memorial, she added.

The historian had observed in the past that the Koregaon Obelisk, which marks an imperial memorial site is significantly forgotten in the homeland of the empire. But this has acquired a whole new meaning in western India now, leading to the commemoration and providing historical evidence to Dalits that they can overthrow the high caste oppression.New Delhi: Not happy with the compulsory attendance rule, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union will lead a mass delegation of students to the Vice Chancellors office on January 4th .

JNU VC asks for our attendance in every class, we would say haazir Janab at VC office, reads the statement from the Union.

Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar has made attendance compulsory from winter semester 2018. The Union also conducted a signature campaign, and garnered approximately 2,500 signatures from the students rejecting this, what they called, "arbitrary farmaan.

The "compulsory attendance" circular issued by the administration claims to be a decision of the 1 December Academic Council meeting. But JNUSU alleged that the last Academic Council never took any such decision and the attendance system was not even part of the Councils agenda.

Simone Zoya Khan, the Vice President of the universitys Students Union said that this farmaan is the consequence of fixing partisan faculty appointments in JNU. The recent appointments in JNU are not based on candidates academic credentials but political loyalties. JNU never had the compulsory attendance rule. In order to make sure that students attend the classes of such partisan appointments the VC came up with this farmaan.

The students believe that in JNU the idea of not having a compulsory attendance system was to encourage both teacher and students to evolve methods to ensure there is effective teaching and participation of students in class. The imposition of compulsory attendance on campus, which has always been rated the best university by none other than the MHRD and other government agencies, is unacceptable to the students.

The VC had, on the other hand, justified the decisions on the grounds of ensuring high standard in academics.

The students would remind the VC of JNUs academic excellence achieved till date, which has rested on the philosophy of freedom of debate and discussion, inclusion and equality, without any fiat and farcical regimentation.

Similarly the question arises, that JNU being a research university where both professors and students majorly involve themselves in research how logical would it be for students of M. Phil and PhD to sign an attendance register on daily basis, said a JNUSU member.

They fear it will become a new tool in the hands of administration to harass the students.New Delhi: Elevation of the special center for Sanskrit into the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies has widened the ideological fault lines in the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University.

There is growing disenchantment among the JNU faculty over imposing decisions which they say are taken without wider consultations. Alleging open violations of the decision-making processes, members of the Executive Council alleged that there are no wider consultations on matters of academic importance.

Recently, the Executive Council invited views over email after the School for Sanskrit and Indic Studies was approved. A Section of the JNU faculty has reacted sharply to this.

Professor and Executive Committee member Surajit Mazumdar, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning School of Social Sciences said, The proposal was not exposed to wider consultations while pushing for the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies. The administration has made a mockery of the decision making processes of the university. Now, you will argue on the basis of a technicality, but in a university, a proposal was passed without discussion.

Another EC member argued that there was always a consideration of changing the center of Indian languages into a school of the Indian language, and Sanskrit could have been a part of that, but the current move is driven by ideological motives, which believes Sanskrit is more than a language, it is a philosophy.

Professor Girish Nath Jha, Chairperson, Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies confirmed that an EC meeting did not happen but comments were invited over mail for the new school.

When asked about the haste with which academic matters were pursued on campus, Professor Chintamani Mahapatra, who is Rector and a member of Academic Committee said, Under normal circumstances, all procedures are followed but some instances need timely execution, certain issues require immediate action. There is nothing wrong with inviting views on email. Everyone cannot be available for the meeting.

He added, The plan is to elevate the center for Indian languages into the school. Sanskrit was not merged into it because some centers have infrastructure, staff, and the facility. It is a school for Sanskrit and Indic Studies, so it will not just emphasize on Sanskrit, but also on the philosophical traditions of India.

The JNU administration claims that although there was a special center for Sanskrit earlier, it is now a school, thus providing it with more power to plan and propose programs to boost the study. This will give the school autonomy over academic and administrative departments.New Delhi: An ambitious health welfare measure of the Aam Aadmi Party led Delhi Government has run into a roadblock after the Lieutenant Governor raised objections over it. The government and LG clashed, yet again, after the latter called for an income criteria in the AAPs Quality Health for all scheme.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Delhi's Health Minister Satyender Jain said that such criteria, brought-up without discussing with the Delhi Chief Minister, will render the whole scheme unworkable.

The governments scheme would introduce a seamless arrangement between the Delhi government and the private hospitals in the city. Any patient of any one of the latter hospitals can go to one of 67 private empanelled labs and hospitals for tests that cannot be performed in the government hospitals. If a government hospital, often burdened by a large footfall, cannot give a surgery date to a patient within a month, the patient can go to any of the 44 private hospitals empanelled for this purpose. In both cases, the government will bear the cost.

Delhi's government hospitals, of both the state government and the central government, are often burdened with a massive rush from within and outside the city and a large segment of the population has to go to expensive private establishments.

Under this scheme, passed by the Delhi Cabinet on December 12, empanelled establishments have agreed to charge either at Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates or at a fraction of CGHS rate, said the government.

However, the LG has asked that people avail this scheme according to their income. This, said the minister, would only increase bureaucracy, paperwork, and waste the patients time. Many people don't have income certificates, and to obtain them, theyd first have to go to a sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM), where they could face harassment and have to pay bribes, said Jain.

Such a process will be hugely detrimental in the cases of serious of fatal illnesses. It could also lead to an industry of middle-men and touts, he added, to make these certificates.

The government added that access to quality healthcare should be irrespective of income. The poor go to government hospitals, which are in poor conditions, out of necessity. Jain said theyre working to improve the infrastructure in all their hospitals, including super speciality ones, so that the middle-class starts using them too as it has started using the Mohalla Clinics and the Polyclinics.

He called out the LG for interfering in the functioning of the Delhi government.

If income criteria were introduced as desired by the LG, it will not only kill quality health for all scheme, it will also kill already successfully running Mohalla Clinics and polyclinics, said the government.

This is the second time in the recent past the two parties have clashed over a government measure, as the LG has raised objections to the Doorstep Delivery of Services scheme, too.New Delhi: The Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit and left organisations against caste violence in Pune district on bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle was called off on Wednesday after the police booked two persons accused of instigating the clash.

Police have booked two right-wing activists, Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote, for orchestrating the violence during the event on Monday.

Following this, Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of BR Ambedkar and leader of the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, called off the bandh.

He had called for the bandh on Tuesday, accusing 85-year-old Bhide who heads Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan and Ekbote of Samast Hindu Aghadi of orchestrating violence at the event. He had also accused the state government of failing to stop the violence.

Both pro-Hindutva leaders enjoy sizeable support in some pockets of Maharashtra. Ekbote, on Tuesday, said that the case against him was false and that he condemned the rioting. This is not the first time that Bhide and Ekbote find themselves on the wrong side of the law. In 2008, Bhides followers attacked movie halls to protest the release of movie Jodha-Akbar in Sangli. Ekbote has cases of rioting, trespassing, dacoity and had once come to blows with a fellow corporator on his remarks on Mumbai Haj House.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said those responsible for the caste violence in Pune will face action and the matter will be taken to its logical end. He said the state government will soon approach the Bombay High Court, asking it to name a sitting judge to probe the January 1 violence at Bhima-Koregaon in Pune district.

Meanwhile, the Congress accused the BJP, both at the Centre and state along with the RSS, of "conspiring to fuel violence against Dalits", even as it demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak up on the Bhima-Koregaon violence. Dalits are being beaten up, raped and murdered in all BJP ruled state. After BJP came in power you can see whats happening all around, said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"Caste-related violence is on the rise in the country. We need to find out who has instigated the further protests. The RSS and other Hindutva organisations are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on the issue, he should come and speak on the floor of the house. He is a 'Mauni Baba' regarding the issue of Dalits. We (Congress) demand an inquiry by a Supreme Court judge," says leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also lashed out at the BJP and RSS over the violence. A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance, Gandhi tweeted on Tuesday evening.

Reacting to Congress' allegation that the RSS and Hindutva outfits are behind the violence in Koregaon. The RSS said the JNU brigade is behind the violence. "People who wants to divide India is behind this violence." said RSS Manmohan Vaidya.

An outfit named Hindu Janajagruti Samiti also demanded the arrest of Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mevani, alleging that they incited the riots in Bhima-Koregaon.

The BJP also accused the Congress of playing a cynical game of divide and rule over the issue. Mallikarjun Kharge just wants to agitate the situation. Congress is trying to play divide-and-rule policy as they are frustrated from their defeat. They are flaring up the issue for political and personal gain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.

Earlier in the day, protesters attacked buses, stopped suburban trains and blocked roads at various places in Mumbai as normal life was hit in the city and other parts of Maharashtra.

In Mumbai, Dalits staged protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning but were moved from the spot by police. Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said.

Protesters jumped on rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said. On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara station. Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were also damaged by protesters.

Several flights were also cancelled with most airlines waiving off cancellation charges.

Protests also took place in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Nanded, Parbhani, Washim, Akola, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Kolhapur, where incidents of road blocks, vandalising and stone pelting were reported, police said. In Pune, Maratha outfit 'Sakal Maratha Kranti Morcha' sought stern action those responsible for rift between different communities and appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony.

While Prakash Ambedkar has called off the bandh, he issued a warning to the state government and the BJP. Ignore the unrest at your own cost. Ultimately you are responsible for law and order situation, he said.Jan 03, 2018 20:16 (IST)

Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (MIAL) Press Release

Mumbai Airport mitigates inconvenience caused to fliers during Maharashtra Bandh

While the impact of Maharashtra Bandh was felt across the city today, Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (MIAL) undertook numerous measures and initiatives to ensure that passengers travelling through Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) were least affected by the protests.

Anticipating that the protests may aggravate during the course of the day, MIAL activated its contingency plan in the morning. While the flight operations were running smoothly, the absence of private cab operators and the limited availability of autos created inconvenience for passengers. To facilitate transportation of passengers from the airport to the nearest stations, MIAL arranged for services of the BEST buses from Terminal 1 & 2.

However, as the unrest escalated, crew members of certain airlines reported late while few could not make it to the airport which lead to cancellation of few flights. As cases of stone pelting were reported from parts of Andheri, BEST bus services were discontinued. As passengers opted to stay inside the airport terminal buildings, MIAL, in order to comfort the travellers, arranged for free refreshments which included tea, water bottles and snacks. In addition to this, MIAL also allocated additional check-in counters to airlines to cater to passengers who were scheduled on cancelled flights.

As of 5 PM, 8 departure and 7 arrival flights were cancelled while autos and taxis resumed services from both the terminals.

Any further cancellations, will be known only by 8:30 pm.In case you missed it

Dalit organisations have also called for a state-wide bandh. This was after Mumbai was brought to a standstill on Tuesday as anger boiled over after violence marred the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district the day before. The protesters sought action against those involved in the violence after one person was killed. Dalit protesters held up trains at Govandi and Chembur stations and also forced shops to shut down across the city.

Track all the live updates here.

The violence was sparked by a disagreement over whether the bicentenary of the 1818 Battle of Bhima-Koregaon, between the British East India Company and the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Confederacy, should be celebrated or not. Heres a piece on how the battle of Bhima Koregaon came to signify Dalit pride.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the BJP and RSS over the violence after right-wing groups were accused of sparking unrest. A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance, Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

On Twitter, #Chembur and #BhimaKoregaonViolence became the top trending topics. Netizens took to the social media platform to share the horror they witnessed.

Superstar Rajinikanth has claimed that he had worked as a Kannada journalist for some time in Bengaluru. All Thalaiva fans know about his bus conductor days in Bengaluru. But journalist Rajinikanth is a new revelation. Heres a fact check.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Tuesday said an "aggressive strategy" has to be maintained in dealing with ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and indicated that the force has been responding effectively to such incidents.

The central bank of Pakistan has given its green signal to using the Chinese currency, Yuan, for bilateral trade with China. The decision to cozy up to Beijing comes just a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to stop all aid to Islamabad.

When Rajinikanth took to the stage on the last day of 2017 to announce his entry into politics, he raised his right hand and made a gesture. He did the famous hand horn. This wasnt followed by growling and headbanging. This wasnt a rock concert after all. So why is the superstar showing us the rock sign to get votes? Heres an explanation.

The Yogi Adityanath government is planning to introduce nine circuits to boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh. The circuits will include the Mahabharata circuit, the Krishna circuit, Jain circuit and Sufi circuit.

Patidar leader Hardik Patel tweeted his support for Kumar Vishwas, a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) just as the party is set to pick its nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. If there is one man who can make the fake nationalists in Parliament shut up, it is Dr Kumar Vishwas. But is someone in AAP scared of his growing stature that they are trying to finish off both this opportunity and the party, Patel tweeted. According to party sources, Vishwas and Arvind Kejriwal, who were once thick as thieves, have not been on talking terms since the Punjab elections.

A 45-year-old man in Haryanas Palwal went on a killing spree on Monday night, murdering 6 people in different areas of the district. All murders took place in a span of two hours  between 2 am and 4 am. In the CCTV footage, the accused can be seen walking with an iron rod, which was used to murder the victims.

The Aam Aadmi Party is all set to send Sanjay Singh, a member of its Political Affairs Committee, Sushil Gupta, a businessman-cum-social worker, and N D Gupta, a chartered accountant to the Rajya Sabha.

Agree or disagree?

The New Year began with a bombshell of a tweet from US President Donald Trump calling out Pakistan for benefitting from billions of dollars in American aid and yet not helping in the fight against terrorists. Here in India, both folks within the government and academics have been welcoming this as a huge success for Prime Minister Narendra Modis diplomacy and his new found friendship with Trump. Zakka Jacob gives four reasons why India needs to be skeptical about the mismatch between Trumps words and his deeds.

The Triple Talaq bill was passed without any amendments, but it saw a series of speeches which had a mix of political rhetoric, emotional pleas and substantial inputs. Filtering out the noise and unnecessary polarisation that has accompanied this issue, heres a look at the merits of this Triple Talaq Bill to evaluate if it has done justice to the mandate thrust upon it by the Supreme Court.

On reel

Have you seen our wrap (Read: Rap) of 2017 yet? You must.

(Get a fresh dose of the news that matters, delivered directly to your inbox, every morning. The perfect way, to get you started and informed, for the day ahead. Subscribe to News18 Daybreak here.)Lucknow: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government after News18 reported how a ward boy was also doing the work of a doctor and a pharmacist at a government run Public Health Centre in Sarai Gopi area of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh.

The Commission has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report on the matter within four weeks.

In a press release issued by the NHRC on Wednesday, the Commission said that it has observed that the contents of the news report highlight the pathetic condition of the Primary Health Centre. The negligence of the public servants poses grave threat to the lives of the people coming for treatment at the health centre. This is a case of gross violation of right to life.

In a news report Doctor Missing in Action, Ward Boy Takes Over UP Govt Hospital; Probe Ordered, published on 1st January 2018 on news18.com it was mentioned how a ward boy, Arvind Srivastava, was running a hospital in the absence of doctor and pharmacist at PHC at Sarai Gopi in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh.

The locals had also alleged that ward boy, Srivastava, has been carrying out duties of both the doctor as well as the pharmacist, as the designated doctor turns up once in a fortnight. When News18 visited the Primary Health Centre (PHC), even basic amenities like fans and lights were missing with creepers growing over the walls.

However, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Barabanki, Dr Ramesh Chandra, had taken note of the news18 report and said, I have come to know about this issue now. If found to be true, action will be taken against the doctor and the pharmacist. Right now, Dr Asma Bano is posted at the PHC. Such negligence will not be tolerated at any cost. I am ordering an inquiry into the matter and whosoever is found guilty will face action.New Delhi: The home ministry on Wednesday said that there was no evidence of any presence of ISIS in the Kashmir valley. Further, the ministry also said that Al Qaeda commander Zakir Musa had not more than 10 militants support.

Responding to a question put forth by MP Amar Singh, MoS Home Ministry Hansraj Ahir said that as per government reports, there was no presence of ISIS, but that the Ansar Gazwat ul-Hind (AGUH) which was formed and led by Zakir Musa has been active on social media.

As per report, nothing has been established on the ground that ISIS is operating in any part of Kashmir valley. However, Ansar Gazwat ul-Hind formed and led by Zakir Musa has posted adverse materials on social media. There are reports that at present, Zakir Musa has support of no less than 10 militants, said Amir.

In November last month, three terrorists opened fire on a police team at Zakura crossing killing one sub inspector and injuring a special officer. In retaliatory fire, one terrorist was killed whose body was wrapped in ISIS flag. Post that, union minister Jitender Singh had said that the government had taken cognizance of the reports.

Further, Amir also said that no militant tanzeem called Taliban is presently operating in any part of Kashmir valley. Earlier this year, a group of unidentified militants addressed a rally in Pulwama where they warned people against supporting un-Islamic Pakistan while seeking support for Taliban.

Barely hours after Amir made the statement in Parliament, Ansar Gazwat ul-Hind, on Wednesday, posted a video (similar to the one they had put out sometime ago) talking about Babri Masjid demolition on a messaging group, detailing the history, background and calling out Muslims in India to embrace jihad. On December 26, the group also posted an interview with Ustad Usama Mehmood, the spokesman of Al Qaeda of the sub-continent. In October this year, the outfit had released an audio clip on a conversation between the outfits leader Zakir Musa and slain militant Abu Dujana.The Dalit organisations decided to observe the 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle that symbolically ended the Peshawai and marked the establishment of the British Empire. Peshwai or the rule of Brahmin Peshwas had intensified along with its infamous debauchery the caste oppression of the Dalits to the extent that they had to tie a pot round their neck to contain their spittoon and broomstick to their behind to sweep off their footprints lest they should pollute others.

They were summarily banned to walk on certain roads during mornings and evenings when shadows tend to get longer. The Peshwai thus came to symbolize personification of Manusmriti, the most hated text for the Dalits. It was natural, therefore, that the Dalits decided to observe the important occasion of the 200 years of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon.

It was not just the end of Peshawai that Dalits would celebrate. They believed that it was brought about by their forefathers, the Mahar soldiers who fought gallantly against the Peshwas army so as to liberate their people from the oppressive rule. The obelisk erected by the British at the spot bears the names of 49 dead in the battle on 1 January, 1818 of which as many as 22 have been identified to be Mahars by the suffix nak in their names.

As the Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency (Vol. 18, Issue 2) records the battle was fought fiercely between Peshwas army of 25000 and the company troops, under Captain Staunton, comprising just 834 men, including around 500 soldiers of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, which was manned predominantly by Mahar soldiers. The battle lasted the entire day and in the evening Peshwa army withdrew, fearing the arrival of a larger British force led by General Joseph Smith.

This martyrdom of the Mahar soldiers was construed as their martyrdom in the cause of liberation of their castemen from the Peshwas oppressive rule by none other than Dr Ambedkar, who visited the obelisk on 1 January 1927 for the first time and kept visiting later. As it happened with the places associated with Dr Ambedkar, a small homage paying ceremony on 1 January observed by some people developed into an increasingly bigger congregation over the years. It has been happening over many years now and hence there was nothing novel if the Dalits wanted to observe the second century anniversary of the day with a new slogan to bury the new Peshawai that was resurging in the form of a Hindutva wave.

Some known agent provocateurs of this resurgent Hindutva, however, decided to challenge them. They planned to teach the Dalits a lesson. The villages nearby kept all shops closed. Over 50 vehicles were stoned and burnt, one Dalit was killed and several others injured.

It all began from a nearby village, Vadhu Badruk, some 4km away from Koregaon, where a samadhi (grave) of one Govind Gopal Gaikwad or Ganpat Mahar was devastated by a mob of some 200 people on December 29. Ganpat Mahar is said to have collected the remains of Sambhaji, son of Shivaji Maharaj when he was brutally killed by Aurangzeb. No Maratha would come forward braving the dictate of Aurangzeb to do the last rites on Sambhaji but this Mahar person said to have done it. He built a small grave for Sambhaji on his land that still stands in the Mahar quarters of the village. Later, when he died, his grave was also built nearby.

Certain Hindutva organisations sprung up in the area, decided to efface this association of a Mahar with Sambhaji. An FIR was registered against 49 people after the memorial of Ganpat Mahar was damaged at Vadhu Budruk. It is well known that two activists, one Manohar (Sambhaji) Bhide or Bhide Guruji, as he is known among his followers of Shivraj Pratisthan and another Milind Ekbote, who wore several saffron hats have been working in the area towards this.

The Hindutva connection of Bhide and Ekbote is not far to seek. Bhide, a dedicated Hindutva fanatic, revered by most BJP and Shiv Sena leaders, is attributed Hinduization of the area. Since he began his work and brought about a communal riot in Sangli in 2008, the BJP has permanently dislodged the Muslim representatives in elections. Ekbote, has been chief of several Hindutva outfits like Hindu Ekata Aaghadi, Pratapgadh Utsav Samiti, Gau Raksha Abhiyan and has as many as a dozen cases against him. On a complaint of a Dalit woman, both have been booked under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Arms Act, 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC and rioting.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shed enough crocodile tears as usual but would not speak a word on why his government failed to prevent it when preparations for rioting had gone on for days in the open.

(Anand Teltumbde is a writer and General Secretary, CPDR, Maharashtra)New Delhi: Maharashtra Police have booked two leaders for inciting violence after caste clashes spread to Mumbai and other parts of the state. The 85-year-old Sambhaji Bhide who heads Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan and Milind Ekbote of Samast Hindu Aghadi have been accused of orchestrating violence at an event to mark bicentenary of Bhima-Koregaon Battle to mark Dalit martyrdom.

The tensions and ensuing violence led to the death of a 30-year-old man.

Both pro-Hindutva leaders enjoy sizeable support in some pockets of Maharashtra and on Tuesday Bharatiya Republican Party Bahujan Mahasangh President Prakash Ambedkar had accused them of conspiring to trigger the violence.

Ekbote, on Tuesday, said that the case against him was false and that he condemned the rioting.

This is not the first time that Bhide and Ekbote have hit the headlines for wrong reasons. In 2008, Bhides followers ransacked movie halls to protest the release of movie Jodha-Akbar in Sangli.

Ekbote has cases of rioting, trespassing, dacoity and had once come to blows with a fellow corporator on his remarks on Mumbai Haj House.

Dalit leaders have alleged that the two triggered the violence by desecrating the Samadhi of a Mahaar named Govind Gaikwad in a village called Wadhu in Pune district. Gaikwad, a Mahaar by caste is immortalised in Dalit folk-lore as someone who performed the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj, Shivajis son. Sambhaji was killed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

A man with no house and someone who wears no footwear, Bhide is armed with a masters degree in atomic science and was a professor at Fergusson College, Pune.

Guruji, as he is fondly known, has maintained his own separate identity by refusing to join any political outfit.

In a speech ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi effusively praised Bhide for the extensive social work undertaken by the SPH leader and his organisation.

Unlike Bhide, Ekbote has been associated with the BJP in the past. He was the party corporator in Pune from 1997 to 2002. In 2007, he floated his outfit Samasta Hindu Aghadi, which has been at the forefront of anti-cow slaughter campaign.

In 2014, he fought the Shivajinagar elections on a Shiv Sena ticket but lost.New Delhi: When Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Triple Talq Bill in the Lok Sabha last week, he emphasised upon a ruling by the Supreme Court, imploring upon the government to frame a suitable law within six months.

The Law Ministers tweet that day also gave an impression that the government was acting in tandem with the will of the Supreme Court.

The government of @narendramodi has stood firmly for safeguarding the rights of Muslim women in the triple Talaq matter. #ModiGovtEmpowersWomen pic.twitter.com/mTDQy3Lj9D Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) December 28, 2017

But in doing so, one inalienable piece of truth might have become the casualty.

The Law Minister, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, said that those opposing the proposed law are 'disrespecting the Supreme Court order'.

What is being highlighted repeatedly by the Law Minister and various other leaders from the BJP reflects a view of the Supreme Court, which was overruled by majority of the judges on the Constitution Bench.

On August 22, when the Constitution Bench, comprising five judges, delivered their verdict on validity of instant triple talaq, it was a divided house in the top judiciary too.

Two judges, then Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and Justice S A Nazeer, ruled that triple talaq was an essential religious practice and was hence protected under Article 25 of the Constitution as a fundamental right to practice and profess religion.

Talaq-e-biddat is integral to the religious denomination of Sunnis belonging to the Hanafi school. The same is a part of their faith, having been followed for more than 1400 years, and as such, has to be accepted as being constituent of their personal law We cannot nullify and declare as unacceptable in law, what the Constitution decrees us, not only to protect, but also to enforce But then, these two judges, held Justices Khehar and Nazeer.

But they still chose to exercise their power under Article 142 of the Constitution for doing complete justice in the matter since triple talaq, as they said, smacked of gender discrimination and was arbitrary.

Finally, the two judges concluded: We therefore hereby direct the Union of India to consider appropriate legislation, particularly with reference to talaq-e-biddat. Till such time as legislation in the matter is considered, we are satisfied in injuncting Muslim husbands, from pronounncing talaq-e-biddat for a period of six months.

This directive by the two judges is now being cited very often in support of the proposed law but the legal position and a body of judgments by the Supreme Court would make it clear that this order is not binding at all  neither on the government nor on individuals.

The reason being the majority view shared by the three other judges on this Bench had rejected and overruled that triple talaq had to be protected as a fundamental right.

The three judges held that instant triple talaq to be illegal, unconstitutional, impermissible and even un-Islamic.

What is held to be bad in the Holy Quran cannot be good in Shariat and, in that sense, what is bad in theology is bad in law as well, said this judge.

Not only this, Justice Joseph clearly discarded the views of Justices Khehar and NAzeer, saying: I find it extremely difficult to agree with the learned Chief Justice that the practice of triple talaq has to be considered integral to the religious denomination in question and that the same is part of their personal law.

Citing the contradiction, Justice Joseph also questioned the other two judge as to how they could issue a direction to stop a practice which they held to be a part of religious freedom. I also have serious doubts as to whether, even under Article 142, the exercise of a fundamental right can be injuncted it is not for the Courts to direct for any legislation, he asserted.

Similarly, the two other judges, Justices Rohinton F Nariman and Uday U Lalit, held triple talaq to be violative of Muslim womens right to equality and manifestly arbitrary. Though permissible in Hanafi jurisprudence, yet, that very jurisprudence castigates Triple Talaq as being sinful. It is clear, therefore, that triple talaq forms no part of Article 25(1), the duo held.

These two judges, in fact, framed a question: When petitions have been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, is it permissible for us to state that we will not decide an alleged breach of a fundamental right, but will send the matter back to the legislature to remedy such a wrong."

And the answer was an emphatic No.

Justices Nariman and Lalit ruled that since triple talaq could not be construed as an essential religious practice, the submission on behalf of the Muslim Personal Board that the ball must be bounced back to the legislature does not at all arise.

The two judges then proceeded to declare triple talaq as unconstitutional and further struck down a provision in the 1937 Shariat Act to the extent it sought to recognise and enforce triple talaq as a rule of law in the courts in India.

Therefore, it is as clear as daylight that the three judges rejected the rationale or the need for asking the government to frame a law, in particular since they were invalidating the practice altogether.

Also, it has been held in several judgments by the Supreme Court that the Parliament cannot be directed to bring in a specific law in a particular manner.

It is thus trite to reiterate that the Supreme Court has not directed the government to frame a law on triple talaq and a selective reading of the Court judgment will only lead to confusion and misinformation.Mumbai: Saif Ali Khan, known for films like Being Cyrus, Omkara and Parineeta, says he will be a better actor in English as it is his primary language.

During an episode of online streaming service Saavn's upcoming show Take 2 with Anupama and Rajeev, Saif spoke about his career, his daughter Sara and son Taimur, read a statement.

"One of the reasons why I got into films unfortunately, I'm being honest, is because I wasn't interested in my exams and academics and I just ran away from home and said 'Oh movies sound great'. But I didn't really know what I was talking about," said Saif.

"So, this desire and this understanding of acting came a bit late for me if it had always been there. If it had been there earlier maybe I might have chosen to struggle in the US, I don't know."

"But I think being sensible about it, you have more opportunities and again it's that nepotism thing again. Being mum's son (veteran actress Sharmila Tagore) would give me a more chance here to meet people than in America. But I think in English I speak in English as a primary language, unless I'm speaking to someone who is working for me usually.

"There's a difference there, so I think I will be a better actor in English because I'll know when I'm lying whereas in Hindi I've never said to a girl aapki aakhein itni khoobsoorat hai' (your eyes are so beautiful) so I don't know whether that sounds genuine or not, I'm not used to saying that," he added.

On his daughter Sara, who is gearing up for her debut film Kedarnath, Saif says he always knew she wanted to be an actress.

"I have seen her do a very funny advert when she was four and she's been like this all along. There was actress Aishwarya Rai on stage in New York with people going ballistic and Sara sitting on the floor behind the curtain saying 'This is what I want to do'," said Saif.

"She always wanted to do this, it's just that she took a header you know a shine to academics and then ended up doing so well at Columbia that one thought came, listen maybe a slightly more stable thing because I don't know... who knows. I wish her all the best.

"It is like Soha's track but Soha didn't always want to become an actor, Sara did and this is something that she really wants to do so absolutely good luck I think it's a great job. We'd be talking about Sushant Singh Rajput all day which is great but it's not as interesting as discussing history with art like we used to," he added.

Taimur has been in the limelight even before his birth. Saif says he is a "blue eyed boy".

"He is a genetic treasure trove, he is. He has got a bit of Rabindranath Tagore, he is a bit of Raj Kapoor, a bit of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, little bit of Bhopal. It's beyond me," said Saif.New Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and AAPs Political Affairs Committee member Manish Sisodia was uncharacteristically tense when he broke the much anticipated names of the partys Rajya Sabha nominees on Wednesday.

While there was a visible consensus regarding the candidature of Sanjay Singh, perhaps Sisodia and the partys top leadership were aware of the unease regarding the other two.

The common surname, Gupta, was not the only question that will be asked. Incidentally, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal belongs to the Aggarwal community.

Sisodia took pains to explain that the party had approached as many as 18 big names but they all had turned down an offer of a Rajya Sabha nomination from the party.

The broad reasons they gave, he said, were twofold; hesitation to compromise their independence and fear of being hounded by the central government. One eminent person, made the party wait for 45 days, said a  yes and then politely declined saying that his astrologer has advised against it. Chief Minister Kejriwal visited at least three people after positive indications only to be met with refusals, one said, Beta, aap kyon aye? Hume politics mein interest nahi hai (Why have you come? I am not interested in politics).

And as the party scaled down its ambitions from sending a Raghuram Rajan or TS Thakur, a section within the top leadership also looked at the role of partymen tasked with identifying and getting candidates from outside.

In other words, did AAP members, in their ambition to become Rajya Sabha candidates themselves, derailed the process of sending eminent people either by accident or by design? Instead of looking for candidates, did they become candidates? Can the AAP today be such a political pariah?

There was lack of consensus in the nine member meeting of the AAPs Political Affairs Committee and two more members, Singh and Kumar Vishwas along with two others were absent. Party leader Ashutosh was the lone voice of dissent to the surprise nomination of Sushil Gupta. Singh had not been invited as the PAC would take a final call on his name while Kumar Vishwas, hopeful of a nomination against all odds was not invited perhaps because of the open challenge he had thrown at Kejriwal.

Vishwas not making it to Rajya Sabha was entirely on expected lines. A party source said Kejriwal does not take kindly to the poets blackmail tactics while Vishwas signalled the end of a political journey with AAP and a forty-year-old personal journey with Sisodia. Vishwas continues to be a PAC member and Rajasthan in-charge, but for how long?

It was Kejriwal and Sisodia who addressed the 56-odd AAP MLAs present at 6 Flagstaff Road after the PAC meeting to explain the choice of the PAC.

Sushil Gupta, an ex-Congressman who runs charitable schools and hospitals in Delhi and Haryana, would help the party gain a toehold in Haryana, a state that Kejriwal comes from. Gupta, active in vaishya politics, runs charities across 14 districts in Haryana. If Sushil Gupta contested against AAP in 2013, so did Amanatullah Khan, AAPs current MLA. However, unease about Gupta persists not just on account of his deep pocket but more because he has walked out of the Congress and into a RS nomination from AAP.

On the other hand, 74-year-old chartered accountant ND Gupta had been handling the deluge of income tax cases against the party for years free of cost. Additionally, he has known Kejriwal since his parivartan days. Here, perhaps, the party had a debt to repay and a symbiotic relationship to build.

If any MLAs had any reservations, no one expressed it at the meeting. Somnath Bharti and Alka Lamba also kept quiet. Kejriwal had pushed his nominees through.

Singh was perhaps the only choice on which questions were not asked. The party has given me an opportunity and I will exploit it to its fullest, he said, declining to comment on his co-nominees.

Rajya Sabha is not about caste politics, look at Jarnardan Dwivedi, a Brahmin from UP representing Delhi, Karan Singh, a Maratha from Kashmir, Parvesh Hashmi, a Muslimwhat did they have to do representing Delhi? an AAP member said.

Another AAP member pointed out that the politics of Delhi was shifting, for the first time in its history a baniya was the chief minister, what is wrong in sending two people from the same community?

Rajya Sabha is about indirect representation, and the choice of the nominee is the partys discretion. Kejriwal has made it clear that those within the party with ambitions to enter Parliament must be ready to fight Lok Sabha elections. The party has, for now, unexpectedly settled for Guptas.

Meanwhile, a few National Council members and municipal councillors are set to meet Kejriwal on Thursday to protest about outsiders being given tickets.Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has ordered reduction in number of Holidays from 92 to 86. Also, the government has ordered Madarsas to be shut on Hindu festivals but it includes a cut in Ramzan holidays. The new order by the Yogi government has started a new debate.

While Muslim Clerics and social workers have welcomed the decision but they have also demanded that students in RSS schools must also learn about Muslim festivals.

The UP Madarsa Board has issued a new holiday calendar for 16461 Madarsas affiliated to the board in the state. The order clarifies that Madarsas will now be closed on the occasion of Mahanavmi, Dussehra, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Buddh Purnima and Mahavir Jayanti, while the holiday for Eid E Milad-un-Nabi has been increased from one to two days.

Speaking to news18, Registrar of the Madarsa Board Rahul Gupta said, Some new holidays have been inducted to make students aware about the great personalities. The winter vacations of Madarsas will now be from December 26 to January 5. Also, the timings of the Madarsas will now be defined from 8:30am till 1pm from 1st April to 30th September, while from 1st October till 31st March the timings will be from 9am to 2pm.

However the number of holidays for the month of Ramzan has been curtailed raising eyebrows of social workers and Muslim clerics and they are of view that government should have consulted with clerics before cutting down Ramzan holidays as it is the holy month of Muslims and is of great importance for them.

Social worker Tahira Hasan said, We are a democracy and it is a welcome step by CM Yogi but then everyone should learn about all festivals. RSS schools, Shishu Mandirs, should also be closed on the occasion of Eid and other Muslim festivals. Students in these schools must also be taught about Eid or Shab-e-Barat. Curtailing Ramzan holidays should be reconsidered by the government.

Well known Muslim cleric and scholar Sufiyan Nizami said, I request the government to reconsider the holiday calendar for Madarsas and increase the number of holidays for the month of Ramzan. The Madarsas which are affiliated to Madarsa Board should adhere by the orders but there are many Madarsas which are not affiliated and they will definitely not accept curtailing of holidays for the holy month of Ramzan. Also, students should be taught about the festivals of Bakrid in RSS run Shishu Mandirs, as many have a misconception about the festival and that should be cleared.New Delhi: Known as the Sankat Mochan of the Aam Aadmi Party, Sanjay Singh has emerged as a trusted lieutenant of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, second to only Manish Sisodia. He has emerged as the go-to person when it comes to tricky negotiations and conflict resolution.

Singh has stayed in many houses ever since he moved to Delhi around two years ago, including AAPs former office in Connaught Place for nearly nine months. Singh has been confirmed as one of the three AAP nominees to the Upper House of Parliament. This would finally give a residential address to Singh in New Delhi.

Singh has been campaign committee in-charge in three elections but has never contested one. Born in 1972 in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Singh was an activist before joining AAP. His parents were teachers by profession and yet, Singh as a child was never keen on studies. In fact, he remembers being chided by his father for failing the class 10 exam once.

After school, Singh did a diploma in mining engineering from Odisha School of Mining Engineering in Keonjhar. The transition from Hindi medium to English medium took Singh three attempts before he earned his diploma.

Interestingly, Singh learnt Odiya faster than English and he travelled the state extensively. Till date, my bonds with Odisha are strong, he says. The first andolan he participated in was in Keonjhar, which led to students getting training in Dhanbad.

After completing his studies, Singh was not keen on a working a regular 9 to 5 job. In 1994, he started an organisation called Sultanpur Samaj Sewa Sangathan. He started working amongst the poor  organizing blood donation camps, health camps and campaigning for peoples rights. He used to cycle several kilometers every day, looking for new members and donations, say his friends. Money was never a problem even Rs 10 was welcome.

He says slowly he realised that sewa (service) was incomplete without sangharsh (struggle). People on the footpath were at the receiving end of police action. I worked for 16 years for hawkers rights and thats when I met socialist leader Raghu Thakur. I got to learn a lot from his Democratic Socialist Party, he said. The other organisation he worked with was the Azad Sewa Samiti, which later became a part of the National Hawkers Association.

Singh remembers a particular incident when a young boy named Gopinath Jaiswal had committed suicide outside the collectors office in Sultanpur. Singh was arrested during the ensuing protest against the administration and he started a hunger strike from jail.

Singh said he felt the thrill of victory after his andolan took off. But even here, he said, there was a lesson to be learnt. I belong to an upper caste but found great acceptance from among backward castes. This, he says, is because the people he worked with belonged to the poorest of the poor.

In 2002, Singh began working with Sandeep Pandey and, through their 2007 anti-Coca Cola agitation, came to be associated with Medha Patkar, Ashgar Ali Engineer and Ram Punyani.

In July 2006, an activist by the name of Arvind Kejriwal started a nation-wide Right to Information (RTI) campaign. It was Sandeep Pandey who had recommended Singhs name to Kejriwal. Singh got a call from Bibhav, now Kejriwals personal secretary, and started working for the campaign from the Kaushambi office.

In 2008, he met Kejriwal again when the latter wanted to start a Swaraj Abhiyan. The idea was to utilise funds from gram sabhas in consultation with the people. It was during this time that he met several leaders such as Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Swati Maliwal.

Then came Anna Hazares India Against Corruption (IAC) movement in 2011. Initially, Kejriwal asked Singh to lead a five-day protest in Sultanpur, Rae Bareli and Amethi. When the Anna andolan gained momentum, becoming a nation-wide protest, Singh found a place in the National Executive. He admits he was surprised when Kejriwal told him, Aap manch ka sanchalan karenge (You will lead the protest from the stage). That, Singh said, was a big achievement for him.

After Kejriwal formed the Aam Aadmi Party and was deserted by his mentor Anna Hazare, Singh remembers a car ride with Kejriwal, Sisodia and Kumar Vishwas. There was an air of despondency but Kejriwal, he said, gave them courage. Arvind ne majbooti se bharosa dilaya, hum apne image ke liye desh ko nahi chod sakte, aaj hamare rajneeti mein jaane ka log swarth se jodte hain, par hum rajneeti mein ghus kar rajneeti ki gandagi ko saaf karenge, desh bik raha hai aur hum khamosh nahi baith sakte (Arvind gave us faith. He said we cannot abandon the nation for our own personal image. He said people accuse us of coming into politics for greed but we will get into politics to clean it. The country is being sold and we cannot stay silent).

There has been no looking back for him.

Singh traveled 3,000 kilometers in Punjab through the Punjab Bachao Yatra. AAPs Punjab unit was riddled with factionalism. Singh concentrated on resolving that and along with Durgesh Pathak built a strong team from the grassroots-level to the state level.

Singh held rallies, conducted sabhas, fought crises and developed the political energy in the party. Known for his sharp political messaging, he addressed over 142 rallies and jan sabhas in the run up to Punjab polls touching more than 100 of the 117 constituencies in Punjab.

Dubbed as an outsider by the Akalis and Congress in Punjab, Singh responded by saying he was there to help the team in Punjab as many from there had come to help in Delhi.

Raghu Thakur and Arvind Kejriwal are the two major current political influences in Singhs thinking, the others are Gandhi, Ambedkar, Jai Prakash Narayan and Lokmanya Tilak. He describes himself as a socialist.

Asked whether Kejriwal is really the autocrat he is made out to be, Singh says, Dhun ke aadmi hai woh, junoon mein kaam karte hain (He works with a passion, as if in a frenzy). On corruption charges that are levelled by opponents from time to time, Singh answers like a politician, If the allegation of even one rupee is proven against me, I will take  sanyas (retirement) from politics.Id like to start by saying that I'm ashamed to have been part of this group which has compromised the ethics and values that we had conceived in the beginning.

On 28th November, 2017, Sushil Gupta quit Congress and joined AAP. And without much ado, the party selected him to be their candidate for the Rajya Sabha. Any person who thinks with logic and sense can figure out why this has happened  money must have exchanged hands. The candidature is surprising as it is shocking considering the party has stellar names to flaunt who are capable and competent. People like Meera Sanyal, Kumar Vishwas and so many other hardworking, dedicated people could have been given a chance. I fail to understand how and why someone who just turned away from Congress would be given a ticket. And that too a man who had fought from Moti Bagh constituency in 2015 and lost terribly.

Sushil Guptas business interest lies in properties. He has shown assets worth Rs 164 crores. The party, I'm aware, is going through a huge financial crisis. Donors have stopped giving money to the party and money has stopped flowing into the coffers of the party. The nominations for the Rajya Sabha only show that the party, in all its wisdom, must have thought that they could get money by selling the Rajya Sabha seatwhich is what has happened here. And they need money to fight elections in the future. Coming to ND Guptas case, again, its not very difficult to put things in perspective. Considering that the party is grappling with the issues of funds and that over 35 Income Tax notices have been given to the party, they have now selected a chartered accountant who has absolutely no history with the party to send to the Rajya Sabha. If this is not humiliating for the party workers, then what is?

The sensible volunteers had already quit the party when Arvind Kejriwal had removed Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from the AAPs fold and took over the party in a dictatorial manner. Many still chose to stay back. Their hope was that that Arvind Kejriwal and his A-team would conduct themselves in a better way.

Today, AAP is acting like BSP and selling tickets to the Rajya Sabha, has broken the faith of thousands and it is my hope that the existing volunteers understand that the dream of alternative politics is completely over. I, for one, am completely ashamed that I was ever a part of this.

Finally, Id like to say that the Janata party betrayed the nation and it took 34 years before another group was supported by the country. But looking at the way AAP is behaving, I feel strongly that for the next 50 years nobody will trust a new, idealist organisation. This is a tragedy for the nation and especially the youth.

As told to Aishwarya Kumar

(Mayank Gandhi is ex- National Executive member of AAP and author of upcoming book AAP & Down: An Insiders Story of Indias Most Controversial Party)India continues to suffer from its original sin: a socialist worldview bolted into its foundation by Jawaharlal Nehru, and on which Indira Gandhi built a ruthless administrative state. This creation was not dissimilar to that of other post-colonial states, where political demagogues used an authoritarian legacy framework of governance to seize control of the nations economy, and then use it to create a network of patronage to perpetuate political dominance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first leader in contemporary history who not only instinctively understands the damage this has done to India, but who is also willing to spend enormous political capital to battle it. Now that India has entered election season, Modi must go to polls seeking the moral mandate to permanently dismantle Congress administrative state.

First, what is the administrative state? The administrative state is my nomenclature for the rough beast that was born out of Indira Gandhis paranoia, and who twisted Nehrus limited socialist experiments to suit her political ends. Mrs Gandhi nationalised the banks, accelerated the creation of vast state-owned enterprises, and licensed private industry into a state of serfdom.

Once state ownership of the economy had been established, she used discretionary regulatory regimes to centralise economic and political power in her office, and perfected the abuse of the tax and police functions of the state to extract obedience from political and economic actors in India.

The resultant amorphous entity is the administrative state. It functions as an invisible state-within-a-state. Its weapon is obfuscation and delay; its strategy is one of attrition. Its army is comprised of both, an ocean of mediocre politicians across all parties whose political and economic vocabulary was learnt during the locust years of Indira Gandhi, and second, the enabling framework of sprawling state institutions and arrogant bureaucrats, both of whom have their hand in the proverbial till.

Some tills dispense money, others dispense power. Petty power is its own currency, petty tyranny its own reward.

Modi is the rare Indian politician who understands this affliction, and who has taken steps to dismantle Congress administrative state. Without ceremony or declaration, he has commenced deep reforms in the bureaucracy and increased efficiencies of government programmes to eliminate leakages as a first step.

While hes yet to meaningfully deliver on a key 2014 promise  that the government has no role in business - Modi and his team continue to expand the breathing space for the private sector through their scandal-free and efficient governance of the economy. But three-and-a-half years after 2014, the process needs to be imbued with a fresh urgency: With a tepid Gujarat victory and a resurgent Rahul Gandhi, the stakes in 2019 have now risen.

At stake are not only the structural reforms that Modi and Arun Jaitley have started, and not even the otherwise important issues of corruption and dynasty around which the 2014 campaign was fought. At stake is the existential issue of straightening the moral arc of India and  I hope one can say this without drama or excess  freeing the long-suffering soul of the average Indian, corrupted and enfeebled through decades of forced participation in the administrative state.

Modi understands, as few other Indian politicians, that economics is not a science, but a moral philosophy requiring of each citizen a framework around which they make old-fashioned individual choices around incentives, rewards and punishments. He is also deeply aware of how the administrative state twisted the decision-making framework of ordinary Indians, and of how, in participating/fighting this system, it has diminished the moral framework of all Indians. Everything it touches, it soils.

Modi is alone amongst contemporary Indian leaders who can do both: frame a battle in ideological terms, and then have the stomach and the administrative ability to see a fight through. And even though Modi and Jaitley have remained silent on the practical steps required to permanently dismantle this administrative state i.e., privatisation of the government owned banks, sale of the PSUs, and removing the government from being a significant player in the economy, they have begun to take incremental steps to introduce such ideas to the Indian electorate. (The public-market capitalization of PSU banks, the sale of loss-making PSUs etc. may seem like baby-steps, but one suspects and hopes that these are the trial balloons for the next stage of big-bold reforms post-2019.)

For India to be firmly placed on a multi-decade, double-digit GDP growth trajectory, Modi must now describe this battle in moral and civilisational terms to get the electoral mandate for such deep reforms.

Gujarat has shown that the Congress will be unburdened with discussions about free-markets or the role of government in the countrys economy. Gujarat showed Congress willingness to mobilise group identity as a core electoral strategy, and this then could be a harbinger of Congress strategy in 2019.

Were Congress to ever find itself in power again, it is quite likely the party would quickly revert to its mean: the ideology-free power-grab of state institutions as has been the history of every Nehru-Gandhi administration. But this would not be surprising: the governance instinct of every other political party in India, and especially of the Congress, is a fruit of the poisonous tree laid by Indira Gandhi.

In the various state elections in 2018, and then especially in 2019, Modi must speak lucidly and without anger of the risks to the still nascent structural reform process, and of how, notwithstanding his youth and apparent sincerity, Rahul Gandhi is the most unlikely of revolutionaries to tear down Indira Gandhis temple; his political education and instinct is from the family of which he is off-course the heir, and which remains the patron saint of this rough beast. At its core, the story of Indias reforms since the 1990s has been that of dismantling the house that Indira Gandhi built.

This then will be the reality of the 2019 campaign. In tenor, it will be increasingly vicious and personal, and now that Rahul Gandhi is beginning to find his voice and his stride (something that is to be cherished for the sake of Indian Democracy), neither side will back down from a brutal contest. As for content, while the Congress is increasingly likely to mobilise social identities and make populist promises, Modis core pitch leading up to the 2019 elections must be made boldly and without apology: that this is a high-stakes battle for our souls, and only by dismantling the vicious grip of the administrative state on the economy can India be placed on a robust trajectory of double digit growth. And only then will Indians be truly free.

In the outcome of this battle lies not merely the future of the Indian economy, but of our national character.

Annat Jain is the founder of Acropolis Capital Group, a private equity firm that invests in India. The writer can be reached at annatjain@gmail.comLucknow: The Triple Talaq bill, after being passed from the Lok Sabha, was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday for discussion. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Triple Talaq Bill must be passed in the Rajya Sabha as well, in order to give justice to a woman from Moradabad whose husband gave her triple talaq recently over dowry.

In Moradabad, a case was registered against husband and in-laws of the complainant Varisha, who complained that her husband gave her triple talaq because her family was not able to fulfil the demand of a Swift car or 10 lakh rupees cash as dowry.

Resident of Nagfani area in Daulatbagh, Varisha was married to Mughalpura resident Shahnul Haq sometime back. Soon, husband and in-laws started demanding dowry from of the victim, which eventually led to fights and beating up of the victim by in-laws.

As per Varisha, her husband gave her triple talaq and forced her out of the house. He said that Varisha can only live with him if she gets Rupees 10 lakhs or a car as dowry. The police registered a case against Varishas husband Shahnul Haq, brother-in-law Kamrul Hasan, mother-in-law Aladi, Mohd Hafiz aka Munna and Meena after a written complaint was given by the victim.

The Triple Talaq Bill which is already passed by the Lok Sabha, provisions a jail term of three years for the man who gives instant triple talaq. Responding to the discussion on the bill, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, If it is a crime to stand in favor of poor and oppressed Muslim women, then we will commit this crimes ten times. We should not see it as a vote-bank politics and should have a humanitarian approach.New Delhi: A united opposition on Wednesday had a face-off with the government over the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha and stalled a debate on it insisting that it should be sent to a select panel, as the ruling BJP strongly sought its expeditious passage to stop the unlawful practice.

Amid noisy scenes, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 for discussion and passage, but pandemonium broke out in the Upper House with the opposition creating an uproar and the BJP countering it vociferously.

The House, which had met at 3 PM after witnessing three adjournments over the Maharashtra caste violence, also witnessed procedural wranglings from both sides.

The bill, which seeks to make instant triple talaq illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband, was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 28.

While the government emphasised the need to pass the bill on an urgent basis citing a Supreme Court judgement pronouncing triple talaq as unconstitutional, the opposition countered it saying the views of various stakeholders must be taken by the select panel.

While supporting the bill, the Opposition parties especially those from the Congress, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, insisted that it be referred to a select panel for further scrutiny.

As heated exchanges continued despite warnings and appeals, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day, without giving any ruling on the validity of the opposition's motion on the select panel.

Terming it "a historic bill", Prasad said the Supreme Court on August 22 "called triple talaq as unconstitutional... The judges appealed to Parliament to come out with a law. Until then, it stopped the practice for six months. Even after Lok Sabha passing it, triple talaq is being given."

Appealing for its expeditious passage, the Minister also said that the Congress had supported the bill in the Lower House and asked it to clear its position here.

However, the opposition remained adamant on its demand for setting up of a select committee, with Congress Deputy Leader Anand Sharma moving a resolution to this effect.

Sharma gave a list of opposition members to be part of the proposed select committee and asked the ruling party to suggest its names to the panel, which should give its report in the first week of the Budget Session.

Besides Congress, SP and TMC, the names proposed by Sharma for the panel included leaders of AIADMK, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), TDP, RJD, BJD, JMM, IUML and nominated member KTS Tulsi.

The Congress leader, along with Derek O'Brien (TMC), also insisted that the resolution on sending the bill to a select panel be put to vote in the House and a division was sought.

Dubbing Sharma's motion to set up a select committee as "invalid", Leader of the House Arun Jaitley objected to the procedure followed by him, saying Rule 70 (sub-rule 2a) cited by Sharma was not applicable here because the bill did not orginate from the Upper House. It orginated in the Lok Sabha and was transmitted to the Rajya Sabha.

The other objection Jaitley raised was that the notice for setting up of a select panel was not given before, thereby breaking the parliamentary procedure. Not only the names given for the proposed panel were proportionate to the strength of the parties represented in the House but the consent of these members was also not taken, he claimed.

"Now, we are taken by surprise that we all assemble here after 3 PM, a motion is suddenly submitted to us. For the first time breaking all parliamentary convention and procedures, an invalid motion is moved," Jaitley said.

Citing reasons for the urgency of the bill to be passed to end the unlawful practice, Jaitley explained why the bill should not be referred to a select panel.

"The practice (of triple talaq) was declared unconstitutional on August 22. Two of the judges...held the practice to be unfair. They used their extraordinary power to suspend this practice for six months. Those six months expires on February 22.

"They said we (court) besiege all political parties to come out with an appropriate legislation. Therefore, there is an urgency which the country expects from Parliament and the urgency is that the practice is unlawful," Jaitley said.

The minister further said that some people have said that "we will defy the judgement and resort to this practice. So, the legislature must act with responsibility and act expeditiously and give it a legislative face."

Hitting out at Congress, Jaitley said, "The whole country is watching that in the other House you supported the bill and here you are trying to derail it" and sought a ruling from the chair on this matter.

Countering Jaitley's views, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the Minister referred to a minority judgement of the Supreme Court on the issue while there was no mention of urgency in the majority judgement of the apex court.

As unruly scenes continued, the ruling party members including ministers were up on their feet and asked, "Is it wrong to give respect to women?"

Responding to them, Sharma said the Congress respects the women's rights and supports the bill. "We are not opposing, we are supporting it. We are not hypocrites. We want to ensure the bill goes through legislative scrutiny."

He also chided the ruling party for claiming to the champion of the women's cause but not bringing the women's reservation bill.

As noisy scenes and sloganeering continued forcing the chair to finally adjourn the House for the day.Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is not apprehensive of releasing the caste census and it would be done at an appropriate time, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra has said.

"The caste census data is now the property of Backward Classes Commission. It is yet to reach the government. The government is not apprehensive and will take the decision at an appropriate time," he told reporters in Bengaluru on late Tuesday night.

He was asked whether the government was apprehensive of releasing the data as some were claiming it would have an impact on the prospects of Congress in the Assembly elections due early this year.

Speaking to PTI from Dharwad, political analyst and professor at Karnatak University Harish Ramaswamy said he is sceptical about the Siddaramaiah government releasing the data, because it will damage the Congress' electoral prospects.

"If the data is released, it will backfire. The electoral prospects of the Congress will be at stake, because it will neutralise the issue of separate religious status for Lingayats, which the BJP alleges is an attempt to divide Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, for electoral gains," he said.

The main intention of the Congress government to pitch for separate religion status for Lingayats is to split the votes of Lingayats which is the core vote-bank of the BJP, Ramaswamy claimed.

However, the government should release the data as it is the best possible way to take developmental schemes to the needy communities, he said.

A leaked data of the purported findings of the census had created a stir in Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities given the possible political ramifications.

The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Rajya Vokkaligara Okkoota had vehemently criticised the leaked data, which had omitted certain sub-castes of both communities, which brought down their numbers considerably.

Both the outfits alleged the Siddaramaiah-led government has deliberately omitted certain sub-castes to play down their numbers and break them into splinters.

However, Jayachandra said the census was conducted strictly as per procedure, but was delayed due to updation of data in some parts of the state.

"In some parts of the state, data was not fully prepared. The authorities wanted some to update, hence there was a delay," he said.Internet-connected lights, locks and laundry machines are close to becoming everyday household items, thanks in part to voice-activated speakers such as Amazons Echo and Google Home. Market research groups are seeing increased sales of lights that turn off when you say good night, smart locks that let in your friends before you get home and similar smart-home gadgets. While the devices are still relatively expensive  you can get six regular light bulbs for the price of a single smart one  demand is likely to pick up further as prices fall. This holiday, its starting to turn the corner into the mass market, said Steve Koenig, senior director of market research at the Consumer Technology Association, which puts on the CES gadget show in Las Vegas each January. Until recently, many people viewed these products as unnecessary luxuries, if they knew about them at all  not least because setting them up and using them sounded like a lot of work.

A POWERFUL VOICE

Whats changed? The growing popularity of smart speakers and their digital assistants, mainly. From your couch, you can now ask the Echos Alexa assistant to play your favourite music or check the weather. You can order pizza, track flights or play Jeopardy. The more people use such speakers, it turns out, the more things they want them to do. In some cases, that leads directly to other smart gadgets for the home. People who own an Echo are definitely more likely to install other smart gadgets, said David Limp, Amazons senior vice president of devices and services. They dont start by rewiring the whole home. They start with a switch.

That switch, known as a smart plug, can make any appliance or lamp remote-controllable by cutting or restoring its power  just ask an assistant to turn it off or on. From there, its only a small step toward products with smarts already built in, ones that can dim the lights or even change colours based on mood  all through the speakers assistant. Now that people can simply talk to their gadgets, they no longer have to learn so much about how to use a device and its intricacies, said Kara Alexander, senior product manager for Belkins WeMo smart products. Its much closer to how we work with people in our home.

BEHIND THE GROWTH

U.S. sales of smart speakers have more than tripled to nearly 25 million in 2017, about 11 million coming during the holiday quarter, according to a CTA estimate. Theyre expected to grow further in 2018, to about 36 million, as Apples HomePod joins the fray. It helps that such products are no longer limited to electronics stores such as Best Buy, but are now available at Home Depot, Target and other general retailers. And prices have dropped, with lower-end models costing just $50.

Smart-home products such as lights and security cameras are behind but catching up. Were still in the early stages, said Jeff Patton, a smart-home executive at General Electric. While the gadgets arent yet mainstream, he said, average people are much more aware of them. Alex Hawkinson, CEO of Samsungs SmartThings smart-home business, said that about half of his new customers are coming because of smart speakers igniting a lot of excitement.

Once people get their first smart product, such as a smart plug, they are likely to buy more, market researchers say. They also tell friends and neighbours about them and might buy some as gifts.

REMAINING HURDLES

Questions remain over whether inviting internet-connected products to the home also opens the door to hackers, notwithstanding manufacturers promises of security and privacy protections. For that reason, Hawkinson said, smart lights tend to be more popular than cameras and door locks. Sharonda Dozier, a 28-year-old in Detroit, said her boyfriend wants a smart speaker, but she worries: What if it starts glitching and were having an argument or something else is going on thats personal?

Analysts say the privacy hurdle is surmountable, as people have shown a willingness to set such concerns aside for convenience. The larger roadblocks, they say, are cost and awareness. A pack of two smart plugs costs about $30. Smart bulbs start at $10; ones that let you control brightness and colour can cost three times that. Equipping a few rooms with security cameras will set you back a few hundred dollars  or much more for a premium model such as Nests Cam IQ.

Beyond the upfront costs, some products carry ongoing service fees. Thats especially true of security cameras that offer online video storage. Nest, which shares a parent company with Google, charges $10 or $30 a month, depending on how long video is kept. Still, smart products arent going to be right for everyone. I walk over and lock the doors. I go over to the thermostat and just turn the thing down, said Rick Daigneault, 38, a former insurance research technician in Warwick, Rhode Island. People are getting lazier and lazier. You need a device to think for you.

Watch: Tech And Auto Show Ep 26 | Toyota Fortuner vs Isuzu mu-X, Hyundai Weekender & MoreThe United States today urged Iran to stop blocking online social media and advised its citizens to set up virtual private networks, or VPNs, to circumvent censorship. Steve Goldstein, the State Department's under-secretary for public diplomacy, denounced Iran's attempts to restrict net access and urged Iranians to find a way to log in. "People in Iran should be able to access these sites through VPN," he said, adding that the State Department's own Farsi language Facebook page has around 700,000 subscribers.

"The more available these sites are the better it is," he said, as street protests continued against what US President Donald Trump has branded Iran's "brutal and corrupt" regime. Since the protests erupted, Iran has restricted some social media services like Instagram and Telegram that authorities fear will be used to spread the news about the unrest. Some other online services provided by US tech giants are unavailable in Iran because their parent firms are wary of falling afoul of economic sanctions targeting the regime. But Goldstein said Washington believes that all Iranians should have access to non-government news and opinion, and urged them to listen to international broadcasters.

"We want to encourage the protesters to fight for what is right and to open up Iran," Goldstein told reporters. "It's our strong desire that the Iranian government allow the protesters to dissent in peace." Some observers warn Washington's public support for the right to oppose the Tehran government could tarnish the protest movement by making it appear like a foreign-backed plot. But Goldstein insisted: "We have an obligation not to standby. There's always that risk, but we're giving people vehicles to express their views where we can."

Watch: Tech And Auto Show Ep 26 | Toyota Fortuner vs Isuzu mu-X, Hyundai Weekender & MoreBeijing: China's new "hypersonic" ballistic missiles will not only challenge the defences of the US but also be able to more accurately hit military targets in Japan and India, a media report said on Tuesday.

The report in the South China Morning Post comes after Tokyo-based The Diplomat magazine reported that China's rocket forces conducted two tests late last year of a new hypersonic glide vehicle or HGV, known as the DF-17.

Citing US intelligence sources, The Diplomat last month reported that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force carried out the first test on November 1 and the second one two weeks later.

Both tests were successful and the DF-17 could be operational by around 2020, the US intelligence sources were quoted as saying.

Asked about the two tests, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Tuesday declined to react saying the Defence Ministry should be approached for information on this.

Both tests were successful and the DF-17 could be operational by around 2020, the US intelligence sources were quoted as saying.

HGVs are unmanned, rocket-launched, manoeuvrable aircraft that glide and "skip" through the earths atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds.

Compared to conventional ballistic systems, HGV warheads can travel at much higher speeds, lower altitudes and less- trackable trajectories. The approach leaves defence systems less time to intercept the warhead before it drops its payload.

The DF-17 test missiles were launched from the Jiuquan launch centre in Inner Mongolia and flew about 1,400 km during the trial, The Diplomat reported.

Chinese state media first reported on the country's HGV technology in October, with footage of the system in a hypersonic wind tunnel in various arrays.

Beijing-based military analyst Zhou Chenming said HGV technology has become part of the nuclear strategy between the worlds three big nuclear powers: China, the US and Russia.

"Compared to conventional ballistic missiles, HGVs are more complex and difficult to intercept," Zhou told the South China Morning Post.

"The US, Japan and India should be worried about Chinas developments in HGV technology because it can reach targets quicker and more accurately, with military bases in Japan and even nuclear reactors in India being targeted, he was quoted as saying by the daily.

China eyes artificial intelligence for fire-and-forget cruise missiles.

Chinese military specialists said the DF-17 was one of several iterations of glider systems developed by the PLA, including the DF-ZF which has been through at least seven tests.

Song Zhongping, a former member of the PLAs Second Artillery Corps, the rocket wings predecessor, said the DF-17 was the weaponised model of the DF-ZF prototype.

Song, a military commentator for Hong Kongs Phoenix Television told the Post that the HGV system could be used with various kinds of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of at least 5,500 km.

He also said multiple HGV warheads could be used with the DF-41, which has a range of at least 12,000 km and can hit anywhere in the US in less than an hour.

Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said HGVs could also be used to target and destroy a US anti-missile system known as THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, which are currently deployed in South Korea to war doff---- attacks from North Korea.

"Chinas HGVs ... could destroy the THAAD radar system if there is war between the two countries, Wong said.

Once the THAAD radars fail to function in the first stage, it could reduce the window to raise the alarm about the PLAs [ICBMs] ... leaving the US without enough time to intercept, he said.Jerusalem: India has called off an order to buy Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel's state-owned defence contractor Rafael, the company said on Wednesday.

The deal was worth about $500 million and the announcement of its termination came a couple of weeks before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit India.

An Indian Defence Ministry spokesman declined comment on the cancellation. Local media reported that Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation was developing a domestic anti-tank missile the government was keen to support.

"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," the firm said in a statement.

However, India's Defence Ministry said separately it had cleared a plan to buy 131 Barak surface-to-air missiles built by Rafael. The 4.6-billion-rupee ($72 million) order follows up an earlier purchase of Barak missiles, meant to protect navy vessels against sea-skimming missiles and aerial threats.

The two countries have grown closer since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, widening commercial cooperation beyond their longstanding defence ties.

Modi became the first sitting Indian prime minister to visit Israel last summer, and Netanyahu will fly to India on Jan. 14.

Rafael, whose CEO will join Netanyahu on his trip, said the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the final supply contract and despite its compliance with all of India's wishes.London: Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have deployed forces to three provinces to put down an eruption of anti-government unrest, their commander said on Wednesday, after six days of protests that have left 21 people dead.

Thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government rallies in several cities on Wednesday in a state-sponsored show of force aimed at countering unrest posing the most sustained challenge to the Islamic Republic's clerical elite in almost a decade.

State television broadcast live pictures of rallies in the southwestern cities of Kermanshah and Ilam and in the northern city of Gorgan, where marchers waved Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

But, in a sign of official concern about the resilience of the protests, the Revolutionary Guards commander, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said he had dispatched forces to Isfahan, Lorestan and Hamadan provinces to tackle "the new sedition".

Most of the casualties among protesters have occurred in those regions. The Revolutionary Guards, the sword and shield of Iran's Shi'ite theocracy, were instrumental in suppressing the 2009 uprising, killing dozens of protesters then.

In the Shi'ite holy city Qom, pro-government demonstrators chanted "death to American mercenaries". There were similar rallies in Isfahan, Iran's third largest city, and Abadan and Khorramshahr in the oil-rich southwest, state TV footage showed.

Marchers chanted, "The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader (Khamenei)," and, "We will not leave our leader alone." They accused the United States, Israel and Britain of inciting protests, shouting "the seditionist rioters should be executed!"

The protests began last week out of frustration over economic hardship among the youth and working class but have evolved into broader unrest against the hardline clerical establishment dominating since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

RARE ANTI-GOVERNMENT OUTBURST

Political rallies held in defiance of the pervasive security services have called for the overthrow of all Iranian leaders.

The protests, organised on social media, have largely been held after dusk. They continued into Tuesday night with social media videos showing demonstrators on the streets and riot police in several cities including Ahvaz in the southwest.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sought to isolate the Tehran leadership, reversing the conciliatory approach of predecessor Barack Obama, said Washington would throw its support behind the protesters at an "appropriate time".

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" Trump wrote in the latest of a series of tweets on Iran's turmoil.

On Tuesday, Khamenei had accused Iran's adversaries of fomenting the protests, some of which have criticised him by name and called for him to step down.

An Iranian judicial official said on Wednesday a European citizen was arrested in protests in the Borujerd area of western Iran, but did not specify the nationality of the detainee.

"(This) European citizen ... had been trained by European intelligence services and was leading the rioters," Hamidreza Abolhassani, head of Borujerd's Justice Department, was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying.

In Geneva, the U.N. human rights chief urged Iran to rein in security forces to avoid further violence and respect the right of protesters to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.

Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said more than 20 had been killed and hundreds arrested across Iran in the past week. He called for "thorough, independent and impartial investigations of all acts of violence..."

An official in Iran's hardline judiciary warned that some of those arrested could face the death penalty.

The outburst of dissent is the most serious since 2009, when Iranians took to the streets over accusations of vote-rigging in the re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The protests have heaped pressure on President Hassan Rouhani, who championed a deal struck with world powers in 2015 to curb Iran's disputed nuclear programme in return for the lifting of most international sanctions against Tehran.

Many of the protesters are fuming over what they see as the failure so far of his government to deliver on promises of more jobs and investment as a payoff from the nuclear accord.

Rouhani, who has said Iranians have a right to protest peacefully, told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Wednesday he hoped the unrest would end in a few days.

"We are certain about Iran's security and stability ... People are free in Iran to protest within the framework of law," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA.

TOUGH CHOICE ON SANCTIONS

Trump has said in tweets that Iranians have lost patience with alleged graft and what he called a terrorist regime.

Trump must decide by mid-January whether to continue waiving U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil exports under the terms of the nuclear deal that he opposed.

But, given that the unrest began over high unemployment and prices, if he reimposes sanctions on oil it could increase the economic pain for Iran's people, analysts say.

"If the Americans sympathy with Iranians were real, they would have not imposed cruel sanctions on the our nation," Jafari, the Revolutionary Guards commander, said on Wednesday.

Referring to Rouhani's policy of detente with the West, Jafari told Fars news agency that friendship with the United States would never bring prosperity and that the Guards were ready to help the government overcome economic challenges.

ECONOMIC DOLDRUMS

Resentment over economic stagnation and reputed graft within the clerical and security hierarchies sparked the protests after Iranians took to social media to vent their discontent.

The anger has been building up since last month. Thousands of Iranians joined a hashtag campaign on Twitter and other sites to express frustration over the slow pace of reforms.

Under the "#I am regretful" hashtag, they expressed disappointment with Rouhani, who was elected on promises of tackling high unemployment and granting more social freedoms.

They focused on his latest budget bill. It has allocated, as usual, billions of dollars to religious universities and institutions while the government said it lacks the cash needed to aid the unemployed, including the 28.8 percent of youth who are jobless.

Both the arch-conservative Khamenei and the pragmatist Rouhani have pledged to crack down on high-level corruption and create economic prosperity for all Iranians.

But there have been few changes. The Revolutionary Guards, for example, still control a vast, lucrative economic empire.

While more than 20 million out of 80 million Iranians live below the poverty line, the wealthy, including relatives of government officials, import tens of thousands of luxury cars every year, causing widespread resentment.

While young, impoverished Iranians have dominated the current protests across the Islamic Republic, some members of the urban middle class are also taking part.

In an attempt to control the flow of information and calls for anti-government gatherings, Tehran authorities have restricted access to the Telegram messaging app and Instagram, owned by Facebook Inc.Washington: US President Donald Trump warned Kim Jong-Un Tuesday he has a "much bigger" nuclear button than the North Korean leader, as Washington dismissed the prospect of high-level talks between Pyongyang and Seoul.

Trump launched the highly personal missive on Twitter hours after his ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley described a proposed dialogue between the two Koreas as a "band-aid" and said Washington would never accept a nuclear-armed Pyongyang.

Trump said: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.'

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

The tweet was in reference to Kim's annual New Year address in which he warned he has a "nuclear button" on his table but sweetened his remarks by expressing an interest in dialogue and taking part in the Pyeongchang Games next month.

South Korea has responded positively to Kim's overture, suggesting January 9 as a date for rare talks aimed at easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

But the US questioned whether talks could be taken seriously.

North Korea has rattled the international community in recent months with multiple missile launches and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test -- purportedly of a hydrogen bomb.

It has shrugged off a raft of new sanctions and heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with its weapons program, which it says is for defence against US aggression.

Pyongyang claims it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from a hostile Washington and has striven to create a warhead capable of targeting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

PERSONAL INSULTS

Earlier, South Korea's President Moon Jae-In welcomed Kim's comments as a "positive response" to Seoul's hopes that the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a "groundbreaking opportunity for peace"

The South's unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon told a press conference Tuesday that Seoul was "reiterating our willingness to hold talks with the North at any time and place in any form."

"We hope that the South and North can sit face to face and discuss the participation of the North Korean delegation at the Pyeongchang Games as well as other issues of mutual interest for the improvement of inter-Korean ties," he added.

The Koreas, divided by a Demilitarized Zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, last held high-level talks in 2015 to try to ease tensions.

But Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN, told reporters Washington could not take the talks seriously "if they don't do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea."

She said: "We consider this to be a very reckless regime. We don't think we need a band-aid and we don't think we need to smile and take a picture.

"We think we need to have them stop nuclear weapons and they need to stop it now," she said, warning: "We will never accept a nuclear North Korea."

Trump's tweet was also the latest in a series of personal insults the two leaders have traded since the US president took office a year ago.

Trump has mocked Kim as "fat" and a "little rocket man." Kim, for his part, has described Trump as a "mentally deranged US dotard."Islamabad: Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday responded to US President Donald Trumps harshly-worded tweet on New Years Day, calling it "non-serious" and "sad".

Sharif told The Dawn, "A head of state should remember the rules of engagement while addressing a fellow state."

Sharif made the comments after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia, sparking much speculation.

Taking a strong exception to the US cutting $ 255 million military aid to Pakistan, he said that the Pakistan government does not care for US threats to cut funding to Islamabad in the war against terrorism.

"We should not be taunted [about US aid]," Sharif told Dawn, adding that he would "advise Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to formulate a plan that ensures we don't need any US aid so that such attacks are not made on our self-respect".

Sharif claimed that a coalition fund is 'aid'. We do not even need such a fund and our support should not be demanded in return," he said.

"The US president should know that as soon as we, the PML-N, came into power in 2013, we took effective steps to end terrorism in Pakistan. Operation Zarb-i-Azb had broken the backs of terrorists," he added.

Taking a veiled dig at Parvez Musharraf and the opposition, Sharif claimed that a democratically elected government would not have sold itself to the US after 9/11. He also threatened to spill the beans on what has happened in Islamabad for the past four years if "they" do not stop their "propaganda".

Sharif said: "If, in 2001, a democratic government was in place in Pakistan instead of a dictatorship, then it would never have sold its expertise to the US. It would neither have sold our expertise, nor our self-respect."

"I have been the PM of this country thrice. A lot of facts are in front of me. As a respectable citizen of Pakistan, I would like for us, as a nation, to assess our own situation," he added.

"This is not 2001. A dictator is not ruling the country, and one telephone call will not scare us," he said.New Delhi: The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering new regulations that would prevent foreign workers from getting H-1B visa extensions while their green card applications are pending.

This change will be catastrophic for Indian American community. There are over 750,000 H-1B primary applicants stuck in green card backlogs that span many decades. We estimate that there are around 800,000 dependants (spouses and children) of Indian origin who will be directly impacted if Department of Homeland Security gets rid of H1B visa extension beyond 6th year, on official of an immigration firm in the US told News18.

As many as 1.5 million Indians (which includes spouses and children) living in the US are expected to be affected by the new regulations. This could result in mass exodus of Indians from the US, which would be unprecedented in US history, the official added.

The H-1B visa issue has been a cause of concern for New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have expressed concern to their counterparts, including US President Donald Trump.

While officials at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is under DHS, said they couldnt discuss any part of the pre-decisional processes, Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for USCIS, was quoted as saying that the agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the Presidents Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes.

The H-1B visa is issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely.

The proposed changes would have a dramatic effect, particularly on Indian visa holders, since over half of all H-1B visas have been awarded to Indian nationals, according to the Pew Research Center. Estimates suggest that over 1 million H-1B visa holders are waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for over a decade.

At the core of this issue is 7% per country limits on Employment-Based (merit-based) green card system, meaning no country can get more than 7% green cards in a year.

There is no per-country limit on visas like H-1B or L-1 visas, and companies tend to hire over 70% individuals of 85,000 visas from India every year, the official at the immigration firm.New Delhi: Pakistan expressed deep disappointment at the allegations by the US President Donald Trump saying that it negated the sacrifices made by the Islamic republic.

Chaired by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the national security committee meeting on Tuesday said that the accusations levelled by the United States struck at the trust between the two countries and that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism using its own resources.

A statement issued after the meeting, as reported by Dawn newspaper, which was attended by high level officials including Pakistans ambassador to the US, said, the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan, including loss of tens of thousands of lives, could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value, and that too an imagined one. The council further said that Pakistan could not be held responsible and that it was due to Pakistans efforts that many Afghanistan based terror groups were unable to expand.

Pakistan playing double games

The United States of America, on Wednesday, officially confirmed the cutting of aids to Pakistan, two days after President Donald Trump had accused the Islamic republic of giving a safe haven to terrorists.

"The (US) administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan. There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years" said Nikki Haley, US Ambassador the United Nations, adding that the US president will go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to support terrorists.(Newser)  Silicon Valley parties get an R-17 rating in a new expose by author Emily Chang. In an excerpt of her book Brotopia in Vanity Fair, Chang writes about the prevalence of parties where sex and drugs (typically Ecstasy) are the norm. Insiders give her the details, and while they speak anonymously, they don't consider their gatherings scandalous. "On the contrary, they speak proudly about how theyre overturning traditions and paradigms in their private lives, just as they do in the technology world they rule," writes Chang. A wide range of such parties existsome drug- and alcohol-free, some notbut they are generally discreet, invitation-only affairs, and the hosts make sure that female guests outnumber the males. Chang says "household" names are involved, including tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

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"These sex parties happen so often among the premier V.C. and founder crowd that this isnt a scandal or even really a secret, Ive been told; its a lifestyle choice," writes Chang. Guests often show up with their spouses or significant others, given that open relationships are common in Silicon Valley. Chang describes parties that aren't so much wild orgies as people breaking off into groups of twos or threes in private rooms, often after a "sizable cuddle puddle" among the larger group. One troubling aspect is that women who feel uncomfortable attending might be losing out on business opportunities. "They talk business at these parties," says one female entrepreneur who ended up leaving Silicon Valley altogether for New York. They decide things. Click for the full story. (Read more Silicon Valley stories.)(Newser)  Conservative firebrand Michele Bachmann says she's mulling a run for Al Franken's Senate seat, the Star Tribune reports. The former Minnesota congresswoman, whose controversial remarks helped make her a mainstay in 2012 Republican primary coverage, recently shared the news on The Jim Bakker Show, though she told the televangelist she's not quite ready to announce. "The question is, am I being called to do this now? she said, per the Washington Post. I dont know. While Bachmann served on the Trump campaign's evangelical advisory council, she's largely been absent from politics since leaving Congress in 2015. However, Franken's official resignation on Tuesday following allegations of sexual misconduct may well bring Bachmann back to the fore.

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As a potential candidate, Bachmann already has an opponent in Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, who's been tapped to replace Franken starting Wednesday. Smith has pledged to run in the November special election to replace Franken for the final two years of his term, as has state Sen. Karin Housley, a Republican. Ever the outsider, Bachmann said she also has a foe in the Washington establishment. "It is really tough ... if you are trying to stand for biblical principles in DC," she told Bakker. "The swamp is so toxic." (Read more Michele Bachmann stories.)(Newser)  "When a vehicle plows into a group of innocent pedestrians, it's disgusting," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday, announcing a plan to install 1,500 new security bollards to protect pedestrians from vehicle ramming attacks like the one that killed eight people on Halloween. The mayor said the metal postswhich will replace temporary concrete barriers in some places, making it easier for pedestrians to get aroundwill be installed in locations including Times Square beginning later this month, ABC7 reports. "These bollards will make sure vehicles can never come into places where pedestrians are," he said.

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The city says the permanent barriers, including concrete planters as well as bollards, will be installed over the next few years at a cost of around $50 million. Officials say installing the bollards in some of New York's busiest areas will be complicated because of the amount of infrastructure below ground, the New York Times reports. "If you want to make them so they can really stop a vehicle, they need to go some distance into the ground," says Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. (In May last year, bollards eventually stopped a man who drove along New York City sidewalks for three blocks, injuring 22 people and killing a visitor from Michigan.)(Newser)  President Trump has declared a major disaster in California over a wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 buildings as fierce winds whipped it through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties last month, the AP reports. The declaration makes federal funding available to state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations for emergency work in those counties and statewide for work to reduce hazards related to the fire, according to a White House statement. The Thomas fire that began on Dec. 4 is the largest recorded in the state. It was 92% contained on Tuesday. Firefighters are still putting out hot spots and smoldering areas. The fire covered more than 440 square miles, killed two people, destroyed entire neighborhoods, threatened coastal foothill communities, and ravaged wilderness areas.

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Firefighting costs alone have approached $200 million. The disaster declaration means the federal government may cover 75% of those costs and the costs of recovering from the blaze, such as removing vast amounts of debris in fire-denuded areas that could be hit with flash floods and debris flows if winter rains arrive. After a flight over the devastated area on Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the president's declaration will help with rebuilding from the fire, which burned more than 700 homes along with other buildings. Trump has already approved a major disaster declaration for the wildfires that killed 44 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes in northern California in October.

(Read more California wildfires stories.)(Newser)  A chairman of a newspaper publishing company facing allegations of assault related to at least four women admits he spanked a female employee, but says he did so with a doctor's approval. H. Brandt Ayersthe former publisher of Alabama's Anniston Star, who now heads its publishing companysays he assaulted a reporter at her Anniston home in the 1970s when he was a "very young man with more authority than judgment," per the AP. According to 82-year-old Ayers, the woman, who died in 2006, had been out of work because of a psychological illness when he contacted her doctor, whose name he says he can't remember. "He said 'calm her down,'" Ayers tells the Star, adding he asked the doctor if spanking would be appropriate. Ayers says the doctor approved, and that he followed through in a visit to her home.

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According to Veronica Kennedy, this was no isolated incident. Kennedy tells the Alabama Political Reporter she was working in the Star newsroom in February 1975 when Ayers referred to her as "a bad girl," adding, "You know what I do to bad girls? I spank them.'" Kennedy says Ayers then pulled her from a chair and spanked her 18 times with a metal ruler, an incident a male reporter recalls witnessing. A day after telling the Political Reporter he had "no memory of the alleged incidents," Ayers told the Star Monday to "let the accusation stand" in reference to Kennedy. Two other women, who remain anonymous, have described similar incidents involving spanking, while others say complaints were ignored. Ayers says he has no plans to resign simply because "I did some things I regret." The AP notes the window to file charges has closed. (Read more Alabama stories.)(Newser)  Cops showed up at a party in Georgia about 2:30am Sunday to investigate a complaint of shots fired, and when all was said and done, more than 60 people were arrested, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Now, controversy has ensued over whether the officers in Cartersville overreacted. Many of those detained tell WSB-TV that they were unfairly arrested because officers smelled pot and nobody would own up to having it. They ended up charged with a single count of possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, reports the Daily Tribune News. "All the subjects at the residence were placed under arrest for the possession of the suspected marijuana, which was within everyone's reach or control," says Maj. Mark Mayton of the Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force.

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Police also say they obtained a warrant and entered the home (an Airbnb rental), finding two weapons, one of which was stolen. In addition to marijuana and "smoking devices" scattered about, they also found suspected cocaine and related paraphernalia. Party host Deja Heard says she figured cops would just send everybody home, not round them up into a police van. Those arrested range in age from 15 to 31, and several told WSB they're now worried about having a criminal record despite doing nothing wrong. "I'm about to graduate college this semester, so it was kinda embarrassing," says attendee Dakelin Wells. "I had my cousin with me, he's in the military, so it just sucked we had to go through it that way." The NAACP tweeted that it was investigating the incident. (Read more Georgia stories.)(Newser)  A highly anticipated book about the Trump White House comes out next week, and some advance peeks already are making headlines. Two in particular from Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff (a Newser founder): The Trump team, including Trump himself, genuinely did not expect to win, even on Election Day; and strategist Steve Bannon calls a meeting led by Donald Trump Jr. with a group of Russians "treasonous." More details and reaction:



Trump response: "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency," said the president in an emailed statement, per Bloomberg News. "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind." Trump adds that the "only thing (Bannon) does well" is leak news to the media. "Steve doesn't represent my basehe's only in it for himself."

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency," said the president in an emailed statement, per Bloomberg News. "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind." Trump adds that the "only thing (Bannon) does well" is leak news to the media. "Steve doesn't represent my basehe's only in it for himself." Excerpt: New York has a long book excerpt, which begins with Kellyanne Conway's belief on Election Day that, best case, Trump could hold the loss to fewer than six points. And Trump himself seemed content to parlay his even bigger fame after the presumed loss into something else, perhaps a Trump TV network. This is bigger than I ever dreamed of, he told Roger Ailes of Fox a week before the election. I dont think about losing, because it isnt losing. Weve totally won.

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Bannon: The Guardian obtained an advance copy and focuses on the comments of Bannon in regard to the 2016 meeting with Russians attended by Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s---, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately." He adds, "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV." And, finally, he predicts that Robert Mueller has a legitimate case against Trump via money laundering issues. 'It goes through Deutsche Bank and all the Kushner s---," he says. "The Kushner s--- is greasy."

The Guardian obtained an advance copy and focuses on the comments of Bannon in regard to the 2016 meeting with Russians attended by Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s---, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately." He adds, "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV." And, finally, he predicts that Robert Mueller has a legitimate case against Trump via money laundering issues. 'It goes through Deutsche Bank and all the Kushner s---," he says. "The Kushner s--- is greasy." 'Third rail': Jonathan Swan of Axios says that by going after the president's family, Bannon "touched the third rail of Trumpworld." The White House wasn't prepared that Bannon would do that, writes Swan.

Jonathan Swan of Axios says that by going after the president's family, Bannon "touched the third rail of Trumpworld." The White House wasn't prepared that Bannon would do that, writes Swan. Ivanka as president: The Washington Post has several excerpts of its own, including one that describes a deal Ivanka Trump made with husband Kushner. "If some time in the future the time came, shed be the one to run for president (or the first one of them to take the shot). The first woman president, Ivanka entertained, would not be Hillary Clinton, it would be Ivanka Trump." Another excerpt details how Melania Trump dreaded the thought of becoming first lady, but her husband assured her that he wouldn't win.

Drudge unloads: Chris Cillizza at CNN thinks Bannon is right on the money in his criticism of Trump Jr., Manafort, and Kushner. And Bannon "getsbetter than anyone in the White House apparently doeswhat is headed their way." That's a reference to a Bannon quote about team Trump, in which Bannon says, "They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five." Less impressed is Matt Drudge, who tweeted, "No wonder schizophrenic Steve Bannon has been walking around with a small army of bodyguards..."

Chris Cillizza at CNN thinks Bannon is right on the money in his criticism of Trump Jr., Manafort, and Kushner. And Bannon "getsbetter than anyone in the White House apparently doeswhat is headed their way." That's a reference to a Bannon quote about team Trump, in which Bannon says, "They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five." Less impressed is Matt Drudge, who tweeted, "No wonder schizophrenic Steve Bannon has been walking around with a small army of bodyguards..." Implicating Trump: A tweet from MSNBC has another line from Bannon, one that suggests Donald Trump himself knew of the Russian meeting at Trump Tower. The chance that Don. Jr did not walk these Jumos up to his fathers office on the 26th floor is zero.

A tweet from MSNBC has another line from Bannon, one that suggests Donald Trump himself knew of the Russian meeting at Trump Tower. The chance that Don. Jr did not walk these Jumos up to his fathers office on the 26th floor is zero. Bannon analysis: He becomes the first Trump insider "to say what is at this point clear to anyone willing to look at the facts: Whether or not there were any crimes committed, Trump aides colluded with Russia," writes David A. Graham at the Atlantic. Using the term "treasonous" is a powerful rebuke to the White House's statements to the contrary, writes Graham.

(Read more Steve Bannon stories.)(Newser)  YouTube star Logan Paul has endured plenty of abuse for a horrifying video he uploaded Sunday, showing a dead body in Japans "Suicide Forest." But those calling him "garbage" might want to expand their periphery, says Louise Matsakis. "There's no excuse for what Paul did  But blaming the YouTube star alone seems insufficient," she writes at Wired. That's because YouTube, which pockets 45% of advertising revenue from videos and often teams up with creators, "stands to benefit financially when he and creators like him gain millions of views off of outlandish episodes." As UCLA internet expert Sarah T. Roberts tells Matsakis, "YouTube is absolutely complicit in these kinds of things, in the sense that their entire economic model  is created fundamentally on people like Logan Paul."

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What's worse is YouTube "often fails to adequately police its own content," Matsakis writes. While it's possible YouTube reviewed the Logan video and allowed it to remain, protecting one of the platform's biggest stars, vague policies, and a lack of transparency regarding video moderation make its intentions unclear. "Paul's video represents a potential turning point for YouTube, an opportunity to become more transparent about how it manages its own content," writes Matsakis, who proposes an edit log similar to those on Wikipedia so people can see the review process. "If it doesnt take the chance, scandals like this one will only continue to happen." Read her piece in full here. (Read more opinion stories.)(Newser)  The political research firm behind an infamous dossier on then-candidate Donald Trump defends its work in a New York Times op-ed and accuses the president and his allies of trying to downplay explosive allegations about Russian collusion. Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, founders of Fusion GPS, lay out how they enlisted former British spy Christopher Steele to look into Trump's Russian contacts after being separately hired by the conservative paper the Washington Free Beacon and the Clinton campaign. "What came back shocked us," they write. "Mr. Steele's sources in Russia (who were not paid) reported on an extensiveand now confirmedeffort by the Kremlin to help elect Mr. Trump president. Mr. Steele saw this as a crime in progress and decided he needed to report it to the FBI."

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The pair write that they helped Steele get the report to the FBI via Sen. John McCain. They have provided 21 hours of testimony to congressional committees and called for their testimony to be made public because they say it debunks conspiracy theories on the far right. "We don't believe the Steele dossier was the trigger for the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling," they write, naming one of those theories. "As we told the Senate Judiciary Committee in August, our sources said the dossier was taken so seriously because it corroborated reports the bureau had received from other sources, including one inside the Trump camp." They accuse Republicans of "chasing rabbits" by going after them instead of looking more seriously into the allegations against the president. Click for the full op-ed. (Read more President Trump stories.)(Newser)  The owner of Denmark's Cafe 33 could probably use a drink. Brian Ingberg says someone broke into his bar this week and stole a bottle of vodka valued at $1.3 million, Radio Free Europe reports. According to the AP, Ingberg says the bottle of Russo-Baltique was on loan from a Russian businessman. He says it has been in the 1,200-bottle vodka museum in his bar's basement in Copenhagen for the past six months, the Local reports. Ingberg says the one-of-a-kind bottle was uninsured and the only item stolen from the bar.

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As for what makes the Russo-Baltique vodka so expensive (it's allegedly the priciest bottle of vodka in the world): Ingberg says it comes from the Dartz factory, "which makes the world's most expensive cars and vodka." The Dartz Motorz Company in Latvia is known for making armored vehicles. The bottle itself is also unthinkably fancy, boasting more than 13 pounds of gold and silver, the leather from a 1912 Monte Carlo rally car, and a cap encrusted with diamonds. It was recently featured in an episode of House of Cards. (Read more vodka stories.)Over the last decade, we've seen the automotive industry evolve at an unprecedented rate. Not the whole of it, mind you - but the part that seeks to get rid of fossil fuels and do what's best for the planet. Elon Musk's Tesla has come a long way from the launch of the Roadster - the car that was meant (and succeeded to) turn electric cars into something "cool". Last month, the American manufacturer has released its first affordable model, the Tesla Model 3, offering not only a high-tech, environmentally-friendly driving experience but also a first step into the future of cars.

The only question that remains today is whether the automobile industry as we know it is ready to take the next - technology-powered - step in its evolution and whether the drivers themselves are ready to embrace the innovations to come?

A self-driving future

Tesla's Autopilot feature has proven its worth in the past - especially when it took its driver in a medical emergency to the nearest hospital. Driving to work each day is a burden for many, and a source of a lot of stress - and autonomous cars will take it away from them. Imagine drinking your morning coffee and playing at https://www.wildjackcasino.com/ or reading the morning news while your car takes you to the office safely. Imagine not having to stress about the parking space just simply letting your car find one and park for you. Imagine life without traffic jams and accidents. If playing Wild Jack slots, texting, keeping up with your favorite YouTuber or reading the news while being taken to work is an idea that appeals to you, rest assured: it's around the corner.

Self-driving cars are being worked on by most major tech and automotive companies today. From hybrid systems like Tesla's Autopilot to completely autonomous concepts, many of these will see the light of day in the coming years. Of course, we won't feel the real benefits of autonomous cars until the majority - or even all - of the cars driving around will be that way. And there might be many who will resist change, citing the enjoyment and excitement of actually driving a car, not just being a passenger inside.

Many drivers might resist the idea of autonomous cars, yet for car makers, this will be the next logical step. Will some drivers' resistance to change be enough to keep self-driving cars off the roads?

Alternative fuels

Fossil fuels are phased out slowly but steadily, being replaced by various alternatives that are less harmful to the environment. Tesla's electric car is one of the many directions being explored today - there are other alternatives like hydrogen, fuel cells, biodiesel, and many others. Unfortunately, none of them have become as widespread as fossil fuels - but in time, some of them might make it into the mainstream, replacing traditional petroleum-based variants completely. This, of course, will mean that manufacturers will have to completely change their engine designs. Besides, with so many competing alternatives available today, there is a general turmoil on the market.

What good would an electric car do to someone with no charging stations around? How would a fuel cell powered car do in the long run in a country with no possibility to replace it? These are questions that will have to be answered by the innovators and engineers of the future.Singer Barry Gibb performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, in Somerset, England, in 2017. A Beatle and a Bee Gee have topped the list of celebrated people designated to receive knighthoods and other awards in the New Years Honors List. They are joined by a noted childrens author celebrated for War Horse, a politician who fought in vain to keep Britain in the European Union, and many others, including renowned researchers, volunteers and actors.A snowmachiner passes the Alyeska Pipeline Visitor Station along the Steese Highway near Fox as visitors take photos and read the information panels Tuesday afternoon, January 2, 2018. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) oil throughput from the North Slope is up for the second consecutive year.Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community.

Submit hereNew Delhi:

The Centre on Tuesday informed the Madras High Court that it intended to object to the jurisdiction of the international tribunal in the Nissan Motor case, as the Japanese automaker has already approached an Indian court in the matter.

Since the auto major has approached the Madras High Court, remedy under a treaty would now be barred, the Centre said.

The Union government also informed the court that the state government does not have locus standi to challenge the international arbitration proceedings initiated by the automaker against India on alleged unpaid tax refunds of nearly USD 770 million.

In a counter affidavit filed in the plea by Tamil Nadu seeking staying the arbitration proceedings, the Centre made it clear that jurisdiction of the international tribunal, constituted under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), can be decided only by the tribunal itself.

Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan made the submissions on behalf of the central governments department of heavy industry. The Tamil Nadu government is not even a party to the CEPA, or the claim made by Nissan under the agreement, he said.

For this reason, Tamil Nadu does not have locus standi to make an application praying that the international arbitration initiated by Nissan against India be injuncted.

However, the Centre expressed hope that it would succeed in having the arbitration proceedings terminated by making jurisdictional submissions and causing Nissan to opt for domestic remedies pursuant to the MoU provisions.

The central government is fully prepared to litigate the issues pertaining to jurisdiction before the tribunal promptly, in full confidence that it would be positively received, the affidavit said.

In its plea, the state claimed that under the MoU signed on February 22, 2008, any dispute that cannot be resolved amicably through ordinary negotiations by the parties will be decided by arbitration under the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and the venue of the arbitration will be Chennai.

Rebutting the claim, the Union government said mere existence of such a MoU would not prohibit Nissan from approaching an international tribunal constituted under the CEPA.

It is submitted that the Union intends to object to the jurisdiction of the international tribunal on the ground that Nissan has already approached Indian courts due to which remedy under the treaty would now be barred, by application of the fork in the road clause, Rajagopalan said.

In Fork-in-the-Road (FITR) clauses in bilateral investment treaties (BITs), the claimant investor must make a choice between pursuing its claims against the state either through the arbitration mechanisms provided in the relevant BIT or in local courts or other venues provided for in the relevant contractual mechanisms.

The centre raised strong objection to the averment made by Tamil Nadu that the government had entered into the CEPA with a view to coercing the state government into paying the alleged refunds.

The Union government enters into treaties to strengthen international relations and further diplomacy on which the state governments cannot be consulted prior to the same, it was submitted.

After recording the submissions, Justice Anita Sumanth adjourned the plea to January 22 for further hearing.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Mumbai:

Buzz is that MS Dhoni fame Disha Patani is holidaying in Maldives with her rumoured boyfriend Heropanti Tiger Shroff.

The actress has been sharing pictures of herself posing on the beach in social media. In a recent picture posted by her on Instagram, the actress looks stunning with the perfect body curves in a black bikini.

Tiger Shroff also shared a picture of himself showing off his well-toned body, chilling by the beachside.

Grapevine has it that both Tiger and Disha could be shooting for their upcoming film Baaghi 2 which is slated to release this year.

Talking about their rumoured relationship, both the stars have never really admitted about being together. Earlier there were reports about Tiger moving in with the actress in her apartment in Bandra. But, his parents denied any such reports.

"I don't think he has any plans to move out. At least, he hasn't told me. Everyone finds a life partner, gets married and decides to settle down. If Tiger plans to move out and stay independently, I don't have any issues with it. But knowing my children, they won't do that, Jackie Shroff told Mid-Day.

This would be first time that Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani will be seen in a film together. Earlier, both the actors had collaborated for a music video Befikre.

Son of a  A post shared by Tiger Shroff (@tigerjackieshroff) on Jan 1, 2018 at 1:19am PST

Heaven A post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani) on Jan 1, 2018 at 8:18pm PST

Happy new year everyone A post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani) on Dec 31, 2017 at 9:54pm PST

 A post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani) on Dec 29, 2017 at 10:31pm PST

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Nagpur:

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday condemned the incidents of violence at Bhima-Koregaon village in Pune district and other parts of Maharashtra.

Manmohan Vaidya, the akhil bhartiya prachar pramukh of the RSS, in a press statement uploaded on the outfits Twitter handle, stated, The recent incidents at Koregaon, Pune and various other places in Maharashtra are very sad and painful. RSS strongly condemns such violence and feels it is despicable.

Those who are found guilty should be punished as per law. Some forces are trying to create hatred and animosity among communities. The people should not fall prey to such nefarious tactics.

It further appealed to the public to maintain unity and harmony in the society, which has always been the priority of the RSS.

Several towns and cities of Maharashtra were on the edge on Tuesday as Dalit protests against Tuesdays violence in Pune spilled over to capital Mumbai, with the agitators damaging buses and disrupting road and rail traffic, officials said.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindutva organisations, during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district, had left a man dead on Tuesday.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament has sparked a row by saying the those deputed in Army are bound to die while serving the nation. Responding to a question on the recent attack by terrorists on a CRPF camp, the BJP MP, Nepal Singh, said that theres no country where armymen dont die.

They will die in Army everyday. Tell me one country where army personnel do not die, said the BJP leader.

Apparently upset over the raising of the issue of army personnel being killed in terror attacks, Singh said, Even when a scuffle breaks out in a village, someone or the other gets injured. Tell me a medicine that can save lives.

Tell us one thing that can make bullets ineffective, we will get that implemented, he added. After uproar over his statement, Singh said that he did not insult martyrs. Though he also offered an apology, he maintained that he did not say anything that would insult a martyr.

In a bizarre defense over his controversial statement, he said that "scientists are working on a device which can save soldiers from bullets".

"Maine ye bola tha ki vaigyanik lage hue hain aur koi device dhoondh rahe hain ki koi goli aaye to lage nahin, sipaahi ka protection ho jaaye (I had said that scientists are working on looking for a device, using which a bullet can be turned ineffective and the soldier be saved)," he said.

This comes even as Union Home Minister assured Rajnath Singh on Monday assured that the sacrifice of jawans would not go in vain and their valour would be given due acknowledgment.

"The attack on a CRPF camp in Kashmir was a cowardly attack by terrorists. The sacrifice of our jawans won`t go in vain", he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Kashmir:

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed in an unprovoked firing by Pakistani forces at Samba Sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

Jammu and Kashmir Police said, Pakistani forces indiscriminately opened fire at the BSF camp in Samba sector. The BSF retaliated to the unprovoked firing.

The BSF soldier died due to fatal bullet injuries in the ceasefire violation, said a senior Jammu and Kashmir officer.

According to Union Home Ministry data, Pakistani forces have violated the ceasefire along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir more than 720 times in 2017, the highest in past seven years.

The data further states that Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 724 times along the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016.

Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: BSF jawan kills subordinate in Bandipora camp



At least 12 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October. A total of 79 civilians and 67 security personnel were also injured in the firing.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Ranchi:

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, convicted in a multi-lakh-rupee fodder scam, will receive his quantum of sentence on Thursday, CBI special court in Ranchi said on Wednesday.

The RJD chief was brought to the special court for sentencing in a fodder scam case to the special court from Ranchi's Birsa Munda Central Jail amid tight security.

Quantum of punishment of RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and 15 other convicts in a fodder scam case will be announced on Thursday, said CBI advocate.

Quantum of punishment for Yadav and 15 other convicts were postponed as no lawyer was present for arguments because of a condolence meet held by the Ranchi bar association.

Also read: Lalu Prasad Yadavs new identity is Qaidi No. 3351; to get Rs 46/day job



On Tuesday, Lalu Prasad's lawyer told media that they would press for minimum punishment in the case.

"Lalu is 70-years-old and suffering from many diseases. We will seek minimum punishment for him," he said.

According to lawyers, Lalu Prasad can be awarded three to seven years' punishment. If he gets three years' punishment, he would get bail soon after sentencing.

Also read: Lalu Yadav back in jail after conviction in fodder scam case, says 'in end Truth will win'



The RJD chief and 15 others were convicted by the CBI special court on December 23. Special judge Shivpal Singh pronounced the verdict in a packed courtroom in the case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994.

In 1996, the Patna High Court ordered an inquiry into the fodder scam cases and a charge sheet in the Deogarh treasury case was filed against 38 people on October 27, 1997. Eleven of them died and three turned approvers while two other accused confessed and were convicted in 2006-07, a CBI official said.

The accused faced charges under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of Asia's longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel at an estimated cost of Rs 6,089 crore, which will reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh to 15 minutes from the current 3.5 hours.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday gave its go-ahead to the 14.2-km long tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of India during winters due to heavy snowfall.

"Zojila tunnel will be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. (Its) construction period (will be) seven years because of a very difficult terrain where in some areas temperature dips to minus 45 degree celsius. The tunnel shall be an engineering marvel as first of its kind in such a geographical area," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

The project would enhance the safety of travellers crossing Zojila Pass and reduce the travel time from 3.5 hours to 15 minutes, he added.

"Defense forces have to face hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters. This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past," Gadkari said.

He said the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the project and work is likely to start this year.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

The government has given its approval to the construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi- directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel excluding approaches on Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1A at Km 95 and at Km 118 in Jammu and Kashmir on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode.

Earlier, the government in a statement said apart from providing all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, the project will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

"The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The construction period of the project is seven years.

"The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4,899.42 crore. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6,808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of tunnel for four years," the statement said.

The project aims at construction of 14.15 km long two- lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km long egress tunnel excluding approaches between Baltal and Minamarg in the state.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Also Read| Jammu and Kashmir: Leh and Kargil record sub-zero temperature, MeT office forecast scattered to fairly widespread rainfall

The main objective of the project is to provide all whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best 6 months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.

"This project along with other ongoing projects like 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh," the statement said.

It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities, it added.

The government said that on completion, it will lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.

IL&FS Transportation last year in July had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,899 crore Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We wish to inform that the company has emerged as the lowest bidder for the aforesaid (Zojila tunnel) project. The company had quoted an amount of Rs 4,899.42 crore to be constructed in a period of 2,555 days (7 years)," IL&FS Transportation said.

Gadkari had earlier said, "We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project."

Also Read| Jammu&Kashmir: Leh records coldest night of season

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered "re-bidding" for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Gadkari, after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract.

The ministry, however, had denied the charges.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Mumbai:

The day-long 'Maharashtra bandh' called by various Dalit and other organisations to protest the violence against commemoration of Bhima-Koregaon battle has been withdrawn, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and Dalit icon B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar said on Wednesday.

Ambedkar told reporters that nearly 50 per cent of the state's population took part in the shut-down. He claimed that the state-wide bandh was peaceful.

However, the Maharashtra bandh, called to protest the violence post an event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, turned violent even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in the Mumbai and other cities including Pune.

A 16-year-old student, Yogesh Prahlad Jadhav, was killed in violence during agitation in Nanded.

Jadhavs family claims that he was seriously injured during a police cane charge. However, police said the body had been sent for autopsy to ascertain the cause of the death.

Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has ordered probe to be conducted in the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra.

"We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence," said Fadnavis.



Also read: RSS condemns incidents of violence in Maharashtra



Ambedkar had called for Maharashtra bandh to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district on Monday.

Normal life in Mumbai was disrupted as protesters attacked city buses, stopped suburban local services and blocked roads at various places in the city.

Dalits began protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Also read: Ram Vilas Paswan seeks time-bound inquiry, strict action in Maharashtra violence



Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning, but were moved from the spot by police.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places across the state, Maharashtra Police said.

Protesters jumped on the rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, a police official said.

Similar protests at Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar stations on Central Railway line led to a long queue of trains on tracks.

Hundreds of commuters were spotted walking on the railway tracks. On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara Station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

Also read| 'Breaking India brigade' behind Maharashtra violence: RSS



The agitation of Dalit outfits halted suburban local train service at Ghatkopar as trains heading towards CSMT were affected.

Several local trains running towards CSMT were halted at various stations because of the protestors who stood on the tracks prohibiting any train movement.

Mumbai's famed tiffin carriers 'Dabbawalas' chose not to provide their services today. A spokesperson of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association said, "Since most of our customers may find it difficult to reach office, we have decided to suspend our services today".

Also read: Complaint against Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid for triggering Bhima-Koregaon clashes

Offices in major commercial hubs too witnessed low attendance, as many employees stayed away from work fearing violence.

Mumbai Police registered nine cases today in connection with violent protests in the city. Over hundred people have been detained in the city since yesterday, police said.

In Pune, barring a couple of incidents of stone pelting on public transport buses, the bandh was peaceful.

Buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited, were pelted with stones, an official said. Since Tuesday, 42 buses were damaged in stone pelting and since today morning, 10 to 12 busses were damaged, he said.

Flight operations at the Mumbai airport were badly hit due to the bandh. At least 12 flights were cancelled and 235 delayed.

As many as 182 flight departures and 53 arrivals at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) were delayed till around 1600 hours, according to a website tracking real-time flight status at airports across the world.

Also read: Airlines waive cancellation charges in view of Maharashtra protests



The caste violence rocked the Parliament session even as the RSS rubbished the Congress charge it was fuelling the clashes over which the opposition party also flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence" on the matter.

The RSS sought to put the blame of caste violence in Maharashtra on a "breaking India brigade" which, it said, had raised anti-national slogans at the JNU in 2016 and was now trying to divide the Hindu society.

This brigade also wants to divide the country on religious and caste lines and the Sangh will not allow it to succeed, RSS spokesman Manmohan Vaidya told reporters.

Some Dalit organisations had decided to take out a march to the house of Milind Ekbote, who was booked by Pune police under relevant sections of the Prevention of Atrocities Act and "orchestrating the violence in Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

Pune police had last night said that they had received a complaint against Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid for their "provocative" speeches at an event in Pune on December 31.

Mevani and Khalid had attended the "Elgar Parishad", an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in Pune.

Also read: Who is responsible for Maharashtra violence?



Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

The bandh called by Dalit groups in Maharashtra was called off on Wednesday after the state witnessed protests, sporadic violence, road and rail traffic disruption.



Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, called off the shutdown around 4:30 PM. Ambedkar had given the strike call on Tuesday after wide-spread protests in Mumbai.

The shutdown was called as a protest against Maharashtra governments failure to stop the clashes that took place on Monday and was supported by 250 Dalit groups, he said.

Parts of Maharashtra including Pune, Aurangabad and Mumbai were in the grip of a state-wide protest following the death of a 30-year-old dalit boy at Bhima Koregaon near Pune. The death happened as a result of a clash between members of the Maratha community and Dalits at an event to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon.

On Tuesday, Dalits from Mumbai and at least Nine other districts called for action against the Marathas alleging that they were being targeted.

The Historical relevance of this gathering is the Koregaon battle of January 1, 1851 wherein members of Mahar community sided with the troops of East India company to save Koregaon from Peshwa occupation. The result of the battle went in favour of the Mahar community.

LIVE UPDATES:

# Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar calls off Maharashtra bandh

# Pune Police detains nine people

# Protesters vandalise vehicles in Aurangabad

# Services of the Western Railway's AC local in Mumbai suspended for the entire day

# MoS Home Rural Deepak Kesarkar: No one from the Dalit community has died in the Bhima-Koregaon violence. Rumours are being spread on social media. Situation is peaceful in Maharashtra

#Train services hit due to agitation

#48 BEST Buses damaged due to stone pelting; 4 BEST bus drivers receive minor injuries

Maharashtra: Heavy Police deployment in Aurangabad, stones pelted & vehicles vandalized by protesters #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8RuCB3hNa2  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018





Police must have acted if Jignesh Mevani's speech was instigating. But he has no relation with this incident: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on complaint lodged against Jignesh Mevani for making provocative statements #BhimaKoregaon pic.twitter.com/aJd4mrMyik  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

#

'Rasta Roko' protest being held in Andheri on the Western Express Highway #Mumbai #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/2vsBRCvRRt  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# Remaining services of AC local suspended for the day in view of protests. Other suburban services are being run amid intermittent protests at Elphinstone Rd, Goregaon, Dadar, Malad. There is no cancellation of Long Distance trains

#Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses and a car vandalized by protesters in Powai #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/CuZXzvwa02  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# Both up & down lines, which were blocked by the protesters from 12.05 hrs have been evacuated at 12.24 hrs and train operations have resumed at Goregaon. Trains are delayed due to it: Western Railway, Mumbai

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raises the issue of #BhimaKoregaonViolence in Lok Sabha, asks "who instigated and interfered in this event?" pic.twitter.com/XyNh3SKJwa  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# Mumbai metro services between Asalfa and Ghatkopar Metro station stopped by protesters

Mumbai: Shops at NM Joshi Marg forcibly being closed by protesters #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/AoQsnTux7k  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Mumbai: Protesters continue to block Eastern Express Highway #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/Usg1jHxV4Y  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Pune: Security arrangements in Dandekar pool in view of protests over #BhimaKoregaonViolence, DCP Pravin Mundhe says, 'we appeal all citizens to carry on with their daily routine. There will be peace in the city. Don't trust rumours being spread on social media' pic.twitter.com/7E0s3TFNqF  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

#Maharashtra: Large number of protesters have occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting rail traffic. Administration & security forces are making all efforts to normalize the train operations-Western Railway #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/xTBjKnP8xU  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Commuters stranded due to less number of auto-rickshaws & other transport in Mumbai, rickshaw driver in Mulund says, 'we are supporting this bandh only because we are scared of our loss. They can vandalize anything here' #BhimaKoregaon pic.twitter.com/uEfLsIwpJR  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader and Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over Bhima Koregaon Violence.

# Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja gives zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha over "increasing atrocities against Dalits"

Inter state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure: Visuals from Belgaum #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/krTK8dL6ym  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# BEST buses not running on this route:

Kandivali- Akurli, Dindoshi-Hanuman Nagar, Chandivali-Sangharsh Nagar, Khairani Rd- Sakinaka, Sahar Cargo, Mulund Check Naka, Jijamata Nagar.

"It was left for the parents to decide if they want to send their their children to school, hardly 50 students came today. So now we are even sending them back home, teachers will also leave thereafter" says a teacher at Mumbai's Young Ladies High School #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/YVjlO41rwm  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# "Very less auto-rickshaws and buses on roads today. This is troublesome for the entire state, particularly people who have to go to offices" says a commuter waiting for transport at Thane's Vartak Nagar Maharashtra

#Maharashtra: People seen waiting near Thane's Vartak Nagar due to less auto-rickshaws and other transport in the state today #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/ttc3NpMcIt  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# Bus services towards Pune's Baramati and Satara suspended till further orders

Mumbai Dabbawallas Association decide to not run its delivery service, today; head of the association Subhash Talekar says "means of transportation difficult for delivery of tiffins on time during #MaharashtraBandh" #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/6TiVFH2hD0  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

# "Don't believe or spread rumors, continue with your routine activities. Police administration is geared up to deal with any untoward situation" Mumbai Police advises residents.

# "Few protestors tried to disrupt Railway services at Thane but were immediately cleared by RPF and GRP officials. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway as of now" says CPRO Central Railway.

#

#

Maharashtra: Protesters halt a train at Thane Railway Station over #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/BHLsWmfpmk  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

#

#BhimaKoregaonViolence Section 144 imposed in Maharashtra's Thane till 4th January midnight  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Mumbai :

Aviation regulator DGCA on Wednesday suspended the flying licence of a senior Jet Airways pilot who allegedly slapped a female commander of the airline's London- Mumbai flight on January 1.

The pilot's flying licence has been suspended pending investigation, a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told PTI.

The two senior pilots have been grounded by Jet Airways since the incident.

Besides physically assaulting the woman commander, the pilot also left the cockpit unattended twice, which is in violation of the safety norms leading to the suspension of his licence, according to the official.

The aircraft was in the Iran-Pakistan airspace and was 2.45 hours away from its destination when the incident took place, an airline source told PTI.

When contacted, a Jet Airways spokesperson said there was a "misunderstanding" between the cockpit crew and the same was "resolved amicably" and "quickly".

"A misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew of 9W119 London-Mumbai flight on January 1. However, the same was quickly resolved amicably and the flight with 324 guests including two infants and 14 crew members completed its journey in Mumbai safely," the airline spokesperson said.

Also Read: Jet Airways Mumbai-Delhi flight diverted to Ahmedabad amid hijacking, explosives threat

However, the source alleged that the male pilot who has been working with the airline for over a decade had some "argument" with the female commander over some issues.

The source said these two senior pilots have been flying together for many years and have had arguments in the past as well. But on Monday, arguments turned violent and the male pilot slapped the woman commander after which she came out of the cabin crying, the source alleged.

Also Read: Jet Airways flight hijack threat turns out to be hoax, habitual offender detained by police

"The cabin crew persuaded her to go back to the cockpit but she refused. Following this, the male pilot came out of the cockpit, leaving the operations to the care of a cabin crew (which is a violation of flight safety norms) and persuaded her to return to the cockpit," the source said.

The airline has reported the matter to the DGCA and the pilots involved in the incident have been taken off duty pending investigation, the airline spokesperson said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill seeking to criminalise instant divorce, triple talaq, was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday amid protests by Opposition. As Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha, the Opposition created a ruckus in the house.

"Even after passage of Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha the practice is continuing, a woman in Moradabad was given Triple Talaq over dowry," said the Law Minister.

Congress's Anand Sharma moved notice stating that Triple Talaq Bill be referred to a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha for review and also proposed names of committee members.

Reacting to the notice, Arun Jaitley said, "The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be give at least 24 hours in advance. The whole country is watching that in the other house you supported the bill and in this house you are trying to derail the bill."

Last week, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with most of the leading parties in the Opposition, including the Congress, voting in favour, but with caveats. It was passed after the House rejected a string of amendments moved by various Opposition members.

This bill gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children in the case of instant triple talaq or talaq-e- biddat.

Here are the Highlights:

# Samajwadi Partys Naresh Agrawal said on Muslim women who were present in Rajya Sabha to observe tabling of Triple Talaq Bill, What was the guarantee that she was Muslim? Did you see? Who knows if they were BJPs Women Front member?

# Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien said Triple Talaq Bill is a faulty bill and that no womens groups or stake holders were consulted. We are asking for talks with stake holders.

# Congress Anand Sharma has proposed these names for Select Committee in the notice: Renuka Chowdhary, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja, Satish Chandra Mishra, Vivek Tankha, and others.

# BJPs Ravi Shankar Prasad said 'Congress took a completely divergent view in Rajya Sabha but supported the Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha. This was because they were less in number in the Lok Sabha. Let the country know Congress hypocrisy and double standards.'

# Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am tommorrow after continued pandemonium over Triple Talaq Bill

# Congress's Anand Sharma: We stand for rights and dignity of women. It is unfair to say that they are the only ones responsible. Why haven't you brought up the women reservation bill in the past three and a half years if you care about women's rights?

# Arun Jaitley: The court had suspended Triple Talaq under Article 142. The court beseeched all political parties and asked a law to be brought in.

# Arun Jaitley: Triple Talaq Bill should not be referred to the select committee as the practice is already declared unconstitutional. Two of the judges held it unfair and used their extraordinary power to suspend it for six months

# Arun Jaitley: You supported the bill in Lok Sabha and trying to derail the bill here

# Arun Jaitley: Opposition takes House by surprise by passing a motion suddenly. I have never come across a motion that was not submitted 24 hours in advance.

# Congress's Anand Sharma proposes names for committee members.

# Congress's Anand Sharma moves notice stating that Triple Talaq Bill be referred to a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha.

# Law Minister RS Prasad: Even after passage of Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha, a woman in Moradabad was given Triple Talaq over dowry

# Law Minister RS Prasad tables Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha

# Ghulam Nabi Azad: We condemn the statement by Law Minister. We are raising the issue of Dalit atrocities as this government is anti-Dalit

# Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad: Dalit protest in Maharashtra is being raised deliberately to stall Triple Talaq Bill.

# Opposition disrupts Triple Talaq debate in the Parliament over Dalit protests in Maharashtra

#Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 pm following uproar

#Ghulam Nabi Azad says BJP is anti-Dalit

"Now, the entire world knows who has divided and who is diving. Everyone knows whose agenda it is to divide India in the name of caste and religion," Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad said. "I strongly condemn this attitude of BJP. They are anti-Dalit. Dalits are being killed day-in and day-out. And yet, they don't want these issues to be raised inside and outside the Parliament," Azad further said.

Atrocities are being inflicted on Dalits since the last 3 and a half years, since BJP came to power in the centre: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress pic.twitter.com/Mmz9xI7gew  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

#Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow

#Congress again demands PM Modi's statement

"I want a reply from the prime minister on this issue. Because such things are happening throughout the country," said Kharge in the Lok Sabha as the issue caused uproar in the Lok Sabha again.

"He can't stay mum! He is a 'mauni baba' (mute spectator) on such issues," he said.

#Lok Sabha adjourned till 12.45 pm



#Congress speaking the language of riots, says BJP in Lok Sabha



"The Maharashtra government is doing everything in its power to control the situation. On the other hand, Congress is speaking the language of riots," BJP's Raosaheb Patil Danve said in the Lok Sabha.



#Congress only using this issue for provocation: Govt in LS

"Mallikarjun Kharge only wants to use this issue for provocation. Congress is losing everywhere. That's why they are doing this," Union minister Ananth Kumar said in the Lok Sabha.

#Bhima-Koregaon issue raised in Lok Sabha

"There are some facsist forces who want to oppress Dalits. The injustices against Dalits in rural and urban areas are highly unfair," said Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge in the Lok Sabha.

"Whenever Dalits try to live respectfully, there are some people who try to harm them and interrupt such efforts. This is what happened in Bhima-Koregaon," Kharge further said.

"Why did such an incident happen after years of peace at such an event? Recruitment of Dalits in the army was forbidden for thousands of years because they couldn't carry weapons," Kharge further said.

#Rajya Sabha adjourned for the second time, this time till 2 pm

#Congress demands statement from Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha

# "RSS is behind the Bhima-Koregaon violence," said Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha. Uproar erupted in the House as soon as Kharge made this statement.

# "Whether it is in Gujarat, Una, Rajasthan, there is nothing but injustice wherever BJP is in power," Kharge said. "A Supreme Court judge should be appointed and he should inquire this. The prime minister should come to the House and make a statement. When such incidents are happening, he does nothing," he added.



# Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12PM as MPs raise Maha caste violence issue

# Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader and Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over #BhimaKoregaonViolence

# CPI leader D. Raja gives zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha over "increasing atrocities against Dalits"

# Congress MP Rajni Patil gives adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267

# Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agrawal gives adjournment motion notice under rule 267 in Rajya Sabha on Bhima Koregaon Violence

A victim can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate.

Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form -- spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp -- would be illegal and void.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Bangalore:

A Bajrang Dal volunteer was hacked to death in broad daylight in Karnataka's Mangaluru on Wednesday. The police acting swiftly nabbed four persons in conection with the murder after a chase.

Police commissioner Mangaluru said, "We have arrested four persons in connection to the murder. The motive of attack yet unknown. We are questioning them."

The four arrested have been Mulki Naushad, Rizwan, Pinky Nawaz and Nirshaan arrested.

The deceased Bajrang Dal volunteer has been identified as Deepak, 32. Police said he worked as a sales executive.

According to police, Deepak on Wednesday morning was going to office when four criminals attacked him with sharp weapons.

A few hours after the killing Bajrang Dal claimed the deceased to be their volunteer. He was member of our social media team.

BJP MP Shobha Karandalaje on Twitter wrote, One more Hindu hacked to death near Mangaluru.No value for a Hindu's life.Jihadi forces operating without any fear. Where are you Mr CM.

One more Hindu hacked to death near Mangaluru.No value for a Hindu's life.Jihadi forces operating without any fear.Where are you Mr CM @siddaramaiah?  Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) January 3, 2018

Karnataka Government has beefed up security in Mangaluru after BJP announced to take out funeral procession of Deepak on Thursday.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Beijing:

Chinas new hypersonic ballistic missiles will not only challenge the defences of the US but also be able to more accurately hit military targets in Japan and India, a media report said on Tuesday. The report in the South China Morning Post comes after Tokyo-based The Diplomat magazine reported that Chinas rocket forces conducted two tests late last year of a new hypersonic glide vehicle or HGV, known as the DF-17.



Citing US intelligence sources, The Diplomat last month reported that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force carried out the first test on November 1 and the second one two weeks later. Both tests were successful and the DF-17 could be operational by around 2020, the US intelligence sources were quoted as saying.



Asked about the two tests, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang declined to react saying the Defence Ministry should be approached for information on this. Both tests were successful and the DF-17 could be operational by around 2020, the US intelligence sources were quoted as saying. HGVs are unmanned, rocket-launched, manoeuvrable aircraft that glide and skip through the earths atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds.



Compared to conventional ballistic systems, HGV warheads can travel at much higher speeds, lower altitudes and less-trackable trajectories. The approach leaves defence systems with less time to intercept the warhead before it drops its payload. The DF-17 test missiles were launched from the Jiuquan launch centre in Inner Mongolia and flew about 1,400 km during the trial, The Diplomat reported.



Chinese state media first reported on the countrys HGV technology in October, with footage of the system in a hypersonic wind tunnel in various arrays. Beijing-based military analyst Zhou Chenming said HGV technology has become part of the nuclear strategy between the worlds three big nuclear powers: China, the US and Russia. Compared to conventional ballistic missiles, HGVs are more complex and difficult to intercept, Zhou told the South China Morning Post.



The US, Japan and India should be worried about Chinas developments in HGV technology because it can reach targets quicker and more accurately, with military bases in Japan and even nuclear reactors in India being targeted, he was quoted as saying by the daily. China eyes artificial intelligence for fire-and-forget cruise missiles. Chinese military specialists said the DF-17 was one of several iterations of glider systems developed by the PLA, including the DF-ZF which has been through at least seven tests. Song Zhongping, a former member of the PLAs Second Artillery Corps, the rocket wings predecessor, said the DF-17 was the weaponised model of the DF-ZF prototype.



Song, a military commentator for Hong Kongs Phoenix Television told the Post that the HGV system could be used with various kinds of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of at least 5,500 km. He also said multiple HGV warheads could be used with the



DF-41, which has a range of at least 12,000 km and can hit anywhere in the US in less than an hour.



Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said HGVs could also be used to target and destroy a US anti-missile system known as THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, which are currently deployed in South Korea to war doff attacks from North Korea.



Chinas HGVs  could destroy the THAAD radar system if there is war between the two countries, Wong said. Once the THAAD radars fail to function in the first stage, it could reduce the window to raise the alarm about the PLAs (ICBMs)  leaving the US without enough time to intercept, he said.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Washington:

Pakistan has played a "double game" with the United States for years, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has alleged, saying it is unacceptable to the Trump administration.



Haley came out in support of President Donald Trump's decision to block USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.



"There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years," Haley told reporters at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday.



"They (Pakistanis) work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," Haley said.



The Trump Administration expects far more co-operation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, she said.



"Trump is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," Haley said in her opening remarks during her first news conference of the year.

#WATCH: "The (U.S.) administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan. There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years" says Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador the United Nations pic.twitter.com/Odg6ikjXCL  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Haley said the aid issue is connected solely to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists.

#WATCH: "We know that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism, and we want them to step up and do that. In terms of specific actions, I think you will see some more details come out on that in the next 24 to 48 hours" says White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders pic.twitter.com/NJCGUaWOg7  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Seoul:

Pyongyang said on Wednesday it will restore a hotline with the South after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un's calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics.



Kim also welcomed Seoul's support for his overtures, a North Korean official told state television.



In his New Year address, Kim warned the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but extended an olive branch to the South, saying his country might take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month.



In response, South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon on Tuesday offered to hold high-level talks on January 9 to discuss the North's participation in the Olympics as well as other matters of mutual interest.



"By upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner," the Yonhap news agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs, as saying.



It reported that the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) said it will discuss practical matters involving the participation of North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang Games.



Kim "expressed welcome" after South Korean President Moon Jae-In said he supported Kim's offer of seeking reconciliation, Ri said on North Korean state TV monitored in Seoul.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Islamabad:

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday Cabinet and the National Security Committee meetings to discuss Pakistan's response to US President Donald Trump's accusation that Islamabad deceived America by sheltering terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid.



Trump on Monday tore into Pakistan accusing it of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for aid over the last 15 years thinking of American leaders as "fools".



In his strongest attack against Pakistan yet, Trump in his first tweet of the year on New Year's day also appeared to suggest he could cut off foreign aid to Pakistan.



The White House later said the US has suspended its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan, saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's decisive action against terrorists.



Earlier on Tuesday, Radio Pakistan had reported that Abbasi would preside over a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday, which will discuss among other things, the national security issue.



Official sources said that Trump's remarks would be the main point of discussion in the meeting.



The cabinet meeting will be followed by the meeting of National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday. The Prime Minister will chair the NSC moot which will review in detail the security situation of the country and the region.



The meeting will be attended by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir-Khan, services chiefs and senior civil and military officers.



Sources said that the NSC meeting will help to firm up the final response to the latest accusation by the US.



In August, Trump had accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorists.



Pakistan has been cautious in reacting to the latest remarks by Trump and so far only Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has on the record spoke about it.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.An aging and depopulated island town in western Japan is promoting a project to encourage the grandchildren of elderly residents to relocate from outside the island to study at local high schools.

The town government of Okinoshima provides 5,000 yen in monthly subsidies to each student who has a grandparent on the island and attends either of two prefecture-operated high schools there.

The town, located on an island in the Okinoshima chain in Shimane Prefecture, has a population of about 14,500. Oki High School and Oki Fisheries High School together had 386 students as of Dec. 26.

Facing a declining and aging population, town officials hope that the project will motivate young people to relocate to the island and help nurture people who will play active roles in the local community in the future.

The project started in fiscal 2016 following a proposal presented to the mayor at a meeting with local junior high school students.American blogger Logan Paul apologized Tuesday after getting slammed for a video he shared on YouTube that appeared to show a body hanging in a Japanese forest known as a suicide spot.

Paul, who has millions of Twitter followers and YouTube subscribers, posted an apology on his Twitter site , saying, "Where do I begin. Let's start with this. I'm sorry."

Although the video has been taken down, segments were still online. Critics, who have also gone online, say what was offensive was Paul's giggling and joking about the body.

The video, posted Sunday, shows Paul going on a trek with friends in the Aokigahara forest, near Mount Fuji. He seems aware that the site is sometimes chosen for suicides, but is surprised to come across what appears to be a body hanging from a tree.

He said he had wanted to raise awareness about suicide and possibly save lives, and denied his goal was to drive clicks.

"I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity," he said in his Twitter post.

Paul posted a more sanguine video on YouTube on Monday, showing him romping through a Tokyo park, talking about his apparel brand, visiting gadget stores and running around city streets wearing a Pokemon outfit.

He briefly mentioned the encounter with a body at the start of the video, saying, "That was weird." - Japan TodayBROOKFIELD  A suit filed by the former town controller over his pension payments could soon go to trial.

A Superior Court judge on Tuesday rejected the towns motion for a summary judgment in a case filed by Ray Bolek, who claimed the town breached an agreement reached in 2002.

In July 2015, Brookfield demanded that Bolek reimburse the town some $111,000 that officials said he had been overpaid in pension benefits, including interest, since retiring in 2002. If he failed to do so, the town threatened to reduce future pension payments enough to pay off the entire amount.

Bolek paid the $111,000, but sued the town in late 2016 to get the money back and restore his pension benefits to their original level, about $3,200 a month.

Attorneys will meet later this month in a pre-trial conference. Unless the parties settle, the case will go before a jury in Litchfield sometime later this year.

John Williams, Boleks attorney, said he has not been given any indication that the town is willing to settle.

If the case goes to trial, he said, Bolek has a strong chance of winning, arguing that the town has failed to prove it had a valid pension plan in effect in 2002.

[The pension plan] was just word-of-mouth, Williams said. They had no signed documents, which is pretty amazing. I dont know what the town can do. Frankly, you can say its scandalous that a municipality was operating on the basis of an informal agreement.

In court documents, the town has argued that in 2002 it was following a 1994 version of its pension plan, but conceded that the plan was not signed or executed.

In rejecting the towns motion for summary judgment, Judge James Bentivegna questioned the validity of the 2002 plan.

When Bolek retired in August 2002 after 27 years as controller, he and Martin Foncello, the first selectman at the time, signed a separation agreement stating that Bolek, then 61, was to be paid his normal salary until he was eligible to receive the full pension guaranteed to employees at 62.

Bolek and the town agreed he would be paid the base salary for six months, after which he would receive monthly pension benefits. The benefit was set at just under $3,200.

But in a July 2015 letter to Bolek, the town attorney said Brookfields pension plan does not allow employees to receive early retirement benefits without an actuarial reduction for starting the plan before 62.

Bolek returned as controller in 2004, working as an independent contractor until 2008 so that his pension benefits could continue.

Williams argues in court documents that the town breached its contract with Bolek by reneging on the agreement. But the town argued that Bolek waived his rights to sue for breach of contract by paying the $110,000.

Once Bolek paid this amount, he began to receive a monthly benefit of $2,650.

There is no evidence that the Plaintiff contested his receipt of a monthly benefit in this amount from that point forward, and so his conduct evinced a relinquishment of any claim that he was entitled to a monthly retirement benefit in the amount of $3,179.14, the amount he had originally received, Jonathan Zellner, the towns attorney, wrote in a court documents last month.

Town attorneys could not be reached for comment Wednesday.Online marketing requires experience, creativity and a working knowledge of the latest trends and technologies necessary to stay competitive in the modern landscape. And while there arent any shortcuts to gain more experience, there is a convenient way to stay up to date on the latest marketing trends and get inspiration for your creative campaigns.

Related:10 Marketing Influencers That Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From

That way? Following and paying attention to the best, smartest marketers in the industry.

With 2018 just getting started, I wanted to list some of my favorite marketing influencers, some of the most influential experts in the industry and some of the most promising creative minds to pay attention to this year:

1. Neil Patel

Neil Patel is a highly successful entrepreneur, thanks in part to his commitment to best-in-class marketing techniques. The founder of Crazy Egg, Quick Sprout and KISSMetrics, Patel specializes in web analytics and conversions, so if you want to improve your sites overall performance, this is the guy to follow. He has his own blog, and contributes regularly to Inc, Fast Company, Forbes,TechCrunch and of course Entrepreneur.

2. Syed Balkhi

Syed Balkhi is an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Awesome Motive, the company behind the popular conversion-optimization software OptinMonster and the largest Google analytics integration for WordPress, MonsterInsights. Balkhi's growth tools are being used by over four million websites, including the likes of Bloomberg, Intuit, DigitalMarketer and more. He's also the founder of WPBeginner, the largest free WordPress resource site, which he started in 2009. Balkhi regularly speaks at well-known marketing events, including Affiliate Summit, Traffic & Conversion Summit, Social Media Marketing World and more.

3. Mari Smith

Mari Smith is a top Facebook marketing expert, and a thought leader in the world of social media. Shes written multiple books, and has been a keynote speaker for several pivotal events, sharing stage time with influencers like Tony Robbins, Richard Branson and even the Dalai Lama.

4. Tamara McCleary

Tamara McCleary is the founder and CEO of Thulium, a marketing company that works with artificial intelligence (AI) and social media to boost brands in the B2B space. Influential in the realms of both AI/machine learning and marketing, she offers a must-read voice for 2018.

5. Rand Fishkin

If you havent heard of Rand Fishkin, you probably arent active in the SEO community. Fishkin is the founder and former CEO of Moz, one of the biggest SEO authorities in the industry; he's also a dedicated marketer, entrepreneur, and search-engine optimizer. He speaks at marketing- and SEO-related events regularly, and has written multiple books, including Inbound Marketing and SEO: Insights from the Moz Blog. He still contributes regularly to the Moz blog, so make sure to stay tuned to his work.

6. Sam McRoberts

Sam McRoberts is the best-selling author of Screw the Zoo, the creator of SEO Simplified and the CEO of VUDU Marketing. He writes for Inc. and Entrepreneur, and regularly consults with some of the largest companies in the world on online marketing. He regularly appears on marketing- and entrepreneur-related podcasts as a guest, where he shares his knowledge on digital marketing. He's also a digital nomad, traveling around the world with his family while running his business remotely.

Related: 5 Ways Most Marketers Misunderstand Influencer Marketing

7. Larry Kim

Larry Kim is a pay-per-click (PPC) advertising expert, and is better known as the founder of WordStream. Hes written four award-winning books, and contributes regularly to sites like Forbes, Inc, and Search Engine Land.

8. Asif Kahn

Asif Kahn is a marketing entrepreneur and the founder and president of the Location Based Marketing Association (LBMA). He hosts a podcast for the LBMA to talk about location-based marketing, including new and upcoming technologies like facial recognition and augmented reality (AR).

9. Andrew Ng

Andrew Ng is the founder of Coursera, one of the most popular online education platforms in the world. He was a lead developer for Stanford Universitys Massive Open Online Courses platform, and has taught machine learning fundamentals to more than 100,000 students. Hes a leading voice in machine learning, and is currently a leader in the Google Brain project.

10. Murray Newlands

Murray Newlands is CEO of Chatty People, a chatbot tool that serves customers in the United States and around the world. Newlands is also CMO of the live streaming app Tribe. He advises entrepreneurs on various subjects from funding to growth strategies, and he gained his green card by being recognized by the U.S. government as an alien of extraordinary ability. Newlands is the author of Online Marketing: A Users Manual, and he regularly contributes to Forbes and Entrepreneur.

Did your favorite online marketer make the list?

Related: 50 Online Marketing Influencers to Watch

You dont have to follow all of these people to be successful, but the more involved you are in the marketing community, and the more diverse your sources of news and inspiration, the better. Start 2018 off right, with the best online marketing influencers helping direct your campaign strategy.

Related:

10 Online Marketers to Watch in 2018

7 Books Most Millionaires Read Before They Turn 30

The Road Ahead for Influencer Marketing: 2018 and Beyond



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com

Every company needs a home. Even the towering giants of online commerce desire a cozy place to hang their virtual hats (and sometimes more than one cozy place, as attested by the current bidding war for Amazon's HQ2). While many a corporate mythology might dwell nostalgically on the "we started in our garage" trope, no startup wants to linger in the carport for very long. Once your business gets sure footing, you're going to need digs.

Related: How the Color of Your Office Impacts Productivity (Infographic)

Choosing a location for a growing enterprise is no small matter, even in today's everything-online-all-the-time climate. Factors to consider include foot traffic, accessibility, infrastructure and much more. As the editors of Entrepreneur remind us, your address speaks volumes about your company, declaring loud and clear what matters most to you and your brand.

As you consider where to hang your startup shingle -- uptown or down, suburbs or exurbs -- let me encourage you to borrow a little wisdom from the playbook of America's greatest advocate for urban design, Jane Jacobs. In her classic work The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), Jacobs famously wrote, "Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings" (emphasis mine).

Before you think I'm advocating that you build your brand in a chintz-covered B&B or some derelict warehouse without windows or running water, let me clarify what is meant by "old buildings." For most of the 20th century, historic preservation was associated with ladies-who-lunch and house museums, where the childhood homes of local icons, say, were restored just as they were in the distant past, for tours at $5 a head, to keep the lights on.

Related: How This Open Office Boosts Company Creativity and Productivity

I am not talking about those kinds of old buildings.

I'm talking about the newer, more progressive, more sustainable sort of historic preservation -- known as "adaptive reuse" or "adaptive new use" -- where an organization adapts a beautiful historic property for a contemporary purpose, retaining the most distinctive ornamental elements and the durable bones of the building, while reshaping the interior with surprising art and human-centered design.

The rehabilitation of a historic property might seem a chore. After all, you're knee-deep in the work of building your company. But before you consider new construction out on the edge of town or leasing a storefront in an empty shopping center, consider these three reasons why adaptive reuse might be exactly what your new company needs.

1. Adaptive reuse generates more jobs than new construction.

Entrepreneurs are naturally civically minded citizens. You know that your business is both good for you and also for your community, helping increase the tax base and raise the quality of living for others through salaries, profits and investment.

Related: WeWork's Headquarters Is the Ultimate Co-Working Space

If economic impact matters to you, consider that while $1 million spent on new construction generates 30.6 jobs, the same investment in adaptive reuse actually generates 35.4 jobs. Why? During a talk to the Preservation Council of San Jose (California), preservationist Donovan Rypkema explained: "As a rule of thumb, new construction will be half materials and half labor. Rehabilitation, on the other hand, will be 60 to 70 percent labor with the balance being materials." In other words, with adaptive reuse, more money stays home. Historic preservation is no charity. When done well, it's a potent economic generator.

2. Adaptive reuse demonstrates your company's concern for sustainability.

As I have advocated elsewhere, "The greenest building is the one that already exists." Like an Omega Speedmaster or a Tom Beckbe field jacket -- products designed to be worn for decades and passed down to the next generation -- historic structures were built to endure through many different owners and purposes.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About the Apple Campus

The reality is, contemporary architecture is not built for the long haul. In a 2015 TEDx talk ("Our Disposable Architecture"), urban designer Jennifer Bevan warns, "Whereas a century ago, it was reasonable to expect new buildings to span multiple generations, today, disposable architecture is the new normal." According to the EPA, the U.S. produces over twice as much construction and demolition debris as everyday garbage.

The solution? Use the buildings we already have. So many American cities are filled with hearty and proud structures from the 19th and early 20th centuries, handsome buildings of brick and iron, timber and stone. Reuse. Repurpose. Reimagine.

3. Adaptive reuse promotes mental and physical wellness.

From recent iGen college graduates, to the ubiquitous millennial herd, to the diaspora of gen X, Americans want to move back to cities. In a letter to The New York Times, Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, explains why: "[N]eighborhoods that include older, smaller buildings house significantly greater concentrations of jobs in the 'innovation economy' than do areas with only larger, newer construction."

Related: Seeing is Believing: Step Inside Warby Parker's Headquarters

But, it's more than that, because living in cities allows young professionals to live a kind of childhood idyll of walking or riding their bike everywhere. A study by Arup actually reports that the privilege of walking to work, compared to a long commute, increases someone's happiness "as much as if they'd fallen in love." Find a historic building to call yours, and your company can anchor this joyous urban migration.

And just in case you're wondering, this is not gentrification we're talking about here; adaptive reuse fosters a diversity of human activity across economic strata, creating a community with thriving churches, schools, playgrounds, grocery stores and growing companies, including yours. If your new company is to have a long and happy life, bringing joy and value to clients and customers across the years, then consider taking the long view and finding a historic property to call headquarters.

The great revolution in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse has only just begun. I've spent four decades living out this philosophy at the university I founded in 1978, and I encourage you to do the same. When it comes time to leave the "startup" garage and spread your wings, I say: Go downtown.

Related Video: This Media Company Started in a Garage, but Team Members Say the Current Space Is 'Mind-Blowing'

Related:

Why Your New Company Needs an Old Building

When Determining the Best Work Environment for You, This Founder Shares What You Need to Consider

No-Paint-Allowed Office Makeover



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com

State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier announced Wednesday she is not seeking re-election to the office she first won in 1998, leaving her with exactly one year left in a remarkable run of activism and reform, with some pretty good financial returns.

Ive reached the conclusion that its time. Its time, the 66-year-old Democrat said after delivering a lengthy statement about her tenure. I dont think I have to convince people that its time for new blood. Its time for someone that is well qualified with fresh ideas to take the reins and move this office forward in the manner that I did.

Nappiers decision throws wide open a race that already includes some people in both parties considering a run for the powerful office, which controls pension funds now valued at more than $34 billion.

Three Democrats likely to run are Arunan Arulampalam, a Hartford lawyer and former lobbyist; John Blankley, a Greenwich business executive and town official; and Shawn Wooden, a Hartford lawyer who was president of the city council.

Arulampalam and Blankley have both formed exploratory committees and issued statements Wednesday praising Nappier. Wooden has told people he intended to explore a run if Nappier did not seek re-election, according to numerous sources.

In January 1999, Nappier inherited a state Treasury that would soon be wracked by an investigation leading to a guilty plea in a kickback scheme and federal prison time for Paul Silvester, the predecessor she defeated.

In her second year, she helped push through reforms that included creating a chief investment officer and boosting the role of the investment advisory committee.

Nineteen years and four re-elections later, she oversees an office that has hit its investment targets, for the most part; launched or dramatically enlarged programs such as the states college savings vehicle and financial literacy; and made a national name for itself  herself  as a shareholder activist on corporate governance.

Over the years, Nappier waved a flag for the state to address its dangerously underfunded pensions. As recently as a few months ago, she railed against a change in the teachers pension system that will leave it slightly less funded.

Nappier showed some bitterness Wednesday that, for years, people didnt listen to her warnings about an admittedly dry topic. The Legislature didnt think it was all that significant, she said.

And from the start, Nappier made the office one of the nations most prominent shareholder advocates for corporate governance reforms  leading the call at many publicly traded companies for up-or-down votes on executive pay, for separating the roles of chairman and CEO, for requiring that auditors are not also doing lucrative consulting work at the companies they audit, and against corporate investments in nations that commit or sanction genocide.

In another strain of her activism, Nappier has crusaded for policies on greenhouse gas emissions to address global warming. She co-founded the Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations, which by 2016 grew to more than 100 institutional investors with $13 trillion in assets.

Numerous companies have come under fire from Nappier, including The Walt Disney Co., Mattel, Office Depot, McDonalds, General Electric, Caterpillar, Stanley Black & Decker, and many energy companies as part of her climate work.

Shareholder activism for a state treasurer was the road less traveled in the early years, Nappier said.

Nearly 20 years later, that road is crowded and active, she said, proudly citing a fellow state treasurer who claimed he was using the Nappier Playbook.

That playbook has earned sharp barbs for Nappier from some business groups who say she overreaches. Nappier, in response, insists her efforts are part of smart investing  making sure the companies whose stocks were held by the state pension funds were well run and more likely to be profitable with rising stock values.

In one example, Nappier in 2002 wrote to board members at Stanley, then The Stanley Works, urging them to reject an ill-conceived corporate headquarters move to Bermuda, known as an inversion, because, she said, the move would leave shareholders less protected by governance rules  and create ill will among customers. She also fought layoffs in Connecticut at MetLife.

Amid harsh public criticism of companies, Nappier has also quietly negotiated reforms with management, using leverage as one of the most powerful fiduciaries in the country. Connecticut law does not require approval of investment decisions by a board or by other public officials.

Nappier was the first African-American woman elected as a state treasurer anywhere, and the first elected to statewide office in Connecticut. In 2006, she was named one of the 100 most powerful people in finance by Treasury & Risk Management magazine.

Despite her activism and testimony at the Capitol, Nappier has generally maintained a low profile when it comes to speaking engagements, including on the campaign trail.

In 2011, Hartford police issued Nappier a summons charging her with misusing license plates and operating an unregistered vehicle that lacked insurance after questioning her in the parking lot of a Hartford housing project. They towed her state car and she walked three miles to her West End home. Six days later, the Hartford states attorney said the car, in the state fleet, had been registered and that the summons was unwarranted.

Nappier told the Hartford Courant she suspected her race was a factor in how police handled the incident.

In the last election, in 2014, she narrowly beat Republican Tim Herbst, then the Trumbull first selectman, now a candidate for governor. Herbst criticized Nappier in part because the pension funds are underfunded. She countered that returns under her watch generally beat benchmarks.

The Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds stood at a record $32.4 billion on June 30 after a year with 14.2 percent returns, one of the best among states. Five months later the fund had grown to $34.2 billion.

The yearly performance she mentioned on Wednesday? Fiscal 2009, when the fund was down more than 17 percent  but still outperformed its benchmarks.

Nappier will be the fourth statewide constitutional officer to declare shes not seeking another term in 2018, after Attorney General George Jepsen, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy  who hailed Nappier for fighting for racial and gender parity in corporations.

Nappier said her decision was not due to any sense that the fund is in for rocky times again, though we all know the boom market cant last forever. She asked, Who wouldnt want to go out on top?

dhaar@hearstmediact.comANSONIA  Ansonia knows what an asset Public Works Superintendent Mike DAlessio has been and soon the entire state will know, too.

DAlessio, who has helped save the city more than $100,000 since coming onboard two years ago, will be featured in a state magazine showcasing his cost-cutting measures and love for turning one mans trash into another mans treasure.

The magazine, dubbed Connecticut Town & City, is published monthly by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. In existence since 1980, the magazine aims to present best practices by town governments showing how they provide different services most effectively and with cost efficiency, according to CCM Communications Director Kevin Maloney.

DAlessio will be featured in next months issue.

His efforts have led to real cost savings for the City of Ansonia, Maloney said Wednesday.

Maloney noted that DAlessios unique ways to save the city money were a perfect fit for the magazine.

DAlessio said he was honored to have captured the attention at the state level, but in his modest and humble demeanor, said hes just doing his job.

I really appreciate it and theyre focusing on municipalities who are doing their job and saving money, said DAlessio. And this coming from the state, and being recognized, Im honored. I like to look and think outside the box, and look everywhere I can to save money. Maybe others (who read the article) can adopt some of the same things were doing. Im always looking to save a buck.

DAlessios savvy, cost saving ways run the gamut from collecting residents curbside leaves and letting them decompose at the Public Works facility where theyll turn into rich loamto grinding old Christmas trees, debris and brush into mulch, rather than hire an outside company to haul everything away.

When he first came to Ansonia, DAlessio unburied three old Public Works vehicles and auctioned them off for parts, fetching some $14,000 which enabled him to purchase a roadside machine (not in his budget) to cut overhanging tree branches and brush.

He also figured out how to slash $4,000 a year off the citys water bill by washing the fleet of trucks for free with WPCA water rather than metered water the city pays for. And simple things, like making sure employees turn off the lights when they leave a room, is part of the daily routine for DAlessio.

DAlessio , an Ansonia native and taxpayer, said the cost savings benefit everyone. Hes also working with Derbys new Public Works superintendent to see if some services can be regionalized and shared to help realize even more savings down the road.

Mayor David Cassetti knows Ansonia is lucky to have DAlessio.

Mike has been an asset to the residents of the City of Ansonia, Cassetti said Wednesday. There is a willingness and impetus on Mike's part to reach out to other communities which has resulted in improved services for our taxpayers and a cost savings as a result. He is always looking to make the City a better place and we are fortunate to have him as our Public Works Director.

jean.sos@snet.netPORTLAND  A spate of dog attacks, both on other dogs and, in one case, a man who required multiple stitches, have led to demands for the town  and the state  to take stricter actions with owners who do not restrain their dogs.

Maria A. Demarest, whose husband was injured by a dog a couple years back in town, has her own solution to the problem. Anytime a dog attacks, it should be put down  no questions asked, she said.

The issue was brought to the publics attention in November, when resident William Barrows was walking his two Yorkshire terriers along a portion of Main Street. A Rottweiler/Labrador mix rushed out and attacked Lizzie, a 4-year-old Yorkie, Ann and William Barrows said. He repeatedly punched at the attacking dog in an effort to protect Lizzie.

He then raced home with the badly injured Lizzie. But despite his efforts, their pet died from her injuries, the couple said.

She was a baby to us, Ann Barrows said. We have two of them, but she was the one who caught your eye whenever she did anything. She was a special little dog.

Barrows and his wife Ann did not attend the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting during which the issue was discussed. But Demarest did, and she brought with her a harrowing story about her husband being attacked by a different dog almost two years ago.

Three times Demarests husband Steven was knocked to the ground by the dog, which bit him on his ankles, the back of his thigh, and his groin region, Maria Demarest said. Steven Demarest karate kicked the dog in the head as he tried to retreat to the safety of the family car, Maria Demarest said.

Her husband had to go to Middlesex Hospital, where he needed multiple stitches, she said. Both the Demarests also needed treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder following the unprovoked attack, Maria Demarest said. The owner never tried to get the dog off my husband, she told selectmen.

Whats more, she said, the owner refused to have the dog put down despite the viciousness of the attack. The owner appealed to the state Department of Agriculture to prevent the animal from being destroyed.

The dog was quarantined while a decision was made whether or not to euthanize it. That was two years ago, officials said. To date, the agriculture department has yet to issue a ruling in the matter, Maria Demarest and Animal Control Officer Karen Perruccio said.

In the meantime, the dog, whose name is Rocky, remains confined in the Portland dog pound, where he is visited daily by his owner. But Perruccio said the dogy has bonded with her and now considers her his owner.

People in this town dont care, Maria Demarest said. Its always My dogs peaceful.

But, Our lives have changed dramatically, she said. Ive become a hostage in my own home.

When they do go out to walk their dog, the Demarests take their phones and a spray used to drive away an attacking dog. Meanwhile, Nothing has changed, and this has been going on for two years, she said.

She brought photographs of her husbands injuries that she shared with the selectmen.

These are very difficult pictures to look at. Theyre very frightening to look at, First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said.

Maria Demarest called upon the town to pressure the Department of Agriculture for a decision.

Perruccio said personnel reductions at the office have only exacerbated the situation.

The fact the state has not responded and resolved the matter is unacceptable, Deputy First Selectman Louis J. Pear said.

The state has dropped the ball, Selectman Benjamin A. Srb said.

Speaking about dog attacks, Pear said, This is a big problem here in Portland, a problem he said can be disastrous. We need to make our feelings known to the state.

Bransfield said she reached out to state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, to see if she could help get a time frame for a decision by the agriculture department. Bransfield said she had also referred the issue to Town Attorney Joseph B. Schwartz.

Tuesday, Bransfield said those efforts to apply pressure had paid off: She received a letter from the Department of Agriculture last week, which said a hearing officer had reached a proposed final decision regarding the fate of Rocky.

However, that decision is currently under review from Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky. The letter did not indicate when Reviczky would make a final decision, Bransfield said.

Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Portland and Cromwell. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com.An Israeli politician considered a leading candidate to succeed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said world powers should stop trying to create a Palestinian state.

Twenty-five years of failed diplomacy show a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn't realistic and a fresh approach is needed, Likud Party politician Gideon Sa'ar said Tuesday in an interview near Tel Aviv. The former education and interior minister has said he'll run for prime minister after Netanyahu, who is facing a police investigation into alleged corruption, leaves office.

"The fact that people still say 'two-state solution' doesn't make it a solution -- it's a two-state slogan," Sa'ar said. "It's no longer rational to support a two-state solution. We must think about reality."

No one could guarantee that a Palestinian state wouldn't become an Islamist haven threatening Israel's main population centers, Sa'ar said. Instead, he supports a regional approach that would involve Egypt and Jordan and leave the Palestinians with less than full sovereignty.

With President Donald Trump threatening to cut off U.S. aid unless Palestinians come to the negotiating table, Israel's right-wing parties are promoting policies that could make talks harder. The Knesset this week passed a law raising the bar for partitioning Jerusalem in any future peace deal, and Likud's central committee is pushing de facto annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Sa'ar, a star speaker at the party's central committee meeting, told the group it's just a matter of time until the settlements become part of Israel. He also praised Trump's aid threat, made in response to the Palestinian Authority rejection of the U.S. as a peace broker following the president's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month.

"I believe President Trump sees that the Palestinian leadership is not only incapable of being a partner for peace, it is not able to cope with basic progress toward peace," Sa'ar told Bloomberg.

Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi condemned Trump's threats, saying Palestinian rights are "not for sale." The U.S. provides hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance to the Palestinians every year.

Trump "has not only violated international law, but he has also single-handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israel's illegal annexation of the city," Ashrawi said. "We will not be blackmailed."

Sa'ar, 51, whose father immigrated to Israel from Argentina, worked in the State Attorney's office before Netanyahu named him cabinet secretary in 1999. He became one of the most popular figures in Likud and frequently was mentioned as an heir apparent to Netanyahu.

After years of friction with the prime minister, Sa'ar abruptly resigned his cabinet post and parliamentary seat in 2014, saying he wanted to devote more time to his family. The move came a year after his second marriage to newscaster Geula Even and the birth of their son; they now have a second. Sa'ar has two children from his first marriage as well as a grandchild. He announced his return to politics last year, as the police investigations raised doubts about Netanyahu's grip on power.

Sa'ar acknowledged his positions are at odds with international opinion, but said world opinion is evolving.

"Understanding, as the U.S. president has said lately, that this conflict is not the heart of the regional conflict, is crucial," he said. "It's a very, very small and marginal conflict in comparison to the multifront regional war between Shiites and Sunnis."

While popular among Likud members, Sa'ar has some serious gaps in his political skills and professional resume, said Shmuel Sandler, a Bar Ilan University political scientist. Sa'ar has never held any of the three key ministerial posts considered a stepping stone for prime minister -- defense, finance and foreign affairs, he said.

"He's a cold fish," Sandler said. "He doesn't have a lot of charisma like Netanyahu does."

Still, Sa'ar is favored to lead Likud if Netanyahu falls, according to a December poll published by Walla News, garnering 24.3 percent support, followed by President Reuven Rivlin with 16.7 percent. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan came in third with 16.2 percent, trailed by Transport and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz with 6.9 percent. The poll size was 500 people, and no margin of error was published.

Leaders of other parties, such as Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid and Naftali Bennett of Jewish Home, also have expressed interest in running for prime minister.

As opposition members call on Netanyahu to resign if the police recommend he be indicted, Sa'ar said he will support the prime minister and the Likud-led government.

"We are speaking about a prime minister that was elected by the people, and therefore I don't think at this stage, if there are police recommendations, it's a reason for a resignation," he said. "At the right time I'll run for prime minister."NEW HAVEN  Tevin Williams, who last year testified against Jermaine Harris in Harris murder trial, has been sentenced to serve 13 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery.

Williams had entered into a cooperation agreement with the state, under which he agreed to testify about what he saw when Daryl McIver was shot to death on July 30, 2011. The agreement called for Williams to plead guilty to the two conspiracy charges and receive a sentence ranging from 12 to 35 years.NEW HAVEN  The owners of English Station are talking with an engineer about the extent of the demolition necessary at the building they own on Grand Avenue that has been deemed unsafe.

Building Official James Turcio sent a notice to ASNAT Realty LLC and Evergreen Power LLC, who together own the defunct power plants at 510 Grand Ave. on 9 contaminated acres known generally as English Station.

After being notified that brick was falling from the facade of the oldest building on the site, the 1890 coal-fired plant that is closest to Grand Avenue, Turcio sent them an order stating, the facade is in danger of imminent collapse and separating from the substrate of the building.

It has been secured from further entry and the sidewalk and closest lane on Grand Avenue blocked from traffic in the event more of the structure fails.

Attorney Keith Ainsworth, who is representing Evergreen Power, said they have identified a contractor and he was reviewing the condition of the building.

We are looking at a couple of options, Ainsworth said. The situation will be resolved by a total demolition or a combination of demolition and shoring up other parts of the building, the attorney said.

It has been a difficult thing to address because of the timing, Ainsworth said. He earlier said it was taking awhile to get a contractor because of the frigid weather and the holidays.

A report from David Carlson, an engineer hired by the city to review the problems at the building, cites deterioration of the masonry due to heavy corrosion and weathering as well as a loss of support steel and displacement of the masonry at various sections.

He found over an inch of pack rust has cracked and destabilized the brick in the parapet and the tops of the pilasters, Carlson wrote. Also, at least three bays of the timber roof deck inside the parapet are collapsed.Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened North Korea with a nuclear strike.

He re-echoed his warning that Americas superior capabilities should not be underrated.

His statement was in reaction to Kim Jong Un comments in a live broadcast by North Korea state TV.

The US should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my desk. This is not blackmail but reality, he said.



The entire area of the US mainland is within our nuclear strike range.

The US can never start a war against me and our country. These weapons will be used only if our security is threatened.

Responding, Trump wrote on Twitter: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.

Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

North Korea insists that joint US-South Korean military exercises are preludes to an invasion.

It also described recent round of UN sanctions as an act of war, vowing to attack its Asian neighbours and the US territory of Guam.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last year, military experts testified that the Presidents power to unilaterally launch military strikes nedded review.

I dont think that the assurances that Ive received today will be satisfying to the American people, Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey said.

I think they can still realise that Donald Trump can launch nuclear codes just as easily as he can use his Twitter account.Barcelona have confirmed that Ousmane Dembele is ready to return to action, after he was sidelined for three and a half months with a thigh problem.The 20-year-old sustained the problem against Getafe on September 16 and underwent an operation in Finland. But he has now been medically discharged and is now available for selection.Barca manager, Ernesto Valverde, will hoping to give Dembele some minutes in Thursdays Copa del Rey clash with Celta Vigo.Surgeon Sakari Orava, who operated on Dembele, put the injury partly down to naivety on the wingers part.Maybe it was a sin of youth not to say that he felt pain in that area before, Orava told Mundo Deportivo.The pressure hed been exposed to after his signing for Barca also could have influenced it.The France international moved to Barca for 105million from Borussia Dortmund last summer.It was indeed a bloody new year day in Nigeria as scores were killed in Rivers and Benue state.

It was indeed a bloody new year day in Nigeria as scores were killed in Rivers and Benue state.In Rivers, 17 were shot dead in an attack on church worshippers on New Years Day. In Benue, herdsmen were on the prowl, killing 20 people and injuring 30 others. The chief mourners are Governors Nyesom Wike and Samuel Ortom. But, the weight of calamities is borne by the families of the deceased. To a bewildered Federal Government that has invested substantially in security, the end has not justified the means.In Rivers, the awful picture stared everybody in the face. The method of killing, and the timing, underscored the cruelty of the assassins. Violence seems to have become a culture in the oil-rich Niger Delta state. The latest attack was unprovoked by victims who were in a festive mood. After the mayhem, the rampaging gunmen disappeared. Obviously, it was evident that suspected militants and cultists have reneged on their promise to maintain peace, following a general amnesty.In the last two and half years, Benue has not known peace. A tearful Ortom lamented that mindless killings had become an infection that has defiled solution. His agony is compounded by appeals for sanity that have repeatedly gone unheeded. The security challenge in the Northcenral state has often diverted his attention from governance. The gains of his security measures are on the reserve.Can there be justification for the killings? What scores were the assailants trying to settle in Rivers? What was their mission? Who is their sponsor? Rivers had endured the scourge of pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, sea piracy, political thuggery and arson, kidnapping and other forms of social vices. Wike had succeeded in oersuading them to lay down their arms in the past. Is the criminality not being renewed?The violent men were armed with sophisticated weapons. The riffles were very expensive. The attacks demonstrated criminal dexterity. The operation was smooth and swift. No trace was left behind.There are puzzles: Is Rivers not back to the dark days? Has the militants been reined in? Having laid down their weapons, according to the terms of amnesty, where did the militants regroup. Where did they get new arms? No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Who are the attackers?Benue has a peculiar challenge. In the past, herdsmen posed no threat to any resident. They were friendly and at home with the people they met in the course of cattle rearing. Cases of destruction of crops were not rife. But, gone are the days when herdsmen were harmless.What is the way out? In Rivers, the Federal Government has ordered the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators. It should not be an empty directive. The public enemies should be apprehended and brought to book. Security is a collective enterprise. Therefore, not only should residents be vigilant, they should also be willing to contribute to intelligence gathering in aid of security agencies.In Benue, government should say enough is enough. How did Ekiti and other states manage to resolve the security challenge posed by herdsmen, as it were? Are the herdsmen and the real owners of the cattle above the law? Should the state be continually intimidated? Are the herdsmen bigger than Benue?Even in the face of troubled Federalism that renders governors helpless in security matters, Ortom  and other governors  should not throw up their hands in surrenders. The matter must be resolved one way of the other.Senator Shehu Sani on Tuesday came hard on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senator Shehu Sani on Tuesday came hard on President Muhammadu Buhari.





He said the President no longer has the goodwill he enjoyed prior to the 2015 general election.





Sani, in a post on Facebook, also criticised the statement by Buhari that  Nigerians were impatient.





The lawmaker wrote: I disagree with this submission.   Nigerians,   especially the masses have demonstrated an unprecedented level of patience with this administration.





 The love of the masses for the President is beyond the usual and even stretched to hypnosis.   The President is not as popular as he used to be but still command an appreciable cult follower-ship among the poor.





 The poor still see him as their messiah.   They endure all pains and hardships and see it as sacrifice.They denounce his critics even when they are right,they applaud the President even when hes wrong.





 In the heart of many of his followers,hes raised to a saintly,angelic and infallible mortal.   Until recently,   the fanaticism of the President supporters in some parts of the country has created a tyrannical atmosphere of fear and of silence .W e have an institutionalize intolerance to contrary opinions and to be safe is to kow tow.





 When the President went on long health vacation,   they prayed and never protested,   they even CHASED CHARLEY and could have CHOCKED him if he stayed. 



President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that those who looted the countrys treasury can no longer sleep well, due to the current anti-corr...

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that those who looted the countrys treasury can no longer sleep well, due to the current anti-corruption fight.





Buhari made the declaration during separate meetings with the Qadiriyya Muslim Movement in Africa and the Izalatul-Bida-Wa-Iqamatus-Sunnah at the presidential villa, Abuja.





The president warned that anyone found culpable in the war against corruption will have the law to contend with.





According to Buhari,Justice will be done to all in the war against corruption. As religious leaders, I urge you to tell your followers to respect the rights of others.





Those that stole from the public can no longer sleep well in the country today. When they run abroad, they cannot take their landed assets with them. We will, in all cases, have them return what they looted.



The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has carpeted President Muhammadu Buhari over claim that some Nigerians were deliberately ...

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has carpeted President Muhammadu Buhari over claim that some Nigerians were deliberately inflicting hardship on Nigerians by creating the current fuel scarcity and that he was determined to get to the root of what he described as collective blackmail, telling the President to take responsibility and stop blame game for once.While speaking on the ongoing fuel scarcity President Buhari had said in his New Year Broadcast that Some of our compatriots chose this period of inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the country and that whatever groups that are behind this manipulated hardship will be prevented from doing so again.In a statement issued on Tuesday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said; The president should rather take responsibility, apologize to Nigerians and stop blaming others for his failures because apologizing when you are wrong is the hallmark of honest and sincere leaders. What is wrong if he had said sorry to Nigerians who are at the receiving end of his bad policies? But in the case of President Buhari, he will always have someone to blame for his own failure. As a military Head of State, he blamed former President Shehu Shagaris government.Since he assumed office, he has been blaming his predecessor. And now that he cant provide fuel for Nigerians, despite claiming to have removed fuel subsidy, he is blaming some unknown Nigerians. When is he going to be man enough to stop his blame game? The governor said rather than blaming people, what Nigerians expected to hear from the President was what had been done and being done to stop the loss of millions of jobs and hunger that is ravaging the land as well as wanton killings going on across the country. Governor Fayose said Nigerians are aware that petrol is scarce across the country because the federal government deliberately reduced supply since it is only the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that is importing the product. This is aimed to forcing increment in pump price from N145 to N185 per litre on Nigerians.Speaking further, the governor said; The other time, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajos said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was bearing the cost of fuel subsidy and not the federal government and we asked; what is the difference between NNPC and the federal government? Who is NNPC and who is federal government? Is NNPC now an autonomous agency of the federal government? Nigerians are tired of Buharis repetitive speeches and unfulfilled promises. Nigerians are crying that he should give them responsive and competent Cabinet. Nigerians want the president to create jobs for the suffering masses and make life more abundant for them.As at today, everything is wrong with Nigeria under President Buhari. The country is not secured. Look at the horrific and disheartening killings in Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Borno and Rivers States between yesterday and today. The President is totally not in charge of the country. The cabals only brief him and whatever they tell him is what he accepts.Nigerians want their president to take charge and stop buck passing. He should show to Nigerians that he is a changed president by bringing those looters in his government to book. President Buhari should gauge public opinion to see that the people are no longer with him.He should listen to Rev. Father Mbaka who used to be his supporters but has now been telling the truth of how disappointed and frustrated Nigerians are with him. People are only tolerating Buhari and counting days and times for them to shove him out of office in disgrace like Mbaka said.Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has expressed sadness over the death of elder statesman and former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita.In a statement issued by his Spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, the governor said Kaita made invaluable contributions to the development of the country.He was an acclaimed pacesetter who, along with other patriotic Nigerians of his generation, fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria at the turn of the century.His life is an example of dedication and commitment to democratic norms and values.Nigeria will remember the deceased as a man who gave his best years toward the development of multi-party politics.His contributions enriched governance process at both state and federal levels, Tambuwal said.While praying to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss, the governor appealed to both Kaduna and Katsina State Governments to immortalise the deceased.The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Wednesday announced that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN ) and the Generation Companies (GENCOS) were working to restore the technical hitches recorded in the national transmission grid.A statement from the management of the ministry indicated that the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Ltd (NGPTC) had reported a fire on its Escravos Lagos Pipeline system near Okada, Edo on Jan. 2.The incident, according to the statement, requires a shutdown of the pipeline supplying gas to Egbin 1,320MW; Olorunsogo NIPP 676MW, Olorunsogo 338MW, Omotosho NIPP 450MW, Omotosho 338 MW and Paras 60MW power stations.It said the sudden loss of generation due to interruption in gas supply from the stations caused the national transmission grid to trip off around 8:20 a.m. on Jan. 2.It said that the trip off was regrettable, given the sustained period of increasing production and distribution of power since September 2017 to date.The statement added that once the national grid is restored, output from the hydroelectric power stations and all other unaffected gas fired thermal power stations will be increased.This, it said, would minimise the impact of loss of generation from the affected power stations.It urged members of the public to bear with it as precise steps were being taken to restore operation at the grid.The Lagos State Government has sealed off a filling station, a hotel and an event centre belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alaka...

The Lagos State Government has sealed off a filling station, a hotel and an event centre belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alaka Abayomi Kamal.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Mr Steve Ayorinde, confirmed this on Wednesday in a statement signed by him.





This comes less than two weeks after the Police declared Alaka wanted for his alleged connection with series of well-orchestrated killings and nefarious activities of the Badoo cult group in Ikorodu and Epe areas of the state.





The structures, situated along Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road in Sabo area of Ikorodu were sealed for violating the states Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.





The state government said the order sealing off the structures was in pursuant to Section 60 of the said law.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Imohimi Edgal, had on Tuesday paraded a suspected Badoo kingpin arrested in Ikorodu.





The suspect was said to have confessed to the killings and took the police to their shrine in Imosan, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, where the groups chief herbalist, Fatai Adebayo, was arrested.





Adebayo is popularly known as Alese and is said to have specialised in administering oath on Badoo members before they go for any operation.





Reacting to the developments, Ayorinde said: The Lagos State government is joining the Nigerian Police in asking the said Alaka to come out of hiding and submit himself to the law in his own interest.





The state government has also enjoined the police to offer the public a reward for any useful information on the owner of the Alaka filling station, hotel and event centre in Ikorodu, he added.





The state government has reassured residents of their safety, noting that no stone would be left unturned in keeping the state safe.

























Nigerians on Tuesdays called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to resign. ...

Nigerians on Tuesdays called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to resign.

This is following Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechis statement calling for the resignation of River State governor, Nyesom Wike over New Year massacre which claimed over 15 lives in the State.





In respect to this, some Nigerians have called for the resignation of APC governors: Nasir El rufai, Gov Bindow and Samuel Ortom over Fulani herdsmen attack and killings in their respective states.





Others urged Amaechi to cooperate with Gov. Wike to protect Rivers and stop playing politics with the safety of Rivers people.





Here are some comments:





@Nacy Have you asked the President to design over all the killings across the country or did you resigned in your days? So sad, that rather than sympathize with the state and family, you and Dakuku are politicizing the death of our people. Just know that Rivers State is not your private property and that you should be grateful for once to this state that made you.









@Erikndic Its a shame that Ameachi play politics with lives of Rivers people, does he conscience at all?. Instead of collaborating with the Gov to look for solution, he busy talking rubbish





@Ossyukato  People of Rivers, forget about Wike and Amaechis brouhaha and stand to defend yourselves, all they care about is individual political correctness.





@Onyema That means both governors of Kaduna and Kwara were we witness killing should resign as well. Foolish Amaechi, betrayer like you.





@Yahaya Hypocrisy at the highest level ! Why didnt you call for Buharis resignation when herdsmen where busy killing Innocent Nigerians all over Nigeria ?





@Emperor williams Oh thats the aim and target right? No problem he will resign but let Mr President resign first for the successive Boko Haram attacks and Fulani herdsmen killings in the country





@Arunayi Has Buhari resigned with all the senseless killings going on in the country, it clear you are behind all the killings going on there to make a point.





@nkwazema Resign on what grounds. The killings is unfortunate. May God grant the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the great lost. & the dead eternal rest.

Listen to urself. Have you told mr president to resign due to herdsmen killing? Have you even condemned this barbaric act?





@biose With all the killings in Borno, Southern Kaduna, Benue, Adamawa how many times have you ask Buhari or those APC governor to resign, was that what your secret meeting with El-Rufai about? To send his paid Southern Kaduna killers to Rivers state to kill your people so you can impeach Wike? You have failed already loser.





@Paschal How are we sure that the APC who are in charge of the police and army never masterminded the killing so that they can have the opportunity to say what Mr. Amechi is currently saying because what happened is showing an intelligent failure in the side of the Nigerian security apparatus which the state government is not totally in control of.





@Michael Has buhari resigned since boko haram and his Fulani brothers bn killing innocent people for years now. Charity begins at home. Tell ur Master to resign first then Wike will follow. I shud state categorically here that I do not support violence in any form. All culprits must be arrested and killed in return





@Williams Had Amaechi asked Bindow of Adamawa, Shetima of Borno or Geidam of Yobe or even Ortom of Benue to resign because they are his Apc co wizards? pregnant Amaechi, why?





@Taio Wike indeed needs to do what he can to discourage the menace of cultism in rivers state. Things like this cause the problem of insecurity to fester on in the state





@Festus Buhari, El-rufai of Kaduna, Samuel ortom of Benue, Maiduguri gov, Yahayaof kogi more also resign





@Davidson Amaechi, you are in the federal cabinet, use your position to canvass for more proactive security network in the state. Dont shout as if you love Rivers people more than Wike. WHAT HAVE U PUBLICLY TOLD YOUR PRINCIPAL, BUHARI ABOUT THE MINDLESS KILLINGS BEING PERPETRATED BY HIS KINSMEN, THE FULANI HERDSMEN?





@Ubongokon Then call on all the Northeast Governors to resign, you know how to deploy all security agent to Rivers during election, you refused join hand with Wike to build your state, continue to criticize but remember you didnt fight alone to become Governor. God will judge all of you.



A sergeant who enlisted for service out of Fort Lee was killed Monday while serving in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army said.

Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin, 34, died of injuries sustained from small arms fire while on dismounted patrol in the Nangarhar Province in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Army officials said.

Four other soldiers were wounded in the same combat engagement. Two are in stable condition and are receiving treatment in a nearby medical facility. The other two have returned to duty.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own," said General John Nicholson, commander, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. "At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers."

Golin was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group out of Fort Carson, Colorado.

Golin's daughter and mother reside in Englewood, Colorado and his father lives in Brooklyn, according to a casualty announcement provided to members of congress and governors.

"Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin served our nation with courage and distinction, and his death is a loss that will be felt across New Jersey," Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., said in a written statement.

"Let us honor Sergeant Golin's extraordinary courage by reflecting on his commitment to the nation he loved, and by recognizing the profound debt of gratitude we owe to him and to his family for their sacrifice. I extend my deepest condolences to Sergeant Golin's family and friends during this very difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers injured in this tragic incident."

"Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin served his nation proudly and made the ultimate sacrifice," Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist.) said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

"Our armed forces keep us safe from harm, and our country owes Sergeant Golin and his family a debt that can never be repaid. My thoughts are with them during this difficult time."

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story misidentified the names of Golin's family members.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A married couple has sued celebrity chef Dale Talde of Fort Lee and his business partners, claiming the chef and his associates borrowed $100,000 for their Jersey City restaurant group under false pretenses and refused to give the money back.

Shawn and Alexander Visco of New York City claim Talde's business partner, Anthony Carrino, co-host of HGTV's "Kitchen Cousins," solicited investment funds from them in 2014 for Telco Restaurant Corporation of Jersey City, according to the suit, filed Dec. 28 in Hudson County Superior Court.

The $100,000 investment money was to fund construction and purchase of equipment and property for Talde Jersey City and related business ventures, according to the suit.

Talde, 39, is best known for competing on the Bravo reality series "Top Chef" in 2008 and again in 2010-11.

The suit states Talde and his associates are supposed to pay the lump sum of $100,000 to the Viscos no later than Nov. 25, 2019, along with quarterly interest payments of 9 percent.

However, Telco failed to provide the Viscos with an accounting status, the anticipated date when payments will be made or "any status on Telco's business affairs," the suit states.

The suit accuses the restaurant group of "concealing and misrepresenting critical facts concerning the entity's investments and operation."

The Viscos claim they have demanded banking and financial statements but that Telco failed to provide "substantive information about the status of Telco or the conduct of the managers."

In addition to Talde and Carrino, the suit names David Massoni, John Bush and Cinque Terre Group, which is owned by Carrino.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of enriching themselves by using the money in other ventures throughout the tri-state area.

"Money has been solicited, taken from my clients and not paid back," the Viscos' attorney, Keith Roberts of Roseland, said Wednesday.

Contacted on his cellphone on Wednesday, Talde said he was aware of the lawsuit.

"Our lawyer is drafting up a comment right now and will get back to you," Talde said, declining to give the name of his attorney.

Last year, Talde and associates at Three Kings Restaurant Group were sued for $3.5 million by business partners at Atlantic Social in Brooklyn, N.Y., who claimed the business partners secretly diverted money from that restaurant to other business ventures.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.An Army sergeant killed Monday in Afghanistan was a highly decorated Green Beret serving his fourth deployment, an Army spokesman said.

Sgt. FC Mihail Golin

Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin, 34, who enlisted into the service in 2005 while living in Fort Lee, died from injuries sustained during small arms fire while on dismounted patrol in the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan, the Army said.

He deployed September 2017 with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group out of Fort Carson, Colorado in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

He had previously deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2006 to November 2007, and twice to Afghanistan from February 2009 to February 2010 and from December 2011 to October 2012, both in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Golin was born in Riga, Latvia, and moved to the United States in October 2004 when he was 21-years-old. He enlisted in the Army a few months later, in January 2005.

After completing basic training and advanced individual training, Golin was assigned as an Infantryman with the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Golin then volunteered for Special Forces training and graduated from the Army's Special Forces Qualification Course in November 2014. He was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.

During his service he was awarded the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, four Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Valorous Unit Award, two Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Four other soldiers were injured in the same incident in which Golin died. Two are receiving treatment and are in stable condition and two have returned to service, the Army said.

Golin is survived by his mother and daughter who live in Colorado and his father who lives in Brooklyn.

Army officials said they do not yet know where he will be laid to rest.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Friends said that Colleen Brownell, 48, and her step-sister, Alysia McCloskey, 41, were "super-close" and supportive of each other.

So, it was no surprise last summer when Brownell broke up with her fiance, Mark Lyczak, and didn't want to live alone, she moved in with her step-sister and McCloskey's two sons, friends said Tuesday.

Lyczak, 44, of Burlington, is accused of going to McCloskey's Collingswood home Saturday afternoon and allegedly stabbing the sisters to death, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

"No one ever thinks this is going to happen," Eileen McCay, who called Brownell a close friend since high school, said in an interview Tuesday.

Lyczak is also charged with stabbing a third woman, whom authorities identified only as a 45-year-old Burlington County woman, at the same East Narberth Terrace home.

NJPen reported that the woman was Lyczak's girlfriend, and a woman by the same name was listed in fair condition at Cooper University Hospital Tuesday, a spokeswoman said.

Lyczak was arrested when police discovered him at the scene, prosecutors said. A judge will determine whether to hold him in jail or set bail at a detention hearing Wednesday morning in Superior Court in Camden.

On Tuesday, Brownell's long-time friends recalled the slain siblings as warm, loving women.

Brownell's friends said they didn't know McCloskey well, but found her to be nice, devoted to her children and very supportive of her step-sister. McCloskey, 41, was a mother of two boys, Zak and Riley, according to a Gofundme campaign that says it is raising money for the children.

"Anyone who knew Alysia, knows her children were her life, love, and whole heart," wrote Lauren Sellers, who started the campaign.

The friends described Brownell, 48, as fun, outgoing, adventurous, and compassionate. "She'd light up any room," said one friend who did not want her name used. "She was one of the best friends all of us have ever had."

She was smart, strong and independent, they said, and worked for several different mortgage companies.

Brownell loved the beach and spent many summers at the shore, including weekend trips to Wildwood while she was a student at Camden Catholic High School. She was planning to move to Florida and was interviewing for jobs there, McCay said.

McCay said Brownell wanted to move south to be closer to her 26-year-old son, whom she had given up for adoption decades ago. They reconnected just over a year ago when he "showed up on her doorstep," McCay said, and Brownell was excited to get to know him better.

Friends said that after Brownell broke up with Lyczak this summer, she told them that she was afraid and needed to "get away from him." She had a restraining order against him, they said.

"I was so proud of her for having the courage to get away," McCay said.

McCay said Brownell told her she decided to leave her home in Cherry Hill to live with McCloskey because she didn't want to live alone out of fear of Lyczak.

One friend said she had witnessed Lyczak verbally abuse Brownell but never saw him be violent toward her. After they broke up, she said she witnessed Lyczak continue to text Brownell, including an incident in December when Brownell received distraught texts and called to comfort him.

"She was such a good person, when they split up she said, 'I'll help him get back on his feet,'" she recalled of Brownell.

Lyczak was charged with violating a restraining order in August when he showed up at a Cherry Hill home, court records show. The prosecutor's office redacted the document to remove the victim's name.

He pleaded guilty to simple assault in 1994, and to a traffic violation in Pennsylvania in 2012, records show.

As Brownell reclaimed her independence, reconnected with friends and made plans to move, she seemed very happy, her friends said.

"She wanted her life back, and she was there. She was getting there," a friend said.

Colleen Brownell, 48, second from left in the back row, and friends celebrate their 30th reunion for Camden Catholic High School in November. (Photo provided)

In the days after the deaths, Brownell's friends have gathered together to look at old photographs and trade stories, including about the last times they saw her. McCay recalled Tuesday how "ready" Brownell was to move when she saw her Dec. 26. Another friend said Brownell was supposed to come over to her home Saturday afternoon.

The last text Brownell sent just minutes before the attack said, "Okey dokey, see you soon," the friend recalled.

She assumed Brownell had just fallen asleep, she said, until a friend called her with the news on New Year's Eve.

"She didn't deserve this," her friend said.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

* This story was updated to correct the relationship between the victims.Rapidly accumulating ice and the forecast of a powerful winter snow storm has prompted operators of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to put its service, well, on ice.

While the ferry between the Jersey resort of Cape May and Lewes, Del., still operated Wednesday, for Thursday and possibly longer the vessels will remain docked, officials said.

"Bitter cold temperatures and strong northwest winds are causing ice sheets to stack up in the Cape May Canal," said Heath Gehrke, director of ferry operations. "With the approaching winter storm, these conditions are expected to worsen over the next few days.

The New Jersey ferry terminal is on the Cape May Canal which leads to the Delaware Bay.

Because of the unusually low temperatures ice floes are rapidly forming in the bay. Also, Winter Storm Grayson is expected to bear down on the region with heavy snow and high winds.

The combination of the two lead those involved in the DRBA's maritime operations to decide it was best to cancel upcoming crossings.

The largest ice accumulations that can hamper service are seen along the Cape May shore of the bay and in the canal, according to Jim Salmon, spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority which operates the ferry.

Officials involved in the DRBA's maritime operations met Wednesday and made the decision to cancel ferry service.

Some crossings were delayed by 90 minutes Tuesday, the first day this winter season service was impacted by ice.

On Wednesday there had been warnings of possible delays, but the afternoon ferry sailings were on schedule.

The vessels in the ferry fleet are built to withstand sailing through the ice floes which litter the canal and bay waters, Salmon said. The ferry captains are veterans who have years of experience dealing with sailings through icy waters, Salmon added.

This week lower than normal tides coupled with the ice have also contributed to crossing delays.

Gehrke said weather conditions beyond Thursday could cause future cancellations and that anyone planning to use the ferry through at least Sunday should check its website to see if crossings are on again.

One of the longest cancellations of ferry service which has operated since 1964 came during the winter of 1977, according to Salmon.

During that bitterly cold stretch ferry service was suspended for 45 days by extreme ice conditions from Jan. 11 through Feb. 25, he said.

The ferry, which operates year-round, drastically cuts the number of crossings during winter non-tourist season months.

The normal winter schedule calls for four departures from Cape May and four from Lewes each day. In the summer during the high tourist season, those crossing multiply substantially.

While winter use declines, it's still substantial. On Tuesday approximately 370 vehicles and 772 passengers took the ferry across the bay, Salmon said.

Without any delays, the 17-mile trip across the bay takes about 85 minutes.

Salmon said the ferry has not had any mishaps because of ice on the bay while underway. In February 2015 ice that accumulated in one ferry's bow thruster caused it to malfunction.

"Our marine operations department is constantly monitoring the weather and bay conditions during these circumstances," Salmon said.

More information on when ferry crossings will resume can be found on the ferry's website at www.cmlf.com.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Taylor Swift is apparently shaking off reports that her anticipated Reputation Stadium Tour is so far selling poorly, as the pop superstar just added seven more shows on the worldwide trek, including a third show at MetLife Stadium July 22, due to "overwhelming demand," the stadium said in a press release.

Tickets for Swift's first two New Jersey shows on July 20 and July 21 went on sale last month, while tickets for the additional show on July 22, go on sale to the general public on Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. Swift will also added a second Philadelphia show on July 13.

For those hoping to beat the main sale and secure a ticket before Jan. 31, tickets can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster's Verified Fan program starting at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Users must register beforehand to buy tickets through Verified Fan, which is a program Ticketmaster uses to deter bots and scalpers from scooping up tickets before actual fans had a chance to buy them.

Regardless of how you buy, you'll pay a pretty penny to see Taylor this summer. On Ticketmaster, tickets for the first two July shows range from around $130 to be nestled high in the upper deck to more than $2,000 for floor seats.

And in both cases, plenty of seats are still available, which begs the question: Why is Swift adding a third New Jersey show if there are large swaths of MetLife Stadium that have gone unsold since tickets went on sale for the first two July shows? After all, her most recent 1989 tour was completely sold out in minutes in 2015.

An example of a large section of MetLife Stadium where tickets are still available for Taylor Swift's July 20 concert. Blue seats indicate standard tickets are available. Red seats are resale tickets. (Ticketmaster)

Speculation of how the tour was selling began swirling earlier this week when the New York Post posted: 'Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' tour shaping up to be a disaster, where the newspaper highlighted fans complaining on Twitter about exorbitant ticket prices.

"Sales so far have been a mega disappointment," a source told The New York Post. "There are hundreds if not thousands of tickets left for every show."

A glimpse at MetLife Stadium's availability for the July 20 and July 21 shows echoes what the source told the newspaper. For the July 20 show, there are complete rows throughout the upperdeck of the stadium where not a single ticket has been sold.

Yet those sky-high ticket prices could still lead to Swift notching one of the highest grossing tours of all-time.

Billboard noted that despite the fact that not a single show has sold out, each show is forecasted to sell between $7.5 million snd $10 million worth of tickets, and ultimately, Swift's tour could gross up to $510 million, which would make it one of the top-grossing roadshows in music history, according to the music magazine.

Another point of controversy comes with Swift's use of Ticketmaster Verified Fan, which allows fans to purchase tickets prior to the general public.

Swift diehards, often referred to as Swifties, can improve their position in line to purchase tickets by buying "boosts," such as pre-ordering her album, buying a replica of a snake ring she wore in a music video ($60) or a $50 Taylor Swift T-shirt, according to the New York Post.

But some tickets that went out to the general public in early December were actually cheaper than the ones offered to people in the Verified Fan program, despite them spending extra money to ostensibly gain an advantage over those who hadn't bought a pricey piece of apparel.

I 100% agree the boosts system used by @taylorswift13 on @Ticketmaster is total fleecing and very frustrating. Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' tour shaping up to be a disaster - @nypost https://t.co/kzMvQwkHdc  Jason Paul (@JasonOutLoud) January 2, 2018

Dear @Ticketmaster... when I bought these tickets it was not listed that its an obstructed view. I wouldnt have bought them if that was the case. All those boosts for verified fan presale and I get stuck with an obstructed view?? Not cool. @taylorswift13 @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/jQiLzDrKZP  Michelle (capricorn) (@michellebourey) December 15, 2017

MetLife Stadium management did not immediately return comment when asked if they had concerns of how the tour was selling.

The tour kicks off in Arizona on May 8.

Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jatmonavageNJ. Find NJ.com on FacebookFox; Amazon; Netflix; Maarten de Boer | NBC; Fox; Showtime; Justin Lubin | NBC; TNT; Mary Cybulski | HBO

By Amy Kuperinsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The holidays may be over, but frigid temperatures are as good a reason as any to keep binge-fests going or check out a new TV series premiering this winter.

Here are some of the most anticipated scripted shows and limited series due out this month and beyond on network TV, cable and streaming.

We've also included returning favorites for your viewing pleasure  in whatever increments you choose to consume them.

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Fox

Jan. 3: '9-1-1' (new)

This new Fox series from creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk stars Angela Bassett, Peter Krause and Connie Britton and focuses on first responders. "9-1-1" premieres at 9 p.m. Jan. 3, following the premiere of "The X-Files."

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Jan. 3: 'Grown-ish' (new)

"Black-ish" spinoff "Grown-ish," from creators Kenya Barris and Larry Wilmore, follows Yara Shahidi's character Zoey Johnson as she heads off to college. The series, also starring Francia Raisa and Abraham D. Juste, premieres at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 on Freeform (formerly ABC Family).

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Jan. 3: 'The X-Files' revival, revived (season 11)

"The X-Files" returns for an 11th season after a 2016 series revival left fans with a harsh cliffhanger of an ending with Scully primed to save the world (and Mulder). Expect the return of the Cigarette-Smoking Man and other series regulars, along with newbies introduced last season. A run of 10 episodes, longer than the last outing, may give the show a better shot at righting the ship after the previous uneven return. Either way, this is your last chance to see Gillian Anderson as Scully, since the actress maintains this will be her final season with the show. (If it somehow continues without her, we could hold out hope for a guest spot, but that doesn't seem right.) Anyway, the truth is out there. The show premieres at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 on Fox.

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Jan. 7: 'The Chi' (new)

Showtime's "The Chi," a new series set on Chicago's South Side from executive producers Lena Waithe ("Master of None") and Common, premieres at 10 p.m. on Jan. 7, but the first episode is already available for free online here and here. The series stars Jason Mitchell ("Straight Outta Compton"), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine ("Queen of Katwe") and Alex Hibbert ("Moonlight"), among others.

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Jan. 10: 'Alone Together' (new)

The comedy series "Alone Together," from the Lonely Island crew  Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone  stars Esther Povitsky as Esther and Benji Afalo as Benji, two millennial friends living in Los Angeles. The show premieres at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10 on Freeform (formerly ABC Family).

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Jan. 12: 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams' (new)

Something to hold you over until the next round of "Black Mirror" (assuming you've already binged its short fourth season): the new Amazon series "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams," which will be released at 3 a.m. on Jan. 12. Like "Black Mirror," this sci-fi series originated with the BBC and is made up of standalone episodes (10), except these are based on Dick's short stories. Stars include Anna Paquin, Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Janelle Monae, Steve Buscemi and Greg Kinnear.

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Jan. 14: 'Crashing' season 2

You'll be able to catch Jersey's own Artie Lange on the second season of HBO's "Crashing," which premieres at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 14. The Judd Apatow-produced comedy, which follows a green stand-up comedian played by Pete Holmes, has been home to a rotating cast of comedians including Sarah Silverman. Lange plays himself as a kind of cantankerous comedy sidekick and mentor to Holmes, who is joined this season by comedians and performers including Dave Attell, Whitney Cummings, Penn Jillette, Newark natives Kenny and Keith Lucas and Gilbert Gottfried.

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Jan. 16: 'Black Lightning' (new)

Ready for more superhero action? "Black Lightning," of DC Comics fame, stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce, a family man and school principal in New Orleans who emerges from superhero retirement  he can bend electricity to his will  to serve his community once again. "Black Lightning" premieres at 9 p.m. Jan. 16 on the CW.

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Jan. 17: 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story'

The highly anticipated "Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story," premiering at 10 p.m. Jan. 17 on FX, spans 10 episodes and stars Edgar Ramirez as Versace, Penelope Cruz as his sister, Donatella, and Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan. The series, produced and directed by Ryan Murphy and written by Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander, follows "The People v. O.J. Simpson," the first installment in the "American Crime" anthology, which debuted in 2016.

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Jan. 17: 'Corporate' (new)

"Corporate," a new dark office comedy from Comedy Central starring Matt Ingebretson, Anne Dudek, Aparna Nancherla, Jake Weisman and Adam Lustick, premieres at 10 p.m. Jan. 17 with back-to-back episodes. But you don't have to wait until then  the first few episodes are currently streaming at cc.com and through the Comedy Central app. Guest stars include Natasha Lyonne, Aimee Mann, Kate Walsh, Rory Scovel and Fred Willard.

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Jan. 19: 'Grace and Frankie' season 4

The fourth season of the hit Netflix comedy "Grace and Frankie," starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda in their Emmy-nominated roles as women who become friends after their husbands leave them for each other, will be released at 3 a.m. on Jan. 19. Also starring in the series: Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston, Brooklyn Decker, Baron Vaughn, Ethan Embry and June Diane Raphael.

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Jan. 19: 'High Maintenance' season 2

This HBO series follows the adventures of a bike-riding Brooklyn marijuana dealer (The Guy, played by Ben Sinclair)  but mainly the lives of his customers. "High Maintenance" returns for a second season at 11 p.m. on Jan. 19. The show, which had one memorable episode filmed from a dog's point of view, started as a web series created by Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld.

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Jan. 21: 'Counterpart' (new)

"Counterpart," a new sci-fi drama from Starz starring J.K. Simmons as Howard Silk, who works at a United Nations spy agency in Berlin and finds his identical counterpart in another world, premieres at 8 p.m. on Jan. 21.

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Jan. 21: 'The Resident' (new)

New Fox medical drama "The Resident," written by Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi, which focuses on young doctors in training, premieres at 10 p.m. on Jan. 21. The show's ensemble includes Matt Czuchry ("The Good Wife"), Emily VanCamp ("Revenge") and Manish Dayal ("Halt and Catch Fire").

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Jan. 22: 'The Alienist' (new)

"The Alienist," premiering at 9 p.m. on Jan. 22, is set in New York in 1896 and stars Daniel Bruhl as Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, an alienist, or criminal psychologist, who helps Theodore Roosevelt, then police commissioner, track a serial killer who prays on boy prostitutes. The show is based on the 1994 book of the same name by Caleb Carr.

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Jan. 23: 'Baskets' season 3

The third season of the FX comedy "Baskets" premieres at 10 p.m. on Jan. 23. The show stars Zach Galifianakis, who plays both the rodeo clown Chip Baskets and his twin brother, Dale. Louie Anderson won an Emmy for playing their mother, Christine Baskets.

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Jan. 22: 'Mosaic' (new)

Little is known about HBO's "Mosaic," billed as "a new storytelling experience," apart from it being a six-part limited series from Steven Soderbergh that lets the viewer choose the way forward in the story by way of a free app. "Mosaic" premieres at 8 p.m. on Jan. 22.

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Jan. 23: 'Drunk History' season 5

The fifth season premiere of Comedy Central's "Drunk History," a series known for animating interesting chapters of history with slurred speech and lively gesticulating, promises an embarrassment of riches. Come for the always excellent Tiffany Haddish narrating the tale of museum curator Rose Valland (Busy Philipps) trying to save art from the Nazis, and stay for Paget Brewster tipsily voicing the story of Deborah Sampson (Evan Rachel Wood), the first woman on the colonists' side to be hit with a bullet during the Revolutionary War. "Drunk History" premieres at 10 p.m. Jan. 23.

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Jan. 24: 'Schitt's Creek' season 4

The fourth season of comedy series "Schitt's Creek" premieres on Pop TV at 8 p.m. on Jan. 24. Starring Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Chris Elliott, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire and Jennifer Robertson, the show, created by the Levys, centers on the Rose family, who fall from grace  and great wealth, courtesy of a video store fortune  and are forced to move into a backwoods town they bought as a joke, back when they were rolling in dough. Delivered in a bite-size 30 minutes. Bet you can't watch just one.

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Jan. 24: 'Waco' (new)

"Waco" is a six-part series from the new Paramount Network (formerly Spike TV). Not to be confused with an upcoming "Waco: Madman or Messiah" documentary from A&E (9 p.m. Jan. 28), this scripted series stars Taylor Kitsch as David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians cult, and features Michael Shannon as FBI negotiator Gary Noesner, John Leguizamo as Robert Rodriguez, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Melissa Benoist as Rachel Koresh, David's wife, and Rory Culkin as David Thibodeau, a Branch Davidian survivor. "Waco" premieres at 10 p.m. on Jan. 24.

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Jan. 26: 'One Day at a Time' season 2

The positively reviewed "One Day at a Time" revival, starring Justina Machado and Rita Moreno in a fresh take on the '70s sitcom, returns for a second season on Netflix starting at 3 a.m. on Jan. 26. The cast had some fun with the vintage-flavored premiere announcement in the video above.

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Feb. 1: 'A.P. Bio' (new)

Glenn Howerton, an actor known for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," stars in "A.P. Bio," a new comedy from NBC which has Seth Meyers and Lorne Michaels attached as executive producers. Howerton plays Jack Griffin, a reluctant high school biology teacher who truly doesn't want to teach biology after losing out on a dream job. Patton Oswalt plays the school principal. The show will see a special preview at 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 before starting its regular run on March 1.

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Feb. 2: 'Altered Carbon' (new)

"Altered Carbon," a new sci-fi series set in a time when a consciousness can be continually transferred (downloaded) to new bodies, and based on the 2002 book of the same name by Richard Morgan, premieres on Netflix at 3 a.m. on Feb. 2. Laurens Bancroft (James Purefoy), the wealthiest man on earth, is murdered. He hires Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman/Will Yun Lee) to investigate his death.

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Feb. 11: 'Our Cartoon President' (new)

Donald Trump gets animated in "Our Cartoon President," a new Showtime series produced by Stephen Colbert and Chris Licht, showrunner of "The Late Show." The entire Trump family and cabinet will be portrayed in the show, along with other political figures and members of the media. "Our Cartoon President," which will run for 10 episodes, premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 on Showtime.

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Feb. 16: 'Mozart in the Jungle' season (season 4)

The critically acclaimed Amazon series "Mozart in the Jungle" returns for a fourth season on Feb. 16 to further explore the ever-evolving relationship between Hailey (Lola Kirke) and Rodrigo (Gael Garcia Bernal), with series stars Bernadette Peters, Saffron Burrows and Malcolm McDowell along for the ride. The show is based on the 2005 Blair Tindall memoir "Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music."

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Feb. 26: 'Good Girls' (new)

"Parks and Recreation" actress Retta, a Newark native who grew up in Edison and Cliffwood Beach, stars in "Good Girls," a new series from NBC, alongside Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men") and Mae Whitman ("Parenthood"). The actresses play suburban moms who, tired of struggling financially, decide to go in on a grocery store robbery. Billed as a fusion of "Breaking Bad" and "Thelma & Louise," the series also features Matthew Lillard ("Twin Peaks") and Reno Wilson ("Mike & Molly"). "Good Girls" premieres at 10 p.m. on Feb. 26 on NBC.

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Feb. 28: 'The Looming Tower' (new)

"The Looming Tower," a new series from Hulu due out on Feb. 28, is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2006 book of the same name by Lawrence Wright that follows the rise of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida in the 1990s and tensions between the CIA and FBI in the run-up to 9/11. Alec Baldwin plays George Tenet, director of the CIA; Jeff Daniels plays John O'Neill, a former FBI special agent who was head of security at the World Trade Center; Peter Sarsgaard plays Martin Schmidt, a CIA analyst; and Tahar Rahim plays Ali Soufan, an FBI agent. Summit filmmaker Alex Gibney serves as executive producer.

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March 8: 'Jessica Jones' season 2

After more than two years, Marvel's acclaimed series "Jessica Jones," starring Krysten Ritter as a fallen superhero and private eye, is back on Netflix for a second season. The series, which also stars David Tennant as Jessica's nemesis, Kilgrave, picks up on March 8.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.

Don't EditHackensack Meridian Health Wednesday announced it now owns JFK Medical Center in Edison, a deal that creates the largest hospital chain in New Jersey.

In what has become a race to amass the most sprawling health care network in the state, Hackensack Meridian now owns 12 acute care hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties. The $5.5 billion not-for-profit employs a staff of 33,000 and 6,500 doctors, and maintains 4,520 in-patient beds, which include children's and specialty hospitals.

The deal dethrones RWJ Barnabas Health, owner of 11 full-service hospitals valued at $5.4 billion, as the largest hospital and health care provider in the state. Robert Wood Johnson University Health and Barnabas Health merged in 2016.

Hackensack Meridian and JFK executives emphatically said the winners in this turf war are their patients. More people will benefit from JFK's nationally recognized neurological care and rehabilitation services. JFK's patient base will have a larger network of outpatient, home care, and other patient care options to choose from -- 160 locations in all.

"We don't look at bigger is just better," John Lloyd, co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian, said in an interview Wednesday. Having "contiguous geography" will make it easier to practice better preventive "population healthcare" by studying and managing trends, he said.

Lloyd said he also knew the merger would work because the hospitals have collaborated before, running a 40-bed rehabilitation center and a home-care program. "We know each other. This is not like other mergers where you don't know how it's going to work out."

JFK President and CEO Raymond Fredericks said the Middlesex County market it serves should be excited by the merger.

"We would not have a partnership with Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital without Hackensack Meridian," referring to the renowned cancer center in New York.

JFK also will be the first hospital in the state to offer new virtual reality technology that will allow neurosurgeons to see images of their patients' brains in a 3D theater prior to surgery, Fredericks said. The technology requires an initial $500,000 investment. He said.

"We could not have done it without Hackensack Meridian," Fredericks said.

Hackensack Meridian also announced Wednesday it will spend $12 million to expand JFK's cardiac catheterization lab, where artery-clearing angioplasty procedures are performed.

"JFK is already an outstanding provider of cardiac services in central New Jersey and with this investment, we will not only maintain but expand this leadership role in serving the region," Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian said in a statement.

Hackensack Meridian and JFK announced they were exploring a merger in November 2016, and in May, confirmed a deal had been reached pending government approvals. Hospital executive said Wednesday that regulators had signed off, allowing the deal to be completed.

Academic studies have found patients and communities do not always come out ahead following a merger. An often-cited Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study in 2012, found "Hospital consolidation generally results in higher prices." But mergers can improve the quality of care if patients are given a choice over which hospital they use, and competition remains strong, according to the study.

JFK, a 50-year-old 499-bed hospital located in Edison, assures its future by assimilating into the Hackensack Meridian network, with its vast bargaining power with insurers and protection from market instability. There are 71 acute-care hospitals in New Jersey but only 13 are independently operated.

Leslie Hirsch, the interim CEO and president of Saint Peter's Health Care System in New Brunswick, one of the remaining "independents," offered congratuations to Hackensack Meridian.

Despite being the last independent hospital in Middlesex County where both Hackensack Meridian and RWJ Barnabas aggressively compete, Saint Peter's "has made no decisions about merging," Hirsch said. "We're in the process of planning for our future."

"Saint Peter's has a longstanding history as one of the few remaining Catholic hospitals -- we just celebrated its 110th-year anniversary," Hirsch said. "Saint Peter's, as an independent hospital, can compete on the basis of cost and quality."

In addition to JFK, Hackensack Meridian hospitals include:

Hackensack University Medical Center;

Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune;

Ocean Medical Center, Brick;

Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank;

Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin;

Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel;

Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair;

Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood;

Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy;

Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.JERSEY CITY - A 41-year-old Guatemala native will face 15 years in prison after pleading guilty today to the aggravated manslaughter of a 20-year-old man in a 2014 North Bergen hit-and-run.

Rogelio Chavix-Tacen admitted in court today that on Nov. 14, 2014 he went to a local bar and drank to the point of intoxication. Under questioning by his attorney, Keith Hirschorn, he said he then got into a vehicle and drove at a high rate of speed on Kennedy Boulevard.

As he sped along Kennedy Boulevard, his vehicle jumped the curb between 31st and 32nd streets, striking Michael Viruet, 20, and his then-11-year-old brother, Adrian. The brothers and their sister, Mileen, 15, had just seen a movie and were walking toward the pedestrian bridge, officials said.

"You are aware that your vehicle struck two boys on the sidewalk?" the attorney asked.

"Yes, I found out through the news," Chavix-Tacen said through a Spanish interpreter.

"You are aware that the accident you caused resulted in the death of a boy named Micheal Viruet?" Hirschorn asked his client.

"Yes" was the reply.

"You also struck his brother... in the accident and caused him to suffer serious bodily injury," the counselor queried.

"Yes," Chavix-Tacen said in the courtroom of Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.

Chavix-Tacen, who was handcuffed and dressed in the green garb of the Hudson County jail in Kearny, showed no emotion as he recounted his fatal actions.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karen Kazanchy said that under the plea deal, the state wants Chavix-Tacen to serve 10 years for the aggravated manslaughter and fire years for the aggravated assault of the 11-year-old boy.

The prosecutor said the prison terms are to be served consecutively and he will not be eligible for parole until after serving more than 12 years.

Hirschorn said that at the March 15 sentencing, he will argue for concurrent terms. Young noted that if convicted at trial, Chavix-Tacen could have face up to 30 years on the aggravated manslaughter charges and up to 10 on the aggravated assault charge. He will be deported after serving his time.

More than seven agencies -- including the Hudson County Sheriff's Office, North Bergen police and federal authorities began tracking Chavix-Tacen after finding the vehicle parked on 72nd Street. He had tried to take the car to a body shop for repairs.

Chavix-Tacen was arrested Dec. 4 in Annapolis, Maryland, where he was found hiding under a bed. His arrest came a half hour before Michael Viruet's death. Authorities said that Chavix-Tacen bought plane tickets and planned to leave the country.

The plea hearing had a shaky start when Young first asked Chavix-Tacen if he was guilty, and the reply was "Yes, I am pleading guilty so I can finally put this to rest. To get this nightmare over with."

Young responded saying, "I didn't ask you if are pleading guilty, I asked you if you are guilty."

Chavix-Tacen said "Yes" but then asked for more time to speak to his lawyer. About two hours later, the hearing reconvened and he pleaded guilty to the two counts.

Deportation was not an issue for Chavix-Tacen.

"I didn't care whether or not I am deported back to my country because I have an open door there," he said. "I have no record there. I am free there. I am a humble man and a hardworking man."JERSEY CITY -- The new year got off to a violent start in Jersey City, with one man killed and another injured in shootings during the first hours of 2018.

Four shootings were reported between 2 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, city spokeswoman Kimberly Scalcione said.

The first shooting occurred at about 2:15 a.m. on Washington Boulevard near Newport Mall and no injuries were reported.

A few hours later, a 44-year-old man was shot three times in the abdomen near Martin Luther King Drive and Virginia Avenue. The victim was allegedly involved in a bar fight with someone he did not know before he was shot, Scalcione said.

He was driven to Jersey City Medical Center by a friend at about 5 a.m. but an updated condition was not immediately available.

At about 6:30 a.m., 23-year-old Taiwon Robinson was shot in the head near Montgomery and Brunswick streets. He was brought to the hospital where he died, authorities previously announced.

In the final shooting of the day, a resident walked into the West District to report a car had been damaged near Martin Luther King Drive and Warner Avenue. Police recovered shell casings from the intersection, Scalcione said.

Photos of the scene show at least 13 shell casings were located. Last month, a 28-year-old was fatally shot in the same spot where the shell casings were recovered.

Officials have not said if the shootings are believed to be related.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.JERSEY CITY -- Liberty State Park advocates are crowing today after a judge put a temporary halt to a state plan to add a marina to the park, a controversial proposal that New Jersey's Gov.-elect Phil Murphy now says he opposes.

The two developments have critics of the marina plan optimistic that they are close to killing the deal, which would expand Liberty State Park's existing marina and add a second one on the park's south end. Park advocates say the plan would devastate the south end of the park and potentially harm wildlife.

"This is a big victory for Liberty State Park and against the privatization of New Jersey's parks," Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said in a statement. "Christie is now 0-2 in his plans on trying to privatize LSP and the people are 2-0 on stopping him."

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Barry P. Sarkisian hasn't ruled yet on Jersey City's lawsuit that aims to stop Suntex Marinas and Gov. Chris Christie's administration from partnering on the marina plan. But the date Sarkisian set yesterday afternoon for an initial hearing in the case has marina opponents optimistic: Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. Christie's tenure as governor ends one hour later.

Murphy, a Democrat who succeeds Christie at noon that day, told The Jersey Journal today he opposes the marina plan.

"Liberty State Park is one of New Jersey's greatest treasures," Murphy said in a statement. "There is no reason why a plan to institute commercial development should be rushed through after it was hidden from public scrutiny for months. I support the preservation of Liberty State Park so it can be enjoyed by current and future generations."

Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park, said he's not "popping any champagne corks" yet but hopes he will be soon. Pesin said he fears a decision in the state's favor even in the hour before Christie leaves office would allow the proposed deal with Suntex to move forward.

"We'll have reason to celebrate the moment that Phil Murphy is governor, as he wouldn't go against our mayor, our legislative delegation and the 41-year, overwhelming majority against LSP privatization," Pesin said on Facebook.

Suntex is seeking to add a new, 45-acre marina and potentially an office or restaurant on a strip of waterfront running for nearly a mile on the park's south end. The company also wants to expand its existing marina on the park's north end by 10 acres.

Jersey City yesterday filed a lawsuit alleging the state improperly entered into an initial agreement with Suntex after the company missed a critical deadline to agree to preliminary new lease terms. Sarkisian granted the city's request for a temporary restraining order that bars the state from signing a lease with Suntex until at least the Jan. 16 hearing.

The state has declined to comment on the city's lawsuit. Ron TenEyck, Suntex's senior vice president, said the company did not receive copies of yesterday's court filing so did not know to be in court.

"We wish we had had the opportunity to participate in person at the hearing yesterday to argue on behalf of Suntex," TenEyck said in a statement. "We look forward to having our opportunity to defend our position on the 16th."

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.JERSEY CITY - A man was shot multiple times at a Downtown gas station on Tuesday night, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at the Sunoco gas station at Grand and Center streets at about 9:30 p.m., city spokeswoman Kim Scalcione said. The victim was seriously injured, but has since been upgraded to stable condition, she said.

Photos from the scene show police focusing their investigation around the gas attendant booth in the center of the station. Multiple sources say the shooting is likely connected to the New Year's Day killing of 23-year-old Taiwon Robinson.

The shooting is at least the fifth since the start of the year and second Downtown.

No arrests have been reported in any of the shootings.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.JERSEY CITY -- Jersey City filed a lawsuit today seeking to halt a controversial plan to add a marina to Liberty State Park, with the city alleging the state improperly entered into an agreement with a Texas company that seeks to run the marina and that the state failed to use a required competitive bid process.

The city, which also alleges the state did not consult with third parties to investigate the effects the new marina would have on the park, is seeking a declaratory judgment that would void the state's agreement with the marina company, Suntex.

The city filed the lawsuit today in Hudson County Superior Court. This afternoon Judge Barry P. Sarkisian granted the city's request for temporary injunction to keep the state from proceeding with the Suntex agreement. The date of the next scheduled hearing is Jan. 16, the day Gov. Chris Christie leaves office and Phil Murphy becomes governor.

Suntex and the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the 1,200-acre state park, are the defendants.

The DEP and the state Attorney General's Office declined to comment.

Ron TenEyck, Suntex senior vice president, called the lawsuit "completely misguided" and says it ignores "basic facts" of the marina plan.

"While our opponents have painted the proposed marina as the playground of millionaires, the reality is the project will service local fisherman as well as local middle-class boat owners, who our research shows face a shortage of marina space," he said in a statement, adding that Fulop should work with Suntex "rather than issue threats through the media."

Suntex, which operates Liberty Landing Marina on the park's north end, wants to expand that marina by 10 acres and open a second one using 45 acres (including land and water) on the park's south end, near the flag plaza and picnic areas.

Park advocates like Sam Pesin, who runs Friends of Liberty State Park, have excoriated the marina plan, saying the state is attempting to ram through a proposal in the waning days of Christie's administration that would benefit a private company and its wealthy customers at the expense of parkgoers and wildlife.

Pesin appeared today alongside Mayor Steve Fulop, members of the City Council and other park advocates at a City Hall press conference announcing details of the lawsuit. Opponents of the plan include the NJ Sierra Club, the New Jersey Audubon, the NY/NJ Baykeeper and the Hackensack Riverkeeper.

"Liberty park was once a desolate, waterfront wasteland and was transformed with taxpayers' money into a beautiful park that honors Lady Liberty and it's a local, state and national treasure," Pesin said. "Lady Liberty's torch must continue to be an inspiring beacon for human rights and not a beacon to help mega-yacht owners find a way back to their docks."

Fulop said, "This would do irreparable damage to Jersey City and Liberty State Park, one of the crown jewels of New Jersey and one of the best parks in the entire country."

Murphy has not said what his position on the marina is. Fulop said he assumes based on Murphy's public comments about Liberty State Park that he will be an "ally" in this fight.

The city's lawsuit alleges the DEP gave Suntex 20 days to agree to its terms on the marina plan and the state improperly allowed Suntex an extra seven days to sign the agreement, a violation of the state's initial lease with Suntex.

"DEP failed to follow its standard and required competitive negotiation procedures in offering the deal to Suntex, which should void the proposal," the 13-page lawsuit says. "Furthermore, DEP proposed the new lease based on what appears to be sham consideration, which should also invalidate the agreement. Perhaps most importantly, the proposed development project would curtail Jersey City residents' rights and potentially could cause significant adverse environmental impacts."

The state entered into a tentative agreement with Suntex in late December that must be approved by the DEP and by the State House Commission.

The DEP has argued that the marina plan would help defray costs of bulkhead repair it says would cost as much as $43 million (the proposed agreement between the state and Suntex would allow the company to pay lower rent until it pays for up to $25 million in bulkhead repairs).

The city notes in its lawsuit that the state in 2010 took control of the bulkhead back from the marina company. The city argues the state never intended to repair the bulkhead and is returning control to Suntex in "an attempt to create pretextual 'consideration'" for the south side marina plan and north side expansion.

"It's a cynical con game," Jeff Tittel, director of the NJ Sierra Club, said today.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.A worker at a new home under construction in the Jersey City Heights suffered injuries when he fell one floor on Jan. 2, authorities said.

A subcontractor was attempting to install stairs in a three-story home at 15 Leonard St. when he fell from the third floor to the second floor, Jersey City police spokeswoman Kim Scalcione said. There was no fall arrest system; and after the fall, other materials fell on the worker as well.

First-responders at the scene said the man's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. He was taken to RWJBarnabas Health's Jersey City Medical Center.

Work on the building was shut down, at least temporarily, when authorities found that there were no permits at the scene, Scalcione said.An ex-firefighter from Somerset County who was previously cleared of all charges in an underage sex assault case has been found guilty of sex crimes in four other incidents, three of which involved children, officials announced.

A file photo of Thomas Canales from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office

A jury on Wednesday found Thomas Canales, 39, of Franklin Township, guilty on three sexual assault charges, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and sex contact, following a five-week trial, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said in a release.

Canales, a former member of the East Franklin Fire Department, faces 31 1/2 years in prison for sexually assaulting four females in Edison, Highland Park, New Brunswick, and North Brunswick between April and August in 2016, the release said.

During that time, authorities found that Canales exposed himself to a 7-year-old and 11-year-old girl, and "improperly touched" a 32-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl in four separate incidents, according to the release.

Canales, who was also a Franklin Township fire commissioner from 2011 to 2012, was found not guilty two years ago of charges accusing him of sexually assaulting two girls multiple times over a five-year span.

Middlesex County authorities arrested Canales nine months after he was cleared of the charges in Somerset County.

He also faces additional charges in a case where authorities say he installed a surveillance system in a customer's home while running the Franklin company "Scope It Out" and watched the client in his home through a computer and cell phone.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsThe 70-year-old woman whom authorities say was among four people killed by a Long Branch teenager on New Year's Eve was a "life-long companion and soulmate" to the teenager's grandfather, according to her obituary.

Mary Ann Schulz was celebrating the new year with the grandfather, Adrian Kologi, and his family when Kologi's 16-year-old grandson allegedly shot his parents, his sister and Schulz with a semi-automatic rifle containing 15 bullets, authorities have said.

The teenager's grandfather, brother and a female family friend in her 20s escaped the gunfire that prosecutors say broke out at the multifamily home on Wall Street around 11:45 p.m.

A wake for Schulz will take place Friday from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home on Morrell Street in Long Branch. A funeral will happen Saturday at 11 a.m. at Saint Jerome Church on Wall Street in West Long Branch.

Mary Ann Schulz. (Courtesy Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home)

Schulz was born in Long Branch and retired in 2010 from her job as a human resource specialist with Middletown-based T&M Engineering, her obituary says. She graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and Manor Junior College in Pennsylvania.

She was an actress with "Murder on Cue," a murder mystery dinner theater, and performed as the stone-faced housekeeper, it says. Schulz also played the head juror in a movie called "Deathrow" that was filmed in Oceanport, the obituary says.

Schulz was the "family historian" who served on the executive board for the Monmouth County Genealogy Society, co-founded that society's African-American Special Interest Group and worked on local cemetery restoration projects, the obituary says.

"She had a warm presence, generous spirit, and her smile lit up the room," according to her obituary, which was penned by her family members.

In Facebook posts about Schulz, friends say she was a longtime actress with the Center Drama community theatre group, and appeared in many of its shows.

"She was a good friend who will be missed," one post on the group's Facebook page says. Another friend paying tribute on Facebook wrote of Schulz, "a warmer funnier person you never met...A lovely woman who certainly did not deserve to go out this way. I'm sick over this."

The 16-year-old alleged shooter, whose name authorities are withholding, was scheduled to make his first appearance in court Wednesday morning on four murder charges and weapons offenses. The appearance was closed to media and the public because the defendant in a juvenile.

Prosecutors are seeking to waive up the 16-year-old's case to adult court and said they expect a decision from a judge within 60 days.

They have not offered a possible motive for the shooting that killed Schulz, Steven and Linda Kologi, and their 18-year-old daughter Brittany Kologi.

Family friends have said the 16-year-old alleged shooter had special needs. Prosecutors have declined to comment on his mental status.

The semi-automatic rifle was legally purchased by a resident of the Kologis' home, and prosecutors said they are not considering filing charges against the gun's owner.

Hundreds of people gathered at Franklin Lake Park in West Long Branch on Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil in honor of the four people killed. Schulz leaves behind eight siblings, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and other family members, her obituary says.

Funeral services have not yet been announced for any of the Kologis.

Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati or on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.In the days after Sarah Stern's car was found on the Route 35 bridge in Belmar early on Dec. 3, 2016, police approached the man they believed was the last to see her before she went missing.

Liam McAtasney calmly told officers that he was with his childhood friend Stern, 19, on the afternoon of Dec. 2, 2016, but didn't know her whereabouts. He then offered multiple reasons why she could be missing and suggested she might be in Canada.

"She's always wanting to go to Canada. She's always been obsessed with Canada," McAtasney told officers in a recorded interview with police. "She has friends up there, and if she went up there, she would have roommates," he explained in a separate interview.

McAtasney, 20, would go on to claim to detectives in a videotaped interview that Stern had a troubled home life which could have led her to flee her tight-knit community at the Jersey Shore for a life elsewhere.

McAtasney is now charged with killing Stern during a robbery and dumping her body off the bridge in Belmar. On Wednesday, the taped interviews with police were shown in court as McAtasney seeks to have the videos barred from his murder trial.

The interviews with police shown in court Wednesday reveal for the first time what authorities would later say was McAtasney's attempts to thwart investigators from suspecting him as the person responsible for Stern's disappearance.

Officers called to testify Wednesday about the interviews with McAtasney repeatedly said he wasn't a suspect when they spoke to him. Still, McAtasney's parents would hire an attorney for him as he was speaking to police Dec. 6, 2016, at the Belmar Police Department.

McAtasney told detectives Stern never said a word about where she could have gone.

"I'm one of her closest friends and I don't know why she wouldn't tell me anything before she left," McAtasney told detectives.

But, according to authorities, McAtasney strangled Stern at her Neptune City home while stealing thousands and then enlisted his friend and roommate Preston Taylor, 20, to help throw her body of the bridge and plant the car nearby, authorities have said.

Taylor, who took Stern to junior prom, has admitted to his role in the coverup and agreed to testify against McAtasney. Stern's body was never recovered.

In the afternoon on Dec. 2, 2016, McAtasney told police he went with Stern to the Taco Bell in Neptune and then back to her home to eat before he left for work at a nearby restaurant, according to the recorded interview.

But authorities questioned why McAtasney, in an interview with two detectives, wasn't forthcoming about a trip to Stern's bank prior to their arrival at her home.

"You haven't talked to us about the bank. Why didn't you tell us about the bank?" Detective Brian Weisbrot, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, asked McAtasney in the taped interview.

He told detectives Stern needed to deposit some amount between $20,000 to $100,000 that she retrieved from a different home she had with her family in Avon-by-the-Sea. The money, McAtasney believed, came from her mother and he suggested she wanted to take it because her father had attempted to take money owed to her in the past. Stern's mother died of cancer when she was younger.

Authorities have said Stern had recently come into money from her grandmother and that McAtasney stole $10,000 from her after strangling her.

At one point in that same interview, McAtasney asked detectives, "If she did jump off the bridge, what are the odds she's not somewhere out in the ocean by now?''

His demeanor during one interview, an investigator described, was "calm" and "cooperative." He consented to searches of his cell phone, which was found by members of the Stern family in the driveway outside of their Neptune City home, and nodded in agreement when officers asked him to call them if he heard from Stern.

"We need your help finding her ... and make sure she is safe and OK," an officer explains to McAtasney. "This young girl is off the gird, all of a sudden, and nobody knows why, and you were basically the last person to have contact with her. We're trying to get more of a time frame."

"I just want to let you guys know," McAtasney responds, "that I'm planning on pursuing a career in law enforcement."

McAtasney was arrested and charged with murder months after police located Stern's abandoned car parked on the side of the Route 35 bridge in Belmar, sparking an extensive search.

Detectives first arrived at McAtasney's home, located behind his family's home on Bradley Street in Neptune City, to speak to him about Stern's disappearance on Dec. 3, 2016.

Sarah Stern's father, Michael, told a Neptune Township police sergeant that the two "were tight." Michael Stern was in Florida when his only daughter was killed by McAtasney, authorities said.

McAtasney told police Stern didn't get along with her father and "I just know she's been trying to get away," according to evidence presented Wednesday.

He also told police she was constantly packing items from her Neptune City home and giving them to neighbors in an attempt to hide these things from her father.

McAtasney and Taylor remain behind bars in the Monmouth County jail. No trial date has been set for McAtasney. He faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted.

Earlier in the court hearing Wednesday, McAtasney's attorney, Charles Moriarty, sought to have the indictment dismissed because he claimed prosecutors didn't present in grand jury information about two witnesses that allegedly saw Stern after her car was found abandoned.

Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Meghan Doyle said investigators determined the leads were not reliable.

Moriarty also claimed that his client "made up stories" when he allegedly confessed to a cooperating witness, who was known to produce horror films, that he killed stern.

"It was just like Mr. McAtasney to make up stories," he told the judge, adding that he enjoyed acting and always had good ideas.

Superior Court Judge Richard English denied the motion to dismiss the indictment.

The hearing on the motions to suppress evidence is scheduled to resume Thursday morning. Moriarty is seeking to have the taped confession with the cooperative witness barred from the trial.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the wrong date detectives interviewed McAtasney. The interview happened on Dec. 6, 2016.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Hundreds of mourners huddled in below-freezing temperatures in Franklin Lake Park in West Long Branch Tuesday evening to honor the memory of four victims in a New Year's Eve slaying.

The candlelight vigil, which started shortly after 6 p.m., featured speakers who were mostly friends of 18-year-old Brittany Kologi, who authorities say was shot and killed minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve at her home on Wall Street, along with her parents, Steven and Linda Kologi, and a family friend, Mary Schulz.

"I'd do anything for Brittany and she needed this (vigil)," said her friend, Shannon Nutley, one of the chief organizers of the vigil.

Members of the Kologi and Schulz family huddled behind the gazebo, embracing one other, as friends and community members gathered in the front, shedding tears as they exchanged memories with one another.

Janiyah Gilliard was one of Brittany Kologi's best friends since third grade. She said Kologi was "very energetic, artsy and always smiled." Kologi also had a love for cats, especially her cat, Jill.

Gilliard said the last time she communicated with Kologi was on New Year's Eve through Snapchat, a social media app that allows people to share images. Kologi sent Gilliard a picture of her lying with her cat at 11:40 p.m.

Three minutes later, authorities say she was shot by her 16-year-old brother, who is currently in custody in a youth detention facility and facing four counts of murder. He will have his first appearance in court on Wednesday. The appearance is closed to media because he is a minor, and authorities have not yet identified him.

"I love her and I'm thankful for everything she helped me through," Gilliard said. "I wouldn't be the person I am today without her."

That sentiment was echoed by Kayla Garrabrant, another friend of Brittany Kologi.

"She was such a ray of sunshine, she was just like her mom," Garrabrant said. "She always made me smile and she was always there for me."

Garrabrant said Linda Kologi was always joking, warning her to never pay for items at full price. The quip from Garrabrant received a burst of laughter from the crowd.

"They were just such amazing, caring people," Garrabrant said of the Kologi family.

Ginna Carlesimo said she went to prom with Brittany Kologi in eighth grade because no other guys had asked her.

"(For) prom I was like, '...we can't eat all that much because we have to fit into our dresses,'" Carlesimo explained, laughing. "And she just didn't care and we, with another friend, ate an entire box of pizza and then we got in our dresses and her mom drove us to prom. She was funny like that."

At the end of the hour-long vigil, a woman representing the Schulz family led the crowd in a singing of "God Bless America." At the end of the song, a member of the Schulz family thanked the crowd and applauded the Long Branch community for its support.

"This is a very strong showing for Long Branch," he said. "Do a good deed for someone else in memory of the family."

NJ Advance Media photographer Aristide Economopoulos contributed to this report.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Erin Banco may be reached at ebanco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ErinBanco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A man in his 60s was found dead early Wednesday after a blaze ripped through his home in Point Pleasant Borough.

The fire began sometime before 2 a.m. at the home in the 1000 block of Ridgefield Drive, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

The small, single-story home appeared to be filled with belongings.

Multiple fire crews battled the flames under frigid conditions, officials said in a statement.

Once the fire was under control, responders discovered the man dead in the residence. According to officials, he lived alone.

The county prosecutor's office has withheld the man's identity pending notification of his family.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but it remains under investigation.

Staff writer Kevin Shea contributed to this report.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.The daughter of a former Brick Township mayor has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing nearly $1 million from the township's health insurance program, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the state Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced in a statement.

Kim Bogan, 52, was sentenced Tuesday in Trenton federal court after pleading guilty in October to a single count of theft by deception, the officials said. At that time, Bogan admitted to stealing $941,354 from the town by submitting fake insurance claims for chiropractic services from her brother.

As part of her plea agreement, Bogan must pay back the $941,354 to the township.

Ocean County Superior Court Judge Linda G. Baxter issued Tuesday's sentence.

Bogan, a 30-year township employee, had submitted claims for chiropractic services from her brother, Glenn Scarpelli, between January 2011 and August 2017, despite never receiving those services, previous reports said.

Scarpelli and Bogan's father -- former Brick Mayor Joseph Scarpelli -- received an 18-month federal prison sentence and a $5,000 fine in 2007 for taking bribes in exchange for helping a developer obtain approval for construction projects.

In July, Glenn Scarpelli and his wife, Patricia Colant, leaped from a Madison Avenue building in New York City, where Scarpelli ran his chiropractic office. The New York Post at the time reported sources describing the couple as deeply in debt.

Bogan previously admitted allowing her brother to "submit claims on her insurance for services she knew had not been rendered," the statement said, and then endorsing the insurance checks when they were mailed to her, "knowing the money was stolen."

Porrino said in the statement that Bogan's sentence "sends a message that stealing money from health care plans is a serious crime with serious consequences, no matter what role you play in the illegal plot."

Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Christopher Iu said in the statement, his office "will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who commit these kind of health care claims crimes."

People with information about insurance fraud can report it anonymously at 877-55-FRAUD, or www.NJInsuranceFraud.org.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.Oregon just left New Jersey as the only state whose residents are not out in the cold ... pumping their own gas, that is.

As of Monday, the only other state in the U.S. to mandate full-service gas legalized self-service pumps in half of its counties.

The state's rural counties, those with 40,000 or fewer residents, can now allow patrons to pump their own gas round the clock like the rest of the country's mere mortals.

Before this law change, drivers in these lower population areas could pump their own gas between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. But full service was primarily still the way of life.

As Oregonians are adjusting, the rest of the internet is laughing.

Live shot  residents of Oregon attempting to pump their own gas: pic.twitter.com/ny8BvanqKz  Ben Shapiro 2024  (@Shapiro_2024) January 3, 2018

People in Oregon are losing their goddamn minds over the idea of having to pump their own gas. pic.twitter.com/D0ejjXIcL6  Drake likes underage girls (@TeflonDonatello) January 2, 2018

Never knew Oregonians were so soft. If you cant pump gas without...

1. Getting it on you

2. Breathing in fumes

3. Not starting a fire

4. Scared of people around



Give up your car, license, & stay at home.  BrandonFSU (@FSUmanager) January 3, 2018

In New Jersey, state leaders say they're perfectly happy for New Jersey to be the only non-pump-you-own state, fully aware that efforts to advance self-serve gas usually prompts high-test anger.

"New Jerseyans like to be pampered, I guess," state Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex, said with a laugh.

New Jersey stands as the only state to roundly ban self-service stations, with fines between $50 and $250 for those who dare pump their own. Of course, actual citations for violating that ban are few and far between.

"Just because we're the only state, doesn't mean we're the wrong state," said Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester.

Stations employ 10,000 pump attendants, it's a convenience, most New Jerseyans feel strongly about it, and it's a matter of safety, he added.

New Jersey won't be abandoning full-service gasoline, Sweeney and Codey said.

"Not gonna happen. People don't want it. And if (Gov.-elect Phil) Murphy wanted to get off to a bad start, he'd advocate that," Codey said.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.Rejecting arguments by two former Christie administration insiders convicted in the Bridgegate scandal that the corruption case had "criminalized politics," prosecutors urged an appellate court to uphold the 2016 verdicts against Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly.

In a brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, the U.S. Attorney's office said the two conspired to shut down lanes of the George Washington Bridge "for the purpose of pursuing a purely personal vendetta"--calling their conduct "aberrational, dangerous and criminal."

"No matter how much defendants emphasize their political motives, the jury, based on instructions that reflected straightforward and settled interpretations of the law, found they committed fraud to commandeer PANYNJ (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey) resources to gridlock Fort Lee. This court should reject defendants' repeated attempts to shelter, under the rubric of 'everyday politics,'" wrote assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Keller.

Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority, and Kelly, who had been Gov. Chris Christie's deputy chief of staff, were convicted in the bizarre scheme of retribution involving the shutdown of several local access lanes to the toll plaza of the George Washington Bridge. According to prosecutors, their aim was to cause major traffic gridlock in Fort Lee, after borough's mayor declined to endorse Christie for re-election.

The lane closures took place in September 2013 and lasted nearly a week.

Christie was never charged of any wrongdoing or involvement in the scheme.

The architect of the plot, political strategist and Port Authority patronage appointee David Wildstein, pleaded guilty and testified against Baroni and Kelly. He was spared prison.

Baroni was sentenced to 24 months in prison and Kelly to 18 months. They are both free on bail pending their appeals.

In their appeal, the two asked the appellate court in August to throw out their convictions, arguing their actions didn't amount to criminal conduct under the law.

Attorneys for Kelly said that the government's theory of the case would criminalize not just "fraudulent" political spin, "but earmarks, patronage, favoritism, redistricting, and many other practices blending politics with governance that, for better or worse, have been the currency of electoral democracy from time immemorial."

In her brief, they said political abuses should be addressed politically.

"The government deserves credit for creativity, but the Supreme Court has warned time and again that ambiguous federal criminal laws are not to be given broad constructions as a way to impose 'standards of ... good government' on local and state officials," they wrote.

Attorneys for Baroni said the convictions cannot stand.

"It is not, has never been, and probably could not be a crime for a public official who is empowered to allocate a public resource to make that allocation for a political purpose. That does not change where the decision is for the sharp, but hardly uncommon purpose, of punishing an unsupportive politician by withholding or denying a public resource. No prior case has ever followed the government's novel theory," they wrote.

They also argued that the wire fraud charges the two were convicted on were improperly based on actions that did not deprive the government of money or property. And they said the government wrongly applied a charge of misapplying federally funded property that was meant to target actual fraud.

In the government's reply brief filed last week, the U.S. Attorney's office said Baroni and Kelly used a fraudulent cover story about a "non-existent and unnecessary traffic study," to commandeer access to and control of the George Washington Bridge tollbooths.

"They did it to ensure traffic extended south from the GWB throughout the entire town of Fort Lee, for personal reasons unrelated to any (Port Authority) business.

Prosecutors said Baroni and Kelly today remained unrepentant.

"They invoke--indeed, rely on--their political motive, which led them to violate the law in the first place, as well as their aberrational conduct. They claim both immunize them, despite evidence overwhelmingly proving each and every element of each count charged," they wrote in their brief.

However, they said that "a properly instructed jury rejected their testimony," finding they committed fraud by obtaining, then using, Port Authority property in ways unrelated to Port Authority business, for no reason other than to gridlock Fort Lee.

Refuting the idea that Bridgegate was nothing more than politics as usual, they wrote that "euphemisms like 'political practice,' 'political abuses' and 'punitive political' motives, cannot obscure that (the) defendants obtained (Port Authority) property through fraud, then put it to personal use to the public's detriment."

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's former campaign manager and senior adviser, on Wednesday became the target of the president's ire over comments he made to the author of an upcoming book on the Trump White House.

Bannon, the head of Breitbart News who was fired from his job as chief strategist in August, was quoted in excerpts of the book lambasting the president's son and members of his inner circle, prompting a sharp rebuke from Trump, who said Bannon had "nothing to do" with his upset 2016 victory.

"When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said in a statement Wednesday after an excerpt of the book by journalist Michael Wolff, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," was published online by New York magazine and other passages were reported by the news media.

In the book, which Wolff said was the result of months of inside access to officials in the West Wing, Bannon called meetings between Donald Trump, Jr. and a Russian lawyer claiming to have dirt on Hillary Clinton "treasonous."

JUST IN: Pres. Trump issues statement on former chief strategist Steve Bannon: "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind." pic.twitter.com/vn2KeAPIXF  ABC News (@ABC) January 3, 2018

Bannon reportedly predicted Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation would result in money laundering charges for members of Trump's family.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," he was quoted as saying.

The book also claims Trump never expected to win the presidency, running only to heighten the visibility of the Trump brand.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders rejected such claims as "trashy tabloid fiction."

In his statement, Trump sought to minimize the role of Bannon, who was considered a trusted adviser even after his ouster.

"Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was," Trump said. "It is the only thing he does well."

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A judge has denied a request that Melissa DeCastro be forbidden from taking part in official business as a Salem County freeholder until the issue of her residency is settled.

The court action Tuesday afternoon came on the eve of the Salem County freeholder board reorganizing and Democrats regaining control of county government thanks to DeCastro's abandoning the Republican Party and becoming a Democrat.

Superior Court Judge Anne McDonnell in Woodbury declined to issue the injunction sought by Republicans who say DeCastro is not a county resident and is not entitled to serve as a freeholder.

"My guess is this is the end," said Kevin McCann, one of the attorneys representing DeCastro, said of the GOP's challenge.

But that's not the case, said attorney Emily McDonough who is representing the Salem County Republican Committee and GOP Chair Fran Grenier.

"Our concern is that any action taken by Miss DeCastro as a freeholder would be illegal," McDonough said of the call for the injunction. "She is either a resident or she is not."

While the GOP request for an injunction was denied, the probe into DeCastro's residency can continue, McDonnell said.

That will include issuing subpoenas for records that McDonough says will prove the GOP's contention that DeCastro lives in Philadelphia and not in Carneys Point.

State law requires that a freeholder live in the county where they serve.

Republicans claim that DeCastro, her husband Nicholas Sommer and their child live on Mifflin Street in Philadelphia. DeCastro says she lives on Orchard Road in Carneys Point which is the home of her parents and where she grew up.

In its filing with the court, the GOP said DeCastro doesn't own or lease any property in Salem County nor does her husband. The GOP exhibits show Sommer owns a house in Philadelphia, is registered to vote there and holds a real estate license in city. They also presented social media posts they say shows DeCastro claims Philadelphia as "home."

DeCastro's attorneys countered with copies of DeCastro's driver's licenses, voter registration, bills, bank statements, tax returns and medical records showing a Carneys Point address. There were also church offering envelopes and an invitation to the governor's mansion all addressed to DeCastro in Carneys Point.

"Nicholas Sommer owns a house where they go on weekends," McCann said. "There is nothing that suggests this is her domicile."

DeCastro, who was not at Tuesday's hearing, said she wants to move ahead.

"I'm happy I can continue being a public servant of Salem County," she said. "And I look forward to leading in the new year."

"The issue is one of great importance to the residents and voters in Salem County and one that needs an answer," the judge said.

At one point in the hearing McDonnell said "the point is you've got a mess on your hands."

On Dec. 20 DeCastro, in the second year of her three-year term, announced she was switching political parties.

Republicans controlled Salem County government since 2012. With DeCastro now on their side, Democrats will have a 3 to 2 edge this year.

At stake in the DeCastro case is not only political control of the freeholder board, but many of the large contracts and county jobs that the party in control can dole out.

When the freeholderboard reorganizes on Wednesday evening several major changes are expected.

The Republican-controlled freeholder board, at its last meeting in 2017, failed to take action on a resolution which would have created a special committee to investigate investigate DeCastro's residency.

That was on Dec. 20, the day that DeCastro announced she'd switched parties.

DeCastro officially changed her registration to Democrat on Dec. 21, according to the Salem County Board of Elections. Her address on the registration shows as Orchard Road in Carneys Point.

"At the end of the day this is because she switched parties," said attorney Matthew Weng who also serves on DeCastro's legal team.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: Blizzard, dangerous wind slam N.J. with predicted snowfall totals up to 18 inches

The forecast keeps getting worse.

The latest winter storm update from the National Weather Service on Wednesday showed both higher snowfall totals possible along the Jersey Shore and a wider region of the state that could get at least 6 inches of snow.

The weather service also upgraded the winter storm warnings to a blizzard warning for five counties -- Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean -- where wind gusts can get as powerful as 50 mph when the snowstorm hits.

"Regardless of snow totals, strong winds will lead to areas of significant blowing and drifting snow resulting in impacts on travel," the weather service's New Jersey forecast office said in a storm briefing Wednesday afternoon.

Coastal regions of New Jersey could see 8 to 12 inches of snow and a flood advisory has been issued, the weather service said. That's up from the 4 to 6 inches projections from the morning.

In addition, nearly all of the inland portions of southern New Jersey are in the 4 to 8 inch forecast zone, with amounts higher near the coast. In North Jersey, the snowfall amounts are expected to be 1 to 4 inches, the Weather Service said.

Forecasters say bands of moderate to heavy snow will lead to additional accumulation in some places around the region. Areas close to one another could have vastly different totals if one area is outside the bands.

Some of the heaviest snow could fall during Thursday morning's rush hour.

Here's the latest snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service, updated at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Blowing and drifting snow will also be a worry, with winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Power outages that will cause people to lose their heat are also a concern, due to temperatures that will dip into the single digits Thursday night.

In addition to the blizzard warnings in the five coastal counties, Mercer and Middlesex counties will be under a winter storm warning beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday. A winter storm advisory will be active in most areas that are north and west of the New Jersey Turnpike.

Here's the latest snow forecast for northeastern sections of New Jersey, along with New York City, Long Island and southern Connecticut, updated Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 3. (National Weather Service)

In addition, the coastal flood advisory is in effect from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties, where minor coastal flooding is anticipated.

Some local roadways might be closed due to high water and flood waters might freeze, the weather service says.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Chef John Besh's restaurant empire has unloaded several hotel restaurant operations -- including dining at the Pontchartrain Hotel -- to a new company, part of a corporate restructuring intended to focus the restaurant group on its stand-alone establishments, the company said this week.

Besh, a culinary celebrity who recently stepped away from his company amid sexual harassment allegations, and his business partner Octavio Mantilla will not have any ownership or financial interest in the new company, QED Hospitality. The new company, co-owned by two former BRG executives, has taken over several deals to operate restaurants in two hotels in New Orleans and one in Nashville.

BRG declined to comment on the financial terms of the move.

QED Hospitality now owns the contracts to run Caribbean Room, Bayou Bar, Hot Tin and Silver Whistle at the Pontchartrain Hotel and Marsh House and L.A. Jackson in Nashville's Thompson Hotel. The restaurants are owned by the hotels. BRG had previously operated those restaurants under a subsidiary named Our House Hospitality.

Besh and Mantilla co-own the company previously known as Besh Restaurant Group, which includes high-profile restaurants like August, Borgne, Shaya, Willa Jean, Luke and Domenica. Those restaurants are not part of the move.

The company rebranded to BRG Hospitality at the start of this year, according to a report from Eater.

"After reaching a decision last year to focus on its individual restaurants, BRG has spent over a year considering how to best transition Our House Hospitality, which is BRG's food and beverage operation that has served New Orleans' Pontchartrain Hotel since its opening in 2016," according to a statement from BRG.

BRG has now "conveyed" those operations to two of BRG's longtime executives, Emery Whalen and Brian Landry, who formed and now co-own QED Hospitality, according to the statement.

The statement was first reported by The New Orleans Advocate on Tuesday (Jan. 2).

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Whalen was CEO of Our House Hospitality with previous experience in BRG's corporate office. She will be CEO of QED Hospitality. Landry is executive chef of Borgne.

"The seamless transition of QED's team members, restaurant staff and day-to-day operations will ensure that overall excellence in food, beverage and service remains the same," BRG's statement says.

The spin-off of the hospitality division is the latest in a corporate shake up for BRG. A NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune investigation published in October reported that 25 current and former BRG female employees claimed to be victims of sexual harassment while working at some of the company's restaurants or its corporate office. The allegations included claims of sexual harassment against Besh himself.

Besh stepped away from running BRG days after the investigation was published. Shannon White, a longtime BRG employee who started as a server before entering management, was named CEO to lead the embattled company through the fallout.

BRG's written statement this week also included a quote attributed to Whalen and Landry: "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue providing excellent hospitality to both our guests and our staff. We are looking forward to growing and developing our operations in the coming year."

BRG officials have said the restaurant group is actually made up of more than a dozen separate companies that own the restaurants.

The restaurant group is also embroiled in a legal dispute that pits Besh against his former restaurant partner and star chef Alon Shaya. In September, Shaya left his award-wining Restaurant Shaya along with Domenica and Pizza Domenica, a break-up for the New Orleans culinary scene. BRG and Alon Shaya have sued each other in federal court over the rights to use the Shaya name in their businesses.

Meanwhile, BRG now faces at least four complaints filed by women against the company with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, the federal agency that enforces workplace discrimination laws. The EEOC investigates claims and has the power to sue employers over discrimination. The four complaints allege sexual harassment within the company.

Besh's celebrity stature in the culinary world -- not just locally but nationally -- took a hit when the sexual allegations emerged. Besh's cooking shows were pulled from WYES-TV and national PBS distribution. He was also edited out of a recently taped season of "Top Chef," Bravo's popular cooking competition.Besh had made appearances on previous seasons of the Bravo show. Harrah's casino in New Orleans severed ties with the chef and took Besh's name off the casino's steakhouse.The race to become Jefferson Parish's next sheriff is officially underway after retired Col. John Fortunato and interim Sheriff Joseph Lopinto III registered to run Wednesday morning (Jan. 3), the first day of qualifying.

As of 10:30 a.m., they were the only two who had signed up to complete the term of former Sheriff Newell Normand, who resigned Aug. 31 to begin a career in talk radio. Both Fortunato and Lopinto are Republicans.

Fortunato, 66, was a detective and longtime Sheriff's Office spokesman. He retired Sept. 19 after serving 46 years with the department. Fortunato was the first to qualify, accompanied by his wife, Kenner Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kriss Fortunato and Jefferson Parish Councilman Mark Spears.

"I've taken great pride in dedicating my life to the citizens of Jefferson Parish. And I've said all along, this is not a coronation. This is an election, and I truly believe that I'm the best candidate for the job," Fortunato said.

Fortunato's "coronation" comment takes a jab at Normand, who selected Lopinto to be his chief deputy in June. Lopinto became interim sheriff upon Normand's retirement a month and a half later. Normand has announced his support for Lopinto's run for sheriff.

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Lopinto, 41, registered about 15 minutes later, accompanied by his wife, Lauren. He served almost eight years with the Sheriff's Office before earning his law degree and winning election to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2007.

"I believe the voters will take a look at my qualifications, my education, and look to see who's the best qualified candidate to bring us into the future," Lopinto said, touting his leadership of the department, thus far, and his experience with administrative duties beyond law enforcement.

Normand's unexpired term runs through June 30, 2020.

The qualifying period runs from Wednesday to Friday. The special election will be held March 24.

Stay with NOLA.com for more news on election qualifying.After Mardi Gras, chef Nina Compton of Compere Lapin will open her second restaurant in Bywater's Rice Mills Loft building. It will be called Bywater American Bistro.

What does Compton, who was born in St. Lucia, trained in New York and built her career in Miami, consider American food today?

"American food can be anything it wants to be," she said.

The food of America can grab flavors from all the people who have settled here. At Bywater American Bistro, the menu will embrace that diversity.

"It's a melting pot, and that's what New Orleans is, too," she said.

Compton is still developing the menu for Bywater American Bistro. She described the food as "relaxed" and "seasonal." The new restaurant, which takes over the former location of Mariza, will also highlight grains, in a nod to the building's past as a rice mill.

Compton is creating the menu in collaboration with Levi Raines, currently her sous chef at Compere Lapin. At Bywater American Bistro, Raines will be the chef and a partner in the business.

Compton first came to New Orleans as a contestant on the locally shot season of Bravo's "Top Chef." When she and her husband, Larry Miller, decided to open their first restaurant, they left Miami and moved to New Orleans.

Compere Lapin, which opened in 2015, has been praised locally and nationally.

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In 2016, critic Brett Anderson named Compere Lapin his restaurant of the year. This year, he included it on his list of New Orleans' 10 best restaurants.

Since opening Compere Lapin, Compton has been named a best new chef by Food & Wine magazine and been nominated for a James Beard Award.

Compton calls her new Bywater restaurant a bistro. What does that word mean to her today?

"It's that restaurant that you can go to five times a week and have lunch or dinner. Sit in the bar and have a glass of wine," she said. "Bistro really is a casual restaurant that is serving affordable food."

In other words, a bistro is a place that above all takes care of the neighbors. Compton and Miller have lived in the Rice Mill Lofts since they moved to New Orleans. So they know that neighborhood well.

Bywater American Bistro: 2900 Chartres St., New Orleans (open after Mardi Gras, Feb. 13)

***

Got a tip? Know some restaurant news? Email Todd A. Price at TPrice@NOLA.com or call 504.826.3445. Follow him on Twitter (@TPrice504) or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/groups/wherenolaeats.Several New Orleans schools have announced closures for Wednesday (Jan. 3) as authorities continue to monitor the wintry weather.

The following schools have announced they will be closed Wednesday:

Warren Easton High School

Warren Easton High School is canceling school Wednesday due to concerns over cold temperatures, according to the Orleans Parish School Board's office Tuesday. Enrollment figures from EnrollNOLA show that 1,007 students attend the high school at 3019 Canal Street.

OPSB stated it is not aware of any other school closures for its schools as of 3:30 p.m. Updates on additional school closures will be added to this story throughout the day.

KIPP Central City Academy and KIPP Booker T. Washington High School are also set to close Wednesday, according to KIPP officials Tuesday. KIPP spokesman Jonathan Bertsch said in an email that problems with the heating system at the Woodson building have forced the schools to cancel Wednesday classes.

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KIPP Central City Academy and KIPP Booker T. Washington High are both located at 2514 Third St. Bertsch said KIPP expects repairs to be completed Wednesday allowing for school to resume Thursday.

KIPP Central City Primary at 2625 Thalia Street will remain open Wednesday, Bertsch added.

The closures were announced Tuesday after the National Weather Service said New Orleans many get snowfall early Wednesday, though less than a half of an inch is forecast. A hard freeze warning is in effect for the entire area through Wednesday morning.

. . . . . . .

Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles.Dale Atkins, Orleans Parish's Civil Clerk of Court for nearly 30 years, and Judge Robin Pittman of Orleans Criminal District Court qualified Wednesday (Jan. 3) to run for a vacant judgeship on the state's Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal.

Qualifying for the March 23 election continues through Friday. The Fourth Circuit candidates hope to succeed Madeleine Landrieu, who stepped down last year to become dean of Loyola University's College of Law.

Atkins was first elected clerk in 1989. A Xavier Prep High School graduate, she obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. She was an assistant prosecutor for former Orleans District Attorney Harry Connick and, after assuming the clerk's post, ran unsuccessfully in 2002 to replace him after his retirement.

Pittman has been on the Criminal Court in Division F bench since 2008 and was unopposed for reelection in 2014. She graduated from Mount Carmel Academy and received undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola University. Like Atkins, Pittman was as a prosecutor with the Orleans Parish DA. She also spent five years with the Louisiana Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Counsel and two years with the local law firm Baldwin, Haspel, Burke & Mayer.

Also on the March 23 ballot for New Orleans voters is the Orleans Civil District Court Division A race. Four candidates have signed up to run so far: attorneys, Rick Duplantier, Taetrece Harrison, Ellen Hazeur and Richard Perque. The winner would move into the seat Judge Tiffany Chase held before she won election to the Fourth Circuit.

Duplantier has practiced law for 30 years and is a senior partner at the Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith law firm. He took on Chinese drywall manufacturers and has handled cases involving personal injury, entertainment law and insurance contracts among other matters. Duplantier said in a statement he supports building a new courthouse for Orleans Civil District Court.

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Harrison has practiced law since 2005. She ran unsuccessfully for the Division K seat in Civil District Court five years ago, losing to incumbent Judge Bernadette D'Souza. Harrison currently faces a March court date for a charge of aggravated assault, stemming from an encounter last fall in a downtown parking lot during which she allegedly pull a gun on a man after her car had been booted. (Update: A jury found Harrison not guilty in late January - read more.)

Hazeur, elected First City Court clerk in 2001, previously ran for Civil District Court in 2011, losing a bitterly contested race to Regina Bartholemew in which the two together spent more than $1 million on their campaigns. She was the District E representative on the New Orleans City Council from 1994 to 2000

Perque is an attorney in private practice who ran unsuccessfully for Traffic Court in 2013. He is the son of U.S. District Court Judge Jane Triche-Milazzo and the grandson of the late state Rep. Risley "Pappy" Triche of Napoleonville. He obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola.

Update: Duplantier announced Jan. 9 he was withdrawing from the race in response to a legal challenge to his candidacy. Duplantier said a mistake with his party registration led to an inaccuracy in his qualifying documents. He qualified as a Democrat but said he briefly switched parties in 2008 to vote as a Republican in local closed ballot races. Duplantier thought he had switched back to the Democratic Party before the 2016 presidential election, "but apparently the paperwork wasn't properly completed," he said.A better understanding of the deep, warm water Loop Current System of the Gulf of Mexico - which contributed to the rapid intensification of Hurricanes Katrina and Ike - will require a 10-year international research effort costing as much as $125 million, according to a report Wednesday (Jan. 3) by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

The academies will begin part of the research effort, but it hopes the report leads to an international collaboration to fully study the loop current, including improvements in forecasting of hurricane intensification. The report is available online at the Academies website.

The current is a river of warm water extending as much as 3,200 feet deep that flows from the Caribbean Sea into the Gulf through the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba. The system was also responsible for a two-year delay in the installation of Chevron's $4 billion Big Foot deepwater platform 225 miles south of New Orleans.

When the loop breaks north from its course along the southern Gulf towards the Florida peninsula, it can extend all the way to just off Louisiana's birds foot delta, with its eastern side skirting the Florida peninsula until it merges with the Gulf Stream along the Atlantic coastline. Often, all or part of that northern end of the loop will break off to form a still-deep and warm eddy that floats west off the coastline until it dissipates along southern Texas or Mexico's east coast.

The report gives several examples of the known and potential impacts of not having enough information to predict when and where the loop moves north in the Gulf, when eddies will break off and their paths, and where the heat or the 3 to 4 knot currents in the loop and eddies can cause trouble.

"Improving our predictive skills and understanding of the Loop Current System is critical to operational safety and a variety of human activities in the Gulf," said Paul G. Gaffney II, chair of the committee that wrote the report, a retired Navy vice admiral, and president emeritus of Monmouth University, in a news release announcing release of the report.

The long-term study program will be partially funded by the National Academies' Gulf Research Program, which is underwritten by $500 million paid by BP and its drilling partners as part of criminal and civil settlements stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The program funded the study calling for the research program.

"The recommendations are intended to help guide future funding investments by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as federal U.S. agencies, Mexican and Cuban oceanographic research entities, research institutions, and other ocean science sponsors," the press release said.

A webinar about the report and the first GRP funding opportunity related to it is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time. Updates about the program are available online at www.nas.edu/gulf/enews.

During the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, responders were hampered by a lack of information in the deep ocean in the area of BP's Macondo well, the report said.

It turns out that the northern end of the loop was just at the southern edge of the spill footprint, when viewed from the air. If it had been extended more to the north, it would have been over the well and spill location. The result "could have been far more environmentally and economically damaging," the report said.

Fed by loop current, Katrina rose to Category 5

A review of the effects of the loop current and a very strong eddy in the Gulf just south of Louisiana on Aug. 28, 2005, found that it was a key reason why Hurricane Katrina exploded in strength, from top winds of only 97 mph when it hit Miami a day earlier, to 172 mph late on the 28th, increasing in strength to a Category 5 storm.

By early Monday, Aug. 29, Katrina left the percolating influence of the eddy and passed over cooler water, dropping back to Category 3 strength, with top winds of 126 mph.

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Hurricane Ike, which intensified as it crossed over the main Loop Current on Sept. 11, 2008, and again when it hit a huge loop current eddy on Sept. 12 before hitting the southwest Louisiana and east Texas coast the next day, is another example of the effects of the current's warm waters, the report said.

"Rapid intensification of tropical cyclones by the oceanic heat content in the (Loop Current) and (Loop Current Eddies) poses a significant threat to offshore drilling and production in the Gulf, not to mention the impact on coastal communities, their inhabitants, their natural resources, their economy, and their survival," the report concluded.

Current also threatens oil and gas operations

Even without tropical storms, the loop current can pose a threat to oil and gas development, the report said. For instance, between June 2014 and December 2015, an active Loop Current and eddy period included some eddies splitting in half in the northern Gulf in the midst of oil and gas operations.

Numerous operators experienced delays or had to stop work for a variety of operations that were sensitive to Gulf currents, including installation of platforms, risers, installation of subsurface equipment, and the use of underwater remotely operated vehicles.

"Chevron's Big Foot Tension Leg Platform site was one of the many affected by ocean currents," the report said. "Nine out of the rig's 16 tendons that anchor it to the ocean floor parted. As a result, the project, valued at $4 billion, was delayed (at the time) indefinitely."

The report includes 30 specific recommendations for what the 10-year scientific investigation should focus on, especially the development of a system of monitoring platforms whose data would be fed into computer models to better forecast the timing of changes in the location of the main loop and the development and movement of eddies.

The monitoring is aimed at areas where there's a lack of data, including information about how the warm water makes its way through the relatively shallow Yucatan Passage into the much deeper central Gulf, the role that the shape of the deep Gulf - basically a miles-deep canyon - has on the warm water stream's movements, and various methods for determining where the warm water stream and eddies are actually located.

Included are recommendations for:

-- Installation of new high-frequency radars that could measure water surface elevations off the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, off Key West in Florida and by the Mexican government on the eastern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula to capture when the loop expands and contracts, and throws off eddies. Warmer water expands, causing its surface to be higher than the cooler water around it.

-- Installation of arrays of instruments moored on the bottom of the Yucatan Passage, in the southernmost Gulf just outside that passage, and across the Florida Strait between the Keys and Cuba. Those instruments would be aimed at measuring heat, surface height, salinity, temperature, and interactions between the surface and air.

-- Installation of other instruments in the deeper parts of the Gulf where the loop usually resides, measuring similar properties..

-- Development of a fleet of instrument gliders that would be operated in areas where the loop and eddies are found.

-- Use of short-term drifter instrument packages to keep track of loop and eddy movements and the currents within them.Netflix is preparing to shoot the Bonnie-and-Clyde crime drama "The Highwayman" in New Orleans, with Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner reportedly lined up to star in roles originally written for Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The long-gestating project, a feature film, is scheduled to shoot from Feb. 12 to April 10 in the Crescent City, according to paperwork filed by the production with the state film office.

Directed by John Lee Hancock ("The Blindside," "Saving Mr. Banks"), "The Highwaymen" will focus on two Texas rangers -- Frank Hamer and Manny Gault -- who helped put an end to the bloody Depression Era robbery spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow on May 23, 1934 in Bienville Parish.

No casting details were available.

The project, which is expected to shoot throughout the region -- including in Covington, LaPlace, Hammond, Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville -- is being made on a reported budget of $49 million. Of that, an estimated $34.8 million will be spent in-state, with $10.4 million earmarked for Louisiana payroll.

The film marks a return to Louisiana for Netflix, which shot the period drama "Mudbound" -- currently working its way through Hollywood's ongoing award season -- in the area. It'll also mark a return to town for Harrelson, whose local credits include "Now You See Me," "LBJ," "True Detective" and the forthcoming "Shock and Awe"; as well as for Costner, whose Louisiana credits include "JFK," "Mr. Brooks" and "Black or White."The head of a legislative task force studying the health and management of the Lower Pearl River Basin said she hopes to meet with members of Louisiana's congressional delegation later this month to discuss a controversial flood control project proposed near Jackson, Miss.

That project, called "One Lake,'' would essentially create a 1,500-acre lake by damming the river and has been in the talking and planning stages for years. An environmental impact study on the proposed project could be released soon.

Louisiana Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, said she plans to discuss the proposed project when she visits with members of the congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., in January. Hewitt said she joins her constituents and some environmentalists in their concern of what the One Lake project could mean for the lower Pearl.

"Anything that happens upstream definitely has an impact downstream,'' she said. "It impacts the salinity, the flow of water. Those are huge concerns.''

Hewitt, who chairs the Lower Pearl River Basin Task Force created last summer by the Legislature, said she and others are nervously awaiting the release of the environmental study on the project. She fears that it won't adequately address the project's impact on the lower Pearl River.

Opponents, including some elected officials in south Louisiana and south Mississippi, worry that the dam above Jackson will slow the flow of water into the Pearl River Basin and cause environmental problems. The St. Tammany Parish Council, in a 2013 resolution, objected to the project and questioned its impact on threatened wildlife species.

Keith Turner, an attorney representing the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Control District, which is spearheading the proposed $300 million project, said Friday (Dec. 29) that the environmental study is now starting the peer review process. He said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has advised the district not to publicly release the study - which would then start a public comment period - until that peer review is done.

"We want to get it out to the public as quickly as possible,'' he said.

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Turner said the study likely won't eliminate all opposition, "but we think at a minimum the downstream folks will have an opportunity to see that we've addressed some of the downstream concerns.''

The proposed project, which has been authorized - but not funded - in the federal Water Resources Development Act, would use a weir or low-head dam below Interstate 20 to create the lake. The proposal stems from efforts to reduce the chances of another flood like the one in 1979 that swamped Jackson and surrounding counties and caused hundreds of millions in losses.

While the Lower Pearl River Basin Task Force has heard several presentations on the One Lake proposal, Hewitt said it is not the group's lone focus. Hewitt said Louisiana needs to develop management plans for all its scenic rivers.

"The Pearl is in my district, so it's most important to me,'' she said. "I want the Pearl to be at the top of the list.''

A pressing concern on the Pearl River is a huge logjam near Bogalusa, Hewitt said. The jam is technically in Mississippi waters but "impacts us downstream,'' she added.

Hewitt said the task force is hopeful it can find funding to work on removing the logjam.

State Rep. Malinda White, who sits on the task force and represents a district that includes St. Tammany and Washington parishes, said recently the logjam, which has also gathered trash, is a flood hazard and also threatens business and recreation along the river.

The legislation creating the task force requires it to report its findings and recommendations to the president of the state Senate by Feb. 1, 2018. The task force's termination date is Feb. 1, 2019.The renewed fight between President Donald Trump and his former chief strategist Steve Bannon is one we should hope that both men lose. If you thought Clinton v. Trump was the ultimate battle between two remarkably unliked people, then you were wrong. What we're watching now is like a comic-book battle between two villains, each of them mean-spirited, dishonest, bigoted, narcissistic and with questionable grooming choices.

According to those who've seen it, Bannon is one of the stars of "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," a tell-all about the Trump administration by Michael Wolff. According to a snippet of the book that was released Wednesday, Bannon tells Wolfe that the meeting Donald Trump Jr. had with a group of Russians promising dirt on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was "treasonous" and "unpatriotic."

Here's Wolff quoting Bannon: "The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor - with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad sh**, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately."

What does Bannon think is going to be a result of the special investigation into Russian influence into the 2016 presidential election? He tells Wolff, "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV."

The president's response to that is so characteristically full of bluster and lies. In a written statement that was issued by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump's press secretary, the president says, "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party."

Look at that paragraph. Look at the mendacity and the self-praise. Bannon was CEO of Trump's campaign. It's safe to say that the CEO of a winning campaign has something to do with the candidate who won. After Trump won, he named Bannon his chief strategist, which made him a great deal more than a mere "staffer." As for his claim that he ran against "the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party," that field included Jim Gilmore - you're probably saying, "Who?" - and it included Louisiana's Bobby Jindal who ran for president despite having a 70 percent disapproval rate in the state he had governed.

But the real question isn't how strong the Republican field was or wasn't. The question is why does Trump feel compelled to talk about how strong the field was? The better to celebrate himself, obviously.

But back to the statement. Trump, who booted Bannon out of the White House last year, says, "Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look." Trump repeats the lie that Bannon had nothing to do with his victory but then blames Bannon for, as Trump puts it, costing the Republicans a Senate seat in Alabama. Bannon was pushing for the election of Roy Moore, whose reported predilection for teenage girls siphoned off enough support for Democrat Doug Jones to win. What Trump doesn't say is that after the candidate he endorsed lost, he, too, threw his support behind Moore, too.

Nor does he mention many that people who elected Democrats as governors in Virginia and New Jersey told pollsters that they were wanting to send a message that they were sick of Trump's antics.

The first person to plead guilty in the Russia investigation was George Papadopoulos, who admitted to lying to the FBI. In one of his characteristically ill-advised tweets, Trump wrote, "Few people knew the young, low level volunteer named George, who has already proven to be a liar." The problem for Trump is that on March 31, 2016, he posted to Instagram a photo captioned "Meeting with my national security team in #WashingtonDC. #Trump2016." Papadopoulos is at that table. Earlier that same month Trump had told the Washington Post editorial board that Papadopoulous was one a member of his small foreign policy team. He named Papadopoulous and called him an "excellent guy."

Then Paul Manafort was indicted, and Sean Spicer, who was still Trump's spokesman, said that Manafort had "played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time." Manafort had served as the chairman of Trump's campaign. How's that a limited role?

So when Trump says in his statement that Bannon, whose title was chief strategist, "was rarely in one-on-one meetings with me and only pretends to have had influence," it's important to remember those other times he's pretended somebody close to him wasn't really.

For the first few months of Trump's presidency, the running joke was that it was actually President Bannon who was in charge and that everything Trump was doing or saying was being fed to him directly by his chief strategist. It wasn't until a woman protesting racists in Charlottesville was killed by a member of the so-called alt-right that Bannon, considered the country's intellectual leader of the alt-right, became too toxic for Trump to embrace.

Trump wouldn't be where he is without Bannon, which is why his description of Trump Jr.'s meeting as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic" is as significant as it is. It doesn't make him any less loathsome, though. He's just as bad as he's always been. So is the president who who gave voice to Bannon's obnoxious ideas. Each is now trying to turn the public against the other.

May they both succeed.

Jarvis DeBerry is deputy opinions editor for NOLA.COM | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at jdeberry@nola.comor at twitter.com/jarvisdeberry.Dialing back on the number and tone of his tweets apparently was not among President Donald Trump's New Year's resolutions.

The year was barely 48 hours old before the president had taken after an aide to 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, threatened hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to Pakistan and the Palestinians, accused Democrats of playing politics on immigration and announced that winners would soon be named in his own "THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR."

But his most caustic volley -- and the one generally considered most likely to start an actual nuclear war -- was aimed at Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea.

Trump was responding to a New Year's Day speech in which Kim floated the idea of talks with South Korea while also doing a little sabre rattling.

"It's not a mere threat but a reality that I have a nuclear button on the desk in my office," he said. "All of the mainland United States is within the range of our nuclear strike."

Trump's bluster drew alarm from lawmakers and diplomats.

"I guess the president regards this as a show of strength," Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN. "But as everybody who's ever been in a, you know, first grade playground recognizes, it's usually the person who's most aggressively pounding their chest that is in fact the weak one on the playground."

Eliot Cohen, who was counselor to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice under President George W. Bush, offered his own rebuke on Twitter.

"Spoken like a petulant ten year old," Cohen tweeted. "But one with nuclear weapons -- for real -- at his disposal. How responsible people around him, or supporting him, can dismiss this or laugh it off is beyond me."

It's hard to argue with the evaluations of either Himes or Cohen. But if we learned anything in 2017, it's that Trump is not going to meet any current definition of what presidential means and that normal does not apply to this administration.

We can only hope it doesn't get us all killed.

In a mattter closer to home, Trump suggested that former Clinton aide Huma Abedin should be put in jail after the State Department released a batch of emails from Abedin's account last week that were discovered by the FBI on a laptop belonging to her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner. At least four of the documents were marked "classified."

Trump also threatened to withhold aid money to the Palestinians if they walk away from peace negotiations, just hours after U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said the United States would withhold money from Pakistan, saying the country had "played a double game for years" and failed to support the American effort to fight terrorism.

As Congress tries to hammer out final details on a spending deal, Trump went on the politica offensive by accusing Democrats of doing nothing to extend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama administration program that protected young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children from deportation. Trump has said he will end the program unless Congress acts.

Over the holidays, Trump said any deal must include his border wall, cuts to family-based migration, ending the diversity lottery, and more. On Tuesday, he said Democrats are "doing nothing" to save the program and that DACA advocates will come to favor Republicans on the issue.

And finally, there was the tease that the president would be disclosing the results of his own media awards contest.

We are still awaiting the official announcement. We hope he didn't push the wrong button.

Tim Morris is an opinions columnist at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at tmorris@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmorris504.A squirrel attacked a police officer who was investigating a break-in in upstate New York . An officer in Brockport, about 20 miles west of Rochester, recorded the animal aggression Friday (Dec. 29) on a body camera.

"Brockport police were called to a residence for a squirrel that had broken into the house, reportedly eating cookies in the kitchen," the Police Department wrote on its Facebook page. "Officers Sime and Dawson arrived on scene but were not at all expecting the warm welcome they would receive from the squirrel.

"The squirrel was ultimately captured by officers and released without injury. The homeowner was very relieved that [her] uninvited guest was set free. Brockport police will always go the extra mile to help their residents."

The homeowner, Susan Zinck, told WHAM television that the furry intruder had chewed its way into her house through a bathroom wall while she was in another room. "I heard the music on, and I said, 'I didn't turn my radio on.' I thought, 'What's going on?' I looked out, and this stinking squirrel is out here eating my cookies."

She called 911 and armed herself with a fly swatter. Three officers arrived, eventually caught the squirrel behind the kitchen stove and released it outside the house.

. . . . . . .

Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and Louisiana interests in Congress, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach.The state will soon be pushing the locally elected officials of Powhatan out of the way to administer the finances of the northwest Louisiana village that in mid-July had only $105 in its general fund and is hiring a cop to drum up some money fromBy James Smith

You cannot have two backstretches in the same race, nor can you have two final rounds in the same fight, so it is hard to find the best word to describe LSU's final weeks before the second and final National Signing Day quickly approaching on Feb. 7.

LSU inked 21 signatures in the first go-around that ran from Dec. 20-22, leaving room for only four more signees to fall in line with the mandated 25 hard count.

The Tigers are currently in an NCAA-mandated recruiting dead period, but that expires next week, making for a final four weeks of madness before closing this chapter and turning the page to the 2019 recruiting class. Here is the latest surrounding the prospects on LSU's board.

LSU hunkering down in battle for Ja'Marr Chase

Rummel wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase recently updated his final three, which included LSU, Auburn and Michigan. Chase is scheduled to take an official visit to LSU on Jan. 12, followed by an official visit to Auburn on Jan. 19. He visited Michigan on Nov. 25.

LSU appears to have a decent lead at this stage of the process, but Chase had numerous leaders at various points throughout his recruitment, only to end up dropping those programs from consideration as he progressed through the cycle. But this is the first time LSU appeared to be the clear leader, and with only five weeks until National Signing Day, this is a good place to be. Unless something drastic changes in the near future, the Tigers are poised to add another elite receiver to their 2018 class.

LSU holding on for Patrick Surtain Jr.

Patrick Surtain Jr. remains a key target for LSU, which positioned itself as his leader early on in his recruitment. The Tigers are trying to fend off Alabama for his services, after the Crimson Tide emerged as the Tigers' biggest threat earlier this fall.

Surtain was eyeing a potential announcement at the Army All-American game this weekend, but that does not appear likely at this point. He is scheduled to take an official visit to Alabama on Jan. 19, which will be the Crimson Tide's all-in moment with the five-star cornerback. Alabama continues to make things interesting, but LSU will be tough to beat.

Needs and concerns led LSU to relinquish position in Harold Joiner and Justin Watkins sweepstakes

LSU has room for just four more prospects, forcing them to prioritize its needs. Defensive backs are likely to fill three of the four remaining slots, with the other spot appearing to be reserved for wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. The result is having to back away from two premier prospects, at positions of relative need, although the Tigers already signed two prospects at both the running back and wide receiver positions in the early signing period.

Florida receiver Justin Watkins is eyeing a commitment in the coming days, but there may not be room at either LSU or Alabama, the two schools he had as leaders, according to sources. Harold Joiner is also a bit of an academic risk, which is something the Tigers cannot roll the dice on at this stage of the process. It is a risky move, but one that is calculated, as is often the case as time winds down.

Kelvin Joseph getting antsy; LSU in good position

Scotlandville safety Kelvin Joseph is showing signs of wanting to shut things down in the near future, with his recent tweet being the strongest piece of evidence.

Joseph re-opened his recruitment on Oct. 2, which caused some concern in Baton Rouge. The Tigers have been diligent in their attempt to retain the premier prospect, maintaining a lead throughout the last three months. He has official visits set for LSU on Jan. 12, Alabama on Jan. 26 and Auburn on Feb. 2, so a move to end things now bodes well for LSU, as it would likely result in him not taking those other trips.

Tigers poised to land commitment from Mario Goodrich

The way things are shaping up, Mario Goodrich is looking like the final piece in the 2018 LSU recruiting class. The Tigers staff feels like it found a gem in Goodrich, who possesses all the physical characteristics and traits that Corey Raymond likes in his cornerbacks. He is long, fast, athletic and competitive and seems to favoring LSU at the moment.

LSU will get the first crack at hosting Goodrich on Jan. 12, followed by a visit to Georgia on Jan. 19, Ole Miss on Jan. 26 and Florida on Feb. 2. Look for LSU to push Goodrich to shut things down prior to wrapping up all of those visits, as National Signing Day quickly approaches.New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins consistently made himself available to the media this season, and for offering honest commentary on the team and newsworthy items around the NFL, he has received the 2017 Jim Finks Media Appreciation Award.

Rankins received the award this week after a vote from local media members that cover the Saints on a regular basis. The honor, which is called the Good Guy Award for many other teams around the league, is named in New Orleans after Finks, the former Saints general manager.

The Saints locker room this year featured several unique personalities, and many players were willing to share details of their lives, both on and off the field, to the public through media interviews.

A first-round pick in 2016, the 23-year-old Rankins won the award because he was in the locker room nearly every day during media availability, and he was typically candid regardless of the situation.A bathroom heater left running caused a fire at a Marrero home early Tuesday (Jan. 2), the latest blaze sparked during arctic blast that dropped temperatures around the state, according to fire officials.

No one was injured in the fire which occurred just before 3 a.m. at a home in the 6100 block of Singleton Drive, according to Assistant Chief Robert Wilson with the Marrero-Ragusa Volunteer Fire Department.

Marion Fischer, 88, told Fox 8 News she woke to the sound of her fire alarm and spotted flames in her bathroom.

"It appears it started in the bathroom, in the heater/venter combo built in the ceiling," Wilson said.

Fisher told fire investigators that she had gotten up during the night and turned on the heater but she forgot to shut it off, according to Wilson. The heater ran for an extended period of time, something it wasn't designed to do, and apparently overheated.

It took about 16 firefighters about an hour to extinguished the blaze. Unfortunately, Fischer's home was destroyed.

A few hours later, members of the Davy Crockett Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at Le Grand the Florist in the 500 block of Huey P. Long Avenue in Gretna. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. But employee David Percle said the historic flower shop's owner, Mark Le Grand, saw flames in the building's ducts after turning on the heat.

Fire departments across Louisiana have responded to a number of blazes linked to the cold weather, according to State Fire Marshal Butch Browning.

"We had eight fire investigations during the past 12 hours. The majority of them seemed to be centered around the use of space heaters and electrical systems in homes," Browning said Tuesday afternoon. "People are really pushing everything to the limit right now in running heating equipment at full speed and full force for two and three days straight."

Winter fires can be especially dangerous. They account for 8 percent of the totally number of fires in the United States but are responsible for 30 percent of the fire deaths across the country, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

The cold snap is expected to keep the temperatures below freezing through Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. Wilson and Browning offered residents tips to stay safe while using heaters to stay warm:

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

- If using a space heater, make sure there's nothing flammable (paper, curtains, clothing, etc.) around it. The same goes for fire places. Keep a 3-foot clear zone all round space heaters, fire places and furnaces.

- Inspect space heaters for frayed cords. Don't use heaters if they are damaged.

- Use heaters that automatically shut off with tipped over.

- Plug space heaters directly into the outlet, never into a power strip or extension cords.

- Don't plug anything else into an outlet powering a space heater. They draw a lot of power and can cause other devices to short out.

- Never use ovens or gas stove tops to heat houses or residences. They weren't designed to provide heat over long periods of time and can cause a fire.

- Don't use candles to heat your home or leave them unattended.

- Turn off bathroom heaters after you're finished using them.

- Don't overload fireplaces. Logs and embers can fall out of the fire place and spark a blaze. Use at most three logs at a time.

- Have your chimney inspected to make sure it is not damaged and is working properly. Use a screen to protect the room from flying embers.

- Make sure there are working smoke detectors in all bedrooms, in the hallway outside of bedrooms and on every floor of your home.The Ryanair flight from London arrived in Malaga, Spain, an hour late. Then the plane sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes.

By then, a 57-year-old passenger had had enough. He forced his way through an emergency exit onto the plane's wing, where he sat for a time before he was coaxed back inside and subsequently arrested, the Daily Mail reported.

The man, said to be a Pole named Victor, had been suffering an asthma attack and needed air, a sympathetic fellow passenger on the New Year's Day flight told the Mail. "If a plane is at a standstill for over 30 minutes and you have no freedom and a health condition, you are bound to do something," the passenger said.

Read the Mail's full story.

. . . . . . .

Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and Louisiana interests in Congress, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach.For years, it seems that cancers that target men have received less than their share of fundraising efforts as compared to those for women.

For Marie Springsteen, herself a cancer survivor, that wasnt right.

On Saturday at 8 a.m., she and hundreds of runners and walkers will hit the streets of the Tara Woods community for the Third-annual Facial Hair for Cancer Causes 10K/5K Run two-mile walk.

Springsteen said all cancers are important, but that a lot more focus has been for women, for example on breast cancer, and that the 4 Words Foundation (which she founded and is president of) and 21st Century C.A.R.E. wanted to focus on all cancers.

We decided we wanted to do one for the boys to show we support mens cancers as well because it gets lost in the conversation, Springsteen said.

The event started as a 5K race, but last year they added a 10K element to it. This year, the three-mile walk was shortened to two miles, as the older walkers found the three miles a little too much, Springsteen said.

Springsteen said Tara Woods has been very supportive of the event, as has the North Fort Myers community. The goal now is to bring in people from Port Charlotte to Naples.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., the 10K run will start at 9, with the 5K run and walk to start around 9:05.

Emceed once again by Corey Lazar of WINK-TV, who is also a cancer survivor, this is a timed 10K/5K run with walkers following to show support for mens cancer awareness.

Pink Heals will have its fire truck there for people to sign and there will be drawings and giveaways there as well.

Proceeds from this event will support cancer awareness, education, and patient financial assistance in Southwest Florida and will benefit programs managed by 4 Words Foundation, Inc. and 21st Century C.A.R.E.

4 Words Foundation provides cancer awareness, education and patient financial assistance to those without insurance, or with insurance who cannot afford the costs required by their health insurance to ensure they receive their cancer screenings, imaging, or diagnostic procedures needed for cancer diagnosis.

21st Century C.A.R.E. provides patients financial assistance for incidental expenses related to active cancer treatments, such as transportation, childcare and temporary housing.

These are volunteer organizations with no compensation paid to anybody. All the funds stay in the community, Springsteen said.

Online registration continues until Wednesday, which is $25 for adults, $15 for youth 17 and under, and free for children under age 5. The first 100 preregistered receive a free T-shirt and gift bag.

Add $5 to the cost for day of registration, Children under 5 are still free.

Tara Woods is at 19376 U.S/ 41 N, North Fort Myers.

For more information, visit 4wordsfoundation.org/facial-hair-10k-5k-run-walkTo the editor:

Ive always valued showing ones true colors, denoting what one truly represents, politically, morally, and socially. In America, our true colors have been red, white and blue.

But Francis Rooneys color wheel is monochromatic, reduced to one, which is red. As in Red State. As in the color associated with the Republican Party and that partys favored ally, Russia (remember the Red Army?) So once again, its party over country.

His choice of purge to describe change he apparently favors at the FBI, and maybe elsewhere, is both chilling and telling. Never mind that purges are features of regimes of Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, a series of Korean Kims, etc. No matter how fabulously famous that list has become, none is called democratically elected leader.

Congressman Rooney, apparently paying attention while visiting the Oval Office, has chosen a curiously demagogic word to describe desirable change. But perhaps his word is more prophetic. Perhaps it describes exactly what his boss wants to see.

Now, Congressman Rooneys boss is supposed to be us  We the People of Congressional District 19, here in southwest Florida.

If his boss is, in actuality, the President of the United States, now is as good a time as any to find that out. I cant wait until Nov. 6, 2018. Thats Election Day.

David C. Fetzer

NaplesAs we enter the new year, conmen are also devising fresh strategies of taking Ugandans for a ride; JOSEPH KIMBOWA looks at some of the slickest tricks cons use.

Steven has not nailed down a permanent job since he graduated as a marketer in 2013. When he recently saw a job advert on social media from Java House, he quickly filed his application.

A few days later, he received an email congratulating him for getting a job as a receptionist at Java House, Bugolobi, where he would earn $425 per month, plus other allowances including travel, overtime, medical and house.

He was told he would start work on November 13.

I had applied to be a marketer but I was happy with the money for the receptionist job, he says.

Downtown Kampala is a hub for conmen

He was asked to sign an acceptance letter, scan it and send it back  which he did. A few days later, another email came telling him he had to attend a hotel workers training and was required to send $55 (Shs 198,000) to a provided bank account, a mobile money number or through Western Union.

It is at this point that I started questioning how easy this job had come without even interviews. They were addressing me as Dear Applicant, not by my names and all contacts seemed to originate from Kenya. I called Javas and they told me I was being conned, says Steven.

Steven escaped. But 50 Ugandan youths did not. Dozens reported at Cafe Javas in Bugolobi on November 13 ready for work only to be told they had been conned. Some said they had paid as much as Shs 900,000 for training.

There is a related case where police and Ugandan Communications Commission on November 8, 2017 arrested five imposters who were posing as agents of Kampala Serena hotel. The imposters included; Ronald Mugisha (30) alias Henry Rugambwa, a resident of Kikaaya; Michael Kateregga (25) from Kanyanya; David Kyambadde (31) of Mbalwa; Majid Sseruwoza (35) from Mukono; and Edison Orikiriza (29) alias Musigazi from Kireka.

Abudu Sallam Wasswa, head of legal affairs at UCC, says these fraudsters promised people jobs at Serena but would first ask the applicants to send application and uniform fees before reporting to work. People would send the money, then never hear from them again.

Beehive of activity in Downtown Kampala

Victims complained to Serena, which involved police and UCC. The five were arrested with at least 100 stolen phones whose contact lists they were using to call persons to defraud.

The same group also hacked into peoples Facebook accounts and sent messages to friends and relatives asking for money. They were arraigned before the Utilities, Wildlife and Standards court at Buganda road on November 10 and charged with electronic fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.

The Computer Misuse Act provides that whoever does anything to cause another to lose money using an electronic platform commits a crime and is liable to 15 years in prison.

With the amount of evidence we have, we feel these people will be found guilty and we pray for a harsh sentence to send a message to others out there, said Wasswa.



CYBERCRIME FLOURISHING

An advert is running on a local TV channel where herbalist Sylvia Namutebi alias Mama Fina promises Shs 10 million to whoever delivers to her the conmen who used her name to fleece people through social media.

Mama Fina says the criminals created fake Facebook and WhatsApp accounts and started asking people to send mobile money for her services. Most of the targets were Ugandans working in the Middle East.Then, someone wrote this on their social media account:

Somebody called me with this phone number 0706XXX telling me he was doing some registration online and he mistakenly put my number on what he was registering, that my number is similar to his number and that the password of what he was registering was sent to my phone, which I actually saw as 6310.

He was now appealing to me to give him the reset code that was sent to my phone so that he could finish his registration. I told him to call me with the number he claimed was similar to mine so that I could verify his claim; he told me he didnt have credit on that line.

I [went] online to find out more, only to discover he was actually trying to reset my bank online/yahoo mail password and that he is a fraudster, an account hacker and also a 419er. If I had given him the code which was sent to my phone, he would have used it to reset my bank online/mobile app account. Please let us be careful and vigilant. Fraudsters are devising new ways every day.

A few weeks ago, an MTN mobile money client wrote in The Observer about how his number was used to SMS his employee commanding her to send mobile money to another number. The employee sent Shs 3 million to this unknown number before calling her boss to verify the message, only to realise they had been conned.



BILLIONS LOST

The Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Directorate (CIID) says billions are being lost to cyber fraudsters. Email fraud, mobile money fraud, social media scams and pyramid schemes top the list.

CIID spokesperson Vincent Ssekate says pyramid schemes are the most reported electronic fraud cases. People have fallen for dubious online investment clubs on the promise of daily profits ranging between seven and ten per cent of the money deposited.

Usually invited to high-end hotels, potential investors are taken through the programme and asked to invite as many people as they can. They are regaled with success stories of prominent persons and are promised cars and expensive holidays even on cruise ships.

They will tell you that you can only withdraw your profits after a week or month when the profits have matured. But the initial deposit cannot be withdrawn, Ssekate says.

If the pyramid is new, the first applicants benefit.

The first group is usually paid off the monies of the second and third entrants. But after about two months, when all members have reached a stage of withdrawing their profits, problems start...They either tell you the system has issues and there is an upgrade or they will tell you the database crashed and they are doing new information gathering and request you to be patient, he says.

These excuses last about three days before the website closes or becomes inactive. It is at this stage that people wake up. A few report to police, others suffer quietly.

Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police Moses Etene, the head of systems security and networks forensic investigations at CIID, says 10 cases involving hundreds of complaints against pyramid schemes are being investigated.

We have so far prosecuted five pyramid schemes and suspects are either on remand or out on bond/bail while the other schemes are fully investigated awaiting DPP (public prosecutors are currently on strike), said Etene.

So far, a scheme called D9 Club ranks highest. Etene says they discovered that up to Shs 2 billion was lost to this scheme.

We prosecuted them and managed to get Bank of Uganda to freeze their accounts. But they came out [of jail] and managed to start another scheme and raised another Shs 2 billion or so. We have finished investigations and are waiting for DPP.

Others being investigated are: Inonfunds.com where clients lost Shs 300 million. The suspects are Conrad Aheebwa, Ramadhan Ssebuchu and Denis Ahengereza. Paul Kimbugwe of Amazon is suspected of defrauding 30 people of Shs 120 million.

Another 20 people lost Shs 250 million to EasyCoin run by Ronald Sseggujja and Patrick Musinguzi. Dickson Ariho, Olivia Bansigaraho (aka Maama Global), Michael Mirimu, Shirah Negesa and Pastor Success Wejuri of Global Finance allegedly conned people of Shs 800 million.

Emaar Ventures conned people out of Shs 34 million while Bansigarahos Excel Wealth made off with Shs 20 million. Allan Muhumuza of Zinc7 is accused of a $5,900 (Shs 21 million) shake-down.

These are just some of them, but there are many of them out there, said Etene.

He adds other Ugandans are being defrauded through crypto currency or bitcoin. According to Wikipedia, a crypto currency is a digital asset used as a medium of exchange using cryptography to secure the transactions, to control the creation of additional units, and to verify the transfer of assets.

These are currencies being adopted by some countries. It has ended up bringing fake people to Uganda, he says.

In Uganda, one example is Prosperity Club which hoodwinked people to invest in these virtual currencies only to lose their money.

These people are neither regulated nor registered with anyone. So, when you lose your money, who do you go to? You give them the cash and you cant be sure they will buy the so-called bitcoins for you. So far, the ones we have investigated dont have bank accounts. They cant explain where their money is, said Etene.

Early this year, Bank of Uganda disassociated itself from these schemes.



NO REMEDY

Etene says the criminal ring widens every day.

These people open these schemes every day and what surprises me is that Ugandans keep joining them. People should know that these too-good-to-be-true schemes are a mere lie. There is no business where you just make profits on a daily basis, he says.

Etene gives an example of a complainant who secured Shs 70 million loan from a bank and poured it into one of the schemes which had promised him an eight per cent daily profit.

Then there is a very old woman who came here and told me my son came and told me there is something very good in Kampala. I sold my land in Kyenjonjo and some cows. I sent the money to the boy and he opened an account for me. But now he tells me the money is lost, Etene said.

Chances of recovering your money are almost non-existent. Etene says CIID can only investigate and build a criminal case against the fraudsters for prosecution.

People that lost their money can choose to lodge civil suits but chances of securing compensation are minimal because these transactions are not receipted and in most cases the con stars waste the money by living lavish lives, he says.

Jobseekers are soft targets for fraudster

BANKS TO BLAME

Now, police is starting to suspect banks of either connivance or negligence. In one case at CIID, a priest lost Shs 48 million after hackers got into his account and hoodwinked funders to divert money to another account.

Immediately the transaction was approved, the fraudsters withdrew the money.

I dont understand why banks would clear such money very quickly. Shs 48 million is more than the threshold where you are not supposed to give out money without asking some questions. I dont know what the financial intelligence [departments] of these banks are doingwe think these are inside jobs,Etene said.

Etene added that priests and pastors are big targets in fraud involving diversion of funds through email hacking. Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said most conmen confess to targeting rich people deliberately.

These criminals tell us that rich people will rarely report a case of fraud because they are scared of losing their reputation, Kayima said.

Etene says it all goes back to desperation, poor regulatory framework and peoples urge for quick solutions to life problems.

Someone will easily send money to a virtual herbalist hoping to get a quick fix to his erectile malfunction probably caused by stress. A person earning Shs 3m per month will send half of it to their pastors mobile account hoping to get tenfold in return.

An unemployed youth will sell part of her ancestral land and give money to a virtual employment company that will take her for sex slavery or even disappear on receiving the money. It is that easy!

THE TRICKS

1. Someone will call, address you by your names and even complain that you have easily forgotten them. They will tell you their first name and claim you met at some conference a few years ago.

He will tell you he now works with a Russian construction company in South Sudan but wants someone in Kampala to procure a very expensive chemical for him. He will ask you to go to a dealer (whose contacts he will provide) and pay half of the fee for this chemical. You will be told that if you go through with this, a threefold profit awaits you when the mother company finally pays

2. Someone will call you and say they work with a telecom company and you have won a huge amount of money or any other goodies. You will be very excited and they will tell you to first deposit a certain amount of airtime on their phones to process your payment. This is an old trick that many people no longer fall for.

3. You will receive a mobile money message showing that you have received a huge amount of money. Immediately the message comes through, someone will call you pleading that the money was sent by mistake to your number.

They will then tell you to send half of that money to their number and keep the other half. If you are not vigilant enough to first check your account balance, you will comply only to realise that you actually emptied your mobile money account.

4. You will receive an email from Mr Smith telling you how he has inherited a fortune and wants to share part of it with you for charity! He will then ask for your bank details to send the money the beginning of a possible hack into your account.

5. You will receive an email from a familiar person informing you how they are stuck at an airport in Brunei and need you to urgently send them $500. Many naive people have fallen for this without crosschecking.

6. In the dead of the night, some people will pluck off your number plate and leave a phone number to call if you want it back. When you call them, they will ask you to deposit Shs 100,000 on a given number. Because URA charges Shs 220,000 for a replacement and reporting to police is almost a waste of time, many people choose to pay and move on!

7. You will be driving in an unfamiliar neighbourhood when two men on a boda boda wave you down, pointing at your tyres. When you stop, they will quickly tell you that your tyre either has low pressure or is loosening up. They will offer to help immediately and before you know it, they have removed the tyre. Some will just charge you for labour but, in most cases, they take off with vehicle parts.

8. Smartly dressed men will offer you a ride, especially if you are a woman. They will then start discussing a lucrative deal concerning diamonds or gold. They will ask if you are interested in making quick money. They will say they have some minerals which they can sell to you and connect you to some other people who will buy the same minerals at a higher price.

If you agree, they will ask you to send them some mobile money as commitment fee. If you send, they will drop you at the next stop and you will never hear from them. If you dont send the money, they will drug you with chloroform and drive you to an unknown place, rob you of everything and dump you elsewhere.

9. Others use beautiful young women to lure unsuspecting men into a relationship. The women usually move in expensive stolen cars with male colleagues riding in the back seat. When they pick up their supposed dates, they drug and rob them.



kimbowa@observer.ugAs climate change continues to threaten the world, Uganda has not ceased losing its forests due to the ever-increasing demand for tree products.

Despite governments efforts to discourage deforestation, the country still lost its forest estate from 24 per cent of the total land area in 1990 to 11 per cent in 2010  indicating a loss of 2.5 million hectares in just 20 years.

To counter climate change resulting from deforestation, Peter Senabulya has embarked on promoting commercial tree farming, writes Arthur Matsiko.

For the last four years, Senabulya has been managing Green Spirit Forestry Services. The company focuses on production and supply of seedlings to various individual and corporate commercial tree farmers, forestry management and nursery management.

Peter Senabulya in his nursery bed

Senabulya says most of the farmers prefer tree species that grow within the least time period. Species such as eucalyptus grandis from South Africa, he adds, can be harvested for timber after six to eight years.

Commercial tree farming is a long-term venture, yet most farmers would want to get back their money within the shortest time possible, he says. But to use tree planting as one of the solutions to climate change, the government should continue sensitising people about the importance of trees.



SEED QUALITY, THE NUCLEUS OF FORESTRY

For every successful commercial forest plantation, the quality of planting material should be emphasized. The Mukono-based Green Spirit Forestry Services produces majorly eucalyptus grandis, pine, musizi (Maesopsis eminii) and various fruit tree seedlings depending on the available market.

Backed by research, experience and training especially from Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and other organisations, Senabulya says he has always provided quality seedlings to his respective clients.

His emphasis on quality is shared by Joseph Ocwo, the seed quality analyst at the National Forestry Authority (NFA)s Namanve-based National Tree Seed Centre. Ocwo, who has worked for over 14 years in this capacity, told The Observer that the tree seed centre is mandated to provide high-quality tree planting material to meet the national and international demand.

Seed is the nucleus of planting; it is where life begins because nearly over 99 per cent of propagation is by seed, he says.

At the tree centre, various tree seed species are bred. These include plantations species such as pine and eucalyptus; indigenous hardwood species for conservation such as the mvule and mahogany; agroforestry species mainly for fuelwood, shade and soil conservation; and medicinal species such as prunus africana (known for curing prostate cancer), azadirachta indica aka neem tree and moringa; among others.

Just like Senabulya, Ocwo believes large-scale tree planting could thwart climate change and its effects. However, Ocwo observes that while encouraging afforestation, the ever-increasing need for tree products must be appreciated.

For you to successfully combat climate change [through afforestation], you have to discuss the root cause of deforestation. There is need for firewood, timber and all those forest-related services  and those needs have to continue, he says.

Besides deforestation, swamps are being reclaimed for food crop farming and bricklaying. In the end, one has to think critically about Terri Swearingens observation that we are living on this planet as if we have another one to go to. Swearingen won the 1997 Goldman Environmental Prize.

But since these needs have to be met in a sustainable manner, a creative strategy is required. For example, short-term, medium-term and long-term interventions could be ideal to conserve forests while utilizing their products.

One of the short and medium-term interventions is encouraging planting of fast-growing trees that can cater for firewood, timber needsthats why most organizations such as the NFA are encouraging planting of species like eucalyptus and pine because they are the quick intervention, he says, adding that this is done alongside encouraging the planting of long-term conservation trees such as the mahogany.

Maintaining the quality of the seedlings requires proper management of the nursery bed and the seed.



FROM TANZANIA

Senabulya mastered the art because he has been managing this business for some time. But for farmers like Kimoli Madoshi Bulandi, to realize quality and profit from tree farming, he buys seedlings from the National Tree Seed Centre.

Bulandi, whom we found buying tree seedlings, had travelled from Geita in Tanzania because he finds the quality of tree seedlings from here unmatchable.

Ocwo recommends farmers to always buy seedlings from Namanve, whereas Senabulya believes that companies like the one he manages could also provide quality planting material provided there is research, experience and a good working relationship with the NFA.

In the next episode, we look at what is required for one to establish a successful tree farm.



matsiko@observer.ugA group of protesters claiming to be National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters today stormed the Civil Division of the High court in Kampala protesting litigations against Speaker Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.



The group claims Kadaga is being targeted for presiding over proceedings that led to passing of the Constitution Amendment Bill Number 2, 2017, popularly known as the age limit bill.



The protesters today carried placards reading "Leave Kadaga Alone, Kadaga Oyeee, Kagada mumuleke", arguing that the age limit bill was passed in the right manner and that Kadaga has no case to answer. They are saying the case should be dismissed.

NRM protestors at the High court today

One of the protesters, Omulangira Eli Wasajja, the head of NRM media team for Buganda region, says "we are here to support Kadaga and NRM. We are saying there is no case that Kadaga should answer because all that happened in parliament was legal and followed right procedures."



Today, the High court was set to start hearing of the case filed by six Members of Parliament who were suspended by Kadaga on December 18 during the start of the debate that culminated in the passing of the bill on December 20.



Speaker Kadaga accused the MPs Ssemujju Nganda, Gerald Karuhanga, Mubarak Munyagwa, Allan Ssewanyana, Anthony Akol and Odur Nathan of unruly behaviour and suspended them as she adjourned the morning session of the House.



The MPs went to court, through their lawyers of Lukwago and Company Advocates, to challenge Kadaga's decision saying it was unlawful. They want a declaration that Speaker Kadaga could not have suspended them after she adjourned the house.



On the day they were suspended, Kadaga announced the suspensions after she had communicated to the House that she was adjourning the sitting to 2pm. They now want court to order the Speaker to stop taking parliament under her arms but conduct parliamentary duties basing on the set rules of procedure.



High Court Judge Oumo Oguli has referred the case to the Constitutional Court saying the matter was filed inappropriately.

While reading the ruling on behalf of Justice Margret Oumo Oguli, the Deputy Registrar of High court, Joy Kabagye noted that the case was not in the jurisdiction of the said court but instead referred the six applicants to the Constitutional court for interpretation.

"Having perused through the evidence provided, this court is of the considered view that the matter should have been taken to constitutional court instead," read part of the ruling.

The suspension meant that the legislators missed out on the debate and voting on the age limit bill which removed presidential age limit caps in the constitution. According to their lawyer, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the suspended MPs wanted court to declare their suspension invalid and to order the speaker to withdraw her decision so that they can go back to the August house.

Lukwago says he is not satisfied with the way the case has been handled because he expected the hearing not a ruling.

"All the parties are here, you take out summons, you serve on the other party the court process, you file the necessary affidavits to prove that actually you have done the service; the other party puts in a response because they have filed an affidavit by Jane Kiggundu the clerk to parliament, you come for the hearing, [and] all you see is the registrar delivering a ruling in a matter which has not been heard. It is so surreal, so strange, so strange", Lukwago said.

It emerged yesterday that President Yoweri Museveni has already appended his signature to the Age Limit bill. The presidential assent clears the way for amendment of Article 102(b) of the constitution to remove presidential age limit caps. The article barred people above 75 and those below 35 years from running for the highest office.



The bill also extends the term of office of parliament from the current five years to seven years. The bill, however, restores presidential term limits which had been removed in a 2005 constitutional amendment that paved the way for President Museveni, in power since 1986, to contest again after his two five-year terms had expiredOver a year after Kasese district was plunged into a conflict which claimed hundreds of lives, the widows and orphans left behind are struggling to make ends meet.

The military raid on Rwenzururu king, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumberes palace on November 26-27, 2016 robbed many families of their breadwinners. JEROME KULE BITSWANDE reports on how fresh conflict can break out.

About 150 people, including children died while another 193 people; 23 of them women, are in Kirinya prison battling a plethora of charges including treason, murder and terrorism, arising from the same conflict.

Memories of last Novembers deadly fighting between Rwenzururu loyalists and security forces remain fresh in the mind of Yudesi Soba. Soba was married to Nelson Soba, who died on that dark day when all hell broke loose inside the Rwenzururu kings Buhikira palace.

Yudesi Soba with two of her children

The grief increases each day that passes as she shoulders the heavy weight of taking care of their seven children, one of whom, Provia Mbambu, is just a year old. Mbambu was barely a month old when her father died.

Mbambu is unfortunate, she didnt and will not have the opportunity to talk to her loving father, Yudesi said. As for this one, she points to her four-year-old daughter, shes still innocent, she keeps probing me why her dad is taking long to come from town.



DECENT LIFE

However, her bigger worry is how to bring up all the children with a decent life and an education.

My husband always encouraged his children to study; he brought them things whenever he came from town and told them they would always have enough of those perks if they studied.

Soba had enrolled his children at the decent Model-Care primary school about three kilometres away from their home. Each of the children used to receive at least Shs 2,000 for transport and some lunch money from their dad.

Now that he is gone, this responsibility shifted to the 33-year-old peasant widow. She says the load is too heavy for her. Nelson Soba was a tailor and photographer. He worked in the palace as a tailor, sewing garments for kingdom officials. The future looked bright.

For the one year he worked in the palace, he earned enough to put a down payment on a piece of land on which the family now stays. Out of Shs 5 million, he paid Shs 1.7 million.

Despite the huge balance, my husband would have paid it, he had his own gadgets: camera and sewing machine, his wife says wistfully.

The camera and the sewing machine were never seen after the military and police attacks on the kings palace. With an outstanding Shs 3.3 million debt hanging over her head, Yudesis life was a nightmare until her husbands family came to her rescue.

The family mobilised Shs 2 million. Now she must struggle to pay the balance, Shs 1.3 million. The children have been shifted from the serious Model-Care nursery and primary school to Kaghando primary school, a modest Universal Primary Education school.

For the last three years, Kaghando has only managed to get one first grade in PLE. About 50 per cent of the remaining candidates were total failures who couldnt join secondary school.

At around 1pm when this writer arrived at the Soba home in Mulinda II village, Bwesumbu parish of Bwesumbu sub-county, the eldest son, Elvin Kiiza, a 14-year-old primary six pupil, had not gone to school.

Kiiza told The Observer that he skipped school to pick coffee beans for sale to get money for uniform and books. But the mother explained that Kiiza, weighed down by family challenges, seems to have lost interest in education.

Kiiza wants to be a fashion designer in future, an inspiration from his father who used to design clothes for his children, the villagers, and kingdom officials. However, a lack of guidance, poor schooling and poverty could shatter his dreams.

A similar tale is told by Cornelius Byalemene, the head of the Basolene family in Kyahundu village in Maliba sub-county. Byalemenes family lost two people in the conflict, leaving behind three children. Byalemene now takes care of them. He, however, says that he may not afford to offer them a decent life.

The story is the same in many other families whose breadwinners perished. According to statistics available at Bwesumbu sub-county headquarters, there are 38 widows and 285 orphans.

Bwesumbu LC-III chairperson, Samson Bagenda, says the deaths and arrests have bred a huge number of vulnerable people. He fears that the death and detention of breadwinners are likely to usher in new challenges.

When you have a huge number of widows and many others whose husbands are under detention, if they are not empowered to protect themselves, even the HIV prevalence rate increases, he said.

Bagenda revealed that his administration and a few civil society organisations have been engaging widows and women whose husbands are in prison on how to manage their families.

Many of our people in these families are traumatised; you find a family which lost about four people, what happens to them? How do the orphans grow up? he wonders.

Bagenda says in many of his conversations with these people, he reads neglect and a lot of anger. He reveals that peoples relationship with the security forces is frosty. Locals do not trust the police or the military.

This, he believes, is a challenge, which arose after some individuals exploited the tensions to settle personal scores.

One Matayo Bighanzire was killed by the military on suspicion of being a Kilhumira Muthima, a youth group loyal to Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, after security agents got wrong intelligence, he remarked.

Security claims Kilhumira Muthima was responsible for attacks on military installations in the Rwenzori sub-region. These attacks prompted the army, commanded by then Brigadier Peter Elwelu (later promoted to major general), to surround the palace on November 26 and order Mumbere to surrender them.

When the king declined, the palace was attacked and burnt. Mumbere and some of his officials were arrested along with 193 of his supporters.



EDUCATION

The local politician says whereas some civil society organisations have offered support in form of scholastic materials to orphans, it is not regular and enough.

I think Kasese district and the Rwenzori region in general needs some sort of affirmative action to build the lives of these victims, Bagenda said.

What Kasese and neighbouring Bundibugyo need are model schools to encourage children to study. Jimmy Baluku Odyek, a civil society activist and policy analyst at Rwenzori Consortium for Civic Competence (RWECO), believes affirmative action should not depend on the goodwill of leaders but, rather, a deliberate government policy to facilitate peace and development processes.



CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Odyek urges government to develop a policy on conflict prevention and post-conflict management.

Government seems to rely on the formal justice systems a lot. Here, several people have been arrested and are being arraigned in court, but that will not solve the problem we have in the Rwenzori, he asserts.

David Ngendo Tshimba, a son of the soil and a PhD student of political history at Makerere Institute of Social Research, said the Rwenzori question is a political matter with criminal manifestations. He argues that treating it as purely a criminal issue would be missing the point.

Tshimba cited the 1921 incident involving Tibamwenda, Kapolyo and Nyamutswa, the first Bakonzo leaders to rise against the Tooro kingdom establishment.

They were arrested, summarily tried, convicted and executed, he said.

But the problem did not die with them. Forty years later in 1962, another group of Bakonzo-Bamba leaders rebelled against Tooro. They were led by Yeremiya Kawamara, Petero Mupalya and Mumberes father, Isaya Mukirania.

They walked out of Tooro parliament where they were representatives and ran to the mountains to wage war against Tooro kingdom, giving birth to the current Rwenzururu kingdom.

Kasese and Bundibugyo have been locked in conflicts since pre-colonial Uganda, including one with Bunyoro kingdom in the 1870s. Recent conflicts can be traced from 1912 when Tibamwenda, Nyamutswa and Kapolyo stood against Tooro kingdom and the British.

After they were executed, they were buried in one grave near present-day Kagando hospital in Kisinga sub-county in 1921. The execution sparked off a lot of anger which found expression in the Rwenzururu insurrection between 1962 and 1982; rebellions of the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda [NALU] and the Allied Democratic Forces [ADF] between 1996 and 2002.

Odyek says the recurring conflicts in the area speak to a lack of policy to manage conflicts. He warns that the huge number of orphans left behind presents a security threat.

It is not by coincidence that most people who are said to have been involved in last years and other recent conflicts have a background of either their parents or grandparents being veterans of some of the different wars that have ensued in Rwenzori, he states.

The civil society activist argues that if government does not give orphans and vulnerable children an education to ensure a decent life in future, the Rwenzori sub-region might experience another cycle of violence in the next two decades.

However, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has said government will not waver in its efforts to deliver equitable development for all the regions in Uganda including the conflict-stricken areas like Kasese and Bundibugyo.Lecturers at Makerere University say an inquiry into its affairs by the visitation committee led by the late Prof Abel Rwendeire did not focus on its long-standing problems, some of which are responsible for yearly strikes at the institution.

Appointed by President Museveni in November 2016, the committee found that dodgy procurement and illegal payments, including to former staff, caused financial loss in excess of Shs 21.8 billion.

Over the weekend, the committee released its report and read out 10 recommendations to Makereres woes. These include restructuring public universities into a national public university system; decongesting Makerere by transferring students to other campuses; reviewing composition of the council from 24 to 15 members; and making the vice chancellor the chief executive officer and accounting officer of a public university.

Makerere University

The outgoing Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa) chairman, Dr Muhammad Kiggundu, however, said the committee restricted itself to political recommendations.

The committee had been set up to resolve the challenges related to the persistent strikes, which centred around poor staff remuneration and students facilities as well as a breakdown in dialogue between various stakeholders, but most of that is missing, he said.

Instead they are looking at decongesting Makerere hill of humanities and business programmes there has never been a strike because these colleges are at Makerere.

Dr Kiggundu felt that the report played up to the president, who as visitor, appointed the committee.

You know [the president] has previously complained about humanities being taught at university, he said.

Incoming Muasa chairman, Dr Deus Kamunyu-Muhwezi, observed that staff concerns were ignored.

We were clear when we met  that they should ask the government to consider paying a living wage to staff and meeting the unit cost of training students in their subvention to the university, Muhwezi said.



AFFILIATION

The committee instead advised that The government should leverage the premier brand of Makerere University to restructure the public universities into a National Public University System  This would progressively transform public universities established upcountry into upcountry colleges of Makerere University.

For example, Muni University would become Makerere University Muni and Busitema University would become Makerere University Busitema, the report says.

Decongest Makerere University by transferring undergraduate programmes in Cobams to MUBS; Cees to Kyambogo University and Chuss to Nsamizi Institute of Social Development. The remnant colleges should then focus on graduate training and research. Additionally, virtual platforms should be fully utilised to deliver programmes to offsite students.

Of this, Dr Kiggundu said institutions like Kyambogo, Busitema and Nsamizi are already burdened with their own challenges; so, transferring Makereres issues there without recommending more support, is the same as exporting problems.

I think the president needs realistic solutions, not sweeping resolutions, he said.

Other dons also pointed out challenges this proposal could bring.

If they are saying that Makerere should be reserved for sciences and technology, which are supposed to be off campus, they are out of touch, another said.

If you consider veterinary medicine, it should be out in the field to assist with animal husbandry and extension services. Agriculture is in the process of moving to Kabanyolo farm [in Wakiso], while medicine is already at Mulago.

However, Prof Elisam Magara said this would enable expansion, while saving funds.

The government would only appoint one vice chancellor, which would elevate the stature of the job, he said. Also, since they would be dealing with one university, the government would find it easier to manage and improve services, instead of balancing different interests.

He cited South Africas process in 2000. That is what happened when I was pursuing my PhD at the University of South Africa  the merger with four other universities improved services.



VICE CHANCELLOR

Most staff at Makerere were pleased that the committee has recommended stopping the search process leading to election of a vice chancellor. The minister for Higher Education should instead appoint the vice chancellor, it was proposed.

The search process politicised the whole exercise and proved divisive to staff  we should go back to appointment of vice chancellors by the minister, Dr Kiggundu said. If you look at some of our previous vice chancellors, like Prof John Sebuwufu and Prof William Senteza-Kajubi, they were appointed and served well.

Dr Kamunyu-Muhwezi agreed. We are left pointing fingers at each other, after our respective candidates lose, and the winner wonders who is on their side, he said.



MAKERERE CEO

The committee was also concerned about the friction between the vice chancellor and the university secretary.

Consequently, it recommended that the vice chancellor should be the chief executive officer and accounting officer of a public university The role of the university secretary should be redefined to, director for legal affairs and secretary to university council (corporation secretary).

But Kiggundu and Kamunyu-Muhwezi disagree with this suggestion.

The committee did not realise that these problems referred directly to the individuals in those positions, yet they should have looked at their respective responsibilities, Kiggundu said.

There is no justification for making the [VC] accounting officer. He is supposed to be a titular supervisor, who also represents the university internationally, when meeting donors and other partners.

Dr Kamunyu-Muhwezi adds: The status quo should prevail, there is no justification for a change.



MINISTRY TRANSFER

The committee also made what some lecturers think is a needless recommendation in proposing that the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) takes over higher learning from Education and Sports.

The committees rationale was that universities are involved in technology development and innovation -- the core mandate of MoSTI.

They only need to find people passionate about the workings of higher education, and all will be fine, Dr Kiggundu said.

Both President Museveni and Education minister Janet Museveni agreed that the findings will be looked into to determine which suggestions are viable.



mtalemwa@observer.ugThat the AT&T and Comcast announcements went unchallenged underscores the inexperience of the business media. AT&T and Comcast in 2016 respectively had $164 billion and $80 billion in revenues. The $1,000 worker bonuses were insignificant for them, particularly given that AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson last year was paid $28.4 million, while Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was paid $33 million. Stephenson and Roberts will be much bigger beneficiaries of Trumps tax cuts, which critics say are designed to make the rich even richer.

Some additional perspective: AT&T two years ago was ordered to pay a $100 million fine for lying to customers about its supposedly unlimited data plans. The fine represents half the amount of the bonuses AT&T paid its workers. Think again if you believe the fine was big and painful enough to serve as an effective deterrent: AT&T last year again was under fire for deceiving its customers.

Comcast in 2016 paid a $2.3 million fine for overcharging customers. Washington State is suing the company for allegedly deceptive sales practices. Consumers Union warned that Comcast has repeatedly failed to honor promises. An advocacy group said Comcast didnt increase local news programming as it promised to do as a condition for acquiring NBC Universal.

In hailing Trump for his tax cuts, AT&T and Comcast also played the president. Cutting corporate taxes was the linchpin of his campaign, yet the two companies financially supported Hillary Clinton by a wide margin. AT&T gave Clinton $339,260 in 2016, while Comcast gave her $489.193. By comparison, AT&T and Comcast respectively gave Trump $34,994 and $14,798.

As for AT&Ts and Comcasts promises to spend billions on infrastructure improvements, the figures are meaningless without knowing their capital spending plans before the tax cut announcements. Both companies have to continuously upgrade their networks to remain competitive. And given their histories, there are no guarantees that AT&T and Comcast will actually make all their promised investments.

As Ive previously argued, American consumers deserve getting fleeced. But this is no longer a country where people assume responsibility for their actions. A culture of victimization and demonization has taken hold, and if the dire warnings about Trumps tax cuts prove correct, the economy could tank. Corporate America would be wise to develop a strategy on regaining trust before the next economic downturn. The days of the public believing that what is good for General Motors is good for America are over.

***

Eric Starkman founded STARKMAN PR firm in 1999. It has offices in New York and San Francisco.Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:

Bermuda has a great opportunity to become a leader in the quickly growing blockchain space for a number of reasons, including a tech-friendly government, location, and infrastructure. Sean Moran, head of Business Development at the Bermuda Business Development Agency said that Bermuda's Premier David Burt has received numerous feedbacks that the island could become the center of crypto-assets and ICO.

Bermuda's Premier Burt himself has a technology background, and his administration is very interested in focusing on technology and particularly, FinTech-related opportunities for Bermuda, Moran told participants of the latest Opalesque Bermuda Roundtable.

An additional reason Moran cited that would give Bermuda the advantage is the island's "positioning in the North Atlantic, between Europe and North America" that makes the island "a great location for transatlantic business."

He stated, "This has always been an advantage for our international business sector generally, but also the fact that we're connected by fiber optic cables to both sides of the Atlantic allows us to boast a technical infrastructure that other small islands just don't have. This bandwidth is, of course, critical if we are to host more tech companies and be a center for crypto-assets and ICOs in th......................

To view our full article Click hereOpalesque Industry Update - OP Investment Management Ltd., (Hong Kong) (OPIM), a member of the Oriental Patron Financial Group, today announced the launch of the OP FundSeeder (OPFS) website www.opfs.com.hk. A localized version of FundSeeder in the US, OPFS provides free institutional-grade statistical analysis to traders to help understand, track and improve their portfolio management skills. The system also uses a proprietary algorithm to score and rank trader portfolios. Working with a network of investment partners, OPIM can help traders get recognized by institutional investors looking for new talent. "Our mission has always been to discover the next generation of great Asian managers and connect them to allocators," said Alvin Fan, Chief Executive Officer of OPIM. "With OP FundSeeder, we can now uncover hidden talent regardless of pedigree, background, or capital." The Hong Kong-based platform currently links to any trading accounts with Interactive Brokers including introducing brokers who clear through IB. In 2018, OPFS will be rolling out with more international brokers in Hong Kong. "We've learnt that trading talent can come from any background. In fact, some of the greatest fund managers in history came from non-financial backgrounds. The goal of the system is to help traders improve by first helping them understand their decisions. The OPFS scoring rewards discipline, process, consistency, and precision - all necessary to achieve strong risk-adjusted returns. OPFS is free and available for anyone interested in improving their trading." Alvin added. OPFS website will be updated on a regular basis and visitors are encouraged to explore the site and sign up at opfs.com.hk. Of course, as with any launch, there will always be room for improvement, so any feedback is welcome!FUN IN THE SUN Ethan Poirier, Zach Healy and Brett Poirier enjoy a game of disc golf Monday at Chestnut Ridge Park. Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content. Please Login below...

District prepared to welcome back all students to daily in-person learning Next week, students in the Orchard Park School District will return to school buildings for the 2021-22 school year. One major change from last school year is students will be...

Lilleck set to start first year as lead official of school district David Lilleck has worn a number of hats in the Orchard Park School District since arriving in 2007. Hes been the House III principal at Orchard Park High School, the...Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive

We're only two days in, but already 2018 has not been kind to a handful of beloved old Portland restaurants.

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Courtesy of Jeff Wohler

On Tuesday, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that The Original Taco House, Portland's longest-running Mexican restaurant, had closed both its remaining locations.

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Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Opened by longtime local restaurant-owning family the Waddles back in 1960, the chain once had five metro area locations. A Vancouver outpost closed last year.

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Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive

And that was just the beginning. Later that day, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that House of Louie, the last dim sum restaurant in the city's Chinatown, had closed for good.

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Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive

At lunchtime Tuesday, crews were hauling away furniture and kitchen wares from the restaurant as co-owner James Leong looked on in a beige hooded coat. A warren of back rooms including a lounge and banquet area stood empty save for a few stools, some boxes and a lone foosball table.

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Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive

And House of Louie wasn't the only Chinese restaurant to turn out the lights this weekend. Mandarin Cove, the lunchtime favorite at 111 S.W. Columbia St., closed for good on January 1.

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Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive

The restaurant, a favorite of office workers for their kung pao chicken and other inexpensive lunch specials, experimented with hand-pulled noodles in 2015.

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And it didn't stop there. On Wednesday, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Pazzo, a venerable downtown Portland Italian restaurant, was closing after 25 years in business.

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The restaurant, once home to some of Portland's best known chefs, including Scott Dolich (Park Kitchen), Oswaldo Bibiano (Autentica) and James Beard Award-winner Vitaly Paley, will reopen after a renovation this spring with a new menu of New York-style Italian food.

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And the bleeding will continue this month, as word broke late last year that Overlook Restaurant, one of the city's few close-in diners, would close permanently on January 21.

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Owners Jim and Jane Sassalos have run the Greek-American diner and lounge in North Portland's Overlook neighborhood for more than four decades.

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Combined, the closures represented more than 100 years of Portland restaurant history.

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Not every closure came as a complete surprise. When House of Louie first opened, it was one of several dim sum restaurants within a block of two of its corner at Northwest Third Avenue and Davis Street. When it closed, it was the neighborhood's last.

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At its peak, The Original Taco House had five locations throughout the Portland metro area. By 2017, it was already down to two, one each on Southeast Powell Boulevard and Northeast 82nd Avenue.

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For longtime customers, the hardest part was not being able to say goodbye.

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Last year saw dozens of restaurant and bar closures throughout the Portland metro area. Last month, we picked the 10 biggest.

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The Original Taco House, House of Louie, Mandarin Cove, Pazzo and (soon) Overlook Restaurant are the first casualties of 2018.

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Curious about Portland's gone-but-not-forgotten restaurants? Here are 97 of our favorite haunts from years past...

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...plus 84 more suggested by our readers.

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Portland's 10 biggest restaurant and bar closures of 2017.

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How do we preserve our historic restaurants?Clackamas Community College will host a series of forums at its Oregon City campus to give the public a chance to meet the four finalists for president.

The four are vying to replace Dr. Joanne Truesdell, who retires in June from the job she's held since 2007. They will field questions from the public during the sessions, which all take place at Niemeyer-Osterman Theatre, 19600 Molalla Ave., starting at 4 p.m. A short reception follows at 5 p.m. Here's the schedule:

Jan. 17: Tim Cook is vice president of instruction at Clark College. Cook has held several positions at the Vancouver, Washington, campus, including counseling faculty, division chair and acting dean of student success and retention. He has a doctorate in higher education administration, with an emphasis in community college leadership from Oregon State University.



Jan. 18: Jessica Howard is president of Portland Community College's Southeast Campus. She previously served as vice president of academic affairs at San Antonio College in Texas, where she also taught music and humanities courses as a faculty member and department chair. Howard holds a doctorate in performance studies from New York University.



Jan. 22: Chris Haines is interim president of Phoenix College in Arizona, where she formerly served as vice president and dean of student affairs. She's also been interim associate dean of enrollment services at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix. Haines has a master's degree in educational counseling from Northern Arizona University and is working on her doctoral degree in educational leadership/higher education at Northern Arizona University.



Jan. 24: J. Michael Thomson is president of Cuyahoga Community College's Eastern Campus in Ohio. Thomson previously worked at Northern Kentucky University, where he served as dean of academic affairs at the Western Campus as well as department chair and faculty member in the political science department. He earned a doctorate in political science at the University of Kentucky.

Clackamas Community College has 27,959 full- and part-time students at its three campuses. Public Information Officer Lori Hall says the school expects to announce its selection in April. The school did not post a salary range for the position.

To learn more about the candidates, visit www.clackamas.edu. For questions, contact President Search Liaison Amanda Coffey at 503-594-3257 or amandac@clackamas.edu.

--The Oregonian/OregonLiveTampa Bay Buccaneers and former Oregon Ducks safety T. J. Ward was arrested and charged with marijuana possession in Tampa Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

Ward, 31, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department. Ward was released from jail after posting $2,500 bail.

According to TMZ.com, Ward possessed 99.9 grams of marijuana when police entered his apartment in October. Police came to Ward's apartment after responding to an active intrusion alarm.

Police knocked the door of the Ward's apartment and identified themselves as police officers. A woman answered, opened the door and allowed the officers to enter the apartment, where they say marijuana on a table.

Ward and the female were charged with felony marijuana possession.

Ward signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with the Buccaneers three days after he was cut by the Denver Broncos on Sept. 1.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnoldBy Brandon Lee

Early in the new year, Canadian and American officials will meet to discuss the renewal of one of the most enduring examples of our strong partnership - the Columbia River Treaty.

Under the treaty's terms, three dams and reservoirs in British Columbia, and one dam in Montana that floods the Kootenay Valley into B.C., provide flood protection and help generate hydroelectricity downstream in the United States.

For more than 50 years, this benefit-sharing agreement has reliably prevented major flooding in the lower Columbia River Basin. It's helped manage water flows to generate carbon-free electricity. It's fueled technology booms from the jet age to cloud computing. And it has provided stable water levels for irrigation, shipping and recreational use across the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

The treaty also has become a critical platform for recent efforts to protect endangered salmon and to begin restoring some of the river's natural functions. The treaty has done all this while helping provide the Pacific Northwest with the lowest electricity rates in the U.S.

The Canadian government has been working closely with the Province of British Columbia, Canada's indigenous people and communities within the Canadian portion of the Columbia River basin. We look forward to sitting down with our American partners to talk about the future of the treaty, and to take stock of changes that have occurred since the treaty was ratified in 1964.

Though the treaty has provided benefits to Canada, there are ongoing significant costs for holding back flood waters on the British Columbia portion of the river basin. Canada's indigenous people and local communities have dealt with drastic fluctuations in reservoir levels causing environmental, economic and cultural losses for the benefit of our downstream neighbors.

The original objective of the Columbia River Treaty was to create and share benefits between the United States and Canada. For Canada, the starting point for discussion on the modernization of the treaty is recognition of the multiple benefits created by the treaty in the U.S., and the continued equitable sharing of these benefits. This must remain our shared goal going forward.

We see a tremendous opportunity to build on a great foundation by continuing to improve environmental conditions and the many economic and cultural benefits that can flow from a renewed treaty. We need to strive for a flexible, basin-wide approach to the challenges of climate change, while also modernizing flood risk management and producing carbon-free electricity.

The Columbia River Treaty has been an important element of the Canada-U.S. partnership. By approaching renewal of this agreement together in a spirit of shared benefits, we can both improve on the existing benefits while addressing new priorities and needs.

Brandon Lee is the Consul General of Canada to the Pacific Northwest, making the first public statement on his country's negotiating stance on the topic. He lives in Seattle.

Share your opinion

Submit your essay of 500 to 600 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonlive.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.This story originally ran February 25, 2007.

Adrienne Nelson moved to Oregon in 1994 to practice law and found her identity on trial. People didn't seem to think of African American women as lawyers, so she got mistaken in court for the paralegal, the social worker or the suspect's girlfriend.

"I almost left," she says. "I was just tired. I wanted someplace where I could just be me."

She stayed in Portland for family reasons and vowed to figure out how to belong. Her decision paid off. She became a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge last year at age 39, joining a powerful group of public servants who rule on matters of civil and criminal law. But belonging still doesn't come easily:

She's the only African American judge in a state court system that remains stubbornly white.

Oregon can't rely on Nelson to make up for 150 years of bias. It also can't expect Gov. Ted Kulongoski alone to diversify the bench, though the governor can do his part when he fills several vacancies in the coming weeks. The state must build the pipeline by recruiting more minority students and lawyers, and by making the judiciary more appealing to attorneys of all colors.

"This is a long-term undertaking," says Paul DeMuniz, chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. "It doesn't just begin in law school. We have to reach into all communities in Oregon, including communities of color, to attract people who may not otherwise think of entering the legal profession."

This effort isn't about political correctness, he adds. It's about the credibility of the courts in the eyes of an increasingly diverse state.

Roughly 200 people in Oregon work as state judges. Only 10, or 5 percent, identify themselves to the Oregon State Bar as minorities. They're part of a community of judges so small that people can list each other by first name: Adrienne is the African American judge, Michael and Jim are the Asian American judges, and so on.

"If there were more of us, believe me, we'd know it," Nelson says. "I'm it."

That puts Oregon's judiciary in the bottom third of states for racial diversity, according to the American Bar Association. It also makes the courts significantly less diverse than the state as a whole, with a minority population that has grown to 18.5 percent, according to new census data.

The bench's lack of racial diversity grows more obvious as the bench broadens itself in other ways, says Dale Koch, presiding judge of the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Out of 38 judges in his circuit, he says, five are openly gay and half are women, but only two are racial minorities.

"It's a glaring problem," Koch says. "We shine back mighty white."

Oregon's bench didn't become this white on its own. It reflects a history of sidelining minorities through the legal system. The law passed in 1849 to exclude African Americans from the Oregon Territory is one of the oldest examples. Laws and policies to discourage racial minorities from owning real estate, running businesses or participating in public life came later.

Such laws are long gone, but they helped keep the state a white bastion. This perpetuates a vicious cycle in the legal world: The lack of diversity in Oregon's professional circles makes the state less appealing to minorities who study or practice law, which in turn suppresses diversity.

Today, only 5.5 percent of Oregon lawyers identify themselves to the state bar as minorities. The numbers aren't definitive, but bar officials say the vast majority of the lawyers who choose not to report their race are white. Out of 12,900 active lawyers, the bar includes roughly 100 African Americans, 300 Asian Americans, 180 Latinos, 70 Native Americans and 90 who identify themselves as "other."

It's a better showing than a generation ago, when 99.5 percent of Oregon lawyers were white. But it helps explain why Adrienne Nelson, raised with open eyes in a racially divided Arkansas town, struggled as a young lawyer to feel comfortable in Oregon.

Kulongoski plans to appoint several people to the bench within days or weeks. Based on his track record, diversity will be one factor guiding his decisions. His leadership in this area is key: The only alternative to a judicial appointment is to run for a seat, and the elective system rewards incumbents and well-connected candidates within a mostly white establishment.

Still, the governor can't fix the larger diversity problem. He only can try to compensate for it. It's up to the Oregon legal community to solve the problem at its roots. That requires a more sincere effort than the classic halfhearted attempts at affirmative action in law-school admissions and employment.

It takes outreach to students in high school and younger. It also takes networking and mentoring. Oregon is doing more of this through its law schools and the state bar. However, recruitment and retention remain challenging in a state that's still about as white as Kansas.

"Schools with more national name recognition and a bigger scholarship pool are going to attract a more diverse pool of applicants," says Stella Manabe, the bar's affirmative action program administrator. Oregon schools and law firms have to fight, she adds.

The backlash against diversity training doesn't help the state's case, either.

Oregon lawyers recently voted to suspend the state requirement of one hour of diversity education per year. The resentment of white lawyers over one nonbillable hour, the spotty quality of the classes and the lingering dispute over the vote reflect poorly on Oregon as a welcoming place for lawyers --and judges --of color.

One final issue limits the pool of judicial candidates: Oregon pays its judges less than at least 47 other states, according to the National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit advocacy organization. When good lawyers can earn more as newly minted associates than as senior judges, it's hard to lure them from the private sector onto the bench.

Still, some lawyers seek the job gladly.

A few are minority lawyers who believe in public service.

"There are a lot of lawyers of color out there who are highly experienced and willing and able to serve," says Judge Richard Baldwin, a diversity advocate on the Multnomah County Circuit Court bench. "I, for one, don't see how we can have (fair and impartial courts) without being inclusive and without having judges that reflect the community."

These judges include Jim Fun, a former prosecutor and highly qualified candidate who won a seat last year on the Washington County Circuit Court. He could've held out for an appointment, yet he chose to run so no one would think he got the job because of his skin color.

"For me," he said then, "it had to be a race."

He made his mom proud --and he brought the grand total of Oregon judges who identify themselves to the state bar as Asian American to two.

As for Adrienne Nelson, she earned an appointment from Kulongoski at an early age. She describes her colleagues as supportive and her first year as hectic but manageable. She carries herself with grace, showing a maturity and compassion that can come from being underestimated.

"You are always getting questioned whether you got it because of affirmative action," the Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate says one rainy morning near the courthouse after dropping off her daughter at high school. She smiles broadly. "You just learn to take a breath."

She takes a breath.

"I hope things will change."

-- Susan NielsenBy Martin Taylor and Tonia Hunt

The state legislature did the right thing -- and the smart thing -- by passing a bipartisan health care funding package that kept Oregon's promise to vulnerable Oregonians, including seniors, people with disabilities and 400,000 children who rely on Medicaid. They did the right thing by funding the reinsurance program that reduces premiums - by $300 a year on average -- for people who buy their own coverage. Essential portions of that package are now on the ballot as Measure 101, which voters across the state should support this January.

Oregon has a proud history of bipartisanship and innovation when it comes to health care, because we recognize the connection between health and so many other key indicators of prosperity. We recognize that for kids to be ready to learn, they need to healthy. We understand that for communities to thrive economically, families need access to health care.

State lawmakers crafted a funding package for Medicaid that received supermajority support and the endorsement of business, labor and nearly every healthcare organization in Oregon. By implementing a fee on hospitals and insurance companies, the package did not require scarce general funds needed for education, human services and public safety.

Starting this week, voters have the opportunity to vote yes on Measure 101 and affirm this commonsense approach to providing hundreds of thousands of Oregonians with basic health care. The Oregonian Editorial Board got it wrong on Measure 101. Here's what you should know:

The Oregonian noted that while Rep. Julie Parrish and Rep. Cedric Hayden oppose the stable funding model passed by the legislature, the budget numbers in their alternate proposals do not add up to protecting the low-income children and families who count on Medicaid. A plan to break our Medicaid system without a viable alternative to keep people covered is irresponsible at best, and cruel at worst.

The Oregonian failed to point out that opponents have garnered zero support among organizations who provide health care services or work with vulnerable populations. Children First and Oregon Nurses are joined by 160 trusted organizations in support of Measure 101 because it is the right and fairest plan for ratepayers, taxpayers and patients.

Measure 101 ensures that hospitals and insurance companies pay their fair share to fund health care in our state. It would be foolish and irresponsible for Oregon to reject such a common-sense funding option and leave hundreds of millions of dollars of federal money on the table when so many people in our state depend on this essential program.

The last time a similar policy was before the legislature in 2009, the Oregonian editorial board praised passage of a temporary assessment on insurance companies to provide health care for low-income children. They wrote, "It's not just the right thing to do, but it's also the smart thing, as healthier children end up being more successful children." With that funding the state lowered the rate of uninsured children from more than 12 percent to the 3 percent it is now.

What was true then, is true today. Measure 101 continues that essential protection for children, seniors, people with disabilities and working families. Measure 101 is the right choice for Oregon.

Martin Taylor is the chief executive officer of the Oregon Nurses Association; Tonya Hunt is the executive director of Children First for Oregon. Learn more and join us at yesforhealthcare.org.

Share your opinion

Submit your essay of 500 to 600 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonlive.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.The state appeals court decision last week in the Sweet Cakes by Melissa saga was an affirmation of Oregonians' deeply-held values of diversity and tolerance. A three-judge panel upheld the principle that businesses offering goods and services to the public cannot simply claim religious freedom and artistic expression as license to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or other characteristics.

The decision was also - mostly - a solid win for Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian who rightly concluded that Sweet Cakes' owners, Aaron and Melissa Klein, violated a state anti-discrimination law by denying service to Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer in 2013. The unanimous opinion, written by Judge Chris Garrett, cleanly dismantled the Kleins' arguments and found that the state's award of $135,000 in emotional damages to the same-sex couple was legitimate.

But the Kleins did prevail on one key portion of their challenge to the state's case. The appeals court reversed Avakian's ruling that some of the Kleins' comments - made in media interviews and in a sign on the store window - amounted to a threat to continue discriminating against same-sex couples, violating a statute prohibiting such discriminatory communications. In overturning Avakian, the court found that the commissioner took comments by Aaron Klein out of context, ignored the fact that Klein was talking about the past and construed the comments in a manner contrary to the only reasonable interpretation of his words. "When those statements and the note are viewed in their proper context, the record does not support BOLI's conclusion that the Kleins violated ORS 659A.409," the opinion states.

As much as people may abhor the Kleins' discriminatory actions, they should feel relieved that the bakery owners' won on this element of the case. The reversal of Avakian's overzealous actions affirms another core belief of Oregonians - that the government must act in good faith in its regulation of citizens. Instead, Avakian distorted and misrepresented the Kleins' words in order to declare their speech unlawful. While the Kleins should pay the price for their discriminatory actions, Avakian simply went too far as he made political hay out of a high-profile cause that showcased his progressive cred.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and John Maher.

To respond to this editorial, post your comment below, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor.

If you have questions about the opinion section, email Laura Gunderson, editorial pages editor, or call 503-221-8378.

It's worth reviewing the words that prompted Avakian to declare the Kleins' speech unlawful in the first place. Avakian singled out comments Aaron Klein made in a February 2014 interview in which he was asked what happened on the day he turned down Rachel Bowman-Cryer's request for a cake. Klein recalled that he had told Bowman-Cryer "(we) don't do same-sex marriage." The interviewer also asked if the Kleins had previously thought about the possibility of same-sex weddings and what their bakery would do. Klein responded that he and his wife decided at the time that they could "see it is going to become an issue but we have to stand firm."

Seems like a straightforward recounting of what happened and the Kleins' state of mind before Rachel Bowman-Cryer ever came into the store, doesn't it? Now consider the sign posted in the Kleins' shop after the store closed in August 2013 amid the uproar. It said: "This fight is not over. We will continue to stand strong. Your religious freedom is becoming not free anymore. This is ridiculous that we cannot practice our faith. The LORD is good and we will continue to serve HIM with all our heart." It seems to convey the Kleins' resolution to "stand strong" in the bakery's fight with the state and is, at best, highly ambiguous about its meaning.

Except not in Avakian's world. He decided that, collectively, those comments amounted to notice that they would continue discriminating unlawfully in the future. Hence, the finding that the Kleins' speech violated the statute.

Unfortunately, it seemed that some Oregonians who were so galled by the Kleins' homophobic actions were willing to overlook Avakian's absurd overreach. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon initially endorsed Avakian's findings, despite the obvious manner in which the commissioner cherry-picked words and divorced them from any context. The ACLU eventually modified its position, conceding that the portion of Avakian's order relating to the Kleins' comments was confusing and failed to specify how the statements demonstrate an intention to continue discriminating.

The appeals' court decision helps restore a small amount of sanity in a case that has generated a depressing amount of hate, much of it targeted at the Bowman-Cryers, who deserved none of this. Hopefully, the opinion serves as a rational reminder to businesses and elected officials alike of what the law does - and doesn't - allow.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial BoardDavid Clarke Jr., the former Milwaukee, Wisc. sheriff turned right wing provocateur, is scheduled to speak at Portland rally in February.

Clarke is billed to headline the 2018 Freedom Rally organized by the Oregon Liberty Alliance, according to an event listing by the consortium of conservative groups. The event, to be held at an airport hotel, is for paid guests only. Other speakers include Republican Congressman Greg Walden, conservative media personality Dana Loesch and religious liberty attorney Joseph Infranco.

Rep. Bill Post, a Keizer Republican and one of the Oregon Legislature's most conservative members, tweeted Tuesday that the rally's organizers are "going BIG this year" by booking the former Wisconsin lawman.

Clarke, 61, is a vehement supporter of President Trump and occasionally makes headlines for his attacks on the press and liberals.

Twitter temporarily suspended Clarke's account this week because he violated the website's terms of service by posting tweets that called for violence against the press. He said in one now-deleted tweet that members of the press should be assaulted so as to "TASTE THEIR OWN BLOOD."

Clarke also gained infamy as the sheriff of Wisconsin's most-populous county and administrator of its jails, where high numbers of inmates died or complained of abuse. Often seen sporting a cowboy hat, Clarke has made himself a fixture of conservative media in recent years and makes frequent public appearances. In 2016, he published an op-ed supporting the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Clarke was reportedly being considered for a position in the Trump administration last year when he resigned as sheriff. But a White House job never materialized.

The rally is scheduled to start at noon on February 3 at the Holiday Inn Portland-Airport. General admission tickets are $45. Attendees can also opt for a VIP experience for $300 a person or $500 per couple, which includes a photo-op and "personal time" with the speakers, per the event listing.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedmanGov. Kate Brown on Tuesday appointed Janine Benner as director of the Oregon Department of Energy, subject to Senate confirmation.

Benner, 40, has been the agency's interim director since stepping in for Michael Kaplan, who in October announced plans to move to the Oregon Treasury as chief operating officer.

"Janine is an innovative leader with a wealth of experience in management, energy policy, and climate change," Brown said. "Her background and expertise will well serve the agency and further our ongoing efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions in Oregon while keeping energy reliable and affordable."

A graduate of Grant High School in Portland, Benner previously worked for 16 years in Washingtopn D.C., including four years managing the U.S. Department of Energy's interactions with Congress. Before that she was an aide to U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, for more a decade, most recently as his deputy chief of staff. Her work with Blumenauer included advising him on energy, climate change, renewable energy and transportation issues.

Benner is the sixth director in the past eight years at the agency, which has been plagued by public scandals, staff turnover and lawsuits over its budget. The Legislature briefly considered disbanding the department and parceling out its responsibilities to other agencies. But a bipartisan committee formed in 2016 to evaluate the agency was unable to reach consensus on any recommendations for a restructuring. It left the agency's energy policy, energy facility siting, and emergency preparedness roles intact while allowing most of its incentive programs to sunset.

One question looming for the agency is what role it will play in climate change policy. The Legislature will consider a new carbon pricing plan in the upcoming 2018 session, a bill that would ultimately raise many multiples of the $1 billion that flowed through the Energy Department's scandalized Business Energy Tax Credit program during the past decade. A variety of stakeholders and lawmakers are reluctant to see the Energy Department with any role managing that program if the bill passes.

-Ted Sickinger

503-221-8505; @tedsickinger

Correction: Janine Benner is the agency's sixth director in eight years, not seven, as a pervious version of this article said. The article has also been updated to reflect her energy policy experience while working with Rep. Earl Blumenauer.Governor Kate Brown appointed Adrienne Nelson to the Oregon Supreme Court on Tuesday, marking the first time an African American has served on the high court in the states 158-year history.

No African American judge has served on the states second highest court -- the Oregon Court of Appeals -- either.

Nelson, who is in her early 50s, has presided as a Multnomah County Circuit judge for nearly 12 years.

At the time of her circuit appointment by then-governor Ted Kulongoski in 2006, she was the only African American judge in a state court system of about 200 judges. Today, there are five, three of whom were appointed by Brown last year.

"In addition to her work in the courtroom, she has made extraordinary strides to make the trial bench more receptive to the needs and experiences of diverse and underserved communities in our state, Brown said in a news release.

Judge Nelson is a widely respected civil rights champion, whose perspective on the bench moves us closer to our shared vision of justice for all.

Nelson fills a vacancy created by retired Justice Jack Landau. Her appointment starts immediately.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity," Nelson told The Oregonian/OregonLive Tuesday.

The news organization wrote about Nelson in 2007, the year after she became a circuit court judge. She said when she moved to Oregon in the 1990s, some people didn't expect an African American woman to be a lawyer, and she was mistaken for a paralegal, a social worker or the suspect's girlfriend. Read that story here.

Nelson grew up in Arkansas. While in high school, her mother sued her school district for refusing to permit an African American student to be recognized as a valedictorian, according to the governor's office. Nelson's mother prevailed, and Nelson was named valedictorian, the governor's office said.

Nelson attended the University of Arkansas and later the University of Texas law school. She worked as a public defender at Multnomah Defenders Inc. for three years starting in 1996. From 1999 to 2004, she worked at the Portland law firm of Bennett, Hartman, Morris and Kaplan.

She was coordinator of Student Legal and Mediation Services from 2004 to 2006 at Portland State University before being appointed as a circuit court judge.

She is a past recipient of the Multnomah Bar Associations Award of Merit and the Oregon State Bars Diversity and Inclusion Award.

-- Aimee GreenPortland police responded to a report of an armed robbery at southeast Portland convenience store Roll Your Own on Tuesday night. No one was hurt.

Police say an employee told them two men entered the store, both armed with handguns, and demanded money. They obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and left the store without incident, the employee told police. Roll Your Own is located at Southeast 158th and Division.

Officers checked the neighborhood for the suspects but didn't find anyone matching their descriptions. The two are described as about five feet ten inches tall with thin builds and armed with handguns.

Police are asking anyone with information about the reported robbery to contact detectives at 503-823-0405.

-- Anna MarumThe Trump administration's threat to cut aid to the Palestinians to force them into a peace deal may have dire humanitarian consequences that could backfire on Israel, Israeli security officials and analysts warned Wednesday, while Palestinians slammed it as blackmail.

The U.S. pays "the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted Tuesday evening. "With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make these massive future payments to them."

Earlier in the day Trump's envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, suggested the United States will cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees, until the Palestinian leadership returns to the negotiating table. The United States is UNWRA's biggest donor and gave it more than $360 million last year, 40 percent of the organization's budget.

Palestinian officials reacted furiously to what they interpreted as an attempt by the United States to give up their claims to Jerusalem in return for continued financial aid.

"Palestinian rights are not for sale," said Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee. "By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also single-handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israel's illegal annexation of the city. We will not be blackmailed."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last month said the United States had disqualified itself from a role brokering a peace process by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and saying he would move the U.S. Embassy there. The move was taken by Palestinian officials as a clear indication of U.S. bias toward Israel and a rejection of Palestinian claims to the city, even though Trump said at the time that it should not be read as a position on the city's final status.

"Cutting funding would not bring anything good to the situation," said an Israeli security official speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. "Doing this would end up making the Palestinian leadership even weaker, then there really would be no one to talk to or rely upon."

Abbas' Palestinian Authority coordinates with Israel on security, but the already weak leader has been further undermined by Trump's Jerusalem decision, with nothing to show for decades of negotiations.

UNWRA runs schools and educational programs that Israeli defense officials see as important counterbalance to Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for the past decade, while the organization also provides essential primary health care and other services for Palestinians.

"Traditionally the Israeli defense establishment has resisted pressure by Israeli hawks who want to shut down UNWRA funding," said Ofer Zalzberg, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. "They say, if it's not UNWRA, then education will be provided by Hamas."

Chris Gunness, UNRWA's spokesperson, said the agency had not been notified of any changes in U.S. funding. The organization's work "is described as indispensable to the dignity of Palestine refugees and the stability of the region," he said.

UNWRA runs 700 schools for Palestinians across the region, nearly 150 primary health clinics and employs over 30,000 teaching staff, doctors, nurses, social workers, sanitation laborers and engineers.

"We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table," Haley said Tuesday in the U.N. Security Council. "As of now, they're not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We're going to make sure that they come to the table."

However, Trump's tweet, which also made reference to his Jerusalem decision, may have the opposite effect and only cause a stronger backlash, Zalzberg said. "It's being perceived as deeply offensive," he said. "It's been taken to say 'we will pay you to make a concession on Jerusalem."

Palestinian officials say they are willing to return to negotiations but won't be coerced.

"Jerusalem and its holy sites are not for sale, not with gold, nor with silver," Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Abbas, said in a statement. He said the Palestinian leadership is not opposed to returning to negotiations, but they need to have Arab and international legitimacy with negotiations based on a two-state solution with east Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.

Tayseer Nasrallah, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in Nablus described the threat as "complete madness and blackmail by the United States to exert pressure on us to give up our national rights."

The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem prompted weeks of protests in Arab and Muslim countries around the world and numerous 'days of rage' in Jerusalem, Israel and the West Bank. At least 12 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli security forces, including two militants in an Israeli airstrike that came as response to rockets fired from Gaza at civilian areas in southern Israel.

Since the announcement, rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has reached levels not seen since the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military said two rockets were fired at Israeli territory on Wednesday.

Israeli security officials and analysts have been saying for months that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.

"Cutting aid to the Palestinians at this stage would have the opposite effect to what the Americans want," said Moshe Maoz, an Israeli professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "This is brutal pressure from the U.S., not only ignore the Palestinian's rights to East Jerusalem but also cutting aid? I don't have any good word for this stupid policy.

"The situation in Gaza is terrible, if America cuts its aid, it would be catastrophic," he said.

In an article published last November on the website of the Institute for National Security Studies, Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, head of COGAT, the Israeli military authority responsible for implementing government policy in the West Bank, described the link between the social and economic conditions in Gaza and the security situation.

He urged the international community to give more funding to Gaza to improve the economy.

Recognition of Gaza's humanitarian crisis was also brought to the attention of the Israeli government in September when Nadav Argaman, current head of Israel's Internal Security Agency, highlighted that Hamas was already struggling to address the difficulties facing its population.

"The economic-civilian difficulties in the strip are getting worse," Argaman said, according to a report in the Israeli daily Haaretz. "Rehabilitation of the strip is faltering. There is a serious crisis when it comes to infrastructure. Unemployment is increasing. There is a crisis over [the payment of] salaries and a drop in the gross [domestic] product."

However, Trump's tweet was welcomed by some right-wing Israelis. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Home Party, commended Trump for not being afraid "to speak the truth, even if it is not popular."

"The truth is Jerusalem has always been, and will always be, Israel's capital," said Bennett in a statement. "The truth is no peace deal could ever be predicated on the division of Jerusalem."

He added: "The truth is the US has no interest in funding those who act against its interest. The truth is the Palestinian leadership continues to fund terrorists, using US tax moneys."The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Kelly Dame.

Monday, Jan. 1

12:17 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to a report of shots fired or fireworks at South Orus and West Gordonville roads. The source of the noise was not found.

1:19 a.m. -- A Warren Township woman, 34, requested help with dropping off a cat at the Humane Society after hours.

1:49 a.m. -- Officers were sent to check a report of a loud party in the 2500 block of Abbott Road.

2:11 a.m. -- A deputy assisted a stranded Saginaw man, 54, who was walking in the City of Midland in single digit temperatures by allowing him to sit in a patrol car and called for a taxi to take him home.

2:36 a.m. -- A motorist was arrested at East Indian and State streets for drunken driving.

3:23 a.m. -- Deputies were sent to a report of a traffic crash in Ingersoll Township and found that the man had driven into a ditch while trying to leave a home. The man, 42, had been asked to leave the home after striking a woman, age 36. The woman was not hurt and did not wish to press charges.

4:15 a.m. -- A Coleman man, 50, was arrested in the City of Coleman for domestic assault.

5:57 a.m. -- A motorist was arrested in the 200 block of Arbury Place for drunken driving.

2:48 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to a Jerome Township home for a report of neighbors shooting a dog. The neighbors said the dogs have been barking and charging at them, and an unloaded BB gun was fired to make a loud noise to scare them off. All parties were educated on civil and criminal dog laws as well as self-defense laws. No animals were hurt.

3:05 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Lee Township to investigate a report of a personal protection order violation, and found no violation occurred.

7:33 p.m. -- A deputy investigated a report of threats that were texted to a woman in Lee Township.

Sunday, Dec. 31

3:04 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a report of an assault and battery in Jerome Township. The victim did not want to make a formal report.

12:44 p.m. -- A Jasper Township man, 37, reported his neighbor's dog was in his yard and growled at his wife. Deputies spoke with the owner of the dog, who agreed to keep the dog in her yard.

1:21 p.m. -- Deputies were called to Jerome Township for a report of an injured deer. The animal had been shot. The information was turned over to the Department of Natural Resources.

2:03 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to a Jerome Township home for a report of a domestic assault, and learned the incident occurred in the City of Midland. The report was handed over to Midland Police for investigation.

3:52 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to a Mills Township home to check the welfare of farm animals. The owner was caring for the animals properly.

4:57 p.m. -- A $700 handmade wood splitter was stolen from Jasper Township property. There are no suspects.

8:26 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Midland Township for a report of dogs left tied up to a tree. The owner said the dogs were let out for a few minutes to go to the bathroom.

9:08 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to a report of gunshots in a Larkin Township neighborhood. The area was quiet when the deputy arrived.

10:31 p.m. -- A deputy as sent to East Letts Road and Rolling Ridge in Larkin Township for a report of fireworks. The resident said the fireworks were done for the night.

Saturday, Dec. 30

2:09 a.m. -- A deputy assisted Midland Police with a driver who failed to pull over for a police officer who was conducting a traffic stop. The pursuit ended after about 1 mile, with no injuries.

9:57 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to Lincoln Township for a report of a man carrying a suitcase and walking. The man was walking from the Open Door to his new home in that township, and the deputy gave him a ride the rest of the way.

10:06 a.m. -- A Porter Township man, 37, reported a missing Social Security check.

11:05 a.m. -- A deputy checked a report of gunshots at a City of Midland location, and it is believed the shots were coming from a gun range.

12:45 p.m. -- A deputy investigated a report of an assault in Jerome Township.

7:31 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to a Lee Township home for a report of a man who wanted to harm himself. The man said he had no intentions of harming himself, and agreed to go to the emergency room to have his medications and high blood alcohol level checked on. A report of a probation violation is being turned in.

8:13 p.m. -- An Edenville Township woman, 32, reported a suspicious situation involving her daughter, age 9. The girl was walking home from a friend's house when an older van pulled up and the two people inside offered her a ride. The girl ran back to the friend's home.

8:46 p.m. -- A deputy investigated a report of someone hunting too close to a Mills Township home. The person was tracking a deer, and was informed of safety zone regulations by the deputy.

11:46 p.m. -- Deputies received a report from Child Protective Services of a Lee Township woman, 20, who was assaulted by her boyfriend sometime in November. The woman denied the assault occurred and refused to speak further with deputies.

Friday, Dec. 29

12:13 a.m. -- A deputy was called to Mount Haley Township to check a report of shots fied, and found nothing suspicious.

4:32 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to a suspicious situation in Lee Township, as documented in the daily media log: "Caller reported hearing someone trying the front door. The family pet that had been accidentally locked outside became bored with our beautiful Michigan winter and wished to enjoy the beautiful heated interior of the home."

8:43 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to a Lee Township home to check the well being of a dog that was not seen as usual by a passerby. The caller, an Alma woman, believed the dog might have been frozen inside its dog house. The dog was found alive and well, with appropriate straw bedding, food and water.

12:52 p.m. -- A Larkin Township woman, 17, reported her credit card was used fraudulently in Georgia. The total amount charged at $348.29. There are no suspects.

1:19 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to check the well being of a Warren Township man, 71, who missed a weekly doctor appointment. The man was found in bed with his blood sugar very high. He was taken to the emergency room for treatment.

1:22 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Larkin Township for a report of a large number of gunshots coming from a wooded area near a residential area. The area was checked and the source of the shooting was not found because it ended before the deputy arrived.

7:43 p.m. -- A Lee Township woman, 55, reported two malnourished dogs, without collars and tags, were at her door. Both dogs were taken to the Humane Society.

7:51 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to a Midland Township home for a report of dogs being left outside in the cold. The three dogs were well cared for and healthy.

9:35 p.m. -- A Lee Township woman, 35, was arrested for fourth-degree child abuse, domestic assault and two counts of assault after an incident in Lee Township. The victims are an 8-month-old child, a 49-year-old woman, and two men, ages 36 and 64. There were no injuries that required medical treatment but paramedics were called and cleared all victims.Buckman Names Christine Staples as Global Vice President of Its Water Division

Jan. 2, 2018 - Buckman announced today the appointment of Christine Staples as Global Vice President of their Water Division.

Most recently, Staples held the position of Global General Manager in Nalco Champion. Prior to that, she spent over 20 years at Ecolab where she held increasingly complex executive leadership positions in both the water and energy industries.

After a rigorous search, we concluded that Christine's leadership and considerable global experience in both the water and chemical industries, along with her strong track record of success as a Global General Manager made her the outstanding candidate for the role, said Buckman's CEO, Junai Maharaj.

Staples holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, a master's degree from The Colorado School of Mines and an MBA from The University of Denver. Ms. Staples has served on the American Heart Association executive committee for STEM initiatives and is actively involved in a variety of organizations focused on girls in STEM.

Buckman is a privately held, global specialty chemical company with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. To learn more, please visit: www.buckman.com .

SOURCE: BuckmanIt's been a rough day for fashion photography, as two of its previously shining stars continue to implode in a blaze of sexual assault accusations, half-hearted apologies and most of all, denial.

Many of the powerful men in high profile industries accused of sexual misconduct over the past few months have been punished for their misdeeds, facing job loss, public disgrace, and in some cases police investigations. As Dave Chappelle noted during his latest Netflix special, Louis C.K., non-consensual masturbator, "lost everything."

Harvey Weinstein is being sued for sex trafficking; Kevin Spacey is under investigation by the London Police for decades of allegations. And now, "Uncle Terry" Richardson is officially being investigated by the NYPD's Special Victims Squad, according to the New York Daily News.

Richardson has been accused by several models over the years of sexual misconduct on sets, and many have reported feeling coerced into doing things they hadn't agreed to with the photographer. Richardson has always claimed his interactions were consensual, and none of the reports had ever come to much until now, as two former models say the NYPD has contacted them regarding his alleged behavior.

Famed fashion photographer Bruce Weber has also maintained his innocence in the wake of accusations by two male models that he acted inappropriately toward them on set or during casting calls, and unlike Richardson has managed so far to escape the more extreme fate of other men in similar positions.

Vanity Fair canceled its Art Basel event honoring Weber, and Grace Coddington deleted a chummy photo of Weber from Instagram, but only after immense public pressure begging her to do so. Now, he's outright denied the claims made by the two models both to the press and in a complaint to the New York State Supreme Court.

Only time will tell if Weber manages to skate through this unscathed or end up like his colleague, Richardson, who was recently blacklisted from working with Conde Nast and Valentino.

Image via BFA

In what is a monumental win for the weed industry, and all Cali residents that enjoy indulging in a little pot, America's most-populated state has now legalized marijuana.

California has now joined a number of states changing their approach to marijuana, which marks exciting times for national drug reform. If you're over the age of 21, it is now legal to grow up to six plants and possess up to an ounce (!) on your person.

While the state's residents have already been celebrating the news, tracking down a spot to purchase your recreational weed may prove a little difficult in these early days. Only 90 businesses reportedly received state licenses to open yesterday, on New Year's Day  primarily in the San Diego, Santa Cruz, the San Francisco Bay Area and Palm Springs  as local regulations in larger cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco have not yet been approved.

However, this may not indicate the end of drug dealers pedaling marijuana, as taxes are expected to raise the retail cost of pot up to 70 percent higher than the street price. Nonetheless It's a very, very happy new year for Californians.

Image via Instagram

As of yesterday, Iceland is now the first country in the world to enforce equal pay laws between men and women.

Per the new law, businesses with 25 or more people will need to obtain paperwork from the government certifying their equal-pay policies, and will be potentially fined if they don't comply.



The Nordic country has been a leader in creating a gender-equal country for awhile now, having been ranked by the World Economic Forum as the most gender-equal country by the past nine years. It probably helps that nearly 50 percent of its parliament is female.

"We need to make sure that men and women enjoy equal opportunity in the workplace," Equality and Social Affairs Minister Thorsteinn Viglundsson said about the law. "It is our responsibility to take every measure to achieve that."

For comparison, 80% of top nominations in the Trump administration have been male. Only 19.6% of the current US Congress is female, according to the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. Not surprisingly, the equal pay legislation faced little opposition in Iceland's half female parliament.

In terms of enforcing pay parity between the genders, it's no secret that the U.S. has a long way to go (despite what some Red Pillers would have you think). The American Association of University Women reports that while only two states in America have no equal-pay protection laws at all, only eight have strong ones. And while the Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibits discrimination based on sex, the wording of the act allows for employers to take advantage of loopholes that have led to the persisting wage gap.



The pay gap in Iceland was around 20 percent in 2015, according to its government (the same figure was found for the US that year too, though the pay gap is larger for Hispanic women and even more so for black women.)

Iceland's goal is to achieve gender parity by 2022, according to the Times. A 2015 report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research found that at the current rate and with current policies, American women will have to wait until 2058 to be compensated fairly for their work.

Image via Getty

"Everyone has their own Saint Johns," says Texas designer Preston Douglas, whose new collection is inspired by life as an outsider at his private Houston-based school, Saint Johns. For Douglas, the space embodies censorship and feeling actively repressed by a conservative system and uniform to match. "I've never felt like I belong," he says.

The rising talent's latest body of work is a direct response to this stifling experience, taking staples often used for private school uniforms, from striped button-ups to classic trousers. Douglas' version is a much more twisted interpretation of the classics, stretching menswear silhouettes down to the floor and covering everything in painted patches.

It's queer, quietly radical and altogether rooted in raw emotion  exactly how Douglas likes things done.

We caught up with the fashion newcomer to learn more about his brand, and the ways he's changing today's menswear landscape. Douglas also created an exclusive PAPER shoot with his Saint Johns collection, photographed inside Post HTX the day after Day for Night festival closed.

What do you hate most about the menswear trends dominating fashion today?

I'm not a fan of a lot of the designers and brands that I get categorized with who are "trendy" these days. Some of the most popular menswear companies just feel uninspiring, and there is no emotion behind the collections or pieces. I'm really sick of these boring rappers and social media influencers determining the external success of menswear brands.

How do you think you're changing that through Preston Douglas?

Each collection I make is a body of work  I don't just make clothes. This is such a saturated market and everyone is a "designer" these days. Fashion is my art form and each collection I create has a specific reason behind why I make it. I don't design on a specific schedule, and can't/won't force a collection into existence.

Talk me through the inspiration for this collection  you've subverted traditional catholic uniforms into something new and exciting.

I went to St. John's School in Houston from kindergarten through 12th grade, so all I knew growing up was that uniform. I never felt good enough throughout my coming of age and associated those feelings of insufficiency with the khaki, red, black, and white. I had similar feelings crop up with where I was at in the fashion world, and then examined what my uniform in this industry is. I wrote a letter while designing the collection for those interested in the full story.

How is this collection reflective of your personal point of view?

Wes Anderson is my favorite director and he went to St. John's School as well, which is also where he filmed most of Rushmore, one of my top three movies of all time. I felt as if it was time for me to make the 21st century Rushmore and I fulfilled my creative objective [through this collection]. It will take a few years before people really give this collection the credit it deserves, much like Rushmore, as people continue seeing how I operate as an artist.

Related | Kanye West: In His Own Words

How difficult is it to break into fashion as a young independent designer?

It seems like the only way to break into the fashion industry these days is if you're one of Kanye's minions. It's definitely difficult because it's increasingly challenging to create something completely new, but it is definitely possible. My brand will take a bit longer because my focus is on the story behind each collection rather than say reinventing the workwear jacket like Craig Green did. I continue focusing on the true art behind each collection and know that my time will come.

What is the significance of this shoot's location in relation to the collection?

We shot this editorial at Post HTX, the venue for Day for Night, on the day after the festival ended. I started going out and partying way too hard around junior/senior year of high school and became stuck in the darkness as a form of escapism. I thought it was so interesting to see the aftermath of all this chaos as a way of embracing the reality behind how I used to live. No matter how hard I tried to run away, I couldn't escape the next day.

You're Texas-based, which is very interesting for fashion  why this location and how does it affect your work?

I've lived in Houston my whole life and ended up back here for college at UH. I graduate in May and am looking for a job in the fashion industry, which will likely take me to New York. Although Houston is a huge city, I have to find external inspiration through mediums other than fashion and am easier able to look internally for my creativity.

Who do you think you're designing for?

I design for people who want to wear a story and emotion rather than a brand name. They put on their outfit for the day based on how they are feeling rather than what will get the most likes on Instagram. My dream client is anyone who can feel the emotion behind the piece they purchased and can connect with the garment. When someone asks that person what that piece is, they can tell the story behind the collection from which the item is from.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2018?

I am finishing up my next collection and really hope that this February New York collection release party happens. We have an amazing concept and are keeping our fingers crossed for a sponsorship to come through. Other than that, I hope to land a job at an amazing fashion company after graduating, to have a gallery show, and continuing to make art. It may be another collection, but I am unsure depending on where I move and when inspiration strikes. If I continue the momentum I had for 2017, [the new year will] be a beautiful place.

For more information on Preston Douglas, click here.This is one of a series of my reviews of the book by prominent Catholic journalist, editor, and author Philip Lawler, entitled Lost Shepherd: How Pope Francis is Misleading His Flock (due to be released on 26 February 2018). Phil was kind enough to send me a review copy, and he and others have encouraged me to read the book and review it. Their wish is granted!

For background, see my paper, On Rebuking Popes & Catholic Obedience to Popes, and three posts concerning a few statements from the book that I found very troubling and questionable, including dialogues with both Karl Keating (who positively reviewed it) and briefly with author Phil himself (one / two / three).

Previous Installments:

#1 Critique of Introduction

#2 Homosexuality & Judging

#3: The Pope Annihilated Hell?

***

Phil Lawler writes in Chapter Six, p. 126 in the manuscript he sent me:

Despite his studied ambiguity, Francis has unquestionably opened a door for the divorced and remarried to receive Communion. As a practical matter, virtually every divorced and remarried Catholic can argue that his case falls into that special category whatever it isof those allowed to receive the Eucharist. If his pastor disagrees, he will probably move on to another parish, until he finds a pastor who accepts his argument. Was that the popes intent: to leave every parish priest free to make his own interpretations of Church teaching? Having spoken frequently about decentralization of Church authority, did the pope really mean to go that far? He has playfully encouraged young Catholics to make a mess; was he trying to set an example by deconstructing the teaching office? The Code of Canon Law puts priests under a solemn obligation to avoid scandal by withholding the Eucharist from those who persist in manifest grave sin (canon 915). An adulterous relationship is a manifest grave sin. The Argentine bishops appear to saywith papal approvalthat in some circumstances priests should administer Communion to people who are living in objectively adulterous relationships. Has canon 915 been amended or abrogated, then? The pope is the supreme legislator of the Church, with the unquestioned power to modify canon law. But he has not done so. In fact, he has deliberately avoided the exercise of his authority, giving the impression that formal Church teachings and laws do not really matter and can safely be ignored.

It may surprise some (including Phil!) that I actually have some significant agreements with him here. It wouldnt surprise anyone who closely follows my writings, because I have made my views quite clear, in repeated papers and statements on Facebook. I would agree this far:

1) It would be good for the pope to further clarify and make more definite, through the exercise of his papal authority the issues that are troubling and confusing to many Catholics. 2) The present confusion makes possible (and arguably encourages) loopholes that can and likely already have been exploited for ill by dissidents and so-called progressives or theological liberals in the Church.

Ive written about this: most notably in a National Catholic Register article of 9-30-17, entitled I Hope the Pope Will Provide Some Much-Needed Clarity. As to #1 above, I stated:

Its always better to clarify than not to, in instances of confusion (a well-known phenomenon that Ive noted as an author and apologist). Probably good would result from answering, and probably only bad from not answering. We need answers for the sake of unity. What good comes out of what we have now in the Church? If the pope answered, I think it would do a great deal of good. This is a big reason why we have the pope in the Church: to give the final say at times, when it is sorely needed. The buck stops here . . . The more uncertainty we have, the more we will have undue and unedifying speculation, detraction, gossip, calumny, and slander taking place in our beloved social media. And that is not good at all. Confusion within the Church doesnt help in the slightest, our witness to the world. . . . I think that the popes utter refusal to answer is troublesome. Many Catholics (including many bishops and priests) are clearly confused and virtually begging for guidance. Why would the shepherd of the sheep resolutely refuse to try to help them: even on a private basis, if he prefers that? Its baffling to me.

Regarding #2 above, I opined:

Theological liberals / dissidents / modernists / heterodox [choose your term] are already exploiting confusion and (rightly or wrongly) perceived loopholes as a license to depart from true Catholic practice, just as they did with Vatican II and the reform of the Mass.

I expanded upon this latter motif in a paper of mine from December 2016:

Theological liberals habitually distort [Catholic teaching] under the pretext and pretense that any loophole becomes (after being exploited and co-opted) a giant gaping hole big enough for a truck to drive through. It becomes a (by now familiar) exercise in the slippery slope. If rare exceptions exist [in reception of Holy Communion], and if this is in line with previous Catholic moral tradition and canon law, then it needs to be made crystal clear which scenarios constitute such exceptions and which do not. Otherwise, there is confusion and exploitation from those who are seeking to change unchanging Catholic moral tradition. Thats why the pope (or at least a high-ranking Cardinal in effect speaking for him) needs to clarify, and the sooner the better. The longer the current confusion continues on, the worse it gets.

I think Phil Lawler would agree with all or virtually all of those comments of mine. I disagree with him (and alas, millions of other Francis critics) in these two respects:

1) That Pope Francis has proven he favors admitting adulterers in an ostensible but invalid second marriage to Holy Communion. 2) That his letter endorsing the Buenos Aires implementation of Amoris Laetitia is unquestionably heterodox and anti-traditional (i.e., radical).

To explain these two things in a way infinitely better than I could, I turn to my good friend, theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi. Anyone who is interested in the immediate questions at hand and is willing to consider a positive / hopeful interpretation wherein the pope is orthodox and within Catholic tradition, absolutely must read his article, Pastoral Charity is the Key to Pope Franciss Endorsement of the Buenos Aires Bishops Document (Vatican Insider / La Stampa, 12-8-17). For anyone who wants clarity, here it is. Its not from the pope himself, but it is closely and comprehensively argued (by an actual orthodox systematic theologian who specializes in magisterial authority) based on the popes statements and actions. Here is the heart of his reasoning:

It was recently made known that Pope Franciss September 5, 2016, letter praising the Guidelines for the Application of Chapter VIII of Amoris laetitiaissued by the Argentine bishops of the Buenos Aires Regionhas now been published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis (Acta or AAS for short), the Acts of the Apostolic See. Since 1909 the Acta have served as the official instrument for the publication of documents and decisions of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia. In addition to Franciss letter, the AAS include the actual Guidelines of the Argentine bishops along with a rescript by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, stating that the Supreme Pontiff decrees both his letter and the Guidelines as authentic magisterium. With this decree, Francis is effectively saying that he considers this local episcopal interpretation of chapter eight of Amoris laetitia to be a worthy example to the global Church. . . . The headline on LifeSiteNews was Confusion explodes as Pope Francis throws magisterial weight behind communion for adulterers. Most Rev. Rene Henry Gracida, the retired bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas, wrote on his blogsite: Francis heterodoxy is now official. . . . In contrast to the papal critics is the view of Cardinal Gerhard Muller who, in his October 9, 2017, National Catholic Register interview with Edward Pentin, said that if you look at what the Argentine bishops wrote in their directive, you can interpret this in an orthodox way. Cardinal Muller is absolutely correct. There is nothing in the Guidelines of the Argentine bishops that violates Catholic faith and morals. . . . [B]oth the papal letter and the Guidelines themselves embody a magisterium that is primarily pastoral in nature. As with Amoris laetitia itself, there are no new teachings on Catholic faith and morals that are not in harmony with prior Catholic doctrine. In his National Catholic Register interview with Edward Pentin, Cardinal Muller correctly notes that Amoris laetitia is in the line of holy Scripture, apostolic Tradition and the definite decisions of the papal and episcopal magisterium, which is continuous up to now. Nowhere in Amoris laetitia is it demanded by the faithful to believe anything that is against the dogma because the indissolubility of marriage is very clear. It is also important to recognize that neither Amoris laetitia nor the Buenos Aires Guidelines authorize any changes to Catholic canon law as the canonist Dr. Edward N. Peters has made clear. Therefore, the canonical rules for the worthy reception of Holy Communion articulated in canons 915 and 916 of the 1983 Code remain fully in force. . . . [I]ts significant that, whereas Pope Francis has chosen to endorse and include the Buenos Aires bishops Guidelines in the AAS, he has not chosen to do so with other bishops instructions concerning Amoris laetitia. This shows that he favors these Guidelines over the more permissive ones offered by the bishops of Malta and Germany. . . . Its very clear that Pope Francis wishes his letter to be an expression of his authentic magisterium because it underscores the need for pastoral charity and the hard work of welcome, accompaniment, discernment, and integration on the part of priests reaching out to those who have strayed. He wants to make sure that these points have magisterial authority. . . . It should further be noted that the Guidelines of the Argentine bishops warn about unrestricted access to the sacraments as if it is justified in every situation. They are aware that access to the sacraments in some cases would be particularly scandalous. What they propose, with the Holy Fathers encouragement, is a process of discernment on a case-by-case basis that sometimes involves denying access to the sacraments and sometimes involves possible access. If access to the sacraments is given to those who are divorced and remarried, it must always take place in a private or reserved manner in order to avoid scandal. What can never be lacking in this process of discernment is pastoral charity. This charity, however, must never involve creating confusions about the teaching of the Church on indissoluble marriage. This indicates that any possible access to the sacraments for the divorced and civilly remarried must be in accord the moral and sacramental teachings of the Church. This would be the orthodox way of understanding the Guidelines indicated by Cardinal Muller. Understood in this orthodox way, the Guidelines of the Argentine bishops and Amoris laetitia fully conform to the teachings of St. John Paul II (Familiaris consortio, 84), Benedict XVI (Sacramentum caritatis, 29), and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1650. These documents, however, assume that the civilly remarried Catholics are aware they are committing adultery and are culpable for their violation of marital indissolubility. They do not deal with the complex and exceptional cases in whichas Cardinal Muller has notedthere may be a tension between the public status of the second bond and the objective status of the bond before God.

See also Dr. Fastiggis article in the same magazine (11-28-17): Recent Comments of Pope Francis Should Help to Quiet Papal Critics.

Lawler, in effect, breezily blew off all of this sort of relevant, very helpful treatment of the subject (not to say that he read Fastiggis piece), in an article dated 12-15-17:

I did notand still do notsee this story as particularly important. . . . The Roman Pontiff can speak with authority on questions of faith and morals, but he cannot overrule the laws of logic. In his letter to the Argentine bishops, applauding their understanding of his apostolic exhortation Pope Francis declared: There are no other interpretations. But there are other interpretations. Some bishops say that Amoris Laetitia upholds the traditional teaching of the Church; others say that the document changes those teachings. These interpretations are incompatible. The Argentine bishops document, like the Popes apostolic exhortation, leaves crucial questions unanswered. Until those questions are answered clearly, nothing much is accomplished by the claim that the reigning confusion has magisterial authority.

Make your choice: you can dismiss what this meant, like Lawler did, or you can learn many helpful and practical things, that go a long way to help resolve this mess, by reading and understanding [actual theologian] Dr. Fastiggis analysis (which is much more in-depth than what I cited above). What I find most curious and ironic in this surfacey article from Lawler, is that he and many others have called over and over for the pope to clarify; to make things clearer and more definite. So Pope Francis does exactly that, and states, There are no other interpretations. That is, he meant, there should not be any other interpretations. Isnt that what his critics want? I do, too!

And so he does it here, and Lawler comes back with, But there are other interpretations. Exactly! Yes, in fact, unfortunately there are other [liberal, heterodox] interpretations (when there shouldnt be). The pope wasnt speaking sociologically (what is), but theologically (what should be). Lawler mixes the two things. Pope Francis made his opinion magisterial and endorsed with authority one of the interpretations that is consistent with existing moral teaching, and Lawler saw that as irrelevant and not particularly important. Go figure . . . You can never please some people, if they are determined to be in opposition. Even if you give them exactly what they want, they dismiss it, thumb their nose, and wave it off as of no import.

But wait! On pp. 142-143 of my PDF manuscript copy of his book, Lawler wrote:

Francis endorsed the Argentine bishops interpretation in a private letter and Schonborns interpretation in an interview with the press. Obviously neither was a formal statement of the Magisterium. . . . By now it should be clear that in Amoris Laetitia, Francis carefully avoids making the sort of authoritative statement that would command the assent of the faithful. Catholics cannot be expectedmuch less commandedto accept a new teaching that the pope has chosen, for his own reasons, not to make.

Well lo and behold, the pope now has included the Argentine bishops guidelines and his letter of approval in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, which states that he decrees both his letter and the Guidelines as authentic magisterium. He just did what Lawler claimed in his book that he carefully avoids and has chosen . . . not to make. And how did Lawler respond to that (in his later article)? He did with a ho hum and yawning judgments that this development was not particularly important: not even enough to bother (another long yawn + ZZZzzzzz) writing about in his regular column at Catholic Culture.

You cant make these things up . . . Arguably, then, Lawler in this respect exhibits a head in the sand mentality that we Francis defenders are constantly accused of possessing (newly vocal papal critic Karl Keating recently used the term, ostrichism).

***

Photo credit: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photograph by Maximiliano Buono (3-5-17) [Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 license]

***UK's first polar bear cub in 25 years born at Scottish park

Bear minimum: A brief guide to polar cubs







Polar bears mate between March and June



Females normally give birth to one or two cubs in November or December



Newborn polar bear cubs are blind, about a foot long and weigh little more than a guinea pig. They only open their eyes when they are a month old



Victoria, who was born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany, previously gave birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008. She arrived at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015



Male bear Arktos arrived at the park in April 2012 from Hanover Zoo in Germany. He was born in 2008 at Vienna Zoo



Arktos shares an enclosure with another male, Walker, whose own time as a cub was the source of a controversy over the BBC's Frozen Planet documentary Polar bears mate between March and JuneFemales normally give birth to one or two cubs in November or DecemberNewborn polar bear cubs are blind, about a foot long and weigh little more than a guinea pig. They only open their eyes when they are a month oldVictoria, who was born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany, previously gave birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008. She arrived at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015Male bear Arktos arrived at the park in April 2012 from Hanover Zoo in Germany. He was born in 2008 at Vienna ZooArktos shares an enclosure with another male, Walker, whose own time as a cub was the source of a controversy over the BBC's Frozen Planet documentary

BBC News3 January 2018A female polar bear at a Scottish animal park has given birth to a cub, says the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).It is the first polar bear to be born in the UK in 25 years.The mother bear, Victoria, is one of three adult polar bears at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, near Aviemore.RZSS said "high-pitched noises" made by the cub could be heard from Victoria's maternity den just before Christmas.The last polar bear cubs born in the UK were twins at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire on 8 December 1992.Arktos, the male bear Victoria mated with, is one of the park's other adult bears. He is in a separate enclosure from the female bear.Victoria's enclosure is closed to the public.Una Richardson, the park's head keeper responsible for carnivores, said: "We first heard promising noises in the week before Christmas and these have now continued into the new year."Because we don't have sight inside her cubbing box we can't be sure if Victoria has had more than one cub, but we can confirm the birth."While we are absolutely thrilled, we are not celebrating prematurely as polar bear cubs have a high mortality rate in the first weeks of life due to their undeveloped immune system and the mother's exaggerated need for privacy, with any disturbance risking the cub being killed or abandoned."She added: "We will continue to monitor Victoria and very much hope for the best possible news when she emerges around March."Until then, Victoria's enclosure will be closed to the public and keeper activity will be at a minimum to give her offspring every chance of survival."Wildlife conservation group Born Free has criticised the keeping of polar bears in zoos, saying the animals are "ill-suited" to zoo environments.Its president, Will Travers, said: "At a time when the zoo community should be phasing out the keeping of polar bears in captivity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has decided to row against the tide."From a welfare point of view, the enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park may be significantly better than the blue-rinse concrete pits that people so often associate with polar bears in zoos, but we contend that our efforts on behalf of this species should be focused on mitigating the impacts of human-induced climate change and securing the species in the wild, not subjecting another polar bear to a lifetime in captivity."President Rohani Sees Opportunity As Death Toll In Iran's Upheaval Rises

01/01/18

Source: RFE/RL

WATCH VIDEO:

A wide range of amateur video clips posted on social media from the evening of December 31 showed antigovernment protests growing across Iran. RFE/RL cannot independently confirm the authenticity of each video clip:



President Hassan Rohani says unrest that has left at least a dozen antigovernment protesters dead could be a chance to address problems plaguing Iran amid the biggest challenge to the authorities since violent demonstrations erupted after a disputed election handed Mahmud Ahmadinejad a second presidential term in 2009.

Speaking after a meeting with the heads of parliamentary committees, Rohani said the protests, which entered a fifth day on January 1, are not only about economic issues, but also a cry from citizens for more freedom.

The unrest "may seem to be a threat, but it can be turned into an opportunity to see what the problem is," the Fars news agency quoted Rohani as saying.



source: Shahrvand daily

The authorities have attempted to quell the uprising, which has been marked by crowds of hundreds of younger Iranians chanting antigovernment slogans and ripping up posters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic republic's supreme leader, with strong warnings and by blocking popular social-media applications and disrupting some Internet services.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet that the upheaval shows Iran is "failing at every level" and that it was "TIME FOR CHANGE!"

"The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted," he wrote.

Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration. The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on January 1 that the unrest was "Iran's internal affair," adding that any "external interference destabilizing the situation is inadmissible." It did not elaborate.

Iranian state TV reported on January 1 that at least 10 people were killed the previous night as demonstrations, sparked by rising costs of basic food supplies such as eggs and poultry, swept across the country.

The broadcaster gave no details on the most recent fatalities but said some armed protesters tried to take over some police stations and military bases but "faced serious resistance from security forces."

State TV's report would bring the number of dead to at least 12 after authorities confirmed two protesters were killed on December 30 in the western town of Doroud. In addition, hundreds have been arrested.



Read reactions of Iranian lawmakers to the protests

(source: Ghanoon daily)

Actions on the streets of Tehran and other cities, including Sanandaj, Mashhad, Ilam, Khoramdareh, and Kermanshah, may have started over rising food prices, but demonstrators have also started to voice concerns over corruption allegations and government transparency.

Rohani, in his first public remarks since the start of the protests, said on December 31 that Iranians had the right to protest, but he warned that those demonstrations should not make the public "feel concerned about their lives and security."

WATCH: Rohani's address



State TV reportedly boycotted President Rohani's address

Read report (in Persian) by Ghanoon daily



That line appeared was backed up by judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli-Larijani, who called for a crackdown on "rioters" and "vandals."

"Those who have a demand must know that no one will get anywhere through disorder," he was quoted as saying by state TV Channel One on January 1.

Video and other information on social media showed protests taking place on December 31 in the capital, Tehran, and other cities, although crowd sizes were unclear.

Video footage appeared to show police in Tehran using water cannon to disperse demonstrators gathering in Ferdowsi Square in the center of the capital.



Enghelab square in Tehran

(source: Fars News Agency)

Officials said on December 31 that some 200 protesters in Tehran had been arrested the previous day.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have blocked popular social-media websites.

Users of the social networks Instagram and Telegram were unable to access the services on December 31.

Both applications are popular among Iranians and useful in helping set up gathering points for demonstrators who are disappointed with rising prices and Rohani's unfulfilled promises to guarantee rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

The United States has condemned the arrest of protesters, with Trump cheering on the protesters via Twitter.

Trump tweeted on December 31 that it looks like the Iranians "will not take it any longer," adding, "The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!"

Rohani criticized Trump over his tweets, saying he "has forgotten that he had called Iranian people 'terrorists' a few months ago."

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also commented on the upheaval in Iran, saying Iran's government is "being tested by its own citizens."

"We pray that freedom and human rights will carry the day," she said in a statement on December 31.

Israel's intelligence minister voiced encouragement for the protests on January 1, but said his country's policy was not to get involved in Tehran's internal affairs.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli warned earlier on December 31 that protesters who create unrest "are responsible for their actions and should pay the price."



Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli

The hard-line Revolutionary Guards and its Basij militia -- which led the crackdown against the 2009 protests -- have so far appeared to stay away from the demonstrations. However, in a statement carried by state media, it said, "The Iranian nation...will not allow the country to be hurt."

With reporting by Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, AFP, AP, and dpaFormer Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing in the Mahama-led administration says the Ghana Water Company should be blamed for the poor state of the Teshie water processing plant.



The Plant was commissioned in April 2015, to process sea water into potable water for consumers in Teshie, Nungua and surrounding areas.



Sampson Ahi says the plant was also built to distribute water to industries in Tema for a hefty fee and not just the local domestic consumers at Teshie but the water company took no steps to that effect.



The Ghana Water Company was supposed to lay pipes from the Teshie site to Tema industrial enclaves to sell at high prices but they failed to do that, Mr. Ahi said.



His comments are in reaction to the Sanitation ministers assertion that the plant is now a white elephant and they have decided to bail out the water company.



At the time maybe we needed it because the Kpone face one wasnt completed but now theres fresh water supply all over the country, Joseph Kofi Adda said.



The desalination plant is just a burden on the water company because they have to pay a lot of money including electricity bills and others, he added.



He, however, believes that the plant is now a state asset so we have to look at it properly to see the way forward.



Mr. Ahi disagrees with the minister and maintains the water company should be blamed for the state of the plant.



The minister should look properly for the reasons the plant was built because he is clearly ill-informed, Mr. Ahi said.

Source: Today









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe bodies of a tourist and his guide have been recovered from South Africas Table Mountain following an accident which trapped hundreds of people at the top of the popular attraction.



The man, his local guide and a second tourist are reported to have been using ropes to scale the front of the Cape Town mountain when they fell on Monday.



Rescuers then used the cable car to reach the surviving climber.



But the bodies were not recovered until first light on Tuesday.



The tourists are understood to be of Asian origin while the guide was a South African, a spokeswoman for South Africas Sanparks, which runs the countrys national parks, told the BBC.



According to Table Mountain Cableway, the service  which takes thousands of people up and down the mountain every day  was out of action for about four hours, closing an hour after the group was first spotted.



John Marais, of Wilderness Search and Rescue, told South African news site TimesLive the two climbers were seen dangling on ropes about 150 metres (490ft) below the cable car station just after 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT).



A picture shared on social media shows one rescuer administering CPR to a person on a narrow ledge.



Mr Marais said an initial attempt to use a helicopter to rescue the climbers was unsuccessful, leading the team to decide the best way to reach the three would be to abseil from the cable car.



But they were only able to rescue the surviving woman on Monday evening, with the cable car resuming its service at around 22:15 local time (20:00 GMT), when there were still about 500 people at the top of the mountain.



The last people were brought down at 00:33, the cableway said in a statement.



The recovery operation, which involved 30 people, continued throughout the night until just after 05:00 on Tuesday.



According to the South African Mountain Accident Database, 133 people have died on Table Mountain since 1980.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoOtumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has rallied Ghanaians to pull together to make things happen  grow the economy and bring progress.



He said everybody should have a part to play in the task of building a society that worked for all.



Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the call at a special service held by the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at the Manhyia Palace.



He underlined the need for everyone to uphold the values of transparency, accountability and truthfulness, where they found themselves.



These should be combined with hard work and sublime qualities of humility, sincerity and tolerance.



The Asantehene added that the expectation was that the people would live up to their civic responsibilities as citizens in the New Year.



He encouraged the church to provide the right leadership to purge the society of corrupt practices, anything evil and toxic to the moral health of the society.



He reminded the church that it had a duty to influence positive change - transform the lives of the people.

The pulpit, he said, should also be used to promote unity, peace and good neighborliness.



Otumfuo Osei Tutu asked the church to support him with prayers so that he would have the courage to do what was right in the performance of his traditional duties.



As a king, I always need divine assistance in order to take bold decisions, he stated.



He thanked God for his abundant mercies and blessings in the past year, and said he was hopeful that more good things would be happening to the nation, this year.



The Reverend Dr. Kofi Amfo-Akonnor, Chairperson of the Presbytery, said the special service was part of the churchs Mission to the Palace programme, which aims at strengthening relationship between the church and the chieftaincy institution.



He spoke of the churchs unwavering resolve to scale up the spread of the gospel to give confidence and bring salvation to the society.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged media practitioners to embrace 2018 with purity of thought and deed for the betterment of the Association and Ghana at large.



In a statement issued by the GJA and signed by Mr Roland Affail Monney, the President of the Association, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday, called for re-awakening for all journalists and Ghanaians.



It said as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the media must be alive to their cardinal mandate of holding the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana as enshrined in Article 162 (5) of the 1992 Constitution.



It urged the media to exercise their watchdog roles as accorded under Chapter 12 of the Constitution with utmost responsibility, adding that, the media must do better in the discharge of their roles as champions of national development.



The statement called on the Executive and Legislature to work assiduously to ensure the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) and Broadcasting Bills in 2018.



The statement said these bills have, like a pendulum, swung between the Executive and Legislature for many years.



It is our hope that the two arms of government will endeavour to pass the bills into law in 2018 in order to promote professionalism in the media and also strengthen the fight against corruption, it stated.



The statement urged political actors in particular to be re-awakened to their common aspiration of improving the wellbeing of Ghanaians and deepening the countrys fledgling democracy.



It said they must always place national interest above personal interest and also appreciate the fact that political office is a call to serve, not to swerve the national interest.



In that regard, it charged political-actors to consider the media as partners, not enemies, and must stretch to the media a helpful hand and not a hurtful hand.



The GJA noted that the era of assault and brutality by political actors against the media must give way to a period of respect for the rule of law and human dignity in 2018 to help move the country forward.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoTwo persons were on Tuesday remanded by an Accra Circuit Court for attempting to commit crime, possessing narcotic drugs and firearms and falsely pretending to be public officers.



Haruna Nangtoma a Policeman on Interdiction and Yakubu Mole, a drivers mate; both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded by the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh to reappear on January 16.



Prosecuting Police Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu told the court that Haruna is stationed at Madina, whilst Yakubu lives at Kasoa.



He said on December 25, at about 2030 hours, the two and another person now at large arrested four young men namely, Kwaku Kyeremeh, Lawrence Morgan, Richard Eklu and Ese Peter for allegedly smoking dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs at a washing bay in Musuuku, near Gambo Filling Station in the presence of other relations of the four.



He said Haruna asked the relations of the four suspects to follow them to different locations for settlement.



Whilst escorting them in a Toyota Corolla private car to an unknown destination, the interdicted Policeman and his accomplices demanded GHc1,000.00 from each person in other to gain their freedom.



The Prosecution said as they drove the four persons towards the Atomic Roundabout, they continued with the negotiations, a relation of Ese called him on his phone and asked him to hand over his phone to Haruna asking him to stop for them to meet for the settlement, so they stopped.



Mr Adu told the court that information reached Papa 3/2 a Police Patrol Team led by Chief Inspector Thomas Fianu and men from the District Police Patrol Unit, Kwabenya, about the activities and the two subsequently arrested them.



He said during a search in the car driven by Haruna; the Police Patrol Team found one cyber gun pistol number 60832580 under the passengers front seat, together with a blue-black police uniform; a Sergeants cap; and a Police I. D. card with service number 33748, with a corresponding name Eric Adzei.



A wrap of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs together with three pieces of cigarettes were also found in Harunas car.



All the exhibits retrieved have been retained for evidential purposes.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe National Media Commission (NMC) is expected to meet the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Dr Akuffo Annor-Ntow over the controversial television licensing fees.



This was revealed by Deputy Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in an interview on Accra FM on Wednesday, 3 January, 2018.



Mr Oppong Nkrumah explained that, government cannot step in as far as the creation of the special court to prosecute persons who fail to pay their TV license fees is concern.



According to him, any action by the government in this endeavour will amount to interference in the work of the state broadcaster.



I will urge the media to question the Director General of the GBC on this issue, if the government comes in that will amount to interference, he said.



He added: I am aware that the National Media Commission has invited the Director General of the GBC for a meeting over the matter and lets wait for the outcome of that meeting.







Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoActing Chairman of the ruling New Patruiotic Party (NPP), Hon. Freddie Blay claims President Akufo Addos government has managed to stop the economy from collapsing.



According to him, the grounds for development of the country have been softened since the myriad economic challenges confronting the country have been addressed by the present administration.



Speaking on Asempa FMs Ekosi Sen afternoon political program, the Acting NPP Chairman gave the assurance that the economy of the country has now been reversed to the right track after his party inherited huge debt from the previous NDC government in 2016.



So far, so good. You will agree with me that the measures we have put in place are taking care of huge debt piled up by the NHIS and within a short time the debt will be handled. We have implemented the Free SHS policy when people thought that it was not possible and that we can only implement it in 2020, he indicated.



COCOBOD was almost going down because of the way money and loans were accessed. The earnings were mishandled and corruption destabilized the COCOBOD but we have been able to straighten them. Now Cocoa production will increase and people will get employment, he added.



He maintained that Akufo Addos government has done tremendous work on the countrys economy; thus, inasmuch as things have not automatically improved, a lot has been done within the first year to boost the economy in 2018 and beyond.



We inherited severe economic deficit and we have done well enough to soften grounds to take off this year, 2018. I will not say the economy is good entirely but we have done well enough to make 2018 better than 2017. I dont want to talk of the achievement so far but Ghanaians can attest to the fact that Akufo Addos government has done well within the one year in office, he indicated.





Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoA Lancaster-based law firm with eight offices in two states including offices in the Lancaster, York, Gettysburg and Hanover areas has now arrived in Harrisburg.

The new office for Barley Snyder is in the space formerly occupied by long-time Harrisburg law firm, Rhoads & Sinon, on the 12th floor of the M&T Bank Building at 213 Market St. The firm's newest employees may be changing firms but, not spaces. Nineteen employees including 10 attorneys, who were all previously employed by Rhoads & Sinon, officially joined Barley Snyder on Monday.

The new attorneys are a "perfect match" for Barley Snyder, according to Jeff Lobach, managing partner of Barley Snyder said.

"We've always had the greatest respect for Rhoads & Sinon," Lobach said.

Barley Snyder has been looking for an office in the Harrisburg area, and has had clients in the Harrisburg, West Shore and Hershey areas for many years.

"Harrisburg has been a target market for us for certainly the entire time I've been here", Lobach said.

The addition of the new office and 10 new attorneys will allow the firm to expand in some areas of practice including business, real estate, employment, and tax law, as well as geographically.

"We will be supplementing some of our key areas and extending geographically," Lobach said.

The 10 employees joining the firm are: Drake D. Nicholas, Stanley A. Smith, Thomas J. Nehilla, John M. Coles, Thomas Anthony French, Robert J. Tribeck, Kevin M. Scott, Stephanie E. DiVittore, William C. Boak, and Sara E. Myirski.

Nicholas, an attorney with Rhoads & Sinon for 34 years, said the decision to join Barley Snyder was made as a group. Joining Barley Snyder, a firm that some of the attorneys had worked with in the past, just made sense.

"When this opportunity came along, it was the right fit," he said.

This is the latest of a series of moves for Barley Snyder. In April, Hanover-based law firm, Stonesifer & Kelley merged with Barley Snyder. Three attorneys joined the firm at that time. In the summer, the firm opened an office at 19 E. Middle St. in Gettysburg. A ribbon-cutting was held in November.

Barley Snyder has 92 attorneys, and serves businesses, individuals and organizations in a number of areas including business, employment, immigration, employee benefits, intellectual property, estate planning and administration, real estate, and health care law.

Rhoads & Sinon which had been in operation since 1935, is wrapping up its affairs, Drake said. The firm once had around 50 attorneys at one time, he said.

Last year, nine former Rhoads & Sinon attorneys founded the Lower Paxton Township law firm, Pillar+Aught, and three former Rhoads & Sinon attorneys founded, Penwell Bowman + Curran LLC , a corporate and securities law firm in Harrisburg.

--Business Buzz

New stores and more opening in central Pa.A 57-year-old mother in western Pennsylvania now finds herself facing felony assault charges after police say she stabbed her adult son in the leg with a steak knife, then hurled a soda can at a responding police officer.

The Butler Eagle reports Joanne L. Ralcewicz, 57, is accused of stabbing her son, 35-year-old Timothy Lang, in the back of his right leg during a domestic squabble at their Butler, Pa., home early Tuesday morning.

From the Butler Eagle:

Lang, who appeared to be "heavily intoxicated," according to court documents, told police that he was stabbed by his mother during an altercation in the kitchen.

He recounted that he and Ralcewicz had been drinking and making dinner when he accidentally bumped into her, causing her to fall to the floor.

Ralcewicz was holding a steak knife when she fell. Moments later, Lang felt something hit his leg. Lang said when he reached down, he felt a knife sticking out of his leg.

"(Ralcewicz) then pulled the knife out of his leg," according to a police affidavit, "cutting his right hand in the process."

Ralcewicz was later released on $10,000 unsecured bail.The stench was so powerful, it stung the eyes of the state troopers and Luzerne County SPCA workers there to rescue the Shih Tzus and German Shorthairs that a northeastern breeder was allegedly selling for $850 each.

According to a detailed report by WNEP-TV, authorities served a search warrant at a home in Conyngham Township, Luzerne County, earlier this week, resulting in the rescue of 19 dogs from a breeding kennel in Wapwallopen.

Citing the search warrant, WNEP reports the property belongs to John Dancho. His daughters, Ashley and Amanda Dancho, allegedly owned the dogs but did not live in the house, the station writes.

When authorities entered the property with the search warrant, some dogs were found outside in five-degree weather, WNEP writes, adding:

State police said the dogs did not have any food and their water was frozen.

Inside was just as bad:

"The dogs were in cages for the most part living in feces and urine. Water bowls turned upside down and urine in the water bowls that were turned right side up," Luzerne County SPCA Humane Officer Wayne Harvey told WNEP, which has heart-breaking video on the case here.

WNEP quoted neighbors as saying they could hear the dogs barking in the freezing temperatures all morning and night.

The 19 dogs that were rescued from inside the home are now in the care of the Luzerne County SPCA.

Officials told WNEP they are not available for adoption right now.

Humane officers told WNEP that charges in the case are pending.WILLIAMSPORT -- The state attorney general's office acknowledges in a court document its agents "knowingly restrained" the wife of a businessman in her Lewisburg-area home while executing a search warrant in 2013.

However, it "vehemently" denies it violated anyone's rights in investigating and prosecuting Brian J. Bolus and his environmental services companies.

It also denies the claim it is responsible for the bankruptcy of Bolus' Minuteman Spill Response Inc., a former Milton-area company that had a facility in Middletown.

The denials are contained in a Wednesday filing in U.S. Middle District Court in which the parties outlined what is in dispute in a civil suit Bolus, his wife Karen, son Preston and Minutemen filed against then Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane and others in her office.

An amended complaint filed in December added current Attorney General Josh Shapiro as a defendant but keeps Kane and four other lawyers or agents.

The complaint says agents for the attorney general's office lied, fabricated and mischaracterized evidence to obtain a grand jury presentment.

The document points out only

filed in 2014 in Montour, Northumberland and Union counties as the result of presentment remain with the others either withdrawn or not prosecuted.

The criminal complaints charged environmental crimes, insurance fraud, overbilling and intentional disposition of radioactive material.

Affidavits in support of the search warrants executed in May 2013 were replete with false statements and misrepresentations, Bolus contends.

One of the search warrants executed May 29, 2013, was at the then Bolus home in Lewisburg. They now live in Park City, Utah.

Karen Bolus claims in the suit she was forced at gun point to lie on the kitchen floor and was handcuffed in front of her 8-year-old son. She says agents threatened to shoot the family dog because it was barking.

The search warrant affidavits were used by the attorney general's office to freeze all business and family bank and investment accounts, the suit charges.

Prior to the execution of search warrants, Bolus says his environmental services business employed more than 100 people with annual profits exceeding $6 million.

Freezing accounts and seizing the business and personal assets of the Boluses deprived Minuteman of the liquidity necessary to carry on its business, the document states.

Minuteman, which former Gov. Tom Corbett in 2012 called "an American success story," claims its business value went from $40 million to zero.

In a separate matter, Brian Bolus in January 2016 pleaded guilty to a federal tax evasion charge.

He admitted paying his personal expenses with funds of BPK Management Inc., a firm that included Minuteman.

Bolus was placed on two years' probation and agreed to pay a total of $468,765 to cover taxes, interest and penalties for 2010 through 2012.

The tax evasion charge covered only 2012 when the tax loss was $139,103 but Bolus agreed to pay more to resolve all his issues with the Internal Revenue Service.The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a few days away, and you should bundle up if you're going.

An arctic blast that caused record-setting lows at the beginning of the year will keep temperatures in the teens this weekend.

Saturday, the Farm Show's opening day, will have a high of 13, according to the National Weather Service forecast. Sunday will be a little warmer at 24, but still below freezing.

"We'll have a pretty cold stretch of weather from Thursday to Sunday this week," National Weather Service meteorologist Greg DeVoir said.

He said his weather agency's forecasts only go out 7 days, so he couldn't offer predictions for the entire Farm Show, which runs through Saturday, Jan. 13.

Temperatures could climb a little on Sunday and into Monday, creating the possibility for some mixed precipitation, DeVoir said.

But that warmup won't last long, as another shot of arctic air is expected to impact central Pennsylvania next week, he said.

AccuWeather

An AccuWeather forecast also shows a cold start to the Farm Show.

"Most likely, it's going to be colder than usual," said Paul Walker, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.

Some mixed precipitation could also impact the area Sunday and into Monday due to a storm system. Walker said some snow could fall, but there are no indications the snowfall will be significant.

AccuWeather's long-range forecast goes out 90 days. This is what the forecast is for every day of the Farm Show:

Saturday: Mostly sunny, very cold. High: 18

Sunday: Sunshine, not as cold. High: 26

Monday: Chance for snow and sleet in the morning, rain in the afternoon. High: 38

Tuesday: Cloudy skies. High: 38

Wednesday: Partly sunny skies. High 28

Thursday: Sunny skies. High: 32

Friday: Cloudy skies, with a chance of snow or flurries. High: 38

Saturday: Cloudy, with snow, sleet, and freezing rain possible. High: 35A Franklin County woman is in critical condition following a fire that ravaged her home in Quincy Township.

The South Mountain Fire Company, along with mutual aid departments, were dispatched at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday to the 10000 block of South Mountain Road for a house fire with possible entrapment.

Fire departments arrived on the scene to find 69-year-old Jean E. Verdier on the first floor of the home, and she was taken out of the residence.

Verdier was then transported by ambulance to a landing zone, where she was flown to John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Maryland, where she is currently in critical condition.

Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Trooper Brent Miller said Verdier suffered "internal injuries."

The state police fire marshal is still working to determine what caused the blaze, but it is believed the fire originated from the first floor.

Investigators have found no signs of foul play.EASTON, Pa. -- The "arrogant" Pennsylvania State Police should stop investigating shootings by its own troopers to ensure such probes are transparent and "free from potential bias or conflicts of interest," a grand jury said in a scathing report released Tuesday.

The grand jury urged Gov. Tom Wolf to force the agency to step aside and allow for independent investigation when a shooting involves one of its own, citing a national climate of "distrust of law enforcement" over police shootings and whether they're investigated thoroughly.

State police have long insisted on retaining jurisdiction over probes of line-of-duty shootings by its troopers.

"PSP leadership have a somewhat arrogant opinion of their own superiority over any other law enforcement agency, which has contributed to their recalcitrant position," the grand jury said.

Spokesman Ryan Tarkowski said state police will review the grand jury's report and "respond as appropriate." Wolf's office had no immediate comment.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, who has been sharply critical of the state police policy, released the 38-page report. He sought the grand jury after state police refused to allow his detectives to take the lead on a probe of a fatal trooper shooting near Easton. Troopers shot and killed Anthony Ardo on May 20 after he ignored their commands and attempted to light the fuse of a firework mortar around his neck.

The grand jury concluded that Ardo's shooting was justified. At Morganelli's behest, the panel then began investigating state police procedure on trooper-involved shootings, concluding after months of study that one of the nation's largest law enforcement agencies is going about it the wrong way.

State police continued to insist that its policy works.

READ MORE: 'I support the state police': Gov. Tom Wolf on troopers investigating their own

"The Pennsylvania State Police remains confident that the necessary protocols are in place to conduct all investigations in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner," Tarkowski said Tuesday. "The department has a breadth and depth of resources available 24 hours a day, seven days a week that is unsurpassed by any other law enforcement agency in the commonwealth."

Even though the grand jury ruled that troopers were justified in shooting Ardo, the panel said it had "serious questions and concerns" about how state police conducted the probe.

"The involved troopers were given special treatment by the investigating team ... not generally afforded to others who are the subject of a criminal investigation," the report said.

The grand jury also revealed that cameras in the troopers' patrol cars were not running when the troopers first began interacting with Ardo, hindering the investigation. The panel recommended that state police outfit all troopers with body cameras. State police ignored a similar recommendation made by another grand jury in 2014.

The grand jury's recommendations are not binding on state police.

State police went to court in an unsuccessful effort to quash the grand jury, arguing it had no authority to investigate its internal procedures. A judge overruled state police in November and said the panel could continue its work. Northampton County Judge Stephen Baratta accepted the grand jury's findings on Dec. 27 and ruled its report could be released to the public.

"We viewed the filing by the Pennsylvania State Police ... as an attempt to obstruct the grand jury," the panel wrote. "The filing represented an arrogant attempt to intimidate the grand jury."The Canadian husband of a southern York County woman, whose family was held captive by the Taliban for several years, now faces more than a dozen charges, including sexual assault, according to a Toronto Star report.

Joshua Boyle, 34, is accused of numerous offenses that took place between Oct. 14 and Dec. 30 in his home country, according to documents obtained by the Star. A court order prevents publication of information that would identify any of the victims.

Boyle and his wife, Caitlan, were kidnapped in 2012 and were released in October. They couple had three children, whom Caitlan gave birth to while in captivity.

Boyle detailed the experience shortly after being released, explaining the devastating boredom and tedium while under the Taliban-linked Haqqani guard. He spoke of cells that were no bigger than a bathtub, his wife's rape and forced abortion and the daily cruelty of the kidnappers.

Boyle appeared in court New Year's Day in Ottawa and remains in police custody, according to the report. His attorney, Eric Granger, told the Star his client is looking forward to seeing the evidence against him and putting forth a defense. He noted that Boyle has been through a lot during his time in captivity and has never been in any trouble with the law.

In a statement to the Star, Caitlan Boyle said her husband is responsible for his actions, but said the strain and trauma he endured while in captivity had an effect on his mental state and is most culpable for the behavior.

Dan Boyle told the Star his brother needs mental health treatment, which the rest of the family wants for Jacob. He added that Caitlan and the children are fine.

Boyle is charged with eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of unlawful confinement, one count of uttering death threats, one count of causing someone to "take a noxious thing, namely Trazadone," and one count of misleading police. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.More than 300 new jobs are expected in York County as two facilities expand in Manchester Township.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Assurant will be expanding two of its facilities to support the growth of its mobile phone repair business. The company provides protection products, insurance services and customer support.

Assurant plans to invest approximately $4 million into the project, which will create 307 new jobs and retain 1,342 more over the next three years, according to a news release from Wolf's office.

"Assurant's expansion is another example of a company with long-term presence in Pennsylvania choosing to invest in its growth here for years to come," Wolf said in the release. "The jobs created with this project will be great news for York County workers, and the company's continued growth will bring a significant boost to the local economy."

Assurant received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $250,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $614,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits when the jobs are created, and $138,150 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.The new year marked the beginning of higher paychecks in dozens of states, territories and cities, with wages climbing above the federal minimum in those areas.

Some 4.5 million workers benefited from legislation or ballot measures that took effect Jan. 1 in 18 states and 20 cities.

Those changes mean 32 states and territories, and at least 20 cities have a higher minimum wage than Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour now lands in the bottom third among U.S. states and territories.

All of the commonwealth's neighboring states have higher minimum wages: Delaware $8.25, Maryland $9.25, New Jersey $8.60, New York $10.40, Ohio $8.30, West Virginia $8.75.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, called for a higher minimum wage in his last budget address and campaigned on a higher minimum wage. State House and Senate Democrats have also called for a higher minimum wage during at least the last three legislative sessions.

Those efforts have gone nowhere in the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

The lists below show the cities that recently increased minimum wages and where Pennsylvania now ranks among other states, from highest to lowest.

Cities

SeaTac, Washington $15.64 (for hospitality and transportation workers)

Seattle, Washington $15.45 (varies up to $15.45 based on company size)

Mountain View, California $15

Sunnyvale, California $15

El Cerrito, California $13.60

Cupertino, California $13.50

Los Altos, California $13.50

Palo Alto, California $13.50

San Jose, California $13.50

San Mateo, California $13.50

Richmond, California $13.41

Oakland, California $13.23

New York City $13

Santa Clara, California $13

Milpitas, California $12

Tacoma, Washington $12

Flagstaff, Arizona $11

Minneapolis $10

Albuquerque, New Mexico $8.95

Bernalillo County, New Mexico $8.85

States and territories

District of Columbia $12.50

Washington $11.50

California $11

Massachusetts $11

Arizona $10.50

Vermont $10.50

New York $10.40

Oregon $10.25

Colorado $10.20

Connecticut $10.10

Hawaii $10.10

Rhode Island $10.10

Maine $10

Alaska $9.84

Minnesota $9.65

Virgin Islands $9.50

Maryland $9.25

Michigan $9.25

Nebraska $9

South Dakota $8.85

West Virginia $8.75

New Jersey $8.60

Arkansas $8.50

Montana $8.30

Ohio $8.30

Delaware $8.25

Florida $8.25

Guam $8.25

Illinois $8.25

Nevada $8.25

Missouri $7.85

New Mexico $7.50

States still at the federal minimum

Alabama $7.25

Georgia $7.25

Idaho $7.25

Indiana $7.25

Iowa $7.25

Kansas $7.25

Kentucky $7.25

Louisiana $7.25

Mississippi $7.25

New Hampshire $7.25

North Carolina $7.25

North Dakota $7.25

Oklahoma $7.25

Pennsylvania $7.25

South Carolina $7.25

Tennessee $7.25

Texas $7.25

Utah $7.25

Virginia $7.25

Wisconsin $7.25

Wyoming $7.25The U.S. Supreme Court is going to hear arguments Tuesday on a criminal/civil rights case that had its genesis in the midstate.

At issue is whether police had the authority to conduct a warrantless search of a rental car driven by a drug dealer during a September 2014 traffic stop on Interstate 81 in Dauphin County.

The case began in U.S. Middle District Court in Harrisburg, with Federal Public Defender Thomas Thornton representing the driver, Terrence Byrd. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Behe was the original prosecutor.

The dispute centers on whether police needed Byrd's consent to search the rental car without a warrant since he wasn't the person listed on the vehicle's lease and so had no legal right to be driving it. Investigators said the search turned up 2,452 bags of heroin and illegal body armor.

That evidence, found in the car's trunk, translated into a 10-year federal prison term for the New Jersey man.

Thornton challenged the legality of the search and the traffic stop in an attempt to void Byrd's conviction. Police said Byrd was pulled over because he was cruising along in the left lane of I-81 in West Hanover Township. State law allows drivers to use the left lane only for passing.

Byrd is 0 to 2 in the case so far.

Middle District Senior Judge William W. Caldwell rejected his claims, as did the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in a decision rendered last February.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to accept the case on appeal this fall. It is the third time a case handled by the Middle District's federal public defender's office has been accepted on appeal to the nation's highest court.

Thornton will be heading to Tuesday's session, along with colleagues from the local office, but he won't be arguing before the justices.

The defense has been taken over by the New York law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. The government's side will be argued by a team from the U.S. Department of Justice.CARLISLE - M.L. "Skip" Ebert had not been on the job for more than two hours Tuesday when he got a call from the state police. Someone had been hit by a tractor-trailer on Route 15.

And before the end of the day, he had two murder cases on his desk, which he said he will be prosecuting himself.

He is the first to tell you that his new job is a little more active and exciting than serving as a Cumberland County judge, which he did for 12 years.

Ebert was sworn in on Tuesday as Cumberland County's new district attorney, but it's not actually new job for him -- he had previously served in that position for 10 years before becoming a judge.

After former DA David Freed, who had been Ebert's first assistant, became U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Ebert put in his name to finish his career in the job that he loved.

"I always loved this work," Ebert said today, once again sitting in his old office two floors down from the courtrooms. "It's a little more exciting than most of the things you do on the bench."

While being a judge is an important job, and the decisions one makes can have a profound impact on the lives of those who come before the bench, he said it lacks that immediacy and excitement that comes with being a prosecutor, which is what he spent most of his career doing

Ebert was a captain in U.S. Army intelligence from 1972 to 1977. Through the 1980s, he worked as a public defender before becoming a deputy district attorney and first-assistant district attorney in Cumberland County.

He then worked as an executive deputy attorney general in the criminal law division during the early 1990s before he was elected as the county's district attorney, for the first time, in 1995.

Ebert was sworn in as DA once again during a private ceremony on Tuesday. He said he did not want to make a big deal out of it this time and wanted something a little more personal. A little more quiet and calm.

And it's a quiet and calm demeanor that he learned in his judgeship that he said will help him in his return to being district attorney. Plus, at 69, he has nothing to prove.

"Being a judge mellowed me," he said. "I'm not out to make a reputation for myself anymore."

He has changed, and so has the job. Cumberland County has seen an increased caseload in 12 years and has not been spared from the national opioid crisis. And like responding to a truck striking a pedestrian on Route 15, there's always something new.

"Those are immediate, important decisions to make," Ebert said. "You have to react immediately. I like that better."

In the last dozen years, the job has come to involve more of a reliance on computers and technology, and many of these changes are a good thing. When he was district attorney the first time, Ebert was part of the beginning of a mobile forensics lab has grown into a much bigger system that can delve into computers at crime scenes and test DNA on site.

And very soon, Ebert could be walking into his old courtroom because, as district attorney, he plans to be directly involved with prosecuting cases.

"Having been a judge, I know how difficult the decisions are that they have to make," he said. "I respect all these people I worked with."

It will be a little different seeing Ebert before the bench instead of sitting behind it in a black robe, President Judge Edward Guido said. But he noted they are all professional and will adjust.

"I go back 40-plus years with Skip," Guido said. "First in the public defender's office and then in the DA's office. He's always been a valued colleague."

Guido said while he and the other judges will miss Ebert on the bench, which leaves a vacancy to be filled with a shared caseload and with the help of senior judges, he knows this is what Ebert has always wanted to do.

"He was an excellent district attorney, and he will be an excellent district attorney again," Guido said.

Guido noted that when the DA position became available, Ebert stayed out of the panel of judges who made the decision about hiring the new district attorney.

There were nine applicants, who, along with Ebert, included Jaime Keating, Michelle Sibert, John Dailey, Fred Huganir, Sean McCormack, Dirk E. Berry, Richard W. Long and Doug Marsico.

As he comes in, Ebert has made some staffing changes. He said he eliminated the position of first assistant district attorney, which had been held by Keating, who worked with the office for more than 20 years. Ebert said instead of having a first assistant, he will help prosecute cases, and he will use that salary to hire two new attorneys.

And with a dedicated "opioid court," planned, Ebert said he intends to hire a third new prosecutor with that program's grant money.

Though there is always crime in the county, and the caseload grows with the population, he said there is no place he would rather serve the last years of his career, noting "Cumberland County a wonderful place to live."The National Weather Service in State College has issued a winter weather advisory from midnight through 1 p.m. Thursday for parts of Schuylkill, Lebanon, York and Lancaster counties.

Snow accumulations of one to three inches are expected in those areas with a possibility of a light dusting in areas along Interstate 81. The change in the projection is a result of an even stronger nor'easter than expected, said Aaron Tyburski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

There is more moisture in the air than initially anticipated, meaning a shift in the storm's track by 30 or 40 miles, Tyburski said. He added that areas that were supposed to get a light dusting are now seeing one to three inches of snow and that areas further west could now see a light snowfall.

Heading into the weekend, Tyburski pointed to strong, cold winds from the west that will likely push wind chill temperatures below 0. He noted that the snowfall expected will be light and fluffy, warning that there could be scattered whiteouts in parts of the region.

The National Weather Service says the motorists should plan for slippery road conditions.

Philadelphia area

The National Weather Service in State College has also issued a winter storm warning for several counties in the Philadelphia area. The winter storm warning is in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 7 p.m. Thursday for Delaware and Philadelphia counties as well as parts of eastern Montgomery and lower Bucks counties. The National Weather Service says that a rapidly intensifying coastal storm will produce significant snowfall and strong winds Wednesday through Thursday. Five to seven inches of snow is expected.

Check with PennLive for all of your weather updates.

You can see live weather updates via the National Weather Service and other Twitter sources below.

Tweet us at @pennlive with photos of inclement weather at your place, incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.Pennsylvania's Department of Education is now on the clock to address weaknesses in its plan for complying with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

The U.S. Department of Education sent an interim response to state Education Secretary Pedro Rivera before Christmas citing several areas in the plan where clarification or additional information is needed.

It asks for a response by Monday or for the state department to request an extension.

A state education department spokeswoman said the department intends to meet the upcoming Monday deadline.

Requesting an extension would waive the 120-day requirement for the federal department to make a determination on the state plan submitted on Sept. 8, which "would then impede the department's ability to provide concrete guidance to parents, educators, and community members about critical components of the plan," said spokeswoman Casey Smith.

She explained that the state's plan for complying with the federal successor law to No Child Left Behind Act came together after 18 months of meeting with various stakeholders in addition to a 30-day public comment period and meetings with state lawmakers.

"We continue to have productive discussions with [U.S. Department of Education] and will provide the additional detail it requests, therefore we do not believe an extension is necessary," Smith said.

A bipartisan panel of education policy experts convened by Bellwether Education Partners raised some of the same concerns that federal officials and peer reviewers had with the plan, saying it lacked rigor and detail in key areas.

The response that is going to be sent to the U.S. Department of Education will contain more than state education department officials' input.

A new state law passed last fall requires the state education department to consult with the House and Senate education committees before submitting any documents to the federal government related to this proposed state roadmap for education.

That same law mandates that the state department include comments from the legislative committees with its submission.

The Senate Education Committee met with a department official on Tuesday to air its concerns and unhappiness about what it considers shortcomings in the plan. Many of them are similar to ones cited in the U.S. education department's letter, said committee Chairman John Eichelberger, R-Blair County.

The Senate committee staff is crafting a letter identifying those areas to include in the state's submission.

Among them are a failure to specify the exit criteria used to determine when an academically struggling school has turned itself around; concerns about how career and college readiness indicators will be measured and weighted; and questions related to the new format of the annual school report card the department proposes using, said committee executive director Lee Derr.

The House Education Committee is not holding a meeting to discuss the U.S. education department's interim response given the short timeline, said committee Chairman David Hickernell, R-Lancaster County. Instead, like the Senate, it will be providing comments to be included the state education department's response to the federal department.

Both Hickernell and Eichelberger sent a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in the fall expressing their disappointment with the plan.

"It is our hope that PDE will take this revision process seriously and make the changes necessary to ensure PA's students receive a high-quality education," Hickernell said in an email.

The federal approval of the ESSA plan ensures that federal education funds will continue flowing to the state, which this year amounted to about $700 million.

The letter that the federal department of education sent to Rivera follows:

Pennsylvania Dept Feedback Letter by PennLive on ScribdU.S. Rep. Bill Shuster is the latest in among Pennsylvania's Republican congressmen who plan to leave office this year.

Shuster, 56, of Bedford County, announced on Tuesday he will not seek re-election to his Ninth Congressional District seat which covers all or parts of 12 counties from Franklin County in southcentral Pennsylvania to Fayette County in the western part of the state.

"As I look forward to the future, I have had a lot to contemplate as to how to best serve my constituents and the American people over the next year. With much deliberation, consultation with my family, and prayer over the last several weeks, I have decided not to seek election for a 10th term," Shuster said in a statement.

Shuster was elected to Congress in 2001, to fill a vacancy created when his father, Bud Shuster, resigned shortly after winning election to a 15th two-year term.

Shuster joins U.S. Reps. Lou Barletta and Charlie Dent, who previously announced their intention not to seek re-election.

Like his father, Bill Shuster chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Shuster has backed major transportation bills, including the long-term highway bill Fast Act, which was enacted in 2015.

PoliticsPA reported that Republicans, state Sens. John Eichelberger of Blair County and Pat Stefano of Fayette County are considering a run for the seat, along with Art Halvorson who challenged him in 2014 and again in 2016, when he came within 1,300 votes of beating Shuster in the primary.

Eichelberger confirmed to PennLive that he is thinking about running for the seat. He noted this is a re-election year for him in the state Senate so he is faced with a decision as to whether to run for Congress or seeking another term in the Senate.

He said he has been encouraged by others to consider running and has spoken with Senate colleagues as well as folks in D.C. about it.

"I 'm considering it and expect to make up my mind in the next couple weeks," Eichelberger said.

Here is Shuster's full six-paragraph statement regarding his decision to retire from his congressional seat:

"As we say goodbye to 2017 and greet 2018 with hope and optimism, I want to thank the people of the 9th Congressional District for their support and wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2018.

"It has been one of my life's greatest honors to serve and represent the citizens of the 9th District for 17 years. It has also been a tremendous privilege to have been selected by my congressional colleagues to be Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the last five years. I am proud of the legislation the Committee has passed into law, most with bipartisan votes. This is my final year as Chairman, and we have much still to do.

"As I look forward to the future, I have had a lot to contemplate as to how to best serve my constituents and the American people over the next year. With much deliberation, consultation with my family, and prayer over the last several weeks, I have decided not to seek election for a 10th term. It was a difficult decision because of my love of this Nation and the people I serve. Rather than focusing on a re-election campaign, I thought it wiser to spend my last year as Chairman focusing 100% on working with President Trump and my Republican and Democratic colleagues in both Chambers to pass a much needed infrastructure bill to rebuild America.

"So it is with a happy heart and a sense of accomplishment that I say this will be my final year in the U.S. Congress.

"I want to again thank the citizens of the 9th District for putting their faith in me. I want to thank my House colleagues for putting their trust in me by selecting me as Chairman. I want to express my deep appreciation for the hard work my staff has put in over the years. To my friends, I am grateful for your loyal support. Most of all, my love and deep affection to my entire family, especially my daughter Ali and my son Garrett, for their unconditional love, patience, and guidance over the years.

"May God bless the people of the 9th Congressional District and the United States of America. Thank you!"Cott beverages CEO Jerry Fowden speaks during the company's AGM in Toronto on Tuesday May 4, 2010. Cott Corporation (NYSE: COT; TSX:BCB) today announced a progress update on the United Kingdom ("UK") Competition Markets Authority ("CMA") process in regards to its previously announced sale of its traditional beverage manufacturing business ("Cott Beverages") to Refresco (Euronext: RFRG) for USD $1.25 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnCaptain Rakesh Kumar, of the Ottawa Express container ship, holds up the 179th gold cane award for the first ship to arrive in the new year at a ceremony Wednesday, January 3, 2018 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzFILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, file photo, DJ Khaled accepts the award for favorite song rap/hip-hop for "I'm the One" at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Weight Watchers International climbed after it struck a deal with producer and recording artist DJ Khaled, who will represent the brand to millions of follows on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)A lawyer for a Canadian man recently freed with his wife and children after years of being held hostage in Afghanistan says his client has been arrested and faces at least a dozen charges. Joshua Boyle speaks to members of the media at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Friday, October 13, 2017. Boyle faces charges including sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteA Ryanair passenger who apparently got fed up waiting to get off a plane stands on the wing of a Ryanair plane at Malaga airport, Spain, Monday Jan. 1, 2018, filmed by another passenger. After various delays in the flight from London's Stansted Airport, the passenger, who has not been named, used the emergency exit to climb onto the wing after landing in Spain New Year's Day. (Fernando del Valle Villalobos via AP)South Korea seizes 2nd ship suspected of providing oil to North Korea

By Yuna Park and Hyunjoo Jin

SEOUL

Petroleumworld 01 03 2018

South Korean authorities have seized a Panama-flagged vessel suspected of transferring oil products to North Korea in violation of international sanctions, a customs official said on Sunday.

The seizure was the second to be revealed by South Korea within a few days, as the United Nations steps up efforts to squeeze essential oil supplies to the reclusive North following its nuclear or ballistic missile tests.

The ship, KOTI, was seized at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port, the official told Reuters, without elaborating, due to the sensitivity of the issue. The port is on the west coast, south of Incheon.

A marine official also confirmed the seizure, which he said was done recently.

The KOTI's estimated time of arrival at the port was Dec. 19, according to VesselFinder Ltd., a tracking service provider,

The ship can carry 5,100 tonnes of oil and has a crew mostly from China and Myanmar, Yonhap News Agency reported, adding that South Korea's intelligence and customs officials are conducting a joint probe into the vessel.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed the probe, declining to provide details.

The government has been in close consultations with related countries and ministries to thoroughly implement the sanctions by the U.N. Security Council, the spokesman said.

PROPOSED BLACKLISTING

On Friday, South Korea said that in late November it seized the Hong Kong-flagged Lighthouse Winmore, which is suspected of transferring as much as 600 tons of oil to the North Korea-flagged Sam Jong 2.

The U.N. Security Council last month unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea for a recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, seeking to limit its access to refined petroleum products and crude oil.

The United States has also proposed that the United Nations Security Council blacklist 10 ships for transporting banned items from North Korea, according to documents seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The Lighthouse Winmore is one of the 10 ships proposed to be blacklisted. The KOTI does not seem to be included on the list.

On Thursday, China blocked a U.S. effort at the United Nations to blacklist six foreign-flagged ships, a U.N. Security Council diplomat said.

China's Foreign Ministry, responding to a question from Reuters on the blocking, said Beijing always fully and strictly implemented Security Council resolutions.

At the same time, any measures taken by the Security Council must have a basis in conclusive and actual proof. China will continue to participate in the work of the relevant Security Council sanctions committee on this principle, it said in a short statement, without elaborating.

China also denied reports it had been illicitly selling oil products to North Korea in defiance of U.N. sanctions, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was unhappy that China had allowed oil to reach the isolated nation.

Russian tankers have supplied fuel to North Korea on at least three occasions in recent months by transferring cargoes at sea, breaching U.N. sanctions, sources told Reuters.





Israel's Netanyahu wishes success to Iran protesters, denies Israeli involvement

By Reuters

JERUSALEM

Petroleumworld 01 03 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Iranian anti-government protesters on Monday, while denying as laughable Tehran's apparent accusations that Israel was behind the demonstrations.

Five days of protests in Iran have posed the boldest challenge to its clerical leadership since pro-reform unrest in 2009. At least ten people have been reported killed as some confrontations with police turned violent.

I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom, Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Brave Iranians are pouring into the streets. They seek freedom. They seek justice. They seek the basic liberties that have been denied them for decades. Iran's cruel regime wastes tens of billions of dollars spreading hate, he said in remarks that echoed similar praise from U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by state media as apparently blaming Iran's arch enemies, the United States and Israel, for provoking unrest.

Our success in the political arena against the United States and the Zionist regime was unbearable to (Iran's enemies). Iran's success in the region was unbearable to them. Don't you expect that they would seek revenge? Don't you think they would provoke some people? Rouhani was quoted as saying in a meeting with lawmakers.

Netanyahu said Rouhani's suggestion that Israel was involved was not only false -- it's laughable.

Netanyahu added that more Western countries should condemn Tehran for trying to put down the protests.

Sadly many European governments watch in silence as young heroic Iranians are beaten in the streets. That's just not right. And I, for one, will not stay silent, he said.





Oil exports from Brazil up 25 pct over prior year By Reuters RIO DE JANEIRO

Petroleumworld 01 03 2018 Brazilian oil exports rose nearly 25 percent to 51.96 million tonnes in 2017 compared with the prior year, Brazilian government data showed on Tuesday. In December, crude exports rose 15 percent to 3.03 million tonnes from the same period a year earlier, after registering exports of just 2.53 million tonnes in November, the weakest month last year.

Reporting by Jose Roberto Gomes; Editing by Jonathan Oatis from Reuters.



reuters.com 01 02 2018

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'98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8,10 +/ 800x600 pixelsOil 2018: Iran may not be oil's biggest wild card Leon Neal



A more tangible swing factor for prices is right here in the U.S. By Liam Denning NEW YORK

Petroleumworld 03 01 2018 The oil market rediscovered geopolitics in the latter part of 2017. Continuing the theme, 2018 has kicked off with mass protests in Iranian cities. As you sketch out scenarios for the Middle East, though, don't forget another big wild card: the U.S. This isn't to say Iran's problems don't matter. They're occurring in a context of heightened tension with Saudi Arabia, and both countries are liable to launch rhetorical assaults as a matter of course. Iranian-backed fighters in Yemen's civil war are also launching assaults in the form of missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, though they've been thwarted thus far. It's all too easy to join the dots from a missile hitting, say, a Riyadh neighborhood to an escalation, and potentially explosive miscalculation, by both governments. Equally, the sheer opacity of Iranian (and Saudi Arabian) politics to most outsiders makes it very hard to weigh the probabilities -- or the impact on oil prices. The nearest analogue to the current situation is Iran's "Green Movement" of 2009 and 2010. On the surface, those protests -- bigger than the current ones so far -- had no discernible impact on oil. Unmoved Brent crude oil prices remained stuck in a range of $70 to $80 a barrel for most of the year following the outbreak of mass protests in Iran in 2009

Data: Bloomberg; graphic by Bloomberg Gadfly Yet extrapolation from that earlier example is essentially useless. Back then, everything -- from the state of the global economy, just emerging from the 2008 financial crisis, to the prevalence of social media in the Middle East -- was very different. While you can't ignore the potential for explosive outcomes in that region, the more tangible, if less dramatic, swing factor to watch in oil this year is the U.S. America's capacity for upending the oil market is well-established at this point. Here's exhibit A: This Is What Disruption Looks Like U.S. net imports of oil have dropped by more than 8 million barrels a day in the past decade -- roughly the equivalent of Russia's oil exports

Data: Energy Information Administration; graphic by Bloomberg Gadfly That disruption continues. The day after the current spate of protests got underway in Iran in late December, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its latest monthly oil supply figures, for October. Crude oil output jumped by almost 170,000 barrels a day that month -- and the gain would have been double that, were it not for hurricane impacts keeping Gulf of Mexico barrels off the market: October Surprise Despite literal headwinds, U.S. crude oil output in October hit its highest level since 1970

Data: Energy Information Administration; graphic by Bloomberg Gadfly At this point, the single biggest and most tangible swing factor in 2018's oil market is how much more oil comes out of U.S. shale basins. And projections for this are all over the place. For example, while OPEC projects an extra 720,000 barrels a day of U.S. crude oil this year, analysts at Rystad Energy, a consultancy, put it at 1.1 million barrels a day. In a market focused primarily on working off excess oil inventories, that gap is make-or-break -- whether you're a bull or a bear. If U.S. exploration and production companies maintain momentum, then it's difficult to see how oil prices can move much higher this year, unless something like a deeper crisis in the Middle East transpires (another potential flashpoint, Venezuela, is more of a known known ). If shale stalls, then bulls will take heart. Ultimately working against the bulls, however, is stuff like Iranian protests, which could keep prices just high enough to keep shale humming. Speculative net length in major crude oil and refined products contracts heightens the potential for any whiff of trouble to push oil prices higher, regardless of whether it actually affects physical flows of barrels -- especially as the role of algorithmic trading has grown . The Big Long Managed money has piled into bullish positions in oil contracts Data: Bloomberg; graphic by Bloomberg Gadfly Note: Speculative net length in futures and options for CME and ICE crude oil, gasoline and heating oil. It's worth re-emphasizing that 2018 may bring plenty of unsettling news to feed oil rallies. Besides Iran and its neighbors, the U.S. is an outsize factor here too. This is always the case because of the country's sheer preponderance in the regional and world order ; its actions or mere inaction can have profound implications. Now remember that this year we are likely to see, among other things, the results of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, mid-term elections and a potential revisiting of the nuclear deal with Iran (about which the current protests may or may not affect President Donald Trump's thinking). The U.S. isn't necessarily a stabilizing element on the political front. What ultimately counts for oil, though, is physical flow. A dollar of pure risk-premium is like a dollar of geopolitical rent for a producer in a place like Texas, helping it hedge future output . Whereas a real crisis can take a lot of oil off the market quite quickly, these days fear of a potential crisis can help bring more barrels onto it.

Story by Liam Denning from Bloomberg BusinessWeek.



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Election year enters in Mexico with spate of political killings



Francisco Robles/AFP



Relatives and friends of mayor Arturo Gomez carry his coffin during his funeral in Petatlan, Mexico, on Dec. 29, 2017. One mayor, two mayoral aspirants murdered in less than a week.Twenty one mayors and former mayors killed last year: Alcaldes

By Nacha Cattan

MEXICO CITY

Petroleumworld 03 01 2018

This year's election in Mexico is already shaping up to be one of the bloodiest in decades after one mayor and two mayoral aspirants were murdered in less than a week.

Saul Galindo, a local lawmaker and preliminary mayoral candidate from the left-leaning PRD party, was assassinated in the Pacific Coast state of Jalisco on Dec. 28. Shortly afterwards, Arturo Gomez, mayor of Petatlan in Guerrero state, was gunned down, and then a few days later Adolfo Serna, who sought to be mayor of another Guerrero town, was shot dead.

"It's indignant that these events are happening during an electoral process," Manuel Granados, the head of the PRD, said in a statement. "We call on all three branches of government to find a path to peace and security."

Mexico's Biggest Election Could Turn Dirty. It's Happened Before

The murders are no isolated incidents. There were 26,573 killings in the first 11 months of last year in Mexico, the most since at least the start of the century, as drug cartels fought for territory. Twenty-one of them were mayors or former mayors, according to Alcaldes de Mexico, a magazine that tracks the deaths. The violence doesn't bode well for contentious elections this year to choose the nation's president, lawmakers and mayors.

"Organized crime has become more politicized because it's become more local," said Alejandro Hope, a security consultant and a former official for CISEN, Mexico's intelligence agency. "They're more concerned about who wins and who loses elections."

The arrests and killings of drug cartel leaders, including Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, have caused criminal groups to splinter and to focus more on extortion and kidnappings, making their connections with local power structures more critical, Hope says.Image Source: Taiwan Tourism Bureau

U.S.A.,

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Schengen Convention Countries,

Australia, or

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Travel Authorization Certificate Process

Image Source: National Immigration Agency Ministry of the Interior





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3 working days (Usual turn around time)

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Starting 1 November 2017, Philippine nationals can travel to Republic of China (Taiwan visa-free for 14 days. This initiative will undergo on a 9-month trial period which will end on 31 July 2018. However, proper visa should still be applied with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines. Click here for more details.The Taiwan Tourism Bureau recently launched a campaign ' Time for Taiwan ' to encourage people to visit 'The Heart of Asia.' Taiwan is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, majestic peaks, vast coastlines and food that is unique to compare to other Asian cuisine. It is considered by CNN to be one of the up-and-coming destination that will surely be part of everyone's bucket list.Taiwan Tourism Bureau said that traveling to Taiwan is extremely suitable all year round. The weather during spring and winter fluctuate while summer and autumn is relatively comfortable to an average of 22 degrees Celsius.If you plan to visit Taiwan, Filipino travelers will need to secure a visa either by applying (1) Visa-Free Entry Application or (2) Visitor Visa Application.Philippine passport holder who possess a valid visa or permanent resident certificate issued by:and has never been employed as blue-collar workers in Taiwan is eligible to apply for a Travel Authorization Certificate. The travel certificate allows the holder for multiple entry to Taiwan with a duration of 30 days to stay following the day of arrival. The holder should also present the Travel Authorization Certificate together with the valid visa you have and a return ticket for immigration check. This travel authorization is free of charge and you can apply by clicking here If you did not qualify for the Visa-Free Entry, then submit an application for Visitor Visa. The steps to get a visa is simple as long as you have the complete requirements.This is a 4 page form written in both English and Chinese where you need to print out and submit together with other application requirements. Ensure that you type in the correct details that will match to the documents to be submitted. Click to access the form here The photo should be taken within the last three (3) months wearing an appropriate attire with dark colors. The form has an specified area where you need to paste it and should not be stapled.The machine-readable passport (MRP) or ordinary IC passport should be valid six (6) months from the date of travel and should be in good condition. If you need a new passport or want to renew your passport, click here The delivery of these documents depends on the delivery address where it could take 3-5 working days after payment or up to 9 working days for provinces. If you need these documents, click here a. All documents should be submitted at the:41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. 1200Monday to Friday, 8:45 AM to 11:45 AMMonday to Friday, 1:45 PM to 4:45 PMb. Processing Timec. Visa FeesPennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has said he could take legal action over net neutrality. Read more

The Pennsylvania attorney general's office says that 303,000 people have searched the agency's website for fake comments submitted in their names to the Federal Communications Commission during the nation's "net neutrality" debate last year.

Of those, 3,120 people  or about 1 percent  said that their names and emails had been stolen or used inappropriately, the state law enforcement agency said.

In December, the FCC rolled back Obama-era internet protections, commonly referred to as net neutrality, which forbade firms from blocking websites and deliberately speeding or slowing internet traffic, marking a big win for Comcast, Verizon and other telecommunications companies.

According to the FCC website, almost 24 million Americans publicly commented through email to the FCC as it discussed deregulating the internet, or the equivalent of 1 in every 14 Americans, a number that many experts found suspect.

Consulting companies and analysts said that millions of those comments were fake, some emanating from computer servers in Russia.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said it was "outrageous" that the federal agency relied on fake comments and has sought to find victims through his agency's website, https://badcomments.attorneygeneral.gov. The attorney general's office estimates that there could be as many as 100,000 fake comments submitted by Pennsylvanians and "used fraudulently to influence the FCC's process."

Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement that he plans "to take legal action to protect net neutrality." Other Democratic attorneys general will likely participate.

The Republican-controlled FCC said that it considered only the comments that were important when drafting rules deregulating the internet, discarding the fake ones.Customers line up outside of MedMen in West Hollywood, Calif., which legalized marijuana on Jan. 1. Will Delaware be next? Read more

Delaware appears to be on the verge of becoming the first state in the Mid-Atlantic to legalize retail sales of marijuana for recreational use by adults.

In Dover on Wednesday, a governor's task force reviewed changes to a proposed bill that also could make the state the first to legalize cannabis sales through legislation. New Jersey is considering a similar bill.

About 60 percent of Delaware voters support legalization. But ballot initiatives such as the ones that legalized marijuana in other states are not provided in the state constitutions of Delaware or New Jersey (or Pennsylvania, either). So the measure can't be put up to a popular vote and must be passed in the statehouses.

"We're going to get it done," said Cynthia Ferguson, executive director of the Delaware branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "It's morally the right thing to do."

The task force, made up of activists and law enforcement experts, will issue its report at the end of February to Gov. John Carney and the General Assembly, said State Rep. Helene M. Keeley (D., Dover), who is the cosponsor of the bill.

The 62-member legislature  21 senators, 41 House members  will vote after floor debates later this spring, Keeley said.

Legalization could entice Pennsylvania residents to drive south, much as they do for liquor. It also might hasten New Jersey's move to legalize.

Passage is far from a done deal. Keeley said many law enforcement officials, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Mid-Atlantic AAA "don't want it at all."

State Rep. Steve Smyk (R., Milton), a former state trooper who represents the 20th District in southern Delaware, said he's not convinced that his constituents support the bill, but "I will vote the way they want."

"We're moving far too fast," Smyk said. "It's introducing a new intoxicant into society, and it's a national issue that's being shoved into local laws. It's not a good thing."

The bill will need support from two-thirds of the Assembly to pass. It has bipartisan support but also naysayers in both parties.

"We're on the verge," said John B. Sybert, of Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network. "We're trying to get one more Republican."

Advocates recognize that there are several sticking points. One entails budgeting money to retrain state troopers and drug-sniffing dogs. Businesses want a carve-out in the state law that would allow employers to comply with the federal drug-free workplace act.

The Delaware bill would prohibit homegrown cannabis, require training courses for sellers, and limit purchases to one ounce of cannabis per transaction, though it doesn't specify how often transactions could be made. Because Delaware has no retail sales tax, an excise tax would be added to all sales.

Delaware has had a medical-marijuana program since 2013 and has registered about 3,200 patients. Unlike in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, any doctor can write a cannabis recommendation. But the program, still in its pilot stage, has limped along with a limited supply of strains. After six years, there are only three dispensaries operating statewide, with two of them owned by the former head of the state police.

Legislators in Vermont and New Hampshire are poised to vote on a bill legalizing marijuana in their states, but their proposed laws would prohibit retail sales and allow only homegrown products.

Budding YouTube star Kalen Allen appeared on Ellen on Tuesday, and host Ellen DeGeneres offered the Temple University senior a deal for a new platform for his recipe reaction video series, "Kalen Reacts."

Last month, DeGeneres praised Allen's videos and invited him on her show. In a tweet promoting Allen's appearance this week, DeGeneres wrote that the Temple student "may just be the best thing on the internet right now."

Allen went viral after the debut of his videos a little more than a month ago. They feature him reacting to recipes featured on websites like PopSugar and Buzzfeed's Tasty. Think potato salad cake lined with hot dogs, or mac and cheese with Brussels sprouts. To date, his YouTube channel has racked up more than 4.1 million views.

Read more: Kalen Allen's video reviews of 'gentrified' corn bread have made the Temple student go viral

During his appearance on Ellen, Allen recalled the start of his series and his work beyond the videos, which he said includes five part-time jobs (in fact, he forgot one in the moment). He also plugged his own peach cobbler, a dish he has featured on his channel, saying that he is such a good cook "people actually pay me to make" cobbler during the holidays.

DeGeneres apparently didn't think one appearance by Allen was enough. Toward the end of her interview, she made him a once-in-a-lifetime offer.

"We want to make a deal with you so you actually have a platform, and help you make these videos," she said. Allen, surprised, accepted the offer, but only after telling Ellen to "stop playing" with him.

The terms of the deal were unclear. But if it means showcasing Allen's videos on the Ellen show's YouTube channel, it could mean a lot more exposure. The channel has more than 22 million subscribers, compared to Allen's 112,000.

A native of Kansas City, Kan., Allen is a film and theater double major at Temple with a concentration in acting. He is set to graduate in the spring, but as he told the Inquirer last month, he hasn't decided what he'll do after that. Initially, he planned to pursue graduate school, but his viral fame may have changed his plans.

"Now that I have some kind of fame under my belt," he said at the time, "maybe I can ride the tide and make these dreams come true."President Donald Trump greets Gov. Christie at an event at the White House in October. The Trump administration on Wednesday appointed a Christie ally, Craig Carpenito, as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Read more

WASHINGTON  The Trump administration named a close ally of Gov. Christie as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey on Wednesday, appointing Craig Carpenito as the interim U.S. attorney in Newark.

Carpenito previously worked under Christie as an assistant U.S. attorney in that same office and later defended the governor in a citizen's complaint related to the George Washington Bridge lane-closure scandal. The move, however, was likely to heighten tensions with New Jersey's Democratic senators, neither of whom have backed the high-profile appointment. Neither Sen. Bob Menendez nor Sen. Cory Booker has met with Carpenito, according to a person familiar with the process.

Carpenito's allies accused the lawmakers of trying to stall the president's selection.

U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions named Carpenito to the post, citing a law that allows for interim appointments in the event of extended vacancies. The appointment takes effect Friday, according to a release from New Jersey's U.S. Attorney's Office.

Carpenito can hold the post on an interim basis for up to 120 days, and could be nominated for the position permanently. He has long been seen as the leading candidate for the job, thanks in large part to Christie's backing.

"Craig is an outstanding lawyer and the type of decisive leader the office really needs," Christie, a former U.S. attorney, said in a statement Wednesday. "I am confident he will be a U.S. attorney that everyone in New Jersey will be proud of in the years ahead."

Carpenito and 16 other U.S. attorneys around the country were appointed Wednesday under a law that allows the administration to name an interim pick if a U.S. attorney position has been vacant for 300 days. The New Jersey position has been held by an acting U.S. attorney, William Fitzpatrick, for 299 days, dating back to early last year, when a slew of Obama administration holdovers were asked to resign, including New Jersey's Paul Fishman.

"You can't have an important position like that unfilled," said Bill Palatucci, one of Christie's top advisers. No one, he said, could question Carpenito's qualifications.

Carpenito is a partner at Alston & Bird LLP. He was an assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey from 2005 to 2008, when Christie led the office.

Christie, who has been at various times a close Trump adviser, aggressively pushed Carpenito to land the job, enlisting New Jersey's Republican congressional delegation to write a letter to the president vouching for him. He had to overcome resistance from others, including Trump son-in-law and frequent Christie rival Jared Kushner, who wanted Geoffrey Berman for the post, according to several people with knowledge of the maneuvering.

Berman was named interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most high-profile prosecutor jobs in the country.

Over the summer there had been negotiations between the administration, Christie allies and New Jersey's Democratic senators over a slate of judicial and prosecutorial nominations. They never reached a deal, with each side blaming the other for unreasonable demands.

By tradition, senators can block federal nominees from their home states, but this move could help the Trump administration at least temporarily evade that roadblock. Neither Menendez nor Booker offered comments on Carpenito Wednesday.

Menendez still faces his own entanglement with the Justice Department, which is weighing whether to retry him on corruption charges after an initial trial last year resulted in a hung jury. The case is being led by prosecutors in Washington, not New Jersey, and so would not fall under Carpenito's jurisdiction.

Sessions, in a statement, praised Carpenito's experience in private practice, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as a prosecutor.

"He has successfully prosecuted white-collar criminals and fraudsters, and as interim United States Attorney for New Jersey, he will continue to put criminals out of business  and behind bars," Sessions said.

Before working with Christie in New Jersey, Carpenito was senior counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commission's division of enforcement in its New York regional office. He graduated from Rider University and Seton Hall University law school.Geoff Whaling, president of the Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council, holds hemp seeds before planting on Lehigh University property in Upper Saucon Township in June. Read more

If you believe the enthusiasts, industrial hemp could be the comeback story of our time  one worth potentially millions of dollars to groups ranging from Jefferson and Lehigh Universities to Pennsylvania's farmers  if only given a chance.

Potential uses abound for the plant, a primary cash crop as clothing, oil and rope from the time of Pennsylvania's founding in 1681 to the mid-19th century but a casualty of the war on the cannabis plant. Just a sampling of the new uses: Beauty products. Car parts. Building materials and housing insulation. Energy storage devices for electronics. Pest resistance and weed suppression.

And, seriously: It does not get you high.

Now, as legal and cultural barriers begin to fall, advocates are confronting perhaps the most difficult hurdle: developing from scratch the institutions and supply chain to sustain a stable market.

Thanks to an expansion of a state-run hemp pilot program, Lehigh University, Thomas Jefferson University and the nonprofit Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council are exploring a partnership aimed at becoming a locus for the nascent U.S. industry.

The research alliance  yet to be formalized, both universities emphasized  would seek a federal "center of excellence" designation, giving it first dibs on U.S. Department of Agriculture funding. It also seeks relationships with international companies that own the harvesting equipment and processing technology to develop a viable market.

It could deliver an economic boon for the Lehigh Valley and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Geoff Whaling, president of the Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council, led a coalition earlier this month to Europe, where it made a pitch to HempFlax, a Netherlands-based processing company with an eye on the U.S. market.

The company appreciated the holistic approach Lehigh and its partners are taking, said Cameron McCoy, Lehigh's assistant vice president of economic engagement. Rather than merely selling equipment, HempFlax could gain from the alliance's research as well as its relationship with existing manufacturers.

Whaling, of Berks County, said the company needs at least 3,000 acres of hemp to make an investment worthwhile. He hopes to get commitments from regional farmers by the Jan. 19 deadline for the state pilot program to show that the alliance is more than talk.

Holistic approach to hemp

Industrial hemp is the strait-laced sibling of marijuana. Both come from the same fibrous cannabis plant, but hemp has a negligible amount of THC, the psychoactive substance that gets you high.

The market has grown despite legal constraints. Imports of hemp, seeds, and fibers were nearly $78.2 million in 2015, up from $5.6 million in 2005, according to industry estimates. Those imports contributed to U.S. retail sales of hemp products of nearly $600 million in 2015.

To understand the possible future of industrial hemp, consider the petroleum refinery, says Ronald Kander, dean of Jefferson's college of design, engineering & commerce.

Refineries don't process crude oil for a single use, such as gasoline; that wouldn't be economically viable. Instead, crude oil is converted into many products. And investors need to calculate the time and resources to make a given product and the value it will create.

Likewise, before farmers commit to hemp farming, they need to know they can make money. That requires buyers.

Researchers must decide which applications make the most sense to develop, Kander says.

There are four key questions: Does the hemp-derived product outperform what's currently used? Is it less expensive to produce? Is it more environmentally sustainable? Will the consumer look past hemp's relationship to marijuana? Kander thinks you probably need two affirmative answers to make development worthwhile.

Jefferson launched the Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp last year, thanks to a donation from an Australian banker, who also brought the industrial hemp company Ecofibre to Kentucky. Jefferson considers its expertise in medicine and applied research harmonious with Lehigh's engineering strengths. Both have supply-chain management programs.

Kander envisions the alliance as a gatekeeper of the industrial hemp research ecosystem. It would pre-vet other regional universities with complementary research. As more firms explore hemp's possibilities, they would turn to the Lehigh-Jefferson anchor for information or resources.

Legal progress

State and federal restrictions still must change before the industry can thrive.

Following the 2014 Farm Bill, the federal government has permitted growing hemp for research, and farmers can cultivate industrial hemp for commercial purposes in at least 20 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Pennsylvania Legislature passed a law enabling a hemp pilot program in 2015. The Wolf administration launched the program last year, but did not allow cultivation for commercial purposes, and limited research projects to five acres.

In 2018, commercial production remains prohibited, but the state now allows individuals to grow up to 100 acres of hemp and research cannabidiol (CBD), a compound that won't get you high but has medicinal value. Perhaps most promising: Applicants who partner with educational institutions can grow as much as they want.

Legal barriers remain. The federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) still classifies hemp under its definition of marijuana as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This complicates interstate commerce and blocks access to financial services.

But a proposed bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, cosponsored by three local members, would exempt hemp from CSA regulations. U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican from Chester County, said the bill is a common-sense measure supported across the aisle and hopes it will be adopted in the next Farm Bill, expected in 2018 or 2019.

Contact Andrew Wagaman at awagaman@mcall.com or on Twitter @andrewwagamanJohn Rogers Carroll, 89, of Center City, a compassionate yet forceful giant in Philadelphia's legal community whose trailblazing efforts in support of lawyers struggling with addiction saved many lives and careers, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, of heart failure at his home.

From the 1950s until his retirement in 2010, Mr. Carroll was regarded as one of the city's preeminent white-collar criminal defense lawyers. He practiced from his office in Center City. He was brilliant and fearless, his colleagues said.

What made him great, said Peter F. Vaira, former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, was his willingness to take on cases considered unpopular, especially during the "Red Scare" of the 1950s, when some citizens were blacklisted for membership in or association with the Communist Party and others were charged under the Smith Act with advocating the violent overthrow of the government.

"He was a very scholarly guy who prepared and knew the law," said Vaira. "And he was not afraid to take an unpopular cause, such as Communist Party members who were charged under the Smith Act. In the 1950s, when there was a crazy Red Scare across the U.S., people were terrified, and many lawyers would not go anywhere near those charged. But John Rogers Carroll plunged right in."

"John embodied what is best in all of us: great skill, legal acumen, and dedication to his clients and craft," said Mark B. Sheppard, a partner in Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP who knew Mr. Carroll well. "He was the recognized dean of the white-collar bar in Philadelphia and just about the smartest lawyer you could ever meet."

Mr. Carroll stood out as an innovator and assisted fellow lawyers who were struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. A recovering alcoholic himself, he became the force behind Pennsylvania lawyers' recovery programs, and counseled those struggling with addiction at all hours.

"He would take personal calls," Vaira said. "One day, when I was the U.S. attorney, one of my troops did something goofy" related to drinking. "When he heard about it, he said, 'Why didn't you call me?'"

What started out as a help line grew into the Philadelphia Bar Association's Lawyers' and Judges' Assistance Committee, and then into a nonprofit called Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL). Under Mr. Carroll's guidance, LCL became a model for lawyers' assistance programs throughout the nation, such as the leading American Bar Association's Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs.

Mary F. Platt, chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, said she viewed Mr. Carroll as a pioneer on behalf of addicted lawyers. "He had a strong commitment to giving back and serving others," she said. "His lifelong dedication to helping addicted lawyers is an outstanding hallmark of his career for which he will always be remembered."

In 2002, taking the support process one step further, Mr. Carroll established the M. Patricia Carroll Fund in memory of his wife, whom he married in 1980. She died in 2000.

The nonprofit provides funds for the treatment of addicted lawyers, judges, and law students.

"There is not a sober lawyer in Pennsylvania that wouldn't be sober today if it wasn't for John Rogers Carroll," said Sheppard. "And he was so humble about it."

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Carroll graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School, and earned a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University in 1949 and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1952.

In 1953, while in private practice, Mr. Carroll was chosen to be part of an elite team of volunteer lawyers representing nine local members of the Communist Party who were accused of advocating to overthrow the government. The defendants had been unable to obtain paid defense counsel.

After a five-month federal trial, the nine were convicted, but the convictions were overturned on appeal.

During the mid- and late 1950s, Mr. Carroll represented Philadelphia public school teachers who were fired after exercising their Fifth Amendment right to silence when questioned by school officials or congressional committees about being affiliated with the Communist Party.

He also volunteered his services as vice chairman of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, served as director of the Eagleville Foundation and Eagleville Hospital, which treats addicts, and was a member of the Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Mr. Carroll received the Philadelphia Bar Association Fidelity Award, Pennsylvania Bar Association Special Achievement Award for service to Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, St. Thomas More Society Award for service to the Bar, Philadelphia Psychiatric Society Benjamin Rush Award, and American Inns of Court Professionalism Award.

Despite the accolades, Mr. Carroll always shunned the limelight. He refused to discuss his cases with the media.

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Carroll enjoyed traveling with his wife, going to museums, and attending performances of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Opera Company.

"He was a loving friend with a magnificent mind and great sensibility," his family said.

Mr. Carroll is survived by a brother, Joseph "Skip" Carroll.

Funeral services and burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the M. Patricia Carroll Fund, Box 1233, Media, Pa. 19063.Myrrha Fleeing After Being Discovered in Her Fathers (King Cinyrass) Bed is one of the pieces of art being sold by the La Salle University Art Museum. Read more

The shock waves set off by the decision of La Salle University's trustees to sell 46 works of art owned by the university art museum roiled across the cultural landscape Wednesday.

"I feel as though the place has been raped," said Caroline P. Wistar, a longtime curator of the museum who retired about a decade ago. "They're selling all of the very best things  a Degas drawing, a Vuillard. This is major. I feel like they've killed the museum."

La Salle officials said Tuesday that the university planned to sell paintings, sculptures, and drawings selected by Christie's auction house and plow the expected return of $4.8 million to $7.3 million into teaching and learning initiatives.

But doing so appears to violate ethical guidelines subscribed to by virtually all museums in the country.

The La Salle University Art Museum is an unaccredited member of the American Association of Museums, whose ethical code holds that "in no event shall [collections sales] be used for anything other than acquisition or direct care of collections."

Timothy Rub, head of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and past president of the Association of Art Museum Directors, found the La Salle proposal troublesome. He wondered why La Salle would "step away" from its commitment to building a teaching museum "as a matter of financial expediency."

"Is a gain of $4.8 to $7.3 million in operating funds really a game-changer for the university, or will this simply leave its museum  which is acknowledged as being an enormously valuable resource for faculty and students  weakened?" Rub asked. "It's one thing to use deaccessioning [the sale of artworks] as a means for strengthening the collection by 'trading up.' Indeed, the [Association of Art Museum Directors] guidelines provide for that. But it's another to use the funds for something else entirely, and not necessarily a good thing either for the museum or the university."

Klare Scarborough, current La Salle museum director, did not return telephone or email inquiries seeking comment.

The decision was approved by the school's board of trustees and announced by university president Colleen M. Hanycz on Tuesday. University spokeswoman Jaine Lucas said the decision "is a strategic and good use of our assets," adding that "we are doing what we feel is in the best interest of our students."

Sales from collections are not in their "very nature  a bad thing," said Brooke Davis Anderson, who became museum director at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts six months ago. "But  it is important that the funds from deaccessioning go back into the collection" for conservation, preservation, and building it.

"If leaders of our institutions looked at our art collections purely from a dollar value, it could be used to support any museum in strife. We work hard to stay open and be sustainable for the public."

The university, in consultation with Christie's, identified five pieces from the La Salle museum as having the greatest revenue potential mitigated by lost pedagogical value, said Lucas: Dame Elisabeth Frink's sculpture Walking Madonna; Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres' Virgil Reading the Aeneid Before Augustus; Dorothea Tanning's Temptation of St. Anthony; Georges Rouault's Le Dernier Romantique (The Last Romantic); and Albert Gleizes' Man in the City (L'Homme Dans la Ville).

The goal is to raise at least $5 million.

The five pieces alone could bring in between $2.3 million and $3.45 million, said Lucas. Also among the group to be sold is a portrait by Thomas Eakins, Mrs. Matilda Searight; an ink on paper by Henri Matisse; an oil study by Alex Katz, Study for Portrait of Neil Welliver; and William Trost Richards' Rocky Coastline, Cornwall.

(A full list with images of works to be sold can be found at: http://artcollection.lasalle.edu/graphics/Deaccessions_2018.pdf)

Officials at several other college-based museums said they have not sold art or considered selling it to fund other aspects of the school's operation.

Charles Stainback, director of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, said the college administration has never broached the possibility of selling art for other aspects of the school's operations.

"The support of the museum by the administration is unwavering," Stainback said, "so they would never suggest anything like that."

"It goes back to the basic principles that we live and work by in the museum world," he continued. "We collect art. We exhibit artwork and we educate people about artwork."

But as more colleges struggle with budget problems as a result of a decline in the number of high school graduates, less government funding, and other pressures, some have looked to their art collections for revenue. At Brandeis University in Massachusetts, a plan to close its museum and sell its art was reversed after backlash from students and faculty and legal action. Randolph College in Virginia was criticized for its decision to sell a George Bellows painting worth more than $25 million.

For Wistar, who worked to build the La Salle collection with Brother Daniel Burke, museum founder and La Salle president from 1969 to 1976, the sale represents something akin to a death in the family. She said she was not consulted about any aspect of the sale and did not learn any details until late Tuesday.

"I don't think anyone who knew anything about art was consulted, except Klare Scarborough," Wistar said.

"I was so shocked. The whole thing is senseless. You work hard for 30 years and then this.""Myrrha Fleeing After Being Discovered in Her Father's (King Cinyras's)Bed," by an unknown French artist, is one of the pieces of art being sold by the La Salle University Art Museum. Read more

La Salle University, which has struggled to plug a projected deficit in recent years, plans to sell 46 pieces of art from its prized museum collection to help fund teaching and learning initiatives in its new strategic plan, officials said Tuesday.

The sale, which includes masterpieces by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Georges Rouault, and Albert Gleizes, could raise more than $7 million, officials estimate.

Approved by the school's board of trustees and announced by university president Colleen M. Hanycz, the decision "is a strategic and good use of our assets," university spokeswoman Jaine Lucas said. "We are doing what we feel is in the best interest of our students."

It follows similar steps by other universities around the country in recent years to help stem financial woes  although some schools that have sold or attempted to sell art have faced challenges.

At Brandeis University in Massachusetts, a plan to close its museum and sell its art was reversed after backlash from students and faculty and legal action. Randolph College in Virginia was roundly criticized for its decision to sell a George Bellows painting worth more than $25 million.

The same controversy could follow the decision at La Salle, a 3,200-student Catholic university in Philadelphia's Logan section, whose collection composes one of the most highly regarded university museums in the region. Just hours after the announcement, members of the local art community began questioning the decision.

"This sort of feels like they're robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it's going to change the museum," said Ron Rumford, director of Dolan/Maxwell, private art dealers in Philadelphia.

La Salle officials said they need the revenue to invest in the university's core mission  teaching and learning  and made the decision after months of study.

The sale of the items, mostly paintings but also sculptures and drawings, is expected to raise from $4.8 million to $7.3 million, according to Christie's, the auction house handling the sale, Lucas said. Christie's identified five pieces as having the greatest potential for raising revenue, she said.

They are: Dame Elisabeth Frink's sculpture Walking Madonna; Ingres' Virgil Reading the Aeneid Before Augustus from 1865; Dorothea Tanning's Temptation of St. Anthony; Rouault's Le Dernier Romantique (The Last Romantic); and Gleizes' Man in the City (L'Homme Dans la Ville).

The five pieces alone could bring in between $2.3 and $3.45 million, Lucas said.

Lisa Tremper Hanover, formerly president of the Alliance of Academic Museums and Galleries, who also led the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College for 25 years, said many museums sell art but then use the proceeds for the benefit of the museum and the collection.

"I am shocked," she said upon hearing of the plan. "That is such a distinctive aspect of La Salle University."

Not on the list for sale is the painting Mary by Henry Ossawa Tanner, because it is most often used by faculty in classes and has significant historical value, Lucas said.

Of the 46 items targeted for sale, 36 are currently on display in the museum and will be removed this week; the 10 others will be taken from storage, she said.

The items on display will be replaced with others in the university's collection, which consists of close to 350 paintings, 65 sculptures, 500 drawings, 3,000 graphic prints, 175 photographs, and a few items of furniture and decorative art, according to its website. The museum, housed in the lower level of Olney Hall in the heart of campus, will remain open and used for teaching.

"The art museum will continue to support the pedagogical mission of La Salle," said Lucas, the spokeswoman.

The school was started and is run by the Christian Brothers order. Many of the works were acquired by Brother Daniel Burke, who founded the museum and served as La Salle's president from 1969 to 1976.

"He was an incredible connoisseur of art," said Susan Dixon, chair of the art history department at La Salle. "I've only been here 5 years, and I came because of the collection."

She said faculty members regularly use the collection in their teaching. She declined to comment on the university's decision to sell some of the art.

Lucas said La Salle believes it is "clear and free" to sell the pieces selected and noted the plan has the endorsement of the Christian Brothers.

Like other schools, La Salle has struggled with an enrollment decline and deficit in recent years. In 2015, freshman enrollment plummeted 18 percent, or 159 students, from the year before, and 23 staff members were laid off. The school faced a $12 million deficit in its $132 million budget.

Since then, the university has lowered its tuition sticker price, launched a marketing campaign, and announced plans to eliminate some programs, helping to offset the shortfall. Lucas declined to say whether the university is projecting a shortfall this year but said the school finished last year with a surplus.There was a celebratory feel to Larry Krasner's inauguration as Philadelphia's new district attorney, because, as Krasner phrased it, his ascension to the office was the culmination of a movement.

It was a movement led by the disenfranchised, a movement stoked by activists, a movement that succeeded thanks to votes cast by people of color who have long been unequally treated by the criminal justice system.

Krasner was elected not only because billionaire George Soros spent millions in support of his campaign, but also because of Krasner's history of suing police and representing groups like Black Lives Matter. The black community believed in that history, and now we have some demands.

That was evident in the moments after the inauguration, when Black Lives Matter activists confronted Krasner over the latest police shooting of an unarmed African American. But beyond the shooting of Dennis Plowden Jr. at the hands of police, there are demands that are not about a moment, but are instead about the movement that helped to elect Krasner.

In the hours after Krasner placed his hand on a Bible and pledged to serve with honor, I asked my guests and radio audience to list those demands on Praise 107.9 FM. The answers I received were varied, but they were grounded in healthy skepticism.

Pastor Alyn Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church believes Krasner's history of representing various civil rights groups was driven by a respect for free speech rather than a commitment to civil rights, and that we need to hear more from Krasner on civil rights. But beyond that, Waller says, we need action.

"We need to demand rigorous transparency, and quite frankly we need to see it now before an issue hits the table," Waller told me in an interview. "So I want to hear in the first 100 days what his policies around police shootings will be, what his policies around stop and frisk will be. And so before we have to see it in the court system, let's just hear it in policy and hear it in legislation."

Of course, we've heard promises before, especially around the issue of stop and frisk  a police practice that leads to a disproportionate number of searches of black and brown people in poor communities. During his campaign for mayor, Jim Kenney promised to end the practice, which statistics say rarely leads to the confiscation of illegal contraband. Kenney reneged on that promise, and the black community is keenly aware of that fact.

"I'm worried about Larry Krasner pulling a 'bait and switch' on us like [Kenney] did to us on 'stop and frisk,'" tweeted Denise Marie Snow.

"My hope is that Krasner will consider the background and mental health of people before throwing 'the book' at black and brown people," Snow added in a later tweet.

The demands, as one might expect, are much the same as they've always been. We demand transparency in police-involved shootings, a cessation of the unfair police practice of stop and frisk, consideration of mitigating circumstances when making sentencing recommendations, and the end of cash bail.

Not every demand is easy to meet, says Kevin Harden Jr., a former prosecutor who now practices personal injury law at the Philadelphia based firm Ross Feller & Casey. Still, there are demands that must be made.

"We should be demand [that the district attorney] take a serious look at the credibility of police officers in the city of Philadelphia," Harden told me in an interview. "This is not to say it's every officer, but there are officers who have credibility issues. They'll see an officer may have a problem  and the problem may not be that the officer is enforcing the law differently on the basis of race. Maybe he has a psychiatric problem. Maybe he's depressed. Maybe he's fighting through a rough divorce."

Harden said it's high time that issue is addressed.

Harden also said the economic issues in Philadelphia must be taken into account when recommending bail and sentences. That means "making sure that the criminal justice system doesn't perpetuate the city's poverty problem," Harden told me. "Looking at how prosecutions can negatively affect the families and children the poor, and people for whom English is their second language."

Harden said the way to address such issues is to formulate policy from the top down  policy that is readily available for public review, and that every Philadelphia prosecutor should follow.

So what is Larry Krasner prepared to do when it comes to meeting such demands?

"Larry Krasner was elected on the promise of civil rights and equal justice for all," spokesman Ben Waxman said in a text message. "His vision is a DA's office that protects the rights of all people with the equal application of justice, especially communities that have been traditionally marginalized in the criminal justice system. He will keep his promise to uphold these values in all areas."

I hope that's true. Krasner's second term should depend on it.Michael Christman stands amid nitrogen tanks of cell lines at Coriell Institute soon after he became president and CEO in 2007 Read more

Michael Christman, 58, a genomics expert who championed personalized medicine as president and CEO of the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, died on Christmas.

He was visiting his father, Russell, in Chapel Hill, N.C., for the holidays with his 16-year-old twins, Max and Emma. Dr. Christman was an insulin-dependent diabetic but seemed to be in good overall health, his father said.

"He went to bed about 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. He wasn't feeling well," Russell Christman said. "We guess it was his heart."

Coriell, which collects, banks, and distributes biological samples for medical research, praised Dr. Christman for building the institute's mission "through his commitment to innovation and excellence."

"The importance of Dr. Christman's impact not only on the Coriell Institute but personalized medicine as a whole cannot be overstated," said Robert Kiep, chairman of the board of trustees. "His death is a terrible loss."

Born in Florida and raised in Chapel Hill, Dr. Christman initially followed in the footsteps of his father, a chemistry professor, by earning his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina and his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

But during five years of postdoctoral research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Christman expanded into genetics, the science that underpins personalized medicine. He went on to serve as the founding chair of the department of genetics and genomics at Boston University School of Medicine, where he led an international team that used the Framingham Heart Study to find a common genetic variant associated with obesity. The findings were published in the journal Science.

"He was a person everyone liked," his father said. "He talked science at the level of whoever he was talking to. When he left Boston after founding that department, I was awfully proud of what he had done. When he told me he was going to Coriell, I said, 'What?' But he said it was a wonderful opportunity."

After becoming Coriell's chief executive in 2007, Dr. Christman created the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative, a research study focused on integrating patients' genetic information into their medical care. The project now involves more than 10,000 participants in 48 states, hospital partners, and physicians, and has won more than $15 million in federal grants.

The success of the collaborative led Dr. Christman to found a for-profit spin-off company, Coriell Life Sciences. It provides a medication management tool that analyzes the patient's genetic makeup to understand individual responses to medications. The company has received honors including the IBM Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Dr. Christman remained committed to Coriell's core mission as a biobank, working to establish one of the world's largest collections of human "induced pluripotent stem cells." These cells, which are made by reprogramming skin or blood cells back to primitive stages, have become valuable tools in disease research and drug development.

"He was a genius at this," said Kiep. "If we can find someone who fills 50 percent of his shoes, we're doing good."

Besides his father and children, Dr. Christman is survived by two brothers and his ex-wife, Nikki Levin.

Coriell Institute is planning a memorial service.WASHINGTON  By the end of the year, Pennsylvania will have lost more than 50 years of experience in the U.S. House, along with the clout that kind of seniority brings.

Three Republican representatives from the state are not seeking reelection, and one veteran GOP House member resigned last fall amid a scandal. The power outage comes even before voters go to the polls in November, amid a political climate that could threaten even more incumbents in the Republican majority.

The latest decision landed Tuesday, when Rep. Bill Shuster, chairman of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced he would not seek a 10th term. He is the state's most senior Republican, and his exit will mark the end of a remarkable family run  Shuster and his father have held a central Pennsylvania House seat since 1973.

He joins Republican Reps. Charlie Dent, of Allentown, a moderate worn down by seven terms' worth of ideological battles; Tim Murphy, of Allegheny County, who retired under pressure in October amid revelations of an affair and abusive office behavior; and Lou Barletta, a Northeast Pennsylvanian who is running for the U.S. Senate.

"When you lose somebody of good seniority, you're losing an opportunity to have a good influence on the process," said Jim Gerlach, the former Republican congressman from Chester County.

The departures of Shuster and Dent in particular will cost Pennsylvania influence over major legislation worth billions of dollars to the state. Both men also had their hands on less formal levers of influence.

Dent heads the Tuesday Group, a coalition of center-right House Republicans, serving as a leading strategist for the bloc and making him a vocal figure in national debates.

As the heads of a major committee (in Shuster's case) and a key subcommittee (Dent), they also could set the agenda in their areas and shape major bills, deciding what would get added and what might be left aside.

Other lawmakers from Pennsylvania, from both parties, would turn to the high-ranking members when seeking something under their purview that might help their own districts, said George McElwee, Dent's former chief of staff.

"They kind of lean on each other in helping their own within the state," said McElwee, now a lobbyist whose clients include the state of Pennsylvania.

And those with seniority often use their expertise to guide the rest of the state's delegation on big decisions, said Alan Novak, a former GOP state chairman. "They deferred to the ranking member on various committees to get things done for Pennsylvania," Novak said.

Shuster, of Blair County, would have lost his transportation committee gavel even if he stayed in Congress, because of Republican rules imposing term limits on chairmen. But he also served on a caucus steering committee that decides who gets the best committee assignments, Gerlach said.

"Bill was our point person on the steering committee to work with leadership and the other steering committee members to help our [Pennsylvania] members get the assignments they wanted," Gerlach said.

Dent leads the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing military construction and veterans' affairs, helping to steer tens of billions of dollars in spending.

Murphy had served nearly 15 years in Congress; Barletta will be in the House for eight by the time this term ends and he either moves to the Senate or leaves elected office. (He is seeking the nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey).

After Shuster and Dent, the most senior House Republican from Pennsylvania is Glenn Thompson, who took office in 2009. Four others have been in office since January 2011, including Barletta and Delaware County's Pat Meehan.

Democrats have had their own share of turnover among veteran lawmakers, with recent retirements of Montgomery County's Allyson Schwartz and the corruption conviction against Philadelphia's Chaka Fattah. But they still have senior lawmakers in Rep. Bob Brady, a Philadelphian in office since 1998, and Rep. Mike Doyle, a Pittsburgh-area lawmaker who has been in office since 1995.

Their experience helps, but it is the majority party that firmly controls legislation in the House.

Among the remaining Republicans, Thompson might be next in line to eventually lead a key panel. He is a senior member of the Agriculture Committee, which oversees a major Pennsylvania interest.

Meehan sits on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Ryan Costello, elected to succeed Gerlach in 2014, has a seat on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, although both men are relatively junior on those panels.FILE  In this Oct. 4, 2017, file photo, Dr. Albert Maguire, right, checks the eyes of Misa Kaabali, 8, at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Misa was 4-years-old when he received his gene therapy treatment. The first-of-its kind therapy for blindness will cost $850,000, less than the $1 million price tag that had been expected, but it's still among the most expensive genetic therapies in the world. Read more

A transformative genetic treatment for a rare, inherited form of blindness will come with a price tag of $425,000 per eye, or $850,000 for both, said Spark Therapeutics Inc., the Philadelphia-based biotechnology company that is bringing the therapy to market.

Since Spark's Luxturna was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, speculation over the price has grown as it became clear the therapy would be one of the first in a wave of medicines that yield remarkable results after a single treatment  and would carry a commensurate cost.

In a novel arrangement, Spark will offer discounts based on whether the drug works initially and remains effective for the estimated 1,000 to 2,000 patients in the United States with a type of inherited retinal disease caused by a mutant gene.

"We believe that this price reflects not only the breakthrough, life-altering value of one-time Luxturna, but it will enable us to continue to invest and build on the revolutionary science that supports not only Luxturna but the rest of our pipeline," chief executive officer Jeff Marrazzo said in a phone interview. Spark shares rose $2.45, or 4.6 percent, to close at $55.76 Wednesday.

The company's effectiveness-based discount is sharply different from how most drugs are sold. Health insurers are also used to paying for medicine over the course of a disease or over a patient's life, in the case of some chronic conditions.

A onetime treatment presented a challenge, because the cost would be paid for by one insurer or government, only to have others reap the benefits when the patient changes coverage.

To help mitigate that dynamic, Spark is rolling out several programs to spread out the cost over the years or give rebates to payers if the benefits wane with time.

For example, the company said it was discussing a program with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would spread payments for Luxturna over several years, even though the therapy would be given only once. It didn't say how many installments would be made, or how long it would take to pay the full cost of the drug.

In an agreement with the Boston-area insurer Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Spark will get the full price of treatment up-front. If patients don't get an immediate benefit, measured at 30 days, or a long-term one, measured at 30 months, Spark will have to give back some of the money in a rebate.

Spark has also proposed selling the gene therapy directly to insurance companies or specialty pharmacies. That would sidestep the current process that requires hospitals or health-care providers to buy expensive therapies up-front. Spark is working with Express Scripts Holding Co. on such an arrangement, and said it's talking with other drug plans.

Express Scripts has been a frequent critic of costly drugs but said the Spark treatment was an exception.

"Many people were anticipating this would be more than a million dollars," said Steve Miller, the St. Louis-based company's chief medical officer. "In the end, this is a revolutionary product, and I think in most plans this will be covered."

Effectiveness-based or outcomes-based pricing agreements are being explored as an alternative to traditional pricing structures, especially for ultra-expensive onetime treatments. In September, for example, Novartis announced that it would charge $475,000 for Kymriah, its onetime, potentially curative T-cell therapy for a childhood leukemia. But the company also said it was working with private insurers and the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare to develop a novel payment policy based on whether patients responded within a month of treatment.

Spark's discounted model "wouldn't be the first time some fairly innovative payment structure was attempted in the U.S.," said Gbola Amusa, head of health-care research for the investment bank Chardan.

Amusa said the advent of sticker-shock drugs has raised the philosophical question of what a life is worth. "Spark's drug is different because it isn't life-saving," he said. "What's the price of blindness?"

Ultimately, Spark's biggest challenge may be finding patients to treat.

Of the few thousand people believed to have the disease, only a few have actually been tested and confirmed to have it, since there was no cure and thus little use in diagnosis. Many with more advanced forms of the disease won't qualify for treatment, according to the company.

Staff writer Marie McCullough contributed to this article.President Trump said his former chief strategist Steve Bannon has lost his mind after Bannon was quoted in a new book calling a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign treasonous. Read more

Was Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Kremlin-linked lawyer promising dirt on Hillary Clinton treasonous? Yes, according to former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Bannon, who has returned to the Breitbart news site after having been forced out of the White House in August, spoke on the record to media critic and Hollywood Reporter contributing editor Michael Wolff as part of Wolff's highly anticipated new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, and didn't hold back his criticism of the campaign and Trump's son.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers," Bannon told Wolff, according to excerpts obtained by the Guardian. "They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," Bannon continued. "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV."

President Trump responded to Bannon on Wednesday afternoon in a 266-word statement, in which he said his former chief strategist had "lost his mind" and had "very little to do" with Trump's 2016 election victory.

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating 17 candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party," Trump said in the statement.

Donald Trump Jr. called Bannon a liar in a tweet sent after President Trump released his official statement, adding that Andrew Brietbart "would be ashamed" of Bannon's divisive comments.

The June 2016 meeting, first reported by the New York Times, took place before Bannon joined the campaign in August 2016. Then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, met with Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian lawyer who reportedly has ties to the Kremlin, at Trump Tower in a meeting set up by a trusted friend and publicist, Rob Goldstone, with the promise of documents that would "incriminate" Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

According to the Times, Trump Jr. was informed prior to the meeting through email "that the material was part of a Russian government effort to aid his father's candidacy." Instead of contacting the FBI, Trump Jr.'s reply was, "I love it."

Bannon also waded into special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, and offered some predictions that won't sit well with his former boss.

"This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to fing Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner," Bannon told Wolff. "It's as plain as a hair on your face."

Both Manafort and former business associate Rick Gates face 12 counts, including money laundering and conspiracy, stemming from Mueller's investigation. Last month, the Times revealed that federal prosecutors subpoenaed records from Deutsche Bank, a financial institution in Germany that has lent hundreds of millions of dollars to entities associated with the Kushner family's real-estate business.

"They're going to go right through that. They're going to roll those two guys up and say play me or trade me," Bannon predicted. "They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five."

Bret Baier, the host of Special Report on Fox News, said Bannon's quotes about Mueller's investigation "are equally newsy  and problematic for Trump world."

Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, which features more than 200 interviews with the president, his inner circle, and players in and around the administration, is scheduled to be released next week.

Here is President Trump's full statement on Bannon's comments:The frigid weather that has left the Philadelphia region in a deep freeze has contributed to the death of one Montgomery County man and caused thousands of other people to flock to shelters for relief with temperatures expected to hover at arctic levels through the weekend.

In Ambler, Solomon Wynder, 70, was found dead in his one-room apartment after a neighbor called police to check on him Christmas Day, said Alexander Balacki, first deputy coroner in Montgomery County. Although his death was ruled the result of heart disease, the temperature in the apartment was 41 degrees and listed as a contributing factor, Balacki said.

Emergency officials are asking that residents take extra precautions to keep the most vulnerable safe  elderly relatives, children, and pets.

In Philadelphia, hundreds have checked into shelters around the city, where 2,500 beds are available, said David Holloman, director of external affairs for the Office of Homeless Services. The office has outreach workers and police encouraging the homeless to move indoors during the dangerously cold weather. Holloman said they were particularly concerned about the mentally ill or those whose judgment may be impaired through drug use. If necessary, he said, authorities will admit people involuntarily for their safety.

The shelters have hit 80 percent to 85 percent capacity at times, Holloman said. With the holidays occurring in the middle of the cold snap, he said, some people may have extended their family visits.

"The good thing about the holidays is that people are with their family," Holloman said, adding that he was not aware of any weather-related fatalities in the city and "we're hoping we don't experience that." Frostbite, he said, is also a concern, especially for those with medical conditions such as diabetes.

Weather forecasters are predicting the freeze will last several more days with snow, heavy winds, and temperatures that will dip below zero with the windchill. On Monday, it appears there will be some relief with "a little bit of a thaw" that comes with 40 degrees, the warmest since Christmas, said meteorologist Sarah Johnson of the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

"Friday and Saturday could be the coldest we'll see through this period," Johnson said, with temperatures not climbing past the single digits. "It will be important to wear plenty of warm layers."

Snow is expected Wednesday night into Thursday, with temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s, and tapering off in the afternoon, Johnson said. While Philadelphia will see one to three inches, the Jersey Shore may get four to six inches, she said. North and west, the snow will drop off to a dusting. Winds, however, are expected to be 35 to 40 mph, which may create visibility problems as the snow falls or is blown from trees.

Pet owners must be diligent, especially with outdoor animals. Very young, very old, and sick animals are more vulnerable and may exhibit signs of distress, such as shivering. Clean drinking water that is not frozen is important, and animals should not drink from outdoor puddles, which may be a mixture of antifreeze or other harmful chemicals.

Jen Leary of the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team based in the Point Breeze section of Philadelphia said that as temperatures dipped last week, the group hit a record, responding to 22 fires that involved 52 pets in need. There was one ferret and the rest were cats and dogs, she said. Some needed emergency shelter, others starter kits as families were relocated. The busy week was not a complete surprise, she said, noting people still have holiday light displays, Christmas trees, and higher heating demands.

"People are doing everything they can to keep warm," Leary said.

In New Jersey, Burlington County spokesman Jason Tosches said a Code Blue emergency has been in place since Dec. 25 and will remain through Wednesday evening, when the county will reassess whether to extend it. He said the county has five shelters, including one for families.Those who use the shelters do so for a variety of reasons, including homeless people who had been living outdoors, or elderly and poor residents who have no heat. The number of people placed in shelters was not available Tuesday, but all of the shelters have reached capacity or had been close to capacity, he said.

"We would never turn anyone away, even if the shelters were at capacity," Tosches said, adding the county uses motels when needed.

Camden County has also opened shelters and warming centers with the severe cold weather.

"In these extreme weather conditions, we need everyone to be sheltered and out of the elements," Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez said in a statement. "If you must leave the house, please dress yourself and your children in warm clothing, hats and gloves. Also, please remember to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and bring your pets indoors."

In Camden, Yorkship Family School dismissed students early on Tuesday because of heating issues, said Paymon Rouhanifard, superintendent of the Camden School District.

Temperatures at all district schools would be checked late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning to determine if classes needed to be started later, Rouhanifard said.

In Gloucester County, officials have posted on its website how to prepare for an emergency during the cold weather and will also post updates on Facebook, said county spokeswoman Debra Sellitto.

"Gloucester County maintains 410 miles of roadway and 85 bridges," said Freeholder Heather Simmons, the public works liaison. "In this frigid weather, travelers should make sure they have their vehicles in good condition, including testing their car batteries and making sure that their wipers are in good operating conditions. It's a good idea to keep an emergency roadside kit in your car too, including a blanket and some nonperishable snacks in case they are waiting for roadside assistance."

In Bucks County, outreach workers have buses available to transport those who need rides to any of the county's three shelters, or churches that have opened their doors during the Code Blue emergency, said county spokesman Chris Edwards. There are dozens of homeless in the county, he said. "Those are the people who would be the most in need now."

In Montgomery County, press secretary Kaitlyn Foti said workers for Aging and Adult Services call at-risk seniors during a Code Blue to make sure they have all they need. The list includes those who are low-income or have a history struggling to pay heating bills, and those who live on their own and have medical problems. There are eight shelters in the county, and four Code Blue shelters, Foti said.

In the last few weeks, crews also have been working throughout the region to repair water main breaks, including at least three Tuesday in Northeast Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, and West Conshohocken. Officials suggest that homeowners take precautions to protect their pipes as well, steps that include insulating pipes on outer walls, leaving cabinets open beneath sinks, and leaving water trickling when temperatures dip below freezing for extended hours.

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.James Valentine Jr., of Levittown, was sentenced to three to six years in prison for a 2016 armed robbery in Bucks County arranged by a stripper. Read more

A 22-year-old Bucks County man was sentenced to three to six years in state prison for the armed robbery of a man lured into the crime by a stripper, prosecutors said.

James Valentine Jr., of Mitchell Road in Levittown, was convicted by a jury last month of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and related offenses.

The victim, a young man from New Jersey, was allegedly targeted on Sept. 11, 2016, by a dancer, Brandy Wells, at the Sugar N Spice club in Morrisville. The robbery occurred at the Green Lane Apartments in Bristol Township. The victim was grabbed by Wells's boyfriend, James Hunt, while Valentine held a gun to his head.

Hunt is awaiting sentencing. Wells failed to appear for trial and is being sought on a bench warrant.Umar Johnson is taking a break. The popular Philadelphia-bred pundit had just finished a four-city "Kwanzaa tour" of Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Detroit. He spoke on special education, the black family, and what's called black uplift, themes he regularly mines for his 342,000-user Instagram following.

But over the holiday season, Johnson used that Instagram account to rally support for himself: His primary Facebook and GoFundMe have been suspended, he told his audience, and he faces discipline from Pennsylvania's Board of Psychology.

The state Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs has charged Johnson, known as "Dr. Umar," with portraying himself on his website as a psychologist who practices counseling services without a state license to do either. If that is proved, the board could levy fines and order Johnson to pay for the cost of the investigation.

In 2014, Johnson shared his vision of converting a defunct Virginia historically black college into a boarding school that he would name the Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey RBG International Leadership Academy for Black Boys. (Johnson regularly describes himself as a relative of Douglass, another claim that critics dispute.) He set a $5 million fund-raising goal that he hoped to hit by August, but did not. He had been raising money on GoFundMe, and recently said they'd hit around $400,000 before their campaign was suspended. This comes after accusations, prominently argued on the Root, that Johnson's fund-raising lacked transparency and his organization lacked 501(c)(3) status.

Johnson, who has described himself as "Black America's No. 1 Most Requested Scholar-Orator," the "prince of Pan-Afrikanism" and "the foremost expert" on the "school-to-prison pipeline," has experienced waves of criticism along his rise to national fame. Many social media users have lambasted his political and philosophical views, among them strong condemnations of homosexuality, interracial marriage, and ADHD medication.

His detractors have long questioned whether the degrees he lists were earned and whether he has scammed the public by calling for donations for the boarding school. His fans, however, hear a uniquely clear thinker dedicated to the uplift of black children who has been unfairly maligned.

The Root verified in July that Johnson has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Johnson was notified of the state investigation in August. In a response that month, Johnson explained that he worked as a school psychologist for the School District of Philadelphia, Chester Upland School District, and various charter schools, which required certifications as a school psychologist but not a state license to practice psychology.

Although a Department of State spokeswoman said Tuesday his hearing had been postponed because Johnson's lawyer requested a continuance, she said Wednesday it was back on for 9 a.m., Jan. 8.

Johnson refused to answer a reporter's questions. In brief comments, he said he was "tired" of the "despicable" coverage of him from mainstream media.

In a recent YouTube video, he stated that he grew up in North Philadelphia, near Eighth Street and Susquehanna Avenue. He described a childhood where at least once he stayed in a homeless shelter, and where quite often he loved watching movies at a neighborhood theater.

A decade ago, he was a regular speaker at Black & Nobel, the black-owned bookstore at Broad Street and Erie Avenue. Hakim Hopkins, Black & Nobel's owner, lamented Johnson's recent plight and noted that Johnson doesn't need a license to deliver his message online.

"I don't think he was doing it for the piece of paper, he was doing it because so many people want to hear and see him," said Hopkins, who isn't convinced these events were a final goodbye. "I don't think he can stop doing it."

Observers have affiliated Johnson with "hotep" political movements. Often gathering in online discussions, hoteps are known for a blend of Afrocentric affinities, black radicalism, and social conservatism. Molefi Kete Asante, a noted Temple University scholar, disagrees that Johnson and like-minded thinkers are Afrocentric.

"It is an academic theory; it is a philosophy. It's founded on facts and information," Asante said. "He hit a market of people who are hungry for information who do not necessarily know how to discern what is based on evidence and what is not."

This story has been updated.

This story has been corrected to accurately reflect the degree he received from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.President Donald Trump denounced his former top strategist, Steve Bannon, on Wednesday, saying that he 'lost his mind' after leaving the White House last summer.

"When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said of Bannon in a statement the White House issued. "Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look."

The statement represented an emphatic break from the person considered the architect of Trump's presidential campaign. Bannon continued to enjoy access to the president after he left the White House, but that has ended, one person familiar with the matter said.

Earlier on Wednesday, New York Magazine published excerpts of a forthcoming book by author Michael Wolff in which Bannon criticizes Trump's campaign as well as the president and his family. The Guardian published excerpts of the book in which Bannon predicts that Special Counsel Robert Mueller will "crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV" over the president's son's meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016.

Bannon also called Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with the lawyer, in which he expected to receive damaging information on Trump's election opponent Hillary Clinton, "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," according to the Guardian.

Bannon, reached by Bloomberg News, declined to comment on the remarks published by the Guardian.

In his 265-word statement, Trump went on to indict Bannon for some of his activities at the White House and afterward. He blamed him for the loss of a Republican Senate seat in Alabama in a special election last month and accused him of leaking to news reporters while he served as the White House chief strategist.

"Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country," Trump said. "Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesn't represent my base  he's only in it for himself."

Bannon backed former state Supreme Court justice Roy Moore over Trump's preferred candidate, incumbent senator Luther Strange, in a primary election for the Alabama seat. Moore lost to Democrat Doug Jones in the special election after several women accused him of sexual misconduct while they were teenagers.

"Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was," Trump said. "It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books."

In addition to Wolff's book, titled "Fire and Fury: Inside Trump's White House," Bannon was the subject of a best-selling book published last year by Bloomberg Businessweek writer Joshua Green, "Devil's Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency."Kenneth Freeman, carries his daughter Alora, 8, as they visit a frozen water fountain downtown in Atlanta, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. A brutal winter storm scattered a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain from normally balmy north Florida up the Southeast seaboard Wednesday, adding to the misery of a bitter cold snap. Read more

Millions of East Coast residents will be learning anew Thursday that they live in a special place, at least from a meteorological standpoint.

The East's dangerous neighbor  the Gulf Stream  will conspire with frigid winds from the frozen parts of the planet to set off a wintry "bomb cyclone" off the Mid-Atlantic coast, meteorologists said Wednesday with high confidence.

Blizzard and winter-storm warnings were in effect from Caribou, Maine, to the South Carolina-Georgia border. Locally, the National Weather Service posted blizzard warnings for the Jersey Shore  where the snow would be heavier and the winds stronger than they will be inland  and the less-alarming winter-storm warnings for the immediate Philadelphia area.

With snow arriving in the early hours and continuing through most of the day, and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, the region could see whiteout conditions at the worst possible time for commuters, the morning rush.

Flakes unseen, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia declared a snow day for city schools on Thursday. Several hours later, the School District of Philadelphia announced it also was declaring a snow day. The city for its part announced a snow emergency, which means all parked vehicles had to be moved off "snow emergency routes" for plowing beginning at midnight.

Meteorologists warned that the character and intensity of the burgeoning nor'easter presented a forecasting nightmare, that the predicted accumulations were no sure things, and that amounts not too far west of the city could be negligible.

But highway departments and utilities said they were taking no chances.

"We're preparing for the worst," said Steve Schapiro, spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Meteorologists were more certain that the storm would be followed by a siege of cold that might make last week's temperatures seem like the good old days: Below-zero wind chills persisting from Thursday night into Sunday, and temperatures in the teens and single digits.

Meanwhile, the high at Philadelphia International Airport reached 33 degrees Wednesday, ending a string of seven days when temperatures failed to get above freezing. Before Wednesday, the last time the mercury had risen above 32 degrees was at 2:55 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2017. By the way, this stretch of consecutive days at or below freezing is tied for 30th place on records going back to the 1880s.

At least one weather-related death, in Montgomery County, has been reported, and there may be others, but officials said that medical examiners need to wait for test results before making rulings.

Counties throughout the region declared "code blue" emergencies and set up warming centers for the homeless.

Both SEPTA and PATCO were preparing their vehicles and infrastructure in anticipation of the arctic blast.

SEPTA will be berthing Frankford-Market and Broad Street Lines trains in subway tunnels overnight to shield them from the cold, and beefing up staff at headquarters and along the Regional Rail network, where they will be watching for the cold's effects on overhead power lines, signals and switches. Some of the Regional Rail infrastructure is a century old.

Regional Rail and trolleys will be running with speed restrictions on Thursday, as will PATCO trains, which will be on a snow schedule.

The cause of all this preparation and anxiety was a storm that late Wednesday was centered off the northern Florida coast. It was expected to intensify rapidly as it moved north and could reach major hurricane status by the time it reaches Nova Scotia late Thursday, the weather service said.

Fueling the storm would be Gulf Stream waters  sea-surface temperatures in some areas off Carolina coast were near 70, according to the Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory  and frigid air migrating off the continent.

The result would be a meteorological "bomb cyclone," a process called "bombogenesis," a term that has become this winter's "Polar Vortex" for media celebrity.

The concept is not new.

Decades ago, researchers Frederick Sanders of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and John Gyakum of McGill University in Montreal, examined rapidly developing storms.

What they found was that some cyclones literally blew up, intensifying so rapidly that they were in a class by themselves. They called them "bombs" in a paper published in 1980.

They identified two places on the planet that were the primary breeding grounds for bombs: One was near the Kuroshio Current, off Japan; the other, the Gulf Stream.

Technically, a bomb is defined as a storm in which the pressure  or weight of the air  drops about three-quarters of an inch. As pressure lowers, air rises more rapidly, and rising air results in condensation, thus snow in this case.

From a meteorological perspective, the storm is a fascinating one, said Gregg Gallina, senior meteorologist at the government's Weather Prediction Center.

But he advised that bombs also create forecasting headaches. Their internal dynamics give fits to computer models.

What's more, storms of such intensity tend to have sharp precipitation boundaries. Snow could fall profoundly along a narrow corridor, while areas to the west got deprived of moisture.

"There's going to be a very sharp cutoff," said Rob Miller, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.

For example, it's entirely possible that Atlantic City gets hammered while Washington and Philadelphia get an ordinary two or three inches, or even less, said Gallina.

While the storm is extraordinary, these things do happen. Gallina said a bomb of this strength occurs perhaps once every three or four years.

Added Gallina: "It's not so rare that everyone needs to panic about it."

The latest developments:

 New Jersey announced that all state courts and state court offices will have a two-hour delayed opening Thursday.

 The Cape May-Lewes Ferry announced it was suspending operation Thursday.

Staff writers Barbara Boyer, Joseph A. Gambardello, Jan Hefler, and Jason Laughlin contributed to this article.At a recent event in Paris, former President Barack Obama was asked about essential leadership skills for the future. He responded that more women should be put into positions of power.

"Not to generalize," he said, "but they seem to have better capacity than men do."

As educators at the Agnes Irwin School, an institution that cultivates the leadership identities of girls, we agree that the world needs more women in leadership. However, despite a recent surge in women's interest in running for office, and a raising of women's voices that is unprecedented, we currently live in a world dominated by male leaders. At Fortune 500 companies, only 6.4 percent of the CEOs are women. In Congress, they represent slightly less than 20 percent of the total. If parity is the goal, there is clearly work to be done.

Girls still grow up in a society that reinforces gender stereotypes. Subtly, or not so subtly, girls and boys are presented with messages that delineate old-fashioned roles and abilities in ways that are deeply limiting.

A recent report on gender bias in advertising by the J. Walter Thompson Intelligence Group and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in the Media highlights that in ads, women are "48 percent more likely to be pictured in the kitchen, while men are 50 percent more likely to be shown attending a sporting event." When it comes to intelligence, in the portrayal of characters for whom this quality is integral  such as doctors  "men are 62 percent more likely to be shown as smart."

One might argue that children can separate fact from fiction and that they understand that girls and boys are equally capable of holding positions of leadership.

Alas, a recent report, based on a survey of almost 20,000 teenage girls and boys by Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, shows that gender bias is alive and well among today's teens. The results suggest "that teen girls both hold biases and suffer from biases that may corrode their relationships and sense of justice, sap their confidence in their leadership potential, and dampen their desire to seek leadership positions, especially in high-power fields."

So what are we to do?

Organizations, such as Philadelphia's own Vision 2020, continue to work on bringing parity in leadership between men and women through their myriad efforts. Parents can empower their sons and daughters to step up and have their voices heard. And those of us who work specifically with girls can work intentionally to foster their leadership identity from an early age and instill in them the knowledge and confidence that they have the capacity to lead.

Recently, a group of researchers from the Department of Social Cognition Laboratory at Cornell University visited with elementary students at the Agnes Irwin School to explore, in part, how perceptions of leadership are developed in young children. At our Center for the Advancement of Girls, we have collaborated with the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research to create a highly successful program where our youngest girls (from pre-K to fourth grade) learn to develop and identify leadership skills.

Researchers commented that specific traits we emphasize in our model (such as empathy, collaboration, self-reflection, and independence) surfaced repeatedly during their interactions with our students.

When asked to draw a leader, for example, numerous girls eagerly drew themselves, in addition to friends, their mothers, and other trusted adults. They overwhelmingly valued confident decision-making as an important trait in leaders and were quite willing to endorse themselves as such.

It is important for girls to see themselves as leaders, because that leadership identity is more likely to carry into adulthood when it is ingrained in how a female defines herself from the beginning. When parents and teachers focus on girls' capacity to lead, as President Obama suggested, we know that they will grow into confident, independent women who will thrive in leading businesses, laboratories, classrooms, governments, and families.

Wendy L. Hill, Ph.D., is head of school at the Agnes Irwin School, an all girls' independent school in Rosemont, and the Rappolt Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience at Lafayette College. whill@agnesirwin.org

Mariandl Hufford is assistant head of school and director for the Center for the Advancement of Girls at the Agnes Irwin School. mhufford@advancinggirls.orgTo the editor:

I started reading the opinion piece by Mr. Mark Castellano in the Nov. 2 issue of the Pine Island Eagle and first wondered Who IS this guy? As I read on, he made it clear that he is really unhappy with the loss of power at the school board level and the allocation of state education dollars to charter schools.

He infers that the charter schools are inferior to the public schools, railing against everything from the certification of educators (read union membership) to the quality of construction.

The low quality of education provided by the public schools in Florida is well known. To suggest that public schools, staffed by certified (union) teachers, are superior to charter schools is pure baloney.

Ive been involved with the permitting and construction of a charter school. The break they get is they get to use the same zoning and building codes as the public schools. Those codes have been streamlined to accommodate the construction of much needed schools.

He states that the results of this bill will result in districts being forced to cut sorely needed student services citing full-day Pre-K and kindergarten as some of those sorely needed services. Those programs are simply publicly-funded day care not a student service but a service to the parents.

He rails against the provisions regarding testing and, especially teacher evaluation. Of course, he does.

Why do school districts need (more) money to figure out how students are doing? They get report cards with grades reported therein.

He wants the money for teacher salaries, benefits and pensions.

Why? I figured it out at the end. Hes the president of the Teachers Association of Lee County. Well, that explains it!

James G. McCulla

St. James CityWritten by Jess Lee

Dec 23, 2019

We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Remote and rugged, the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the world. Only 31,000 people call the West Coast home, with the tiny settlements and towns scattered across a narrow coastline squeezed between the mighty Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea.

The big-sky scenery here of vast native forests, jagged peaks, and lonely driftwood-strewn beaches is New Zealand at its most beautiful and a major draw card for anyone looking for a heady dose of lush green nature.

Trekking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and boating are all major activities, although even the less adventurous can experience the West Coast's biggest tourist attractions. Both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier and the famed Pancake Rocks can be viewed by taking short, easy strolls, while a journey on the renowned TranzAlpine Railway lets you simply sit back while the scenery rolls past.

For ideas on how to spend your sightseeing time here, as well as details of things to do, be sure to review our list of the top attractions on the West Coast.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.Yesterday evening, Peter Martins announced his immediate retirement as New York City Ballets ballet master in chief through a letter to the companys board. He had been solely in charge of the companys artistic direction since 1989 and the School of American Ballets chairman of faculty since 1983. Since December 7, Martins had been on a self-requested leave, amidst an investigation of claims of sexual harassment as well as physical and verbal abuse. In the letter, he stated, I have denied, and continue to deny, that I have engaged in any such misconduct. However, earlier articles from The New York Times and The Washington Post conveyed accounts of verbal and physical abuse by NYCB dancers, both past and present. In 1992, Martins was charged with third-degree assault of his wife Darci Kistler, though the charges were later dropped.

Despite Martins resignation, the board emphasized in a statement, also released on Monday, that the investigation will continue until it is completed and that the board takes seriously the allegations that have been made against him.

To keep reading, go to dancemagazine.com.For the third year in a row, Baltimore, MD, has had more than 300 murders, reaching a new record of murders per number of residents in 2017.

Some residents attribute the high murder rate to relaxed police patrols in the city following high-profile cases of police brutality, saying officers have backed off in neighborhoods, like the one where Freddie Gray was arrested, reports NPR.

The Rev. Kinji Scott, a pastor in Baltimore who's held positions in local city government, says the opposite needs to happen.

"We wanted the police there," Scott says. "We wanted them engaged in the community. We didn't want them beating the hell out of us, we didn't want that."

He's among activists who are calling for police reform to reduce the violence in Baltimore and several other high-crime cities across the U.S. that he says haven't seen change. That change begins with a conversation between the communities directly involved, Scott says.

"We need the front line police officers and we need the heart of the black community to step to the forefront of this discussion," he says. "And that's when we're going to see a decrease in crime."Hundreds gathered inside Mission Hills Church in Littleton, CO, on Monday night to remember Douglas County sheriffs Deputy Zackari Parrish, who was shot and killed responding to a call, reports the Denver Post.

As Gracie Parrish spoke of her husband  holding the youngest of their two daughters in her arms  the church stilled. I will do everything in my power, Zack Parrish, to honor you, she said in a choked voice, and I will raise these girls to love you.

Dep. Zackari Parrish (Photo: Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

Parrish, 29, was killed Sunday morning after responding to a call at the Copper Canyon Apartments in Highlands Ranch. Four other law enforcement officers and two residents of the apartment complex were wounded before the gunman was killed, and the shock of the tragedy was evident in the church.

Large men gave each other hugs with thunderous slaps on the back, and the wives of deputies greeted each other with tears.

Parrish's fellow law-enforcement officers  he was a police officer in Castle Rock, CO, before becoming a Douglas County deputy last year  told stories of a deputy who cared about the community he served, relished the challenge of chasing bad guys, stayed late to make one more check on patrol, and had a knack for finding things other cops missed.

Michael Doyle, one of the deputies wounded on the call, remembered Parrishs courage to place himself in a dangerous situation. He watched Parrish walk first through the door, and Doyle said he followed. I would do it again without hesitation because thats the kind of influence he had on everyone around him, said Doyle, who spoke with a cast on his left arm.

Parrish was an active member of the Mission Hills community, and the churchs pastor asked mourners to grieve for Parrish but also to know that he is in heaven.As state agencies brace for spending cuts to cover an estimated $1 billion budget hole, Kentucky police Commissioner Rick Sanders is asking for more money to replace aging cars and equipment. He is urging lawmakers to consider his agency's "dangerous" predicament: worn-out cars, a manpower shortage, and relic rifles, reports the Courier Journal.

Photo: Kentucky State Police/Wikipedia

As a trooper recently rushed to help another trooper who had been stabbed, his cruiser's transmission fell onto the interstate with a thud. Desperate, he ditched the car  which had accumulated nearly 200,000 miles  and began to run until someone picked him up.

"He was trying to get to that trooper to help save his life," Sanders told lawmakers during a recent hearing before the state House Budget Review subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety and Judiciary.The Illinois cities of Chicago and Calumet Park have agreed to pay nearly $13 million to the families of two people killed in police pursuit-related accidents.

In Chicago, Jacqueline Reynolds, a 56-year-old assistant at a Chicago law firm, was killed on Chicagos South Side as she drove to a funeral when another vehicle sped past a red light and smashed into her car.

Ten months later, and less than 5 miles away, off-duty Chicago police Officer David Harris, 42, was driving home after a late shift at work when he, too, died when a speeding car plowed into his vehicle at a South Side intersection.

Both suspects who were being chased were charged with murder. The involved officers were not seriously disciplined, though the Calumet Park officer resigned, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Officer David Harris, assigned to a special saturation team that focused on South Side crime hot spots, was about 15 minutes from home when a van being pursued by a Calumet Park officer at high speeds ran a red light and slammed into his black Lexus shortly before 1 a.m. March 14, 2014. The married father of two young sons died at the scene.

According to Cook County court records, the village agreed to pay about $7.08 million to the Harris family, while nearly an additional $2.4 million went to the plaintiff lawyers.

Jacqueline Reynolds was headed to a funeral for her former husbands cousin about 10:30 a.m. May 8, 2013, when a Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by Chicago police Officer James Sivicek slammed into the drivers side of her Pontiac G6.

The chain of events leading up to the fatal police pursuit began about eight minutes earlier when a dispatcher broadcast over the police radio a report of a burglary in progress.

The city admitted liability in the Reynolds familys lawsuit but went to trial in Circuit Court to decide the extent of damages. In mid-October, Judge Kay M. Hanlon awarded $3.5 million to Reynolds estate.A few years back, an avid shooter in Northern California started thinking about how little time he had to go to the range and enjoy his hobby and how much he wanted to be able to shoot in his house. That's a thought many firearms enthusiasts have had. Some dry-fire with their real guns, some shoot airsoft replicas, but this shooter was an inventor and he chose to develop a laser-firing practice gun he could use just about anywhere. That shooter's practice gun was the first version of a new firearms instructional product called the Blowback Laser Trainer.

The Blowback Laser Trainer can be used at home or in a classroom for firearms practice and training. Photo: Blowback Laser Trainer Gary Bombalicki, a partner in the Blowback Laser Trainer, says he immediately saw the potential for using the product as an instructional tool for law enforcement but it needed one special feature to make it a more realistic experience for the user: recoil. Bombalicki says the Blowback Laser Trainer bridges the gap in police training between plastic block replicas and real guns because it features recoil.

In addition to recoil, there are a variety of features that give the Blowback Laser Trainer a realistic feel. It has the design and ergonomics of a generic sidearm, and the weight is equivalent to that of a loaded handgun. Most importantly, the Blowback Laser Trainer's system has a removable magazine to simulate real magazine exchanges. The CO2 cartridge that provides the recoil and the rechargeable battery that powers the laser are housed in the magazine. Bombalicki says users can get 58 to 90 trigger pulls from a single CO2 cartridge, depending on how they use the training gun. "If you do it in magazine-size increments, you will get more pulls from the CO2 cartridge than if you stand there and just constantly pull the trigger, boom, boom, boom," he explains.

Bombalicki says the Blowback Laser Trainer is ideal for agencies working with new recruits who have very little or even no experience with firearms. He says the practice gun helps students master such essential shooting skills as grip and trigger squeeze. Also, since the Blowback Laser Trainer features recoil, it teaches students to adjust their aim after every shot. "If you train with something that has some kind of recoil, it's better than training on something that doesn't have a recoil," Bombalicki says, adding that practicing with the Blowback Laser Trainer can improve shooting proficiency by as much as 30%.

The recoil force of the Blowback Laser Trainer is not quite as much as a duty handgun firing a 9mm or .40 caliber round, but it is significant. Bombalicki says the recoil is 850 pounds per square inch, which he estimates as more force than the recoil of a .22 and less force than a .32 caliber. "I should know since I have shot the Trainer at least 20,000 times," Bombalicki says.

In addition to helping shooters improve their accuracy, Bombalicki says the Blowback Laser Trainer can be used for tactical instruction and for work with police youth organizations. "We have been contacted by departments across the country regarding using the Blowback Laser Trainer for Police Explorer and cadet programs. It allows for the training in a classroom instead of a range," he says.

To accommodate requests from agencies that want to use the Blowback Laser Trainer for force-on-force training scenarios, the company is developing body-worn laser targets. Bombalicki says the company is also working on an AR-style rifle version of the product.

www.blowbacklasertrainer.comWith the goal of preventing ATM robberies, a Chicago businessman received a patent for emergency PINs that allows cardholders to create a code that when used would dispense cash while secretly alerting police that a crime is unfolding.

But Joe Zingher got nowhere  even after Illinois enacted watered down legislation in 2004 asking banks to adopt the technology in the face of growing ATM crime. The banks ignored the request, Philly.com reports.

Zingher believes banks are resisting the technology because of costs. His patent has expired, while other companies, also now defunct, created similar safety measures. Zingher, who cannot profit from the technology anymore, says banks have successfully downplayed ATM crime, leaving the public unaware of the need for more protection.

Worldwide, the banking industry has used its political control over countries to prevent police from tracking forced ATM withdrawals because it would harm the business model, and, in doing so, they made it easier for criminals to avoid arrest, says Zingher.

The banking industry has argued that victims could be put at more risk struggling to remember a safety code and that there could be false reports if someone accidentally used a safety PIN. Zingher rejects the arguments, likening the example of a bumbling victim to the attitude that if the technology cant save everyone, then the industry will save no one.

It is not known how many ATM crimes are committed in the United States. The FBI does not require that law enforcement agencies to keep ATM crime statistics. In 2016, the latest year statistics are available, there were 4,200 bank robberies reported in the FBIs Uniform Crime Report. That does not reflect customers robbed at bank ATMs or other businesses.A Los Angeles police officer has been shot in an ambush attack but she's expected to recover, reports the Associated Press.

The Los Angeles Police Department says the officer, a recent graduate of the police academy, was shot while patrolling with her training officer shortly before 10 p.m. Friday in the Rampart area.

Police tell KCBS-TV that they had stopped someone for what's termed a minor infraction when shots rang out from a distance.

Police Chief Charlie Beck on Saturday called it an unprovoked and cowardly attack.

The officer was shot in the thigh and was in stable condition at a hospital.5.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

The founders of Fusion GPS say that their investigation uncovered evidence of Trump money laundering for Russians. These allegations have the power to take down Trump and the entire Republican Party.

In a New York Times op-ed, Glenn R. Simpson and Peter Fritsch wrote, We suggested investigators look into the bank records of Deutsche Bank and others that were funding Mr. Trumps businesses. Congress appears uninterested in that tip: Reportedly, ours are the only bank records the House Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed. We told Congress that from Manhattan to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and from Toronto to Panama, we found widespread evidence that Mr. Trump and his organization had worked with a wide array of dubious Russians in arrangements that often raised questions about money laundering. Likewise, those deals dont seem to interest Congress.

It has been well known that the members of Congress who are defending Trump and trying to kill the Russia investigations have no idea what the President did or didnt do. The Republicans have put themselves on the line to defend their president, with no questions asked.

The problem with that approach is that if Trump committed crimes like money laundering, and Republicans didnt properly investigate him, they become political accessories to his crimes in the eyes of voters.

The stories of Trump money laundering for Russians have been around for years. It has long been speculated that Trumps deals with Russia are why he wont release his tax returns. When Republicans allowed Trump to take over their party, they sold themselves to Putin, and the minute that they began to use their congressional investigative powers to cover for the President was the second that they jeopardized their entire party.

Trump may go down for the Russia scandal, but what few people are discussing is how is going to take the Republican Party with him.MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell said that Trumps tweet threat of nuclear war with North Korea should have triggered the 25th Amendment and Trumps removal from office.

Video:

ODonnell said, It is that same right wing that 50 years later has given us President Trump. And in that 50 years, the American right wing has not gotten any wiser. And its candidate is now clearly the most dangerous person who has ever occupied the White House. The first and only president who casually issues threats of nuclear war on a whim, as the president did tonight in a tweet that should have already activated the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to remove the president as unfit to serve under the 25th amendment. That tweet, as I just read, says North Korean leader Kim Jong un just stated that the nuclear button son his desk at all times. Will someone from depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I to too have a nuclear button, but it is a much bigger and more powerful one than his, and my button works!

The MSNBC host went deeper into the danger of Trump, No one in presidential history has ever played with fire more publicly and recklessly than Donald Trump. Tonight the president is threatening nuclear war with a country the size of Pennsylvania. This is a level of madness never seen before anywhere in the world. There has been open speculation about President Trump possibly starting a nuclear war simply to distract attention from or to use as a cover for dismantling the special prosecutors investigation of the president. And no one can say that that is wild and irresponsible speculation.

Trump learned that threatening North Korea distracts from the Russia scandal, so whenever the Russia scandal news gets too hot, the president can be counted on to threaten to blow up the world. What happens to Trump when the threats stop being taken seriously? Will he escalate and launch a nuclear strike against North Korea to try to save his presidency?

The fact that these questions can be asked seriously is proof that Donald Trump is not mentally fit to carry out the duties of the presidency.

ODonnells call for the 25th Amendment to be invoked was grandstanding. It was a plea for the people to rise up and save their country from the madness of Donald Trump.4.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

The man who is overseeing the Russia investigation, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, is meeting with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan about the Russia investigation.

Scott Wong of The Hill tweeted:

Why would the man overseeing the Russia investigation request a meeting with the Republican Speaker of the House?

Rosenstein requested the meeting and has not been giving Ryan routine briefings, so this is not normal. There is something going down, and one can only suspect that Rosenstein met with Ryan to give the Speaker a heads up about what is coming next. Given the way that the media reports have been trending, it would not be surprising if more indictments were coming, or if the FBI had new information on their end of the investigation.

Either way, when the Deputy Attorney General requests a meeting with the man who controls the impeachment process, it is not good news for Trump and his White House. Rosensteins meeting with Ryan could be our first clue that the Russia investigation is taking another giant leap forward. Stay tuned because it may not be long now before the collusion hits the fan.189 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Democrats will be gaining a bit more influence in Congress with two new senators set to be sworn in Wednesday.

Tina Smith, who previously served as the states lieutenant governor, will be taking over Al Frankens role as senator of Minnesota. Franken submitted his letter of resignation Tuesday weeks after vowing to step down from the role. His resignation was the culmination of a sexual misconduct scandal he became the center of in November after numerous women publicly accused him of groping and harassing them.

Serving the State of Minnesota in the U.S. Senate has been a privilege and an honor, Franken said in resignation. I am grateful to Minnesotans for their giving me the chance to serve our state and our nation, and I am proud to have worked on their behalf.

The second Democratic senator to be sworn in Wednesday is Doug Jones, who beat Republican Roy Moore in the Alabama senatorial race in mid-December. With Alabama being one of the reddest states in the country and Jones being the first Democrat to serve as the states senator in 20 years, the victory was a stunning upset and a major accomplishment for the left.

Both senators have publicly said they intend to approach their positions by cooperating and negotiating with Republicans  hopefully theyll know where to draw the line and not go sacrifice their voters rights along the way.1.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Republican strategist Rick Wilson said on CNN that Ivanka Trump is more likely to be driving to visit her husband in prison than she is of ever being president.

Video:

Wilson said, I think this is the dynastic fantasy that the Trumps all enjoy right now. They forget we dont do titles of nobility in this country, and thats a little constitutional problem for them. And the idea that you are going to have a sort of trump empire that stretches over time like the bushes or the Kennedys or roosevelts I think is riisable in every way, and I think Ivanka is much more likely to be driving a Volvo out to Danbury to visit her husband in a correctional facility than she is to be President Of The United States at some point.

That was epic trashing and dose of reality that Rick Wilson handed to Ivanka Trump. After watching her father get elected, Ivanka anyone can be president with a little help from Uncle Vlad. Ivanka Trump isnt qualified to be the president of the PTA much less President Of The United States. The family delusions of entitlement run strong with the Trumps. These are people who have concept of hard work, but yet believe they are superior to everyone else.

Ivanka future is more like an episode of Orange Is The New Black. She better get ready because her family is poised to go from the White House to the Big House.120 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Trump continued to play with the stability of the entire planet on Tuesday by once again lashing out at North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un on Twitter.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,' he wrote. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Trumps tweet was in response to comments Kim made Monday during his New Years Day address. The entire mainland of the US is within the range of our nuclear weapons and the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office. They should accurately be aware that this is not a threat but a reality, he said.

During an interview on NBCs Today show, national security analyst Jeremy Bash said Trumps juvenile and destabilizing tweet could have dire consequences.

Kim Jong-un is far more likely to lash out  to attack South Korea, to attack Japan, to use his chemical weapons, maybe to even fire a missile at our base in Guam, so I think this is very destabilizing, and this is a tweet that could lead to confrontation and maybe even war.

Roughly at around 1:30am E.T., Kim gave the order to make contact with South Korea on a hotline that had previously been dormant for years. The two countries communicated twice. There is currently no information on what was discussed, but some analysts are looking at it as a diplomatic breakthroughs; others have suggested that it might be a ploy to drive a wedge between South Korea and the U.S.But forgiveness? No. Even though Mangi suspected almost from the first that her big-hearted daughter would have forgiven the college friend who stabbed and strangled her, Mangi could not. Even as Mangi, a devout Catholic, came to believe that God himself wanted her to forgive Dana's killer, she resisted.

"God, don't you make any exceptions?" she would ask.

"You must. You must make exceptions. I know we are supposed to forgive people who hurt us but this is the extreme situation. This kid murdered my daughter. If you're going to want me to forgive this person, you're going to have to make it happen, because I just can't."

Mangi, who details her long journey to forgiveness in the new book, "Reawakening: Return of Lightness and Peace after My Daughter's Murder," eventually not only forgave Patrick Ford  the man who pleaded "guilty but mentally ill" to killing her daughter in his apartment, just weeks before Dana was scheduled to start veterinary school. Mangi actually thanked Ford for his 2010 courtroom apology, and since 2014 she has been exchanging letters with him from prison, where he is serving a 35-year term for first-degree murder.

Mangi, 66, says that she and Ford aren't friends in the usual casual and confiding sense, but they are friends of a sort, jointly working toward spiritual healing in the aftermath of a catastrophic loss.

"I've been able to help him to forgive himself and to heal, which is something I could never have imagined would ever happen to me in my life," she said of their written correspondence, which now includes about 10 letters a year.

"I just feel like God has been with me throughout this whole journey helping me  I don't know how else to explain it."

Gone, not forgotten

Ten years after Dana's death, she's still very much a presence in her parents' spacious suburban living room. Mangi and her husband, Joe, an executive at a private jet charter company, have a nearly life-sized photo of Dana and her older sister, Sarah, beaming down from the wall. On the coffee table, there's an album full of photos: Dana as a chubby-cheeked toddler; Dana as a preschooler, decked out in a homemade bumble bee costume; Dana as a teenager, suddenly graceful in her red prom dress.

Dana was funny, caring and outgoing, her mother said. She was an animal-lover, and she was persistent. She dreamed of being a veterinarian, and when she was rejected from every vet school she applied to, she studied for her master's degree, applied again, got rejected again, and then applied a third time, finally gaining acceptance at the University of Minnesota.

"She was beyond happy," her mother recalled. Dana was scheduled to start class within weeks on the stormy Saturday night when she didn't come home from Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood, where she was supposed to attend a Cubs viewing party with Ford. Dana had known Ford in college at Loyola University, where they were part of the same group of friends for a while. According to court records, they dated briefly. Mangi said they maybe went to one sorority-fraternity dance together.

Police arrested Ford at his apartment, after he called authorities to report Dana's death. He had several self-inflicted knife wounds and made incriminating statements at the scene, police said. While in custody, he allegedly confessed to strangling and stabbing Dana.

Plunged into a "nightmarish hell on earth," Mangi and her family had to identify Dana's body, choose her casket and clean out her apartment. "It was a struggle for me to get though every minute of every day," Mangi wrote in her book, published by Arbor Mountain Press.

She didn't give much thought to the killer at that point, beyond fearing him and hoping he would stay behind bars: "I don't know why he did this," she thought, "and how do I know he won't come out and look for my other daughter  or hurt somebody else?"

Turn of events

Her impression of Ford didn't improve much as she sat through monthly court hearings for two years. She didn't see any sign that he cared about what he had done. Authorities said Ford never explained why he killed Dana, according to an article in the Chicago Daily Herald, which quoted the judge in the case as saying, "For the life of me, I don't understand this (crime)." The article said that both prosecution and defense experts found Ford suffered from a personality disorder and that he abused alcohol and cannabis, which lead to depression.

When Ford was sentenced in a 2010 plea agreement, the judge asked him if he had anything to say.

Ford turned to Mangi and her daughter Sarah, who had given victim impact statements.

"I'm so sorry," he said, in an emotional speech recounted in Mangi's book. "I know that my words can't help you. And I took something from you that I can never give back, but I swear to you that I did not mean to do what I did and if there was anything I can do or say to take away your pain, I would. I promise you that. And all I can do is keep you in my prayers forever and let you know that I'm just so, so sorry."

As he spoke, Mangi was stunned to realize she felt compassion and sadness for him. Afterward, there was intense guilt: How could she feel sorry for the man who had murdered Dana? But she couldn't deny what she'd felt, or a sense that Dana, who had been so forgiving with her friends, had been with her in court, whispering in her ear, "Now let it go, Mom."

'Something miraculous'

She prayed, meditated and spoke to her therapist, and within days she realized that while she could never condone what Ford had done, she did believe that he was truly sorry.

"Something miraculous had happened in the courtroom that day," Mangi writes in her book. "All my prayers asking God for help to forgive Dana's murderer  had been answered when I heard Patrick Ford speak to us. That short exchange healed me in a way I never expected or thought possible."

The journey toward writing to him took four more years. In 2013, Mangi's sister Tina Mercier told Mangi that she wanted to write a letter to Ford, telling him that Mangi had forgiven him. Mangi gave her sister her blessing, and in February 2014, Mercier received a letter from Ford. In a subsequent letter, Ford asked Mercier if Mangi would accept a letter from him.

By June, Mangi had decided yes, she wanted to hear what Ford had to say.

His first letter to her began "As hard as this letter is for me to write I can only believe that it is that much harder for you to receive it. Thank you for allowing me to send this to you, it's something I've wanted to do for 7 years  I think about how devastating this all must be and how badly (you and your family) all must hurt. I think about what I took from you. I think about how unfair this is for you. But mostly I pray. I pray that somehow each of you can find peace, that eventually the pain lessens." He apologized, saying he'd agonized over how to express his "sorrow, regret and remorse," and had resolved to spend the rest of his life "trying to be the best person I can be."

'Much more than your crime'

About two months later, Mangi wrote back.

The letter-writing continued, and in 2016 Mangi wrote to Ford, "Early on  I sadly thought of you as just Dana's murderer. But when I heard your words to us that day at the plea agreement hearing and then, with each additional choice I made to let myself be open to the words in (your) letters  I came to believe that you are much more than your crime. Once I had a much deeper and (more) personal understanding of your life's journey, I was able to see you as a multifaceted, complicated, spiritual, caring young man."

Mangi's husband, Joe, supported the exchange of letters, although he initially asked Mangi not to include any information about him. Joe said in an interview that he, too, has forgiven Ford: "I had to. There's no way I could have existed going forward without (forgiveness) in my heart, because I would have always had this horrible pain. And for Dana to be in my heart all the time, I needed to have a happy heart."

He wants to get to the point where he can go to the prison where Ford is being held and tell Ford in person that he forgives him. He's not there yet, though. "I'm taking baby steps," he said with a chuckle.

There are still times when Barbara Mangi hears about a young person getting married or having kids, and her eyes fill with tears; Dana never got to do that, she said. But there's joy now too, and a sense of purpose. Mangi, who put her part-time job in the travel industry largely on hold to focus on her writing, is hoping to help others with her book and related speaking engagements.

"I'm in a happy place," she said. "I'm good. I did the work on myself. I made the choices that helped me heal."As I predicted on January 1, Professor Stephen Carter and others to the contrary notwithstanding, (now former) Minnesota Senator Al Franken resigned from office effective noon yesterday. He submitted his resignation to Governor Mark Dayton. Dayton has appointed Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith  another flaky urban liberal  to take Frankens place. Ms. Smith goes to Washington (or went there yesterday). She will be sworn in within the hour.

Back home, complications ensue. The president of the Minnesota Senate has become lieutenant governor by operation of law. That is Republican Michelle Fischbach. Senator Fischbach declines to resign her seat in the Senate  its not clear whether she has lost it by operation of law  where Republicans hold a one-vote majority and the Democratic minority leader declines to accede to a special session of the legislature limited to the purpose of electing a Democratic senator president in order to serve out the rest of Smiths term. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has issued an opinion holding that Fischbach cannot serve both in the legislative and executive branches, though the issue is not entirely clear.

The Star Tribune provides a sober editorial summary here. A trip to the Minnesota Supreme Court may be necessary to sort things out. (I hope Senate Republicans will come up with a workable plan before they submit themselves to the mercy of Governor Daytons appointees on the court once again.) Al Franken hasnt been funny in a long time, if indeed he ever was, but comedy of the whos on first sort follows his departure from office.Back in 2011 I noted over at National Review the work of three Stanford political scientists who dove deep into the data of the 2010 election to discern the causes of the wave that saw Republicans win 63 House seats from Democrats, when none of the pre-election prediction models forecast that Republicans would come anywhere close to that large a gain. Their article, The 2010 Elections: Why Did Political Science Forecasts Go Awry?, concluded that 40 House Democrats lost their seats because of their Yes votes in favor of Obamacare and the Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill to fight global warming climate change.

One of the amusing parts of this study was how the political scientists who predicted only modest losses for Democrats before the 2010 election seemed to have let their own ideological biases affect their findings to some extent. The Stanford authors (who actually lean to the right) noted, [I]t is clear from the commentary accompanying the forecasts that most of the authors were more concerned about overpredicting the Democratic losses than underpredicting them. Heh.

But that kind of bias needs to be kept in mind when reading a new paper just out at the Social Science Research Network from two Ohio State political scientists that concludes that the unpopularity of Obamacare may have been the crucial factor in Trumps victory in the key swing states. And you can tell by the abstract that the authors are not happy about this:

Did Obamacare Implementation Cost Clinton the 2016 Election? Vladimir Kogan, Thomas Wood, Ohio State University Abstract We combine administrative records from the federal health care exchange with aggregate- and individual-level data on vote choice in the 2016 election. We show that personal experiences with the Affordable Care Act informed voting behavior and that these effects could have altered the election outcome in pivotal states, suggesting that Republican efforts to undermine the laws implementation paid tangible political dividends. We also offer evidence that consumers purchasing coverage through the exchange were sensitive to premium price hikes publicized shortly before the election  despite most receiving a federal tax credit that shielded them from the increases. We attribute this to the design of the HealthCare.gov website, which reduced the salience of federal subsidies and likely made consumers needlessly sensitive to media coverage focusing on rising premiums. Placebo tests using survey responses collected before the premium information became public suggest that these relationships are indeed causal.

The conclusion in the body of the study is more straightforward:

Our estimates provide strong evidence that the implementation of Obamacare may have indeed cost Hillary Clinton the presidency. Of the states in the table, four did not expand Medicaid. In two of those states (Florida and Wisconsin), our estimates predicts that the expansion would have delivered enough Clinton votes to change the winner of the popular vote there, and thus give Clinton an extra 39 electoral votes  one more than would be necessary to win. In addition, some combination of higher exchange enrollment and modestly lower premium growth would have been sufficient to flip the outcome in Michigan, giving Clinton an additional 16 electoral votes.

Some parts of the full study are really fun to ponder, such as this passage:In the editorial A moment of contempt, the Wall Street Journal notes that today is the deadline set by the House Intelligence Committee for the Department of Justice and FBI to turn over documents related to the Steele/Trump dossier purporting to investigate ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. The Journal adds that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray have had the subpoenas since August 24, but they have responded with excuses, delays and misdirection. The Justice Department has refused to provide Congress with the most basic documents demanded under the subpoenas. These include reports detailing the FBIs interactions with sources such as Mr. Steele, who was hired by the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which was funded by associates of the Hillary Clinton campaign.

So its good that GPS Fusions Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch appear today in the New York Times to advise that Republicans are chasing rabbits down a hole. They are engaged in fake investigations, as the headline over their op-ed column has it. To put it another way, Simpson and Fritsch assure us that there is nothing to see here: We dont believe the Steele dossier was the trigger for the F.B.I.s investigation into Russian meddling. As we told the Senate Judiciary Committee in August, our sources said the dossier was taken so seriously because it corroborated reports the bureau had received from other sources, including one inside the Trump camp. We can therefore move along, though we will want to hear a little more about the FBI source inside the Trump camp.

Simpson and Fritsch serve up a grudging concession: Yes, we hired Mr. [Christopher} Steele, a highly respected Russia expert. But we did so without informing him whom we were working for [i.e., the Clinton presidential campaign] and gave him no specific marching orders beyond this basic question: Why did Mr. Trump repeatedly seek to do deals in a notoriously corrupt police state that most serious investors shun? They report:

What came back shocked us. Mr. Steeles sources in Russia (who were not paid) reported on an extensive  and now confirmed [sic]  effort by the Kremlin to help elect Mr. Trump president. Mr. Steele saw this as a crime in progress and decided he needed to report it to the F.B.I. We did not discuss that decision with our clients, or anyone else. Instead, we deferred to Mr. Steele, a trusted friend and intelligence professional with a long history of working with law enforcement. We did not speak to the F.B.I. and havent since.

Simpson and Fritsch present the heroic version of their work on the Steele/Trump dossier (embedded below via Scribd), the version I dubbed The Dossiad. They think it is to Steeles credit and the credibility of his work that Steeles Russian sources (the friends of Vladimir Putin such as senior Foreign Ministry figure and former top Russian intelligence officer) volunteered the stories they gave him. Theyve got what strikes me as a cover story and theyre sticking to it.

UPDATE: Andrew McCarthy demonstrates the deep duplicity of the Simpson/Fritsch column in Beating a hasty retreat from the Steele dossier.. Chuck Ross raises a different set of issues about the column here.

The Trump Russia Dossier as Released By Buzzfeed by Grant Stern on ScribdPresident Trump opened the new year by lighting up Twitter with a series of tweets. Here, I will mention only the controversial ones.

Trumps first tweet, early this morning, related to Iran. Scott wrote about it here. His second was classic Trump: cryptic, but with enough transgressive content to cause hysteria on the Left:

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

This requires a little decoding. How did Huma Abedin put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents? The reference apparently is to this Daily Caller story, which says that by forwarding emails that included State Department passwords to her personal Yahoo Mail account, Abedin exposed them to the foreign hackers who did, in fact, invade Yahoo Mail. As is so often the case, Trumps point is overstated but essentially valid. The indifference to security among Hillary Clinton and her staff was literally criminal.

I assume the sailors pictures on submarine refers to the American sailors who were captured by the Iranians last year after inadvertently straying into Iranian waters, although I dont recall a submarine figuring in that episode. [UPDATE: See update below. This makes sense, but I had forgotten the incident.] How that relates to Abedins email practices, I have no idea.

The last part of Trumps tweet is my favorite:

Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others

I dont know whether Huma Abedin should go to jail for her gross negligence in handling classified information, but jail is indeed the statutory penalty for such violations. This is the fate that Hillary Clinton so notoriously avoided. And the Department of Justice is, indeed, an important part of the Deep State, having been thoroughly corrupted by Barack Obama, Eric Holder et al. Then there is the parting shot at James Comey. I dont know of any reason why he should go to jail, but as I have written before, the squelching of the Uranium One investigation needs to be thoroughly investigated, and crimes may well have been committed by Comey and others.

Was Trump trolling liberals with this tweet? Undoubtedly, and they took the bait. I especially enjoy this response by Chris Cillizza at CNN: The stunning abnormality of Donald Trumps war on Justice (and justice).

Consider whats being alleged here: That the Justice Department is refusing to prosecute criminals  including the former director of the FBI!  because the deep state is protecting those people. That sounds a little off, right? Like, if your uncle spent 15 minutes at Christmas dinner bending your ear with that exact theory, you would ask your mom afterward: What is the deal with Uncle Harold?

Except we know that the Department of Justice refused to prosecute Hillary Clinton, who indisputably committed gross negligence in handling classified information. DOJ changed its original gross negligence characterization to extreme carelessness, which means the same thing but doesnt quote from the criminal statute and therefore justified, in DOJs highly partisan eyes, a failure to prosecute. Far from being a fever-swamp conspiracy theory, the deep states protecting criminals rather than prosecuting them is more or less an established fact.

But President Trump wasnt done! Later in the day he tweeted this:

The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

.impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Fair comment, I think. You can never go wrong by attacking the New York Times. Next the president went after liberals on DACA:

Democrats are doing nothing for DACA  just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Here again, I think the president has a point. He is willing to trade a continuation of DACA (only statutory this time, and therefore legal) against construction of his border wall, but the Democrats are inert. They appear to be boycotting any effort to negotiate with the president or with Congressional Republicans, because they see pure obstructionresistance!as politically advantageous. They deserve to be ripped for this, so it is good to see the president ripping them.

Next up was the Palestinians (again, I am not mentioning non-controversial tweets interspersed during the day):

It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Good question! I agree with the president. There is no reason why American taxpayers should finance the Palestinians dysfunction.

Finallyso far, anyway, the day still has several hours to goTrump turned to North Korea:

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

I am sure this tweet is causing consternation in North Korea, although probably not as much as Trumps attack on the deep state has caused among American liberals. Unlike Kim Jong-Un, they arent used to having their power challenged.

One can debate whether the presidents tweets are a net positive or negativeI think the answer clearly is, a net positivebut it is more fun to sit back and enjoy them.

UPDATE: Chuck McKenna, whose memory is better than mine, writes:

Trumps reference to sailors pictures on submarine pertains to the Navy sailor who was prosecuted and actually served prison time for transmitting a casual photo that included the interior of the submarine, in violation of security protocols. So this is Trumps way of saying (correctly, I believe) that if the sailor was prosecuted, convicted and jailed for that unintentional disclosure of secret government information, then it makes no sense that Hillary and Huma have dodged prosecution for their intentional conduct related to the email scandal  setting up the private server, knowingly sending classified info back and forth, etc., all in the calculated effort to get around government email system.

And, in particular, to dodge Freedom of Information Act requests. Thanks for that clarification!I see the Never Trump movement splitting into two strands. John described the first strand here. Its the view that most of the things Trump has done as president in terms of personnel and policy are desirable but that they are outweighed by the things Trump does that, in Bill Kristols words, degrad[e] our public life.

So stated, this strand of Never-Trumpism is hard to defend, for the reasons John stated. However, if one adds policy issues where Trump seems to deviate from conservatism as understood by the Never Trumper  e.g. free trade and a decidedly interventionist foreign policy  one can find coherence in the Never Trumpers position. But not, in my view, to the point that it makes sense for him to wish Hillary Clinton were president.

The second type of Never Trumper finds less to give Trump credit for because she has changed her positions on substantive positions as a result of Trumps embrace of them. Jennifer Rubin is the reductio ad absurdum of this strand. Max Boot, the Never Trumper who says hes learned about his white privilege in 2017, is another example.

This strand of Never-Trumpism is more coherent than the first because theres less dissonance between the Never Trumpers policy views and his alienation from Trump. However, it is also less principled because policy views are being driven by matters of personality.

David Frum is a special case, I think. His restless, iconoclastic mind had caused him to rethink his conservatism before Trump arrived on the political scene. Trump may have accelerated the rethinking, but it wasnt the cause.

David Brooks is a similar case. However, by 2008 he had rethought himself into supporting Barack Obama for president over John McCain, a man he admires. I view the Never Trumpers as those who were pretty solidly conservative when Trump landed, but who, to this day, have no use for him in spite of his conservative policies and personnel decisions. David Brooks does not meet the first part of this definition, in my opinion.

Putting Frum and Brooks to one side, I doubt there is any genuine way back to conservatism for those in the second strand of Never-Trumpism movement. Many of them may not want a way back (though I suppose Rubin will remain the Washington Posts conservative blogger).

There may be a way back for those in the first strand, though probably not if they refuse to back President Trump, at least nominally, when he runs in 2020 against Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, or whichever hard-leftist the Democrats nominate (assuming such a race comes to pass).TAIZHOU, China, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology Co. Ltd ("Jolywood" or "the Company"), a leader in the research and development, mass production of N-type Bifacial solar cells, has signed a cooperation agreement ("the Agreement") with IMI Industries Co., Ltd ("IMI Group"), a Thai engineering company. Through the Agreement, IMI Group will distribute Jolywood's premium Double-Glass Bifacial Photovoltaic Solar Panels to the Thai market. This marks the first time that Jolywood will partner with a Thai distributor as part of its push to enter the Southeast Asian market.

IMI Group has 30 years of expertise in heavy process control for power generation and the oil & gas industries, and also operates as an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) company for floating, ground- and rooftop-based solar power stations. The solar panels that Jolywood will supply are known for being highly efficient, and will be utilized in the construction of local Thai solar projects.

Mr. Liu Yong, Vice President of Jolywood, said, "Southeast Asia has a maturing solar market with the potential to grow significantly in the next 10 years. IMI Group has extensive experience working with top-tier clients and has the capability to effectively advance our value-added technologies. Holding hands together, we look forward to building a greener lifestyle for customers throughout the region."

Mr. Sudhee Raksantiphab, IMI Group Founder and Managing Director said, "We are very pleased to establish this partnership with Jolywood. IMI is careful to only select products with leading technologies to offer to our esteemed list of clients. We see the Jolywood product line, and their strategy of producing only top-of-the-line solar power equipment, as being an excellent fit with IMI's vision to provide our customers with solar power facilities featuring the best levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) on the market."

Based on the agreement, Jolywood and IMI Group are targeting at a total sales goal of 100 megawatts (MW) modules for the Thai market, and 200 MW for the broader Southeast Asian region.

About IMI Industries Co., Ltd

IMI Industries was established in 1989 by a group of highly experienced engineers. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most reputable engineering and distribution companies in Thailand. They provide a complete package, from design, to supply, to installation, and aftermarket services. IMI Industries has a list of clients in power generation, oil & gas, pulp & paper, food & beverage, water & waste water, general industries, cement, steel, chemical, consumer, schools, technology colleges, universities, and national armed forces.

For more information, please visit: http://www.imi-industries.com/

About Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology Co. Ltd.

Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology, a wholly-owned photoelectric technology subsidiary of Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co. Ltd., is engaged in the research & development, production and marketing of solar cells, solar energy, silicon, and technical advisory services. The company has been accumulating new technologies since its founding and has applied for over 60 patents to date, with 23 of them having been successfully granted. Founded in 2008, Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co. Ltd., is the largest professional manufacturer of PV backsheet worldwide, with an annual production capacity of over 100 million meters. The company also tops the global solar industry with 2.1GW in manufacturing capacity of n-type bifacial solar cells.

For more information, please visit: http://en.jolywood.cn/

Related Links

http://en.jolywood.cn



SOURCE Jolywood"Cyber security remains a top risk to organizations as threats grow in scale and cyber criminals develop new ways to access protected information," said Lynne Doughtie, U.S. Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP. "KPMG's identity and access management solutions team can assist clients, across all industries, protect their information and enable their digital strategies and growth plans."

Cyberinc's IAM business is a 190-person global team with significant presence in the U.S., India, Australia, and the U.K., and extensive experience providing advisory, strategy, implementation services, and managed services for organizations that need to transform their enterprise or consumer identity capabilities.

"Over the last decade, Cyberinc's IAM business has risen to industry leadership position on the strength of some of the largest IAM deployments globally, investments in IP and an array of premium partnerships. I am very pleased that Cyberinc's truly world class team will continue this journey with KPMG," said Samir Shah, CEO, Cyberinc. "Cyber threats continue to accelerate and remain a top business risk. This transaction will allow us to sharply focus on

Isla - our industry leading Malware Isolation Platform."

KPMG's strong position with existing information security alliance partners Oracle and Sailpoint, along with KPMG's recently announced alliance with Ping Identity, will be further enhanced by the transaction with Cyberinc to better enable information protection for large enterprises while pursuing new digital interactions and business transformations.

"As organizations innovate and transform their back, middle and front offices, identity and access management solutions that effectively bridge the gap between risk mitigation and customer experience are key to driving sustainable growth," said Tony Buffomante, U.S. Leader of KPMG's Cyber Security Services practice. "The addition of the Cyberinc team and capabilities is yet another example of how KPMG is investing in cyber security and helping clients succeed on their digital journey."

Cyberinc is a subsidiary of Aurionpro Solutions Limited - a global technology product and solution provider, headquartered in Mumbai, India and San Ramon, California. The Cyberinc transaction is KPMG's second acquisition in this area, following the October 2014 acquisition of certain assets of Qubera Solutions, a privately-held Redwood City, C.A. - based cyber security firm that provides IAM services.

About KPMG

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). We operate in 154 countries and with more than 197,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International has been named a Leader in the Forrester Research Inc. report, The Forrester WaveTM, Information Security Consulting Services, Q3 2017.

About Cyberinc

Cyberinc offerings include secure, scalable, high performance security products that protect from cyber-attacks, and solutions that help enterprises transition to next generation access management systems. Our flagship product offering, the Isla Malware Isolation platform can help deliver complete freedom from web based malware attacks. Combining our best in class products and services enables clients to effectively address their toughest cyber security challenges. For more information, please visit www.cyberinc.com

Contacts:

Christine Curtin / Michael Rudnick

KPMG LLP

201-307-8663 / 201-307-7398

[email protected] / [email protected]

Balaji Desikamani

Cyberinc

+1 925-309-7083

[email protected]

*according to The Forrester WaveTM, Information Security Consulting Services, Q3 2017

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624145/KPMG_Logo.jpg

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624129/cyberinc_Logo.jpg

Related Links

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SOURCE KPMG LLPAccording to the new market research report "NVH Testing Market by Application (Environmental Noise, Pass-by-noise, Noise Mapping, Sound Power, Telecom Testing, Sound Quality, Building Acoustics, Human Vibration, Product Vibration), Type, End User, Geography - Global Forecast to 2023" , published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.72 Billion in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 2.21 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 4.2% between 2017 and 2023. The key factors driving the growth of the NVH testing market is the adoption of stringent government regulations to reduce noise pollution and increasing demand for automotive and car infotainment system. Emergence of new application areas for NVH testing solutions and advancement in sensor and processor technologies are the key opportunities for the players in the NVH testing market.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )





Browse 66 market data Tables and 38 Figures spread through 161 Pages and in-depth TOC on "NVH Testing Market - Global Forecast to 2023"



https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/noise-vibration-harshness-testing-market-47022073.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report



Hardware is expected to hold a larger share of the NVH testing market between 2017 and 2023

On the basis of type, hardware accounted for a larger share of the NVH testing market in 2016. Increasing use of mechanical and electronic components in automotive, aircraft, and industrial machinery has led to the dominance of hardware in the NVH testing market. Hardware is further classified into sensors and transducers, analyzers, meters, data acquisition systems, signal conditioners, and shakers and controllers.

Automotive and transportation is expected to hold the largest share of the NVH testing market between 2017 and 2023

On the basis of end user, the NVH testing market for automotive and transportation held the largest share of the NVH testing market in 2016. Advancements in vehicle technology and the increasing use of the semiconductor content in vehicles, as well as increasing challenges to test them during the design and development process, has led to the dominance of automotive and transportation in the NVH testing market.

Download PDF Brochure : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=47022073

Telecom testing application to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The NVH testing market for the telecom testing application is expected to register the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023. Advancement in telecommunications technology affecting features of design including generation of acoustic noise and its impact on human lives have driven the demand for the telecom testing application in the NVH testing market.

North America to hold the largest share of the NVH testing market between 2017 and 2023

North America held the largest share of the NVH testing market in 2016. North America is the most technologically advanced and has the presence of major automotive and aerospace and defense companies; this factor has resulted in the increased demand for NVH testing applications in this region. Moreover, the presence of prominent NVH testing solutions providers is expected to support the growth of the NVH testing market in North America.

Inquiry Before Buy @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=47022073

Major players in the NVH testing market are National Instruments (US), Bruel & Kjr (Denmark), Siemens PLM Software (US), HEAD acoustics (Germany), m+p international (Germany), imc Mesysteme (Germany), Dewesoft (Slovenia), GRAS Sound & Vibration (Denmark), Prosig (UK), and Signal.X (US).

Browse Related Reports

Noise Monitoring Market by Sampling Method (Short-term, Long-term, & Permanent Monitoring), precision Type (Class 1 & Class 2), Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ethernet, & USB), Solution (Hardware, Software, & Service), Application, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/noise-monitoring-market-137580966.html

Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market by Technique (Visual Testing, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant, Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, Radiographic, Acoustic Emission), Method, Service, Vertical, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/non-destructive-testing-ndt-equipment-services-market-882.html

Subscribe Reports from Semiconductor Domain @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp

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SOURCE MarketsandMarketsThe SEMI World Fab Forecast data shows fab equipment spending in 2017 totaling US$57 billion, an increase of 41 percent year-over-year (YoY). In 2018, spending is expected to increase 11 percent to US$63 billion.

While many companies, including Intel, Micron, Toshiba (and Western Digital), and GLOBALFOUNDRIES increased fab investments for 2017 and 2018, the strong increase reflects spending by just two companies and primarily one region.

SEMI data shows a surge of investments in Korea, due primarily to Samsung, which is expected to increase its fab equipment spending by 128 percent in 2017, from US$8 billion to US$18 billion. SK Hynix also increased fab equipment spending, by about 70 percent, to US$5.5 billion, the largest spending level in its history. While the majority of Samsung and SK Hynix spending remains in Korea, some will take place in China and the United States. Both Samsung and SK Hynix are expected to maintain high levels of investments in 2018. See figure 2.

In 2018, China is expected to begin equipping many fabs constructed in 2017. In the past, non-Chinese companies accounted for most fab investments in China. For the first time, in 2018 Chinese-owned device manufacturers will approach parity, spending nearly as much on fab equipment as their non-Chinese counterparts. In 2018, Chinese-owned companies are expected to invest about US$5.8 billion, while non-Chinese will invest US$6.7 billion. Many new companies such as Yangtze Memory Technology, Fujian Jin Hua, Hua Li, and Hefei Chang Xin Memory are investing heavily in the region.

Historic highs in equipment spending in 2017 and 2018 reflect growing demand for advanced devices. This spending follows unprecedented growth in construction spending for new fabs also detailed in the SEMI World Fab Forecast report. Construction spending will reach all-time highs with China construction spending taking the lead at US$6 billion in 2017 and US$6.6 billion in 2018, establishing another record: no region has ever spent more than US$6 billion in a single year for construction.

Learn more about the SEMI fab databases at: www.semi.org/en/MarketInfo/FabDatabase and www.youtube.com/user/SEMImktstats.

About SEMI

SEMI connects over 2,000 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. FlexTech and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members prosper, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter

Related Links

http://www.semi.org



SOURCE SEMIMUMBAI, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Transrail Lighting Limited (Transrail), one of the leading T&D turnkey solutions providers, has secured new orders worth Rs. 904 crore in India and abroad over the six months ending September 2017. The company's order book as on September 30, 2017 stood at Rs 3,580 crore (USD 559 million).

Transrail's international business is also gaining steady traction with the Company currently executing several projects in countries such as Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, etc. Moreover, post September 2017, Transrail has added new international contracts amounting to Rs 119 crore in Kenya and Rs 36 crore in Bangladesh. This has strengthened the Company's order book further.

The domestic business still contributes significantly to the overall revenue as Transrail, with its successful track record of more than 3 decades in the T&D sector, continues to be a preferred EPC player.

Commenting on the growing order book, Mr. D. C. Bagde, Managing Director, Transrail Lighting Limited said, "Our growing overseas presence has been instrumental in generating new enquiries and we are responding aggressively to new Request For Proposals (RFPs) coming from targeted developing economies. Some of these have converted into new orders, and the success we're seeing from our efforts is giving us greater motivation to multiply our continued focus and further solidify our presence in these markets. With a gamut of capabilities under a single umbrella, Transrail has a greater possibility to succeed from these new opportunities. Once we've won a mandate, we're determined to set the highest benchmarks in the T&D industry as testimony to our value proposition."

Transrail has successfully completed the acquisition of the Transmission and Distribution business, from its erstwhile parent company - Gammon India Limited (GIL) through a Business Transfer Agreement and Scheme of Arrangement. As a result of this consolidation, Transrail now possesses cutting-edge capabilities in engineering, procurement and construction of Power Transmission and Distribution infrastructure. With holistic capabilities, Transrail Lighting Limited is poised to benefit from its state-of-the-art design, manufacturing and testing facilities and rich past work experience and qualifications in the T&D and lighting infrastructure business.

About Transrail Lighting Limited

Transrail Lighting Limited (Transrail) is a leading EPC company with over three decades of experience in providing comprehensive solutions on the turnkey basis globally. Transrail's has presence across Power Transmission and Distribution, lighting infrastructure, substations and railways. The company has in-house manufacturing facilities for towers, conductors and poles. Transrail's solutions range from design, testing to fabrication, supply of materials, erection, stringing and commissioning. Transrail's lighting infrastructure solutions business designs and installs engineered polygonal galvanised poles for power T&D, high mast, street lights and stadium mast, among others. Transrail caters to customers across India, Africa, Americas and Asia. To know more about Transrail, visit http://www.transrail.in

For More Information, Please Contact:

Transrail Lighting Limited

Puneet Dammani

+91-9920432940

[email protected]



Dickenson Financial PR

Mehul Mehta

President

Dickenson Financial PR

+91-9820280325

[email protected]



SOURCE Transrail Lighting LimitedKOCHI, India, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In May 2016 Valorem, a digital and cloud solutions company based in Kansas City, Missouri, acquired leading interactive experience firm, IdentityMine and its Kochi, India subsidiary. Under Valorem leadership, the India team has quickly doubled in size with digital engineering, development and design specialists. In order to meet growing market demand, Valorem is moving into a new state-of-the-art facility in SmartCity Kochi (SCK), the newest business IT park in India. With over 8.8 million sq. ft. of buildable space and next-wave ICT infrastructure, the new location adds Valorem to the SmartCity global network alongside many Fortune 500s. SCK provides many perks that have caught the attention of the IT industry including:

IT dedication: With over 70% of buildable space devoted solely to IT/ITES/allied services, the SCK development will be the largest IT park in the country and is expected to create over 90,000 jobs.

Stability: SCK is home to large data centers to supply businesses inside the park with 100% data connectivity up time.

Talent: There are over 125 engineering colleges in the state of Kerala supplying a fresh, highly-skilled talent pool.

Valorem operations have begun in the new 28k sq. ft. space with an official inauguration and visit from the Valorem Leadership team scheduled in January. Upon opening Valorem's India team will almost double in size with the addition of a large group of fresh graduates hired at recent recruiting events. In the interest of providing fast, scalable and around-the-clock, cloud technology solutions for clients, Valorem has an aggressive growth plan over the next 3 years to fill their SmartCity workplace with the best and brightest talent in the area.

2018 holds expansion opportunities for Valorem in the US as well. With a rapidly growing global employee footprint, Valorem supports a truly modern workplace where digitally connected employees can access business information and collaborate with colleagues and clients from anywhere. Flourishing tech communities in major US metropolitan cities like St. Louis, MO and Seattle, WA have led to dense areas of Valorem's remote resources and will likely lead to additional US locations in the coming year.

About SmartCity

About Valorem

Contact: [email protected]

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Related Links

https://www.valorem.com



SOURCE ValoremLOD, Israel, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- First Exposure

Following the strategic goals to expand the network route to North America, the EL AL (TASE: ELAL) announces the launch of a nonstop flight - Tel Aviv-San Francisco. The flights are scheduled to operate 3 times weekly on the new Dreamliner aircraft, as of Q4 2018.

The new model for the European destinations is based on 3 different family branded fares: Classic, Flex, Lite

The new model will also include UP`s 5 destinations: Larnaca, Kiev, Budapest, Prague and Berlin

The sale of new products to Europe will start on April 30, 2018, for flights departing as of October 15, 2018.

Moreover, EL AL 737-800 aircraft flying to Europe will offer a new, gradually implemented, seating configuration; Economy Class seats will be replaced by new, comfortable slim seats, Business Class seats will also be replaced and a USB socket will be installed in each seat (in all classes of service). In addition, EL AL's 737 aircraft will introduce a gradually implemented innovative Internet service onboard that will enable passengers to enjoy wifi during the flight.

The new configuration of EL AL`s aircraft will be completed during 2019

David Maimon, President & CEO of EL AL: "EL AL continues to innovate while adapting to the growing competition on flights to Europe, both among leisure and business travelers. Among leisure travelers, price is now a critical factor. At the same time, the business passengers are interested in products that offer maximum flexibility, schedules that are best-suited for business activities, business class service and more.

Today, we are launching a new pricing model to all of EL AL's European destinations for Economy Class product, while maintaining the highest standards. The new model will allow EL AL passengers to fly at attractive prices and choose, with complete transparency, the flight package that best suits their needs. The Business Class offering will not change."

The model will enable EL AL to address consumer preferences that include numerous considerations. As part of the model, each customer will be able to decide on their preferred way to fly EL AL to European destinations and purchase the best, cost-effective product. Passengers will be offered three types of options at different price levels:

Lite, Classic, Flex

With the success of the UP brand, which changed the leisure consumers` preferences on the flights to Larnaca, Kiev, Budapest, Prague and Berlin, it was decided to optimize work processes and unify European destinations in order to offer a uniform product under the EL AL brand.

Lite - a new product at EL AL! The basic flight ticket includes one carry-on and food and beverages service; additional paid services including checked-in baggage and seating may be added;

- a new product at EL AL! The basic flight ticket includes one carry-on and food and beverages service; additional paid services including checked-in baggage and seating may be added; Classic  includes one carry-on, seating, food and beverages and one checked-in baggage;

 includes one carry-on, seating, food and beverages and one checked-in baggage; Flex  enabling maximum flexibility (unlimited changes + cancellation) for all Economy Class booking classes (not only higher booking classes); the ticket includes a variety of services: 2 carry-on bags, expanded seating options (including preferred seats), food and beverages, checked-in baggage and additional services that will be introduced in the future.

EL AL`s Frequent Flyer Club members will continue to accumulate and redeem points based on an updated ratio that will be communicated in the future.

New!

The launch of nonstop service to San Francisco is a strategic step for the continued expansion of EL AL's route network in North America.

The new route will be launched in Q4 2018, with 3 weekly nonstop flights on the new Dreamliner aircraft.

San Francisco will become EL AL's sixth destination in North America, alongside New York (JFK and Newark), Los Angeles, Boston, Miami and Toronto.

David Maimon, President & CEO of EL AL said: "San Francisco is the third destination to be launched since we announced the expansion of the North American route network in 2015 with Boston, followed by Miami in November 2017. The acquisition of the 787 Dreamliner fleet enables us to expand our long-haul network. San Francisco is a city of strategic importance to EL AL, with great emphasis on the business market. With the launch of EL AL's nonstop flights, passengers will enjoy a variety of options to reach their destination at competitive prices, allowing greater connectivity throughout North America."

About EL AL Israel Airlines:

EL AL Israel Airlines, Israel's national airline, established in 1948 alongside the State of Israel, offers more non-stop flights than any other airline to/from Israel. EL AL flies to 36 destinations non-stop from Israel and serves hundreds of other destinations throughout the world via partnerships with many other carriers.

EL AL embodies Israel's values of innovation and caring and is known for its genuine Israeli hospitality.

EL AL has an annual revenue of just over $2 billion and carries close to 5.5 million passengers every year. In 2017 EL AL will receive the first of 16 Boeing 787 Dream liners, renewing its fleet of aircraft.

For further details:

Dafna Cohen

Head of Group Business Control and Investor Relations

El Al Israel Airlines Ltd.

+972-3-9717439

dafnac@elal.co.il

SOURCE EL AL Israel Airlines LTDAccording to the new market research report "NVH Testing Market by Application (Environmental Noise, Pass-by-noise, Noise Mapping, Sound Power, Telecom Testing, Sound Quality, Building Acoustics, Human Vibration, Product Vibration), Type, End User, Geography - Global Forecast to 2023" , published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.72 Billion in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 2.21 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 4.2% between 2017 and 2023. The key factors driving the growth of the NVH testing market is the adoption of stringent government regulations to reduce noise pollution and increasing demand for automotive and car infotainment system. Emergence of new application areas for NVH testing solutions and advancement in sensor and processor technologies are the key opportunities for the players in the NVH testing market.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )





Browse 66 market data Tables and 38 Figures spread through 161 Pages and in-depth TOC on "NVH Testing Market - Global Forecast to 2023"



https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/noise-vibration-harshness-testing-market-47022073.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report



Hardware is expected to hold a larger share of the NVH testing market between 2017 and 2023

On the basis of type, hardware accounted for a larger share of the NVH testing market in 2016. Increasing use of mechanical and electronic components in automotive, aircraft, and industrial machinery has led to the dominance of hardware in the NVH testing market. Hardware is further classified into sensors and transducers, analyzers, meters, data acquisition systems, signal conditioners, and shakers and controllers.

Automotive and transportation is expected to hold the largest share of the NVH testing market between 2017 and 2023

On the basis of end user, the NVH testing market for automotive and transportation held the largest share of the NVH testing market in 2016. Advancements in vehicle technology and the increasing use of the semiconductor content in vehicles, as well as increasing challenges to test them during the design and development process, has led to the dominance of automotive and transportation in the NVH testing market.

Download PDF Brochure : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=47022073

Telecom testing application to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The NVH testing market for the telecom testing application is expected to register the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023. Advancement in telecommunications technology affecting features of design including generation of acoustic noise and its impact on human lives have driven the demand for the telecom testing application in the NVH testing market.

North America to hold the largest share of the NVH testing market between 2017 and 2023

North America held the largest share of the NVH testing market in 2016. North America is the most technologically advanced and has the presence of major automotive and aerospace and defense companies; this factor has resulted in the increased demand for NVH testing applications in this region. Moreover, the presence of prominent NVH testing solutions providers is expected to support the growth of the NVH testing market in North America.

Inquiry Before Buy @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=47022073

Major players in the NVH testing market are National Instruments (US), Bruel & Kjr (Denmark), Siemens PLM Software (US), HEAD acoustics (Germany), m+p international (Germany), imc Mesysteme (Germany), Dewesoft (Slovenia), GRAS Sound & Vibration (Denmark), Prosig (UK), and Signal.X (US).

Browse Related Reports

Noise Monitoring Market by Sampling Method (Short-term, Long-term, & Permanent Monitoring), precision Type (Class 1 & Class 2), Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ethernet, & USB), Solution (Hardware, Software, & Service), Application, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/noise-monitoring-market-137580966.html

Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market by Technique (Visual Testing, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant, Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, Radiographic, Acoustic Emission), Method, Service, Vertical, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/non-destructive-testing-ndt-equipment-services-market-882.html

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Hash: SHA1



=====================================================================

Red Hat Security Advisory



Synopsis: Important: Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform

7.0.9 security update

Advisory ID: RHSA-2018:0003-01

Product: Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform

Advisory URL: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0003

Issue date: 2018-01-03

CVE Names: CVE-2016-6346 CVE-2017-7559 CVE-2017-7561

CVE-2017-12165 CVE-2017-12167 CVE-2017-12189

CVE-2017-12629

=====================================================================



1. Summary:



An update is now available for Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application

Platform.



Red Hat Product Security has rated this update as having a security impact

of Important. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score,

which gives a detailed severity rating, is available for each vulnerability

from the CVE link(s) in the References section.



2. Description:



Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform is a platform for Java

applications based on the JBoss Application Server.



This release of Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 7.0.9 serves

as a replacement for Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 7.0.8,

and includes bug fixes and enhancements, which are documented in the

Release Notes document linked to in the References.



Security Fix(es):



* It was found that Apache Lucene would accept an object from an

unauthenticated user that could be manipulated through subsequent post

requests. An attacker could use this flaw to assemble an object that could

permit execution of arbitrary code if the server enabled Apache Solr's

Config API. (CVE-2017-12629)



* It was discovered that the jboss init script performed unsafe file

handling which could result in local privilege escalation. (CVE-2017-12189)



* It was found that GZIPInterceptor is enabled when not necessarily

required in RESTEasy. An attacker could use this flaw to launch a Denial of

Service attack. (CVE-2016-6346)



* It was found that the fix for CVE-2017-2666 was incomplete and invalid

characters are still allowed in the query string and path parameters. This

could be exploited, in conjunction with a proxy that also permitted the

invalid characters but with a different interpretation, to inject data into

the HTTP response. By manipulating the HTTP response the attacker could

poison a web-cache, perform an XSS attack, or obtain sensitive information

from requests other than their own. (CVE-2017-7559)



* It was discovered that the CORS Filter did not add an HTTP Vary header

indicating that the response varies depending on Origin. This permitted

client and server side cache poisoning in some circumstances.

(CVE-2017-7561)



* It was found that properties based files of the management and the

application realm configuration that contain user to role mapping are world

readable allowing access to users and roles information to all the users

logged in to the system. (CVE-2017-12167)



* It was discovered that Undertow processes http request headers with

unusual whitespaces which can cause possible http request smuggling.

(CVE-2017-12165)



Red Hat would like to thank Mikhail Egorov (Odin) for reporting

CVE-2016-6346. The CVE-2017-7559 and CVE-2017-12165 issues were discovered

by Stuart Douglas (Red Hat); the CVE-2017-7561 issue was discovered by

Jason Shepherd (Red Hat Product Security); and the CVE-2017-12167 issue was

discovered by Brian Stansberry (Red Hat) and Jeremy Choi (Red Hat).



3. Solution:



Before applying this update, back up your existing Red Hat JBoss Enterprise

Application Platform installation and deployed applications.



The References section of this erratum contains a download link (you must

log in to download the update).



4. Bugs fixed (https://bugzilla.redhat.com/):



1372120 - CVE-2016-6346 RESTEasy: Abuse of GZIPInterceptor in RESTEasy can lead

to denial of service attack

1481665 - CVE-2017-7559 undertow: HTTP Request smuggling vulnerability

(incomplete fix of CVE-2017-2666)

1483823 - CVE-2017-7561 resteasy: Vary header not added by CORS filter leading

to cache poisoning

1490301 - CVE-2017-12165 undertow: improper whitespace parsing leading to

potential HTTP request smuggling

1491612 - CVE-2017-12167 EAP-7: Wrong privileges on multiple property files

1499631 - CVE-2017-12189 jboss: unsafe chown of server.log in jboss init script

allows privilege escalation (Incomplete fix for CVE-2016-8656)

1501529 - CVE-2017-12629 Solr: Code execution via entity expansion



5. References:



https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2016-6346

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-7559

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-7561

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12165

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12167

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12189

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12629

https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#important

https://access.redhat.com/jbossnetwork/restricted/listSoftware.html?product=appplatform&downloadType=securityPatches&version=7.0

https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en/red-hat-jboss-enterprise-application-platform/version-7.0/

https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en/jboss-enterprise-application-platform/



6. Contact:



The Red Hat security contact is <secalert@redhat.com>. More contact

details at https://access.redhat.com/security/team/contact/



Copyright 2018 Red Hat, Inc.

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--

RHSA-announce mailing list

RHSA-announce@redhat.com

https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/rhsa-announce

Somewhat surprisingly, the portfolio is enjoying a good spell, but it is taking a bit of a leap of faith in terms of Tanzania with a couple of its new selections

I was all set to abandon the Bombed Out but Bouncing Back portfolio and then along came its saviour: ( ).

The virtual portfolio, using a stock screening process that supposedly identifies recovery stocks, was heading for the skip, with almost half of the virtual capital we started with wiped out over a period of five months, until the stock filter threw up  I use the term advisedly  Dixons Carphone in mid-December.

For once, the timing was right, with the stock coming back into fashion, helped by some favourable broker comment and the return of former chief executive Andrew Harrison to run the troublesome Carphone Warehouse.

All good things come to an end, however, and upon running the stock screen first thing in the New Year Dixons no longer came up on the list, which meant it had to be sold.

Still, banking a 651 (11.6%) profit does not happen very often in this portfolio, and it does bring funds up to 6,257, meaning the portfolio has enough to make up to six investments (as per the 1,000 minimum investment per stock).

As luck would have it  well find out whether that is good luck or bad luck in a week or sos time  we had six candidates, so lets have a quick look at them.

( )

Once known as the Automobile Association, the roadside assistance and insurance services provider was floated on the London stock market back in June 2014 at 250p, after private equity had extracted its pound of flesh from the company.

The stock now trades at around 177p, which is actually a slight discount to its net asset value per share, while the yield based on dividend forecasts should be around 5.4% this year.

It did have some good news in 2017, with membership numbers rising for the first time in nine years, but this was overshadowed by executive chairman Bob Mackenzies defenestration in August for gross misconduct.

Around 6.1% of the companys stock is held by shorters  people who have borrowed shares from fund managers to sell it in the hope of being able to buy them back at a cheaper price later on  so there is a lot of scepticism about how long the rebound will last.

Having said that, the shares are up 6% over the last week and 16% over the last month, so lets hope the shorters are close to capitulation.

With a market cap of more than a billion quid this is a much larger company than the sort the Bombed Out algorithm generates; in it goes.

Bought 590 shares @ an average price of 177.54p. Total cost (including dealing costs): 1,048.

PLC ( )

Another large company, with a market capitalisation of 830mln, the gold producer has perked up of late after selling its 2% net smelter royalty in the Hounde gold mine in West Africa to shore up its balance sheet after suffering cash outflows from an export ban in Tanzania.

Ah yes, the export ban.

There is a deal on the table that could end the dispute with the Tanzanian government.

Under a proposed deal to lift the export ban, Acacia would form a new joint venture with the Tanzanian government to operate its three mines in the country, including Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi and North Mara.

The government would take a 16% free carry stake in the mines along with a 50% share in revenues. Acacia would also make a one-off payment of US$300m as a gesture of goodwill.

The last I heard, Acacia, previously known as African Barrick, still needed to approve the proposal that was agreed in principle between its Canadian parent company, , and the government in October.

Not one for widows and orphans, this, but it is indisputably bouncing back at the moment, so in it goes.

Bought 510 shares @ an average price of 203.2p. Total cost (including dealing costs): 1,043.

PLC ( )

The generic drugs maker issued a profit warning in May after slashing its full year revenue guidance due to delays on the approval of its generic version of asthma drug, Advair.

By August, Jefferies had called the bottom on Hikma shares, raising its target price to 1,390p. Around the same time and cut their price targets; MS to 1,350p and PH to 1,390p.

With the shares trading at around 1,100p, I'd settle for any price beginning with 1-3  but it looks to me as if the rally is already running out of steam.

Bought 90 shares @ an average price of 1146.2p. Total cost (including dealing costs): 1,032.

PLC ( )

For a long time, was one of those stocks with a stratospheric dividend yield that clearly signalled a dividend cut was on its way.

Management seemed to be in denial for a while, but ultimately bit the bullet and suspended the dividend in February of last year, which did not stop the group having to warn in October that it was in danger of breaching its banking covenants.

The support services and construction group slashed its estimates for second half operating profits, which resulted in the shares crashing from 90p to 65.5p; they have now recovered to 105p and the hope must be that all the bad news is out there, though it does still have several millstones in the form of unprofitable energy-to-waste contracts.

Based on forecast earnings for next year it is trading on just 2.6 times projected earnings per share, but it's more about the debt with this one and those banking covenants than the earnings.

When the screen came up with this stock the best I could think of was: at least it is not .

Bought 1,065 shares @ an average price of 97.91p. Total cost (including dealing costs): 1,043.

Limited ( )

All of the stocks we have looked at this week have been of a decent size, which makes a change from the bevy of tiddlers we normally end up buying.

Petra, at 436mln, is one of the lower capitalised stocks in this week's bunch, and our second Tanzanian miner.

In September the company revealed a parcel of 71,654.45 carats of diamonds from the Williamson mine in Tanzania has been blocked from being exported to Petras marketing office in Antwerp.

Key personnel from Williamson, which is 75% owned by Petra and 25% owned by the Tanzania government, were being questioned by authorities.

The following month t warned it was in danger of breaching its banking covenants, but later that month it said the new financial year had got off to a good start - aside from the not inconsequential matter of its dispute with the Tanzanian government.

Its current price is on a par with its net asset value per share, so if the company can kiss and make-up with the government there is plenty of scope for a strong rally.

Bought 1,275 shares @ an average price of 81.8p. Total cost (including dealing costs): 1,043.

Limited ( )

is another fallen giant. The shares have fallen 43% over the last year but are up 18% over the last month and 5% over the last week.

The oilfield support services giant is under a cloud, with Ayman Asfari, its chief executive officer, and Marwan Chedid, its chief operating officer, had been questioned by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in connection with an ongoing investigation into the company and its relations with Monaco-based Unaoil.

The SFO launched a criminal investigation into oil and gas services firm Unaoil, its officers, employees and agents, in 2016 in connection with suspected bribery, corruption and money laundering in the global oil industry.

Petrofac said in May 12 it had engaged Unaoil for the provision of consultancy services in Kazakhstan between 2002 and 2009.

A June trading update reassured investors a bit, as did a December statement that showed order intake was still healthy despite the perception that the business was beleaguered.

The real turning point, however, seems to have been the migration of the Santuario production enhancement contract into a 36% interest in a production sharing contract relating to the Mexican asset.

Since that point, the shares have risen steadily.

Based on earnings forecasts, it is trading on just 9.3 projected earnings but like a lot of other companies in this list it is the gearing (debt-to-equity) that is a concern, as debt is currently more than twice the level of equity.

Bought 200 shares @ an average price of 519.5p. Total cost (including dealing costs): 1,039.

All of those trades were nominally done on Tuesday and a day later the rag-bag collection is just about in profit, which is a good sign, unless, of course, you were hoping for a spectacular Viking-style burial for the Bombed Out portfolio.

Here's where we currently stand

Company No. of shares Total cost Average price paid Current bid price Current value Profit/ loss  Profit/ loss % AA 590 1,048 177.54p 170.8p 1,008 -40 -3.8% 510 1,043 204.54p 203.2p 1,036 -7 -1.5% Hikma 90 1,032 1146.17p 1105p 995 -37 -3.6% Interserve 1,065 1,043 97.91p 106.4p 1,133 +90 +8.7% 1,275 1,043 81.83p 83.25p 1,061 +18 +1.7% Petrofac 200 1,039 519.5p 514.4p 1,029 -10 -1.0%Some of the biggest risers and fallers in the London market on Wednesday

WANdisco has secured a record contract for its live data platform with a "world-leading" financial institution"

PLC ( ) shares were strong in late afternoon trading, jumping nearly 10% higher to 626p on news the firm has secured a record contract for its live data platform with a "world-leading" financial institution.

The AIM listed group said the contract is worth US$4.3mln in royalties to the company, and will see it deploy its WANdisco Fusion platform to the client.

The company said the contract has been secured through its original equipment manufacturer partnership with US technology firm , and Fusion will be rebranded as IBM Big Replicate.

Contract news also boosted ( ) with its shares nearly 6% higher at 6.75p after the firm landed two deals worth US$400,000 in total for an extension of software that prevents distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS).

The deals for its SmartWall Threat Defense System 100Gbps product are with two unnamed North American customers described respectively as a hosting provider and a service provider.

Elsewhere, PLC ( ) gained 6.8% to 47.0p in late afternoon trading as the company issued a bullish statement at todays annual general meeting.

Chairman, Bryan Dobson told investors that the number of active engagements the group had increased significantly in the year, with the figure currently standing at around 100, and the company is now targeting further production orders as it seeks to convert the opportunities into production orders.

And shares in ( ) (NASDAQ:MTP) rose another 21% to 52.25p, taking their advance to more than 50% in the day and a half since it said it had raised US$15mln in senior debt to bankroll three separate clinical trials.

The funding via MidCap Financial, a middle market finance house, will be used to bankroll the development of three drugs  one already on the market and two just entering the clinic.

12.40pm: Pantheon Resource plunges on disappointing update

s ( ) saw more than a quarter wiped from its market value today after the oil and gas explorer issued a disappointing update from its VOBM#1 well in East Texas.

By Pantheons own admission VOBM#1 is the most important well at the project but it is currently seeing reduced flow rates, possibly caused by lower permeability in the reservoir.

The reduced production volumes through our Polk County gas plant aren't what we anticipated, but need to be better understood before we can make a more informative assessment of any implications, said chief executive Jason Cheatham.

The boss added that he was confident the well would still come good but investors werent convinced, with the stock down 28.1% to 50p.

takes another beating

Elsewhere, PLCs ( ) fall from grace continued after the troubled construction contractor confirmed it was under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The financial watchdog is looking at the timeliness of announcements made by Carillion between 7 December 2016 and 10 July 2017  the date on which it issued its first profit warning.

During the period under review, the former FTSE 250 constituent saw its share price tumble by a whopping 70%.

Its yet another headache for new chief executive Andrew Davies, who starts in his new role on 22 January. Shares fell again today, down 4.9% to 17.1p.

9.30am: Investors bet big on as it upgrades full-year forecasts

Investors were ploughing into Limited ( ) after the spreadbetting group revealed full-year profits and revenues should come in ahead of expectations.

The AIM-listed firm  which provides an online trading platform for retail customers to trade contracts for differences (CFDs)  said it added almost 250,000 new customers in 2017, which helped it to deliver record revenues in the final quarter.

With the rise of Bitcoin et al last year, its perhaps unsurprising that achieved strong volumes in cryptocurrency CFDs during the year.

The rise in customer numbers and strong trading more than offset challenges from a sector-wide regulatory clampdown as European and UK authorities look to better protect traders from racking up big losses.

Late Christmas pressie from Next

Elsewhere, ( ) gave investors a belated but much-needed Christmas present this morning.

Like , the retailer lifted its full-year profit forecasts after it delivered an unexpected increase in full price sales over the key Christmas period.

Next reported a 1.5% rise in total full price sales between 1 November and 24 December after previously guiding towards a 0.3% decline.

As a result, the high street stalwart said it now expects to generate a pre-tax profit of 725mln for the year to January 2018, ahead of its previous estimate of 717mln.

The outlook is also optimistic, as shown by the decision to use the expected 300mln of surplus cash generated next year to fund share buybacks.

Other Proactive news headlines:

Marble quarries operator ( ) has signed a sales and purchase agreement covering the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. The three-year agreement with Shailesh Patil is subject to a minimum commitment of 3,000 tonnes of marble a year and confers upon Mr Patil the exclusive rights to sell Fox Marble's product in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

PLC ( ), the UKs largest property franchise, has told investors it exceeded its target for portfolio acquisitions by its franchisees last year. During 2017 franchisees completed 23 acquisitions, increasing annualised network revenues by over 3.3mln  10% ahead of the 3mln target set by the board.

( ) has confirmed that the final option payment has been made for two licences in Colombia. The companys wholly owned subsidiary, Ulloa Recursos Naturales, held the option for the areas that are prospective for alluvial gold and platinum.

( ), the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and reagents, has announced that its chief executive officer, Dr Alastair Smith, will be presenting at the annual Biotech Showcase, 8-10 January 2018, San Francisco. Dr Smith will outline the key benefits of the Affimer technology as a therapeutic protein platform and update the meeting on progress within the Group's therapeutic programmes.

( ), one of the largest independent companies involved in the production and sale of coal bed methane gas in China, confirmed that its name change to was effective today and under the new ticker G3E on the .Belvoir loans its franchisees up to 30% of the deal value to help them grow their portfolios

PLC ( ), the UKs largest property franchise, has told investors it exceeded its target for portfolio acquisitions by its franchisees last year.

During 2017 franchisees completed 23 acquisitions, increasing annualised network revenues by over 3.3mln, 10% ahead of the 3mln target set by the board.

58,000 managed properties

The acquisitions have added an ongoing 350,000 per annum of recurring management service fees (MSF) which is the main revenue stream for the group.

They also added 2,264 managed properties to the groups portfolio, which now stands at more than 58,000, a year-on-year increase of 4%.

Of the 23 acquisitions completed last year, 14 were from the Northwood network, one from Newton Fallowell and the remaining eight from Belvoir.

As part of the Assisted Acquisitions programme, Belvoir loans the franchisees some of the cash required to make the purchases.

It contributed 351,000 in 2017 to support the acquisitions. Thats around 10% of the total consideration, and while the group is happy to loan up to 30% of the deal value, most franchisees use their own cash reserves or source loans from other providers.

More deals on the way, says CEO

The Assisted Acquisitions programme has proved to be very popular within the recently acquired Newton Fallowell and Northwood networks, said chief executive Dorian Gonsalves.

In addition to exceeding our target completions for 2017, we ended the year with a very robust pipeline of deals currently with lawyers which we would expect to complete in the first quarter of 2018.

The appetite for securing portfolio acquisitions reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of our franchisees who are adapting to changes within the sector and seeing opportunity for growth as the sector consolidates.Ryanair only has three UK domestic routes but it is worried it may not be able to continue running these after Britain exits the EU. The company also released December passenger statistics, as did Wizz Air

In the whole of 2017, Ryanair carried 129mln customers, up 10% on 2016

Low-cost Irish airline Holdings PLC ( ) has applied for a licence to operate domestic UK air routes.

The move is seen as a fall-back option in the event of a so-called hard Brexit.

The airline, which was in the news again today as a frustrated patient exited a grounded aeroplane at Malaga airport via the wing, said the licence may be required for it to continue operating its three UK routes after the UK has exited the European Union.

In a separate announcement, the airline revealed it saw a year-on-year improvement in its load factor  a measure of how full its aircraft were  in December.

The load factor edged up to 95% from 94% the year before, while traffic grew 3% to 9.3mln customers.

In the whole of 2017, the company carried 129mln customers, up 10% on 2016.

Another low-cost operator, PLC ( ), notched up even more impressive growth statistics, with passenger numbers rising 19.8% to 2.25mln in December from 1.88mln in December 2016; the load factor nudged up to 87.5% from 87.3%.

The operator, which serves Central and Eastern Europe, carried 28.3mln passengers in 2017, up 24.1% from 22.8mln in 2016. The 2017 load factor rose to 91.4% from 89.1% in 2016.

In December, the airline increased the size of its fleet to 88 with the delivery of a brand new Airbus A321ceo aircraft. It added three new routes from the UK and one from Latvia.The brokers analysts said they estimate that under such a scenario Whitbreads sum of the parts value could be 4,700p in its upside case, and 5,700p in a blue sky scenario

They said: We see the most obvious step, if any, as a sale of Costa rather than an opco propco break-up of the hotels

Analysts at Capital have raised their target price for ( ) after posing the question what if the blue chip leisure giant decides to sell Costa Coffee and its hotels real estate?

In a note to clients, the brokers analysts said they estimate that under such a scenario, Whitbreads sum of the parts value could be 4,700p in its upside case, and 5,700p in a blue sky scenario.

The analysts pointed out that following the arrival of an activist investor  Sachem Head - on Whitbreads shareholder register in November, they have received numerous requests from investors asking the same questions and trying to understand the potential willingness of the board/key shareholders to engage in such discussions.

The BarCap analysts added that, in recent months, they have sensed a more open approach from Whitbreads management regarding corporate activity, though they have felt this was more about the options on an 18-month-plus time horizon than anything imminent.

They added: We see the most obvious step, if any, as a sale of Costa rather than an opco propco break-up of the hotels.

Challenging trading conditions

Overall, the analysts said they are not positive enough to upgrade their rating for Whitbread from equal-weight to overweight due to current trading challenges, as well as the risks of a slowdown in business investment or consumer confidence.

They also added that, on their estimates, they only see around 7%-13% upside potential were the group to just sell Costa.

The analysts said they consider that an opco propco hotel scenario, which implies an additional 14-30% upside potential, as more challenging against the current backdrop and sense less desire from management to embark on this.

They increase their target price for Whitbread shares to 3,920p from 3,800p previously, however, to reflect a higher multiple for Costa given what they see as an increased likelihood of a sale.

January update a negative

The analysts also noted that Whitbread will issue a third quarter trading update on January 18 which they do not expect to be positive given weaker industry RevPAR (revenue per available room) trends for hotels and softer retail footfall data.

They forecast a 1% fall in Q3 RevPAR and a 0.5% decline in like for like sales at Costa, albeit with Whitbreads restaurants stronger at 1.7% growth.

However, they think that, more encouragingly, Q4 trends have been better, and given that this will be Whitbread managements first opportunity to comment on the potential separation of the group since Sachem Heads stake disclosure, any open-minded commentary in this regard combined with reassurance on current hotel trading would, in their view, likely mitigate any Q3 disappointment.The bank - which is still 72% owned by the UK taxpayer  is to offload the operations of its Lombard Finance subsidiary based in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Gibraltar, Sky News said

RBS put around 200mln worth of assets up for sale in October in order to comply with the new ring-fencing rules coming into force in 2019

Group PLC ( ) has agreed to sell its offshore leasing business to specialist lenders PLC ( ) and Shawbrook Bank for 150mln, Sky News reported on Wednesday.

FTSE 100 listed RBS - which is still 72% owned by the UK taxpayer after its 45,5bn bailout at the height of the financial crisis  is to offload the operations of its Lombard Finance subsidiary based in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Gibraltar, Sky News said.

READ: Royal Bank of Scotland blames online and mobile as it axes a further 259 branches

Challenger bank Shawbrook, which was taken private last year, and the UK arm of London listed Anglo-South African bank Investec have agreed to split Lombards Jersey and Guernsey assets, with Investec said also to have snapped up the businesses on the Isle of Man and Gibraltar

RBS put around 200mln worth of assets up for sale in October in order to comply with the new ring-fencing rules coming into force in 2019, which are designed to separate banks' retail operations from riskier businesses such as investment banking.

The rules mean RBS's UK retail business cannot own assets outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).

In his UK Budget in November, Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed that the government is preparing to re-privatise RBS by selling 3bn worth of shares before the end of the 2018-2019 fiscal year and a further 12bn of its stake over the coming four years.South American gold explorer is up 100% on its 12 month low.

Barrick Gold Corporation is funding exploration at the Arakaka project

Ltd ( ) shares spiked more than 70% higher to $0.24 in early trade yesterday prompting the ASX to issue a speeding ticket to the South American gold explorer.

After closing at $0.14 on December 29, the ASX yesterday asked Alicanto to explain the recent trade in its securities.

In its response the company said that there was no information that had not been announced to the market.

Exploration announcements

Alicanto explained that it had made announcements in the December quarter relating to exploration at its Ianna and Arakaka projects in Guyana.

On 3 October Alicanto announced the start of a maiden drilling program on the Ianna project.

On 11 December the company announced the completion of a 4,037 metre drilling program at the Arakaka project and approval of a 3,500 metre program in early 2018.

Barrick funds Arakaka program

Corporation (NYSE:ABX) is continuing to fund 100% of exploration at Arakaka as part of an earn-in agreement.

Barrick is moving into the third year of the agreement in which it will earn 65% of the project by meeting US$10 million in funding requirements, including $8 million on exploration within four years.

Assay results pending

Assay results for each of these programs are still pending.

Alicantos share price has doubled since the 12 month low of $0.12 on August 25. It closed at $0.22 yesterday on volume of more than 2.1 million.Pharmaxis is a global leader in drug development for fibrosis and inflammation.

The company is well-funded with $39 million in cash at the end of September

( ) has achieved extended reimbursement of its drug Bronchitol (mannitol) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This means that from the start of 2018, eligible people with cystic fibrosis who are taking Pulmozyme (dornase alfa), another CF (cystic fibrosis) medication, will be able to add reimbursed Bronchitol to their treatment regime.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting one in every 2500 Australian babies.

People with the condition develop an abnormal amount of excessively thick and sticky mucus within their lungs, airways and the digestive system.

What is Bronchitol

Bronchitol has an active ingredient in mannitol, which is delivered as an inhalable dry powder to restore the airway surface liquid.

Other benefits include enhanced mucus clearance, improved lung function while reducing incidence of lung infections.

Bronchitol has been studied in more than 1000 clinical trial patients4 and is indicated for appropriate CF patients over six years of age.

Pharmaxis plans for a Bronchitol FDA re-submission by Chiesi in 2018.

Chiesi is the distributor for the major EU markets.

Importance of the listing on PBS

This new listing will allow clinicians treating cystic fibrosis to use two agents that work differently, and are proven to work together in the CF lung, to improve mucus clearance.

PBS reimbursement of this combined treatment approach will also significantly reduce paperwork for CF treating teams and improve access for patients.

Gary Phillips, chief executive officer for Pharmaxis, commented:

"We are delighted that more Australians with cystic fibrosis will now have access to treatment with Bronchitol under this expanded listing.

"We are proud that a locally developed and manufactured product is helping people living with this incurable disease."

An expanded PBS listing for Bronchitol was supported by the CF community, healthcare professionals and Cystic Fibrosis Australia in submissions to the government committee advising on medicine reimbursement.The company's proximity to cobalt-nickel mineralisation provides potential upside.

Exploration strategy to include investigation into possible cobalt-nickel mineralisation

's ( ) shares have increased circa 50% since mid-December, closing at $0.047 yesterday.

Attracting investors has been the identification of lateritic cobalt-nickel targets within 85 kilometres of the groups copper and gold tenements in New South Wales.

The recent share price spike drew the attention of the ASX, but management confirmed that there wasnt undisclosed information that could have contributed to the positive rerating.

Proximity to CleanTeq and Australian Mines

Helixs tenements are along the same regional trend to other companies that have had recent cobalt-nickel exploration success.

These include CleanTeq Holdings ( ), ( ) and Collerina Cobalt Ltd (ASX:CLL).

Copper, gold and cobalt is the new focus

The companys core focus is to advance its copper and gold assets in central New South Wales.

However, the recent increase in market value for lateritic cobalt-nickel is likely to prompt exploration for such mineralisation.

The company is of the view that it can finance such exploration without encroaching on funding attributed to its base and precious metals assets.North American head is appointed global chief executive officer.

The company is planning to revitalise U.S. sales growth

Ltd ( ) has appointed its head of North American operations and global chief operating officer Mark Schuessler as its new global chief executive officer.

He replaces Bert Alfonso who stepped down from the role and resigned as a company director on 2 January.

Plan to launch in Canada

The change comes as the chocolate confectionery company plans to revitalise U.S. sales growth and launch into Canada during 2018.

Schuessler joined Yowie in mid-2016, leading international market development and operations initially, then the entire North American business from August 2017.

Prior to joining Yowie, he was president and COO of Doumak, a US manufacturer of marshmallows with business in over 70 countries.

Schuessler, who doubled Doumaks revenues in less than five years, was originally in finance and sales, with companies including Procter and Gamble and Campbell Soups.

Further expansion plans

Yowie also plans to expand distribution in Australia and is targeting expansion in New Zealand and throughout Asia.

Expansion into Europe and the Middle East are key priorities for a future brand rollout.

Sales growth guidance revised down

Following disappointing sales performance for the six months ending 31 December 2017, Yowie has revised its net sales growth guidance for the 2018 financial year to 17% from 55%.Each light rail vehicle to be equipped with 13 high-definition cameras.

DTIs shares were last trading 24% higher intra-day, at $0.155.

Ltd ( ) has been awarded contract options for the further supply of advanced CCTV surveillance systems on light rail vehicles (LRVs) operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

DART is a transit agency in Texas which operates within 13 cities situated in the 4th largest metro area of the U.S.

DTI Group is a provider of surveillance systems and services to clients including transit operators, freight operators, law enforcement authorities and taxi organisations.

Significantly, the new options involve the supply and installation of surveillance systems valued at circa US$7.2 million ($9.5 million) on 115 existing LRVs.

DTIs shares were last trading 24% higher intra-day, at $0.155.

Deliveries to commence in the first quarter of calendar 2018

Each LRV will be equipped with a digital surveillance system, 13 high-definition cameras and other network equipment.

Deliveries are expected to commence in the first quarter of calendar 2018 and will be delivered over an 18 month period.

Importantly, the award of these options is a strong endorsement of DTIs integration capability as well as its ability to deliver into global projects.

In addition, DTI will exceed the Disadvantaged, Minority and Woman-Owned Business Participation target of 28% for the project.

It is worth noting that the DART project is the largest rail project awarded to DTI in the U.S.VolitionRx is developing blood tests (requiring just a single drop) - called Nu.Q tests

Pictured is a cancer cell. Early diagnosis is key to prolonging the of life patients

Emerging cancer test group Ltd (NYSE:VNRX) told investors it has completed a 680-subject trial for its Nu.Q colorectal cancer test, which should kickstart a year of milestones and successes.

In a letter to shareholders, group chief executive Reynolds wrote that he expects to report results from the test early next month.

"This study has given us the confidence to start the next stage with a study of some 4,300 subjects, the results of which we hope to complete by March 31, 2018," he added.

"We then plan to complete a large blinded 10,000+ subject study in the second quarter of 2018 to ensure that we have the data in multiple trials to back up our product claims this year."

The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, and included 680 asymptomatic colorectal cancer screening subjects (including 100 cancers), and tested up to 30 assays including the largest number of Nu.Q markers tested so far.

Some of these markers will be taken into Volition's large European trials this year and the company expects that this will give it a strong indication for one or more US products.

In addition, Reynolds said the group expected to obtain a CE Mark in parallel so that its colorectal cancer test will be registered for sale in the 28 European Union member states by September 30 this year.

"We believe that this represents a very large commercial opportunity for Volition with a total addressable market of approximately 150 million people of screen relevant age," he added.

Reynolds also noted that the CE would give the firm a head-start to commercializing in Asia where the addressable market is over 200mln.

is developing blood tests (requiring just a single drop) - called Nu.Q tests - to discover if someone has cancer, a disease for which a simple blood test is not normally an option.

Early diagnosis is key in cancer and can not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life.

"We are proud of the accomplishments we have achieved thus far and look forward to what the future holds, I think 2018 will be a breakthrough year for Volition on several fronts," concluded Reynolds in the letter.

The company has also released a video detailing its achievements of 2017 and its plans for 2018. This can be viewed HERE...

Shares in New York eased 3.17% to US$2.75 each.At the Risberget zone, there have been some recent significant drill results

Corp ( ) reported further encouraging findings from exploration at its Barsele gold-VMS project in Sweden.

Drilling at the site has been focused on verifying and expanding resources within and along the Avan, Central and Skirasen zones and recently the Risberget zone.

Today's release covers 25 holes, of which ten were expansion and seven were infill, with six being regional tests at Risberget and two being VMS tests at Norra. Here are some highlights.

At the Risberget zone, recent significant drill results include 32 metres (m) of core at 2.92 grams per tonne gold uncut (1.58 g/t gold cut) at a midpoint depth of 75 metres below surface.

Another hole in this zone yielded 1m grading 248 g/t (grams per ton) gold uncut (20 g/t gold cut) at a midpoint depth of 15 metres below surface.

Highlight results from the Skirasen zone included a hole, which cut a 1.10-metre core length grading 101.70 g/t gold (16.88 g/t gold cut).

Highlight results from the Central zone included a hole that cut 10 distinct intervals, culminating with the deepest intersection to date at Barsele of 12 m core length (estimated 5.9 m true thickness) grading 3.61 g/t gold at a midpoint depth of 875 metres below surface.

At the Norra VMS zone, one hole yielded 9.5 metres core length (estimated 7.15 m true thickness) grading 1.40 g/t gold, 10.54 g/t silver, 1.61 per cent zinc at a midpoint depth of 70 metres below surface.

"Two hundred fifty metres of drill-related gold continuity at Risberget is considered to be highly consequential in the evolution of the Barsele gold system and the latest massive sulphide-style intercept at Norra is an exciting step forward in the understanding of the geological and structural controls of this style of mineralization within the property. Expansion and infill drilling continue to yield positive results within the Central and Skirasen gold zones," said Barsele's president Gary Cope.

As of October 31 last year, 92,648 metres of core has been collected from 202 core holes, since drilling started in late 2015.

Barsele shares nudged 2.86% higher at C$0.72.NioCorp ( ) CEO Mark Smith hails the company's healthy stock numbers and looks at scandium aluminium alloy's prospects for the future. NioCorp is developing North America's only niobium/scandium/titanium project in Nebraska. The Elk Creek Project is the highest grade niobium project in the region, as well as being the largest prospective producer of scandium in the world. Mark talks Proactive through why demand is flaky right now but how that could change dramatically in the very near future.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New Delhi, Dec 29 : A day after Reliance Communications (RCOM) announced it was selling its wireless assets to Reliance Jio, State Bank of India Chairman Rajnish Kumar on Friday termed it a good development and would hopefully set an example for other promoters.

"It is a very good and welcome development. The banks have been fully protected and no loss is expected. Despite the fact that there is a stress in the telecom sector, I am hoping that this will set a very good example for the other promoters also of the companies which are under stress," Kumar told BTVi in an interview.

Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, on Thursday announced signing of a "definitive agreement" for the acquisition of specified assets of RCOM and its affiliates.

Consequent to the agreement, Jio or its nominees will acquire assets under four categories -- towers, optic fibre cable network, spectrum and media convergence nodes -- from RCOM and its affiliates, Jio said in a statement on Thursday.

RCOM's assets which were put up for monetisation include 122.4 MHz of 4G Spectrum in the 800/900/1800/2100 MHz bands, over 43,000 towers, around 1.78 lakh km of fibre with pan-India footprint and 248 media convergence nodes, covering five million sq ft used for hosting telecom infrastructure.

Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani had on Tuesday said the company has achieved full resolution of Reliance Communications' debt, reducing it by Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 6,000 crore by monetising assets.

RCOM bonds jumped from 34 cents to 55 cents on announcement of asset sales to Jio, according to industry sources.

"RIL's acquisition of RCOM's wireless telecom infrastructure, while not entirely surprising, does bring synergies for RIL's telecom business which currently has lease/sharing arrangements with RCOM for some of its existing infrastructure - spectrum, towers and optic fibre backbone," analyst Morgan Stanley said in a report.

Maintaining its upward trajectory RCOM shares were trading at Rs 34.98 per share, up 12.98 per cent at 12.37 p.m. at the BSE.Bengaluru, Dec 30 : India will launch 31 satellites, including the earth observation spacecraft Cartosat on January 10, from its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, an official said on Saturday.

"We have tentatively scheduled the rocket launch at 9.30 a.m. to carry Cartosat and other satellites, including 28 from the US and five other countries in a single mission," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Director Devi Prasad Karnik told IANS here.

The first space mission in 2018 onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40) comes four months after a similar rocket failed to deliver the country's eighth navigation satellite in the earth's lower orbit on August 31.

"The sixth Cartosat in the second series and other satellites are integrated with the rocket at the spaceport. The mission launch board will decide the rocket's lift-off time for the reverse countdown two days ahead," said Karnik.

The mission's payload will also include one each nano and micro satellite from India, besides Cartosat-2.

As an observational satellite, Cartosat will beam high-quality images for cartographic, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation and utility management like road network monitoring.

The previous two satellites in the Cartosat-2 series were launched on June 23 and February 15, from the spaceport on the east coast, about 90km up Chennai.

As a follow-on mission, Cartosat will also relay high resolution scene specific spot imageries with data from its panchromatic and multi-spectral cameras operating in time delay integration mode.

The space scientists are taking special measures to ensure the 44.4 metre rocket will sling the 720kg Cartosat and other satellites one-after-one into their intended orbits.

"The August 31 mission suffered a setback when the 320-tonne workhorse launcher (PSLV-C39) did not separate the heat shield to deliver the spare satellite in the Indian Remote Navigation Satellite Series (IRNSS-H) from its cone-shaped top-end," recalled another official.

To make up for the lost time when launches were held up for four months pending inquiry into the August 31 mission failure, the space agency plans to have at least one launch a month in 2018.

"We have lined up five-six launches in the first half of next year, including two for deploying GSAT-6A and GSAT-29 advanced communication satellites in the geo-synchronous orbit (36,000km above earth)," asserted the official.

The space agency will also launch its second lunar mission (Chandrayaan-2) to the moon, with an orbiter, lander and rover for the first time.

The 3,290 kg Chndrayaan-2 will orbit around the moon and study its lunar conditions to collect data on its topography, mineralogy, exosphere and the "presence" of water ice and hydroxyl.

On reaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the lander with the six-wheeled rover will separate from the spacecraft and descend slowly to soft land on the lunar surface at a designated spot.

"The rover will move around the landing site in semi-autonomous mode as per the ground commands while its instruments will observe the lunar surface and transmit the data for analysis of its soil," added the official.

(Fakir Balaji can be contacted at fakir.b@ians.in)New Delhi, Jan 2 : Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday attacked the Congress for its "confused" stand on the Triple Talaq Bill and wanted to know why it was sad while the Muslim women were happy.

"These days a number of reforms are being brought in. The Triple Talaq Bill is one of them," the Minority Affairs Minister told reporters here.

"The Congress takes one step forward and then 10 steps backward. The party is confused on triple talaq," he said. "The Muslim women are happy, but I don't know why the Congress is sad," he added.

The Minister's remarks came just before the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 was listed for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha, when the House meets after a three-day break.

Earlier in the day, the opposition parties met to decide their course of action on the Bill which was passed on Thursday by the Lok Sabha, where the government has a clear majority.

The Congress and some other parties demanded in the Lok Sabha that the Bill should be sent to the Standing Committee but the government rejected their demand.

The amendments to the bill moved by the opposition too, were rejected.

The government lacks a majority in the upper House and is making efforts for the bill's smooth passage by reaching out to opposition parties.Seoul, Jan 2 : South Korean authorities on Tuesday proposed a high-level dialogue with North Korea on January 9 in the truce village of Panmunjom.

"The government proposes holding a senior-level inter-governmental dialogue of the South and the North (Koreas) on January 9 at the Peace House in Panmunjom," Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told a press conference.

The Peace House is a building in Panmunjom controlled by South Korea, reports Efe news.

The dialogue overture comes a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in his New Year address that Pyongyang was willing to take necessary measures, including dispatch of delegation to the South Korea-hosted Winter Olympics.

Cho anticipated that the two Koreas would frankly discuss issues of mutual concern, inter-Korean relations as well as the issue on North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in South Korea's PyeongChang county in February .

The minister said communication channels between the two Koreas in Panmunjom should be restored immediately to hold the inter-Korean, inter-governmental talks, suggesting to discuss details on the January 9 dialogue, such as setting agenda and forming delegations through the restored communication channels.

All inter-Korean communication channels have been severed since the previous South Korean government under impeached President Park Geun-hye decided unilaterally to close down the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January 2016.New Delhi, Jan 2 : India's direct selling industry has nearly doubled since 2011 to Rs 126.6 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8 per cent to reach Rs 159.3 billion in 2021, a study by industry body Assocham, released on Tuesday, said.

It said the average sales of each participant in India is about $300 per year.

"Direct selling opportunities can be enhanced in India provided we create a conducive environment which is protecting all the stakeholders within the framework of the regulatory framework," the study said.

In 2015-16, the country's ranking improved two places to 20th globally in terms of size of the market, from 22nd in the previous year, the study showed. The top three markets in the segment are the US, China and Korea.

Global retail sales in the industry touched a fresh record of $183 billion in 2015-16. Growth in sales and number of people joining the industry rose in around 80 per cent of the countries around the world, the study showed.

The study also said despite substantial growth over the years and a number of ways in which it has contributed to Indian economy, this industry is the most misunderstood and unacknowledged business activity.

"The main reason for the same is the use of networking and schemes through which the activity of direct selling is undertaken. In majority of cases (of course, where credible entities/promoters are involved) such network marketing schemes are means to increase the expanse of business. However, India and its public has been on the receiving end of numerous unscrupulous schemes where people have lost money, credibility, honour and livelihood," the study said.

According to a survey of 2015-2016, it is estimated that over the past five years, about 500,000 people benefited from the opportunities offered by the industry, the report said.

The study attributes the growth of the direct selling industry in India to various government schemes including Skill India, Make in India, Digital India and Startup India.

The study also recommended implementation of guidelines at state level, relaxation in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, and enactment of Consumer Protection Bill, among others, to provide a sustainable operating environment for the sector.New Delhi, Jan 2 : As India marks 25 years of its partnership with Asean and in keeping with its Act East Policy, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore from January 4-8, it was announced on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, Sushma Swaraj will visit Thailand on January 4-5 during the course of which she will hold a meeting with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai.

"All aspects of bilateral relations with Thailand will be discussed with particular focus on political, defence and economic ties and on further enhancing India's engagement with Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries," the statement said, adding that Thailand would assume the role of coordinator country for India-Asean relations in the middle of this year.

During her Indonesia visit from January 5-6, Sushma Swaraj will co-chair the fifth meeting of the India-Indonesia Joint Commission with her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.

The Ministers will also inaugurate the second meeting of the Asean-India Network of Think Tanks. She will also call on Indonesian President Joko Widodo and have other official engagements, including an interaction with representatives of the Indian community.

The Indian Minister also meet the new Secretary General of Asean Lim Jock Hoi, the statement said, adding: "As the biggest country in the Asean region with the largest economy, Indonesia is an important partner for India including in trade and strategic matters. In recent times, there has been intensive engagement between the two countries bilaterally, as well as plurilaterally."

It said the Joint Commission meeting and other engagements of Sushma Swaraj would enable the two countries to chart out the course of partnership during the year 2018.

She will visit Singapore from January 6-8 during which she will inaugurate the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) of Asean countries on January 7. The theme of this year's event is "Ancient Route, New Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic Asean-India Partnership".

Sushma Swaraj will have bilateral meetings with the leaders in Singapore and also interact with PIO delegations from Asean countries, who will be participating in the PBD.

According to the statement, the Regional PBD is a large scale event covering a wide range of sectors including political relations, economic ties and investment, tourism and culture, connectivity, start-ups and science and technology.

"PIO delegations from all Asean countries, including ministers, eminent personalities, business and socio-political leaders are participating in the event," the statement said.

On all three legs of her visit, Sushma Swaraj will share with her interlocutors relevant information about the forthcoming Asean-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on January 25 which marks 25 years of the establishment of Dialogue Partnership between India and the 10-nation regional bloc.

A series of events has been organized by the External Affairs Ministry over the last year to celebrate this jubilee in different Indian cities and also Asean countries, which will culminate with the Summit in New Delhi. India has also invited the leaders of the Asean countries for the Republic Day parade this year.Palwal (Haryana), Jan 2 : A 37-year-old former Army officer on Tuesday bludgeoned six persons, including two women, to death in just two hours in Haryana's Palwal district, police said. The accused has been arrested.

Naresh Dhankar, a former Army Lieutenant who took voluntary retirement on medical grounds in 2003, was arrested from Adarsh Nagar here, Inspector General of Police (Rewari Range) C.S. Rao told the media.

The horrific crime took place within 100 metres of a police station early on Tuesday and was recorded on CCTV camera, leading to his arrest.

Armed with an iron rod, Dhankar was seen on CCTV entering a government hospital, some 80 km from New Delhi.

He first murdered a private security guard by hitting him on his head with an iron rod near the hospital, Rao said.

Around 2.30 a.m., dressed in a blue sweater and white trousers, Dhankar moved through the hospital corridor.

His second victim was a 35-year-old woman who had come to attend on a relative. She was found stretched out outside the Intensive Care Unit on the first floor of the hospital.

The next four murders took place in rapid succession -- the victims were security guards and beggars and a woman. All of them were found dead outside the hospital.

The accused also injured two policemen from a team that tried to arrest him.

Dhankar received a head injury when he was arrested. He might have been injured in a counter-attack by one of the deceased in self defence, the police said.

"He was not a psycho killer but has a criminal record," Rao said, adding that he used to frequently quarrel with his family members and neighbours.

The man was first admitted to the Palwal Hospital and then shifted to Badshah Khan Hospital in Faridabad.

"He was again shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital as his condition deteriorated following a brain haemorrhage," a senior doctor said.

"The motive behind the killings could not be ascertained immediately as the statement of the accused is yet to be recorded. Dhankar is unconscious," said a senior police officer.Ghaziabad, Jan 2 : The Ghaziabad court was shut on Tuesday following noisy protests by a section of lawyers protesting against the removal by police of a statue of Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar from the court compound.

The court's functioning came to a halt as the deployment of security forces was so massive that litigants were sent back from the main gate.

A majority of Dalit lawyers and several members of the public placed an Ambedkar photo at the site where the statue stood and staged a demonstration, said Surendra Rathi, a former President of the Ghaziabad Bar Association.

Police said that on the night of December 31 some members of the Bar Association installed the statue, taking other lawyers by surprise when the court opened on January 1.

Some lawyers urged the police to remove the statue installed without proper formalities. This was done at night, leading to scuffles between police personnel and lawyers.

"The approval of the district administration was a mandatory formality which was not sought prior to the statue's installation," said Additional District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh.

Bar Association President Rakesh Kakra said the Association had passed a resolution earlier to install the statue. "The police have harshly insulted the maker of the Constitution."

But fellow lawyer Rathi demanded to know why it was put up stealthily at night, and alleged that this was done with a view to lure Dalit votes in upcoming Bar election.

Police later booked several people, including Kakra, under Indian Penal Code's section 447 (criminal trespass) and under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.Gaza, Jan 3 : Israeli warplanes launched on Tuesday a raid on the Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported, according to Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses.

Israeli aircraft targeted with a number of rockets the "marine" site, located in Khan Younis governorate south of the Gaza Strip, belonging to Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas movement, Xinhua news agency reported.

No injuries or material damage were reported in the targeted area, the sources explained.

Israeli army said the warplanes raided a military compound belonging to Hamas movement in a response to a rocket fired from Gaza on Monday evening. No injuries or damage were caused in the incident.

The army added in a statement that Hamas is solely responsible for what is going on in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, none of Palestinian factions claimed responsibility for the incident.

It is noteworthy that Palestinian territories witness mounting unrest following US President Donald Trump's declaration last December on recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving US embassy there.United Nations, Jan 3 : The Security Council is to hold a high-level meeting on Afghanistan, Council President Kairat Umarov said Tuesday.

The meeting will focus on building a development-oriented regional partnership of Central Asian countries to bring peace and security to the Afgghanistan, Umarov, who is the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, told reporters.

He said that Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov is to preside over the meeting on January 19. Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and ministers of other countries are also expected at the meeting, he said.

"Afghanistan is very important for us," Umarov said of the Central Asian region. It needs to be approached with a new perspective of a "security and development nexus" and for any solution they have to go hand in had, he added.

He said Afghanistan was a regional problem, and like most others, was not an one-country issue as its impact was region-wide. Therefore, he said, the other countries in the region have to be involved in finding a solution.

Asked about United States President Donald Trump's threat to cut off aid to Pakistan because of what he said were links to terrorism, Umarov declined to comment directly on it.

"Pakistan is a regional neighbour to Afghanistan, Central Asia," he said. "Only peaceful means, only diplomatic measures should prevail. The more engagement could be among the countries and not only on the political level, economic and other areas, the situation could really improve."

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)San Francisco, Jan 3 : YouTube responded on Tuesday to a controversial graphic video of a dead body posted by one of its most popular stars over the weekend.

YouTube star Logan Paul uploaded a 15-minute video footage featuring the dead body of a man who committed suicide in a notorious forest in Japan to a YouTube channel followed by 15 million subscribers.

The video showed Paul and his friends walking through the Aokigahara forest in Japan when they stumbled upon the body of an apparent suicide victim, Xinhua reported.

The Aokigahara forest is often called "Suicide Forest" where many people in Japan chose to take their own life.

Paul, who has about 3.92 million followers on Twitter, was widely criticised for the sensational and "disgusting" video from other YouTube users.

He later removed the video from his channel by himself and apologised on Twitter for his "incorrect" behaviour.

In face of mounting outrage among users, YouTube, which is owned by the world's top tech giant Google, issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying its policy of banning violent and other inappropriate contents.

"Our hearts go out to the family of the person featured in the video. YouTube prohibits violent or gory content posted in a shocking, sensational or disrespectful manner," YouTube was quoted as saying.Washington, Jan 3 : The US may stop aid payments to Palestinians who are "no long willing to talk peace", President Donald Trump has said.

Trump said on Twitter that the US received "no appreciation or respect" in return for its aid, the BBC reported.

He also said his recognition of the contested city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital took the hugely divisive issue "off the table" for new peace talks.

Palestinians had said the move showed that the US could not be a neutral broker, the BBC said.

The decision in December was also overwhelmingly condemned at the UN, where 128 countries voted against Trump's fulfilment of a campaign promise.

The US President was tweeting a follow-up to earlier comments about aid payments to Pakistan, in which he said the US has received only "lies and deceit" in exchange for billions of dollars in aid.

"It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing," the President began his tweet on Tuesday evening.

"As an example, we pay the Palestinians hundred of millions of dollars a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," he said.

"We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Jerusalem is one of the world's most contested sites. Israel claims the whole of the city as its capital. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, to be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Trump, however, decided to formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite being warned it could cause unrest in the region.

He also said he would move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, where all other nations have their consulates.Gaza, Jan 3 : Head of Islamic Hamas movement Ismail Haneya has called on relevant parties to set up a "comprehensive confrontation strategy" to foil the US and Israeli moves on Jerusalem.

"This strategy needs us to move on two tracks. One is to declare the death of the so-called peace process and the other is to end all types of normalisation with the Zionist enemy," said the Hamas leader.

Based on the ongoing Palestinian Intifada against Israel, the strategy should prepare an unified Palestinian, Arab and Islamic program to confront the Jerusalem decisions, said Haneya on Tuesday in an emailed statement.

He also called on other countries which support Palestinians and oppose US policies in the region to join them in the unified strategy, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said neither US President Donald Trump nor Israel's ruling Likud party "would be able to change the identity or the features of Jerusalem, which has always a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic face and identity".

In a vote overnight between Monday and Tuesday, Israel's Parliament passed an amendment that will make it more difficult for the government to cede parts of East Jerusalem in any future peace deal with the Palestinians.

The new legislation was also likely to heighten even further the tensions sparked by Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6.

Trump's statement had triggered widespread protests in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. At least 13 Palestinians were killed during clashes with Israeli security forces, according to the Palestinian media.

The decision was also overwhelmingly condemned at the UN, where 128 countries voted against Trump's fulfilment of a campaign promise.

Trump on Tuesday tweeted that the US may stop aid payments to Palestinians who are "no long willing to talk peace", the BBC reported.Islamabad, Jan 3 : Pakistan's central bank has allowed the Chinese yuan to be used for bilateral trade and investment activities, ensuring that imports, exports and financing transactions can be denominated in the Chinese currency.

In a statement late Tuesday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) stated that the Chinese yuan was an approved foreign currency for denominating foreign currency transactions in Pakistan, reports Xinhua news agency.

"SBP has already put in place the required regulatory framework which facilitates use of yuan in trade and investment transactions," the statement said.

In terms of regulations in Pakistan, the yuan is at par with other international currencies such as US dollar, euro and the Japanese yen.

Indicating deepening economic ties between the two nations, the central bank said regarding recent local and global economic progress, specially an increase in trade and investment with Beijing under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it "foresees that yuan-denominated trade with China will increase significantly going forward; and will yield long term benefits for both the countries".

Last month during the launch of Long Term Plan for the CPEC 2017-30, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that the government was examining a proposal to use the yuan for trade between China and Pakistan.Ottawa, Jan 3 : A Canadian man who was held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan for five years with his wife, has been arrested after he was charged with 15 criminal offences, according to his lawyer.

Joshua Boyle and his American wife, Caitlan Coleman, returned to Canada in October 2017 with their three children, reports CNN.

The charges were in connection with incidents alleged to have occurred since the family's arrival in Canada.

As of Tuesday, Boyle remained in police custody. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning in Ottawa via video conference.

According to Canadian media reports, the charges comprise eight counts of assault; two counts of sexual assault; two counts of unlawful confinement; one count of uttering death threats; one count of causing someone to take a noxious substance; and one count of misleading police.

Boyle's attorney Eric Granger told CNN that he has not seen the evidence against his client, "which is typical at this early stage".

He pointed out two publication bans in place: one against reporting information disclosed in bail proceedings, and another on information that would identify potential victims or witnesses.

"We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges," Granger told CNN, noting his client is presumed innocent and has never been in trouble before.

The couple was kidnapped in Afghanistan by terrorists from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network in 2012.

Coleman was pregnant and the couple had two more children during their five years in captivity.

The couple and their children were freed in a mission carried out by Pakistani forces based on intelligence from US authorities.

Upon arriving at Toronto's Pearson International Airport in October, Boyle told reporters his captors authorised the killing of one of his children and raped his wife, CNN reported.

He did not say whether the militants killed a child, only that his captors were responsible for "authorizing the murder" of his infant daughter.

Sources close to the family said Boyle alluded to at least one forced abortion while in captivity.

The couple met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in December and shared images from the visit from their Twitter account, the Boyle Family.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday after ruckus over the violence against Dalits in Maharashtra that some opposition members blamed on the BJP and the RSS.

Satish Chandra Mishra of the Bahujan samaj Party alleged that the Rashtriya Swayemsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were responsible for the violence against Dalits in Maharashtra.

Mishra was joined in by some other members, claiming they had given a notice for holding a discussion on the matter.

As opposition members tried to raise the issue, their House colleagues from the treasury benches also rose to speak, creating a din in the Rajya Sabha.

Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House first till noon.

As the noisy scenes of protests returned when members re-assembled at 12 p.m., the Chairman then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

The logjam over the Bhima Koregaon violence threatens a possible passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq. The controversial legislation is scheduled to be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha had last week cleared the bill, that seeks to impose a jail term of up to three years on the husband who pronounces triple talaq.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the Haj Committee on a PIL seeking quashing of the recently issued Guidelines for Haj (2018-22) that allegedly discriminate against persons with disabilities by deeming them ineligible for Haj pilgrimage to Makkah.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar issued notice to the Haj Committee, Ministry of Minority Affairs and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, asking them to file their replies before April 11, the next date of hearing.

The plea, filed by lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal, sought quashing of the guidelines issued for Haj from the year 2018 to 2022, as it debars persons with disabilities from applying for the Haj pilgrimage.

The lawyer said that the new guidelines, issued on November 27, 2017, are "discriminatory, arbitrary and highly irrational" as they violate the fundamental rights of disabled persons and also the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWDA) 2016, which has equality and non-discrimination as its guiding principle.

The guidelines state that "any Muslim citizen of India can apply for Haj pilgrimage except persons suffering from polio, tuberculosis, congestive cardiac and respiratory ailment, AIDS, leprosy, acute coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental disorder..."

Also disqualified are "persons who are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically incapacitated or suffering from amputation of legs".Lucknow, Jan 3 : Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri filed his nomination papers on Wednesday for a lone Rajya Sabha seat here in Uttar Pradesh.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development was accompanied by state BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey at the time of filing his papers at the Vidhan Sabha.

Also present were Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, besides Dinesh Sharma along with senior party leaders and others.

The by-polls for the Rajya Sabha seat was necessitated following the vacancy due to the resignation of Manohar Parrikar, who returned to Goa as its Chief Minister.

Talking to reporters after filing his papers, the Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah for the trust reposed in him.

Puri's election is certain due to the BJP's massive strength in the state assembly.New Delhi : Two martyrs, two ideologies, two funerals and two mourning families. Kashmir's saga of tragedy and destruction could not have a more poignant symbolism as these funerals took place when the world was welcoming another New Year.

Hundreds attended the funeral of Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, the 16-year-old boy who celebrated his impending "martyrdom" through a spine-chilling video in which he said: "Jihad, the holy war, had to be carried on as the doors of freedom can only be opened with the blood-soaked hands of martyrs."

This is the first time after over a decade in the bloody 30-year-long history of separatist violence in Kashmir that local boys carried out a "Fidayeen" (suicide) attack with one of them celebrating the perceived martyrdom with absolute motivation.

As hundreds attended the funerals of two "martyrs", Fardeen and Manzoor Baba, another "martyr" of a different cause was buried in Badgam district's Nagam village.

Sharif-ud-Din Ganai had joined the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) eight years back. He was killed when security forces were fighting to flush out Fardeen and Baba at the training centre in Pulwama district's Lethpora town.

Ganai was buried as his parents, brothers and relatives mourned the death of their sole breadwinner who had joined the security forces for a better tomorrow.

It was a paradox that nobody has been able to resolve for nearly three decades in Kashmir -- the paradox of one martyr killing another and both believing that they have a place in Heaven that must be earned -- one, by shedding blood of innocents and the other for defending them. But both bring inconsolable tears to their families.

These martyrs to different causes and ideologies died when the world was celebrating the beginning of 2018 and praying for peace, prosperity and hope.

Security forces say over 200 militants were killed in Kashmir and nearly half-a-dozen others came back to their families after joining militant ranks during 2017.

Suicide attacks have occurred in Kashmir in the past as well, but these had mostly been carried out by foreign militants. Local boys joining "suicide squads" of militant outfits has definitely dampened hopes that normalcy was around the corner in the beleaguered state.

"What is more disturbing is the fact that young boys motivated to such extreme levels do not necessarily belong to poor or under-privileged families. Fardeen was the son of a serving cop and the family is relatively better off," said an intelligence officer requesting not to be named.

One man's martyr is another man's traitor. This maxim may hold good for the unenviable situation the people of Kashmir are facing and yet this provides little consolation to families being destroyed.

Local boys are celebrating so-called martyrdom when they should have been celebrating careers and professions. In whatever little or large numbers such "celebrating martyrs" might exist here, unless the last of them is convinced that life is a greater celebration than death, hopes of a peaceful future would continue to elude, underlined by the coffins reaching the families and disrupting their lives.

(Sheikh Qayoom can be contacted at sheikh.abdul@ians.in)New Delhi, Jan 3 : A bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) and also the triple talaq bill were discussed at the BJP parliamentary party meeting here on Wednesday.

While the NCBC bill was taken up by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the triple talaq bill is expected to come up in the Rajya Sabha.

"There was discussion on two bills -- the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the triple talaq bill that will come in Rajya Sabha today," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters.

The Rajya Sabha had made some amendments to the NCBC bill after it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

The government is now seeking to delete these amendments.

The bill seeks to grant the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) constitutional status at par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

On the triple talaq bill, the BJP is keen for its early passage and is not keen to send it to select committee of the Rajya Sabha. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

BJP leaders have conveyed to the opposition that any decision to send the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 to select committee should be taken on the floor of the House.

The treasury benches believe that most opposition parties, including the Congress, will not vote against the bill despite reservations on some of its provisions.Sellbyville, Delaware, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Inland Waterways Vessel Market in Europe is set to reach USD 115 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Increasing freight transportation through waterways and rising marine passenger traffic led by regular upgradation of the fleet are driving industry demand. More than 37,000 km of inland waterways in region connects thousands of cities and industrial area particularly in Western Europe. Availability of transshipment facilities, link with sea ports, connection between river basins and well equipped inland ports will positively support the revenue generation.



Passenger ships were valued more than USD 9 billion in 2016. Increasing marine passenger traffic has experienced a substantial growth over the past years. For instance, the cruise passenger traffic in the UK was over 1.6 million in 2014, which surpassed 1.7 million in 2015 with around 9% growth. Rising marine tourism across the region has resulted in increased passenger traffic, positively impacting the industry growth.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2304

Europe inland waterways vessel market provide recreational boaters with thousands of kilometers of varied rivers and canals to explore. This stimulates the demand for leisure boating and develop travel & tourism industry across the region. European ship manufacturers are focusing on regular advancements and modernization of their fleet to ensure efficient and environment friendly transportation. Recovering economic & political condition in the region is expected to positively impact the industry demand.

Stringent legislations related to the environment are formulated in the region to be followed by all the ship owners to curb carbon footprints. The aged fleet of marine transportation will face challenges over the projected time frame. Moreover, next-generation models with enhanced features will be available at higher costs. This may affect inland waterways vessel market over the forecast time span.

Non-passenger vessels comprise freight vessels, tug-boats, and workboats. Inland waterway is considered as a prominent way for freight transportation as these vessels can transport over 15% of the countrys fleet. The growth in the domestic and international freight transportation will drive the Europe inland waterways vessels market size from 2017 to 2024.

LNG will exhibit highest CAGR over the forecast timeframe owing to its large-scale deployment and shifting preference of the industry participants toward the product. Moreover, its usage saves the non-renewable sources used for other productive purposes.

Browse key industry insights spread across 285 pages with 135 market data tables & 8 figures & charts from this 2017 report Europe Inland Waterways Vessel Market in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/europe-inland-waterways-vessel-market

Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is used in the marine diesel engines. Its usage can be attributed to its cost-effectiveness. However, the fuel contains impurities and its combustion emits SOx, NOx, and CO2. Regulations for eco-friendly products may hamper the demand for heavy fuel oil during the forecast period.

France is one of the largest European military shipbuilders and it maritime sector employs more people than that of the nation aeronautical industry. The French marine market is one of the biggest and busiest in Europe with more than 5,000 companies. Enhanced shipping routes and efficient fuels are expected to boost demand for inland waterways vessels during the study period.

The Netherlands market was valued USD 14 billion in 2016. The demand is attributed to increasing tourism in the nation. Netherlands includes Holland, that comprises of lakes and rivers in the triangle of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, & Utrecht, and lakes of Friesland in the north. These are the busiest water channels in the country and connect to all the major cities and towns. It is considered as one of the places to find a boatyard for renovations, purchasing of a vessel, and to custom-order a new canal cruiser.

Some of the manufacturers are Viking Line, Rhenus Group, Mediterranean Shipping Company S A, Construction Navale Bordeaux, Meyer Werft GmbH & Co., KG, Bayliner, European Cruise Service. Vessel manufacturers of non-passenger vessels are focusing on fleet upgradation to increase the capacity, efficiency of the vessel. Customization and customer satisfaction are the major focus areas for pleasure boat manufacturers and service providers.

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About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

Contact Us:Washington, Jan 3 : US President Donald Trump has issued a disaster declaration for the state of California which is reeling from some of the most destructive wildfires in the country's history.

According to a White House statement issued on Tuesday night, the presidential order will provide "federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by wildfires beginning on December 4, 2017, and continuing", reports Xinhua news agency "Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed," the statement noted.

Thomas Fire, which began on December 4 in Southern California's Ventura county, has scorched a total of 281,893 acres and was 92 per cent contained till Tuesday.

This wildfire has become the largest one in California's modern history since the state began maintaining records in 1932.

California Governor Jeremy Brown issued a state emergency declaration on December 5 in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The governor sent Trump a letter on December 20, requesting the declaration to aid recovery efforts.

California's two Democrat senators, Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, also sent Trump a joint letter supporting Brown's request, saying over 1.2 million acres have been burned in the state this year.

In October, wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and killed 44 people in Northern California.

Since the beginning of December, six large wildfires in Southern California, including Thomas Fire, burned more than 1,000 houses and killed two people.New York, Jan 3 : Angered by the killing of an American soldier by terrorists in Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump let off the first Twitter salvo of 2018 bringing into sharp focus Washington's $33-billion problem of Pakistan and Islamabad's ties to terror and anti-American activities.

Trump's warning also tests the limits of Washington's influence and power to make Islamabad give up its use of terrorists as proxy.

"No more," Trump ended his New Year morning tweet on Pakistan that also took a swipe at his predecessors, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, for "foolishly" aiding Islamabad which thinks of US leaders as "fools".

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help," he tweeted, accusing Islamabad of lies and deceit.

On Tuesday, the administration's hawk, Permanent UN Representative Nikki Haley, emphasised Trump's resolve.

"The President is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan if they continue to harbour and support terrorism," she declared.

If the timing of his 6.12 a.m. tweet on New Year's Day while the country was barely awake after the midnight celebrations seemed a puzzle, the provocation was revealed later when the US commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, announced the death of the soldier in Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan.

Four other soldiers were injured in the attack.

Trump's "No more" declaration is a restatement of what was already underway -- in August the administration had notified Congress that it was withholding $225 million in military aid to Pakistan.

Yet, as with all Trump's actions, it is a transactional ploy in the style of a businessman and "no more" isn't the final, irrevocable mandate it would appear.

Trump had stepped back once already. In August, he said Pakistan has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists and his administration announced it was holding back aid.

But in October after Pakistanis got a US citizen released from Haqqani captivity, Trump tweeted: "Starting to develop much better relations with Pakistan and its leaders. I want to thank them for their cooperation on many fronts."

Trump, who is raising troop levels in Afghanistan, is caught between two needs: Preventing terrorist attacks on US personnel, especially from Islamabad's proxies, while keeping the sea-based supply lines to landlocked Afghanistan open.

Pakistan also borders Trump's great foe, Iran, which he took on in his very next tweet.

Therefore, Islamabad also has bargaining chips and it will come down to how much each side can give up to keep the uneasy relationship going.

In one of the first responses to Trump's tweet, Islamabad banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed's charitable organisation, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, from collecting donations. But the mastermind of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai continues to operate freely in Pakistan in defiance of the US, which has put a $10 million bounty on him.

The other part of the Trump strategy brings India into play. He has called for a greater role for India in Afghanistan -- but mostly as an aid-giver. Ironically, India has been able to fulfil this role only through the Iranian Chabahar Port.

The greater part of the regional role Trump sees for India is in the Indo-Pacific region as a counterweight to China.

That brings China into both the aid and strategic equations with Pakistan that also faces off India, with which Beijing's relationships are often tense.

China is emerging as the main economic power in Pakistan through aid, loans and investments.

Pakistan is the keystone of Beijing's ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR) plan to build a link all the way to Europe. A part of that is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which aims to grow Pakistan's economy through several billion dollars of investments and aid in several sectors, ranging from infrastructure and irrigation to industry and agriculture.

To that extent, Pakistan is becoming less dependent on the US. But mostly the US aid has been mostly unconditional, geared to the military and giving access to technologically advanced armaments.

In contrast, China's aid comes at a future cost as a lot of it is in the form of loans and investments.

The OBOR and CPEC require protection from terrorists and stability. While this would require Pakistan to control terrorism domestically, it could also suit Beijing to divert terrorists' attention to India and to a lesser extent to Afghanistan.

Simultaneously, China is trying to assume a higher profile in Afghanistan, which could benefit Pakistan.

Last month, Foreign Ministers Salahuddin Rabbani of Afghanistan, Khawaja Asif of Pakistan and Wang Yi of China met in Beijing. Afghanistan's Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami also went to Beijing.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)Agartala, Jan 3 : Ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's direction to top state officials not to meet the governor has sparked a controversy, with political circles terming the issue a "constitutional crisis".

A section of the local media on Tuesday and Wednesday reported that Sarkar had asked the Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan and Director General of Police (DGP) Akhil Kumar Shukla not to heed Governor Tathagata Roy's direction for a meeting with them.

The Governor and Chief Minister's secretariats remained silent on the issue while ruling and opposition parties accused each other and the Governor.

BJP legislator Ratan Lal Nath, a former senior Congress leader, said that "a constitutional crisis" had emerged after the Chief Minister barred the top officials from meeting the constitutional head of the state.

When contacted, Governor Roy, without denying the local newspaper reports, told IANS over phone: "I would not make any comment on the issue at this moment."

The Chief Minister's information officer Dibyendu Sekhar Datta said that Sarkar would not react on the matter as of now.

Sunil Deodhar, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) National Executive member and the party's observer for Tripura, said in a statement: "The Governor recently wanted them (Chief Secretary and DGP) to meet with him whereas Chief Minister personally prohibited them. So far, this is a rare instance in Tripura. The Governor has taken up the issue with the Union Home Ministry."

"The Chief Minister met the Governor on December 29 and discussed the current situation of the state... answers of the Chief Minister failed to satisfy the Governor. Thereafter, the Governor desired that the Chief Secretary and DGP meet him.

"The Chief Minister barred the officers from going to the Governor's House. This sudden development created an uproar in the administrative and political circles of the state," Deodhar said in his statement.

The Left Front government has never been comfortable with Roy, he said, adding that Sarkar was frustrated at the rise of the BJP in the state and was hence resorting to such steps.

The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) criticised the Governor over the issue.

"The Governor (must) act on the advice of the council of ministers. He can call the Chief Minister or a minister and discuss any matter. He cannot call officials," CPI-M Tripura State Secretary Bijan Dhar told the media.

The opposition Congress also echoed the views of the CPI-M and censured the Governor.

"According to the Constitution, the Governor (can) only act on the recommendation of the state council of ministers. He can discuss any issue with the Chief Minister or any minister but the Governor cannot call officials," Tripura Pradesh Congress Vice-President Tapas Dey told the reporters.

The Congress leader said that Roy had forgotten his Constitutional obligation and was playing "politics in Tripura". "He turned the Raj Bhavan (into an) RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) office," Dey alleged.

Civil Engineer-turned-politician, Roy, a former member of the BJP National Executive and a state president in West Bengal (from 2002 to 2006), took charge as the 16th governor of Left-ruled Tripura on May 20, 2015.New Delhi, Jan 3 : Industry body Assocham on Wednesday recommended a weighted tax deduction of 150-200 per cent on actual cost of specified components for the consumer electronics sector in the upcoming Union Budget.

The deduction is required as costs pertaining to finance, energy and logistics/transportation constitute a major portion of consumer electronics sector, the chamber said in a release.

"Further, these costs are auditable and duly included in the financial statements of a company," the release said quoting the recommendations on direct tax made by the body to the centre.

With a view to revive private investments in the electronics sector, Assocham has suggested that venture capital pool may be introduced in the sector and coordinated by a bank/special purpose vehicle or under public-private partnership mode, according to the release.

"In order to boost the availability of capital funds to India's $100 billion worth electronics industry, it is imperative that a venture capital pool be created and allied tax incentive provided to enable genuine private players to use funds of such pool through a stringent mechanism," said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham.

Contributors may be offered tax incentives on the dividend, while manufacturers may be provided with tax exemptions, it said.

To make the business more competitive in the electronics sector, Assocham has recommended the government to link the India BPO Promotion Scheme with direct tax benefit.Seoul, Jan 3 : Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is likely to step down from the board of the Boao Forum by not extending his term which ends in April, industry watchers said on Wednesday.

"Lee's term is expected to end in April," a business official said, adding it would be difficult for Lee to continue his role as a member behind bars.

Lee was named as a board member of the regional forum in 2013, succeeding SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Boao Forum, held every April, aims to expand cooperation among countries and businesses in Asia.

It is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this region and the world at large.

The 49-year-old Lee has been behind bars since February 2017 amid allegations that he took part in a major political scandal that led to the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye last year.

A court sentenced him to five years in jail in August after being convicted of bribery, embezzlement and other charges.

Samsung's global strategies are facing hurdles due to the absence of major leaders, according to industry watchers.

Lee's father Lee Kun-hee also has been hospitalised since 2014 after suffering a heart attack and is currently unable to participate in the group's management.

The older Lee also stepped down from his membership on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in August. He had been an IOC member since 1996.Canberra, Jan 3 : The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has resumed after a research ship left South Africa, bound for a search area off the coast of Perth, authorities announced on Wednesday.

The Malaysian government has enlisted the US seabed exploration company Ocean Infinity, which chartered Norwegian ship Seabed Constructor, due to arrive in Perth on February 7 after it set sail from Port Durban on Tuesday, reports the Guardian.

The Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board, sparking the largest search in aviation history.

Its disappearance is one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries and sparked the largest-ever search, costing about $200 million.

The Australia-led search for the aircraft was suspended in January 2017, much to the anguish of distraught relatives.

At the time it was suspended, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau released findings from international and CSIRO scientists that identified a smaller 25,000 sq.km area with "a high probability" that it contained the aircraft.Mumbai, Jan 3 : Sporadic incidents of violence paralysed parts of Maharashtra in a day-long state-wide shutdown called by various Dalit parties on Wednesday amid tight security.

Dalit activists jumped on railway tracks, shouting slogans and waved flags to attempt rail-blockades at various stations in Thane and Palghar districts, but were prevented by the security forces.

Community members thronged Dahisar checkpost, the critical entry point to Mumbai and staged a road blockade, preventing traffic movement in both directions.

Stones were pelted at vehicles in parts of Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Powai, Bhandup, Chembur, Govandi and Andheri East in Mumbai and parts of Navi Mumbai.

Schools and colleges were open in Mumbai but most students remained absent.

Aurangabad University rescheduled exams as candidates could not make it to the centres, while internet services were suspended in the global tourist hotspot.

The University of Mumbai cancelled nine scheduled examinations.

Although many taxi-auto rickshaw unions supported the shutdown, Mumbai's suburban trains and the BEST (Bombay Electric Supply and Transport) bus services were plying -- albeit with hiccups.

Incidents of violence and blockage of rail tracks at various locations on the Western Railway (WR), Central Railway (CR) and its Harbour Line kept disrupting the suburban network at regular intervals, while only four of the 12 services of the newly-introduced air-conditioned local trains could be operated.

The dabbawalas also cancelled their services for the day.

Meanwhile, at least 40 BEST buses were damaged in stone-pelting incidents in different parts of Mumbai.

Many shops and establishments also opened in the city and suburbs but downed shutters some hours later.

The shutdown evoked greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near-total shutdown, as did the Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.

The busy Mumbai-Pune highway was blocked for nearly an hour.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) suspended buses in sensitive districts after 187 of its buses were damaged in Tuesday's violence.

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar -- the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar -- which called for the 'peaceful Maharashtra shutdown', termed the shutdown as "successful".

"The shutdown has received tremendous response all over. We are satisfied with the judicial probe announced by the government and hope the truth will emerge. The government must book the perpetrators of the Koregaon-Bhim riots and the death of a youth for murder charges," Ambedkar said.

The shutdown was a fallout of Monday's riots in Koregaon-Bhima, Pune district, during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818.

Members of the Dalit community had gathered around the Victory Pillar erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting started leading to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangale.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party blamed the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state for security lapses that led to the violence.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1's (Ganga river) 1,380-km Haldia-Varanasi stretch.

According to a cabinet communique, the Rs 5,369 crore project, which is expected to be completed by March 2023, will bring down the logistic cost in the country and lead to major infrastructure development like multi-modal and inter-modal terminals, roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) facilities, ferry services, and navigation aids.

The JMVP will create an alternative mode of transport that will be "environment friendly and cost effective" and generate "huge" employment, it said.

"NW-1 development & operations will lead to direct employment generation to the tune of 46,000 and indirect employment of 84,000 will be generated by vessel construction industry," said the release.

The World Bank has provided technical assistance and financial support to the project, which will cover states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced the JMVP in his July 2014 Budget speech to enable commercial navigation of at least 1,500 tonnes vessels in Ganga.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has pledged a loan of $375 million (Rs 2, 512 crore) for the project while the Indian government will incur expenses of Rs 2,556 crore - to be sourced from budgetary allocation and proceeds from bond issue.

Private sector participation in the project under Public-Private Partnership mode will be Rs 301 crore.Mumbai, Jan 3 : Retaining its "buy" recommendation on the Reliance Industries (RIL) stock, global brokerage firm CLSA on Wednesday said RIL is likely to turn cash flow-positive this fiscal by reaping benefits of its downstream expansion and expects the company to monetise its Jio telecom network.

During 2017-18, the Mukesh Ambani-led RIL was expected to end a four-year run of negative cash flows and report a consolidated free cash flow of nearly $1 billion, according to the Hong Kong-headquartered CLSA.

"This year will see a big cash-flow boost as projects of over $40 billion start to deliver in full swing while capex falls.

"Stabilisation of ROGC (refinery off-gas cracker) and petcoke gasification would boost Ebitda (earning before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation)," said the CLSA research report.

On Tuesday, RIL announced the successful commissioning of the world's largest 1.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA)-capacity ROGC complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat along with downstream plants and utilities.

According to the brokerage, monetisation of the ROGC complex, coupled with the petcoke gasification plant, which is in an advanced stage of commissioning, will boost the Ebitda, or operating income, of the company.

However, RIL "should allow almost a full year of benefit to flow in fiscal 2018-19. Stabilisation of these projects would give a big boost to oil and gas earnings over 12-15 months", the report said.

Noting that RIL's telecom network Jio's monetisation plan entails raising smartphone Arpus, and expanding 4G feature phone subscribers, along with the launch of its broadband and enterprise offering, CLSA said: "We will also start to see cross-selling and other ways to monetise Reliance's wide customer base, which will be the key long-term value driver."

Focusing on its telecom venture in 2017, RIL managed to gather nearly 15 crore subscribers on the back of cheap plans and high capacity data network, while CLSA now expects the company to monetise not only Reliance Jio Infocomm customers but also its "industry leading capacities".

RIL's telecom venture can monetise its customer base by cross-selling retail products, CLSA said.

"While we also expect a notable decline in capex intensity through 2018, at the same time, successful launch of broadband and enterprise businesses could further add to estimates," it added.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The ruling BJP on Wednesday forced an adjournment in the Rajya Sabha when the opposition demanded a division of votes over the triple talaq Bill.

Sparks flew in the upper House as the opposition demanded that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill be referred to a Select Committee. When the government did not yield, the opposition demanded division of votes in the House.

"Sir, in a democracy majority opinion prevails. Let's have a division of votes on the issue," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad told the Chair amid ruckus by the treasury benches.

Bharatiya Janata Party members who were already on their feet started shouting and came into the aisles.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, expressing his inability to proceed with the division of votes amidst the din, adjourned the House for the day.

The BJP and its allies are in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and the result of a division of votes is a foregone conclusion.

The ruckus came after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, also the Leader of the House, failed to convince the Chair that a motion moved by Congress leader Anand Sharma to refer the Bill to a Select Committee was not valid as Sharma had not given prior notice for the motion.

Sharma replied that Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu had told the opposition during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Tuesday to move the motion when the Bill was brought in the House.

"Sir, check the records of the BAC to see if the Chairman had said it or not... Parliament cannot be a rubber stamp of the government," Sharma said.

Earlier, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, commonly known as the triple talaq Bill, in the House.

The government has got the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha, ignoring the opposition's demand to refer the Bill to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for closer scrutiny.Amsterdam, 3 Jan 2018 - Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the leading global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets, today announced the resignation of Renier Vree, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Member of the Executive Board, effective March 1st, 2018.

Renier Vree, who joined Arcadis as CFO in May 2010, has decided to join AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Member of the Executive Committee.

"We are extremely grateful for Renier's contribution as CFO and Member of the Executive Board. Renier has been integral to the significant growth that Arcadis has achieved over the past eight years. He has played an instrumental role in the selection, acquisition and integration of the various large acquisitions Arcadis executed during his tenure. Renier has also been the driving force behind the implementation of the Arcadis Way, our harmonized way of working across the global enterprise. It is therefore with regret that I see Renier leaving Arcadis, but I wish him all the best in his new role", said Peter Oosterveer, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board.

Niek Hoek, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, adds that "With Renier's resignation Arcadis loses a very experienced CFO and credible member of the Executive Board. We would like to thank Renier for his significant contribution to Arcadis including his successful interim CEO tenure. We are confident that we will be able to select a new CFO in due course. The process to identify candidates will start immediately and we will consider both external as well as internal candidates".

- End -

Improving quality of life

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Jurgen Pullens

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Joost Slooten

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This press release contains information that qualifies, or may qualify as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

ABOUT ARCADIS

Arcadis is the leading global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets. We are 27,000 people, active in over 70 countries that generate 3.3 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world.www.arcadis.comPanaji, Jan 3 : Taking on critics of his controversial letter to Karnataka BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa over the Mhadei river interstate dispute, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said it is inevitable for Karnataka to get its share of the river water.

He added that those who think otherwise were living in a fool's paradise.

While addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat in Panaji, Parrikar also said that Goa's main contention at the ongoing Mhadei Water disputes Tribunal was that Karnataka could not divert water from the already-deficit Mhadei basin to the Malaprabha river basin, which was against law.

"If someone thinks that water cannot be taken by Karnataka, he is living in a fool's paradise. He doesn't understand law. (If) a river flows through Karnataka, how can you deny water to them? But they cannot take the water to some other area. They have to drink it or they have to use it in that area," Parrikar told reporters.

Mhadei, also known as the Mandovi river, is termed as a lifeline in the northern parts of Goa. It originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea at Panaji in Goa, while briefly flowing through the territory of Maharashtra. While the river runs 28.8 km in Karnataka, it is 52 km in length in the state Goa.

The southern state has demanded that Goa should allow the transfer of over seven TMC water to the Malaprabha river basin to tide over its irrigation and drinking water needs.

In its case presented before the Tribunal, Parrikar said that the Goa government, along with documentary evidence, had argued that nearly 115 TMC (thousand million cubic-feet) water was available in the Mhadei basin, whereas the actual requirement of water in the basin in all three states, namely Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa is about 145 TMC.

"The river basin is negative on requirement. Therefore, water cannot be drawn from the river and taken to some other river. That is the point before the Tribunal," Parrikar said.

Responding to criticism of his letter written in December to Yeddyurappa, where Parrikar had agreed "on humanitarian grounds" to consider the southern state's demand for drinking water in North Karnataka, the Goa Chief Minister said that the critics were misinformed and that his letter had taken into account the interests of Goa.

"If you (critics) try to speculate out of my letter, that is not my concern. I am sorry. I am very clear about this, that I have written a perfectly valid letter in the interest of the State," Parrikar said, while accusing the media of wrongly slandering him and the Goa government.

Parrikar's letter has now triggered a divide in the state cabinet and has also resulted in protests across Karnataka, with Congress and BJP criticising each other for being unable to resolve the stand-off.

In his own cabinet, Parrikar now faces opposition, with Fisheries Minister Vinod Palienkar, who belongs to Goa Forward, a regional party, vehemently opposing Parrikar's offer in the letter to Yeddyurappa.

Another ruling ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party has also demanded a status quo on the dispute with Karnataka.

Asked to respond to an assurance given by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar, who while responding to a Zero Hour notice raised by Karnataka MP S.P. Muddahanumegowda, that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has already written to Yeddyurappa for outside negotiations to resolve the matter, Parrikar said: "Have I made a statement? If they bait each other what do I do? I am not responsible for demands someone else makes. I explained my stand to you clearly time and again."Bengaluru, Jan 3 : As many as 900 fowls were culled after the avian influenza virus was detected in a dead bird here, civic officials said on Wednesday.

"A chicken was found dead on December 29 at a chicken shop in (suburban) Dasarahalli area and it was confirmed after lab tests that the bird was infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus," Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Joint Commissioner S. Nagaraju told IANS.

Samples from the dead bird were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal and had tested positive, he said.

"On orders from the Animal Husbandry Department, we have culled a total of 900 birds so far within the region where the infected bird was found," he said.

H5N1 virus-infected birds spread the virus through their saliva, mucus and faeces. Although the virus does not usually infect people, it can cause fever, diarrhoea, respiratory illnesses in some affected people.

The Animal Husbandry Department had on Tuesday declared an area of 1km radius from where the bird was found dead as the "infected zone" and an area of 10km radius as the "surveillance" zone. It also ordered meat shops in the infected region to be shut down.

"Meat-selling outlets within 1 km radius from the site where the infected bird was found have all been sealed and we are also inspecting the area in a 10 km radius for any possible virus-infected birds," Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Rajkumar Khatri told IANS.

Authorities have also put a check on the sale of eggs in Dasarahalli to prevent the spread of the virus.

"We are following all the government procedures while culling (requiring the fowls to be culled in the same region where the infection was detected) to make sure there is no spreading of the virus," Khatri said.

The civic officials have also issued an advisory to Bengaluru citizens to avoid consuming uncooked chicken and eggs as a precautionary measure.

"We will be following up and holding inspections until we're 100 per cent sure that we have eliminated the virus completely," said Khatri.Mumbai, Jan 3 : Actor Parichay Sharma, who is currently busy shooting in the jungle for a yet-untitled show by Discovery JEET, says he is enjoying working for the horror genre.

"I'm enjoying shooting for the horror genre. It's for the first time I'm doing such a genre. I love watching horror movies. We are shooting in a jungle and having a great time. I'm sure people will enjoy our work and appreciate it," Parichay said in a statement.

The show is produced by Sphereorigins and is helmed by Glen-Ankush.

Sayantani Ghosh enjoying family time

Actress Sayantani Ghosh, who is currently seen in "Naamkarann", is enjoying a much needed break from shoots with family and friends in Pune.

"I'm enjoying my time with friends and family in Pune. It was a much needed break for me. I'll be enjoying some good home made food here. Family brings lots of happiness around," Sayantani said in a statement.

She also added that she enjoys more family time and get-together than parties.London, Jan 3 : A Silicon Valley robotics company's partnership with the Rwandan health ministry has enabled the delivery of vital medicines to hospitals in remote areas using drones in an average of half an hour, the media reported.

The ingenious drone delivery service by Zipline, known as "Uber for blood" has delivered more than 5,500 units of blood over the past year in an average half an hour.

"The ministry of health and Rwanda Biomedical Center are happy to use such innovative technology to reduce the average delivery time from four hours to less than 45 minutes, with quick and reliable delivery [of] blood products," a spokesman for the Rwandan health ministry was cited by The Guardian on Tuesday as saying.

Zipline is delivering blood to 12 regional hospitals -- each serving about half a million people -- from a base in the east of Rwanda.

When a doctor or medical staffer at one of the 12 clinics needs blood, they send a WhatsApp message or log on to Zipline's order site. They are then sent a confirmation message saying a Zip drone is on its way.

The drone flies to the clinic at up to 60 mph. When it is within a minute of the destination, the doctor receives a text. The drone then drops the package, attached to a parachute, into a special zone near the clinic before returning to base, the report said.

"The work in Rwanda has shown the world what's possible when you make a national commitment to expand healthcare access with drones and help save lives," Keller Rinaudo, Zipline's co-founder and chief executive officer, was quoted as saying to The Guardian.

Drone delivery also means hospitals can store less blood, which means less waste as blood spoils quickly.

The use of drones is helping to reduce maternal deaths -- a quarter of which are the result of blood loss during childbirth -- and high incidences of malaria-induced anaemia, which is common in children.

Zipline next plans to work with the government of Tanzania, and aims to deliver a range of medical products - including blood transfusion supplies, HIV medication, antimalarials, sutures and UV tubes, to four bases in Tanzania, supporting more than 1,000 clinics.Beijing, Jan 3 : The second oil pipeline between Russia and China began operations this week, which would double China's annual import of Russian crude oil, the state-owned China Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The line became operational on Monday and has an annual capacity of 15 million tonnes. It would increase China's annual imports of Russian crude oil to 30 million tonnes.

The 941.8-kilometre-long line will boost China's energy security as the production of crude oil in the northeast of the country has started to decline, Efe news reported.

Russia is also a key supplier of natural gas for China under Beijing's strategy to cut down on coal consumption and reduce the high levels of pollution in large stretches of the country.

The gas pipeline between the two countries is due to transport 38 billion cubic metres of gas annually to China from this year onwards.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing and implementation of an agreement with the transport authorities of London to improve public transport in the country, an official statement said.

The MoU with 'Transport for London' -- a statutory body established under the Greater London Authority Act -- was signed during Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari's visit to Britain in November.

"The MoU will help to improve the overall public transport system in the country, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India," a Ministry statement said.

"It will go a long way in strengthening ties and promoting bilateral relations between India and United Kingdom."

It added that the agreement will help in strengthening the integrated public transport for all and will help people from poorer strata of the society to have access to a quality public transport system.Islamabad, Jan 3 : Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to devise a strategy to make the country self-sufficient and independent of the need for US aid.

"There is no need for the US to refer to the Coalition Support Fund as 'Aid to Pakistan'," the PML-N President told the media here, Dawn reported.

Sharif described as "disappointing" US President Donald Trump's accusation that Pakistan was granting "safe haven" to militants Washington was hunting in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has been involved in somebody else's war for over 17 years. The country has suffered the brunt of the damage the world has seen since 9/11," Sharif said.

"The US President should not forget that my ... Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government pledged to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan when it came into power in 2013."

The ousted Prime Minister noted that responsible members of the international community respected the norms of diplomacy when in direct communication with other nation states.

"Pakistan should not be taunted or threatened with the prospect of aid and labelling the CSF as aid is not correct," he said.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave ex-post facto approval to the stand adopted by India at the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) ministerial meeting in Argentina last month that concluded without an agreement because of lack of consensus on the public food stockholding issue.

The four-day talks at the WTO 11th ministerial conference (MC11) broke down as the US reneged on its commitment, along with other countries, to find a permanent solution to the issue of public food stockholding by members of the multilateral trade body.

"Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval to the note submitted by the Department of Commerce and approved the approach by India at the eleventh ministerial conference of the WTO," a Finance Ministry release said here.

"The mandate exercised and approach adopted at the ministerial conference was aimed at protecting India's interests, priorities and concerns," it said.

Under the WTO norms, a member-country's food subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent of the value of production based on the reference price of 1986-88.

India has been seeking amendments to this formula, fearing that full implementation of its food security programme may result in breaching of the WTO subsidy limit.

The 2013 WTO ministerial meeting in Bali in Indonesia had decided to put in place the Peace Clause as an interim measure, and had agreed to negotiate a permanent solution at the 11th ministerial conference in Buenos Aires.

At the Buenos Aires meeting, India continued to press for the reduction of farm subsidies by developed countries and resisted inclusion of new issues on the negotiating table in case these dilute the commitment to complete the existing agenda.

"This has the potential to irreversibly damage the credibility of the WTO as a ministerial decision of all countries present in Nairobi has not been honoured," the Ministry added.Lucknow, Jan 3 : Two persons were killed and four others injured when a tractor-trailer ran over them in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district on Wednesday, police said.

The incident took place near Aakampur when more than a dozen people were sitting around a bonfire.

The deceased have been identified as Deena (45) and Golu Singh (22).

Four persons, including former village head Om Prakash Yadav, were critically injured. They were rushed to a nearby hospital.

An irate mob tried to set the trailer on fire but were dissuaded by timely intervention by the police.

Angry villagers blocked traffic on the busy Kanpur-Lucknow Highway for more than an hour leading to a traffic jam.New Delhi, Jan 3 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday attacked the Congress and some other opposition parties for opposing criminalisation of instant triple talaq, saying they had not raised objections when punishment was provided in laws relating to marriages of Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.

Sources said Jaitley, speaking at the BJP parliamentary party meeting on triple talaq bill, accused Congress of double standards.

Meanwhile, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the meeting that there is "disinformation campaign" against the Narendra Modi government by opposition including Congress on its initiatives concerning Muslims as they saw it as a threat to their "vote bank" politics.

Jaitley, in his remarks, said Left members and activists had opposed suggestions to make offences under domestic violence Act "bailable" but were now against punishment in the triple talaq bill.

Sources said Jaitley told the meeting that when laws pertaining to marriages of Hindus, Sikhs and Christians were framed, there was no opposition to provisions of punishment but suddenly it was being opposed in the bill pertaining to Muslims.

He accused Congress of coming under pressure of Left and other parties in the Rajya Sabha after supporting the bill in Lok Sabha.

"They (the opposition) do not want a debate and are finding issues to stall the house," he said.

Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah were present at the meeting.

Naqvi, in his remarks, said that the Haj quota of Indians had gone down by about 25,000 during the rule of Congress-led UPA but had increased by about 36,000 during the BJP-led government.

The agreement for increase in Haj quota was signed in January last year. Naqvi said that visit of Prime Minister Modi to Saudi Arabia in 2016 had added new dimensions to the relationship between the two countries.

Naqvi also referred to the government's move to allow Muslim women to perform Haj without male guardian.

The BJP had issued a whip to its members to ensure their presence during discussion on the bill concerning constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) and also the triple talaq bill.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot briefed MPs on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 which seeks to grant constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC).

The Rajya Sabha had made some amendments to the NCBC bill after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. The government is now seeking to delete these amendments.

Latest updates on Howdy Modi HoustonAddex Receives $5 Million Upfront, Potential Milestones of $330 Million and Tiered Royalties up to Double Digit

Addex Receives $4 Million Research Funding over 2 years and Retains Rights to Advance Additional GABAB PAMs in CMT1A Neuropathy

Geneva, Switzerland, 3 January 2018 - Addex Therapeutics (SIX: ADXN) announced today the signing of a licensing and collaboration agreement with Indivior PLC (LON: INDV) for global development and commercialization of ADX71441 for the treatment of addiction. ADX71441 is a potent, selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM) that potentiates GABA responses at the GABAB receptor. In addition, Indivior will fund a research program at Addex to discover additional GABAB PAM compounds.

Under the terms of the agreement, Addex will receive $5 million upfront, $4 million of committed research funding over the next two years, $330 million of potential development, regulatory and commercialization milestones and tiered royalties up to double-digit. Addex retains the right to select compounds from the research collaboration for certain indications outside addiction, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1a neuropathy (CMT1A).

"As a world leader in developing and commercializing treatments for addiction, Indivior is the perfect partner to continue development of ADX71441 which has shown potential in several preclinical models of addiction," commented Tim Dyer, CEO at Addex. "This agreement is part of our ongoing strategy to secure resources to advance certain assets of our broad allosteric modulator pipeline with leading players in key markets."

"The development of ADX71441 illustrates the power of Addex's allosteric technology to discover new small molecules that are able to modulate precisely the activity of a receptor so that beneficial attributes are accentuated," said Robert Lutjens, PhD, Head of Discovery at Addex. "We are excited by the research program as it provides us with the opportunity to explore further the utility of GABAB PAM, a well validated therapeutic target."

About GABAB Activation and ADX71441

Activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid subtype B (GABAB) receptor, a Family C class of GPCR, is clinically & commercially validated. The generic GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, is marketed for spasticity and some spinal cord injuries, and used for overactive bladder (OAB), but it is not commonly used due to variety of side effects of the drug and rapid clearance. ADX71441 is a potent, selective, first-in-class, oral positive allosteric modulator (PAM) that potentiates GABA responses at the GABAB receptor. It has demonstrated excellent preclinical efficacy and tolerability in several rodent models of pain, anxiety, addiction and OAB, as well as proven efficacy in a genetic model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 1A disease (CMT1A). As a positive allosteric modulator, rather than an orthosteric agonist at the GABAB receptor like baclofen, ADX71441 only acts when the natural ligand (GABA) activates the receptor, therefore respects the physiological cycle of activation. It has been proposed that PAMs produce less adverse effects and lead to less tolerance than direct agonists (May and Christopoulos 2003; Langmead and Christopoulos 2006; Perdona et al. 2011; Urwyler 2011; Gjoni et al., 2008; Ahnaou et al). The US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, a division of National Institutes of Health (NIH)) has awarded Addex's ADX71441 program a $5.3 million grant to support human studies.

About Indivior

Indivior is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with a 20-year legacy of leadership in patient advocacy and health policy while providing education on evidence-based treatment models that have revolutionized modern addiction treatment. The name is the fusion of the words individual and endeavour, and the tagline "Focus on you" makes the Company's commitment clear. Indivior is dedicated to transforming addiction from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of opioid dependence treatments, Indivior has a strong pipeline of product candidates designed to both expand on its heritage in this category and address other chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of addiction, including alcohol use disorder and schizophrenia. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs more than 900 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 40 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more.

About Addex Therapeutics

Addex Therapeutics (www.addextherapeutics.com) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, orally available, small molecule allosteric modulators for neurological disorders. Allosteric modulators are an emerging class of small molecule drugs which have the potential to be more specific and confer significant therapeutic advantages over conventional "orthosteric" small molecule or biological drugs. Addex's allosteric modulator drug discovery platform targets receptors and other proteins that are recognized as essential for therapeutic intervention - the Addex pipeline was generated from this pioneering allosteric modulator drug discovery platform. Addex's lead drug candidate, dipraglurant (mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator or NAM) has successfully completed a Phase 2a POC in Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia (PD-LID), and is being prepared to enter registration trials for PD-LID with support from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). In parallel, dipraglurant's therapeutic use in dystonia is being investigated with support from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF). Addex's second clinical program, ADX71149 (mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator or PAM) is being developed in collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc for epilepsy. In addition, ADX71441 (GABAB receptor PAM) program was awarded a $5.3 million grant by the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, a division of National Institutes of Health (NIH)) to support human studies in cocaine addiction and has today been licensed to Indivior. Discovery programs include mGluR4PAM, mGluR7NAM, TrkBPAM and mGluR3NAM & PAM that are being advanced with the support of the MJFF and Swiss Commission for Innovation and Technology (CTI).

Press Contacts:

For Addex Therapeutics

Tim Dyer

Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: +41 22 884 15 61

PR@addextherapeutics.com

Mike Sinclair

Partner, Halsin Partners

+44 (0)20 7318 2955

msinclair@halsin.com

Disclaimer / Forward-looking statements: This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Addex Therapeutics Ltd. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.Kabul, Jan 3 : Afghanistan has successfully dismantled a large Islamic State terror organization cell operating here, the country's intelligence agency said on Wednesday.

According to the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the network was made up of 13 militants of various nationalities who were planning attacks in the Afghan capital.

The network had a plan to carry out a series of major terrorist attacks and the cell played an active role in moving suicide bombers to Kabul and providing resources to them, Efe news quoted the NDS as saying.

A member of the NDS said it was "the first ever big IS group to be detained in Kabul by the agency" since the terror outfit's inception in the country.

The IS sprung up in Afghanistan in 2015 and formed its main bastion in the province of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan and plays an important role in bilateral communication.

The Afghan Army announced on Tuesday that at least 86 IS members, including several commanders, had been killed and 38 others injured in two operations in the north and east of the country.

Although the authorities have repeatedly claimed that the terrorist group's presence has been restricted to a few remote areas, the IS has claimed responsibility for some of the deadliest attacks the country has seen, including the latest one on Sunday in Nangarhar, where a bombing at the funeral of a local politician killed 18.

Last year, the Afghan capital was the scene of several major attacks claimed by the IS, the bloodiest of which since the US invasion and fall of the Taliban regime in 2003 came in May, killing 150 people and wounding over 300 in Kabul's diplomatic quarter.Hyderabad, Jan 3 : This information technology hub will have another IT corridor with the Telangana government deciding to develop a new cluster in Budvel area, it was announced on Wednesday.

Information Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday visited the area located near Hyderabad International Airport and said the foundation stone would be laid soon for the IT cluster.

He said 30 companies including top national and international firms were in talks with the state government to set up their operations in the area. According to the minister, these units will create 1.25 lakh jobs. He expects the units to come up in next five years.

The minister, who is son of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said the government had intensified efforts to create another IT cluster in the city.

Rama Rao, along with officials, inspected the lands which will be acquired for the IT cluster in Budvel. He directed them to provide all infrastructure facilities in the area.

The minister said that the government wants to expand IT sector to places outside the existing hubs.

Most of the IT companies including global giants are currently located in Hitec City and Gachibowli corridors. Some units have also come up in Uppal area.New Delhi, Jan 3 : A court here on Wednesday reserved its order on the bail plea of businessman Gagan Dhawan, arrested in connection with an over Rs 5,000 crore bank fraud case.

Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma said that he will deliver order on the bail plea on Thursday.

The Enforcement Directorate has oposed the bail plea, saying that Dhawan might tamper evidences or influence witnesses if released.

Dhawan was arrested from his south Delhi residence on November 1 last year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a case involving fraud of over Rs 5,000 crore by Sandesara Group.

ED alleged that he was involved in diverting the amount to purchase properties and other shell companies.

According to ED officials, Dhawan allegedly aided bank loan frauds related to Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech company.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering following a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Sterling Biotech, its Directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara, and Vilas Joshi and several others in connection with the bank fraud case.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The ruling BJP on Wednesday forced an unprecedented adjournment in the Rajya Sabha as the opposition pressed for the triple talaq Bill to be sent to a Select Committee of the House for closer scrutiny.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, known as the triple talaq bill, in the House amid protests from the opposition which sought a discussion over the anti-Dalit violence in Koregaon-Bhima in Maharashtra.

Both Prasad and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused the opposition of creating ruckus to avoid tabling the triple talaq bill, a charge vehemently denied by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.

As soon as the Bill was moved, Trinamool Congress' Sukhendu Sekhar Roy brought Rule 125 to the Chair's notice that confers the MPs with power to recommend referring a Bill to a Select Committee.

The opposition tried to prevent Prasad from giving a statement on the proposed legislation which has provisions to jail Muslim men who give instant divorce by uttering 'talaq' thrice.

Congress leader Anand Sharma moved an amendment that read: "This House being strongly committed to women empowerment and women's rights refers the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 as passed by the Lok Sabha to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for parliamentary scrutiny and to ensure complete justice to women and safeguarding their interest and welfare."

He said the Committee would submit its report in the first week of the Budget session.

Sharma proposed 17 names of members from different opposition parties including the Congress, AIADMK, TMC, SP, DMK, BSP, NCP, CPI-M, TDP, BJD, CPI, RJD, IUML and JMM apart from that of nominated member K.T.S. Tulsi, adding that the government could give its names.

Jaitley objected to the motion saying the opposition had "sprung a surprise" by suddenly moving this amendment without giving a proper notice at least 24 hours in advance as required by the rules.

Arguing against referring the Bill to a Select Committee, Jaitley said: "The Supreme Court declared the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional. Two of the (five) judges suspended the practice of triple talaq for six months, beseeching the political parties to make a law to bar triple talaq.

"Now, the six months period of suspension would end on February 22 and there is an urgency to pass this bill," Jaitley said.

Kapil Sibal of the Congress, who appeared in the case on behalf of the Muslim Personal Law Board, clarified that the suspension was a minority ruling and hence was not binding and there was no hurry to rush with the legislation.

A visibly agitated Derek O'Brien of Trinamool raised his voice: "We all want this bill, but this bill is faulty. Who have you consulted (before drafting the bill)? We don't want to pass a faulty bill."

As the treasury benches accused the Congress of opposing the bill for the sake of minority votes, Sharma said that if the government was sincere about women's rights, it should bring the women reservation bill at the earliest.

"Parliament cannot be a rubber stamp of the government," Sharma said.

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal contended that the Constitution visualised a bi-cameral Parliament for the very purpose that "if one House errs, the other House rectifies it".

"Sir, in a democracy majority opinion prevails. Let's have a division of votes on the issue," Azad told the Chair amid ruckus by the treasury benches.

BJP members who were already on their feet started shouting and came into the aisles.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, expressing his inability to proceed with the division of votes amidst the din, adjourned the House for the day.

The BJP and its allies are in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and the result of a division of votes is a foregone conclusion.New Delhi, Jan 3 : Leftist student groups staged a demonstration outside Maharashtra Sadan here on Wednesday, demanding action against two local leaders for instigating the Bhima-Koregaon riots in Pune city in which a man was killed and many shops and vehicles were vandalised.

Protestors, including members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the Students' Federation of India, raised slogans against state's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging them of harbouring and promoting anti-Dalit groups and demanded the latter's resignation.

"The riots were pre-planned. Even before the people started coming to the place, shops were forced to shut down on the highway... The day has been celebrated for years and with much fanfare. This is the only time such a thing has happened," Abhilasha Srivastava, the Maharashtra AISA state secretary, told IANS.

She emphasised that the day was now celebrated not primarily for cheering the Dalits' contribution in defeating the Peshwas, but to counter the corporate-politician nexus which "has kept the Dalits and poor marginalised".

"The gathering was to call out the 'neo-Peshwai', the fascist-capitalist structure which is nurtured by the politicians," Srivastava added.

The students alleged that these were local leaders like Milind Ekbote of "Samast Hindu Aghadi" and Sambhaji Bhide of "Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan", who instigated the riots and demanded that they be booked for same.

On January 1 every year, Dalits and Bahujans gather at Koregaon-Bhima near Pune to commemorate the anniversary of the Koregaon Battle of 1818 in which the British Bombay Native Infantry, comprising mostly Mahar Dalit soldiers, defeated the Peshwa army.

This date is revered by the Dalits as a victory against the Brahminical Peshwas. This year the function was especially important since it marked 200 years of the battle.

The AISA leader also alleged the two leaders of appropriating slogan -- "Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha" -- used by the Maharashtra youth who were demanding reservations some time back "to give their act of rioting a wider subscription, which is false".

The riot has spread out to Mumbai, the state capital, with police detaining many protestors.

Many Dalit-based parties had called for a "Maharashtra Bandh" on Wednesday, which was however withdrawn after sporadic acts of violence were reported, leaving the state virtually paralysed.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The 'Panic Button' safety feature is not a fun thing, Women and Child and Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said on Wednesday as her ministry prepared for another test, in Uttar Pradesh this time.

"We would request the people of UP to take it easy and don't think its a fun thing. Let us see where it goes from here. If it works in UP, it can work anywhere," she said.

The ministry has decided to test the 'panic button' feature on mobile phones in Uttar Pradesh on January 26.

The project was stated to begin earlier, but Gandhi said that the feature got delayed because of large number of prank calls.

"When we tried for one day in Delhi, the lines got immediately jammed because there were so many people making prank calls. Police then just completely backed off and this led us in delaying the project for over a year," she said.

The pilot project of the ministry was taken up as a step to ensure safety and security of women. In April 2016, the Department of Telecommunications made it mandatory for mobile phone manufacturers to provide panic buttons in cell phones by January 2017.

According to the ministry, they will appoint volunteers for keeping an eye on the feature and they will be screened by the authorities and receive an orientation on how to provide help to a woman in distress.

The feature will be available in smartphones and users will have to download the mobile application. One can send alert by long pressing the feature and the notification will be sent to victim's family members or friends.Tehran, Jan 3 : Tens of thousands of government supporters marched in rallies across Iran on Wednesday to denounce recent demonstrations against the regime's economic policies.

The state-organized demonstrations took place in numerous cities across Iran, including Qom, _ a center for religious scholarship, and in Ahvaz, the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province in the southwest, reports Efe news.

Iranian men and women held posters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian flags while large groups of Shia clerics took part in the rally in Qom as seen in images supplied by journalists on the ground.

The semi-official Fars news agency reported that the capital Tehran had returned to normal late Tuesday and no anti-government demonstrations had taken place.

Although riot police were deployed on the streets, pedestrians shopped normally.

Anti-government protests against rising prices and corruption had begun Thursday in the city of Mashhad, then spread to other parts of the country.

The resulting clashes with security forces have left a toll of at least 20 people dead, while more than a thousand were arrested.Mumbai, Jan 3 : A minor boy was killed in Nanded and several people were injured in Mumbai in sporadic incidents of violence which paralysed large parts of Maharashtra during a 10-hour shutdown called by Dalit parties on Wednesday.

The 'Maharashtra Bandh' call was given by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and other parties, ironically, to protest against Monday's riots leading to the death of a youth from Nanded in Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district.

District Superintendent of Police Chandrakishore Mina said the victim's body has been sent for autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of the death.

The family of the deceased alleged that the youth - Yogesh Prahlad Jadhav - was seriously injured during police caning to clear a road block.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said all the incidents of violence across the state shall be probed and appropriate action will be taken against the offenders.

Dalit activists squatted on rail tracks, shouting slogans and waving flags to block train services in the city and suburbs of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar. Security forces ejected them.

Despite the hiccups, the Western Railway, Central Railway and Harbour Line managed to operate services and cleared the rush of stranded commuters. Long-distance trains were not affected.

The Central Railway axed 110 services and Western Railway 60.

Soon after the shutdown call was withdrawn by BRM President Prakash Ambedkar at 4 p.m., suburban train services limped back to normalcy and helped clear the evening peak hour crowds.

Mumbai Police confirmed that all the roads were cleared of protestors and blockades and normal traffic movement has resumed.

Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were affected with eight departures and seven arrivals cancelled till this evening while several hundred incoming passengers were stranded in the absence of transportation outside. A few hundred missed catching flight as they could not reach the airport.

The airport made arrangements for free tea, snacks and water bottles till evening when the city normalized.

Hundreds of Dalits thronged Dahisar checkpost, the critical entry point to Mumbai, and staged a road blockade, preventing traffic movement in both directions.

Stones were pelted at vehicles in parts of Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Powai, Bhandup, Chembur, Govandi and Andheri East in Mumbai and parts of Navi Mumbai.

Schools and colleges remained open in Mumbai and other parts of the state but most students remained absent. The famed dabbawalas cancelled their services for the day.

Aurangabad University rescheduled exams as candidates could not make it to the centres. The University of Mumbai cancelled nine scheduled examinations.

Although many taxi and auto-rickshaw unions supported the shutdown, Mumbai's suburban trains and BEST (Bombay Electric Supply and Transport) bus services plied with disruptions.

Meanwhile, 48 BEST buses were damaged in stone-pelting incidents in parts of Mumbai and four drivers and conductors injured.

Many shops, eateries and business establishments which opened in the city and suburbs later downed shutters after some restaurants were stoned or vandalised.

The shutdown evoked greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near total shutdown as did the Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.

The busy Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai-Goa and Mumbai-Nashik highways were blocked for varying periods, leading to massive traffic snarls.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corp (MSRTC) suspended services in sensitive districts after 187 buses were damaged.

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar -- the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar -- termed the shutdown as "successful".

"We are satisfied with the judicial probe announced by the government and hope the truth will emerge. The government must book the perpetrators of the Koregaon-Bhim riots and the death of a youth for murder charges," Ambedkar told mediapersons.

Ambedkar named Shivjagar Pratisthan President Sambhaji Bhide Guruji and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti President Milind Ekbote, against whom complaints have been lodged by Pune Police.

"They should be arrested and face the same punishment as Yakub Memon (who was accused in the March 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and subsequently hanged)," Ambedkar demanded.

The shutdown was a fallout of Monday's riots in Koregaon-Bhima during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818.

Members of the Dalit community had gathered around the Victory Pillar erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting started leading to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangale.New Delhi, Jan 3 : In his first foreign visit after being elevated as Congress President, Rahul Gandhi will be going to Bahrain on January 7 evening and is scheduled to address an NRI conclave on January 8, sources said.

According to party sources, the visit is aimed at promoting Rahul Gandhi as a brand after his visit to the US last September received a positive response.

The sole purpose of such trips is to bolster Rahul's global image as a popular leader and also reach out to the NRIs, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been doing since he came to power.

Rahul Gandhi was in Goa recently to join his mother Sonia Gandhi to usher in the New Year.Dhaka, Jan 3 : Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia has warned the government that no matter how hard it tries, it will not be able to hold the 11th parliamentary elections by keeping the BNP out of the mix.

"We are an election-oriented party. We must take part in elections. No one can keep us out of the polls even if they want to. We will join the election," Zia told a gathering of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal in the capital.

"It's not going to happen... if you (government) think you will announce the election after detaining our people. No election like that of 2014 will be held in Bangladesh any more. The elections will be inclusive in this country," the BNP chief was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com on Wednesday.

She said no election would be "acceptable" by keeping her party out, claiming it was the largest in the country.

"Because the entire world has realised that the election with Hasina in power was not fair and it won't be," the former Prime Minister said.

The BNP sat out of Parliament after around two-and-half decades by boycotting the 2014 elections held with Hasina as the Prime Minister.

The party has been demanding dissolution of Parliament and formation of a "non-partisan, facilitating" government before the general elections, a demand the ruling Awami League has refused to entertain.

Zia renewed the demand, claiming that Hasina and her party decided to oversee the elections "to perpetuate power".

She claimed the current government was "not elected by the people and everything happens in the country on Hasina's orders now and that is why it is going backward".

She criticised the government for not appointing a Chief Justice since the resignation of Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha and alleged that the authorities "forced" him out at "gunpoint".TIANJIN, CHINA, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the 3rd Huawei Data Center Facility Summit recently held in Tianjin, China, Huawei FusionModule2000 was granted with the worlds first TIER-IV Ready Certification. Matt Thonen, Global Operation Vice President of Uptime presented the certification to Huawei. TIER IV is the highest level in TIER-Ready certification system. This certification shows that Huawei s data center facility product and solution reach a new height.



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It is the first time for Uptime to issue TIER IV-Ready Certification for DC facility product and solution. Huawei FusionModule2000 is awarded with the certification, which shows that Huawei smart modular DC solution satisfies the highest standard in the industry in all rounds. Huawei solutions can bring ultra-high reliability to users.

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Washington, Jan 3 : At least 11 people died of cold in the United States as a prolonged stretch of strikingly bitter cold enveloped much of the country and buried some places under a record amount of snow even as a powerful winter storm was forecast to hit the eastern US.

The bombogenesis -- an area of low pressure that drops significantly in 24 hours -- will result in what's known as a "bomb cyclone". And the bomb cyclone, expected to strike on Thursday, will likely dump 6 to 12 inches of snow in New England, which will be driven by 64 to 96 kmph wind gusts, CNN reported.

Months after a busy hurricane season, the storm was expected to bring frigid wind, freezing rain and even snow to the South, said the National Weather Service (NWS).

It warned of hazardous travel conditions, including limited visibility and icy roads. Forecasters expect the storm to eventually hit the Northeast, all the way up to Maine, a New York Times report said.

Freezing rain, sleet and snow were expected to smother parts of the Southeast on Wednesday.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal issued a state of emergency on Tuesday for 28 coastal counties ahead of the storm.

A 27-year-old woman was found dead on the shore of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. Authorities said Lindsey Klima stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and could have fallen at the shoreline before she succumbed to the cold, CNN affiliate WLUK reported.

Klima's death was among five weather-related deaths in Wisconsin. Two other people died in North Dakota and Missouri.

Four others died in Texas, including two homeless people after being exposed to freezing conditions.

Authorities urged people to stay home as millions in the eastern half of the US face below and near-freezing temperatures.

Many schools cancelled classes and government offices closed across the Florida Panhandle and along the entire east coast shoreline.

The frigid temperatures led to temporary closures at water parks in Florida and prompted authorities to open dozens of emergency shelters.

The weather turned fountains into ice sculptures and froze the top of an above-ground pool. Florida Department of Agriculture spokesman Aaron Keller said the cold weather could be endangering crops such as citrus, peppers and strawberries.

The US was not alone in its winter misery. Hurricane-force winds of Storm Eleanor battered the western shores of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The UK's weather service, the Met Office, said the storm was expected to bring gusts of up to 90 mph to parts of Britain.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The riots in Bhima-Koregaon in Pune during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of 1818 forced adjournments in both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, with the Congress demanding a probe by a Supreme Court judge and a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed in the Lok Sabha over the violence, which left a youth dead.

The Congress leaders blamed the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the unrest, while Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar accused the Congress of politicising the issue and "dividing the masses".

Before the issue was raised, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan cautioned that allegations and counter-allegations would not solve the problem.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said atrocities against Dalits were on the rise and blamed "some fascist powers" for it.

The Congress demanded a probe in the Bhima-Koregaon incident by a Supreme Court judge and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

"When Dalits start living with dignity and organise some event, there are some people who try to disturb it. This happened in Koregaon (in Pune district)," Kharge said.

He said Dalits had never been a part of armies before the British came, to which Mahajan said that Dalits were a part of Maratha ruler Shivaji's army.

Kharge then said: "It is a bid to divide the Mahars and the Marathas by some Hindu extremists and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)."

"Wherever the BJP is in power, there is discrimination against Dalits," he said and accused Modi of being "silent" on the issue of atrocities against Dalits.

Ananth Kumar hit back at the Congress, saying the opposition party was trying to divide the masses.

"He (Kharge) does not want to resolve the problem in Maharashtra, he is trying to incite people. He is doing politics.

"As the British divided and ruled the people, the Congress is doing the same... This should be a forum to give a message of peace," he added.

Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy condemned the clashes, while Shiv Sena MP Shivaji Adhalrao Patil urged the Centre to speak with the Maharashtra government on the situation.

Raosaheb Patil Danve of the BJP said the celebrations in Bhima-Koregaon had been taking place every year and no such incident had happened in the past.

As the Speaker proceeded to take up legislative business, the Congress members protested demanding a statement from Modi.

When the Congress members started shouting slogans near the Speaker's podium, the Speaker briefly adjourned the House.

Hundreds of thousands of Dalits had assembled at the Vijay Stambh (victory pillar) erected by the British in Sanaswadi village in Maharashtra when stone-pelting began, allegedly by some rightwing groups carrying saffron flags.

In the ensuing violence, more than 30 vehicles were torched or damaged and a young man was killed.

Over the last three days, the riot has spread out to Mumbai, the state capital, and some other pasts of the state.

In the Rajya Sabha, opposition members created a ruckus over the violence in Maharashtra forcing repeated adjournments.

The first adjournment came minutes after the House met for the day. As the opposition members raised the issue demanding a discussion during Zero Hour, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu adjourned it till 12 noon.

As soon as the House met again, the opposition members protested again against the "anti-Dalit" violence. The Chair first instructed suspension of the live telecast of the House proceedings and later adjourned the House till 2.00 p.m.

For a second time in this session, the Rajya Sabha TV had to suspend live telecast on Naidu's instructions.

The riots in Bhima-Koregaon in Pune district on Monday led to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangale.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party blamed the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state for security lapses that led to the violence.

The Congress kept up the attack on the government outside the House also, with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad accusing the Modi government of being "anti-Dalit".

"We gave a notice in the Rajya Sabha that the proceedings in the House proceedings should be stopped and discuss the attack and exploitation of the Dalits in the past three-and-a-half years," Azad said.

"Wherever there is BJP government, Dalits have been being exploited. They are being beaten up, raped and then killed and also burnt alive," he added.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Congress on Wednesday accused the government of being anti-Dalit and exploiting the community in BJP-ruled states after the opposition was not allowed to discuss the violence in Maharashtra in Parliament as they also demanded a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The party questioned why was Modi silent on the incidents of violence that paralysed parts of Maharashtra.

"We gave a notice in Rajya Sabha that the proceedings in the House should be stopped and should discuss the attack and exploitation of the Dalit society in the past three and a half years," said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"Where ever there is a BJP government, Dalits have been being exploited in the past three and a half years. They are being killed, beaten up, raped and then killed and also burnt alive," he said, adding that "Haryana has become an 'akhara' for such incidents".

"Similar is the case in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and shameful incidents in Gujarat."

"We are deeply pained for not being allowed to raise the issue of Dalits in the House. Even television (Rajya Sabha TV) was turned off, so that no one gets to know that there is opposition as well," he said.

"I strongly condemn this attitude on part of BJP. They are anti-Dalit. When we raise these issues, they accuse us of diverting the attention," he added.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said: "The state government failed to provide protection to the people. NCP leader Sharad Pawarji got information that right-wing group people tried to stoke violence.

"We had demanded that a sitting Supreme Court judge should conduct an impartial inquiry. We wanted the Prime Minister to come and give a reply in the Parliament but he didn't. He never talks about the Dalits in the Parliament. Why is he silent on the issue?"

The shutdown called by various Dalit parties in Maharashtra on Wednesday was a fallout of Monday's riots in Pune district, during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818.

Members of the Dalit community had gathered around the Victory Pillar erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting started leading to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangale.Tura (Meghalaya), Jan 3 : Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the 100-seat Tura medical college here in western Meghalaya.

The medical college will come over 100 acres at Doldegre area, about 8 km from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.

The Rs 180 crore project will include construction of the college and upgradation of Tura Civil Hospital, which, according to the Chief Minister, would act as a "teaching hospital".

"We are achieving the much needed institution that will bring complete change in the delivery of health care system in the state. The medical college can now address the challenge of providing space for aspiring young medical professionals and at the same time provide access to better health care facilities for the people," Sangma said.

Pointing at the usual trend of spending by most of people on one's healthcare, he asserted that health should be taken as the most important aspect and urged upon the members of the medial fraternity to make it compulsory for all the citizens, in general and government employees in particular, to have regular health check up.

Highlighting the hurdles that led to the delay in starting the project after getting the sanction, the Chief Minister also voiced his concern over the problem of land acquisition for various developmental projects which he said has led the State government to adopt a new policy whereby the government reciprocates to the community who donate land by way of giving jobs.

Sangma said the project was delayed for nearly five years as the earlier site located under Jewilgre and Balalgre A'king near Damalgre, was not approved by the Empowered Committee because as per the new guidelines of the Medical Council of India, a medical college should not be located more than 10 km away from the hospital.

Therefore, the government had to scout for alternative site and finally acquired a new site at Doldegre, he added.Tel Aviv, Jan 3 : Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave a preliminary approval for a bill allowing the death penalty for Palestinian attackers.

Following a heated debate, the bill passed a preliminary reading with a narrow majority of 52-49 vote. The bill still needs to pass three more full rounds of votes before it could become a law, Xinhua reported.

The new legislation is sponsored by the far-right party of Israel Our Home, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.

Before the vote, Netanyahu told the parliament he supports the bill, saying the death penalty is "justice in extreme situations".

"There are extreme cases, where people commit terrible crimes and don't deserve to live," Netanyahu argued. "We're changing the law for these situations," he added.

Under the bill, military and civil courts could sentence to death a person who was convicted of committing an "act of terror."

Israel's military law already allows the death penalty for Palestinian attackers but only in military court and if the entire judges in the panel reach the decision unanimously.

Under the new legislation, both military and civil courts could sentence a Palestinian attacker to death, with a simple majority.

Israel's security system has not endorsed the new legislation. According to Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper, an assessment by the Shin Bet security service said that such a penalty might have a counterproductive effect.

It would spark a wave of kidnaps of Israelis around the world in order to use them as "bargaining chips" to release convicts from the death row, according to the assessment.

So far, Israel has never sentenced a terrorist to death. The only time the grave penalty was applied took place in the 1961 execution of Adolf Eichman, a senior German Nazi officer who had been convicted of being a major organiser of the HolocaustRome, Jan 3 : The head of Italian parliament's foreign affairs committee on Wednesday voiced support for women, who have been at the forefront of protests in Iran against their hardline Islamic rulers this past week.

"Our solidarity goes to women in Iran who are fighting for freedom," said Fabrizio Cicchitto, who is a conservative member of Italy's Chamber of Deputies.Bengaluru, Jan 3 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday gifted free laptops to about 31,000 degree college students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

All the laptops have two stickers - a state government logo and a picture of Siddaramaiah affixed on their top.

"The Acer laptops were purchased through a tender process for Rs 45 crore, with each costing Rs 14,490. It meets the requirement of the students studying in 412 state-run and state-aided colleges and 85 polytechnics across the state," an official told IANS.

The Windows 10 version laptops are configured with an Intel quad processor, 1 terra byte (TB) hard drive, 4 giga byte (GB) random access memory (RAM) and a 14-inch screen.

"All the laptops will be distributed to the SC/ST students in backpacks through their respective colleges across the state under the 'Free Laptop Scheme' by the state higher education department in a fortnight," said the official.

Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, made Rs 300 crore budgetary provision to purchase the laptops for 1.8 lakh college students of all categories across the state during fiscal 2017-18.

Though a decision to gift free laptops to students in degree and professional courses was taken by the government in July last year, the scheme could not be fully implemented due to procedural delays.

"The remaining 1.5 lakh laptops for students of general and other categories will be distributed soon, as a separate tender has been floated to buy them," added the official.

In a related development, the state cabinet on Tuesday also decided to distribute bicycles to all students of class 8 in state-run and state-aided schools across the state in 2018-19 at an estimated cost of Rs 185 crore.Patna, Jan 3 : A special team of Bihar Police on Wednesday seized fake stamp papers worth Rs 10 crore in the state capital, a senior police official said.

"A police team seized fake stamp papers near Rajender Nagar flyover here. However, those involved in the racket managed to escape," Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj told reporters.

According to the SSP, police teams are conducting raids at various places in Patna since the recovery of fake stamp papers.

"We suspect that more fake stamp papers have been brought to the state capital and the police are making all efforts to recover those," Maharaj added.

In 2013, the Patna Police had seized fake stamp papers worth Rs 107 crore and arrested 16 people in this connection.New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Congress on Wednesday accused the government of being anti-Dalit and exploiting the community in BJP-ruled states after the opposition was not allowed to discuss the violence in Maharashtra in Parliament as they also demanded a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The party questioned why was Modi silent on the incidents of violence that paralysed parts of Maharashtra.

"We gave a notice in Rajya Sabha that the proceedings in the House should be stopped and should discuss the attack and exploitation of the Dalit society in the past three and a half years," said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"Where ever there is a BJP government, Dalits have been being exploited in the past three and a half years. They are being killed, beaten up, raped and then killed and also burnt alive," he said, adding that "Haryana has become an 'akhara' for such incidents".

"Similar is the case in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and shameful incidents in Gujarat."

"We are deeply pained for not being allowed to raise the issue of Dalits in the House. Even television (Rajya Sabha TV) was turned off, so that no one gets to know that there is opposition as well," he said.

"I strongly condemn this attitude on part of BJP. They are anti-Dalit. When we raise these issues, they accuse us of diverting the attention," he added.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said: "The state government failed to provide protection to the people. NCP leader Sharad Pawarji got information that right-wing group people tried to stoke violence.

"We had demanded that a sitting Supreme Court judge should conduct an impartial inquiry. We wanted the Prime Minister to come and give a reply in the Parliament but he didn't. He never talks about the Dalits in the Parliament. Why is he silent on the issue?"

The shutdown called by various Dalit parties in Maharashtra on Wednesday was a fallout of Monday's riots in Pune district, during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818.

Members of the Dalit community had gathered around the Victory Pillar erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting started leading to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangale.

At a separate press conference, party leader Veerappa Moily, referring to Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh chief Prakash Ambedkar -- the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar -- naming Shivjagar Pratisthan President Sambhaji Bhide Guruji and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti President Milind Ekbote as behind the riots, alleged that there were pictures of the two "talking intimately" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharshtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"This is very strange that people who have to maintain peace, run the government, should associate very closely with the people who are known disrupters of peace, communal harmony and this has to be condemned," he said.Hama (Syria), Jan 3 : A Russian military helicopter crashed near Hama in northwest Syria last week, killing both of its pilots, the Russia's Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday.

A technician aboard the doomed Mi-24 chopper survived Sunday's crash, which was caused by mechanical problems, the ministry said.

"The two pilots died during an emergency landing, 15 kilometres from their air base," the ministry stated.

The helicopter was escorting a convoy at the time of the crash and clipped power cables before it came down, the Conflict Intelligence Team non-government organisation reported.

CIT said it did not know if the convoy being escorted by the chopper was transporting humanitarian aid or military equipment.LOS ANGELES, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stacy Blackman Consulting, the leading b-school admissions consulting firm, today announced the launch of its GRE and GMAT test prep service.



We offer the best-in-class GMAT and GRE experts to help test takers increase their score significantly, said Stacy Blackman, founder and President of Stacy Blackman Consulting. This new service is a natural extension of our b-school consulting service and will help b-school applicants shine on these standardized tests and be even more successful with their applications.

The Stacy Blackman GMAT and GRE test prep service uses a unique approach that focuses on recognizing individual learning styles, discovering flaws in foundation knowledge and setting goals. The team of expert teachers are not only experts in the GMAT and GRE exams, but also understand that clear explanation, goal setting and reinforced practice are crucial.

The curriculum is based on an individualized approach, using the best available test prep materials. The instructor tailors the test prep program for each clients strengths and learning style, with a focus on deeper understanding of the content and smart test strategies.

Fees for the GRE and GMAT test prep service with Stacy Blackman Consulting are based on hourly rates, with packages of one, five, ten, 20 and 30 hours available.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is intended to assess analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA.

The GRE has more test takers than any other graduate school exam and is used to determine graduate school admissions, including b-school. It is designed to be a critical thinking exam, with two essays sections (issue essay and analysis of the argument essay), verbal reasoning section and quantitative reasoning section.

About Stacy Blackman Consulting

Stacy Blackman Consulting (www.StacyBlackman.com) has helped clients gain admission to every top business school in the world. With a world class team of consultants, including former admissions officers from every top school, the firm applies a personalized approach to each applicant. SBC clients receive millions of dollars in merit scholarships every year.

For more media information, contact

Lisa Hendrickson, LCH Communications

516-767-8390

lisa@lchcommunications.comKolkata, Jan 4 : West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi on Wednesday condemned the incident of agitation by the student's union in the Charuchandra College here and urged the students to show "student-like courtesy" towards the teachers.

A teacher and a non-teaching staff of the college were allegedly manhandled by the students during an agitation in the principal's chamber on Tuesday, following which the college authority declared an indefinite shutdown from Wednesday.

"The students should not behave like that. They should show student-like courtesy. Their attempt to assault the teachers, show that they do not have proper education," Tripathi said.

The shutdown in the college was later withdrawn after Education Minister Partha Chatterjee criticised both the parties involved in the incident.

Protesting against the removal of a security guard from the college, a section of the students had agitated at the principal's chamber and gheraoed the teaching and non-teaching staff from 2 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. on Tuesday.Mangaluru, Jan 4 : Four persons were arrested on Wednesday in Karnataka's Suratkal town near here for the alleged murder of a 32-year-old man, whom the opposition BJP claimed to be a "Hindu activist".

"The suspects were arrested when they were trying to escape after attacking the victim - Deepak Rao - at Katipalla in the town," Dakishna Kannada Superintendent of Police S.K. Reddy told IANS.

Rao, a sales executive with a mobile phones distributor, in Mangaluru, about 350km from the Bengaluru, was riding a motorbike at Katipalla when the accused waylaid and assaulted him with a machete between 1.30-2 p.m.

"A bleeding Rao was rushed to a private hospital at Suratkal for emergency treatment, but doctors declared him dead," said Reddy.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh saod that the suspects were nabbed after they were chased and intercepted by police which fired at the car in which they were fleeing from the crime spot.

"We recovered the weapon (machete) with which Rao was hacked," added Reddy.

The four arrested were identified as Mulky Naushad, Rizwan, Pinky Nawaz and Nirshan.

Right wing outfit Bajrang Dal also claimed that Rao was one of its members in the coastal district.

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy rushed Additional Director General of Police Kamal Pant to the town to inquire into the incident.

The state government also deployed additional police to maintain law and order and ensure peace, as the BJP and Bajrang Dal called for a day-long shutdown in the coastal district on Thursday in protest against the murderous attack on Rao.London, Jan 4 : Five men and a woman were arrested in Britain on Wednesday on suspicion of belonging to banned far-right terrorist group National Action.

Britain's West Midlands Police said the suspects, aged between 21 and 37, were detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, Xinhua news agency reported.

The arrests were pre-planned and intelligence-led with no threat to the public's safety, the police said.

They are the latest in a wave of arrests of alleged National Action members since the group was made a proscribed terrorist organisation in December 2016.

It is the first extreme right-wing group to be outlawed in Britain.

Founded in 2013, National Action became the first British neo-Nazi group to be banned after British Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it was promoting violence and acts of terrorism.Damascus, Jan 4 : The Syrian government forces have captured as many as 70 towns and villages in key rebel-strongholds in northern Syria over the past 75 days, a monitor group reported on Wednesday.

Intense battles have been raging since the Syrian army launched an offensive in the northern countryside of the central province of Hama and the adjacent southern countryside of the northwestern province of Idlib against the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee (LLC) and other allied terrorists.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the government forces are heavily shelling the terrorists' positions in the southern countryside of Idlib amid bad weather conditions in that part of the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Syrian warplanes are also pounding the areas near the city of Khan Sheikhoun and the town of Tamana' in Idlib countryside, said the observatory.

The London-based watchdog group added that the Syrian warplanes struck a museum in the city of Marat al-Numan in southern Idlib a day earlier, leaving big destruction in the building.Dr. Christopher Bogart, new President of the Board of Directors for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities I look forward continuing the organization's essential work providing families with knowledge, guidance and support

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities (SKLD) is proud to announce the election of Dr. Christopher Bogart as President of its Board of Directors. Smart Kids has also expanded its Board with the election of three new members: Claire Haft of Greenwich, CT; Cathy Irwin of New Canaan, CT; and Joan Lombardozzi of Stamford, CT.

Christopher M. Bogart, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in both the private and public sectors for the past twenty years. In 2010, Dr. Bogart founded The Southfield Center for Development, a family-centered, interdisciplinary practice providing an integrated approach to learning, emotional, and behavior issues. Dr. Bogart serves as the executive director.

"To be chosen as the President of the Board is a true honor, Dr. Bogart said. Smart Kids has been at the forefront of recognizing these children's strengths, and advocating for the development of their abilities in addition to addressing their weaknesses. I look forward to continuing the organization's essential work providing families with knowledge, guidance and support."

Dr. Bogart received his undergraduate training at Georgetown University and his doctoral degree from The American University. He has served as staff psychologist at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and Director of Psychology at the Rockland Childrens Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg, New York. While serving at Rockland, Dr. Bogart organized and administered an externship training program for clinical psychology and social work graduate students, and he devised a hospital-wide behavior modification program for children. He has also conducted research studies in ADHD, social skills training, and depression in children.

Claire Tisne Haft is a columnist for Greenwich Time and the mother of three children. Ms. Haft was formerly Vice President, Director of Subsidiary Rights for the Random House Publishing Group and facilitator for Random House Productions, a joint venture between the publishing house and Focus Films. She is a voting member of the British Academy of Film and Television after serving on its board for the East Coast Chapter, and a board member of the US Dyspraxia Foundation.

"A mind that is wired differently from the norm holds gifts beyond what we ever thought possible," Ms. Haft said. Smart Kids helps families discover the gifts of their children.

Cathy Irwin is a certified Orton-Gillingham reading tutor at The Stanwich School in Greenwich, CT, and has previously taught at the Lindamood-Bell Learning Center in Connecticut and the Xavier University Lab School. Ms. Irwin has served on the boards of the New Canaan Community Foundation and the United Way of New Canaan. She is a graduate of Xavier University, Stonier Graduate School of Banking, and Mount Holyoke College.

I am very much looking forward to serving on the Smart Kids Board, and helping them continue to fulfill their mission of educating, guiding, and inspiring parents of children with learning disabilities and ADHD, Ms. Irwin said.

Joan Lombardozzi is the Director of HR Services at Arch Capital Services, based in White Plains, NY. She has spent 25 years in Human Resources holding HR positions at Thomson & Thomson, Homesite Insurance, and MagnaCare, Inc., in addition to her current role. Ms. Lombardozzi served on the Board of Directors of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford, CT. She resides in Stamford, CT with her husband and son.

About Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc.

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. is a Westport-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the parents of children with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorders (ADHD) via its educational programs, award-winning website and blog, and free e-newsletter at http://www.SmartKidswithLD.org. The organization also educates the public about these childrens gifts and talents. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Anne Ford, and Southport School Head Ben Powers are Honorary Board members. Henry Winkler, Golden Globe award-winning actor, director and author, serves as the organizations Honorary Chairman.

For more information, visit http://www.SmartKidswithLD.org.Hotel Walloon is pleased to present The Last Good Country: Walloon Lake, an Ernest Hemingway Occasion. This third annual event celebrating Ernest Hemingway's connection to the northern Michigan area will take place Friday, April 27th, 2018, through Sunday, April 29th, 2018. The three-day event package includes two nights' accommodation at the 32-room boutique hotel.

On Friday, April 27th, 2018, the event begins with a meet-n-greet with Valerie Hemingway, who was both a personal assistant and daughter-in-law to the late author. Ms. Hemingway is author of "Running with Bulls," a memoir of her years working with her father-in-law. The meet-in-greet will be accompanied by Ernest Hemingway inspired drinks and hors d'oeuvres, compliments of the Walloon Lake Inn. Following the meet-n-greet, guests of the event will accompany Valerie Hemingway and Chris Struble, of the Michigan Hemingway Society, to the historic Walloon Lake Inn for a Nick Adams Feast.

On Saturday, April 29th, 2017, guests will have the opportunity to take two guided tours highlighting many of the local areas featured in "The Nick Adams Stories." The first will be a guided trolley tour of Horton Bay with Chris Struble, a local historian and President of the Michigan Hemingway Society. The second tour will consist of a guided walking tour around Petoskey, exploring Hemingways favorite places from back in the day. Guests will be encouraged to enjoy lunch at City Park Grill, one of Hemingways favorite places. In the evening guests will enjoy a cocktail hour and second meet-n-greet with Valerie Hemingway. Following the cocktail hour and meet-n-greet, Valerie Hemingway will share tales of Ernest Hemingway from her time as his personal assistant and daughter-in-law. Saturday evenings cocktail hour, meet-n-greet and speaking engagement by Valerie Hemingway will take place at The Talcott Event Center, directly across the street from Hotel Walloon, and will be open to the general public.

The weekend long Hemingway celebration commences on Sunday, April 29th, 2018, following the "Sun Also Rises" breakfast at Barrel Back Restaurant and a fly fishing demonstration by Brian Kozminski to honor the opening of trout season in Northern Michigan, a favorite past time of Ernest Hemingway.

Centrally located between Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix on Walloon Lake, Hotel Walloon is the perfect "home away from home" to enjoy all the adventure northern Michigan has to offer. Come experience the area that Hemingway enjoyed as a young man and fondly referred to as The Last Good Country in his writing.

For more information and to book your reservation, please call (231) 535-5000 or visit http://www.HotelWalloon.com.

Media Inquiries:

Allison Bond

Allison(at)HotelWalloon.com

(231) 497-2017

4127 N. M-75

Walloon Lake, MI 49796Intelligent Delivery Platform delivers the Best Experience. Period.

We are honored that Deloitte has recognized Dealer-FX once again as one of the fastest growing companies in North America, said Gary Kalk, President and CEO. This continued recognition confirms that Dealer-FX is on the right track. Our ONE Platform leverages mobile applications, deep data integration and intelligent analytics to deliver a frictionless experience to consumers, and increased efficiency, profitability, and brand loyalty to dealers and our OEM partners. No one in our industry can match the capabilities of our intelligent delivery platform and the Dealer-FX teams dedication to our clients success.

Dealer-FXs growth over the past year has been fueled by the addition of new OEM partners,

enhancements to ONE Platform, continued geographic expansion and the dedication of our amazing team.

About Dealer-FX

Dealer-FX is transforming how millions of consumers interact with automotive brands and their retailers. Our customer experience management platform uses advanced data analysis and mobile applications to deliver convenience, transparency and trust to consumers, and increased efficiency, profitability, retention and brand loyalty to OEMs and dealers. We are backed by the strength and resources of HGGC, a private equity firm in Palo Alto, CA.

Our core offering, ONE Platform, is comprised of seven components, which along with the Service Dashboard, manage the entire service experience from initial contact through drive-off and to next visit. It delivers the best dealer service experience. Period.

Dealer-FX is the exclusive or preferred service technology provider for FCA, Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, Audi, Mitsubishi and several other OEMs in the US and Canada, and has more than 2,000 dealership clients. Dealer-FX is based in Toronto, ON, and maintains an office in Rochester Hills, MI. For more information please visit dealer-fx.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.Monroe-Woodbury Central School District joins Empire State Purchasing Group By using the Empire State Purchasing Group, our valued vendors can now access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state.

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District announced today that it has joined the Empire State Purchasing Group, a regional purchasing group that helps local governments post, distribute and manage RFPs, quotes, addendums and awards online. BidNets Empire State Purchasing Group provides notification to registered vendors of new relevant solicitations, any addenda and award information from over 200 participating agencies from across New York. Monroe-Woodbury Central School District invites all potential vendors to register online by visiting http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york to access its upcoming solicitations.

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District joined the purchasing group in December. In joining, Monroe-Woodbury Central School District has become the 210th participating local government agency utilizing the system to streamline the purchasing process. The Empire State Purchasing Group is a single, online location for managing sourcing information and activities and provides local New York government agencies a method to minimize costs and time delays associated with the procurement process. Monroe-Woodbury Central School District was distributing bids and managing the procurement process manually before joining the purchasing group. In joining, Monroe-Woodbury Central School District looks to save time, increase competition and achieve cost savings over the traditional paper-based bid process.

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District now has access to an extensive vendor pool, thereby enhancing competition without increasing distribution costs. In addition to the existing vendors on the Empire State Purchasing Group, all vendors looking to respond to bids with local government agencies can register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. Monroe-Woodbury Central School District invites all current vendors not already registered on the purchasing group to do so today. Vendor registration is easy and takes only a few minutes online.

Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information. In addition, the Empire State Purchasing Group offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeted to their industry, all addenda associated with those bids and advance notice of term contract expiration. A robust NIGP code category list allows vendors registering to find the correct codes and receive matched bids.

By using the Empire State Purchasing Group, our valued vendors can now access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state. In addition to the time savings we anticipate, our vendors will also benefit from registering in one location for all local bid opportunities. We invite all of our current vendors to register or contact the vendor support team with any questions, stated Mr. Patrick Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Management Services of Monroe-Woodbury Central School District.

Vendors may register on the Empire State Purchasing Group: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. BidNets vendor support team is available to answer any questions regarding the registration process or the purchasing group at 800-835-4603 option 2.

Other local New York government agencies looking to switch from a manual bid process, please contact the Empire State Purchasing Group for a demonstration of the no-cost sourcing solution.

About Monroe-Woodbury Central School District:

The Monroe-Woodbury Central School District is located approximately 45 miles north of New York City and geographically includes the towns of Monroe, Harriman, most of Woodbury and parts of Tuxedo, Chester and Blooming Grove. M-W serves a population of approximately 36,585 people with 65 percent employed outside the area. Its unique location in the Lake Region of Southern Orange County at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains offers the charm of a clean suburban/rural countryside within easy driving distance of New York City. The community has traditionally offered outstanding support for the school district. A quality education is a major community priority.

About the Empire State Purchasing Group:

The Empire State Purchasing Group is a part of BidNets regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. With years of input from procurement professionals, BidNet specifically developed the bid system to fill the need for a robust bid and supplier management solution for local government agencies. BidNet runs 21 regional purchasing groups used by over 1,200 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyersENTHRALL CLIMAX The forthcoming ENTHRALL CLIMAX has already stirred the romance community with a feverish anticipation.

February 12, 2018 will bring the release of ENTHRALL CLIMAX by USA TODAY bestselling romance author Vanessa Fewings. The novel will be the eighth and final installment of the ENTHRALL SESSIONS, stories about the most exclusive private club for the wealthy in Los Angeles.

At the center of this sensual milieu is the fiery couple Mia Lauren and Cameron Cole. In a literary genre that has seen an explosion of interest in recent years, sparked by the release of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, Vanessa Fewings has entranced readers worldwide with intimate tales marked with indelible characters fueled by a thrilling narrative.

From the release of the first book ENTHRALL, the series has captured the imagination of romance fans by creating a unique, provocative story tinged with an intellectual edge. The distinctive and captivating images of chandeliers supply simple, yet stunning cover art for the novels, branding the ENTHRALL SESSIONS with a visual touch recognizable to readers around the globe.

The forthcoming ENTHRALL CLIMAX has already stirred the romance community with a feverish anticipation. Writing about these characters has been an emotional journey I will forever cherish, remarked Fewings. I look forward to readers diving into the world of ENTHRALL one final time.

British-born Vanessa Fewings is also the author of the popular ICON TRILOGY from HarperCollins: HQN Books. Shes represented by premiere literary agent Kimberly Whalen of The Whalen Agency. International interest has been led with the foreign rights sale of the ENTHRALL SESSIONS to Paris French publishing house J'ai lu pour elle which will also be releasing the ICON TRILOGY as SUBLIMES VERTIGES in 2018.

For press inquiries and requests, visit Vanessa Fewings's official website or contact Vanessa(at)VanessaFewings(dot)com or Buoni Amici Press.Addressing the demand for clinical solutions to supervise overprescribing patients, Benzer Pharmacy announces that it will provide Medical Therapy Management (MTM) to its customers.

Often times patients seeking consultation with multiple doctors are prescribed various medications for different ailments. When combined, these medications have reduced effectiveness and can even cause severe side effects.

In other circumstances, different doctors may prescribe the same medication, leaving the patient with overdoses of their prescriptions. Until now, there was no one to help oversee a patients overall health journey.

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is a patient-centric approach to bridge the gap between pharmacists and patients. By providing increased access to pharmacists, patients are able to take on a more active role in their wellness journey, says Alpesh Patel, President of Benzer Pharmacy.

MTM services include pharmacotherapy consultation, progress check-ins, anticoagulation management, health and wellness programs, immunizations and medication therapy reviews, among others.

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is a program that helps ensure the patient is adherent with their medications, states Jazz Harvey, CPhT at Benzer Pharmacy. At Benzer Pharmacy an MTM Specialist works alongside pharmacists to ensure the systematic process of collecting patient-specific information, assessing medication therapies to identify medication-related problems, developing a prioritized list of medication-related problems, and creating a plan to resolve them, adds Jazz Harvey, CPhT

Benzer Pharmacy will offer Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) to all beneficiaries enrolled in the MTM program annually. Beneficiaries may refuse or decline individual services or disenroll themselves from the MTM program upon request.

A CMR as defined by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is a systematic process of collecting patient-specific information, assessing medication therapies to identify medication-related problems, developing a prioritized list of medication-related problems, and creating a plan to resolve them with the patient, caregiver and/or prescriber.

Benzer Pharmacy provides patients with a sealed medication holder, a blister pack, which is labeled for a 31-day period and divided into morning, noon, evening and night doses. Each pack has a standard pharmacy label with medications already sorted, to increase the convenience of health management.

Pharmacy Technicians at Benzer Pharmacy will also assist in MTM services by identifying patients, collecting information, scheduling CMR appointments, submitting claims, contacting prescribers, and monitoring the progress of MTM services.

MTM will be able to address the Opioid Crisis in the future, concludes Alpesh Patel.

Talk to a Benzer pharmacist today to learn how you or your loved one can begin MTM today.

About Benzer Pharmacy

As your very own chain of independent pharmacies, serving the local community, we at Benzer Pharmacy believe in going above and beyond to create the personal connection with all our customers.

We opened our first pharmacy in 2009 in Flint, Michigan, and now we have over 65 locations across Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and California.

Here at Benzer Pharmacy, our pharmacists provide patients, customers, and peers with personalized and professional health advice. We strive to maintain the well-being of the local community. Our commitment is to provide quality and affordable products from a company with an exceptional community and family values.

All Benzer Pharmacy medications require a doctor's prescription. For more information: http://www.benzerpharmacy.comTORONTO, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copper Lake Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:CPL) (Frankfurt:W0I) ("Copper Lake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its Annual General Meeting held on December 18, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, which had a turnout in person or by proxy of 26.93% of its issued and outstanding shares. All of managements nominees for directors being Terrence MacDonald, Jeffery Malaihollo, Paul Mcgroary, Gary OConnor and Edward Yurkowsky were approved by shareholders. All resolutions were approved as proposed by more than 99% of the shares voted.



Terry MacDonald, CEO commented, We would like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders and all stakeholders for their support over the past year. As we enter 2018 we are very excited to finally begin the next stage of drilling the primary targets to advance our Marshall Lake property.

For more information on these matters, please refer to Copper Lakes Information Circular, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or visit our website at www.copperlakeresources.com.

About Copper Lake Resources

Copper Lake Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded Canadian company currently focused on advancing two significant properties located in Ontario, Canada:

The Marshall Lake VMS copper, zinc, silver and gold property is an advanced exploration stage property located 120 km north of Geraldton, Ontario via good all weather gravel road from the Trans-Canada Highway and just 22 km north of the main CNR rail line.



Copper Lake currently has a 68.75% interest in the property and has the option to increase its interest to 75% by incurring additional expenditures of $595,000 by July 15, 2018. The Company can further increase its interest to 87.5% by taking the project to bankable feasibility stage.



The Norton Lake nickel, copper, PGM property (69.79%) is located in the southern Ring of Fire area, approximately 100 km north of the Marshall Lake property, and has a NI 43-101compliant measured and indicated resource of 2.26 million tonnes @ 0.67% Ni, 0.61% Cu, 0.03% Co and 0.46 g/t Pd.





On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Terrence MacDonald

Chief Executive Officer and Director

www.copperlakeresources.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.

Contact:

Terrence MacDonald

Phone: 416-561-3626Chicago, Ill. (January 3, 2018)  SVN | Chicago Commercial, one of the nations premier net lease brokerage firms, recently completed the sale of two commercial buildings in Illinois for a total of $24 million. SVN | Chicago Commercial advised the buyers in the purchase of 19-27 West Jefferson St. in Naperville, Ill. and 1230-1242 West Washington Blvd. in Chicago.

19-27 West Jefferson St. is a 15,412-square-foot retail and office property comprised of four buildings in downtown Naperville. The property sold for $10.5 million under the advisement of Tim Franz, Senior Advisor of SVN | Chicago Commercial, who facilitated the transaction between the buyer, Samuel L. Rubin Co., and the seller, Town Center Holdings, LLC.

This deal presented a rare value-add opportunity to acquire a stabilized asset in a very strong market within Naperville, providing both the seller and the buyer with an ideal scenario, said Franz. The downtown property also offers the possibility of additional mixed-use development for even greater potential of value creation on the site.

The Jefferson Street property is well-situated on one of the most prominent streets in downtown Naperville, featuring a high-quality tenancy and easy accessibility. Retail tenants in the four-building asset include Jimmy Johns, LuluLemon, Coldstone Creamery, Francescas Collection and Adagio Teas.

SVN | Chicago Commercials second high-value transaction includes 1230-1242 West Washington Blvd. a 60,000-square-foot mixed-use property comprised of three office and self-storage buildings in Chicago. The property sold for $13.5 million to CLK Properties, in partnership with RCG Longview. Scott Maesel, Chad Schroedl and Drew Dillion of SVN | Chicago Commercial represented the buyers.

Fulton Market property values have soared in the past several years as multi-national companies like Google, Glassdoor and McDonalds have opened offices in the area, said Drew Dillon, Senior Advisor at SVN | Chicago Commercial. Located in the heart of Chicagos West Loop, one of the hottest neighborhoods in the country, this property sold for nearly triple its original price, making this a great value-add for the seller.

The Washington Boulevard property is conveniently located two blocks from the new 600,000-square-foot world headquarters for McDonalds, which is currently under construction.

About SVN | Chicago Commercial

SVN | Chicago Commercial is an independently owned and operated SVN office. The SVN organization is a globally recognized commercial real estate entity united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues and our communities. The SVN Brand is comprised of over 1,600 Advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across the globe in six countries. Our brand pillars represent the transparency, innovation and inclusivity that enables all our advisors to collaborate with the entire real estate industry on behalf of our clients. SVNs unique Shared Value Network is just one of the many ways that SVN advisors create amazing value with our clients, colleagues and communities. For more information, visit http://www.svn.com.Lucas Group The Chief People Officer role is a great opportunity for an HR leader to establish this joint venture as an employer of choice in the Denver market.

Lucas Group, the leader in North American executive search, announced that the firms Denver branch has been retained to lead the Chief People Officer (CPO) search for the new joint venture formed by affiliates of KSL Capital Partners, LLC (KSL) and Henry Crown and Company (HCC).

This newly formed venture is a leading lifestyle and outdoors company that will shape the ski and mountain resort business globally. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the combined entity represents close to $3 billion in enterprise value and has significant room to grow through additional acquisitions.

The CPO will be responsible for 20,000 employees across the United States and Canada.

Lucas Group is thrilled to support this new joint venture that is driving change for the entire ski industry, said Kyle Lehman, Managing Partner, Human Resources Executive Search. The Chief People Officer role is a great opportunity for an HR leader to establish this joint venture as an employer of choice in the Denver market.

Lucas Group has a long history of successfully placing high-performing CPOs and we are confident that we will deliver the dynamic talent this position requires.

Individuals interested in the role can connect to Kyle Lehman directly at KLehman@lucasgroup.com.

About Lucas Group

Lucas Group is North Americas premier executive search firm. Since 1970, our culture and methodologies have driven superior results. We assist clients ranging in size from small to medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies find transcendent, executive talent; candidates fully realize their ambitions; and associates find professional success. To learn more, please visit Lucas Group at http://www.lucasgroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.Advantage Engineers, LLC, a professional services company providing comprehensive consulting solutions in the highly specialized fields of telecommunications, geotechnical and environmental engineering and California-based Synergy Development Services and Synergy Engineering Services (Synergy), an all-inclusive telecommunications engineering and consulting firm servicing the countrys leading wireless carriers, announced today a merger agreement. The combined entity will have over 300 employees across the country, enabling it to better serve national and regional customers. Synergy will operate as a division of Advantage Engineers.

Advantage Engineers also announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed John McGrath as Chief Executive Officer. McGrath has over 25 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry and has served as Advantage Engineers' Chief Operating Officer since 2012. He will succeed Advantage Engineers founder Ed Balsavage, who will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

For the past 16 years, Advantage Engineers has delivered industry-leading technical transformation on thousands of projects across the telecommunications, energy, industrial, transportation and utility sectors, said John McGrath. Synergy has a strong track record of delivering innovative engineering solutions to a complementary customer base. Our combined engineering and consulting capabilities will enable us to better serve the countrys leading wireless carriers nationwide.

Since founding Synergy in 2004, Ryan Shields, founder and President, and his leadership team have been trusted leaders in wireless development and are experts in outside plant audits and small cell advancement. Synergy is headquartered in Van Nuys, CA and has five other offices including Santa Rosa, CA; Irvine, CA; Ventura, CA; Las Vegas, NV; and Bozeman, MT.

Synergy is a trusted engineering leader in the wireless industry due to our employees expertise and their dedication to customers success, said Ryan Shields. Advantage Engineers has great telecommunications engineering expertise and a complementary customer base. By joining forces, we can provide an even better experience for our customers across the country.

Ryan Shields will join the Advantage Engineers leadership team as Vice President of the Synergy Division and will continue to oversee daily operations of Synergy. He will also join Advantage Engineers Board of Directors.

Founded in 2001, Advantage Engineers provides comprehensive engineering solutions including site acquisition, engineering consulting, and construction management in the highly specialized fields of telecommunications, geotechnical and environmental. Advantage Engineers is headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA and has eight other offices including Pittsburgh, PA; Fairfield, NJ; Mt. Laurel, NJ; West Chester, PA; Allentown, PA; Columbia, MD; Denver, CO; and Raleigh, NC.

In 2016, Advantage Engineers partnered with First Capital Partners, LLC and Patriot Capital Group to launch the next phase of its strategic growth. Both firms possess in-depth industry and operational expertise that have enabled Advantage Engineers to accelerate growth and deliver the highest quality of work to its clients.

About Advantage Engineers

Advantage Engineers provides comprehensive services in specialized fields of engineering and consulting. The company has more than 200 engineering, project and program management, real estate, geological, scientific, environmental and technical professionals. From their nine offices, Advantage Engineers provides services throughout the U.S. The firm is highly sought after by clients in a variety of industry sectors including geotechnical, environmental, and telecommunications engineering. Visit http://www.advantageengineers.com for more information.

About Synergy Development Services

Founded in 2004, Synergy Development Services provides all-inclusive telecommunications engineering and consulting services to the countrys leading wireless carriers. Synergy is headquartered in Van Nuys, CA and has five other offices including Santa Rosa, CA; Irvine, CA; Ventura, CA; Las Vegas, NV; and Bozeman, MT. Visit http://www.synergydevelopmentservices.com for more information.MyCRM Logo I have witnessed first-hand MyCRM go from strength to strength over the years and have worked in partnership with Alistair in helping deliver the best CRM solutions to a number of key customers. Mike Spink Past News Releases RSS

Isle of Wight based Solution Provider and Software Development Company MyCRM has today announced its growth plans for 2018 and 2019. MyCRM provides a range of business services around the implementation and support of Microsoft Dynamics. Now in its 9th year of trading and with continued growth MyCRM are once again expanding the UK based operations.

CEO Alistair Dickinson said, We have seen steady and upward growth for the business since the inception and through great planning and financial management we have seen our customer base continue to expand, with more than 300 customers located in 27 countries. We always wanted MyCRM to offer exceptional customer engagement and not be another CRM provider that just sold technology. After 20 years of delivering CRM projects Ive seen what works and how to work with customers and organisation to deliver exceptional results.

MyCRM offer four distinct services and have a combined knowledge of over 50 years from setup, configuration and business processes to in depth technical integration and bespoke software build. The company has a single approach and this is Customer First, not technology.

Mr Dickinson went on to say Our customer first strategy pays dividends as we have no interest in looking at a sale or a project as a funding exercise. Each customer engagement presents an opportunity to help a business owner implement what is needed for their business or organisation. Our approach is very straightforward, we understand the customers business, we listen and then provide the right advice. If we cant help we also make it very clear that what we do is not a good fit and give reasons why, however in most cases we go on to deliver the best, most relevant integrated solution.

As part of the MyCRM growth strategy for 2018 and 2019 a number of new roles have been created and MyCRM is very proud to announce that veteran Business Solutions and Head of CRM, Mike Spink, has recently been appointed to move the sales, partner and customer first strategy forward to the next level.

Mike, when asked said; I have witnessed first-hand MyCRM go from strength to strength over the years and have worked in partnership with Alistair in helping deliver the best CRM solutions to a number of key customers. I have seen MyCRM succeed where many other CRM partners have failed and now relish the opportunity to work for a well-structured organisation that plans its approach and engages customers in an honest and truthful manner, something that really is a breath of fresh air. What this opportunity means for me is that I now know that I have an amazing team to support me when discussing projects and the right approach with our customers. The knowledge and expertise throughout MyCRM gives me great confidence that we will continue to deliver great value by delivering what customers actually need."

MyCRM also have plans in the next 18 months to launch a new comprehensive global partner and reseller program for its subscription solutions and download products.

When asked about the product solutions Alistair went on to say MyCRM is not just about reselling a CRM offering, we build and sell pre-packaged components that can either be subscribed to or downloaded. This makes the team very versatile and skilled and there are still about 12 new solutions on the future MyCRM road map.

MyCRM will be launching a number of new approaches to fixed price CRM and new packages over the next few days and weeks. You can find more and the latest by visiting the main blog site at http://blog.mycrmgroup.com

If you would like to find out more about MyCRM you can visit our website at http://www.mycrmgroup.com or complete out CRM review page here http://www.mycrmgroup.com/crmreview

About MyCRM

MyCRM is now in its 9th year of trading and has seen continued growth and profits, we continue to innovate, design and work with customers around the globe to offer a unique friendly and honest service. MyCRM is a privately owned limited organisation registered and based in the UK, with customer in 27 countries around the world.

Visit the MyCRM Download Centre here https://downloads.mycrmgroup.com/

If you would like to find out more from the team you can email Poppy on pr(at)mycrmgroup.com or Mike on sales(at)mycrmgroup.comTamika Lechee Morales is the first recipient of the Today's Inspired Latina Woman of the Year Award. Being the recipient of the very first Todays Inspired Latina Woman of the Year award is more than just a high honor. Its an acknowledgement that when you do what you love and you do it wholeheartedly, the world will notice.

Honored for her compassion and proactive roles within the Hispanic community, Algonquin resident Tamika Lechee Morales recently became the recipient of the first annual Todays Inspired Latina Woman of the Year Award.

The award was given to Morales by Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz, the creator of the highly successful and empowering Todays Inspired Latina (TIL) book series. The series, which contains three volumes, showcases the poignant collection of stories from 78 successful Latinas around the world. Volume IV will come out in spring 2018.

Morales, a second grade dual language teacher at Channing Memorial Elementary School in Elgin and an actress and playwright, contributed her story to Todays Inspired Latina Volume III.

Being the recipient of the very first Todays Inspired Latina Woman of the Year award is more than just a high honor, said Morales, who is of Puerto Rican heritage. Its an acknowledgement that when you do what you love and you do it wholeheartedly, the world will notice. My willingness to share and help people is abundant. I wouldnt be who I am today if it wasnt for all of those who shared and invested in me and continue to do so day in and day out. I want to do the same for others. Its my way of showing gratitude.

To select a honoree, Camacho-Ruiz looked at a Latinas transparency, compassion and activism.

I chose someone who is contributing to her community, proactive in her approach and who is accomplished, she said. There was one person that really stood out to me and that was Tamika, said Camacho-Ruiz. She was unbelievably connected to her community and very proactive. Presenting this award confirms my commitment to Latinas and the magic and beauty that we are experiencing through Todays Inspired Latina.

Some of Morales activities included working behind the scenes of the Volume III book launch, coordinating the itinerary for several authors visiting New York, and raising funds from TIL book sales in New York and collecting items to help the residents of Puerto Rico who were devastated by losses from recent hurricanes. Morales also dedicates herself to helping families affected with autism.

Proud of being a Latina, Morales said that this award is very special to her.

We, Latinas, are a force to be reckon with as we make strides in leadership, education, entrepreneurship, authorship, the arts and more, she said. We can do it all hence why I am a teacher, actor, playwright, author, entrepreneur, mother and president of The Autism Hero Project, a nonprofit organization. I truly believe we are your everyday Wonder Women. We prove to people that we can do all things and when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

For more information about Todays Inspired Latina, visit http://www.todayslatina.com

About the Book Series:

Todays Inspired Latina, Volume I, Volume II and Volume III, is a book series of inspiration and hope, a poignant collection of personal stories that will activate your passion. These are success stories that need to be told, to motivate our community and generations to come. By overcoming language barriers, self-doubts and other obstacles in their way, these strong Latinas are a great example of how inspiration and perseverance can lead you to happiness and success in business and life. Its a positive, empowering read for anyone sitting on a dream and thinking it cant come true. Todays Inspired Latina shows that it can! Learn more at http://www.todayslatina.comMessageGears

Hybrid email marketing provider MessageGears enjoyed another year of record growth with multiple awards, upgrades, and most importantly, a growing list of headliner enterprise clients and fans. The marketing messaging platform has been scaling up on all sides and will level up further in 2018.

Orbitz, Ebates, Chick-fil-A, and AmTrust Financial are some of the newest additions to MessageGears brands. These leading brands moved to MessageGears largely because of the companys innovative hybrid platform, which helps large consumer-facing companies move faster and deliver richer customer experiences in real time. The solution gives marketers direct access to all their internal customer data without replication or syncing, allowing companies to keep their sensitive information on their existing databases. This allows marketers to implement advanced personalization programs with the highest level of security.

In 2017, MessageGears has more than tripled its total employee count and moved into a 12,000-square-foot office space in downtown Atlanta. The company also secured a $2.75M round of funding from existing investors Covalent Interests and Hallett Capital in June 2017, following the initial $2.3M the company received in June 2016. This massive growth earned MessageGears a Pacesetter Award from The Atlanta Business Chronicle and inclusion in Atlantas 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list for the second year in a row.

On the development end, MessageGears platform received major improvements designed to increase overall performance and provide marketing teams with messaging tools that are extremely powerful and flexible yet easy-to-use. After a complete overhaul of the audience and campaign management interface, marketers can more easily harness all of their customer data for deeper segmentation and message personalization in real time. The company also added a full set of new APIs, support for Envelope Encryption, and built-in integrations and support for new data sources like Amazon Redshift, Snowflake, hadoop, Google BigQuery.

These product enhancements along with MessageGears white-glove account management approach led to the company being recognized with several awards in 2017, including:



A finalist in the SIIA CODiE Awards for Best Marketing Solution. MessageGears was honored as one of 205 finalists across 59 business technology categories.

Seven awards in the The Relevancy Ring ESP Buyers Guide 2017, a detailed ESP ranking from The Relevancy Group, a digital marketing advisory and research firm. MessageGears received Gold Client Satisfaction awards in the categories of infrastructure/stability, integration, technical support, and overall value, plus three Silver awards in product integration, deliverability and account management.

A Bronze Stevie Award in the category of Most Innovative Technology Company of the Year from the American Business Awards. This is the third consecutive year MessageGears received a Stevie.

"We are very excited for 2018. Increasingly, more large enterprises find that MessageGears is the only viable solution for their email marketing needs," says MessageGears' CEO Roger Barnette. "Personalization, scale, security, and cost are all concerns for email marketers and MessageGears has unique solutions to address all of these needs. We have a great and growing team that is dedicated to improving how these businesses access and utilize their internal data quickly, securely, and effectively."

---

About MessageGears

MessageGears is the only email service provider that enables the worlds top brands to send dynamic, high-volume marketing messages with speed and precision by providing a platform that overcomes the inherent limitations of marketing cloud email systems. MessageGears works almost exclusively with large business-to-consumer (B2C) companies, including Expedia, Orbitz Worldwide, Chick-fil-A, AmTrust, and Ebates. Founded in 2010, MessageGears is based in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, please visit http://www.messagegears.com.

###

Company Contact:

Will Devlin

will.devlin(at)messagegears.com

Media Contact:

Stephanie Richards

SowGrow PR

678-744-7690

contact(at)sowgrowpr.com"I am looking forward to sharing Medigrams exciting breakthroughs in the development of our platform and how it will transform the way physician communication is leveraged, thereby saving lives and driving significant impacts to healthcare systems financial bottom lines said Ms. Douville.

Medigram is an early growth stage Health IT Company. The Medigram platform is an advanced, intelligent HIPAA compliant communication platform that delivers event driven messaging and real time insights. Its designed to replace pagers and to enable data communication from IoT. Its the only system designed for delivering insights in real time. Were addressing a growing $5B+ market. Medigram can contribute $5M annually to the bottom line for a medium size hospital. The Medigram team is comprised of strong professionals including experienced health system executives with data management, clinical program development, and IT expertise.

Through instant insights from clinician communications, Medigram aims to radically improve hospital revenues and patient safety. The company seeks to disrupt the status quo of delayed communication currently via pagers, fax machines, legacy web-era technologies ineffective for mobile platforms, unsecure, and unreliable communications that are at the root cause of the deadly problem of a delay in health information. Today, they announced that the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Sherri Douville, will be presenting at the 10th Annual Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase to be held on January 8  10, 2018, at the Parc 55, San Francisco, CA.

The details of Medigrams presentation are as follows:



Event: Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase 2018 Conference

Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Time: 3:45 pm PT

Location: B-Cyril Magnin III (4th Floor), Parc 55 San Francisco

For more information about the conference, visit: https://ebdgroup.knect365.com/digimed-showcase/agenda/1

Ms. Douville will provide an overview of the Company and recent advancements of its lead platform Medigram Enterprise, during the live presentation and will be available to participate in one-on-one meetings with attendees who are registered to attend the conference.

Additionally, Ms. Douville will be available to participate in investor and partnering meetings surrounding the 36th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference to be held January 8-11, 2018 in San Francisco, CA. Investors are encouraged to contact info(at)medigram(dot)com to request a meeting. "I am looking forward to sharing Medigrams exciting breakthroughs in the development of our platform and how it will transform the way physician communication is leveraged, thereby saving lives and driving significant impacts to healthcare systems financial bottom lines said Ms. Douville.

Medigram aims to prevent the leading cause of preventable death by reducing care team response times. Medigram also seeks to make hospitals increased revenues through Medigram instant insights, through its high load data management mechanism. A delay in information is still the leading cause of preventable death to the tune of #100K deaths in the U.S. alone annually according to the Joint Commission, the leading hospital accreditation agency. Consequently, a recent survey by CHIME (College of Health Information Management Executives) states that 65% of healthcare CIOs plan to have a system in place for sending critical diagnostic test results through and to mobile devices securely within the next three years. The Company's initial target market includes mobile communications for U.S. and ex-U.S. hospital networks representing an estimated combined market segment of $1.2 billion in 2021. Further, already designed platform functionality to communicate with medical devices will result in a combined IoT market of $5.1B by 2021 according to estimates by IDC and BCG.

About the Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase:

The Digital Medicine and Medtech Showcase is the dedicated home for the digital health and medtech communities during Biotech Showcase and one of the healthcare industrys biggest weeks. Taking place January 810, Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase has expanded to include three days of networking opportunities, curated presentations and specialized sessions. These program elements create a forum for innovative digital medicine and medtech companies to plan for successful partnerships and evaluate growth prospects in a shifting healthcare market.

About Medigram:

Medigram is an early growth stage Health IT Company. Medigram is an advanced, intelligent HIPAA compliant communication platform that delivers event driven messaging and real time insights. Its designed to replace pagers and to enable data communication from IoT. Its the only system designed for delivering insights in real time. The Medigram team is comprised of strong professionals including experienced health system executives with data management, clinical program development, and IT expertise. Medigram has developed a breakthrough service for the medical industry to save lives and for hospitals to increase revenues. Medigram can instantly flag insights from clinician chats for immediate insight into hospital operations and patient care. This can reduce critical response times by 50%. We've designed this system for instant, reliable messaging (including images and audio files) across very complicated network environments in hospitals. Medigram detects any Wi-Fi or cell connection and the physician can reply to a message when there's no cell service. Medigram is a secure, designed for HIPAA full stack system, which includes database back end, middleware, logic, and client apps for iOS, Android, desktop Windows, and the web. For more information, visit http://www.medigram.com.

Medigram contact: info(at)medigram(dot)com

Additional Links and information:

Medigram CEO Sherri Douville was recently interviewed by HealthITInfrastructure regarding the critical importance of purpose built design for mobile applications in healthcare. You can check out the full interview here: https://hitinfrastructure.com/news/healthcare-mobility-success-depends-on-strong-network-connections

Medigram is amongst the latest mobile products selected as Samsungs industry-leading partners as solutions that provide improved efficiency, productivity, and security for Samsung's Enterprise Customers." View the partner listing here:

https://seap.samsung.com/partners/search?keywords=medigram&sort=relevancy

Follow Medigram on Twitter: @Medigram @Sherridouville

Follow Digital Medicine and MedTech Showcase on Twitter: @EBDGroup and @Demy_Colton #medtech #DigiMedShow #BTS18Veraction, the leading provider of Transportation Spend Management and Freight Audit services and technology announced today that it has acquired National Traffic Consultants, Inc., a leading freight audit and bill payment provider. With this acquisition, Veraction continues to drive the companys commitment to accelerated growth as well as deliver its leading transportation spend management and spend intelligence solutions to National Traffics global customer base. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For over four decades, National Traffic Consultants (NTC) has been providing freight pre-audit, payment and data management solutions to some of the worlds largest companies such as Epson, Toshiba and Mazda. As a leader in the freight audit industry, NTC delivers savings and control of transportation spending for their customers.

We are excited to be joining forces with NTC and continuing to drive our plan for rapid growth, said Veraction CEO Chris Connell. NTC is a great company with a great history and team as well as an amazing set of customers. Over the last two years, we have made significant investments in our capabilities in order to drive increased value for our customers and look forward to teaming with NTC to deliver these same transportation spend management solutions to their customers as well. NTC customers will soon be finding increased advantage and all of us are committed to delivering for them immediately.

As a leader in transportation spend management, Veraction manages approximately $6 billion in global transportation spending for nearly 300 customers across all modes of transportation. Leveraging a best in class web based technology platform, Veraction helps its customers manage and control their transportation spending more effectively through a combination of freight audit and spend analytics solutions.

Dan Quagliaroli, CEO of NTC, said, We are thrilled to be joining Veraction and positioning ourselves to better serve our current customers by leveraging Veractions capabilities, global presence and scale. Veraction represents the next generation of freight audit and transportation spend management and we are glad to contribute to the change they are driving in the industry. We are especially excited about taking advantage of Veractions industry leading SasS based transportation spend intelligence solutions which will provide deeper visibility into transportation spending for our customers across all of their transportation modes. Both our team and our customers are looking forward to the significant benefits well soon be delivering.

About National Traffic Consultants

National Traffic Consultants (NTC) freight payment services provides a comprehensive solution set to help customers reduce costs and control transportation expenses. NTC performs audits of EDI and paper invoices from all carriers including motor carriers, parcel carriers, air and ocean freight carriers, freight forwarders, couriers, rail, broker, drayage as well as international freight and fees. NTC is headquartered in Los Angeles.

About Veraction

Veraction is the leader in Transportation Spend Management solutions. Veraction combines industry leading cloud based applications with best in class services to help companies realize savings, visibility and control of their transportation spend across all transportation modes. With nearly 300 customers, a global footprint and range of solutions spanning freight and parcel audit, bill payment, financial allocation services, spend analytics, visibility and expert consulting, Veraction enables companies to manage their critical and significant transportation spend more effectively. Veraction is headquartered in Memphis, TN with US offices in Austin, TX and Saint Simons Island, GA as well as global offices in Amsterdam, Manila and Shenzhen. Visit Veraction at http://www.veraction.com.Ron and Joels skills and experience coupled with Mandelbaums platform will be a very powerful combination for our clients, said William S. Barrett, CEO of Mandelbaum Salsburg

Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C. is pleased to announce that Ronald D. Coleman, a preeminent intellectual property and appellate lawyer, has joined the Firm as a partner in its Roseland, New Jersey office. Mr. Coleman, who will Chair the Firms Intellectual Property & Brand Management Group, was formerly a partner at Archer Greiner, P.C. He is joining Mandelbaum with his longtime friend and colleague Joel G. MacMull who is also a partner.

Ron Coleman is a highly respected IP attorney with a national following who litigates IP issues throughout the United States. Ron and Joels skills and experience coupled with Mandelbaums platform will be a very powerful combination for our clients, said William S. Barrett, CEO of Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C. Barry Mandelbaum, Founder and Chairman of the Firm, added that this is the latest addition to the Firms growing attorney bench and one that strengthens both the Firms regional and national presence.

Ronald Coleman is well known in the litigation and intellectual property world being the author of one of the most influential blogs in IP law, Likelihood of Confusion (http://www.likelihoodofconfusion.com) and for his involvement in numerous cases that have influenced the course of trademark law and influence the shape of the Internet business landscape. Recently named a 2017 Global Intellectual Property Leader by World IP Review, Mr. Coleman, who is AV-rated by Martindale, has also been named as a World Trademark Review WTR 1000 Top Practitioner for trademark litigation in New York City the last two years, and a Super Lawyer for intellectual property litigation in New York City every year since 2012. An experienced first-chair litigator and appellate advocate, he has also been recognized for his pioneering use of social media in tandem with his practice. Ron has tried numerous cases to verdicts in jury and bench trials in the state and federal courts in the state and federal courts in New Jersey and New York, as well as in federal courts throughout the U.S. He has appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeal in the Second, Third, Ninth and Federal Circuits, Trademark Trial and Appeals Board of the Patent and Trademark Office and the appellate divisions in both New York and New Jersey. Ron led the effort, from proceedings in the USPTO through oral argument before the Federal Circuit, to register THE SLANTS as a trademark on behalf of Asian American band leader Simon Tam. In June 2017 the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Mr. Tams favor, finding viewpoint-based restrictions on trademark registration unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

Joel MacMull, who was also heavily involved in the landmark Tam case, focuses his practice on high-stakes complex commercial litigation and intellectual property disputes, including copyright and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, cybersquatting, rights of publicity, as well as general contract and business tort disputes. Joel has tried and argued cases in state and federal courts, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Joel also has significant appellate experience. He has represented such clients as America Online, Inc., The Princeton Club of New York, PlentyofFish.com and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of intellectual property topics and has appeared on Bloomberg Radio. He was the recipient of the International Trademark Associations 2017 Volunteer Service Award for Pro Bono Services.

Michael Saffer, Co-Chair of the Firms Litigation Practice Group said, Ron and Joel make us even stronger in our ability to assist clients throughout all phases of enterprise-level challenges and opportunities, from pre-litigation counseling to the U.S. Supreme Court. The recent accomplishments of Ron and Joel, in particular their recent 8-0 victory in Matal v. Tam before the United States Supreme Court last term is true testament to their skills, added Arthur Grossman, Litigation Practice Co-Chair.

I can hardly express how pleased I am to be at Mandelbaum, said Mr. Coleman. The firm is growing in exciting ways, I am with numerous old friends and former colleagues and believe it is a great match for the practice Joel and I have been building over the last decade. Mr. MacMull added: This is a natural combination of strengths. Mandelbaums full-service capabilities, coupled with our intellectual property and appellate experience makes this a perfect fit.

Since its founding in 1930, Mandelbaum Salsburg has been "built on relationships and focused on results." The firm and its 70 attorneys are committed to providing clients with the highest level of personal, hands-on attention to their legal needs. Recognized as one of the metropolitan area's premiere full-service law firms, the Firm's attorneys represent clients in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions; business litigation and employment litigation defense; corporate and banking transactions; corporate and personal taxation; healthcare and life sciences; alternative dispute resolution; intellectual property; privacy and cybersecurity; employment; environmental; criminal defense; not-for-profits; and personal matters, including estate planning and administration, asset protection planning, elder care; matrimonial, family law, and personal injury litigation. The Firm has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best Law Firm" for the eighth year in a row and a number of attorneys are listed in both Best Lawyers in America and New Jersey Super Lawyers.*With itslearing we have that platform that can address our needs today as well as our evolving demands in the years to come.

itslearning, the developers of the highly acclaimed teaching and learning platform of the same name, today announced that Little Rock School District (LRSD) has chosen itslearning as its new learning management system (LMS). The districts selection was based on its desire for a partner that could easily integrate with current district-wide systems and support the ongoing needs of administrators, teachers, student and parents, alike. The partnership will make itslearning available to more than 24,000 students across the 48 schools within the district.

According to LRSD K-12 Digital Curriculum Specialist Karl Romain, itslearning proved the unmatched choice to aid the districts effort to easily streamline digital content integration and create new efficiencies in data collection. The LMS will also support the districts waiver for offering alternative learning environments  virtual, online learning  when inclement weather strikes and schools are required to close. In Arkansas, schools must have class for 178 days each school year, but the state can waive that number on a case-by-case basis. In this instance, LRSD received a waiver for five days due to the itslearning LMS features that support learning away from schools.

While researching various LMS platforms, we knew that we needed to find a technologically sophisticated provider that could meet the demands of all LRSD stakeholders for a collaborative learning interface, said Romain, With itslearning we have that platform that can address our needs today as well as our evolving demands in the years to come.

Designed specifically for the K-12 market, itslearning helps improve education in and out of the classroom. The intuitive LMS features effectively connect teachers, parents and students to create differentiated learning solutions for every student. Moreover, the acclaimed itslearning platform continues to evolve to meet the 21st century learning initiatives of school districts. Key areas of recent focus include:



Unique integrations to content providers like Infinite Campus and Knovation as well as cloud apps like G-suite and Microsoft Office

Streamlined workflows for common daily tasks such as creating assignments and assessments, providing feedback to students and grading

Rich messaging and fully mobile apps

Arne Bergby, CEO of itslearning, concluded, We often find that administrators select our personalized learning system for its ease of use, comprehensive resource library, and advanced communication and collaboration offerings that aid in an enhanced learning experience. In this instance, we welcome the Little Rock School District to our rapidly-growing list of schools around the globe who are focused on improving communication with parents, integrating content, tools and data to engage learners and improving their academic outcomes."

About itslearning

We build the world's most connected learning platform for education. Our solution saves time for teachers. One login connects them to all the content and tools they need to speed common tasks like creating and grading assignments. It improves outcomes for students because it links teaching activities to learning goals. And, it increases engagement of everyone because it connects parents, teachers, and students with each other. Born in 1999, we help over 7 million people worldwide. We dwell in Boston, MA and Bergen, Norway, but we live at the heart of education. Visit us at https://itslearning.comWhen tragedy strikes, we are not only compelled to help support our customers but the community and children they serve. We hope that there is an opportunity that comes out of this tragedy where the rebuilding process can lead to a better school transportation system across Puerto Rico

Zonar, the leader in smart fleet management technology, announced today it is working with Advanced Transportation, a school bus contractor serving Puerto Rico, in effort to rebuild Puerto Ricos school transportation in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Puerto Ricos school system is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Maria, which made landfall in mid-September this year. Of the over 1,000 public schools on the island, dozens were badly damaged, 190 have been serving as community centers and more than 70 others are used to shelter families who lost their homes.

As some schools start to reopen for classes, Zonar is committed to helping school bus contractors ensure that the estimated 345,000 students arrive at their respective locations as safely as possible. Zonar will provide Advanced Transportation with financial relief for technology solutions that improve safety, maintenance and efficiency of school bus transportation. Zonars technology and support will help safeguard every student passenger served by Advanced Transportation while on the way to school or home, giving parents and schools peace of mind. Zonar is also donating to Operation Aqua. Operation Aqua has a mission to purchase and distribute 100,000 individual water filtration systems for households and classrooms, and 50 large-capacity clean-water devices to a network of nonprofit organizations, union offices, schools and other community-based groups across Puerto Rico to provide stable and reliable sources of safe water in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Ensuring that children are safely transported to and from school has always been of the utmost importance to Zonar, said H. Kevin Mest, senior vice president and general manager of passenger services at Zonar. When tragedy strikes, we are not only compelled to help support our customers but the community and children they serve. We hope that there is an opportunity that comes out of this tragedy where the rebuilding process can lead to a better school transportation system across Puerto Rico.

We look forward to continuing to work with Zonar and appreciate that their support and commitment to student transportation in Puerto Rico mirrors that of Advanced Transportation, said Gandhi Miranda, project development manager at Advanced Transportation. Puerto Rico has many challenges ahead as it continues to rebuild. We aim through our partnership with Zonar to do our part by ensuring that the community we serve knows that the children are getting to and from school safely.

About Zonar

Founded in 2001, Zonar has pioneered smart fleet management solutions throughout vocational, pupil, mass transit and commercial trucking industries. Zonar helps fleets of all sizes maximize the use of their assets with solutions dedicated to improving compliance, efficiency, maintenance, ridership visibility, safety and tracking. Cloud-based services with open API's drive Zonar's smart fleet solutions by making it easy for fleet owners and managers to stay connected to their fleets and drivers and operators to dispatch. Headquartered in Seattle and majority-owned by technology company Continental, Zonar also has a Technology Development Center in downtown Seattle, a regional office in Cincinnati, and a distribution center outside of Atlanta. For more information about Zonar, go to http://www.zonarsystems.com.Accel at College Station Announces New Management Team Since we broke ground on Accel at College Station, weve worked to find the most qualified and experienced individuals to care for the residents.

StoneGate Senior Living, an award-winning full-spectrum senior care and housing company, today announces the management team for the companys new community in College Station, Texas. The new facility provides transitional postacute care services, including physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation services.

Since we broke ground on Accel at College Station, weve worked to find the most qualified and experienced individuals to care for the residents, says John Taylor, CEO of StoneGate Senior Living. We look forward to providing quality care to both short-term and long-term residents, as well as becoming active participants in the Bryan-College Station community.

Accel at College Station, which celebrated its Grand Opening on November 16th, is located at 1500 Medical Avenue. The 116-bed facility will employ approximately 100 people and will serve as both an in-patient transitional care center and outpatient center.

The following key executives now serve as Accel at College Stations leadership team:

Kim McFall, LNFA, CALA, LBSW, is named the Administrator. With 28 years of healthcare industry leadership, McFall will oversee and direct the day-to-day operations at Accel of College Station.

Tammy Simmons, RN, is named the Director of Nursing. With 22 years of broad-based experience in healthcare, Simmons will lead clinical services, manage standard of care, and provide leadership of the nursing department.

Ronald Tappan joins the team as the Physical Plant Manager. Tappan has 30 years of physical plant management and regional maintenance director experience. He will oversee maintenance and environmental services.

Tina Beskow is appointed the Business Office Manager. With 12 years of customer service and human resources experience, Beskow will oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable and payroll.

Tammy Hester, CDM, holds a Culinary Arts Degree and will serve as the Nutritional Services Manager. Hester has 25 years of nutritional management. She will oversee the dining services, menu planning, and ensuring excellent dining experiences.

Bianca Moreno is named Admissions Director. With eight years of business development experience, Moreno will oversee the end-to-end resident admission process.

Accel at College Station has passed all required local and state inspections, and is currently accepting Medicare, Medicaid and private pay residents.

For more information, visit http://www.accelcollegestation.com.

About Accel at College Station:

Accel at College Station and its dedicated healthcare team offers a full continuum of custom-tailored care with the goal to provide exceptional, compassionate care while enhancing the lives of residents. Accel at College Stations mission is to provide excellence in clinical care, rehabilitation, wellness, and supportive services that meet the wants, needs, and expectations of patients and residents.

About StoneGate Senior Living:

StoneGate Senior Living is an award-winning full-spectrum senior care and housing company with 44 properties across Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Recently ranked as the nations 31st largest transitional and long-term care company by Provider magazine, StoneGate is a fully-integrated post-acute health care company, with service-lines and business units that offer transitional care, long-term care, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, wellness, pharmacy, care navigation and post-acute analytical services. For more information, please visit http://www.stonegatesl.com.Better Search for Confluence will, without a doubt, transform the way business and technical teams use Confluence.

Isos Technology, an Atlassian Platinum and Enterprise Solution Partner and leading provider of IT Services, announced today the release of its newest add-on, Better Search for Confluence. This add-on will allow users of Confluence, Atlassian's leading content collaboration software, to improve search results by returning relevant documents in categories specified by Confluence administrators. Better Search for Confluence is available on the Atlassian Marketplace, an online webstore where third-party vendors and partners advertise and sell software apps for all of the Atlassian tools.

Isos Technology's specialized team of Atlassian software extension developers created Better Search for Confluence with the goal of offering customization and extensibility to the search function within Confluence. This add-on enhances Confluence searches by returning results that pertain only to specific categories set up by an administrator. Furthermore, administrators can vastly improve queries by configuring exactly what type of content is returned in search results, including relevant pages, blog posts, attachments, and spaces. This is especially useful for large companies that have extensive Confluence libraries. Better Search for Confluence integrates seamlessly into Confluence by offering the same look and feel as the native Confluence search bar, so it provides a straightforward and effortless user experience.

"Better Search for Confluence will, without a doubt, transform the way business and technical teams use Confluence," says Thad West, CEO of Isos Technology. "I'm proud of all of the hard work put forth by our development team to get this add-on up and running in record time. I truly believe that it will revolutionize Confluence, both as a knowledge base and as a content collaboration tool. It's an important step in improving efficiency within Confluence, especially for large companies whose employees are often times burdened with searching through volumes of spaces and pages to locate relevant information."

Better Search for Confluence is available for Confluence Server 5.10.7-6.43 and for Confluence Data Center. For more information about this add-on, visit Isos Technology's page on the Atlassian Marketplace.

Isos Technology is a premier Atlassian Platinum and Enterprise Solution Partner and was recently recognized as the Atlassian Partner of the Year 2017 for Jira Service Desk. We help our clients, both private and public sector, adopt the Atlassian tools for DevOps, ITSM and Agile development and business processes. Our process experts, coupled with a world class technical team, craft custom solutions, integrations and training for our clients. Isos also has a strong software development team that delivers custom solutions across a wide array of industries to help solve some of the toughest business problems. Isos is based in Tempe, Arizona with satellite offices across the US, from San Diego to Washington D.C. For more information, visit http://www.isostech.com.Its really puzzling to (trade economists) what the administrations position is.

Two huge events in the past two years have led to global concern when it comes to trade: the BREXIT vote and Donald Trump becoming President of the United States.

While the impact of the United Kingdom backing away from the European Union is still being worked out, President Trump has already pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and negotiations are underway that could lead to the country to back out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

These deals have trade economists looking into all of the potential effects for consumers and producers in the U.S. and world economies. Dr. Ian Sheldon of The Ohio State University will lead an AAEA session on trade at the 2018 Allied Social Sciences Associations (ASSA) Annual Meeting, January 5-7, 2018, in Philadelphia.

What happens if (the United States) pulls out of NAFTA, Sheldon says, especially when it comes to consumers and ag producers both inside and outside North America. Its really puzzling to (trade economists) what the administrations position is. They talk about bringing jobs back to the U.S. but they are doing things with trade that could do the opposite.

The session, Trade in an Environment of Increasing Economic Nationalism, will take place Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 2:30 pm at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel (1200 Market Street). It features the following topics and authors:



Trade Liberalization and Institutional Constraints on Moves to Protectionism: Multilateralism Versus Regionalism: Ian Sheldon, The Ohio State University

North American Production and Trade Patterns in the Absence of NAFTA: Keri E.R. Heerman, USDA Economic Research Service

Evaluating the Economic Impact of Brexit: Fear-Mongering or Just a Matter of Degrees: Steve McCorriston, University of Exeter

The Road Not Taken: Agricultural Trade Without the GATT/WTO: Jason Grant, Virginia Tech University

If you are interested in attending the session or setting up an interview, please contact Jay Saunders in the AAEA Business Office.

ABOUT AAEA: Established in 1910, the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) is the leading professional association for agricultural and applied economists, with 2,500 members in more than 20 countries. Members of the AAEA work in academic or government institutions as well as in industry and not-for-profit organizations, and engage in a variety of research, teaching, and outreach activities in the areas of agriculture, the environment, food, health, and international development. The AAEA publishes two journals, the American Journal of Agricultural Economics and Applied Economic Perspectives & Policy, as well as the online magazine Choices. To learn more, visit http://www.aaea.org.cleverbridge Affiliate Marketing Manager Nick Oswald

cleverbridge, a provider of global ecommerce, billing and payment solutions, announces Affiliate Marketing Manager Nick Oswald will present at Affiliate Summit West 2018 to be held January 7-9 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Oswald will present 3 Geeky Habits of Successful Affiliate Managers" on January 8 at 10:45 am.

Affiliate management requires living in spreadsheets while keeping close relationships with real people. During his presentation, Oswald will share three, data-focused habits he uses to keep affiliates happy and programs growing. Brands and agencies alike can use these life hacks to create value with minimal effort and solidify their status as affiliate geeks.

As an Affiliate Marketing Manager at cleverbridge, Oswald manages unconventional merchant and affiliate verticals. With a keen eye turned to tracking and attribution and the other eye on partner relationships, Oswald employs a balanced, strategic approach to affiliate management. He strives to expand topline revenue for clients, but not at the expense of understanding the incremental value of affiliate partnerships. Prior to cleverbridge, Oswald worked at CJ Affiliate by Conversant (formerly Commission Junction), servicing clients ranging from boutique apparel to consumer electronics to automotive.

Affiliate Summit West brings together more than 6,000 digital marketers from over 70 countries for the performance marketing industry's premier global event. The conference offers attendees three tradeshow areas packed with affiliates, merchants, vendors, networks, technology providers, digital agencies, and traffic sources; multiple tracks of relevant educational sessions delivered by industry experts; and a variety of networking events.

For more information on Affiliate Summit West 2018, visit http://affiliatesummit.com/events/asw18-main. To learn more about cleverbridge, please visit http://www.cleverbridge.com/corporate/grow-recurring-revenue-video.

About cleverbridge

cleverbridge provides flexible ecommerce solutions for monetizing digital goods, online services and SaaS. Our cloud-based ecommerce platform simplifies recurring billing, optimizes the customer experience and offers comprehensive global payment capabilities. Leveraging cleverbridge expertise, technology and services, clients effectively increase customer acquisition and retention while rapidly expanding into international markets for revenue growth. cleverbridge is headquartered in Cologne, Germany with offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Tokyo. For more information, visit http://www.cleverbridge.com.Florida recently passed a new law that tightened regulations on sober homes and imposes stiff penalties for noncompliance.(1) In December, Florida attorneys testified before Congress about the states experience with patient brokering and sober-home fraud.(2) Novus Detox Center, a preeminent Florida-based drug treatment provider, urges other states to pursue similar legislation and calls for Congress to pass federal laws that support even stronger regulation of sober homes.

Palm Beach County recorded 4,661 opioid overdoses in 2016, including 552 fatalities.(2). These statistics echo a broader trend that led Governor Rick Scott to declare a statewide public health emergency in response to the opioid crisis. In February 2017, Republican state representative Bill Hager and Democratic state senator Jeff Clemens sponsored legislation aimed at regulating the practices of addiction treatment providers. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law in June.(1)

As of July 1, Florida rehab centers must provide proof they can offer the services required by law; those that do not meet state guidelines are subject to a $500 fine for each violation. Sober homes that falsely advertise goods or services or that misrepresent the location of the home face a $1,000 fine for each violation. The law also adds patient brokering to the list of serious crimes that can be addressed by Floridas Office of Statewide Prosecution, with criminal penalties up to a first-degree felony and a $500,000 fine when the violation involves 20 or more patients. Other provisions include stricter background checks on owners, operators and clinical supervisors, as well as a mandate that drug rehab facilities must only refer patients to sober homes that are certified by the state, with violators subject to a $1,000 fine for each referral to an uncertified sober home.(1)

Floridas new law offers much-needed protections for individuals with substance use disorders, who have frequently been exploited by patient brokers and unscrupulous sober-home operators looking to make a profit off their condition, asserted Kent Runyon, Vice President of Community Relations for Novus Detox Center. While the state cannot abolish uncertified sober homes due to federal laws that ban housing discrimination, corrupt sober-home owners and patient brokers now face prosecution and stiff fines. Only Congress has the power to fully regulate recovery providers, and I hope they will act quickly to do so. In the meantime, I urge other states to enact legislation based on Floridas current law.

Last month, the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations invited Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg and his chief assistant, Al Johnson, to testify on Floridas experience with patient brokering and sober-home fraud. Aronberg spoke of the Florida shufflea corrupt system designed to promote ongoing relapses so profiteers could enrich themselves by continuing to bill clients insurance for drug testing and recovery programs. There is one area thats not profitable, and thats sobriety, he explained. This is a relapse model, not a recovery model. He and Johnson called on Congress to close loopholes, protect vulnerable patients and provide federal support to states.(2)

Runyon concurs with Aronbergs and Johnsons recommendations to Congress. Sober homes should be compensated based on outcomes rather than services rendered, which will incentivize them to help clients achieve sobriety instead of ongoing relapses, noted Runyon. Fair housing rules should also be clarified to allow reasonable regulations governing sober homes, and federal agencies should pursue and penalize marketers that exploit recovering patients simply to profit themselves and their employers. These efforts would go a long way toward helping those with substance use disorders overcome addiction and dependency, and avoid relapse.

Finally, Runyon advocates for expanded access to medically supervised detox programs as the first step toward helping patients achieve sustainable sobriety. Novus is a licensed and accredited detox provider that is committed to helping patients achieve successful long-term recovery, and only provides referrals to state-certified recovery facilities that share its outcome-focused philosophy. Novus operates an established detox center in New Port Richey and will soon be opening a second facility in West Palm Beach.

For more information on Novus Detox Center and its medically supervised drug treatment programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.

About Novus Detox Center:

Novus Detox Center is soon to be operating two inpatient medical detox facilities that are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and have earned The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation. Renowned for its pioneering approach to Sustainable Sobriety, Novus provides safe and effective alcohol and drug detox programs that combine next-generation treatment protocols, 24/7 medical supervision and integrated, individualized care. By conditioning the body and mind to re-imagine a fulfilling, drug-free future, Novus empowers patients on their journey to recovery and creates a solid foundation for long-term success. Novus is committed to leading the way in patient experience, both as a detoxification expert and a supportive partner in ongoing health and wellness, and is dedicated to pushing industry standards forward. The original Florida detox facility is located in New Port Richey (outside Tampa) and another is soon to open in West Palm Beach; both feature a wide range of amenities, delicious and healthy meals, and a relaxing, spa-like environment to ensure the withdrawal process is as stress-free and comfortable and as possible. For more information on Novus medically supervised detox programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.

1. Sweeney, Dan. New State Law Bans Sober Homes From Falsely Advertising Services and Locations; Sun Sentinel (Broward County, FL); June 27, 2017.

2. Beall, Pat. State Attorney Dave Aronberg Testifies Before House Panel on Opioids; Palm Beach Post; December 12, 2017.Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) is making college and career planning accessible for all of its 11,500 middle and high school students by implementing Hobsons Naviance, the leading solution that helps students prepare for life after high school whether they pursue college, a career, or the military. Pittsburgh joins a growing number of large public school systems across the country, including some of the largest urban districts -- Los Angeles, Calif.; Chicago, Ill.; Houston, Texas; and Broward County, Fla. -- who are embracing Naviance as their district-wide college and career readiness platform. More than one-third of the 300 largest school districts now use Naviance.

The implementation of Naviance will help PPS increase graduation and financial aid application rates, as well as accurately track college applications, acceptances, and scholarships. The district also will be better equipped to guide students through the process of identifying their strengths and interests, and exploring careers and colleges to create personalized plans for life beyond high school. District officials will gain the ability to monitor and promote the completion of FAFSA, the federal financial aid application that is a critical step in the college decision process and correlates to higher rates of admissions, attendance, and college completion. Implementation of Naviance will begin with District 8th and 11th graders in February, rolling out to all middle and high school students next Fall.

With Naviance, we are able to provide every student in the district access to a comprehensive college and career readiness program, and to measure each schools progress in providing every student with a solid academic and career plan when they graduate from high school, said Dr. Anthony Hamlet, Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. This is a win for our community, our district, and our students, but also for the colleges, universities, and technical schools in our area who are seeking to increase access to post-secondary education and welcome more first-generation and low-income students.

The number of school districts championing comprehensive initiatives to prepare every student for life after high school has increased significantly in the past five years. There has been a 384 percent increase in the number of districts opting for a district-wide implementation across all high schools, and a 308 percent increase in the number of districts opting for district-wide middle school implementations. Incorporating Naviance district-wide not only provides college and career planning accessibility to all students, but also gives districts a comprehensive view of how individual schools are meeting key college and career readiness milestones, in comparison to schools across the district.

Naviance is the worlds leading college and career readiness platform, used by more than 12,000 schools and districts and millions of students around the globe, including 40 percent of U.S. high school students. Among the large public school districts choosing Naviance are Los Angeles Unified School District, Chicago Public Schools, Philadelphia Public Schools, Cincinnati Public Schools, and Broward County Public Schools. The continued adoption of Naviance demonstrates a growing trend of large school districts using technology to make college and career readiness a priority for their students and their communities.

A growing number of districts across the country see college and career readiness as an issue of equity and access for their students, said Kate Cassino, CEO of Hobsons. By providing high-quality information about career options and the college process in a scalable way, communities are able to help more students overcome barriers to long-term success.

For more information on Naviance, visit http://www.naviance.com

About Naviance by Hobsons

Naviance by Hobsons is the worlds leading college and career readiness platform that helps more than 12,000 K-12 schools and district to align student strengths and interest to postsecondary goals, improving outcomes and launching students on a path to succeed after high school, whether their next step is a 4-year university, 2-year community college, trade school, the military, or directly into the workforce. Naviance is recognized as the 2017 SIIA CODIE Award winner for Best College and Career Readiness Solution.

About Hobsons

A global leader in education technology, Hobsons helps students to identify their strengths, explore careers, create academic plans, match to best-fit educational opportunities, and reach their education and life goals. More than 12,000 K-12 and higher education institutions partner with Hobsons and leverage our solutions -- Naviance, Intersect, and Starfish -- to improve college and career readiness, college admissions, and higher education analytics and intervention to support millions of students around the world.

About Pittsburgh Public Schools

The Pittsburgh Public School District is the largest of 43 school districts in Allegheny County and second largest in Pennsylvania. The District serves approximately 25,000 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. In April 2017, PPS Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Hamlet, unveiled 2017-2022 Strategic Plan: Expect Great Things, aimed at transforming PPS into a student-centered culture built on continuous improvement. Pittsburgh Public Schools offers students a variety of options and opportunities that will help them succeed in school, and prepare them for whatever comes next in college, career and life.InterHarmony Outstanding Guest Artist Series

InterHarmony International Music Festivals 2018 summer season is starting soon, and that can mean only one thing: the return of IIMFs wildly successful Outstanding Guest Artist Series in its 4th year. The OGAS takes off on July 5, 2018 in Acqui Terme, Italy, a city of great culture with a most sensitive, warm audience and absolutely jam-packing concert halls that make every concert a most unforgettable event. More information can be found at https://www.interharmony.com

This coming summer offers students a true chance to meet and better understand what it takes to become a true virtuoso. They will have a chance to meet Queen Elizabeth Competition winners, like violinists Sergey Khachatryan and Nikolaj Znaider, a legend of world pianism, Alfred Brendel, and conductors Christian Vasquez and Nicoletta Conti, Boris Kuschnir, and the Cosmopolitan String Duo.

After the sensational success at InterHarmony last year, Nikolaj Znaider will be returning to Sulzbach -Rosenberg. He will perform Brahms' Double Concerto with our Music Director and Founder, Misha Quint and give a violin masterclass. Nikolaj Znaider is the most celebrated performer of our time soloing regularly with such orchestras as the Staatskapelle Dresden, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony. The 2017/18 season sees Znaider continue his Mozart recording project with the London Symphony Orchestra with the second and third concertos directed from the violin. This gives students a chance to perform for and with the master. Concert information is at https://www.interharmony.com/

Regularly cited as one of the instrument's greatest practitioners, Alfred Brendel enjoys a reputation unequalled among living pianists. Despite his improbable, largely self-taught beginnings in a non-musical family, he began concertizing at 17. After a breakthrough program of Beethoven brought him international recognition, he embarked on a recording and performance career which would reinvent the Austro-Hungarian tradition for modern audiences. His discography, one of the most extensive ever recorded by a pianist, includes the complete piano works of Beethoven and all of Mozart's piano concerti.

He has been recognized with honorary doctorates from Cambridge, Oxford and Yale, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Awards of Edison, MIDEM Classical Awards, the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis and Gramophone Magazine, the recording industry's highest accolade. Since retiring from the stage in 2008, he has concentrated on lecturing, teaching and writing, and is the author of several books on music. Mr. Brendel will hold a lecture on Schuberts Last Sonatas, on July 20, at the Sala La Meridiana in Acqui Terme. Students will be invited to listen to the ideas, insights and advice of one of the most reflective and articulate musicians of our times.

Achievements of violin virtuoso Sergey Khachatryan will be an inestimable paragon for students this summer. Khachatryans career shot off after becoming the youngest winner of the Sibelius competition and winner of the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, going on to perform on the worlds most famous stages with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Los Angelas Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, London Symphony, Berlin Philharmoniker, and Royal Concertgebouw to name a few. He will be performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the InterHarmony Festival Orchestra and give a violin masterclass. It will be a rare opportunity to really understand making it to the very top in classical music, as students perform with and for the prodigy.

Principal Conductor of Norways Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of Teresa Carreno Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, the rising star Maestro Christian Vasquez, represents a new generation of conductors, becoming one of the most in demand in recent years. Graduate of the famous Sistema in his native Venezuela, he is busy with engagements leading world orchestras like: Vienna Radio Symphony, Camerata Salzburg, State Symphony of Russia, Tokyo Philharmonic, Berlin Konzerthausorchester, Prague Radio Symphony, and Singapore Symphony. In North America, he has conducted the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa) and Los Angeles Philharmonic. It is an opportunity for students to experience the working environment of professional musicians in leading orchestras. More information is at https://www.interharmony.com/guest-artist-series/Christian-Vasquez-conductor

The entrance of Italian conductor Nicoletta Conti onto the InterHarmony stage will bring a new dimension the orchestra program in Sulzbach-Rosenberg. After impressive wins of major conducting competitions, her career set off with major orchestras in Japan, UK, Italy and USA. The first Italian musician to be awarded with the Minerva Prize for the Arts and pupil of Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa and Kurt Masur, Maestro Conti will take on a demanding program of the Brahms Double Concerto with soloists Nikolaj Znaider and Misha Quint. Ms. Conti's tremendous experience conducting not only major orchestras, but also working with young musicians will bring a rare and an invaluable touch to InterHarmony orchestra program in Germany.

The appearance of Cosmopolitan String Duo at InterHarmony Outstanding Guest Artist Series creates an important and long-awaited bridge between Vienna and Sulzbach-Rosenberg. Internationally acclaimed soloist and chamber musicians Elisabeth Kropfitsch and Meehae Ryo spend time with young musicians frequently, giving numerous masterclasses and workshops covering every aspect of playing, from handling an instrument to actual interpretation on stage. Their performance of Handel Passacaglia and Ravel Duos will be combined with cello and violin master classes. This event is important particularly to string player because they will be introduced to the Viennese style of chamber music interpretation.

Join InterHarmony International Music Festival this summer in Sulzbach-Rosenberg for a masterclass with Boris Kushnir, one of the world's foremost violin pedagogues. A student of David Oistrakh's at the Moscow Conservatory, Kushnir has been described as a modern-day Leopold Auer. His students include Nikolai Znaider, Julian Rachlin, and Lidia Baich, along with more than 40 other laureates of national and international competitions.

Kushnir has given master classes and served as a jury member at competitions across the globe, including the Tchaikovsky in Moscow, the Queen Elisabeth in Brussels, the Nicolo Paganini in Genoa, the Jacques Thibaud in Paris, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, the Seoul International Music Competition and Eurovision. His own career as a soloist and chamber musician (as co-founder of the Moscow and now the Kopelman Quartet) has been equally illustrious. He performs on the "La Rouse-Boughton" Stradivarius (1703). His masterclass will take place in Acqui Terme, Session 2, in July. Stay up to date with the Outsanding Guest Artist Series at https://www.interharmony.com/guest-artist-series/index.htmlAntuan Rodriguez

The 2018 LA Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center January 10 - 14, 2018, with the most diverse programming and exhibitors to date. Leading the way in the CORE section is Patrick Painter, Timothy Yarger, SM Fine Art and more. Merry Karnowsky // KP Projects will be joining the fair as an exhibitor for the first time in its two plus decade history never before seen works by Vivian Maier. East Coast, Jonathan LeVine Gallery and Superchief Gallery LA will be getting into the mix for the first time as well.

For 22 years, the Show has been a pioneer in identifying some of the most compelling artists, performances, exhibitions and movements in the world. For the 23rd edition, the LA Art Show is fully devoted to highlighting the immense diversity of the artworld, and the way the LA art scene distinctly weaves so many cultural influences together. The newly branded DIVERSEartLA programming will dedicate over 60,000 square feet of exhibit space highlighting work from all over the globe, including a number of exhibits making their world and US premieres.

Below is our select line-up for DIVERSEartLA and Featured Programming:

Metaphysical Orozco: Jose Clemente Orozco

Presented by MUSA Museum of the Arts, of the University of Guadalajara

***UNITED STATES PREMIERE***

Being shown for the first time ever in the United States, the Metaphysical Orozco recreates Jose Clemente Orozcos iconic murals with multi-layer mapping projections.

Directors Chair: Matthew Modine

Presented by Axiom Contemporary Gallery

***WORLD PREMIERE***

On the 30th anniversary of Stanley Kubricks Full Metal Jacket, Matthew Modines Full Metal Diary offers an incredibly rare and vibrant portrait of one of cinemas most iconic war films  by one of the industrys most enigmatic directors. The exhibition is a study of a young actor under the apprenticeship of a legend.

Through The Looking Glass  Harmonia Rosales and Aldis Hodge

Presented by Simard Bilodeau Contemporary

***WORLD PREMIERE***

Making its world premiere at the LA Art Show, Through The Looking Glass was birthed from the notion of introspective cultural perception. It questions the viewers engagement with cultures not recognized as his or her own, as well as the educational conduits to said cultures, and finally, it questions the viewers responsibility to pursue these inquiries.

Aporias Moviles: Nuna Mangiante

Presented by The Museum of Latin American Art

***WORLD PREMIERE***

Aporias Moviles is an installation by Argentinian artist Nuna Mangiante making its world premiere at the LA Art Show. This is a multi-media installation featuring portraits with obscured faces on display with various construction and building materials. It speaks of urban transformation as an emerging social reality in Latin America.

Eyes Forward

Presented by Launch LA & California African American Museum

***WORLD PREMIERE***

Launch LA and the California African American Museum (CAAM) are proud to present a multicultural survey of selected works by ten contemporary artists of color living and working in Los Angeles. Despite their diverse backgrounds, interests, and life experiences, all these artists share an urgency to be heard when addressing contemporary issues of race, class, and gender while expressing disenchantment with the current political and social establishment.

SABER: Painting Live

Presented by 1849 Wine Company

SABER joins the the LA Art Show on Opening Night to create an original work which will be on display throughout the run of the show.

For more information and the complete list of Featured Programming: https://www.laartshow.com/featured-programming/

For the full line-up of DIVERSEartLA: https://www.laartshow.com/diverseartla/

Stay Up to Date On Artsy

https://www.artsy.net/la-art-show

About the LA Art Show

The LA Art Show creates one of the largest international art fairs in the United States providing an exciting, immersive, insider art experience to sponsors, their select guests and VIP clients. The show attracts an elite roster of national and international galleries, acclaimed artists, highly regarded curators, architects, design professionals, along with discerning collectors. This innovative, exceptional cultural environment attracts executives and board members of Southern California businesses, state, county, and municipal government representatives, as well as leaders of the regions cultural institutions. Attendees are trend setters, influencers and alpha consumers, who seek and demand the newest and the best in all areas of their livesart, design, food, technology and travel being specific passion points. http://www.LAArtShow.com

Media Inquiries | Press Credentials | Images: Hijinx PR | Heidi Johnson | heidi(at)thinkhijinx.com | 323.204.7246SAE Carolina, an SAE International Section, will host the 2018 SAE Carolina Collegiate Student Night on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at 4 p.m. in the Center for Manufacturing Innovation in Greenville, S.C.

Eight universities with SAE Collegiate Design Series (CDS) teams will be on hand to exhibit and make presentations about their 2017/2018 CDS projects. Schools include: UNC-Charlotte, University of South Carolina, Georgia Southern, UNC-Asheville, NC A&T, Duke, NC State, and the host school Clemson.

Vehicles will be on display, dinner will be served and presentations will be judged. The event will end with an awards presentation beginning at 8 p.m. In addition, networking opportunities will be available and students are encouraged to take their resumes.

Credentialed media are invited to attend. Please contact Jeff Poland, jpoland.sae(at)gmail.com, 864 580-0066 for registration.

The event is open to the public. Register at http://www.Carolina.SAE.org, then select events. Non-SAE Student members can register for free, please contact John Driscoll, johndriscoll.sae(at)gmail.com.

SAE Internationals Collegiate Design Series takes learning beyond textbook theory to designing, building and testing the performance of a real vehicle. CDS provides world-class, hands-on learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, developing and training the next generation of mobility engineers. The diverse menu of competitions includes Aero Design, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Formula SAE, Formula Electric, Baja SAE, and Supermileage.

SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession. By uniting over 127,000 engineers and technical experts, we drive knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of industries. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our charitable arm, the SAE Foundation, which helps fund programs like A World in Motion and the Collegiate Design Series.

-http://www.sae.org-Posted Tuesday, January 2, 2018 7:00 pm

Fun-Tastic Ride Co. has denied allegations made in a lawsuit that it was responsible for an accident at the 2017 Rhododendron Festival in which three people fell from one of the gondolas of the Phoenix Wheel ride.

Attorneys for carnival riders Susan Swartwood, Crystal Groth and Groth as legal guardian for Mikhail Groth Swartwood, filed a suit Nov. 6 in Jefferson County Superior Court against Fun-Tastic Rides Co. On Nov. 27, the case was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma.

In an 11-page response Dec. 14, Fun-Tastic Rides Co., the operator of the Phoenix Wheel, denied most of the allegations made in the suit. Fun-Tastic also requested a 12-member jury.

The sole cause of the Plaintiffs alleged injuries is their own negligence, states the response, which was filed by attorneys Patricia K. Buchanan and Tim T. Parker of Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch Inc. of Seattle, which is representing Fun-Tastic.

BACKGROUND

The lawsuit stems from a May 18, 2017 incident at the Rhododendron Festival, when three members of a Port Townsend family were injured after they fell 15 feet from a ride gondola onto a metal platform.

The most seriously injured, Susan Shawn Swartwood, 60, of Port Townsend, was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on the day of the accident.

Also injured were Crystal Groth, 48, and Mikhail Groth Swartwood, 7. They were taken to Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center on the night of the accident for observation and then released.

The family is represented by attorney Ashton K. Dennis together with Daniel Swinford of the Washington Law Center, and by Lincoln C. Beauregard with Connelly Law Offices, based in Tacoma and Seattle.

Dennis said Susan Swartwoods injuries included a dislocated shoulder, fractured bones in her face and in both legs, and contusions.

The lawsuit alleges Fun-Tastic was negligent in the operation of the Phoenix Wheel and that evidence was destroyed.

Some witnesses to the accident told Port Townsend police that the victims may have been standing in the ride gondola  against ride rules  before the victims fell, police reports indicate.

Dennis disputes that claim and said the victims only stood up after the gondola began to tip over.

DENIES ALLEGATIONS

According to court documents, the companys official name is Fun-Tastic Rides Co. Previously, The Leader had referred to the company as Funtastic, as it is spelled on the companys website and in its copyright.

In the court documents, Fun-Tastic attorneys responded to several allegations made by the familys lawsuit:

 The familys suit alleges that only one employee was inspecting the gondola for safety at the time of the accident.

In its response, Fun-Tastic states, Several different Fun-Tastic employees inspected the Phoenix Wheel for safety on May 18, 2017. The inspection is performed by two employees and the ride must be determined to be in safe condition before passengers are permitted to board.

 The lawsuit alleges the Phoenix Wheel instruction manual prohibits obese persons from the ride, but Fun-Tastic states in its response, The manual further provides that the weight capacity for each Gondola is 800 pounds and denies that the weight capacity was exceeded by Plaintiffs.

 The familys suit alleges one of the ride operators did not see anyone standing up in the gondolas. Standing up in the gondola is against ride rules, as stated on signs on the ride.

In its response, Fun-Tastic states, Several independent witnesses have provided statements to the effect that Plaintiffs were observed standing and moving around Gondola #2 while it was in motion. Plaintiffs were warned, verbally and in writing, that they must remain seated at all times. The Plaintiffs failure to follow the warnings and remain seated is the sole proximate cause of their alleged injuries.

 The familys suit alleges a Fun-Tastic employee told the Port Townsend Police Department in an email that the gondola door was stuck on the rides superstructure. Fun-Tastics response states, Plaintiffs stood up while the ride was in operation. This created instability and caused Plaintiffs to fall from the ride. This in turn caused the gondola to sway and catch, thus becoming stuck.

 Fun-Tastic denied allegations that the ride was not properly balanced and aligned.

 Fun-Tastics response also questions the suits allegations that Fun-Tastic failed to preserve ride evidence. Fun-Tastic expressly denies that it failed to preserve evidence, the response states.

 The suit alleges ride workers gave conflicting answers about the number of employees that are required to operate the ride. In its response, Fun-Tastic states: Safe operation of the Wheel is determined, in part, by rider volume. The Plaintiffs boarded the Phoenix Wheel during a period of low rider volume. The Phoenix Wheel was appropriately staffed at the time of the Plaintiffs ride.

 The lawsuit alleges one ride employee said he would not allow the use of a gondola that had damaged doors. Fun-Tastics response states that particular employee was not operating the Phoenix Wheel at the time of the incident and was on break.

The Gondola gate was properly secured and in good working order when the Plaintiffs boarded, the Fun-Tastic response states.

 The lawsuit alleges another employee testified that patrons would not be permitted on a gondola with a broken door. In its response, Fun-Tastic states, When the Plaintiffs boarded Gondola #2 the gate was in perfect working condition. The witnesses testified unequivocally that the Gondola gate was in good working order on the date of the incident.

 Fun-Tastics response denied allegations that a ride employee was negligently trained in the inspection of the Phoenix Wheel.Posted Tuesday, January 2, 2018 7:00 pm

The shared reaction of Chimacum Elementary School students Dec. 14 to an invitation to touch a collection of scaly reptiles was the same as any kids response would be: tentative poking, followed by quickly withdrawing their hands and saying, Ewwww, before grinning, giggling and asking if they could touch the critters again.

Kit Pennells fourth-grade class was joined by Thaddeus Jurczynskis Pi Elementary students that morning, as Lizardopolis folks  Port Townsend High School senior Lauren Taracka, assisted by her mother, Heather, and her friend Ephraim Lewis  held out each animal for gentle touching by the students.

COUNTERING REPTILES BAD RAP

The kids encountered Australian tree frogs, leopard and crested geckos, Russian tortoises, blue-tongued skinks and an assortment of snakes firsthand, as Taracka explained the traits of each species, as well as how many of them benefit the environment and humankind alike.

Snakes eat meat, including rats and mice, Taracka said. By eating rodents, snakes help prevent the spread of diseases that rodents carry, like the black plague, which still exists. Those rats and mice also eat our food. Snakes are a natural rodent control.

Taracka emphasized that, contrary to popular portrayals of snakes as aggressive and lethal attackers, they prefer to avoid contact with people, and only strike when they feel threatened.

If you see a snake, just give it some space and back away, calmly and slowly, Taracka said. If theyre sitting on a path, theyre not waiting to attack you. The ground is probably warmer there. Snakes would rather hide than fight.

Even venomous snake bites are rarely fatal; Taracka cited statistics indicating that only six people die out of the 7,000 who are bitten by snakes each year, compared to the 38 people who die out of the 4.5 million who are bitten by dogs each year.

Reptiles, in general, get a bad rap, Taracka said. Were not inclined to protect animals if we dont understand them. By bringing these creatures face to face with kids, it helps them get over their fears and misconceptions.

Taracka was a fifth-grade student, only a year older than the Chimacum students, when she first saw Scott Petersen, the Reptile Man of Monroe. Petersen inspired her to explore possible careers as a veterinarian or an entomologist.

By the time Taracka graduates from PTHS, shell also have completed her associates degree at Peninsula College, and plans to study ecology and evolutionary biology at Central Washington University, which even has a rattlesnake program.

Beyond just snakes, amphibians are dying out, said Taracka, who told the students how fragile her Australian tree frog is, because like all amphibians, it drinks water through its skin. Between loss of habitat and toxins in their water and food, theyre vanishing silently, even though theyre essential to the world.

SUPPORTING LOCAL YOUNG SCIENTISTS

Pennell, who arranged the visit from Lizardopolis, already knew the Taracka family, and she and Jurczynski integrated their presentation into their students December curriculum.

We did a research project where we studied the biology of reptiles, including their scientific nomenclature, habitats, life spans, and physical and behavioral adaptations, Pennell said. Ive hired Lauren to present Lizardopolis in the past, and I really want to support her scientific knowledge and educational vision.

The Lizardopolis presentation packed a wealth of information into its running time of less than an hour, not only covering the biological needs of reptiles and how to respond when meeting them in the wild, but also imparting Tarackas message of respect for all life forms, including animals in captivity, along with a plug for the local 4-H Reptile Club.

Pennell and Jurczynski agreed that their students responded positively to the material.

Students are extremely engaged in the learning, and love sharing with their peers, Pennell said. Plus, Lauren has knowledge, experience and charisma, so its a pleasure to support local young scientists such as her.News

World news

China launches national emissions trading system

AUTHOR: publics.bg



 pexels.com



China launches its national emissions trading system (ETS), according to a press release by the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), congratulating the move by the Chinese government.

The National Development and Reform Commission announced that its ETS would cover just power and heat generators initially, which represent emissions of about 3 billion tonnes of CO2. There would be an initial verification period before the allocation is complete, which is expected to take 12 months.

China joins a growing number of jurisdictions, such as California, the EU and South Korea, which are using market-based measures to cut climate emissions in a cost-effective and efficient way, says Dirk Forrister, President and CEO of IETA. China will have the world's largest carbon market, drawing lessons from these other markets to ensure that it works in harmony with other national policies, he added.

In its latest ETS Status Report, the International Carbon Action Partnership estimated that around half of the world's GDP would be subject to an emissions trading market by the end of 2017.

IETA and its members are keenly watching the development of the Chinese ETS, and support the move by the government to cut pollution in China and transition to a low-carbon economy, says Min Li, IETA's China representative. We stand ready to help businesses find opportunities and address challenges in this exciting new era for Chinese climate policy, he commented.

In the end of October Reuters informed that a lack of reliable data and regulatory issues do not allow the roll-out of an ETS in China. According to the article, Beijing will struggle to launch its long-awaited nationwide carbon trading scheme, which is planned for this year.News

World news

China Set to Top Japan as World's Biggest Natural Gas Importer

AUTHOR: publics.bg



 Ken Hodge, flickr.com



Beijings crackdown on pollution has put China on track to overtake Japan this year as the worlds biggest importer of natural gas, used to replace coal, Reuters reported.

China - already the biggest importer of oil and coal - is the worlds third biggest user of natural gas behind the United States and Russia, but has to import around 40 percent of its total needs as domestic production cant keep up with demand.

Data compiled from the Thomson Reuters Eikon terminal indicates Chinas 2017 imports of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) will top 67 million tonnes, up by more than a quarter from a year earlier. LNG imports alone surged more than 50 percent. The data, which includes LNG tanker arrivals to China and pipeline monthly import flow estimates, is preliminary as December figures are not yet available.

China still lags Japan, with gas annual imports of around 83.5 million tonnes, all as LNG, but its overall gas imports topped Japans in September and again in November, government data and shipping flows show. Analysts say the trend is set and China should top Japan for the full year in 2018.

Both LNG and pipeline imports will continue to increase in the next few years. We expect China to overtake Japan as the worlds largest gas importer in 2018, said Miaoru Huang, Asia gas and LNG senior manager at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, quoted by Reuters. But Japan will remain as the No.1 LNG importer till around 2028, she added.

China last year started to move millions of households and many industrial facilities from coal to gas as part of efforts to clean its skies, sparking an unprecedented rally in overseas import orders. Chinas three biggest LNG suppliers are Australia, Qatar and Malaysia, while pipeline imports come from Central Asia and Myanmar. A pipeline connecting China to Russia is under construction.

Unlike established LNG importers which import the bulk of their cargoes under long-term contracts with fixed monthly volumes and a link to the oil market, many Chinese utilities buy LNG in the spot market when they need it at short notice, such as the current peak demand winter season.

Chinas surging demand already pushed it past South Korea in 2017 as the worlds number 2 LNG importer, Reuters reminded.The mystery of a star located about 1,300 light-years from Earth is finally coming into clearer focus  and it's not aliens.

A strange brightening-and-dimming behavior of Tabby's Star, or KIC 8462852, was first studied by professional astronomers in 2015. The researchers hadn't seen anything like it, and said they could not rule out alien activity as one remote yet possible cause, such as a Dyson sphere or "alien megastructure" built around the star to harvest its energy.

"It's been called the most mysterious star in the galaxy," Jason Wright, an astronomer at Penn State University who's studied Tabby's Star, told Business Insider. "We call it the 'WTF' star" (an abbreviation, he added, that stands for "where's the flux?").

Following a crowdfunded campaign to observe Tabby's Star in the most detail ever recorded, however, more than 200 scientists are now debunking the wildest explanation.

"There's no reason to think aliens have anything to do with Tabby's Star, given these data," Wright said.

Wright coauthored a new study about the star, published Wednesday in Astrophysical Journal Letters, that was led by Tabetha Boyajian, an astronomer at Louisiana State University who also spearheaded the new observations.

"Dust is most likely the reason why the star's light appears to dim and brighten," Boyajian in a press release.

The mystery of Tabbys Star

The weird dimming of Tabby's Star was first detected by NASA's Kepler space telescope, which stared down about 145,000 stars and measured their brightness from 2009 through 2013.

But the actual discovery was made in the 2010s by the "Planet Hunters," a group of volunteer citizen scientists who combed through Kepler data looking for tiny, characteristic dips in brightness caused by orbiting worlds. The project helped discover thousands of planets beyond the solar system, including a few dozen Earth-size and potentially habitable worlds.

During this effort, multiple volunteers described KIC 8462852 as an "interesting" and even "bizarre" star. Over periods ranging from five to 80 days, its brightness would dip a whopping 22%  an amount far greater than any planet in the solar system could cause by passing in front of the sun (and Tabby's Star is 50% larger and 1,000 degrees hotter than our sun).

By September 2015, Boyajian and other professional astronomers took a closer look at the data and confirmed the never-before-seen oddity.

Over the past two years, the scientists have floated a number of possible explanations (beyond the improbable suggestion of alien activity), including debris left by a destroyed planet, an oblong star that appeared to dim as it rotated, swarms of giant "exocomets", huge dust clouds, and dramatic changes within the star itself.

Without new observations, however, no one could be certain.

A crowdfunded astronomical discovery

Lacking quick access to a government observatory or a large source of funding for private observations, the research team turned to amateur astronomers and crowdfunding for help.

"If we can catch it in the act of getting dimmer, then we can point our telescopes at it, and we can study the material that's blocking the starlight," Wright said in a video for the group's 2016 Kickstarter campaign.

The effort ultimately raised over $107,000, and Boyajian, Wright and others purchased time on the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, which uses observatories contracted all over the world to continuously monitor an object of interest in space.

Observations for their "Where's the flux?" project, conducted from March through December 2017, measured Tabby's Star in a variety of wavelengths or "flavors" of light. The data show that whatever anomaly is obscuring Tabby's starlight doesn't block it completely  much more red light gets through than blue light, for instance.

"Whatever is passing between us and the star is not opaque, as would be expected from a planet or alien megastructure," Boyajian said.

The observations also suggest that the star, which is nicknamed after Boyajian, is not oblong-shaped. And it's unlikely that a planetary collision is causing the dimming, since a spike in temperature that such an event would cause hasn't been seen.

Wright likes the idea that a black hole surrounded by a bunch of dust is to blame, yet said it's a "dark horse idea." Not much else is yet known, he added, since the research team has analyzed only about 10% of its mountain of new data.

"It's overwhelming," Wright said. "It sort of feels like a Christmas where everyone gets you books, and at the end of the day you have this enormous stack  but you have no idea where to start or how long it's going to take to get through it all."

However long it takes, Wright says it's important to solve the mystery of Tabby's Star.The demand for "raw water"  unfiltered, untreated, un-sterilized spring water  is apparently skyrocketing in San Francisco, as The New York Times reported last week.

Rainbow Grocery, a co-op in the city's Mission District, a 2.5-gallon, glass orb of untreated water sells for Proponents of "raw water" are particularly concerned about tap water because fluoride is added (which has been shown to improve dental hygiene) and some tap water flows through lead pipes.

Meanwhile, several health experts have warned that drinking untreated water can have serious health consequences. EA British initiative set up to tackle venture capital's monoculture will launch in the US, where the industry is currently reeling from multiple sexual harassment scandals.

Diversity VC was set up by five young venture capitalists in March to highlight the fact that most British venture capital investors are middle-class white men, with a knock-on effect on which startups get funding. It released a landmark report in May showing that almost half of British VC firms had no women on their investment teams.

Diversity VC founder and investor Check Warner told Business Insider that the group had decided to expand to the US after multiple requests from venture capital associates.

"What's been lacking in conversations in the US is that basis in fact, [research into] why we have such a big problem," Warner said. "There wasn't anything comparable to what we had done.

"People got in touch to say 'It would be great to have something like this, a system and process to start uncovering this.'"

"It's been interesting to see these things come out," said Warner. "It's reflective of the culture not including people, and having this sense of entitlement. You don't have checks and balances on behaviour.

"The lack of female diversity around the table is a contributing factor to people getting away with what they got away with."

Like its UK counterpart, the US chapter of Diversity VC will promote greater diversity in venture capital through four initiatives, including helping underrepresented groups build a VC network, getting minority interns into VC firms, and publishing data about diverse representation.He made this admonishment when he led the entire Council of his Parish to pay a courtesy call on the President at the Flagstaff House.

He explained that the NPP governments decision to implement the Free SHS policy is a good move and is particularly welcomed by the church which has been at the forefront of helping to get Ghanaian Children educated.

As people involved in providing support to several needy children to get education, we are well placed to assess the impact of such a transformative policy on most families in Ghana and also offer some comment.

Please do not be disillusioned by your critics and the implementation difficulties you will encounter. You are on the right path and you do have our full support, Father Campbell added.

Father Campbell mentioned that his parish intends to make the upgrade of the Christ the King International School its 70th anniversary celebration project.

READ ALSO: Students charged GHC75 for nose masks

He appealed to the President to support them to make their planned project a success.

The President expressed his appreciation to Father Campbell and his council for the courtesy call.In an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, Nsowah said that even though the GES is aware of the directive, they have asked them not to implement its content.

I checked with the Deputy Director General at GES and he told me yes, that they are aware of that letter, but that letter was signed more than a year ago by the former Director General at a time when we didnt have any indication of the outbreak of meningitis. Therefore he warned them not to implement that letter.

They are aware, they came to discuss it and he told them they cannot implement that letter because that letter has expired. So it has come as a surprise to them when I called to find out this development. I do not know why the headmaster will do that, maybe they would have to call the headmaster to explain why he wants to charge the students, when we dont have any directive or any indication from the Ministry of Health that because of the seriousness of meningitis, students should wear masks, he added.

His response comes after a newsletter signed by the headmaster of the school asked that students pay GHC75 for nose masks and gloves to help prevent meningitis and other public health-related issues.

The newsletter addressed to parents and guardians of the school said the GES has approved the levy following the deaths of students in various schools across the country from meningitis.In a newsletter sighted by Accra-based Citi FM, the school explained that this is to help prevent meningitis and other public health-related diseases.

The newsletter was signed by the Headmaster of the school D. Tetteh Kwao and addressed to the parents and guardians of the students.

Although the government is strictly against the payment of extra fees by students particularly due to the implementation of the Free SHS programme, the headmaster noted that the decision had been approved by the Ghana Education Service.

The approval has been given by Ghana Education Service for the students to make payment in respect of meningitis and public health-related disease prevention as discussed at our PTA meetings in the second term of the year.

Meningitis and Public Health related disease prevention GH75.00.The meningitis menace is fast spreading among schools in the country. Recently, it has taken lives of students in Kumasi Academy and it is moving Southwards, it added.

Most Senior High Schools have been taking precautions following the deaths of students in various schools across the country from meningitis.

Although the Ghana Health Service has said that the deaths cannot be described as an outbreak but isolated cases, the death toll is 6, leaving some parents in fear.

However, it must be clarified that no meningitis-related death has occurred at Kumasi Academy as stated by authorities at Manya Krobo SHS.

In the case of Kumasi Academy, the four deaths have been linked to the H1N1 Influenza.That was followed by suspension of essential services such as water and electricity supply as well as refused to collect garbage, according to Tuko.co.ke.

READ MORE: Suicide bomber blows up his own father in a mosque attack

The tenants then went to court to challenge the landlords decision and a ruling was given in their favour.

"You are hereby ordered to restore all the facilities such as water, electricity supply, garbage collection, security, and parking services with immediate effect," the court reportedly ruled.According to Africanspotlight.com, one Umar Kachalla, a civilian militiaman said "Fourteen bodies have been pulled out of the rubble."

He added that "Only the muezzin has survived and we believe more bodies are buried under the debris, saying "The death toll may likely rise."

Interestingly, it is now emerging according to reports that, the suicide bombers own father was one of the people who died as a result of his attack on the mosque.The victim, Isaac Pitman, reported the pair who were arraigned on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the Jikwoyi Police Station on December 24.

This is according to Prosecutor Mahmud Ismail la who explained that the duo assaulted their father because he corrected them about their behaviour.

The two sons of the complainant tied him and beat him so much that he was pleading with them not to harm him.

They beat him up because he warned them to stop disturbing the peace of neighbourhood with their criminal acts and thereafter, the second son ran away, said the prosecutor.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court's judge, Mr Aliyu Kagarko, granted Innocent bail in the sum of N100,000.

He adjourned for a hearing expected to hold on January 29, 2018.

Meet Prosper, a child who don't love his parents

Prosper, a 24-year-old man has revealed in a viral Facebook video his failed plans to use his parents for money making rituals.

In what will likely shock many, the suspect who believed he had suffered too much in his life mentioned that his action was borne out of the intention to help his folks financially.

He was paraded with dresses belonging to the subjects.

The youth who appeared like one with a shattered hope admitted to the deed in a chat with an interrogator who questioned him about his goals.This was when the case was held on Wednesday, January 03, 2018.

The court has, therefore, issued a written order to the schools of the four to furnish it with the register and terminal reports of the suspects to ascertain their true ages.

The case has since been adjourned to Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

The four suspects were arrested after a video circulating on social media showed them forcibly performing sexual acts with a teenage girl.

Many who were outraged by the video called on the police to ensure that the boys are prosecuted.This woke up the occupants of the house.

READ ALSO: Police constable suspected to be armed robber pulls gun on colleague

Mr Attakura who saw the three armed men on his verandah, managed to aim at one of them, shooting him to death instantly.

The other two escaped the scene right after the shooting.

Police were immediately alerted and after inspecting the body.

A search in a camouflage pouch tied around the suspects waist revealed 12 live cartridges.

A mobile phone was also found in his pocket.His comments come on the back of the establishment of a special TV Licence Court to deal with TV licence fee defaulters.

READ ALSO:GBC boss says license fees will extend to mobile consumers

The setting up of the new courts follows a request made by the Director-General of Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC), Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow in November this year to the Judiciary.

Many have since raised concerns over the reintroduction of the license, saying that the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) cannot impose a levy on Ghanaians since it is no more a public service broadcaster.

But in an interview with Silver FM in Kumasi, lawyer Maurice Ampaw urged Ghanaians to pay the levy irrespective of how they feel in relation to GTVs content.

You cant argue in the law court that, GTV has not been offering you what you like so there is no reason to pay TV license. Therefore instead of paying a small amount why do you prefer to pay more when being sent to court? he asked.

Even the transportation involved in attending court sessions alone can pay what you refused to.His comments comes after the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, wrote to about 180 of 193 member states warning that she will be taking names of countries that vote for a general assembly resolution critical of the announcement which overturned decades of US foreign policy.

READ MORE: Trump takes credit for the safest year in the history of commercial air travel

Jerusalem has long been considered a bargaining chip between Israel and Palestine, dating back to Israels military occupation of the historic city during the six-day War.

When the final vote went down in the United Nations, 128 countries voted in opposition to Trumps plan.

According to USAid.gov, which catalogs all financial obligations the U.S. holds with the rest of the world, Trumps threat would save the United States more than $24 billion  in just one year.

Ghana would lose $724,133,065 for developmental projects if Donald Trump cuts aid to countries.

Some African countries will also lose huge sums of money.

Here are the countries that voted against the U.S along with Americas 2016 financial obligation.

Afghanistan  $5,060,306,050

Albania  $27,479,989

Algeria  $17,807,222

Andorra  $0

Angola  $64,489,547

Armenia  $22,239,896

Austria  $310,536

Azerbaijan  $15,312,389

Bahrain  $6,573,352

Bangladesh  $263,396,621

Barbados  $5,442,370

Belarus  $11,166,107

Belgium  $3,101,636

Belize  $8,613,838

Bolivia  $1,378,654

Botswana  $57,252,922

Brazil  $14,899,949

Brunei  $354,829

Bulgaria  $20,066,715

Burkina Faso  $74,469,144

Burundi  $70,507,528

Cabo Verde  $5,044,716

Cambodia  $103,194,295

Chad  $117,425,683

Chile  $2,266,071

China  $42,263,025

Comoros  $1,057,063

Congo  $8,439,457

Costa Rica  $14,650,552

Cote dIvoire  $161,860,737

Cuba  $15,776,924

Cyprus  $0

Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea)  $2,142,161

Denmark  $3,455

Djibouti  $24,299,878

Dominica  $616,000

Ecuador  $26,014,579

Egypt  $1,239,291,240

Eritrea  $119,364

Estonia  $15,937,295

Ethiopia  $1,111,152,703

Finland  $33,492

France  $4,660,356

Gabon  $31,442,404

Gambia  $3,197,858

Germany  $5,484,317

Ghana  $724,133,065

Greece  $8,508,639

Grenada  $690,300

Guinea  $87,630,410

Guyana  $9,691,030

Iceland  $0

India  $179,688,851

Indonesia  $222,431,738

Iran  $3,350,327

Iraq  $5,280,379,380

Ireland  $0

Italy  $454,613

Japan  $20,804,795

Jordan  $1,214,093,785

Kazakhstan  $80,418,203

Kuwait  $112,000

Kyrgyzstan  $41,262,984

Laos  $57,174,076

Lebanon  $416,553,311

Liberia  $473,677,614

Libya  $26,612,087

Liechtenstein  $0

Lithuania  $15,709,304

Luxembourg  $0

Madagascar  $102,823,791

Malaysia  $10,439,368

Maldives  $1,511,931

Mali  $257,152,020

Malta  $137,945

Mauritania  $12,743,363

Mauritius  $791,133

Monaco  $0

Montenegro  $2,118,108

Morocco  $82,023,514

Mozambique  $514,007,619

Namibia  $53,691,093

Nepal  $194,286,218

Netherlands  $0

New Zealand  $0

Nicaragua  $31,318,397

Niger  $144,122,239

Nigeria  $718,236,917

Norway  $100,000

Oman  $5,753,829

Pakistan  $777,504,870

Papua New Guinea  $14,836,598

Peru  $95,803,112

Portugal  $207,600

Qatar  $95,097

Republic of Korea (South Korea)  $3,032,086

Russia  $17,195,004

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  $612,000

Saudi Arabia  $732,875

Senegal  $99,599,642

Serbia  $33,062,589

Seychelles  $223,002

Singapore  $468,118

Slovakia  $2,585,685

Slovenia  $715,716

Somalia  $274,784,535

South Africa  $597,218,298

Spain  $81,231

Sri Lanka  $27,192,841

Sudan  $137,878,835

Suriname  $232,672

Sweden  $1,269

Switzerland  $1,168,960

Syria  $916,426,147

Tajikistan  $47,789,686

Thailand  $68,182,970

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia  $31,755,240

Tunisia  $117,490,639

Turkey  $154,594,512

United Arab Emirates  $1,140,659

United Kingdom  $3,877,820

United Republic of Tanzania  $628,785,614

Uruguay  $836,850

Uzbekistan  $20,067,933

Venezuela  $9,178,148

Vietnam  $157,611,276

Yemen  $305,054,784

Zimbabwe  $261,181,770

TOTAL  $24,485,383,599Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!Most had already served their sentences and returned to their communities. The majority of US states take away felons' voting rights, occasionally for life.

This disenfranchisement affects an estimated one in 40 adult Americans, or 2.5% of the total US voting-age population, according to The Sentencing Project, a group that advocates criminal-justice reform.

That number is greater than the entire population of Missouri, and it's the largest single group of American citizens who are barred by law from participating in elections.

So many people are barred from the polls that some worry their absence could change election results. One study even suggested that allowing felons to vote in Florida could have tipped the 2000 presidential election to Democrat Al Gore.

About half of US states have loosened restrictions in recent years. But how this might affect the country's fractured politics is more complicated. Would ex-felons turn out to vote? And if they would, can we predict who'd benefit?

The US is a huge outlier when it comes to incarceration

The US has the one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, with about 670 inmates per 100,000 residents, according to figures from the International Center for Prison Studies. Some estimates put the figure higher.

That rate is about five times the average of other developed economies in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The next-closest OECD state is Israel, which has an incarceration rate of about 250 inmates per 100,000.

The number of Americans incarcerated has increased over the past 25 years.

The rate for US residents ages 18 and up rose from about 310 per 100,000 in 1980 to about 870 per 100,000 in 2015, a spike correlated with the "war on drugs"-era tough-on-crime policies. The rate peaked in the mid-2000s at about 1,000 per 100,000.

Which brings us to the first divide: the disenfranchisement of those with a conviction

Few major economies around the world allow inmates to vote. Politicians and voters generally argue that if a person does not follow the law, then that person should not get to choose lawmakers.

In the US, the Fourteenth Amendment grantsstates the authority to deny voting rights to those with criminal convictions, and then states can come up with their own rules for restoring those voting rights if they choose.

Maine and Vermont are the only two states that allow people in prison to vote. But it's what happens after a person has served time for a felony that is more controversial.

Over three-quarters (77%) of disenfranchised voters are not actually in prison. Some are under probation or parole supervision, while others have completed their sentences, according to The Sentencing Project.

Twelve states  Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming  restrict voting rights even after a person has completed a prison sentence and is no longer on probation or parole.

The affected people in those states make up over 50% of the entire disenfranchised population in the US.

Which brings us to the second divide: race

None of the laws barring ex-felons from voting explicitly mention race. The US, however, disproportionately arrests and convicts people of color. The effect is a huge disenfranchised voting bloc.

Black Americans of voting age are more than four times as likely to lose their voting rights as the rest of the adult population, with one of every 13 black adults disenfranchised nationally, according to The Sentencing Project.

An estimated 2.2 million black citizens are barred from voting in total.

The rates of African-American felony disenfranchisement vary significantly by state, with startling numbers in a few: more than one in five African-Americans is barred from voting in Florida (21%), Kentucky (26%), Tennessee (21%), and Virginia (22%).

"This is largely the result of the historic growth in incarceration in recent decades and disproportionate enforcement of the failed 'war on drugs' in black and Latino communities, which has drastically increased the class of persons subject to disenfranchisement," The Sentencing Project said.

"Felony disenfranchisement statutes have weakened the political power of black and Latino communities," it added.

The racial compositions of prisons versus the adoption of disenfranchisement laws

African-American imprisonment rates have "consistently exceeded" those of whites since the Civil War era, according to US Department of Commerce data from the 19th century, cited in a study by Angela Behrens, Christopher Uggen, and Jeff Manza.

Looking at data from the 1850s to 2002, the trio found that states with greater nonwhite populations have historically been more likely to bar convicted felons from voting than states with proportionally fewer nonwhites.

"The expansion of citizenship to racial minorities, and the subsequent extension of suffrage to all citizens, threatened to undermine the political power of the white majority," Behrens, Uggen, and Manza wrote. "By restricting the voting rights of a disproportionately nonwhite population, felon disenfranchisement laws offered one method for states to avert [the changes]."

"The sharp increase in African American imprisonment goes hand-in-hand with changes in voting laws," they continued. "Felons disenfranchisement provisions offered a tangible response to the threat of new African-American voters that would help preserve existing racial hierarchies."

Notably, the percentage of nonwhite prison inmates nearly doubled from 1850 to 1870 in several Southern states, the authors also found. For example, about 2% of the Alabama prison population was nonwhite in 1850, but 74% of it was nonwhite in 1870 even though the total nonwhite population rose by just 3%, according to Department of Commerce figures from the 1800s.

What does this mean for elections?

Ex-felons would most likely vote at lower rates than the general public, according to researchers. One study estimated that about 35% of disenfranchised ex-felons would have voted in presidential elections and 24% in Senate elections in nonelection years, while another found that fewer than 15% of recently enfranchised ex-felons actually voted in Iowa, Maine, and Rhode Island. The overall turnout for the 2012 presidential election was 58.6%.

As for political parties, some argue that allowing ex-felons to vote would benefit Democrats. A 2002 study by Uggen and Manza found that "Democratic candidates would have received about 7 out of every 10 votes cast by the felons and ex-felons in 14 of the last 15 US Senate election years."

Taking it a step further, when they examined how these figures would have affected elections, they found that seven Senate races out of more than 400 might have been flipped from 1970 to 1998.

Of course, individual and group voting preferences are shaped by a bunch of social, economic, structural, and political factors. So there could be some underlying, unknown variables that would affect the predictions of how a large bloc of voters across different states might vote.

For example, not all states are required to inform ex-felons about their voting rights. And that's significant because one study by Marc Meredith and Michael Morse found that the notification "can increase ex-felon participation."

Which brings us to Florida ...

Florida, a key swing state in recent elections, alone accounts for 27% of the US population disenfranchised by felony, according to figures from The Sentencing Project. And the nearly 1.5 million people disenfranchised in the state after completing their sentences account for 48% of the national total.

Take the hotly contested 2000 election, which saw George W. Bush win Florida by just 537 votes out of nearly 6 million.

Given the slim margin of victory, the outcome could have been different if felons and ex-felons were allowed to vote. Others, however, argue that Florida's large population of white felons would have leaned toward Bush anyway.

Uggen and Manza argued that the election "would almost certainly" have been reversed if "voting rights were extended to any category of disenfranchised felons."

On the flip side, Northwestern's Traci Burch, simulating outcomes for Florida 2000 under scenarios consistent with turnout rates of Georgia and North Carolina in 2000 and Florida in 2008, found that the ex-felon population in Florida would have leaned toward Bush.

So what's next?

Looking at the broader picture, twenty-four states have changed felony-disenfranchisement provisions since 1997 to expand voter eligibility. According to data from The Sentencing Project, an estimated 840,000 citizens regained the right to vote from 1997 to 2016.

In some states, the restoration of voting-rights practices shifts based on who's in charge. In Florida in 2007, for example, the clemency board voted to automatically restore voting rights for many with nonviolent felony convictions, but the decision was reversed in 2011.Southwest and American Airlines have joined a handful of corporate giants that have announced $1,000 employee bonuses following the GOP tax overhaul that President Donald Trump signed into law last month.

In a pair of press releases on Tuesday, both airlines specifically cited sweeping new tax reforms that passed Congress on December 20. Among other things, the legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cuts the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.

American Airlines' bonuses, given to employees at its mainline and wholly owned regional carriers, totals about $130 million, according to the airline, which said the money would arrive sometime in the first quarter of 2018. Southwest said all of its full-time and part-time employees would receive their $1,000 on January 8.

"We applaud Congress and the President for taking this action to pass legislation, which will result in meaningful corporate income tax reform for the transportation sector in general, and for Southwest Airlines, in particular," Southwest chairman and CEO Gary Kelly said in a statement.

Additionally, the Dallas-based carrier said it would earmark $5 million for charitable causes.

The two airlines join a handful of large corporations that announced $1,000 employee bonuses immediately following the tax bill's passage. AT&T said it would dole out a total of $200 million in extra cash. Bank of America announced it would put up $145 million.Why? The light color reflects sunlight and solar radiation while the plane is in flight and keeps the cabin cool. "It's basically like putting sunblock on," MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics professor R. John Hansman told Business Insider. Following is a transcript of the video.

Why are most planes white? It's not their natural color. Companies use over 65 gallons of paint per plane. But why?

R. John Hansman: The main reason why aircraft are painted white or light colors is to reflect sunlight and minimize both the heating and any potential damage from the solar radiation. It's basically the same as putting sunblock on. For example, on a sunny day if you're wearing a dark-colored shirt, you'll heat up more than if you will if you're wearing a white-colored shirt.

A cooler plane means cheaper cooling costs for airlines. But it's not just about saving money.

R. John Hansman: The most important parts to keep a light color and protected from the sunlight are the parts that are plastic or composite materials. Carbon fiber, fiberglass, et cetera. Those tend to be the nose cone, which needs to be transparent because there's a radar behind it so that's a plastic material. And also, often in modern airplanes the control surfaces are made out of composite materials. So, they'll normally be painted either white, or sometimes they'll be painted a light grey color.

However, don't let this ruin your opinion of colorful planes.

R. John Hansman: There's nothing wrong necessarily with painting an airplane a color. Another thing that tends to happen with the paint is, over time it will oxidize. So, if you're painting something red, after a while when it's exposed both to the sun and also environmental conditions, it'll tend to kind of whiten up a little bit anyway 'cause of oxidization. Some airlines, historically, have tried to use no paint at all. So, for a long time American Airlines had their airplanes just as metal-colored so that they didn't have any protection, and again, it's not a big deal for the metal parts. Problem is that those airplanes would start to tarnish over time so they had to spend time and money to polish them frequently. So, most airlines now have gone to light-colored paint airplanes.Three former secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security warned Congress in an open letter on Wednesday that a legislative solution protecting young unauthorized immigrants from deportation must be enacted by mid-January to allow enough time for implementation.

The Trump administration gave Congress a March 5 deadline to come up with legislation replacing the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which shields roughly 690,000 young immigrants from deportation. Known as Dreamers, they've lived illegally in the United States since they were children, and most know no other home.

Congressional leaders from both parties are expected to bring up DACA legislation with White House officials in a meeting on Wednesday. Lawmakers have been working on a bipartisan fix, but Trump has indicated in recent days he won't sign a bill unless the legislation includes funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Jeh Johnson, Janet Napolitano, and Michael Chertoff, who served as Homeland Security secretaries under the Obama and Bush administrations, said in their letter that Trump's March 5 deadline will not give the DHS enough time to meet "the significant administrative requirements of implementation."

"The realistic deadline for successfully establishing a Dreamers program in time to prevent large scale loss of work authorization and deportation protection is only weeks away, in the middle of January," they wrote in the letter.

The former secretaries cited the need to create a "secure and reliable process" for career officials at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to follow, and time to thoroughly review the immigrants' applications.

They added that when DACA was established in 2012, it took USCIS officials 90 days to approve the first applications.

"Even if it only takes half of that time for USCIS to establish a DACA process under legislation, Congress needs to pass a bill by January 19th to provide enough time for USCIS to process applications before tens of thousands of DACA recipients are negatively impacted," they said.

The stakes for the young immigrants are quite high, the former secretaries added, noting that after the March 5 deadline, 1,200 immigrants per day will lose their work authorization and protection from deportation.Just weeks before the Iowa caucuses kicked off the beginning of the Republican primary season ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Steve Bannon ridiculed then-candidate Donald Trump, calling him a "narcissist" and expressing indifference about his candidacy.

The revelations, based on an email exchange between Bannon and several Breitbart News editors in January 2016, come on the heels of a scathing statement in which Trump eviscerated his former chief strategist, saying Bannon has "lost his mind." Buzzfeed News first reported on the emails Wednesday.

On January 13, 2016, in response to a question from one of his editors about whether the Breitbart staff supported Trump's candidacy, Bannon replied with a firm, "No."

"I'm totally indifferent," Bannon wrote. "I'm darwinian...he who wins, wins."

In subsequent exchanges with his staff, Bannon called Trump a "narcissist" and said that it was "a joke having [Trump] discuss god" with voters on the campaign trail because "he NEVER asks for forgiveness!"

Despite his criticisms, Bannon would later go on to lead Trump's campaign and become the president's chief strategist at the White House. In August, Trump fired Bannon, who then returned to Breitbart as the right-wing news site's executive chairman.

Earlier on Wednesday, The Guardian published excerpts of the columnist Michael Wolff's upcoming book, " target="_blank"Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House." In it, Wolff quotes Bannon as saying Jared Kushner, a White House senior adviser, and Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, held what amounted to a "treasonous" meeting with Russian lobbyists at Trump Tower in June 2016.

The report prompted Trump to go on the offensive against Bannon, attempting to distance himself from someone who was at one point one of his most senior advisers.Jocko Willink doesn't do New Year's resolutions. "There isn't anything special to me about the New Year," he told Business Insider.

Willink served as commander of US Navy SEAL Team 3 Task Unit Bruiser, the most highly decorated special operations unit in the Iraq War, and has spent his retirement passing on his brand of leadership to the masses. He's the cofounder of the leadership consulting firm Echelon Front, a best-selling author, and popular podcast host.

He told us that the notion of making a New Year's resolution is counterproductive, because by declaring that you're going to somehow add a single new habit into your life, you're setting yourself up for failure.

"Change doesn't happen in one day," Willink said. "Getting better doesn't happen with one statement you make once a year. Getting better is a campaign of discipline."

One of the biggest New Year's resolutions cliches involves someone saying they'll start going to the gym three times a week, attacking the goal passionately at first, and then fizzling out by mid-February.

According to Willink's explanation, the reason why such a resolution is so easily broken is that it's isolated and flexible. The alternative is to incorporate a level of discipline into your entire life, shifting your mindset and adjusting routines as necessary.

So instead of saying that for 2018 you'll go to the gym three times each week, set aside some gym clothes tonight, wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual tomorrow, and exercise. Keep forcing yourself to do that every morning, not three out of seven, and don't worry about annual goals at first.

"Getting stronger, healthier, smarter, wealthier  getting better  none of these things happen from a mere one day of effort," Willink said. They all takes weeks, months, and years of effort for results to show."

Of course, Willink's approach takes more effort, but it's much more likely to stick.

In an interview last fall, Willink offered five simple suggestions for instilling more discipline into your life immediately:

The point is, stop making grand plans that you're most likely going to break and shift your mindset right now.

"Don't wait until tomorrow, and don't think about what you didn't do yesterday," Willink said.The Golden State is about to get a lot greener.

Sales of recreational marijuana began on Monday, January 1, after Californians voted to legalize the drug in the 2016 election. The market's debut brings an end to prohibition in the most populous state, which is now also the biggest legal marijuana market in America.

A

Though it is legal, Golden State tokers won't find marijuana in corner drug stores.

California began issuing temporary licenses to dispensaries  or pot shops  in December that will allow those stores to sell non-medical marijuana. The licenses became valid on January 1.

So far, the state Bureau of Cannabis Control has awarded retail licenses to over 100 dispensaries from Eureka to Oakland to San Diego. (There are more than 1,300 dispensaries statewide.) Customers can view a full list of the pot shops that received licenses on the bureau's website.

State rules dictate that marijuanawill not be soldbetween the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Not everyone in California is on board with the so-called green rush. A review by the Los Angeles Times found that more than 70% of California's counties and cities, including Fresno, Bakersfield, and Anahaim, have moved to ban the sale or cultivation of marijuana.

How much will it cost?

Marijuana could get more expensive after a series of massive wildfires in Northern California last fall wiped out as much as a year's supply for some industry growers. BDS Analytics, a marijuana data insights company, told Business Insider that a shortage could causes prices to rise as much as 10 to 20%  roughly $2 more per gram or $7 more per eighth of an ounce.

Where can you smoke it?

It's still illegal to consume marijuana in public, on sidewalks, and in places where smoking tobacco is prohibited, like restaurants and theaters. Lighting up while driving is also off-limits. People busted for smoking weed in public can expect to pay a fine between $100 and $250.No, he has moved on the subject of the first fruit. He addressed the matter in a recent Youtube video where he said that this doctrine is not just foolish but sinful too.

According to the OAP, Collecting the salaries of your congregation in January is Fraud! Stop this unchristian practice that creates slavery and poverty.

He starts by first getting the Bibles definition of the first fruit from Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23: 10, and Proverbs 3:9 -10.

His reasoning is backed by the scriptures, Deuteronomy 26 and Hebrews 7 to be exact.

On Twitter, Daddy Freeze also wrote, The lies and falsehood of collecting January salary from Christians as first fruit! Stop it, its FRAUD from the pits of hell!

Ultimately, the OAP is warning Nigerian Christians to stop believing the lie that they need to take their January salary to the church.

Tithing Controversy

This is not the first time the OAP has criticised a major tradition of the church.

In 2017, he got attacked a lot for his constant teachings on the tithing and often shots at popular pastors like Pastor Adeboye.

Clearly, none of these have stopped the leader of the free the sheeple movement.

Other Controversies

Tithing is not the only thing that rubs Daddy Freeze the wrong way. In December, 2017, he criticised the senior pastor of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo, for letting Majek Fashek perform in his church.

He shared his opinion via his Instagram account.Imhandiojie, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), urged school administrators, parents, guardians and teachers to find alternative and more effective ways of achieving this.

According to her, when you resort to flogging all the time and children get used to it, then flogging will no longer be an effective way of correcting them when they misbehave.

She said there were better and more effective ways of correcting children who did wrong without flogging them.

The proprietor condemned cases of child brutality in some schools across the country which had caused severe physical injuries to some of the children, adding that this should be prevented.

There are many ways of correcting children effectively that does not necessarily require flogging them.

Cases of child brutality in schools and even in some homes is something sensitive that should be handled appropriately. Parents and schools authorities should find alternative ways of correcting children.

In our school here, we frown at child brutality or flogging; it is not encouraged for a teacher to beat a child let alone to the extent where the child sustains serious injuries.

To prevent such from happening, teachers have been warned not to flog the students, rather I have instructed that if a child does something they think requires flogging, the child should be brought to me.

We have had cases of parents coming to the school to fight teachers who have flogged their children and we have also had several requests from parents telling us that it is OK to flog their children if the case warrants it.

In all these situations, we have tried to find a balance by discouraging the act of excessive flogging and found alternative ways of correction and instilling discipline in the children, Imhandiojie said.

She said that other ways of correcting a child could be informing the child that he or she would be deprived of a basic desire or going ahead to deprive the child of that desire.

Imhandiojie said children always despised being denied something they loved, hence they would think twice about going back to a wrong act or behaviour.

A teacher can tell the child that he or she will be brought before the school assembly and everyone informed about what he or she has done.

Children hate being ridiculed before their peers; in fact, a child will prefer to be flogged than being subjected to that and so it will serve as a warning or lesson to the child to behave more appropriately and not repeat a wrong doing.

A child can also be deprived of a desire like being prevented from playing with other children. Children hate being isolated or kept away from moving around; they become restless.

All these are examples of methods that can be used to correct a child or instill some discipline without flogging them.

I am not totally against flogging a child; sometimes this may be necessary but when a child is beaten to the extent where he or she sustains severe physical injuries then that is not acceptable.

Alternative methods should rather be sought and encouraged.

She urged secondary schools to introduce guidance counselors, as this would encourage the students to speak out about their problems for them to be properly guided and moulded into making the right decisions in the future.

She said that it would also teach the children to learn and realise the importance of speaking out and sharing their problems with others.Ogundipe while reacting to incessant strikes by labour unions in Nigerian higher institutions identified strikes and poor crisis management as key reasons Nigerian varsities are not ranked among the best in the world.

He said, Universities especially the first generation ones in the country can be ranked best in Africa if we can continue with a stable academic calendar.

There is the need for everyone to look inward to ensure that we are always able to manage the crisis in the system so that the countrys universities can be ranked among the best in the world,

Ogundipe also said Nigerian universities will have rank among the top universities in the world if they can have stable academic calendars.

ALSO READ:

Universities especially the first generation ones in the country can be ranked best in Africa if we can continue with a stable academic calendar.

There is the need for everyone to look inward to ensure that we are always able to manage the crisis in the system so that the countrys universities can be ranked among the best in the world,

We are talking about the global ranking of universities, and here we are, still grappling with issues of strikes, he said.

An instance is the ongoing strike by the three non-academic staff unions of universities.

This does not speak well of us as a country because one cannot rule out their relevance in the running of the system.

Ogundipe resumed as UNILAG VC two months ago

Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos in November 2017.The millionaire heiress to the Hilton dynasty announced her engagement via her Twitter page on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

"Im engaged Thats hot!!!," she tweeted.

It is reported that the couple got engaged over the weekend during a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado. The ring also is reportedly worth $2M!

Paris Hilton who couldn't hide her joy took to her Instagram page on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 to also praise her soon to be husband with some lovely photos.

"I said Yas! So happy & excited to be engaged to the love of my life. My best friend & soulmate. Perfect for me in every way. So dedicated, loyal, loving & kindhearted. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! You are my dream come true! Thank you for showing me that fairytales do exist," she captioned the photos.

She also revealed to People's Magazine that she and Zylka were posing for a photo in the snow when he suddenly got down on one knee and pulled out a huge ring.

"I was so excited and surprised! I immediately said yes!" the 36-year-old said, adding that she definitely approves of Zylka's jewelry taste. "The ring was so gorgeous and sparkling. I was shaking as I put it on. It is the most beautiful ring that I have ever seen!" she added.

Paris Hilton and Chris Zylka met at Oscars party eight years ago, but they didn't reconnect until 2015. Hilton announced publicly that they started dating in 2017.The fast-rising media executive of Nigerian origin was awarded a Member of the British Empire for her services to music. She is one of 452 recipients of the prestigious awards as part of the Queens new years honours list.

The award comes just over a year after Skepta was awarded the Mercury Prize, for his 2015 album, Konnichiwa.

Pushing her artiste and the Grime culture

Grace Ladoja has been working with the UK Grime icon, Skepta since 2014. In that time, she has overseen his transition from the popular face of grime to an iconic, heavily-personified figure with a strong following outside the UK.

Grace, who is the daughter of a former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Ladoja, has built a reputation as one of the main catalysts in the emergence of the UK grime scene on the international stage.

ALSO READ: How Pepsi brought us the biggest musical moments of 2017

In addition, she is also seen as one of the UK's most promising media executives, thanks to her work with artistes like FKA Twigs and popular brands like Supreme.

Like Skepta, who is currently at home in Nigeria for the holidays, Grace is not afraid to explore her ties with the country of her origin.

Recently, she spoke on the "Exposing New Narratives" panel in Lagos where she admonished millennial creatives alongside Maleek Berry and Ugo Mozie.

The MBE honours are 90 years old

The MBE honours were created in 1917 by King George V during the First World War. They were intended to reward civilians and servicemen in supporting positions for their contribution to Englands part in the war.

Nowadays, they are used to recognise an achievement or service to the community in any area, such as the arts, charity or education.

ALSO READ: How the exodus of Nigerians has helped western countries

According to the UK Cabinet Office, an MBE is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community.

This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.

Miss Ladoja acknowledged the award on Instagram, saying, Thank you, Im thankful. Feeling very overwhelmed by the love Ive received for this.

Ive always loved the culture that comes from UK music so to be part of this journey has been so special to me, I think we are the best in the world.

As a scene we have all worked hard to try to leave an impression on this Earth and create new blueprints so that the next generation can flourish, I think thats my calling in life.

Im so happy to be here right now. There is so much to do, I cant wait for next year.ALSO READ: Actress finally spotted with baby daddy

She took to Twitter to share her name amidst prayers over her life, tweeting:

"Ryn Roberts... You will be great ijn... Amen."

Nelson only recently welcomed her first child with her boyfriend, British photographer, Jamie Roberts.

It would be recalled that Yvonne confirmed in her interview with WOW Magazine that, Jamie has kids with another woman.

Yvonne Nelson who recently had an interview spoke a lot of her relationship with the father of her baby.

Having a baby was an ambition she had been nursing since she clocked 29, but that hardly provided the needed motivation to accept the proposal of a man who wanted her to relocate to London, England.

According to the actress, finding someone with an assurance of happiness is what really counts. Yvonne Nelson delivered her first child at a health facility in Accra, Ghana on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

Well, we think Ryn is every bit as gorgeous as the name Yvonne, we just hope she looks every bit as beautiful as her name suggests.Some of those movies from way back have aged relatively well. In some way, it seems almost like yesterday that everyone was whispering slangs that Funke Akindele had made popular in the movie "Jenifa."

Just in case you were starting to feel immortal, here are five Nigerian movies that will turn 10 years old at some point during 2018.

1. "Beautiful Soul"

Released in the latter half of 2008, the movie is a story of death, loss and finding life in other people.

It featured Genevieve Nnaji in the lead role as a sickle cell patient who gives up her life in search of meaning. After being forsaken by her lover and moving to a distant settlement, she finds a connection as a governess for a young girl, Barbie who is in need of a carer.

The movie suffered some technical difficulties, such as a recurring pink dot on the face of the screen and bad editing. However, it was loved by fans, mostly for its simplistic storytelling and the themes of love, altruism and humanity.

2. "Jenifa"

Its hard to imagine that Funke Akindeles seminal classic, "Jenifa" was released in 2008. 10 years after its release, its not hard to draw up memories of the title character destroying English words to heavy laughter.

The movie is based on the story of a young woman, Jenifa, who gains admission into the university and spends her time making humorous attempts at avoiding social stigma and playing among the big girls.

Its safe to say Jenifa was the movie that cemented Funke Akindeles already strong record. Decades from now, were sure it will still be fondly remembered.

3. "Arugba"

Over the years, director Tunde Kelani and his Mainframe Productions have created a reputation using local settings to tell very relatable stories.

After a brief hiatus, Kelani returned with "Arugba," a true masterpiece. Set in a small town, the movie follows Adetutu, a young maiden who grapples with many personal and societal pressures.

As the virgin in her towns annual festival, she also tries to manage her studies at the university. Her relationship with a gifted artist, Muyiwa also threatens her place in an all-female band.

ALSO READ: 5 NOLLYWOOD ACTORS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2018

4. "Through The Glass"

"Through the Glass" is an American-Nigerian comedy film, written, directed and produced by Stephanie Linus.

The film tells the story of Jeffrey(Garrett McKechnie), who finds himself stuck with an unknown baby.

He then ask his Nigerian neighbour (Linus) for help, as he has to find the mother of the child before his life is completely ruined.

The film was nominated for Best Screenplay at the 5th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009.

ALSO READ: 5 MOST EMBARRASSING NOLLYWOOD MOVIE TITLES EVER

5. "Beyonce and Rihanna"

Inspired by the lives of Jay Z, Rihanna and Beyonce, "Beyonce and Rihanna" featured Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Nadia Buari and Jim Iyke as leads.

The movie follows two college rivals who go head to head in a Statewide competition to crown the next big recording artiste. With Nadia Buari (Bernice) as Beyonce and Omotola Jalaeide Ekehinde (Rhyme) as Rihanna.

The stakes are set higher as they mimic the supposed rivalry between America's Beyonce and Rihanna, with Jim Iyke as Jay Z.The movie tells the story of a young man, Chijioke Chinda, who was sent to his home town Port Harcourt to head his companys project.

Knowing that hes becoming successful in life, he decides to propose to his girlfriend, Boma Koko. After that giant move, Boma begins to assume the position of a prospective wife which naturally does not sit well with Chijiokes mum, Rose Chinda.

Hence, attention tussle ensues between the ladies and culminates with Chijioke and Bomas big wedding.

The sequel stars Liz Ameye, Daniel K. Daniel, Uti Nwachukwu and Mary Lazarus, with cameo appearances from Marvis Nkpornwi, Melvin Oduah, and Chris Okagbue.

Produced and directed by Willis Ikedum, the original movie tells the story of a loving and caring mother whose love and care is seen by her son as "Overbearing".This act is practiced on people who are not able to meet up with a ransom placed on their release.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the suspects are "Ibrahim Umar, gang leader, Isiaka Mohammed and Hassan Usman, Mubarak Adamu, Yisuf Sani, Musa Usman, Yakabu Wakili, Abdullahi Abdulkarim among others."

The information was confirmed by CSP Jimoh Moshood, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), who added that sophisticated weapons were recovered from the kidnappers. Items include 5 AK 47 rifles, nine AK 47 magazines, two cutlasses, one cell phone and 1,598 rounds of ammunition.

A Special Tactical Squad was deployed in a bid to seize the abductors. The gang leader of the dangerous group of 16, identified as Umar, confessed to killing 10 people on their previous missions.

ALSO READ: Lagos police arrest robbers who posed as law enforcement officers with fake guns

The kidnappers were arrested during the December festivity, a fact that had Moshood boasting about it being a great success for the Nigerian police. It is a great feeling to have in light of a recent public protest calling for the end of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The police spokesperson added that The suspects will be arraigned in court after the completion of the investigation."

If not for the police

This type of effectiveness is what the public need from the Nigeria Police Force whose representatives have failed to uphold the values of noble service.

There were reports that the members of its SARS department abuse people with the aim of collecting money from them.

The insatiable thirst for money has led to the deaths of many innocent civilians.

There is an obvious need to place a clear modern structure in the recruitment requirement for any individual who has an interest in joining the NPF. It should reflect a value of nobility, concern for people and a dedication to saving lives just like medical doctors.

This will help correct the mentality of a deformed society which has little or no confidence in the character and competence of police officers.The victim who was returning home after a shift was knocked down by a vehicle owned by a man known as Ahmed Muritala. One person had already been slain before he reached Olujobi.

Fresh FM, a broadcasting company owned by popular gospel artiste Yinka Ayefele, released a statement on its Facebook page in the light of this. It explained that the killer driver was captured and was taken into police custody on the evening of the accident.

In response to a statement in a Punch report quoting the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Adekunle Ajisebutu, Muritala was driving a Honda Element on the night of the incident.

He reportedly hit a pole which destabilized him before knocking Olujobi.

The image of the Nigerian police?

The Nigeria Police Force which seems to be associated with an awful intimidation of civilians who they have sworn to protect, have been getting intense criticism recently.

Some notable protests carried out in the cities of Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Warri and Abuja, carried the reflection of a Nigerian populace tired of the excesses of the NPF.

They have however been instances when the police have won the confidence of the people.

For example the recent display of the Lagos State Police who are now in the ascendancy in the battle against the Badoo cult group prominent for terrorizing many people in Ikorodu.

ALSO READ: 16 kidnappers who drink the blood of human beings captured in Niger

A special tactical team by the police has reportedly arrested the herbalist who prepares 'juju' for members of the gang. The raid saw the police destroy his shrine. This looks like a big win for the NPF who are often criticized for their inefficiency.

Perhaps more attention should be placed in the recruitment process of police officers.Adebayo who is also known as Alese was apprehended at his shrine in Imosan village, located around Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The arrest was confirmed in a press statement forwarded to Punch News by the Lagos police. It detailed the activities of SP Chike Oti, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the aftermath of the arrest.

Some representatives of the gang who were taken into custody over the weekend told law enforcement officers about the involvement of the herbalist.

According to the police, the Badoo agents don't go for a killing without first consulting the herbalist who administers an oath for the cultists. Reports also stated that the head of the gang was captured while trying to escape on water.

Adebayo, 34, who specialises in administering oath on members of the group before they launch any attack, was arrested at his shrine located in Imosan village, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The arrest of the herbalist followed the arrest of some Badoo cult suspects at the weekend, including the overall head of the group.

Speaking while parading Adebayo before newsmen at the shrine, the States Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, said the head of the group was arrested on water during an attempt to escape.

The CP, who led the operation involving the Commander of Rapid Response Squad, ACP Tunji Disu; Chairman of Lagos State Special Task Force, SP Yinka Egbeyemi, among others, said investigation was still ongoing but that the full details about the arrests made so far would be disclosed on Thursday at a press briefing, the statement revealed.

The charm-furnished shrine was demolished by the police whose representative Oti reiterated its commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the residents of Ikorodu. This is a much needed reaction from the police who have been getting a lot of bashing from members of the public.

Revealing how the herbalist was arrested, Edgal said, One of the suspects arrested confessed and he led us here that before they go for any killing, the head of the group brings them to this gentleman (Adebayo) to come and carry out oath for both themselves and the piece of stone they used for their killings and that they dont go for any killing without first of all coming for oath in this shrine and that is why we are here.

This gentleman is an accomplice before the fact and so definitely we are placing him under arrest and as well as sealing off the shrine till after investigation.

I will give further details on Thursday during my press briefing but I can assure the good people of Ikorodu, Lagosians and Nigerians that we will not rest until this evil is completely rooted out from Lagos State.

The CP also made a brief stop-over at the palace of the traditional ruler of Imosan Village, Chief Tajudeen Muili to intimate him of the criminal activities going on in his domain.

At the shrine located at No 38, Ayegbami Quarters in Imosan, which was later demolished by policemen, there were different charms and big stones said to be used for the illicit activities of the Badoo group, the police mentioned in addition to an earlier statement.

Before the recorded success in the battle against the cult group Badoo, a family of three was reportedly attacked on New Year's Eve. The head of the household, a man named Shakiru was confirmed dead following the assault which occurred at Ibeshe, Ogun State.

It had concerns regarding the competence of the police in respect to safeguarding the lives of the people they had sworn to protect.

The mood rhymes with the agitation inspired by reported robbery, assault and murder by some Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) agents.The assets which include a Petrol Filling Station, hotel and event centre, were sealed off on Wednesday, January 3, 2017.

According to the Linda Ikeji's Blog (LIB), the valuables which are located around Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road in Sabo violated "the States Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010."

Mr Steve Ayorinde, a Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy revealed the government explored the option of seizing the belongings of the alleged conniver based on a laid down rule.

The government executive had in a statement expressed that members of the public who can offer an information that will aid in capturing Kamal will be rewarded.

He urged residents in Ikorodu to engage freely in their daily activities.

The Lagos State Government is joining the Nigerian Police in asking the said Alaka to come out of hiding and submit himself to the law in his own interest.

The State Government has also enjoined the Police to offer the public a reward for any useful information on the owner of the Alaka Filling Station, Hotel and Event Centre in Ikorodu.

The government is once again asking its citizens to go about their businesses without fear. We will leave no stone unturned in keeping the State safe in 2018," he said.

Earlier in the week concerning the Badoo cult

A herbalist, Fatai Adebayo, who reportedly prepares 'juju' for members of the notorious cult group Badoo responsible for the deaths of a number of people in Ikorodu.

Adebayo who is also known as Alese was apprehended at his shrine in Imosan village, located around Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The arrest was confirmed in a press statement forwarded to Punch News by the Lagos police. It detailed the activities of SP Chike Oti, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the aftermath of the arrest.Since it was taken over by Creative Director Alessandro Michele in 2015, the face of Gucci has been completely revamped. The Italian luxury brand which has seen periods where it has really struggled to compete saw a huge resurgence in popularity fuelled in large part by black culture.

Ad Campaign

The effect has been so evident that Gucci paid homage to black disco culture in their latest ad campaign featuring all black models which was a significant move to make in a notoriously prejudiced industry.

Hip-Hop Culture

The Hip-Hop culture in particular has had a massive effect on sales as artists such as Migos, French Montana and Gucci Mane have championed the brand and everyone who is everyone has been seen in Gucci branded clothing and accessories. Pop queen Beyonce has been seen in head-to-toe Guccion more than one occasion citing the designer as one of her absolute favourites.

Nigerian celebrities

Nigerian celebs have alsogot on the Gucci wave despite the designer items costing from N135K for a headband to in excess of of N1.5m for sweaters similar to the one Wizkid wore to his Christmas Eve concert.

Media darling and professional 'babygirl' Toke Makinwa has often been spotted wearing the designer whether it's their silk pyjamas or their popular jewelled monogrammed bags.

Despite the hefty price tags, our Naija celebrities have refused to carry last.

Here are some our favourite Gucci pieces on our favourite celebs.

Gucci has become much more than a designer, its now a status symbol. The price tags and the cult celebrity following puts the wearer on an instantly different platform. The emergence of the Gucci Gang song by Lil Pump and its subsequent popularity shows that being a part of the Gucci family puts the wearer in some sort of elite club and its appeal is evident.Africa is known for its safari, beautiful scenery, exotic food and endless beaches. Get ready for an exciting and adventure filled honeymoon with these 3 honeymoon worthy destinations in Africa.

1. Kenya  Kenya is known to be the world center for animal safaris and this makes it the melting pot with an endless array of activities and destinations that promise undiluted fun.

You have the opportunity to explore all the tourist sights, walk through the natural sanctuaries hand in hand, shop, dine and relish the bliss of a newlywed life.

When in Kenya, you should visit the wildlife adventure at Masai Mara Plain, take the hot-air balloon to soar above the Masai Mara, visit the beach, climb Mount Kilimanjaro white water raft at Sagna and enjoy an unforgettable cycle ride to Hells gate.

2. Mauritius  The island nation of Mauritius often always leaves people breathless. No wonder it is simply referred to some as heaven on earth.

It is said to be one of the few places left in the world where you can you can look forward to waking up every morning in paradise with fresh clean air, no loud and obnoxious noises, and dramatic views that are hard to imagine.

When there, you could decide to go island hopping, take romantic cruises, snorkel, Scuba dive and kayak.

3. Madagascar  This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has a scenery that is spectacular.

It is a perfect fit for couples as you can wander wild and free through one of the national parks and have a date with the Lemur, hike through the limestone forests, and swim in the crystal clear blue waters.According to him, it is in view of this reality that in 2015 he appealed to people to go back to the land.

He announced that Nigeria would stop importation of rice from 2018, to encourage the production of local rice.

I am highly gratified that agriculture has picked up, contributing to the governments effort to re-structure the economy.

Rice imports will stop this year. Local rice, fresher and more nutritious rice will be on our dishes from now on.

By the same token, I am today appealing to enterprising Nigerians with ideas and unemployed graduates and other able-bodied and literate men and women with ideas, not to just sit and wait for employment from the government or the Organized Private Sector.

Great nations are built by enterprising people who turn their hands to anything that circumstances dictate, he said.

He noted that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government was slowly stabilising the economy.

The president further said that the diversification efforts embarked upon by the government had resulted in improved output, particularly in agriculture and solid minerals sectors.

He also maintained that the relative exchange rate stability had improved manufacturing sector performance.

On power, President Buhari noted that more Nigerians across the country were experiencing improved power supply to their homes and businesses.

He, however, observed that power had remained a concern to his administration because not many people enjoyed regular and reliable supply.

He stated that the Payment Assurance Guarantee Scheme, which started in January 2016, had enabled the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader to raise N701 billion to assure Generation Companies of at least 80 per cent payment for any power delivered to the national grid.

Consequently, he said generation had now reached 7,000 megawatts while on Dec. 8, 2017, the country achieved 5,155 megawatts of power delivered to consumers, the highest level ever recorded.

According to the president, several moribund projects have been revived while repairs of Afam Power Station added 110MW in 2017 and another 240MW will be added this year through a private investment partnership.

Katsina Power Project is now being tested and producing 10MW of power from wind for the first time in Nigeria. It should be fully operational this year.

The Zungeru 700MW Hydroelectric Power Project, stalled by court cases is due for completion in 2019.

The transmission and other requirements to operate the 30MW Gurara Phase 1 Hydroelectric Plant, the 40MW Kashimbilla Hydroelectric Plant and the 215 MW Kaduna Gas/LPG/Diesel Power Plant will also be completed this year.

A landmark project, Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, is at last taking off. This project has been on the drawing Board for 40 years, he said.

The president, however, revealed that the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the Mambilla 3,050 megawatts project had been agreed with a Chinese joint venture company with a financing commitment from the government of China.

He said 2023 was targeted as completion period for the project.

President Buhari also noted with delight that the Transmission Companies of Nigeria (TCN) and the Niger Delta Holding Company had added 1,950 MVA of 330 down to 132 KV transformer capacity of 10 transmission stations and 2,930 MVA of 132 down to 33 KV transformer capacity of 42 sub-stations.

He said the sub-stations included those at Ikot Ekpene, Aba, Alagbon, Ajah, Ejigbo, Funtua and Zaria.

He stated that the Federal Government was working with the privatised distribution Companies to overcome the continuing challenges of distribution.

Buhari, therefore, expressed the hope that these massive public works should spearhead the recovery and lead millions back to employment.In a report by TheCable, Agbakoba made this known on two separate letters addressed to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Agbakoba said the executive led by President Muhammadu Buhari did not comply with the constitution in laying the 2018 budget before the national assembly.

Executive failed to follow constitutionally set procedure for budget

Agbakoba kicked off his letters pointing to sections 81 to 84 of the constitution (as amended) which set out the procedure for preparing the appropriation bill.

The Human Rights Lawyer said the constitution requires each arm of government to lay before the national assembly its estimates of revenue and expenditure for each financial year after which it is harmonised as a bill and presented to the president for assent.

ALSO READ: Buhari needs to wake up and sack this cabinet - Agbakoba

Constitution requests each arm of government (the executive, legislature and the judiciary) to lay before the national assembly its estimates of revenue and expenditure for each financial year after which it is appropriated, harmonised as a bill and presented to the president for his assent, the letter read.

Unfortunately, the executive has failed to comply with this procedure by laying before the national assembly estimates of revenues and expenditure for the judiciary.

This is in spite of a subsisting federal high court decision in OLISA AGBAKOBA VS. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & OTHERS SUIT No. FHC/ABJ/CS/63/2013 that has declared this practice unconstitutional.

We suggest that the national assembly draw the attention of the executive to the decision of the federal high court. The national assembly should request the National Judicial Council to lay before it the judiciarys estimates of revenue and expenditure for 2018 and the executive be made to represent its estimates for 2018.

In summary, the constitutional procedure for preparing the appropriation bill is that each arm of government (the executive, legislature and the judiciary) lays before the national assembly its estimates of revenue and expenditure for each financial year after which it is appropriated, harmonized as a bill and presented to the president for his assent.

ALSO READ: 2018 budget is worse than nonsense, says Akintunde

Agbakoba threatens to institute legal action

Agbakoba made it clear that should the leadership of the National Assembly and executive fail to follow the stated constitutional procedures, he might institute a legal action.

He further said if the constitutional procedure is not compiled with after seven days, legal action would be taken to enforce the decision of the court.

We are unaware if the national assembly has laid its budget estimates.

But please note that if after seven days the constitutional procedure is not complied with, we shall have no choice but to initiate legal proceedings to enforce the decision of the federal high court and set aside the 2018 appropriation bill. it read.

The 2018 Budget

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe described the appropriation bill presented at a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari as a fictitious document.The order is in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the NNPC Spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu.

According to him, gas supply to some states will be affected as a result of the inferno.

The spokesman stated that the pipeline also supplies gas to power plants in the South-West, in addition to feeding the West Africa Gas Pipeline System.

The incineration of the ELP which was built in 1989 was suspected to have been caused by bush fire on Jan. 2, at Abakila in Ondo State.

NNPC firemen were drafted to the scene and were able to contain the fire from the leak point of the pipeline incident. However, the fire could not be extinguished due to the high pressure of the line.

To put off the fire, the line would require being isolated and depressurized, which might lead to complete shutdown of the pipeline segment for repair works to be carried out.

The exercise will affect gas supply to customers in Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states.Fayose, who reportedly made this known today in Lagos according to TheCable, says after presiding over the affairs of Nigeria as the Grand Commander Of the Federation, he would become the pastor with a very large ministry.

There is nobody reasonable who doesnt know who Ayo Fayose is and the decision to me being president is spiritual and physical on the other hand because when your time comes, it will manifest, he said.

I am a force God has created at this time. When I retire, Im going to become a pastor with a very big ministry.

After being president of Nigeria, I will be a pastor who will be a major force all over the world.

Speaking on his  spiritual gift the governor said he had been getting requests to prophecy about Nigerias future.

Nigerians know that if I give you figures, they find it like that even my prophecies. Some of the things I said about last year came to pass. Some people have been calling me to ask for the prophecies for 2018, he said.

ALSO READ: CAN backs Ekiti Governor to become President in 2019

Ready to face consequences of criticising Buhari

Speaking further, Fayose said his popularity and influence would serve him in achieving his ambitions but he is prepared to be maltreated over his criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari.

One pastor said the federal government will bundle Fayose this year, and so? Let them come and do it, who is begging them? Im equally prepared.

I remember Gani Fawehimi, he goes around with his bag. You can arrest him any day, what is the big deal? Some people, their promotion will come as a result of oppression. Our enemies are not our enemies in totality, they are catalysts to our success so I dont care.

If the federal government wants to go after me, I am more than available. They know my address, Im in Magodo now, and tomorrow Im going to Ekiti. Im available for them. Those who keep their lives will still lose it,he said.

ALSO READ: Fayose launches presidential campaign at PDP convention

On his presidential ambition

Governor Fayose reiterated his belief of representing the common Nigeria, hence, he will come out tops should he pick up the PDP presidential ticket.

He said: Nigerians know that I represent the interest of the common man. If my party picks me as their candidate, I will win this election against President Buhari.

We pray for our president that God will grant him wisdom to lead the nation right because as it is now, we are drifting.

He is old; he needs the energy to complete his tenure. God will give him the energy to complete this tenure and God will help us to tell him to go and sit in Daura and not contest in 2019. That is my prayer for Nigeria. That he goes to sit in Daura peacefully like the late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and go home and rest.In a report by TheCable, the protesters, who were aggrieved as a result of the fresh killings by suspected herdsmen, booed the governor despite raising an earlier alarm over the attack.

Ortom, it was reported, had gone to calm the angry youths who vowed to remain on the streets until a decisive action is taken against the attackers,when he was stoned and booed.

Residents had reportedly trooped out in their thousands on Wednesday morning wielding placards with inscriptions such as Presidential Intervention needed, Why value cows more than Humans, Stop this incessant bloodbath, and chanting anti-government songs.

The residents and youths barricaded major roads leading in and out of Makurdi as soldiers drafted to quell the protest and prevent mayhem found it difficult to control the crowd.

ALSO READ: Police arrest 8 Fulani herdsmen over New Year massacre

Fulani herdsmen kill 50 in Tiv communities

Marauding Fulani herdsmen had carried out the devastating attacks in Guma Local Government Area, where Ortom is from, and Logo LGA killing at least 50 people in recent attack.

Governor Ortom had blamed the FG saying the attacks were successful due to negligence from the Federal Government who failed to heed to its warnings about the group.

Meanwhile, the Benue police command reportedly arrested eight Fulani herdsmen in connection with the massacre.

According to a statement released by the state's Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, in Makurdi on Wednesday, December 3, six of the suspects were arrested in Guma, while two were arrested in Logo.

ALSO READ:Buhari condemns "wicked" attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Benue

Buhari condemns wicked attack

President Buhari has condemned the massacre of dozens of people in Tiv communities in Benue State describing the attacks as "wicked and callous".The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about 5am, when a teenage male suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), strapped to his body in a mosque at Yobe area of Gamboru.

Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, confirmed the attack to NAN in Maiduguri.

Nicholas said that five persons were killed in the attack as against 11 earlier reported.

He added that the troops had also neutralized a suicide bomber at Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge local government area.

"Yes, but only five killed and another suicide bomber neutralized in Rann."

However, Lawan Abba, a resident of Gamboru, told NAN that 10 persons were killed and six others sustained injuries in the attack.

Abba disclosed that the suicide bomber sneaked into a crowded mosque while people gathered to observe Morning Prayer and detonated the explosive.

He revealed that the teenage suicide bomber hailed from Gamboru town, adding that the father to the assailant was among the 10 persons, who lost their lives in the attack.

"The suicide bomber hailed from Gamboru town, he disowned his parents and joined the insurgents in the bush.

"He entered the mosque blew up himself into pieces and killed 10 persons including his biological father," he said.Mr Jacob Dickson, National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, said in a statement in Kaduna on Wednesday that Nigeria has lost a patriot who contributed immensely to the development of contemporary politics in the country.

Dickson described the deceased as one of the most accommodating, generous and refined politicians the nation has ever produced.

 Politics will never be the same without the jocular banter of the deceased.

Nigeria will miss the wise counsel of late Lawal Kaita; to him, politics was never a do-or- die affair, but a vehicle for service to the people.

On behalf of the PDP at Your Door Campaign Forum, I condole with the National Secretary of our beloved party in the person of Sen. Umar Ibrahim Tsauri and other members, he said.The spokesperson of the command, ASP David Missal, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.

He said the men who were allegedly harboured by a woman in the community were first taken to Gembu Divisional Police Headquarters where they were interrogated and later transferred to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo for further investigation.

The police spokesperson said the men claimed to be refugees from Cameroun Republic, but that their movement was suspicious because they did not report their arrival in the area to any security agency or any other appropriate authority.

He said that earlier batches of refugees who fled the crisis ridden North-West Cameroun comprising women, children and the aged reported to appropriate quarters and were camped and catered for.

This set of able bodied men only sneaked into Nguroje, passing through other towns and Gembu, the councils headquarters, without information, he said.

Missal, however, said that no incriminating item was found on them, adding that the people were currently undergoing security interrogation with a view to ascertaining their mission in the area.

Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of Sardauna Local Government, Rev. Godwin Sol, said the suspects, who claimed to be from Bamenda in Cameroun, did not notify the council of their coming.

Sol wondered why they opted to proceed to Nguroje instead of stopping in Gembu where there was an existing camp put in place for refugees.

The chairman said such action raised doubts about their movement, saying that it was not only illegal but suspicious.

He warned that the council would not fold its arms and allow people of questionable character to be a source of trouble on the Mambilla Plateau, any more.Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with the president in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shittu said the China EXIM bank had agreed to pay the entire 550million dollars for the procurement of the satellites.

The minister explained that the initial agreement was that the China EXIM bank would provide 85 per cent of the total cost ($550 million) while Nigeria would pay the remaining 15 per cent as counterpart funding for the projects.

He, however, stated that as Nigeria could not be able to meet her obligation in paying the counterpart funding, the agreement was renegotiated with the China EXIM bank and the manufacture of the satellites, the China Great Walls.

Im in the Presidency to see Mr. President and to brief him on three major issues.

 One, NICOMSAT, which is one of our agencies where we hope to procure two new satellites from China.

Initially the agreement was that they will provide the cost of the two satellite 550 million dollars minus 15 per cent which is the counterpart funding.

Because we could not afford this 15 percent, we have renegotiated with the China EXIM Bank and the China Great Walls who are the manufacturers and they have happily agreed to pay the entire $550 million to procure two new satellites," he said.

The minister stated that the new satellites would ensure that the Nigerian satellite company (NICOMSAT) would conquer the entire African continent in regard to the provision of satellite communication services.

He said that the Chinese had appreciated the potential market that existed in the satellite business in Nigeria and the African continent.

This is a very big business opportunity and I am sure that the Chinese appreciate the potential market which is so vast and that is why they have agreed that even without our ability to contribute 15 per cent they are prepared to pay the entire sum of $550 million for the procurement of the two new satellites for Nigeria, he added.

Shittu revealed that the production of the satellites would commence immediately the final agreements were signed.

He said: It takes two years to produce because it is when we sign the papers they will start production.

We hope that before the end of this month we will sign the papers and then they will commence the production. It is the completion of the production that the two satellites will be launched.

He added that Nigeria had nothing to lose because the country would not put anything into the project in terms of financial resources.

The president was excited and was not surprised because the Chinese are not just going to market our satellite to the entire African continent but also perhaps by legislation insists that all Nigerian entities must patronize the Nigerian satellite company rather than going to Israel, UK, US for satellite services.

Now we can say by our local content policy we must patronize Nigeria, he said

The major issue is not about employment but by providing satellite services to all companies which require it.

Currently most Nigerian companies and even Nigerian government establishments patronize foreign satellite companies. So the first thing is that we want to make profit, we want to capture the local market and we also want to capture the African market, he added.

The Minister also said he informed the President that he had been appointed as national chairman of the board of trustees of Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group.

Shittu, who described President Buhari as Saviour of Nigerians, said the South West Zonal office of the campaign organisation of Buhari-Osinbajo would be inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Every day since he came into office all his activities are geared towards letting Nigeria know that they have a saviour, a rescuer, somebody who is committed to providing relief for Nigerians in all respects.

These include fighting corruption, insurgency; whether in the North East or the Niger Delta; in the area of repairing the economy and providing jobs and providing social stability in the society.

You will agree with me that today but for Buhari Boko Haram would have invaded even Lagos.

The minister, who disclosed that President Buhari was yet to indicate interest on whether he will seek re-election in 2019, said his ardent supporters would continue to pressure him to seek re-election to enable him complete his good works to Nigerians.

He added: It goes without saying I mean if you have a child who goes to primary school does well, proceeds to secondary school does well, and you keep asking is he going to university?

By the grace of God, we his ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians, would urge him to re-contest.While speaking in an interview with The Nation, Igbokwe said even though Atiku's defection will lead to the exit of some members of the APC, the party will still coast to victory in 2019.

He further called Atiku a liar, saying that his claims that President Buhari does not cater to the country's young generation is false.

He said, "The former VP has moved to the PDP and there is no doubt some people will go with him. But, whether that will translate to victory for him is what is very clear because nobody can beat Buhari.

"Atiku may have given us reasons why he left, but they are lies. Atiku is 71 years old and we know that by 2019 he will be 73. If he did not win and by 2023 he will not be sure of winning, so Atiku is fighting a battle of his life.

"Atiku said Buhari does not care about youths, Buhari has been caring for young people and they are well taken care of.

"Things of the world does not move Buhari, that is why he is fighting corruption and deploying the money to care for the youths and working on the economy.

"We are not going to reverse the gains that we have recorded; Buhari has started a revolution which he cannot stop."

Atiku's defection from APC to PDP

Atiku resigned as a member of the APC on November 24, 2017, after months of growing discontent.

In his signed resignation letter, the 71-year-old accused President Buhari of neglecting him and condemned the APC for "instituting a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy".

In a live Facebook broadcast on December 3, the former Vice President officially declared his return to the PDP.

In an interview with Dele Momodu, the Publisher of The Boss magazine, Atiku noted that Buhari has wasted his massive goodwill, adding that he will defeat the president in 2019.

History of Atiku as presidential contestant

After serving as Vice President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 to 2007 under the PDP, Atiku contested the 2007 presidential election as a candidate for Action Congress (AC), losing to the late former President Umaru Yar'Adua.

He returned to the PDP only to lose the party's primary election for the 2011 presidential election to the eventual winner, Goodluck Jonathan.

Due to an internal party crisis he defected to the APC in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election before losing the party's ticket to another eventual winner, President Buhari.

Buhari's reelection status

While the president has refused to officially declare his intention to seek reelection in 2019, he has flirted around the topic in recent weeks.

While meeting with the Nigerian community in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in November, the president explained that he was accompanied to the meeting by two state governors because it will "be another vote for me in the future."

Also, while speaking during a two-day visit to Kano State a week later, the president said he's confident of winning reelection particularly due to the crowd turnout.Adebayo Shittu who is the minister of communications, told State House correspondents after a meeting with the president at the villa, that the campaign for the presidents re-election has officially taken off in the Southwest region where the governing APC still retains a stronghold.

Shittu also announced that he has been appointed national chairman of the board of trustees of Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group.

Make up his mind

TheCable quotes Shittu as saying that his group will help Buhari make up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress.

Shittu also said even though Buhari hasnt said anything concerning his re-election, it goes without saying that he should be supported for another term in office.

It goes without saying. I mean if you have a child who goes to primary school and he does well, he proceeds to secondary school and he does well, and you keep asking if he will be going to university. It goes without saying.

By the grace of God, we his (Buharis) ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians would urge him to re-contest.

I know he has not made up his mind but I can say that some of us can assist him in making up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress in our land", Shittu said.

Saviour

Asked if the development was an indication that the presidential campaign for 2019 has commenced, the minister all but answered in the affirmative.

Every day since he (Buhari) came into office, all his activities are geared towards letting Nigerians know that they have a saviour, a rescuer, somebody who is committed to providing relief for Nigerians in all respect", Shittu said.

In the area of fighting corruption, insurgency whether in the north-east or the Niger Delta; in the area of repairing the economy and providing jobs and providing social stability in the society.

You will agree with me that today, but for Buhari, Boko Haram would have invaded even Lagos.

Buhari has left a couple of hintsto suggest hes considering another term in office; with his first elapsing in the spring of 2019.His declaration arrived from the pulpit as Nigeria ushered in the New Year in typically hopeful fashion.

I heard the lord say, politics is not over for you, run for president, Bakare thundered, his cadence rising and falling with the chant from the congregation.

He continued; And (the lord) said to me, Ill work it out myself and make it happen in due course.

Please trust me, I lie not in the Holy Ghost. This is not easy for me to share with you. I share this with you so that you can pray along with me.

It appears destiny is calling and the time is at hand, but who is sufficient for these things? As I hear more, Youd be the first to know by the grace of God.

Please pray for me like never before. I trust you will, because we are in this together. Amen and Amen.

It doesnt matter what anybody says. I never listen to men, I listen to God. Im not looking for anything. He said I will make it happen in due course.

When that due course and that due moment comes, I will let you know. He hasnt given me exact time. He hasnt said where and when, but this is what he said to me on the very last Saturday of the year.

Okotie 2.0

Full disclosure before I proceed: Im a fan of Pastor Bakare and subscribe to his values and his annual pronunciations on the state of the nation.

I watched Bakares Moment of Truth all my teenage life and well into adulthood.

Call me a Bakare groupie and youd be damn right.

In 2003, I sat in the church pew of the Household of God in Oregun, Lagos, when another fire belching Man of God, Reverend Christopher Oghenebriore Okotie, declared hed be running for president.

Okotie was my pastor at the time.

I did believe God was going to make Rev Kris Okotie president against all odds, because that was exactly what the good Rev told us. I was so sold on an Okotie presidency, I volunteered as one of his foot soldiers. Heck, my elder brother, Ken, volunteered as the candidates spokesperson.

One Saturday, as we huddled in church to formally kick off the Okotie for president campaign, we were handed tapes containing our presidential candidates manifesto for Nigerians, in his own voice.

I recall trekking round Ojota to distribute mine; stopping to explain why Okotie was the change Nigeria had long been yearning for, to passersby and motorists.

Hes the next president, believe it or not, I would scream after my passionate appeal for votes. Before Obama's famed door-to-door ground game was Okotie's presidential campaign.

Broken hearts

Long story short, my candidate lost that election even though he told us in clear, crystal language that God had told him he was going to be president. Instead, Olusegun Obasanjo began his second term after winning the popular vote by a landslide.

It was so bad that those of us who were invested in the Okotie for president project, still believed that somehow, since God said so, Obasanjo will probably make way for our Okotie, midway into his presidency, after the courts may have found out that the PDP rigged the vote for him.

Fat chance.

That never happened.

In 2007, Okotie doubled down on his God said I would be president message as we sang Yonder Place in the pastors voice and recited the FRESH (Faith, Responsibility, Equality, Security, Hope) anthem every other day of our lives.

Okotie lost that election to Yaradua and my poor heart never recovered.

Weeks later, I left Household of God to lick my wounds, because every Okotie election loss left me with stabs to the heart and psyche.

It still does.

Another one

By the time Okotie ran for president again in 2011, I was long gone from his church. Goodluck Jonathan was elected president that year instead.

As I watched Bakare say God had told him he was going to be president of Nigeria someday, the Okotie psychological trauma returned like a hurricane. Surely, if God says a thing, he would do it, yeah? Why then is Okotie still not president? Is Okotie going to be president someday still? Maybe he missed the date and year as God spoke?

I understand that Bakare is not Okotie. Bakare has been rolling with some of todays political eliteand was even running mate to the current president in 2011. Okotie on the other hand preferred to fight the establishment from the outside and was a political neophyte when he first declared for the presidency.

While Bakare continues to engage the ruling class from the pulpit and off it, Okotie waits for election season, declares his presidential run, throws in the God card and disappears when he loses until, well, another election season.

However, the common denominator between Okotie and Bakare remains: God said.God told me.God spoke...God..God...God".

Hearing from God

Is it possible for a member of the clergy to run for president without throwing Gods name into the mix? Its a good thing that Bakare has given no time-frame for when Gods word would come to pass, but should he start setting out his presidential stall already without saying God asked him to?

A Bakare presidency would be sweet music to the ears, make no mistake. But hes got several hurdles in his path. In any case, if God says a thing will happen, all hurdles suddenly become stepping stones.

No, Im not skeptical about whether God did indeed speak to Bakare or whether Bakare heard God correctly. Im just worried that Bakare could become another Okotie.Bulgaria, which took over the European Union's rotating presidency on January 1, is the poorest country in the bloc and according to watchdog Transparency International also the most corrupt.

In a move towards reform, parliament approved the new law in late December with a view to merging several existing agencies into a single body to fight corruption.

It also broadened the list of high-level officials whose income, property and conflict-of-interest declarations would be subject to checks by the new body.

Parliamentarians however ruled out the possibility of lodging anonymous complaints against politicians, while also offering no protection from prosecution to whistleblowers.

President Rumen Radev, warning of the "risk for repressive action", said the proviso went against the Council of Europe's Civil Law Convention on Corruption protecting people who report graft.

Setting up the new structure may not be enough to solve such deeply rooted problems and the body may quickly be overburdened, Radev said.

He added that the fact that its five-member board is to be elected by parliament also created the risk of political meddling.

Radev's veto obliges parliament to re-examine the bill but lawmakers can also overrule his objections, forcing him to sign the law even if it remains unchanged.

Administrative and political corruption has become so endemic as to be perceived as normal, according to the Centre for the Study of Democracy, a Sofia-based think tank.The presidents saber-rattling tweet shifted the tenor of his response to the South Korean initiative just hours after a milder initial statement.

Trump, who has scorned the prospects of negotiating with North Korea, earlier in the day said the possible talks between the two governments on the peninsula resulted from sanctions imposed by the United States and the international community. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! he wrote Tuesday morning.

Why Trump hardened his message later the same day was not immediately clear. But Trump has not hesitated to match North Koreas incendiary language even while other American presidents resisted such back-and-forth taunting out of concern that it was unwise and unnecessarily rewarding the hermit nation.The Pe a Corsica (For Corsica) alliance won two-thirds of the seats in a new regional assembly, a result which it said gave it a strong mandate to pursue a campaign for more autonomy from the highly centralised French state.

The election coincided with a failed bid by Catalan nationalists to break away from Spain, but Corsica's leaders have assured they are not seeking independence for the time being.

Separatist leader Jean-Guy Talamoni, who was sworn in as assembly president, paid tribute Tuesday to the National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC), which ended a four-decade insurgency in 2014 to give space to the political process.

Talamoni, who heads the smaller of the two parties in the governing alliance, praised the outlawed FLNC "for defending the Corsican people at a time when there was no democracy in this land".

Gilles Simeoni, a moderate nationalist who stops short at calling for full independence for the island, will head the new executive.

Corsica, famed for having some of the best beaches in Europe and for being the birthplace of Napoleon, was once a hotbed of violent anti-French militancy, but in recent years has been more stable.

New talks

The nationalists' main demands are that the Corsican language be given the same status as French; that jailed Corsican nationalists be granted amnesty; and that people from other parts of France be restricted from buying property on the holiday island.

President Emmanuel Macron has insisted he is open to dialogue but ruled out making any changes to the constitution, effectively rejecting the nationalists' demand for special status for the territory.

On Friday, the government's special envoy to the region, Jacqueline Gourault, will travel to the island for talks.

The minister known as "Mrs Corsica" told AFP on Tuesday: "Dialogue starts with listening: my trip is a recognition of this new authority and its elected representatives.

"It is also a stepping stone in the preparation of the meeting scheduled for January between the prime minister and the Corsican representatives."

From bombs to ballot box

The FLNC repeatedly targeted state infrastructure over the course of a four-decade bombing campaign.

The worst nationalist attack saw France's top official on the island, Claude Erignac, assassinated in 1998.

But opinion polls show that most Corsicans, many of whom live off tourism or are employed in the public sector, want to remain in France.

Even Talamoni -- nicknamed by some the Corsican Puigdemont after the Catalan leader -- has said the island would split from France in 10 or 15 years at the earliest, if a majority supported it."We criticise the fact that a terrorist group has a base in and acts against the Iranian people... and we await action from the French government against this terrorist group," Rouhani told Macron, according to a report on Iranian state television.

Iranian authorities accuse the group, which the regime describes as "hypocrites", of fuelling the unrest rocking the Islamic republic and of links with regional Sunni rival Saudi Arabia.

General Rassul Sanairad, a political deputy to the head of the powerful Revolutionary Guards, said Tuesday the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq had been instructed by the Saudi rulers and some European states to "create insecurity" in Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.

Nearly a week of unrest has seen 21 people killed and hundreds arrested in Iran, in the biggest test for the Islamic regime in years.

It began in second city Mashhad on Thursday and quickly spread to other towns and cities."Two wounded service members are being treated at a nearby medical treatment facility and are in stable condition. The other service members have returned to duty," NATO said in a statement.

Officials did not disclose which branch of the military the troops were from, and no other information was immediately available.

While Afghan security forces are conducting most of the fighting against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, US troops operate alongside them in a training capacity and are frequently on the front lines.

The United States hopes 2018 will see the Afghans finally seize the momentum against the Taliban after years of stalemate.

2017 was a particularly deadly year for Afghans, with the number of civilian casualties on track to be one of the highest on record since an insurgency backed by US air power toppled the Taliban in 2001.Boyle, who was rescued by the Pakistani military together with his wife Caitlin Coleman and their three children last October, faces charges on 15 counts, including eight of assault, two of sexual assault and two of illegal confinement.

The other charges included issuing death threats, forcing a person to consume a "noxious" substance thought to be an anti-depressant, and of misleading the police. All were said to have taken place since he returned to Canada.

A court order prevented publication of the identities of his alleged victims.

His wife Caitlin told the Toronto Star she blamed "the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state" for her husband's alleged actions.

She said it was "with compassion and forgiveness that I... hope help and healing can be found for him."

Boyle and Coleman, who have been married since 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through war-torn Afghanistan in 2012, and were later transferred to the custody of the Haqqani faction, known for its alleged ties to the Pakistani military.That works out to a rate of 12.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.

The number of killings "is the highest in the history of the country," the deputy director of the Judicial Investigation Organism, Michael Soto, told a news conference.

Much of Latin America suffers from homicide rates higher than the world average of 5.3 per 100,000 inhabitants given by the World Bank.

By comparison, the United States has a murder rate of 4.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to recent FBI data.

The World Health Organization considers a murder rate of more than 10 per 100,000 to be an "epidemic."

In 2016, Costa Rica recorded 578 murders, unprecedented at the time.

Soto said 48 percent of the deaths in 2017 were from gang violence and 25 percent from drug trafficking, the latter most notably on the Caribbean coast and in the capital San Jose.

Other causes were domestic violence and brawls.

Soto said the outlook for 2018 was somber. "Since 2012 we have seen an increase and it's likely this curve will keep going up unless something extraordinary happens," he said.

He insisted, however, that "we are not losing control, and we are at the same level as in other societies."Emboldened by the words of President Donald Trump, who warned Tehran that "the world is watching," dozens of Republican lawmakers have rushed to praise the protesters flooding Iranian cities in the biggest test in years for the Islamic regime.

"Brave protestors are once again shining a light on Iran's brutality. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for standing with them in their quest for freedom," House Republican Marsha Blackburn tweeted Tuesday.

Most Republicans in Congress opposed the landmark nuclear deal that Obama struck with Iran in 2015 -- and many have expressed vindication amid the current unrest, which initially focused on economic woes but quickly turned against the regime as a whole.

"The deal with Iran hasn't worked," Senator Lindsey Graham told CBS, saying the convulsion of protests "tells us that the Obama approach of relieving sanctions, hoping the regime would moderate, has failed."

The money from sanctions relief has not benefitted everyday Iranians, but instead "has gone into rebuilding the Iranian military, and they're destabilizing the Mideast," Graham added.

On Tuesday Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, broke his silence to accuse Iran's "enemies" of fomenting the unrest, which has left an estimated 21 people dead and led to hundreds of arrests.

Graham and other US lawmakers accused Khamenei and other Iranian leaders of failing to ease economic hardships despite taking steps toward reform following a previous wave of mass demonstrations, in 2009.

"The Iranian people want freedom and an end to the ayatollahs' reign of terror," said Senator Ted Cruz, who challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

"These protests reveal to the world that the Iranian regime would rather export and finance terror beyond its borders -- especially to its terrorist proxies in Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen -- than work to meet the basic needs of its own citizens."

'Looking toward America'

Several conservatives depicted the protests as an uprising against "oppression and tyranny," in the words of Senator Rob Portman.

Ohio Governor John Kasich placed them on a par with the movement led by South African liberation icon Nelson Mandela.

"Unprompted by any forces but those at home, they are exercising their God-given right to freedom of speech and assembly," Kasich said.

Others made the United States squarely part of the equation.

"Iranians are looking toward America to support their struggle," Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote in The Wall Street Journal, urging the White House to continue condemning the regime, and follow up with "sanctions targeting corruption and human-rights abuses."

Conservatives including Graham have stressed that America is not the "enemy" of ordinary Iranians -- echoing the stance of the US president who has kept up a steady stream of tweets in support of the protesters.

Yet foreign policy hawks in Congress could seize on the latest events to toughen up a bill in the works aimed at hardening the 2015 nuclear deal.

The legislation, which is being crafted by Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker and Democrat Ben Cardin, would seek to make permanent restrictions on Iran that the deal gradually lifts beginning in 2025.

It could also reimpose penalties against Iran over its missile development.

Lawmakers had hoped to pass the controversial measure before the next deadline for Trump to certify the nuclear agreement, in mid-January.Tabloid-style Bild daily labelled the security lapses "incomprehensible", city-state politicians urged the justice minister to step down, and Twitter users mocked the penal facility's "open door" policy.

The convicts doing time for theft, extortion and aggravated assault were able to use an angle grinder and a huge hammer from their prison workshop to break out through a ventilation shaft before slipping underneath a fence to freedom.

A perimeter surveillance camera captured their escape, but wardens did not view the footage in real time and took 41 minutes to sound the alarm.

On Friday it emerged during a head-count that a fifth prisoner, aged 30, had failed to return from day release on Thursday.

And on Monday morning, New Year's Day, it was learnt that two more prisoners had slipped out overnight through a cell window, with one however reporting back hours later.

The pair had been held under an open-prison policy that allows detainees to go to work during the day but obliges them to spend nights behind bars.

"They could have left the prison the next morning by simply walking out through the front door," a Berlin city administration spokesman told national news agency DPA.

Conservative opposition lawmaker Burkard Dregger attacked the "dilettante" approach of Berlin's justice minister Dirk Behrendt and called for his resignation.Trump's comments "struck with great insensitivity" and "negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation", it added.

The statement was the first formal comment from Pakistan since Trump lashed out on Monday, making Islamabad his inaugural Twitter target of 2018.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools," Trump said.

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"

Pakistan, which says it has lost more than 62,000 lives and $123 billion since 2003 in its war on extremism, disputed the $33 billion figure in the statement.

"(T)he huge sacrifices made by Pakistan... could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value -- and that too an imagined one," it said.

Foreign minister Khawaja Asif also mocked the figure on Twitter, suggesting Trump hire a US audit firm to check it "on our expense".

Trump first hinted at cutting aid to Pakistan in an August speech charting his Afghan policy, and administration officials including Vice President Mike Pence have also intimated cuts in recent months.

But the Pakistani statement said recent interaction with US officials had been "useful", citing visits in recent months by Pentagon chief James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as "robust and forward-looking".

Observers said that without further information the tweet could just be more hot air between the allies, whose often fractious relationship has taken a nosedive under Trump.

"Trump is in the habit of issuing hardline statements which only spoil the atmosphere and violate diplomatic niceties," analyst Hasan Askari told AFP, adding that Pakistan should seek more information.

Ambassador summoned

The statement came one day after US ambassador David Hale was called to the foreign ministry in Islamabad in a rare public rebuke. Neither US nor Pakistani officials have commented on what was said at the meeting.

After the September 11 attacks on the United States, Washington forged a strategic alliance with Islamabad to help in its fight against militancy.

But Washington and Kabul have long accused Islamabad of supporting militant groups including the Taliban, believed to have links to Pakistan's shadowy military establishment which aims to use them in Afghanistan as a regional bulwark against arch-nemesis India.

Islamabad has repeatedly denied the accusations, lambasting the US for ignoring the thousands who have been killed on Pakistani soil and the billions spent fighting extremists.

On Tuesday China, which has stepped up a multi-billion dollar economic investment in Pakistan, spoke out in its defence, with a foreign ministry spokesman praising its "outstanding contribution to the global cause of counter-terrorism".

Trump's August speech, in which he accused Islamabad of harbouring "agents of chaos", triggered a series of high-level diplomatic meetings in the US and Pakistan.

The Trump administration also told Congress it was weighing whether to withhold $255 million in earmarked aid to Islamabad over its failure to crack down more effectively on terror groups.

But though Islamabad said Tuesday that recent meetings had created a "better understanding", it has given few signs of concessions since August.

Of foremost concern in the US is Islamabad's attitude toward the powerful Haqqani network, whose leader Sirajuddin Haqqani is the deputy of the Afghan Taliban.

The group, accused of some of the most lethal attacks on US forces in Afghanistan, has been dubbed a "veritable arm" of Pakistani intelligence.

For many years it found safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas, however the military launched an operation there in 2014, and now insists it has eradicated all safe havens in the country.

For Pakistan, analyst Imtiaz Gul noted, the assumption is that arch-rival and fellow nuclear power India is fuelling Trump's hostility towards Islamabad.

India has long vied with Pakistan for influence in Afghanistan, and Trump and other administration officials have called on new Delhi to become more involved there -- an idea that is anathema to Pakistan, which fears encirclement.Macron will host Erdogan at the Elysee Palace with talks expected to range from Syria to trade ties, and the French side is also expected to sound concern over the human rights situation in Turkey.

But high on the agenda will be Turkey's relations with the EU, which Ankara has sought to join for the last 50 years in an epic membership saga that appeared to hit the buffers amid bitter rows in 2017.

"By getting closer to France, Turkey is seeking to give a new boost to its EU membership bid," said Jana Jabbour, professor of Political Science at Sciences Po university in Paris and the author of a book on Turkish foreign policy.

She told AFP this need was especially acute at a time of diplomatic tensions with the United States following Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

'Starting somewhere'

The Turkish leader has been a frequent visitor to Russia, the Gulf and Africa over the last year but has been rarely sighted in Europe since the July 15, 2016 coup bid aimed at removing him from power.

The visit to France will be his first since the botched putsch. Over the last year -- discounting G20 and NATO summits -- Erdogan's only trips to EU member states have been to Poland and Greece.

Still absent from the presidential itinerary is a visit to Germany. Ankara endured its bitterest crisis in 2017 with Berlin, which was roundly critical of the crackdown that followed the failed coup and has left some 55,000 jailed.

While German Chancellor Angela Merkel has often talked tough on Turkey, Macron has however made clear the need to "avoid ruptures" with a country that is an "essential partner".

Samim Akgonul, lecturer at Strasbourg University, said Turkey and the EU had "to start somewhere" in finding an improvement in relations and the only two countries who could do this were Germany and France.

But he expressed doubt there could be any radical change for the better in 2018. "I don't think that relations can advance structurally."

'Won't sacrifice ties for rights'

Erdogan last week appeared to hold out an olive branch to the EU, saying "we must reduce the number of enemies and increase the number of friends."

He praised Macron -- as well as the German leadership -- for support over the Jerusalem issue, saying the EU and Ankara were on the same page.

The shared opposition of both Brussels and Ankara to Trump's move could itself stimulate better relations.

"They (Paris) did not leave us by ourselves on this issue (Jerusalem)," Erdogan said.

Ahead of the visit, Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin described France as a "leading ally" and expressed hope that the visit would further boost their alliance.

The Elysee said that as well as Syria and the Palestinian issue, "the issue of human rights" would be discussed. Trade is also important with both sides looking to lift a current trade volume that stands at $13.38 billion.

Meanwhile hosting Erdogan in Paris gives Macron -- who since his election in May last year has sought a new prominence for France on the European and world stages -- another high-profile and potentially sensitive guest.

Macron has already hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at the former royal palace of Versailles near Paris and took Trump for dinner at the Eiffel Tower.

Jabbour said that Ankara welcomed Macron's accession to power, seeing him as a leader with a pragmatic foreign policy while the French president wanted a new relationship with Turkey based on mutual interests.Tehran said 21 people had died in clashes across the country as thousands of people took to the streets. Police have arrested hundreds of demonstrators.

"We regret the reported loss of life and hope further violence will be avoided. We expect that the rights to peaceful assembly and expression of the Iranian people will be respected," Guterres spokesman Farhan Aziz Haq said on behalf of the secretary-general.

Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had blamed the country's "enemies" earlier Tuesday for almost six days of deadly unrest that have shaken the conservative country.

"The enemies have united and are using all their means, money, weapons, policies and security services to create problems for the Islamic regime," Khamenei said.Dirty Allis Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, held a press conference on August 26, in front of the Big Allis fossil...

Hochul Sworn In At a procedural ceremony at midnight on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the 57th Governor of the State of New...Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will not seek re-election in November 2018, the mid-term elections.

Shuster took office in 2001 and is serving his third, two-year term as chair of the House T&I Committee. Per House GOP rules, he would not be able to serve as leader of the committee again.

He said focus in his final term in office will be getting an infrastructure bill passed.

Shuster issued a statement on Jan. 2, It was a difficult decision because of my love of this Nation and the people I serve. Rather than focusing on a re-election campaign, I thought it wiser to spend my last year as Chairman focusing 100% on working with President Trump and my Republican and Democratic colleagues in both Chambers to pass a much needed infrastructure bill to rebuild America.

Shusters colleagues, including House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and House Railroad Subcommittee Chair Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), all applauded his work on the House T&I Committee.

AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger said, Throughout his congressional career, Chairman Shuster has been a staunch advocate for preserving and modernizing Americas infrastructure. As the leader of the House T&I Committee, he has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of the nations freight and passenger rail networks and the value they provide. Chairman Shuster guided numerous pieces of bipartisan legislation through the House, including the comprehensive surface transportation billthe Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act in 2015which included numerous freight rail provisions and Amtrak reauthorization. We look forward to working with him for the rest of his time in Congress and wish him the best on his future endeavors.

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and CEO Paul Skoutelas said, There has been no stronger voice than Chairman Shusters on the critical need for predictable and dedicated funding for surface transportation. We owe him a debt of gratitude and look forward to working with him this year on the upcoming infrastructure bill.

The rail industry recognized Shuster for his advocacy, honoring him with APTAs Distinguished Service Award in 2016 and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and GoRail Railroad Achievement Award in December 2017.DENMARK: Power and communication network infrastructure services company Eltel signed a letter of intent on December 29 for the divestment of its Danish rail activities to Strukton Rail. The parties aim to finalise the transaction by January 31.POLAND: Infrastructure manager PKP PLK has awarded two contracts for planning the Polish section of the future Rail Baltica corridor.Before the United States officially entered World War II, many young Americans volunteered to serve in foreign air arms. Whether flying for Britain in the Eagle Squadrons or in the American Volunteer Group supporting Chiang Kai-shek in China, those who served as fighter pilots were the spearhead of American intervention, and they quickly became folk heroes. One of the most colorful and controversial members of that unique fraternity was Gregory Boyington.

Boyington discovered a new world in combat aviation after several years as an instructor pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. The combat experience he accumulated over China and Burma was nearly wasted by a bureaucracy that failed to comprehend the necessities of the new war-and was often willing to shelve talented individuals whose skills were sorely needed at the front. Boyington's methods of circumventing rules and regulations as well as his often outrageous personal conduct often proved that he was, as he admitted in retrospect, his 'own worst enemy.

Boyington ended the war with 24 aerial victories and earned the Medal of Honor. But his legend continued after the war came to a close. During the 1970s, actor Robert Conrad portrayed him in the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep (later renamed Black Sheep Squadron), making Greg Boyington and his Marine squadron, VMF-214, household names once again, despite some glaring distortions of historical fact and reality in the productions.

Greg Boyington lived life as hard as he fought the war. He died on January 8, 1988, not long after granting this interview to Colin D. Heaton. His observations are candid regarding the war, the Japanese and our own government and military during the war and afterward.Given the news the past few years, one could be forgiven for concluding Vladimir Putin's Russia is the world's grand practitioner of information warfare. Moscow ostensibly tried through various information warfare techniques to influence the Brexit referendum, the U.S. presidential election, and several European elections. As a result, there has been much hand-wringing in the West about how to counter this menace.Property details:

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Nearby R1A- Residential AgriculturalJios disruptive strategy, including free voice services and data at throwaway rates, apart from offering all services free for six months, triggered a consolidation in the telecom sector, says Surajeet Das Gupta.

When the estranged Ambani brothers agreed to a family settlement on June 18, 2005, Reliance Infocomm (later renamed Reliance Communications or RCom), the telecom business of Reliance Industries set up by their father Dhirubhai Ambani, went to the younger sibling Anil.

More than 12 years later, RCom has decided to get out of wireless - a business which gave the company a bulk of its revenue, but also plenty of pain.

It will also draw the curtains on a significant chapter in Indias telecom history.

For many years, RCom was seen as a leading player in the mobile telecom market. So, what went awry for the Anil Ambani company?

The latest trigger has been Mukesh Ambanis aggressive telecom foray with Reliance Jio, the company that is in the race to buy some of RComs assets.

Jios disruptive strategy, including free voice services and data at throwaway rates, apart from offering all services free for six months, triggered a consolidation in the telecom sector.

Not many had expected this to happen so soon; most players thought they would have enough time to restructure and spring back.

From Tata Teleservices to Sistema and Telenor to RCom, all of them took a significant hit as users rushed to avail of Jios lucrative 4G services.

RCom saw its subscriber market share plunging from 9.54 per cent in June 2016 (before Jios market entry) to 5.20 per cent in October 2017.

Its revenue market share, which was under 6 per cent in the second quarter of 2016-17, slid to less than 4 per cent by the first quarter of 2017-18.

With the writing clearly on the wall, RCom in October 2017 announced it was closing down its 2G and 3G services. In just a month, the company lost over 10 million customers.

Simultaneously, rivals Jio, Airtel, Idea-Vodafone (which are getting merged) and BSNL together gained over 13.5 million subscribers.

The impact of Jio on RCom was serious  while its debt burgeoned to over Rs 45,000 crore, interest payouts rose, and the companys losses crossed Rs 2,390 crore in 2016-17.

The company registered a loss of Rs 2,821 crore in the September 2017 quarter amid lenders deadline to restructure debt or face proceedings at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

In the meantime, RCom had pegged its survival hopes on a three-way merger  first with Shyam Sistema (which took place) and then with Aircel to substantially reduce its debt and give the merged entity a fair chance as the fourth-largest player with a reasonable market share.

However, the proposed deal fell through.

The fate that the company has seen in the recent times seems to belie its past.

With a market share of over 17 per cent, RCom had been on a roll as the clear number two in 2010. It had launched GSM services two year earlier.

When Anil Ambani had got the telecom company as part of the family settlement, it was primarily a CDMA player dealing in a technology that was slowly losing traction.

The move to the GSM technology, along with attractive tariffs (60 per cent lower than competition), was rolled out across India in just 12 months.

The companys ambition was to hit 100 million soon. Its approach had been equally aggressive with 3G services as well - it had shelled out over Rs 5,800 crore to buy 3G spectrum in 13 circles, including in expensive Delhi and Mumbai circles.

But competition was turning fierce, with the number of players doubling from seven to 14 as the erstwhile communications minister A Raja issued new licences in 2008.

In 2012, RCom lost the number two slot to Vodafone, slipped to number four within two years, and further down in 2016 when its market share shrunk to less than 10 per cent.

By the time Jio entered the market, RCom was already at the lower end of the heap.

Analysts say one key reason was the huge debt burden which nearly doubled in the past eight years - from around Rs 25,000 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 45,000 crore, according to CLSA estimates.

That debt pile would have been okay if the company was also rolling in commensurate revenues and income.

But its net-to-Ebitda ratio, which signifies loan paying capacity, nearly doubled in the same period.

Also, despite its customer base increasing, the overall revenues of the company did not really grow in sync (from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 22,000 crore between 2011-12 and 2016-17) which meant the companys average revenue per user (Arpu) was not growing despite 3G services.

The problem, analysts say, is also that RCom was able to put only a minimal fresh capital expenditure into business in the past three years.

This was at a time when the big boys were pumping in Rs 15,000 or more annually to increase their coverage, as well as to get LTE 4G-ready for taking on Jio.

RCom was hamstrung by the fact that lenders were worried it might have no choice but to keep costs on a close leash.

Some argue that RCom delayed its monetisation programme, leaving it with little room to fight the battle.

But others say that with the obvious need for more towers as players move to increase 4G coverage and plan for the upcoming 5G in 2020, the more you held on would have translated into that much higher price.

They say no one knew that Jio would change the market so fast. They also point out that RCom did get into deals with Jio, bringing it cash.

Analysts point out that in 2013, RCom was reportedly close to a deal to merge its direct-to-home business with Sun TV in which it would have kept a 26 per cent stake, valued at Rs 1,500 crore.

But, this year, Anil Ambani sold the DTH business and got no cash, with the buyer taking only its debt.

Two years earlier, the company was also in talks with private equity fund TPG and Tillman to sell its tower and fibre assets for over Rs 30,000 crore.

That is more than what it is expecting to get from the sale of spectrum, tower and fibre assets.

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/ReutersSukh Ram and Raja were charged with corruption during their tenure as telecom ministers.

Sukh Ram was convicted while Raja has been acquitted.

One had cash found under his bed; in the case of the other the trial judge mockingly asks: Where is the money? And if there's no money, where is the corruption? So, pronounced innocent.

Sukh Ram is a Brahmin. 'Maybe he strayed just that one time, people like that aren't usually corrupt.'

And Raja is a Dalit. 'Can you expect any better?'

What race is in some places, caste is in India, says Shekhar Gupta.

IMAGE: Former telecom minister A Raja leaves court after a hearing in the 2G case in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Is there a caste or communal link to corruption and crime?

Or, are your chances of being involved (and getting caught) in corruption cases higher as you go down the caste ladder?

Let's examine the facts.

Here is a roll call: A Raja, just acquitted after a six-year trial and 15 months in jail as an undertrial, is a Dalit.

His party colleague and now acquitted co-accused Kanimozhi is from a backward caste.

Madhu Koda (recently convicted in a coal case) and Shibu Soren (charged with bribery and murder and finally acquitted) are both tribals.

Mayawati, a Dalit, and Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, OBCs, are caught in corruption or disproportionate assets cases.

These cases ebb and rise depending on the politics of the day.

Anytime the big boys in power want their silence or compliance, a headline-making new move is made in the cases. It dies out just as predictably once the political purpose is served.

The man serving the longest sentence (10 years) in a corruption case, former Haryana chief minister Om Parkash Chautala, is a Jat, not a backward caste yet, but way lower than the Savarnas in the caste hierarchy.

Look back at the cash-for-votes scandal in Parliament in 2008. Faggan Singh Kulaste, Ashok Argal, and Mahavir Singh Bhagora -- all caught in the sting in which Rajdeep Sardesai's then channel CNN-IBN and Sudheendra Kulkarni (then close to L K Advani) were involved -- are all SCs/STs.

Among the MPs in an even earlier cash-for-questions sting in 2005, 11 lost their membership. Six were from the Bharatiya Janata Party, three from the Bahujan Samaj Party, one from the Congress, and one from the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Narendra Kushwaha and Rajaram Pal were OBCs, and Lal Chandra Kol a Dalit.

Of course, there are also some illustrious upper caste representatives in the net: Sukh Ram, Jayalalithaa, and Suresh Kalmadi. But there are far fewer of them. And they also have a better chance of escaping. Or their cases just drag on.

Fact: Despite cash having been found under his bed, trial and conviction, Sukh Ram never had to serve a jail sentence. He was a life-long Congressman. He has now, at 90, been embraced and rehabilitated in the BJP.

He defected on election eve with son Anil, now a BJP MLA in Himachal Pradesh.

Do you expect A Raja or his children having any such luck going ahead with the BJP?

Please note four facts before you start outraging over my indulging in pop-sociology and 'casteist' view of corruption.

First, Sukh Ram and Raja were charged with corruption during their tenure as telecom ministers.

Second, Sukh Ram was convicted while Raja has been acquitted.

Third, one had cash found under his bed; in the case of the other the trial judge mockingly asks: Where is the money? And if there's no money, where is the corruption? So, pronounced innocent.

Now the fourth fact, and the most important one: Sukh Ram is a Brahmin. Maybe he strayed just that one time, people like that aren't usually corrupt.

And Raja is a Dalit. Can you expect any better? They just can't handle power and responsibility. Usual suspects.

Let's explore an interesting case in the BJP. Two of its senior leaders were caught on camera accepting cash at different points of time.

One, Dalip Singh Judeo, caught taking Rs 9 lakh in 2003, was of a high caste, and was happily rehabilitated, fielded in an election again, and returned to Parliament.

He was, in fact, caught on camera speaking that immortal line a Bollywood script-writer will someday copy for his mafioso: 'Paisa khuda toh nahin, lekin khuda ki kasam khuda se kam bhi nahin (cash isn't God, but by God, it is no less than God).'

He was a junior minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government then and said this while killing a bottle of Black Label with the bribe-giver. All on camera.

The other, Bangaru Laxman, was caught taking just Rs 1 lakh in the Tehelka sting (2001).

Compared to Judeo, who was a mere junior minister, Bangaru was the BJP's national president. It's just that he was a Dalit, the first -- and until now the only -- Dalit to rise that high in the BJP.

He was disowned, condemned, banished, and isolated. He went to jail and died fighting the charges in that Tehelka sting case all by himself. Of course, he was the only politician to go to jail in the Tehelka sting.

It's an unfortunate description but it must be used: The party treated him as an utter outcast even as it continued to defend Judeo. That is the caste differential of corruption.

You want to take this argument to the judiciary?

It has been loosely insinuated by many prominent people, including by some notable members of Team Anna in the heyday of their anti-corruption movement -- that a large number of our former chief justices have been corrupt.

But who was the only one targeted by name? It was Justice K G Balakrishnan, a Dalit.

Nothing has been found against him in more than a decade now. Just three weeks ago, the Supreme Court asked why all ongoing probes against him should now not be dropped.

Explore further. The only high court judge to go to jail, Justice C S Karnan, for a professional misdemeanour -- contempt of the higher judiciary -- is a Dalit.

Three other worthies, with sexual harassment complaints against them, have got away without a blot. One has his signature on the supposedly landmark 2G judgment cancelling Raja's 122 telecom licences.

The cases have all been buried. In the case of one, a high court has gone so far as to issue a gag order on the media not to even talk about the allegations.

Let me just say that two of these three rose to the Supreme Court, and one was in an all-powerful post-retirement position.

Finally, let us just say that none is from a lower caste, and therefore a usual suspect.

Could it be that the upper crust tends to be 'cleaner' as a rule, or is it that the system is loaded against those in the lower half of the social pyramid?

The Sachar Committee report on the condition of Muslims also told us that our Muslims feature in disproportionately low numbers in most places, especially government jobs.

The only place where their numbers are high in comparison to their population is jails.

So, face the question once again: Do Muslims tend to be more criminal than Hindus, or is the system loaded against them?

Taking the same point further, in one of their most popular stage shows, the dark political comedy group 'Aisi Taisi Democracy' reminds us that a majority of those hanged for murder in India are minorities or from the lower castes.

For a Brahmin to hang, they turn the knife, he has to assassinate no less than a Mahatma Gandhi.

Some important questions therefore arise. Is there an element of genetics to corruption and crime? Or is the system -- from the police and judges, to the media and public opinion -- loaded against the underprivileged or subaltern sections across the world?

Check out the numbers of police shootings of African-Americans or their disproportionate numbers in jails.

Just that what race is in some places, caste is in India.

It gets complicated in our country with some minorities and tribes also consigned to the same bracket.

That prejudice lives on. It ensures Brahmin Sukh Ram is spared jail time even though convicted and A Raja continues to be seen as a thief although acquitted.

It also means a Judeo can be rehabilitated while Bangaru Laxman is left to rot and die alone.

By Special Arrangement with ThePrint, and Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta.'The Constitution, which talks about democracy and equality, is something that will be applied in this country, and not Manusmriti in which the RSS believes.'



IMAGE: Dalits protest during the Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday, January 3, in Dharavi, Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

As violence in Pune spread to other parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday, January 2, the Pune police said it had received a complaint against Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and student leader Umar Khalid for 'provocative' speeches at an event in Pune on December 31.

Mevani and Khalid had attended the Elgar Parishad, an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in Pune.

Khalid, who left Pune a day before violence broke out, spoke to Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf about Dalit politics in India.

Tell us about the meeting you attended in Pune on December 31.

The meeting was about the celebration of the battle of Bhima Koregaon in 1818.

This year, around 250 organisations in Maharashtra -- Ambedkarite organisations, Left organisations, women's organisations, minority organisations, workers organisations -- came together to take out a yatra from December 24 through Marathwada and other places in Maharashtra which have been hit by the agrarian crisis and caste oppression.

This yatra culminated in Pune on December 31 and at Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

I left on December 31. The next day, people paid tributes at Bhima Koregaon.

This (programme) happens every year.

This year, the yatra was attacked. In that attack, one person died.

It is very clear who was behind this attack.

Earlier, right-wing groups had tried to cancel the permission given to this programme.

If the programme happens every year, why it was targetted this year?

Clearly, it was a pre-planned attack from the right-wing groups on the Dalits.

The organisers -- who included Prakash Ambedkar (Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson) -- spoke to the opposing parties and they promised there would be no problems.

But after the programme (at Bhima Koregaon), the attack started.

The unity that was seen this time around by Dalits, Muslims, Marathas, distressed farmers and women across different groups, they (right-wing organisations) did not like it.

They wanted to change the narrative, which is why this attack happened.

Also, you must understand we are in 2018 and we are one year away from a general election.

Prime Minister (Narendra D) Modi made big talk about vikas (development), which did not happen. Therefore, we are going to see these kind of attacks repeatedly in the future to create polarisation.

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) says Opposition parties are trying to divide Hindus by playing casteist politics with the Dalits.

Dalit groups have their own organisations.

This statement shows the BJP's Brahminical mindset.

It (the attack in Pune on January 1) was not a caste clash.

It was a planned attack by right-wing organisations. The police have registered an FIR (First Information Report) against them.

Do you know that an FIR has been filed against you in Pune?

I heard there has been a complaint against me.

I don't know whether it has been converted into an FIR.

It is a continuation of the attack on Dalits and us.

It is the usual strategy of the Sangh Parivar.

They intimidate you this way, suppress you for speaking out.

You were celebrating the British victory over Indians in Pune.

This is complete misinformation.

No one was celebrating a British victory.

We were celebrating the end of the Peshwa regime which did not treat Dalits as worthy human beings.

As far as the British are concerned our understanding is that the British did not end caste. In fact, the British aligned with Brahminical forces.

Brahminism and capitalism are enemies of the suppressed people and we are against both.

It looks like a narrative is being set up in the country against Brahminism.

It is very clear if you look at the BJP and RSS ideology.

The ideology that they follow is of Manusmriti and Manuvad.

Just look at the statement of Anant Kumar Hegde, a minister in the Modi government.

'We should not look ourselves as secular,' Hegde said, 'but identify ourselves with caste and religion.'

Hegde said we should change the Constitution.

Take UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. His officials sent soap and shampoo to Dalit villagers before he visited them so that they were clean.

Two years since the Rohith Vemula incident, we have seen what kind of Dalit discrimination is happening.

Chandrashekhar Azad, the Dalit leader from UP, is in jail even now.

The Constitution, which talks about democracy and equality, is something that will be applied in this country, and not Manusmriti in which the RSS believes.

But Dalits voted for the BJP in large numbers.

This kind of Hindutva project brings different castes and lower castes together only in opposition to Muslims.

We see how Muslims become the others, how Dalits are used to attack Muslims.

We have seen this in Gujarat and UP.

The BJP wants Dalits in its fold, but in the secondary position.

When the attacks on Muslims end, Dalits are not given any dignity.

Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar Azad said very aptly: 'Dalits are Hindus before the elections. After elections they become untouchables.'

This is what was exposed in Pune that day.

The BJP won the Gujarat election in the wake of Mani Shankar Aiyar's neech remark against Modi.

I think the way Modi responded to that (Aiyar's remark) exposes his government's gameplan.

Modi was desperate to win the election as he had nothing to show.

How did he portray that statement?

He said Aiyar's statement was Mughlai soch (thinking) of the Congress party.

You tell me: Did the Mughals bring caste into this country? Or Manuvadis?

Modi kept saying: 'Mughlai, Mughlai, Mughlai.'

Something which is an ugly part of Indian society, which Dr Ambedkar fought throughout his life, is now being shrewdly used by the RSS-BJP combine to perpetuate inequality, to further their agenda.

There are so many atrocities against SCs/STs, there is an SC/ST Atrocities Act in Maharashtra, but in reality, that Act is hardly being used.

There is negligible conviction under the SC/ST Act.

Yesterday (Tuesday, January 2), when attacks happened in Mumbai, the media woke up.

As long as attacks happen in a village in Ahmednagar or Khairlanji no one seems to notice.

You can bring your rage in your villages, but not to our cities.

Our cities are upper caste, Brahminical, and if you bring your Dalit problem here, then we have a problem.

So much oppression is happening across the country against the Dalits, and one day it will come out in the cities.

As responsible people, we have to analyse this kind of repression against oppressed people.

What is the BJP doing?

The BJP is using this rage for a very different agenda, which we saw in Gujarat and Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.

But Dalits get reservations in education and jobs. So why is there Dalit anger?

Reservation was not a gift from the system.

It was Ambedkar who fought for it and got it.

Even today, caste oppression exists in our society.

Even today, an extreme form of untouchability exists in our society.

Even today, opportunities are denied to Dalits in villages and everywhere.

When you say Dalits are getting everything, it is a wrong thing to say.

The point is that they are getting what they deserve.

They are getting reservation because they have been historically disadvantaged and they are in a disadvantageous position even today.

Just check the national crime records and you will find that every hour there is a crime against Dalits in India.

Look at the landholding they have. They hardly own any land.

Even in the media, there are hardly any Dalits.

But merit counts in the media. How can you talk about reservations in the media?

You go to any posh locality in New Delhi and check out the nameplates.

You will understand how merit works in India.

Merit works only if you have economic capital.

If you come from Ahmednagar, Una, Khairlanji or Saharanpur, you will understand that you do not get any opportunity from childhood. The entire logic of merit collapses.

Do you think the era of caste will ever end in India?

Of course, it will end.

We are fighting for the vision of Dr Ambedkar.

We are fighting for the annihilation of caste.

We are fighting to remove caste-based oppression work like manual scavenging.

Manual scavenging was abolished in India in 1993. But even today, the task of cleaning public toilets, railway toilets and manual scavenging, only Dalits do it.

In August 2016, 10 Dalit workers died while cleaning gutters.

We talk of the nuclear bomb and big technologies in our country, but we do not have the technology to clean gutters.

Why do we let Dalits do it?

When Dalits refuse to do such things, we see incidents like Una where Dalits are beaten up.

Even today look at how many Dalits are killed for inter-caste marriages.

Even if a Dalit is financially privileged, he is killed by the upper castes for inter-caste marriage.

Just like Shahnawaz Hussain and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in the BJP does not make it a communal party. The same way by appointing a Dalit President, it does not mean that the BJP has given up its Brahminical vision for India.'The BJP has been wooing him for quite some time.'

'But he didn't join the BJP; he started his own party.'

'Remember he has Hindus, Muslims and Christians as his fans.'

'He will never antagonise any of his fans.'



IMAGE: Superstar Rajinikanth greets his supporters after announcing his decision to enter politics. Photograph: Kind courtesy @Rajni_FC on Twitter

Finally, after decades of speculation, superstar Rajinikanth has announced his decision to enter politics and start a political party.

Can he make an impact in Tamil Nadu politics?

Yes, he can, Dr P Sudarshan, co-ordinator, Tamil Nadu Election Watch, and trustee, Association of Democratic Reforms, tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

Rajinikanth has finally announced his decision to enter politics. His fans are naturally excited. Do you think the people of Tamil Nadu would be as excited?

It is true that he has a dedicated fan base and they would be very excited by his decision to enter politics.

Yes, there is excitement within Tamil Nadu and outside, but the people of Tamil Nadu will be on a wait and watch mode as they would be more interested to know how he is going to approach various issues, who is going to fund him, how he will campaign for his party, etc.

He had appeared indecisive about entering politics. Do you feel that the indecisiveness is over with his announcement on December 31, 2017?

I think he has moved onto the next phase. People may wonder whether he is ready for the aggressive campaigning and mud-slinging associated with politics.

I feel he is ready to face the rigours of politics as he has been in the film industry for 40, 50 years.

He will be able to handle the political pressures pretty well. In fact, political parties are scared of him because of his huge fan base.

One thing is clear. It is also the right time for him to make the plunge as he expects the assembly elections some time this year, and the political scenario in Tamil Nadu is in disarray.

Both the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and DMK have a strong cadre base all over Tamil Nadu while Rajinikanth has only fans. Will it be easy to convert his fan base into party cadres?

Though it may appear tough, we have seen how Vijayakanth converted his fan base into party cadre quite effectively.

I think Rajinikanth can also do that as he is a very responsible person, unlike Vijayakanth.

There is also a possibility that the AIADMK may split and join his party. Vijayakanth's cadres also may join him.

The way he announced his decision and how he projected himself was very well thought about and calculating.

His fan base has people from various political parties. Can he convert cadres from the DMK, AIADMK, etc to his party?

It will be a big challenge for him.

The youngsters from the 1990s will remember what he had done against Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi. They had listened to him then and became Rajinikanth voters rather than AIADMK or DMK voters.

Those urban voters will still be with him and they will still be his supporters and voters.

He will be a hit with women too because of the characters he has portrayed on screen.

Except in the early days, he has been quite careful about the way he was projected on screen.

Can he be another MGR (the late movie superstar and later chief minister M G Ramachandran who founded the AIADMK) who created an image of himself as the saviour of women and the downtrodden?

From the 1950s, MGR carefully cultivated an image of himself as a person who respected women and old people, and helped the poor.

He was also known for his philanthropy not only within the film industry but outside too.

He was basically the fund-raiser for the DMK for many decades and was very much a part of politics.

MGR prepared himself and had years of experience in politics before he branched out on his own. Don't you think Rajinikanth is at a disadvantage with practically no experience in real politics?

I feel he has been preparing himself very carefully from the 1990s by creating an image of himself that is acceptable to the poor.

If you look at his films like Annamalai, Basha, Muthu, Arunachalam, etc, they have a political tone. His image was that of a man who worked for the people. So, the work has been going on for more than 25 years.

If his team uses technology and social media effectively, he can reach out to today's youngsters, especially the urban population. Today, all political leaders have strong IT cells and use technology and social media to their advantage.

The challenge, of course, is the rural population where the AIADMK and the DMK have strong bases.

Is Tamil Nadu being a very urbanised state an advantage for Rajinikanth then?

Yes, it is an advantage for him that 49% of the state is urbanised.

So, he has to work on the problems the urban voters face like housing, transport, cleanliness, etc. But he has to work more on what the rural voters want.

Rajinikanth also spoke of spiritual politics. How much will it strike a chord with Tamil Nadu voters who have only seen Dravidian politics which is contradictory to what he has said?

Spiritual politics could be like Gandhian politics; the politics of dharma and karma whereas there is no dharma in Dravidian politics.

Instead of material things, Rajini would look at dharma in politics. I feel it would strike a chord with those who are fed up of the kind of corruption perpetuated by the AIADMK and the DMK so far.

Both these Dravidian parties have no moral high ground to claim while Rajiniknath can talk about bringing back dharma into politics.

He was very close to Cho Ramaswamy who was like a mentor to him. He is also close to Prime Minister Narendra D Modi. Do you feel the BJP can be a natural ally for him?

It is a very important question because the BJP has been wooing him for quite some time.

But he didn't join the BJP; he started his own party.

He might have the BJP as an ally, but he will have other parties also as his allies.

Remember he has Hindus, Muslims and Christians as his fans.

While dharma may attract all -- as it is more like what MGR had practised -- he will never antagonise any of his fans.

After all, the BJP has the stamp of Hindutva.

As a person who goes to the Himalayas and is a devout Hindu, he already has an image of a spiritual person. In that sense, he can be acceptable to all sections of people.

Will his proximity to Modi make him accept the BJP as an ally?

More than Rajinikanth needing the BJP, the BJP in Tamil Nadu needs him.

Because Tamil Nadu has been neglected for nearly two decades, Rajinkanth can use it as a reason to ally with the BJP. Also, the DMK was part of the Vajpayee government.

Corruption was a major issue that Rajinikanth spoke about. Do you think corruption is an issue with the people of this state?

Today, the people of Tamil Nadu feel that they have the right to take money from corrupt politicians. At some point, this has to end.

With the court saying that not only those who give money but those who receive money can be arrested, this attitude may change.

If some people get arrested for accepting money for votes, there will be an end to this.

Rajini will be able to do some cleansing in Tamil Nadu politics.

So many young people are fed up of the corrupt politics that is practised in the state.

More than one-and-a-half crore (15 million) people are below the age of 30. Almost two-third of the voters are below the age of 50.

If Rajini can make himself acceptable to these voters, they will be a great asset for him.

With Kamal Haasan also announcing his decision to enter politics, are we going to soon see a Kamal versus Rajini in politics?

Kamalahaasan's cultural capital is different. He is very popular among the educated elite, minorities, Communists, etc, but his messaging was very confusing. It was not a well thought out announcement. That is his problem.

Another problem is, he is a Brahmin and he cannot be a chief ministerial candidate.

But Jayalalithaa was a Brahmin...

Jayalalithaa was an exception. That was because MGR was the face of Dravidian politics as the fund-raiser of the party, travelling and meeting people all over the state.

And he using Jayalalitha as the propaganda secretary of the party and grooming her well, helped her immensely.

People identified her also as a well known face of the party slowly. So, after MGR, she could project herself as the heir apparent of the party.

Did you feel while Kamalahaasan was confusing, Rajini was very clear in his message?

Yes. Rajini's was a well-planned and well-timed announcement, soon after the RK Nagar polls.

Now that the political scenario in the state is so messy and without any leaders, he could project himself as a charismatic leader who is clear in his mind. Yes, there was a clear contrast in both the announcements.

More than a political leader, Kamal Haasan can be an institution builder.

Subramanian Swamy said Rajinikanth would have no impact in politics as cinema's influence in Tamil Nadu politics had ended.

It is not just cinema, anyone who used media effectively, has always won in politics, like Abraham Lincoln to MGR to Jayalalitha to Narendra D Modi.

Those who say that film stars have no experience, I beg to differ. They manage budgets, people's perceptions and careers. It is like managing a mini political career. And these people have been managing all these for many decades.

There is no Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi is unwell and there is a kind of vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics now. So, do you see Rajinikanth as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu?

Quite possible. I think that is the reason he waited so long.

There is a huge vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics right now. Even before he announced his decision to start a party, a poll showed 30 percent of the people wanted him as chief minister.

If he plays his cards well and plans his moves intelligently, he will definitely be the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

It is advantage Rajinikanth now!Apart from the fast pace, what sets Mumbai apart is its professionalism, perhaps an underrated quality which helps the financial capital spring back after every setback.

There was mobility in the groups of protesters who went about disrupting the rail and road movement.

It was not uncommon to find the same group indulging in mischief at a location and then scooting off to the next target, while walking on rail tracks or riding bikes on empty roads.

On his journey from Thane to Kurla on the Central Railway line, this correspondent saw scores of commuters jump out of trains that were stopped due to blocks by protesters and walk along the tracks.

The next choice was a tad difficult for commuters: Should one return home or plod on regardless to their work place, irrespective of the spectre of violence which loomed at many places.

At the citys central suburban railway station of Kanjurmarg, police personnel deployed there watched as protesters indulged in stone pelting, threw furniture around and smashed food stalls.

On the usually busy Eastern Express Highway, groups of protesters squatted, holding up vehicular movement for over five hours, as they blocked the key arterial road.

At Vikhroli, this correspondent got a lift from a motorcyclist travelling towards south Mumbai.

I can drop you up to south Mumbai or till the mob allows, was the deal.

At the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar, young men patrolled on motor cyles, while children, women and elders squatted on the highway.

If any bike-rider approached, kids at the squatters junction as it were, would pounce on the bikes and ask the rider to turn back, with rampant use of foul language.

At the Amar Mahal junction in Chembur, the motorcycle this correspondent was riding was stopped by a group wielding sticks. An ambulance passing by offered an alibi. The protesters were told a close relative was critical and needed to be taken to hospital.

It was a smooth ride after Sion as the traffic was thin and the remaining journey in the Maximum City was uneventful for this Mumbai correspondent.

The benefactor, a businessman, heaved a sigh of relief after the motorcycle crossed the Byculla flyover on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road to enter the Muslim-dominated Nagpada area.

Abhi tension nahin (there is no tension now), we are in Pakistan, he exclaimed, in a telling comment on the silos that the city resides in.

A quick cab ride later, the correspondent reached the office at Hutatma Chowk.

The train-walk-bike-taxi journey on Wednesday to the office, usually covered in an hour, took five-long but enlightening hours, as the city observed a bandh called against violence on the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago.

Image: Protesters block the train tracks at Dadar in Mumbai's central area on the day when a Maharashtra bandh was called. Photograph: PTI PhotoThe Congress on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of fuelling violence against Dalits and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in Parliament clarifying his stand on the Bhima-Koregaon incident in Maharashtra.

The party also demanded the formation of a commission of inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge on the clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune that left a man dead on January 1.

Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-RSS of conspiring to divide people on caste and religious lines, and asked the prime minister to make a statement on the issue in Parliament.

The BJP and the RSS are fuelling and instigating violence against Dalits across the country. They conspire to divide people and society and create an atmosphere of illusion that only they are nationalists.

We demand that the prime minister, who shows sympathy for Dalits during polls, should clarify his position inside Parliament on violence against Dalits, he told reporters outside Parliament.

Kharge also accused the BJP government in Maharashtra of having failed to control violence as it did not make proper arrangements in Bhima-Koregaon.

We have demanded that a sitting judge of the Supreme Court should carry out a probe into the incident for an impartial probe. A commission should be set up to ascertain who were behind the violence and who instigated it, he said.

The Congress leader said the BJP government in Maharashtra has failed to make proper arrangements in Bhima- Koregaon that led to violence.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad dubbed the BJP and the RSS as anti-Dalit.

He also accused the government of suppressing the voice of the opposition in Parliament as live proceedings of both Houses were not telecast and stopped. We had given adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha for taking up the issue of violence against Dalits in Maharashtra but our voice was suppressed and live telecast was stopped, he told reporters.

A Maharashtra bandh, called to protest the violence post an event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, turned violent on Wednesday even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in the city.

On Tuesday, several towns and cities of Maharashtra were on the edge as Dalit protests against the violence in Pune spilled over to Mumbai, with agitators damaging buses and disrupting road and rail traffic.

Image: Dalits block the Goregaon highway in northern Mumbai. Mumbai came to a near standstill after a bandh was called to protest the violence at the event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle. Photograph: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.comA Border Security Force jawan deployed along the International Border in Jammu was killed on Wednesday after Pakistan launched unprovoked firing on an Indian post in the first such incident this year, officials said.

Fifty-year-old Head Constable R P Hazra was severely wounded after Pakistani forces sniped from across the border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir about 4 pm.

The jawan, who was rushed to a nearby medical centre, succumbed to his injuries.

He was born on this day in 1967.

Retaliatory fire has been initiated, a senior BSF officer said.

Hazra, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal, has served for about 27 years in the border guarding force. He is survived by a 21-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son.

The incident came just days after an army personnel was killed along the Line of Control in Rajouri district on December 31 last year.

Sepoy Jagsir Singh, 32, was killed when he was shot by Paksitani troops from across the border along the LoC in Rajouri district on the last day of 2017, the year which recorded the highest number of ceasefire violations in the past decade resulting in the death of 35 people including 19 army personnel and four BSF men.

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

On December 23, an army major and three soldiers were killed along the LoC in Rajouri and in retaliatory action, Indian troops killed three Pakistani soldiers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir two days later.

The BSF guards the Indo-Pak International Border in the region.The shutdown generated tension in Mumbai and a number of towns and cities across Maharashtra.

IMAGE: Normal life was hit in the city. Photograph: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com

Protesters attacked buses, stopped suburban trains and blocked roads at various places in Mumbai as normal life was hit in the city and other parts of Maharashtra during a bandh called against violence on the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago.

The bandh was called off later in the day.

Dalits staged protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning but were moved from the spot by police.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said.

IMAGE: Thirteen buses of the civic transport service BEST were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said. Photograph: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com

Protesters jumped on rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said.

On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service BEST were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

Mumbais famed tiffin carriers, dabbawalas, chose not to provide their services on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Protesters gathered outside Mumbai's Dadar railway station to attempt to stop trains.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and B R Ambedkars grandson Prakash Ambedkar had called for the bandh to protest against the state governments failure to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

Later, announcing the bandh withdrawal, he alleged right-wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote were behind the Pune violence and demanded that they be arrested and made to face the same legal process as Mumbai blasts accused Yakub

Memon.

Nearly 50 per cent of the states population took part in the shut-down, Ambedkar told reporters. Not only Dalits, but OBCs also participated in the bandh, he added.

Except for a couple of incidents, the bandh was largely peaceful, he said.

IMAGE: The situation on roads for the better part of the day belied Ambedkars claim as incidents road blockades, arson and stone-pelting were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com

However, the situation on roads for the better part of the day belied Ambedkars claim as incidents road blockades, arson and stone-pelting were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.

While the state government said it hasnt declared a holiday in schools on Wednesday due to the bandh, bus operators said they wont run school buses in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Mumbai police registered nine cases in connection with violent protests in the city. Over 150 people have been detained in the city since yesterday, police said.

The Eastern Express Highway was blocked for over five hours as protesters blocked it, police said.

Over 50 BEST buses were vandalised by protesters and four bus drivers were injured, police said.

IMAGE: Protesters stop local trains at Thane station during 'Maharashtra bandh' on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo

Protests also took place in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Nanded, Parbhani, Washim, Akola, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Kolhapur, where incidents of road blocks, vandalising and stone pelting were reported, police said.

In Pune, the protest was largely remained peaceful in the city, barring a few incidents of stone pelting on public transport buses and a road blockade in Pimpri in the district.

Barring four to five incidents in which buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited were stoned by anti-social elements in Sukhsagar Nagar and Singhgad Road and one rasta roko in Pimpri, overall bandh in the city was largely incident-free, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (South/North Region) Ravindra Sengaonkar.

IMAGE: Traffic at Kandivali in Mumbai stopped by protesters belonging to Dalit outfits.

According to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited, a total of 50 buses were stoned by miscreants in different parts of the city since Tuesday morning.

Almost 80 per cent services of the Maharashtra State Regional Transport Corporation were disrupted due to protests.

IMAGE: Most auto-rickshaw drives preferred to remain off road fearing vandalism.



Some protesters tried to block expressway near Urse toll plaza near Pune, but police cleared the highway in 30 minutes.

In Kolhapur, the bandh took a violent turn as mobs attacked shops and vehicles at various locations in the city throughout the day and set a vehicle on fire in Shahupuri area.

Stones were hurled at many public and private transport buses.

Tension escalated after Dalit activists and Shiv Sena workers came face to face at some spots.

Kolhapur-Gargoti and Kolhapur-Panhala roads were blocked at Shelewdi and Shivaji Bridge.

Incidents of stone-pelting were reported in Dasara Chowk and CPR Hospital areas of the city.

A mob tried to attack the office of a local newspaper but police prevented them from doing so.

A separate group attacked shops, kiosks and vehicles on Station Road and in Shahupuri area.

WATCH: Dalits protest at Colaba police station

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said those responsible for the caste violence in Pune will face action and the matter will be taken to its logical end.

He said the state government will soon approach the Bombay high court, asking it to name a sitting judge to probe the January 1 violence at Bhima-Koregaon in Pune district.

Violence erupted in Pune district on January 1 when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwas army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Companys forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

The battle has come to be seen as a symbol of Dalit pride because a large number of soldiers in the Company force were the Mahar Dalits. Since the Peshwas, who were Brahmins, were seen as oppressors of Dalits, the victory of the Mahar soldiers over the the Peshwa force is seen as Dalit assertion.

On 1 January 1927, Dr B R Ambedkar visited the memorial obelisk erected on the spot which bears the names of the dead including nearly two dozen Mahar soldiers.

IMAGE: Protests in Panvel. Photograph: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

WATCH: Commuters stranded due to unavailability of transport in Mumbai

WATCH: Vehicles on highway exit are forced to take a U-turn by protesters in KandivaliRahul Gandhi will next week embark on a visit to Bahrain, his first foreign trip after becoming the Congress president, during which he will address a convention of NRIs and is likely to meet the countrys prime minister.

According to party sources, Gandhi will be the state guest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will address NRIs settled there on January 8.

He will leave for Bahrain on January 7 and is likely to return on January 9. The NRIs settled there have invited him.

Gandhi is also likely to meet Bahrains Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the members of the royal family, the sources said.

They said that he was to also address NRIs in Dubai but that visit has been postponed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit the UAE later this month.

Party sources say Gandhis visit to Bahrain will be on the lines of his US trip last year.

Rahul Gandhi was in Goa on New Year along with his mother Sonia Gandhi.

Image: Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bahran will be his first as Congress president. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI PhotoThe State Department and the White House too said that the US expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists operating from its soil.

President Donald Trump is prepared to stop all funding to Pakistan until it stops harbouring terrorists, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said.

Haley's comment came a day after Trump accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but 'lies and deceit' and providing 'safe haven' to terrorists in return for $33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Haley alleged Pakistan of playing 'double-game' with the US for years.

"The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," said Haley.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," she said.

The US has also announced that it is withholding its $255 million military aid to Pakistan.

"The decision to block aid is connected to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists," the top American diplomat said.

The State Department too said that the US expects Pakistan to take decisive action against militants operating from its soil.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, speaking at her daily news conference, described Pakistan as an 'important partner' and said Islamabad already knows what it needs to do.

"We expect Pakistan... that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against the Haqqani Network and other militants who are operating from its soil," said Nauert.

"Pakistan is an important partner. We have a lot of issues in that region. Pakistan knows that, we all know that, and we try to work carefully together on some of those issues. I dont want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do," she said.

Speaking about the US' decision to withhold $255 million military aid to Pakistan, Nauert said the decision was taken in August and Pakistan will need to 'earn' such assistance through sincere action.

"They need to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists," she said.

Nauert said the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis who visited Pakistan in the last couple of months had conveyed the same message to Pakistani leadership.

"They shared with the Pakistani government and their counterparts our concerns. We would like Pakistan to do more through cooperation. They have a lot; it's not just us. We're not the only ones who benefit from it. But they have a lot to gain through additional cooperation on the issue of terrorism. So we expect them to take greater actions," she said.

The White House on Tuesday said Pakistan needs to step up its fight against terrorism and also defended Trump over his accusation that Islamabad deceived the US by sheltering terrorists.

"We know that Pakistan can do more to fight and stop terrorism and we want them to step up and do that. That seems pretty simple," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

Sanders said Trump was taking all these steps because Pakistan had failed to fulfill its obligations in the fight against terrorism.

"The president outlined a new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia earlier this past year, in August. And at that time, he laid out and said that Pakistan is not fulfilling its obligations," said Sanders.

"The president is simply following through on a commitment that he made, because this is a president who does what he says he's going to do," she said.

Trump is receiving praises from top American lawmakers, including some of his critics, over his move to block $255 million military aid to Pakistan.

Senator Rand Paul on Tuesday announced his agreement with Trump over the move and promised to bring in a legislation in the Congress to stop all US aid to Pakistan.

"I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump on this. The US has given $34 billion in direct aid and military reimbursements to Pakistan since 2002. That is not putting America first," he said.

The White House puts the figure at $33 billion.

The Kentucky Senator also expressed his support to Trump's tweet on Monday.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher also applauded Trump for his 'realistic assessment' of Pakistan.

"Pakistan's regime, though our government imagines otherwise, has long acted as a malignancy in South Asia. It pretends to benign neutrality, seducing the US into believing it will cooperate with us in the war on radical Islamic terrorism if we ship its political leadership copious tax dollars," said Rohrabacher.

"Pakistan's regime persists in playing both sides between modern civilisation and violent religious fundamentalism," he said.

Rohrabacher said Pakistan's intelligence service 'serves the Taliban' instead of providing the whereabouts of terrorists' hideouts to the US government.

He cited the example of Osama bin Laden who lived in a house near Pakistan's leading military academy before the US military tracked the location and killed him.

"Indeed, Dr Afridi (Shakeel Afridi), who led us to bin Laden, now languishes in a Pakistan dungeon for his supposed effrontery," he added.

Both Rohrabacher and Paul have regularly pushed amendments to stop aid to Pakistan.

Congressman Rick Nolan also gave Trump a thumbs-up for the Pakistan move.

"Although I do not condone inflammatory tweets -- I agree that America should not be giving billions of dollars to countries like Pakistan that refuse to fight terrorism," he said.

"The truth is, the billions of dollars we have sent to Pakistan over the last 15 years has done nothing to make us safer. In fact, Pakistan has ties to the same terrorist organisations which they claim to be fighting!" he said.

Nolan has joined Congressman Ted Poe in introducing legislation that revokes Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status.

On the other side of the spectrum, Republican Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is founder and chair of the Congressional Pakistani Caucus, called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the differences with Pakistan.

'As Chair and founder of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I appreciate the importance of using the tools of diplomacy and engagement to solve problems. In the past, Pakistan has fought against the terrorists,' she said in a tweet.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has expressed 'deep disappointment' over the allegations, saying the accusations strike with 'great insensitivity' at the 'trust' between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi convened a National Security Council meeting in Islamabad after Trump strongly rebuked the country.

The NSC meeting, attended by the powerful military chief and other top senior military and government officials, observed that statements by the US leadership were 'completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between two nations built over generations, and negated the decades of sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation'.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also attended the NSC meeting, which discussed Pakistan's response to President Trump's fresh tirade while also reviewing the country's overall foreign policy, the Dawn News reported.

Following the NSC meeting, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than $33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

The meeting of the NSC, the top-level civil-military platform on security matters, in statement said that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism primarily using its own resources and at a great cost to its economy.

'...the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan, including the loss of tens of thousands of lives of Pakistani civilians and security personnel, and the pain of their families, could not be trivialised so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value  and that too an imagined one,' the committee observed.

It said Pakistan would continue to play role for peace in Afghanistan.

'The Committee reached a consensus that despite all unwarranted allegations, Pakistan cannot act in haste and will remain committed to playing a constructive role towards an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, not just for the sake of its own people, but also for the peace and security of the region and international community,' according to the statement.

The Committee reiterated firm support of Pakistan for the US-led international effort in Afghanistan, including continuously facilitating vital lines of communications for smooth counter terrorism operations in Afghanistan by the international coalition.

It observed that close interaction with the US leadership following the initial pronouncement of Trumps policy on South Asia had been 'useful in creating a better understanding of each other's perspectives on the best way forward to achieve durable peace and stability in Afghanistan'.

"Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan and that blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, according the NSC.

Shortly before the meeting commenced, the military had finalised its suggestions for Pakistan's response to Trump's allegations in a Corps Commanders' Conference held at General Headquarters.

A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has also been called on January 5 to discuss the US' allegations.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley in New York. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/ Reuters'No matter how severe sanctions the UN security council imposes on North Korea, the impact of the sanctions would depend on how faithfully they are enforced by China,' says Dr Rajaram Panda.

IMAGE: The United Nations Security Council resolution on December 22, 2017 empowered member countries to inspect and impound any vessel in their ports that was believed to have been used for prohibited activities with North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seen here with young North Koreans in this undated photograph released by the Korean Central News Agency to Reuters.

The North Korean issue continues to hog the international limelight.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's bellicose utterances are matched by similar rhetoric from United States President Donald J Trump.

We are familiar with words like 'annihilate', 'destroy', 'fire and fury' and similar language used by both leaders. It vitiates the situation instead of addressing the issues at hand.

No amount of pressure or sanctions imposed on North Korea to dissuade it from pursuing its nuclear and missile programme have yielded any tangible results.

Pyongyang has made it clear that its nuclear programme is not negotiable. Its ultimate goal is to be recognised as a nuclear State and to be treated at par with any other nuclear State.

That seems to be ultimate insurance for the survival of the Kim regime.

If this is the case, what does United Nations Resolution 2397 -- which passed new sanctions against North Korea on December 22, imposing some of the strongest measures yet restricting trade by and with that country -- mean to the issue of the denuclearisation of North Korea?

Trump is seemingly working his way towards a near total trade embargo as mentioned by US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley.

If Resolution 2379 succeeds in banning North Korea from buying machinery, electronics, vehicles and metals, its earnings from exports could dwindle to just a few million dollars per month or so it is believed.

But is that really the case?

IMAGE: Impersonators of Kim Jong-un, right, and Donald J Trump, left. Photograph: Bobby Yip/Reuters

The UN security council's additional round of sanctions, which were unanimously imposed, target sectors that fuel North Korea's illicit weapons programmes.

The new resolution builds on three rounds of tough sanctions imposed on Pyongyang earlier in 2017.

If fully implemented, it will cap North Korea's annual import of refined petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, at half a million barrels, down from 4.5 million in 2016. Exemptions would only be allowed on a case-by-case basis, with UN security council approval.

The sanctions also entail other punishment that include cutting off revenue from North Korean labourers sent abroad to work.

It is no secret that the regime confiscates the wages of these workers so that it can fund its illicit programmes. Under the new UN resolution, all North Korean workers must return home within two years.

It is estimated that between 50,000 to 80,000 North Koreans work in China and about 30,000 in Russia.

The US alleges that North Korea illegally exports coal and acquires prohibited oil through deceptive shipping practices. The new sanctions intend to prevent this by closing loopholes in the maritime interdiction and inspection regimes.

The new measures also prohibit North Korea from importing all industrial machinery and equipment and certain transport vehicles which accounted for one-third of its total imports in 2016.

More than a dozen North Korean individuals in the banking sector face travel curbs and asset freezes.

IMAGE: Kim Jong-un watches the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile in this photograph released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on September 16, 2017 to Reuters.

The latest provocation for imposing these additional sanctions was Pyongyang's launch, on November 28, of a newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile called Hwasong-15, which it claimed has the capability of delivering nuclear warheads anywhere in the continental United States.

That test was the third ICBM test and 20th ballistic missile launch -- all in 2017.

Though these missile tests frustrated China -- North Korea's long time and only patron -- Beijing could do little to prevent it.

Though Beijing does have leverage to rein in Pyongyang, it is debatable if it wants to do something about it.

At times, Beijing has demanded that Pyongyang abide by the demands of the international community and implement the UN security council resolutions, besides refraining from conducting any further nuclear and missile tests.

At other times, China has indulged in secret and illegal trade with North Korea in violation of UN security council resolutions.

It remains unclear if China is serious about going along with the international community to put real pressure on North Korea.

Though Beijing stresses the importance of dialogue and consultations to seek a peaceful settlement, it is doubtful if is really serious as it does not use its leverage over Pyongyang.

Russia's position is equally unclear. This stems from Russia's position that the draft text of the UN resolution did not include wider and lengthy discussions among all security council members.

Russia alleges that the US rushed through the resolution after entering a bilateral agreement with China.

The latest sanctions were the fourth imposed on North Korea by the security council in 2017 and the 10th since 2006, all aimed at stopping Pyongyang advancing its illicit weapons programme and bringing it to the negotiating table.

Since all previous sanctions have failed to prevent North Korea from pursuing its weapons programme, it remains unclear how the latest one can make any difference.

IMAGE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the sanctions against North Korea, but his observation that a political solution aimed at de-escalating the situation as the ultimate alternative has merit. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Though UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the security council's adoption of the resolution, his observation that a political solution aimed at de-escalating the situation as the ultimate alternative has merit.

The security council had slapped three sets of sanctions on North Korea in 2017.

On August 5 its sanctions targeted North Korea's iron ore, coal and fishing industries. The September 11 sanctions aimed at textiles and limiting oil supply.

The December 22 sanctions focused on refined petroleum products.

It denies international port access to four North Korean ships suspected of carrying or having transported goods banned by international sanctions targeting Pyongyang.

The US seemed to have requested banning the four vessels -- the Ul Ji Bong 6, Rung Ra 2, Sam Jong 2 and the Rye Song Gang -- along with measures targeting ships registered in other countries.

While China agreed to target only the four North Korean ships as part of international efforts to curb Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes, the US insisted on including other ships flying the flags of Belize, China, Hong Kong, Palau and Panama.

The US noted that trafficking of banned goods allowed North Korea to stock up and transfer cargo between different ships on the high seas.

The August 5 resolution provided for blocking suspected vessels from ports, except in the case of humanitarian need as determined by the security council's sanctions committee.

On October 5, the UN identified four ships 'carrying prohibited goods', leading to a ban on port access, the first such case in UN history.

The four vessels were registered in the Comoros, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Cambodia and North Korea, and were targeted for the illegal transport of coal, iron and North Korean fish.

IMAGE: Kim Jong-un looks through the periscope of a submarine in this undated photograph released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, June 16, 2014 to Reuters.

China shows no willingness to cooperate and implement sanctions to blacklist six ships for illegally shipping to North Korea and asked the UN not to do so.

South Korea says one of the six ships, the 11,253-ton tanker, the Lighthouse Winmore, a Hong Kong-flagged vessel, was suspected of transferring 600 tons of refined oil in October 2017 to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions and therefore seized it.

This corroborated Trump's accusation of China letting fuel oil flow into North Korea through illicit ship-to-ship transfers on international waters.

There was no immediate evidence of official Chinese involvement in the Lighthouse Winmore's dealings with the North Koreans. China insists there was no such violation.

The Lighthouse Winmore, leased by a Taiwanese company, docked at the South Korean port of Yeosu on October 11 to load 14,039 tons of refined petroleum from Japan.

Though it departed four days later heading for Taiwan, it changed route and transferred the refined oil to four other ships in international waters, including 600 tons transferred to the North Korean ship Sam Jong 2 on October 19.

A similar ship-to-ship transfer involving another North Korean ship, Rye Song Gang 1, was captured in satellite photographs released by the US treasury department on November 21.

On the closing day of 2017, South Korea revealed it had seized another ship, a Panama-flagged vessel, suspected of transferring oil products to North Korea.

The ship, KOTI, was seized at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port on the west coast, south of Incheon. Owing to the sensitivity of the issue, further details were not revealed.

IMAGE: Kim Jong-un inspects a nuclear device in Pyongyang, September 3, 2017. Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

The UN security council resolution on December 22 empowered member countries to inspect and impound any vessel in their ports that was believed to have been used for prohibited activities with North Korea.

South Korea used this power and impounded the ship in question after questioning the crew members.

Under those sanctions, countries cannot export more than a half million barrels of refined petroleum products, an 89 per cent cut from previous annual shipments, and four million barrels of crude oil in total per year to North Korea.

All shipments ought to be reported to the security council so that it can be determined if the caps have been reached.

Ship-to-ship transfers of oil on the high seas are banned as such routes could be used as a loophole to avoid the sanctions.

Understandably, Trump is angry and expressed disappointment over China's complicity in oil transfers to North Korean ships in international waters and therefore sees no friendly solution to the North Korean problem.

No matter how severe sanctions the UN security council imposes on North Korea, the impact of the sanctions would largely depend on how faithfully they are enforced by China.

China handles 90 per cent of North Korea's external trade, including nearly all of its oil imports.

Though China denies its involvement in ship-to-ship oil transfers, given its other considerations, it is a claim difficult to believe.

Trump has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to use China's economic leverage to stop North Korea's nuclear weapons programmes, but China is either unwilling or unable to exercise that leverage.

The truism is that Beijing will never rejoice with the prospect of a regime collapse in North Korea and would hesitate to push to the brink.

Beijing's ultimate goal has been and would remain so to maintain North Korea as a buffer against US influence and its two Asian allies, Japan and South Korea.

If Trump is frustrated with China's lack of support, will he launch aggressive trade action against China itself which he said he would do soon after assuming power but softened soon enough?

Trump is unlikely to close that option so soon.

IMAGE: The sanctions could be further crippling if Pyongyang were to carry out another nuclear test or launch another ICBM.

Kim Jong-un watches an army drill. Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

If reports that appeared in the South Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo, mentioning some 30 ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other products in international waters between North Korea and China since October 2017 are true, thereby circumventing sanctions, the UN security council's objectives would be rendered rudderless, with no real impact on North Korea.

On its part, China has called on all stakeholders to make constructive efforts in an attempt to ease escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula after Pyongyang reacted to the latest sanctions as an 'act of war' that violates North Korea's sovereignty and tantamount to a total economic blockade.

The UN sanctions could be further crippling if Pyongyang were to carry out another nuclear test or launch another ICBM.

Pyongyang denounced the new punitive measures as a 'pipe dream' for Washington to think North Korea would abandon its nuclear programme.

Much would depend on China.

Beijing has repeatedly urged the involved parties to show restraint and called for peaceful means to resolve this persisting issue through dialogue.

China continues to remain Pyongyang's closest and largest commercial partner, purchasing some 83 per cent of North Korea's exports and selling 85 per cent of the goods imported by North Korea.

IMAGE: There is a view gaining currency in South Korea that North Korea's development of ICBMs is intended to keep US forces at bay and for Kim Jong-un to invade South Korea on its own terms. Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

Both Japan and South Korea are under constant fear of a North Korean attack. While both are strengthening ties with the US, they are beefing up their own defence capabilities.

There is a view gaining currency in South Korea that North Korea's development of ICBMs is intended to keep US forces at bay and invade South Korea for unification on its own terms.

Having achieved a deliverable capability of a nuclear warhead on a missile, North Korea might be tempted to make an attempt at unification by force with the conviction that the US would be deterred for fear of nuclear reprisal and not risk Los Angeles or other US cities for Seoul.

Such a scenario looks grim, but could be a possibility.

If such is the case, Kim Jong-un would be least bothered if the world recognises North Korea as a nuclear State or not.

If one accepts such a possibility of North Korea wanting to bolster its bargaining power, the argument that Pyongyang is seeking to possess nuclear-tipped long-range missiles for its regime survival loses ground.

Whether one looks at the glass as half full or half empty, the gravity of the situation does not change a bit.

Dr Rajaram Panda is ICCR India Chair visiting professor at the faculty of economics and business administration, Reitaku University, Japan. The views expressed here are personal and do not reflect either that of ICCR or the Government of India.Title Kazakhstan: Law No. 74-VI of 2017 on Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on Readmission and the Executive Protocol on the Implementation Procedures for the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on Readmission

Publication Date 15 June 2017

Country Kazakhstan

Topics Readmission

Other Languages / Attachments Russian

Cite as Kazakhstan: Law No. 74-VI of 2017 on Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on Readmission and the Executive Protocol on the Implementation Procedures for the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on Readmission [Kazakhstan], 15 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4c96504.html [accessed 4 September 2021]Soufiane El Hassani v Minister Spraw Zagranicznych

Publisher European Union: Court of Justice of the European Union Publication Date 13 December 2017 Citation / Document Symbol C403/16 Related Document(s) Opinion Of Advocate General Bobek: Soufiane El Hassani v Minister Spraw Zagranicznych Cite as Soufiane El Hassani v Minister Spraw Zagranicznych, C403/16, European Union: Court of Justice of the European Union, 13 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,ECJ,5a4ca53b4.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (First Chamber)

13 December 2017 ( )

(Reference for a preliminary ruling - Area of freedom, security and justice - Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 - Article 32(3) - Community Visa Code - Decision to refuse a visa - Right of the applicant to bring an appeal against that decision - Obligation of a Member State to guarantee the right to a judicial appeal)

In Case C403/16,

REQUEST for a preliminary ruling under Article 267 TFEU from the Naczelny Sad Administracyjny (Supreme Administrative Court, Poland), made by decision of 28 June 2016, received at the Court on 19 July 2016, in the proceedings

Soufiane El Hassani

v

Minister Spraw Zagranicznych,

THE COURT (First Chamber),

composed of R. Silva de Lapuerta (Rapporteur), President of the Chamber, C.G. Fernlund, A. Arabadjiev, S. Rodin and E. Regan, Judges,

Advocate General: M. Bobek,

Registrar: V. Giacobbo-Peyronnel, Administrator,

having regard to the written procedure and further to the hearing on 17 May 2017,

after considering the observations submitted on behalf of:

- Mr El Hassani, by J. Biaas, radca prawny,

- the Minister Spraw Zagranicznych, by K. Pawowska-Nojszewska and M. Arciszewski, acting as Agents,

- the Polish Government, by B. Majczyna, M. Kamejsza-Kozowska and K. Stras, acting as Agents,

- the Czech Government, by M. Smolek and J. Vlacil, acting as Agents,

- the Estonian Government, by N. Grunberg, acting as Agent,

- the European Commission, by A. Stobiecka-Kuik and C. Cattabriga, acting as Agents,

after hearing the Opinion of the Advocate General at the sitting on 7 September 2017,

gives the following

Judgment

1 This request for a preliminary ruling concerns the interpretation of Article 32(3) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (OJ 2009 L 243, p. 1), as amended by Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 (OJ 2013 L 182, p. 1) ('the Visa Code').

2 The reference has been made in a dispute between Mr Soufiane El Hassani and the Minister Spraw Zagranicznych (Minister for Foreign Affairs, Poland) concerning the decision of the Wojewodzki Sad Administracyjny w Warszawie (Regional Administrative Court, Warsaw, Poland) by which it rejected Mr El Hassani's appeal against the decision of the Konsul Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Consul of the Republic of Poland, Rabat (Morocco)) of 27 January 2015, refusing to issue him a visa.

Legal context

EU law

3 Recital 29 of the Visa Code states:

'This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Council of Europe's [European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, signed at Rome on 4 November 1950 ("the ECHR")] and by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.'

4 Article 1(1) of that regulation is worded as follows:

'This Regulation establishes the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for transit through or intended stays on the territory of the Member States not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.'

5 Article 32(1) and (3) of the Regulation provides:

'1. Without prejudice to Article 25(1), a visa shall be refused:



(b) if there are reasonable doubts as to the authenticity of the supporting documents submitted by the applicant or the veracity of their contents, the reliability of the statements made by the applicant or his intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for.



3. Applicants who have been refused a visa shall have the right to appeal. Appeals shall be introduced against the Member State that has taken the final decision on the application for an extension and in accordance with the national law of that Member State. Member States shall provide applicants with information regarding the procedure to be followed in case of review, as specified in Annex VI.'

Polish law

6 Article 76(1) of the ustawa r. o cudzoziemcach (Law on Foreign Nationals) of 12 December 2013 ('the Law on Foreign Nationals') reads:

'Refusal of a Schengen visa  by:

(1) a consul - may be challenged by a request for a review of the case by that authority;

(2) an appeal before the Komendant Gowny Strazy Granicznej (Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard) if it was taken by the Komendant placowki Strazy Granicznej (Commander of a Border Guard point).'

7 Article 5 of the ustawa-Prawo o postepowaniu przed sadami administracyjnymi (Law on proceedings before the administrative courts) of 30 August 2002 ('the Law on proceedings before the administrative courts') states:

'The administrative courts shall not have jurisdiction in cases concerning:



(4) visas issued by consuls, other than visas issued to a foreign national who is a member of the family of a national of a Member State of the European Union, a Member State of the European Free Trade Association party to the European Economic Area [(EEA)] Agreement , or the Swiss Confederation, within the meaning of Article 2(4) of the ustawa  o wjezdzie na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, pobycie oraz wyjezdzie z tego terytorium obywateli panstw czonkowskich Unii Europejskiej i czonkow ich rodzin (Law on the entry into, residence in and departure from the Republic of Poland of nationals of the Member States of the European Union and the members of their families) of 14 July 2006 ("the Law on entry").'

8 Article 58(1) of the Law on proceedings before the administrative courts provides:

'The court shall dismiss an action:

(1) where the case does not come within the jurisdiction of an administrative court; '

9 Article 2 of the Law on entry provides:

'The definitions used in this Law shall have the following meanings:



(3) EU national - a foreign national:

(a) a national of a Member State of the European Union;

(b) a national of a Member State of the European Free Trade Association party to the [EEA] Agreement;

(c) a national of the Swiss Confederation;

(4) a member of the family - a foreign national who is or is not an EU national:

(a) the spouse of an EU national;

(b) a direct relative in the descending line of an EU national or his or her spouse, of up to 21 years of age or dependent for support on an EU national or his or her spouse;

(c) a direct relative in the ascending line of an EU national or his or her spouse dependent for support on an EU national or his or her spouse.'

Facts of the main proceedings and the question referred for a preliminary ruling

10 Mr El Hassani submitted an application for a Schengen visa to the Consul of the Republic of Poland in Rabat in order to visit his wife and son who are Polish nationals. That application was refused by the consul by decision of 5 January 2015.

11 As laid down in the Polish rules of procedure, Mr El Hassani submitted a request for review to the same consul who, on 27 January 2015, again refused to grant that application on the ground of the lack of certainty as to his intention to leave Poland before the visa expired.

12 The applicant in the main proceedings therefore appealed against that decision before the Wojewodzki Sad Administracyjny w Warszawie (Regional Administrative Court, Warsaw). He argues essentially that the refusal to issue a visa in those circumstances constitutes an infringement of Article 60 of the Law on foreign nationals, read together with Article 8 of the ECHR. Furthermore, he takes the view that Article 76 of the Law on foreign nationals does not lay down a standard of protection that is consistent with Article 13 of the ECHR.

13 Mr El Hassani also argues that although his wife and son are Polish nationals the national legislation does not allow him to bring an appeal before an administrative court if the issue of a visa is refused, unlike the foreign spouses of nationals of other Member States of the European Union.

14 In his response of 30 March 2015 to the application, the Minister for Foreign Affairs submitted that the appeal should be dismissed as being inadmissible under Article 5(4) of the Law on proceedings before the administrative courts, and, in the alternative, that the appeal be dismissed as unfounded and the proceedings discontinued.

15 Therefore, Mr El Hassani requested the Wojewodzki Sad Administracyjny w Warszawie (Regional Administrative Court, Warsaw) to make a reference to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Article 32(3) of the Visa Code in order to determine whether that provision also includes within its scope the right to bring a judicial appeal against a decision refusing to issue a visa.

16 By decision of 24 November 2015, the Wojewodzki Sad Administracyjny w Warszawie (Regional Administrative Court, Warsaw) dismissed the appeal on the basis of Article 5(4) of the Law on proceedings before the administrative courts, holding that actions brought against a decision to refuse a Schengen visa by the consul does not fall within the jurisdiction of the administrative court. Furthermore, that court refused to refer a question to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling.

17 On 28 April 2016, Mr El Hassani brought an appeal in cassation before the Naczelny Sad Administracyjny (Supreme Administrative Court, Poland) arguing essentially that, as a national of a non-member State who is not a family member of a citizen of a Member State of the European Union within the meaning of the Law on entry, he has been denied the right to an effective judicial remedy before a national court, contrary to Article 13 of the ECHR and Article 32(3) of the Visa Code, read together with Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union ('the Charter'), which guarantees the right to an effective remedy before a tribunal.

18 According to the referring court, in Polish law, the possibility to bring an appeal before an administrative court against a decision on a visa application depends both on the authority which adopted the contested decision and the status of the person bringing the appeal.

19 Although the decisions of the national authorities refusing to issue a visa which are taken by the Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, or the refusal to extend a visa made by the regional administration (Poland) may be the subject of an appeal before the administrative courts, that is not always the case for a decision refusing the issue of a visa, including a Schengen visa, taken by a consul. Such an appeal may be brought before an administrative court against such a decision by the national of a non-member State only if he is a family member of a national of a Member State of the European Union, a Member State of the European Free Trade Association, a State party to the EEA Agreement or the Swiss Confederation within the meaning of Article 2(4) of the Law on entry. Other nationals of a non-member State are only entitled to an administrative remedy, namely a request for a review by the same authority, in accordance with Article 76(1)(1) of the Law on foreign nationals.

20 The referring court points out that the lack of jurisdiction of the administrative courts over cases relating to visas issued by consuls, as laid down in Article 5(4) of the Law on proceedings before the administrative courts, may infringe Article 32(3) of the Visa Code, read together with the first paragraph of Article 47 of the Charter which guarantees the right to an effective remedy before a tribunal.

21 In those circumstances, the Naczelny Sad Administracyjny (Supreme Administrative Court) decided to stay the proceedings and to refer the following question to the Court for a preliminary ruling:

'Must Article 32(3) of the Visa Code, having regard to recital 29 thereof and the first paragraph of Article 47 of the Charter, be interpreted as requiring the Member States to guarantee an effective remedy (appeal) before a court of law?'

Consideration of the question referred

22 By its question, the referring court asks essentially whether Article 32(3) of the Visa Code, read in the light of Article 47 of the Charter, must be interpreted as meaning that it requires Member States to provide for a judicial appeal.

23 It must be recalled that, according to the wording of Article 32(3) of the Visa Code, applicants who have been refused a visa have the right to an 'appeal' against that judgment, which must be introduced against the Member State that has taken the final decision on the application 'in accordance with the national law of that Member State'.

24 It follows that, in the case of a final refusal to issue a visa, that provision expressly gives visa applicants the opportunity to bring an action in accordance with the national legislation of the Member State which took that decision.

25 Thus, the EU legislature left to the Member States the task of deciding the nature and specific conditions of the remedies available to visa applicants.

26 In that connection, it must be recalled that, according to settled case-law, in the absence of EU rules on the matter, it is for the national legal order of each Member State to establish procedural rules for actions intended to safeguard the rights of individuals, in accordance with the principle of procedural autonomy, on condition, however, that those rules are not less favourable than those governing similar domestic situations (principle of equivalence) and that they do not make it excessively difficult or impossible in practice to exercise the rights conferred by EU law (principle of effectiveness) (judgment of 15 March 2017, Aquino, C3/16, EU:C:2017:209, paragraph 48 and the case-law cited).

27 It follows that two cumulative conditions, namely respect for the principles of equivalence and effectiveness, must be satisfied in order for a Member State to be able to assert the principle of procedural autonomy in situations which are governed by EU law (judgment of 15 March 2017, Aquino, C3/16, EU:C:2017:209, paragraph 49).

28 Those requirements of equivalence and effectiveness embody the general obligation on the Member States to ensure judicial protection of an individual's rights under EU law. They apply both as regards the designation of the courts and tribunals having jurisdiction to hear and determine actions based on EU law and as regards the definition of detailed procedural rules (judgment of 18 March 2010, Alassini and Others, C317/08 to C320/08, EU:C:2010:146, paragraph 49).

29 First, in relation to the principle of equivalence, it should be borne in mind that this requires that all the rules applicable to actions apply without distinction to actions alleging infringement of EU law and to similar actions alleging infringement of national law (judgment of 15 March 2017, Aquino, C3/16, EU:C:2017:209, paragraph 50 and the case-law cited).

30 Secondly, as regards the principle of effectiveness, a national procedural rule, such as that at issue in the main proceedings, must not be such as to render impossible in practice or excessively difficult the exercise of rights conferred by the EU legal order (judgment of 15 March 2017, Aquino, C3/16, EU:C:2017:209, paragraph 52 and the case-law cited).

31 It is for the referring court, which alone has jurisdiction to interpret its national law, to determine whether and to what extent the review system at issue in the main proceedings satisfies those requirements.

32 In that connection, the national court must take account of the fact that the interpretation of the provisions of the Visa Code, as is clear from recital 29 thereof, must be carried out in accordance with the fundamental rights and principles recognised by the Charter.

33 According to settled case-law, the fundamental rights guaranteed within the EU legal order are designed to be applied in all situations regulated by EU law, but may not be applied outside those situations. It is consonant with those limits that the Court has already stated that it has no jurisdiction to appraise, in the light of the Charter, national legislation which falls outside the framework of EU law. On the other hand, if such legislation falls within the scope of EU law, the Court, when requested to give a preliminary ruling, must provide all the guidance as to interpretation needed in order for the national court to determine whether that legislation is compatible with the fundamental rights the observance of which the Court ensures (see, in particular, judgment of 26 September 2013, Texdata Software, C418/11, EU:C:2011:588, paragraph 72 and the case-law cited).

34 In the present case, it is common ground that the refusal of the visa applied for by the applicant in the main proceedings, which was communicated to him by means of a standard form set out in Annex VI of the Visa Code, was based on one of the grounds mentioned in Article 32(1) of that code.

35 In that connection, the Court has already held that the Visa Code governs the conditions for issuing, annulling and revoking uniform visas and, therefore, the competent authorities of the Member States cannot refuse to issue a uniform visa by relying on a ground not provided for in that code (judgment of 19 December 2013, Koushkaki, C84/12, EU:C:2013:862, paragraphs 47 and 51).

36 Although it is true that in examining a visa application the national authorities have a broad discretion as regards the conditions for applying the grounds of refusal laid down by the Visa Code and the evaluation of the relevant facts, the fact remains that such discretion has no influence on the fact that the authorities directly apply a provision of EU law.

37 It is clear that the Charter is applicable where a Member State adopts a decision refusing to issue a visa under Article 32(1) of the Visa Code.

38 Article 47 of the Charter, which constitutes a reaffirmation of the principle of effective judicial protection, requires, in its first paragraph, that any person whose rights and freedoms guaranteed by EU law are violated should have the right to an effective remedy before a tribunal in compliance with the conditions laid down in that article (see, to that effect, judgment of 17 December 2015, Tall, C239/14, EU:C:2015:824, paragraph 51 and the case-law cited).

39 Furthermore, the second paragraph of Article 47 of the Charter provides that everyone is entitled to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal. Compliance with that right assumes that a decision of an administrative authority that does not itself satisfy the conditions of independence and impartiality must be subject to subsequent control by a judicial body that must, in particular, have jurisdiction to consider all the relevant issues (judgment 16 May 2017, Berlioz Investment Fund, C682/15, EU:C:2017:373, paragraph 55).

40 The concept of independence, which is inherent in the task of adjudication, implies above all that the body in question acts as a third party in relation to the authority which adopted the contested decision (judgment of 19 September 2006, Wilson, C506/04, EU:C:2006:587, paragraph 49).

41 It follows, as the Advocate General observed, in point 119 of his Opinion, that Article 47 of the Charter requires the Member States to guarantee, at a certain stage of the proceedings, the possibility to bring the case concerning a final decision refusing a visa before a court.

42 Having regard to the foregoing considerations the answer to the question referred is that Article 32(3) of the Visa Code, read in the light of Article 47 of the Charter, must be interpreted as meaning that it requires Member States to provide for an appeal procedure against decisions refusing visas, the procedural rules for which are a matter for the legal order of each Member State in accordance with the principles of equivalence and effectiveness. Those proceedings must, at a certain stage of the proceedings, guarantee a judicial appeal.

Costs

43 Since these proceedings are, for the parties to the main proceedings, a step in the action pending before the national court, the decision on costs is a matter for that court. Costs incurred in submitting observations to the Court, other than the costs of those parties, are not recoverable.

On those grounds, the Court (First Chamber) hereby rules:

Article 32(3) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas, as amended by Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013, read in the light of Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, must be interpreted as meaning that it requires Member States to provide for an appeal procedure against decisions refusing visas, the procedural rules for which are a matter for the legal order of each Member State in accordance with the principles of equivalence and effectiveness. Those proceedings must, at a certain stage of the proceedings, guarantee a judicial appeal.

[Signatures]

Language of the case: Polish.

Copyright notice: Cour de justice des Communautes europeennes L-2925 Luxembourg. Telephone switchboard: (352) 4303.1; fax: (352) 4303.2600Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.Recommendation on the legal status of persons admitted for family reunification

Publisher Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers Publication Date 26 March 2002 Citation / Document Symbol Rec(2002)4 Cite as Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers, Recommendation on the legal status of persons admitted for family reunification, 26 March 2002, Rec(2002)4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cadb34.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE

COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

Recommendation Rec(2002)4



of the Committee of Ministers to member states



on the legal status of persons admitted for family reunification

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 26 March 2002

at the 790th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.b of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

Recalling the 1950 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and, in particular, its Article 8, which guarantees the protection of family and private life, its Article 14 which contains the principle of non-discrimination with regard to the rights granted, as well as the relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights;

Recalling the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol to this Convention as well as the Final Act to it and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;

Recognising that safeguarding family unity constitutes a universally recognised right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

Conscious of the need to preserve and defend the best interest and well-being of minors and children and their particular need of protection and assistance;

Bearing in mind that family reunification is one of the major sources of immigration in most European states and that the residence status and other rights granted to the admitted family members are important elements in assisting the integration of the new migrants in the host society;

Considering that rules of member states on family reunion as an integral part of a coherent immigration and integration policy should be guided by common principles;

Taking into account Recommendation Rec(2000)15 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning the security of residence of long-term migrants, Recommendation No. (99) 23 of the Committee of Ministers on family reunion for refugees and other persons in need of international protection as well as Resolution (78) 33 of the Parliamentary Assembly on the Reunion of Families of Migrant Workers in Council of Europe member States;

Considering the important rights that have been granted to migrants and their family members under the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance and its Protocol (1953, ETS Nos. 14 and 14A), the European Convention on Establishment (1955, ETS No. 19), the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers (1977, ETS No. 93), the Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level (1992, ETS No. 144), the European Convention on the exercise of children's rights (1996, ETS No. 160, the revised European Social Charter (1996, ETS No. 163) and the European Convention on Nationality (1997, ETS No. 166);

Recommends to governments to apply in their legislation and administrative practice the following principles:





I. Scope of application

1. For the purpose of this recommendation, the term "family members" covers all persons admitted to reside on the territory of a member state with a national or a lawfully residing alien in order to form or preserve the family unit.

2. For the purpose of this recommendation, a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

II. Residence status of family members

1. After admission for family reunification, the family member should be granted an establishment permit, a renewable residence permit of the same duration as that held by the principal or a renewable residence permit.

2. In their decision on the length of the residence permit granted to children who are family members, member states should give primary consideration to the best interest and the wellbeing of these children.

III. Autonomy of the family member's residence status in relation to that of the principal right holder

1. After a period of four years of legal residence, adult family members should be granted an autonomous residence permit independent of that of the principal.

2. In the case of divorce, separation or death of the principal, a family member having been legally resident for at least one year may apply for an autonomous residence permit. Member states will give due consideration to such applications. In their decisions, the best interests of the children concerned shall be a primary consideration.

IV. Effective protection against expulsion of family members

1. When considering the withdrawal, refusal to renew a residence permit or the expulsion of a family member, member states should have proper regard to criteria such as the person's place of birth, his age of entry on the territory, the length of residence, his family relationships, the existence of family ties in the country of origin and the solidity of social and cultural ties with the country of origin. Special consideration should be paid to the best interest and wellbeing of children.

2. When the residence permit of a family member is either not renewed or withdrawn or expulsion ordered, member states should grant a right of appeal to competent independent administrative authorities or courts.

V. Equal access to the labour market, to education and to social rights for family members

1. Family members should enjoy treatment equal to principals as concerns access to employment. Waiting periods for family members of short-term residents introduced by member states due to labour market considerations should not exceed two years.

2. Family members should enjoy social rights, in accordance with the legislation of the member state concerned, equal to those enjoyed by principals with regard to health care as well as social security.

3. If they have access to the labour market, they should also enjoy equal treatment with nationals as regards working conditions and the membership of and active and passive participation in trade unions.





4. Family members should enjoy equal treatment with nationals - in accordance with the legislation of the member state concerned - with regard to education, vocational training, initial and further training and retraining, including university education, equal to that enjoyed by nationals.

VI. Free movement

Family members should enjoy, in accordance with the legislation of the member state concerned, free movement on the territory of the state of residence.

VII. Political participation of persons admitted for family reunification

1. After five years of lawful residence, family members should enjoy the right to vote and to stand for election in local authority elections, as set out in the Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level, provided that they comply with the same legal requirements as nationals.

2. Family members should enjoy the same treatment as nationals with respect to the freedom of assembly, of association and of expression, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.

VIII. Acquisition of nationality

Each member state should facilitate the acquisition of its nationality for family members of long-term principals, in accordance with its internal law and taking into consideration the provisions of the European Convention on Nationality (1997).

IX. Final clauses

1. This recommendation is without prejudice to the option open to a member state to grant a more favorable legal status to family members.

2. This recommendation does not affect the rights of long-term migrants as defined in Recommendation Rec(2000)15 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning the security of residence of long-term migrants.

3. Member states not having yet done so are encouraged to ratify the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance and its Protocol (1953), the European Convention on Establishment (1955), the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers (1977), the Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level (1992), the European Convention on the exercise of children's rights (1996), the revised European Social Charter (1996) and the European Convention on Nationality (1997).Judgment II. US 568/06: Protection of Family Life

Publisher Czech Republic: Constitutional Court Publication Date 20 February 2007 Cite as Czech Republic: Constitutional Court, Judgment II. US 568/06: Protection of Family Life, 20 February 2007, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cbe7f4.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2007/02/20 - II. US 568/06: Protection of Family Life

20 February 2007

HEADNOTES



As

stated above, in the constitutional complaint the petitioner claimed

violation of Art. 32 par. 1 of the Charter, under which parenthood and

the family are protected by the law, and which guarantees special

protection to children and juveniles. This provision essentially

represents an institutional guarantee, and thus binds the legislature to

specifically protect the institutions of parenthood and the family.

This provision can not be considered one that contains a fundamental

right. This follows anyway from the fact that this provision is subject

to a statutory limitation; under Art. 41 of the Charter it can be

claimed only within the confines of the laws implementing it. In

addition, systematically this provision is included in the category of

social rights, which are considered more a component of constitutional

soft law (cf. e.g. judgment file no. IV. US 8/05, in The Constitutional

Court of the CR: Collection of Decisions, vol. 37, judgment no. 112, p.

453; or file no. IV. US 113/05, not yet published, electronic version

available at www.judikatura.cz), in contrast to classic fundamental

rights (so-called core rights).



Both Art. 10 par. 2 of the Charter, and Art. 8 of the Convention speak

generally about protection of family life, or respect for family life,

without, however, defining in legal terms what they mean by the term

"family life." Therefore, when interpreting these provisions, it is

necessary to start with the fact that the family is, in the first place,

a biological connection, and then a social institution, which is only

subsequently defined by a legal framework. Therefore, when interpreting

these concepts, we must take into account the biological connection, and

then also the social reality of the family and family life, which, of

course, in the last century has undergone fundamental changes.



The family is a social group of related persons, among whom there are

close ties - blood, psychosocial, emotional, economical, etc. Thus

although at the level of social reality the concept of family is very

changeable (as stated above, the social reality of the family has

undergone successive transformations, and through them the traditional

European concept of the family has disintegrated more and more

noticeably, and legal regulation of the family and family life is

necessarily also subject to these transformations), nevertheless it can

not be overlooked that the basis of family ties is traditionally

precisely the biological bond of a blood relationship between family

members.



Therefore, on the one hand we can not rule out the fact that legal

protection as a family can also be enjoyed by a social group of persons

living outside the institution of marriage, or a group of persons not

related by blood, among whom there are nonetheless the abovementioned

emotional and other ties (persons living together as mates, partners

living together with a child that was born to one of the parents from

another relationship, etc.). And that scope of the concept of family

life also arises from the case law of the European Court of Human

Rights.



On

the other hand, that concept of family and family life also assumes the

importance of blood ties between family members. In Kroon and others v.

the Netherlands the ECHR gave priority to the biological tie between the

father of a child living in a de facto bond with the mother and that

child, and denying the paternity of the mother's husband, over the legal

situation and the legal construct of the family: ""respect' for 'family

life' requires that biological and social reality prevail over a legal

presumption " (Kroon and others v. the Netherlands, par. 40).









CZECH REPUBLIC



CONSTITUTIONAL COURT



JUDGMENT







IN THE NAME OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC





A

Panel of the Constitutional Court, consisting of chairwoman Dagmar

Lastovecka and judges Jiri Nykodym and Eliska Wagnerova (judge

rapporteur) decided on 20 February 2007 in the matter of a

constitutional complaint from K. F., represented by JUDr. L. R.,

attorney, against a decision by the Regional Court in Pilsen of 15 June

2006, file no. 10 Co 283/2006, and against other interference by a

public authority, consisting of delays in a proceeding conducted before

the District Court in Domazlice, file no. P 195/2003, with the

participation of the Regional Court in Pilsen and the District Court in

Domazlice as parties to the proceedings, and Vaclav Waldmann, residing

at 345 06 Usilov 6, represented by Mgr. Vojtech Fort, attorney, with his

registered address in Domazlice, Nadporucika O. Bartosky 15, as a

secondary party to the proceeding, as follows:



I.

The decision by the Regional Court in Pilsen of 15 June 2006, file no.

10 Co 283/2006, violated the petitioner's fundamental right to

protection from interference in family life, or the right to respect for

family life, guaranteed by Art. 10 par. 2 of the Charter of Fundamental

Rights and Freedoms and Art. 8 of the Convention on the Protection of

Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.



II. Therefore, that decision is annulled.



III. The rest of the constitutional complaint is denied.







REASONING



I.



In

her timely and duly filed constitutional complaint the petitioner

contested the abovementioned decision by the general court and proposed

that the Constitutional Court find that there were unjustified delays in

the proceeding before the District Court in Domazlice.



As

the petitioner stated in the constitutional complaint, the decision of

the District Court in Pilsen-City of 14 March 2006, ref. no. 99 P

315/2005-605, appointed the petitioner as guardian of the minor Lucie

Waldmannova (now Fainova), and provided that, as guardian, she would

raise the minor, represent her, and manager her property instead of her

parents. The decision also determined that the secondary party was to

have visitation rights with the minor every even numbered week from

Friday at 10:00 a.m. until Monday at 10:00 a.m. and every odd numbered

week on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.



In

the contested decision, the Regional Court in Pilsen changed the trial

court's decision and set a different visitation period, every even week

from Friday at 10:00 a.m. until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and every even week

from Thursday at 10:00 a.m. until Friday at 6:00 p.m.



The

Petitioner believes that the steps taken by the general courts, and the

contested decision itself, violated her constitutionally guaranteed

fundamental rights, as well as the fundamental rights of the minor,

specifically the fundamental right guaranteed by Art. 32 par. 1 of the

Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (the "Charter"), under which

the family is under the protection of the law and which guarantees

special protection to children and juveniles, and the fundamental right

to have a matter handled without unnecessary delay guaranteed by Art. 38

par. 2 of the Charter.



In

the constitutional complaint the petitioner first described the

circumstances of the entire case. The minor Lucie Waldmannova (now

Fainova) was born on 2 December 2002 to Miroslava Waldmannova, whose

marriage with her husband Vaclav Waldmann was already going through

crisis, and who had an extra-marital relationship with Martin Faina, the

petitioner's son. On 11 December 2003 there was a tragic traffic

accident in which the minor's mother and her friend Martin Faina died.



Because

at the time of the minor's mother's death her marriage with Vaclav

Waldmann had not been dissolved, and he was legally considered to be the

minor's father, after the death of her mother, a preliminary order

entrusted the minor Lucie to the care of Vaclav Waldmann, as her legal

representative. Because the petitioner had doubts about Vaclav

Waldmann's paternity, at her instigation the Supreme State Prosecutor's

Office filed a complaint to deny paternity. During that proceeding it

was proved that Vaclav Waldmann is not the minor Lucie's biological

father. A proceeding to determine paternity was subsequently begun,

which determined that Lucie's biological father is Martin Faina, the

petitioner's deceased son.



The

Petitioner believes that the entire matter concerning her petition to

have Lucie entrusted to her care took a disproportionately long time to

process, despite the fact that this was an urgent matter, as Lucie was

entrusted to the care of Vaclav Waldmann during that entire time, only

on the basis of a preliminary order. In particular, the decision-making

at the District Court in Domazlice involved delays, and although during

the proceeding the petitioner filed requests to order hearings, to issue

a final decision, and a complaint about delays in the proceeding, these

delays were never explained to the petitioner. Only after the entire

matter was transferred to the District Court in Pilsen-City, after

almost two years, was a decision made in the matter to appoint the

petitioner as guardian and entrust the minor to her care. Therefore, the

Petitioner believes that the delays in the proceeding before the

District Court in Domazlice violated her fundamental right guaranteed by

Art. 38 par. 2 of the Charter, as stated above.



As

regards the decision by the Regional Court in Pilsen, the petitioner

objected that she considers the provision of visitation between the

minor and the secondary party Vaclav Waldmann to be unjustified, because

he is a completely unrelated person to the minor, he is currently being

prosecuted for extensive property crimes, the court expert did not

consider his child-rearing methods to be suitable, and, not least, at

the time the constitutional complaint was filed the minor had health

problems in the genital area, evidently due to possible sexual abuse of

the minor by the secondary party. In view of this, at the same time as

she filed the constitutional petition, the petitioner filed an

application to forbid him from having contact with the minor.



These

circumstances lead the petitioner to conclude that in this case the

court should never have ordered visitation between the minor and the

secondary party. It also can not be overlooked that the visitation

granted is extensive, because it is virtually joint custody, which is

wider than is usual with most fathers. In this regard, the Petitioner

also pointed to the fact that the Act on the Family regulates only the

contact of a minor child with parents, grandparents, and siblings. The

Act does not at all address the provision of visitation with a third

party. Although the commentary on the Act on the Family does not

strictly rule out such visitation , it is necessary in each particular

case to consider primarily the rights and interests of the minor child,

in particular the child's proper, peaceful, adequate and balanced

development.



According to

the petitioner, it is evident that the contested decision, which

provided visitation with a third party, is completely inconsistent with

the minor's interests, as the aim of the proceeding was supposed to be

to calm the relationships, and to bring order into Lucie's life, and

place her in a certain, particular, stable, and motivating environment,

which, also according to an expert's assessment, the petitioner's home

is. Instead, the minor is exposed to constant changes of environment;

according to the petitioner moving her from place to place and

delivering her to a stranger is quite certainly inconsistent with Art.

32 par. 1 of the Charter and with the principles of child protection,

but also inconsistent with the purpose and content of the Convention on

the Rights of the Child, based on which the general courts justified

their decision.



In view of

this, the petitioner proposed that the Constitutional Court annul the

contested decision and find that there were delays in the proceeding

before the District Court in Domazlice.



Upon

a request from the Constitutional Court, the Regional Court in Pilsen,

and the District Court in Domazlice, as parties to the proceeding, and

Vaclav Waldmann, as a secondary party to the proceedings, filed

responses to the constitutional complaint. The Constitutional Court then

also asked for a statement from the Municipal Office in Domazlice,

which had been the court-appointed guardian in the prior proceeding, but

the Constitutional Court did not receive its statement by the deadline.





In its response, the

Regional Court in Pilsen referred to the reasoning in its decision, and

added that the trial court decision was changed only for practical

reasons. The change did not change the extent of visitation that had

been set by the trial court, only improved the timing. Basically, the

appeals court thus agreed with the decision by the first level court,

which had already provided for the contact between the minor and Vaclav

Waldmann. The general courts based this primarily on the expert

assessment. The expert recommended the visitation in view of the minor's

interests, and the relatively extensive visitation with an unrelated

person was accepted in view of the unusual situation in the matter. On

the legal side the appeals court based its decision on the Convention on

the Rights of the Child.



As

regards the petitioner's claim concerning sexual abuse of the minor,

the appeals court stated that the petitioner had never indicated - nor

had there been any other evidence to indicated - sexual abuse. This

claim is raised for the first time in the constitutional complaint.



In

his response, the secondary party stated that he considers the

constitutional complaint to be obviously unjustified, and, moreover,

that it contains a number of imprecise statements, untruths, and

radically subjective "truths" from the petitioner, who presented them

that way during the entire proceedings before the general courts. For

example, it is not true that the minor was entrusted to the secondary

party on the basis of a preliminary order, because until September 2004

she was entrusted to him by law, as his daughter. After his paternity of

the minor was denied and a legal vacuum arose, the petitioner misused

it by refusing to return the minor to him during a visit. Based on that

behavior by the petitioner, in October 2004 the secondary party applied

for a preliminary order to entrust the minor to his care. Based on that

preliminary order, the secondary party had the minor in his care until

the decision making the petitioner the guardian. The paternity of the

deceased Martin Faina was not determined until the decision of 25

November 2005.



The

secondary party also stated that he does not consider the dispute to be a

battle with the petitioner, but sees it as a situation where the two

parties are not able to agree, and therefore it is necessary for the

court to decide. In contrast, according to the secondary party, the

petitioner is promoting only her own interests in this dispute, without

taking into account the results of the evidence and expert

investigation. That is why the petitioner did not accept the

psychological examination by the expert, PhDr. Prunner, which indicated

that all the parties have irreplaceable and significant importance in

the minor's life.



The

petitioner, and especially her former husband, have behaved very

dishonorably, even aggressively, during the entire dispute, and are

capable of using any means to achieve their own interests. They have so

far filed or instigated the filing of four criminal notices against the

secondary party (for abuse and neglect of an entrusted person, for

unauthorized conduct of business and manipulation with an inheritance,

for sexual abuse) - but these accusations have not been proved. Although

all the accusations were false, and filed only in order to achieve the

interests of the petitioner's family, the secondary party never took any

counter-measures, in order not to provoke further aggression from the

petitioner's family. On the contrary, the secondary party, even when he

was legally considered the minor's father and had her in his care,

permitted the petitioner and her family regular contact (at that time

this was voluntary, because such contact had not been ordered by any

court).



The development in

the situation during July and August 2006 is described in the complaints

concerning visitation filed by the secondary party, because the

petitioner decided not to respect the contested court decision. It is

also evident from these complaints why and how the minor had the health

problems described, and the entire situation as regards the secondary

party's contact with the minor is also described.



On

30 October 2006, the Constitutional Court received an addendum from the

panel chairwoman of the Regional Court in Pilsen, that included a

report from the police commission of the Police of the CR, Criminal

Police and Investigation Service, which indicates that in the matter of

suspicion of criminal sexual abuse, the minor Lucie had been questioned,

and that no grounds arose to begin criminal prosecution.



The

Constitutional Court also requested for review the file from the

District Court Pilsen-City, file no. 99 P 315/2005, which also includes

the previous file material maintained by the District Court in Domazlice

as file no. P 195/2003.



The Constitutional Court determined the following relevant facts from the file.



The

petitioner first filed a petition to have the minor Lucie entrusted to

her care, together with a petition to issue a preliminary order on 17

December 2003, i.e. shortly after the tragic death of her son, Martin

Faina, and the Lucie's mother, Miroslava Waldmannova (p. 14). She

justified her petition on the grounds that Lucie had been living

together with her deceased mother and the petitioner's son in the

petitioner's household for about 9 months before the tragic event; in

contrast, the secondary party (then the registered father of the minor)

showed no interest in the minor during that time, and his attitude

changed only after Miroslava Waldmannova's death, when he took the minor

away from the petitioner's household.



The

District Court in Domazlice denied the petition to issue a preliminary

order, entrusting the minor the petitioner's care, by resolution of 22

December 2003. On 5 March 2004 the District Court in Domazlice issued a

decision in which it ordered the petitioner to have contact with the

minor at specified times (p. 44). The Regional Court in Pilsen annulled

that decision by resolution of the of 29 April 2004, on the grounds that

the verdict did not correspond to the petitioner's petition, which

asked for the minor to be entrusted to her care (verdict ultra petitum)

(p. 77).

In the new proceedings before the trial court the

petitioner submitted an expert medical / molecular genetics opinion,

which indicated that Lucie's biological father is, 99.999997%

probability, the petitioner's son.



After

that the District Court in Domazlice again ruled in the matter, by a

decision of 6 August 2004 (p. 122), which denied the petitioner's

petition. The trial court relied on the evidence presented, from which

it concluded that the secondary party, as the minor's legal father, took

excellent care of her, and, although his biological paternity had been

disputed by the petitioner, he had thus far acted as if caring for his

own child. The trial court added that it was also necessary to consider

the actions of Lucie's deceased mother, who, before her death, did not

file a petition to deny paternity by the six-month deadline. The court

took into account that the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office filed a

complaint to deny paternity, which, however, has no effect on the

decision-making in this matter, even after paternity is actually denied.

The trial court also stated that the secondary party voluntarily

allowed the petitioner to have regular visits with the minor every week.

On

23 August 2004, the District Court in Domazlice issued a verdict in

file no. 5 C 144/2004, which denied the secondary party's paternity of

the minor; the decision went into legal effect on 30 September 2004

(filed at p. 146 - 147).



In

view of this, the Regional Court in Pilsen, by resolution of 22 October

2004 annulled the trial court's previous verdict in the matter of the

petitioner's petition to have the minor entrusted to her care, because,

according to the appeals court, the denial of paternity created a

completely new situation, both procedural (ending the participation of

Vaclav Waldmann in the proceeding), and factual, because as soon as the

denial of paternity took effect, the minor was without a legal

representative (pp. 151-152).



On

15 September 2004, even before the decision denying paternity went into

legal effect, the petitioner filed a petition asking the court to

appoint her the minor's guardian (p. 142), and on 4 October 2004 both

the petitioner and the secondary party filed petitions seeking to have

the minor entrusted to their care (pp. 154-157).



On

5 October 2004, the District Court in Domazlice issued a resolution

denying the petitioner's petition to have the minor preliminarily

entrusted to her care, and decided that the minor was to be

preliminarily entrusted to the care of the secondary party. The general

court drew on the fact that at that time neither the petitioner nor the

secondary party had any legal relationship to the minor, because

paternity had been denied, but at the same it had not been determined

that the petitioner's deceased son was the minor's father. In view of

the fact that the actual relationships of both parties to the minor were

equally intensive, the court inclined toward maintaining the status quo

and leaving the minor in the care of the secondary party.



On

8 October 2004, the petitioner again filed a petition to be named

guardian, together with the petition to issue a preliminary order, to

which the District Court in Domazlice responded on the same day by

issuing a resolution denying the petition for a preliminary order on the

grounds that, by the nature of the matter, this would be a permanent

order, not an interim one.



In

a filing of 20 October 2004, the petitioner raised the objection that

the judges of the District Court in Domazlice were biased (pp. 196-198)

and on 16 December 2004 she filed a new petition seeking a preliminary

order entrusting the minor to her care (p. 232). On 14 February 2005 the

Regional Court in Pilsen, in separate resolutions, confirmed the

preliminary order entrusting the minor to the care of the secondary

party, the denial of the petitioner's request for a preliminary order

appointing her as guardian, and decided on the objection of bias by not

removing one of the judges of the District Court in Domazlice from

decision-making (p. 254 - 258). The petitioner then, by addendum of 9

March 2005, withdrew the claim of bias against the deciding judge in the

District Court in Domazlice (p. 270).



However,

on 24 May 2005, the deciding judge declared herself biased due to the

negative relationship with the petitioner that had been created during

the proceedings. In her declaration, the judge referred to the conduct

of the petitioner and her former husband, who, she said, subjected her

to public pressure through a petition, media coverage of the case, and

repeated complaints. The Regional Court in Pilsen then decided, by

resolution of 15 June 2005, to remove the deciding judge, and assigned

the matter to the District Court in Pilsen-City.



On

1 June 2005, the petitioner filed a new petition seeking a preliminary

order entrusting the minor to her care (p. 306), which was decided by

the District Court in Pilsen-City by resolution of 4 July 2005, which

denied the petition. It stated that, legally speaking, both parties were

in the same position, because paternity had not been determined yet,

and in order to maintain a stable environment for the child he therefore

considered it most appropriate to leave the child in the care of the

secondary party.



On 12

August 2005, the minor's guardian filed a complaint to determine

paternity with the City Office of Domazlice (p. 405). This act by the

guardian was approved by the District Court Pilsen-City, with legal

effect, on 13 September 2005, and the determination of paternity was

made by verdict of the District Court in Domazlice of 25 November 2005,

file no. 5 C 173/2005 (p. 526 - 527), which went into legal effect on 16

December 2005.



The file

also contains a psychologist's expert assessment, prepared on 15 January

2005, that concludes that all the persons involved have a role in the

life and emotional life of the minor; the expert proposes that the

minor's contact with all these persons be maintained. The expert also

stated that he was aware that the minor was influenced by "implants" on

the part of the petitioner and her former husband, aimed at destroying

the minor's relationship to the secondary party. However, according to

the expert, it is necessary to maintain contact with the secondary

party, so that a feedback effect, could occur for the minor on the basis

of her own experiences, which would correct the effect of these

implants. (p. 76 of the assessment, p. 512).



After

a hearing on 14 March 2006, the District Court in Pilsen-City issued a

verdict entrusting the minor to the care of the petitioner, i.e. the

petitioner was appointed the minor's guardian; the court ordered that

the secondary party have visitation with the minor every even-numbered

week from Friday at 10:00 a.m. until Monday at 10:00 a.m. and every

odd-numbered week on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The trial court justified this decision by taking into account primarily

the recommendation from the expert, who said that it was in the minor's

interests to ensure contact with all the involved persons. As the

expert assessment identified the petitioner as the most suitable

authority figure to raise the child, the minor was entrusted to her care

and contact with the secondary party was ordered. The trial court

acknowledged that the Act on the Family expressly governs only ordering

contact with siblings or grandparents, but, if it is in the minor's

interest, according to the trial court the relevant provisions must be

interpreted more broadly.



The

court also stated that it is aware of the risk of heightened conflict

in the relationship between the petitioner and the secondary party, as

occurred during the proceeding. Based on the expert assessment, the

court even considered it proven that, on the part of the minor's

grandfather, this goes as far as hatred of the secondary party.

According to the court, the petitioner's testimony indicates that if

visitation is ordered between the minor and the secondary party, she

does not intend to accept such interference. In the reasoning of its

decision, the trial court called on the parties to thoroughly respect

the visitation order, not take steps to limit visits, and not involve

the minor in their negative relationships.



In

the contested decision the Regional Court in Pilsen partly confirmed

the trial court's verdict and partly - as regards ordering visits with

the secondary party - changed it, of course, without reducing or

expanding the total time of contact. In its reasoning the court stated

that, although  27 of the Act on the Family does not govern contact

with persons not listed there (i.e. apart from parents, siblings and

grandparents), the court relied on the Convention on the Rights of the

Child. Under Art. 3 par. 1 and 2 of the Convention the interests of the

child must be the primary criterion in any activity concerning children.

The parties undertake to ensure for a child such protection and care as

is necessary for its well-being, and will take into account the rights

and obligations of the child's parents, legal representatives, or other

individuals legally responsible for the child.



The

Regional Court thus added that it considered contact with the secondary

party to be a measure that protects the minor's interests. It took into

account again the conclusion of the expert assessment, that it is

necessary to ensure contact in order for the minor to have an

opportunity to create her own "feedback" effect, to correct the effect

of the "implants" from the petitioner and her former husband, which are

aimed at destroying the minor's relationship with the secondary party.

According to the appeals court, the minor is an adaptable child and is

used to her alternating environments.



From

the file, the Constitutional Court familiarized itself with the course

of the visitation between the minor and the secondary party, as it took

place from the time the contested decision went into effect. At p. 660

et seq. is the secondary party's complaint of 28 July 2006 against the

conduct of the petitioner, alleged to prevent him from the visitation he

was ordered to have with the minor. On 31 July 2006, the petitioner

filed a petition seeking a preliminary order, in which she proposes

banning the secondary party's visitation with the minor, on the grounds

of suspicion that he is sexually abusing her (p. 663 - 6665). Another

complaint by the secondary party is filed at p. 676. On 7 August 2006,

the District Court in Pilsen-City denied the petitioner's petition on

the grounds that she did not prove the allegations concerning suspicious

of sexual abuse. On 15 August 2006, the secondary party filed a

petition for execution of the decision (p. 685).



On

6 September 2006, the City Office in Domazlice, as the appropriate body

for social-legal protection of children, filed a petition seeking a

preliminary order forbidding the secondary party's visitation with the

minor. The grounds for the petition were that it had guided the parties

to conclude an agreement in the matter of visitation, but no agreement

had been concluded, and, on the contrary, both sides had verbally

attacked each other. According to the City Office agreement between the

parties is not possible, and that situation endangers the minor's

healthy development (p. 695-699).



On

20 February 2007, a hearing took place before the Constitutional Court,

attended only by the petitioner and her legal representative. At the

hearing, the petitioner submitted a protocol on a hearing before the

District Court in Pilsen-City on 30 January 2007. The secondary party's

testimony before that court was said to indicate that he showed no

interest in visitation with the minor since the filing of a criminal

notice for the crime of sexual abuse. The petitioner responded to the

Constitutional Court's questions that the denial of paternity had not

taken place when the minor's mother was alive because the secondary

party threatened her, and yet at that time, when the minor lived with

her mother and the petitioner's son, he did not pay child support for

her. The secondary party last had visitation with the minor on 3 June

2006.





II.



After

stating that the constitutional complaint is permissible ( 75 par. 1, a

contrario Act no. 182/1993 Coll., on the Constitutional Court, as

amended by later regulations, the "Act on the Constitutional Court"),

was filed on time ( 72 par. 3 of the Act on the Constitutional Court),

and meets the other requirements specified by law [ 30 par. 1,  72

par. 1 let. a) of the Act on the Constitutional Court], the

Constitutional Court reviewed it on the merits, and concluded that it is

justified, although the Constitutional Court found that there was

violation of a different fundamental right than the petitioner stated in

the constitutional complaint.





III.



A)

As

stated above, in the constitutional complaint the petitioner claimed

violation of Art. 32 par. 1 of the Charter, under which parenthood and

the family are protected by the law, and which guarantees special

protection to children and juveniles. This provision essentially

represents an institutional guarantee, and thus binds the legislature to

specifically protect the institutions of parenthood and the family.

This provision can not be considered one that contains a fundamental

right. This follows anyway from the fact that this provision is subject

to a statutory limitation; under Art. 41 of the Charter it can be

claimed only within the confines of the laws implementing it. In

addition, systematically this provision is included in the category of

social rights, which are considered more a component of constitutional

soft law (cf. e.g. judgment file no. IV. US 8/05, in The Constitutional

Court of the CR: Collection of Decisions, vol. 37, judgment no. 112, p.

453; or file no. IV. US 113/05, not yet published, electronic version

available at www.judikatura.cz), in contrast to classic fundamental

rights (so-called core rights).



With

regard to this, the Constitutional Court considered the question

whether the contested general court decision is capable of interfering

with a different constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right that is,

without any doubts, considered a "traditional" fundamental right. As the

contested decision ordered visitation between the minor child and the

secondary party, and thus created an obligation for the petitioner to

deliver the minor, Lucie, to the secondary part for specified time

intervals and thus for that period tolerate a restriction, consisting of

the impossibility of living with her minor granddaughter, the

Constitutional Court concluded that the affected fundamental right in

this case is the petitioner's right to protection of family life, which

is guaranteed by Art. 10 par. 2 of the Charter and Art. 8 of the

Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

(the "Convention").





B)

Both

Art. 10 par. 2 of the Charter, and Art. 8 of the Convention speak

generally about protection of family life, or respect for family life,

without, however, defining in legal terms what they mean by the term

"family life." Therefore, when interpreting these provisions, it is

necessary to start with the fact that the family is, in the first place,

a biological connection, and then a social institution, which is only

subsequently defined by a legal framework. Therefore, when interpreting

these concepts, we must take into account the biological connection, and

then also the social reality of the family and family life, which, of

course, in the last century has undergone fundamental changes from an

extended family (parents, their married sons, and their wives and

children) to the so-called nuclear family (the marriage of a man and

wife, and children; cf, e.g. Mozny, I.: Sociologie rodiny [The Sociology

of the Family]. SLON, Prague 1999, pp. 27-28, 47-50), which, of course,

is itself being eroded in recent times (cf. e.g. Mozny, I.: Sociologie

rodiny[The Sociology of the Family]. Chapter: Konec rodiny? [The End of

the Family?] SLON, Prague 1999, pp. 199-219).



The

family is a social group of related persons, among whom there are close

ties - blood, psychosocial, emotional, economical, etc. Thus although

at the level of social reality the concept of family is very changeable

(as stated above, the social reality of the family has undergone

successive transformations, and through them the traditional European

concept of the family has disintegrated more and more noticeably, and

legal regulation of the family and family life is necessarily also

subject to these transformations), nevertheless it can not be overlooked

that the basis of family ties is traditionally precisely the biological

bond of a blood relationship between family members (on the family as

an institutional form to ensure reproduction of the species, see Mozny,

I.: Sociologie rodiny [Sociology of the Family]. SLON, Prague 1999, pp.

99 and 115).



Therefore, on

the one hand we can not rule out the fact that legal protection as a

family can also be enjoyed by a social group of persons living outside

the institution of marriage, or a group of persons not related by blood,

among whom there are nonetheless the abovementioned emotional and other

ties (persons living together as mates, partners living together with a

child that was born to one of the parents from another relationship,

etc.). And that scope of the concept of family life also arises from the

case law of the European Court of Human Rights, under which, for

example, "the notion of 'family life'  is not confined solely to

marriage-based relationships and may encompass other de facto 'family

ties' where parties are living together outside marriage." According to

the ECHR, as a rule, "living together may be a requirement for such a

relationship, exceptionally other factors may also serve to demonstrate

that a relationship has sufficient constancy to create de facto 'family

ties'" (judgment in the case of Kroon and Others v. the Netherlands,

par. 30). On the other hand, that concept of family and family life also

assumes the importance of blood ties between family members. In Kroon

and others v. the Netherlands the ECHR gave priority to the biological

tie between the father of a child living in a de facto bond with the

mother and that child, and denying the paternity of the mother's

husband, over the legal situation and the legal construct of the family:

""respect' for 'family life' requires that biological and social

reality prevail over a legal presumption " (Kroon and others v. the

Netherlands, par. 40).



Therefore,

when there is a conflict between the interests of persons with blood

ties, between whom social ties forming the typical features of a family

also demonstrably exist, and the interest of unrelated persons, between

whom and the child there were also formed in the past, as a result of

long-term co-habitation, the abovementioned emotional, social, and other

ties, which would otherwise form the features of de facto family ties,

it is necessary - if there is no other compelling reason - to provide

protection to those family ties which, besides emotional and social

ties, also have the blood relationship.



Yet,

according to the ECHR decision, it follows from the obligation to

respect family life that, as soon as the existence of a family

relationship is proved, the state must fundamentally act in a manner so

that this relationship can develop, and must take measures that will

enable parent and child to be reunited (e.g. the verdict in the case

Kutzner v. Germany, par. 61).

In the decision Bronda v. Italy the

ECHR stated that relationships between children and their grandparents,

with whom they have lived for a certain time can be given the same

protection as the relationship between a parent and child: "The Court

recalls that the mutual enjoyment by parent and child of each other's

company constitutes a fundamental element of family life and that

domestic measures hindering such enjoyment amount to an interference

with the right protected by Article 8. That principle applies, too, in

cases like the present one in which the Court is concerned with the

relations between a child and its grandparents, with whom it had lived

for a time." (judgment in Bronda v. Italy, par. 51).





C)

The

presently adjudicated matter concerns a situation where the general

courts decided on entrusting the minor to care, or guardianship and on

ordering contact of the minor with a third, unrelated person. On one

side there is the petitioner, who is in the de facto (biological), and -

after determination of paternity - also legal position of the minor's

grandparent; on the other side there is the interest of the secondary

party, who had the minor entrusted to his care for a certain period,

first as her legal representative, and then based on the preliminary

court order.



In the

contested decision, the Regional Court in Pilsen decided to entrust the

minor to the petitioner, and ordered that she should have contact with

the secondary party. It justified these steps, as regards factual

findings, with the conclusion of the expert assessment, according to

which it is in the minor's interest to maintain the widest possible

contact with all the involved persons, and as regards a legal basis,

with reference to Art. 3 of the Convention on the rights of the child,

under which the interests of the child are the primary criterion for any

activity concerning children. It is evident from the reasoning in the

court's decision, that it was aware of the proven hostile relationship

between the petitioner and the secondary party, and in its decision it

called on all the parties to cooperate in raising the minor.



As

stated above, in terms of protection of family life, the relationships

of grandparents and their grandchildren enjoy comparable protection to

that of the relationships between parents and children, if the child has

lived with the grandparents for a certain time. This applies all the

more so if the child is, as a result of a tragic event, without its

parents, and has only grandparents as the closest relatives with whom

the minor child shared a common household while the parents were still

alive, as happened in this case.



Between

the petitioner and the minor, Lucie, all the abovementioned ties exist,

that, in their aggregate, create the quality of family life (at the

very least biological and legal ties consisting of a direct blood line,

emotional and other psycho-social ties), and after the court decision

determining the paternity of the petitioner's son, that de facto

situation was also confirmed as regards the minor's legal status.



In

contrast, the relationship between the secondary party and Lucie can at

present be based only on emotional ties that were formed during the

time when they lived together when he was the minor's "registered"

father. Here the Constitutional Court in no way intends to reduce the

quality of these relationships, which can reach the same level and

intensity as if the minor had been the secondary party's own child.

Nevertheless, we can not overlook the fact that a blood tie is absent in

their relationship, nor is there a legal tie, and thus the secondary

party is an unrelated person to the minor.



It

is quite natural that where the child's family, created by biological

ties, exists, its members are willing to have the child in their care

and raise it, even have an emotional tie to the child that has arisen

over many years, and the child has fitted into the other social ties in

that family, that alternative must outweigh the upbringing and care that

a third, unrelated person would provide for the child, even if that

person also has an emotional and social tie to the child. As mentioned

above, as soon as the existence of a family tie is proved, the state

must basically behave so that this relationship can develop, and must

take appropriate measures to unite the biological family with the child

(e.g. the judgment in Kutzner v. Germany, par. 61). Thus, the state has

an obligation to provide particular protection to that relationship,

including protection from interference by third parties. All the more

so, the state may not, through legal instruments, create a situation

that would weaken the quality, or integrity of family life and interfere

with the relationships in that family.



The

Constitutional Court believes that this is precisely what happened

through the actions of the Regional Court in Pilsen, insofar as it

ordered the regular visitation between the minor and the secondary

party.



In the

Constitutional Court's opinion such interference in the petitioner's

family life can not be justified on the basis of an isolated interest of

the minor, as the general court did in the contested decision.

Generally, we can agree that the interest of the child is the priority

criterion in providing protection to the family life of family members;

nonetheless, when taking that interest into account one can not ignore

the rights of parents, or legal representatives (Art. 3 par. 1, 2 of the

Convention on the Rights of the Child). The Constitutional Court

believes that in this case the general courts did not take into

consideration all relevant facts influencing a balanced evaluation of

the relationship about which they decided.



The

Constitutional Court considers it incorrect if the general court

considered the interest of the child to be proven merely by adopting the

conclusions of the expert, according to whom it would be appropriate to

ensure contact with all the involved persons, and if the court did not

pay the same attention to the existing conflict-ridden situation between

the petitioner's family and the secondary party. Both these facts

create factors that need to be examined in terms of meeting the interest

of the child. It is necessary to weigh whether it is really in the

interest of the minor to maintain contact with the secondary party if

that is done at the price of heightened conflicts between the

petitioner's family and the secondary party, of which the minor child

remains a witness, and basically a victim. Moreover, the courts

completely failed to take into account and evaluate the petitioner's

rights to exercise her "parenting" rights without interruption, without

interference from the state.



Based

on the facts evident from the court files, the Constitutional Court

believes that even before the court made its decision, the conflicts

were quite intense, and the petitioner herself stated during a hearing

that she would resist allowing the minor to have contact with the

secondary party. If the conflict situations culminated immediately after

the general court decisions went into effect, in the Constitutional

Court's opinion it would be as a result of the incorrect evaluation of

these facts by the general court.



In

this regard we can refer to the decision of the Grand Chamber of the

ECHR in Sahin v. Germany, where the court evaluated, in terms of the

right to family life, a situation where a legal and biological father's

contact with his child was restricted on the grounds of serious disputes

between the parents, which were transferred to the child, and there was

a danger that the contact could endanger the child's development. In

that decision the Grand Chamber of the ECHR accepted, that denying

contact on the grounds of existing tension which the child witnesses is

not violation of the right to family life. The Constitutional Court

emphasizes that that case involved the child's contact with the actual

father, not with a third, unrelated person, as in the present case.



The

Constitutional Court adds that it is the function of the courts to

provide impartial protection to the subjective rights of the parties to a

proceeding (Art. 90 of the Constitution of the CR), not to educate them

to live better. The courts are obligated to base their decisions on the

facts determined, and not to attempt, through their decisions, to

create a situation that the court would consider suitable for the

personal life of the persons involved.



In

view of all the abovementioned reasons, the Constitutional Court

concluded that the contested decision of the Regional Court in Pilsen

violated the petitioner's right to protection of family life, or for

respect for family life, enjoying constitutional protection under Art.

10 par. 2 of the Charter and Art. 8 of the Convention.





IV.



As

regards the part of the constitutional complaint where the petitioner

claimed violation of her right to have the matter decided in an

appropriate time period and without undue delay, the Constitutional

Court concluded that the constitutional complaint is evidently

justified.



The

Constitutional Court evaluated the steps taken by the District Court in

Domazlice by the criteria that arise from the case law of the ECHR, i.e.

evaluating the relationship between the objective complexity of the

matter, the conduct of the parties, and what was at stake for the

parties to the proceeding (see, e.g., the decisions Frydlender v.

France, Becker v. Germany, Borankova v. the Czech Republic.).



In

the Constitutional Court's opinion, this guardianship matter, although

it is conducted under one file number, can not be taken as one

continuous proceeding, because from the moment when the petitioner filed

the first petition to have the minor entrusted to her care on 17

December 2003, until the contested decision was issued, the general

courts ruled on a number of different petitions. It also can not be

overlooked that, during the proceedings, the facts that were relevant

for the general courts' decision making changed significantly (the

petitioner filed her original petition when the secondary party was the

child's registered father and therefore her legal representative, and it

was only during the proceeding that his paternity was denied and a

subsequent determination of paternity made). Thus, it can be said that

as time went on the matter became factually and legally more complicated

and objectively became more complex.



On

the other hand, it can not be overlooked that the general courts did

not at all take into account the expert assessment submitted by the

petitioner in 2004 regarding the minor's biological paternity being that

of the petitioner's son. They formalistically maintained the legal

construction of a legal representative, and did not take reality into

account (see the above cited ECHR judgment, Kroon and Others v. the

Netherlands). They thus created room for flawed decisions (decision of 6

August 2004).



Likewise,

when evaluating the steps taken by the general courts, it can not be

overlooked that in this matter their decision making was dependent on

the decision making and activity of, not only the general courts, but

also other state authorities (the agency for social-legal child

protection) in other proceedings. In that context, the actions of the

City Office Domazlice is especially remarkable, as it was the minor's

guardian, and filed a petition for determination of paternity virtually a

year after (12 August 2005) the decision denying paternity went into

effect (30 September 2004). In the interim, the minor was subject to a

legal vacuum, because there was no person identified as her legal

representative, and thus the time of uncertainty, as regards her future

environment, was prolonged. Here too, however, it was possible for the

court to notify the higher authority of the relevant body was being

inactive.



As regards the

criterion consisting of the conduct of the parties to the proceedings,

it is necessary to consider that, during the proceeding, both the

petitioner and the secondary party filed a number of repeated petitions

for preliminary orders, and subsequently appeals to the trial court's

decisions denying them. Also, the actions of the District Court in

Domazlice were undoubtedly affected by the objection of bias that the

petitioner applied against several of the trial court judges, and which

she withdrew against the deciding judge in the matter after the decision

by the Regional Court in Pilsen. Finally, it can not be overlooked that

the petitioner did not make use of the procedure under  174a of Act

no. 6/2002 Coll., on Courts, Judges, Lay Judges, and the State

Administration of Courts, and Amending Certain Other Acts (the Act on

Courts and Judges), as amended by later regulations, and did not ask to

have those actions that she believe the court to be late in performing

ordered.



The Constitutional

Court is aware that the decision making of the general courts in matters

concerning the upbringing of minors requires increased demands for

speed of the proceedings, whose aim should be to stabilize the situation

in relation to the minor child as soon as possible. Otherwise, there is

a risk of in fact creating a "vicious circle," where, through the

passage of time when the child lives outside the biological (related)

family, a new living environment is created for the child, which

subsequently complicates measures leading to the protection of the

family life of the biological family. This factor undoubtedly played an

important role in the general courts' decision making on the merits,

because it obviously motivated them to order contact between the minor

and the secondary party. However, they did not pay attention to the fact

that they themselves took part in that situation, together with the

other public authority (the authority for social-legal protection of

children). Thereby they were already violating the petitioner's right to

family life.



Nevertheless,

in view of the complexity of this case, where - as mentioned above - in

the course of the proceedings the factual and legal circumstances

changed significantly, as well as the conduct of the parties to the

proceedings, whose behavior in no small measure contributed to the

length of the proceedings and who did not exercise their rights

regarding the speed of the proceeding on time, the Constitutional Court

found no violation of the right to have a matter handled without

unnecessary delay, guaranteed by Art. 38 par. 2 of the Charter, as the

petitioner claimed in the constitutional complaint.



In

view of the foregoing, the Constitutional Court granted the

constitutional complaint under  82 par. 2 let. a) of Act no. 182/1993

Coll., on the Constitutional Court, as amended by later regulations, in

the part aimed against the decision of the Regional Court in Pilsen, and

annulled the contested decision under  82 par. 3 let. a) of that Act;

in the part concerning the delays in proceedings before the District

Court in Domazlice the Constitutional Court denied the constitutional

complaint under  43 par. 2 let. a) of Act no. 182/1993 Coll., on the

Constitutional Court, as amended by later regulations, as being

evidently unjustified.



Instruction: Decisions of the Constitutional Court can not be appealed.



Brno, 20 February 2007T. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Publisher Ireland: High Court Publication Date 19 November 2008 Citation / Document Symbol [2008] IEHC 361 Cite as T. v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, [2008] IEHC 361, Ireland: High Court, 19 November 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,IRL_HC,5a4cd4004.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

THE HIGH COURT



2007 No. 1621 JR



BETWEEN



P. O. T. (APPLICANT)



AND

THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND LAW REFORM (RESPONDENT)



JUDGMENT of Mr. Justice Hedigan delivered on the 19th day of November, 2008

1. This is an application for judicial review of the decision of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform ("the Minister"), dated 29th August, 2007, to refuse to grant permission to the applicant for members of his family to enter and reside in the State. The applicant is seeking an order of certiorari in respect of the Minister's decision and a declaration that the said decision is unlawful.



Background

2. The applicant, who is a national of Ghana, arrived in the State on 25th September, 2001 and was granted refugee status on 26th March, 2003. Throughout his asylum application, he stated that he was married to M.O. and had three children: H. (born in 1991), Ma. (born in 1987), and G. (born in 1985).

3. In June, 2003, the applicant made an application for visas for M., H., Ma., G. and for a fourth child, F. (born in 1988), stating that the intended purpose of the visas was family reunification. With a view to corroborating his relationship with his wife and children, he submitted a marriage certificate, birth certificates, passports and letters from the children's schools. The respondent points out that in the visa application, the applicant stated that H. was born in 1992, whereas he had previously stated that she was born in 1991, but I do not think that anything turns on this in the present case. Perhaps more noteworthy is that by the time the visa application was made, G. was no longer under 18 years of age.

4. By letter dated 7th July, 2003, the Minister caused the visa applications to be referred to the Refugee Applications Commissioner (RAC), in compliance with section 18(1) of the Refugee Act 1996. The RAC provided the applicant with a questionnaire on 9th July, 2003, which he duly completed, thereby officially applying for permission for his family members to enter and reside in the State (i.e. family reunification). On 10th November, 2003, the RAC submitted a report to the Minister, in compliance with s. 18(2) of the Act of 1996. The report noted that the applicant had submitted original documentation in respect of his marriage and his relationship with his children. It also noted that there was no evidence that G. was dependent upon the applicant or that he was suffering from any mental or physical disability. It was noted that F. had not been mentioned in the asylum application and that the applicant had not seen his family since 1994.

5. The RAC report also noted a disparity with the documentation submitted in support of the family reunification application when compared to the applicant's asylum application: the marriage certificate submitted with the family reunification application was signed by his father, S.O., in 2003. The applicant had stated in his asylum application that his father, S.O., died in 1976 and his brother, of the same name, died in 1992. Some 16 months after receiving the RAC report, the Minister informed the applicant, by letter dated March 21st 2005, that he was considering revoking the grant of refugee status on the basis of that disparity. The applicant replied promptly to the Minister, stating that it was not his birth-father but his foster-father, also named S.O., who had signed the marriage certificate; thereafter, he submitted death certificates in respect of his father and brother, bearing the dates 1976 and 1992. On 1st November, 2006, the Minister informed the applicant that he had accepted the explanation given and no longer intended to revoke his refugee status. The Minister made no reference to family reunification.

6. Meanwhile, on 21st March, 2006, the applicant informed the Minister that he and his wife, M.O., had divorced, and he sought to withdraw the application for family reunification in respect of her. He attached a doctor's report showing that he was suffering from stress, exacerbated by the absence of his family, and requested an early decision in the matter. He noted at that stage that he was willing to answer any questions relating to the application.



The Minister's Decision on Family Reunification

7. On 19th August, 2007, the Minister decided to reject the application for family reunification. In his decision, the Minister made the following findings:-

(1) The birth certificates submitted by the applicant are invalid because they contain different holographic stickers; and because there were inconsistencies in relation to the certificate, entry and margin numbers.

(2) No mention was made of F. during the asylum process.

(3) There is no evidence that G. was dependant on the applicant; he does not therefore fall within the terms of s. 18(4).

(4) Because the applicant is now divorced from M., she is not a member of his family within the meaning of s. 18(3)(b).

8. Soon afterwards, judicial review proceedings were commenced in respect of the Minister's decision. An ex parte application for leave was granted by Finlay Geoghegan J. on 10th December, 2007. Nothing turns on the third and fourth findings in the present case; the applicant's complaints surround the first and second findings.



The Applicant's Submissions

9. It is complained that the Minister acted in breach of fair procedures by failing to raise with the applicant his concerns in respect of the veracity of the birth certificates and the fact that F. had not previously been mentioned. As a result, the applicant was unaware of the Minister's concerns and had no opportunity to make representations to the Minister to dispel those concerns. It is contended that in order to comply with fair procedures, the Minister should at a minimum have brought his doubts to the attention of the applicant and allowed him an opportunity to rebut those doubts. Reliance is placed, in this regard, on the decision of Nguedjdo v. The Refugee Applications Commissioner (Unreported, High Court, ex tempore judgment of White J. 23rd July, 2003) and Idiakheua v. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Unreported, High Court, Clarke J., May 10th, 2005).

10. The applicant submits that this situation cannot be compared to the statutory asylum process, in respect of which it has consistently been held that there is no obligation for the decision-maker to engage in a debate with the applicant. It is submitted that the process by which an application for family reunification is decided is a statutory administrative function in relation to which there is no interview, no oral hearing, and no right to appeal, at least on a statutory basis. Moreover, this is not an area in relation to which a complaint can be made to the Ombudsman.



The Respondent's Submissions

11. At the outset, the respondent points out that the applicant is not precluded from making a fresh application for family reunification and, in that application, to make representations as to the veracity of the birth certificates and his relationship with F.

12. In addition, the respondent seeks to compare the function of the Minister in the present case to the function of the Minister when considering an application under the IBC/05 scheme. The respondent contends that as a result, instead of the principles relating to fair procedures set out in Nguedjdo and Idiakheua, upon which the applicants seeks to rely, the relevant principle is that set out by the Supreme Court in Bode v. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2007] IESC 62. In that case, the applicant was refused admission to the IBC/05 scheme because the Minister was of the view that the evidence supplied with his application form was not sufficient evidence of residency in the State. The High Court had held that in the circumstances, fair procedures required that the applicant should have been asked, by letter, to provide documentation evidencing residency in the State, before the Minister made his final decision. The Supreme Court came to a different conclusion, as follows:-

"There is no general duty on an administrative body to give the opportunity to provide additional material after the closing date for application."

13. On that basis, it is submitted that the Minister is entitled to make a decision based on the documentation submitted and that he is not obliged to enter into a debate or to engage in correspondence with the applicant.



The Court's Assessment

14. The matter of family reunification is a matter of great urgency and importance. The fundamental importance of the family unit and its right to be protected is enshrined at the heart of the Irish Constitution. It is further protected by Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, among other domestic, regional and international instruments. The right of a refugee to apply for family reunification is protected by s. 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 and under Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification. Recital 4 of that Directive provides as follows:-

"Family reunification is a necessary way of making family life possible. It helps to create sociocultural stability facilitating the integration of third country nationals in the Member State, which also serves to promote economic and social cohesion, a fundamental Community objective []."

15. Thus, family reunification is not only a way of bringing families back together, but it is also essential to facilitate the integration of third-country nationals into the State and into the EU. Refugees finding themselves alone in a foreign country which has admitted them, traumatised by the events that brought them there, more than ever need the society and support of their immediate family. Every effort must be made to ensure such reunification occurs as quickly as possible.

16. In this context, the Court finds the timeline in the present case to be most disturbing. The requirements of constitutional justice dictate that an applicant seeking administrative relief, whether in the immigration context or otherwise, is entitled to a decision within a reasonable time (see Awe v. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2006] IEHC 6; Iatan and Others v. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and others [2006] IEHC 30; K.M. and G.D. v. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform [2007] IEHC 234). The applicant in the present case applied for family reunification in June, 2003 and did not receive a decision until August, 2007; there was, therefore, a delay of over 4 years. This is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs. Bearing this in mind, the Court is of the view that the fact that it is open to the applicant to make a fresh application for family reunification does not provide an answer to the applicant's difficulties. According to information provided on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), "[t]he average time processing for Family Reunification applications is 24 months (as at January 2008)." Thus, if the applicant was to submit a fresh application, each of his children would have reached the age of majority by the time a decision was reached.



Fair Procedures

17. In the first instance, the Court notes that the facts and circumstances of the Bode case were very different to those of the present case. The administrative IBC/05 scheme that was at issue in Bode cannot be compared to the section 18 procedure by which the Minister assesses an application for family reunification; the IBC/05 scheme was not placed on a statutory basis whereas the right to family reunification is grounded not only in s. 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 but also in regional and international law and practice. The subject-matter of the Supreme Court decision in Bode is, therefore, qualitatively different to that of the present case, and the principles set out therein cannot be applied by analogy to the present case.

18. The Court accepts that on the face of the documents submitted, questions do arise as to their veracity. It is, of course, incumbent on the respondent to carefully examine documents submitted in support of an application for family reunification. However, where such an examination gives rise to concern as to the validity of the documents submitted in a family reunification application, constitutional justice requires that the Minister must enter into communication with the applicant and afford him or her an opportunity to explain inconsistencies and/or dispel doubts in that regard. A letter requiring a satisfactory explanation would suffice.

19. In the circumstances of the present case, the respondent ought to have notified the applicant that he doubted the validity of the birth certificates and offered a chance to comment. This is particularly so because at a particular stage in this case, when a document had been doubted and the applicant notified of the doubts, he had been able to satisfy the Minister as to its validity and it was decided not to revoke his refugee status.

20. For the purposes of clarity, I would reiterate that the obligation of communication between the Minister and an applicant applies only in the unique and special situation where the Minister is unsatisfied as to the validity of documentation submitted in support of an application for family reunification, in circumstances where that dissatisfaction has the potential to impact on the Minister's final decision in the matter. Failure to elicit a possibly complete answer could, after all, result in a two-year delay in family reunification while the applicant made a new application, as suggested by the respondent. The Irish Constitution, which places such importance on family unity, could not countenance such an injustice. This in no way impacts upon the decided case law of the Court in relation to the obligations of decision-makers in the statutory asylum process who are, in general, under no obligation to enter into a debate or correspondence with an applicant. As is well established, the requirement of fair procedures may be different in relation to different types of applications.



Conclusion

21. In the light of the foregoing, I am satisfied that the Minister has acted unlawfully and in breach of fair procedures and I will grant the reliefs sought. An order of certiorari will be granted quashing the Minister's decision of 29th August, 2007; I will also grant a declaration that the said decision was unlawful; and I will remit the application for family reunification for reconsideration by the Minister. It is incumbent on the Minister to consider the explanations proffered by the applicant, and it is imperative that those involved in the decision-making process act urgently, in the light of the unacceptable period of delay that has already elapsed. I would also express considerable doubt as to whether, save for exceptional circumstances, a two year delay in arranging the reunification of the family of a person granted refugee status is an acceptable delay in the light of both Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the role of the family which is enshrined at the heart of the Irish Constitution.Freedom of the Press 2017 - Uganda

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date December 2017 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2017 - Uganda, December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cd4f129.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Press Freedom Status: Partly Free

Total Score: 58/100 (1) (0 = Most Free, 100 = Least Free)

Legal Environment: 18/30

Political Environment: 25/40 (1)

Economic Environment: 15/30

Quick Facts

Population: 36,600,000

Freedom in the World Status: Not Free

Net Freedom Status: Partly Free

Internet Penetration Rate: 19.2%

Key Developments in 2016:

Journalists covering the year's general elections faced harassment and arbitrary restrictions, particularly those covering activities of the opposition or stories unflattering to President Yoweri Museveni.

Authorities, without warning, blocked access to social media websites twice: on election day in February, and again in May as Museveni took the oath of office following his reelection.

Lawmakers took steps to restrict coverage of parliamentary activities, first by barring reporters without degrees from covering the body, and later by summoning editors of leading media houses for questioning over critical stories.

A panel named by the government issued a report that was highly critical of the public broadcaster, the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), and called for wide-ranging reforms there.

Executive Summary

Constitutional protections for freedoms of expression and the press are undermined by provisions in the penal code, including laws on criminal libel and treason. Journalists also encounter harassment, occasional violence, and various other obstacles in the course of their work. Security personnel are frequent perpetrators of such offenses, though politicians are sometimes culpable as well. Most such violations are not reported, and the lack of prosecutions has created a climate of impunity.

Nevertheless, Uganda is home to one of the more vibrant media scenes in east and central Africa. Over time, the media and the government of President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, have settled into a predictable relationship. In moments of stress, authorities lash out  for example, by detaining journalists or temporarily shutting down media houses. However, such heavy-handed actions tend not to permanently disrupt operations. The government rarely wins court cases against the media, and journalists have successfully challenged the constitutionality of restrictive laws such as the publication of false news and sedition.

In 2016, Uganda held its third round of general elections since the transition to a multiparty system in 2005. Journalists covering the elections faced increased restrictions and harassment. In January, Museveni's campaign team banned reporters from NTV, the country's largest private television station, from covering his campaign rallies unless the station used drone footage provided by the campaign's press unit. The ban was lifted after about a week, when the station agreed that it would use the footage but include a logo indicating that it had been supplied by the president's team. In February, police detained for several hours two British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) journalists and an NTV reporter as they filmed inside Abim Hospital in northern Uganda; President Museveni's primary challenger, Kizza Besigye, had visited the dilapidated hospital in late 2015 to highlight problems in the healthcare sector. They were eventually freed without charge, but the Ministry of Health soon afterward directed hospital administrators to not allow politicians and journalists to enter hospital premises without formal permission from the ministry. Also in February, four soldiers of the elite Special Forces Command assaulted a Radio Simba correspondent and deleted digital materials from her equipment; she had been recording a clash between ruling-party supporters and security personnel at a rally in Sembabule District. A number of journalists seeking to cover Besigye's house arrest, enacted after he and his supporters challenged the results of the presidential election, were detained by security forces before being released without charge. And, ahead of Museveni's swearing-in in May, authorities announced that media outlets were prohibited from covering planned opposition protests; a court had issued a temporary ban against the protest actions days earlier.

On February 18, election day, the government temporarily blocked access to social media websites including Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp, as well as to mobile money-transferring services, without prior warning. Authorities repeated the same action on May 12, the day President Museveni took the oath of office following his reelection. Authorities cited security concerns to justify both shutdowns. Many Ugandans circumvented the blockages using proxy servers.

Separately, lawmakers in 2016 took steps to restrict coverage of parliamentary activities. In January, lawmakers issued a directive requiring all reporters covering the legislature, effective beginning in May, to possess a degree in journalism or a related field, and to have worked as a journalist for at least three years. Later, following a series of critical media reports about lawmakers' spending habits and foreign travels, the parliamentary leadership summoned the editors of four media houses to explain the bad press. Editors from only one media house, the Vision Group, whose shares are mainly held by the government, showed up. Editors for the Uganda Radio Network, the Observer, and Red Pepper declined to appear. Critics panned parliament's behavior, arguing that it was effectively attempting to revive a sedition law the Constitutional Court had annulled in 2010.

The state-run UBC has the farthest reach in the radio and television sectors, broadcasting in several indigenous languages as well as in English and Kiswahili throughout the country. It remains subservient to the interests of the ruling party and the government. However, in December 2016, a panel of experts tapped by the minister of information, communications, and technology to review the broadcaster's operations submitted a highly critical report, which called the UBC "mismanaged, chronically underfunded, and not treated like a public institution of strategic value." The report recommended an across-the-board overhaul aimed at transforming the UBC into a true public-interest broadcaster.

Explanatory Note

This country report has been abridged for Freedom of the Press 2017. For background information on press freedom in Uganda, see Freedom of the Press 2016.

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights ReservedFreedom of the Press 2017 - Spain

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date December 2017 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2017 - Spain, December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cd4f5a.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Press Freedom Status: Free

Total Score: 28/100 (0 = Most Free, 100 = Least Free)

Legal Environment: 6/30

Political Environment: 14/40

Economic Environment: 8/30

Quick Facts

Population: 43,300,000

Freedom in the World Status: Free

Internet Penetration Rate: 78.7%

Key Developments in 2016:

Journalists were fined under provisions of the 2015 Public Security Act for offenses including failing to comply with police orders.

The Prisa Group, a major media conglomerate, threatened to sue the online newspaper El Confidencial for $9 million after it published a report implicating the ex-wife of Prisa Group's chief executive in a corruption scandal.

Executive Summary

Spain has a diverse and free media, though the approval of new laws that can constrain media freedom, as well as a struggling economy, have brought about some difficulties for journalists in recent years. The 2015 Public Security Act, known among its detractors as the "gag law," has been invoked against reporters in response to ordinary journalistic activity. Additionally, there have been thousands of layoffs in the media sector over the past decade.

The Public Security Act prescribes fines for offenses including the unauthorized use of images of public officials or members of the security forces when it could endanger the individuals, their families, protected facilities, or a security operation, as well as for insulting a member of the security forces. In 2016, the law was invoked against journalists on a number of occasions. In March, journalist Axier Lopez was fined $700 for tweeting an "unauthorized" photo he had taken of a police operation in in Eibar, in which officers' faces were not actually visible. The same month, journalist Juan Carlos Perez Diaz was accused of violating the law after refusing authorities' request that he delete images he had taken of the site of a workplace accident in Cojobar, and risks a $700 fine; the status of his case was unclear at year's end. Authorities similarly fined journalist Ana Garcia under the law's provisions after she refused to follow police orders to surrender her camera after filming an antisuicide demonstration. A judge dismissed the charge against her in the spring. A group of Spanish media outlets has challenged the Public Security Act at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), where a ruling was pending at year's end.

The Transparency Act took effect in 2014, but has been criticized by advocacy organizations for its various exemptions. In July 2016, the public Transparency and Good Governance Council (CTBG) and Spanish Data Protection Agency (AGPD) published a document affirming that the names of guests attending high-level government meetings must be disclosed under the Transparency Act.

Media workers suggest that self-censorship has increased in recent years due to pressure from businesspeople and politically connected figures, as well as the threat of layoffs amid the ongoing economic crisis. In April 2016, El Confidencial (and several other outlets) reported that Teresa Aranda, the ex-wife of Prisa Group head Juan Luis Cebrian, had benefitted financially from using offshore tax havens; the articles were based on information in the Panama Papers, a trove of leaked legal documents that revealed potentially corrupt business activities by powerful individuals around the world. In a move seen as aimed at discouraging further reporting on the topic, Prisa Group announced that it would sue El Confidencial, claiming that by reporting on the scandal, the paper was engaging in unfair competition. It said it would seek $9 million in damages.

Explanatory Note

This country report has been abridged for Freedom of the Press 2017. For background information on press freedom in Spain, see Freedom of the Press 2016.

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights ReservedFreedom of the Press 2017 - Gambia, The

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date December 2017 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2017 - Gambia, The, December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cd4fa4.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Press Freedom Status: Not Free

Total Score: 87/100 (1) (0 = Most Free, 100 = Least Free)

Legal Environment: 29/30

Political Environment: 35/40 (1)

Economic Environment: 23/30

Quick Facts

Population: 2,100,000

Freedom in the World Status: Not Free

Net Freedom Status: Not Free

Internet Penetration Rate: 17.1%

Key Developments in 2016:

A number of journalists were arrested, and some were held without charge, ahead of December's presidential election. Longtime president Yahya Jammeh was defeated by opposition candidate Adama Barrow, but at year's end had indicated that he would refuse to step down.

Just ahead of the election, authorities shut down internet access and manipulated telecommunications infrastructure to prevent outgoing and incoming international phone calls. The blackout lasted several days.

Two journalists from Qatar's Al-Jazeera satellite television channel were denied accreditation ahead of the election, and were deported when they entered the country anyway. They managed to interview Barrow during their short time in Gambia.

Executive Summary

Gambia's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, but these rights are not respected in practice. Jammeh's government has used numerous legal mechanisms and repressive laws to aggressively thwart critical reporting by journalists and media houses. Journalists continue to face harassment and intimidation, mainly from members of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which has operated under the command of President Jammeh since 1994. An increasingly difficult economic situation has made it difficult for many media outfits to operate.

In December 2016, opposition candidate Adama Barrow won a surprise victory in the country's presidential election; Jammeh accepted the results before rescinding his concession days later, and the impasse had yet to be resolved by year's end. While local and international outlets were generally able to produce news about the campaign; authorities harassed, arrested, and detained journalists as a result of their reporting on the election, and held some without charge. In April, Mamour Mbenga of the opposition-aligned Foroyaa newspaper was arrested while covering an opposition protest; the arresting officers reportedly beat him severely and destroyed his video camera and other equipment before releasing him without charge. Additionally, Mbenga said Foroyaa edited descriptions of his treatment by police out of the story he filed about the demonstration.

A number of journalists were arrested as the elections drew closer, including some who worked at the government-controlled public broadcaster and at government-aligned outlets. Momodou Sabally, director of the state-run Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS), and GRTS journalist Bakary Fatty, were arrested in early November after the broadcaster preempted a piece on an event hosted by the first lady, with a story on how opposition factions had united behind Barrow ahead of the election. Sabally was charged with financial offenses allegedly committed while he had worked in Jammeh's administration  charges that had already been filed against him once and had been dismissed in 2015; he was detained for just over two weeks, and the case against him was ongoing at year's end, according to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), an advocacy group. Fatty, who was not charged with a crime, remained in detention at year's end, and had been denied access to his family and to and a lawyer. Also in November, Yunus Salieu, a reporter at the government-controlled Daily Observer, was arrested, as was Alhagie Manka, a freelance photographer; both were detained for several days for taking photos of Jammeh's supporters without authorization.

While a number of international outlets covered the election, authorities denied accreditation to two journalists from Qatar's satellite television channel Al-Jazeera ahead of the poll. The journalists entered Gambia anyway, and were promptly deported after security agents discovered their presence in the country; they managed to interview Barrow before their expulsion And, one day before the election, the government blocked access to the internet and manipulated the country's telecommunications network to prevent mobile users from making and receiving international phone calls. The blockage remained in place for several days.

Separately, Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay, the managing director of the private Teranga FM radio station, was convicted in absentia in November 2016 of sedition and spreading false information for privately sharing an image of Jammeh with a gun pointed at his head. He was sentenced to two years and issued a fine of 200,000 dalasi ($4,700). Ceesay was not in Gambia at the time  in April it was reported that Ceesay, who was initially detained in 2015, escaped from custody during a check-up at a military hospital, and had fled to Senegal.

Explanatory Note

This country report has been abridged for Freedom of the Press 2017. For background information on press freedom in The Gambia, see Freedom of the Press 2016.

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights ReservedFreedom of the Press 2017 - Canada

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date December 2017 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2017 - Canada, December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cd4fea.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Press Freedom Status: Free

Total Score: 18/100 (0 = Most Free, 100 = Least Free)

Legal Environment: 5/30

Political Environment: 7/40

Economic Environment: 6/30

Quick Facts

Population: 36,200,000

Freedom in the World Status: Free

Net Freedom Status: Free

Internet Penetration Rate: 88.5%

Key Developments in 2016:

In March, a judge ordered a Vice News reporter to comply with a police order to furnish all communications between himself and a former Canadian resident facing terrorism charges over alleged links to the Islamic State (IS). Vice News appealed the decision.

Instances of past police surveillance of journalists emerged in the fall, prompting a call from journalists and politicians to enact a "shield law" that would better protect journalists and their sources.

Due to an increasing number of "no records" responses to requests for public information, Canadian information commissioners called for legislation that would formally require officials to document deliberations and decisions.

Executive Summary

Conditions for media in Canada are free and stable, and outlets are generally able to operate and exercise editorial independence without undue interference. However, laws permitting surveillance under certain circumstances have led to concern about respect for freedom of expression, and recent police actions have prompted concern about the ability of journalists to protect their sources.

In 2015, antiterrorism legislation originally introduced as Bill C-51 came into force. The law includes provisions against "terrorist propaganda," and widens the powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and other security agencies to deal with terrorism-related threats. Among other things, it authorizes the seizure and censoring of online and offline "terrorist propaganda." Freedom of expression advocates argued that the law's broad scope and vague wording leave room for abuse. Domestic opposition to the law was significant, and the Liberal Party pledged to repeal its "problematic elements" during the 2015 federal election campaign. In September 2016, the new Liberal administration launched a call for public feedback on the law as part of a larger public consultation on national security. The consultation concluded in December 2016, with findings to be published in 2017.

In 2016, several developments exacerbated existing concerns about a lack of statutory laws protecting confidential sources, as well as about authorities' ability to conduct surveillance on journalists. In March, a judge in Ontario ordered a Vice News reporter, Ben Makuch, to comply with a police order to furnish all communications between himself and a former Canadian resident facing terrorism charges over alleged links to IS. An appeal by Vice News is set to be heard in 2017. In September, police seized a computer belonging to Journal de Montreal reporter Michael Nguyen during a search of the paper's office on suspicion that Nguyen had illegally obtained confidential information from the Quebec judicial council's website. In late December, the Quebec Superior Court affirmed that the search and seizure, which had been conducted with a warrant, was legal; Journal de Montreal indicated that it would appeal the decision. And, in late October and early November, it emerged that Quebec police in the past had conducted surveillance on several reporters without their knowledge, in some cases as early as 2008. The purpose of the surveillance, which was authorized by warrants and involved the tracking of phone calls and, in some cases, accessing Global Positioning System (GPS) data, was to discover the source of suspected police leaks to the media. In November, journalists and politicians alike came together at a press conference to urge the Liberal government to enact a "shield law" to protect reporters and their sources.

In 2015, Quebec authorities introduced a bill to prevent and combat speech that incites hatred or violence against a particular individual or group of people. Watchdogs voiced concerns that the bill's vague language and harsh penalties could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. After Quebec lawmakers agreed to amend the more controversial provisions of the bill, it was passed and came into force in June 2016.

The Access to Information Act codifies the right to request access to federal government records, but in practice such requests are subject to delays and excessive costs. In January 2016, information commissioners across Canada released a joint statement in response to the increasing number of "no records" responses to information requests, which called for the establishment of a legislated duty to document deliberations, actions, and decisions.

Explanatory Note

This country report has been abridged for Freedom of the Press 2017. For background information on press freedom in Canada, see Freedom of the Press 2016.

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights ReservedFreedom of the Press 2017 - Cameroon

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date December 2017 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2017 - Cameroon, December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cd50034.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Press Freedom Status: Not Free

Total Score: 66/100 (0 = Most Free, 100 = Least Free)

Legal Environment: 22/30

Political Environment: 23/40 (1)

Economic Environment: 21/30

Quick Facts

Population: 24,400,000

Freedom in the World Status: Not Free

Internet Penetration Rate: 20.7%

Key Developments in 2016:

Authorities took efforts to quash reporting on a protest movement among members of Cameroon's Anglophone community, who claimed their interests were being marginalized in the majority-Francophone country. Authorities responded to the movement by threatening journalists and outlets with a variety of sanctions, and by seeking internet blockages in affected areas.

In December, France 24 journalist Zigoto Tchaya was detained for a day by masked security officers while reporting on Anglophone protests in Bamenda.

Also in December, Cameroon's media regulatory body, the National Communication Council (CNC) banned three newspapers and sanctioned over 20 journalists, publishers, and outlets.

Government officials and government-aligned media outlets sought to portray social media as a dangerous source of misinformation after the government was lambasted online for negligence, following a deadly railway accident in October.

Executive Summary

The media environment in Cameroon is constrained by a restrictive legal regime. Journalists reporting on sensitive subjects risk police questioning, lawsuits, and extrajudicial detention. Nevertheless, some independent outlets continue to operate, sometimes in defiance of government sanctions, but frequently self-censor in order to avoid reprisals. Corruption in the media is considered pervasive, with contributing factors including low wages for journalists and a widespread lack of formal training. The state frequently uses its position as the largest advertiser in the country to withhold advertising revenue from outlets that publish stories critical of the government.

In 2016, authorities undertook extensive efforts to restrict coverage of a protest movement that erupted toward the end of the year among members of Cameroon's Anglophone communities, who claimed they were being marginalized in a majority Francophone country; the protests gave way to a number of violent incidents involving Cameroonian security forces. Authorities responded to the unrest by issuing directives to private broadcasters to stop airing debates about demonstrators' grievances, and by threatening journalists, media outlets, and mobile network providers with sanctions in connection with coverage of the protest movement. For example, mobile network providers were warned that they could face criminal prosecution for facilitating the spread of information that could not be proven, while private media outlets were informed that they could lose their operating licenses in connection with sympathetic coverage of demonstrations. In November, as protests continued, the opposition-aligned Cameroon Journal reported that Cameroon's information minister had met with mobile phone and internet service providers and asked them to shut down internet access, but that his request was rejected; nevertheless, there were sporadic reports of internet blockages in the areas where protest actions took place. In December, France 24 journalist Zigoto Tchaya was arrested in Bamenda by masked security officers while reporting on the Anglophone protests; he was released the following day, apparently without charge.

Also in December, the CNC issued a flurry of sanctions against more than 20 outlets, publishers, and journalists, primarily for defamation. Three newspapers  L'Aurore, L'Aurore Plus, and Depeche du Cameroun  were permanently banned, and their publishers barred from practicing journalism in Cameroon.

Separately, government-aligned media in 2016 sought to portray social media as a dangerous source of misinformation. The campaign, which saw the government-controlled Cameroon Tribune call social media "a threat to peace and a secret instrument of manipulation," came after authorities had been lambasted online for negligence in the wake of a deadly railway accident in October. In November, the speaker of Cameroon's National Assembly called social media a "real social pandemic."

Members of the media were occasionally subject to various forms of extralegal intimidation and violence in 2016. In May, Moki Edwin Kindzeka, a journalist for Voice of America (VOA) and the state-owned broadcaster, was forced into a vehicle and subsequently interrogated and threatened by his abductors, after publishing unfavorable coverage of President Paul Biya. He was held for several hours, during which his abductors also reportedly offered him money in exchange for more favorable coverage.

Explanatory Note

This country report has been abridged for Freedom of the Press 2017. For background information on press freedom in Cameroon, see Freedom of the Press 2016.

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights ReservedFreedom of the Press 2017 - Cote d'Ivoire

Publisher Freedom House Publication Date December 2017 Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press 2017 - Cote d'Ivoire, December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4cd502d.html [accessed 4 September 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Press Freedom Status: Partly Free

Total Score: 51/100 (0 = Most Free, 100 = Least Free)

Legal Environment: 14/30

Political Environment: 19/40

Economic Environment: 18/30

Quick Facts

Population: 23,900,000

Freedom in the World Status: Partly Free

Internet Penetration Rate: 21.0%

Key Developments in 2016:

The offices of the private L'Elephant Dechaine newspaper were broken into, as were two journalists' homes, in incidents that appeared to be related to journalistic work.

The National Press Council (CNP) continued to suspend publications in connection with complaints of unprofessionalism and publishing false information.

In December, the broadcast regulator announced that four new private television stations and two multiplex operators had been awarded licenses, paving the way for reduced government influence in the broadcast sector.

A new draft press law was introduced to the parliament in November. If approved, it would decriminalize most press-related offenses and reduce fines for infractions, and classify those who publish online or over mobile devices as journalists.

Executive Summary

Cote d'Ivoire's media environment has liberalized over the last few years under President Alassane Ouattara. Notably, media were largely free to cover the presidential election in 2015, as well as December 2016 legislative elections and an October 2016 constitutional referendum. While state-run outlets dominate the media landscape, space for independent media outlets is expanding. There is no official censorship in Cote d'Ivoire and the climate of fear that often led journalists to self-censor under the administration of former president Laurent Gbagbo has largely dissipated. However, critical and investigative journalists still risk charges and detention under various legal provisions, as well as extralegal attacks in connection with their journalistic work.

The dominance of most media sectors by state-run outlets has decreased somewhat in recent years. A number of new print outlets have been established, and the High Authority for Audiovisual Communications (HACA), Cote d'Ivoire's broadcast regulator, has begun opening space for private television stations. In May 2016, it issued a call for tenders, and in December announced the approval of four new private television channels, and two companies to serve as multiplex operators.

The Ministry of Communication during has continued work on revising the 2004 Press Law, which criminalizes some press-related offenses and inadequately addresses digital outlets. In November 2016, the government presented to parliament a draft press law that prohibited the imprisonment and detention of journalists accused of committing press-related offenses, with some exceptions, such as for incitement. The draft law, which was still under consideration at year's end, would also reduce fines for such offenses, formally classify those who publish online or over mobile devices as journalists, and make it easier to establish a new media outlet. Meanwhile, authorities in 2016 continued work to raise awareness of a 2013 freedom of information law and the procedures it outlines, including by holding workshops for government workers and members of the media.

The CNP, the country's main print regulator, continued to issue suspensions against outlets in 2016, mainly for unprofessionalism or the publication of false information. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), an advocacy group, called for the suspended journalists and outlets to follow the CNP's code of conduct and conduct their work professionally upon reporting news of the various suspensions. However, a number of the suspended outlets are considered supportive of former President Gbagbo, raising some concerns about politicization of the body.

Extralegal attacks against journalists and outlets continue to take place, though at a far lower rate than had occurred during the country's past political crisis. In March 2016, Fofana Baba-Idriss, a prominent blogger and journalist known for his outspoken articles, began to receive death threats through text messages and blog comments; in April, his home was broken into and a threatening note was left behind. In May, Baudelaire Mieu, a freelance journalist who has contributed to outlets including Jeune Afrique and Bloomberg News, was the target of a home break-in; unidentified assailants, brandishing guns, stole his laptop, but left behind other valuables. And in July 2016, the offices of the private satirical and investigative publication L'Elephant Dechaine were burglarized. The perpetrators took files for three investigations regarding state officials, the coffee and cocoa industries, and a bank, respectively.

Separately, in May, editor Laurent Despas and journalist Donatien Kautcha of the news website Koaci were arrested and detained overnight after publishing allegations, based on an interview with Gbagbo's son, Michel Gbagbo, that Ivorian authorities were detaining political prisoners. Both Despas and Gbagbo were charged with spreading falsehoods, and the case against them remained open at year's end.

Explanatory Note

This country report has been abridged for Freedom of the Press 2017. For background information on press freedom in Cote d'Ivoire, see Freedom of the Press 2016.

Copyright notice:  Freedom House, Inc.  All Rights ReservedA surge of Americans got back to work this year, driving the jobless rate to a 17-year low - but the "roaring" economy, as President Donald Trump calls it, appears to have disproportionately benefited men.

A new analysis of government data reveals a surprising disparity: The retail industry, which shed the most jobs last year (54,300), seemed to push women out while offering more opportunities to men.

Between October 2016 and October 2017, women who worked in the country's stores lost 160,300 jobs, while 106,000 men found new work in the field, the analysis from the Institute for Women's Policy Research found.

"We've seen many news reports of the decline in retail jobs, but few have noted that the picture in retail is much different for women and men," researchers at the Washington think tank wrote.

Over the past year, they added, "women's share of all retail trade jobs fell from 50.4 to 49.6 percent."

Economist Heidi Hartmann, president of the IWPR, said it's too soon to tell what sparked this shift.

Her theory: As hiring ramped up, so did spending on big-ticket items, including furniture and appliances - and men tend to dominate those sales roles, which have historically come with the highest commission payments. They also offer more job security.

"There's basically sex segregation within the retail industry," she said. "Women have tried very hard to get into jobs like that."

Hartmann pointed to a 1979 sex-discrimination lawsuit against Sears, in which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission argued that the retailer regularly overlooked women for similar high-commission jobs. Although 61 percent of applicants for such roles were female, just 35 percent of the jobs went to women, the government lawyers argued.

The EEOC ultimately lost the case. (The judge ruled that employment data wasn't enough to prove discrimination.)

As of today, BLS doesn't break down employment in commission jobs by gender, and Sears declined to release its current workforce data.

Hartmann also theorized that women in retail could be leaving the industry for better-paying jobs in health care, one of the fastest-growing fields. Demand has soared for hospital workers and physician assistants, for example, and economists say more employers are willing to provide on-the-job training.

Seventy-three percent of cashiers, meanwhile, are women, and those jobs have been identified as among the first to fade away with the rise of automation.

Regardless, she said, lawmakers should pay attention to retail workers as much as they do those in manufacturing, she said.

"A lot of communities have malls, and people depend on those jobs," she said. "Families depend on those jobs."

Retail trade is one of the nation's largest and broadest industries, employing about 15.8 million workers in roles that connect people to products. The jobless rate for the sector is significantly higher than the national average (4.6 percent, compared to 4.1 percent), but the future of the field isn't as gloomy as economists predict, some union leaders say.

Chelsea Connor, director of communications at the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store International Union, which represents about 100,000 workers in the United States, said the rise of online shopping hasn't destroyed careers at brick-and-mortar stores.

"A lot of people are saying retail is dying, but it's just changing," she said. "Consumers want to be able to touch and feel products before they buy them."

Connor said she hasn't seen any gender gaps in layoffs among her members, who work at Macy's, Bloomingdales, Zara and other stores. Sales representatives of both genders make an average of $15 to $30 per hour, depending on their experience level and skill on the sales floor.

Men, however, tend to work more often in packing and shipping roles, she said. In a world where people shop online as often as they take out the trash, that could account for the uneven employment bump.

"It's possible the BLS numbers reflect that" - men in different types of packing and delivery roles - Connor said. "But for us, it's never been about men vs. women in hiring."Contributed photo

SALISBURY  Twelve Moons Coffee House will feature Kane Clawson on Saturday night, performing with some of the many groups she has worked with during her career.

Clawson will be joined by Wildcat Creek, a traditional/world music band whose members include Dave Paton, ren Nickson, Mike Prentice, Tom White and Ambrose Verdibello.Contributed photo / Yale New Haven Children's Hospital

NEW HAVEN  When the ball fell at midnight New Years Eve, Amelia Levy of Branford wasnt lifting a glass of Champagne.

She was 58 seconds away from giving birth to Layla Rose Levy, the first baby born in 2018 at Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital, according to a hospital release.TORRINGTON  Former Torrington Middle School Principal Valerie Bruneau sued the Board of Education and Superintendent Denise Clemons Tuesday, alleging that the district discriminated against and violated the rights of special education students during her tenure, including by not providing required paraprofessionals, then illegally fired her as retaliation for reporting the issue.

In the complaint, Bruneau alleges that Torrington Middle School students were not provided required paraprofessionals even after she repeatedly reported the situation to Superintendent Denise Clemons and Director of Student Services LeTanya Lawrence in August and September 2017.

Torrington Middle School required 25 paraprofessionals to be in compliance with students Individualized Education Program (IEP)  an agreement between parents and a school district on the proper education of a special education student required by federal law  but was instead assigned 22, according to the complaint.

This includes the case of three students new to Torrington Middle School, whose paraprofessionals transferred to other district schools and were not replaced.

According to the complaint, Lawrence and Clemons directed Bruneau to reassign other school paraprofessionals on multiple occasions to address the compliance issues. This would either perpetuate the districts noncompliance with the law or create new issues, Bruneau alleged in the complaint.

In the case of some students, Lawrence said that paraprofessionals Bruneau believed were mandated by the IEPs were instead recommended, according to the complaint  a statement completely contradictory to State and Federal educational law.

Despite her continuous reporting to Clemons and Lawrence  regarding the Districts mismanagement, illegal practices, and its failure to provide special education services to disabled students  nothing changed, said attorneys representing Bruneau in the suit.

The parents of a special education student began to keep their child out of school Sept. 18, as a reaction to the district not providing a paraprofessional and, after Lawrence reportedly declined to attend a legally-required meeting with the parents, informed the district of their plans to hire an attorney, according to the complaint.

Bruneau brought this concern to Clemons and Lawrence, according to the complaint.

In a Sept. 22 meeting, she was allegedly fired as Torrington Middle School principal after Clemons said the potential litigation would likely be at a significant cost to Torrington.

Clemons told Bruneau that it was her responsibility to assign paraprofessionals to cover student IEPs in that meeting, according to the complaint  which Bruneau describes as duplicitous, since both knew she did not have the authority to hire or reassign paraprofessionals from other buildings.

Bruneau reiterated that there were not enough paraprofessionals assigned to the middle school to be in compliance with student IEPs in response.

Bruneau had been employed by the district for 84 days. Thus, according to the complaint, the district said she was not entitled to a hearing on the firing.

(O)n or about Sept. 25, Lawrence said that she would hire a paraprofessional to cover a medically-fragile student and directed Bruneau to use a paraprofessional from the Life Skills program to cover the student who was being held out of school, according to the complaint.

The directive did not alleviate the lack of vital special education services for other students who needed them, according to the complaint.

(Bruneau) reiterated to Lawrence that if any paraprofessional in her building was reassigned to accommodate the student not attending school, the District would be faced with further issues of noncompliance with IEPs in the building, thus compounding the Districts illegal discrimination and neglect, said the attorneys.

In the complaint, Bruneau also alleges that special education students in co-taught classes did not have required paraprofessional support and that certain classes in the Learning Resource Center, which separate special education students from the regular education population, were not in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as they did not place the young people in the least-restrictive environment possible.

The suit alleges that Clemons and the Board of Education violated Connecticut General Statute 31-51m, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, both in failing to supply required special education services and in her firing which Bruneau claims was retaliation for the protected act of reporting the areas of noncompliance.

According to the complaint, Bruneau is seeking reinstatement of her employment and employment benefits, as well as monetary damages and attorneys fees.

Clemons declined to comment Tuesday.

Lawrence and Board of Education chairman Fiona Cappabianca did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Bruneau was hired as the Torrington Middle School Principal before the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, coming to the district from West Haven.

She shared her explanation of the situation around her firing in an October interview with The Register Citizen.

At the time, Clemons said the district stood by the decision to fire Bruneau, as it had a legitimate and proper basis for doing so.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.comWINSTED  I recently read a story of a hobby shop in Winsted that was closing its doors. Sadly, this is not an uncommon event in the hobby shop business these days.

Although that particular closing was due to a retirement, its rare to find a shop that is succeeding, much less thriving. There is such a rarity, however, and its local and its in the same town as the recent closing  Winsted.

While the closed business specialized in radio-controlled aircraft, this successful hobby shop gem specializes, perhaps counterintuitively, in trains and model railroading. RR Model and Hobby Supply is owned and operated by Roger Moreau of Winsted.

Moreau, a recently retired heavy equipment operator, caught the model railroading bug as a child, viewing the toy wonders in stores and at a friends house. But it wasnt until he had children of his own that he and his son built their own railroad in miniature.

In 1998, Moreau decided to incorporate his passion into a business enterprise and, following a six-year stint in a Torrington store, set up shop in the basement of his home as a part-time practice when he was not driving monster earth-moving equipment.

In 2011, he moved his basement store to its current location, the renovated Whiting Mills at 100 Whiting St., where he occupies one of the many shops and artisan studios that call this massive brick structure home.

There is not much in the way of signage on the building, such as you would find at a mall. Instead, Whiting Mills, built in 1901, retains its original early 20th century, unadulterated charm, and visitors just have to find out about it by other means  friends, advertisements or perhaps this article.

In 2016, Yankee Magazine voted the Whiting Mills complex Best Artist Community In New England. A visit to the building and its shops is well worth the trip, above and beyond ones model railroading interests.

What makes Moreaus store special and successful is Roger Moreau himself  his expertise, his customer service, his persona. He specializes in model railroading. As his ad in the trade magazines says, his store is: A Hobby Shop For Modelers By Modelers.

His expertise in this hobby is well-known throughout Connecticut and beyond. Moreau draws clientele from all over Southern New England and eastern New York on a regular basis and from throughout the country if a customer is in a traveling mode. Their ages range from 7 to 90.

Moreaus talents lie in a wide variety of scale train areas. He knows the model train world  the prototype (model railroad jargon for the real thing) world. While he is not the hobbys expert in a particular area, he knows who is, and some of these experts are also his friends and business associates. A visitor will most likely find some of them  Al, John, Phil, Tim, Kevin, Jim  sitting on the stools near the sales counter, sipping coffee and eating the free donuts Moreau provides to his customers.

Moreaus main forte is model building, ranging from all types of railroad equipment, to cars, trucks and boats to entire train layouts that he will build for his customers. His weathering techniques make the models indistinguishable from the real world counterparts, except for their size. Occasionally, he offers free clinics on Saturday mornings, with topics ranging from scenery construction to railcar weathering.

The man that conducts most of these clinics is Tim Sweeney, one of the stores regulars.

Model railroading is a creative, hands-on hobby, in which to be successful you need to learn many skills, Sweeney said. We conduct these free clinics so we can share our skills with other modelers . . . giving them the basic skills to become better modelers or try new projects.

Sweeney has high praise for his friends shop and what it offers.

Rogers store has the largest inventory of new and used models, he said. It is the best model train store in Connecticut, and I have checked them all.

The success of a train store may be counterintuitive. In this day and age of space travel and airplanes, trains might be considered passe. Not so. The big boys have largely consolidated and are thriving, at least in the freight-hauling world.

Not too long ago, billionaire and investment guru, Warren Buffet bought the entire Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Buffet doesnt make too many mistakes when it comes to making money.

And never in the history of model railroading have there been so many manufacturers producing high quality, exquisitely detailed products. Collectors and enthusiasts have the option to model any era in railroad history in a wide variety of scales.

Personally, I model the transition era in HO (1:87) scale, which spans the 1940s through 1950s when the railroads were in their late stages of steam, switching over to diesel. This is one of the most popular modeling eras, providing the fun of both steam and diesel engines. HO is the most popular scale and is approximately one half the size of the post World War II Lionel O gauge (1:48 scale) trains that were favorite Christmas presents when I was a youth. And, yes, I still have them.

Sweeney prefers to model in N gauge (1:160 scale) which is about half as big as HO. The advantage of this scale is that you can get a lot more railroad in a given space.

Model railroading has also gone high tech. With computerization, collectors can make their engines and layout do things that were unfathomable not too long ago. Engines can be operated remotely, using handheld wireless controller/throttles, and can be programmed to emit all the sounds of their real world big brothers.

Ed Reilly, a Stamford attorney and dedicated Moreau customer, makes his home in the Connecticut shore community of Rowayton, halfway between Stamford and Norwalk.

I happily travel from my home to Rogers store in Winsted most Sunday afternoons to see what Roger is up to, and see what new stock he has added to his inventory, Reilly said. He has a large selection of models and scenery for the serious model railroader and also carries a good inventory of starter trains for the younger modelers.

Roger is a storehouse of technical information and also quite an artist. His scratch-built models are amazing. Roger is the quintessential model railroad store owner, Reilly added.

A little closer to Moreaus venue is Harwinton resident and Torrington police officer Keith Dablain, who, along with his son, Bryan, 12, form a father-son model railroading team.

Bryan got hooked on trains at age 2 with a Thomas the Tank Engine toy, and from there on he has been the driving force behind this duo. Bryan has since graduated to HO scale trains.

When we were ready to build our layout, we went to Roger with our layout operational wish list and he drew up a track plan that met and exceeded our expectations, Keith Dablain said.

Although their layout is still in its construction stage, it is far enough along to be running trains.

Dablain said, Throughout the construction phase, we were in frequent contact with Roger, either by phone or store visits to guide us when we needed help. He is very knowledgable, knows his products and has very good ideas when it comes to building a layout. . . his hobby shop is Bryans favorite store to visit.

Whats in the future for Bryan? Without hesitation, he said, Im going to be a train engineer. Its very likely that Roger Moreau played no small part in influencing Bryans career direction.

Building a model railroad is fun and addictive, but it can also be time consuming. Some say a layout is never really done, and that there is always something else to add or do. There is, however, a fix for those who dont have the room for a layout, want instant gratification, or are seeking the camaraderie and expertise of fellow modelers: the model railroad club. A local example of this is the Torrington Area Model Railroaders club (www.ct-tmrr.org). With such a club, you bring your train to their clubhouse facility and run it on their layout along with fellow modelers. Roger, Tim, Keith and Bryan are all supporters or members of the TAMR club.

Moreaus newest addition to his enterprise will be a finely detailed operating steel mill switching layout covering one whole end of his store  30-plus feet in length. It is now under construction in the store, and is worth multiple visits just to observe its progress and to see the steps this master craftsman employs to complete the project.

Whether you are a novice or experienced, Moreaus store is a one-stop model railroaders dream. He has the products or can get them. He can advise which products to purchase. He can show how to operate them, how to build them and how to install them. He can troubleshoot problems. That total package combination wont be found online, or for that matter, in most brick and mortar hobby shops.

Learn more about the store at rrhobbysupply.com, or stop by.

Gary Schaff is a lifelong train (real and model) enthusiast starting in the early 1950s with a Christmas Lionel train set. He is a retired Air Force officer, retired career firefighter and former railroad employee. He has written articles for military newspapers and Model Railroader magazine.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.In a still from a video, Kem Monovithya speaks to US lawmakers at a subcommittee hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, Dec. 12, 2017.

Cambodias government on Tuesday threatened to arrest the daughter of jailed opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) chief Kem Sokha if she returns to the country and disband NGOs calling for the release of political prisoners.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak told the Phnom Penh Post Sunday that Kem Monovithya, Kem Sokhas daughter and CNRP permanent committee member, had committed treason by lobbying foreign governments to pressure Cambodia over a crackdown on the opposition, media and NGOs ahead of elections in February and July.

We will wait for her at Pochentong [Airport] to give her flowers and then escort her to a five-star hotel, he said, referring to Kem Monovithya.

We will keep her at five-star hotel in the VIP room, he added.

Khieu Sopheak additionally threatened to extend a five-year ban on politics for 118 senior CNRP officials that came as part of a decision by the Supreme Court to disband the opposition party in November for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.

The court ruling followed the arrest of Kem Sokha in September on charges of treason for what authorities say was a planned rebellion against Prime Minister Hun Sens government with the backing of Washington.

The Ministry of Interior spokesman also condemned a White Sunday campaign launched over the weekend by a trio of former CNRP members and Cambodian Center for Independent Media Director Pa Nguon Teang calling for the release of 24 political prisoners, including Kem Sokha and other opposition members previously convicted of insurrection.

He said any NGOs that join the campaign, in which participants post photos of themselves online wearing white, would be investigated to determine whether they were violating their by-laws by doing so.

Unfazed by threats

Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service Tuesday, Kem Monovithya said she was unfazed by the threat of arrest.

It is so unfortunate that the government resorts to making more threats instead of finding a solution to the current political crisisIm afraid that makes a bad situation even worse, she said.

What we have been doing overseas is nothing wrong. What the government has done to the opposition party, including the arrest of Kem Sokha, dissolution of the CNRP and ban of 118 CNRP officials from politics, is completely against Cambodias laws and constitution.

Kem Monovithya said recent amendments to the Law on Political Parties, that were adopted by the ruling party-dominated parliament and used to disband the CNRP, are against the principle of pluralism and democracy and have been condemned by Cambodias citizens and the international community.

What Hun Sen and his government are doing is just to maintain power at all costs, she said, vowing to continue lobbying foreign governments to find a solution to the political situation in Cambodia.

I believe the government is under pressure to negotiate now. It is just a matter of time.

The U.S. and EU have said they plan to compile lists of individuals who spearheaded the dissolution of the opposition and other rights violations in Cambodia, with a view to level sanctions against them, and have pledged to review trade agreements with the country.

Both the U.S. and EU have withdrawn funding of this years elections, and Washington recently placed visa restrictions on individuals responsible for undermining Cambodian democracy in response to the arrest of Kem Sokha and the dissolution of the CNRP.

Political analyst Lao Mong Hay told RFA that the governments repeated use of threats is tarnishing its image.

The government appears to be ramping up its totalitarianism, he said.

People should not be threatened or restrained from exercising their rights to engage in politics. The law that dissolved the CNRP and banned its officials is, itself, unconstitutional.

New Year message

The governments latest rhetoric came as Kem Sokha issued an open letter to the people of Cambodia from his jail cell, which was read by his daughter in a video posted to his Facebook page on Sunday, and reflected on a year that had left the country in a serious political crisis.

The problems are the result of the undemocratic path of our countys leadership, Kem Sokha wrote in the letter.

They are the root causes of poverty and increased social injustice, he added, saying Cambodia was increasingly in danger of division, instability, and further deterioration of human rights and democracy.

Kem Sokha called for national reconciliation through nonviolent means, the right for Cambodians to decide their leadership through free and fair elections, and for the government to respect the conditions of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, which ended civil war in the country and set the stage for a multiparty democracy.

Beehive subpoena

Also on Tuesday owner and director of Beehive Radio Mam Sonando, who is living in self-imposed exile in France, told RFA he had no plans to respond to a court subpoena over past broadcasts of programs produced by Kem Sokha, saying he believes he would be jailed upon his return to Cambodia.

Investigating judge Ky Rithy issued a third subpoena for Mam Sonando on Dec. 22, requiring him to appear for a Jan 11 hearing on Kem Sokhas treason case, but the radio station chief posted a letter to the court through his Facebook account saying he had never received it and wouldnt be able to attend in any case, due to a medical condition.

Speaking to RFA on Tuesday, Mam Sonandowho has dual French-Cambodian citizenshipsaid he would be of no use to an investigation into the CNRP president.

Why would I be summoned to speak in relation to Kem SokhaI have nothing to do with him, he said.

I think if I turn up for the testimony I will be arrested and jailed again.

In March 2013, an appeals court in Cambodia freed Mam Sonando from prison after serving eight months of a 20-year sentence for alleged involvement in a secessionist plot.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.A doctor and rights activist in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong lost her job because she made "anti-government" comments online at a time when she was seeking answers over the death of her brother in police custody.



The labor arbitration committee in Guangdong's Qingyuan city announced that gynecologist Zhang Weichu's contract with the hospital where she worked was legitimately terminated because she had made politically "sensitive" comments online.



"You posted anti-government and anti-social comments to a government website, which is a very serious matter," the arbitrator told Zhang in a recording of the hearing sent to RFA. "Moreover, you admit having posted these comments. If you don't agree with the ruling, you may appeal."



Zhang, whose contract was officially terminated by the Vanke Hospital in Qingyuan on Aug. 31, said she was baffled by the ruling, and has vowed to appeal.



"[The arbitrator] said I had posted anti-government and anti-social comments online, which could have a negative impact on my patients, having serious consequences for the hospital," she said.



"They said that because I had already made these comments ... that meant that I had obtained my contract by fraudulent means, and therefore it was legal for the hospital to terminate it, and that there was no need for them to compensate me," Zhang said.



Zhang's activism began after her brother Zhang Liumao was reported dead by authorities in the police-run Guangzhou No. 3 Detention Center in the early hours of Nov. 4, 2015 prompting suspicions from his family that he was tortured.



Zhang Liumao's lawyer was able to view his client's body shortly afterwards, and reported that it showed multiple signs of severe physical assault.



However, both Zhang, a specialist gynecologist with more than two decades' experience, and her sister have been targeted by the authorities for speaking out about their suspicions.



Hospital under government pressure

Zhang said she won't be cowed by 's ruling, however.



"All societies have their darkness, their injustices, but we should all have the freedom to talk about them, and to demand that society change for the better, shouldn't we?" Zhang said.



"I will continue to speak out, to appeal in court, and to call online for lawyers and anyone working with labor issues, to see if they can look into how anti-social comments could result in a person not being able to work," she said.



Repeated calls to the Vanke Hospital and the Qingcheng district labor and personnel bureau rang unanswered during office hours on .



Rights lawyer Ren Quanniu said he was surprised that no compensation was awarded.



"I didn't think there'd be any problem with awarding compensation," Ren said. "I think it was unlikely that she would succeed in keeping that job, though, because I'm sure that the hospital was being put under huge pressure [by the government]."



Online free speech activist Wu Bin said he had gone with Zhang to pick up the arbitration decision document on .



"It's because she is pro-democracy, and she talks about it, and they see it as anti-government and anti-society," Wu said. "It's totally ridiculous ... This would be unthinkable in a normal country."



Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Yang Fan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.Then-police superintendent Frankly Chu (center-L) holds a baton while facing passersby during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, also known as Occupy Central, in Hong Kong's Mongkok district, Nov. 26, 2014.

Supporters of former senior police officer Frankly Chu, found guilty of causing 'actual bodily harm' to an unarmed bystander in the 2014 pro-democracy protests, call magistrate Bina Chainrai a "dog," local media reports.

Vocal public attacks on a Hong Kong judge who jailed a former police officer for attacking a bystander during the 2014 pro-democracy movement have prompted further concerns over the status of the judiciary in the city.

Supporters of former policeman Frankly Chu called Eastern Court magistrate Bina Chainrai a "dog" and attacked her ethnicity on Wednesday after she had sentenced him to three months' imprisonment in connection with an unprovoked attack on an unarmed member of the public, local media reported.

Some 30 of Chu's supporters had gathered outside the court ahead of the sentencing, holding banners that read "Injustice," "An insult to Hong Kong's police!" and "Hong Kong has become an international joke!"

They also said Chinese territory should be ruled by Chinese judges, government broadcaster RTHK reported, while the city's South China Morning Post (SCMP) quoted a woman at the scene with a megaphone as shouting: "Dismiss all foreign judges, we want Chinese ones. This is outrageous."

The court passed the sentence after finding Chu, 58, guilty of "actual bodily harm" at his trial on Dec. 18. Chu had swung his baton at Osman Cheng, hitting him in the neck as he was passing a group of protesters in Mong Kok on Nov. 6, 2014, the court heard.

"This sentence wasn't harsh, but it was unnecessary," Chu's defense lawyer Peter Pannu told reporters after the hearing. "We have plenty of basis [on which to appeal]."

Cheng said the length of the sentence didn't matter to him.

"The most important thing is that the court has issued its [guilty] verdict to show the general public that this sort of behavior by the police is wrong," he told reporters. "They have a duty to protect citizens and shouldn't be used as the political tool of the government."

He said claims that the case would harm morale just meant the police can't see when they have a problem.

"It is nonsense to say that the police should close ranks and protect each other when they do something wrong, for fear of damaging morale," Cheng said.

Yellow dog

The ethnicity of some of Hong Kong's judges was also brought up early last year when District Court judge David Dufton jailed seven police officers for two years for beating up Occupy Central protester Ken Tsang. Dufton was called a "yellow dog" for the decision, in a reference to the yellow umbrella emblem of the protests.

Mainland media also "questioned the wisdom of allowing foreign judges to serve in Hong Kong, with commentaries accusing some judges in the territory of being biased," the SCMP said.

Meanwhile, Progressive Lawyers Group co-convener Kevin Yam said that verbal attacks on Chainrai could amount to contempt of court.

Chu's supporters may have gone too far in their attacks on Chainrai, Yam said in an interview with RTHK.

"I think it's absolutely outrageous and it shows a complete and utter ignorance of the legal system that we have, and the fact that we have for the longest of time had judges from all common law backgrounds," Yam said.

"In the case of the magistrate in question, she has been in Hong Kong for a long, long, time, Yam said. There's no question of her somehow being a 'foreigner.' What has happened in terms of these comments, in my view anyway, borders on the criminal."

He said "egregious" comments without basis could potentially undermine confidence in the administration of justice, and therefore constitute contempt of court, hitting out at the city's justice secretary Rimsky Yuen, for failing to prosecute people for similar attacks in the past.

Chu has been released on bail pending an appeal.



Tough sentence as a deterrent

Chainrai said she had handed down a tough sentence as a "deterrent," to maintain the public's confidence in the police. She said Chu should have been preventing crime, not committing it, while he was on duty. The sentence also took into account online harassment suffered by Cheng and his family since the incident.

Chainrai dismissed the defense's argument that police officers were under psychological pressure from working long hours throughout the 79-day Occupy Central movement, saying that was no reason to attack an unarmed passer-by who had done nothing to provoke it.

Chu said he was using "appropriate force" during the attack, which was captured on video by a nearby TV crew, although Cheng was already complying with an order to leave the area.

The attacks on Chainrai come as thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on Monday in protest over a recent decision from Beijing that many say has made a nonsense of the city's planned autonomy.

Last week, Beijing's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), said it would extend Beijing's authority to part of a high-speed railway station linking the former British colony to the rest of China's high-speed rail network.

But critics say the move, which is intended to enable a streamlined entry and exit process for passengers, makes a mockery of the city's status as a separate immigration, policing, and customs jurisdiction.

The city's legal profession and pro-democracy politicians have also slammed the "co-location" arrangement as unconstitutional, but pro-Beijing politicians and government officials have said the decision will stand, and that new laws will be tabled this month in the Legislative Council (LegCo) to implement the ruling.

Recent high-profile interventions by the NPC have also triggered a series of court decisions resulting in the loss of six pro-democracy seats in LegCo, meaning that the plan is unlikely to meet with effective opposition once tabled.



Reported by Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.UPDATED at 10:49 A.M. EST on 2018-01-04

The predominant ethnic armed organization in Myanmars northernmost state reshuffled its top leadership on Tuesday to replace departing officers with a younger generation of leaders, as hostilities between the group's armed wing and government forces continued to flare up.

General NBan La was appointed chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), a political group composed of ethnic Kachins with an armed wing called the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), replacing Lanyaw Zawng Hra who is retiring after more than a decade in charge, KIO spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said.

Lanyaw Zawng Hra, now 79, replaced General Lamung Tu Jai as KIO chairman when he died in 2006.

Changes are taking place in leadership roles as planned, not with voting, Naw Bu said.

New leaders were appointed to four other senior positions, including two KIO vice chairmanships and two deputy chairmanships of the Kachin Independence Council (KIC) during a ceremony in the town of Laiza.

General Htang Gam Shawng is vice-chairman-1 and commander-in-chief. Suam Lut Gam is vice-chairman-2. Major General Gunmaw is vice-chairman-1 of the KIC. And Major General Zhaung Boat Htan is vice-chairman-2 of the KIC.

The KIO/KIA was one of four ethnic armed groups belonging to an umbrella organization for militias which have not signed a nationwide cease-fire agreement with the government that pulled out of the body in June 2017 over a disagreement about the pact.

KIO leaders pledged to stand with the northern allies, or Pangkham Allies  a group of seven ethnic armed militias that has formed a coalition led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmars largest non-state army, which has emerged as a key player in Myanmars peace process.

They then formed the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which has called for a political dialogue with the government for peace talks as a coalition rather than as individual members.

The KIA, which controls large swathes of northeastern Kachin state, has regularly engaged in hostilities with the Myanmar army since a bilateral 17-year cease-fire agreement collapsed in 2011, most recently in Kachin states Tanaing township gold and amber mining region and in northern Shan state. The fighting over the years has forced about 100,000 residents to flee to safety.

The KIA's territory includes Tanaing townships gold and amber mining region, on whose natural resources it depends as a source of income through the levying of a five-percent tax on mine operators.

The KIOs situation seems mixed up because its army has been participating in the peace process and is engaging in fights with other groups at the same time, said former KIO vice-chairman Tu Jar.

The KIO has reshuffled leaders because this could weaken leadership roles, he said. It means that the KIO has tried to form a solid leadership group for the new near because it has its own policies to advance. The KIO wants to engage in talks to forge peace, [but] it has engaged in fighting in the form of counterattacks because the government army attacked it first.

IDP camps

Many residents who fled clashes between the KIA and Myanmar army are living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Kachin state.

I hope we get good results from these KIO leadership changes, said Naw Din, an ethnic Kachin who left his home during the hostilities and is living at the Mangweingyi IDP camp.

I also hope we can have equal rights as General Aung San said, and that the KIO can try to secure these rights for us, he said, referring to efforts by Myanmars independence hero who more than six decades ago established autonomy for the Kachin, Chin, and Shan ethnic minorities in Myanmars frontier regions.

We dont want to see any mess-ups in the political process because of these leadership changes, Naw Din said.

The ethnic armed groups have said they want to ensure they have equal rights within a federal union and not forfeit their autonomy to a centralized state in the governments ongoing peace process.

The KIA is one of several militias with which the Myanmar government is trying to end decades of ethnic separatist civil wars and forge peace in the country through a series of peace negotiations launched in August 2016 by de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The KIA was invited as an observer rather than a participant to the second and most recent peace conference in May 2017, because the group, along with six other militias, has not signed the governments nationwide cease-fire pact.

Shan villagers flee fighting

Meanwhile, nearly 400 ethnic Shan villagers fled their homes in Mangsi township in Kachin territory on Wednesday amid ongoing clashes between the KIA and government troops along the border between Kachin and northern Shan states that began in mid-December, local residents said.

Roughly 300 people are staying at a monastery in Mangwang village, and around 100 others have sought shelter at a Christian IDP camp, they said.

The IDPs are staying at Mangwang monastery and villagers are helping them with food, said Shwe Tun, a community leader from Mangwang village. We all want the fighting to be stopped. We often have fighting and dont have peace in our region. We cant live freely.

In recent days, soldiers from the KIA and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), another ethnic armed group, have attacked government military headquarters in Kachin state, prompting Myanmar forces to launch counterattacks via aircraft.

Both militias have attacked government army base camps and the Lashio-Muse Highway, a main thoroughfare in northern Shan state, according to an announcement by the office of Myanmars Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The KIA said government forces conducted assaults on its troops across Kachin state in late December, including near its headquarters in the town of Laiza on the border with China, while renewed fighting between the two sides flared up in Tanaing and Hpakant townships, the online news service Democratic Voice of Burma reported on Tuesday.

Reported by Tin Aung Khine and Kyaw Myo Min for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.A Myanmar government immigration official said Tuesday that two reception centers for processing returning Rohingya Muslim refugees from neighboring Bangladesh are in the final stages of completion before the Southeast Asian country formally begins repatriations in 20 days.

Myint Kyaing, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labor, Immigration, and Population under Myanmars civilian-led government, told RFAs Myanmar Service that the centers in Taung Pyo Let Wae village have been completed, and the other in Nga Khu Ya village will be finished next week.

Win Myat Aye, Myanmars minister of social welfare, relief, and resettlement, said previously that the country will begin accepting back Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh on Jan. 22.

Officials who will be tasked with checking the documents of Rohingya refugees, who voluntarily return to northern Rakhine state, are in place, Myint Kyaing said.

All groups that will check the returning refugees are ready, he said. We have sent the forms for the refugees to fill out, but we havent received any of the [completed] ones from Bangladesh yet.

Rohingya refugees must be able to prove prior residency in Myanmar and show that they left after Oct. 9, 2016, to be readmitted to the country.

It remains unclear, however, whether any Rohingya refugees are willing to return to Rakhine state, where many villages have been burned to the ground. Many of them have told United Nations investigators that they suffered rapes, killings, and other atrocities at the hands of the Myanmar army in what U.N. officials and some Western governments have called a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement on Nov. 23 to begin repatriating some of the 655,000 Rohingya who fled across the border from northern Rakhine following a military crackdown targeting them in the aftermath of deadly attacks on police outposts by a militant Muslim group on Aug. 25, 2017.

The same group carried out smaller-scale attacks that triggered the same response by security forces on Oct. 9, 2016, prompting another Rohingya exodus.

Myanmar and Bangladesh  where about 1 million Rohingya refugees live, including 350,000-400,000 who fled previous waves of repression in Myanmar  agreed on Dec. 19 to form a working group to oversee the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees who are living in sprawling settlement camps in southeastern Bangladesh and to resettle them in northern Rakhine state.

Ready to accept them back

Rights groups and the U.N. have warned against a hasty return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, saying that they may not be able to produce documents proving prior residency since many left in haste to escape violence by security forces.

They also caution that Rohingya who return will continue to face repression and discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they are considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and are denied citizenship and access to basic services.

Myint Kyaing said he does not anticipate any problems with the current repatriation plan and the processing of returnees, adding that officials have the necessary documents to establish the prior residency of those who wish to return.

Even if they dont have any documents to submit to return home, they just need to fill out the forms with the information, such as photos, names, dates of birth, and addresses where they lived, Myint Kyaing said.

We can check them with the information and data we have, he said. If they meet all the criteria, we will accept them back.

We are ready to accept them back, he said. We will begin doing so on the day we receive the forms from Bangladesh.

Myint Kyaing recalled another repatriation process in 1993 when some Rohingya did not possess the proper documents to re-enter Myanmar.

We received refugees back that time as well, he said. Since then, to solve the problem, we have updated the households list in Rakhine state every year with the number of people in each household and a photo of each family member.

Each household has to hang its household list with photos of family members on the wall of its house, he said. We have recorded these lists in computers as well as made hard copies of them.

Last week, Win Myat Aye told RFA that officials in northern Rakhine state would repatriate Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh only during the daytime because of an extended dawn-to-dusk curfew in Maungdaw township.

Returning refugees who are processed at the two reception centers must adhere to the curfew and not go outside after 6 p.m., he said.

Reported by Khin Khin Ei for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.Min Aung, Rakhine state lawmaker and minister of municipal affairs, talks to reporters on the day he is impeached by the state parliament in Sittwe, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Jan. 2, 2018.

Myanmar's Rakhine state parliament impeached the states municipal affairs minister on Tuesday for failing to perform his duties properly, making him the first regional government minister forced to step down under the current civilian-led central government.

Min Aung, who was appointed by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party to serve as regional municipal affairs minister in 2015, was removed from his position by a vote of 37 for and eight against with the majority of representatives believing he was not suitable to serve out his term as a state minister.

Seventeen state parliament lawmakers from the NLD, Arakan National Party (ANP), and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) filed a complaint against Min Aung in November 2017.

They accused him of failing to consult state officials on the state budget for fiscal year 2018-19 and of a lack of transparency with planning tenders for construction projects to build three-story markets in the towns of Gwa, Tungup, and Kyauktaw without seeking parliamentary approval.

Lawmakers also accused Min Aung of providing careless responses to questions, especially about an incident in which a number of local people died prior to deadly attacks by a Muslim militant group on police outposts in northern Rakhine state on Aug. 25, 2017.

On Dec. 4, the state parliament formed a five-member committee that included a representative from each political party that holds seats in the body to investigate the complaint.

An official announcement issued by the Rakhine state parliament at the time said that lawmakers demanded that Min Aung be impeached, claiming his failure to properly carry out his duties had harmed the nation and the public interest, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported.

A minister has to submit a proposal to implement a project, according to parliamentary legal procedures under Myanmar's constitution, said investigation committee member Naing Kyaw Aye.

Minister Min Aung didnt submit the project proposal to the state parliament for permission to proceed with the plan for the markets, which are under the [state] Municipal Affairs Ministry, and he even called for tenders. Thats why he was impeached.

Parliament has the right to question market staff, but the state government issued an order for staff not to provide testimony at parliament regarding this case, he said.

'Submit what it must'

Min Aung, who also serves as Rakhine states spokesman and represents Toungup township in parliament, objected to the information collected by the investigation team, saying it was unlawful.

But San Kyaw Hla, speaker of Rakhines lower house of parliament and a member of the ANP, said the committee had completed its duties lawfully.

The states Chief Minister Nyi Pu will submit the results of the vote to Myanmar President Htin Kyaw, who must approve the measure.

We urge the state parliament to submit to the president what it must, Kyaw Hla said

If the state parliament cant control him [Min Aung] when he is not dutiful and has violated the constitution, our state parliament will become useless, he said. It will become a parliament that cant control the government.

We have chosen to impeach him because we couldnt control him through discussions or by asking him questions to get answers, he said.

Min Aung told reporters that he will continue to work as an NLD member to make the party stronger, if the president approves his resignation.

Twenty-one of the seats in the Rakhine state parliament are held by the ANP, nine by the NLD, three by the USDP, one by an independent, and 12 by the military.

The ANP, the dominant political party in Rakhine state which represents the interests of the ethnic and largely Buddhist Rakhine people, clashed with the ruling NLD previously in March 2016 when ANP lawmakers protested the appointment of NLD-member Nyi Pyu as chief minister by walking out of parliament.

Reported by Min Thein Aung and Tin Aung Khine for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.Political re-education camp inmates in Korla (in Chinese, Kuerle) city, in northwest Chinas Xinjiang region, endure cramped and squalid conditions in facilities where as many as 1,000 detainees are admitted every few days, according to a former official.



Since April last year, ethnic Uyghurs accused of harboring extremist and politically incorrect views have been detained in re-education camps throughout Xinjiang, where members of the ethnic group have long complained of pervasive discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression under Chinese rule.



Sources recently told RFAs Uyghur Service that detention centers in Korla, the seat of central Xinjiangs Bayingholin Mongol (Bayinguoleng Menggu) Autonomous Prefecture, are completely full and have been turning detainees away because they could not accommodate them.



An employee at the central Korla Detention Center did not deny that the facility was overcrowded, but said he was not authorized to speak to people over the phone. The head and deputy chief of the center were unavailable for comment, he added, suggesting that inquiries be directed to the local Public Security Bureau.



An official with the Judicial Office in Korlas Qosheriq township told RFA that while he didnt have the exact number of inmates held at area re-education camps, its been over a month since I heard that the centers were full, adding that people are taken to them, but cant be admitted.



He referred further inquiries to Korlas Central Management Office, including questions about whether those who had been turned away were sent back to their home villages.



One thousand processed



But Naman Bawdun, the former head and Communist Party secretary of Bashawat village, in Korlas Awat township, said that during the course of a few days last month he had joined around 1,000 people awaiting health checks at the citys main hospital, ahead of being admitted to re-education camps.



According to Bawdun, despite his exemplary work as an official and loyalty to Beijing, his wife was detained on Oct. 9 for allegedly allowing others to preach religion, after workers were said to have delivered Islamic sermons at her carpet factory.



His daughter was removed from her position in the local police force a week later and Bawdun was held in police custody from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, before being brought to the hospital to undergo a medical examination as part of the intake process for entering a local re-education camp.



I was taken for a medical examination at the hospital, where I saw around 500 people, he said.



I witnessed women who fainted, as well as many men over the age of 70a number of whom were being looked after by their children. They were all there for medical check-ups before being taken to the detention centers.



Bawdun said that at around 7:30 p.m.more than four hours after arriving at the hospitalhe completed his medical exam and was moved to a large hall outside of a re-education camp, where he and others waited to be processed and admitted.



I saw 500-600 people waiting in a hall, many of whom were sleeping on the floor  before being assigned to a place in the re-education camp, one-by-one, after their medical reports had been checked, he said.



My turn came at 4:00 a.m.  but I was turned away as I had failed my health check. When I went back through the gate to the hall, again I saw people sleeping on the floor everywhere.



When asked whether the people could have included visitors that were waiting to see their detained family members, Bawdun said it was impossible.



No one is allowed to visit the center or its detainees, so everyone there was waiting to be imprisoned, he said.



Stop bringing people



Bawdun said that on the day he was brought to the re-education camp, a friend was also processed and admitted, although contacts from the Bayingholin Mongol Autonomous Prefectural Public Security Bureau and the detention center bailed him out three to four days later based on a health condition.



While inside, the friend said he had seen officials from the re-education camp tell the police to stop bringing people  as it is already too full.



He described cells that had previously held eight people now accommodating 14 inmates, who were not allowed pillows and had to lay on their sides because there was not enough room to lay flat, let alone space to turn over or stretch their legs.



Other acquaintances told Bawdun that they had seen detainees walking barefoot, and that inmates were not allowed clothes with buttons or metal zippers, belts, shoelaces, or even underwear in some cases, despite average low temperatures of around 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius) at night in December.



Bawdun was unable to confirm how many people are typically admitted to area re-education camps on a daily basis, but said those he saw during his visit consisted of detainees being processed from Dec. 1-3, and that the chief of the center he went to had ordered police to stop bringing them on the last of the three days.



Weeks later, he said, a police acquaintance had told him that detainees were being processed at the camps again, although he did not specify how many.



Like a brother



The former village chief, who has been a party member since 2009 and was one of only four residents of Xinjiang to have ever received Chinas Ethnic Unity Prize, said he remains unsure of exactly what he had done to earn a visit to a detention center last month.



When I was the district secretary, my relationship with the Han Chinese was like that of a brotherwhen I had any celebrations I invited them, and they invited me, and when they leased land of 50 mu (8.2 acres) but extended it another 20 or 30 mu (3.3-5 acres), I turned a blind eye, Bawdun said.



But now Im in a terrible situation. I used to be the person who led my cadres house to house, promoting ethnic unity, and educating people on government policies in order to prevent illegal activities. All of a sudden, Im the person receiving this education, and the working group comes to see me almost daily, taking photographs of me to document their visit.



Since Xinjiang party chief Chen Quanguo was appointed to his post in August 2016, he has initiated several harsh policies targeting religious freedom in the region.



China regularly conducts strike hard campaigns in Xinjiang, including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people, including videos and other material.



While China blames some Uyghurs for "terrorist" attacks, experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from the Uyghurs and that repressive domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence there that has left hundreds dead since 2009.



Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.Naman Bawdun, a Uyghur former head and Communist Party secretary of Awat townships Bashawat village, in Bayingholin Mongol (in Chinese, Bayinguoleng Menggu) Autonomous Prefectures Korla (Kuerle) city, was one of only four residents of Xinjiang to have ever received Chinas Ethnic Unity Prize. His wife, Patigul Dawut, was an active party member, while his daughter had a promising career as a police officer. But all of that ended in October, after authorities detained Dawut for allegedly allowing others to preach religion at her factory. Bawdun recently told Shohret Hoshur of RFAs Uyghur Service about the difficulties his family has faced in recent months.



RFA: What was the reason for all the tragedy that happened to you and your family? How did it all start?



Naman Bawdun: In 2012, I set up a carpet factory, which was supported by the village committee, and they gave us the big hall below the government offices to use temporarily. We employed 15-20 people. I was working as the village head and party secretary. My daughter was studying at a university in mainland China. People came from other villages to learn carpet-making. One day, I heard that they had listened to religious teachings inside the factory. I didnt know exactly what had happened, but my wife was accused of allowing others to preach religion at a workplace and she is now detained.



My wife, my daughter, and I are all party members. My wife became a party member before me. She worked as a womens propaganda officer for more than 10 years. She was also the assistant manager for [the local] Womens Committee. My daughter, having completed university last year, joined the village police force after passing the police entrance exams.



My wife was arrested in October, and one week later, my daughter was removed from her post. I went to the police station and asked them why. I was told that she had to stay away from policing for now. I said that my wifes case had yet to be finalized, and that she hadnt even been to court or charged with any crime, asking how they could dismiss my daughter from her work without a reason.



My daughter studied hard in order to serve the government. She is 24 and doesnt even know how to write in Uyghur, because she has been educated in Chinese since she was little. My daughter joined the police force in April [2017] and in August married a policeman who had previously served in the military. I thought I had completed my duty as a father, as she had found a stable job and a family. I thought I had achieved something great that would make me a worthy party member. And I thought they would stay clear of problems for the rest of their lives, as they were working within the legal system. I was content with my life.



But now my daughter is sitting at home as she lost her job and her mother is in detention. My daughter is four-months pregnant. I am very worried about her, how will she cope with such a sudden change, losing her mother to detention, plus losing the job that she was so good at.



RFA: So your wife went from being an educator to someone who is forced to receive re-education?



Naman Bawdun: Yes, that is what happened. I dont know if she is with [those she once educated] or if she is separated from them. I am kept in the dark regarding her situation  We cannot call her and she cant call us either. I only go there to give money to the center for her.New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 97F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.The diamond industry of the USSR and the Russian Federation has a relatively short history, but it has become overgrown with fantastic legends that greatly distort the essence of events and motives of the people who took part in it. One of these fairytales is the story about the letter written by M. F. Shestopalov to I. V. Stalin in July 1946. Here is the typical quotation from a geological (!) journal: In summer 1946, M. F. Shestopalov, a seasoned geologist, wrote a letter to I. V. Stalin about the need to make the diamond prospecting more intensive. He was invited to Moscow to make a report. After the report, I. V. Stalin called the ministers in charge of this field to account and said: You say that we should curtail the diamond prospecting but an ordinary engineer knows where diamonds can be found! For about twenty years, this tall tale has been circling around the pages of journals, monographies and theses being added by surprising details, and many authors are serious when stating that Shestopalov's letter had given an impulse for the development of both the diamond geology and the diamond industry on the whole, and even was a reason and the basis for the landmark Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 1978-832ss dated September 07, 1946 On the development of the national diamond industry.

The real history of events taking place in summer 1946 in the diamond industry is dramatic and has little to do with the rosy phantasies of the todays historians and publicists about the geologist full of initiative, wise leader and dumb ministers.

In July 1946, ikhail Shestopalov was not an 'ordinary engineer but the director of the Teplogorsky diamond mine  the only diamond mining operation in the USSR at that time. And at least four Union ministers knew him as the director of the mine: Pyotr Lomako, the minister of the non-ferrous metallurgy of the USSR (Teplogorsky mine belonged to this ministry); Sergey Kruglov, minister of the Internal affairs of the USSR, who was preparing to accept the diamond industry to his ministry from the Ministry of the non-ferrous metallurgy; Ilya Malyshev, minister of geology of the USSR, and Lev Mekhlis, Minister of the state control of the USSR. The acquaintance with the latter had an adverse impact on Shestopalov's fate.

The Ministry of the state control of the USSR is an institution that was overlooked and got undeservedly little attention of the contemporary historians. This government department had the authorities to conduct an inspection of any administrative entity, including the Ministry of Defence, State Security Ministry and Ministry of the Internal Affairs. More than that, the Minister of the State Control could dismiss any official by his order and take him to court. In fact, it was Stalins personal Investigative Committee. It was headed by colonel-general Lev Mekhlis, whom even Stalin called a dreadful person behind his back. Yes, Mekhlis was cruel and many ruined lives were his guilt. However, he had one positive feature  he did not tell lies. He could sentence a person to death for the wrongdoings that should not be punished by so severe penalties. But there were no doubts that wrongdoings took place and they were clearly proved with supporting evidence. Mekhlis neither garbled evidence, nor forge documents. That is why Stalin believed him. In spring 1946, Stalin encharged the Ministry of the State Control with a task of carrying out an inspection of the diamond industry. The State Planning Committee of the USSR and five ministries worked on their proposals to the draft-decree On the development of the national diamond industry. It was necessary to know in details what they were going to develop. Mekhlis started the inspection with the Teplogorsky diamond mine.

Extract from the Certificate of Inspection: Shestopalov M.F. was dismissed from office of the director of Teplogorsky diamond mine and brought to trial due to jobbery, squandering of the goods from the gold buying-up fund and false reporting of the mined bulk, which resulted in a significant financial damage to the State the minister of the non-ferrous metallurgy of the USSR Comrade Lomako P.F. was acquainted with materials of the inspection of the Teplogorsky mine by Sychyov, the chief Inspector of the Minister of the state control of the USSR, who also agreed with the contemplated conclusions regarding the dismissal of the director of Teplogorsky diamond mine from office and bringing him to trial Prior to appointment of Shestopalov as the director of the Teplogorsky mine of the Glavzoloto (Chief Department of the Gold and Platinum Industry) in April 1943, he worked as the Head of the Ural diamond expedition. By order of comrade Malyshev, the Chairman of the Committee on Geology under the USSR Council of People's Commissars, No. 66 dated March 6, 1943, Shestopalov was dismissed due to failure to deliver proper management of the expedition Signature  . Paveliev, Collegium Member of the Ministry of the state control of the Union of SSR.

So, Shestopalov was incriminated an abuse of official capacity, theft and sabotage. The significant damage was caused to the State. In 1946, people were put up against the wall even for less grave crimes.

When Mekhlis received the dossier on the Teplogorsky mine, he addressed to Lomako. The response of this soldier of the party was in the spirit of the epoch  the mines management should be shot. After the talk with Lomako, on July 16, 1946, Mekhlis issued Order of the Ministry of the state control of the USSR No. 620. According to the Order, Shestopalov lost all the authorities and became a person under investigation. Taking into account the grave accusation, the probability of a soon execution by a firing squad was very high. He had nothing to lose and Shestopalov took a decision  on July 23, he wrote a letter to Stalin On the Issue of the Diamond Mining in the USSR. He wrote a letter making a gross insubordination  he sent it over the head of his own minister, without informing the investigative agencies. This, certainly, is a gesture expressive of despair and his hope to use the last cast. The letter was classified as secret and sent to Moscow via the security office of the Teplogorsky mine.

In the letter, there was neither mentioning about the inspection by the Ministry of the State Control, nor any request to protect him. There was an insightful analysis of the diamond market and a number of sensible suggestions on the restructuring of the diamond industry. The content the letter showed that its author was an excellent expert in diamonds, one of the best in the country. And this was the case. That was what he was looking at.

The letter came to Moscow but not directly to Stalin. The first place in Moscow where the letters came was the Lavrenty Beriyas secretariat, the letter had No. LB-16471. Today it is not possible to understand who, how and why changed the route of the letter. At that time, Beriya was the most powerful Deputy of Stalin, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Beriya had no direct relation to the diamond industry, he was a Member of the Political Bureau and supervised the power ministries, as well and the Chairman of the Special Committee on the development of the atomic weapons. People in the industry and in the national security environment knew very well that Beriya appreciated very much the professionalism and promoted and protected the competent professionals. It was also no secret that Beriya did not like Mekhlis and considered him a narrow-minded person. May be, Shestopalovs letter came to Beriya by chance or some friend helped this to happen. Anyway, the fortune smiled upon Shestopalov.

To find out what Shestopalov was and what the core of the matter was, two hours were enough for Beriya. Then he had a choice either to follow the best Soviet-time traditions and pass the buck to Mekhlis (he is your person under investigation - so, you should take on the case) and then Shestopalovs fate would be sealed; or to save a knowledgeable (although, of course, guilty) professional. Beriya decided on the latter. He kept the document for two weeks and on August 6, 1946, he put his instruction on Shestopalov's letter: Comrade Mikoyan . I. Please review and give your draft-proposal. L. Beriya. nastas Mikoyan, a coordinator of the preparation of the Decree On the development of the national diamond industry, was a great political compromiser, Beriyas ally in many projects and he hated Mekhlis.

On August 7, 1946, the Mikoyans secretariat got Shestopalovs letter with Beriyas instruction on it (file No. 27447). Most probably, that Beriya commented it verbally outlining the goal. Mikoyan was quick to meet Lomako. When the soldier of the party heard Beriyas opinion regarding Shestopalov's case, he was flexible enough and changed his attitude for an opposite one  no need to shoot anyone any more. Having counterbalanced Lomakos influence, Mikoyan made a call to Mekhlis and - in a diplomatic manner that was typical of him  asked him to cancel Order of the Ministry of the State Control No. 620.

Mikoyans interference made Mekhlis furious. This horn nose were not afraid of Beriya and considered Lomakos attitude as a cowardly and contemptible conduct. Mekhlis wrote a letter to Mikoyan on the form of the Ministry of the State Control that is worth being cited in full:

To: Comrade Mikoyan . I. Hereby I send a detailed note on the issue about Shestopalov, the former director of the diamond mine. The management of the Ministry, comrades Lomako and Malinin, were informed in details, as seen from the Report attached, about the results of the inspection and the conclusions regarding Shestopalov and they agreed upon them.

Chief inspector comrade Sychyov (prior to reporting to me) sat with comrade Lomako for two hours and explained him the Certificates of 2 inspections, including those relating to Shestopalov. Comrade Lomako agreed upon the conclusions.

I personally spoke to comrade Lomako by the hot line about three orders, including that about Shestopalov. In the course of the talk, comrade Lomako was thoroughly enlightened on the subject and told me the following - word-for-word  until 3 to 5 persons are shot, this disgrace will not stop. I signed the order after talking to comrade Lomako. It is strange that Lomako told you that the decision on the case was made in his absence. L. Mekhlis.

When he understood that Mekhlis would not give up, Mikoyan (most probably, with the support of the influential Beriya) decided to bring the question for the decision of Stalin, the ultimate arbitrator. In early September, 1946, some days before adopting the Decree On the development of the national diamond industry, A. ikoyan, S. Kruglov (minister of the Internal affairs of the USSR), I. Malyshev (minister of geology of the USSR) and I. rkhipov (Lomakos Deputy) submitted the final version of the draftdecree to Stalin. The Shestopalovs letter was attached to the set of documents as well as the written request to cancel the order issued by Mekhlis and the task to Kruglov to settle the Shestopalovs matter by administrative decisions. It is worth mentioning that Beriya was the Kruglovs supervisor.

So, Stalin saw Shestopalovs letter just two days before signing the Decree and not earlier. And, of course, the letter could not have any meaningful influence upon the development of the diamond industry. The work on the Decree had been carried out for many months by the officials of the State Planning Committee of the USSR and five republican ministries. Its draft was ready before Shestopalov wrote his letter. Shestopalov made a good document full of reasonable proposals but its role was limited to the fact that it saved its authors life, reputation and professional life. Its quite a bit.

The leader was quite favourable to the request of Kruglov and Mikoyan. And the last, 21st paragraph appeared in the Decree No. 1978-832ss dated September 07, 1946 On the development of the national diamond industry, that read:

21. Revoke the order of the Minister of the State Control of the USSR comrade Mekhlis, No. 620 dated July 16, 1946, about the dismissal of comrade Shestopalov, the director of the Glavzolotos Teplogorsky mine, and bringing him to trial, and tasked the minister of the Internal Affairs of the USSR comrade Kruglov with considering this matter and settling it by an administrative decision.

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of the SSR I. Stalin.

S. Kruglov handled the situation in a rather peculiar way: he promoted Shestopalov to the grade of an Engineer-Captain of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs and appointed him the chief engineer of the Uralalmaz complex of enterprises united with the Kusinsky correctional labour institution. And Shestopalov who had a hairbreadth escape  be prisoned or even shot down  became the head of thousands of prisoners sent to do diamond mining in the Ural area.

Sergey Goryainov, Rough&Polished



P.S. The documents cited above are available in the State Archive of the Russian Federation, F. 5446, . 48, D. 825.Having completed his first term in office as President of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), Yoram Dvash sat down with Rough & Polished to discuss his achievements during his first period in office, and plans for the second term following his unopposed reelection in October. One of the changes that was agreed at the IDE's last General Assembly was for the term of IDE president to last three years rather than two to give the man at the helm time to plan and execute changes, meaning Dvashs second term will end in 2020.

One of the first things you notice when you sit down to interview Yoram Dvash is that he is a man in hurry. Having just come from one meeting, and on the way to another as soon as our meeting is over, it is clear that he is a president with a big agenda.

He has an ongoing and continuously growing list of changes and improvements that he wants to make after identifying the lack of faith in the work of the exchange as problematic. That was clear from the list of achievements from his first term in office, of which more later.

He is open to new ideas, indeed welcomes them, if they can bring more benefits to his bourse members and push the IDE further along the road to success and transparency. Interviewing him several days after a celebratory event in Tel Aviv to mark the exchange's 80th year of operations, Dvash is still beaming as he recounts the Israeli ministers, senior officials and members of parliament who attended the event and publicly praised the work of the exchange.

"It was wonderful to hear the words of congratulation coming from senior people who recognize the nature of the changes that have taken place at the IDE," he said. "This is a big turnaround from just a few years ago when the mood at the bourse was rather low. The Israel Tax Authority now sees us in a completely different way. We have returned to being seen as a highly regarded industry. The Banking Supervisor at the Bank of Israel speaks in high terms about the bourse and the changes we have made. All of these comments confirm the necessity of the changes we made and the importance of working with transparency."

Asking him about the changes at the exchange that he brought about during his first term, Dvash is quickly into his stride, mentioning the tenders center where three firms a month are exhibiting goods. Then he shows me an area next to the boardroom that is being refurbished in order to make it a center for 150 bourse members who have signed up to take part in selling goods via the giant Chinese site Alibaba. The IDE has signed a deal with the online giant in which it will invest in promoting the deal with the IDE.

Dvash also mentions the arbitration panel that he has brought into being another forward-thinking move showing the IDE is actively promoting transparency. A retired district judge will settle arbitration claims with a value of $400,000 or more, rather than a long-standing bourse member. Some smaller claims will also be decided by the retired judge. There will be an arbitration panel of four judges. The change is aimed at raising the professional level of arbitration proceedings. As Dvash says, This is an unprecedented decision that will increase the status of our Arbitration Institution in Israel and in the diamond world. It will contribute to greater transparency and objectivity and will strengthen the independence of the Arbitration Institution. I have no doubt that the civil courts will now attribute even greater authority to decisions of this institution."

The IDE also launched of a code of ethics which a leading Israeli expert on the issue, Professor Asa Kasher, helped create. The code puts Israel at the forefront in matters relating to correct and transparent administration. Dvash said: "I am proud to be the first bourse president in the world to launch a code of ethics. It combines very well the IDE's path  a path of transparency and clearly written rules."

Above all, the biggest achievement in the first term was signing an agreement with the countrys tax authorities that exempts traders from paying taxes if they incur a loss. Israeli diamond companies will be taxed on profit rather than revenue. The previous tax agreement which had been in force for several decades meant that Israeli diamantaires were paying tax on turnover even when making losses. The new tax law allows companies to deduct expenses from income before arriving at the final profit figure.

The deal was signed following 10 months of intensive talks with the Israel Tax Authority and, crucially, are in line with international financial guidelines. The significance is that Israels diamond sector thus becomes more attractive to lenders  all the more important given the challenges faced by the diamond industry across the world.

Looking forward, Dvash mentions the bourses plan for the building of two new towers that would create 400,000 sq meters of space which has been approved by the Ramat Gan municipality. They will raise around $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion for use by the exchange in paying pensions and other uses.

Another feature of his first term in office of which he is proud and which he believes will continue is the large number of young people who entered the diamond business. "Many young people have joined our trade because they see that it is a dynamic business and want to make their careers here."

In his first term, Dvash oversaw the opening of a modern manufacturing plant near the IDE complex that was officially opened in 2015, and then pushed for the establishment of another manufacturing center for Israeli diamantaires for the production of diamonds of 10 carats and larger. Bringing manufacturing back to Israel is something that Dvash not only believes in, but is passionate about achieving. For years, it was not considered possible due to the dominance of the Indian cutting and polishing center based on low wage levels.

But the new centers enable Israeli firms to send their diamonds for cutting, literally a stone's throw away. Being able to monitor their diamonds' production close by  particularly for larger stones where the labor cost element is less important  is an important advantage. "The money being saved by sending diamonds overseas for cutting and polishing is not as significant anymore," Dvash explains. "Even lower-cost polishing countries face rising expenses as they develop and workers demand better salaries and conditions. Furthermore, there is the issue of time. Sending goods abroad and getting them back can take a few business days, and then there is the cost of shipping and insurance. All of these factors created a new equation into which the new plants fitted very well."

By far the biggest development in this respect is the news that the 813-carat Constellation diamond is being laser cut in Israel in the first stage of its processing. The Constellation was brought to Israel for processing at the advanced Synova laser cutting facility located in the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE). Synova Laser MicroJet (LMJ) technology will enable maximum precision and minimum waste in diamond cutting, reducing damage to expensive rough stones and providing higher yields. This is really evidence of the top-quality cutting and polishing facilities that we have here. It is an exceptional stone requiring extremely precise work and the fact that its owners have sent it here testifies to the high level of trust in the work that is carried out in Israel.

Looking forward to his second term, Dvash says: "In general terms, together with my excellent directors who were elected in October, I want to consolidate the achievements of the first term. In addition, we have the new Alibaba center which will be up and running shortly. We are also in talks with the Ministry of Economy about relaxing regulations for the diamond trade and financial assistance.

By our Israel correspondent Abraham DayanCommercial passenger jets recorded zero accident deaths last year, marking 2017 the safest on record, according to a Dutch consulting firm and an aviation safety group that tracks crashes.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump took his share of credit for the achievement. In a Twitter post on Tuesday, he said, "since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!"

Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 and the Aviation Safety Network both reported Monday that there were no commercial passenger jet fatalities last year. Adrian Young of To70 said, "2017 was the safest year for aviation ever."

As per reports, decades of work from regulators including the FAA, as well as the work of airlines and plane manufacturers to reduce accidents, increased flight safety.

In the Civil Aviation Safety Review for 2017, To70 estimated that for large commercial passenger flights, the fatal accident rate is 0.06 per million flights, or chances of a plane being involved in a fatal accident is now one in 16 million. The report noted only two fatal accidents, both involving small turbo-prop aircraft, with a total of 13 lives lost. It showed that no jets crashed in passenger service anywhere in the world.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, there were no commercial passenger jet deaths in the year. But, 10 fatal airliner accidents were recorded, resulting in 44 fatalities onboard and 35 persons on the ground, including cargo planes and commercial passenger turboprop aircraft.

In 2016, 271 people lost their lives in seven fatal events, reports noted. Aviation deaths around the world have been steadily falling, the Aviation Safety Network said. In 2005, there were 1,015 deaths aboard commercial passenger flights worldwide.

But Young, senior aviation consultant for To70, warned that "It is unlikely that this historic low will be maintained; in part, these very positive figures rest on good fortune."

Trump's administration in last October implemented new screening procedures for U.S.-bound flyers. Previously, the Department of Homeland Security had ordered nine airlines to ban carry-on electronic devices.

Deputy White House Press Secretary Raj Shah reportedly told NBC News, "Last year, the president announced his initiative to modernize Air Traffic Control and under his leadership, the Department of Homeland Security released enhanced security measures to ensure safer commercial air travel. The president is pleased there were no commercial airline deaths in 2017, and hopes this remains consistent in 2018 and beyond."

The UK is said to have the best air-safety record of any major country with the last fatal accident involving a British airline happened in 1989.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsEditors Pick

Fast-food chain Burger King is set to launch its "Royal Perks" loyalty program across the U.S. for orders placed on the BK app, BK.com and in the restaurants. The expanded Burger King Royal Perks program will make it more accessible for guests nationwide to earn and redeem crowns on purchases.Guests can sign up for Royal Perks to redeem new member deals this month and start earning.

The Federal Trade Commission or FTC has fined Richard Fairbank, CEO of Capital One Financial Corp., for repeatedly violating antitrust laws. In a statement, the agency said that Fairbank will pay a $637,950 civil penalty to settle charges that his acquisition of Capital One Financial stock violated the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act.

The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA has grounded Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc.'s SpaceShipTwo vehicle until it completes an investigation into a previous spaceflight mishap. The aviation regulator is investigating the recent mission of the spacecraft, called the Unity 22, carrying Virgin Galactic founder and billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, as well as three Virgin Galactic employeeCanadian stocks look to carry over positive momentum from the previous session Thursday morning, as crude oil surged to fresh 2-year highs.

Toronto's main index has risen to fresh record highs, powered by gains in the energy and care sectors. Marijuana stocks have also been red-hot amid a wave of consolidation in the spliff sector.

Markets are taking geopolitical tensions in stride. US President Donald Trump's nuclear boasts aimed at North Korea have been downplayed by military analysts, while political upheaval in Iran could re-shape the Middle East.

Yesterday, the TSX Composite Index rose 100 points to 16,310.

BlackBerry (BB.TO) is working with Baidu on the Appollo driverless vehicle program.

"Joining forces with Baidu will enable us to explore integration opportunities for multiple vehicle subsystems including ADAS, infotainment, gateways, and cloud services." said John Wall, Senior Vice President and GM of BlackBerry QNX.

Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO) has increased its stake in CanniMed (CMED.TO) to 2.3%.

WTI light sweet oil was up 50 cents at $60.87 a barrel. Feb. gold was down 20 cents at $1316 an ounce, staying near 4-month peak from the previous session

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market AnalysisPeter Thiel, who is Paypal co-founder and an angel investor known for early bets on Facebook and SpaceX, has added bitcoin into his portfolio even as other venture capitalists remain wary of the highly volatile cryptocurrency.

Founders Fund, a venture capital firm co-founded by Thiel, bought around $15 million to $20 million bitcoin, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources. This forms a minuscule part of the firm's total assets of more than $3 billion.

The WSJ report further said the investment is spread across several of the firm's most recent funds. This includes one fund started in 2017 that has bitcoin as one of its first investments.

Thanks to bitcoin's surge in 2017, the holdings are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars, the firm reportedly told its investors.

The price of bitcoin spurted nearly 9 percent to $15,030 as of 2.44 pm ET, Tuesday on coinbase, after the news of Thiel's monster bet on the digital currency hit the wires.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Thiel's firm had been buying small amounts of bitcoin since 2012, totaling no more than $20 million. That move would be true to his reputation of betting early in nascent .

Citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said Thiel found bitcoin expensive in November and was comfortable buying it around $2,000 to $3,000.

The firm's bitcoin investments are not made public yet.

The Bloomberg report also cited a Founders Fund spokeswoman as confirming that the firm invested in bitcoin infrastructure providers such as BitPay, BitGo, Polychain and MetaStable.

Thiel has voiced support for bitcoin earlier, while remaining skeptical of other crytpocurrencies.

In October last year, Thiel had said people are "understimating" the value of bitcoin. He said it has great potential if it ends up being the cyber equivalent of gold.

"It is like a reserve form of money, it's like gold, and it's just a store of value," Thiel said during an investor conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "You don't need to use it to make payments."

Further, Thiel said bitcoin is based on "the security of math" which means it cannot be diluted by any government, or hacked, and hence, it is absolutely secure.

However, traditional finance is yet to welcome bitcoin entirely into the mainstream though the Chicago exchanges have started futures trading in the digital currency. Many prominent bankers such as Jamie Dimon has called it a "fraud".

Governments and central banks are also uncomfortable with the recent surge in the cryptocurrencies' value. China has already banned initial coin offerings and India likened these currencies to ponzi schemes in a warning to investors, reiterating that they are not legal tender.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has suggested that a meeting between members of President Donald Trump's campaign and Russian operatives was "treasonous" and "unpatriotic."

Bannon reportedly made the comments in an interview for a book by author Michael Wolff that was seen by the Guardian.

The Guardian noted Bannon was particularly scathing about the June 2016 meeting involving Trump's son Donald Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner, then campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower.

Emails released by Trump Jr. indicate the meeting was set up because a "Russian government attorney" was willing to provide information that would "incriminate" Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor - with no lawyers," Bannon told Wolff. "They didn't have any lawyers."

He added, "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s---, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately."

Bannon also suggested that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in last year's election would focus on money laundering.

"You realize where this is going," Bannon reportedly said. "This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy.

"Their path to fucking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner," he added. "It's as plain as a hair on your face."

Manafort and former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates have been indicted on charges that include money laundering.

Trump lashed out at Bannon in a statement responding to the report, claiming his former adviser has "lost his mind."

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said.

Trump claims Bannon had very little to do with his victory in the presidential election and blamed the Breitbart Executive Chairman for Republicans losing the Alabama special Senate election.

The Guardian said Wolff's book titled "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" is based on more than 200 interviews with Trump, his inner circle and players in and around the administration

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political NewsReport: Army kills Saudis soldiers, mercenaries, attacks their sites [03/January/2018]



SANAA, Jan 3 (Saba)  Army launched military operatins, including artillery, missiles and snipping attacks to frustrate US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition mercenaries and soldiers infiltration attempts over the past 24 hours, military officials told Saba on Wednesday.



In Nehm frontline, the artillery forces fired a ballistic missile, Zilzal 2, upon gatherings of mercenaries and hit the targets accurately, leaving heavy casualties.



Also in Nehm district, numbers of mercenaries were wounded in an attack operation in south of Qarn area.

In province of Jawf, dozens of mercenaries were killed and wounded in an unique attack upon their sites in Abied area of Motn district.



In Central province of Taiz, ten enemys military vehicles were destroyed in north of Yakhtel.



.

In Asir border province, units of the army and popular forces found 13 bodies of Saudi soldiers killed in the military clashes in Majaza village.



Also in Asir, artillery shellings fired Saudi soldiers gatherings in Masna area of Raboah district, Sabahtal mountain, Raqabt-Hanjar, and Majaza area.



In Najran border province, Snipers unit shot dead four Saudis soldiers in Dokhan mountain, east Moaneq site, and Kars sites, and two mercenaries shot dead in Tabat-Khashbaa.



Meanwhile, the army and popular forces shelled Saudi soldiers gatherings in Raqabat-Nahoqah, Ras-Hebra, Maatan camp and Qiwa village.



Also in Najran, gatherings of mercenaries was shelled in front of Khadhra outlet.



Finally, in Lahj province, Military heroes and popular committees repulsed an attempt by Saudi-paid mercenaries to infiltrate towards Tawr Albahaa district, inflicted the enemy heavy casualties.





Sameera H.-zak

SabaChelsea manager Antonio Conte has opened the door for defender David Luiz to leave the

club in the January transfer window if he chooses to do so. The Brazilian is close to a return

from injury, but has fallen behind Andreas Christiansen in the pecking order.

Conte says his preference is to keep the player, but he understands if he and Belgian striker

Michy Batshuayi want to leave. I understand its very important to keep players very happy

to stay here to work with us and I think this must be our priority.

To keep the players happy to stay with us, to continue to work with us. At the same time, I

was a player and I will understand if someone is thinking in this way (that they need to play

more.

Our squad is not big and for this reason I think its impossible to send on loan one player or

to sell one player if we dont take another player.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has denied that he is interested in signing Luiz,

No, those reports are not true at all, he told a press conference on Tuesday.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has opened the door for defender David Luiz to leave theclub in the January transfer window if he chooses to do so. The Brazilian is close to a returnfrom injury, but has fallen behind Andreas Christiansen in the pecking order.

Conte says his preference is to keep the player, but he understands if he and Belgian strikerMichy Batshuayi want to leave. I understand its very important to keep players very happyto stay here to work with us and I think this must be our priority.

To keep the players happy to stay with us, to continue to work with us. At the same time, Iwas a player and I will understand if someone is thinking in this way (that they need to playmore.

Our squad is not big and for this reason I think its impossible to send on loan one player orto sell one player if we dont take another player.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has denied that he is interested in signing Luiz,No, those reports are not true at all, he told a press conference on Tuesday.At the start of 2018, Kilioga Kilioga would love nothing more than to have electricity in his home.

The 35-year-old from the village of Maugafiafia told the Village Voice team he doesnt have electricity.

Kilioga has a house where his plantation is located.

Electricity hasnt reached that part of Samoa yet.

This is our other house that we stay in when we are here at our plantation for our work and other reasons, he said.

This is also where we run to when theres a tsunami warning.

But for me, this is my everyday home because I come here every day for work and I could spend the night if Im not lucky to get a ride back home.

Mr. Kilioga says having no electricity is a real burden for his family.

But hopefully someday electricity will reach this part of Samoa because we all need it for our everyday lives.

He added farming is the only thing hes good at.

Im good at being a farmer and that is why I do what I do, he said.

But even if I was good at doing another job, I couldnt just take it because Im the man of my family and my family needs me to help with managing our chores from day to day.

The plantation is our source of food and our source of income, but I only sell my crops when I think we really do need the money.

He said hes not the type to be pressured about how life is, but all he has to do is work the land.

I think thats very important because I believe no matter how hard we try to voice our struggles nowadays, no one really cares.

I think its important to always remember who you are because with the many changes happening, one can easily lose themselves.

Life is going by so fast, so you need to try and live with what you have or you will have nothing.A Senior Lawyer, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, has called on the government to consider legalizing marijuana.

In her view, it will help Samoas economy through the export of medicinal marijuana, especially coconut oil and marijuana fuse.

She also believes this will help reduce the number of inmates housed at Tafaigata Prison.

Furthermore it will save costs to Samoa when all those imprisoned for possession of marijuana etc. are no longer fed in jail, no longer accommodated in jail and there are no more criminal offenses relating to marijuana, she said.

For health reasons, those with cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, cancer, depression and other health problems can be treated with marijuana.

She told the Samoa Observer the government is wasting money and the Courts time.

Stop listening to white agendas, colonized minds, it's just a plant, legalize and reduce government indebtedness, she said.

According to Unasa, there is a need to legalise marijuana for medicinal and recreational use.

Boost revenue from tourism by recreational use of marijuana and it will help cure some illnesses through using marijuana, she said.

As reported last year, opium is the only legal drug that is allowed under Samoas Narcotic Act. It is classified as a Class B narcotic together with marijuana and its considered an illegal drug.

Under section 10 of the Act, it prohibits importing prepared opium into Samoa unless a license has been granted by the Ministry of Healths C.E.O.

This is according to the Samoa Law Reform Commission (S.L.R.C.) report on the review of the Narcotics Act 1967 released in July, 2017.

In 2015, the S.L.R.C. received a term of reference from the Office of the Attorney General noting concerns that the current Act is outdated.

The S.L.R.C. report says the Narcotics Act does not expressly provide for the situations in which members of the public can apply for illegal drugs to be used for medicinal purposes.

However, this mechanism does exist in practice and can be utilized if the prescribing physician deems it necessary to request the particular drug, particularly opium."

This system has been rarely utilised in Samoa."

Conversely, overseas jurisdictions such as New Zealand and Australia utilize this option more routinely and have concrete mechanisms in place to facilitate these applications.

According to the report, opium is used to produce morphine and codeine and is commonly used for pain relief.

In New Zealand, methadone is also used in drug treatment. Many other drugs are used in tranquillisers, sedatives, stimulants and antipsychotics."

Aside from medicinal opium, the Narcotics Act is silent on situations where an illegal drug can be requested for medicinal purposes.

The Narcotics Act only provides for the supply of opium by the C.E.O. of Ministry of Health to registered persons already addicted to the quasi medicinal use of opium before the Act was passed.

The Act provides that the C.E.O. may supply a certain quantity of medicinal opium to a person on the register whom he/she thinks is fit to be supplied thereof.

Accordingly, the conditions in which a person in Samoa can be prescribed opium are incredibly limited as they are only provided to persons on the register."

Opium is classified as a Class B narcotic together with marijuana, thus it is considered an illegal drug, and Section 10 prohibits importing prepared opium into Samoa unless a licence has been granted by the C.E.O."

On the other hand, opium can be used for medicinal purposes if it has undergone the processes necessary to adapt it for medicinal use.

The S.L.R.C. report also points to other medicinal drugs there is scope under the Narcotics Regulation 1967 for an approved licensee to prescribe drugs, for example medicinal marijuana.

Preliminary consultations with M.o.H. revealed that patients have requested medicinal drugs from their doctors."

There has only been one request for medicinal marijuana in 2015. This request involved a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She requested the supply of medicinal marijuana (cannabis oil) for pain relief.

When a request is filed, the M.o.H. must submit the application to the International Narcotics Control Board (I.N.C.B.) for approval.

The M.o.H. will find an importer and apply for a licence from the I.N.C.B. to allow for the import of narcotics.

Once the licence is approved, the drug is then imported for medicinal use in quantities specified by the treating physician. These licences can only be used in controlled situations and are valid for three months only, says the S.L.R.C. report.

According to M.o.H, the supply of opium and other medicinal drugs is rare in Samoa. However, once people are aware of this option for pain relief, M.o.H. anticipates more requests of this nature in the future, says the report.A 14-year-old boy has spoken out about why he left his home to seek refuge in the Samoa Victim Support Group shelter as a result of being abused by his father.

The boy, whose village and his name are withheld, said he was tired of the abuse and he was afraid for his life.

My mother left because my father used to beat her up, he said.

Then my father married the second woman, however this time he is with his third wife.

Being the eldest of three siblings, he said life was hard for him because he had to earn income for his family.

Every morning I wake up and I go get coconut coir and then I have to go sell it for $2 tala and popcorn for $1 tala.

He says he has never been part of any formal education programme in his whole life because his priority was the financial stability of his family.

I dont go to town. I usually go around our village to sell coconut coir and my popcorns. I usually start selling from the afternoon until 6pm.

He said if he didnt sell all the coconut coir and popcorns his father would beat him.

According to the boy, his father used to hold a bush knife or throw stones at him.

From these beatings, I have a scar on my head, my hand and on my back."

One day I went for my usual routine and then I met this other woman who asked me why I am not in school. I told this lady that I was told by my father to sell these goods."

She was the one who called the Samoa Victim Support Group help line and I was brought in under their care in 2016.

He said it was the best decision ever because he finally got a feel of the education system.

I am now able to develop other talents such as joining the Ailao club which I am so happy to be a part of.

He admits that he still misses his home.

I want to go back to my family because my father and his wife are no longer staying there, he said.

I know I am facing a lot of challenges in life, but I still love my father. In the mean time, I am also hoping that one day I will again meet my mother."

I am thankful for the work that Samoa Victim Support Group has done for me, which I am hoping one day I will pay back what they have done by working for them, lending my help to other children.

It is a different story for 16-year-old Sam from the United States of America.

Sam is back on the streets after being housed at the S.V.S.G.

I do not like staying there because we are not allowed to go outside the gate, he said.

I do not have any parents here, I am here by myself.

Sam was spotted selling soft drinks and snacks at the Savalalo Flee market yesterday.

Gordon Lemisio, a member of S.V.S.G. Juniors says for their first project this year, the S.V.S.G. Juniors will open the School of Hope to these vendors.

The newly-built school that was funded by some colleges from Australia and was opened last year will be made available for these students, he said.

We do know that it is going to be hard to approach parents of these children to allow their children to come to school, but we have to find a way to do it."

Our focus is to empower youths of Samoa because they are the future of their families, village and Samoa as a whole.What is your view on the fight between Lupesoliai Laauli Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua? Who do you think will win the much anticipated battle? Nefertiti Matatia asked in todays Street Talk and this is what people said:





Ufi Velesili, 62 - Vavau

One thing is certain and that we will never neglect our own people, the ones who are going out into the open representing our homeland. We are all with Parker and whatever challenge that he will be facing and no one in our nation would cheer for someone who is not from here. With the hopes that we have with this young boxer, we rely mainly on our heavenly father for His support, strength and guidance. There are many other children from this nation who are talented boxers. The secret in winning is hard work.

Muaava Afitu, 58 - Fagaloa

Fitness is everything that is required with this sport, if Parker is slow and he is not fit then we have to accept the outcome of this fight. If Parker is very fit, the harder his punches will be, the possibility there is for a knockout. Overall the main focus that he should have in mind is God because when we are out of energy, He is the source of strength in times when we cannot even find solutions. Never depend on what we can do, but look to God; He knows what is best for each and every one of us. Both of them are bringing their A game to the ring so it is going to be a tough fight. I think that Parker would win by points.

Tauiliili Siave, 40 - Manunu

Being a Samoan means a lot to the many of us and we always take pride in our nation. Without any doubt, our whole country would rally behind Joseph. We support him and hopefully he will win a good fight and Gods name be praised for his win. I know he will win and with God by his side, nothing is impossible. Anthony is strong and we have seen him fight, but I trust that Joseph would definitely do great.

Junior Moeloa, 21 - Saleimoa

In my opinion, Joseph Parker will win. There is no Samoan person that would go for another boxer who is not from the same homeland as I am. To win depends on his training. Just by watching Joseph fight, I think that he is fast and quick in the ring, but Anthony is strong, that is the difference between the two. So for Parker, he should come fully prepared because if Parker is going to win, then it is by points if Anthony wins, then it will be through a knockout.

Fou Ah Ching, 49 - Talimatau

I am the one who supplies Josephs necklace; we go to the same church so I fully support Joseph. Go Joseph, I know you will do us proud. He should not lose hope; his whole country is right behind him. Joseph should just go for it, no human being should be afraid of another human being. We are all humans at the end of the day. I know if Parker is going to give his 100 percent, the fight would not doubt finish by the second round.A shopping strip in the heart of the Miramar business district has sold to a residential property owner expanding into retail.

The Miramar Crossings Shopping Center, located at 7030-7090 Miramar Road, was purchased for $12.6 million in a transaction that closed in late December.

The 53,742 square-foot strip mall, built in 1985, has 23 units, is 91 percent occupied and is home to a high-traffic Starbucks drive-through location frequented during workday hours. Other notable tenants include San Diego Wine & Beer Co., Vista Paint, and Legacy Brewing Tap and Kitchen.

With the change in ownership, the center will remain intact for existing tenants but undergo several upgrades, said Raymond Choi of Marcus & Millichap, who along with Conor Brennan represented the buyer, E Street Golden Hill, LLC, in the deal.

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E Street Golden Hill bought the site from Providence Capital Fund IX, LP to expand its retail real-estate holdings, after also purchasing a strip center in Point Loma, Choi said.

Portions of the retail center have been sold piecemeal over the years, according to property records. A sale involving three properties at the site first sold for $3.5 million in 1998. More recently, the same three properties, which were part of the current transaction, sold for $9 million to Providence Capital Fund in August of 2005.

Real-estate reporter Philip Molnar contributed to this story.

Business

jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin

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UPDATES:

7:14 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This was originally published at 4:35 p.m.San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob wants the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to launch an investigation into power shutoffs by San Diego Gas & Electric that accompanied last months high winds and deadly wildfire conditions.

The Lilac Fire near Bonsall destroyed 157 structures, burned 4,100 acres and resulted in SDG&E cutting off power to about 17,000 customersdue to what the utility called pro-active, safety reasons.

In a letter sent Tuesday to CPUC President Michael Picker, Jacob called on the commission to determine if it was really necessary for electricity to be cut off in some areas, in particular in the backcountry and rural districts.

Jacob said she has fielded complaints from some residents who said they received little warning and lost power even when they said winds were mild in their neighborhoods.

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Theres absolutely no excuse for this to have happened, Jacob said.

But SDG&E officials insisted the decisions were justified.

The actions we took to de-energize power were to protect public safety, said utility spokeswoman Allison Torres.

SDG&E cited extended red flag warnings, wind speeds that reached upward of 80 mph in some of the most fire-prone areas of San Diego County and the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index reaching its highest level since it was developed in 2014.

Making the decision to turn off power for safety is a very tough, complicated decision because we recognize its implications to our customers, Torres said in an email. We are committed to ensuring that our electrical equipment does not serve as an ignition source for fires.

Most of the shutdowns began Dec. 7 and power was fully restored to virtually all customers by the night of Dec. 11.

Maggie Leavitt, a retired district manager for the Resource Conservation District, who lives on a 5-acre ranch in Descanso, said many residents in the backcountry experience power outages outside of fire season and are particularly vulnerable to them.

For example, wells on many properties need electricity to operate. Without power, residents and their horses and farm animals go without drinking water.

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Leavitt complained that SDG&E too often cuts off power in the area when winds kick up.

We didnt have active fires in our area when the Lilac Fire ignited, Leavitt said. I feel very strongly that if theres a fire burning in your immediate area, that is cause (to shut off power). The wind blowing is not cause because the wind blows all winter long. Its what happens from October to March or April.

The CPUC in November rejected a request from SDG&E to pass $379 million in costs related to the deadly 2007 wildfires in San Diego County onto ratepayers, ruling the utility did not reasonably manage and operate its facilities leading up to the Witch, Guejito and Rice fires.

A report accompanying the CPUC ruling said the Witch Fire may have been prevented if SDG&E had de-energized a fault on a transmission line.

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Leavitt said she suspects SDG&E is cutting off power lines in reaction to the CPUC ruling.

We feel they dont have the right to turn off the service to protect their own liability and thats what this was all about, Leavitt said.

Jacob echoed Leavitts remarks. There needs to be an independent look at how this all went down, she said.

Torres did not directly respond to the accusation, saying, SDG&E employees call this community home too  its where we go to work, its where we send our kids to school, its where we volunteer our time to help others  we have a personal stake and take our obligation to protect public safety very seriously.

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Since the 2007 wildfires, SDG&E has created a weather center staffed with three full-time meteorologists, expanded its weather sensor network to 170 weather stations and replaced more than 12,000 wooden power poles with steel poles with thicker, stronger wire.

SDG&E used its massive helitanker that can carry 2,650 gallons of water for multiple runs to fight the Lilac Fire. The utility has deployed the Erickson Skycrane for the last seven years.

Jacob acknowledged SDG&Es improvements but said its efforts to better the power system have not come fast enough.

They dont have a good plan that has been perfected to zero in on exactly where a line should be de-energized and then how long (it should be de-energized) and then develop a way to get that line back on when theres no risk, Jacob said.

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In her letter to the CPUC Jacob said the commission granted an extension to file a report for de-energizing lines last month.

I want answers, Jacob said in an interview with the Union-Tribune late Tuesday afternoon.

Torres said SDG&E has made significant improvements to its electric grid when it comes to wildfire preparedness, but when dangerous fire conditions are present, it is hard to prevent a tarp from a neighbors backyard whipping through the 80 mph wind gusts directly into power lines, creating an ignition  With no power flowing through that power line, an ignition source is eliminated, protecting our communities from the potential of another catastrophic wildfire.

Jacob has been a pointed critic of SDG&E. At a Dec. 8 news conference with fire and public officials discussing the Lilac Fire, Jacob brought up concerns about power shutoffs in the backcountry.

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I hope SDG&E knows what theyre doing, Jacob said at the time.I dont have a lot of confidence in that, but lets hope.

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Business

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski

ALSO

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Dianne Jacob takes shot at SDG&E at Lilac Fire news conference

19,200 without power as winds kick up in San DiegoPHOTO:

Grace Anglican Church in Oceanside was among the area congregations whose members were evacuated in the recent Lilac fire. The congregation saw an opportunity to assist fire victims by donating a pickup truck load of canned goods and rehydrating drinks to The Salvation Army for distribution. If we all give a little, the benefit would be a lot, said Graces pastor, the Rev. Bill Mugford (right). John Lipnicke (left), one of the churchs leaders, said, We can all make a huge difference when we pool our resources. The church is collecting furniture and appliance donations for future distribution. The congregation meets at 4055 Oceanside Blvd. Visit graceanglicanchurch.com.

CARLSBAD

Chess group meets Tuesday at center

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The Carlsbad Senior Centers weekly Chess Group meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Play is informal and all skill levels are welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and there is no charge. Participants need not be a Carlsbad resident. The center is at 799 Pine Ave. Visit carlsbadca.gov/parksandrec or call (760) 602-4650.

ESCONDIDO

Library hosts photo exhibit through Jan. 31

The Escondido Public Library hosts an exhibit, HOME: A Living Archive, through Jan. 31 at the librarys Pioneer Room, 247 S. Kalmia St. The exhibition documents the experiences of adult students in the Read Succeed Adult Literacy program. The display includes photographs and narratives of learners as they reflect on Escondido and the meaning of home. The exhibit is sponsored by the Pioneer Room Friends and the Escondido Public Library Friends of Literacy Services. Call (760) 839-4315.

Legal aid provided for seniors Wednesdays

Senior Service Council, Escondido provides legal aid and notary service from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Advice is given on wills, trusts, divorce, landlord relations, and other general legal issues. Free notary services are available. Register at (760) 480-0611.

Better Breathers group to hold meeting Jan. 10

The Better Breathers Club meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Senior Service Council, Escondido building, 728 Broadway. The support group is sponsored by the American Lung Association and is intended for people with respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and emphysema. Topics include an update on lung disease treatment, medications, respiratory equipment as well as psychological aspects of lung disease, nutrition, exercise and breathing techniques. Visit escondido-senior-services.org.

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Holiday Food for Fines Program ends Sunday

The Escondido Public Librarys annual Holiday Food for Fines Program runs through Sunday. The program allows library patrons to clear up to $20 in fines from their accounts. Proceeds benefit Interfaith Community Services in Escondido, which distributes the food to needy families throughout North County. Nonperishable items such as canned goods, pasta, sauces and peanut butter credit up to $1 worth of fines per item. Non-nutritious, perishable, expired or damaged items are not accepted. All patrons are invited to bring donations to the library, 239 S. Kalmia St. Call (760) 839-4613 or visit library.escondido.org.

Community center

to reopen Tuesday

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Because of the city of Escondidos observance of the holidays as well as annual maintenance to the gym floors, the East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway, is closed through Monday and will reopen Tuesday for normal business hours. For information, call (760) 839-4382 or visit recreation.escondido.org.

OCEANSIDE

History of San Onofre, surfing focus of talk

A presentation on the history of San Onofre, the birthplace of California surf culture, is set for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6 in the Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway. The presentation by Milford Wayne Donaldson looks at San Onofre and the history of surfing, including its influence on Camp Pendleton. Donaldson was appointed by former President Barack Obama as chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in 2010. He was the California State Historic Preservation Officer from 2004-2012. Donaldson grew up in Oceanside and surfed San Onofre starting in the 1950s. Call (760) 435-5600.

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Second public scoping meeting on EIR slated

The city of Oceanside will conduct a second public scoping meeting on the Environmental Impact Report for the North River Farms Planned Development at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Melba Bishop Recreation Center, 5306 N. River Road. A previous scoping meeting was held Dec. 13. Due to the recent Lilac fire, the city is scheduling a second meeting to allow those affected by the fire an additional opportunity to participate in the scoping process. The response period will be extended an additional two weeks concluding on Jan. 30. Visit bit.ly/2BLuPQO or call (760) 435-3563.

Grief support series

to begin Thursday

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A 13-week GriefShare series for anyone who lost a friend or loved one begins Thursday at First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, 2001 E. El Camino Real. Each week covers a topic of grief, and people may begin attending at any point in the series. Cost of $15 includes the workbook. Group meetings are either from 3 to 5 p.m. or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register at (760) 330-9499.

MiraCosta starts Emergency Relief Fund

The MiraCosta College Foundation has created an Emergency Relief Fund to help members of the MiraCosta community whose lives have been turned upside down by the recent wildfires. Visit giving.miracosta.edu/campaigns/emergency-relief.

SAN MARCOS

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City hosting hike

to Blue Bird Canyon

The city of San Marcos hosts a hike from Las Posas Park to Blue Bird Canyon on Jan. 6. This 7-mile hike will explore the Second San Diego Aqueduct north from Las Posas Road to Buena Creek Road and then head east along the Lake Wohlford Flume that transports water from Lake Wohlford to the Pechstein Reservoir at Blue Bird Canyon Road. There will be 580 feet of elevation gain. Meet at 8:30 am at Cerro de Las Posas Park, 1387 West Borden Road. Visit san-marcos.net.As part of a massive expansion under way at Pala Casino Spa & Resort, its fine-dining dinnerhouse CAVE Restaurant & Lounge was rebranded this week with a new name, menu and expanded hours.

At 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, CAVE served its last customers. Ten hours later, it reopened as the new Bar Meets Grill, a California casual eatery with both lunch and dinner service.

Resort spokesman Jack Taylor said the changes were needed to accommodate dining customers during the resorts $170 million expansion project. In mid-October, Pala broke ground on a massive building and renovation plan that will include the addition of a new 349-room hotel tower, an enormous swimming pool plaza, an expanded casino floor and a new parking garage.

As part of the project, all of the resorts restaurants are undergoing some degree of renovation, remodeling or expansion. Both the Pool Cafe & Bar and the Luis Reys Mexican restaurant are now closed until June, so Taylor said there was a pressing need for more lunch options in the interim.

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CAVE Restaurant & Lounge, which opened in May 2015, was only open for dinner and limited afternoon lounge service.

The 106-seat Bar Meets Grill restaurant, which is overseen by chef Anila Kurti, will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by dinner from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The wide-ranging new lunch menu features appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and salads. The dinner menu will include popular Mediterranean dishes from the former CAVE menu like Chicken Milanese and Lobster Oscar, as well as pastas made in-house.

The restaurants new happy hour, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the restaurants lounge, will feature street tacos from Luis Reys as well as avocado fries, meatballs, ravioli and flatbreads, among other dishes.

Although the CAVE restaurant is no more, the resorts underground wine cave, located down an outdoor staircase adjacent to the restaurant, remains open on weekend evenings. It is still offering live comedy and music and pourings from a 480-label wine list.

Demand for Asian cuisine has grown at Pala, so Taylor said both its Noodles and Sushi Sake venues will soon undergo expansion and upgrades. And when Luis Reys reopens later this year, it will be doubled in size.

Bar Meets Grill

Hours: 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily; lunch served 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; dinner served 5-11 p.m. Happy hour in the lounge 3-7 p.m. daily.

Where: Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala

Phone: (877) 946-7252

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Online: palacasino.com/dining/bar-meets-grill/

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pam.kragen@sduniontribune.comThis time last year, a group of ukulele builders from around the world came up with a way to answer one of historys great musical mysteries and raise money for charity at the same time.

For centuries, scientists and musicologists have puzzled over the secret behind the one-of-a-kind sound produced by 17th-century Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesu violins. Was it the maker? Was it the varnish, the glue or the chemicals used in the building process? Or was it the wood itself?

To find an answer, six ukulele builders from around the world  including Fallbrooks John S. Kinnard  were appointed a task. Using the same sheets of wood from two old-growth trees, the men were invited to build six identically sized tenor ukuleles using their own construction techniques and finishing details.

In November, all six instruments were flown to Hawaii, where they were played by the same musician to determine whether the builders individual craftsmanship influenced the sound or whether it was all in the wood.

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The result?

Although there were some minor differences in tonality when ukulele master Kimo Hussey played the six instruments, they sounded more alike than they sounded different, said Carlsbad resident Kevin Beddoe, who owns KinnardUkes, the company that distributes Kinnards ukuleles worldwide.

KinnardUkes owner Kevin Beddoe, left, and master ukulele builder John S. Kinnard play some of Kinnards instruments at his Fallbrook workshop in June 2017. (U-T File )

The musical test could mean the prized wood used in the six instruments  100-year-old Honduran mahogany and a section of the famous Lucky Strike redwood tree that fell during a storm in the 1990s  created the near-uniform sound. Or it could prove Kinnards own theory.

I say its the nut behind the wheel: A good musician can play a cigar box, he said.

Beddoe, who attended the recent Ukulele Guild of Hawaii gathering, said there is some evidence to support Kinnards theory. When Hussey strummed all six instruments, they sounded virtually the same. But two other musicians, who play with a different technique, found some unique qualities in each ukulele.

Although the main materials and dimensions of the six ukuleles were the same, Beddoe said the instruments were quite different in design. They had different body shapes, fretboards, tuning boards and custom inlays that reflected their creators: Kinnard, Steve Grimes of Hawaii, Beau Hannam of Colorado, Jay Lichty of North Carolina, Jake Maclay of West Virginia and Joji Yoshida of Okinawa, Japan.

All six men donated their time to the project, which was organized by Luthiers for a Cause. Lichty said he was eager to be involved because of the mojo factor of the assignment.

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Ive not had a more fun build, he said. To be able to build what I want out of this special wood for this special project with these special guys was a huge inspiration.

After the musical meet-up in Hawaii in November, Luthiers for a Cause planned to sell the instruments in an online auction. The goal was to raise $25,000 for the Ukulele Kids Club, a Florida-based nonprofit that provides free ukuleles and music instruction to children facing long-term hospitalization.

The sale met with unexpected success when an American couple who attended the musical gathering offered to buy the whole set for $100,000. The anonymous donors said they plan to keep the instruments together for use in exhibits and special events to raise money for musical therapy programs like the Ukulele Kids Club.

Kinnard, 66, didnt attend the November meeting because hes a solitary sort who prefers working quietly in his Fallbrook workshop to traveling and marketing his instruments.

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The Vista native has been building string instruments since the 1970s, including jobs with Taylor Guitars and the DelleArte brand Gypsy jazz guitars. He started making ukuleles about six years ago. Kinnard ukuleles are tuned differently to have a deeper, richer sound that especially appeals to guitarists.

Working at a leisurely pace, Kinnard turns out about 30 custom-order ukuleles each year, priced from $1,750 to $5,000 apiece. Beddoe said Kinnard has a 10-month backlog of orders.

Beddoe said the Luthiers for a Cause project exceeded everyones expectations, and not just for the money it raised.

This is a legacy thing, Beddoe said. For those six guys, it doesnt matter what they do from here on out. Their names are on those instruments. If that set is still together in 150 years, that will be quite a legacy that theyve left behind.

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pam.kragen@sduniontribune.comIt should be no surprise a new youth center in Chula Vista is bright and colorful. Its decorations include a rainbow-colored, heart-shaped pillow on a bean bag, a rainbow flag on a wall and a stuffed unicorn on a drawer unit.

At its core, the drop-in center at the Trolley Trestle Youth Hub on Ada Street is meant to be a safe haven for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

The first of its kind in South County, Our Safe Place center will offer what staff and community leaders say are sorely needed services for the young demographic and their families.

It can feel very isolating being an LGBTQ youth in (South County), said staff member Leo ODriscoll. Up until now, theres been very little resources in (South County) for LGBTQ people, especially youth.

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The center, staff said, is a crucial space to ensure the safety and well-being of the youth. Studies generally show that compared to their heterosexual peers, LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk of attempting suicide, ending up homeless and experiencing violence or harassment.

We want to change the statistics, said Patty Chavez of South Bay Community Services, which partnered with San Diego Youth Services and YMCA to help open the center.

Funded by the countys Health and Human Services Agency, the center puts on health development workshops, group discussions, game and movie nights, and other activities. The space includes a kitchen, couches, a TV, a whiteboard stand and desktop computers.

Near the front door, the centers resources corner includes shelves stacked with brochures and fliers tacked on a bulletin board.

Elsewhere in the modest center, the definitions of terms commonly used in the LGBTQ community  such as cisgender and agender  are printed on pieces of colored paper affixed to a wall.

The identities wall, staff said, fits one of the most important objectives for the center: to educate others about LGBTQ issues.

The more the public understands this sector of the population, and the more LGBTQ individuals feel welcomed and accepted by society, the less they are at risk, staff said.

Perils LGBTQ people face, such as suicide, are not inherent, staff said. The dangers are more of a reflection of societys issues  of how much rejection and discrimination LGBTQ individuals face, staff member Kelsey OBrien said.

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One of the greatest concerns staff tries to address head-on is suicide. When an adolescent joins the center, a staff member evaluates his, her or their suicidal tendencies using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, a short assessment that includes a series of questions.

The staff  OBrien, ODriscoll and Ali Shapiro  have first-hand knowledge of the issues facing LGBTQ youth who frequent the center. As members of the LGBTQ community with experience in social work, the trio is suited to address the groups needs.

Ali Shapiro (left), Kelsey OBrien (center) and Leo ODriscoll (right) staff the new LGBTQ youth drop-in center in Chula Vista.

Being able to relate to the youth, and having the youth be able to feel comfortable and safe with us, is really important, OBrien said.

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Shapiro added: I think for us, this is 100 percent our passion. Were not just working with youth, were working with LGBTQ youth, and thats exactly what we want to do with our lives.

Their work also centers around the youths families, some of whom struggle to understand or feel comfortable with their family members sexual or gender identity.

In an effort to provide them a space to process their feelings together, staff lead weekly group discussions exclusively for families (without youth present).

Once a month, PFLAG, a nonprofit composed of relatives and friends of LGBTQ individuals, hosts the discussions, allowing the members to share their experiences.

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Staff and community leaders said they hope the center will create a ripple effect that will bring more services to South County for LGBTQ youth  from HIV and STD testing centers to homeless shelters.

This being the first step in creating a really strong, visible LGBTQ community for people in (South County), ODriscoll said. I think visibility is super important.

At a grand opening ceremony last month, Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas praised the center.

Im hoping that we continue to make those strides in our society, she said. This center is very, very important for kids to be able to come here and feel safe and feel welcome and feel its more than OK to be them. They should be celebrated just like anyone else.

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Councilman Steve Padilla, who previously served as the first openly gay mayor of Chula Vista, said people forget there are still groups that dont feel part of the larger community and lack a support network.

Communities are really not complete until we really value everyone in our community, until we can look into the eyes of another human being and see a soul and see a beating heart and see a valuable human being without judgment, without ostracizing people, but simply showing love and compassion and togetherness, he said.

Our Safe Place is open noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Adolescents up to age 21 are welcomed.Iranian state media broadcast video of pro-government demonstrations in several cities on Wednesday, after a week of unrest sparked by economic grievances has left 21 dead.

The rallies were an opportunity for Iranians to renew their allegiance to the Islamic establishment and condemn the recent wave of deadly violence, said state-run Press TV, which aired the demonstrations live.

The video showed orderly government supporters flying Iranian flags and holding pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  a bid by Irans leaders to counter the angry rallies that have raged over the last seven days in which protesters chanted, Death to the dictator.

Iran is seeing the biggest antigovernment protests in years. Whats driving the unrest? 

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The pro-government marches, which Irans leaders frequently organize as shows of defiance and to mark national holidays, took place in at least six provincial cities, Press TV reported.

Iran has moved swiftly to quash the protests that began last Thursday in the city of Mashhad and spread quickly to more than 30 cities, showing the deep frustration among working-class Iranians with high unemployment, rising prices and official corruption.

Authorities have blocked Instagram and Telegram, a popular messaging app. In Tehran, the capital, police and plainclothes security officers loyal to the hard-line clerical establishment have rounded up hundreds of anti-government demonstrators and forced others into hiding.

State-run Fars News Agency published a nighttime photograph of pedestrians, with a caption saying Tehran was in complete peace and order. The mood around Enghelab Square, site of running clashes between police and protesters, was noticeably less tense.

President Hassan Rouhani said he hoped the protests will end in a couple of days in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the Turkish pro-government newspaper Daily Sabah.

But elsewhere in the country, anti-government protests continued overnight in at least five cities, according to videos shared on social media. They included Khomeini Shahr in central Isfahan province  the hometown of the founder of the Islamic Revolution, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini  where video showed a seminary that had been set on fire by demonstrators.

Irans leaders have sought to defuse anger by acknowledging that many people are struggling economically, while blaming enemies such as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia for stoking violent unrest. President Trump has tweeted several times in support of the protests.

The stiff response by authorities has caused some protesters in Tehran to lose their nerve.

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Moein, a 24-year-old engineering graduate who works as a taxi driver and had never protested before, joined demonstrators who chanted Death to the dictator near Enghelab Square for two nights.

There is no future for me in this country, said Moein, who gave only his first name. I thought, Lets go for the roots of our grievances.

But while chanting slogans Tuesday night, he was caught by a middle-aged man and handed to plainclothes police, who kicked him for several minutes. They hurled insults at him and at Rouhani, whom many hard-liners view as dangerous because he supported the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers and has promised to increase social freedoms.

Moein managed to escape, he said, but the incident has scared him away from further protests.

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My friends tease me and call me chicken, but I wont participate, he said. I say goodbye to street politics, unless the chance of victory seems 100%.

Special correspondent Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter

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ALSO

Iran is seeing the biggest anti-government protests in years. Whats driving the unrest?

Young, working-class and fed up: Irans deadly protests driven by a new crop of dissenters

Two killed in three days of stunning protests in Iran: What our correspondent saw there

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UPDATES:

5:10 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting.

This article was originally published at 4:26 a.m.Under a new $93 million contract, San Diego-based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions will build the Armys next generation of high-tech, aerial drones.

The defense contractors Composite Engineering Inc. subsidiary in Roseville, near Sacramento, will build the Armys advanced subscale aerial drone system, which includes pilotless target aircraft, launchers, ground equipment and spares, Kratos announced Monday.

The drones are not the same size as enemy aircraft, but theyre designed to mimic their flight patterns and electronic signatures. Composite Engineering already manufactures similar drones for the Navy and the Air Force, such as the BQM-167A remotely-controlled target for evaluating how well air-to-air weapons work.

Kratos is expected to fill all the Armys orders by late 2022.

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We are proud to have been selected by this critically important national security customer for this single-award production contract. The receipt of this contract is an outstanding ending to 2017 for our entire team, which has worked tirelessly to position (Kratos) as the pre-eminent provider of the highest performance, unmanned aerial drone systems in the world, wrote Steve Fendley, president of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, in an emailed statement.

In June, Kratos made headlines at the Paris Air Show after unveiling mock-ups for the XQ-222 Valkyrie and UTAP-22 Mako, relatively cheap drones that could double as a fighter pilots expendable wingmen in future wars. Designed to operate much like a high-end fighter jet, versions of both classified aircraft have been zooming across naval test ranges in Kern and Ventura counties for months.

The highly maneuverable drones are being built to fly just under the speed of sound  nearly 700 miles per hour for the Mako and about 50 mph slower for the Valkyrie  capabilities similar to jets like the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II.

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cprine@sduniontribune.comAuthorities in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero said Tuesday that they are making a top priority of their investigation into the shooting death of an Imperial Beach city official killed last Thursday while vacationing in the resort of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

Doug Bradley worked as administrative services director of Imperial Beach. An avid surfer, he had gone to Ixtapa to celebrate his 50th birthday, family members said. Initial reports in local media said he was killed in a robbery at 4 a.m., but late Tuesday authorities had yet to confirm the motive for the assault, and reported no arrests.

Here whats most important is to get to the bottom of this matter and determine what happened and find those presumed responsible for this crime, said Roberto Alvarez Heredia, spokesman for Grupo Coordinacion Guerrero, an umbrella for state and federal security forces in the state.

Sergio Flores, a spokesman for Guerrero Gov. Hector Astudillo Flores said the governor has asked the prosecutors office to make a priority of the investigation and the return of the body.

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On Thursday, Bradleys sister is scheduled to meet with the states attorney general, Xavier Olea Pelaez, when she travels to Guerrero to identify and claim her brothers body. Cheryl Bradley said she has been getting conflicting reports from Guerrero officials channeled through the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, which has been assisting the family.

There is no clear information, nobody is contacting us directly to share information with us, Cheryl Bradley said in an interview Tuesday morning.

Our only focus has been trying to get the body back, Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said Tuesday. We dont know what happened, he said. All we know about Doug is that Doug was an amazing administrative services director, he was an incredibly nice person, loved life, loved surfing, and were going to miss him big-time.

Late Tuesday, the Grupo Coordinacion Guerrero released a statement saying that investigators had reconstructed every movement he made during his stay, and gathered testimony from those who had contact with him.

According to the statement, one witness said that Bradley had been at a well-known bar where he contracted the services of a sex worker, with whom, it appears that he had differences.

Alvarez, the spokesman, said its a line of investigation, not definitive, that must be followed to the end until it can be confirmed or ruled out, as an incident linked to Bradleys killing.

Bradleys was one of 2,773 homicides in 2017 in Guerrero, the state with the highest number of violent deaths in Mexico. Many of the killings have been attributed to rivalries between drug trafficking organizations.

Bradleys shooting is one of a handful recent high-profile homicides in Guerrero receiving special attention from state investigators, Alvarez said. Another victim, Adolfo Serna Nogueda, shot to death on Sunday, had hoped to win the backing of Mexicos Institutional Revolutionary Party in his bid to lead the municipality of Atoyac de Alvarez. Also on the priority list is the investigation into the death of Arturo Gomez Perez, the mayor of Petatlan, and a member of Mexicos Party of the Democratic Revolution who was shot to death while dining at a restaurnt on Thurday night.

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An initial statement from the Grupo Coordinacion Guerrero released on Friday stated that Bradley had been shot three times and could have had some addiction to toxic substances.

Interviewed Tuesday, Alvarez distanced himself from the statement, which has remained posted on his official Facebook page. A U.S. citizen was here on vacation, even came here on vacation to celebrate his birthday and was deprived of his life, he said. This to me is an extremely serious incident.

Cheryl Bradley said her brother absolutely did not do drugs. He helped other people get off drugs, this was something he was very passionate about.

Bradley was born in Huntington Beach, and was a 1986 graduate of Fountain Valley High School, and later got a degree in finance from Cal Poly Pomona. He had been a surfer since boyhood, and as he got older began traveling to Mexico and Central America, Cheryl Bradley said.

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She said this was her brothers third annual trip to Ixtapa for Christmas and his birthday. He had been planning to go with a friend, and decided to go anyway after the friend canceled at the last minute, she said.

She said Bradley had been looking to retire in Ixtapa, and was beginning to look at properties there.

Shortly after being hired in Nov. 2013 in Imperial Beach, her brother moved to Playas de Tijuana so he could live near the ocean and surf, Cheryl Bradley said. He loved the Mexican culture and the Mexican people, she said.

When his mother worried about him, he would have this head-shake kind of response, the sister said. He knew he had to be smart about things, but he saw the good in the place, it was home to him.

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Bradley, who was divorced and had no children, is survived by his mother, Elaine Bradley of Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County; a brother, Marty Bradley of Lakewood and his sister, who lives in Denver.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibbleTwo people have pleaded guilty and a third is expected to join them next week in connection with one of the largest seizures of fentanyl in the nation.

On Tuesday, Jonathan Ibarra pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to possession of nearly 100 pounds of fentanyl with intent to distribute and aiding and abetting. He also pleaded guilty in an unrelated case of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

A co-defendant, Hector Rapido Fernando Garcia, pleaded guilty in mid-December to the same fentanyl charges, and a third co-defendant, Anna Baker, is expected to plead guilty in the case Tuesday, according to court documents.

Baker is the daughter of former Lemon Grove mayor Mary Sessom and unsuccessfully ran for a city council seat in 2014.

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According to a search warrant affidavit, a long-term investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that the three discussed the transportation of an unknown drug. On Nov. 30, 2016, Ibarra received instructions to have Baker act as a courier and transport the drugs in three separate trips on consecutive days, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Garcia admitted in his plea agreement to helping count the drug packages to be delivered and to driving Baker to a rental car agency. Ibarra admitted in his plea to helping coordinate Bakers receipt of the fentanyl so it could be distributed.

Agents conducted a traffic stop on Bakers rental vehicle that day and discovered about 33 pounds of fentanyl inside. A search of her Lemon Grove home found an additional 64 pounds, according to prosecutors.

The 97 pounds total is the largest fentanyl seizure to be sent to a DEA lab in the nation, representing more than 14 million fatal doses, authorities said.

Fentanyl is extremely potent  up to 50 times stronger than heroin  and can be deadly in very small doses. It is often secretly mixed with other drugs such as counterfeit oxycodone tablets or methamphetamine. It is cheaper to manufacture than heroin and is being made in large quantities in Mexican cartel drug labs or being mailed from China to the U.S. in much smaller amounts.

Both Ibarra and Garcia face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison, according to their plea agreements.

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Twitter: @kristinadavisAfter a rush of business on the first day of legal recreational marijuana sales, the flow of customers at San Diegos dispensaries remained steady on Tuesday.

Some stores still had lines out the door, and workers expected queues to grow as people got off work in the afternoon and early evening.

Urbn Leaf in Bay Park served close to 1,000 people on Monday, according to founder Will Senn. The store did four times its normal volume in sales.

It was very, very surreal. Weve waited a long time for this, Senn said. Everyone was excited to be there and be a part of history.

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Though California was the first state to allow medical marijuana use, other states led the way in legalizing it for recreational purposes. California voters followed up in November 2016 with a vote approving Proposition 64, allowing dispensaries to sell it to adults.

Senn noticed that many of the stores customers early in the day were from out-of-state and that locals showed up later.

Mondays customers didnt mind the wait, Senn said. The store offered massages and free food to those standing in line.

You put somebody in that long of a line at a bar, and theyre going to be pretty pissed, Senn said with a laugh.

He wasnt worried about running out of inventory, he said. He and his team worked overnight into the new year to prepare the store for the wave of customers.

Crowd control ropes were still in place outside the store on Tuesday though the line didnt get that long early in the day.

Inside, customers could wait on gray couches after going through security and showing their IDs before being ushered in groups of 10 into the dispensarys main queue.

About 10 budtenders assisted individuals and small groups in choosing from a variety of flower, as the smokable marijuana is called, as well as capsules, oils, topical lotions, dog treats, concentrates, vape products and edibles.

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Jay Frentsos with Urbn Leaf shows Michael Gladen one of the many varieties of bud samples to consider. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Jay Frentsos, who has been working in the cannabis industry since he moved to California two years ago, is one of Urbn Leafs budtenders.

By late morning on Tuesday, at least 10 of his customers said theyd also come on Monday, he said.

Most of the people he helped yesterday were not experienced cannabis users, he said.

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They had no idea what they were looking for, Frentsos said. It was a lot of explaining things.

He recommended lower doses or lower potency products for first time users to make sure they didnt overdo it.

Michael Gladen and his wife Donna are assisted by budtender Jay Frentsos at Urbn Leaf with selecting from one of the many varieties of marijuana. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

On Tuesday morning, he helped an older couple choose a strain of flower that would have an uplifting, euphoric effect, called a sativa. They dont get out of the house much, they told him, and they wanted to enjoy themselves while they were out exploring the city later that day.

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For those wanting help with sleeping or anxiety, he recommended strains that were indica-dominant instead of sativa.

Sam Veenkant of Ocean Beach came in with a four-legged companion, a Boxer named Brody, for her first experience in a dispensary.

She planned to get a vape pen and some edibles and ended up also getting a bit of flower.

I kind of figured I would go all out, she said.

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At Torrey Holistics, which has a smaller dispensary space with about five budtenders, the line to get in reached the street by noon and curved along the sidewalk by about 1 p.m.

The Sorrento Valley store served between 600 and 700 people on Monday and had a two-hour wait most of the day. Workers had to close the line by about 7:45 p.m. to try to get everyone through before 9 p.m., when sales have a hard stop per state regulation.

Kimberly Hahnlein of Clairemont came to get lotion to help with knee pain shes experienced since a motorcycle accident in April and something that would assist with insomnia that the accident also caused.

She doesnt like smoking, she said, and didnt want the potential psychological effects of certain strains of marijuana. Budtender John Salin helped her pick out a cartridge for a vape pen that would help her sleep without inducing those effects.

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One budtender at Torrey Holistics reached into the display case for a jar containing a bud for a customer to sample the aroma. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

After a quick trip to the stores ATM  dispensaries are cash only  she walked away with her purchase in a child-resistant pouch that stores now have to use.

Though shes using it for medical reasons, she never felt motivated to get a medical card for marijuana, Hahnlein said.

Now that its easier to get, I decided to come today and try it out, she said.

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kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on TwitterCanadian Joshua Boyle, his American wife and their children endured a long captivity in Afghanistan before they were rescued last fall and returned to Canada. Now hes facing 15 charges including sexual assault, forcible confinement and administering a noxious drug.

Boyle, his wife Caitlan and their three children were freed in October in Pakistan, five years after the couple was abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group while on a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan. The children were born in captivity.

Court documents obtained Tuesday say the charges include eight counts of assault, two accounts of sexual assault, two counts of unlawful confinement and one count of causing someone to take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone, an antidepressant. There is also a charge of uttering a death threat and a charge of misleading a police officer. The purported acts allegedly occurred between Oct. 14 and Dec. 30 after Boyle returned to Canada.

A publication ban bars reporting any information that could identify the alleged victims.

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A hearing on the case was scheduled for Wednesday in Ottawa, but Boyles lawyer told The Associated Press that Boyle would not attend in person. He said Boyle was in custody.

Ottawa police declined comment. Eric Granger, Boyles attorney, said he had not yet seen the court documents.

There are a number of charges, Granger said in an email. Mr. Boyle is presumed innocent. Hes never been in trouble before. No evidence has been provided yet, which is typical at this early stage. We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges.

In a statement to the Toronto Star, Boyles wife wrote, I cant speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.

Obviously, he is responsible for his own actions, she added, but it is with compassion and forgiveness that I say I hope help and healing can be found for him. As to the rest of us, myself and the children, we are healthy and holding up as well as well we can.

Boyle told The Associated Press in October that his wife had been hospitalized in Ottawa, but did not specify why she was taken to the hospital.

Boyle also told AP that week that he and his wife decided to have children even while held captive because they always planned to have a big family.

Were sitting as hostages with a lot of time on our hands, Boyle said. We always wanted as many as possible, and we didnt want to waste time. Caits in her 30s, the clock is ticking.

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Boyle said then that their three children were 4, 2 and somewhere around 6 months.

Honestly weve always planned to have a family of 5, 10, 12 children ... Were Irish, haha, he wrote in an email in October.

The parents of Caitlan Boyle, who is from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, said after the rescue that they were elated she had been freed, but they also expressed anger at their son-in law for taking their pregnant daughter to Afghanistan.

Pakistani soldiers rescued the family in an operation Oct. 11 aimed at their captors from the Taliban-linked Haqqani group. The Pakistanis caught the Haqqani fighters at some point after they had moved with their captives across the border from Afghanistan. Pakistans Foreign Ministry said the operation was based on a tip from U.S. intelligence.

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Boyle was once briefly married to Zaynab Khadr, the older sister of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr and the daughter of a senior al-Qaida financier who had contacts with Osama bin Laden.

The Canadian-born Omar Khadr was 15 when he was captured by U.S. troops following a firefight and was taken to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Officials had discounted any link between that background and Boyles capture, with one describing it in 2014 as a horrible coincidence.

Boyle and his family met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the leaders office last month.

Associated Press writer Tracey Lindeman reported this story in Ottawa and AP writer Rob Gillies reported from Toronto.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday as the rivals explored the possibility of sitting down and talking after months of acrimony and fears of war.

The sudden signs of easing animosity, however, came as President Donald Trump threatened Kim with nuclear war in response to his threat earlier this week.

In his New Years address Monday, Kim said he was willing to send a delegation to next months Winter Olympics in South Korea. But he also said he has a nuclear button on his desk and that all U.S. territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons, comments Trump latched onto Tuesday when he boasted of a bigger and more powerful nuclear button than Kims.

The two leaders exchanged crude insults last year, as the North received new U.N. sanctions over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test explosion and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

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The recent softening of contact between the rival Koreas may show a shared interest in improved ties, but theres no guarantee tensions will ease. There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, but even when they do meet, the efforts often end in recriminations and stalemate.

Outside critics say Kim may be trying to use better ties with South Korea as a way to weaken the alliance between Washington and Seoul as the North grapples with toughened international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs.

Kims latest announcement, which was read by a senior Pyongyang official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on next months Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, cited Kim as welcoming South Koreas overture and ordering officials to reopen a communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom. Ri also quoted Kim as ordering officials to promptly take substantial measures with South Korea out of a sincere stand and honest attitude, according to the Norths state TV and news agency.

South Korea quickly welcomed Kims decision and later confirmed that the two Koreas began preliminary contacts on the channel. During their 20-minute communication, liaison officials of the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communication lines to make sure they were working, according to Seouls Unification Ministry.

Since taking office last May, South Koreas liberal President Moon Jae-in has pushed hard to improve ties and resume stalled cooperation projects with North Korea. Pyongyang had not responded to his outreach until Kims New Years address.

Relations between the Koreas soured under Moons conservative predecessors, who responded to the Norths expanding nuclear program with hard-line measures. All major rapprochement projects were put on hold one by one, and the Panmunjom communication channel had been suspended since February 2016.

Moon has joined U.S.-led international efforts to apply more pressure and sanctions on North Korea, but he still favors dialogue as a way to resolve the nuclear standoff. The Trump administration says all options are on the table, including military measures against the North. Moon has repeatedly said he opposes any war on the Korean Peninsula.

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Some observers believe these differences in views may have led Kim to think he could drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington as a way to weaken their alliance and international sanctions.

Talks could provide a temporary thaw in strained inter-Korean ties, but conservative critics worry that they may only earn the North time to perfect its nuclear weapons.

After the Olympics, inter-Korean ties could become frosty again because the North has made it clear it has no intention of accepting international calls for nuclear disarmament and instead wants to bolster its weapons arsenal in the face of what it considers increasing U.S. threats, analysts say.Nearly four years ago, a 13-year-old girl undertook a venture that was hailed as entrepreneurial genius by many.

Accompanied by her mother, she sold Girl Scout cookies to customers emerging from a medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco.

The story generated national attention  and a morality debate. One thing was undebatable, if predictable: She struck the mother lode of people jonesing for a snack.

While some questioned whether this was proper commerce for a Girl Scout, not to mention objecting to her mothers participation, it is now clear she was ahead of her time.

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Jack in the Box just announced that later this month it is launching a limited promotion in Long Beach of Merry Munchie Meals, a tacos-fries-drink combo unapologetically marketed to folks who toke.

The fast-food giant no doubt will be joined by a litany of businesses big and small aiming to cash in on the whims and appetites of California pot smokers in the fully legalized era.

San Diego, which has fully embraced the legalization of recreational marijuana and is the only city in the region to do so, is certain to see its share of such enterprises. Some existing marijuana dispensaries already are selling recreational pot and more will be opening.

Marijuana tourism is being discussed as the next big thing for San Diego, potentially dwarfing another niche market  craft beer tourism.

Companies and entrepreneurs are looking at ways to create or expand businesses in a similar vein to the opportunity some saw for a new market after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriages in California in 2013.

San Diegos hoteliers, caterers and wedding-cake bakers were poised to grow in anticipation of a flood of new business from same-sex couples.

While not an exact parallel, weed weddings are already a thing here and elsewhere in the nation. Specialty florists decorate bouquets with buds and marijuana leaves and create budineers. There are specialty wedding planners and, of course, menus.

If San Diego becomes a hub for marijuana tourism, there will likely be event planning, special deals, and advertising and marketing aimed at attracting pot smokers, from here and afar.

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Much of what San Diegans can expect in the coming years from both the cannabis industry and ancillary businesses can be gleaned from Colorado, where recreational marijuana was legalized in 2014.

Last year entrepreneur.com published a story titled 9 Business Ideas for People Looking to Cash in on the Marijuana Boom, offering examples from Colorado and including estimated startup costs and other advice.

Cannabis-friendly bed and breakfasts topped the list. The story linked to Denvers Bud + Breakfast (Well keep the bowl burning for you.). B+B calls itself the pioneering brand in the canna-lifestyle hospitality sector and clearly has fun promoting its various packages, such as Romancing the Stoned (Couples that toke together stay together!).

Other suggested businesses: cannabis florist, delivery service, consulting, equipment sales, dispensary designer, cuisine and catering. There were a couple of ideas I found questionable. One was cannabis bike tours (Umm...riding under the influence is illegal in California). The other was cannabis-friendly painting classes (Classes?! We dont need no stinking classes!)

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Marijuanas newly legal status has also brought about a resurgence in paraphernalia, though some of it is a far cry from the sometimes cheap, head-shop variety of yore.

Jane Wests self-named business markets Luxe accessories for a modern, sophisticated cannabis experience.

She likens her glassware smoking collection  you wont find the word bong or pipe on her website  to fine wine glasses people display in their homes.

West says she designs goods and accessories that will go with the legal lifestyle of the future.

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Marijuana is now legal  in some form  in more than two dozen states and the District of Columbia. The emerging cannabis market is predicted to be huge  an estimated $5 billion in California alone.

Well see whether such expectations for the industry and associated businesses will be met. But some big-talking entrepreneurs say the skys the limit.

Heres what the Denver digital marketing company JEMSU said in announcing a spinoff division that will focus on marketing marijuana.

Cannabis represents the future of the American consumer economy ... The Jack Daniels and Apple of cannabis havent emerged yet. Our goal is to build those brands today, said Christopher Mulgrew, president and CEO.

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While the new gold rush seems to be here, the state of California rang in the new year with a warning that there is a dangerous and expensive down side for tokers who cast caution to the wind.

In recent days, the electronic signs along Southern California interstates have carried a blunt message. DRIVE HIGH GET A DUI.Two people were killed and two others were hurt late Tuesday when a driver suspected of being drunk sped into the back of a car causing a fiery, chain-reaction crash on Interstate 15, officials said.

The man believed at fault, 37-year-old Jeffrey Brian Levi, was arrested on suspicion of charges that included murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Levi has at least one other DUI on his record, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers shut down northbound lanes of I-15 near Miramar Road after the 11:45 p.m. collision, diverting all traffic to the HOV lanes for eight hours. The California Highway Patrol began opening some of the freeway lanes at 8 a.m. with all lanes reopened by 9:20 a.m.

Ford Mustang involved in firey double fatal crash overnight on northbound I-15 south of Miramar Road removed from scene. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune )

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The incident began when a speeding Ford Mustang reportedly weaving in and out of lanes on north I-15 clipped the back of a Toyota Corolla in the fast lane near the Miramar Road/Pomerado Road exit. Witnesses told the CHP the car was traveling more than 100 mph.

The Toyota spun, slammed into the center median and ended up blocking the fast lane, where it was then struck by a city-owned Ford Explorer driven by a San Diego police sergeant headed home, CHP Officer Jake Sanchez said.

The Toyota burst into flames and the SUV ended up upside down.

Other drivers stopped and ran to the burning car, where they helped get an 18-year-old Riverside woman out of the front passenger seat, Sanchez said. But they were unable to help the driver and back seat passenger who were still inside the car. Those two men died, Sanchez said.

The woman suffered major injuries and the male police sergeant suffered minor to moderate injuries, Sanchez said. Both were taken to a hospital.

Family and friends identified the men who died as David Dominguez, 33, and Isaac Felix, 18. The woman pulled from the front seat was identified as Giovanna Dominguez, Felixs girlfriend and Dominguezs sister. The three were driving back to Riverside after dropping a family member off at an airport when they were hit, according to a GoFundMe page created to help support the victims family.

David Dominguez leaves behind two children, ages 5 and 8, according to the GoFundMe account.

Motorists who were nearby when the crash happened described a chaotic scene.

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Jaclyn Cunel said she saw the Mustang speed past her, weaving in and out of lanes, before it hit the Toyota, which she said was spinning before it was hit by the Explorer. She said she saw the Explorers driver crawl out of his overturned SUV after the crash.

He was complaining about abdominal pain, she said. He said to me, Thank God Im alive. Hes very lucky.

Lisa Kellogg of Murrieta said her husband was driving their family home when she saw the SUV hit the disabled Toyota and burst into flames. We felt the heat on our car, she said.

Steve Brevick, 49, pulled to the side of the freeway and saw a man run to the burning car to free a screaming woman in the front seat. It was pretty chaotic, he said.

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The injured woman suffered burns across her body, but was in stable condition, according to the GoFundMe page for the victims.

Sanchez, who is with the CHP, said the Mustang ended up in a ditch off the right shoulder of the freeway and the driver ran away, heading toward nearby homes.

San Diego police used a helicopter to search for him, the officer said. Sometime later, Levi was detained, then jailed on suspicion of charges including murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, felony DUI and felony hit and run causing injury or death.

Sanchez said prosecutors can pursue murder charges against Levi because he has previous DUI convictions on his record. The officer was unsure how many times Levi had been convicted of the crime.

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According to the GoFundMe page, the Gonzalez family was still reeling from two recent deaths when the crash happened. A few months ago, David and Giovanna Gonzales mother died of Wagners Disease.

And last week, a sister-in-law died of injuries she suffered during an epileptic seizure.

By Wednesday evening, about 70 people had donated more than $6,000 to the fundraising page.

Staff writers Teri Figueroa and Pauline Repard and City News Service contributed to this report.

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karen.kucher@sduniontribune.comA Mira Mesa credit union robbery suspect topped 90 mph on Interstate 15 trying to get away from police Wednesday, but officers and sheriffs deputies caught up to him in Carlsbad.

He ditched his pickup and the credit unions money along Palomar Airport Road, then dashed through yards and over fences under the eyes of a San Diego police helicopter crew, authorities said.

The 29-year-old Oceanside man was hiding in some bushes when he was found on Rancho del Canon and arrested, police Lt. Eric Hays said.

The holdup at the Navy Federal Credit Union branch on Black Mountain Road near Mira Mesa Boulevard took place about 9:20 a.m. A man walked up to a teller, demanded cash from her drawer, then left with the money, Hays said.

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The robbery was reported within moments and officers who were nearby saw the suspects white Toyota pickup leaving the credit union. Hays said the officers went in pursuit and saw the pickup driver, caught in heavy traffic, use the sidewalk on Mira Mesa Boulevard to get around cars to reach northbound I-15.

He hit speeds topping 90 mph around Ted Williams Parkway and officers broke off the pursuit. They kept trailing, however, and the police helicopter stayed with the Toyota, Hays said.

He said the robbery suspect headed west on state Route 78, exited in San Marcos and ended up on Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. At some point deputies spiked the trucks tires. He ran from the truck south into a residential neighborhood.

A police officer with a dog and a deputy arrested the man on Rancho del Canon at 10:08 a.m., Hays said.An apparent gang-related shooting early Wednesday in City Heights left a man with bullet wounds to his hand and foot.

The victim was expected to survive the shooting, which was reported just after 1 a.m.on University Avenue near 35th Street in City Heights, San Diego police Sgt. Ed Zwibel said.

The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening wounds.

No suspect information was immediately available, but detectives from the San Diego Police Departments gang unit were investigating the assault, Zwibel said.

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karen.kucher@sduniontribune.comAfter Bessmon Ben Kalasho was sued for fraud, harassment and defamation, the El Cajon councilman counter-sued his accusers in August, saying he had been victimized by their unfounded allegations.

A judge has now dismissed the cross-complaint, which Kalasho filed against two participants in his for-profit beauty pageant and a business owner who refused to allow a Kalasho campaign sign in his restaurant.

In a 10-page ruling issued Dec. 21, San Diego Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor said Kalasho could not establish any probability of prevailing if the case went to trial.

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They offer no evidence or declarations in opposition to meet their burden to establish even minimal merit, the judge wrote. The (countersuit) is not verified and thus is not evidence to demonstrate a probability of success.

Kalasho said Tuesday he would appeal the decision, which he said was lost because his lawyer was prevented from properly addressing the matter in court filings due to injuries from a car accident in 2016.

The judge had to rule to dismiss due to the lack of opposition, Kalasho wrote in an email. Our new retained counsel is ready to take over the case and is confident that we will prevail in court and we look forward to trial.

Attorney Jimmie Parker, who represents the 3 Brothers Taco Shop and beauty pageant contestants Zhala Tawfiq and Paris Kargar, said in a statement that he was grateful for the ruling, along with attorney fees and other costs awarded by the court.

Needless to say, we are pleased that the judge has seen Councilman Kalashos countersuit for what it was, a frivolous and retaliatory action that has now been put to bed, Parker said. We will continue to litigate this matter in court in order to bring justice to the victims of the councilmans outrageous and disturbing conduct.

Kalasho, who also has run a for-profit chamber of commerce and presented holiday-themed parties at area hotels, was accused using fake social-media profiles to allege that people got sick from eating at 3 Brothers after the owners refused to promote his 2016 council campaign.

He also was accused of placing Tawfiqs face onto pictures of nude women online after a dispute over her obligations to being named Miss Middle East USA.

Parker filed computer records and other evidence with the court indicating that the fraudulent and defamatory posts were accessed from inside Kalashos home. The councilman told U-T Watchdog that his internet address may have been compromised by the plaintiffs themselves.

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The original lawsuit is scheduled for trial in August.

Plaintiffs made a series of allegations against Kalasho, including a claim that he demanded sex in exchange for awarding the pageant crown.

Surprisingly, after what Plaintiff Kargar allegedly experienced, including a supposed offer of sexual intercourse for the crown, she later attended a function hosted by both defendant Bessmon Kalasho and defendant Jessica Kalasho, the counterclaim stated, referring to his wife.

The counterclaim also stated, Plaintiff Kargar stated that she was shocked, appalled and humiliated when Defendant Bessmon Kalasho stated during a particular pageant rehearsal, Your boobs are moving too much. Do it again. Plaintiff Kargar took this comment completely out of context and severely overreacted.

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Previously

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

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jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonaldAn issue pertaining to your editorial in the Opinion section of the Union-Tribune 18 things to watch in San Diego in 2018 (Jan. 1): A 19th point should be how to get more businesses to move to San Diego.

Is this something that must be addressed from a state level or is it something that can be steered from a city or county entity?

Chris Real

Rolando Park

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You forgot one major thing: Rain. Without rain, were surely doomed.

Allen Stanko

Alpine

Caltrans needs to install the suicide barrier on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. The study should be done just about now.

Robin Privett

Coronado

No. 1: Roads!

No. 2: Roads!

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No. 3: Roads!

No. 4: Everything else.

Carolyn Stables

Rancho Bernardo

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A top priority in San Diego should always include education.While San Diego education is generally very good, the entire system should be better.

Better means more children should have the basic skills (reading, writing, math and science) to navigate proficiently through life in an atmosphere that inspires students to contribute, achieve and strive for more.

Better means district financial commitments that create stability and efficiency yearly and a system of accountability where all parties are responsible for their performance.

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Better means a curriculum that teachers fully support and students fully understand. Quite simply, better means a more effective learning proposition. Americas Finest City should include world class education. Instead of just the continual teacher layoffs and monitoring test scores, could we create a new standard of learning that is the model for our country?

Our education requires a new vision that includes administrators, teachers, parents, and community. Outstanding should be the goal.

Bruce Reed

Scripps Ranch

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My 2018-and-beyond crystal ball tells me that the shenanigans that Apple and Facebook have allegedly perpetrated wont compare with what well likely see with the net neutrality edict repealed.

The stakes are too grand. Their ambition limitless. And they just wont be able to help themselves.

Paul Jester

San Diego

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No rain in So.Cal., increasing fire conditions, insurers wont insure all real estate, no fire insurance-no mortgage lending, real estate values decline by not just 10% but to zero.

Could happen, hope not?

Neil Feinstein

North County

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Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below.

Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.California has 7 million eligible Hispanic voters.

Questions about citizenship were missing in 2010 census.

Critics say such a question could negatively affect accuracy in census count, leading to political consequences in a state like California.

A request from the Justice Department seeking to ask people about their citizenship in the upcoming 2020 census has drawn attention and criticism in recent days after ProPublica reported on it last week.

While similar versions of the question have been asked before, the request to ask a census question about citizenship anew has come under fire in California where critics believe such a question could discourage Hispanic people and other immigrants from participating in the census for fear of prosecution, The New York Times reported. California has 7 million eligible Hispanic voters, per the Pew Research Center.

The Justice Department says that a citizenship question in the 2020 census would help enforce Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the part of federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate against voters by race and bars voter redistricting that dilutes the power of a minority group.

The Dec. 12 letter, published by ProPublica, reads in part:

To fully enforce those requirements, the Department needs a reliable calculation of the citizen voting-age population in localities where voting rights violations are alleged or suspected.

Critics argue that including questions about citizenship could also affect how district lines are drawn, particularly those that lean Democrat. Among its biggest critics is former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder who, in a tweet, called on the U.S. Census Bureau to reject the request.

The Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce whose secretary, Wilbur Ross, was appointed by President Donald Trump. The decision to add the question is up to Ross. The Census Bureau currently has no director. Neither the Department of Commerce or Ross had weighed in on the reports as of Wednesday.

Over the years, except in 2010, the Census Bureau has asked people about their citizenship in a variety of ways. In 2000, it asked:

Is this person a citizen of the United States?

If the person was not born in the United States, when did he come to live in the United States?

In 1990, it asked:

In what U.S. State or foreign country was this person born?

Is this person a citizen of the United States?

In 1980, it asked:

In what state or foreign country was the person born?

If this person was born in a foreign country... Is this person a naturalized citizen of the United States? When did this person come the United States to stay?



Is this person a naturalized citizen of the United States?

When did this person come the United States to stay?

The potential for the new census question raised alarms among civil rights groups and immigration advocates  some said an inaccurate census count could negatively impact federal resources in some of the neediest communities, others say it will make the census more expensive to conduct.

But others say such criticism is misinformed and misguided. Jeryl Bier, a writer for The Weekly Standard, said the census is primarily for apportionment/representation.

Sean Trende, a senior elections analyst at Real Clear Politics, said opponents are missing the boat. Such a question about citizenship in the census, he said, would allow states to draw congressional district lines based on citizens, not residents.

The request is also attracting attention because the Justice Department, under the Trump administration, has stepped up efforts to crack down on so-called sanctuary states and cities that limit cooperation between state and local authorities and U.S. immigration authorities and not help the federal government detain unauthorized immigrants. California officially became the first sanctuary state in the nation on Monday.

Californias secretary of state Alex Padilla criticized the request from the Justice Department as conveniently benefiting Trump and the Republican Party.

Some people on Twitter who identified themselves as former Census Bureau workers said getting information on citizenship could make it harder to get information from people.

The official census day is set for April 1, 2020.

Weigh in with your thoughts  should the U.S. Census include questions about citizenship in its upcoming count in 2020? Do you believe all residents, regardless of citizenship, should be counted? What would America look like if it didnt count unauthorized immigrants?

Have some thoughts to share?

Join me in a conversation: Shoot me a private email with your thoughts or ideas on a different approach to this story. As always, you can also send us a tweet.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

Read The Conversation on Flipboard.Oh, the weather this week is frightful.

But a chance of snow might be delightful.

And though the chances here are low.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it  flurry?

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Cold weather is sweeping through Florida and bringing a chance of snow early Wednesday ahead of freezing rain north of Gainesville, meteorologist Nate McGinnis with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville says.

But, McGinnis warns, theres only a slight chance of snow.

Im not going to be the Debbie Downer and say theres going to be no flakes in Florida because there could be, McGinnis said. But were not anticipating snow.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for parts of North Florida, and Gov. Rick Scott urged residents and tourists to prepare. Several school districts canceled classes Wednesday, and Scott said transportation crews are spraying roads and bridges with a salt solution in anticipation of the wintry weather.

In Central Florida, four counties  Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Brevard  planned to open cold-weather shelters.

Orlando, which hasnt gotten measurable snow since 1977, almost certainly will not get any flurries. But it will be cold. Orlando is forecast to reach freezing temperatures  32 degrees  and experience winds that will feel like its in the upper 20s later in the week.

The last time core Orlando temperatures reached freezing was four years ago, in January 2014.

Wednesday will be cold and wet, with a 70 percent chance of rain and highs in the 50s.

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Its really going to be an icky day, meteorologist Jessie Smith said.

Freezing temperatures are expected Thursday and Friday. Saturday will be just above freezing, with a low of 35.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Melbourne spent Tuesday dispelling rumors of snow flurries in Central Florida on Monday night. Residents took to social media to show off what they thought was snow on their windows, but was likely mist, Smith said. The lows  in the 50s  werent cold enough for snow, Smith said.

Most likely people thought they were seeing snow flurries and its exciting. It doesnt snow often in Florida, Smith said. We took a look  theres just no way.

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This winter has been anything but normal throughout the country. Some states have endured record-breaking lows and sub-freezing temperatures. Even southern parts of the country that arent familiar with snow have gotten some, including coastal parts of South Texas. The Florida Panhandle got snow in early December. Snowfall this week would be even less.

Orlando and its surrounding areas will begin to warm up early next week. Monday is expected to bring highs in the mid-70s.

ktorralva@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5417 or Twitter @KMTorralva

Cold-weather shelters in Central Florida 

AdvertisementMullah Mohammad Omar, the secretive head of the Taliban and an al-Qaida ally who led a bloody insurgency against U.S.-led forces, eluded capture for more than a decade in spite of being one of the most-hunted fugitives on Earth.

On Wednesday, he was reported to have died two years ago in a Pakistani hospital, according to the Afghan intelligence agency. In Washington, the U.S. government said they considered the report credible, though it was not confirmed by the Taliban or Pakistan.

Even in possible death, the one-eyed cleric-warrior was shrouded in mystery.

He led a movement that swept over most of Afghanistan in the 1990s and became notorious for imposing what was perhaps the strictest regime of Islamic law in the world at the time. For his Afghan followers and Osama bin Ladens al-Qaida militants, Mullah Omar held the supreme status of Commander of the Faithful. And yet only one known photograph of him exists.

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In later years, Mullah Omars influence waned as extremists gravitated toward the packaged video carnage of the Islamic State group, which now holds a third of Syria and Iraq in its self-declared caliphate. The announcement of his death comes after the U.S. and NATO forces that toppled the Taliban ended their combat mission in Afghanistan.

The Taliban have survived the loss of lower-level commanders and have shown remarkable resilience over time, now challenging Afghan forces across the country.

Abdul Hassib Sediqi, the spokesman for Afghanistans National Directorate of Security, said Mullah Omar died in a hospital in the Pakistani city of Karachi in April 2013. The Taliban leaders exact date of birth is unknown, but he is believed to have been in his 50s.

We confirm officially that he is dead, Sediqi told The Associated Press. He was very sick in a Karachi hospital and died suspiciously there.

Sediqi did not elaborate, and it was not immediately clear why news of the death had been delayed until now. But the announcement came just two days before a key second round of peace talks were to be held between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Pakistan.

Mullah Omars sheltering of bin Laden and al-Qaida, in an alliance forged in the 1990s, brought the wrath of the United States down upon him after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Less than three months later, American troops backed by northern Afghan allies marched into Kandahar, the southern city that served as Taliban headquarters.

Mullah Omar escaped on a motorcycle and was never seen again.

The Taliban insurgency that ensued wrecked U.S. hopes of quickly establishing the authority of the new government in Kabul, led by Mullah Omars fellow Pashtun, Hamid Karzai.

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With a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, Mullah Omar is believed to have spent most of his time in hiding in the border regions of Pakistan  nominally a U.S. ally, but also a longtime backer of the Taliban  or in the Pashtun heartland of southern Afghanistan. He communicated with his followers via audiotapes or on scrawled notes posted in mosques around the Pashtun south.

Bin Laden was killed in a May 2011 raid by U.S. special forces on his hideout in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad.

The alliance between the Taliban and al-Qaida leaders was unusual. Bin Laden was a cosmopolitan Saudi with visions of global jihad, while Mullah Omar was a village cleric who rarely strayed from Kandahar. He is said to have seldom met a non-Afghan or a non-Muslim and was deeply rooted in the traditional, insular tribal world of Afghanistans Pashtun majority.

Both men fought against the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, but they did not meet until the Taliban had seized control of most of Afghanistan in September 1996. Some of bin Ladens Arab followers had joined the fight against the Taliban, but when the tide turned and the Taliban took Kabul, bin Laden sought a meeting with Omar to pledge his support.

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The Taliban ruled for five years, creating their vision of an Islamic state  a version that surpassed even Saudi Arabia in its extreme puritanism. Women were barred from being educated and forced to cover themselves. Adulterers were stoned to death and men were forbidden to shave. In March 2001, Omar ordered the destruction of 1,500-year-old towering statues of Buddha carved into a cliff in central Afghanistan, denouncing them as idols.

Ultimately, the al-Qaida-Taliban alliance was a confluence of interests. Bin Ladens Arab fighters needed a safe haven to set up their training camps and base their operations, and the Afghanistan of Mullah Omars Taliban fit perfectly. The Taliban in turn benefited from bin Ladens cash and the force multiplier of his Arab militants.

Al-Qaida recognized Mullah Omar as amir al-mumineen  commander of the faithful  a title he assumed in 1996 when he donned a cloak believed to have belonged to the Prophet Mohammed at a gathering of clerics in Kandahar. He later moved into a heavily protected compound financed by bin Laden on the edge of the city, built after a truck bomb exploded outside Mullah Omars more modest home, killing 40 people.

But there was friction. Some Taliban resented what they saw as the Arab militants high-handed, domineering ways  and bitterly complained that bin Laden, with his campaign against the United States, dragged the Afghans into a fight they did not consider theirs.

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Mullah Omar reportedly tried unsuccessfully to persuade the al-Qaida leader to leave Afghanistan after President Bill Clinton fired cruise missiles at his training camps in eastern Khost province in 1998 in retaliation for al-Qaidas bombings of American embassies in East Africa.

Later that year, a group of journalists were brought in by bin Laden for a news conference in Khost, according to a Pakistani journalist, Rahimullah Yusufzai. Soon after, Mullah Omar called Yusufzai, furious that the al-Qaida leader held the gathering without his permission. There is only one ruler. Is it me or Osama? Yusufzai recalls Omar complaining.

Taliban officials contend Mullah Omar never knew that bin Laden was plotting the Sept. 11 attacks and that he had frequently tried to rein in the al-Qaida leader. Still, after the attacks on Washington and New York, he refused to surrender bin Laden, demanding proof of his involvement in the attacks and offering to hand him over to a Muslim country for trial. He also held that Afghan tradition demanded protection of guests.

Those who met Mullah Omar described him as tall, with a fair complexion and a bushy black beard, a man of few words and faith in an uncompromising interpretation of Islam.

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Yusufzai, one of the few people who met Mullah Omar on several occasions before the October 2001 U.S.-led invasion, said he was a very simple man, very low key. He was not very articulate, not very learned in terms of religion.

Born in the southern province of Uruzgan sometime in 1962, Mullah Omar spent much of his life in the village of Singhesar in neighboring Kandahar province.

There, he started out as a mullah, or preacher, in a local mosque. Like all mullahs in villages around Afghanistan, he relied on the largesse of the community for his basic needs.

In 1979, when the former Soviet Union sent in troops to support a leftist government, Mullah Omar took up arms.

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Soviet troops were dispatched to Kandahar to try to subdue the fierce Pashtun tribes there. In lush areas of orchards and trees, Omar fought with one of six mujahedeen groups that were heavily financed by the United States and other Western countries  and who used their Islamic fervor to wage the last Cold War battle against the Soviet Union.

In a battle just outside Kandahar shortly before the 1989 Soviet withdrawal, Omar was among a group of fighters under heavy fire and bombardment. During the fight, he lost his right eye to shrapnel.

When the Soviets left the country, Omar returned to the mosque, where he resumed his religious studies and preaching.

In the rest of the country, a mujahedeen government led by Ahmed Shah Massood and Burhanuddin Rabbani replaced the communist government of Dr. Najibullah. But the mujahedeen government soon fell into factional fighting that degenerated into a civil war that killed thousands of Afghans.

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Former commanders in the fight against the Soviets parceled up Kandahar province into fiefdoms and set up extortion rackets.

In 1994, Mullah Omar and a group of 60 clerics took the name Taliban, which means students, and banded together to stop the lawlessness. They seized control of Kandahar and within months swept westward to Herat.

After successive victories they besieged the Afghan capital, Kabul, vowing to throw out the warring Islamic factions that ruled there. In September 1996, the Taliban drove President Rabbani and his defense chief, Massood, from the city. Within two years they had taken over most of the major cities, including northern Afghanistans Mazar-e-Sharif, leaving Masood and Rabbani to head a northern alliance of Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara warlords confined largely to two provinces.

While his movement won control of most of the country, Mullah Omar was rarely seen in public. He apparently traveled to Kabul only three times after 1996, staying only briefly and spending most of his time with his troops.

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___

Gannon is the AP regional correspondent for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Quinn is the former AP news director for Afghanistan and Pakistan and Kabul bureau chief.A team of scientists at the College of Engineering (CoE) in Pune, India, is developing an efficient method for monitoring and recognizing bird species that will help in evaluating the avian biodiversity of a specific region.

Birds play an important role in a wide variety of ecosystems as both predator and prey.

As birds are high up in the food chain, they are good indicators of the general state of biodiversity health. When they start disappearing, it means that something is wrong with the environment.

From a scientific perspective it is therefore crucial to monitor bird populations.

Bird songs and calls are made up of syllables and each call and song unique to a given species consists of a group of syllables which in turn are made up of elements, said CoE researchers Arti Bang and Priti Rege.

It is possible to carry out a spectrographic analysis of the sound, but this is laborious and requires experts with a good ear for the sounds birds make.

Ultimately, however, such an approach will be subjective when it comes to distinguishing between birds with very similar sounding calls and songs.

Automated bird recognition based on recordings of the sounds the birds make is a pattern recognition problem, the scientists added.

They developed an automated system that circumvents the problems associated with previous attempts to automate the process and is based on extracting syllables with 10-millisecond audio frames.

The analysis builds on techniques that have been used to extract information, such as tempo, key signature, and genre from recordings of music.

The team tested the algorithm on samples of bird songs and calls from an online bird sound database called Xeno-Canto.

We did preliminary testing of the system on ten bird species native to India, the researchers said.

The same approach could equally be applied to species found anywhere in the world.

Redundancy reduction within the system allows us to cut down the effects of background noise in any given audio recording and so improve accuracy still further, they noted.

Their work is published in the International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology.

_____

Arti V. Bang & Priti P. Rege. 2017. Evaluation of various feature sets and feature selection towards automatic recognition of bird species. International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology 56 (3): 172-184; doi: 10.1504/IJCAT.2017.088197The company's best selling car, Honda City registered a sales count of 62,573 units in the full year 2017 thus becoming the highest selling mid-size sedan during the calendar year 2017.

With the year ending discounts galore, various car manufacturers have witnessed a growth in sales. Honda Cars India registered monthly domestic sales of 12,642 units in December 2017 as against 10,071 units in the corresponding month last year, tapping a growth of 26 per cent.

The company also registered a cumulative growth rate of 20 per cent selling 129,964 units during April - December 2017, as against 108,522 units in the corresponding period in 2016.

The company also registered a cumulative growth of 15 per cent selling 178,755 units during the calendar year 2017 as compared to 156,107 units in 2016.

The company's best selling car, Honda City registered a sales count of 62,573 units in the full year 2017 thus becoming the highest selling mid-size sedan during the calendar year 2017.

Yoichiro Ueno, President, and CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, "2017 has been a milestone year for Honda Cars in India, as our best seller Honda City completes 2 decades of unparalleled success in India. Honda City has emerged as the highest selling mid-size sedan during 2017. I would like to thank our customers for their strong support of the model. HCIL experienced robust growth during 2017 backed by good demand for all our products across segments, especially the Honda City & WR-V. As we welcome the New Year 2018 we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for the continued support to the Honda brand, and look forward to another fruitful year ahead."South Korea revealed last week that the Hong Kong-registered 2014-built 11,253 dwt Lighthouse Winmore was seized and inspected by customs officials on November 24 for allegedly transferring 600 tonnes of refined petroleum products to the Sam Jong 2, a North Korean vessel in international waters in the Yellow Sea in late October.

The vessel was boarded and authorities interviewed the mainly Chinese crew when it returned to the South Korean port of Yeosu after returning from a voyage it was supposed to have made to Taiwan. It was officially seized after the passing of new UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea on December 22.

The vessel is owned by Win More Shipping, and managed by Lighthouse Shipping Development, which have registered addresses in Guangzhou, according to the Hong Kong Companies Registry. One Gong Ruiqiang, purportedly the owner of Lighthouse Winmore and various other vessels, is also listed as a director of both companies.

Ship manager. Lighthouse Shipping Developments deputy general manager Zeng Haibo was quoted as saying that the company was unaware the tanker had been used to breach United Nations sanctions on North Korea and it had been chartered to Taiwanese company Billions Bunker Group.

We just rent the ship out. We are not aware of what goods the ship carried or whether it was used to trade with North Korea, Zeng said.

We are liaising, through our mainland lawyers, with the relevant authorities, he said.

The Lighthouse Winmore remains in the South Korean port of Yeosu, with its 23 Chinese and two Myanmese crew still being questioned by the South Korean authorities. The company said the Chinese crew were its employees and were safely onboard the vessel.

Zeng Weicheng, a business associate of Gong, was quoted claiming Billion Bunker was a company, with which Gong had never dealt before and the charter was for just a few months.

South China Morning Post reporters cited a woman working in the same building as Win More Shipping as saying that she had not seen any officials or police visit the shipping companys office after the reports of illegal trade with its ships emerged.

South Korean officials also last week seized a Panama-flagged tanker reportedly on suspicion of making illegal fuel transfers to North Korean vessels as well.

The 5,100 dwt KOTI, which was seized in Pyeongtaek Dangjin port, was also mainly crewed by Chinese and Myanmese.ACL said that the big change to its 2018 schedule was the change of serving Gothenburg by feeder rather than by direct call.

Following the change ACLs 2018 European port rotation will be Liverpool-Hamburg-Antwerp-Liverpool while the North American rotation will remain as North American port rotation of Halifax-New York-Baltimore-Norfolk-New York-Halifax.

ACL has called at Gothenburg for all of its 50 years, so this is a big change for the company. However, the gradual decline in ocean freight rates over the past five years, combined with the inflexible berth availability, steadily increasing costs and lagging productivity at Gothenburg have given ACL no choice but to make changes to its schedule to improve the reliability of its service, ACL said.

A protracted labour dispute at APM Terminals, which operates the container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg, saw container traffic at the Swedish port hit its lowest level since 2001 last year.

The change would add 3.5 days to ACLs schedule restoring reliability to its service

Gothenburg will be served by a new ACL feeder container service that will load Swedish export cargo on Monday and arrive in Antwerp on Wednesday to connect to the transatlantic service. Swedish import cargo will leave Antwerp on Thursday with the vessel returning to Gothenburg on Monday.

The company will also utilise common feeder services.

For Swedish ro-ro cargo ACL is setting up a relay service using the Grimaldi Euromed vessel between Wallhamn and Antwerp.

Looking ahead in terms of the new services arrangements the company said: "ACL will operate this new service for six months then review it afterward. All of the port's stakeholders - customers, terminal operator and labor - will play a significant role in determining whether ACL maintains, expands or reduces this service thereafter."The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared the results of University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) 2017 on the official website, the link for which is cbseresults.nic.in

Steps to check CBSE UGC NET November Results 2017:

Go to the official website, cbseresults.nic.in

Click on 'CBSE-UGC NET RESULT - NOVEMBER 2017'

Enter your application number, roll number and date of birth in the space provided

Click to submit

Results will be displayed on the screen

Download and take print out of the same for future use.

The exam was conducted on November 5 in 91 cities at 1700 exam centres across the nation. Speaking to India Today Education, students who have come to appear for the UGC NET 2017 examination at Modern Public School, Karkardooma (New Delhi) said that the overall difficulty of the paper was moderate.

While some students found Paper I, Paper II moderate and Paper III difficult. They also added nothing came out of the syllabus.

The CBSE UGC NET exam is conducted for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for the Eligibility for Assistant Professor only or Junior Research Fellowship and eligibility for Assistant Professor both in Indian Universities and Colleges.

About CBSE UGC NET:

UGC (University Grants Commission) is a statutory organisation established by the union government in 1956. Its main objective is to provide recognition to the Indian universities and provide funds to such recognised universities and colleges.

CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) now conducts this exam on behalf of UGC for the post of Lecturer and for providing the JRF for Indian nationals in order to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in the teaching profession and in research.

For any query, candidates can check out the official website.

Read: Uttarakhand madarsas proposes to begin Sanskrit as a subject

Read: CBSE Class 10, Class 12 date sheet 2018: To be released in the first week of January

For more updates, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.comPress Release

January 3, 2018 Sen. Bam: Tax increase on fuel has domino effect on prices of goods, services A senator warned that the increase in prices of gasoline due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) may have a domino effect on the prices of goods and other services in the market. "Nakakabahala ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin dahil sa pagpataw ng buwis sa langis. Dagdag gastos na naman ito sa pamilyang Pilipino," said Sen. Bam Aquino, who rejected the TRAIN's ratification in the Senate. The TRAIN mandates the imposition of excise tax of P2.50 per liter on diesel and bunker fuel starting this year, P4.50 in 2019 and P6 in 2020. For gasoline, the excise tax will be increased from P4.35 per liter to P7 this year, P9 in 2019, and P10 in 2020. Sen. Bam said the increase in prices of petroleum will lead to an increase in prices of goods, which will ultimately fall on the shoulders of consumers, especially poor Filipinos, who are currently struggling to make ends meet. "Sa huli, mahihirap na Pilipino pa rin ang papasan at magdurusa sa epektong dulot ng TRAIN sa presyo ng bilihin," added Sen. Bam, who voted against the TRAIN's approval due to the inability of government to implement a financial assistance program in time for the increase in prices due to provisions on excise tax on fuel and sweetened beverage tax. The Department of Finance (DOF) proposed a cash transfer program with a P200 monthly financial assistance on the first year and P300 monthly financial assistance for the second and third year to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods. Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the cash transfer program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services. However, Sen. Bam's proposal was not accepted by during the period of amendments in the Senate. "The government must speed up the implementation of the cash transfer program so poor people won't be burdened by the increase in prices," said Sen. Bam. The lawmaker is also hoping that the increase in take-home pay will be enough to offset the increase in prices of goods and services.It was nearly two decades ago when the fodder scam was unearthed. The scam involved politicians and bureaucrats belonging to successive administrations siphoning off several crores of rupees, on the pretext of purchasing livestock feed, over a period of 20 years.

After 21 years, on December 23, 2017, a special CBI court convicted former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad and 15 others in a fodder scam case. The quantum of sentence, however, will be decided tomorrow.

The fodder scam is a collective term for a set of 64 cases, of which 53 were litigated in Ranchi.

Here's recap of the scam:

January 1996: The scam surfaces after Deputy Commissioner Amit Khare raids the offices of the Animal Husbandry Department and seizes documents that showed siphoning of funds by non-existent companies in the name of supplying fodder.

March 11, 1996: The Patna High Court directs the CBI to probe the scam. The Supreme Court upholds the order.

March 27, 1996: The CBI registers an FIR in the Chaibasa Treasury case.

June 23, 1997: The CBI files a charge sheet and makes Lalu Prasad and 55 others as accused in the case. Sixty-three cases were registered under IPC Sections 420 (forgery) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) and Section 13 (b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

July 30, 1997: Prasad surrenders before a CBI court and sent to judicial custody.

April 5, 2000: Charges framed before the special CBI court. Rabri Devi's name included as co-accused. She was granted bail, Prasad's bail plea rejected and he was remanded in judicial custody.

October 5, 2001: The Supreme Court transfers the scam cases to Jharkhand after the creation of the new State.

February, 2002: Trial begins in the Ranchi special CBI court.

December 2006: Prasad and Rabri Devi acquitted of charges in the disproportionate assets case filed by the CBI.

June 2007: The special CBI court in Ranchi sentences 58 persons, including two nephews of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, to jail terms ranging from two-and-a-half years to six years for fraudulently withdrawing Rs 48 crore from the Chaibasa Treasury in the 1990s.

March 2012: Six months after their appearance before the Special CBI court, charges are framed against Prasad and Jagannath Mishra. The court charges the former with fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 47 lakh from the treasuries at Banka and Bhagalpur districts, where alleged forged and fake bills were drawn by the Animal Husbandry Department in 1995-96 when he was the Chief Minister.

August 13, 2013: The Supreme Court rejects Prasad's plea seeking the transfer of the trial court judge hearing the case.

September 17, 2013: The Special CBI court reserves its judgment.

September 30, 2013: Prasad and Mishra, along with 45 others are convicted by Special CBI Judge Pravas Kumar Singh. Prasad stands disqualified as member of the Lok Sabha following the verdict. The two cannot contest any election, including those of the Assembly/Council, for six years from the date of their release from jail.

November 2014: The CBI challenges the order of the Jharkhand High Court quashing four pending fodder scam cases against Prasad on the grounds that a person convicted in one case could not be tried in similar cases based on same witnesses and evidences. The court upholds the CBI plea to continue proceedings in the trial court against Prasad under two sections.

November 2016: The Supreme Court pulls up Mishra for allegedly dragging and delaying the appeal filed by the CBI challenging the quashing of four pending fodder scam cases against him.

May 2017: The Supreme Court holds that Prasad and other accused persons, including Jagannath Mishra, will be tried separately for corruption in a criminal case involving the withdrawal of Rs 84.53 lakh and falsification of records from the Deoghar Treasury in 1991-94.

December 23, 2017: A special CBI court in Ranchi pronounced Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav guilty in the Rs 900 crore fodder scam case.

Interested in General Knowledge and Current Affairs? Click here to stay informed and know what is happening around the world with our G.K. and Current Affairs section.

To get more updates on Current Affairs, send in your query by mail to education.intoday@gmail.comPress Release

January 3, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 215

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Statement regarding the December 2017 SWS Survey on Duterte's Satisfaction Rating 1/3/18 Intriguing and thought-provoking. That is how I view the latest SWS survey showing an increased/improved satisfaction rating for Duterte among the A & B social classes. To be completely honest, I cannot fathom the reasons why the ultra rich - which I presume accounts for perhaps the best educated and informed members of society - would find satisfaction in what is happening in our country lately. A creeping martial and authoritarian rule. A "peace and order situation" where people are being killed in the streets and in their homes in deadly so-called "police operations" connected with the "war on drugs". Rampant corruption and influence peddling being committed with impunity by those close to the President - with those who are caught merely being made to lie low for a while before being rewarded with appointment to other government posts. An abominable traffic situation that has already bled outside of the Metro Manila area. A strange and disturbing pivot to a foreign power that is known for political repression, human rights violations and, perhaps most pertinently, a history (and, indeed, a persisting track record) of taking undue economic advantage of other countries, even going so far as to undermine our sovereignty and the integrity of our territory, and to blatantly exploit our natural resources. A leader who is intolerant to criticisms, who crushes dissent and has made vulgarity and bullying a standard behavior. Why would the ABs stand for these? Or perhaps I am asking the wrong question. Perhaps the right question is not "why", but "who" and "what". Who are these A & Bs? What are their interests? Perhaps the answer to "why" follows the answers to these. Perhaps they are satisfied with what's going on because they are not adversely affected by the stuff that are happening to our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Is it because theirs are not the sons and the daughters being murdered in cold blood? Is it because theirs are not the homes and the privacy being invaded, they with their high concrete and steel gates hiding behind the security of gated communities? Is it because theirs are not the homes being ravaged by martial law and armed conflict? Is it because they are not daily wage earners who have no choice but to battle through heavy traffic just to earn a measly living? Is it because they don't even have to tolerate the traffic and other adverse conditions that the rest of us have to live with because they can simply hop on a plane and vacation anywhere else in the world at any time of their choosing? Perhaps they are satisfied because they are, in fact, profiting from the situation. Is it because they are among those who have the ears of those in power? Is it because they are among the ultra rich who are said to have been graced by super low interest loans or financing from China? Is it because they are among the elite whose money and power can buy them a seat in a post-revolutionary government/Charter Change era? Put simply, perhaps it is because money talks and those holding the reins of power listen. People were made to think that the past administration is evil because it was composed of rich, educated elites, so they chose a leader who they thought mirrored their identity. Hindi nila alam na balat-kayo lamang ang pagiging maka-masa ng administrasyong ito. In truth, as in any authoritarian regime that denounces the Rule of Law, it is the moneyed, powerful and influential people who rule, while the rest of the Filipino people suffer. Kawawa naman ang sambayanang Pilipinas na karamihan ay walang ganung pera, kapangyarihan at impluwensya.In 2016, around 450 climbers that included 190 foreigners and 259 Nepalis, reached the summit of Everest from the south side in Nepal. However, with the new safety regulation issued by Nepal government, it looks like this number will reduce this year.

In light of the 6 deaths that occurred on Mount Everest this season, Nepalese cabinet declared a controversial ban on climbing the highest peak of the world, which has stirred campaigns against it.

The mountaineering regulation

The Nepalese government tightens the eligibility criteria for permits to scale the 29,029 ft peak from the Nepal side before each spring climbing season. However, the enforcement is patchy and rules are frequently overlooked.

Earlier on Friday, the cabinet declared revised regulations of the Himalayan nation's mountaineering, where banning solo climbers from scaling its mountains was one of the key measures being flagged ahead of the 2018 spring climbing season.

The new rules were under discussion for a month and were finally approved by the senior officials of the tourism ministry.

Maheshwor Neupane/ Friday Weekly Maheshwor Neupane/ Friday Weekly

The Nepalese authorities claim that the ban, which entered into force this Monday, is necessary to make mountaineering safer and reduce the risk of death among mountaineers.

"We have also adopted a strict provision to check the medical certificate of the climbers to determine whether they are physically fit to climb the mountains," Nepal's Tourism Secretary Maheshwor Neupane told The Kathmandu Post.

Foreign climbers

In April, renowned Swiss mountaineer Ueli Steck was killed in an accident as he was preparing to climb Mount Everest using its treacherous West Ridge.

Ueli Steck Ueli Steck

Hence, foreign climbers must also now be accompanied by a guide under the new rules.

Solo climbers

This ban has been irking solo mountaineers, who enjoy the challenge of climbing alone.

Under the new rules, individual abled climbers are to be accompanied by a mountain guide (Sherpa) and high-altitude workers who accompany such expeditions to the summit. They are eligible to receive summit certificates under the revised regulations.

"The changes have barred solo expeditions, which were allowed before," Maheshwor Neupane, secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, told AFP.

Overcrowding

Experienced climbers have raised concerns about the overcrowding of the mountain dangerously and that the new companies offering lower costs to scale the peak with lower safety standards have rushed to fill demand in the market.

Age bar

All the Nepalese alpine associations, that monitors such climbing expeditions had suggested an upper age limit of 76 years for the climbers. But, it has not been implemented so far. This had come after the 85-year-old man Min Bahadur Sherchan died at base camp as he was attempting to reclaim his title as the world's oldest person to reach the top.

The Nepalese government maintained the ban on climbers under 16 years.

Specially abled

Mark Inglis Mark Inglis

According to the report, the first double amputee to reach the top of the 29,029-foot peak in 2006 was New Zealander Mark Inglis, who lost both his legs to frostbite.

Blind American Erik Weihenmayer scaled Everest in May 2001 and later became the only visually-impaired person to summit the highest peaks on all 7 continents.

The cabinet also declared a ban on double amputee and blind climbers, even though Everest has drawn multitudes of mountaineers wanting to overcome their disabilities and achieve the formidable feat.

Protests against the ban

Alan Arnette

Veteran climber Alan Arnette, said the ban on amputee and visually impaired climbers was prejudiced, ignorant and irrational.

In his blog, Arnette wrote, "If this is about protecting people from their own ambitions, then over half of the annual climbers should be banned each year as they lack the experience to safely climb Everest... and where does this stop -- people with asthma, diabetes, hemophiliacs or cancer? All of these have recently successfully summited Everest with no problems."

Alaina B Teplitz

The ban was also criticised by the United States (US) Ambassador to Nepal, Alaina B Teplitz, who tweeted: "Ability not perceived 'disability' must guide rules on who can trek Everest."

Ability not perceived AAA??disabilityAAA?AAA must guide rules on who can trek Mt. Everest. Climbers like Hari Budha Magar shouldn't be banned because of false assumptions about capabilities. Accessible tourism for ALL will make it clear that Nepal welcomes everyone! https://t.co/7mbGOrJbiz pic.twitter.com/LxyXJhsEAY - Alaina B. Teplitz (@USAmbNepal) December 6, 2017

Hari Budha Magar

Aspiring Everest climber and former Gurkha soldier Hari Budha Magar, who lost both his legs during a deployed tour in Afghanistan, called the move "discriminatory" and an "injustice" on Facebook.

"I will be climbing Mount Everest whatever the cabinet decides. Nothing is impossible," he said.

"If the cabinet passes, this is #Discrimination against disable people, breaking #HumanRights", added his post.

Cases that led to the ban

Nepal, a home to 8 of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 metres witnesses thousands of mountaineers each spring and autumn when clear weather provides good climbing conditions.

More than 5,000 climbers have scaled Mount Everest since it was first climbed by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, and nearly 300 have died trying

In 2014, 16 sherpas hauling gear to higher camps for climbers were killed when they were hit by an avalanche while crossing the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, just above base camp

Khumbu Icefall accident Khumbu Icefall accident

18 people were killed in 2015 when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake triggered avalanches that smashed into the base camp

Over 600 people reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2017, a record number. However, there were also several cases in which climbers died trying to reach the peak. So far, six people have died trying to climb the mountain this winter

Exhaustion, exposure, frostbite, falls and altitude sickness are major causes of death on Everest. But the biggest killer in recent years has been avalanches

Interested in General Knowledge and Current Affairs? Click here to stay informed and know what is happening around the world with our G.K. and Current Affairs section.

To get more updates on Current Affairs, send in your query by mail to education.intoday@gmail.comA 22-year-old Hayward man was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder as well as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in the Christmas Eve crash that killed a California Highway Patrol officer and injured his partner.

Prosecutors said Mohammed Abraar Ali was driving at 120 mph when he swerved and slammed his red Cadillac CTS-V into a CHP cruiser occupied by Officers Andrew Camilleri and Jonathan Velasquez, who were on patrol for intoxicated drivers and were parked on the Winton Avenue on-ramp to Interstate 880 in Hayward.

Camilleri, a married father of three who had graduated from the CHP academy in March, was killed. Velasquez was injured, but has since been released from a hospital. Ali remains hospitalized with undisclosed injuries at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. The CHP anticipates he will be released in the coming days and transferred to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

Now Playing: The California Highway Patrol held a bell toll ceremony at its West Sacramento headquarters to signify the End of Watch for fallen CHP Officer Andrew Camilleri, a father of three who was killed Christmas Eve when a suspected drunk driver slammed into the back of his patrol vehicle on I-880 in Hayward. Hundreds of CHP officers from across the state were in attendance for the bell ringing, as was Camilleri's family, including his wife and three young children. Camilleri's body was brought back to his hometown of Tracy from the Bay Area during a procession Tuesday afternoon, with many people and first responders saluting the man known as a dedicated father. Video: KCRA

More for you Bay Area CHP officer killed in Christmas Eve freeway crash in Hayward

Ali faces five felony counts, including second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and recklessly driving at speeds over 100 mph, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley said.

OMalley and CHP Chief Ernie Sanchez announced the charges at a news conference Tuesday. In a statement of probable cause accompanying the charging documents, CHP Officer Joshua Hughes wrote that before the 11:30 p.m. crash Ali was witnessed driving at a high rate of speed and aggressively weaving though traffic.

Ali admitted to using marijuana before the crash and had THC in his system, Sanchez said. A blood test at the hospital revealed Ali had a blood alcohol content of .11 percent, Hughes wrote. The legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Two days later, Ali admitted to detectives he was drunk and high, and said he had threatened his wife that night before driving from Manteca to Hayward, according to court papers.

Ali said he not only was impaired but that he should have pulled over at least three times, but did not and made the decision to keep driving, Hughes wrote.

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Sanchez said Ali had never previously been arrested by the CHP for driving under the influence. He had been arrested in December 2013 on suspicion of a burglary in Fremont, but charges in that case were later dismissed, according to the Alameda County Sheriffs Office.

Ali has an active security guard license that was issued by the state Bureau of Security and Investigative Services in September 2016.

The crash comes as the CHP rolls out a new statewide public service campaign aimed at combatting driving under the influence of marijuana. State traffic safety officials said they expect an influx of stoned drivers with the legal sale of recreational marijuana that started Monday.

Drinking and driving is socially unacceptable  smoking marijuana and driving is equally as unacceptable, Sanchez said Tuesday.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffskyFormer state Sen. Mark Leno appears to be the out-of-the-gate favorite in San Franciscos upcoming mayoral race  but with less than a month on the job, acting Mayor London Breed is hot on his heels, according to the first polling in the race.

A phone survey of 627 San Francisco registered voters taken last month shows Leno clocking in with 26 percent of first-place votes in the June ranked-choice election.

Breed  the Board of Supervisors president who has been acting mayor since Ed Lee died last month  has 20 percent. None of the other declared or rumored candidates is above 11 percent.

Frankly, I was surprised to see that this is shaping up as a two-person race from the start, said political consultant Jim Stearns, who included the mayoral question in a poll he commissioned for a progressive organization that is considering putting an unrelated measure on the ballot.

Its a snapshot, and it could change, he said. But with the race being a short, five-month shot to the finish line, its a big head start for Leno and Breed.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Leno has already declared his candidacy. Breed has not, but is widely believed to be running.

The Public Policy Polling survey was conducted Dec. 18 and 19, and has a margin of error of four percentage points.

The poll shows Democratic state Assemblyman David Chiu with 11 percent of first-choice votes, followed by City Attorney Dennis Herrera at 10 percent. Neither has entered the race.

Supervisor Jane Kim, who has indicated shes running, and Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu, who has not, each has 5 percent.

Former San Francisco Supervisor Angela Alioto declared her candidacy after the poll was conducted and was not included. Candidates have until Jan. 9 to enter the contest.

The poll found that 59 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Leno, the highest total among any of the potential candidates. Herreras favorables are 49 percent, and Breeds are 43 percent.

Leno, who has been running for mayor for close to a year, reports having raised $400,000 for the race, giving him a significant advantage over the other candidates. But if Breed decides to run, shell have the backing of tech investor Ron Conway, who has a track record of raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in short order to elect candidates.

So, Leno and Breed will be pretty well matched.

Jackie jump? Word that Peninsula Rep. Jackie Speier is mulling a run for governor has grabbed the attention of the early front-runners in the race  Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Hillsborough Democrat, a prominent Bay Area figure since her days as a staff aide to Rep. Leo Ryan in the 1970s, could cut into Newsoms Northern California base of support.

The whole question is who comes in second to Gavin in the June top-two primary, said one Speier confidant, speaking on condition of anonymity because the congresswoman has not made a decision. If its Jackie, then he has a problem.

Speier has been making headlines of late as a congressional leader of the MeToo anti-sexual harassment campaign.

A natural talker who is not afraid to take on sensitive issues, Speier would also inject life into what has become a gubernatorial road show of sleeper debates between Newsom, Villaraigosa and the other candidates.

However, her family is known to be tired of her long-distance commute to D.C. and has been holding out hope that Speier, 67, would consider leaving politics rather than sign up for four or eight years in Sacramento.

Newsom supporters also point to the $20 million war chest he has already amassed, noting it would hard for Speier to match on short order. But our Speier confidant figures that wouldnt be a problem:

She is not going to need anything near that (amount), because this is the year of the woman.

Willie return? A new poll shows San Francisco voters divided on whether a caretaker should occupy the mayors office until the June election  but that if a short-timer gets the job, their top pick is former Mayor Willie Brown.

Youre kidding, Brown said when he stopped laughing at the news.

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Brown, who served two terms as mayor and now writes a weekly column for The Chronicle, is on record saying the job should go to someone who wants it full-time.

A survey by Public Policy Polling of 627 registered San Francisco voters taken last month shows Brown would be the first choice of 30 percent of respondents if the Board of Supervisors goes with a caretaker. Others whose names have been floated run well behind, including former Supervisor and state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (19 percent) and ex-Mayor Art Agnos (13 percent).

City Hall insiders are hotly debating whether a candidate should be allowed to serve as interim mayor, and the public also appears to be divided.

The poll found 39 percent of those surveyed say the interim mayor should not be a candidate for the job, and 34 percent say he or she should run for mayor. The rest arent sure.

Brown, for one, is sure of something  he has no interest in returning to Room 200.

I wasnt all that good when I had the job, the 83-year-old Brown said. And I dont think I would be any better now.

But he added, You can do me one favor  make sure Art (Agnos) sees the poll numbers.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandrossIt was 1982, and the word homeless was just worming its way into the public consciousness. Joe Wilson was one of those who found themselves without a roof in the midst of a recession and sharp cuts in social-services spending, and after weeks on the sidewalks of San Francisco in heavy rains, he wound up at the Hospitality House shelter.

It was the beginning of the end of his time on the streets  and eventually, it led to a new era for one of the first places to provide counseling and temporary beds for homeless people in San Francisco.

Hospitality House was founded during the Summer of Love to shelter young people who flocked to San Francisco looking for peace and love but found hard times. In the 50 years since then, its become an indispensable piece of the citys homeless services network, and now serves about 20,000 people a year.

In 2017, the 62-year-old Wilson  already one of Hospitality Houses greatest success stories  became its executive director. The man who once took refuge under the nonprofits roof now oversees not only its 30-bed shelter but also arts, jobs and counseling programs. All told, he runs a staff of 55 and an annual budget of $4.5 million.

Joe is whip-smart, hes had real life experience, and hes an inspiration for everyone who works for him, said Sam Dodge, who oversees homeless policy for the Department of Public Works and helped found the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. When we all learned he was going to be in charge of Hospitality House we thought, OK, itll be all right now.

You have to have a deep well to go through what he did early in his life, and he came out OK. Hes got it  that quality it takes to do a job like what he has now.

Michael Short/Special to The Chronicle

Wilson, a community organizer at Hospitality House since 2012, radiates several qualities as he makes the rounds of his programs: He is unpretentious, street-tough but polite, and never has his hardscrabble roots far from mind.

Hes part of the structure here, a legend, said Fagis Carter, who helps oversee the volunteer corps at Hospitality House. And he sure doesnt take any bull. It helps that he actually knows what hes talking about. Like, always.

Wilson greets statements like that with a shrug.

Every day theres a miracle somewhere on the streets here, where someone figures out their lives, someone makes the right choice, he said. Im an example of that. Im a guy who used to sleep on a mat on the floor here, and now Im running the organization.

How unlikely is that? I dont take any day for granted.

Wilsons journey to where he is now was a convoluted one, winding through poverty, despair and a couple of stints at Stanford University.

Raised in Mississippi and Chicago by a single mother who eked out a living as a nursing assistant, he excelled at school and came to California to study history and economics at Stanford. He took long breaks from his schooling to go back to Chicago and take care of his ailing mother, and then dropped out of school in 1979 when he was told she was dead.

It turned out she wasnt  its a complex story of family infighting, he says, and he reconnected with his mother in 2008  but the blow of believing she was gone threw him off track.

After stints driving a cab in Palo Alto and working in a cafeteria in San Francisco, Wilson wound up unemployed and out of money. By 1982, he was living on the street. He spent nights nursing cups of cheap coffee in a Jack in the Box on Market Street to stay out of the cold, and then scored a bed at Hospitality House.

Hospitality House was probably the first place where I heard the word homeless, because it was just becoming a known thing back then, he said. The place was more welcoming than the church missions Id been to. I felt accepted.

After sleeping in Hospitality Houses shelter for a while, Wilson became a volunteer helping out there, then a peer counselor, then an employee, and finally the shelter supervisor. After a few years he left to work as a youth advocate and a union organizer, and five years ago he came back to Hospitality House for the community organizing job.

Paul Boden, for decades one of San Franciscos foremost activists for homeless people, met Wilson at Hospitality House. Boden was working at the shelter and got Wilson a job cleaning city buses and counseled him about regaining his footing in life. He calls Wilson one of the smartest people hes ever met.

To work in that shelter, you had to be able to work in a really chaotic environment with people that were in really rough shape, Boden said. Joe could calm down the room just by his presence.

If you talk to people with respect instead of just barking at them like a Nazi commander, theyll chill out, he said. Thats what Joe is great at. He has a lot of compassion without being a wimp.

Being executive director means Wilson must adapt his people skills to the administrative work that goes with running a major nonprofit. He runs a tight meeting  but the real touch is still person to person.

OK, now what? Wilson asked the other day of a bedraggled middle-aged man sitting, dazed, next to Hospitality Houses administrative offices on Turk Street. The man, Kenneth Kirby McCole, reached up a hand and spoke.

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Soup and soda, McCole mumbled, gazing up through bleary, uncertain eyes.

Wilson knelt down and looked hard into McColes face, forcing him to focus. No sodas, he said. Theyre not good for you. Come with me.

He started to lead McCole to the Hospitality House drop-in center a block away on Leavenworth Street. McCole shook his head. Just soup, he said. No way to the drop-in. Just soup.

Others might have given up or gotten preachy. Wilson ducked back inside his office and came out with a bag of crackers and two protein bars. He gently took an empty potato chip bag McCole was clutching in one hand and replaced it with the food.

When youre ready, you come to the drop-in center, Wilson said. McCole nodded. He staggered up Turk Street, and Wilson sighed.

Weve got to put him together with the HOT (city Homeless Outreach Team) team, Wilson said. Maybe try again with our drop-in. You cant just give up. You have to remember that things can improve.

Half a block away, McCole dropped the food he was carrying. Wilson walked over, picked up the packages, put them in McColes pockets, and patted him on the back as McCole tottered away again.

Its not easy, Wilson said. But you do always have to remember, there is never no hope.

Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChronRay Bones Bandar, a biologist and high school science teacher who kept 6,000 animal skulls in his basement and moose antlers in the bathtub of his San Francisco home, has died at 90.

Bandar died Dec. 23 at home at his request among his bones, said niece Faylene Bandar. The cause of death was congestive heart failure, she said.

For 60 years, Bandar was a volunteer field associate in the department of ornithology and mammalogy at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. He loaned 1,800 specimens from his collection to curate the first Skulls exhibition at the academy in 2003. That exhibition was such a hit that it returned for an encore when the building reopened in 2014.

Since then, his 400 sea lion skulls have been mounted on a wall for permanent display. As recently as the day before he died, Bandar called Moe Flannery, birds and mammals collection manager, to offer a suggestion for improving the display.

His years of dedication to the department ... built our collection into what it is today  one of the best in the world, Flannery said.

Bandar called his basement museum the Bone Palace, and it made a vivid set for a documentary film titled Ray Bandar: A Life with Skulls.

You have to be careful not to get impaled on something, his wife, Alkmene Bandar, said in the film, describing the dangers of walking around the house.

Bones Bandar was even paid the ultimate compliment for his dead-animal obsession when the cartoonist Gary Larson, of the Far Side, dropped by his home just to see if it was all for real.

He didnt say a word, Bandar proudly told The Chronicle in 2007. What left Larson speechless was Bandars skull inventory of 1,700 California sea lions, 1,000 birds, 120 black bears, 24 breeds of dogs, 12 leopards, nine giraffes, and six each of hippos and rhinos.

Also, among his collection were a mummified monkey in the dining room, the jaw of a great white shark, and 200 pelvises scattered about.

Im a collector, was his explanation.

Bandar was born Oct. 29, 1927, in San Francisco and grew up in the Richmond District. His father ran the produce stand at the Crystal Palace Market at Eighth and Market streets. Bandar came to his lifes work at a young age. By junior high, he was nicknamed Reptile Ray.

He was a graduate of San Franciscos George Washington High School and San Francisco State, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree in biology in 1955 and teaching credential in 1958.

He met Alkmene Smernes in an art class, and they were married in 1954. He went to work as an on-call field associate at the academy and started his own museum, the bone palace, when he bought his home in Miraloma Park beneath Mount Davidson in 1965.

Alkmene, a prolific visual artist, claimed the walls and drawers for her own work. All other available surfaces were covered by bones. The house is four levels, but there was never room for children. They had none.

For 32 years, Bandar commuted to Oakland, often in an old VW bus, to teach biology, physiology and anatomy at Fremont High School.

He retired from teaching in the 1980s but kept his field work for the Academy of Sciences. His final collecting trip was in June 2013, when a sea lion washed up on Ocean Beach. Working in the dark by the light of cell phone flashlights and with the help of his niece Faylene and great-nephew Jacob Kaplan, he removed the skull.

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Though he already had more than 6,000 skulls at home, he also had a sign in his home museum that said, There is always room for one, two or six more. But the sea lion skull he took to the academy.

That night marked 60 years of collecting, said Faylene Bandar.

That was Bones Bandars last day in the field, though he still worked at home.

Up until the end, he still had his passion for all of the skulls in the house, his niece said.

He also kept his passion for NightLife, the Thursday science event for adults at the academy. In November, Bandar appeared as usual and showed off his favorite skulls to participants.

Before his death, a free screening of Ray Bandar: A Life in Skulls was scheduled at the Main Library, at 6 p.m. Jan. 31. That screening will go on as planned.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Alkmene; nieces Faylene Bandar, Dori Jaroslow, Jeanette Mulgrew and Jeanne Godwin; and a nephew, Nick Smernes. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Montague Monty Bandar of San Bruno.

He was buried in Colma under a headstone that read simply: Bandar, Raymond Bones. A memorial is pending at the California Academy of Sciences.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_artNektar Therapeutics, a San Francisco biopharmaceutical company whose pipeline includes a less-addictive opioid and a cancer drug, was the best-performing stock last year in a Bloomberg index that tracks Bay Area companies.

Its shares soared nearly 387 percent, with much of the gain coming in the last two months of the year.

In March, Nektar announced positive data from phase-three testing of NKTR 181, a next-generation opioid that provides potent pain relief without the high levels of euphoria that can lead to abuse and addiction, the company said.

It potentially could be similar in size to Oxycontin in terms of revenues, said David Steinberg, an analyst with Jefferies & Co.

On Nov. 7, the company announced in its earnings report that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will let Nektar submit the drug for approval earlier than expected  and the stock took off.

It got an added boost after the company announced on Nov. 11 positive results from a mid-stage clinical trial of an immuno-oncology drug it is developing with Bristol Myers Squibb. Immuno-oncology is the hottest area in cancer. Excitement about the product is that it could be used with drugs currently on the market that do billions of dollars of sales, and provide better outcomes for patients, Steinberg said.

RH, formerly Restoration Hardware, came in second on the Bloomberg Bay Area stock index with a 181 percent gain for the year, thanks largely to whats known as financial engineering.

The furniture and home goods retailer has spent nearly $1 billion to buy back nearly half its stock. The buyback lifted the shares and dealt a blow to short-sellers who were betting heavily against the company. Wall Street doesnt necessarily reward innovation, the companys chief executive, Gary Friedman, told the Wall Street Journal. People are going to bet against us. Were going to bet on ourselves.

He added that the companys move away from promotions and improved operations led him to believe the stock was underpriced at around $40 per share. They started the year around $30 and closed at nearly $90.

Coming in third on Bloombergs list was Square, the mobile-payment platform that got a lift from a string of better-than-expected earnings topped off in mid-November by an announcement that it would let some users of its Square Cash app buy and sell bitcoins.

Align Technology of San Jose ranked ninth for the year in the Bay Area index and was on track to be the best-performing stock in the Standard & Poors 500 index but was edged out by NRG Energy. Align makes clear, removable appliances for straightening teeth, an increasingly popular alternative to traditional braces for both teens and adults.

Pandora Media was the worst-performing stock in the Bay Area index last year, having lost 63 percent of its value. The Oakland company is still the nations largest music-streaming service, but competition from Spotify and others has hurt advertising revenue. Its co-founder, Tim Westergren, resigned as chief executive in June amid a management shakeup.

The index does not yet include companies that went public in 2017, but if it had, Roku would have made the top 10. The company went public in September at $14 a share and closed the year at $51.78, up nearly 270 percent.

The Los Gatos company makes devices that let users stream content from services such as Netflix, HBO and others and has benefited from people cutting the cord or ditching their cable companies. It was the best performing IPO in the country last year if you exclude a pair of smaller biotech companies, said Kathleen Smith, a principal with Renaissance Capital.

Although most of Rokus revenue still comes from hardware, most of its profits are coming from advertising that plays before or during some streaming content, she added.

Smart Global Holdings of Newark, which makes computer memory products, also would have made the list, with a 206 percent return since its May IPO.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender

Win or lose in 2017

Top 10 stocks in the Bloomberg Bay Area stock index:

Company Total return Nektar Therapeutics 386.7% RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) 180.8 Square 154.4 Extreme Networks 148.9 Arista Networks 143.4 Hortonworks 142.0 Ultra Clean Holdings 138.04 RingCentral 134.95 Align Technology 131.13 Ichor Holdings 127.4

Bottom 10 stocks in the Bloomberg Bay Area stock index:

Company Total return Pandora Media -63.0% Depomed -55.3 ServiceSource International -45.6 Xperi -43.2 NeoPhotonics -39.1 Aduro Biotech -34.2 Finisar -32.8 Electronics for Imaging -32.7 Synaptics -25.5 Infinera -25.4

Source: BloombergOne nippy vacation night, we made a date to have early dinner with a friend at a Chinese restaurant. We were waiting in the lobby when she came downstairs from her apartment, wearing a jacket and over that, a fringed camel-colored cape. We walked together, about two blocks to the restaurant.

But as we approached, she realized she had somehow lost the wrap. Had she left it in the lobby when we paused to exchange greetings and holiday hugs? Shed gone back upstairs to retrieve her purse, which shed forgotten to bring; had she left the cape in her apartment? After dinner, we checked out both those possibilities, but were unable to find it. We said goodnight, and promised to keep our eyes open as we walked back to our car, which was parked on the other side of the restaurant.

On Columbus Avenue, we came upon a man of the streets rummaging through a curbside garbage can. On the sidewalk next to a storefront directly behind him lay our friends wrap. We paused, and my husband bent down to pick up the shawl. Leave it alone, shouted the man, hustling over from the garbage can, looking enraged, fierce and unpredictable. We scuttled away a few steps, looking at each other in astonishment, and trying to decide what to do.

The man hadnt stolen the shawl. Hed found it on the sidewalk, so it sure wasnt a case for the police. Maybe we could offer to buy it back from him. I approached him in what I hoped seemed a mannerly fashion, with $10 bill in hand. Perhaps he would sell it to me? But as soon as I started posing the question, he jumped onto the shawl  which was lying on the sidewalk, in a knot with a blanket I suppose hed been carrying around  and began berating me, in a tirade that led to an explosion of rage.

Ten dollars, he screamed. You f bitch! This is worth at least a hundred dollars! His vehemence boiled over unceasingly as I backed off. His anger  he was toothless, ragged, so out of control that I thought he might pull a knife  was terrifying.

So we fled up the street. I called our friend to tell her we had found the wrap, and to describe what happened. Shes a kind woman, but that shawl  Armani, cashmere  was her favorite piece of clothing, and she said at first it would have been worth $100 to have it back. I dont think we even had that much cash on us. But the truth, we admitted to her, is that we didnt even consider it. I was terrified when the man with the shawl had taken control of the scene by utilizing the only powers he had: his rage, our fear.

Besides, it was a cold night, and all three of us  husband, friend and I  understood that it would be immoral to grab a warm blanket away from someone whod probably spend the night sleeping on the sidewalk.

After a moment or two on the phone, our friend accepted that her loss was a Christmas gift to someone who needed it. After thinking about it for a few days, she said shed given gladly to charity without ever knowing how her dollars would be used; in this case, she was glad to have made someones night more comfortable. My online attempts to find a replacement were unsuccessful.

 Two women decked out in sequin-studded figure-skating costumes attended a Christmas Day showing of I, Tonya.

Cal Performances director Matias Tarnopolsky, standing at the entrance for a performance of Mark Morris magical satire The Hard Nut wielding an electronic ticket taker, declared it a stressful job  admitting, for example, that hed been unable to come up with an authoritative answer when one patron inquired about the availability of hot chocolate in the balcony cafe at Zellerbach  and vowed that, to teach his children what its like to work, he would have them wield the gizmo at a future performances.

And on the night of Friday, Dec. 29, John Burke was entranced by the projection he saw on the front of the Ferry Building, a two-word message that included an imperative verb and the name of the commander in chief.

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik

Public Eavesdropping

Hello. Yeah? Im calling to tell you not to call me anymore.

Young man on cell phone, overheard on Muni Metro by Mark HettsWASHINGTON - President Donald Trump escalated his war of words with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday evening, asserting that his "nuclear button" is "much bigger & more powerful" than the North Korean leader's and threatening that the U.S. arsenal "works."

Trump was responding to Kim's annual New Year's Day speech on Monday, during which the North Korean leader boasted that the United States is "within the range of our nuclear strike and a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office."

Trump said in his Tuesday tweet, "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

The exchange represents a ratcheting up of rhetoric, after Trump in recent months had adopted a measured approach to North Korea - relative to last summer, when he warned of "fire and fury" - at the urging of his national security team.

Earlier Tuesday, however, Trump revived his derisive nickname for Kim - "rocket man" - in response to signs of relaxed tensions between South Korea and North Korea. South Korea agreed to an offer from North Korea for the two countries to talk ahead of next month's Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. Kim said in his Monday address that he was willing to send a delegation of North Korean athletes to the Olympics.

In his Tuesday tweet, Trump wrote: "Sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!"

Trump's North Korea comments came on a busy day of tweeting for the president, who called for the Justice Department to prosecute and perhaps jail Hillary Clinton adviser Huma Abedin and former FBI director James B. Comey; threatened to strip funding for the Palestinians; encouraged protesters in Iran; took credit for the safety record of commercial airlines; and attacked the news media.Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University, Uttar Pradesh has postponed the exam dates for Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Exam UPSEE 2018.

The entrance exam for UG Engineering and Technical Admissions will be conducted on April 29 while the entrance exam for PG admissions will be conducted on May 5 and May 6.

It is speculated that the new schedule has been released keeping in mind the JEE Main 2018 exam which is scheduled for April 8.

Important dates:

Opening of online application form: 3rd week of January

Closing of online application form: 4th week of March

Last date for payment submission: 4th week of March

Corrections in filled-in application form: 4th week of March

Availability of admit card: 1st week of April

Entrance examination date: 29th April (for UG) and 5th & 6th May (for PG)

Announcement of results: 4th week of May

UPSEE 2018 Counseling: 4th week of June

The registration process for UPSEE 2018 is going to begin this month, therefore candidates seeking admissions to engineering and technical institutions that come under the Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University, Uttar Pradesh must check the link below.

https://upsee.nic.in/publicinfo/Handler/FileHandler.ashx?i=File&ii=214&iii=Y

UPSEE 2018 will be conducted in both online and offline modes and will comprise of objective type questions carrying 4 mark each.

In the official notice, the University has also requested institutes and colleges in the state to not schedule any semester/entrance exam/competitive examination on the mentioned dates.

The question paper of UPSEE 2018 is objective in nature and for each correct response a candidate is awarded 4 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect response.

Earlier schedule:

The entrance exam for B.Tech and other professional bachelor degree programs was earlier scheduled for April 15 but will now be conducted on April 29. The entrance exam for PG course was earlier scheduled for April 21 and April 22

Read: Uttarakhand madarsas proposes to begin Sanskrit as a subject

Read: CBSE Class 10, Class 12 date sheet 2018: To be released in the first week of January

For more updates, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.comBy Arunav Sinha Lucknow, Jan 3 (PTI) Nearly 2,300 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh run the risk of losing their recognition for not submitting their details on the website of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Board, UP minority welfare minister said today. The states minority welfare department is considering a proposal to treat these Islamic institutions as "fake", UP Minority Welfare Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said. "In Uttar Pradesh, there are 19,108 madrassas, which have been recognised by the state Madrasa Board. Of these, 16,808 madrassas have submitted their information on the website of the board. There are no details submitted by nearly 2,300 madrassas," Chaudhary told PTI in an interview here. "Now where are these madrassas? We are considering them as fake. There is a possibility that action may taken against these madrassas by end of January," Chaudhary said. However, he added, the state government will wait till month-end for the madrassas to furnish information on this regard. "The government-recognised madrassas, which have not furnished their relevant details on the website can approach the government in case they face any difficulty. If they tell us their problems, we may help in resolving them," he said. With that said, the minister also made it clear that no student of the registered madrassa will be deprived of the opportunity to appear for any examination. "We had extended the last date for submission of details by madrassas on the web portal of the department a number of times. Dates were extended on July 15, 2017, July 30, 2017 and on August 15, 2017. But, surprisingly no student, teacher, principal or manager of any of the 2,300 madrassas approached us," Chaudhary said.

Taking a jibe at opposition parties for blaming the UP government and giving the matter a political twist, he said the aim of the government is to ensure proper education system in madrassas. "The aim is to ensure there is no exploitation of teachers and other staff and that the scholarship is directly transferred to the account of the students," he said. The minister noted that the present government has "effectively rendered the mafia useless" by putting a stop to the old practice of money being transferred from a district minority officer to the account of madrassa management.

He also pointed out a Rs 20 crore madrassa-related scam in Shahjahanpur district, adding that a vigilance probe has been ordered into it. "It also came to our notice that one student was enrolled at more than one madrassa. Similarly, there were teachers who were relatives of the madrassa management members," the minority welfare minister said. On the issue of non-disbursement of salaries to teachers of some madrassas, Chaudhary said: "In the state, there are 560 government-funded madrassas and the funds for these have reached the respective districts. In 46 madrassas, the disbursement of salary to 298 teachers and employees is affected for various reasons." "The disputes pertain to that of management, recognition and building parameters. The director of the department has been asked to resolve the dispute within a month. Once the disputes are resolved, the salary will be disbursed," he said. Chaudhary asserted that the intention of the government is not to stop the salary of anyone.

Meanwhile, registrar of Madrasa Board Rahul Gupta said, "The deadline to submit information on the departmental website has expired. As a result, the registration of 2,300 madrassas will be cancelled." "This year, as many as 3,691 aaliya level (above class 8th) madrassas have been registered. Students of these madrassas will be allowed to sit in board examination. The last date to fill examination form is January 15," he said.

However, the Teachers Association Madaris-e-Arabia (a body of madrassa teachers) demanded that before taking any action against madrassas, their background should be verified.

"We demand from the state government that it should seek information from the respective district minority officer as to how many madrassas have submitted their details to the office of district minority officer, and of these how many have submitted the information on the web portal.

"Only then a clear picture will emerge," Association general secretary Diwan Sahab Zama said. PTI NAV SMI MGLike so many throughout San Francisco, we grieve profoundly at the loss of Mayor Ed Lee, our citys first Asian American mayor, a lifelong public servant and champion for civil rights, women and economic opportunity for all.

As our city moves forward in this time of transition, we are led by acting Mayor London Breed, an experienced and inspiring African American woman born and raised in San Francisco.

As womens rights activists who have participated on the front lines of leading resistance efforts, #Metoo, We Said Enough and winning elections, we are concerned that right here in our own city, there is an effort to tear down a strong female leader. The very morning after Mayor Lees tragic death, we began hearing the calls to ignore the City Charter and depose Breed.

Like acting Mayor Dianne Feinstein in 1978, when she steadied a shaken city following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, Breed is the acting mayor because she is the elected president of the Board of Supervisors. The City Charter, mandated by the voters, is crystal clear about this succession process. And the supervisors knew this when they voted to elect Breed to serve as president of the board in 2015 and again in 2017.

Some proposed to install a caretaker mayor for the next six months, as if an unelected caretaker with zero accountability to the voters is more qualified to lead our city than the woman elected supervisor twice by the voters of her district and re-elected board president unanimously just last year. Sadly, it comes as no surprise that most of the names floated to supplant acting Mayor Breed have been white men.

The caretaker advocates claim they are seeking a level playing field. But we see this as turning back the clock. This type of backroom deal is a power grab that voters and our representatives on the Board on the Supervisors should reject.

In this time of transition, San Francisco needs an experienced, accountable and elected leader. Fortunately, we have exactly that in acting Mayor Breed. The Board of Supervisors should name her interim mayor, per the City Charter, until the voters have their say in the election this June.

As far as the impact on the June 2018 mayors race  in which neither of us has made an endorsement  three people who are household names have already pulled papers, and all candidates will have the opportunity to make their case before the voters.

We urge the supervisors to uphold the transparent and unanimous election they already held when they elected London Breed president of the board in 2016. Tell your supervisor to keep Breed as mayor until the voters decide in June. Tell them the women of San Francisco are watching. And we will remember.

Christine Pelosi is the chairwoman of the California Democratic Party Womens Caucus. Lateefah Simon serves on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Rapid Transit district.Joaquin Jr. Ontiveros was born just two minutes before the strike of midnight on Dec. 31, 2017. His twin sister, Aitana de Jesus Ontiveros, arrived the next year.

The Ontiveros' fate had nothing to do with a prolonged labor nor a scientific anomaly. It was all a matter of time.Jacom Stephens/Getty Images

A sedan crashed into a guardrail on an on-ramp to Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek Wednesday morning, leaving the driver dead and sending the passenger to the hospital with major injuries, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The car, a grey Toyota sedan, was traveling on the North Main Street on-ramp to northbound I-680 when it veered to the right for unknown reasons, according to the CHP. The car slammed into the guardrail bordering the freeway, killing the driver.Ron Chapple/Getty Image

A man who was initially apprehended for peeping on an 11-year-old girl in her bedroom in Santa Rosa was later arrested for sexual assault after explicit messages exchanged between the two on Snapchat were found by the girls father, police said.

The man was first arrested on Dec. 21 when the father called police at 2:30 a.m. to report a man in his backyard shining a flashlight into his daughters bedroom. Responding officers stopped a car being driven without its headlights on, and the driver was arrested once the father identified him as the peeper.It was just one rat, but that was enough to ground an Alaskan Airlines flight out of Oakland on Tuesday.

Flight 915 from Oakland International Airport to Portland was boarding at 8:30 a.m. when the rat was seen hopping into the aircraft, airline officials said. The flight, which was scheduled to depart at 9:15 a.m., was canceled and all passengers on board were deplaned.In 2017 San Francisco lost its mayor, gained a skyscraper, welcomed immigrants, turned away pumas and became a battleground of political ideologies. San Franciscans protested and rallied, talked and tweeted. They also read.

What can be said of a city based on the books it read in a year such as this?

SFGATE asked the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) for a list of the most checked-out books in 2017.

San Franciscans  at least those with library cards  cared about 2017 talkers like civil rights and immigration. They also brushed up on Bay Area history, though they turned to Japan for tidying techniques. The 29th books of two crime novelists made the top 10 of most-read adult books, as did the debut novel of a Vietnamese immigrant and the tale of a young Nazi. Notably, authors of color dominate the ranking.

See the full ranking in the above slideshow.

It wasn't just paperbound books that were lent and returned. SFPL also crunched the numbers on e-books, audiobooks and a new addition to its hallowed literary halls  vinyl. "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doer was the top fiction e-book and Colson Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad" was the most popular fiction audiobook.

And, in confirmation of the many tastes of this diverse city, Fleetwood Mac's classic "Rumours" album proved most popular in the records rental department. Also on the list? Hits by David Bowie, Joy Division and Drake.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.Airbnb Inc. defeated a lawsuit by Apartment Investment & Management Co., one of the largest residential landlords in the country, alleging that the online home-sharing marketplace enables tenants to break their lease agreements through unauthorized sublets.

A federal judge in Los Angeles agreed with Airbnb that its insulated from the claims by the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that shields online service providers from liability for the content users post.

Here, what allegedly makes the listings unlawful, illegal, or offending is that they advertise rentals that violate Aimcos lease agreements, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee said in a Dec. 29 ruling. Airbnb hosts, not Airbnb, are responsible for providing the actual listing information.

Aimco, based in Denver, sued Airbnb last year, claiming that tenants at its high-end apartment complexes in Los Angeles, where a unit can rent for as much as $17,000 a month, have been complaining about noisy Airbnb tourists taking over the common areas. Aimco said it had to hire more security staff to monitor its properties and to track down and evict illegal Airbnb guests.

Airbnb, which has about 4 million listings worldwide, has said it doesnt specifically track the number of sublets advertised on its site. Its terms of service require hosts to follow local laws and regulations and to pledge that their bookings will not breach any agreements with third parties.

The San Francisco company has argued that most short-term rental activity is innocent, with people renting their primary homes to make ends meet. Since the startup was founded in 2008, landlords have argued that it violates zoning laws and operates as an illegal hotel. Critics have also said abundant short-term rentals drive up housing costs and disrupt neighborhoods.

We are pleased with the courts decision that ensures Airbnb can continue to support tenant hosts who use our platform to help pay the bills, Airbnb spokesman Nick Papas said in an email touting the companys Friendly Buildings Program. The partnerships we have established with landlords have made it clear that home sharing can be a win-win situation for everyone.

Representatives of Aimco had no immediate comment on the ruling. The company also filed a separate lawsuit against Airbnb in Florida.

Edvard Pettersson is a Bloomberg writer. Email: epettersson@bloomberg.netBitcoin is losing its luster with some of its earliest and most avid fans  criminals  giving rise to a new breed of virtual currency.

Privacy coins such as monero, designed to avoid tracking, have climbed faster over the past two months as law enforcers adopt software tools to monitor people using bitcoin. A slew of analytic firms such as Chainalysis are getting better at flagging digital hoards linked to crime or money laundering, alerting exchanges and preventing conversion into traditional cash.

The European Unions law enforcement agency, Europol, raised alarms three months ago, writing in a report that other cryptocurrencies such as monero, ethereum and Zcash are gaining popularity within the digital underground. Online extortionists, who use ransomware to lock victims computers until they fork over a payment, have begun demanding those currencies instead. On Dec. 18, hackers attacked up to 190,000 WordPress sites per hour to get them to produce monero, according to security company Wordfence.

For ransomware attacks, monero is now one of the favorites, if not the favorite, Matt Suiche, founder of Dubai security firm Comae Technologies, said in a phone interview.

Monero quadrupled in value to $349 in the final two months of 2017, according to the Coin Market Cap website, placing it among a number of upstart coins that that rose faster than bitcoin, the worlds most valuable digital currency. Bitcoin roughly doubled in the same period.

In moneros case, criminals are snapping it up because bitcoins underlying technology can work against them. Called blockchain, the digital ledger meticulously records which addresses send and receive transactions, including the exact time and amount  great data to use as evidence. Match an address to a crime and then watch the bitcoin universe carefully, and you can see the funds disappear and reappear in other locations.

Sleuths have developed databases and techniques for digesting that information to eventually nab wrongdoers. Say, for example, a coffee shop in Berkeley is known to have a certain bitcoin address, and a wallet used by an extortionist transfers the same amount there every day at 9 a.m. Police can stop by and make an arrest.

Monero, created in 2014, is very different. It encrypts the recipients address on its blockchain and generates fake addresses to obscure the real sender. It also obscures the amount of the transaction.

The techniques are so potent that software that flags coins suspected of being obtained through crime now tags just about anything converted into or out of monero as high risk, according to Pawel Kuskowski, chief executive officer of Coinfirm, which helps exchanges and other companies avoid tainted money. That compares with only about 10 percent of bitcoin, he said.

What we treat as high risk is something thats anonymizing funds, he said in a phone interview. How are you going to prove that these funds are not coming from illegal sources?

Monero is one of many privacy-focused coins, each offering different security features. Its main competitor, Zcash  which isnt known to have a significant criminal following  can offer even better privacy protection. Instead of creating fake addresses to hide senders, it encrypts their true address. That makes it impossible to identify senders by looking for correlations in addresses used in lots of transactions to pinpoint the real one  a vulnerability for monero.

However, Princeton University researchers recently developed a tool that helps them analyze Zcash transactions at least to some extent  but they havent been able to crack monero. And Zcash high-security features cant be used on disposable burner phones, a favorite of criminals eager to stay anonymous.

Developers behind monero say they simply created a coin that protects privacy. Most people use it legitimately  they just dont want others to know whether theyre buying a coffee or a car, Riccardo Spagni, core developer at monero, said in a phone interview.

As a community, we certainly dont advocate for moneros use by criminals, Spagni said. At the same time, if you have a decentralized currency, its not like you can prevent someone from using it. I imagine that monero provides massive advantages for criminals over bitcoin, so they would use monero.

Yet criminals are probably only a fraction of moneros users, according to Lucas Nuzzi, a senior analyst at Digital Asset Research, which provides research to institutional investors.

As with any disruptive technology, many of the initial use cases revolve around illicit activities, he wrote in an email. But as everyday people grow concerned about privacy and surveillance, there is utility in these currencies that go beyond just a means of exchange for illicit goods.

Olga Kharif is a Bloomberg writer. Email: okharif@bloomberg.netCOPENHAGEN  A Danish biotechnology company is trying to fight climate change  one laundry load at a time. Its secret weapon: mushrooms like those in a dormant forest outside Copenhagen.

In the quest for a more environmentally friendly detergent, two scientists at Novozymes trudge through the mud, hunting for oyster mushrooms that protrude from a fallen beech or bracken fungi that feast on tough plant fibers. They are studying the enzymes in mushrooms that speed up chemical reactions or natural processes such as decay.

There is a lot going on here, if you know what to look for, said Mikako Sasa, one of the Novozymes scientists.

Their work is helping the company develop enzymes for laundry and dishwasher detergents that would require less water, or that would work just as effectively at lower temperatures. The energy savings could be significant. Washing machines, for instance, account for more than 6 percent of household electricity use in the European Union.

Enlisting enzymes to battle dirt is not a new strategy. Over thousands of years, mushrooms and their fungi cousins have evolved into masters at nourishing themselves on dying trees, fallen branches and other materials. They break down these difficult materials by secreting enzymes into their hosts. Even before anyone knew what enzymes were, they were used in brewing and cheese-making, among other activities.

In 1833, French scientists isolated an enzyme for the first time. Known as diastase, it broke starch down into sugars. By the early 20th century, a German chemist had commercialized the technology, selling a detergent that included enzymes extracted from the guts of cows.

Novozymes and its rivals have developed a catalog of enzymes over the years, supplying them to consumer goods giants such as Unilever and Procter & Gamble.

At the companys low-slung 1960s-style offices, scientists in white lab coats and armed with miniature washing machines test new enzyme combinations on doll-size cutouts of clothing. To test a products stain-fighting prowess, they import samples from around the world, such as greasy collars and yellow armpit stains.

Modern detergents contain as many as eight enzymes. In 2016, Novozymes generated about $2.2 billion in revenue and provided enzymes for detergents including Tide, Ariel and Seventh Generation.

The quantity of enzymes required in a detergent is relatively small compared with chemical alternatives, an appealing quality for customers looking for more natural ingredients. A tenth of a teaspoon of enzymes in a typical European laundry load cuts by half the amount of soap from petrochemicals or palm oil in a detergent.

Enzymes are also well suited to helping cut energy consumption. They are often found in relatively cool environments, such as forests and oceans. As a result of that low natural temperature, they do not require the heat and pressure typically used in washing machines and other laundry processes.

So consumers can reduce the temperatures on their washing machines while ensuring that their shirts stay lily white. Lowering the temperature on a washing machine cycle to cold water from 104 degrees Fahrenheit reduces energy consumption by at least half, according to the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products.

We think there are a lot of systems and processes in nature that are extremely resource efficient, said Gerard Bos, director of the global business and biodiversity program at the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Switzerland. In nature, there is basically no waste. Every material gets reused.

In 2009, Novozymes scientists teamed up with Procter & Gamble to develop an enzyme that could be used in liquid detergents for cold-water washes. Researchers started with an enzyme from soil bacteria in Turkey, and used genetic engineering to make it more closely resemble a substance found in cool seawater. When they found the right formula, they called the enzyme Everest, a reference to the scale of the task.

We knew this was something that consumers would want, said Phil Souter, associate director of Procter & Gambles research and development unit in England. I think this is a very tangible and practical way people can make a difference in their everyday lives.

Next, they found a way to mass-produce the enzyme. Novozymes implanted the newly developed products DNA into a batch of microbial hosts used to cultivate large volumes of enzymes quickly and at low cost. The enzymes were then brewed in large, closely monitored tanks before being sold.

The result: a crucial ingredient in detergents like Tide Cold Water.

This is biotechnology on a very large scale, said Jes Bo Tobiassen, the manager of a Novozymes manufacturing facility in Kalundborg, a small coastal city in Denmark.

As it researches new enzymes, Novozymes is trying to reach consumers in fast-growing economies, like China.

In much of the developed world, laundry habits are relatively entrenched. Europeans tend to use front-loading washers, which are far more efficient in energy and water use than the top-loaders favored in the United States.

But in China, members of the growing middle class like Shen Hang are upgrading washing machines and turning to more expensive, higher-quality detergents. While Chinese consumers are among the worlds most frequent and fastidious washers of clothes, according to Novozymes researchers, they are not as set in their ways.

Shen recently bought an efficient front-loading washer-dryer. But he has struggled to find a detergent that can get his sweat-stained shirt collars clean.

He uses two types of bleach, one for white clothes and one for colored. If they do not work, he manually rubs the stains with his hands. He repeats that cycle three times a week.

Sensing an opportunity, Novozymes commercial teams have pushed the companys scientists to create enzymes that would perform better in the bleach-filled washes favored in China.

A newly developed enzyme named Progress Uno is being added to liquid detergents manufactured by Liby, a Chinese company.

At this point, Chinese consumers mostly wash at low temperatures. But Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO of Novozymes, worries that could change as wealth in China grows. People did the same in the West in the decades after World War II, Nielsen said.

But if, thanks to enzyme development, that transition can be avoided, that would be a phenomenal sustainability story, he said. It is going to save so much water, and so much energy.

Stanley Reed is a New York Times writer.Lieutenant-governor (L-G) Anil Baijal has directed Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain to include 'income criteria' in Aam Adam Party (AAP) government's ambitious scheme 'quality healthcare for all'.

Recently, the Delhi government had passed this healthcare scheme, which was further sent to the L-G for approval. Slamming the L-G's suggestion, Jain said that the objections raised - without discussing with the chief minister - were completely meaningless.

Jain said: "The objections raised by LG are such that if accepted, it will render the whole scheme unworkable. He has directed the health department to include income criteria for people to avail benefits under the 'quality healthcare for all' scheme."

Under scheme, the Delhi government has proposed that if a government hospital cannot get a patient's tests done for whatever reasons, the patient can approach any of the 67 private labs/hospitals, which have been empanelled for this purpose and the government will pay the costs. According to Jain,

"If the income criteria is introduced, patients would face endless harassment. Also, in many diseases, the timely treatment is necessary. Precious time would be wasted in obtaining income certificate, which could be fatal in some diseases or could lead to irreversible medical condition." Health minister also pointed out that if income criteria were introduced as desired by the L-G, it will not only kill the scheme, but it will also kill already successfully running mohalla clinics and polyclinics.Music streaming company Spotify has confidentially filed to go public  moving forward with an unusual plan to list its shares directly on the New York Stock Exchange  even as it faces a new $1.6 billion lawsuit alleging copyright infringement.

Wixen Music Publishing is suing Spotify, alleging that the company violated its copyright on more than 10,000 songs.

A lawsuit of this nature could scare potential investors, upset existing investors and lower the companys market value.

Spotify confidentially filed paperwork for an initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday. Axios first reported news of the filing.

Instead of a traditional initial public offering, Spotify plans to list its shares directly on the NYSE without raising capital or issuing new shares. That unusual move would enable Spotify to go public while saving money on the underwriting fees that companies typically pay to investment banks when they hold an IPO.

Founded in Sweden in 2008, Spotify is one of the worlds largest music streaming services. It has a catalog of more than 30 million songs, more than 60 million paying users and more than 140 million total users. It is available in 61 countries.

In 2017, in preparation for going public this year, the company reached multiyear licensing agreements with record labels including Sony, Universal, Warner and Merlin.

But now it needs to deal with Wixens lawsuit. At the heart of the suit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, is Wixens allegation that Spotify did not obtain one of two licenses required to distribute music.

Under the Copyright Act, there are two separate copyrights to every recorded song: one for the sound recording (this revenue typically goes to the record label) and one for the musical composition (this revenue typically goes to the publisher and songwriter). The lawsuit alleges that Spotify took a shortcut and did not obtain the musical composition copyright for 10,784 songs published by Wixen.

The lawsuit alleges that Spotify outsourced its copyright responsibility to a third party, Harry Fox Agency, which was ill-equipped to obtain all the necessary mechanical licenses. It also alleges that Spotify knew the agency did not possess the infrastructure to obtain the required mechanical licenses, that it knew it didnt hold the licenses required to stream certain songs, and that it continued anyway.

Spotify did not respond to a request for comment.

Wixen handles titles by Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Tom Petty, the Doors, and Weezers Rivers Cuomo, among others. In its lawsuit, it said its songs have been downloaded or streamed billions of times through Spotify, and that it received no revenue for that.

Spotify has built a billion-dollar business on the backs of songwriters and publishers whose music Spotify is using, in many cases without obtaining and paying for the necessary licenses, the lawsuit says.

Tracey Lien and Ryan Faughnder are Los Angeles Times writers.Vice Media placed its president, Andrew Creighton, and its chief digital officer, Mike Germano, on leave after sexual harassment allegations were reported against them in a New York Times investigation that detailed the treatment of women at the company.

Vice employees learned of the moves in a memo Tuesday morning.

Sarah Broderick, Vices chief operating officer and chief financial officer, said in the memo that a board committee is reviewing the facts related to a $135,000 settlement Creighton had reached in 2016 with a former employee, who claimed that she was fired after she rejected an intimate relationship with him, according to people briefed on the matter and documents seen by the Times.

The committee plans to make a recommendation to senior management before the companys Jan. 11 board meeting, and Creighton will remain on leave until then, Broderick said.

Broderick said that the allegations involving the 2016 settlement had been reviewed at the time by an independent law firm, the claim was found to lack merit, and the company had settled to avoid the expense and distraction of litigation.

In an earlier statement, Creighton apologized and said that he and the woman had been close friends and that they were occasionally intimate once she had begun working at Vice Media. He said he was not involved in the decision to let her go.

Vice also said that Germano would remain out of the office pending investigations by the human resources department and an outside investigator into claims against him. Among the allegations against Germano are that he told a former employee at a holiday party in 2012 that he had not wanted to hire her because he wanted to have sex with her.

The Times investigation, published on Dec. 23, found four settlements involving allegations of sexual harassment or defamation against Vice employees, including Creighton. In addition, more than two dozen women said they had experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct at the company, including unwanted kisses, groping, lewd remarks and propositions for sex.

On Tuesday, Broderick outlined a series of initiatives that she said were designed to ensure all our employees feel respected and supported. Those include the hiring of a new head of human resources, mandatory sexual harassment training for all employees and new community efforts, including the creation of affinity groups and mentoring.

Vice got its start in 1994 as a free magazine in Montreal. Over the years it has grown into a global company with 3,000 employees, a television network, a digital presence and its own film-production company.

Emily Steel is a New York Times writer.What vehicle is most strongly associated with Republican voting districts? Extended-cab pickup trucks. For Democratic districts? Sedans.

Those conclusions may not be particularly surprising. After all, market researchers and political analysts have studied such things for decades.

But what is surprising is how researchers working on an ambitious project based at Stanford University reached those conclusions: by analyzing 50 million images and location data from Google Street View, the street-scene feature of the online giants mapping service.

For the first time, helped by recent advances in artificial intelligence, researchers are able to analyze large quantities of images, pulling out data that can be sorted and mined to predict things like income, political leanings and buying habits. In the Stanford study, computers collected details about cars in the millions of images it processed, including makes and models.

All of a sudden, we can do the same kind of analysis on images that we have been able to do on text, said Erez Lieberman Aiden, a computer scientist who heads a genomic research center at the Baylor School of Medicine. He provided advice on one aspect of the Stanford project.

For computers, as for humans, reading and observation are two distinct ways to understand the world, Lieberman Aiden said. In that sense, he said, computers dont have one hand tied behind their backs anymore.

Text has been easier for artificial intelligence to handle, because words have discrete characters  26 letters, in the case of English. That makes it much closer to the natural language of computers than the freehand chaos of imagery. But image recognition technology, much of it developed by major technology companies, has improved greatly in recent years.

The Stanford project gives a glimpse at the potential. By pulling the vehicles makes, models and years from the images, and then linking that information with other data sources, the project was able to predict factors like pollution and voting patterns at the neighborhood level.

This kind of social analysis using image data is a new tool to draw insights, said Timnit Gebru, who led the Stanford research effort. The research has been published in stages, the most recent in late November in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In the end, the car-image project involved 50 million images of street scenes gathered from Google Street View. In them, 22 million cars were identified, and then classified into more than 2,600 categories like their make and model, located in more than 3,000 ZIP codes and 39,000 voting districts.

But first, a database curated by humans had to train the artificial intelligence software to understand the images.

The researchers recruited hundreds of people to pick out and classify cars in a sample of millions of pictures. Some of the online contractors did simple tasks like identifying the cars in images. Others were car experts who knew nuances like the subtle difference in the taillights on the 2007 and 2008 Honda Accords.

Collecting and labeling a large data set is the most painful thing you can do in our field, said Gebru, who received her doctorate from Stanford in September and now works for Microsoft Research.

But without experiencing that data-wrangling work, she added, you dont understand what is impeding progress in (artificial intelligence) in the real world.

Once the car-image engine was built, its speed and predictive accuracy was impressive. It successfully classified the cars in the 50 million images in two weeks. That task would take a human expert, spending 10 seconds per image, more than 15 years.

Identifying so many car images in such detail was a technical feat. But it was linking that new data set to public collections of socioeconomic and environmental information, and then tweaking the software to spot patterns and correlations, that makes the Stanford project part of what computer scientists see as the broader application of image data.

There has been an explosion of computer vision research, but so far the societal impact has been largely absent, said Serge Belongie, a computer scientist at Cornell Tech. Being able to identify what is in a photo is not science that advances our understanding of the world.

The Stanford car project generated a host of intriguing connections, not so much startling revelations. In the most recent paper, and one published earlier in the year by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, these were among the predictive correlations:

 The system was able to accurately predict income, race, education and voting patterns at the ZIP code and precinct level in cities across the country.

 Car attributes (including mpg ratings) found that the greenest city in America is Burlington, Vt., while Casper, Wyo., produces the most carbon per capita.

 Chicago has the highest level of income segregation, with large clusters of expensive and cheap cars in different neighborhoods; Jacksonville, Fla., is the least segregated by income.

 San Francisco has the highest percentage of foreign cars. New York has the most expensive cars. El Paso, Texas, has the highest percentage of Hummers.

Other researchers have used Google Street View data for visual clues for factors that influence urban development, ethnic shifts in local communities and public health. But the Stanford project appears to have used the most Street View images in the most detailed analysis so far.

The significance of the project, experts say, is a proof of concept  that new information can be gleaned from visual data with artificial intelligence software and plenty of human help.

The role of such research, they say, will be mainly to supplement traditional information sources like the governments American Community Survey, the household surveys conducted by the Census Bureau.

This kind of research, if it expands, will raise issues of data access and privacy. The Stanford project only made predictions about neighborhoods, not about individuals. But privacy concerns about Street View pictures have been raised in Germany and elsewhere. Google says it handles research requests for access to large amounts of its image data on a case-by-case basis.

Onboard cameras in cars are just beginning, as auto companies seek to develop self-driving cars. Will some of the vast amounts of image data they collect be available for research or kept proprietary?

Kenneth Wachter, a professor of demography at UC Berkeley, said image-based studies could be a big help now that public response rates to sample surveys are declining. An artificial-intelligence-assisted visual census, he said, could fill in gaps in the current data, but also provide more timely insights than the traditional census, conducted every 10 years, on hot topics in public policy like the geography and evolution of disadvantage and opportunity.

To Nikhil Naik, a computer scientist and research fellow at Harvard who has used Street View images in the study of urban environments, the Stanford project points toward the future of image-fueled research.

For the first time in history, we have the technology to extract insights from very large amounts of visual data, Naik said. But while the technology is exciting, computer scientists need to work closely with social scientists and others to make sure its useful.

Steve Lohr is a New York Times writer.This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

Flight crews somehow manage to stay energized and focused throughout long plane rides and often across time zones, defying the odds of jet lag. So we asked five experienced flight crew members  three flight attendants and two pilots  to share their secrets for managing travel-induced exhaustion.

It turns out that most of their strategies, including eating protein and making sure to hydrate, can be used by the rest of us, too.

 MORE: Looking to save for your dream vacation? NerdWallet can help

1. Eat frequent healthy snacks

For Kara Mulder  a private-jet flight attendant based out of Los Angeles who shares travel tips on her website, theflightattendantlife.com  the key to keeping her energy up even after a 3 a.m. wake-up call is packing snacks. I take protein shakes with me and put them together before the passengers get there, then I take swigs of that, she says.

Otherwise, she says she often forgets to eat amid the stress of the job. Or else I get candy in the galley, which causes a crash, so making sure I have something with protein is best, she adds. Packing your own snacks can also help reduce food costs.

2. Hydrate with lots of water

Madeleine Schneider-Weiffenbach, a licensed pilot and travel blogger at pilotmadeleine.de based out of Malta, says she drinks glass after glass of sparkling water, a habit she attributes to her German roots, although she adds that regular water would probably work just as well. She also avoids alcohol and exercises almost daily (while drinking more water).

Kiki Ward  a flight attendant based out of Detroit and creator of the flight attendant job advice website flightattendantcareer.com  says that even when shes a passenger on an airplane, if she drinks alcohol, then she alternates each cocktail or glass of wine with a glass of water. Never underestimate the power of consuming as much water as possible while flying, she says.

Dubai-based flight attendant Rachel Warren Wilson, creator of the travel website thedubaidiaries.me, recommends carrying a reusable bottle, which she does whether shes flying as part of the crew or as a passenger. I refill it with plain water all the time and make sure its within easy reach all the time, she says, adding that she drinks up to 3 liters on a six-hour flight.

3. Embrace your new time zone

Mulder and Schneider-Weiffenbach both say that forcing themselves to stay awake during the daytime of their new time zone helps combat jet lag. Sometimes its hard if you arrive in New York City very early and need to stay awake all day, says Schneider-Weiffenbach, but she knows shell feel better if she syncs to the new time zone as quickly as possible.

Ward adds that she quickly resets all of her personal devices, including her watch, to reflect the new time. You have to mentally be there to avoid feeling jet-lagged, she says. Once she lands, she resists the temptation to nap and eats her meals on the new schedule, even trying not to think about what time it is back home.

4. Caffeinate strategically

While drinking too much caffeine can lead to the jitters or an energy crash later, Wilson says some amount is essential at times. On a particularly long flight or an overnight flight, she turns to coffee for an added boost. In her off-time, she prefers tea, which helps her feel at home wherever she is in the world.

5. Pack vitamins and avoid germs

Patrick Biedenkapp  a Berlin-based pilot who shares his travel tips on his blog, www.pilotpatrick.com  says he packs Vitamin D pills in the winter to help compensate for lack of sunshine, as well as turmeric water and spirulina, which he says help him stay healthy. To minimize the risk of germs, he frequently uses antibacterial hand gel and avoids turning on hotel room air conditioners, which he says spread germs.

6. Cultivate a sense of gratitude

Mostly its a mental attitude, Mulder says of the ability to power through tiring days on little sleep. I acknowledge Im super lucky to have the job I have. Theres an element of gratitude: Youre here, so show up, she says. Plus, she adds, she knows that eventually shell make it back to her bed again. She tells herself: Its temporary. Youll get through this.

When it comes to travel for pleasure, that gratitude can be for the opportunity to visit new places  something that not everyone gets to experience.

With these traveling tips in mind, youll be better able to tackle a full day of sightseeing after stumbling off a transatlantic red-eye.

Kimberly Palmer is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer.

The article 6 Secrets From Flight Crews to Stave Off Travel Exhaustion originally appeared on NerdWallet.A 36-year-old man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being shot Tuesday afternoon in San Franciscos Bayview, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 1:30 p.m. on the unit block of Doublerock Street, according to the San Francisco Police Department.A sexual assault was reported at a San Jose middle school early Tuesday, officials said, prompting police to seek the publics help in identifying the suspect.

An adult female employee was sexually assaulted and robbed inside a classroom at Harker Middle School around 6:30 Tuesday morning, police said. The school is located at 3800 Blackford Ave.The California Supreme Court appeared to be closely divided Wednesday on whether a voter-approved state law requiring police to take DNA samples of anyone arrested for a felony violates the right of privacy.

Justice Ming Chin took the side of state lawyers in support of the law, saying the genetic material helps police solve crimes and uncover a suspects criminal record.

You can change the color of your hair. You can have plastic surgery. You cannot change your DNA, Chin said during a one-hour hearing in San Francisco.

But Justice Goodwin Liu said many people arrested on felony charges in California are never convicted  60,000 in 2016, about one-third of those arrested  and yet their DNA may remain in law enforcement records. Defendants must request its removal, then it is deleted only if they are acquitted or a prosecutor agrees to remove it after charges are dropped.

You can imagine what kind of communities will be affected, Liu said, referring to minorities.

Questions by other justices raised the prospect of three court votes on each side, with the most noncommittal justice, Leondra Kruger, potentially casting the deciding vote. A ruling is due within 90 days.

The law was passed by voters in 2004 and took effect in 2009. It expanded previous laws, not challenged in this case, that allowed police to take DNA from convicted felons and from suspects with felony records. The genetic samples, from swabs on an inner cheek, are forwarded to a database accessible to state and local police and the FBI.

A state appeals court ruled the law unconstitutional in 2011 and reaffirmed its conclusion even after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 upheld a Maryland law requiring DNA samples from anyone charged with a serious felony. The state court noted that the California law is broader than Marylands  it applies to all felonies, and requires DNA collection before a suspect has appeared in court  and that California also has a far-reaching state constitutional right to privacy.

The states high court granted review sought by prosecutors of Mark Buza, who refused to give a DNA sample after he was arrested in January 2009 for setting fire to a San Francisco police car.

Buza was convicted of arson and served 16 months in state prison. His appeal challenged only the separate misdemeanor conviction and six-month sentence he was given for refusing to provide DNA.

Buzas lawyer, J. Bradley OConnell of the First District Appellate Project, told the court Wednesday that the California privacy right, approved by state voters in 1972, was intended to protect individuals against this type of government stockpiling of information. DNA isnt used to identify suspects, he said, but to delve into their backgrounds.

What use is served by DNA matching that isnt already served by fingerprinting? asked Dennis Perluss, a state appeals court justice temporarily assigned to the court for the case, filling a vacancy caused by the retirement of Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar.

The purpose is to learn if the suspects DNA has shown up at other crime scenes, and to help prosecutors decide whether to seek additional charges or higher bail, replied the states lawyer, Deputy Solicitor General Michael Mongan.

DNA profiles are more precise and accurate than fingerprints, Mongan said. Pressed by other justices on the difficulty of removing from the records DNA samples of suspects who are never convicted, he said there was no constitutional right to erase data that had been lawfully collected.

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye noted that Buzas arson crime would have been covered by the Maryland DNA law upheld by the nations high court.

Based on that, Im not sure how you win a challenge in his case, she told OConnell.

The defense lawyer replied that police demanded Buzas DNA immediately after arrest.

You dont determine legality based on what happens later, he said.

The case is People vs. Buza, S223698.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelkoThe Maharashtra shutdown called by some Dalit parties started with attempts to block suburban train services in Thane and Palghar and processions in Mumbai and elsewhere on Wednesday amidst tight security across the state.



Groups of Dalit activists jumped on the railway tracks, shouting slogans and waving flags to attempt a rail-blockade at Thane and Virar stations in Palghar, but were prevented by the security forces.



In Mumbai, colleges and schools opened as usual but school buses stayed off roads as a precaution. One private school bus was stoned in Chembur but there were no injuries.



Though many taxi-auto rickshaw unions have supported the shutdown, the city's lifeline, the suburban trains and the BEST (Bombay Electric Supply And Transport) buses services were plying near-normally.



Some autos and taxis were seen plying in various areas, but the famed Dabbawalas cancelled their services for the day.



Many shops and establishments also opened for work as usual in the city and suburbs and there were the familiar crowds on roads and highways.



The shutdown evoked greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.



The coastal Konkan region reported a near-total shutdown, as also Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.



Internet services were suspended in Aurangabad for the day.



The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses in some sensitive districts have been suspended as a precaution after it suffered damages to 187 buses in Tuesday's violence.



The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar - the grandson of Bharat Ratna B.R. Ambedkar, called for a 'peaceful Maharashtra shutdown' on Wednesday to express anger over the Pune incidents of January 1.



The shutdown call has elicited support from various Dalit parties, Leftist parties, some Maratha groups with the likelihood of other parties supporting it.

Although not necessarily the hero we need, Bruce Wayne might just be the hero 2017 deserves. The Ohio man has eaten at Chipotle for 430 consecutive days.

On Saturday, company officials say Wayne beat the current record for most consecutive meals at the Mexican fast food restaurant with entree 426  a chicken "quesarito." Wayne consumed the historic meal in a black cape and mask, surrounded by friends and fans at his hometown Chipotle in Tiffin, Ohio.

In a video shared by local paper The Advertiser-Tribune, Wayne is seen sitting at a restaurant table topped with a bouquet of flowers and the foil-covered, quesadilla-burrito concoction. He unwraps the quesarito, takes a contemplative breath  How did I get here? What does it all mean?  and digs in. Cheers and camera clicks follow. Wayne strikes his right fist into the air. He chews and chews and chews for what feels like hours, then takes a sip of his beverage.

"Whoo!" he cheers. The crowd exhales.

According to a local blog, Wayne "is now largely seen as a local celebrity" in Tiffin, a small town 90 miles west of Cleveland with a population of 17,500 and only one Chipotle. The restaurant opened in 2016 and sits on the main drag, next door to a Taco Bell and across the street from Tim Horton's.

Story continues below.

While researching Chipotle shortly before its Tiffin opening, Wayne learned of a Washington man who had eaten at the restaurant 425 times in a row and maintained his fitness goals.

He then set out to become the new record holder because "he likes Chipotle," explained company spokesperson Chris Arnold. To verify his meals, Wayne posts each dish and a recent on his Instagram page.

Arnold said the company will donate the money Wayne spent on his 426 meals to FACT, a children's cancer charity based in Seneca, Ohio. It's a charity close to Wayne's heart, who regularly visits patients at the local hospital dressed as Batman.

Wayne has not stopped his Chipotle consumption since his historic feat, nor does he plan to anytime soon. His most recent Chipotle meal  a sofritas salad  was consumed and posted on his Instagram page around 11 a.m. Wednesday. It included the hashtags #ChipotleLife and #VisualizeYourGoal.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.The Motel 6 chain has admitted that six corporate-owned locations in Washington state regularly provided names of guests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Wednesday.

Ferguson announced that Washington is suing the hotel chain, alleging that Motel 6 violated the state's Consumer Protection Act and Washington State Constitution.

"It wasn't just folks that ICE was interested in. It was everyone staying at the hotel," Ferguson said during a news conference.

"Motel 6's activities violated our state's Consumer Protection Act thousands of times in thousands of ways. ... Motel 6 told the federal government where thousands of people were staying on a given night."

Immigration officials used the information to detain six people who stayed at two Seattle-area hotels, but, said Ferguson,"we expect that number to be higher."

At present, the Attorney General's Office has information that four of the six motels released personal information of at least 9,151 guests to ICE.

MORE FROM JOEL CONNELLY: AG Ferguson'Shocking, illegal conduct by Comcast'

The guest lists released by Motel 6 included customers' names, room numbers, guest identification numbers, dates of birth, license plate numbers -- all information that the attorney general believes is protected under Washington state law.

"We feel that where we sleep at night is private," said Ferguson.

In a landmark landmark decision, the Washington State Supreme Court rules that hotel guest registry information is private and that random, warrantless searches violate privacy rights in the state constitution.

The 2010 State v. Jordan ruling noted lawful reasons why a guest might want his/her hotel stay to stay private: "The desire for privacy may extend to business people engaged in confidential negotiations. ... One could also imagine a scenario ... where a domestic violence victim flees to a hotel in hopes of remaining hidden from an abuser."

The privacy policy of the Motel 6 chain states that it is "committed to safeguarding the privacy of the personal information that we gather."

Motel 6 is a big outfit. It has more than 1,200 locations across North America with more than 105,000 rooms. The company directly operates 11 motels in Washington, franchisees another 15 outlets.

The AG's interest was sparked by controversy in the Phoenix area, where a newspaper reported that Motel 6 staff at two hotels were handing over guest lists and guest information. A penitent Motel 6 said in a statement at the time:

"This was undertaken at the local level without the knowledge of senior management. When we became aware of it, it was discontinued."

Ferguson explained how the ICE men cameth to a South Everett Motel 6 location.

ICE agents would arrive at the motel late at night or early in the morning. They would ask for the guest list, and circle any Latino-sounding names. The agents would return to their vehicles and check identifications.

"Motel 6 trained them (employees) to release guests' private information to ICE," said Ferguson. Between Feb. 1 and September 30 of 2017, the South Everett location gave guests' private personal information to ICE on approximately 228 occasions.

The AG's suit remains a work in progress. Motel 6 has only released partial information, and no data on two of the hotels where guest data was turned over to ICE.

But the lawsuit filed Wednesday charges Motel 6 with violating the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) in the following ways:

Motel 6 committed unfair acts by violating its guests rights to privacy;

Motel 6 committed deceptive acts in violation of the CPA by violating its own privacy policy and misrepresenting that policy to guests and prospective guests;

Motel 6 automatically violated the CPA by violating the Washington Law Against Discrimination in the course of trade and commerce;

Motel 6 violated the WLAD when its motels, as places of public accommodation, directly or indirectly discriminated against its guests on a basis of guests' national origin."

Each name disclosed to ICE, argued Ferguson, qualifies as a separate violation of the Consumer Protection Act. A judge can impose civil penalties of up to $2,000 for each violation.

The Consumer Protection Act is a powerful tool, already deployed in the Attorney General's $100 million lawsuit against Comcast.

"It is fair to say we are alleging many violations of the Consumer Protection Act," Ferguson said Wednesday.WASHINGTON  Two new senators  Doug Jones, D-Ala., and Tina Smith, D-Minn.  were sworn in Wednesday, in a history-laden ceremony attended by three current and former vice presidents.

Very humbling for me to be a part of it, Vice President Mike Pence said, after he presided over the swearing-in, in his role as president of the Senate.

Rare are the moments of bipartisan comity in the Senate, but Wednesdays ceremony offered one, however fleeting. It was the senators first day back at work after their holiday break  a time of fresh start and tender mercies, as the Senate chaplain, Barry Black, said in his opening prayer at noon.

But in the swearing in of Smith and Jones, senators in both parties likely could see bright sides. For Republicans, Jones meant there would be no Sen. Roy Moore, an accused child molester whose election would have been hung around each of their necks. For Democrats, Smiths ascent ended a painful period when a popular but tarnished colleague, Al Franken, was dogged by charges of sexual improprieties that blemished the Democrats efforts to capitalize on a tide of misconduct and harassment accusations.

Moments after the prayer and after the Pledge of Allegiance, the new senators readied themselves to walk down the center aisle of the grand chamber, where Pence sat high on the dais. Former Vice President Joe Biden escorted Jones while former Vice President Walter Mondale and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., escorted Smith.

Both former vice presidents also served as senators. As they milled about after Pence administered the oath of office, the gregarious Biden greeted former colleagues with a hearty clap on the shoulder.

Hes a good guy, the former vice president told Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, referring to Jones.

In a sense, the #MeToo movement played a hand in the arrival of both Jones and Smith. Jones, 63, comes to Washington after a raucous special election in which his Republican opponent, Moore, was accused of assault and molestation of girls as young as 14.

Smith, 59, the former lieutenant governor of Minnesota, was appointed by that states governor to fill the seat left vacant by the departure of Franken, who resigned amid allegations he had forcibly kissed one woman and groped several others.

She becomes the 22nd woman in a chamber that remains heavily lopsided in favor of men. Nonetheless, there are more women senators now  17 Democrats and five Republicans  than at any time in U.S. history. Smith has already said she will run in a special election this November to claim the seat in her own right.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg is a New York Times writer.SAVANNAH, Ga.  A brutal winter storm dumped snow in Tallahassee, Fla., on Wednesday for the first time in nearly three decades before slogging up the Atlantic coast and smacking Southern cities such as Savannah and Charleston, S.C., with a rare blast of snow and ice.

Forecasters warned that the same system could soon strengthen into a bomb cyclone as it rolls up the East Coast, bringing hurricane-force winds, coastal flooding and up to a foot of snow.

At least 16 deaths were blamed on dangerously cold temperatures that for days have gripped wide swaths of the U.S. from Texas to New England.

A winter storm warning extended from the Gulf Coast of Floridas Big Bend region all the way up the Atlantic coast. Forecasters said hurricane-force winds blowing offshore on Thursday could generate 24-foot seas.

Schools in the Southeast called off classes just months after being shut down because of hurricane threats, and police urged drivers to stay off the roads in a region little accustomed to the kind of winter woes common to the Northeast.

In Savannah, snow blanketed the citys lush downtown squares and collected on branches of burly oaks for the first time in nearly eight years. William Shaw, a Savannah native, used baby steps to shuffle along a frozen road from his home to the post office.

It almost seems the town is deserted just like in the last hurricane, said Shaw, 65. Theres no one on the street. Its got a little eerie feeling.

Dump trucks spread sand on major streets in Savannah ahead of the storm and police closed several bridges, overpasses and a major causeway because of ice.

By the time the mornings dreary sleet and rain turned to fluffy snow, Savannah came out to play. The National Weather Service cited unofficial reports of up to 2 inches of snow. It was the citys first measurable snowfall since February 2010, and families with children flocked to Forsyth Park near the downtown historic district for snowball fights.

Across the Georgia-South Carolina line in Charleston, unofficial reports showed up to 3 inches of snowfall there, according to the weather service.

Blizzard warnings were issued from Rhode Island to Maine. Weather Prediction Center lead forecaster Bob Oravec said he expects they could be extended as far south as parts of New York.

Russ Bynum is an Associated Press writer.1 Senator retires: Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the longest-serving Senate Republican, announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of the year, rebuffing the pleas of President Trump to seek an eighth term and paving the way for Mitt Romney to run for the seat. Hatch, 83, was under heavy pressure from Trump to seek re-election and block Romney, who has been sharply critical of the president. But Hatch, who emerged as one of the presidents most avid loyalists in the Senate, decided to retire after discussing the matter with his family over the holidays. Hatch defeated a Democrat 42 years ago this November, arguing that the incumbent had stayed in Washington too long, and became one of the countrys most prominent senators for a generation.

2 Airline fatalities: President Trump appears to be taking credit for zero commercial airline fatalities in 2017. Trump tweeted Tuesday that since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news  it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record! It is fact that there were no commercial airline fatalities in the world in 2017, but thats due to far more than just U.S. influence. Airline deaths have been dropping in the U.S. and around the world for more than a decade. The last commercial airline fatalities in the U.S. happened in July 2013. Three passengers were killed when Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed while landing at San Francisco International Airport.WASHINGTON  The Trump administration  reversing guidelines put in place under President Barack Obama  is scaling back the use of fines against nursing homes that harm residents or place them in grave risk of injury.

The shift in the Medicare programs penalty protocols was requested by the nursing home industry. The American Health Care Association, the industrys main trade group, has complained that under Obama, inspectors focused excessively on catching wrongdoing rather than helping nursing homes improve.

It is critical that we have relief, Mark Parkinson, the groups president, wrote in a letter to then-President-elect Donald Trump in December 2016.

Since 2013, nearly 6,500 nursing homes  4 of every 10  have been cited at least once for a serious violation, federal records show. Medicare has fined two-thirds of those homes. Common citations include failing to protect residents from avoidable accidents, neglect, mistreatment and bedsores.

The new guidelines discourage regulators from levying fines in some situations, even when they have resulted in a residents death. The guidelines also probably will result in lower fines for many facilities.

The change in policy aligns with Trumps promise to reduce bureaucracy, regulation and government intervention in business.

Dr. Kate Goodrich, director of clinical standards and quality at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a statement that unnecessary regulation was the main concern that health care providers raised with officials.

Rather than spending quality time with their patients, the providers are spending time complying with regulations that get in the way of caring for their patients and doesnt increase the quality of care they provide, Goodrich said.

But advocates for nursing-home residents say the revised penalties are weakening a valuable patient-safety tool.

Theyve pretty much emasculated enforcement, which was already weak, said Toby Edelman, a senior attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

The average fine in recent years has been $33,453, but records show 531 nursing homes amassed combined federal fines above $100,000.

Jordan Rau is a Kaiser Health News writer.WASHINGTON  President Trump essentially excommunicated his onetime chief strategist, Steve Bannon, from his political circle Wednesday, excoriating him as a self-promoting exaggerator who had very little to do with our historic victory and has now lost his mind.

In a written statement brimming with anger and resentment, Trump fired back at Bannon, who had made caustic comments about the president and his family to the author of a new book about the Trump White House. Though Bannon had remained in touch with Trump even after being pushed out of the White House last summer, the two now appear to have reached a breaking point.2018 has started on a bizarre note for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, with a 29-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh claiming that the actress is his mother.

Sangeeth Kumar, who adds Rai after his first and middle name, insists that Aishwarya gave birth to him in 1988, reports Deccan Chronicle. Interestingly, Aishwarya was only 14 years old in 1988.

"I was born to her by IVF in London in 1988. I was brought up in Chodavaram from age three to 27. I was with my grandmother Brinda Krishnaraj Rai's family at the age of one and two in Mumbai. My grandfather Krishnaraj Rai died in April 2017 (March), and my uncle's name in Aditya Rai," he told the media in Mangaluru last week.

Sangeeth, who does not have any proof of his claims, also alleged that his 'mother' Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is sepearated from her husband, Abhishek Bachchan, and is "living alone". "I want my mom to come and live with me in Mangaluru. It's already 27 years since I separated from my family, I miss her a lot. I don't want to go to Visakhapatnam, at least I want my mother's number so that I'll be free," he added.

He claims that he did not speak up earlier because he was "manipulated" by relatives. "I'm getting enormous headache and anger at my native place, most of my relatives have manipulated things since childhood, otherwise I would have come back to my mother before itself with clear information. Due to lack of information, I could not come to my mother, so now I got all clarity. Ultimate thing is I want my mom," Sangeeth said.

Meanwhile, Aishwarya has been busy shooting for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's musical comedy Fanney Khan. She will be paired opposite Rajkummar Rao in the film, which also features Anil Kapoor in the lead.

Sangeeth Kumar (Photo: Twitter) Sangeeth Kumar (Photo: Twitter)Television actor Ashish Sharma , who essayed the role of Lord Ram in Siya Ke Ram, knows how to impress his fans.

He has upped his game with the latest bold and smoking hot photo shoot along with wife Archana Taide.

He can be seen sporting a gothic look- wearing dark kohl, nose ring and braided hair-do.

Pictures courtesy: Instagram/ archanataide Pictures courtesy: Instagram/ archanataide

The two lovebirds got married on January 30, 2013. They got married thrice, in a Hindu wedding ceremony in Jaipur, a Christian wedding in Goa--as Archana is a Catholic, and finally a court marriage.

He will soon be making a comeback on the small screen with Prithvi Vallabh. The show will hit the screens from January 20.Of all the new laws going into effect Monday (legal cannabis in California, higher minimum wages in several states, and many more), you may be surprised about which one drew the most backlash online. It appears to be Oregon House Bill 2482, which allows people who live in counties with 40,000 residents or less to pump their own gas.

Oregonians aired their frustrations on Facebook over the new law. And just about everyone else in the country made fun of them.

"I don't even know HOW to pump gas and I am 62, native Oregonian.....I say NO THANKS!" said Sandy Franklin on Facebook, in response to a post by local news station KTVL that asked for viewers' opinions on the new law.

"Many people are not capable of knowing how to pump gas and the hazards of not doing it correctly. Besides I don't want to go to work smelling of gas when I get it on my hands or clothes," wrote Tina Good.

Mike Perrone said he's been living in Oregon his whole life and refuses to pump his own gas. The reason?

"I had to do it once in California while visiting my brother and almost died doing it."

Read some of the most popular reactions in the slideshow below.

Commenters from around the country responded to Oregonians' concerns, making fun of their innocence (or ignorance, depending on how you look at it) and calming their fears of a Zoolander-style catastrophe.

"I cannot believe 2018 is gonna be the year I make a fortune moving to Oregon to teach people how to pump gas," wrote one person on Twitter.

To be clear, the new law only applies to the 15 least-dense of Oregon's 36 counties and it doesn't even force residents in those areas to pump their own gas. It simply gives them the option to.

Some gas station managers told the Bulletin their attendants would continue servicing patrons' cars just as they've been doing in the state since 1951.

RELATED VIDEO: Odd laws of San Francisco

"Our regular, longtime customers love coming here and talking to us while we pump their gas," said Shelby Perkins, a cashier at a 76 gas station in Prineville.

She added that she wasn't sure regular customers even knew how to operate the pumps. It appears she was, at least in some cases, right.

Oregon is one of two states that doesn't allow self-service gas stations (aside from this newly passed exception). The other is New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The daily average number of Indian trucks laden with export goods at Attari-Wagah border has come down drastically to about 12 in November last year as compared 105 in the same month previous year, Parliament was informed today.

"The daily average number of Indian export trucks at Attari-Wagah border was around 12 in November 2017 as compared to 105 in November 2016," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He also said that instances of quarantine-related difficulties for export of some perishable goods to Pakistan have been brought to the notice of the government.

"The issue has been taken up with the government of Pakistan through the High Commission for resolution," he added.

In a separate reply, he said a major factor affecting Indias bilateral trade with the neighbouring country is the prevailing political relationship between the two countries.

It also affects the policy framework of the bilateral trade.

The two-way commerce between the countries declined to USD 2.27 billion in 2016-17 from USD 2.61 billion in the previous fiscal. PTI RR CS MKJAfter a gap of more than 5 years, avian flu scare has once again struck Bengaluru.

This time, however, the authorities were quick to take action and control the spread of the deadly virus across the city.

Toushik, the owner of a chicken centre in Bhuvaneshwari Nagar in Dasarahalli (North Bengaluru) reported to the veterinary hospital about his chickens falling ill on December 25.

The authorities then took a sample and sent it to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal.

Toushik told that he sourced the chickens from Tamil Nadu.

On Tuesday, the officials received information that one of the birds was infected with the H5N1 virus. This was then followed by measures to contain the virus and standard operating procedures to deal with such cases were put in place.

N Manjunath Prasad, BBMP (Brihan Bengaluru Municipal Commission) Commissioner, speaking to India Today said that the situation has been brought under control and there is no need to panic.

"An area of one kilometre radius from the chicken centre at Bhuvaneshwari Nagar in Dasarahalli has been identified as an infected zone, and the area within 10 km radius as surveillance zone," said Prasad.

He added that all meat shops in the infected zone have been banned from selling chicken for a month.

On Wednesday, in about 30 meat shops, close to 860 birds were culled.

Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department have begun screening poultry in Shivaji Nagar and KR Market as a precautionary measure.Hyderabad, Jan 3 (PTI) Bharat Biotech today said its Typbar TCV or the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine against typhoid fever, has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This enables the procurement and supplies of this vaccine to UNICEF, Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and GAVI-supported countries, the Hyderabad-based company said in a statement.

Typbar TCV has been evaluated in Human Challenge Studies at Oxford University and typhoid conjugate vaccines have been recommended by WHO?s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (WHO-SAGE), it said.

"Typbar TCV is the first typhoid vaccine, clinically proven to be administered to children from six months of age to adults and confers long term protection against typhoid fever," the company said.

International Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimates that in 2016, there were approximately 12 million cases of typhoid fever resulting in around 130,000 deaths.

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi (S.Typhi), which infects humans due to contaminated food and beverages from sewage and other infected humans.

Typbar TCV is a result of dedicated product development at Bharat Biotech since 2001, where all aspects of the product profile were studied and evaluated in human clinical trials, according to the company.

With five years of follow up data for seroconversion, Typbar TCV at 25ig / dose has proven long term protection for children and adults alike, and can be administered to children from six months of age, the statement said.

Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, said, "Typbar TCV is the first typhoid conjugate vaccine, clinically proven to be administered to children from six months of age to adults and confers long term protection against typhoid fever.

According to Oxford University professor Andrew Pollard, "the WHO prequalification of Typbar TCV marks an important milestone in the global effort to rid the world of typhoid fever and improve health for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world".

With the aim to accelerate the introduction of new typhoid conjugate vaccines as part of an integrated approach to reduce the burden of typhoid disease, Bharat Biotech has partnered with the Typhoid Vaccine Acceleration Consortium (TyVAC), a union between the Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland, the Oxford Vaccine Group at Oxford University, and PATH.

The consortium is conducting effectiveness studies for typhoid conjugate vaccines in Nepal, Malawi, and Bangladesh. Bharat Biotech has donated 50,000 doses of Typbar TCV, towards the conduct of these studies, it was stated. PTI RS NSKNew year did not bring a lot of joy for Maharashtra. Day 1 saw a riot break out in parts of Pune over the Dalit celebration of 200-year-old Bhima Koregaon battle anniversary. Day 2 saw this violence spill over to Mumbai and hinder daily life.

Day 3, today, is witnessing a Maharashtra Bandh. As protests rages on in parts of the state, normal life has come to a somewhat screeching halt.

Traffic and railway has been bearing the worst brunt of it all. Many schools and colleges have declared a holiday, while office-goers struggle to get to work in time.

To get live updates of the situation, click here.

Meanwhile, as protesters continue to slam dunk any chance of peace, locals are coming to social media to help each other get through the day of Maharashtra Bandh.

If you're stuck anywhere, or looking for a way to get somewhere in Mumbai today without facing trouble, these updates from locals may help you:

No NO Western Express Highway isni??t safe at all!!! This is right outside Mahindra & Mahindra in Kandivali East. STAY INDOORS PLS pic.twitter.com/HAwEzJHRQL - i?aaai??? (@MyHyness) January 3, 2018

Goregaon West MG Road - Link Road Junction. Police trying to talk to people on roads.#BhimaKoregaon #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/9uZ2sABAj1 January 3, 2018

Way to Navi Mumbai from Thane Via Kalwa is blocked.Kalwa junction is blocked so traffic in Thane would be completely shut in a while. Stuck here since an hour now #TrafficUpdate #MaharashtraBandh - Rakesh (@RakeshAlva) January 3, 2018School students may be inconvenienced as school buses will stay off the roads in Mumbai in view of the Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit outfits who are protesting the violence at Bhima-Koregaon.

The School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses today.

Anil Garg, president of SBOA, told PTI, "For security reasons, we have decided not to ply our buses in the first shift tomorrow. If the situation remains peaceful, we will run the buses in the second shift" said Garg yesterday.

However, if a particular bus owner wanted to operate his services, it would be his call, he added.

"Law-and-order is beyond our control. Therefore, we cannot take the risk," Garg said.

Along with schoolkids, its the office-goers' day to face hardships as well as the famed dabbawallahs of Mumbai have suspended their services for today. The dabbawallah's association has requested the commuters to carry their own tiffin.

The state government has said schools will remain open today.

Dalit organisations have called a Maharashtra bandh today to protest against the BJP-led state government's "failure" to stop the violence in Pune.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead.

The clashes broke out at Bhima-Koregaon when people were headed towards the war memorial in the village, about 30 km from Pune city, the police had said.

Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, which the forces of the British East India Company had won over those of the Peshwa.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchables were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins and the victory was seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

-With inputs from PTIBigg Boss 11 has become a battlefield, as it's clearly now celebrities versus commoners. Luv, who has been friends with Hina Khan for the last 13 weeks will team up with Puneesh Sharma and strategise against her.

Tonight, the second part of the long trek will begin, and now contestants will leave their friendships behind and play their individual games. By joining hands with Puneesh, it's clear that Luv will leave no stone unturned to win this task.

Hina, who is left with no friends in the house will joins hands with actress Shilpa Shinde and Vikas Gupta to get Akash out of the race. The three will successfully manage to put an end to Akash Dadlani's trek and will throw him out of the race, which will infuriate him to no end. He will get into an argument with Hina.

Luv Tyagi and Puneesh Sharma team up against @eyehinakhan. Catch all the drama, tonight at 10:30 PM. #BB11 #BBSneakPeek pic.twitter.com/AW3M6q1OI6 - COLORS (@ColorsTV) January 3, 2018

Akash's ouster will make Puneesh and Luv cautious and they will give stiff competition to the celebs and will successfully oust Vikas from the race. Will Shilpa help Hina in the task, as she has always been on Puneesh's and Akash's side? Only time will tell.

It will be interesting to see who among Shilpa, Hina, Luv and Puneesh will win the ticket to finale.1 No age limit: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed into law a bill that removes a presidential age limit from the constitution and allows him to run for election again, deputy spokeswoman Linda Nabusayi confirmed Tuesday. Museveni, one of Africas longest-serving leaders and a U.S. ally, is 73 and would have been ineligible to run in 2021. Now he could rule until 2031. Critics in the East African nation saw the bill as an attempt by the president to rule until the grave. The age limit had prevented anyone younger than 35 or older than 75 from holding the presidency.

2 Ex-hostage charged: A Canadian man recently freed with his American wife and children after years being held hostage in Afghanistan has been arrested and faces at least a dozen charges including sexual assault, his lawyer said Tuesday Attorney Eric Granger said Joshua Boyle also faces assault and forcible confinement charges. Boyle, his wife Caitlan, and their three children were rescued last year in Pakistan, five years after the couple was abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group while on a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan. The children were born in captivity. A hearing on the case was scheduled for Wednesday in Ottawa.SEOUL  North Korea reopened a border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, restoring a channel of direct dialogue and signaling a possible thaw in relations between the two Koreas after years of hair-trigger tensions.

The return of the telephone hotline at the village of Panmunjom, which straddles the Demilitarized Zone, the worlds most heavily guarded border, came two days after North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, made a rare overture to the South.NEW YORK  A banker accused of helping Iran evade economic sanctions was convicted Wednesday in a case that strained ties between the United States and Turkey with its testimony about corruption at the highest levels of the NATO allys government.

Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a 47-year-old deputy general manager at Turkeys state-run Halkbank, was charged by U.S. authorities with taking part in a complex scheme in which Iran traded its oil and gas for gold, with some of the proceeds moved through U.S. financial institutions without their knowledge.The BJP on Wednesday hit out at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that the AAP has "betrayed" the people by nominating "two businessmen" for the Rajya Sabha polls, while the Congress claimed that one of them was offered a seat way back in November 2017.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said the announcement of the AAP's Rajya Sabha candidates belied its anti-corruption plank based on which it had stormed to power in Delhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party today nominated Sanjay Singh, Sushil Gupta and N D Gupta as its nominees for the January 16 Rajya Sabha polls.

While Singh has been associated with the party since its inception, Sushil Gupta is a Delhi-based businessman and N D Gupta a chartered accountant and former vice-president of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI).

Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken claimed that Sushil Gupta came to him to tender his resignation and told him beforehand that he had been promised a Rajya Sabha berth by the AAP.

"On 28th Nov, Sushil Gupta came to submit his resignation- I asked him-Why? I have been promised Rajya Sabha(seat)- was his reply," Maken said in a tweet.

Maken also mocked Kejriwal for the choice of the AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees.

"Kejriwalji- you had joined politics to change it- you (AAP) have taken so much political colour? you took one from Congress and one from BJP," Maken tweeted in Hindi.

He also claimed that N D Gupta, who was termed a "GST expert" by Kejriwal, was the "biggest supporter" of the tax reform measure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tiwari told reporters that the announcement of the AAPs Rajya Sabha candidates belied its anti-corruption plank based on which it stormed to power in Delhi.

"Arvind Kejriwal came to power seeking to fight corruption. Now, he is sending two businessmen to the Rajya Sabha. He has betrayed not only Delhi but also the whole country," the BJP leader said.Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu, Nepal



Story of Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath literally translates into 'God of the animals' and perhaps this is where the story of this iconic Hindu temple lies. Ironically it was in the 15th-16th century it was completely destroyed by the termites which ate up this wooden temple, and had to be rebuilt in it's present day form. The present day temple was given its present form under King Bhupalendra Malla in 1697.

My visit to Pashupatinath Temple

That's me at the entrance of the temple

River Bagmati behind the main shrine

Another old shrine close by

Practical details for a visit

Timings for the temple

For non-Hindus

Pashupatinath temple from top (ref: Google maps)

Located right in the heart of Kathmandu,is one of the most important Hindu temple in the Indian subcontinent and as per some records has been a place of worship for over 1600 years. The story of the temple is made up of numerous myths, legends and yes, in parts also some history.The present day temple is in the form of a two-tiered pagoda (a style common in this part of the world for temples) and has a height of 23.6m above ground. The, or the sanctum sanctorum, houses the one-meter highwith four faces () representing the presiding deity, Lord Pashupatinath.Here's the simplest legend associated with the temple . Lord Shiva once fled from all the other gods to a forest where deers lived called Mrigasthali which is now a green patch just behind thePashupatinath Temple. Both him and his consort Parvati slept there in the form of gazelle. However, the other Gods identified him a while later and wanted to bring him back to Varanasi which was devoid of it's reigning deity with the departure of Shiva. However, Shiva wasn't ready as yet to return and in the scuffle that broke out, one of his horns broke into four pieces. It was this horn that was originally worshipped as shivlinga, though eventually it was lost during the ages. The four-faced linga today is a representation of the horn which broke into four pieces.I visited the temple for the first time decades ago when I was still growing within my mother (she was about 6 months pregnant then), and for the second time only recently when I didn't just feel the place, but also experienced it. I love the feel of temples early in the morning and that's exactly what I did - got up before sunrise and reached the temple to see it glow in the morning light. Thankfully, the place wasn't crowded and had to wait only for about 10 minutes in the queue forThe most impressive part of the temple is the huge golden Nandi - the vehicle of Lord Shiva. It's beautifully made and blends perfectly with the rich decor of the temple.Thereafter, I lit some lamps, burned the incense sticks, didand otherwise simply wandered around. Photography wasn't allowed in the temple, and even my mobile camera was at rest in my pocket. The main shrine is beautiful and the detailed stone and wooden carving can easily mesmerize even a non-believer. However, it's unlikely you will be allowed inside if you are a non-Hindu, and this includes all foreigners as well. The temple is officially accessible only for Hindus, and I have been told they are excellent at spotting non-Hindus right at the entrance and turning them back. The only other place where I've seen this before was at Jagannath Puri temple in Odisha, though there are a few more temples with this restriction.Right behind the temple flows the legendary river Bagmati. Though within Kathmandu city the river has turned into a dirty stream of water with filth all over (reminded me of the rivers in Pune which are equally callously treated), behind the temple it actually looks clean and inviting. There is a ghat and one can go there and even take pictures. With limited time in hand, I just visited the temple and then come back.Now, within the main temple complex, there not only the main temple which houses the, there are numerous other, big and small, shrines too. Some of these temples are actually older than the main temple, like theand the. There are many shrines across the river Bagmati also which are worth visiting. In total there are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas (shrines of Lord Shiva) and 12 Jyotirlinga (phallic shrines) to explore.Close to Pashupatinath Temple, there is another important place to visit -which is one of the 108 Shaktipeeth where both the knees of the goddess are supposed to have fallen. This is one of the three Shaktipeeth sites in Nepal.Read more:It's best to take a taxi and go there as parking space is limited and can get filled up fairly quickly on busy days. There is still no Uber or auto-rickshaw, so organizing a taxi in advance with your hotel might be the best option.The gates of the temple open fairly early in the morning at 04.00 am and the temple is open till 07.00 pm. However, between noon to 5pm, the temple remains closed.If you are not a Hindu, skip the trip to the main shrine, though you can still walk around and see the place. You need to leave your footwear much before you go to the shrine, though thankfully you can keep the socks on. It was already cold when I visited and my socks were a life saver! They will get wet and dirty by the time you come back.It's fairly common to take awhen you go inside. It's completely up to you though - I usually don't take anything with me.Photography is absolutely prohibited and I was yelled upon when I took a picture of the shrine. You can keep the mobile phone in your pocket, but it's best to not use it for photography.Alongside a photograph of Zylka proposing to her atop a mountain in Aspen, Colorado, Hilton wrote: "I said yes. So happy and excited to be engaged to the love of my life. My best friend and soulmate."

Hilton shared the news with her fans on Instagram on Tuesday, reports cnn.com.

Socialite and former reality TV star Paris Hilton has announced her engagement to actor Chris Zylka.

She said he was "perfect for me in every way".

"So dedicated, loyal, loving and kind-hearted. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! You are my dream come true! Thank you for showing me that fairytales do exist," Hilton added.

Zylka proposed to Hilton with a $2 million diamond ring.

The couple has been dating for two years and made their relationship public in February last year.

Prior to Zylka, Hilton was engaged to model Jason Shaw (2003) and Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis (2005).

Hilton has also dated celebrities like Nick Carter, Afrojack and Benji Madden.New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The Cabinet today approved an agreement signed between India and Belgium to increase cooperation in the field of information and communication technology.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Belgium on Cooperation in the field of Information Communication Technology and Electronics," an official statement said.

The agreement was signed between the two countries during the state visit of King Philippe of the Belgium to India on November 7, 2017.

"The MoU intends cooperation between India and Belgium including sharing of best practices in the area of ICT&E policy, digital agenda technology and research with special emphasis on developing ICT&E manufacturing and services, e- governance...cyber security and to resolve issues of data adequacy, market access, trade and services," the statement said.

Belgium is Indias second largest trade partner within the European Union (EU) and has expertise in the communication technology sector especially in the field of e-Governance and electronic ID card and Tax on web etc.

"During Prime Ministers visit to Brussels in March 2016 to attend the EU Summit and bilateral dialogue with Belgium, it was proposed to sign an MOU in IT and Electronics sector between India and Belgium," the statement said.

Thereafter, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology had a meeting on February 7, 2017 in New Delhi with the delegation led by Belgiums deputy prime minister Alexander De Croo on areas of mutual interest.

"During the meeting, both sides affirmed their commitment to work together for digital empowerment of people on Digital India and Digital Belgium," the statement said. PTI PRS MR: A special Central Bureau of Investigation court will be pronouncing the quantum of sentence for former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad who has been convicted in a fodder scam case

On December 23, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief along with 14 others was found guilty by the court while seven accused including former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra were acquitted.

Lalu has been convicted in one of the cases of the fodder scam, wherein Rs 900 crore from the Bihar exchequer were siphoned off under the pretext of purchasing fodder for livestock, during '80s and '90s.Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and Dalit icon B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar had called for Maharashtra bandh to protest the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

: The Maharashtra bandh, called to protest the violence post an event to mark 200th anniversary of Bhima Koregaon battle, turned violent today even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in the city.

Normal life in Mumbai was disrupted as protesters attacked city buses, stopped suburban local services and blocked roads at various places in the city.

Dalits began protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning, but were moved from the spot by police.

In view of protests in the city and suburbs, police diverted traffic for smooth vehicular movement.

Security deployment in Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony and Eastern Express Highway in Mumbai on Wednesday morning. Photograph: ANI



Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said.

Protesters jumped on the rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said.

Similar protests at Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar stations on Central Railway line led to a long queue of trains on tracks.

Hundreds of commuters were spotted walking on the railway tracks.

On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara Station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

The agitation of Dalit outfits halted suburban local train service at Ghatkopar as trains heading towards CSMT were affected.

Several local trains running towards CSMT were halted at various stations because of the protestors who stood on the tracks prohibiting any train movement.

Mumbai's famed tiffin carriers 'Dabbawalas' chose not to provide their services today.

A spokesperson of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association said, "Since most of our customers may find it difficult to reach office, we have decided to suspend our services today".

While the state government said it has not declared a holiday for schools due to the bandh, bus operators said they won't run school buses in Mumbai today.

"We cannot risk students' safety and security. Will take the decision on whether we can run them in the second half later today, depending on the situation," a School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) spokesperson said.

Around 40,000 school buses are affiliated to SBOA in the state.

A Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport bus vandalised by protesters in Powai. Photograph: ANI



Vijay Shukla, a resident of suburban Vikhroli, said, "I have two kids, both studying at a school in Vikhroli east. Though school was open today, I suggested they stay at home".

Offices in major commercial hubs too witnessed low attendance, as many employees stayed away from work fearing violence.

Dalit protesters descended on the tracks at Thane and Goregaon stations in the morning.

Mumbai Police registered nine cases today in connection with violent protests in the city. Over hundred people have been detained in the city since yesterday, police said.

In Pune, barring a couple of incidents of stone pelting on public transport buses, the bandh was peaceful.

Buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited, were pelted with stones, an official said. Since Tuesday, 42 buses were damaged in stone pelting and since today morning, 10 to 12 busses were damaged, he said.

Some Dalit organisations had decided to take out a march to the house of Milind Ekbote, who was booked by Pune police under relevant sections of the Prevention of Atrocities Act and "orchestrating the violence in Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

Pune police had last night said that they had received a complaint against Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid for their "provocative" speeches at an event in Pune on December 31.

Due to less availability of transport, many commuters were seen waiting at several places in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI



Mevani and Khalid had attended the "Elgar Parishad", an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in Pune.

Violence erupted in Pune district when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.(Eds: Incorporating more details)

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The government today approved the Rs 6,809-crore strategic Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of the world during winters due to heavy snowfall.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi- directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel excluding approaches on Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1A at Km 95 and at Km 118 in Jammu and Kashmir on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode," the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.

The statement said apart from providing all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, the project will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

"The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The construction period of the project is seven years.

"The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4,899.42 crore. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6,808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of tunnel for four years," the statement said.

The project aims at construction of 14.15 km long two- lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km long egress tunnel excluding approaches between Baltal and Minamarg in the state.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

The main objective of the project is to provide all whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best 6 months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.

"This project along with other ongoing projects like 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh," the statement said.

It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities, it added.

The government said on completion, it will lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.

IL&FS Transportation last year in July had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,899 crore Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We wish to inform that the company has emerged as the lowest bidder for the aforesaid (Zojila tunnel) project. The company had quoted an amount of Rs 4,899.42 crore to be constructed in a period of 2,555 days (7 years)," IL&FS Transportation said.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said, "We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project."

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered "re-bidding" for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Gadkari, after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract.

The ministry, however, had denied the charges. PTI NAM MKJ"Breakfast Burger" at Phunky Elephant

Keep scrolling to learn more about the near future in food service for the borough's booming dining scene:

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"We are trying to touch wood with every dish in some way. Whether it's the smoker, wood-fired grill or wood-fired oven," said Rallo, a well-known New Jersey restaurateur who owns and operates Birravino in Red Bank, and Undici Taverna Rustica and Surf, both in Rumson. (Staten Island Advance/Tracey Porpora)

We are here.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  'Tis a year of bright new eats and much to anticipate on Staten Island in the way of food and restaurants. That I know for sure because there is no way you've tried all the new restaurants that opened last year  there were over 50 of them with comparatively few closures in the meantime.

From casual places like Panino Rustico, soon to open in Grant City, to the upscale, celeb chef-owned Surf of Stapleton, open since mid-December and already drawing raves, there are exciting options in front of us with a variety of price ranges and cuisines.

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Tostada Ensalada employs mixed greens with avocado slices, cucumber, roasted sweet corn, pickled red onion, puffed pepitas, tomatoes, queso fresco and the house tostadas schmeared with black bean puree. The salad comes with honey-mustard vinaigrette or cumin-lime. Gringo's at the Urby complex in Stapleton (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

The new places are hot.

The uptick in new food businesses can be credited to entrepreneurs on the North Shore banking on The Wheel and confidence that there are enough Staten Islanders to routinely part with their money for a meal out. On the North Shore, at least, the approach in establishing a new place is almost an if you build it, they will come strategy  see the food spots at Urby like Gringos, Urby Eats, other Stapleton spots outside the complex such as Corner Grind and VINUM plus more in the works.

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Sharing the labor pool.

With new restaurants come jobs. And when old ones bow out from the scene, the employees have to go somewhere. Happily, they're staying on Staten Island, as in the case of soon-coming Crimmins Ale House.

Real estate broker Tom Crimmins, for instance, will open Crimmins Ale House with his wife, Suzanne and son, Tommy, in West Brighton, in the former digs of Emilys KeyBoard.

With 16 beers on tap and a modest menu of panini, he feels theres a need along this strip of Forest Avenue for a family place with an older crowd, and a place for his real estate business associates to network. And, despite this being his first foray into the food business, hes confident it will do well with a carefully picked staff, a handful of whom are from the former Schaffers Tavern. Plus, with the kids grown up, its just that perfect time in the Crimmins lives.

Its something Ive always wanted to do...Its time, said Tom Sr.

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With so much pizza on the Island...

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And burgers here to stay...

Competition should breed better quality food, service and overall hospitality. Well, that we can at least hope for.

Fun fact: There are 962 restaurants on Staten Island, not to mention delis and grocery stores like Shop and Eat in Port Richmond and La Bella Marketplace in Tottenville, where you can sit down to eat. So to stay alive, your cheese pies and beef patties have to be seriously good.

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But there's a lighter side to the future.

Did you get an air fryer for the holidays?

Well, if you didnt, then one of your Facebook friends surely did. And so begins a New Year of eating better  like eating at one of the Better restaurants on the Island. Louie Noia opened his fourth "Better Health Gourmet" in Huguenot in mid-December, with its signature brand of smoothies, pizza, sandwiches and entrees aimed at any diet under the sun.

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Trend-setting Project Brunch eases up on the calories.

If Project Brunch could set the trend for brunch and highly caloric concoctions and waffle-bound sandwiches, it can tip the scales in the other direction as well. Hence, co-owner Jodi Guagliardo now puts forth the new Sensible Selections portion of her menu. Still very "Instagram-mable" and quite drool-worthy for the social media voyeur, shes aiming for a cleaner and leaner approach to food.

"I feel that food is going to go back to basics, food that stands on its own with its own flavors," says Jodi. The second Project Brunch with its bar and all-day format will be coming this winter to Forest Avenue in the spot formerly home to Nucci's North.

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'Bowl' craze offers another 'lighter' option

If you're driving fast enough, you'll miss the Baya Bar Staten Island location at 6833 Amboy Road. This juice, smoothie and Acai joint is the latest South Shore spot to jump on the "bowl" trend. From kale to Nutella, Baya Bar has a long list of combinations to crowd in their cylinder containers. (Staten Island Advance/Victoria Priola; yes that is her hand up there)

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Will workers be replaced with machines?

Yes, this is reality for proprietors. With changes in the Labor Law and State Minimum Wage orders, there is chatter in the restaurant industry on Staten Island about automated kitchens and kiosks, the latter just like the ones McDonald's started adding to their restaurants.

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Can machines really replace the handiwork of a pastry chef?

Well, that's certainly debatable. One of the most vibrant parts of Staten Island's economy is the bakery business. Behind the artisan breads and pastries, remains an army of men and women who build, craft and package loaves, rolls and desserts for retail and restaurant consumption. Bakeries like Bruno's NYC of West Brighton and Dongan Hills, Melone Bros. of Port Richmond and La Dolce of Richmond Valley and Rossville, to name a few places, turn out incredible volume and have proven themselves with great staying power on the food scene.

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And the beverage business is bringing manufacturing back to Staten Island.

For instance, Staten Islanders are producing product at Flagship Brewing Co. in Tompkinsville and Kill Koro Brewing Co., operating from a micro-brewing offshoot of Craft Restaurant, also Tompkinsville. Staten Island Brewing Co. finds its home in a taproom in Mariners Harbor where patrons can sample, sip with food and ultimately package their brews in a growler (glass jug with a cap used for legal transport or a "doggie bag" in bottle form) for at-home consumption.

Beverages are a growing industry indeed, especially with outlets like The Coupe, a cocktail house and speakeasy that sprouted up in Stapleton.

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The focus here is on 'craft.'

Ice cut by hand and cocktails combined with unique mixers and late-night nibbles to match.

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Kevin Harrigan is the 2017-2018 Staten Island Restaurant and Tavern Association President. He co-owns Liberty Tavern of West Brighton and Castleton Corners Pub in Castleton Corners. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

Will the new labor laws mean a boon or a bust for the food business?

Well, it's not a good thing for either the employee or the establishment ultimately, says Kevin Harrigan, Liberty Tavern restaurant co-owner and president of the newly revived Staten Island Restaurant and Tavern Association. With employees now at $8 minimum wage and tipped personnel at $10.85 per hour the wage subsidy intends to level "workers' wages just up to the legally-mandated minimum wage," according to Cuomo's office.

To Harrigan, this means less people on the floor serving guests and a prognostication that employers "are going to cut back." But, he says, there's talk of eliminating tips altogether as a result, and passing along to the customers increased menu prices.

"It's going to be tough," says Harrigan.

But that's why the restaurant gods have revived the Staten Island restaurant advocacy group, perhaps, to provide a voice for the borough's currently booming food service industry.

The next meeting for the Tavern and Restaurant Association is Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Burrito Bar in West Brighton at 7 p.m.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The FDNY swiftly extinguished a fire at residence in Concord on Wednesday morning.

Traffic is blocked on Richmond Road at Steuben Street, Staten Island Expressway-bound, for the emergency response.

The dryer fire was called at about 9:40 a.m. on the second floor of the occupied, multiple-unit dwelling at 664 Richmond Road, said a spokesman for the FDNY/EMS.

No injuries were reported in the fire that was brought until control in less than a half hour, the spokesman said.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- This Christmas had to be the best one ever for Nick and Roseanne Pucciarelli of Westerleigh

It couldn't have come at a better time for the lifelong borough residents who've been married more than 50 years.

Times have been rough for the U.S. Army veteran and retired city firefighter since he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a debilitating disease which interrupts nerve messages to muscles -- creating weakness in many parts of the body.

Its impact on the throat can make chewing and swallowing difficult.

Last week, while eating breakfast, Nick began to choke.

According to his sister, Margaret Cammarata, Roseanne tried desperately to come to his assistance by performing the Heimlich maneuver, but the food just wouldn't dislodge.

Roseanne ran next door to alert their neighbor, Josh Anderson, who came to her husband's rescue by successfully performing the Heimlich successfully.

Josh saved Nick's life.

For those who are unaware: Back in 1974, thoracic surgeon Henry Judah Heimlich invented his namesake, a technique designed to save choking people by forcing food back out their mouths.

Performing abdominal thrusts involves a rescuer standing behind an individual and using his or her hands to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm. This compresses the lungs and exerts pressure on any object lodged in the trachea, hopefully expelling it.

Nick and all of his family members are extremely grateful to Josh for springing into quick action. He says Josh truly gave him the best Christmas gift ever!STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Though the holiday season has come to a close, heartwarming Yuletide photos continue to flow in during the month of January.

Over at Richmond University Medical Center, the Medical Staff Holiday Reception is an annual tradition, a highly anticipated event that dates back to when the facility was St. Vincent's Hospital and St. Vincent's Medical Center.

This season's gathering was staged at the Excelsior Grand, where current and past members of the hospital's medical staff, senior leadership and members of the Board of Trustees joined together to celebrate the growth of the hospital and medical achievements of the past year.

Honored during the evening was Dr. Krishne Urs, who was lauded with the medical staff's Dr. William C. Frederick Award.

At RUMC's Medical Staff Holiday Reception at the Excelsior Grand, are from left, Dr. Pietro Carpenito, Rosemarie Stazzone, COO/CNO, Dr. Edward Arsura, former chief medical officer, and Board Chair, Kathryn K. Rooney.

Dr. Urs, a Grymes Hill resident, was born in Mysore, India.

He received his medical degree with distinction from the University of Mysore India.

He arrived in Manhattan in 1962, studied to become an orthopedic surgeon and did fellowship training at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada and the Hospital for Special Surgery.

He became board certified in orthopedic surgery in both the U.S. and Canada in 1968. Dr. Urs has authored several scientific articles in the "Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery" and in the "Journal of Trauma."

He began his private practice at St. Vincent's Hospital in 1970 and had hospital staff appointments at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bayley Seton Hospital, Richmond Memorial Hospital and Doctor's Hospital of Staten Island. Dr. Urs receives the AMA-Physicians Recognition Award every year.

Dr. William C. Frederick, who passed in 2013, at the age of 85, was a pioneering Staten Island vascular surgeon known for his dedication to his patients, his family and community. The creation of the award was announced at the medical staff's 2015 reception and was initially presented to Dr. C. Srinivasa Bhupathi in January 2017.

Highlights of the holiday event included remarks from Dr. Frank Scafuri, now in his second year as president of the medical staff, Dr. Pietro Carpenito, executive vice president, Board of Trustees, Chair Kathryn K. Rooney, and Dr. Daniel J. Messina, president and CEO.

During the evening's fare, Rooney and Dr. Messina took the opportunity to update guests regarding projects at the West Brighton health care facility, including the new emergency department, co-generation plant and updated parking.All 3 accused, who are suspected of running an International human trafficking racket and are prime accused behind disappearance of 23 Indian students in Paris, are being questioned by the officers of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"All the accused named in the FIR are being questioned at the CBI's headquarters. After questioning, we will decide further course of action," said an officer of CBI.

According to sources, Lalit Jain, Sanjeev Raj and Varun Chaudhary are being interrogated by agency since Wednesday morning. The questioning was still on, while this article was published.

The prime investigative agency, based on Interpol inputs and complaints, had registered a case of human trafficking against three persons after 23 students, who were taken to Paris to participate in a rugby training camp, went missing in the French capital.

Now, it is being suspected that these missing students have been sold in the international market.

The CBI registered a case against these three accused on the charges of criminal conspiracy, human trafficking, cheating, forgery and using forged documents to commit crime.

The CBI also conducted raids at four places in Delhi and seized incriminating documents and other articles from the premises of accused persons.

THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYSTERY

On February 1, 2016, a group of 25 teenagers, shown as students of two Kapurthala-based schools in Punjab had gone to Paris.

The families of the students were told that the camp in Paris was orgainsed on the basis of invitation received from French Federation.

All 25 students attended the rugby training camp in Paris for about a week.

But soon, all the 25 children were left in Paris and their return tickets were cancelled by the people who took them to Paris.

However, one brave student smelled something wrong and approached the French Police and narrated the entire story.

The French Police informed the Interpol, which established contact with CBI, and two out of 25 students were sent to Delhi by the authorities. The other 23 are still missing and untraceable in Paris.

According to the complain, visa for these students for Paris were obtained from French Embassy in Delhi on the basis of forged and fabricated documents.

The accused had even charged Rs 13 lacs to Rs 25 lacs from parents of each students.

ALSO WATCH | Delhi doctor kidnapped by Ola cabbie rescued after shootout with copsUpdate: According to the Department of Education, the heating in the school has been repaired.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With temperatures below freezing, PS 37, Great Kills, is without heat, forcing students to wear their winter coats and wrap up in blankets to keep warm, according to a worker at the school.

The source, who works at the school's main site, located at 15 Fairfield St., says the school has been without heat since the students arrived on Wednesday morning.

PS 37 is a District 75 school.

Students in the borough's District 75 schools are either on the autism spectrum, have significant cognitive delays, are severely emotionally challenged, sensory impaired and/or multiply disabled.

"Everyone's got jackets on and getting blankets here for kids," the worker said. "There's six classrooms with just wheelchairs. There's 100 kids in the cafeteria with blankets all huddling around."

According to the worker, he was told by a custodian that the reason for the lack of heat is that the school ran out of oil.

"We were told at 7:30 a.m. this morning that it would be back within the hour," the worker told the Advance.

The worker said the school had heat yesterday, but doesn't know if the heat will return before the end of the school day.It's January, but flu season is in full force, and medical experts say there's still time to get a flu shot. The Center for Disease Control encourages Americans to get flu shots every year to prevent the spread of influenza (including the H1N1 virus) during the cold season. Skeptics don't trust the ingredients in flu vaccinations, and many don't believe that the shot actually works. What do you think?

PERSPECTIVES

Only half of all people in the U.S. get the flu shot every year. We're just not that afraid of the flu; most of us have had it and survived it. But science-based health experts and medical professionals say getting the shot isn't about you -- it's about potentially giving the flu to people it could kill.

You should get the flu shot -- even if it won't keep you from getting sick

But others argue flu shots are pointless or even bad for your health. They say injecting the dead flu virus can make you sick, they don't like the preservatives in the shot, and the vaccine doesn't even prevent all strains of the flu. Many argue they would rather live healthily and prevent themselves from getting the flu in the first place than get a shot.

Many Americans believe they don't need the flu vaccine

But others say those arguments are just a lot of hot garbage. Flu shots cannot give you the flu.

No, the vaccine does not prevent flu completely, but that's not the point -- the goal is to reduce the spread of the illness. Flu vaccinations reduce deaths, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients. So, even if you get it, the shot makes your illness milder.

The CDC published a 2017 study that showed flu vaccinations can significantly reduce a child's risk of dying from influenza. JUST GET THE SHOT ALREADY.

PR person just tried to pitch me story on convincing people to get flu shots/vaccines. Appalling its even necessary to make that argument.  Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) October 25, 2017

But a number of "natural" health advocates say the flu shot is just a ruse created by Big Pharma.

The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent.

AgreeThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday registered three cases against self-proclaimed godman Virendra Dev Dixit.

The baba is under scanner for alleged human trafficking activities.

The CBI has constituted a special team to investigate all three cases headed by a superintendent of police level officer.

The Delhi High Court has earlier ordered a CBI investigation into the matter and slammed the Delhi Police for not taking any action on various first information reports (FIRs ) of girls and women being allegedly lured into an ashram in Delhi's Rohini neighbourhood on the pretext of spiritual guidance but then being raped.

Confirming the developments, CBI spokesperson said, "We have lodged three FIRs in the case and initiated investigation."

The agency has taken over three cases registered this year at the Vijay Vihar Police Station in Rohini.

The first case against Virendra Dev Dixit is for raping a female victim including criminal intimidation and wrongful confinement.

The second case is also against Dixit on charges of rape and criminal intimidation of a female victim staying at his Rohini ashram.

The third case is lodged against unknown persons, for assaulting, wrongful confinement, obstruction and voluntary causing hurt by a high court constituted panel.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) recently inspected ashrams of molestation-rape accused self-styled godman in Delhi and said he might be running a human trafficking racket.

A DCW team, including its chief Swati Maliwal, along with Ajay Verma, an advocate appointed as amicus curiae by Delhi High Court in the matter, visited several ashrams of Dixit in Delhi and interacted with the inmates.

"It appears that the baba is running a human trafficking racket. The CBI should urgently and simultaneously conduct raids at all ashrams of Dixit across India and close them down. By delaying the raids, baba is getting time to cover up his action. All women and girls should be immediately rescued," Maliwal had said.

The DCW had rescued more than 45 minor girls from two different ashrams run by Dixit where girls and women were allegedly being kept in illegal confinement in the name of religious preaching.To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!Ex Machina, curated by CCAS program manager Alexander Boynes, showcased a number of artists and although I found weaknesses in both the choice of artists and in the exhibition's ostensible premise and the actualising of that, I really enjoyed the work of a number of artists selected. Prime among these for me was the work of Nicci Haynes (no relation). She is an artist who is full of innovation and original ways of approaching medium and subject, these being strongly showcased here. Other artists demanded active viewer participation often questioning the challenges innate in the complex relationships between technology and use. Brian McNamara's and Pia van Gelder's works exemplify this.PhotoAccess continues to offer a stimulating program that questions the photographic medium in all its manifestations in ways that I find stimulating and provocative. It is difficult to eliminate a number of exhibitions from my Top Five but I will take the liberty of mentioning two that I found too compelling to omit. These are Ioulia Terizis's Quanta and Kate Disher-Quill's Right Hear, Right Now. Pia Johnson, But my "favourites" at PhotoAccess were Chinese Whispers and Other Stories curated by Pia Johnson, and Dylan Smith's A Construct. The former showcased the work of four female artists of Chinese heritage living in Australia. Its theme of "cultural identity, migration and belonging in Australia today" holds particular resonance and the selected works were beautiful, evocative and in their questioning of the theme, conceptually and intellectually enticing.

It was broadly about the coexistence of multiple identities within our society. Janelle Low's Reconcile series exemplified this. She used images of her body. These were faceless and incomplete, states that intimated a "disconnect" between artist, place and viewer. Low also showed exquisitely composed still-life images that spoke of "a" fusion of the East and the West. Tammy Law's evocative pieces used images of a suburban Australian landscape superimposed with images of Myanmar to underscore the poignancy of the "displaced", a further reference to the "disconnect" of the exhibition's theme.

Dylan Smith, Dylan Smith's A Construct was a multi-layered exposition on notions of artifice and reality; on what is "real" and what isn't; on what do we actually "see" when we look at an image. It offered a sophisticated take both visually and intellectually. I liked the interrogative thrust and the manner of visualising that thrust was particularly apposite. Smith's notion of what is original was obviously pertinent when looking at (reproducible) photographs and his intellectual edginess clothed in (often) seductive images held great appeal for me. Heidi Strachan, At Form Studio and Gallery, its final exhibitions of 2017, Part of the Process and Dross combined four highly individual aesthetic languages.

In the former the three artists  Julie Pennington, Jo Searle and Heidi Strachan  demonstrate three very different ways of dealing with the ceramic medium. Each is a skilled and adept maker with a deep understanding of their medium that allied with finely honed visual languages and choice of thematic subject-matter, produced three beautifully nuanced bodies of work. Curatorially the exhibition transcended its parts (whilst nevertheless simultaneously celebrating them) and demonstrated a sophisticated embracing of the relationships within each artist's practice and within these practices combined within the gallery space. I spoke of the space as an aesthetic corollary to the works and I would like to reinforce that here again. The exhibition was truly an inclusive and embracing aesthetic experience.Car enthusiasts are set for a hot weekend, with the forecast for temperatures in mid to high 30s for Summernats.

Tens of thousands of motoring enthusiasts are set to take over Canberra for the Summernats festival with the first engines revving in on Thursday.

Hats on: With temperatures predict to soar into the mid 30s, Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke urged festival goers to be sun safe. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Summernats, an annual car event that has been held in Canberra every year since 1987, is expected to have as many as 100,000 people attended over the four days, with almost 2000 entrants registered for 2018.

With temperatures predict to soar into the mid 30s, Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke urged festival goers to be sun safe.China is suspending the production of more than 500 car models that do not meet its fuel economy standards, several automakers confirmed Tuesday, the latest move by Beijing to reduce emissions in the world's largest auto market and take the lead in battling climate change.

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua said in a report Sunday that the suspension, effective Monday, would affect both domestic carmakers and foreign joint ventures like FAW-Volkswagen and Beijing Benz. No end date was given.

The move was expected to affect a small share of car manufacturing in China, where 28 million vehicles were produced in 2016. China has dozens of small-scale automakers some producing just a few hundred cars a year and the central government has tried to consolidate its auto industry, a factor that most likely also played a role in the suspension.

Still, the measure pointed to a mounting willingness by China to test forceful antipollution policies and assume a leading role in the fight against climate change, experts said. The country, which for years prioritised economic growth over environmental protection and now produces more than a quarter of the world's human-caused greenhouse gases, has emerged as an unlikely bastion of climate action after President Donald Trump's rejection of the Paris climate agreement.(Eds: Repeats with correction in dateline)

Ahmedpur (WB), Jan 3 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP-led central government of "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify original residents of the state in order to check illegal migration. Its first draft was published on December 31 midnight.

Banerjee cautioned the Centre on the issue, saying it should not "play with fire".

"People have gone there (Assam) to work. In the name of NRC, they are planning to drive them out. I warn the BJP government at the Centre not to play with fire. They should not follow the divide and rule policy," she said while addressing a meeting here.

"This is a conspiracy of the central government to drive out around 1.80 crore people from the state," Banerjee alleged.

She said that people migrate to other states for jobs which is their right. "Slowly, they settle down just like there are people from other states who are working and staying in West Bengal," she said.

She claimed that the Trinamool Congress is the only party which speaks for the cause of the people.

"We will continue speaking for the people and if anything happens to them, we will not keep silent," she said.

The chief minister said that if trouble breaks out in Assam, it will have an effect on Bengal, but added "we will keep the Assamese residing in Bengal close to our bosom".

The first draft of the NRC has listed 19 million people out of the 32.9 million applicants as legal Indian citizens, in a massive exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh. PTI SCH SUN JM RT KISBoth companies have market capitalisations of more than $1.4 billion and are producing the stuff and selling it, while experts say that some others in this space are at the beginning of what could be a very, very long road to developing a productive asset, if they get there. So how will the rise of electric vehicles affect the commodity landscape? And is it too late for interested investors to get on board, and invest in Australian companies mining commodities used in EV batteries? Filling up at an electric vehicle charging station in Brisbane. Credit:Robert Shakespeare Glencore, which describes itself as one of the worlds largest diversified natural resources companies, gave a snapshot of the disruptive force that electric vehicles will be in a recent presentation to investors. The company commissioned CRU to conduct research into what 30 million sales of EVs by 2030 would mean for metal demand across the supply chain, from generation and grid infrastructure through to storage, charging and vehicles.

The report found that the metal required to support 30 million EV sales in 2030 was about 4.1 million tonnes of copper (equal to 18 per cent of 2016 supply), about 1.1 million tonnes of nickel (or 56 per cent of 2016 supply) and 314,000 tonnes of cobalt (about 314 per cent of 2016 supply). As early as 2020, forecast EV related metal demand is becoming material, requiring an additional circa 390,000 tonnes of copper, circa 85,000 tonnes of nickel and 24,000 tonnes of cobalt, Glencores investor presentation said. Transportation/mobility will be transformed  driven by environmental pressures, political mandates, consumer experience and technological progress, it said. The energy and mobility transformation currently underway is forecast to unlock material new sources of demand for enabling underlying commodities including copper, nickel and cobalt. These commodities offer compelling fundamentals when coupled with persistent supply challenges, it said.

While Glencore is already a significant producer of copper, nickel and cobalt, there are plenty of other miners, of varying sizes, hoping to get in to the drivers seat of the electric vehicle express. There are now, I think, over 300 listed lithium plays across Australia and North America. Its over 100 in Australia, said Lachlan Shaw, global commodity strategist with UBS. Now of that the number of producing businesses, that is businesses that are producing lithium today and making cash, would be probably less than 10. And then, of the next cohort, that are businesses with a project that has been appropriately explored, defined, put through a feasibility study and is shovel ready, (there) may be half-a-dozen, he said. Which means there are many others with a fair way to go.

Lithium stocks have already been a hit with investors for some time, but a number became jet propelled in 2017. Pilbara Minerals, for instance, closed at 50 cents on January 3, the first trading day of 2017, and was as low as 32 cents in April. On the last day of trading in 2017, it closed at $1.115, and is now a $1.83 billion company. Kidman Resources, which has one of the biggest lithium projects in the world at Mount Holland in Western Australia, closed at 60 cents on the first day of trading in 2017, and was as low as 35 cents in April. In the months since its stock price has boomed, and it closed on the last trading day in 2017 at $1.88. It now has a $658 million market capitalisation. Kidmans managing director, Martin Donohue, told the International Mining and Resources Conference held in Melbourne recently that Chinese companies had been busy striking deals with lithium companies to secure lithium supply. "It's very hard to find a lithium developer or producer that hasn't signed some kind of an off-take with the Chinese converters, or even further upstream," he said.

"What's that meant, in some ways it's almost like an arm's race as we get into this electric vehicle market," he said. As Chinese companies chase lithium supplies, and Australian investors chase lithium stocks, how much room, if any, is left for the stock prices of companies in lithium and other electric vehicle commodities to climb higher? Asked if its too late for Australian investors to get into the electric vehicle theme, Mr Shaw pondered the question carefully, then responded: Yes, and no. He added: In many ways, some of the easy money on punting hopefuls, that may have been done. But I think the real money, in terms of actually investing in businesses that have assets in production, and that have options to grow production either at their existing asset, or with new assets, I think there are still good options out there. While investors need to do their homework, shrewd ones would be able to find opportunities, he said.

When I sit back and I look at the potential growth in electric vehicle penetration globally, on a 5-10 year view, and I look at what that means for the materials required to make the batteries that will be needed, that theres a huge opportunity in lithium markets. And I think for me right now, the best way to play that is to be investing in businesses that have current production today, that are making cash, but businesses which have options to grow in the future. Because then youre talking about a real business that is running well today, positioned well today with the opportunity to grow and be part of this emergence on a five to 10 year view. And I think thats when the opportunity gets a lot more tangible, and the risk becomes a lot more reasonable and the potential for an ongoing sustainable business that has growth and good cash flow and returns to owners, that sort of prospect emerges, he said. Among the lithium stocks UBS likes Galaxy and Orocobre. Both those businesses have assets that are producing today, that are making positive cash flows. Both of those businesses have growth options ahead of them. Theres a degree of risk there, to be sure, but its a lot less risky in my view, than a much earlier stage proposition. Those businesses have pathways ahead of them, he said.

Another way for investors to tackle the EV theme is to consider other commodities involved in EV batteries, he said. Also important in todays batteries is graphite, and we like Syrah Resources. They have an enormous resource project in Mozambique, they have just commenced shipping first production, its very low cost, they have huge optionality at that project. Its possible for Syrah to meet the worlds expanding graphite demand by just adding extra production to their Balama project. And so they have a great market position, he said. Among other companies UBS likes in the EV thematic includes the nickel and cobalt producer Independence Group. Adrian Prendergast, senior resources analyst at Morgans, believes the EV theme will continue to be a hot area of investment for Australian investors in 2018.Yowie shares have slumped to a near-five-year low after the confectionery maker slashed its full-year sales guidance and replaced its chief executive.

Shares in the ASX-listed chocolate company came out of a trading halt on Wednesday and fell as much as 36 per cent to 13.5 cents in the first half-hour of trade.

That's the lowest they have been since May 2013.

The Australian chocolate maker on Wednesday said it expects net sales to grow by 17 per cent, rather than the previously forecast 55 per cent, due to an 11.7 per cent decline in first-half North American sales.An end to squabbling in Canberra, and corporate tax cuts to ensure Australia stays an attractive investment destination, are business leaders' top issues for 2018.

But corporate heads who gathered at the Victorian seaside town Sorrento on Wednesday for KPMG's annual Couta Boats Classic acknowledged that the corporate community needed to win the public's support if politicians are to back business-friendly legislation.

Macquarie Group director Patricia Cross (second from left) wants company tax cuts. Credit:Pat Scala

After taking out line honours on the boat Bella, Macquarie director Patricia Cross told Fairfax Media the biggest issue globally was how to stabilise 2017's growth and "make hay" while the sun shone on the economy.

At home, she hoped for an end to political partisanship, and corporate tax cuts to keep pace with the United States, after President Donald Trump late last month secured support to slash the rate there from 35 per cent to 21 per cent.The emphasis from her supervisors seemed to be on her own career development, she thought  but how would publishing a few academic papers actually make a difference to people struggling with alcohol problems? It was this passion for driving change in public health that became central to Wutzke's life work. Having held various roles at the University of Sydney and then at the Central Sydney Area Health Service, her first leadership position saw her run program evaluation for the National Prescribing Service for more than five years. Here she led the establishment and ongoing design and implementation of the broad-ranging evaluation program to support Australia's strategic approach to the quality use of medicines. She became the heart and soul of the organisation, fostering a positive and inclusive culture beyond her team to across the organisation. Wutzke joined the Sax Institute in 2006 and played a leading role in building two of Australia's most significant research collaborations, the 45 and Up study and SEARCH, both of which are ongoing research platforms that will benefit the health of Australians long into the future. She took the helm of the 45 and Up study soon after the pilot phase and under her leadership more than 200,000 people were recruited to the cohort, making it the largest study of ageing in the southern hemisphere. Today more than 650 researchers and nearly 30 policy agencies have used the study data  and the resulting research has informed many policy and service delivery decisions. The 45 and Up study would not have happened so rapidly and effectively without Wutzke's remarkable capacity to make important ideas a reality by bringing together effective teams and supporting complex collaborations. SEARCH is Australia's largest cohort of urban Aboriginal children, a complex partnership between Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and their communities, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, governments and many researchers. At a critical period in its development, Wutzke led the recruitment of children and their families and strengthened the collaborative structure on which the study still relies. The findings from SEARCH have already resulted in improvements in hearing and speech services, in housing and nutrition, and mental health programs  and all are part of Wutzke's legacy.

Before joining the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre in 2013, Wutzke was research manager at the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). There, she was the architect of the ACI's research strategy, providing a key role for the renewed direction of the research committee. Wutzke will be remembered for her extraordinary intelligence and her ability to see a way through the most messy and complex of problems. She had a rare understanding that not every problem has a simple solution, but that little by little you could change the direction of an entire system. Under her stewardship, and with director Andrew Wilson and the leadership team, the Prevention Centre grew to span 150 researchers across Australia working on 37 research projects in almost every state and territory. In its first five years, the centre has produced ground-breaking initiatives that will help policy-makers understand where to intervene to address the risk behaviours for chronic disease, including the economic benefits of prevention, how the built environment supports better health choices, and what the effects of government programs will be into the future. Most recently, the Prevention Centre secured an additional $10 million in funding in one of the first disbursements of the Medical Research Future Fund  testament to the trust held in the centre at the highest levels of government. Perhaps Wutzke's greatest skill was to draw out the best from her team. She took a keen interest in the careers and welfare of all her colleagues, providing numerous opportunities for development. She elicited trust and respect through her commitment and sense of fairness. It was never about her own career; it was about the team and what they could achieve together. There was a modesty about Wutzke, an ability to connect with people on many different levels. She was as comfortable talking about the latest episode of The Bachelor as about advances in dynamic simulation modelling.

She described and treated her team as her "other family"  and families mattered. Through her own experiences, she keenly understood how hard it was to balance motherhood and paid work, and allowed her staff flexibility to balance home and work duties. In addition to her academic work, Wutzke was passionate about giving back to the local community. She gave her precious time to support Sutherland Food Services meals on wheels, sitting on the management committee for the last 2  years. Previously, she had given her time to support Keystone Community Solutions and 3Bridges Community, both local organisations focused on improving people's wellbeing. Her greatest achievement was her two daughters, Alex and Carly. Despite her commitment to achieving the highest standards at work, Wutzke would always make time for them. She would answer every one of their phone calls, once famously dashing out to buy fake eyelashes for a school formal while conducting a high-level teleconference on her mobile. Her love and pride in her girls shone through at work  she spoke of their academic and artistic talents, their first jobs, and how well they were making their way in the world. They were, quite simply, her most important life's work. Sonia will be keenly missed by hundreds of colleagues whose lives she touched across governments, universities and public health organisations. She is survived by her beautiful daughters, Alex and Carly.I spent my holiday break perusing the assessments of President Donald Trump's first year in office. Peter Baker's account in The New York Times was one of the more noteworthy ones, because Chief of Staff John F. Kelly commented on the record. Clearly, one of the political themes of 2017 is the professionalisation of White House operations under Kelly. And these paragraphs reveal what Kelly thinks he has accomplished:

"Even Mr Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general who took over in July as chief of staff, has met the limits of his ability to guide the president. Rather than seek to control Mr Trump, Mr Kelly has tried to control the information that gets to him and make sure it is vetted. The structure he has established resembles that of previous presidents. That does not mean Mr Trump adheres to it.

Illustration: Dionne Gain

"I'm not put on earth to control him," Mr Kelly said. "But I have been put on earth to make this staff work better and make sure this president, whether you voted for him or not, is fully informed before he makes a decision. And I think we achieved that."

"He remains fairly unconventional," he added. "But as I point out, he now is fully briefed on the issues and the pluses and minuses, pros and cons."Victoria has joined South Australia in lining up a new large-scale battery to support the electricity grid, adding pressure on NSW to follow suit.

The reliability of the National Electricity Market, a major political and economic issue in 2017, may be tested in coming days as a large heatwave sweeps across southern Australia. The electricity market operator has issued an alert.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 41 degrees in Adelaide and Melbourne, while parts of western Sydney will reach 42 degrees, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts.

While a cool change will ease conditions in South Australia and Victoria on Sunday, Sydney is tipped to hit 37 degrees in the city and 45 degrees in Penrith.An image from the Jason Markland documentary on rip currents shows the approach of swimming parallel to the shore. A growing body of research finds rips are less predictable and harder to escape, even for strong swimmers like Muldoon, who used his first-hand experience to narrate a new documentary Rip Current Heroes. Muldoon followed traditional advice and, with his mate, swam parallel to the shore. "We swam down the beach for a while, and swam the other way. And we weren't moving whatever we did," said Muldoon, recalling that night a few years ago. An image from the Jason Markland documentary on rip currents shows how to identify a rip. He said he did everything wrong when he approached the beach. Muldoon didn't check for rips before diving in.

In the water though, he did everything right. He didn't panic, he conserved his energy, he tried swimming parallel, and was willing to change strategies when that didn't work. An image from the Jason Markland documentary on rip currents shows another type of rip. "It was lucky we were strong swimmers, and we didn't panic. We absolutely did that right," said Muldoon. Yet rips can travel twice as fast as an Olympic swimmer. An image from the Jason Markland documentary on rip currents shows how a rip can flow out and back to shore.

Muldoon and his mate were among the 4.2 million Australians who have been caught in a rip. Finally they hitched a ride to shore with the last remaining surfer. An image from the Jason Markland documentary on rip currents shows a typical boundary rip. As they discovered, no rip current escape is guaranteed, other than learning to identify and avoid a rip in the first place, says geomorphologist Dr Brander from the University of NSW. Only 30 per cent of Australians can correctly identify a rip, and about two out of three of those who say they can, cannot do so correctly. Few have the swimming skills to survive: About one in four of those who hit the surf every year can't float more than a few minutes and many can't swim 50 metres without stopping, says Surf Life Saving Australia's 2017 National Coastal Safety Report.

Tui Gallaher, 14, died at Maroubra Beach last summer. Credit:Facebook Intensive experiments on escaping rip currents, which attached GPS trackers to swimmers in a rip, found neither of the traditional escape strategies  the stay afloat or the swim parallel advice  was 100 per cent successful, said Dr Brander, the deputy head of UNSW's School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences who is often known as Dr Rip. One beach could have several different types of rips nearby, which meant the optimal rip current escape strategy for one may be the "worst strategy at a nearby rip", says research by Brander and others published in Earth Science Review. Even rip experts like him have struggled. "We had situations where people who swam one way 100 per cent got out of the rip. But people who swam the other way (in the same rip) really struggled. Which way will get you out? It is like a coin toss.

"All the research shows there's no single action that you can do that will guarantee you'll get out of rips safely," Dr Brander said. "We had some of the best rip current experts in the world, and when you are in a rip, it is very difficult to know if it is going to recirculate, or take you out the back, because you are flowing very fast and you are still going to end out the back before you can swim to the side to get out of a rip," he said. That research meant swimmers needed to know the different options, he said, with the best advice to stay calm and float if possible. "There's no single thing that works. My preference is always to stay afloat, because it means you are conserving energy and thinking about the situation."

Surf Life Saving says 1281 people died on Australian beaches between 2014 to 2017. "Potentially 1281 lives may not have been lost as a result of coastal drowning if these people had been swimming at a patrolled beach, between the yellow and red flags," said Shane Daw, SLS national coastal risk and safety manager. Of the 19 people who drown in rips every year on average, about 53 per cent of these fatalities occur between December and February, and about 27 per cent in March and April. Safety experts recommend that swimmers swim only between the flags, yet only four per cent of Australian beaches are patrolled. Dr Brander, whose research is featured in Rip Current Heroes, says it is important to educate young people on the dangers and how to identify rips.

"We can't just rely on the swim between the flags message," said Dr Brander. "You don't cross the roads without looking. You shouldn't go to a beach without looking for rips," he said. If you don't know how to evaluate the safety of the beach, and your own ability, you shouldn't enter the water, he says. The documentary was produced by Jason Markland and National Geographic, and will be screened this month. It will be made available, along with educational materials, to schools free of charge to educate young people on the dangers of rips, as part of a five-year commitment by National Geographic to reduce coastal drowning deaths. A father of five, Mr Markland was prompted to make the documentary after watching beach goers swimming outside the flags near Coolangatta where he lives. About 47 per cent of drowning deaths occurred within a kilometre of a surf lifesaving club, and very often next to flags. "I saw people swimming about 200 metres outside flags. And a rip current kept returning to this section, and I kept seeing lifesavers running up the beach, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing.Cheap schooners and pints at the pub would be a thing of the past under a radical tax hike proposed to the Turnbull government by anti-alcohol lobbyists.

The excise on all alcohol would rise by 10 per cent, while the tax on draught beer - discounted since 2001 - would be lifted to match that imposed on packaged beer at bottleshops.

On current settings, that means the tax on light beer at pubs would increase more than five-fold, while tax on mid-strength ale would double and tax on full-strength lager would increase by 50 per cent.

Altogether, Australians would pay $2.9 billion in extra taxes while reducing their consumption of alcohol by an estimated 9.4 per cent, according to a pre-budget submission by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education.Ellen Page has tied the knot with her partner, choreographer and professional dancer, Emma Portner in a secret ceremony.

"Can't believe I get to call this extraordinary woman my wife," the Juno actress wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday that featured photos of their wedding bands, as well as an intimate moment between them.

Ellen Page and Emma Portner, left, arrive at the world premiere of "Flatliners" in Los Angeles. Credit:AP

Portner also announced the surprise marriage on her Instagram page, writing, "@ellenpage I LOVE YOU."

The Inception star reportedly reached out to Portner last year on Instagram after seeing one of her dances on the social media platform. They have been together since July.Losing weight and saving money are still top of the nation's New Year's resolution list but many people are embracing a new challenge this year  waste reduction.

The ABC's War on Waste brought the issue vividly to life, inspiring many to change their ways  if they just knew where to start. It doesn't help that the waste-free lifestyle is often associated with expensive organic bulk food stores or articles about people who can fit all their rubbish for the entire year in a tiny jar.

It may seem like you can only achieve this if you have cash to spare and hours on hand to make your own soap. But others argue that waste-free living actually saves money. What's the truth of it?

Hannah Thiem, 21, from Camperdown in Sydney, has been trying to reduce her waste for the past three years with varying success.China tried to construct a road through Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh days after India-China border talks in New Delhi.

Days after Ajit Doval - India's National Security Advisor and Special Representative on the boundary issue - met his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, China tried to build a road through Indian territory in Bishing, in the Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Chinese were pushed back by the Indian troops.

Doval met Jiechi on December 20 in New Delhi.

Sources told India Today, a road building party from China entered Indian territory in a remote part of Arunachal Pradesh on December 26. The ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) Force and Indian Army, alerted by the villagers rushed and interdicted the Chinese.

The area where the Chinese construction party entered is close to the place where Brahmaputra river enters India, sources said.

Top Army sources said, "The Chinese wanted to construct an Op-track - non metal road to move men and material - around two kilometers away from the nearest ITBP post."

The Op-track is about 600 meters long and a 12-feet wide track was constructed on Indian territory.

Indian troops pushed back the labours, and "seized their equipment," sources said.

Subsequently, Indian troops have barricaded the area since and have been guarding it.

The retreating Chinese team left behind road building equipment like water bowser and heavy-earth movers.

Sources said China has now requested returning the equipment.

Earlier, last year Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a 73-day stand-off at the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan.

The stand-off between both the troops near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction started on June 16, when a PLA construction party entered the Doklam area and attempted to construct a road on land that is claimed by Bhutan.

The face-off ended on August 28.

The standoff led to tension between the two nuclear armed nations.

WATCH | US President Donald Trump tears into 'liar' Pakistan, revokes aidA rhino has gored a senior zoo keeper at Mogo Zoo on the NSW South Coast.

The zoo said the woman's arm was injured about 12.50pm during a routine daily procedure with southern white rhino Kei.

The zoo keeper received first aid at the scene and the paramedics were called.

Kei was uninjured in the incident, which happened in a part of the zoo that is not open to the public.The seaplane that crashed north of Sydney killing six people on New Year's Eve had been "destroyed" in a fatal accident two decades ago, an investigation report shows.

Authorities are trying to determine what caused the plane to plunge into Jerusalem Bay, killing British executive Richard Cousins, 58; his two sons William, 25, and Edward Cousins, 23; his fiancee Emma Bowden, 48; her daughter Heather, 11; and pilot Gareth Morgan, 44.

The Sydney Seaplanes aircraft had flown thousands of trips around Sydney Harbour since the early 2000s.

But the de Havilland Canada Beaver model, first registered in 1964, flew under a different registration in a previous life as a crop duster with the same serial number. The plane set off from Armidale in the state's north on November 15, 1996, and was preparing to spread a load of phosphate fertiliser on a nearby property when it fell into difficulty in hot, gusty winds.Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will be among the dignitaries gathering in Kingaroy to farewell Lady Florence Bejelke-Petersen.

A state funeral will be held on Thursday for the former Queensland senator and wife of Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, in her hometown at the Kingaroy Town Hall.

Flo Bjelke-Petersen's funeral is to be held in the same place as her husband Joh's funeral in 2005. Credit:John Wilson

It is the same venue that hosted the state funeral for Sir Joh, Queensland's longest-serving premier, in 2005.

Lady Bjelke-Petersen died at the age of 97 on December 20 following complications from a fall she suffered weeks earlier.Parts of Brisbane have been inundated with water as an unusually high tide hit the citys low-lying areas, including the suburbs of Windsor and Scarborough.

The tide is due to the first full moon of the year and the extra pull it has on the world's water.

King Tide at Windsor on January 3, 2018. Credit:7 News Queensland - Kate Leonard-Jones

The Bureau of Meteorology's tide predictions for Brisbane had Wednesday's high tide hitting 2.75 metres, which was the highest tide prediction for 2018.A Queensland teenager charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his father with a pair of scissors on Palm Island has faced court.

Nathaniel James Murray, 19, was charged on Monday after allegedly stabbing his 52-year-old father in the neck with a pair of scissors during an argument at a Farm Road home that afternoon.

Nathaniel James Murray is escorted by police after being charged with the murder of his father on Palm Island. Credit:Nine News

The father was pronounced dead at Townsville Base Hospital on Monday evening after undergoing surgery.

"We believe the murder weapon may be a pair of scissors and we're undertaking a search at the present time to locate that," Detective Inspector Leonie Steyger said in Townsville on Tuesday.A hip-hop artist who sang about life on the run is in custody after allegedly leading police on a wild car chase through Melbourne streets on New Year's Day.

Corinthian Morgan, 32, unleashed a spray in Melbourne Magistrates Court when refused bail on allegations he put the lives of other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists at risk through the streets of Northcote and Thornbury.

Rapper Corinthian Morgan.

"Thanks a lot. Thanks a f...... lot," he shouted as he threw court documents from the dock when magistrate Duncan Reynolds denied bail on Tuesday afternoon.

"It's just jail, jail, jail and no bail for a black man."Just as Julio Ascui's family were fearing the worst five days after the avid hiker went missing in rugged bushland, the 50-year-old was putting his bush skills to good use to survive.

Mr Ascui, better known as Lester, chewed on eucalyptus leaves and drank water from a nearby stream while lost in the Grampians National Park.

Privately, the family had started to talk about the possibility of making funeral arrangements, but were putting on a brave face as they continued to search and plead publicly for information.

Their five days of anguish ended on Wednesday morning with one simple text message: "We found him".If you're planning a trip to the Mornington Peninsula over the next few days, you have several beaches to choose from in the Sorrento area.

You can go to the beach that's enclosed by Port Phillip Bay  Sorrento front beach, which has been one of the bay beaches with the best water quality so far this summer.

Or you could take a dip a couple of kilometres away at the Sorrento back beach that backs onto Bass Strait.

The lifesaving patrol captain there, Howard Draper, says this beach has a rough and rigorous surf, making it much different to the calm and shallow waters you can expect at the front beach.A serial sex offender grabbed a five-year-old girl's bike by the handlebars and wouldn't let go, then sexually assaulted a woman who was trying to protect her from him, a court has heard.



After pleading guilty and being sentenced to a three-month jail term on Wednesday, the man was due to be released from custody that night after already serving 115 days in custody.

Gregory Pace was in a drug-induced psychosis when he stepped in front of the girl and held her bicycle in a Seddon street, leaving her distressed and crying, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard.



A woman who witnessed the incident went to the girl's aid and helped calm Pace and return the girl to her father, until Pace sexually assaulted the woman by grabbing her body and trying to lift her dress, prosecutor Amitoj Singh said.



He also exposed himself to the woman and walked down the street with his pants down, exposing himself to residents.



The girl was riding about 50 metres ahead of her father and siblings when Pace grabbed her bike on September 11 last year, Acting Sergeant Singh said.

He did not touch the girl and she didn't witness the woman being assaulted, the court heard.



Pace, who has five sex offence convictions dating back to 2005, was on Wednesday jailed for three months after pleading guilty to sexual assault and exposing himself in public.



But with 115 days in prison already served, the 40-year-old was due to be released from custody that night and begin an 18-month community corrections order.



Defence counsel Lorien Ruane said Pace grabbed the girl's bike in the belief there was a fight at the end of the street, and that he held on to prevent the child falling in the gutter.



But he acknowledged he would have frightened the girl and was remorseful. "It wasn't an aggressive act, it was a protective one," Ms Ruane said.



Pace has a history of substance abuse, the court heard, but was determined not to use drugs again and was now in a committed relationship with a woman.



When magistrate John Bentley asked where the woman was, Ms Ruane said the woman was in the Philippines and had met Pace online.



She planned to come to Australia after a bout of heart surgery, the court heard. "Are you telling me this is serious?" Mr Bentley asked of the relationship.



When told the woman knew of Pace's past the magistrate told him: "You are an individual she should run a mile from."



Pace also pleaded guilty to exposing himself at Altona train station on May 15, 2016 when he pulled his pants down at a CCTV camera when told over an intercom that the trains weren't running and he had to catch a bus.



And he admitted to failing to alert police in 2016 that he had opened new social media accounts when required to do so as a registered sex offender.



Pace must undergo treatment for sex offenders and regular drug testing and treatment as part of his community corrections order.



"I am over it. I want help. I want to settle down in my life," he said. "I want to get out of jail and start a new life ... I am a man and I want to be a proper citizen."A Victorian magistrate has been charged with failing to immediately stop after a car accident in which property was damaged and failing to report full details of the crash to the nearest police station.

Richard Pithouse was charged on Wednesday over a crash in Spotswood in September.

Credit:Louie Douvis

Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen has declined to stand Mr Pithouse down while the case is before the courts, although Mr Pithouse won't hear any traffic or other criminal matters until his case is finalised.

"I do not intend to stand down the magistrate as the charges are untested," Mr Lauritsen said. "The magistrate is entitled, as is every other member of the community, to the presumption of innocence."Sculptures of Buddha are lit by lamps during a lighting project which officially opened to public at the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, central China's Henan province, April 9, 2007. Longmen has more than 2,300 grottoes with 110,000 Buddhist images, more th

Datong in Shanxi province is known in China as the hub of coal-mining. But with a massive green makeover, it's Buddhism and not coal that it's city officials are now banking on.

The famed Yunggang grottoes, one of three renowned sites of Buddhist art in China where towering Buddhas have been carved into sandstone mountainsides, is at the centrepiece of plans to woo foreign tourists - part of a wider push to green the city's economy and move it away from coal-reliance.

China's provinces hold lessons for India's states in how they are making a concerted effort to generate tourism revenues, investing in infrastructure, hotels and marketing.

Even in Buddhist sites-where India, in fact, has far more historical links to Buddhism-Chinese cities have managed to attract Japanese, Korean and Southeast Asian travellers on a larger scale than India.

"The grottoes is a big part of our tourism push, and we are getting travellers from Asia and India too," says Wang Lin, deputy director of Shanxi province tourism development committee.

China's domestic tourism market is among the world's largest. And internationally, 122 million Chinese go abroad ever year.

Inbound foreign tourism is also on the rise, reaching 138 million in 2016 (although Hong Kong accounted for 81 million, according to official figures).

In 2016, more than 40 lakh Japanese tourists travelled to China, compared with 2 lakh to India. Around 7 lakh Indians travelled to China, according to Chinese statistics, while only 1 lakh Chinese made the journey in the opposite direction. In fact, more Chinese travelled to Sri Lanka than India, with two Beijing travel agents explaining that Indian tourism not only failed in terms of China-specific initiatives that Sri Lanka has been doing, but also the lack of hotels in Buddhist sites and Chinese-speakers has been seen as a drawback.

ALSO WATCH | Here are the jobs: Why Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant thinks tourism is an unparalleled money-minterExtreme temperatures predicted for Saturday have prompted a health warning from Victoria's chief medical officer.

The Country Fire Authority is also on alert, with strong winds predicted and concerns over a spate of spontaneously combusting hay bales across the state.

Melburnians are expected to flock to beaches including St Kilda, pictured, on Saturday when the mercury is tipped to reach 41. Credit:Daniel Pockett

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts Melbourne will reach a top of 41, Geelong, Bendigo and Shepparton will hit 42, Ouyen and Swan Hill 43, and Mildura will be 44.

The Chief Health Officer has issued a health alert for the North Central weather district, while four other districts are near the threshold for an alert.Local residents have spoken of the horrific moment nine people, believed to be backpackers, were found in varying states of consciousness following a suspected mass drug overdose in a Victoria Park home.

Police were called to the home on Colombo Street just after 11pm on Tuesday evening, after reports people were "violently ill" at the home.

The house where the suspected drug overdose occurred. Credit:9 News Perth

A WA Police spokesperson said on arrival, officers found up to nine people in semi-conscious and unconscious states.

Neighbour Sebastian Arevalo and his partner Sophie Barnett told Radio 6PR they witnessed people being wheeled from the home on stretchers.One of Australia's top drug experts has shed some new light on the powerful prescription drug which landed nine backpackers in Perth hospitals on Tuesday night.

Three of the nine are still in hospital in critical conditions.

One of the men returns to the Victoria Park home. Credit:9 News Perth.

Professor Steve Allsop, of the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University, said the nine overseas nationals were lucky they did not suffer far worse consequences after taking the prescription drug Hyoscine.

Prof Allsop said warnings had been issued in the past about Hyoscine use overseas, amid fears it was being abused in the UK prison system.A Perth man caught with more than 20,000 images and videos of child pornography will spend at least the next two years behind bars, after also indecently dealing with two boys.

Matthew William Evans, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecently dealing with a child over 13 and under 16, two counts of possession of child exploitation material and one count of indecently recording a child over 13 and under 16.

An investigation uncovered 781 photos of the boys taken by Evans, with a number of the images captioned with sexual comments. Credit:Jacky Ghossein

The charges related to offences committed on two boys at Evans' Canning Vale home in 2015.

One boy woke up one night to find Evan's hand near his genitals.Bangkok: While accused Australian spy James Ricketson languishes unwell in one of Cambodia's harshest jails the Turnbull government insists it cannot intervene in his case.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says its consular staff cannot provide legal advice or intervene in legal cases to get Australians out of prison overseas "just as foreign embassy officials cannot do so in Australia."

The policy which the department says applies to all Australians who get into trouble overseas means that Canberra cannot tell Cambodian authorities that 68 year-old Ricketson is not an Australian spy, if that is the case.

The department reiterated its policy to Fairfax Media as some of the Sydney filmmaker's family members and supporters circulate an on-line petition demanding that Australia intervene to avoid what they say is a false prosecution.Demonstrators protest against the current government in Iran near the Iranian embassy in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday. Credit:Markus Schreiber "People have economic demands ... of course these demands should be taken seriously ... of course the establishment should listen to the people, but all these can be discussed in a calm atmosphere," the official said. Some conservatives have pushed for a hardline approach, even though bloodshed could fuel more protests in the largest wave of demonstrations since nationwide unrest in 2009. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country's enemies have meddled in recent protest rallies. Credit:AP "So far, security forces have not tried to prevent the demonstrations .... but this will change if [Khamenei] calls for an end to the street protests and demonstrators defy his call," said one former Iranian official from the reformist camp.

Even if the unrest is quelled, the demands of tens of thousands of restless working class youths who have taken to the streets are unlikely to dissipate. Six rioters were killed during an attack on the police station, according to Iranian state TV. Credit:AP Khamenei spoke publicly for the first time about the crisis on Tuesday, accusing Iran's enemies of stirring unrest. "In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create troubles for the Islamic Republic," Khamenei said. Iranian protesters chant slogans at a rally in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. Credit:Ebrahim Noroozi

He did not mention any enemies by name but Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia were behind the riots. US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said of the claims: "We all know that's complete nonsense. Iranian hard-liners have rallied to support the country's supreme leader and clerical-overseen government. Credit:Ebrahim Noroozi "The demonstrations are completely spontaneous. They are virtually in every city in Iran. This is the precise picture of a long oppressed peoples rising up against their dictators," she said. The Trump administration also accused the Iranian government of blocking or suppressing internet communications used by anti-government protesters and began laying groundwork for new international sanctions targeting alleged human rights abuses. At least 21 people had died in protest related violence by Wednesday.

A portrait of Donald Trump is set on fire last month by Iranian protesting his decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Credit:AP A statement on Khamenei's website said he would address the nation about the events "when the time is right". The limits of Rouhani's power The protesters have little chance of toppling the clerical leaders, who appear to be retaining control of the military, police, and security forces and have no compunction about using them, according to one US official following the developments. Rouhani, who was elected in 2013, is more exposed. He is seen as a pragmatist at odds with hardliners and has said in response to the protests that Iranians have a right to criticise the authorities.

But he has a fight on his hands because of growing resentment over high prices and allegations of corruption. "His power is limited in Iran's ruling system. Public discontent is increasing ... people are losing their faith in the establishment system," a third Iranian official said. "The leaders are well aware of this fact and its dangerous consequences." US officials fear the likeliest outcome of the protests is discrediting what one called Rouhani's "moderate brand of moderation" and a harsher crackdown by the clerical authorities. "It's an open question whether Rouhani ever intended to keep any of his promises, but he hasn't delivered, especially on the economic front, and that means he has no popular support and is expendable to Khamenei," said a second US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. "He's likely to be one of the casualties, though maybe not immediately."

Rouhani has blamed his predecessor and the United States, Iran's long-time adversary, for the economy's shortcomings. But his government has also backtracked on planned fuel price rises and promised more jobs. Rouhani may need to spend more money to create more employment if he is to ease discontent, and could risk antagonising powerful interests if he tries to address allegations of corruption. His vulnerability and the deep divisions in Iran's hierarchy have fuelled suspicions among some of his sympathisers that conservative rivals may have played a hand in the crisis. "It was a coup against Rouhani and his achievements ... The aim was to harm Rouhani," said Saeed Leylaz, a political analyst close to the pro-reform movement.Jerusalem: Hours after the Israeli Parliament approved new obstacles to a land-for-peace deal with the Palestinians, left-wing activists took some solace in a last-minute decision by right-wing politicians to jettison one part of their plan.

The surprise move came around 3am on Tuesday, local time, when members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition stripped from a bill they were about to enact, language that would have made it easier to exclude Palestinians from the map of Jerusalem.

A view of the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock, some of the holiest sites for for Jews and Muslims, in Jerusalem's Old City. Credit:ODED BALILTY

The decision was tactical, not philosophical, but left-wing activists hoped it would give them a chance to fight another day.

The provision removed from the bill would have allowed the municipal map of Jerusalem to be redrawn without a parliamentary vote on the new boundaries.Trump's combative response to a statement made in recent days by Kim raised the temperature in the brewing confrontation between the United States and North Korea even as American allies in South Korea were moving to open talks with Pyongyang. The contrast between Trump's language and the peace overture by South Korea highlighted the growing rift between two longtime allies.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,'" Trump wrote on Twitter. "Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Washington: President Donald Trump again raised the prospect of nuclear war with North Korea on Tuesday night, boasting that he commands a "much bigger" and "more powerful" arsenal of devastating weapons than the outlier government in Asia.

The President's saber-rattling tweet shifted the tenor of his response to the South Korean initiative just hours after a milder initial statement. Trump, who has scorned the prospects of negotiating with North Korea, earlier in the day said the possible talks between the two governments on the peninsula resulted from sanctions imposed by the United States and the international community. "Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see!" he wrote Tuesday morning.

Why Trump hardened his message later the same day was not immediately clear. But Trump has not hesitated to match North Korea's incendiary language even while other American presidents resisted such back-and-forth taunting out of concern that it was unwise and unnecessarily rewarding the hermit nation.

Last northern summer, Trump vowed to rain down "fire and fury" on North Korea if it posed a threat to the United States. Last fall, he went before the United Nations General Assembly to warn that he would "totally destroy North Korea" if the United States were forced to defend itself or its allies.

Earlier Tuesday, South Korea proposed holding talks with North Korea next week in Panmunjom, a village straddling the border between the two hostile countries. If North Korea agrees, it would be the first official dialogue between the Koreas in two years in what leaders in Seoul hope could dampen the talk of war that has consumed the past few months.

North Korea has made significant strides in the past year in developing intercontinental ballistic missiles that could eventually deliver nuclear warheads to targets as distant as the United States. More than two decades of efforts by the United States and other major powers have failed to thwart North Korea from building a nuclear arsenal in defiance of international law.PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Port St. Maarten kicked off the New Year on a high note on Tuesday, January 2nd with approximately 12,000 cruise passengers in port on three cruise ships.

On the second day of the New Year  January 2nd, there were three ships in port and the first cruise vessels for 2018, namely, Disney Fantasy, Marella Discovery, and Harmony of the Seas.

We have started the New Year with a bang and are happy to see the return of Disney Cruise Lines as well as Royal Caribbean International Genesis class vessels such as Harmony of the Seas. At the same time, we call on all stakeholders and the community to continue to give the cruise ship guests a warm Sint Maarten welcome and smile.

It is also very important to keep the destination looking clean by throwing thrash in the bin. All eyes are on the destination with a microscope, and we must remain cognizant of what we have achieved and continue to go above and beyond in our efforts to keep #SXMStrong and moving forward, Port St. Maarten Management said on Tuesday.

Port St. Maarten representatives have been working diligently since the passing of Irma with the cruise lines about the readiness of the destination to receive cruise passengers and being able to provide the unique rediscover destination experience. These discussions have translated into the return of cruise ships to the island.

Much has been accomplished over the past months to get the destination ready. The business community and those working in the hospitality sector that caters to the cruise sector have been doing a tremendous job, and we encourage the others to come online as soon as possible.

The more businesses that are back up and running and providing vital hospitality services to the cruise sector will contribute to additional cruise lines adding the destination to their itinerary for the 2018 cruise season #SXMStrong.

Port St. Maarten will continue communicating with cruise lines and keeping them abreast of destination recovery and product upgrade news. We commend the community and private sector for their efforts thus far and wish everybody a Happy New Year 2018 #SXMStrong, Port St. Maarten Management added.

The famed Oasis Class sister ships Harmony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International carry up to 6,000 new visitors each week, and the return of these mammoth vessels to weekly calls with the debut of Harmony on January 2nd is a major development for the destination.

Royal Caribbean International is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture.

Disney Cruise Line is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The company was incorporated in 1996 as Magical Cruise Company Limited. The company has its operational headquarters in Celebration, Florida, and its cruise line terminal in Port Canaveral, Florida.

Disneys primary market is families, especially those with young kids, but teen cruisers are also welcome as there are venues geared towards them. Disney also has a strong appeal for multigenerational travelers. The passenger makeup is dominated by American and Canadian travelers.

Port St. Maarten Press ReleaseMARIGOT:--- Miss Teen Saint Martin 2017-2018; Tasyanna Clifton, made history for being the first contestant from Saint Martin to be crowned Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Queen 2017-2018. In front of hundreds, Tasyanna demonstrated grace, confidence, intellect and natural talent in every segment at the pageant on Saturday 30th December 2017 at the Marriott ballroom in St. Kitts. Tasyanna was competing with contestants from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St Kitts and St Lucia.

Besides being crowned Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Queen 2017-2018, Tasyanna walked away with the titles of best theatrical appearance (which includes speech) and best evening wear. "It was such an honor to be one amongst the many supporters present at the pageant to cheer on Tasyanna. Though the challenges were great in preparing for the pageant, Tasyanna along with her team at Sky Consultancy, gave their all and made Saint Martin and it's people proud," President of FCDSM Luciana Raspail stated.

On Sunday 31st December 2017, Queen Tasyanna returned to Saint Martin and received a royal welcome at the SXM Airport from many of her supporters. In the midst of the crowd present to welcome her home, were Yolande Sylvestre - Territorial Council in charge of Culture, members of FCDSM, members of EUPHORIA, the reigning pageant queens from both French and Dutch side, family, friends, and supporters.

On behalf of FDSCM, I would like to congratulate Tasyanna Clifton for her dedicated attitude when it comes to representing Saint Martin. We would also like to thank Sky Consultancy, Euphoria, Sign Triple Nine, Office du Tourisme, Soualiga Media and all stakeholders involved for making Tasyanna's journey and triumph at Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen smooth and worthwhile," Raspail concluded.

FCDSM encourages the general public to visit their Facebook page to view the live coverage of the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant 2017.

FCDSM Press ReleaseThe Governor and Chief Minister of Tripura are officially up against each other.

What led to this was a recent meeting called by the Governor, Tathagata Roy who invited the chief secretary and director general of police to the Raj Bhawan to discuss a few issues which were already discussed by him in a previous meeting with the Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar.

Only last week, the governor had also called CM Manik Sarkar for a meeting. The need to call for another meeting so soon was enough to put Sarkar off, who then asked the DGP and CS not to attend the meeting.

According to sources, Roy had more unanswered queries for which he had called the officials for another meeting.

At the meeting, Roy wanted to discuss the killing of BJP supporters in the state. He also wanted to get more details on the BJP-CPI (M) clash that took place in Bishalgarh.

State BJP leaders allege that Sarkar feared the possibility of CS and DGP mentioning certain things in the meeting which might be used against the state government, so he tried to stop the meeting.

He in fact said that since he, as a Chief Minister, already met the Roy, there was no need for CS and DGP to meet him as well.

Though Communist Party of India (Marxist) has been opposing Roy ever since his tenure began, this is for the first time that the state government has directly gone for an open confrontation with the governor.

Reportedly, Roy also briefed the Union home ministry about this incident.

This growing stand-off between Tripura's CM and Governor has come at a time when the Assembly elections are only a month away.

"It shows his frustration and anger. He barred Sanjib Ranjan, the chief secretary and AK Sukla, director general of police from calling on the Governor at Raj Bhavan recently. So far, this is a rare instance in Tripura," said Sunil Deodhar, state in charge and national executive member of BJP.

He added, "If Manik Sarkar does not have anything to hide, then why the undemocratic and authoritarian attitude? It clearly violates the constitutional provisions and protocol."

With this ongoing battle between Tripura's Chief Minister and Governor, the upcoming state assembly elections will surely be one to watch out for.

(With inputs from Prabir Das)GREAT BAY:--- Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin by Rhoda Arrindell, a leading St. Martin linguist, has won the Graphic Design USA Award according to Gordon Kay, editor of the GDUSA magazine.

Carole Mauge-Lewis designed the winning book cover for the House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP) title, said Jacqueline Sample, president of the St. Martin indie press.

In his letter to HNP in December, Kay congratulated Sample and the House of Nehesi Publishers on the award-winning performance in our 54th Annual American Graphic Design Awards.

Kay called the design performance by Mauge-Lewis exceptional. Prof. Mauge-Lewis is the Coordinator of Graphic Communication Internships at Kennesaw State University.

From nearly 10,000 entries, a small handful of design projects  including your Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin Book Design  were selected as winners, said Kay.

The flagship awards program of the New York City-based Graphic Design USA magazine, honors the power of design to shape commerce, culture and causes in all media, said Kay.

Ms. Mauge-Lewis and House of Nehesi Publishers are in great company for the GDUSA Awards 2017, said the magazine editor. Other clients whose designers or agencies were honored in this years competition include the likes of AT&T, American Bar Association (ABA), Citibank, Corona Beer, Dominos Pizza, GEICO, Harvard University, Hewlett-Packard, India Ministry of Tourism, Mount Gay Rum, PepsiCo, Pfizer, National Gallery of Canada, Starbucks, Samsung, Southern Poverty Law Center, Updike Literary Prize, U.S. State Department, Walmart, and others, said Kay.

Kay also pointed out that the Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) has been the magazine for creative professionals since 1963.

Sample said that, winning the American Graphic Design Award is a surprising high point for the 35th anniversary of HNP. Its also a unique encouragement to press on with the rest of St. Martin and the Caribbean following the hurricanes such as Irmawhich damaged House of Nehesis studio space, destroying documents and equipment.

I am very thankful to Prof. Carole Mauge-Lewis for her highly creative professionalism as a graphic designer and for her generous spirit. Many thanks to GDUSA for selecting the HNP book among its new award winners; and congratulations to Dr. Rhoda Arrindell for publishing Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin with us, said Sample. HNP is an NGO and not-for-profit foundation.I, Hasani Ellis Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, on Friday, December 22nd, had the privilege to attend the launch of The Netherlands membership on the UN Security Council at the Peace Palace in The Hague. It was truly a humbling moment for me to return to the library where I sought insight on international dispute regulations as a student.

This year, 2017 has truly been a year that has tested the fortitude of St. Maarten and the Kingdom. By saying so, I would like to open 2018 by calling on local and European counterparts to cooperate and find solutions. For the lack of cooperation, will only lead to long-term risks for the people of St. Maarten.

For Example, there is a lot of Industrial waste accumulating on the dump, what happens when the resorts finalize demolition works and also need to dump waste? A simple solution can derive in the form of a barge that comes to St. Maarten and collects the waste that has been accumulated. Here I would look at the industrial nations to assist in sourcing such a barge. The same solution through cooperation lies at our medical center. People can sing high or low about a new hospital, but unless I see referral quotas from our kingdom, regional, and U.S partners I cannot assess whether or not we will be rebuilding a medical center or building a new hospital.

Many studies have been done, and many experts both local and regional have advised and continue to advise us. It is time for solutions and I can only hope that we as one people will choose to stop fighting each other and be transparent as many opportunities have been lost in this process. To be totally honest our airport which makes us a transportation sub hub needs to be rebuilt, and not tomorrow but yesterday.

Serving as Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary has been the highlight of my career in the good times and the bad. Sitting in this seat I have facilitated and witnessed a magnitude of aid and assistance come to the people of St. Maarten, and cannot close 2017 without thanking all organizations and volunteers who dedicated time and efforts to assist St. Maarten.

My tenure comes at a time where there have been many changes in global politics. Recently, the American president has changed followed by the Dutch Cabinet and the French government in France and St. Martin. All three countries most definitely affect St. Maartens economy and political climate.

The passing of Irma only further solidified our vulnerable position as a small island developing state in a hurricane belt. Yet as a young man growing up in St. Maarten I was told that it is adversity that makes me strong. While adversity may deprive us, it is in times of adversity that we test our fortitude. In closing, I would like to thank the people of St. Maarten for their support and insight while doing my job as deputy Minister Plenipotentiary. I wish you strength, and a bright and prosperous 2018. May God bless the people of St. Maarten and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Through this communication the undersigned Mr. Benjamin Ortega hereby informs you that as of the 5th of January, 2018 until 26th of February 2018 a leave of absence from his duties as general member and Vice President of the Board of The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This leave of absence is in regard to his intended postulation as a candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections 2018 slated to be held on February 26th, 2018.

The above stated, although is not a mandatory part of the articles of incorporation of COCI, or whether noted in the bylaws of the Chamber functioning handbook, I see it fit to ensure that the integrity of the Chamber by my postulation is not brought into question at no given moment.

Benjamin Ortega was elected on the board as of April 21st, 2017. And on July 1st, 2017, two months after of being elected to the Board of COCI, Benjamin Ortega was elected by nomination and unanimous vote of his fellow board members as Vice President of COCI.

I believe that there is much more every member of COCI and the business community can contribute to the economic development of the island and country. As the managing director of a small business consultancy firm named I-Novus, of which the name of the company stems off of the Latin word Innovatus, which translate to Innovative or Innovation, we must be more innovative in developing our goals to move forward structurally.

The core drive of Benjamin and I-Novus translates in:

To be leading in the region with implementation and execution of innovative services and solution for and to our clients.

The reason given by Ortega for participating in the Chamber election last April is: After supporting various persons and members of COCI during elections, and their time as board members, it was time that my voice be heard and input done from the internal aspect.

One can choose to assist from a sideline or jump in head first and directly put in the work to better or to improve St. Maarten's economic development. I wanted to make a difference through dedicated work and at the same time gain more experience in this perspective.

Ortega has already identified a number of key areas for development since becoming a board member of COCI. Considering that I was elected through the small business elections and understanding the small businesses are the key factor to economic growth and stability of a country as St. Maarten helped me further develop personally as a member and entrepreneur."

I believe that COCI has a lot to offer and has developed various aspects to benefit the especially small business community, yet through proper communication and continuous representation the message can be transferred."

I would like to thank all that supported me in my various endeavors as COCI representation and as Vice President thus far. Although I hope to be elected to the Parliament of St. Maartren, I will always continue to give my structured input to the further development of St. Maarten, whether through COCI or as an Parliament (elected) Member.Srinagar, Jan 2 (PTI) CRPF Director-General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar today visited the camp in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir where three Jaish-e-Mohammad militants killed five paramilitary personnel in a pre-dawn attack on Sunday.

Bhatnagar was briefed on the counter operation launched by the troopers following the attack, a CRPF spokesman said.

The operation lasted for nearly 36 hours and ended last evening with the recovery of the body of the third militant. The bodies of two terrorists had been recovered on Sunday.

"The DG took stock of the buildings and the incident site. He was briefed about the sequence of events and how all the three terrorists were neutralised and what roles were played by different (security) teams," he said.

Bhatnagar praised the bravery of the officers and the jawans who participated in the operation, the spokesman said.

He honoured them with the DGs Commendation Disc and Certificate. Cash rewards were also given to the jawans, the spokesman said.

Five CRPF personnel were killed and three injured when heavily-armed militants had attacked the Lethpora camp.

The DG assured "best possible care" to the family of the soldiers who died in the attack, he added. PTI MIJ ABHNew Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Indian Railways has set a target of December 2018 to link all its locomotives via ISRO satellites, making it easy to track trains and communicate with their crew in real time, officials said.

By year-end, all 10,800 locos of the railways will have antennas fixed on them and they will be monitored inside the drivers cabin, senior officials of the national transporter told PTI.

"We have already tried it on 10 locos and by December 2018 we will have this system installed in all our locos," a senior railway board member said.

The railways is also working with the Indian Space Research Organisation to use its satellite-based system to check accidents at unmanned railway crossings and track train movements.

Working on a pilot project with ISRO, the railways has installed space agency-developed integrated circuit (IC) chips on some train engines. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (or NaVIC) will be used to warn road users of approaching trains through hooters installed at unmanned road crossings. PTI ASG MINThe body was found hanging in part of the university campus covered in forest

The decomposed body of a 40-year-old man was found hanging from a tree in the forest area on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus here yesterday, the police said.

The deceased has been identified as Ram Pravesh Singh. It is suspected that he committed suicide around six-seven days ago

His body was found by a security guard who was checking the area. He sensed something was amiss as he noticed foul smell on the Nelsoin Mandela road in the area of the university covered by greenery.

Singh is found to be a resident of Nazafgarh.

Police recovered a mobile phone, an aadhaar card, a voter idenntity card, a driving license, Rs. 90 in cash along with a badge.

was suspected to have committed suicide around six-seven days ago, they said, adding that the body was found near the Nelson Mandela road in the jungle. Singh was a resident of Najafgarh, the police said, adding that a mobile phone, an aadhaar card, a voter identity card, a driving license, Rs 90 in cash and a badge were also recovered from the body.

The officer added that the body had decomposed in a way that it could not be identified and it was too early to believe the documents too.

"There is a possibility that these documents were kept only to mislead the police," the officer said, adding that an investigation is underway.

-With inputs from PTIPasadena CA (SPX) Dec 28, 2017





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incident

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The Delhi Polices licensing branch has suspended the license of a pub in south Delhis Greater Kailash where a man was shot at last month, officials said today.

The 30-year-old man was shot at by another person inside the pub on December 30. Initially, it was suspected that the incident was a fallout of an argument at the pub.

Later, it emerged that the victim was shot at since he had an argument with the accused over a parking issue in November.

An inquiry was ordered into the shooting incident since the pub was open beyond 1 am, a senior police officer said.

After findings by district vigilance, five beat officers of M Block Market, GK-I were sent to district lines. They were asked to explain the reason for their misconduct, said Romil Baaniya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).

A show-cause notice has been issued to the Station House Officer of the Greater Kailash police station and division staff for explaining their misconduct, he said. PTI SLB KISTrump threatens to cut Pakistan aid over 'deceit' in terror fight







Washington (AFP) Jan 1, 2018





US President Donald Trump lashed out at Pakistan on Monday in his first tweet of 2018, threatening to cut off aid over what he said were its "lies and deceit" in offering "safe haven to terrorists." The tweet brought a quick and pointed rejoinder from Pakistan, which said it had done much for the United States, helping it to "decimate" Al-Qaeda, while getting only "invective & mistrust" in return. US-Pakistani ties, long contentious, have taken a nosedive under Trump, who in August declared that ... read moreAfter Pakistan, US President Donald Trump has trained his guns at Palestine (Photo- Reuters)

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off aid to Palestinians for not willing to talk peace with Israel.

"It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect" Trump said on twitter.

Here are the US President's tweets

...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them? - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Trump had earlier also threatened to withdraw financial aid to countries that supported a U.N. resolution against his administration's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Last month, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Palestinians would not accept any American role in the in the wake of Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

by recognizing Israel's claim to Jerusalem, Trump was seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem - which Israel captured in 1967 - for their capital.

Trump said his decision merely recognized the reality that Jerusalem already serves as Israel's capital and wasn't meant to prejudge the final borders of the city.

In his tweets, Trump argued his decision had taken "Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more."

When Trump declared Jerusalem to be Israel's capital, he insisted, counterintuitively, that the move would improve, not hurt, prospects for clinching a peace deal.

-With inputs from ANI and APCommissioner Oettinger on EU Reform Macron Ideas 'An Excellent Basis for Discussion'

European Commissioner Gunther Oettinger, 64, says in an interview with DER SPIEGEL that a United States of Europe is a worthwhile goal. He urges Germany to take French President Macron's proposals seriously -- and to form a government as soon as possibleTwo years on from Storm Desmond, the Farmer Network has organised a meeting to give farmers the opportunity to hear from the Environment Agency and other organisations about what actions have been taken to aid recovery since Storm Desmond and what projects are in the pipeline, including funding opportunities for Natural Flood Management.

Speakers will include Rory Stewart MP who established the Cumbria Floods Partnership and commissioned the Cumbria Flood Action Plan.

Farmer Network Managing Director Adam Day said;

There is much talk about the role the farming community can play in future flood management. The purpose of this meeting is to improve the dialogue and communications between all the parties who have an involvement in managing catchments to reduce flood risk across Cumbria and make farmers aware of future funding opportunities.DARIEN  A PCP-driven Whole Foods parking lot rampage in December resulted in two injured witnesses and the arrest of 27-year-old Derrick Gonzalez, police said.

According to the report, police responded around 2:45 p.m. Dec. 8 to the Whole Foods parking lot on reports of an assault in progress. When officers arrived, they found Gonzalez, a Stamford resident and Whole Foods employee, being restrained by a group of bystanders after allegedly assaulting a man and a woman.

A police investigation showed Gonzalezs attack began when he approached another Whole Foods employee in the parking lot who was collecting shopping carts at the time. He grabbed the 59-year-old man  who is protected by Connecticut General Statute 53a-61a, which prohibits the assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant or mentally retarded person  by the groin with one hand and by the jacket with the other and forcing him to the ground near a pile of rock salt, into which Gonzalez repeatedly slammed the mans head, according to police.

A 57-year-old Stamford woman who had just parked her car nearby in the lot saw the alleged assault and began yelling at Gonzalez to get off the man. Gonzalez ran toward the woman and knocked her to the ground, kicking her in the head, dragging her, jumping on top of her, pulling her hair and then slamming her head into a pile of rock salt  all the while screaming throughout the incident, police said.

Both the man and woman sustained minor injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment.

When police arrived, Gonzalez resisted officers attempts to detain him and was screaming and acting erratically before being handcuffed. He reportedly told police he couldnt see anything, causing police to summon Darien EMS and paramedics. Gonzalez was eventually sedated and later admitted to smoking pot laced with phencyclidine (PCP), a potent hallucinogen also known as Angel Dust.

He was also transported to the hospital for evaluation.

On Dec. 20, Darien police applied for a warrant for Gonzalezs arrest and on Jan. 2 Darien and Stamford police went to his home to arrest him.

He was transported to Darien police headquarters and charged with third-degree assault of blind or disabled person, second-degree assault, interfering with an officer and breach of peace. Gonzalez was held on a $10,000 bond and is due in state Superior Court in Stamford on Jan. 16.

justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1Various studies in the past have shown that drinking alcohol carelessly can give many problems related to health to a person.

But if you are one of those who are thinking to quit drinking in New Year, then 'Dry January' can be really helpful for you.

'Dry January' involves saying bye to the booze for an entire month. It is becoming an annual tradition for many people, reports Daily Express.

For some, it's part of a New Year's resolution to drink less, while others claim it's a way to "detox" from excessive drinking over the holidays-but according to many experts it's going to do beneficial things for their health.

There are a number of health benefits of Dry January, which includes weight loss and having more energy.

Also Read: 5 health benefits of including mustard oil in your diet

Additionally, decreasing alcohol intake could also reduce your risk of cancer. While not everyone who drinks alcohol will develop the deadly condition, there is a definite link.

According to a poll, more than three million people in the UK are expected to give up alcohol today in a bid to give their health a boost at the start of the New Year.

The campaign is endorsed by Public Health England, which said that Dry January was based on sound behavioural principles and that it helps re-set drinking patterns for weeks or even months. Two-thirds of those who attempt Dry January make it through the month without drinking.

Studies claim that alcohol causes around four percent of all cancers in the UK - or about 12,800 cases. Types include mouth cancer, liver cancer, bowel cancer and breast cancer.

Additionally, pharyngeal cancer of the upper throat, oesophageal cancer in the food pipe and laryngeal cancer in the voice box.UPDATE: 9:21 p.m.

Fairfield firefighters battled a fire in Thursdays storm. The car fire was reported on I-95 northbound near a rest area around 5 p.m.

Blinding snow, gale force winds and a frozen nozzle caused by the arctic cold made a routine fire difficult, a fire official said.

UPDATE: 9 p.m.

Despite having 90 percent of its arriving and departing flights canceled Thursday, Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks remains open and operating.

Flight operations are expected to resume Friday. But as airlines continue to adjust schedules and catchup in response to the storm, there may be some delays or cancellations.

UPDATE: 8:30 p.m.

Trash and recycling collection in Bridgeport will resume Saturday with a three-day delay. The citys transfer station will be closed until Monday. More info on the snow delays and closures can be found at bridgeportct.gov/snow.

UPDATE: 8:17 p.m.

Norwalk police are reporting a broken pole with wires down in front of 81 Bayne St. Eversource has been notified.

Michael Cummo

This will be an extended repair, Norwalk police said via Twitter. Please avoid the area.

UPDATE: 8:10 p.m.

The weather is causing some delays for Metro-North Railroad trains Thursday evening.

The New Canaan branch line is experiencing delays of 25 to 30 minutes due to weather-related issues as of 8:10 p.m.

The Danbury branch is experiencing delays of up to 45 minutes for weather-related issues as of 8:05 p.m., as well. By 8:45 p.m., the branchs delays had jumped up to 50 to 55 minutes.

Riders are encouraged to listen to announcements at their stations.

UPDATE: 6:15 p.m.

Despite Westport Public Schools being closed Friday, offices will be open on a two-hour delay. All activities scheduled for Friday have been canceled or rescheduled for a later date.

The Board of Education meeting is still set to take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Town Hall auditorium.

UPDATE: 6 p.m.

While many businesses closed for the storm, others  including Roescal Deli in Black Rock, Bridgeport  stayed open.

"Its good for the community," said Anthony Soto, the manager of the corner store. "Because if they didnt get something before the snow, were still open."

His cousin, Angel Soto, woke up early Thursday morning to ensure he could drive to the store before conditions got too bad.

UPDATE: 5:40 p.m.

All appellate court cases scheduled to be heard at 10 a.m. Friday have been continued and will be heard at a later date, the Connecticut Judicial Branch said via Twitter. All jurors scheduled to appear in a Connecticut state courthouse on Friday are asked not to report.

UPDATE: 5:25 p.m.

Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media

Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks is open and operating. Over 75 percent of the airlines arriving and departing flights were canceled.

Real-time flight status updates are available at www.flybdl.org. Twitter users can get updates by tweeting their flight number to @BDLFlightInfo.

UPDATE: 5:10 p.m.

For the rest of Thursday, Metro-North Railroad is operating on a reduced weekday schedule with some combined and canceled trains because of the storm.

More information can be found here.

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

To keep customers  and even non-customers  and emergency personnel connected, Xfinity is opening its hotspots to be used by anyone who needs it through Monday.

A representative for Xfinity said about 127,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across New England have been opened so people can stay in tune with whats going on for free.

More information regarding the hotspots and where to find them can be found here. Hotspots can be found inside and outside, in places such as shopping districts, businesses, parks and train platforms.

Xfinity customers can log in on the browser that opens after choosing xfinitywifi. Non-customers can visit the not an Xfinity internet customer section and renew their complimentary session every two hours.

UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.

Drew Baclick, chief of staff to Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan, said the city would open the Derby Middle School as a shelter for those without power. As of 4:45 p.m., he said there were no power outages reported.

Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media

"We would have to get in contact with Superintendent of Schools Matt Conway but at this point I don't anticipate that happening. There's no need to."

UPDATE: 4:40 p.m.

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti was plowing snow in a city truck on East Main Street and a short time ago on Beaver Street. The mayor said the big issue has been people ignoring the city's parking ban which remains in effect until 6 p.m. Friday.

"We've had to tow at least 75 cars so far because they were illegally parked," the mayor said. "My goal is to get all these streets cleaned curb to curb. We can't do that if people don't move their cars."

He said the city lots downtown are open as well as all the schools  Pine Lot Park, Colony Park, Linett Park and Nolan Field.

"I know some people may consider it an inconvenience to have to go out and move their cars but it will help us keep the roads passable. And the sooner we do that the less overtime we will have to pay," Cassetti said.

He said City Hall will open Friday as usual from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Michael Cummo

"We've got a lot of work to do in keeping this city moving forward," he said.

UPDATE: 4:40 p.m.

Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center said there have been over 200 vehicles stranded and involved in accidents in the city as of around 4 p.m. The center urges residents to stay off the roads because these issues prolong the plowing process.

UPDATE: 4:27 p.m.

Its unclear if an earlier water main break on Market Street in Stamford has been fixed. When the initial break was reported around 2 p.m., Market Street was closed.

Stamford police said throughout the city there have been a handful of minor accidents, but that most residents are opting to stay off the roads. Most calls the police receive are for motorists that cannot get up hills or have slid off the road.

UPDATE: 4:23 p.m.

Mike D'Alessio, Ansonia's public works director, said his crews job was made worse late Thursday afternoon by drivers heading out into the storm.

"People should have heeded advice and just stayed home in this weather," he said. "We've got cars stuck in the snow and we have a hard time getting around them."

H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

D'Alessio has 14 plow trucks out including one being handled by Mayor David Cassetti who is clearing snow on East Main Street. Cassetti has experience with heavy equipment having owned Birm-1 Construction. D'Alessio is also out clearing snow.

He said once the wind dies down and the temperature drop it should be easier to push the snow.

"It won't be blowing around," he said.

While the decision rests with Supt. of Schools Carol Merlone, D'Alessio believes school opening tomorrow may be a challenge.

"As cold as its expected to get there may be a problem with the buses start let alone getting all the snow cleared away," he said.

UPDATE: 4:20 p.m.

Newtown police officials said the snow is falling at a pace that is too quick for the plow trucks to keep up with. As a result, the roads remain difficult to travel on.

The calls for service have slowed as the day goes on, police said. But they are still receiving calls to help stuck motorists.

A majority of businesses in town are closed.

Erik Trautmann/Hearst Connecticut Media

Current conditions mean bus companies will struggle to get things moving in the morning. The police department encourages residents to be prepared for possible school delays, and maybe even closings.

UPDATE: 4:11 p.m.

There are trees reported to be down due to the heavy winds, Easton police said.

Morehouse Road where it meets Delaware Road is closed because of a tree in the roadway.

Wimbledon Lane has a tree down and there are reported power outages.

Easton police and fire personnel are on scene dealing with these issues. Police officials remind those who have to go outside to be alert and aware of possible falling branches or trees.

UPDATE: 4 p.m.

Bridgeport Fire Chief Richard Thode said the main issue residents need to be aware of in the city is to get their cars off the side streets so public works can plow those streets.

Thode said the main roads are mostly clear, but a lot of cars have not been moved or parked on the even numbered side of the streets, making it impossible for plows to get down the streets to remove the snow.

Remember: if a snow plow cant get down your street, neither can a fire truck or an ambulance, Thode said.

He also asked residents to shovel out fire hydrants near their homes before the snow stops and begins to freeze and become more difficult to remove.

UPDATE: 3:57 p.m.

What a beautiful day, Oxford First Selectman George Temple said while viewing the wind whipping snow around his house. Our public works crews are doing their job but the wind keeps blowing the snow back onto the road.

Temple said he has not set up any emergency centers and all municipal closed so the only free Wi-Fi would be in whatever few coffee shops are open. However, he said there have been no outages in Oxford.

It's supposed to get very cold tonight (Thursday) so the snow will freeze into a crust, Temple said. That'll make it easier for the crews to push.

As to whether or not municipal and school buildings will close Friday, he said no decision has been made yet. He said there may be at least a delay in school openings.

That's the superintendent's call, Temple said. I'll be out very early driving around to see how the roads are.

UPDATE: 3:55 p.m.

Fairfield Public Works Supt. Scott Bartlett said that overall, cleanup efforts were going well, but winds blowing snow back over the plowed roads, sidewalks and buildings remained an issue.

He said forecasts now show the snow stopping around 7 p.m., and it usually takes his crews a good six hours to complete cleanup, which could mean his employees will out on the roads until at least 1 a.m. However, Bartlett said he would prefer, if the roads are in good enough shape, to send the crews home around 10 p.m., and have them come back at 4 a.m. to push back snow and spread salt in time for the morning commute.

"I guess we will have to judge once it slows down," Bartlett said.

Since the storm began early Thursday morning, the town has had 26 large DPW trucks and five large contractor trucks, six small trucks, plus six managers plowing, a small contracted truck, five DPW pay-loaders, 10 people devoted to sidewalks, and three mechanics.

"All in all, we will have the town looking good," Bartlett said.

UPDATE: 3:50 p.m.

Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan said the snow is still falling heavily and wind is whipping it around.

I just shoveled my sidewalk not long ago and I'm looking outside and its all covered again, Dziekan said.

He said Public Works Supt. Ed Armeno will have crews out until about 11 p.m. Thursday.

Once they get the roads cleared then the custodians can go in and start clearing away the snow for schools, Dziekan said.

He said the city has no warming centers open or any municipal building open to get Wi-Fi or charge phones at this point.

Anyone who has an emergency should call 2-1-1 and they'll be taken care of, he said.

UPDATE: 3:45 p.m.

Eastons Board of Selectman meeting scheduled for Thursday was canceled, according to the towns website. The town hall and library are closed.

UPDATE: 3:40 p.m.

Trumbulls town hall, facilities, senior centers and parks are closed, and transportation and recreation programs have been canceled Thursday.

UPDATE: 3:40 p.m.

Monroe Town Hall, senior centers, food pantry and Edith Wheeler Memorial Library are closed Thursday.

UPDATE: 3:15 p.m.

Westport Deputy Fire Chief Michael Kronick reported a few minor incidents in town during the storm, including four calls to check on downed wires. He said there was two power outages from a downed tree branch, and the utility company is on scene making repairs.

Flooding in the Saugatuck Shores area at high tide was minor, Kronick said.

We have one road that floods a few times a month, and that was the only road that flooded, and it is now clear and passable, he said. The bigger concern, from my perspective, is the significantly cold temperatures over the next few days. The temperatures that are forecasted to be as low as zero degrees make fighting a fire extremely difficult and dangerous.

In storms like this, Kronick said its important residents clear out around fire hydrants and the vents around their homes.

UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.

A second jackknifed tractor trailer was reported on I-95, this time northbound between Exits 2 and 3 in Greenwich. The right and center lanes were closed. By 4 p.m., the area was cleared.

UPDATE: 2:11 p.m.

I-95 Southbound was closed between Exits 10 and 9 in Darien/Stamford because of a jackknifed tractor trailer around 2:10 p.m. Within an hour, the scene was cleared. No injuries were reported.

UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.

As of now, Bridgeport Public Schools will open on at least a two-hour delayed opening Friday because of the storm, Bridgeport police confirmed. In a few hours, Superintendent of Schools Aresta Johnson will reassess and make a decision on whether schools will be completely closed Friday.

UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.

Stratford fire officials confirmed that the closure on Surf Avenue around 12:30 p.m. Thursday was due to water from high tide. One driver stalled in the flooded area and had to be rescued by firefighters. The driver is OK.

UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.

Bethel has not opened any centers for residents without power. The town hall, library and schools are closed Thursday.

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said officials havent fielded any calls from residents without heat, nor has the fire department battled any fires. The biggest problem was a tree that fell on Payne Road, but that is expected to be cleared within an hour, he said.

He has urged drivers to stay off the roads and said so far people have listened.

People are hunkered down and theyre staying in, Knickerbocker said.

UPDATE: 2 p.m.

A crew of 16 workers from the Wilton Department of Public Works have been salting and clearing roads since 3 a.m., according Interim Manager of Public Works Mike Ahern. Though its too early to say just how bad the storm will get, Ahern said it is by far the worse of the season.

"Its going to be a while. Were thinking its going to end between 6 and 9," Ahern said. "The way it is now, its not only coming down pretty heavy but its also drifting."

UPDATE: 2 p.m.

Westfield Trumbull Mall in Trumbull is closed at noon on Thursday because of the storm, according to a notice on the malls website. The mall is expected to re-open at 10 a.m. on Friday.

UPDATE: 1:43 p.m.

In addition to the snow and wind, Fairfield officials were worried about coastal flooding at high tide, but Fire Chief Denis McCarthy said that flooding didnt materialize.

He said most people are continuing to stay off the roads, a view echoed by Police Lt. Robert Kalamaras, who said things were still pretty quiet.

A number of cars have been stuck when the get off the main road into a parking lot, or on the highway on/off ramps, McCarthy said, adding the department has not experienced much in the way of emergency calls.

UPDATE: 1:35 PM

Bridgeport city officials say they're having trouble plowing secondary streets because residents haven't followed the emergency parking protocols.

Cars are supposed to park on the even sides of streets only.

From a recent tweet from the city's account: "We are now towing cars to make enough room for plows and emergency vehicles."

UPDATE: 1:39 PM

A fallen tree on the tracks of the New Canaan Branch Line is leading to further railroad delays.

UPDATE: 1:15 PM

Service on the Harlem and New Haven Lines are experiencing delays along with train complications and cancellations due to the winter storm.

Branch lines are also delayed.

Updates will be made to this page throughout the day, see the Service Status box on the left side of this page for up-to-date train info.

https://twitter.com/MetroNorth

https://www.facebook.com/mtamnr

UPDATE: 1:12 p.m.

Connecticuts ski areas are open for business on a rare deep powder day.

Powder Ridge Mountain Park in Middlefield is open to 4 p.m. for skiing and boarding. Tubing is closed and the demo day will be rescheduled. The tavern and restaurant will not be open.

Mount Southington says while the lifts are running today, the Mountain Room and the Mountain View Market will remain closed for the day. We will resume normal operation in the Mountain Room on Friday.

Ski Sundown in New Hartford is 100 percent open and plans to be open to 10 p.m.

Mohawk Mountain is open, but it will not have night skiing Thursday because of high winds.

Heading to these areas on Friday might be a better idea, especially if you have another snow day.

To those who want to go Thursday, may sure you check to be sure the hours havent changed.

CSP

UPDATE; 1 PM

Stratford firefighters say that the I-95 Exit ramp at Surf Avenue, 30 Southbound, is impassable.

UPDATE: 12:54 PM

The National Weather Service has posted its latest briefing on the winter storm HERE.

UPDATE: 12:45 PM

Police are clearing a wreck that left a light pole blocking two lanes of traffic on Summer Street in Stamford. Police say that no injuries were reported in the crash near Fifth Street and the vehicle had to be towed away. Firefighters are waiting at the scene for someone to come out and disconnect the live wires at the base of the damaged light pole.

UPDATE: 12:35 PM

Bridgeport's main library was slated to open late today, at noon.

An updated message on the library's website says that it will now be closed, along with all Bridgeport library branches. That will mean one less place for people to warm up if they're cold, or use WiFi if they can't get it at home.

UPDATE: 12:26 PM

Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford is closed until Friday, according to Airport Manager Michelle Muoio.

"Unfortunately, this is a very difficult storm to keep up with on account of the varying snowfall rates and heavy winds. It is a full-on blizzard here right now. Winds are forecast to remain strong (40 mph or more) throughout the day and will likely leave similar snow drifts around the field."

UPDATE: 12:21 PM

The Norwalk Transit District announced that it is suspending service for the day.

The last pulse will left the Norwalk Transit District Hub at noon.

Contributed Photo / National Weather Story / Contributed Photo

It will return to the Hub at approximately 12:40 p.m.

All vehicles will hold at the Norwalk hub to connect with the Coastal Link heading back to Bridgeport and the CTTRANSIT Stamford 341.

All buses will depart for a final outbound leg if passengers are on board. The Route 4 will depart for its last pulse at 12:20 pm.

All service after this time will be suspended until tomorrow morning when regular pullout service is anticipated. There will be no afternoon or evening commuter shuttles in Westport or Norwalk.

Greenwich afternoon Commuter Shuttles will be provided as scheduled in the Stamford CTTRANSIT service area.

UPDATE: 12:20 PM

Even though Stamford roads may seem passable, plow drivers are warning regular drivers to stay home. For this storm, the salt doesnt seem to be doing its job well, one plow driver said.

You need to stay off the roads, because once they plow its really slick on the bottom, said Kevin Potter, of Potters Landscaping, who took his truck out at 8 a.m. Hes plowed across Stamford from downtown to the New York line. The hills are really bad.

Businesses on Bedford Street were open, at least for the time being. Rachid Benhakki, owner of Hoyt Bedford Barbershop, had six or so walk-ins this morning and expected more this afternoon. The snow doesnt deter people who really need a haircut, he says.

We have customers who live around here, said Benhakki, who can walk to the shop from his home. Its hard to a close a business. Especially with the holidays we closed for a few days. Those weeks were rough.

A few doors down, Odyssey Hair Designs was open - but only to cancel appointments.

Bedford Street Diner was up and running. Its owner said they served a few people who are driving trucks and laying salt on the roads.

UPDATE: 12:15 p.m.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Eversource and United Illuminating reported more than 1,100 customers without power across Connecticut around noon.

Due to strong wind gusts, any power outages are expected to be prolonged because bucket trucks cannot withstand the winds, Malloy said in a tweet shortly after noon Thursday.

UPDATE: 12:15 PM

The forecast of high winds along with the snow have people worried about potential power outages on Thursday.

As of 11:30 a.m., Eversource Energy is reporting no customers without service in Greenwich, but with winds forecast for both Thursday and Friday it remains a situation the town is monitoring.

People have been urged to keep their devices fully charged up but in case of a power outage there are still a few options. The towns civic centers and libraries, which are typically used as warming centers during business hours, are all closed due to the storm but the lobby of the Public Safety Complex on Greenwich Avenue remains open and people can come in to charge their devices if they need to.

Local coffee shops had been open in the morning, but as the storm worsened throughout the day, the Starbucks locations in town closed late morning into early afternoon. So people are advised to call ahead to confirm a place is open before going out into the weather.

The town has told people to stay home when at all possible to keep the roads clear to be plowed and avoid potentially hazardous conditions.

Mitch Gross, spokesman for Eversource Energy, said it is an all hands on deck situation for the utility and it will respond as quickly as it can. No issues have been reported in Greenwich so far but the high winds remain a concern and a downed tree has already knocked out some service in Norwalk.

Gross said the high winds can cause white outs which make it potentially unsafe to do repairs but with experienced work crews, Gross said issues would be taken care of.

Were out there and we will continue to be out there as long as the storm is going, Gross said.

Gross said if a customers power does go out people should not assume their neighbors have reported it. He said anyone who loses power can report it by calling 1-800-286-2000 or by going online, if they can, to www.eversource.com . While at the website people can also sign up to report outages via text message.

Those that have generators in their homes are urged to use them carefully. Both the towns health department and the police advised that people should never use portable generators or gasoline powered equipment inside their home or garage because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additionally people should not heat up their cars in their garages even if the door is open and never use gas or charcoal girls in their house or garage.

UPDATE: 12:05 AM

Metro-North New Haven Line Service is currently experiencing delays of up to 30 minutes along with train combinations and cancellations due to the impact of the winter storm on its service territory.

Gov. Dannel P, Malloy said the railroad would have reduced service (similar to weekends) through Friday evening.

He the railroad made an early call on reduced service because of the likely effect on its overhead electrical lines.

UPDATE: 11:53 AM

State Police are on scene on I-95 in Milford, where at least three cars are stuck in the left lane. Some traffic is getting by, but a long line of semi-trucks is forming at the bottleneck.

UPDATE: 11:50 AM

Eversource is reporting 394 customers without power in Norwalk.

Power has been restored to 630 customers in Danbury from an earlier outage.

UPDATE: 11:48 AM

Coolidge Avenue, perpendicular to Rock Spring Road in the Glenbrook neighborhood of Stamford, had been plowed by 11 a.m.

But with snow falling at a faster rate than plows can keep up with it, and wind gusts at speeds up to 40 mph according to the National Weather Service, conditions are still unsafe to travel.

Treat Avenue, which intersects Coolidge, had not been plowed yet, and the difference is noticeable. Strong winds blow snow into the plowed Coolidge Avenue, causing poor driving conditions.

UPDATE 11:37 a.m.

Stamfords Public Safety Health and Welfare Director Ted Jankowski said he was very impressed by how few people are out on the roads during this snowy morning.

Drive slow and no one should be in a rush out there today, Jankowski said.

Jankowski said between four to six inches of new snow has dropped in Stamford so far with an estimated two or so more to come. He said the storm is expected to break between 4 and 5 p.m.

Only four minor accidents were reported around city roads so far, Jankowski said. A water main break, which has closed Market Street next to Pacific Street. is expected to be repaired by about 1 p.m. today, Jankowski said.

UPDATE: 11:39 AM

HARTransit in Danbury has announced that it will suspend service in the area from noon until 2 p.m. due to worsening road conditions in the city.

The bus service will be operating on designated snow routes until service is suspended.

UPDATE: 11:36 AM

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton is strongly advising motorists to stay off the streets as the snow fall begins to intensify throughout the city, which has received around four to 5 inches of snow so far.

The city has declared a level one snow emergency, which means that street parking is banned and driving is strongly discouraged.

The main issue we are having right now is low temperatures because it makes it hard for the salt we are putting on the roads to work, Boughton said. But our crews are out there doing everything the can to clear the roadways.

UPDATE: 11:34 AM

In Seymour, First Selectman Kurt Miller bundled up tight in a heavy coat, hat and gloves and hopped into his car where he immediately began braving white out conditions.

Miller said he is staying on top of weather conditions in order to keep residents appraised of the conditions on town roads. He said all the downtown roads are plowed and "passable" but "very slippery and dangerous."

Miller said the snow is beginning to accumulate quickly, making it difficult for the plows to keep up with the hectic pace.

"All our crews are out plowing and keeping up the best they can but the snow is coming down very quickly," Miller said. "I advise all residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary."

All municipal offices and schools are closed. Trash pick-up was suspended yesterday in advance of the storm and are expected to resume Friday and Saturday.

Miller said he has contacted Winters Brothers and they told him Wednesday trash pickups will be Friday. Thursday and Friday regular pickups will be Saturday.

If the collections aren't completed Saturday when windchills are expected to make it feel way below zero, Winter Bros will continue the pickups on Sunday.

Anyone who has not had their trash collected by Monday should contact Winter Bros at 203-743-0405.

UPDATE: 11:30 AM

Interstate 95 appears to be completely stopped southbound near Exit 34 in Milford due to a disabled van in the right lane.

DOT cameras captured images of what appear to be the driver, trying to push his van off the road. A few minutes later, a car pulled over to help, and appeared to be trying to push the van but it slid.

Now there are about four cars and three semi trucks stopped in the road, and it looks like other drivers are trying to help push the van.

UPDATE: 11:20 AM

Danbury has 629 customers without power - the highest number in the state, according to Eversource. The number is about 2 percent of Eversource customers in Danbury.

Bethel has 19 customers without power.

United Illuminating is reporting a handful of outages in Trumbull and Stratford.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.

All roads are still open in Stamford, although some are becoming treacherous. A Connecticut Transit bus was just reported stuck on West Main at Spruce on the citys West Side.

Just after 10 a.m. a bus was struck by a plow truck on Henry Street, but no injuries were reported. Police say no power outages have been reported.

A six to eight inch layer of snow is beginning to build up on many streets in the city.

One vehicle trying to make it up Strawberry Hill Avenue was seen spinning its front wheels in front of Stamford High School.

UPDATE: 10:58 AM

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said public works plow crews are trying to keep up with the pace of the snowfall.

We have the crews out there, Rilling said. Of course, its very hard to plow this kind of snowfall because its coming down steadily. It's really bad. We really really want people to stay home.

Rilling declared a snow emergency for Norwalk starting at 6 a.m. He initially planned to have a late opening at City Hall. By 8 a.m., he rethought that idea.

When I looked outside, I said, I cant have people come in for this, Rilling said. We dont want to put our employees at risk. Banks are closed, medical centers are closed. Virtually everything in the city is closed.

One major exception is Norwalk Hospital, which remains open and fully staffed, according to Andrea Rynn, director of public relations for the Western Connecticut Health Network.

Were operating normally right now and were so appreciative to the staff who are dedicated to serving our patients, Rynn said.

UPDATE: 10:55 AM

Disabled tractor trailer on I-95 Southbound between Exits 35 and 34 in Milford. The left lane is closed.

UPDATE: 10:52 AM

Downtown Bridgeport feels like a ghost town on uncleared side streets and City Hall.

The library, sometimes designated as an emergency warming center, is closed until at least noon.

Half the cars on the road belong to snow plows or first responders.

But closer to the Metro-North station some businesses are open. Dunkin Donuts is cranking out coffee, and Funchal's Cafe is offering a full menu, which usually includes hot soups.

The flakes have gotten fluffier and visibility is scarily low on the highways.

The west bank of the Pequonnock River is covered in windswept ice. But for the tide it would be frozen over.

No one is enjoying or playing in the snow. On every corner, it's silent but for the employees who drew a short straw and are clearing sidewalks with shovels and snowblowers.

UPDATE: 10:47 AM

Due to the storm. GBT bus service in the Bridgeport region and services provided by Milford Transit District will be suspended at midday today.

The last pulse from the Bridgeport Bus Terminal will be at 11:50 a.m.. Riders can check for updates and service announcement at gogbt.com.

UPDATE: 10:44 AM

Many Bridgeport residents have to get to work, despite the storm.

"I'll get there when I get there," said Manuel Burgos, a Stamford Hospital administrative worker as he waited for his Metro-North train.

It was running late.

UPDATE: 10:42 AM

Fairfield Town Hall offices are closed, the schools are shut, and people are, for the most part, staying indoors, according to local officials.

No one is on the road, which is a big help, Public Works Supt. Scott Bartlett said. But the wind is killing us, he said, covering roads with snow right after theyve been cleared.

He said the goal is to keep plowing the roads off, and then adding chemicals to break down any snow pack to slush so that slush can be plowed. Bartlett expects it will be a long day for his crews.

Because of the cold ground and air temperatures, Bartlett said snow pack will be a big issue.

If we get lucky, and it stops early enough, like 2 or 3 p.m., and temps reach the upper 20s, we might break the bond easier, but it is tough, he said.

Police Lt. Robert Kalamaras said the fact that people are staying off the roads has kept the amount of service calls to a minimum. However, he said they expect that may change as the day progresses.

UPDATE: 10:38 AM

In Norwalk, public works says it has trucks in each of the city's 26 plow routes and we are continuing to plow each route.

It adds, Please be patient as we continue the cleanup effort. If you have to drive, please do so safely and allow our drivers room to clear the streets.

UPDATE: 10:37 AM

Aside from a few city vehicles the streets in the Belltown neighborhood in Stamford were deserted. Many of the small mom-and-pop shops shuttered their doors for the day as the roads were buried under 2 to 3 inches of snow.

Belltown Road, a typically bustling artery that connects Strawberry Hill Avenue and Hope Street, was empty of traffic. Plows have not yet made it through this area, so roads are slippery.

Heavy gusts of wind send snow swirling through the air, limiting visibility and creating snow drifts up to six inches in depth.

UPDATE: 10:33 AM

At 10:30 a.m., only a handful or power outages are reported.

From Eversource:

We anticipate todays storm to impact much of our Connecticut service area with heavy snow and high winds throughout the day.

Our lineworkers, contractors, tree crews and support staff are ready to assist with restoring power to customers affected by storm-related outages. You can report power outages online at Eversource.com, or byat 1-800-286-2000.

United Illuminating:

Everyone should always assume downed power lines are live and dangerous, and be mindful of natural gas odors. Call 911 if there is immediate danger.

Customers can report outages by texting OUT to 839-884. You can also report outages online at http://uinet.com . Or, call UI at 800-722-5584 (800-7-CALL-UI). #stormresponse

UPDATE: 10:23 AM

From Connecticut State Police:

Stay off roads if you can. If you must go out, reduce speed and give DOT/town plows plenty of space. If vehicle becomes disabled or in a crash pull as far right as possible, turn on hazard lights and call 911.

UPDATE: 10:10 AM

Here are the strongest wind gusts across Connecticut and in Long Island Sound.

Block Island, R.I.: 43 mph

Western L.I. Sound buoy (off Stamford): 43 mph

Tweed/New Haven Airport in East Haven: 41 mph

White Plains airport, near Greenwich: 39 mph

Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford: 37 mph

Groton/New London Airport: 37 mph

Waterbury-Oxford Airport: 35 mph

Hartford/Brainard Airport: 35 mph

Meriden airport: 31 mph

Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks: 29 mph

Danbury airport: 23 mph

UPDATE: 10:02 AM

There is a coastal flood advisories for southern Fairfield and New Haven counties from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

The good news is any flooding uis expected to be minor with high tide about 1.5 to 2 feet above normal.

UPDATE: 9:56 AM

Weather conditions are expected to worsen in Greenwich into the early afternoon, but so far things remain calm in town.

According to Dan Warzoha, the towns emergency management director, there have been a few minor spinouts on Greenwichs roads Thursday morning, but no severe accidents or any injuries.

People have decided to stay home and stay put, Warzoha said.

The towns Emergency Operations Center has been partially activated just to be ready in case conditions worsen to a point where more personnel have to be brought in. The town is monitoring the storm, particularly with an eye toward the possibility of coastal flooding between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. when high tide takes place.

Warzoha said town Conservation Director Denise Savageau was monitoring the situation with a close eye on the gauge at Grass Island and that so far the things were well within an acceptable range there.

Warzoha said winds would be a concern both Thursday and Friday. So far Eversource is not reporting any customer outages in Greenwich but Warzoha said the town remains in contact with the utility to be able to respond if there is an incident.

Typically in a snowstorm we dont see a lot of power outages but with the heavy amount of winds that are coming through, we have to be careful of tree damage hitting power lines, Warzoha said.

Because the ground is so frozen, Warzoha said, there likely wont be entire trees coming down, but that wont stop tree limbs from breaking and potentially causing damage.

The National Weather Service said northwest winds in Greenwich could get as high as 45 miles per hour during the day. Winds are also in the forecast for Friday.

UPDATE: 9:52 AM

Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan just completed shoveling his sidewalk and driveway and was preparing to survey city streets in his four-wheel drive truck.

"We've got a full contingent of plows out there," said the mayor, a retired Hamden police officer who specialized in accident reconstruction. "My best advice to drivers is to go slow if you have to be out."

Dziekan, who served as Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti's director of constitutent services for a year, said Elizabeth and Main streets were pretty clear but there are slippery sections throughout.

"It's just starting to pick-up," he said of the snow and wind.

He opened the city's municipal parking garage downtown where residents can park for free until 10 a.m. Friday. Additionally, the city's volunteer firefighters are on fire watch until 7 p.m.

Dziekan said he monitored the weather forecasts Wednesday and decided Wednesday evening to announce that all city buildings would be closed. He also said public works began pre-treating roads Wednesday.

"That helped a lot," the mayor said.

UPDATE: 9:48 AM

The latest from the NWS ...

At 9:26 a.m., an area of heavy snow continues to move across southern Connecticut and Long Island. Movement was northwest at near 50 mph.

Snowfall rates will range between 1 and 3 inches per hour at times.

Frequent gusts of 40 to 45 mph are expected with occasional gusts upto 55 mph with this area of heavy snow.

This will cause some downed tree limbs and possibly wires as well.

Visibilities are less than a quarter of a mile in this area of heavysnow. In addition, occasional lightning is expected within the heavy snow.

UPDATE: 9:42 AM

The Danbury area could see as much as 10 inches of snow on the ground by the time the storm is over late this afternoon, according to meteorologist with the Connecticut Weather Center.

Paul Slaski, a meteorologist with the Danbury-based center, said the strongest portion of the storm will hit the area during the next few hours with rates of snowfall of up to one inch or more per hour possible.

The heaviest bands of snow will be coming through until about 2 p.m. and we could see white out and near blizzard conditions, he said.

He explained that the storm is the result of several air masses of low pressure that combined with a cold air mass coming in from the north to create the storm.

Its a complex set up with several pieces of energy that came together to create a large low pressure system, he said. Thats why these systems can be so hard to track but we saw last night that it was tracking westward and increased our snow totals.

The westward track of the storm is important because its the eastern side of a noreaster where the heaviest snow is typically expected.

Heavy wind gusts expected during the storm result from a large high pressure system surrounding the low pressure over the area - essentially creating a vacuum that pulls air into the region creating the wind.

UPDATE: 9:40 AM

Metro-North says New Haven Line Service continues to experience eastbound delays of 5 to 10 minutes due to a train with mechanical difficulties in the vicinity of East Norwalk.

UPDATE: 9:31 AM

Stamford residents can park in city garages for free until 9 a.m. Friday, the mayors office said.

The municipal garages are at Forest Street, 28 Bell St. and 100 Summer St.

Alternate-side parking rules are in effect until Friday so plows can access narrower streets.

Parking is allowed on even-numbered sides until 8 a.m. Friday, at which time cars should move to odd-numbered sides.

UPDATE: 9:24 AM

The NWS has a good presentation for latest weather briefing.

Lots of graphics, easy to understand forecast.

Check it out HERE.

UPDATE: 9:20 AM

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti was one of the few people working in city hall Thursday morning.

"City Hall is closed but I am here," he said. "I'm going to be going out and helping plow on the west side later today. That's where we have the most narrow streets."

Cassetti said gusty wind is hampering public works crews in their plowing.

"As soon as they clear a section the wind blows the snow right back onto the street," he said. "They have to keep going back out."

The mayor, who operated heavy equipment when he owned Birm-1Construction, also said he extended the city's parking ban to 6 p.m. Friday night. He explained that getting the cars off the streets is necessary for roadways to be cleared.

Additionally the mayor said trash and recycling collections will be delayed by a day.

"If necessary we'll be out Saturday picking up trash," he said,.

Meanwhile the expected below zero wind chill temperatures on Saturday forced Cassetti to postpone the grand opening of the city's new winter playground at Linnet Park from Saturday to Sunday at noon.

The park located on Crowley Street just off North State Street features a portable skating rink, a sledding hill, bleachers, a fire pit and a snack truck provided by Lucky Dog of Seymour. The city gave away 32 sleds and saucers to youngsters to use at the park. They were donated by businesses and residents.

UPDATE: 9:13 AM

Snow plowed by DOT trucks is blowing back onto I-95, according to State Police troopers working at Troop G, who patrol coastal Fairfield County.

Troopers are still working to clear the tractor trailer truck that slipped off the road near Exit 19 southbound, near the Fairfield/Westport town lines.

UPDATE: 9:09 AM

Starting to see the first power outages.

Eversource reports that five customers are without power in Westport.

More are expected later today from strong winds.

Gusts of up to 45 mph are forecast.

UPDATE: 9:01 AM

Meteorologists with the NOAA in their latest forecast discussion are calling for at least 6 to 10 inches of snow in the areas east of the Hudson River as a result of the winter storm.

Strong now bands are taking shape to the south of Long Island that could result in snow fall rates of one inch per hour from 8 a.m. until about 1 p.m. this afternoon - with a low to moderate chance of snow fall rates of two inches per hour from the storm.

The band will likely hit Long Island during the next hour before moving into coastal Connecticut. Meteorologists said to expect rapidly deteriorating conditions as the band approaches shore.

UPDATE: 8:58 AM

West Rocks Road in Norwalk is closed by #175 due to a large tree on the wires. Eversource has been notified. Avoid the area.

UPDATE: 8:45 AM

The NWS has issued a blizzard warning for New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.

Blizzard conditions occurring.

Travel will be very dangerous to impossible, including during the morning and evening commute.

Tree branches could fall as well.

Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times are expected this morning into afternoon. Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are expected.

In effect to 1 a.m. Friday.

UPDATE: 8:38 AM

The National Weather Services latest update on the storm:

Expect snowfall:

Greenwich to Norwalk: 7 inches.

Danbury: 7 inches

Westport to Bridgeport: 8 inches

Milford to New Haven: 10 inches

Meriden: 10 inches

Waterbury: 8 inches

UPDATE: 8:28 AM

Metro-North announced delays of 15 to 20 minutes along the Danbury Branch due to a train near Redding with mechanical difficulties.

UPDATE: 8:23 AM

State Police say that a CT Transit bus went off Route 2 in Marlborough around 6:30 a.m.

Bus down embankment. No passengers. Minor injury to driver. Left lane closed. Trooper Kelly Grant said in an email.

UPDATE: 8:21 AM

Norwalk Police Lt. Terry Blake said most people are staying off the roads Thursday morning.

Police responded to only one minor accident.

UPDATE: 8:20 AM

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said crews with the citys public works department and parks and recreation were already out Thursday morning clearing snow from the storm.

Bass said he arrived at Town Hall shortly before 6 a.m. this morning to help open up the warming center located in the building, which should be open through most of the afternoon.

At this point we are just getting on with the business of the day, he said.

UPDATE: 8:16 AM

Danbury received a little over one inch of snow so far as of 8 a.m. Thursday as residents began venturing out and checking on the storm.

Eric Carr, an employee with City Center, was busy clearing snow from the bus stops and crosswalks along Main Street.

It will probably just blow back in this afternoon but its our responsibility to keep these areas clear, he said, adding that shop owners are responsible for clearing the snow from sidewalks in front of their establishments.

Ill be out here all day. Its going to be a long afternoon.

UPDATE: 8:10 AM

Here are some 7 AM snowfall updates from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network:

Bethel: 1.7 inches

Darien: 1.5 inches

Prospect: 1.4 inches

Other towns reported less than an inch.

UPDATE: 8:03 AM

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said there is no highway ban in effect, but asked people to stay off the roads.

He said power outages are likely.

UPDATE 8:00 a.m.

Traffic is light on Stamford streets and if the Jones Sausage sell out at a market in nearby Noroton Heights is any indication, people have signaled their intentions of sleeping in this morning.

All roads are passable as city plows were the rounds scraping off up to three inches of snow this morning.

About the only action in Stamford was a water main break at Pacific and Market Streets in the citys South End at about 4:30 a.m.

UPDATE: 7:47 AM

The temperature is 24 degrees at the Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, according to the NWS. With wind chill, it's 8 degrees. Winds are whipping at 25 milps per hour with gusts of 37. Visibility is three-quarters of a mile.

That's pretty warm compared to tomorrow, according to the latest NWS weather forecasts, which has the temperature dropping to 9 tomorrow and -10 with wind chill by 9 a.m. tomorrow

UPDATE: 7:46 AM

Tractor-trailer accident (jackknifed) on I-95 Southbound between Exits 20 and 19 in Fairfield. The right lane is closed. Reported at 7:42 a.m.

UPDATE: 7:43 AM

Whats your towns forecast?

Go the this National Weather Service page HERE.

Just type in your towns name of zip code in the box at the upper left hand corner.

UPDATE: 7:35 AM

Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says town hall will remain closed Thursday.

Offices will reopen on schedule at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

UPDATE: 7:19 AM

Still no major problems on Metro-North trains Thursday morning.

But it says, Delays, cancellations & train combinations may occur depending upon the severity of the snow storm.

To see if your train is running on time, click HERE.

UPDATE: 7:12 AM

Firefighters in Trumbull are responding to a report of a car striking a pole on the 200 block of Beacon Hill Road, according to first responder dispatch reports.

The street is far from major road ways, at the heart of the residential neighborhood between Nichols Avenue and Daniels Farm Road.

UPDATE: 7:06 AM

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling has declared a snow emergency in the city.

What does that mean?

All the information is HERE.

UPDATE: 6:55 AM

Traffic is very light on the roads.

A good thing because roads are snow covered and very slippery.

Check out the state DOT traffic cams HERE.

The last accident is on southbound I-95 near Exit 42 in West Haven.

UPDATE: 6:45 AM

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton tweets: Danbury City Hall will be closed for today.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached assets worth Rs.117.74 crore of the Indu Group of Companies and others, in connection with a money laundering case against YS Jaganmohan Reddy (and others).

Reddy is the Leader of the Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, and the chief of the YSR Congress.

The CBI, which is investigating a disproportionate assets case against Jaganmohan Reddy and others, has filed 11 chargesheets.

The ED said it has attached "movable and immovable assets worth Rs 117.74 crore under the PMLA of companies of I Syam Prasad Reddy, Indu Projects, Embassy Property Developments and Vasantha Projects in the the Indu-APHB (Andhra Pradesh Housing Board) case related to Y S Jaganmohan Reddy."

The present case is a quid pro quo investment case, where I Syam Prasad Reddy made huge investments in companies floated by YS Jaganmohan Reddy for favours received from the erstwhile government of Andhra Pradesh (which Jaganmohan's father, the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy, led as chief minister).

The present attachment is in connection with a CBI chargesheet relating to various housing projects allotted to the Indu Group by the then-AP Housing Board.

With inputs from PTIPatna, Jan 3 (PTI) A huge quantity of fake postage stamps, with a face value of Rs 10 crore, was seized in the city today, police said.

"Routine checking of vehicles was being carried out at the Rajendra Nagar flyover in the city. A person who was about to board an auto rickshaw, dropped his bag and ran away in panic. The policemen on duty rushed and seized the bag and found it to be full of fake stamps", Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sadar, Sushant Kumar Saroj told PTI.

He said "each fake postage stamp had the face value of Rs 500. The total face value of the fake stamps turned out to be Rs 10 crore. We are conducting further investigations to find out who was the person carrying the bag, from where he had obtained the fake stamps and who are the other persons involved in this racket". PTI NAC RG(Eds: Updating with tweets by Smriti Irani)

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today extended the mandatory packaging of foodgrains and sugar products in jute bags for the year ending June 2018.

"This decision mandating 90 per cent of food grains and 20 per cent sugar products to be packed in jute bags will benefit nearly 3.7 lakh workers and 40 lakh farmers," Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani tweeted.

She said the Jute mill workers will not be deprived of their statutory dues as a special mechanism will be set up in consultation with state governments to link production control and supply order to ensure timely payment.

"Underlining the importance of diversification of jute industry, emphasis will be given to diversification by incentivising use of jute geo-textiles and promoting jute as eco-friendly fibre both in domestic and global markets," Irani said in a tweet.

The decision will help sustain the core demand for the jute sector and support the livelihood of the workers and farmers dependent on the sector in eastern and north-eastern regions of the country particularly in West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura.

"The CCEA has extended the mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act, 1987," an official statement said.

As per the norms, it is compulsory to pack 90 per cent of foodgrains and 20 per cent of sugar products in jute bags.

The decision also mandates, in the first instance, the entire requirement for packing of foodgrains would be placed in jute bags thus, making a provision for 100 per cent packing of foodgrains in jute bags subject to the ability of the jute industry to meet the requirement, the statement added.

Jute industry is predominantly dependent on government, which purchases jute products worth more than Rs 5,500 crore every year.

Considering nearly 3.7 lakh workers and approximately 40 lakh farmers are dependent for their livelihood on the jute sector, the government said it has been making concerted efforts for the development of the jute sector.

With a view to boost demand in the jute sector, government has imposed Definitive Anti Dumping Duty on import of jute goods from Bangladesh and Nepal with effect from January 5, 2017, which has provided scope for additional demand of 2 lakh MT of jute goods in the domestic market. PTI LUX RSN NAM NKD BALPanaji, Jan 03 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the state government has objection to the expansion of coal handling capacity at Mormugao Port Trust.

Parrikar today told reporters that the state government will not allow expansion of the coal handling capacity.

"The issue is about increasing of coal handling facility and not about the expansion of the berth," he said adding that state?s opposition for increasing the coal handling facility will not change.

"If they use the berth for some other reason then I have no objection. They may use it for handling steel, wooden chips, then I have no objection," he said.

The state has been witnessing protests over the plan of private companies to increase coal handling capacity at MPT.

MPT has leased out its coal handling facility to two companies, Adani Murmugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd (AMPTPL) and South West Port Ltd (SWPL).

While Adani Murmugao handles about 5.2 million tonnes of coal annually, SWPL handles 7.2 million tonnes. PTI RPS BNMdifferently-abled

(Eds: Adds details)

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today sought the Centres response on a plea seeking quashing of certain provisions in the new policy for Haj pilgrims that bar differently-abled persons from undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Hari Shankar issued notice to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Haj Committee of India on the petition alleging that some provisions of the new policy violated Articles 14, 21 and 25- pertaining to equality and freedom to practice religion of the Constitution.

The court directed authorities to file their response by April 11 on the petition filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal against the eligibility guidelines under New Haj Policy of Haj Committee of India Pilgrims for Haj 2018-2022 .

The guidelines under the eligibility for Haj mentions that any Indian citizen who is a Muslim can apply for the pilgrimage except those "who do not have the mental or physical health to perform the pilgrimage, persons whose legs are amputated, who are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically/mentally incapacitated".

Bansal, in his plea, contended that these provisions "blatantly discriminate" against persons with disabilities and violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

The petition said, those affected with polio, congestive cardiac, tuberculosis, respiratory ailment, acute coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental disorder, infectious leprosy, AIDS or any other communicable disease or disability also cannot take undertake Haj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca -- the most holy city for Muslims.

Under the Act which was passed in December 2016, the types of disabilities have been increased from the seven to 21.

The newly-added types of disabilities include mental illness, autism, spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, specific learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, speech and language disability.

Disorders such as thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities including visual and hearing impairment, acid attack and Parkinsons disease have also been included.

The petition said these provisions were "arbitrary, discriminatory and highly irrational and inconsistent with the Disabilities Act, 2016." PTI PPS HMP AG DVThe Narendra Modi cabinet has approved the establishment of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur, under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.

The new AIIMS, a second branch of India's premier medical institute, will be built within two years at a cost of Rs 1,351 crore.

Each year, its medical college will admit 100 MBBS students and its nursing college will enroll 60 B.Sc (Nursing) students.

The government said in a release published on Twitter that the establishment of the news AIIMS will "help create a large pool of doctors and other health workers in the region, who would be available for primary and secondary level institutions...[and]...facilities being created under [the] National Health Mission."An Indian Navy MiG-29 K fighter jet skidded off the runway and crashed today while taking off from Goa Airport. The trainee pilot managed to eject safely from the MiG, which immediately caught fire after crashing.

"A Mig29K aircraft with under-trainee pilot goes off runway while taking off at Goa airport. Pilot ejects to safety. Fire on aircraft being extinguished," said a statement from the Indian Navy. A firefighting operation was initiated immediately.

Operations of all flights were suspended till 1.30 pm. 3 flights were diverted from Goa airport.

The external fire was extinguished by 1.40pm.

The Goa airport operates from the Indian Naval base, INS Hansa.

This is the first time in history that a MiG-29 fighter jet has crashed. Sources told India Today that an inquiry has been ordered, and an official announcement will be made soon.

ALSO WATCH | Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes into Air India aircraft at Delhi's IGI airport, fliers unhurtto boundary dispute: Govt

New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) India and China are committed to seeking a fair and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary dispute through negotiations, the government said today when asked whether a "high degree of mistrust" prevails between India and its neighbours mainly due to border issues.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh gave a detailed response on Indias border disputes with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan.

Singh said there was no question of a "high degree of mistrust" mainly due to border disputes with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and the issue was also not applicable in case of Nepal.

Singh said as far as China is concerned, the two countries have agreed to appoint Special Representatives to explore the framework for a boundary settlement from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship.

He also noted that the 20th round of the Special Representatives-level talks were held here on December 22, 2017.

The minister said that Pakistan has launched attacks on India in 1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999.

"Pakistan also supported insurgency and terrorism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and also aids and abets cross- border terrorism targeted against India which endangers security and stability not only of India but of the entire region. Pakistan covets territory of J-K which is an integral part of India," he asserted.

The ministers reply was to a question posed by senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge about the details of border disputes between India and its neighbouring countries, including China and Pakistan, and also whether a "high degree of mistrust" continues between India and its neighbours mainly due to border disputes.

Singh also said that the government?s consistent policy has been that it desires good neighbourly relations with Pakistan. "However, this necessarily requires an environment free from terror, hostility and violence."

Government desires good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan and it is for Pakistan to honour its publicly stated commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used against India in any manner and take effective and credible action to put an end to cross border terrorism, he said. PTI PYK ASK ASK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.Delhi Police managed to rescue a 13-day infant from two kidnappers on Monday night. Police also arrested the accused, Firdaus and Sophia.

On December 12, a person had registered a missing person's complaint about his 13-day-old son in Jahangirpuri police station. As per the complaint, the man alleged that he and his wife were sleeping on the second floor of their house along with his brother-in-law and his wife in the same room.

When he woke up at about 9.30 am, the newborn baby was missing. "The crime scene was thoroughly inspected by police and the dog squad. On the basis of evidences gathered from the spot, it appeared to be an insider's job.

Keeping this in mind, various exhibits were lifted from the spot," said Aslam Khan, DCP, northwest district, Delhi Realising the sensitivity of the incident, Khan constituted a special team led by an ACP-rank officer. The team was assigned the task of collecting information about the persons who might be behind the incident.

The probe team members questioned dozens of family members, local residents and other suspects. Informers were also activated and roped in. Call detail records of several persons were analysed.

The exercise led to increased suspicion on the involvement of close relatives of the baby. Accordingly, surveillance was mounted on the activities of the main suspects.

"The relentless efforts of the team led to recovery of the kidnapped baby from Saeed Nager, a locality in Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh after 19 days, and apprehension of the accused. They confessed to the crime," Khan said.

The accused are under interrogation and police were yet to ascertain the motive of kidnapping till last reports came in.Demystifying the law to ensure open government By Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena View(s): View(s):

Excerpts of the presentation by RTI Commissioner and attorney-at-law Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena at the Leaders Roundtable Sessions on the Role of Accountability Institutions held at the Asia Pacific Leaders Forum on Open Government convened by the Government of Indonesia at Jakarta, on December 14

It has been close to nine months since the Right to Information Commission of Sri Lanka commenced hearing appeals under the RTI Act, No 12 of 2016. The Act was operationalised on February 3, 2017 and the first appeal came before us in late April 2017. Since then, it is evident that the thirst for information has had no boundaries and no barriers, class, community or race as the case may be.

Appellants include farmers seeking information on the issuance of land permits from distant regions of the Mahaweli Zone, northern residents looking for environmental approvals regarding projects that threaten the livelihoods of war affected communities, disabled soldiers asking for information to obtain their disability benefits, patients requesting medical reports and parents demanding details of school admissions of children. Civil society groups and journalists have also petitioned for the release of information that challenges state accountability at the highest levels.

Only in the rarest of cases have lawyers been retained by the appellants to plead their cause. In most instances, the appellants appear in person. This is welcome as it points to the demystifying of the law in the search for justice. For a conflict-torn country which has seen its systems degenerate, its institutions break down and its law become relegated to empty theory, this is a sign of hope.

As the year closes, the commission has listed more than two hundred appeals before it for hearing out of an approximately estimated five hundred and fifty appeals. It has issued several orders in concluded or pending cases leading to the release of information on procurement related issues and public sector transparency, the accountability of politicians as well as information on the observance of due process safeguards by state entities. One notable example was the release of documentation relating to court martial proceedings by the Sri Lanka Army. Up to now, the adherence of public authorities to these orders issued by the Commission strictly in terms of the RTI Act has been largely and quite overwhelmingly positive.

Using RTI to reform the governance process

Appeals to the commission do not merely ask for information at a personal level (though there are many of these as well) but focus on the governance process broadly. I will take some examples to illustrate this point.

Reports of Commissions of Inquiry had not been released to the public for decades as the law did not obligate the President who is the appointing authority, to release them. Now, under RTI, the first such report was released a few months ago upon an appeal being filed to the commission. This was a report handed down by a judge condemning the actions of the police and the military when they stopped trade union activists from protesting during the time of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the course of which several hundreds were injured and one young man was killed.

Many appeals pertain to alleged corruption in the public sector process. Clearly, the underlying reason in filing these appeals is the hope that the release of information on corrupt practices will have a chilling effect and be a deterrent. For instance, the first appeal that came before us resulted in the disclosure of information as to how a municipal council had permitted a contractor to fill a land which had caused floods in the surrounding areas. In other examples, information on permissions for unauthorised constrictions, expenditure of funds on government projects and details pertaining to appointments to provincial legislative assemblies as well as the travel details of politicians have been released.

The commissions view has been that though powers, privileges and practices of Parliament and provincial councils are among the exemptions on which information may be withheld in the Act, the exemption cannot be blindly cited. The Parliament or provincial council may cite privilege in an institutional capacity. But that does not mean that each and every action of individuals attracts the protection of privilege. The public interest is uppermost. A key underlying principle is of accountability in governance. Justice Louis Brandeis put it best when he said that The most important political office is that of the private citizen.

On the one hand, citizens have used the Act on a personal level. On the other hand, many have used it for the common good and public welfare. It is also interesting that public servants themselves have used the Act to obtain information in regard to disciplinary action taken against them institutionally.

Silence to an RTI request is not an option

The RTI Act applies to each and every constitutional and statutory office, department or agency, from the office of the executive President to corporates that function with government backing and private entities contracting with the government.

Also included in these categories of public authorities are educational institutions (state or private) that are established recognised or licensed under any written law or are state funded and non-governmental organisations substantially run with public funds, whether from local or foreign governments or from international organisations, to the extent of their rendering a service to the public. National security agencies are not exempted unlike elsewhere in the region. The basic norm is that, where exceptions apply to the release of information, these must be by subject matter not by the privileging of certain institutions. In any event, even the exceptions are subjected to the public interest override.

The bill was drafted with the objective of protecting public officers from external pressures. Its core purpose is to reform an inveterate practice whereby government officers are silent when information is asked for. Under the Act, when a public authority seeks to deny the information, it must do so strictly in terms of the law and cannot deny irrelevantly. It also cannot stay silent.

I am not attempting here to trace all the principles of the Act but merely to give an idea of the primary considerations that weighed with us at the time. Information laws had been operating for several years, in South Asia. Avoiding pitfalls in those experiences as well as the manner in which the law had been circumvented in this country was a core concern. The importance of consultations was underscored by amendments being adopted to the bill after it was released for public feedback. Tellingly, the demand for a statutory right to information was so insistent that no politician felt able to vote against the bill on the floor of the House

Challenges for the future

Despite brave and persistent use of the RTI Act by Sri Lankans during the first few months of its operationalisation, formidable challenges remain.

The release of information is still a long way away from being an organic process where the culture of secrecy yields to a culture of openness. Public authorities prefer the safe option of coming to the commission to obtain orders to release information, even in mundane instances where information ought to be automatically released. Citizens have complained before the commission that some public Authorities have not put quick processes into place to assist the information requester. Even when information officers are appointed, they often have little idea of what their task ought to be. Conforming to the timelines mandated by the Act is merrily disregarded by some ministries. And others adopt delaying tactics.

Public awareness of the procedures of requesting and appealing for information remain important with the commission having to request the re-filing of a considerable number of appeals for non-observance with the Act. This is perhaps natural in the initial stages. Awareness-raising of the RTI Act will be a priority with the commission itself as it gets its own budget and human resource personnel in the coming months.

But apart from the successes of reactively requesting information during this short period, the picture is very different where pro-active disclosure of information is concerned. Many ministries lag far behind what is required under the RTI Act. Ensuring voluntary disclosure of information is a basic pledge that Sri Lanka has made to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) which aims at improving the quality of governance as well as the quality of services that citizens receive.

This links up with the RTI requirements of pro-active disclosure as spelt out in Sections 8 and 9 of the Act read with the corresponding Guidelines of the Commission and Regulation 20 of the RTI Regulations gazetted in February 2017. Voluntary disclosure of information by public authorities on their internal accountability processes is the actual strength of RTI. This is where the core of the political commitment to RTI and OGP lies, not so much in action plans or in enthusiastic rhetoric.

It is hoped that we will see solid progress in this regard in the coming year.There was massive uproar in Rajya Sabha today as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley categorically told the agitating Opposition members that the Bill outlawing instant triple talaq (The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017) cannot be referred to a select committee for review.

The Upper House of Parliament was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after a heated exchange between the government and Opposition MPs over the Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha last week.

After Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, Congress leader Anand Sharma moved a notice, saying the legislation should be sent to a select panel, and even proposed names for the committee.

Congress' Anand Sharma moves notice stating that #TripleTalaqBill be referred to a Select Committee of #RajyaSabha, also proposes names of committee members. pic.twitter.com/VvGdNI1zf8 - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Name of 17 Rajya Sabha MPs including Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja proposed to be members of Select Committee in the notice sent by Congress' Anand Sharma #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/aExOfiFMnL - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Jaitley said that can't happen, since two judges of the Supreme Court said the practice of instant triple talaq was unfair, and suspended it for six months - a period which ends on February 22.

The Finance Minister said the judges asked parties to come up with appropriate legislation, and that the country expected "urgency" from its Parliament.

The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be give at least 24 hours in advance: Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/GbQZw3Nskk - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Congress leader Kapil Sibal responded saying he wanted to correct the record. What Jaitley said about the Supreme Court's judgement was said in the context of the minority judgement, Sibal explained.

He (Arun Jaitley) referred to judgement of SC, I want to correct the record because I appeared in the case on behalf of Muslim Personal Law Board. What he said was in context of the minority judgement: Kapil Sibal, Congress in Rajya Sabha #TripleTalaqBill - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

"Let the country know (the) Congress' hypocrisy and double standard(s)" Ravi Shankar Prasad was quoted as saying by ANI, after the discussion in the House.

The Law Minister said the Grand Old Party had supported the Bill in the Lok Sabha, but had taken a completely divergent view in the Rajya Sabha. He said the party had backed the Bill in the Lower House "in compulsion" because it had fewer members there.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said his party had been "regular talks with Chairman, government and parties in (the) Rajya Sabha."

"We had conveyed that this be referred to Select Committee but it was clear from their adamant attitude that they are playing politics, by selectively misquoting and misreporting (the) Supreme Court's judgement, even by (the) Leader of (the) House today."

We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens' groups, stakeholders were consulted. All we ask for is that talk to all stakeholders: Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/7Dj8GAeD8y - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

(Inputs from ANI)The three Jaish-e-Mohammed fedayeen members who stormed the CRPF camp with Kalashnikovs and grenades in Lethpora village of Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday fired steel-core bullets, which can pierce body armour. Such bullets have been used by terrorists for the first time in India.

The rounds proved fatal for one CRPF personnel as the bullet pierced his bulletproof shield.

"The bullet pierced the shield and hit him. Though the CRPF personnel killed the attacker, we lost one man," Ravideep Sahi, CRPF Inspector General told India Today.

The hardened steel penetrator, encased usually in a copper jacket, in such bullets is a pointed mass of high-density material which retains its shape and strikes the target with maximum energy.

The CRPF personnel were surprised when the bullets penetrated the heavy metal bunker vehicle, widely used during such encounters.

In fact, one of the bullets penetrated the bulletproof Gypsy of the Assistant Commandant hitting a CRPF personnel.

"Yes, our Assistant Commandant was in his vehicle when the terrorists fired at it outside the camp," said RR Bhatnagar, Director General, CRPF.

While Bhatnagar did not deny encountering a new problem, he is confident in the CRPF's fighting capability. "This will have an impact, but our men fight professionally."

The bullets used in the Pulwama attack, which are undergoing forensic tests outside the state, have set alarm bells ringing in the security establishment.

"It is a problematic situation. We will carefully analyse the forensic results and take action," a top J&K police officer told India Today requesting anonymity.

The use of armour-piercing rounds by terrorists could be a major security nightmare as several VIPS use bulletproof vehicles.

In 2015, the Obama administration scrapped a ban on armour-piercing bullets in the face of fierce opposition by gun owners, lobbyists and members of the Congress.

The green tip bullets can easily pierce the light body armour used by the American police.

The Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act, 1986, makes the import, distribution and manufacture of armour-piercing ammunition illegal unless primarily intended for sporting purposes.

ALSO WATCH | Pulwama terror attack: Our attacks won't end, pledges 16-year-old fidayeen in videoDistracted holiday drivers are causing a large number of nose-to-tail accidents around the city, says acting Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Sergeant Wayne Hunter.

Drivers have got to watch for distractions, there have been a lot of nose to tail accidents from drivers not paying attention to what is in front of them, a lot of people are still in holiday mode.

Speeding over the holiday period has not been a major issue, and police have not noticed a difference in the numbers of speeding vehicles being stopped on the Tauranga Eastern Link.

The speed limit of the TEL from Papamoa to Paengaroa was raised to 110km/h on December 11.

Nothings changed it is exactly as it was before, no difference at all, says Wayne.

Police have noticed TEL speedsters are being stopped at speeds well over the limit.

They are either not speeding, or doing 130km/h or more. There dont seem to be any in between.

One German driver was stopped at 164km/h and told police they thought they were on an autobahn, where rural sectors have no speed limit.

One result of the increased speed limit has been to reduce the fines for speeding drivers.

At 140km/h a speeding driver is 30km/h over the posted speed limit, which means they will be fined, but will escape the automatic licence suspension  unless there are other factors involved like a high level of drink driving.Bay of Plenty

Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of hammerhands for an immediate start.The successful...



View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nzNebraska lawmakers will kick off a new session Today facing a variety of issues, including another tax cut package and looming state budget challenges.

Here are five things to watch in the 2018 session:

TIME CRUNCH

The 60-day session will limit the time available to debate legislation, creating pressure on senators to pass measures quickly. They convene for 90-day sessions in odd-numbered years and 60 day sessions in even-numbered years.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer has said he wants to allow debate on priority issues, but doesn't want to spend hours on legislation that doesn't have a realistic chance of passing. Senators in recent years have burned through much of their sessions with squabbles over parliamentary rules, in particular a proposal by conservatives to combat filibusters.

The state's constitution sets the Legislature's opening date 7/8as the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January. The session is slated to end April 18.

BUDGET CRUNCH

Lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts say the state budget is a top priority. The state faces a projected $173.3 million revenue shortfall in the current two-year budget cycle, which ends on June 30, 2019.

Ricketts and key lawmakers say they intend to adjust the budget without raising taxes. The governor has ordered a state employee hiring freeze for all agencies under his control and temporarily reduced the amount of money each state agency receives each quarter. In an interview last week, Ricketts said he's confident he and lawmakers can balance the budget, but declined to disclose his plans until after he delivers his annual State of the State address in mid to late January.

The tight budget may complicate efforts to pass new measures that cost the state money.

A NEW TAX PACKAGE

Ricketts is expected to introduce a new tax package after his previous effort stalled in the 2017 session. The proposal will likely include some mix of income tax and property tax cuts although the governor has offered few specifics.

No matter how the package looks, Ricketts will have to find some agreement between farm groups, which want to see an emphasis on property tax cuts, and business groups, which are more interested in lowering income taxes. Other senators have argued the state needs to spend more on the state prison system and other priorities instead of cutting taxes.

The measure that stalled in 2017 would have relied on so-called revenue triggers to automatically lower the state's top tax rate in years when the state collects more revenue than expected. It also would have changed the way agricultural land is valued so that it more closely aligns with a farmer's potential income.

MORE GRIDLOCK?

The number of filibusters has risen sharply over the last few years as a way to thwart contentious bills, and more of the same is likely unless lawmakers can reach compromises.

Unlike past decades, when senators needed a 25-vote simple majority to pass most bills, many disputed bills now require a 33-vote supermajority to force an end to legislative debate. During the 2017 session, filibusters helped sink income and property tax cut legislation, an effort to eliminate Nebraska's motorcycle helmet requirement, and a gun-rights proposal, among other bills.

Scheer said senators may be more motivated to find agreement in this upcoming session because their terms in office are expiring or they're up for re-election in November.

TERM LIMITS AND ELECTIONS

This session will be the last for six lawmakers who can't seek re-election because of term limits - an unusually small number compared to turnover in recent years. Another 16 of the Legislature's 49 senators are up for re-election in the November general election.

Scheer said senators who are up for re-election often feel more pressure to show what they've accomplished in office, and so they're likely to push harder for legislation that will help their chances. Those who are on the verge of leaving because of term limits sometimes feel pressure to meet a last-minute goal.

One lawmaker, Sen. John Murante of Gretna, is running for state treasurer and has announced plans to introduce new measures that would require a government-issued identification at the polls - an issue likely to resonate with Republican voters. Another legislator, Sen. Roy Baker of Lincoln, has announced he won't seek a second term because he's moving out of state.Merging effortless style and ultimate luxury with a fast and furious' character, Ngoni is the product of bold minimalism and a radical in sailing design; proudly standing out from the crowd thanks to pedigree and vision.

A Revolution in Exterior Design

One word to describe the exterior design process is 'evolution'. Ngoni went through a number of phases to become the powerful example of precision that she is today; initially drawn by Dubois Naval Architects as a long and slender sloop with a plumb bow, sculpted aerodynamic superstructure and elegant beach deck, dominated by a towering sloop rig. But, this initial concept was taken further as both owner and studio challenged each other to push the boundaries of design.

The late Ed Dubois of Dubois Naval Architects, who were both the Naval Architects and Exterior Designers, commented; This is some yacht, inspired by an owner looking for the next new, new thing a dream project for a designer, naturally following suit in her interiors.

It was a dramatic concept but the owner challenged Dubois to push it further still. The exterior, which began as an exercise in creative expression, further finessed the hull profile and became an attractive styling touch that also enhances cockpit visibility.

The less is more philosophy demanded a highly minimalistic approach, seeking to maximise reliability by minimising complexity; and to enhance elegance and aerodynamic efficiency through a clean, clutter-free aesthetic.

Interior Elegance

The owners core brief to the interior Rick Baker design team was simple in the extreme, yet offered a clear direction of travel, with plenty of room for creative interpretation: Dont design a traditional yacht interior!"

Take out the stand out features; starboard guest bathroom with Japenese bath, exotic veneers, and distinctive marble and onyx from Italy, you are left with a truly special interior. Throwing an exciting palette of thoughts, experiences and ideas at the Rick Baker team, the designers were challenged to do something truly special: The interior was to have a masculine feel, which was to be broken up with punches of vibrant colour. shared Rick Baker.

The use of vivid resins, combined with sculpted metal surfaces, offers an overall fluid feel throughout, however, each area was to retain its own design identity. From its grand, curving staircase descending elegantly to sea level, to its Olympic diving board, S/Y Ngoni's connection to the sea is perfectly executed.

Proving the evolution of design needn't have limits, M/Y Ngoni proves the magic in imagination and creativity; a marriage of architectural excellence, build credibility and interior elegance, truly goes far.Two pilots believed to be a couple had a fight inside the cockpit of a Jet Airways London-Mumbai flight, which landed safely. After the woman came out crying, the senior cabin crew had to ask her to go back to the cockpit.

After flight 9W 119 landed, the incident was reported to Jet Airways.

Both pilots have been de-rostered. Jet Airways says they not a couple.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a stern view of the matter. Sources within the Aviation Regulatory body have told India Today that it has suspended the license of the male pilot involved in this spat.

Jet Airways said in a statement that a "misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew."

Pilot slaps copilot. Copilot comes out of cockpit crying. Sr Cabin Crew pleads her to return. All these as 324 pax onboard had no clue what's happening. @IndiaToday @rahulkanwal - Anindya (@AninBanerjeeeee) January 3, 2018

"The airline has reported the incident to the DGCA and the concerned crew have been derostered pending an internal investigation, that has since been initiated," the airline said.

"At Jet Airways, safety of guests, crew and assets is of paramount importance and the airline has zero tolerance for any action of its employees that compromises safety."

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story incorrectly said that the senior cabin crew asked the woman pilot to come out of the cockpit. It was the other way around.

ALSO WATCH | Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes into Air India aircraft at Delhi's IGI airport, fliers unhurtNew York -- A federal judge has blasted law enforcement for using immigration law to keep an accused money launderer detained after he posted a large amount of bail.

Chief Judge Dora Irizarry, of the Eastern District of New York, ordered the criminal indictment dismissed or the defendant released by today.

Irizarry said federal authorities were mixing and matching criminal and immigration laws like a "take-out food menu" to justify keeping the dual Spanish/Panamanian citizen locked up after consenting to his release on bail.

Salomon Benzadon Boutin had apparently overstayed his visa when he was arrested in October 2017 and charged with attempted money laundering from his Brooklyn restaurant, the New York Law Journal reported.

Boutin was supposed to be released on bail after members of his synagogue posted $100,000 bond, according to the judge's summary. He was ordered into home confinement with location monitoring.

But before he could be released, Boutin was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.

Boutin's first deportation hearing was then moved up a week for unknown reasons. It wasn't clear that Boutin had even gotten notice of the hearing before it was held, the judge wrote.

When Boutin didn't show, he was ordered removed by an immigration judge. His family said they were still trying to hire him a lawyer.

Irizarry accused federal authorities of "trying to have it both ways" by going after Boutin with criminal and immigration charges at the same time. She noted that he could have been removed from the country before his criminal case was resolved.

Federal authorities acknowledged that holding someone for an immigration violation could not be used to keep someone from being released on bail. But the government argued that there were simply two different proceedings -- criminal and immigration -- going on at the same time.

The judge rejected that argument.

"The Government was well aware that the defendant would be taken into ICE custody once he met the bail conditions," she wrote.

She added that laws all give first priority to criminal proceedings. Deporting a criminal suspect before the case has concluded would be a violation of due process and a waste of resources, she said.

"The Court is gravely concerned by this apparent willingness to prejudice the interests of the people of the United States and the constitutional rights of the accused, with resulting waste of (Department of Justice), court, and defense resources," she said.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 22-year-old Syracuse man was charged Tuesday night after fleeing police and crashing, according to Syracuse police.

Nakim Whorley, of Genesee Park Drive, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and various vehicle and traffic infractions, police said.

Syracuse police officers JM Giarrusso and David Craw observed a gray Nissan Altima at about 8:58 p.m. in the 100 block of McAllister Avenue. As the officers approached, they could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, police said.

When the officers told Whorley they wanted to speak with him, he put the car in drive and drove away. The officers returned to their patrol car and attempted to stop of Whorley's vehicle but he refused to stop, police said

Whorley failed to stop for a stop sign at Cannon and West Newell streets, colliding with a Jeep Liberty. Whorley fled on foot, police said.

Officer Anthony Fiorini apprehended Whorley in the 200 block of West Corning Avenue. At the time of his arrest, Whorley was found to be in possession of 132 grams of marijuana. Police also located another two grams of marijuana inside Whorley's vehicle, police said.

The driver of the Jeep Liberty was transported by American Medical Response to Upstate University Hospital for a complaint of head pain, police said.

Whorley was taken to the Onondaga County Justice Center pending his arraignment.Manlius, N.Y. -- Tom Rivett and Julia Huff-Rivett were married for 22 days.

They had been together for four years before that.

They fought just once, Tom says, twisting his wedding ring up and down on his finger as he talks.

She wanted a puppy. He wanted to wait, he says, laughing as the puppy races past him. She won. Julia had a way of making things happen.

The two met that accidental way people do in the movies: She cut his hair in the Manlius Supercuts. Later, she asked him out. They filled in each other's weak spots: He was reserved; she couldn't help but talk to strangers. Everyone's business, everyone's happiness, was Julia's business.

They should have had decades together. The joke was that they would name the kids after the kids in their favorite movie, "Jurassic Park."

Instead they had four years together, 22 days married, before Julia died at the age of 24. But they packed in lessons that some people go a lifetime without learning. He cared for her at her worst and never thought twice. They were, his voice cracks as he says it, one person. And as he wrapped her tumors and told nurses which veins to use, she taught him how to live, how to love.

*****

A year ago, Julia had a tender bump by her ear that wouldn't go away. Tests showed it was lymphoepithelial carcinoma of her salivary gland. The 23-year-old had surgery, then chemotherapy and radiation at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Julia and her mother, Angela Huff-Griffin, went to Houston for her treatment. Tom stayed behind in Charlotte, where the couple had just moved, to work during the week. He spent the weekends with Julia in Houston. They had just moved to Charlotte together in the fall, months before Julia's cancer was discovered.

By May, it seemed life had returned to normal: Doctors said the cancer was gone, except a tiny bit that was likely dead tissue.

The couple got the puppy Julia wanted and went about life in the city they moved to on a whim.

"We picked Charlotte for something new," Tom says.

*****

Tom Rivett met Julia Huff at the Manlius Supercuts. Julia was a hairstylist there. She was 20. He was 22. He came in with a page ripped out of a J. Crew catalog, an example of the haircut he wanted. He was quiet. As she chatted and clipped his hair, talking about her grandfather, he thought of ways he could ask this lively, happy, down-to-earth girl out.

But when the haircut was over, he chickened out. In few months he'd come back for another haircut and ask her, then, he thought.

Julia was no chicken. Tom came home to find a message from her on Facebook. Her family had recently moved to Manlius from Syracuse, she wrote. Would he like to go out?

They agreed to meet at Carrabba's Restuarant.

"She talked a lot, which was great because I didn't have to," Tom says, sliding his wedding ring.

She liked the movie "Jurassic Park." He liked it, too. She liked Ben Folds. He liked Ben Folds. But more than that, there was a powerful connection that seemed like it must have been there forever. They were puzzle pieces that snapped together, effortlessly.

He is shy. She would talk to every stranger in the grocery store. He would never butt into someone else's business. Everyone's business was her business. If you were ever Julia's friend, you were always Julia's friend. And if you were her family, she'd never, ever leave you hanging.

When her grandfather, her "Nonno," moved into a nursing home, she visited all the time. The other residents became her friends, too; so much so that her grandfather would grumble (good-naturedly) about it.

She was the kind of person who wrote thank-you notes on paper and sent them through the mail - not out of some sense of obligation, but because she wanted to.

"If she bought you a gift, which was one of her favorite things to do, the second she bought it she'd tell you what it was," Tom says. "She would never hide her excitement for something."

They'd go to concerts hours early because she just couldn't wait.

"She was just one of those girls who loved life," her mother says.

And Julia was always an optimist -- even when the cancer came back.

*****

It's possible the cancer never left Julia. In August, weeks after she'd been told the cancer was gone, a scan showed it was in her face, her bones and her lymph nodes. One tumor in her spine was so large it cracked a vertebra.

Julia decided to stay home this time, and get treatment at Upstate University Hospital. Doctors attacked the cancer from every angle: surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation.

"There was no pity party with Julia," her mother says.

No matter her situation, she always saw when someone else could use a hand.

There was an older man who had radiation on the same schedule Julia did. She noticed he was alone, and he looked scared, her mother says.

So Julia started talking to him. "Every day we were there together, she would give him a pep talk. 'You've got this; you've got this'," her mother says.

Later, when both were near the end of their radiation treatments, the man began to cry. "He said, 'I want you to know your daughter is my hero and I couldn't have done this without her'," Angela Huff-Griffin says.

For Julia, the radiation didn't work. They continued with the chemo, but the tumor on her head was the size of a softball. It paralyzed part of her face and obscured her smile.

But Julia and Tom looked forward. The couple had talked about getting married before. Julia always knew. Tom knew, too, but he was slow about these things, he says. When the cancer came back, they decided it was time.

"We couldn't stand not being married anymore," Tom says. "It just didn't make sense."

He proposed in October. He had a scheme to surprise her at Green Lakes under the guise of seeing if the puppy could swim. But it was a crowded fall day there and he couldn't seem to find the right moment. So the couple went to Ironwood, their favorite place for pizza. He forgot all the things he meant to say and simply dropped to one knee and asked the question: Julia, will you marry me?

*****

The wedding was Nov. 18 at the MOST in Armory Square. Julia loved dinosaurs as much as Jurassic Park. The movie was a lasting memory of her father, who died when she was 3. The two had watched that movie together. She knew it inside and out. The wedding was near the dinosaur exhibit. Dinosaur Bar-b-Cue catered. And Jeff Goldblum, the star of Jurassic Park, sent a video congratulating the two.

The wedding almost didn't happen. Julia spiked a fever the night before. She didn't have time to write her own vows, so they both read the ones Tom had written the day before while she was getting chemo.

"...I will dance with you on empty elevators. I'll play it cool when I get off," Tom wrote. "I vow to you that I will believe in miracles because you are the miracle of my life."

They danced their first dance to Ed Sheeran's "Perfect," and realized it was a long time to dance.

Julia, always joking, even had one then as they awkwardly swayed in front of more than 100 people: "Leave room for Jesus," she quipped, pretending they were at a high school dance.

They didn't know that that would be the most beautiful moment of their short life together. But Julia got sicker and weaker. Tom and her mother hoped to get Julia into a clinical trial of a new treatment. But the cancer was too vicious. Julia couldn't eat and was increasingly in pain.

Even then, she was always worried about everyone else. The week before Julia died, Tom had a panic attack. He felt like he couldn't breathe. He couldn't see. "I felt paralyzed," he says.

All he could hear was Julia's voice: "She kept saying, 'You're okay. I'm okay. You're not alone." And when the panic cleared, he saw her, smiling calmly.

Julia Huff-Rivett died Dec. 9, holding Tom's hand and her mother's.

"I have no regret," Tom says. "We told each other we loved each other every day."

The woman who cheered on others through her own pain, who couldn't go to the grocery store without talking to strangers, who never gave up on a friend or family, taught him to love better.

And, though she is gone, Julia is still taking care of Tom.

As he twists his wedding ring and talks about great love and loss, Marzie, the puppy they fought about, is curled up on a couch nearby.

Julia didn't want the dog for herself; the puppy was for Tom.

"If the cancer came back, she didn't want me to be alone," he says.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Common Councilor Khalid Bey is proposing the appointment of Lanessa Owens to a vacant at-large seat on the council.

On Friday, Bey requested legislation naming Owens to the seat. The council will discuss the appointment during a study session Wednesday -- the first meeting of a newly elected batch of councilors.

Owens, a Democrat, has long been considered the front-runner for the position. The seat was left vacant by Helen Hudson, who was elected council president in November.

The city clerk solicited resumes for the position last month. The deadline to submit a resume was Friday, Dec. 29, the same day Bey sent a letter to the city clerk requesting legislation.

It's unclear how many people expressed interest in the position, or who they are. In response to a request for the names of applicants, City Clerk John Copanas said the council would review resumes before deciding how to handle them.

Councilor Steve Thompson, the Democratic majority leader, said the resumes were sent to councilors Tuesday morning, the first business day since the Friday deadline. He had not had a chance to review them as of Tuesday afternoon, he said, nor was he sure how many were received.

"I haven't even looked at resumes yet, they just went out today," he said. "One of the councilors decided he was going to put [the legislation] in."

Thompson said he expected Bey to delay the legislation appointing Owens.

Bey could not be reached Tuesday afternoon. Nor could Council President Hudson.

Some critics have expressed frustration about the process for selecting a new councilor.

Frank Cetera, who ran for council and lost, has suggested a special meeting and a public forum to discuss applicants and solicit input. He submitted his resume for consideration.

Cetera sent the council a petition outlining his proposal. That petition was distributed at the final council meeting of 2017.

There is currently no special meeting or public hearing scheduled.

Owens, 37, was considered as a challenger to run against Joe Driscoll for the 5th District council seat early last year. She did not seek the party endorsement, however.

According to her resume, Owens is director of the New Start program at the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County.

She worked as legal counsel and then chief of staff for New York State Assemblyman Sam Roberts from 2013 to 2014. She operates her own criminal defense legal practice and was deputy secretary of the NYS Assembly Intergovernmental Relations Department from 2014 to 2016.

She has a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Fla.

Owens did not respond to messages Tuesday.

Whoever is selected for the vacant council seat would need to run in November to keep the seat and again next year when the term is up.SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Mayor Ben Walsh's inauguration ceremony has been moved indoors to keep attendees out of the bitter cold.

The event, originally planned for the steps of City Hall, will take place at the Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., at 10 a.m. Saturday.

As of Tuesday, Walsh's transition team planned to keep the event outdoors. Organizers trimmed the program to 20 minutes and prepared to give away hand warmers to attendees.

Wednesday morning, officials announced the venue change, citing safety concerns. Weather forecasts predict the temperature will be around zero degrees Saturday morning.

Jennifer Owens, co-chair of the transition's inauguration committee, said the Landmark generously offered its space after seeing the event would be held outside.

"Our plan was to embrace and celebrate our winter weather by welcoming our community to witness this historic event on the steps of City Hall, but as the forecasted temperatures continue to plummet, we have to put safety first," Owens said.

Stephanie Crockett, a volunteer with Walsh's campaign and transition, is president of the Landmark's board of trustees. Walsh is a board member there, as is his campaign manager, Kristy Frame.

Owens said the change of venue requires "quick action," but will give organizers some breathing room.

"We'll be less nervous if any of the pieces go longer," she said.

City Court Judge Derrek Thomas will swear in Walsh. Walsh will then swear in his deputy mayor, Sharon Owens. Common Council President Helen Hudson will emcee the event.

After the ceremony, cultural groups including Irish step dancers and a group from the New American Forum will perform on the Landmark stage. There will be coffee and refreshments.

The originally scheduled tours of City Hall will be postponed, Owens said.Michael Singh is managing director and senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

By Michael Singh | Special to The Washington Post



With Iran experiencing its largest, most widespread protests in years, thoughts in the White House will inevitably turn to Iran's 2009 "Green Movement," sparked by what was widely considered to be the rigging of presidential elections by Iranian authorities that year. President Barack Obama's administration, unsure how to help the protesters and reluctant to scuttle its nascent engagement with Tehran, responded to the demonstrations with diffidence, prompting criticism from left and right alike.

It should thus come as little surprise that President Donald Trump -- fresh off repudiating Obama's nuclear deal with Iran -- has taken the opposite tack and thrown his weight behind the protesters. But the Trump administration faces the conundrum that has long stymied U.S. officials seeking to support dissidents abroad: What precisely can we do, beyond issuing statements? After all, a loud statement unsupported by action is unlikely to have more impact than one delivered sotto voce.

Like so many protests around the world, the current demonstrations in Iran appear to have begun with bread-and-butter concerns. Iranians expected their lives to improve after the 2015 nuclear deal, and although Iran has experienced economic growth overall, Iranians still face rising prices and high unemployment. Economics and politics are inextricably linked, so it is not surprising that protesters have also decried corruption and expenditures on foreign conflicts in Syria and elsewhere at a time when domestic needs seem so great.

Given its own concerns about Iran's regional policies, Washington has a stake in this debate. Yet many, including many Iranians, will advise the United States and other foreign governments to stay quiet on the protests for fear of tarnishing them by association with outside powers. But the regime will seek to paint protesters as foreign agents regardless of the reality. The best way to counter this is not to remain silent but to ensure that U.S. statements of support are broadly multilateral and are backed with more practical steps.

The United States and its allies should, through public statements, private messages, U.N. resolutions and whatever other vehicles are available, clearly express their support for Iranians' right to protest. They should also warn authorities in Iran against any violent suppression of the demonstrations, whether such violence takes place on the streets or -- as occurred after the 2009 protests -- later on in homes and prisons, out of the public eye. Both the regime and demonstrators should be made constantly aware that the world's attention is fixed on them.

If the regime resorts to violence anyway, the international response should focus on diplomatic isolation. European and Asian states should reduce their diplomatic ties with Iran and downgrade Iran's participation in international forums.

Sanctions may also have a role, but they should be carefully targeted against those responsible for any crackdown -- as well as those outside Iran who facilitate their actions -- so as not to harm the Iranians whom the measures aim to support.

Such warnings alone are unlikely to deter Iranian authorities, who have proved both savvy and ruthless in employing their security apparatus against dissidents. Thus another focus of the international community's response should be helping Iranians elude that apparatus and exercise the basic rights that it seeks to deny them.

In 2009, State Department official Jared Cohen, without authorization, implored Twitter to forgo a shutdown for scheduled maintenance that happened to coincide with the protests in Iran. Present-day officials, journalists and tech execs should take their cue from Cohen but go further, seeking to provide platforms outside Iran for dissidents to speak out and supply accurate information to those inside Iran about both the protests and the costs of the regime's policies, along with the technical tools Iranians need to evade censorship and surveillance.

Finally, the Trump administration should consider how its broader Iran policy affects what happens inside Iran. This is not to say that the United States should be in the business of currying favor with the regime's "moderates" -- Washington has engaged in such efforts over the decades, largely fruitlessly. Instead, the United States can sharpen the choices facing Iran as a whole -- and strengthen the arguments of pragmatists arguing for a change in policy -- by raising the costs of Iranian regional adventurism and nuclear pursuits while keeping the door open to diplomacy should Iran wish to pursue its interests peacefully.

Western officials should avoid projecting their own hopes onto the Iranian protesters, whose grievances appear varied and are not necessarily aligned with our own complaints about the regime. Western officials should also keep their expectations of the protests in check. They could gather steam, or they could subside. The sign of a successful policy response will be its ability to survive either eventuality, based on the premise that an Iran that is more responsive to the needs of its people will be less dangerous to its region and to the United States.To the Editor:

After reading the commentary

(Dec. 26, 2017), I checked the organizations that the writers represented. I then hit the internet to find out more about the organizations. The

is an associate member of the state policy network considered to be a web of "right-wing" think tanks in every state. They are associated with the

and have ties to the Koch brothers.

is a 501 (c) (3) which is associated with conservative causes and the Republican Party. It is against the $15 minimum wage and among other things wants tax credits for private and parochial schools.

So now we know that these are two very conservative writers who would, of course, endorse this tax bill. I would like them to tell me why there is the sunset clause to the middle class tax cut but those for corporations are permanent.

I suspect that much of what is in the tax bill originated from ALEC. According to SourceWatch, "ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wish lists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve 'model' bills. " Many bills originating from ALEC are submitted verbatim to state legislatures and Congress. Remember "Stand your Ground" in Florida? That's a product of ALEC.

Don't take my word for it. Go to the internet to see for yourself. I'm very happy that the Post-Standard provides the information needed to research commentary writers. Now, if you like to see government run like a business you will be happy. But remember, business nearly destroyed the country in 2008. How short is our memory.

Soule Leiter

ClayNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo today proposed sweeping changes in the state's criminal justice system, calling his plan the most comprehensive set of reforms in the nation.

Cuomo, ahead of his 2018 "State of the State" address this afternoon, said his reforms would overhaul antiquated laws governing bail, discovery, the right to a speedy trial and the forfeiture of assets.

The governor said he will propose legislation to eliminate cash bail for defendants facing misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges. Cuomo said he wants "freedom before trial" to be the rule, rather than the exception. He said the existing system places an unfair burden on the economically disadvantaged.

Cuomo also wants to speed trials and the discovery process by requiring prosecutors and the defense to share information before trial as it becomes available.

Under existing law, New York is one of only 10 states that allows prosecutors to withhold evidence until the day a trial begins, he said.

The reforms also would include a ban on asset seizures unless an arrest is made. Authorities can now confiscate cash or property that they suspect was obtained illegally. Cuomo's proposal would also require authorities to return assets to anyone who is arrested but acquitted, or whose case is dismissed.

The criminal justice reforms are among some two dozen proposals that Cuomo plans to discuss at 1 p.m. today during his "State of the State" address in Albany. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh is among those who will be in attendance.

Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will deliver his 2018 "State of the State" address at 1 p.m. today in Albany, offering about two dozen proposals that tackle some key issues that have attracted national attention.

Cuomo plans to unveil sweeping reforms to the state's voting laws, criminal justice system and the handling of sexual harassment complaints. He also will detail plans to take on climate change, the opioid crisis, sexual harassment, terrorism and domestic violence.

You can watch the speech live in the box below as Cuomo addresses state lawmakers and other elected officials at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

Cuomo, who plans to seek a third term in November, has unveiled 22 of his proposals in the weeks leading up to the speech.

New Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, an entrepreneur from Van Buren, are among the Central New Yorkers who will be in the audience today after receiving invitations from the governor's office.

Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751Actress Kamya Punjabi, a former Bigg Boss contestant, says she is interested in becoming a politician and put an end to harassment against women in the country.

"I want to be in politics as I feel politics is not a bad career choice. It is one of the most challenging and hardworking career options which not only tests one's strength but also the person's personality," Kamya, who has featured in shows like Parvarrish and Beintehaa, said in a statement to IANS.

"I want to bring harassment against women to an end. Women are born to live a greater life. I don't want to see anyone being a victim to their family, society or anyone. They need to live a life fearlessly," she added.

She wants to encourage women to fight for their rights.

If she joins politics, she says she will make the environment "so women-friendly that people will think before harassing a woman".Duaine and Michelle Miller of Williamsville have been loyal Buffalo News carriers for the past five years, but early Monday they played the role of rescuers.

It was around 6:45 a.m., still dark, when the husband and wife team were on their route along Mill Street in the village -- Michelle behind the wheel of their Chevy HHR, Duaine in the backseat folding and bagging newspapers.

As the couple pulled into a condominium complex, Duaine jumped out of the vehicle to continue their deliveries when he spotted something on the ground near the door of his next stop. It looked like a person.

News carriers rescue elderly customer on ground in record-low cold https://t.co/DkvMZDSm6g  David -mogeladze (@mogeladze1) January 3, 2018

He ran over and noticed it was one of their customers, James Forman, 80, face down in the snow. There was a set of keys on the walkway and a cellphone nearby. Forman was dressed in a shirt and tie and jacket, said Duaine, who remembered that the tie had frozen.

"Call 9-1-1," Duaine yelled to Michelle.

"Help me," Forman said to Duaine.

Duaine, who related the incident to a reporter on Tuesday, got Forman to his feet and Michelle moved their vehicle closer so they could place him in the back seat. Duaine, 44, rubbed the man's hands and chest to warm him, while Michelle, 46, grabbed some coats and placed them on top of Forman.

Monday set a record-low temperature for New Year's Day and Forman was frigid, Michelle said.

Paramedics responded a few minutes later and took Forman to Erie County Medical Center, where he was recuperating Tuesday. His condition was not immediately available.

Forman indicated to the Millers that he had slipped while heading out the door Sunday evening and spent the night outside.

Doctors and nurses, however, speculated his time exposed to the cold was much less, said Amherst Assistant Police Chief Charles Cohen.

"Their best guess is he was probably outside for one to two hours, so not overnight like initially thought," Cohen said.

There was no foul play.

"He probably just took a spill," Cohen said.

A relative of Forman's said Tuesday that the family was grateful to the Millers for what they did. Their district manager, too, thought the couple deserved some credit.

"Duaine and Michelle are just awesome people," said Joan Portman, the Miller's district manager. "They just do a great job between the two of them. They have three routes. They never complain and they're always on time. He even called me on their five-year anniversary and said, 'Thank you so much for allowing us to do this.' "

The News' carriers have helped others in a pinch -- drivers in a ditch on the Youngmann Expressway, a disoriented man walking during a snowstorm -- but nothing like Monday.

In fact, the couple's actions on Monday help wrap up their newspaper careers.

The Millers, who met in New Mexico before moving back to Buffalo to be near Michelle's family, are leaving the job Jan. 14. They'll head to Arizona, where Michelle got a job with child protective services.

Delivering newspapers has been challenging -- up at 1 a.m., no days off, battling inclement weather -- but they have been grateful for the job and it has allowed Duaine to continue his education at SUNY Buffalo State.

They stopped by the hospital Monday to check on Forman, who thanked them.

"I'm a Rasta," said Duaine, referring to the Rastafarian faith. "We're all about peace and loving. I wouldn't have been human if I didn't stop to help."

--By Jay Rey, The Buffalo News, NYMany New Yorkers are continuing to flee the state, according to the 41st annual National Movers Study.

United Van Lines, which has tracked customers' state-to-state migration patterns for 40 years, says New York had the third highest rate of residents moving to other states in 2017. The Empire State has fallen from No. 2 between 2012-2015, but has ranked in the top three outbound states for seven years in a row.

The study found the majority of moves to and from New York state -- 61 percent -- were outbound last year. Only two states had higher rates of exodus: Illinois and New Jersey.

According to the study, residents give four main reasons for moving out of state. One in four say they're leaving New York because of retirement, 5 percent cite health reasons and 18 percent cite lifestyle changes. Almost half say they leave for jobs, but more -- 59 percent of inbound customers -- say they move to New York for jobs.

The largest age group of people who left NY were between the ages of 55 and 64, followed by those 65 and older. Adults ages 18-34 were the third largest population to leave for other states.

United Van Lines' most inbound customers were in the west and south, moving to states like Oregon, Nevada, Alabama and the Carolinas.

"This year's data reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states, especially to those where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average, among other factors," Michael Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at UCLA, said. "We're also seeing continued migration to the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West as young professionals and retirees leave California."

U.S. Census Bureau data shows that, since 2010, only 16 of 62 counties in New York have grown in population. And among the top 10 counties in growth, only two are from Upstate New York.

United Van Lines has tracked moving trends since 1977. In that time, New York only had four years-- 1999, 2000, 2009 and 2010-- where it did not rank as one of the major outbound states.

Moving Out -- The top outbound states for 2017 were:

1. Illinois

2. New Jersey

3. New York

4. Connecticut

5. Kansas

6. Massachusetts

7. Ohio

8. Kentucky

9. Utah

10. Wisconsin

Moving In -- the top inbound states of 2017 were:

1. Vermont

2. Oregon

3. Idaho

4. Nevada

5. South Dakota

6. Washington

7. South Carolina

8. North Carolina

9. Colorado

10. AlabamaSCHENECTADY -- Weeks before police say he helped murder a family of four in Troy, James W. White was involved in an incident in Schenectady severe enough to be banned from the City Mission, the mission's executive director said Tuesday.

White, 38, most recently of 850 Albany St., Schenectady, is facing charges along with fellow Schenectady resident Justin C. Mann, 24, in connection with the Dec. 21 killings of a mother, two children and the mother's partner.

White stayed at the mission's shelter for much of last winter, a time during which White had difficulty getting along with others, and he occasionally came to meals there, executive director Michael Saccocio said.

But an incident a few weeks ago led to White's total ban from the mission campus, Saccocio said.

"He got into an altercation out on the street," he said. "It wasn't even at the mission, but our staff was close by and kind of saw the altercation, so our staff called police.

"At that point, we basically said we can't provide any services for you."

The incident did not appear to result in an arrest. A city police spokesman was unable to provide information on the incident later Tuesday afternoon.

Details of White's behavior came as prosecutors in New York City provided information on more serious past incidents that sent both men to prison.

A family member also said on Tuesday that the family believes Mann knew the victims in the Troy slayings (police have said one of the men did have a prior relationship of some kind with at least one of the victims).

Police arrested the men at Mann's 627 Hamilton St. address in Schenectady on Friday, police have said.

Police believe Mann and White killed Shanta Myers, 36; her children Jeremiah "J.J." Myers, 11; and Shanise Myers, 5, and her partner, Brandi Mells, 22.

The building manager at the 158 Second Ave. address found their bodies Dec. 26, the day after Christmas. Police now say they believe the victims were killed the evening of Dec 21. Court documents obtained Tuesday pinpoint the estimated time of the killings as 9 p.m. that night.

Each suspect faces one count of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder. The charging documents accuse both White and Mann individually of each killing.

The defendants are due back in Troy City Court on Thursday, though that hearing could be canceled in the event of an indictment.

Khalif Coleman, nephew of Shanta Myers and cousin of the children, offered the family's reaction to the arrests.

"They took it as hope," he said.

Shanta Myers had an older son who lived with relatives at the time of last week's discovery. The boy, Isaiah, 15, has been doing as well as he can, Coleman said, and is taking an active role in planning for funeral services.

"He's strong," Coleman said.

Coleman said he did not recognize either man, but he said his sister recognized Mann as some kind of frequent acquaintance of Mells. Both White and Mann had been to state prison previously -- Mann for first-degree robbery and White for first-degree manslaughter, state records show.

White was arrested in August 1999 in connection with the stabbing death of a Bronx man, the Bronx District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.

White was accused of forcibly entering an apartment with two other men in that case. White then grabbed the victim by the neck and instructed at least one of the men with him to stab the 19-year-old.

White pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2001 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for that crime. A Bronx DA spokeswoman did not have information Tuesday on what led to the plea, citing the age of the case. White's sentence expired in 2010.

Justin Mann enters the court room for his arraignment on murder charges, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Troy, N.Y. He is one of two men arrested in connection with the deaths of two women and two children in their upstate New York apartment.

Mann pleaded guilty in Queens court to charges related to a February 2013 armed street robbery. A victim told police Mann displayed a gun before fleeing with a cellphone. A Queens DA spokesperson also did not have information on what led to the plea in that case.

Mann received five years in prison and was released by statute in April, records show.

At the scene of the Troy murders Tuesday, a memorial had grown to include more than 50 candles, some still burning, as well as toys, balloons and flowers.

An angel made of snow holding a small stuffed bear stood on the lawn. A note read in part, "May peace forever be with you."

Eddie Stanley Sr., of Schenectady, was one of those to visit the memorial Tuesday. Stanley's own son, Eddie Stanley Jr., was murdered at the age of 15 in 2011. Stanley Sr. brought some candles and balloons, as well as a condolence card that he got many people to sign, to leave at the memorial.

"I wanted to let them know they're not by themselves," Stanley said.

- By Steven Cook, The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y.What is a "bomb cyclone?"

The National Weather Service is warning residents along the U.S. East Coast that a winter storm will bring snow, ice, strong winds and possible flooding in areas from Florida up to New England. That cold weather could then create a "bomb cyclone" off the coast of New England, meteorologist Ryan Maue said.

"It will be massive, fill up entire Western Atlantic off U.S. East Coast," Maue wrote on Twitter. "Pressure as low as Sandy and hurricane winds."

According to USA Today, a bomb cyclone is "basically a winter hurricane." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it "occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies," or quickly drops in atmospheric pressure, marking the strengthening of the storm.

"This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters," the NOAA said. "The formation of this rapidly strengthening weather system is a process called bombogenesis, which creates what is known as a bomb cyclone."

As a result, the NWS tells the Associated Press that much of New England will see blizzard-like conditions along the coast. The forecast for Wednesday night through Friday says 6 to 24 inches of snow and frigid temperatures are expected in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and parts of New York, New Jersey and other states along the Atlantic Ocean's coast.

"Because of the intensification of the system that is only going to reinforce the cold air," NWS meteorologist Brian Hurley said.

The east coast is about to get hit by what sounds like a Street Fighter character's special move. #BombCyclone pic.twitter.com/EqPU124z6g  Matthew Marcano (@MattBear99) January 3, 2018

Going to work tomorrow in the North East like #BombCyclone #WinterStorm pic.twitter.com/7HRQTicghS  Scott Wyllie (@TheWyllieScott) January 3, 2018Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon says in a new book that a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between President Donald Trump's campaign officials and a Russian lawyer was "treasonous."

"Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," written by Michael Wolff, features hundreds of interviews, including with Trump himself and his closest aides. The Guardian released excerpts from the book on Wednesday.

Bannon, the Breitbart News leader who was ousted from his White House job in August, reportedly discussed the June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr., then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner and Kremlin-linked lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Trump Jr., the president's oldest child, agreed to the meeting with a "Russian government attorney" after an email exchanged offered "very high level and sensitive information" that would "incriminate" Clinton.

"I love it," Trump Jr. wrote.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers," Bannon told Wolff. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s---, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately."

"The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these jumos up to his father's office on the twenty-sixth floor is zero," Bannon added.

Trump has repeatedly denied all allegations of collusion with the Russians amid an ongoing investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos have both pleaded guilty and are cooperating.

Trump added in a statement Wednesday that when Bannon was fired, "he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

The Washington Post reports "Fire and Fury," set to be released Jan. 9, is a sharp contrast between other books that largely cast Trump in a positive light: "Understanding Trump," by Newt Gingrich; "Let Trump Be Trump," by former Trump campaign aides Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie; "The Swamp," by former Fox News host Eric Bolling; and a forthcoming memoir by former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

Wolff, a journalist who has written for publications like Vanity Fair, The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter, also reveals in the book that Trump thought he might lost the presidential election, former Fox News boss Roger Ailes turned down an offer to run the campaign, and that his wife Melania dreaded becoming first lady.Lasting legacy built by butter

As thousands of Iowans and visitors returned to the Iowa State Fair this year, so has the famous Butter Cow sculpture created by artist and ...The dust has not yet settled after the mysterious death of Paresh Mesta in Honnavar, now another Hindu activist was hacked to death in Katipalla, a small town near Surathkal, Karnataka.

It is alleged that the victim identified as 28-year-old Deepak Rao, a resident of Katipalla Kaikamba was riding his motorbike when he was waylaid by a car whose individuals then attacked him around 1.30pm.

The 4 men fled the spot after the crime. Police have reportedly detained 4 accused in the murder of Deepak Rao.

A resident identified as Majid rushed to the spot after he heard Deepak's screams but by then it was too late.

The police chased the accused in filmy style and fired at them. One accused suffered a bullet injury in the leg. Surathkal police have now taken the accused to the Commissioner's office in Mangaluru.

The accused were arrested at Mijaru near Moodabidri. A self-declared bandh has been announced. Police beefs up forces in Surathkal and Katipalla.

The local police have yet to reveal the motive behind this gory murder but senior leaders belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) have condemned this murder and want the police to initiate a probe immediately.

Rajesh Padmar, RSS spokesperson in Karnataka claimed that workers belonging to the Sangh parivar have been repeatedly targeted in Karnataka and especially Mangaluru by Jihadi radical elements and no action has been taken against them by the police.

"If somebody has a problem, they should talk it out and not resort to murders like this," he tells India Today.

The Bajrang Dal stated to India Today that the deceased used to take part in all Hindu functions as an audience and squarely put the blame on the Popular Front of India (PFI) activists.

Likewise, Jagadish Shenova, President, VHP (Mangaluru district) said that Deepak was murdered just because he was a Hindu."We will protest all over the district if the police do not nab the culprits as soon as possible," Shenova added.

Shobha Karandlaje, senior BJP leader and MP wrote on twitter that the Jihadi mindset is growing the Coastal parts of the state and that innocent Hindus are being killed.

Brutally killed!!! Jihadi mindsets growing in Coastal Karnataka.Innocent Hindus being killed.This must stop. pic.twitter.com/nHRLqagxqc - Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) January 3, 2018

She took on CM Siddaramaiah asking him where he was when Jihadi forces are operating without any fear in the state.

Soon after the death was reported on social media, shops, schools and colleges were shut in anticipation of trouble in the town.

Activists belonging to various Sangh groups also assembled in large numbers outside the private hospital where he was shifted for treatment and declared dead.

The police have beefed up security in the town to thwart any chances of protests or communal flare-ups.

It was in the month of December that Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde had urged the Centre to take over all investigations of Hindu activists in the state.

He had alleged that the state government run by the Congress party was only trying to cover up all these murders that were more than 20 odd in number.

With inputs from Namratha SS

ALSO WATCH | Paresh Mesta murder: Karnataka government trying to influence investigation?New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Veteran SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav today slammed the government over incidents of killing of security personnel in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and called for giving them a "free hand" to retaliate to cross border terrorism in the state.

Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, Yadav, a former Defence Minister, said repeated targeting of the armed forces by terrorists has affected their image globally and wondered whether the government was in a "dilemma" to deal with the problem of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Our soldiers are the best in the world. But now Pakistan is killing them. It is an insult to our armed forces. It is not a small issue. What is the governments dilemma? I have information that the armed forces have not been given free hand," Yadav said.

Yadav, who was defence minister between June, 1996 and March 1998 in the United Front government, was primarily referring to last weeks Pulwama attack.

In a pre-dawn strike, five CRPF men were killed and three others injured when heavily-armed terrorists stormed the CRPF camp at Lethpora in Pulwama district on December 31. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

"Our soldiers are being killed almost regularly. The government must tell us why this is happening. The armed forces must be given full freedom to retaliate to Pakistan sponsored terrorism," said Yadav.

The Congress too had targeted the government yesterday over the terror attack on the CRPF camp, alleging that it has failed to protect military installations from cross-border terror strikes. PTI MPB ARCSmart lock startup Otto is forced by circumstances to suspend its operations shortly after getting started because of an attempted deal that has gone bad.

The Silicon Valley startup was about to launch a smart home lock that raised plenty of interest, thanks to its functionality, design, and durability. However, the company is now unable to go on at this point as it no longer has the necessary funds to keep operating.

Otto Suspending Operations - What Happened?

Otto had entered an acquisition agreement last year, and the deal restricted its ability to keep raising funds for its product. The other company then backed out of the deal, leaving Otto high and dry. Without any cash to continue after the other company withdrew its acquisition offer at the last minute, Otto is now forced to put everything on hold and suspend its operations indefinitely.

The first batch of smart locks was supposed to start shipping in a few weeks, but Otto can no longer fulfill this promise.

"Otto will not ship next month and it may never ship," says startup's founder and CEO Sam Jadallah.

The top executive explains that the proposal initially revolved around investing, but it quickly turned into an acquisition talk. Jadallah says that Otto did not plan to be acquired so early on, but the other company convinced it that the best way to go on was to merge Otto's innovation with the acquiring company's scale and distribution.

Dropped At The Last Minute

Otto signed an agreement with the other company and the deal was supposed to close on Dec. 11, 2017. In the meantime, Otto was unable to ask for other bids or fundraising because of a signed agreement.

As the big day came, however, the company called Jadallah on Dec. 11 and said it would not complete the acquisition. Moreover, the company didn't even want to invest anymore.

"I was stunned. The reason is still not understood. We had extended our cash to get to the closing date, and now were left without alternatives," adds Jadallah.

He further explains that startups are not really in charge of their destiny because they are heavily reliant on funds from investors in order to keep operating. Market financing conditions also affect startups, as failed acquisition agreements and other such events do.

At this point, Otto says that it will evaluate its situation and figure out what options it has to move forward in the weeks to come. Operations are suspended for now, and it remains to be seen what the startup will do next.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Drones are saving lives in the East African country of Rwanda by delivering blood to hospitals at a fraction of the usual shipping times.

While some people might view drones as nothing more than an expensive hobby, the unmanned aerial vehicle technology certainly has applications beyond spectacles such as the Drone Racing League.

Drones Enable 'Uber For Blood' In Rwanda

Zipline, a robotics company from Silicon Valley, and Rwanda's health ministry have entered a partnership that has been saving lives in the country using drones.

The drone delivery service, known as "Uber for Blood," has delivered over 5,500 units of blood over the past year, with most shipments made necessary by life-threatening situations. Zipline is operating from a base in eastern Rwanda, from where it delivers blood to 12 regional hospitals. Each hospital caters to around half a million people.

Using drones to deliver blood has slashed the time it takes for shipments to reach the remote parts of Rwanda from about four hours to an average of just 30 minutes.

Since drones have taken flight to for blood deliveries in Rwanda, there has been a reduction in cases of maternal deaths, 25 percent of which are caused by blood loss while giving birth. The response against malaria-induced anemia, common among children, has also been improved.

With the drone delivery system, hospitals are also able to store lesser amounts of blood, which translates to less waste. Blood quickly spoils, rendering them unsafe to use if kept by hospitals too long.

The drones travel at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, with the system alerting hospital staff if the delivery is near the specified drop-off point. The drone then releases the package with a parachute, allowing the hospital staff to collect the supplies as the drone flies back to base.

"Some of the biggest, most powerful technology companies in the world are still trying to figure out how to do this. But east Africa is showing them all the way," said Zipline COE and cofounder Keller Rinaudo. "The work in Rwanda has shown the world what's possible when you make a national commitment to expand healthcare access with drones and help save lives."

Other Applications For Drones

The list of medical applications for drones also includes carrying defibrillators to provide first aid to victims of cardiac arrest. The usage was proposed by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Beyond medical applications, drones have also been used for video purposes with the $75,000 Flying Eye as the first broadcast quality, live streaming virtual reality drone. NASA is even planning to use drones to explore Mars, in a project named Mars Electric Flyer.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.SpaceX is kicking off the new year with the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket to deliver the spacecraft Zuma to low-Earth orbit.

Elon Musk's aerospace company has already leased the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the liftoff. It is targeting to launch the rocket at 8 p.m. on Jan. 5 at Launch Complex 40 with a two-hour window. Freezing temperatures are expected during the event but will warm up during the time of liftoff to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

The launch was initially scheduled in November 2017 but was moved to Jan. 4 for undisclosed reasons. It has again been delayed for another day to address an issue regarding the rocket's nose cone covering satellites as it passes through the atmosphere.

Government Remains Tight-Lipped About Secret Payload Zuma

Although the Zuma space mission was announced last year, both the government and SpaceX have remained silent about its details. The authorities or agencies involved in the mission are also unknown, as the launch was procured by defense company Northrop Grumman on behalf of the U.S. government, states a report.

The mission's payload was only described to be restricted, but the same report assumes it could be carrying a national security satellite. Even so, it asserts that such level of secrecy is not typical.

Previously, SpaceX has already handled two national security launches, and in both instances, details of each mission were revealed. A flight in May 2017 delivered a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, an agency responsible for building and operating America's spy satellites. The second one that lifted off in September 2017 brought the robotic X-37B space plane for the country's air force.

In the mission's press kit, SpaceX only details the Falcon 9 and activities involved in the launch. It does not in any way provide any information about what the rocket will contain.

SpaceX Builds Dragon 2 Capsule In Cape Canaveral Station

There is one more reason that SpaceX has leased the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It plans to use the station's former satellite processing facility to develop a capsule known as Crew Dragon or Dragon 2. Such spacecraft has been designed to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.

"This summer, they should be receiving their first Dragon 2 capsule, which will directly support NASA and the return of astronauts from U.S. soil," says Wing Commander Wayne Monteith in a separate report.

The Dragon 2 is scheduled for an unmanned test flight this April. However, these dates are based on an optimistic estimate. They are likely to be moved to 2019. Until then, NASA will fly its astronauts to the ISS using the Russian-built Soyuz.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Rashtriya Janta Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav will now be sentenced in a fodder scam case tomorrow. A special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Ranchi postponed the sentencing after finding his Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha in contempt of court.

They have been summoned to appear in court on January 23.

Due to the passing away of advocate Vindeshwari Prasad, the quantum of sentence for Lalu Yadav and others in a fodder scam case was not pronounced today.

Quantum of sentence for Lalu Yadav and others in a fodder scam case has not been pronounced today due to the passing away of advocate Vindeshwari Prasad - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

The case pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of more than Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994. Lalu Prasad was the chief minister of then undivided Bihar from 1990 to 1997.

The trial in the case was completed on December 13 in the special CBI court and 10 days later, he was convicted on December 23. Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, along with five others, was acquitted in the case.

There were 34 accused in the case, out of which 11 died during the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted to the crime. The 16 convicted people include three former IAS officials Phoolchand Mandal, Beck Julius and Mahesh Prasad.

Lalu Prasad is also facing trial in three more cases relating to the fodder scam, also known as "Chara Ghotala".

The conviction in the fodder scam has spelled more trouble for the Rashtriya Janta Dal chief, who has been the crosshairs of authorities.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other government agencies are investigating assets owned by Lalu and his family members, including daughter Misa Bharti and former Bihar deputy CM and son Tejashwi.bond scam

Colombo, Jan 3 (PTI) Sri Lankas President Maithripala Sirisena today said a commission he appointed to probe alleged irregularities in the sale of two treasury bonds has held the former governor of the coutrys central bank Arjuna Mahendren guilty of leaking sensitive market information.

Making public the findings of the Presidential Bond Commission report on television, he said that the panel has also recommended the prosecution of the countrys former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake on bribery charges.

In what was dubbed by the Opposition as the "biggest financial scam in Sri Lankas history", the commission probed a series of rigged bond auctions, in February 2015 and March 2016, conducted by the central bank under Mahendran in which his son-in-laws company Perpetual Treasuries allegedly made thumping profits by buying securities at low prices.

The former governor was accused of benefiting from insider information.

The probe panel recommended that Parliament must take speedy action to recover the losses through a new legislation.

"I would not hesitate to take steps to recover the loss of (Sri Lankan) Rs 11,145 million and take legal action against the offenders and punish them," Sirisena said in his televised speech.

He said that the Commission had found that Mahendran had intervened in an "improper" manner to provide internal information while taking improper decisions.

It has also recommended legal action against the former minister of finance and foreign affairs Karunanayake over lease of an apartment from the questionable company.

"He needs to be charged under the penal code for giving false evidence to the commission," the President said.

On the role of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in appointing Mahendran as the central bank governor, he said "the Commission had found it proper."

Wickremesinghe, however, should not have trusted Mahendran on the information provided by him to the Prime Minister on the bond issue, the probe report stated.

Sirisena also said that he had already forwarded the probe report to the Attorney General for legal action.

The CID of the police and the anti-graft commission must take action against all those responsible for the scam, he added.

Karunanayake had earlier denied the allegation.

PTI CORR SMJ AKJ SMJThe content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy StatementPolice patrol a street as members of the Dalit community hold a protest in Mumbai (Photo: Reuters)

A minor boy was killed in Nanded, and several people injured in Mumbai, in sporadic incidents of violence which paralysed large parts of Maharashtra during a 10-hour shutdown called by Dalit parties on Wednesday.

The 'Maharashtra Bandh' call was given by Prakash Ambedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and other parties, ironically, to protest against Monday's riots leading to the death of a youth from Nanded in Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district.

District Superintendent of Police Chandrakishore Mina said the victim's body has been sent for autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of the death.

The family of the deceased alleged that the youth - Yogesh Prahlad Jadhav - was seriously injured during police caning to clear a road block.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said all incidents of violence across the state would be probed, and appropriate action would be taken against the offenders.

TRAIN SERVICES

Dalit activists squatted on rail tracks, shouting slogans and waving flags to block train services in the city and suburbs of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar. Security forces ejected them.

Despite the hiccups, the Western Railway, Central Railway and Harbour Line managed to operate services and cleared the rush of stranded commuters. Long-distance trains were not affected.

The Central Railway axed 110 services and Western Railway 60.

Soon after the shutdown call was withdrawn by Prakash Ambedkar at 4 pm, suburban train services limped back to normalcy and helped clear the evening peak hour crowds.

Mumbai Police confirmed that all the roads were cleared of protestors and blockades and normal traffic movement has resumed.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were affected with eight departures and seven arrivals cancelled till this evening while several hundred incoming passengers were stranded in the absence of transportation outside. A few hundred missed catching flight as they could not reach the airport.

The airport made arrangements for free tea, snacks and water bottles till evening when the city normalized.

Hundreds of Dalits thronged Dahisar checkpost, the critical entry point to Mumbai, and staged a road blockade, preventing traffic movement in both directions.

Stones were pelted at vehicles in parts of Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Powai, Bhandup, Chembur, Govandi and Andheri East in Mumbai and parts of Navi Mumbai.

SCHOOLS OPEN, STUDENTS ABSENT

Schools and colleges remained open in Mumbai and other parts of the state but most students remained absent. The famed dabbawalas cancelled their services for the day.

Aurangabad University rescheduled exams as candidates could not make it to the centres. The University of Mumbai cancelled nine scheduled examinations.

Although many taxi and auto-rickshaw unions supported the shutdown, Mumbai's suburban trains and BEST (Bombay Electric Supply and Transport) bus services plied with disruptions.

Meanwhile, 48 BEST buses were damaged in stone-pelting incidents in parts of Mumbai and four drivers and conductors injured.

Many shops, eateries and business establishments which opened in the city and suburbs later downed shutters after some restaurants were stoned or vandalised.

The shutdown evoked greater response in mofussil areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near total shutdown as did the Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.

The busy Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai-Goa and Mumbai-Nashik highways were blocked for varying periods, leading to massive traffic snarls.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corp (MSRTC) suspended services in sensitive districts after 187 buses were damaged.

'SATISFIED WITH JUDICIAL PROBE'

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar -- the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar -- termed the shutdown as "successful".

"We are satisfied with the judicial probe announced by the government and hope the truth will emerge. The government must book the perpetrators of the Koregaon-Bhim riots and the death of a youth for murder charges," Ambedkar told mediapersons.

Ambedkar named Shivjagar Pratisthan President Sambhaji Bhide Guruji and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti President Milind Ekbote, against whom complaints have been lodged by Pune Police.

"They should be arrested and face the same punishment as Yakub Memon (who was accused in the March 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and subsequently hanged)," Ambedkar demanded.

The shutdown was a fallout of Monday's riots in Koregaon-Bhima during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War of January 1, 1818.

Members of the Dalit community had gathered around the Victory Pillar erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when stone pelting started leading to the death of 28-year-old Rahul Fatangal.

WATCH | Bhima Koregaon violence: Prakash Ambedkar calls off Maharashtra bandhBaton Rouge has a lot of work to do before the capital city embodies the look and feel Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome outlined Tuesday evening in a "state of the city" address.

Broome described her goals to make Baton Rouge a place where art adorns public spaces, where everyone feels safe in their neighborhoods and where young progressives are won over by the business climate. But blight in the city has grown alarmingly widespread after the August 2016 floods; the homicide rate reached a new high in 2017; and economic development experts continue to cite traffic as a reason why some businesses eschew Baton Rouge.

Can't see the video below? Click here.

The mayor-president looked back Tuesday on her first year in office as she addressed a crowd of more than 200 local leaders, nonprofit partners, public safety officials and others at the Old State Capitol. She acknowledged her first year in office had rocky moments but said those have better prepared her for her job going forward.

"I seek to be effective more than popular," Broome said. "I am committed to progress not partisanship. I will not be distracted by the naysayers and those who live in a world of blogs and social media. My commitment is to the great people of this community."

+7 East Baton Rouge officials targeting blight; many see connection with crime When they crunched the numbers, the map of blighted property in Baton Rouge looked like another map the District Attorney's office already had

Broome spoke in mostly broad strokes about what her administration accomplished in 2017 and has planned for this year. Among the most tangible wins she mentioned from 2017 were filling every pothole of the more than 3,000 logged in Baton Rouge's 3-1-1 complaint system when she took office.

Though City Hall is playing a smaller role in flood recovery than state government as the recipient of federal money, Broome touted the $11 million the city-parish has received to rebuild. The money is being split among three areas: a program to rebuild affordable rental housing, a plan to help those in the city's "first-time homeowner program" and an initiative on homelessness prevention.

She highlighted a forthcoming stormwater master plan, and she said City Hall has a "disaster recovery framework" to come in 2018 that would help Baton Rouge be better prepared for future disasters.

The mayor-president recognized her newly hired police chief, Murphy Paul, a veteran of the State Police. Broome, who receives a phone call each time someone is killed in Baton Rouge, said both she and the families of those lost to violence received too many of those calls last year.

+5 Louisiana State Police veteran named as Baton Rouge's new police chief Louisiana State Police veteran Murphy Paul will take the helm of the Baton Rouge Police Department as the new chief, selected by Mayor-Preside

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When she was newly elected as mayor, Broome spoke of the need for reform within the Baton Rouge Police Department. She previously cited the BRPD killing of Alton Sterling in 2016 as an example of the need for change and the divide between the Police Department and the community.

Broome took a different approach in her speech Tuesday. She did not mention the police and civilian unrest from 2016 nor did she mention an early accomplishment when she added new use-of-force provisions to the BRPD policy manual.

Instead, she boasted the "call to action" and "meet the beat" meetings her office held in a number of neighborhoods last year to try to bring law enforcement and the community closer.

"Better public safety means more than just increased law enforcement activities," Broome said. "It also involves participation and input from our community."

+4 Here's why experts say new use-of-force policies put BR ahead of most police agencies Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the reworking of the Baton Rouge Police Department's policy guiding how officers can use force 

She said the public can look forward to similar meetings next year. And she touted two grants the city-parish will have in 2018, one focused on substance abuse and mental health and the other meant to bring "collective healing" to Baton Rouge despite recent trauma.

Broome said she is convening a "blight strike team" this year and said the city-parish will unveil "a neighborhood strengthening and development initiative."

Her plans for solving the city-parish's traffic gridlock were also vague. Broome said she instructed her staff to develop a "traffic remediation plan," and made a quick reference to voters last year not having the chance to weigh in on her first proposed tax plan.

Broome proposed a property tax for a Better Transportation and Roads bond issue that would have raised $445 million for traffic fixes in Baton Rouge, but Metro Council members in September refused to put it on the ballot.

+3 Lobbyists were quieter than usual about Mayor Broome's roads tax, council members say Seven is the magic number on the third floor of City Hall, but Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome wasn't able to conjure it up this week.

In her speech Tuesday, Broome cited Plank Road and the College Drive/Perkins Road intersection as two areas primed for beautification and cleanup improvements this year. She also said she will hold an arts summit this year, and her administration will conduct a review of all public spaces and buildings to determine how they can best incorporate art.

The mayor will deliver a second "state of the city" address at noon Wednesday to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, which will meet at Drusilla Place Catering.The family of Helen Plummer finally hashed out a settlement agreement Wednesday that leaves Plummer's money to her daughter and great-grandchildren, cutting out administrative fees that Council on Aging Executive Director Tasha Clark-Amar stood to collect under the will as originally written.

Plummer died at age 95 in March 2017. A will that she signed in July 2016 at the Southern University Elder Law Clinic named Clark-Amar as the executrix and trustee of Plummer's estate, which allowed Clark-Amar to collect around $120,000 in administrative fees over the course of 20 years. Plummer was a client of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging.

Shortly after Plummer's death, her family publicly disputed her will. They accused Clark-Amar of using her position of power to unduly influence Plummer and take advantage of her. Plummer, they said, was a frugal woman who never would have directed so much money to someone outside of her family.

Clark-Amar maintained that she and Plummer had a close friendship. Southern University Law Professor and Elder Law Clinic Director Dorothy Jackson wrote the will, and a series of documents from Southern show Jackson saying that Plummer specifically wanted to exclude her children and grandchildren from receiving money from her estate. Jackson told faculty members at Southern that Plummer did not trust her grandchildren with her money.

+3 Louisiana Inspector General investigating BR Council on Aging director, board member The state Inspector General's office has issued at least five subpoenas in an investigation into the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging's execu

After Plummer's family went public with their grievances against Clark-Amar and Jackson, the two tried to disentangle themselves from the case. Clark-Amar asked to be removed as executrix and trustee, while Jackson asked to be removed as the attorney for the estate. Clark-Amar also filed a defamation lawsuit against Plummer's family. A number of agencies are investigating Clark-Amar and Jackson's behavior, including the Office of State Inspector General.

Plummer's family went to court Wednesday to try to change the will to what they believe she would have wanted. The process of agreeing on a settlement was a lengthy one, largely because the case was originally assigned to Clark-Amar's mother, state Judge Janice Clark.

Clark did not recuse herself from overseeing the settlement agreement until eight months passed, media attention mounted and state Judge Don Johnson threatened to file a judicial complaint against her.

Eight months pass, judicial complaint threatened before Judge Janice Clark recuses herself from case Eight months after she was first assigned the case, state District Court Judge Janice Clark has recused herself from a legal matter related to

On Wednesday, retired 18th Judicial District Judge William Dupont signed off on the settlement agreement. He was filling in for 19th Judicial District Judge William Morvant, Plummer's family said. The settlement will return to Johnson for a final approval, as Johnson has overseen Plummer's succession.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

"I don't think the will was my grandmother's wishes," said Plummer's granddaughter, Tracie Davis, on Wednesday as she stood outside of a 19th Judicial District courtroom. "The settlement looks like what she would have wanted done."

Plummer's original will left three beneficiaries: two minor great-grandchildren and an adult grand-niece. She asked for her estate to be split into three separate shares, while Clark-Amar would also have been paid out of a trust. Attorney David Koch, who was appointed executor of the estate in place of Clark-Amar, valued Plummer's estate at more than $650,000. The estate includes two homes, savings accounts and more.

The settlement agreement allows the adult grand-niece to receive $100,000 from Plummer's estate, while trust funds will be set up for Plummer's great grandchildren to receive $60,000 apiece.

Southern law professor raises eyebrows by naming herself attorney in wills; legal experts differ on ethics of practice At least 11 wills that Southern University Law professor Dorothy Jackson drafted between 2013 and 2016 included a phrase in which she named he

The biggest change to the will is the new inclusion of Plummer's daughter, Jacquelyn Antoine, who was originally excluded entirely from Plummer's will. The settlement agreement allows Antoine to keep Plummer's two homes in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and the remainder of Plummer's estate that does not go to the great-grandchildren.

Davis disputed that the values of the homes are as high as Koch estimated, given that the Baton Rouge home flooded in August 2016 and still has not been repaired.

Neither Davis, nor her brother Dan Freeman, will receive money through the new arrangement, though they will oversee the trusts set up for their children. Davis said the length of time it took to reach the settlement and have a judge agree to it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"This has been ridiculous and it was costly," she said.The commander of the New Orleans Police Department's homicide squad has been sidelined following an internal complaint accusing him of unwelcome touching of subordinates and of fostering a hostile workplace that allegedly included racially and sexually charged comments directed at detectives, according to four police sources familiar with the complaint.

Lt. Jimmie Turner has been reassigned pending an investigation by the NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau.

Detectives within the unit said they were made aware of Turner's reassignment late last week. They said they believed he has been transferred to the 7th District, which patrols New Orleans East.

In a statement Tuesday, NOPD spokesman Beau Tidwell confirmed that Turner has been transferred to desk duty outside the homicide unit pending the outcome of an internal investigation, but he didn't specify where he would be working.

"The NOPD takes all allegations of this nature very seriously," Tidwell said. "We were made aware of the allegations against Lt. Turner on Friday of last week, and to protect the integrity of the investigation and any potential victims or witnesses, Lt. Turner has been reassigned to administrative duties outside of the homicide unit, pending the outcome of the investigation."

Turner declined comment Tuesday through a spokesman for the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge.

Tidwell's statement did not say who is serving as commander of the unit in Turner's absence.

The complaint against Turner, who is black, was filed by Sgt. Peter Hansche, who until recently led one of four teams of homicide detectives in the unit. Hansche, who is white, also serves on the board of the Police Association of New Orleans, one of the city's largest police officer groups.

Hansche's complaint accuses Turner of a pattern of inappropriate sexual and racial comments as well as touching, dating back at least a year and directed at male detectives in the unit. The complaint identifies a handful of officers who allegedly witnessed Turner's misconduct, one of the sources said.

The Advocate has not viewed Hansche's complaint, but multiple police sources described its contents. They said the complaint accuses Turner of violating an NOPD policy prohibiting "discrimination or sexual harassment."

Reached Tuesday, Hansche declined to comment on the complaint.

Turner has led the department's homicide unit since NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison appointed him to the post in July 2015.

The complaint follows a roughly year-long period that has seen both turbulence and achievement for the homicide unit, long considered an elite squad at the forefront of the city's fight against a murder rate that persistently ranks among the nation's worst.

A steady pace of killings left the homicide unit drowning in new cases during the first half of 2017. Its clearance rate  the percentage of cases that police believe they have solved through an arrest or a special circumstance such as a prime suspect's death  slid further after two years of declines.

But the pace of killings eased significantly in the second half of the year, and the detectives in the unit boosted their clearance rate. An NOPD tally said the homicide unit closed 2017 by clearing just over half of the year's killings.

Turner, meanwhile, has been a lightning rod. When the clearance rate slid, a feud between Turner and some of Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's top lieutenants erupted in public. At the time, some rank-and-file detectives grumbled to reporters about low morale and shaky leadership in the homicide unit.

Despite earlier spike, NOPD is optimistic city may see a decline in homicides this year For the first time in months, New Orleans Police Department brass are optimistic they could see a drop in the number of homicides this year.

But Harrison stuck by Turner, and as the clearance rate rose, NOPD brass cited the lieutenant's leadership as one of the reasons.

Hansche's complaint is not the first time Turner has been accused of misconduct. He and another policeman were jailed in 1993 on allegations that Turner raped a woman they both had arrested, but the District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to pursue charges against the two officers.

A Police Association of New Orleans spokesman said at the time that forensic evidence failed to support the woman's assertion that she was assaulted, according to an article in The Times-Picayune.

Staff writer Matt Sledge contributed to this report.

+2 Read the scathing letter from Orleans DA blasting NOPD homicide squad commander Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has been lauded for his success in melting years of frosty relations between prosecutors and Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (MIAL) undertook numerous measures and initiatives to ensure that the passengers travelling through Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) were least affected by the protests as the impact of 'Maharashtra Bandh' was felt across the city today.

Anticipating that the protests may aggravate during the course of the day, MIAL activated its contingency plan in the morning.

While the flight operations were running smoothly, the absence of private cab operators and the limited availability of autos created inconvenience for passengers. To facilitate transportation of passengers from the airport to the nearest stations, MIAL arranged for services of the BEST buses from Terminal 1 and 2.

However, as the unrest escalated, crew members of certain airlines reported late while few could not make it to the airport which lead to cancellation of a few flights.

As cases of stone-pelting were reported from parts of Andheri, BEST bus services were discontinued.

As passengers opted to stay inside the airport terminal buildings, MIAL, in order to comfort the travellers, arranged for free refreshments which included tea, water bottles and snacks. In addition to this, MIAL also allocated additional check-in counters to airlines to cater to passengers who were scheduled on cancelled flights.

Till 5 pm, eight departure and seven arrival flights were cancelled while autos and taxis resumed services from both the terminals.One man fatally shot another man at the shooter's apartment in Marrero on Monday and then dumped the body in Gonzales with the help of his roommate and a woman, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Investigators jailed Archie Armstrong, 20, on one count of second-degree murder Tuesday in the slaying of Francisco Nieves, also 20, of Gretna, Sheriff Joe Lopinto said at a news conference.

Armstrong's roommate, 21-year-old Vernell Wilson, and Stefanie Enciso, 31, of Covington, were booked on counts of obstruction of justice and being accessories after the fact to murder.

According to Lopinto, investigators probing the first murder of the year in Jefferson believe Nieves was shot to death Monday at an apartment shared by Armstrong and Wilson in the 1500 block of Avenue A.

Nieves' corpse was then taken to Gonzales in Ascension Parish and discarded, Lopinto said.

It is not clear why Nieves was slain, said Lopinto, who added that the victim knew the three suspects but declined to delve into details.

Nieves' godmother, Jeanette Perez, said in a telephone interview Wednesday night that she understood her godson had dated and lived with Enciso and was friends with the other two men.

Lopinto said his office became aware of the killing early Tuesday when an unidentified "cooperating witness" contacted the agency just after midnight and informed it of Nieves' fate.

Police officers in Gonzales discovered Nieves' body later Tuesday in a ditch in a clearing between Verna Street and a nearby trailer park, authorities said. He had been shot multiple times and had no identification on him.

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After Nieves' identity was confirmed, Lopinto said, the Sheriff's Office took Armstrong and Wilson into custody.

As the investigation progressed, the agency later also picked up Enciso. She previously lived in Abita Springs and Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, before moving to Covington, public records show.

Aside from the counts connected with the Nieves case, Wilson and Armstrong also face allegations of illegally possessing stolen firearms and being felons illegally carrying weapons, plus unrelated outstanding warrants.

Deputies additionally allege that Armstrong was illegally possessing marijuana and was on parole at the time they arrested him.

Conviction of second-degree murder carries mandatory life imprisonment in Louisiana.

Bail for Armstrong and Wilson was set at more than $1.2 million and $525,000, respectively, though they were ordered held on no bail on some of the counts not related to their arrests Tuesday.

Enciso's bail was set at $350,000.

According to information available on social media, Nieves attended West Jefferson High School in Harvey. Perez said his survivors include his parents, two brothers and a sister.

"He was a good kid," Perez said. "If he could help you out, he would help you out."Ferriday, Louisiana, native and early rock and roller Jerry Lee Lewis once famously sang "There's A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On." Looking for a theme song for 2017? I think we just found it. The year brought down the seemingly invincible.

The nasty stench of sexual harassment reared its all too prevalent head in 2017. But a corresponding wave of righteous indignation followed, ending careers, ruining reputations, and crumbling empires. Twenty-five women accused New Orleans chef and accomplished restaurateur John Besh of fostering a culture of sexual harassment at the company he ran and co-owned. As a result, his name was banished from his restaurants, and he lost his television show.

Gov. John Bel Edwards got caught up in the whirlwind. His deputy chief of staff, Johnny Anderson, was forced to resign amid accusations of sexual harassment. The governor responded to the scandal as politicos often do. He created a task force.

The shaking in 2017 will hopefully help end the days of leveraging power in the workplace for sexual favors. Sexual harassers crawled out of their dark crevices from all segments of society to face their consequences. Most of them lost their careers. The shaking of 2017 should give more women the courage to settle for nothing less than the respect they deserve.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu shook things up in 2017 after he advanced the removal of several historical monuments that were iconic parts of the city's landscape. His critics accused him of using the monuments to boost his national political aspirations even if it meant dividing the city. We may never know Landrieu's true motives. But we do know, for a season, the monument controversy divided New Orleans as nothing had in recent memory. And we know that Landrieu's tearing down of the monuments made him a superstar nationally with his identity-politics base. If Landrieu ever does become president, he'll have Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and P.G.T. Beauregard to thank for it.

We also witnessed the shaking of the political establishment in 2017  something that had begun the year before with the election of Donald J. Trump as president. In the New Orleans mayor's race, Desiree Charbonnet, a member of a powerful, politically connected family, was the clear establishment candidate. Early on in the race, all kinds of special-interest folks and potential city contractors lined up to fill her campaign coffers with big chunks of cash. She was endorsed by Democratic heavyweights like U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond and the powerful AFL-CIO union. She even had the endorsement of the Orleans Parish Republican Executive Committee, and Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro. But Charbonnet lost to a California-born transplant, LaToya Cantrell. New Orleans voters famous for their parochial politics rejected Charbonnet and instead opted for the less establishment type.

New Orleans voters were so tired of the status quo that they ignored Cantrell's well-documented and highly suspicious handling of her city-issued credit card. They also looked past her history of personal financial mismanagement. Even though Cantrell was a city council member, voters didn't view her as "old guard" as much as they did Charbonnet.

The shaking of 2017 brought down Mike Edmonson, the longest-serving superintendent in Louisiana State Police history. Edmonson gamed taxpayers by lavishing out perks for himself, his wife and friends. The seemingly untouchable top cop could face serious legal charges and tax problems in 2018.

What shaking will 2018 bring? 2017 has put the powerful on notice. Don't get too comfortable.

Dan Fagan is a former TV and radio broadcaster who lives in Metairie. Email him at faganshow@gmail.com.If you were out and about at night this week you might have noticed the moon has been a little closer to earth than normal.

Canberra photographer Ian Williams, of Calwell, planned to take pictures Tuesday night's "supermoon" but the cloud cover made visibility difficult. Instead, Mr Williams used the brightest of the moon and flashes of lightning to capture the storm.

Canberra photographer, Ian Williams from Calwell, captured Tuesday's storm, lit up by a supermoon. Credit:Ian Williams

"I was planning to shoot the supermoon rising over Tuggeranong homestead but I have a change of mind when I saw the storm coming over Tuggeranong Hill," Mr Williams said.

"I quickly headed out to Tharwa and shot this incredible storm cracking away behind the Tharwa Shearing shed. The farmer was driving along his paddock and nicely side lit the water tank near the shed."Hats off to Iceland. On New Years Day the island nation became the first in the world to slap companies with fines if they pay a woman less than a man, because it is illegal.

Companies and government agencies with more than 25 employees will face fines if they can't demonstrate that men and women receive the same salary for the same job.

Iceland's government had, on International Women's Day last year, pledged to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022, and it's stuck to its promise to introduce certification that ensures gender equality in the workplace.

The law, introduced late last year, requires private companies and government agencies to go through audits and receive certification that equal pay is provided, or they could face fines.Iceland made history on Tuesday when it became the first country in the world make it illegal to pay men more than women.

As first reported by Al-Jazeera, companies with more than 25 employees will now have to gain government certification to demonstrate their equal pay system and its implementation.

Companies in Iceland now have to prove their equal pay systems. Credit:Andrew Dyson

The legislation passed through Iceland's parliament last year when women made up almost half of the parliament's membership (this percentage has since lowered to 38 per cent).

The new certification will need to be renewed every three years. If they cannot prove pay equality, the offending private or public company will face fines.A man who allegedly threatened to kill police in central Sydney last year is now facing terrorism charges.

Police allege Blake Nicolas Pender pulled a 20-centimetre kitchen knife on police officers in Surry Hills in June, before saying the "proudest thing a man can do is behead a cop".

He also allegedly made numerous threats about wanting to become a martyr, police say.

The alleged incident occurred at the intersection of Devonshire and Elizabeth Streets.Gastro has hit about 200 passengers on board a cruise ship docking in Brisbane on Thursday morning.

The Sea Princess was returning from a two-week trip to New Zealand, which saw as much as seven per cent of those on board struck down with norovirus.

Passengers aboard the Sea Princess were hit by norovirus. Credit:Princess Cruises

Efforts were made to contain the outbreak, with further cleaning expected once passengers departed the 260-metre cruise ship at Hamiltons Portside Wharf.

A Princess Cruises spokesman said the cleaning measures would delay the ships departure with a fresh crew of passengers on the same route later on Thursday.At the height of summer the almost 130-year-old Kerferd Road Pier should be teeming with people promenading along its boardwalk, fishing off it, and even (illegally) leaping from it into Port Phillip Bay.

But the historic pier that juts from the foreshore at Albert Park is a mostly no-go site two months after it was partially closed following Parks Victoria investigations that found the middle section of the pier to be structurally unsound and "unsafe for ongoing use".

A beautiful summer's day on the partially closed Kerferd Road Pier in Albert Park. Credit:Daniel Pockett

Parks Victoria district manager Graeme Davis said the first 65-metre long section of the pier is safe, accessible and open to the public, despite two-thirds of the pier being closed since November 1.

"Parks Victoria is currently investigating timeframes required to repair the structure," Mr Davis said.When nuclear weapons were deployed against a US enemy at the end of World War II for the first and last time, the US public initially mostly supported their use. That changed when the fallout - killing tens of thousands within seconds around the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - became apparent.

It's a sentiment which has lasted for decades, and if anything only appeared to get stronger - until recently.

When President Barack Obama paid tribute to the people of Hiroshima in May 2016, he urged the international community to "choose a future when Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not considered the dawn of atomic warfare but as the start of our own moral awakening".

At the time, nobody would have predicted a victory of Donald Trump in the US elections the following year, however. During his first year in office, Trump has shattered the cautious and history-burdened way we used to discuss nuclear weapons.Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of BR Ambedkar, has called off the Maharashtra bandh he called yesterday, following Monday's deadly violence that hit a Dalit celebration and which left a 28-year-old man dead.

The violence, which took place during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Koregaon-Bhima battle, saw Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad paralysed as Dalit groups took to the streets to protest Monday's death.

Buses were vandalised, stones were pelted and shops were shut as the Bhima Koregaon violence took a slightly political turn with politicians of all colour commenting on Monday's riots or its aftermath.

HIGHLIGHTS:

10:36 PM: The Mumbai Police have filed six FIRs in connection with today's bandh. Yesterday, nine FIRs were filed, so that brings the total to 15.

6: 47 PM: Mumbai Police say FIRs are being registered at different places. More than 150 miscreants have been detained.

5:46 PM: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis promised an inquiry into the incidents of violence that took place across the state. "We are monitoring CCTV footage of the violence," he said.

4:20 PM: Prakash Ambedkar called of the Maharashtra bandh, and claimed it was a success. He expressed gratitude to other groups for helping in the bandh.

2:56 PM: Nine people have been detained by the Pune rural police in the Bhima Koregaon riot case.

READ | What Bhima Koregaon protests say about rise of Dalit politics in India

2:43 PM: Women made shops close down at the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus, and argued with the police.

1:52 PM: Protesters vandalised vehicles in Aurangabad, where there is heavy police deployment.

Maharashtra: Heavy Police deployment in Aurangabad, stones pelted & vehicles vandalized by protesters #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8RuCB3hNa2 - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

1:32 PM: Services of the Western Railway's AC local in Mumbai, introduced just weeks back, has been suspended for the entire day.

01:12 PM: Pune Municipal Transport buses are being brought to a halt near Deccan in Pune. Protesters are not letting the buses move ahead.

12:44 PM: The Congress, raising the Koregaon-Bhima violence in Parliament, has asked PM Narendra Modi to deliver a statement on the issue. "He can't stay mum! He is a 'Mauni baba on such issues'," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.

12:30 PM: Mumbai's traffic seems to have been massively affected. The city's traffic police, in a flury of tweets, advised commuters to avoid using sections of the Western Express Highway and the Eastern Expressway.

11:40 AM: Nagpur is seeing unrest with visuals from the city showing large crowds gathered on streets. Overall, in Maharashtra instances of violence have been sporadic so far.

Maharashtra: Protests being carried out in the state; visuals from Nagpur's Shatabdi Square #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/CRxHim7qOl - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

11:24 AM: The Mumbai Police, in a tweet, has advised citizens to avoid the Kalanagar and MMRDA junctions in the city "for some time".

Mumbai: Protesters continue to block Eastern Express Highway #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/Usg1jHxV4Y - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

11:18 AM: Minor instances of violence are being reported from Mumbai. Buses, cars and auto-rickshaws in north Mumbai's Dahisar have been vandalised.

11:11 AM: After a brief disruption, local train services have now resumed in the Nallasopara-Virar stretch of Mumbai's Western Railway. Protestors had earlier camped on railway tracks, preventing the movement of trains.Thane, a suburb adjoining Mumbai, has also seen railway services being affected.

Maharashtra: Protesters halt a train at Thane Railway Station over #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/BHLsWmfpmk - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

11:07 AM: Bus services in Aurangabad have been suspended as reports also come in of protests being held in Nagpur.

10:41 AM: Road travel in Mumbai has been impacted with the traffic police issuing an alert for several places in the city where agitations have forced authorities to affect diversions.

10:31 AM: Western Railway services in Mumbai seem to have been affected yet again. "Large number of protestors have occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station from about 9.55 hrs, disrupting rail traffic," the Western Railway said in a tweet, "Administration & Security Forces are making all efforts to normalise the train operations".

10:29 AM: So far, there have been sporadic reports coming in of protestors attempting to public transport services as the band call over the Bhima Koregaon violence gets a few hours old. No instances of violence have been reported.

10:28 AM: READ | Why the 200-year-old Koregaon-Bhima battle triggered caste clashes in Maharashtra

10:18 AM: The situation in Maharashtra has affected inter-state bus operations. Bus services between Karnataka and Maharashtra have been halted as a precaution. State transport buses are also not plying in Maharashtra's Akola.

Inter state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure: Visuals from Belgaum #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/krTK8dL6ym - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:03 AM: Visuals from Ghatkopar, a Mumbai suburb affected in yesterday's protests, show large crowds gathered at the restive Ramabai Colony, where a number of Dalits had died in police firing two decades ago.

#Maharashtra: Protesters seen gathering at Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony, police personnel also at the site #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/tkoEaJGFU1 - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

9:40 AM: Schools in Thane, like those in Pune, have decided to remain shut even though there is no official government directive asking for closure.

9:29 AM: Internet services in Aurangabad, which was among the cities hit by the protests yesterday, have been suspended for now.

9:27 AM: Visuals from Thane show people standing in queue for transport as the bandh call seems to have got auto-rickshaws to stay off the roads in the town.

#Maharashtra: People seen waiting near Thane's Vartak Nagar due to less auto-rickshaws and other transport in the state today #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/ttc3NpMcIt - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

9:14 AM: Schools in Pune have decided to remain shut today. While the state government did not issue an order asking schools not to operate today, few educational institutions are operating in Pune, near where Monday's clashes took place.

9:03 AM: According to early morning reports, Pune, Aurnagabad, Kolhapur, Gadchiroli, Satara and Nashik are seeing less daily activities than usual. People seem to have decided to remain at home just fearing violence.

8:45 AM: Several airlines have, once again, waived charges for ticket cancellations and no-show. Air India said it will not charge any fee for cancellation of tickets or rescheduling of a journey to/from Mumbai for today. Jet Airways, which had cancelled the fees yesterday as well, has extended to waiver to today. Meanwhile, IndiGo said it will waive change and cancellation fees for both Mumbai and Pune today and tomorrow.

8:37 AM: READ | How mobs went on rampage as violence spread across Maharashtra yesterday

8:35 AM: Visuals from Chembur, a Mumbai suburb worst-hit during the protests yesterday, show shops shuttered. But it must be said that it is still early in the morning and the situation could change in the next few hours.

Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar gave a call for Maharashtra bandh today: Visuals from Chembur #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/MUBpKgTVX7 - ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

8:30 AM: The school bus owners' association in Mumbai has already said it will not operate fleets today in view of the bandh called in the state. Schools, however, will remain open, the Maharahstra government previously said.

(With inputs from India Today Mumbai bureau and agencies)

WATCH | Bhima Koregaon violence: Prakash Ambedkar calls off Maharashtra bandhWashington: US Senator Orrin Hatch has announced he will retire after seven terms in the Senate. The Utah lawmaker becomes the third of eight Senate Republicans up for re-election in 2018 to retire, throwing President Donald Trump a curve ball.

"When the President visited Utah last month, he said I was a fighter. I've always been a fighter. I was an amateur boxer in my youth, and I brought that fighting spirit with me to Washington. But every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves. And for me, that time is soon approaching," Hatch said in a video statement.

"That's why, after much prayer and discussion with family and friends, I've decided to retire at the end of this term."

The 83-year-old Hatch is the most senior GOP senator, putting him third in the order of presidential succession. He is also chairman of the influential Finance Committee, and a senior member of the Judiciary panel.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, has been touted as a top potential candidate for Hatch's seat. Romney owns a home in Utah, where the majority of the population shares his Mormon faith.The Nirmala Sitharaman-led defence ministry has issued a Rs 10,000-crore tender for acquiring 61 advanced air defence gun systems from local manufacturers under the Make in India programme.

The tender was issued by the acquisition wing of the defence ministry and the 61 Close in Weapon Systems (CIWS) air defence systems would be used to replace the Russian-origin systems, including the L-70 and Zu-23 air defence guns.

"The tender cost would be more than Rs 10,000 crore and prominent indigenous defence firms including Tata Power SED, Punj Lloyd, L&T, Mahindra Defence, Bharat Electronics Limited and the Ordnance Factory Board," government sources said here.

Under the programme, the Indian companies will have to tie up with foreign manufacturers, who will help them build the weapon systems under the 'buy and make' clause of the defence acquisition procedure.

Under the project, the Air Force aims to induct homemade CIWS units within the next seven years and will integrate the systems with air command-and-control systems that perform air traffic and surveillance management functions.

In her last few months in office, Sitharaman has been working on increasing the speed of indigenisation in defence sector last week, a tender was issued to the private sector companies for supplying indigenously-manufactured ammunition to armed forces and she made it more viable by increasing the time period from five years to 10 years.

The minister also pushed the services to accept indigenously-manufactured items as the Air Force recently issued a tender to procure 83 Mk1A LCA combat planes for over Rs 50,000 crore.

She has also opened up the manufacturing of over 143 items manufactured only by the ordnance factories to the other small and medium scale private sector companies and they can produce the non-core items for the armed forces.Webb deVlam designs for Angolan beer Luandina

Webb deVlam has created the brand identity for Angolan beer brand Luandina.

Brand design consultancy Webb deVlam were approached to come up with a brand identity for the beer that embodies the passion, spirit and optimism of the Southern African nation.

A two-year collaboration started with a trip where the Webb deVlam team dined with locals and sampled road-side to luxury consumption environments.

Webb deVlam claims that its consumer research showed that beer plays a key role in the day-to-day in Angola, as does sharing and coming together for celebrations. Webb deVlam's ambition was therefore to create a brand that would appeal to the hearts and minds of local people and be central to celebrating lifes moments.

The pilsner-style beer has been named Luandina, a feminisation of the capital city Luanda, which Webb deVlam suggests references the nations respect for female power and mother nature. Its produced by master brewers in a factory on the banks for the River Kwanza, a few kilometres outside the capital.

Webb deVlam has suggested that one of the biggest challenges it faced was from Cuca, the leading national brand, which was launched during Portuguese colonisation and had become a byword for beer itself.

The core colour blue was selected to set Luandina apart on shelf from Cuca and the sea of other beers, most with red labels. It also represents the River Kwanza, which runs from the heart of the country to the coast (the label features a wave motif to this effect). Angolas local drinking toast, a nossa (to ours), has been embossed onto the glass neck to celebrate the clinking of bottles when drinking with friends.

Reflecting its local provenance, a yellow star on the Luandina label references the national flag, and a crest featuring antlers from the native sable antelope, turrets from a fortress that overlooks Luanda, and established in 2017, play with premium-style heritage cues without losing sight of Angolas forward-thinking spirit. The bespoke typography and rays of sunshine signalling a new dawn complete the fresh, vibrant look  and can be used across various points of sale and on merchandising at sport, music and other events.

Webb deVlam creative director, JP Hunter, says: Its such a new market, so we had to carry out extensive research to understand the target consumer. One of the reasons we were selected is because we have innovative ways of getting under the skin of consumers in emerging markets. It was crucial that Luandina represented everyday Angolans and the countrys spontaneous, optimistic and confident spirit. At times, it felt like we were branding the nation.

Luandina is sold in cans, bottles and multipacks from wholesalers, premium liquor stores, street sellers and corner shops, and will be available on draft in bars soon, too. There are plans to expand to other African countries and beyond in the future.

3 January 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editorNRC

Guwahati, Jan 3 (PTI) Ruling BJP and other outfits in Assam attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for alleging the BJP-led Centre was "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

They asked her to refrain from indulging in "divisive communal politics".

"Banerjees accusation is highly condemnable. We warn her to refrain from making such divisive communal statements so that unrest is not created in Assam. People of all languages have been living in harmony in Assam for ages," Assam BJP president Ranjit Das told reporters.

He also appealed to "my 27 lakh BJP workers to keep a strict vigil so that the Trinamool Congress activists cannot create trouble in Assam".

Banerjees speech and spotting of the Trinamool Congress banners around Guwahati are signs that they have launched a conspiracy to spread unrest in the state, he claimed.

He said that irrespective diverse languages, including Bengali, people in Assam are not moved by "such divisive speeches.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of "hatching a conspiracy" to drive out Bengalis from Assam by "excluding" their names from the first draft of the NRC.

"This is a conspiracy of the central government to drive out around 1.80 crore people from the state," she alleged.

Assam Public Works president Abhijit Sarma, who had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court for updation of the NRC said, her statement is contempt of the court as the NRC is being updated on the orders of the Supreme Court.

"The Assam and the central governments first responsibility would be to tomorrow file a contempt of court application in the apex court with all evidences," he said.

"There is no option but to arrest Mamata Banerjee and such leaders under the NSA as else they will spread this communal unrest across India."

"In the absence of an Indo-Bangladesh treaty for the neighbouring country to take back their illegal detected citizens from our country, we request Mamata Banerjee to take her claimed 1.80 illegal migrants to West Bengal," he said.

Dipanka Nath, president of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) also cricised Banerjees assertion.

"People of all religions, languages, ethnicities have been living together peacefully here. Names of all people living here before 1971 will be included in the NRC as per the Assam Accord (1985)," he said.

Sadou Asom Bangali Parishad president Santanu Sanyal claimed, "Mamata Banerjee has insulted the Supreme Court as the NRC process has been ordered by and being monitored closely by the Supreme Court."

The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify original residents of the state in order to check illegal migration. Its first draft was published on 31 December midnight. PTI ESB TIRDriver Hire franchisee 'highly commended' at national awards

Richard Bradshaw, franchisee at Driver Hire Guildford, was a 'highly commended' finalist in the 'Franchisee of the Year' category at the 2017 'Startups' awards.

The results were announced shortly before Christmas. Established in 2004 by startups.co.uk, the awards celebrate inspiring, exciting new businesses launched within the last four years. 2017 saw a record number of entries with 77 finalists competing in 16 categories.

Awards' judges include beauty entrepreneur Liz Earle MBE, Dragon's Den investor Touker Suleyman and Paul Lindley, founder of Ella's Kitchen. The overall winner was Hannah Drury, franchisee of Caremark (Sutton), a provider of domiciliary services.

Part of a nationwide network of franchised offices, Driver Hire Guildford provides temporary and permanent drivers and other logistics staff to both local and national businesses. Its services help customers when they need extra staff to deal with holidays, illness, peak trading periods or business expansion.

Before buying his Driver Hire franchise, Richard Bradshaw spent the previous decade working in the hospitality industry in Florida. He moved back to the UK with his family in 2013 and bought Driver Hire Guildford in 2014. As his 'Startups' success suggests he got away to a flying start, rapidly increasing both turnover and profitability.

"I decided to buy the Driver Hire Guildford business because I felt there was huge untapped potential in the area," says Richard. "This has been vindicated as my growth story is continuing. The business is very much on course for another record financial year with turnover currently 10% up. Of course, as with any successful business, it comes down to the hard work and dedication of the owner. But I must add my thanks to Driver Hire, whose support throughout has been exemplary."

Published: 3 January 2018

Back to newsNORWALK  As part of NorWALKER, a Health Department program encouraging more physical activity, Silvermine Elementary School is hosting a group walk on Saturday.

Participants are invited to meet at the school parking lot at 8 a.m. for a walk through the neighborhood starting at 8:10 a.m. The walk will conclude with an optional breakfast at the Silvermine Market.(Eds: Adding inputs, Navy statement)

Panaji/New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) A MiG 29K combat aircraft of the Indian Navy caught fire after it veered off the runway at Goa airport, the first such incident involving the Russian-manufactured jet, a senior Navy official said.

The trainee pilot managed to eject safely from the aircraft, which crashed inside INS Hansa base while it was trying to take off.

The incident led to operations at the Goa airport being suspended from 12.30 pm to about 1.40 pm.

Goas Dabolim airport is located inside the naval base.

In a statement, the Navy said in New Delhi that a Board of Inquiry (BoI) had been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.

"An Indian Navy MiG 29K aircraft operating from Naval Air Station at Goa was involved in an accident today. The pilot aborted take-off during a training sortie," it said.

During deceleration, the aircraft veered off the end of runway and caught fire. The pilot jettisoned the canopy and egressed the aircraft safely, it added.

The Navy said the fire was expeditiously doused by the safety services.

"The runway at Goa was cleared and services were restored expeditiously," it said.

"When the pilot was taking off, there was some malfunction in the aircraft which we will have to investigate," Real Admiral Punit K Bahl, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA), told PTI.

Due to the malfunction, the aircrafticould not take off.

There was little fire and smoke at the aircraft, which was brought under control.

"This is the first main incident of the MiG 29K since the time it was inducted," Bahl said.

"It is too premature to say whether this wasihuman or machine error, because we have to investigate, which will take some time," he added.

According to Goa airport director B C H Negi, the incident happened 10 minutes before a civilian aircraft was scheduled to land.

The Russian-made MiG 29K was inducted in the forces on May 11, 2016 after the decommissioning of the Sea Harriers.

The aircraft is currently integrated on-board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and performs the role of strike fighter and air defence for the Navy.

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft veered off the runway before it could take off. PTI RPS VT DC KRK IAS MPB MINWILTON  Wilton police are searching for a man they believe is responsible for breaking into a car parked in the YMCA parking lot Saturday evening.

Police said that video surveillance from the YMCA showed a dark-colored van entering the lot around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.(Eds: with more information, quotes)

Panaji, Jan 3 (PTI) A MiG29K fighter aircraft today veered off the runway before catching fire inside the INS Hansa naval base in Goa while its pilot disembarked safely.

This is the first major mishap involving the recently- inducted Naval version of MiG29K, a top naval officer said.

"The pilot is safe. When the pilot was taking off, there was some malfunction in the aircraft which we will have to investigate," Real Admiral Punit K Bahl, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA), told PTI.

Due to the malfunction, the aircrafticould not take off and as a result, the pilot continued in the direction of the take-off and left the runway at the other end.

"The pilot crossed over the other end and, luckily the aircraft then retarded and about 150 metres off the edge of runway he turned left and stopped there.

"After that the pilot descended from canopy and he came out of the aircraft and there was little fire and smoke at the aircraft, which is now under the control," Bahl said.

"This is the first main incident of the MiG29K since the time it was inducted," he said.

The incident happened around noon at the northern end of the runway at INS Hansa base, which is also home to Goas Dabolim airport where civilian flights land.

"It is too premature to say whether this wasia human or machine error, because we have to do investigation which will take some time," rear admiral Behl said.

"What is the source of error, whether it is machine or something else, we will come to know after inquiry," he added.

The incident happened 10 minutes before a civilian aircraft was scheduled to land at the airport, Goa airport director B C H Negi told PTI.

Operations at the airport were suspended after 12.30 pm but resumed around 1.40 pm, he said.

The Russian-make MiG29K were inducted in the forces on May 11, 2016 after the decommissioning of Sea Harriers.

The aircraft is currently integrated on-board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and performs the role of strike fighter and air defence for the Navy. PTI RPS VT DC KRK ZMNAn Edwardsville police officer helped foil an alleged forgery attempt earlier this month at TheBANK of Edwardsvilles Troy Road branch.

The suspect, 27-year-old Jarmaine Ace, of Madison, was recently charged with one count of identity theft and two counts of forgery. A co-defendant, Sherrie Ann Smith, of Hartford, has been charged with two counts of forgery.

The incident happened on Dec. 15.

Edwardsville Police Officer Jackson Nolan responded to the bank after authorities were notified that a driver had pulled up to the drive-thru window and tried to withdraw money using a blank or altered check belonging to a Troy couple, according to court documents pertaining to the case.

When the suspect spotted Nolan, he got out of the car and ran, according to the documents. After a short foot pursuit, Ace was apprehended in the rear of Kohls Department Store, police said in a sworn statement.

A search of the suspect yielded checks, items of identification, a debit card belonging to someone else, and $417 in cash.

Edwardsville Police are now seeking to have the cash forfeited, claiming that Aces actions were a violation of the Illinois Money Laundering Act.

The forfeiture request also alleges that Ace was not able to offer a valid explanation for where the money came from, he did not have a legitimate source of income for that amount of money, and that he gave false or inconsistent information to police.

Smith allegedly told police that the pair had been involved in a similar incident 20 minutes earlier at the Highland branch of TheBANK of Edwardsville. According to her statement, she and Ace had been involved in cashing a stolen check for $1,850.

Bail for Smith was set at $40,000. She was released on her own recognizance and faces a Jan. 29 appearance at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center.

Ace is not being held at the Madison County Jail, a spokesperson daid.

He faces a Jan. 5 preliminary hearing at the CJC.

Edwardsville police are also seeking to have $1,753 forfeited to them from a local juvenile whom they suspect has been selling cannabis in the area.

According to a sworn statement accompanying a request for forfeiture, police say they received several tips that the juvenile was selling cannabis to his friends from his parents home in Edwardsville.

An officer received consent from the parents to search the juveniles home, according to the statement. During the Dec. 14 search, the officer allegedly found six bags of cannabis weighing a total of 122 grams, a scale, and cash totaling $1,753.An exhibit featuring the artwork of about 100 Gateway East Artists Guild (GEAG) members will be on display from Jan. 5 to Feb. 2 at the Edwardsville Arts Center located at 6165 Center Grove Rd. in Edwardsville.

Susan Kunz, GEAG exhibits chair, explained that the GEAG is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the fine arts in the Metro-East area by providing educational opportunities, community art exhibits and fellowship for area artists.

Members include a diverse group of art enthusiasts from beginners to professionals in almost every artistic medium, as well as those who wish to support the arts without creating their own, Kunz said.

GEAGs President, Karen Romani, lives in Glen Carbon, but the organizations members live throughout the area including Breese, Trenton, Highland, Troy, Edwardsville, Belleville, OFallon, Waterloo, Pinckneyville, Collinsville, Fairview Heights, Nashville, Millstadt, Lebanon, Red Bud, Swansea, Granite City, Brighton, Staunton, New Baden, Roxana, Glen Carbon, Cedar Hill Mo., Jackson Mo., and St. Louis.

Kunz pointed out that GEAG is always looking for opportunities to share their love of art with surrounding communities. The organization has displayed art at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Framations in St. Charles Mo., Jacoby Arts Center in Alton, and the Governor French Academy in Belleville.

In addition, each year GEAG hosts a series of workshops, paint-outs, and other art activities, publishes a monthly newsletter, awards a college scholarship and student awards, performs community service, provides numerous display opportunities and sponsors at least one major competitive exhibit with generous prizes.

GEAG teamed with the Edwardsville Arts Center for this exhibit in January after two GEAG members, Marty Spears and Linda Rawson, taught classes at the EAC and saw an opportunity for both organizations to work together in a common goal of bringing art to the community.

The GEAG exhibit will feature a wide variety of art such as Sue Lowrys piece entitled Time Rewound from Lowrys GlasScapes and Time Machine series. This piece, like most pieces from that series, is an abstract that contains steel rods, soldered copper, art glass, clock works, machine parts, and other metal components, Lowry explained. Soldered copper is the signature material that appears in all my work, including the Wearable Sculpture jewelry that will be included in the exhibit.

Ron Vivod will be showing a piece he created through a photograph he has taken, digitally reconstructed and drawn into.

Michael Anderson, a resident of Belleville who is an architectural illustrator and an SIUE graduate, is also participating in the exhibit. Anderson joined the Gateway East Artists Guild in 2002 seeking a destination to share his paintings in progress and to find camaraderie with others who make art. I am always impressed by the featured guest speakers at the monthly meetings as well as the opportunity to get critiques of my own work. The GEAG is a great group for any artist whether a beginner, novice or professional. Anderson said.

Kunz noted that Anderson describes his recent paintings, done mostly on location, as representational but that he is willing to improvise on local color with expressive brush strokes, thickly applied paints and added hues. Energy, texture, color and value are essential elements.

My inspiration is the way the light falls on the landscape, Anderson noted.

These artists work as well as dozens of others can be viewed during the GEAG exhibit at the EAC. The exhibit opens on Jan. 5.

Concurrently in the Student Gallery will be an exhibit celebrating John Celuch: 2018 Patron of the Arts.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Lucky Luqman Nurrahmat (The Jakarta Post) Cambridge  Wed, January 3, 2018

The government is wellaware that it needs to tap into the private sectors money to finance its ambitious infrastructure goals. According to Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro, only a third of the total required infrastructure fund of Rp 4,700 trillion (US$348 billion) for the 2015-2019 period will be sourced from the governments budget. A quarter will come from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the rest, about 40 percent, will come from the private sector.

The government has employed various methods to secure the private sectors capital. Aside from more conventional means, such as through equity or loans, innovative methods like asset securitization, limited concession schemes and infrastructure mutual funds are also being explored.

As of Decemb

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.The first ever Mount Lawu Flag Festival was held recently on the slopes of Mount Lawu in Karangpandan district, Karanganyar, Central Java, from Dec. 30 to 31, 2017. The festival was held to celebrate the end of the year as well as commemorate Prince Sambernyawa (Mangkunegara I), the first ruler of the Surakarta kingdom.

Featuring hundreds of flags, the festival was a collaborative project between the residents of Tuk Dira hamlet, Gerdu village and Karangpandan district and the Mataya Arts & Heritage and MasDon Art Movement.

Gerdu village head of administration Suwarno said that the elders believed that Prince Sambernyawa hoisted a flag in Tuk Dira hamlet during his fight against the Dutch.

Meanwhile, historian Heri Priyatmoko said that Tuk Dira hamlet was an area known for honoring Prince Sambernyawas patriotic spirit.

Read also: 720 women sew 500-meter national flag banner in West Jakarta

The festival kicked off with a flag parade from the village to a rice field. Carrying various flags, the participants were seen climbing the terrace fields and hoisting hundreds of flags, including a 15-meter-long Indonesian flag.

Furthermore, the event also featured art performances by artists from Yogyakarta and Surakarta accompanied by Lawu Percussion.

In addition to the performances, the two-day event also featured various workshops on flag-making, batik-making and turning rain into drinkable water.

Meanwhile, food booths were set up presenting traditional delicacies, such as es dawet (iced beverage with rice flour jelly, palm sugar and coconut milk) and soto kuali (Solo-style soup cooked in a clay pot).

Karanganyar tourism head Titis Sri Jawoto said he appreciated the villagers' effort to promote the area through an arts and culture festival. He said the festival could become an annual event that could help boost tourism in Karanganyar. (jes/asw)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 08:27 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fb6f52 1 Business OJK,currency-hedging,protection,investors,IDX Free

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) plans to issue a regulation on currency hedging to help investors protect their investments in the stock market against the possible decline of the rupiah.

The regulation is expected to minimize the currency risks for foreign investors with more competitive pricing, said OJK Chairman Wimboh Santoso on Tuesday.

He hoped the currency hedging regulation, which was now under preparation, could be implemented within the next few months.

Wimboh said with the currency hedging facilities, investment in the Indonesian stock market would be more attractive to foreign investors because their investment would be protected from a possible drop in the currencys value against foreign currencies.

The Indonesian Stock Exchange was among the best performers in Asia last week. The Stock Exchange Composite Index hit a record high at 6,355 at the close of last years trading. The index rose by 20 percent from 5,296 at the close of trading in 2016.

The rupiah was also relatively stable during 2017. It ended the year at Rp 13,520 against the US dollar, a slight decline from Rp 13,400 in early January.

Wimboh said with a more conducive investment climate, the stock market would play a more important role in providing funds for business activities. The funds raised from Indonesias capital market reached a total of Rp 257.02 trillion in 2017, exceeding the OJKs target of Rp 217.02 trillion. (fny/bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 15:11 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fc3523 1 City #DomesticAbuse,#Jakarta Free

A man was arrested by the police on Tuesday night in Grogol, West Jakarta, for attempting to burn his wife alive during a domestic dispute.

According to West Jakarta Police general crimes head Comr. Adj. Rulian Syauri, the domestic dispute occurred after the man, identified as IA, accused his wife of cheating on him. Rulian said that IA believed that his wife, NI, was having an affair with another man and became furious when she denied the accusation.

He poured a gasoline onto the victims body and threatened to burn her alive, said Rulian. Fortunately, NI managed to escape to a nearby police post.

Rulian said that the couple fought frequently. The police also discovered that NI was physically abused by her husband when an inspection found bruises on the woman's body.

IA already has pleaded guilty to the police charge, and is awaiting investigation.

Rulian said the police were waiting for a confirmation from its Women and Children's Protection (PPA) unit to proceed with the investigation. (dpk)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Wed, January 3, 2018 15:37 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fc5143 1 National Hanura,Hanura-Party,ridwan-kamil,2018-West-Java-gubernatorial-election,gubernatorial-candidate,gubernatorial-elections,Bandung-mayor Free

The Hanura Party has officially supported Ridwan Kamils nomination for the 2018 gubernatorial election in Bandung, West Java.

The West Java chapters Hanura regional executive board (DPD) chairman, Aceng Fikri, handed over the letter of support from the party to the Bandung mayor on Tuesday.

Ridwan Kamil is a leader considered by the Hanura Partys central executive board as a potential West Java governor candidate, said Aceng.

Ridwan has now been officially tasked to open up communications with other political parties in relation to his plan to run for West Java governor in this years election.

The support letter from Hanura serves as an assignment letter. The party has now officially assigned Ridwan Kamil to run for West Java governor, said Aceng.

He added that the party would let the Bandung mayor decide who his partner would be.

One of reasons that prompted us to issue the assignment letter is because we want to let Pak Ridwan communicate with other political parties about his running mate candidates, said Aceng.

Ridwan conveyed his gratitude over the trust the Hanura Party had put in him. He said the assignment letter had strengthened the coalition that supported his nomination. They comprise the NasDem Party, the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP).

Alhamdullillah [thank God] for the assignment letter from the Hanura Party. I now have four parties that are supporting my candidacy, Ridwan said. (ebf)In the first six months of fiscal year 2017-18, the Narendra Modi government wrote off Rs 53,625 crore of stressed assets or NPAs (non-performing assets) of public sector banks - an alarming amount. The Finance Ministry said so in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The government put it on record that the outstanding "toxic assets" or non-performing assets of public sector banks stood at Rs 6.89 crore by September 2017.

According to the Finance Ministry's reply in the Upper House of Parliament, total write-offs since the 2014-15 fiscal year stand at Rs 2.4 lakh crore. If Rs 53,000 crore was written off in the first half of this fiscal, the figure for the whole year could be the highest in years.

The government and the Reserve Bank have adopted an aggressive policy on asset quality reviews of public sector banks, leading to greater compliance from banks in identifying and notifying NPAs. Nevertheless, the amount of write-offs is alarming.

In 2015, the asset quality review for clean and fully-provisioned balance sheets was carried out. That exercise led to loans worth Rs 4,54,466 crore getting classified as NPAs.

WHO WERE THE BORROWERS?

It's not clear who took out the loans that were written off. Banks don't share this information, citing customer secrecy contracts.

CHARGE AND COUNTER-CHARGE

In the run-up to the Gujarat assembly election, the Congress, led by then vice-president Rahul Gandhi, accused the Modi government of waiving off loans for big industrialists and business houses.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitey countered the charge in a blog post, blaming the Congress-led UPA government for the NPAs and write-offs. He said the Congress should be asked what decision it took when debtors delayed repayment of their loans - and the interest on the borrowings - to public sector banks.

Jaitley added that under the bankruptcy code, cases had been instituted for time-bound recovery from the 12 largest defaulters in six to nine months - in NPA cases of Rs 1,75,000 crore.

WHAT IS A WRITE-OFF?

In banking parlance, a loan is an "asset" and the interest earned on it is "income".

When someone stops paying back the loan, the income on the asset stops. But for a while, the asset stays in the bank's books.

According to RBI norms, in case of the absence of income, banks have to first provide for the loss of the asset, and then eliminate the asset from its balance sheet.

The process of elimination or declassification of the "unpaid loan amount" or "asset" is called a write-off.

However the write-off doesn't mean that banks stop trying to retrieve the money. They keep trying or sell the loan to a recovery company, and the borrower continues to owe them money.

'CLEARER PICTURE'

Finance Ministry sources say the tough asset review process has helped banks get a clearer picture of the quality of their assets: which ones are generating income and which ones aren't. Banks benefit from the write-offs as they don't have to pay taxes on the losses incurred.

A major portion of the loss is picked by the government, which earns tax from the assets. Write-offs mean setting off tax against bank losses.

The government has been vigorously chasing banks to clean up their books, as unidentified defaulting accounts keep the banks' asset base inflated. As a result, those who need loans later don't get them.

Any move to recapitalise banks gets defeated, as banks can use the infused amount to hide bad assets and losses.

Bad loans and write-offs hurt other depositors. Banks with high bad loans lend less and keep the rate of lending high to maintain healthy balance sheets

Ex-RBI deputy governor K C Chakrabarty once dubbed write-offs by banks as a "scam." He said categorically that they were suspect, as small borrowers never benefit from them, and banks continue using pressure tactics to recover the 'assets.'

He said the real beneficiaries of the write-offs are the big borrowers.

ALSO WATCH | Arun Jaitley at India Today Conclave Next 2017: Every structural reform like demonetisation will have consequencesShare this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Mumbai, India  Wed, January 3, 2018 20:05 1339 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fd0e5a 2 World India,protest,poverty,culture Free

Demonstrators from India's lowest caste blocked roads and railways across Mumbai on Wednesday in protest against violence involving Hindu nationalist groups at an event commemorating a 200-year-old battle.

Members of the Dalit community obstructed roads, damaged buses and marched down railway tracks, delaying train services which are the lifeline of India's bustling financial capital.

Some schools and business opted to close as a precaution while the city's famous lunchbox delivery men, called "Dabbawalas", also cancelled their services.

The protests came in response to violence which broke out at a ceremony in a village near Pune in Maharashtra state on Monday, leaving one man dead.

Dalits had gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in 1818, in which they helped British colonial forces defeat the high-caste Peshwas.

Dailt leaders accused right-wing Hindus of inciting Monday's clashes, which spread to other areas of Maharashtra of which Mumbai is the capital.

The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the clashes.

Mumbai police said more than 100 demonstrators had been arrested and nine cases of unlawful activity had been registered.

On Wednesday politicians called for a peaceful end to the violence.

"There is an attempt to create a social divide which we have to foil unitedly," said Neelam Gorhe, a leader of the right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 17:53 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcd5f1 1 Business poverty-alleviation,human-resources,2018 Free

The government has vowed to redouble efforts to eradicate poverty and develop human resources in 2018 through the disbursement of social aid and village funds as well as by expanding vocational training.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Wednesday that the government would begin disbursing the village funds and social assistance this month.

"I just got news from the Finance Minister that 20 percent of the Rp 60 trillion (US$4.2 billion) in village funds can be disbursed in January, the President said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta as he opened the first Cabinet meeting of the year.

He stressed that the village funds should be disbursed immediately, so that the villages could start implementing their respective programs.

Last year, the government allocated Rp 47 trillion for the village funds programs. Sixty percent of that sum was distributed in April and the remaining 40 percent in August.

Meanwhile, to equip more job seekers with professional skills, Jokowi added, the government would intensify its training programs.

Certificates would be issued to program participants after they passed an evaluation test, Jokowi added.

Last year, 6,201 trainees took part in a profession competency program, 5,635 of whom received certificates.

"The certification program just started. We will expand the program based on the demand from industries," he said. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 18:34 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcea15 1 Politics KPK,Air-Force,Agus-Supriatna,graft,corruption,Agusta-Westland Free

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned on Wednesday former Air Force chief of staff marshal (Ret.) Agus Supriatna over alleged graft surrounding the procurement of an Agusta-Westland presidential helicopter.

The KPK had summoned him twice in the last two months for questioning but he failed to fulfill both summonses.

Accompanied by several Air Force officers, Agus was questioned as a witness in the commissions investigation into graft suspect Irfan Kurnia Saleh, the CEO of military equipment supplier Diratama Jaya Mandiri.

Speaking to journalists after the questioning, Agus expressed hope that all parties keep the legal case low-profile as efforts were underway to settle it.

We will work together to resolve it. There is no need to be noisy, he said, refusing to answer additional questions.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) identified six TNI officers who were allegedly involved in graft related to the procurement of a helicopter from Italian-British manufacturing company Agusta-Westland.

The six military officers, along with another person who was named a suspect by the KPK, had allegedly collaborated in the purchase of the chopper, despite President Joko Jokowi Widodo's order to cancel the purchase. The alleged graft reportedly resulted in Rp 224 billion (US$16 million) in state losses. (vla/ebf)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3 2018

In March 2016, the president of Central Connecticut State University, John Miller, conducted research to map reading habits among 61 sample countries, including Indonesia. The country ranked second to last.



Nirwan Arsuka, the founder of Indonesian-based mobile library Pustaka Bergerak, believes that Indonesian citizens are not the ones to blame.



Instead, he blames limited access to books as the cause of Indonesias infrequent reading.



There are a lot of people who labeled the younger generation as the lazy generation because they rarely read books. They are wrong. There are a lot of young people from remote areas who would like to read books but are unable to do so often because their access to books is very limited, he said.



Nirwan then came up with an idea to collaborate with state-owned postal service Pos Indonesia to repeal shipping fees for ...Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 17:57 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcdda4 1 Business Lukman-Hakim-Saifuddin,travel-agency,haj-pilgrimage,umrah-pilgrims,application Free

The Religious Affairs Ministry says it is developing a system to monitor travel agencies that organize haj and umrah (minor haj) tours to assure the agencies operate in line with prevailing regulations.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said such a monitoring system was needed to assure the agencies fulfilled their obligations to customers.

"We are developing Si Patuh, a haj and umrah integrated online monitoring system," said Lukman at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Under the system, all travel agencies organizing haj and umrah tours are required to state all promised facilities to their customers, including the name of all hotels and flight numbers, the minister added.

The development of the monitoring system is being carried out following numerous complaints lodged against travel agencies by customers.

Early last year, the police investigated a fraud case involving Rp 848.7 billion (US$59.41 million) collected from nearly 60,000 people through First Travel.

Lukman expressed the hope that with the system, his ministry could optimally monitor the activities of travel agencies organizing pilgrimages as the conventional monitoring system was no longer reliable.

The system is still being developed. But I hope we can implement it soon," he added. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 17:56 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcd69c 1 Business OJK,Bank-Danamon,Mitsubishi-UFJ-Financial-Group Free

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) says it is open for discussion to a plan by the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) to acquire a bigger stake in PT Bank Danamon Indonesia, one of Indonesias leading private lenders.

The MUFG and Bank of Tokyo already jointly own 19.9 percent of Danamons equity since Friday, paying Rp 8,323 (US$0.62), a share, but the giant Japanese holding financial company is looking to buy 73.8 percent more of the Indonesian company.

OJKs 2016 regulation limits foreign ownership of any Indonesian banks up to 40 percent, but it will allow a controlling stake under certain circumstances: that it must support Indonesian economic development through the relevant bank; it must obtain a recommendation letter from the financial supervisory authority in its originating jurisdiction and it must have an investment rating above a required level, depending on the investment vehicle.

OJK was open for discussion with the MUFG regarding its plan, chairman Wimboh Santoso was quoted as saying by kompas.com.

(But) we want the foreign stakeholders to be spread more evenly, not just concentrated in one bank, he said.

The MUFG bought the initial Danamon shares from Asia Financial Indonesia (AFI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fullerton Financial Holdings of Singapore. (sha/jlm/bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 15:29 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fc390c 1 City #diphtheria,#diseases,#outbreak,#Jakarta Free

The number of patients suspected to be suffering from diptheria have continued to increase at Sulianti Saroso Hospital in North Jakarta, amid efforts from the government to combat the infectious disease.

Since Dec, 3 last year until Wednesday, the number of patients has risen to 117, most of whom are children. Of this number, however, 86 have been allowed to leave the hospital.

"The patients comprise 42 adults and 75 children. 62 are male and 55 are female," Director of Sulianti Saroso Hospital Rita Rogayah told tribunnews.com on Wednesday.

She added that eight patients had been admitted to the hospital this morning.

The patients come from various areas across Greater Jakarta, including Tangerang in Banten, Depok, Bogor and Bekasi in West Java.

The Jakarta administration has declared the diptheria outbreak an "extraordinary occurrence" and held a program called Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) to tackle the spread of the deadly disease on Dec. 11 last year. (Fac)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kanga Kong (Bloomberg) Seoul, South Korea  Wed, January 3, 2018 15:34 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fc4e03 2 World Korea,Nuclear,crisis,Olympics Free

North Korean officials made initial contact on Wednesday with counterparts in South Korea on holding talks aimed at attending the Winter Olympics next month.

North Korea called a hotline between the two countries at 3:30 p.m. in Seoul, the first time the communication channel has been used in about two years. President Moon Jae-ins government has proposed holding talks on Jan. 9 at the border village of Panmunjom, which would be the first formal gathering between the two sides since 2015.

The move shows further progress after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for improved relations with South Korea in a New Years Day address. Tensions over North Koreas nuclear program had threatened to hang over next months Games in Pyeongchang, a city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the border dividing the Korean Peninsula.

The detente between the two Koreas comes even as US President Donald Trump continues a war of words with Kim, who warned on Monday that the nuclear button is always on my desk. Trump responded on Tuesday night, saying on Twitter that he had a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

North Koreas Call for Talks Tests US-South Korea Alliance

Trump has expressed skepticism about Kims call for talks, with an administration official saying North Korea is aiming to drive a wedge in the US-South Korean alliance. The US wants to avoid anything that might undermine its pressure campaign of sanctions and military threats to halt Kims nuclear program.

Moons government has said its consulting on the talks with the US, which has about 30,000 troops in South Korea and provides a nuclear deterrent. A Trump administration official said that the US is in close touch with South Korea on a unified response to North Korea.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (AFP) Seoul  Wed, January 3, 2018 12:20 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fbe2a8 2 Politics North-Korea,kim-jong-un,South-Korea,diplomacy Free

Pyongyang said Wednesday it will restore a hotline with the South at 0630 GMT, after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to Kim Jong-Un's calls for better relations and suggestion his country might attend the Winter Olympics.

Kim also welcomed Seoul's support for his overtures, a North Korean official told state television.

In his New Year address, Kim warned the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, but extended an olive branch to the South, saying his country might take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month.

In response, South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-Gyon on Tuesday offered to hold high-level talks on January 9 to discuss the North's participation in the Olympics as well as other matters of mutual interest.

"By upholding a decision by the leadership, we will make close contact with South Korea in a sincere and faithful manner," the Yonhap news agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs, as saying.

It reported that the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) said it will discuss practical matters involving the participation of North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang Games.

Kim "expressed welcome" after South Korean President Moon Jae-In said he supported Kim's offer of seeking reconciliation, Ri said on North Korean state TV monitored in Seoul.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara  Wed, January 3, 2018 14:10 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fc1daf 1 National NTB,West-Nusa-Tenggara,diphtheria,Mataram,Bima-West-Nusa-Tenggara,bacterial-infection Free

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) health agency has found eight people with suspected diphtheria across the province in the past week, an official said on Wednesday.

Five patients have been taken to the Bima Regional General Hospital (RSUD), while the three others are being treated at the NTB Provincial General Hospital [RSUP] in Mataram, said NTB Health Agency head Mardjito.

He said that the five patients at RSUD Bima returned negative results for diphtheria after their test samples were examined at private laboratory in Surabaya, East Java.

Meanwhile, the three other patients at RSUP NTB in Mataram are being treated in isolation rooms while the hospital awaits the results of their laboratory tests.

Two of the patients are children and another is an adult. Clinically, they are all still [suspected diphtheria cases]. We are still waiting for the laboratory results to see whether they test positive for diphtheria, said Mardjito. (ebf)(Eds: Repeating with minor edits)

By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Jan 3 (PTI) The Nepal Cabinet has proposed February 8 as the date for conducting polls to the National Assembly to pave the way for formation of the new government after recent provincial and parliamentary polls.

A Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday took the decision on the date for polls to the upper house.

Deuba had proposed February 8 as the date for the election, during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.

Yadav expressed his readiness to conduct the election for the Upper House on that date.

Out of 59 members of the National Assembly, 56 will be elected by an electoral college comprising the chiefs and deputy chiefs of the 753 local units and members of the provincial assemblies. The remaining three will be nominated by the president on the recommendation of the government.

The EC has been maintaining that it could not allocate the seats under proportionate representation for the Lower House before conducting the election to the Upper House.

It is necessary to conduct the election to the Upper House to allocate seats for women and ethnic minorities, including Dalits, Yadav said.

The election of the new prime minister can take place only after the formation of the full house, which includes the House of Representatives and the Upper House, as per the constitutional provision.

However, the victorious Left alliance, comprising CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, has been demanding Deuba quit the top post at the earliest so as to pave way for election of the prime minister.

Deuba, has, however, maintained that he would not resign before the Upper House election takes place.

The president last week endorsed the ordinance related to the election of the Upper House that paves the way for the election of the prime minister.

CPN-UML chairman and former premier K P Oli is likely to be again elected to the top executive post with the support of CPN-Maoist Centre as the Left Alliance secured 174 seats in the 275-member Parliament.

The Left alliance won 116 seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system while Deubas Nepali Congress bagged just 23 seats in the countrys recently-concluded historic polls that many hope will bring much-needed political stability to the Himalayan nation. PTI SBP KUNShare this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura, Papua  Wed, January 3, 2018 17:26 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcb731 1 Politics Gerindra-Party,PDI-P,Papua,Papua-elections,Papua-gubernatorial-election,Lukas-Enembe,2018-regional-election Free

The two parties with the highest number of seats in the Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) -- namely the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Gerindra Party -- must form a coalition if they want to hinder the nomination of Papua incumbents Lukas Enembe and Klemen Tinal in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

Currently, the Lukas-Klemen ticket is supported by 10 parties, which control 43 out of 56 seats in the DPRD Papua. The PDI-P has seven seats and Gerindra six.

Im sure these two parties will form a coalition for the Papua gubernatorial election because they are fully aware that the upcoming regional election in the province is not only an event to elect a governor and deputy governor, but also a battle to maintain Papua as part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia [NKRI], said Marinus Yaung, a political expert from the University of Cenderawasih, on Wednesday.

He said the PDI-P and Gerindra doubted the commitment of the current Papuan leaders to maintain Papua as part of the NKRI. That was why the two parties are striving to nominate a candidate with a strong commitment to maintain the solidity of the NKRI, Marinus added.

It is even possible that several parties, which have previously backed the incumbent pair, will withdraw their support.

Earlier, Ones Pahabol, the former Yahukimo regent, declared his nomination for the 2018 election with Yoram Mambay as his running mate. He has not yet revealed the parties supporting his candidacy. (ebf)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Ankara, Turkey  Wed, January 3, 2018 17:50 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcca82 2 World Iran,protest,Turkey Free

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday expressed hope in a telephone call with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the protests which have rocked his country would end in a few days, a Turkish presidential source said.

Erdogan told Rouhani that "peace and stability" in Iranian society had to be preserved and said he concurred with his Iranian counterpart's statement that the right to protest should not lead to "violations of the law".

"President Rouhani thanked President Erdogan for his sensitivity and expressed hope that the protests would end in a few days," said a statement by a Turkish presidential source.

The comments were not immediately confirmed by the Iranian side.

Turkey -- which was hit by street protests against Erdogan (then premier) in 2013 -- had already said it was concerned by the protests and warned against any escalation.

The almost week-long unrest in Iran, the biggest challenge to the Islamic regime since the 2009 mass demonstrations, has so far claimed 21 lives.

Turkey, whose rivalry with Iran goes back to the regional battle for supremacy between the Ottoman Empire and imperial Persia, has had on occasion tricky moments in relations with Tehran.

Erdogan has repeatedly railed against "Persian imperialism" in the Middle East but relations have warmed in the last months as Moscow and Tehran work tightly with Ankara to bring peace to Syria.

Turkey's conservative press has sounded grave unease over the protests, accusing the United States and its allies of fomenting the unrest as part of a plot to transform the Middle East.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 18:56 1339 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fcff40 1 City #ThousandIslands,#boat,#2018citybudget,#Transportation Free

Thousand Islands regency has proposed the procurement of 12 boats to be included in the 2018 city budget to support mobility in the area.

Regent Irmansyah said the regency needed two hearse boats to ease funeral transportation, while five boats had been proposed by the water transportation unit of the transportation agency and four had been proposed by the regency administration. The education agency had also asked for a boat.

"We will hold a limited meeting soon to ensure that the boats procured are up to standard," he said as quoted by beritajakarta.id, adding that he expected the boats to be available before the commencement of the Asian Games.

He said each boat may have different facilities depending on the needs of the aforementioned agencies. (fac)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, January 3, 2018 14:00 1340 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2fc110d 1 Business Budi-Karya-Sumadi,airport-train,surakarta,Padang,Palembang Free

After the inauguration of the airport train in Jakarta by President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Tuesday, the government plans to operate airport trains in three other cities  Padang in West Sumatra, Palembang in South Sumatra and Surakarta in Central Java.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said on Tuesday in Jakarta that the airport trains in Padang and Palembang were scheduled to be operated in May, while another one in Surakarta was expected to begin operating in November.

PT Railink will also be the train operator. The government is the sole investor of [the three airport trains], said Budi, referring to the subsidiary of state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), which is currently also the operator of the airport train in Jakarta as reported by kompas.com.

An airport train from Kualanamu Airport in Medan was the first airport train to operate in Indonesia.

Currently, the airport train networks from Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport in Palembang, Minangkabau Airport in Padang and Adi Sumarmo Airport in Surakarta are being constructed, the minister added.

The airport train operates 42 single trips per day. Services from South Jakartas Sudirman Baru Station start at 3:51 a.m., with the last train departing at 9:51 p.m., as several facilities at Manggarai Station are still under construction.

From Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, trains run at hourly intervals, with the first train departing at 6:10 a.m. and the last train departing at 11:10 p.m. Tickets are available at a flat price of Rp 70,000 (US$4.90). (jlm/bbn)Banyuwangi in East Java is one of the nation's main producers of dragon fruit, growing the fruit in a variety of ways, including organically, for tourists visiting the region.

At the foot of Gunung Raung lies Tegalarum village, which is known for its organic dragon fruit that is cultivated by farmers belonging to the Pucangsari farmer group, a local community comprising 80 farmers.

"Since the beginning, we had planted dragon fruit organically with no chemical injections, and the fertilizers used were also organic. The dragon fruit produced by our village farmers was certified," Pucangsari head Rukiyan recently told kompas.com.

Rukiyan said the advantage of organic dragon fruit was that it lasted up to 25 days as opposed to seven to 10 days as was the case with its non-organic counterpart.

The dragon fruit harvest season in Tegalarum village starts in December and lasts until May. In a single season, the group harvests approximately 1,600 tons of fruit over 40 hectares of land.

"With Rp 40 million per hectare in capital, we could earn Rp 560 million (US$ 41,384) every season, which was about six months," Rukiyan said.

Read also: Interesting places to visit in Banyuwangi

He explained that, each month, Pucangsari sent 40 tons of the fruit to Jakarta, 15 tons to Malang and 8 tons to Bogor, Bali and Blitar. The average size of an organic dragon fruit is between 4 to 6 ounces.

"We sent 4 tons per month to Singapore. There was actually a big demand but we sought to maintain quality," Rukiyan said.

Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas said the local government had opened an organic produce store at Banyuwangi Airport that includes the dragon fruit from Tegalaraum village.

"The organic dragon fruit could be a souvenir. You could go straight to the village or buy it at the airport. We had packed it in a way that was attractive," Anas said.

Anas added that the Banyuwangi government trained farmers on good agricultural and handling practices in order to ensure high-quality production.

Anas said Banyuwangi was one of the nation's main dragon fruit producers, adding that the expansive farms across the regency could be developed into tourist destinations. Currently, a total of around 117,700 tons of dragon fruit in Banyuwangi is harvested from around 2,280 hectares of land. (liz/asw)There was a gunpoint robbery on New Years Eve at Sunita Bar on Norfolk Street.

According to the New York Post, it happened at around 10 p.m. Someone called 911 and police were able to catch a 17-year-old suspect right away. Shane Thomason has been charged with robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest. Police are looking for two accomplices, who reportedly took off down Rivington Street.

Cops say the suspects took cell phones, cash from customers and money from the register. About $300 was taken all together.A new dessert spot from a local husband-wife team with serious culinary credentials is starting to get noticed beyond the Lower East Side.

AM New York today profiles The Little One, a small bakery at 150 East Broadway, which debuted last month with a menu of traditional Japanese confections. Its operated by Eddie Zheng and Olivia Leung:

The Chinatown natives attended the Institute of Culinary Education together, with Zheng, 25, going on to work at wd~50, The Elm, Cafe Clover and La Sirena, while Leung, 26, has worked with Dominique Ansel and at South Korean bakery Tous Les Jours. The Little One was inspired by their travels through Asia. What we really liked about Asia is that they have a lot of different types of ingredients that we could play with, Zheng said. Theres not many people in New York that are introduced to it yet, other than going to a fine-dining restaurant.

Eater ran a feature on the dessert shop just before the new year:

The Little Ones nine-item menu currently reads entirely Japanese. One will find kakigori, Japanese shaved ice drizzled with hojicha (a type of roasted green tea) caramel and lime zest, plus a matcha rendition with white chocolate espuma. Dorayaki, a common Japanese dessert that resembles a mini pancake sandwich, comes filled with confit honeycrisp apples and mascarpone, or sweet potato cake and a spiced cream. Monaka  an unflavored rice wafer shell typically stuffed with red bean and/or ice cream  is filled here with soba-cha (toasted buckwheat) ice cream and chocolate fudge or parsnip ice cream with burned honey caramel.

The Little One also offers an interesting selection of teas and malted hot chocolate with cardamom. Zheng said The Little One should not be thought of as a Japanese bakery. In the future, they may offer cakes and tarts using non-Asian ingredients. Zheng and Leung are planning to install an oven in the space, which will allow them to offer new menu items.By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Jan 3 (PTI) The Nepal Cabinet has proposed February 8 as the date for conducting polls to the Upper House of Parliament to pave the way for formation of the new government after recent provincial and parliamentary polls.

A Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday took the decision on the poll date.

Deuba had proposed February 8 as the date for the Upper House election, during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.

Yadav expressed his readiness to conduct the election for the Upper House on that date.

Out of 59 members of the National Assembly, 56 will be elected by an electoral college comprising the chiefs and deputy chiefs of the 753 local units and members of the provincial assemblies. The remaining three will be nominated by the president on the recommendation of the government.

The EC has been maintaining that it could not allocate the seats under proportionate representation for the Lower House before conducting the election to the Upper House.

It is necessary to conduct the election to the Upper House to allocate seats for women and ethnic minorities, including Dalits, Yadav said.

The election of the new prime minister can take place only after the formation of the full house, which includes the House of Representatives and the Upper House, as per the constitutional provision.

However, the victorious Left alliance, comprising CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, has been demanding Deuba quit the top post at the earliest so as to pave way for election of the prime minister.

Deuba, has, however, maintained that he would not resign before the Upper House election takes place.

The president last week endorsed the ordinance related to the election of the Upper House that paves the way for the election of the prime minister.

CPN-UML chairman and former premier K P Oli is likely to be again elected to the top executive post with the support of CPN-Maoist Centre as the Left Alliance secured 174 seats in the 275-member Parliament.

The Left alliance won 116 seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system while Deubas Nepali Congress bagged just 23 seats in the countrys recently-concluded historic polls that many hope will bring much-needed political stability to the Himalayan nation. PTI SBP KUNWeeks after controversy erupted over Kim Jong Un's photo in the CPI(M) programme poster, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has come up with a statement praising North Korea.

What is more surprising is the fact that a senior Communist leader has cited North Korea has a better example of fight against imperialist forces than China.

Speaking at the CPI(M) district meet in Kozhikode, Pinarayi Vijayan said that China's fight against imperialist forces is not living up to the expectations of the people.

"Now it can be seen that a better approach has developed in this regard. North Korea has been following a tough anti-USA stand. North Korea has successfully defended the pressure imposed by the US," he added.

In Kottayam district meeting, it was the state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's turn to praise North Korea. At the function, he said that North Korea has increased its military strength and nuclear ammunition for the existence of the country.

"America aims to destroy North Korea which is moving ahead with socialist ideology," said Balakrishnan.

Last month, local cadres of the party put on display the flex of a party function with photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

After the poster stirred controversy, the district leaders of the party asked the local cadres to remove flex. Speaking on the controversy Idukki district secretary then told India Today that the flex was made by some local workers of the party and Kim Jong Un's photo was included by mistake.

This time around, two senior party leaders themselves have come up with statements supporting North Korea. These statements may trigger more heated debates in the days to come.

ALSO WATCH | US President Donald Trump tears into 'liar' Pakistan, revokes aidEver wondered if youre reading the right books and listening to the best songs of the year?

Well, if youre in search of the ultimate in A-list approval, then look no further because the former president of the United States  Barack Obama  has shared a list of his favourite books and songs from 2017.

In a post shared on his Facebook page he wrote: With some extra time on my hands this year to catch up, I wanted to share the books and music that I enjoyed most.

During my presidency, I started a tradition of sharing my reading lists and playlists. It was a nice way to reflect on Posted by Barack Obama on Sunday, December 31, 2017

He added: From songs that got me moving to stories that inspired me, heres my 2017 list  I hope you enjoy it and have a happy and healthy New Year.

Of the 12 books and 22 songs that the former Potus recommends, the reading selection includes political novels like The Power, by Naomi Alderman, which is set in a world where women can emit deadly electrical jolts and the Booker Prize shortlisted Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid about refugees who are transported from their war-torn country through magic.

Obamas music selection, meanwhile, includes some of the biggest anthems of the year including Humble by Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles Sign of the Times, and U2s Ordinary Love, which was written in honour of Nelson Mandela.Vinyl sales have continued to boom and are at their highest level since the start of the Nineties, figures on the UK music industry have revealed.

At their low point in 2007, just 205,000 vinyl LPs were sold.

Album vinyl sales in the UK 1991-2017 (PA Graphics)

But 4.1 million were bought in 2017  a rise of 26.8% over the 12-month period and 1,892% up on the figure 10 years ago, according to record labels association the BPI.

The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) hailed 2017 as a strong year for British music.

Some 135.1 million albums or their equivalent were either streamed, purchased in physical format, and/or downloaded over the past 12 months, a 9.5% rise on 2016.

Ed Sheeran was a big success story (Isabel Infantes/PA)

The rise is the biggest year-on-year increase for almost two decades, since 10% in 1998.

UK acts, including Ed Sheeran, Rag n Bone Man, Sam Smith, Little Mix, Liam Gallagher, Michael Ball with Alfie Boe and Stormzy, accounted for eight of the top 10 best-selling artist albums in 2017.

Sheeran tops the album list, making it the 13th consecutive year that a UK artist has taken the number one spot.

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor welcomed the figures but said changes were needed.

Rag n Bone Man (Andrew Milligan/PA)

He called for all digital platforms to pay fairly for their use of music and for the Government to ensure our musicians are able to tour freely even after we leave the EU.

The UK needs to forge an online environment that is safe for consumers and where illegal sites cannot flourish, he added.

Taylor said: Demand for music in the UK is growing fast, driven by brilliant British artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, RagnBone Man, Little Mix, Stormzy and Dua Lipa and the innovative music industry that supports them.

Little Mix (Chris J Ratcliffe/PA)

Whilst the rapid growth of streaming and resilient demand for physical formats gives us confidence for the future, it is important to remember that the music industry still has a long way to go to recover fully.

The 2017 figure for vinyl is the highest since 1991, when 3.8 million vinyl LPs were estimated to have been sold.

Almost one in 10 of all physical purchases are now on vinyl format.

(PA Graphics)

And while the figure is still small compared with streaming (50.4%) and CDs (30.8%), the niche occupied by vinyl (3%) is expected to continue to grow.

Top 10 biggest albums of 2017 (Official Charts Company)

1. Ed Sheeran, Divide

2. RagnBone Man, Human

3. Sam Smith, The Thrill Of It All

4. Little Mix, Glory Days

5. Pink, Beautiful Trauma

6. Ed Sheeran, Multiply

7. Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Together Again

8. Drake, More Life

9. Liam Gallagher, As You Were

10. Stormzy, Gang Signs And PrayerProving that their vaults of ingenuity are far from depleted after three series, the comedy duo begin their latest run of No. 9's with a jovial trip to the ninth floor of the Hotel Zanzibar, where a rich ensemble of guests and plots collide to hilarious effect.Pleasantly reminiscent of previous ensemble episodes, like 'Sardines', 'La Couchette' and 'Private View', 'Zanzibar' highlights the gleeful way in which Shearsmith and Pemberton can weave a multi-layered narrative between a wide set of lively characters. Each character has their own integral part in the story, which becomes more and more intricate as the episode continues. Everything, from the characters to the props, has a purpose and a role to play in the wider revelations and twists that have now become synonymous with the series.Though it all connects together rather breezily on screen, thanks to great performances by the cast and exquisite direction, one can't help but marvel at the remarkable craftsmanship behind it. Carefully constructing a wholesome, funny story, made up of various narrative threads and held under the strict (but ingenious) form of rhyming couplets is no easy feat, but Shearsmith and Pemberton make it seem effortless. While the story evolves with time, bringing in more and more characters, each with their own plans and desires, a delightfully bawdy sense of humour remains throughout the episode. Innuendo and the disastrous consequences of vulgar activities gone wrong provide the biggest laughs - all of which are made funnier by the theatrical mode of the rhyming couplets. The wonderfully silly way in which the climax of the episode was resolved - with Shearsmith's demonically frenetic rendition of the Hokey Cokey - was also a stroke of comic genius. Plaudits should also go to the guest actors within the ensemble - particularly Rory Kinnear, whose dual roles are perfectly pitched to the comedy at hand. Helen Monks and Marcia Warren give charming, charismatic performances that aptly match their kooky characters, while Bill Paterson offers a surprisingly touching portrayal of the reclusive and emotionally wracked Mr. Green. Hattie Morahan is also superb, commiting as fully to lust-driven hypnotics as she does to forlorn monologues. Similarly, Jaygann Ayeh impresses as the narrator/instigator of the tale, while Kevin Eldon and Tanya Franks appear in smaller, but still brilliant roles. At an event at the BFI Southbank last year , Shearsmith suggested that this series would be "brighter" than the third series, which took on decidedly darker twists and themes. While it is arguably their distinct aptitude for mixing comedy with horror that makes their work so appealing to fans, it is refreshing to visit such a cheerful No. 9, with a happy ending to match. Four series in and the pair are still subverting our expectations, with distinct, meticulously crafted tales that are as thoughtful as they are funny. A masterclass in great comedy writing, Inside No. 9 is still as impressive and ingenuitive as ever, with Zanzibar ranking among the very best of them.Archie Panjabi has told how she hopes her upcoming role in gritty murder thriller, Next Of Kin, will encourage debate about radicalisation.

The Good Wife star, 45, takes centre stage as Mona Shirani, a doctor who finds her family values tested to the limit when her brother is murdered and his son  her nephew  becomes the top suspect.

Describing the ITV production, set against the backdrop of a terrorist bombing, as unique and timely, she said its darker underlying theme is a crucial one.

She told the Press Association: It shines a light on (radicalisation) in the hope that people will discuss it.

Ultimately, its about how a family is affected on a human level when they discover that a young member of their family is involved  or suspected of being involved  in something dangerous.

Panjabi plays protagonist Mona Shirani (Ian West/PA)

The sad reality is that it has become (an important topic). It seems to be an increasingly frequent reality, so its something that affects each and every one of us who live in Britain today.

While the show is fictional, I think shining a light on it will encourage a discussion or debate. Its just bringing it to the forefront and saying, were affected by it.

As well as standing in as producer for the show, Next Of Kin will see Panjabi take on her first lead role in a British series.

After becoming best known in the UK as Pinky Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham, she has since moved to the US and secured parts in shows such as Shetland, Power Monkeys and Blindspot.

The London-born actress said: This is my first ever lead on a British television series, so thats quite exciting.

This just felt like a very good part to me. I wanted to do something in England, but I wanted to do something that felt right, and felt within my range, but equally challenging.

I think British TV has always been very, very good and its definitely hugely appreciated over here (America). But I think access to British TV has been quite limited before the likes of Amazon and Netflix.

Jack Davenport will play Panjabis on-screen husband (Ian West/PA)

She will star alongside Jack Davenport, Viveik Kalra and Nasser Memarzia in the ITV drama by Indian Summers writer Paul Rutman and his wife Natasha Narayan.

Looking back over her 25-year career in the industry  starting with a role in the 1993 series Londons Burning  she applauded show creators improving attitudes towards diversity over recent years.

I think theres definitely been an acknowledgement of there being a lack of diversity, she said.

I think the TV world, both in America and England, are continuing to make efforts and changes, and it needs to continue to be monitored.

But Ive definitely found Ive been getting a lot more roles in the past five-to-seven years, or more interesting roles than prior to that.

:: Next Of Kin airs on ITV at 9pm on Monday January 8.Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here

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Home PageSrinagar, Jan 3 (PTI) Northern Army Commander Lt General D Anbu today reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness in forward areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district and asked the troops to be vigilant, an Army official said.

His visit came two days after Jaish-e-Mohammad militants killed five paramilitary personnel in a pre-dawn attack on a CRP camp in Pulwama district.

He has visited several areas of the Valley, especially those close to the Line of Control, over the past three days.

"(Today) the Army Commander interacted with the troops on the ground and exhorted them to be vigilant against the nefarious designs of inimical elements," the official said.

Lt General Anbu complimented the "high standards of professionalism of the soldiers", he said.

He visited the forward posts, where he was briefed on the counter-infiltration grid and operational preparedness of the formations for the coming months, the official said.

He also visited the hinterland formations at Sharifabad and Awantipora, where he was given a first-hand account of the ground situation. PTI MIJ ABHThe new year appears to have claimed another business Downriver in an abrupt closure.

Dinky Donuts, which has been at Southland Center in Taylor for several years, was still passing out sample doughnuts and selling product Dec. 31, but has been boarded up since.

Representatives of the store didnt return calls for comment on this story.

The chain has locations at Fairlane Mall in Dearborn, Westland Shopping Center, Lansing Mall and a store in Jacksonville, Florida.

According to DinkyDonuts.com, the store carried a full line of original and premium flavors of doughnuts, milk shakes, sundaes and many other menu items.

Some of our nontraditional venues carry our hot and fresh cinnamon/sugar Dinky Donuts, the website said. No matter where you find us, you will find a hot fresh Dinky Donut made on the spot for you.

The site said it was more about customer experience than just the product.

At the Southland location, they gave out more than 1,000 sample doughnuts a day to passing potential customers.A fire that broke out at a second floor apartment unit was extinguished before it could spread to other apartments.

The blaze began shortly after 9 p.m. Dec. 16 at an apartment complex in the 20000 block of Fort Street.

When officers made the scene, they could see smoke coming from the second floor, a Riverview police officer wrote in an incident report. Officers evacuated the residents from the apartment.

Police turned the scene over to firefighters, who quickly put it out.

Clifford Rosebohm, who serves as both police and fire chief, said four families were displaced for the evening, but only one apartment was affected. He said the affected apartment was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Rosebohm said the Fire Department determined the fire was accidental, caused by the proximity of combustible material to a fragrance warmer.Muzaffarnagar(UP), Jan 3 (PTI) A notorious criminal, carrying a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was killed in an encounter with the police near Jandhedi village in Shamli district, police said today.

Sabir was killed last night and two police officials -- station house officer Bhagat Singh and constable Ankit Tomer, were also injured in the firing, circle officer Rajesh Kumar Tiwari said.

One pistol and large quantity of cartridges was seized from his possession, he said.

Tiwari said that the police had arrested Sabir with gangster Mukeem Kalya on October 20, 2015.

Later, Sabir escaped from police custody.

Uttar Pradesh Police had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on him. He was wanted in more than two dozen cases of murder, loot and extortion in the area, the official said. PTI CORR KJNew Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Over 90,000 contractual labourers work with the Indian Railways, Parliament was informed today.

Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain told Lok Sabha that there are 94,165 contract labourers in railways and are engaged by contractors themselves directly depending upon the nature and quantum of outsourced work.

The minister said South Central Railway, spread over six divisions - Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, Nanded and spread over the states of Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh - has the highest number of such labourers - 9,043.

This is followed by Southeast Central Railway (9,339) which is headquartered in Bilaspur, South Eastern Railway (8,000) headquartered in Kolkata and Western Railway (7,328) headquartered in Mumbai.

"Railways as principal employer ensures that contract labourers are provided facilities by the contractor as per provisions of labour laws including the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 and minimum wages as notified by the Central or State governments under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

"Suitable instructions have been issued to zonal railways that cases of violation of the above laws, if any, should be dealt with in accordance with the extant provisions", Gohain said.

According to data collected by the Seventh Pay Commission, in 2012-13, the central government spent Rs.300.49 crore on contract or temporary workers. Among ministries and departments, Indian Railways spent the highest, about Rs.35 crore a year. PTI ASG DVParis Hilton--the world-famous heiress, model and former reality-star--is now engaged to her boyfriend, actor Chris Zylka!

Hilton and Zylka, who were vacationing at a ski resort in Aspen, Colorado, announced their engagement on Instagram. "I said Yas! So happy & excited to be engaged to the love of my life," Hilton wrote in her post.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton

Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton

"My best friend & soulmate. Perfect for me in every way. So dedicated, loyal, loving & kindhearted. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! You are my dream come true! Thank you for showing me that fairytales do exist."

Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton

The proposal--the pictures of which Hilton has posted--looked quite dreamy and romantic. Zylka went down on one knee, and proposed to Hilton with a stunning, 20-carat, pear-shaped, diamond ring.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton

Also Read: Get ready for another royal wedding because Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now engaged

Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton Picture courtesy: Instagram/parishilton

Hilton and Zylka first met at an Oscars party eight years ago, but only started dating around two years back. They made their relationship official in February 2016, through Instagram.

Diamonds Are Forever... i?ii?ii???i?ii?i A post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Jan 2, 2018 at 4:26pm PST

After they got engaged, the couple headed off to a pop-up party hosted by Richie Akiva and Ronnie Madra, where Hilton even showed off her new engagement ring to friend Bella Hadid.Which moment from a comic this week caught your interest?

Moment and Indie Moment of the Month for November have begun! Vote now or forever hold your peace!!! Also, you know what's coming next month? Yes, the end of the year! The Maddening, Indie, and the Moment of the Year!!!

Your WINNER for MOMENT OF THE WEEK 12/13/17:

Scott puts his hand over the hand-print of Jack Kirby - Mister Miracle #5

This thread will contain SPOILERS!!! And lots of them. If you haven't read this week's comics yet, go read them before continuing into this thread, or risk being spoiled!

PLEASE NOTE!!!!!! ]Remember to include the title and issue number of the comic you are nominating. Otherwise I will be forced to disqualify your nomination, and nobody wants that!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rules:

1. Each nomination must be a moment in a comic released the week of the thread. This does not include weekly previews, trade paperbacks, or back issue digests. For new comics check out Midtown Comics release dates.

2. Everyone can make ONE nomination. You can either nominate a moment yourself or second/third/fourth/fifth an already existing nomination. However, second/third/fourth/fifth will not count per nominating and thus earn entry above in Top Nominations. You want in that list you must nominate something.

3. It must be an actual moment involving the actions or statements of a comic character in an issue. No "This writer returns to the series", "this artist draws this character", "the book is better", etc.

4. If you want to change your nomination, there are a few factors involved:

---> A) No one can have seconded your nom.

---> B) If it is clear for you to change your nom, you must edit your original post or the new post will be disqualified as being a double nomination.

---> C) You can change your second, third, etc. by editing your original post before the nomination period ends.

Moments on the poll do not have to be seconded. If there is room in the poll, moments that were nominated but not seconded will be added based on the order they were nominated.

6. Again, please be specific on the comic title, issue number and moment. Also be clear that you are actually nominating or seconding something ... statements such as "Yeah, that was a cool moment" aren't clear. You must nominate a single moment in the comic and can't nominate the whole issue. Once more, if you dont include the issue and number the moment will not be included.

7. The thread for nominations will go up on Wednesday (new comic day) at 11:00 PM (Central) or when Zechs arrives later that night and posts in the previous week thread announcing voting is closed. The nominations will go until 2:00 PM (Central Time) Sunday Afternoon, or whenever Zechs arrives and will post in the thread stating, Its over. and will start the poll. If a new comic day falls on a holiday week in American, then the thread will be made for that day (be it Tuesday or Thursday). Regardless, nominations will STILL conclude on Saturday deadline.

8. Please be civil when commenting on other people's nominations. But feel free to discuss them in this thread.

9. In case there is debate on WHEN exactly a title came out, http://www.midtowncomics.com or the official websites of said publishers (be it Marvel, DC, Darkhorse, etc.) will be the final word on the quarrel.

10. Any nominations not following the above rules will be disqualified. Unless of course if Zechs, who is feeling sad for the person who missed the rule and might give them time to provide the correction. Then he will pester bk into putting the nomination in the poll. Of course this wouldnt be a problem if Zechs wasnt granted the glorious powers of a moderator, which one day such power will be Zechs, oh yes they will his.

11. If at five nominations are not made, Zechs will choose some, but they will all count as one nomination, not multiple thus making sure balance is preserved.

12. AKA the Rulk rule. If several moments are tied past the deadline of 11:00 PM (Central Time) Wednesday (or holiday date when new comics arrive in the US) or when Zechs arrives that night, then voting will continue on in sudden death for eight more hours, until one is decided. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE.

If one isnt still decided, then Zechs will provide the deciding vote, regardless if he has voted already. So if that isn't enough reason to get a ton of votes on that additional day than you're just dooming yourself to give Zechs another vote.

13. AKA the Hobgoblin rule. Roderick Kingsley Hobgoblin moments when winning for three days straight automatically win the poll. No last day or second voting changes it to troll the ruler of this thread.

Only ONE can rule as the Moment of the Week!

Top Ten Nominators of All Time...

1.) GLX- (441 Nominations)

2.) Zechs- (432 Nominations)

3.) e_galston- (202 Nominations)

4.) IvCNuB4 - (169 Nominations)

Johnny Smith (169 Nominations)

5.) Kravis (145 Nominations)

6.) Stephen Day- (126 Nominations)

7.) blcdude (107 Nominations)

8.) rdrsfn82- (102 Nominations)

9.) fieldy RICHARDS- (93 Nominations)

10.) Porcelain38- (92 Nominations)

Honorable Mentions

Starlord- (81 Nominations)

HNutz (71 Nominations)

God-Man (63 Nominations)

BubbaKanoosh- (57 Nominations)

Greg- (52 Nominations)

Nicola Marshall (53 Nominations)

DudeistMonk (45 Nominations)

Knuckles McSmasher- (44 Nominations)

doombug - (43 Nominations)

48THRiLLS- (40 Nominations)

Demarcoa (39 Nominations)

SilverPhoenix (34 Nominations)

guitarsmashley (34 Nominations)

TimDrake'sDumbWings- (30 Nominations)

Amoebas (29 Nominations)

Chap22- (28 Nominations)

Mr. Batman- (27 Nominations)

Dragavon- (27 Nominations)

locuas (26 Nominations)

VinnyPic- (25 Nominations)

karmakaze (23 Nominations)

Flynn the Pirate (21 Nominations)

habitual- (19 Nominations)

Grayson (19 Nominations)

Agent Panic (18 Nominations)

nietoperz (18 Nominations)

PaulSebert (18 Nominations)

Glacier16 (18 Nominations)

Punchy- (16 Nominations)

MrBlack (16 Nominations)

OneWhoIsAll (15 Nominations)

jephd (14 Nominations)

capjr (12 Nominations)

ThatRomanGuy (12 Nominations)

MistaT- (12 Nominations)

ChurchHatesTucker (12 Nominations)

senwolf (12 Nominations)

PatricioUPMA (11 Nominations)

GOFM - (10 Nominations)

Duck Punch (10 Nominations)

Peter Parker (10 Nominations)

SuperSoldier Washout (9 Nominations)

The Great Ghostman (9 Nominations)

Belle-Tain Summer (9 Nominations)

Octacon (8 Nominations)

alaska1125 (8 Nominations)

HED (8 Nominations)

gavincantdraw (8 Nominations)

MarcianTobay (8 Nominations)

eypcrew2- (7 Nominations)

CammyKnoxville (7 Nominations)

Skyrider (7 Nominations)

Eli Katz (7 Nominations)

Flamebird (7 Nominations)

pat (6 Nominations)

TheSecondLex (6 Nominations)

Juan Cena (6 Nominations)

Kid Impulse- (5 Nominations)

XtremeX- (5 Nominations)

Mammon, Fool Breaker (5 Nominations)

Stalzer2002 (5 Nominations)

Sully85 (5 Nominations)

C-Matty- (4 Nominations)

Dum Dum Dugan- (4 Nominations)

AMS (4 Nominations)

Dalarsco- (4 Nominations)

GHERU (4 Nominations)

jethawk (4 Nominations)

Chessack (4 Nominations)

MarvelFan88 (4 Nominations)

Ben- (3 Nominations)

McKeagan- (3 Nominations)

carl999- (3 Nominations)

Alex Delarge- (3 Nominations)

MrWadeWilsonHimself (3 Nominations)

pat (3 Nominations)

blastmaster (3 Nominations)

thefourthman (3 Nominations)

BlueKitKat (3 Nominations)

americanslime (3 Nominations)

SolRey34 (3 Nominations)

GOSD- (3 Nominations)

Earth-2 NoctourneM (3 Nominations)

MysticKnightJoe (3 Nominations)

GratefulFred- (2 Nominations)

statnut- (2 Nominations)

Dooz - (2 Nominations)

Jack Burton- (2 Nominations)

Zenguru- (2 Nominations)

God Impulse2k1 (2 Nominations)

skywatcher (2 Nominations)

avengingtitan (2 Nominations)

Rebis (2 Nominations)

Justin M. Campbell (2 Nominations)

PhoenixEquinox (2 Nominations)

Timbales (2 Nominations)

dairydead (2 Nominations)

Lord Solaris (2 Nominations)

Aeon Flux (2 Nominations)

PinkDaddy (2 Nomination)

Ntikrst (2 Nominations)

Jude Terror (2 Nominations)

Major Tool (2 Nominations)

LoatheMe (2 Nominations)

Richie Heap (2 Nominations)

Chicanery (2 Nominations)

syxxpakk (2 Nominations)

batarang614 (2 Nominations)

Arkanian (2 Nominations)

Fifthletter (2 Nominations)

ObsceneBinary (2 Nominations)

Josh Hartung (2 Nominations)

TurboSmurf (2 Nominations)

Randy Robertson (2 Nominations)

Peter-J-DeadPoole (2 Nominations)

GiveWaraChance (2 Nominations)

Guderian- (1 Nomination)

Black Kryptonite- (1 Nomination)

Colonel Angus- (1 Nomination)

barrylincoln - (1 Nomination)

Dooz Ex Machina- (1 Nomination)

Thrillhouse- (1 Nomination)

Chesscub- (1 Nomination)

TheyShouldBeTheBats- (1 Nomination)

The Bass (1 Nomination)

GOD Impulse- (1 Nomination)

Deadfett (1 Nomination)

amalah6 (1 Nomination)

Miracloman (1 Nomination)

Alex Delarge (1 Nomination)

blastmaster (1 Nomination)

Jonathan (1 Nomination)

NeverReady ( 1 Nomination)

DOOP SPEAK (1 Nomination)

BlueStreak (1 Nomination)

mrorangesoda - (1 Nomination)

BAMJoe (1 Nomination)

False Prophet (1 Nomination)

xaraan (1 Nomination)

Holland Oats (1 Nomination)

bkthomson (1 Nomination)

hatmasta (1 Nomination)

TheSecondLex (1 Nomination)

Pink Daddy (1 Nomination)

Sunless (1 Nomination)

Jim Gramm (1 Nomination)

tomc (1 Nomination)

John Condor (1 Nomination)

B1CaNobody (1 Nomination)

Socky (1 Nomination)

bluemanhattangroup (1 Nomination)

TimH (1 Nomination)

Bilal Khawaja (1 Nomination)

Scintillant-H (1 Nomination)

Arkanian (1 Nomination)

the_isolator (1 Nomination)

Arkanian (1 Nomination)

Manuel Prez (1 Nomination)

Ameht Dominguez (1 Nomination)

James Burke (1 Nomination)

Sporkbot (1 Nomination)

Hall of Shame

sdsichero (-1 Nomination)

John Lewis Hawk (-25 Nominations)Invincible concludes later this month.

Source: Bleeding Cool

Robert Kirkman's long running superhero series Invincible is coming to an end later this month with issue #144. Artist Ryan Ottley has been along for the ride nearly since the beginning, taking over from Cory Walker starting on issue #7. Walker briefly came back for #127-1332, with Ottley finishing out the final year. Month to month, Ottley is one of the most consistent artists.

But with his 130+ issue run coming to an end, what's in Ottley's future? The rumor mill says he'll be joining Amazing Spider-Man with Nick Spencer. But it's more likely that Ottley will find whatever Walker is currently on and slowly edge him out.I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to the President elect  Senator George Manneh Weah. Undoubtedly, you have handled the uncertain electoral sequences with a very high degree of patience, intelligence and statesmanship. Bravo! And now you should be the President of all the Liberians and not just a particular class, group or a clique. As you begin your long and tedious 6-year mission, herein is my initial advice.

Curiously, Mr. President elect, despite the fact that you have proven over the last 12 years to be a true democrat, many of your main opponents think the opposite. And take their concern seriously; or else some neo-progressives or human rights activists and even the docile Legislature and Judiciary could become the immediate thorn in the flesh. Thus your first line of defence must be a scrupulous adherence to the core values and principles of democracy to curtail any eventuality.



In fact, permit me to give you a brief historical flashback of some clear examples. President Tolbert acknowledged the values and principles of democracy, but failed to take his conviction to its final conclusion; he was assassinated in office. President Doe was elected democratically, but turned out to be a dictator; he was butchered in office. President Taylor too was democratically elected, but came out as a ruthless tyrant; and now serving a 50-year prison term in Britain. And Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was also democratically elected - and all that we may have said about her - in general, she respected some of the essential elements of democracy. Or else, I doubt whether she could have stayed those 12 long years with such a tremendous self-assurance. Thus it is fair to say that she has blazed the trail of democracy, and the heritage torch is passed on to you; so the burden is now on you to uphold, respect and protect Liberias young democracy to the letter.



You know, while standing with Liberias first interim President one evening at the foot of the J.J. Roberts monument on the Ducor hilltop - looking over a Monrovia in total darkness and dissolution without a sign of life - the man said to me in a very grave tone: Jimmy, I dont know why people are fighting and killing just to become President of this country; this thing is full of so much headaches. We were in the early 1990s.

National Reconciliation Priority And Not This is our time

So, Mr. President elect, to be frank with you I still do not know why you have fought so hard - democratically - to be President of Liberia. Look, you now have the future of 4.6 million people on your shoulders; the economy is in shambles; country absorbed in mass poverty - no jobs, roads, schools, hospitals, water, light, order, discipline, and you name it. It is an enormous challenge.But, very cleverly you did not run for the Presidency on a grand demagogic vision for Liberia. I guess you knew that for the past 12 years our nation has been depending wholly on opaque foreign financial aid, loans and hand-outs on which no sound politician could make promises to commit himself without ridicule.Notwithstanding, Mr. President elect, I believe you do have a certain vision on how best our nation should progress for the benefit of us all. I urge you to first follow that vision that has been kept to your heart for Liberia. And to achieve it, Mr. President elect, always remain yourself; do not try to mimic or imitate Presidents Tolbert, Doe, Taylor and Ellen - then you shall fail. Or, do not try to be an imperial President  it is not your style. But keep in mind where all your predecessors have failed, and let that experience serves you as a guide to accomplish your dream for Liberia.Besides, we all know that the masses that brought you to power do not expect you to perform miracles to solve all Liberias chronic problems in six years. I think they voted for you, first and foremost, because they see you as one of theirs  real, simple/humble, no arrogance, no artificial glamour, no snobbishness, no cronyism, no favouritism, and the rest. And while this popular confidence is still in your favour, if only you could stay, at least, 80% of your time in the country to galvanize and organize the youths, peasant farmers, petty traders, micro, small/medium enterprises, etc  with a genuine political will, honesty and an experienced, professional and devoted patriotic team  history will remain positively on your side.

Mr. President elect, I lauded your exceptional audacity for selecting Senator Jewel Taylor as your VP. And the fact that you made that daring choice and still won the presidency with such a high mark (61.5%) means that if we Liberians were really honest and sincere, this is the time to be asking ourselves some hard questions on the path to a genuine national reconciliation, unity and lasting peace. That we bury our differences, tribes, egos and personal interests and focus on a national development road-map that would uplift all our citizens and not just an enlightened few or be This is our time. 

That said, Mr. President elect, you have a delicate balancing act to perform here. Because on the one hand, the families of the civil war victims and many Liberians see a culture of impunity when 250, 000 innocent citizens were massacred, and no one has been punished. Worse, there is the sentiment that the principal actors of this crime against humanity have all been compensated with state jobs and having good time while the living victims and entire country are in the slums and poverty.

|

Then on the other hand, the international community that brought sanity to our country with a strong 15 000 multinational troops, instead of first assisting us to bring all the war criminals to justice, they compensated us instead with two (2) Nobel Peace Prizes. For what purpose, we never thought to ask. But in return, we distributed all our natural resources to them for little of nothing. And twelve (12) years later they all packed their bags and left us on our own; no solid national security apparatus or state institutions. And yet with much emotions some are still vehemently calling for a war crime tribunal in Liberia.



For me, Mr. President elect, under the circumstances I would put Liberias long-term national security first over all the emotions. This is not to mean that I condone impunity, far from it. To eradicate impunity, I was among the first to echo the creation of a National Truth Commission back in 2005 (see:www.theperspective.org/articles/0401200502.html  April 1, 2005). Because among those more the 250 000 innocent victims of the civil war were too many of my own family members (my father, sisters, uncles, aunts, nieces, etc, and our village burned down to ashes). But believe me, after these twelve (12) years of disappointment, reflection and realism, I have no malice against anyone. I have turned the page and convinced myself that we ourselves are the problem  especially the educated ones who are prospering on the mass ignorance and poverty of our people.



Notwithstanding, Mr. President elect, the most I expect from you is an unconditional exemplarity of discipline  the same trait that took you to the highest heights of your profession. That there shall be a zero tolerance for impunity under your administration, and that your leadership will pursue the national recognition of the memory of our innocent civil war victims. How?



In my paper mentioned supra, I also proposed the construction of National War Memorial Monuments throughout the length and breath of our country to honour all our fallen compatriots since April 14, 1979. Well, almost 10 years later (May 2014), it was the US ambassador, Madam Malac, that dedicated the first War Memorial on the US embassy compound to honour our civil war victims in your presence, Mr. President elect. And because at that time you were also at the head of the Peace and National Reconciliation initiative, I encouraged you then with these words:



You have to be focused, bold and decisive in order to succeed in your current challenge. If I were you I would plug deep into these symbolic and very important gestures of the United States Ambassador and make them big and memorable rally points for a true and genuine National Reconciliation, Unity, Peace and Stability of Liberia. I would roll up my sleeves and mobilize our young talents (sculptors, artists, architects, poets, etc) and begin to prepare a blueprint for the establishment of National War Memorial in every county. I would travel into every village and town throughout the length and breath of Liberia and ensure that a plague is installed, engraved with the names of their civil war victims; so that they be perpetually remembered in our minds, hearts and souls. And, to further drive away our demons and revengeful instincts from the month of April, I would press the National Legislature to pass an Act, declaring April 12th as a National Reconciliation Day (and even more significant if this date was also the birthday of the late President William R. Tolbert, jr). (see: www.theperspective.org/2014/0528201403.php).

Mr. President elect, this proposal of mind yesterday is definitely within your reach today. What is more, Madam Sirleaf recently unveiled her governments first War Memorial on March 8, 2017, after 12 years in office. From my visit to this monument in April 2017 - at the river bank of the Du-port Road (a notorious massacre site), and documents obtained later there are 155 massacre sites identified so far around the country, and there could be many more. The project cost US$59,000.00, financed by the United Nations Peace-building Fund (UNPBF), and not the government of Liberia  what a shame.



Mr. President elect, if you were to dissolve all the commissions, exorbitant board fees and do a drastic salary and expenditure cuts within the three (3) branches of the government (Executive, Legislature and Judiciary), you could build more than 155 War Memorials in six years; a school and dispensary in each village; train a professional corps of teachers and nurses; create thousands of youths employment projects, etc, etc. And for me, that would be a giant step to consolidating a genuine national reconciliation, unity, peace and stability.

Avoid Foreign Policy Missteps

Mr. President elect, one of your greatest challenges will be your foreign policy. Though there is no more East and West, but the battle for influence and natural resources by the Big Powers is even more ferocious and constitutes a permanent danger for a nation as ours. So, never tell a secret to one and leave out the others; when you visit one, try to visit the others and repeat the same script to all of them -with an utmost sincerity and honesty - on how you want to be helped to uplift our country and people from mass poverty to a sustainable economic development and prosperity.

Corruption Headache

It would be too naive to ask you to keep Liberia corruption free, especially when the state coffers are empty; all our natural resources already distributed to our foreign partners, and the country already laden with debt. Notwithstanding, whatever amount they may give you as rent or token, please do your best and use it to benefit all our people. Or, if you have to chop, then let all our people chop first at your table.

Personal Security

Mr. President elected, some are concerned about your personal security, and rightly so. But I think anyone who is scare to die or afraid of witchcraft, should never try to be the President of Liberia. For me, your surest security are your people  genuine investment for their empowerment, development and general welfare. These are the attributes that build the trust and confidence of the people in their national leader and thus guarantee his or her security the most. Additionally, do away with the security morale of long convoys of presidential motorcade constantly embarrassing citizens and traffic in an already congested capital city.



Mr. President elect, I close this short Memo with these words of an unknown author on a card glued to my desk:

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can and

Wisdom to know the difference.

GOOD LUCK Mr. President elect, and Long Live LIBERIA.Panaji, Jan 3 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to New Delhi next week.

Parrikar would attend the third meeting of the Council for Trade Development and Promotion (CTDA) on January 8 in the national capital. The meeting will be chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu.

"During my visit to New Delhi, I will be meeting many people, including the Prime Minister," the chief minister told reporters here today.

Parrikar said the CTDA meeting would discuss ways to boost the countrys exports.

Prabhu was recently in Goa to invite the chief minister for the meeting. PTI RPS RSYPosted Tuesday, January 2, 2018 7:18 am

On Dec. 26, Gov. Jay Inslee and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced their states will be the next two members of the First Responder Network Authority, known as FirstNet.

That system, which is operated through a partnership with AT&T, is intended to deliver dependable wireless broadband internet connections to public safety community members. Earlier this year, Washington and Oregon announced a competitive submission process intended to make sure that the unique requirements for public safety in the Pacific Northwest are met.

After reviewing submissions, state officials settled on the FirstNet State Plans provided by AT&T. A press release from Gov. Inslees office noted that AT&T expressed a commitment to make additional signal tower investments in both states, which helped to tip the scales in their favor. Both Washington and Oregon will now work with the communication company in order to determine where the new towers should be located.

Whether were responding to wildfires in eastern Washington or floods in western Washington, our first responders must have a reliable communications network and this process was about ensuring we get them the best service possible, Inslee said in the press release. Washingtons Interoperability Executive Council and representatives on the RFP team provided critical feedback to us during this process. I am grateful for their work, and look forward to continuing ahead with AT&T to ensure our first responders have the best tools available to them in times of crisis.

FirstNet, which will be operated through a public-private partnership with AT&T, will build, operate and maintain the secure wireless broadband communications network at no cost to the states. Governors Inslee and Brown have expressed hope that the effort will help spark additional innovation to help save lives and properties during emergencies.

Our states first responders deserve the best resources we can get for them, and by first working to identify our needs and review all of our options during a competitive process, we were able to confidently conclude FirstNet is the best choice for this service, Brown said in the release. The work of the State Interoperability Executive Council, our bi-state RFP teams, and our financial and legal review teams have been invaluable to lead us to this conclusion.Posted Tuesday, January 2, 2018 7:27 am

North County will have their representative in the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council at the top seat of the body as Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow has been named the chair of the council for 2018.

Onslow was the vice-chair of the RTC in 2017 and will be taking the true chair following a vote by the body Dec. 5 to have him in that position. Onslow is the North County representative of the 14-member board, representing Battle Ground, Yacolt, La Center and Ridgefield.

Previously Clark County Councilor Jeanne Stewart had sat in the chair position. Onslow explained that there was a sort of rotation regarding who chairs the council, with those from less densely populated areas generally alternating with bigger entities to balance out the boards voice.

Apart from Clark County, there are representatives from Skamania and Klickitat counties as well, and even one from the Oregon Metro board which governs the Oregon side of the Portland metropolitan area. Onslow seemed humbled at receiving the appointment.

Taking on the chair of the RTC is an honor, and I am very happy that the board put their trust in me, Onslow said.

He explained that the boards major goal was solving transportation problems affecting constituent jurisdictions.

Almost every locale has some sort of an issue that they would like to address. The RTC represents that, Onslow said, adding that it was the councils task to identify which projects were at the forefront.

Although a prominent position, Onslow said that as chair he would likely do more listening than talking. His chief task was to run the meetings, which in his capacity as mayor of Ridgefield he has experience.

When you run a meeting, a lot of times you dont get to say a whole lot, he said. Everybody else gets to say something first. Its not like the chair breaks in and gives his opinion.

Which is right, Onslow added. If you are going to run the meeting you need to move it around so that everybody gets their opinion out there, and then you get to say something if you like.

One of the most recent decisions the board is facing is whether or not to take a stance on proposed tolling of interstate bridges, which several local and regional officials have decried as an attempt to fleece commuting Washingtonians to fund projects that only Oregon would benefit from. Port of Vancouver Commissioner and outgoing RTC Councilor Jerry Oliver had pushed for the council to take a stance over tolling, but during the bodys Dec. 5 meeting it was decided that such a resolution would be tabled until Jan. 2, citing lack of time to review. As to how the vote goes, Onslow said it was up to whatever information the board had received.

The give and take on that was should we address this now when the meetings have just started, Onslow said, referencing a committee Oregon has put together (including some Washington representation) to look at so-called value pricing opportunities allowed under Oregon legislation passed in 2017. They basically had only introduced themselves to each other and talked about what their agenda might be. They hadnt even gotten to any discussion on the tolling itself.

All of Clark County is experiencing growth, but the North County especially so, Onslow, who is the mayor of one of the fastest growing cities in the state, said.

In the position he feels that northern voices would be heard more strongly and the RTC will tackle key issues.

I want to address anything that comes before us, and I want to take things head-on, Onslow remarked. I dont want to have the RTC just sit back and not take action on things.

It doesnt mean its controversial, it just means lets not avoid problems; lets see if we cant solve those problems, Onslow said. Thats how weve done it here in North County and thats what Id like to see (the council) do also.Posted Tuesday, January 2, 2018 7:29 am

Clark Countys plan for what to do about properties along the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is up for a public hearing Jan. 9, capping off the first phase of plan implementation for rail-dependent industry brought on by statewide legislation passed last year.

The Board of Clark County Councilors will take testimony regarding a proposal to allow for an overlay allowing certain rail-dependent uses on land adjacent to short line railroads. The county has spent the last few months devising a strategy and preliminary planning following the passage of Engrossed Senate Bill 5517 which amended the states Growth Management Act to allow for such uses.

Following approval by council to move forward with a public participation plan Oct. 19 the county has been pursuing the development of the first phase of policy change, with text changes to the countys own Comprehensive Growth Management Plan as well as the drawing up of an overlay zone for which parcels to include. Since that approval the countys Community Planning department has received testimony from a variety of sources both in favor and against the possibility of industry moving into what is now largely an agricultural area.

Supporters in testimony presented to the countys Planning Commission during their Nov. 16 meeting included Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad President Eric Temple. He said the proposed area was a prime market position due to its access to the Vancouver and Portland ports as the lines interchange with the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railroad is within a few miles of both.

Temple, whose organization operates the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie rail line, said that several opportunities have already passed regarding rail development.

Regrettably as the freight operator, I routinely turn away potential customers due to the lack of available freight rail served land, Temple stated in his testimony.

Also coming out in support included Identity Clark County, a local organization of business professionals. In their testimony provided to the Clark County Planning Commission, the group urged for the inclusion of the whole Rural Industrial Land Bank, an area with only some of its parcels in the proposed overlay. The staffs recommendation was to include a significant portion of the land, but not all.

The issue with the land bank is that currently its designation is undergoing litigation. In 2016 the countys decision to put roughly 600 acres of land, some of which is adjacent to the rail line, was deemed invalid by the state Growth Management Hearings Board. That decision has since been appealed by the county.

The sponsor of ESB 5517, Washington state Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, also showed support for including the whole land bank. She reasoned that its inclusion would preempt the result of possible negative consequences of the appeal and would also have the public on notice of the planned use of the land.

Clark County has the chance to pioneer through this new land opportunity and be a leader for other counties in our state with the same land use abilities, Wilson wrote in her testimony. Reducing risk and showing we can accomplish this in a very timely fashion will reap great rewards for both Clark County and Washington state in the near future.

Wilson and Identity Clark County were not the only ones looking for more inclusion as Les and Linda Cotton, property owners in the area, also testified. In their testimony the couple explained that they had five contiguous parcels with two in the proposed overlay. The Cottons requested that all five of their parcels be included in the overlay, reasoning that due to contiguity and similar zoning it made sense to include all properties.

Ultimately, those requests did not pass through the commission, as the boards unanimous vote was in favor of the staff recommendations.

Not everyone was in favor of the countys process of developing a plan. Sue Marshall with Friends of Clark County expressed concern at the commissions meeting over the speed of the process. She testified that after attending a community meeting it was evident that residents were frustrated.

A predominant question being what is the rush? Marshalls testimony stated according to meeting minutes. The policy changes are complex and countywide should be considered in a more thoughtful way that allows for adequate public participation.

Staff and the commissions response to the apparent haste has been that due to the countys constraints on changing its comprehensive growth plan the process had to begin when it did to see the new legislation get implemented as soon as possible. Changes to the countys growth plan can only occur once a year, staff has said previously.

Planning Commissioner Robin Grimwade remarked specifically that the process as it is  with only the map and comprehensive plan changes included in the first phase and a use list coming in a subsequent phase  was adequate given the situation.

I just think it's important for the public to understand that there are drivers beyond the county which is shaping the speed of which you go, Grimwade said to Oliver Orjiako, Community Planning Director, adding that the phasing of the project was very thoughtful in the commissioners mind.

The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Jan. 9 in the hearing room of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.Pawan Kalyan's much-anticipated film Agnyaathavasi is plagued by rumours of being 'inspired' by a French film, Largo Winch. The owners of the official remake rights, T-Series, has sought an explanation from the makers of the upcoming Telugu film, according to a report published in International Business Times.

Agnyaathavasi, starring Pawan Kalyan, Keerthy Suresh, and Anu Emmanuel, is directed by Trivikram Srinivasan. The film's first look teaser, which was recently released, opened to a great response. However, the plagiarism claims have gone stronger after the release of the first look since it had a lot of similarities with the French film, according to reports.

Now, T-Series, which owns the legal remake rights have issued a notice the makers of the film seeking an explanation. With this, the matter has taken an ugly turn for the makers of the film, which is gearing up for the release soon.

Largo Winch is a 2008 French film, directed by Jerome Salle, which turned out to be a hit. The film is about a billionaire's adopted son taking revenge for his father's death.

Meanwhile, the director of the French film Jerome Salle has got hold of the news about Agnyaathavassi, and is now curious to watch the film. He took to Twitter and said, "I think I'm gonna buy a ticket (plane first than movie) #Curiosity #Agnyaathavaasi #LargoWinch"Karnataka would soon be hosting its first international travel expo in order to promote its tourist hotspots to travellers from across the world, state Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said on Tuesday.

The expo will provide an impetus to the inbound travel and tourism and would enhance the efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote our destinations to the world travellers, he said at a preview event held here.

To be held from February 28 till March 2, the Karnataka International Travel Expo 2018 expects over 1,000 delegates from over 25 countries.

This will be the southern states first such international expo in the tourism sector.

Through the three-day event, the state aims to promote its cities and towns through adventure and wildlife tourism, world heritage sites, pilgrimages, and Karnatakas festivals.

The expo will be largest business-to-business (B2B) travel event in the country, claimed Kharge, adding that travel agents, tour operators, hotels, resorts from the state, international and domestic travellers among others are expected to be a part of the event.

Karnataka had received about 13 crore domestic tourists and nearly 7 lakh foreign tourists last year, he said, adding this made it ninth among Indian states in attracting international tourists and fourth in the number of domestic tourists.

Karnataka is home to two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage sites  a group of monuments in the village of Hampi, about 350 km north of Bengaluru, and Pattadakal, about 450 km northwest of Bengaluru, for its 7th century Hindu and Jain temples.

The state is also popular for its pilgrimage spots like Udupi, Sringeri in the coastal region and hill stations in the southwestern districts Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru, which are also well-known coffee-growing regions.The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) and State Bank of India (SBI) on Tuesday jointly signed an MoU with non-government organisations (NGOs) from West Bengal for financing of 2,500 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), or informal credit group of farmers.

The agreement was with five NGOs for promotion of JLGs in Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, Burdwan and North 24 Parganas districts of the state.

SBIs Chief General Manager, Kolkata circle, Partha Pratim Sengupta said JLGs are basically are credit groups of small and marginal farmers who do not have proper title to their farmland.

JLGs are informal groups of 4-10 members who are engaged in similar economic activities and who are willing to jointly undertake to repay the loans taken by the group from the banks, he said, adding that he hoped the project would be scaled up in a phased manner to cover the remaining districts of the state.

Nabards Chief General Manager, Micro Credit Innovation Department G.R. Chintala said that 24.5 lakh JLGs have been credit linked by the banks in the country and of which 7.02 lakh groups were financed during 2016-17.

On the occasion, the Reserve Bank of Indias Regional Director S.C. Murmu said the innovative nature of the social collateral, used under JLG mode of financing, would help in achieving the goal of hundred per cent coverage of the tenant farmers of the state under institutional finance in the shortest possible time.

He stated that the JLG promotion requires facilitators like NGOs who would take care of the education and financial literacy needs of the farmers.

Nabards regional Chief General Manager A.K.Raybarman said it fixed a target of 80,000 JLGs to be credit linked in West Bengal for 2017-18.Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP-led central government of hatching a conspiracy to drive out Bengalis from Assam by excluding their names from the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NRC of 1951 is being updated in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court to identify original residents of the state in order to check illegal migration. Its first draft was published on31 December midnight.

MamataBanerjee cautioned the Centre on the issue, saying it should not play with fire. People have gone there (Assam) to work. In the name of NRC, they are planning to drive them out. I warn the BJP government at the Centre not to play with fire. They should not follow divide and rule policy, she said while addressing a meeting in Birbhum district.

This is a conspiracy of the central government to drive out around 1.80 crore people from the state, Mamata Banerjee alleged. She said she will not tolerate any sort of atrocities upon the Bengali families living in Assam and other parts of the country.

It is a right of every Indian to stay anywhere in the country and work. Bengalies work in Assam, Rajasthan, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and so the men from this states to Bengal. We assure every body who has come from different states that our government will look after them. But it is very unfortunate that from Assam a major conspiracy have been brewing to push back the people who have been earning their livelihood, she added.

She said people migrate to other states for jobs which is their right. Slowly, they settle down just like people from other states who are working and staying in West Bengal.

She claimed the Trinamul Congress is the only party which speaks for the cause of the people.We will continue speaking for the people and if anything happens to them, we will not keep silent, she said.The chief minister said that if trouble breaks out in Assam, it will have an effect on Bengal, but added we will keep the Assamese residing in Bengal close to our bosom.Leftist student groups staged a demonstration outside Maharashtra Sadan here on Wednesday, demanding action against two local leaders for instigating the Bhima-Koregaon riots in Pune city in which a man was killed and many shops and vehicles were vandalised.

Protestors, including members of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the Students Federation of India, raised slogans against states Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging them of harbouring and promoting anti-Dalit groups and demanded the latters resignation.

The riots were pre-planned. Even before the people started coming to the place, shops were forced to shut down on the highway The day has been celebrated for years and with much fanfare. This is the only time such a thing has happened, Abhilasha Srivastava, the Maharashtra AISA state secretary, told IANS.

She emphasised that the day was now celebrated not primarily for cheering the Dalits contribution in defeating the Peshwas, but to counter the corporate-politician nexus which has kept the Dalits and poor marginalised.

The gathering was to call out the neo-Peshwai, the fascist-capitalist structure which is nurtured by the politicians, Srivastava added.

The students alleged that these were local leaders like Milind Ekbote of Samast Hindu Aghadi and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, who instigated the riots and demanded that they be booked for same.

On January 1 every year, Dalits and Bahujans gather at Koregaon-Bhima near Pune to commemorate the anniversary of the Koregaon Battle of 1818 in which the British Bombay Native Infantry, comprising mostly Mahar Dalit soldiers, defeated the Peshwa army.

This date is revered by the Dalits as a victory against the Brahminical Peshwas. This year the function was especially important since it marked 200 years of the battle.

The AISA leader also alleged the two leaders of appropriating slogan  Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha  used by the Maharashtra youth who were demanding reservations some time back to give their act of rioting a wider subscription, which is false.

The riot has spread out to Mumbai, the state capital, with police detaining many protestors.

Many Dalit-based parties had called for a Maharashtra Bandh on Wednesday, which was however withdrawn after sporadic acts of violence were reported, leaving the state virtually paralysed.Stressing that the new government in Himachal Pradesh means work, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday said efficient officials would be rewarded for extra-ordinary contributions.

After a review meeting with the officers of various departments at Bilaspur, Thakur said Good governance and maintaining law and order is a priority of the HP government and necessary directions has already been issued for the same.

After a review meeting with the officers of various departments at Bilaspur, he asked the police to implement effective measures to check influx of drugs and intoxicants anywhere in the state.

Jai Ram Thakur said the priority of the present government was to ensure transparent and clean administration besides improving law and order which should be best in the country.

Thakur asked the officers to prepare project reports of developmental schemes and the government would get these sanctioned from the Central government.

Service of people is our moto and we expect for your co-operation and new initiatives, Thakur said, adding all of us have to work together for betterment of the state.

Thakur said the HP government would make all-out efforts to redress the grievances of Bhakra Dam oustees. Thakur was apprised about the issues of the oustees and 245 affected persons are yet to be rehabilitated.

CM also reviewed the progress of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk four-lane project and discussed compensation issues regarding to the affected families.

Thakur expressed concern over scarcity of doctors for which he gave assurance that vacant posts would soon be filled up in the health department.

Thakur asked the health department to undertake awareness campaign on water borne diseases, tuberculosis and scrub typhus by holding awareness camps in remote and far-flung areas of the state.The much-flaunted liquor ban imposed by chief minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar has once again become a laughing stock. Days after the chief minister was caught on camera sharing the same sofa with a liquor mafia at the CM House, a selfie of JD-U leader with liquor bottle has gone viral on the social media. Efforts are on to arrest the leader.

As per reports, the JD-U leader, Raj Kumar Thakur, who also happens to be mukhia of Rasulpur panchayat under Darauda block in Siwan district, had organised a party for his supporters on New Year day, in which liquor was also served.

According to reports, the mukhia lost control after consuming a few pegs of liquor and posted his selfie with the bottle on the social media which went viral. In due course, the selfie also reached the WhatsApp number of the local police inspector, who taking the matter seriously registered a case against the mukhia and his men.

The police are now conducting raids to nab the absconding accused persons. Meanwhile, JD-U has dismissed the leader from the party for violating prohibition. This is the second time in quick succession that the JD-U leadership has come under fire for publicly violating the law.

Earlier in October, the chief minister was caught on camera with a liquor mafia in his 1, Anne Marg official residence in Patna.

In further embarrassment to the chief minister, the said liquor mafia, identified as Rakesh Singh, later turned out to be the partys block president. Visibly embarrassed over the incident, the JD-U later expelled Singh from the party.New Delhi, Jan 3 (PTI) Rahul Gandhi will next week embark on a visit to Bahrain, his first foreign trip after becoming Congress president, during which he will address a convention of NRIs and is likely to meet the countrys prime minister.

According to party sources, Gandhi will be the state guest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will address NRIs settled there on January 8.

He will leave for Bahrain on January 7 and is likely to return on January 9. The NRIs settled there have invited him.

Gandhi is also likely to meet Bahrains Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the members of the royal family, the sources said.

They said that he was to also address NRIs in Dubai but that visit has been postponed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit the UAE later this month.

Party sources say Gandhis visit to Bahrain will be on the lines of his US trip last year.

Rahul Gandhi was in Goa on New Year along with his mother Sonia Gandhi. PTI SKC ASK ASKAssam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday said all those excluded in the first National Register of Citizens draft should not worry as no one will be discriminated against on the basis of caste and community and will be given opportunities to prove citizenship.

Sonowal also said that a mechanism has to be devised humanely by the central government on what to do with those who are found to be illegal immigrants after finalisation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a list of the states citizens.

There is no question of discriminating against anyone whether he or she is a Hindu, Muslim, Bengali or Nepali, Sonowal told PTI.

No one will be victimised on the basis of caste and community, he asserted.

All will be treated equally and given opportunities to prove their citizenship so that their names could be incorporated in the subsequent drafts of the NRC, Sonowal said.

The chief minister said the NRC has given an opportunity to segregate the bona fide citizens from illegal immigrants and it is a win-win situation for those who have been living under the stigma of suspected illegal immigrants for the last four decades.

The government is working reasonably as per the Supreme Court order. Those who will be found to be illegal immigrants after the final list will also be treated humanely. A mechanism has to be evolved by the central government on what to do with them, he said.

The part draft of the NRC was published on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 where names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore applicants were incorporated.

The massive exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh is being carried out in Assam following a decision in 2005 after a series of meetings between the central and state governments and the influential All Assam Students Union (AASU).

Assam, which faced influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only

state having an NRC, first prepared in 1951.

The current exercise, started in 2005 under the then Congress regime, got a major push only after the BJP came to power in the state with illegal immigration from Bangladesh as a poll plank.

The Supreme Court, which is monitoring the entire process, had ordered that the first draft of the NRC be published by December 31 after completing the scrutiny of over two crore claims along with that of around 38 lakh people whose documents were suspect.

Of the 3.29 crore applications submitted, there was confusion over the inclusion of 29 lakh people who had submitted certificates issued by gram panchayats as proof of identity, after a Gauhati High Court order in February had deemed panchayat certificates invalid, an official said.

The Supreme Court set aside the High Court order and upheld the validity of the certificates as identity proof if they were followed up with proper verification.

The apex court also asked authorities to stick to the original deadline for the publication of the draft NRC and include names of those whose claims were verified.

When the NRC was first prepared in Assam way back in 1951, the state had 80 lakh citizens then.

The process of identification of illegal immigrants in Assam has been debated and become a contentious issue in the states politics.

A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the AASU in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985, in the presence of then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was arrested here on Wednesday while senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was put under house arrest.

Malik was taken into preventive custody from his uptown Abi Guzar Party office.

Earlier, authorities placed Mirwaiz Farooq in house arrest at his residence at Nigeen on Srinagars outskirts.

Reacting to his house arrest, Mirwaiz Umer said tweeted: After three days, again put under #HouseArrest! Panic and fright of the paranoid Autocratic State getting more and more chronic by the day!Get ready to witness the New Year with tons of new movies neatly sprinkled across the months with a wide array of choices to offer. I have always been a fan of sci-fi movies as they always get me pumped up and show me the world of fantasy that I can still only dream about. These stories intrigue and interest me and keep me in awe whenever I watch them and till date there has never been a moment when a sci-fi movie I suggested has failed impress. So for all the movie and sci-fi lovers here is a 2018 version of the much watch sci-fi movies that nobody should miss out on:

1. Jurassic Park  Fallen Kingdom

Roaring into the first movie on the list is Jurassic Park  Fallen Kingdom, this movie is a successor and a continuation to the previous Jurassic Park movie starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. This edition of Jurassic park is set 4 years past the Indominus Rex incident on the islands of Isla Nublar and showcases an entirely different theme apart from any ever seen in any Jurassic Park movie before. This movie takes the dinosaurs to an entirely different level and introduces a variety of different dinosaur in different settings that are sure to take your breath away. Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and Produced by Steven Spielberg and Colin Trevorrow, this movie is set to terrify and stupefy all its viewers.

In Cinemas June 22, 2018

2. Rampage

Starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson, this movie features him in the role of a Primatologist named Davis Okoye who maintains a distance from humans but is close to animals, especially a special silverback gorilla named George who he has cared for since birth. But things go awry as the kind gorilla gets exposed to a rogue genetic experiment causing him to grow to an enormous size and into an animal full of shear rage. The problems dont end with him as they find out about another such animals that have also been exposed to the same genetic experiment. Dwayne partners up with a genetic engineer amidst the ever changing battlefield to find an antidote to the problem and the fearsome creature that was once his friend. Directed by Brad Peyton (the director of San Andreas) this movie crushes screens with its amazing screenplay inspired from the Rampage video game and is sure to keep everyone glued to their seats for the rest of the movie, as the newly formed alpha predators tear through the cities in an action packed thrill seeking blockbuster.

In Cinemas from April 20, 2018

3. Ready Player One

Ever wondered what the world would have looked like when every known and unknown place was already explored and humanity had nowhere else to go. This Steven Spielberg directed movie is set in the year 2045 and showcases the world engulfed by the stray ways of humans and a world where the only place to have a life and an existence is a place known as THE OASIS. The Oasis is an expansive virtual reality universe created by the works of the genius James Halliday. As a self broadcasted message from the genius himself circulates the entire globe the world falls into a virtual battle for first place as he reveals his death and announces an immense fortune for finder of the digital easter egg hidden somewhere in the oasis.

The movie is a sure shot way to experience the VR world and its extremities as it is showcased in this movie that will make any game nerd fall in love. So experience and sense the world of VR fantasy as it unravels its dirty secrets and cheat codes for a roller coaster ride through action drama and sci-fi all in one awesome package.

In Cinemas March 30, 2018

4. Avengers Infinity War

The most awaited movie of 2018 and part of the cult hype  Avenger Infinity War is being waited upon by almost the entire world. There was an idea this is how the Avengers were first formed and after so many editions and addition from the marvel universe the Infinity war edition of Avengers will be an epic concoction of action and adventure that will break through its peak during the climax of the war. This movie will be the one that will hit the cinemas like a bomb and spark and ignite a gathering of fans from all the various universes and hero backgrounds. This year a war will commence and it will end at the hands of the Avengers.

Fun really isnt something one considers when balancing the universe, but this does put a smile on my face  Thanos

In Cinemas May 4, 2018

5. Black Panther

Black Panther is another movie from the Marvel Universe that hits the cinemas with a bang. It might be slightly underrated with Avengers Infinity War hitting theatres but mark my words this movie is a sure hitter that is filled with one badass scene after another. The movie revolves around the main character the Black Panther and his ways he chooses to be a King for his people. Hero, Legend and King are the apt words that have been used to describe the Black Panther throughout the movie. You will see his experiences  understand the word of the King and witness the intense battles between rivals. This movie will definitely not disappoint the fans of the Marvelverse as this movie brings together the options of hope, destruction and an action filled adrenaline ride that will make any movie fan go crazy for it.

In Cinemas February 16, 2018Amid call for a shut-down across Maharashtra given by Dalit leaders to protest the violence during the bicentennial celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, civic buses were again targeted in Mumbai today.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service BEST were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, an official from the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

The city had witnessed a major disruption of road traffic owing to protests in the eastern suburbs yesterday.

Suburban trains were running normally today morning though activists tried to stage blockades on tracks at Thane on the Central line and Goregaon on the Western line, railway officials said.

Mumbais famed tiffin carriers, Dabbawalas, chose not to provide their services today.

Mahesh Narvekar, senior official from the civic bodys Disaster Management Unit, had said earlier that the BEST buses will not run on some sensitive routes including Kandivali-Akurli, Dindoshi-Hanuman Nagar, Chandivali-Sangharsh Nagar, Khairani Road-Sakinaka, Sahar Cargo, Mulund Check Naka and Jijamata Nagar.

Anil Garg, president of the School Bus Owners Association (SBOA), told PTI, 99 per cent of our buses are off the road in the state today for security reasons. Only one or two per cent of buses are on roads.

We have decided not to ply school buses in the first shift (during morning hours) today and if circumstances allow, we will run the buses in the second shift, Garg said.

Since law and order situation is beyond our control, we cannot take risk, he added.

Some 40,000 school buses are affiliated to the SBOA in the state.

Garg also claimed that some school buses were damaged by protesters in Mumbai today, but police did not corroborate the claim.

Though the government has not declared a school holiday, many parents chose not to send children to school.

Vijay Shukla, a resident of suburban Vikhroli, said, I have twop kids, both studying at a school in Vikhroli east. Though school was open today, I suggested they stay at home.

Offices in major commercial hubs too witnessed low attendance, as employees stayed away from work fearing violence.

Subhash Talekar, spokesperson of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said, Since most of our customers may find it difficult to reach office, we have decided to suspend our services today.

Dalit protesters descended on tracks at Thane and Goregaon stations in the morning.

Few protesters tried to disrupt Railway services at Thane but were immediately cleared by the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway, said Sunil Udasi, chief spokesperson, Central Railway.

There were protests at Goregaon and Virar on the Western suburban line too. Tracks have been evacuated of protesters and train services have been resumed at Virar and Goregaon from 9.05 am, Western Railway said in a tweet.

Mumbai Police today registered nine cases in connection with yesterdays violent protests. Over hundred people have been detained in the city since yesterday.A Delhi court has acquitted a man of the charge of raping a woman after intoxicating her, saying they were in a live-in relationship and the physical relation between them was consensual.

Additional Sessions Judge Ramesh Kumar II absolved the man, who was accused of raping the woman on the false promise of marriage, noting that she was married already so there was no question of being misled by the accused.

As per the prosecutrix (woman) she had not taken divorce from her husband and her marriage with him was still persistent, hence, there is no question of her being misled by accused on false promise of marriage. More so from her testimony it is crystal clear that prosecutrix and accused were in a live-in relationship, the judge said.

According to the prosecution, an FIR was lodged on January 1, 2015 under sections 328 and 376 of the IPC against accused Sita Ram Sharma on the complaint of a woman alleging that on the night of December 31, 2014 he made her consume a sedative laced coffee after which she became unconscious and then taking advantage of her condition, he raped her.

The accused, through his counsel Prashant Diwan, denied the allegations and contended that he had arranged a rented accommodation for the woman and they were living in together but she wanted extort money from him so implicated him in the false rape case.

The court accepted the contention of the accused and said the womans story was untruthful.Circumstances emanating from the evidence adduced by prosecution, story put by prosecutrix gets belied and the case which comes out from the evidence is that prosecutrix has been live-in relation with the accused, who established physical relation with her with her free will, it said.

While allowing the accused to walk free, the court said, The circumstances emerging from the evidence clearly establish that it was the case of consensual relation. Hence this court is of the view that prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused. Accordingly he is acquitted.The Maharashtra violence and alleged atrocities against Dalits rocked both Houses of Parliament and triggered political fireworks outside Parliament too on Wednesday, with the Congress-led Opposition attacking the ruling BJP and its ideological mentor RSS in this regard while targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his sustained silence over the continuing atrocities against Dalits across the country.

Accusing the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of allegedly sparking the caste violence in Punes Bhima-Koregaon that spread to other parts of the BJP-ruled Maharashtra, the Congress also demanded an inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into the episode.

Hitting back, the BJP charged the Congress with allegedly seeking to stoke the caste conflict and divide the people for political gains. In the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, gunning for PM Modi and the BJP-RSS, said that the Bhima-Koregaon violence was the latest instance of atrocities against Dalits in the country, which, he added, included cases like the Una flogging and Rohith Vemulas suicide.

Kharge said that the atrocities against Dalits has been on the rise in the country, alleging that such incidents have been occuring in the BJP-ruled states including Gujarat and Maharashtra. The RSS and certain hardcore Hindutva outfits are behind the Bhima-Koregaon violence. They are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in Maharashtra, he told the Lower House amid protests from the BJP members. He said some fascist forces always want to keep the Dalits at the bottom of the Indian society. Kharge, a veteran Dalit leader, demanded that PM Modi should come to the House and make a statement over violence against Dalits.

Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on the issue? He always keeps mum on such issues. He has become a Mouni (silent) Baba on Dalit issues, he alleged.

His comments evoked angry reaction among BJP MPs, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar rejecting the charges and accusing the Congress of following the colonial Britishs divide and rule policy.Kumar accused the Congress of seeking to fuel the caste conflict for its political gains.

Agitated Congress members trooped into the Well, shouting slogans against the Modi dispensation following which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House briefly.

The Rajya Sabha proceedings were frequently disrupted during the day, with Opposition parties like the BSP and the Congress attacking the BJP dispensation over the Maharashtra violence and atrocities against Dalits.The sentencing of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in a case of fodder scam is likely to take place on Thursday, officials said.

The quantum of punishment for RJD chief Lalu Prasad and 15 others convicts in fodder scam case is likely to be announced tomorrow (Thursday), the CBI advocate said.

According to reports, the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge Shivpal Singh arrived in the court at around 11 am. However, the sentencing was not pronounced due to a condolence meet for advocate Vindeshwari Prasad.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, who was lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi after being convicted on December 23, was brought to the court in the morning and was present inside when the hearing was on.

He was taken away at around 12 noon.

The former Bihar chief ministers lawyer had on Tuesday said that they would urge the court for minimum punishment owing to the RJD chiefs age.

Lalu is likely to get three to seven years punishment, as per reports. If he is awarded three years sentence, he will be able to get bail soon.

His co-accused and former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra was let off in the case pertaining to embezzlement of over Rs. 85 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994.

A total of 17 accused including Lalu were pronounced guilty by the court while six were let off.

The RJD chief has already been convicted in another fodder scam case that cost him his Lok Sabha seat and disqualified him from contesting elections. Both Lalu and Jagannath Mishra are out on bail in the case.

Hearing in the multi-million fodder scam case was completed on December 13 in a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court of Ranchi.

In all, there were 34 accused in the case, out of which 11 died during the course of the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted the crime.A BSF head constable, RP Hazara, from West Bengal was killed when Pakistan Rangers indiscriminately targeted Indian posts in the Samba sector of the Jammu division on Wednesday.

According to media reports, Pakistan Rangers opened sniper fire at Indian positions at 4.15 pm injuring a head constable identified as RP Hazara, who was a resident of Tamara in Murshidabad.

He succumbed to injuries, while being treated in a hospital for his wounds. Hazara is survived by his wife and two children.

The BSF retaliated in a strong and effective manner, according to media reports.A bill to revise salary and pensions of the High Court and Supreme Court judges was taken up for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid demand by MPs for hike in their salaries.

The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017 was introduced in the House by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad last month.

After the minister moved the bill for discussion and passage, many members demanded a hike of their salaries.

Prasad said the government had taken note of the concern and expectations of members. Surely, in the proper process, the course will be followed. What I want to tell the members is that here we sit for the entire country, he said.

He said the members should not give an impression that they would not revise salaries of others unless their own salaries were increased, to which Shiv Sena member Arvind Sawant said they never said like this.

Congress member K. V. Thomas said there is a genuine demand regarding salaries and pensions of the members but he was not linking it to the bill under discusson.

The bill seeks to revise the salaries, gratuity, allowances, and pensions of the judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, as well as those who have retired.

The move will benefit 31 judges of the Supreme Court (including the Chief Justice of India) and 1,079 judges (including the Chief Justices) of high courts.

About 2,500 retired judges will also be benefited.

The bill follows the implementation of recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission in respect of civil servants.

Under the provisions of the bill, the Chief Justice of India will get a monthly salary of Rs 2.8 lakh from the present Rs 1 lakh and judges of the Supreme Court and chief justices of the high courts will draw a monthly salary of Rs 2.5 lakh from the present Rs 90,000.

The bill seeks to amend the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958 and High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954.Under pressure from the opposition over the violent protests in parts of Maharashtra, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to make a statement in Parliament on Wednesday, officials said.

The government has no hesitation in issuing a clarification on the ongoing protests The Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) is therefore likely to issue a statement in the house, sources in the government said.

Angry Dalits staged rail and road blockades and took out processions in Mumbai and carried out agitations in different parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday to protest against violence in Pune a day ago which left one youth dead.

While the violence subsided on Wednesday, a peaceful Maharashtra shutdown called by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar  the grandson of Bharat Ratna BR Ambedkar led to several schools, colleges and offices remaining closed.

On Tuesday afternoon, thousands of Dalits took to the streets in Chembur, Mankhurd, Ghatkopar, Bhandup and other strongholds in north-eastern parts of the city demanding action against the perpetrators of the Pune riots.

Scores of Dalit youth blocked the Harbor Line of Central Railway near Chembur on Tuesday afternoon, leading to stoppage of the local train services for hours.

Several lakhs of commuters were stranded on stations or in stationary trains and many preferred to walk on the railway tracks to their destinations.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge and a CID investigation into Mondays violence in Koregaon-Bhima.

The disturbances erupted in the village of Koregaon-Bhima on January 1 during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War between the army of Peshwa Bajirao II with a small force of the East India Company that comprised a large number of Dalits.

Several lakhs of Dalits had congregated around the Victory Pillar (Vijay Stambh) erected by the British in Sanaswadi village when suddenly stone pelting started, allegedly by some right-wing groups carrying saffron flags.

In the clashes that ensued between the two groups, more than 30 vehicles, including buses, police vans and private vehicles, were torched or damaged and one youth, Rahul Fatangale, 28 of Nanded lost his life.Ram Gopal Varma has a reputation of making controversial statements and has made headlines for his gutsy tweets about actors. Now, after Rajinikanth's announcement about his political entry and his statement about how he is going to contest in all the seats in the 2019 Tamil Nadu election, RGV has tweeted saying that Pawan Kalyan should do the same.

He claimed that if Pawan Kalyan fails to contest in all the places across Andhra Pradesh, then fans and others will feel that he doesn't have guts. He also said that not contesting the elections will make Pawan Kalyan an ordinary star and not a superstar like Rajinikanth.

Here are the tweets:

I wish @PawanKalyan will contest all seats in AP like @superstarrajini doing in TN ..if he doesni??t do,PKi??s fans will feel he doesni??t have guts like Rajinikanth ..it will be an insult to telugu peoplei??s prestige if our Superstar has lesser guts than the Superstar of Tamil people - Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 2, 2018

If @PawanKalyan doesni??t with guts contest in each and every seat of AP, both his fans and all telugu people will feel hei??s just a very ordinary star and not a SUPERSTAR like @superstarrajini of the Tamil people January 2, 2018

It is not the first time that the Company director is taking a dig a Pawan Kalyan. Earlier, he had mocked the actor for his son's name Mark Shankar Pawanovich. RGV has also made some bizzare remarks about Sania Mirza and Rajinikanth.

RGV is currently working on Lakshmi's NTR, a biographical film on Tollywood legend and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao), from the perspective of his wife Lakshmi Parvathi.

Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan is expecting the release of his upcoming film Agnyaathavaasi, which is facing a plagiarism issues now.Holding the BJP government in Centre and Maharashtra responsible for the violent protests in the state, the Congress on Wednesday accused the partys ideological mentor RSS of dividing the society on caste lines and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi mauni baba for staying mum on the issue.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said: Fanatic Hindutva propagated by RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is responsible for dividing our society.

People from Sangh Parivaar have created unrest in Maharashtra, he added.

He further said that there was injustice in all states where the BJP was in power and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge.

Whether it is in Gujarat, Una or Rajasthan, wherever BJP is in power, there is injustice. A Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in this, he said.

He went on to slam Modi for keeping mum on the issue.

PM should come to the House and make a statement. When such incidents are happening, he does nothing and becomes a mauni baba, the Congress leader said.

Congress Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad too attacked the BJP.

Atrocities are being inflicted on Dalits since the last three and a half years, since BJP came to power in the centre, Azad said.

Reacting strongly to the allegations, the BJP too hit back and accused the Congress of employing divide and rule policy while targeting party chief Rahul Gandhi in particular.

The Congress is employing divide and rule policy whereas Narendra Modi ji is working tirelessly to maintain the countrys unity and development of every section, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said.

Instead of dousing the flames, people like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are adding fuel to the fire. The country will not tolerate this, he added.

The Gandhi scion had on Tuesday took to Twitter to slam the government in the wake of Dalit protests in Maharashtra.

The riots in Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district on Monday led to the death of a 28-year-old, Rahul Fatangale.The Triple Talaq Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha without much difficulty, remained stuck in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as the House failed to take up Opposition motions to refer it to a Select Committee because of furore from Treasury Benches.

The government maintained the Opposition motions from the Congress Party and Trinamul Congress did not follow rules and were therefore invalid. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien ruled the motions were valid, but failed to proceed with voting on the issue, as there was no order.

Kurien said the amendments proposed by the Opposition parties were valid as Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu was informed about the motions well in time. At this, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, supported by major Opposition parties, said Division, please, urging the Chair to go through the voting. This provoked a sudden furore from the Treasury Benches, which sensed trouble, as the Opposition enjoying majority in the House could have its way on the issue. Kurien had already warned the House that he would adjourn the proceedings, if there was no order, and he adjourned it finally till Thursday. Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad moved the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill for consideration of the House saying there were cases of instant divorce by Muslim men by uttering talaq three times, even after the Supreme Court judgment declaring it illegal. He said the apex court had wanted Parliament to legislate on the issue to end the unfair practice. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, who gave arguments why the Opposition motions to send the Bill to a Select Committee were not in order, said the principal Opposition party, the Congress Party had supported the Bill in the Lok Sabha but was opposing it in the Upper House.

After the Bill, making the triple talaq practice a congnisable offence punishable with up to three years imprisonment, went through easy passage in the Lok Sabha, despite the Congress Partys demand to refer it to a Standing Committee, there was much speculation on the fate the Bill would face in the Upper House. There was worry in the Treasury Benches on the issue as the combined Opposition enjoys a majority in the House. Demanding the reference to a Select Committee, the Opposition maintained that a scrutiny of the Bill by the Committee was necessary as it had not been referred to a Standing Committee, as per the normal practice of referring all major Bills to it. The Opposition parties said the Select Committee would be able to take evidence on the issue from all stakeholders.

Post-lunch, the House had already witnessed a 55-minute adjournment when BSPs Satish Misra, referring to the Maharashtra incidents demanded a discussion on attacks on Dalits in the country. Kurien said the House had to take up a calling attention motion over barrage construction over the Mahanadi. Misra was supported by the Congress and others who said the attacks were planned. After the adjournment, nearly the whole Opposition was exercised over the Dalits issue.The contentious bill criminalising instant Triple Talaq, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, almost a week after it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which makes instant triple illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband was listed for introduction in the Rajya Sabha by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday.

However, the tabling of the bill was delayed to Wednesday as the Centre tried hard to build a consensus to ensure its smooth passage in the upper house where it does not enjoy brute majority.

We are in talks with Congress party and others Hoping for a smooth passage (of Triple Talaq bill) in Rajya Sabha. It might be tabled tomorrow, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar had told reporters outside the Parliament House on Tuesday.

The opposition parties including the Congress, Left, AIADMK and the DMK are in favour of sending the Muslim Women Protection of Rights in Marriage Bill 2017 to the Standing Committee but the government rejected the demand.

The amendments to the bill moved by the opposition too were rejected.

But the biggest bone of contention between the BJP and the opposition is the on the three-year jail term clause for the erring husband. The opposition has said that the clause can be misused by women to harass their husbands.

The bill could get stalled in the Rajya Sabha where government lacks a majority and it may be referred to a parliamentary committee for its review.Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, while addressing a gathering at the release the book Bharat ke Rajneta  Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday, said that we must bridge the many gaps and inequalities we have in our society.

The book is authored by Rajiv Suman and published by The Marginalized Publication.

The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Naidu said that Ramdas Athawale has emerged as vocal leader for the emancipation of Dalits in modern society, adding that the book describes his accomplishments on crucial issues of national importance.

Naidu said that the book talks about Athawales approach of peaceful resistance and protest that strengthens the democracy adding that it is important to identify glaring inequalities and take concrete action to bridge the gaps.

Naidu said that proper representation of women of the country in Parliament and state legislatures should be a reality soon. Naidu further said that the government should pay attention towards Indias Tribal population and said that protection of De-notified, Nomadic tribes is very important.

Their uplift and development is necessary for the preservation of the rich diverse Indian culture, Naidu added.

He further said that violence, hatred and divisive politics cant achieve any positive results. Only mutual respect and dialogue can, he added.

Naidu also complimented the publishers of the book, The Marginalized Publication.

Once again compliment the publishers The Marginalized Publication for bringing up this series of Books. pic.twitter.com/6xfuPM7tPC  VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 3, 2018

Naidu in a series of tweets said that upliftment of poorest of the poor should be the priority of any political party and you cannot call yourself a good civilization unless and until you eliminate discrimination in the name of cast, colour and creed.

You cannot call yourself a good civilization unless and until you eliminate discrimination in the name of cast, colour and creed. pic.twitter.com/uTwMpauBNt  VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 3, 2018

Upliftment of poorest of the poor should be the priority of any political party.  VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 3, 2018Some six decades ago the ever-caustic Krishna Menon had asked if for all their sophisticated technology American arms manufacturers could produce a gun that fired in one direction. At the core of that unanswered query was Pakistans duplicity, and exploiting to dubious advantage the considerable financial aid provided by Washington. The point has been powerfully re-emphasised in President Donald Trumps accusing Islamabad of lies and deceit, misusing 33 billion dollars of aid over the past 15 years, and giving a safe haven to the terrorists being hunted in Afghanistan. For starters the Trump administration has gone on to announce the suspension of a substantial aid package, but the larger question is whether the US will carry Trumps threat through to its logical conclusion.

The US has long been alive to the double-game Pakistan has been playing ~ if it was trying to wrest Kashmir from India during Krishna Menons time, its increasingly radicalised military that controls the nations affairs has developed to a fine art the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy, even against US interests ~ but has stopped short of curtailing aid to an extent which caused Islamabad to hurt. Hence the world will be watching if this is not another case of Trumps blusterb eing little more than an angry outburst. Clearly there is need to pressure Islamabad, but no action-line is apparent by which the writ of the military is curtailed and enlightened civil society regains the power to ensure that a principled Pakistan takes its place in the comity of nations.

It is a trifle disturbing that while the External Affairs ministry opted for mature reticence over the apparent downswing in US-Pak relations, a minister of state in PMO reduced India to ridicule by contending that New Delhi had been vindicated by President Trumps slamming of Pakistan. It betrayed the cheap thrills generated by any brand of US certification. Foreign affairs are delicate and complex, the Prime Minister would to well to restrain his underlings. There really is little scope for glee or gloating, a downgrading of Pakistan does not equate with an upgrading of India ~ except in myopic minds. Internal troubles in Pakistan bring little gain to India except that the non-state actors get a free hand.

The Pakistani reaction to Trump has, even if temporarily, brought a degree of unity to its political establishment. India needs to closely monitor how Islamabad sets about enhancing its relations with both Beijing and Moscow: which would be to Indias detriment. There will soon be a change of guard in the MEA, and new personal relationships will have to be forged, maybe some time taken for things to settle down. Hence there is small cause for joy over an assumption ~ little more than that ~ of being vindicated.In 1949, a few months after the new Peoples Republic of China was proclaimed, Mao moved to liberate large areas in the periphery of the Middle Kingdom. While the remnants of the Nationalist forces were slowly and systematically annihilated in the Mainland, Mao annexed Xinjiang using two tactics ~ a large number of troops were sent to the New Dominion and the surrender of some Nationalist leaders was induced. It was relatively easy for the Great Helmsman who had got the assurance from the Soviets that they would not interfere.

The PLA had however to cross deserts, walk over high snow-capped mountains and suffer starvation to realise this unbelievable military feat, walking some 3,000 kms in six months, to complete their mission. Strategically, Communist China was at the Gate of Tibet and of India; a couple of years later, the construction of a road across the Indian territory in the Aksai Chin area would start.

A recently released CIA report gives a good oversight on what happened in Kashgar in 1949-50. Although written in March 1951, the note remarked: The Chinese troops stationed in Sinkiang use systematic, disciplined violence for political reasons, (while) rations, ammunition and military stores are received from the USSR.

The local government officials assured the people that the Chinese in the administrative structure were there simply to teach the natives of Sinkiang the art of governing, and that soon the full Governmental administrative responsibility would be turned over to the people of Sinkiang.

It is ironic that nearly seventy years later, the Han are still struggling to manage the restive province and still use systematic violence. Retrospectively today, one understands the importance for China of the annexation of Xinjiang with its natural resources such as oil, but also for trade routes which are now revived under schemes such as One Belt One Road initiative or the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

But Xinjiang remains far from being liberated; on the contrary, the Chinese State is slowly transforming the restive province into a nursery for terrorism. The South China Morning Post recently explained: For many in the Muslim ethnic group, China has become unlivable since Beijing launched a security crackdown in Xinjiang in 2009.

The Hong Kong newspaper takes the case of one Ali, an Uygur who has been fighting in Syria. Ali had paid smugglers to get him into Turkey and then to Syria, where he was trained to use a Kalashnikov to later return to China. After spending two-and-a-half years in Syria with him, his brother told the newspaper: Well avenge our relatives being tortured in Chinese jail. Since 2013, thousands of Uygurs, a Turkish-speaking Muslim minority from western China, have travelled to Syria to train with the Uygur militant group Turkestan Islamic Party and fight alongside Al Qaida, playing key roles in several battles. Syrian President Bashar al-Assads troops are now clashing with Uygur fighters as the six-year conflict nears its endgame.

According to Uygur exiles, more than 10,000 Uygurs fled China following the repression. The SCMP concluded: But the end of Syrias war may be the beginning of Chinas worst fears.

As the vicious circle continues, Debka, the Israeli weekly reported that according to intelligence sources 2,500 Chinese elite troops are on the way to Syria to fight Chinese Uighur Islamist extremists and their Turkish-backed plan to set up an autonomous enclave in the rebel-held Idlib province of northern Syria. Will it help?

Debkas sources affirmed that China has secured permission from Damascus to send Chinese troops from two elite units ~ the Siberian Tigers, a PLA Navy Special Force from north-east Chinas Shenyang Military Region and the Night Tigers, a Special Forces Unit from Lanzhou.

Already two years ago, a new Chinese Counterterrorism Law made it legal for Chinas PLA to get involved in anti-terror operations abroad. The legislation allows the PLA and Armed Polices forces to carry out counter-terror missions overseas with the approval of the Central Military Commission.

Xinhua affirmed: Public security and national security authorities could also send personnel overseas for counter-terrorist missions, but these must be approved by the State Council and agreements signed with the countries concerned.

Having borders with eight nations ~ Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India ~ Xinjiang is a convenient conduit for terrorist movements towards the Middle East and the world in general. In the meantime, repression is increasing every day in Xinjiang.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) recently reported that the authorities have earmarked a substantial amount of cash to reward the residents of Hotan prefecture (north of Indias Aksai Chin) who report acts of terrorism. The Counter-Terrorism Reward Resolution, enacted by the government of Hotan Prefecture, set aside 100 million yuan ($15.2 million) for information on suspicious activities, and for individuals who attack or kill terrorists, the official Hotan Daily newspaper said in a post on its WeChat social media account.

A security guard from Aqsaray police station in Hotans Qaraqash county read to RFA an official notice posted in the station; it is entitled Announcement of Payment Categories for Rewarding Members of the Public Who Provide Information on Illegal Activities Relating to Acts of Terrorism or Violence. The notification said: People from all ethnic backgrounds who provide tips or clues of any illegal activities relating to acts of violence or terrorism will receive high rewards, once the information has been confirmed to be genuine after investigation.

Also according to RFA, nearly 10 per cent of the population of Bullaqsu township, a county near Kashgar, have been detained. A former resident of Bullaqsu told RFA that a large number of people have been arrested in the county this year, leaving some townships with hardly any males to be seen. The person who now lives in exile asserted: Bullaqsu was one of the townships most affected by the arrests in Kashgar groups of people have been arrested and sent to detention centres every week.

Most of this happened after the appointment of Chen Quanguo as Communist Party chief in August 2016. A series of harsh policies have been initiated targeting Uygurs in the region, where members of the mostly Muslim ethnic group complain of religious and cultural repression and harassment under Chinese rule, says RFA.

Since then, Chen, who had earlier practised his recipe in Tibet for five years, has been rewarded with a seat on the Politburo. Thousands of Uygurs, who have been accused of harbouring extremist and politically incorrect views, have been detained in re-education camps and prisons throughout Xinjiang since April. Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a glossary of special slogans or formulations (tifa) used by the Chinese officials in Tibet when referring to party policies. The same applies today to Xinjiang.

Poetic tifas such as Social Management, Comprehensive Rectification, Preventive Control, Eliminate-Unseen-Threats, Nets-in-the-Sky, Traps-on-the-Ground or Copper-Ramparts-Iron Walls, are regularly used.

The latter one, for example, translates into an impenetrable public security defence network consisting of citizen patrols, border security posts, police checkposts, surveillance systems, internet controls, identity card monitoring, travel restrictions, informant networks, and other mechanisms.

The implementation of these tifas is often dreadful, but efficient for Beijing. China has for example decided to collect DNA samples from all Xinjiangs residents; the name Mohamed is banned for newborns, men cant have beards, etc.

China is definitely breeding more terrorists.

The writer, an acclaimed author and commentator, holds the Field Marshal KM Cariappa Chair of Excellence at the United Service Institution of India.Whenever the air pollution situation becomes serious, people are advised to stay indoors as much as possible. But what about the people who have no indoors to stay  people who are homeless? They really have no alternative but to face the brunt of pollution. During the daytime, many of them have to work outdoors. During the night those who cannot access night shelters have to sleep outside, no matter how polluted the air is and how cold the weather is.

While there has been a significant improvement in access to night shelters for homeless people in Delhi and a few other cities, overall in the country only a minority of the homeless can access night shelters. In fact even in the cities best served by night shelters, not all homeless people are protected from weather extremes and pollution. One reason is that several homeless families need to live together; they cannot be segregated into male and female shelters.

Another reason is that some groups of homeless tend to live together on their own due to community ties. Some homeless people who pull rickshaws or handcarts want to remain near these livelihood-earning assets at night. At places there are no shelters for women. Clearly it is not possible for many people to access night shelters.

Hence just a night shelter-based approach is not adequate to cover all homeless people. Other more flexible and innovative approaches have to be used to provide protection to those homeless people who cannot avail of night shelters, but such efforts are seen very rarely in our cities.

Even if we take a conservative view that about one per cent of the urban population in India is homeless, this still gives us an estimate of around 4 million homeless people which is much more than the combined capacity of all night shelters in the country. But the reality is that the number of homeless people is likely to be much higher.

This is particularly so if we also include a category of very precariously housed people. For example, a person may have a hut, but it is so overcrowded that the person has to sleep outside. Then there are those people whose huts or houses have been demolished and they live in makeshift dwellings with hardly any protection from weather extremes. Then there are people who have been pushed to the outer parts of the city by resettlement schemes but as employment is closer to their earlier living space, they try to live close to their place of work in some precarious arrangement.

The census operations find it difficult to cover homeless people in any case and it is even more unlikely that they will care to cover the less clear cases of homelessness. Census data collectors even lack the means to do so.

Most of the homeless people suffer from serious health problems, under-nutrition, malnutrition and weakness to begin with, and so are very vulnerable to the accentuation of their health problems in pollution-crisis situations. Yet it is the homeless who are the worst covered by health services of most cities.

Paramjit Kaur, director of Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan, an organization working with homeless people says, Innovative health programmes aimed more specifically at meeting the needs of homeless people are urgently needed and these need to be stepped up at the time of pollution-crisis situations. Having been involved with one such innovative effort in Delhis Jama Masjid area for several years, she says that once the needs of homeless people are understood on the basis of experience, even a relatively low budget programme can make an important contribution in terms of reducing the distress of people.

Efforts such as providing simple but hot and nutritious food in shelters are useful for improving the health of homeless people. Some good efforts in this direction in Delhi could be helpful for other state governments that want to step up such work in their cities. In some cities the homeless people find it difficult to access government hospitals so special cards can be provided to them to ensure such access.

Another aspect of pollution which affects homeless people is the temporary ban on certain types of economic activities. For example, a ban on construction activities would deprive a large number of homeless persons from work. In such situations, there may be a special need for providing free or subsidised food at night shelters where inmates may be affected by such forced unemployment.

In cities where construction of proper night shelters may take some time and may not be possible this winter, temporary solutions such as utilising public places at night as shelters for some time could provide immediate relief to some extent to the homeless.People in Delhi-NCR took the highest number of rides on cab-hailing platform Uber for a single night on New Years eve, the company said on Tuesday.

Over 90,000 riders opted for UberPOOL, a carpooling service from the company that allows the rider to share the ride and split the cost with strangers or co-passengers headed in the same direction.

Hundreds of thousands of riders chose Uber, of which over 90,000 even used the UberPOOL option, considerably reducing the congestion on this busy night, Sanjay Gupta, Head of Marketing, Uber India and SA, said in a statement.

More than 22,000 riders in Delhi-NCR chose uberPOOL, followed by Hyderabad and Bengaluru on the occasion, the company said.

A driver partner from Delhi-NCR completed 18 trips, making it the highest across the country, followed by one in Bengaluru who completed 14 trips in a single night, the company said.

Most popular drop off locations ahead of midnight were Whitefield in Bengaluru, DLF Cyber City in Gurugram, Connaught Place in Delhi, and Juhu Beach and Lower Parel in Mumbai, followed by Madhapur in Hyderabad and GST Road, Meenambakam in Chennai.US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to withdraw aid money to Palestinians as they are unwilling to negotiate peace with Israel.

We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel, Trump said in a series of two lengthy tweets.

We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them? Trump asked.

According to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, since the mid-1990s, the US government has committed more than USD 5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians.

Earlier in the day, the US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the US would cut off aid if the Palestinians continue to refuse to engage in peace negotiations.

I think the president has basically said that he doesnt want to give any additional funding or stop funding until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table, Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

What we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation. Were trying to move for a peace process. But if that doesnt happen the presidents not going to continue to fund that situation, Haley said in response to a question when asked if the US would continue to fund Palestine despite the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly against Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.

The Palestinians now have to show their will that they want to come to the table. As of now they are not coming to the table but they ask for aid. Were not giving the aid. We are going to make sure that they come to the table and we want to move forward with the peace process, she said.

US aid to the Palestinians is intended to promote at least three major US policy priorities of interest to Congress.

First  promoting prevention or mitigation of terrorism against Israel from the Sunni Islamist group Hamas and other militant organisations; second  fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance that may incline Palestinians toward peaceful coexistence with Israel and a two-state solution; and third  meeting humanitarian needs.

According to CRS, from 2008 to the present, annual Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around USD 400 million.

Much of this goes toward US Agency for International Development (USAID)-administered project assistance (through grants and contracts), and the rest toward budget support for the Palestinian AuthorityIndonesia launched a new cyber security agency today as the worlds biggest Muslim majority country moves to tackle online religious extremism and a flood of fake news on social media.

Millions of Indonesians are going online for the first time just as concern about Internet hoaxes reaches a fevered pitch.

One of the most high-profile cases in recent times was a false claim circulating on social media in December that Beijing was seeking to wage biological warfare against Indonesia.

The viral hoax prompted the Chinese embassy to issue a statement saying that the reports were misleading.

Today, Indonesian president Joko Widodo named Major General Djoko Setiadi, former chairman of the countrys encryption agency, to lead the new body.

Setiadis Herculean task will include cracking down on terrorist networks which communicate online and combating online hate speech that has been blamed for driving fundamentalism in a country once praised for its religious pluralism.

We will control cyberspace, Setiadi said Wednesday .

Our technology will not only be able to detect, but also to penetrate [terrorist] networks.

Chief Security Minister Wiranto, who like many Indonesians goes only by one name, added: We need this body to help maintain security nationally, regionally and globally.

Last week, Indonesia said it was adding some 600 more personnel to the ranks of its counter-terrorism police in a bid to crack down on Islamic State-inspired groups and other militants.

The archipelago nation has long struggled with Islamic militancy and attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, in the countrys worst-ever terror attack.

A sustained crackdown weakened the most dangerous networks but the emergence of IS has proved a potent new rallying cry for radicals.

Hundreds of Indonesian radicals flocked to fight with IS, sparking fears that weakened extremist outfits could get a new lease of life.

Meanwhile, more than 150 million out of 255 million Indonesians are now estimated to be Internet users.

The explosion in the number of Internet users comes amid global concern about the spread of fake news, with some critics claiming a flood of false stories circulating online may have helped Donald Trump win the US presidential election.Ramlila during Dussehra around September-October is a time-honoured tradition in the Capital. But this January brings a different experience for Delhiites as the dramatic folk reenactment of the legendary war between good and evil will precede Republic Day celebrations in the city. More than its religious implications, this Ramlila will bear strategic significance.

The performers will be artistes from ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam who will be attending the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will organise the Ramlila ahead of the visit of heads from ASEAN countries during the Republic Day celebrations in the Capital on special invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ramayan will be played out in more than six versions as per the mythology in these countries.

"Ramayan is one thing in common to all Southeast Asian countries. Except Brunei, all these countries have their own version of Ramayan. On a historic occasion when leaders of all ASEAN countries will be the state guest on Republic Day, the ICCR will be organising Ramayan in the Capital," Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, newly appointed president of ICCR, told Mail Today.

For instance, the Ramayan in the Philippines is called Maharadia Lawana, which means King Ravan. The Philippines' famous dance is called Singkil which is based on the Ramayan.

Officials said since the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, this is the first time that there will be more than one chief guest at the parade, during which an ASEAN-India tableau will be displayed.

Sources said that the presence of all ASEAN members is an indication of the growing importance of their relations with India - both as a bloc and bilaterally.

However, they added that the Ramayan performance during the event is also aimed at pushing the BJP's agenda of Hindu nationalism and assert its dominance in the South Asian region.

ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising 10 Southeast Asian states - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - which promotes pan-Asia and inter-governmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, military, educational and cultural integration among its members and Asian states.

This is the first time that leaders from a bloc, instead of an individual country, will be the chief guests at the Republic Day parade. In the recent past, leaders such as former US president Barack Obama and former French president Francois Hollande were the chief guests at the celebrations which last from January 26 to 29.

The move assumes greater significance in the wake of the South Asian countries supporting India to checkmate China's growing Commerce, culture and connectivity will be three Cs of the India-ASEAN relationship during the high-profile commemorative summit to be held a day before Republic Day, officials said.

Modi, while addressing the 15th India-ASEAN summit in Manila last year, had invited all leaders of the association of nations, saying, "1.25 billion people of India are keen to welcome the ASEAN leaders."

In the last episode of his radio address Mann ki Baat in 2017, the PM had also said that Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2018 will "especially be remembered through the ages."

Addressing the nation, he said, "The Republic Day will be celebrated with leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries coming to India as chief guests. This is unprecedented in India's history." The year 2017 has been special for both ASEAN and India.

The association completed 50 years of its formation while 25 years of its partnership with India were also marked, the Prime Minister added.French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday expressed his concern over unrest in Iran during a telephone conversation with counterpart Hassan Rouhani and called for restraint and appeasement, his office said.

Macron brought up the number of victims from the demonstrations, and the two leaders also decided to postpone French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drians visit to Teheran this week to a later date, the Elysee said.

Twenty-one people have died and hundreds have been arrested in nearly a week of protests in Iran.

Macrons office said the French leader underscored that fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate must be respected.

Rouhani in turn asked Macron to take action against a Paris-based Iranian opposition group called the Mujahedeen-e- Khalq, who he accused of fomenting the recent protests.

We criticise the fact that a terrorist group has a base in France and acts against the Iranian people and we await action from the French government against this terrorist group, Rouhani told Macron, according to a report on Iranian state television.

Macrons office did not offer any comment on this matter but said the two leaders had evoked the 2015 nuclear accord, saying that the French president wanted its strict application under international supervision while Rouhani sought the backing of the international community to defend this accord and respect the commitments undertaken.

President Donald Trump has hinted of a possible US withdrawal from the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers  Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States  that was a signature foreign policy achievement of the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama.

General Rassul Sanairad, a political deputy to the head of Irans powerful Revolutionary Guards, said yesterday the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq had been instructed by the Saudi rulers and some European states to create insecurity in Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.US President Donald Trump is receiving praise from top American lawmakers, including some of his critics, over his move to block USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

The US has decided to withhold the aid saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabads response to terrorism on its soil.

Senator Rand Paul yesterday announced his agreement with Trump over the move and promised to bring in a legislation in the Congress to stop all US aid to Pakistan.

I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump on this. The US has given USD 34 billion in direct aid and military reimbursements to Pakistan since 2002. That is not putting America first.

White House puts the figure at USD 33 billion.

The Kentucky Senator also expressed his support to Trumps tweet on Monday in which the US president accused Pakistan of giving the US nothing but lies and deceit in exchange for billions of aid, with the president declaring, No more!.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher also applauded Trump for his realistic assessment of Pakistan.

Pakistans regime, though our government imagines otherwise, has long acted as a malignancy in South Asia. It pretends to benign neutrality, seducing the US into believing it will cooperate with us in the war on radical Islamic terrorism if we ship its political leadership copious tax dollars, said Rohrabacher.

Pakistans regime persists in playing both sides between modern civilisation and violent religious fundamentalism, he said.

Rohrabacher said Pakistans intelligence service serves the Taliban instead of providing the whereabouts of terrorists hideouts to the US government.

He cited the example of Osama bin Laden who lived in a house near Pakistans leading military academy before the US military tracked the location and killed him.

Indeed, Dr. Afridi (Shakeel Afridi), who led us to bin Laden, now languishes in a Pakistan dungeon for his supposed effrontery, he added.

Both Rohrabacher and Paul have regularly pushed amendments to stop aid to Pakistan.

Congressman Rick Nolan also gave Trump a thumbs-up for the Pakistan move.

Although I do not condone inflammatory tweets  I agree that America should not be giving billions of dollars to countries like Pakistan that refuse to fight terrorism, he said.

The truth is, the billions of dollars we have sent to Pakistan over the last 15 years has done nothing to make us safer. In fact, Pakistan has ties to the same terrorist organisations which they claim to be fighting! he said.

Nolan has joined Congressman Ted Poe in introducing legislation that revokes Pakistans major non-NATO ally status.

On the other side of the spectrum, Republican Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is founder and chair of the Congressional Pakistani Caucus, called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the differences with Pakistan.

As Chair and founder of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I appreciate the importance of using the tools of diplomacy and engagement to solve problems. In the past, Pakistan has fought against the terrorists, she said in a tweet.The Security Council is to hold a high-level meeting on Afghanistan, Council President Kairat Umarov said Tuesday.

The meeting will focus on building a development-oriented regional partnership of Central Asian countries to bring peace and security to the Afghanistan, Umarov, who is the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, told reporters.

He said that Kazakhstans Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov is to preside over the meeting on January 19. Afghanistans Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and ministers of other countries are also expected at the meeting, he said.

Afghanistan is very important for us, Umarov said of the Central Asian region. It needs to be approached with a new perspective of a security and development nexus and for any solution they have to go hand in had, he added.

He said Afghanistan was a regional problem, and like most others, was not an one-country issue as its impact was region-wide. Therefore, he said, the other countries in the region have to be involved in finding a solution.

Asked about United States President Donald Trumps threat to cut off aid to Pakistan because of what he said were links to terrorism, Umarov declined to comment directly on it.

Pakistan is a regional neighbour to Afghanistan, Central Asia, he said. Only peaceful means, only diplomatic measures should prevail. The more engagement could be among the countries and not only on the political level, economic and other areas, the situation could really improve.Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 26C. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 17C. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.Last year, if Sara Ali Khan was making headlines for her big entry in Bollywood, she was also in the news for her rumoured affair with fellow star kid Harshvardhan Kapoor. Sara and Harshvardhan's relationship was short-lived and fizzled out in just a few months, but if a report in Mumbai Mirror is to be believed, they have rekindled their romance.

Incidentally, their relationship was quite casual when they first started dating, but now, they are quite serious about each other. At the time, Harshvardhan had said, "I don't think there's been anyone in my life who has reached that level of seriousness. Even if I were to date someone for months, I wouldn't really discuss it with people a lot." The Mirzya actor had added that he did not like to keep many people in the loop because he was never sure how long his feelings for a girl would last.

Rumours of Sara and Harshvardhan's relationship spread like wildfire when reports of them entering a restaurant holding hands emerged. Apparently, they had eyes only for each other the entire time they were there and addressed each other as "baby". Since then, they were clicked together a few times, adding fuel to the fire.

On the work front, Harshvardhan will be seen next in Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi, while Sara is gearing up to make her debut with Abhishek Kapoor's Kedarnath, in which she will be paired opposite Sushant Singh Rajput.Hyderabad, Jan 3 (PTI) Introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would adversely affect a majority of Indians working there and reduce their remittances, says a former diplomat.

"I would say 70 to 80 per cent of Indian community there will be adversely affected," the former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, told PTI.

The size of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is three million and 2.8 million, respectively, he said.

Of them, the lower middle class and middle class sections will get affected the most as they are already feeling the pressure on account of high cost of living, Ahmad said.

"This is on account of rent, medical expenses, school fees, transport and high cost of essential items. Therefore, cost of living has gone up quite significantly in the last two years," he said.

The adverse impact on the labour community which is provided accommodation by the employer and blue-collar workers who are "protected" by their companies would be comparatively less, he said.

"As it is, the cost of living there (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) is quite high," he said. "Obviously, the low paid Indian expatriates will be adversely affected."

"I have a feeling, as it is because of the fall in oil prices and reduction in employment, the remittances have already reduced in the last two or three years," Ahmad said.

"The remittances from the Gulf have already come down; earlier it was about USD 35 billion; I think it would have come down to USD 30 billion. Yes, there will be a further small reduction (following the introduction of VAT) because this income will no longer be available to the person to remit," Ahmad said.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE introduced VAT from January 1, a first for the Gulf. Reports said the five per cent sales tax applies to most goods and services. PTI RS KRK BASOrganisation: Action Against

Hunger (ACF)

Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

About US:

Action Against Hunger (ACF) is an International Humanitarian NGO which

has been in existence for over thirty years. ACF has been implementing Food

Security and Livelihoods, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programs in

the Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja regions of Northern Uganda.

Job Summary: The Monitoring,

Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Coordinator will be responsible for the

design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation strategy of the mission.

The incumbent will also participate in programme design, quality assurance and

monitoring and reporting of current and future Action Against Hunger programmes

in Uganda. The MEAL Coordinator will represent Action Against Hunger in

technical external meeting, and interact with Donors, Partners and Ugandan

authorities. He/She will ensure the technical relevance of MEAL interventions

according to Action Against Hunger and country priorities and guidelines.



Key Duties and Responsibilities:



mission Define and implement the monitoring and evaluation system of themission

Manage

the development of a central information management system platform which

will consolidate data and allow for timely reporting of progress

towards key program indicators.

Design

forms on Kobo platform.

Undertake

regular quality assurance of program activities including beneficiary

selection, monthly Activity

Progress Reports, survey and assessment

reports.

Provide

support to the review and development of MEAL systems and tools including activity

progress reports, baseline, end line, post monitoring distribution

in collaboration with senior technical management and technical advisor

teams

Programme Quality Assurance:

Support

the country program teams in the use of appropriate systems and tools

necessary for the achievement of program quality throughout the

programme cycle management.

Ensure

that lessons learnt from evaluation, studies, and assessments are

documented, shared and considered in the design of new projects and

technical plans and ultimately fed into current work and future program

development.

Participation in Project Design

Work

in close collaboration with Technical coordinators develop a

standardized integrated rapid assessment toolkit (methodology,

questionnaires, database and report template) based on existing Action

Against Hunger guidelines and tools.

Build

specific capacity of program teams to carry out integrated rapid

needs assessments as part of a larger emergency response capacity

Support

the inclusion of MEAL activities in new project proposals and their

implementation country level, in collaboration with the senior

management country team

Support

the programs on logical framework development using standardized

indicators across the projects, in line with Action Against Hunger

guidelines.

Support program monitoring, evaluation and reporting

Provide

technical input in the development of program monitoring and

reporting plans.

Provide

trainings to program teams on program activity monitoring and reporting.

Assist

program teams in development of project specific databases.

Undertake

internal project evaluations, support the development of Terms of Reference

(TORs) and inception reports for external evaluations and manage

evaluation consultants.

Support

the data cleaning and data analysis of the different studies and

assessment conducted.

Implement an effective feedback mechanism

Revise

and improve the feedback mechanism on programme implementation

Supervise

and monitor the feedback mechanism submitting monthly report to the

Country director

Provide technical support of the M&E Team:

Actively

contribute to recruitment and appraisals of the M&E team and

provide technical support as needed

Ensure

training (formal & on the job) of qualified M&E staff to carry out

regular MEAL functions

Identify

training needs for the M&E team ensuring that trainings are tailored

to the specific needs of the grant and programmes.

Represent ACF externally in relevant forums and working groups:

Represent

ACF externally in issues related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability

and reporting (consortia, alliances and clusters)

Undertake any monitoring and reporting

tasks related to government guidelines and instructions.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:

The ideal candidate for the Action Against

Hunger (ACF) Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Coordinator job opportunity should hold a Master of Arts or Science degree in Statistics, Demographics,

International Relations/Affairs, Humanitarian Programming, Public

Health, Monitoring and Evaluation or related field

At

least two years of work experience in a similar position and setting.

Four

years of humanitarian experience preferably with an international

organisation.

Excellent

communication, writing and analytical skills

Excellent

team management, budget management and representation competencies

Previous

experience in humanitarian Programme Quality and Accountability or MEAL

Previous

experience in designing and leading internal and external evaluations

Experience

designing and leading capacity building and training for national

teams

Demonstrated

ability to translate evaluated results into learning strategies.

Skills

on statistical and other software (, SPSS, SPHINX, STATA, EPI Info, ENA

for SMART, GIS, etc.)

Familiarity

with Management Information Systems (KOBO, Comcare) and GIS.

Experience

in multi-sectoral and participatory appraisals and data collection tools.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their

handwritten applications which should include ONLY a cover letter, CV (not more

than 4 pages) with at least three referees and a daytime telephone contract.

For email applications please note that attached documents should not be larger

than 2MBs. All documents should be zipped in one folder. Any email larger than

2MBs will not be considered. Please send your email application to:

recruitment.ug@acf-international.org mentioning MEAL COORDINATOR in the

subject line.

th

January 2018 by 5:00 PM Deadline: 19January 2018 by 5:00 PMMusharraf

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Jan 3 (PTI) Pakistans former dictator General Pervez Musharraf should be brought back to the country for trial in connection with the bloody military crackdown on the Red Mosque in 2007, a son of the slain cleric of the famed Islamabad mosque has said in his fresh application to police, media reports said today.

Abdul Rashid Ghazi was killed in a military crackdown in July 2007 ordered by Musharraf. In 2013, a murder case was registered against the 74-year-old former military ruler.

In his fresh application to the Aabpara police, Rashids son Haroon Rashid approached the police to issue red warrant against Musharraf.

Haroon said he was the complainant in the case registered against Musharraf under the charge of killing his father and grandmother during the operation, Dawn News reported.

"Instead of facing the court trial, the nominated accused, retired General Musharraf fled the country," the application stated, adding the trial court declared him a proclaimed offender in 2016.

The court also seized his property besides issuing him a non-bailable arrest warrant, he added.

An additional district and sessions judge in 2017 observed that it was the discretion of the investigating officer to get the red warrant issued against a proclaimed offender.

The judge stated this when Haroon filed a petition in the court.

Haroon requested the police to issue red warrant of General Musharraf so that he may be arrested through Interpol.

When contacted, Haroon said in the past red warrants were issued to bring a number of suspects back to the country for trials. A similar step should be taken against Musharraf, he added.

Musharraf ruled from 1999 to 2008 and military operation launched under his rule created widespread resentment against him. He is wanted by courts in several criminal cases but he lives in Dubai dodging the courts.

Rashid, together with his brother Abdul Aziz used to run the Lal Masjid in the capital and the adjoining Jamia Hafsa seminary. However, in 2007, military commandoes stormed it to take on the militants holed up inside. Rashid was killed in the operation.

The former president was arrested on October 10 and was granted bail by a sessions judge on November 4, 2013 in connection with the Red Mosque case. PTI SH AMS AKJ AMSAt a meeting held in Delhi on Tuesday, which was attended by high-ranking officials from the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), police and bureaucrats, it was decided that the number of tourists visiting the Taj Mahal will be capped to 40,000 per day.

The decision comes as a part of the precautions being suggested keeping in mind environmental concerns and to avoid stampede-like situations, after a minor stampede happened at one of the entry gates of Taj Mahal , last Thursday.

Another crowd-management measure suggested by the ASI to the Ministry of Culture involves curbing the visit duration to three hours. According to the ASI, 35,000 to 40,000 people visit the monument every day, but the numbers shoot up to 60,000-70,000 during holidays and weekends, giving rise to stampede-like situations, where the tourists spend hours inside the monument-complex making things worse for the crowd. The ASI has therefore suggested restricting the sale of tickets to 40,000 per day, but with an exemption for foreign tourists.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/kaps_click_photography Picture courtesy: Instagram/kaps_click_photography

Also Read: Here's everything you need to know about the Taj Mahal, whether UP govt wants you to or not

Apart from controlling the footfall and time-duration per visitor, the ASI has also suggested separate entry tickets into the crypt, which has replicas of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal's grave. On Sunday, the ASI restricted visitors' entry into the crypt, but the ban was soon lifted after the complaints by visitors.

According to the report by The Indian Express, the Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said, "Several measures have been proposed by the ASI to ensure a smooth experience at the Taj Mahal and avert any tragedy, including limiting the number of visitors at 40,000 and limiting the validity of entry to three hours. We have no option but to go by these measures."Agudath Israel of America, a national Orthodox Jewish organization, commends the Trump Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for expanding federal assistance eligibility to houses of worship damaged in natural disasters.

The policy change reflects the request the White House recently made to congressional leaders to pass legislation that would allow houses of worship to receive such disaster relief aid. The House has passed such legislation; the Senate is expected to do so in the coming weeks. FEMAs official announcement of the new policy indicated that the change will be reflected in the agencys Public Assistance Program Policy Guide.

Agudath Israel has been among the organizations in the forefront of promoting, though both policy change and legislation, the equitable treatment of religious entities in federal programs. In regard to FEMA in particular, we have been engaged for over two decades in helping houses of worship (and religious schools) obtain a full measure of FEMA aid for the repair and restoration of their disaster-damaged facilities. Unfortunately, unnecessary and unfair limitations placed specifically on houses of worship by FEMA have presented formidable challenges, precluding such relief. Without the much needed aid, they often face staggering costs that make rebuilding prohibitive.

There is no constitutional reason to treat houses of worship in this discriminatory manner. Indeed, denying the benefits of a widely available public program that is religion-neutral evinces a form of hostility toward religion that is prohibited by our nations laws and values. Agudath Israel applauds FEMAs new policy that houses of worship should be treated like other vital nonprofits and receive federal assistance without prejudice or discrimination.

We will continue to work with the Trump Administration and congressional leaders to solidify and enshrine the new FEMA policy in legislation so that it becomes a permanent and consistently-applied provision in the federal disaster relief program.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)In a hearing held in a Haifa court on Tuesday, 15 Teves, the court ruled the city did not have the right to take the law into its own hands and evict the yeshiva as it did, on motzei Shabbos.

YWN-ISRAEL reported that city officials and police arrived at the yeshiva in the Achuza neighborhood of Haifa on motzei Shabbos and evicted the yeshiva from the property. The municipality did not give an explanation for this draconian action, said the judge, who gave an immediate injunction and ordered the municipality to pay court costs.

In a special hearing held in the Haifa Magistrates Court, Justice Edit Weinberger ruled that the municipality acted unlawfully and issued a mandatory order instructing the municipality to remove its hands from the beis medrash, and the municipality was ordered to pay NIS 10,000 in legal fees.

City officials did not just evict the yeshiva, but personal items belonging to talmidim were discarded and walls and furniture were broken in the violent raid, which chareidi City Councilman Miki Alper added, was reminiscent of Kristallnacht.

As YWN reported, upon hearing of the story, Hagon HaRav Chaim Kanievskey called the Haifa mayor a Rasha.

Yeshiva officials summoned police on motzei Shabbos, but they sided with City Hall officials against the yeshiva, despite the fact no one appeared to have an eviction order on hand.

At the start of the hearing, city representatives were comfortable and on the offensive, explaining that while they did not have an eviction order or court order, clearly the yeshiva was in the building illegally, squatting.

The judge, however, agreed to delay the execution of the order in order to allow the municipality to consider an appeal in the Supreme Court when the judge commented: Although I believe that the chances of the appeal are slim and therefore the order will be delayed until Thursday at 2:00pm on condition an appeal was filed by Wednesday morning at 9:00am. If an appeal was not filed, then the order goes into immediate effect.

A fund has been established for those wishing to assist the Yeshiva.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)The Financial Conduct Authority has announced that it has opened an investigation into troubled infrastructure firm Carillion.

The HS2 contractor announced that Britain's financial watchdog was probing both the 'timeliness and content' of announcements made between December 7th 2016 and July 10th 2017.

Carillion said it is co-operating fully with the FCA.

Bridge over troubled water: Carillion has been awarded HS2 contracts despite profit warnings

The company, which won government contracts for the HS2 rail project in July 2017, has issued a string of profit warnings in recent months.

As a result, its share price has fallen of a cliff and it has dropped out of the FTSE 100.

In November, it was announced the company would breach its debt covenants.

In December brief respite came, as the firm struck a deal with its lenders to defer a financial covenant test.

The news of the FCA probe has continued to suppress the company's share price, which is down 4 per cent in morning trading.In a major boost to Make in India in defence sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is for the first time planning to deploy the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in its mega pan-India exercise called 'Gaganshakti' in which almost all the combat aircraft of the service will take part in March-April this year.

The LCA Tejas planes have been inducted into the 45 Squadron of the IAF in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration and are being readied for carrying out operational roles in the near future.

"A few of the tests have to be done on the LCA which are in the process of being carried out. After these are done, the plan is to deploy the planes in the forthcoming pan-India war games code-named 'Exercise Gaganshakti'," government sources told Mail Today.

This will be a big boost to the Make in India progarmme and will be a big landmark for the indigenous aircraft development project, which is now entering an important phase of getting operational, an IAF official said.

The LCA project approved in 1983 has been marred by delays due to the sanction regime of the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s and delays on part of laboratories of the DRDO.

However, the programme received a major push from the defence ministry as recently, the defence minister-led Defence Acquisition Council cleared the Rs 48,000 crore project to procure 83 LCA Mk1A from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the tender in this regard was issued last week to the public sector firm.

The Gaganshakti exercise is a pan-India war game conducted by the Air Force across its operational commands where the response of the force is checked to the threats faced by it on different fronts.

During the exercise, the IAF will operate its latest acquisitions in a network-centric environment, achieving very high levels of synergy with the Army and the Navy, sources in the Air Force said.

During this exercise, several hundred combat planes including the Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguars and MiG 29s would take part and hundreds of missions would be flown with impeccable planning and execution, they said.

The exercise will be based on a scenario that included rapid deployment across the country at all operational Air Force bases.

Meanwhile, defence experts feel that the decision to procure the LCA will reduce the dependence on imports.

The IAF has already placed orders for 20 LCA Mark 1 aircraft which would be more of technology demonstrators but the IAF was more interested in having the LCA Mark 2, which would be a more capable and upgraded version of the indigenous plane in the making for the last over two decades.

The HAL would first deliver the Mark 1 aircraft to the IAF and then would produce the Mark 1A in the interim till the time it is ready with the Mark 2 version.

The project would give a strong push to the indigenous fighter aircraft industry as this would be the first major bulk production order for the plane.MBABANE  Winners of KickStart 2017 are full of praises to Swaziland Beverages for the benevolent initiative.

This was the common stance of winners who were randomly interviewed on how the grants would help improve their businesses and shape their lives for the better. University of the Swaziland (UNISWA) Bsc in Dairy Science (Luyengo campus) graduate Samkeliso Dlamini said he was highly grateful to Swaziland Beverages because his business would now be guaranteed of growth. Dlamini disclosed that his three- year plan to work towards owning a mobile cold room and 1000 litre milk tank had been achieved in just one day, thanks to SB. I am really grateful to SB for making an impact in my business. We will now be able to grow the business to provide more jobs and make a meaningful impact to the countrys economy, said Dlamini. Dlamini is director of an operational small-scale dairy manufacturing enterprise producing milk and emasi. The company also operates two retail shops in Mhlaleni and Logoba.

The grant of E62 000 from SB will purchase a mobile cold room, 1000l milk tank, ph meter and lacto densimeter. Menzi Makhanya, who runs a photography business, said he was happy that he would finally operate with a new camera that takes high quality pictures so he could compete internationally. The grant of E58 000 will be used to purchase a camera and computer equipment. I am very happy for the grant and confident that it will greatly improve my business for the better, said Makhanya. Swaziland Beverages Managing Director (MD) Zama Kunene said 12 contestants were being presented with grants to realise their dream of either starting or growing their businesses.

He applauded government for its investment in this and the other youth entrepreneur schemes.

We believe it is money well invested, Kunene emphasised. He mentioned that the programme had a high success rate for start-up businesses as over 70 per cent businesses who received grants were operational. It is said that small businesses are the engines of economies. They, however, need markets for their goods and services which large companies provide. It is therefore critical that Government creates a conducive environment for both to strive, said Kunene.MBABANE  Hardly two months after being elected into office, Mzwakhe Myenis executive committee has made a record.



The Siyawela Gospel Music Crossover organised by the Association of Christian Artists in Swaziland (ACASWA) filled the Mbabane Worship Centre recording over 5 000 gospel music lovers.



ACASWA had partnered with the Mbabane Worship Centre in hosting the show which ACASWA termed as their success story.

At first the show was scheduled for the Prince of Wales sportsground but ACASWA later changed the venue after partnering with the church led by Apostle Justice Dlamini.



Myeni and his committee which include Frans Dlamini, Thabile Myeni, Ronnie Dlamini, Tanele Mahlobo and Bonginkosi Dludlu had less than two months to see to it that the show becomes a success.

Gospel music lovers came in numbers as they filled the church. Others were forced to sit on the carpet as they all wanted to witness the local artists performing.



Ushered



Also present was the Apostle who ushered the gospel music lovers into the New Year.

Artists who performed included Phathwakahle Mabuza who left the gospel music lovers wanting more.



The Ingadlangadla fame artist just gave it all leaving music lovers in a dancing mood. Also giving a splendid performance was Mzwakhe Myeni and his sister Thabile and Shiba and Travellers who all gave a splendid performance.

Music lovers danced for the show night as they were entertained with the best music.NGABEZWENI  If you want to participate in the main Incwala ceremony, its time to prepare yourself for Friday.



This was confirmed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Tsandzile, during a press conference shortly after the commissioning of Ingatja at Ngabezweni Royal Residence yesterday.



Incwala preparations include, among other things, organising transport, traditional attire and accommodation for those who come from places which are far from the royal residence.



The minister urged the nation to show respect as they would be joined by the entire world in the celebration of the first fruit of harvest.

The country will also be celebrating the peace and stability that prevailed since it gained its independence from Britain in1968.



The nation will also thank God for the blessings and further ask for His guidance and protection in the new year which was ushered in three days ago.THUMPA Barman had always wanted to be a driver. So when, at the institute where she was learning how to drive, Barman got to know about an opportunity that would lead her ferry female passengers on a bike taxi, she didn't think twice.

The 21-year-old, who lives with her family in Delhi, can be seen helping women travel distances in Karol Bagh, Jhandewalan and nearby areas. The battery-operated bike taxi service, which is run by Delhi-based startup Pillion, is available at a price of Rs15 and Rs 5 per km by dialling 82528-82528, or by boarding them from metro stations of the areas where these e-bike taxis ply.

Also Read: The woman who clicked the iconic Royal Christmas photo has struck gold

"I am very happy to be part of the bike taxi service operational in Delhi," says the class XII pass-out. "I am confident to offer my best to my passengers. My passengers are very impressed by my driving skills and the fact that a woman is ferrying them around between places. Female passengers aren't usually comfortable sitting behind men; they also don't feel as safe as when a woman is sitting in front of them on a bike. But with me, they feel safe."

Barman works from 9 am to 5 pm, and earns a few thousands every day. "When I told my parents about this job, my mummy said 'Okay, if you really want to do it then go ahead.' Also, my job helps our family earn a supplementary income," she says.

Also Read: This new ad shows a Saudi woman driving a car, but not everyone is happy about it

Although she is not a 100 per cent sure about the future - Barman plans to continue this job till she gets married - there is no doubt in her mind that she loves being a driver. She says, "I feel very good when I drive the bike. I had always thought of driving one, and I finally get to do that now."

Pillion was launched in 2016 and has over 60 battery operated bike taxis plying within a radius of 5 km in Karol Bagh and Jhandewalan in the Capital. All bikes taxis are equipped with in-built GPS which will help in tracking the bike location any time. It is the brainchild of three environment-conscious Delhiites - Nikhil Malik, Karan Chadha, and Pawneesh Rampal.MANZINI  Incidents of hijackings or attempts have once again reared their ugly head in the country.



In one of the incidents, a 977 emergency medical services government vehicle was stoned by residents in an attempted hijacking.

The incident occurred at Ekudzeni, near Zombodze during the early hours of yesterday, after a team of paramedics had attended to a call for the treatment of a 12-year-old girl who had suffered an asthma attack.



According to one of the paramedics who preferred not to be named, they came across a group of about 10 people while on the way to the girls homestead after receiving the call.



The paramedic added that while approaching the crowd, no one wanted to move from the road and the people, who were under the influence of alcohol, started being rowdy.



The driver tried his best to go through the noisy crowd, however, no one wanted to move. When they realised that he was persistently driving forward, they eventually moved. We went to the girls home and treated her. However upon our return, we found the same people at the same spot and this time around they literally blocked the vehicle and demanded that we stop, the paramedic said.



When a crew member informed them that the vehicle had been dispatched for an asthma case, the people started stoning it. He added that while trying to take pictures of the dramatic incident, they discovered that the rear main window had been smashed.

One of the people, a man who was clad in a traditionally designed shirt, immediately opened the main door and ordered that we alight from the vehicle.



At the time, we were all panicking. He demanded to know why our driver had tried to knock them down and said he wanted to take the vehicle. We tried making calls to the police, however, they did not respond. We were eventually rescued by community police, who managed to disperse the crowd, the paramedic added.MBABANE  It is getting tougher with each passing day for the hundreds of Swazis who are desperate to obtain study permits at the South African High Commission.



This is because after finding themselves with no option but to spend the night on the floor at The New Mall, they now have another dilemma.

This time it is the police who are causing them a headache by banning them from spending the night on the premises.



Yesterday, some of those who had come with camp chairs and blankets with the hope of spending the night on the floor, were disappointed when the police arrived and made it known that no one would be allowed to sleep there.



When this reporter visited the premises yesterday at around 6pm, there were two police officers, a male and a female, who were found explaining to some of those who were already coiled in their blankets that they would not be allowed to hold the vigil at the mall.



The police are telling us that the nearby shops have complained about safety. We do not know what to do now that the police are chasing us away. The only way to get the service at the high commission is to sleep here so that we are able to be part of the list of those who would be attended to the following day, one of the people said.



Most of the students and parents were adamant that they were not going to leave the premises.

This, they said, was because they were not convinced by the high commission officers who gave them specific numbers with the promise that they would use them when they come the following day.MBABANE  His Majesty King Mswati III tried everything in his powers to educate Ingatja on how to sing and dance properly but he ended up bursting into laughter as some failed to catch up.



When the energetic young boys entered the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre with the shrubs (lusekwane), the King noticed that they were singing and dancing the same song in different ways.

The Monarch, therefore, ordered the warriors to teach them how to sing and dance properly.

Noted was that some of them were shouting on top of their voices while some were singing very fast.



Upon receiving the order from the concerned King, the warriors advised the young boys to take a cue from the King.

Yitsatseni kumnikati, they said in vernacular loosely translated: learn from the King.



Some Ingatja danced uniformly while others failed to follow. It was a different case with Ingtaja from Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society, who came with a completely different dance style.



He was jumping back and forward while others moved sideways. The King ordered that he be corrected however, it was like he was being encouraged to do it more.



As a result, the King and the warriors failed to contain themselves and burst into laughter.

Also, Sandile Msandikababa Nxumalo was called to order as he danced in a different style. It was noted that when the warriors used their right foot, Nxumalo would use his left foot.MBABANE  The problem of obtaining study permits to learn in South Africa is not unique to Swaziland as students from other SADC countries are faced with a similar dilemma.



For the past week, Swazi students who are desperate to get the permits, have found themselves holding vigils at the South African High Commission offices at the New Mall.



Investigations by this reporter revealed that students in Zimbabwe are also faced with a similar challenge, as they also have to camp as early as 3am in order to get the services from the SA High Commission in Zimbabwe.



Joseph Ngwawi, a media practitioner in Zimbabwe, also confirmed to this publication that the queues in Zimbabwe were also a feature at the SA High Commission.

My daughter, who is studying at one of the institutions of higher learning in South Africa, also had to queue at the embassy as early as 3am, but it is not clear what causes the problem or delay, said Ngwawi.



Locals have also had to queue up on a daily basis to get the service and in most instances, only 50 people are attended to per day.

However, yesterday one of those who were in the queue for the services was given a ticket written the number 60.



Meanwhile, another Mozambican student, Dana Da Silva also wrote an article about her experience in trying to get an SA study permit.

She said for those students who came from other countries, getting accepted into the SA institutions wasnt the only thing one needed to worry about.MANZINI  An unknown elderly woman, estimated to be 90 years old, died after she was run over by a train.



The incident took place at Lanjane, Siphofaneni in the Lubombo Region, along Matsapha-Phuzamoya rail line on Tuesday at around noon. A source, who was among the first people to arrive at the scene, said the elderly woman was on the railway line and the driver of the light locomotive train 9912, who saw her as the train was approaching, tried to signal to her to make way by blowing the horn.



However, the elderly woman remained on the railway line and because the driver saw her in close proximity, he could not avoid knocking her down, the source said.



He said the body of the unknown woman, who died on the spot, was found on the tracks with severe injuries.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Khulani Mamba confirmed the incident and said the police were still investigating the matter and trying to find relatives of the deceased woman.



Swaziland Railway Corporate Communications Specialist Sive Manana also confirmed the matter and said it was a painful incident as it claimed the life of an elderly woman. On behalf of the company, Manana sent condolences to the family of the deceased woman. He said they had noted that such incidents were common during the festive season extending to the marula season. He said as an organisation, they tried to educate the public through safety campaigns which they stage in the communities and in schools, especially in the beginning of the year.



Furthermore, he said they issued warnings through the media throughout the year where they warned the public against playing along the railway line because train accidents were usually fatal.In the end, the paradox was telling. On one hand, the Congress, viewed as pro-Muslim, opposed the Triple Talaq Bill in its present form. On the other, the right-wing Hindutva BJP claimed to be a messiah for Muslim empowerment.

The Congress and the entire Opposition cut a sorry figure live on TV, during a heated debate on the triple talaq Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

It appeared that the Opposition had walked into a neat trap set by the government.

First came the proposal that a decision be taken in the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha, with Chairperson Venkiah Naidu.

The government gave an assurance that the sense of the House would be taken, and if all parties felt the bill should go to a Select Committee, that would be done.

On Wednesday, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma moved a proposal. And what followed was a slanging match between the Treasury and Opposition benches.

There were no takers for pleas by Anand Sharma, or Derek O' Brien of the Trinamool Congress. It was clear that the BJP had won the day.

'BJP ONLY PARTY WITH MUSLIMS' WELFARE AT HEART'

"The Congress stands exposed. The people of this country know that the only party that has the welfare of Muslims at heart is the BJP," said Railway Minister Piyush Goel.

The government had come prepared. In fact, the minister of state for parliamentary affairs even lined up over 50 burqa-clad women, mostly from the minority cell of the BJP, to witness the proposed passage of the Bill.

The women, mainly from Goel's erstwhile Chandni Chowk constituency, completed the picture of a party which, like Goel said, had Muslim empowerment at heart.

The finer points - that most legislation in the NDA regime hasn't been undergoing parliamentary scrutiny under Select or Standing Committees, and that Bills prepared by bureaucrats are becoming legislation - were lost.

The fact that there could be legal lacunae in the Bill was also lost.

Experts like lawyer Indira Jaising even questioned the very necessity of the Bill.

"A declaration that triple talaq is void restores her (the wife) to the status of a wife, where is the need to make it a crime except for being vindictive. What protection does that give a wife?" She tweeted.

Honi??ble Minister for Finance being a distinguished lawyer , you should know better , a deceleration that TT is void restores her to the status of a wife , where is the need to make it a crime , except for being vindictive ? What i??protection i?? does that give a wife ? January 3, 2018

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley claimed that one of the many reasons for bringing the Bill now was that t when triple talaq was declared unconstitutional, two of the judges said Parliament should come up with appropriate legislation within six months.

That deadline expires on February 22. "So, there is an urgency that the country expects from Parliament. Legislature must act with sense of responsibility," Jaitley said.

Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal, who was lawyer for AIMPLB in the Supreme Court on the triple talaq issue, countered Jaitley. But his remarks were lost in the din in the Rajya Sabha.

"The courts ruled that if Parliament introduces a legislation within the six month period, then the injuction will continue till the Bill is passed. So what Mr Jaitley is saying misleading because the injunction doesn't end on February 22" Sibal said.

"Anyway, since the majority judgement had already declared triple talaq as void, what a minority judgemnet says has no bearing," he added.

Now, with 48 hours to go before the session ends, the Opposition hasn't indicated whether it will recalibrate its strategy, or allow the BJP to win the rhetoric...and the bill.

ALSO WATCH | Ravi Shankar Prasad on Congress blocking Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha: Naked vote bank politics(Eds: Updating with more inputs)

United Nations, Jan 3 (PTI) President Donald Trump is ready to go to "great lengths" to stop all funding for Pakistan as the country continues to harbour and support terrorism, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said.

Haleys comment came a day after Trump accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Haley alleged Pakistan of playing "double-game" with the US for years.

"The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," said Haley.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," she said.

The US yesterday announced that it is withholding its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

"The decision to block aid is connected to Pakistans harbouring of terrorists," the top American diplomat said.

Pakistan has expressed "deep disappointment" over the US statements, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the trust between the two countries.

Pakistans Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged President Trumps claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong. PTI LKJ CHT MRJ AKJ AKJColonie

The Capital Regions two largest independent medical groups have completed the merger they announced last February.

Community Care Physicians and CapitalCare Medical Group are now a single integrated multispecialty medical group with more than 1,800 employees, 400 medical practitioners, and 70 offices across the region. Though CapitalCare practices are now divisions of CCP, they will maintain their practice names.

Dr. Shirish Parikh, founder of CCP, is the new organizations chief executive officer. Joan Regan Hayner, who had headed CapitalCare, is chief operating officer.

Headquarters for the new organization is in Latham. Doctors and other medical practitioners will remain in the locations where they have practiced for years.

No jobs were lost in the consolidation, according to CCP spokeswoman Alexis Musto.

When announcing the merger last year, executives said the two medical groups hoped to achieve economic efficiencies, invest in technology and innovation, and expand services. They also expressed a desire to remain controlled by doctors, rather than be acquired by a hospital-based health system as other local medical practices have done.

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Generally, larger doctors' practices can exert more clout when negotiating fees with insurance companies and other payers. They also have more influence on patient care decisions when dealing with hospital-based systems, experts said.

A decades-long trend in medical practice consolidation has been fueled recently by changes in the way doctors are paid. Government payers like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as private insurance companies, are moving away from paying a set fee for each service provided to so-called "value-based systems" in which doctors receive set payments for a range of care. To succeed under these systems requires investments in information systems and experts to analyze patient data, something that is easier for larger practices to do.Ravena

The state of Connecticut has put the final nail in an abortive plan to bring in municipal trash for burning in the Lafarge cement plant on Route 9W.

Lafarge officials had last week disavowed the proposal by a California-based company to bring trash from the Hartford area, and on Tuesday, Connecticut officials chose another proposal to deal with that region's trash now being burned at an aging incinerator.

"This is a New Year's gift for everyone who wants to breathe clean air in Albany County and the Hudson Valley. Lafarge should never have let this proposal advance if they were indeed opposed to burning waste at their facility," said Judith Enck, a former regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who help spearhead local opposition to the plan.

Mustang Renewable Power Ventures had submitted a proposal to Connecticut officials last year that called for bringing shredded trash to Lafarge's high-temperature cement kiln. Last week, LafargeHolcim officials said there was never an agreement between the two companies, although the idea had been discussed this summer.

"Having dodged this dirty air bullet, it is now time for Lafarge to publicly commit to not burn solid waste at its Ravena facility. They should also amend their state air permit to ensure that garbage and other types of "alternatives fuels" are not allowed to be burned in their cement kiln," she said.

Mustang was one of three proposals being considered by Connecticut environmental officials. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection chose a plan that calls for increasing the share of trash that is recycled and composted, and reducing the amount of trash being burned at the incinerator.

Lafarge's current state air pollution permit allows the company to burn natural gas, coal, coke or fuel oil as fuel in its kiln. Alternative fuels are allowed, but must be reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Lafarge has not applied to DEC for permission to use any alternative fuels.

Last summer, the company began using its new $300 million kiln system, which heats a mix of water, ground limestone, bauxite and iron ore to nearly 2,800 degrees to make material called "clinker," which is then ground into cement powder.

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The new kiln, which is designed to emit less air pollution and use less water than the old kiln, was part of a 2010 agreement between Lafarge and state and federal officials that required the replacement of an aging, more-polluting kiln.Albany

Federal environmental officials fended off a bid by General Electric Co. to get a clean bill of health for its $1.7 billion PCB clean-up of the Hudson River, saying a review of the project is not yet finished.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week declined to issue a so-called "certificate of completion" to GE on the project to meet a response deadline that started in January 2017 when GE issued its report on the work to EPA.

EPA has been studying the project for more than a year and has yet to issue its final report, although a preliminary report issued in June found that PCB levels in fish could remain at unsafe levels for five decades or more.

EPA oversaw the seven-year project by GE, which has steadfastly maintained that it has met EPA requirements that were part of a 2002 agreement to perform the work. GE dredged a 40-mile section of river from Fort Edward to Troy for seven years before concluding the project in the late summer of 2015.

A certificate of completion could absolve GE of further liability for remaining PCBs in the river, but New York state, local officials and numerous environmental groups believe that PCB levels remain too high and want EPA to require further removal.

"Finalizing that report has taken longer than we anticipated, because of the number and complexity of comments submitted during the public comment period," wrote EPA Project Director Gary Klawinski in a letter to GE on Tuesday.

Klawinski wrote that EPA officials had explained to GE "on a number of occasions" that a decision on the completion certificate would not be made prior to EPA issuing its final report on the clean-up's effectiveness.

"In addition, as you know we have received comments on GE's certification request from the federal trustees and the state of New York, and require additional time to carefully consider those

comments prior to issuing our determination regarding GE's request," Klawinski wrote.

EPA expects to issue its final report on the project "sometime in early 2018," he added.

GE spokesman Mark Behan said, "EPA has advised us that the agency will complete its five-year review report early this year and consider our application for a certificate of completion. We look forward to EPA promptly completing both documents."

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo welcomed the continued federal review.

"The Hudson River is one of our most valuable natural assets, serving as a vital economic driver for communities across the state, and we must do everything we can to protect this cherished waterway," he said. "Based on extensive data, it is overwhelmingly clear that GE's cleanup of PCB contamination is not complete. The EPA made the right decision by heeding our warnings and not issuing a certificate of completion."

In November, the state sent its own PCB river study test results to EPA to support its claims that the levels of the toxic chemical remain too high. After unsuccessfully pushing EPA to conduct more tests on the river, the state Department of Environmental Conservation spent $2 million to collect and analyze its own river samples.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said he "will continue to monitor the situation, and we stand ready to take legal action to ensure the clean-up is done fully and done right."Pairing functional and transcendent as a premise for an exhibition seems odd. We use objects in our everyday life  computers, chairs and kitchen utensils and the like  to perform important tasks, but to call them transcendent pushes it a bit.

On the other hand, art traditionally is far removed from such utilitarian notions. In the world of objects and things, transcendence is usually reserved for painting, drawing and sculpture with their elevated sense of purpose. Functional and transcendent are rarely coupled together.

But these days, the lines are blurrier. Decorative arts  furniture, fabric and folk  are seen as more equal to their counterparts in painting and sculpture, opening a wide range of interpretations and arrangements from all sorts of methods and materials, presenting myriad aesthetic and conceptual opportunities.

All of this mixing and matching isn't new, yet under Hudson gallery-owner Jeff Bailey's eye, the idea is taken to a whole new level in the exhibition "Transcendent Functionalism" open through Jan. 28.

With 14 artists and nearly 30 objects, ranging from a "glowing" chair to a wall installation made from acrylic polymer and acetate on Plexiglas, the exhibit is brimming with ideas that just manage to stay together in such a tiny space on Warren Street.

Add a planter, complete with actual soil, draping fiber constructions like breasts, a spooky Shaker overcoat over a mannequin, and you have an unconventional and uplifting collection. But it isn't always lofty and erudite. Some like the wood and rubber installation "This Keyboard is a Piece of Shit" by Stephen Eakin get directly to the point in the most direct and practical way.

Since closing his Chelsea gallery and reopening in Hudson in 2013, Bailey has quietly pushed more than few boundaries, but always subtly. What might be the gallery's most-serious quality is how playful it is. Unrestricted by any aesthetic orthodoxy, Bailey is free to roam and create exhibits that take a holistic approach to art and design.

As Bailey enters his fifth year in Hudson, he sat down with the Times Union to answer a few questions.

Q: The current exhibit is a wonderful collection of objects that pushes a few boundaries. How did it all come together? What was your process?

A: Art, design and craft overlap in many ways. The artists' and designers' work in the exhibition reflects this overlap, either in the materials used (recycled or repurposed, new or old, unique or mass-produced) or in the images depicted.

Q: Is it about sculpture and design in a different context? Or is it about the decorative arts finding the higher calling of art?

A: It's more about unique characteristics of objects and artworks, and how they relate to one another through form, function or time. A mannequin wears a Shaker cloak that is approximately 100 years old, overlooking contemporary chairs cast in recycled plastic by Kim Markel, all facing a photograph of flickering candle resting on an apple by Colby Bird.

Q: What is the curatorial mission of the gallery?

A: To enlighten and surprise.

Q: The space is quite small. How has this influenced your exhibitions?

A: I once visited a dealer of antique metalware in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. His stall measured maybe 6 feet square. It was packed with objects from several centuries. So, in a way, the ground floor of a town house seems liberating.

More Information If you go ''Transcendent Functionalism'' When: Through Jan. 28 Where: Jeff Bailey Gallery, 127 Warren St., Hudson Hours: Thursday-Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 518-828-6680 Website: www.baileygallery.com See More Collapse

Q: You had a gallery in New York City for several years. Why the move to Hudson?

A: The cost of running a business in Manhattan was becoming prohibitive. I was a weekender in the area for years. Hudson is a great town, and I found a great space.

Q: Are the artists you work with primarily local, from New York City or beyond?

A: Mostly from New York City, but also local and from the Southeast and West Coast. Four of the artists in the current exhibition live locally.

Q: The awareness from the New York City art world of Hudson only seems to be increasing. What's your take on the Hudson scene these days?

A: Come visit!

Tim Kane is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.Albany

More than usual, the 2018 legislative session will be influenced by outside events. There are dual upcoming trials featuring former close associates of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor is expected to face a deficit upwards of $4 billion. And majority rule of the state Senate may shift near the midpoint of the legislative session.

All this comes in a year that will build to Cuomo, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the entire Legislature facing elections in November.

The first corruption trial, likely to begin later this month, involves former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco and three business executives, and will focus on alleged bribes paid to Percoco in exchange for government favors. The second will feature six defendants including SUNY Polytechnic founder Alain Kaloyeros, and will focus on charges of bid-rigging at upstate development projects in Syracuse and Buffalo.

When former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos were first convicted on corruption charges in separate trials in 2015, the Legislature took little action to reform state government. Because their convictions were overturned by a U.S. Supreme Court decision, the former legislative leaders will face re-trial this year.

The sheer volume of high-profile trials could place greater pressure on the governor to push for changes as he seeks re-election.

Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, noted that there are five high-profile corruption trials scheduled for the first half of 2018, including former Republican state Sen. George Maziarz and former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

Horner said reformers' collective wish list includes changes to government contracting, including pay-to-play activities, and greater appropriations for enforcement agencies such as the state Board of Elections, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the Authorities Budget Office.

"I think it's up to the governor and what he chooses to do," said Horner, noting that Cuomo has been able to push through priorities in the past when he has put in political capital.

There is also a tenuous balance in the state Senate, where Republicans hold a bare majority with support from Brooklyn Democratic state Sen. Simcha Felder, who conferences with the Republicans.

A Cuomo-led deal to reunify the Independent Democratic Conference and the state Senate Democrats  which is not expected to materialize at least until after budget season ends in March  will rely on several factors. For one, Democrats must pick up two open seats in special elections, including a competitive one for the seat formerly held by Democrat George Latimer in Westchester County, who won a race to become the county's executive.

The deal between the Senate Democrats and the IDC  in which each conference will not support primaries against the other's members  only holds if Democrats take the majority sometime during the 2018 session. For that to occur, Felder would also have to rejoin the Senate Democrats.

Felder has said he's open to that prospect, and would likely have more leverage within the Democratic conference if he is the person to become the 32nd vote that's needed to flip the chamber to Democratic control. If he joins after the 2018 elections  and if Democrats pick up a number of seats in an anti-Donald Trump wave  his vote would be far less critical.

Republicans note that Felder has won legislative victories while conferencing with the GOP, including nonpublic education spending and the demise of the New York City plastic bag tax. Felder has said he will conference with whichever side is best for his district.

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It's also unclear whether Democrats could take charge in the middle of the legislative session, given a rule passed that a vote of 38 senators is required to change leadership. If Felder and the IDC do flip, it could lead to chaos in the final session weeks reminiscent of the 2009 Senate coup, when leadership of the chamber remained divided 31-31 for a month.

In the face of a deficit, Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif said the conference's priority would be on ensuring that taxes were not raised.

"Our Senate Majority remains focused on controlling spending and taxes, taking steps to make it more affordable to live and work in New York, encouraging greater opportunity, and promoting safety, security and a better quality-of-life for all New Yorkers," Reif said.

The IDC, meanwhile, plans to focus on making it easier to vote, expanding pre-kindergarten in New York City for 3-year-olds, and achieving student loan forgiveness to combat teacher shortages.

Senate mainline Democratic leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins  who could become the first black woman to lead (or maybe co-lead) the Senate this year  is set to roll out a number of initiatives in the next few weeks, including on voting rights, sexual harassment protections and economic protections for vulnerable New Yorkers.

"New York faces a difficult economic situation and our taxpayers are being overburdened by actions taken by President Trump and Republican legislators, and both of these issues need to be addressed by state government this year," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. "We must find more ways to protect taxpayers and create good jobs, ensure access to quality, affordable health care for all New Yorkers, ensure voting rights, protect women's rights, ensure our education system receives the resources it deserves, repair and fully fund our decaying infrastructure and MTA, and stand up for vulnerable communities under attack by the Trump administration."

E.J. McMahon, research director of the Empire Center for Public Policy, said that for the first time since Cuomo took office in 2011  when he reached a wide-ranging pact over Medicaid spending with various interest groups  such spending could be a major issue in the 2018 budget. As Cuomo seeks to resolve a budget deficit he estimates at more than $4 billion, school aid funding for education could also be on the chopping block.

cbragg@timesunion.com  518-454-5303  @ChrisBragg1COHOES  The city Common Council's annual reorganizational meeting to elect a president devolved into a shouting match between Mayor Shawn Morse and Councilman Randy Koniowka.

It ended with Koniowka calling for Morse's resignation amid allegations Morse physically abused his wife and another woman.

"You are a embarrassment to the city," Koniowka said to Morse, who is under investigation following allegations of domestic abuse. "A disgrace to Cohoes and all women. You should resign."

The argument, that continued after the Tuesday night meeting, was fueled by a split in the council  three members voting to re-elect Christopher Briggs and three members voting to elect a new president, Stephen Napier.

Koniowka and Napier said change is needed because Briggs holds back information and leaving them in the dark until its time to vote.

"It's unfortunate," Napier said. "The problem is we are left with a binary choice of yes or no. We can't really go in a different direction."

Morse said he decides to hold back information from the council because Koniowka shares too much on Facebook and "can't keep his mouth shut."

"You cause all the problems," Morse yelled at Koniowka. "You put the city in a bad way. You have a whole community you represent that says nothing but bad things about you because they don't like you."

"I put the city in a bad way?" Koniowka shouted back. "Are you kidding me? In the last month, you put the city in the worst light."

State Police are investigating a domestic violence incident on the morning of Nov. 10 when Morse's wife, Brenda, called 911 and told a dispatcher that her husband "grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground," according to a police record. That incident and a woman's assertion that Morse once lifted her by the throat during a 1990s argument were first detailed in the Times Union.

Morse said there was never a tie for the top seat on the council. But on advice of the city attorney, Morse said Briggs should "be held over as president" until the split in the council could be resolved.

"He's been a tremendous president," Morse said.

But Napier countered that it was time for new leadership.

"I have no ill will toward Mr. Briggs," Napier said. "I'm running because it is time for a fresh perspective and different set of eyes is healthy for leadership."

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Briggs said he had to hold onto the position because of what he called a coup. He said Koniowka wanted to be president and was overheard saying if elected he would be among "the three most powerful people in Cohoes."

"I was very upset," Briggs said. "It really irked me. That's why I decided to run."

Napier reminded Briggs that he was running for president not Koniowka.

"I never said that," Napier said. "And I never would."

Napier is taking up Morse's decision on council president with both the state Attorney General and the Department of State. He also said that the council members made a gentleman's agreement a year ago. The plan was to let Briggs remain council president in 2017 and then in 2018, a new council leader would be voted in.

"I never agreed to that," said Briggs who as council president determines the common council's agenda.

After the meeting ended, the fight continued with Koniowska telling Morse to "not come near me."

"It's disappointing to see," said Gil Ethier, Cohoes Democratic chairman and a member of the Albany County Legislature. "It's a reflection of what's going on in the city."

Ethier concluded Morse will never resign.After the humongous success of Mersal, actor Vijay is all set to kickstart his next project, which is fondly referred to as Thalapathy 62/Vijay 62. It was reported that AR Murugadoss will be joining hands with the Bairavaa star for the third time after Thupakki and Kaththi. The untitled flick will be bankrolled by Sun Pictures.

According to sources, Vijay recently gave a look test for Thalapathy 62 at AVM Studios in Chennai. It is being speculated that the actor may be sporting a new look for this venture. Some say that he will play a character of his age in this untitled flick, which will have a strong social message. Shooting of Thalapathy 62 will commence in the last week of January or the first week of February .

The look test which was supposed to be secret has been leaked already. The leaked video and pictures are going viral on the social media. From the video, we can make out that Vijay will be sporting a stylish look for the movie.

Imagine the day when these smashing working stills are officially designed & released! #Thalapathy62LookTestPhotoshoot #Thalapathy62 .. pic.twitter.com/VWnEd96JL4 January 3, 2018

The team had roped in Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman for the music of the film. The combo of AR Rahman, AR Murugadoss and Vijay has surely piqued the curiosity of the audiences. AR Rahman's tunes for Vijay's Mersal topped the charts and is one of the reasons for the success of the movie.

The team is also keen on finalising the heroine for the film. Keerthy Suresh has been signed on as the heroine for this prestigious project. She is pairing up with Vijay for the second time after Bairavaa.

Editor Sreekar Prasad and Malayalam cinematographer Girish Gangadharan are part of the technical crew.Albany

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2018 agenda was laid bare Wednesday in a wide-ranging address in which he called for increased protections for women, criminal justice and ethics reforms, and new proposals to safeguard the rights of immigrants.

"I know that it is probably the most challenging agenda that I have ever put forth," he said.

Cuomo also kept up his rhetorical challenge of Washington, which is controlled by Republicans in both the White House and Congress. He suggested the state would move to restructure the tax code to reduce a reliance on the income tax and and adopt a statewide payroll tax.

In a barb clearly aimed at President Donald Trump, Cuomo suggested that unity, not divisive politics and rhetoric, would move the country forward.

"It is the nation's founding premise and enduring promise, it is our founding fathers' essential wisdom summed up in just three words: E pluribus unum  out of many, one," the governor said, noting that the phrase was stitched onto the flag bearing the U.S. seal. "And that seal and those words are on the flag that is hung in the Oval Office every day since. Right behind President Trump's desk. To find a way forward, the president only needs to turn around."

Cuomo's eighth State of the State address mixed the new with the old.

New proposals announced in the days and weeks leading up to the speech included plans to ban domestic abusers from possessing guns, potentially get rid of the tipped wage for hospitality workers, reform how government and other industries deal with sexual harassment and assault, end cash bail for misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges, and implement early voting.

In Wednesday's 90-minute speech, he added to that roster the expansion of cashless tolling across the state Thruway system and a pledge to sue pharmaceutical companies that breached "their legal duties to monitor, detect and report suspicious orders of prescription opioids."

He also outlined a series of repurposed proposals that include codifying abortion rights into state law, enabling undocumented students to obtain college tuition assistance, and enacting election, and government reforms that include public financing of campaigns and limiting outside income for state lawmakers.

Cuomo said the top issues of his agenda are "sexism, racism and homelessness."

"The most important element of New York's social progress agenda is equality: it is guaranteed by the constitution and our belief in human rights," he said. "Our country is finally taking a long look in the mirror as to how we treat women and we are disgusted with what we see, and we should be."

It's also an election year, and Cuomo trumpeted what he characterized as the many successes of his administration, including declining crime, a cleaner environment, increased land conservation and "a more progressive tax code."

"We have also made historic investments in education, healthcare, and economic development," Cuomo said. "Upstate New York is no longer treated as the forgotten step child of Albany, the way it was for so many years, and, my friends, state government is back: re-engaged as a vibrant partner in progress in every region of the state."

At the same time, some things will be out of his control this year. Former aides are set to go to trial soon in a corruption case involving some of his economic development efforts. Cuomo hasn't been implicated in the case.

Reviving proposals that died last year, he called for broader ethics reform in an embattled state government that has weathered a series of scandals and prosecutions of some of its top elected leaders in recent years. Among his initiatives are proposals for constitutional amendments that would limit lawmakers' outside income, impose term limits and create a full-time Legislature.

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Looming in the backdrop as Cuomo delivered his remarks is a $4 billion state deficit that he acknowledged is "compounded by $2 billion in federal cuts primarily to health care. Even worse, the federal tax bill reshapes the nation's economy." He must submit his executive budget proposal by Jan. 16, and lawmakers must pass a budget by April 1.

Cuomo on more than one occasion used the speech to appeal to lawmakers, asking that they recall the significant accomplishments they've notched during his tenure -- marriage equality, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition -- as evidence that they can address the significant challenges ahead.

"It was a very good Democratic message, progressive message," said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx. "For myself, when the governor previewed it to me, I was encouraged and I think that if we're able to follow through on many of the things he outlined, it will be a great year for us as Democrats."

State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan's view was less rosy.

"There's a lot of ambitious things in here, and I respect that," the Long Island Republican said. "But I don't know how in the heck anyone can conceive of paying for everything that was laid out."

"One of the things that I wish there was a lot more discussion on is the actual state of New York and how we run our own government," he added. "What are we doing on transportation? What are we doing on environment? What are we doing on health care? Are we taking a critical look at every dollar we spend and see if we're spending money wisely? There was a tremendous amount of focus on the federal government."Albany

State officials have confirmed that the electronic debit-card system for the federal Supplemental Nutritional Program, also known as food stamps, stopped working for a brief period on Wednesday, preventing people from making needed purchases.

The outage hit several states that use a system provided by the Conduent Inc. electronic benefit program.

The system was back up after about an hour, said Anthony Farmer, a spokesman for the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Other states affected by the outage were Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa. In New York, SNAP recipients from New York City to Albany were mentioning the outages of social media platforms including Twitter.

The service in New York was restored at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, said state officials.

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rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTUSKIP DICKSTEIN

Guilderland police confirmed Wednesday that the man who died in a fatal Church Road fire last week was Arthur C. Siebert, 91.

Firefighters were called to 490 Church Road just before 2 p.m. on Dec. 26. Siebert, the homeowner, was the only person home at the time and was trapped in the basement when the fire started. He was dead by the time firefighters were able to reach him.ALBANY Thirty-five years after she lured her husband to his violent death in one of the most notorious local crimes of the 1980s, Karen Ely is a free woman.

She is also an admitted killer.

"I wish there were such things as a do-over," Ely, now 71, told state parole board members on March 7, according to a transcript of the meeting provided to the Times Union.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision paroled Ely in April. Now, she is living in New York City, far removed from her infamous past by time and some 140 miles. It is a past that included her repeated denials that she had anything to do with the killing of her estranged husband, Raymond, on Feb. 4, 1982.

That day, Ely coaxed her husband into her basement supposedly to pick up cat litter. A 22-year-old hired killer named Robert Huntington, who knew his victim, was waiting with a clothesline. As Huntington choked the life out of him, Ely grabbed the wrists of her 43-year-old husband and told her dying spouse: "It's O.K., Ray, it's O.K."

His frozen and lifeless body was found the next day in a station wagon in downtown Albany. Ely went to trial twice, was convicted of murder both times and continued to deny any involvement.

On the day she was sentenced in 1987, Ely told Albany County Judge Joseph Harris: "There's only one thing I can say, the same thing I said 4  years ago. I'm innocent."

Ely now admits she was guilty  but there's a catch. She contends her husband abused her. She says her husband was threatening to kidnap their 2-year-old son, Robert, and bring him to Lebanon, where his family had roots.

"I really wanted my life to change," Ely told the parole board during the March interview at Taconic Correctional Facility in Westchester County. "I wanted everything to stop what was going on in my household and around me. And I wanted my problems to end. And it was just about the most horrible choice I could have made. I was so deluded by the fact that if I did this, I would end my own problems. I would end the abuse. I would end my situation. I would end the threat of my son being kidnapped or murdered."

The parole board members who interviewed Ely were former Cattaraugus County District Attorney Edward Sharkey and Sally Velasquez-Thompson, a former New York City police detective. The transcript left it unclear how seriously the parole board members took Ely's claims of being a battered wife.

The murder happened during a period of time when the couple had been separated and were not living together. The allegations of domestic abuse were not made at either of Karen Ely's murder trials.

Ely told them she was "pretty much in denial about my involvement in the crime because I wasn't being honest with myself. I had lied for so long that I just couldn't face anything at the time. It was a very bad situation for me."

She told the board she is a different person today.

"Nothing like this would ever, ever, ever happen to me again because I've learned so much about me," Ely said. "All I want is to show other women that this would be the biggest mistake of their life to take matters into their own hands. I want to show other women to leave safely. I want to show other women this is what happens when you don't. I want to help other people not make the horrific mistake I did."

Sharkey cut in, "It is not a mistake. It's a crime. And you took someone's life and that's not your place to do."

"It's not a mistake," Ely replied. "I misspoke."

The deception involved in the crime was not forgotten by the parole board members.

"So your co-defendant was there under the pretense that he was there to help your husband move his property, ex-husband move his property?" Sharkey asked Ely.

"Yes, yes," Ely replied.

"But you knew what was going to happen?

"Absolutely," Ely answered.

The transcripts of Ely's parole hearing were provided to the Times Union by Barbara Bizzi of Pittsfield, Mass., the sister of Raymond Ely and the person who fought bitterly to keep his murderous wife behind bars.

Bizzi said she has cancer and has undergone chemotherapy treatment this year. But nothing has been as hurtful as the release of Ely, she said.

"I hate her with all my being and hope she dies a horrible death," Bizzi said. "She murdered a good man. A compassionate, caring man."

Bizzi said her former sister-in-law's allegations of domestic abuse are absurd. And she was incredulous to the idea that her brother wanted to take his son away to Lebanon.

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"First of all, he doesn't speak Lebanese, and wouldn't know what to do or how to sneak his child out of America overseas to Lebanon," she told the board. "Raymond wouldn't (have) had the first inkling."

Their father is from Adams, Mass. and their mother hailed from Ottawa and became an American citizen.

"Karen Ely is a cold, calculated murderer void of compassion or caring," Bizzi told the parole board. "She is a criminal who seeks financial gain through insurance claims and will murder to get it."

Raymond Ely's body was found one day before he was to begin having overnight visitations with his son, Robert, then 2, pursuant to a stipulation of the divorce between Karen and him.

"Time was running out," then-Assistant District Attorney Christopher Rutnik told jurors in the opening statement of the second trial.

Rutnik, who now works for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, declined to comment on the case.

Karen Ely recruited Huntington to kill her husband, but District Attorney Sol Greenberg's office later recruited Huntington as the prosecution's star witness. Huntington received a sentence of 17 years to life in exchange for his testimony.

Ely's lawyer, Stephen Coffey, slammed the witness in an opening statement.

"Without him, there is no case," Coffey told the jury. "He's given five stories as to what happened that night. He can't tell the truth."

Coffey said he was pleased his former client was paroled.

"She paid a heavy price for a terrible crime," Coffey told the Times Union. "I'm happy that she finally admitted this. His family deserved that."THE ISSUE:

A state commission considers rules on forms of influence that aren't traditional lobbying.

THE STAKES:

The public, and public officials, should know who is trying to influence the public debate.

---

There are a lot of people and entities out there who want to have a say in government and don't want anyone to know who they are.

We saw it in last year's attempts by Russia to influence the U.S. presidential election through ads and fake identities on social media. We see it in "think tanks" and "grass-roots" organizations that turn out to have been set up by lobbyists and political operatives to provide intellectual cover or the aura of a popular movement, when in reality they're just shills for a corporate client or other special interest.

Even Donald Trump resorted to this tactic back in his pre-presidential days as a New Jersey casino operator, when he and his lobbyist, Roger Stone, covertly created the Institute for Law & Society, supposedly based in Rome, N.Y., to run ads opposing a tribal casino in the Catskills that Mr. Trump believed threatened his Atlantic City casino. When New York's Lobbying Commission slapped the institute, Mr. Stone, and the casino company with $250,000 in fines for the deception, Mr. Stone complained it was an attack on free speech.

It is not infringement on free speech to insist that the public know who is doing the talking when it comes to trying to influence legislation, government contracts, or public policy  and to know who, if anyone, is paying for that speech.

The state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics is now trying to design regulations to do just that. Among the questions is whether things like billboards and rallies at the state Capitol should be considered reportable lobbying activity. Under the proposed regulations, they would not be considered "direct contact" with an elected official, but would be classified as "grass-roots" lobbying. That could affect whether those involved in such activity have to register and disclose their clients, lobbyists and goals.

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The commission is also considering reporting requirements for "coalitions"  usually multiple groups that pool funds for a common lobbying effort.

Whatever form it takes, spending money  $5,000 or more over the course of a year, under the proposed rules  to influence government action is lobbying. It doesn't matter if it involves paying a high-priced lobbyist to pressure a lawmaker directly or plastering the landscape with billboard messages or chartering dozens of buses and printing placards to bring in a crowd for a rally.

And lobbying should be transparent. The public  and the public officials who pass laws and spend taxpayer funds  should know if what they're being asked to do, or not do, is in the public interest or in one person's or company's or industry's private interest. JCOPE is on the right track this time.

As for the notion that this is all free speech, that's beside the point. Regulating this as lobbying doesn't stop anyone from saying anything. It simply means putting a face to the message. The federal and state constitutions protect free speech, but they don't guarantee anonymity for those who want to influence the public debate.Former Tipperary All-Ireland winner Michael (Mick) Murphy is to be buried in Dublin this Friday, January 5.

Mick, who died on New Year's Day in his 100th year, won an All-Ireland with the Premier County in 1945 and was an inductee into the Thurles Sarfields Hall of Fame.

His removal on Friday evening is due to arrive at the Church of Our Mother of Divine Grace, Ballygall Road East, at 5pm, with funeral Mass on Saturday morning, January 6, at 10am, followed by burial in Dardistown Cemetery.

House private for family only please.

His family has offered a special word of thanks to the staff of the Mater Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, Ambulance Emergency Services, St. Mary's Hospital Day Unit Phoenix Park and Beechtree Nursing Home, Oldtown, for their excellent care of Michael.

Formerly of Kilmaley, County Clare. Mr Murphy died peacefully in the loving care of his family and the staff of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.

He was the beloved husband of the late Norah and loving father of John, Michael, Seamus, Mary and Gerard (Gerry).

Sadly missed by his sisters, Rev Mother Bernadette, Evelyn and Bernadette, his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, carers and friends.A full safety audit on motorway fencing has been called for by Cllr Hughie McGrath.

The Independent Nenagh councillor has written to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, highlighting what he said was the dangerous fencing on the M7.

Cllr McGrath told the Minister that when a vehicle spins out of control on the M7 and hits one of the barriers, the timber fencing splits into two horizontal boards and acts like a spear, penetrating the car's engine block and coming into the car itself, causing death.

I believe this now needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency before more lives are lost, he said.

Cllr McGrath pointed out that he had raised the issue back in April 2016, when he called for a safety audit on the M7 between Birdhill and Limerick. I am now asking that the safety audit be extended to the toll plaza on the M7 and that the fencing be included in that audit, he said.

Cllr McGrath also called for a review of aquaplaning on the motorway because of what seemed to be a regular number of single vehicle incidents.

He also pointed out to Minister Ross that he had raised the issue with Tipperary County Council and with the council's director of service for roads.

Cllr McGrath has asked the Minister if he could arrange a meeting with the body that oversees the country's motorways, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to allow him raise the matter directly with TII.Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for developing Irish business globally, has reported strong job creation by its client companies in Tipperary, with a 8% increase in the number of jobs created. 5,907 people are now employed by companies supported by the agency in Tipperary.

A total of 19,332 new jobs were created by companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2017. 209,388 people are now employed in companies supported by the agency. This is the highest total employment achieved in the history of the agency.

This represents a net increase of 10,309 jobs for 2017, taking account of job losses. In line with total employment levels, the net increase in jobs, is the highest on record with Enterprise Ireland. The job creation figures are up on 2016, showing strong consistent year on year growth, despite the uncertainty that Irish businesses faced in 2017 in the context of Brexit.

Job creation was evenly spread across the country, with every county seeing job increases. Two thirds (64%) of the new jobs created were outside of Dublin. The West, Mid-West and North West saw the largest level of increases at 7% in 2017.

Enterprise Ireland attributes this strong performance by Irish businesses to the continuing growth of an entrepreneurial climate for start-ups, allied to strong jobs growth in the Construction (8% increase), Engineering (8% increase), Lifesciences (8% increase), Digital Technology (6% increase), Electronics (6% increase), Food (4% increase) and ICT sectors (5% increase).

Making the announcement today at the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland client technology company Ding, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Julie Sinnamon said:

Todays figures represent another year of strong performance by our client companies who now employ over 209,000 people and are a barometer of the robust health of Irish businesses. Despite the challenge and uncertainty created by Brexit, Irish companies have continued to grow their global exports, supporting strong job creation across all of the regions of Ireland.

At Enterprise Ireland, our Strategy  Build Scale, Expand Reach 2017 - 2020 is focused on transforming the innovation and competitive capabilities of Irish enterprise, to expand the global reach of ambitious Irish companies into diversified export markets and we are pleased with the results of the first year of our new strategy. It is imperative, however, that Irish businesses continue to build on the strength of their 2017 performance and implement robust plans to prepare for the impact of Brexit.

Discussing the results, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said: Todays results are consistent with the strong employment performance across the economy. I am very pleased to see this strong level of job creation delivered for Tipperary by Enterprise Ireland backed companies.

The priority of my Department, through Enterprise Ireland is to support companies inTipperary and right across the country to continue to build on this strong job creation performance. Whatever the outcome of the complex Brexit negotiations that lie ahead, it is vital that as a country we are ready and the Government continues to take initiatives to bolster the capacity of our enterprise agencies to drive exports and support investment.

In recent months, Enterprise Ireland, through funding from my Department, has launched new measures to strengthen the rural and regional economy, and to provide quicker access to innovation funding for exporting companies.

Overall, my Departments eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs, which will be a key focus of my work in the coming period, are now embedded across the country. They are excellent examples of government agencies like Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices and businesses working together to tackle regional issues. These results mark another step in the right direction for our regional plans.

Today, Enterprise Ireland also announced the launch of a new Market Discovery Fund to support Enterprise Ireland backed companies to diversify into new markets and promote new products to existing markets. There are three levels of funding available to companies; up to 35,000, up to 75,000 and up to 150,000.

Announcing details of the new Fund, Julie Sinnamon said: In the context of Brexit, consolidating exports to the UK, while expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. The new Market Discovery Fund, along with our intensive international programme of export focused trade missions, and our recently introduced Agile Innovation Fund, are key supports which will be instrumental to helping even more companies grow and reach new export markets. The new Fund, further underpins our goal of increasing exports by 5bn by 2020.

Todays announcements were made at the offices of the Enterprise Ireland backed company Ding, the worlds most popular mobile top-up platform, used by hundreds of thousands of people every day in over 100 countries. In 2018, Ding are on course for a significant programme of investment and growth with plans to add another 50 people to their team worldwide to bring total employment to 250, as they seek to achieve revenue targets of $1 billion, in the coming years.Coimbatore, Jan 3 (PTI) Farmers in 23 villages today staged a demonstration near here opposing the rejuvenation camp for elephants at Mettupalayam.

The 48-day camp is beginning on the banks of the Bhavani river at Thekkapatti tomorrow.

The protesters staged the protest at Karamadai, 20 km from the camp venue. Officials said 33 elephants from various mutts and temples in the state are expected to participate. The farmers claimed that due to the presence of the jumbos in the camp, wild elephants from nearby jungles stray into their lands and destroy the crops, police said.

The agitating farmers appealed to the government either to shift the venue of the camp or conduct it in respective temples, police added. PTI NVM BN[January 03, 2018] CIRCULOGENE Announces International Licensing of Proprietary Molecular Diagnostics Testing Technology to Turkey-Based Laboratory

CIRCULOGENE, advancing precision medicine through molecular genetics testing, has entered into an international licensing agreement with Turkey-based CIRCULOGENE Saglik. Under terms of the agreement, CIRCULOGENE's low-volume, high-yield, extraction-free and loss-free sample preparation coupled with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology is being licensed to CIRCULOGENE Saglik of Istanbul, Turkey. "As the exclusive licensee of CIRCULOGENE in these regions, we are excited to make advanced liquid biopsy testing widely available," said Goksin Ozel, M.D., Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of CIRCULOGENE Saglik. "We strongly believe in CIRCULOGENE's technology and in the importance of partnering with health care professionals to help save and extend lives. We are also committed to serving the communities in which we live and work, and providing the highest level of customer service possible." The agreement gives CIRCULOGENE Saglik exclusive rights to use CIRCULOGENE's proprietary, direct-on-specimen, nucleic-acid enrichment technology in Turkey as well as surrounding countries and regions, including to parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). "This agreement aligns strongly with our aggressive growth and revenue strategy, expanding our laboratory's testing capabilities and availability internationally," said CIRCULOGENE CEO Mike Mullen. "We have a strong relationship with CIRCULOGENE Saglik dating back to 2016, and we look forward to working with this outstanding laboratory group to make advanced cancer diagnostics widely available to the medical facilities, physicians and patients that it serves." In March 2016, CIRCULOGENE began processing its first international orders from GGT Global Genetik, parent company of CIRCULOGENE Saglik.



"That's when we realized the tremendous value our unique enrichment and sequencing capabilities could offer the international market," said Mullen. "We're able to deliver maximum output from minimum input with the fastest turnaround times and lowest costs in the industry. We're the only company in the industry able to do that using a single tube of blood, and our new MSI (News - Alert) testing capabilities build on the strong value proposition we already provide the cancer diagnostics market." CIRCULOGENE recently introduced Microsatellite Instability (MSI) biomarker testing for precision cancer immunotherapy with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) across multiple cancer types, or Opdivo (nivolumab) for colorectal cancer. The company's laboratory operations have been streamlined and automated for an industry-leading, three-day turnaround-time capability for all DNA, RNA and immunotherapy test results at a fraction of current industry costs.

CIRCULOGENE is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified and provides biomarker testing for a broad range of cancers, allowing physicians to match results to specific drugs and clinical trials. For more information, visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, or email us at info@circulogene.com or call 855-614-7083. Clinicians interested in ordering tests may visit the Contact page on CIRCULOGENE's website. About CIRCULOGENE Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., CIRCULOGENE is an innovative molecular diagnostics company founded and operated by a team of experienced industry executives and skilled molecular diagnostics scientists. Applying its proprietary laboratory developed test for cfDNA, cfRNA and MSI liquid biopsies, CIRCULOGENE has developed the next-generation sequencing (NGS) method to provide full genomic load analysis from one standard tube of blood and in less than seven days, enabling more accurate data to help clinicians and their patients choose targeted therapies, monitor efficacy and monitor for recurrence. For more information, visit www.circulogene.com or call 855-614-7083. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005917/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] IDdriven and Bravatek strategic alliance update

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IDdriven, Inc., (OTC:IDDR), an innovative provider of cloud-based Identity and Access Management ("IAM") services, provides an update on its strategic alliance with Bravatek Inc., (OTC:BVTK). As a result of the strategic alliance agreement executed between the two companies during Q4 of 2017, Bravatek has introduced IDdriven to its channels in Kazakhstan, to enable the licensing of IDdrivens solution in the Kazakhstan market, and enable Kazakhstans network of enterprises to better control and increase data security. Kazakhstan ranks 35 on the World bank ease of doing business report, updated in June, 2016. The latest report on Kazakhstan from export.gov, which is compiled by the US embassies abroad states that Kazakhstan has a healthy appetite for imported goods and in some, not all, cases is willing to pay more for higher quality and innovative technology/service. At the same time, In the US, IDdriven has in consultation with Bravatek conducted demos of the IDdriven solution to US government agencies, and has been able to benefit from the wealth of experience Bravatek has in this area. Dr. Tom Cellucci, Chairman and CEO of Bravatek stated: "Were proud to be able to assist IDdriven not only in the USbut around the world. Their capabilities are needed in many global sectors. Arend Verweij, CEO of IDdriven stated: It is a pleasure to work with Bravatek management. In the short time weve worked together they have demonstrated their unique work ethic and specific knowledge needed in the security and technology markets we operate in.



About Bravatek Solutions, Inc. Bravatek Solutions, Inc. is a high technology security solutions portfolio provider that assists corporate entities, governments and individuals protect their organizations against both physical and cyber-attacks through its offering of the most technically-advanced, cost-effective and reliable software, tools and systems.

For more information, visit www.bravatek.com About IDdriven With its next-generation IDaaS program of the same name, IDdriven, Inc. is at the forefront of the new breed of Identity Management and Access Governance solutions. The company is currently researching and developing a solution for enterprises aimed at helping enterprises utilizing the benefits of consortium based blockchain and their frameworks. Taking the complexity and upfront costs out of implementation, IDdriven automates access security for vulnerable company assets by seamlessly integrating with the solutions from Microsoft, and other cloud providers like Amazon. Founded in 2013, IDdriven is headquartered in Sacramento, California. To learn more, visit: www.IDdriven.com . Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure

This news release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond IDdriven s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) commercialization of our software program s, (ii) development and protection of our intellectual property, (iii) industry competition, (iv) we may need to raise capital to meet business requirements. More detailed information about IDdriven and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward looking statements is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov . IDdriven assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Company Contact

E: investors@IDdriven.com

T: 415.226.7773

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 02, 2018] Lazada Selects Aspect Software as a Telephony Technology Provider, Strategic Customer Engagement Partner in Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspect Software, a leading provider of fully integrated consumer engagement solutions, today announces that Lazada, South East Asia's number one online shopping and selling destination, has partnered with Aspect to enhance Lazada's Customer Engagement technology. The company's investment will cater to its growing online customer base across six countries in Asia Pacific it currently serves. Lazada, founded in 2012 and now majority-owned by Alibaba, has seen a tremendous increase in traffic to its websites and mobile apps, and engagement with customers through various channels. With millions of interactions and transactions being handled daily, the leading eCommerce firm recognized the need to arm itself with a robust and reliable contact center solution that can cater to multi-channel engagements with their consumers and be able to provide world class customer experience in a dynamic and socially-enabled world. Lazada will deploy Aspect's Omni-channel Contact Center Solution - Aspect UIP 7.3 and Aspect Quality Management, for its sales & telemarketing team at six countries in Asia Pacific: Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. Aspect has a long history of expertise, from the first ACD in 1973, and today Aspect solutions power 1.4M Agents Worldwide & support 100+M Daily Customer Interactions. "As an eCommerce platform handling millions of transactions every day, it is a priority for us to provide our customers in the region superb and quality customer engagement across channels and equip our agents with the rght tools to be able to effectively handle the volume of engagement and transactions of the company. Thus, having to deploy a world-class omni-channel customer engagement solution is critical to ensure a superior customer experience. We are pleased to work with the team at Aspect and excited to continue to deliver a great customer experience in the region," said Brigitte Daubry, Lazada Group.



A 2016 report co-authored by Google states Southeast Asia is the fastest growing internet region in the world, driven by a rapidly growing young population - 70% being under the age of 40. The report further forecasts that e-commerce in the region is on track to grow to reach $88 billion per year in 2025, up from $5.5 billion in 2015. "It's a privilege to partner with Lazada, the leading eCommerce company in the region, to assist them in enhancing their customer engagement platform to meet the growing demands and preferences of their customers. Their selection of Aspect Unified IP and Quality Management show their confidence in Aspect's technology and their commitment to excellence in customer service and experience." said Richard Loberas, ASEAN & Korea Sales Head, Aspect Software.

About Lazada Group Lazada Group operates Lazada, Southeast Asia's number one online shopping and selling destination, with presence in Indonesia (www.lazada.co.id), Malaysia (www.lazada.com.my), the Philippines (www.lazada.com.ph), Singapore (www.lazada.sg), Thailand (www.lazada.co.th) and Vietnam (www.lazada.vn). 2 of 2 Launched in March 2012, Lazada is pioneering eCommerce in the region by providing customers with an effortless shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, extensive customer care and easy returns. About Aspect Aspect helps enterprises break down the walls between people, processes, systems and data sources, allowing organizations to unite around the customer journey. By developing fully native interaction management, workforce optimization and self-service capabilities within a single customer engagement center, we enable dynamic, conversational interactions and create a truly frictionless omni-channel customer experience. Leveraging the agility of our worldwide cloud infrastructure and over 40 years of industry ingenuity, Aspect conveniently and easily connects questions to answers while helping enterprises keep service levels high and operational costs contained. For more information, visit www.aspect.com Follow Aspect on Twitter at @AspectSoftware. Read our blogs at http://blogs.aspect.com. Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20171123/1999787-1LOGO SOURCE Aspect

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Austin.city Open for Business

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the opening of SXSW just over 2 months away, DigitalTown, Inc. (OTC PINK:DGTW), the leading provider of People-centric Solutions for Smart Cities, is pleased to announce the launch of Austin.city, a groundbreaking platform cooperative where residents and visitors improve quality of life in Austin as they search, connect, share and shop locally, transacting directly with local merchants.

With the introduction of Austin.city, residents of Austin have their very own Google, Expedia, AirBnB, OpenTable, PayPal and Bitcoin, all in one, accessible 24/7 via the Austin.city web portal and mobile application. Best of all, Austin.city can be owned by Austinites through the distribution and sale of CityShares, a Blockchain-based solution for managing shared ownership of city cooperatives. Starting today, residents are able to claim their free CityShares -- ownership stakes of the Austin City platform. The free CityShare claim is scheduled to end on January 31, 2018. The free CityShares are limited to 10 shares for each legal resident of the AustinRound Rock metropolitan statistical area, last reported at 2,056,405 as of July 1, 2016. Unclaimed CityShares are also available for purchase while they last. Austin merchants are able to sign up for a free storefront. There are no setup fees, no service fees, and no requirement for a conventional bank account or merchant account. Merchants simply pay a low commission on actual sales, thereb making it easy for merchants of all sizes to be accessible via web and mobile. Verified merchants have the option of redeeming sale proceeds to major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.



Rob Monster, CEO of DigitalTown commented on the announcement, explaining AirBnB and Uber have shown the world the power of the Sharing Economy to tap the productive capacity of individual citizens in a community. Blockchain, and in particular Bitcoin, has shown the world the power of distributed ledgers as an efficient medium of exchange. RideAustin showed Austinites that it is possible to keep it local. With Austin.city we are making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to search local, shop local and think local. In November 2017, DigitalTown announced the acquisition of Austin-based technology developer Congo Ltd and the establishment of local presence in Austin, operating out of Capital Factory in downtown Austin and led by Frank Robles. I am excited to invite my fellow Austinites to visit Austin.city and join our quest to keep Austin weird, as we show the world how to be unique in the Digital Age. I believe effective use of DigitalTowns Technology can help keep Austin special, and also for the sustainable benefit of all stakeholders., added Frank Robles, VP Operations.

To claim a CityShare in Austin.city, residents of the Austin metropolitan area should visit Austin.city, click on CityShares, and complete the free claim. To find out more about DigitalTown, visit DigitalTown.com or download the DigitalTown Smart City App on iOS or Android. About DigitalTown

Austin.city is a service of DigitalTown. DigitalTown, Inc. (DGTW) powers Smart Cities to succeed in the Digital Age. The company provides turn-key hosted solutions to power "Digital Towns", which improve Quality of Life for residents and visitors through locally owned solutions for economic development, civic engagement and digital inclusion for cities around the world. For more information about the company, please visit www.digitaltown.com. Safe Harbor Language: Any statements contained herein related to future events are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. DigitalTown, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect actual events. Media Contacts: Rob Monster, CEO

(425) 295-4564; rob@digitaltown.com Frank Robles, VP Operations

(512) 650-9791 frank@austin.city

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Innovation Pharmaceuticals Brilacidin Meets Key Secondary Endpoint in Phase 2 Trial, Delays Onset of Severe Oral Mucositis (SOM); Latest Results Further Support Topline Data Showing Trial Met Primary Endpoint of Reducing Incidence of SOM

BEVERLY, Mass., Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovation Pharmaceuticals, (OTCQB:IPIX) (the Company), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today presented additional secondary endpoint topline results from the Company's randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 clinical trial of Brilacidin (see NCT02324335) for the prevention and control of Oral Mucositis (OM) in patients receiving chemoradiation for treatment of Head and Neck Cancer.

Previously released results from the study showed the use of Brilacidin-OM met its primary endpoint with a clearly reduced incidence of severe OM (SOM) (WHO Grade = 3) compared to placebo. Brilacidin-OM is being developed with global patent protections under an FDA Fast Track designation for this indication. Summary of Key Secondary Endpoints Analysis Onset of Severe Oral Mucositis: Based on Kaplan-Meier curves, Brilacidin-OM oral rinse showed a clear separation from placebo in delaying the onset of SOMparticularly the period from approximately 28-42 days, after the initiation of treatment, during which the incidence of SOM rose strikingly in the placebo group while not in the group being treated with Brilacidin. The delay of onset of SOM data further support the positive primary endpoint findings that showed a clear reduction in the incidence of SOM in patients receiving Brilacidin-OM treatment. Our updated Corporate Overview, with a visual display of the Kaplan-Meier curves, is now available (pdf) on the Companys website.



Duration of Severe Oral Mucositis: Given that Brilacidin-OM successfully prevented SOM from occurring, as well as delayed its onset, in a substantial number of patients, data comparisons aimed at assessing potential reduction in the duration of SOM were constrained by the fewer number of Brilacidin-OM treated patients that could be included in such analysis. While Brilacidin-OM appeared to decrease the initial duration of SOM (time from the initial WHO Grade = 3 to the first WHO Grade = 2 OM assessment), detailed interpretation of this and other duration data comparisons were limited. The notable effect of Brilacidin-OM in delaying the onset of SOM in patientson top of preventing itfurther substantiates the drug candidates potential to emerge as a highly efficacious, safe and easy-to-administer preventative medicine for this notoriously painful and difficult-to-treat condition, said Arthur P. Bertolino, MD, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Medical Officer at Innovation Pharmaceuticals. That Brilacidin performed so well in this clinical trial puts us in an extremely advantageous position in both a competitive and regulatory sense. The unmet medical need in OM is tremendous and we look forward to advancing Brilacidin-OM toward possible market approval, which would help improve the lives of so many cancer patients. The Company is now working to complete the Clinical Study Report (CSR). The CSR is central for engaging with the FDA to further discuss program development, and is also an important component for informing already advanced OM partnership discussions. In Brilacidin-OM, based on the strong positive Phase 2 clinical results, the Company believes it has a highly promising and unique late-stage OM drug candidate that, with approval, could assume the leadership position in a market with untapped economic potential. The global OM market is expected to exceed $1 billion in the next few years. Biotech Showcase Details The Company will be presenting at the 2018 Biotech Showcase Investor and Networking Conference, held January 8-10, in San Francisco, as detailed below:



Date: Monday, January 8, 2018

Time: 4:00 PM PST

Track: Yosemite - C (Ballroom Level) About Brilacidin

Brilacidin is Innovation Pharmaceuticals lead drug candidate in its defensin mimetic franchise. Modeled after Host Defense Proteins (HDPs), the front-line of defense in the immune system, it is a small, non-peptidic, synthetic molecule that kills pathogens swiftly and thoroughly. Just as importantly, Brilacidin also functions in a robust immunomodulatory capacity, lessening inflammation and promoting healing. Due to its unique properties, the Company is studying Brilacidins effect on Oral Mucositis (under Fast Track designation) and on Ulcerative Proctitis/Proctosigmoiditis (UP/UPS) in Phase 2 trials. Additional trials of Brilacidin are planned in other conditions, including: Atopic Dermatitis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Acne. Brilacidin is also being developed under FDAs Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation as an antibacterial product for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection (ABSSSI)qualifying it for Fast Track and possible Priority FDA Review and an extra 5 years of United States market exclusivity upon drug approval. Learn more here:

http://www.ipharminc.com/brilacidin-1/ About Brilacidin-OM Innovation Pharmaceuticals first-in-class immunomodulatory drug candidate, Brilacidin, targets the prevention of severe Oral Mucositis (OM)a common and debilitating side-effect of receiving chemoradiation therapyin Head and Neck Cancer. Each year, OM affects hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. Only a limited number of OM treatments are available, most of which are palliative in nature. A Phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Brilacidin-OM (see NCT02324335) has been recently completed in which topline results demonstrate a reduced rate of severe OM (WHO Grade > 3) in patients treated with Brilacidin-OM compared to those on placebo. About Oral Mucositis Oral Mucositis (OM) is a frequent, painful and debilitating complication of chemoradiation. Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patientscomprising an estimated 65,000 newly diagnosed cases in the U.S. alone in 2017, and an estimated 700,000 worldwide (source: GLOBOCAN)are at the greatest risk of developing OM (a 90 to 100 percent rate of occurrence). By 2030, the global incidence of HNC cases is expected to exceed 1 million per year. Moreover, between 25 and 60 percent of cancer patients, regardless of cancer type, also will experience OM. Characterized by inflammation and ulceration, patients suffering from OM are often unable to speak and eat (requiring the insertion of a feeding tube) and are more susceptible to infections, with severe cases leading to hospitalization at increased treatment costs of up to $25,000. There currently are no approved medications for the prevention of OM in the HNC population, with only limited palliative care options available. Worldwide, the potential market for OM is expected to exceed $1 billion in the next few years. Alerts

Sign-up for Innovation Pharmaceuticals email alerts is available at:

http://www.ipharminc.com/email-alerts/ About the Company

Headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI), formerly Cellceutix Corporation, is publicly-traded under the company symbol IPIX. The Company is clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies in multiple diseases. The Company believes it has a world-class portfolio of first-in-class lead drug candidates and is now advancing them toward market approval, while actively seeking strategic partnerships. The Companys Psoriasis drug candidate Prurisol completed a Phase 2 trial and the Company has since conducted a Phase 2b study, with topline results expected in 1Q2018. Prurisol is a small molecule that acts through immune modulation and PRINS reduction. The Companys anti-cancer drug Kevetrin successfully concluded a Phase 1 clinical trial at Harvard Cancer Centers Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Company has commenced a Phase 2 study in Ovarian Cancer. In the laboratory, Kevetrin has been shown to modulate p53, often referred to as the Guardian Angel Gene due to its crucial role in controlling cell mutations. Brilacidin, a defensin mimetic compound, has shown in an animal model to reduce the occurrence of severe ulcerative Oral Mucositis (OM) by more than 94% compared to placebo. The Company has recently completed a Phase 2 clinical trial with its novel compound Brilacidin-OM for the prevention of OM in patients with Head and Neck Cancer; topline results demonstrate a reduction in the incidence of severe OM (WHO Grade = 3). The Companys lead antibiotic, Brilacidin, has completed a Phase 2b trial for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection, or ABSSSI. The Phase 2b data showed a single dose of Brilacidin to deliver comparable clinical outcomes to the FDA-approved seven-day dosing regimen of daptomycin. Brilacidin has the potential to be a single-dose therapy for certain multi-drug resistant bacteria (superbugs). Results are now available for the completed Phase 2, open label Proof-of-Concept trial, treating patients with Brilacidin for Ulcerative Proctitis/Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis (UP/UPS), two types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The Company has formed research collaborations with world-renowned research institutions in the United States and Europe, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Bologna. More information is available on the Company website at www.IPharmInc.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 including statements concerning projected timelines for the initiation and completion of clinical trials, our future drug development plans, other statements regarding future product developments, including with respect to specific indications, and any other statements which are other than statements of historical fact. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Companys actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. The Company 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. Among other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are the Companys need for, and the availability of, substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and research and development; including the amount and timing of the sale of shares of common stock to Aspire Capital; the fact that the Companys compounds may not successfully complete pre-clinical or clinical testing, or be granted regulatory approval to be sold and marketed in the United States or elsewhere. A more complete description of these risk factors is included in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company 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. INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT

Innovation Pharmaceuticals

Leo Ehrlich

info@IPharmInc.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] World's most popular city Bangkok attracts more than 780,000 visitors over festive New Year period

Enchanting aesthetics of 'Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias @Ratchaprasong' among top must-see attractions for New Year's Eve Countdown BANGKOK, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's most popular visitor destination, Bangkok, attracted more than 780,000 visitors over the festive 2017 New Year period, an increase of 30% from 2016 with over 50% international tourists. Among the top attractions during this period, the spectacular 'Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias @ Ratchaprasong', a world-class 3D projection mapping performance incorporating a special New Year's Eve Countdown and embodying Thainess and cultural pride, brought thousands to the Ratchaprasong district of the city. Ratchaprasong has evolved over time to ascend to its current position as the city's heart, soul and premier center for shopping, hospitality, business and tourism. Mr. Visit Malaisirirat, CEO of Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited, said, "Visitor spending helps to boost tourism revenue and economic growth of the city. We're delighted to have been able to present 'Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias' as our contribution to the city at the time of Christmas and New Year. It definitely brought a joyful year-end to all visitors who came to Bangkok, home of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard. The lighting performance embodies Thai character and our cultural pride; it highlights Bangkok's status as an international destination for leisure and business travelers, and also for luxury property investors." Ahead of London, Paris and Singapore, Bangkok had a record of 19.41 million visitors i 2016, more than London 19.06m, Paris 15.45m, and Dubai 14.87m, and is expected to have hosted nearly 20.2 million tourists in 2017, according to Mastercard's annual list.



"We expect visitor numbers in the Ratchaprasong area, where our development is located, will have shown an increase by about 30% from 600,000 visitors to 780,000 visitors during the Greeting Festival as they come to shop, celebrate the countdown, and see the stunning 3D light art installation projection. Many will have returned home to cities like Hong Kong and Singapore after appreciating the relative value here and considering Bangkok as a very possible option for investing in property or starting a business". According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, foreign and Thai tourists are expected to have spent some Bt15.56 billion from December 29 to January 2, 2018. Based on air ticket and accommodation reservations, about 420,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit Thailand during the New Year holiday period, an increase of 17 percent over last year.

New Year's Eve in Bangkok marks the closure of a year in which the city is now considered to be a true alternative to other premier regional cities -- one of the very top destinations for investment in property and business. "We've very pleased to create 'Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias' lighting project to show and to attract visitors to Bangkok. We're also satisfied that our beautiful project and its aesthetically pleasing design is perfectly suited to the attractive and ever-evolving skyline of Bangkok, our beautiful city," concludes Mr.Visit. Magnolias' lighting show has been displaying special Christmas motifs, New Year's Eve countdown and an integrated fireworks display to mark the magical close of 2017. Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard (MRB) is a mixed-use project with sophisticated and iconic architecture inspired by magnolias flowers, encompassing 316 luxury residence units, office areas and the 5-star hotel Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, the first branch of Hilton's flagship brand in SE. MRB offers the prime investment opportunity in Thailand, and presents one of the best opportunities in Asia for investing in the luxury property sector. www.magnolias-ratchadamri.com Explore Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNHDM8VTfyw&feature=youtu.be Media contact: Vivaldi PR

Radakarn

E-mail: radakarn.b@vivaldipr.com M: +66-2-612-2253 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-most-popular-city-bangkok-attracts-more-than-780000-visitors-over-festive-new-year-period-300576890.html SOURCE Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC)

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Perr&Knight Opens a New Office in Cincinnati, Ohio

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Perr&Knight, a leading provider of actuarial consulting and insurance operations solutions, is pleased to announce that they have opened a new office in Cincinnati, Ohio effective January 2, 2018. California based Perr&Knight has signed a lease on an 1,850-square foot space at Atrium Two in the Central Business District. The new Cincinnati office is the fourth office outside their Santa Monica headquarters. Offering a host of insurance consulting and software solutions to the property-casualty and accident-health insurance industry, Perr&Knight looks forward to expanding operations to Cincinnati, further supporting their nationwide reach. "We chose Cincinnati because of its central proximity to current and prospective clients as well as its deep talent pool of insurance professionals," explains Tim Perr, chief executive officer of Perr&Knight. "We're thrilled t join the Central Business District and look forward to becoming more deeply involved in this thriving community of professionals."



The address for the new office is: Perr&Knight

Atrium Two, Suite 2460

221 East Fourth Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

CONTACT: Scott Knight

Managing Principal

Perr&Knight

310-889-0947

sknight@perrknight.com

www.perrknight.com About Perr&Knight: Founded in 1994, Perr&Knight provides insurance consulting and software solutions to the property & casualty and accident & health industries. Services include actuarial consulting, product development, insurance policy and forms consulting, regulatory compliance, state filings, licensing, technology consulting, statistical reporting, data services, and predictive analytics. Software includes StateFilings.com, a leading cloud-based state filings management solution. With offices in Santa Monica, Boca Raton, the New York Metro Area, Fort Worth, and Cincinnati, and more than 100 insurance professionals, Perr&Knight is among the largest independent actuarial and insurance consulting firms in the United States. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perrknight-opens-a-new-office-in-cincinnati-ohio-300575823.html SOURCE Perr&Knight

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Cubic Receives Contract to Mobilize Los Angeles Metro TAP Fare Payment System

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) today announced that its Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) business division was awarded a contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), to deliver an integrated mobile app in support of the TAP regional contactless fare system. TAP links 24 transit agencies across the Los Angeles region and the mobile app will provide travelers with a range of convenience tools to enhance their daily commute. The app will be supported by Cubic's application programming interface (API) portal provided on the company's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) cloud platform enabled via Cubic's collaboration with Microsoft for the company's Azure cloud environment. This will connect to both the existing back office and TAP's new account management platform. Cubic's open APIs will allow third-party devices to securely interact with TAP cards for authentication, top-up or debiting card and account balances. This will include the ability to use TAP account balances for third-party services such as ride or bike sharing, parking and fare subsidy programs. "This is an exciting time for the TAP program, because with the addition of new apps and connecting features, customers will be able to get the latest commute information, make a fare purchase, use their mobile device as a TAP card and complete their journey using transit, bikeshare or other multi-modal programs," said David Sutton, executive officer, Metro. Cubic's traveler app will support smartphone users byproviding a variety of TAP card and account management features including:



TAP account management integrated with Metro's www.taptogo.net website, allowing users to fund TAP card loads and other services from a single regional account, including bike, ride or car share and parking, which can be booked as part of an integrated journey plan straight from the app.

Order a virtual TAP card for the ability to tap and pay with a smartphone.

Receive account balance, pass expiration and related service alerts via push notifications and in-app alerts, including real-time arrivals for buses and trains.

Registration and management of TAP card, TAP account balances and loading value/passes to TAP cards.

Participation in travel-driven promotion and incentive programs.

Integration with fare subsidy programs and ability for the unbanked to load cash at participating retailers and TAP vending machines. Additionally, Cubic will provide a merchant app for retailers who sell and load fare products on TAP cards. The app will have access to the full TAP product catalog and allow retailers to select from available pass types and stored value amounts. Once a payment is made, retailers are able to load the product to a traveler's TAP card via the near field communication (NFC) reader/writer interface native to an Android tablet, phone or accessible point-of-sale terminal. As an added benefit, the connection to the new TAP account system may facilitate members of eligible enrollment categories to receive discounts and/or rewards. "We're thrilled to grow our partnership with Metro by collaborating on these innovations for the TAP program to provide improved and more convenient services for our customers," said Matt Cole, president of CTS. "We look forward to continuing working with Metro's TAP team to drive shared mobility initiatives across the Los Angeles region."

Designed and delivered by Cubic, TAP is the largest regional smart card fare payment system in the U.S. More than two million active TAP card holders spend in excess of $320 million annually and take more than 450 million rides per year across the regional transit network. About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a market-leading, technology provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services to create intelligent travel solutions for transportation authorities and operators. Cubic Mission Solutions provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. Cubic Global Defense is a leading provider of live, virtual, constructive and game-based training solutions, special operations and intelligence for the U.S. and allied forces. For more information about Cubic, please visit the company's website at www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cubic-receives-contract-to-mobilize-los-angeles-metro-tap-fare-payment-system-300576707.html SOURCE Cubic Corporation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] VectorZilla, World's First Blockchain-Based, Royalty-Free Graphics Marketplace, Announces Token Presale and ICO

KANPUR, India, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- VectorZilla, the world's first royalty-free, stock graphics platform and marketplace based on blockchain and deep learning technologies, has announced the VectorZilla Token (VZT) presale scheduled between Jan. 15, 2018, to Feb. 5, 2018. This is the first time that a stock graphics marketplace catering to a global audience has adopted a transparent and semi-decentralized platform with blockchain technology. A private pre-sale of VZT is scheduled in the first week of January 2018, and the public ICO will go live a few weeks after pre-sale. VectorZilla.IO is a revolutionary new marketplace for stock graphics, featuring over 1 million self-owned graphic elements and over 120,000 compositions. Built on top of the Ethereum network, the platform will see a beta launch take place in the second quarter of 2018. VectorZilla's enviable image library is currently worth $25 million and can be accessed at affordable rates using VZT at super-fast speeds, or other digital currencies and fiat money that are converted to VZT during checkout. The VZT can also be freely traded on crypto exchanges. The VZT sale comprises 100 million tokens, of which 75 million are earmarked for the ICO crowdsale. The pre-sale public offer comprises 5 million VZT with a target of 10,000 ETH, and comes with a bonus of up to 25 percent as an incentive for early investors and participants. Of the total, 23 million VZTs will be held in a reserve fund for management and acquiring future content and licensing, while 2 million tokens, to be kept in multiple signature wallets, will go towards the token-sale cost, an affiliate and bounty programs. Subscribers who participate in the pre-sale above 10 ETH will also receive a special 10 percent additional bonus. VZT can be bought with cryptocurrency (Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) Litecoin, Ripple, Wave etc.) or fiat currencies. "VectorZilla is our most ambitious and cutting-edge platform that will transform the royalty-free stock graphics industry. As the world's first blockchain and AI-based marketplace, we welcome contributors and participants from all over the world to make VectorZilla the biggest and most trusted royalty-free graphics storehouse ever created," said Abdul Qaiyoom, co-founder and CEO, VectorZilla. The global stock images market is on the rise and projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.37 percent with a revenue pie of over $4 billion by 2022. The royalty-free images sector in which VectorZilla operates is expected to deliver the fastest growth during this period due to flexible terms of use. VectorZilla is spearheading the royalty-free graphics marketplace with a transparent and secure platform that pays the maximum to contributors. Several features make VectorZilla the most ambitious and revolutionary project in the global ree stock graphics marketplace. It is the first of its kind in the world to use both the blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the huge market for free graphics, a trusted and reliable online service popular all over the world. The blockchain is the future of such online platforms, giving it maximum security, transparency and data storage. It also allows VectorZilla to offer much-needed services such as white-label and integrated apps. Contributors from all over the world are thus likely to participate at VectorZilla, which aims to serve millions of businesses and individuals after its formal launch.



Built upon the most cutting-edge and futuristic tools, VectorZilla utilizes the Ethereum decentralized ledger with multiple security levels and transparent and open transactions between contributors, customers and partners. Each user will thus receive their fair share with easy transactions and instant payment. The AI-driven search engine offers contextual and highly relevant search results, thus creating efficiency and a wholesome user experience. All popular platforms (Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, WordPress, Shopify, Magento, etc.) will be able to utilize content from VectorZilla through plug-ins, apps and extensions. Also available are highly usable API and multi-platform apps, and a white label solution for select partners. The team behind VectorZilla comprises over 40 industry professionals from diverse fields, including technology, management, creative, operations, sales and marketing. The operations are backed by Allies Interactive Services Pvt. Ltd., one of the world's largest vector stock graphics creation and distribution companies and a leading contributor to sites like shutterstock.com, depositphotos.com, storyblocks.com and other stock graphics marketplaces. Allies Interactive Services carries over 18 years of experience in software technology and the microstock graphics industry. Team members carry decades of experience in UI/UX, creative graphic design, software development, IT consulting, business management and entrepreneurship, with some members working on blockchain technologies since its early days.

VectorZilla's vision is to be the preferred platform for all graphics requirements and advanced, cloud-based, online editing tools that deliver maximum productivity right inside a web browser. The worldwide audience includes creative freelancers, creative agencies, publishers (bloggers, etc.), publishing houses, content writers and anyone who requires royalty-free stock graphics. The launch schedule of VectorZilla has been formally announced in three phases. The first phase will see the platform go live with over 120,000 vector graphics and over 1 million vector elements. Also on offer will be integration apps, plugins, extensions and more, catering to online platforms for blogging, e-commerce or content management systems. The second phase will open up new possibilities with advanced graphics editing tools. In the third phase, VectorZilla will open itself to the world community of contributors, buying royalty-free licenses of graphics files and offering 90 percent sales proceeds. Funds raised from the pre-sale and ICO will contribute towards developing and marketing VectorZilla. Development, content acquisition and team expansion will receive 55 percent of funds, global legal compliance and operations will receive 10 percent each and 20 percent of the funds will be used for pre-sale, referral, marketing and promotion of VectorZilla. Participants in the token sale and contributors desirous of joining VectorZilla can obtain detailed information, including a whitepaper, token structure and pricing, from the website. For more information, please visit https://vectorzilla.io. Media Contact:

Abdul Qaiyoom

Phone: +91 9935104470

Email: abdul@vectorzilla.io Related Files VectorZilla Key Informations.xlsx Related Images image1.jpg

VectorZilla Platform Features image2.png

VectorZilla Flat Web & App image3.jpg

VectorZilla Platform Features image4.jpg

VectorZilla API Related Links VectorZilla Whitepaper Website Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVfAJq_gY3g View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vectorzilla-worlds-first-blockchain-based-royalty-free-graphics-marketplace-announces-token-presale-and-ico-300576406.html SOURCE VectorZilla

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Datera Appoints Hal Woods as Chief Technology Officer

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Datera, Inc., a leading provider of data services platform software for traditional and cloud-native applications, announced today that Hal Woods has joined the company as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Reporting directly to Datera Founder and CEO Marc Fleischmann, Woods will work closely with Datera customers, prospects, ecosystem partners and industry influencers to identify new opportunities, use cases, and technical requirements to develop and drive the overall technology vision and roadmap for the companys next phase of growth.

Datera delivers significant value to customers today by enabling highly-automated data services at scale for traditional enterprise and modern cloud-native applications, said Fleischmann. Im delighted to have Hal join the team, as his wealth of knowledge and experience across a wide spectrum of disciplines will be invaluable as we extend our capabilities and further penetrate the large opportunity ahead. Woods brings more than 20 years of experience in storage, enterprise IT and engineering. Most recently, he served as CTO and vice president of the Western Digital Data Center Business Unit, where he was charged with transforming the company from a storage dvice company to a systems and information management company. Woods previous leadership experience includes a 16-year career with Hewlett-Packard, where he held various executive and senior level technical and engineering positions including CTO, Software-Defined Storage and CTO, Storage Area Networks. He joined Hewlett-Packard in 2002 through its merger with Compaq Computer, where he served as CTO of the multibillion-dollar Compaq Enterprise Storage Group.



As organizations increasingly choose to transition applications to containers, cloud-based deployments and IT-as-a-service delivery models, a modern data services platform like Datera that is nearly autonomic, extensible and performs well at web scale will be essential to their success, said Hal Woods, Chief Technology Officer, Datera. Im excited to work with Marc and the Datera team to take our innovation to the next level and fully capitalize on this growing trend. About Datera

Datera is taking storage into the data era. Unlike traditional storage, all-flash arrays or typical cloud storage, Datera offers the only SLO-based data services platform for traditional and cloud-native applications that delivers the breakthrough business agility and extensibility customers really want with the enterprise-class performance and better-than-cloud economics they really need. Connect with Datera

Blog: http://datera.io/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/daterainc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datera Press Contact:

Linda Rosenblum

617-986-5734

datera@lpp.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]New York, Jan 2 (PTI) Being a better person and weight loss share the top spot as the most popular New Years resolution for 2018, a US poll has found.

The survey of 1,074 adults aged 18 and above was conducted by The Marist Poll.

Among Americans who planned to make a resolution, 12 per cent reported that they want to be a better person, and the same proportion (12 per cent) said they want to lose weight.

Exercising more, eating healthier, and getting a better job each garnered nine per cent while seven per cent want to improve their overall health, the poll found.

Six per cent of US residents resolving to make a change want to kick the smoking habit, and another six per cent plan to spend less and save more money. 30 per cent mentioned another resolution altogether, the poll found.

Last year, being a better person (16 per cent) edged out weight loss (10 per cent) and exercising more (10 per cent) to take the number-one slot.

The proportion of resolution makers who plan to look for a better job has nearly doubled from five per cent last year to nine per cent currently, according to the poll.

"With weight loss tying for the number-one resolution and exercise and healthy eating making the top five, health is top of mind," said Lee M Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion in the US.

"And, if the past is any indication, many Americans have a good chance at keeping their promises for at least part of 2018," said Miringoff.

The most cited resolutions among those under the age of 45 are being a better person (13 per cent) and getting a better job (12 per cent), the poll found.

Among older resolution makers, weight loss (16 per cent) edges out exercising more (13 per cent), being a better person (12 per cent), improving ones health (11 per cent), and healthier eating (10 per cent), it found.

While being a better person (17 per cent) is the leading New Years resolution among men, weight loss (15 per cent) is the top resolution among women.

Among those who said they made a resolution for 2017, 68 per cent said they kept at least part of their promise.

Similar proportions of men (69 per cent) and women (66 per cent) remained true to their word for at least part of 2017, according to the poll.

More men (75 per cent) compared with women (62 per cent) said they kept their New Years resolution last year. PTI SAR SAR[January 03, 2018] Nokia, T-Mobile US and Intel collaborate to bring T-Mobile's first commercial hardware based 5G 28 GHz cell on air

Press Release Outdoor inter-vendor connectivity over 28 GHz spectrum between 5G commercial Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) and Intel 5G Mobile Trial Platform (MTP)

Field test developed on Nokia commercial 5G AirScale radio solution, enabling real-world environment testing in line with 3GPP standards alignment

End-to-end testing of 28 GHz 5G wireless access characteristics and connectivity in outdoor environments 3 January 2018 Bellevue, WA - Nokia, T-Mobile and Intel have reached a major milestone in their 5G collaboration by bringing a 28 GHz outdoor 5G commercial radio system on air in the busy downtown corridor of Bellevue in Washington state. A data session was conducted on a 28 GHz radio in a field test environment using the Nokia 5G commercial AirScale solution and the 5G Mobile Trial Platform (MTP) from Intel, enabling T-Mobile to deploy its first inter-vendor 5G network. This collaboration furthers the companies' goal to drive standards, enhance the 5G ecosystem of chipsets and devices and develop the best network experience for Un-carrier customers. This milestone is a first step in moving 5G development from labs into the field, expanding 5G mmWave radio performance and propagation testing into real world environment. The testing also allows T-Mobile and Nokia to understand how mmWave based 5G can be integrated with existing networks and how it co-exists with LTE. Spectrum in all ranges from 600 MHz to mmWave will be required for 5G to meet its vision. Wide-area coverage to support mobility must be an integral part of any nationwide deployment strategy as 5G is anticipated to create enhanced broadband experiences and connect everything. Neville Ray, CTO of T-Mobile, said: "We're laser focused on building a nationwide 5G network for mobility, one that uses multiple spectrum bands, and launching field trials for mmWave spectrum is an important step forwar."



Ricky Corker, head of North America for Nokia, said: "The path to 5G is paved with tremendous endeavor and innovative milestones such as our achievement with T-Mobile in Bellevue. T-Mobile takes great technological strides in its network evolution and Nokia is proud be a key partner on this journey." Nokia will demonstrate 5G on the AirScale platform at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona, Spain from February 26 to March 1.

Did You Know The mobile communications community has already made significant progress in developing 5G systems that will reshape the way people communicate. Discover the potential of 5G Resources Beamforming for 4.9G/5G

5 keys to 5G

5G mmWave revolution

Translating 5G use cases into viable business cases To watch and read more about 5G possibilities click here Connect with Nokia Subscribe to receive information on specific areas of interest

Website

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We create the technology to connect the world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.



From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. nokia.com Media Inquiries:

Nokia

Communications

Phone: +358 10 448 4900

Email: press.services@nokia.com Carol DeMatteo

Nokia External Communications, North America

Mobile: +1 214.728.6197

Email: carol.dematteo@nokia.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] MetricStream Appoints Mikael Hagstroem as New CEO

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MetricStream, a leading provider of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Apps and Solutions, announced today that Mikael Hagstroem will succeed Shellye Archambeau as President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 2018. Ms. Archambeau will join and continue to actively serve the company on MetricStream's board of directors. Previously, Mr. Hagstroem served as Partner and COO of McKinsey Analytics, where he helped clients harness high-performance analytics to reshape their business models, modernize their organizations, and unlock competitive advantage and growth. Prior to McKinsey, Mikael was EVP at SAS Institute, where he led more than 5,000 employees across 48 countries, and over 25 years grew a multibillion-dollar software business, contributing to SAS' leadership in business analytics and risk intelligence. He currently serves on the executive committee of the United States Council for International Business, and has served as chair of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Data-Driven Development and chair of the Executive Council of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union. The GRC market is at a critical inflection point, where market demands for business insights from risk and compliance data are adding to the ongoing focus of protecting and preserving corporate integrity and reputations. This next chapter in the market will be marked by demands for significant investment and growth in the areas of intelligence and analytics, and the ability to provide sharper and proactive risk insights to drive business outcomes. With the exponential growth in technology innovations and digital business models, MetricStream's customers are looking to levrage their digital data to predict outcomes and automate possible actions, as well as harness and monetize risk intelligence to drive business performance.



Ms. Archambeau stated, "As I pass the baton on to Mikael, I am confident that with his experience and leadership, MetricStream will continue to accelerate its global growth and enter new markets, drive deeper customer engagement and success, and do what MetricStream does best  innovate. I enthusiastically welcome Mikael as MetricStream's new CEO." Mr. Hagstroem commented, "I'm thrilled to take the helm at MetricStream, where I will have the opportunity to lead the company into this next exciting phase of customer-centric innovation and growth. Together with industry shaping organizations including global 2000 customers, incredible partners, and the world-class team at MetricStream, we are well placed to make GRC fit for the digital age."

MetricStream remains on its growth path as the leading independent GRC company in the world, and continues to inspire confidence from the market and investment community. With its latest financing round led by Clearlake Capital, with participation from EDBI and contributions from existing investors including Goldman Sachs, Sageview Capital and others, along with the successful launch of M7, MetricStream is truly bringing GRC into the future. MetricStream Executive Chairman, Gunjan Sinha commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mikael as the new President and CEO of MetricStream. Mikael's background and experience leading global teams and building a successful global software solutions and analytics business will enable MetricStream to continue to lead with GRC. Shellye's legacy of strong leadership will continue as she joins MetricStream's board of directors where she will contribute valuable guidance and insight." About MetricStream

MetricStream, the independent market leader in enterprise and cloud applications for Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and Quality Management, makes GRC simple. MetricStream apps and solutions improve business performance by strengthening risk management, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, vendor governance, and quality assurance for hundreds of thousands of users in dozens of industries, including Financial Services, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Energy and Utilities, Food, Retail, CPG, Government, Hi-Tech and Manufacturing. MetricStream is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with an operations and R&D center in Bangalore, India, and sales and operations support in 12 other cities globally. (www.metricstream.com) Media Contact:

Molly Palm

US: +1 (925) 451-1468

188152@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metricstream-appoints-mikael-hagstroem-as-new-ceo-300576400.html SOURCE MetricStream

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] CyberSight Creates SAFE Program, Donating 10,000 RansomStopper Business Licenses Valued at $300,000 to Local Government and Nonprofit Organizations in the United States and Canada

CyberSight, a San Diego-based cybersecurity intelligence platform company, today announced the donation of 10,000 RansomStopper business licenses, valued at $300,000, to qualifying local government offices and nonprofit organizations through the launch of its CyberSight SAFE Program. RansomStopper is CyberSight's patented software solution to predict, detect and stop ransomware attacks on computers. The surge of ransomware attacks in 2017 has proven that no individual or organization is safe from the threat of ransomware. There have been numerous reports of crippling cyberattacks on emergency services, law enforcement, city and county offices, shelters, community centers and public works across the country. In addition to the potentially massive financial and business interruption losses from ransomware attacks, the impact to public safety and infrastructure integrity, and the damages resulting from exposed or lost personal information of employees and beneficiaries (often children) and civil and criminal records is often overlooked. Many local governments and nonprofits have limited resources to prevent cyberattacks. To help these organizations, CyberSight has created the CyberSight SAFE Program to donate up to 10,000 businss licenses to the community. Requests from qualified government and nonprofit organizations may be submitted to SAFE@CyberSight.com.



"Ransomware attacks are devastating to all businesses, but can be especially damaging to local governments and nonprofit organizations. Cybercriminals frequently target these institutions under the presumption that they have outdated equipment and a lack of protection software, along with limited human resources to handle cybersecurity," said Hyder Rabbani, COO, CyberSight. "We want to make a difference. The CyberSight SAFE Program raises cybersecurity awareness and will help local governments and nonprofit organizations protect their computer systems from cybercriminals so they can focus on their main business and the communities they serve." RansomStopper is a next-generation anti-ransomware software that leverages patented behavioral analysis and deception techniques to detect new and existing ransomware and to protect from malicious encryption and file loss. Its intuitive platform allows even the most resource-limited organizations to easily protect their systems from malicious attacks.

To learn more and to apply for one free year of RansomStopper, please send an email with your organization's details to SAFE@CyberSight.com. CyberSight team members will process the request and start the protection process. For users seeking ransomware protection for their home PCs, CyberSight also offers a free personal version of RansomStopper that can be downloaded directly from www.cybersight.com. About CyberSight CyberSight is a leading cybersecurity intelligence platform that predicts, detects and stops cyberattacks before they happen. CyberSight's RansomStopper software uses proprietary technology and machine learning to provide multi-layered defense against ransomware for home and business uses. Learn more at www.cybersight.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005223/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Robins Kaplan Adds Pioneer Trial Lawyer David Graff to New York Office

Robins Kaplan LLP announced today that decorated trial lawyer David Graff has joined the firm's New York office. Graff, just 35 years old, has won widespread acclaim for his groundbreaking work on behalf of investors in foreign entities that have "gone dark." "David is one of the brightest young stars in the New York trial bar," said Ronald J. Schutz, managing partner of Robins Kaplan's New York office. "He will be a cornerstone of our commercial litigation practice in New York. His passion, inventiveness, and trial skills will serve the firm and its clients well for years to come." In a series of pioneering cases, Graff has used novel theories to secure judicial remedies for hedge funds and other shareholders in non-reporting companies located in China, Hong Kong, and other foreign territories. Graff's innovative work has allowed his clients, who would otherwise have no recourse, to value and recover their investments. His expanding caseload i this area is one aspect of a diverse trial practice that has touched on shareholder rights litigation, business torts, and bankruptcy adversary proceedings. He also serves as national counsel to a servicer of student loan debt with $1 billion under management, and earlier this year earned a victory over Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. following a 46-day trial. In one current matter, he is representing the founder of American Apparel in a malpractice action against famed Hollywood lawyer Patty Glaser.



"I have the greatest respect for Robins Kaplan and its broad-based group of trial lawyers," said Graff, who spent 100 days of the 2017 calendar year representing clients at trial. "It's a perfect fit between my New York-based commercial litigation practice and Robins Kaplan's well-established, national platform." Graff comes to Robins Kaplan from Anderson Kill, where he was co-chair of the firm's corporate and commercial litigation practice, and also founded its Foreign Investment Recovery and Regulated Products groups.

"The combination of youth, trial experience, and creativity that David brings to his matters is unlike anything I've seen," said Craig Weiner, chair of Robins Kaplan's New York commercial and financial litigation group. "His talent only adds to our bench in New York and beyond." Graff has been recognized as a rising star by Benchmark Litigation, Law360, New York Law Journal, and Super Lawyers. In 2014, when Graff was 32 years old, Law360 named him one of 10 outstanding securities lawyers under the age of 40. About Robins Kaplan LLP Robins Kaplan is among the nation's premier trial law firms, with more than 220 lawyers located in Bismarck, N.D.; Boston; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Naples, Fla; New York; Silicon Valley; and Sioux Falls, S.D. The firm litigates, mediates, and arbitrates high-stakes, complex disputes, repeatedly earning national recognition. Firm clients include-as both plaintiffs and defendants-numerous Fortune 500 corporations, emerging markets companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005596/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Continuity and COCC Enter into a Joint Marketing Agreement

NEW HAVEN & SOUTHINGTON, Conn., Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Continuity, the leader in the development and deployment of Unified Compliance Management Systems (UCMS), today announced a Joint Marketing agreement with COCC, one of the most successful regional core solutions providers in the community banking industry. The agreement will allow COCC to market the Continuity UCMS platform to its significant client base in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey.

We are very happy to have formalized a marketing relationship with COCC, said Mike Nicastro, Chief Executive Officer of Continuity. Mr. Nicastro continued, The Unified Compliance Management System model is growing rapidly, and with the strategic and important influence of the elite core providers such as COCC, that adoption rate will grow even faster. We look forward to working with Continuity in order to provide this unique platform for our clients, said Joe Trafton, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer of COCC. With strong compliance being such an essential part of a financial institutions strategy, it only allows us to better serve and support our clients. The new agreement was executed in Decemberof 2017, and the two companies already service a number of joint clients. Continuity will participate in the annual COCC client event, and both organizations will work together to expand the UCM footprint.



About Continuity

Continuity is a leading provider of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) and Unified Compliance Management Systems which simplify compliance management for financial institutions of all sizes. By combining regulatory expertise and cloud technology, Continuity provides a proven way to reduce regulatory burden and mitigate compliance risk at a fraction of the cost. Our solutions are designed to guide financial institutions through all aspects of compliance management. Including the interpretation of regulatory issuances, intuitive task delegation, vendor management, and board reporting. Continuity serves hundreds of institutions across the US and its territories. For more information about Continuity, visit http://www.Continuity.net/. About COCC

COCC is an award-winning client-owned financial technology company servicing financial institutions throughout the Northeastern United States. Launched in 1967, COCC was founded by its clients. This unique cooperative structure has set COCC apart from the competition and is one of the driving forces behind their success. COCC is the fastest growing financial data processing company in the United States and recognized as a leader in delivering innovation and the quality service financial institutions demand and deserve. Visit www.COCC.com

Press Contact:

Stephanie Wandell

Marketing Associate

Continuity

Office: 866-631-5556 x233

Cell: 203-610-5283

http://www.continuity.net

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]Dr. Longmires presentation will be on January 10, 2018 at 1:30 PM (PST). The presentation will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Cyril Magnin III, 4th Floor, in San Francisco.

Dr. Longmire will talk about Medable's industry leading direct-to-patient platform, and reveal how Medables platform enables health data to be intelligently aggregated across the first fully digital representation of human health, the human digitome, from which reproducible digital signatures of health and disease can be derived for digital biomarkers and digital therapeutics. Recently, Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania announced that they adopted Medable's platform for direct-to-patient disease management apps and clinical studies. Medable is the only platform that enables direct-to-patient with an enterprise platform useable by health experts without developers.

Prior to Medable, Dr. Longmire trained in dermatology at Stanford University where she studied epigenetics. While working in the Stanford lab, she studied how the human genome is expressed in dermatological diseases. She began to understand the shortcomings of clinical research and how the data captured from patients in a clinical setting lacks the real world context needed to tell us the whole story of a patient's health. She co-founded Medable in 2014 to develop a purpose-built platform for healthcare that captures data directly from patients. In 2017, privately-held Medable experienced 10X revenue growth, tripled its number of employees, introduced two new products and made partnership deals with Fortune 500 healthcare companies and top medical research hospitals, who collectively serve over 15 million patients and conduct 6,000 clinical trials. Based on current market demand, Dr. Longmire predicts that Direct-to-Patient healthcare will continue to see rapid market adoption.

There is tremendous need to decentralize healthcare and research to enable better, real world data capture and anytime, anywhere delivery of care, said Longmire. Our platform is defining Direct-to-Patient and making mobile data capture as easy to use by healthcare experts as a stethoscope. We are enabling a fundamental shift in how healthcare is delivered and disease is studied.

Biotech Showcase is an investor and networking conference devoted to providing private and public biotechnology and life sciences companies with an opportunity to present to, and meet with, investors and pharmaceutical executives in one place during the course of one of the industry's largest annual healthcare investor conferences, the J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference.

About Medable Inc.

Medable was founded in 2014 to enable healthcare technology to be as seamless, integrated, and adaptive as the human body. Medable is transforming healthcare by enabling patient generated data to drive healthcare delivery, clinical research, and personalized and predictive medicine.

Website: www.medable.com

Follow Medable on Twitter: @Medableinc

Gary Poole, PR Director gary@medable.com[January 03, 2018] Current U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Brian Stretch Will Join Sidley in San Francisco

Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Brian Stretch, current U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, will join the firm in San Francisco as a partner in its White Collar: Government Litigation & Investigations practice. Mr. Stretch will focus his practice on the full range of federal enforcement and internal investigation matters, with a particular emphasis on corporate investigations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and criminal defense matters. Mr. Stretch is a highly accomplished lawyer with a distinguished history of public service and prosecution of criminal matters. During his 18-year tenure in the U.S. Attorney's office, Mr. Stretch has held various high-level positions, including that of U.S. Attorney, First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of its Criminal Division. Mr. Stretch was appointed to the U.S. Attorney post by the Chief Judgeof the Northern District. As the U.S. Attorney, he leads an office of over 130 lawyers and other professionals in addition to personally handling an array of criminal prosecutions.



Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's office, Mr. Stretch served as a Deputy District Attorney (DA) in the Marin County District Attorney's Office. As a Deputy DA, he participated in all aspects of civil and criminal litigation, including investigation, charging, discovery, negotiation and settlement. During his distinguished career, Mr. Stretch has personally tried over three dozen jury trials to verdict and argued three appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Brian's substantial experience as a first chair trial lawyer in high-stakes cases will add value to the San Francisco office as well as to the robust national practice," said Sharon Flanagan, managing partner of Sidley's San Francisco office and member of its Executive Committee. "We look forward to drawing from his tremendous knowledge to advise our clients facing government investigations and other complex white collar matters." With 2,000 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on Twitter (News - Alert) @SidleyLaw. For purposes of the New York State Bar rules, this press release may be considered Attorney Advertising and our headquarters are Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, +1 212 839 5300; One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, +1 312 853 7000; and 1501 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, +1 202 736 8000. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103005901/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][January 03, 2018] Alliance Memory Expands Lineup of DDR3 and DDR3L SDRAMs With 512Mb x8 and x16 Devices in 78-Ball and 96-Ball FBGA Packages

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced that it has expanded the industrys widest offering of high-speed CMOS DDR3 and low-voltage DDR3L SDRAMs with new 512Mb x8 and x16 devices in the 78-ball and 96-ball FBGA packages, respectively. Featuring a DDR architecture, the SDRAMs provide extremely fast transfer rates of 1600Mbps and clock rates of 800MHz.

Very few suppliers offer 512Mb DDR3 and DDR3L SDRAMs, so we are excited to add them to our broad lineup, which also includes hard-to-find 8Gb devices, said TJ Mueller, Vice President of Marketing at Alliance Memory. Furthermore, our new DDR3 and DDR3L SDRAMs are offered in the same FBGA packages as devices with densities from 512Mb to 8Gb, allowing our customers to easily switch if they require less memory. With minimal die shrinks, the devices released today provide reliable drop-in, pin-for-pin-compatible replacements for numerous similar solutions used in embedded systems, desktop and notebook computers, industrial metering applications, consumer electronics, and wireless base stations  eliminating the need for costly redesigns and part requalification. The 512Mb DDR3 SDRAMs operate from a single +1.5V (0.075V) power supply, while the DDR3L SDRAMs operate from a single +1.35V power supply, with backward compatibility to 1.5V. The JEDEC-compliant devices are available in commercial (0C to +95C) and industrial (-40C to +95C) temperature ranges. The DDR3 and DDR3L SDRAMs support sequential and interleave burst types with read or write burst lengths of 4 or 8. An auto pre-charge function provides a self-timed row pre-charge initiated at the end of the burst sequence. Easy-to-use refresh functions include auto- or self-refresh. RoHS-compliant, the devices are lead (Pb)- and halogen-free. Links to product datasheets and ordering information:

https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/as4c512m8d3a/ (AS4C512M8D3A)





https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/as4c512m8d3la/ (AS4C512M8D3LA)

https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/as4c512m16d3l/ (AS4C512M16D3L) Samples and production quantities of the new 512Mb DDR3 and DDR3L SDRAMs are available now, with lead times to eight weeks.

About Alliance Memory Inc.

Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find DRAM and SRAM memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes DRAMs and SRAMs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 8Gb. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in San Carlos, California, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com. Editor resources: Link to product image:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72157688999256372 Link to detailed product info: https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/as4c512m8d3a/ (AS4C512M8D3A)

https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/as4c512m8d3la/ (AS4C512M8D3LA)

https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/as4c512m16d3l/ (AS4C512M16D3L)



Agency Contact:

Bob Decker

Redpines

+1 415 409 0233

bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com Alliance Memory Contact:

TJ Mueller

VP of Marketing

+1 650 610 6802

tj@alliancememory.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]The Klein Law Firm Notifies Investors of an Investigation Concerning Possible Violations of Federal Securities Laws by Credit Suisse Group AG

The Klein Law Firm announces the commencement of an investigation of Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.

The investigation concerns Credit Suisse's possible failures to adhere to risk control protocols and the Company's accumulation of billions of dollars in illiquid securities in violation of those protocols.

If you suffered a loss in Credit Suisse and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Joseph Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or visit http://www.kkclasslaw.com/CS-Info-Request-Form-240.







Joseph Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180103006258/en/Protests erupted across Maharashtra after clashes in Pune during Bhima Koregaon Battle anniversary celebrations. Photo: India Today.

Dalit protests erupted across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, in the aftermath of the violence in Pune during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima Koregaon Battle.

There is a long and violent history of oppression against Dalits in the country, so much so that the Battle of Koregaon, in which British-led Mahar soldiers defeated the Peshwas, has been interpreted by Dalits as a victory against caste-based discrimination and oppression.

KOREGAON NOT THE FIRST DALIT PROTEST

Maharashtra itself has witnessed several Dalit protests in the past. In 2006, violent protests took place across Maharashtra after an Ambedkar statue was allegedly desecrated in Kanpur.

Many, however, believe that resentment among Dalits was already simmering after incidents like Khairlanji massacre in which four of a Dalit family were killed by members of the dominant Kunbi caste.

In neighbouring Gujarat, widespread Dalit protests were seen in the aftermath of the Una flogging incident in 2016. Buses were torched and some Dalit youngsters even attempted suicide after a video of four Dalit boys being beaten up for skinning a dead cow went viral.

Last year, Dalits turned up in large numbers at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, in a show of strength to protest against alleged Dalit atrocities following the violence in Saharanpur. The protest was led by lawyer-turned Dalit leader Chandrasekhar whose Bheem Army Ekta Mission mobilised the Dalits.

DALIT PROTESTS GAIN POLITICAL SPACE

The recent Dalit protests, be it after Una flogging, Saharanpur violence or Bhima Koregaon clashes, have gradually gained space in the political mainstream.

The Dalit protests after the Una flogging incident saw the rise of Jignesh Mevani in Gujarat, who went on to contest the Assembly election as an Independent candidate and is now an MLA from Vadgam.

While dominant Patidars are still the kingmakers in Gujarat, this election also saw Dalits asserting themselves more politically than ever before.

That Mevani was present during the 200th celebrations of the Bhima Koregaon Battle in Pune shows how Dalit protest platforms are increasingly becoming political.

In the aftermath of the Pune clashes, Dalit leader and Union minister Ramdas Athawale demanded an inquiry into the incident while workers of his Republican Party of India (RPI) reportedly took part in pro-Dalit protests across Maharashtra.

Bhimrao Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, a former MP, called for Maharashtra bandh to protest against the Pune violence.

With Dalits mobilising themselves as a community more now than ever and asserting themselves politically, Dalit politics is no longer on the fringes.

WATCH: Dalits take to streets in protest after deadly Pune Koregaon Bhima violenceUpdate, 1/4/18, 8:00am PT: We now have statements from several semiconductor vendors and news on the exploits. Read more at: Understanding The Meltdown And Spectre Exploits: Intel, AMD, ARM and Nvidia.

Update, 1/3/18, 1:00pm PT: Intel has responded to the reports and disputes claims of a bug.

According to recent reports, Intel and ARM processors suffer a serious hardware-level vulnerability that the vendors cannot patch via a microcode update. Addressing the vulnerability requires a significant retooling of operating systems, in particular Windows, Linux, and macOS, which reportedly causes up to a 30% reduction in performance in some workloads.

However, that number is likely overblown for the majority of applications. The overall impact of the performance regression and the specific programs impacted are poorly defined. As with many pre-release security patches, the details surrounding the bug are under NDA for now, but we expect an official update from Intel soon. Both Microsoft and Linux already have patches in the pipeline. AMD's exposure to the bug remains undefined, with some reports indicating the company's processors are immune and others stating that some models are impacted.

What We Know About The Vulnerability

The vulnerability reportedly allows programs to access protected areas of the kernel memory, but the exact nature of the bug is yet unclear. The potential exploits, and what they could do, are also undefined. We do know the fix requires separating the user and kernel memory pages with kernel page-table isolation (KPTI). Some ingrained hardware features on Intel processors, such as PCID (Process-Context Identifier), can lessen the overhead of separating the two spaces, but these features aren't present on older Intel processors.

The Performance Impact

We also know that Microsoft has already deployed patches in the fast ring Windows Insider builds. Those patches rolled out in November. Notably, there haven't been any reports of massive performance degradation from participants of the Insider Ring. Linux patches are already available. For now, the patches are confined to the operating system. It is possible that application patches could also help lessen the impact.

A note of caution: The bug will have an impact on some programs, but the chance of a widespread 30% reduction in performance is slim. Phoronix conducted testing on the patched Linux 4.15-rc6 kernel with an Intel Core i7-6800K and an i7-8700K. It tested applications that are confined to the user space, which are typically indicative of what you would see on a desktop system, and found that these applications "should see minimal change (if any) in performance." That means you will likely see little to no performance impact on your next desktop session, be it gaming or otherwise.

Phoronix did record significant performance regressions with the new kernel during select workloads, particularly synthetic I/O benchmarks. The site conducted these tests with SSDs that tend to offer varying performance based on the amount of past user activity, and the article doesn't indicate if the storage devices were correctly preconditioned. Phoronix noted the new kernel has other changes beyond the bug patch that could also impact performance, so for now, it is hard to ascertain the direct impact of the patch on these workloads.

The performance impact is more pronounced in PostgreSQL, which is an open source object-relational database system. PostgreSQL has issued a warning about performance regression that includes benchmarks showing a 17-23% reduction in performance with the new patch. Redis also appears to suffer a performance loss, but to a lesser extent.

So Much FUD

The vulnerability appears to be most dangerous to data center workloads and virtualization. However, it is irrational to assume that the overwhelming majority of data centers will see a 30% reduction in performance. Losing even 15% of the computational horsepower from a data center would be a major blow, and that compute would have to be replaced almost immediately. The patch has been in development for several months, so if Intel and the major data center operators were expecting massive performance reductions, there would have been an incredible spike in data center equipment purchases.

Also, we would have likely already seen signs of a pending financial disaster for Intel if there was a serious threat of hardware replacements to a wide swath of the data center. Intel's customers would likely be able to pursue litigation for widespread losses that are directly the fault of Intel. It's also reasonable to assume that the company would be required to replace faulty processors. For instance, Intel disclosed during its Q4 2016 earnings call that it had encountered a higher-than-expected failure rate for some of its processors, so it established a financial reserve to deal with the costs of replacements. We reported on Intel's statements, and later the fund was connected to failures in Intel's Atom C2000 processors. In no recent financial commentary has Intel disclosed the establishment of any new funds, so it appears the company doesn't foresee significant hardware replacements any time soon.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich also recently sold $11 million in stock, which some have proclaimed is a sign that he's unloading his shares before a pending disaster. However, Krzanich sold the stock under a 10b-51 plan, which is a pre-planned sale of stocks intended to prevent insider trading. The nature of Krzanich's transactions makes it unlikely that the trades are a precursor of a major monetary loss for the company.

Currently, there are no major shifts in Intel's stock that would indicate a mass sell-off by investors. There are conflicting reports about the impact to AMD processors, and AMD's shares are currently up 5%. However, such an increase is a fairly common occurrence for the sometimes-volatile AMD stock, so the bump may be incidental; in any case, it's not out of the ordinary. Update, 1/3/18, 11:00am PT: AMD's shares are now up 9% and Intel is down 6%.

For now, we await more detail on the nature of the bug and its impact. We expect an update to emerge in a future Patch Tuesday update, but Microsoft has not listed an official release date.

The bug is locked behind a wall of NDAs at this point, which is frustrating. However, the silence is necessary to prevent a wave of exploits. We expect, and have seen already, the normal level of hyperventilation that comes with such news, but it's best to wait for more information. We have followed up with Intel for more information and will update as necessary.Update, 1/4/18, 8:00am PT: We now have statements from several semiconductor vendors and news on the exploits. Read more at: Understanding The Meltdown And Spectre Exploits: Intel, AMD, ARM and Nvidia.

Intel's stock took a pounding this morning as reports of a fatal bug inside the company's processors swept the web. We cautioned that many of the performance claims felt a bit overblown, and in fact, testing with the patched Windows operating systems emerged over the last few hours. Those preliminary tests reveal that there is little to no performance regression in most desktop workloads, with synthetic I/O tests inflating the issue.

Intel's silence on the "bug" was deafening over the last 24 hours as the story unfolded, but now the company has issued a statement that contends there is, in fact, no bug at all. The company claims the issue affects many other vendors and is not inherent to Intel architectures. Below is Intel's statement in full:

Intel and other technology companies have been made aware of new security research describing software analysis methods that, when used for malicious purposes, have the potential to improperly gather sensitive data from computing devices that are operating as designed. Intel believes these exploits do not have the potential to corrupt, modify or delete data.Recent reports that these exploits are caused by a "bug" or a "flaw" and are unique to Intel products are incorrect. Based on the analysis to date, many types of computing devices -- with many different vendors' processors and operating systems -- are susceptible to these exploits.Intel is committed to product and customer security and is working closely with many other technology companies, including AMD, ARM Holdings and several operating system vendors, to develop an industry-wide approach to resolve this issue promptly and constructively. Intel has begun providing software and firmware updates to mitigate these exploits. Contrary to some reports, any performance impacts are workload-dependent, and, for the average computer user, should not be significant and will be mitigated over time.Intel is committed to the industry best practice of responsible disclosure of potential security issues, which is why Intel and other vendors had planned to disclose this issue next week when more software and firmware updates will be available. However, Intel is making this statement today because of the current inaccurate media reports.Check with your operating system vendor or system manufacturer and apply any available updates as soon as they are available. Following good security practices that protect against malware in general will also help protect against possible exploitation until updates can be applied.Intel believes its products are the most secure in the world and that, with the support of its partners, the current solutions to this issue provide the best possible security for its customers.

Intel included several key points in the statement, with one of the most evident being the mention of collaboration with AMD and ARM Holdings to combat the issue. Intel's stocks tumbled a whopping 7% earlier in the day as AMD skyrocketed to a 10% gain. This was largely due to reports that AMD processors did not suffer from the same "bug" as Intel processors. Immediately following the statement, AMD began to erase some of the gains made earlier in the day, falling to +4%, while Intel began climbing again to -4%. The stock continues to move in those directions for both companies.

Earlier in the day, analyst firm Bernstein also claimed that the bug could cost Intel hundreds of millions. The firm compared the current situation to Intel's $475 million charge for the Pentium FDIV bug in 1994 and the $700 million charge for the Cougar Point chipset issues in 2011. According to Intel, neither of those cases are similar to the current situation. Of course, these claims may be disputed by some of Intel's customers, but given the other vendors involved, that seems like a slight chance.

It is noteworthy that Intel believes the exploit does not have "the potential to corrupt, modify or delete data." Given the wording, this implies the exploit can read data. Intel had planned to announce the exploit next week as patches roll to end users.

According to Intel, the end is not nigh. Although there are performance implications, Intel and other companies have patches ready to address the security issue and will "mitigate" performance impacts over time. There are performance implications for data center operators, but those will likely be addressed with a combination of software updates and future tweaks to the patch. Intel's statement opens the floor for other companies to weigh in with their version of events. We'll follow up as more details emerge.The White House said that Pakistan must step up its fight against terrorism (Photo- Reuters)

Pakistan needs to step up its fight against terrorism, the White House said today, as it defended President Donald Trump over his accusation that Islamabad deceived the US by sheltering terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid.

Trump, on Monday, tore into Pakistan accusing it of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for aid over the last 15 years thinking of American leaders as "fools".

"We know that Pakistan can do more to fight and stop terrorism and we want them to step up and do that. That seems pretty simple," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

The Trump administration has already decided to withhold USD 225 million military aid to Pakistan. Yesterday, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said President Trump was prepared to stop all funding to Pakistan until it stops harbouring terrorists.

Sanders said Trump was taking all these steps because Pakistan had failed to fulfill its obligations in the fight against terrorism. "The president outlined a new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia earlier this past year, in August.

And at that time, he laid out and said that Pakistan is not fulfilling its obligations," said Sanders. "The president is simply following through on a commitment that he made, because this is a president who does what he says he's going to do," she said. Meanwhile,

Pakistan has expressed "deep disappointment" over Trump's allegations. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.CHECK THE LATEST REPORT OF A KANSAS CITY HOMELESS MAN WHO FROZE TO DEATH SEEKING SHELTER!!!

There's an ongoing myth of "Kansas City nice" or cowtown kindness and there are certainly enough local nonprofit charities to employ a small army of social workers but the reality is that resources remain scarce for desperately needy local residents. Even worse, the number of people without access to adequate food and shelter continues rise beyond levels that local authorities are comfortable reporting. Translation: The metro homeless explosion continues and now it has become deadly amid bitter winter cold.To wit . . .Confirmation of a trend our blog community warned against . . .And while politicos and partisans debate fair wages or "entitlements" while the social safety net disappears . . . Again, the reality is that the number of homeless people on Kansas City streets continues to surge and this town doesn't have the resources to cope with the dilemma.Developing . . .Foreign workers in Saudi Arabias private sector will have to pay fees for every dependent or companion, a report said.



The directorate, known as Jawazat among expats, has posted a tweet on its official Twitter account stating that it was implementing a decision previously issued by the Council of Ministers.



Fees for every dependent or companion must be paid through the Sadat payment system, Arab News reported, citing the General Directorate of Passports (GDP).



Targeted dependents include the first wife, male children under 18, and all female children; GDPs Lt Col Tall Al-Calhoun was quoted as saying by the newspaper.



A note from the GDP clarified that the term companions entails the second wife, the third and the fourth, in addition to parents, relatives-in-law, domestic labourers and every expat sponsored by the worker, Arab News said.



The fees should be paid in advance and on a yearly basis along with the issuing or renewal of the workers residency permit, when issuing exit-re-entry visa or even final exit visas, the GDP said.



The authority clarified that the worker should pay SR100 ($26.7) for every dependent or companion starting from July 1, 2017. It also gave notice that the fees would be doubled from July 1, 2018, and would reach SR300 by July 1, 2019. According to the same announcement, a single dependents or companions fees will hit SR400 in 2020.



The announcement also stated that no nationality would be excluded from the decision, and the fees are not refundable.The UAE was Turkey's top export market in the GCC at $62 million followed by Saudi Arabia ($48 million), according to TIM Tantm Organizasyon (TIM AS), the specialised organisation of Turkish exporters.



Turkey's exports to the GCC have been on a steady rise since 2011 when the government launched several indigenous programs, including for helicopters, drones, frigates and corvettes, tanks, missile systems, and a fighter jet, said a statement.



Other exports include electronic and electro-mechanical systems, software, management systems, cyber-security solutions flight simulators, it said.



Turkey's defence and aerospace exports have almost doubled globally in five years, rising from $883 million in 2011 to $1.68 billion in 2016 and to $1.53 billion in the 11 months of 2017, it added.



Recently, eight specialist aerospace and defence oriented Turkish companies set up impressive exhibits at Dubai Airshow 2017.



The ATAK helicopter flew in Dubai for the first time while TAI brought its ANKA-S, Hurkus and T625 helicopters to the Dubai Airshow, said a statement.



Participating Turkish companies included Airport Solutions Turkey, Ayesas, Havelsan AS, Nicomatic, Roketsan Roket Sanayii Ve Ticaret AS, Tai-Tusas Aerospace and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with its subsidiaries Turkish Cabin Interior, Turkish Cargo Sponsorship, Turkish Seat Industry and Turkish Technic.



Mehmet Buyukeksi, chairman of TIM AS, said: Turkish defence industry has an aggressive goal of reaching an export target of $25 billion and being self-sufficient by 2023.



Our strong participation at the Dubai Airshow helped us reach our export target faster as more deals originated at the airshow and further business is expected from the GCC market.



Turkey's top armoured vehicles manufacturers are aggressively seeking deals in the GCC. A $661 million joint venture, signed in February 2017, between Turkish military vehicle manufacturer Otokar and UAE firm Tawazun created Al Jasoor, the 8x8-wheeled amphibious armoured vehicles brand.



Aselsan and the Saudi public company Taqnia DST have joined forces to design and produce radar, EW and EO-IR equipment, while Aselsan and TAI are currently modernising Bahrain's Cobra helicopters.



According to the Turkish Under Secretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), more than 500 companies have added nearly 3,000 military products to the Turkish defence industry product catalogue and the total value of contracted projects amounted to approximately $31.2 billion, it stated.  TradeArabia News ServiceVFS Global, a leading outsourcing specialist for governments, will be launching German visa application centres in 10 new countries including UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The Federal Foreign Office of Germany has selected VFS Global to manage German visa applications in two additional regions - the Middle East and North Africa. The contract covers 10 countries of operations and runs until 2023.



VFS Global already processes visas for Germany in nine countries across the globe.



The first of the Germany visa application centres in the new regions will be launched in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Manama on February 1.



This contract award further strengthens VFS Global's position as a strong visa processing partner for Schengen member states, and significantly enhances its presence in the Middle East and North Africa.



Chris Dix, head - business development, VFS Global said: "VFS Global's relationship with Germany has grown from strength to strength since our partnership started in 2005, with operations now spanning 19 countries globally. This new contract is testament to the Federal Foreign Office of Germany's faith in our services. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Germany, and to offering our first class visa processing services to the residents of the Middle East and North Africa regions."



This new contract award comes soon after VFS Global's three year contract extension by the Norwegian Government, covering 39 countries in the Europe and Russia, Asia & Oceania, Middle East & Africa, and Americas regions.



For VFS Global, 2017 has been an eventful year with contracts awarded for eight new client governments: namely, Armenia, Bahrain, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Nigeria, Slovakia and Ukraine.



VFS Global ended the year as the trusted partner to 58 client governments worldwide, offering a range of visa, permit, passport, consular, identity and citizen services. - TradeArabia News Service

Pisgah Legal Services will be giving a presentation on the plight and problems of our military veterans and what is involved in caring for them at the next AAUW meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at noon at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd across from Ingles. The public is invited to attend and join AAUW members who will be bringing their own box lunches at 11:45 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

For over 35 years Pisgah Legal Services has fought to bring justice to the most vulnerable people in Western North Carolina.

The scope of what they do  particularly in regard to preventing homelessness, accessing health care and securing essential benefits  has positioned them to be a critical link in the care of military veterans in our area.

Homelessness is a major concern among veterans. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that there are 50,000 homeless veterans on any given night with another 1.4 million at risk of becoming homeless nationwide. These vets (about 8 percent-9 percent who are female) served in all wars from World War II, Korea and Vietnam to military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans groups report a host of contributing factors, including PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) strongly linked to undiagnosed and under-diagnosed and untreated traumatic brain injury (TBI). These conditions are also often linked to substance abuse, unemployment due to a lack both of education and of transferrable skills from the military. All of these factors are further compounded by a lack of access to timely and needed health care, especially mental health care so critical in treating PTSD. That there is such a stigma to any type of mental health care complicates the situation further.

In terms of serving and advocating for vulnerable population segments, the primary mission of Pisgah Legal Services, there could hardly be a more at-risk segment than veterans. Western North Carolina is a particularly difficult area because of the lack of affordable housing.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans states, The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit groups.

This is why Pisgah Legal Services is such an essential element in caring for veterans. Being able to partner with veterans helping veterans groups boosts effectiveness according to the coalition. Partnership is a hallmark of PLSs service approach.

AAUW members will be welcoming Bess Newton, senior development officer, and staff attorney Madeline McKeller Offen, a native of Brevard, to learn more about their organizations work in caring for military veterans. Both speakers are deeply committed to helping the most vulnerable segments of our population and addressing their needs.

AAUWs mission is to promote equity for all women and girls through advocacy, philanthropy, education and research. The primary fund raising activity of the branch is the annual book sale held in June at Brevard Colleges Boshamer Gym. For anyone wanting to make a large book donation at any time this year, contact either Raoul Gagne at [email protected] or call (828) 877-2588 or Pinkie Byrd at [email protected] or call (828) 885-5311 to have AAUW members come by and pick up your books. The yellow book collection boxes go out to area businesses in February.

Proceeds from the book sale are used to fund scholarships for Transylvania County girls and young women to attend Brevard College, Blue Ridge Community College, Green River Preserve Camp as well as Clemson Universitys WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) program. The branch takes great pride in the fact that their book sale is a community-driven operation, with books coming from the community and scholarships going back to the community.

More information about the branch and its many activities is available on their website at http://www.brevard-nc.aauw.net. For membership information, contact Maury Bandurraga (862-5984) or Leslie Chepenik (877-5721). The American Association of University Women is open to all graduates who hold a two-year associate degree (or equivalent) or higher degree from an accredited college or university.While hearing the petition filed by the citizens in Malaysia, the petitioners told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, that Zakir Naik is a threat to Malaysia and his permanent residence status, granted by the Malasiyan government should be cancelled or revoked immediately.

Naik was recently chargesheeted by the National Investigative Agency on terror charges and Indian Authorities are likely to start his extradition process from Malaysia soon.

Seventeen citizens including few activists have filed a petition before the Kuala Lumpur High Court seeking his removal/revocation of Permanent Residential status as well as declaration that he is a threat to the Security of the Federation.

India Today has accessed the copy of petition in which, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been mentioned as threat to their country.

"Zakir Naik is a person who is threat to the security of federation. The fact that Naik is allowed to be permanent resident in Malaysia will disrupt harmony of country," reads the petition.

The 17 Malaysian activists who have filed the petition includes Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) chairman P. Waytha Moorthy, academic Lim Teck Ghee, Sabah lawmaker Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan, lawyers Siti Kassim and Asiah Abd Jalil, and Sarawak activist Peter John Jaban.

They petitioner are seeking two court declarations, including one to declare that Naik is a person who is a threat to Malaysia's security and friendly relations between Malaysia and other countries, as well as a threat to public order in the country.

The second declaration sought is that Naik is therefore not a person fit to be a permanent resident of Malaysia.

The five listed as defendants in the judicial review are the government of Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Immigration director-general, the National Registration Department, and the Inspector-General of Police.

The government lawyer, however wanted the petition to be dismissed but the court ruled out governments request.

"What we are saying is all plaintiffs have locus standi. Why? It is a public interest matter of grave concern, so therefore they have locus standi to initiate this action," the activists' lawyer R. Kengadhran was quoted by Malaysia's media.

Another lawyer for the activists, S. Karthigesan, said his clients' lawsuit was previously amended to seek only two declarations including that Dr Zakir threatens Malaysia's relations with other countries.

"In particular, we view since India is after him (Zakir Naik), this will reflect on Malaysia's international relations with India," he told reporters outside Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Judge, has fixed February 13 to deliver her decision on both the lawsuit and the application to strike out the lawsuit.

The lawsuit includes orders to revoke Dr Zakir's permanent resident status, to immediately evict him and bar him from entering Malaysia again.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 3

The 116-year-old socio-religious organisation, Chief Khalsa Diwan, is all set to hold its election after the ignominious exit of Charanjit Singh Chadha. Its executive committee will hold a meeting on January 10 to pave the way for the next election. Its general house, which has over 500 members, will meet on January 21. As per the CKD constitution, it is mandatory to hold election within 60 days after the post of president falls vacant.

The enraged members of the CKD had forcefully made CKD vice-president Dhanraj Singh as officiating head.

The CKD with an annual budget of over Rs 158 crore is operating about 50 schools, majority of them English medium, three colleges, two hospitals, an orphanage, an old age home, a gurdwara, a sarai (inn), Khalsa Parcharak Vidyala, a quarterly Punjabi magazine Nirguniara and another Punjabi monthly Khalsa Advocate.

The CKD Charitable Society had expelled its disgraced president Charanjit Singh Chadha and his son Inderpreet Singh Chadha (vice-president) on December 30 after a sleazy video showing the former head with a woman in a compromising position went viral.

Then, the woman lodged a police complaint against Charanjit Chadha, accusing him of compelling her to make physical relations. She also added that Inderpreet threatened her on phone.

Following this, a three-member Special Investigation Team was formed under ADCP (Crime) Harjit Singh Dhaliwal for probe.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 3

A special drive to eliminate measles and rubella will be conducted in April. This was stated by Civil Surgeon HN Singh at a meeting being conducted at the Civil Hospital here yesterday.

The Civil Surgeon was addressing representatives of different units of the hospital who said measles was a viral disease and if it was not treated on time, could result in death of the patient. So, as per the instructions of the government to eliminate the disease, we would conduct a vaccination drive in April this year to counter measles and rubella.

District Immunisation Officer Dr Kundan Kumar Pal said, Children aged between nine months and 15 years will be vaccinated during the drive. In pregnant women, the first three months are crucial and if a pregnant woman gets infected with the virus then there are greater chances of its getting transferred to the child. The infection during early pregnancy may result in a child born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) or miscarriage. Symptoms of CRS include problems with the eyes such as cataracts, ears such as deafness, heart, and brain. Rubella is usually spread through the air, through coughing by an infected person.editorial@tribune.com

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

The startup ecosystem in the region is likely to get a boost with the concentration of co-working spaces intensifying. The latest addition is Mumbai-based Social, which has launched its centre in Chandigarh after Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune. This is the 18th centre of the company and it offers 40 seats.

The co-working space is dominated by startups, mainly in IT (product development) and e-commerce. Currently, in Chandigarh and Punjab, there are over a dozen co-working spaces, namely Start up In a Box, Starthub Nation, Wotta Workspace, Innov8, Work cafe, Chitkara innovation incubator foundation etc offering a plug-n-play seat anywhere from Rs 2,500 to Rs 6,000. In public sector, Software Technology Park of India (STPI) is offering around 100 seats in Mohali with data centre having 160 rack spaces, one of the biggest in Northern region beyond Delhi.

According to experts, these spaces have tremendous potential to provide a network much needed for the growth of businesses.

Since most entrepreneurs cannot afford expensive commercial realty spaces, these co-working spaces are perfect for anyone looking to take the plunge in the entrepreneur world as they offer plug-n-play facilities.

As co-working spaces lead to a 20-25% cost savings as compared to working in the traditional office spaces, it has caught the fancy of startups.

Tarnjeet Singh, who runs a startup, says, A good co-working space gives an office area without making a big hole in your pocket. Secondly, the techies, startups, and entrepreneurs are ready to address your concern. Thirdly, it provides opportunity for networking which is most important part of the startup ecosystem.

On being asked about the uniqueness, Shobita Kadan, Director-Marketing & Strategy, Social, said, In the past few years, Social has redefined cafe and co-working spaces by marrying the two together to create a path-breaking urban hangout which is now unparalleled in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi. Co-working in Chandigarh is aimed at promoting openness, accessibility and cross-pollination of ideas to create an inspiring community of people. We intend to provide a legit physical space for inspired minds to hang together, work together and party together, and the Chandigarh market is ready for that. It offers an office, a boardroom, wall-space and wall-to-wall uber high-speed Wi-Fi besides a restaurant and a bar.

Start Up in a Box at Mohali offers a mix of cabins and seats. At present, it is hosting around 36 startups. Out of the total 20 seats, the company claims that 17 are occupied.

Redefining office spaceeditorial@tribune.com

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

Ex-servicemen of the other states are returning disappointed from the CSD canteen situated at Sector 21 after the management has asked them to procure liquor from other canteens.

The management, in a public notice pasted outside the liquor section of the canteen, has advised all card holders of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to take their quota of liquor from the canteen situated at Sector 29 till the stock position improves.

The canteen in Sector 21 has the highest footfall of ex-servicemen in the tricity. While no reasons was cited for the shortage of stock, sources said one of the reasons for taking the decision was huge difference in the prices of liquor in states. With the prices of liquor being higher in the other states in comparison to Chandigarh, a large number of ex-servicemen visit the city to get their quota of liquor, which resulted in the shortage at the canteen. One of the officer at the canteen said though the restriction had been imposed on the outsiders, there was no shortage for the card holders of Chandigarh.

Lt Col (retd) SS Sohi, chairman of ex-servicemen grievance cell, said putting restrictions on the ex-servicemen of the other states was resulting in unnecessary harassment to those who had the cards of other states. He said with the launch of the smart cards for canteens, one can get it from all over the country. Colonel Sohi has urged the Government of the Punjab to reduce the tax on CSD items to make it on a par with Chandigarh.

He said the stock of other items had also been affected in the canteens after the annual turnover limit (ATOL) was reduced by the government.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 3

A 31-year-old unmarried person, staying as a paying guest at Mataur village, here, shot himself in a bid to commit suicide at his residence last night.

In his statement to the police, the victim, identified as Karamjit Singh, who is working with a call centre, here, said he got emotional while remembering his late mother and shot himself with a revolver of his friend.

The victims condition is said to be critical as his lower body parts have stopped functioning.

He could speak and listen, said inspector Jarnail Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Mataur police station, here.

The SHO said Karamjit, along with his certain friends, was partying at his residence late last night when the incident occurred.

His mother had died a couple of years ago. He told us that he got emotional while remembering his mother and shot himself, the SHO said.

After hearing the gunshot, the watchman of the area reached the spot. Victims friends shifted Karamjit to a nearby private hospital.

The revolver belonged to the victims friend, Ginder, who has gone to Amritsar. We have summoned him for further investigation, said inspector Jarnail Singh.

The police are yet to know whether or not the weapon in question was licensed.

We have initiated legal action in the incident. A case is yet to be registered in this regard, the SHO said.Arun Joshi

Arun Joshi

Washington DC has accused Islamabad of playing a double game and having given nothing to America except lies and deceit in return for its liberal aid for to enable it to fight terrorists in Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump is known for his impulsive tweets, but his tweet on New Year was not only accusatory of Pakistan but also underlined his frustration with it for its failure to play a sincere game in uprooting terrorists and their patrons from Afghanistan.

The US has its own disappointments in Afghanistan where it has miserably failed to score a decisive victory against the terrorists who have challenged its global standing, militarily and economically. The 9/11 terror attack was more than a mere attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Pentagon. It exposed the vulnerability of the US.

That the agents of terror were trained and motivated by Al-Qaeda, headquartered in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, and could hit the American symbols of its global power was too much to digest for the superpower. Americans knew about Pakistan's role in creating Taliban that ruled Afghanistan, and that Al-Qaeda could not have operated there without the patronage of Pakistan's deep state (ISI and the army).

The American anger against Pakistan, which has now manifested with the suspension of $255 million aid and threat to do more in the next couple of days, is too little, too late. But there is hardly any reason for India to celebrate it.

India views Pakistan with suspicion, perhaps more than the Trump administration does. Pakistan has been bleeding India in Kashmir. Rawalpindi has made Kashmir a springboard for its attacks on the Indian military and symbols of its democracy and economic prowess.

Almost daily, a story of the Indian failure in Kashmir is unfolded  not only in terms of attacks on security forces or media and the social media campaign against the Indian nation, but also the way Kashmir has come to represent an idea that seeks to undercut the idea of India. That is a threat from within, sponsored and patronised by Pakistan, over the decades as it continues to believe Kashmir to be an unfinished agenda of the Partition. That is, it wants to have Kashmir by all means, mostly through terrorism and stoking flames of rebellion against the Indian nation.

It should also be understood that the Washingtons interest in Pakistan is only on account of Afghanistan because its troops are suffering casualties there and there are no signs of Americans making Afghanistan a terror-free zone. It wants to pressure Pakistan by snubbing it diplomatically and holding out threat of cutting aid only to make it to "do more" in Afghanistan in eliminating terrorists, who hold two kinds of threat to the US.

Firstly, America wants to be rid of the place as soon as possible because it is facing immense pressure at home on the fruitless and long war in Afghanistan that has brought its soldiers wrapped in coffins since October 2001 when it launched an operation against Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Secondly, it wants to leave Afghanistan as a place where havens for terrorists are eliminated forever. Both these goals are not possible to achieve unless Pakistan offers sincere cooperation to America in doing what Washington wants it to do

The presence of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison town of Abbottabad, where he was killed by Americans, and that of Taliban supremo Mullah Omar in Karachi hospital, where he breathed his last, should have made it more than clear to America that Pakistan was deeply involved in promoting the terrorists in Pakistan and dodging the US while proclaiming to having done everything under the sun to eliminate terrorism.

Pakistan brandishes its successes in its fight against terrorism in Swat Valley, area close to the Afghan border. It is silent on the Haqqani network and its activities across the border in Afghanistan.

It claims that it also is a victim of terrorism and cites many incidents of terrorist violence to drive home the point that it is paying the price for being a part of the America-led war on terror. The fact that it has diverted the American money to promote groups of terror to harass its neighbours Afghanistan and India is well known to the world, including America. The US wants India to elevate its status and give a helping hand in Afghanistan as also to counterbalance the growing influence of China.

India serves no other purpose for America. It is evident from the way America has avoided to side with India on Kashmir and censure Pakistan for its terror-oriented strategy in the Himalayan state. Pakistan's state actor  the army  has made the Line of Control that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan hot.

It has attacked and killed Indian soldiers and civilians by firing from across the LoC and also by sponsoring Border Action Team assaults on the Indian soldiers. Its non-state actors  Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba  have mounted fidayeen attacks on the security forces.

Against this backdrop, India needs to devise its own strategy to deal with Pakistan and its terror apparatus. Pakistan and India's geographical location is different from that of America and Pakistan, therefore India cannot, and should not, rely on the changed narrative of America towards Pakistan alone. It may help India in a limited way to infuse substance to its charges of terror against Pakistan. The stark reality, however, is that the America, as usual, is placing its interests first. This reality has become more pronounced with the America first mantra of Donald Trump.

India has its own interests  and those may converge at some points with that of America. But, India as an immediate neighbour of Pakistan, also needs to have its own strategy deal with a hostile but unavoidable neighbour. We cannot afford to put all our eggs in Donald Trump's basket. He is a businessman and quite capable of changing his basket.

ajoshi57@gmail.comrchopra@tribunemail.com

Washington, January 3

The US is considering new regulations to prevent the extension of H-1B visas as part of President Donald Trumps Buy American, Hire American initiative, a move which could hit tech firms and hundreds of thousands of Indian IT professionals, a media report said.

The move could directly stop hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from keeping their H-1B visas while their green card applications are pending.

The proposal which is being shared between the Department of Homeland Security Department (DHS) heads is part of Trumps Buy American, Hire American initiative promised during the 2016 campaign, US-based news agency McClatchy DC Bureau reported.

It aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

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The act currently allows the administration to extend the H-1B visas for thousands of immigrants, predominantly Indian immigrants, beyond the allowed two three-year terms if a green card is pending, the report said.

The idea is to create a sort of self-deportation of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans, it said, quoting a source briefed by Homeland Security officials.

The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the Presidents Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes, said Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely.

The technology companies depend on H-1B to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The proposed changes would have a dramatic effect, particularly on Indian visa holders considering more than half of all H-1B visas had been awarded to Indian nationals, the report said, quoting the Pew Research Centre report.

This would be a major catastrophic development as many people have been waiting in line for green cards for over a decade, have US citizen children, own a home, Leon Fresco, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in the Obama administration who now represent H-1B workers, was quoted as saying in the report.

Fresco estimates more than 1 million H1-B visa holders in the country are waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for more than a decade.

Trump had made the alleged abuse and fraud in H-1B visa system a major election issue during his campaign.

After becoming the President, he signed an executive order aimed at tightening the process of issuing the H-1B visas.

Trump had said the order was the first step to initiate long overdue reforms to end visa abuses. PTIROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

THE tinderbox-like situation in Maharashtra is as much a commentary on the quality of the CMs handpicked by PM Modi to states won by the BJP as it is about political Hindutva's narrow-mindedness towards countervailing forces generated by its own agenda of communal polarisation. Tensions had started rising in Pune's rural belt some days before the celebrations for a rare Dalit military victory; there was an extra special element this time because it was the bicentennial celebration of a battle in which they had joined forces with the British to humble the Peshwas (Brahmins). Surely, the administration in Mumbai should have grasped that this was not a quotidian, everyday event, of minor proportions. Rather it is de rigueur for the authorities to keep close tabs on every historical, political and religious celebration, especially if it contains the seeds of contestation, as this one.

It is obvious that the Sachivalaya in Mumbai was tardy in spelling out the standard operating procedures to the local administration; once given a carte blanche, it promptly nipped the trouble by rounding up the two principal provocateurs who, unsurprisingly, headed two local pro-Hindutva outfits. It later emerged they had been itching for a showdown on that fateful day. The Dalits, suitably motivated by the opposition from political Hindutva, had given an extra edge to the celebrations as a means of asserting their identity against the backdrop of strains generated by the agrarian distress.

The BJP-RSS stridency in attempting to submerge all sub-regional distinctiveness has led to a countervailing movement by forces that have felt shortchanged in the battle for resources, identity and patronage. This has led to the weakening of inter-ethnic networks that would otherwise peacefully manage the structure of civic life. PM Modi's brand of Hindutva takes no prisoners; there is hardly any attempt to build bridges and manage tensions. By deliberately restricting the space for local networks of civic engagement and consensus, the attitude of BJP's spear-carriers in the countryside and incompetence in governance risks tensions degenerating into conflict.ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Educated, talented immigrants were largely welcome in the US, till now. Indeed, it could well be argued that it was such immigrants who contributed to the edge that the US has in the field of technological excellence and even in military equipment. Recently, the rise in protectionist tendencies and right-wing politics has led to an environment that is increasingly hostile to potential immigrants. Once President Trump loudly trumpeted his objections to immigrants, he set into motion a process that is increasingly making it tougher for such persons to seek permanent residence and citizenship in their adopted country.

A well-established norm allowed potential immigrants who applied for a green card after working in the US on H-1B visas to stay in the country even after their H-1B visas had expired. The slowdown in the process of granting green cards has left a massive backlog, and as a result, this particular norm allowed them to work in the US and live there, pending the grant of their permanent resident status. Now the US Department of Homeland Security seeks to reinterpret the rule that allows such extensions. Any such change could adversely impact an estimated five lakh Indians working in the US. They would be expected to leave the country pending the resolution of their status, which could take years. Indian officials must engage in proactive diplomacy, even as they review the status of various American companies and workers in India.

The US move would be highly disruptive and discriminatory. It would also be against the WTO position on the movement of natural persons providing a service in a member country. H-1B visas are granted to individuals who are needed by US companies. Many have risen to head some of the global giants, especially in IT. It is rather uncharitable of the US to now seek to throw them out even as their permanent resident applications are pending. President Trump has cultivated a constituency that is increasingly xenophobic. The land of the immigrants has benefited tremendously from the fresh waves that came to its shores, more so from the highly skilled and educated citizens of other countries that decided to make the US their home. The new administration has forgotten that now.shalender@tribune.com

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Palwal, January 2

Six persons, including a woman, were brutally done to death by a mentally disturbed ex-serviceman in the wee hours today. The accused, nabbed soon after the crime, was critically injured in a scuffle with the police. He has been admitted to Delhis Safudrjung Hospital. He is reported to have suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Naresh Kumar Dhankar (45), working with the Haryana Agriculture Department as an SDO, went on a killing spree at 2.30 am, hitting the victims with an iron rod. The police, informed about the first murder near a park, were stunned to find five more bodies dumped within a radius of 500 metres.

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Moti Ram (37), a watchman, was the first victim. Dhankar then targeted a woman sleeping in the corridor of a private hospital. Identified as Anjum (34), she had come with a patient admitted for delivery. Next, he assaulted security guards Sita Ram (50) and Subhash (42) and then a man in his fifties, believed to be a beggar, sleeping outside the hospital. By 4 am, he had killed six persons.

The police identified the accused from the CCTV footage. Reportedly waiting for his next victim, Dhankar was confronted by the police near the hospital around 7 am. He fell unconscious on being hit on the head as he tried to assault a policeman.

Claiming that Dhankar was mentally ill, the police said it was yet to be ascertained what had provoked him to commit the murders. DC Mani Ram Sharma said swift police action had helped nab the accused, who could have done more harm. Earlier in the day, a message on the social media asking the residents to remain indoors, went viral, triggering panic.

Troubled pastgspannu7@gmail.com

New Delhi, January 3

Naresh Dhankhad, a 45-year-old retired captain of the Indian Army who allegedly bludgeoned six people to death with an iron rod in Palwal, has undergone a head surgery at the Safdarjung Hospital here and is in a stable condition, a senior doctor said.

Dhankhad, believed to be mentally ill, apparently suffered a head injury during a scuffle after being caught.

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He was operated at the Safdarjung Hospital yesterday. He was admitted to the hospitals emergency at around 8 pm.

He had suffered head injury and was found to have epidural hematoma (EDH), which is an intracranial hemorrhage between the outer membrane of the brain and the skull. We operated on him and removed the blood clot, Dr Karam Chand Sharma, head of the department of neurosurgery at the hospital, said.

He is in the ICU and was taken off the ventilator in the morning. His condition is stable but he is yet to gain consciousness, he said.

Sharma said that Dhankhad was under treatment for some mental illness.

Dhankhad killed his first victim on the second floor of a private hospital in Palwal, Haryana, before hitting the streets to kill five others and injure one.

The incident at the hospital was recorded on a CCTV camera and in the footage, the accused can be purportedly seen walking in wearing trousers and a sweater and carrying a rod.

Dhankhad also attacked policemen when they tried to stop him.

He joined the Army in 1999 as a lieutenant and took retirement on medical grounds in 2003. He then joined the Haryana agriculture department as an assistant development officer in 2006.

He was working as a sub-divisional officer with the health department.

He appeared to be mentally ill and looked highly aggressive. Preliminary investigations have revealed that he had strained relations with his wife and two children, Palwal Superintendent of Police Sulochana Gajraj had said yesterday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Lohan said prima facie it seemed that he carried out the killings without a reason.

According to police, Dhankhad got married 10 years ago and separated from his wife four years later. Dhankhad was the youngest of five brothers.  PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 3

The Himachal Dalit Shoshan Mukti Sabha today blamed the BJP government in Maharashtra for caste-related violence in the state. It demanded a probe by a judge belonging to the Dalit community into the incident.

Sabha general secretary Lokender Kumar and treasurer Jagat Ram said the Bhima Kotegaon festival was being celebrated there by the Dalit community for the past over 200 years. However, RSS activists allegedly instigated trouble by unfurling a saffron flag. The sabha alleged that the Maharashtra Government failed to deploy additional security personnel to bring the situation under control.editorial@tribune.com

Mandi, January 3

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, addressing a huge gathering at Seri Munch here today, promised to make the state corruption-free. He told officials to take all steps to curb it.

Targeting the previous Congress regime, the Chief Minister stated that The Congress has pushed the state in debt and laid stones for development projects without making fund provisions. It is a big challenge for us to recover the financial health and I am hopeful that with the help of the Centre, we will succeed to bring out the state out of the crisis.

I had never thought that the dreams of the people of Mandi would be realised and I would be the Chief Minister. I still remember when the Prime Minister called me by name, saying, Jai Ram, come here, you are going to get a much bigger responsibility, he said.

The Chief Minister said he too was deeply pained at the loss of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, but the future had something else in store for the people of Himachal, adding that he was grateful to the people, especially those of Seraj, who always motivated and encouraged him.

He said it was the time to rejoice as the Congress was wiped out of the district.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, while welcoming the Chief Minister, in his address termed Jai Ram as Dharti Putra, who had risen from a poor family and touched new heights of success.  TNSamansharma@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, January 3

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of Asia's longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel at an estimated cost of Rs 6,089 crore, which will reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh to 15 minutes from the current 3.5 hours.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its go-ahead to the 14.2-km long tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of India during winters due to heavy snowfall.

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"Zojila tunnel will be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. (Its) construction period (will be) seven years because of a very difficult terrain where in some areas temperature dips to minus 45 degrees Celsius. The tunnel shall be an engineering marvel as first of its kind in such a geographical area," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

The project would enhance the safety of travellers crossing Zojila Pass and reduce the travel time from 3.5 hours to 15 minutes, he added.

"Defence forces have to face hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters. This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past," Gadkari said.

PM to lay foundation stone

He said the prime minister will lay the foundation stone of the project and work is likely to start this year.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

The government has given its approval to the construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel, excluding approaches on Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1A at Km 95 and at Km 118 in Jammu and Kashmir on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode.

Earlier, the government in a statement said apart from providing all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, the project will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

"The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

The construction period of the project is seven years.

"The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4,899.42 crore. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6,808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of tunnel for four years," the statement said.

The project aims at construction of 14.15 km long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km long egress tunnel, excluding approaches between Baltal and Minamarg in the state.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

The main objective of the project is to provide all-whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best six months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.

"This project along with other ongoing projects like 6.5km Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh," the statement said.

It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities, it added.

The government said on completion, it will lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.

IL&FS Transportation last year in July had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 4,899 crore Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We wish to inform that the company has emerged as the lowest bidder for the aforesaid (Zojila tunnel) project. The company had quoted an amount of Rs 4,899.42 crore to be constructed in a period of 2,555 days (7 years)," IL&FS Transportation said.

Gadkari had earlier said, "We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project."

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered "re-bidding" for the project, which had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Gadkari, after Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that guidelines were violated while awarding the contract.

The ministry, however, had denied the charges.  PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 3

Concerned over the fading away of cultural and religious ceremonies, displaced Kashmiri Pandits are making renewed efforts to revive ancient rituals that are unique to the Hindus of the Valley.

Several social organisations are working together to promote awareness about traditions that originated in Kashmir. They are encouraging families to gift commentaries on Shaiva Sutras, Vighyan Bhirva, Tantraloka, Rajtaringni and Neelmat Purana on birthdays, marriage and other occasions of celebration.

During a two-day conference on Shaivism in Jammu which witnessed participation from several Shaiva scholars, young couples and families were encouraged to carry forward the rituals being discarded after the exodus of about 3.50 lakh people of the minority community in 1990 from their homeland.

Several people have volunteered to encourage boys and girls married outside the Kashmiri fold to introduce Vatuk Puja and Pan Dhiyun in their families so that socio-cultural linkages with society are expanded. Pandits have a unique way of celebrating Mahashivratri and other festivals which needs to be preserved in exile, said Kuldeep Raina, a prominent social activist.

In the past decade, alarmed over the dying customs which have been greatly influenced by local environs, organisations and political activists are greatly investing in workshops, lectures and presentations on issues confronting the community to create an inter-community bonhomie.

Recently, a scholar of Shaivism, Prof Navjeevan Rastogi, had expressed dismay over vanishing traditions of Kashmiri Hindus due to migration. Shaiva Sutras and Agamas inspired several mystic traditions in the entire Himalayan region and cultural evolution of Central Asia, Tibet and China. Pandits need to safeguard and preserve their ancient knowledge, he said.

Apart from Jammu, where the majority of Pandits live, several social groups are active in other cities of India where community members live to bring families together on different occasions.

It will be highly useful to exchange reference books and links related to unique practices among Hindus who lived in the Valley for thousands of years. It is also important to participate and understand the festivals of people where Pandits are living at the moment, said Dr Ajay Chrangoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir (PK), an organisation seeking establishment of separate homeland for the community in the Valley.amansharma@tribunemail.com

Jammu, January 3

A BSF jawan deployed along the International Border (IB) in Jammu was killed on Wednesday after Pakistan launched unprovoked firing on an Indian post in the first such incident this year, officials said.

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Fifty-year-old Head Constable R P Hazra was severely wounded after Pakistani forces "sniped" from across the border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir at about 4 pm.

The jawan, who was rushed to a nearby medical centre, succumbed to his injuries.

He was born on this day in 1967.

Retaliatory fire has been initiated, a senior BSF officer said.

Hazra, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal, has served for about 27 years in the border guarding force. He is survived by a daughter (21) and son (18).

The incident came just days after an army personnel was killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on December 31 last year.

Sepoy Jagsir Singh (32) was killed when he was shot by Paksitani troops from across the border along the LoC in Rajouri district on the last day of 2017, the year which recorded the highest number of ceasefire violations in the past decade resulting in the death of 35 people, including 19 army personnel and four BSF men.

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

On December 23, an Army major and three soldiers were killed along the LoC in Rajouri and in retaliatory action. Indian troops killed three Pakistani soldiers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir two days later.

The BSF guards the Indo-Pak International Border in the region.  PTIshalender@tribune.com

Manpriya Singh

The name is BondJane Bond. Little did producer Barbara Broccoli know that she could trigger surprise, hope and imagination all with one statement? What? Bond could be a black actor or a woman? The 25th spy film in the series (Spectre was 24th) could break away from tradition and how.

Whats the big deal?

The latest has it that makers of James Bond movies are open to having a black actor or a woman play the famous fictional spy. Producer Barbara Broccoli says she wouldnt hesitate breaking from the tradition that has seen Bond being played by white, middle-aged men. These films tend to reflect the times, so we always try to push the envelope a little bit. Anything is possible. Right now its Daniel Craig, and Im very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring, Broccoli said.

Wonder Woman era

Pre-Wonder Woman era, wed have laughed it off, but post Gal Gadot, theres a pause before the imagination takes off. If the famous fictional British spy (whos way too cool with all the gadgets, gals and suits) were to be a woman, we wonder what would happen to 007 fanatics and of course, the iconic James Bond cliches.

New opening sequence

A car chase in Rome, an opening sequence in Mexico City; spectacular roads, impossible turns, clueless crowds and nondescript locationswelcome to the world of spies, surveillance and high life. Where at stake are countries and humanity. Lets move on. So Bond has always (with a few variations) performed high-octane stunts, battled for life, can hang atop a plane to stop some system files from being corrupted; done all this and more. Even though he has the perfect tan, has the best suits, is surrounded by the most- good-looking women and spends half his time drinking martinis (mind you, shaken not stirred).

Only now replace all that with manicured hands, and while her hair spray is not settled yet, she can dismantle a computer and after retrieving the code words and files. Hello multi-tasking, we are old friends anyway!

Enter the toy boys

The honorary term Bond girl would be replaced by Bond boy. Its high time we objectified men, celebrated cougar crushes and talked of trophy husbands. So byebye the likes of Halle Berry, Teri Hatcher, Olga Kurylenkoput in all the young male models, the chocolaty cutsies, the proverbial Greek Godsand they shall all be rescued by our super woman! The name is BondJane Bond.

Q and Moneypenny

While we are at itthe constitutional changes that is, it only makes sense if the gender of all the supporting cast is changed too. Who hasnt loved the chemistry between Bond and his personal secretary Miss Moneypenny? In both Bond novels and films, Moneypenny is smitten with Bond. Now a lady with a lady personal secretaryis kinda not so cool?

And the latest

Craig is nearing the end of his tenure in the 007 role. Ever since the 49-year-old British actor said he ruled out returning to the franchise following the last Bond film Spectre, before he agreed to reprise the role once again in Bond 25, speculation over his successor has been rife. Meanwhile, the Happy Valley actor James Norton might be considered as the top contender for the iconic character, but he says he is not in the race. Its really humbling and flattering, but to have my name next to the likes of Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender is just mad. If youre thinking of putting a bet on me, keep your money in your pocket, he added.

Kangana can be Bond

Nimrat Kaur Narang, Chandigarh-based fashion consultant and an executive with a television channel, brings out her wits and a few of the Bond statements. Theres a saying in London, where theres woman, theres gossipI never like men, I hate them. I always blink before I ditch them. BondFemale Bond. On a slightly serious note, she laughs, It has to be Wonder Woman playing the woman Bond just right. If not Gal Gadot, then Kangana from Bollywood could pull off that kind of role.

PeeCee can fit in

Sehajpreet Kaur has a long list of objections with the franchise. As attractive as he always is, James Bond is also the sexiest creep. When it comes to women, imperialism and society are all readily apparent in Ian Flemings novels. I personally think if the actor playing Bond is not excited about the franchise, Im unsure why a non-white actor or a woman would want to take up that kind of role. But anyway, if I had to choose, I think Priyanka Chopra could play that role to perfection.

manpriya@tribunemail.comeditorial@tribune.com

Our Correspondent

Khanna, January 2

The Khanna police claimed to have arrested a person and recovered 400 habit-forming tablets and a revolver along with two live cartridges from him. The accused was identified as Sukhdev Singh of Harde Chak Bamba village near Tarn Taran.

SHO Sadar Khanna Venod Kumar said a police party laid a naka near Pristine Mall on the Khanna-Gobindgarh GT road. The police noticed a person on foot who was holding a black polythene. When the police searched it they recovered 20 packets of 400 habit-forming tablets from it.

The police also recovered a desi revolver of 315 bore and two live cartridges from him. A case under the NDPS Act and Arms Act was registered against the accused and he was presented in court from where he was sent in police remand for two days.

The SHO said as per preliminary investigation, the accused revealed that he was a farmer in UP and had purchased the revolver from UP for his protection as he had personal enmity in his village.

One arrested with 3,200 banned tablets

The SBS Nagar police have arrested a drug peddler and recovered 3,200 banned tablets from him. The accused has been identified as Akashdeep Singh of Urban Estate Dugri. The police said a routine naka was laid on the Pakhowal Road during which a motorcycle-borne person was stopped for checking. During search, banned tablets including Tapentadol, was recovered. The police said these tablets were used by drug addicts to satisfy their urge for drugs.gspannu7@gmail.com

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 3

Even amidst a political row over the meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife and mother in Islamabad, possibility of another meeting with the family is not ruled out say sources.

However, Pakistan feels that its intention needs to be recognised which allowed the family to ascertain that Jadhav is still alive.

A senior Pakistani official cited the 2008 Consular Access Agreement to claim it is not in violation of any law.

The bilateral agreement says consular access must be provided within three months to nationals of one country under arrest, detention or imprisonment in the other country.

However, provision (vi) says, In case of arrest, detention or sentence made on political or security grounds, each side may examine the case on its merits.

Pakistani government officials argue that Jadhav, convicted for espionage and terrorism, fits the latter and may not be allowed consular access but is still being treated on humanitarian grounds.

The senior Pakistani official also claimed jail manual and mutually accepted rules were followed referring to the controversy over their change of attire and removal of mangalsutra, bindi and bangles .

The official hoped this episode will not cast a shadow over the piecemeal progress made over the last few months in humanitarian aspects of the relationship.

Despite bloodshed at the Line of Control in the past few months, the neighbours have issued visas to pilgrims and patients.

Prisoners, including civilians and fishermen in each others custody have been released by both sides.

A 12-year-old deaf and mute boy, Husnain, was repatriated to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah on first day of 2018.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also softened her position of issuing medical visas to only those Pakistani patients who could attach individual recommendation letter from her counterpart.

Pakistan High Commission in Delhi facilitated visas for 12,000 Bohras to travel to Karachi, nearly 2600 Sikh yatris and some 90 pilgrims to travel to a Hindu temple in last four months.

However, 192 Pakistani pilgrims seeking to participate in Urs of Nizamuddin Aulia this week were denied visas by India without citing any reason.

The Pakistani government official hopes that incremental bridges remain in ties. Interestingly the National Security Advisors since their first quiet delegation talks in Bangkok in 2015 have remained in constant touch.

Sources confirmed that Ajit Doval and Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua met one on one in Bangkok day after the Jadhav family meeting and have also previously interacted in Paris, Dubai and Moscow.

However, a structured dialogue is not in sight. We need sustained across the board understanding. Lets hope there is greater engagement and efforts to move away from recent negative trends, said the Pakistani official.uttara@tribuneindia.com

Mumbai, January 3

Protesters attacked buses, stopped suburban trains and blocked roads at various places in Mumbai as normal life was hit in the city and other parts of Maharashtra during a bandh called against violence on the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago.

The bandh was called off later in the day.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Dalits staged protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning but were moved from the spot by police.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said.

Protesters jumped on rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said.

On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

Mumbai's famed tiffin carriers, Dabbawalas, chose not to provide their services today.

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar had called for the bandh to protest against the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

Later, announcing the bandh withdrawal, he alleged right wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote were behind the Pune violence and demanded that they be arrested and made to face the same legal process as Mumbai blasts accused Yakub Memon.

"Nearly 50 per cent of the state's population took part in the shut-down," Ambedkar told reporters. "Not only Dalits, but OBCs also participated in the bandh," he added.

Except for a couple of incidents, the bandh was largely peaceful, he said.

However, the situation on roads for the better part of the day belied Ambedkar's claim as incidents road blockades, arson and stone-pelting were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.

While the state government said it hasn't declared a holiday in schools today due to the bandh, bus operators said they won't run school buses in Mumbai today.

Mumbai police registered nine cases today in connection with violent protests in the city yesterday. Over 150 people have been detained in the city since yesterday, police said.

The Eastern Express Highway was blocked for over five hours as protesters blocked it, police said.

Over 50 BEST buses were vandalised by protesters and four bus drivers were injured, police said.

Protests also took place in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Nanded, Parbhani, Washim, Akola, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Kolhapur, where incidents of road blocks, vandalising and stone pelting were reported, police said.

In Pune, Maratha outfit 'Sakal Maratha Kranti Morcha' sought stern action those responsible for rift between different communities and appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said those responsible for the caste violence in Pune will face action and the matter will be taken to its logical end.

He said the state government will soon approach the Bombay High Court, asking it to name a sitting judge to probe the January 1 violence at Bhima-Koregaon in Pune district.

Violence erupted in Pune district on January 1 when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

The battle has come to be seen as a symbol of Dalit pride because a large number of soldiers in the Company force were the Mahar Dalits. Since the Peshwas, who were Brahmins, were seen as oppressors of Dalits, the victory of the Mahar soldiers over the the Peshwa force is seen as Dalit assertion.

On 1 January 1927, Dr B R Ambedkar visited the memorial obelisk erected on the spot which bears the names of the dead including nearly two dozen Mahar soldiers.  PTIROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 3

It was only last November that the UIDAI asserted that Aadhaar data is fully safe and secure and there has been no data leak or breach at UIDAI. Today, The Tribune purchased a service being offered by anonymous sellers over WhatsApp that provided unrestricted access to details for any of the more than 1 billion Aadhaar numbers created in India thus far.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

It took just Rs 500, paid through Paytm, and 10 minutes in which an agent of the group running the racket created a gateway for this correspondent and gave a login ID and password. Lo and behold, you could enter any Aadhaar number in the portal, and instantly get all particulars that an individual may have submitted to the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), including name, address, postal code (PIN), photo, phone number and email.

What is more, The Tribune team paid another Rs 300, for which the agent provided software that could facilitate the printing of the Aadhaar card after entering the Aadhaar number of any individual.

When contacted, UIDAI officials in Chandigarh expressed shock over the full data being accessed, and admitted it seemed to be a major national security breach. They immediately took up the matter with the UIDAI technical consultants in Bangaluru.

Sanjay Jindal, Additional Director-General, UIDAI Regional Centre, Chandigarh, accepting that this was a lapse, told The Tribune: Except the Director-General and I, no third person in Punjab should have a login access to our official portal. Anyone else having access is illegal, and is a major national security breach.

1 lakh illegal users

Investigations by The Tribune reveal that the racket may have started around six months ago, when some anonymous groups were created on WhatsApp. These groups targeted over 3 lakh village-level enterprise (VLE) operators hired by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (ME&IT) under the Common Service Centres Scheme (CSCS) across India, offering them access to UIDAI data.

CSCS operators, who were initially entrusted with the task of making Aadhaar cards across India, were rendered idle after the job was withdrawn from them. The service was restricted to post offices and designated banks to avoid any security breach in November last year.

Spotting an opportunity to make a quick buck, more than one lakh VLEs are now suspected to have gained this illegal access to UIDAI data to provide Aadhaar services to common people for a charge, including the printing of Aadhaar cards. However, in wrong hands, this access could provide an opportunity for gross misuse of the data.

The hackers seemed to have gained access to the website of the Government of Rajasthan, as the software provided access to aadhaar.rajasthan.gov.in, through which one could access and print Aadhaar cards of any Indian citizen. However, it could not be ascertained whether the portals were genuinely of Rajasthan, or it was mentioned just to mislead.

Sanjay Jindal said all of this could be confirmed only after a technical investigation was conducted by the UIDAI.

Privacy at risk

Leakage of Aadhaar data reveals that the project has failed the privacy test. At the recently concluded 11th WTO Ministerial Conference, India submitted a written position on e-commerce, opposing the demand for negotiations on e-commerce by the US and its allies. The latter were demanding access to citizens database for free. The revelation by The Tribune also means that the proposed data protection law will now hold no purpose, as the data has already been breached. The state governments must immediately disassociate themselves and cancel the MoU signed with UIDAI, said Gopal Krishan, New Delhi-based convener of the Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties, who appeared before the Special Parliamentary Committee that examined the Aadhaar Bill in 2010.

A quick chat, and full access

12:30 pm: This correspondent posing as Anamika contacted a person on WhatsApp number 7610063464, who introduced himself as Anil Kumar. He was asked to create an access portal.

12:32pm: Kumar asked for a name, email ID and mobile number, and also asked for Rs 500 to be credited in his Paytm No. 7610063464.

12:35 pm: This correspondent created an email ID, aadharjalandhar@gmail.com, and sent mobile number ******5852 to the anonymous agent.

12:48 pm: Rs 500 transferred through Paytm.

12:49 pm: This correspondent received an email saying, You have been enrolled as Enrolment Agency Administrator for CSC SPV. Your Enrolment Agency Administrator ID is Anamika_6677. Also, it was said that a password would be sent in a separate mail, which followed shortly.

12:50 pm: This correspondent had access to the Aadhaar details of every Indian citizen registered with the UIDAI.

Printing Aadhaar card

This correspondent later again approached Anil Kumar to ask for software to print Aadhaar cards. He asked for Rs 300 through Paytm No. 8107888008 (in the name of Raj). Once paid, a person identifying himself as Sunil Kumar called from mobile number 7976243548, and installed software on this correspondents computer by accessing it remotely through TeamViewer. Once the job was done, he deleted the software drivers, even from the recycle bin.

Possible misuse

Getting SIM cards, or bank accounts in anyones name. Last month, a man was arrested in Jalandhar for withdrawing money from someones bank account by submitting a fake Aadhaar card.

The perils of making Aadhaar mandatory and linking it to bank accounts, as insisted upon by Modi govt, are visible here. Do we need more proof to stop this madness? https://t.co/9OEbitCmDO  Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) January 4, 2018

AADHAR data breached yet again!



As every citizens personal information is exposed to hackers everyday & Right to Privacy is mocked and flouted with impunity, Modi Govt remains immune.



Is anyone listening?https://t.co/UDSfOlSWv9  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) January 4, 2018

This is dangerous and criminal negligence of data security. Kudos to the reporter for unveiling the racket. A crackdown on the culprits& a corrective step is imperative: Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details https://t.co/XiYWrzs04H via @thetribunechd  Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) January 4, 2018ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Aditi Tandon/Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 3

The BJP-led governments showpiece Bill to criminalise instant triple talaq ran into expected roadblocks today with a numerically superior Opposition in Rajya Sabha demanding that the proposed Bill be sent to a select committee for scrutiny, while the government insisting on its urgent passage citing the Supreme Court orders.

As the fate of the Bill hung in the balance with just two days left for the winter session, the government accused the Congress of being anti-women and anti-gender justice, while the Congress maintained it wanted the proposed Bill debated for complete justice to Muslim women.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad barely managed to introduce the contentious Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 post lunch following serial disruptions of the House by the Opposition, which wanted caste violence in Maharashtra debated today.

As soon as the Bill was introduced, acrimonious exchanges followed as the Congress-led Opposition cited its majority in the House to seek the Bills reference to a select committee, something the government didnt allow.

Congress deputy leader Anand Sharma moved an amendment to the Bill seeking that it be sent to a 17-member select committee comprising three Congress MPs; one each of the TMC, AIADMK, SP, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPM, TDP, BJD, RJD, JMM, CPI and IUML and KTS Tulsi, a nominated member.

The amendment notice mentioned that the ruling BJP could give names of its members for the committee. It was allowed by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien though the government later contested the admission of the amendment before House Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, challenging the very validity of the notice. The government said the notice to be valid must have proportional representation but it did not have the names of BJP MPs.

Earlier, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley questioned the amendment saying a 24-hour notice was required to send any Bill to a House committee and that only a Bill introduced in the RS could be referred to its select committee. As for the Opposition, the gist of arguments its leaders made, including Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad and TMCs Derek O Brien, was contained in the notice itself. The notice read: The House being strongly committed to womens empowerment and womens rights refers the Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha for parliamentary scrutiny and to ensure complete justice to the women and safeguarding their interests and welfare.

With the government and the Opposition refusing to blink, the day ended abruptly with the future of the Bill unclear as politics overshadowed its purpose.

The government took the opportunity to question the Congress for stalling the Bill with both Prasad and Jaitley attacking the principal Opposition partys delaying tactics in the form of house disruptions today.

Jaitley also cited a minority judgment in the instant triple talaq case to argue that the SC had put the practice on hold for six months hoping Parliament would legislate on the matter by then.

Cong: Govt misleading

This government is trying to mislead Muslim women and the general public What are they giving to Muslim women? They are merely projecting themselves as their messiah, but they are in fact only trying to fool Muslim women  Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress

BJP: Youre shamming

It has become clear that the Congress is indirectly opposing the triple talaq Bill. It was a mere sham that they gave a statement and supported the Bill. They tried their best to ensure that this Bill is not passed in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Finance Ministergspannu7@gmail.com

Lucknow, January 3

Cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh will soon display the newly-unveiled logo for Kumbh Mela, right after the national anthem is played, to make youths understand the importance of the religious festival, a senior official said here on Wednesday.

The new logo shows a group of sadhus taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Allahabad in the backdrop of temples and a Swastik symbol, Principal Secretary (Torusim) Awanish Awasthi told PTI.

The decision comes soon after the Yogi Adityanath government announced that all official letters will carry the Kumbh logo.

The Kumbh Mela, which has lately joined the UNESCOs list of intangible world heritage, is scheduled to be held in January 2019 in Allahabad.

On the New Year day, Adityanath directed departments concerned to complete preparations for the 2019 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad well in time for its smooth conduct.

All preparations should be completed well in time and in a concrete manner, so that the event is held successfully. The Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela 2019 are important from religious and tourism point of view, a government statement quoted him as saying.

The chief minister recently interacted with seers of the Akhada Parishad and the Allahabad administration while reviewing preparations for Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela.

The government has also directed the local administration to display the logo with its tagline Sarvsidhiprad Kumbh, meaning Kumbh is the provider of all accomplishments.

In a circular last month, the government had made it compulsory to carry the logo in all publicity material, including hoardings and advertisements, with immediate effect.

The mela was last held in Allahabad in 2013 and attended by around 10 crore people.

The state government expects nearly 12 crore people to visit Allahabad this time.

The UP Government has also changed the nomenclature of the fair. The Ardh Kumbh is to be known as Kumbh.

Orders were also issued to carry only the updated name of the mela in all correspondence.

Nearly Rs 2,500 crore will be devoted for the first Kumbh in Allahabad in January 2019 under the Adityanath government, over two times more than what Uttar Pradesh had spent on the last Kumbh held there in 2013, official sources said.

They said over 200 projects of 16 departments were coming up at break-neck speed, and this time at the Kumbh, it would not just be about a holy dip in the Sangam but also an enhanced pilgrim experience.

It will be ensured that pilgrims have to transverse the least distance on foot as shuttle buses will be used for the first time.

A senior UP Government official said about Rs 950 crore were spent on Kumbh in Allahabad in 2013. So it is a two-and-a-half-time jump in budget. Yogi Aditynath government is clear  funds will not come in the way of world-class pilgrim facilities, he said.

The Magh Mela that started in Allahabad yesterday is acting like a dress-rehearsal for the 2019 Kumbh.  PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

Though Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh has been trying to dissociate from four of his employees who participated in the sand mining auctions by claiming they had quit his service before the bids, fresh information obtained by The Tribune confirms his link with one of the bidders.

While the ministers cook Amit Bahadur and deputy general manager Kulwinder Pal Singh bagged two mines, two other employees, Balraj Singh and Gurinder Singh, had made successful bids but failed to deposit the required first payment and were thus not allotted the mines.

Balraj Singh had successfully bid at Rs 9.11 crore for a sand mine at Bairsal village in Nawanshahr district. In the information furnished to the department, he has mentioned his residential address as Rana Sugar Mill located in Butter Siviya village in Amritsar district. This mill is owned by Rana Gurjit Singhs family.

In a story on May 25, The Tribune had highlighted how four persons, including Balraj Singh, who had bagged a mining contract at Bairsal were employees of the minister. The minister had subsequently claimed that they had left his service just before they participated in the auctions. However, the residential address given in the records reaffirms the link between the minister and Balraj Singh.

Earlier, Amit Bahadur and Kulwinder Pal Singh had told The Tribune that they were employees of Rana Gurjit Singh.

The Tribune has also reported that along with Amit Bahadur, Balraj Singh was also a director in various companies either established by Rana Gurjit Singh or registered at the address (SCO 51-52, Sector 8-C, Chandigarh) from where the Rana family manages its businesses. Balraj Singh had become director in four companies  Rana Sugar & Power; Century Agros; RJ Tefab; and Flawless Traders  between August 18 and September 30, 2016.

However, within a week after The Tribune broke the story, Balraj Singh resigned from the directorship of three of the four companies.

Fresh information

Balraj Singh had successfully bid at Rs 9.11 crore for a sand mine at Bairsal village in Nawanshahr district. In the information furnished to the department, he has mentioned his residential address as Rana Sugar Mill located in Butter Siviya village in Amritsar district. This mill is owned by Rana Gurjit Singhs family.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

The forensic audit report of four Municipal Corporations of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Ludhiana will be made public by June-end.

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said this while addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan here today.

Assigned to Grand Thorton, the exercise is also being carried out in three improvement trusts - Kharar, Zirakpur and Rajpura - for works related to water supply, sewerage, sewage treatment plants (STPs) and town planning. More local bodies will be audited in phases.

The exercise was preceded by suspension of officers for messed up local government projects in Ludhiana and Amritsar.

The local government will soon bring out an updated outdoor advertisement policy as the existing policy lacked teeth, Sidhu said, adding, Haryana with 68 towns was managing annual revenue of Rs 270 crore against a paltry Rs 20 crore by Punjab from 168 towns.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said as many as 182 appointment letters would be issued in the highly understaffed department within this month. At least 500 more appointments would be done later this year.

The department had sent a proposal worth Rs 490 crore to strengthen the fire services to the Director General, Fire, last week along with another Rs 262-crore proposal to buy fire equipment to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Navjot Singh Sidhu added that Rs 495 crore had been released for the BRTS project in Amritsar. It would have three corridors within 31-km radius.

Key announcementseditorial@tribune.com

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

Ruling that the shutting down of leather industries in Punjab would have grave implications, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the operation of the National Green Tribunals (NGTs) recent order on the closure of 35 units, including 19 tanneries in Jalandhar district.

Also read: Stay on NGT order brings relief to tannery owners

The Vacation Bench of Justice Kuldip Singh and Justice Rajbir Sehrawat also stayed further proceedings before the NGTs Principal Bench in New Delhi. The order will remain in operation at least till March 9, when the matter would be taken up by a High Court Division Bench.

The directions came on a petition filed by the Punjab Leather Federation and other petitioners against the NGT and other respondents against the interim order passed on December 18, 2017.

The Bench was told that the NGTs Principal Bench directed the closure of 19 non-compliant industries and 16 others already lying closed. Challenging the order, the counsel for the petitioners pointed out that an appeal, converted into a public interest litigation (PIL), was pending before the High Court. As such, the latter was seized of the matter pertaining to effluent control and upgrade of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs).

The Bench was also told that the tribunal could not override the High Courts jurisdiction, once the matter was placed before it.

The Bench was told that a complaint, without complying with the provisions of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, was made on December 11, 2017. The impugned interim order was passed without calling for the reply. Issuing a notice of motion, the Bench said a perusal of the impugned order by the NGT showed that the pendency of the proceedings before the High Court was brought to its notice.editorial@tribune.com

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, January 3

Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar has impressed upon the Railway Minister to construct either an underpass or an overbridge on the Tibri road railway crossing.

The MP said he had approached the minister after receiving numerous complaints from residents concerned. He got a taste of things on his last visit to his constituency last week when his own vehicle got trapped in traffic snarls near the crossing.

The previous MLA, Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, had proposed that a flyover be constructed from near Hanuman Chowk that would take traffic beyond the crossing.

Babbehali has financial interests in a shopping mall near Hanuman Chowk and he wanted the flyover to take off from that point, sources say.

However, his proposal has now been scrapped. Hundreds of shopkeepers too feared that there would be a loss in business if the flyover was constructed.

Sitting Congress MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra urged the MP to get the vexed problem solved following which the latter took up the matter with the railway authorities.

A railway team from New Delhi has agreed to study the problem. Technical officials will take a final call whether to construct an underpass or overbridge. Things will be clear only after a few days. Residents will certainly get a respite be it an underpass or overbridge, said Jakhar.

Pahra added that the bus stand, located in the heart of the city due to which traffic jams have become a common occurrence, too was being shifted to the outskirts of the town.

Residents say they were eagerly awaiting the next move of the MP as this was a major poll promise he had made in the run-up to the parliamentary elections.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 3

Terming the proposed farm debt waiver as bogus, Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira today said the Congress government had failed to ameliorate the lot of farmers.

Khaira said, The total quantum of the waiver is Rs 7.5 crore, which is merely 6 to 7 per cent of the total debt burden of the farmers of the state. Only a small number of farmers can be included under the waiver, as opposed to the promises made in the Congress manifesto earlier. The government is only pardoning debts worth Rs 2 lakh of farmers with land holdings between 2.5 to 5 acres. It is a mockery of the manifesto promise previously made by the Congress government. We highly condemn the waiver.

Khaira said 310 farmers had committed suicide in the state ever since the Congress government took charge.

On AAP picking two lesser-known candidates over leaders such as Kumar Vishwas and Ashutosh for nomination to Rajya Sabha seats, Khaira said, I am not aware of the nomination criterion. As far as the choice of Sanjay Singh is concerned, he has been active in the party nationally.editorial@tribune.com

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Barnala, January 3

Amid allegations by SAD-BJP councillors about threats and offer of money from Congress councillors and their boycott of election today, both president and vice-president of the Handiaya Nagar Panchayat (NP) were elected from among Congress councillors.

Congress councillor Ashwani Kumar, alias Aashu, became the president, while Patlu Singh was elected vice-president.

Since the start of the election process, we had been receiving threats from Congress leaders. Even during elections an EVM was damaged. Our councillors were receiving continuous threats and money offers from Congress leaders. Today we boycotted the election and came out of the House after taking oath before the start of the election, said SAD councillor Hajinder Kaur Mehrmiya, who remained president of the Nagar Panchayat during last years rule of the SAD-BJP government.

There are 13 wards in the Nagar Panchayat. Seven were won by the Congress and three each by the SAD and BJP. Newly elected president Ashwani Kumar Aashu did not take call on his mobile phone, despite repeated attempts.

They are levelling baseless allegations. We did not need to threat anyone as we already have seven seats out of total 13, said Kuldeep Singh Tajpuria, a Congress councillor from Ward 5.

Barnala SDM Sandeep Kumar said he did not receive any written complaint from any SAD-BJP councillor.

Congress councillors chose their president and vice-president and there was no complaint from any SAD-BJP councillor against any Congress councillor, said the SDM.uttara@tribuneindia.com

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 3

Son of former Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) president Charanjit Singh Chadha, who was expelled from the body after being booked in a sexual harassment case, allegedly shot himself dead on Wednesday with his licensed weapon.

He was rushed to a private hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Senior police officials reached his residence for carrying out investigations. Inderpreet was former vice-president of the CKD charitable society.

He was booked on charges of criminal intimidation. The case was registered after a video went viral on social media. Later, the school principal lodged a complaint with the police.

The principal had accused Chadha of misusing his position and compelling her to have physical relations. When I refused, he threatened me, the woman said. She added that Inderpreet threatened her on the phone.

Inderpreet, who was also booked in the case, appeared before a police investigation team on Tuesday.

Chadha and his son were expelled from the primary membership of the society.

However, he had got the interim bail from local court which had asked him to join the investigations. Yesterday, he had appeared before the special investigation team headed by ADCP Harjit Singh Dhaliwal formed by police commissioner to probe the case.

Amrik Singh Powar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said Inderpreet committed suicide in his Toyota Fortuner by shooting himself in the head at Ajnala road here.

A close friend of the family said Inderpreet had asked his father to resign from CKD after his video surfaced on social media. He was also under pressure due to some family feud.ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

ON another page will be found the text of a stirring message which the Prime Minister has sent on behalf of the War Cabinet to the Government and people of India. The Premier has no doubt that if the allies stand firm they will restore liberty to Europe and give lasting peace to the world. The concluding part of the message is interesting. Against the courage of members of the Commonwealth, it says "the Legions of autocracy have east themselves in vain and the Empire which the militarists of Prussia persuaded themselves would crumble at a blow has proved itself the most united and massive of the bulwarks of freedom." How magnificent! Yet there are those, who tell us that we are guilty of an unpardonable offence in urging that in this Empire, which has sprung from the eternal soil of freedom, there should be no room for any but freemen, and that in particular our own Motherland, the most ancient of the world's great countries, the earliest home of religion, culture and civilisation, and the most important in man-power of the members of the free Commonwealth presided over by His Majesty the King, should be free.uttara@tribuneindia.com

WASHINGTON, January 2

US President Donald Trump has signalled support for anti-government protests in Iran, but in two weeks he faces a decision on US policy toward the Islamic Republic that suddenly seems riskier than it did a week ago.

The six days of demonstrations in several Iranian cities began over economic conditions, and Trump must decide by mid-January whether to continue waiving US sanctions on Iran's oil exports under the terms of an international nuclear deal.

If he reimposes sanctions on oil, it could increase the economic pain for Iran's leaders. But analysts said it could also send the wrong message about US support for Iran's people in the middle of the boldest challenge to the leadership in a decade.

The sanctions waivers were included in the 2015 nuclear pact with Iran that eased economic pressure on Tehran in exchange for limits on its nuclear programme.

Trump has repeatedly criticised the deal and promised to negotiate a better one. Reimposing oil sanctions would essentially kill the agreement.

Reviving sanctions on Iran's main export would allow Tehran to argue that the United States is ultimately the cause of Iran's economic problems, said Richard Nephew, who worked on sanctions policy at the White House under President Barack Obama.

"Let's say Trump was inclined not to renew the waivers. I think that (the protests) make it very hard for him to do that now because now that plays into the regime's hands in a way that I don't frankly think the administration is going to want to do," said Nephew, now at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Tuesday that Trump has not made a final decision on whether to waive sanctions. Asked whether the protests had changed Trump's calculation, she replied: "Not necessarily".

Blame the outsiders

Ray Takeyh, an Iran expert and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Iran's leaders will blame internal troubles on the United States and other outside powers, no matter what Washington does.

"The regime's argument that the world is against us is a constant for 38 years," Takeyh said in a telephone interview. "The optics of waiving sanctions in the midst of all thisit just doesn't look good."

Takeyh and three US officials who follow Iran said the protests undercut Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who took office in 2013 pledging to improve Iran's economy, more than they threaten the country's clerical rulers.

Former CIA Director John Brennan, in a Twitter post, said the Trump administration with its condemnation of Iran and the nuclear deal over the last year has squandered an opportunity to bolster reformists in Iran and promote peaceful political change.

"Bluster is neither a strategy nor a mechanism for exercise of US power and influence," Brennan wrote.

Yet in recent days, Trump and his top aides have charted a more careful course in reacting to the demonstrations, which have led to at least 21 deaths and hundreds of arrests.

Trump in a Tweet on Tuesday called the Tehran government a "brutal and corrupt regime". But he and other US officials have shied away from suggesting Washington seeks the overthrow of Iran's Islamic theocracy, calling instead for Iranian authorities to respect protesters' rights.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Tuesday urged Iranian security forces to exercise restraint in dealing with protests and called on Tehran to restore access to social media sites that have been restricted.

Nauert suggested the US government could impose sanctions against Iranian officials who repress peaceful protests.

Another US official said a coherent policy response to events in Iran cannot be formulated until Washington has a better understanding of the composition of the protesters, the breadth of the economic and political grievances that are driving them, and what threat they pose to the government.

The United States has had no diplomatic presence in Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution, limiting its ability to interpret events.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington's main effort now was "trying to get a sense of who is mostly behind this, how large it is and does it have legs". Reuters



editorial@tribune.com

LONDON, January 3

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have deployed forces to three provinces to put down an eruption of anti-government unrest, their commander said on Wednesday, after six days of protests that have left 21 persons dead.

Thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government rallies in several cities on Wednesday in a state-sponsored show of force aimed at countering unrest posing the most sustained challenge to the Islamic Republic's clerical elite in almost a decade.

State television broadcast live pictures of rallies in the southwestern cities of Kermanshah and Ilam and in the northern city of Gorgan, where marchers waved Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

But, in a sign of official concern about the resilience of the protests, the Revolutionary Guards commander, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said he had dispatched forces to Isfahan, Lorestan and Hamadan provinces to tackle "the new sedition".

Most of the casualties among protesters have occurred in those regions. The Revolutionary Guards, the sword and shield of Iran's Shia theocracy, were instrumental in suppressing the 2009 uprising, killing dozens of protesters then.

In the Shia holy city Qom, pro-government demonstrators chanted "death to American mercenaries". There were similar rallies in Isfahan, Iran's third largest city, and Abadan and Khorramshahr in the oil-rich southwest, state TV footage showed.

Marchers chanted, "The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader (Khamenei)," and, "We will not leave our leader alone." They accused the US, Israel and Britain of inciting protests, shouting "the seditionist rioters should be executed!" The protests began last week out of frustration over economic hardship among the youth and working class.  Reuters

Erdogan: Turkey values Iranian stabilitysanjiv@tribunemail.com

London, January 2

Irans Supreme Leader on Tuesday accused enemies of the Islamic Republic of stirring unrest across the country as the death toll from anti-government demonstrations that began last week rose to 21.

Nine Iranians were killed in Isfahan province during protests on Monday night, including two members of the security forces, state television said.

Six protesters were killed during an attack on a police station in the town of Qahderijan. The governor of Falavarjan County said the protesters were armed.

The deputy provincial governor of Tehran said the police have arrested more than 450 protesters in the capital over the past three days as security forces struggle to contain the boldest challenge to Irans clerical leadership since unrest in 2009.

In his first reaction to the unrest, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create troubles for the Islamic Republic. Khamenei said on his website that he would address the nation about the recent events when the time is right.

He did not mention any enemies by name but Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia were behind the recent riots in Iran.

Saudis will receive Irans unexpected response and they know how serious it can be, Shamkhani was quoted as saying by Tasnim news in an interview with Beirut-based Al Mayadeen TV.

Musa Ghazanfarabadi, head of Tehrans Revolutionary Court, warned protesters on Tuesday that those arrested would face harsh punishment.

Ghazanfarabadi said the detainees will be soon put on trial and the ringleaders would face serious charges including moharebeh-an Islamic term meaning warring against God-which carries the death penalty. Hundreds of others have been arrested in other cities, according to agency reports and social media.  Reutersuttara@tribuneindia.com

SEOUL, January 3

North Korea reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, hours after US President Donald Trump appeared to mock the North's leader by saying he has a "bigger and more powerful" nuclear button than he does.

The North's decision to open the border phone line came a day after South Korea proposed high-level discussions amid a tense standoff over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes.

That followed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's New Year address in which he said he was open to speaking with the South and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held just across the border in Pyeongchang in February.

US officials said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearising North Korea. A State Department spokeswoman said North Korea "might be trying to drive a wedge of some sort".

Kim ordered the reopening of the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom at 0630 GMT on Wednesday, when South Korean officials at the border received a call from the North, the South's unification ministry said in a text message.

Officials on both sides were checking the line and conducting a conversation, the contents of which were not disclosed by the ministry.

That gesture came only hours after Trump, who has mocked Kim as "Little Rocket Man", again ridiculed the North Korean leader on Twitter.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Trump tweeted.

Trump and Kim have exchanged a series of bellicose comments in recent months, raising alarm across the world, with Trump at times dismissing the prospect of a diplomatic solution to a crisis in which North Korea has threatened to destroy the United States.

While appearing to open the door to discussing taking part in the Winter Olympics, Kim also warned that he would push ahead with "mass producing" nuclear warheads in defiance of UN sanctions.

His New Year's Day speech came after a steep increase in missile launches in 2017, as well as the North's sixth and most powerful nuclear test. Kim, who has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States, said he had a nuclear button on his desk.

'Serious and sincere'

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.

"We will try to keep close communications with the south Korean side from sincere stand (sic) and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," the North's KCNA news agency quoted Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, as saying.

The talks would aim to establish formal dialogue about sending a North Korean delegation to the Olympics, Ri said.

South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said the North's decision to open the hotline had "significant meaning" because it could lead to constant communication.

US officials had voiced scepticism about the possibility of meaningful talks, particularly if they did not take steps towards banning North Korea's nuclear weapons.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea against staging another missile test and said Washington was hearing reports that Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy South Korea, the United States and Japan, and says its weapons are necessary to counter US aggression. The United States stations 28,500 troops in the South, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. Reuterseditorial@tribune.com

Seoul, January 3

North Korea reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, hours after US President Donald Trump appeared to mock the Norths leader by saying he has a bigger and more powerful nuclear button than he does.

The Norths decision to open the border phone line came a day after South Korea proposed high-level discussions amid a tense standoff over North Koreas missile and nuclear programmes.

That followed North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns New Year address in which he said he was open to speaking with the South and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held just across the border in Pyeongchang in February.

US officials said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearising North Korea. A State Department spokeswoman said North Korea might be trying to drive a wedge of some sort.

Kim ordered the reopening of the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom at 0630 GMT on Wednesday, when South Korean officials at the border received a call from the North, the Souths unification ministry said in a text message.

Officials on both sides were checking the line and conducting a conversation for about 20 minutes, the contents of which were not disclosed by the ministry.

That gesture came only hours after Trump, who has mocked Kim as Little Rocket Man, again ridiculed the North Korean leader on Twitter.

Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! Trump tweeted.

Trump and Kim have exchanged a series of bellicose comments in recent months, raising alarm across the world, with Trump at times dismissing the prospect of a diplomatic solution to a crisis in which North Korea has threatened to destroy the United States.

While appearing to open the door to discussing taking part in the Winter Olympics, Kim also warned that he would push ahead with mass producing nuclear warheads in defiance of UN sanctions.

His New Years Day speech came after a steep increase in missile launches in 2017, as well as the Norths sixth and most powerful nuclear test. Kim, who has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the US, said he had a nuclear button on his desk.  Reuters

Norths chilling new weapon: ICBM made of ice

North Koreans attending Pyongyangs ice sculpture festival have been treated to a chilling glimpse of the countrys latest weaponry  an ICBM in frozen form

The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper ran a report on Wednesday showing smiling spectators dressed in thick winter coats posing in front of the replica on New Years Eve, waving cameras and smartphones to grab a shot

Pyongyang says the weapon depicted in the sculpture, a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, which it tested in November, is capable of hitting the US mainland

A step towards peace?

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.

South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said the Norths decision to open the hotline had significant meaning because it could lead to constant communication.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts toward alleviating tension

My nuclear button is more powerfulshalender@tribune.com

Washington/Islamabad/Beijing, January 2

The United States has suspended its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan for now, the White House has confirmed, saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabads response to terrorism on its soil.

The confirmation comes as US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but lies and deceit and providing safe haven to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

In Islamabad, Pakistan summoned the US envoy to register its protest after Trump rebuked the country.

The Pakistan Foreign Office summoned Ambassador David Hale as Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua sought an explanation over the US Presidents remarks.

China, on its part, rushed to defend Pakistan, saying the world community should acknowledge its all-weather allys outstanding contribution to counter-terrorism.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also chaired a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting attended by countrys civilian and military leadership.

In his strongest attack on Pakistan yet, Trump in his first tweet of the year on New Years Day also appeared to suggest he could cut off foreign aid to Pakistan.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said it had told the Trump administration that it would do no more for it (in the fight against terrorism). Pakistan is ready to publicly provide every detail of the US aid that it has received over the last 15 years, the minister said.

Asked about Trumps criticism of Pakistan, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: Pakistan has made enormous efforts and sacrifice for the fight against terrorism and has made very outstanding contribution to the global cause of counter-terrorism. The international community should acknowledge that.

He said China is glad to see Pakistan engaging in international cooperation, including counter-terrorism, on the basis of mutual respect so as to contribute to regional peace and stability.

China is currently investing heavily in Pakistan as part of the $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) over which India has raised objections as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.  PTIrchopra@tribunemail.com

Washington/United Nations, January 3

The US has accused Pakistan of playing a double game on fighting terrorism and asked Islamabad to take decisive action against militants operating from its soil to earn the American aid.

The tough message from the US came after an angry tweet from President Donald Trump on New Years day that America had been rewarded with nothing but lies and deceit by Pakistan in return for its over USD 33 billion aid in the last 15 years.

Soon after the Presidents tweet, the White House confirmed that the US had suspended its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came out in support of Trumps decision to block aid to Pakistan and said, There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

They (Pakistanis) work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration, Haley told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

The Trump administration expected far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, she said.

Trump is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism, Haley said.

The Indian-American diplomat said the aid issue was connected solely to Pakistans harbouring of terrorists.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, speaking at her daily news conference, described Pakistan as an important partner and said Islamabad must do more to combat terrorism.

The United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against the Haqqani Network and other militants who are operating from its soil, said Nauert.

Pakistan is an important partner. We have a lot of issues in that region. Pakistan knows that, we all know that, and we try to work carefully together on some of those issues. I dont want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do, she said.

Speaking about the US decision to withhold USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan, Nauert said the decision was taken in August and Pakistan would need to earn such assistance through sincere action.

They need to earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists, she said.

Nauert said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, who visited Pakistan in the last couple of months, had conveyed the same message to the countrys leadership.

The White House also defended Trump and asked Pakistan to do more to combat terrorism.

We know that Pakistan can do more to fight and stop terrorism and we want them to step up and do that. That seems pretty simple, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters in Washington.

Sanders said Pakistan had failed to fulfil its obligations in the fight against terrorism.

The President outlined a new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia earlier this past year, in August. And at that time, he laid out and said that Pakistan is not fulfilling its obligations, said Sanders.

Trump in August announced his new South Asia policy and accused Pakistan of harbouring terrorists.

The President is simply following through on a commitment that he made, because this is a president who does what he says hes going to do, she said.

Pakistan on Tuesday expressed deep disappointment over Trumps allegations, saying the accusations struck with great insensitivity at the trust between the two countries.

Pakistans Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trumps claim that the US had given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US President wrong.

Pakistan also summoned US Ambassador David Hale to register its protest after Trumps tweet. PTIRep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) Photo: Evan Lockridge

Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), the powerful Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has announced that he will not seek reelection this year.

The Congressman, who has represented Pennsylvanias 9th District for 17 years and has held his chairmanship for the last 5 years, gave no reason why he wont be running in 2018.

In an official statement, Shuster said it is with a happy heart and a sense of accomplishment that I say this will be my final year in the U.S. Congress. He said that it was a difficult decision arrived at after weeks of deliberation.

Shuster, 56, said that in this his last year as T&I chairman, he will focus 100% on working with President Trump and my Republican and Democratic colleagues in both Chambers to pass a much needed infrastructure bill to rebuild America.

The Trump Administration is reportedly ready to release its infrastructure plan-- which it first floated publicly the day after the 2016 election-- sometime later this month.

By serving out this year as the lame-duck chairman of the transportation committee, Shuster will be free to act in a more bipartisan manner than if he were running to retain his seat. Meantime, pundits increasingly are contending that the Republican Party is at risk to lose control of both the House and the Senate in Novembers mid-term election.

More specifically for Shuster, returning to Congress in 2019 would have required him to relinquish his committee gavel, due to House GOP rules that limit chairmanships to three terms.

Shuster was elected to his seat in 2011 after winning a special election to succeed his father, Bud Shuster, who had served the 9th district since 1973.

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear saluted Shuster for his service to the nation. On behalf of the nations trucking industry, including more than 3.5 million professional drivers, I want to thank Chairman Shuster for his service in the cause of improving and modernizing our transportation system, said Spear.

Throughout his career, he continued, Chairman Shuster has been a champion for highway safety and the trucking industry, leading the charge for increased investment in the critical highway arteries that our trucks depend on to move the nations goods.* "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , September 2021.

* "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , September 2021.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018.

* IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013.

* Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011.

2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100.

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* Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010.

* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.This blog generally follows traditional journalistic standards. It's not about opinions, though you may read one here occasionally. It's about facts that we think will be useful to rural journalists, non-rural journalists who do rural stories, and others interested in rural issues. We don't try to be provocative, so we don't generate as many comments as most blogs with the level of traffic we have, but we certainly invite comments -- and contributions, to

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REPUBLICATIONRadwa Al Nazer from Damascus (left) and Rita Joy Osazee from Nigeria with 93-year-old Ilona Karpati in the Albert Schweitzer Reformed Elderly Home in Budapest.  UNHCR/Bela Szandelszky

BUDAPEST, Hungary  Rita pushes an old man in a wheelchair down the corridor to his bedroom. Radwa lays the table for lunch. Refugees, training to look after the elderly in a Hungarian care home, are proving to be an asset to a society with a mixed record of welcoming asylum seekers.

It is not easy to be old, says Rita Joy Osazee, 32, from Edo state in Nigeria. I feel a strong desire to take care of the elderly. I dont know why but I just love them.

I like this work, says Radwa Al Nazer, 29, from Damascus, Syria. It requires a lot of patience and kindness but sometimes I want to cry when I see I have made a patient happy.

Refugees find a role caring for the Hungarian elderly (Bela Szandelszky, camera-editor)

Rita and Radwa are on a training course at the Albert Schweitzer Reformed Elderly Home in Budapest. The course is organised by MigHelp, an NGO that aims to help refugees and migrants into employment by giving them skills.

MigHelp was co-founded by James Peter, a former refugee from Africa, who was shocked by the violence he sometimes saw in the old Bicske reception centre, now closed.

Muslims and Christians would get into fights, says James. I understood it was not really because of religion but because of boredom.

James began by collecting old computer equipment and organising computer courses. MigHelp now also runs language, driving, age care and child care courses to boost refugees chances of getting jobs.

The age care course involves 110 hours of lectures and practice. Radwa has already completed 40 hours and got to know many of the old Hungarian people in the home personally.

See also: Refugee seamstresses stitch together new lives in Germany

Let me introduce you to Ilona, says Radwa, bringing in Ilona Karpati, 93. Ilona, immaculate in a pink dress, speaks excellent English. I lived for 46 years in Canada, near Niagara Falls, she says. I miss Canada but I came home because my heart is in Hungary.

Ilona is happy to be cared for by the refugees and enjoys the opportunity to speak English with them.

They are very nice, lovely; they smile, she says.

By caring for others, the refugees are starting to put behind them the traumas that forced them to flee their homes.

Radwa and her family left Syria because of the war but did not come to Europe in the influx of refugees in 2015. Rather, they chose to move to Hungary four years ago because Radwas father, Anas Al Nazer, had studied medicine here in Communist times and spoke Hungarian. Radwa, who studied psychology at Damascus University, has taught Arabic and done artwork in Hungary. Married, she is expecting a baby.

When they take food from you, it means they accept you.

Rita came to Hungary with other refugees in 2015. Now she works in a restaurant but hopes to make caring for the elderly her career.

Its satisfying to work with people, she says. I make the old peoples breakfasts; I feed them. If they dont speak English, we use body language. When they take food from you, it means they accept you.

Other African women who have finished their training at the care home are on hand to give advice to Rita and Radwa. Coming from cultures where the elderly are almost always looked after by their families, they express surprise at the European approach to elderly care. Working here can be quite emotional, says Mercy Asizu, 30, from Uganda. Sometimes the old people cry.

Tamas Szebenyovszky, a carer who has worked at the home for three years, praises the contribution of the refugees but says if they hope to make full-time careers in the profession, communication will be crucial. My best advice is that they should take Hungarian language courses, he says.

Language barrier aside, Gezane Fekete seems satisfied with the care she is receiving from the refugees. The 97-year-old widow and great-grandmother is nearly blind and her hearing is poor. She can no longer go down to the assembly hall but listens to broadcast services of the Reformed Church on a little radio in her room.

I have no complaints about the refugees, she says. They are running around, doing their duty very well. One of them helped me in the bathroom. She did it quick, nice and smiling. I can only say good things about them.Trumbull, CTJanuary 3, 2018TMC and PKE Consulting have developed a powerful conference program for Communications Applications Expo being held February 14-16, 2018 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The three day agenda is focused on the value, complexity, and options to integrate real time human interaction directly into applications. From Open Source to fully managed platforms to APIs in the cloud, Communications Applications Expo is designed to cover the landscape and the options. Collocated with ITEXPO, one of the largest remaining communications and technology conferences in the world, Communications Applications Expo is the dedicated forum for the industry to come together and learn.

Whether at home or at work, applications have become the way the world communicates. The days of a stand-alone telephone system are long gone, application integrate systems are quickly becoming the new standard, said Phil Edholm of PKE Consulting LLC. The Communications Applications Expo conference program has been built to help the enterprise, reseller and developer communities capitalize on this change.

The Conference program includes:

Keynotes:

Keynote Presentation by Dialpad

Keynote Presentation by Juniper

Keynote Presentation by Mitel

Keynote Presentation by Windstream

Keynote Presentation by IBM

Keynote Presentation by Atlassian

Communications Applications sessions:

Communications Applications - Changing the Way We Interact

Changing Your Business with CPaaS

Five Things to Look for in a CPaaS Vendor

IP Based Communications - WebRTC and the Internet

APIs for CPaaS

CPaaS vs. Enterprise Communications Platform for Application Support

CPaaS Implementation Costs

Integrating with Speech Engines

Implementing WebRTC in 2018

WebRTC vs. Other IP Options

WebRTC and VR/AR

User Interfaces with WebRTC

Managing Security in a WebRTC World

Impact of Net Neutrality Changes on WebRTC-based Solutions

Impact of Net Neutrality Changes on WebRTC-based Solutions Pt II

Success in Communications Applications in 2018

Sessions, keynotes and speakers are updated daily. Check back here for frequent updates.

Registration for Communications Applications Expo is now open. For more information on Communications Applications Expo, contact events@tmcnet.com. For media inquiries, contact Jessica Seabrook. Companies interested in exhibiting, sponsorship or advertising packages for Communications Applications Expo should contact TMC's Joe Fabiano at 203-852-6800 x132 or Maureen Gambino at 203-852-6800 x109.

About TMC

Global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers.

TMCs Marketplaces:

Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking.

Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases.

In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads.

Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations.

Custom Content provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and

overall marketing efforts.

overall marketing efforts. Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face.

For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

About PKE Consulting

PKE Consulting provides strategic consulting at the intersection of computing, networking, and communications. The company's primary focus is on how the integration of information and interaction can create value transformation for organizations. PKE Consulting services include organization planning for how to best utilize technologies for transformation. PKE Consulting also works to assure that the underlying network infrastructure is capable of supporting the new services. PKE Consulting provides services both to end user organizations and to vendors.

Media and Analyst Contact:

Jessica Seabrook

Marketing Director

TMC

203-852-6800 x 170

jseabrook@tmcnet.com

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Edited by Mandi NowitzUTSA students visit the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in 2017.

(Jan. 2, 2018) -- Student leaders from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) hit the road today for a unique opportunity to experience history most Americans only read about or study in class. More than 50 Roadrunners are taking a five-day bus ride across the southern United States to see historical landmarks during the sixth annual Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience.

We want to develop students who are going to be civic leaders, who are identifying the connections between civic engagement, their academic journeys and who they are as individuals, said Eliot Howard, associate director of the Student Leadership Center, which hosts the trip.

The first stop is Little Rock, Arkansas where students will tour Little Rock Central High School, which played an integral role in the desegregation of public schools in the U.S. in the 1950s. Theyll also visit the Clinton School of Public Service.

Next, they will drive to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Kelly Ingram Park, which served as a central staging ground for large demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Across from the park, theyll step inside the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four young girls were killed in 1963 in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. The UTSA students will also tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Finally, the students will spend two days in Memphis where local civil rights activist Elaine Turner will give them a personal tour of the W.C. Handy Museum, Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, Civil Rights Museum and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

This will be the second Civil Rights and Social Justice Experience for Biran Jallow, a UTSA undergraduate from Houston majoring in cybersecurity.

It taught me to embrace my roots as an African American, first-gen student, Jallow said. Its cool to see history in person. The trip last year had a profound impact on me, so I wanted to share that learning experience with my classmates.

Aniriel Garcia-Vazquez 15, a first-generation student pursuing her masters of education in school counseling, is taking the trip for the first time.

These are opportunities that you may not be able to get anywhere else outside of the university setting, Garcia-Vazquez said. Im excited to explore the Civil Rights Movement in a different way than reading a textbook and discussing it in class.

While on the bus, the students will discuss what they learned, watch a documentary on the Freedom Riders and see other films about the Civil Rights Movement.

We want the students to engage across their differences and appreciate diversity, Howard said. We are teaching them to problem solve and draw from the lessons of this amazing period in our American history.

After they return to UTSA, the learning isnt over. The students will share what they learned on the bus trip during the Civil Rights and Justice Experience Reflection at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16 in the University Center Denman Room (UC 2.01.28). The university community is invited to attend.

We challenge the students to identify specific goals for how they will apply the learning and inspiration theyre experiencing on the trip, Howard said.

All UTSA students are eligible to apply for the experience. The Student Leadership Center accepts applications each summer and selects students to attend in the fall. Students are responsible for about half the cost. The rest is covered by the student life budget.

Howard concluded, There is a seat on the bus for anyone.Christine and Michelle Wong have returned to UTSA to pursue master's degrees, and they run an online boutique.

(Jan. 3, 2018) -- Meet Christine 13 and Michelle Wong 12. These twin sisters launched an online boutique in 2014 and havent looked back.

The Wong sisters moved to San Antonio from Lima, Peru in 2001, attended Clark High School and enrolled at UTSA in 2008.

Our older siblings went to UTSA and we felt the university was so connected with the city of San Antonio, a close-knit campus community where we could really learn and grow, said Michelle.

Michelle graduated with a marketing and management degree from the UTSA College of Business in the Fall of 2012. Christine graduated with a biology degree from the UTSA College of Sciences in the Spring of 2013.

After graduation, they helped operate their familys restaurant, but Michelle had a business idea of her own. With an eye to fashion and online shopping, she wanted to sell clothing and accessories online.

While at UTSA, I learned how to incorporate online marketing and advertising into a business plan, and those skills came into play as I launched Zelle Boutique, said Michelle.

Michelle tapped Christines writing and photography skills for the site.

Im a creative person when it comes to Zelle Boutiques social media channels and website. I take photos and make sure the site is visually appealing to catch the attention of our target audience, said Christine.

Zelle Boutique launched in October 2014, and the first sale came a month later from a shopper in Ohio. Michelle and Christine said once they made that first sale, there was no turning back.

The Wong sisters are hands-on with their business. They personally work with vendors to select tops, shorts and accessories that are trendy yet affordable for women ages 18 to 32.

They also inspect the products, package the orders and ship them out to customers as far away as Japan, Australia, Canada and parts of Europe.

In the fall of 2017, Christine and Michelle returned to UTSA to pursue an advanced education in finance and marketing. Theyre learning from UTSAs world-renowned business faculty.

If we can do it, you can do it. The fact that we were able to build a business comes down to being dedicated, focusing on the customers and bringing them what they want, said Michelle.Goshen County 4-H Educator Honored for Innovative Programming

Megan Brittingham

Innovative programming and working across generations are among reasons Goshen County 4-H educator Megan Brittingham received the Newer Employee Award from University of Wyoming Extension.

Brittingham was presented the honor during Extensions December training conference in Laramie.

She joined UW Extension in 2010. Nominators said Brittingham successfully works with teens to senior citizens, and includes all members of groups in starting and evaluating programs.

She worked with local businesses and the local school district to start a chick-hatching project in eight Goshen County elementary classrooms. She determined which breeds would be most successful and obtained the necessary equipment. The project extended beyond the school year, with students seeing their hatched chickens at the county fair.

She also spearheaded creation of the Wyoming 4-H Theater Camp. Extension educators worked with college theater departments to bring theater and arts education into the Wyoming 4-H Program.Presentation on UW Science Initiative Jan. 9 in Cheyenne

Two University of Wyoming faculty members and two students are scheduled to speak about UWs Science Initiative Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Cheyenne Rotary After Hours Clubs weekly meeting.

The meeting is 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Uncle Charlies, 6001 Yellowstone Road.

Rachel Watson, director of UWs Learning Actively Mentoring Program and a lecturer in the Department of Molecular Biology, and Wyoming Research Scholars Program Director Jamie Crait will be joined by students Emily Armitage and Olivia Croft to discuss the initiative that aims to revolutionize scientific education and discovery in Wyoming.

Armitage, of Cheyenne, and Croft, of Sundance, are participants in the Wyoming Research Scholars Program, a UW Science Initiative program that pairs undergraduate students with faculty mentors to participate in research for multiple years.

The Science Initiative, initiated by Gov. Matt Mead and the Legislature in 2014, is an effort to enable world-class research and education related to pillars of Wyomings present and future economy. Through life and data sciences research that impacts areas including mineral extraction, agriculture, tourism, resource management and high technology, the initiative will impact Wyomings economy and give UW students a leading-edge skill set.

Central to the Science Initiative is construction of a $100 million facility at the northwest end of the UW campus, featuring flexible laboratories for interdisciplinary science research; the Center for Advanced Scientific Instrumentation; state-of-the-art greenhouses for plant research; a 200-seat active-learning classroom; and student collaboration areas to foster science innovation.

Mead, who describes the facility as a unique research and teaching environment that will transform interdisciplinary research and education, has recommended that the 2018 Legislature release $100 million previously appropriated for the project.UW Religion Today: The Tale of Three Cities: Washington, Jerusalem and Bethlehem

By Paul V.M. Flesher

What a nice Christmas present President Trump gave to Israel Dec. 6.

He signed a diplomatic proclamation recognizing Jerusalem as Israels official capital for the first time in modern history. The timing was interesting because, of course, as a Jewish nation, Israel does not celebrate Christmas.

The timing comes from Washingtons (President Trumps) playing to the American evangelical Christians, who voted for him by more than 80 percent. It is their Christmas present and, among them, this was a highly popular decision.

Apocalyptic belief in the imminent end of the world and the second arrival of Jesus on Earth to bring Gods kingdom is widespread among evangelicals. One common detail of this apocalyptic scenario is that Jews gather in Jerusalem before Jesus arrival. So, anything that promotes Jewish presence in Jerusalem, like recognizing it as Israels capital, constitutes a positive development in their eyes.

Most American evangelicals seem to be unaware that Jerusalem is already a large Jewish city. With approximately 900,000 residents, Jerusalem comprises the largest city in Israel. Two-thirds of its citizens are Jews. Another million or more Jews live within an hours drive. Jews need no additional impetus to move to or near Jerusalem.

Of course, Trumps move simply recognizes the facts on the ground. Jerusalem is the location of Israels government. It is where the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) is located and where the president, the prime minister and other government officials live and work.

The issue of diplomatic recognition comes from the decision at Israels founding in 1948 that the problem of the displaced Palestinians needed resolution. That resolution would include a decision by the negotiating parties (Israel and the Palestinians) concerning the final status of Jerusalem, which is claimed as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinians. Pending that supposedly immanent decision, the worlds nations decided to locate their embassies in Tel Aviv rather than Jerusalem.

Despite decades of diplomatic efforts by European countries and the USA to bring the Palestinians and the Israelis to an agreement, no peace plan has yet been successfully negotiated. So, foreign embassies have remained in Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem did not view Trumps decision as a Christmas present, to say the least. Not only is it a decision against them as Palestinians, but it came just at the moment to turn an economically positive 2017 into a negative one. Although the results are still being tallied, the numbers of arriving pilgrims and tourists in Bethlehem for Christmas celebration and observances were down significantly.

The main reason for the decline has been the publicity of Palestinian protests against the Jerusalem decision and the heightened security that has brought about. After the Israeli government built the border wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the security corridor has made it more difficult to reach Bethlehem. It also has made it easier to slow down and even block movement into Bethlehem, thus affecting the number of people visiting.

And, while yearly economic trends are always up and down, the long-term trajectories are clear. Native Christianity in Bethlehem and other Christian areas of Palestine is decreasing. Less than 50 years ago, 5 percent of West Bank residents were Christian. Now, just 2 percent of them are.

At least there are native Christians in Bethlehem. In Jerusalem, few, if any, remain. Even though Jerusalem is likewise 2 percent Christian, nearly all of those Christians came from outside the country to help maintain the Christian shrines, churches and monasteries, or, to be blunt, to convert the Jews.

By contrast, Palestinian Christians are leaving, generation by generation. Their children see little future in a Palestine under Israels control, so they seek a better life in other countries. In the years after 1967, the USA was a favorite destination. But, more recently, Australia and Canada have become more popular.

In their exodus, Christian Palestinians are no different from their Muslim neighbors -- large numbers of whom also have sought to emigrate to countries where they can live freely. The Christians of Bethlehem and its neighboring towns are simply leaving at a slightly faster rate.

Although President Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will not have an immediate effect on Palestines native Christianity, if it delays peace negotiations for another four years, then yet more Christians will leave. Soon, Bethlehem and nearby areas will have no native Palestinian Christians.

Flesher is a professor in UWs Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Past columns and more information about the program can be found on the web at www.uwyo.edu/RelStds. To comment on this column, visit http://religion-today.blogspot.com.Vietnam has revised the minimum wage caps and social security contributions, most of which will be in effect from January 2018. Foreign and domestic firms will be required to adjust to the changes to ensure compliance with the new laws. These changes are going to impact the payroll and net take home salary for employees. Revisions have been made in minimum wages, salary caps for unemployment insurance, and social insurance for foreign workers.

Minimum wages

Vietnams minimum wage rates play a significant role in payroll compliance. Currently, there are two kinds of minimum wages.

Common Minimum Wage

The first type is the common minimum wage, which is used to calculate salaries for employees in state-owned organizations and enterprises. The common minimum wage has been increased by 90,000 VND/month from 1,300,000 VND /month (US$ 57) to 1,390,000 VND /month (US$ 61), in effect from 1 July 2018.

Regional minimum salary

The second type of minimum wage is used for employees in all non-state enterprises and is based on regions as defined by the government. From 1 Jan 2018, the National Wages Council has finalized the regional minimum salary rates for 2018, as follows:

Region I: VND 3,980,000/month;

Region II: VND 3,530,000/ month;

Region III: VND 3,090,000/ month;

Region IV: VND 2,760,000/ month..

Social security scheme

There are three types of mandatory social security in Vietnam:

Social insurance (SI;

Health insurance (HI);

Unemployment insurance (UI).

SI and UI contributions have been applicable for Vietnamese individuals only, while HI contributions are required for Vietnamese as well as for foreign individuals.

Changes in the social security contribution base

Companies in Vietnam mostly offer a low gross salary to ensure that SI/HI/UI contributions remain low, which has benefited both the companies and employees. However, from 1 January 2018, extra payments such as responsibility, seniority, and regional allowances will need to be included when calculating the SI/HI/UI gross salary. This will lead to a reduction in the net take-home pay for employees.

Salary used to calculate the social security contributions will include basic salary, as well as allowances and other payments as mentioned in the labor contract, including:

Position allowances;

Responsibility allowances;

Hardship, hazardous and toxic allowances;

Area allowances;

Mobility allowances;

Attraction allowances;

Other allowances having similar nature as the above.

Not included in the base are certain bonuses, incentives, meal allowances, petrol, telephone, transportation, and childcare.

Changes in contribution caps

From 1 July 2018, the minimum salary cap for SI/HI contributions will increase to VND 27,800,000 per month (approximately US$ 1,220 per month) from the present VND 26,000,000 per month (approximately US$ 1,140 per month). This will increase the compulsory insurance contributions for both the employer and employee.

Social Insurance

From 1 January 2018, all foreign/expat workers will be eligible for SI contributions. The coverage will include sickness, maternity leave, occupational diseases and accidents, retirement and death. In case of a foreign employee leaves Vietnam, a one-time claim for pension will be available.

Foreign employees will be liable for 8 percent Social Insurance, while the employer will pay 17.5 percent.

Health Insurance

Foreign employees will be liable for 1.5 percent Health Insurance, while their employer will pay 3 percent.

Unemployment Insurance

From 1 January 2018, the minimum regional salary cap for UI contributions will range from VND 55,200,000 to VND 79,600,000 per month depending on each region.Two climbers died, while hundreds were stranded in the New Year's Day tragedy on Table Mountain. (Photo: Facebook/Table Mountain Aerial Cableway)

The victims were one Japanese man, whose wife survived, and a local tour guide, according to local media, with about 30 rescuers involved in a dramatic 12-hour night operation.

The cable car that takes tourists to the top of the mountain was used to rescue the surviving climber and remove the two bodies from the steep rock face after a helicopter was unable to reach the scene.

About 500 people on the summit were trapped for several hours, with the last group brought down in the early hours of Tuesday after the cable car restarted.

"The crew's assessment was that the best way to rescue the climbers was to abseil from the cable car," rescue team spokesman Johann Marais told the Times Live news website.

Marais described the operation as an "extremely difficult rescue" completed during a cold night.

Christmas and New Year are the height of the tourist season in Cape Town, and the cable car is one of the city's most popular attractions.Thanks to developments in logistics, the e-commerce sector is livelier than ever, Photo: Le Toan

Having just come home from work, 29-year-old marketer Nguyen Thi Thuy was preparing the evening meal for her family, waiting for a package delivery. Thuy has been shopping online for the second time this week.

I can get all the packages delivered to my doorstep rather than going shopping and carrying several bags back on my motorcycle, she said, noting that several e-commerce sites are now providing high-quality products with free shipping so she prefers shopping online, allowing her to save time as well as grab some bargains.

Thuy is among the many customers who have embraced the online shopping experience with its reliable and convenient delivery. According to Kantar Worldpanel, the percentage of e-commerce shoppers grew from 5.4 per cent to 8.8 per cent of the four largest cities urban population, in the last year alone.

In light of this trend, many foreign logistics providers and e-commerce operators cannot afford to miss the opportunity to provide e-logistics to meet the increasingly sophisticated demand.

2017 in a nutshell

DHL eCommerce made a splash by rolling out its domestic delivery network in Vietnam in July 2017. Charles Brewer, CEO of DHL eCommerce, told VIR that the total value of logistics is around 10 per cent of the e-commerce industry in Vietnam. Given that the countrys e-commerce market is forecast to reach $2.4 billion in the next couple of years, the value of e-logistics is thus estimated to reach $200 million by 2020.

At the same time, online retail makes up only one per cent of the total retail market, indicating that Vietnam is at the beginning of the cycle. There is still a long way to go for the local e-commerce market to reach its peak, and so DHL eCommerce has invested in the country early to get ahead of the curve, according to Brewer.

Indeed, the year 2017 was a turning point for the Vietnamese e-logistics sector, said Fabian Wandt, country manager of Lazada eLogistics (LeL), who has watched the market develop over the past six years.

On the one hand, 2017 saw local players such as Giaohangnhanh (GHN), Vietnam Post, or LeL continue to increase investments in existing infrastructures, technologies, and fleet assets. On the other hand, last year, more and more international players entered the local market and introduced new automation and technology capabilities to the sector.

The combination of local and international expertise has created a tailored, unique solution for the Vietnamese e-logistic sector, paving the way for endless e-commerce growth, added Wandt.

In fact, this past year has witnessed e-logistics developing hand-in-hand with e-commerce. This highlights the change since the early days of the market six years ago, when warehouse and delivery services were not yet developed to effectively serve e-commerce. There were five or six last-mile delivery companies during that time, but now there are around 50 different delivery companies and startups such as Giaohangtietkiem.vn, Giaohanggiare.vn, AhaMove, Shipchung, and ShipS.

Nguyen Tran Thi, co-founder and CEO of GHN, is upbeat about the prospect of the delivery market reaching a three-fold increase annually, particularly with investments from both local and foreign players to enhance their technology, network, and offerings. GHN also plans to expand to more than double its operation this year.

Trends to watch in 2018

As e-commerce is growing at a robust pace, logistics providers have to come up with new business models to deal with a soaring number of frequent, small-size orders. They have to invest in technology and infrastructure to counter the numerous challenges from traffic congestion to failed deliveries, as well as the higher logistical costs in rural areas.

These dynamics will fuel some of 2018s most important trends including customer collection points, designed for customers to receive an order from a designated collection point. Such collection points allow customers to pick up their orders at any time, without being required to wait at home.

DHL eCommerce launched a nationwide network of service points in Vietnam in November 2017, with a plan to expand to over 1,000 outlets by the end of next year. Similar to the concept of customer collection points, the firm uses the shop-in-shop model by opening DHL eCommerce counters in grocery stores, minimarts, and coffee shops.

GHN also plans to extend its network of customer collection points in local shops, convenience stores and buildings. The last-mile delivery startup plans to reach 1,500 outlets by the end of 2018.

Furthermore, investment into automation and related technologies will be the make or break for logistics companies in 2018, according to Wandt from LeL.

In the third quarter of 2017, Lazada launched its first automated sorting centre in Ho Chi Minh City  with their second centre to be launched in the first quarter of 2018 in Hanoi. Lazada will also upgrade its existing sorting centre next year, tripling its sort capacity.

On a similar note, Thi from GHN said that the carrier will invest in technology such as automation to optimise operation and simplify its process, as well as developing warehouses and building fleets of shippers and vans. This year, GHN aims to deliver parcels within two hours in urban cities, and within 24 hours across the country.Vietcombank has promised to act on the Government Inspectorate's report and tackle every issue

Notably, according to newswire Cafeland, Vietcombank had violated in regulations governing approving, expertising as well as disbursing loans. Besides, the bank cannot control the entirety of its loans as well as the customers capacity to pay the debt. Vietcombanks collateral valuation has yet to comply with regulations.

According to the Government Inspectorates report, Vietcombank issued unclear guidance for debt trading, causing confusion between stages of transaction. Furthermore, the bank also fails to comply with regulations when it directly sells bad debts to customers via direct negotiation instead of auctions.

Regarding violations in financial investment and M&A activities, Vietcombank has delayed in divesting from enterprises which do not operate in the banking sector or enterprises operating without profit. The effectiveness of investment activities does not match the investment capital.

In addition, the bank has yet to comply with regulations on investment process, the capacity of the project supervisors do not meet the requirements, and it has neglected supervising the contractors implementation of projects.

With the above violations, the Government Inspectorate proposed the prime minister to assign the Governor of State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to discipline branches and individuals responsible according to the Government Inspectorates report. Besides, the Government Inspectorate proposed SBV to inspect Vietcombanks dossiers granting credit for debt selling.

The Government Inspectorate also asked Vietcombank to issue a decision to ban Tecapro and Cpauraca companies from joining bidding on projects under the management of Vietcombank.

Responding to the Government Inspectorates report, Vietcombank affirmed that it will remedy these issues in the shortest time.

In 2017, Vietcombank reported the highest increase in term of scale and business effectiveness in the past ten years, with profit over VND10 trillion ($440.35 million), up 20 per cent on-year. Vietcombank set the target to become the No.1 bank in Vietnam and work its way onto the list of the 100 largest banks in Asia as well as become one of the 300 leading financial groups on the world.

At the moment, Vietcombank holds 8.19 per cent of the stakes in Eximbank, 7.16 per cent in MBB, and 5.07 per cent in OCB.Do Thien Anh Tuan of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program highlights the key to further boosting economic growth in 2018.

In the 10 years since Vietnam joined the WTO, the Southeast Asian country has attained various noteworthy socio-economic achievements, with GDP growth reaching 6.81 per cent in 2017.

In the same year, Vietnam saw improvements in its investment climate, with total foreign direct investment inflows of nearly $36 billion, a year-on-year hike of 48 per cent. The countrys FX reserves amounted to $51.5 billion, while foreign exchange rates remained steady, and the balance of payments saw a sustainable surplus. The arrival of 13 million international tourists to Vietnam in 2017 propelled the need to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector. Another outstanding outcome is the soaring of Vietnams trade turnover to $400 billion  including $214 billion from exports  enabling the country to become an integral part of the global value chain.

Vietnams economy has experienced nearly three-fold growth when compared to that seen a decade prior, while per capita income saw a 2.6-fold increase against the reviewed period. The two figures, however, remain modest compared to those recorded in China 10 years after its WTO membership began; both the Chinese economy in general and its per capita income increased by almost six-fold in the period.

Free trade agreements (FTAs) have helped bring the countrys trade turnover to $400 billion in 2017, almost a 3.6-fold increase over that of 10 years ago, while the figure in China rose by six times in the same period. Vietnam should have reached these outcomes before 2017, had reforms intensified and become more effective right after the country joined the WTO.

In 2017, the process of international integration resulted in a considerable spillover effect on the Vietnamese economy, although the country signed no new or considerable FTAs. APEC 2017, held in Danang, will luckily not bring about a boom and bust situation for the local economy the way APEC 2006 did. Thanks to its improved performance in capital management and continual efforts to carry out reforms, Vietnam is earning more benefits from international integration. Numerous commitments to further political, institutional, legal, and administrative reforms towards higher transparency, accountability, and efficiency leveraged the growth.

Specifically, reforms in an array of segments  including goods, production, labour, natural resources, banking, and finance  forced resources to be reallocated in a more efficient and productive manner. Vietnams business climate was improved to keep pace with business standards of ASEAN-4 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand), and of member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Vietnam is speeding up the process of signing new FTAs in order to create more room for economic growth. Nevertheless, benefits to be reaped from commitments under each FTA will lessen, as most of the worlds largest economies, as well as trade and investment partners, have signed direct FTAs with Vietnam and ASEAN.

Two much-anticipated trade agreements between Vietnam and its partners have encountered impediments. Following the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Vietnam and the remaining partners have initiated new negotiations. The negotiating parties reached a basic consensus within the framework of APEC 2017, christening this new TPP the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TPP (CPTTP).

Although some CPTTP articles have been put aside  with others to be reconsidered  CPTTP is scheduled to be signed in February 2018 in Santiago, Chile, without the participation of the US, which is the largest importer of Vietnamese goods and services.

Meanwhile, the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement  expected to create a boost to Vietnams growth and reform, given that the EU is the second-largest export target  has seen delays.

The implementation of domestic reforms will definitely stimulate economic growth. Over the past 10 years, Vietnams ministries, agencies, and localities have achieved no considerable progress in making adequate integration preparations. As such, delayed signings of FTAs could help the country gain valuable time.

Several reforms have not been fully realised, while others were not even implemented. The efficiency of state management remains a problem. Stronger political reforms and anti-corruption movements might negatively leverage national growth in the short term, but could result in positive outcomes over the long run.

At the Vietnam Development Forum 2017, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasised that improvements in productivity provide solid ground for sharpening the countrys competitive edges. Phuc also highlighted the need to step up finance and banking reforms, which must focus on shifting capital to high-productivity industries, as well as bettering small- and medium-sized enterprises access to capital.

Overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings in reforms will prove the key to Vietnams success in sustainable growth and global integration. Growing domestic reforms and pressures from the realisation of international and regional commitments will form a combined force to gain success. The economic outcomes Vietnam attained in 2017, along with the governments continual reforms, can help create a rosy economic picture for 2018.Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc handing over the appointment to Tran Sy Thanh

The prime minister highly appreciated efforts and results PetroVietnam achieved despite the many difficulties it faces and the falling oil prices over the last years.

In 2017, PetroVietnam exceeded the crude oil and gas exploration target, confirmed its position as one of the key industrial and trade corporations, contributing to the general success of the country, assessed the prime minister.

PM Phuc also emphasised the important position and role of PetroVietnam in the development and defence of the country, as well as the energy sectors effective production and operation.

The prime minister asked Tran Sy Thanh and the management board of PetroVietnam to implement seven tasks. Of these, the group needs to focus on handling five projects suffering from mismanagement and losses - Dinh Vu Polyester, Dung Quat Shipbuilding, and three biofuel plants.

PetroVietnam also needs to review and restructure its resources, conduct restructuring, equitisation, and divestment during the 2017-2020 period as the approved plan. The group needs to submit its general restructuring plan for 2017-2020 to the prime minister in the first quarter of 2018.

Thereby, a series of delayed projects are waiting for the new chairman and the leaders of the group to strengthen and accelerate progress, said PM Phuc.

Thanh expressed his great honour and acknowledged his responsibilities to accomplish the tasks assigned.

According to PetroVietnam, the exploration of domestic oil exceeded the target (1.29 million tonnes) by 10.5 per cent, gas exploration by 3 per cent, and power generation by 2.4 per cent. Similarly, petroleum production from Dung Quat Refinery surpassed the target by 19.5 per cent, total revenue by 13.8 per cent, and state budget contribution by 30.8 per cent (by $1.01 billion). Additionally, the group's consolidated net profit hit VND31.9 trillion ($1.4 billion).

Trial of Dinh La Thang and 21 others to start on January 8 On January 8, 2018, the Hanoi Peoples Court will open the first instance hearing of the trial of Dinh La Thang and 21 other defendants in relation to serious economic crimes at PetroVietnam Construction Corporation (PVC), according to newswire Vnexpress.

New PetroVietnam chairman appointed after nearly a year of vacancy On December 24, 2017, Tran Sy Thanh, member of the Central Party Committee and Secretary of the Lang Son Party Committee, was appointed by the Politburo as chairman of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Deputy Chairman of the Central Party Committee's Economic Commission.

Former PVN General Director to be prosecuted The police on Tuesday decided to prosecute former General Director of the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) Phung Dinh Thuc for causing serious economic loss.File photo of France's President Emmanuel Macron (left) meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani (right) in New York on Sep 18, 2017. (AFP/LUDOVIC MARIN)

"We criticise the fact that a terrorist group has a base in France and acts against the Iranian people ... and we await action from the French government against this terrorist group," Rouhani told Macron, according to a report on Iranian state television.

He was referring to an exiled Iranian opposition group based in Paris and called the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq.

Iranian authorities accuse the group, which the regime describes as "hypocrites", of fuelling the unrest rocking the Islamic republic and of links with regional Sunni rival Saudi Arabia.

General Rassul Sanairad, a political deputy to the head of the powerful Revolutionary Guards, said Tuesday the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq had been instructed by the Saudi rulers and some European states to "create insecurity" in Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.

Nearly a week of unrest has seen 21 people killed and hundreds arrested in Iran, in the biggest test for the Islamic regime in years.

It began in second city Mashhad on Thursday and quickly spread to other towns and cities.

However, Tehran's deputy mayor said the city, which had witnessed small protests the past three nights, was calm on Tuesday night and no incidents had been reported, ISNA news agency said.The UN Security Council, seem here in a session on North Korea, has six new members. (AFP/KENA BETANCUR)

"Peace and security are difficult to achieve," Kazakh envoy Kairat Umarov, who took the rotating presidency in January, told council members at a special ceremony. "You are going to have a real chance to make a difference."

One after the other, ambassadors representing the council's six new member countries - five men and a woman, Polish envoy Joanna Wronecka - placed their flag among those of the body's nine other members.

The UN Security Council has 15 members, including five with permanent seats who have the power to veto resolutions - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Three women and 12 men are among the 15 ambassadors who will soon be seated at the U-shaped table in the center of the Security Council's chamber.

In addition to Wronecka and US envoy Nikki Haley, Karen Pierce will take her seat later this month as Britain's new ambassador.

The six countries who left the UN Security Council on Dec 31 are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay.2018 looks to continue the trend of foreign investors buying into the local real estate market Photo: Le Toan

Pham Thanh Hung, vice chairman of Cen Group, believes that 2018 will be an even more prosperous year for the local real estate market when Vietnam integrates further with the global economy.

In 2018 we will see a substantial trend of globalisation in real estate, with both domestic and international firms acquiring each other, and also Vietnamese buying overseas properties alongside foreigners buying properties in Vietnam, Hung said.

Vietnam, therefore, will be at its highest level of global integration particularly when it comes to the real estate market. This will definitely make the domestic market stronger and more competitive with powerful financial foreign investors, Hung told VIR.

There is a new wave of foreign investors from Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China coming to the Vietnamese real estate market.

The participation from foreigners and wealthy buyers from Germany, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and China will make a strong impact to the price of properties in Vietnam, especially to the high-end and luxury segment, Hung said.

Meanwhile Dung Duong, senior director of CBRE Vietnam, expected the residential sales sector will continue to be the focus of the Vietnamese real estate market in 2018, especially when many affordable and mid-range units are expected to be launched next year.

If just some years ago, buying an apartment unit used to be a hard-to-reach target for low- to middle-income earners, it is now a lot easier with the assistance of bank mortgages and favourable payment terms from developers. Some luxury projects which were delayed in 2017 are expected to be launched next year too, Dung said.

However, she added that the residential sector may not be in the limelight for M&As in 2018. It would not be easy for investors to persuade project owners to sell projects which are already under construction. Currently local developers are a lot more confident and stronger financially than before, especially those who have gone through the challenges of the crisis period. Therefore, instead of M&As, joint ventures and equity investments would be the preferred method for foreign investors to enter this sector, she added.

Neil MacGregor, managing director from Savills Vietnam, added that Asian investors are much more familiar with the emerging nature of Vietnams M&A market.

For example, many South Korean developers have been through the same evolution of development in their home market, over the last 40 years or so, that Vietnam is going through today. While for Japanese investors, they are attracted by Vietnams young population as their population at home is aging fast, MacGregor commented.

Financial expert Dr. Can Van Luc affirmed that a stable financial history in 2017 would be a good foundation for the real estate market of 2018. A stable market, together with the growth of real estate enterprises and listed companies, will bring about a brighter future for the property sector, Luc said.

He further added that the total outstanding loans for the whole real estate market was at VND400 trillion ($17.6 billion) in November 2017, accounting for 6.5 per cent of total national outstanding loans. Outstanding loans for real estate and construction was at about 15.5 per cent of total outstanding loans for the same period. This is an acceptable percentage and reflects the appropriate level of control from the government, Luc said.

In 2018, Luc said, the real estate market will continue to receive positive focus  particularly considering the governments establishment of three special economic zones in Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang, as well as special incentives set up for Ho Chi Minh City. All of which will certainly make a strong impact to the countrys real estate market.

Foreign investors will be more active in 2018

Japans Mitsubishi Corporation was the latest foreign investor to pour $30 million into a residential development project in Ho Chi Minh City during 2017s latter days.

Mitsubishi Corporation and its domestic partner will initially pour in $30 million into the Diamond Lotus  the first green project certified by LEED in Vietnam. The total investment capital of this new project would be increased to over $500 million in the future.

Prior to this development, Mitsubishi was already engaged in Vietnamese real estate, with projects in Ho Chi Minh Citys suburb of Binh Duong, and Hanoi.

According to the latest 2017 report from the Foreign Investment Agency, under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, property was the third biggest sector receiving foreign direct investment capital (FDI), with total capital of more than $3.05 billion, or 8.5 per cent of the total registered FDI.

Up to the end of December 2017, the property sector had attracted a total of 630 projects with a total registered capital of $52.7 billion.

Lieu Nguyen, a representative from the US Real Estate Association, stated that apart from foreign investment, the overseas remittance also are pouring into Vietnam with remarkable volume, to purchase properties in their homeland.

Opportunities for proactive investors

A great number of investors are still hoping for a market that can offer more transparency and sustainability, despite the prospect of a lucrative year ahead.

However, Dung Duong from CBRE cited that a market without risk-takers is no market at all. Many developers and investors might have regretted the decision of when to re-enter the market while the economy was trying to get back on track, Dung said.

In Vietnam, success is a combination of patience, luck, financial capacity, knowledge and insight, and a good sense of the markets cyclical nature. The biggest rewards would not come to those who wait for a full market recovery in order to place a safe bet. When it comes to investing in an emerging market like Vietnam, one simply has to take risks to stay ahead of the competition.

MacGregor also added that more than ever, opportunities are there to be grasped and acted upon strategically  with a stronger legal framework and a rapidly growing economy set to aid investors in their decisions.

He noted that Vietnam should take full advantage of all the international attention that it has seen on the back of the APEC Vietnam 2017 and turn the potential into realised tourism, economic and social development. Indeed, the real estate market would benefit from clear and transparent investment policies from the Vietnamese government to encourage sustainable growth over the years to come.

By Bich NgocVinalines overcame global difficulties to close a successful year (Photo: Vinalines' Danang Port)

A senior official of the countrys largest shipping company made this statement when contacted by VIR.

"Vinalines is preparing for the launch of the initial public offering (IPO), which is expected to happen before June 2018," he added.

Vinalines, which ports are in radar of foreign investors, submitted to the Ministry of Transport the equitisation plan for approval at the end of 2017.

In the plan, Vinalines proposes cutting the state holdings to 65 per cent and issuing more shares to increase its charter capital to over VN13.9 trillion ($631.8 million).

The giant also proposed MoT to allow it to sell 30 per cent of its charter capital to a strategic investor, while 4.84 per cent will be auctioned.

At the end of 2016, the debts of the countrys largest shipping company were reduced to $274.4 million thanks to its better performance.

In 2016, Vinalines broke even after suffering losses during 2011-2014. The giant gained a pre-tax profit of VND923 billion ($41.95 million) and VND1.14 trillion ($51.77 million) in port operation and maritime services in 2016, respectively,

Despite consolidated revenue falling by 10 per cent on-year to over VND16 trillion ($727.27 million), driven by a plunge in the global shipping market with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) dropping to an annual low at 240 points, the volume of goods shipped via Vinalines' ports rose 17 per cent on-year. Container throughput was estimated to climb 22 per cent, compared to the country's growth of 7 per cent in goods shipped and 11 per cent in throughput.

In 2017, Vinalines fulfilled the annual targets for 2017 despite mounting challenges. The shipping business is estimated to report a total volume of 26.2 million tonnes, up 9 per cent on-year, while the volume of cargo shipped via ports reached 81.5 million tonnes, up 4.48 per cent on-year.Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Regulatory Framework

The Gibraltar Financial Services Commissions (GFSC) DLT Regulatory Framework came in to effect on 1st January 2018. This means that firms in Gibraltar, that use DLT (also known as blockchain) to store or transmit value belonging to others, now have to apply for a licence from the GFSC.

The GFSC offers an outcomes-focused, principles-based regulatory framework for DLT that is objective, targeted and flexible.

Nicky Gomez, Head of Risk and Innovation, said: We are really excited to finally welcome applications from DLT Providers. The team expect to be very busy in the coming months, and are looking forward to working on some interesting and innovative ideas with applicants. Working closely and collaboratively with the financial services industry and the Government of Gibraltar has resulted in the GFSC becoming the first regulator to introduce a DLT Regulatory Framework  it is a very encouraging time and we are also looking forward to the challenge!

The GFSC holds as its primary objective to protect consumers and the reputation of Gibraltar when considering any licence application and in its supervision and enforcement functions. We have been working to make sure the DLT Regulatory Framework meets the GFSCs regulatory and strategic objectives, as laid out in the 9 regulatory principles designed for DLT applications.

Follow this link for further information on the GFSCs DLT Regulatory Framework http://www.gfsc.gi/dltRowing Marine to Start Double Guinness World Record Attempt from Gibraltar

Setting off from Gibraltar on January 18th in nothing but a 7-meter rowing boat, Lee Spencer will be attempting to row solo and unsupported 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. This double Guinness world record effort aims to set a new world record and also to attempt to beat the current able bodied record of 96 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Lee Spencer, The Rowing Marine, enjoyed a cup-of-tea and chat with Prince Harry ahead of leaving the UK on the 4th of January for final preparations in becoming the worlds first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from mainland Europe to mainland South America on behalf of The Endeavour Fund and the Royal Marines Charity.

Lee is on a personal mission to challenge the perceptions around disabilities. Lee lives in Tavistock, Devon, but was made in the Royal Marines. Despite surviving 24 years as a Marine and three operational tours of Afghanistan unscathed, Lee lost his right leg when he stopped to help a motorist on the M3 in Surrey in 2014. Lee was hit by flying debris as he made his way to the stricken vehicle and his right leg was severed in the impact.

Upon meeting Prince Harry, Lee commented:

Prince Harrys support and the work he and the Endeavour Fund do has made a very big difference to many peoples lives and in a very real way. When you meet him you feel an overwhelming sense of fellowship and I particularly respect the fact he has kept and will continue to keep wounded and injured servicemen and women in the nations conscience and that he genuinely cares. I am extremely proud to be able to raise awareness of the Endeavour Fund and the work they do in supporting the recovery of servicemen and women. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to share the details and reasons why I am doing my challenge with Prince Harry directly. It has made me incredibly proud and determined and I will carry with me his words of support across every one of the 3,500 Atlantic ocean miles I am about to face.

I dont believe anyone should be defined by something they cant do or their limitations. Its about rediscovering who you are, not redefining who you are and being labelled. I hope I am able to inspire all those who seek to rediscover themselves and raise awareness and funds for two very worthy charities who have supported and inspired me .

During this feat of extraordinary physical and mental endurance, Lee will battle 30 foot waves and 3,500 miles of unpredictable Ocean in nothing more than a 7 metre long ocean rowing boat. Suffering from sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue, sea-sickness, fear and solitude Lee will be out of helicopter range and totally unsupported on the water.

Lee feels passionately about helping keep wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women at the forefront of peoples minds alongside challenging the embedded preconceptions that impact all those with disabilities. The double Guinness World Record attempt will raise awareness and money for the Royal Marines Charity and the Endeavour Fund, which supports wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and Veterans using sport and adventurous challenges as part of their recovery and rehabilitation.Photo: Getty Images

Dancing onscreen is tricky (just ask Armie Hammer), but in Annette Benings latest role, as movie star Gloria Grahame in Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool, Bening makes it look as natural and unself-conscious as breathing. In one of the films most memorable scenes, the unassuming Peter Turner (Jamie Bell) stumbles upon Gloria, his new neighbor, casually practicing her disco dancing with the door wide open. Within minutes, the strangers are shimmying up against one another, sweating to A Taste of Honeys Boogie Oogie Oogie, exuding raw sexual chemistry. There was a choreographer on hand for the dancing scene just in case  you tell me if I need her or not, Ill just dance, Film Starss director Paul McGuigan recalled Bening saying  but unsurprisingly, Bening, who also got down to Black Flag in last years 20th Century Women, was a natural.

Much like Bening, Grahame was a real-life film femme fatale, starring opposite the likes of Humphrey Bogart, and winning a supporting actress Oscar for The Bad and the Beautiful in the 1950s. At age 55, in the 1980s, she began a love affair with Turner, a younger boy-next-door from Liverpool. Years after their split, she returned to Europe with a fatal cancer diagnosis, wanting to spend her last days in Turners family home. Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool, adapted from Turners book of the same name, follows those final moments, telling a sweet, sad story of star-crossed lovers saying good-bye. Bening told Vulture about perfecting Grahames high-pitched voice, true love, why she finally feels comfortable as a film actress, and ordering California Pizza Kitchen with Warren Beatty.

Youve been attached to an adaptation of Peters book for a long time. Why was this story important to you?

I just loved the book. Peter had this relationship with Gloria Grahame. He was this actor from Liverpool. He meets this woman who had been a movie star. They have this very intense relationship. They break up, and then suddenly she comes back into his life, which is really what this story is about, and then suddenly shes gone. He told me that it took him a couple of years after she was gone, he said he couldnt sleep, he was just preoccupied, and one night he just said, Okay, Im getting up and Im gonna start writing. And I think, for me, dont we all have one relationship  at least one that ended  that we never quite resolved inside of us? And I think thats what this is. The book is beautiful, its tasteful, its a discrete slender volume. We had the book as our source material, and Peter there too.

What was it important for you to get right about Gloria?

She has such contradictions and complexity. I mean, theres the illness  I felt really responsible to try to get that right. Theres the progression of [her cancer], and of course we cant ever shoot in order, we have to jump around quite a bit. But also the fact that in one moment I think she would feel quite confident, quite sexy, quite like, Okay, Ive got this young guy and Im gonna have this thing. And then the next minute she would feel, Wait a minute, wait. Am I okay? How do I look? Am I too old? How do I live my life? So she had both, you know, and I think thats true of a lot of us. Great characters and great human beings have frailties and then they have heroic parts too, and I knew the writing had everything, so I felt such a responsibility to try to find as much as I could, to be as open as I could. Thats the thing, to be open.

Thinking about Gloria, I think of that line from Slaughterhouse-Five about coming unstuck in time [Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time]. Shes aged out of her status as a femme-fatale starlet, but shes dating this younger man.

Oh, I love that. I love that.

In the movie, you speak in this very girlish high-pitched voice. Was that hard to master?

I just thought about that and I just kind of decided that was what I was gonna do. She would change her voice in movies as well. I watched her movies like crazy, you know, and I still watch them. Her voice would vary, but I just chose to keep it high.

How did you approach her aging? Shes kind of comfortable with it but not comfortable with it at the same time.

Without knowing a lot about her, I didnt want to invade the privacy of her family. She has kids that are still around. We dont even really know where some of them are, but her oldest son Tim, whos in the movie for a second, I got to meet him. He came to our screening in London, he really liked it. That was an incredible blessing, and of course I just wanted to corral him into a corner and ask him a million questions about his mom and his life and with her, but we couldnt. But I felt a huge relief when I met Tim, and he told me a few things, and his dad was Nick Ray, and he was the oldest of her children  she had four  so he had a complicated life, and I always thought about him.

I know Gloria married one of her stepsons  so would that have been Tims brother?

Thats right. His half-brother, exactly, because his dad had been married before. Gosh, what a complicated situation he was born into, but he loved her. He said she was tough but that she was fun, that she was a great mom. He really adored her.

What do you think of Peter and Glorias relationship? Do you think of them as being sort of star-crossed?

Thats an interesting way of putting it. I guess you could say that. I was with Peter recently and somebody asked him kind of this question and he said, There was a connection. You know, and isnt that it, right? If youre lucky enough to have that experience when you fall in love with somebody, theres this connection, and you cant make that happen even when you have met someone you would like to be in love with. I dont know if youve ever experienced that.

A little bit, yeah. You cant talk yourself into it or out of it, it just kind of is.

You cant make it happen, nor can you unmake it happen if you have that thing for somebody. I get the feeling that what started as crush  something that could have been just an affair, I think, for both of them  deepened into something much deeper than that. And then they broke up. And I think the fact that they were not together at the time, when she calls him saying, Hey, Im sick. Can I come and stay? [is important]. He happened to be back in Liverpool because he happened to be doing a play. So she ends up in his house in Liverpool, living with his family, seriously ill, and hes going off every night and doing a show with the Liverpool Playhouse. I mean, you cant make this stuff up.

What was the hardest scene for you to shoot?

Definitely the Shakespeare scene in the theater. Were doing a scene from Romeo and Juliet. I adore Jamie, I really got on with him. So much, for me, was being able to depend on Jamie, because we had to shoot that on day four or five. I was very concerned. I wanted to get that right. I didnt want it to be sentimental, and I knew how sick she was in that scene, and I knew I had to find this kind of balance and be strong enough to do it. She had to be strong enough to do it even though she was very sick. The funnest scene was definitely the dancing.

Youre a great dancer. Do you like it? What kind of music do you like to dance to?

Thank you! I love to dance. I listen to some disco, but also the Pointer Sisters and the Supremes, I love the Supremes. I had that double-sided Best of the Supremes album playing on my record player in my room as a teenager endlessly. Im the first person at a wedding to get up and dance. My husband isnt, so I always have to dance with different people.

Ugh, oh no!

You know how some people  men  wont dance. Its so annoying.

Gloria is a very curious creature for Peter, a little unknowable. Do you think of yourself as being mysterious?

No, although once somebody said that about me in a magazine article, and I thought, Oh, that sounds so cool. No, because I dont feel that way at all. I have a certain amount of privacy that I like to keep, but I dont feel like thats a huge struggle for me. In my work I try to hold nothing back. I want to be as absolutely open as I can, because thats my job. My privacy personally is just because I love my family, I love my kids, and Ive always wanted to allow them to have as much privacy as they can have.

Do you think now youre more confident as an actor than you were in the past?

Thats so sweet. I love that question. I dont know if its like this in your business, but with different projects you learn something new. In my business its absolutely the case. Its like you go into another little universe each time, because its a different group of people, the subject matter is different, the time youre working in, the themes youre working on. Its always a little microcosm of a world that youre entering into.

When I started films, I had already worked in the theater a lot. I was almost 30. It took me a long time to feel comfortable working in movies. I felt kind of like I was a stage actress pretending I was a movie actress. Now I dont feel that way. I really relish it. I went to acting school  like community college, state college, conservatory  and I needed to do all of that. But it takes a long time to forget everything that youve learned. I think its a kind of creative-process principle, whatever creative process it is: You have to learn to draw before you can become an abstract painter, so in my work, it takes a long time to be able to feel free, you know? Because you are constrained. Youre not actually free. The cameras in a certain place, there are hundreds of people around you waiting for you to do your take. Theres all kinds of things that conspire to make it not spontaneous in the moment, so to find a way to surprise your scene partner, for them to surprise you, for something to just happen and to not worry about that  because that takes freedom  because theres something in the psyche that says, If you dont know what youre gonna do you could be embarrassed, you could do something really phony, you could do something  But to just say, I dont care. Im just gonna see what happens in this scene.

I love that.

Not only in terms of joyousness and extraversion, but the opposite as well, if youre trying to do something thats very quiet and very internal, and perhaps on the darker side or the sadder side, same thing  can you find a freedom in that, where you dont even know quite what you might do? That is what learning is for me.

One last question: A while ago Warren Beatty told Vanity Fair that he loves California Pizza Kitchen. Tell me everything about that. Do you go together?

[Laughs.] Sure, we have. And we order in from California Pizza Kitchen, for sure, but we also go there with our kids. We used to go more than we have of late. We have one in our neighborhood. Yeah, we love California Pizza Kitchen.

This interview has been edited and condensed.Dave Chappelle in Equanimity. Photo: Mathieu Bitton/Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle has two new stand-up specials out, and the two best descriptions of them come from the specials themselves. Both occur in the closing hour, titled The Bird Revelation.

In one of the bits, Chappelle segues from a long riff on the recent sexual-misconduct scandals and announces, We must never forget that R. Kelly peed on a 15-year old girl. And he also wrote I Believe I Can Fly. Same guy, same lifetime. If showed you that video of him peeing on that girl and scored it to I Believe I Can Fly, youd be torn. The whole bit has that razor-edged, Richard PryorGeorge Carlin audacity that we want from somebody like Chappelle, even as it sums up the fitfully glorious ruin that is Chappelle circa 20172018. When the comedian sings I Believe I Can Fly and pretends to piss into the audience, hes evoking a horrifying, surreal hypothetical scenario, but one thats ultimately on the side of the comedy angels. It makes you gasp and laugh because its got that junior-high lunchroom clown audacity that made Chappelle a star, but also because it gets at an undeniable truth about our relationship with certain performers, whether its Kelly or accused child molester Michael Jackson (whose psychology Chappelle speculates on at length): Sometimes you learn horrible facts about an artist you grew up loving, and it creates a surreal collision of affection and disgust the next time you encounter their work. Thats Chappelle in these new Netflix specials: The music is great, the indiscriminate pissing not so much. So youre torn.

The other bit that describes these two new specials is Chappelles routine on Donald Trump, whom he said should be given a chance when he hosted Saturday Night Live last year. He apologizes point-blank for saying that, chalking it up to a misplaced empathy for the Trump voters he saw looking downtrodden and lost when he voted for Clinton in Ohio. All these motherfuckers ideas, he says of Trump, sound like high-people ideas. He doesnt think the things through before he tells us. He tells us what hes thinking as soon as it occurs to him. A lot of the stuff in the new Chappelle specials, and the previous two, also sounds like high-people ideas: thoughts that should have remained thoughts until Chappelle could shape them into honest-to-God jokes that were abrasive but artful, as opposed to sourly tossed-off.

The Most Controversial Jokes in Dave Chappelle's Latest Netflix Specials

Chappelle is one of the most important American comedians of the last 20 years, but you cant see that clearly in the four hours of TV material he released in 2017. He spent many years away from the spotlight, following his decision to pass up $50 million of Comedy Centrals money and walk away from his influential sketch series, Chappelles Show, when it was at its zenith, supposedly because he was uncomfortable with how white viewers were adopting catchphrases from the programs more racially conscious bits of effrontery. (Two months after the show halted production, Chappelle did a Sacramento stand-up date where a white man in the audience kept yelling one of his most famous sketch comedy catchphrases, Im Rick James, bitch! over and over. He said, You know why my show is good? Because the network officials say youre not smart enough to get what Im doing, and every day I fight for you. I tell them how smart you are. Turns out I was wrong. You people are stupid.) His return to big-time stand-up specials should have been magnificently badass, like something out of one of those old Shaw Brothers kung fu films where a grizzled warrior with a long white beard comes down off the mountain decades after everyone wrote him off as dead and thrashes any young un who calls him old man.

Unfortunately, the four specials Chappelle has released in the past year make him seem out of touch at best, stubbornly reactionary at worst, and imperiously annoyed at anyone who dares to tell him that a lot of what he says is not worth saying. Netflix apparently gambled that Chappelle was so famous, and his fan base so devoted, that he could appear to just walk onstage and ruminate, even if the sentiments seemed to be punching down for no good reason, and even if the material was self-aggrandizing, poorly paced, and inelegantly shaped. He made appalling jokes about transgender people in his last two specials and framed them as thought experiments and just kidding humor. Now, in The Bird Revelation and its streaming mate, Equanimity, rather than pull back, reframe, and rethink, hes doing all of that again while doubling down and piling on more reasons to be annoyed with him. This is the modus operandi of an intelligent rich guy who isnt used to being told no and lets his irritation at being challenged derail his decent impulses.

In both of the new specials, Chappelle gives the impression of having listened to critics without truly hearing them, using terms like imperfect ally to encourage viewers to give him the benefit of every doubt, and implicitly cautioning his detractors that if they keep it up, comedy will be bad and dull. He tells some comedians in the back of the club, You have a responsibility to talk recklessly, otherwise my kids may never know what reckless talk sounds like. He says of transgender people, never had a problem with em  just fuckin around, mentions that his mother is half-white (I bet you didnt know that!), and repeatedly reminds us that his wife is Filipino-American, as if all that would magically render him incapable of speaking thoughtlessly of other groups of people. Doesnt Chappelle know this is not too far removed from a racially insensitive white person telling you hes a quarter-Jewish and has black friends? Doesnt he remember doing sketches and stand-up routines that mocked this type of deflection?

Chappelle does Caitlyn Jenner jokes here that are even uglier than the ones he did the last time around in Deep in the Heart of Texas and The Age of Spin. He adds a bit that compares transgender people to Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who decided to identify as black, and another bit that makes it seem as though transgender identification is just a crafty way for wimpy white guys to be more gay, or something  as if there are no transgender people of color. To quote a Human Rights Campaign report on anti-trans violence in 2017, Fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color, and  the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia conspire to deprive them of employment, housing, healthcare and other necessities, barriers that make them vulnerable. The more you know.

He also seesaws between taking sexual misconduct and assault accusations seriously, and implicitly telling anyone who reported a casting-couch-type incident to toughen up and just get over it  if they werent somehow to blame, and hey, who knows, maybe they were, right? Of one of the Kevin Spacey pedophilia allegations, Chappelle says, Not to victim-blame, but it seems like the kind of situation that a 14-year-old would get himself into. He does a bit where he imagines himself taking a meeting with a powerful showbiz figure at a hotel room at three oclock in the morning and having trouble reading the script by candlelight  the subtext being, If you went to a place like that, at that hour, you knew what you were getting into, so shut up and deal with it  as if power dynamics dont come into play in situations like that, in ways that can impair ones sense of self-preservation. He practically sneers at a woman who says her career aspirations were shattered after Louis C.K. masturbated while on the phone with her, asking, Are you that brittle? and stating that if the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King were that weak, there wouldve been no civil-rights movement. As for Chappelles assertions that Harvey Weinstein committed rape and sexual assault only because he was ugly, and that a lot of female accusers wouldnt have said anything if their alleged assailant looked like Brad Pitt, well  what can you say besides, Dave, were you even listening to yourself when you did that R. Kelly bit?

I guess you could watch these sorts of routines and say, Whatever: Dave goes after everyone. But even if that were true, and Im not convinced it is, youd still have to take into account the relative level of cultural visibility, never mind clout  because thats what determines whether people hear a cutting or confrontational joke and react with a shrug as opposed to a gasp, or tears.

Chappelles best material here proves, like the great past masters of provocative stand-up before him, that you can startle and shock audiences, even make them feel momentary anger, without coming off as an oblivious dick. Case in point: Equanimity kicks off with genius-MC-style braggadocio about how Chappelle is so good at what he does that he can write punch lines on little slips of paper not knowing what the jokes are and be confident that hell eventually come up with great ones, even if he plucks the punch lines randomly from a fishbowl. And then he proceeds to build a lengthy, early Martin Lawrencecaliber childhood reminiscence around one such fishbowl fragment, the phrase, And then I kicked her in the pussy. Chappelle redeems that violently misogynist image by way of an intricately structured verbal short story about being the only black kid in a white community and staying for dinner at a white friends house in hopes of being served Stove Top stuffing. The punch line, when it finally arrives, is not misogynistic. Its totally ridiculous slapstick, like something out of a nonexistent R-rated Laurel and Hardy short. When Chappelle boasts in The Bird Revelation that  sometimes the funniest thing you can say is mean, this routine is proof.

Chappelle is also astute when using literary or historical analogies to pick apart flaws in other peoples thinking and reveal societys inner workings. A section on #MeToo that calls for a sexual equivalent of South Africas Truth and Reconciliation Commission (the system itself must be tried) is powerful and much-needed, as is his speculation on why fewer famous black men have been accused of misconduct than famous white men (he tracks it all the way back to Jim Crow and slavery: [Black women] are scared to see us punished). Ditto his closing routine in The Bird Revelation, which uses Iceberg Slims Pimp as a foundational document for understanding capitalism, linking Slims phrase mileage on a ho (how many sexual encounters a prostitute can endure before having a nervous breakdown) to the standard nine-to-five workday in America (nine to six might kill a bitch). Chappelle is at his best here, speaking quietly to the room like a disreputable but beloved professor who always brings the deep knowledge. He even waves a paperback book for emphasis.

That there are vital, hilarious bits in both of these specials makes viewing them all the more depressing. I believe Dave Chappelle has a good heart. I believe he can still fly. But first he has to stop pissing all over the place, or at least remember how to aim.Photo: Kelsey McNeal/Freeform

Grown-ish, the Black-ish spinoff that follows Zoey Johnson to college, is a lot like its protagonist. Both are still adjusting to their independence and trying to figure out how to evolve into the best versions of themselves. Like Zoey (Yara Shahidi), Grown-ish has a lot of obvious potential, but based on the first three episodes made available to critics, its still trying to determine how to effectively channel it.

As Black-ish has often done seamlessly, Grown-ish  which, like the ABC series that spawned it, was created by Kenya Barris  is openly interested in using the sitcom as a vehicle for exploring cultural issues. In the initial handful of episodes, the first two of which debut Wednesday night on Freeform, it addresses campus drug use and hookup culture without being too heavy-handed about either subject. Shahidi continues to bring charisma and sartorial boldness to her role as Zoey, though shes appropriately much less confident as a university freshman than she was in the Johnson household, where she reigned as the oldest and coolest of her siblings. Its interesting to watch such an assured young woman  one who regularly breaks the fourth wall to address the audience directly  begin to question her sense of self once she starts swimming in a much larger pond.

But unlike Black-ish, which still regularly delivers laugh-out-loud moments in its fourth season, Grown-ish isnt terribly funny yet, which is a problem for a show thats ostensibly a comedy. It hasnt entirely severed its ties to the ABC series, either. The first episode, Late Registration, opens with a phone conversation between Zoey and her father, Dre (Anthony Anderson), who begs her to come home for the weekend from the fictional California University  presumably not the same California University from Beverly Hills, 90210  so they can spend some quality time watching The Breakfast Club together. (That Breakfast Club reference pays off later in the episode, when were introduced to the members of Zoeys developing social circle, who she describes as her own breakfast club.)

Charlie (Deon Cole), Dres perpetually out-to-lunch co-worker, has a more consistently recurring role on Grown-ish as the instructor of a night class on digital marketing that Zoey and her friends all take. It makes no sense that Charlie is teaching the course, which is, of course, part of the joke. But that joke doesnt add much to the series as a whole, aside from giving Cole some more room to be silly. The more time that Grown-ish spends establishing itself as something truly separate from Black-ish, the better.

The fact is Grown-ish is a different kind of show, one that cant push Freeforms boundaries far enough to qualify as edgy, but definitely delves into more mature territory. The second episode, in which Zoey finds herself becoming quasi-dependent on Adderall, offers a breakdown of all the different levels of imbibing that casually go on in college, from kids drinking jello shots to taking Oxy to snorting cocaine. While families may regularly watch Black-ish together, Grown-ish feels more targeted at and appropriate for teens and young adults.

Each of Zoeys new friends seems designed to highlight particular perspectives and experiences, so much so that its easy to see how entire episodes could be built around each one of them. Among others, theres Nomi (Emily Arlook), the closeted gay niece of the universitys dean (Chris Parnell); Aaron (Trevor Jackson), the sophomore social-justice warrior whom Zoey immediately starts crushing on; Luca (Luka Sabbat, who could easily pass for the woke younger brother of Donald Faison), an artistic free spirit who encourages Zoey to loosen up; and Analisa (Francia Raisa of Netflixs Dear White People), who transitions from being Zoeys friend to her enemy to her roommate. Analisa is the most natural and relatable of these newly created characters. Raisa and Shahidi have a nice chemistry together, and their relationship is the one thats most intriguing to track as it evolves.

Grown-ish is not a great show from the jump, but its certainly not a bad one. Just as in college, you may need to put in a semester  thats about half a season, in TV terms  to gauge how you truly feel about the place. And thats okay. The Cosby Show spinoff A Different World, which sent Denise Huxtable to Hillman College and to which Grown-ish is inevitably being compared, went through major changes  most notably, the loss of its main character after Lisa Bonet left the show to have her own Zoe (as in Kravitz)  before it settled into what it ultimately became. Grown-ish needs more time to find its groove. But the first few episodes offer enough evidence to suggest that it has a shot.Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

On Christmas Eve, Lorde announced that she would cancel an upcoming concert in Israel. Since announcing the Tel Aviv show, she had been flooded with complaints from supporters of a Palestinian movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel for its ongoing military occupation and illegal settlement of the West Bank. Since its 2005 founding, the BDS movement has slowly picked up traction over the past decade. Elvis Costello canceled a concert in 2010, as did Lauryn Hill in 2015. Over the last summer, Roger Waters, a BDS supporter, publicly berated Radiohead for continuing to play shows in Israel, calling out Thom Yorke for his unwillingness to hear out Brian Eno, among others. Michael Stipe posted support for Yorke over Instagram. After reading up on the issue, Lorde had found the argument for a boycott convincing and acted accordingly, thus casting herself into the center of a vexed and divisive debate.

Just how vexed and divisive was something she could only learn the hard way. Her Instagram comments were overrun with diatribes. Roseanne Barr spent a day tweeting her displeasure at Lordes decision and retweeting the displeasure of others. The final touch came on New Years Eve, when a full-page ad appeared in the Washington Post. Purchased by a Hasidic rabbi and media personality renowned for his relentless self-promotion (going so far as to brand himself Americas Rabbi), the paid content describes Lorde as a racist. By boycotting Israel while continuing to play shows in human-rights-abuse hub Russia, Lorde was subjecting the Jewish state to a double standard and thus exhibiting a textbook case of anti-Semitism. 21 IS YOUNG TO BECOME A BIGOT, blared the text.

Is Lorde a bigot? The answer may surprise you. Shes certainly denying her live presence to her Israeli fans on account of the actions of the Israeli state while refusing to do the same for fans who are citizens of states that arent renowned for treating the people they control with basic dignity  not just Russia, but the United States, which incarcerates more people than any other nation on Earth and subjects its black population, and others, to relentless, unwarranted suspicion, invasion, and brutality. If principles take precedence over profits, why isnt she boycotting the United States  which, after all, with its staunch diplomatic backing for Israel and tens of billions of dollars in Israeli foreign aid, is the primary reason Israel can sustain its extremely unpopular and incredibly costly occupation to begin with?

That can certainly look hypocritical. But it would only be racist if Lorde were equating all Jewish people with the Israeli state without making any distinction between them, which she isnt doing at all. Its not racist to single out a state for brutalizing Palestinian subjects and occupying Palestinian land if that state is the only state in the world brutalizing Palestinian subjects and occupying Palestinian land. Whatever else she might be for boycotting a concert in Tel Aviv, Lorde isnt a bigot.

To be completely fair, hypocrisy and racism are hardly incompatible with one another. One only has to examine the case of the fame-thirsty rabbi, whose anti-Lorde Post advertorial was largely adapted from a column he wrote for Breitbart two days prior; the rabbi has also smiled for a photo with Steve Bannon and called Bannon a great, stalwart friend of the Jewish state. It takes an exceptional, perhaps even miraculous, belief system to frame a thoughtful, decent pop star as an anti-Semite while giving Breitbarts chief a soul kiss, but miracles abound when youre Americas Rabbi and Trump is America.McGowan. Photo: Rena Laverty/AFP/Getty Images

Though director Robert Rodriguez paints himself as a hero who cast his then-girlfriend Rose McGowan in his film Grindhouse to spite Harvey Weinstein, aware that Weinstein had allegedly raped her in 1997, McGowan remembers his intentions differently. Recalling the incident to Vanity Fair in a teaser chapter from her forthcoming memoir, McGowan now accuses Rodriguez of using that information that she told him in confidence to play mind games on her during filming. She points to a scene in which Quentin Tarantino, who also admitted that he knew all about Weinstein, terrorizes her. I was in a backward world, she writes. I was losing my grip on sanity. She remembers that Rodriguezs ultimate betrayal occurred when he sold our film to my monster. (Bob Weinsteins Dimension Films distributed the double feature.) Rodriguez previously called that sale and going up against Weinstein a lose-lose situation that he somewhat regrets.

Saying that she always planned to break her NDA with Weinstein, McGowan will disclose details of Weinsteins alleged rape in her memoir for the first time, but he wont be alone in feeling her wrath. Shell attempt to blow the lid off of Hollywoods predatory culture, reportedly telling stories that include molestation by someone on set, exploitation at the hands of directors, complicity from agents and managers, demeaning critiques from the hair, makeup, and style departments, and bashing from the likes of blogger Perez Hilton. Shes also accusing Weinstein of planting drugs on her after the Womens March in Washington as retaliation. They built a motherfucking beast, and they built a motherfucking problem, she says. I am that problem to all of them. He represents all of them to me. And thats why he must be slayed.A 4-year-old girl is in "very serious condition" after her father crashed during a street race, according to police.

The incident happened at about 1:19 p.m. Monday in Cincinnati.

Terence McNulty, 25, was racing Gerald Howell, 30, police said in a news release. The two vehicles made contact, causing the McNulty's Ford to veer into the southbound lane and hit a 2004 Subaru Forester, then go off the road and over a guardrail. The Howell's Audi also hit another southbound car.

McNulty's 4-year-old daughter was riding with him at the time, according to police. Sgt. Mike Machenheimer said she suffered life-threatening injuries and was being treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

"She is in the worst shape of everyone," Machenheimer said. "The other four drivers will be OK, have some injuries but not life-threatening."

Police called the racing unacceptable.

"It's very dangerous, especially on a street that is heavily traveled like Winton Road is. Even on a holiday, there's still quite a bit of traffic," Machenheimer said.

The drivers, who police said were racing, could face charges of reckless driving, according to Machenheimer. The charges could be upgraded, depending on the severity of the girl's injuries, he said.Wednesday, January 03, 2018 Our First 2018 Edition Of Vox Populi; Readers Write Of Dem Guv Chances, APD Staffing, Animal Welfare And Too Much Money Grubbing By Candidates



There are only a few rules--you have to be pretty smart to make it on. Otherwise, what's the point? Also, only limited profanity is allowed. Here we go. . .



Reader Tom Miles comments on the conventional political wisdom that 2018 could be a 'no-brainer" when it comes to the Dems taking the governorship:



I hope the Dems do not take this election as a no-brainer, even if it may be, almost. The Dems simply have to sharpen their electoral ground and messaging games to the max because lazy-ass running in the past has led to lazy-ass governing in the now.



Lazy-ass running allows the party to Party as opposed to rigorously examining and formulating plans and actions that will actually work and produce desirable results for our state and its citizens, e.g., no more RailRunner fantasies. And, this leads to 



Lazy-ass governing which allows the Party to move to the Fourth Floor in Santa Fe and play at the serious business of governance while our state continues to grow its reputation as the most poverty stricken in the union and a retirement haven for a variety of criminals.



APD STILL BETTER



Reader and retired APD Seargent Dan Klein comments on reader Bruce Shah's concern that a big increase in the hiring of federal border agents will hamper recruiting efforts for the understaffed ABQ police department:



Comparing Border Patrol hiring with APD is comparing apples to oranges. The Feds may offer some better benefits (APD / PERA is still better at 25 years and retired at any age) but the bigger difference is the job.



When the Border Patrol tried to increase their numbers 10 years ago they had trouble hiring because who wants to live in New Mexicos boot heel? Or in the Big Bend country of Texas? Or the Tohono Reservation in Arizona? And there is the difference. It is easier to recruit for a job in a metro area than in a remote part of the country. So I dont think we have to worry about Border Patrol recruiting or taking officers.



FURIOUS LOBBYING



Mayor Keller is being subjected to furious lobbying over his pick to head the ABQ Animal Welfare Department, with over 3,100 persons signing



We havent heard a thing about who the Mayor is planning on appointing as AWD director. We hold out hope he is listening. In the meantime, we have requested a meeting with Mayor Keller asking him to please do a nationwide search for a director. Joel Craig and Jim Ludwick would like the position but are toxic and bitter about the progress we have made to be a no kill shelter. Both Ludwick and Craig did not score high enough to be considered for the position of Associate Director in 2016. That hardly qualifies them for director. Certainly it would be an embarrassment for this administration to lose our citys no kill status after we have been able to hold it for the past two years.



We don't have a dog in this fight, so to speak, but have been pulled in by the passionate arguments on both sides and published both. We're sure there's more to come.



SEASON OF SOLICITATIONS



Former Dem Lt. Governor Diane Denish writes on Facebook of the relentless push for money by state political candidates during the Xmas season:



. . . As someone who has been a candidate who had to raise money constantly, I was still struck by the number of political solicitations I received. Everyone was facing a critical deadline! Everyone had just a few more bucks to go to make their goal! Everyone was going to be the most anti-Trump person ever elected!. . . Very few, if any, talked about what they needed to do to be a part of a winning agenda for Democrats.



No one encouraged giving to your local charity to feed the homeless, house the infirm, fight a disease. My hope in 2018 is that these candidates will try and persuade me and others to contribute to them with concrete policy ideas that will improve the lives of New Mexicans or just stop it!



Not every Trump tweet is breaking news. Not every deadline is the most urgent, Every opponent is not a monster, and no, I am not giving you money if you don't have an opponent (other candidates will need it more).



SHAMELESS PLUG







It saddens me to read in your column that people are becoming shut-ins as a result of our crime problem. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, not to hunker down in fear.



I started Personal Safety Education, LLC, along with two close friends, to provide the tools that people need to live and enjoy life safely. We provide fun and easy to apply training in situational awareness, de-escalation techniques and self-defense basics to businesses, religious institutions, families, and individuals, at their locations.



THE BOTTOM LINES



More information came in and we adjusted the Jeff Apodaca holiday TV buy on broadcast stations upwards from around $13,000 to $19,000. He also spent $13K on cable. . . The link we had up wishing good riddance to 2017 was broken.



And the first name of former GOP lieutenant governor candidate Kellie Zuni came out as "Keller" Tuesday. Well, she might have been better off with that moniker considering the name of the new ABQ mayor.



This is the home of New Mexico politics.







Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.



( c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018 Why wait for a good thing? It's the first edition of the new year of Vox Populi where the readers take over the blog.There are only a few rules--you have to be pretty smart to make it on. Otherwise, what's the point? Also, only limited profanity is allowed. Here we go. . .Reader Tom Miles comments on the conventional political wisdom that 2018 could be a 'no-brainer" when it comes to the Dems taking the governorship:Reader and retired APD Seargent Dan Klein comments on reader Bruce Shah's concern that a big increase in the hiring of federal border agents will hamper recruiting efforts for the understaffed ABQ police department:Mayor Keller is being subjected to furious lobbying over his pick to head the ABQ Animal Welfare Department, with over 3,100 persons signing an online petition asking the Mayor to look outside the department for a new leader. This reader is one of them:We don't have a dog in this fight, so to speak, but have been pulled in by the passionate arguments on both sides and published both. We're sure there's more to come.Former Dem Lt. Governor Diane Denish writes on Facebook of the relentless push for money by state political candidates during the Xmas season:Here's longtime reader Michael Corwin with a self-described "shameless plug":More information came in and we adjusted the Jeff Apodaca holiday TV buy on broadcast stations upwards from around $13,000 to $19,000. He also spent $13K on cable. . . The link we had up wishing good riddance to 2017 was broken. Here it is And the first name of former GOP lieutenant governor candidate Kellie Zuni came out as "Keller" Tuesday. Well, she might have been better off with that moniker considering the name of the new ABQ mayor.This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)

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You'll be able to buy secondhand goods, including big purchases such as a car, or pay tradies with far greater confidence and convenience for both buyer and seller, even on weekends. Eventually even house hunters may be able to ditch the chequebook  currently they need one handy in case they want to bid at an auction. That greater efficiency should have an economic pay-off. Second, the NPP should enable innovation in financial services. That's an overused word, but bear with me. The platform was specifically designed to allow multiple, competing products and services  something that sets it apart from preceding, international fast-payment gateways.

The banks didn't just get together and decide to do this of their own accord. The first product on the platform is Osko, which has been developed by BPAY to facilitate fast electronic payments  the core purpose of the NPP. But there'll be more over time. I expect an array of new products and services using the platform to proliferate, from both existing players and start-up companies in the "fintech" (financial technology) space. If that ain't innovation, I don't know what is. Automation in accounting is likely to be one area ripe for innovation. Currently you can only send a few characters of extra information with a transaction. The NPP will allow far more information to be recorded with each transaction, such as longer descriptions or attachments such as invoices or receipts. The final way the NPP will benefit the Australian economy is because it will boost competition and help break the stranglehold of the big four banks.

Customers can already make real-time payments to customers of the same bank, which is a powerful incentive to stay with a big institution. But if payments only take a few minutes regardless of who you bank with, that's one less reason not to shop around and find better deals with smaller banks or credit unions. In which case, you probably won't be surprised to know that the banks didn't just get together and decide to do this of their own accord. The impetus came from the Reserve Bank, and it would never have happened otherwise. The NPP is owned by a company with 13 shareholders, all financial institutions including the big four banks and others such as Macquarie, ING, Bendigo, Citigroup and HSBC. They built part of the system, and the other half, the Fast Settlement Service, sits at the Reserve Bank. Institutions connect to the NPP, then applications such as BPAY's Osko send requests to the Fast Settlement Service. This enables every single payment made on the platform, regardless of size, to be settled in real time  because every bank and credit union already has an account at the Reserve Bank. As well as the 13 main participants, there are about 50 smaller organisations, such as mutual banks, credit unions and building societies, that will connect indirectly.

While the banking industry no doubt hopes the NPP generates some much-needed good publicity, I've heard there was a fair bit of reluctance and dragging of feet in certain quarters. Regardless of whatever went on behind the scenes, the fact is Reserve Bank did manage to bring all the banks to the table and the project is more or less on track  I wrote in February 2016 that it would be complete by the end of 2017. The platform is already on and functional and undergoing extensive testing, but the NPP decided to wait until after the summer hiatus to press "go" for consumers. Loading Of course, the other big reason people don't like to change bank accounts is the hassle of moving all the direct debits. Perhaps the Reserve Bank could kickstart a system to let us port all our regular payments when we change accounts.The Turnbull government has ruled out holding a plebiscite or postal survey before the next election on Australians' preferred model for becoming a Republic even if Queen Elizabeth's reign ends during the current parliament.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed on Tuesday there would be no such vote during this parliamentary term even if there is a change of British monarch, despite Mr Turnbull saying the day before that an end to the Queen's reign would be the obvious moment at which the republic issue becomes "live again".

Mr Turnbull had on Monday suggested that a postal survey similar to that which decided the same-sex marriage debate might be used to guide how the nation evolves from a monarchy to a republic, including how a president is chosen.

The swift walk-back prompted acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek to dismiss Mr Turnbull's remarks as a "thought bubble" and to suggest he was bowing to conservative elements in his party.Hilton, who has been engaged once before to Greek shipping heir and socialite Paris Latsis for six months in 2005, and had relationships with Kardashian-adjacent, Brody Jenner and actor Jared Leto, once moved in the same social circles as Nicole Richie, (her former best friend, and Simple Life co-star) Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears.

It was a time marked by Juicy Couture tracksuits, low-rise jeans, and defined abdominals.

It also marked the beginning of two mediums: celebrity blogs, such as the now notorious Perez Hilton, and women whom viewers loved to hate on reality television. In many ways, Hilton's lack of social mores, her apparent thirst for publicity, her unabashed love of revealing clothing, her excesses and extraordinary wealth, paved the way for Keeping up with the Kardashians -- a fact Hilton has never been shy about mentioning, going so far as to say she made her former close friend famous.

Although the persistent rumour that Kardashian West was not a friend but a personal assistant, is, according to Kim at least, false.

"I would work with Paris, and I would love to organise and clean out their closets and get rid of all their stuff and sell it on eBay and then shop for them, shop for her. That was my job. I loved it," Kim recalled on Watch What Happens Live. "But people will say 'assistant.' They always have it wrong."Police have taken two men into custody following a dramatic car chase through several Perth suburbs on Wednesday morning, with witnesses claiming spikes were deployed to stop the fleeing vehicle.

A police spokesman said the pursuit was sparked after officers responded to a report of a burglary in Forrestfield about 10am allegedly involving a red Holden Commodore.

A police pursuit through several Perth suburbs has ended with two males in custody. Credit:Georgia Matts

"Police attempted to stop the vehicle on Clayton Street in Bellevue however the driver refused to stop," he said.

"The driver continued to evade police across several suburbs in Perth's east before the car was stopped near the intersection of Welshpool Road and McDowell Street in Welshpool."Taipei, Taiwan: It is an age-old Chinese arrangement, and one that is usually implicit: Parents pay for their children's education, and hope that in their old age the children will support them.

But in a case that made its way to Taiwan's highest court, a mother who had financed her son's dental training sued him, asserting that he had broken a written agreement to support her from the proceeds of his dental practice.

A dentist at work. Credit:Quentin Jones

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sided with mum.

The case attracted considerable attention because the mother and son had put down in a written contract - signed when he was 20 - what is often left unsaid, particularly in a heavily Confucian-influenced society that emphasises filial piety. The principle is backed up by law in Taiwan, where adults are legally prohibited from abandoning their parents.United Nations: The United States is withholding $US255 million ($A357 million) in aid from Pakistan because of its failure to cooperate fully in America's fight against terrorism, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says.

"There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years," she told reporters at the United Nations on Tuesday. "They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan.

"That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism."

It comes as Islamabad summons the US ambassador after President Donald Trump tweeted angrily about Pakistani "lies and deceit", with Islamabad summoning the US ambassador.No Heat: Paducah Public Schools Closed Wednesday

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH, KY - Paducah Public Schools will not have classes on Wednesday, January 3, due to problems with heat in several buildings.In a social media post Tuesday afternoon, the school system said students will be dismissed from classes, but faculty and staff should report as usual.The announcement reads, "multiple heating units in multiple buildings are not working. With the extreme cold, portions of all buildings except Paducah Middle are unheated."The needed parts have reportedly been ordered, and the units will be fixed as soon as possible.School is expected to be in session on Thursday, but parents and students should watch the Paducah Public Schools website and Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates.Tuesday evening, McCracken County Schools notified parents and those following their social media accounts that classes will be held on Wednesday.PSC Fines JPEC $20K in Death of Lineman

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FRANKFORT, KY - Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation has been fined $20,000 for safety violations that officials say contributed to the January 2017 electrocution of lineman Joshua Franklin.The Kentucky Public Service Commission said in a ruling issued Wednesday that it found eight different safety violations, and penalized the utility $2,500 for each violation.Franklin was killed on Jan. 6, 2017 when he came into contact with a 7,200-volt line that he and another lineman had been sent to repair.The PSC says the violations are related mostly to the failure of the Jackson Purchase employees to take safety precautions that are required when working on potentially live electric lines.In a press release, the PSC says their investigation showed Franklin assumed the line was not conducting electricity, but was actually live. Investigators also said Franklin's supervisor told him a safety device on the line indicated there was no power flowing through the line, but an inspection of the device found that it was falsely indicating that the power was off. Investigators also found Franklin did not properly test the line to make sure that it was not energized, and did not use protective equipment.The PSC ordered JPEC to pay the $20,000 penalty within 30 days.Marshall Man Charged with Leaving Accident Scene

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MARSHALL COUNTY, KY - A Marshall County man is facing charges in a hit-and-run investigation.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, the collision happened Sunday on Griggstown Road. The victim was able to give deputies identifying information on the vehicle and driver.

Deputies found the vehicle and driver nearby. The driver, Billy R. May of Gilbertsville, admitted to the accident and said he had left the scene because he did not have a driver's license.

May was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating a vehicle with an expired operator's license, failure to maintain insurance and failure to produce an insurance card.Miniature Horse Missing in Calloway Co.

By West Kentucky Star Staff

HAZEL, KY - Officials are asking for help spotting a missing miniature horse.The Calloway County Sheriff's Department shared information from the Murray-Calloway County Animal Shelter about Misty, who was last seen on Monday afternoon in the Midway - Hazel area.Anyone who sees Misty or has information should contact Sarah at 270-978-1049 or 270-293-9167. You can also contact the Sheriff's Department at 270-753-3151.Perry Seeks Second Term as Graves Judge Executive

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD, KY - Graves County Judge-Executive Jesse Perry filed to run for a second term Tuesday afternoon.

Perry has held the Graves County Judge Executive Office since 2014. Additionally, he was elected Commissioner for the county in 2010. Perry has filed papers to run as an Independent in the 2018 General Election.

Perry says over the past three years, the Graves County Fiscal Court has focused on several areas. He says the Fiscal Court has been proactive in safety for the sheriffs office for current updates on equipment as well as additional staff.

Perry says the Fiscal Court has also worked on updating technology and making improvements to the courthouse. And he says the Fiscal Court has been responsible for improving the communications systems within the courthouse, saving the county several thousands of dollars each year.

According to Perry the Fiscal Court has also been very active in supporting numerous events at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds. He said updates and improvements have been made at the Fairgrounds to accommodate those events. The Fiscal Court along with the Mayfield City Council has also supported expanding Kess Creek Park for additional recreational activities.

Perry says the Fiscal Court has been involved in a project to gain access for fiber-optic in much needed areas of Graves County. The Fiscal Court is in the beginning stages of this project at this time.

The Graves County Road Department is another area that the Fiscal Court has focused on. Perry says equipment has been updated for snow removal. They have implemented a snow/mowing route that covers all county roads. They have also updated the local road map system so that it is current with the state.

Four new bridges have been installed to date on county roads. A new project for the road department includes mowing of a selection of state highways throughout the county which has generated an additional net profit.

Additionally, the Fiscal Court has focused on economic development to grow Graves County. Perry says the Fiscal Court has encouraged businesses with incentive packages for new and existing expansions which include Ingrams Water and Air Equipment, Whaynes Supply, West KY Concrete, Ace Compressors, Universal Compressors, LSK, PTP Tactical, KY Fab, MVP group, and Pilgrims Pride.

The Fiscal Court has also supported a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) for Cracker Barrell and WK&T Technology Park. In conjunction with the City of Mayfield, the Fiscal Court supported a TIF for Gideons Crossing and the Mayfield Plaza.

Perry says his office has an open door and encourages residents of Graves County to contact him if he could be of any help to them. Perry says he has enjoyed serving the public and being part of making a difference.

Perry, 36, resides in Sedalia with his wife and two children.Semi Driver Charged in Fatal Wreck at State Line

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FULTON COUNTY, KY - A man has been charged with homicide after a driver died from injuries sustained in a crash near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.The Fulton County Sheriff's Office says deputies, along with deputies from the Obion County, TN Sheriff's Office responded Friday to a crash at the intersection of Highway 239 and State Line Road. Deputies said the crash happened after a northbound semi driven by Dudarev Petrovich failed to stop at the intersection at State Line Road and hit another vehicle driven by Randell D. Pope of Union City, TN. Petrovich was cited on the scene for disregarding a stop sign and not having valid registration plates.Pope died from his injuries late Monday night. Petrovich was arrested late Tuesday and charged with reckless homicide.FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2017 file photo, Jeff Hoover looks up to the cheers from the gallery following his swearing in Frankfort, Ky. Kentucky's former Republican House speaker has been hospitalized days after resigning his leadership position amid sexual harassment allegations. A family member says Hoover had a heart-related issue and has asked for privacy until they issue a further statement. PHOTO:AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File

Eight GOP Lawmakers Want Hoover Out of Office

By The Associated Press

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the complaint was filed by Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Florence; Rep. Kim King, R-Harrodsburg; Rep. Russell Webber, R-Shepherdsville; Rep. Stan Lee, R-Lexington; Rep. Robert Benvenuti, R-Lexington; Rep. Phil Moffett, R-Louisville; Rep. Tim Moore, R-Elizabethtown and Rep. Joe Fischer, R-Fort Thomas.



This is the same group of legislators that submitted an open letter in November that called on Hoover to resign.



FRANKFORT, KY - Eight Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have asked for GOP House Speaker Jeff Hoover to be removed from office after he settled a sexual harassment complaint with a woman in his office.The lawmakers filed the disciplinary charges Wednesday. They accuse Hoover of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment and using his position as a legislator to cover it up. Under new House rules adopted Tuesday, a bipartisan committee of three Republicans and three Democrats will investigate. Republican Rep. Jerry Miller will vote in the event of a tie.Hoover did not respond to a request for comment. He has denied sexual harassment, but said he sent inappropriate but consensual text messages to awoman who once worked for the House Republican Caucus.On the Net:Now that Christmas is long gone, and the New Year fast approaching, its time to head into the new year with a positive outlook.

Most people will use the upcoming new year to make loads of New Years resolutions. Most people, myself included, want to get into shape and lose a few pounds, as well as complete some honey-do projects that didnt get done in 2017.

Yes, there are a lot of honey-do projects that I wanted done too, but it just goes to show when you get older, you just dont go any faster. I didnt have the strength to do some of the stuff that I wanted to get done in 2017.

Before I get into some resolutions, I must tell you a few things about my Christmas break. I went to Virginia to see my granddaughters open their gifts on Christmas Day.

This is the first year my wife and I have not been together for Christmas in our 43, almost 44 years, of marriage. Of course I have worked on Christmas Day, hen I worked in the coal mine. Those times, we spent at least some of the day together though.

It was the first, and if I have anything to do about it, it will be our last. Being with your love oned for more than 43 years, its tough when youre apart.

However, the trip was very nice, not a lot of traffic going to Fredricksburg at all. The weather was awesome, and the time spent with my son Gregory and his family was everything I was hoping for.

The girls are growing like the weeds in my back yard. My Tianna is as nice today, as she was when she was two. The same can be said for Kyra and Sofia as well. The church service was awesome. The preacher, Isaac Myers, once lived in this area and went to Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg.

After lunch, we went back to the house and watched some movies. You know when Rich Santa Claus Male is your sons father-in-law, every Christmas has to be a good one, and it was.

After the big night, Santa and Mrs. Claus came over, and my daughter in-law Candace fixed breakfast fit for a king. After eating, the girls opened their gifts.

I got each member of my sons family a Nerf-gun. I didnt think I would love seeing them battle with the Nerf guns, but I was more excited than they were. I know it is the best gift I could have gotten them.

You know, other than thinking about Jesus in this time of gift giving  and knowing he gave his life for us, the family stuff is mighty important for me for me. Not being around Lynne, as well as my son Chris, his wife Alania, and my grandson Christian  and my son Jeremy and his bride Janine  was tough. Its tough when family is far away.

We had Christmas with Christian the day after, as well as my mother, but it was so nice to see all the love that others show with their family and friends. That is the good thing about Facebook.

Incase you dont know, our new editor is Lauren Matthews. She has been holding that title for awhile, but she just got the editors job at the Tyler Star News, right before Christmas. It was nice to see. The Wetzel Chronicle, along with the Tyler Star News, is in good hands. She is doing the best she can, and with Ed and myself, she will have her hands full.

But, lets get with the program and see what New Years resolutions you are going to have. Lets get it started. Take a picture of yourself, and send it to me at bcrawford@wetzelchronicle.com  along with your New Years resolutions. I cant promise it will be in the paper, but it might. Lets get it going, and maybe we can have a full page New Years resolutions.Maybe we can share on our Facebook page as well. I cant wait to see all the resolutions that our readers have and will have.

In conclusion, I hope everyone had an awesome Merry Christmas, and even a happier New Year.Close Get email notifications on Lisa Neff daily!

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Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.ONEONTA, NY  The City of Oneonta held its first common council meeting of 2018 Tuesday evening.

Among the items on the agenda, a measure to allow Mayor Gary Herzig to contract lab testing services for the citys waste water treatment plant.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the measure, with 2 council members absent from the meeting.

Mayor Herzig says whats being processed at the plant is constantly changing.

The chemistry changes all the time in the make-up of your product in your waste treatment plant. Different products react differently because they have a different chemical make-up. Its not a matter of one is better than the other, its a matter of finding one that works best in the environment that you have in your own plant.

The name of the company that will be doing the testing is Pace Analytical out of Melville, New York.

The services will be provided on a trial basis for a period of 6 months.COOPERSTOWN - An Otsego County man will not stand trial after he was charged with second degree murder earlier this year.

Perry Webb of Wheat Road in New Lisbon has been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial after a judge requested a mental health evaluation. This is similar to the ruling made in the Paul Bumbalo murder case in Utica in 2015.



Webb was arrested in June of 2017 in New Lisbon after sheriff's deputies say he killed a man by stomping him to death and attempted to kill another man the same way.

The Otsego County District Attorney says Webb will likely spend the rest of his life in a psychiatric center.LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  The extreme cold has caused problems for people all over Greater Lafayette. City employees said when they got to work Tuesday, it was extremely cold inside the Morton Center.

Offices were closed all day as crews worked to restore heat. The building runs on gas and both the meter and gas main broke, which caused a boiler to break.

Later in the day, crews were trying to fix the heat when a pipe exploded. Steam filled the building and set off the fire alarm.

When firefighters got there, they gave an all clear within minutes. Mayor John Dennis said even though they weren't in the building today, city employees were still able to work.

"A lot of folks are able to work remotely, a lot of folks are taking their laptops home and are able to continue doing the business of city government at least here in West Lafayette from home," said Mayor Dennis.





Heat was restored to the building and they plan to re-open Wednesday.

State Farm Agent, Trent Johnson and Mr. & Mrs. Tire General Manager Curtis Lewis said their phones were ringing all day as well.

Both agree when it's this cold, sometimes there isn't much you can do. When it comes to your car, Lewis said have your batteries and tire pressure checked.

Johnson said keeping your thermostat set at the same temperature both day and night can help.TIPPECANOE COUNTY (WLFI)  Walmart is no longer giving its first-time thieves the option to opt out of getting in trouble with the cops.

News 18 first told you about Walmart's Restorative Justice program in July when the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor spoke out against it. Now, Walmart is explaining why it decided to pause the program.

At first, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment sounded reasonable to Will Gooding.

"But I don't know about the implementation," said Gooding.

Walmart's Restorative Justice Program allowed a first-time thief to have a choice; pay for a $400 rehabilitation program or get in trouble with the police.

Gooding has a problem with the fee.

"If you get in a situation where you are someone who can't afford to pay that $400, then you go into the justice system. Whereas people who have that money would be able to take advantage of that program," said Gooding.

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington has a problem with using police as a bargaining tool. There's a reason law enforcement needs to get involved during a crime.

"We are able to identify them and we are able to determine whether they're wanted on warrants or probation violations," said Harrington.

He's happy Walmart has suspended the Restorative Justice Program. But the company says it wasn't solely due to law enforcement backlash. Walmart just hired a new Vice President in the Asset Protection Department.

"As he came into this new role he said look, we just need to spend some time evaluating this and see if it's good for Walmart with this lack of clarity still being in place," said Walmart Spokesman Ragan Dickens.

It isn't clear because various law enforcement agencies throughout the country have spoken out against the program and a recent court case in California deemed it unlawful.

"It's a case we are definitely aware of and looking at but I would say across the board it was more of a review of this program and several others," said Dickens.

Harrington hopes the Indiana Attorney General publishes an official opinion against the program soon. He believes there are better ways to curb crime at stores. Gooding agrees but says rehabilitation is necessary and shouldn't have a price tag.

"I don't think it has to do with all the security stuff, mostly just the ethics," said Gooding.



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Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home pageUK regulator clarifies role for Nuclear Safeguards Bill

03 January 2018

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The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has clarified two points in the impact assessment of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill published last month by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The clarifications are "part of our ongoing constructive engagement" with BEIS to develop a domestic safeguards regime as part of the UK's exit from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the ONR said.

The British government announced it intends to leave Euratom when, in January, it published a bill authorising Brexit. The peaceful use of nuclear energy within the EU is governed by the 1957 Euratom Treaty. The Euratom Community is a separate legal entity from the EU, but it is governed by the bloc's institutions.

The first clarification is that ONR regulates the nuclear industry; it does not provide services to it. Secondly, the government's policy has developed since the assessment was undertaken and the intention is to put in place a regulatory framework which is robust and as comprehensive as Euratom, the ONR said. This means that it is not in a position to identify potential efficiencies in its regulatory approach at this stage, it added.

"As we support BEIS in its development of secondary legislation, we will provide advice to the government to inform the anticipated impact assessment for nuclear safeguards regulation," it said.

Impact assessment

The impact assessment, signed on 11 December by Richard Harrington, BEIS undersecretary of state, states that the civil nuclear sector is subject to robust international non-proliferation measures, which include nuclear safeguards. Nuclear safeguards arrangements are essential, it says, to enable the UK to engage in civil nuclear trade, allowing nuclear generation to play an important role in energy security and decarbonisation objectives, and to fulfil international standards as a responsible nuclear state, which are an important part of the international non-proliferation regime to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

The UK's current nuclear safeguards obligations are fulfilled through its membership of Euratom and a new safeguards regime is needed to continue meeting international standards following withdrawal from the Euratom Treaty, it says. Leaving Euratom is "as a result of the decision to leave the EU as they are uniquely legally joined", it says. "There are no precedents for a non-EU Member State being a Member State of Euratom, so when we formally notified our intention to leave the EU we also commenced the process for leaving Euratom," it says.

The policy objective is to ensure arrangements are in place to fulfil international nuclear safeguard standards.

"These arrangements form an essential part of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, to which the UK is committed. Our future arrangements will need to be robust and as comprehensive as the current Euratom regime to enable public confidence in the continued high standards and give international partners confidence in engaging in civil nuclear trade with the UK, many of whom require this to agree nuclear cooperation agreements; to support the UK's ongoing commitment to the global non-proliferation regime; show that the UK is a responsible nuclear state, and; to avoid weakening the UK's international reputation as a non-proliferation leader," the document says.

"The primary legislation this impact assessment supports will not impose any obligations on holders of nuclear material or on the nuclear industry, thus the impacts of primary legislation are zero. This Bill enables the UK to set up a domestic safeguards regime. This Bill also ensures the ONR will be in a position to take on the role and responsibilities required to help ensure the UK's domestic civil nuclear safeguards regime meets international safeguards standards. The secondary legislation will implement the specific requirements on industry. This impact assessment provides indicative impacts of safeguards: however, our assessment will be subject to further refinements for secondary legislation," it says.

For the UK to fulfil international standards on nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation once it leaves the EU, the existing legislative framework must be amended, with a new regime set out in new secondary legislation, it says. In the absence of amending frameworks and work to implement new safeguards measures, the UK would be without an effective nuclear safeguards regime, it adds.

"This scenario is the relevant counterfactual for policy appraisal given the decision to leave Euratom has already been taken and domestic safeguards appraised here are not dependant on the future relationship with the EU. However, we have also included a counterfactual of current Euratom regime to compare impacts relative to the current regime under Euratom. The UK's withdrawal from Euratom has already been triggered so this is only included as baseline for consistency with other EU exit related measures where legislation may be dependent on the negotiated outcomes on future relationship with the EU," it says.

Two options

Two core options have been considered.

The first is to adopt domestic standards of nuclear safeguards of broad equivalence to those adopted by Euratom, which BEIS says would ensure that sites to which safeguards apply remain subject to detailed oversight and that the UK continues to maintain the highest standards of nuclear safeguards.

"This is the preferred option as it best retains industry, public and international confidence in a robust safeguard regime," it says. The Nuclear Safeguards Bill, and the regime that we propose to implement through it, will work to deliver this option."

On the second option, which fulfils nuclear safeguards standards, without replicating Euratom's standards, BEIS says that all civil nuclear facilities to which safeguards apply would remain subject to a robust safeguards regime.

"This option would however entail a reduction in the frequency and intensity of inspection at UK nuclear facilities, while still maintaining compatibility with IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] standards," it says.

David Wagstaff, deputy director of the Euratom exit at BEIS, told a conference last month that the "parliamentary balance" on the Bill's passage through Parliament is "quite a delicate one at the moment". If all goes to plan, however, the Bill will receive Royal Assent early this year, he added.

The ONR and BEIS are working "hand-in-hand" and this project is "going at pace", with recruitment and IT procurement in process.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topicsA man dressed as a nurse before going into the maternity ward of a hospital and sexually assaulting a woman in labor, according to police in Italy.

Rome police said that they have arrested the 38-year-old suspect, who was not identified, for fondling the 43-year-old woman and pleasuring himself.

The suspect has been charged with one count of sexual violence.

A judge has ordered the suspect to be held without bail.

According to the police investigation, the suspect was residing illegally in the country after arriving from Somalia.

On Sunday, the man entered the SantEugenio Hospital and went to the storage room.

He found a nurse uniform and changed his clothes.

The suspect then entered the delivery room, where a 43-year-old woman was in labor.

The suspect fondled the womans breasts and pleasured himself.

The woman began screaming, prompting doctors and nurses to enter the delivery room.

The suspect was detained until police arrived.

The court was told that the suspect has a criminal history.3 out of 6 parties err on womens representation

At least three out of the six parties, which failed to submit their lists of candidates for Proportional Representation category of the provincial assembly elections, have made mistakes on womens representation.A woman was taken to a hospital with severe burn wounds after she was attacked by prison inmates.

Trudi Lenon, 43, was locked up in the Bandyup Womens Prison in Australia, awaiting a sentence for the murder of 18-year-old Aaron Pajich, when she was doused with boiling water.

Lenon suffered severe burns to 30 percent of her body and was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment. She is said to be in stable condition.

Lenon from Perth, who is a mother of three children, was found guilty of killing Pajich, who had autism and was awaiting sentencing when she was burned.

Lenon, who knew the victim through her teenage son and her roommate Jemma Lilley, 26, were convicted of his murder.

The court heard that once Lilley checked off her bucket list to kill someone, she was so full of euphoria, she boasted to her colleague Matthew Stray about the murder.

Lilley also left incriminating voice messages to fellow murderer Lenon. She bragged about the surge of excitement she was experiencing. She said that it was something she never felt before.

The victims body was found in a shallow grave behind the home the women were renting. The grave was covered in concrete.

Both women are scheduled to be sentenced next month.We have listened  Bin changes & 4 a day Work Opportunities wage cuts scrapped in budget proposals

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 3rd, 2018

The outcome of a revised budget plan by Wrexham Council has been revealed today, with some changes from the initial proposals.

Readers will have seen us document the process from the start of the consultation this year through the Scrutiny process, with several other stories on the new plans today.

Leader of Wrexham Council Mark Pritchard told us today: We have found 52m and have had to find another 13m which is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. We are looking to set the council tax sensibility, and have had very frank discussions at a senior level. How do you decide if you protect education, adult social care or want to resurface roads?

One of the most specific cuts proposed was to the 4 a day Work Opportunities scheme, with only some on the scheme getting the wage. The scheme is described as work opportunities offered to adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment and mental health needs.

However plans to cut the funding provoked an angry response from councillors before Christmas, with petrol poured on those flames with an unsympathetic equality suggestion by Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Joan Lowe not helping the debate (full report here).

Today Cllr Pritchard told us that the proposal had been withdrawn by the administration.

A question before Christmas was raised about the equality of the scheme, with not all on the scheme receiving the same sum, with some councillors suggesting the budget should be increased to ensure all had the same level of pay. The Executive Board documents recognise this suggestion, with the planned 26k cut now meaning an extra 13k has been put into that area to ensure all are paid equally.

We also highlighted how you had been consulted on possible 3-4 bin collections a month, something that was disputed by some councillors, and raised eyebrows with some we spoke to who had filled out the consultation.

Today Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr David A Bithell offered reassurance that there is no change planned for the current year  however did not venture further than that to rule it out further ahead.

The consultation response summary to the recent Difficult Decision process has also been released, with the highest average scoring suggestion being to withdraw the perk of free parking for some council staff and all councillors (if they take it up)  the full response summary PDF is here.

We asked Cllr Pritchard about if Wrexham Council had fed back to Welsh and UK Government regarding the impact of budget cuts

He told us: As Leader of this Council I attend the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and put forward a recommendation that was fully supported by all Leaders, to ask Mark Drakeford that extra money comes to local authorities.  (Mark Drakeford AM is the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance.)

Cllr Pritchard explained there are regular meetings with frank discussions via a sub finance group in Wales: We meet four or five times a year and there are frank discussions. Personally I do not think there is enough money for Local Authorities but I am grateful money has come forward. We really cant continue like this, we cant keep bringing these (budgets) every year.

Services will stop unless the settlement gets better. We have made representations and will continue to do exactly that, and the WLGA has made representations to Welsh Government.

We also asked Cllr Pritchard about the scrutiny process on the budget, with several meetings held to delve into the detail, although as readers will know many councillors were highly critical that the information was not at their fingertips to look at.

Cllr Pritchard told us: The criticism is coming from certain individuals, I really do not think there is any information held back.

Three Scrutiny Committees supported what we proposed.

Some of the elected members used to be part of previous administrations that used the exact same process. The budget process is what it is.

Referring to the comments about lack of information, Cllr Pritchard added: We are known as one of the best authorities and have a good process. We go well over and above our duty. We are open and transparent. That is why I feel it is unfair on Officers to criticise. Any elected member can get all the information they want to at any time. They have never ever been refused information, and just because it is not at a meeting at a particular point it is unfair to criticise an Officer.

Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Hugh Jones added: At the start of the consultation process the documents made it clear, that the equalities impact documents and some risk assessments would be populated as a result of the consultation process. To complete them prior to the end of the process, does not give credit to the process itself.

Previously on consultations we were criticised that some proposals had been a little vague in terms of how was proclaimed to the public, this time the consultation was fairly detailed, there has been virtually no criticism of the process.

As Cllr Prichard was speaking to us before the documentation for the Executive Board was public, and before we had seen it, he pointed out Everything will be in the report, risk assessments, figures, it will all be there.

We asked if more information would be made available in the likely 2018 version of the budget consultation later this year.

Cllr Bithell said: The budget process was set out in April, since then there has been member workshops then the request for Scrutiny. It is up to Scrutiny to determine if that has to be changed for this year, and it is a matter for them, we have done the best we could at the time.

The full budget documents ahead of Executive Board meeting can be found here on the Council website.

As with other budget proposals, this is still formally a suggested option however will likely have full Executive Board support next week meaning it will then be taken forward to Full Council. That is the point where all Councillors get to have their say on their plans, and get to vote  assuming they attend.

The Executive Board meeting is on Tuesday starting at 10am, and will be webcast. The Full Council meeting is on Wednesday, 21st February, at 4pm and will also be webcast.

Related stories today on the new budget proposals include

 Wrexham Council Tax proposed to rise by 3.9% to help offset impact of cuts

 We have listened  Bin changes & 4 a day Work Opportunities wage cuts scrapped in budget proposals

 Cuts to school music service toned down with 50k means tested pot of money to provide some services

 Schools budget proposed to get 1.4% increase rather than 0%  Letters from schools reveal despair at original plans

 Plans to cut Council PCSO funding half shelved  Wrexham remains only authority to fund them in North WalesAn ex-Kamlari, a Dalit widow become state parliamentarians

The recent selection of lawmakers from the marginalised communities under the Proportional Representation category has given a glimmer of hope for whole of the communities they represent.On Tuesday morning, less than a week after a residential fire in the New York City borough of the Bronx killed 12 and injured many more, another fire less than two miles away injured 23, including nine children and left 60 residents displaced. Four were reported to have serious, possibly life-threatening injuries.

The four-story brick building with 12 apartments is located on Commonwealth Avenue, near the Bronx Zoo. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire began in a ground-floor furniture shop, though the specific cause has not yet been determined.

Barely clothed residents were forced to flee onto the frigid street, where the temperature had dropped to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 Celsius), part of a week-long stretch of extremely cold weather.

The fire spread rapidly, allowing only minutes for residents to escape the flames. One resident described how her access to a fire escape was prevented by a window guard which she was unable to open or break down.

Approximately 200 firefighters and three dozen pieces of equipment arrived on the scene at 5:30 a.m., within minutes of the emergency call. As with last weeks fire, responders were hampered by the sub-freezing temperatures; it took more than five hours to extinguish the massive blaze.

In the aftermath of the earlier fire, authorities were quick to blame a three-year-old child who allegedly was playing with burners on a kitchen stove for starting the inferno and his mother for not closing the apartment door as they fled.

New Yorks mayor, Democrat Bill de Blasio, sought to deflect any thought that the citys notoriously deteriorated housing conditions for the working class had anything to do with the fire. He told WNYC, the local public radio station, there was nothing problematic about the building that contributed to this tragedy.

These attempts to blame the victims seek to obscure the root causes of these firesthe severe shortage of affordable housing, forcing working class families to accept substandard conditions while paying ever-rising rents, and the criminal lack of the most basic fire prevention upgrades, especially in older working-class-occupied buildings. As the citys elite drive housing prices ever higher, the rest of the population is driven to more marginal and poorer quality housing.

Sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and steel apartment outer doors that close automatically, for example, would likely have greatly attenuated the severity of both fires. However, landlords refuse to make the necessary investments in order to maximize their return and the citys enforcement of existing regulations is criminally lax.

City housing authority records indicate that the building which was the site of last weeks fire had a report of defective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors lodged several months ago, but no indication that the problem had been corrected.

A local resident, Candido Lantigua, told the Guardian, They dont change nothing. The buildings arent safe. Theyre more than 100 years old.

Many of the victims of these two fires, and others that will inevitably follow, have lost all their possessions and will likely join the more than 60,000 city residents already homeless.

The author also recommends:

Deadly Bronx fire: A tragic product of inequality and social crisis in America

[30 December 2017]The two top congressional Democrats will meet Wednesday at the White House with their Republican counterparts and Trump administration officials, beginning a month of intense bipartisan collaboration between the two corporate-controlled political parties.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are to hold talks with the Republican leaders of the Senate and House, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, respectively, and two White House officials, budget director Mick Mulvaney and legislative director Marc Short, but not President Trump himself.

This is to be followed January 6-7 by meetings at Camp David between Trump and the congressional Republican leadership to discuss a broader legislative agenda for 2018.

Unlike last years conflicts over the failed attempt to repeal Obamacare and the passage of the biggest tax cut for the wealthy in recent history, the Trump administration and its Republican allies in Congress are seeking Democratic Party support for their main initiatives in 2018.

These include increased military spending, cuts in domestic social programsincluding food stamps, Medicaid and direct cash welfareand measures to accelerate the buildup of police-state powers, in relation both to attacks on immigrants and spying on the American population. Leading Republicans are also calling for so-called reform of the basic entitlement programs, Medicare and Social Security.

The immediate pressure for bipartisan action comes from the expiration January 19 of the continuing resolution adopted last month, allowing federal agencies to continue spending at current rates. The Republican leadership chose to delay final action on the budget to a point more than 100 days into Fiscal Year 2018, which began last October 1, in order to push through the enormous tax cut for the wealthy that Trump signed into law on December 22.

Democratic support will be needed for passage of any full-year budget resolution, in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, with the Republican majority reduced to 51-49 following the seating of Democrat Doug Jones as senator from Alabama, McConnell would need the support of at least nine Democrats to reach the 60-vote majority required for most legislative action. In the House, an ultra-right faction of Republicans will likely vote against any budget deal in order to press demands for further spending cuts, forcing Ryan to rely on Democratic support despite a 46-seat Republican majority.

With unbounded cynicism, Republican leaders have cited the huge federal deficitincreased by $1.5 trillion in borrowing to fund the tax cuts for corporations and the wealthyas justification for cutting federal social spending to the bone. House Speaker Ryan set the tone with a radio interview last month in which he called for restructuring of entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as a major congressional priority for 2018.

There are divisions within the Republican Party over whether to target Social Security and Medicare this year, with McConnell dismissing the possibility given his narrow majority in the Senate. White House advisers have issued conflicting pronouncements, suggesting that a proposal for increased infrastructure spendingessentially a boondoggle for the construction industrywould be less likely to provoke widespread popular opposition.

One prominent outside adviser to Trump, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, rejected Ryans approach. Infrastructure first, Gingrich told Politico. I wouldnt touch entitlements. Theres zero reason to pick a fight on any of those in an election year.

More likely in the short term is an effort to attack programs that can be characterized as welfare, that is, programs that largely benefit the poorest sections of the working class, such as Medicaid, food stamps and Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF). These programs would be hit both by spending cuts and measures to restrict eligibility, such as punitive work requirements or mandatory drug testing. Here the Republicans would expect significant Democratic Party support.

House Republicans are taking the lead. Ryan called for giving states more flexibility in Medicaid, i.e., allowing states to cut off benefits for failure to meet various requirements, or for no reason at all, simply by lowering the income level at which people become eligible. Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana called Tuesday for an effort to reform those welfare programs that are trapping people in a failed welfare state, including the imposition of work requirements.

Backroom discussions over the budget have been ongoing over the past several weeks, with the reported sticking point being Republican demands for a significantly greater increase in military spending than for domestic programs, while Democrats have called for rough parity, as in previous budget deals. It is likely that a deal along the lines demanded by the Republicans, with a few cosmetic concessions to the Democrats, will be reached.

Attached to the budget talks are issues such as continued funding for the CHIP health insurance program for poor children, whose authorization expired September 30, and the enactment of a disaster-relief package for Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida, which passed the House last month but has not been voted on in the Senate.

Even more contentious is the question of the treatment of young undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children, who were given a limited opportunity to work and attend school under the program known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

DACA was established by an executive order issued by President Obama, but repealed by President Trump in September. The program is set to expire in March, and without legislative action some 800,000 young people, many of whom have no memory of any other country, will be rounded up and deported.

The Democrats have postured as advocates of the immigrant youth, initially demanding that legislative revival of DACA be included in the continuing resolution passed last month, only to drop the demand in the face of Republican threats to allow funding authorization to expire and trigger a partial shutdown of the government.

Pelosi has revived the demand for a DACA fix in the new round of budget negotiations, but there is little doubt that this is again an empty threat. Trump has countered by demanding that extension of DACA be coupled with savage border enforcement measures, including congressional authorization and funding to build his much-promised wall along the US-Mexico border. He has also called for actions to reduce legal immigration, such as restricting the right of US citizens and legal residents to bring close family members into the United States.

One other significant issue faces a January 19 deadline, although it is not directly related to the budget. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which authorizes massive government surveillance of telecommunications and the Internet, was set to expire January 1 until Democrats agreed to a short-term extension as part of the budget resolution.

Most Democrats are in favor of extending the authorization for NSA spying, which was enormously expanded under the Obama administration. Opposition to a FISA extension had come mainly from a group of right-wing Republicans, based on libertarian grounds, but they are expected to agree to passage of a renewal of Section 702 in return for the opportunity to offer amendments to the bill.A few days before the official start of exploratory talks between the Christian Democratic (CDU/CSU) and Social Democratic (SPD) parties, a recent paper by the Bavarian Christian Social Union makes clear what the real questions are about forming the next government. In a draft resolution, which CSU members of parliament want to agree at their winter retreat in Kloster Seeon starting on Thursday, it states that a strong, modern Bundeswehr (armed forces) is necessary for a secure Germany that lives up to its European and international responsibilities.

The best possible equipment, training and care of the soldiers, as well as the modernization of the German army, costs money. Among other things, investments are necessary in the areas of digitization, deployment and transport capability, unmanned reconnaissance and armed drones and mobile tactical communications. Defence expenditure would therefore have to be massively increased. The CSU was basing itself on the NATO target of 2 percent of gross domestic product.

Even if deputy SPD leader Ralf Stegner rejected the CSU demand for such a rise, the Social Democrats have long since made clear that they too would aggressively promote the return of German militarism in a new edition of the grand coalition. The fact our army must be better equipped, that is absolutely necessary, said SPD chairman Martin Schulz a few days ago at a press conference in Berlin.

At the beginning of December, in a keynote address to the Korber Foundation in Berlin, Social Democrat Sigmar Gabriel demanded that after seven decades of relative foreign policy restraint, Germany return to an independent foreign and military policysupported by a militarized European Union under German leadership. Now we realize that even with great economic prosperity in our country there is no comfortable place on the side-lines of international politics for us anymore. Neither for us Germans nor for us Europeans, he declared provocatively.

The aggressive demands for rearmament and more German and European leadership are ushering in a new stage in the foreign policy turnaround initiated by the last German government four years ago. At that time, leading journalists, academics, military officials, business officials and representatives of all the Bundestag (parliamentary) parties had worked on the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (German Institute for International and Security Affairs, SWP) paper New PowerNew Responsibility, announcing Germanys return to militarism and aggressive world power politics.

Significantly, the SWP, which is close to the government, has once again submitted a paper titled Dissolution or Replacement? The International Order in Transition, which openly makes the case for the establishment of a new world order under German-European leadership. Above all, it considers China and the US, with or without Trump, as international rivals.

Neither the US nor the Peoples Republic of China offer the guarantee that a multilateral global regulatory policy is being pursued, which is indispensable from a German and European point of view, write the authors of the study. Germany must therefore do everything in its power to establish Europe as an independent world political power factor in the sense of its regulatory conceptions.

As at the time of the two world wars in the 20th century, tangible imperialist interests are once again of concern. German foreign policy is burdened by the history of the country and its central position in Europe and must compensate for these historical and geopolitical burdens ... through a robust European peace order, the paper demands. Because of its export orientation, Germanys economy and its entire social prosperity depend heavily on an open, rules-based world economic order.

The SWP also makes no secret of the extent of the planned military upgrade. All available financial resources in all areas of foreign and security policyforeign policy, defence policy, development policy[must] be expanded not only absolutely, but also relatively: The total share of public expenditure for shaping German external relations is to be raised as quickly as possible from the present 15 to 20 percent of the federal budget.

The gigantic sums of money involved are underlined by the recently published report on the Munich Security Conference 2018. It says that the 28 EU member states plus Norway would have to put an additional 114 billion US dollars into defence spending from 2024 in order to achieve the desired 2 percent goal. The largest part would have to come from Germany, Italy, and Spainas those countries have high GDPs and a relatively low defence budget in terms of percent of GDP.

The entire paper makes clear that the ruling classes in Germany and Europe are again preparing for a new major war. The chapters of the document, previously published in English only, have headlines such as Creating the Armed Forces of the Future, Consolidate the European Industrial Base, Address the Readiness Problem, and Prioritize Investment in Equipment in Order to Upgrade Europes Armed Forces.

The measure of what is required is provided by the military clout of the US. The forces of NATO-EU member states already include 1.38 million soldiers; slightly more than the United States. The challenge will be to upgrade their skill level, the report insists. While the US had spent an average 26 percent of its defence budget on new military equipment over the past 10 years, in Europe it was only 18 percent.

The German elite no longer shy away from calling for nuclear weapons. In the Tagesspiegel, Thorsten Benner, director of the Berlin-based think tank Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi), attacks Gabriels great power speech from the right, because he had not explained how Germany would position itself without the US nuclear umbrella.

Little in Gabriels remarks contributed to conducting an honest debate today about the German position on nuclear weapons. But the foreign minister must come up with an answer to the German and European nuclear issue; a country like Germany cannot avoid uncomfortable questions about its nuclear-political positioning. Benner ends with the prophecy that Germany in 2018 will inevitably face a nuclear weapons debate. Gabriel would then have to show if he was really serious about political-strategic thinking.

The insane rearmament and world power plans are a serious warning and confirm the call of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) for new elections. The formation of an extremely right-wing and militaristic new federal government, behind the backs of the populationone that is upgrading Germany and the whole of Europe militarily without any democratic mandate and preparing for warmust not be permitted. The SGP and the World Socialist Web Site will intensify their work in the New Year, calling upon all their readers to actively support the construction of a socialist alternative to capitalism, militarism and war.Israeli workers are facing an onslaught on jobs, wages and conditions, in both the public and private sectors. The attacks organised by the corporations, government and the courts are proceeding with the active collusion of the labour unions.

Last week, the trade unions agreed a rotten deal with the government and the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), the state-owned utility, on the liberalisation and privatisation of industry to snuff out lightning strikes mounted in defiance of a ban on walkouts against market-based reforms.

Last August, the High Court of Justice ruled that workers at state-owned enterprises can no longer strike against market reforms, overturning an earlier judgement supporting the right to strike. This was a response to a series of strikes by electrical workers in June and July.

The ruling constitutes a fundamental attack on the working class in favour of the financial elite. It affects other essential public services, as well as the legal status of the right to strike, previously recognised as a fundamental constitutional right derived from the right to freedom of association, including against government decisions.

The agreement with the IEC, still to be worked out in detail, will slash jobs, raise prices and reduce the companys debts from 42 billion shekels ($12.1 billion) to 28 billion shekels. IECs electricity-generating business is to be moved to a separate entity, to prevent cross-subsidization with its transmission monopoly, that will eventually force the IEC out of the generating business altogether.

IEC will slash its 12,500 work-force by 2,800although this number is likely to risesweetened with small increases in pensions and a one-off bonus of between 10,000 ($3,000) and 30,000 ($10,000) shekels per worker for agreeing to the reforms, provided that the IEC meets the governments target dates for implementing the measures. Trade union officials had previously vowed to reject the job cuts.

The union also agreed to surrender its veto on the IECs works committee over new hires or firings. The union retains only its right to approve the firing of an employee on the grounds of inappropriateness to the job, and thus its role in policing the workforce on behalf of management.

Another major assault on Israeli workers has come from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the Israeli-controlled multi-national, which has announced plans to slash one quarter of its 55,000 workforce. Some 1,750 Israeli workers will lose their jobs as part of the 14,000 job cuts worldwide.

Teva, viewed as a symbol of Israels success in science and high tech-based industries, is the worlds largest generic drug manufacturer and one of the largest employers in Israel. Saddled with $35 billion debt following its $40 billion acquisition of the generics arm of its rival, Allergan, last year, it lost its major source of profit. This was its ability to charge extortionate prices for its drug Copaxone, used to treat multiple sclerosis, following legal challenges in the courts and the expiry of its patent.

A half-day general strike on December 17 in support of Teva workers disrupted business throughout Israel as the entire public sector, health services, utilities and banks remained closed from early morning until noon, and flights in and out of the country were suspended.

Teva workers have continued their protests, blocking the light rail network in Jerusalem city centre and holding demonstrations outside the homes of Teva board members, protesting plans to close the companys two Jerusalem plants and lay off workers throughout the country. More than 200 workers barricaded themselves inside one of the Jerusalem factories.

Histadrut (Israels Trade Union Federation) Chairperson Avi Nissenkorn, and Labour Party Knesset member Shelly Yachimovich, have promoted nationalism and made impotent appeals to Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahus ultra-right government to save Israeli workers jobs.

Last week, the Education Ministry sought and won a ruling from a Tel Aviv labour court blocking a strike by Israeli teachers at kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools called by the Israeli Teachers Union for December 27, claiming that it was called too hastily.

The dispute is over teachers being marked as taking 1.4 days sick leave for each actual day off. The practice had been taking place secretly for 30 years and was only recently discovered when the Education Ministry began to list on the payment slips the number of sick days that were accrued and the number of sick days actually taken, as required by law.

The ministry responded by issuing a statement making clear it works closely with the Teachers Union and that the policy had been determined years ago. It read, In this case too, the ministry is sitting on the ground with the Teachers Union in talks to jointly advance the interests of the teachers.

Less than a month ago, the Teachers Union called off a strike by high school teachers that would have extended sporadic strikes over wages and working conditions, after agreeing a four-year deal with the government.

Teachers in Israel are paid much less than their counterparts in other OECD countries, while class sizes are much larger. Their previous contract expired at the end of 2016 and they were demanding an increase in the monthly salary of a newly-hired teacher from 6,400 shekels ($1,800) a month to 8,000 ($2,300), with a comparable increase for teachers with seven years service, improvements in fringe benefits, better working conditions, and bonuses for excellence in teaching.

The Israel Medical Association, the largest doctors union, has declared a work dispute that could lead to strike action over plans to change the national health insurance law to prevent doctors moving between the different Health Management Organisations (kupot cholim) as the HMOs try to attract popular doctors and thus patients.

Over the weekend, municipal workers in Jerusalem dumped mounds of garbage near the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem to demand the ministry to pay 50 million shekels ($14.4 million) to the city. The ministry wants the money to be spent on urban development, not public services.

Anger is also increasing at the delays over releasing the results of investigations into corruption at the highest levels of government and the controversial new Recommendations Law, which bars the police from releasing the findings of their investigations into politicians. On Saturday, the fifth consecutive demonstration against corruption was held on Rothschild Boulevard in downtown Tel Aviv, the 58th anti-corruption protest in Israel. As a result of the protests, Netanyahu was forced to amend the Recommendations Bill so it does not apply to current criminal probes, including those involving him, initiated before the introduction of the new law.

Netanyahu has been questioned seven times in the past year over two corruption cases. The first involves allegations that he received gifts from rich business figures, including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. The second involves claims that he sought a secret (but ultimately unsuccessful) deal for favourable coverage in the top-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper, in return for helping curb Yediot's rival, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom, paid for by the US billionaire Sheldon Adelson. According to Haaretz, over the seven-year period since the freesheets founding in 2007, the newspaper lost about 730 million shekels ($190 million), or one shekel per copy.

Rising social tensions take place amid a soaring cost of living, while public spending on anti-poverty measures, education, health, transport and social security has been slashed and the wealthy have gained from tax cuts and the protection of capital gains.

According to the Taub Centers State of the Nation Report 2017, published last week, price levels in Israel remain among the highest in the OECD and are 23 percent higher than the average. The high cost of living and steep housing costs sparked major protests in 2011 and 2015 and forced government promises to bring down housing costs.

Israels poverty and income inequality rates remain among the highest among OECD nations. This is fuelling the growth of the class tensions and laying the basis for a common struggle by Jewish and Arab workers in Israel and across the Middle East.At least 14 people were killed and another 21 injured in a fire that swept through a building housing the 1 Above rooftop bar-restaurant in Mumbai, Indians financial centre, late last week. The tragedy further highlights the indifference of Indian authorities toward safety in public places and factories.

The fire began during the early hours of December 29 in a commercial building in the Kamala Mills compound. The fire department was alerted at around 3 a.m. The compound is home to several corporate offices, high-end pubs and restaurants in an upper-class night-life area.

Eleven of those killed were women celebrating the birthday of 29-year-old Khushboo Mehta Bansali, who was also among the dead. Two US residents, who had re-entered the restaurant in an attempt to rescue their aunt, died in the fire. Officials said all the victims were unable to find an exit and suffocated.

According to reports, the fire started at 1 Above on the top floor and spread to the neighbouring Mojo Bistro. Fueled by bamboo and other flammable materials, such as tarpaulin sheets and artificial flowers in both restaurants, it engulfed the entire building in less than 30 minutes.

Several media outlets, including three national news channels, had offices in the building that were damaged. If the fire had occurred during the day when people were working, the death toll would have been much higher.

While both restaurants had been served with safety violation notices in recent months, the relevant municipal authorities allowed them to continue operating.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra state, where Mumbai is the state capital, immediately ordered Mumbai municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta to conduct an inquiry into who was responsible for the incident.

Given the outcomes of previous official inquiries, the aim of the investigation will be to cover up and exonerate those politically responsible while pinning the blame on a handful of scapegoats. Mehta quickly suspended five Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, and assistant municipal commissioner Prashant Sapkale was transferred.

Fadnavis said the five officers would be charged with criminal offences if they were found guilty of permitting the restaurants to continue operating. The owner-directors of the rooftop restaurant, he said, are facing the charge of culpable homicide.

1 Above ownersHitesh Sanghvi, Jigar Sanghvi and Abhijit Mankaissued a statement declaring that all our premises are well inspected and we have all the requisite permissions. In India, as in other countries throughout the region, it is not difficult to secure fraudulent certificates by bribing officials.

A Hindustan Times article said the fire raised concerns over fire-safety norms in the citys commercial hubs. In fact, it appears that the fire was a disaster waiting to happen.

BMC officials admitted that the 1 Above restaurant was taken to court on three occasions between May and September for safety violations. Media reports also state that in August, BMC demolished part of a common balcony extension of the two restaurants, and in October, the council raided and confiscated the furniture placed in the balcony. Despite this, the restaurants were allowed to remain open.

The restaurants did not have emergency exits and, according to officials, lacked proper fire safety equipment. Such violations are not accidental but commonplace throughout India. Under Indias pro-market reforms, all safety concerns have been subordinated to profit.

In an attempt to hoodwink the population, Indias BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: Anguished by the fire in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray that those injured recover quickly.

The governments real attitude was expressed by BJP parliamentarian Hema Malini, who declared that the fire was a result of overcrowding in Mumbai and there should be population restrictions.

While the blame game continues, the BMC is demolishing illegal structures across the city in a desperate attempt to convince residents that it is concerned about public welfare and safety. NDTV reported that over 500 buildings have been destroyed.

Fire disasters are common throughout India. A few weeks ago, on December 18, 12 migrant workers were burned to death when a fire broke out in a snack shop in an industrial area in Saki Naka, Mumbai. While fire fighters eventually brought the blaze under control, only nine of the 21 people inside the shop managed to escape. The remainder were trapped inside the small structure, which collapsed after gas cylinders exploded. Because the victims were poor labourers, the incident attracted little media attention.

One of the worst disasters occurred in April 2016 in the south Indian state of Kerala. Ninety-eight people were killed and over 540 injured after thousands of fireworks exploded in a temple storeroom. Tremors from the explosions were felt a kilometre away. Journalists reported that it looked like a war zone, with temple buildings destroyed and remains of dead bodies scattered everywhere.

After last weeks blaze a December 30 editorial in the Hindu acknowledged that Indian authorities had turned a blind eye to the ongoing disasters. Successive governments, it declared, had learnt nothing from the Uphaar cinema hall fire in New Delhi in 1997 that killed 59 people and orders issued to ensure public safety remain mostly on paper. It should worry us that the lives of Indians seem to be of little value.

The truth is that safety measures are grossly inadequate. The current BJP-led administration and the previous Congress governments have failed to improve safety standards, defending an economic and social system that puts private profit before the lives of people. Everything is being done to maximise foreign investment and ensure business profitability.

This situation is not limited to economically backward countries. The loss of 12 lives in a New York apartment building fire, a day before the Mumbai tragedy, demonstrates that the subordination of human life to corporate profit is a universal phenomenon.Bandh enforcers vandalise vehicles in Dhankuta

Normal life in Dhankuta has been affected due to the ongoing general strike.The new year in the United States was accompanied by record low temperatures that killed at least nine people, but the real death count could be much higher. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued wind chill advisories and freeze warnings across the country as temperatures dropped as low as -29 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

Authorities in St. Louis, Missouri, said a 54-year-old homeless man was found dead inside a trash bin, frozen to death as the temperature dropped to -6 Fahrenheit. In Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, a 27-year-old woman was found dead on the shore of Lake Winnebago, probably dead from exposure to the frigid air.

In Detroit, where temperatures reached -2 Fahrenheit, an unidentified man was found dead outside a church, according to NBC affiliate WDIV. In Milwaukee, the county medical examiners office said the bodies of two men found on Sunday showed signs of hypothermia.

After the mercury fell as low as -27 Fahrenheit in Bismarck, North Dakota, a man was found dead alongside a riverbed. In Charleston, West Virginia, a homeless man was found frozen to death on a porch. A man was found outside extremely cold in Madison, Wisconsin, and died on his way to the hospital.

According to the Guardian, hospitals in Atlanta saw a surge in emergency room visits for hypothermia and other cold-related ailments from temperatures as low as 13 Fahrenheit.

We have a group of patients who are coming in off the street who are looking to escape the coldwe have dozens and dozens of those every day, Dr. Brooks Moore, associate medical director in the emergency department of Grady Health System, told the Associated Press.

Warming shelters were even opened across the South as freeze warnings covered the region, including hard freeze warnings for much of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Temperatures fell to 8 Fahrenheit near Cullman, Alabama, and 20 Fahrenheit in Mobile, Alabama. Georgia saw one of its coldest temperatures of the winter, 2 Fahrenheit, at a US Forest Service weather station at Toccoa.

Indianapolis tied a record low temperature of -12 Fahrenheit for January 2, 1887, causing public schools to shut down. The Indiana city of Lafayette saw temperatures fall to -19 Fahrenheit, breaking the prior record set in 1979.

In other parts of the nation, near-record lows were recorded. When the ball dropped in New York City on New Years Eve, the temperature was 9 Fahrenheit, marking the second coldest day on record after December 31, 1917, according to NBC New York meteorologist Raphael Miranda. The high for Des Moines was -1 Fahrenheit, which is the second-coldest high on New Years Day since -6 degrees in 1885, the National Weather Service said. Chicago-area wind chills are expected to lie between -35 and -20 Fahrenheit.

Along with the record cold temperatures, multiple house fires broke out across the Midwest.

In Indianola, Nebraska, three people died in an early morning house fire. Indianola Fire Chief Tom Davidson said the cold temperatures made it difficult to combat the fire. Four people lived in the home, but only one was able to escape. In Waterloo, Iowa, 63-year-old Robert Smiley died from smoke inhalation after a house fire sparked in his home overnight.

In Minnesota, residential fires left seven dead over the weekend. In Hibbing, a fire left two grandparents and two of their grandchildren dead. The grandfather, a retired firefighter, saved one of his grandchildren, but died while trying to rescue others. According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota has seen 64 fire-related deaths this year, logging the highest number of such deaths since 2002.

The wave of frigid temperatures has exposed the disastrous state of social conditions in the United States, affecting the most vulnerable: the homeless, impoverished elderly and youth.

A study published by the Journal of Adolescent Health reported that 1 in 10 people aged between 18 and 25 have experienced some form of homelessness in the past year. Furthermore, 1 in 30 adolescents aged between 13 and 17 experienced homelessness unaccompanied by an adult. This suggests that some 3.5 million young adults and 660,000 adolescents had been homeless for some period within the previous year.

Researchers polled more than 26,000 young people and their families over the past two years. The report intended to challenge the notion that homelessness afflicts mostly older men. The authors of the study wrote that point in time surveys underestimate how homelessness affects youth because young people often shift among temporary circumstances such as living on the streets and couch surfing in unstable locations.

The study found that homelessness was no less widespread in rural areas than urban ones, and young individuals with an income below $24,000 had a 162 percent higher risk of experiencing homelessness.

Young people without a high school diploma or GED were found to be 346 percent more likely to be homeless, LGBT youth were 120 percent more likely, African Americans had an 83 percent greater risk, non-white Hispanics had a 33 percent higher risk, and unmarried parenting young people are 200 percent more likely to be homeless.

Our findings probably challenge the images of homelessness. Homelessness is young, Matthew Morton, a research fellow with the policy center, told the Washington Post. Its more common than people expect and its largely hidden.

He continued, Many young people are getting hammered in this economyand far too many youth have experienced trauma and lack stable family situations. You have a major affordable housing crisis.Kshama Sawant, a Socialist Alternative member who was first elected to the Seattle City Council in 2013, is the target of a defamation lawsuit filed by police after she publicly denounced two officers for murdering Che Taylor, a 42-year-old African American man, in February 2016.

The Socialist Equality Party opposes and denounces the police-led legal attack on Sawant. The SEP has clear and well documented political disagreements with Sawant and Socialist Alternative. However, the defamation lawsuit, filed in August by officers Scott Miller and Michael Spaulding, is an attempt by powerful sections of the political establishment to block any criticism of police, who killed 38 people in Washington state in 2017 alone.

The defamation complaint claims Sawant ruined the reputations of the two police officers because she was publicly pronouncing these officers murderers and referring to the shooting as a product of racial profiling during a February 25, 2016 demonstration that followed the shooting. The police complaint denounces Taylor, the victim of the shooting, as a violent felon and rapist. The complaint also asserts that the two officers careers were stymied by Sawants criticisms.

Police shot Taylor while executing a warrant against another man, claiming Taylor reached for a weapon during the encounter. Prosecutors refused to file charges against the police shooters, a move which Taylors family denounced. Between 2005 and 2014, only one police officer in Washington has been charged with a crime in state courts, though 213 people were killed by police during that time.

Sawant said the shooting was a blatant murder at the hands of the police. For this, she was denounced by the editorial board of the Seattle Times, which demanded she apologize. Sawant has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing qualified immunity as an elected official.

The lawsuit is an effort to chill criticism of police murder under conditions in which officers kill over 1,000 people each year. It is an attack on the basic democratic right to free speech.In December, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Short Films and Animation branch selected its shortlist of 10 live-action short films (out of 165 submissions) to contend for Oscar nominations.

After January screenings, branch members will narrow this down to the final five nominees. Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced January 23. The ceremony will be held March 4 this year.

In the age of the $200 million blockbuster, short fiction films hold no interest for the box-office-obsessed media. However, such works may demonstrate considerable artistry and insight. Like the short story, the short film is capable of isolating and treating a dramatic moment with great intensity and resonance.

This is a brief comment on three of the ten finalists, all of which were worth taking notice of.

My Nephew Emmett

My Nephew Emmett

The brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till on August 28, 1955, in Mississippi, horrified millions and helped ignite the Civil Rights movement. At the time, Till, an African American boy from Chicago, was visiting family in Money, Mississippi. Four days before his murder, Till stopped at Bryants Grocery and Meat Market, encountering Carolyn Bryant, a white woman. At the time Bryant claimed Till flirted with her. Years later she admitted this was a lie.

Based on Bryants mere accusation, her husband Roy and his half-brother, J.W. Milam, seized Till from his great-uncles house, forced the young boy to carry a 75-pound cotton-gin fan to the bank of the Tallahatchie River and take off his clothes. They then beat him, gouged out his eye, shot him in the head, and threw his body, tied to the cotton-gin fan with barbed wire, into the river.

Tills killers were acquitted by an all-white jury, all of whose members had been visited and threatened by the Ku Klux Klan, although there was little or no question about their guilt.

Written and directed by Kevin Wilson, Jr., My Nephew Emmett recounts the hours leading up to the atrocity. Emmett (Joshua Wright) is visiting his great-uncle Mose Wright (L.B. Williams) and great-aunt Elizabeth (Jasmine Guy) in rural Money. Emmett returns from a Saturday night excursion in good humor, but Mose is worried that the boy is naive about the towns racism.

Moses most disturbing fears are realized when there is an incessant pounding on his door at 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Three men, two white and one black, force their way into Moses home, demanding to know where is the nigger who whistled at my wife?

They push Mose aside, drag Emmett out of bed, and punch him, saying, Dont ever look a white man in the eyes again. Mose pleads for Emmetts life, begging to be taken in the boys stead. My Nephew Emmett s final scene shows a petrified Emmett being thrown into the back of a truck.

Three days later, Mose Wright identified the body of Emmett Louis Till at the Tallahatchie River, the movies postscript informs us. Movingly, there is a short video clip of the real Mose Wright.

The murder of Emmett Till and the freeing of his killers was a seminal event in the history of the struggle against racism, galvanizing opposition to Jim Crow segregation and racist terror. Furthermore, the decision by Mamie Till Bradley, Emmetts mother, to have an open-casket funeral so the world could witness his mutilated remains, left an indelible mark.

Lost Face

Lost Face

Sean Meehans Lost Face is based on a Jack London short story of the same title (first published in 1910), set in the mid-1800s in the Yukon. The Polish Subienkow is one of the last survivors of a group of mostly Russian fur thieves who have been captured by Nulato Indians.

Subienkow, in Londons words, had travelled a long trail of bitterness and horror and now faces a protracted death by torture. However, he manages to convince the tribes chief, Makamuk, that he has a recipe for an ointment or elixir that magically protects the skin from penetration by a weapon. In effect, the thief tricks Makamuk into lopping off his head, thereby escaping a far more horrid fate.

One must read Londons remarkable story, however, to grasp the full context of this grim episode. The writer details the savage treatment of the aboriginal people at the hands of the fur thieves, which evokes the bloody response from Makamuk and his tribe. Here is an excerpt from the short story:

Came the building of the fort [by the fur-thieves.] It was enforced labor. The tiered walls of logs arose to the sighs and groans of the Nulato Indians. The lash was laid upon their backs, and it was the iron hand of the freebooters of the sea that laid on the lash. There were Indians that ran away, and when they were caught they were brought back and spread-eagled before the fort, where they and their tribe learned the efficacy of the knout. Two died under it; others were injured for life; and the rest took the lesson to heart and ran away no more. The snow was flying ere the fort was finished, and then it was the time for furs. A heavy tribute was laid upon the tribe. Blows and lashings continued, and that the tribute should be paid, the women and children were held as hostages and treated with the barbarity that only the fur-thieves knew. Well, it had been a sowing of blood, and now was come the harvest.

Regarding Subienkows beheading: There was a great bewilderment and silence, while slowly it began to dawn in their minds that there had been no medicine. The fur-thief had outwitted them. Alone, of all their prisoners, he had escaped the torture. That had been the stake for which he played. A great roar of laughter went up. Makamuk bowed his head in shame. The fur-thief had fooled him. He had lost face before all his people.

Meehan told an interviewer from Filminquiry.com: My primary motivation was to keep everything real and that in turn was born of a desire to respect Jack Londons writing, and even more importantly, to respect the indigenous elements of the film. I didnt want to make a film that felt derivative, dismissive or cheap (which is a little tricky when money is so tight), so I worked hard with my heads of department, going through historical photos and drawings from the mid 1800s and leaning on their collective experience of shooting period work.

The Silent Child

The Silent Child

Set in rural England, Chris Overtons The Silent Child is the story of a deaf child, Libby (Maisie Sly), and her middle-class parents. Despite their low expectations of Libby, they hire a caregiver, Joanne (Rachel Shenton), to try and normalize Libby before she enters schools.

My ears are broken, the exceedingly bright Libby explains to Joanne, after the latter teaches her sign language. As Libbys isolation and relationship to the world alter, her parents become more resistant to helping their daughter communicate, and discharge the caregiver. The Silent Child s final moments are heartbreaking as Libby, who stands ignored in the schoolyard, sees Joanne beyond its enclosures. They sign I love to to one another.

The movies postscript reveals that 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. Over 78% attend mainstream schools with no specialist support in place.

Scriptwriter Shentonwho plays Joanne in the filmdiscloses in the movies promotional material that her brilliant father lost his hearing very suddenly when I was 12 and lived the last two years of his life profoundly deaf. I witnessed first hand the huge effects deafness has on a family. I also saw him for the first time seem vulnerable and I noticed how easy it was for people to leave him out. Ive been raising deaf awareness for over a decade.

She adds, This project is inspired by real life events that are sadly not uncommon and this is a story that has to be told.Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials recently announced that they will cut off up to another 16,000 recipients from federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits over the next few months beginning January 2018. The number cut off food assistance will likely rise sharply later in the year as more populous areas of the state where poverty is concentrated, like Detroit, face cuts.

The cuts in the program, commonly called food stamps, will take place even though the official poverty rate of 16.3 percent is the same now as in the years following the onset of the Great Recession ten years ago.

Recipients will be disqualified from the SNAP benefits after three months if they have not found a minimum of 20 hours a week paid work. Penalties will apply to recipients between the ages of 18 and 50. Unless the individuals have children under 18, have been certified as disabled, are participating in work training, or are employed for 20 hours in some sort of volunteer or workfare job they will be cut off completely from any food assistance.

Individuals are also exempted from work requirements if they are actually collecting unemployment compensation benefits from the state. But in recent years the number of unemployed eligible for jobless benefits has declined.

The new restrictions will lead to cuts for the poorest in the state by the end of 2018. In general, SNAP benefits were previously available to all those with a household income at or below 130 percent of official poverty, currently about $12,000 for an individual or about $20,000 for a family of three. The average food stamp benefit for an entire month is only a meager $125, or about $1.40 per person per meal.

When the recession of 2001 increased unemployment in the US, Michigan and other states requested special waivers of work requirements to deflect social anger. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates half a million people have lost food assistance across the US since 2016 as state waivers from SNAP were phased out or eliminated as unemployment fell below the trigger rate of five percent in the various states. The Trump administration wants restrictions imposed nationwide and waivers only available when unemployment rises above ten percent.

The new policy will impact some Michigan communities where one-third to one-half of residents are officially classified as poor. For example, the city of Kalamazoo has an official poverty rate of 32 percent, up from about 25 percent in the early 2000s.

Kent, Oakland, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties were affected already in the first phase of Michigans SNAP rollback, imposed in January 2017. MDHHS officials say all Michigan counties will be under work requirement strictures by fall 2018.

Detroit, with a population of about 670,000, is already reeling from decades of economic decline and is the poorest large city in the US. The citys current official unemployment rate is just under ten percent. MDHHS indicates SNAP cut-offs will go into effect there anyway later this year.

Of all the US states, 33 of them including Michigan, until the end of 2018 have waivers in place in some or all of the state according to the US Department of Agriculture, which administers the SNAP program. A few states and US territories still have waivers with no work requirements statewide, maintaining food stamps as an entitlement, as does Washington, D.C.

Puerto Rico is already facing a crisis because the state is block granted, that is, the entitlement to food aid is limited by a cap on total assistance. Before the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria forty percent of Puerto Ricans were so poor they qualified for assistance, but the capped federal amount is not expected to cover post-hurricane needs.

The official Trump budget proposes cutting one-fourth of the money spent for food assistance across the US. States would become responsible for a quarter of the cost of the program. Budget proposals being put forward by House Republicans are similar.

The attack on SNAP recipients is part of plans for deep cuts in entitlement programs at the federal level. The reductions are being justified by the huge budget deficits being created by the handouts to the wealthy contained in the recent Republican-sponsored tax cut legislation.

Families at the bottom end of the income scale are worse off by many measures since Bill Clintons 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) and since strict work requirements were imposed on cash welfare recipients. In Michigan this happened on a massive scale more than five years ago. As part of the so-called welfare reform was a five-year limit on receipt of cash benefits imposed on mothers with children.

The five-year limit was the mechanism used coming out of federal welfare reform to end cash welfare assistance as an entitlement. Now the restrictions Clinton imposed on food assistance are being activated by states to gut SNAP.

As wages plummet and part-time jobs proliferate, US employers are exploiting a reserve of unemployed and underemployed workers to keep wages low. Indeed, welfare reform itself was intended as a whip to be used in the drive to push wages even lower.

Nick Lyon, current head of MDHHS, touted the SNAP cuts as an opportunity for the state to help people become self-sufficient. With absurd claims that the economy is booming, from Washington to Lansing, the capital of Michigan, politicians of all stripes are involved in covering up the extent of suffering among the most vulnerable of the population.

Significantly, Lyon is one of five state officials currently facing charges for the Legionnaires disease cover-up that led to the deaths of at least 12 Flint residents since the start of the Flint water crisis. During recent court testimony, Professor Paul Kilgore from Wayne State University concurred with the earlier testimony of Dr. Marcus Zervos concerning a meeting they had with Lyon in 2016. Referring to Lyon, Kilgore said: It was told to me that, We cant save everyone, everyone has to die of something ... or something similar to that.

Time limits have sent cash welfare cases plummeting at the same time food aid is being cut. The biggest drop came when the PRWORAs restrictive five-year limit that had also been waived in many states including Michigan was strictly imposed on families with children living at home. According to the state of Michigans own reports, annual cash welfare cases dropped from 70,000 families in July 2001 to only 19,000 by October of this year. The biggest cuts came with the imposition of a strict 48-month lifetime limit in 2011.

Meanwhile, SNAP assistance is being cut even as more and more people are dependent on the program. SNAP enrollment has surged over the past 15 years, despite certain categories of college students, elderly and unemployed being disqualified from the states rolls during that time period. In July 2002 there were 331,000 families and 760,000 persons receiving food stamps in Michigan, according to MDHHS records. By October of 2017 there were 703,000 families and 1.3 million recipients receiving food assistance in the state, or about one in seven people.Life in Saudi Arabia will look very different by the end of 2018.

The kingdom is pushing ahead with an economic overhaul aimed at ending what Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman once called its "addiction" to oil.

Change is now coming thick and fast, and several major reforms announced since bin Salman unveiled his Vision 2030 in 2016 will take effect this year.

"Many Saudi government shifts... have been a long time coming," said Sam Blatteis, CEO of The MENA Catalysts, a regional public policy advisory firm. "Reforming an economy as large as Saudi Arabia is almost like moving an aircraft carrier. It's probably not wise to make quick turns," he added.

Here are some of the biggest changes slated for the coming 12 months:

1. Gas prices are going up

Saudis have just started paying a lot more for gas.

State-owned Aramco, the world's biggest oil producer, jacked up prices at the pump by as much as 127% on January 1. Premium gasoline now costs 2.04 riyals per liter -- equivalent to about $2.05 a gallon.

"Though this could weaken consumption, this was expected and should reaffirm the government's resolve to driving the growth of the non-oil economy," said Riyadh-based Al Rajhi Capital in a report.

Saudis are also paying more for most consumer goods and services. A new 5% sales tax took effect on January 1, part of an effort to boost government revenues from sources other than oil.

2. Cinemas will return

Saudis will get to go to the movies.

After a 35-year ban, the government will begin granting commercial movie theater licenses this year, and it expects the first cinemas to open their doors in March.

International and regional chains are already eying opportunities in the new market of 30 million people. AMC CEO Adam Aron told CNNMoney that the movie market in the kingdom could be worth $1 billion.

3. Women will be able to drive....

A long-standing ban on women driving will finally be lifted in June.

The announcement followed a royal decree in September. Many women campaigned for the right to drive for years and some have been arrested for defying the ban.

The move is expected to spur growth and give women a much bigger role in the economy. Only 22% of women are active in the workforce. Vision 2030 aims to lift that to 30%.

The government has set itself the target of generating 65% of GDP from the private sector, and getting more women into work is key.

4. ....And watch sporting events

Women will be allowed into three stadiums in major cities.

The General Sport Authority, the country's governing body for sports, said in October that three of the country's biggest stadiums will begin "accommodating families" early in the year.

Saudi men and women are customarily separated in public places. But that restriction is also slowly being relaxed. Men and women were able to sit together at several music concerts and events in 2017.

"The most notable reforms [this year] will involve advancing women's rights," said Salman Al-Ansari, president of the Saudi American Public Relation Affairs Committee. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we see the appointment of a Saudi woman to a ministerial position."

5. Tourists will get visas

Tourists will be able to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, head of the Saudi tourism and national heritage commission, told CNNMoney's Richard Quest that the kingdom would issue its first tourist visas in 2018. Visas were previously restricted to people traveling to the country for work or to visit its holy sites.

The kingdom has ambitious plans to grow its tourism industry. It has already announced several projects, including one to build a series of resorts on about 100 miles of the Red Sea's sandy coastline. It is aiming to attract 30 million visitors a year by 2030, up from 18 million in 2016.

6. Aramco will be privatized

Saudi officials have repeatedly stated that they're planning to sell a small stake in Aramco in 2018. If it happens, the sale is expected to be the biggest stock market listing in history.

Officials have said they expect an initial public offering to value Aramco at around $2 trillion. If the market agrees, selling just 5% would raise $100 billion.

Apart from the exact timing and size of the IPO, Saudi Arabia still has to decide where to list Aramco. It's also reportedly keeping open the option of selling a stake to a strategic investor first.INDIANAPOLIS (News Release) What you dont see can, in fact, hurt you, especially if its radon, a tasteless, colorless and odorless gas that can build up in homes without residents knowledge.

January is National Radon Action Month, and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging homeowners to test their homes for radon.

You cant see or smell radon, so testing is the only way to know how high the radon levels are in your home," said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, FACOG. "By testing, you can take immediate action to reduce your homes radon level if necessary and help protect your familys health.

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in most soil and can cause lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number-one cause among non-smokers, responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates.

It enters homes and other buildings through small cracks and holes in the foundation, where it becomes trapped and accumulates in the air. When people breathe in radon, it damages the lungs. Long-term exposure can eventually cause lung cancer.

Because radon has no taste, smell or color, a home must be tested to find out how much radon is in the air. There is no safe level for radon, but the EPA and U.S. Surgeon General recommend fixing homes that have levels at or above 4pCi/L (picocurie per liter).

Testing radon levels in your home can help prevent exposure, and its simple and inexpensive. A radon testing kit can be purchased at most home or hardware stores. If high levels of radon are detected, licensed contractors can install mitigation systems to eliminate the problem and protect you and your family.

To learn more about radon, visit the ISDHs radon page at http://www.in.gov/isdh/24346.htm.

Visit the ISDH at www.StateHealth.in.gov for important health and safety information, or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Below normal temperatures are blanketing the Wabash Valley but the cold is not the only danger.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas.

If you have a gas furnace, water heater or stove authorities say there is an opportunity for carbon monoxide to leak out.

Some people may run a generator inside the home for heat and power but this can be deadly. The exhaust from the generator contains carbon monoxide. If exposed to enough of it a person can die without ever knowing they had been exposed.

Local authorities are urging you not to use this method and install a detector so you'll be alerted if there is a leak.

Terre Haute Fire Department Arson Investigator Norm Loudermilk says a carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm. The fire department will then assess any potential leak with their gas detectors which are a little more sensitive. Loudermilk says these detectors will show how many parts per million of carbon monoxide is inside. After that, fire crews will let you know if and when it is safe.

Loudermilk says if you have any questions about carbon monoxide detectors you can contact the Terre Haute Fire Department for help.BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - It's back to "square one" for the City of Brazil when it comes to getting a contract signed to handle stray and abandoned animals. On Tuesday afternoon, Langman's Wildlife and Pest Control confirmed it will not sign a contract as previously agreed upon. Owner Will Langman told us his business had been "bad mouthed" by associates of the Clay County Humane Society. Up until December 31st, CCHS had that contract with Brazil.

However, Mayor Bryan Wyndham told News 10 last month CCHS is not a 24/7 service, plus they failed to answer calls for service.

"The humane shelter is not really geared for a 24/7 operation, and in their defense, that's not really how they're set up," said Mayor Wyndham. "That's the service we need."

CCHS tells a much different story, claiming they've always had 24/7 service, and the director of the shelter challenged the mayor for more specifics to back up his claims of CCHS ignoring or not answering calls.

"Nobody's provided those to us," said Michelle Cannava of CCHS. "It's hard for me to respond to a situation when I don't even know what the situation was."Birgadier General Bhandari appointed Nepal Army spokesman

Brigadier General Gokul Bhandari has been handed over the responsibility of Nepal Army Spokesperson and Director of Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DPR & I) amidst a programme held in Directorate office in the Capital on Wednesday.JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The Latest on the opening day of the 2018 Mississippi Legislature (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

A long-serving Mississippi lawmaker says he has recovered from an illness that had been diagnosed as dementia.

Rep. Steve Holland, a Plantersville Democrat, made the announcement Tuesday as lawmakers met for the first time in 2018.

He says his short-term memory problems cleared up in August. Holland says they may have been caused by a previous illness, although he also says his improvement may be a "providential miracle."

Holland had previously announced he would retire in 2019 at the end of this four-year term, but now says he's unsure of his plans.

An undertaker, Holland has been a lawmaker more than 30 years. He's known for dramatic speeches and humor, but also was a key policymaker when Democrats held the majority.

___

Noon

The Mississippi Legislature has started its 2018 session with plenty of issues to consider.

Lawmakers could debate creation of a lottery. They could try to rewrite a school funding formula. They could seek a long-term plan to pay for highway construction.

This is the second year of a four-year term. Republicans continue holding a supermajority in both the House and the Senate, after special elections to fill seats of legislators who left.

The GOP gained one Senate seat when Democrat Bill Stone of Holly Springs departed and a Republican, Neil Whaley of Potts Camp, was elected.

Joel Carter is being sworn in to the Senate on Tuesday, the opening day of the three-month legislative session. He succeeds Sean Tindell, another Gulfport Republican who was appointed to a nonpartisan judicial post.MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WTVA)  Alabama is looking to help entrepreneurs and upstart companies get off the ground with their businesses.

Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $580,000 grant to support the Alabama Launchpad, which offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to be awarded money to develop their business.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from the Alabama Research Alliance Trust Fund.EDITOR'S NOTE: Because of the bitter cold and the way it drives up demand for energy, one of the country's biggest suppliers of electricity asked customers to use less of it Tuesday. WTVA'S Mike Russell spent much of the day looking into the nuts and bolts of this story and filed this report.

TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - You might say it's the nuts and volts of the story. As temperatures have slipped down, to stay warm, people all over the region have been turning up their heaters -- and that's where the problem begins.

At just after 6:15am Tuesday morning, the Tennessee Valley Authority -- which provides power to 9 million customers, including those in North Mississippi -- asked customers to voluntarily lower their thermostats 1-2 degrees during the peak demand period from 6am to 9am. It's called the emergency load curtailment plan, a multi-stage strategy to help reduce the amount of electricity being consumed -- and it's usually put into play during high peak demand, especially during times of extreme cold weather.

"Dispatchers at TVA are watching the load, and watching the load increase into the night last night [Monday night]," said Johnny Timmons, Director of Tupelo Water & Light. "So it's a precautionary measure to do these curtailments."

Curtailments like these are not unprecedented, but Timmons says at no point did North Mississippi ever come close to a brownout. In fact, he says, there was plenty of cushion. On the other hand, that's not to say there won't be another curtailment request in the days ahead.

"Tonight [Tuesday night], they're liable to go right back in to this curtailment plan again and start the process again, said Timmons. "They will notify you [the media] and notify me. I hope they don't, but it could...yeah."

If that happens, according to TVA and Tupelo Water & Light, residential customers are asked to do three things:





(1) Postpone using electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, and cooking equipment.

(2) Reduce the use of heating by adjusting thermostats as low as possible. Dress warmly.

(3) Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and other electrical equipment.

We don't know if another curtailment request will be issued. But stay tuned to WTVA 9News Today at 4:30am Wednesday morning for the latest update.JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The Mississippi Legislature on Tuesday started its three-month session with plenty of issues to consider.

Lawmakers could debate creating a lottery. They could try to rewrite a school funding formula. They could seek a long-term plan to pay for highway construction.

Mississippi is one of six states without a lottery. House Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves both oppose creating one, but the Republican leaders have acknowledged that many legislators would like to vote on the issue.

"I do not believe it is the huge revenue increase that some have said it would be," Reeves told reporters Tuesday. "Because I think what you would see is some folks that are spending 100 percent of their disposable income ... rather than just going to the grocery store and buying a Coke or buying a pack of Nabs, they would instead go and buy lottery tickets."

In a separate interview Tuesday, Gunn said his top priorities are rewriting Mississippi's public school funding formula, finding more money for roads and bridges, and reauthorizing the state's Medicaid program.

"We want to find a formula that is predictable, that is understandable, that is reliable," Gunn said the proposed overhaul of the $2 billion-plus school funding formula.

Gunn said a bill was being drafted that would resemble many of the recommendations of EdBuild, a New Jersey-based nonprofit group that made suggestions last year at the behest of Republican leaders.

The current funding formula, called the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, was put into law in 1997. It is intended to give each school district enough money to meet midlevel education standards, but legislators have only fully funded it two years.

Democratic Sen. Hob Bryan of Amory, who helped write the current formula, said legislators back then conducted committee meetings that were open to the public. He said the process this time is secretive.

"The fact that this has been going on now for more than a year and it's still taking place in secret ought to absolutely terrify everybody who cares about public education in the state of Mississippi," Bryan said Tuesday.

This is the second year of a four-year term. Republicans continue holding a supermajority in both the House and the Senate, after special elections to fill seats of legislators who left.

The GOP gained one Senate seat when Democrat Bill Stone of Holly Springs departed and a Republican, Neil Whaley of Potts Camp, was elected.

Republican Sen. Joel Carter of Harrison County was inaugurated Tuesday to succeed Sean Tindell of Gulfport, who was appointed to a nonpartisan judicial post.

Other new lawmakers were sworn in after winning special elections in 2017. Their elections did not change the partisan balance of power.

One seat remains open because Republican Rep. John Moore of Brandon resigned in early December. A special election is Feb. 20.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - North Florida and south Georgia are expected to experience winter weather in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

In response to that, some schools are closing or delaying start times.

We are monitoring the following schools and districts:

FLORIDA

Leon County Schools

CLOSED Wednesday; after-school activities cancelled; employees not to report to work unless contacted by supervisor; Community Action Head Start Centers in Leon County also CLOSED Wednesday

Maclay School (Tallahassee)

CLOSED Wednesday; after-school activities cancelled

Annsworth Academy (Tallahassee)

CLOSED Wednesday

Gadsden County Schools

CLOSED Wednesday; Community Action Head Start Centers in Gadsden County also CLOSED Wednesday

Robert F. Munroe Day School (Quincy)

CLOSED Wednesday

Jefferson County Schools

CLOSED Wednesday; Community Action Head Start Centers in Jefferson County also closed Wednesday.

Hamilton County Schools

CLOSED Wednesday; reopens Thursday

Florida A&M University

Main campus, Crestview and Jacksonville campuses CLOSED Wednesday

Florida State University

Main campus CLOSED Wednesday until 5 p.m.; employees serving in essential roles may have to work -- additional info here.

Tallahassee Community College

CLOSED Wednesday; reopens Thursday -- additional info here.

GEORGIA

Tift County Schools

CLOSED for students Wednesday; all staff to report from noon to 4 p.m., though planned work hours may be changed pending arrival of hazardous conditions

Colquitt County Schools

CLOSED for students Wednesday; staff asked to report at 10:30 a.m., if conditions permit.

Echols County Schools

faculty in-service day Wednesday CANCELLED; faculty and students report Thursday

Calhoun County Schools

Pataula Charter Academy will be closed Wednesday.

Mitchell County Schools System/Baconton Community Charter School

CLOSED for MCSS students and all BCCS students, faculty and staff; MCSS faculty and staff to report at 9 a.m.; both reopen Thursday

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

all campuses CLOSED Wednesday

Thomas University

CLOSED Wednesday; reopens Thursday

Southern Regional Technical CollegeTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A handcuffed man ran away during a traffic stop while a driver who said his car was hit by a pickup truck the fleeing man was in was jailed for driving under the influence.

Kenya O. Smith, 24, of Chicago faces a charge of escape. He was arrested by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper Monday and booked into the Leon County Detention Center.

Smith's charges include DUI alcohol or drugs, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and theft of property valued from $100 to under $300. His bond was set at $1,250.

Smith was a passenger in a pickup truck that the trooper stopped Monday at the intersection of U.S. 27 and U.S. 90.

When the trooper asked the driver to step out of the truck, Smith, who was a passenger, got out of the truck despite the trooper's instructions for him to get back into the truck, the trooper wrote in a probable cause affidavit.

As the trooper stood near the truck, Anttwan Le'Andrew Thomas, 28, of Tallahassee drove a car up behind the pickup truck and yelled out the window that the pickup truck had just run into the rear of his car.

The driver of the pickup truck ran from the trooper, who ran behind him down Call Street and then down Calhoun Street before losing sight of him and running back to the scene.

By then, the trooper said, he saw Smith trying to put the pickup truck into gear to drive away and ordered him out of the truck and handcuffed him.

While putting Smith in the patrol car, the trooper said he smelled alcohol about Smith's face.

The driver of the car, Thomas, told the trooper he had been drinking and wanted to go home. Thomas, who was booked into the jail Monday on DUI alcohol or drugs, had difficulty standing, the trooper wrote.

As a Tallahasssee Police Department officer came to the scene and began to talk to Thomas, the trooper began walking to his patrol car.

Seeing Smith running east down U.S. 90, the trooper ran behind him but lost him at the Capital City Bank parking lot. The trooper left the pursuit to the Tallahassee Police K-9 unit behind him.

The police dog found Smith hiding in the bushes in the bank's parking lot, and Smith was handcuffed again. The trooper said Smith had been able earlier to get his right wrist out of the handcuff.

Law enforcement officers were unable to find the original driver of the pickup truck who had run away.

MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL First Alert Weather app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The City of Tallahassee announces City Manager Ricardo "Rick" Fernandez will resign effective Wednesday, pending approval by the city commission in a special meeting that afternoon.

In a letter to commissioners Tuesday, Fernandez wrote, "I will not allow myself to be a distraction to the great work of the City. It is clear the current circumstances have become a distraction, and I regret that more than anything. However, we must move on."

The news comes after an internal investigation of allegations against the city manager.

On November 8, the city commission approved paid administrative leave to Fernandez, pending the outcome of a complaint against him filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

The City Attorney contracted with an outside law firm to conduct an internal investigation of the allegations against the City Manager and to consider all options including the possibility of a negotiated resignation/retirement of the City Manager.

The City Attorney and the City Manager have negotiated a Resignation Agreement. The main points of the agreement provide:

1. Rick Fernandez will resign effective January 3, 2018.

2. Rick Fernandez will be paid 18 weeks of his current salary for severance pay.

3. Rick Fernandez will be paid prorated deferred compensation for 18 weeks.

4. Rick Fernandez will be entitled to pay out of accrued personal leave and sick leave pay out the same as all other retiring City employees.

5. The Resignation Agreement supersedes all provisions in the City Managers current employment agreement. The City and the City Manager release all other claims or potential claims against each other.

6. Rick Fernandez is entitled to all retirement benefits as a retiring employee under the City Retirement System.

7. The cost of severance compensation is approximately $94,000.

Fernandez's resignation letter can be found below:WORLAND  Washakie County Commissioners heard from Representative Mike Greear (Dist. 27) on Tuesday, to discuss the upcoming legislative session in February, and some legislation which may impact county-level development.

I was hoping it might be an easy budget session but weve got up to 400 bills [proposed] this session, said Greear.

Greear talked with the commission about the possibility of Wyoming creating a state energy authority to consolidate some agencies, and also discussed the distribution of funds due to major budget cutbacks.

Were at the point now where its difficult for a lot of communities to get improvement projects done, said Greear.

Greear stressed that education funding was a major priority, and that although coal may have come back to some percent in the state, it wont be able to fully fund education in the state for some time, if ever again.

Washakie County Commission members will travel to Cheyenne Feb. 13-16 for the state county commissioners legislative conference.

Also during Tuesdays meeting of the commission, Tom Schmeltzer with county maintenance reported that the new offices for the Washakie Development Association are finished, minus some minor paint. Also, the Ten Sleep Library addition is fully enclosed, which will allow for more inside work to be completed.

Schmeltzer also requested that the county consider taking rental fees for the fairgrounds up front, rather than the past process of holding the fees until after the event, due to drop-out rates.

Schmeltzer also reported that the Lighthouse facility is totally completed and open for business, with the completion of cleaning over Christmas.

The five-bed Lighthouse center run by Cloud Peak Counseling housed almost 70 patients in 2016, from Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, Fremont and Washakie counties. The latest expansion brings the facility to a 7-room center, with a social detox area, at a projected cost of $97,000.

Stuart Bower, with the county Road and Bridge department, reported that a variety of signs to install, warning drivers of road conditions and hazards in the area south of Ten Sleep, have been ordered.

Previously, the commission heard concerns over travelers following GPS routes down Dry Farm Road and toward Big Trails, increasing the chance of becoming lost or stuck in inclement weather and snow.

Bower also reported the sanding of roads continues, and discussed possible plans with the commission to work on Rome Hill Road this spring or summer, to cut down on dust conditions along that roadway.Bangladesh policemen guard a road outside a militant hideout in the country's Moulvibazar district, about 200 km northeast of capital Dhaka, Bangladesh, on March 29, 2017. The Bangladesh authorities have imposed restriction on movement of vehicles and pedestrians around three terror hideouts in parts of the country which are now under siege by the security forces. (Xinhua/Omer Faruk Naim)

DHAKA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladesh authorities have imposed restriction on movement of vehicles and pedestrians around three terror hideouts in parts of the country which are now under siege by the security forces.

Security forces have surrounded two buildings in the country's Moulvibazar district, about 200 km north-east of capital Dhaka, since early Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, police in Bangladesh's eastern Comilla district, some 92 km away of capital Dhaka, cordoned off a building, suspecting presence of militants.

A Home Ministry official in Dhaka told Xinhua that the government decided to impose restriction movement of vehicles and pedestrians around the terror hideouts for the sake of local residents' security,

The official who did not like to be named said the restriction has also been imposed as militants were hurling grenades at police at intervals from their Moulvibazar dens, where eight to 10 militants were suspected of being holed up.

Kamrul Ahsan, a senior police official, told journalists at Moulvibazar that they are still not sure how much explosives are in the hideouts.

Bursts of gunfire and explosions reportedly could be heard from the two houses since early Wednesday morning after police sealed off the houses.

Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told journalists in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon that 10 suspected militants may be holed up inside the Moulvibazar hideouts.

He said a team of SWAT (Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Special Weapon and Tactic Team) is already on its way to Moulvibazar and the army will be called in if needed.

However, security forces had cordoned off the suspected militant hideout in Comilla on Wednesday afternoon.

No further details were immediately available about the raid in Commilla.

The raids came just a day after Bangladesh Army commandos ended an operation codenamed "Operation Twilight" in Moulvibazar's neighboring Sylhet city.

The assault by army commandos on the militant hideout in the Sylhet city, some 240 km northeast of capital Dhaka has ended, killing four militants holed up there.

With the recovery of bodies of four militants from the hideout, the death toll in the operation stood at 10 as six people, including two policemen, were killed and dozens of others injured in two explosions on Saturday in the outer cordon of the siege.

The Islamic State (IS) reportedly claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Security has been tightened in Bangladesh after militants attacked a Spanish cafe in Dhaka's Gulshan on July 1 last year which killed 22 people, mostly foreigners.LONDON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Actions by the British government during the European Union referendum led to public mistrust, a committee of MPs said Wednesday in a parliamentary report.

The House of Common's Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee report said any future referendum in Britain should take note of the lessons learned from the way Brexit referendum was handled, including damage to the reputation of the civil service and the lack of preparation for either of the possible outcomes.

The report said that while the then prime minister David Cameron's government did not support a Leave vote, they had a constitutional and public obligation to prepare for both outcomes from the referendum.

"Unfortunately, many of the government's actions in the run-up to the referendum, which were easily avoidable, appear to have increased public distrust. The use of the machinery of government during the referendum contributed to a perception that the civil service were, in some way, biased," the report said in its conclusions.

The MPs also said the presentation of government reports, particularly those from the Treasury, and the decision to spend 9.3 million pounds (11.7 million U.S. dollars) on sending a leaflet, advocating a Remain vote, to every home in Britain, were inappropriate and counterproductive for the government.

The committee has recommended that in the event of future referendums, civil servants should be tasked with preparing for both possible outcomes.

"Confusion as to the possible consequences of a referendum result serves only to heighten the potential tensions between referendums and representative democracy and risks increasing the public's disenchantment with politics," added the MPs.

Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative MP who chairs the committee, said: "The use of the machinery of government during referendums has a significant effect on public trust and confidence. Referendums need to be designed in such a way as to provide the utmost clarity for parliamentarians, campaigners and, above all, the electorate."

"It is of the highest importance that the referendum process is seen to be fair, by both sides, and that the result is agreed to, even if not with, by both sides," Jenkin added.

The committee has made recommendations which would improve the legislation and regulatory framework for referendums, as well as for the government, civil service and the country's electoral commission.

In last June's EU referendum, the majority of voters ignored the government recommendation for Britain to remain as a member of the 28-nation bloc. By a margin of 52 to 48, the British people voted in favor of leaving the EU.

Last month, Theresa May, who succeeded Cameron as prime minister after the result was declared, started the Brexit process by triggering the Article 50.

Remain supporters have argued that as the referendum gave people a simple remain or leave choice, many people were not aware of the full consequences of a leave vote.Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-22 23:28:10|Editor: Yurou Liang

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PHNOM PENH, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian police arrested a Laotian man on Saturday for allegedly smuggling nearly 5 kilos of crystal methamphetamine from Laos into Cambodia, an anti-drug police officer said.

Yin Panharith, head of an anti-drug team at the Interior Ministry's Anti-Drug Department, said Chakly Chertaly, 22, was caught in northern Cambodia's Stung Treng province which borders Laos.

"Five big packs of illicit drug totally weighed nearly 5 kilograms were seized from the suspect during the raid," he said in a report released to the media.

Cambodia has no death sentence for drug traffickers. Under its law, a person who traffics more than 80 grams of drug will face life imprisonment.

The Southeast Asian country had arrested 9,694 suspects in 4,334 drug-related cases during the first six months of 2017, said a National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) report, adding that more than 120 kilograms of illicit drugs had been confiscated.Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-18 16:16:10|Editor: liuxin

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CAIRO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Conditions similar to real battles were created in the Egyptian-U.S. joint drill "Bright Star 2017," which are being conducted at Egypt's Mohamed Naguib Military Base and will last until Sept. 20, local media reported on Monday.

The joint military exercise continued on Sunday with the conclusion of the first stage which included training of joint command centers in the presence of top brass.

Tactical tasks were fulfilled to assess the ability of the participating troops on joint action and to take suitable decisions.

Bright Star is seen as one of the most important joint military exercises between the armed forces of Egypt and the United States as they reflect strong military cooperation between the two countries.

The drills are meant to enhance strategic and security relations between the United States and Egypt.Dahal has NCs support in PM post: Lekhak

Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak has reiterated that the party can support CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the next prime minister.Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-13 16:26:31|Editor: ZD

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The world has long been used to U.S. President Donald Trump taking a stance against multilateralism. Still, the sudden U.S. announcement Thursday to retreat from UNESCO -- the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -- raised eyebrows worldwide.

According to a State Department statement, the decision "reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO."

But the fundamental issue is the Trump administration's distrust of multilateral organizations and a growing frustration over America's place in an increasingly multipolar world.

AN INGRAINED IMPATIENCE

Since taking office this January, the new White House leader has made no secret of his penchant for challenging multilateralism.

Having already scrapped the historic Paris climate deal, the comprehensive pact signed by 195 countries last year to reduce gas emissions, Trump also wants to "decertify" the landmark Iran nuclear deal. The critical Iran nuclear deal was signed two years ago with the five permanent U.N. Security Council member countries plus Germany, to avert the likelihood of a nuclear crisis in the Middle East.

Trump also lashed out at the UN in his first speech at the UN General Assembly in New York last month, saying, "Too often, the focus of this organization has not been on results, but on bureaucracy and process. In some cases, states that seek to subvert this institution's noble ends have hijacked the very systems that are supposed to advance them."

In the specific case of UNESCO, Washington has long hammered it for so-called corruption, low-efficiency and mismanagement.

As early as 1984, the Ronald Reagan administration pulled the United States out of the agency, citing what it called the U.N. body's ideological tilt toward the former Soviet Union against the West, and the U.S. stayed away till 2003.

The return, however, hasn't saved Washington from having its ambitions thwarted at the multilateral institution.

Since he became president, Trump has held back from appointing an ambassador to the agency. The withdrawal has been proved to be well calculated as it was announced right ahead of the election result of the UNESCO chief, according to observers.

LONG-LASTING GRUDGE

During the Republican administration of George W. Bush, the United States stopped providing funds for UNESCO right after the organization voted to give Palestine official membership in 2011.

The decision recognized Palestine as an actual sovereign country, something unacceptable to the United States and Israel. Yet Washington has still maintained an office at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

In July, UNESCO declared the old Palestinian city of Hebron in the West Bank a World Heritage Site, a move that further irritated Washington.

As a long-time ally of Tel Aviv, Washington is also reviewing its membership of the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council, citing an anti-Israel tilt within the agency.

Trump's decision has received the expected welcome in Israel, with the latter saying it too will quit UNESCO soon after the United States.

SWELLING U.S. ARREARS

In 2011, the U.S. government announced it would halt making financial contributions to UNESCO, which accounted for 22 percent of the group's whole-year budget, in reprisal for Palestine's full membership.

The government said it had to cut funds because a 1990s law prevents the U.S. from funding any UN agencies recognizing Palestine as a state.

Consequently, U.S. arrears at UNESCO have been snowballing each year. Currently, the United States owes over 500 million U.S. dollars to the organization.

The American reluctance to pay due membership fees has negatively impacted the agency's routine operations and staff employment. After a complete withdrawal, it is highly likely that Washington will welsh on its arrears, analysts say.

UNESCO, founded in 1946, is dedicated to promoting cooperation among countries through education, science and culture.Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-13 17:52:05|Editor: ZD

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SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean court on Friday decided to extend the detention of impeached President Park Geun-hye who has been in custody and stood trial over corruption charges including bribery.

The Seoul Central District Court issued another arrest warrant for Park, which allows the former leader to be detained for as long as six more months.

Park was taken into custody in late March after the constitutional court approved her impeachment over a corruption scandal embroiling Park and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil.

The initial arrest warrant was scheduled to terminate next Monday. By local law, a criminal suspect can be detained as long as six months with a detention warrant.

The court was quoted by local media outlets as saying the extended detention can be justified and be needed on "worry about the destruction of evidences."

Prosecutors have claimed the extended detention, saying that if Park stands trial without detention, she would not appear in the court hearings citing health problem or preparations for pleading.

Park had not attended the court hearings several times citing health problems such as a toe pain.

Park's attorneys also asked for numerous witnesses' appearance in the court, triggering criticism that she attempted to intentionally delay the hearings for the purpose of standing trial without detention.

With the new detention warrant, Park can be detained by next April, but prosecutors reportedly planned to complete the questioning of witnesses inside the courtroom by the end of next month.

To speed up the completion of the testimonies, the court had held three or four hearings every week.

Local media speculations said the first trial ruling would be made by the end of this year.

The additional arrest warrant was issued on charges of taking bribes from SK Group and Lotte Group, South Korea's No. 3 and No. 5 family-run conglomerates respectively.

The first South Korean female leader became the first president to be impeached before the end of five-year tenure.

Park was accused of taking bribes from Samsung Group, South Korea's biggest family-controlled chaebol, of which an heir apparent Lee Jae-yong was sentenced in August to five years in prison for the bribery.

Samsung was suspected of providing illegal funds for an equestrian training of the daughter of Choi, Park's decades-long friend, as well as to a German company owned by Choi.

Samsung and other conglomerates were suspected of making illegal contributions to Choi-controlled foundations in return for business favors.

Samsung made the biggest donation to the two nonprofit foundations allegedly in return for the Park administration's help in Lee's inheritance of management control of Samsung Group from his ailing father Lee Kun-hee who has been in hospital for about three and a half years after heart attack.

Responses to Park's additional detention were divided. The ruling Democratic Party said the extension confirmed a rule of law and a principle being alive.

The centrist People's Party and the minor conservative Righteous Party expressed respect for the court's decision, and the minor progressive Justice Party said it was an inevitable corollary.

However, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party resisted the decision, saying the court succumbed to pressure in the political arena.Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-13 18:57:28|Editor: liuxin

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NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. decision to withdraw from UNESCO, the UN cultural agency, has triggered worldwide calls for supporting multilateralism amid world challenges.

After the United States informed UNESCO on Thursday about its withdrawal on Dec. 31, 2018, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said it would be a loss to the United Nations and "a loss to multilateralism."

She said that UNESCO needs the leadership of all states "at the time when the fight against violent extremism calls for renewed investment in education, in dialogue among cultures to prevent hatred."

According to the U.S. State Department, one of the reasons for its withdrawal is the "continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO."

The United States stopped funding UNESCO after the organization voted to include Palestine as a member in 2011, but has maintained a UNESCO office at the organization's headquarters in Paris to weigh in on policy.

"It is unfortunate when international organizations that serve useful humanitarian purposes become politicized," said an American expert on international relations, referring to the prolonged Israel-Palestine conflict.

Avery Goldstein, David M. Knott Professor of Global Politics and International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, said the decision of withdrawal continues a trend in U.S. policy towards UNESCO put in place under former U.S. President Barack Obama.

"It is more a matter of continuity than change," he told Xinhua in an email interview.

Unfortunately, suspicion of the effectiveness of multilateral organizations prevails in Washington, Sourabh Gupta, resident senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, told Xinhua.

Gupta said that membership in UNESCO, "given its soft educational and cultural mandate," is considered to be a waste of money.

Statistics show that the United States is in arrears of over 500 million U.S. dollars to UNESCO as a consequence of its funding cuts to the organization.

However, analysts have said pulling out of UNESCO would not benefit the United States but have adverse impacts upon the country as well as the world.

As for the broader impact, Gupta said, the already-diminishing respect for the United States in the community of nations will diminish even further.

"As it slowly dismantles the order that the U.S. itself had laboriously constructed from the ashes of World War II, the U.S. will belatedly come to realize it has been its own worst enemy," Gupta noted.

U.N. General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak has voiced concerns that the U.S. move could affect the important work of UNESCO.

Lajcak said the United States has a crucial role to play in multilateral cooperation and need to continue to engage with the work of UNESCO.

Echoing the appeal, French Ambassador to the United Nations Francois Delattre has asked the United States not to leave the Paris-based UNESCO.

"UNESCO is about promoting our ideals and values through culture, education and science. These values and ideals are very much part of France's DNA, but also (part of) America's DNA," said Delattre.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 04:59:58|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- American scientists have cultured the skin tissue with hairs in a laboratory, using stem cells from mice.

The study, published on Tuesday in Cell Reports, said it lent a clue to the better understanding of hair growth and a new possibility for drug testing.

The study showed that a single skin organoid unit developed in culture can give rise to both the upper and lower layers of skin, and the two layers grew together to allow hair follicles from which the hairs grew to form as they would in a mouse's body.

Karl Koehler, author of the paper and a researcher at the Indiana University School of Medicine, described the tissue like "a little ball of pocket lint that floats around in the culture medium."

"The skin develops as a spherical cyst, and then the hair follicles grow outward in all directions, like dandelion seeds," Koehler said.

Researchers said that the skin grew a variety of hair follicle types similar to those present naturally on the coat of a mouse. It consisted of three or four different types of dermal cells and four types of epidermal cells, making a diverse combination that more closely mimics mouse skin than previously developed skin tissues.

They learnt that the epidermis grew to take the rounded shape of a cyst, then the dermal cells wrapped themselves around these cysts. But when this process was disrupted, hair follicles never appeared.

"It's very important that the cells develop together at an early stage to properly form skin and hair follicles," Koehler said.

None of the previously cultured skin tissues were capable of hair growth.

The rounded shape of the tissue, however, prevented the hairs from shedding and regenerating as the hair follicles grew into the dermal cysts.

Koehler's team believed, once the hair follicles found a way to complete their natural cycle in the culture medium, the organoids were looking to offer more possibilities for medicine and be used as a blueprint to generate human skin organoids.

"It could be potentially a superior model for testing drugs, or looking at things like the development of skin cancers," Koehler said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 07:25:22|Editor: Mengjie

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Rescue personnel transfer an injured person of a bus accident in Pasamayo, north of Lima, capital of Peru, on Jan. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/ANDINA/Vidal Tarqui)

LIMA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a bus accident in Peru rises to 36, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that 36 people have been killed after a bus carrying some 50 passengers collided into an oncoming trailer truck around midday on Tuesday, skidded off the road and plummeted 400 meters off the highway near the capital Lima.

An earlier report from the police said that at least 25 people had been killed.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 07:40:25|Editor: Mengjie

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BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's Navy (ARA) on Tuesday pledged to continue paying wages to the families of the 44 crew members who lost their lives when their submarine sank in the South Atlantic in November.

The measure was meant to show the navy's "commitment" to the families of the victims of the ARA San Juan submarine, which disappeared on Nov. 15 following some kind of blast, the ARA said.

"A demonstration of the commitment assumed is to continue paying the (crew's) wages to the direct families," the navy said in a statement, saying it would also pursue "new initiatives and forms of assistance to improve the institutional response" to the tragedy.

The navy said it created a Permanent Center of Attention, mainly for the wives or parents of the lost crew, at the Mar del Plata Naval Base "to respond, though all communication channels (telephone, email, post), to any needs and concerns that may arise."

The search for the submarine is ongoing, with three ships currently sweeping the supposed site of the accident.

Right after the submarine sank, an initial search and rescue operation was launched to potentially save the crew, but finding the vessel has proven difficult.

Eight days later, on Nov. 23, the navy announced there was no hope of finding survivors, but it would continue to search for the vessel in hopes of retrieving the bodies.

The German-made TR-1700 submarine acquired in 1985 was last located in the San Jorge Gulf, 432 kilometers south of Argentina's Valdes Peninsula.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 07:50:28|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TORONTO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock index rose to a record high Tuesday, the first trading day of the year because of increasing energy and gold mining shares while marijuana producers also climbed.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index rose 100.86 points, or 0.62 percent, to close the day at 16,309.99, a record-high close. Five of its 10 main sectors rose.

The energy group rose 2.3 percent due to a 6.1 percent gain for Cenovus Energy Inc CVE.TO to 12.18 Canadian dollars.

The materials sector, including precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, rallied 2.7 percent. Barrick Gold ABX.TO jumped 4.6 percent to 19.01 Canadian dollars as gold extended its rally into the new year.

Aurora Cannabis Inc ACB.TO surged 23.1 percent to 11.82 Canadian dollars after saying it sold cannabis worth 3.1 million Canadian dollars in November, its record highest ever.

A string of other marijuana companies also advanced as Canada moves to legalize the production, sale and consumption of recreational marijuana by July 2018, with Canopy Growth Co WEED.TO up 8.8 percent to 32.37 Canadian dollars and Aphria Inc APH.TO rising nearly 8.0 percent to 20.19 Canadian dollars.

The heavyweight financials sector, which accounts for more than a third of the index's weight, edged down 0.1 percent, with Brookfield Asset Management Inc BAMa.TO down 1.5 percent to 53.89 Canadian dollars.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 07:55:29|Editor: Yamei

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CHICAGO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The midwestern U.S. state of Illinois has been named No.1 most moved from state in the country in 2017, according to a study released on Tuesday.

The 2017 National Movers Study by United Van Lines, the nation's largest household goods moving company, said more residents moved out of Illinois than into it last year, with 63 percent of moves being outbound, followed by New Jersey and New York.

The study found that the Midwest U.S. states continue to see more residents leaving than moving in, whereas the Mountain West and South regions saw more residents moving in than out.

The study said Vermont had the highest percentage of people moving into the state, with nearly 68 percent of moves to and from the state being inbound.

United Van Lines has tracked migration patterns annually on a state-by-state basis since 1977. For 2017, the study is based on household moves handled by the company within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 08:15:31|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SYDNEY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Australian stock market opened firmer on Wednesday, riding on solid Wall Street gains to start the new year on a confident note.

At 10:31 (AEDT), the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 4.5 points or 0.07 percent at 6,065.8, and the broader All Ordinaries index added 4.6 points or 0.08 percent at 6,170.6 points.

U.S. investors were helping to start the year "with a confidence-boosting rally in cyclical stocks", CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner said in a morning note.

Overnight solid gains included those in the consumer discretionary, materials and info tech sectors, fueled by the "coordinated global growth theme" and "reinforced by tax cuts", he said.

The confidence is set to induce a firm start for Australia's main ASX200 index, "supported by good gains in the iron ore price". A better-than-expected read in the Caixin PMI Chinese manufacturing activity gauge will also provide background support for mining stocks, he said.

"While U.S. indices got the year off to a good start, they fell short of a strong move into new high ground, leaving open the possibility of a range trading scenario developing for a while," said Spooner.

"It seems likely the ASX200 will also remain below its recent high leaving room for doubt about the direction of the next major move. Yesterday's news of further weakness in the housing market is likely to be a headwind for the banks and the ASX200."

ANZ added 0.49 percent, Commonwealth Bank of Australia was up 0.25 percent, National Australia Bank lifted 0.24 percent and Westpac gained 0.35 percent.

Mining giant BHP Billiton jumped 2.12 percent and rival Rio Tinto climbed 2.14 percent. Newcrest Mining lifted 0.87 percent while Oil Search was up 0.13 percent.

Supermarket chain Wesfarmers dipped 0.29 percent and rival Woolworths fell 0.44 percent.

Qantas was up 0.2 percent, telecom giant Telstra slipped 0.14 percent and biomed group CSL edged 0.11 percent higher.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 09:05:42|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Brazil registered a record-high trade surplus of 67 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, the Ministry for Development, Industry and Trade announced on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the trade surplus grew 40 percent from the amount registered in 2016, which was also record high at the time.

Exports rose 18.5 percent to 217.74 billion U.S. dollars, the highest figures in three years. Imports rose 10.5 percent to 150.74 billion U.S. dollars, the highest figures since 2015.

The rise of exports was due more to the rise of prices of Brazilian products than to the actual volume of exports.

According to the ministry, while sales rose 7.6 percent compared with 2016, income originating from exports increased 10.1 percent. Among them, primary products registered the sharpest increase of 28.7 percent.

Trade Minister Marcos Pereira hailed the positive figures and stressed the importance of rising exports.

"Exports rose in 2017, after five years. It is something to be stressed. The 18.5-percent rise evidences this extraordinary growth," he said.

China continues to be Brazil's largest trade partner: in 2017, exports to China amounted to 50.2 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for over 23 percent of the total amount. The United States ranked second, with 26.9 billion U.S. dollars, followed by Argentina and the Netherlands.

Imports from China amounted to 27.9 billion U.S. dollars. The United States also ranked second in terms of imports, followed by Argentina and Germany.Demonstrations in Dhankuta, Doti for capitalhood

The people in Dhankuta and Doti continued their demonstrations on Tuesday, demanding that the Dhankuta Bazaar and Dipayal should be designated the capital cities of Province 1 and Province 7 respectively.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 09:15:44|Editor: Mengjie

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VIENTIANE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Laos Wang Wentian and Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khamphao Ernthavanh have signed an agreement on Lancang-Mekong cooperation funding for Lao projects here.

In his speech at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Wang congratulated the successful application for Lao projects under Lancang-Mekong cooperation fund, saying this is another milestone in the Lancang-Mekong cooperation framework.

The Chinese side highly appreciates the enthusiastic participation of Lao side into the Lancang-Mekong cooperation framework, which has contributed greatly to the rapid development of the mechanism, Wang said.

China expects to work closely with Laos to promote the consensus reached, jointly design and implement the next cooperation plans. The ambassador expresses his belief that under the active implementation of Laos and joint efforts of both sides, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation will gain more fruitful achievements in the future.

Khamphao, for her part, said that despite the short time since its commence, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism has made substantial progresses in various fields, reflecting that China attaches great importance and actively engages in various work to promoting the implementation of the "Sanya Declaration," especially in promotion of projects under Lancang-Mekong fund.

Laos has harvested tangible benefits from the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism, including those in human resource development, infrastructure construction, public healthcare, and poverty reduction among others, according to the Lao diplomat.

Khamphao also expressed gratitude to Chinese side's approval of 13 projects of Laos under the Lancang-Mekong fund, adding that the projects will help promote socio-economic development of Laos, thus further strengthening the ties between Laos and China within Lancang-Mekong mechanism.

Lancang-Mekong cooperation is established in March 2016, since then various exchanges activities among political parties, officials, youth and religious groups have been organized.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 09:20:44|Editor: Mengjie

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Three people were rescued, and another 10 still missing after a cargo ship capsized and sank off the Shanghai coast Tuesday night, the city's maritime search and rescue center said.Source:Xinhua| 2018-01-03 09:54:54|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Staff members hold a poster reminding the sale of tickets for the Spring Fesitival tavel rush at Kaili railway station in Kaili City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 2, 2018. Train tickets for the Spring Festival travel rush go on sale on Jan. 3, 2018. China's transport system is often put to the test during the annual travel rush around the Spring Festival. The period is called "chunyun," which literally means "Spring Festival transport." During Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 15 this year, hundreds of millions of Chinese will go back to their hometowns to celebrate the most important holiday of the year with their families. (Xinhua/Wu Jibin)Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 10:00:52|Editor: Chengcheng

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PANAMA CITY, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Tuesday highlighted the newly established diplomatic ties with China as one of the major accomplishments of his past year in office.

"2017 was successful for Panama and Panamanians," Varela said in his state of the nation speech to the National Assembly, adding the establishment of diplomatic ties with China last June was "one of the most important international developments with positive outcomes for our country."

Varela said his administration, which has been in power for three and a half years, aims to complete the construction of a new convention center in the capital with a Chinese firm's help.

China Construction America will construct the Amador Convention Center in conjunction with Panama's Construcciones Civiles Generales.

In October, China Harbour Engineering Company and Belgium's Han de Nul formed Cruceros del Pacifico, a consortium to build a passenger cruise ship terminal on Panama's Pacific coast.

Varela also said Panama was expected to maintain its last year's growth rate of 5.6 percent in 2018.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 10:20:58|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SYDNEY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A man who was arrested in June last year after threatening to kill cops in Sydney with a knife is now facing terrorism charges over the incident, Australian police said on Wednesday.

Blake Pender, 26, allegedly "made numerous threats about wanting to become a martyr and kill police," New South Wales state police said in a statement.

Pender was first charged with being armed with the intent to assault police and steal. Following further investigations, the Fixated Persons Investigation Unit within the New South Wales Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command laid out the terrorism charges against Pender, including possessing an item connected with a terrorist act and preparing or planning for one. The suspect remains in custody and is set to be in court next month.

The charges highlight the importance of the unit "in capturing those who seek to cause harm," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing was quoted as saying.

"The unit identifies and investigates people who may not necessarily profile as a terrorist suspect, but could be capable of carrying out an attack," he said.

"It's a reality that there are people in the community who seek to cause harm to us, and police remain a target.

"NSW Police are doing everything we can to stop the next attack from happening and this unit adds another layer of protection for the community and in many cases, protects individuals from themselves."

Separately, in July last year, Australian federal police carried out terrorist raids across Sydney over a suspected plot to bomb a plane. Four men were later taken into custody as part of police inquiries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 10:26:00|Editor: Mengjie

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Three people were rescued, and another 10 still missing after a cargo ship capsized and sank off the Shanghai coast Tuesday night, the city's maritime search and rescue center said.

According to the local water traffic management center, the "Changping" ship, loaded with 5,000 tonnes of steel, collided with another freighter before sinking in the anchorage near Yangtze estuary.

Thirteen sailors were on aboard. A dozen of boats were dispatched to the rescue.

Three people have been saved and 10 missing as of 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The rescue operation is ongoing.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 10:31:01|Editor: Yamei

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GAZA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Head of Islamic Hamas movement Ismail Haneya Tuesday called on relevant parties to set up a "comprehensive confrontation strategy" to foil recent U.S. and Israeli moves on Jerusalem.

Based on the ongoing Palestinian Intifada against Israel, the strategy should prepare a unified Palestinian, Arab and Islamic program to confront the Jerusalem decisions, said Haneya in an emailed press statement.

He also called on other countries which support Palestinians and oppose U.S. policies in the region to join them in the unified strategy.

"This strategy needs us to move on two tracks. One is to declare the death of the so-called peace process and the other is to end all types of normalization with the Zionist enemy," said the Hamas leader.

He said neither U.S. President Donald Trump nor Israel's ruling Likud party "would be able to change the identity or the features of Jerusalem, which has always a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic face and identity."

In a vote overnight between Monday and Tuesday, Israel's parliament passed an amendment that will make it more difficult for the government to cede parts of East Jerusalem in any future peace deal with the Palestinians.

The new legislation is also likely to heighten even further the tensions sparked by Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6.

Trump's statement has triggered wide protests in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. At least 13 Palestinians were killed during clashes with Israeli security forces, according to Palestinian media.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 11:12:32|Editor: Yamei

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Fire fighters introduce the equipment on a fire truck to students in Bozhou, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 2, 2018. Fire fighters were invited to carry out fire safety education at a local primary school to arouse students' consciousness of fire safety on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yanlin)Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 11:21:06|Editor: Yurou

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Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2018 shows a scene of a big explosion occurred in Vietnam's northern Bac Ninh province. A big explosion occurred in Vietnam's northern Bac Ninh province early Wednesday morning, killing two kids and injured six people, provincial authorities announced. (Xinhua/VNA)

HANOI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A big explosion occurred in Vietnam's northern Bac Ninh province early Wednesday morning, killing two kids and injured six people, provincial authorities announced.

The accident at a house of a scrap collector in Van Mon commune, Yen Phong district also destroyed two houses and damaged many others within a 500 meters radius from the explosion. At the scene, some bullets have been found.

Many households in Van Mon specialize in collecting and processing scraps which sometimes include unexploded ordnance such as mortar shells, mines and bullets.

During the 1965-1975 Vietnam War, the U.S. Armed Forces deployed more than 15 million tons of bombs, mines, artillery shells and other ordnance in Vietnam, in which 10 percent did not detonate as designed, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund of the United States.

Vietnamese scrap collectors often saw unexploded ordnance for metal and explosive, while small children play ammunitions by breaking them, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries annually.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 11:36:09|Editor: Liu

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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The central bank of Pakistan gave its green signal to use the Chinese yuan (CNY) for bilateral trade and investment activities, ensuring that imports, exports and financing transactions can be denominated in the Chinese currency.

In a press release late Tuesday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) stated that Chinese yuan is an approved foreign currency for denominating foreign currency transactions in Pakistan.

"SBP has already put in place the required regulatory framework which facilitates use of CNY in trade and investment transactions," said the central bank.

In terms of regulations in Pakistan, CNY is at par with other international currencies such as U.S. dollar, euro and Japanese yen, etc, the statement further added.

Indicating deepening economic ties between the two all-weather friends, the central bank said that regarding recent local and global economic progress, specially an increase in trade and investment with China under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it "foresees that CNY denominated trade with China will increase significantly going forward; and will yield long term benefits for both the countries."

Last month, in the formal launch of Long Term Plan for the CPEC 2017-30, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that the government was examining a proposal to use the Chinese yuan for trade between China and Pakistan.January 3 coldest day of this winter, says meteorologist

January 3 has been recorded the coldest day of this winter season so far, says the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 12:21:15|Editor: Liu

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NEW YORK, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- New York City plans to install 1,500 new security barriers in high-profile locations to guard against vehicle attacks and other terror-related incidents.

City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the plan at a press conference held in Times Square on Tuesday. He said metal bollards will replace some of the concrete cubes and barriers that have been in place as temporary measures near pedestrian areas.

De Blasio said it was part of the city's effort to spend 50 million U.S. dollars on public areas that are vulnerable to attacks.

New York City made breaking news quite a few times last year.

On Dec. 11, four people were injured after a man set off an improvised explosive device at the city's busiest commuter hub near Times Square during rush hour. Mayor de Blasio called the incident an attempted terrorist attack.

On Oct. 31, eight people were killed and a dozen more injured after a truck plowed into pedestrians near the World Trade Center.

On May 18, one person was killed and 22 others were injured when a car ran into pedestrians in Times Square.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 12:36:18|Editor: Liu

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OTTAWA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Canadian man who was held captive in Afghanistan for five years with his wife, has been charged with 15 criminal offences, Canadian media reported on Tuesday.

Joshua Boyle, currently in police custody, faces criminal charges including eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, the CTV News said.

He also faces charges of misleading police to "divert suspicion from himself," uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, namely, Trazodone.

The charges were laid against the 34-year-old former hostage on Dec. 30, 2017. When arrested, Boyle lived in a downtown Ottawa apartment with his family.

According to the report, the alleged offences took place between Oct. 14 and Dec. 30 in 2017.

Boyle's lawyer Eric Granger told the CTV News that Boyle is scheduled to appear at an Ottawa court Wednesday.

With joint efforts by the United States and Canada, Boyle, his American wife, Caitlan Coleman, and their three children were brought back to Canada on Oct. 13, 2017, five years after the couple were abducted by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network. Their three children were born in captivity.

Upon the family's return to Canada, Boyle alleged that their captors raped his wife and caused her to miscarry a baby girl.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Boyles on Dec. 18, which came to light after a Twitter account named "The Boyle Family" posted photos of the meeting.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 12:51:20|Editor: Liu

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Average density of PM2.5 in Beijing stayed at 58 micrograms per cubic meter of air in 2017, meeting the goal set by the State Council, an official said Wednesday.

The density dropped by 20.5 percent compared with the average level in 2016, Liu Baoxian, deputy director of Beijing environmental protection monitoring center, told a press conference.

An air pollution prevention and control action plan issued by the State Council in September 2013 ordered Beijing to reduce its PM 2.5 density to around 60 micrograms per cubic meter of air by 2017 from the average level of 90 micrograms per cubic meter of air in 2013.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 13:01:24|Editor: Mengjie

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BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) fostered "new opportunities for cooperation between China and Latin America," a Chinese diplomat said Tuesday.

After the October congress in Beijing, "there will be a greater push for Sino-Latin American cooperation," China's Ambassador to Argentina Yang Wanming predicted in an editorial published on Tuesday by Argentina's largest newspaper, Clarin.

In the next 15 years, China is expected to import goods with a total value of some 24 trillion U.S. dollars from other countries, including from Latin America, and invest 2 trillion dollars in other countries, such as those in the region, said Yang.

In other words, China's growing demand for quality goods is poised to boost Latin America's exports.

Data from China's Ministry of Commerce showed that China-LatAm bilateral trade volume reached 166.78 billion dollars in the first eight months of 2017, representing an 18-percent year-on-year increase.

While China's consumer demand spurs trade, its robust productive capacity can help meet the needs of Latin American countries lacking infrastructure, integration and productive competitiveness.

"Both sides can make the most of these opportunities so that China's market, capital and technological advantages can inject strength into Latin America's sustainable development," said Yang.

He pointed out innovation will become China's "principal driving force of development," saying the application of new technologies in the real economy, such as the Internet, big data and artificial intelligence, will be further promoted.

Another focus will be promoting the development of ecological industries to protect the environment, Yang said.

"We must intensify our exchanges with Latin America in technological research, training of human resources, use of renewable energy, environmental management and ecological security, among other new areas," he added.

With that in mind, China "will make space for deeper strategic coordination," the diplomat said, noting that the 19th CPC National Congress specified that "the general goal of China's foreign policy in this new era is to build a new kind of international relations for a community of common destiny."

To that end, China will "actively participate and promote economic globalization and persevere in opening up," Yang said.

"China and Latin America can bolster even more their coordination on international financial reform, the G20, BRICS, Asia-Pacific cooperation, climate change and food security, to safeguard the common interests of these countries," he elaborated.

In 2018, the two sides will be awaiting "a rich agenda of cooperation" in a year when key bilateral forums, including the second ministerial meeting between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the first G20 Summit will be held in South America.

China will commemorate the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up this year, and hold its first International Import Exposition, designed to give impetus to the global development initiative put forward by China.

"I hope both sides will benefit from these common agendas, by strengthening cooperation and joining forces following the comprehensive development of Sino-Latin American ties," said Yang.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 13:26:28|Editor: Yamei

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KABUL, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 445,000 Afghans have been displaced in 2017 by conflicts and prolonged insurgency, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday.

"From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 2017, a total of 445,335 people were displaced due to conflict in Afghanistan," it said in a statement.

The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the eastern Afghan region has reached nearly 140,205 with more than 123,538 of them in Nangarhar Province, of which 64,513 were due to the recent October-onward Khogyani displacement, the statement noted.

The Khogyani district has been the scene of heavy clashes between Afghan security forces and Islamic State (IS) militants since early October as the IS militants tired to take full control of the mountainous district.

More than 1 million Afghans have been displaced due to conflicts since 2001 as worsening security situation and the ongoing insurgency have forced the people to leave their houses for safer places.

Over 2,640 civilians were killed and over 5,370 others injured in conflict-related incidents in first nine months of last year, according to figures of United Nations mission in the country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 13:36:32|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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CANBERRA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer has accused the U.S. of hitting Australia with a "diplomatic insult."

Fischer, who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1996 to 1999 under Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister John Howard, on Wednesday said the U.S. administration's failure to appoint an ambassador to Canberra for 18 months indicated Australia was now of "low priority."

John Berry, the former U.S. Ambassador to Australia, resigned in September 2016, leaving the post vacant ever since.

"This is now bordering on a diplomatic insult," Fischer told Fairfax Media on Wednesday. "We've been downgraded, despite all the nice noises. We are a low priority.

Fischer identified U.S. President Donald Trump's opposition to a refugee deal negotiated between his predecessor Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as a likely reason for the current administration's failure to appoint an ambassador.

It has long been speculated that Admiral Harry Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, is the likely next ambassador but there has been no confirmation from the White House.

Simon Jackman, head of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, disagreed with Fischer, saying the delay showed the Trump administration was taking the appointment "extremely seriously."Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 14:31:43|Editor: Yamei

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by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in India's western state of Maharashtra Wednesday deployed adequate security at many places including Mumbai in wake of violence and a shutdown call.

The call for shutdown was given by Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar, leader of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (Majority Grand Union) against the government's alleged failure to stop violence on Monday in Pune that left one man dead.

Monday's violence marred the the 200th anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle organized by Dalit groups.

Reports said several right-wing groups objected to the event, calling it "anti-national" and attacked it.

Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar has appealed for peace during the shutdown period.

On Tuesday violence spread beyond Pune as angry Dalits hit streets and protested in different parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai city, disrupting rail and road traffic, besides damaged more than 150 buses, demanded action against those involved in Monday's violence.

Reports said over 100 protesters were detained and riot police was called in to contain situation in Mumbai and outskirts.

"Today we have made elaborate security arrangements and prohibitory orders banning large gatherings have been put in place in several areas," a senior police official in Mumbai said.

"So far no untoward incident of violence was reported from across the state. Local trains, city buses, taxis and other private transport services are running smoothly in the city," according to the official.

Officials said there was an attempt to block trains in Thane during Wednesday morning but that were thwarted.

Government offices, schools and colleges in Mumbai are open but school buses in tense areas are off roads in Mumbai as a safety measure.

The School Bus Owners' Association has said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses as a precautionary measure.

"We have decided not to run school buses in Mumbai today, as we can't risk students' safety and security. Depending on the situation, we will see if we can run them in the second half," Anil Garg, head of school bus owners' association said.

Reports said protesters halted buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in Thane and occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting rail traffic. Meanwhile, inter-state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.

Dalit groups on Monday were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle which the forces of the British East India Company had won over those belonging to the Peshwa.

Dalits were previously known as untouchables in India and fall at the bottom of India's caste hierarchy.

Inter-religious and inter-caste relationships are looked down upon in India and considered a taboo, especially in rural areas.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also appealed for calm and ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into Monday's Pune violence.

Maharashtra Police Chief, Satish Mathur told media extra forces have been requisitioned and some areas have also been identified where internet could be suspended to control rumors on social media.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 14:51:47|Editor: Yamei

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LANZHOU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Desertification control efforts have helped revive a dried up lake in northwest China's Gansu Province.

Qingtu Lake in Minqin County reached a size of 25.16 square kilometers by the end of 2017, though the lake had been dry for around 50 years until 2010, said Qiu Deyu, director of the county water resources office.

The local government set up a groundwater monitoring well around 1 km from the lake in 2007. Monitoring figures show the groundwater depth, narrowed from 4.02 meters in 2007 to 2.94 in 2017, an annual average increase of 10.8 cm for groundwater levels over the past 10 years, according to Qiu.

Qingtu Lake is located in the lower reaches of the Shiyang River in Minqin County, where China's deserts the Badain Jaran and Tengger meet. Known as the "hometown of sand," the county is a major source of sandstorms in China.

Qiu said revival of the lake was due to ecological rehabilitation along the Shiyang River as well as forestation in the surrounding deserts of Minqin County.

"The former dried up lake has become a habitat for migrant birds on their migration routes," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 15:26:54|Editor: Yurou

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- White House Spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday explained U.S. President Donald Trump's tweets on Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Pakistan.

She said in a press briefing that the United States keeps options "open" on whether to sanction Iran, hopes Pakistan will do more to stop terrorism and has not made its final decision on whether to support the DPRK's athletes participation in the Winter Olympics held in South Korea.

In recent days, Trump has accused the Iranian government of using its national wealth to support "foreign terrorism" and lashed out at Pakistan for not rendering enough help to Washington to hunt down Afghan terrorists.

He also said the United States "will see" whether the DPRK's offer to talk with South Korea and join in the upcoming Winter Olympics is "good news" or not.

OPTIONS OPEN TO SANCTION IRAN

At least eight people were killed, dozens injured and scores arrested as protests against the government's economic policies continued in major cities across Iran over the past days.

Speaking of Trump's continuous tweets against Tehran over the protests, Sanders blamed the Iranian government for spending the people's wealth "on spreading militancy and terror abroad, rather than ensuring prosperity at home."

"The Obama administration was too restrained of the 2009 protests and said that won't happen again," she said. "President Trump is not going to sit by silently like President Obama did."

When asked whether the Iranian protests will renew Trump's desire to re-impose sanctions on Iran, she said the United States will "certainly keep our options open in terms of sanctions."

"In terms of signing a waiver later in January, the president hasn't made a final decision on that, and he is going to keep all of his options on the table in that regard."

For his part, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said Tuesday that certain countries are waging a "proxy war" against the republic, citing the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia.

This foreign-backed intervention is aimed at hampering Iran's progress in different spheres, he said. "What is happening in Iran will be over in a few days, and there is no reason to worry at all."

According to Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, Iranian protests are fueled largely by economic discontent.

"Separate from the economic situation for the average Iranian, much of President Trump's rhetoric has been focused on his skepticism towards the international nuclear deal with Iran and the continued Iranian support for the Syrian government," he said.

"Given the history of past U.S. involvement in Iranian domestic politics, the best thing for the United States would be to ... do little to intervene or directly support these protests," he added.

NO FINAL DECISION ON DPRK'S OLYMPICS OFFER

Speaking of the DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un's offer to talk with South Korea and send athletes to join in the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea, Sanders said the United States "haven't made a final determination on" whether to support that offer or not.

In his New Year's speech, Kim said the DPRK will take necessary measures to prepare to participate in the event, adding that the two sides should reduce the highly tense military confrontation to create a peaceful environment for reconciliation.

Later, Trump tweeted that "sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact" on the DPRK.

"Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not -- we will see!" he said, referring to Kim's offer.

Sanders noted that the U.S. policy on the DPRK "hasn't changed at all," adding Washington "is committed and will still continue to put maximum pressure on the DPRK to change and make sure that it denuclearizes the Korean Peninsula."

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remained volatile throughout 2017, as the DPRK test-fired several ballistic missiles, including three intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the United States constantly conducted large-scale military drills with South Korea and has also four times voted for adopting resolutions against the DPRK to impose new sanctions.

U.S. WANTS PAKISTAN TO DO MORE TO STOP TERRORISM

Trump raised eyebrows around the world on Monday by tweeting that Pakistan has "given us nothing but lies & deceit" in return for U.S. aid, accusing the nation of providing a safe haven to the terrorists Washington is hunting in Afghanistan.

In response, Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador in Islamabad late Monday to lodge a protest, saying Pakistan has taken action against all militant groups without any discrimination and its sacrifices are being ignored.

Speaking of Pakistan, Sanders said "we know that they can do more to stop terrorism, and we want them to do that. That seems pretty simple."

When asked about what prompted Trump's Pakistan tweet yesterday, Sanders only explained that Trump received daily updates and briefings.

"This is something that the president has been following and has talked about, again, back during August, when he laid out his Afghanistan and South Asia strategy. And this is something that the administration continues to watch on a daily basis," she said.

"We know that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism, and we want them to step up and do that," she added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 15:31:55|Editor: Liu

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A customers uses Alipay to pay for his pill at a shop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 24, 2017. Malaysia's second largest bank CIMB joined hands with Ant Financial, an affiliate company of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, on Monday to cater to local mobile payment demands. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)

by Xinhua writer Liu Jie

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States have met a bumpy start to 2018 as scepticism about Chinese investment and trade are clouding over Washington.

The U.S. government rejected a merger by China's Ant Financial with U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International Inc. over national security concerns on Tuesday.

It is not surprising that a number of Chinese companies have hit the buffers in Washington as trade tensions between the two countries are flaring.

The bonhomie that grew between China and the United States in Beijing in November, when the two signed hundreds of billions of dollars of deals, seems to be fading away as the U.S. side is stuck in a zero-sum mentality.

In the last 30 days of 2017, the U.S. government launched a Section 301 investigation into Chinese intellectual property and technology transfer, self-initiated probes into Chinese-made aluminum products, and rejected China's market economy status at the World Trade Organization.

The hawkish turn became ear-piercing when President Trump described China as a strategic "competitor" in his first national security strategy in December, accusing the China of pursuing economic aggression designed to weaken America.

Are there reasons for optimism in 2018? An injection of hope is urgently needed for the world's top two economies to sail the charted course.

The first batch of prototype subway cars to be eventually manufactured in Massachusetts arrived in Boston days before Christmas.

The new prototype was built by a China-based plant of CRRC, the country's largest rail car maker. Mass production will begin at the company's factory in Springfield, Massachusetts to serve the Orange Line of the Boston metro, the world's oldest transit system.

This story highlights a shift in the economic relationship between the world's top two economies: "Made in China" is increasingly being replaced by "Made by China in America."

According to a report by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and Rhodium Group, employment by Chinese-owned firms across America jumped nine-fold from 2009 to 140,000 in 2016.

Stephen Orlins, President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, said that for years U.S. companies invested in China, made profits and built communities, becoming strong supporters of constructive U.S.-China relations.

In the face of a rising China, the United States, however, feels uneasy.

China has not hesitated to make it clear that it is not seeking global dominance, rejecting a zero-sum mentality between countries, especially between the United States and China. Cooperation is the only correct choice for both.

China's case is not well received by the United States. With deep-rooted strategic mistrust toward China, U.S. politicians have failed to catch up with China's understanding of cooperation and adopted an increasingly protective and isolationist approach.

When China proposes building the world into a community of shared future, it does not distinguish between competitors and partners. At this moment, the real test facing policymakers is whether or not they can maximize cooperation and manage competition so that it does not escalate into conflict.

Cooperation is essential for China and the United States to handle growing common challenges and interests. Narrow-mindedness and rigidity will lead to a zero-sum game. But both will be better off if they come together, since their common interests are greater than their differences.

China and the United States are about to ride a bumpy journey in trade in 2018 if the U.S. government goes it own way, and retaliatory measures by China could be on the table.

But the price is too high for the two peoples to pay if scepticism grows and tension escalates. Composure and pragmatism are needed to steer trade ties safe and sound.Left alliances pressure on EC irks Congress

The Nepali Congress (NC) has claimed that the left alliance is creating pressure on the Election Commission (EC) to publish the results of the federal parliament elections under the proportional representation (PR) category before the National Assembly (NA) is elected.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 16:02:05|Editor: Yurou

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TOKYO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two people died in Japan and several others are in critical condition after choking on mochi, a popular sticky snack on New Year's Day, Japan Today reported.

A man in his 50s from Ota Ward and a man in his 80s who lived in Edogawa Ward died after choking on mochi rice cakes, according to the Tokyo Fire Department. Another 13 people are hospitalized.

The mochi cakes, with an ice-cream filling, are known to be dangerous if not eaten properly. Every year prior to the New Year, the government issues warnings to the public, advising them to cut their mochi into small pieces and chew each bite slowly before swallowing.

Children and the elderly are mostly likely to choke on mochi, as it's often harder for them to chew the rice cake thoroughly. The majority of those sent to the hospital after choking on mochi are people aged 65 or older.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 16:02:05|Editor: Xiang Bo

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URUMQI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A memorandum has been signed by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and 22 overseas scientific research institutes, launching joint research projects on the ecosystem in central Asia.

Over the next five years, the institutes will focus on the region's glaciers, water resources, flora and fauna, as well as agriculture, in the context of global climate change.

The memorandum is the second phase of a program launched between China and four central Asia countries in 2012 to study climate change in the region.

In the first phase as of 2017, the Xinjiang ecology research institute and several organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan carried out cooperation in global climate, bio-diversity and geologic disasters.

In the second phase, research organizations from the United States, Belgium and Austria, as well as China's Hong Kong, will participate in joint research, which will focus on water resources and agricultural and environmental sustainable development in Belt and Road countries.

Bordering central Asia, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region accounts for about 70 percent of international scientific and technological cooperation between China and countries in the region.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 16:17:11|Editor: Yurou

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SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of South Koreans gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul Wednesday to stage the protest against Japan's wartime sex slavery after a secret deal between the two countries was revealed last week.

About 400 South Korean citizens staged the so-called "Wednesday protest rally", which has continued for nearly 26 years, to demand the Japanese government's sincere apology and legal responsibility for Japan's wartime crime against humanity.

Around noon, some people sat on the cold mats and others were standing outside the Japanese embassy here in the cold freezing weather. People carried placards that read "Annul the 2015 Comfort Women Agreement" and "We Want Sincere Apology."

People laid yellow flowers at a girl statue, which symbolizes young women and girls who were kidnapped, forced or duped into sex servitude for Japanese military brothels during World War.

Historians say up to 200,000 young women, mostly from the Korean Peninsula, served as sex slaves for the Japanese army during the Pacific War.

The Wednesday demonstration was the first since the South Korean government under President Moon Jae-in, who took office in May 2017, revealed its review result last week over the agreement which was reached on Dec. 28, 2015 between the Park Geun-hye government and the Japanese cabinet led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The review result showed secret deals in the 2015 agreement, which involved Seoul's acceptance of Tokyo's demand for persuading the South Korean victims and their supporters to accept the agreement, not using the word of "sex slave" officially and helping remove the girl statue symbolizing the victims.

The secret deals were not made known to the general public as well as the victims at the time. No communications were made between then South Korean government and the "comfort women" victims before reaching the agreement in 2015.

"Comfort women" euphemistically refers to the victims of the wartime sex enslavement.

The then South Korean government under the impeached Park reached a "final and irreversible" agreement with Japan in return for receiving 1 billion yen (about 9 million U.S. dollars) dedicated to a foundation supporting the victims of South Korea.

President Moon said the comfort women issue cannot be resolved by the 2015 deal despite his burden that it was an official inter-governmental promise approved by the leaders of the two countries.

An advocacy group, which has supported the comfort women victims for almost three decades, claimed the return of the 1 billion-yen fund back to Japan and the annulment of the 2015 agreement.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 17:12:30|Editor: Xiang Bo

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SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- It had been Yang Fengshen's job to play with fire. He played with it for 20 years, made a living and was respected for it. But now his craft is illegal, and old Yang carries the burden of a court sentence.

Yang, 79, had been the main organizer of an "ancient fireworks show" at Zhaoxian County in north China's Hebei province until he was arrested and charged with the crime of illegally making explosives in 2017.

In April last year, he was sentenced to four years and six months in prison by the county people's court. He appealed to the Shijiazhuang City Intermediate People's Court. On Dec. 29, Yang was convicted of the crime, but was exempted from criminal punishment, according to the court ruling.

"I'm not happy with the verdict, but I won't appeal," he said, citing health reasons.

Zhaoxian County is also home to Zhaozhou bridge, a 1,400-year-old ancient stone arch bridge under state protection. Yang said the Wudao Fireworks Show tradition dates back 2,000 years, even older than the revered bridge. In Yang's village, the tradition has been carried on to this day.

In 2011, the fireworks show was listed as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, and Yang later received government funding to put on the show.

"The Zhaoxian Wudao Fireworks show always ends in euphoria. It is a day when people celebrate the good harvest of the past year and pray for an auspicious new year," according to a description on a government website.

Only Yang Fengshen knows the key ingredients to the "pear flower bottle," a cylinder-shaped hand-held firework.

Yang said even his son does not know how to make the firework. He had an apprentice who studied with him for a year, but the man quit before mastering the skills.

"For the last 20 years, I have been making pear flower bottles. Every year I make about 200. No one ever said it was illegal," Yang said.

Yang was detained by police on Feb. 19, 2016 while preparing for the Lantern Festival, when the fireworks show is usually held from daybreak to sundown. He was later released on bail for health reasons.

"Now that the verdict is out, and making fireworks is illegal, I cannot make them any more," Yang said.

China has over 1,300 national-level cultural heritage traditions, including Peking opera, and each province also has its own cultural heritage items.

However, millennia-old traditions often come into conflict with modern law. In 2016, four monkey opera artists were given prison terms for illegally transporting wild animals in central China's Henan province.

"It is hard to escape the conflict between tradition and the law in this case," said Yang's lawyer, Yang Yu.

"Government authorities should provide better service so that such traditions and folk culture can be carried on without violating the law," he said.

Dr. Cai Fei, from Southwest University of Political Science and Law, said in this case, the trial judge was almost mechanically enforcing the law, but should have shown better legal wisdom.

Cai said there are ways to solve the dilemma. In Taishun County in Zhejiang province, there is a type of puppet show that also involves the use of fireworks.

"Those who carry on the tradition are banned from hoarding black powder at their homes. Every time they need it, they apply to the heritage center and register with the police before buying fireworks for the show. Cultural heritage can only thrive in the arms of the law," said Cai.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 17:27:32|Editor: Xiang Bo

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MANDERA, Kenya, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan authorities have beefed up security along Somali border in Mandera county after Somali militants, Al-Shabaab killed five police officers on Tuesday evening.

Northeastern regional coordinator Mohamud Saleh said on Wednesday three police reservists and two Administration Police officers who were on patrol along Elwak-Kotulo road in Mandera died in the attack.

"We lost five security officers in the attack while on patrol on Elwak-Kotulo road but we are pursuing the attackers," Saleh said.

Two police reservists and two Administration Police officers died instantly while another police reservist died while being rushed to hospital.

Daniel Bundotich, Mandera South Deputy County Commissioner said the deceased were on normal patrol on the Elwak-Kotulo road and the attackers also burnt a police lorry while several officers were injured in the ambush.

Bundotich said the first attack targeted a group of Administration police officers who were on patrol where two officers and three reservists were killed.

A second contingent of paramilitary personnel that was responding to the first attack was also ambushed. The attackers escaped the scene soon after the incident. This is the latest such incident in a series that have happened in the recent past.

Saleh said more personnel had been sent to the area in efforts to repulse the attackers who locals claim had been sighted there in the past weeks.

The stretch which connects Mandera and Wajir and Garissa is notorious with such terrorist attacks. In November, two police vehicles were burnt to ashes in the same area, compelling police to stop escorting buses.

The buses have since moved to use the Marsabit-Moyale route, leaving many on the insecure stretch with no alternative.

Kenyan security personnel patrolling the Somalia border have been hit with a series of explosion attacks since Kenya sent its troops to fight Al-Shabaab inside Somalia in 2011.

The counties of the larger northeastern Kenya could also be a target as those fleeing from AMISOM aggression are said to have entered Kenya through the porous border with Somalia.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 17:27:33|Editor: Xiang Bo

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HARARE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- One tourist died and another was seriously injured after they were attacked by crocodiles while canoeing in the Matopos National Park, about 40 km south of Bulawayo in southern Zimbabwe, on Sunday.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo told Wednesday's Herald newspaper that the pair was using an air-pumped boat which was not allowed in the crocodile infested dam.

"John Bowman and Rosemary Mitchell were attacked while peddling in the crocodile-infested Mpopoma Dam in the Matopos National Park. The couple was on holiday together with their colleagues.

"The two were rushed to hospital where Bowman died before arrival. Mitchell is in intensive care unit in Bulawayo," Farawo said.

He urged tourists to stay away from wild animals, no matter how domesticated, since they remained dangerous.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 17:57:38|Editor: Yurou

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SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Security forces have arrested five suspected militants on charge of affiliation with the Islamic State (IS) group in the northern Jawzjan province, a security official in provincial capital Shiberghan city, Samad Khan said Wednesday.

"The security forces captured five fighters of IS group on Tuesday and Sadrudin, a local commander of IS group is also among the arrested militants," Khan told Xinhua.

IS group has yet to make comment.

Government forces have intensified attacks against militants, the official said, adding 26 IS fighters including some foreigners had been killed and 28 others injured in Darzab district of the Jawzjan province over the past four days.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:07:41|Editor: Yurou

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By Xinhua writers Zhu Dongyang, Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The hawkish rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump and the White House on Iranian protests will further complicate the prospect of an Iran nuclear deal, U.S. experts said Tuesday.

At least eight people were killed, dozens injured and scores arrested as protests against the Iranian government's economic policies continued in major cities across the nation over the past days.

CONTINUOUS U.S. RHETORIC

Trump raised eyebrows around the world as he continued to lash out at Tehran over the last couple of days on the social media platform Twitter, accusing the Iranian government of squandering its national wealth in support of "foreign terrorism."

He also blasted the "terrible deal made with them by the (Barack) Obama Administration," referring to the hard-won nuclear deal signed by Tehran and other parties.

White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders at Tuesday's press briefing referred to Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state under the Obama administration, saying that Clinton "said that the Obama administration was too restrained of the 2009 protests and said that won't happen again."

"We agree with her because President Trump is not going to sit by silently like President Obama did," Sanders added.

Anti-government protests occurred in major Iranian cities after the June 12 presidential election in 2009, causing riots and unrest until early 2010.

When asked whether the Iranian protests will renew Trump's desire to re-impose sanctions on Iran, Sanders only said the United States will "certainly keep our options open in terms of sanctions."

"In terms of signing a waiver later in January, the President hasn't made a final decision on that, and he's going to keep all of his options on the table in that regard," she added.

ECONOMIC MOTIVES

According to Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the non-profit Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, Iranian protests are fueled largely by economic discontent on issues such as unemployment, the value of Iranian currency, and disappointment with the government's approach to the economic situation.

Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank the Brookings Institute, said that protests in Iran have grown due to public concerns about corruption and lack of economic prospects.

"The country remains mired in weak economic performance, even though many international sanctions have been lifted," West added.

In the eyes of David Pollock, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the scale of the protests, sweeping many provincial cities and towns and involving working-class Iranians, was still smaller than that in 2009.

COMPLEX FUTURE FOR NUCLEAR DEAL

Nevertheless, Trump's efforts to link the protests with the nuclear deal bodes ill, experts said.

"Separate from the economic situation for the average Iranian, much of President Trump's rhetoric has been focused on his skepticism towards the international nuclear deal with Iran and the continued Iranian support for the Syrian government," Mahaffee said.

As Pollock saw it, Trump's rhetoric reflects his strong view of Iran's government as an enemy and a source of Islamic extremism, threatening the U.S. interests in the region and beyond.

"Sanctions against Iran for terrorism and human rights abuses are still separate from the nuclear deal, and I think Congress and the White House will try to maintain that distinction," he added.

Brookings' West also noted that Trump has been very critical of Iran and feels Obama did not negotiate an effective agreement with the Iranians.

"He has threatened to rip up the agreement and continue to maintain U.S. sanctions on Iran. That would destabilize the Middle East and make it more difficult for foreign leaders to trust U.S. agreements," West said.

"If one leader rips up an agreement approved by the last one, it would be hard to maintain continuity in foreign policy," he added.

FUTURE INVOLVEMENT BY U.S. IN IRAN

However, experts predicted that the Trump administration's rhetoric against Iran would more likely be symbolic.

"The U.S. will probably limit its involvement mainly to moral support for the protestors, and mostly symbolic sanctions against particular regime criminals. We will work to bring other countries on board with this, in the UN (United Nations) and elsewhere," Pollock said.

"There may also be some efforts to offer the protestors technical help in getting around regime censorship and cyberattacks," he added.

"Given the history of past U.S. involvement in Iranian domestic politics, the best thing for the United States would be to ... do little to intervene or directly support these protests," Mahaffee said.

West had a similar opinion, saying that "Washington has to be careful how it handles the current protests."

"If it gets involved, Iranian leaders will cite that as evidence of foreign intervention and use that to strengthen their own popularity. They will claim the U.S. is behind the protests and the discontent is not a genuinely grass roots movement," he said.

Earlier this week, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said certain countries are waging a "proxy war" against the Islamic republic via social media and the Internet.

The United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia are behind the recent riots in Iran, he said. EnditemSource: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:12:43|Editor: Yurou

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PALM SPRINGS, the United States, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 29th Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) hosted its star-studded film awards gala at the Convention Center here on Tuesday.

Film fans lined the streets to cheer the arriving stars for hours.

Over two dozen contenders for Academy Awards nominations, including dazzling stars, directors and up-and-coming actors either received or presented awards at the gala.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot received the Rising Star Award for her role in "Wonder Woman" and American Allison Janney was awarded the Spotlight Award for her role in "I, Tonya." Irish-American actress Saoirse Ronan was awarded the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her role in "Lady Bird" and American Mary J. Blige was awarded the Breakthrough Performance Award for her role in "Mudbound."

American actress and producer Holly Hunter was honored with the Career Achievement Award for her strong performance in a variety of roles over the years, including in "The Big Sick" and "The Piano," and another American actress, Jessica Chastain, received a Chairman's Award for her role in "Molly's Game."

The PSIFF is one of the largest film events in North America, with attendance exceeding 130,000 each year, said Harold Matzner, chairman of the festival.

"PSIFF is very well supported," said Ellis Goodman, a long-time patron of the festival. "Many people come from other parts of the country to attend it every year."

The festival this year features 180 films from 77 countries, including "Youth" by Feng Xiaogang from China.

"'Youth' is an incredible film," Michael Lerman, artistic director of the festival, told Xinhua. "It reminds me of 'Gone with the Wind.' It is a melodrama in its best sense."

The film festival will run through Jan. 15.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:32:49|Editor: Yurou

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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and four others injured as a roadside bombing struck a vehicle in Washir district of the southern Helmand province on Wednesday, spokesman for provincial government Omar Zawak said.

"The gruesome incident occurred in Washir district today afternoon killing two commuters on the spot and injuring four others," Zawak told Xinhua.

Without providing more details, the official said that investigation has been initiated.

Meanwhile, an official on condition of anonymity said that a mine planted by militants struck a civilian car in Sangilan area of Washir district at around 2:15 p.m. local time killing two persons and injuring four others.

The poppy-growing Helmand province has been the scene of Taliban-led insurgency over the past more than one decade.Nurses warn of nationwide protest

Nurses have warned of halting their services if the government fails to reinstate three nurses who were recently laid off from the Human Organ Transplant Centre (HOTC), Bhaktapur in what they said was an illegal move by the Ministry of Health (MoH).Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:32:51|Editor: Lu Hui

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday welcomed and expressed support for efforts by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to improve relations as the DPRK reopened a cross-border communication channel with the ROK.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a daily press briefing held in Beijing.

Earlier on Wednesday, the DPRK reopened a long-closed communications channel with the ROK in the truce village of Panmunjom. According to reports, the two sides will use the channel to hold working-level discussions related to the DPRK's delegation to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The move comes a day after the ROK proposed holding a senior-level, inter-governmental dialogue on Jan. 9 to discuss the DPRK's dispatch of its delegation to the Winter Olympics.

"China welcomes and supports the two sides to improve ties, ease tensions and make concrete efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula," said Geng, adding that all parties should take the opportunity and work for the same goal.

Geng said China is willing to play a positive and constructive role to push the Korean Peninsula issue back to the track of a peaceful settlement through talks and negotiation.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:42:53|Editor: Yurou

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HARARE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean customs officials at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Sunday intercepted more than 5 kg of cocaine worth over 430,000 U.S. dollars and apprehended a 34-year-old South African woman who had arrived from Angola.

Thlinolui Jack appeared in court on Tuesday charged with dealing in dangerous drugs and was remanded in custody to Jan. 16, the state run media Herald reported Wednesday.

Prosecutor Linda Gadzikwa alleged that on Dec. 31, customs officials alerted drugs and narcotics detectives to Jack's suspicious baggage after it went through the scanner, leading the detectives to search it.

They found 125 black bobbins of white sewing thread containing a whitish powder stashed in the holes, and when they tested it came out positive for cocaine.

Gadzikwa said the powder weighed 5.382 kg with an estimated value of 430,560 U.S. dollars.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:47:53|Editor: Lu Hui

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TAIPEI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Taiwanese scientists have discovered that circular RNA (circRNA) plays a key functional role in pluripotent stem cells, which may help the development of regenerative medicine or medical technologies.

At a press conference Wednesday, Kuo Hung-Chih, an associate research fellow in the Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology at Taiwan's Academia Sinica, said that his team had found that human pluripotent stem cells contain high levels of certain circRNAs, and one type of circRNA, circBIRC6, acts to regulate stem cell pluripotency.

By manipulating the expression of circBIRC6, researchers were able to direct pluripotent stem cells to either maintain pluripotency or initiate cellular differentiation, according to Kuo.

The scientist explained that when cells in human body become aged or injured, pluripotent stem cells could provide a means for repair. These cells can be induced to form a variety of different cell types and may be able to replace dysfunctional cells or regrow damaged tissues.

Therefore, pluripotent stem cells may find their greatest use in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. In addition, pluripotent stem cells can be used to study developmental biology and disease pathogenesis or to facilitate new drug discovery.

Many research and medical institutions around the world have begun to investigate clinical cell therapy and drug development applications that are based on pluripotent stem cells.

Kuo said pluripotent stem cells include both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Embryonic stem cells must be isolated from embryos and are not readily available.

Although iPSCs can be directly derived from various somatic cell types, the mechanisms by which pluripotent stem cells regulate pluripotency and differentiation are not fully understood, according to Kuo.

The existence of circRNA is a recent discovery.

"In the past, circRNAs were considered to be mistakes in RNA processing, but current research shows that circRNAs may have important functions, including the regulation of gene expression," Kuo said.

He said that understanding circRNAs might be helpful in the development of innovative medical technologies such as diagnostic tools or treatments for cancers, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:47:54|Editor: Lu Hui

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech giant Tencent made a further foray into Internet finance by earning the qualification for third-party fund sales.

A subsidiary with Tencent is now allowed to sell funds, by the securities watchdog in Shenzhen, according to a statement released Tuesday on the government agency's website.

The greenlight for fund sales followed the official nod for Tencent to run insurance agent business last October, expanding the company's presence in the financial sector, ranging from payment to wealth management and microloan businesses.

Before the approval, funds were sold on Tencent's wealth management platform qian.qq.com to customers by linking them to fund firms or third-party fund sales agencies.

The qualification is expected to boost funds sales on qian.qq.com thanks to the 980 million-plus monthly active users on Tencent's popular instant messaging tool WeChat.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:57:55|Editor: Yurou

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LONDON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A drug developed for type 2 diabetes could possibly be a boon for patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to new research published in the Brain Research journal.

The "triple agonist" drug combining GLP-1, GIP and Glucagon receptors has been proved to be able to protect the brain from degeneration and effectively reverse memory loss, according to a recent study by British and Chinese universities.

The drug could also enhance levels of a brain growth factor which protects nerve cell functioning, and slows down the rate of nerve cell loss, among other benefits.

Previous studies have shown a link between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, as impaired insulin is connected to cerebral degenerative processes and insulin resistance has been found in Alzheimer patients' brains.

The experiment has only been conducted on mice, but it "holds clear promise of being developed into a new treatment for chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease," said lead researcher Professor Christian Holscher of Lancaster University.

Other scientists not involved in the trial are cautiously optimistic about the result.

"There is a long road between studies that show an effect in animals and treatments in the hands of patients," Dr. David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK told the Independent Newspaper. "Scientists will only be able to realize the potential of promising findings like these if we continue to invest in research."Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 18:57:55|Editor: Yurou

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MOGADISHU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified airstrike targeted suspected Al-Shabaab militant on a minibus near Bariiri location about 45 kilometers south of the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday.

Hassan Nor Mohamed, Deputy Governor of Lower Shabelle region for Security Affairs, confirmed the attack, saying the vehicle was completely destroyed and the suspected militant died on the spot.

"We have the ground information that suspected Al-Shabaab militant on luxury vehicle was killed by an airstrike near Bariiri area in this region on Tuesday, we cannot tell who but those who carried out the strike would know him," Mohamed said.

He added that such operation is part of the recent military operations against the militant group of Al-Shabaab in the region. The minibus was traveling on the outskirts of the Al-Shabaab-controlled Awdhegle region.

Residents said the car which was ferrying about ten people was laden with explosives heading towards the capital when it was destroyed by the airstrike.

The occupants in the car could not be immediately established. The militants behind a series of attacks in the Horn of Africa nation have not released a statement on the latest strike, the first in 2018.

The United States military has conducted about 30 strikes against Islamist militants in 2017, killing several insurgents and injuring others.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:07:59|Editor: Yurou

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JAKARTA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) Indonesian President Joko Widodo installed on Wednesday a senior army officer to lead the nation's newly-established State Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) tasked to fully control cyber activities in the country particularly from fake news and radicalism contents.

The installment of former head of the nation's encryption agency Maj. Gen. Djoko Setiadi to lead the BSSN was held in a ceremony in the presidential palace.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Dkoko said that the agency is focusing its efforts to secure the peace and calm condition in the nation's cyber media related to the "political year" slated for this year prior to the presidential election next year.

"We warn those who often creating fake news to stop their indecent activities. If they continue to do so, there would be regulations applied against them," Djoko said.

He added that the BSSN would team up with cyber units operated by police and intelligence agency to run its operation.

"In the future I expect the BSSN would be given the authority to arrest (those identified of violating the cyber regulation) and hand them over to the government's authorized institutions for further process," he added.

Particularly to tackle terrorism activities which have extensively used digital technology to plan attacks and running the terrorist organization's operations, Djoko said the BSSN would intensify cooperation with national police to tackle the issue.

Indonesia saw massive spread of fake news and sensitive issues through the social media which were said to be heavily used by the rivaling parties in the recent regional elections process.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:23:05|Editor: Yurou

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) will take its responsibilities seriously, Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mansour Al-Otaibi told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Wednesday.

On June 2, the UN General Assembly elected Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Poland and Peru as non-permanent members of the UNSC to serve a two-year term starting Jan. 1, 2018.

Kuwait will cooperate with all members in accomplishing the Security Council's tasks and responsibilities, Al-Otaibi said.

Kuwait is one of the strongest supporters and defenders of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the goals and principles of the United Nations and will continue doing so, Al-Otaibi said.

Noting that the importance of the Security Council lies in ensuring that its basic functions affect the security and stability of states and the prevention of conflicts, he said Kuwait's accession to the Security Council is considered a major achievement of the Kuwaiti foreign policy.

He added that the most important and outstanding achievement is what will be achieved during the term of membership, especially that the Council is currently pursuing great responsibilities and issues of concern to the State of Kuwait, as most of the issues on the agenda concern the Arab countries such as Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Iraq and also affect the security of Kuwait and the region in general.

He pointed out that the membership of Kuwait comes at a difficult time, especially since many countries in the Arab and Islamic world are witnessing continuous conflicts for several years which have negative repercussions on security and stability in the region.

He hoped that through its membership in the Security Council and its presidency of the Council for February Kuwait will contribute to the provision of security and stability, especially between the Arab and Islamic countries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:28:07|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2018 shows the mast of the sinking "Changping" ship (front) in east China's Shanghai. According to the local water traffic management center, the "Changping" ship, loaded with 5,000 tonnes of steel, collided with another freighter before sinking in the anchorage near Yangtze estuary. Three people have been saved and 10 missing as of 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)

SHANGHAI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers are still searching for 10 sailors missing after a cargo ship capsized and sank off Shanghai Tuesday night, the city's maritime search and rescue center said Wednesday.

Rescue divers found a four square-meter hole in the hull, believed to have directly caused the ship to sink.

"But the current is too fast for us to enter," said diver Luo Zaili.

A tonne of water would have quickly flood the ship through the hole, making it hard for the crew to escape, staff with the local Maritime Safety Administration told Xinhua.

The city's maritime search and rescue center has dispatched seven patrol vessels, three salvage ships and five other boats to join the search.

"The searching is still our primary task," said Huang Jianwei, head of local Maritime Safety Administration.

According to the local water traffic management center, the "Changping," loaded with 5,000 tonnes of steel, collided with another freighter before sinking in the anchorage near the Yangtze River estuary.

Thirteen sailors were on aboard. Only three have been rescued so far.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:33:09|Editor: Yurou

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ABUJA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ten people including the attacker's biological father have been confirmed killed in a suicide attack on a mosque early Wednesday in Nigeria's northeastern town of Gamboru, according to local residents and officials.

A teenage male suicide bomber known in the area sneaked into the local mosque and detonated an improvised explosive device strapped to his body during an early morning prayer in the mosque in the northeastern state of Borno, said Abba Lawan, a resident.

Lawan said the suicide bomber's biological father was among the early worshippers in the mosque.

"The suicide bomber hailed from Gamboru town, he disowned his parents and joined the terrorists in the bush," said Lawan. "Wounded persons have been referred to a clinic for treatment."

The Nigerian military, while confirming the attack to Xinhua, said another suspected suicide bomber was killed in Rann, another town located in Kala-Balge area of Borno.

Rogers Nicholas, the commander of the troops fighting the Boko Haram terror group in the northeast region of Nigeria, said only five bodies of the victims had been recovered so far by the military.

Nigeria has made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces having dislodged Boko Haram fighters from the Sambisa Forest, their last enclave in the country.Plugged on

Kathmandu Valley now has five electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Plans are afoot to add more, including outside the Valley. This effort by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) should be lauded; it will not only bring relief to EV owners in the Valley, but will also incentivise news ones to purchase such vehicles.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:33:09|Editor: Yurou

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DUBLIN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and two others got injured in a knife attack in Ireland's northern town of Dundalk on Wednesday morning, reported local media RTE.

The motive of the attack is not known at the moment, said the report.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:33:09|Editor: Yurou

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CAIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's foreign currency reserves reached 37.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said Wednesday.

The figure stood at about 36 billion dollars in January 2011, just before the mass protests broke out and ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Since then it had been on the decline until 2017.

Over the past few years, Egypt has been suffering an economic recession due to political instability and relevant security issues that led to the decline of tourism and foreign investments, two major sources for Egypt's foreign currency reserves.

However, gradual improving security conditions, increasing remittances of Egyptian expatriates, in addition to foreign loans and deposits, gradually refilled the CBE with foreign funds.

Egypt's foreign debts rose about 42 percent to 79 billion dollars in the 2016-17 fiscal year ending in June 2017, compared with 55.8 billion dollars a year earlier.

A day ago, a CBE official said Egypt paid off about 30 billion dollars of financial dues and foreign debts in 2017 and the country commits itself to pay back more than 12 billion dollars in 2018, official MENA news agency reported.

The repayments cover bonds and foreign debts to regional and international banks, deposits and loans from countries like Saudi Arabia, Libya and Turkey, commitments by government bodies to world companies, as well as dues to the Paris Club, he said on condition of anonymity.

In order to deal with dollar shortage, Egypt started in late 2016 a strict three-year economic reform program including austerity measures, energy subsidy cuts and tax increases, in addition to currency floatation, which led to nationwide price hikes.

Egypt's reform program is encouraged by a 12-billion-dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund, half of which has already been delivered to the most populous Arab country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:43:10|Editor: Xiang Bo

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by Naim-Ul-Karim

DHAKA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The New Year's speech given by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday promises a golden age for China and shows a global vision to brush aside challenges hindering prosperity for humanity, Bangladeshi officials and scholars said Tuesday.

Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told Xinhua that President Xi once again made a historic speech, saying "his speech impressed us very much."

In his speech, Xi not only talked about eradicating extreme poverty in rural China, but also stressed the need to create a prosperous world and lasting peace through ensuring inclusiveness, said Ahmed, who is also a senior leader of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party.

"Really impressed when he said China will cut paths through mountains and build bridges across rivers to move forward on reform," said Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Ahmed said poverty eradication was also the main goal of the current Bangladeshi government.

"We're striving hard for achieving the goal of reducing extreme poverty to less than 3 percent of Bangladeshis by 2030," he said.

Bangladesh will surely benefit from global development initiatives proposed by Xi, including the Belt and Road Initiative.

Munshi Faiz Ahmad, chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), also highly praised Xi's New Year's speech, saying that Xi reiterated in his speech China's commitment to stand by the developing countries around the world.

"We admire him and his speech that comes as an inspiration for us," he said.

Ahmad, who is also a former Bangladesh ambassador to China, said two concepts -- poverty eradication and global cooperation -- are very clear from his speech.

Describing Xi's speech as positive and far-sighted, Ahmad said China today was an ideal example for countries across the world in reducing poverty.

Calling for more international cooperation, the BIISS chairman said that all countries must continue their efforts for a new kind of economic globalization to ensure equity and justice, and steer it towards a more inclusive and mutually beneficial direction.

He said a pro-poor globalization will immensely help achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, tackle climate change and ultimately reduce poverty.

Bangladesh has seen substantial reductions in both extreme poverty and poverty, he said, adding the proportion of the population living below the national extreme poverty line has been reduced from 40 percent in 1991 to 22 percent now.

The scholar said countries that have long been characterized by massive rural poverty must work together to ensure a minimum living standard around the world.

Xi on Sunday delivered a New Year's speech, vowing that China would resolutely carry out reforms.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:53:12|Editor: Yurou

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ATHENS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Greek Air Force training plane crashed Wednesday on the outskirts of Kalamata city, southern Greece, according to the Greek Defense Ministry.

The two pilots on board evacuated the plane in time and were transferred in good health to a nearby hospital for further examination.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 19:58:15|Editor: Yurou

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COLOMBO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will develop one of its ancient Hindu temple sites in the Eastern Province of the country as the main pilgrimage destinations, Governor of Eastern Province Rohitha Bogollagama said on Wednesday.

The governor told Xinhua that the temple called "Thirukoneshwaram" in Trincomalee, the capital of the Eastern Province, was one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the Island country.

He said he intended to develop the temple as the main pilgrimage destination for Hindus and a special task committee had been appointed to develop the area around the Hindu temple with facilities for accommodation.

The Provincial Tourism Bureau will be responsible for the infrastructure facilities to attract pilgrims from India, Malaysia and devotees even from Europe during the festival days of the temple.

Thirukoneswaram, the Hindu temple, lies on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka facing the sea on three sides, bearing a history of over three millennia.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:08:20|Editor: Xiang Bo

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XIAMEN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Police in Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province have launched a manhunt for 12 telecom fraud suspects, including six from Taiwan.

Xiamen police are encouraging the public to report on the suspects on the run. Anyone who provides information leading to their arrests will be rewarded.

According to the police, the Taiwanese suspects are from Taipei, Tainan, Pingtung, Changhua and Kaohsiung. Of the six suspects, two were born in the 1990s, and the youngest is only 20 years old.

Last year, seven people were sent to prison in east China's Shandong Province in a telecom fraud case linked to the death of a teenager.

Xu Yuyu, a high school graduate from Linyi, died of cardiac arrest in August 2016 after being defrauded out of 9,900 yuan (1,524 U.S. dollars), which she intended to use to pay university tuition fees.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:13:21|Editor: Yurou

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 160 soldiers of Libyan eastern-based army were killed in 2017 during military operations against terrorist groups in the eastern city of Benghazi, according to a military official.

"Special forces lost 161 martyrs of duty, including 68 killed by landmines planted by terrorist groups in the city," Milud Al-Zwai, spokesman of the army's special forces, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, "200 soldiers were injured, of whom 45 were injured by the landmines," Al-Zwai added.

The army announced on Thursday taking control of the whole area of Sidi Ekhrebish in central Benghazi, the last terrorist stronghold in the city, after operations that lasted more than five months. Dozens of extremists fled after the army forces took control of the area.

Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and the birthplace of the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has witnessed a three-year war between the army led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar and extremist militants.

In June, Haftar announced the takeover of the entire city of Benghazi and the defeat of rival armed groups. However, some militants have remained in the city, using landmines against his army.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:13:24|Editor: Yurou

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ABUJA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Eight suspects have been arrested by the local police following the bloody attacks which claimed more than 50 lives in Nigeria's north-central state of Benue on New Year's Day, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

Moses Yamu, the spokesman for the state police, said the suspects, all herdsmen, had made confessions to the security agency.

Moses said the police had also made additional deployments to the troubled area to forestall further occurrence and restore the confidence of the people.

The attacks which began on Sunday continued until Tuesday, before the police's intervention.

Speaking to reporters earlier in Markurdi, the Benue State capital, Governor Samuel Ortom said at least 50 people, including nine livestock guards, were killed in the attacks.

Several people had their hands chopped off, Ortom added.

Benue had brought into effect an anti-open grazing law on Nov. 1, 2017. The law stipulates five-year jail term for violators.

The New Year's Day attack was the first by suspected herdsmen since the law came into effect.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:28:26|Editor: Yurou

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CAIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court sentenced on Wednesday 10 people to up to 25 years in prison over assisting illegal immigration through the country's northern sea shores, official MENA news agency reported.

Alexandria Criminal Court sentenced five of them to 25 years in prison, a female boat owner to three years and four sailors to six years.

The court also seized the boat and ordered them to repay about 92,400 U.S. dollars.

The sentences are appealable.

Egypt is a favorable destination for illegal immigrants trying to cross its territories to neighboring Libya on their way to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea, in hopes of fleeing difficult economic conditions back home.

In September 2016, a migrant boat carrying some 600 people to Italy capsized near the coast of Egypt's northern Beheira Province, leaving more than 200 dead.

In November 2017, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the country managed to completely eliminate illegal immigration via its sea coasts.

He noted that more than 4,500 people drowned in the Mediterranean while illegally travelling to Europe in 2016.

Citing statistics from the European Border and Coast Guard Agenc, Shoukry said there has been no illegal immigration from Egyptian coasts since early September 2016.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:28:26|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Wang Huning (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, attends a national conference on communication and publicity in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2018. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday called for better dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a national conference on communication and publicity.

Wang told the Party's publicity officials to take Xi Jinping thought as the guide of their work and focus on the study, promotion and implementation of the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.

He attributed the "historic achievements" made in the Party's publicity sector since the 18th CPC National Congress to the "strong leadership" of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core and the guidance of Xi Jinping thought.

Publicity work should guide the people to safeguard Xi's core status and uphold the authority and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee in a more committed manner, Wang said.Prices may rise again as losses still high

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said it might need to hike fuel prices again after ramping up the rates for the third time in a month, moaning that its projected loss for January stands at a staggering Rs264 million.File photo shows a crocodile in rearing pond at a farm in south of Bangkok, Thailand, March 7, 2013. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

HARARE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- One tourist died and another was seriously injured after they were attacked by crocodiles while canoeing in the Matopos National Park, about 40 km south of Bulawayo in southern Zimbabwe, on Sunday.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo told Wednesday's Herald newspaper that the pair was using an air-pumped boat which was not allowed in the crocodile infested dam.

"John Bowman and Rosemary Mitchell were attacked while peddling in the crocodile-infested Mpopoma Dam in the Matopos National Park. The couple was on holiday together with their colleagues.

"The two were rushed to hospital where Bowman died before arrival. Mitchell is in intensive care unit in Bulawayo," Farawo said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:48:30|Editor: Yurou

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DUBLIN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A man was arrested after he stabbed one person to death and injured two others in an attack in Ireland's northern town of Dundalk on Wednesday.

Local media quoted police as saying that the incident took place at about 9:00 a.m. local time on a street in the eastern part of Dundalk, a town with of a population of less than 40,000, which sits halfway between Dublin and Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland.

The man who got killed in the incident is believed to be originally from Japan, said local media, adding that further details about the killed and the injured are not known at this moment.

The attacker, who is believed to be originally from the Middle East, was disarmed and arrested upon the arrival of the police at the scene, said the report.

Police are trying to establish if the attacker knew the victims or if they were attacked at random. EnditemSource: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 20:53:33|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BAODING, Hebei, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping Wednesday instructed the armed forces to strengthen real combat training and improve its war-winning capability.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while issuing an order at a mobilization meeting held by the commission.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 21:08:37|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said Wednesday that the corporation would conduct 35 launches in 2018, the most missions in its history.

The missions include the launches of the Chang'e-4 lunar probe, Long March-5 carrier rocket and BeiDou navigation satellites, the corporation said.

CASC said 2018 would be its busiest and most important year, as many of its projects would enter key phases, and the numbers of experiments and launches would be the highest in its history.

The company will continue to improve its innovation capability and push forward the commercial development in aerospace industry in 2018, CASC said.

The Chang'e-4 lunar probe will undertake the first ever soft landing on the far side of the moon, conduct in situ and roving detection, and relay communication at the Earth-Moon Lagrangian 2 point, according to China's Lunar and Deep Space Exploration Center.

In 2018, China plans to launch 18 BeiDou-3 satellites to expand navigation services to countries along the Belt and Road routes.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 21:08:37|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Wang Huning (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, attends a national conference on communication and publicity in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2018. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday called on the country's publicity officials to develop a socialist ideology that has the ability to unite and the power to inspire.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, made the remarks at a national conference on communication and publicity, which began Wednesday.

Wang stressed the importance of strengthening the overall CPC leadership in publicity, theory and culture, saying that any ideological developments must follow CPC rules on Party building.

He also said that building stronger teams of officials with a better talent pool was important for Party publicity work.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 21:28:42|Editor: Yurou

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MANILA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that his country seeks to further intensify maritime cooperation with Indonesia, especially for preventing the spread of violent extremism in the region.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who is in Manila for a visit, paid a courtesy call on Duterte at the presidential guest house in Davao City, Duterte's home city.

Duterte and Marsudi agreed during their meeting to elevate cooperation on trade, maritime security, education, and eradicating terrorism, according to a statement issued by Duterte's office.

While declaring that the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the southern Philippine city of Marawi are in full swing, Duterte told Marsudi that "he wants to intensify maritime security cooperation with Indonesia as foreign and local terrorists continue to enter and exit the country despite the military efforts made to go after these elements."

The statement did not elaborate on the maritime security measures that both countries want to pursue in the future.

In a separate statement, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan peter Cayetano said that the Philippines welcomes Indonesia's offer to help fight violent extremism in the region.

"The Philippines welcomed Indonesia's offer to share its best practices in Islamic education as part of the efforts to address and prevent extremism not just in the country but also in the rest of Southeast Asia," Cayetano said.

"Indonesia is one of the models for the kind of Islamic education that the Philippines and ASEAN can look into to counter the rise of extremism," Cayetano said.

Cayetano said Indonesia specifically offered to help the Philippines "counter radicalization through education."

The Philippine presidential palace said Duterte also once again expressed his interest in the resumption of the Philippines-Indonesia routes to further strengthen trade between the two countries.

Marsudi, for her part, expressed her interest in pursuing the joint education program between the Philippines and Indonesia.

She said that the Indonesian government wants to confer 300 passports for Indonesian descents living in Mindanao.

ISIS-inspired extremists attacked Marawi City in May 2017, triggering a five-month intense fighting between the government security forces and Islamist militants. Authorities said militants from neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia helped the local extremists in plotting the Marawi seige.

Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have started joint patrols in the seas bordering the three countries to counter efforts of Islamist extremists to establish a base in Southeast Asia.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 21:33:44|Editor: Lu Hui

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File photo taken at Samburu National Reserve, Kenya, March 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania and conservation organizations on Wednesday hailed China's decision to end ivory trade, saying the move offered hope for the future of elephants in Africa.

Major General Gaudence Milanzi, Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said "China as a country has been at the front line in fighting poaching."

Milanzi said China's efforts, including the ban on all trade in ivory and ivory products, have helped to bring down poaching levels in Tanzania, calling upon other countries across the world to follow suit.

Milanzi praised the government of China for the good move which proved to the international community that it was determined to end the business and protect the animal.

"These outcomes are very encouraging. We applaud the Chinese leadership in this," said January Makamba, Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office responsible for the Environment.

Makamba said China's decision was consistent with its leadership in climate change and other important global issues.

"We hope other countries which have been reluctant will follow suit. Concerted global effort on the demand side makes it easier for anti-poaching efforts on the supply side to succeed," said the minister in an email to Xinhua.

China has honored its commitment to ending commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of 2017, China's State Forestry Administration has said, adding it was China's "new year gift to the elephant."

"The Chinese authorities will continue to clamp down on ivory collection as well as processing, sales, transportation and smuggling of elephant tusks," the administration said.

The move affects 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues, with all of them to close, in the world's once largest ivory market.

"China has long been one of the world's biggest markets for ivory. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Tanzania is very delighted to see the doors of this market closed," Amani Ngusaru, the organization's country director for Tanzania said .

"We are particularly excited to see that the government of China has followed through on a great promise it made to the world, offering hope for the future of elephants in Africa," he said.

Ngusaru said it was important to realize that commercial ivory trade ban in China alone will not be sufficient deterrence for elephant poachers, adding that the same action should be taken by other nations where ivory trading is still practiced.

TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, said in a report in December 2017 that Japan remained one of the world's largest domestic ivory markets, and is home to an active, though shrinking, ivory manufacturing industry.

The report, compiled with the support of the World Wildlife Fund, said 2.42 tonnes of ivory, including elephant tusks, antiques and jewellery, were illegally exported from Japan between 2011 and 2016.

"The country also boasts significant stockpiles of raw tusks in private ownership, a cultural legacy from its past trade," said the report titled "Ivory Towers: An Assessment of Japan's Ivory trade and domestic market".

Co-author of the report Tomomi Kitade said earlier in a report that their findings show without doubt that Japan's largely unregulated domestic ivory market is contributing to illegal trade and it is imperative that Japan's role within international illegal ivory trade be recognized.

Attilio Tagalile, a Tanzanian veteran journalist now working with WWF Tanzania, said China's ban on ivory trade will considerably help in checking poaching, especially in Tanzania which lost 90 percent of its elephant population in the Selous game reserve, one of the largest faunal reserves of the world, located in the south of country, between 1982 and 2014.

"The ban on ivory trade in China means drastic fall of ivory prices which in turn translates into drastic fall in poaching that leads to continued existence of elephants not only in the Selous Game Reserve but in Tanzania, and in Africa in general," said Tagalile.

In January 2017, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa commended China for banning ivory trade and urged other countries across the world to follow suit.

"The banning of ivory trade in other countries like what China has done will lead to ending poaching in Tanzania," said Mkapa who ruled Tanzania between 1995 and 2005.

"It is better for other countries across the world to emulate what China has done in order to save the lives of elephants that are disappearing in various parts of the world," he said.

"China is not the only destination country for ivory trade, there is a number of other countries in Europe, America and the Far East, so our call is for the other destinations to ban the trade in their countries and that's where we can move on and succeed in our fight," he said.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Tuesday also lauded China's ban on ivory trade as a major milestone step.

UWA Executive Director Andrew Seguya told Xinhua that China's decision will go a long way in the conservation and protection of the African elephants.

"It gives us a lot of hope for elephants of Uganda, elephants of Africa and elephants of the world. So we congratulate the Chinese government for that decision," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 21:43:49|Editor: Yurou

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TOKYO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and two others injured in a three-vehicle crash on Wednesday in Tokyo.

The accident occurred on a highway in Tokyo, and a 78-year-old woman aboard one of the vehicles was pronounced dead after being sent to hospital, and two others were injured.

Driver of the vehicle that caused the crash said he was busy looking at signs for traffic jam and failed to notice the car before him.

Local police have been looking into the details of the accident.

Earlier in the day, two people were injured in a nine-vehicle crash on a highway in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

The crash occurred during a traffic jam as roads and highways in Japan were crowded with people rushing back after spending their New Year holidays at recreational sites, their hometowns or elsewhere, according to local reports.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 21:48:51|Editor: Yurou

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JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Shin Bet security service said on Wednesday that it busted an Iranian espionage cell operating in the West Bank and arrested its Palestinian leader.

The ringleader, identified as 29-year-old Mohammed Makharmeh, is a computer engineering student from Hebron city, who is suspected of being recruited by a relative living in South Africa and acting on behalf of Iranian intelligence services, said the Shin Bet.

Makharmeh was charged with establishing a cell to carry out shooting attacks against Israelis and recruiting suicide bombers. According to the Shin Bet, he received 8,000 U.S. dollars from Iran for this activity.

The Palestinian youth also recruited an Arab-Israeli citizen to task him with taking pictures inside Israel.

"It was also learned that Makharmeh was asked to work on recruiting residents of Israel, including journalists, in the light of the latter's access to various places in Israel, especially official sites," the statement read.

Israel has long charged that Iran supports Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

According to the Shin Bet, the incident "underscores Iran's involvement in sponsoring terrorism against Israel and exposes Iran's efforts in various countries in order to promote hostile activity against Israel."

Addressing the investigation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of attempting to carry out attacks inside Israel.

"Iran is using terrorism against Israel not only with the assistance of terrorist movements such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad but is also attempting to organize terrorist actions inside Israel and against the citizens of Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement.

On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said three rockets fired by Gaza militants at Israel on the same day were "made by Iran."

Israel is increasingly worried about Iran's mounting presence in its northern neighbor Syria. The Israeli government has moe than once asked Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to ban Iran from establishing a military foothold in the framework of a possible peace deal in the war-torn country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:03:54|Editor: Yurou

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is expected to make an announcement related to the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, a senior government official said Wednesday.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the Malaysian government is still in discussion with U.S. company Ocean Infinity on the search for the missing aircraft.

"I am going to make an announcement next week after we finalize the contract with them," he told reporters.

The Malaysian government has been in negotiation with Ocean Infinity to resume search operations on a "no find, no pay" basis. Reports emerged this week that a high-tech research vessel chartered by Ocean Infinity had set sale to the search area in the Southern Indian Ocean.

MH370, carrying 239 on board, went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.

The governments of Malaysia, Australia and China suspended the search operation in January 2017 after almost three years' efforts in a 120,000-square-km area in the Southern Indian Ocean failed to find any sign of the wreckage of the plane. But a report from the Australian Transport Safety Board released later in the year pointed to a new search area where the aircraft could be found.Tanahu Hydro running late on naming builder

The Tanahu Hydroelectric Project has missed its initial deadline to appoint a contractor as one of its financiers, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), delayed evaluating the technical proposals of potential builders.Pro-government demonstrators march in Iran's southwestern city of Ahvaz on January 3, 2018, as tens of thousands gathered across Iran in a massive show of strength for the Islamic rulers after days of deadly unrest. (AFP PHOTO)

TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people in different Iranian cities held rallies on Wednesday to condemn anti-government protests over the past week.

Participants in the rallies supported the Iranian government and slammed rioters as the mercenaries of enemies or deceived individuals that sought to foment sedition by resorting to violence, according to Tasnim news agency.

The demonstrators also chanted anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli slogans in the rallies, reaffirming commitment to the Islamic Republic and pledging support for the country's security and stability.

According to unofficial reports, at least 20 people, including civilians and security policemen, were killed and dozens of others injured, as protests against the government's economic and social policies continued in major cities across Iran over the past few days.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday warned of what he called the enemies' all-out efforts, including inciting unrest, to harm the Islamic Republic.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani also said certain countries are waging a "proxy war" against the Islamic Republic via social media and the internet.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:08:56|Editor: Yurou

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LUSAKA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu's office on Wednesday confirmed that it had received a letter of resignation from Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba.

Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda said the registry at State House has notified the office that the letter was delivered on Tuesday around 7 p.m.

Earlier, the presidential spokesperson told local media that State House was not in receipt of the official resignation letter and that the minister remains the office holder.

Meanwhile, the minister who had announced his resignation on his Facebook page has reiterated that he has resigned from his position.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, he said he tendered his resignation on Tuesday through his office.

He further thanked the Zambian leader for giving him an opportunity to serve in his government.

He however said he will not relinquish his position as a member of parliament of the ruling party and pledged to remain a member of the party.

Kalaba's resignation has received mixed feelings from a cross section of society, with the ruling party dismissing him as not a factor in the party.

He becomes the third minister to leave Lungu's government after the firing of two other ministers.

Last week, Lungu fired Minister of National Development Planning Lucky Mulusa. Former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Corporation Chishimba Kambwili was fired in November 2016.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:13:57|Editor: Yurou

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JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A rocket fired by Gaza militants exploded in southern Israel on Wednesday, causing no injuries or damage, the army said.

"A projectile was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory," a military spokesperson said in a statement.

A later notice said the projectile was located in an open field in the Eshkol Regional Council in the Negev desert.

On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said three rockets fired by Gaza militants at Israel on the same day were "made by Iran."

On Sunday, a military official told the Hebrew-language Ynet news site that the rockets were standard Iranian-manufactured rockets and fired by the Islamic Jihad, a radical Islamic group based in the Gaza Strip.

The number of rockets fired by Gaza militants toward Israel has been rising since U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6, 2017.

At least 12 Gazans have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces since Trump's announcement, and dozens more injured.

The rockets are typically launched by Islamist groups in Gaza that challenge Hamas, which runs the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israel usually retaliates by striking Hamas posts, charging that it holds Hamas accountable for any hostility from Gaza.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:13:57|Editor: Yurou

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ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia announced on Wednesday it will release jailed opposition figures as part of an amnesty program to create national consensus and speed up democratization.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Office of Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, said an infamous detention center Maekalwi located in Addis Ababa will also be closed.

The statement didn't give details on the identity of those who will be released or when Maekalwi will be closed.

Opposition supporters and activists accuse the Ethiopian government of using the detention center to coerce confessions from suspects usually charged under an anti-terror law.

Ethiopia faced in 2016 unrest that killed hundreds, dubbed by analysts the gravest challenge to the ruling coalition Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front in 25 years.

The unrest involving the country's two most populous regional states of Oromia and Amhara led to an imposition of martial law in October 2016 which was only lifted in August 2017.

Many ethnic Oromos and Amharas which make about 33 and 27 percent of Ethiopia's estimated 100 million population accuse ethnic Tigrayans who make up six percent of the nation's population of unduly dominating the country's political and economic scene.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:24:00|Editor: Yurou

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HAVANA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A high-ranking foreign affairs representative for the European Union began a two-day visit in Cuba on Wednesday in a bid to enhance bilateral ties.

Cuba and the EU had previously reached an agreement for political dialogue, which has yet to be approved by the parliaments of the EU member countries.

European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini's trip to the Caribbean island is aimed at working with the Cuban government on an early implementation of the deal.

The first meeting of the EU-Cuba Joint Council at the ministerial level will be held during her visit, according to a press release by the office of the EU High Representative.

Mogherini's agenda in Cuba includes meetings with Cuban senior officials, visits to historic and cultural sites in Havana, and a speech to be made on the EU-Latin America relations at St Geronimo's University.

Mogherini last visited Cuba in March 2016 when she held talks with President Raul Castro.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:24:01|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The State Council made arrangements to optimize the business environment to stimulate market vitality and social creativity, at an executive meeting Wednesday.

Premier Li Keqiang, who chaired the meeting, called for universal use of a negative list of sectors and businesses off limits to foreign investment to control market entry.

Optimizing business environment would help productivity and competitiveness, he said.

The business environment is the foundation for developing a modern economy and ensuring high-quality development, the premier said.

Greater efforts should be made in streamlining administration, compliance oversight and offering better services. An internationally competitive business environment would have equal treatment for domestic and foreign enterprises and stimulate market entities and social creativity," he said.

China was ranked the 78th in ease of doing business, according to a 2017 report by the World Bank, up from the 96th place in 2013.

The government will cut red tapes, reduce taxes and slash fees for enterprises.

It was decided at the meeting that more efforts will be made to slash or cancel fees paid by enterprises, including operational and service fees and fees charged by sectoral associations and chambers of commerce. Costs for customs clearance will be lowered.

The government will further simply the procedures of administrative review and speed up approval procedures for business start-up, tax payments, application for construction permit and water, electricity and gas services, and real estate registration. The slashing of electricity price will also be a priority.

A new oversight mechanism characterized by integrity and information disclosure will be established at a faster pace. A unified punishment mechanism for breaches will be improved. An evaluation mechanism for business environment will be established, and rolled out nationwide over time. Special sectoral measures will be unveiled to facilitate the application for construction permits and cross-border trade.

"There is still much more that we can do to streamline administration, enhance compliance oversight and improve services. We should foster a more enabling business environment to incentivize a visible improvement in the ease of doing business for entrepreneurs, market entities and the general public," Li said.

A series of measures have been taken by the current government to cut red tape, reduce corporate burdens and improve the business environment. It has canceled or delegated administrative approval by the State Council bodies on 697 items, which account for 45 percent of the total.

The government also shortened the list of intermediary services for administrative approval by 323 items, or 74 percent of the total, and canceled professional qualification and certification requirements for 434 items, more than 70 percent of the total.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:39:06|Editor: yan

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MOGADISHU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States military confirmed Wednesday that its forces conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab terrorists about 50km west of the capital, Mogadishu, killing two terrorists in the first drone attack this year.

The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said the strike which was carried out early Tuesday in cooperation with Somalia forces also destroyed one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, preventing it from being used against the people in Mogadishu.

"We assess no civilians were killed in this strike," Africom said in a statement, vowing to continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect the United States and its partners, and deny safe haven to terrorist groups.

The U.S. military has killed several militants in over 30 strikes carried out in coordination with the Somali government in the past week in a bid to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

Washington says Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida and is dedicated to providing safe haven for terrorist attacks throughout the world.

"Together with other international partners, the United States is committed to providing Somali, AMISOM and Somalia National Security Forces with support in the fight against violent extremist organizations," Africom said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:44:08|Editor: yan

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TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian judiciary official said Wednesday that a European national who had links to the recent unrests in the country has been arrested by the Iranian security forces.

The chief of Justice House of Boroujerd city in western Lorestan Province said that the unnamed European national was detained in Boroujerd, according to Tasnim news agency.

"This person who played the role of a leader in the riots had been trained by European Intelligence services and had been sent to Boroujerd to guide riots," Hamid Reza Bolhassani told Tasnim.

Over the past week, protests erupted in a number of Iranian cities against the government's economic policies.Photo taken on Feb. 13, 2012, shows the Table Mountain capped with clouds, which is situated in the coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa. (Xinhua/Yu Dabo)

CAPE TOWN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The climber who was killed on New Year's Day while climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town was a Hong Kong woman, the Chinese Consulate in Cape Town confirmed on Wednesday.

A consulate official told Xinhua that another woman, also from Hong Kong, was slightly injured in the accident that took place on Monday afternoon.

A local tour guide was also killed in the accident, said the diplomat who refused to be named.

"The injured woman had come to the consulate to seek help and we're ready to provide consulate assistance whenever needed," the diplomat said.

Both women are in their late 20s, the diplomat added, without giving their names.

The Chinese Consulate in Cape Town has issued an alert to Chinese tourists, urging them to take precautions when taking part in adventurous activities while travelling in South Africa.

Earlier reports by the local media had mistakenly identified one of the victims as a Japanese man.

News24, a local news outlet, previously quoted the South African Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSR) as saying a Japanese couple and their local tour guide fell down while doing rock climbing on Table Mountain.

The report said a Japanese man and the tour guide died, while a Japanese woman was rescued with slight injuries.

More than 800 hundred tourists were stranded on the mountain for hours while a dramatic rescue mission was underway.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the two climbers is being investigated by a team of local experts.

The climbers were on a regular route up the mountain when they somehow lost their footing and fell and ended up dangling from the ropes which they had secured to the mountain, according to rescuers.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 22:49:10|Editor: Mengjie

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Rescuers work at the site of a collapsed building in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Jan. 3, 2018. At least two people were killed and six others injured on Wednesday after a residential building collapsed in Nairobi's Pipeline area. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)

NAIROBI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and six others injured on Wednesday after a residential building collapsed in Nairobi's Pipeline area.

Pius Masai, National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) Deputy Director and Communication Officer, confirmed the death toll, saying the injured have been rushed to hospital and that the rescue teams went to the site to carry out searches.

"It's unfortunate that two people have been confirmed dead and six injured and among them one is critical," Masai said.

He said the one-story temporary structure collapsed when it was being demolished by persons believed to have been hired by the owner. Masai said relevant agencies are investigating the incident.

Residents living in the area said the building had just one floor and that it had been marked for demolition. "Police have cordoned off the area amid rescue efforts," said one of the residents.Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:09:17|Editor: yan

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KIEV, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government plans to carry out another prisoner exchange with pro-independence insurgents in the eastern part of the country in spring, local media reported Wednesday.

The prisoner swap is expected to happen in January or February, local 112 TV-channel reported, citing a government official.

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, a supervisor for the prisoner swap from the Ukrainian government, Kiev would free 74 rebel supporters in exchange for 29 Ukrainian soldiers and pro-government civilians.

Last week, Kiev and the insurgents carried out the largest prisoner swap since the start of the conflict in the country's eastern part in April 2014.

The rebels in Donetsk and Lugansk handed over 73 Ukrainian soldiers and pro-government civilians to Kiev in exchange for 233 rebel supporters.

The swap deal was nailed during the meeting of the Contact Group on the Ukraine crisis in Minsk, Belarus.

The Contact Group, comprising of Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, is set to hold its next meeting on Jan. 10.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:24:26|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, issues an order at a mobilization meeting held by the commission on Jan. 3, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BAODING, Hebei, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping Wednesday instructed the armed forces to strengthen real combat training and improve its war-winning capability.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks while issuing an order at a mobilization meeting held by the commission.

It was the first time for the commission to hold a mobilization meeting for the whole armed forces.

Xi urged the armed forces to implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and the CPC's thought on building a strong army in the new era.

At 10:00 a.m., Xi ascended to the review stand in military uniform at the main venue where more than 7,000 armed officers and soldiers, as well as nearly 300 sets of armaments, formed up in line at a range of the Central Theater Command.

Elsewhere, over 4,000 branch venues were designated to listen to Xi's instruction.

In Xi's order, he urged the army at all levels to enhance military training oriented at combat readiness and put military training at a strategic position and as the central work with effective results.

Leading officers should take the lead and play an exemplary role, Xi said, calling for real combat training and joint combat training according to rules in strict governance.

The armed forces should conduct training in fine work style, innovate method and improve support to training, tighten up supervision, and hold events of mass training for the soldiers, said Xi.

Xi called on the armed forces to enhance targeted and adversarial training, improve military real combat ability, and firmly grasp the capability to win battles.

Commanders and personnel should firmly implement the decisions and instructions by the CPC Central Committee and the CMC with a fighting spirit of fearing neither hardship nor death, Xi said.

They should also train hard in a scientific way, be brave to overcome difficulties and surpass opponents, and create an elite and powerful force that is always ready for the fight, capable of combat and sure to win in order to fulfill the tasks bestowed by the Party and the people in the new era, he added.

After the meeting, Xi reviewed assembly of soldiers on the site and training of various troops via televised devices.

CMC Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang presided over the meeting.

Other senior military officers including CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia also attended the meeting.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:24:27|Editor: yan

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MAPUTO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican police said on Wednesday in Maputo that the attacks that took place in the coastal district of Mocimboa da Praia in the northernmost province of Cabo Delgado were terrorism acts, and that the individuals behind the crimes would be brought to justice.

"The configuration of the crimes committed by these individuals falls under terrorism category, and they will be held responsible according to the level of crimes committed," said Inacio Dina, police spokesperson during a press conference.

On Oct. 5, 2017, a group of about 30 armed fundamentalists launched simultaneous attacks against three police stations in Mocimboa da Praia, leading to the death of two policemen and a community leader in that single day.

So far, the police have arrested 251 suspects accused of involvement in this crime. The police also admit that the gangsters continue to be on the loose and this places the district in an alarmed situation, with its population fearing for the safety of their life and property.

"An attempt against a state authority, particularly the police, is a terrorist crime according to the law. The individuals that committed these crimes will be treated as the law on this domain recommends," said the spokesperson.

The police have been intensifying the patrol in the district and appealing the gangsters to hand over their arms, and to stop the attacks and report to the authorities.

Before Christmas, the police gave an ultimatum of seven days for the gangsters to hand over their arms, but no one has given in.

When issuing the ultimatum, the police promised that those who give in would be integrated to the development process of the country, which is now dedicating its efforts to restore a long-lasting peace.

The group seems to have no direct connection with the Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab, though it is often called by the same name, according to the national news agency AIM.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:44:33|Editor: yan

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HANOI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A couple in northern Dien Bien province have been arrested when transporting 171 kg of heroin worth some 3 million U.S. dollars, the biggest-ever drug case in Vietnam, the provincial police said on Wednesday.

Vu Chu Senh, 44, and his wife Mua Thi Do, 39, who rode two motorbikes, transporting 489 cakes of heroin, were arrested on Tuesday evening.

The couple are members of a drug trafficking ring which bought heroin in Laos and transported the drug to Vietnam, said the police.

According to the Vietnamese law, those convicted of smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine are punishable by death. Making or trading 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal drugs also faces death penalty.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:44:34|Editor: Liu

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The State Council made arrangements to optimize the business environment to stimulate market vitality and social creativity, at an executive meeting Wednesday.

Premier Li Keqiang, who chaired the meeting, called for universal use of a negative list of sectors and businesses off limits to foreign investment to control market entry.

Optimizing business environment would help productivity and competitiveness, he said.

The business environment is the foundation for developing a modern economy and ensuring high-quality development, the premier said.

Greater efforts should be made in streamlining administration, compliance oversight and offering better services. An internationally competitive business environment would have equal treatment for domestic and foreign enterprises and stimulate market entities and social creativity," he said.

China was ranked the 78th in ease of doing business, according to a 2017 report by the World Bank, up from the 96th place in 2013.

The government will cut red tapes, reduce taxes and slash fees for enterprises.

It was decided at the meeting that more efforts will be made to slash or cancel fees paid by enterprises, including operational and service fees and fees charged by sectoral associations and chambers of commerce. Costs for customs clearance will be lowered.

The government will further simply the procedures of administrative review and speed up approval procedures for business start-up, tax payments, application for construction permit and water, electricity and gas services, and real estate registration. The slashing of electricity price will also be a priority.

A new oversight mechanism characterized by integrity and information disclosure will be established at a faster pace. A unified punishment mechanism for breaches will be improved. An evaluation mechanism for business environment will be established, and rolled out nationwide over time. Special sectoral measures will be unveiled to facilitate the application for construction permits and cross-border trade.

"There is still much more that we can do to streamline administration, enhance compliance oversight and improve services. We should foster a more enabling business environment to incentivize a visible improvement in the ease of doing business for entrepreneurs, market entities and the general public," Li said.

A series of measures have been taken by the current government to cut red tape, reduce corporate burdens and improve the business environment. It has canceled or delegated administrative approval by the State Council bodies on 697 items, which account for 45 percent of the total.

The government also shortened the list of intermediary services for administrative approval by 323 items, or 74 percent of the total, and canceled professional qualification and certification requirements for 434 items, more than 70 percent of the total.

China should improve investment and market environment, make bigger strides in opening up, reduce the cost of market functioning and create a stable, fair, transparent and predictable business environment. In this way the government can speed up the development of new institutions of the open economy and promote sustained and sound economic growth.

The meeting also agreed to deepen reform of the science system, enhance basic science research and promote original innovation capacity to implement the innovation-driven development strategy.

To this end, the country will enhance integration of basic science and application study, stimulate enterprises, universities and institutions to increase investment on fundamental researches.

The government will also promote international scientific research cooperation and support overseas scientists to lead or participate in science projects.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:54:41|Editor: yan

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The reopening of Mao Zedong's former residence in Shanghai has drawn large crowds wishing to catch a glimpse of the Chairman's life.

Mao's old residence in Shanghai's Jing'an District went through a two-year renovation to return the building to its original style. It opened Tuesday to about 500 visitors.

The place has been transformed into a museum, with many exhibits on show for the first time, presenting Mao's work and daily life.

In 1924, Mao came to Shanghai for the 10th time, and lived in the area, where he spent a long time on revolutionary work.

The house, built in 1915, was made of bricks and wood. Mao's family lived on the first floor at that time.

Gao Zilin, 20, is a Shanghai office worker who has applied to join the Communist Party of China. She came to the museum in the rain.

"After hearing about the reopening, I came immediately," she said. "The digital displays in the gallery are really interesting, because they help me understand Mao's life and work in a more direct way."

"It's a great Party class," she said.

Zhu Run, in charge of cultural relics, said that the main building has almost 100 years of history, but has a limited capacity for visitors.

"We plan to integrate 'red tourism' resources in Jing'an District and the Party stories more efficiently," Zhu said.

Red tours -- visits to the sites of early communist activities -- are popular in China and are receiving huge amounts of government money. In 2016, a total of 1.6 billion yuan (240 million U.S. dollars) was spent to support on red tourism, according to the Ministry of Finance.

China's National Development and Reform Commission has encouraged preservation of revolutionary sites and released a list of red tourism sites in 2015.

The number of red tourists is expected to exceed 1.5 billion by 2020, according to the National Tourism Administration.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-03 23:59:42|Editor: yan

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HEFEI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two children were killed and another 12 injured when a school bus overturned in east China's Anhui Province, authorities said Wednesday.

The accident happened at around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Tangchi Township of Hefei City, the provincial capital.

One child died at the scene, while another died later. The injured are receiving treatment.

The 19-seater bus had 18 people on board, including 16 children.

The investigation into the cause is underway.Pro-government demonstrators hold banners during a march in Iran's southwestern city of Ahvaz on Jan. 3, 2018, as tens of thousands gathered across Iran in a massive show of strength for the Islamic rulers after days of deadly unrest. (AFP Photo)

By Xinhua writers Zhu Dongyang, Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The hawkish rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump and the White House on Iranian protests will further complicate the prospect of an Iran nuclear deal, U.S. experts said Tuesday.

At least eight people were killed, dozens injured and scores arrested as protests against the Iranian government's economic policies continued in major cities across the nation over the past days.

CONTINUOUS U.S. RHETORIC

Trump raised eyebrows around the world as he continued to lash out at Tehran over the last couple of days on the social media platform Twitter, accusing the Iranian government of squandering its national wealth in support of "foreign terrorism."

He also blasted the "terrible deal made with them by the (Barack) Obama Administration," referring to the hard-won nuclear deal signed by Tehran and other parties.

White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders at Tuesday's press briefing referred to Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state under the Obama administration, saying that Clinton "said that the Obama administration was too restrained of the 2009 protests and said that won't happen again."

"We agree with her because President Trump is not going to sit by silently like President Obama did," Sanders added.

Anti-government protests occurred in major Iranian cities after the June 12 presidential election in 2009, causing riots and unrest until early 2010.

When asked whether the Iranian protests will renew Trump's desire to re-impose sanctions on Iran, Sanders only said the United States will "certainly keep our options open in terms of sanctions."

"In terms of signing a waiver later in January, the President hasn't made a final decision on that, and he's going to keep all of his options on the table in that regard," she added.

ECONOMIC MOTIVES

According to Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the non-profit Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, Iranian protests are fueled largely by economic discontent on issues such as unemployment, the value of Iranian currency, and disappointment with the government's approach to the economic situation.

Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank the Brookings Institute, said that protests in Iran have grown due to public concerns about corruption and lack of economic prospects.

"The country remains mired in weak economic performance, even though many international sanctions have been lifted," West added.

In the eyes of David Pollock, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the scale of the protests, sweeping many provincial cities and towns and involving working-class Iranians, was still smaller than that in 2009.

COMPLEX FUTURE FOR NUCLEAR DEAL

Nevertheless, Trump's efforts to link the protests with the nuclear deal bodes ill, experts said.

"Separate from the economic situation for the average Iranian, much of President Trump's rhetoric has been focused on his skepticism towards the international nuclear deal with Iran and the continued Iranian support for the Syrian government," Mahaffee said.

As Pollock saw it, Trump's rhetoric reflects his strong view of Iran's government as an enemy and a source of Islamic extremism, threatening the U.S. interests in the region and beyond.

"Sanctions against Iran for terrorism and human rights abuses are still separate from the nuclear deal, and I think Congress and the White House will try to maintain that distinction," he added.

Brookings' West also noted that Trump has been very critical of Iran and feels Obama did not negotiate an effective agreement with the Iranians.

"He has threatened to rip up the agreement and continue to maintain U.S. sanctions on Iran. That would destabilize the Middle East and make it more difficult for foreign leaders to trust U.S. agreements," West said.

"If one leader rips up an agreement approved by the last one, it would be hard to maintain continuity in foreign policy," he added.

FUTURE INVOLVEMENT BY U.S. IN IRAN

However, experts predicted that the Trump administration's rhetoric against Iran would more likely be symbolic.

"The U.S. will probably limit its involvement mainly to moral support for the protestors, and mostly symbolic sanctions against particular regime criminals. We will work to bring other countries on board with this, in the UN (United Nations) and elsewhere," Pollock said.

"There may also be some efforts to offer the protestors technical help in getting around regime censorship and cyberattacks," he added.

"Given the history of past U.S. involvement in Iranian domestic politics, the best thing for the United States would be to ... do little to intervene or directly support these protests," Mahaffee said.

West had a similar opinion, saying that "Washington has to be careful how it handles the current protests."

"If it gets involved, Iranian leaders will cite that as evidence of foreign intervention and use that to strengthen their own popularity. They will claim the U.S. is behind the protests and the discontent is not a genuinely grass roots movement," he said.

Earlier this week, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said certain countries are waging a "proxy war" against the Islamic republic via social media and the Internet.

The United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia are behind the recent riots in Iran, he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:04:45|Editor: yan

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LUANDA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Angola Vladimir Tararov said Wednesday that with the Angolan Satellite, known as Angosat-1, in orbit the country is now in the club of space powers in the international community.

In a note distributed to the press, the Russian diplomat confirmed that all components of Angosat-1 are working as planned.

He added that with Angosat-1, Angolans will have access to satellite-based advanced technologies for digital television as well as the provision of internet services for distance education technologies, telemedicine, among other benefits.

Tararov underlined that the increase in the information flow with Angosat-1 will also boost the development of the country with emphasis on the industry, banking services and the country's defense potential.

In the note, the diplomat expressed the readiness of Russia to continue cooperating for the socio-economic development of Angola.

Built by a Russian state consortium, Angola's first satellite was placed in orbit on December 26, 2017 from the Baikonur base in Kazakhstan.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:09:47|Editor: yan

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ROME, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Italy's populist Five Star Movement on Wednesday extended its deadline for rank-and-file members to put themselves forward as aspiring senators and deputies because its server crashed.

Wednesday's crash prompted administrators to postpone the deadline for aspiring members of parliament to sign up from 12 noon to 5 p.m. local time, according to the Movement's blog.

The Movement's new candidates for parliament will be presented publicly on Jan. 19, ahead of Italy's general election on March 4.

The populist, euroskeptic Movement, currently the leading political force in opinion polls in Italy, prides itself on conducting its business online in what it calls a new model of "digital democracy". However this model has been criticized as vulnerable to data breaches.

The Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has said the Five Star Movement may incur sanctions if it doesn't make its online platform secure and guarantee the privacy of its members.

In a Dec. 21 report, the DPA said the Movement's online platform is based on "undoubtedly obsolete" software, making it vulnerable to hacking and identity theft.

The report also says privacy during online voting is compromised because the votes are linked to identifying data such as people's phone numbers, which is a violation of the principle of voter secrecy.

The DPA findings were posted on Facebook on Wednesday by Democratic Party MP Michele Anzaldi. The report stems from an investigation that began when the Movement's online platform was hacked in August 2017 during an online primary to choose its prime minister candidate, Luigi Di Maio.

The Five Stars, who campaign on an anti-corruption, anti-establishment platform, have been widely criticized for fielding incompetent candidates through their online primary system.

Among them is Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi, whose administration has been plagued with scandals, resignations, and mismanagement of the capital's disastrous public services.

On Wednesday Raggi, who was placed under investigation in September on charges of making false statements to anti-corruption officials, wrote on Facebook that she has requested a fast-track trial as she is "certain of her innocence."

Rome prosecutors believe Raggi lied to the city's anti-corruption watchdog when she stated she personally promoted the brother of her former personnel chief Raffaele Marra from the traffic police department to Rome tourism chief -- a post for which he appeared to be unqualified and which came with a hefty salary increase of 20,000 euros, according to Il Sole 24 Ore business paper.

In its online ethics code, the Five Star Movement stipulates that its elected mayors and officials must not "nominate or appoint relatives...of their own or of other administrators".

Marra, Raggi's former close aide, was under investigation for corruption for allegedly taking bribes from a prominent Rome real estate businessman.Warrant issued to arrest MP-elect Silwal

The Nepal Police on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant against former deputy inspector general Nawaraj Silwal, who was recently elected to the House of Representatives on the CPN-UML ticket.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:24:50|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army sent reinforcements on Wednesday to launch a major counter-offensive against the rebels in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of the capital Damascus, a military source told Xinhua.

The military backup forces are amassing near the city of Harasta to unleash a counter-attack against the al-Qaida-linked groups of the Levant Liberation Committee (LLC) and the allied Failaq al-Rahman and push them back from the military-run Vehicle Base in Harasta, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Tanks were seen Wednesday heading toward Harasta from Damascus.

The aim behind the counter-offensive is to defeat the al-Qaida affiliates and secure the surrounding of the base, which was attacked by the rebels late last month.

The Syrian warplanes are heavily striking the rebel positions near the facility to pave the way for the ground forces to storm the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 15 airstrikes targeted areas in Harasta and its surrounding on Wednesday amid intense battles between the government forces and the ultra-radical rebels.

The UK-based watchdog group said 44 government soldiers, including six officers, have been killed in the battles as well as 47 militants.

During the offensive, the militants besieged the base and captured parts of it, according to activists' reports.

The rebels have also captured areas between Harasta and Arbeen neighborhood, cutting the government forces' supply routes to the base.

The base is the largest military facility in the Eastern Ghouta region, stretching from Harasta to Arbeen.

The base contains large numbers of soldiers, including Republican Guards, as well as big weapon depots.

During the war, the base has become a major operation center and supply facility to the Syrian forces inside the Eastern Ghouta region, which contains many towns and neighborhoods.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:29:52|Editor: yan

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JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave a preliminary approval for a bill allowing the death penalty for Palestinian attackers.

Following a heated debate, the bill passed a preliminary reading with a narrow majority of 52-49 vote. The bill still needs to pass three more full rounds of votes before it could become a law.

The new legislation is sponsored by the far-right party of Israel Our Home, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.

Before the vote, Netanyahu told the parliament he supports the bill, saying the death penalty is "justice in extreme situations."

"There are extreme cases, where people commit terrible crimes and don't deserve to live," Netanyahu argued. "We're changing the law for these situations," he added.

Under the bill, military and civil courts could sentence to death a person who was convicted of committing an "act of terror."

Israel's military law already allows the death penalty for Palestinian attackers but only in military court and if the entire judges in the panel reach the decision unanimously.

Under the new legislation, both military and civil courts could sentence a Palestinian attacker to death, with a simple majority.

Israel's security system has not endorsed the new legislation. According to Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper, an assessment by the Shin Bet security service said that such a penalty might have a counterproductive effect.

It would spark a wave of kidnaps of Israelis around the world in order to use them as "bargaining chips" to release convicts from the death row, according to the assessment.

So far, Israel has never sentenced a terrorist to death. The only time the grave penalty was applied took place in the 1961 execution of Adolf Eichman, a senior German Nazi officer who had been convicted of being a major organizer of the Holocaust.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:39:56|Editor: yan

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LISBON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The governing Socialist Party (PS) on Wednesday said it was ready to offer "greater clarity" in relation to a party finance bill vetoed by the president.

Controversial changes to party finance rules were approved by parliament on Dec. 21. But the president of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the bill late on Tuesday, citing a lack of transparency.

The PS parliamentary leader Carlos Cesar admitted to journalists that there had been a "lack of publicity and information" when the new legislation was announced. But Cesar refused to be drawn on whether the PS would redraft the bill.

The new law legislated that the independent Political Finance and Accounting Body approves party accounts at the first instance, in accordance with a Constitutional Court request.

However, it also removed the upper limit on how much money a party could collect through fundraising initiatives and waived VAT on all political party activities. The president demanded more explanation on these two motions.

The Central Social Democratic-Popular Party and the People Animals and Nature Party hailed the president's intervention, having voted against the law in the first place.

The PS, the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Portuguese Communist Party and the Left Bloc all voted in favor.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:49:57|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have captured as many as 70 towns and villages in key rebel-strongholds in northern Syria over the past 75 days, a monitor group reported Wednesday.

Intense battles have been raging since the Syrian army launched an offensive in the northern countryside of the central province of Hama and the adjacent southern countryside of the northwestern province of Idlib against the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee (LLC) and other allied militants.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the government forces are heavily shelling the militants' positions in the southern countryside of Idlib amid bad weather conditions in that part of the country.

Syrian warplanes are also pounding the areas near the city of Khan Sheikhoun and the town of Tamana' in Idlib countryside, said the observatory.

The London-based watchdog group added that the Syrian warplanes struck a museum in the city of Marat al-Numan in southern Idlib a day earlier, leaving big destruction in the building.

Late last month, state news agency SANA said the Syrian forces were making strides in the battles in the countryside of Hama and Idlib with the aim of defeating the LLC, in a triangle of countryside region between Hama, Idlib and Aleppo province in northern Syria.

One of the military goals behind the attack on Idlib is also to capture the Abu al-Duhur Air Base, which will enable the Syrian army to gain the upper hand in carrying out airstrikes on the LLC positions in Idlib.

Idlib has emerged as the main destination of the rebel groups, which have evacuated several positions across Syria after surrendering to the Syrian army.

The area has become a home to several rebel groups from different affiliations, some of which are supported by Turkey, while others, such as the Nusra Front, are designated as terrorist groups.

Still, the area was recently included in the de-escalation zones' deal, sponsored by Russian and Turkey, with Ankara being tasked with guaranteeing the situation there.

It's not clear yet whether the Syrian government forces will launch a wide-scale offensive to recapture the entire province, or just to take some positions in the countryside.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:55:00|Editor: yan

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ARUSHA, Tanzania, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania is set to carry out a countrywide census for hippopotamus and crocodiles in an effort to scale up conservation of the wild animals, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The move comes amid reports indicating that poachers are now targeting the animals for their teeth that have a profitable market in Asia.

Director General of the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Simon Mduma, said in an interview that the hippos and crocodiles' population census will be held between July and August, this year.

He said that funds for the exercise have been solicited and his institution expects to conduct the task during the dry season.

"Unfortunately we got the funds from stakeholders last year when the dry season was over and we failed because the exercise will mainly be done in rivers and it will involve aerial and land surveys," the official said.

According to Mduma, the one-month exercise will start with the hippos and crocodiles located in southern Tanzania's national parks and game reserves and will involve experts from the Tanzania National Parks and the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.

The last countrywide census specifically for hippos was conducted in 2001 and the result showed there were 20,079 of them, according to records.

It is not known how many hippos are left across Africa, but during the past few decades the animal, with a reputation as the continent's most dangerous, more dangerous than lions, elephants, even Cape buffalo, has become increasingly threatened by hunting.

Available data shows Tanzania has a licensing system which allows hunting and sale of hippopotamus teeth collected from animals that die from natural cause.

However, issuance of permits for export of hippo teeth was suspended since 2004, meaning that no hippo teeth were exported legally except those obtained through sport hunting.

Conservationists believe with the existing regulatory mechanism and intensified anti-poaching efforts, the country's hippopotamus population was not threatened by the existing level of legal harvest.

A report dubbed 'Fighting the Underground Trade in Hippo Teeth' released in 2016 by the National Geographic, poaching cartels operating in Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa have recently turned to hippos for their teeth which are curved into ornaments which fetch millions of dollars in Asia.

Records of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora show that between 2004 and 2014, Hong Kong reported importing almost 60 tons of teeth from wild hippos in Africa for commercial purpose, the report said.

Trade figures show that the source countries are now predominantly Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, which monitors the conservation status of species, classifies hippos as vulnerable because threats of illegal, unregulated trade in their teeth, demand for their meat, and habitat loss are likely to continue.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:55:01|Editor: yan

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CHICAGO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural commodities were trading firm on Wednesday morning, with wheat continuing to rise due to severe cold hitting North America.

As of 1540 GMT, March corn was unchanged at 3.5325 U.S. dollars per bushel, March wheat was up 1.75 cents at 4.3525 dollars while March soybeans up 1.25 cents at 9.66 dollars per bushel.

Wheat posted more gains at a relatively lower pace, reaching the highest level in one month over concerns about freezing temperatures in the U.S. Midwest and southern plains.

Traders are worried now that wheat plants without a protective layer of snow could be damaged by the winterkill.

As deep freeze continued in the Midwest, southern plains may get warmer in the coming days, according to weather forecasts.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 00:55:02|Editor: yan

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Britain hopes to strengthen military ties with Kuwait, visiting British Secretary of State for Defense Gavin Williamson said on Wednesday.

He met with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and discussed issues of mutual concern, focusing on military ties.

Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after the meeting, the British official said he hopes his visit to Kuwait, the first since becoming defense secretary, would help build on the excellent military ties between the two countries, to push bilateral ties to new levels.

He hailed Kuwait's leading role in the region through the country's participation in the international coalition to fight terrorist groups, including the Islamic State.

He also praised Kuwait's role for dissolving regional disputes and its well-chronicled humanitarian endeavors.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 01:15:11|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Minister of Reconciliation Ali Haidar said Wednesday that Syria is preparing for the return of refugees from Lebanon, according to state news agency SANA.

Haidar made the remarks when he met with the Lebanese ambassador to Syria, Saad Zakhia, during which Haidar stressed that the preparations are underway for the return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon.

"A Large number of citizens will return soon to their homes in the city of Deir al-Zour, and the southeastern countryside of Aleppo, and the countryside of the capital Damascus, Haidar said.

Zakhia stressed the need for continuous coordination between the two countries in light of the circumstances and changes taking place in the region to find a mechanism for dealing with files of common interest.

As of October 2016, Lebanon hosted 1.5 million Syrian refugees, including 1 million registered with UNHCR, half of them children below 18 years old, along with 31,502 Palestine Refugees from Syria, according to estimates from the Lebanese government.

In October, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said his country can no longer handle vast numbers of Syrian refugees, urging world powers to help the refugees return to the calmer parts of their country.

Last month, Haidar visited areas of Syrian refugees in south Lebanon, calling on the refugees from Aleppo and Hama provinces to return to their home as those areas have become stable.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 01:30:13|Editor: yan

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AMMAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Wednesday condemned a suicide attack on a mosque in Nigeria's northeastern town of Gamboru that resulted in the death of 10 people, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said the repeated targeting of worship places and civilians by the terrorist groups indicate their dark ideologies.

It also necessitates increased coordination and cooperation to uproot terrorism, he said, voicing solidarity with Nigeria.

A teenage male suicide bomber sneaked into the local mosque and detonated an improvised explosive device strapped to his body during an early morning prayer Wednesday.

Altogether 10 people, including the attacker's biological father, have been confirmed killed in the attack.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 01:30:13|Editor: yan

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ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's pro-government forces repelled Wednesday an attack by the Shiite Houthi fighters in the western coast areas in Hodeidah province, killing at least 16 attackers, a military official told Xinhua.

Scores of well-armed Houthi fighters at noon attacked the positions held by government forces near Hodeidah province, sparking an intense fighting in the area, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Some of the Houthi fighters used motorcycles for the first time and a number of snipers were deployed in the outskirts of Hodeidah when they attacked the government-controlled positions, the source said.

According to the source the warplanes of the Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened and provided support for the government forces on-ground by carrying out heavy aerial bombardment against the Houthi positions and armored vehicles.

Several areas near the strategic Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah have been the scene of fierce fighting after the government forces pushed into the province and managed to capture a foothold into some of its key areas.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-backed Yemeni troops and allied anti-Houthi fighters continued their battles in the agricultural areas of Hays in the southern parts of Hodeidah, in an attempt to free the town from the Houthi militants, an army commander told Xinhua by phone.

During the day, battles in and around the farms located in Hays area continued as the government troops faced fierce resistance from the Shiite Houthi fighters in the city's entrances, the army source said.

The pro-government army commander near the scene added that the advance is expected to be slow due to the hundreds of hidden bombs or landmines believed to be planted by the Houthis and also the forces have received orders to spare the lives of civilians trapped there.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops and allied militias have currently been fighting for weeks to reclaim key cities and towns in located along the country's western coast and from Houthis, who attempted to impede the advancement by recruiting hundreds of young fighters from the same areas to join fighting with them.

Observers said that the Shiite Houthi leaders kidnapped hundreds of young people from their schools and forced them to participate in the fighting against the forces of the internationally-backed government.

The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition has intensified military air campaign against Houthi positions in and around the Houthi rebels-held capital Sanaa and other northern provinces since Houthis killed former President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Dec. 4.

The coalition has intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to roll back Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels, and backed internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi whom Houthis forced into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The war has killed over 10,000 Yemenis, mostly children, displaced 3 million, and triggered the world's most humanitarian catastrophe.

Tensions have escalated in Sanaa and other northern provinces after Houthis killed their top ally strongman Saleh after he changed alliance and backed the anti-Houthi coalition.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) attends a Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. (Reuters Photo)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave a preliminary approval for a bill allowing the death penalty for Palestinian attackers.

Following a heated debate, the bill passed a preliminary reading with a narrow majority of 52-49 vote. The bill still needs to pass three more full rounds of votes before it could become a law.

The new legislation is sponsored by the far-right party of Israel Our Home, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.

Before the vote, Netanyahu told the parliament he supports the bill, saying the death penalty is "justice in extreme situations."

"There are extreme cases, where people commit terrible crimes and don't deserve to live," Netanyahu argued. "We're changing the law for these situations," he added.

Under the bill, military and civil courts could sentence to death a person who was convicted of committing an "act of terror."

Israel's military law already allows the death penalty for Palestinian attackers but only in military court and if the entire judges in the panel reach the decision unanimously.

Under the new legislation, both military and civil courts could sentence a Palestinian attacker to death, with a simple majority.

Israel's security system has not endorsed the new legislation. According to Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper, an assessment by the Shin Bet security service said that such a penalty might have a counterproductive effect.

It would spark a wave of kidnaps of Israelis around the world in order to use them as "bargaining chips" to release convicts from the death row, according to the assessment.

So far, Israel has never sentenced a terrorist to death. The only time the grave penalty was applied took place in the 1961 execution of Adolf Eichman, a senior German Nazi officer who had been convicted of being a major organizer of the Holocaust.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 01:50:17|Editor: yan

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AMMAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Arab foreign ministers will meet in the Jordanian capital Amman on Saturday to discuss crisis arising from U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital, official source said.

Six Arab Foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Morocco are expected to attend the meeting along with Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Arab foreign ministers of these six countries are members of a ministerial delegation formed by the Arab League during its emergency meeting in December last year.

The ministers will look into the consequences of the U.S. decision and Arab actions to find a solution regarding Trump's decision that affect Jerusalem and its historic and legal status, the soured added.

At their meeting in December in Cairo, the Arab foreign ministers slammed the U.S. decision and discussed a unified response to Trump's decision.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 01:50:18|Editor: yan

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VILNIUS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania is the only EU country which does not hold any working contacts on political level with Russia, however, bilateral dialogue is needed, Lithuania's Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Wednesday on his Facebook profile.

In his message, the prime minister was explaining his position as regards Lithuania's relations with Russia which he originally expressed in an interview with a local TV broadcaster earlier on Sunday.

"Russia is not an easy neighbor. Nevertheless, communication channels are needed for effective policy, but there are no any in place at the moment," Skvernelis wrote in his Facebook message.

"Straight and principled talking" is better than silence, he noted.

"Russia better understands concrete works and actions aimed at strengthening safety of our country rather than policy of silence," he said.

According to Skvernelis, Ukraine remains to be Lithuania's "most important" partner and territorial integrity of the country must be restored.

The prime minister's remarks during Sunday's TV interview with broadcaster LNK sparked wide public debates in Lithuania.

In the interview, Skvernelis urged to foster "pragmatic" attitude towards Russia.

"We must maintain our strategic limits as regards situation in Ukraine and implementation of Minsk agreements, protection of human rights and respect to international law, however, contacts with neighboring countries must be maintained, and next year (2018) is favorable in terms of making such steps," he said.Israel's Shin Bet Security forces busted an Iran's espionage cell operating in the West Bank and arrested its Palestinian leader. (Reuters Photo)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Shin Bet security service said Wednesday that it busted an Iranian espionage cell operating in the West Bank and arrested its Palestinian leader.

The ringleader, identified as 29-year-old Mohammed Makharmeh, is a computer engineering student from Hebron city, who is suspected of being recruited by a relative living in South Africa and acting on behalf of Iranian intelligence services, said the Shin Bet.

Makharmeh was charged with establishing a cell to carry out shooting attacks against Israelis and recruiting suicide bombers. According to the Shin Bet, he received 8,000 U.S. dollars from Iran for this activity.

The Palestinian youth also recruited an Arab-Israeli citizen to task him with taking pictures inside Israel.

"It was also learned that Makharmeh was asked to work on recruiting residents of Israel, including journalists, in the light of the latter's access to various places in Israel, especially official sites," the statement read.

Israel has long charged that Iran supports Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

According to the Shin Bet, the incident "underscores Iran's involvement in sponsoring terrorism against Israel and exposes Iran's efforts in various countries in order to promote hostile activity against Israel."

Addressing the investigation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of attempting to carry out attacks inside Israel.

"Iran is using terrorism against Israel not only with the assistance of terrorist movements such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad but is also attempting to organize terrorist actions inside Israel and against the citizens of Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement.

On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said three rockets fired by Gaza militants at Israel on the same day were "made by Iran."

Israel is increasingly worried about Iran's mounting presence in its northern neighbor Syria. The Israeli government has moe than once asked Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to ban Iran from establishing a military foothold in the framework of a possible peace deal in the war-torn country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 02:00:20|Editor: yan

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TIRANA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Some 36 tonnes of cannabis were seized by Albanian authorities during 2017, Albanian police told reporters Wednesday.

Authorities also seized 20 tonnes of marijuana last year.

According to police, the drugs were seized in joint operations with Italian police since most of the drugs loads were seized while being transported towards Italy.

In first days of 2018, 1.6 tonnes of cannabis were seized in a joint Albanian-Italian police raid, resulting in the arrest of three Albanian citizens.

The fight against cultivation and trafficking of drugs was one of key objectives set by Albanian government last year.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 02:15:24|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said Wednesday that the enemies of Syria have moved their battle into Iran after failing to achieve their schemes in Syria, according to state news agency SANA.

Referring to the alliance of Iran, Hezbollah and Syria, Mekdad told a visiting Iranian parliamentarian delegation that the victories of the "axis of resistance" in Syria against the terror groups have foiled the foreign schemes in Syria.

Their failure in Syria pushed them to move the battle to Iran, Mekdad said, referring to the anti-government protests that flared in Iran over the past few days.

Mekdad stressed his government's backing of Iran in the face of terrorism and the "riots backed by Israel and the United States in Iran."

A day earlier, Syria's Foreign Ministry slammed the anti-government protests in Iran as a "conspiracy," stressing Iran's ability to foil it.

In a statement, the ministry said the Syrian government vehemently condemns the stances of the United States and Israel regarding the current protest movement in Iran.

It highlighted the "destructive role" of such countries in destabilizing the peace and stability in the region "with the aim of controlling its resources."

The ministry also attributed the role of the U.S. and Israel to their desire to "weakening the axis of resistance in the region following the wobbling of their conspiratorial project and the victory on the terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq."

Iran was a major partner in defeating the Western project in Syria, the ministry stressed, as Tehran has played an important role in shoring up the Syrian government forces in the face of the foreign-backed militant groups in Syria during the country's nearly seven-year-old conflict.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 02:15:25|Editor: yan

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THE HAGUE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Belgian Customs seized nearly 7,000 kg of cocaine in a container with a cargo of bananas at the Port of Antwerp, on Dec. 30, 2017, the Dutch police said in a statement Wednesday.

The statement posted on the website of Dutch police said the cocaine was presumed to be heading for the Netherlands, and there is an ongoing investigation of its exact origin and destination.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 02:20:26|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj said Wednesday that Libya alone cannot deal with illegal immigration.

Serraj made his remarks during a meeting here with Emmanuel Ilunga, minister in charge of Congolese affairs abroad.

According to the media office of the prime minister, the meeting discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries against illegal immigration.

"The normal situation for them (immigrants) is to be in their own countries to contribute to their development or departure in normal conditions without going through risky adventures," Serraj told Ilunga during the meeting.

Serraj confirmed that Libya is taking care of tens of thousands of migrants, despite the current difficult circumstances.

Serraj said that Libya is "unable to handle this heavy issue on its own, with such security, humanitarian and economic burden, and countries of origin and destination must cooperate."

Ilunga said his visit to Libya is to "meet illegal Congolese immigrants and to ask them to return voluntarily to their country."

Due to the insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya became a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, wishing to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores.

An official of the International Organization for Migration on Tuesday told Xinhua that more than 19,000 illegal immigrants have been voluntarily departed from Libya in 2017.Iranian pro-government supporters march during the funeral of a young member of the Revolutionary Guards, Sajjad Shahsanai, in the city of Najafabad, west of Isfahan, on January 3, 2018. (AFP Photo)

DAMASCUS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said Wednesday that the enemies of Syria have moved their battle into Iran after failing to achieve their schemes in Syria, according to state news agency SANA.

Referring to the alliance of Iran, Hezbollah and Syria, Mekdad told a visiting Iranian parliamentarian delegation that the victories of the "axis of resistance" in Syria against the terror groups have foiled the foreign schemes in Syria.

Their failure in Syria pushed them to move the battle to Iran, Mekdad said, referring to the anti-government protests that flared in Iran over the past few days.

Mekdad stressed his government's backing of Iran in the face of terrorism and the "riots backed by Israel and the United States in Iran."

A day earlier, Syria's Foreign Ministry slammed the anti-government protests in Iran as a "conspiracy," stressing Iran's ability to foil it.

In a statement, the ministry said the Syrian government vehemently condemns the stances of the United States and Israel regarding the current protest movement in Iran.

It highlighted the "destructive role" of such countries in destabilizing the peace and stability in the region "with the aim of controlling its resources."

The ministry also attributed the role of the U.S. and Israel to their desire to "weakening the axis of resistance in the region following the wobbling of their conspiratorial project and the victory on the terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq."

Iran was a major partner in defeating the Western project in Syria, the ministry stressed, as Tehran has played an important role in shoring up the Syrian government forces in the face of the foreign-backed militant groups in Syria during the country's nearly seven-year-old conflict.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 02:25:28|Editor: yan

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ANKARA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A warship and two coast guard boats from Greece were intercepted by Turkey's Coast Guard while they were approaching disputed islets in Aegean on Wednesday.

The standoff between vessels from the two countries has lasted five hours, Dogan News Agency reported.

The ships ran parallelly off the coast of Bodrum's Turgutreis neighborhood along the southern Aegean Coast.

The report said Greek boats intended to head toward the disputed islets, Known as Imia islets by Greece and Kardak islets by Turkey.

The islets are a pair of two small uninhabited rocks in the Aegean Sea, located between the Greek island chain of the Dodecanese and the southwestern mainland coast of Turkey.

Greece and Turkey nearly went to war over the islets in 1995.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 03:05:43|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj said Wednesday that improved conditions in Libya will contribute to the return of normal relations between Libya and African countries.

Serraj made his remarks here during a meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.

According to the media office of the prime minister, the meeting discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries against illegal immigration, where the two officials agreed for coordination directly and through the African Union.

"The two officials stressed the importance of the decisions of the Euro-African summit in Abidjan, and the joint action to dismantle smuggling and human trafficking networks," the office said in a statement.

Onyeama and Serraj agreed to repatriate illegal Nigerian immigrants from Libya, the statement confirmed.

"The two officials also discussed economic cooperation. The prime minister welcomed the proposal of organizing an economic forum for businessmen and economic experts in both countries," the statement revealed.

Due to the insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Gaddafi's regime, Libya became a departure point for illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores.

An official of the International Organization for Migration on Tuesday told Xinhua that more than 19,000 illegal immigrants have been voluntarily departed from Libya in 2017.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 03:40:49|Editor: yan

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HOUSTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. refining company Andeavor said on Wednesday that it had agreed to acquire 100 percent of the equity of Rangeland Energy II, LLC, further enhancing its position in the Permian Basin in the U.S. state of Texas.

Rangeland, based in Houston, Texas, owns and operates assets in the Delaware and Midland Basins, including a recently-constructed crude oil pipeline and three crude oil storage terminals.

Houston-based Andeavor plans to integrate the acquired 176-km crude oil pipeline (with ultimate throughput capacity of 145,000 barrels per day) and crude oil storage terminals with its nearby Conan Crude Oil Gathering System, currently under construction.

Once fully integrated, the combination of the two systems will provide producers access to multiple markets by connecting to existing takeaway pipeline systems.

The combined system also supports Andeavor's development of additional gathering systems in the area, as well as enhancing commercial opportunities by providing direct access to the Midland market hub.

Andeavor is a premier, highly integrated marketing, logistics and refining company. Its retail-marketing system includes more than 3,200 stores marketed under multiple well-known fuel brands.

Shale oil production in the Permian Basin, a mature hydrocarbon "super basin" located in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico, reached a new record, averaging 2.75 million barrels per day, exceeding its previous peak set in 1973.

The Permian Basin ranked top among all U.S. shale oil basins in production capacity. By the end of 2018, the Permian surge should push total U.S. liquids production to a new all-time high of 10.5 million barrels per day.

Operators began production in the Permian Basin in the 1920s and have since pumped more than 39 billion barrels of oil there.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 03:55:53|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Libyan army spokesman on Wednesday said that the war against terrorism in the eastern city of Benghazi killed more than 5,000 soldiers.

"All the military operations in the city have ended, and terrorism has been eliminated, after our forces fought battles from the Benina Air Base to Sidi Ekhrebish (central Benghazi)," army spokesman Ahmad Mismari said in a news conference.

"We do not forget the sacrifices of men in this epic battle, after more than 5,000 martyr soldiers were killed and thousands others are amputees for the elimination of terrorism in Benghazi," Mismari added.

The army announced on Thursday taking control of the whole area of Sidi Ekhrebish in central Benghazi, the last terrorist stronghold in the city, after operations that lasted more than five months. Dozens of extremists fled after the army forces took control of the area.

Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and the birthplace of the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has witnessed a three-year war between the army led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar and extremist militants.

In June, Haftar announced the takeover of the entire city of Benghazi and the defeat of rival armed groups. However, some militants have remained in the city, using landmines against his army.

Mismari pointed out that the army "continues fighting against terrorism. We have monitored all terrorist movements and those supporting them." He stressed that the army continues to besiege the nearby city of Derna.

"Sirte Operations Chamber continues to pursue remaining Islamic State (IS) militants in southeastern Sirte from time to time. Security patrols and flights continue, despite the difficulty of the nature and conditions of the area," Mismari said regarding possible IS threats.

In December 2015, forces allied with the UN-backed Libyan government defeated the IS affiliates and expelled them from Sirte, some 450 km east to the capital Tripoli.

The remnant IS fighters fled to the southern valleys and mountainous areas ever since.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 04:00:54|Editor: yan

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OTTAWA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Canada on Wednesday denounced the United States for imposing duties on its some softwood lumber exports and underscored its determination to fight against "protectionist trade practices."

"U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber are unfair, unwarranted and troubling. They are harmful to Canada's lumber producers, workers and communities," Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

The U.S. Commerce Department accused that Canadian softwood lumber is subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. Ottawa denies it is dumping the lumber.

The anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties went into effect on Wednesday, ranging from about 10 percent to nearly 24 percent on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products, which is commonly used in the construction of homes.

Canada launched two challenges against the duties last year through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the trilateral trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The NAFTA dispute panel is expected to make its ruling by fall, while the WTO process could take years.

Freeland said the government of Canada will continue to vigorously defend its industry and its workers against protectionist trade practices.

"Canada will also continue to engage with the U.S. Administration and with American legislators to come to a new agreement on softwood lumber," she added.

The United States is the largest customer for Canadian softwood lumber, while China comes in second place, according to Natural Resources Canada, the federal government's ministry that oversees Canada's forestry sector.

Canada's softwood lumber exports to the United States have fallen since Washington initially enacted its tariffs earlier last year, Canada's national broadcaster, the CBC, reported in December.

The report said the Canadian softwood exports to the United States has fallen by 8 percent in the first nine months of 2017, compared with the same period of 2016.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 04:05:56|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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KAMPALA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Tourism Ministry on Wednesday welcomed China's implementation of the ban on ivory trade, describing the move as "fantastic."

Ephraim Kamuntu, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, told Xinhua in an interview that the ban on ivory trade has been long overdue across the world.

On Dec. 31, 2017, China closed its doors to the ivory trade as it officially became illegal to process or sell ivory and its products in the Asian country.

"It's fantastic. The ban of ivory trade and implementing should have been done a long time. So it's a welcome development by China. Uganda, as you know, we are endowed with elephants and they become easy targets as poachers want to kill them for ivory," said Kamuntu.

"So if there is a ban where you trade it, this is excellent. It helps us who are engaged in conservation. When there is no market where you can take the ivory it helps in conserving the elephants. We commend the Chinese government decision to ban the trade. It's incredible," he said.

By honoring its commitment to ending commercial processing and sales of ivory by the end of 2017, China has sent a "new year gift to the elephant," according to China's State Forestry Administration.

Uganda is mainly used as a transit point for smugglers of wildlife products of the animal species, which are protected by the international treaties, as the offenders take advantage of porous borders in Africa's Great Lakes region to move illegal wildlife products around, according to Uganda's tourism ministry.

"It will help us to stop Uganda being used as a transit point. We are already making considerable efforts to conserve our elephants by closing all the loopholes in which ivory can be smuggled," said Kamuntu.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Tuesday lauded China's ban on ivory trade as a major milestone step.

UWA Executive Director Andrew Seguya told Xinhua that China's decision will go a long way in the conservation and protection of the African elephants.

"It gives us a lot of hope for elephants of Uganda, elephants of Africa and elephants of the world. So we congratulate the Chinese government for that decision," said Seguya.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the population of African elephants declined by 111,000 over the past 10 years. The overall trends in the poaching of African elephants show a decline from the 2011 peak, but are still at levels too high when viewed continent-wide.

China's move affects 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues, with all of them to close, in the world's once largest ivory market, according to the Chinese government figures.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 04:21:00|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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KHARTOUM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Ministry of Minerals announced Wednesday that the country produced over 100 tons of gold in 2017 worth around 400 million U.S. dollars.

"In the past year we produced over 100 tons of gold worth of around 400 million dollars, which is equivalent to the country's oil revenues before the separation of South Sudan," said Sudan's Minerals Minister Hashim Ali Salem in a statement.

He said 80 tons of gold were produced by the traditional mining sector.

He added his ministry is working to remove barriers of investment in the gold mining sector and combat gold smuggling.

Sudan is seeking to make gold a major source of foreign currency after losing three quarters of its oil revenues due to the separation of South Sudan in 2011.Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko (C), who was freed from jail in Russia as part of a prisoner exchange, talks to the media upon arrival at Kiev's Boryspil airport on May 25, 2016. (AFP PHOTO)

KIEV, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government plans to carry out another prisoner exchange with pro-independence insurgents in the eastern part of the country in spring, local media reported Wednesday.

The prisoner swap is expected to happen in January or February, local 112 TV-channel reported, citing a government official.

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, a supervisor for the prisoner swap from the Ukrainian government, Kiev would free 74 rebel supporters in exchange for 29 Ukrainian soldiers and pro-government civilians.

Last week, Kiev and the insurgents carried out the largest prisoner swap since the start of the conflict in the country's eastern part in April 2014.

The rebels in Donetsk and Lugansk handed over 73 Ukrainian soldiers and pro-government civilians to Kiev in exchange for 233 rebel supporters.

The swap deal was nailed during the meeting of the Contact Group on the Ukraine crisis in Minsk, Belarus.

The Contact Group, comprising of Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, is set to hold its next meeting on Jan. 10.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 04:46:05|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Knesset (parliament) vote on the "unified Jerusalem law" breaches the international resolutions relating to the disputed city, spokesman for Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The vote violates the international legitimacy on Jerusalem as a city under occupation," the ministry's spokesman Ahmed Abu Zaid told official MENA news agency.

He added that the bill stands as an obstacle against the Palestinian-Israeli peace process as well as reaching a just solution to the prolonged conflict.

On Monday, Israeli Knesset approved the "unified Jerusalem" bill provided for separating Palestinian neighborhoods from Jerusalem.

It requires the approval of 80 of its members for any decision to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian authority in the future.

The Knesset approval came a day after Israel's ruling Likud party overwhelmingly approved a draft resolution that calls on Israeli lawmakers to agree on annexing Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, which was officially condemned by the Palestinians.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 05:11:10|Editor: pengying

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Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (L) shakes hands with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban during a joint press conference after their meeting in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 3, 2018. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized the importance of the Visegrad cooperation here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Attila Volgyi)

BUDAPEST, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized the importance of the Visegrad cooperation here on Wednesday.

The words came when Morawiecki he met with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban. They also discussed other international and bilateral affairs.

"The Visegrad countries (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) are an important part of the European Union (EU), contributing to economic growth and stability," Morawiecki told reporters at a joint press conference with Orban.

"Concerning the next EU budget, it would be important that the Visegrad countries set up and jointly represent a similar position," he added.

About the Visegrad cooperation, Orban said that the potential enlargement of the group was not on the table, adding: "The greatest virtue of our cooperation is its unity from the perspective of history, culture and economic development, that is why the expansion could endanger its efficiency."

But he said that he was thinking about maintaining an intimate relationship between the Visegrad countries and Austria.

Morawiecki also underlined that Poland and Hungary would like to adjust their position on energy, transport and Brexit.

On that issue, Orban pointed out that the relationship between the two countries would be characterized in the future by big projects, namely in the area of the North-South energy and transport infrastructure.

Another important highlight of the meeting was the question of the settlement of refugees coming to the EU, on which Orban is a fervent opponent.

"While the economies of our countries are working well, the immigration policy of the EU has seen a spectacular failure," Orban announced.

"The borders must continue to be protected, migration must be stopped and assistance should be taken wherever it is needed," he underlined.

"European people do not want immigration, even though some of Europe's leaders continue to push for it," he added. He thanked Poland for the defense of the Hungarian border, which he said made it clear that the protection of the southern border was not a domestic affair but a common European issue.

Orban called 2018 a year of great debates for Europe. "That is why many people will look to 2018 as the last opportunity to make the countries of the region immigrant countries."

Morawiecki said that he fully agreed with the Hungarian position on the migration crisis. "Citizens of sovereign states have the right to decide who they want to live together with," he declared.

He explained that Eastern European countries were doing a lot to reduce the tension caused by the migration crisis.

"We definitely reject the quota," he said. He went on saying that the European Commission had no right to provide such a solution to this question based on the EU treaty.

Morawiecki emphasized that there was a need to help where the problem was. This has already been done through various financial funds, he noted. Evidence is present that this help is effective: "In Italy in the second half of 2017, the number of migrants dropped by 70 percent compared to the first half of the year," the politician said.

Also about the EU, Orban pushed for a more substantial weight of Central and Eastern European countries in the bloc. "Central European economic models work, countries in the region play a stabilizing role in the European Union, so they want to speak louder in EU affairs," Orban pointed out.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 05:46:20|Editor: yan

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by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- After a year of troubled relations, Tureky and Germany have expressed readiness to improve their ties in 2018, which is a must since "they need each other," said local experts.

The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the time has come for Germany and Turkey to return to friendlier relations.

Cavusoglu said he expected relations with Germany to improve in 2018. Turkey had a "good dialogue" with Germany.

"I think both sides are ready to normalize the relations. So I am expecting a much better year in 2018," he said in an interview with the German DPA news agency, published on the first day of the year.

However, the Turkish minister took the occasion to warn Berlin and to insist that if there was going to be a reconciliation, the German side would also have to work towards this vision.

"From our side, we don't see any crisis. Turkey has no problem with Germany. But Germany has a problem with Turkey, and Germany does not miss an opportunity to attack Turkey," he pointed out.

Experts think that it is high time that both sides leave differences aside and start working on mending ties, even if it's not going to be easy.

"We can easily say that in 2017, German-Turkish ties and also Turkish-European Union relations have hit rock bottom," Professor Mustafa Nail Alkan from the Ankara Gazi University told Xinhua.

This prominent expert on Turkish-German relations insisted on the need for the leaderships of both countries to refrain immediately on a bashing rhetoric towards each other which can only be detrimental.

"Warm messages have been delivered in Turkey and Germany. 2018 should be a year to restore the mutual lost confidence in an atmosphere of dialogue," argued Alkan, who pointed out that "Germany and Turkey need each other" since they are major commercial and economical partners.

It was a rollercoaster year in bilateral relations. In February German journalist Deniz Yucel was arrested and jailed on "terrorist" charges, to which Berlin responded as being a "political hostage taking."

But the worst came in April, just before Turkey's constitutional referendum, which granted executive and extensive powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

German municipalities banned Turkish politicians from campaigning in Germany where there is a strong Turkish diaspora of more than 3 million Turks. The Netherlands followed suit.

Outraged Erdogan, who bashed the West for failing to support its regime after the failed coup of 2016, accused Germany and the Netherlands of "Nazi practices," pushing ailing relations to even worse ground amid strong German criticism about the still ongoing and unprecedented crackdown against suspected coup plotters in Turkey.

Political analysts believe that election campaigns last year in both countries (referendum in Turkey and national elections in Germany) had an escalating effect.

"Both countries have succeeded in scoring points in regards to domestic politics. But since there are no elections planned in Germany and Turkey in 2018, it is a good opportunity to improve relations," said political scientist Alkan.

And the release by Turkey of two German citizens held in Turkey in October and December had a positive effect. Also, journalist Yucel was placed under better detention conditions, another favorable sign.

However the indictment is still not there nearly one year after his incarceration.

There are currently still about a dozen German nationals in Turkish detention.

Meanwhile, Turkey wants Germany to extradite a number of people it says are connected to the coup attempt and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Cavusoglu lamented an "Erdogan-bashing trend" abroad and said Germany should treat Turkey as an equal partner and, in the context of relationship normalization, the minister called on German tourists to visit Turkey despite political tensions.

Turkey issued a travel warning for Germany, after Germany issued one for Turkey. "Germany should understand this: If Germany moves one step towards us, Turkey will move two steps towards Germany," said Cavusoglu.

The number of Germans visiting Turkey plummeted over the past two years. In the first 10 months of 2015, 5.1 million Germans visited Turkey. During the same time period in 2017, only 3.3 million Germans visited.

As a sign of the warming of the relations with EU, President Erdogan will visit France on Friday in his first visit abroad in 2018, to discuss bilateral and European ties, the Syrian conflict as well as the fight against terrorism.

"We really look forward to this visit. The talks between the two presidents are expected to be comprehensive and aiming at increasing the bilateral dialogue and cooperation in every field binding our countries," a French diplomat told Xinhua.

France is also Turkey's important commercial ally inside the EU. It will be the Turkish leader's first visit to Paris since two years.

In the last days of 2017, Erdogan expressed willingness to improve strained ties with the EU saying that NATO member Turkey is "obliged to reduce the number of foes and increase the number of friends" amid also a series of differences with the United States which has put their "strategic partnership" in jeopardy.

His comments came after recent remarks by German foreign Minister Gabriel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, encouraging positive relations with Ankara who is officially negotiating its membership to the European bloc since 2005.

But tension has risen after the botched coup has suspended those talks amid growing concern for democratic standards in Turkey.

"No one inside the EU wants to lose Turkey which on her side should seek to normalize the extraordinary situation stemming from the emergency rule" imposed after the 2016 coup, said EU expert Bahadir Kaleagasi.

"The EU project is an essential component of Turkey's ambitions to become a global player," argued this expert calling on European countries to understand Turkey's sensitivities regarding its ongoing struggle against the Kurdish rebellion and suspected coup plotters who follow U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, Turkey's number-one enemy.

Kaleagasi expected that relations with the 28 member bloc could go back to track if Turkey seeks ways of alleviating the scope of the controversial emergency rule until April when the European Commission will publish its next accession report on Ankara's efforts to become a full member.

"In politics, harsh words, even the toughest one can be forgotten, because it all sums up in converging interest and we do have numerous ones with Germany and the EU in general," added professor Alkan.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 05:46:22|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remained deeply concerned about the protection and well-being of tens of thousands of civilians in northeastern Hama and southern Idleb governorates in Syria, following increased hostilities, said a UN spokesman on Wednesday.

The violence has reportedly resulted in scores of deaths and injuries and displacement in the areas, Farhan Haq, UN deputy spokesman, told reporters.

On Tuesday, seven people were reportedly killed and at least 18 others injured after an airstrike hit the Khan Elsobol town in southern rural Idleb. On the same day, 25 people were reportedly injured and several shops and facilities were damaged when shelling hit the main vegetable market in Jisr-Ash-Shugur city in western rural Idleb. Further airstrikes and shelling incidents were reported in the southern countryside of the governorate, said Haq.

The United Nations and its partners are coordinating the humanitarian response in the area through cross-border operations from Turkey, he said, adding that priority needs include shelter, food, medical supplies, water and sanitation and other humanitarian assistance.

"The United Nations reminds all parties to the conflict of the legal obligation to take constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects," he said.

The United Nations is also extremely concerned over a recent string of attacks on healthcare facilities inside Syria. On New Year's Eve, a local hospital in the Idleb governorate was reportedly damaged by an airstrike, while one day earlier a medical warehouse belonging to an international nongovernmental organization was reportedly damaged by barrel bombs, he said.

"We continue to call on all the parties to the conflict to end the destruction of hospitals and other civilian infrastructure that is essential for the civilian population, and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law."Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 05:56:27|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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PARIS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced at the Elysee Palace that a bill to combat the spread of false news during the election period would be tabled.

On the occasion of expressing his wishes to the press, Macron said he wanted to "evolve the legal system to protect the democratic life," adding that the new law should impose "increased transparency obligations on all sponsored content in order to publicize the identity of the advertisers and those who control them, and to limit the amounts devoted to these contents. "

"In case of propagation of false news, we can ask a judge through a new action in summary if necessary to remove the content, to dereference the site, to close the user account concerned or to block the access to website, "he said.

"The powers of the regulator that will be redesigned in 2018 will be increased to fight against any attempt of destabilization by television controlled or influenced by foreign states," he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 06:26:33|Editor: yan

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DUBLIN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian man was arrested after he was suspected to be involved in a stabbing incident that killed one Japanese and injured two others in the north of Ireland on Wednesday, said local police.

According to police, the incident first took place at about 9:00 a.m. local time when a 24-year-old Japanese man was stabbed to death on his way to work in Dundalk, an Irish small town.

Local police rushed to the site immediately after the incident was reported. The man was declared dead after the police reached the scene.

Shortly after this, two separate attacks in the nearby places were reported to police in which two men got attacked by someone with an iron bar.

The injuries received by the two men are believed to be not life threatening, said police.

In a search operation following the report of the three attacks, a man carrying two knives and a fencing post was disarmed and arrested by police.

Initial investigation showed that the attacker is an 18-year-old man from Egypt.

He entered Ireland and arrived at Dundalk on January 1 after he might have been refused in application for residence in Britain, said police, adding that the man had been in contact with police from the immigration section two days ago in relation to a possible application for residency in Ireland.

At a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, police officer Christy Mangan said that the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked and police have so far found nothing to suggest that the victims knew each other.

Police are trying to find out why the suspected attacker was in Dundalk and whom he was associating with, said Mangan, adding that police will speak to the Egyptian authorities regarding the young man's movements.

Police will not release further details about the killed Japanese until his family has been informed, he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-04 07:01:37|Editor: pengying

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HELSINKI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Banks will be closed again on Thursday and Friday in Finland, as the financial sector trade unions and the employer organizations could not reach an agreement in their talks this week.

State mediator Minna Helle told the media on Wednesday that the stands were too divergent for the talk to continue.

The central issue in the talk concerns weekend work. The employees argue that weekend work should be voluntary, while the employers want to have the right to enforce weekend work if there are no volunteers.

The trade unions earlier said they would start a second strike if the talk collapses.

The upcoming strike will follow a similar two-day stoppage last week, but may cause interruption to automated services that largely functioned last week. Technical support personnel is now supporting the strike and parts of the middle management as well.

The strike takes place against the backdrop that EU level payment service decrees are to take effect next year. The banks will then have to make the customers' bank accounts accessible to "third party payment instrument operators", if the customer so wishes. The situation is likely to increase competition in payment services and the banks want to secure the use of their services in all situations.

At the same time, traditional banking jobs are likely to decline as automation increases.By IAN MINIELLY

[email protected]

Bessemer  The city of Bessemer returned from the holiday break and got right back to business with its first city council meeting of the new year. Mayor Adam Zak read a correspondence from Senator Tom Casperson saying the Ojibway prison in Marinesco is not on the chopping block in the event a prison is closed in Michigan. The council agreed this was good news, but also counter to much of the rumors and they would stay cautiously optimistic.

The city received a request for a letter of support regarding the Western Gateway Trail Authority completing the Iron Belle Trail from Bessemer to Ramsay, which they agreed to 5-0. Councilman Rob Coleman said the trail is a huge asset to our community, before describing the many hundreds of people per day using the trail between Bessemer and Ironwood.

Under Old Business, the council discussed the Rules of Order again. Charly Loper, city manager, described the need to adjust the citys methods for dealing with a vacant seat and what constitutes a conflict of interest. Councilman Terry Kryshak addressed the council by saying Michigan ranks last on ethics and transparency, after saying, we live in an era where ethics are being challenged in interesting ways. The council postponed accepting any new language until Loper could rewrite the rules in accordance with the councils wishes. One element of contention is whether the council can force another member to abstain from a vote due to an apparent conflict.

The council passed 5-0 authorizing Loper to sign a memorandum of understanding to pursue becoming a full-fledged Redevelopment Ready Community. Loper said most of what is left to qualify requires man-hours, not dollars so the city should be able to complete the task in the next year. Zak asked if there was any risk or cost associated with not meeting the one year deadline and Loper said they would be able to get an extension, but should be able to make it.

The council votes 5-0 to authorize tax increment financing on a property in the industrial park being retrofitted into an office building by Gogebic Range Bank Brownfield. Using TIF, the city will not receive additional taxes until the debt used to remodel the structure is recouped by the company. The city will continue receiving the same amount of taxes, which allows the company to benefit from a lower tax burden as an incentive to buy and restore an old building into a functioning working one. Neil Beckman, president and CEO of Gogebic Range said they figure it will take about 15 years to pay off the debt. In the mean time at least eight new employees will work at the building in the industrial park.

The Fourth of July and Pumpkinfest Committees are going to move into the the former chamber garage. The locks are going to change and the insurance specifics must be worked out before a final vote can be taken to approve the move, but informally representatives from each committee were in attendance and agreed to the move.

The council also agreed 5-0 hold a public hearing regarding undeveloping the 300 block of North Case Street. The street is too steep it is deemed a hazard. Instead of repaving, the city will plant grass, while continuing to maintain the sewer utilities that run below the current road. A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19, giving the city enough time to notify all the residents within 300 feet of the road of the new plan and time to voice their opinion.

The council discussed repealing some current ordinances to address people filling in ditches and running pavement from their driveways into the right of way. The city wants to ensure the right of way is returned to its normal condition after residents do home repairs through a fee schedule. The council also voted 5-0 to work with the Gogebic Range Water Authority to finance sewer and water line replacement under US 2 during 2021 when MDOT is repaving the highway. This will entail a tentative and subject to change $1 per month increase in sewer and a $5.50 per month increase in water by customers to pay for the repairs.

Under reports, Ray ODea addressed the council regarding the freedom of information act request by Richard Duncanson. ODea said members of the councils personal email communications are safe from disclosure and that many of their communications would also be safe from disclosure based on Frank Communications Exceptions. ODea said people expect their government to communicate and work on things and in so doing, those exchanges are not admissible through the FOIA. This created a new issue during public comment, leaving multiple people in the audience displeased with the answers.By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

Hurley  Even though it cant be the site of Saxon Harbors campground, Iron County has completed the acquisition of a piece of land directly east of the harbor.

The county first began the process of acquiring the 115-acre parcel as part of the larger rebuilding of Saxon Harbor after it was destroyed in the July 11, 2016 storm. The property had been intended to serve as the location for the harbors campground after the county was prevented from rebuilding on the old campground site due to a state law preventing campgrounds from being built in a flood plain without an advance warning system. The discovery of an active eagles nest in May eliminated the property as the site of the campground, as federal law prohibits construction within a certain distance of an active nest.

While the land was no longer suitable for a campground, Iron County Forester Eric Peterson said the purchase continued due to the other potential uses for the site.

What the purchase originally started off as, was a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant; and we were going to use match property  320 acres of Iron County match properties, Peterson said. Then with the discovery of the eagles nest, the urgency to acquire the property went away because we couldnt use it for the campground. But that parcel has long been sought after by recreation groups.

It was these other recreational uses  including the potential for building trails on the property  that ultimately allowed the county to buy the land from the North Carolina-based Forestland Group for $250,000, with the county completing the purchase Dec. 20.

The money to buy the land included a $125,000 Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant from the state of Wisconsin and a $97,500 grant through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. While the exact amount is still being determined, Peterson said the remaining money will come from the North Country Trail Association.

The only money Iron County is out on that parcel is for things like appraisals and some of the legwork that was done last spring when it was going to be our campground, Peterson said. It was money we spent anyway, so when the campground project fell through we werent getting that money back anyway.

So now weve got a prime piece of real estate out at the harbor for public use in perpetuity, he said.

The North Country Trail Associations involvement came through a plan to reroute the trail through the property eventually, although Peterson said he couldnt speak to a timeline as the county wasnt involved in trail construction.

North County Trail Association Wisconsin regional trail coordinator Bill Menke said it could likely be a couple years before the reroute happened.

To be quite honest with you, (rerouting the trail onto the land) is kind of a long-term prospect, Menke said, explaining there has to be a way to get the trail to the property before the route can officially be changed.

The property could also have other trails constructed on it, in addition to the North County Trail.

The North Country Trail is going to be on it for sure. There still may be the opportunities for ski trails, snowshoe trails and all those other things we were talking about having the potential to be there when it was going to be a campground there as well, Peterson said.

He also discussed the possibility of locating some primitive campsites on the property at some point down the road, which would require a smaller footprint than the planned campground.

It will not be motorized camping, Peterson said.Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs

07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0)

Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na...Columbia: Congress hit the ground running for 2018 on Wednesday, with US President Donald Trump facing a two-week deadline to forge a compromise between Republicans and Democrats that avoids a government shutdown and prevents mass deportations.

The new year`s session kicks off with two Democrats being sworn in as new members of the US Senate, narrowing the chamber`s already slim Republican majority just as negotiations over crunch issues intensify.

At the top of the agenda is funding the federal government by a January 19 deadline, after lawmakers were unable to strike a long-term budget deal in December.

Failure to do so would trigger a government shutdown, a potentially costly political outcome for Republicans -- who control both chambers of Congress and the White House -- just months before November`s mid-term elections.

Democrats showed in 2017 that their grassroots activism was getting results in swing states and traditionally Republican territory.

And with Trump`s poor approval ratings, they see 2018 as a prime opportunity to reclaim the majority in either the Senate or the House of Representatives -- or both.

With the budget deadline fast approaching, the top four leaders in Congress -- two Democrats and two Republicans -- will huddle with White House staff Wednesday in the US Capitol in a bid to set budget caps for military and domestic spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2018.

In a note to fellow Democrats on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said she and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer would seek to avoid a "catastrophic shutdown" of the government.

But she stressed they would press hard for parity in military and non-military spending caps, and work to fund several other priorities, including relief for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

"We are fighting for funding for the opioid epidemic, veterans, pensions, disaster relief, National Institutes of Health, Children`s Health Insurance Program and community health centers," Pelosi said.Another critical issue for January is immigration reform. The Senate is expected to take up a bill to regularize the status of hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country as children.

Trump said in September that he was scrapping the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program put in place by his predecessor Barack Obama, but he then delayed enforcement to give Congress six months to craft a lasting solution.

On Tuesday, Trump hinted at the battle that lay ahead.

"Democrats are doing nothing for DACA -- just interested in politics," the president tweeted, saying Hispanic voters will "go hard" against Democrats and turn to Republicans to get results on immigration.

The latest shifts in the Senate may strengthen Democrats` hands in the negotiations and make it that much harder for Trump to push his legislative agenda through Congress.

Doug Jones won a special election last month in Alabama to claim a seat long held by Republicans, while Tina Smith was appointed to replace Minnesota Democrat Al Franken, who resigned over a series of sexual misconduct allegations.

The pair will take their oaths of office shortly after the Senate convenes at noon (1700 GMT) Wednesday, with Vice President Mike Pence scheduled to conduct the swearing-in.

Jones`s upset victory does not change the balance of power in the 100-member chamber, but it trims the Republican Party`s majority to 51-49.

Jones, a civil rights champion and political novice, defeated the Christian conservative Roy Moore, a former Alabama judge who failed to overcome damaging accusations of sexual misconduct including molesting a teenage girl.Lucknow: In awe of women's shuttler Tai Tzu Ying, H S Prannoy has described the Taiwanese world no 1 as a "ninja warrior", whose strokes would be difficult to match even after practicing for a decade.

"Tai Tzu is one player who I think she like some ninja. She plays certain strokes for which you will have to probably practice for 10 years and still will not be able to get hold of them," said World No 10 Prannoy, who has so far notched up 10 consecutive wins in the Premier Badminton League.

"She has got unbelievable feel in her hands and is one girl who enjoys the most when she plays badminton that is what makes her a special candidate. I am glad I am with her in the team and I'm able to play against her in the practice session," he added.

With five super series titles, Tai Tzu has been in stellar form this season and is currently unbeaten with three wins on the trot in the PBL with her last victory coming against India's Saina Nehwal who plays for Awadhe Warriors.

Prannoy feels there is always something to learn from Tai Tzu, whether she is on the court or off it.

"She is always happy with whatever she is doing but and I think that is a very important thing. You need to be happy with what you have and you need not probably spend your time thinking I am not getting this or that," he said.

"I have learnt so much from Tai Tzu and I really glad that I am sharing the dressing room with her," the 2017 Indian National champion said.

Talking about his own stellar form in the PBL, he said, "It is very important I could keep on contributing to the success of my team. It is quite essential that I kind of repay the faith that my team has instilled in me and I am happy to be able to deliver on the expected line.

"And I guess I happy with the fact that I am now on 10 match unbeaten streak in PBL and it is always good to be in the doubles digits than single.Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday gifted free laptops to about 31,000 degree college students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

All the laptops have two stickers - a state government logo and a picture of Siddaramaiah affixed on their top.

"The Acer laptops were purchased through a tender process for Rs 45 crore, with each costing Rs 14,490. It meets the requirement of the students studying in 412 state-run and state-aided colleges and 85 polytechnics across the state," an official told IANS.

The Windows 10 version laptops are configured with an Intel quad processor, 1 terra byte (TB) hard drive, 4 giga byte (GB) random access memory (RAM) and a 14-inch screen.

"All the laptops will be distributed to the SC/ST students in backpacks through their respective colleges across the state under the `Free Laptop Scheme` by the state higher education department in a fortnight," said the official.

Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, made Rs 300 crore budgetary provision to purchase the laptops for 1.8 lakh college students of all categories across the state during fiscal 2017-18.

Though a decision to gift free laptops to students in degree and professional courses was taken by the government in July last year, the scheme could not be fully implemented due to procedural delays.

"The remaining 1.5 lakh laptops for students of general and other categories will be distributed soon, as a separate tender has been floated to buy them," added the official.

In a related development, the state cabinet on Tuesday also decided to distribute bicycles to all students of class 8 in state-run and state-aided schools across the state in 2018-19 at an estimated cost of Rs 185 crore.Chennai: Rajinikanth, who recently announced his entry into politics, met DMK chief Karunanidhi at his residence in Chennai on Wednesday. DMK working president MK Stalin was also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, the actor said, "He is the senior most politician in the country. I respect him a lot. We have a very good friendship. I took his blessings as I am entering politics. I am feeling very happy after meeting him."

Rajinikanth on December 31, 2017, had said that he would launch a party before the next state Assembly polls. Amid a thunderous applause from his fans, he had declared, "I am joining politics and it is for sure."

Espousing a new line of 'spiritual politics', the 67-year-old actor had added that his (yet-to-be-named) party would contest all the 234 seats in the next Assembly polls, due in 2021.

The party would be launched ahead of the state election at 'an appropriate time', Rajinikanth had said. He had also appealed to the people to support him in his venture, which, the actor had said, was not possible for him to do it alone.

A day later, on January 1, 2018, Rajinikanth had launched an Android mobile application and web page to enable people to become members of his fans association which could be later transformed into a political outfit.

He had launched a mobile app 'Rajini Mandram', now available in google play store alongside a Twitter account - @officialairrm and a dedicated web page - Rajinimandram.Org.

The initiative is to enable his fans and the general public to become members of his 'Akila Indiya Rajinikanth Rasigar Mandram' (All India Rajinikanth Fans Association).

(With Agency inputs)NEW DELHI: The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP on Wednesday announced the names of Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta and Sushil Gupta as the party's nominees for the Rajya Sabha.

The announcement was made by Kejriwal's close associate and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

"Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Sushil Gupta are the final names for the three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi, " Sisodia said while addressing a press conference today.

Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta & Sushil Gupta and to be Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Rajya Sabha nominees, announces Manish Sisodia pic.twitter.com/OPFzVxCQD5  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

While Sanjay Singh is a senior party leader, Sushil Gupta is a businessman and ND Gupta is a chartered accountant by profession.

The central leadership of Delhi's ruling party clearly ignored party heavyweight and one of AAP's founding members Kumar Vishwas in the process.

There were several names in the contention within the AAP for the three seats for the Upper House of Parliament that go to polls in the mid-January.

The election has also created a bitterness in the party.

Probably, this could be the reason why the party delayed the announcement of the candidates.

Senior party leader Kumar Vishwas, who has reportedly been at odds with the AAP central leadership for some time now, was earlier considered to be one of the strongest contenders.

Apparently, due to his present equation with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he was not considered for the Upper House.

Expressing his anger for not being named AAP's Rajya Sabha nominee, Kumar Vishwas said that he was punished for speaking the truth.

Extending his greetings to those nominated for the Upper House, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I extend my good wishes to those who have been nominated by the party for election to Rajya Sabha.''

However, hitting out at his close friend and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not nominating him for the Rajya Sabha, the poet-politician said, ''Kejriwal had sometimes back said that I won't kill you but I will make a martyr of you.''

''Today, I have been made a martyr and I humbly accept my martyrdom,'' he added.

Expressing his anger towards the autocratic functioning of the party under Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I have been punished for speaking the truth.''

Kumar Vishwas, a popular AAP leader, however, appealed to the AAP workers to continue their tirade against corruption and one-upmanship in the party.

Apart from him, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh were the other strong candidates for the Upper House.

But, the party this time decided to select candidates from the field of law, economics and social work.

The party had also reportedly approached former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan in October, but he declined the offer.

The move to not field any party leader to the Rajya Sabha is also seen as an attempt to put an end to the intra-party rivalry.

Delhi sends three members to the Rajya Sabha.

Currently, the city-state is being represented by Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi, Karan Singh, whose terms end in January next year.

With its brute majority in the 67-member Delhi Legislative Assembly, it won't be much difficult for the party to get its three members elected to the Upper House.

(With Agency inputs)Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday registered three cases against self-styled godman Virendra Dev Dixit for allegedly sexually abusing women and minors.

The Delhi police rescued 41 teenage girls from Dixit's Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya Ashram in Rohini during a raid on December 21, 2017.

Dixit had allegedly imprisoned several girls at the so-called spiritual campus, sexually abusing and torturing them. The police also seized several objectionable items during the raid.

Delhi Women Commission chief Swati Maliwal later claimed that letters containing "explicit content" written to the female inmates by Dixit were also recovered during the raid.

Buoyed by complaints of rape and sexual abuse, the police then raided two more ashrams run by Dixit at Uttar Pradesh's Siktarbad and Kampil, where 47 women and a minor girl were rescued.

Three girls were also rescued from the Indore ashram in Madhya Pradesh. Two of the rescued are minors.

The Delhi High Court has ordered a CBI investigation into the matter and slammed the Delhi Police for not taking any action on various FIRs of girls and women allegedly lured to an ashram in Rohini area on the pretext of spiritual guidance and raped there.

Dixit is on the run ever since the raids on his national capital-based ashrams last week.

With agency inputsNEW DELHI: Senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas on Wednesday expressed his anger for not being included in Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP's final list of candidates for election to Rajya Sabha.

Extending his greetings to those nominated for the Upper House, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I extend my good wishes to those who have been nominated by the party for election to Rajya Sabha.''

However, hitting out at his close friend and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not nominating him for the Rajya Sabha, the poet-politician said, ''Kejriwal had sometimes back said that I won't kill you but I will make a martyr of you.''

''Today, I have been made a martyr and I humbly accept my martyrdom,'' he added.

Maine jo-jo sach bola aaj uska pururskar dand swaroop mujhe diya gaya. Arvind ne mujhe muskurate huye kaha tha ke 'sir ji aapko marenge par shaheed nahi hone denge' main unko badhai deta hu ke main apni shahadat sweekar karta hu: Kumar Vishwas on AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees pic.twitter.com/Y5Ih33s21L  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Main janta hu aapki (Kejriwal) icchha ke bina hamare dal mein kuch hota nahi, aapse asehmat reh ke wahan jeevit rehna mushkil hai. Main party, andolan ka hissa hu to ye anurodh karta hu ke shaheed to kardia par iss shav se chhed-chhaad na karen: Kumar Vishwas on AAP's RS nominees pic.twitter.com/UeSrir2Swr  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Expressing his anger towards the autocratic functioning of the party under Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I have been punished for speaking the truth.''

Kumar Vishwas, a popular AAP leader, however, appealed to the AAP workers to continuing their tirade against corruption and one-upmanship in the party.

The reactions from Kumar Vishwas came minutes after the party announced the names of Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta and Sushil Gupta as its nominees for the Rajya Sabha.

The announcement was made by Kejriwal's close associate and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

"Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Sushil Gupta are the final names for the three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi, " Sisodia said while addressing a press conference today.

Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta & Sushil Gupta and to be Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Rajya Sabha nominees, announces Manish Sisodia pic.twitter.com/OPFzVxCQD5  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

While Sanjay Singh is a senior party leader, Sushil Gupta is a businessman and ND Gupta is a chartered accountant by profession.

The central leadership of Delhi's ruling party clearly ignored party heavyweight and one of AAP's founding members Kumar Vishwas in the process.

There were several names in the contention within the AAP for the three seats for the Upper House of Parliament that goes to polls in the mid-January.

The election has also created a bitterness in the party.

Probably, this could be the reason why the party delayed the announcement of the candidates.

Senior party leader Kumar Vishwas, who has reportedly been at odds with the AAP central leadership for some time now, was earlier considered to be one of the strongest contenders.

However, apparently due to his present equation with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he was not considered for the Upper House.

Expressing his anger for not being named AAP's Rajya Sabha nominee, Kumar Vishwas said that he was ''punished for speaking the truth''.

Extending his greetings to those nominated for the Upper House, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I extend my good wishes to those who have been nominated by the party for election to Rajya Sabha.''

However, hitting out at his close friend and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not nominating him for the Rajya Sabha, the poet-politician said, ''Kejriwal had sometimes back said that I won't kill you but I will make a martyr of you.''

''Today, I have been made a martyr and I humbly accept my martyrdom,'' he added.

Expressing his anger towards the autocratic functioning of the party under Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I have been punished for speaking the truth.''

Kumar Vishwas, a popular AAP leader, however, appealed to the AAP workers to continue their tirade against corruption and one-upmanship in the party.

Apart from him, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh were the other strong candidates for the Upper House.

But, the party this time decided to select candidates from the field of law, economics and social work.

The party had also reportedly approached former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan in October, but he declined the offer.

The move to not field any party leader to the Rajya Sabha is also seen as an attempt to put an end to the intra-party rivalry.

Delhi sends three members to the Rajya Sabha.

Currently, the city-state is being represented by Janardan Dwivedi, Parvez Hashmi, Karan Singh, whose terms end in January next year.

With its brute majority in the 67-member Delhi Legislative Assembly, it won't be much difficult for the party to get its three members elected to the Upper House.

(With Agency inputs)New Delhi: Indian Railways is likely to rope in big brands like Nestle, Brooke Bond, MTR, Haldirams and others to serve ready to eat meals on train.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to float a tender in the next 2-3 months from the manufacturers of ready-to-eat items to supply their food items directly on trains.

Railways will open up catering business to major players in the food processing industry like Nestle, MTR, ITC, Amul, Bambino, Britannia, Dabur, Defence Research Development Organization, Elite, Gits, Haldiram, Kohinoor Foods and Mc Can Foods.

Sources told Zee news that since a single company will not be able to cater to huge demand, Railways might go for zone-wise or train-wise tender. Though nothing has been finalised as yet, sources said.

Railways had earlier launched ready-to-eat meals in select railway stations and trains on a trial basis. It was being distributed through existing contractors of catering services,

However, after the formal tender process, ready to eat meals will be distributed directly by the manufacturers through their sales representatives on trains.

Ready to eat meals aims at ensuring safe and hygienic food with minimal human/physical interference. Secondly it also minimises the load of pantry car and staff in Railways.

About 23 million passengers travel on Indian Railways on a daily basis. Indian Railways provides approximately 1.1 million meals to passengers every day, out of which one million are provided on board.

IRCTC is also targeting to provide 1 lakh online meal or the E-TICKET catering orders per day in the next couple of years through its e-catering project.

e-catering was launched in September 2014, Currently, only about 7000 meals are being booked online every day with 193 stations and 1516 trains covered under the e-catering policy.

IRCTC has also invited multi-national players operating lounges in airports across the world like French food services and facilities management company Sodexo and Travel Food Services (TFS) to manage its base kitchens. The plan also includes a roadmap to upgrade at least 16 base kitchens.Jerusalem: A top Israeli arms firm has confirmed that India cancelled a USD 500 million deal to develop Spike anti-tank guided missiles and expressed "regret" over the decision just ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first visit to the country.

"Rafael has now received an official notification from India's Ministry of Defence concerning the cancellation of the Spike deal," Ishai David, a spokesman for the Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, told PTI here.

Spike, in use by 26 countries around the world, is said to have been selected by India after a long and rigorous process and after complying with all the defence procurement regulations.

"It should be emphasised that the cancellation was made prior to the signing of the contract and despite Rafael's compliance with all the demands," the company said in a statement.

"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," it added.

The company did not give a reason for the cancellation of the deal.

The cancellation comes days before Netanyahu's four-day visit to India starting January 14 and is likely to be taken up for discussion. Rafael's CEO would also be accompanying Netanyahu.

The company recently inaugurated its facilities in Hyderabad where the project was to be executed but company sources said that it is "designed to accommodate a number of other projects Rafael is engaged in with its Indian partners".

As per the original proposal, India had planned to acquire the ATGMs for the Army at a cost of USD 500 million.

The Indian defence ministry has been strongly pushing for transfer of technology in procuring various weapons and other platforms from foreign defence majors as part of its broad policy initiative to encourage domestic defence industry.

Official sources in New Delhi had earlier indicated that the proposal to acquire the missile system faced hurdles when Israeli side apparently expressed reservations in ensuring full transfer of technology as per the provisions of the 'Make in India' initiative.Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of poaching Sushil Gupta, who has been nominated by the ruling party for Rajya Sabha.

Shortly after AAP announced the names of nominees for Rajya Sabha, Maken took to Twitter to share a conversation of him with Gupta, who recently resigned from the Congress party.

According to Maken, when he asked Gupta the reason for quitting the party on November 28, the former replied saying he had been promised a Rajya Sabha membership.

On 28th Nov, Sushil Gupta came to submit his resignation- I asked him-Why? ,      -was his answer!  -I smiled

   ..-He smiled Less than 40 days-Less said the better! Otherwise,Sushil is a good man known for his charity! pic.twitter.com/DgrYhVaFJA  Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) January 3, 2018

Referring to Gupta as a good man known for his charity, Maken said less said the better, pointing that the former Congress leader has been named a Rajya Sabha nominee by AAP in less than 40 days.

The Congress leader also shared a picture of Guptas resignation letter dated November 28, 2017, addressed to Maken. He also shared a picture of himself along with Gupta.

This came just hours after AAP made the official announcement of its Rajya Sabha nominees. The party named Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta and Sushil Gupta as nominees for the Upper House of Parliament. The announcement was made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

While Sanjay Singh is a senior AAP leader, ex-Congressman Sushil Gupta is a businessman and ND Gupta is a chartered accountant by profession.

The announcement did not go down well with AAP founding member Kumar Vishwas, who addressed mediapersons shortly after expressing his displeasure over exclusion from the list.

Extending his greetings to those nominated for the Upper House, Kumar Vishwas said, ''I extend my good wishes to those who have been nominated by the party for election to Rajya Sabha.''

However, hitting out at his close friend and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not nominating him for the Rajya Sabha, the poet-politician said, ''Kejriwal had sometimes back said that I won't kill you but I will make a martyr of you.''

"Today, I have been made a martyr and I humbly accept my martyrdom," he added.NEW DELHI: Chinese troops infiltrated into Indian territory near Bishing in Arunachal Pradesh in December and almost reached a border village in the Upper Siang district.

However, they were stopped by involving the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army, said a Hindustan Times report on Wednesday.

Locals in the border state confirmed the report of Chinese incursion to the media group and said that Indian security personnel intercepted the Chinese troops near the Bising village along the eastern bank of Siang river.

Road construction machines including two excavators that Chinese troops were carrying were also seized by the Indian soldiers while adding that Chinese army were not allowed to go beyond the Geling village.

The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay.

The incursion is said to have taken around several days ago, at around December 28, said a report.

It is the same time when representatives of two nuclear-armed neighbours held a meeting in New Delhi on December 22.

The two representatives, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Member of Politburo of Communist Party of Chinas Central Committee Yang Jiechi, called to resolve border differences between the two nations at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Upper Siang Duli Kamduk neither confirmed nor denied the incursion report saying, "there is no word from armed forces too". The Arunachal Chief Minister's office too expressed its ignorance on the incident.

China in recent times has increased its road construction activities in the border areas.

In August last year, Indian and Chinese troops had a face-off in Dokalam plateau for 73 days after Indian soldiers stopped Chinese personnel from building a key road close to India's 'chicken's neck' corridor. The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.

On August 28, India announced the "disengagement" between the soldiers of the two countries.New Delhi: Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said the party was opposed it only the criminalisation part of the triple talaq bill.

"We are for this bill, as the Supreme Court deemed the practice as unconstitutional and that is what the bill says, and we agree with it. But when it comes to criminalisation, neither the minority nor the majority judgement (of the SC) mentioned it, which is what we opposed," he told ANI.

"One will realise the motive behind the bill, especially the criminalisation aspect of the bill if he goes into the detail," he added

Meanwhile, a united Opposition on Wednesday had a face-off with the government over the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha and stalled a debate on it insisting that it should be sent to a select panel, as the ruling BJP strongly sought its expeditious passage to stop the unlawful practice.

Amid noisy scenes, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 for discussion and passage, but pandemonium broke out in the Upper House with the Opposition creating an uproar and the BJP countering it vociferously.

The House, which had met at 3 pm after witnessing three adjournments over the Maharashtra caste violence, also witnessed procedural wranglings from both sides.

While the government emphasised the need to pass the bill on an urgent basis citing a Supreme Court judgement pronouncing triple talaq as unconstitutional, the Opposition countered it saying the views of various stakeholders must be taken by the select panel.

While supporting the bill, the Opposition parties especially those from the Congress, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, insisted that it be referred to a select panel for further scrutiny, PTI reported.

As heated exchanges continued despite warnings and appeals, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien adjourned the House for the day, without giving any ruling on the validity of the opposition's motion on the select panel.

The bill, which seeks to make instant triple talaq illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband, was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 28, 2017.

(With Agency inputs)New Delhi: Police raided a red light area in Bihar's Begusarai district and rescued two women who were forced into flesh trade by unscruplous elements. What made the rescue possible was one determined brother who had lost his sister four years ago.

Ram Mohan (name changed) had been searching for his sister for four years but without much success. His hunt though ended recently when he - employed with a local ferry company - landed at a red-light area in Bakhri village and found his sister there. He immediately informed the police.

The local police then raided the area and after a brief scuffle managed to rescue two girls - one hailing from Gumla in Jharkhand and Mohan's sister who is from Sheohar district.

While two people were arrested on charges of indulging in flesh trade, another involved managed to escape.

Initial investigations have revealed that Mohan's sister was lured away by a woman from Haryana on the pretext of job and later sold in Bakhri. The other girl was also lured and then sold off ten years ago.

The police raid in the area may have managed to rescue the two girls but questions have since been raised on why the flesh trade was allowed to flourish for years here.New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address an NRI conclave in Bahrain in the first week of January 2018.

This will be his first visit abroad as the party president and comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the region.

The Gandhi scion will reach the country on the evening of January 7 and will depart from there on January 8.

NRIs from 65 countries are expected to attend the meeting.

Rahul will also meet Bahrain Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and other local leaders.

Later in the day, Rahul will meet local business communities as well.As the hearing for the sentencing of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and 14 others began on Wednesday, the special CBI court issued a contempt of court notice to some senior RJD leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav.

The court found senior RJD leaders Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Manoj Jha and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav guilty of contempt of court.

The CBI court also summoned them to appear before it on January 23.

Reacting to the decision of the court, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who was present in the court premises, told mediapersons that he was yet to get any information about the same, adding that he would respond through legal means if he got the notice.

Meanwhile, RJDs Manoj Jha termed the decision of the court as shocking, claiming that he never said anything about the verdict of the court.

"It is shocking because none of us uttered a single word against the judicial process or the judgement," Jha said.

Reports said that senior Congress leader Manish Tewari was also found guilty of contempt of court by the court.

The leaders were served the notice by the CBI court reportedly for their comments against the decision to convict Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam case.

Meanwhile, the special CBI court deferred the sentencing of Lalu and

14 others till Thursday, reportedly because of the death of a lawyer.

The RJD chief and 14 others were convicted in the fodder scam case by the special CBI court on December 23, following which Lalu was taken into custody and sent to Birsa Munda central jail in the Jharkhand capital.

While Lalu was convicted in the scam by the court, former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra as well as six others were acquitted.

Reacting to his conviction, the RJD chief had said that Lalu was not alone in the dharma yudh and that entire Bihar stood with him.New Delhi: The contentious bill that criminalises instant triple talaq among Muslims, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, is set to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The bill, which makes instant triple illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband, was passed by the Lower House last week.

The government, which has been leaving no stone unturned to get the Bill ratified as a law, has issued a three-line whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament for the next two days.

The bill gives legal right to Muslim women against talaq-e-biddat or instant Triple Talaq and makes the practice a cognizable and non-bailable offence.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill was listed for introduction in the Rajya Sabha by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on January 2, according to the list of business of the Upper House.

However, the bill could not be taken up due to protests and disruptions by the Opposition members on Tuesday.

This bill gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children in the case of instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat.

A victim can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate.

Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form  spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp  would be illegal and void.

Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has claimed that various Muslim bodies in the country would move the Supreme Court if the bill is also passed by the Rajya Sabha.

The bill could get stalled in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks a majority and it may be referred to a parliamentary committee for its review.

But, with the Modi government unwilling to refer it to a parliamentary committee and daring the opposition to oppose the legislation on the floor of the House, the stage is set for a showdown between the Centre and the Congress-led opposition.

Left and regional parties like Samajwadi Party have already declared their opposition to the bill and the focus is on Congress, which seems likely to go with the rest of the opposition.

(With Agency inputs)New Delhi: The proposed US Bill -- Protect and Grow American Jobs  suggesting tweaks in H-1B visa the most sought after among Indian IT professionals  may cause an estimated deportation of 500,000-750,000 H-1B visa holders.

However, the soothing message from Mahindra and Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra may calm panicked gripped IT professionals.

Reacting to the speculated deportation IT professionals on the backdrop of a possible H-1B visa tweak, the Mahindra Chairman said that if that happens, then he would say "welcome".

Mahindra Tweeted:

If that happens, then I say Swagatam, Welcome Home. Youre coming back in time to help India Rise... https://t.co/HD2rhHRxJq  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 3, 2018

The bill proposes new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas. It tightens the definition of visa- dependent companies, and imposes fresh restrictions in terms of minimum salary and movement of talent.

Apart from prescribing higher minimum wages, the Bill places the onus on clients that they will certify that the visa holder is not displacing an existing employee for a tenure of 5-6 years.

The Bill proposes to raise the minimum wage substantially to about USD 100,000 if the company has to be exempted from the labour certification requirements.

Also, the client deploying the H-1B visa worker will have to certify that no American worker will be displaced for the 5-6 year period.

The software services provider will have to notify the US authorities if the client has displaced a worker, an obligation that is unprecedented.JAIPUR: In a tragic incident, at least eight people died and several were injured in collision between two vehicles in Rajasthan's Jaipur.

The mishap took place on Tuesday night.

As per a report, ten people were injured in the accident. All the injured have been rushed to a nearby government hospital.

Some of the injured are said to be in a critical state.

Details awaited.SRINAGAR: The Pakistan Army once again resorted to unprovoked firing along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba sector.

One Border Security Force (BSF) Head Constable RP Hazra jawan has lost his life in during the encounter.

Pakistan Army on December 31 resorted to ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Digwar sector of the state's Poonch district and in Nowshera sector.

Pakistan has continued a series unprovoked incidents of firing along the LoC throughout December. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had reviewed the operational preparedness of the security forces and prevailing security situation in the state last week.

On December 23, four Indian Army soldiers, including a Major, were killed in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army on the LoC in J&K's Rajouri district.

Meanwhile, the United States suspended $255 million military aid to Pakistan accusing the country of playing double games for years.SRINAGAR: Wednesday was supposed to be a special day for Border Security Force (BSF) head constable Radha Pad Hazra  his 51st birthday.

But as he walked towards his post at Dulma Chak in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba sector, little did he know this would be the last day of his life.

At about 4:35 pm, Pakistan began unprovoked firing towards Dulma Chak manned by BSF's 173 Battalion.

Responding to the indiscriminate firing, BSF troopers retaliated and opened fire.

As the firing continued from both sides, Hazra got shot. He was immediately shifted to DH Samba hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead.

Hazra, who belonged to Murshidabad in West Bengal, had been in the BSF for 27 years. He is survived by a daughter and a son.

Over the last few months, Pakistan has continued series of unprovoked firings.

On December 23, four soldiers, including a major, were killed in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army on the LoC in J&K's Rajouri district.SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a noisy scene for the second consecutive day after members of Opposition parties raised slogans against killing of civilians and security situation in Kashmir.

Soon after the Governor walked in to address the joint session, Congress and National Conference (NC) members raised slogans against the state government and flashed placards against government's failures.

Opposition members disrupted proceedings in the Assembly after the Speaker disallowed discussions on civilian killings and a spike in militancy-related incidents in the valley.

The opposition members stood up from their seats and caused an uproar as Speaker Kavinder Gupta disallowed an adjournment motion moved by the National Conference (NC), Congress and Yusuf Tarigami of the CPI(M).

Not heeding the sloganeering, Vohra continued with his the address. But the entire opposition walked out on him.

"The appointment of the special representative by the union government to hold talks with the people belonging to all shades of opinion is recognition of the concern for widening the constituency of peace and include even those who may have contrary ideological convictions," Vohra said.

Appealing to all those who had earlier refused to be part of the peace process, Vohra urged them to come forward and accept the Special Representative's offer for engaging in dialogue.

The House was scheduled to take up a discussion on Governor NN Vohra's address made in the legislature on Tuesday.

Earlier, the National Conference submitted a memorandum to the governor, saying the present government has brought the state to a pass where the identity of the state and its constitutional status is under threat.

Around 400 people were killed in violence in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017, including terrorist and soldiers of the Indian security forces.

This unprovoked firing has been continuously witnessed from the Pakistani side across the border, in which many Indian security personnel and civilians have lost their lives.

The ceasefire violations, which amounted to 228 in 2016, have reached 503 this year (till October 5).MANGALURU: The Karnataka Police on Wednesday arrested two activists of a right-wing Hindu outfit for reportedly assaulting two teenage girls after they interacted with Muslim youths here.

The incident took place on Tuesday, police said.

"We have arrested two men who were assaulting two young students at Pilikula (northeastern part of Mangaluru). The men claim to be members of Hindu organisation Bajrang Dal," Mangaluru Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh said.

A complaint was registered against the accused under Sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement) and 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person).

"The youngsters studying at a Pre-University (PU) college in Talipady (about 23km south of Mangaluru) are said to have been attacked for meeting their male friends, who are Muslims," the police official said.

An inquiry has been launched into the incident.

Meanwhile, a video showing four men, with one of them assaulting the students, was shared on social media on Tuesday.

The video also shows a policeman trying to stop the men.Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday conducted a surprise visit to check facilities at a night shelter for homeless near Balrampur hospital in Lucknow.

Last week, the chief minister had ordered a slew of relief measures for the homeless and poor as the state reeled under cold weather conditions.

A large part of North India, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, continued to remain under the grip of cold wave, affecting daily life.

Adityanath had asked all district magistrates to make proper arrangements for poor and destitute in every district. The arrangements included night shelters, lighting up bonfires and distributing free blankets, etc.

He said that officials should also monitor relief measures in a sustained manner, warning them to avoid callousness.

On Tuesday, the chief minister, who is also the head priest of the Gorakhnath temple, visited the Gorakhpur shrine and offered his prayers on the second day of 2018. He further interacted with the public at Gorakhnath temple and was briefed by officials about preparations regarding Makar Sankranti celebrations, Khichdi Mela and Gorakhpur Mahotsav which will be held from January 11 to January 13.

With agency inputsMumbai: Normal life was hit in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra during a bandh called by Dalit parties on Wednesday. It was called off later in the day.

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and BR Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar had called for the bandh to protest against the state government's 'failure' to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district on January 1, 2017.

Later, announcing the bandh withdrawal, he alleged right-wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote were behind the Pune violence and demanded that they be arrested.

Violence had erupted when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the forces of the British East India Company defeated the Peshwa's army. Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces.

On 1 January 1927, Dr BR Ambedkar had visited the memorial obelisk erected on the spot which bears the names of the dead including nearly two dozen Mahar soldiers.

Following are the top developments:

- Dalits staged protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

- Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning but were moved from the spot by police.

- Protesters jumped on rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said.

- On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara station.

- Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said, as per PTI.

- Mumbai police registered nine cases on Wednesday in connection with violent protests in the city on Tuesday. Over 150 people have been detained in the city since Tuesday, police said.

- The Eastern Express Highway was blocked for over five hours as protesters blocked it, police said.

- Over 50 BEST buses were vandalised by protesters and four bus drivers were injured, police added.

- Protests also took place in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Nanded, Parbhani, Washim, Akola, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Kolhapur, where incidents of roadblocks, vandalising and stone pelting were reported, police said.

- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said those responsible for the caste violence in Pune will face action and the matter will be taken to its logical end.

- He added that the state government will soon approach the Bombay High Court, asking it to name a sitting judge to probe the violence at Bhima-Koregaon.

(With PTI inputs)Mumbai/New Delhi: Dalit leaders have called for a state-wide bandh across Maharashtra on Wednesday to protest against the violence that broke out during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune on Monday and later spilled into Mumbai and other parts of the state.

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The call for bandh has been made by Prakash Ambedkar, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and grandson of BR Ambedkar.

He called for 'Maharashtra bandh' to protest against the government's "failure" to stop the violence.

Several towns and cities in Maharashtra were on edge on Tuesday as Dalit protests against Monday's deadly violence in Pune spilled over to capital Mumbai, with agitators damaging scores of buses, and disrupting road and rail traffic.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead.

In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

Over 160 buses were damaged in Mumbai by rampaging protesters, of which 100 were detained, police said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the Pune violence, has meanwhile appealed for calm.

He said it needed to be ascertained if there was a conspiracy behind Monday's violence.

Fadnavis also announced that a Rs 10 lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh too spoke to Fadnavis by phone from New Delhi to take stock of the situation.

Singh was told that everything was under control and all possible efforts were being made to restore normalcy, sources in the Home Ministry told PTI.

Dalit groups were celebrating the bi-centenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, which the forces of the British East India Company had won over those belonging to the Peshwa.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory was seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi called the event to celebrate the Bhima-Koregaon battle as a "potent symbol" of resistance to RSS-BJP's "fascist vision".

In Mumbai, protesters disrupted road traffic in the suburbs and local train services on the Harbour Line. They blocked roads in several areas, forced shops to shut down, and also attacked a journalist of a television news channel.

Protesters staged a rail roko in Chembur.

Groups of protesters held demonstrations in Chembur, Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi, police said.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Priyadarshini, Kurla, Sidharth Colony and Amar Mahal areas on the Eastern Express Highway, took out processions and raised slogans against the government and the administration.

Protests were also held in Kolhapur, Parbhani, Latur, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Hingoli, Kolhapur, Nanded and Thane districts, police said.

Heavy security was deployed in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.

The Mumbai Police, meanwhile, issued a statement appealing to people not to believe in rumours and verify facts with the police before posting anything on social media.

Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar visited Bhima-Koregoan and neighbouring villages and said the situation was under control.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar blamed the administration for Tuesday's violence and demanded a probe into the incident.

Appealing for peace, Pawar said such situations need to be defused patiently by those in political and social spheres without any provocative speeches being made.

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan condemned the violence and urged people not to believe in rumours.

Antisocial elements were trying to create tensions between Dalits and Maratha communities for political benefit, he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said the violence was unfortunate and condemnable.

AAP spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon said the Fadnavis government failed to keep the peace.

"The attack has resulted in unrest across the state between upper caste Hindus and Dalits," she said.

(With Agency Inputs)Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government would conduct an inquiry into the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra.

"An inquiry will be conducted in the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra. We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence," he said, ANI reported.

CM @Dev_Fadnavis appeals for peace and unity to all and assures that complete investigation will be taken to logical end. #BhimaKoregaon pic.twitter.com/kjEyKObGQu  CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 3, 2018

Earlier, Fadnavis had ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID)-led probe into the death of a youth in Bhima Koregaon violence. He has also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim`s kin.

Meanwhile, protesters attacked buses, stopped suburban trains and blocked roads at various places in Mumbai on Wednesday as normal life was hit in the city and other parts of Maharashtra during a bandh called against Pune violence.

The bandh was called off later in the day.

Dalits staged protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim, police said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to block the Western Express Highway in the morning but were moved from the spot by police.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said, as per PTI.

Protesters jumped on rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours, the official said.

On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and BR Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar had called for the bandh to protest against the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district two days ago.

Later, announcing the bandh withdrawal, he alleged right-wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote were behind the Pune violence and demanded that they be arrested and made to face the same legal process as Mumbai blasts accused Yakub Memon.

(With Agency inputs)MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: The bandh called by Dalit outfits across Maharashtra to protest against Pune's Koregaon-Bhima violence has severely affected the normal life on Wednesday. As per reports, inter-state bus services have been affected, several BEST buses have been vandalised and metro rail operations have been blocked at various places in Mumbai.

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According to reports, Mumbai and Thane were the worst hit as protests by the Dalit outfits intensified.

Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed in Thane and security has been tightened in sensitive areas after Pune's Koregaon-Bhima violence spread to other parts of Maharashtra.

Today's Maharashtra bandh started with attempts to block suburban train services in Thane and Palghar and processions in Mumbai and elsewhere amidst tight security across the state.

Groups of Dalit activists jumped on the railway tracks, shouting slogans and waving flags to attempt a rail-blockade at Thane and Virar stations in Palghar, but were prevented by the security forces.

In Mumbai, colleges and schools opened as usual but school buses stayed off roads as a precaution. One private school bus was stoned in Chembur but there were no injuries.

Though many taxi-auto rickshaw unions have supported the shutdown, the city's lifeline, the suburban trains and the BEST (Bombay Electric Supply And Transport) buses services were plying near-normally.

Some autos and taxis were seen plying in various areas, but the famed 'Dabbawalas' cancelled their services for the day.

Many shops and establishments also opened for work as usual in the city and suburbs and there were the familiar crowds on roads and highways.

The shutdown evoked a greater response in rural areas compared to urban pockets of Thane, Nagpur, Pune and other cities.

The coastal Konkan region reported a near-total shutdown, as also Dalit strongholds of Marathwada like Beed, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Palghar.

Internet services were suspended in Aurangabad for the day.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses in some sensitive districts have been suspended as a precaution after it suffered damages to 187 buses in Tuesday's violence.

The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar - the grandson of Bharat Ratna BR Ambedkar, called for a 'peaceful Maharashtra shutdown' on Wednesday to express anger over the Pune incidents of January 1.

The shutdown call has elicited support from various Dalit parties, Leftist parties, some Maratha groups with the likelihood of other parties supporting it.

(With IANS inputs)Pune: Barring a couple of incidents of stones being pelted on public transport buses, the "bandh" in Pune started on a peaceful note.

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The shutdown received a mixed response in the city since morning with some shops doing business with their shutters partially up.

Additional Commissioner of Police (South/North Region) Ravindra Sengaonkar said that there were two instances of stone-pelting, one in Sukhsagar Nagar and second in Singhgad Road on buses of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited.

According to PMPNL, since Tuesday, 42 buses from its fleet were stoned and since Wednesday morning, the number of buses being hit by stones stood at around 10 to 12.

"Buses are being plied under instructions from the police," said a PMPMl officer.

Several private schools remained shut as a precautionary measure despite there being no official holiday being declared for educational institutions.

According to the officials of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the supply of vegetables reduced by 20 per cent.

"On an average day, we receive 1000 trucks of vegetables and agriculture produce from various parts of the state. In wake of the bandh, the supply dropped by 20 per cent today," said an APMC officer bearer.

According to Savitribai Phue Pune University (SPPU), a paper of Masters of Pharmacy scheduled for Wednesday was postponed.

Meanwhile some Dalit organizations have decided to march to Milind Ekbotes house but Sengaonkar said that no such permission would be granted.

Ekbote along with another Hindutva outfit leader Sambhaji Bhide alias Bhide Guruji were booked under relevant sections of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly orchestrating the violence in Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

"There is adequate police bandobast deployed in the city and we appeal to the people to not take law into their hands," Sengaonkar appealed.Mumbai: Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh President Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday called off the Maharashtra bandh which left large parts of Mumbai and rest of the state virtually paralysed for many hours.

"The shutdown was peaceful and has evoked a huge response all over. I thank all my supporters for making it a success," Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, told media persons. He also demanded that the state government should slap murder charges on the perpetrators of the violence and subsequent death of a youth in Koregaon-Bhima incident of January 1, 2017.

He further said that the shutdown action was not only for the Dalit cause but to highlight the plight of the state`s downtrodden people and seek justice for them, IANS reported.

Incident that led to Maharashtra bandh:

The bandh was called to protest the violence that occurred at Bhima-Koregaon near Pune. Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of 'right-wing Hindu organisations' during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district left a man dead.

In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of 'British victory' in the battle.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the violence. He has also said that a Rs 10 lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.

Maharashtra bandh turns violent, rail, road traffic hit:

On the other hand, the Maharashtra bandh turned violent on Wednesday even as rail and road traffic was disrupted in Mumbai city. Normal life in Mumbai was disrupted as protesters attacked city buses, stopped suburban local services and blocked roads at various places.

Dalits began protests in suburban Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kamraj Nagar, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Kandivali, Jogeshwari, Kalanagar and Mahim. In view of protests in the city and suburbs, police had diverted traffic for smooth vehicular movement.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported at a few places on the harbour line, police said, as per PTI.

Protesters jumped on the rail tracks of harbour line at Govandi, Mankhurd and Kurla, due to which suburban services towards Panvel, Belapur and Vashi were stopped for a few hours. Similar protests at Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar stations on Central Railway line led to a long queue of trains on tracks.

CM Fadnavis has said that inquiry will be conducted in the incidents of violence in the state. "We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence," he said.

See pics  Unruly scenes of vandalism in Mumbai's streets

Hundreds of commuters were spotted walking on the railway tracks. On the Western Railway, protesters obstructed services at Nallasopara Station.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service BEST were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

(With Agency inputs)Mumbai: Flight operations at the Mumbai airport were hit on Wednesday due to the Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit leaders.

Twelve flights were cancelled and 235 delayed, PTI reported.

As many as 182 flight departures and 53 arrivals at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) were delayed till around 1600 hours on Wednesday, according to a website tracking real-time flight status at airports across the world.

Of the 12 cancelled flights, seven were departures and five were arriving ones, as per the website.

However, later in the evening on Wednesday, a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson said the "flights (are) landing and taking off on time".

Earlier, crew members of various airlines had reported late at the airport due to traffic disruptions.

#FlyAI :In view of the ongoing unrest in Pune & Mumbai, applicable penalties of re-issuance, date change, no-show, cancellation & refund charges for travel from/to Pune & Mumbai for both Dom & Intl flts stand waived on all tkts issued on/before 02 Jan18 for travel till 04 Jan18  Air India (@airindiain) January 3, 2018

#9Wupdate Due to unrest in Mumbai, Pune & Aurangabad, weve extended the waiver on change and cancellation charges, including fare difference if any, on all confirmed tickets for flights to and from Mumbai, Pune & Aurangabad, on 4th January, 2018.  Jet Airways (@jetairways) January 3, 2018

#6ETravelAdvisory: For assistance, reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, chat with us https://t.co/ohwG3HzXGX or call us at +91 9212783838. pic.twitter.com/r16TtVQvbC  IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 2, 2018

Meanwhile, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar - the grandson of Bharat Ratna BR Ambedkar, on Wednesday called off the bandh. The shutdown had elicited support from various Dalit parties, Leftist parties, some Maratha groups.

The bandh was called to protest the violence that occurred at Bhima-Koregaon near Pune on January 1, 2017. Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of 'right-wing Hindu organisations' during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead.

See pics  Unruly scenes of vandalism in Mumbai's streets

In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the violence. He has also said that a Rs 10 lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.

(With Agency inputs)MUMBAI: Services of at least 50 local trains were affected after protesters took to streets calling a city-wide bandh over Pune's Koregaon-Bhima violence in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Protesters stopped trains between Churchgate at Goregaon and towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station.

With protests squatting on tracks, local trains running towards CSMT were forced to halt at several stations. Services of all suburban AC local EMUs were cancelled for the day in view of safety.

See pics  Unruly scenes of violence in Mumbai's Vikhroli

By 4 pm, both Central and Western Railways took to social media informing that normal services have resumed and there's no disruption on suburban and long distance trains.

There is no disruption on WR section in Mumbai.Suburban & Long Distance services are running on all lines. Efforts being made to provide local trains at regular interval/every 10 mins during evening peak hours. Administration & Security Forces on alert & monitoring the situation  Western Railway (@WesternRly) January 3, 2018

All paths clear on Central Railway. Services are being normalised. No need to panic... we are committed to ensure smooth operations of trains  Central Railway (@Central_Railway) January 3, 2018

"Many protestors have come from distant places and gathered at Ghatkopar to make their bandh a success. We are persuading them to not stall trains," as per IANS.

The Dalit protesters halted several Mumbai local trains and pelted stones.Mumbai: Suburban train services were disrupted at Ghatkopar station on Wednesday morning due to the bandh called by Dalit outfits in Maharashtra.

Train services on Central Railway's mainline towards CSMT was affected, in turn delaying thousands of office-goers.

Officials said that local trains running towards CSMT were halted at several stations because of the protestors squatting on the tracks. There was heavy deployment of railway police as well as Railway Protection Force personnel at the stations, officials said.

A railway police official on duty at Ghatkopar said, "Many protestors have come from distant places and gathered at Ghatkopar to make their bandh a success. We are persuading them to not stall trains," as per IANS.

The bandh was called on Wednesday by several Dalit groups protesting against the violence that occurred at Bhima-Koregaon near Pune on January 1, 2017.

Protests broke out in several towns and cities in Maharashtra on Tuesday when after Monday's violence in Pune spilled over to capital Mumbai.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of 'right-wing Hindu organisations' during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead.

In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the violence.

(With Agency inputs)New Delhi: We all know about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan's adorable daughter Aaradhaya. While Abhishek keeps sharing adorable pictures of his darling daughter on social media, Aishwarya was quoted telling a leading daily she has a soul connection with Aaradhya.

However, the actress's name has been dragged into a controversy which is rather bizarre. As per a Pinkvilla report, a young man in Andhra Pradesh claims that his mother is none other than Aishwarya! The man, Sangeeth Kumar says that he was born in 1988 in London and claims to have been raised by Aishwarya's parents - Vrinda and Krishna Rai after being born through IVF.

Well, this is a bizarre claim as the person alleging Ash to be his mother is 29-year-old and Aishwarya, who is 44 at present would have been barely 15 at the time of his birth.

The report further tells that the man said his father, later brought him to Vishakhapatnam and that he has been living there since then.

The 29-year-old, however, has no documents to prove his statements. He has held his relatives responsible for the destruction of vital documents.

We wonder how Aishwarya will react to this man's bizarre claim.Mumbai: Rumoured lovebirds Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh reportedly ringed in the New Year in Sri Lanka. The couple is expected to continue their vacation in the island country and return only after a few days.

Latest buzz suggests that Deepika will celebrate her birthday with her rumoured beau in Sri Lanka and only then return to India.

Ranveer was seen at an airport in Sri Lanka last week on Thursday along with Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani. Deepika, who was holidaying in Vienna, flew to Sri Lanka to spend time with Ranveer.

The couple is going snorkelling, and will spend time with each other. There are people in Sri Lanka who can identify them, but then its also a country that lets people be at peace, and doesnt intrude on privacy. So, they will be able to spend quality time with each other, a leading daily quoted a source as saying.

Deepika, who will turn 32 on January 5 has been dating Ranveer since Goliyon Ki Raasleela  Ram Leela days. The two had set the silverscreen ablaze with their sizzling hot chemistry in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial. They spun the same magic as Bajirao Mastani in SLBs next! They even played man and wife in Homi Adajanias Finding Fanny (read: Ranveer made a cameo appearance which lasted just for a few seconds).

And now the rumoured couple is awaiting the release of their upcoming film  Padmavat  another Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial which has been in the eye of storm since the inception.

Interestingly, Ranveer and Deepika dont share screen space in the film. The dimpled beauty, who plays Rani Padmavati has been paired opposite Shahid Kapoor who essays Maharawal Ratan Singh while Ranveer portrays the character of Alauddin Khilji.New Delhi: China's space program has been subject to immense appreciation as well as criticism. However, that is far from keeping them from tackling the competitive space race head-on.

After already landing a rover on the moon in the past, China still has its eyes set on the lunar body. In December 2016, China announced its plans to launch a lunar probe in 2018 to achieve the world's first soft landing on the far side of the moon to showcase its ambitious space programme.

Now, the time has come for the country to take their lunar dreams a step further with the Chang'e 4 project.

This is a move that has not been made by anyone or any nation before and with this mission, China will outdo the historical achievements of the US and the USSR.

This will be the fourth mission in a series named after the Chinese moon goddess.

The Chinese are pushing back the frontier with such a technically challenging mission, Brian Harvey, space analyst and author of China in Space: The Great Leap Forward, told The Guardian.

According to news.com.au, June 2018 will witness the lift off of the first component of Change 4  a relay satellite. The satellite will be stationed some 60,000 km behind the moon and will provide a communications link between Earth and the lunar far side.

Once this link is established, it will allow China to send the second part of the mission: a lander to the far sides surface.

In 2013 Change 3, deploying the Jade Rabbit rover, made headlines around the world for the first soft landing on the moon since 1976.Mumbai: The state-wide shutdown called by Dalit groups on Wednesday disrupted the shooting schedule of film and TV projects in Mumbai.

The shooting of three television shows "Piyaa Albela", "Aisi Deewangi Dekhi Nahi Kahi" and "Kundali Bhagya", was interrupted, while some of the shoots went on as per schedule.

According to a channel source, the cast and crew of Zee TV's popular show "Kundali Bhagya" reached for the schedule at the Killick Nixon studio in Marol, but the protesters started pelting stones and disrupted the shoot, IANS reported.

The shoot of "Piyaa Albela", which was supposed to happen at the Basra Studio, had to be rescheduled. It is shot at a studio located in Kandivali where violence has been reported.

At the "Aisi Deewangi Dekhi Nahi Kahi" shoot at the Future Studio, located at Goregaon East, work was disrupted because of stone-pelting by the protesters, the channel source said.

See pics  Unruly scenes of vandalism in Mumbai's streets

Two film-related events were also been cancelled to avoid the disrupted situation in the city. "Due to Maharashtra bandh today, we have decided to push our 'My Birthday Song' trailer release to tomorrow January 4, 2018. Thank you," tweeted the movie's producer and actor Sanjay Suri.

Due to #MaharashtraBandh today we have decided to push our #MyBirthdaySongTrailer release to tomorrow 4th Jan '2018 Thank you.  sanjay suri (@sanjaysuri) January 3, 2018

Even the song launch of director Luv Ranjan's upcoming film "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" was cancelled. Protesters had also gathered outside the Film City gate.

Asked if the shooting is affected by the situation, Ashoke Pandit, member of Indian Films and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) said, "Shootings at Film City, Madh area have been cancelled as the unit members, especially the actors, could not reach the venue due to the situation outside." He had also tweeted, "Film and TV shootings have come to a halt."

#Film & #Tvshootings have come to a halt at #FilmCity #Madh & other locations as the unit members couldnt reach the sets and due to fear of violence. #Sad. #BhimaKoregaonViolence  Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) January 3, 2018

Other film celebrities like Rahul Dholakia, Anubhav Sinha and Pulkit Samrat also condemned the Maharashtra shutdown.

Caste Politics, Hindu-Muslim politics- and Class politics - will eventually Destroy India. The Power to rule is dangerous!! CINEMA doesn't Kill Politics Does !  rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) January 2, 2018

The only good outcome of the tragedies for the past two days in Maharashtra is that People are now openly criticizing 'Divisive Politics'.  Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) January 3, 2018

And now the mortals of same faith fight over caste! We can find a reason. Always! Sigh....!! #MaharashtraBandh  Pulkit Samrat (@PulkitSamrat) January 3, 2018

The bandh was called on Wednesday by several Dalit groups protesting against the violence that occurred at Bhima-Koregaon near Pune on January 1, 2017.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of 'right-wing Hindu organisations' during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead.

In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the violence. He has also said that a Rs 10 lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.

(With Agency inputs)Lucknow: A criminal carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh was shot dead while an inspector and a constable were injured during a gun battle in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district early on Wednesday, police said. The injured constable subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

The killed criminal, Sabir, was wanted in many cases of murder, extortion and kidnapping in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head.

Sabir, who belonged to the Mukeem Lala gang, had escaped from police custody in Barabanki 10 months ago and police had been looking for him ever since, a police officer said. After a tip, the Special Operations Group and personnel from various police stations surrounded Sabir's house in Kairana area of Shamli around Tuesday midnight.

Sabir, who was with his wife, allegedly opened fire injuring the two policemen. He then tried to escape by jumping off the roof but the police team shot him dead.

Constable Ankit, along with Inspector Bhagwat Singh, were injured in the gunfight.

The constable was critically wounded with bullet injuries to his chest and head and was rushed to a private hospital in Meerut. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to the Fortis Hospital in Noida.

Despite best efforts, Ankit died at around 10.30 p.m. in the Noida hospital, said Principal Secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar.

He is survived by his wife, son (4) and daughter (6).

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has granted an ex-gratia of Rs 40 lakh to slain constable's wife while Rs 10 lakh will be given to his parents.

The inspector is out of danger.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam to determine the state`s original inhabitants is a conspiracy to drive away Bengalis from there.

She also urged her party MPs to stage a protest demonstration on the issue outside the Parliament on Thursday.

"Look at Assam. `Bangali Khedao` (expell the Bengalis) is going on there. There is a conspiracy in Assam to drive away the people who are staying there for the last 30-40 years. 1.25 crore people might be driven away from there in the name of the Citizenship Act," Banerjee said comparing the NRC with 1960s `Bongal Kheda` ethnic cleansing movement in Assam that drove away nearly 50,000 Bengalis from there.

"I urge the Trinamool Congress MPs to demonstrate under the Gandhi statute outside the parliament in Delhi," she said while addressing a public meeting in West Bengal`s Birbhum district.

Stating that the people of the country has the right to stay in any state they choose to, Banerjee warned the BJP government in Assam not to play with fire by practising the `divide and rule` policy.

"The people are being threatened to beaten away from there. I want to clearly tell the BJP government not to play with fire. Do not stoke fire of unrest in the entire nation. do not divide and rule. Try to maintain peace," she said.

The Trinamool supremo said she and her party will take strong steps if people are forced to leave their habitats due to NRC.

"If people are affected. Whether they are Bengalis, Gujratis, Marathis; whether they belong to scheduled caste or general caste - we will not let the people responsible off the hook easily," Banerjee warned.

"If anyone from Assam stays in Bengal we will protect them, similarly the Bengalis staying in Assam also have to be embraced," she added.Kolkata: Terming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's visit to a temple in Birbhum district as "soft Hindutva", state BJP President Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday said the ruling party was trying to arrest consolidation of "Hindu votes" in favour of his party.

"If we go to temples, we are branded as communal. But if Trinamool leaders visit temples, they remain secular. The Trinamool Congress is practising soft Hindutva in Bengal to stop the consolidation of Hindu votes in favour of BJP," he said.

The "so-called secular leaders" realised that the Hindus are uniting under BJP and secular leaders understood they would no longer be able to win elections by appeasement politics, Ghosh said.

Citing Congress President Rahul Gandhi's visit to temples in Gujarat during the Assembly poll campaign, he said Banerjee was taking lessons from him.

District of Columbia: President Donald Trump admitted the Middle East peace process was in difficulty and threatened to cut aid to Palestinians worth more than $300 million a year, drawing a rebuke that they would not be "blackmailed".

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

"We will not be blackmailed," senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement Wednesday after Trump`s tweet.

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!"

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for the UN`s programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most the last half century the United States has been seen as indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump`s actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognizing Israel`s contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel`s capital, breaking with decades of American policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay his December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides were on Tuesday forced to reject rumors of further delays.

"As we`ve said all along, the vice president is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. "We`re finalizing details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."London: Iran`s elite Revolutionary Guards have deployed forces to three provinces to put down an eruption of anti-government unrest after six days of protests that have rattled the clerical leadership and left 21 people dead.

The protests, which began last week out of frustration over economic hardships suffered by the youth and working class, have evolved into a rising against the powers and privileges of a remote elite, especially Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Defying threats from the judiciary of execution if convicted of rioting, protests resumed after nightfall with hundreds hitting the streets of Malayer in Hamadan province chanting, "People are begging, the supreme leader is acting like God."

Videos carried by social media showed protesters in the northern town of Nowshahr shouted "death to the dictator" - an apparent reference to Khamenei.

In a sign of official concern about the resilience of the protests, the Revolutionary Guards commander, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said he had dispatched forces to Hamadan, Isfahan and Lorestan provinces to tackle "the new sedition".

Most of the casualties among protesters have occurred in those regions of the sprawling Islamic Republic.

The Revolutionary Guards, the sword and shield of Iran`s Shi`ite theocracy, were instrumental in suppressing an uprising over alleged election fraud in 2009 in which dozens of mainly middle-class protesters were killed. Khamenei condemned that unrest as "sedition".

Anti-government rallies, held in defiance of the pervasive security services, have called for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, posing one of the most sustained challenges to the established order of the major oil-exporting state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah.

In a state-sponsored show of force aimed at countering the outpouring of dissent, thousands of Iranians also took part in pro-government rallies in several cities on Wednesday morning.

State television broadcast live footage of rallies in cities across the country, where marchers waved Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei, Iran`s paramount leader since 1989.

Pro-government marchers chanted, "The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader (Khamenei)," and, "We will not leave our leader alone." They accused the United States, Israel and Britain of inciting protests, shouting, "The seditionist rioters should be executed!"

In the Shi`ite holy city of Qom, pro-government demonstrators chanted "death to American mercenaries".

On Tuesday, the 78-year-old Khamenei had accused Iran`s adversaries of fomenting the protests.

US President Donald Trump, who has sought to isolate the Tehran leadership, reversing the conciliatory approach of predecessor Barack Obama, said Washington would throw its support behind the protesters at a suitable time.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" Trump wrote in the latest of a series of tweets on Iran`s turmoil.

The protests seem to be spontaneous, without a clear leader, cropping up in working-class neighbourhoods and smaller cities, but the movement seems to be gaining traction among the educated middle class and activists who spearheaded the 2009 revolt.

More than 100 Iranian woman activists voiced support for a new uprising in a statement on Wednesday. Several prominent Iranian lawyers, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, urged Tehran to respect people`s right to freedom of assembly and expression, guaranteed under the constitution.

Some labour unions as well as minority Kurdish opposition groups have also thrown their weight behind the protests.

In Geneva, the UN human rights chief urged Iran to rein in security forces to avoid further violence and respect the right of protesters to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.

Zeid Ra`ad al-Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said hundreds of Iranians had been arrested in the past week, and called for "thorough, independent and impartial investigations of all acts of violence".

Hamidreza Abolhassani, a regional judicial official, said a European citizen had been arrested for leading rioters in the Borujerd area of western Iran and was suspected of having been "trained by European intelligence services". The detainee`s nationality was not given.

The outburst of dissent is the most serious since Iranians took to the streets in 2009 over accusations of vote-rigging in the re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a conservative hardliner, over two reformist challengers.

The protests have heaped pressure on President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who championed a deal struck with world powers in 2015 to curb Iran`s disputed nuclear programme in return for the lifting of most international sanctions.

Many of the protesters are fuming over what they see as the failure so far of Rouhani`s government to deliver on promises of more jobs and investment as a dividend of the nuclear accord.

Anger over economic stagnation and reputed graft within the clerical and security hierarchies has been building since last month. Thousands joined a hashtag campaign on Twitter and other sites to vent frustration over the dragging pace of reforms to tackle high unemployment and grant more social freedoms.

Khamenei and Rouhani have vowed to crack down on high-level corruption and create economic prosperity for all Iranians.

But there have been few changes. The Revolutionary Guards, for example, still control a vast, lucrative economic empire.

While more than 20 million out of 80 million Iranians live below the poverty line, the wealthy, including relatives of government officials, import tens of thousands of luxury cars every year, causing widespread resentment.

Trump has said in tweets that Iranians have lost patience with alleged graft and what he called a terrorist regime.

Trump must decide by mid-January whether to continue waiving U.S. sanctions on Iran`s oil exports under terms of the nuclear deal he opposed. But if reimposes sanctions, he risks worsening the economic pain of Iranians he has vowed to help.

"If the Americans sympathy with Iranians were real, they would have not imposed cruel sanctions on the our nation," Jafari, the Revolutionary Guards commander, said on Wednesday.Gaza: Israeli warplanes launched on Tuesday a raid on the Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported, according to Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses.

Israeli aircraft targeted with a number of rockets the "marine" site, located in Khan Younis governorate south of the Gaza Strip, belonging to Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas movement, Xinhua news agency reported.

No injuries or material damage were reported in the targeted area, the sources explained.

The Israeli army said the warplanes raided a military compound belonging to Hamas movement in a response to a rocket fired from Gaza on Monday evening. No injuries or damage were caused in the incident.

The army added in a statement that Hamas is solely responsible for what is going on in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, none of the Palestinian factions claimed responsibility for the incident.

It is noteworthy that Palestinian territories witness mounting unrest following US President Donald Trump's declaration last December on recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving US embassy there.Responding to US President's strong charge in a tweet in which he accused Pakistan of being a 'liar', Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Wednesday that Donald Trump had belittled sacrifices made by Pakistan.

Iqbal said that Trump had attacked the dignity of Pakistan through his first tweet of the new year and that terrorism in the region is a fallout of American policies. "No one has the right to call Pakistan a liar when it has made the biggest sacrifices in the war against terror," the minister was quoted as saying by Dawn News. "The US president's recent remarks are akin to belittling our sacrifices. We are a dignified nation and no one has the right to attack our dignity."

Iqbal also sought to connect extremism in Afghanistan on US policies in the region from the 1970s and 1980s. "I want to remind the US that these thorns are your inventions. As soon as the war against the Soviets ended, you withdrew and went home without thinking what your radicalizing of Afghanistan to create an anti-Soviet narrative would lead to. The seeds of the extremist views you used to win that war weren't going to suddenly start producing computer chips: they were going to breed terrorism and extremism."

The minister accused the US of not doing anything for millions of refugees who crossed over from Afghanistan to Pakistan. "The Pakistani nation is still paying for those seeds that you planted," he said. "Not one Syrian refugee is given entry into the US but we allowed 3.5m Afghan refugees who had come to Pakistan to fight your war against the Soviets; what did you ever do for them?"

Relations between Pakistan and the US have nose-dived in recent months with the Trump administration repeatedly urging Islamabad to step up its efforts against home-grown terror outfits. Trump's most recent tweet aimed at Pakistan only poured fuel on the diplomatic fire.

A day earlier, on Tuesday, a meeting of Pakistan National Security Committee (NSC) was chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The committee expressed "deep disappointment" at the allegations made by Trump.

Meanwhile, the US administration has decided to withhold $255 million in aid to the country.SEOUL: North Korea reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to mock the North`s leader by saying he has a "bigger and more powerful" nuclear button than he does.

The North`s decision to open the border phone line came a day after South Korea proposed high-level discussions amid a tense standoff over North Korea`s missile and nuclear programmes.

That followed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un`s New Year address in which he said he was open to speaking with the South and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held just across the border in Pyeongchang in February.

U.S. officials said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearising North Korea. A State Department spokeswoman said North Korea "might be trying to drive a wedge of some sort".

Kim ordered the reopening of the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom at 0630 GMT on Wednesday, when South Korean officials at the border received a call from the North, the South`s unification ministry said in a text message.

Officials on both sides were checking the line and conducting a conversation for about 20 minutes, the contents of which were not disclosed by the ministry.

That gesture came only hours after Trump, who has mocked Kim as "Little Rocket Man", again ridiculed the North Korean leader on Twitter.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Trump tweeted.

Trump and Kim have exchanged a series of bellicose comments in recent months, raising alarm across the world, with Trump at times dismissing the prospect of a diplomatic solution to a crisis in which

North Korea has threatened to destroy the United States.

While appearing to open the door to discussing taking part in the Winter Olympics, Kim also warned that he would push ahead with "mass producing" nuclear warheads in defiance of U.N. sanctions.

His New Year`s Day speech came after a steep increase in missile launches in 2017, as well as the North`s sixth and most powerful nuclear test. Kim, who has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States, said he had a nuclear button on his desk.

`SERIOUS AND SINCERE`

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.

"We will try to keep close communications with the south Korean side from sincere stand(sic) and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," the North`s KCNA news agency quoted Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea`s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, as saying.

The talks would aim to establish formal dialogue about sending a North Korean delegation to the Olympics, Ri said.

South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said the North`s decision to open the hotline had "significant meaning" because it could lead to constant communication.

U.S. officials had voiced scepticism about the possibility of meaningful talks, particularly if they did not take steps towards banning North Korea`s nuclear weapons.

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea against staging another missile test and said Washington was hearing reports that Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts toward alleviating tension.

"All relevant sides should grab hold of this positive trend in the Korean peninsula and move in the same direction," Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy South Korea, the United States and Japan, and says its weapons are necessary to counter U.S. aggression. The United States stations 28,500 troops in the South, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.A day after suspending military aid of $255 million to Pakistan, the US has accused the country of playing double games for years. Justifying the move to suspend the aid, US Ambassador to United Nations Nikki Haley said that while Pakistan worked with the US, it also harboured terrorists.

"They (Pakistan) work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism," said Haley.

Hinting that a bigger jolt is expected for Pakistan in near future, the US official further said that US President Donald Trump was willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding.

"The (U.S.) President is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding for Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism" said Haley.

"We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism," she added.

In her meeting with the media to outline the US priorities for 2018, Haley, who represents the administration's hawkish positions, mentioned Pakistan's terror ties as the third area of concern after Iran and North Korea.

Meanwhile, the White House said that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism and that they want the country to "step up and do that". It further said that some more details on "specific action" can be expected in next 24-48 hours.

#WATCH: "We know that Pakistan can do more to fight terrorism, and we want them to step up and do that. In terms of specific actions, I think you will see some more details come out on that in the next 24 to 48 hours" says White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders pic.twitter.com/NJCGUaWOg7  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

In his first Tweet of the New Year, Trump had called out Pakistan for giving "safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan" while making "fools" of US leaders. "No More" continuing aid to Islamabad, he declared.

Haley said that withholding aid to Pakistan was not linked to Islamabad's support for the General Assembly resolution criticising Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel although she had suggested before the vote that those backing it could lose aid.

It "has nothing to do with vote on Jerusalem. It is entirely connected to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists," she said.

"However, as I said in December, we won't forget the Jerusalem vote," she added.

This came after a meeting of Pakistan National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, hit out at Trump's tweet from Monday, saying that the remarks made target the trust between the two countries.

Held late Tuesday evening, the committee expressed "deep disappointment" at the allegations made by Trump, according to Dawn News. Trump - in his first message of 2018 - has charged Pakistan for basing its relations with the US on nothing but lies and deceit.

Trump had on Monday tweeted that Pakistan had given "lies & deceit" to US in return of the aid.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" he said.

(With agency inputs)SEOUL: North Korea said Wednesday it will reopen a hotline with the South to discuss attending the Winter Olympics, forging ahead with peace overtures despite taunts from US President Donald Trump who said he has a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim Jong-Un.

The hotline, which was cut by the North in 2016, is to be restored at 0630 GMT after Seoul proposed high-level talks in response to an olive branch from the North`s leader ahead of next month`s Pyeongchang Games.

Kim`s overtures to the South marked a rare softening in tone, as tensions over its banned weapons programme have surged in recent months following a flurry of missile launches and its most powerful nuclear test yet.

Seoul responded with an offer to hold talks on January 9 -- the first since 2015 -- to discuss "matters of mutual interest" including Kim`s suggestion that the reclusive nation could participate in the Olympics.

But Kim`s New Year address also included a warning to the US that he has a "nuclear button" on his table, prompting a furious response from President Trump via Twitter.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the `Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.`

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" he said.

Trump`s remarks came as his ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley dismissed Seoul`s offer to hold talks, calling it a "band-aid".

US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert also warned that Kim "may be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the two nations -- between our nation and the Republic of Korea".

But the rapprochement seemed to be moving ahead on Wednesday, with Kim welcoming Seoul`s support for his overtures, according to Ri Son-gwon, the head of North Korea`s agency handling inter-

Korean affairs.The two countries, which are divided by a Demilitarized Zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, last held high-level talks in 2015 to try to ease tensions.

The hotline, located in the truce village of Panmunjom, remained operational until February 2016, with operators from both countries checking it twice a day.

The channel was shut down when relations deteriorated over a dispute involving the Kaesong industrial complex, which was jointly operated by both countries.

Seoul welcomed Pyongyang`s decision to reopen the hotline as "very significant", with chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan saying "it creates an environment where communication will be possible at all times".

South Korean President Moon Jae-In has long favoured engagement with the nuclear-armed North, but the Trump administration insists the regime must give up its weapons drive before any negotiations can take place.

Ambassador Haley told reporters that Washington could not take the talks seriously "if they don`t do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea".

North Korea has shrugged off a raft of new sanctions and heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with its weapons program, which it says is for defence against US aggression.

Pyongyang claims it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself from a hostile Washington and has striven to create a warhead capable of targeting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

Moon on Tuesday welcomed Kim`s olive branch as a "positive response" to Seoul`s hopes that the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a "groundbreaking opportunity for peace".

But any rapprochement between the two countries will take place against a backdrop of suspicion, if not outright hostility, by Washington, with Trump and Kim exchanging angry insults since the US leader took office a year ago.

Trump has mocked Kim as "fat" and a "little rocket man." Kim, for his part has described Trump as a "mentally deranged US dotard."The resumption of supplies became possible after the decision was made in the Stockholm Arbitration Court, which secured for the next two years favorable conditions for Ukraine to fulfill the contract with Gazprom. Taking advantage of them, the Ukrainian authorities will be able to keep the gas price for the population at the current level. And this is especially true on the eve of the upcoming elections.

Russia again?



The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko voiced the fact that Ukraine is ready to resume gas purchases from Russia during a working trip to Odesa region on December 28th. Poroshenko noted that this would be possible if Russian gas was cheap and the process was not corrupt. "What has happened over the past two years? We are energetically independent, they are knocking: can you take our gas? No, we are fine. But if it's cheap and no corruption on the way, then we will think about it," said Poroshenko.



Ukraine has stopped buying Russian gas since November 2015. Note that this happened not due to economic expediency but also because of the annexation of Crimea and Russian aggression in Donbas. Russia was officially recognized as an aggressor country. Cooperation with Russia was not stopped only in the gas sphere but in the cultural and commercial spheres. Ukrainian politicians have repeatedly trumpeted in recent years that the break-up of relations with Gazprom and the freedom from the "Russian gas needle" is one of the most significant achievements of Ukraine after the Maidan.



Why did the authorities change their point of view now? On December 22, the Stockholm Arbitration ruled in a dispute that lasted almost three years between Gazprom and Naftogaz about mutual claims for the supply of Russian gas to Ukraine. As you know, in the arbitration of the company challenged the provisions of the current contract, which was concluded while Yulia Tymoshenko was a Prime Minister. According to the contract, by 2014, the price of Russian gas has risen to $ 485 per 1,000 cubic meters (on reverse Ukraine now buys gas at a price of about $ 280 per 1,000 cubic meters). By decision of the arbitration, the price of gas for the second quarter of 2014 was reduced from $ 485 to $ 352 per thousand cubic meters, the claims of Gazprom on the "take or pay" for 2009-2017 demand (the amount equivalent to $ 56 billion) were completely canceled.



The annual volume of gas purchases instead of fixed 52 billion cubic meters/year (which was subject to the principle "take or pay") was reduced to 5 billion cubic meters per year. "This is the annual contract volume (5 billion cubic meters), the minimum contract volume is 80% of the annual contract volume," said Yury Vitrenko, chief commercial director of the Naftogaz group.



This means that within two years (2018-2019 before the expiration of the contract with Gazprom) Ukraine is obliged to buy 4 billion cubic meters of Russian gas per year. If our country refused to do this, Gazprom could apply to arbitration in connection with the violation of the confirmed contractual obligations (in Stockholm), said 112.ua the general director of Naftogazbudinformatyka Leonid Unigovsky: "The consequences are easy to guess: it would be clearly negative valuation for Ukraine, so I think that we will buy these volumes."



Poroshenko's statement is a signal to the political forces consolidating around the president about changing the policy on the issue of Russian gas supplies. "Politicians have been talking about it for two years that we would not buy gas from Russia, now we need to buy it, so it's the beginning of preparing of public opinion," said ExPro Consulting Director Gennady Kobal.



This assumption was confirmed in Naftogaz, where the president's statement and the prospects of buying Russian gas were commented in a very restrained tone. "As far as I understand, Petro Poroshenko's words were based on the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration Court, which established a new contract volume under the existing Gazprom contract," Yuriy Vitrenko said. "At the same time, the question whether negotiations on the resumption of gas supplies to Ukraine undergo Vitrenko replied that "today there is communication with Gazprom." 112.ua has not yet received any comments from the Russian Gazprom. The Russian gas monopoly's press service did not respond to the agency's information request.



According to Unigovsky, Gazprom cannot refuse to sell gas to Ukraine in volumes and on terms stipulated by the decision of Stockholm Arbitration. Ukraine can also apply for arbitration on this matter. Therefore, the question of whether Russian gas will be supplied to Ukraine in the coming years is closed. Another question is important: at what price will the delivery be done.

Price of Russian gas for Ukraine



Yuri Vitrenko, the chief commercial director of the Naftogaz group, told 112.ua that in the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration, it is written: the price would be tied to the price of the European hub. "What will be the price of the hub, the same will be the price of the contract. We do not disclose the exact price, "he said. Earlier it was reported that arbitration tied the pricing formula to the price on the German NCG hub.



Thanks to this circumstance, under the conditions that we came up with after the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration, it is profitable for Ukraine to purchase gas from Gazprom, Leonid Unigovsky said: "Russian gas will be cheaper than that which Ukraine buys on the reverse." According to the reverse, Ukraine buys gas on the terms of hub plus transportation costs and exit from the Slovak gas transmission system, which on average, at least, is plus 15-20 dollars per thousand cubic meters to the price of the hub.



Experts have calculated that on the terms of "European hub" the price of Russian gas in Ukraine can be, at least, 15-20 dollars per thousand cubic meters less than the one for which the gas is supplied to the population, heat and energy and religious organizations (IDP category) (now about $ 249). Note that this price is calculated on the basis of the formula of import parity taking into account the price on the NCG hub. "I think that the formula for import parity in Ukraine should be changed: if Naftogaz starts buying 4 billion cubic meters of Russian gas a year, then the question arises: why should the import parity not take into account the price of cheaper Russian gas? ", said Leonid Unigovsky.



The expert expressed his confidence that Naftogaz would sell gas bought from the Russian gas monopoly to the population, and not to the industry. It could replace gas which, for the needs of the category, is now imported from Europe at a higher price than the one that Gazprom has. It should be noted that 3.7 billion cubic meters of gas were imported to Ukraine for the needs of the population (for the heating season), which was comparable to the minimum volume that Ukraine should purchase from Gazprom (4 billion cubic meters). The remaining volume of needs for this category was covered by gas produced in Ukraine - 17.6 billion cubic meters.



This situation can help the authorities solve one of the most painful and provoking acute social tension problems - the retention of gas prices for the population. As you know, the battles over the price between Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and the head of Naftogaz Ukraine Andriy Kobolev have been conducted since the spring of 2017. Last summer Naftogaz filed a financial plan for consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers, which stated an increase in the price of gas for the population in the current heating season (since October 2017) by 18.84% - to UAH 5,873 per 1 thousand cubic meters without a value-added tax. Nevertheless, the government and the Ministry of Fuel and Energy were categorically against the increase. The Ministry has not yet published the price of gas for the heating season, although it should have been done in the summer. Now the gas is sold to the population at the price of the previous year, which is the subject of the discussion with the IMF, which insists on the abolition of manual regulation in the sphere of providing the population with gas. According to unofficial data, a return to market pricing for the population is one of the main requirements for the allocation of the IMF lagging tranche.



Of course, the opportunity to retain or even lower the gas price for the population is especially relevant for the authorities on the eve of the upcoming elections. However, we have to be on guard that there is a possibility that the NCG hub can play a cruel joke against Naftogaz, says Unigovsky. According to him, the price of the hub is connected to a market and many factors influence it: oil quotations, sharp cooling, accidents that happen on gas pipelines. Accordingly, this is the risk that at some point the price of Gazprom may not be so convenient. "At some point, it can jump even higher than the level that was in the old contract with the Russian monopolist, because of which they argued in arbitration," the expert said.

The general director of Naftogazbudinformatyka also reminded that the situation with favorable conditions will last no more than two years: "The decision of Stockholm court concerns only 2018-2019, it is unknown what will happen in the future. It is possible that Gazprom will refuse to supply gas to us after 2019".The official stated that the issue of the increased attention to the released became unexpectedly difficult

Some of the released Ukrainian hostages in Donbas refused from the rehabilitation due to the unexpected pressure from the public and mass media. Natalia Zarytska, Presidential Commissioner for Rehabilitation of Donbas Conflict Soldiers claimed this to 112 Ukraine.

We cannot say that people take rehabilitation as they voluntary do this. The possibility to get the medical treatment and rehabilitation is provided to everyone. The soldiers can get it on the basis of the military hospitals, the civilians can get it at the hospitals that ruled by State Management of Affairs. Some people decided to come home and get the treatment there. There are some refusals from the treatment due to the fact that people are not ready to be under pressure of the mass media and public, she claimed.

The official stated that the issue of the increased attention to the released became unexpectedly difficult.

The people were released and everyone glad to see them so they appeared to be in our territory but under another pressure of mass media and public. I am ready to claim that some people refused from the treatment and returned home because it is difficult for them, Zarytska explained.

All details of the exchange process revealed at the chronicle of the long-awaited event.Open source

Both Ukraine International Airlines and Austrian Airlines are planning to expand air connection between to Tel-Aviv and Vienna respectively. Such information was published in the companies timetables, Center for Transport Strategies reports.

Beginning on 2 June, Ukraine International Airlines will operate four flights between Lviv and Tel-Aviv per week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (departs at 15:45, arrives at 19:05). Flights from Tel-Aviv back to Lviv will take place on the same days of the week (departs at 11:15, arrives at 14:45).

In addition to this, Austrian Airlines is expanding its presence in the Lviv International Airport. The airline will operate 11 weekly flights to the capital of Austria. Apart from seven daytime flights that the carrier is already operating in summer time, four overnight flights will be available. Flights from Vienna will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (departs at 23:15 local time, arrives at 01:30), whereas those from Lviv will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (departs at 05:20, arrives at 05:50 local time).

As reported earlier, Romanian low-cost airline Blue Air will operate flights between Lviv and Czech Republics Brno. Yanair is expected to start flights to Georgias Batumi. Moreover, Wizz Air is beginning to operate flights to London on 1 May 2018, four months earlier than the date initially planned.Open source

Sigmar Gabriel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany claimed before his work visit to Ukraine that Donbas Conflict remains essential for his country as Ukrinform reported.

We want to show people in Ukraine by the trips to Kyiv and Mariupol that we do not leave you, this conflict is not frozen or forgotten for us but really essential and fire-dangerous, the minister said.

Moreover, Gabriel noted that the unprecedented splash of the violence since the signing of the Minsk Agreement was spotted during 2017 in the East of Ukraine in the zone of the armed Donbas Conflict.

However, the exchange of the prisoners that took place on December 27 encourages.

As we reported Sigmar Gabriel will pay the work visit to Ukraine on January 3-4 and he will visit Donbas with Pavlo Klimkin, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister. The key point of the negotiations will be the role of Germany and France within the Normandy Format. Also, they will discuss the further joint steps to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, to release the political prisoners detained in the Russian prisons.The sides established a special hotline in the demilitarized zone in Panmunjom village

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered his officials to begin talks with South Korea, using special telephone line set in the village of Panmunjom, located in the demilitarized area.

According to Reuters, the line was open on Wednesday morning.

Previously, in his New Year speech, Kim Jong-un said he was ready for negotiations  and for sending the national team for the upcoming Olympic Games in Pyeongchang (Republic of Korea), slated for February 2018.

'U.S. officials said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearizing North Korea. A State Department spokeswoman said North Korea might be trying to drive a wedge of some sort', the news agency wrote.Washington praises the courage of the Iranian people, - U.S. representative in the UN Nikki Haley

The United States urged UN Security Council and the UN Council for Human Rights to hold urgent sessions because of the ongoing large-scale riots in Iran. Associated Press reported that quoting Nikki Haley, the U.S. permanent representative in the UN.

Nowhere is the urgency of peace, security, and freedom being tested more than in Iran, she said, adding that the sessions of the mentioned UN authorities will be convened in the next few days.

The protests in Iran have been underway for seven days now, as activists show outrage towards the dictatorship of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei; in dozens of cities, people set on fire administrative buildings and police vehicles. The media report at least 20 fatalities in the street fights.Open source

Ukraine will be getting supplies of lethal weaponry from the U.S. in 2018; President Petro Poroshenko posted this on Facebook on Wednesday.

This year, the military budget of our country will total the record 3 billion U.S. dollars. We will get the lethal defensive weaponry from the U.S., he wrote.

Besides, the Ukrainian leader expressed confidence that the Armed Forces will replenish its depots and stocks with domestically produced modern vehicles and ammunition.The White House insists on unblocking social media amidst the ongoing mass riots

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump urged the Iranian government to re-grant access to Telegram and Instagram accounts in this country. The respective post appeared on Associated Presss official Twitter.

Trump administration calls on Iran to unblock Instagram, other social media amid protests. https://t.co/xXeKXsjDDR  The Associated Press (@AP) 2  2018 .

The White House has been criticizing Tehrans efforts aimed at preventing the mass protest actions across the country.

The accounts in the mentioned social networks were shut down on December 31; complete Internet blockade was reported in several cities.

As of day six of the anti-government protests in Iran, there are 21 confirmed fatalities.

On Tuesday, Nikki Haley, the U.S. permanent representative in the UN said Washington will insist on the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council emergency sessions.Such decision was made due to the absence of the MPs that are ready to bail Mikheil Saakashvili

The Appeal Court of Kyiv considered the appeal of the Prosecutor Generals Office against the decision of Pechersk District Court on the choosing of the restrictive measure for Mikheil Saakashvili as 112 Ukraine broadcasted.

The judge made a decision to postpone the session until January 11. Such decision was made due to the absence of the MPs that are ready to bail Mikheil Saakashvili. According to the judge, they should be present in the courtroom and their rights and duties should be explained.

The court postponed the court session to allow the defense to gather all 12 MPs.

Earlier Pechersk Court of Kyiv refused the Prosecutor Generals Office to choose the home arrest as the restriction measure for Mikheil Saakashvili. Now the next court hearing is scheduled for December 14.

As it was reported earlier Saakashvili was detained before as a suspect who supported the criminal group in the organization of the criminal activity. According to the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine, Saakashvili financed the protests to take power for the funds of the allies of Viktor Yanukovych, the former president of Ukraine. Later Saakashvili claimed that the accusations of the Prosecutors General Office of his ties with oligarch Sergy Kurchenko were fake.Finishing university, returning to work, seeing relatives - these are the plans of those who were released from militant captivity in Donbas

The Ukrainians released from militant captivity told 112.ua about their future plans and a process of rehabilitation.

As for me personally, I wasnt checked, although Im not against it and am waiting for this moment. I wont argue, I am in favor of this. However, cant speak for my comrades, he said.

First of all, the rehabilitation, then work. My former boss has already called and told me that they were waiting for me to return. Im still employed according to the documents, he said.

He added that they are going through the psychosocial rehabilitation and examinations.

Released from captivity Artem Akhmerov said he would like to finish his studies at the university and help in future exchanges.

After the treatment, I would like, first of all, to finish university, and secondly, I dont know about work, but I would really like to help in the upcoming prisoner exchanges, he said.

In his turn, Ihor Yakovenko said he would like to meet his relatives, who were in the occupied territory.The US understand that Ukraine is provided by the equipment but not by the money of the US taxpayers and the grand corruption is out of question

Open source

Valery Chaly, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the US claimed that the US authorities are concerned in the efficiency of the security sector of Ukraine more than about the presence of the corruption in it. Chaly claimed this to Voice of America.

Of course, there is a corruption in the supply sphere. ProZorro system that began to be implemented in the Defense Ministry is a good sign. I think the issue is not only about corruption but about the reforming of the security sector. The efficiency of the security sector is the main point. The corruption in the defense sphere is not bigger than in other spheres in Ukraine but all funds here should come only for the defense of the country, Chaly thinks.

According to him, the US understand that Ukraine is provided by the equipment but not by the money of the US taxpayers and the grand corruption is out of the question.

Earlier, according to the information of ABC from its sources in the White House, US President Donald Trump is to announce his approval of a plan to sell anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. This plan is to include the anti-tank Javelin systems. The defense package of $47 million envisages selling 210 anti-tank missiles and 35 launching systems to them.

As we reported Trump's Administration has approved the first ever U.S. commercial sale of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine, in a clear break from the de facto U.S. ban on arms sales of the Obama administration. The move was strongly supported by top Trump national security Cabinet officials and Congress but may complicate President Trumps stated ambition to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin.PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)The railroad launched the service with support from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta as the country strives for reduced operational costs and transit times.



Kenya Railways commenced the first standard gauge railway cargo train from Mombasa to Nairobi, which arrived at Nairobis inland container depot on Monday, the railroad announced.

The SGR Line cargo train carried 52 wagons with cargo ranging from maize (corn) to TBL containers. Kenyas Ports Authority head of Inland Container Deports Symon Wahome said that the train will increase efficiency and decrease transit times as daily operations increase from four to eight trains.

While the meter train used to carry twenty to thirty containers, the standard gauge train will carry 216 containers, Wahome told multiple local media outlets.

According to local reports, the cargo train service was launched in cooperation with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has promised to reduce business costs within the country.

Media outlets cited a New Years message delivered by Kenyatta, who said that the delivery of a world-class railway on time and within budget would attract world-class manufacturing and value-addition investments, which are critical to creating jobs and business opportunities.Scottish Bakers has named Alasdair Smith as its new chief executive officer.

Smith takes up the role on Monday 8 January and replaces Alan Clarke who left the association in June 2017 after seven years in the role.

Craig McPhie, president of Scottish Bakers, said Smith comes with experience in skills and education, lifelong learning and the media sector.

Smith previously worked as Scotland director of Creative Skillset (the sector skills council), before which he spent nine years with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC). He achieved his Masters in Business Administration at Strathclyde Graduate Business School.

Smith has a wealth of experience in bringing industry together in partnership with further and higher education institutions in Scotland as well as having established links with SQA, SDS, the Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Government, McPhie added.

Our board of directors look forward to working closely with Alasdair in helping him to continue building our association, along with all our current activities. We sincerely wish Alasdair every success in his position as our new CEO.Iceland has been rapped by the advertising watchdog for running an ad describing its crumpets as better in quality than Marks & Spencers.

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) upheld a complaint by M&S that Icelands ad, which appeared in national press and on Icelands website, was misleading for stating Iceland Luxury Sourdough Crumpets are better than M&S Ultimate Five Grain Crumpets for overall quality.

Iceland said the ad was based on a blind taste test of 58 people, conducted by Cambridge Market Research on 8 June 2017 and 21 June 2017, in three different locations, using Iceland 6 Luxury Sourdough Crumpets and M&S Ultimate Five Grain Crumpets (which were crowned winner of the Bakery Innovation of the Year category at last years Baking Industry Awards).

Seventy-nine per cent of those surveyed thought the overall quality of Icelands crumpets was excellent or good, compared to 62% rating the M&S crumpets as excellent or good.

Iceland argued that the methods of comparison between the Iceland and M&S crumpets were clear and that the ad was not misleading.

But the ASA upheld M&S complaint that it was misleading, noting that participants in the taste test had not been asked to express a preference for either one of the products.

Although more participants had rated the Iceland crumpet as good or excellent in relation to the explicit category of overall quality, we did not consider that the results of the survey were sufficient to demonstrate that the Iceland crumpet was better  for overall quality, stated the ASA in the ruling.

A second complaint by M&S, which challenged whether the claim in the ad could be verified, was not upheld.

A recent complaint by The Real Bread Campaign that an Iceland ad for its bread was misleading was not upheld by the ASA.Orrin Hatch is retiring.

Mitt Romney may run for his seat in Utah. Oh my God, what will we do now? Will Mitt and the President get along? Will Mitt be another John McCain who looks for opportunities to stick it in the face of Donald Trump because of something he said about him during the campaign? Will President Trump be able to control his bombast because he needs the vote of Romney for his agenda?

The news media is all aflutter about this possibility which by my calendar will not happen until November of 2018 and will not take effect until January 2019. As usual, I did a detailed analysis of the situation by searching on Orrin Hatch. Here is what I found.

No news story would be complete without trying to place it in context. The best way to do that is to look at the Google Tweet highlights.

Having done all the research needed to satisfy my insatiable curiosity, I have concluded that, like the weather, plenty of things about this revelation are not predictable at this time. I have TIVO'ed the three main news stations and tagged it for later review. They are CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. All are spending their precious airtime discussing something that will happen until eleven months from now and will not take effect until a year.

I will make one prediction on this matter now and I want to get it on record.

There are several IFs that come to mind:

If Orrin Hatch retires

If Mitt Romney runs for his sat

If Mitt wins the seat

If all these are true then several Will? Come to mind.

Will Mitt Romney hold a grudge against Trump for some of the things he said?

Will President Trump change his bombastic approach in order to placate Mitt Romney?

Here is my answer:

NO

We have possibly the most honorable Senator (Hatch) retiring who may be replaced with another honorable man (Romney). There will be no change in the conduct of the Utah Senator seat regarding civility.

We have the most practical President we have ever had who is devoid of any trace of permanent ideology and is only concerned with making a DEAL for his current wishes.

The Result:

It is a match made in heaven; honorable man meets practical man; they will both act in the same manner that they have in the past. If they both agree on an issue, there will be no drama, other wise: LOOKOUT!

The only question remaining in this whole scenario is this:

Should I continue to let my pipes drip during this January 2018 cold snap in Georgia. Everything else will take care of it self.This video is rich because it is from the plaintive position of the Democrat Media, exhibited here on Fake News channel MSNBC. Watch how Sarah Sanders handles the incredulous Democrat Media guy. Also notice that the Democrat Media session is run by the discredited (lying about a war story) Brian Williams. Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells it true, as she does it so well, so often: Above. And then there was the Democrat Media's outrage over President Trump's Pocahontas comment to WW II Navajo Code Talkers. Even though the Fake News boys got their "panites in a bunch" over this comment, if one has a any sense of humor, they would have gotten a few belly laughs from this Trumpian verbosity. I did, and it never got old for about two weeks, especially as core Democrats and their collusive Democrat Media were in the throes of constant conniption fits over this one (who knows what amount of real news they missed while they were so offended): Below.

Now that the Russia Collusion scandal has most completely boomeranged on core Democrats, the Democrat Media, and the Deep State, who have promoted this scandal for over one year: Should congress and Jeff Sessions's DOJ investigate the DNC, the Clintons, and, notably, the FBI /Obama DOJ with the same fervor that they have hounded all things connected to Candidate, then President Donald Trump? Yes, it is a necessity that we discover all that is corrupt, and stains the government of this land. No, investigate only everything connected to Donald Trump, as a candidate and then president. I generally don't pay attention to most things except what is normally pop culture. 165 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



If you have spent any time on Beaufort County NOW, you possibly have noticed that I, Stan Deatherage your humble reporter, have written extensively about Advocacy Journalism; coined by me as the Democrat Media, or borrowed from others as the Obama Media Group (OMG) during those 8 long Obama years. Sadly, it is my accurate analysis that it was during these Barack Hussein Obama years of his White House occupation, the Mainstream Media threw off all semblance of bias, impartiality and went to work for the Obama regime, and supporting core Democrats at large.Incredibly, many of this pathetic lot still believe that they deserve First Amendment status for their sparse-of-news-enriched political advocacy, when more truthful reporters and wise observers call these misidentified "journalists" out for their abject bias. To be honest, these advocates of the Left predominately report negative news against their political opponents, or, on occasion, they just make up "news stories" altogether to suit their propagandistic needs. That advocacy of these Leftist "reporters" has existed in limited fluency for some decades since the much hyped Watergate scandal, but its quality of pure propaganda began to metastasize during their George W. Bush "Weapons of Mass Destruction" mania (they wore the poor man down to an intellectual nub); and, while their Obama worship was glorified as rarefied purpose, their collective journalistic body became riddled with their well-sown cancerous tumors of unmitigated and blinding bias It was with the reporting of the Islamist Terrorist attack on the American consul in Benghazi that I knew that the Mainstream Media had insideously morphed into the Obama Media Group; electing to stop investigating an obvious cover-up of that scandal of wantonly lying to the public, and instead aided in the cover-up, by advocating for the Obama narrative built on deceits and lies just 6 weeks before the Obama's 2012 presidential election against Governor Mitt Romney; an election Hussein Obama could possibly have lost without the Liberal /Socialist biased proganda masquerading as real news sources For American patriots that care about the United States Constitution as the nation's guidebook manifesting the Rule of Law, we know that the First Amendment allows for a "free press", but not a fair press. The lack of the "fair press" conundrum is one that can only be broached fairly when all parties understand that that is the way it is, and in some lesser capacity, that condition has always existed. For the purpose of retaining a proper propagandistic foothold, even to the point of Orwellian word incongruence and contextual conflated fascism, today's Democrat Media still does not understand that more principled reporters of real events will call them out for their abject bias and their now chronic journalistic imprecision. When this occurs, these ardent members of the Democrat Media instinctively rush to the First Amendment for constitutional cover, but none can be found, and there are well provided reasons for that truth. Simply, the Constitution does not provide the constructive media - real or imagined - safety from criticism; only the safety to ply their trade.When better, smarter, wiser Americans call out the Democrat Media's imprecision in reporting, their lack thereof, and their obvious bias. If these so-called journalist Snowflakes feel that their constitution dominion has been denied them, they, and their elite following's objections notwithstanding, they are only being discredited, and rightly so.That is the way the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech provision works, and regardless of one's status as a Liberal, they must follow those rules as well, and ... enter Donald J. Trump.Donald J. Trump, first as candidate for president and now the surprise president of these states united, is a man of often inarticulate and sometimes imprecise word, but sometimes, the man nails it. When Candidate Trump, now President Trump branded the Democrat Media as the Fake News, it took hold fast and hard, and now the Democrat Media crys the foul of slanderous libel, but it is too late ... it stuck right fast to their thin little skins, and, I would be nigh shocked if that brand does not stay stuck for quite some time.President Donald J. Trump may have properly branded the Democrat Media, and, he may not survive an election for a second term (the whole Liberal /Socialist impeachment of President Trump for being Trump is just core Democrat FUBAR ), but, this President, this man capable of branding an entrie huge branch of American media, is a working president , and can do a lot good for the Republic, and so much damage to the Socialist aspirations of core Democrats and their associative, colludive Democrat Media.It is only reasonable to assume that the Democrat Media is sufficiently wise enough to realize the destructive power of this President to their Liberal longings, and, therefore, hence the Fake News approach to their otherwise Liberal advocacy as so-called journalists is magnified multifold.Two years and one half years earlier, when this Trump experiment fumbled for its political spark, the Democrat Media found Mr. Trump a profound curiosity. He could say fairly wild stuff, and they would report it, but, rather than take constitutional /humanitarian /Socialist umbrage with his message, they afforded Candidate Trump the constant glare of their limelight over all other Republican candidates, and the response was fabulous for their ratings.Early in the Trump campaign, I, alternatively to the Democrat Media, did not think much of Trump, and his inarticulate nature of expressing a path forward for the Republic. Since 2009, I had well observed, and reported on politics /governing for beaufortcountynow.com , with an eventual 5 terms as a Beaufort County Commissioner, combined with one of the most consistent voting records (for 18 years as a real Conservative) in historical modern times. I have long possessed a deep knowledge of History, in particular U.S. with an emphasis in civics /governing at all levels of government.Suffice it to say, I don't a back seat in knowledge level to any known member of the Democrat Media at all levels of their brand of "journalism". Alternatively to these intellectual hucksters, I did not particularly like Mr. Trump in 2015, and these core Democrats posing as "professional journalists" loved him; loved the ratings of this mercurial political neophyte. who was then more ego than substance.Fast forward to late Summer /early Autumn, 2016; my guy, Ted Cruz, was ravaged by the caustic, acerbic Trump, and, eventually lost to the streaking political one man wrecking crew. Remarkably, the bombastic Mr. Trump was doing something that George W. Bush and Mitt Romney would have never done, he was speaking and dealing very truthfully with the utterly dishonest and ultra unqualified Hillary Clinton; first woman candidate for president be damned. That Trumpian negativity took some real political courage, and began to earn my respect now that he had the enemy to our democratic Republic in his sights. Understanding the dishonesty (at the multiple felony level) of this "nasty woman", I came to not only like Donald J. Trump, but to revere his political savvy. With Hillary Clinton presenting this profound level of incompetence heading up the opposing team (the Democrat(ic)s, one goes for the "head of the snake"), and the unworthy Ms. Clinton was that perfect snake in the political grass; a viper that deserved a political death.Alternatively, since late Spring 2016, once it appeared that Candidate Trump would be the presumptive nominee, the Democrat Media /remnants of the OMG went after Mr. Trump with and unconditional vengeance, while taking a virtual hands off approach with the felonious L. Hillary Clinton ; her tangled web of obvious deceits: obstruction of justice, money laundering, mishandling of classified documents, and now we are learning of collusion (which is not a crime) with Russian officials on unverified opposition research on her opponent Candidate Trump (the Fusion GPS Dossier).Fast forward to January 1, 2018: Hillary Clinton still can't believe she lost the election; losing the Electoral College by a wide margin ; questioning the President for his suitability to serve, while noncorrupt, unlike former FBI Director Jim Comey, investigative agents are circling ever closer to her Money Laundering by Selling Influence (Uranium One) /Obstruction by Destruction of Evidence while under supeonna (illegal unsecure servers in an unlawful location, and their complete destruction of evidence, the emails, the software and the hardware all destroyed to some extent) /Putting Classifed Documents in Perilous Circumstance (plenty of these, which were never truly investigated by the FBI we are now discovering) coming conundrum ... All the while the Fake News would report only the negative, real and imagined regarding Candidate Trump and, without fail, Russia, Russia, Russia. What unprincipled dopes Concurrently, while the Democrat Media /Fake News feigns constant consternation over the Donald J. Trump juggernaut, they are near oblivious to every other issue; most of a quality of life nature, or the sustaining the Republic by winning the battles fought globally, limiting the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by rouge nations, open borders to illegal and very costly (in a multiplicity of terms) immigrants; etc ... President Trump has had one of the most successful first years in modern history, maybe even better than President Ronald Reagan's first year. These ungraspable issues to the Democrat Media and those that regularly consume the Fake News, who are well conditioned to their oblivious state, such real news remains under reported or unreported . As the Republic ongoingly suffers the effects of a poorly educated partial electorate, the surest losers are the Americans that put their intellectual faith in the purveyors of the Fake News.It is imperative that these ultra biased core Democrat "journalists" are continually called out for their unprincipled treatment of their craft of "journalism", and if not, this Orwellian intelectual cancer will continue. It could devastate this Republic if we can not sustain a proper level of patriots who will to know and protect the real truth, as if to save this very special Republic. If you are a patriot, and you know the truth: Speak it! Otherwise, I would advise caution; someone of substance may call you out.RALEIGH While 2017 was a good and productive year for many public and private institutions in North Carolina, it was a tragic year for our prison system.Five staffers were killed by inmates, one during an April incident at a Bertie County prison and four more during an October escape attempt at Pasquotank Correctional Institute. Five inmates committed suicide during 2017, as well.The first and foremost duty of any government is to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. Law enforcement, correctional programs, and the courts are primarily responsible for performing this function. When public-safety employees err, misbehave, or fall short at their assigned task, they must be held responsible. But when they lack the tools and resources to do the job, that's on the rest of us.There's enough blame to go around. You should expect to hear a lot about this issue during the 2018 and 2020 elections. In the meantime, however, policymakers in Raleigh and correction officials across the state need to pursue reforms. A new report produced for the Governor's Crime Commission by a team of researchers at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy may serve as a useful starting point.The report's authors included Sanford School lead researcher Caitlin Saunders, senior research scholar Joel Rosch, and Susan Katzenelson, a member and former executive director of the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. Their team reviewed scores of documents and research studies, consulted national organizations, and interviewed public-safety personnel across North Carolina as well as in seven other states.Context is important when considering prison-safety issues and what to do about them. For example, North Carolina's prison population is shrinking, not growing. Since the bipartisan adoption of the Judicial Reinvestment Act in 2011 - which stepped up the use of treatment programs, intensive probation and parole, and other means to steer nonviolent offenders away from lengthy prison stays - enrollment in state prisons has dropped by nearly 10 percent.The number of correctional institutions has correspondingly dropped from 66 to 55. State expenditures on prisons went down, too, but not as much as the prison population did. Of the eight states studied by the Sanford School researchers, North Carolina had the lowest incarceration rate at 371 inmates per 100,000 state residents. The incarceration rates are much higher in neighboring Georgia (521) and Tennessee (438).Nevertheless, North Carolina has been struggling to staff its prisons. Vacancy rates vary, but exceeded 25 percent in both of the institutions where prison staffers were killed in 2017. Overworked, undertrained corrections officials are a safety risk to themselves, their coworkers, and the inmates they supervise.Should we increase average salaries to help attract and retain more prison guards? Certainly. Appropriations for the Department of Public Safety, which includes the prison system, represent about nine percent of North Carolina's $23 billion General Fund budget. We can make prison pay a higher priority without unduly burdening other agencies or the taxpayers.As the Duke University team explains in its report, however, average pay isn't all or even most of the story. Their recommendations include a more thoughtful and creative approach to recruiting new personnel, signing bonuses and non-wage incentives such as housing assistance (which may be particularly attractive in the rural areas where many of our prisons are located), a lengthier and more effective period of basic training, opportunities and incentives for acquiring additional skills, and wellness programs to combat the physical and mental fatigue that make guards inattentive or prone to corruption.The prison system also needs to step up its adoption of modern management techniques and technologies to detect contraband, discern emerging conflicts, and deter inmate misbehavior. While there will be a cost in the short run,the researchers observe.Both public safety and fiscal prudence are at risk. Let's act.Cooper's official silence on pipeline project has prodded both sides to lobby administration directly

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline cuts a 600-mile underground swath through three states, beginning in Harrison County, West Virginia. It branches out to Chesapeake, Virginia, and also continues south near Roanoke Rapids and heads to Pembroke - traversing counties such as Nash and Cumberland before settling in Robeson.The route keeps company with Interstate 95, running alongside the major thoroughfare through down-on-their-luck towns once rich in tobacco and textiles. Towns now looking for a fresh breath, a new way.On each side of the pipeline stand groups of people for and against the project, each side knowing it's right and sure its adversary is misguided and foolhardy.Proponents say the pipeline will bring jobs and a renewed economic vitality. That new, fresh life.Tony Copeland, the N.C. secretary of Commerce who serves under a Democratic governor, said as much during a speech for the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation in December.Opponents say otherwise.They denounce the process of fracking, from which the natural gas will emanate. They cite a harmful addiction to fossil fuels, an irreparable harm to waterways and forests. To poor communities, including those with large minority populations.For one perspective, listen to Johnston County businessman Durwood Stevenson, a Democrat and former N.C. Board of Transportation member. He wants Gov. Roy Cooper, the aforementioned Democrat, to expedite construction.Stephenson says in radio and television ads supporting the project.he told Carolina Journal.For another perspective, NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren and outgoing North Carolina NAACP President the Rev. William Barber want the project dead. WARN is a nonprofit with the stated mission of "watch-dogging Duke Energy" andA report distributed by the NAACP calls the pipeline a health risk to "communities of color."Cooper, putting aside for a minute Copeland's cheerleading, has said little about the pipeline. Any opinion he offers would be met at the same time with scorn and praise.In June, Warren and Barber held a news conference calling on Cooper to phase out the import and use of fracked gas in North Carolina. They asked Cooper to cast a similar fate upon all natural gas fuel electricity generators in North Carolina.Replace them with renewable sources, they say.Warren told CJ in December he and Barber wereYet the pipeline project creeps along, like I-95 on Labor Day weekend.ACP spokesman Aaron Ruby told CJ in December.The ACP is a partnership among Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Southern Company Gas. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the pipeline in October, but the N. C. Department of Environmental Quality, an agency that falls under Cooper, is still reviewing water quality plans and other issues associated with the project.CJ has failed to find any report or document signaling the governor's position on the project, and his press office failed to respond to multiple requests from CJ seeking his position. Cooper generally receives strong support from environmental advocates.Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, a Republican who may challenge Cooper for governor in 2020, is a vocal supporter of the ACP.Forest said in a video message produced by his office.The pipeline would run 186 miles through North Carolina and would intersect with I-95 five times.The additional gas will supplement existing gas resources and fuel new electricity generation plants. ACP claims the project will generate $377 million a year in energy cost savings, $28 million in new local tax revenue, create 17,240 construction jobs, and 2,200 new jobs in other industries.The pipe to be used will be 42 inches in diameter in West Virginia and Virginia; 36 inches in North Carolina. It will be buried three to five feet below ground in most places, including riverbeds and streambeds. The right-of-way will be up to 75 feet wide.ACP will compensate property owners for granting easements so the company can install, operate, and maintain the pipeline. As a public utility, ACP has eminent domain rights. If property owners refuse to grant an easement or can't agree on compensation the matter will go to court, ACP will obtain authorization to proceed, and the court will set the compensation.Opponents have lined up with hopes of swaying Cooper's decision.Some organizations, including the Sierra Club, have appealed directly to Cooper.The News & Observer editorial board in November expressed the paper's objections: TheA recent report titled "Fumes Across the Fence-Line," co-sponsored by the national NAACP, claims oil and gas facilities, including pipelines like the ACP, harm African-American communities.the report says.The report notes that seven of the eight counties along the proposed route have poverty levels higher than the state average of 17.2 percent.Not so, say proponents.In November, The Robesonian editorial staff called on Cooper to support the ACP, which terminates in Robeson County.Lumberton is the county seat of Robeson County, the proverbial end of the pipeline.In a guest column for the Robesonian, Lumberton Chamber of Commerce Chairman Al Locklear urged his community's support.Robeson County, says the state Commerce department, is designated a Tier 1 county, placing it among North Carolina's 40 most distressed counties. The median household income, as of 2015, was about $32,000.The two sides face offThe Sierra Club.wrote Sierra Club representative Deb Self in a letter to Cooper in April.Appalachian Voices is against mountaintop coal mining and fracked-gas pipeline building, and for solar and wind generated energy.Amy Adams, a program manager with Appalachian Voices a former regional office supervisor for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources:The Southern Environmental Law Center.says the SELC. The SELC said in December that utility customers in North Carolina do not need the ACP because there is a drastic reduction in the forecast for electricity.The Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald editorial board expressed support.Johnston County businessman Durwood Stevenson, a Democrat and former N.C. Board of Transportation member, speaking in radio and TV ads supporting the project:Lumberton Chamber of Commerce Chairman Al Locklear, in a guest column in The Robesonian:The EnergySure Coalition, a group of some 250 businesses, organizations and individuals that support the pipeline: "North Carolinians are ready to get to work. And the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is ready to go to work for North Carolina. If that sounds like a future you want to be a peat of, show your support by asking Governor Roy Cooper to support the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Just click below to send a letter to Governor Roy Cooper in support of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline," states a prompt on the EnergySure website.The function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute. It may indeed best serve its high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger. Speech is often provocative and challenging. It may strike at prejudices and preconceptions that have profound unsettling effects as it pressures for the acceptance of an idea.

If audience members had a general right to engage in disruptive or threatening behavior by using loud, boisterous, or inciting speech, it would give any determined individual or group veto power over the expression of any idea they opposed. Only the most benign or inoffensive ideas would be expressible. It would empower people to believe, 'If we can't get the government to censor the speech, then we'll do it ourselves.'

When students (and others) disrupt events where speakers are trying to make arguments they dislike, they say that their conduct is justified.Most commonly, the disrupters maintain that they are merely preventing "hate speech," which allegedly doesn't enjoy the protection of the First Amendment. Therefore, they are perfectly free to keep such speakers from being heard. In fact, they assert that they're acting righteously by protecting against speech that leads to violence or oppression.Student zealots, such as those who prevented University of Oregon president Michael Schill from giving a speech , argue that. So, evidently, do some college leaders, as we read in this article Their argument, however, suffers from two fatal flaws.The first flaw is that the First Amendment contains no exception for "hate speech." It reads,Nothing in that language suggests that government officials are entitled to make an exception for speech they regard as hateful.But isn't there an exception for "fighting words?" In the 1942 case Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire , the Supreme Court enunciated a narrow category of speech that is not covered by the First Amendment. Under Chaplinsky, speech that either incites immediate violence or consists of words that by their very nature inflict injury is not protected by the First Amendment. (The case involved a member of the Jehovah's Witness sect who was convicted of disturbing the peace for having yelled at the sheriff that he and the local government were "fascists" and "racketeers.")Students and college officials have often justified their actions to silence speakers by claiming that they are simply preventing speech that could lead to violence or contains words that are inherently injurious. That justification, however, won't hold up.But as Sean Clark explains in his FIRE essay, " Misconceptions About the Fighting Words Exception ," the Supreme Court began to back away from Chaplinsky just a few years after announcing it. In 1949, a case came before it, Terminiello v. Chicago , that seemed to fall easily within Chaplinsky. Rather than a single angry man yelling at a sheriff, in Terminiello we had an angry Catholic priest who denounced Jews at a large event organized by Christian Veterans of America, where a large number of protesters outside the hall were throwing rocks. Fighting words? Unquestionably so.Nevertheless, the Court reversed Terminiello's conviction. Justice William O. Douglas wrote the majority opinion, stating:Clark points out that in a string of subsequent cases, the Supreme Court continued to retreat from Chaplinsky, even though it never expressly overruled that decision. He concludes,As recently as last June, the Court again affirmed that there is no First Amendment exception for unpopular speech. UCLA law professor and First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh, writing for The Washington Post after the Court's decision in Matal v. Tam (the "Slants" case), noted that in Supreme Court jurisprudenceTherefore, neither campus officials nor students have any legal grounds to prevent or disrupt speech because they say it has "fighting words" that could be offensive to listeners.Those who want to silence speakers have also tried another argument. They maintain that only governmental actions can violate the First Amendment. And since they-student protesters-don't have any governmental power, they are free to do whatever they want to prevent speech.In this Chronicle of Higher Education essay , law professors Howard Gillman and Erwin Chemerinsky examine that argument and find it wanting:In short, while the anti-speech protesters are correct that the First Amendment does not apply to private conduct, it does not follow that their conduct- such as the way ACLU spokeswoman Claire Gastanega was shouted down at William & Mary in October-is legitimate.Apropos of the William & Mary incident, President Taylor Reveley said That gets at the crucial point: Colleges are entitled to make the rules for conduct on campus, not a group of students. Public institutions cannot have rules that impinge upon First Amendment rights; private ones can have speech suppressing rules if they want, but no group of students gets to set them.Consider the case of Claremont McKenna College, where last year an aggressive mob of approximately 170 students (and probably outsiders as well ) blocked invited speaker Heather Mac Donald from giving her planned talk. They shouted, chanted, banged on drums, and declared that Mac Donald is a white supremacist who denies that black people have a right to exist.Mac Donald's account is available on City Journal , where she writes,Fortunately, the administration at Claremont McKenna decided to uphold its rules and punished seven of the students, three with suspensions for a year, two with suspensions for a semester, and two with "conduct probation." The school's press release about the punishments stated that the students' actionsIn sum, there is no justification for protests that prevent speakers from being heard and college officials (or law enforcement officials if state laws were broken) are perfectly justified in punishing those who refuse to abide by the rules. Allowing the heckler's veto to operate would, as Gillman and Chemerinsky conclude,If we're lucky, 2018 will be the year when people on our campuses stop saying they have a right to disrupt free speech.Tom Campbell

As the New Year unfolds there are at least a dozen leaders likely to play a big role in public policy issues in 2018. In order to avoid criticism for any partiality we listed them in alphabetical order.Many acknowledge that Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger is the most powerful politician in the state, but 2018 could be a challenging year for his leadership. In addition to court decisions and an ambitious agenda for the May short session, Berger will be challenged to keep Republicans in charge of the Senate in 2018 elections and also face what shapes up to be stiff opposition in his own re-election. How will he respond?Our senior Senator rose to national prominence and received accolades for his even-handed leadership of the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation of 2016 Russian election interference, but both Burr and the committee went dark in the closing months of 2017. Will Burr fade into the Washington woodwork or re-emerge in 2018 even if the evidence concludes Trump collusion?The former Congressman was appointed by Governor McCrory to head the State Board of Education and was given good marks in a challenging environment, but since early 2017 Cobey has become the voice of opposition to a legislature determined to take power from the board (and the Governor), as well as opposing a new Superintendent who doesn't want to work with the board or play traditional governance roles. Will Cobey continue the fight in 2018, grow tired and resign or be replaced as chair?Dr. Cohen was appointed Secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services after serving as chief operating officer for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Washington. In her few months she has impressed most everyone with her understanding of healthcare issues, common sense problem-solving approach and her considerable people skills. All eyes will be on her and the department as they initiate major Medicaid reforms in 2018.Roy Cooper- Governor Cooper took office facing a hostile legislature that delayed confirmation of his cabinet and key appointments, while also passing legislation designed to change the balance of power in the state. Understandably, Cooper struggled in his first year as governor and many are waiting to see how he might emerge in 2018.The former Winston-Salem CPA and legislator won election as State Treasurer in 2016. Unafraid to challenge the status quo, Folwell immediately reduced management fees charged on state investments and focused attention on billions in unfunded liabilities for the State Health Plan and retirement system. He has demonstrated a willingness to face challenges and make changes, but can he build consensus for solutions to fix them?Re-elected to his second term as Lieutenant Governor, Forest is emerging as the new leader of the Republican Party and is odds-on favorite to oppose Governor Cooper in the 2020 gubernatorial election. Young, articulate, a proven fundraiser and politically astute, observers are waiting to determine if Forest can build a political platform that will appeal to most elements of the GOP while also attracting enough unaffiliated voters to win the office.Former Insurance Commissioner Goodwin took control of a Democratic Party desperately in need following the 2016 elections. If Democrats hope to reduce the majority Republican delegation from NC in Congress and either overturn or reduce veto-proof majorities in the legislature it falls to Goodwin and party leaders to attract electable candidates, raise money to support them and build grassroots organizations. Even more essential is whether they can put together a message that will energize and turn out more than just their base in 2018. His is a tall order.The Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court usually abstains from taking sides in political discussions but Martin faces big challenges from a legislature intent on reforming the judicial process without much input from those impacted by the reforms. Martin previously assembled a group that addressed modernizing courts but most of their findings haven't gained traction. Will 2018 be the year our Chief Justice takes a vocal stand on judicial reform?Emerging as a Congressional leader in 2017 during the "repeal and replace" Obamacare debate, Meadows' leadership of the House Freedom Caucus demonstrated the big fracture among GOP members of Congress. Will Meadows' significance continue to grow in 2018 or will Congressional leadership sideline him? And how will this affect his 2018 re-election?Former Bush Secretary of Education, now UNC System President, Spellings faces challenges from all sides, but none more significant than the new UNC Board of Governors. Spellings is nationally acknowledged for understanding today's challenges in higher education but many question whether she will go head to head with her challengers in 2018 or simply watch the unfolding drama and wait out the end of her three year contract.Re-elected to a third term in 2016 State Auditor Beth Wood has demonstrated a bulldog-like willingness to investigate and report fraud and mishandling of state funds. Both Republicans and Democrats acknowledge her even-handed and impartial pursuit of inappropriate conduct and will be awaiting further reports in 2018.To be sure there will be others emerging but count on these twelve making a mark in 2018. We will be watching along with you.On Wednesday, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon tore into his former boss, President Trump, as well as Trump's son Donald Jr. and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. He also backhandedly swiped his own publication, Breitbart News, and dumped all over the entire Trump campaign.All in a day's work for that supremely loyal aide to the Great Man Himself.Bannon spoke with author Michael Wolff for Wolff's new book; that book has now been reported by The Guardian. Bannon told Wolff that Robert Mueller's investigation wouldHe stated that Donald Jr.'s campaign meeting with a lawyer associated with the Russian government wasand added that Trump Jr. and associatesBannon's shocking turn toward advocacy for transparency is a far cry from his statements on 60 Minutes last year, when he called the Russia investigation aand aSuddenly, after Bannon becomes just another political loser hanging around the fringes of power, he has a change of heart. (Worth noting: Bannon wasn't on the campaign at the time of the meeting, so he has no insider knowledge of what happened there.)Hilariously, Bannon went on to tell Wolff that such a meeting should have occurredand information should then have beenIt's certainly hilarious to hear Bannon, the chairman of Breitbart News, admit that he's turned the publication into an illegitimate one. But it's puzzling that Bannon thinks the meeting would become non-treasonous if it were leaked to the media.Then again, Bannon was the leakiest faucet at the White House, too.Bannon went on to tell Wolff that the investigation would eventually center on Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law:Odd how according to Bannon, the investigation will hit all of his personal enemies.None of this is a surprise coming from a leech on the ass of power, a man who rode Michele Bachmann's coattails to Sarah Palin's coattails to Andrew Breitbart's coattails to Donald Trump's and the Mercer family's coattails. It's also not a shock from a fellow whose only contribution to the White House was apparently leaking regularly to reporters for The New York Times. Bannon's an ambitious fellow, and his connection to power has now been reportedly cut off on both the monetary side (the going rumor has it that the Mercers aren't funding his side projects anymore) and the political side (he's not on good terms with the Trump White House, either). That means he has to build a brand of his own. So far, his branding isn't going well - it turns out endorsing a credibly accused child molester and then utilizing your publication to dig up dirt on the accusers doesn't do much for your Q rating. So now Bannon, who always had more balls than brains, is turning on the hand that fed him.Bannon's utterly full of crap on virtually every level, of course. He always has been. But his comments are going to cause a whole new round of headaches for the Trump administration, since the media have insisted from the outset that Bannon is far more important than he has ever actually been.In my talks with business owners, I hear time and time again that they have job openings, but can't find workers with the skills necessary to fill them. Making community college more accessible means more of our high school graduates can learn the skills they need to get good paying jobs.

Some workforce analysts assert that by 2020 two in three jobs will require some higher education to perform. The solution, we're told, is to get more people into school and produce more college graduates.

That makes sense to some, but I'd ask: Is more higher education the only way to get an educated and skilled workforce? Of course, if you're talking about some jobs, that may be the answer. However, we also have labor shortages in fields such as computing, the skilled trades, auto mechanics and health care. Many jobs in these fields pay well, but don't require a four-year degree.

Is there a shortage or merely a maldistribution of students? The sad fact is that for every student in business, engineering or a pre-professional program, there are others in less marketable areas such as art history, psychology and history majors. That's nothing against those fields or those who choose to study in them. But we need to ask: Will our nation be better if we keep generating graduates who have difficulty finding gainful employment?

Our society values a college degree - maybe too much. Over the last two decades, we've funneled too many young people toward a four-year degree, when the truth is that many probably would have done better elsewhere.

College, unfortunately, has become a proxy for talent. However, the reality is a college education doesn't always translate into social or economic mobility. We tend to overlook the other paths to success, such as starting your own business or becoming an apprentice. We tend to overlook the thousands of individuals who through their own ingenuity, resourcefulness and determination achieved the American dream without ever going to college.[ii]

Moreover, newer statistics undercut the idea college is a sure pathway to a good-paying job and prosperity. According to the Economic Policy Institute, wages for university grads are 2.5 percent lower in 2015 than they were in 2000. The research found that the real (inflation-adjusted) hourly wages of recent college grads in 2015 was $17.94 or just over $37,000 a year. In 2000, the average hourly rate was $18.41.[iii]

...[F]ree college plans assume that tuition prices are the main obstacle to student success, looking past problems of educational quality and college readiness. Take community colleges, where federal grants cover the price of tuition for the average low-income student. Despite free tuition, just one-third of students from the bottom income quartile who started at a community college in 2003 finished a degree or certificate by 2009. Two-year students from the top income quartile didn't do much better (42 percent). These numbers suggest that lackluster outcomes are not entirely, or even mostly, a function of tuition prices, but reflect deeper problems. Like the fact that 60 to 70 percent of community college students have to take at least one remedial course, as do 40 percent of those at public four-year institutions. Or the fact that students who attend public four-year colleges with lower graduation rates are less likely to finish than similar peers who attend better schools.[iv]

[i] Governor Cooper Highlights NC GROW Free Community College Scholarship Proposal in Asheville, Press Release, March 21, 2017. Available online from: https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-cooper-highlights-nc-grow-free-community-college-scholarship-proposal-asheville

[ii] Higher Education Works web site, "Free" Community College? Available at: http://www.highereducationworks.org/2017/09/free-community-college/

[iii] Free College tuition program expands to North Carolina "District Administration.com. Available online at: https://www.districtadministration.com/article/free-college-tuition-program-expands-north-carolina

[iv] Why Free College Tuition is a Bad Idea, Robert Luebke, Civitas Institute. Available online at: https://www.nccivitas.org/2016/16909/

[v] Why Free College Tuition is a Bad Idea, Robert Luebke, Civitas Institute, Available online at: https://www.nccivitas.org/2016/16909/

[vi] The Problem is that Free College, Isn't Free", Andrew Kelly, New York Times Editorial, January 20, 2016. Available online at: https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/20/should-college-be-free/the-problem-is-that-free-college-isnt-free

Earlier this year Governor Cooper toured Linamar Corporation, a precision machining and assembly company located outside Asheville, North Carolina. In remarks that day, Cooper talked about his campaign promise of free community college tuition for any North Carolina student. He said:According to some estimates, since the recession, 95 percent of new jobs require training beyond a high school diploma.i Young people who have no education or skilled vocational training after high school find it increasingly difficult to escape poverty and support a family.Cooper is proposing to reverse these trends through the NC GROW Scholarship program. Under the program, students who graduated high school and have a 2.0 GPA or better would receive free community college tuition. The NC GROW Scholarship would cover the remaining last dollar of tuition and fees for those who have used other financial aid options. To finance the program, Cooper proposes to use money from the N.C. Education Lottery.Cooper's idea is not new. Reduced or free college programs have long been embraced by the Left and the Democratic Party. The North Carolina Democratic Party Platform for 2016 included phrasing supporting the concept of free community college tuition. The NC GROW Scholarship is patterned after a similar program in Tennessee and comes after President Barack Obama proposed a similar federal plan for free community college tuition in 2015. Since then, Democratic Presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have voiced their support for the concept and expanded it. States such as Tennessee, Rhode Island and New York - and even cities like San Francisco - have begun their own programs to provide tuition free college . In 2008, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue proposed offering two free years of college tuition to help improve North Carolina's work force.The Left continues to champion many of the plans for free community college or free college tuition. While Republican majorities in the General Assembly have been largely lukewarm towards Cooper's plan, be assured the idea is not likely to go away anytime soon. Parents of all political persuasions would certainly welcome relief from ever-rising tuition costs.Governor Cooper's free community college tuition program, however, is worse than the problem it allegedly corrects. Yes, we acknowledge that the United States has a shortage of properly educated workers that must be remedied. The most important question is: how does this nation meet that need?For decades additional education - be it community college or attending a four-year institution - was the way to address those needs. Federal and state financial aid policies encouraged millions of young people to enroll. Since then rising tuition costs have threatened the opportunity for many to attend college. The Left diagnosed the problem as the need to improve access. Hence free community college tuition. This is a faulty diagnosis for several reasons. Cooper touts his plan as an aid to helping students finish school and receive a two-year degree or continue for further education.The fact is the North Carolina Community College's Career and College Promise Program already offers three pathways that are directed at helping high school students access tuition-free college or course credit toward a two-year, four-year or technical degree. Students can access free courses in college as early as high school.In addition to these programs there are other programs designed by local community colleges to reduce the cost of college and increase completion rates. In North Carolina, Brunswick, Isothermal, James Sprunt, Montgomery, Richmond and Sandhills Community colleges have programs put together by public and/or private dollars to offer-tuition free coursework to graduates of local high schools.Along with public programs, there are private programs designed to do the same. In 2015, Guilford County Schools helped to raise $35 million to help fund the college education of all graduates. The program is a partnership with the controversial Say Yes to Education program that helps to fund and provide wrap-around services for K-12 students with the goal of getting more underserved populations to college.[i]iThese realities make it prudent to examine the assumptions behind Cooper's proposal for free community college tuition.Cooper assumes that college is the engine of mobility for all Americans. That may have been the case at one time, but it is not the case for many today. College is no longer synonymous with talent and a skilled labor force. I wrote about it in 2016:If college is the not the engine of economic success, a proxy for talent or the engine of social mobility; is making community college free a wise policy?Free college programs - whether they involve community college or four-year colleges -incorrectly assume that price is the most important variable in determining educational outcome. It's a point that former AEI researcher and now current Senior Vice President for Strategy and Policy at the UNC System, Andrew Kelly made in a New York Times opinion piece:People have a difficult time completing college for many reasons. When you dive into the data, you find the decision to leave usually derives from a variety of reasons - and oftentimes it's not money. It can be family issues, scheduling, transportation or a lack of counseling or preparation for college (see here and here ). Such realities question the value of such an investment. Funneling dollars to programs with high dropout rates will have little payoff.Besides being poorly targeted, Cooper's plan offers last dollar assistance to individuals who graduate high school and have a 2.0 GPA. The fact is most low-income students who attend community college can already receive enough in grants and scholarships to significantly reduce the cost of education. The real impact of Cooper's plan would be to provide additional benefits to middle and upper income students enrolled in community colleges. Governor Cooper's free community college tuition proposal is bad policy and it does nothing to reduce the cost of college. The bet is that free community college would increase access for all. However free tuition is essentially the same as capping tuition at free, which is essentially a price control that limits institutional spending to whatever the public is willing to invest. It doesn't change the institution's cost structure. What happens when enrollment expands but resources don't? California had that happen and turned around thousands of students.While tuition at community colleges has not increased as dramatically as tuition at four year colleges, the trendlines are similar. Free tuition program offer no way to reduce or control instructional costs. Cooper's program is silent on the need to trim costs or change how higher education is financed. It also ignores the reality that the current problem of not having a sufficient number of skilled workers is a product of a refusal to innovate, poorly designed programs and bad curricula. In other words; institutions bear responsibility as well. When college bears some of the blame, making college more accessible will not solve the problem.Part II of this article discusses some of the alternatives policymakers can implement now to control the rising cost of higher education and to develop a more educated workforce.Wear warm, dry clothing and make sure body parts most often affected by frostbite are covered (nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, fingers)

Limit time outside during cold temperatures and seek shelter in a warm, dry place

Check on others who might be at risk for cold weather-related illness

Seek care if hypothermia or frostbite is suspected

Never use a gas-powered generator or other fuel-burning appliances indoors or in the garage

Never use charcoal grills or propane stoves indoors, even in a fireplace

Never use a gas oven to heat a home, even for a short amount of time

Install a carbon monoxide alarm with an Underwriters Laboratory UL listing on each level of a home and near all sleeping areas. Carefully follow the directions to ensure proper alarm placement and check the batteries regularly.

Replace alarms more than seven years old or when end-of-service indicator chirps

Evacuate and call 9-1-1 if a carbon monoxide alarm sounds

Frozen, partially thawed food is safe to cook or refreeze if it still contains ice crystals or has not risen above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep refrigerated foods at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit and frozen food at or below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.

Stay home when sick until fever-free for at least 24 hours

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly

Wash hands frequently, preferably with soap and water

2001 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-2001

news@dhhs.nc.gov (919) 855-4840

RALEIGH With temperatures having dipped significantly across the state, North Carolina health officials are encouraging residents to take health and safety precautions during the winter months.said State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson.Cold temperatures can cause the body to lose heat faster than it is produced, which can lead to serious health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia. In 2016, there were 1,173 emergency department visits in North Carolina for cold weather-related illnesses. Populations at highest risk of these health problems include people 65 and older, infants, children, people who spend time outdoors for long periods of time, and people who drink alcohol in excess or use illicit drugs. To protect against these health problems:For more information, including the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/index.html In 2016, 295 people required emergency department care for unintentional, non-fire related carbon monoxide poisoning in North Carolina. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:For more information on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, visit http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/a_z/co.html When power is lost, all refrigerated and frozen food should be evaluated before being used or refrozen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers the following food safety information for anticipated power outages:For many of North Carolina's most vulnerable residents, meeting the expense of household heating during the cold of winter may be a challenge. County departments of social services are accepting applications for the state's Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, which provides one-time federal heating payment assistance to those who qualify. The program provided approximately $38 million to help more than 120,000 households pay their heating bills from December 2016 to March 2017.Funds are available until March 31 or until funds are exhausted. County departments of social services can provide more information on eligibility and how to apply: www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dss/local-county-social-services-offices So far this flu season, there have been 12 flu-related deaths reported to the Division of Public Health. Flu can be a serious illness, especially for adults older than 65, children younger than 5, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease.DHHS encourages vaccinations for everyone 6 months and older, and the following precautions to protect against the spread of flu and other viruses during the winter months:For more information on flu and to learn where to get a flu vaccination, visit flu.nc.gov For more information on how to prepare for winter-related events, download the free ReadyNC app, or visit www.readync.org for real-time traffic and weather conditions, open shelters and items needed in emergency supply kits.NC Department of Health and Human ServicesPennsylvania climbed from 18th place to 15th in 2017, after passing the Animal Abuse Statute Overhaul Bill that includes Libres Law, which creates stricter penalties for animal abusers. Pictured above, Libre, whose suffering at a Pennsylvania puppy mill sparked the fight for the bill.

7.3K shares







According to our Humane State rankings for 2017, California remains the most humane state in the nation, comfortably ahead of number-two finisher Oregon and then Massachusetts, which has held the third position since 2016 when it approved a sweeping measure to restrict factory farming and to forbid the sale of veal, pork, and eggs if they come from extreme confinement operations. We are releasing this report today on A Humane Nation.

California reinforced its leadership position by becoming the first state to ban pet stores from selling puppy mill dogs. Virginia took fourth place, while the fifth slot was held collectively by Washington, Colorado, and Illinois, which in 2017 banned the use of elephants in circuses and traveling shows.

Mississippi, South Dakota, and North Dakota held steady at the other end of the spectrum as the worst policy performers of 2017. Wyoming and Idaho rounded out the other states at the bottom of the rankings. All of these states have poor anti-cruelty statutes and very limited or no protections for dogs used for commercial breeding and for farm animals. Those western states have very limited protections for wildlife and typically dont forbid egregious wildlife abuses, such as contest hunts or captive hunts. Idaho and Wyoming allow trophy hunting and steel-jaw trapping of wolves, and officials and hunters in both states are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to open up a grizzly bear trophy hunting season (The HSUS filed a lawsuit to block federal delisting of the bears and to maintain federal protections for them).

The HSUS composes its Humane State rankings based on a wide set of animal welfare policies that cover more than 90 policy ideas, ranging from penalties for animal fighting to prohibiting bear and mountain lion hunting to providing incentives for low-cost spay and neuter programs for companion animals to improving the lives of animals raised for food.

Among the most notable performers this year were:

Nevada, which climbed up two spots from 20 th place in 2016, with the state legislature passing three noteworthy bills: one granted civil immunity to certain persons rescuing animals left unattended in cars in hot weather. The others banned bestiality, and the sale of ivory, shark fins, and other wild animal parts.

place in 2016, with the state legislature passing three noteworthy bills: one granted civil immunity to certain persons rescuing animals left unattended in cars in hot weather. The others banned bestiality, and the sale of ivory, shark fins, and other wild animal parts. Pennsylvania climbed up from 18 th place to 15 th in 2017, after passing the Animal Abuse Statute Overhaul Bill that includes Libres Law, which creates stricter penalties for animal abusers. The bill also requires anyone convicted of felony animal cruelty to forfeit their animal, and addresses dogs tethered outdoors in inclement weather.

place to 15 in 2017, after passing the Animal Abuse Statute Overhaul Bill that includes Libres Law, which creates stricter penalties for animal abusers. The bill also requires anyone convicted of felony animal cruelty to forfeit their animal, and addresses dogs tethered outdoors in inclement weather. Illinois jumped from ninth place in 2016 to fifth this year after passing not only the elephant protection law but also allowing dogs in research to be adopted, and passing a pet store sourcing bill.

Indiana was among the biggest movers on the list, leapfrogging nearly a dozen states to go from 36 th place last year to 25 th place, passing a bill to prevent dog deaths in unattended cars, and a pet protection order for dogs in domestic violence cases.

place last year to 25 place, passing a bill to prevent dog deaths in unattended cars, and a pet protection order for dogs in domestic violence cases. Texas saw the farthest climb, up from 43rd place last year to 29th this year. Among other actions, the state passed a law banning bestiality.

Here are some of the most notable legislative achievements of the year:

New York also banned the use of elephants in circuses and travelling shows, and dozens of local governments took even stronger action to stop wild animal acts.

This year South Carolina severely restricted the keeping of big cats, bears, and great apes. There are now only four states left with little or no laws restricting private possession of dangerous wild animals (Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin).

Maryland placed a moratorium on cownose ray killing contests, and we will continue to work toward seeing these cruel events stopped altogether.

We helped defeat a proposal in Vermont that would have opened up a spring bear-hunting season and allowed baiting of black bears, and another proposal in Virginia that would have expanded the bear hunting quota by a whopping 25 percent; after opposition from The HSUS and others it was reduced by half.

Nevada became the seventh state to outlaw the trade in parts and products from wild animals threatened by poaching and wildlife trafficking and the 12th state to end the sale of shark fins. Species protected in the new Nevada law include elephants, rhinos, sharks, lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, pangolins, sea turtles, rays, narwhals, walruses, and hippopotamuses.

In West Virginia, The HSUS helped stop a Right to Farm constitutional amendment that would have permanently barred meaningful legislative reforms for chickens, cows, and pigs  on the heels of defeating a referendum of the same type in Oklahoma on the November 2016 ballot. In Oklahoma, we did have to rally again and fight off, with local allies, a prosperity district bill that would have exempted large swaths of the state from anti-cruelty protections.

We successfully fought back a whistleblower suppression bill in Maine, an effort to establish a pro-factory-farming commission in California, and multiple pro-factory-farming bills in Missouri.

Florida failed to pass a greyhound bill but we may be able to get this issue into the states ballot this year if a proposal from former state Senate President Tom Lee continues to advance through the 37-member Constitutional Revision Commission.

We were able to stop, at least for 2017, bills in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Tennessee to bar localities from banning the sales of puppy mill dogs in pet stores. Ohio, the second largest puppy mill state in the country, did pass such a preemption bill. We have, however, advanced a sweeping ballot measure in 2018 in the state to institute comprehensive reforms for commercial dog-breeding operations.

Altogether, The HSUS played a role in helping to pass 112 state laws (there were also 144 local animal welfare ordinances adopted). Its also worth mentioning Ohios new livestock standards to ban extreme confinement of veal calves and tail docking of dairy cows took effect as 2017 closed, with the original policy-making action coming several years ago and the phase-in set for Jan. 1, 2018. Those new policies improve Ohios standing in our ratings.

Looking forward, were gearing up for a raft of new legislative sessions starting January, and well count on you to communicate with your lawmakers and governors to lobby for the strongest possible improvements in the legal framework for animals.

P.S. For more details on how your state did in our Humane Rankings, visit our lists below:

Alabama through Missouri >>

Montana through Wyoming >>

You can also sign up for HSUS action alerts or click here to be part of the team to help your state ascend in the rankings in 2018.It's common for high-priced paintings and jewelry to be insured and stored with some sort of theft-proof security in place. But the bar owner of Cafe 33 in Copenhagen, Denmark didn't think to protect "the world's most expensive" bottle of vodka, Russo Baltique, reportedly worth $1.3 million, making it too easy for a thief to pilfer the liquid gold in the middle of the night. Well, not actually liquid gold, but the bottle is made of both gold and silver, and for an added touch, the a cap is "encrusted with diamonds," says BBC.

According to BBC:

Mr Ingberg, owner of the Cafe 33 bar, told broadcaster TV2 that he had borrowed the bottle from the Latvia-based Dartz Motor Company.

"It has been part of my collection for six months, but not any more," he said.

Russian luxury car maker Russo-Baltique is said to have created the vodka to commemorate the centenary of the company's factory.

The front of the bottle is decorated with leather and has a replica of the radiator guard used for Russo-Baltique cars.In a new book, former Trump campaign manager and presidential strategist Steve Bannon is quoted as saying contacts the campaign had with Russian agents before his involvement were "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," singling out a meeting attended by the president's son and son-in-law.

The meeting was revealed by the New York Times in July last year, prompting Trump Jr to say no consequential material was produced. Soon after, Wolff writes, Bannon remarked mockingly: "The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately." Bannon went on, Wolff writes, to say that if any such meeting had to take place, it should have been set up "in a Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, with your lawyers who meet with these people". Any information, he said, could then be "dump[ed]  down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication".

Bannon comparing Breitbart, his own media outlet, to "other more legitimate publications" is something of a buried lede. But it's not as if anyone's pretending otherwise.

A telling moment of candor by a leading member of Trump's team, but don't be fooled. Bannon and other populist nationalists will learn from Trump's worst mistakes and be more clever, but their philosophies will remain every bit as dangerous and vile. https://t.co/FgNLr1NFay  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) January 3, 2018

Welcome to the Resistance, Steve Bannon! https://t.co/gZBke642cg  Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) January 3, 2018

Ok. When Steve Bannon is way out in front of even ME on the use of the word "treasonous" I'm guessing we're approaching the proverbial End Game https://t.co/1yHaTWEYU2  Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) January 3, 2018

So @anthony makes a great point: Bannon's comments to Wolff came when he was in the White House. Now that he's not, and Mueller has started to look at him, he's singing a different tune. Basically, he's slime whose slime-trail confirms the validity of the Russia investigation. https://t.co/L17fBLcHom  Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) January 3, 2018

Every year, Bruce Sterling and Jon Lebkowsky take to The Well and conduct a weeks-long, wide-ranging "state of the world" discussion, trying to dig through to the zeitgeist's bedrock, taking questions from all comers (you don't need to be a WELL member to read, and you can send your questions in to Jonl).



This year, Bruce is in Ibiza, finishing a "long, difficult novel" and ruminating on the futurism of Dubai and Estonia.

Here's the 2016 and 2017 editions.



I don't believe either of them, but I'm always interested in people

who make that claim  "We're the future." They're not resentful in

Dubai or Estonia, they're not looking backward; that's what I

appreciate. They don't yearn to make themselves great again,

because they've never been great. They're not trying to take back

control of anything, because they never had any control.

Both Dubai and Estonia are in situations that, looked at

objectively, are just chock-full of bloodthirsty menace. Estonia

was crushed to paste by both Nazis and Stalinists, and Muslim

fundies would cheerfully behead every soul in Dubai.

Yet boy, are they perky. It's weird how upbeat, shiny, and

future-evangelical they both are. Dubai and Estonia, these tiny

countries, say and do things that look like they come from two other

planets. I'm waiting for the day when they announce an alliance

Yeah, the e-residency E-Stonian thing interests me a lot, because

it's such a weird and deliberate hack of the European immigration

problem.

Nations always "stand with" oppressed populations, but no nation

really wants its population to physically stand next to migrants.

Nobody abolishes passports and flings out the welcome mat for the

planet's sixty million refugees.

Even millionaire migrants, like the ones who flock to Ibiza here,

seem to be getting more problematic, in strange ways.

It's not just that the locals resent them; they do a little bit, but

interestingly, the tourists don't seem to like each other very much

any more. They get off the boats, make a few discos while looking

at screens, then get back on the boats. And those are the

foreigners who cheerfully throw money around, instead of arriving

with belt-bombs full of nails, to go stand somewhere in a crowd.

With e-residency, you've got the Estonians trying to play financial

games with this new psychological situation somehow. They're not

creating a common offshore money-laundry, they're aiming for

technically talented Koreans, Ukrainians and such, who are using

Estonia as a national cloud and a business services platform. And

to get Euros and bank them.

There's no pretense at all that "e-residents" are gonna integrate

into Estonian society, or learn their impossible language, or ever

live there, or even visit there. But it is an Estonian soft-power

emanation. They seem to see it as some shareable aspect of their

own predicament. "Would you, too, like to be Estonian? Well, this

is as Estonian as we can possibly make you, without getting sticky

stuff on us. Also: probably Russian-proof!"

The guys who run the e-residency program, who are Estonian

government officials, are just a small cluster of wacky 30-something

coders who work out of an old wrecked bakery. The offices of WHOLE

EARTH REVIEW used to look better than their offices do.

Estonia also seems to be keen on national outer-space initiatives,

which is endearingly Space Age of them. There aren't many of them,

but they've got charisma. Sometimes that's all it takes.For months, Japan's much-vaunted manufacturing sector has been wracked by scandal after scandal, as the country's biggest corporations admit to decades of systematic fraud that started in the boardroom and went to the factory floor, with scandals hitting "Nissan Motor, Subaru, Toray Industries, Kobe Steel and Mitsubishi Materials" among others.

The scandals have real financial costs  Nissan had to recall 2 million cars, a Hakata to Tokyo Shinkansen train had to be evacuated because it had been made of inferior steel that began to crack and smoke as the train raced toward Nagoya.





But they also have a deeper meaning, one that goes right to the heart of the Japanese identity as a craft-oriented, detail-driven, high-quality manufacturer whose national culture and manufacturing culture are both defined by the highest standards of honor and pride.





In a nation where any worker from the shop floor to the board-room is supposedly empowered to stop production and report defects and flaws, or even suggest improvements, it's become apparent that the reality is more dominated by a conspiracy of silence. That conspiracy is breaking down, as social media enables people to voice their concerns anonymously, or at least without the social difficulty of in-person confrontation.

Compliance consultancies have started designing surveys to catch deep, longstanding corruption  a long list of innocuous questions with zingers like "Is there something going on around you at work that you would not want to come to light?" buried deep in them. Says Nobuo Gohara, top exec at the country's top compliance consultancy, "That question has the most amazing effect. You would not believe what they tell us."

The Financial Times's long and fascinating piece on this has an interesting and curious blind-spot. Although several of the top execs interviewed for the piece say, basically, "Our CFO and CEO are focused on profitability above all other considerations, including producing good products and complying with the law." Then the writer quotes a financial analyst who says, essentially, "These companies aren't under any real pressure to produce, and they should be a lot more profitable, and the investor class's patience is wearing thin." But the writer continues to say, repeatedly, "It's hard to understand where this might be coming from," as though there's a huge mystery here.





Given that this is the Financial Times, it's hard not to suspect that we're in Upton Sinclair territory: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."



But not everyone agrees. "These companies have cut some corners and the business associations often say it is because they have excess pressures on them. Really?" says Nicholas Smith, a Tokyo strategist for brokerage CLSA. "There aren't enough pressures on them: most haven't ever made a return on equity. I would say people have been unbelievably patient with low returns from Japanese companies." Others see the falsification as a response to onerous quality regulations imposed by what one steelmaking company executive describes as "an unrealistic, out-of-touch and overly conservative trade ministry". A third possibility is that it is a symptom of the skewed power relationships within the customer-supplier hierarchies that underpin Japan's industrial base. These problems can be found anywhere in the world, says Takahiro Fujimoto, head of Tokyo University's Graduate School for Management. "If the product specifications being asked for were excessive, Kobe should have negotiated with the customer companies to change, as long as they could give assurances that the quality was high enough even after the downgrade," he says. "But that didn't happen because of the way power works here. What is uniquely Japanese in this? The B2B customer is God."



Japan Inc: a corporate culture on trial after scandals [Peter Wells and Leo Lewis/Financial Times]





(via Naked Capitalism)





(Image: Dllu, CC-BY-SA)The Secure Elections Act is a bipartisan Senate bill with six co-sponsors that reads like a security researcher's wish-list for voting machine reforms. Specifically, it reads like Matt Blaze's wishlist, hewing closely to the excellent recommendations laid out in his testimony to the House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology and Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs Hearing on Cybersecurity, recounting his experiences as a security researcher and as the founder of Defcon's Vote Hacking Village.

The bill creates earmarks to help states get rid of their paperless electronic voting machine in favor of voter-verified, machine-readable paper ballots, and institutes a system of randomized post-election audits that use good statistical techniques to spot systemic anomalies.

The current system of paperless voting machines is the result of a failed effort to improve America's voting machines after the debacle of the 2000 election count.

The bill has three Republican co-sponsors, and its sponsors include the only senators who serve on both the Homeland Security Committee and the Intelligence Committee, which bodes well for it, but given the dismal history of improving voting technology in America, our optimism should be tempered with caution. The bill has to be passed almost immediately if its measures are to have an effect in next November's midterm elections.

"Computer scientists were worried about them from the start," according to Alex Halderman, a computer scientist at the University of Michigan. They worried "that they were being rolled out too fast and without effective security standards." "In every single case, when a machine was brought into the lab and studied by qualified researchers, the result was the discovery of significant vulnerabilities that could allow the machines to be compromised with malicious software that could potentially steal votes," Halderman told Ars. So Halderman says that, over the last decade, "the thinking has shifted to looking at more practical solutions." In particular, election security experts have come to regard optical-scanned paper ballots as the gold standard for computer security. Optical-scan ballots can be counted by machine to provide prompt and accurate vote totals. But if there's any doubt about the integrity of the results, there's always an option to do a hand recount of the paper ballots.

Secure Elections Act [US Senate]

New bill could finally get rid of paperless voting machines [Timothy B Lee/Ars Technica]

Seattle Municipal Archives, CC-BY)State Representatives Bill Chumley and Mike Burns, both white Republicans, have introduced a bill honoring the no black soldiers who served their state in the Civil War. South Carolina refused service from black men because racism.

Via Raw Story:

The justification for building a monument to black Confederate soldiers is crumbling as historians point out there's no evidence such combatants ever existed.

State Rep. Bill Chumley (R-Woodruff) and state Rep. Mike Burns (R-Taylors) pre-filed a bill last month that would establish a commission to design an African-American Confederate veterans monument, reported The State.

The bill would also require public schools to teach the contributions of black people toward the Confederate cause, and Chumley said his proposal had already accomplished his goal even as historians undermine its intent.

"We are all learning a lot," Chumley said. "The purpose of the bill is education."

The State reviewed pension records from 1923 that show three blacks claimed armed service in South Carolina units under the Confederacy, with two of them confirmed as cooks or servants and none for armed service.

"In all my years of research, I can say I have seen no documentation of black South Carolina soldiers fighting for the Confederacy," said historian Walter Edgar, the longtime director of the University of South Carolina's Institute for Southern Studies. "In fact, when secession came, the state turned down free (blacks) who wanted to volunteer because they didn't want armed persons of color.

Edgar, who wrote a history of the state, said any black person who served in a Confederate unit in South Carolina was either a slave or an unpaid laborer working against his will.

South Carolina forbid blacks from carrying weapons during most of the Civil War out of fear of a slave revolt, but the Confederacy did allow black soldiers in the final months of the doomed rebellion.News / Local

by Staff Reporter

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has launched a water disconnection blitz in the city's suburbs to recover over $90 million owed by residents.A previous High Court order declared that local authorities must only disconnect water after obtaining a court order but residents said yesterday that there was no such order.The latest blitz saw some residents spending the Christmas and New Year holidays without water.BCC senior public relations officer Nesisa Mpofu yesterday said there is nothing amiss with the disconnection programme as it is meant to encourage residents to pay bills."Water disconnection in the city's suburbs is not a new thing. This is something that occurs throughout the city because there are some people who do not pay their rates. The council is expected to provide clean water to its residents hence the local authority needs money to provide this service," said Mpofu."We encourage residents to come and present their challenges to council. If you see council descending on your house to disconnect water, it will be after a realisation that you have not committed towards payment of rates. Also you would not have made plans on how you will clear your debt."She said the BCC was encouraging residents to come forward to make payment plans regarding the payment of bills."Let us help each other to build the city," she added.Pumula MP Godfrey Malaba said water disconnections were hurting struggling residents."I've received reports from some of the residents who had their water disconnected because of their debts. We observe that the council is trying to recover its monies but it's not like people do not want to pay the rates. They are struggling to pay the rates. We have assisted two or three elderly people in the constituency who had nothing. We had to pay for them so that their water is reconnected while they made payment plans," said Malaba.He said the water disconnections could result in disease outbreaks.Malaba challenged residents to strive to pay their bills saying they should remember that to receive services they should play a role in their provision.News / National

by Staff Reporter

THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of scattered thunderstorms in some parts of the country, with some localised rain.In a statement yesterday, MSD said although there was widespread precipitation countrywide on Monday, only a few places such as Logan Park (Harare) and Mvurwi had heavy downpours, with 48mm and 33mm respectively."Accordingly, tomorrow, 3 January 2018 (today), we expect isolated thunderstorms and rain shower activity along north of the central watershed as well as parts of the Eastern Highlands of Manicaland," said the department.MSD warned strongly against the use of electronic devices when it is raining unless there is an emergency. Provinces such as Masvingo, south of Midlands, Matabeleland South and south of Manicaland should on the other hand be occasionally cloudy, windy and relatively cooler than of late.News / National

by Staff Reporter

Suspected gunshots rang in the Harare central business district yesterday evening as suspected MDC-T activists and cellphone traders engaged in running battles.The battles started slightly after 5pm, when the suspected MDC-T members allegedly tried to grab the wares of the traders, who operate along Angwa Street between Kwame Nkrumah and Jason Moyo.NewsDay claims to have been at scene and spoke to one of the cellphone dealers involved in the skirmishes, who declined to be named."These MDC guys always come and take our wares everyday, but today, we just said no and decided to fight back," he said."We have put up with them too much and now we are fighting back."Witnesses, who spoke to the publication, said the fight started when the MDC-T activists allegedly approached the traders.The dealers responded by throwing stones at the party members, driving them back. It is alleged that some dealers fired two gun shots, pegging back the MDC-T members.Shops in the area quickly responded by ending business early and closing shop.The MDC-T activists allegedly responded by throwing stones back at the cellphone dealers, but were quickly overwhelmed by the increasing numbers of the dealers, who came wielding rods and a gun.The battles were quelled after an hour and half when riot police arrived on the scene and dispersed the two groups.Efforts to get a comment from the police or MDC-T were fruitless last night.News / National

by Staff Reporter

The Joshua Nkomo Foundation (JNF) has expressed its willingness to work with the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa whom it equates to the revered Father Zimbabwe.JNF director Jabulani Hadebe drew parallels between Nkomo and Mnangagwa, saying there were both forced into exile by the brutal former president Robert Mugabe."JNF is more than willing to work with the new president Mnangagwa and the organ for peace and national reconciliation in healing the wounds inflicted to the generality of our people in the first republic," Hadebe said.In welcoming the new president, Hadebe who is in charge of the organisation that seeks to restore the legacy of the late Father Zimbabwe, said it was their hope that Mnangagwa would walk in the shoes of Nkomo."The late vice president Nkomo and the current president Mnangagwa share similarities of being fugitives of an evil system created in the first republic."They were both fired from government, State agents were unleashed to devour them and they escaped the country fearing of their lives as border jumpers," Hadebe said."The late Umdala Wethu's speeches during the early 1980s and the disturbances that rocked our nation calling for unity, peace and justice were methodically suppressed as the press and broadcast media were brought under total State control, something which also happened when the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantino Chiwenga was denied coverage by the State broadcaster and State media."Hadebe further noted that Nkomo was likened to a cobra which deserved to be crushed by the then prime minister Mugabe and the same happened to Mnangagwa who was likened to a snake that deserved to be killed by the then first lady Grace Mugabe.Hadebe who is in charge of the Joshua Nkomo Museum said he was working on having the new president officially open the museum after the former president snubbed the invitation several times.Nkomo's house in Matshemhlope was turned into a museum to capture his life story from the time he was born, his education in Zimbabwe and later in South Africa where upon his return went straight into trade unionism until such a time when he entered into politics.The museum also captures issues to do with the sad chapter of Gukurahundi including the death of Lookout Masuku and the attack on his Pelandaba house which also resulted in the death of two bodyguards.Opinion / Columnist

As I followed the sad and disturbing news reports on how Ezekiel Guti Jnr died after he was involved in a freak swimming pool accident in Johannesburg, South Africa, I once again quietly questioned whether God exists and confronted the authenticity of claims that Archbishop Ezekiel Guti, founder of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) church, has special healing powers.How could Guti Jnr spend his lifetime unable to walk while his father supposedly performed medical miracles for everyone else? Perhaps this explains why Guti Jnr vented his frustrations in an interview with the media.He said: "I used to pray to God that even if I cannot walk, at least I should be able to talk. I have seen my parents praying for people who could not talk and they began to talk."But Guti Jnr never did walk. So I can appreciate how fake prophets, fake evangelists and fake healing sessions con faithfully desperate souls.And I understand why religion is losing credibility and popularity to fresh discoveries in the field of medical science: God is always missing when a physiologically tangible miracle is keenly required.God is always AWOL when sacrilegious relationships between men of the cloth and politicians promote deception and profit.God is so silent when self-serving civil leaders make a beeline to church and such publicity stunts become front page news.So I understand why there is an embarrassing proliferation of false prophets and capitalist churches: God has no voice and no real say in biological ills, corruption, the high cost of living, low foreign exchange reserves and increasing impoverishment.God cannot eliminate electoral fraud and stop the government from trampling on the rights of protesters in Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mutare.So while the cultivated picture of the First Family singing in a Sunday Mass at the Methodist Church in Mabelreign might inspire words of praise from gullible followers, it also shines the spotlight on the role of religion in civil affairs.But it is not just President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa who have cashed in on this righteous Christian spirit and endeared themselves with the Lord and millions of his followers in Zimbabwe, Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga on December 24 made an appearance at the Noah Taguta shrine in Marange Communal lands in Manicaland.And before Mnangagwa received the rich blessings of the Lord and made it to the State House through a de facto coup, Grace Mugabe held a massive church rally at Rufaro Stadium on November 5, 2017, that allegedly confirmed that she was the chosen one.Dressed in angelic white and surrounded by thousands of faithful followers, Gucci Grace' exposed how organised religion has become a nefarious conduit for cultivating a clean and God-fearing professional look while simultaneously amassing questionable power and wealth.Worryingly, all the main actors in this seemingly ungodly order of things, the former First Lady, Mnangagwa, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi and Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, seem to have more money and social scandals at hand than they can conceivably handle in one million lifetimes.But how can the Lord allow such godless enrichment and widespread lawlessness to fester and seemingly forgive these prominent figures for their public sins? I have not heard Mnangagwa say a prayer for the victims of the Gukurahundi massacres yet.And when I think about the 1999 murder of Lutheran World Federation employee Strover Mutonhori, I am moved to question everything about God that I have ever believed in. Mutonhori died after an alleged affair with Mrs Tambudzai Mohadi came to light.Unsurprisingly, the Mutonhori family have seen little joy in their efforts to have the police investigate the chief suspect: Vice-President Mohadi.Where is the Lord when Mutonhori dies a cruel and unsolved death and Mr Mohadi becomes a Vice-President 19 years later?And is there a chance that Vice-President Mohadi, who has been photographed in church occasionally, ever prays for the wife and family of the late church worker?Is God watching over this distressed family and helping the mother with money for food, school fees, medicine and transportation?I also wonder if Prophet Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG ministries), the man who supposedly predicted how Mr Mohadi would ascend to the second highest office in the land, lends the needy all the help he can, especially after churchgoers paid R25 000 to sit next to Prophet Bushiri at a dinner function held at the Pretoria Showgrounds on December 23, 2017.If that ridiculous cost hardly astounds you, the R1.6 million Maserati Levante that the Malawi-born prophet bought his 4-year-old daughter as a birthday present last year should.However, it is the economic and political hypocrisy that formal religion pushes that has wounded the soul of modern society.If Christianity had somehow evolved with no financial and humanitarian terms and conditions attached, all would probably be well. But the price of religion is controlled economic chaos, social inaction and suppressed political disapproval.People expect miracles to happen but ignore how science can help achieve physical goals. Greater practicality and less reliance on prayer could help people enjoy richer and healthier lives and live longer.And although people can seek forgiveness from God and traditional gods for a range of social, economic and political transgressions, bygones cannot be bygones in all fairness: the spirit of the law must always prevail where innocent lives have been lost at the hands of government forces and public funds have been abused or stolen.Because nobody deserves to die or suffer ceaseless emotional and physical anguish for the selfish inclinations of mortal men and the electoral goals of unprincipled organisations.So until God acts on the economic and social tribulations people face on a daily basis and takes a strong and vocal stand on important political matters, scientific and technological realities and not endless and exorbitant faith in religion, should guide us in life.Twitter: @tafimhakaFacebook: @tafiranyikaOpinion / Columnist

Re-engagement With International Partners

Consultation Before Implementation of Key Economic Decisions



Re-Direction of Expenditure

Engage Investors With Caution

External and Internal Debt

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the head of Southern Institute of Policy Analysis and Research  SIPAR TRUST, which is responsible for policy analysis and research. He is also an academic and researcher. He holds a BA, MA from Solusi University, and he also holds a Masters of Development Studies from University of Lusaka, Zambia. He is currently enrolled at University of KwaZulu Natal University in South Africa (PhD in Development Studies). He is also an advisor to many financial and political institutions within and outside Zimbabwe. He can be contacted at southerninstitutepar@gmail.com.

You don't have to wait for appointment for you to bring development to your country. Whatever you have on your hands it is good to share so that our country will be in a better position to develop. For the past 37 years our country was going through rough patches and it is high time all Zimbabweans should come together and build our country using economic sound development policies. Our country needs sacrifice of ideas so that we can be able to deliver positive ideas and achieve positive growth. It is not easy to turn around the economy within seven months it will take nearly 5 years to bring sanity in our economy, but off course the current Government will implement few reforms that will usher our country in the positive mood.Our name has been dented in the past, citing areas of corruption and other grey areas. It is important for the President to take note of the issue of re- engagement. The President is supposed to use proper language with potential investors, no need to use harsh tone when addressing foreign investors. The very big mistake Mugabe made was to attack potential investors and super powers of this world such as USA, EU and Britain. Hostile language is not good and conducive for investment. It is important for the Government to re- consider the issue of re-engagement with multi  international partners for the benefit of our country. It is important to humble ourselves before them; it is us who are in need of foreign direct investment. It is also critical to use business language when courting investors. Most of these soldiers and war veterans in rural areas they attack people, white farmers forgetting that the outside world is watching. In fact what we should understand and take note is that Zimbabwe is under spot light, investors have adopted the wait and see approach, until they are satisfied with meaningful reforms, they will never pour in money for investments. It is important to court everyone, but we have to be careful Mr. President our country in the past has been duped with bogus investors who took advantage of our desperate country because of leakages and other loopholes they duped us. There is no need to carry cadres, activists when going for international engagements they will spoil everything for us. It is important for the President to carry with him business people, potential leaders and other key people for turning around the economy.I would suggest that there should be a economic advisory council of Zimbabwe. This council should be responsible for coming up with key economic decisions which should benefit the whole country. Look into legal issues, economic issues, what does benefit from whatever deals we are signing. It is very important to take note of economic interests. It is important to have such a board with the likes of Eddie Cross, James Manyika, Shingai Mutasa, Joe Mutizwa, James Makamba, Pindi Nyandoro, Calisto Jokonya, Chipo Mtasa, Strive Masiyiwa, Grace Muradzikwa, Herbert Nkala, Shingi Munyeza, Tawanda Nyambirai etc. we need these people in that council so that our country will not lose to bogus investors. Mr. President you must invest and put value in people who can deliver. Never make a mistake of wasting your time on things that will not bring any positive growth to our economy. It is important to engage civic society, academics, business community, individuals and other stakeholders in bringing positive ideas. I was suggesting that Mr. President why can't you call for an all stakeholder's conference and engage civic leaders and opposition and get their ideas for implementation of a critical economic recovery plan.I'm glad that Minister Chinamasa pointed out in his budget statement that he flushed out more than 3500 people from the state payroll, who were known as ghost workers in the past, these ghost workers were milking the state of more than 1.7 million. I still believe and trust Mr. President there could be more ghost workers on the wage bill and I would suggest that may you direct a civil service audit in order to remove more ghost workers who were milking the state coffers. Instead of having too many rallies, those resources can be channeled towards the healthy sector which is very critical, tourism, production sector, mining, and agriculture and infrastructure development. It is important that instead of ministers receiving more than 3 cars per individual we can have single vehicle per minister renewable for five years.Most countries, individuals will take advantage of our situation to loot our resources. It is painful as I pen this article that we lost billions of dollars through bogus investors during the diamond era in Chiadzwa. We engaged in several crooks that were not genuine in their dealings. Before any deals are signed Mr. President we must know as a nation the procedures, outcomes, implications in every deal, nature of deals, legal connotations, accountability, and what will Zimbabwe benefit from these deals? Mugabe signed several mega deals nobody knows the nature of these deals and till date these deals were never disclosed to the public. There is also need to take into account that those investors should absorb the local work force, we have so many graduates in the streets selling airtime, and so it is important that when having such initiatives it is important to consider the job scarcity of our country.Nobody knows how much we owe other countries, institutuions and foreign investors. We don't even know the nature of our debts. My question is are we not going to mortgage our country to other people or nations? In future we may find ourselves in difficult positions after realizing that our country has been mortgaged to other countries and super powers like China and Britain. It is important for you Mr. President to address the nation on the nature of our debts. How much do we owe who and why? When did we borrow the money? What was it used for? What is the repayment plan and this will help the country to build strong financial accountability systems. As we speak we have that Brazil Agriculture scheme we don't even know who benefitted but mostly Grace Mugabe and her G40 cabal benefitted using their factional agenda.Opinion / Columnist

Nomazulu Thata writes her own views about Zimbabwe politics and her views are purely her and independent from any political affiliation. Can be contacted on Nomazulu.thata(at) web.de

It's this bootlicking going to overdrive; some citizens are notably so hungry out there, they can easily sell their soils to become relevant in the Trump era. The Joshua Nkomo Foundation and Hadebe are the last persons to ever utter such words: to raise Mnangagwa to the level of Joshua Nkomo. Here we see openly how a hungry stomach is capable of doing. A hungry stomach is politically illiterate. How can Joshua Nkomo get insulted by the hungry Hadebe today: indeed there is a post near Mnangagwa he is vying for, he must be seen to be eating TOO by claiming things that do not add up (ezingeneliyo / zvisingakwane.) The political climate in Zimbabwe is how you can make, it to bootlick Mnangagwa especially and be part of it: the gravy train is all about food and heavy eating while the food lasts.Today in Bulawayo 24 social media was an interesting article written by Comrade Tafi Mhaka on Bulawyo 24 news media. "God has no voice" he says. "So I understand why there is an embarrassing proliferation of false prophets and the capitalist churches." Mr. & Mrs. Mnangagwa and VP General Chiwenga have cashed in on righteous Christian spirit, says Tafi Mhaka. His argument is that, it is the very Christians and churches, who, not two months ago they were in total admiration of Grace Mugabe, almost irrevocable reverence and loyalty to the former First Lady who "she was surrounded by faithful followers and HER dressed in angelic white" Mr. Mhaka says further, it is worrying that "in this seemingly ungodly order of things: the former "First Lady Grace Mugabe, President Mnangagwa, VP Chiwenga and VP Mohadi and indeed the Prophet Bushiri have more money and social scandals at hand than they can conceivably handle in one million times"What is this God: where is HE if he cannot eliminate electoral fraud and stop government from trampling on the rights of protestors in Bulawayo Masvingo and Mutare? These are Mr.Tafi Mhaka's questions. I would like to add on to what he has already said eloquently in his article. The gullibility of our electorate is deeply disheartening. We have a population that prides on the literacy that is the highest in Africa. What is the use of education if that knowledge is not made in use correctly: use to analyse our politics intelligibly and sensibly. Ever since Mnangagwa took office as president: He has been likened as the "God given" he is the saviour, the nauseating bootlicking utterances have been on and going on without a break, some coming from educated personas in our midst. Churches and Foundations have overnight become pro-Mnangagwa and they loath Mugabe; a complete 180 degrees turn around. This type of practice is by all standards not normal. It is not only unchristian but primitive and at best gullible and ignorant. Where ignorance is just bliss its folly to still call yourself wise.Mthwakazi Youth were in the church in Bulawayo: the church of God when they were manhandled out of the church in the presence of the newly inaugurated President. Where was the priest-in-charge to intervene and make sure those youths are not harmed by the army? Why was it not possible for Mnangagwa to intervene and tell the army that this is a place of worship and no one should be manhandled? They were sent to the barracks for a thorough beating: the very brutal beatings their own fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters and siblings had endured in the Gugurahundi era. To the peoples of Mathebeleland this is a sign that there are worse times ahead of us.Those youths were exercising their freedom of speech, freedom to demonstrate, a right that is enshrined in the constitution. Those youths know what they want when they braved those demonstrations. I am afraid those demonstrations will not end because of those beatings, it did not matter how brutal. There will be more demonstrations each time Mnangagwa visited Mathebeleland and Bulawayo. Mnangagwa must never be under any illusion whatsoever that what he did in 1983 in Mathebeleland and Midlands he will get his way again without any resistance from the peoples of Mathebeleland.The brutal beatings of our Youths is a sign that Gugurahundi atrocities are visiting us and will be worse than the 1980s because the government of Zanu PF has done it before in the 1983 to 1987 and these atrocities were never punishable by the international bodies: al perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity went scot free: but not this time round in 2018.Ever since the Mnangagwa-coup took over power from Mugabe, nothing has changed for better but for worse. The peoples of this region will be on their own again, will perish at the hands of this brutal regime that has reared from their brutal murdering and torturing the citizen of Mthwakazi especially: we shall not take this silently, we shall indeed do something in our power to stop them Zanu PF and government.The taking over of Mnangagwa was a coup d'etat. After his taking over, the army remained in our streets beating up the very people they purport to protect and defend. We are aware and have always been aware of the fact that the army is an arm of Zanu PF government. The army is partisan; it is Zanu PF government in uniforms. The army is protecting the Lacoste that has looted for so long. The army is stopping at nothing in punishing the so called G40 cabal together with the civilian population. The army sold the Zimbabwe civilian population a dumpy, used them to demonstrate against Mugabe and G40. In retrospect it is the army that will usher victory to Zanu PF in the coming 2018 general elections. There are no coming free and fair elections to talk about in this climate of army presence in the streets of Harare, Bulawayo and elsewhere.Hadebe knows well that he is not the only one seeking food by bootlicking the government of Mnangagwa: churches, prophets, well-known intellectuals and opposition politicians are all selling their souls to a brutal regime, thugs and murderers: they selling their values and principles for food. The bad precedence we give to our growing up children, that a whole man of Hadebe's calibre can liken Mnangagwa to our icon Joshua Nkomo is bad enough. Hadebe knows the atrocities Mnangagwa and the whole criminals of Zanu PF did to Joshua Nkomo, his party Zapu PF that was composed of Amandebele la bantu be Mashonalands. Those peoples of Shona speaking who were Zapu supporters and members perished equally, brutal killings were meted on them too. Apparently we have not forgotten: we shall never forget those who suffered deaths of genocidal nature and are today still systematic victims by marginalization: no proper schools and hospitals, no birth certificates, no IDs wrote Winston Coltart in his previous article.The brutal beatings of the eight Mthwakazi Youths give us, empowers us to even do more. We seek justice: period. The demonstrations that took place in London on the 23rd of December are the beginning of our long journeys to demand justice for those who perished in genocide acts of Zanu PF: Gugurahundi. The New Year demonstration that took place in a church in Bulawayo; youths demonstrating in the church where Mnangagwa was invited is a continuation of the London demo, will never stop. We shall give this Mnangagwa government a torrid time; they should know that those brutal beatings do not deter us from demanding justice for our living and the dead. We demand this justice in our life time.Those beatings give all of us courage to demand justice in our lifetime. Those visits by the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa to hospitals and Mathebeleland Children's Homes do not mean much to us if her husband does not own up to his past. Mnangagwa's show of visiting churches does not mean anything if he does not own up to the past atrocities of genocide and crimes against humanity he has committed to the peoples of Zimbabwe: genocide not being the only one but several crimes against humanity.We ask Hadebe to smell his armpits: he is seriously excitable. Kumele azinuke amakwapha umtomdala and azibuze ukuthi uthini nxa esithi u Mnangagwa is to be elevated to Joshua Nkomo's acumen. At best he should keep quiet if he has nothing better to say. It is deeply insulting to all of us who know Mnangagwa and Zanu PF and his genocidal past. We have endured serious scars of physical and emotional nature and we still have to tolarate Hadebe's nonsense, because he is hungry and excitable.Comrade Mhaka concludes his article: "And although people can seek forgiveness from God and traditional gods for a range of social, economic and political transgressions, bygones cannot be bygones in all fairness: the spirit of law must always prevail where innocent lives have been lost at the hands of government forces public funds have been abused or stolen." Mr. Mhaka, your contribution is laudable by all account. The collective spirit you share with most of us to put closure to those dark days is highly commendable dear Comrade Mhaka.Dale Hawkins - The Godfathers of Psychobilly

- Go to Town

Ella Fitzgerald - The Best Of .....

Orchestral Manoeveres in The Dark - The OMD Singles

- Shelter As We Go

Cornershop - When I Was Born For The 7'th Time

The Smiths - The Queen is Dead 1986

The Proclaimers - Hit The HighwayTUESDAY, Jan. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Alcohol's effect on heart health, good or ill, may rely in part on the drinker's income, new research suggests.

For example, the study of more than 200,000 Norwegian adults found that having a few drinks per week was linked to a lowered odds of dying from heart disease over the 30 years of the study.

But that trend was most pronounced in wealthier people.

On the other hand, drinking more than that -- four to seven drinks per week -- was linked to higher rates of heart-linked death, but only for people in the "lowest socioeconomic position," according to a team led by Eirik Degerud, of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo.

The findings couldn't prove cause-and-effect. However, the researchers believe that any health recommendation that centers on alcohol should keep income levels in mind, since the effects of drinking seem to change depending on a person's paycheck.

One type of consumption -- regular binge drinking -- appeared to be bad news regardless of financial background, however.

Folks who routinely get drunk on a weekly basis saw their odds for fatal heart events rise regardless of their financial status, the study found.

The findings are based on an analysis of health and wealth data concerning nearly 208,000 Norwegian adults. All had been born in 1960 or earlier, and all had participated in three decades worth of compulsory censuses that had been conducted in Norway between 1960 and 1990.

Two cardiologists agreed that drinking's effects on heart may not be a "one size fits all" proposition.

As regards the potential benefits of two to three drinks per week, Dr. Michael Goyfman said that the rich may appear to benefit more, but the reasons behind that trend remain unclear.

Perhaps it may simply be that the poor are damaged more by even a little drinking, said Goyfman, who directs clinical cardiology at Northwell Health's Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, in Queens, N.Y.

Or wealthier people who have a few drinks per week might also be more apt to engage in heathier eating and exercise, explaining the supposed benefit.

Whatever the reasons, Goyfman believes that the study, "should not be interpreted as an endorsement by researchers to encourage alcohol consumption, since alcohol can have an adverse effect in those with different medical conditions."

Dr. Rachel Bond helps direct Women's Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. She agreed that, "in my practice, I advise my patients to drink in moderation. The detrimental effects from other organ systems outweigh any potential cardiac benefit."

"While my patients certainly do not have to abstain from alcohol, I educate them about the risks of excessive alcohol intake," she added, "both from a cardiovascular standpoint and for their overall health and well-being, regardless of socioeconomic status."

The Norwegian findings were published Jan. 2 in the journal PLOS Medicine.

More information

There's more on drinking and heart health at the American Heart Association.WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Perfectionism has reached new heights among young people, a new study suggests.

This intense desire to succeed could take a toll on their mental health, the researchers speculated.

The findings come from an analysis of data on more than 40,000 American, Canadian and British college students who completed a test that measured three types of perfectionism: the irrational desire to be perfect, perceived pressure from others to be perfect and having unrealistic expectations of others.

The study assessed changes in perfectionism over time, from the 1980s to 2016.

It found that college students scored much higher in all forms of perfectionism in recent years than they had in the past. For instance, scores indicating an irrational desire to be perfect -- also called self-inflicted perfectionism -- jumped 10 percent between 1989 and 2016. During this time, scores for external pressure to be perfect increased 33 percent and scores for unrealistic expectations of others jumped 16 percent.

Several driving forces may help explain the rise in perfectionism among millennials, according to the study authors.

The trend may be linked to social media, they said, because it can cause young people to increasingly compare themselves to others. This could lead to body image issues and social isolation, the researchers cautioned.

Perfectionism among young people is also associated with the desire to move up the social and economic ladder, earning higher grades than their peers, becoming more educated and achieving career goals, the British researchers said.

"Meritocracy places a strong need for young people to strive, perform and achieve in modern life," said study author Thomas Curran, of the University of Bath.

"Young people are responding by reporting increasingly unrealistic educational and professional expectations for themselves," Curran added in a news release from the American psychological Association. "As a result, perfectionism is rising among millennials."

In 1976, about 50 percent of high school seniors expected to graduate from college, according to Curran. By 2008, more than 80 percent anticipated earning a college degree.

However, the gap between the students who expect to go to college and those who actually graduate is widening, he said, which may lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

"These findings suggest that recent generations of college students have higher expectations of themselves and others than previous generations," Curran said. "Today's young people are competing with each other in order to meet societal pressures to succeed, and they feel that perfectionism is necessary in order to feel safe, socially connected and of worth."

The study was published online recently in the journal Psychological Bulletin.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has information on emotional health.WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Women who undergo a hysterectomy are at greater risk for heart disease and other health issues -- even if they keep their ovaries, new research suggests.

"Hysterectomy is the second most common gynecologic surgery, and most are done for benign reasons, because most physicians believe that this surgery has minimal long-term risks," said lead researcher Dr. Shannon Laughlin-Tommaso, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

"With the results of this study, we encourage people to consider nonsurgical alternative therapies for fibroids, endometriosis and prolapse, which are leading causes of hysterectomy," she said.

The study tracked the health of nearly 2,100 women who underwent a hysterectomy, and a matched set of "controls" who hadn't undergone the procedure. The hysterectomies were performed between 1980 and 2002, and in all cases the ovaries were not removed.

Because it was retrospective in nature, the study could only point to associations; it could not prove cause-and-effect.

However, the Mayo team reported that -- compared to women who hadn't had a hysterectomy -- women who had the procedure experienced an average 14 percent higher risk of abnormal blood fat levels; a 13 percent higher risk for high blood pressure; an 18 percent higher risk for obesity and a 33 percent greater risk for heart disease.

Long-term health issues associated with hysterectomy were especially pronounced for younger women. The study found that women younger than 35 had a 4.6-fold higher risk of congestive heart failure and a 2.5-fold greater risk of coronary artery disease, or a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

"This is the best data to date that shows women undergoing hysterectomy have a risk of long-term disease -- even when both ovaries are conserved," Laughlin-Tommaso said in a Mayo news release. "While women are increasingly aware that removing their ovaries poses health risks, this study suggests hysterectomy alone has risks, especially for women who undergo hysterectomy prior to age 35."

A gynecologist who reviewed the findings stressed that for many women, there are alternatives to hysterectomy.

"Some of the most common reasons women have for hysterectomy are bleeding and fibroids," said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

She said that, "with many more treatment options such as endometrial ablation and uterine fibroids embolization, hysterectomy is becoming a last resort treatment for premenopausal women."

But another gynecologist said it may be too early for women to forego hysterectomy if it's deemed necessary.

Dr. Adi Davidov directs gynecology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City. He stressed that the Mayo study was only using retrospective data, so it couldn't prove that factors other than hysterectomy were causing the women's health issues.

"I would urge patients to take these conclusions with a grain of salt," he said. "It is important to note that this recent study is not a randomized experimental trial."

Davidov also noted that, in general, "women that require hysterectomy are inherently sicker and are at increased risk of many diseases."

His advice? "Women should not cancel their scheduled hysterectomies based on this study," Davidov said. "However, before any women undergoes a hysterectomy, she should make sure that all other non-surgical options have been explored. Surgery should always be the solution of last resort."

The findings were published Jan. 3 in the journal Menopause.

More information

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This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics.The new missile will have a range from 50 to 280 km, Army Recognition said.

The missile system is mounted on a 6x6 military truck which is used as TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) mobile unit.

The Hrim-2 is fitted with two missile launcher units mounted at the rear of a truck trailer. The new missile system, reportedly financed by Saudi Arabia, is designed to compete with Russia's advanced Iskander short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) system. Saudi Arabia has been reported to have covertly financed Research & Development work on Hrim-2, to the tune of about $40 million.

Read alsoUkraine's Antonov shows video of brand-new AN132D performing at Dubai Airshow 2017In the summer of 2016, Ukrainian media reported that military engineers from the Yuzhnoye (Pivdenne) Design Bureau and the Pavlograd Chemical Plant had begun development work on the Hrim-2 system using money from a mysterious foreign client. That secret client was soon revealed to be Saudi Arabia, whose investors provided around $40 million for the design and development of the surface-to-surface tactical short-range missile system.

Work on the Hrim complex was first announced at Arms and Security defense exhibition in Kyiv in 2014. A year later, it was announced that mass production of the weapon could begin as soon as 2018.

The Hrim-2 is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system fully designed and developed in Ukraine by Yuzhnoye Design Office and A.M. Makarov Pivdenny Machine-Building Plant.

According to some military websites, Ukraine has already performed the first test launch of its new tactical ballistic missile in the second half of 2017.Paris, Jan 2, 2018 (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron Tuesday expressed his concern over unrest in Iran during a telephone conversation with counterpart Hassan Rouhani and called for "restraint and appeasement," his office said.

Macron brought up "the number of victims from the demonstrations", and the two leaders also decided to postpone French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's visit to Tehran this week to a later date, the Elysee said.

Twenty-one people have died and hundreds have been arrested in nearly a week of protests in Iran.

Macron's office said the French leader underscored that "fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate must be respected."

Rouhani in turn asked Macron to take action against a Paris-based Iranian opposition group called the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, who he accused of fomenting the recent protests.

"We criticize the fact that a terrorist group has a base in France and acts against the Iranian people... and we await action from the French government against this terrorist group," Rouhani told Macron, according to a report on Iranian state television.

Macron's office did not offer any comment on this matter but said the two leaders had evoked the 2015 nuclear accord, saying that the French president wanted its "strict application under international supervision" while Rouhani sought "the backing of the international community to defend this accord and respect the commitments undertaken."

President Donald Trump has hinted of a possible US withdrawal from the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- that was a signature foreign policy achievement of the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama.

General Rassul Sanairad, a political deputy to the head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, said Tuesday the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq had been instructed by the Saudi rulers and some European states to "create insecurity" in Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.The Secretary of the Islamic Republics Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has accused Saudi Arabia of stoking the fire of current widespread uprising in Iran.

Speaking to Lebanese Hezbollah-run TV Al-Mayadeen, Ali Shamkhani said Monday, January 2, Saudis are part of a network who have launched a war against Iran on the Internet, he said, adding, Based on our analyses, around 27 percent of the new hashtags against Iran are generated by the Saudi government.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Rear Admiral and former minister of Defense (1997-2005), Shamkhani accused United Kingdom and US along with Saudi Arabia, noting that a large number of hashtags in relation with recent "riots" in Iran are generated in the United States, Britain, and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis will receive proper response from Iran. Theyre well aware of the danger of our response, Shamkhani warned.

Shamkhani was practically echoing comments already made and published by the IRGCs news outlets, including Tasnim.

The 63-year old IRGC commanders comments were aired by the Lebanese TV network at a time when popular social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter have long been filtered in Iran, while Telegram and Instagram were totally blocked on fourth day of protests.

Nevertheless, Shamkhani has maintained that #IranProtests is launched by Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman and implemented by Israeli and Western elements.

Describing the widespread protests as Saudis cyberspace proxy war against the Islamic Republic, Shamkhani has insisted, The hashtags and social media campaigns cornering the situation in Iran are all in fact being guided by Saudi Arabia, U.K., Israel and US.

Israel has already dismissed similar accusations as unfounded and imaginary. Reacting to a similar comment made by President Hassan Rouhani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that such remarks are fake and ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Shamkhani has affirmed that an exiled Iranian dissident group, Mujahedin Khalq Iran Organization, MKO is working in tandem with Riyadh to stoke the fire of recent uprising in Iran.

Riyadh, by meddling in Iran and vainly trying to provoke the vigilant Iranians, cannot conceal its defeats in Yemen, Shamkhani affirmed, adding, Irans sensitivity to the Saudi interference is more than its sensitivity to the US and Donald Trumps.

However, the IRGC commander assured Al-Mayadeens audience by asserting, What is happening in Iran will be over in a few days, and there is no reason to worry at all.

Shamkhani remarked that the reason behind uprising in Iran is not political but, solely due to dissatisfaction over the economic situation.

Economic problems do not exist only in Iran, he said, There are also such problems in the US, Shamkhani said, noting, Economic problems in Iran are the result of war (Iran-Iraq 1980-1988), sanctions and poor management.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

If the year of 2016 was a real test for Azerbaijani banks, then 2017 became a year of reforms for them, adaptation to new economic realities and preparations for further growth.

In general, the past few years have been rich with bank-related events. The past year was not an exception  the institution of banking ombudsman, the Financial Literacy Council and the Azerbaijan Credit Bureau LLC were established. Licenses of some banks were also revoked in 2017.

In general, after the difficult period of 2015-2016, the banking sector began to recover gradually, and it was observed more clearly in late 2017. Firstly, the sector has restored its profitability  in early November 2017 [the figures for the whole 2017 are not yet available], net profit of banks amounted to 549.6 million manats as compared to the loss of 1.7 billion manats in 2016. The aggregate capitalization of banks has grown from 1.9 billion to 3.1 billion manats. The number of bank employees has also increased.

Baku approach

One of the banking sectors main problems is the continuing growth in overdue loans. Certain measures taken by banks didn't provide the expected results. It was clear that a more comprehensive approach is needed. As expected, the Baku approach will become the needed approach. Created by analogy with the Istanbul and London approaches, it is meant to unite the banks in the fight against the growth of credit delinquencies. The general principles of these approaches are that banks restructure problem loans and facilitate loan terms for debtors who are in a particularly difficult situation.

The growth of problem loans, both for individuals and legal entities, has been observed in Azerbaijan since February 2015, when the first devaluation of the national currency occurred. As of late October 2017, overdue loans accounted for 15.55 percent of all loans issued in the country. This is almost 1.9 billion manats (an increase of 37.4 percent during the year) out of 12.15 billion manats [data of the Central Bank].

The development of the Baku approach continues. However, the fact that the government creates comprehensive measures to fight against the growth of problem loans, and gives a chance to improve the condition of banks and their customers in 2018-2019.

Establishment of Institution of Banking Ombudsman

The Institution of Banking Ombudsman was established in Azerbaijan in September 2017. Banking Ombudsman Ikram Karimov reviewed more than 160 cases in this period, some of which were solved in favor of bank customers. The establishment of the Institution of Banking Ombudsman is one of the landmark moments of 2017. Of course, it will be possible to speak about the effectiveness of this institute only according to the results of, at least, the first half of 2018. However, a certain positive effect is already being observed.

Currently, the ombudsman considers appeals on disputes that amount to about $2,000. Meanwhile, there are more than 100,000 citizens, who have disagreements with banks that amount to about $2,000.

Earlier, Secretary of the ombudsman Elchin Hasanov said that, the limit for the consideration of cases may be increased in the future, but it is not yet known to what extent. At the same time, it is expected that on the basis of the institution of banking ombudsman, the institution of financial ombudsman will appear in the country, which will help to solve not only disputes between banks and their customers, but also will consider a wider range of issues related to business.

Growth of non-cash payments

The Ministry of Taxes, the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FIMSA) and the banks themselves implemented various measures to stimulate non-cash payments in 2017.

Entrepreneurs cash operations have been restricted since 2017. Thus, the operations of entrepreneurs involved in the areas of trade and public catering have been limited to 30,000 manats per month, which had a monthly turnover of more than 200,000 manats within 12 months. This limit is 15,000 manats per month for other taxpayers.

Meanwhile, crediting, payment of administrative fines, financial sanctions, taxes, customs duties, insurance payments, issuance of loans and payment of debts for leasing operations, pensions and others has been transferred to non-cash form since 2017.

Moreover, for the cashing of funds, entrepreneurs must pay tax from the source in a simplified procedure at a rate of one percent of the amount they cashed.

All these measures led to an increase in funds in bank accounts of, primarily, entrepreneurs, and banks received additional funds for the issuance of loans.

Consolidation of banks

Negotiations about the need to consolidate the banks that have continued for many years, finally produced some results in 2017.

Although the number of merged banks could be more, taking into account the active negotiations that took place last year, but in practice, it did not go further than talking.

Nevertheless, there was only one merger last year  the merger of AtaBank and Caspian Development Bank was completed in 1H17.

As a result, Caspian Development Bank was liquidated and its assets were transferred to AtaBank. This enabled AtaBank to significantly increase its financial indicators.

One of the participants of the sector, which could also merge with another bank, was DemirBank. These plans were not implemented, because FIMSA revoked the license of the bank in December 2017. As a result, after one consolidation and revocation of one license, there are 30 participants in the banking sector of Azerbaijan.

First transformation in the history of Azerbaijans banking sector

Non-bank credit organization PARA appeared in Azerbaijan in March 2017. In fact, this is an important event of the past year, since this is the first bank in the history of the Azerbaijani banking sector that turned into a non-bank credit organization.

Parabanks license was revoked in 2016. However, unlike other banks, it decided to continue its activities. Instead, the bank appealed to the regulator for a license to operate as a non-bank credit organization. This is the first such case in Azerbaijan, but perhaps not the last.

New stage of recovery of the International Bank of Azerbaijan

The International Bank of Azerbaijan is in the process of recovery since 2015. The countrys biggest bank successfully completed the restructuring of foreign liabilities worth $3 billion in 2017.

The previous year became a preparatory one for the bank before being put up for privatization. It is expected that this year the IBA, the majority of shares of which is owned by the government represented by the Ministry of Finance, will be sold.

Who will become the buyer of the bank is, of course, unknown, but the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has already shown interest in it. EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti said that the financial organization is ready to take part in the privatization only in case of reforming the corporate governance system. The EBRD is not a new player in the Azerbaijani banking sector, and it is a shareholder of several banks in the country. It also owned a part of shares of DemirBank, which was closed in late 2017.

The banking sector of Azerbaijan still has problems  banks have to take measures to resume growth in crediting, attracting deposits. Of course, great work is waiting for banks and the regulator in terms of restoring public confidence in banks. Over the past few years, much has been done to improve the situation in the sector: new laws have been adopted, and old ones have been modernized and supplemented.

Much has been done, but more needs to be done. However, the initiatives and measures implemented in 2017 give hope that in 2018, the stage of reconstruction and development will begin in the banking sector and the economy as a whole.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanliTashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan. 3

By Mamed Dashdemirov  Trend:

The corporate income tax rate for legal entities has increased from 7.5 percent to 14 percent in Uzbekistan from January 1, 2018, the countrys State Tax Committee told Trend.

Meanwhile, the tax on improvement and development of social infrastructure, which was eight percent, was abolished.

Taking this into account, the total tax burden for legal entities decreased from 15.5 percent to 14 percent, the committee said.

The income tax rate for commercial banks remained at 22 percent. For cellular companies that provide mobile services, the tax rate is 14 percent with a profitability level of up to 20 percent, and with a profitability level of more than 20 percent, 50 percent of the amount of profit exceeding the 20-percent level of profitability is being paid.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijan will meet 99.65 percent of Georgias natural gas demand in 2018, according to the balance of Georgias natural gas for 2018, approved by the countrys Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

According to the document, in general, Georgias natural gas demand will stand at more than 2.689 billion cubic meters in 2018.

Meanwhile, Georgia plans to obtain 2.679 billion cubic meters (99.65 percent) of gas from Azerbaijan, including 1.866 billion cubic meters from the state oil company SOCAR and 813 million cubic meters, produced as part of development of the Shah Deniz field.

The remaining part (9.41 million cubic meters) will be provided thanks to local production.

Supplies of gas from Russia to Georgia are not envisaged in 2018.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkovThe Tajik-Kyrgyz Ministerial consultations took place on December 27 at the level of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Zohir Saidzoda and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Dinara Kemelova, Khovar reported.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, during the consultations a wide range of topical issues of bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as interaction within the framework of international and regional organizations were discussed.

The parties agreed to continue work on preparing the substantive part of significant interstate events and arranging high-level visits in 2018.

Following the talks, the parties expressed confidence that the existing friendly relations between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will continue to serve as a basis for further mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening of good-neighborliness, and also appreciated cooperation in the trade, economy, water, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres.On December 28 in New York there was held a signing ceremony of the Joint Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Seychelles.

NIAT Khovar has been reported by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country.

The Permanent Representatives of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations  Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov and Ronald Jean JUMEAU to this effect, signed the Joint Communique.Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 30

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Irans oil exports to Japan (including gas condensates) in November 2017 decreased by 18.7 percent year-on-year and reached 5.79 million barrels.

Compared to the preceding month, the figure indicates a rise by 12.9 percent, Japans ministry of economy, trade and industry said.

The figure includes 489,787.5 barrels of condensates exported from Irans South Pars gas field.

Iran was Japans fifth oil supplier after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, with a share of 5.8 percent in November 2017, while the country supplied 7.6 percent of the Asian countrys oil demand in November 2016 (7.13 million barrels).

Saudi Arabia exported 41.6 million barrels of oil to Japan in November (41.7 percent of the countrys total crude imports.)

Irans oil exports to Japan reached 83.94 million barrels in the fiscal year of 2016, which is a 38-percent increase compared to the preceding year.

Iran ensured 7 percent of Japans oil demand in 2016.

Irans oil exports increased by 1 million barrels per day (mb/d) last year to 2.42 mb/d and the figure would increase to 2.5 mb/d in 2017 and 2.59 mb/d in 2018, IMF previously said in a report.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

As anti-government protests continued in several Iranian cities for sixth day, French presidency announced that the planed trip of Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Iran was postponed.

Le Drian was scheduled to visit Tehran later this week.

French President Emmanuel Macron called his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani Jan. 2 to express concern over the number of casualties in the six-day-old protests which has surpassed 20 people.

According to western media, Macron urged Rouhani to show restraint in dealing with protests.

The United Nations also has expressed regret over the reported loss of life resulting from the protests in Iran, the news center of the UN said.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for Antonio Guterres, told reporters in New York that the Secretary General has been carefully following the reports of protests in a number of cities in Iran.

We regret the reported loss of life, and we hope that further violence will be avoided, he continued.

We expect that the rights to peaceful assembly and expression of the Iranian people will be respected.

Some Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused foreigners and Irans enemies of fomenting the unrest, which began as protests about economic hardship and corruption but have grown into political rallies.

Only in capital city of Tehran, at least 450 people have been arrested in recent days, according to Ali-Asghar Naserbakht, deputy governor of Tehran city.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari has said that a former official was behind the recent political unrests in the country, local media reported.

Jafari did not name the official but said that the recent protests were staged after a website affiliated with the former official called on people to join the demonstrations.

The commander further added that the officials are currently probing into the issue.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in the illegal protests.

Over the recent months, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had criticized the government and judiciary officials.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend

Three members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have been killed in an armed clash with insurgents in northwestern Iran.

The IRGC through an announcement on Wednesday said that the armed clash took place along the countrys frontier region with Iraq near the city of Piranshahr.

The announcement further added that the elite forces have launched a manhunt for the attackers.

Iran saw turmoil and political unrests over the past week which took the lives of at least 22 individuals including security forces.

The unrest began after some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend

A judiciary official in the western province of Loreestan has denied an earlier report suggesting that a European citizen was arrested during the recent unrests in the province.

Ali Sabzevari, the head of public relations office at the provincial judiciary office of Lorestan, has said that the detained individual is originally from Borujerd County residing in a European country, Mehr news agency reported.

Sabzevari added that security officers arrested the detainee as he was capturing video footage of protests in the county.

Hamidreza Abolhassani, head of Borujerd's judiciary, earlier said that a European citizen was arrested in anti-government protests in the county.

"A European citizen was arrested in Borujerd county ... The person had been trained by European intelligence services and was leading the rioters"

Iran saw turmoil and political unrests over the past week which took the lives of at least 22 individuals including security forces.

The unrest began after some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

Trend:

The New Year has long ceased to be a holiday for many families in Armenia  it has become a heavy and unpleasant burden, according to Armenian media outlets.

The Armenian New Year is in many respects similar to the traditional Armenian wedding. The similarity is that in most cases, it is not conducted for oneself, but for relatives, friends and unfamiliar people.

Under the conditions, according to official data, when there is a 30-percent poverty level in the country, an attempt to worthily celebrate the New Year turns into a huge headache and a heavy burden.

As of October 2017, the volume of overdue loans amounted to 35.3 billion drams (about $73 million), and extended loans amounted to 122.3 billion drams ($253 million). The volume of loans is growing, and primarily, consumer loans are growing.

The volume of consumer loans issued in 2017 increased by 5.5 times as compared to those issued in 2016.

If in November 2015, the volume of consumer loans issued to residents totaled 415.5 billion drams ($860 million), then by November 2016, this volume reached 427.7 billion drams ($885 million). As of November 2017, the volume reached 493.6 billion drams (more than $1 billion).

Banks do not stint on tempting offers on consumer loans. As a result, more and more people in Armenia start to live in debt, not always being sure that they will be able to repay loans.The US may stop aid payments to Palestinians who are "no long willing to talk peace", President Trump said, BBC reports.

On Twitter, Mr Trump said the United States received "no appreciation or respect" in return for its aid.

He also said his controversial recognition of the contested city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital took the hugely divisive issue "off the table" for new peace talks.

Palestinians had said the move showed the US could not be a neutral broker.

Soon after Washington's decision was announced in December, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he would not accept any US peace plan for the Middle East.

The decision on Jerusalem was also overwhelmingly condemned at the United Nations, where 128 countries voted against Mr Trump's fulfilment of a campaign promise.

The US President was tweeting a follow-up to earlier comments about aid payments to Pakistan, in which he said the US has received only "lies and deceit" in exchange for billions of dollars in aid.

Jerusalem is one of the world's most contested sites.

Israel claims the whole of the city as its capital. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Mr Trump, however, decided to formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite being warned it could cause unrest in the region.

He also said he would move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, where all other nations have their consulates.

For the Palestinians, Mr Abbas said: "The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process."

He also called Jerusalem the "eternal capital of the state of Palestine".

Mr Trump's tweets followed remarks from Nikki Haley, the US envoy to the United Nations, in which she said the US would stop contributing to the UN's relief agency for Palestinian refugees.

The agency runs education, health, and social programmes. The United States is its largest governmental donor, handing over almost $370m (270m) in 2016.

Speaking at a news conference, Ms Haley said: "The President has basically said that he doesn't want to give any additional funding, or stop funding, until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table."

She said the UN's vote to condemn Mr Trump's Jerusalem decision was "not helpful to the situation".

"The Palestinians now have to show their will that they want to come to the table. As of now, they're not coming to the table but they asked for aid.

"We're not giving the aid, we're going to make sure that they come to the table," she said.

The withdrawal of aid is likely to have a significant impact on the UN agency's work, as the US contributes almost 30% of its overall funding.

In 2016, the second-largest donor, the European Union, donated less than half as much as the US.A suicide bomber killed 11 people on Wednesday in an attack on a mosque in northeast Nigeria, the epicenter of the conflict with Islamist insurgency Boko Haram, military officials and an aid worker said.

The bomber hit the mosque in the town of Gamboru in Borno state, near Nigerias border with Cameroon, during dawn prayers, said Ali Mustapha, an aid worker.

I was on my way to dawn prayer, then I heard the sound of a loud bomb explosion inside the mosque, Mustapha told Reuters.

The mosque was destroyed and burnt, he said. After some hours, when we came to evacuation of the people, we saw 11 corpses, with the suicide bomber making (the total number of dead) 12.

Pictures of the aftermath of the blast showed the bodies of the dead uncovered and lined up on the ground. A building had been reduced to rubble, with only a few sections of wall left standing.

Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bears the hallmarks of Boko Haram, a jihadist group which frequently uses suicide bombers, often women and girls, to attack crowded public spaces such as mosques and markets.

Despite repeated government and military assertions that the insurgency has been defeated, Boko Haram continues to carry out lethal attacks on the military and civilians.

Last week four civilians were killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants on Maiduguri, the Nigerian city at the center of the conflict with the Islamists.

In November a suicide bomber killed at least 50 people in an attack on a mosque, in one of the deadliest bombings of recent years.Nigerias electricity grid has been shut down by a fire on a gas pipeline, the ministry of power said on Wednesday, underscoring the instability of the countrys creaking power infrastructure, Reuters reports.

Nigerias dilapidated power grid is often blamed for hobbling growth in Africas largest economy, despite efforts to improve it through privatization.

Many businesses and households have their own power generators, often costly and run on fuel, as a backup for the countrys frequent blackouts.

Gas supply to several power stations was cut off because of the fire on the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System near Okada in the southern state of Edo, the ministry said.

The sudden loss of generation due to interruption in gas supply from these stations caused the national transmission grid to trip off around 20:20 on 2nd January, it said in a statement.

Most of Nigerias power generation is from thermal power stations that use gas, according to the ministry.

Nigerias state oil firm, which owns and operates the gas pipelines, is working to restore gas supply on the affected pipelines, the statement said.

Once the national grid is restored, output from the hydroelectric power stations and all other unaffected gas-fired thermal power stations will be increased to the extent possible to minimize the impact of loss of generation from the affected power stations, the statement said.Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Iran will not become the second Syria, as this country is one of the key players in the region, said Mahir Unal, spokesman and deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey, the Turkish media reported Jan. 3.

Unal noted that the strengthening of tension in Iran is not in the interests of Turkey.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities of Iran, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in these protests.

According to the Iranian media outlets, 28 people were killed during the ongoing protests.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBaku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey and France will discuss regional issues during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Paris, the Turkish media reported Jan. 3.

Reportedly, Erdogans visit to Paris will start on Jan. 5 at the invitation of Frances President Emmanuel Macron.

The two countries presidents will discuss the issue of declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the situation in Iraq, Syria and Iran, as well as relations between Turkey and the EU.

The two sides also intend to sign an agreement in the military sphere.

It is expected that Turkey and Eurosam consortium will sign an agreement on purchase and sale of Aster-30 Block 1NT long-range missile.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBaku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The Turkish Interior Ministry said in a message Jan. 3 that overall 48,305 people were arrested as a result of the fight against the movement of Fethullah Gulen, who is involved in the July military coup attempt in Turkey.

The message says that nearly 96,000 Turkish citizens were detained as part of the fight against the Gulen movement.

Turkey will fight against the Gulen movement until the end, according to the message.

On July 15 evening, 2016, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.

The death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 250 people, and more than 2,000 people were wounded.

The Turkish authorities accuse the leader of the Hizmet movement, Fethullah Gulen, of involvement in an attempted military coup and demand the US to extradite him.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu1. Yes. An unvaccinated worker is a potential health liability for the entire workforce.

2. Yes. But it should only be required in some businesses, like health care or food service.

3. No. The requirement shouldnt be forced on employees; its a discriminatory practice.

4. No. Not only should they not require COVID shots , but no proof of vaccination either.

5. Unsure. Its a hard choice between public safety concerns and personal freedoms.

Vote

View ResultsBaku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey is closely following the developments in Iran, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag tweeted.

He noted that Turkey stands for stability in Iran.

Stability is in the interests of people and government of Iran. Chaos and instability in Iran can harm not only the Iranian people, but the entire region, added Bozdag.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities of Iran, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in these protests.

According to the Iranian media outlets, 28 people were killed during the ongoing protests.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBaku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The US, particularly, President Donald Trump, is provoking the events in Iran, the Turkish media quoted Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying Jan. 3.

Cavusoglu noted that Turkey is against the external interference in Irans affairs.

He added that the events in Iran are internal affairs of this country.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani that Turkey stands for maintaining stability in Iran.

Erdogan noted that the stability in Iran is important for Turkey.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities of Iran, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in these protests.

According to the Iranian media outlets, 28 people were killed during the ongoing protests.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBy Ko Hirano, KYODO NEWS - Jan 3, 2018 - 09:39 | Arts

Canadian scholar Levi McLaughlin remembers intensive Sunday rehearsals he had in the early 2000s with a men's orchestra run in Tokyo by the lay-Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai.

Because Soka Gakkai's charismatic leader Daisaku Ikeda is a Beethoven aficionado, the orchestra mainly played Beethoven symphonies. A violinist trained in Toronto, McLaughlin was the only foreigner in the Japanese religious group's music world.

"The rehearsal was from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, with many hours of Beethoven. Really intensive, amazing training and experience," recalls McLaughlin, the first non-member, non-Japanese researcher to spend years investigating non-elite Soka Gakkai members as well as Komeito, a Japanese political party backed by the group.

"I met one of the violinists and he said, 'Come to the rehearsal,'" McLaughlin, now an assistant professor of religious studies at North Carolina State University, said in a recent interview at his office in Raleigh. "And I ended up playing with them for four and a half years."

McLaughlin was in Japan from 2000 to 2004 to conduct research on Soka Gakkai, a period that included two years of graduate work at the University of Tokyo. He first grew interested in Asian religion during a year of study in 1994 at Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Soka Gakkai is said to be the largest active religion in Japan, with a claimed membership of 8.27 million households in the country. Komeito is the junior coalition partner of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party.

McLaughlin, 45, has sought to learn about something missing from most research on Soka Gakkai -- what is everyday life like for ordinary members, and what motivates their religious and political activities?

To answer these questions, he has extended beyond musical engagements to participation in local-level study meetings, gathering rare publications, and conducting interviews with ex-members and adherents from other faiths. His most valuable insights come from long-term relationships with local Soka Gakkai communities.

"I met a very big, very diverse spectrum of Gakkai members through music," said McLaughlin, also a piano player. "When you play music with people, you develop a strong bond. Music really helped me pursue my study of religion from the ground up."

But building ties with the group has not always been easy. Some members tried to convert him and some encouraged him to play a leading role in Soka Gakkai International, the group's overseas umbrella organization that claims more than 1.5 million adherents in 192 countries and territories.

"I was always very clear about my role as a researcher," McLaughlin said. "I told people, 'It's better for Soka Gakkai to have a non-member perspective that reveals the humanity of the members. If I convert to Soka Gakkai, then you don't have that perspective anymore.'"

Referring to Komeito's loss of six seats to 29 in Japan's House of Representatives in the general election last October, he said the setback -- despite the LDP's resounding victory with 284 seats -- may reflect frustration among some Soka Gakkai members about what they perceive as Komeito's compromise on its founding pacifist principles.

They have criticized Komeito since 2015, when the LDP-Komeito coalition ushered in security legislation that allowed for a reinterpretation of the Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9 to enable Japan to exercise limited forms of collective self-defense.

While critics labeled the controversial laws "war legislation," Abe and other proponents described them as necessary steps for boosting deterrence in the face of North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons development, as well as China's military buildup and assertive territorial claims in the East and South China seas.

"Some Gakkai members, especially women who have been the engine that powers the religion's peace movement, have rebuked Komeito for abandoning peace advocacy," McLaughlin said.

"You encounter a lot of silent members, people who decide not to vote or go to the polls and instead of voting for Komeito, they may be secretly voting for other parties. It's very difficult to know for sure."

With Abe now calling for increased national debate on a first-ever amendment to the Constitution -- including his proposal to add a reference to the Self-Defense Forces in Article 9 -- Komeito has maintained a cautious stance.

The article's first paragraph says, "The Japanese people forever renounce war," and its second paragraph says Japan will not maintain "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential" -- meaning that Japan does not technically have a military.

Abe has proposed adding a third paragraph to the article to recognize and legitimize the existence of the SDF. But there is concern that such a move could provoke South Korea and China, both of which suffered from Japan's wartime militarism.

Citing Komeito's position, McLaughlin said the security laws have made it unnecessary for Japan to alter Article 9, and that the majority of the Japanese people do not regard the SDF as unconstitutional. But it is not known whether Komeito can play its claimed role as "an opposition within the coalition" on this contentious issue.

In what he calls "a generation gap," McLaughlin said younger Soka Gakkai members apparently are not as loyal to Komeito as older ones, and that the younger generation will probably be less aggressive in every election about soliciting votes from non-member friends, family and acquaintances.

The most significant shifts may occur after the passing of Ikeda, who is now 90.

"Once Honorary President Ikeda passes away, you may see more criticism of Komeito, especially from younger members," McLaughlin said, arguing there may be a big difference between a Soka Gakkai administrator telling a member "this is what the honorary president wants" and "this is what the honorary president would have wanted."

"It's going to be a very interesting time for Komeito -- and the LDP, whose politicians also rely on Gakkai voters to retain their seats," he said. "And I'm very much committed to following that with my Soka Gakkai friends."Description

Join us on Wednesday Jan 3rd at our Business Networking event

Delicious appetizers will be served.

CBC's events are more than just networking, we are about providing resources and opportunities for business growth. Tell us who you want to meet and we will help you make that connection.

CBC Members and First Time visitors: FREE

Returning visitors: $10

At the Door: $15

MARLS members, Long Island African American Champer of Commerce & Hempstead Chamber of Commerce members will be FREE for our January event.

Contact us at 516-300-2427 to donate a door prize and get your business highlighted.Description

The late Claus Hoie may be known for his watercolors of East End life, past and present, from noble whaling captains to the agricultural charms of the farm stand, but a new exhibition will highlight another side of the Norwegian-American artist -- his whimsical greeting cards. With them Hoie celebrated his love for his wife, Helen, marking their wedding anniversary, Christmas, Valentines Day, and her March birthday over their 45 years together.

The artwork was donated to the Bridgehampton Museum earlier this year by the Helen and Claus Hoie Charitable Foundation.FirstNet

All in for FirstNet

Although 53 states and U.S. territories have officially opted into the FirstNet wireless communications network, some are cautious about vendor AT&T and the 25-year deployment plan.

AT&T, the network provider chosen by FirstNet last March to build its nationwide public-safety broadband wireless network, said on Dec. 28 that 50 states, two territories and the District of Columbia officially opted in to the plan.

The network will be funded with $6.5 billion of government money and a planned $43 million expenditure by AT&T. The telecom giant gets access to highly desirable spectrum reserved for the system, which it can use on its commercial service when not in demand by priority users.

AT&T and FirstNet had set Dec. 28 as the deadline for states to either opt in to the federally backed network plans drawn up and distributed by FirstNet or commit to Radio Access Network (RAN) plans from other network providers.

"We are grateful to have every state say 'yes' to the FirstNet solution," said Michael Poth, FirstNet CEO. "The scale of participation by the states and territories is significant for many reasons," he said.

American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands have until March to decide on their plans, according to FirstNet.

A few big states, such as California, Florida and New York waited until the final day to decide to go with FirstNet, while a notable state hold-out ultimately abandoned its plan to use an alternative provider's RAN.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said on Dec. 7 his state would opt out of the FirstNet plan in favor of a RAN built by Rivada Networks.

Only days later, however, the governor reversed his decision. In a Dec. 28 statement, Sununu indicated he didn't want to be the only opt-out state.

"While Rivada's plan remains the better option for New Hampshire, I have determined that the additional risk associated with being the only state to opt-out creates too high a barrier for New Hampshire to continue down the opt-out path alone," Sununu said. The state had "been successful in working with First Net to remove the unreasonable fees and penalties" in the run-up to the deadline, he added.

Brian Carney, Rivada's vice president for corporate communications, told FCW that "we understand what they did and we mutually agreed" to part ways. The rushed nature of the decision process, he said, ultimately forced some states to give up on viable alternatives. In the end, said Carney, New Hampshire would have been "sticking its neck out against AT&T."

Carney said opt-in and planning deadlines set by AT&T were intended to artificially pressure states to get in line. He noted that California, Florida and New York all waited until the Dec. 28 deadline to commit to FirstNet.

"California made the same kind of considered calculation" before committing at the last minute to FirstNet, Carney said.

Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, said in a Dec. 28 letter to FirstNet's Poth that the state "expects additional progress" in interoperability, security and site hardening under the plan.

Ghilarducci also noted that in light of 2017's long list of natural disasters, additional cell site hardening including more backup power sources and redundant backhaul connections are needed.

"We are very pleased to have California join FirstNet and are committed to providing the state's public safety community with an enduring, interoperable network that will meet the needs of their lifesaving mission," Poth said in a Jan. 2 statement provided to FCW.

Rivada is repositioning itself to go after opportunities abroad and to sell spectrum-sharing technology to U.S. users.

This story was updated Jan. 3 to clarify Rivada Network's role in seeking to provide services to states which chose to opt out of FirstNet.A Moneygram logo is seen outside a bank in Vienna A Moneygram logo is seen outside a bank in Vienna, Austria, June 28, 2016. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader/Files

By Kane Wu and Jennifer Hughes

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Last January, Alibaba founder Jack Ma met with Donald Trump, then the U.S. president-elect, to discuss helping one million small U.S businesses access Chinese consumers through the e-commerce giant's online platform.

Trump told reporters that he and Ma had a "great meeting" and would do great things together.

One year on, however, U.S. security concerns have torpedoed Ma's plans for a $1.2 billion takeover of the Dallas-based MoneyGram International Inc (MGI.O) by Ant Financial, an Alibaba affiliate.

It was the most high-profile Chinese deal yet to fall foul of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) under the Trump administration.

The failure has prompted the question among dealmakers: If a Jack Ma-linked company cannot buy a U.S. company, is there hope for other Chinese companies - or should they turn their sights elsewhere?

"The regulatory uncertainty will certainly make Chinese buyers further head for other countries such as Germany, the UK and Israel for foreign assets," said one China-focused M&A lawyer at a global law firm, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to speak with the media.

Over the past decade, a quarter of all Chinese bids for U.S. companies by value have been withdrawn, according to Thomson Reuters data. That compares with 15 percent for Asia-Pacific-focused deals and 8 percent in Europe.

Not all of the withdrawals were due to regulatory factors.

The largest was the dropping by the Chinese insurer Anbang of a surprise $15 billion bid for Starwood Hotels in 2016.

But U.S. lawmakers - whose biggest rebuff to China was delivered in 2005, when congressional opposition derailed a $19.5 billion bid for Unocal by the Chinese state-owned oil major CNOOC - have once more become an increasing concern for dealmakers.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives introduced bills in November to broaden the government's power to stop foreign purchases of U.S. companies by strengthening CFIUS, amid growing concerns about Chinese efforts to buy U.S. high-tech companies.

Story continues

Lawmakers are expected to present a new draft of the bills in March or April and "people are pretty confident" that some form of the bills will be passed, according to a China-based lawyer familiar with CFIUS matters.

Rod Hunter, a partner with the Baker McKenzie law firm and a former official with oversight of CFIUS cases under the last Bush administration, said companies needed to take account of the evolving nature of security concerns and the increasing focus on personal data and emerging technologies.

"CFIUS, by statute, focuses only on national security when reviewing proposed foreign investments, but notions of national security have evolved substantially in recent years," he said.

He added: "From the U.S. government perspective, Chinese investment in the United States is made sensitive by the extensive involvement of the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government in the economy."

Ant and MoneyGram terminated their deal after CFIUS rejected their proposals to address data safety concerns, according to sources familiar with the confidential discussions.

CHINA ADAPTS

The United States has typically attracted relatively little Chinese dealmaking due to a mix of regulatory factors and the fierce competition that foreign buyers face from local players.

Just 18 percent of Chinese cross-border deals by value over the past decade have had a U.S. target, compared with 36 percent for Europe and 46 percent for Asia-Pacific.

While China dealmakers acknowledged the signal sent by Ant's MoneyGram failure, most viewed it as a one-off situation.

"Lots of China's companies underestimate compliance risk and the complexity of operating in highly regulated U.S. markets, particularly in the finance and fin tech sectors," said Jeffrey Sun, partner at law firm Orrick, based in Shanghai.

Chinese groups have already begun adapting to the difficulty in getting deals passed. In November, the buyout firm Orient Hontai Capital dropped a $1.4 billion bid for AppLovin, a U.S. mobile marketing group, because of push back from CFIUS. Instead of equity, it opted to lend the group $841 million.

Still-pending deals include the $2.7 billion bid by Oceanwide Holdings for the insurer Genworth Financial Inc, first announced in October 2016. In November last year the pair agreed to extend the deadline for a second time to April 2018 to allow them to amend the deal terms further to satisfy CFIUS.

Another high-profile deal before CFIUS is the purchase by HNA Group of SkyBridge Capital LLC, a hedge fund of funds firm, from Anthony Scaramucci, the Trump administration's former communications director.

Others have begun to focus on smaller minority investments - a route taken by Tencent, Alibaba's fiercest Chinese rival. The Shenzhen-based group last year bought a 5 percent stake in the U.S. electric car maker Tesla for $1.8 billion.

(Reporting by Kane Wu and Jennifer Hughes in Hong Kong; additional reporting by Julie Zhu in Hong Kong and Matthew Miller in Beijing)A Moneygram logo is seen outside a bank in Vienna, Austria, June 28, 2016. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader

By Kane Wu and Jennifer Hughes

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Last January, Alibaba founder Jack Ma met with Donald Trump, then the U.S. president-elect, to discuss helping one million small U.S businesses access Chinese consumers through the e-commerce giant's online platform.

Trump told reporters that he and Ma had a "great meeting" and would do great things together.

One year on, however, U.S. security concerns have torpedoed Ma's plans for a $1.2 billion takeover of the Dallas-based MoneyGram International Inc (MGI.O) by Ant Financial [ANTFIN.UL], an Alibaba <BABA.N> affiliate.

It was the most high-profile Chinese deal yet to fall foul of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) under the Trump administration.

The failure has prompted the question among dealmakers: If a Jack Ma-linked company cannot buy a U.S. company, is there hope for other Chinese companies - or should they turn their sights elsewhere?

"The regulatory uncertainty will certainly make Chinese buyers further head for other countries such as Germany, the UK and Israel for foreign assets," said one China-focused M&A lawyer at a global law firm, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorized to speak with the media.

Over the past decade, a quarter of all Chinese bids for U.S. companies by value have been withdrawn, according to Thomson Reuters data. That compares with 15 percent for Asia-Pacific-focused deals and 8 percent in Europe.

Not all of the withdrawals were due to regulatory factors.

The largest was the dropping by the Chinese insurer Anbang of a surprise $15 billion bid for Starwood Hotels in 2016.

But U.S. lawmakers - whose biggest rebuff to China was delivered in 2005, when congressional opposition derailed a $19.5 billion bid for Unocal by the Chinese state-owned oil major CNOOC - have once more become an increasing concern for dealmakers.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives introduced bills in November to broaden the government's power to stop foreign purchases of U.S. companies by strengthening CFIUS, amid growing concerns about Chinese efforts to buy U.S. high-tech companies.

Story continues

Lawmakers are expected to present a new draft of the bills in March or April and "people are pretty confident" that some form of the bills will be passed, according to a China-based lawyer familiar with CFIUS matters.

Rod Hunter, a partner with the Baker McKenzie law firm and a former official with oversight of CFIUS cases under the last Bush administration, said companies needed to take account of the evolving nature of security concerns and the increasing focus on personal data and emerging technologies.

"CFIUS, by statute, focuses only on national security when reviewing proposed foreign investments, but notions of national security have evolved substantially in recent years," he said.

He added: "From the U.S. government perspective, Chinese investment in the United States is made sensitive by the extensive involvement of the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government in the economy."

Ant and MoneyGram terminated their deal after CFIUS rejected their proposals to address data safety concerns, according to sources familiar with the confidential discussions.

CHINA ADAPTS

The United States has typically attracted relatively little Chinese dealmaking due to a mix of regulatory factors and the fierce competition that foreign buyers face from local players.

Just 18 percent of Chinese cross-border deals by value over the past decade have had a U.S. target, compared with 36 percent for Europe and 46 percent for Asia-Pacific.

While China dealmakers acknowledged the signal sent by Ant's MoneyGram failure, most viewed it as a one-off situation.

"Lots of China's companies underestimate compliance risk and the complexity of operating in highly regulated U.S. markets, particularly in the finance and fin tech sectors," said Jeffrey Sun, partner at law firm Orrick, based in Shanghai.

Chinese groups have already begun adapting to the difficulty in getting deals passed. In November, the buyout firm Orient Hontai Capital dropped a $1.4 billion bid for AppLovin, a U.S. mobile marketing group, because of push back from CFIUS. Instead of equity, it opted to lend the group $841 million.

Still-pending deals include the $2.7 billion bid by Oceanwide Holdings <000046.SZ> for the insurer Genworth Financial Inc <GNW.N>, first announced in October 2016. In November last year the pair agreed to extend the deadline for a second time to April 2018 to allow them to amend the deal terms further to satisfy CFIUS.

Another high-profile deal before CFIUS is the purchase by HNA Group [HNAIRC.UL] of SkyBridge Capital LLC, a hedge fund of funds firm, from Anthony Scaramucci, the Trump administration's former communications director.

Others have begun to focus on smaller minority investments - a route taken by Tencent <0700.HK>, Alibaba's fiercest Chinese rival. The Shenzhen-based group last year bought a 5 percent stake in the U.S. electric car maker Tesla <TSLA.O> for $1.8 billion.

(This version of the story corrects spellcheck errors in names of companies and people in the last four paragraphs.)

(Reporting by Kane Wu and Jennifer Hughes in Hong Kong; additional reporting by Julie Zhu in Hong Kong and Matthew Miller in Beijing)Steve Bannon said a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between the president's eldest son and a Russian lawyer was "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," The Guardian reported Wednesday. President Donald Trump 's former chief strategist made his comments in an interview with author Michael Wolff for a book out next week, the newspaper said. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," Bannon told Wolff, adding an expletive. In a statement, the president said: "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind." Bannon's comments appear in "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," which is based on more than 200 interviews with the president and members of his staff. The book will be published Jan. 9 by Henry Holt. "They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon predicts. Trump Jr. helped set up the Trump Tower meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, senior Trump campaign officials, and other Russians. The meeting, first reported by The New York Times last summer, was also attended by Trump senior advisor Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort . While Trump Jr. has said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss damaging information on Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton , Veselnitskaya has claimed that the meeting would cover The Magnitsky Act, the 2012 U.S. sanctions law against Russia.Bannon did say that if the meeting was necessary, there were better ways of pulling it off. He suggested hosting the meeting in a "Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire," and between lawyers, not senior campaign officials. The information could then be delivered "to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication."Bannon was the head of the right-wing news outlet Breitbart News until joining the Trump campaign as its CEO. After departing the Trump administration in August following seven months in the White House, he returned to Breitbart as its executive chairman. An attorney for Trump Jr. did not respond to a CNBC request for comment. Attempts to reach Bannon were unsuccessful. On Thursday, Trump's personal attorney sent a cease and desist letter to Wolff and his publisher, Henry Holt & Co., and demanded an apology for the content of the book. The Guardian said it obtained a copy of the book ahead of publication from a bookseller in New England. Wolff is a columnist and author, who previously wrote "The Man Who Owns the News," a book about Rupert Murdoch. His work often appears in The Guardian. Read the full report at The Guardian here.



More From CNBC

Celanese Corporations CE Polyacetal Facility of Ibn Sina Joint Venture (JV) has successfully come online. The 50,000 metric ton polyacetal manufacturing facility located in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia was constructed as a part of the JV with Ibn Sina.



Ibn Sina is a JV between SABIC and CTE, a company jointly owned by subsidiaries of Celanese and Duke Energy DUK. Celanese, SABIC and Duke Energy entered into the Ibn Sina JV in 1981.



Post completion of performance runs for all polyacetal grades and achievement of full production rates, the facility was officially declared commercially operational. Henceforth, Celaneses economic interest in Ibn Sina will increase from 25% to a total of 32.5%, resulting in further financial benefits for the company.



Methanol which is produced internally at Ibn Sina will be used as a feedstock in the facility. Polyacetal is a differentiated, high value-added product mainly used in automobile and electronics industries along with mechanical and construction manufacturers along with other industrial applications.



Celanese has outperformed the industry over a year. The companys shares have moved up around 32.1%, outperforming the 24.7% growth recorded by the industry.





The company expects business and productivity momentum to offset fourth-quarter weakness. Celanese is optimistic that it can grow adjusted earnings per share for 2017 toward the top end of its earlier announced guidance range of 9-11%.



Celaneses strategic measures including operational cost savings through productivity actions and pricing initiatives are likely to lend support to earnings in 2017. The company is also poised to gain from growth initiatives that include acquisitions.

Celanese Corporation Price and Consensus

Celanese Corporation Price and Consensus | Celanese Corporation Quote

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider



Celanese currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Kronos Worldwide Inc. KRO, and Koppers Holding Inc. KOP, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



Kronos Worldwide has expected long-term earnings growth of 5%. Its shares have skyrocketed 113.2% over the past year.



Koppers has expected long-term earnings growth of 18%. Shares of the company have rallied 25.2% yearly.



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Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) : Free Stock Analysis Report



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.Chinese military analysts have claimed that Chinas new hypersonic ballistic missile, the DF-17, could destroy U.S. defense systems by flying fast and low to evade detection.

Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) fired the rockets, capable of reaching speeds of up to 7,680 miles per hour, in November. The Diplomat reported that the missiles traveled approximately 1,400 kilometers, passing through the Earths atmosphere at 10 times the speed of sound.

GettyImages-486281068

Getty

Trending: NFL Wild Card Playoffs: Predictions for Falcons at Rams, Titans at Chiefs, Panthers at Saints and Bills at Jaguars

And because the HGVwhich stands for hypersonic glide vehicleis able to travel at lower altitudes, U.S. defense systems will have less time to intercept it before it reaches its target.

Song Zhongping, a former member of the PLAs Second Artillery Corps, told the South China Morning Post that the HGV system can be used to carry various kinds of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ones with a range of at least 5,500 kilometers.

The HGV warheads could also be used with the DF-41, which has a range of at least 12,000 kilometers and can hit anywhere in the U.S. in under an hour, he added.

Don't miss: Ivanka Trump Wearing Her Company's Clothing Is international Definition of Corruption, Former Ethics Chief Says

Macau-based military expert Antony Wong Dong believes that HGVs could be used to successfully obliterate a U.S. anti-missile THAAD defense system.

Chinas HGVs could destroy the THAAD radar system, Wong said. Once the THAAD radars fail to function in the first stage, it could reduce the window to raise the alarm about the PLAs [intercontinental ballistic missiles]...leaving the U.S. without enough time to intercept.

Story continues

Zhou Chenming, a military analyst, told the South China Morning Post, Compared to conventional ballistic missiles, HGVs are more complex and difficult to intercept.

Most popular: Who is Logan Paul? YouTube Star's Apology for Suicide Forest Video Didn't Make Things Better

The U.S., Japan and India should be worried about Chinas developments in HGV technology because it can reach targets quicker and more accurately, with military bases in Japan and even nuclear reactors in India being targeted.

China has recently increased efforts to rejuvenate the countrys military and defense force by modernizing their missiles, bombers and warships.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekDonald Trump attacks Pakistan claiming 'they have given us nothing but lies and deceit' in return for $33bn aid

Donald Trump has accused Pakistan of lies and deceit, saying the US was foolish to have given the country more than $33bn in aid.

The American President launched the scathing attack in his first tweet of 2018, claiming Pakistan give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt and think of our leaders as fools.

It follows reports the US is considering denying Islamabad $255 million in aid in a show of discontent with its efforts to fight terrorism.

Mr Trump wrote: The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.

They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!

The President made no further comment on the issue and it was not immediately clear if his tweet signalled a decision to cut off aid to Islamabad.

Relations between the US and Pakistan have soured since Mr Trump entered the White House.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Earlier this year the President announced a a change in our approach to Pakistan, which he claimed often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror.

In a televised speech in Washington in August, he said: We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists.

The Trump administration later attached new conditions to financial assistance given annually to Pakistan. Washington said Islamabad would only receive the $255 million military aid if it did more to crack down on terror networks launching attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan.

The New York Times last week reported the White House was strongly considering withholding the delayed money after Pakistan refused to allow the US access to a captured militant from the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.

Story continues

The militant was arrested in October by Pakistani forces as they rescued a Canadian-American family who had been held captive for five years, and the US had hoped he could provide valuable information of other American hostages.

In November, Washington strongly condemned Pakistans release of the alleged militant accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed more than 160 people.

The White House said Hafiz Saeeds release from house arrest after Pakistans failure to prosecute or charge him sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistans commitment to combatting international terrorism.

If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation, added press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Pakistan has since reportedly drafted plans to seize control of charities and financial assets linked to the Islamist leader, who is designated a terrorist by Washington.

The Financial Action Task Force, an international body that combats money laundering and terrorist financing, had warned Islamabad it faced inclusion of a watch list for failing to crack down on funding terrorism.

Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said he he had ordered authorities to choke the fundraising of all proscribed outfits in Pakistan.

He denied the Islamabad was taking action under US pressure, telling Reuters in a statement: Were not pleasing anyone. Were working as a responsible nation to fulfil our obligations to our people and international community.President Donald Trump denounced his former top strategist, Steve Bannon, on Wednesday, saying that he 'lost his mind' after leaving the White House last summer.

"When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said of Bannon in a statement the White House issued. "Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look."

Earlier on Wednesday, New York Magazine published excerpts of a forthcoming book by author Michael Wolff in which Bannon criticizes Trump's campaign as well as the president and his family. The Guardian published excerpts of the book in which Bannon predicts that Special Counsel Robert Mueller will "crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV" over his meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016.

Bannon also called the meeting "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," according to the Guardian.

Bannon, reached by Bloomberg News, declined to comment on the remarks published by the Guardian.

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See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.comJimmy Kimmel was the only late-night host who taped late enough on Tuesday to weigh in on President Donald Trumps most recent social media controversy.

VIDEOSTrump-Themed Cartoon President Premiere Date Announced by Showtime  Watch Teaser Trailer

Earlier that evening, the president once again tweeted about Kim Jong Un, taunting the leader of North Korea about his nuclear weapon capabilities:

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Happy New Year, everybody! Kimmel said to his audience. We have two maniacs with nuclear warheads bragging about who has the bigger button.

VIDEOSKimmel Brings Son to Live in Emotional Plea for Kids Health Care Funding

Kimmel then moved on to what he was ready to declare Trumps tweet of the year as of Jan. 2, in which the president took credit for commercial aviation safety in 2017.

Great job, he deadpanned. Not since Harrison Ford was president have we felt so protected on a plane.

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Press PLAY on the video above to watch an excerpt from Kimmels monologue, then drop a comment below.

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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Clark Gregg on Directing the Mighty Quake's Fight to the Death: 'It Was Not a Small Episode'This article first appeared on the Atlantic Council site.

As troubling as current tensions are, 2018 promises to be an even more dangerous year on the Korean Peninsula.

Amid conflicting signals from US President Donald J. Trumps administration and anticipated hints of flexibility in North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns New Years statement, one immediate question is whether and under what circumstances Washington will be willing to open talks with Pyongyang to defuse the crisis.

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There was no ambiguity in US Secretary of State Rex Tillersons remarks at the Atlantic Council on December 12. Were ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk, and were ready to have the first meeting without preconditions. Lets just meet and letswe can talk about the weather if you want, he said.

But no sooner had Tillerson made the offer to meet with North Korea than the Trump administrationand even Tillersons own spokespersonbegan to walk it back. The White House said there was no change in policy.

By the end of the week, Tillerson himself said that Pyongyang had to earn the right to talks by suspending missile and nuclear tests.

Some analysts see a narrow window of opportunity opening up after Kim announced that his nuclear weapons program was completed and United Nations Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman went on a diplomatic mission to Pyongyang early in December.

With South Korea set to host the Winter Olympics in February and no major US-South Korean military exercises scheduled in the spring, if there is a period of quiet, as Tillerson hoped for, an exploratory round of diplomacy might not be out of the question.

GettyImages-898141718

-/AFP/Getty

Tillersons hint of flexibility did not, however, reflect any change in the basic US policy of maximum pressure and dialogue. Indeed, during a UN Security Council session on December 15, Tillerson called on China and Russia to apply more pressure on North Korea beyond UN sanctions.

Story continues

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The more ominous question is whether American anxieties and impatience with Pyongyang are building toward US military action in North Korea.

Senior Trump officials, troubled by the almost two dozen missile and nuclear tests Pyongyang has conducted this year, frequently argue that time is running out for diplomacy, holding out the threat of military force. Some military planners privately talk about giving Kim a bloody nose.

US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster has said on several occasions that if and when North Korea obtains the capability to hit the US mainland with a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), deterrence would no longer be adequate. McMaster has spoken of preventive war in language that is eerily similar to that used by the George W. Bush administration before it invaded Iraq in 2003.

This language is curious. US deterrence has prevented war on the Korean Peninsula since 1953, it has deterred a Soviet Union armed with 30,000 nuclear warheads and, since 1964, Chinas nuclear arsenal.

Few analysts would argue with the logic that Pyongyangs top priority is regime survival. US officialsover several different administrationshave repeatedly said that any North Korean attack on the United States or its allies would result in a swift and overwhelming military response.

Nonetheless, after major policy reviews, the Trump administration appears to view North Koreas possession of an operational ICBM as an unacceptable threat that would trigger US military action.

This regardless of the fact that a pre-emptive US strike would almost certainly trigger a North Korean military response and risk of escalation that could result in the death of hundreds of thousandsincluding thousands of Americans (there are some 200,000 US citizens in Seoul on any given day).

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Pyongyang has thousands of long-range artillery within range of Seoul, just 35 miles away.

It is not clear that US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis agrees with those who favor pre-emptive action. He has spoken of a US use of force only in response to a North Korean attack.

On December 15, Mattis disputed Pyongyangs ability to threaten the United States, saying that its ICBM has not yet shown to be a capable threat against us right now.

This skepticism about North Koreas ICBM capability is shared by a number of technical analysts who argue that Pyongyang has not as yet demonstrated a re-entry vehicle that is able to survive the heat, pressure, and thrust associated with a nuclear weapon re-entering the atmosphere, nor has a guidance system been able to hit a target.

Among Asian security analysts in the United States, the dominant view is that the least bad policy response to a nuclear North Korea, even one that is armed with an ICBM, would be enhanced containment and strengthened deterrence. The fallacy of the bloody-nose scenarioa limited strike against nuclear or missile launch facilitiesis that it assumes that because Pyongyangs top priority is regime survival it will not retaliate for fear of its destruction.

But North Korea is likely to respond by firing thousands of artillery shells at Seoul. Then what?

Moreover, it will take some time for the recently-implemented comprehensive UN economic sanctions to inflict serious pain on North Korea to the degree that it might change Pyongyangs behavior.

In the case of Iran, it took more than two years. Though North Korea is a far more isolated economy, it is likely to feel the pain sooner. Fortunately, we probably have at least two to three years before Kim has a reliable, operational ICBM.

Developing a re-entry vehicle carrying a nuclear weapon with an accurate guidance system that can survive is very difficult rocket science.

But there is a growing fear that in its haste to solve the North Korean nuclear problem, the Trump administration may take action that could have catastrophic consequences.

One hopes that diplomacy will triumph. One way or another, 2018 may prove to be a decisive year on the Korean Peninsula.

Robert A. Manning is a senior fellow in the Atlantic Councils Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekMarketWatch

Theres plenty written about saving for retirement, but not so much about how to spend what youve saved: A Google search produced more than 15 times as many results for how to save for retirement as for how to withdraw money during retirement. The conventional wisdom holds that you should withdraw from your nonretirement financial assets first, then your tax-deferred accounts (IRAs and 401ks) and then whatever tax-exempt accounts (like Roth IRAs) you might have. Less well known but more tax-efficient retirement-spending strategies can, by reducing the tax hit on your withdrawals, actually extend the life of your next egg, and that could mean the difference between running out of money and leaving something to your heirs.Merck & Co., Inc. MRK announced that its anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), has been approved in Japan for previously-treated patients with urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer. This approval makes Keytruda eligible to be indicated for four types of cancer in Japan.

Notably, Keytruda has already been approved in the United States and the EU for the first and second-line treatments in patients with the aforementioned indication. Apart from bladder cancer, Keytruda is approved for many malignant disease types and treatment settings including lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and classical hodgkin lymphoma. It is also approved as a combination therapy with Eli Lilly's LLY lung cancer drugs, Alimta (pemetrexed) and carboplatin (pem/carbo).

Mercks shares have lost 6.6% in the last year, comparing unfavorably with the 16% increase of its industry.

The approval was based on positive data from phase III KEYNOTE-045 study. The trial outcomes showed a clinically meaningful and improved overall survival (OS) benefit of Keytruda compared with chemotherapy in patients with the given indication. In the program, Keytruda demonstrated a 27% reduction in death risk as compared to chemotherapy. Moreover, the median OS was 10.3 months in the Keytruda arm in comparison to 7.3 with chemotherapy.

Significantly, Merck commercializes Keytruda in Japan in collaboration with Taiho Pharmaceutical company.

Per the companys press release, the incidence of bladder cancer in Japan is anticipated to increase over time. Approximately, 66,000 patients are detected with bladder cancer in the country with 21,000 new cases diagnosed in 2015. Hence, the market opportunity for Keytruda is fairly wide in the country.

Keytruda fetched in global sales of $2.5 billion in the first nine months of 2017, up 173% year over year. Sales continue to be driven by the launch of new indications globally. Keytruda sales in the United States gained particularly from a strong momentum in the new indication of the first-line therapy of lung cancer. Outside the United States, Keytruda sales were primarily driven by the melanoma indication.

Story continues

We remind investors that Keytruda is the first anti-PD-1 therapy to gain an FDA approval and is being studied for more than 30 types of cancer in above 650 studies including 400 plus combination trials.

Merck & Company, Inc. Price

Merck & Company, Inc. Price | Merck & Company, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Merck carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Two better-ranked stocks in the health care sector are Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. SCMP and AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ACRX, both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Sucampos earnings per share estimates have moved north from $1.15 to $1.19 for the current year in the last 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 15.63%. Share price of the company has surged 28.6% year to date.

AcelRx stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year loss per share being narrowed from $1.03 to 99 cents over the last 30 days.

Investor Alert: Breakthroughs Pending

A medical advance is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating substantial revenue, and even more wondrous products are in the pipeline.

Cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in sight, and so are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks names 5 stocks to buy now.

Click here to see them >>



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



Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment ResearchFILE PHOTO - A logo of Ant Financial is displayed at the Ant Financial event in Hong Kong, China November 1, 2016. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/ File Photo

By Greg Roumeliotis

(Reuters) - A U.S. government panel rejected Ant Financial's acquisition of MoneyGram International Inc (MGI.O) over national security concerns, the companies said on Tuesday, the latest Chinese deal torpedoed under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The $1.2 billion deal's collapse represents a blow for Jack Ma, the executive chairman of Chinese internet conglomerate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N), who owns Ant Financial together with Alibaba executives. Ma promised Trump in January 2017 that he would create 1 million U.S. jobs.

MoneyGram shares were down 8.5 percent at $12.06 in after-market trading.

The companies decided to terminate their deal after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) rejected their proposals to mitigate concerns over the safety of data that can be used to identify U.S. citizens, according to sources familiar with the confidential discussions.

A standard CFIUS review lasts 75 days, and the companies had gone through the process three times in order to address its concerns. Additional security measures and protocols that the companies suggested failed to reassure CFIUS, the sources said.

The U.S. government has toughened its stance on the sale of companies to Chinese entities, at a time when Trump is trying to put pressure on China to help tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions and be more accommodative on trade and foreign exchange issues.

The MoneyGram deal is the latest in a string of Chinese acquisitions of U.S. companies that have failed to clear CFIUS. They include China-backed buyout fund Canyon Bridge Capital Partners LLC's $1.3 billion acquisition of U.S. chip maker Lattice Semiconductor Corp (LSCC.O), China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co Ltd's $2.7 billion acquisition of U.S. life insurer Genworth Financial Inc (GNW.N), and Chinese buyout firm Orient Hontai Capital's $1.4 billion acquisition of U.S. mobile marketing firm AppLovin.

Story continues

"Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the U.S. government, it has now become clear that CFIUS will not approve this merger," MoneyGram Chief Executive Alex Holmes said in a statement.

Ant Financial and MoneyGram said they will now explore and develop initiatives to work together in remittance and digital payments in China, India, the Philippines and other Asian markets, as well as in the United States.

Ant Financial clinched an $18 per share all-cash deal to acquire MoneyGram in April, seeing off competition from U.S.-based Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT.O), which had made an unsolicited offer for MoneyGram and openly lobbied U.S lawmakers, saying Ant's proposal created a national security risk.

A Euronet spokesman did not immediately respond to a question about whether Euronet would return with a new offer for MoneyGram.

Ant Financial said it paid MoneyGram a $30 million termination fee for the deal's collapse.

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Additional reporting by Nikhil Subba and Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Lisa Shumaker)Shares of MoneyGram (MGI) tumbled Tuesday after the U.S. government failed to approve a multimillion-dollar merger with Ant Financial, an affiliate of Alibaba (BABA) controlled by its founder, Jack Ma. Ant Financial will pay a $30 million termination fee for the breakup of the deal, in which Ant Financial agreed to buy MoneyGram for $18 a share. MoneyGram shares were trading at around $12 after hours Tuesday, down nearly 9 percent. "The geopolitical environment has changed considerably since we first announced the proposed transaction with Ant Financial nearly a year ago," MoneyGram CEO Alex Holmes said in a statement. "Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the U.S. government, it has now become clear that [the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] will not approve this merger." Alibaba and MoneyGram will instead form a "new strategic business cooperation" to expand their remittance and digital payments services internationally."Establishing this new strategic cooperation with MoneyGram will add a partner with global remittance capabilities to our ecosystem," Doug Feagin, president of Ant Financial International, said in a statement. "While Ant Financial won't have a direct ownership relationship with MoneyGram, we look forward to working closely with the MoneyGram team to make our platform even more accessible." It's a major blow for the Chinese e-commerce giant, which has global ambitions but faces a U.S. government that has taken a hard line on trade with China. For example, President Donald Trump is expected to release harsher penalties this month on companies that depend on trade with China, according to The Washington Post. Ant Financial is best known for Alipay, a dominant online payments service, similar to PayPal, that had been part of Alibaba but separated after when Alibaba went public in 2014. Ant Financial itself is considered a top IPO candidate  thought in October 2017, the company reportedly decided to put its offering on hold as it expanded investments in start-ups. MoneyGram, the second-largest money transfer company in the world, has a long history of dealing with multinational money transfers, dating back to the 1940s, and could have helped Ant Financial's prospects. But according to Reuters, the protection of personal data raised concerns for U.S. regulators.



More From CNBC

An elite South Korean hit team that is poised take out North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during an armed conflict is so inadequate that it would be wiped out in a war with the North, top military analysts say.

The main problem with the year-old unit is a lack of logistical support, a key South Korean defense analyst told Londons Financial Times.

The [South] Korean army doesnt have any low-altitude infiltration transportation [and] can still only accommodate about 300 troops, Lee Il-woo, secretary-general of the Seoul-based Korea Defense Network said. So even if the unit goes to Pyongyang, it is highly likely it will be wiped out by the heavily armed units of North Koreas guard command.

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01_02_18_Kim_Jong_Un

Getty Images

Another challenge is a lack of reliable reconnaissance assets. At the moment, South Korea often depends on the U.S. for solid intelligence.

Jang Young-geun, an adviser to the defense ministry, told the Financial Times, Utmost priority should be placed on the acquisition of surveillance and reconnaissance assets, so we can get information about the movements of North Koreas leaders in real time.

Don't miss: Trump, Who Blocks Americans on Twitter, Tells Iran to Unblock Social Media During Protests

Finding Kim Jong Un would be very difficult. Even with the U.S.s capabilities, it still took them 11 years to find Osama bin Laden, Jang added.

The commando team, created in 2017 as Kims regime ramped up its long-range missile tests, is comprised of roughly 2,000 soldiers and is officially known as the special mission brigade. But, unofficially, South Korea defense officials have often referred to the team as the decapitation unit.

The best deterrence we can have, next to having our own nukes, is to make Kim Jong Un fear for his life, Shin Won-sik, a general who served as the South Korean militarys top operational unit until his retirement in 2015, told The New York Times in September. But, based on what experts are saying, it seems Kim might not have much to fear from the group.

Story continues

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Beyond locating Kim, the limited intelligence on North Korea would complicate an array of important factors in a potential war. In November, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said a ground invasion would be necessary for the U.S. and its allies to confidently eliminate all of North Koreas nuclear arsenal given the lack of intelligence on the location of its military assets.

But the North and South both seem to be doing what they can to avoid such a conflict and have signified an openness to holding talks about their differences in the new year. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump offered his thoughts on this potential diplomatic solution to the current hostilities, tweeting, Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps notwe will see!"

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekU.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures settled lower on Tuesday after buyers backed away from an early session surge fueled by a reaction to anti-government protests in Iran.

On Tuesday, February WTI crude oil settled at $60.37, down $0.05 or -0.08% and March Brent crude oil finished at $66.57, down $0.30 or -0.45%.

Prices dipped into the close on the news that the major pipelines in Libya and the U.K. restarted. The 450,000 barrel per day (bpd) capacity Forties pipeline system in the North Sea returned to full operations on December 30 after an unplanned shutdown. Repairs were also completed on a Libyan oil pipeline which was damaged in a suspected terrorist attack last week.

Daily February West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil

Forecast

Volume is low and the range is tight early Wednesday, leading to a mixed trading session. At 0705 GMT, February WTI crude oil is trading $60.38, up $0.01 or +0.01% and March Brent crude oil is at $66.56, down $0.01 or -0.02%.

Oil prices are stable, but still within striking distance of their mid-2015 highs reached on Tuesday. The market remains underpinned by strong demand and optimism over the ongoing efforts by OPEC and Russia to curb output, trim the global supply and stabilize prices. Pressure, however, could come from rising U.S. production and doubts about whether demand growth can continue at current levels.

Daily March Brent Crude

With the pipeline issues in the North Sea and Libya resolved and the protests in Iran showing no signs of impacting its oil production, prices could slide this week especially if this weeks U.S. government reports show another rise in production.

U.S. oil production has risen by almost 16 percent since mid-2016, hitting 9.75 million bpd at the end of last year. It seems like its just a matter of time before U.S. production hits 10 million bpd.

WTI prices could retreat to the former tops at $58.99 to $58.60 now that the Libyan pipeline explosion and the Forties pipeline outage are history.

Brent crude oil posted a higher-high, lower-close on Tuesday. If the selling pressure continues then look for a possible break back to its former top at $64.92.

Story continues

On Thursday, the U.S. Energy Information Administrations weekly inventories report is expected to show a draw of about 5.2 million barrels.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:Australian diplomats may have provided the United States with the key information that led the FBI to initiate the Russia probe now being headed by special counsel Robert Mueller , The New York Times reports, citing four anonymous current and former U.S. officials. George Papadopoulos, a former foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign, told the Australian diplomat Alexander Downer that Russia had damaging information on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton , the Times reported this weekend. The May 2016 conversation happened while the two were drinking heavily at the upscale Kensington Wine Rooms in London, the Times said. Australian officials informed the U.S. about the conversation two months later, after the hacked emails became public, the newspaper said. According to the report, the information from the Australians was influential in the FBI's July 2016 decision to open the inquiry into Russian meddling in the election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign. The Times' report contradicts President Donald Trump's claims that the Russia probe was spurred by information found in an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele. Trump has called the dossier a "pile of garbage." In December, he posted a message on Twitter claiming the dossier was used "as the basis for going after the Trump Campaign!" Papadopoulos pleaded guilty in October to lying to the FBI and has since been cooperating with Mueller's investigators. An attorney for Papadopoulos did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC. The White House declined to comment to NBC News about the Times' report but said it is "continuing to cooperate with the Special Counsel in order to help complete their inquiry expeditiously." Trump and members of his team have sought to play down the role that Papadopoulos held in the campaign, with the president calling him a "young, low level volunteer." Papadopoulos' fiancee, Simona Mangiante, disputed that account in a December interview with ABC News . Mangiante said Papadopoulos' cooperation with Mueller would "make a big difference" in the Russia probe, and she called Papadopoulos "the first domino in Russia-gate." The special counsel's office declined a request for comment from CNBC. Read the full report at The New York Times here. Australian diplomats may have provided the United States with the key information that led the FBI to initiate the Russia probe now being headed by special counsel Robert Mueller , The New York Times reports, citing four anonymous current and former U.S. officials. George Papadopoulos, a former foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign, told the Australian diplomat Alexander Downer that Russia had damaging information on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton , the Times reported this weekend. The May 2016 conversation happened while the two were drinking heavily at the upscale Kensington Wine Rooms in London, the Times said. Australian officials informed the U.S. about the conversation two months later, after the hacked emails became public, the newspaper said. According to the report, the information from the Australians was influential in the FBI's July 2016 decision to open the inquiry into Russian meddling in the election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign. The Times' report contradicts President Donald Trump's claims that the Russia probe was spurred by information found in an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele. Trump has called the dossier a "pile of garbage." In December, he posted a message on Twitter claiming the dossier was used "as the basis for going after the Trump Campaign!" Papadopoulos pleaded guilty in October to lying to the FBI and has since been cooperating with Mueller's investigators. An attorney for Papadopoulos did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC. The White House declined to comment to NBC News about the Times' report but said it is "continuing to cooperate with the Special Counsel in order to help complete their inquiry expeditiously." Trump and members of his team have sought to play down the role that Papadopoulos held in the campaign, with the president calling him a "young, low level volunteer." Papadopoulos' fiancee, Simona Mangiante, disputed that account in a December interview with ABC News . Mangiante said Papadopoulos' cooperation with Mueller would "make a big difference" in the Russia probe, and she called Papadopoulos "the first domino in Russia-gate." The special counsel's office declined a request for comment from CNBC. Read the full report at The New York Times here.



More From CNBC

Shares of MoneyGram (MGI) are tanking, down 9%, after US regulators blocked the sale of the money transfer company to Alibabas (BABA) Ant Financial Services. The $1.2 billion deal, which was in the works for several years, would have helped Alibaba solidify its US financial presence.

Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced it will share its tax cut windfall with workers. The $1,000 cash bonus to employees is a one-time award, but shareholders arent rewarding the generosity. Southwest stock is off 2% today.

IBM (IBM) received an upgrade to outperform at RBC Capital Markets, with analysts raising their price target to $180, up from $160.

AMD (AMD) shares are soaring, up 8% today, on a report that a design flaw was found in microprocessors made by rival Intel (INTC). The defect in processor chips forced a significant redesign of Linux and Windows kernels, according to The Register, affecting the performance of all machines with the chips.

Arena Pharma (ARNA) shares are 6% higher on a Wells Fargo upgrade to outperform with a price target of $53, up from $19.

General Mills (GIS) shares received an upgrade to neutral at Piper Jaffray, with analysts citing benefits from corporate tax reform.From Contrarian Outlook: You and I both know the spoils from the GOP tax plan will go right into shareholders pocketsso lets discuss how we can grab our piece of the action. And outsized dividends with 20% price upside to boot!

It all comes down to zeroing in on companies that do 2 simple things. Ill reveal what they areand give you 3 terrific tax plan buys as I go along.

But first, let me be clear that Im not taking a side here: no matter if you think the tax plan is a masterstroke or a catastrophe, as an investor, you need to check your politics at the door and take a hard look at the landscape in front of you.

And when it comes to corporate profits, 2 things are changing in a big way:

The federal tax rate is plunging from 35% to 21%, as of January 1.

Repatriation is happening: untaxed profits US companies are holding in cash and stock abroad can now be brought home at a lower tax rate of 15.5%.

Repatriation alone could be a huge boost to bottom lines: according to Goldman Sachs (GS), American firms are sitting on $920 billion in untaxed international cash.

It remains to be seen just how much of this money will rain down on American shores, but as I said off the top, investors are sure to walk away with most of it.

How do I know?

Because this is exactly what happened in the last repatriation, in 2004. Back then, 80% of the money brought home went straight into share buybacks, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

History is already starting to repeat.

Because my first tax reform winner, Pfizer (PFE), a company I recommended on September 23 and is still a bargain at 13.9 times forward earnings, just rolled out $10 billion in buybacks (on top of the $6.4 billion it had already earmarked), plus a nice 6% dividend hike.

The timingjust as the new tax bill became lawis no coincidence.

The Tax Reform 2-Step

If youre worried youve missed your chance with Pfizer, dont be, because the best is yet to come.

Story continues

As management rolls out the extra buybacks, theyll drive up earnings per share (EPS), because there will be fewer shares to divide the profits among. And I know I dont have to tell you that where EPS goes, share prices follow.

But heres what most folks dont realize: buybacks also magnify dividend hikes, because they leave Pfizer with fewer shares to pay out on.

So where does that leave us?

To make the most of our corporate tax-cut windfall, we want to buy companies that are both buying back shares andhiking their dividends.

But to make this maneuver really work, we need one more thing: a bargain valuation, because it never makes sense to buy an overpriced stock, no matter whether its you or management pulling the trigger.

When you tick off those 3 boxes, you set yourself up for some enormous profits, just like we did with Americas biggest aerospace name 2 years ago.

How We Forced Boeing Off the Tarmac

In December 2015, we added Boeing (BA) to our Hidden Yields portfolio because it fit our checklist to a T: it traded for less than 12-times free cash flow (FCF), and management was jumping on the sale price by repurchasing shares, slashing the companys float by 11% since 2013. BA also had a repurchase authorization that would let it retire another 7.6%.

Then there was the dividend: in December 2015, Boeing was throwing off a nice 3% yield and had just rolled out a 20% dividend increase.

When we added it all up, we knew we had a 10% to 30% gainer on our hands over the following 12 months.

And as it turned out, we were right on the money.

The firm went on to cut its share count by 7.4% over 2016, then hiked its dividend another 30% in December of that year.

Shares responded, delivering 15.3% total returns:

Share Count Down, Price and Dividend Up



Heres the thing: our formula worked too well, because BA was just getting started.

Like Pfizer, Boeing just announced a tax-cut windfall $18-billion buyback and another 20% dividend hikeleaving us with a 125% total return in just 2 years!

Buybacks, Dividend Hikes Light Boeings Afterburner



Take a closer look at this chart, and youll see that Boeings share price marched higher in lockstep with its two dividend hikeswith that big 10.7% drop in the number of shares outstanding pushing the stock higher still.

Heres something else you should know, particularly if youre frustrated with the pathetic dividend yields (1.8%, on average, as I write) the average S&P 500 name pays: thanks to that 57% hike in Boeings dividend over the last year, youd now be getting a fat 4.9% payout on your original investment.

Put BA on Your Watch List

Before we go on to the remaining 2 stocks Ill reveal today, I must say that Boeing isnt your best option for new buying now. With a big gain in the rearview, it now trades at 16-times FCF, the highest in 2 years, and is above my buy-under price.

So lets move on to 2 other stocks (in addition to Pfizer) ready to stuff their tax-reform winnings into our pockets.

But Grab These 2 Stocks Before Their Next Payout Hikes

Prudential Financial (PRU): I wasnt surprised to find the life-insurance giant on the list of companies rolling out fresh buybacks ($1.5 billion in PRUs case) just as tax reform got the stamp of approval.

As I told you a month ago, PRUs management has a Jedi-like mastery of the buyback, knowing exactly when to bargain-hunt the companys stock. Look at how PRU issued shares earlier this year, with the stock on the rise, then bought them back as it dipped this fall:

The Art of the Buyback



Tax reform gives PRU another buy window, with the stock trading at a cheap 11-times forward earnings.

PRUs retirement focus (its Retirement Solutions and Investment Management business chips in most of its profit) sets it up to cash in as baby boomers clock out of the workforce.

That, plus PRUs smart buybacks and a nice corporate tax cut, will amplify Prudentials dividend growth: the stock yields 2.6% now and has already nearly doubled its payout in the last 5 years:

A Shareholder-Return Machine



Snap-On (SNA) pays a 30% effective tax rate today, so it has plenty to gain as federal rates fall.

That sets up the 96-year-old company, whose iconic trucks, which roll from auto shop to auto shop selling tools, for more buybacks to go with the $500 million worth it rolled out in August.

Snap-On quickly put that cash to work by slashing its outstanding shares:

Buybacks Pick Up Speed



It was perfect timing, as the stock dipped on overwrought worries that slowing auto sales would hurt Snap-On. Thats absurd when you realize the companys revenue and earnings have been on an 8-year tear:

A Well-Tuned Profit Machine



The beat goes on: next year, analysts expect Snap-On to earn $10.95 a share, up 9% from this years forecast. SNA trades at a bargain 16 times that forecast.

Snap-On has paid dividends every year since 1986 and even held its payout steady during the financial crisisa rarity for an auto-related stock. Its payout has surged 115% in just the last 5 years and is plenty safe, accounting for just 29% of earnings and 33% of FCF.

Grab this one now, before tax reform fires up its dividend even more.

Turn Tax Reform Into an Easy 12% a YearForever

Dividend growth like youd get from Snap-On (and even faster) is precisely whats behind the portfolio I want to show you now: its a set of 7 ultra-conservative stocks I handpicked to deliver you 12% in safe, annual returns for life.

Thats 3 times more income than most retirement experts say you need!

And that growth is set to get even stronger now that the tax bill is lawand will put a nice tailwind behind these 7 companies dividend growth.

So what stocks am I talking about here?

You wont find so-called safe but slow-growth pundit favorites like ExxonMobil or Verizon in this 12% for Life portfolio. Instead, you get picks like these:

A stock that has already boosted its dividend payments more than 800% over the past 4 years and has at least another decade of double-digit growth left in the tank!

A double threat income-and-growth stock that rose more than 252% the last time it was anywhere near as cheap as it is right now!

A 9%-plus payer that raises its dividend more than once a yearand will double its payout by 2021 at its current pace!

This portfolio is perfect for retirement because it provides the best aspects of numerous types of investment strategiesincome, growth and even nest-egg protection!

And as I said before, it provides 3 times more income than most retirement experts say you need!

Let me show you the way to double-digit returns you can depend on. Click here and Ill GIVE you 3 Special Reports that reveal how to earn 12% for life. Youll get the names, tickers and my complete analysis of these 7 incredible dividend growers FREE!

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) was unchanged in premarket trading Tuesday. Year-to-date, VIG has gained 21.57%, versus a 21.71% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

VIG currently has an ETF Daily News SMART Grade of A (Strong Buy), and is ranked #5 of 140 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend ETFs category.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Contrarian Outlook.

You are viewing an abbreviated republication of ETF Daily News content. You can find full ETF Daily News articles on (www.etfdailynews.com)Trump's tax bill may have eliminated financial penalties for Americans who choose not to purchase health insurance, but it left another controversial levy in place: a tax on medical devices. Monday marked the first day in two years that companies producing pacemakers, X-ray machines and other medical devices are required to pay 2.3 percent of their sales as an excise tax.

Consumers shouldn't see any direct impacts; there's an exemption for medical devices that you can buy in retail stores and for hearing aids, contact lenses and glasses. Devices like blood glucose testing strips and monitors are also exempt; the tax applies to devices that are intended for sale to health care professionals.

The device tax isn't new. It was introduced as part of the Affordable Care Act and went into effect in 2013. However, it was suspended for two years in 2015. Killing the tax permanently had been part of last summer's discussions on health care legislation; at the time, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the government would lose $19.6 billion of potential revenue over 10 years if the tax was repealed for good.

Trending: New York City To Spend $50 Million To Prevent Car-Ramming Terror Attacks

hip replacement surgeons

PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images

Naturally, medical device companies and industry groups are not pleased that the tax is back. Major medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific released a statement saying the tax could cost the company $75 million this year, threatening partnerships intended to develop new products, the AP reported. A medical device lobbying group stated in December that it was "a tax on innovation, a tax on jobs, and a tax on the health and well-being of millions of American patients. It makes no sense from either a health care or a tax policy perspective."

Story continues

As Vox noted back in July, the tax's effects have been counterintuitive. An analysis found that medical device sales continued to climb after the tax first went into effect while prices seemed to go down.

Just because the tax bill passed in December didn't repeal this clause doesn't mean that legislators aren't trying to get rid of it in other ways. Minnesota representative Erik Paulsen introduced a bill specifically intended to extend a moratorium on the device tax to 2022 on December 21.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekSpecial Counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation has gone so far beyond its legal authority that the charges against Paul Manafort must be dismissed, the former Trump campaign chairman said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday. The Department of Justice called the suit frivolous.

In May 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller to oversee the FBIs investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign. The mandate gave Mueller authority to go after any matters that arose or may arise directly from the probe.

Manafort is now one of four people facing charges stemming from the Mueller probe. He pleaded not guilty in October. His complaint names the Justice Department, Mueller and Rosenstein, and he is suing under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Declaratory Judgment Act.

Trending: Tony Blair Told Trump British Spies Were Monitoring Him, New Book Claims

A Justice Department spokesperson said by email: The lawsuit is frivolous, but the defendant is entitled to file whatever he wants. A spokesperson for the special counsels office declined to comment.

Related: Rick Gates will be allowed to party on New Years Eve

In the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., lawyers for Manafort allege that Rosensteins appointment of Mueller illegally granted him too much authority, and that Mueller had also exceeded his authority by going after Manafort for alleged crimes unrelated to the Trump campaign.

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The appointment order in effect purports to grant Mr. Mueller carte blanche to investigate and pursue criminal charges in connection with anything he stumbles across while investigating, no matter how remote from the specific matter identified as the subject of the appointment order, the complaint says.

01_03_Manafort_lawsuit_Mueller

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty

Story continues

Manafort is calling for the court to declare Muellers appointment invalid and for the setting aside of all of Muellers actions as special counsel. He also wants the court to prevent Mueller from further investigating business dealings unrelated to the central focus of the Russia probe.

Most popular: Winter Storm Grayson Pictures: Bomb Cyclone Brings Blizzards, Heavy Snow and High Winds

For a defendant to sue the people prosecuting him is not typical, according to Patrick Cotter, a former federal prosecutor who is now at the law firm Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., and who said he had not reviewed the Manafort complaint. It is black letter law that a prosecutor who is otherwise engaged in lawful duty who uncovers evidence of crimes, even if they are crimes he did not expect to find, doesnt have to ignore it, Cotter said.

In addition to Manafort, the special counsel has charged Rick Gates, George Papadopoulos and Michael Flynn, all of whom were involved with Trumps 2016 campaign. (Flynn is also Trumps former national security adviser.) Gates has pleaded not guilty, while Papadopoulos and Flynn have pleaded guilty.

Manaforts lawsuit will likely find support among Trump allies in Congress, the media and elsewhere who have in recent weeks attacked the Russia probe, the Department of Justice and the FBI. But Trump has told reporters in recent weeks that he has no plans to order the firing of Mueller, and his lawyers have said they are cooperating with the probe.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekWall Street will be open for business today after the long holiday weekend. The U.S Dollar has remained weak in forex.

China produced solid manufacturing data today, and Germany and the E.U met expectations. However, U.K manufacturing data fell short of expectations.

U.S Dollar Remains Weak in Forex, New Year on Wall Street for Traders

The U.S Dollar has remained weaker in forex today. And as the U.S markets begin to open after their long holiday weekend, traders should be ready for some potential pushback. Data from the States will be relatively light today, but tomorrow economic statistics will pick up and Friday will see the official jobs numbers published. Wall Street should be watched closely today after last weeks rather cautious results.

China Posts Solid Data Results, Hang Seng Makes Stellar Gains to Start Year

Manufacturing data from China via the Caixin survey was solid today. Equities in China put in stellar gains via the Hang Seng and Shanghai Shenzhen composites. Japans markets will remain closed until late this week. However, China will see an important Services reading on Thursday.

Euro & Pound Keep up Momentum, U.K Manufacturing Falls Short

The Euro and Pound have kept up their momentum early as both currencies are testing important resistance levels against the U.S Dollar. German and European Manufacturing data met their expectations this morning, but U.K Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index numbers came in below their estimate. Tomorrow Construction data will come from Britain. And European equities have sold off cautiously thus far.

Buyers Remain Inspired by Gold, Bullish Firepower Sustained

Gold has continued to inspire speculative positions. The precious metal has climbed above the 1310.00 U.S Dollars an ounce level and appears to have bullish firepower. However, traders must remain aware volumes are thin and the gains made in Gold could be challenged.

Canadian & U.S Manufacturing Data, FOMC Meeting Minutes Tomorrow

U.S Final Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index numbers might be of interest to traders at 14:45 GMT.

Story continues

14:30 PM GMT Canada, Manufacturing PMI

14:45 PM GMT U.S., Final Manufacturing PMI

Yaron Mazor is a senior analyst at SuperTraderTV.

SuperTraderTV Academy is a leader in investing and stock trading education. Sign up for a class today to learn proven strategies on how to trade smarter.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:Shares of Weight Watchers (NYSE: WTW) rose 8 percent Tuesday after the company announced that music producer DJ Khaled will be its "social media ambassador" in 2018. Weight Watchers said Khaled will document his progress on social media as he completes the "WW Freestyle" weight-loss program. Khaled has a wide following on social media. As of Tuesday morning, he had 3.92 million followers on Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) . The music mogul also gets 3 million to 4 million views per Snap on Snapchat and has 8.9 million followers on Instagram. "By capturing and sharing his process, he will enliven and inspire his community, showing that it's possible to integrate healthy habits into your life," Weight Watchers President and CEO Mindy Grossman said in a release.With the Khaled endorsement, the company is likely trying to keep the momentum it's seen since signing Oprah Winfrey, as well as expand more into the male demographic.The WW Freestyle program was launched last month with a campaign featuring Winfrey, who holds a 9.87 percent stake in Weight Watchers. Winfrey has made about $300 million since investing in the company in 2015, with her endorsement boosting sales and the value of the stock.The press release did not comment on Khaled's compensation. Shares of Weight Watchers (NYSE: WTW) rose 8 percent Tuesday after the company announced that music producer DJ Khaled will be its "social media ambassador" in 2018. Weight Watchers said Khaled will document his progress on social media as he completes the "WW Freestyle" weight-loss program. Khaled has a wide following on social media. As of Tuesday morning, he had 3.92 million followers on Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) . The music mogul also gets 3 million to 4 million views per Snap on Snapchat and has 8.9 million followers on Instagram. "By capturing and sharing his process, he will enliven and inspire his community, showing that it's possible to integrate healthy habits into your life," Weight Watchers President and CEO Mindy Grossman said in a release. With the Khaled endorsement, the company is likely trying to keep the momentum it's seen since signing Oprah Winfrey, as well as expand more into the male demographic. The WW Freestyle program was launched last month with a campaign featuring Winfrey, who holds a 9.87 percent stake in Weight Watchers. Winfrey has made about $300 million since investing in the company in 2015, with her endorsement boosting sales and the value of the stock. The press release did not comment on Khaled's compensation.



More From CNBC

YouTube star Logan Paul has already found himself in hot water only two days into 2018 after the web comedian and viral video-creator posted some footage of an apparent suicide victim in Japans Aokigahara forest.

On Monday, Paul removed a videotitled We found a dead body in the Japanese Suicide Forestfrom Google-owned YouTube less than 24 hours after uploading it in the wake of an online backlash over footage that included a zoomed-in shot of a blurred-out dead body in a forest that is infamous for its supposed high rate of suicides. Despite being online for less than a day, the video reportedly received more than six million views for Paul, an extremely popular YouTube creator who has more than 15 million followers.

Paul posted an apology on Twitter last night after removing the controversial video, saying he is sorry and that hes never made a mistake like this before. In the message, Paul also asserted that the video was not an ill-advised attempt at going viral and that he had hoped to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention. Japan is among the countries with the highest rates of suicide in the world.

I didnt do it for views, Paul said on Twitter. I get views. I did it because I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity.

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The controversial video reportedly featured Paul (wearing a bright green Toy Story hat) and a group of other YouTube vloggers touring the Japanese forest with a guide before happening upon the dead body of what appeared to be a suicide victim. When one of his companions in the video says he doesnt feel good after seeing the body, Paul can be seen asking What, you never stand next to a dead guy? before laughing.

Paul received quite a bit of criticism online for posting the video in question, with critics bashing the YouTube star for posting the video (including some calls to ban him from YouTube) while also taking issue with his claim that he was looking to raise mental health awareness.

Story continues

Other YouTube video creators have also come under fire in the past, including Pauls younger brother, Jake Paul, who lost his job on a Disney Channel television show following reports that he was causing chaos in his West Hollywood neighborhood. And Disney also cut ties with the Swedish vlogger PewDiePie, one of YouTubes highest-paid stars, after he used a racial slur in a video posted earlier this year and had previously posted anti-semitic content.

Fortune contacted YouTube for comment and a spokesperson for the site confirmed that Pauls video violated YouTubes policies banning shocking and sensational graphic content. Our hearts go out to the family of the person featured in the video, the site said in its statement. YouTube prohibits violent or gory content posted in a shocking, sensational or disrespectful manner. If a video is graphic, it can only remain on the site when supported by appropriate educational or documentary information and in some cases it will be age-gated. We partner with safety groups such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to provide educational resources that are incorporated in our YouTube Safety Center.

On Tuesday, Paul issued a second apology, this time posting a video on Twitter in which he said he should have never posted the video showing the body in Aokigahara forest. I want to apologize to anyone who has seen the video. I want to apologize to anyone who has been affected or touched by mental illness or depression or suicide. But, most importantly, l want to apologize to the victim and his family, Paul said in the apology video.Most Pakistani officials and politicians have united in condemning and opposing U.S. President Donald Trumps pronouncement that instead of extending antiterrorism cooperation with Washington, Islamabad has misled U.S leaders through lies and deceit.

But ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged some soul-searching and called on the countrys powerful military establishment to abandon self-deception.

As a Pakistani citizen, I want to point out that with all our honesty, we should appraise our actions, he told journalists in Islamabad on January 3.

I have repeatedly urged putting our house in order and have urged to reflect on why the world holds negative opinions about us, he said in an apparent reference to frequent calls by Pakistans neighbors and world powers to end its support for militant groups fighting insurgencies and responsible for terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and India.

Sharif said that his advice on changing Pakistans security policies was ignored. It was not only overlooked but it was maligned as Dawn leaks to question my patriotism, he said while reading from a paper at a crowded press conference.

He was referring to a story by Pakistans English-language daily Dawn in October 2016 that reported an unprecedented warning by Sharifs administration to the countrys military leadership to either act against militant groups of face international isolation.

The Pakistani military, however, rejected the story as fabricated. Its push for a probe eventually resulted in several key civilian officials, all Sharif loyalists, losing their jobs.

We need to ask ourselves why, despite our sacrifices, the world is not listening to us, why the blood of our army, police, civil security forces, civilians, and innocent children is so cheap in the eyes of the world, Sharif asked. Despite great human and financial losses over 17 years, why our narrative is not being listened to.

In July, Pakistans apex court removed Sharif from office after a lengthy corruption probe prompted by the Panama Papers revelations. The court ousted him over undeclared assets.

Sharif, however, characterized his removal as a witch hunt and often has questioned why he lost his job for not declaring the remuneration he was entitled to receive from his sons company in Dubai.

While declaring that Trumps January 1 tweet that blamed Islamabad for providing safe havens to the terrorists as unfortunate, Sharif urged an honest self-appraisal.

If we continue to ignore [questions about Pakistans murky dealings with militants] by declaring them unpatriotic then it will amount to a major self-deception, he told journalists. Such blunders have already led to the division of Pakistan [into two countries with the independence of Bangladesh in 1971]. We have to break this spell of self-deception.

In what amounted to a direct warning against the militarys intervention in politics, Sharif threatened to expose those responsible for engaging in such behind-the-scenes maneuvers.

I will tell the story of the past four years and will also tell how the ongoing process is being manipulated, he said. Enslaved democracy is a form of dictatorship, which will never be able to protect the countrys national security.The White House is calling on Pakistan to do more to fight terrorism and says that it will announce "specific actions" within days to pressure Islamabad.

"We know that they can do more to stop terrorism and we want them to do that," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on January 2, adding that further action will be announced within 48 hours.

Reuters quoted congressional sources on January 3 as saying the announcement could come later that day or on January 4.

The news agency cited two congressional aides as saying the U.S. administration has been informing members of Congress that it will announce plans to cut off "security assistance" to Pakistan, although it was not clear how much or what type of assistance would be cut or for how long.

The White House warning came after the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told reporters in New York that "there are clear reasons" for the Trump administration to withhold $255 million in assistance to Pakistan.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years," Haley said. "They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration."

Pakistani UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi responded that her country's fight against terrorism is not based on any consideration of aid but on national interests and principles.

"We have contributed and sacrificed the most in fighting international terrorism and carried out the largest counterterrorism operation anywhere in the world" in Pakistan's tribal regions, Lodhi said.

Earlier on January 2, Pakistan and Washington traded charges over Islamabad's record on pursuing terrorists, with Pakistan criticizing a Twitter post by President Donald Trump that threatened to cut of billions of dollars in aid and accused Islamabad of "lies and deceit" and providing a safe haven for terrorists.

Pakistan's National Security Committee, a body that deals with defense issues, said the U.S. criticism stemmed from Washington's failure to win its 16-year war against the Taliban in Afghanistan and that Pakistan "cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan."

The statement said "blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's office said Islamabad will remain committed to playing a constructive role toward an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process despite "unwarranted allegations."

The prime minister's statement said the real challenges in Afghanistan were political infighting, massive corruption, phenomenal growth of drug production, and the expansion of ungoverned spaces inside Afghanistan full of sanctuaries for multiple international terrorist organizations that pose a direct threat to Afghanistan, its neighbors, and the region.

Earlier on January 2, Pakistan summoned U.S. Ambassador David Hale in response to Trump's January 1 Twitter message and accused the United States of "mistrust."

Trump's tweet, his first of 2018, said that the United States had "foolishly" given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years, "and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools."

The White House confirmed it would continue to withhold $255 million in military aid to Pakistan out of frustration over what it has characterized as Islamabad's refusal to confront terrorist networks.

The administration first started a "temporary withholding" of the funds, part of a $1.1 billion aid package authorized in 2016 by Congress, in August.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan returned criticism in a tweet noting that Islamabad "as anti-terror ally has given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but [the United States has] given us nothing but invective & mistrust."

Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told Pakistan's Urdu-language Geo Television that "the United States should hold its own people accountable for its failures in Afghanistan."

"America is frustrated over defeat in Afghanistan. America should take the path of dialogue instead of using military might in Afghanistan," Asif said.

Asif added that all financial aid from the United States had been "properly audited" and that "services [were] rendered."

The Afghan ambassador to the United States, Hamdullah Mohib, welcomed Trump's tweet.

Pakistan "receives funds from the United States to fight against terrorists, but it has not destroyed terrorist safe havens from where terrorists continuously carry out attacks in Afghanistan," he told RFE/RL on January 1.

[Trump's tweet] is a positive message for us, should U.S. pressure on Pakistan increase," Mohib added. "If the funds that Pakistan receives from the U.S. are cut off, this can exert direct pressure on Pakistan and we welcome this effort."

However, China gave Islamabad its backing, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying that Pakistan "has made a prominent contribution to global antiterror efforts."

"The international community should fully recognize this," he added.

Trump and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence have in the past accused Islamabad of supporting terrorist groups and have demanded that Pakistan act against the Taliban and Haqqani network.

The frequency of suspected U.S. drone attacks near the Pakistani-Afghan border has increased notably since Trump introduced his Afghanistan strategy in August.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and DawnAll states opt in to FirstNet

Although some states expressed caution about joining the AT&T provided FirstNet public safety network, 53 states and U.S. territories have officially opted in to the 25-year deployment plan.

Last March FirstNet chose AT&T to build its nationwide public-safety wireless broadband network, which will be funded with $6.5 billion of government money and a planned $43 million expenditure by AT&T. The telecom giant gets access to highly desirable spectrum reserved for the system, which it can use on its commercial service when not in demand by priority users.

AT&T and FirstNet had set Dec. 28 as the deadline for states to either opt in to the federally backed network plans drawn up and distributed by FirstNet or commit to Radio Access Network (RAN) plans from other network providers.

On Dec. 28 AT&T said that 50 states, two territories and the District of Columbia officially opted in to the plan. "We are grateful to have every state say 'yes' to the FirstNet solution," said Michael Poth, FirstNet CEO. "The scale of participation by the states and territories is significant for many reasons," he said.

American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands have until March to decide on their plans, according to FirstNet.

A few big states, such as California, Florida and New York waited until the final day to decide to go with FirstNet, while a notable state hold-out ultimately abandoned its plan to use an alternative provider's RAN.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said on Dec. 7 his state would opt out of the FirstNet plan in favor of a RAN built by Rivada Mercury, a consortium of companies assembled by Rivada Networks that includes Harris Corp, Intel, Fujitsu, Ericsson and Nokia.

Only days later, however, the governor reversed his decision. In a Dec. 28 statement, Sununu indicated he didn't want to be the only opt-out state.

"While Rivada's plan remains the better option for New Hampshire, I have determined that the additional risk associated with being the only state to opt-out creates too high a barrier for New Hampshire to continue down the opt-out path alone," Sununu said. The state had "been successful in working with First Net to remove the unreasonable fees and penalties" in the run-up to the deadline, he added.

Brian Carney, Rivada's vice president for corporate communications, told FCW that "we understand what they did and we mutually agreed" to part ways. The rushed nature of the decision process, he said, ultimately forced some states to give up on viable alternatives. In the end, said Carney, New Hampshire would have been "sticking its neck out against AT&T."

Carney said opt-in and planning deadlines set by AT&T were intended to artificially pressure states to get in line. He noted that California, Florida and New York all waited until the Dec. 28 deadline to commit to FirstNet.

"California made the same kind of considered calculation" before committing at the last minute to FirstNet, Carney said.

Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, said in a Dec. 28 letter to FirstNet's Poth that the state "expects additional progress" in interoperability, security and site hardening under the plan.

Ghilarducci also noted that in light of 2017's long list of natural disasters, additional cell site hardening including more backup power sources and redundant backhaul connections are needed.

"We are very pleased to have California join FirstNet and are committed to providing the state's public safety community with an enduring, interoperable network that will meet the needs of their lifesaving mission," Poth said in a Jan. 2 statement provided to FCW.

The Rivada Mercury consortium is repositioning itself to go after opportunities abroad and to sell spectrum-sharing technology to U.S. users.Mary Stuart was born in Scotland, but never did possess great fluency in the language of the country over which she had later been called to rule; her knowledge of it was acquired chiefly, if not wholly, after she returned from France.





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A) Mary Stuart was born in Scotland, but never did possess great fluency in the language of the country over which she had later been called to rule; her knowledge of it was acquired chiefly, if not wholly, after she returned from France.B) Mary Stuart s knowledge of the language of the country over which she was later called to rule had been acquired chiefly, if not wholly, after her return from France to her birthplace in Scotland, and she never possessed great fluency in it.C) Though born in Scotland, Mary Stuart never possessed great fluency in the language of the country over which she was later called to rule; her knowledge of it was acquired chiefly, if not wholly, after her return from France.D) Although born in Scotland and never possessing great fluency in the language of the country over which she was later called to rule, Mary Stuart s knowledge of it was acquired chiefly, if not wholly, after her return from France.E) Born in Scotland, Mary Stuart never did possess great fluency in the language of the country over which she was later called to rule, and her knowledge of it was acquired chiefly, if not wholly, after she returned from France.Tashkent, Jan 3 (IBNS): President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his historical address to the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the country has highlighted the most critical and pressing issues of political, economic and democratic development of the nation as well as the priorities of Tashkents foreign policy.

The event was attended by members of the Senate and deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, ministries and departments, representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Tashkent.

The address reflected the results of the main activities carried out in 2017, as well as the priority areas of social and economic development of Uzbekistan in 2018.

The address served as a comprehensive annual report of the outcome of the work of the Government of Uzbekistan for 2017 and also a road-map on further development of the country.

President Mirziyoyev stressed ensuring good governance and the rule of law among the foremost priorities of his policy.

For the past year the cornerstone of the Governments activities has become the principle Not the people serve government bodies, but the government bodies should serve the people.

Remarkably, the Peoples Receptions and the Online Receptions of the President of Uzbekistan, which were in function for more than a year, have transformed into a unique democratic institution for dealing with citizens appeals.

Stating his firm commitment to further deepening democratic reforms in the country Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of the parliament that it plays in state governance.

He said that the parliament of the country should become a true school of democracy, an initiator and decisive force in implementing reforms.

He stated the necessity of forming a professional, mobile and result-oriented system of public service, as well as developing an effective system that opens the way for initiative, open-minded and highly patriotic people.

Another important task, according to the President, abandoning the excessive centralization of state administration and transfer many powers of central bodies to territorial state entities. While giving wide power to local authorities the President also deems it necessary to increase their responsibility for bearing real results in their performances.

As another important direction President Mirziyoyev stressed increasing the role of the civil society in furthering democratic reforms and ensuring the protection of human rights and freedoms. As it was stated currently there are more than 9,000 NGOs in Uzbekistan, and 29 international and foreign non-governmental organizations have presence in the country.

President also highlighted the priorities for ensuring the rule of law and further reform of the judicial and legal system.

This year, large-scale work has begun to ensure the true independence of the judiciary. In particular, in order to further improve the structure of the courts and the system of selection and appointment of judges, the Supreme Judicial Council was created," said he.

It is necessary to reform the civil service institutions, introduce effective mechanisms to combat corruption, the President stressed.

He further stated that Uzbekistan would consistently continue to work on the introduction of the "Habeas Corpus" institute and strengthen judicial control during the investigation.

In the context of court-judicial reform Uzbekistan will establish a special Commission under the Oliy Majlis aimed at supporting the independence of judiciary.

The Uzbek Government is also going to adopt and implement the Concept of improvement of criminal and criminal-procedural legislation in 2018-2021. It was announced that the Government will establish the Academy of Justice, which will train judges.

The President of Uzbekistan suggested declaring the 2018 in Uzbekistan as Year of supporting active entrepreneurship, innovative ideas and technologies. The proposal was fully supported by the parliament.

When we say "active entrepreneurs", we understand business people capable of producing competitive products, most importantly - creating new jobs that benefit not only themselves and their family, but the whole society, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

He added that first priority should be to provide all-round support to entrepreneurs, in particular, to create favorable conditions for the import and introduction of high-tech products and the latest scientific achievements in production. Various taxes on all categories of businesses will be reduced and simplified.

The President said that comprehensive measures would be taken to remove barriers and obstacles to the dynamic and stable development of business entities. He also announced that business entities will be exempt from inspection for two years.

Touching upon the economic policy issues Mirziyoyev emphasized the need for revising the countrys budget system, ensuring the budget revenues and expenditures are open and transparent to the people of Uzbekistan.

According the President One of our most important tasks in the development of the economy is to mobilize the populations funds as investments, strengthen the sense of entrepreneurship in people."

President Mirziyoyev said that it was important the formation of an innovative program, the training of new generation staff, effectively using innovations and investments, supporting the development of the class of owners.

To do this, we need a thoroughly thought-out program of technological development of Uzbekistan and modernization of the domestic market," said he.

The President also underlined the importance of innovation for the economic development. Today we are moving to the path of innovative development aimed at radical improvement of all spheres of life of the state and society. And this is natural. After all, who is winning in this rapidly developing world? Only a state that relies on a new thought, a new idea, an innovation, Mirziyoyev stressed.

New York, Jan 3 (JEN): A senior United Nations official in Somalia expressed deep concern over reports of the unannounced destruction of settlements for internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as humanitarian infrastructure in Mogadishu.

I am deeply saddened to learn of evictions, without prior notice, of internally displaced persons, in Banadir region, Peter de Clercq, the Secretary-Generals Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, said in a statement issued on Monday.

Some of these displaced people have walked long distances from different parts of the country fleeing drought and conflict, he continued, pointing out that on 29 and 30 December, over 23 IDP settlements, housing over 4,000 IDP households, were destroyed.

de Clercq, who is also UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, added that personal property and livelihoods have also been lost as people were not given time to collect their belongings before the destruction started.

Families, including children, women and the elderly are now living in the open, he underscored.

In addition to engaging with authorities to ensure a solution for the newly displaced people, humanitarians are mobilizing resources to provide life-saving assistance to the affected people.

I am equally concerned that when everyone is seized of the agenda of improving the lives of Somalis, humanitarian and development installations are being senselessly destroyed, including schools, latrines, water points, sanitation centres, shelters and other related investments generously supported by donors, said de Clercq.

Throughout Somalia, more than two million people are now displaced due to drought and conflict, including one million newly displaced in 2017 alone. These people constitute one-third of the 6.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

I call upon all parties to protect and assist all civilian people who have fled conflict and drought and that have already suffered so much. Humanitarians stand ready to cooperate with and support the authorities in this regard, de Clercq stressed.

Malnutrition rates there are surging and have reached emergency levels in some locations, especially among internally displaced people. Displaced people lack access to food, shelter and basic services, and also face the most serious protection-related risks, such as physical attacks, gender-based violence and movement restrictions.

UN Photo/Tobin JonesHowever, on Thursday, Iranians began taking to the streets to protest against mass unemployment and corruption. They voiced opposition to the countrys expensive campaign to rescue Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad from deposition.

In the West, more attention has gone to global responses to the protests in Iran, rather than of the protests themselves. For instance, President Trumps enthusiastic endorsement of Iranian protesters has been scrutinized. He said that the Iranian [government] should respect their peoples rights, including [the] right to express themselves. In response to Irans shutting down of the internet to prevent protestors from organizing, he commented, Not good! But, Trumps comments have been criticized as hypocritical in light of his administrations travel ban, which prevents Iranian citizens from entering the United States.

As well, a speech by the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the same subject, has received its share of criticism. He stated, When this regime finally falls  and one day it will  Iranians and Israelis will be great friends once again. I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom.

Disapproval aside, at least these two national leaders have commented. Europes response to the protests and the subsequent backlash has been weak, which raises the question, of European policymakers being preoccupied with salvaging the nuclear deal.

British foreign secretary Boris Johnson made a statement saying, that Her Majestys government, regret[s] the loss of life that has occurred in the protests in Iran. It believe[s] that there should be meaningful debate about the legitimate and important issues the protesters are raising.

Germanys foreign office called for all sides to refrain from taking any violent action.

Catherine Roy, the spokesperson for Frederica Mogherini, the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs, implied that Iranian president Hassan Rouhanis government would respect the rights of Irans citizens to demonstrate peacefully. Roy also noted that the EU would continue to monitor the situation.

It is too soon to predict how these protests will end. The Iranian people have an internationally recognized right to protest, but they have been met with force. Some have been killed, some injured, and some imprisoned. Already, CNN reports 21 dead, and a serious wave of repression is likely. Reportedly, the regime has stated that protestors could face the charge of crimes against God, which carries the death penalty.

When people protest against mass unemployment and corruption, and are met with bullets, the world must be prepared to do more than monitor the situation, writes James Snell, a writer whose work has appeared in numerous international publications, in his article for The New Arab.

Snell writes, Such a situation calls for more than an assurance that foreign governments are still reading their briefing papers. He adds, When people are being murdered by a defensive government, the words and actions of other states matter  far more than their good intentions; their rhetoric is more important than one might think.CNBC was among the outlets to report that nine people had been killed in the midst of the demonstrations on Monday night. One hundred people were reportedly arrested that night in the capital city of Tehran alone, after 250 others had been arrested in the same locality over the previous two nights. Figures for the total numbers of deceased and arrested protesters appeared more inconsistent as of Tuesday. It was generally agreed that the nine deaths from the previous night had raised the total to more than 20.

Al Jazeera placed the figure at 22 and also reported that at least 530 people had been arrested. But the National Council of Resistance of Iran, drawing upon its intelligence network inside the Islamic Republic, specified higher figures in both instances, saying that at least 30 people had been killed and 663 arrested. The NCRI also provided a breakdown on the location of a number of these arrests, in addition to the 450 that took place in Tehran.

That breakdown demonstrates one key fact that has been widely observed about the current wave of protests: they are different from the 2009 Green Movement and generally unusual among Iranian protest movements insofar as they are not geographically diffuse, involving a number of rural areas that are considered to be conservative strongholds rather than being focused primarily on socially progressive urban areas like Tehran.

In fact, Iranian officials appear to have responded to the growing protests in part by insisting that their original economic focus remained the only significant driving force and that the demonstrations held limited appeal in the capital and in other major cities apart from Mashhad.

Following the first day of protests, it was reported that Tehran officials had declared that only 50 people attended a local gathering and that most of them dispersed immediately following police warnings. Similar messaging seemed evident in quotations cited in the Los Angeles Times, with officials asserting that despite 450 arrests in three days, the demonstrations in the capital were naturally dying down. Those remarks went on to speculate that the rest of the country would soon follow suit.

The nearly simultaneous claims about mass arrests and waning popularity are not the only instances of self-contradiction in the regimes response to the protests, Al Jazeera raised this issue in the context of Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis personal response to the situation, which emerged for the first time on Tuesday. Khamenei sought to portray the protests as primarily the work of outside agitators. Business Insider quoted him as specifically blaming wicked enemies backed by westerners, easterners, as well as reactionaries of the region.

In the first place, his decision to weigh in is at odds with other officials attempts to downplay the significance of what is happening. At the same time, Al Jazeera notes that by giving credit to foreign infiltrators for such widespread demonstrations, Khamenei is contradicting the regimes official position that such infiltrators have little real influence in the Islamic Republic. In fact, Al Jazeera asserts that the latter position is correct and that Khameneis claims regarding a foreign hand in the protests are not at all credible.

This, of course, is not to say that there hasnt been an outpouring of foreign interest as the demonstrations have stretched on. Neither does this observation lead to the conclusion that foreign support for a domestically-driven movement hasnt been welcomed by Iranian activists. Indeed, a BBC report consisting of direct commentary from Iranian citizens includes one quotation embracing the supportive remarks delivered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via Instagram.

The Iranian activist, identified only as Zahi, addressed Netanyahu directly and then turned his attention to other countries: Thanks a lot for supporting the oppressed. I expect the same from all other countries. This cruel regime is harsh on its own people. We shouldnt be under batons and bullets. This isnt our destiny. We have the right to protest and we ask other countries to support us.

Netanyahus use of social media to express support for the protest movement was predictably emulated on Twitter by US President Donald Trump, who has posted on the topic several times since the demonstrations started. His messages repeated familiar condemnations of the Iranian regime and praised the Iranian people for speaking out about the misappropriation of their wealth for terrorism and projects of regional intervention. These issues had previously been raised by many of the protestors themselves with slogans such as forget about Syria; think about us!

Apart from offering personal support for the protesters cause, Trump has also overseen responses from the White House that are passing through more official channels. ABC News reported on Tuesday that the administration was keeping up pressure to prevent Iran from blocking the social media platforms that have been used as effective organizing tools for the ongoing demonstrations. The Associated Press added that the White House was actively encouraging Iranian citizens to use virtual private networks in order to evade some of the new blockages that the Iranian government is imposing on specific websites.

Both outlets quoted Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein as saying that the US has an obligation not to stand by. He added, We want to encourage the protesters to continue to fight for whats right and to open up Iran.

Much of the international press has criticized President Trump over his direct commentary on the protests, suggesting that any American effort to influence their trajectory would feed into the Iranian supreme leaders efforts to discredit the demonstrations as the work of foreign agents. Nevertheless, many of the same outlets have expressed earnest support for what the Trump administration is doing at the policy level, as opposed to at the level of pure public relations.

The Atlantic, for instance, insisted that any active American interference would help hardliners, but then advocated for Western powers the help facilitate the free flow of communication within Iranian society. Also, in an interview with PBS NewsHour, Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace recommended that the US could help to inhibit Irans ability to control communication, adding that one way of doing this would be by censuring any information technology companies that provide Iranian leaders with the tools to limit access within their country.

Sadjadpour also highlighted the considerable impact that the continued flow of information could have on the future of the still-emerging movement, which has reportedly been spreading in absence of centralized leadership or specific, across-the-board demands. He pointed out that whereas Twitter had been a highly successful organizing force in the 2009 Green Movement protests, those protests took place at a time when only one million Iranians could access the platform via smartphones. Today, 48 million Iranians have such devices.

The continued use of those devices as organizational tools would no doubt contribute to a situation that the BBC described as an unpredictable challenge for the ruling regime. The BBC also observed on Tuesday that momentum was still building for the grassroots movement. According to the Independent, that momentum is such that protesters in some areas have actually overpowered security forces and members of the basij civilian militia, disarming and dispersing some of the forces that might otherwise have violently repressed the gatherings.

Of course, it is still widely expected that state authorities will implement a campaign of such repression on the orders of the supreme leader. Sadjadpour noted that the weeks-long protests in 2009 were a case study in the regimes highly developed capacity for violent repression, which has likely grown since then. And the Washington Post described the office of the supreme leader as having many loyal and ruthless troops at his disposal.

This fact, combined with the lack of any notable defections near the top of the regime, leads the Washington Post to conclude that the current demonstrations are unlikely to lead directly to a political tipping point. But the same report suggests that the suppression of those demonstrations will lead to the later recurrence of the same. Other outlets agree with this assessment, and Reuters cited the likelihood of repression leading to further protests as one of the main points of interest for Western leaders who are watching the situation unfold.

Perhaps equally important is the escalation in the overall tone of protesters messages, respective to the 2009 demonstrations. While the earlier movement was primarily focused on the disputed reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, current slogans include calls for death to the dictator, in reference to Supreme Leader Khamenei and, by extension, the entire system of clerical rule.

It is reasonable to conclude that the suppression of previous demonstrations combined with the regimes inability or unwillingness to address the underlying grievances is leading a growing number of Iranians to the conclusion that regime change is a necessary prerequisite for the improvement of their own future prospects.Think of a language as a living thing. Like most things living, languages are always growing and changing. And today, in our highly connected world, these changes happen more and more quickly.

Every year, for example, the Merriam Webster English Dictionary adds many new words  or new meanings for common words -- to the English language.

English has always been made of up of words from many languages. Most English words come from Latin, Germanic languages and French.

But, in the last several hundred years, English has borrowed words and terms from other languages. These so-called borrowed words are not returned, of course. Rather, they remain part of a language for a very long time.

You can learn a lot about history and culture by looking at what led to the borrowing of certain words. Today, we will tell you the story of words that English has borrowed from Japanese.

It may surprise you that English has taken more than a dozen words from Japanese. They include skosh, honcho, tycoon, hunky-dory and, most recently, emoji.

Emoji

Lets start with emoji. About 10 years ago, English speakers used the word emoticons for computer keyboard symbols that express emotion in electronic messages and on the Internet. That was before the invention of smiley face icons.

Then, in the late 1990s, a Japanese computer programmer named Shigetaku Kurita changed everything when he invented emoji* -- images, icons and symbols that express meaning without words.

In Japanese, the word emoji means pictograph and comes from the word e meaning picture and moji, meaning letter or character. The similarity to the English word emotion is only by chance.

Skosh

Another word English borrowed from Japanese is skosh.

The English meaning of skosh is a small amount. The word is used informally in English.

It comes from the Japanese word sukoshi, which means the same thing. In Japanese, sukoshi can also mean a few a little" or "some." Notice the similarity between the English and Japanese pronunciations: skosh and sukoshi.

American soldiers picked up sukoshi while they were stationed in Japan after World War II. They brought it back with them to the United States in the 1950s.

While the English word is a noun, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary notes that, sometimes we also use the word as an adverb, such as in the example Im a skosh hungry In other words: "I'm a little bit hungry."

Honcho

Honcho, another word borrowed from Japanese, also came into use around World War II.

In English, honcho means "person in charge. In Japanese, the word is hancho. It means "squad leader" and comes from two words: han meaning squad" and cho meaning "head" or "chief."

Imprisoned American servicemen in Japan learned about the word. Later, they brought it back with them to the United States.

When native English speakers use the word honcho, they often say "head honcho." It has the same meaning as honcho. However, it is a native English speaker mistake, since "head honcho" is redundant.

Tycoon

Another borrowed Japanese word that describes someone who holds a lot of power is tycoon. In English, the word refers to a very wealthy and powerful businessperson.

Tycoon comes from the Japanese taikun meaning great lord or prince. The word comes from the Middle Chinese word tai kiun.

In the mid-1800s, the United States was ready to use military power to force Japan to re-open trade relations with the West. Navy officer Commodore Matthew Perry led the negotiations. When he arrived in Japan, he refused to meet with anyone other than the highest official in the empire.

The Japanese presented Perry with their shogun, or general of the Japanese army. But they were concerned that the English translation of his title would not seem powerful enough to Perry. So, they introduced their shogun using the title taikun.

What Perry  or the West  did not realize was that shoguns had more power than emperors in Japan at the time.

Perrys negotiations with Japan were successful. And the word tycoon soon became popular in America. It came to mean top leader. Tycoon first appeared in print in the U.S. in 1857. Even Abraham Lincoln began to like the word. When he was president, members of his cabinet called him tycoon as a nickname.

Hunky-dory

Our final example today is hunky-dory. Today, this adjective means fine or free of trouble or problems.

The word hunky-dory is actually a combination of words from two languages. The first part of the word  hunky  means in a safe position. Word experts say it is from the Dutch word honk, which means "post or station.

In the mid-1800s, hunk was a slang term that children in New York City used in street games, such as tag. In this game, one or more players chase after other players in an attempt to touch them with their hands. If the players reach the secure location before being tagged, they are considered safe.

The story of the second part of the word  dory  is less clear. One theory from 1876 links the word hunky-dory to the Japanese word honcho-dori. This was believed to be a street in Japan where American sailors went to have fun while they were stationed there.

However, clear evidence does not exist to prove this is true. What is clear, though, is that the pronunciation of the word for street in Japanese sounds a lot like dory. Its pronounced tori.

Join us again soon to learn the history of English words borrowed from other languages.

I'm Jill Robbins. Im Alice Bryant.

Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

dozen - n. a group of twelve things or people

keyboard - n. the set of keys that are used for a computer or typewriter

icon  n. a small picture on a computer screen that represents a program or function

pictograph  n. a pictorial symbol for a word or phrase

pronunciation  n. the way in which a word is said

squad  n. a group of people who are involved in a particular activity

empire  n. a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one government

redundant  adj. repeating something else and therefore unnecessary

nickname  n. a name that is different from your real name but that family, friends or others call you

slang  adj. words that are not part of standard language but are used informally

*In English, the plural form of the word is emojis.The Williams Cos., Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico; Northeast G&P; and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment comprises of interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. The Northeast G&P segment includes midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment consists of gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. The company was founded by David Williams and Miller Williams in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa,

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Orange RD Solar LLC, West Brookfield Boston Post Road Solar LLC, West Street Solar 1 LLC, Western Solar Parent LLC, Wilbur Woods Solar LLC, Wildwood Trust, Williamsburg East Street Solar LLC, Winchendon Ash Street Solar 1 LLC, Winchendon Lincoln Avenue Solar 1 LLC, Winchendon Lincoln Avenue Solar 2 LLC, Your Energy Holdings Limited, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-001 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-003 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-006 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-007 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-008 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-011 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-014 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-017 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-023 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-024 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-038 LLC, ZPD-PT Solar Project 2017-044 LLC, sPower, and sPower OpCo A Blocker LLC.UT Geography Society

The University of Texas Geography Society is an undergraduate student group dedicated to providing a fun social outlet for students interested in geography. It provides support for participation in undergraduate research, professional development through speaker series, K-12 educational outreach, workshops, internship info, volunteer opportunities, and fun camping trips. For more information about UT Geography Society, please visit the UT Geography Society Facebook page.

UT Geography Society Officers 2018-2019

President: Fernando CasalVice Presidentc: Marcia BanegasService Coordinator: Samid MirzaSocial Coordinator: Dan KolenbergTreasurer: Kristina Ludanova

President: Fernando Casal

Fernando is a third-year student studying Geography and is in the Native American and Indigenous Studies Certificate program. He is interested in human/soil interactions and is a research assistant at the Soils and Geoarchaeology Laboratory. Fernando is currently an intern at Great Promise for American Indians, assisting with culture programming across Austin. He studied abroad in Botswana this past summer, participating in data collection for vegetation modeling of savanna ecosystems. Fernando is in the beginning steps of conducting independent research involving soils and indigenous knowledges through a critical physical geography lens. Outside of class, his hobbies include cultivating plants and hanging out with his leopard gecko. He plans to continue studying geography in graduate school.

Vice President: Marcia Banegas

Marcia is senior studying Geography with a minor in Latin American Studies. The summer before her senior year, Marcia was a college counseling teaching assistant and a resident assistant at a high school college preparatory and STEM based summer program that takes place in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. She was also recently an environmental education intern at the Colorado River Alliance, a nonprofit environmental organization that advocates for the preservation and conservation of the Texas Colorado River. Outside of school, Marcia works at a child development center. During her free time, she likes to go hiking and biking. Marcia plans to enter the workforce once she graduates.

Service Coordinator: Samid Mirza

Samid is a junior majoring in Geography with a focus on GIS and a minor in Business. During the Spring 2018, he had the honor of working as an intern in the Texas State Capitol with the Texas State Representative for House District 31, Ryan Guillen. Among the various roles, his favorite was getting the opportunity to work with legislature and bill proposals that focused on environmental issues. His current internship involves working as a Data Associate for Absolute Software, where he is gaining valuable data analytic skills that can be applied to GIS. On top of conducting research and data collecting, service and volunteer events have been a main interest to Samid, as he enjoys helping the community. In terms of long-term goals, Samid hopes to apply his skills in GIS with an environmental firm, business, or tech company.

Social Coordinator: Dan Kolenberg

Dan is a dual major in Geography and History. Originally from Stamford Connecticut, he moved down to Austin right after high school to attend ACC to transfer to UT in 2017. Dan has always had a passion for the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. Folks around the department and friends know him as Ranger Dan! Over the summer he interned with the National Park Service at Arches National Park. With the Smokey the Bear hat and full uniform, Dan worked as an interpretative ranger for the summer season. Dan is graduating in the spring of 2019, with hopes of continuing his work with the National Park Service.

Treasurer: Kristina Ludanova

Kristina is a junior majoring in geography with a focus on GIS and earth science. She works as an adventure trip guide, climbing wall supervisor, and outdoor center equipment manager for UT RecSports. She recently returned from a photography internship aimed at expanding ecotourism in Kazakhstan. After graduation, she hopes to gain work experience and squeeze in some travels along the way.Rescuers have found 42 survivors and are searching for one man still missing after a speedboat capsized off Indonesias part of Borneo island.

At least eight people died in the capsizing January 1st as the Anugrah Express boat was traveling from Tanjung Selor, the capital of North Kalimantan province, to Tarakan in the same province.

Manangap Djumala, a search and rescue official in Tarakan, said that in addition to the deaths, 42 people were found alive by rescuers. The man still missing is a passenger.

Djumala said the boats manifest listed 48 passengers and three crew members. Five passengers are children, though he said infants are usually not listed in the manifest.

Police are investigating the cause of the capsizing.

Ships are a popular and relatively cheap way to travel in the worlds largest archipelago nation, but poor safety enforcement means accidents are common. APThe Gongbei border gate saw a total of 1.2 million crossings during the three-day New Year Holiday, according to a report by Macao Daily News. On the first and second days, 408,000 and 410,000 crossings were registered respectively, with both figures being substantially higher compared to an average day. The Gongbei Immigration Authority expects many residents living in the Pearl River Delta area to visit Macau to purchase goods for the Chinese New Year. The Authority notified passengers about the potential heavy human traffic flow at the Gongbei border gate before the Chinese New Year.

Four smugglers arrested on December 30

The Macao Customs Authority arrested four smugglers  two men and two women  on the evening of December 30, according to a statement released by the Authority. One of the arrested men was the responsible for organising the smuggling operations, while the others assisted. The two women entered Macaus border with the assistance of the two men. One of the women was forwarded to the Public Security Police Force. The Customs Authority suspect that the second woman might be involved in human trafficking activities and forwarded her to the Judiciary Police for further investigation. All four suspects are mainland residents, and they have all been forwarded to the related government departments.When high rollers are the biggest drivers of Macaus casino revenue, its much harder for analysts to predict betting results.

The hubs casino stocks tumbled today, with Wynn Resorts Ltd.s Macau unit dropping the most in more than a year intraday on news that gaming revenue missed the median estimate of a 20 percent increase in a Bloomberg survey. Gaming receipts rose almost 15 percent in December to MOP22.7 billion (USD2.8 billion).

Analysts attributed the unexpected slower growth to bad luck for casinos as gamblers took home greater-than-expected winnings. Many of those winning gamblers were high rollers. High stakes players will continue to dominate in 2018, and these smaller groups of elite players are expected to bring gaming revenue turbulence with them.

This volatility can be driven by the luck factor or even by the timing of VIP trips, especially on the part of some of the biggest VIP players, said Grant Govertsen, an analyst with Macau-based Union Gaming Securities Asia Ltd. Since the growth in the market is being driven by VIP, it re-introduces the concept of volatility to monthly and quarterly results.

That may leave casinos such as Wynn Macau Ltd. facing more volatility given its reliance on the high-end gambling segment. The gaming operator outperformed in the VIP segment last year, contributing over half of the segments growth for the first nine months, according to Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong Ltd.s analyst Jamie Soo.

High rollers drove revenue at a faster pace than casual gamblers for most of last year. As they continued their return to Macau after a Beijing crackdown on corruption kept them away from the tables, actual monthly gaming revenue deviated from analysts estimates. In nine separate months, actual casino receipts growth showed more than a three percentage point difference from analyst estimates, according to Bloomberg calculations.

Analysts also had a harder time forecasting during peak seasons, especially when VIPs delayed their trips. One surprise example: revenue for the popular eight-day Golden week holiday in October was lower than expected. The overall monthly receipts hit a three-year high, beating analysts estimates and was driven by a post-holiday push by high rollers.

Despite the weaker-than-

expected performance in December, analysts are still optimistic about the gaming market in 2018. Were not too concerned about the December results given that we believe volumes remain quite strong across all segments, said Govertsen.

Wynn Macau Ltd. pared losses to 2.8 percent yesterday in Hong Kong. Sands China Ltd. trimmed its drop to 2.1 percent. The benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 2 percent. Daniela Wei, BloombergSteve Wynns settlement with a former employee in 2005 was done privately, but the secret refuses to go away.

The casino mogul and his ex-wife, Elaine Wynn, have been battling over documents related to the employees allegations and a related settlement, which Elaine said was in the millions of dollars. Elaines attorneys are now placing that deal in the context of the larger debate over sexual harassment and corporate responsibility, which has emerged following allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein. A spokesman for Steve called the efforts a smear campaign that is not supported by the facts.

Steve and Elaine, both 75, have been fighting for five years over Elaines ability to control her USD1.6 billion stake in Wynn Resorts Ltd., the operator of casinos in Las Vegas and Macau. An agreement Elaine signed with Steve gives him the right to vote her nearly 9 percent stake in the Las Vegas-based company and limits her ability to sell her shares. Steve, who lost his earlier casino empire, Mirage Resorts, to an unsolicited offer from Kirk Kerkorian in 2000, has sought to control as much Wynn Resorts stock as he can.

Elaine is arguing that her deal with Steve is no longer valid after the company took back the stock of Kazuo Okada, a Wynn Resorts co-founder also party to their shareholder agreement. Elaine escalated her efforts last year after losing her seat on the Wynn Resorts board in 2015, saying she was punished for raising questions about Steves reckless conduct running the company, including the handling of the 2005 settlement. She accused her ex-husband of using company personnel and resources to conceal the allegations.

Details of what prompted the settlement are only hinted at in the heavily redacted court filings in state court in Las Vegas. At the end of the day this was simply a report of sexual harassment, Mark Ferrario, one of Elaines attorneys, said at an August hearing. That same month Elaine asked Steve for all documents regarding any allegations of sexual misconduct made against you by a current or former Wynn Resorts employee.

Recent events in the media serve to highlight that the incident was not, as Wynn Resorts and Mr. Wynn have contended, a personal issue, Elaines attorneys said in an Oct. 19 court filing. Such misconduct is a matter central to appropriate corporate governance.

Among the materials Elaine and Steve have been battling over recently are notes about what occurred in 2005, taken by the former head of hotel operations at Wynn Las Vegas, Doreen Whennen. The Nevada Supreme Court this month denied Wynns bid to keep those notes out of Elaines hands. Days later, Wynn sued Whennen for breach of contract for taking the notes with her when she retired in 2014.

Wynn Resorts outside lawyers reviewed the settlement and determined it didnt need to be shared with the board, according to comments made by Elaines lawyer at a Dec. 18 hearing. Elaines lawyers are trying  so far unsuccessfully  to gain access to communications between Wynn and its outside lawyers about the settlement.

Michael Weaver, a spokesman for Steve, said any allegations that Mr. Wynn committed an alleged assault or harassment of any kind are completely false. There is substantial evidence that discredits such allegations. The company declined to provide the evidence, citing a confidentiality order by the court.

It is noteworthy that although Ms. Wynn says she knew about these false allegations in 2009, she did not make them known to the board of directors [of which she was then a member] and she did not raise them until after Mr. Wynn remarried and the shareholders of Wynn Resorts voted not to elect her to the board, Weaver said.

The Wynns lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in April. Steves lawyers may try to keep details of the agreement with the former employee from being brought before the jury. The size of the settlement alone could help Elaine influence jurors opinion of her ex-husband, according to Jamie Dokovna, a litigator with Becker & Poliakoff in West Palm Beach, Florida, who specializes in employment law but isnt involved in the Wynn case.

Generally speaking youre not throwing millions of dollars at a claim that has no merit, Dokovna said. Millions is still a lot, even if youre a billionaire.Edvard Pettersson, Christopher Palmeri, BloombergCredit: CC0 Public Domain

Scientists have shown how alcohol damages DNA in stem cells, helping to explain why drinking increases your risk of cancer, according to research part-funded by Cancer Research UK and published in Nature today.

Much previous research looking at the precise ways in which alcohol causes cancer has been done in cell cultures. But in this study, researchers have used mice to show how alcohol exposure leads to permanent genetic damage.

Scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, gave diluted alcohol, chemically known as ethanol, to mice. They then used chromosome analysis and DNA sequencing to examine the genetic damage caused by acetaldehyde, a harmful chemical produced when the body processes alcohol.

They found that acetaldehyde can break and damage DNA within blood stem cells leading to rearranged chromosomes and permanently altering the DNA sequences within these cells.

It is important to understand how the DNA blueprint within stem cells is damaged because when healthy stem cells become faulty, they can give rise to cancer.

These new findings therefore help us to understand how drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing 7 types of cancer including common types like breast and bowel.

Professor Ketan Patel, lead author of the study and scientist, part funded by Cancer Research UK, at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, said: "Some cancers develop due to DNA damage in stem cells. While some damage occurs by chance, our findings suggest that drinking alcohol can increase the risk of this damage."

The study also examined how the body tries to protect itself against damage caused by alcohol. The first line of defence is a family of enzymes called aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH). These enzymes break down harmful acetaldehyde into acetate, which our cells can use as a source of energy.

Worldwide, millions of people, particularly those from South East Asia, either lack these enzymes or carry faulty versions of them. So, when they drink, acetaldehyde builds up which causes a flushed complexion, and also leads to them feeling unwell.

In the study, when mice lacking the critical ALDH enzyme - ALDH2 - were given alcohol, it resulted in four times as much DNA damage in their cells compared to mice with the fully functioning ALDH2 enzyme.

The second line of defence used by cells is a variety of DNA repair systems which, most of the time, allow them to fix and reverse different types of DNA damage. But they don't always work and some people carry mutations which mean their cells aren't able to carry out these repairs effectively.

Professor Patel added: "Our study highlights that not being able to process alcohol effectively can lead to an even higher risk of alcohol-related DNA damage and therefore certain cancers. But it's important to remember that alcohol clearance and DNA repair systems are not perfect and alcohol can still cause cancer in different ways, even in people whose defence mechanisms are intact."

This research was funded by Cancer Research UK, Wellcome and the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK's expert on cancer prevention, said: "This thought-provoking research highlights the damage alcohol can do to our cells, costing some people more than just a hangover.

"We know that alcohol contributes to over 12,000 cancer cases in the UK each year, so it's a good idea to think about cutting down on the amount you drink."

Explore further Excess alcohol could damage our DNA

More information: Juan I. Garaycoechea et al, Alcohol and endogenous aldehydes damage chromosomes and mutate stem cells, Nature (2018). Journal information: Nature Juan I. Garaycoechea et al, Alcohol and endogenous aldehydes damage chromosomes and mutate stem cells,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/nature25154Derek Judge, left, examines a computer display of a dime-sized chip of glass, imprinted with tiny dots of magnetic material and used to research brain cells, in the Kunze Lab at Montana State University on Monday, July 24, 2017, in Bozeman, Montana. Credit: MSU Photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

Some researchers at Montana State University have a light touch when it comes to unraveling the mysteries of the brain and exploring new ways to treat diseases like Alzheimer's.

A team led by Anja Kunze, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, uses tiny magnets to stretch small branches of individual brain cells in her lab.

"It's a very gentle force," Kunze said. "It would be like getting a massage."

The stretching mimics the natural growth in a healthy brain as brain cellscalled neuronsbranch out to form new connections with neighboring neurons. The connections form neural networks that relay tiny electrical signalsthe biological process underpinning thought and awareness.

According to Kunze, relatively little is known about the mechanical forces that combine with chemical cues to guide brain development. But it's thought that the forces play a significant role in learning and other brain function and that deterioration of the brainsuch as that caused by Alzheimer'scorresponds with a breakdown in those forces.

"A dying brain cell doesn't exert a force on its neighbors anymore," potentially triggering degeneration in the neighboring cells as well, she said.

To stretch the neurons, which are derived from small samples of rat tissue, the researchers first soak them in a solution containing pieces of iron compound so small that they are measured by the nanometerone-billionth of a meter, or roughly 100,000 times smaller than what the unaided human eye can see. Because the iron particles are so small, they can easily infuse the cells, Kunze said.

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Her team then places small numbers of neurons on a dime-sized chip of glass that has been precisely imprinted with tiny dots of magnetic material. When the chip is placed in a device that generates a magnetic field, the dots concentrate the field and exert a force on the magnetized cells.

Derek Judge, a junior from Spokane who is majoring in electrical engineering, uses a computer program to model the magnetic forces and fine-tune the design of the chips, which he helps make at MSU's Montana Microfabrication Facility.

"There's not a set path; I have to figure it out," said Judge, who has worked in Kunze's lab for more than a year with support from MSU's Undergraduate Scholars Program and Montana INBRE, an Institutional Development Award program from National Institutes of Health housed at MSU. "That's the best thing about working here."

As the neurons stretch over the course of several days, the team uses powerful microscopes to observe how the cells change structure.

"This research, understanding how the brain works using electrical engineering principles, is a new area for our department, and that's exciting," said Todd Kaiser, head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. "Some of the most interesting questions now deal with the interplay between disciplines."

Besides providing clues about the fundamental workings of the brain, the research could lead to treatments for Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases, Kunze said. Patients could potentially ingest the magnetic nanoparticles and then an MRI or a similar device could be used to massage the neurons in order to stimulate new connections.

"You can go to the gym to tune your muscles, and possibly you can also train the brain to build new neural networks," she said.

Explore further Researchers build brain on a chipCredit: The Conversation

New Year has arrived, or have we arrived at New Year? While both statements convey the same idea, they are viewed from two different perspectives on time.

On the one hand, we may think of events as things that are on the move, heading towards us. "Holidays are coming" is a classic example of the "moving time" perspective. Time is seen as an unstoppable train, hurtling towards us from the future and into the past.

On the other hand, we might imagine ourselves as being on the move through time, as in: "We've arrived at the moment of truth"  the "moving ego" perspective. Here, time is seen as a path for us to move along, into the future.

While these perspectives differ, they both see the past lying behind us, the present as the place where we are, and the future as ahead of us. But does our perspective on time simply boil down to a matter of preference or are other factors also at play?

Forwards or backwards?

Although many languages across the globe picture the future as in front of us and the past as behind us, there are notable exceptions. The Yupno community of Papua New Guinea, for instance, point downhill towards the mouth of the river when talking about the past, and up the mountain to the source of the river when discussing the future. An expression like "a few years ago" (omoropmo bilak) roughly translates as "down there other side year".

In other languages, people's perspectives on time differ radically from the way they speak about time. That is, there are "disassociations" between the two. A case in point is Darija  a Moroccan dialect of modern Arabic  where both the future and the past can be seen as something that lies ahead of us.

In one study, speakers of Darija completed a number of time related tasks, such as matching objects to boxes representing the future and the past. Here, individuals were more likely to position the future as behind the speaker and the past as in front of them  opposite to the arrangement found in the Arabic language.

One suggested reason for this is that compared to many Europeans and Americans, Moroccans tend to be more past focused. They place more value on tradition, as well as more importance on older generations. In this way, people who focus on the past devote more attention to it  as though past events were objects that they could see with their eyes.

In other words, differences in perspectives on time can be rooted in what we focus on. But does our focus always remain the same or does it change from time to time?

Temporal milestones

Temporal milestones, such as landmark birthdays, the changing seasons, as well as new beginnings can affect people's mindsets  particularly their perspectives on time.

For many, New Year provides an opportunity to start afresh, to reset the clock, or to make resolutions for the future. Google searches for gym visits, as well as commitments to pursue goals  such as learning something new or helping others  all increase at the start of the year.

In this way, the arrival of New Year can interrupt our attention from our day-to-day activities. The effect is that people are more likely to psychologically distance their "current" self from their "past" self  as they take a big picture view of their lives and aspire towards their new, more positive self image.

For better, for worse

Another culprit that affects people's perspectives on time is how they feel about an event in question. When asked to imagine a negative event in the future, like an examination, people are more likely to think of it as approaching them. By contrast, positive events in the future, like weddings, are seen as things that we actively move towards.

Of course, there are also personality related differences in attitudes towards events in time. The anticipation of lengthy social gatherings  such as birthday parties or reunions  may sound more appealing to extroverts than introverts. In the words of the introverted author Sophia Dembling:

"If parties were roller coasters, extroverts would be the riders with their arms in the air, and introverts would be the ones hanging on with a white-knuckled grip."

All in all, this paints a quite a complex picture of time. Differences in perspectives emerge on every level, from language and culture, to temporal milestones and personal attitudes. And in this way, how you see in the New Year might actually reveal more about your frame of mind than you had realised.

So whether you've arrived at New Year or New Year has arrived, whether it's in front of you or behind, whether you doffed your hat to it quietly from the comforts of your own home or from a crowded room  whatever your view, one thing's for sure, it happens regardless.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.With the launch of Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park, Perth kids can problem solve, build resilience and practise enquiry-based learning through nature play.

Last month, I attended the official launch of stage two of Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park. I got to climb over rocks, poke my head into hidey-holes and even dip my toes in the water of this amazing nature play area.

If you haven't been keeping up to date with your local parenting groups, you might not know what 'nature play' is, let alone realise what it has to do with science!

Prepare to get your hands dirty because nature play is all about getting back to the bush.

Back in my day 

Anyone over the age of 30 probably remembers spending most of their childhood outdoors.

My parents love to tell me how, when they were kids, their parents would shoo them out of the house in the morning, and they were expected to entertain themselves outdoors until tea time. They'd spend glorious days exploring on their banana seat bikes and running through the bush.

Nowadays, stranger danger is high, kids are overscheduled and their downtime is often screen time.

The idea behind nature playunstructured play outdoorsis to bring things back to basics. It allows kids to explore the natural environment by giving them a safe space to do so.

"That opportunity just to run around in the bush and make mud pies and build cubby houses is lost to [the kids of today]," says Jacqui Kennedy, head of the Kings Park education team.

"So that's what we wanted to bring back for them, because in doing that, they're using their imaginations and  actually really using their brain to discover new things, to problem solve".

"Play is the highest form of research"

This quote probably wasn't uttered by Einstein as Google suggests, but there's still a lot of truth to it.

At the core of all research is curiosity and the desire to answer questions.

Nature play allows children to be scientists by getting them curious about the world around them and encouraging them to answer questions.

"If you love the environment and you're connected with it, you want to delve deeper and engage and ask questions," says Kiely O'Flaherty, a Kings Park education officer.

"I've got kids myself, and it's nice to actually be able to reconnect with the kids and get excited by their questions and then try to help them discover answers."

This learning through asking questions is called enquiry-based learning.

"Naturescape itself is built for enquiry-based learning and science," says Charlotte Vaughan, Kings Park's education coordinator.

"By having a play space that kids connect with nature and get excited by naturethat leads to science," adds Kiely.

Play space not playground

If you're going to get back to nature, you've got to do it right.

You won't find any brightly coloured plastic swings or slides at Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park. What you will find are branches to build a cubby house, trees to climb, water to wade in and a mud-making station.

"We decided early on, when we wanted to connect children with nature, we didn't want there to be a plastic experience," says Jacqui.

"It was very much decided that, if children were going to build their resilience and take risks and problem solve and do all of those things that help with their physical and cognitive development, we needed to not provide a playground but more a discovery and learning facility, and that's what it is."

So how does playing with mud and sticks help build resilience?

Well, it's a chance for kids to challenge themselves and take risks. There's no instructions to tell you what to do, so you can set your own tasks and try and solve your own problems.

For example, if you're building a cubby house, there are many ways you can challenge yourself. Can you make a door that opens and closes? Can you tip water on your roof and make sure it doesn't leak?

Overcoming each problem builds resilience and encourages creativity.

Creating future custodians

When you're talking about a nature play area, you can't ignore the benefits to nature.

Kids experiencing the natural world means kids learning to appreciate the natural world. Things you can see and touch are things you want to protect.

And that's what kids do at Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park when they play in the water of the new Paperbark Creek and explore the treetops on the new Python.

"If we want children to be our custodians of the environment in the future, well, they have to have developed their empathy during their formative years," says Jacqui.

"Because if there's no knowledge, there is no empathy, and without that, there is no action to protect so it's vitally important for the environment."

By teaching kids through play how to respect and care for our natural environment, we can ensure it'll be in safe hands for generations to come.

And who knows? Maybe you'll find some serenity there too!

Explore further Getting to the root of sibling rivalry

This article first appeared on Particle, a science news website based at Scitech, Perth, Australia. Read the original article.Key findings about what adults over 50 say regarding flu vaccination for residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities Credit: University of Michigan

As flu season swings into high gear, a new poll suggests that nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should be doing more to get their staff and patients vaccinated before it's too late.

Nearly three-quarters of people over age 50 surveyed in a new poll say that all staff in such facilities should definitely be required to get the flu vaccine. More than 60 percent also say that all patients in nursing homes and assisted living should definitely get vaccinated too.

In fact, poll respondents felt so strongly about flu vaccination that 70 percent said that if they found out that one-third of a nursing home's staff wasn't vaccinated, they would be less likely to choose it for themselves or loved ones.

The new results, from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, come at a time when nursing homes and assisted living facilities lag behind hospitals and other healthcare settings in the rate of flu vaccination among staff.

The poll was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 2,007 Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. It was sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, U-M's academic medical center.

Lack of vaccination

Older people, and those with chronic health conditions of any age, are especially vulnerable to the influenza virus, and at an increased risk of developing flu-related complications such as pneumonia. Widespread vaccination helps create "herd immunity" that makes it harder for the virus to spread between people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of six months should be vaccinated against the flu every year, with few exceptions. But the CDC has reported that only 68 percent of workers in long-term care settings such as nursing homes get vaccinated against the flu, compared with more than 92 percent of hospital workers.

"We've finally gotten to the point in the last few years where most inpatient hospitals require their staff to get vaccinated against the flu, or at least strongly promote it," says Preeti Malani, M.D., the director of the poll and a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School who specializes in infectious diseases and geriatrics.

"These results suggest that other types of care facilities should do the same to protect vulnerable patients - or potentially risk losing business," she adds. "I encourage everyone to ask nursing homes and other long-term care facilities about their vaccination policies."

"Flu and pneumonia are a critical health concern, and in recent years have resulted in over 50,000 deaths annually, making it the 8th leading cause of death just behind diabetes," says Alison Bryant, Ph.D., senior vice president of research for AARP. "Over 80 percent of these deaths were among older adults ages 65 and older. Increasing vaccination rates to increase herd immunity is imperative to the health and lives of our most vulnerable."

Influence on facility choice

It's up to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to disclose to their patients, visitors and prospective patients what their flu vaccination policies and practices are. But the new poll asked respondents to react to a hypothetical scenario in which a nursing home had a vaccination rate about the current national average.

Forty percent of poll respondents said if they found out that 1 in 3 staff at a particular nursing home weren't vaccinated against the flu, it would make them much less likely to choose that facility. Another 30 percent said this knowledge would make them slightly less likely to choose it.

Such data about staff vaccination is actually publicly available for some types of facilities, though many people may not know it. In inpatient rehabilitation facilities, 91 percent of patients and 84 percent of staff have had theirs, according to the federal site that tracks them. The site for long-term care hospitals shows that 77 percent of staff have been vaccinated.

However, the site that tracks nursing home data doesn't yet show nursing home staff flu vaccination rates, though it does show resident flu shot percentages for each facility.

CDC makes a special recommendation that healthcare workers be vaccinated, and offers a special toolkit for long-term care facilities.

Impact on employment and visiting

In all, 73 percent of respondents felt that nursing home medical staff should definitely get vaccinated, and 71 percent felt that non-medical staff should too. An additional 20 percent of respondents felt that staff should possibly be required to be vaccinated.

The vast majority of respondents also thought that nursing homes should offer the vaccine to staff at work, at no charge, and should require unvaccinated staff to stay home if they get sick. But a lower percentage - 55 percent - thought that the flu vaccine should be mandatory for staff to keep their jobs. In contrast, many hospitals require staff vaccination but allow some staff to opt out and instead wear masks around patients during flu season.

When it came to nursing home visitors, respondents were less strong in their opinions. Only 25 percent said visitors should be required to be vaccinated before visiting their loved ones. Another 45 percent said they possibly should be required to get the vaccine, and 30 percent believed visitors should not be required to get the vaccine.

Explore further Low influenza vaccination rates among nursing home employees put residents at risk, study findsA ground-breaking new research hub has been set up to help halt future outbreaks of killer diseases like Ebola and Zika.

The landmark project will help to increase vaccine coverage across the globe and improve the response to deadly outbreaks through the rapid deployment of life-saving vaccines.

Currently, nearly one in five infants across the world - 19.5 million children - do not have access to basic vaccines, and almost one third of deaths among children under five could be prevented through the use of vaccines.

The effective distribution of vaccines is hampered in rural areas of low and middle income nations by the costs associated with their production and purification, and the need for them to be stored at temperatures of between two and eight degrees Celsius.

An additional challenge is the need to respond rapidly to emerging threats such as the Ebola and Zika viruses.

The new Hub will look to address two major challenges facing attempts to create future vaccine manufacturing systems:

How to design a production system that can produce tens of thousands of new doses within weeks of a new threat being identified

How to improve current manufacturing processes and change the way vaccines are manufactured, stabilised and stored so that existing and new diseases can be prevented effectively, and costs reduced

Public Health Minister, Steve Brine said: "It is a tragedy that so many people across the world die because they do not have access to basic vaccines. Diseases do not respect borders and we have a responsibility to fight them both at home and abroad.

"Our scientists and laboratories are world-leading and can hold the key to making and deploying more life-saving vaccines - including when emerging threats arise like Zika or Ebola. This hub has the immense potential to save and improve the lives of millions."

Project lead investigator, Professor Robin Shattock, Chair in Mucosal Infection and Immunity at Imperial College London, said: "Through the establishment of the Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub we are looking to exploit the next wave of biotechnology innovation to rapidly respond to emerging outbreaks and empower countries most at risk to infections to meet their local vaccine needs."

EPSRC's Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, said: "Vaccines and their availability can mean the difference between life and death for millions of people across the globe. Many of these deaths, whether they are a result of polio, diphtheria or measles, could be prevented through immunisation, and research at the Hub will look to overcome barriers currently blocking progress in this field.

"At the same time, this investment will also support the researchers as they strive to develop ways to respond rapidly and efficiently to threats such as Ebola and Zika and save many lives in the future."

The new Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub is led by Imperial College London and features four other UK universities and three UK institutes. It has been established with almost 10 million of funding by the Department for Health and will be managed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The hub will collaborate with the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN) on manufacturing projects, initially in India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uganda and China and expanding to other countries in the future.

It will adopt an integrated approach that will build on new developments in life sciences, immunology and process systems to address these two challenges.

Approaches that will be explored by researchers at the Hub include the development of synthetic RNA vaccines which can be rapidly manufactured; the rapid production of yeast and bacterially-expressed particles that mimic components of pathogenic viruses and bacteria; and protein stabilisation to preserve vaccines at temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius, avoiding the need for refrigerated distribution and storage.

Explore further Multiple research approaches are key to pandemic preparedness, NIAID officials sayA closeup view of the skin-stimulating electrodes and earphones used to deliver the specially timed signals. Credit: University of Michigan

Millions of Americans hear ringing in their earsa condition called tinnitusbut a new study shows an experimental device could help quiet the phantom sounds by targeting unruly nerve activity in the brain.

In a new paper in Science Translational Medicine, a team from the University of Michigan reports the results of the first animal tests and clinical trial of the approach, including data from 20 human tinnitus patients.

Based on years of scientific research into the root causes of the condition, the device uses precisely timed sounds and weak electrical pulses that activate touch-sensitive nerves, both aimed at steering damaged nerve cells back to normal activity.

Human participants reported that after four weeks of daily use of the device, the loudness of phantom sounds decreased, and their tinnitus-related quality of life improved. A sham "treatment" using just sounds did not produce such effects.

Results from tests in guinea pigs and the double-blind human study funded by the Coulter Foundation validate years of pre-clinical research funded by the National Institutes of Health, including previous tests in guinea pigs.

The U-M team has new NIH funding for an additional clinical trial to further refine the approach. U-M holds a patent on the concept behind the device and is developing it for potential commercialization.

"The brain, and specifically the region of the brainstem called the dorsal cochlear nucleus, is the root of tinnitus," says Susan Shore, Ph.D., the U-M Medical School professor who leads the research team. "When the main neurons in this region, called fusiform cells, become hyperactive and synchronize with one another, the phantom signal is transmitted into other centers where perception occurs.

"If we can stop these signals, we can stop tinnitus," she continues. "That is what our approach attempts to do, and we're encouraged by these initial parallel results in animals and humans."

A dual-stimulus approach to treating tinnitus

The approach, called targeted bimodal auditory-somatosensory stimulation, involves two senses. The device plays a sound into the ears, alternating it with precisely timed, mild electrical pulses delivered to the cheek or neck.

This sets off a process called stimulus-timing dependent plasticity, or STDP, which was first explored in animals and led to long-term changes in the rate at which the nerves fire. The approach aims to re-set the activity of fusiform cells, which normally help our brains receive and process both sounds and sensations such as touch or vibration - what scientists call somatosensory inputs.

Under normal conditions, fusiform cells help our brains focus on where sounds are coming from, and help us tune out sensations that result from the movement of our own head and neck.

But the U-M team's previous work in animals showed that loud noise can trigger a change in the nerve cells' activity - altering its timing so that they fire off synchronized signals spontaneously instead of waiting for an actual sound in the environment.

The toll of tinnitus

These events in animals parallel what happens in humans. After exposure to such things as loud noises, head or neck trauma, or other triggering events, some people develop a persistent sensation that they're hearing sounds like ringing or a grinding noise.

The device aims to quell the phantom noises of tinnitus by sending specially timed signals to both the ear and skin of people with the condition. The approach is based on years of basic research into the underlying neurobiology of the condition Credit: University of Michigan

Approximately 15 percent of Americans have some level of tinnitus, but the worst symptoms occur in about 10 percent of sufferers, according to estimates based on interviews with nationally representative samples of Americans. Many of those with more severe tinnitus also have hearing loss.

Some cases are severe. As many as two million people can't work or carry out other daily activities because of the tinnitus itself, or the psychological distress it causes them. Tinnitus is the most common cause of service-connected disability among veterans of the U.S. military.

Current approaches to tinnitus treatment focus include efforts to address the psychological distress it causes, for instance through cognitive behavioral therapy. Other approaches use sound to mask the phantom sounds or attempt to modulate the brain response. For more severe cases, some patients turn to invasive, and therefore riskier, approaches such as deep brain stimulation and vagal nerve stimulation. The current approach provides a novel and unique, non-invasive strategy that aims to modulate and correct the aberrant neural pathways that cause tinnitus.

Study details

Shore and her colleagues are based in U-M's Kresge Hearing Research Institute, which is part of the Department of Otolaryngology at Michigan Medicine, U-M's academic medical center. Co-first authors Kendra Marks, Au.D., David Martel, M.S.E. and Calvin Wu, Ph.D., are all members of the Shore laboratory.

They recruited a particular kind of tinnitus sufferer for their study: those who can temporarily alter their symptoms if they clench their jaws, stick out their tongues, or turn or flex their necks. These maneuvers, Shore says, appear to be self-discovered ways of changing the activity of fusiform cells - providing an external somatosensory signal to modulate their tinnitus.

The U-M device delivers sounds matched to the loudness and pitch of the phantom sounds that each patient hears. It also delivers mild electrical impulses applied to the area of the head involved in the patients' own tinnitus-altering maneuvers.

The crucial timing of the auditory and electrical stimulation came directly from tests in guinea pigs that had noise-induced tinnitus, reported in the new paper. Those tests showed that specific timing between delivery of the two kinds of stimuli was necessary to suppress the hyperactive fusiform cells.

After patients had the device calibrated to their own tinnitus symptoms, they learned to apply its earphones and electrodes for a 30-minute session each day. Half the group received the bimodal sound-and-electricity treatment for the first four weeks, while the other half received just sounds. Then, they all took a four-week break, and started the next four weeks receiving the opposite of what they'd received before. None of them knew which option they got first.

Every week, the patients took a survey about how much their tinnitus was affecting their lives, and a test of how loud their tinnitus sounds were.

Results in human participants

Overall, the loudness of phantom sounds decreased only after the actual, or bimodal, treatment, but not the sham treatment of sound only. For some the decrease was around 12 decibels, about the magnitude of an electric lightbulb's hum. Two participants said their tinnitus disappeared completely.

The quality of life survey - where a low score indicates less impact from tinnitus - is called TFI, and is measured on a 100-point scale. Statistical modeling of the results revealed that, on average, patients experienced significantly reduced scores for the active treatment, though the size of the effect in individual patients varied. On average, scores also stayed lower for weeks after treatment ended. This effect was not significant for the sham treatment.

No patient experienced a worsening of symptoms or quality of life, or other adverse events. Some said their phantom sounds got less harsh or piercing, or became easier to ignore.

"We're definitely encouraged by these results, but we need to optimize the length of treatments, identify which subgroups of patients may benefit most, and determine if this approach works in patients who have non-somatic forms of the condition that can't be modulated by head and neck maneuvers," says Shore.

The research was funded by NIH grants DC004825 and DC00011, and by the Wallace H. Coulter Translational Research Partnership. The device was built at in2being LLC based on patent 9,242,067 granted to U-M in 2016. The device is experimental and not commercially available; potential cost of treatment has yet to be determined.

Explore further Bilateral tinnitus in men may be hereditary

More information: K.L. Marks el al., "Auditory-somatosensory bimodal stimulation desynchronizes brain circuitry to reduce tinnitus in guinea pigs and humans," Science Translational Medicine (2017). Journal information: Science Translational Medicine K.L. Marks el al., "Auditory-somatosensory bimodal stimulation desynchronizes brain circuitry to reduce tinnitus in guinea pigs and humans,"(2017). stm.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/  scitranslmed.aal3175Photograph of the EXPLORER scanner (left) at UC Davis Medical Center and maximum intensity projection images of two frames from a mini-EXPLORER dynamic total-body imaging study following injection of 8.5 MBq 18F-FDG (1/10th standard activity) in a 4.6 kg rhesus macaque. Credit: Simon Cherry et al., University of California, Davis, Calif.

The new total-body PET/CT scanner could revolutionize our understanding and treatment of disease through analysis of better imaging data from the whole body. In The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) featured January article, scientists at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), outline the development and benefits of this innovative diagnostic tool and explain how maximizing PET sensitivity will advance clinical research and patient care.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is widely considered the most sensitive technique available for non-invasively studying physiology, metabolism and molecular pathways in the living human being. However, there have been drawbacks, including low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) affecting image quality, long imaging times and concerns regarding radiation dose.

Total-body PET, which encompasses the entire body within the field of view and allows imaging of all the tissues and organs of the body simultaneously, promises to be a game changer.

"It will offer the ability to detect throughout the whole body the location of focal pathologies, including cancer, infection, and inflammation at considerably lower levels of disease activity than is currently possible," explains Terry Jones, DSc, clinical professor of diagnostic radiology at UC Davis.

He points out, "It will also reduce the time taken to scan the whole body by at least a factor of 10, leading to scan times that could be less than one minute. This, for example, will make it far easier to scan infant and pediatric subjects without anesthesia or sedation."

Radiation exposure is reduced as well. Jones notes, "Whole-body PET scans could be performed for a radiation dose roughly equivalent to that received from a round-trip transatlantic flight."

By covering the entire body at once, sensitivity is increased by a factor of ~40 for total-body imaging, or a factor of ~4-5 for imaging a single organ such as the brain or heart. Significant improvements in timing resolution could lead to even further sensitivity gains.

The JNM article states, "Total-body PET offers several opportunities to change the methodological approach to cancer detection and staging, and this same methodology could also be applied to other systemic conditions, including inflammation (e.g. sarcoidosis), vascular disease, sepsis and infectious disease. The increased sensitivity and dynamic range of total-body PET will allow imaging at high SNR at much later times after tracer injection."

Jones adds, "The ability to study the simultaneous interaction of specific molecular/physiological processes between all the tissues/organs of the body'systems biology' of the human body in health and diseaseis especially relevant for functional brain-body, and body-brain interactions that occur in certain psychological, psychiatric, neurological, and inflammatory conditions."

EXPLORER project co-leaders Simon Cherry, PhD, professor of biomedical engineering, and Ramsey Badawi, PhD, professor of radiology, at UC Davis, explain the potential benefits of total-body PET/CT. Credit: University of California, Davis

This new technology is nearing clinical readiness. UC Davis, in collaboration with United Imaging Healthcare, has completed the design of the first prototype total-body PET/CT scanner, called EXPLORER, and components are currently being fabricated and tested. The CT scan is acquired as the patient moves into the PET scanner. A smaller-scale, mini-EXPLORER is for researchers to conduct total-body PET imaging in nonhuman primates.

Total-body PET/CT was initially conceived for clinical research, and it will be a boon for researchers. For example, the ability to determine the pharmacokinetics of new drugs in all the organs and tissues of the body at very low masses and radiation doses has the potential to accelerate the translation of new therapeutic agents to clinical practice.

It has become clear, however, that the new scanner will also impact patient diagnosis and care. "The applications of nuclear medicine will expand considerably across internal medicine at a rate not witnessed to-date, and will become more evenly distributed across the age spectrum," says Jones. "There will be a considerable stimulus/investment to develop new imaging biomarkers especially within immunology and endocrinology."

He anticipates changes in nuclear medicine departments as well, stating, "One total-body PET scanner could take on the work load of three-to-four conventional PET scanners, and being able to receive imaging biomarkers from more distant distribution centers [due to the scanner's increased sensitivity, which gives biomarkers increased shelf life], will minimize the need for costly in-house biomarker production."

Addressing the cost issue, Jones also points out, "As the impact of high-sensitivity, total-body PET scanning becomes apparent, this will provide a major stimulus to physicists, chemists, and engineers to develop lower-cost detectors for total-body surveillance."

In short, Jones sees the development of total-body PET/CT as "nuclear medicine coming of age."

More information: Simon R. Cherry et al, Total-Body PET: Maximizing Sensitivity to Create New Opportunities for Clinical Research and Patient Care, Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2017). Journal information: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Simon R. Cherry et al, Total-Body PET: Maximizing Sensitivity to Create New Opportunities for Clinical Research and Patient Care,(2017). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.116.184028

Provided by Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular ImagingARCHIVED - Record spending by British and foreign tourists in Spain continues



Foreign tourists spent 82,293 billion euros in Spain during the first 11 months of 2017

Spending increased by 12.9% compared to the same period of 2016 and Britain remains the principal market.

A combination of uncertainty in the Middle East, security fears in rival destinations and bad weather in Europe have all helped Spain to deliver record breaking tourism figures during 2017 and as the post-Christmas holiday booking season begins, the industry is hoping that the tourism boom which has helped to pull the country out of recession will continue into 2018.

The latest tourism stats show just how much money foreign tourists continue to spend in Spain and emphasise the importance of UK visitors, who spent more than 16 billion euros in Spain during the first 11 months of 2017.

The latest monthly report released this Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) relate to November 2017 and show that international tourists who visited Spain during the first eleven months of 2017 spent 82,293 million euros (82 billion), 12.9% more than the same period in 2016, exceeding the record total spending of foreign tourists who visited the country in the twelve months of 2016 (77,625 million).

On average, each foreign tourist who chose Spain as a destination spent 1,058 euros during their visit, an increase of +3,5%, the average daily expenditure being 138 euros (+5,4%).

Although this does vary from country to country, the highest average expenditure was that of Nordic visitors who spent 139 euros a day, with an average of 1,187 during their visit.

An average visit lasted for 7.7 days, and although this was lower than in 2016, the amount spent per capita was higher, so the 2017 figures are still considerably better than those for 2016.

In November alone, foreign tourists spent 4,638 million euros (4.6 billion), an increase of 10,3% against November 2016.

During November the UK accounted for 17,9% of the total, followed by Germany (13,3%) and the Nordic nations of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden who together accounted for 12%.

However, the British remain the most important market by far on an annual basis due to the sheer numbers who choose Spain as a destination, and between January and November British tourists spent 16,604 million euros, (16 billion), which is 9,3% more than in 2016, accounting for 20,1% of the national total.

Each British visitor spends an average of 924 euros, or 121 euros a day (+5,8%), staying in Spain for 7.7 days, so although the period spent decreased by 3.4%, the increased amount spent per capita compensated for this, the result being that British tourists spent 832 million euros in Spain during November; thats 27 MILLION EUROS A DAY or 1.15 MILLION EUROS AN HOUR, an increase of 6.6%.

In second place are visitors from Germany, with 11,693 million euros and an increase of 10.4%, which accounted for 14.2% of the total across the year. The Germans spent an average of 1,025 euros (+ 4%), or a daily expenditure of 125 euros (+4.45), with a duration of 8.2 days, a decrease of 0.4%. In November they spent 16.6% more, up to 617 million.

The French occupy third place with an 11 month expenditure of 6,690 million euros until November, which is an increase of 4.1%. The average expenditure made was 625 euros (+ 3.65%), with an average daily expenditure of 88 euros (+ 2.8%). The duration of stay was 7.1 days, 0.84% higher. In November they spent 295 million euros, 1% more than November 2016.



Further down the list are the Scandinavian countries who spent 6.481 million euros in the first eleven months of the year contributing 558 million euros during November, followed by the Italians with an eleven month total of 3,039 million for January to November and 180 million during November.

In spite of all the negative publicity relating to the Catalan Independence campaign and terror attack, Catalunya remained the most popular destination during the first eleven months of 2017, capturing 22.2% of the total revenue during that period. (18,275 million euros, an increase of 10.6% against the 2016 figures.)

Next in line were the Canary Islands which hoovered up 15.239 million euros and 18.5% of the total) followed by the Balearic Islands which gathered 14,476 million euros in revenue, or 17.6 % of the total. Behind them came the Region of Andalucia, which earned 12,045 million euros, followed by Madrid with 8,189 million euros (+15.9%) and then the Region of Valencia with 8,087 million euros (an increase of 15.7%).

The remaining Autonomous Communities shared the remaining 5,982 million euros between them.

In spite of the fact that Spain is widely associated with package holidays, 69.2% of the total money spent was by independent travellers who chose Spain as a destination, booking their own flights and accommodation.

62,1% of the total money spent was by those staying in hotels and 84.4% of the money spent was by visitors who gave leisure as their principal reason for visiting.



Over 70 people killed or wounded in Afghanistan aerial gunshots

Deputy chief of North Macedonia mission to OSCE detained at Armenia's request

Taliban say they have taken control of 4 districts in Afghanistans Panjshir province

EU assists Armenia enterprises engaged in dried-fruit production, export (PHOTOS)

Grape growers reopen road in Armenias Ararat

17 people killed after indiscriminate shots fired in Kabul

4 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh

Blinken to Mirzoyan: US Embassy in Yerevan ready to assist you, your government

7 injured in New Zealand supermarket knife attack

Artsakh presidential adviser dismissed

Grape growers block road in Armenias Ararat Province

Female passenger dies on the spot after car hits horse in Armenias Syunik Province

621 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Dead body of man, 45, with gunshot wounds found on Yerevan street

Armenia army General Staff chief heads for Moscow

Google locks Afghanistan government accounts

City to be built in US desert for millions of people

Denmark to build giant 'energy island' at sea

Newspaper: 'Soros' NGOs to bring 2 large-scale education programs to Armenia

Newspaper: Satellite footage of 44-day Artsakh war could make scandalous revelations

Some 6,000 Islamic extremists surrender to Nigeria authorities

Aram Khachaturian's Violin Concerto to be performed in Dubai

Digest: Trial on Armenian soldiers death to begin, footballer who played in Armenia commits suicide

Mongolia exploring possibility of signing free trade agreement with EEU

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Armenia receives donation of 27,500 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from Lithuania (PHOTOS)

Hysteria brewing in Azerbaijan media: Russia MOD making purchases to send to Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Security Council chief: Armenia ready for border delimitation, demarcation

Lavrov reveals content of 2009 letter he sent to then Armenia FM

Lavrov: Karabakh conflict settlement agreements being successfully implemented

Italian researcher searching for Noah's Ark is laid to rest near Mount Ararat

Sputnik Armenia: Commander of Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh visits arrested Azerbaijan soldier

Armenia serviceman posthumously awarded Combat Service Medal

Afghanistan's new government to be headed by Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar

Iranologist: Armenia-Iran-Russia format can be created on Goris-Kapan road issue

Goris mayor's lawyers file motion with Armenia court to release him on bail

Pentagon says US military mission in Afghanistan completed

Trial over death of 18 Armenia soldiers in 44-day war to begin

Yerevan-Tbilisi flight not operated since Thursday

3 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Armenian side denies firing on a position in Azerbaijan-occupied Shushi of Karabakh

Armenia Defense minister receives Russia MOD delegation

US Congressman Schiff says he will continue fight for Artsakh international recognition

595 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

World oil prices Friday do not deviate from Thursday's closing level

Russia peacekeepers provide drinking water to more than 1,500 residents of Artsakh

US to impose cryptocurrency tax

Classical music to be played in Dubai for a month, including by Armenian musicians

Storm Ida death toll in US northeast rises to 45

Newspaper: 44-day wars satellite footage to end up in Armenia oppositions hands?

Music for Future Foundation scholarship recipients to participate in Middle East Classical Music

Newspaper: Armenia NSS, Prosecutor's Office make internal deal in arms suppliers criminal case

Armenian PM Pashinyan receives a carte blanche, he will do whatever he wants: Why are international partners silent?

Digest: Artsakh marks 30th anniversary of republic, UK allocates 500,000 for demining in Artsakh

Dollar holding steady in Armenia

Spanish MP: Today is the 30th anniversary of the independence of Artsakh

2 bodies found in Karabakh searches

Aleppo to receive the first international flight from Yerevan on Saturday

US embassy in Armenia has new deputy chief of mission

Pontifical delegation office of the Holy See starts operating in Yerevan

Armenia official on chances of reconciliation with Azerbaijan: That basis has always been, it exists today too

UN: humanitarian catastrophe looms for Afghanistan

Residents of Azerbaijan-occupied Kashatagh region of Artsakh protesting outside Armenia government building

Two new loan agreements are signed between ARMSWISSBANK and EBRD

Armenia health minister: Young man infected with coronavirus has died

UK allocates 500,000 for demining efforts in Artsakh

15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines thrown away in US since spring

Armenia government announces 3-month military training camps for reservists

Opposition Armenia Faction MPs case goes to court

Iran introduces 3-dimensional radar capable of registering up to 300 targets

Karabakh President visits Stepanakert memorial

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan to Artsakh people: Guarantee of statehood preserving is your will to live on your land

MFA: Neither terror and threats, nor blockade, armed aggressions could break Artsakh peoples will

Taliban launch military operation against resistance in Panjshir

Armenia PM: Artsakh peoples right to self-determination is sacred

MFA: Armenia will consistently defend realization of Artsakh peoples right to self-determination

636 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Karabakh President: We have had achievements and losses

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: For me war was unequal because the strong fought against the weak, we were the strong

Artsakh Republic is 30 years old

Armenia President: We have no right any more to make mistakes in any issue of pan-Armenian agenda

107 people arrested in Spain during marijuana trafficking crackdown

Newspaper: Armenia authorities decide to make insidious amendments to Electoral Code

Newspaper: Why opposition Armenia Faction MP Vahe Hakobyan met with Artsakh ex-president Bako Sahakyan?

World Health Organization monitoring new coronavirus variant named Mu

Talks between Biden and Zelenskyy kicked off at the White House

Google appeals EUR 500 million fines imposed by French regulators

Israeli FM: US plan to reopen consulate in Jerusalem is 'bad idea'

Armenian FM: There are no talks on delimitation and demarcation of borders

Armenian FM briefs his Iranian counterpart on consequences of Azerbaijan's illegal invasion

Digest: Armenian soldier killed at Ararat positions, Azerbaijan returns Karabakh citizen injured

Human rights activist: We have indisputable evidence of 80 more Armenian POWs being captured by Azerbaijan

Artsakh parliament holds special session dedicated to 30th anniversary of declaration of Karabakh independence

Azerbaijan prosecutor general complains about Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh

Armenia opposition MP: Azerbaijanis throw burning wheels at several Gegharkunik Province villages

Caucasus Heritage Watch: Azerbaijanis destroy Makun Bridge in Karabakh

Russias Lavrov: Armenia is our ally

Soldier, 39, killed after Azerbaijan opens fire on Armenia positions

Russia, Azerbaijan deputy FMs discuss implementation of Karabakh agreements

Armenia army General Staff chief meets with 3-month training camp reservistsYEREVAN.  Armenia is always ready to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions, head of the Armenian Parliament Standing Committee for European Integration Naira Zohrabyan told Armenian News- NEWS.am.

According to her, the position of Turkish political elite and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans behavior becomes non-political and unpredictable.

I have recently met with quite influential European politicians in Brussels, and they are perplexed at Erdogan's behavior, said Zohrabyan, adding that the EU has expressed a clear position on Turkish Presidents policy.

Zohrabyan noted she sees no prospects for Armenian-Turkish rapprochement in the near future.

The Armenian-Turkish border has been closed since 1993 on the initiative of the Turkish side. Rapprochement started in autumn 2008 and was initiated by Armenia's president Serzh Sargsyan.

Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers signed The Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Armenia and Turkey and The Protocol on Development of Relations between Armenia and Turkey in Zurich on 10 October 2009. Later, Ankara put forward preconditions for the Karabakh conflict that disrupted the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process.YEREVAN.  One should not expect any progress in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, ARF MP Aghvan Vardanyan told Armenian News - NEWS.am.

According to him, over the years, it has become evident that Azerbaijani position on Karabakh conflict will not allow achieving any breakthrough in the settlement process.

Azerbaijan has put itself in such a situation, when the country is forced to use its entire authoritarian system against Armenia, Vardanyan said, adding that Baku is trying to work against Armenia at all international platforms.

The constant tension at the line of contact, which continues to claim lives on both sides, hinders the settlement of Karabakh conflict, noted Vardanyan.

In addition, Azerbaijan rejects any constructive initiative during the negotiation process, adhering to all-or-nothing approach, said Aghvan Vardanyan.Apple has enough cash to buy Netflix twice over -- even with a takeout premium. Such a deal would break with the strategy outlined by Tim Cook and Steve Jobs before him, however.

With the newly passed tax cuts, Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Get Apple Inc. (AAPL) Report has an embarrassing amount of cash at its disposal. Among the uses for its windfall, Citigroup Inc. suggested in a recent note that the company could turbocharge its video strategy, which has struggled at times, by purchasing Netflix Inc. (NFLX) - Get Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) Report .

Shares of Netflix gained about 4.8% to $201.07 on Tuesday, amid speculation about the company's fate and an upgrade from Macquarie Capital.

The gains put Neflix's market cap at just over $87 billion. Even if Apple paid a 20% takeover premium, the roughly $105 billion price tag would be well within Apple's means.

The iPhone maker had about $285 billion in cash at year end, Moody's Investors Service estimates, with $265 billion overseas. The new tax package imposes a 15.5% rate on overseas cash profits, versus the previous rate of 35%.

After taxes, Citi analyst Jim Suva calculated that Apple would be able to repatriate $220 billion, according to reports. The analyst assigned a 40% likelihood to Apply buying the company. Walt Disney Co. (DIS) - Get Walt Disney Company Report was Suva's second most-likely target, with a 20% to 30% likelihood of a deal. It should be noted that Suva's note preceded Disney's offer to purchase of most of Fox's operations for $66.1 billion in mid-December. Suva was not available for comment on the impact of the Fox deal on his calculations.

A deal for Netflix, however, would involve a radical change in philosophy for Apple, which has favored much smaller purchases in the past. The company's largest-ever deal, the $3-billion acquisition of Beats in 2014, is just about 1/30th of Netflix's current market cap. Apple's 2010 purchase of Siri Inc. for a reported $200 million is a much more typical purchase, with the tech giant buying what at the time a little-known personal-assistant application developer whose technology Apple to be able to plug into the iPhone.

Even though Apple's cash has been stuck overseas, the company has not exactly been at a loss for capital. Apple instead raised billions in low-interest debt to fund acquisitions and returns to shareholders.

"I don't see a big change to the M&A strategy as the foreign cash buildup didn't necessarily preclude Apple from pursuing large acquisitions (i.e., they could have raised additional debt to help fund a purchase)," Moody's Investors Service analyst Stephen Sohn said in an email, suggesting that Apple could boost its dividend and share buybacks.

Apple and Facebook are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio.Want to be alerted before Jim Cramer buys or sells the stocks? Learn more now.

Likewise, longtime Apple analyst Gene Munster ofLoup Ventures expects Apple to bring $214 billion back to the U.S. but doesn't think the company will go on a spending spree. "We don't expect this cash will change Apple's M&A philosophy, which will likely continue to be focused on sub-$1 [billion] technology acquisitions," Munster wrote in a recent report, suggesting that Apple will increase share buybacks by $69 billion and increase its dividend by 15%.

Given Netflix's global success in the online video marketplace, it could be a worthwhile exception to Apple's playbook.

Reed Hastings' streaming company has 109 million subscribers in 190 countries. Macquarie Capital analyst Tim Nollen upgraded the stock from neutral to outperform on Tuesday, citing its lead in the market for over the top video streaming.

"It seems hardly a week goes by without a new [over-the-top] service entering the market, but Netflix is miles ahead in terms of programming hours, original content quality and time spent, and we don't expect this to change," Nollen wrote. "Netflix has won."

Apple, Amazon.com. Inc. (AMZN) - Get Amazon.com, Inc. Report , Facebook Inc. (FB) - Get Facebook, Inc. Class A Report and Hulu LLC are spending billions this year to catch up with Netflix, the analyst added. With such deep-pocketed rivals, Netflix could well attract suitors.

Netflix declined to comment for this story, while Apple did not immediately respond to a query.

Editor's note: This article was originally published by The Deal, a sister publication of TheStreet that offers sophisticated insight and analysis on all types of deals, from inception to integration. Click here for a free trial.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:Newly leaked document proves China is jerking the Trump administration around; Beijing promises new missiles, aid to North Korea

Since taking office, President Donald J. Trump has said repeatedly that China could be, and should be, doing more to rein in its unruly neighbor North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.

Turns out the president was more right than even he could have imagined.

Long before Trump took office, the U.S. intelligence community was well aware that China, as North Koreas sole recognized ally, provided the regime with much of what it needed to sustain itself. There are a number of reasons for Beijings assistance, the first and foremost being that its in Chinas best interests to keep the North Korean regime intact and in control. Besides, a collapse of North Korea would create a flood of refugees into China and set up a U.S. ally on its borders  neither of which is acceptable to the ruling Communist Party.

But a newly disclosed document drawn up by the party shows that China, while publicly claiming to support U.N.-imposed, U.S.-backed economic sanctions against Pyongyang, is secretly aiding the North Koreans big time.

As reported by the Washington Free Beacon, the document  a Chinese Community Party (CCP) directive  warns Pyongyang that another nuclear test could lead to war with the United States, while promising major aid and assistance with weapons programs and in other sectors in exchange for a temporary testing ban.

Adopted in September, the top secret directive was dated 10 days after the Norths latest nuclear blast, suggesting that party officials had been considering what to do about Pyongyangs repeated tests and growing U.S. agitation for some time.

The directive states that Beijing is willing to allow Pyongyang to retain its nuclear arsenal, which is in contrast to Chinas public stance that it seeks a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

The Free Beacon reported further:

Chinese leaders also agreed to offer new assurances that the North Korean government will not be allowed to collapse, and that Beijing plans to apply sanctions symbolically to avoid punishing the regime of leader Kim Jong Un under a recent U.N. resolution requiring a halt to oil and gas shipments into North Korea.

The site reported that it obtained the four-page document, written in Chinese, from a source with former ties to the Chinese intelligence and security communities.

The document comes to light amid recent reports that Chinese vessels were caught transferring oil to North Korean ships in international waters, in violation of U.N. sanctions. U.S. reconnaissance satellites managed to capture a recent transfer with enough clarity to view the name on the North Korean ship, the Reysonggang 1.

Upon publication of the report, Trump tweeted last week that China was caught red-handed providing assistance to North Korea it claimed it would no longer provide.

There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korean problem if this continues to happen, Trump said on Dec. 28. (Related: Would China invade North Korea if war broke out on the peninsula?)

According to the Chinese directive:

 CCP officials have concluded that international pressure will never lead to North Korea voluntarily abandoning its nuclear arsenal, estimated to be at about 20 warheads;

 As such, the CCP directed its International Liaison Department to let Pyongyang know of Beijings continued support;

 The CCP will not move to restrict North Korean and Chinese firms from conducting business;

 The document authorizes a one-time increase in foreign aid to North Korea in 2018 for daily life and infrastructure building, with aid to be increased annually from 2019 through 2023 by no less than 10 percent over the previous year;

 The document also offers military support including defensive military construction, high level military science and technology, and more advanced mid- and short-range ballistic missiles, cluster munitions, etc.

The directive instructs the liaison department to warn the Korean authority not to overdo things on the nuclear issue, meaning Pyongyang should maintain restraint on additional nuclear testing. Then, after some years when the conditions are ripe, to apply gradual reforms and eventually get rid of all nuclear weapons.

The CCP also promised Beijing would protect the Korean government.

See more information like this at NationalSecurity.news.

Read more of J.D. Heyes work at The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

FreeBeacon.com

ForwardObserver.com

TheNationalSentinel.comDemocrats bogus Trump-Russia collusion now FALLING APART, so the NY Times is trying to CHANGE the narrative

If you still believe that the so-called mainstream media isnt completely in cahoots with the Democratic Party, this should convince you otherwise.

You may recall that the paper of record was all over the Trump-Russia collusion narrative early last year, filing several bombshell reports claiming that various members of President Donald J. Trumps campaign, as well as the candidate himself, were involved in some nefarious plot with Moscow to steal the election from Hillary Clinton.

Central to this narrative early on was Carter Page, called a foreign policy advisor by the Times in an April 2017 story that claimed a June 2016 visit by Page to Moscow served as a catalyst for the F.B.I. investigation into connections between Russia and President Trumps campaign.

That story, Trump Advisors Visit to Moscow Got the F.B.I.s Attention, left many Democrats insisting that the smoking gun had been found: Trump colluded, here is proof, and so when are the impeachment proceedings going to begin?

Only, thats about as far as the story went. Page vehemently denied any collusion took place, and in any event, serious intelligence officials noted that the Russian assets far better than Page were in place to have reached out to the Trump campaign if in fact there was ever going to be any collusion.

Fast-forward to New Years weekend. The Times ran another lengthy, breathless story intimating that, no, it wasnt Page who touched off the FBI investigation, it was an even lower-level Trump campaign associate named George Papadopoulos.

The latest story, How the Russia Inquiry Began: A Campaign Aide, Drinks and Talk of Political Dirt, claimed that the 28-year-olds booze-induced blather in an upscale London bar actually triggered the FBI probe.

So which is it, NYTimes? Page or Papadopoulos? (Related: NY Times FAKE NEWS alert: Paper claims Russia Papadopoulos bombshell started Russia collusion probe, not dossier, but it FALLS APART within HOURS.)

Thats the same question former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy wants to know  though he thinks he knows the answer.

Writing at National Review Online, McCarthy says he believes the Times transition from Page to Papadopoulos is part of an effort by the paper to help Democrats cover up the real reason behind the FBIs probe: The bogus Trump dossier, a position shared by a growing number of Republicans in Congress.

Slowly but surely, it has emerged that the Justice Department and FBI very likely targeted Page because of the Steele dossier, a Clinton-campaign opposition-research screed disguised as intelligence reporting. Increasingly, it appears that the Bureau failed to verify Steeles allegations before the DOJ used some of them to bolster an application for a spying warrant from the FISA court (i.e., the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court), he wrote in this weeks column for the magazine.

Lest we forget about who produced the dossier, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a member of the House Judiciary Committee which is probing alleged Russian collusion, had to say about this in an interview last month with Fox Business Lou Dobbs. He not only believes that the dossier was used by the FBI to obtain a FISA surveillance warrant against Team Trump under false pretenses, he believes the bureau paid for part of it.

Lets remember a couple of things about the dossier, Jordan said. The Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign, which we now know were one and the same, paid the law firm who paid Fusion GPS who paid Christopher Steele who then paid Russians to put together a report that we call a dossier full of all kinds of fake news, National Enquirer garbage and its been reported that this dossier was all dressed up by the FBI, taken to the FISA court and presented as a legitimate intelligence document  that it became the basis for a warrant to spy on Americans.

He added: There are a couple of fundamental questions here. Did the FBI pay Christopher Steele? I asked that of the Attorney General two weeks ago he wouldnt answer the question. Did they actually vet this dossier?

McCarthy doesnt think so. He believes that senior FBI and Justice Department officials understood the dossier was pure political opposition research but dressed it up as legitimate intelligence in order to snag a FISA warrant. That means the FBI and Justice were completely politicized and then weaponized to spy on a rival campaign.

That is unprecedented and its also legally questionable.

Why? Because, as McCarthy explains, it would mean the FBI obtained a FISA warrant without vetting and verifying the contents of the dossier beforehand. Also, it would mean that the Justice Department of a then-incumbent Democratic administration did not tell the FISA court that the dossier was in fact produced by a Democratic presidential campaign for use against a Republican rival.

As for the failing New York Times, it is patently clear that the transformation from Page to Papadopoulos as being the catalyst for the FBIs probe is not only disingenuous (because neither is true), but also clear evidence that the paper is complicit in a Democratic attempt to deflect from the fact that the dossier was bogus, and misused, to attack Team Trump.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

NationalReview.com

TheNationalSentinel.comis she seriously making backlash on a video some prick filmed of a dead man somehow about people shitting on her on social media.... chrissy fuck off.



Edited at 2018-01-03 07:25 am (UTC)

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i mean, i get where she's coming from and i do think it's a valid point. internet culture is very black and white and at the first mistake people want you GONE. There's no coherence between crime and punishment.



That said, man she choose the worst example to try to make her point. This asshole has the shittiest record ever. He filmed a dead body for views. He lied about raising awareness for suicide prevention. Tried to manipulate people in the process with a lame ass apology. And even managed to use this scandal for self-promotion.



Also no. Chrissy, I don't feel bad about an asshole that made 80k for a promoted vine.



Edited at 2018-01-03 09:00 am (UTC)

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I mean, she's gonna catch hell for this now, and all she did was make a valid point with a poor example. Which just proves what she said in the first place.

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There's a lot of scumbags and assholes that deserve to have their lives ruined. And there are also people who royally fucked up that just don't.



When I watch a movie set in the dark ages and you see someone in shackles getting rotten lettuce thrown at them, I always wonder why anyone would want to engage in such an activity. People are dicks and get off on putting others down, especially if they fuck up. I can't lie, I've been apart of twitter brigades before but it doesn't make me a better person.

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eaux

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Is... is THIS really the hill she wants to die on?

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It distracts from her Pizzagate shit.

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lmao i love how the pizzagate crap never really died, truly the most ridiculous conspiracy theory ever

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jesus christ almighty my mentions are still in hell from the chrissy teigen pizzagate shit, i will never ever jump into something like that again

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I get the point shes trying to make - internet callout culture and this bloodthirsty glee to destroy people whom we believe have erred is concerning since the ramifications can and are very serious, lives have been ruined over stuff like this. Its a convo we def need to hav



But



Per uz, she fails to read the room or pick the right hill to die on. This act is beyond the usual you fucked up but did you fuck up that bad? discourse because YES, YES HE DID FUCK UP that bad! This is pretty fucking despicable? This dude is not the right guy to pick to start this debate bc obviously he deserves being run off YT and off the internet in general. Shes obviously projecting bc she knows how it feels to be on the receiving end but like hun... not everythings about you.

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The point shes making isnt relevant to this scenario. Logan absolutely deserves to lose his career over this, there's no "discussion" to have regarding this matter, he was wrong 100%. No situation or instance he could bullshit could make what he did better so what's the discussion? She sounds very ignorant here.



Edited at 2018-01-03 07:35 am (UTC)

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Ia, she picked the worst person to try and jump start this convo he 100% deserves this particular backlash and it goes to show her lack of depth that she cant see that.

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mte. this is an example of yes...the energy put into cancelling him is deserved.

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this.



and at some point, holding people accountable for their actions isn't a bad thing. society has let sociopathic white boys get away with shit for hundreds of years. he's not the poster boy for someone misspoke online and it fucked up their life. he's another example of a privileged white male who gets away with shit over and over again, that the average woman or poc, would be destroyed over. the internet can get rabid as hell, i'll give you that. call out culture needs to get a grip. but with this situation i think the conversation should be about actions having consequences and facing that. he went there to disrespect the area. he went there looking for a body. he went there looking for clicks. he made those choices. it was preplanned. this isn't the college professor who gets death threats for being anti-trump, and quits his job in fear for his safety. this is someone using the general public to make money. to get fame. to disrespect the Japanese.



fuck logan paul. he and his brother can go jump in lava pit.

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it's pretty clear that she's not defending his actions at all, but obviously that's the thing ppl are going to focus on





yeah, I took it that she was trying to be thoughtful and critical about call-out culture and making a point about its harmful aspects - namely that its focused on shaming and blaming instead of explanation and education, refuses to recognize potential for growth or change and demands immediate public sanctions going beyond the scope of the criminal justice system. this instance in particular comes to mind https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html it's pretty clear that she's not defending his actions at all, but obviously that's the thing ppl are going to focus on

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To be fair, I just went through the thread and she does eventually acknowledge her mistake of linking this convo to Logan Paul.

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Logan 100% deserves it though. She should have used Kathy Griffin, Sinead O'Connor or Janet Jackson as an example - not some psycho who cackles, films and shares videos of freshly dead bodies.

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completely agree. reminds me of how i couldn't believe i actually agreed with meghan mccain on the view re: logan paul today but of the panel she was the only one who really understood how youtube/vine celebs work, since she did that show interviewing them. now, i get this loser and his brother mixed up all the time but they've both been so consistently repulsive over the years it's like a culmination of their repulsiveness led up to this, not ppl just suddenly like "hey this guy did a gross thing, let's end him!"

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Plus, if he'd done this kind of thing on a TV show or via any other third-party outlet, he'd be fired. This contravenes the ethics of pretty much every publisher, even schlocky ones like Vice.



This is a poor example of internet call-out culture because the same outcome would happen outside of the internet.

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I forgive her for her bad choice of examples.

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That's still on the fucking air!? Literally how?

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i'm not 100% sure this is sarcasm but if so lmaoo

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I do get her point, but Logan fucking Paul is definitely not the hill to die on. This isnt just a one-off, the dude is scum and will continue to be scum.

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Mte

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i mean mte?? i can't believe the way ppl cape for celebrities. if you fuck up at your retail job, you're getting fired. logan paul doesn't deserve to be held to a different standard.

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Absolutely and all of his fuck ups are like this too, he consistently proves he has no regard for other people. Hes a true blue selfish monster. He has no business holding any power or attention.





She straight up has never heard of this asshole before and for some reason didnt even consider looking him up before she hiked up this hill.



Either way though, even if this was his legit first fuck up like she thought, this is ABSOLUTELY enough on its own to cancel someone

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this

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mte

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that's another good point, about people not being entitled to be celebrities. i was just going to bring up how she calls his behavior "for clicks and likes and shock factor" stupid, but afaik, that's his whole shtick. why does that deserve to be a thing? sure, some people will like it no matter what, but boycotts are a thing people are actually entitled to, and media services have the right and responsibility to their users to uphold their content creators to a certain standard. if he wants to continue to spew this shit, he should make his own service, but he won't because this is about ease of platform and traffic.



Edited at 2018-01-04 12:50 am (UTC)

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sigh, just when she was crowned ONTD Queen of social media

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I was kind of surprised by that tbh

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I wasn't. ONTD's flop taste strikes again

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I was too but I don't think we had good options

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That's what you get for not voting for Liam tbh.

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this is kinda OTT...she didn't do anything to get 'canceled' or to suddenly hate her for. I get her overall point and I agree with it, she is just picking the wrong person to illustrate this with because it doesn't apply to him. he needs to have his career ended point blank and never ever be an influencer or have a platform of literally any kind. but at some point the campaign to destroy him *as a person* needs to stop, I think that's what she was trying to say but she never got there.



for the record, I think he's a sociopathic entitled POS and am only marginally bothered by how hard some people are going in at him (like those wishing death on him, etc). but again, marginally bothered. as in, I wouldn't 'like' a tweet that said that. but that's the extent of it.

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Also fuck her oh yall are enders you wouldnt GET it I cant talk to SAVAGES like you. this topic - suicide especially - is incredibly painful and personal for many people, sorry theyre not gonna want to turn the other cheek on having a pos like this guy film a suicide victim for internet clicks.

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that comment was so shitty, like "oh you dont have as many followers you dont understand what online hate is like".... she is too damn privileged in her bubble of john's money and needs to fuck off. And I actually liked her before all this.

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she talks an awful lot about other people not getting it for someone who demonstrates zero understanding of how the west has sensationalized aokigahara in particular

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to be fair she means most of us dont know the experience of our tweets instantaneously receiving thousands of replies misconstruing our point.

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I get her point that the internet goes after someone and bleeds them to DEATH... but this asshole deserves all of his social media and useless and uncreative fame to die a good, forever death.



I also feel like she probably came at this bc she just got harassed by pizzagate conspirators who called her a child trafficker but still, wrong take.

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I sort of get what shes saying, I guess...?

But this isnt like cyber-bullying a teen in Wisconsin. If your career is based on social media content, and you post some vile shit, theres going to be consequences. Ending your entire being is a little dramatic. Even if Logan Paul suddenly lost his entire career over this (he wont), thats not his being its his career. Thats what happens when you make a huge fucking blunder at your job.

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Foolish mortal! The YouTube brothers are trash! Scum! Trust fund babies

Net neutrality thing is going to fuck up all the internet personalities isn't it?

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Why is she talking about not ending going after someone when the event is literally unfolding. It's whataboutism, isn't it? What about this or that. We're talking about HIM and what he DID.

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it's not whataboutism, it's about whether the scope of the social sanction is merited

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oooh, I misunderstood.

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Youre right. No conversations allowed. Lets end him.



This, but unironically

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I barely had an opinion on Jesse before this, but he's coming across as total trash in this custody battle. Like if you're going to use TMZ as an outlet for your lies cover your tracks better! lmaoooo good job OP!I barely had an opinion on Jesse before this, but he's coming across as total trash in this custody battle. Like if you're going to use TMZ as an outlet for your lies cover your tracks better!

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I barely had an opinion on Jesse before this, but he's coming across as total trash in this custody battle.



This. Like, I knew ONTD loved him but hadn't seen him in anything really, and DAMN how those tides have turned.

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Basically this

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he's so corny and those posed photos are an embarrassment

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I tended to like him because he seemed credible, and because of his speech at the 2016 bet awards was the SHIT. pathos, ethos & logos





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mfte...i can only imagine how much of a mess the last post was

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loll! he's a celeb I liked but was waiting for the other shoe to drop with. like, you're pretty, seemingly intelligent, fairly politically active, cognizant of women's issues, married to your high school sweetheart or w/e... something must be amiss. and here we go lolol

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AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Bless you OP, I want nothing but good things for you.





I'm ready to see how the stans defend Baby Belafonte.

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Baby Belafonte - LMAOOOOO!

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THOSE AREN'T MODELS, THEY ARE HIGHLY TRAINED NANNIES THAT HE BOOKED MONTHS IN ADVANCE!!



j/k



Jessie Belafuckboi continues to suck.

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omg

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Lmfao

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I love you for this OP!

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Fuckboy Extraordinaire.

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we need a DON'T come to brazil tag

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I thought we still did

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lol, how dumb do you have to be to lie about something that's so easy to prove wrong?

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lmao i love you op, it was nuts how everyone was just taking jesse's word for it in the other post, like he hasn't shown himself to be trash.

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i'm checking the previous post now and yikes

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Considering his track record, that post was a mess.



Edited at 2018-01-03 05:15 pm (UTC)

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I'm sad I missed that post but I just about fell out @ that one "black man" comment

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Exactly. ONTD really showed their asses (AGAIN) in that post.

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i was wondering how people just seemed to forget the last few years in that post.

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exactly lol

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it's true that being a mess in your personal life doesn't necessarily equate to being a shitty parent, but there have been stories about him being a shitty dad too (which tbf come from aryn in her court filings iirc so then it comes down to who you want to believe, i guess)

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cheating on the mother of your children does in fact make you a trash parent

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Think about the kids, tho! Not seeing him could ruin them for life!

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ANJA <3

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ikr? lol

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Asdfghjkl I love everything about this post.



Baby Belafonte brings the fun.

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I would kill to be somewhere warm right now I'm sick of this fucking cold

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Same, this cold weather makes me feel helpless

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I've been over his ass since the Nate Parker bullshit.

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exactly, he canceled himself then and there

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you don't need wi-fi at the beach, you're at the beach!

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in like normal ferias days carneiros is okay tho it was probably terrible during new year's because it's really f packed lmao

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Lmaoooo



Stop giving men the benefit of the doubt 2k18

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lmaoooo trust no man

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I used to find him so hot but idk if it's this or how annoying Japril has been but I am so meh about him these days on Grey's.

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honestly i'm surprised shonda didn't kill his character with the way he's been acting IRL. he's lucky.

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I'm meh about everybody on Grey's these days. I wish Owen and Amelia could be killed/kicked off though. So tired of them

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Is he still in shape like this gif?

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Fuck him but damn I need a man

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I want to suck the NUT outta his DICK



Edited at 2018-01-03 06:44 pm (UTC)

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Omg!

It's the nude guy from Girl with the traveling pants!

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LinkManagers who have mood swings cause more tension in the office than bosses who are nasty all the time. Credit: University of Exeter

Bosses who have "Jekyll and Hyde" personalities cause their staff the highest levels of anxiety, a new study has shown.

Managers who have mood swings cause more tension in the office than bosses who are nasty all the time, according to a new study. Not being able to predict how their boss is going to act towards them has a detrimental effect on the productivity of workers.

Far from the stereotypical view that ruthless and unsympathetic managers cause the greatest issues for employees, new research carried out by the University of Exeter has shown that bosses who switch between being friendly and severe at the drop of a hat are actually most damaging.

Experts found even a poor but consistent relationship with managers was better for workers than one that was influenced by mood swings. The impact is worse when colleagues don't have a supportive relationship with their co-workers.

Academics measured how "ambivalent" staff felt about their manager  to what extent they had both positive and negative views about them.

Dr. Allan Lee, from the University of Exeter Business School, who carried out the research, said: "The focus is usually on trying to work out if relationships between staff and bosses are good or bad, but they can sometimes be both, and it is important to measure that. Bosses reward and punish their workers, and this has an impact on self-esteem. If their staff have to adopt different roles at different times because they have a manager who can be both nasty and nice they view him or her in an ambivalent way.

"It is very negative for an employee to be ambivalent about their boss. Having a clear attitude towards them is much better for their performance. If your boss is both pleasant and unpleasant to be around it is hard to know what they think about you, and if you can't predict how they will act. This makes it hard to trust them. This creates negative emotions and makes staff feel anxious, causing poor performance at work."

The study shows employees can compensate for an ambivalent relationship with their boss if they have a good relationship with other colleagues.

Researchers carried out four surveys in three companies  two in the UK and one in India, asking what they thought about their bosses and how they performed in different tasks. The 320 staff who took part worked in a service centre, providing telephone-based customer service support or outsourced human resources services and other business tasks. A total of 60 teams of staff were examined, they shared a single supervisor but worked independently of each other.

"Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Ambivalence and Task Performance: The Cross-Domain Buffering Role of Social Support" is published in the Journal of Management.

Explore further Empowering workers can cause uncertainty and resentment

More information: Allan Lee et al. Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Ambivalence and Task Performance: The Cross-Domain Buffering Role of Social Support, Journal of Management (2017). Journal information: Journal of Management Allan Lee et al. Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Ambivalence and Task Performance: The Cross-Domain Buffering Role of Social Support,(2017). DOI: 10.1177/0149206317741190Booster seats, car seats and seat belts are equally effective at saving the lives of children, while booster seats top the others at reducing minor injuries specifically among children ages 8-12, according to Montana State University economist D. Mark Anderson.

Anderson recently published two studies that investigated booster seats. One looked at their effectiveness relative to seat belts alone among children ages 8 to 12 in Washington. The other asked if booster seats were more effective than car seats or seat belts alone at reducing traffic fatalities among children ages 2 to 9 across the nation.

Despite their differences in scope, the studies came to the same conclusion regarding fatal injuries "over and over and over again," said Anderson, an associate professor in MSU's Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics in the College of Agriculture.

"All three forms of restraint appear equally effective at reducing the likelihood of fatality," Anderson said. "There was even some evidence that booster seats may be the least effective form of restraint for children 2 to 5 years old."

The study warned against moving children too early into booster seats and adult seat belts.

"Because belt positioning is critical for the safety of the child, premature graduation from a child safety seat to a booster seat or from a booster seat to a seat belt could be hazardous," the study reported.

Booster seats are designed for children who are too large for car seats and too small for adult seat belts. They are meant to prevent injuries by elevating children so their seat belts are properly positioned. Instead of crossing the soft tissue of the neck, for example, seat belts should cross the bony clavicle.

Anderson said he was inspired to investigate booster seats for children after reading a 2008 paper by University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt that compared the effectiveness of car seats and adult seat belts. That paper was based on data collected prior to the boom in booster seats.

"In an effort to increase booster seat use among children, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is encouraging state legislators to promote stricter booster seat laws, yet there is a paucity of information on booster seat efficacy relative to other forms of restraint," Anderson said in his most recent paper.

Anderson published his paper, "Booster Seat Effectiveness Among Older Children: Evidence from Washington State," in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in August. His paper "Are Booster Seats More Effective than Child Safety Seats or Seat Belts at Reducing Traffic Fatalities Among Children?" is forthcoming at the American Journal of Health Economics and was posted in November on the MIT Press website.

"I am very excited that the study is now coming out, as I believe the topic is extremely important," said Sina Sandholt, co-author of the national study. "Child safety seat laws-booster seat laws, as well as informational campaigns on the topic, ought to be backed by evidence, and I believe we are adding something important to the literature here, which I hope will influence policy decisions on the subject in the near future."

Sandholt is a former MSU undergraduate student from Norway. She said she came to Bozeman to compete on the MSU ski team but stayed because of MSU's economics program.

"The opportunity to learn and work with professors like Mark was a great experience. I really cannot recommend the MSU economics program enough," she said.

Sandholt earned her bachelor's degree in economics in 2015. In May 2017, she earned her master's degree in economic policy from Columbia University in New York. She now works as a market analyst for the Norwegian energy company Statoil outside of New York City.

Anderson and Sandholt's paper was based on 2008-2016 statistics from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS. Anderson said the national study, which took about two years to complete, also involved painstaking work by Sandholt to collect information about booster seat laws in every state.

"She really nailed that," Anderson said. "I was extremely impressed."

As of November 2017, every state but South Dakota had passed booster seat legislation, Anderson said. He added that the laws vary from state to state. Montana, for example, passed its original booster seat law in 2003. It required booster seats for children under age 6 and under 60 pounds. Wyoming required booster seats for children under age 9 and weighing less than 81 pounds. Fines for first-time violations ranged from $25 in several states to $500 in Nevada.

"Getting the information about state laws on child restraint was quite difficult and involved state law librarians across the country, looking through a tremendous amount of data, papers and speaking to lots of people who in some capacity were working on these issues in different stateseither as law librarians, researchers, analysts or law enforcement agents," Sandholt said. "It took some time, but we eventually were able to collect the necessary data."

Anderson, a Lewistown native who earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics and economics from MSU and a master's degree and doctorate in economics from the University of Washington, said booster seats were a new topic for him to research. In the past, he has published papers on such things as medical marijuana laws, Montana's Meth Project and the four-day school week.

Explore further Study urges parents to enforce booster seat use when carpoolingPast human-environmental interaction. Credit: Science China Press

Many famous ancient civilizations such as ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Maya, Angkor, and the Han and Tang Dynasties in ancient China have emerged and flourished around the world. These highly developed civilizations in prehistoric and historical periods eventually declined, and then fell into oblivion in human history. Researchers have long been interested in the driving forces and mechanisms for the rise and fall of ancient civilizations.

In an article co-authored by Guanghui Dong, Fengwen Liu and Fahu Chen, scholars at MOE Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental System, Lanzhou University, the authors illustrate environmental and technological effects on ancient social evolution at different spatial scales, and propose a possible mechanism for expounding the correlation between cultural evolution, environmental change and technological development, based on the scientific analysis of some classic case studies on the abandonment of ancient sites, the prosperity and collapse of ancient cultures, and demographic changes, as well as the influence of environment and technology worldwide during the prehistoric and historic periods.

There is an ongoing debate about the leading factors for ancient culture evolution. Some scholars believe that sudden serious disasters including floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions were major influencing factors that led to the destruction and abandonment of large settlements. Many scholars argue that climate change was the most important driving force behind the evolution of ancient civilizations. Other scholars suggest that major technological innovations (e.g., the domestication of crops and livestock) and their diffusion across the world were key factors in promoting population expansion and ancient social evolution. Moreover, how these factors induced the evolution of ancient civilizations remains unclear, as well.

The new paper argues that the dominant influencing factors for the evolution of ancient societies vary by spatial scale. At the local scale, sudden geohazards caused by tectonic movements and extreme weather events may have been key factors that led to the destruction and abandonment of large ancient settlements such as Pompeii and Lajia. On a regional scale, cold-dry climate lasting for decades or centuries followed by food shortages and conflicts arising from resource competition becomes an important factor for the decline of ancient civilizations and dynastic succession.

Stable and favorable climatic conditions could have increased resources and population growth, and led to prosperity and expansion of ancient civilizations. On a global scale, crucial technological innovations and their expansion in the long term (for centuries and millennia) significantly improve the ability of humans to procure and exploit resources, as well as facilitate expanded living space and rapid population growth, and social development.

Explore further Rethinking the social structure of ancient Eurasian nomads

More information: GuangHui Dong et al, Environmental and technological effects on ancient social evolution at different spatial scales, Science China Earth Sciences (2017). Journal information: Science China Earth Sciences GuangHui Dong et al, Environmental and technological effects on ancient social evolution at different spatial scales,(2017). DOI: 10.1007/s11430-017-9118-3MIT Lincoln Laboratory personnel Joseph Zurkus, left, and Jacob Huang, right, operate a protected tactical waveform modem and collect data while Ted OConnell, also from Lincoln Lab, monitors terminal equipment to ensure everything is working properly during flight testing Oct. 5. A team from Hanscom AFB, MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the MITRE Corp. are working to ensure that the PTW, a government-owned waveform that provides resilient, anti-jam communications, will work in flight. Credit: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Air Force is moving forward to demonstrate the capabilities of the protected tactical waveform through recent flight tests.

The PTW is a government-owned waveform that provides resilient, anti-jam satellite communications. Although the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, SMC, leads the PTW effort, Hanscom, in collaboration with MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the MITRE Corp., is leading the Air Force ground and airborne terminal work.

On Oct. 5, researchers from MIT Lincoln Laboratory used their Boeing 707 test aircraft, the Paul Revere, to demonstrate the waveform performs as planned in flight. During a 2.5-hour flight using a commercial satellite and a reference implementation of the waveform, various aspects of the waveform were tested. The team also gathered additional data to ensure the waveform could operate under more realistic flight conditions.

"We know this capability is something that would help our warfighters tremendously, as it will not only provide anti-jam communications, but also a low probability of detection and intercept," said Bill Lyons, Advanced Development program manager and PTW lead at Hanscom.

There were three main objectives to accomplish with the flight testing. First, that the PTW modes complete satisfactory test performance with a terminal mounted on the representative aircraft in flight. Next, to check that the PTW still performs items such as tracking properties, compensation techniques and link timing correctly in a highly mobile environment. The last is that the system's resource allocation algorithms work as anticipated under realistic mobile scenarios.

"Everything worked and we got the objectives accomplished successfully," said Dr. Ken Hetling, Advanced Satcom Systems and Operations associate group leader at Lincoln Laboratory. "We're engineers and we wanted to stress it, break it (the waveform), but couldn't push it enough (to do that); the waveform worked."

Oct. 2 to 3, the team completed ground testing to verify all test plans and procedures prior to the aircraft leaving the ground. On Oct. 5, the airplane and system were confirmed ready for the test and took off for the flight over eastern Maine. The team chose that area because it provided good visibility to the satellite and allowed a flight path that could satisfy the three test objectives. According to Hetling, the team was "extremely satisfied" with the successful testing and resulting data.

Lyons said that in addition to the Air Force work, they are also looking at connectivity with the Navy's Multiband Terminal, or NMT, and Army terminals, including the Warfighter Information Network, or WIN-T.

SMC's Advanced Development Division is the lead for overall PTW technology and development efforts. Their chief once again highlighted what the team operating out of Hanscom brings to those efforts.

"The Hanscom team brings valuable SATCOM terminal expertise to this enterprise solution," said Col. Timothy McKenzie.

Last year, the team proved that a third-party PTW modem could integrate with an existing airborne communications terminal and connect through a commercial satellite. Since then, they have been working on additional risk reduction efforts.

Explore further Lockheed Martin completes MUOS waveform to improve secure communications capabilities

Provided by Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchIllustration of light passing through a two-dimensional waveguide array. Each waveguide is essentially a tube, which behaves like a wire for light, inscribed through high-quality glass using a powerful laser. Many of these waveguides are inscribed closely spaced through a single piece of glass to form the array. Light that flows through the device behaves precisely according to the predictions of the four-dimensional quantum Hall effect. Credit: Rechtsman laboratory, Penn State University

For the first time, physicists have built a two-dimensional experimental system that allows them to study the physical properties of materials that were theorized to exist only in four-dimensional space. An international team of researchers from Penn State, ETH Zurich in Switzerland, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Holon Institute of Technology in Israel have demonstrated that the behavior of particles of light can be made to match predictions about the four-dimensional version of the "quantum Hall effect"a phenomenon that has been at the root of three Nobel Prizes in physicsin a two-dimensional array of "waveguides."

A paper describing the research appears January 4, 2018 in the journal Nature along with a paper from a separate group from Germany that shows that a similar mechanism can be used to make a gas of ultracold atoms exhibit four-dimensional quantum Hall physics as well.

"When it was theorized that the quantum Hall effect could be observed in four-dimensional space," said Mikael Rechtsman, assistant professor of physics and an author of the paper, "it was considered to be of purely theoretical interest because the real world consists of only three spatial dimensions; it was more or less a curiosity. But, we have now shown that four-dimensional quantum Hall physics can be emulated using photonsparticles of lightflowing through an intricately structured piece of glassa waveguide array."

When electric charge is sandwiched between two surfaces, the charge behaves effectively like a two-dimensional material. When that material is cooled down to near absolute-zero temperature and subjected to a strong magnetic field, the amount that it can conduct becomes "quantized"fixed to a fundamental constant of nature and cannot change. "Quantization is striking because even if the material is 'messy'that is, it has a lot of defectsthis 'Hall conductance' remains exceedingly stable," said Rechtsman. "This robustness of electron flowthe quantum Hall effectis universal and can be observed in many different materials under very different conditions."

This quantization of conductance, first described in two-dimensions, cannot be observed in an ordinary three-dimensional material, but in 2000, it was shown theoretically that a similar quantization could be observed in four spatial dimensions. To model this four-dimensional space, the researchers built waveguide arrays. Each waveguide is essentially a tube, which behaves like a wire for light. This "tube" is inscribed through high-quality glass using a powerful laser.

Many of these waveguides are inscribed closely spaced through a single piece of glass to form the array. The researchers used a recently-developed technique to encode "synthetic dimensions" into the positions of the waveguides. In other words, the complex patterns of the waveguide positions act as a manifestation of the higher-dimensional coordinates. By encoding two extra synthetic dimensions into the complex geometric structure of the waveguides, the researchers were able to model the two-dimensional system as having a total of four spatial dimensions. The researchers then measured how light flowed through the device and found that it behaved precisely according to the predictions of the four-dimensional quantum Hall effect.

"Our observations, taken together with the observations using ultracold atoms, provide the first demonstration of higher-dimensional quantum Hall physics," said Rechtsman. "But how can understanding and probing higher-dimensional physics have some relevance to science and technology in our three-dimensional world? There are a number of examples where this is the case. For example, 'quasicrystals'metallic alloys that are crystalline but have no repeating units and are used to coat some non-stick panshave been shown to have 'hidden dimensions:' their structures can be understood as projections from higher-dimensional space into the real, three-dimensional world. Furthermore, it is possible that higher-dimensional physics could be used as a design principle for novel photonic devices."

Explore further Theoretical physicists model complex quantum processes with cold atoms and ions

More information: Oded Zilberberg et al, Photonic topological boundary pumping as a probe of 4D quantum Hall physics, Nature (2018). Journal information: Nature Oded Zilberberg et al, Photonic topological boundary pumping as a probe of 4D quantum Hall physics,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/nature25011A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for an international, multi-institutional comprehensive campaign of research, observation, and analysis activities that would help improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico's Loop Current System (LCS). The position, strength, and structure of the LCSthe dominant ocean circulation feature in the Gulfhas major implications for oil and gas operations, hurricane intensity, coastal ecosystems, oil spill response, the fishing industry, tourism, and the region's economy.

The report identifies a suite of complementary research efforts that would provide critical information about the LCS to help promote safer offshore operations, better understand the Gulf's complex oceanographic systems, facilitate disaster response, help protect coastal communities, protect and manage ecological resources, and predict and forecast weather and climate impacts. Estimated to take about 10 years and cost between $100 million and $125 million, the recommended research campaign is critical for more accurate predictions of the Loop Current's path, the report says.

"Improving our predictive skills and understanding of the Loop Current System is critical to operational safety and a variety of human activities in the Gulf," said Paul G. Gaffney II, chair of the committee that wrote the report, a retired Navy vice admiral, and president emeritus of Monmouth University. "Moreover, improving ocean modeling in the Gulf will also inform prediction efforts in other ocean basins. Our report identifies gaps in knowledge and recommends comprehensive measurements and research efforts that could be undertaken to fill these gaps."

The LCS flows northward through the Yucatan Channel up into the Gulf of Mexico where it eventually turns eastward and then southward before exiting out through the Florida Straits and feeding into the Gulf Stream. The position of the current varies greatly depending on whether it is in a retracted state or a more northerly, extended state. In addition, circular currents known as eddieswhich can be 100-200 miles in diameteroccasionally separate from the main flow of the LCS and slowly migrate into the western Gulf.

Advancing understanding of the LCS could provide many benefits, the report says. For example, the lack of real-time, in situ observations in the deep ocean after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill made it difficult for first responders to track oil under the ocean's surface. Better information could have improved spill response and recovery operations. In addition, when the LCS is in its extended state, its strong currents pose significant operational safety concerns for oil and gas operations, causing costly slowdowns or shutdowns. Knowledge of the factors and dynamics that cause the LCS extended state could help the industry be better prepared.

However, despite decades of research, important questions about LCS dynamics remain unanswered, such as factors that influence the Loop Current extension into the Gulf and eddy shedding from the Loop Current. Most scientific observations of the LCS have been limited to ocean surface features and satellite data, and although there have been a number of field studies of the full water-column from ocean surface to seafloor, they were of limited geographic scope and over short time periods. While this research has advanced knowledge of the LCS, significant gaps remain in understanding the formation, variability, and structure of the LCS and its interaction with other dynamic processes in the Gulf.

The research campaign identified in the report consists of 30 recommendations for both near-term and long-term (decadal length) activities, which are divided into observational components, technology enhancements, analyses and theory, and data assimilation and numerical modeling techniques needed to provide critical information about the LCS. The recommendations are intended to help guide future funding investments by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as federal U.S. agencies, Mexican and Cuban oceanographic research entities, research institutions, and other ocean science sponsors.

A webinar about the report and the first GRP funding opportunity related to it is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. EST. The funding opportunity will open in early February and will focus on the report's near-term recommendations, which address activities that can be started before extensive planning for the larger research campaign has gotten underway. The observations and analyses to be completed through this initial funding opportunity will jumpstart and inform the design of the campaign. To receive updates, visit http://www.nas.edu/gulf/enews.

Explore further NASA Satellites Keep Watch on Gulf Current Near Spill

Provided by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and MedicineHow your rising power bills stack up. Credit: ACCC

Politicians are told never to waste a good crisis. Australia's electricity sector is in crisis, or something close to it. The nation's first-ever statewide blackout, in South Australia in September 2016, was followed by electricity shortages in several states last summer. More shortages are anticipated over coming summers.

But for most Australians, the most visible impact of this crisis has been their ever-increasing electricity bills. Electricity prices have become a political hot potato, and the blame game has been running unchecked for more than a year.

Electricity retailers find fault with governments, and renewable energy advocates point the finger at the nasty old fossil-fuel generators. The right-wing commentariat blames renewables, while the federal government blames everyone but itself.

The truth is there is no silver bullet. No single factor or decision is responsible for the electricity prices we endure today. Rather, it is the confluence of many different policies and pressures at every step of the electricity supply chain.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), retail customers in the National Electricity Market (which excludes Western Australia and the Northern Territory) now pay 44% more in real terms for electricity than we did ten years ago.

Four components make up your electricity bill. Each has contributed to this increase.

The biggest culprit has been the network component  the cost of transporting the electricity. Next comes the retail component  the cost of billing and servicing the customer. Then there is the wholesale component  the cost of generating the electricity. And finally, the government policy component  the cost of environmental schemes that we pay for through our electricity bills.

Each component has a different tale, told differently in every state. But ultimately, this is a story about a decade of policy failure.

Network news

Network costs form the biggest part of your electricity bill. Australia is a big country, and moving electricity around it is expensive. As the graph above shows, network costs have contributed 40% of the total price increase over the past decade.

The reason we now pay so much for the network is simply that we have built an awful lot more stuff over the past decade. It's also because it was agreed  through the industry regulator  that network businesses could build more network infrastructure and that we all have to pay for it, regardless of whether it is really needed.

Network businesses are heavily regulated. Their costs, charges and profits all have to be ticked off. This is supposed to keep costs down and prevent consumers being charged too much.

That's the theory. But the fact is costs have spiralled. Between 2005 and 2016 the total value of the National Electricity Market (NEM) distribution network increased from A$42 billion to A$72 billion  a whopping 70%. During that time there has been little change in the number of customers using the network or the amount of electricity they used. The result: every unit of electricity we consume costs much more than it used to.

There are several reasons for this expensive overbuild. First, forecasts of electricity demand were wrong  badly wrong. Instead of ever-increasing consumption, the amount of electricity we used started to decline in 2009. A whole lot of network infrastructure was built to meet demand that never eventuated.

Second, governments in New South Wales and Queensland imposed strict reliability settings  designed to avoid blackouts  on the networks in the mid-2000s. To meet these reliability settings, the network businesses had to spend a lot more money reinforcing their networks than they otherwise would have.

Third, the way in which network businesses are regulated encourages extra spending on infrastructure. In an industry where you are guaranteed a 10% return on investment, virtually risk-free  as network businesses were between 2009 and 2014  you are inclined to build, build, build.

The blame for this "gold-plating" of network assets is spread widely. Governments have been accused of panicking and setting reliability standards too high. The regulator has copped its share for allowing businesses too much capital spend and too high a return. Privatisation has also been criticised, which is slightly bizarre given that the worst offenders have been state-owned businesses.

Retail rollercoaster

The second biggest increase in your bill has been the amount we pay for the services provided to us by retailers. Across the NEM, 26% of the price increase over the past decade has been due to retail margins.

This increase in the retail component was never supposed to happen. To understand why, you must go back to the rationale for opening the retail sector to competition. Back in the 1990s, it was felt that retail energy was ripe for competition, which would deliver lower prices and more innovative products for consumers.

In theory, where competition exists, firms seek to reduce their costs to maximise their profits, in turn allowing them to reduce prices so as to grab as many customers as possible. The more they cut their costs, the more they can cut prices. Theoretically, costs are minimised and profits are squeezed. If competition works as it's supposed to, the retail component should go down, not up.

But the exact opposite has happened in the electricity sector. In Victoria, the state that in 2009 became the first to completely deregulate its retail electricity market, the retail component of the bill has contributed to 36% of the price increase over the past decade.

On average, Victorians pay almost A$400 a year to retailers, more than any other mainland state in the NEM. This is consistent with the Grattan Institute's Price Shock report, which showed that rising profits are causing pain for Victorian electricity consumers. Many customers remain on expensive deals, and do not switch to cheaper offers because the market is so complicated. These "sticky" customers have been cited as the cause of "excessive" profits to retailers.

But the new figures provided by the ACCC, which come directly from retailers, paint a different picture. The ACCC finds that the increase in margins in Victoria is wholly down to the increasing costs of retailers doing business.

There are reasons why competition might drive prices up, not down. Retailers now spend money on marketing to recruit and retain customers. And the existence of multiple retailers leads to duplications in costs that would not exist if a single retailer ran the market.

But these increases should be offset by retailers finding savings elsewhere, and this doesn't seem to have happened. History may judge the introduction of competition to the retail electricity market as an expensive mistake.

The right investment climate is crucial. Credit: Marcella Cheng/The Conversation, CC BY

Generational problems

So far, we have accounted for 65% of the bill increase of the past decade, and neither renewables nor coal have been mentioned once. Nor were they ever likely to be. The actual generation of electricity has only ever formed a minor portion of your electricity bill  the ACCC report shows that in 2015-16 the wholesale component constituted only 22% of the typical bill.

In the past year, however, wholesale prices have really increased. In 2015-16, households paid on average A$341 a year for the generation of electricity  far less than they were paying in 2006-07. But in the past year, that is estimated to have increased to A$530 a year.

Generators, particularly in Queensland, have been engaging in questionable behaviour, but it is the fundamental change in the supply and demand balance that means higher prices are here to stay for at least the next few years.

The truth is the cost of generating electricity has been exceptionally low in most parts of Australia for most of the past two decades. When the NEM was created in 1998, there was arguably more generation capacity in the system than was needed to meet demand. And in economics, more supply than demand equals low prices.

Over the years our politicians have been particularly good at ensuring overcapacity in the system. Most of the investment in generation in the NEM since its creation has been driven by either taxpayers' money, or government schemes and incentives  not by market forces. The result has been oversupply.

Up until the late 2000s the market kept chugging along. Then two things happened. First, consumers started using less electricity. And second, the Renewable Energy Target (RET) was ramped up, pushing more supply into the market.

Demand down and supply up meant even more oversupply, and continued low prices. But the combination of low prices and low demand put pressure on the finances of existing fossil fuel generators. Old generators were being asked to produce less electricity than before, for lower prices. Smaller power stations began to be mothballed or retired.

Something had to give, and it did when both Alinta and Engie decided it was no longer financially viable to keep their power stations running. Far from being oversupplied, the market is now struggling to meet demand on hot days when people use the most electricity. The result is very high prices.

A tight demand and supply balance with less coal-fired generation has meant that Australia increasingly relies on gas-fired generation, at a time when gas prices are astronomical, leading to accusations of price-gouging.

Put simply, Australia has failed to build enough new generation over recent years to reliably replace ageing coal plants when they leave the market.

Is it renewable energy's fault that coal-fired power stations have closed? Yes, but this is what needs to happen if we are to reduce greenhouse emissions. Is it renewables' fault that replacement generation has not been built? No. It's the government's fault for failing to provide the right environment for new investment.

The current predicament could have been avoided if we had a credible and comprehensive emissions reduction policy to drive investment in the sector. Such a policy would give investors the confidence to build generation with the knowledge about what carbon liabilities they may face in the future. But the carbon price was repealed in 2014 and replaced with nothing.

We're still waiting for an alternative policy. We're still waiting for enough generation capacity to be built. And we're still paying sky-high wholesale prices for electricity.

Green and gold

Finally, we have the direct cost of government green schemes over the past decade: the RET; the household solar panel subsidies; and the energy-efficiency incentives for homes and businesses.

They represent 16% of the price increase over the past 10 years  but they are still only 6% of the average bill.

If the aim of these schemes has been to reduce emissions, they have not done a very good job. Rooftop solar panel subsidies have been expensive and inequitable. The RET is more effective as an industry subsidy than an emissions reduction or energy transition policy. And energy efficiency schemes have produced questionable results.

It hasn't been a total waste of money, but far deeper emissions cuts could have been delivered if those funds had been channelled into a coherent policy.

The story of Australia's high electricity prices is not really one of private companies ripping off consumers. Nor is it a tale about the privatisation of an essential service. Rather, this is the story of a decade of policy drift and political failure.

Governments have been repeatedly warned about the need to tackle these problems, but have done very little.

Instead they have focused their energy on squabbling over climate policy. State governments have introduced inefficient schemes, scrapped them, and then introduced them again, while the federal government has discarded policies without even trying them.

There is a huge void where our sensible energy policy should be. Network overbuild and ballooning retailer margins both dwarf the impact of the carbon price, yet if you listen only to our politicians you'd be forgiven for thinking the opposite.

And still it goes on. The underlying causes of Australia's electricity price headaches  the regulation of networks, ineffective retail market competition, and our barely coping generators  need immediate attention. But still the petty politicking prevails.

The Coalition has rejected the Clean Energy Target recommended by Chief Scientist Alan Finkel. Labor will give no guarantee of support for the government's alternative policy, the National Energy Guarantee. Some politicians doubt the very idea that we need to act on climate change. Some states have given up on Canberra and are going it alone.

We've been here before and we know how this story ends. Crisis wasted.

Explore further Australia can meet carbon emissions target at zero net cost

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.New pseudo-invariant calibration sites in northern Africa were identified through a partnership with Google Earth Engine. Credit: South Dakota State University

Scientists use satellite images to monitor the conditions of forests, crops and the environment, but their research relies on those images accurately measuring the light being reflected from Earth.

Imaging engineers at South Dakota State University are identifying more sites worldwide with which to determine the accuracy of those images through a partnership with Google Earth Engine. More calibration sites will increase precision by allowing scientists to select sites that are ideally suited to specific spectral bands of reflected light.

SDSU scientists use the satellite data, for instance, to predict the risk of West Nile virus in South Dakota during the summer. Others track how drought affects deforestation in Brazil and whether forest fire management techniques in the western United States are impacting the size and frequency of the fires.

Specifically, imaging engineer Larry Leigh identified pseudo-invariant calibration sites, known as PICS. These sites are located in remote places, such as deserts and dry lake beds, where the surface properties and therefore the reflectance, do not change over time.

As a result, a ground crew only needs to visit the site once to take measurements, rather than being deployed each time that the satellite passes over the location. That significantly decrease the cost of satellite sensor calibration.

Through the $46,000 Google Earth Engine research award, Leigh and three graduate students have direct access to the Google archives that include U.S. Geological Survey Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science images and the computing power to compile the images via Google Earth Engine and its cloud computing capabilities.

Even ice-packs in Greenland may serve as possible pseudo invariant calibration sites for Earth imaging satellites. These new sites were identified during a global search made possible through a partnership between the South Dakota State University Image Processing Laboratory and Google Earth Engine. Credit: South Dakota State University

After searching the globe for PICS using images from Landsat 5, 7 and 8, the researchers found locations that are ideally suited to calibrating specific spectral bands, according to graduate student Ruchira Tabassum. The sensors on Landsat 8, for instance, detect 11 spectral bands, while those on Landsat 7 collect data on 8 spectral bands, according to the USGS Landsat website.

Previously, one site was used for all spectral bands. However, Tabassum, said, "The new approach evaluates each location, identifying the best ones for each spectral band." That will help ensure that the data the satellite sensors record accurately measure the light energy reflected from Earth.

Furthermore, Leigh explained, the discovery of new PICS has also allowed the imaging engineers to increase the overall reliability of satellite sensors, both now and in reference to historical images.

Over the last 40 years, the sensors aboard satellites have become more reliable. The initial specification for Landsat 1 calibration was a 15 percent error, but for Landsat 8, the error, known as the uncertainty threshold, has been reduced to 3 percent. Having more PICS allows the imaging engineers to push that uncertainty threshold to below 1 percent, according to Leigh.

In addition, doctoral student Mahesh Shrestha has begun to take advantage of these new sites that will lead to recalibrating images from past instruments, such as Landsat 1, using the long-term datasets from these new PICS. This will ensure that an image taken at a particular site 40 years ago is as reliable as one taken two days ago.

"This is a numbers game," said Leigh. "We need as much data as possible to be able to perform statistical validation on the results via improving the frequency of image acquisitions, accuracy of measurements and speed of analysis to detect sensor drift."

With the number of satellites increasing every year, calibrating onboard sensors is vital to producing accurate readings. "The use of new PICS is increasing our ability to perform these calibrations accurately and efficiently," Leigh added.

Explore further Google brings Earth into better focusGiraffes and their calves in the wild. Credit: Zoe Muller - University of Bristol

It is commonly accepted that lions are the only predators to pose a risk to giraffes on an individual basis but there has never been a study to investigate how the presence of lions impacts on the population as a whole.

Now, in the first study of its kind, published today in the journal PLOS One, Bristol PhD student Zoe Muller has found that if lions are kept in the same conservation area as giraffes, the number of calves is likely to be reduced, maybe as much as 82 percent.

Zoe, based at the University's School of Biological Sciences, said: "It is thought that lions preferentially target giraffe calves in the wild, and there is anecdotal evidence of this, including observations of lions eating young giraffe carcasses and of lion claw marks on adult females (thought to be a result of them defending their calves).

"However, no-one has ever investigated if this preference for hunting calves has an impact on the population as a whole."

This study investigates how the population demography of giraffes differs between two adjacent sites - one with no lions, and one with a high density of lions, and found that the presence of lions has a significant impact on the demography of giraffe populations.

In areas containing no lions, the giraffe population contained 34 percent of juveniles (individuals less than a year old) but in the presence of lions it only contained six percent juveniles.

Giraffes are living with the threat of lion attacks. Credit: Zoe Muller - University of Bristol

Giraffe populations have declined by 40 percent in the last 30 years, and there are now thought to be fewer than 98,000 individuals remaining in the wild.

In recognition of their drastic decline in the wild, they have recently been listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation in Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

However, conservation review is ongoing due to current debate over their taxonomic status, since some subspecies may be even more at risk of extinction than is currently recognised.

Zoe added: "This research has significant practical implications. Giraffes are a threatened species, suffering ongoing decline in the wild, and this research highlights how managing giraffes alongside lions inside a conservation area (a common practice in Africa) has detrimental effects for giraffe populations.

"The continual loss of juveniles within a population due to lion predation may lead to an unrecoverable situation where the population crashes, since population growth and sustainability rely on enough calves surviving until they are sexually mature.

"This research highlights the need for an urgent reassessment of how populations of giraffes are managed in the wild, given their Vulnerable Red List status and severe and ongoing decline."

The next steps for this research will be to replicate the findings in other areas of Africa. This is one case study from East Africa, and more research is needed to see if lions create the same effects in other giraffe populations.

More information: 'Population structure of giraffes is affected by management in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya' by Z. Muller, PLOS One, 3rd January 2018. Journal information: PLoS ONE 'Population structure of giraffes is affected by management in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya' by Z. Muller,, 3rd January 2018.Credit: Florida International University

When extreme weather strikes, nature endures devastation but also reveals secrets to its resiliency. Researchers in FIU's College of Arts, Sciences & Education are investigating the clues that plants, animals and ecosystems leave behind in moments of suffering and recovery. What they find could offer solutions to protecting nature from long-term changes happening to the planet.

Hugh Willoughby knows a thing or two about extreme climate events. Throughout his career, the FIU research meteorologist has own more than 400 missions into the eyes of storms for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Among those was 1989's Hurricane Hugo, which ravaged the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and parts of the southeast United States.

"The Caribbean will be the best predictor of climate change," Willoughby said.

Since 2015, data shows energy is increasing in these storms, but there's not enough data to establish a trend. The 2017 hurricane season may change all that. Willoughby says data from recent major storms, including hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, could prove Caribbean temperatures are on the rise. It will take months of data collection and review before scientists can say for sure. But if Willoughby is right, the Caribbean could serve as a barometer for the rest of the world.

Other subtropical and tropical regions are offering clues of their own. In 2005, hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma attacked South Florida and the Gulf region. In 2008, subtropical China was hit with a devastating cold spell followed by a major drought. In 2010, South Florida suffered its own cold spell. And in 2011, one of the most pristine and untouched coasts in worldShark Bay, Australiaexperienced drastic changes after temperatures reached historic highs.

In each of these scenarios, FIU had researchers who have been working in these areas for decades. They have been monitoring conditions, wildlife and plant life. Armed with years' worth of long-term research data, they were able to assess how these isolated weather events impacted their areas. They witnessed catastrophic losses. But they also witnessed stories of adaptation and survival. It's on these moments researchers are focusing with the hopes of developing new methods of conservation and giving policy solutions to mitigate climate change.

Credit: Florida International University

South Florida cold spell

When temperatures in South Florida dropped below 50 degrees for several consecutive days in 2010 and as low as 35 degrees, FIU scientists knew there would be consequences for plants and animals in the Florida Everglades. They were right.

For nearly two decades, FIU has led the National Science Foundation's Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research Program (FCE-LTER) in collaboration with other universities and partnering organizations across the United States. With substantial monitoring and research data at their fingertips, they were able to assess conditions for many species once temperatures returned to normal. Native, temperate plants and animals fared well. Non-native, tropical ones did not. The results were consistent across many species including mangroves, bees, crocodiles and more. Some took years to recover.

"This short but extreme cold event mimicked the effects of a strong tropical storm or hurricane. The short-term consequences were different but the long- term conclusions were similar," said Evelyn Gaiser, lead principal investigator of the FCE-LTER and executive director of the School of Environment, Arts and Society.

Snook, a popular gaming fish, offered a particularly unique insight. Sensitive to temperature changes, snook should not have survived the cold spell. Yet many were able to shelter in pockets of deep, fresh water that insulated them, said Jennifer Rehage, ecologist with the FIU Southeast Environmental Research Center in the Institute of Water and Environment. The takeaway for scientists: Freshwater flow in the Everglades is critical for fish to survive extreme temperatures.

"The risks to these species are especially high when they are unable to move to more hospitable environments, " said John Schade, program director in the National Science Foundation's Long Term Ecological Research Network, which funded the research. "In a world where extreme climate events are becoming more common, studies like this are critical to our ability to manage the fisheries we need to feed growing human populations."

Credit: Florida International University

South China cold spell and drought

In 2008, botanist Hong Liu was watching closely as temperatures started to drop around the Yachang National Orchid Nature Reserve in China. Housed within its 54,000 acres were 29 species of delicate and mostly endangered orchids. The nearly 1,000 flowering plants were relatively new there, having only been moved two years prior by Liu and other orchid conservationists. The orchids' native habitat was to be flooded as part of a large-scale hydropower project along the Hongshui River and the assisted migration was the only chance to save many of the species.

The concept of assisted migration is new and somewhat controversial. It is largely untested and can come with a high price tag. In the case of Yachang, the land is protected but sits at a higher elevation and is not an exact match of the transplanted orchids' native habitat. When temperatures hit the second lowest ever recorded for the region, Liu feared it would be too much for the rare flowers.

Amazingly, the orchids proved largely resistant to the extreme climate event. While some plants did not survive, only one species was wiped out entirely by the cold. When a record-setting drought hit the region a short time later, not a single orchid died. Liu continues to study the orchids at Yachang. It will be years before the assisted migration can be deemed a success, but she is hopeful the orchids will continue to thrive. If they do, assisted migration might become a little less controversial.

Western Australia heat wave

Across the globe, in the pristine waters of Shark Bay, Australia, a 10-week-long heat wave in 2011 dealt a harsh blow to the 1,853 square miles of seagrass beds in the region as well as the animals that rely on them for food and shelter. Populations of scallops and manna crabs were so adversely affected that shing of those species was halted.

Marine scientist Mike Heithaus has been studying life in the waters of Shark Bay for more than 20 years. During the heat wave, he and his team observed the hottest temperatures on record in the bay. Along with FIU seagrass biologist James Fourqurean, the research team began an immediate assessment of conditions for plant and animal life. At the FIU study sites, at least 70 percent and as much as 90 percent of seagrasses were wiped out. Today, they are still struggling to recover.

"We wanted to know how much the ecosystem might recover over a few years," said Rob Nowicki, a researcher at Mote Marine Laboratory who conducted much of the fieldwork as a marine sciences doctorate student in the Heithaus lab. "If you take a punch and get up quickly, you're ready for the next punch. But our study has suggested this system took a punch and, in the short term, it has not gotten back up."

If relatively pristine ecosystems like Shark Bay can be this drastically impacted by an extreme climate event, Heithaus and others warn this raises major concerns for areas already damaged by human activity. It also heightens the urgency for international conservation programs and global policy. The researchers continue to study the waters of Shark Bay and other areas throughout the world, working closely with local governments and international governing bodies.

Explore further Cold spells chill tropical speciesCredit: University of South Australia

A UniSA researcher has called for a change in Australia's building codes in the wake of a study which shows new homes can be less resistant to heat than older, double-brick houses.

In a paper published this week in the international journal Energy and Buildings, Dr. Gertrud Hatvani-Kovacs and colleagues also discuss Australians' over reliance on air conditioning, which is placing pressure on the grid, increasing electricity prices and causing more blackouts.

Dr. Hatvani-Kovacs, a Research Associate with UniSA's School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, says Australia needs to change its approach when it comes to cooling homes in summer.

In a study of typical, single-storey brick veneer homes in Adelaide and Sydney during a heatwave, UniSA researchers found that a newer home with a 6-star energy rating used the same amount of energy to cool the interior as an older double brick home with just 2.6 stars.

"The newer homes can be more prone to overheating in summer because of the high levels of insulation and air tightness coupled with a lack of shading and natural ventilation. We need housing designs which are both energy efficient and heat stress resistant.

"Over the course of a year, some newer homes can perform better than older ones only because they are more energy efficient in winter, but the reverse applies in summer."

Dr. Hatvani-Kovacs says the other major problem is that Australians are becoming too reliant on air conditioning.

"Air conditioning changes our behaviour. It can have a reverse adaptation effect where people become acclimatised to it and therefore demand lower temperatures in summer to achieve comfort.

"By setting our systems at cooler temperatures we are dumping waste heat to the streets generated by the air conditioners, placing extra demand on the grid, forcing prices upwards and causing more blackouts. If a power cut does occur, it places people's health at risk because their body is used to cool temperatures and they forget how to adapt to even moderate levels of heat."

The solution, she says, is to incorporate a range of measures in new homes to deflect heat and lessen the reliance on air conditioning. These include appropriate orientation, lighter and reflective roof colours, and reflective foils installed in roof cavities.

Planting deciduous trees for natural shading, installing outdoor blinds to block the heat and opening windows at night when the temperatures are lower outdoors than indoors all help to cool a home and minimise the need for air conditioning.

More than 90 per cent of SA residents and 60 per cent of NSW residents have air conditioning but very few have double glazed windows which are effective in keeping houses cool in summer and warm in winter, she says.

Dr. Hatvani-Kovacs says building codes need to incorporate separate energy ratings for heating and cooling to give home owners a more accurate assessment of their efficiency.

"The current focus is making homes more energy efficient in winter but we should be looking at overarching housing designs that are both energy efficient and heat stress resistant in the Australian climate."

The paper "Heat stress-resistant building design in the Australian context" is published in Energy and Buildings, an international journal focused on energy use and efficiency in buildings.

Explore further High energy costs make vulnerable households reluctant to use air conditioning: study

More information: Gertrud Hatvani-Kovacs et al. Heat stress-resistant building design in the Australian context, Energy and Buildings (2017). Gertrud Hatvani-Kovacs et al. Heat stress-resistant building design in the Australian context,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.10.025Excavations at the Upward Sun River archaeological site in Alaska. The new study shows that the remains found there belonged to members of a previously unknown Native American population, whom academics have named "Ancient Beringians". Credit: Ben Potter

Direct genetic traces of the earliest Native Americans have been identified for the first time in a new study. The genetic evidence suggests that people may have entered the continent in a single migratory wave, perhaps arriving more than 20,000 years ago.

The data, which came from archaeological finds in Alaska, also points to the existence of a previously unknown Native American population, whom academics have named "Ancient Beringians".

The findings are being published in the journal Nature and present possible answers to a series of long-standing questions about how the Americas were first populated.

It is widely accepted that the earliest settlers crossed from what is now Russia into Alaska via an ancient land bridge spanning the Bering Strait which was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age. Issues such as whether there was one founding group or several, when they arrived, and what happened next, are the subject of extensive debate, however.

In the new study, an international team of researchers led by academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Copenhagen sequenced the full genome of an infant - a girl named Xach'itee'aanenh t'eede gay, or Sunrise Child-girl, by the local Native community - whose remains were found at the Upward Sun River archaeological site in Alaska in 2013.

To their surprise, they found that although the child had lived around 11,500 years ago, long after people first arrived in the region, her genetic information did not match either of the two recognised branches of early Native Americans, which are referred to as Northern and Southern. Instead, she appeared to have belonged to an entirely distinct Native American population, which they called Ancient Beringians.

Further analyses then revealed that the Ancient Beringians were an offshoot of the same ancestor population as the Northern and Southern Native American groups, but that they separated from that population earlier in its history. This timeline allowed the researchers to construct a picture of how and when the continent might have been settled by a common, founding population of ancestral Native Americans, that gradually divided into these different sub-groupings.

The study was led by Professor Eske Willerslev, who holds positions both at St John's College, University of Cambridge, UK, and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

"The Ancient Beringians diversified from other Native Americans before any ancient or living Native American population sequenced to date. It's basically a relict population of an ancestral group which was common to all Native Americans, so the sequenced genetic data gave us enormous potential in terms of answering questions relating to the early peopling of the Americas," he said.

"We were able to show that people probably entered Alaska before 20,000 years ago. It's the first time that we have had direct genomic evidence that all Native Americans can be traced back to one source population, via a single, founding migration event."

The study compared data from the Upward Sun River remains with both ancient genomes, and those of numerous present-day populations. This allowed the researchers first to establish that the Ancient Beringian group was more closely related to early Native Americans than their Asian and Eurasian ancestors, and then to determine the precise nature of that relationship and how, over time, they split into distinct populations.

Until now, the existence of two separate Northern and Southern branches of early Native Americans has divided academic opinion regarding how the continent was populated. Researchers have disagreed over whether these two branches split after humans entered Alaska, or whether they represent separate migrations.

The Upward Sun River genome shows that Ancient Beringians were isolated from the common, ancestral Native American population, both before the Northern and Southern divide, and after the ancestral source population was itself isolated from other groups in Asia. The researchers say that this means it is likely there was one wave of migration into the Americas, with all subdivisions taking place thereafter.

A scientific illustration of the Upward Sun River camp in what is nowInterior Alaska. Credit: Eric S. Carlson in collaboration with Ben A. Potter

According to the researchers' timeline, the ancestral population first emerged as a separate group around 36,000 years ago, probably somewhere in northeast Asia. Constant contact with Asian populations continued until around 25,000 years ago, when the gene flow between the two groups ceased. This cessation was probably caused by brutal changes in the climate, which isolated the Native American ancestors. "It therefore probably indicates the point when people first started moving into Alaska," Willerslev said.

Around the same time, there was a level of genetic exchange with an ancient North Eurasian population. Previous research by Willerslev has shown that a relatively specific, localised level of contact between this group, and East Asians, led to the emergence of a distinctive ancestral Native American population.

Ancient Beringians themselves then separated from the ancestral group earlier than either the Northern or Southern branches around 20,000 years ago. Genetic contact continued with their Native American cousins, however, at least until the Upward Sun River girl was born in Alaska around 8,500 years later.

The geographical proximity required for ongoing contact of this sort led the researchers to conclude that the initial migration into the Americas had probably already taken place when the Ancient Beringians broke away from the main ancestral line. Jos Vctor Moreno-Mayar, from the University of Copenhagen, said: "It looks as though this Ancient Beringian population was up there, in Alaska, from 20,000 years ago until 11,500 years ago, but they were already distinct from the wider Native American group."

Finally, the researchers established that the Northern and Southern Native American branches only split between 17,000 and 14,000 years ago which, based on the wider evidence, indicates that they must have already been on the American continent south of the glacial ice.

The divide probably occurred after their ancestors had passed through, or around, the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets - two vast glaciers which covered what is now Canada and parts of the northern United States, but began to thaw at around this time.

The continued existence of this ice sheet across much of the north of the continent would have isolated the southbound travellers from the Ancient Beringians in Alaska, who were eventually replaced or absorbed by other Native American populations. Although modern populations in both Alaska and northern Canada belong to the Northern Native American branch, the analysis shows that these derive from a later "back" migration north, long after the initial migration events.

"One significant aspect of this research is that some people have claimed the presence of humans in the Americas dates back earlier - to 30,000 years, 40,000 years, or even more," Willerslev added. "We cannot prove that those claims are not true, but what we are saying, is that if they are correct, they could not possibly have been the direct ancestors to contemporary Native Americans."

The study, Terminal Pleistocene Alaskan genome reveals first founding population of Native Americans, is published in Nature.

Explore further Ancient babies boost Bering land bridge layover: DNA links many Native Americans to infants in Alaskan grave

More information: J. Victor Moreno-Mayar et al, Terminal Pleistocene Alaskan genome reveals first founding population of Native Americans, Nature (2018). Journal information: Nature J. Victor Moreno-Mayar et al, Terminal Pleistocene Alaskan genome reveals first founding population of Native Americans,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/nature25173Diminishing sea ice near the Arctic coast leaves more open water near the coast for winds to create waves. The increased wave action reaches down and stirs up sediments on shallow continental shelves, releasing radium and other chemicals that are carried up to the surface and swept away into the open ocean by currents such as the Transpolar Drift. A new study found surprising evidence that climate change is rapidly causing coastal changes in the Arctic that could have significant impacts on Arctic food webs and animal populations. Credit: Natalie Renier, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Scientists have found surprising evidence of rapid climate change in the Arctic: In the middle of the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole, they discovered that the levels of radium-228 have almost doubled over the last decade.

The finding indicates that large-scale changes are happening along the coastbecause the source of the radium is the land and shallow continental shelves surrounding the ocean. These coastal changes, in turn, could also be delivering more nutrients, carbon, and other chemicals into the Arctic Ocean and lead to dramatic impacts on Arctic food webs and animal populations.

The research team, led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), suspects that melting sea ice has left more open water near the coast for winds to create waves. The wave action reaches down to the shallow shelves and stirs up sediments, releasing radium that is carried to the surface and away into the open ocean. The same mechanism would likely also mobilize and deliver more nutrients, carbon, and other chemicals into the Arctic Ocean, fueling the growth of plankton at the bottom of the food chain. That, in turn, could have significant impacts on fish and marine mammals and change the Arctic ecosystem.

The study was published Jan. 3, 2018, in the journal Science Advances. The research team included Lauren Kipp, Matthew Charette, and Paul Henderson (WHOI), Willard Moore (University of South Carolina), and Ignatius Rigor (University of Washington).

Scientists have long used radium-228 to track the flow of material from land and sediments into the ocean. It is a naturally occurring isotope produced by the radioactive decay of thorium in sediments. But unlike thorium, it dissolves into water, where scientists can track the sources, amounts, rates, and direction of its flow, said Kipp, who is lead author of the study and a graduate student in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography.

Kipp led efforts to measure radium at 69 locations from the western edge of the Arctic Ocean to the Pole on a two-month voyage aboard the icebreaker Healy in the summer of 2015. The cruise was part of the international GEOTRACES program, which aims to measure chemical tracers in the world's ocean to understand ocean circulation and provide a baseline to assess future chemical changes in the oceans. The U.S. GEOTRACES program and this study are both funded by the National Science Foundation.

Scientists aboard the icebreaker Healy measured seawater chemistry across the Arctic Ocean and found that levels of radium-228 have almost doubled over the last decade in the middle of the ocean. The radium was transported from land and shallow continental shelves by currents such as the Transpolar Drift. The surprising finding is evidence that rapid climate change is causing large-scale changes along the Arctic coast, such as diminishing sea ice. These coastal changes, in turn, could also deliver more nutrients, carbon, and other chemicals into the Arctic Ocean and have significant impacts on the Arctic food web. Credit: Natalie Renier, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institiution

To their surprise, the research team found that radium-228 concentrations in the central Arctic Ocean had increased substantially since measurements had last been made in 2007. What was its source and why had it increased?

The team investigated the trajectories of sea ice drifting in the ocean and saw a pattern of iceand hence waterflowing northward from the vast northern coast of Russia toward the middle of the Arctic Ocean, where the radium concentrations had increased. The pattern aligned with the Transpolar Drift, a powerful current flowing in same direction that could transport radium from coastal sources.

They concluded that the excess radium had to have come from sediments in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf off Russia, the largest continental shelf on Earth. It is relatively shallow, with an average depth of 170 feet, but it extends 930 miles off shore and contains a vast reservoir of radium and other chemical compounds.

Something had to have changed along the coast to explain the dramatic surge in radium in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. The scientists theorize that a warming Arctic environment has reduced sea ice cover, allowing for more wave action that stirs up sediments and mobilizes more radium.

But there are other possible contributing factors that are causing changes over the shelf, the scientists say. More wave action can also cause more coastline erosion, adding more terrestrial sediment into the ocean. Warming temperatures can thaw permafrost, liberating more material into the ocean, and increasing river and groundwater runoff can carry more radium, nutrients, carbon, and other material into the Arctic.

"Continued monitoring of shelf inputs to Arctic surface waters is therefore vital to understand how the changing climate will affect the chemistry, biology, and economic resources of the Arctic Ocean," the study's authors wrote.

Data coverage over the East Siberian Shelf is currently very limited, so it is important to conduct more studies in this region in order to pinpoint the direct causes of the increased shelf inputs and allow future monitoring. "Evidence from Kipp and co-workers for substantial ongoing change in the chemical environment of the Arctic Ocean emphasizes the need for sustained study of these changes and of the processes involved," said Bob Anderson, an Ewing-Lamont Research Professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and the director of the U.S. GEOTRACES Program Office. "It would be great if related efforts by marine geochemists in Russia could be integrated with future studies by other nations, for example under the auspices of the international GEOTRACES program."

Explore further International team reports ocean acidification spreading rapidly in Arctic Ocean

More information: L.E. Kipp el al., "Increased fluxes of shelf-derived materials to the central Arctic Ocean," Science Advances (2017). Journal information: Science Advances L.E. Kipp el al., "Increased fluxes of shelf-derived materials to the central Arctic Ocean,"(2017). advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/1/eaao1302A depiction of the double helical structure of DNA. Its four coding units (A, T, C, G) are color-coded in pink, orange, purple and yellow. Credit: NHGRI

To make the iconic, twisted double helix that accounts for the diversity of life, DNA rules specify that G always pairs with C, and A with T.

But, when it's all added up, the amount of G+C vs A+T content among species is not a simple fixed percentage or, standard one-to-one ratio.

For example, within single-celled organisms, the amount of G+C content can vary from 72 percent in a bacteria like Streptomyces coelicolor while the protozoan parasite that causes malaria, Plasmondium falciparum, has as little as 20 percent.

In single-celled eukaryotes, yeast contain 38 percent G+C content, plants like corn have 47 percent, and humans contain about 41 percent.

The big question is, why?

"This has been one of the long-standing problems in genome evolution, and prior attempts to explain it have involved considerable arm waving," said Michael Lynch, who leads a new Center for Mechanisms of Evolution at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute.

Is there something within the chemical nature of DNA itself that favors one nucleotide over the other, or does the bias of mutation pressure vary, and if so, why would this be different among species?

"In the absence of key observations on the mutation process, there has been a struggle to fathom what the mechanism is," said Lynch.

Michael Lynch's group has now experimentally demonstrated that G+C composition is generally strongly favored, whereas this is often opposed by mutational pressure of various strengths in the opposite direction.

"On average, natural selection or some other factor (possibly associated with recombinational forces) favors G+C content, regardless of the class of DNA, size of a species' genome, or where the species is found on the evolutionary tree of life," said Lynch.

The study was published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

To err is universal

Driving evolution are DNA mutations, errors in the genome that are introduced and passed along to the next generation, so that over time, providing the fuel for the invention of new adaptations or traits.

To get to the heart of the matter, the scientists wanted a way to quantify the full spectrum of DNA mutations in the lab across a wide swath of species.

This can now be done due in part by new technologies to make DNA sequencing faster and cheaper. It has fueled a golden age of evolutionary experimental biology.

"We started with knowledge of the mutational spectrum that occurs at the genome level in about 40 species examined in my lab," said Lynch. "You can use such information to calculate what the GC composition would be in the absence of selection. And then we can compare this null expectation with the the actual genome content, the difference being due to selection."

In a tour de force experiment that is the largest survey to date, they examined every single DNA mutation across different species, sequencing billions of DNA chemical bases.

"This represented a very substantial work load, effort and cost that was necessary to test different evolutionary models with high statistical power," said Hongan Long, a postdoctoral researcher who led the experiments.

They also took advantage of an analysis of 25 current datasets of mutations and 12 new mutation-accumulation (MA) experiments (many from their own lab), including bacteria and a menagerie of multicellular organisms including yeast, worms, fruit flies, chimpanzees and humans.

During each MA experiment, they performed complete genome sequencing of about 50 different bacterial lines that had been passaged through severe, single-cell bottlenecks for thousands of cell divisions.

"This single-cell passage of each line acts like a filter, eliminating the ability of natural selection to modify the accumulation of all but the most severe and deleterious mutations, giving us an effectively unbiased view of the mutation process," said Long.

With each generation, they carefully measured the mutation rate, or every occurrence of when just a single DNA letter is changed.

This can happen in two ways: a single G or C DNA base pair being converted to the A+T direction; or the opposite can happen, with an A or T base switching in the G+C direction.

After all the number and data crunching, a striking pattern emerged between G+C content and the expectations based on DNA mutations.

"It turns out, they are correlated," said Lynch.. "The G+C composition is always higher than you expect, based on neutrality. That tells us that there is pervasive selection. So mutation drives the overall pattern, but selection for G's and C's over A's and T's boosts the genome content above the neutral mutational expectation.

This seems to be almost universally true."

The end of the beginning

Now that they've shown the G+C composition correlation, it has opened up the door to many more questions, and answers that remain elusive.

"One question is, 'why does the mutation spectrum change so dramatically across species'"? asked Lynch. "Species don't have the same mutation spectrum. There are species whose mutation profiles are more AT rich and others more GC rich. We still don't know the mechanisms behind such divergence in the mutational spectrum."

They may be due to simple differences in chemistry and biophysics.

One general force that may be of relevance is DNA stability, driven by the chemistry of the DNA letters. The forces that keep the DNA ladder intact are called hydrogen bonds. G:C pairs involve three hydrogen bonds, whereas, A:T pairs involve only two.

"The prevailing thought is that more G:C content adds to genome stability," said Lynch.

Another possibility is during reproduction, when the DNA strands intertwine from each parent to make a fertilized egg, mismatches can occur in the base pairing, leading to mistakes that DNA proofreading enzymes have to fix later on. Sometimes, a G can get changed to an A, or a T becomes a C, converting genes during this mismatch repair process.

"That's generally thought to be biased towards Gs and Cs," said Lynch.

Now, with their experimental setup in place, Lynch's team is poised to further explore the mechanisms of evolution and fundamental forces behind this great mystery.

Explore further Most extensive pictures ever of organism's DNA mutation processes

More information: Hongan Long et al, Evolutionary determinants of genome-wide nucleotide composition, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2017). Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Hongan Long et al, Evolutionary determinants of genome-wide nucleotide composition,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0425-yThe Red-necked stint is highly exposed to sediment microbes as it forages for the microscopic invertebrates that fuel its vast migrations. Author provided

Have you ever got on a flight and the person next to you started sneezing? With 37 million scheduled flights transporting people around the world each year, you might think that the viruses and other germs carried by travellers would be getting a free ride to new pastures, infecting people as they go.

Yet pathogenic microbes are surprisingly bad at expanding their range by hitching rides on planes. Microbes find it difficult to thrive when taken out of their ecological comfort zone; Bali might just be a tad too hot for a Tasmanian parasite to handle.

But humans aren't the only species to go global with their parasites. Billions of animals have been flying, swimming and running around the globe every year on their seasonal migrations, long before the age of the aeroplane. The question is, are they picking up new pathogens on their journeys? And if they are, are they transporting them across the world?

Migratory animals are the usual suspects for disease spread

With the rate of zoonotic diseases (pathogens that jump from animals to humans) on the rise, migratory animals have been under increasing suspicion of aiding the spread of devastating diseases such as bird flu, Lyme disease, and even Ebola.

These suspicions are bad for migrating animals, because they are often killed in large numbers when considered a disease threat. They are also bad for humans, because blaming animals may obscure other important factors in disease spread, such as animal trade. So what's going on?

Despite the logical link between animal migration and the spread of their pathogens, there is in fact surprisingly little direct evidence that migrants frequently spread pathogens long distances.

This is because migratory animals are notoriously hard for scientists to track. Their movements make them difficult to test for infections over the vast areas that they occupy.

But other theories exist that explain the lack of direct evidence for migrants spreading pathogens. One is that, unlike humans who just have to jump on a plane, migratory animals must work exceptionally hard to travel. Flying from Australia to Siberia is no easy feat for a tiny migratory bird, nor is swimming between the poles for giant whales. Human athletes are less likely to finish a race if battling infections, and likewise, migrant animals may have to be at the peak of health if they are to survive such gruelling journeys. Sick travellers may succumb to infection before they, or their parasitic hitchhikers, reach their final destination.

Put simply, if a sick animal can't migrate, then neither can its parasites.

On the other hand, migrants have been doing this for millennia. It is possible they have adapted to such challenges, keeping pace in the evolutionary arms race against pathogens and able to migrate even while infected. In this case, pathogens may be more successful at spreading around the world on the backs of their hosts. But which theory does the evidence support?

Sick animals can still spread disease

To try and get to the bottom of this question, we identified as many studies testing this hypothesis as we could, extracted their data, and combined them to look for any overarching patterns.

We found that infected migrants across species definitely felt the cost of being sick: they tended to be in poorer condition, didn't travel as far, migrated later, and had lower chances of survival. However, infection affected these traits differently. Movement was hit hardest by infection, but survival was only weakly impacted. Infected migrants may not die as they migrate, but perhaps they restrict long-distance movements to save energy.

So pathogens seem to pose some costs on their migratory hosts, which would reduce the chances of migrants spreading pathogens, but perhaps not enough of a cost to eliminate the risk completely.

But an important piece of the puzzle is still missing. In humans, travelling increases our risk of getting ill because we come into contact with new germs that our immune system has never encountered before. Are migrants also more susceptible to unfamiliar microbes as they travel to new locations, or have they adapted to this as well?

Guts of migrants resistant to microbial invasion

To investigate the susceptibility of migrants, we went in a different direction and decided to look at the gut bacteria of migratory shorebirds  grey, unassuming birds that forage on beaches or near water, and that undergo some of the longest and fastest migrations in the animal kingdom.

Most animals have hundreds of bacterial species living in their guts, which help break down nutrients and fight off potential pathogens. Every new microbe you ingest can only colonise your gut if the environmental conditions are to its liking, and competition with current residents isn't too high. In some cases, it may thrive so much it becomes an infection.

We found the migratory shorebirds we studied were exceptionally good at resisting invasion from ingested microbes, even after flying thousands of kilometres and putting their gut under extreme physiological strain. Birds that had just returned from migration (during which they stopped in many places in China, Japan, and South East Asia), didn't carry any more species of bacteria than those that had stayed around the same location for a year.

Although these results need to be tested in other migratory species, our research suggests that, like human air traffic, pathogens might not get such an easy ride on their migratory hosts as we might assume. There is no doubt that migrants are involved in pathogen dispersal to some degree, but there is increasing evidence that we shouldn't jump the gun when it comes to blaming migrants.

Explore further Timing of migration is changing for songbirds on the Pacific coast

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.Stanford historian Mikael Wolfe argues that technology and nature are usually thought of as opposites, but he advocates for what is known as an envirotech approach to the historical relationship between the two  technology and the environment should be seen as interconnected.

In his recently published book, Watering the Revolution: An Environmental and Technological History of Agrarian Reform in Mexico, Wolfe examines Mexican land and water distribution from the 1920s to the 1960s through such an envirotech lens. He argues that the efforts to redistribute resources were unsustainable because of people's overenthusiastic belief in technology's power to fix social problems as well as their environmental side-effects.

Wolfe, an assistant professor of history, said lessons from that little-known piece of Mexican history could also apply to how people today try to solve environmental problems through technology. Stanford News Service interviewed Wolfe about his work, and about how thinking of technology and the environment as intertwined could better inform current environmental decisions.

You talk about the concept of "envirotech" in your research. What is it and why should historians and experts in other fields integrate it into their work?

The premise of envirotech, which emerged as a field of history in the 1990s, is that nature and technology not only impact one another but become so interdependent that the boundary between them dissolves. It should not be mistaken for environmentally friendly technology. Rather, it's an acknowledgment of the reality that no area in the world is untouched by human activity anymore.

I have noticed that in general many historians consider technology and nature as separate historical entities. There are historians of technology and historians of the environment. As a result, much work in the history of technology does not make any reference to the "new" environments that deployment of technology helps produce, such as reservoirs created by dams. And vice versa  many environmental historians neglect the role of technology, such as how new mining techniques in Mexico made profound changes to the environment.

I argue that those two groups need to talk to each other and embrace each other's work in order to help create a more comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the past and present of the environment and technology.

Your research on Mexican land reform showed that people were overly optimistic about the ability of technology to fix social and environmental problems. Can you describe what happened?

What happened is in some ways a tragedy. A popular land reform that was about redistributing resources wasn't sustainable, in part because people pushing for that reform were too optimistic about technology and what it could do for them.

I focus on the historically cotton-growing Laguna region of Mexico, watered by the Nazas River that was prone to either severe flooding or drought. The revolutionary president Lazaro Cardenas decided to dam the river in the 1930s and promoted it as a way to provide a regular supply of water for everyone in the area. However, the dam did not fulfill those expectations, and farmers found living off the land as difficult after the land reform as before, largely because of insufficient water. This encouraged a boom in groundwater pumping in order to weather frequent droughts, and over time it contaminated and overexploited the region's aquifers.

My book shows that the government engineers' distribution of water through invasive hydraulic technology paradoxically undermined efforts to redistribute land more equally in the wake of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), during which hundreds of thousands of Mexicans died fighting for "land and liberty." It also reveals that engineers knew what was happening and had the authority to regulate surface water as early as Mexico's 1917 Constitution and had the power to regulate groundwater by 1945. But officials chose not to exercise that authority.

This story is thus a cautionary tale of the long-term consequences of short-sighted development policies.

How is one's understanding of that part of Mexican history improved by examining it through an envirotech lens, rather than without it?

Without approaching environmental and technological processes as overlapping and intertwined, it is very hard to understand the complexities surrounding support for or opposition to dam-building and other large ecologically invasive infrastructure projects in Mexico and globally.

Although many landowners opposed building the Nazas Dam, the environmental reason for it  the fear that it would diminish the natural fertilizing ability of the free-flowing river  was only one component of their opposition. Just as worrying for them was the prospect of the dam facilitating a radical land reform that would expropriate their properties and take away their water rights to redistribute to landless peasants. At the same time, they were enthusiastic about groundwater pumping, which they could afford and control individually, although it was just as ecologically invasive as the dam.

Envirotech allows us to examine the relationship between environmental and technological issues along a continuum rather than as a strict binary of nature versus technology.

Does your research in Mexico relate to any decisions being made here in California?

A local issue reminiscent of the story of the Nazas Dam in Mexico is the aging Searsville Dam, which impounds Corte Madera Creek and is located in the Stanford foothills within the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. Built in 1892, the dam reservoir was supposed to supply water to Stanford as well as prevent flooding for people settling downstream, but the accumulation of sediment has reduced its capacity significantly over the past century. The debate over what to do about the dam and the new ecosystem it created upstream and downstream has been going on for years.

In this case, Stanford is dealing with the dilemma of envirotech. The dam is now embedded within the local environment. The artificial lake it created hosts several rare animal species, and downstream communities depend on it for flood control. It's very hard to draw a line between nature and technology in this case, as if you could just extricate the latter from the former.

Decisions about how to handle Searsville Dam could potentially forever change our local "envirotechnical" landscapes and thus need to be approached very carefully.

Explore further Historian unearths origins of Mexico's water crisisApoica pallens. Credit: Sean O'Donnell

A new Drexel University study comparing brain size to body size shows that just because you've evolved to have a big brain, some regions of your brain may not have kept up.

Sean O'Donnell, Ph.D., professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel University, and his team studied a wide variety of Costa Rican paper wasps to shed some light on this subject. And what they found was that the wasp brains followed a general biological ruleHaller's Rulewhen it came to overall brain size, but not all brains were equal in structure.

"Brains are not homogeneous masses: They are divided up into subregions that perform different functions," O'Donnell said. "And we found that not all of these subregions evolve to the same proportional size."

Overall brain size does evolve in step with body size, but the usual pattern within a lineage of animalscalled "Haller's rule" is for the smallest species to have the largest brains relative to their body size.

For example, a Western Gorilla averages a few inches shorter than an Eastern Gorilla, but their brains are both about the same size. That means that a Western Gorilla's brain will be a greater proportion of its overall body than the Eastern Gorilla, following Haller's Rule.

Humans, however, are an exception to Haller's Rule. Our total brain size is much larger than what our body size would indicate among primates. So how did our large brains evolve? O'Donnell and his team hoped the paper wasps would begin to provide some clues.

They ran a study (published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society) on multiple species of paper wasps within the taxonomic tribe Eponini to determine whether the size of their bodies was related to the sizes of the different parts of their brain.

Three images of wasp brains. "MB" stands for mushroom bodies, "AL" for antennal lobes, and "OL" for optic lobes. Credit: Sean O'Donnell

"These wasps have a tremendous size range among speciesthe largest species was over 25 times the size of the smallest," O'Donnell said. "And, importantly, their brains are divided into distinct regions that perform different brain functions, like processing visual versus chemical (smell and taste) inputs."

The team found that the wasps brains seemed to follow Haller's Rule. If you're a little paper wasp, your brain is going to be about the same size as any of your cousin species. But that doesn't mean that the individual regions of your brain will match up to your bigger cousins.

There appears to be a bit of a caveat to Haller's Rule, at least when it comes to the wasps. When their body sizes decreased, the proportional size of their brains did increase. However, some of the specific, complex regions of their brain did not.

"In the smaller species, overall brain size was staying nearly constant, as smaller bodies evolved, but some brain regions were shrinking rapidly," O'Donnell explained.

The wasps' "mushroom bodies" (a collection of neurological fibers that are involved in learning, memory and sensory integration) and antennal lobes (which process chemical information) significantly decreased in proportional size in smaller-bodied wasps.

In total, O'Donnell and his team examined 94 wasps across 19 species native to Costa Rica. Their findings on the shrinking complex regions of the brain heldexcept for one species.

O'Donnell and his team found that Apoica pallens, had unusually reduced optic lobes (used for seeing), while its mushroom bodies in the visual processing parts of its brain were much larger than expected.

Polybia raui. Credit: Sean O'Donnell

But why?

"We believe their unusual brain structures are related to their nocturnal behavior," O'Donnell said. "Apoica is a genus of wasps that evolved the ability to fly and hunt at night."

Such a brain adaptation to their environment is certainly possibleand not just for them, but any species.

"We predict other insect species that made major environmental transitionsfrom diurnal to nocturnal, or from above to below-groundto show brain-structure deviations from body size expectations for their lineage," O'Donnell said.

This is the one of the first times specific brain structures are being looked at in this way. As such, there is a lot that isn't clear. The researchers aren't sure what kind of actual effect the different-sized brain lobes might have on the wasps. And it's also unclear whether such changes are specific to these wasps or could be part of the evolution across the spectrum of social insects (bees, ants, termites etc.) or other types of animals.

"Our findings show that studies of brain-body size relationships should not assume all parts of the brain are equal," O'Donnell said. "And we hope we're paving the way to more insight into how bigger, more complex animal brains evolved."

Explore further Social wasps show how bigger brains provide complex cognition

More information: Sean O'donnell et al. Size constraints and sensory adaptations affect mosaic brain evolution in paper wasps (Vespidae: Epiponini), Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2017). Sean O'donnell et al. Size constraints and sensory adaptations affect mosaic brain evolution in paper wasps (Vespidae: Epiponini),(2017). DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx150" " Skyquakes are mysterious booming sounds that seem to happen out of the clear blue sky. Waring Abbott/Getty Images

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2017, residents of 15 Alabama counties reportedly were shocked by a startlingly loud boom that caused some to call 911 operators in alarm.

As the National Weather Service's Birmingham station tweeted not quite a couple of hours later, there wasn't any clear explanation for the noise. Radar scans and satellite imagery of the region didn't show any large fires or smoke from an explosion, and the U.S. Geological Survey didn't spot any signs of an earthquake on its seismic monitoring system. "We don't have an answer, and we can only hypothesize with you," tweeted the NWS, which speculated that the sound may have been caused by an aircraft or a meteor.

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But a NASA scientist soon knocked down those possible explanations. Bill Cooke, head of the space agency's Meteroid Environment Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, told Al.com that he was skeptical that the sound could have been caused by a meteor, because there were no reports of anyone seeing a fireball. Cooke also discounted the possibility that the boom had been created by an aircraft, noting that the seismic signature "is not characteristic of that produced by a supersonic jet's boom."

The Elginfield Infrasound Array, 600 miles (966 kilometers) to the north in Ontario, Canada, picked up an infrasound wave that apparently was linked to the boom. It usually takes something pretty big, such as a severe storm, an avalanche or a rocket launch to trigger such a wave.

To add to the weirdness, less than two weeks later on Nov. 26, another, similarly unexplained boom was heard in the Birmingham area at 7:24 a.m. James Coker, director of the Jefferson County, Alabama, Emergency Management Agency, says in an email that he heard a double boom, "although the sound I heard may have included an echo caused by the mountains."

Worldwide Phenomenon

But Alabama isn't the only place where things have been booming lately. Skyquakes, as they're commonly called, recently have been heard across the U.S., in states ranging from New Jersey to Idaho, as well as in places as far away as India, where the seaside resort towns of Digha and Mandarmani were jolted in August by a boom so loud that it shattered hotel windows, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

Indeed, as USGS scientist emeritus David Hill detailed in a 2011 article on the subject, mysterious booms have been heard for many years in places across the world. In Belgium, they're known as "mistpouffers," while the Italians call them "brontidi." In the vicinity of Lake Seneca in the Catskill Mountains of New York, residents have long heard the "Seneca Guns," a phenomenon that was described by author James Fenimore Cooper back in 1851 as "a sound resembling the explosion of a heavy piece of artillery, that can be accounted for by none of the known laws of nature."

As Hill noted in his article, numerous explanations for skyquakes have been proposed over the years, including shallow earthquakes that could produce audible sounds without noticeable shaking, massive tsunami waves breaking far from shore, explosions of methane gas released from methane hydrate beds, sand dunes sheared by avalanches and, of course, meteors. As Hill wrote, meteors penetrating the upper atmosphere could create sonic waves that wouldn't reach Earth's surface until after the meteor had vanished, so that the connection between the two wouldn't be apparent.

People also have raised the possibility that the booms (or at least some of them) might be caused by tests of secret U.S. military aircraft, such as the long-rumored spy plane that aircraft buffs have dubbed "Aurora."

"I would imagine many of them are related to classified missions involving military aircraft," television meteorologist James Spann, whose Facebook and Twitter accounts became a clearinghouse for information about the Alabama booms, writes in an email.

In fact, there may not be one single explanation for all the booms.

"It is indeed the case that there may be several plausible explanations for any given incidence of a mysterious booming sound, and that the environment where the sound is heard will determine which of the possible explanations are most reasonable," Hill explains. "A sound heard in the middle of the desert, for example, is not likely due to breaking surf."

Hill says that most booming sounds are heard over a limited range, so reports of clusters of booming sounds separated by large distances are mostly likely coming from multiple sources. The exceptions "may include the sound from a meteorite exploding in the atmosphere high above the Earth, a massive volcanic eruption or an aircraft flying at supersonic speeds for an extended distance."

Now That's Interesting Back in 2012, the small city of Clintonville, Wisconsin, was shaken by a mysterious series of booms and vibrations that kept residents awake for three nights. Eventually, as CNN reported, USGS scientists determined that the sounds were caused by a swarm of small earthquakes.Gunman Kills 1, Injures 6 in Colorado Ambush

A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one officer and injuring four others and two civilians before being fatally shot himself.

A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one officer and injuring four others and two civilians before being fatally shot himself. Authorities called the incident, which took place at an apartment complex in Highland Ranch, Colorado, an ambush.

The incident occurred at about 5:15 a.m. at an apartment that authorities had already visited four hours prior to address a noise complaint. Deputies returned in response to reports of a disturbance at the home and were let in by a male tenant who lived with the gunman.

The gunman had barricaded himself in a bedroom and deputies came under fire almost immediately after trying to talk to him, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said.

"I do know that all of them were shot very, very quickly. They all went down almost within seconds of each other, so it was more of an ambush type of attack on our officers," Spurlock said. "He knew we were coming and we obviously let him know that we were there."

The wounded deputies tried to pull the fallen officer out of the line of further gunfire but as they were injured themselves, they were only able to crawl to safety, Spurlock said. The officers were all wearing bulletproof vests but somehow the rounds struck them outside where the vests cover.

The three deputies and one police officer injured were listed in stable condition Monday. Two civilians in neighboring apartments were shot during the standoff but the injuries were not life-threatening.

Spurlock said part of the investigation will include determining how many weapons the suspect used and whether they legally belonged to him, though Spurlock added that authorities had determined he had used a rifle.In the midst of sorting footage for his upcoming full length video, Chris Pope found himself with enough Dean Greensmith footage for an extra treat in the form of the Dolce and Gabbana section  featuring footage of the artist formerly known as Ketamine Dean which spans the last few years and sees skateparks across the country getting an absolute thrashing, backed up with cameos from Joe Howard, Brendan Watson, Martyn Hill and Alex Hallford.

From six backside 360 indy airs over one of the hips at Victoria Park (some with full Terry Tough Tits steez) to high speed assaults on Clifton, Hebden Bridge, Southbank, The Spot and various indoor weather avoidance zones, this is very gnarly indeed  bear in mind whilst watching that this is a collection of leftovers from the video itself so theres plenty more to come, too. Theres even an appearance (admittedly from some time ago) from the elusive Vitamin D, the backside disaster backside 360 out, at the venerable X-Site Skatepark in Skegness.

This is backed up with one of the contenders for the title of most ridiculous music video of all time courtesy of 1970s San Francisco based karaoke staples Journey with Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)  an 80s visual treat which features synths stuck to walls, the featheriest of mullets and only the most powerful of power ballad visuals. Get watching then get crying about your lack of switch feeble grinds, squirrel raising abilities and Stella Artois tattoos!

For more Yorkshire/Midlands crew hype to improve your day, get stuck into all the RWTB footage you can shake a chosty baton at then go watch Popes Cosmic Chunder series2017 in Review: looking back at 10 years of SkS and more

Posted on 3 January 2018 by BaerbelW

A lot of things happened at Skeptical Science in 2017. Many will leave good memories, like celebrating our 10th birthday in August or the publication of several impactful papers, but there's also a sad memory to include: losing our dear friend Andy Skuce in September. Andy was a valued colleague to all of us for many years. A geologist's geologist, Andy was a calm, rational and erudite voice, a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and a wonderful sounding board. As his illness progressed Andy didn't talk much about it, remaining focused on the task at hand. In the end his passing came suddenly to all of us. Andy was a friend, a mate, a buddy, a 'good egg'. We miss him.

Vale Andy Skuce.

Below, you'll find an overview of our activities during 2017:

John Cook moves to Virginia

Scholary publications and books

Other publications and activities

Our MOOC Denial101x

Conferences and presentations

Website activities and translations

John Cook moves to Virginia

What John had announced in September 2016 became a reality in the last week of January 2017: he relocated from Queensland to Virginia to start his new position as a resesarch assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication (4C) at George Mason University. The move happened a mere week after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States - what has happened since has shown that there's a very big need for exactly the lines of research John is involved with at 4C: how to combat misinformation and fake news!

Scholary publications and books

The year started off well on January 4 with the publication of "Assessing Recent Warming Using Instrumentally Homogenous Sea Surface Temperature Records" authored by Zeke Hausfather, Kevin Cowtan, David C. Clarke, Peter Jacobs, Mark Richardson, and Robert Rohde. Zeke and Kevin wrote about their study the following day with the aptly titled article "NOAA was right: we have been underestimating warming". In this video, Zeke explains the paper:

Rob Honeycutt published his book "28 Climate Change Elevator pitches" on February 2 which John Abraham wrote about in "A punchy climate book from a citizen scientist".

Andy Skuce and other SkS authors responded to James Powell, who claimed that the 97% consensus on AGW is an underestimate of the true value. Both Powell's paper and our response were published in Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society on May 1. Powell's paper is "Climate Scientists Virtually Unanimous Anthropogenic Global Warming Is True"; and the response written by Andy Skuce, John Cook, Mark Richardson, Barbel Winkler, Ken Rice, Sarah Green, Peter Jacobs and Dana Nuccitelli "Does It Matter if the Consensus on Anthropogenic Global Warming Is 97% or 99.99%?". Dana wrote about our paper here as did Andy in this more detailed article.

Martin Stolpe co-authored "Reconciling controversies about the global warming hiatus" with Iselin Medhaug, Erich M. Fischer and Reto Knutti, which was published in Nature on May 4.

John Cook, Stephan Lewandowsky and Ullrich Ecker published "Neutralizing misinformation through inoculation: Exposing misleading argumentation techniques reduces their influence" in PLOS ONE on May 5. Dana wrote about this important paper in Study: to beat science denial, inoculate against misinformers' tricks, and UWA sent out a press release which came with one of John's cartoons:

On December 14, the article "Beyond Misinformation: Understanding and Coping with the Post-Truth Era" written by Stephan Lewandowsky, Ullrich Ecker and John Cook was published in the Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition (JARMAC). Something quite extraordinary happened as the article was accompanied straight away by 9(!) commentaries and a response to all of them by the authors titled "Letting the Gorilla Emerge From the Mist: Getting Past Post-Truth". You can find the list with links to the abstracts of the paper, the commentaries and response on JARMAC's page for the journal's current edition. Dana Nuccitelli wrote about this series of articles in "Fake news is a threat to humanity, but scientist may have a solution".

John (co)authored several other papers throughout the year:

Other publications and activities

Two months after arriving in the United States, John Cook launched the podcast Evidence Squared together with Peter Jacobs on March 25. As explained in the accompanying blog post, the goal of E2 is to focus on the science of science communication and how to talk about climate change.

On April 5 Glenn Tamblyn learned that he had won TheBestSchool's contest to take over David Karoly's spot in a written debate with William Happer. You can read the full and long debate with several back and forths here and then decide who has science on his side.

As in previous years, members from our team published articles in various other outlets:

Our MOOC Denial101x

Denial101x was available throughout the year either as a paced or self-paced version. Since first launching in 2015, more than 35,000 participants from over 180 countries have enrolled in our MOOC. We've received a lot of positive feedback with students letting us know that the course content will be a big help in their endeavours to inform others - be they family members, friends, colleagues or students - about the reality of human-caused climate change. Pat Bowden let us know about her detailed review of Denial101x which she published in November on her blog.

The first self-paced version for 2018 will start on January 9 - you can register for it on the edX page for Denial101x.

John Cook updated the already existing Fact-Myth-Fallacy page to now include the relevant fallacy icon and the corresponding lecture video from Denial101x.

Conferences and presentations

At the end of September Stephan Lewandowsky and Barbel Winkler met in Salzburg, Austria for the K3-conference, which was the first of its kind German-speaking conference about "Climate change, Communication and Society". The two-day event featured keynote speeches and workshops all geared towards exchanging information about how to talk about climate change. Steve gave a keynote (video on this page) about climate communication and presented in a workshop about uncertainty. Barbel had short presentations in a workshop about countering misinformation and how to discuss climate change in the world wide web.

Barbel Winkler next to a poster explaining Denial101x at the conference in Salzburg

With the AGU Fall Meeting happening in New Orleans this year, only a few members from our team found their way there as compared to San Francisco last year. Zeke Hausfather had a presentation titled "Understanding and Reconciling Differences in Surface and Satellite-Based Lower Troposphere Temperatures" and Peter Jacobs presented "Foraminifera Models to Interrogate Ostensible Proxy-Model Discrepancies During Late Pliocene".

John Cook was invited to present at several institutions and outlets, some of which were recorded. You can find them on our public talks page:

Website activities and translations

On August 22 we "celebrated" the 10th birthday of Skeptical Science, even though - truth be told - we are not quite sure if "celebrate" is the best word to use as it's actually quite concerning that our website is still needed to counter misinformation about climate science. We however used the occasion to highlight how SkS evolved over the years from a one-author website to an international team effort.

Our translation team was quite active during 2017. A team of students from South Korea created the first Korean translations of some rebuttals, the Brazilian team for Portuguese translations published A Historia da Ciencia do Clima for which jg created Portuguese versions of his neat history timeline graphics and Thomas Traill started to help with translations into German. Currently, translations of The Debunking Handbook into Portuguese and Japanese are in the works. If you'd like to get involved with translations, please drop us a note via the contact-form, selecting the "Enquiry about translations" option.

Speaking of The Debunking Handbook: It is still by far the most downloaded of our resources with more the 87,000 downloads of the English version (considerably up from 60,000 in 2016). The various translations got downloaded more than 8,000 times with more than half of those being the German version. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skeptisism got downloaded almost 17,000 times, taking the original (6,000+) and the translations into account. Other notable downloads include the Fact-Myth-Fallacy summary (4,000+) and the Guide to the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) (6,000+).

Several blog-series were started, continued or restarted during 2017: Evan published 10 analogies and David Kirtley put together four more in depth "From the eMail Bag" posts which were prompted by questions emailed in via our contact-address. Ari Jokimaki restarted his "New Research" listing of interesting climate science papers and John Hartz kept his weekly digests going throughout the year, ending up with 104 articles all told. Dana Nuccitelli republished his 63 (and John Abraham's 42) Guardian posts. You can access all published articles from here.

Now that 2017 is complete, here is an update of the blog-posts-per-year chart included in the article published for SkS' 10th birthday:

2017 was the first year for which we have fairly complete statistics for rebuttal views. From the accumulated data - over 115,000 lines in a spreadsheet! - a lot of interesting information can be gleaned as was done in an article about the "Trump effect" in June. The following animation is based on data gathered throughout the year and shows the ranking among the 25 most viewed rebuttals in a given month. To us, it doesn't come as a big surprise that the "consensus" argument has consistently been the most viewed rebuttal, garnering around 900,000 views all told. The runner-ups "sun" and "model" have had their fair share of views with around 500,000 accumulated views for each, just trading places every now and then from one month to the next. There are some very visible activities in there though: "Hurricane" came out of nowhere in September - coinciding with hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria making landfall - but was quickly relegated back to also-ran status in the subsequent weeks. "Consensus" had two visible spikes in January and June when Trump was sworn in and when he announced to leave the Paris agreement respectively (just a coincidence, perhaps, or one of those spurious correlations?).

All of these activities are only possible because Skeptical Science is run by a dedicated team of volunteers from across the globe and we plan to keep doing what needs to be done in the upcoming years!IOM launches free Slovak language courses for foreigners

The international centre will again open in 2018 free Slovak courses for foreigners outside the EU, both for beginners and advanced learners.

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The Migration Information Centre (MIC) of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Slovakia will this year re-open Open Slovak Language Courses for Foreigners from countries outside the European Union.

The free lessons start in Bratislava on January 15, and are meant for beginners as well as advanced students, the TASR newswire wrote on January 3.

In the courses, students will meet in the afternoon and early evening hours, beginners on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the advanced on Mondays and Wednesdays, at the C.S. Lewis Secondary Grammar School in Bratislava-Petrzalka.

The courses are free and open for all age categories, without any registration or admission tests, the Slovak branch of IOM informs on its website.

The courses are divided into those for students from Slavic countries and those coming from the remaining non-EU countries. Each lesson has a specific theme reflecting situations foreigners get into in everyday life, e.g. in a bank, shop, or when seeing a doctor.

IOM further states that the MIC branch in Kosice will organise Slovak courses for foreigners this year; more detailed information will follow soon.

MIC IOM has been organising free Slovak language courses for foreigners since 2011, according to TASR.

3. Jan 2018 at 13:16 | Compiled by Spectator staffMountain guide: Taking children on some mountain climbs calls for social workers

Climbing irons enable people to climb steep, icy mountains but they will not protect them from falling, mountain guide Tibor Hromadka claims.

Tibor Hromadka has been a climber and ski-mountianeer since 1983. He has worked and climbed in High Tatras, Alps, Dolomites, Rocky Mountains, Yosemite, Pamire and in Himalaya. (Source: Courtesy of Tibor Hromadka)

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Recently, frozen slippery snow caused several falls, which resulted in four fatalities in the Slovak mountains. In the freezing conditions in the Tatras during winter, an inexperienced person can die on a crowded hiking path where in summer pensioners can walk easily, mountain guide Tibor Hromadka says. Good equipment alone is not enough according to him: people have to learn how to fall safely.

Sme: Why are people dying these days in the Tatras?

Tibor Hormadka (TH): This is the natural consequence of the current situation in the mountains. There is always a risk that cannot be avoided, and now the risk is further increased by the current conditions.

Moreover, during holidays and school vacations, and when the weather is fine, more people come to the mountains.

Sme: What conditions do you mean?

TH: First, there was a thaw, and precipitation in the form of rain. Then it got cooler, so that the soft snow turned into ice. This also happens on the marked routes where many people pass. So the impression arises that nothing can happen to hikers there. But on the popular path to the Tery mountain chalet,there is a steep slope  and if you fall and cannot stop falling you can die.

3. Jan 2018 at 17:19 | Roman CuprikSoft Brexit is the best option

Economic experts agree that since no analysis counts with hard Brexit, a no deal scenario would be a step into the unknown.

No deal in negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which leaves the club in 2019, would be an extreme shock for the economy. All current analysis count with a soft Brexit, which will allow the UK to remain an important business partner, experts agree.

The topic of Brexit is underestimated in Slovak discussions, economic analyst Vladimir Vano told the press in late November 2017.

Read also:

Read also: A record number of British companies are locating to Slovakia Read more

Despite their geographical distance, the business relationship between Slovakia and the UK is booming. The UK was one of Slovakias biggest business partners. It was the countrys fifth biggest export and 12th biggest import partner in 2016.

Its importance may even increase, particularly after Jaguar Land Rover launches production in its Nitra-based plant, Vano opines.

Business relations should remain open

Slovakia wants to maintain mutual business relations with the UK as open as they are now. Moreover, it supports the smallest customs duties possible and the elimination of all non-tariff business obstacles of goods most exported to the UK (mostly vehicles, electronic devices and machinery products), said Maros Stano, spokesperson for the Economy Ministry.

The best way to achieve this goal is to sign a comprehensive and broad free trade agreement between the EU27 and the UK that will include trade with goods and services, investments and public procurement, Stano told The Slovak Spectator.

3. Jan 2018 at 19:30 | Radka MinarechovaForesters counter the campaign on forests

Titled The truth about a forest, foresters aim to protect themselves against untrue information.

Slovak foresters have responded to the Environment Ministrys intention to adopt a memorandum of forests and the activities of the civic association My Sme Les (We Are Forest), launching a campaign titled The trust about a forest.

The aim is to provide true information about the state of Slovak forests, forestry and nature protection.

We lack enough space in the media to inform and explain, the Slovak Forestry Chamber (SLK) said, as quoted by the TASR newswire, adding this campaign is the way to do it.

SLK also criticised the public's perception that all foresters recklessly log trees and do not care about anything else.

We are also planting trees, protecting young trees that cannot be seen on satellite pictures, raising these allegedly non-existent forests, and returning a significant portion of the incomes earned by logging back to the forests, SLK claimed, as quoted by TASR.

At the same time, the foresters claim they respect the laws and restrictions that arise from the protection of nature and the country. They also understand the need to protect nature and preserve it for future generations.

Who is responsible?

The foresters claim that it is the state that is failing and that the campaign launched against them is full of lies, half-truths and information that is taken out of context. The campaign is influenced by Environment Minister Laszlo Solymos (Most-Hid) who wants more powers for his ministry as well as the management of part of Slovak forests and non-intervention for a huge area, according to SLK.

According to foresters, when the first protected area was declared there was no such expression as "environmentalist."

We havent failed, SLK claimed, as quoted by TASR. On the contrary, the forests we administer follow the care plans. On the other hand, the nature protection lacks approved care programmes for most of the protected areas, while the new zoning of the national parks has not been approved yet and the protection of the Carpathian Beech Forests has not been secured either.

The foresters add that while the representatives of the We Are Forest initiative claim the state fails in this area, they point a finger on them instead, as reported by TASR.

Meanwhile, the We Are Forest initiative, which calls for the protection of forests and national parks, has become the most successful online environmental petition in Slovakia, obtaining support from nearly 64,000 people so far. The petition calls on politicians to show their support and concern for the Slovak forests.

Read also:

Read also: People fight for vanishing national park forests Read more

Solymos has said he shares beliefs similar to the campaigns initiatives.

His ministry introduced the draft memorandum on forests last September to Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna (Slovak National Party nominee). The memorandum asks ministries to cooperate in the protection of forests. They have failed to strike a deal yet.

3. Jan 2018 at 22:03 | Compiled by Spectator staffTextile company to cut jobs due to scrapped deductible levies

Smaller companies are concerned over the recent increase in minimum wage and the cancellation of deductible levies.

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The textile company Makyta plans to eliminate some jobs due to the cancellation of the deductible levy item and increase in minimum wage, the Hospodarske Noviny daily wrote on January 3. These factors will increase company costs on human resources by 351,000.

The firms profit in 2016 was around 45,000 while the revenues stood at 7.9 million, according to Finstat data. These figures prove that the company must reduce its staff.

In the business plan for the year 2018, we had to opt for cost-cutting and naturally, the major part of these cuts concern the number of employees, the chairman of the companys Board of Directors, Marian Vidoman, said as quoted by Hospodarske Noviny.

The health-insurance levies for a worker with minimum wage will cost employers twice as much as last year; in December, levies equaled 16.50, much less than the current 48. This price increase results from the cancellation of the deductible levy item, effective as of beginning 2018.

Who will be affected most

Makyta is unable to cover the increased labour costs  the expenses on salaries will be 351,000 higher due to the 10 percent increase in minimum wage. Labour costs keep rising, and this must be reflected in the prices of products.

Labour costs have been rising for several years, and so we have regularly been filing requests for price increases, which some of our business partners refuse to accept, Vidoman explained for Hospodarske Noviny.

Along with the natural increase in labour costs, the recent changes are artificial raising the cost of labour, and consequently what the employer is obliged to pay to the state, executive director of the Business Alliance of Slovakia (PAS), Peter Kremsky, said for the daily.

A representative of small businesses and other opposition opines that it is mostly the smallest companies that employ up to ten, or, at most, 50 people with the lowest wages. Small businesses and small entrepreneurs will be affected the most by these changes, Hospodarske noviny summed up.

3. Jan 2018 at 22:24 | Compiled by Spectator staffWall Street analysts have given CGI Group a "Buy" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but CGI Group wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.PAA Natural Gas Storage, L.P. is engaged in the business of acquisition, development, ownership, operation and commercial management of natural gas storage facilities. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned and operated three natural gas storage facilities located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Michigan. The Company also leases storage capacity and pipelines transportation capacity from third parties. The Company provides natural gas storage services to a mix of customers, including local gas distribution company's liquefied natural gas (LNG), electric utilities, pipelines, direct industrial users, electric power generators, marketers, producers, LNG exporters and affiliates of such entities. In December 31, 2013, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Plains) completed the merger of PAA Natural Gas Storage, L.P with a wholly owned subsidiary of Plains, with Plains surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of PAA.

Read MoreWall Street analysts have given Enel Generacion Chile a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Enel Generacion Chile wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.Vietnams completely built-up (CBU) car imports dropped in both volume and value in 2017 compared to a year earlier, as local importers had anticipated a major tax cut that kicked in at the start of 2018.

The Southeast Asian country spent US$2.154 billion importing 94,000 CBU units  vehicles manufactured and assembled in their country of origin  last year, according to the General Statistics Office.

This presents a 16.8 percent decrease in volume and 9.6 percent drop in value.

December witnessed the largest import volume, with 10,000 CBU units, worth $273 million, shipped to the country.

In the last months of 2017, car importers in Vietnam carefully adjusted their business plans against the January 1, 2018 deadline, when a new decree applying stricter requirements to car importers and a massive cut on import duty both started taking effect.

Decree 116 dictates that businesses obtain a permit for car importation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to be allowed to operate as a car importer.

In the meantime, several kinds of CBU car imported from ASEAN countries now enjoy a zero percent import duty, compared to the previous 30 percent tariff.

Customers are seen at an Audi showroom in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

ASEAN is short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is a political and economic organization whose members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Car importers, however, were in a dilemma as they had to speed up imports before the decree entered into effect to avoid permit paperwork, while at the same time wanting to delay imports to enjoy the zero-percent duty.

In December, many businesses intentionally kept their car imports at Ho Chi Minh City seaports upon shipment instead of completing paperwork to clear customs for them, waiting for the new import duty to take effect.

This strategy has upset the citys customs department, which was under pressure to meet its tax collection target for 2017. The customs department eventually forced businesses to clear customs for cars that were not imported from ASEAN countries to ensure its tax collection.

A customs officer checks imported cars at a seaport in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

As part of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFT) commitments, a zero percent tax began to be applied to cars shipped from the bloc on January 1, 2018.

Vehicles eligible for the new tax are those with an ASEAN content ratio of 40 percent or more.

In Vietnam, the most popular vehicles falling in this category are pickup trucks, Toyota Fortuner, pickup Honda CR-V, Ford Everest and Toyota Yaris imported from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

With import duty cut by 30 percent, people in Vietnam have been anticipating that imported cars will cost less and have therefore delayed their car buying plan until this year.The blast had occurred at around 4:10 am on Wednesday at a warehouse storing scrap metal in Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh Province, located in the northern region.

Ive never heard such a big explosion in my life, a local who was getting ready for a morning jog at his home located around one kilometer from the scene told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Those living near the blast said they had heard the same loud bang, followed by the sound of metal pieces raining down on their roofs.

Some residents reported finding bullet shells on their roofs and in their yards that might have come from the explosion.

Glass doors and windows of houses closer to the explosion were shattered, while metal door frames were badly deformed by the immense pressure of the blast.

The site of the explosion in Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh Province. Clip: Tuoi Tre

According to Nguyen Van Bang, chairman of Yen Phong District, two children had been killed and seven others injured in the explosion, which also flattened five neighboring houses.

At the site of the incident, a crater measuring around four meters wide and 20 meters long was what was left of the warehouse and nearby houses.

Local authorities arrived 30 minutes after the blast to rush the injured to hospital and conduct a scene investigation.

According to neighbors, the warehouse is owned by a family who makes a living by collecting and reselling scrap metal.

The warehouse was unoccupied at the time of the explosion, as its owners were believed to stay at another address, not in the same neighborhood as the warehouse.

The site of the explosion in Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Bullet shells are found near the blast. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Bullet shells are found near the blast. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Accidents involving locals trying to disassemble unexploded shells are not uncommon in Vietnam. In 2016, an explosion occurred in Van Phu Victoria Urban Area in Hanoi, killing four and causing 11 others to be hospitalized.

The deadly incident was later declared as having been caused by locals mishandling unexploded ordnance.

The practice of breaking open bombs and shells for their metal and gunpowder is common among Vietnams poor, who make money selling the scrap material on bomb markets,' or in scrap collection hubs.

The site of the explosion in Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A large crater is seen at the site of the explosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Policemen are seen at the site of the explosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Houses are reduced to rubble at the site of the explosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Policemen are seen at the site of the explosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A local climbs through the rubble to get out of the danger zone. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Pieces of scrap are found on the roof of a house one kilometer away from the explosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Five construction workers were killed on Tuesday after they were hit by a car while doing roadwork in northern Vietnam.

The accident occurred at the border of Phuong Thien and Phuong Do Communes in Ha Giang City, which is the capital of the namesake province, in the afternoon.

According to initial information, a team of road workers, who were employees of a local transport company, were building a median strip along the Cau Me-Ha Phuong Water Park Street when they were rammed by an automobile.

Two victims were killed instantly, while three others were brought to the Ha Giang Province General Hospital but later succumbed to their serious wounds.

The car driver had escaped the scene.

The accident happened at around 2:45 pm, Bui Van Thich, head of the office of the provincial Traffic Safety Committee, said, adding that the victims were aged from 19 to 42 and all came from Hoang Su Phi District.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, who is also chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, has extended his condolences to family members of the deceased.

Binh has ordered local authorities to work out the cause of the serious accident and sternly punish those responsible.

Over 8,200 people died and about 17,000 others were injured in road accidents in Vietnam last year, according to official data.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Do Lai Luat, deputy chairman of Quoc Oai District who has been assigned to take charge in Lams absence, provided Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday with the piece of information that could be key to unraveling the chairmans mysterious disappearance.

According to Luat, Lam had called in early Tuesday last week asking to skip a regular meeting at the office, saying he was occupied with some personal business.

Around the time, the chairman also called his son and said he was in trouble before abruptly hanging up without giving further explanations, Luat said, citing investigation reports from police officers.

It was after that last call that his phone began to be out of reach, and Lam has since failed to show up for work while no one knows his whereabouts, the deputy chairman said.

According to the deputy chairman, Lam had been to work as usual on Monday last week  the day before his disappearance  without showing any sign of being troubled.

Nguyen Hong Lam, chairman of Quoc Oai District in Hanoi. Photo: Quoc Oai District Portal

That evening, Lam attended a party with his colleagues to bid farewell to a district official who was entering retirement, Luat recalled.

The party ended at around 8:00 pm, and Lam drove his car out of the offices parking lot at just over 9:00 pm. It was the last time his colleagues saw the chairman.

Colonel Duong Van Giap, chief of Hanoi Polices criminal division, said police had been able to locate the point where Lam had made his last call on December 26, which is near Den Lu Lake in Hanois Hoang Mai District.

His car was found at the site on the afternoon of the same day, and has since been kept at the headquarters of the Quoc Oai Peoples Committee for investigation.

Initial police probes found Lam to have arrived there at around 9:53 pm on December 25.

The Den Lu Lake in Hanoi, where Nguyen Hong Lam is believed to have come on December 25, 2017 before going missing. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!A Singaporean attorney said on Wednesday afternoon he had been allowed to meet his client, a man whose full name is identical to that of a magnate wanted by Vietnamese police, in Singapore.

Lawyer Remy Choo Zheng Xi visited a Singaporean court in the morning to complete necessary paperwork, including filing a request to meet his client.

The Singaporean lawyer confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper later the same day that he was permitted to meet Phan Van Anh Vu, who is being held by Singapores Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

The time and place of the meeting are to be determined, Remy Choo noted.

The lawyer has yet to obtain any details on the protocol to handle Phan Van Anh Vu, and could only elaborate on the case after meeting his client, he said.

The ICA said in a response to media inquires on Tuesday that Phan Van Anh Vu was arrested on December 26 for committing offenses under the local Immigration Act.

Lawyer Choo Zheng Xi (front left) leaves a court in Singapore on March 24, 2016. Photo: AFP

In an email response to a Tuoi Tre query, the ICA said that it could not make any further comment, reiterating only that it is holding a man named Phan Van Anh Vu.

It is unclear if Phan Van Anh Vu is also Phan Van Anh Vu, aka Vu nhom (aluminum), who is being wanted by Vietnamese police. Tuoi Tre is trying to verify if the two names belong to the same person.

Vietnams Ministry of Public Security on December 21 launched legal proceedings against Vu nhom on charges of deliberately disclosing state secrets, and searched his house in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

However, neither Vu nhom nor his wife and children were at home when police officers began the search, prompting the Ministry of Public Security to issue a wanted notice for Phan Van Anh Vu.

Born in 1975, Phan Van Anh Vu is a business tycoon in Da Nang, owning different companies, including the I.V.C Co. Ltd., 79 JSC and Bac Nam 79 JSC, and holding a stake in several other entities such as Seaprodex and DongA Bank.Members of a gang who forced Vietnamese girls and women into slavery in nail bars in Britain have been jailed for a total of nine years in what police believe is the first case of its kind.

Giang Huong Tran, 23, Viet Hoang Nguyen, 30, and Thu Huong Nguyen, 49, were sentenced on Tuesday after being convicted of human trafficking and modern slavery offences.

Police said the sophisticated money-making operation involved the exploitation of vulnerable Vietnamese teenagers who were physically and verbally abused.

The victims worked for no money and were trafficked between nail bars according to demand, Senior Crown Prosecutor Eran Cutliffe said in a statement.

They were hidden from the authorities in order to avoid detection whilst being exploited in plain sight within our society.

The defendants were caught after police traced a missing Vietnamese teenager to a nail bar in Burton-on-Trent in central England, Stafford Crown Court heard.

The shops owner Viet Hoang Nguyen, known as Ken, was sentenced to four years, while manager Tran, known as Susan, received a suspended two-year sentence.

Thu Huong Nguyen, known as Jenny, who owned a nail bar in the historic western city of Bath, was sentenced to five years. Police said 60,000 pounds ($81,500) in cash was discovered concealed in a stuffed toy at her home.

Nguyen and Nguyen were convicted of facilitating the trafficking of victims to work in nail bars. Tran was found guilty on a forced labor charge.

Britains Vietnamese community has set up nail bars across the country but experts say traffickers have piggy-backed off their success.

Vietnam consistently ranks as one of the top three source countries for potential victims of modern slavery in Britain.

Britains anti-slavery commissioner Kevin Hyland has called for tighter regulation of nail bars and said a government estimate that there are 13,000 victims of forced labor, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude in the UK is just the tip of the iceberg.

Detective Inspector Clair Langley, of Staffordshire Police, said the speed with which the victims were moved around the country indicated a high level of organization.

This is the first successful prosecution for child labor exploitation and child trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act and we hope it sends out a clear message  we wont tolerate this activity and we will bring offenders before the courts.

The Modern Slavery Act of 2015 introduced life sentences for traffickers, offered better protection for people at risk of being enslaved, and forced companies to check their supply chains for forced labor.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Tucker, who led part of the operation, said the case was desperately sad.

As a community we need to look out for the warning signs and do our part to stop this archaic practice once and for all, she said.In June Queen Elizabeth II will mark the 65th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Next month ABC will screen The Coronation, a BBC documentary on the Crown Jewels and the pomp & ceremony surrounding them.

Ive seen one Coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable, she said.

As well as hearing the Queens memories of the ceremony and that of her father, King George VI, The Coronation will explore the fascinating history and symbolism of the Regalia at the heart of the ancient ceremony.

The Crown Jewels, which form part of the Royal Collection, one of the largest and most important art collections in the world, consist of 140 items and contain 23,000 precious stones. These sacred objects form the most complete collection of royal regalia in the world. The Coronation will examine the role and symbolic meaning of the Crown, showing these objects of astonishing beauty in new high-resolution footage.

On 2 June 1953, on one of the coldest June days of the century and after 16 months of planning, The Queen set out from Buckingham Palace to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, watched by millions of people throughout the world. A ceremony dating back more than a thousand years was to mark the dawn of a new Elizabethan age.

Viewing both private and official film footage, The Queen recalls the day when the weight of both St Edwards Crown and the hopes and expectations of a country recovering from war were on her shoulders, as the nation looked to their 27-year-old Queen to lead them into a new era.

For audiences unfamiliar with the story of the Crown Jewels and the regalia, the film explains their contemporary relevance to the UK as a nation and to the enduring purpose and the work of monarchy. They are symbols of the relationship between the Sovereign and the people, and the duties and responsibilities of leadership.

The Coronation tells the extraordinary story of St Edwards Crown, which was destroyed after the English Civil War and remade for the Coronation of Charles II in 1661. It has only been worn by Her Majesty once, at the moment she was crowned. The film also features eyewitness accounts of those who participated in the 1953 Coronation, including a maid of honour who nearly fainted in the Abbey, and a 12-year-old choirboy who was left to sing solo when his overwhelmed colleagues lost their voices.

Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content said: It is truly an honour to have Her Majesty The Queen revealing her intimate knowledge of the Crown Jewels  and fond childhood memories from when her father was crowned King George VI  in this very special BBC One film. The Queens words will bring to life the importance of the coronation ceremony for modern audiences to enjoy.

Michael Carrington, Acting Head of Television, ABC said: The ABC are delighted to be the broadcast partner for this very special, historical event. The crowning of Queen Elizabeth II was a defining moment in the history of television and the modern world. We are excited to bring the symbolism and pageantry of the Crown Jewels and the Coronation to life for our ABC audiences in 2018.

The Coronation is made by Bafta and Emmy Award winning Atlantic Productions. It is a co-production with Smithsonian Channel and ABC Television and distributed by FremantleMedia International.

The Coronation (160) was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of Content and Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Simon Young. The Executive Producer for Atlantic Productions is Anthony Geffen and Producer/Director is Harvey Lilley. The program consultant is Alastair Bruce.

Sunday, 4 February at 7.40pm on ABC.Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi (R) enters a military courtroom escorted by Israeli Prison Service personnel at Ofer Prison, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, January 1, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

By Fathin Ungku

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore has banned a film festival from screening a documentary later this week that features a teenage Palestinian female activist whose arrest last month has made her a symbol of resistance to Israeli military occupation in the West Bank.

Justifying the ban, authorities in the Southeast Asian city state said the film "Radiance of Resistance" was "skewed" and potentially divisive for Singapore's multi-ethnic population.

The documentary, which looks at the Palestine-Israeli conflict through the eyes of 16-year-old Ahed Tamimi and another young female activist, lacked "counterbalance", the Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) said on its website.

"The skewed narrative of the film is inflammatory and has the potential to cause disharmony amongst the different races and religions in Singapore," the IMDA said.

The documentary was due to have been shown at the Singapore Palestinian Film Festival on Thursday.

It was screened at a number of festivals worldwide in 2017 and won Best Documentary at the Respect Human Rights Film Festival in Belfast, but has become even more topical following Tamimi's arrest last month.

Tamimi was charged on Monday with counts of aggravated assault and will be tried in an Israeli military court. An adult found guilty of assaulting a soldier could be jailed for up to 10 years, but Tamimi is a minor so such an outcome is unlikely.

While Singapore's authorities are known to keep a tight rein on public speech and the media, especially when it comes to matters related to race and religion, outright bans are more rare.

Adela Foo, the organiser of the Singapore festival, called the ban "understandable", without elaborating.

"At the end of the day, the IMDA's position is one to be respected," the 23-year-old student told Reuters.

With a sizable Muslim minority and surrounded by Muslim majority neighbours where sympathy for the Palestinian cause runs high, Singapore maintains friendly diplomatic and military ties with Israel. But it has lined up with many other countries opposed to U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Around 15 percent of Singapore's 3.3 million resident population aged 15 years and over identify as Muslim, recent government surveys show.

(Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Editing by John Geddie & Simon Cameron-Moore)Traffic ground to a halt, as protesters laid down the middle of the road on the way to a Heathrow terminal with a banner reading Black lives matter, this is a crisis.

The protest came during a busy period for the airport as people embarked for their summer holidays. The airport advised people using the M4 to use the A312 to avoid traffic.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: Heathrow supports the right to peaceful protest within the law, but the safety and security of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues together with the smooth running of the operation is paramount.

We are sorry to those passengers whose journeys are being disrupted and we are working with the authorities to resolve the issue.

Similar protests have been reported in Birmingham and Nottingham in a co-ordinated day of action across the UK.

In Nottingham, protesters laid across trams line in the centre of the city. In Birmingham protestors also blocked traffic on approach to the citys airport.

The #BlackLivesMatter movement started in 2013 to highlight systematic racism and violence towards black people in the US. It started on social media after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of teen Trayvon Martin and has grown after several police killings of black people over the last three years.

The protests at Heathrow, Birmingham and Nottingham come on the fifth anniversary of the shooting of Mark Dugan by police, which sparked riots in 2011.

Black Lives Matter organiser Joshua Virasami told the BBC: "We need black people all over the world to come together, groups and individuals, to build this movement to achieve justice and equality in Britain and all over the world. We're asking the government to take responsibility, not just to investigate the statistics but to hear the demands of the communities."

On the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Friday, Dr Tony Sewell from the Youth Justice Board said 21% of young men in England and Wales under 18 in custody were black, even though they make up only 4% of the population, in comparison, 62% of men under 18 in custody were white, about 82% of the population.

Sewell said: "That is a scandal, that's what we should really be looking at."

He said in there has not been a police killing since the death of Mark Duggan and the black Lives Matter offshoot in the UK should look at the country as whole and not follow the US.

They have missed a trick here in a sense in that we can look really at Black Lives Matters as really an issue about trying to address the whole issue of disportionality of black young people in our custody service, and we should really be looking at this as a UK matter not really just following the US, which is a different context, a different matter entirely.Royal Mail said the Spanish competition authority, Comision Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), had on Friday today opened formal proceedings against its GLS Spain unit, and other companies, for an alleged breach of the Spanish Competition Act.

In a statement, Royal Mail said it was fully cooperating with the CNMC in order to clarify the facts under investigation

On the basis of the alleged conduct and GLS Spain's annual turnover, Royal Mail does not expect any fine to be material, it added.

Royal Mail Group takes compliance very seriously. We continue to keep our processes under review to ensure we maintain appropriate oversight. In particular, we have completed a compliance review of the GLS Group and we are not aware of any other matter which could be the subject of any other investigation by a relevant competition law authority.

GLS, Spains second largest express parcels network, in June spent 71m on the acquisition of ASM Transporte Urgente to take advantage of the move toward online shopping, e-commerce and home delivery.Vodafone s Germany division is to invest around 2bn of incremental capital expenditure by the end of the 2021 calendar year in gigabit ultrafast fibre broadband services, it announced on Monday, which it said are expected to deliver around 13.7 million new gigabit connections to German consumers and enterprises.

The FTSE 100 company said the connections would comprise three areas of focus - Giga-Business, targeting 100,000 companies in around 2,000 business parks; Giga-Municipality, where it would partner with local municipalities to reach around a million consumer homes; and Giga-Cable, where it would upgrade existing cable infrastructure to Vodafones 12.6 million cabled homes.

It said Giga-Business would involve an incremental investment of between 1.4bn and 1.6bn, while Giga-Municipality would cost 0.2bn-0.4bn and Giga-Cable carried a figure of 0.2bn.

I am excited to announce this transformational investment plan for Germany, which will bring Gigabit broadband services to millions of consumers and businesses, said Vodafone Germany CEO Hannes Ametsreiter.

The project is consistent with our strategic goal to become a leading converged communications operator in Germany, enabled by a best-in-class Gigabit network infrastructure.

Vodafone said it would implement a success-based model which would meet the firms disciplined investment criteria, with an attractive estimated internal rate of return of over 20% and a typical payback period of under four years per business park and under six years per municipality.

It said the investment would be accretive to mid-term service revenue growth at Vodafone Germany by between one and two percentage points, with above average incremental EBITDA margins.

Vodafone said it would take an efficient co-investment approach with partners, to reduce the annual drag on group cash flow to between 100m and 200m in the initial years of the plan.

Group capital intensity was expected to remain in the 'mid-teens' as a percentage of revenues over the medium-term, Vodafones board said, excluding 'gigabit investment plan' capital expenditure which would be disclosed separately going forwards.

I am confident that these largely success-based investments will deliver incremental revenue growth and attractive returns for Vodafone's shareholders, Hannes Ametsreiter added.

Gigabit is a term used in the broadband industry to describe ultra-fast connections capable of transferring around one thousand bits of data per second - more than ten time faster than BTs Infinity 2 fibre broadband plan in the UK.UNCW will suspend operations at 2 p.m. Wednesday until at least 12 p.m. on Thursday. A decision about operations on Thursday afternoon will be announced by 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Orientation for spring 2018 transfer students will continue as scheduled Wednesday, but will conclude by 1:45 p.m. Orientation for freshmen, previously scheduled for Thursday, will be rescheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7; please visit the orientation website for more information. At this time, students are still able to return to campus housing on Wednesday as scheduled, but they should continue to check the Housing and Residence Life website before setting out to return to campus.In 2016, Judge Eric Norris was named by Gov. Nathan Deal as the fourth judge for the Western Circuit Superior Court, covering Clarke and Oconee counties in Georgia. Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits and family law, including divorces and child custody. Norris also presides over the court docket of Treatment and Accountability Court, an intensive supervision alternative for persons who have been charged with non-violent criminal offenses based on mental illness or disability.

"My dad said I'd be a good lawyer because I liked to argue," Norris says with a laugh, at the end of a long day as a presiding judge over dozens of court cases.

Norris is a 1986 graduate of Oconee County High School and earned a Georgia Military Scholarship to the University of North Georgia (UNG), graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance. He earned his juris doctor in 1994 from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

He chose UNG at the urging of a cousin, a UNG graduate and member of the Corp of Cadets, who served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.

"I went feet first into the military aspect of it," Norris says of his time as a cadet at UNG. "It allowed me to take on roles I ordinarily wouldn't volunteer for, it made me be more proactive. It was the perfect environment for me, for what became my profession."

After graduating from UNG and commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard, Norris completed his officer basic course and decided to apply for law school. After his second year, Norris shadowed Judge Lawton Stevens at the Clarke County Courthouse over one summer, a move that got him excited about litigation. He later clerked for attorney James Hudson, a highly-regarded trial lawyer in Athens, Georgia.

"(Hudson) was a great mentor to me, very down-to-earth," Norris said. "He had charisma. He won cases based on his people skills."

After law school, Norris moved back to his hometown of Watkinsville, Georgia, in 1996 to open his own practice.

"I went to all of the other lawyers in Watkinsville and told them I'd take anything they didn't want," Norris said. "It was a huge learning curve. But it got me into court, it allowed me to properly interact with clients. I learned to do it all."

Norris took his lumps in the courtroom and by his third year, learned what it meant to be a lawyer.

"A lot of it was all about being malleable, adjusting to the circumstances but always having a level of certainty that I was getting better at what I was doing," he said.

In 2005, Norris became a part-time magistrate judge in Oconee County while maintaining his law practice. He says it was interesting to be arguing a case one day in court, then sitting on the bench the next, listening to a fellow lawyer make his case before him.

"It was then that I knew this is what I was meant to do," he said. "Being a magistrate judge gave me a good foundation. I learned to make decisions based on the law, to act ethically, to do my duty and always do my best."

Norris says his wife, Jennifer, who he married in 1996 and have two children, noticed he was happier as a judge than a lawyer. So he was both excited and humbled when he received the call from Gov. Deal in April 2016, appointing him to the newly-created Superior Court judge for the Western Judicial Circuit.

I felt very honored, but I also realized there is a certain weight and responsibility, Norris said. You are responsible for peoples lives. You dont take that lightly. You respect the position.

Norris continues to apply his experience from UNG in his military and judicial career. In his 32 years in the Guard and 21 years of legal experience, Norris now presides over multiple civil and criminal matters each day in addition to jury trials. He makes his rulings based on the following belief.

"I don't make snap decisions, I give well-reasoned, thoughtful statements on my decisions," Norris said. "I have a sworn duty to follow the law and if I follow those milestones in the course of my day, I get to go home."Eagle Materials, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of heavy construction materials, light building materials, and materials used for oil and natural gas extraction. It operates through the following segments: Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, Gypsum Wallboard, Recycled Paperboard, and Oil and Gas Proppants. The Cement segment deals with the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of portland cement. The Concrete and Aggregates segment involves mixing cement, sand, gravel, or crushed stone and water to form concrete, which is then sold and distributed to construction contractors. The Gypsum Wallboard segment mines and extracts natural gypsum rock, which is used in the manufacture of gypsum wallboard. The Recycled Paperboard segment processes paper fiber, water, and paper chemicals to form recycled paperboards, then sell them to gypsum wallboard manufacturers. The Oil and Gas Proppants segment produces frac sand used in oil and natural gas exploration, and provides transloading and storage for well servicing companies. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.

Read MoreOrmat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV.

Read MoreMore than 26,000 jobs available in South Dakota as Labor Day arrives

More than 26,000 jobs are available in the state, which is the highest numbers they have been historically, according to a department official.Almost a year after credit card skimming devices installed in gas pumps around town were used to steal more than $10,000 from hundreds of Albuquerque residents, police have arrested one of the people who they said was responsible.

Jose Dieguez-Pineda, 44, was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center Sunday from where he was being held in the Harris County Jail in Houston, Texas, according to online jail records.

He is charged with forgery of a credit card, two counts of fraudulent signing of a credit card slip, two counts of identity theft and two counts of conspiracy.

It is unclear why he was arrested in Texas or how long he had been there.

Officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the original investigator on the case has since retired, and he did not answer several emailed questions Tuesday.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, police began investigating last March when they learned skimmers had been installed in gas pumps credit card readers to copy the information. The devices used Bluetooth technology to upload the cards information to a computer, tablet or smartphone and the fraudsters then programed it onto a blank card, according to the complaint.

Police were able to track down where the cloned cards were being used and released surveillance footage of the suspects. Tips began to come in.

According to the complaint, a woman identified two of the men in the pictures as Dieguez-Pineda and Francisco Figueroa-Martinez, 45.

In a late-March news conference, detectives announced they had filed arrest warrants for Dieguez-Pineda, Figueroa-Martinez and Daimarelis Ramirez-Borges, 19. They were also looking for Borge Cabrea Roiber, 43, as a person of interest and possibly two other suspects. They said they believed the suspects had left Albuquerque.

From online court records, it does not appear as though Figueroa-Martinez or Ramirez-Borges have been arrested, but Drobik did not confirm either way. He did not respond to questions about whether any other suspects had been identified or arrested.

In a court appearance Tuesday morning, background investigators said Dieguez-Pineda, who used a Spanish-language translator, had been in Albuquerque for six years and had been charged with two felonies in the past but had never been convicted. In April 2016, he had been charged with five counts of fraudulent signing of a credit card. That case is pending.

Judge Renee Torres followed the states recommendation and released him on his own recognizance.SANTA FE  A San Felipe Pueblo man was cited by Santa Fe Animal Control for abandoning a dog at a Santa Fe Dunkin Donuts last week.

Raymond O. Twinhorse, 70, was ticketed for animal neglect after he let a 2-year-old mix-breed dog with an attached note that read, Im Free Im Having Babies out of his van at the doughnut shop around 7:30 a.m. Dec. 26. He was caught on video buying coffee before driving off without the dog.

Santa Fe Police spokesman Greg Gurule said Twinhorse was not cited for abandonment because he reported himself and agreed to pay the fee for the Santa Fe Animal Shelter to take in the dog.

Animal Shelter spokesman Murad Kirdar said the shelter still isnt sure if the dog, given the name Jackie by shelter staffers, is pregnant or has a urinary tract infection. Kirdar said a lot of people expressed interest in adopting Jackie.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

One of the countrys most decentralized higher education systems will likely stay that way for now.

A committee convened by the state Higher Education Department to study potential changes to university and college governance in New Mexico is recommending no changes to the current model  one that features 21 governing boards overseeing 31 public institutions.

HED Secretary Barbara Damron called the result a bit of a disappointment, if not a surprise, and remains unconvinced the status quo is ideal. In fact, she is advocating for additional research into possible consolidation among the states two-year institutions.

There was not a silver bullet, magic answer to how we as a state should be governed, Damron said. (But) I do not feel keeping our 21 governing boards is the way to go. I feel it needs further study.

The committee looked at every other states higher education structure and did not identify a perfect solution for New Mexico  at least not anything that would save money, Damron said. New Mexico today devotes 12.3 percent of its general appropriations to higher education  $745 million this fiscal year.

The distance problem

The committee considered various scenarios, such as consolidating all institutions governance into one super-board, which it determined would not cut costs and could create new problems by distancing decision makers from the schools themselves. It also dismissed a pair of two-board models; one model featured a board for all four-year institutions and another board for the two-year schools; the other model would create a University of New Mexico-headed system with all the states northern schools, and a southern system headed by New Mexico State University. But Damron said grouping institutions with such different missions made those less attractive.

Committee co-chair and Western New Mexico University President Joe Shepard said the groups study of other states found no consolidated model compelling enough to recommend any major change in New Mexico, particularly given concerns about ceding what are now institution-level decisions to what could be a distant governing body.

We dont want to lose the local control, he said.

Change HED instead?

However, he said the committee does seek improved coordination among institutions  something it thought could be achieved by changing the Higher Education Department. It suggested replacing what is now a cabinet-level agency led by a governor appointee to a council with representatives from various constituencies and increased authority to determine direction and over-arching policy. It could also promote consistency amid changing governors, Shepard said.

New Mexico previously had a higher education commission, but the Legislature in 2005 voted to replace it with a cabinet department.

Damron said sitting in the governors cabinet enhances collaboration with other executive agencies, like the Public Education Department, but that having a council  rather than the governor  appoint the states higher education chief could lend stability across administrations.

But like university governance, she said there is no one answer.

The study began last summer as part of a larger master-planning process Damrons department had begun in 2016 and in response to growing statewide interest in possible consolidation.

Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Mesilla Park, and Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, sponsored a joint memorial during last years Legislature requesting that the Higher Education Department study the costs and benefits of New Mexicos system in comparison with other systems, including unitary systems and their variations.

Study structure

Damron convened three subcommittees  one focused on alternative governance structures around the country to identify any possible changes in New Mexico. Its recommendations would filter to the other subcommittees to study the financial implications and possible legal or constitutional amendments necessary to accommodate them.

More than half of the 19 governance subcommittee members came from the institutions themselves, including several presidents; Central New Mexico Community College President Kathie Winograd served as co-chair with Shepard. Among the others were Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Cole; Department of Workforce Solutions Secretary Celina Bussey; and New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee Director David Abbey.

While the study did not yield a perfect solution for New Mexico, Damron said it at least ruled out some alternatives, such as having one board.

Im sad we dont have the one answer, she said. Im not surprised where it landed, (but) theres some analysis overall that answers some questions for us  that (way) we dont have to keep wondering.

She said she would like to further consider grouping the states community colleges and branch campuses under the same umbrella, whether that is a governing or coordinating board. All would still maintain at least a local advisory board, but Damron said she thinks efficiencies are possible and is already in conversations with many institutions.

I dont see one board for universities doing much for us here in our state, she said. But I do recommend we look very carefully at the possibility of one over-arching governing board for the independent (community colleges) and the branches.Mitt Romney: Your country needs you.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee has been reluctant to announce a primary challenge to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, the longest-serving Republican senator in history. But (now that Hatch announced his retirement Tuesday), America needs Romney to step up, to restore dignity to the Senate  and to save the country from the embarrassment Hatch has become.

Hatch, long the picture of conservative rectitude, was once a conscientious legislator, even partnering with Ted Kennedy when he thought poor kids were getting a raw deal. But Hatch, the Senate president pro tempore, has undergone a grotesque transformation this year, his 84th on Earth and 42nd in the Senate. He has become chief enabler of and cheerleader for President Trump.

Youre one heck of a leader, Hatch gushed to Trump on the White House lawn this month, hailing all the things that hes been able to get done  by sheer will, in many ways. Hatch, declaring Trump a man I love and appreciate so much, urged his colleagues to get behind him every way we can and vowed: Were going to make this the greatest presidency that weve seen, not only in generations, but maybe ever.

Yep, thats Trump: topping not just Ronald Reagan but Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

And Hatch wants colleagues to get behind him in every way we can. That would include backing Trumps defense of white supremacists, his vulgar tweets, his endless attacks on the rule of law and the institutions of democracy, and, yes, his embrace of a credibly accused child molester for the Senate. Hatch, after enjoying a ride on Air Force One last month, excused Trumps endorsement of Roy Moore and said the alleged offenses were decades ago.

Trump will be Trump, and that wont change. The nations fate depends on previously upstanding public servants such as Hatch insisting on some semblance of decency.

Hatchs hometown Salt Lake Tribune called last week for Hatch to step aside, citing his utter lack of integrity that rises from his unquenchable thirst for power. Hatch, who saw that the paper had named him Utahn of the Year but apparently missed the explanatory editorial, tweeted that he was grateful for this great Christmas honor.

The papers editorial-page editor, George Pyle, cited the tax cut Hatch authored and other policy differences. But his problem with Hatch was more one of character. Romney would vote the way Hatch does most of the time, Pyle told MSNBC, but with Romney, we would be spared the embarrassment of his sucking up to the president.

Exactly. This isnt about ideology. The trouble is Hatchs slavish devotion to Trump, kowtowing even when the likes of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan express misgivings. Yes, Romney briefly had kind words for Trump when Trump was considering him for secretary of state. But Hatchs nonstop adulation of Trump legitimizes the presidents vulgarity and attacks on democratic institutions.

Consider Hatchs applause for Matthew Petersen, one of three Trump judicial nominees who withdrew this month amid doubts about their credentials. The patently unqualified Petersen, who has never prosecuted or defended a case, was humiliated during questioning by Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La., who exposed his ignorance of basic courtroom procedures. And Hatch? He scolded his fellow Judiciary Committee members for being unfair.

Contrast that with Hatchs silence last year when Todd Edelman, nominated to the same seat as Petersen in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, waited eight months without even getting a hearing  an insult endured by many nominees, right on up to Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. Edelman, whom I first met in college years ago, had spent six years presiding over some 400 cases as a judge on the D.C. Superior Court, served eight years as a public defender and taught law at Georgetown.

Hatch for many years has been the compassionate champion of the CHIP health care program for poor kids and the importance of legislating protections for the dreamers, immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. But those sensibilities faded in the Trump era.

The lapsed CHIP program now hangs by a thread, and while Hatch says he favors renewing the program, he frets that we dont have money anymore. This as he helped push through a $1.5 trillion tax cut paid for with debt. And the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for dreamers? He urged Trump not to end the program, and when the administration set in motion plans to do just that, Hatch didnt join GOP Sen. Lindsey O. Grahams bipartisan effort to codify it, instead signing on to a GOP-only alternative.

Hatch was preparing to retire, but Trump (had) pushed him to seek another term. Trump obviously prefers the obsequious Hatch to Romney, who, though as conservative as Hatch, would be no puppet. Thats why Mitt must run.

Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank. E-mail: danamilbank@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Dave McBride held an old, rusty, 4-foot-long bomb and explained how it was used in target practice training on Albuquerques West Mesa during World War II.

It was found, he said, by workers during the construction of Double Eagle II Airport in 1982.

The West Mesa was littered with these dummy bombs as crews flying AT-11 Beechcraft Kansan airplanes trained to become bombardiers for larger aircraft,

including the B-29 Superfortress, the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator.

McBride, leader of the Lobo Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, was standing in the organizations hangar at Moriarty Municipal Airport on a recent weekday where wing members are in the process of restoring a 1941 AT-11  but not just any AT-11.

This is the only one in existence known to have been assigned to what was then Albuquerque Army Air Base, which later became Kirtland Army Air Field.

The goal is to have it restored and in good flying condition so it can be displayed at air shows across the country.

The plane, No. 15 off the Beechcraft assembly line in Wichita, Kan., was delivered to Albuquerque in January 1942. About 50 of the planes were in operation at the peak of training and an estimated 5,200 trainees went through the program, McBride said.

When it is restored, it will be the oldest known flying AT-11 in the world, he said, and one of only five still flying in the U.S.

All together, the Beechcraft factory produced 1,584 of these aircraft, but not all of them were for the American military, said Scott Witschger, Lobo Wing executive officer and restoration project manager.

The aircraft originally was built for the Chinese air force, which wanted them for use as a light to medium bomber.

The aircraft had a wingspan of nearly 48 feet, could cruise at 180 mph and had a ceiling in excess of 18,000 feet. The cabin, however, was not pressurized and the planes normal operational altitude was 5,000 feet or below, Witschger said.

As used for training in Albuquerque, the airplane carried a pilot and navigator in the two front seats, and two bombardier trainees behind. It was loaded with ten 100-pound dummy bombs that were dropped on three different kinds of West Mesa targets.

One target was a simple large circle; another was a plywood city modeled after the German city of Schweinfurt, where ball bearings were made; and the third was the rock outline of the German battleship Tirpitz, Witschger said.

The nonprofit Commemorative Air Force has as its mission to acquire and restore old combat airplanes to flying condition and to educate the public about these aircraft and the historical context of the times in which they were produced and flown, McBride said.

The organization began in 1957 when a group of former service pilots in Texas pooled their money to purchase a P-51 Mustang and restore it. Other airplanes were subsequently added and restored, and the organization expanded.

Today, the Commemorative Air Force, headquartered in Dallas, has chapters in every state and in 28 foreign countries. It boasts a membership of 13,000 and a worldwide inventory of nearly 180 aircraft.

The Lobo Wing has about 50 members. The chapter was started in 1984 and was originally based out of the old Coronado Airport, then for a while out of Double Eagle II Airport. It moved to its current Moriarty location in 2003.

The wing already has restored a 1944 Fairchild PT-26 Cornell primary trainer. That project took 12 years to complete, McBride said.

The AT-11 airplane came from a chapter in Michigan, which learned of the Lobo Wings interest in the airplane and its historical ties to Albuquerque. If all goes well, the plane could be flightworthy by the middle of 2019, Witschger said.

The biggest barrier to the restoration project is money. He estimates about $250,000 will have been invested in the project by the time it is finished.

The other problem is simply finding parts.

When the military decommissioned these aircraft, Witschger said, they were stripped of armaments and instruments, and most were sold for their scrap metal value. Consequently, some parts are difficult or impossible to find, requiring that they be hand-fabricated in machine shops where they can.

Despite the time, effort and money required, this is a labor of love and a passion that transcends the simple restoration of an airplane, McBride said. Were preserving a piece of Albuquerque history.DENVER  The gunman who killed a Colorado sheriffs deputy escaped from the mental health ward of a VA hospital in Wyoming in 2014 but was located and returned, according to a Veterans Affairs document obtained by The Associated Press Tuesday.

The document was provided to the AP by a congressional aide on condition of anonymity because the aide was not authorized to release it. The document was first reported by The Denver Post.

The gunman, Matthew Riehl, fatally shot Douglas County Deputy Zackari Parrish and wounded four other officers on Sunday, Colorado authorities said. Riehl was killed by a SWAT team.

The VA document said Riehl was hospitalized at the veterans medical center in Sheridan, Wyoming, in April 2014 after a psychotic episode. The document said he escaped but was found and brought back.

The VA issued a statement saying it cannot ordinarily discuss the specific care of any veteran without a privacy release. A spokeswoman for the Sheridan VA hospital did not respond to an after-hours phone message and email.

In addition to Riehls hospitalization in Sheridan, the VA document said he had an urgent contact for mental health with another VA facility in July 2015. It did not describe the nature of the contact or say where that facility was, but it was in the departments Eastern Colorado Health Care System, which includes a hospital in Denver and nine clinics in other cities.

The document said Riehl was on multiple medications in 2015 stemming from an earlier hospitalization, but it did not say what those medications were or why they had been prescribed.

The document identified Riehl as an Army veteran who was honorably discharged. It said his records did not list any military service-related psychiatric disorders.

Colorado authorities said Riehl served in Iraq.

Officials said Riehl, 37, was armed with a rifle and ambushed the officers at his apartment in Highlands Ranch, 16 miles (28 kilometers) south of Denver.

Four deputies, including Parrish, were shot in the initial gunfire. A police officer was wounded later.

The wounded officers managed to get away but had to leave Parrish behind because of their injuries and the ongoing gunfire. Two people in nearby apartment units were also wounded.

The SWAT team arrived about 1  hours after the confrontation began, and Riehl was killed in a gunfight. Authorities said Riehl fired more than 100 rounds during the prolonged standoff.

Before the shooting, Riehl made videos showing himself calling 911 and then opening his apartment door and talking to responding officers.

The footage , livestreamed on Periscope, was obtained by Denvers KUSA-TV. The station broadcast clips from two videos in which Riehl says he would not hurt anyone except to defend himself before calling authorities.

Maybe I bought over 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Walmart. Its not illegal, he says.

When authorities arrive at Riehls suburban Denver apartment, the footage shows him talking to at least two officers, telling them he wants to file an emergency restraining order against his domestic partner. He is upset when one officer offers to give him a phone number to call, and leaves the doorway to go back into a room.

At another point, Riehl is seen holding a glass in his hand and says hes had two scotches. He is heard saying that drinking would help him defend himself if someone bothers him.

The TV station said Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock verified the authenticity of the videos and said the 911 call made by Riehl was the second one from his apartment in Highlands Ranch on Sunday.

The first 911 call was made by Riehls roommate, who told authorities Riehl was acting strangely and might be having a mental breakdown. Responding deputies to that call found no evidence of a crime and left.

The footage shows the shooting but the station did not air that footage. A clip purporting to show it has been posted elsewhere online.

Riehl, an attorney, previously posted videos criticizing Colorado law enforcement officers in profane, highly personal terms.

Riehl attended the Wyoming College of Law in Laramie. Law college students had been warned about Riehl because he criticized law professors in social media posts.

A Nov. 6 email from Assistant College of Law Dean Lindsay Hoyt told students to notify campus police if they spotted Riehl or his car near campus, according to KTWO-AM in Casper, Wyoming. In addition, security on campus was increased for several days.

Campus officers called police in Lone Tree, Colorado, in mid-November to warn them about Riehl, suggesting his rants were indicative of mental illness, UW Police Chief Mike Samp told The Denver Post.

Samp said its possible that Colorado authorities faced the same issue as Wyoming officials when an apparently mentally ill, dangerous person makes indirect threats.

Riehl was licensed as a lawyer for five years in Wyoming and voluntarily gave up his license in 2016, said Wyoming Bar Association executive director Sharon Wilkinson.

He practiced at a law firm in the small city of Rawlins and later opened his own practice but withdrew from the bar in October 2016, making him ineligible to practice law in the state, Wilkinson said. Thats the same year records indicate he moved back to Colorado.

Wilkinson says the bar received no complaints about Riehl.

___

Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin contributed to this report.SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday as the rivals explored the possibility of sitting down and talking after months of acrimony and fears of war.

The sudden signs of easing hostilities, however, came as President Donald Trump threatened Kim with nuclear war in response to his threat earlier this week.

In his New Years address Monday, Kim said he was willing to send a delegation to next months Winter Olympics in South Korea. But he also said he has a nuclear button on his desk and that all U.S. territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons, comments Trump latched onto Tuesday when he boasted of a bigger and more powerful nuclear button than Kims.

The two leaders exchanged crude insults last year, as the North received new U.N. sanctions over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test explosion and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

The recent softening of contact between the rival Koreas may show a shared interest in improved ties, but theres no guarantee tensions will ease. There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, but even when they do meet, the efforts often end in recriminations and stalemate.

Outside critics say Kim may be trying to use better ties with South Korea as a way to weaken the alliance between Washington and Seoul as the North grapples with toughened international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs.

Kims latest announcement, which was read by a senior Pyongyang official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on next months Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, cited Kim as welcoming South Koreas overture and ordering officials to reopen a communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom. Ri also quoted Kim as ordering officials to promptly take substantial measures with South Korea out of a sincere stand and honest attitude, according to the Norths state TV and news agency.

South Korea quickly welcomed Kims decision and later confirmed that the two Koreas began preliminary contacts on the channel. During their 20-minute communication, liaison officials of the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communication lines to make sure they were working, according to Seouls Unification Ministry.

Since taking office last May, South Koreas liberal President Moon Jae-in has pushed hard to improve ties and resume stalled cooperation projects with North Korea. Pyongyang had not responded to his outreach until Kims New Years address.

Relations between the Koreas soured under Moons conservative predecessors, who responded to the Norths expanding nuclear program with hard-line measures. All major rapprochement projects were put on hold one by one, and the Panmunjom communication channel had been suspended since February 2016.

Moon has joined U.S.-led international efforts to apply more pressure and sanctions on North Korea, but he still favors dialogue as a way to resolve the nuclear standoff. The Trump administration says all options are on the table, including military measures against the North. Moon has repeatedly said he opposes any war on the Korean Peninsula.

Some observers believe these differences in views may have led Kim to think he could drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington as a way to weaken their alliance and international sanctions.

Talks could provide a temporary thaw in strained inter-Korean ties, but conservative critics worry that they may only earn the North time to perfect its nuclear weapons.

After the Olympics, inter-Korean ties could become frosty again because the North has made it clear it has no intention of accepting international calls for nuclear disarmament and instead wants to bolster its weapons arsenal in the face of what it considers increasing U.S. threats, analysts say.LIMA, Peru  At least 48 people were killed Tuesday when a bus plunged down a cliff near the Peruvian capital of Lima, police said.

The accident occurred on a notorious bend of the Panamericana Norte highway known as the curve of the devil, around 45 miles north of Lima.

It was not clear exactly how many people were on the bus, which was traveling from the city of Huacho to Lima, and the search had been called off for the day, police said.

Another six people were found injured, with five people airlifted to a hospital in the nearby city of Callao.

Survivors said there were about 55 passengers on the bus.

The news agency Agencia Andina posted pictures of the crash site on Twitter, showing a bus upside down, its top half crushed, on the rocks below the cliff.

It is believed the accident happened when a truck traveling in the opposite direction suffered a mechanical failure and collided with the bus.

It is very painful for us as a country to suffer an accident of this magnitude, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims.



2018 Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH (Hamburg, Germany)

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PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): PERU-BUSCRASH

_____MIAMI  Two of 6-year-old Brice Russells three brothers told police they saw their 6-2, 270-pound stepfather, Jack Montgomery, throw Brice around the Seffner hotel room; punch him in the stomach and mouth; rub his face into the carpet; and sling him by a leg so that his head hit a cabinet mounted high in a corner. During all this, Montgomery demanded they join in the Friday night violence.

The cabinet hit knocked out Brice. He never regained consciousness. His three brothers slept next to him. Hillsborough Fire Rescue found Brice cold and starting to suffer rigor mortis Saturday morning.

Montgomery, 31, sits in Hillsborough County jail on charges of murder in the first degree, aggravated child abuse, two counts of child abuse. Montgomery told police he only threw Brice onto a bed and the child hit his head on the headboard. Brice seemed OK afterward, said Montgomery, who denied beating the life out of the child or knowing that the child was dead before trying to wake him up Saturday morning.

Hed caught the child sneaking out of the bed to snag a cookie, Montgomery said.

The arrest report summarizes Hillsborough County assistant medical examiner Leszek Chrostowskis autopsy findings thusly: Dr. Chrostowski advised he observed multiple contusions on both left and right sides of the victim which were in vertical rows. These injuries are consistent with the victim being picked up by his sides, facing away from the individual lifting him. He further advised he observed subdural hemorrhaging and edema in the victims head which indicated cranial cerebral trauma.

These injuries require a greater amount force than those that would be sustained during a fist fight regardless of whether or not the assailant was a juvenile or adult. He determined the victims death to be a homicide, caused by being beaten by another person.

Montgomerys past includes a conviction for battery and three other arrests for battery, one of which was for domestic violence battery. According to WFTS Action News, mother Donya Russell was at work. Montgomery was in charge of the four kids from 5:30 p.m. Friday in Room 205 at the Tampa East/Seffner Masters Inn, where the family lives.

One of Brices brothers, referred to on the arrest report as J.R., told police he woke up the previous night to two sounds: Brice crying and thumping noises in the hotel. He described seeing the aforementioned beating being administered. He also said Montgomery told him to hit Brice and threatened to give J.R. some if he didnt join the beating. J.R. said fear drove him to kick and punch Brice in the stomach and face. After Montgomery whipped Brice into the cabinet, J.R. said, Brices mouth and nose bled.

Brices twin brother, B.R., backed up J.R.s story, but said when Montgomery told him to beat his twin as the child lay on the floor, he refused. After the beating knocked Brice unconscious, J.R. and B.R. each told police, Montgomery washed his face and slapped him to bring him around. When that failed, he put Brice on the bed.

A hotel employee called police after midnight, alerted by a guest in Room 207 worried about the wife and children next door after hearing a man yelling things such as beat the kid, push the kid over here, and get his ass up. When a Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office deputy went to Room 205, the arrest report said, Montgomery said the noise came from his music. He pushed the door open so the deputy could see children sleeping on the bed. The deputy left.

That was at 1 a.m. Saturday. At 10:57 a.m., Hillsborough Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call from a Jack Montgomery saying his 6-year-old son wouldnt wake up and wasnt breathing. Two minutes after arriving, fire rescue workers pronounced Brice dead.

LOS ANGELES  In a significant expansion into the criminal investigations of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said it was reviewing two sex crimes cases presented to prosecutors by Beverly Hills police detectives.

More than 80 women  some of them prominent actresses  have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual misdeeds spanning four decades. This marks the first time prosecutors in Los Angeles County have taken up cases against him. They will ultimately decide whether to charge Weinstein with a crime.

Beverly Hills police detectives presented evidence from their investigations to the special district attorneys office task force reviewing the evidence, said Greg Risling, a spokesman for the office. Risling said the office would not detail the allegations made against Weinstein in those probes or say when the alleged incidents occurred.

Beverly Hills authorities said last month they had a dozen investigations ongoing into celebrities accused of sexual assault, battery or other related crimes, including one concerning Weinstein. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Elizabeth Albanese confirmed the delivery of the investigations to prosecutors but said the department wont make the details public at this point.

Sources familiar with the investigation said that Beverly Hills police have not interviewed Weinstein or attempted to contact him or his attorneys about the accusations in the two investigations.

Prosecutors also said they are reviewing five investigations into director James Toback. Beverly Hills police handled three of those cases and the Los Angeles police the other two. Toback, like Weinstein, has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women.

Since a New York Times article Oct. 5 first revealed allegations against Weinstein, accusations and condemnations have engulfed him. The mogul was fired from the company he co-founded and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and other groups. At least 17 other criminal investigations have been initiated in Los Angeles, London and New York into Weinsteins alleged actions.

The statute of limitations, however, may restrict prosecutors ability to charge Weinstein. Many of the accusations are too old to prosecute.

Weinstein has repeatedly denied through his attorneys any criminal behavior.

Mr. Weinstein has never at any time committed an act of sexual assault, and it is wrong and irresponsible to conflate claims of impolitic behavior or consensual sexual contact later regretted with an untrue claim of criminal conduct. There is a wide canyon between mere allegation and truth, and we are confident that any sober calculation of the facts will prove no legal wrongdoing occurred, attorneys Blair Berk and Ben Brafman said in a statement. Nonetheless, to those offended by Mr. Weinsteins behavior, he remains deeply apologetic.

Actresses Asia Argento, Rose McGowan, Lucia Evans and Lysette Anthony have all publicly stated that they were raped or forced to perform a sex act by Weinstein.

In Los Angeles, police are investigating an Italian model-actress accusations of being forced by Weinstein to have sex with him in her hotel room in 2013.

The Los Angeles Police Department is also examining a more recent lewd conduct accusation against the producer, but that allegation is also probably too old to prosecute.

New York police are investigating at least four accusations against Weinstein. Boardwalk Empire actress Paz de la Huerta has told New York police that Weinstein raped her in 2010.

De la Huerta, who has gone public with her allegations, filed a complaint with the New York Police Department on Oct. 25.

That departments chief of detectives has said de la Huertas accusations are credible and partly corroborated but that the investigation was ongoing.

British police are investigating at least 11 allegations of sexual assaults by seven women against Weinstein.



2018 Los Angeles Times

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PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194):

_____CAIRO  Nearly nine years ago, the upheaval was stunning. Massive crowds marched through the streets of Irans capital and other cities demanding change in the first major unrest to shake the rule of hard-line Muslim clerics over the country since they came to power in 1979.

It was sparked in the summer of 2009 when the reformist opposition raised accusations that the re-election victory of the hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was rigged. The response was an earthquake. Pent-up resentment over political oppression brought millions nationwide out in protests over the next months, becoming known as the Green Movement.

Eventually, the response of Irans ruling establishment, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was brutal. The elite Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer force known as the Basij cracked down, opening fire on marchers and launching a wave of arrests. Dozens were killed, many more were jailed and tortured. The movements political leadership was put under house arrest.

Now Irans Islamic Republic is seeing a new, equally startling wave of unrest. This time it appears more amorphous and spontaneous, fueled by anger over a still-faltering economy, unemployment and corruption. Since last Thursday, protests have burst out in towns and cities around the country. At least 21 people have been killed. With no central movement behind the unrest, its supporters on social media have come to refer to it with any number of hashtags  or simply as Tazahorat-e Sarasari  Farsi for Protests Everywhere.

Heres a look at the differences between 2009 and now that could give hints on what happens next.

___

WHOS PROTESTING

In 2009, the demonstrations swelled to throngs of hundreds of thousands on some days and were focused in Irans main cities and provincial capitals, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz.

In contrast, the past days fury has burst out mainly in mid-size cities and towns. The protests have been smaller  its hard to get credible numbers, but they seem to each be in the hundreds or, at most, several thousand  but they have swiftly erupted in far more places than more than eight years ago.

The first protest, sparked by a rise in egg and poultry prices, broke out in Mashhad, a city in the east that is considered a stronghold for conservatives. But the unrest quickly spread across dozens of towns throughout the country. These sorts of mid-sized communities in the provinces have suffered heavily from the poor economy, with large proportions of young people unemployed and mired in despair over the future.

___

REJECTING THE SYSTEM

The protests may be rooted in anger over the economy and corruption, but protesters quickly started chanting slogans directly against Khamenei and denouncing the Islamic Republic itself  not just a call for reforms, but an open and outright rejection of the ruling system.

This is a dramatic shift from 2009. Protesters then had major demands  they wanted Ahmadinejads re-election overturned, reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi installed as president, greater social freedoms and an end to the security forces tight oppression. But their demands largely stayed in the framework of existing politics. Some voices called for Khameneis removal, but they were limited; the Green Movements leaders went out of their way to say they werent aiming to bring down the system, whether out of pragmatism or true faith in the potential for the republic part of Islamic Republic.

Now videos show some protesters chanting, Death to the dictator and calling for the end of the nearly 40-year-old Islamic Republic. That reflects how many now see families of prominent cleric-politicians and Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a corrupt economic elite, monopolizing business, hoarding wealth and leaving ordinary people with no place in the economy.

That presents a dangerous development for Irans rulers. The protests have revealed a hidden vein of sentiment  and not just among a Westernized urban elite  that has lost hope for clerical rule and openly wants to toss the whole thing out.

___

LEADERSHIP

The Green Movement of 2009 was firmly rooted in the reformist political movement, symbolized by former President Mohammad Khatami, the would-be president Mousavi and other prominent politicians who advocated greater margins of freedom and opening to the West. That gave the protests a base and organization able to mobilize massive numbers. It also gave protesters a defined set of demands  or to look at it from another angle, limited their ambitions.

So far no clear leadership has emerged for Protests Everywhere. Even opposition activists in Tehran are unsure who are involved. Still, the marches  with videos showing crowds of largely young men and women  have proven persistent and organized. Supporters on social media say that shows the breadth of support for a leaderless popular movement.

___

REFORMERS AND HARD-LINERS

In 2009, hard-liners were in firm control. Ahmadinejads policies and abrasive manner galvanized opposition  even part of the clerical establishment was against him  giving a wide base of support for protests.

Now the constituency that would be expected to join marches is more uncertain.

A relative moderate, Hassan Rouhani, is president, brought into office by the votes of reformists. Many of those voters now feel his nuclear deal with the West has failed to bring economic benefits he promised.

If large numbers decide there is no hope in the system and turn to the streets, it could push the protests into the scale of 2009. But many may hesitate, calculating that an uprising will plunge Iran into the unknown and that trying for gains under Rouhani is safer. The ferocity of the 2009 crackdown traumatized the opposition. The state showed it was prepared to unleash lethal force, arrests and torture; many activists were relentlessly harassed and persecuted for years afterward. Mousavi and other Green Movement leaders have been under house arrest for years. That makes many wary of street protests again.

Rouhani has so far advocated a softer hand, saying Iranians have a right to protest. Reform politicians are calling for changes in economic policy to defuse the unrest. But ultimately, as in 2009, it will be Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard that decide  and if they sense the unrest is growing out of control, they could unleash a brutal and bloody response.

___

TWITTER THEN  TELEGRAM, WHATSAPP NOW

When Neda Agha Soltan was shot to death during one of the 2009 protests in Tehran, the 26-year-old woman became an icon of the uprising. Video of her wrenching last moments circulated widely on Twitter and other social media. It was a cycle that fed the protests: Young men and women were killed, then their images inspired others to join.

That was when the Social Media Age was just being born. Twitter had only been launched three years earlier. Facebook was only a bit older. At the time, fewer than 1 million Iranians had smart phones.

Now the reach has been exponentially magnified. Today, an estimated 48 million Iranians have smart phones, more than half the population. Social media apps have flourished  besides Instagram, the messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp are wildly popular. They are also encrypted, giving a degree of protection from state surveillance and providing a major organizing tool and a space for images and videos to circulate.

Still, 2009 in Iran and the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings also showed the limits of social media; organization and imagery in the virtual realm dont always translate into effectiveness on the ground.

___

INTERNATIONAL SCENE

President Donald Trump is an unpredictable new factor. Trump has dismissed what he portrayed as a weak response by then-President Barack Obama to the 2009 protests. Critics contend Obama should have thrown the U.S. weight behind the uprising in an effort to bring down the Iranian government.

But Trump faces the same question Obama did: how much effect can the United States really have on the ground? Too close an association with the U.S. and with Trump could discredit the protests in the eyes of some Iranians. So far, the rhetoric from the administration has mirrored Obamas  both demanding Iran allow free expression and warning that the world is watching. The State Department has also raised the possibility of new sanctions on Iran over any crackdown on protesters.

___

Follow Lee Keath on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LKeath .MATADOR, Texas  State fire authorities are investigating a New Years Day blaze in a mobile home in West Texas that left three people dead, including an infant.

Motley County Sheriffs officials say a fire in a fireplace and small heaters were being used at the trailer home in Matador, about 70 miles (112.65 kilometers) northeast of Lubbock, but the state fire marshals office would look into finding a cause.

A relative of the victims says his nephew, the nephews fiancee and their 1-month-old child died in the blaze.

Three other people managed to flee the burning home. The sheriffs office says the fire is not being investigated as a crime.GREELEY, Colo.  Prosecutors say four officers were justified when they shot and killed a man who pulled a BB gun during a chase in northern Colorado.

The Greeley Tribune reports 40-year-old Danny Sanchez was high on methamphetamines when he rammed an unmarked police car and pointed what appeared to be a real handgun at officers while fleeing Oct. 28. He was shot 20 times when he reached for something in his waistband.

Police had been notified earlier that evening that Sanchez had two active felony warrants for his arrest, and he was on his way to his sisters home in east Greeley.

Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke says its unreasonable for us to expect law enforcement officers to wait to find out if its a real gun or a BB gun before they take action.

___

Information from: The Tribune of Greeley, Co, http://greeleytribune.comWINDOW ROCK, Ariz.  The director of the Navajo Nations Division of Economic Development has stepped down.

Tribal officials say Crystal Deschinny left the job Tuesday for personal reasons.

Deschinny was appointed to the position in March 2016 and brought a background in financial investment, investment management and diversifying economic development.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye praised Deschinny for her work and says she has helped the tribe to better place businesses in economically supportive locations.

The Department Manager for Project Development  Tony Perry  will serve as acting director for the Division of Economic Development until a new director is appointed.

The vast Navajo Nation covers parts of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah and northwestern New Mexico.AZTEC  A Shiprock man with 14 prior DWI convictions is going to be held without bond pending trial on a second-degree felony DWI charge.

District Chief Judge Karen Townsend ordered Levi Manuelito, 57, to be held at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center during a hearing this afternoon in Aztec District Court.

Manuelito was arrested on Dec. 22 and charged with driving while under the influence of liquor or drugs (eighth or subsequent offense), according to the criminal complaint.

The New Mexico State Police stated in a press release Manuelito had 14 prior DWI convictions and the Dec. 22 charge was his 15th DWI charge.

Manuelito also has a pending case in district court where he is also accused of a second-degree felony DWI count after being arrested on May 13 by Farmington police, according to court documents.

Prosecutor Benjamin Ward of the San Juan County District Attorneys Office argued Manuelito cannot stop drinking and driving, adding there are no conditions of release to protect the public from him.

He listed eight DWI convictions for Manuelito in New Mexico, stating his first DWI conviction was in 1993.

Mary Weber, Manuelitos public defender, argued Manuelito did not need to be held on a no-bond hold because he has no violent convictions.

She added her client did not injure anyone or cause a vehicle accident during the two pending DWI cases.

Use of an ankle monitor for Manuelito was recommended by Weber as part of his conditions of release.

For the Dec. 22 charge, New Mexico State Police officers found Manuelito in a vehicle at a Hogback gas station. That vehicle matched the description of a vehicle reported swerving on U.S. Highway 64.

The vehicle was reportedly driving in the eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 64 from Shiprock.

Officers observed Manuelito had watery and bloodshot eyes along with slurred speech. He is accused of refusing breathalyzer and sobriety tests.

Manuelitos preliminary hearing on the Dec. 22 case is set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Joshua Kellogg covers crime, courts and social issues for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.



2018 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____TEHRAN, Iran  Tens of thousands of government supporters took to the streets across Iran on Wednesday as authorities tried to project a sense of stability after a week of nationwide protests sparked deadly clashes and calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic.

But even as state television broadcast swooping helicopter shots showing support among Irans 80 million people for its clerically overseen government, videos emerged showing the anti-government unrest that has swept major cities has also spread to the countryside.

The violence has killed at least 21 people and seen hundreds more arrested by authorities. Demonstrators videos corresponded with Associated Press reporting from outside of Iran, though individual activists remain unreachable and the protests for now appear leaderless. It was not clear if new protests were held Wednesday or if the videos showed earlier incidents.

The past weeks protests have been the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election, which ended in bloodshed. While many Iranians denounce the violence that has accompanied some demonstrations, they echo the protesters frustration over the weak economy and official corruption.

The government should not punish the guilty and the innocent alike, said Mohammad Hossein Vakili, a 20-year-old computer science student in Tehran who has struggled to find meaningful work and who joined in peaceful protests.

Why should they arrest someone like me when I protest the rise of the price of eggs? he said.

The protests began Dec. 28 in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a bastion for hard-liners, initially focusing on Irans flagging economy and rising food prices. Now, theyve morphed into demands for wholesale change in Irans theocratic government.

On Wednesday, state TV reported pro-government demonstrations in dozens of cities and towns, including Ahvaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, the Kurdish town of Kermanshah in the countrys west and Qom, the religious capital of Shiite Islam in Iran.

All those cities have seen protests in recent days.

The pro-government crowds included women wearing the all-encompassing black chador, the occasional man in military fatigues and Shiite clerics wearing black turbans identifying them as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Some claimed online that government employees had been instructed to take part, something Iranian media did not discuss.

The English-language Press TV broadcast Wednesdays pro-government rallies live, saying they sought to protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities. State TV said the demonstrations served as an answer to the protests, which it blamed on servants of the U.S.

Among the slickly produced signs carried by supporters at Wednesdays pro-government rallies were ones targeting Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday blamed the protests on meddling by enemies of Iran.

Some demonstrators also held aloft pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump with a bright red X through his face. Trump has tweeted several times over the last few days in support of the anti-government protests, comments that have angered many Iranians given his travel ban barring them from getting U.S. visas, as well as his comments over the nuclear deal.

The 2015 agreement, in which Iran curbed its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of some international sanctions, remains popular in Iran, but one of the central grievances of the protesters is that average Iranians have seen few benefits from it.

Trump kept up with the tweets Wednesday, writing: Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government.

He added: You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!

The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, meanwhile, called on Iran to investigate all deaths in the protests and act with great care so as not to further inflame violence and unrest.

The Iranian authorities must respect the rights of all demonstrators and detainees, including their right to life, and guarantee their safety and security, Zeid Raad al-Hussein said in a statement.

Iranian officials have downplayed the strength of the protests. Turkish officials on Wednesday said Irans President Hassan Rouhani told his Turkish counterpart during a phone call that he hopes the protests will end in a couple of days. Rouhanis office did not mention the comment.

State TV quoted the chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, as saying Wednesday marked the end of the sedition.

It remains difficult for journalists to piece together whats happening beyond the capital, especially as the government has blocked both the photo-sharing app Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which protesters have used to organize their demonstrations and share footage.

But online videos that emerged Wednesday appeared to show continued protests in the provinces.

One showed protesters in Shahinshar, 315 kilometers (200 miles) south of Tehran, throwing objects at a base of the Basij, a volunteer force affiliated with the paramilitary Guard. A gunshot and muzzle flash could be seen in the footage taken in Isfahan province, where there have been days of protests.

Another series of videos showed protesters in the city of Noor Abad, some 360 kilometers (225 miles) southwest of Tehran, offering a glimpse into how demonstrations can turn violent.

In the footage, protesters are seen tearing down a poster bearing the image of Khamenei and his late predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. After a cut, demonstrators are seen coming to the aid of another protester, who appears seriously wounded. Activists said the man died, though the AP had no way to verify that.

In anger, the protesters set fire to an overturned ambulance, shouting as the flames rose into the night sky.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.A federal judge has ruled that Iraqi immigrants detained by immigration authorities for more than six months, including an Albuquerque man, must be released Feb. 2 unless the government successfully objects with strong evidence showing risk of danger or fleeing.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmiths ruling Wednesday in Detroit affects more than 1,400 Iraqis swept up in immigration raids starting in March 2017. Most, but not all, of the immigrants have some sort of criminal record, ranging from minor infractions to felonies, some of them decades old.

The ruling also affects longtime Albuquerque resident Abbas Al-Sokaini, who has been in custody since June. He was convicted of drug possession in 2000 and sentenced to three years probation. His wife of 13 years, Brenda Sisneros, and their family live in Albuquerque.

This case is a win for him unless the government shows that he is either a danger to the community or a flight risk, said Kathy Love, staff attorney with the ACLU of New Mexico.

While Al-Sokaini and the other immigrants all have had active deportation orders, Iraq has historically not accepted deportees, meaning the immigrants could not be sent back.

That changed in early 2017 when Iraq agreed to begin accepting deportees in exchange for being taken off the list of countries on President Donald Trumps travel ban. The change triggered the federal Immigration Customs and Enforcement roundups of immigrants with criminal records, including the Iraqis.

Almost all of the immigrants taken in those raids have been detained in ICE centers since then, prompting a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, including the New Mexico chapter.

They argued  and the court agreed  that the immigrants cant be indefinitely detained pending the outcome of the lawsuit or the resolution of their cases.

Our Nation has a long history of resisting unreasonable governmental restraints. In the present circumstances, allowing bond hearings for those who have been subjected to prolonged detention is in keeping with the core value of liberty our Constitution was designed to protect, Goldsmith wrote in his opinion.

Plus, he wrote, it isnt clear that Iraq is indeed willing to take in deportees, despite assurance from top Trump administration officials.

So Goldsmith ordered the release of any of the Iraqi immigrants after six months of detention unless the government files can prove objections in individual cases.The advertising sector is one of the most dynamic segments in the businesses. With the challenges of having to continually alter strategies so as to stay relevant, this sector is ever-changing and the challenges are diverse. Based on the way 2017 shaped up and having worked on some of the most challenging assignments this year, Virendra Saini, Executive Director and Mumbai Branch Head, Triton Communications, gives his take on the anticipation about how 2018 could be.

Artificial Intelligence on the rise

This year is a crucial year for AI as more brands are researching on how this tool fits into their business strategy to reap maximum benefits. Brands like Flipkart are already talking about actively leveraging it. As our mobile devices become more powerful and social apps better integrate with Augmented Reality (AR), brands will use AR to better engage with consumers. For example, using your location, brands could trigger sponsored AR content, which can only be accessed at that spot, at that time. With the release of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, Apple has made it clear that they are betting on AR. As these new devices go mainstream, brands will begin experimenting with AR-sponsored and -branded content.

The rise of new influencers

With the rise of ad-blockers and decline in radio and TV viewership, influencer marketing has proven to be the most effective form of advertising. It was on every trend list in 2017 and will continue to be a focus of smart marketers in 2018. While kids have been influencers for some time, the age might get pushed down further with even 3 or 4 year olds playing a greater role in impacting the choices. Industry researcher eMarketer predicts that 2018 will continue the multi-year trend that is essentially responsible for the advent of influencer marketing.

More investments in live events and experientials

Many marketers may increase the number of live events they host, because they have begun to recognise that live events and experientials are one of the most effective marketing channels to reach out to a focused set of target groups.

Print media surfing will increase alongside digital

I believe that in 2018, digital will no longer stand alone as a separate discipline. We will see it become more integrated into real-life experiences and the two will become seamless. Print media has been getting affected by the digital wave, however the content within the paper might see more change next year as many readers are more interested in surfing the paper than reading it in-depth.

Radio

Radio is likely to play a critical driver for rural markets and is likely to be the go-to medium for increasing its penetration. This medium also has the advantage of a better ROI compared to other mediums, specifically for the rural audience.

While content is important, the context also becoming increasingly important. For example, sponsorship of the movie Padman by Whisper.

Interactive storytelling is likely to increase with brands and channels using them to increase consumer engagement.

Consumables like organic foods and beauty products are likely to become more mass than remain at the luxury bracket. This goes on to reflect a shift in the consumers mindset.

Social Media Channels

Instagram might become a more valuable channel for advertising and might even become more popular than Facebook due to better advertising control feature.

The Wellness wave

From being limited to a select few, this is likely to touch the masses, with brands across categories encouraging a wellness lifestyle than problem-solution products.

Attention

In a world where the consumer is bombarded with cluttered messaging and blocking out ads is an easy task, having the consumers attention and sustaining it will be key. We will see more and more brands creating immersive brand experiences that make him engage with the brand, thereby making him actively spend more time with the brand than he would have, had he simply been viewing messaging passively. When the brand and consumer are engaging with each other in real time through an immersive brand experience, there is an assurance of having the brands message being absorbed and processed by the consumer.The problem of body odour is usually associated with the hot and sweaty months of summer. In fact, people are surprised that body odour can strike even if its cold outside. In our effort to keep ourselves warm in winters by wearing multiple layers of clothes, sitting in front of a bonfire or drinking something hot, we forget that all this leads to sweating and hence body odour. This phenomenon  Winter Odour, cuts across gender, lifestyle, and social status.

In a cluttered deodorants category where all brands talk about superficial fragrances, NIVEA has always challenged category codes and differentiated itself as a brand which provides real solutions. This time too, NIVEA is trying to create year-long relevance for the category by driving usage of Roll-on deodorants in winters to solve the problem of body odour at its source  the sweat under the sweater. NIVEA Roll-on deodorants provide the most effective combination of odour protection along with NIVEA Skin Care credentials.

Sachin Killawala  Marketing Director, NIVEA India, said, There is a belief that people sweat only in summers and not so much in winters. Our research shows that this is not true. People wear multiple layers of clothing in winters such as warm innerwear, sweaters, jackets etc. due to which they actually sweat quite heavily and that leads to body odour formation. The NIVEA Roll-on campaign is targeted to make the consumers aware of this Winter Odour caused by the sweat under the sweater. With NIVEA Roll-ons they can now get the best protection against sweat and body odour.

The task with this campaign was two-fold. First, make the audience aware of body odour in winters, without triggering their immediate Not me response. Second, create a single campaign that reached out to both male and female audiences. The key observation that led to the campaign was that body odour tends to be most obvious when one takes off their sweater or jacket. This helped in identifying situations where people were naturally inclined to take off their sweaters, and each film was crafted to bring out this moment of truth in a fun way. Keeping in mind the sensibilities of both men and women, humour was the best way to tackle this.

The campaign consists of four films that end with a funny twist, triggered by the sudden realisation of the protagonists Winter Odour. From an everyday cab ride to a reunion party, the films are inspired by all those incidences where body odour tends to make its presence felt.

Mark Mcdonald, Head of Creative, DigitasLBi India  Mumbai said, Advertising a deodorant in winter is a first- of-its-kind communication for the category and for NIVEA deodorants. Given that we are aiming to establish a phenomenon that most dont think about, we chose to keep the creatives simple yet fun. The situations used were everyday life situations that our TG can relate to, with a funny twist at the end that highlights the problem of body odour, even in winter. The films are done as a series - One Winter Day - giving us the opportunity to tackle multiple situations where BO can strike. The slogan  #EndWinterOdour  serves dual purposes, creating awareness for the problem and giving it the scale of a movement spearheaded by NIVEA. The films will be followed by a digital amplification plan aimed at educating audiences about the Winter Odour phenomenon.

Credits:

Client  NIVEA India Pvt. Ltd.

Creative Agency  DigitasLBi, India

Head of Creative, Mumbai  Mark Mcdonald

Associate Creative Directors  Siddhi Desai; Prajakta Giri

Creative Lead (Copy)  Madhura Haldipur and Ankit Mathur

Sr. Associate (Copy)  Drishti Mehta

Creative Lead (Design)  Yogeeta Pathai

Sr. Associate (Design)  Prachi Damani

Head of Strategy, India  Upasana Roy

Digital Strategists  Sakshi Arora, Namrata Gajaria

Head of Account Management, Mumbai  Sabah Iqbal

Client Services Director  Aakanksha Patel

Sr. Account Manager  Sherbanoo Bundeally

Account Manager  Anjanee Gadgil

Client Servicing Associate  Shubhangi Seth

Production House  Working I Films

Videos on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGiBWg8cSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrO2ewJNSg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR-mU9Lw_gc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwgLhWb778Y

Campaign Hashtag: #EndWinterOdour

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NIVEA.in; https://www.facebook.com/NIVEAMENIN/

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/NIVEA_INDIA; https://twitter.com/NIVEAMEN_India

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NIVEAIndia

Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/niveaindia; https://www.instagram.com/niveamenindia/Pune Times, city supplement of leading media house, The Times of India, has joined hands with Pune Police to support an initiative for womens safety in the city. Pune Times has launched its campaign #MakeMyCitySafe as a big shout out to the youth of Pune to come together to make the city safer for everyone. This campaign will also be promoting the new City Safe app by Pune Police, through which the user can signal a SOS when in distress. The key highlight of the app is that itdoesnt require an active internet connection and aims to serve as an important tool in ensuring that one always feel safe in the city. Pune Times has stepped in to raise awareness surrounding womens safety and spread the word about the app with its 360 degree approach.

Pune Times has initiated conversations in the city by using the campaign hashtag - #MakeMyCitySafe - to shed light on the high-priority issue of womens safety. Driving conversations across the city dwellers, Pune Times will reach out to the youth across the city, engaging in college debates, capturing video messages from public figures in the city, dignitaries and police authorities, which will be shared across social media platforms. Videos teaching self-defence to women will also be createdin partnership with Pune Police to ensure that they are aware about the immediate steps to be taken to protect themselves.

Speaking about the initiative, Sanjeev Bhargava, Director, Brand TOIsaid, A smart city needs to be safe city too. With more millennials and women in the workforce, it is important that one feels safe always  in office, while traveling, and even in late hours. As the leading newspaper of the city, we feel our participation in this effort is essential. We are proud to partner with Pune Police to promote their City Safe app. It will enable the Puneites to always have a direct line to the Pune Police. Through multiple initiative in print and digital, we will engage the readers to share their feedback on safety issues and drive awareness on using technology and the app to make the city safer.

Speaking about the partnership, Pune City Police Commissioner Rashmi Shuklasaid, We are proud to associate ourselves with Pune Timesto highlightthe need of the hour  womens safety in the city.We believe our City Safe app will be important in enabling youngsters feel safer and alert police immediately in case of trouble. It is a matter of utmost importance to us and we are taking a 360-degree approach to ensure that the message and gravity of this issue is communicated to every individual in the city. Together, we can make our city safer for all of us. Do join in the campaign and spread the message.

Pune Times will take things a step ahead with on-ground activities in colleges as well as an engaging social media campaign to reach out to millennials in the city and inform them about the initiative. The messaging is being amplified through hoardings across key locations and traffic junctions in the city. The citys police will support the campaign by sporting jackets with branding.Smartworks, Indias largest provider of shared workspaces, has launched its brand with the tagline Workspaces That Work for Youthrough its new brand video campaign released yesterday which has already received 5 lac views. Smartworks aspires to reinvent India's workspaces with a simple motto - "Create office spaces where people 'want' to go, not just 'have' to go!" Smartworks currently has over 7, 00,000 square feet of best-in-class, bespoke shared workspaces. The company's operations span 14 centers in nine Tier 1 cities across the country.

Smartworks has assigned a robust budget of approximately 50 lakhs covering outdoor, digital and print advertisements to be rolled out as the young brand steps into its second year of operations in 2018. The campaign leads with a series of three social media brand videos showcasing the value proposition that it provides to its customers  i.e.: hassle free work spaces, highly customized, personalized offices and technology-rich environments. Bollywood actor Mr. Brijendar Kala features in the first brand video which is created as a humorous take on traditional office life. The video was released across the companys social media handles and has garnered a whopping 500,000 views in just the last 24 hours.

Commenting on the genesis of the idea of serviced office spaces, Neetish Sarda, Founder Smartworks, said, Exposure to future workspaces and high employee engagement levels in US and Singapore across offices like LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Google made me evaluate the current status quo in my fathers office in Kolkata and India in general. It made me think why a delightful office experience is inaccessible and costly, available only to elite organizations? This led me to radically transform this experience for the new age workforce in India. My visits to traditional offices across India  poor aesthetic design, low employee energy levels, limited flexibility, and dysfunctional employee culture  reinforced my belief that commercial office space needs to be disrupted.

Anshul Sushil, Co-Founder & CEO, Boring Brands, the agency that conceptualized and executed the campaign commented on the video campaign saying, As Smartworks believes in providing perfectly customized office spaces to its clients, it was a key mandate for us to convey that they will be there for their clients every step of the way. Our strategy was to show something which appeals to the sensibilities of a corporate as well as millennial workforce in the ever changing dynamics of workspaces. Todays audience looks for commercials which go beyond the conventional and ordinary; they want something to relate to. Keeping this preference in mind, we gave them a slice of life with a comic angle. We want them to instantly connect with the advertisement and know that Smartworks has the solutions to all their office woes.

Harsh Binani - Co-Founder of Smartworks, said, Making employees happiness its Holy Grail, Smartworks, today has become a torchbearer of Indias shared spaces. We measure our success based on employee happiness index and how we have transformed the overall office experience of any Smartworker. The team has now put its heart & soul in creating future workspaces via its fantastic designs, technology & personalized value-added services! Our aim is to build tailor-made offices wherein a company could thrive on qualitative networking opportunities and expand itself while shaping the office as per its own culture and ecosystem in the Smartworks universe. We put great emphasis on the privacy of our clients while connecting them within the community with like-minded professionals.Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

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Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.CAIRO  The Egyptian parliament passed a controversial comprehensive health insurance bill on Dec. 18, less than two months after its referral by the Cabinet, without substantive amendment. The bill is to enter into force on June 30, and its provisions gradually implemented over 15 years, starting off in Port Said governorate.

The rushed approval of the measure comes ahead of the presidential election scheduled for early 2018 and the expected candidacy of the incumbent president. Health Minister Ahmed Emad told Al-Monitor, The draft law received wide support and continuous follow-up by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi until it was approved.

Under the new law, subscription to health insurance will be mandatory for all citizens, who must purchase it from the government's General Authority for Health Insurance. The state will pay the premiums of those living below the poverty line. The law also provides for the gradual elimination of state-funded medical treatment, a national network run by the Health Ministry for those who cannot afford health insurance as the new insurance system moves toward full implementation.

Three bodies will be established to run the health system: the General Authority for Health Care, to oversee establishing hospitals or health care centers and provide the medical manpower and medications as well as other requirements; the General Authority for Accreditation and Supervision, to assess hospitals' adherence to standards; and the General Authority for Health Insurance (HIO), to administer and oversee financing of the health insurance plan.

Article 40 of the law cites nine sources of funding for the plan. Subscription fees will be deducted from subscribers' monthly salaries, as will the percentage share a patient might owe for any medical treatment, for instance, 10% of the cost of an X-ray, 10% of a blood test, 5% of a consultation and 10% of medications.

Other funding sources include the state treasury (for those unable to pay); the proceeds of investments by the HIO; foreign and local grants; and aid and donations from individuals and organizations. Among other sources are fees levied for cigarettes and tobacco products, renewal of driving licenses and identity cards, and licenses for opening clinics, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

Deputy Finance Minister Mohamed Maait told Al-Monitor, Implementing a comprehensive health insurance law will contribute to achieving social peace and reducing poverty rates, especially since Egypt has very low public spending on health. Patients pay around 75% of the cost of health services provisions in Egypt.

He added, In the first stages of the bills implementation, the new insurance plan will cost about 9 billion Egyptian pounds [$506.7 million], which will gradually increase in 2032 to 600 billion Egyptian pounds [$33.7 billion]. Thanks to alternative sources of funding, such as fees on cigarettes, driving licenses, private clinics, sales of pharmaceutical companies and others, the states share in the first stages will not exceed 3 billion Egyptian pounds [around $168.8 million].

According to HIO figures, as of June 30, 2017, the current health insurance law provided coverage for only 58.8% of Egypts population. It only benefits certain groups, including students, pensioners, widows and state employees. Also, the current insurance plan does not cover expenses for all diseases and procedures, and the state provides medical insurance services only through a limited number of hospitals affiliated with the HIO in the major governorates. For instance, six hospitals in Cairo serve 5 million citizens.

Ali Hijazi, who heads the HIO, told Al-Monitor, The Ministry of Health will start implementing the bill by improving the efficiency of the medical system infrastructure as a whole, including [medical] bodies, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, so as to ensure availability and access by each patient to medical insurance services in his or her respective governorate.

Yet several groups spearheaded by the Egyptian Medical Syndicate and some political parties  al-Tagammu and the Popular Alliance  oppose the law, claiming that it is biased toward the private sector and will destroy the public health system in Egypt.

The State Council sent a memorandum to the government in September in regard to the unconstitutionality of some of the bill's provisions. Of note, the council asserted that the gradual application of insurance coverage across governorates contravenes Article 18 of the constitution, which provides for comprehensive health insurance for all Egyptians. It also said that collecting mandatory fees for funding the health insurance system (Article 40 of the bill) is contrary to Article 40 of the constitution, which requires social justice. Also, the government should not impose taxes on citizens for the sole purpose of covering its own deficit.

Ehab el-Taher, secretary-general of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, told Al-Monitor, We are calling on the president [Sisi] to put the bill up for discussion again in parliament since the implementation of some of its provisions will negatively affect the citizenry and the health system.

Taher voiced one charge by critics. The bill is contrary to the principle of national health security, he said. The new system requires [the government] concluding fixed-term contracts with government hospitals based on specific quality standards, which would exclude government hospitals from the new health insurance plan in favor of private hospitals.

Government hospitals do not enjoy the same capacities as private hospitals for improving or maintaining certain standards, unlike private hospitals, which will find it easier to be included in the health plans under the new insurance system. Taher warned of the collapse of public and state-owned hospitals.

These hospitals are pillars of Egypts national health security, he said. Under the new bill, the state will no longer be responsible for the management, financing and delivery of medical insurance services through these hospitals.

Pointing to a number of loopholes in the new bill, Taher noted that the law does not tackle the issue of wages for medical professionals and high copays. He also noted that the law provides that the state treasury pay contributions on behalf of citizens below the poverty line, but does not define such citizens.

Civil and human rights bodies in Egypt have been demanding comprehensive health insurance for years. The topic was broached in 2009, under President Hosni Mubarak, but discussions came to a halt in light of the January 25 Revolution in 2013. Only time will tell whether the new law will provide better health services to citizens or further deteriorate the current system of public health.GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Palestinian Water Authority announced Dec. 11 that the new Beit Lahia wastewater treatment plant in the northern Gaza Strip will treat up to 35,000 cubic meters per day. In an agreement with the Palestinian Energy Authority and the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company, the plant will be provided with 6 megawatts of electricity to operate. Israel allowed the entry of the equipment needed to construct the plant in November, and it said it would supply the plant with a power line that will be active 24/7.

Gaza is suffering from a wastewater crisis due to power outages that exceed 20 hours a day. The existing treatment plants have not grown with the increase in demographics. Though new plants have been needed, Israel previously prevented the entry of the necessary construction materials over fears the Palestinian resistance would use them to manufacture weapons. Wastewater had reached the Israeli beaches near the northern Gaza Strip in the summer of 2017, pushing the Israeli government to warn its citizens against using them.

Two more stations are under construction and due to open at the end of 2019. The donor institutions had coordinated with the Israeli side to build them in 2008, but the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) refused to discuss it.

Shadi al-Bassiouni, the head of the Department of Water and Sanitation at the Municipality of Beit Lahia, told Al-Monitor that the Beit Lahia station is only awaiting its agreed-upon electricity supply to begin service to 350,000 northern Gaza residents. He said the wastewater crisis worsened this year as power outages prevented the plant from treating wastewater, which ran to the sea and into ponds.

Bassiouni explained that some of the treated water will eventually be used for irrigation. The first irrigation networks are currently under construction and will one day irrigate about 5,000 acres, helping hundreds of farmers in the northern Gaza Strip.

Munther Shiblaq, director general of the CMWU, told Al-Monitor, Of the wastewater in the northern Gaza Strip, 26% ends up in cesspits. The delay in the construction of the Beit Lahia plant has caused a health and environmental disaster, as these cesspits are scattered around residential areas.

He stressed that since 2000, the CMWU has been planning the construction of strategic treatment plants to keep pace with the demographic increase and use the treated water to irrigate crops. However, the Israeli obstacles, political conditions and reduced aid prevented their construction. The CMWU expanded the capacity of existing stations as a temporary solution, but the electricity crisis exacerbated the problem by preventing the stations from operating.

Shiblaq pointed out that three central wastewater treatment plants were supposed to be established. The one in the north of the Gaza Strip has been completed. Another being built in the east of al-Bureij governorate will treat the wastewater of the governorates of Gaza and Deir el-Balah, and a third in the east of Khan Yunis will serve the southern governorates and part of the central governorates.

He said that construction for the two stations to begin their first phase of operations is expected to be completed in 2019. The second stage, an expansion, will be completed in 2022, and the currently operating stations can be closed in 2025.

Shiblaq pointed out that the new stations will operate on three energy sources: electricity, solar power and methane gas resulting from the treatment itself. He added that it should take about three to six months for methane to be produced. The gas, he said, will then be used to operate the station, and the surplus can be sold to the power company.

Shiblaq said that in the first phase, the stations will treat up to 150,000 cubic meters of water on a daily basis, and explained that this amount exceeds the needs of the agricultural sector in Gaza, which means that some of the treated water will be channeled to the sea, where it will not affect the fisheries or the people wishing to swim there. He said that the plants' efficiency will naturally depend on the electricity supply.

Shiblaq said that the problem of wastewater increases in the winter due to rainfall. He called for a quick solution to the electricity crisis.

Attiya al-Barash, the director of the public health department and the environmental laboratory at the Environmental Quality Authority, told Al-Monitor that 110,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage ends up in the sea, the only available outlet, on a daily basis.

He explained that the role of his organization is to monitor, collect and examine seawater samples and issue maps showing citizens where the contamination is highest. He added, The authority is cooperating with the concerned parties to find a solution to the crisis of wastewater, as more than 73% of the seawater along the Gazan coast was contaminated last July, which negatively affected the 2017 summer season. Only 23% of the seawater was contaminated before 2014.The coalition agreements signed by the Likud Party with its government partners in May 2015 include a clause saying that the government will formulate a legislative proposal enabling Israelis who are abroad on Knesset election day to vote. Indeed, previous coalition agreements between the Likud and its partners, which included similar stipulations, amounted to little in past years. But according to a senior Likud source who spoke with Al-Monitor, in the remaining two years of this governments term, a real effort will be made to advance this initiative.

The proposed legislation is the baby of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been seeking to promote it for over a decade, so far unsuccessfully. It would enable every registered Israeli voter who is out of the country on election day to cast a ballot at an official Israeli mission abroad. Then-Likud Knesset member Moshe Arens submitted the first version of the bill to the Knesset in 2001, but it did not pass.

The Likud supports the idea in light of surveys among Israelis living in the United States, which indicate that the right wing might pick up one or two additional Knesset seats from absentee constituents. In 2015, a senior Likud minister told Haaretz that the initiative was also designed to weaken the Arab parties, given that the proportion of Arab Israeli citizens living abroad is smaller than their 20% share of the population in Israel.

Estimates made in 2010 put the number of Israelis residing abroad at about 540,000. Experts are divided on the question of their voting preferences, and whether they would even show up to vote. Most experts support the idea of absentee voting, allowed by many countries.

According to an analysis by Al-Monitor columnist Akiva Eldar, judging by voting patterns among well-to-do Israelis, and given the relatively high socio-economic standing of Israelis living overseas, the Likud cannot count on absentee balloting giving them an advantage.

According to estimates by sources at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and by various groups of Israelis active in the United States, some 600,000 Israelis currently live in the United States. This includes children born to Israelis who immigrated to the United States. Out of these 600,000, some 500,000 would be eligible voters  a number constituting more than 10% of the 4.2 million eligible voters registered in Israel in 2015. Nonetheless, past discussion about such a law stipulated that the right to vote would be limited to Israelis living abroad for a set time period of three or five years, significantly reducing the number of eligible voters.

The Israel Democracy Institute issued a position paper last year supporting the bid, but suggested limiting the right to vote to Israelis whose stay abroad is limited and who consider Israel their primary residence and center of life.

Efforts by the current government to promote the law began with the formation of a team headed by Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, followed by a broad-based initiative supported by Knesset members from the ruling coalition and also from the opposition. This group is led by Likud lawmakers Sharren Haskel, together with David Bitan and Amir Ohana; Eitan Cabel, Stav Shaffir and Itzik Shmuli of the opposition Zionist Camp; Eli Cohen of the center-right (coalition) Kulanu Party; and Yoav Ben-Tzur of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party.

The current proposal would allow voting by any registered Israeli who is abroad on election day and who picked up their voting form 12 months before the scheduled elections. In other words, one visit to Israel in the year preceding the elections would suffice to determine eligibility.

All previous efforts to push through absentee voting have failed. Levins office told Al-Monitor that the two ultra-Orthodox coalition parties  Shas and Yahadut HaTorah  are the ones preventing progress of the legislation. Shas declined to comment on this claim, but a senior party source told Al-Monitor that such an initiative could hurt the party. Were not interested, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The bills sponsors, however, are undeterred. The Likud is expected to try and bring the bill to a vote in 2018. A top Likud source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that if Shas and Yahadut HaTorah are demanding that we implement coalition agreements on issues concerning religion and state, they had better stop undermining a coalition clause thats important to the prime minister.

Views are mixed among the opposition and left-wing parties. Some Zionist Camp Knesset members support the bid; others, like former Labor Chair Shelly Yachimovich and Zionist Camp co-leader Tzipi Livni, oppose it.

One of the arguments cited by left-wing opponents of the law is concern about meddling by Republican donor and gambling mogul Sheldon Adelson, until recently Netanyahus Jewish-American patron. Adelson recently took over the sponsorship of the Israeli American Council (IAC), an organization dedicated to strengthening ties between Israelis living in the United State and the State of Israel. Several years ago, Adelson joined the IACs main patron, Democratic Party billionaire donor Haim Saban, who has since pulled out of involvement with the group.

J-Street, the liberal, pro-Israel American lobbying group, believes Adelson is guiding IAC activity in a right-wing political direction in a bid to influence the Israeli community in the United States. The organization pointed to a statement issued by the council last week applauding the US veto of the UN Security Council resolution rejecting President Donald Trumps Dec. 6 recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Shoham Nicolet, co-founder and CEO of the council, does not deny involvement in American politics as long as it favors Israel. The council acts in accordance with Israeli policy without interfering in its domestic politics, and helps it in the United States with every tool at its disposal, he told Al-Monitor. Among other activities it cites is mobilizing support for laws and regulations against the anti-Israel boycott (BDS) movement, such as those adopted in Nevada, Massachusetts and California.

The IAC also has a lobbying arm, IAC for Action, operating vis-a-vis governors and in Congress. Were not the antithesis of J-Street, Nicolet said. We invite representatives of the [Israeli] political left and right to our events. He noted that Knesset member Isaac Herzog, at the time leader of the left-leaning Labor Party, was a keynote speaker at the IACs annual conference.

When asked whether Adelson or his wife, Miriam Adelson, were involved in the contents generated by the IAC for its Israeli membership in the United States, Nicolet replied, We have never received any guidance on one type of content or another. What interests the council and the Adelsons is the connection of Israelis, regardless of their political views, to the Jewish-Israeli community in America. He added that the IAC does not take any position on the proposed law granting voting rights to some Israeli Americans.

Having said that, the fate of the initiative, as that of all government legislation on the drawing board, will be determined by Netanyahus political and legal timetable.As the Iraqi parliamentary elections set for May draw nearer, many Iraqis are concerned about the potential participation of a coalition of pro-Iran political and military movements.

Ahmed al-Asadi, the secretary-general of Kata'ib Jund al-Imam (Imam's Soldiers' Battalions), announced Nov. 28 the launch of the Mujahedeen Coalition. The alliance comprises the main political factions whose volunteers and leaders helped form the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Asadi also announced he was resigning as PMU spokesman to instead serve as the Mujahedeen Coalition's spokesman.

He said the coalition includes political figures who will defend the Iraqis in the political process by selecting popular cadres" that helped defeat the Islamic State (IS). This comes despite Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's recent statement that representatives of armed groups will not be allowed to participate in the elections. To conform to that requirement  or as some believe, to skirt the rule  some PMU military leaders such as Asadi have been resigning their positions to enter politics.

Naim al-Abudi, a spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, told Al-Monitor the names of some of the forces participating in this coalition. In addition to his group, the coalition is to include major PMU factions such as the Badr Organization and the Hezbollah Brigades. Media reports also say numerous other factions close to Iran have joined the coalition.

Other armed Shiite factions that are not closely tied to Iran said they do not intend to join the political arena. For example, forces close to the country's highest Shiite authority, Ali al-Sistani  such as the Abbas Combat Division, the Imam Ali Brigade, the Ali al-Akbar Brigade and the Ansar al-Marjaiya Brigade  did not form political wings.

In addition, Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the PMU faction Saraya al-Salam, in April banned his fighters from participating in the parliamentary and local elections out of fear the men would waste their efforts in the abominable political arena. Sadr has become more independent of Iranian influence.

There are clear differences among the various forces expected to form this coalition, and this is perhaps reflected in their difficulty in simply agreeing on a name. Though Asadi had publicly referred to the Mujahedeen Coalition, Karim al-Nuri, leader of the Badr Organization, strongly criticized the name in a statement published Dec. 1 by Alsumaria News.

"Jihad and mujahedeen are great titles that cannot be involved in political movements  and they cannot be exploited for political purposes surrounded by interests and corruption, Nuri said.

Some reports suggest the group might take the name the PMU Coalition. Abudi said no final decision has been reached, but added, There is no way the coalition will be named the Mujahedeen Coalition. Meanwhile, others are sensitive about the use of the PMU and its name as a card in the electoral contest.

Sistanis spokesman stressed Dec. 15 that the PMU should not be used to achieve political ends.

The commander of the PMU's Abbas Combat Division, Maitham al-Zaidi  a figure close to Sistani  launched an attack on those who would use the PMU in the elections. He said in a TV interview Dec. 17, There are politicians who are seeking to use the PMU to make calculated gains.

He added, I think that these clearly show how [Sistanis] orders and the constitution are being disobeyed.

Despite some military leaders' resignations from the PMU, many opponents fear the leaders will retain their influence with PMU military factions. The opponents point to what happened after the fall of Saddam Hussein, when Shiite factions that integrated into the regular Iraqi security forces more or less maintained their independence.

On the other hand, some of these groups have sought to avoid some potential sensitivities; Abudi told Al-Monitor that the coalition doesn't intend to compete for the post of prime minister. This coalition does not have its eye on the premiership but will be part of other coalitions that have an influential opinion in the choice of prime minister, he said.

Abudi also said that while these forces oppose the US presence in Iraq, they seem to have come to a separate peace of sorts with it.

Our position reflects that of the Iraqi people, the government and the parliament in rejecting the US combatants or bases, he said. We want the Iraqi government to have relations with and be open to all countries, but there should be no US military bases in Iraq territory."

While these forces have said the US military presence in Iraq should end following the defeat of the Islamic State, they apparently are beginning to realize and acknowledge US influence in the election and accept it as reality.

In sum, the forces close to Iran are seeking to establish a political presence in Iraq despite many reservations about their performance. Should these groups win the elections, Irans influence in Iraq will significantly increase.From carvings of cats on temples to worshipping Bastet, the cat goddess, it is easy to tell that ancient Egyptians held cats in high esteem. Various drawings from the period depict how cats joined ancient Egyptians on their hunting trips and show cats adorned with jewels. Egyptians also mummified cats after death like they did humans. Undeterred by economic difficulties, some 21st-century Egyptians retain this ancient affinity for cats, showing off their rare felines at cat clubs and beauty contests.

Nagla el-Masrys love of cats has moved beyond being an obsession. It has now become a profession. The young Egyptian, who studied hospitality management at the London College UCK and returned home in 2009, organized the first cat beauty contest in Egypt in 2011.

Cats are my life, she told Al-Monitor. At a certain period in my life, they provided me with a sort of compensation for not having children, adding that her love for the animals did not diminish after she had kids.

Masry said, Once I settled in Egypt, I decided to organize cat shows and focus on raising awareness of the importance of registering cat breeds by urging people to recognize and register the breed of their cats with international platforms that would help them know how to take care of their cats according to the breed.

In 2010, Masry founded the Egypt Cat Club (ECC) to provide helpful answers to countless inquiries related to how to care for cats and kittens.

The ECC is affiliated with a Ukrainian organization  the International Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., Rolandus Union International [ICFA RUI, Ukraine], Masry said. The club is also responsible for organizing shows and beauty pageants. These events aim to boost pet culture in Egyptian society and change the impression that Egyptians are animal abusers.

Egyptians have come under criticism for a few episodes of cruelty to animals in the last few years. In 2014, photographs of a mass poisoning of cats at Cairo's Gezira Club circulated, sending shock waves through social media. A year later, a video went viral showing three men torturing, beating and slaughtering Max, commonly known as Dog al-Ahram. The three men stabbed the dog, sparking public outrage.

Masry's most recent beauty contest, held Oct. 28, featured 38 cats of different breeds competing against each other. Being held for the fourth time, the contest included a Persian, a sleek Siamese and, for the first time, a Bengal cat. While the cats heads, legs, tails, eyes, fur and paws were evaluated aesthetically, their behavior and the way they interacted with humans were also graded by jurors.

Within a few hours the contest went viral, with a torrent of comments flooding social media and eliciting mixed reactions. Some lauded the competition, while others made sarcastic comments or disparaged it as a waste of money. One person remarked that the cats ate better than homeless people on Egypt's streets. A Mina Soliman commented, There are some crazy people who  do not care for the cancer patients and for orphans or the people in the street who eat garbage [but] spend 16 thousand pounds on a cat.

My team and I turn a deaf ear to such negative comments, Masry said. Some media outlets also fabricated news about the cats' prices and the show's cost, further triggering public controversy. All religions are against animal cruelty and among good deeds include having mercy on animals. Masry added that she spares no effort in helping needy people as well as animals.

Despite Egypt's economic hardships, the market for pets is growing. According to a recent report by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, Egyptians spent $52.4 million on pet food over the course of four months in 2016.

At the October contest, cat lover Rania Adel presented Essi, a fluffy Calico cat who took first prize.

I bought this cat from a Ukrainian friend of mine two years ago for approximately 5,000 pounds [$282], Adel told Al-Monitor. I stick to a daily routine to keep my cats healthy. Besides Essi, I have three other cats.

Adel said she feeds Essi fresh and dried food to make sure she gets the required nutrients. She also bathes her on a weekly basis with a shampoo that prevents her fur from tangling and helps her shed loose hair.

Asked about her average budget for raising a cat, Adel said each of her cats needs 3-4 kilos (roughly 6.5-9 pounds) of dry food monthly, in addition to fresh food, medical checkups and sand for the litter box.

Now, the price of a kilo of dry food is around 140-160 Egyptian pounds [$8-9]. All in all, the cats' requirements might cost me 3,500 pounds [$198] every month, she said. I know that some people may think spending such an amount of money on cats is a luxury, but I can afford to feed a cat and donate money to charity at the same time.

Masry plans to organize a cat contest and show in March 2018. I want to organize this event twice a year, she said. I am optimistic because each cat show draws more people.A group of liberal and leftist Egyptian political parties and public figures recently formed a new movement designed to boost the circulation of a government gone stagnant. The movement wants to create political mobility, contribute to amendments to the protest law, improve access to the government and boost political influence for civil society groups and syndicates.

The Civil Democratic Movement is made up of seven liberal parties and about 150 public figures. On Dec. 14, they signed a declaration of principles that includes 11 objectives and demands.

The document calls for establishing the basics of a modern civil democracy, strictly applying the law and constitutional provisions to all people with no exceptions, and facing corruption by implementing the principles of transparency and supervision through elected local councils, independent media and supervisory agencies.

It also calls for "providing the minimum level of economic and social rights for ordinary citizens," adopting the scientific approach in determining priorities for the use of resources, and applying the rules of competitiveness "that prevent the encroachment of one institution or group over another. The document also highlights the need to use intellectual as well as physical means to comprehensively confront terrorism. The new movement calls for the immediate release of all inmates who were imprisoned for expressing their opinions or staging peaceful demonstrations.

Among the public figures involved are former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi, former Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmed el-Borei, presidential hopeful and parliamentarian Mohamed Anwar el-Sadat, former head of the Central Auditing Agency Hisham Geneina and former head of the Press Syndicate Yehia Qalash.

Ammar Ali Hassan, a writer and political analyst, said members launched the movement to pressure the country's leadership to introduce political, economic and security reforms, and to create political mobility that allows for fresh faces to guarantee the prevention of an authoritarian regime.

Having the upcoming presidential elections around the corner was a very good opportunity for us to launch such a movement, Hassan, who is a movement member, told Al-Monitor.

Egypt is gearing up to hold its presidential election in March and April. The National Elections Authority said it hasn't yet determined a specific schedule.

Having the elections and [establishing the] movement at the same time [presents] an opportunity to re-engage Egyptians in political work after they have been avoiding it for a few years now, Hassan said.

Egypt has long been under fire by human rights groups that accuse the country of abuses. Human Rights Watch released a report in September saying Egyptian authorities had perpetrated systematic torture in jails. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry bristled at the report, accusing the international group of defaming the country's reputation and disregarding the government's recent progress.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi continues to assert that Egypt is determined to foster human rights and guarantee more freedoms. At the World Youth Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh in November, Sisi also stressed the importance of confronting terrorism as terror violates human rights and attacks humanity. The forum, however, wound up providing a platform for a social media campaign highlighting the government's human rights abuses.

Gamal Abdel Gawad, a political science professor at the American University in Cairo, said a political bloc such as the Civil Democratic Movement is crucial to ensure political pluralism and push for more freedoms in the country. Any political bloc that is launched now will be instrumental in [changing] the countrys political scene, which has been dominated by one political group over the past few years, Abdel Gawad told Al-Monitor.

Abdel Gawad also said that the lack of a crackdown or negative reactions from the political leadership against this bloc to date may indicate the state is willing to foster political pluralism and open the way for more opposition parties. However, he added that it will be hard for such a political bloc to become an influential competitor in the coming presidential election since the political parties involved in the movement are very small. It's still a step in the right direction, he said.

Political freedom or any other types of freedoms are hard to get established in any country. However, having opposition and political mobility is paramount to establishing a democracy that ensures basic rights for ordinary citizens and guarantees freedoms of expression and opinion, he added.Leila Mohamed, who lives in a village in Assiut province, heads to the graveyard at dawn to meet the cemetery guard, who she has already bribed. The guard takes a body from one of the graves and Laila jumps over it seven times. The eerie ritual is supposed to help her get pregnant, but so far, it has not.

There are many other superstitions that women of Upper Egypt swear by. One involves throwing themselves on rocks and rolling over them seven times at dawn. A woman who told Mohamed of this method assured her that she knew someone who has succeeded in having children afterward. So far, all Mohamed has managed to achieve is cutting herself all over.

In Upper Egypt's conservative society, a womans worth is often measured in children. Large families are universally desired, and people generally have many children. Women who cannot have them suffer more than a loss of face  their husbands may divorce them and remarry to try again.

Despite medical advancements, including the availability of fertility treatments, some women still pin their hopes on old wives tales and tricks, particularly after visits to doctors fail to deliver. These traditional methods are not only common among women with little or no formal education, especially those who married very young. Mohamed, who is almost 30, graduated from a technical high school. She has tried more than 10 traditional methods to get pregnant in her eight years of marriage.

When I was not pregnant within a year, everyone started asking questions. No one would visit me without asking me if I was pregnant and remarking that I should see a doctor, she told Al-Monitor. She did, to no avail.

Mohamed said that people started offering her alternative methods to try. She was initially skeptical and wary, particularly because one of her friends had died in a graveyard while trying to jump over a body. She fell in the grave on a sharp object. She died immediately, she said.

But after she miscarried twice, she decided to try it herself five times. Upon the insistence of my mother and mother-in-law, I visited a cemetery after arranging with the guard and giving him money. He took out the corpses and I jumped over them seven times. But this method did not work, she said.

Iman Ali, who is in her 40s and lives in Sohag governorate, also tried both jumping over dead bodies and rolling over rocks. She said these tricks worked and she had two children after five years of childless marriage. She believes that it was the rolling over rocks that worked, not the jumping over bodies. For getting pregnant after jumping over the dead bodies, you have to be scared of death, she said.

Ali said, When I first got married, I was against all these tricks. But I could not get pregnant for five years, although I saw many doctors and pursued treatments that proved to be useless. Many women got pregnant thanks to these tricks. When I had two children, I started believing in them, too.

She added, I stood on a slope near a grave in our village, with my mother and a specialized midwife who gave instructions and advice. I rolled on the stones seven times in a circular pattern. A few weeks later, I was pregnant. The same happened with my second child.

Amina Hassan, a 60-year-old midwife from Sohag, told Al-Monitor that if all else fails, a woman who wants to get pregnant should go to the slaughterhouse at the market after cutting her thumb with a sharp tool. According to this superstition, she should first cross the market from start to end, passing through the slaughterhouse. She should then step in the blood of animals and wash her legs with it.

Osama Hamad, a sociologist from Sohag, told Al-Monitor that these superstitions flourish in the closed and isolated society of southern Egypt, where education levels are low and pressure from women's families and peers is high. In fear of public scorn and the possibility that their husbands will remarry, desperate women often resort to old wives' tales.

Hamad maintains that the superstitions have long been ingrained in the area and were incorporated into Islam, as many of the practices predate the religion. Hamad said the fertility rites date back to ancient Pharaonic days, and women in villages close to Pharaonic temples maintained these practices, as their culture evolved.As Iran experiences the sixth day of nationwide protests, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the ongoing unrest. During his weekly meeting Jan. 2 with the families of those killed in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, Khamenei said that enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran are using the protests to strike a blow against the government.

In the events of the last few days, enemies of Iran with various tools at their disposal, such as money, arms, politics and security apparatuses, have allied to create problems for the Islamic Republic, Khamenei said. As for the cause of the protests, Khamenei noted, I have some things to say about these matters, and I will speak to the people about them.

Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, also weighed in on Irans protests. The domestic situation is the lack of approval of a part of the nation over the economic situation, he said.

Shamkhani also pointed the finger at foreign powers for interfering in the countrys domestic affairs and stirring unrest, saying that a proxy war was taking place against Iran by Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom. They are trying to collapse the nation from within, Shamkhani said, adding that 27% of the hashtags related to the Iran protests are originating from Saudi Arabia, whom he has accused of hiring foreigners to undertake the task. Shamkhani also warned Saudi Arabia against getting involved in Irans internal affairs.

He said that what is happening in Iran will end in the coming days and that there is no need for concern.

President Hassan Rouhani addressed the situation of the protests earlier in a Cabinet meeting, saying that protesters had a right to express economic grievances but that those who damage property will be confronted. According to Reformist newspaper Ghanoon Daily, Rouhani had recorded a message but the hard-line Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting  the nations state TV  refused to broadcast it.

During a separate meeting with members of parliament, Rouhani reiterated his positions from his Cabinet meeting. The people have problems. Its natural; we have to solve the problems, Rouhani said. Therefore, a few have protested and have criticisms. They have a right to criticize, but they have to choose the correct path to express their criticisms.

Rouhani also said that some have entered the protests to take advantage of people and provoke protesters. He also addressed the foreign element to these protests, saying, We should have prepared ourselves for this. They straightforwardly said that they will take the problems to Tehran. They said it with their own mouths; this is not our analysis.

Iranian security officials appear to be calm about the protests in Iran  in their statements anyway. Ismaeil Kowsari, deputy commander for Sarallah Base, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unit in charge of security for Tehran, said that for now Irans police forces are conducting security for Tehran. He said that if Irans NAJA (Law Enforcement Force) asked Sarallah Base to get involved, the IRGC is ready. But no such requests have been made yet. Kowsari said that if the unrest continues and officials do make such a request, the IRGC would end the unrest.Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), spoke to reporters Jan. 3 about the protests that have rocked Iran in the last week and hinted that a former government official may have been involved in initially starting the protests that quickly spiraled out of control.

When asked by reporters whether it was true that a former official was involved in sparking the protests that started in Mashhad, Jafari said, This call [to protest] started with a website that is linked to an individual who has opened his mouth in opposition to the values and principles of the system. Jafari continued, Security officials are investigating this matter, and if they see interference by this former official, certainly he will be confronted by law enforcement.

Jafari did not specify which former official he was speaking of, but speculation by some analysts leads to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has been in a constant public battle with Irans judiciary over corruption cases involving his former Cabinet members. In the last few months, Ahmadinejad has released numerous videos threatening action if the judiciary did not disclose all of its documents relating to him and his Cabinet.

Since the protests started, Ahmadinejad has been silent. The website that is affiliated with him, Dolat-e Bahar, however, did publish a letter reportedly by a group of Tehran University students demanding that President Hassan Rouhani resign and immediately hold elections.

Regardless of how the protests started, it is undeniable that they quickly spread to other provinces with very little control or coordination. Jafari said that according to the IRGCs calculations, a total of 15,000 protesters were involved in the demonstrations across the country and that the largest single protest was attended by approximately 1,500 people. He said the IRGC was directly involved in quelling protests in the provinces of Hamedan, Esfahan and Lorestan.

Jafari acknowledged the economic grievances of the protesters but also indirectly criticized Rouhanis policies of wanting to link Irans economy to the West. Some feel that a friendship with America will improve the economic situation, but these people should look at a country such as Egypt, which has sacrificed everything for friendship with America, Jafari said.

In response to the protests across the country, officials held pro-government rallies. Fars News wrote, Today, in many of the countrys provinces, the revolutionary nation of Iran's roar was heard above the insults of the rioters and the enemies of Iran against sanctities. The article continued, The people of Iran once again proved they are always supportive of their revolution and will not tolerate insults against sanctities for one moment. Some of the pro-government rallies took place in Qom, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Khorasan, Esfahan and Lorestan, all provinces that experienced protests in their smaller cities.

One international consequence of the protests is that French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian decided to postpone his upcoming trip to Tehran. The decision was made after Rouhani and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on the phone.

While it appears that protests are dying down across the country, there were fears that the security situation would deteriorate into something similar to what happened in Syria. Iranians started tweeting with the hashtag We will not become Syria and expressed worries that the protests might degenerate into more violence. Others who supported the protests responded with the hashtag We will become Tunisia.As protests continue in various Iranian cities, Reformists are asking people to show restraint in expressing their discontent. The protests, originally economic in nature and later expanded to include other grievances, have not been welcomed by Reformists inside Iran.

Having initially targeted the conduct of the executive branch, protesters gradually targeted other pillars of the establishment as verbal attacks against the Reformists and the person of the president subsided.

The protests started Dec. 28 in the northeastern cities of Mashhad and Neishabur; this led some analysts to suggest that President Hassan Rouhanis main rival in the May 2017 elections, Ebrahim Raisi, and his father-in-law, Ahmad Alamolhoda, were behind the organization of these protests, with the aim of putting pressure on the administration. Raisi is the custodian of the Astan-e Quds Razavi charitable foundation in Mashhad, and his father-in-law is the Friday prayers leader there. The suggestion that Raisi and Alamolhoda were involved became more plausible when Iran's first vice president, Eshaq Jahangiri, said the protests were organized by those opposing the administration. On Dec. 29, Jahangiri said, "Some people are using the economy as means for attacking the administration. Something is going on behind the scenes and it needs to be identified."

A prominent Reformist member of parliament from Tehran, Mahmoud Sadeghi, had a different view when he wrote on Twitter the same day, "Even if these protests were pre-organized, it is still better for officials to try to find a solution to people's problems instead of looking for conspiracy theories."

While some Reformists blamed their Principlist rivals for the unrest and generally had a conspiracy-oriented view of what was happening, other Reformists defended the public's right to protest in the streets. Other Reformists claimed that the policies of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his 2005-13 presidency lie at the root of the current problems and social discontent. All of the Reformists, however, had one thing in common: They urged people to avoid violence while protesting.

Mostafa Tajzadeh, a Reformist politician and the head of the Election Office in President Mohammad Khatami's 1997-2005 administration, took to Twitter on Dec. 29 to defend the people's right to protest publicly, calling it an inalienable right of Iranian citizens guaranteed in Article 27 of the Iranian Constitution. However, as the protests escalated and became violent, more Reformists took to the public stage and condemned the violence.

On Dec. 30, Abdollah Ramezanzadeh, a government spokesman under Khatami, tweeted, We can achieve prosperity and freedom through legal means and without violence. The day before, prominent Reformist Mohammad Ali Abtahi, who served as Khatami's vice president, wrote on his Instagram account, This is not about being a Reformist or a Principlist or anti-revolutionary. Everyone, from Ahmadinejad to members of the [hard-line] Endurance Front, to various websites and channels, to both supporters and opponents of Rouhani, all should know that stirring up social problems and encouraging street protests will be, more than anything else, to the detriment of the people who live inside Iran and have been tormented by discrimination, the economic situation and unemployment. If this situation continues, we will soon have a police state, there will be more economic hardship, and even the advantages and possibilities that are available today will no longer exist."

Although Reformists have accepted that difficulties do exist and have defended the people's right to protest in the streets, all also seem to believe that continuing the current path of protests is pointless and will only result in crippling the country and making the situation worse.

On Dec. 29, Hamidreza Jalaeipour, a prominent Reformist political analyst and university professor, wrote on his Telegram channel, "The Reformists were criticized for having encouraged the people to vote and were accused of only knowing how to bring people to voting booths. My answer is that we will continue to do the same thing. Voting is the civil and responsible thing to do. If we didnt have informed participation in society, we would be worse off than Pakistan, Egypt and Syria. Let me frankly tell you that the Reformists do not look for the solutions to the problems of society in the streets.

These reactions prompted some online users, especially those outside of Iran, to criticize the Reformists and call them opportunistic and power-hungry individuals who want to stay in power no matter what. However, the truth is that the Reformists ideology is in opposition to regime change and radical shifts. Just as the Reformists were not looking to overthrow the government following the disputed 2009 presidential elections and were only demanding the revocation of the election results, they are not looking for sudden and radical solutions today and instead prefer to solve challenges through gradual reform.

Saeed Laylaz, a leading Reformist political analyst and university professor, told Al-Monitor, Although there are problems causing different crises in the country and difficulties for the people, we should remember that not all of these problems can be blamed on the administration since other institutions bear some responsibility as well. Additionally, these difficulties are no excuse for defending violence and chaos in the country.

He added, My personal analysis is that in the following days, more Reformist personalities will come forward in defense of the administration and will clarify their position regarding the protests, the right of the people to peaceful assembly and the necessity of avoiding violence. Reformist conduct is always in opposition to any violent movement.

As such, it appears that Rouhani and his administration face a weighty task: controlling and stabilizing the country without using violence.As Jordanians bade farewell to an exceptionally bad year for the kingdom in terms of worsening economic and social conditions, forecasts for 2018 were noticeably not optimistic. Parliament is expected to pass a controversial state budget that will approve an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mandated suspension of subsidies that will include bread  an essential daily staple for millions of Jordanians. In addition, a draft income tax law will limit exemptions for paying income tax and lower the threshold for those who will have to pay the tax. Economic growth remains sluggish and the state budget continues to suffer from deficits, while foreign and local debt has passed the $36 billion mark. Economists have warned that foreign aid to the kingdom might also decrease in 2018.

But the gloomy economic picture is only part of the current state of pessimism. Pundits have pointed to major geopolitical shifts in the region during 2017 that put additional pressure on the kingdom. They included worsening relations with Israel, a perception that traditional Gulf allies are negotiating secretly with Israel to pass President Donald Trumps so-called ultimate deal at the expense of both Jordan and the Palestinians, and most recently the fallout from Trumps unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Despite tough warnings from the United States, Jordan  which has led an intensive diplomatic campaign to counterbalance Trumps proclamation  voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution Dec. 21, which described any change to the status of Jerusalem as null and void and was seen as a rebuke to the White House. Still, Jordanians worry that the United States might retaliate by slashing an estimated $1.2 billion in annual economic and military aid. Worse still, they fear that the historically firm alliance with the United States might suffer under the current administration.

King Abdullah had hoped to build a strong relationship with Trump. He was the only Arab leader to meet him three times last year. The king is a familiar visitor to Capitol Hill and enjoys excellent ties with key lawmakers. As such, it will be difficult for the Trump administration to take punitive measures against Amman without facing objections from Congress.

Still, there is a feeling of growing isolation and perhaps even marginalization by Jordan in light of shifting alliances and new geopolitical realities in the region. As such, pundits have called on the leadership to react to such realities and open channels with perceived foes, including Iran.

Historically, Jordans foreign policy has been pragmatic and cautious. Abdullah has followed in his fathers footsteps in navigating tough foreign policy challenges. Abdullah was the first to warn of a Shiite crescent extending from Tehran to Beirut as far back as 2004. Relations between Amman and Tehran have been tepid for decades  reaching their lowest point during the Iraq-Iran War in the 1980s  although there was a willingness by Jordan to improve ties after the election of Hassan Rouhani as Iran's president in 2013. When Iranian protesters attacked the Saudi Embassy in Tehran in January 2016, Jordan did not sever ties with Iran but recalled its ambassador instead.

There is little doubt here that Trumps move on Jerusalem has dealt a fatal blow to the two-state solution  a cornerstone of Jordans national security. The Israeli far-right government is perceived as hostile to Jordans interests, and its adoption of unilateral measures to consolidate its hold over the West Bank will give credence to radical Jewish voices that claim a Palestinian state already exists  in Jordan. Added to this is the growing suspicion that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may be willing to bypass Jordan in order to normalize ties with Israel.

Amid such solemn developments, calls for Jordan to respond by improving ties with Tehran have been made by a number of influential pundits. Writing in the Addustour daily Dec. 26, political analyst Oraib al-Rantawi called on the government to emulate the UAE example. Trade between Iran and the UAE, two countries that are at odds politically, is more than $17 billion annually, and yet Abu Dhabi heads the anti-Iran campaign, he wrote.

Rantawi added, We have no dispute with Tehran, and we dont have to be in the forefront of countries opposing it. We should normalize relations and return our ambassador immediately.

Writing in the daily Al-Ghad on Dec. 26, political commentator Mohammad Abu Rumman also called on the government to open up to Iran especially now that Tehran is the gateway to Iraq with its vast market and standing offer to provide us with cheap oil.

But, he added, Such a move should not mean that we must change our alliances but to give us the chance to protect our national interests. Abu Rumman said, We should be aware that we are politically isolated and that we have deep differences with our traditional allies.

The editor of Al-Ghad, Jumana Ghuneimat, also called on Jordan to review its traditional alliances at a time when Tehran is sending positive messages to Jordan. Writing on Dec. 19, she said, We have to open the door for new players, especially those who stand with us.  Iran is offering us economic partnership and we should accept.

In an interview with Al-Monitor published Dec. 19, Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Mojtaba Ferdosipour said, When the doors to promote and consolidate economic relations open between Iran and Jordan, the Jordanian side will benefit the most. The Iranian market consists of 80 million people, while the Jordanian market is comprised of about 9 million people.

He added, In 2015, Iran and Jordan agreed to form joint economic committees, but after Saudi-Iranian ties went up in flames, the Saudi Embassy in Tehran was shut down and the Jordanian ambassador to Tehran was summoned in 2016, the committees suspended their work.

So far the Jordanian government has not shown any signs that it is ready to alter the state of its alliances or improve relations with Tehran. Certainly, any normalization between Jordan and Iran at this sensitive juncture will not be welcomed by the kingdoms Gulf allies or by Washington. Since its inception as a kingdom in 1946, Jordan has managed to overcome numerous existential challenges both regionally and domestically. It now appears that 2018 will usher in one of these challenges.On the way to visit his aunt, 16-year-old Fawzi al-Juneidi was captured by Israeli forces in Hebron. He said he was severely beaten and taken to a nearby military watchtower with blood pouring from his face, placed in an outdoor fenced room and made to sit on the ground in cold water in the December chill. They poured cold water on my feet, as I had lost my shoes when they arrested me. They were standing on my legs and feet, leaving cuts all over my body, Juneidi told Al-Monitor within days of his release from 22 days in prison. Juneidi said that as a result of the beatings he endured from the time of his arrest, his shoulder was fractured.

After a day of various transfers between police stations, Juneidi was taken to Ofer, an Israeli prison in the West Bank, where he was finally allowed to access an Israeli hospital. While I was in the hospital, the soldiers threatened that if I didnt admit to throwing stones they would beat me up. They continually said bad words to me and cursed me, Juneidi said.

Walking to his aunts house, Juneidi had to cross an area in Hebron where there were clashes between young Palestinians and Israeli forces in the aftermath of US President Donald Trumps Jerusalem announcement. Soldiers arent out in this area during the day if there are no clashes. But because of the protests they surrounded the area and trapped the youths, Juneidi said.

The number of child arrests has substantially increased in the month following Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Ayed Abu Eqtaish, the accountability program director of Defense for Children International  Palestine (DCIP), told Al-Monitor that between Dec. 6 and Dec. 19, 77 children under the age of 18 had been imprisoned, double the numbers from the previous month.

The PLOs prisoners' affairs commission said in a report released at the end of December that the youth arrests were concentrated in Hebron, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The commission said that Israeli forces particularly targeted young men and boys under the ages of 18 and that dozens of youths detained in Ofer were subject to barbaric attacks and brutality during their detention and interrogation process.

Juneidi said that during his time in Ofer Prison, the guards would come in the middle of the night and wake him up by banging on the cell door with their guns. The boy was unable to see his family for four days, until he was brought to a military court for the first time Dec. 11. A DCIP report said Juneidi was interrogated without the presence of a lawyer or family member and was allowed access to legal consultation following  not prior to  his interrogation.

According to the DCIP, Juneidi is one of 700 Palestinian children to be detained every year and prosecuted in Israeli military courts while lacking fair trial rights and protection.

Juneidi was released from prison Dec. 28 after his family paid a fine of 10,000 Israeli shekels (roughly $2,900). I was sure I was going to be released because my family was standing with me, Juneidi said. He said he still suffers psychologically: When Im sleeping, I always have a dream or nightmare about the arrest.

The photo of Juneidi being dragged by 22 Israeli Border Police quickly went viral after his arrest. Abu Eqtaish said the way Juneidi was arrested backs up what human rights organizations are claiming. We believe all children are exposed to the same practices, Abu Eqtaish said.

In Halhul, a village north of Hebron, 15-year-old Asala Abu Rayyan was shot in the hand with a rubber bullet fired by Israeli Border Police during a protest against the planned US Embassy move. After being injured, she and her 17-year-old cousin Manar Abu Rayyan wanted to leave the demonstration and receive medical attention from the Red Crescent Society. As the ambulance they were in was driving off, Israeli forces blocked the way, opened the door and detained the two girls.

I tried to resist and hit one of the soldiers on the shoulder, Asala told Al-Monitor. I was pulled out, [the soldier] pulled off my hijab and hit my head against the jeep. Both girls were handcuffed and placed in separate jeeps and taken to the closest military watchtower for three hours before being transferred to the Jabara police station in the Kiryat Arba settlement that most of the world sees as illegal. They tried to force us to say we were throwing stones, Manar said.

In the police station, the cousins were not allowed to talk with each other. They mocked us a lot and called us lots of bad names. If we spoke, they would come and hit us on the head, sending pain down our backs, as we sat on the ground, Manar said.

Asala said, They put us in a container, which was open at the bottom. It was super cold.

Asalas mother, Nora Abu Rayyan, tried to visit the girls when she was informed of their arrest Dec. 13, but was told to leave by Israeli forces. I kept thinking I would not be able to see my family or go to school anymore, Asala said. The investigators told the girls they would be detained for at least four more days.

Nora Abu Rayyan went to the civil administration, the Israeli governing body in the West Bank, in an attempt to get her daughter out of detention. We were lucky the soldiers dropped part of their weapons in the ambulance [when they were arresting the girls]  the sniper scope and stand, Nora Abu Rayyan said. The weapon parts left in the ambulance proved the soldiers had taken the girls from the van. Theyre not allowed to attack an ambulance, why would they do that? Asala said. The family was therefore able to arrange an exchange with the civil administration, giving back Israeli property in return for the girls' release from Jabara on Dec. 14.

Im thankful to God that I'm with my family again and can go back to school. When I saw what they did to Fawzi, I feel thankful that Im out, Asala added.

Her mother concluded, Im proud of my daughter; she didnt do anything wrong. She is defending her country and Al-Aqsa [Mosque]. Its the right of every Palestinian child. Its something to be proud of."REYHANLI, Turkey  As the regime and remnants of the Islamic State (IS) both step up attacks on remaining opposition-held areas in northwestern Syria, rebel forces struggle to maintain their last bastion in the war-torn country.

On Dec. 26, opposition fighters in northern Hama reportedly shot down a regime plane, possibly using man-portable air-defense systems.

Northern Hama and southern sections of Idlib just north of Hama have been pounded by artillery and airstrikes in recent days. Foreign militias seem to be playing a major role on the side of the Syrian government in the battles.

Regime and allied forces have reportedly retaken some 50 villages in the two provinces.

Remaining pockets of IS fighters in the area have also made inroads against rebel forces in recent months, leading several Hama residents, civil defense workers and the leader of an armed opposition group with whom Al-Monitor spoke to posit again that the Syrian regime is supporting the extremists to further its ends in the area.

Pro-regime media have announced liberating all of rural Hama from [IS] militants after besieging them weeks beforehand, only to later report on IS attacks on rebel groups in the same area.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)  the main part of which was formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra prior to a rebranding in an attempt to formally distance itself from al-Qaeda  now has a major presence in southern Idlib and has control of sections of the 160-kilometer [99-mile] front line that opposition forces are holding against the regime and IS, opposition group commander Raed Allawi told Al-Monitor during an interview in mid-December in southern Turkey.

Allawi leads the 314 Division, one of three sections of the Second Army (Jaish al-Thani) that have received support from the Turkey-based Military Operations Center (MOM).

Originally from rural Hama, Allawi has been fighting with various Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups since the beginning of the armed revolt. He has fought alongside such defected officers as Col. Jamil Radoon, who was assassinated in southern Turkey  possibly at the hands of al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra in late August 2015. Radoon was also from Hama province.

There are 1,318 fighters in the Second Army, Allawi said.

He told Al-Monitor that all the fighters in his group were receiving monthly salaries from the MOM of $150, but that this support would end after December. He said that talks were being held to possibly bring in a new program, but he did not seem optimistic about the support resuming soon, if at all. However, he said he would continue fighting no matter what.

Allawi expressed concerns that some of his fighters might be tempted or forced  due to financial considerations  to join HTS, since the group has never had problems with funding, unlike ones fighting under nonreligious-affiliated banners like his own.

He noted that the tribal element had thus far proved useful in keeping his division cohesive.

Allawi comes from the Smatiya tribe, which he said counts 61,000 people in rural Hama. All the members of this tribe support us, and all the fighters in my division are from this tribe.

In Qalaat al-Madiq, for example, he said there are no HTS units, only individuals that support it. But if any of these individuals were to cause trouble, the entire community would stand against them. It is a family-based community with 25,000 people belonging to 11 families in the Ghab Plains northeast of Hama.

Allawis 17-year-old son told him he would rather die than leave Syria, even to go to Turkey to renew an ID card. Allawi forced him to cross into the neighboring country briefly  since we do not know what the future holds  but the boy went back to Hama afterward.

Allawi has two wives, as do many men in Hama, and eight children.

The FSA division commander told Al-Monitor that about 80% of the defected officers in a camp set up by the Turks in the Hatay region are still involved in the fighting in one way or another, lamenting that these officers have long been ignored or marginalized by the media as part of a plan to make the uprising seem like a terrorists movement instead of a peoples one.

Allawi said he had not had any major problems with HTS yet, but that all of the FSA groups in the area were wary of them.

Before I joined the Second Army, we, he said  referring to a previous armed opposition group he had been fighting with in the Hama region  were holding a position [in Hama] in 2014, and Jabhat al-Nusra raided it and took the weapons. But at that time we were not getting international support.

The city of Hama was where an estimated 20,000 people were killed in a 1982 massacre under current Syrian President Bashar al-Assads father, Hafez al-Assad. Due to a lack of documentation and no international media presence on the ground, exact figures are unknown. Opposition to the regime has long been strong in the province.

Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib has been targeted by the regime in recent days. The town became widely known after an April 2017 chemical mass casualty attack by regime forces that killed over 80 people and injured several hundred more. The attack prompted an international inquiry that found that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons over two dozen times during the ongoing conflict, which began in 2011.

It also led to the United States' targeting a Syrian air base from which the aircraft that had conducted the chemical attacks had taken off.

Almost no international media have been inside Idlib or Hama since the closing of the Turkish border in early 2015, while the United Nations stopped counting casualties in the Syrian conflict over four years ago.

The international bodys last official figure  100,000 dead and 1.7 million forced to take refuge in neighboring countries  dates back to July 2013.

Idlib is the only region in Syria left in rebel hands after a peak of territorial control by and international support for opposition groups in late 2012 and early 2013, when the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces took the Assad regimes seat at an Arab League summit in Dubai, opened an embassy in Qatar in March 2013 and was recognized by the United States as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, prior to losing ground over the ensuing years.

The province is where residents from many formerly besieged opposition-held areas, especially near the capital, as well as evacuees of besieged western Aleppo in late 2016 have been displaced to over the past two years.

The population of the province has risen to over an estimated 2 million people, almost half of whom are internally displaced persons.

FSA groups and HTS seem to be working more closely together on the front lines in recent days in an attempt to withstand the onslaught by the regime and allied militias.As Irans protesters stir global debate about whether the countrys repressive theocracy is finally coming unstuck, in neighboring Turkey, the question looming ever larger is whether Turkey's shaky democracy is about to die.

The blanket repression and hollowing out of the countrys notionally democratic institutions spearheaded by the countrys strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan since the July 2016 coup attempt amply justify such angst. But the shroud of gloom enveloping the country was pierced, however fleetingly, when former President Abdullah Gul finally spoke up.

The man who has long been touted as Erdogans sole credible rival took to Twitter to criticize a pair of new decrees that critics charge effectively legitimize violence carried out by ordinary citizens to defend Erdogan and his government against their perceived enemies.

Using typically guarded language, Gul wrote that while he believed the decrees were issued to protect our heroic citizens who poured into the streets to face down the coup plotters on the night of the coup, their wording was vague and troubling and not in keeping with the spirit of the rule of law.

Thus, to avert future events that might aggrieve all of us, he hoped that they would be held up to further scrutiny.

Even this mildest of rebukes ignited hopes that Gul, who as foreign minister was a driving force in Turkeys once happy relations with the European Union and its waning soft power in the Middle East, was finally girding himself to challenge his former ally and steer the country back from the precipice. Not only had he publicly criticized the presidents policies, he was standing his ground. When Erdogans cyber trolls responded with their well-worn tropes about how the British-educated Gul was serving his imperial masters, Turkeys first democratically elected president declared that as one who believes in free thought and expression that are among the founding principles of our [ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)] I shall continue, as warranted to announce my views.

Guls references to various members of parliament and related trolls and their disrespectful and immoral attacks against him had an even more electrifying effect. The gloves were finally off.

And as seasoned expert on Turkeys Islamist movement Rusen Cakir observed on the independent online news channel MedyaScopeTV, Erdogan and his allies were terribly perturbed and that should Gul persist life for Erdogan would definitely become more difficult.

And what if he doesnt? The biggest worry is that if Erdogan wins the presidential elections that are due to be held in November 2019 and formally assumes the sweeping powers vested in the executive branch that were narrowly approved in last years referendum, any future elections will become no more than a rubber stamp for one-man rule.

Gul has been widely condemned for failing to speak out forcefully against Erdogans rising authoritarianism during his presidential term which ended in 2014. Guls timidity bred speculation that Erdogan had compromising information on him. More likely, Gul was fearful of alienating their common base without whose support Gul would have no political future: Public displays of disunity are frowned up in conservative circles. This is why it took so long for the AKP and the Gulenists, who are accused of planning the coup, to carry their war out into the open.

Even now, groused a prominent conservative intellectual, who like many in Turkey these days would only speak on condition that he not be identified by name, Erdogan invites Gul to a duel and Gul limits himself to firing arrows from afar. He was referring to Erdogans recent thinly veiled salvoes against Gul. Those who kept silent when Turkey was aflame, the Islamic world was ablaze, when humanity was suffering  have suddenly appeared on the scene and begun commenting on [random] topics. What is going on?  What is the reason for this mischief? When Turkey is waging a new struggle for national liberation what behooves us is to remain united, Erdogan fulminated at a weekend event.

Some pollsters agree that Gul could win back the presidency, yet as one argued, The greatest risk remains Guls aversion to risk-taking and that he could buckle under further pressure from Erdogan. He wants the keys [of power] handed over to him without taking the slightest risk.

Still, the intellectual and the pollster concurred that Gul alone has the potential to reverse Turkeys unraveling. Gul is the only political figure of any stature who can draw the support of Turkeys two most important, and to some extent overlapping, demographics: pious right-wing conservatives and the Kurds.

Cakir observed, Its a measure of how deep a crisis the opposition is engulfed in as is the government that people like Gul can with a single tweet have such impact.

A former top Turkish diplomat who spoke to Al-Monitor on strict condition of anonymity said Gul was one of the few Turkish leaders who can restore Turkeys global standing as a reliable partner for the West and an inspiration for Muslims aspiring to democracy.

Under the existing rules should Gul run as an independent, he would need at least 100,000 signatures in order to qualify. That will be a breeze, claimed an influential Kurdish politician with close ties to the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP). The politician, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, told Al-Monitor that the HDP-led bloc had been weighing for some time whether to support Gul if he ran against Erdogan in the 2019 presidential elections. The emerging consensus, he said, was that we have to, because he is the only one who can vanquish Erdogan and who can restore some measure of stability and rule of law before it is completely destroyed.

Though like many Turkish politicians Gul remains a nationalist at heart, he understands that Turkey cannot prosper unless it addresses the Kurds grievances in a meaningful way. Gul was the first to reveal the now-defunct Kurdish opening when the government began negotiating with imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan in 2009.

I and fellow Al-Monitor columnist Cengiz Candar were among a group of journalists on the plane carrying Gul to Tehran in 2009 when he made the announcement, saying, Very good things will happen with respect to the Kurdish issue in the coming days.

His sincerity and enthusiasm were palpable.

The Kurdish politician said that even if Meral Aksener, the right-wing nationalist female politician and presidential hopeful, were to take part in an opposition bloc backing Gul as president, the Kurds would hold their noses and join. An alliance with Aksener would help Gul deflect likely attacks from the Erdogan camp that he is cavorting with terrorists.

Guls next move, argued the conservative intellectual, should be to put out a statement saying that the emergency rule, which is up for an extension on Jan. 15, ought not to be renewed and to explain why.

The wrench in the mix is Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) who is getting ready to declare his intention to run. Although he has not won a single election since he began leading the party in 2010, Kilicdaroglu, according to CHP officials who spoke to Al-Monitor, is seized with the illusion that he can lead an opposition bloc. Kilicdaroglu is reportedly seeking to persuade Aksener and the HDP to back him. In exchange, he is pledging to appoint Aksener and a pro-HDP Kurd as vice presidents. The CHP commands around 25%, so either way, Kilicdaroglu would split the opposition making it somewhat easier perhaps for Erdogan to win the 50% plus one vote he needs to sail to victory in the first round of balloting.

It is thus a safer bet for Aksener and the Kurds to back a winning ticket and be assured a seat at the table  and that ticket "is Gul, not Kilicdaroglu; we have done all the math, the Kurdish politician reasoned. However, bearing in mind that Erdogan might resort to fraud in a last-ditch attempt to cling to power, an opposition victory would be best assured if Kilicdaroglu were to bow out of the race. Thus, Kilicdaroglu has a historic duty to not run  and Gul to run. For all the euphoria triggered by Guls recent pluck, the question of whether either man will rise to the occasion, and more critically of how far Erdogan is prepared to go to eliminate his rivals, remains depressingly open.The Gulf-Egypt axis now has another reason to question Turkey's ambitions in the region: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the first leg of his late-December Africa tour, went to Sudan to ask if Ankara could lease Suakin Island. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir agreed to Erdogans request.

Erdogan adamantly rejects claims that Turkey is scheming to build a military base at Suakin. But the island, which once served as an Ottoman forward outpost in the Red Sea, could easily assume military features that would provide Turkey with a third military base abroad, in addition to those in Qatar and Somalia.

During his visit to Sudan, Erdogan signed 13 agreements covering a new airport for the capital Khartoum, a free-trade zone in Port Sudan, a port and shipyards for military and civilian ships in the Red Sea, grain silos at various locations, a university, a hospital and power stations. The countries are targeting an annual trade volume between them of $10 billion, up from the current $500 million.

The two countries induced panic in the Arab world when, in addition to Turkey gaining temporary control of Suakin Island, the two countries' chiefs of staff agreed to develop military cooperation. While explaining why he is paying so much attention to this island that the Sudanese call the gate to Africa, Erdogan used the metaphor of reincarnation, which reinvigorated the fear of Turks in the region.

Suakin lost its stature and fell into ruin when Port Sudan was built 30 miles to the north between 1905 and 1909. But Erdogan accused Western countries of turning Suakin into a ghost island.

They razed it to the ground.  This is in their nature, Erdogan said Dec. 25 during a speech at Khartoum University. Your razing of this place is like us shaving our beards. We will rebuild and reconstruct it in such a way that, like a shaved beard, it will regrow much more abundant."

Erdogan has this plan in mind: If the island is handed over to Turkey, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will restore the Ottoman relics there, including a 300-room caravanserai, or inn. TIKA has been operating on the island since 2011 and already has restored the Hanafi and Shafi mosques. When the entire restoration project is completed, Turkish citizens traveling to Mecca for the Islamic pilgrimage of umrah will be able to fly to Sudan to visit historical sites and then go to Jeddah by boat, thus reanimating an Ottoman base and the ancient umrah route.

Whether the island will become a military base is open to speculation, but the port project for military and civilian ships and the accord of military cooperation are enough to raise eyebrows, especially in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt fears that Sudan, empowered by Turkish support, might become even more strident in its claim to the disputed Halayeb triangle on the Red Sea coast. Egypt had posted soldiers at Halayeb in the 1990s to block Sudanese aspirations. Moreover, Egypt has been upset with Sudan's support of Ethiopia in an argument over the Renaissance Dam on the Nile. Egyptians fear that a Turkish military alliance with Sudan could actually upset the power balance in the region.

Egypt is also worried about a powerful country like Turkey, which supports the Muslim Brotherhood, having direct access to a neighboring country. Egypt exiled leaders of the Sunni Islamist organization, which supported the previous administration.

Egyptian journalist Imadeddin Adib wrote about Egypts concerns in his Al Watan column Dec. 27: Bashir [al-Assad] is playing with fire in return for dollars. Sudan  with its Turkey madness, with Iranian plots and the Ethiopian scheme to deny water to Egypt, and Qatars financial gimmicks  is violating geographic and historic realities against Egypt. Sudan is offering its ports and borders for dispatching of guns and terrorists to Egypt and serving the goals of the Qatar-Turkey alliance to restore the Muslim Brotherhood to power.

Saudis fear that a base in Sudan controlled by Turkey  which is cooperating with Iran  could become a springboard of support for the Qatar- and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Sudan, despite its promise to remain neutral, gives the impression that it is supporting Qatar in its conflict with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. A partnership with Turkey is considered a concrete indicator of the change in Sudans axis.

Arab media gave wide coverage to statements that the 13 agreements between Sudan and Turkey  worth $650 million  were actually financed by Qatar. In November, Qatar had announced plans to develop a port with Sudan on the Red Sea.

Simultaneously with Erdogans Africa tour, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim went to Saudi Arabia to try to balance the developments in the Red Sea and dispel concerns. But it didnt work. Although the Saudi leadership kept silent, comments in the media they control revealed their concerns.

Mohammed Abu Talib, a writer for Saudi newspaper Okaz, reminded readers that Sudan was saved from sanctions thanks to the Saudis. He accused Sudan of serving Turkeys expansion aspirations.

Turkey is blatantly seeking expansion in the region and using its influence, especially against Egypt and Gulf countries. The most dangerous aspect of this visit was handing over to Erdogan Suakin Island, which faces Jeddah and which he sees as the symbol of the Ottoman Empire, Abu Talib wrote.

The Gulf News commented, Iran can use the new Turkish base in Sudan to ship more weapons to Houthis. Turkey, by using the new military facility, could send more soldiers to Qatar or intervene more in Egypt by manipulating the Muslim Brotherhood. This no doubt will worry Jordan as much as Egypt. With Turkish and Sudanese provocations, Sudanese aspirations for Halayeb [the disputed area] can be reignited.

Egyptian daily Al Akhbar also wrote that Sudanese deals with Turkey signal changes in Sudan's axis in a way that will worry regional countries.

The website of Al Arabia TV carried an incendiary comment that said, The Ottoman presence in Suakin is associated with massacres of Sudanese."

The last thing Arabs want is to witness a resurrection of Ottoman heritage on Red Sea shores. Arabs already take Erdogans inflammatory speeches very seriously.

How justified are their concerns? Is there really a resurrection of Ottomans? Erdogan has established a pattern of loudly recalling Ottoman forefathers, claiming Ottoman relics and referring to the Ottoman heritage when speaking about the Middle East and Africa. He sees Africa as a region of opportunities and believes that he has more right than anybody else to be there. More dangerous than a shark smelling blood are the imperialists who smell oil, Erdogan said during his Sudan visit, while repeating that the Ottomans had no imperialist past.

Erdogan also believes he can compensate in Africa for isolation elsewhere. It is true that this is the region where Turkeys image has eroded the least. His most recent tour to Sudan, Chad and Tunisia was his fifth visit to Africa since he became president in 2014. He also signed a military accord with Tunisia to train Tunisian soldiers in Turkey and also to invest in the defense field.

Since Turkey declared 2005 "The Year of Africa, it increased its number of embassies in the continent from 12 to 38. It has a sizable military presence in Somalia, where it just opened a base in September. The base, which cost about $50 million to build, now houses 200 Turkish troops and has a military academy that will train Somali officers.

Turkey also sent its first military detachment to a base near Qatar's capital of Doha in June. So far, there are no more than 100 soldiers at a base that can accommodate 5,000. Troop strength is expected to reach 3,000.

In sum, Erdogan's approach to building African relations by bringing up history and religion is the core concern for Arabs. Turkey could benefit more by basing its relations on joint interests instead of reviving unpleasant past experiences. Erdogan is making the mistake of becoming a party to regional conflicts as he tries to build new bridges in the region. Also, he prefers to forge personal relations instead of solid, institutional relations, making one wonder about the sustainability of Turkeys ambitious Africa plans.Some previously unannounced Nokia devices may have just been revealed via an APK teardown of Nokias dedicated camera application. In fact, no fewer than three new devices were found by users within the apps code and only one of those had been previously rumored. Thats in addition to known devices listed, such as the Nokia 2, Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 7, and Nokia 8. The new devices are listed as the Nokia 4, Nokia 7 Plus, and Nokia 1, respectively. Unfortunately, there is no further information to be gleaned from the teardown. However, given HMD Globals naming conventions for Nokia phones, it may at least be possible to determine where, in the smartphone price and specifications spectrum, the devices will fall. That could give some indication as to what users can ultimately expect if and when the handsets are finally announced.

Starting at the budget end of the spectrum, the HMD-built Nokia 1 is the only device listed to have previously been hinted at being in the works. That handset is expected to be the most affordable of Nokias devices and is rumored to be launching in March. Users shouldnt expect too much from a device that is speculated to sale for just over $100 and to ship with only 1GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable internal storage. However, it has previously been said that the device will also run on Googles Android Go platform, so it should perform admirably, regardless of its low-specs and cost. Moving past the Nokia 1, the APK teardown also shows a listing for a device dubbed the Nokia 4. Judging by typical naming conventions used by the company, the Nokia 4 should fall somewhere between the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5. In terms of specifications and cost, that equates a price point between $126 and $175. On the performance front, the Nokia 3 features a quad-core MediaTek SoC clocked at 1.3GHz. Thats backed up by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Meanwhile, the Nokia 5 features an octa-core Snapdragon 430 SoC backed by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. So the Nokia 4 should logically reside somewhere in between. The Nokia 7 Plus, on the other hand, will likely be an upgraded variation on the current Nokia 7. That handset features an octa-core Snapdragon 630 SoC, clocked at 1.8GHz and backed up by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. It also currently retails at around $400. It isnt completely unreasonable to assume that the new Nokia 7 Plus would feature a slightly snappier processor  perhaps the Snapdragon 660 SoC  or that HMD would opt for slight bumps to other specs on the device. However, the company may just choose to provide a slightly larger screen, instead. In either case, the cost of the device will likely see a minor increase as well.

Meanwhile, it is important to remember that without an official announcement from HMD, all of the information included here is speculative. It may turn out that none of the new devices is actually planned for release anytime soon. Having said that, if the devices listed in the teardown are slated for release in the near future, they may just get a big reveal at the upcoming CES 2018 expo. While theres no guarantee that will happen, its something that fans of Nokia devices will want to keep an eye out for during that event and after.The Galaxy A8 Plus Android mid-ranger will be officially launching in India next Wednesday, January 10th, PhoneRadar reported earlier today, citing a source familiar with the matter. The smaller Galaxy A8 apparently wont be debuting in the South Asian country on the same date and its still unclear whether its planned for a local release in the future. According to previous reports, Samsung prepared a much more targeted availability strategy for its latest mid-range series and only a few markets around the world will eventually receive both the 5.6-inch Galaxy A8 (2018) and the 6.0-inch Galaxy A8 Plus (2018), whereas consumers in most countries will only be able to purchase one of the two.

No specific price tag has yet been attached to the Galaxy A8 Plus but with the device being set to compete in the upper mid-range segment of the smartphone market, it may go for as much as $500 on a global level. In regards to India specifically, the highly competitive state of the local handset market will likely prevent Samsung from attaching such a high price tag to the phablet, so local consumers can expect to pay under Rs. 30,000 ($472) for it. As is the case with the vast majority of mobile devices sold in India, the Galaxy A8 Plus (2018) will boast dual-SIM capabilities. While the handset is set to debut with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, it should receive an upgrade to Android 8.0 Oreo shortly after being released.

Samsungs performance in India has been growing in recent times but not at the rate of Xiaomis local business which managed to close the gap with the South Korean market leader in late 2017, according to most industry trackers. While the battle for smartphone dominance in India will largely be fought on the entry-level front, versatile mid-rangers are also a popular product category in the country and one that Samsung is willing to continue targeting going forward. The companys next product family should come in the form of the Galaxy S9 lineup which is expected to be officially announced in late February before hitting the market in March. Indian consumers should be able to purchase Samsungs next Android flagships in the first half of April.BlackBerry and Baidu agreed to a new collaboration meant to facilitate their efforts to advance, develop, and commercialize self-driving vehicles, the two companies announced Wednesday. The official description of the partnership is indicative of a business-to-business project targeted at traditional automakers and other companies looking to produce and sell driverless vehicles, with Baidu and BlackBerry focusing on the technological backend of such products, as well as their connectivity features, not all of which are necessarily crucial for the core functionality of autonomous driving solutions.

The actual collaboration has yet to start and was only agreed as part of a statement of intent signed by both tech giants. The Chinese company will contribute to the initiative with its Apollo platform for self-driving vehicles which launched over the summer and will eventually start relying on BlackBerrys QNX, an operating system designed with the goal of providing maximum security to various embedded platforms. The integration of Apollo and QNX is at the center of the partnership but the collaboration also spans other initiatives, including an effort to adapt BlackBerrys OS to Baidus other services such as its artificial intelligence platform DuerOS and CarLife, a solution for using contemporary (Android) smartphones in conjunction with connected vehicles. Likewise, BlackBerry and Baidu will be working to implement the latters mapping data into the QNX Car Platform, with this particular aspect of their collaboration being the most likely candidate for near-term commercialization given the rising adoption rates of modern vehicle infotainment systems.

Its currently unclear whether the partnership will allow for selling of individual technologies to interested automakers and other parties or if it will be solely dedicated to delivering a comprehensive package spanning everything from self-driving solutions to connected vehicle platforms. The latter scenario could yield much higher profits but would also be significantly riskier if the duo fails to establish its project as the ultimate technological offering for manufacturers of contemporary vehicles. No specific roadmaps pertaining to the partnership have yet been provided by the two companies but the timing of their announcement suggests more details on the matter may follow next week once CES 2018 starts in Las Vegas, Nevada.LG Electronics on Tuesday unveiled a new series of smart television sets equipped with its Nano Cell displays which are meant to succeed its high-end LED offerings announced exactly a year ago. The South Korean tech giant revised its display technology to allow for even more accurate color rendering that tolerates wider viewing angles, hence being suitable for larger audiences. The new TVs span three series, with the flagship lineup being the SK800 one that includes three 4K models, ranging from 55 to 75 inches. A local dimming solution enabled by the companys backlighting technology is an exclusive of its ultra-premium series, whereas the SK9500 and SK8500 models utilize full-array dimming. The lineups include 55 and 65-inch devices but other than being of the 1080p variety, they remain largely identical to the SK800 family.

Besides the Nano Cell displays, LGs latest smart TV offerings are similar to the companys 2018 OLED models which were also announced earlier today; all of them are powered by a new system-on-chip called  (Alpha) and boast Dolby Atmos support which replaced Harman Kardons audio platform integrated into the 2017 devices, presumably because the U.S. company was recently acquired by LGs rival Samsung. The firms webOS is still part of the package here but is more versatile than ever, having been confirmed as the first smart TV platform after Android TV to receive support for the Google Assistant. The integration itself revolves around LGs Magic Remote which still accompanies all of its new TVs, allowing users to interact with the Google Assistant by simply holding its microphone icon and speaking any command or query. The straightforward manner in which the AI service was incorporated into LGs TVs also allows you to summon the Google Assistant without relying on the Ok Google trigger phrase. As expected, all of the latest models support Dolby Vision-enabled HDR.

The Seoul-based consumer electronics manufacturer will be showcasing its new TVs at the next iteration of CES which is scheduled to start next Tuesday, January 9th. All three lineups should be released on a global level in the coming months and feature price tags comparable to the ones of their predecessors, though no pricing details have yet been provided by LG.The Orange Pi One Plus single-board computer with native support for Android 7.0 Nougat has been released with a new chipset in tow and the product is now available through online retail channels like AliExpress for the price of $19.99. Although the board currently supports only Android Nougat, Linux images for distros including Ubuntu and Debian are reportedly under testing and support will be added at a later date.

The Orange Pi One Plus is powered by a new AllWinner H6 64-bit chipset featuring four ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores and a Mali-T720 MP2 (dual-core) graphics chip offering support for OpenGL ES3.1 and lower, Microsoft DirectX 11 FL9_3, and support for Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC). The package promises over 70 GFLOPS of floating point operations according to the manufacturer, however its worth noting that future Linux-based distros will supposedly be based on legacy Linux 3.10 kernel, and because this will be the first time for the AllWinner H6 chipset to be featured on a Linux single-board computer, certain features including 3D graphics acceleration may not be supported outside of Android OS, initially.

Moving on to other hardware characteristics, the Orange Pi One Plus houses 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM which is shared with the graphics processor and features a microSD card slot for up to 32GB of storage. It provides an HDMI 2.0a output for 4K video at 60Hz with HDR, HDCP 2.2, and CEC support, while networking is handled by an RTL8211 chip and a 1000M Ethernet RJ45 connector. The single-board computer is equipped with one full-sized USB 2.0 and a microUSB 2.0 connector, a 26-pin header for connecting low-level peripherals, a 3-pin serial console header for debugging, and also features a power and status LED. Overall, the Orange Pi One Plus measures 68 x 48 mm while weighing only 45 grams, and it seemingly offers a cheaper alternative to the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B launched in February of 2016, though as yet its unclear whether the Orange Pi unit supports on-board Wi-Fi or any type of Bluetooth connectivity. Readers who may be interested in acquiring this new Android-based single-board computer can refer to the source link below where the product is available for $19.99 excluding taxes. As yet the device is listed next to an expected delivery date (including in the US via ePacket) of anywhere between 12 to 20 days.As the Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) continues to elude the market, the Korean OEM appears to be gearing up for the smartphones debut, at least in Russia where a couple of accessories for the device have been recently spotted on the companys official website. Specifically, this includes two protective covers for the device called the Jelly Cove and Dual Layer, both of which seem to be offered in a variety of color options ranging from black, white, and blue to gold and pink.

Samsungs Galaxy J2 series is expected to receive a new sequel this year and over the past several weeks, the number of leaks surrounding the device has been on the rise. As yet its unclear exactly when the Galaxy J2 (2018) will be released but recent evidence suggests that Samsung might be preparing for bringing the smartphone to Russia before spring. The two protective covers that are now listed on the official Samsung website in Russia confirm that a new Galaxy J2 model is on the way, and although pricing details for the covers are missing, its worth reminding that a retailer in Russia seemingly revealed the smartphones launch price prematurely near the end of 2017, unsurprisingly placing the device well within the budget-friendly segment. As for the cases at hand, the Jelly Cove weighs 17.3 grams and measures 146.3 x 74.4 x 10.3mm in size, whereas the Dual Layer cover is slightly thicker and heavier, clocking in at 146 x 76.3 x 11.4mm and 28.9 grams. As the name suggests, the Dual Layer cover comes with an inner soft cushion layer for improved shock resistance, as well as a harder outer layer providing resistance from scratches.

Also worth noting is that the smartphone showcased on Samsung Russia looks identical to the device that was priced at RUB 7,990 ($139) by one Russian retailer last week, lending more credibility to the validity of the previous leak. As far as specifications go, the Samsung Galaxy J2 (2018) is expected to carry a 5-inch Super AMOLED panel with a conventional 16:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels, all the while carrying a quad-core 64-bit processor based on ARM Cortex-A53 cores and coupled with the Adreno 308 graphics chip, as well as 1.5GB of RAM.The Samsung Galaxy On Nxt with 32GB of internal storage was announced in India back in October 2016, a 64GB storage variant arrived in April last year, and the company has just launched a new version of the phone, a variant with 16GB of internal storage. Aside from the difference in storage, this variant of the phone actually seems to be identical to the 32GB and 64GB storage models. The Galaxy On Nxt is a mid-range smartphone, and it comes with a rather competitive price tag, read on.

This handset comes with a physical home key, which is flanked by two capacitive navigation buttons. A power / lock key is placed on the right-hand side of the Galaxy On Nxt, while you will notice two volume keys on the left. Samsungs branding is visible on both the front and back sides of this smartphone, and as you can see, this smartphone looks like a number of devices Samsung announced in the last couple of years, before the company started trimming down bezels. Having said that, you need to keep in mind this is a budget phone, which is why it doesnt have the Infinity display or anything of the sort. Speaking of the phones display, the Galaxy On Nxt comes with a 5.5-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080) display, with a 2.5D curved glass on top of it (Cornings Gorilla Glass). The device is fueled by the Exynos 7870 64-bit octa-core SoC, which is clocked at 1.6GHz. The device packs in 3GB of RAM, and it comes with two SIM card slots. A 3,300mAh non-removable battery is also included in this package, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow comes pre-installed on this phone, along with Samsungs custom UI.

A 13-megapixel shooter is placed on the back of this phone, while an 8-megapixel camera is included on the phones front side. 4G LTE is also a part of the package, of course, and the phones home key doubles as a fingerprint scanner. This handset comes in Gold and Black color variants, while it is priced at Rs. 10,900 ($172). Those of you who live in India and are interested in getting a 16GB storage variant of the Galaxy On Nxt should know that the phone is available exclusively from Flipkart, and its even discounted at the moment, until January 5, so youll need to pay only Rs. 9,999 ($157).Samsung has just announced the Rose Pink Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus for the UK. The company reached out to let us know that the devices are available directly from Samsung UKs e-store, and from selected retailers, though the companys official website paints a slightly different picture. The phone is currently listed on the site, but the listing says coming soon, though EE is listed as one of the companys that will sell the device.

Having said that, Samsung did not mention the price point of the Rose Pink Galaxy S8 or the Galaxy S8 Plus, but chances are that the two phones will cost the same as their siblings, even though well have to wait for the company to update the phones listing in order to be sure. The Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Coral Blue and Arctic silver Galaxy S8 units are priced at 639.00 in the UK at the moment, if youre looking to buy either of those directly from Samsung, unlocked. The Galaxy S8 Plus in those very same color variants carries a price tag of 729.00 on Samsungs e-store in the UK. Now, the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus in those color variants are also available from Carphone Warehouse, O2, Vodafone, Sky, Very, Virgin, Three, Tesco Mobile, giffgaff, and a couple more store, so chances are that the Rose Pink variant will be as well, though, as already mentioned, well have to wait for Samsung to confirm that.

The Rose Pink Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus have reached a number of other markets thus far, they have both been available in parts of Europe for a while now, for example. In any case, the Rose Pink Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are completely identical to their siblings, they are both made out of metal and glass, and are fueled by the Exynos 8890 64-bit octa-core SoC in Europe. The two phones pack in 4GB of RAM, and both ship with Infinity displays, though the Galaxy S8s display is considerably smaller than the Galaxy S8 Plus. If youre interested in getting the Rose Pink Galaxy S8 or the Galaxy S8 Plus, or any other color variant of either of these two phones, follow the source link down below, though do keep in mind that the Rose Pink Galaxy S8 / S8 Plus is still not available for purchase online, but it should by the end of the day.Extremist and terrorist content and messages have been a big problem for Silicon Valley for quite a while now, and Minister Ben Wallace of the UK says that the companies may face higher taxes if they dont do more to solve that problem. According to Wallace, the UK is considering using taxes to incentivize more action to stem the flow and growth of radical content on the internet, and he said, essentially, that big tech firms have the power to be more cooperative and proactive in this respect than they currently are. Specifically, he names removing radical content more promptly, catching more of it, and cooperating more closely with governments requesting information in connection to investigations that may be related to extremism.

Speaking to British newspaper The Sunday Times, Wallace called Silicon Valley bigwigs ruthless profiteers, and accused them of prioritizing profits over public safety. On that note, he proposed a tax penalty of sorts that would mirror the Windfall Tax levied on privatized utilities in 1997. That tax was a large, one-time payout based on what the government of the era estimated the utilities made from privatization. It logically follows that a similar tax on tech companies would likely look to the sale of user information to advertisers, and perhaps perceived profits stemming from increased user trust based on declarations from the likes of Google and Facebook that they would require governments to pursue proper channels in order to obtain user information.

Facebook, for its part, has been hard at work fighting the spread of terrorism and associated ideals on its service. According to representative Simon Milner, the company has invested heavily in the identification and destruction of extreme content, and has thus far been able to verify and remove some 83% of such content within one hour of it being flagged by a user or by an AI system. Even with that average on hand, Facebook plans to expand its safety and security team to 20,000 people worldwide before 2018 is over. YouTube, on the other hand, has been relying more on AI, and said that 83% of its own terrorist content removals are done without a human being ever actually flagging the content.Samsung and Verizon agreed to a new partnership that will see them commercialize 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) points in the United States later this year, the two companies announced Wednesday. The collaboration is meant to produce results in the second half of the year when Verizons first consumer-facing 5G service will be introduced in Sacramento, California.

The South Korean original equipment manufacturer was awarded a supply contract from Verizon and will be procuring the vast majority of the equipment necessary for the deployment of the telecom giants 5G FWA networks. The development is just the latest step in Samsung and Verizons 5G partnership that already saw them conduct extensive trials throughout the country in recent times. While not all mobile service provider in the U.S. placed a large focus on 5G FWA, Verizon may be doing so in order to recoup some of the costs of its massive networking investments made in previous years. Still, many industry watchers agree that making a complete return on such financial commitments wont be possible until the wireless industry is able to commercialize truly wireless 5G several years from now.

5G FWA is generally seen as the first step toward the fifth generation of mobile networks thats now close to being fully standardized and will result in large-scale deployment in the United States starting 2019. With first truly 5G-enabled smartphones also being expected to land early next year, consumers will soon be able to experience unprecedented mobile service speeds at extremely low latencies, as repeatedly promised by the wireless industry. Fixed wireless tech by itself will rely on new home routers and only be usable as an evolution of ones home Internet, so it remains to be seen how many consumers will be quick to pay extra for it. T-Mobile has often criticized 5G FWA in the past, stating that the technology isnt a true 5G solution and citing that as the main reason why its committing its infrastructural resources to nationwide 5G networks, though Verizon is also working on commercializing such solutions. Most or possibly all major wireless carrier in the country should start offering 5G wireless networks on a national level in 2020.On December 19, 2017, the US Department of Defense has announced that American Company General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, has been awarded a $24,272,649 modification to foreign military sales contract for Kuwait to design, develop, and build a M1A2-K unique main battle tank.



Kuwaiti M1A2 main battle tank at GDA 2017 defense exhibition in Kuwait (Picture source Army Recognition)

In December 2016, US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced a possible sale of two hundred eighteen (218) M1A1 Abrams tank hulls with 120mm cannons and two hundred eighteen (218) AGT-1500 (M1 Tank Series) engines in support of its M1A2 tank recapitalization. Also included are transportation and other logistics support for and estimated cost of $29 million.

According to another U.S. foreign sale of December 13, 2016, the recapitalization program of Kuwaiti M1A2 tanks will include two hundred and forty (240) .50 Cal M2A1 machine guns, four hundred and eighty (480) 7.62mm M240 machine guns, two hundred and forty (240) AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS radios and one thousand and eight five (1,085) AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles.

Also included is the incorporation of cooling system/thermal management systems; Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS) II  Low Profile Stabilized Weapon Stations, special armor, 120mm gun tubes, 2nd generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sights, embedded diagnostics, gunners primary sights, Counter Sniper and Anti-Materiel Mount (CSAMM) hardware, upgrade/maintenance of engines and transmissions depot level support, training devices, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. Total estimated program cost is $1.7 billion.

Kelly Paterson





Brett Rawlings



Jessica Wilsher





Kathy Wilson





Diana Thomas





Katie Williams





Victoria Brunton





Rachael Balasingam





Danielle Elley





Jenna Silcock

Buddle Findlay has started the year with a fresh batch of promotions.The firm has appointed Kelly Paterson, who is a litigation expert, as a partner. The Christchurch-based lawyer acts in a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes, insolvency and credit recovery, local government issues, property law disputes, and security enforcement.Buddle Findlay has also welcomed nine new senior associates. In Auckland, the firm has promoted Brett Rawlings, Jessica Wilsher, and Kathy Wilson.Rawling specialises in tax and is an expert in all tax aspects of domestic and international corporate acquisitions and structuring, inbound and outbound investment, and financing and financial services.Wilsher is an expert in corporate and commercial law, with a practice that includes drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial contracts and transactions, as well as advising on corporate governance and company law matters.Wilson specialises in environment and resource management, local government, and public law. She has appeared before the High Court, Environment Court, Boards of Inquiry and Council hearings.In Wellington, the firm has promoted Diana Thomas, Katie Williams, Victoria Brunton, and Rachel Balasingam.Thomas specialises in public law and advises government departments, Crown entities and private clients on public, regulatory and commercial matters, including statutory decision-making, compliance with administrative law obligations and the legislative process, Privacy Act requests and preparing Privacy Impact Assessments.Williams focuses on financial regulation, payment law, the application of consumer laws to financial products, financial and energy derivatives, capital markets, funding agreements, corporate governance, company and commercial law.Brunton and Balasingam specialise in environment and resource management, and local government law. They are also both part of Buddle Findlays Resource Management and Maori law team, which regularly acts for government, local authorities, and corporate clients on planning and consenting processes, including major projects and appeals.In Christchurch, the firm has also appointed Danielle Elley and Jenna Silcock as senior associates. Elley specialises in general commercial and corporate law, commercial and residential property, and trust law. She has a focus on commercial and residential property acquisitions, leasing, financing, and corporate and private structuring.Silcock is an expert in environment and resource management and local government law. She advises local authority, government, and corporate clients on resource management matters, including RMA consenting, designations, district and regional planning, appeals, and enforcement.Buddle Findlay has started the year with a fresh batch of promotions.The firm has appointed Kelly Paterson, who is a litigation expert, as a partner. The Christchurch-based lawyer acts in a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes, insolvency and credit recovery, local government issues, property law disputes, and security enforcement.Buddle Findlay has also welcomed nine new senior associates. In Auckland, the firm has promoted Brett Rawlings, Jessica Wilsher, and Kathy Wilson.Rawling specialises in tax and is an expert in all tax aspects of domestic and international corporate acquisitions and structuring, inbound and outbound investment, and financing and financial services.Wilsher is an expert in corporate and commercial law, with a practice that includes drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial contracts and transactions, as well as advising on corporate governance and company law matters.Wilson specialises in environment and resource management, local government, and public law. She has appeared before the High Court, Environment Court, Boards of Inquiry and Council hearings.In Wellington, the firm has promoted Diana Thomas, Katie Williams, Victoria Brunton, and Rachel Balasingam.Thomas specialises in public law and advises government departments, Crown entities and private clients on public, regulatory and commercial matters, including statutory decision-making, compliance with administrative law obligations and the legislative process, Privacy Act requests and preparing Privacy Impact Assessments.Williams focuses on financial regulation, payment law, the application of consumer laws to financial products, financial and energy derivatives, capital markets, funding agreements, corporate governance, company and commercial law.Brunton and Balasingam specialise in environment and resource management, and local government law. They are also both part of Buddle Findlays Resource Management and Maori law team, which regularly acts for government, local authorities, and corporate clients on planning and consenting processes, including major projects and appeals.In Christchurch, the firm has also appointed Danielle Elley and Jenna Silcock as senior associates. Elley specialises in general commercial and corporate law, commercial and residential property, and trust law. She has a focus on commercial and residential property acquisitions, leasing, financing, and corporate and private structuring.Silcock is an expert in environment and resource management and local government law. She advises local authority, government, and corporate clients on resource management matters, including RMA consenting, designations, district and regional planning, appeals, and enforcement.Hot on the heels of a new office in Latin America, Kennedys is continuing its expansion with a new association in Puerto Rico.The firm has minted a new association with San Juan-based Colon & Colon, which specialises in advising major insurers. The outfit, which was established by Francisco J. Colon Pagan in 2002, also works on property and casualty, products, aviation, marine and cargo, motor, environmental and medical malpractice claims in the insurance industry.Colon Pagan is supported by partner Francisco J. Mercado Olivero, senior associates Johanna Rivera Cruz and Margarita Rosado Toledo.The deal comes after the firm inked a new deal with Argentinas Alberto Bunge & Asociados, making the firm a full-fledged Kennedys office In the last 18 months, the firm has also launched offices in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.Nick Thomas, senior partner of Kennedys, said that while their expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean has been rapid, they have consulted clients at every stage.We have many clients in common with Colon & Colon, and they have highlighted both the value of a presence in Puerto Rico and the quality of work Francisco and his team deliver. This confirms the experience of our own lawyers dealings with Colon & Colon, he said.Since we opened the Miami office for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2010, work related to Puerto Rico has increased year on year, so this was a natural step to take, said Alex Guillamont, who heads Kennedys Latin America and the Caribbean practice.Introduced in 2006 at the Chicago Auto Show, the second-generation Tundra went through multiple changes over the years. But the underpinnings of the truck remained the same, which is not the most competitive thing to do, not when Ford pushes the envelope so far with the thirteenth-gen F-150. Ram and Chevrolet are on a roll too, which is why an overhaul is utmost necessary if Toyota doesnt want to lose its mojo.I dont think theres a much higher priority than that, declared Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division at Toyota Motor North America. Speaking to Auto Guide , Hollis further mentioned that his team is looking at what the new one would look like.The choice of words is an indication that platform, powertrain, and interior design development have been wrapped up or in the process of being finished. The exterior, meanwhile, is a work-in-progress matter that Toyota doesnt want to make a hash of it. But beyond the looks of the newcomer, what the next-generation Tundra cant afford to do wrong is reliability.Drawing attention to the million-mile Tundra that made the rounds in 2016, Hollis posed the following question: How do we take that million miles, that ability to produce a product like that and take it to the new one? As for when the next-generation Tundra will arrive at dealers, most reports indicate 2019 for the 2020 model year is the best case scenario.In addition to the Tundra, the automakers North American office knows that it will be hard to fill the shoes of the FJ Cruiser. But Toyota will try to do it by going more mainstream with a crossover inspired by the FT-AC Concept from the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. Just like the full-size workhorse, the new utility vehicle is expected to arrive by decades end.Dr. Amy Grice Dr. Stuart Brown Dr. Nancy Collins Dr. Padraic Dixon Amber Slaymaker 

Dr. Peter Timoney Dr. Harry Werner  Dr. Anje Bauck  Dr. Kelly Sears 



The American Association of Equine Practitioners recognized the 2017 recipients of several awards Nov. 17-20, 2017, at its 63rd Annual Convention in San Antonio.

Drs. Amy Grice (Pennsylvania '90) and Stuart Brown (Tuskegee '91) were presented with the President's Award.

Dr. Grice, who resigned in 2015 as managing partner of Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, New York, to open a veterinary consulting practice in Virginia City, Montana, has played a central role in the development of the AAEP-AVMA Economic Survey.

She established Amy Grice LLC to help veterinarians navigate challenging practice environments to lead more successful and satisfying lives. Dr. Grice is a member of the AAEP board of directors and previously served on the AAEP Foundation Advisory Council and on the Educational Programs, Leadership Development, Nominating, and Owner Education committees.

Dr. Brown, a partner in Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, was recognized for his service as AAEP delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates and his legislative advocacy for racehorses.

"Not only is he an active practitioner who has represented us in the halls of the AVMA, he has served on the Kentucky Racing Commissionand most importantly for AAEPhe has been a great liaison with those in Congressman Barr's office, officials of The Jockey Club and various race tracks, and has been a good facilitator of discussions that serve the horse and our members," said Dr. R. Reynolds Cowles Jr., outgoing AAEP president, in an association press release.

Since graduation, Dr. Brown has worked at Hagyard, where he specializes in reproduction along with his work in public auction sales evaluations and general practice within the Thoroughbred industry. He is a member of the AAEP Racing Committee and previously served on the board of directors and Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council.

Dr. Nancy Collins (California-Davis '76) who, while engaged in private practice in Southern California, became a distinguished regulatory authority and advocate for the state's consumers and their animals, received the AAEP's Sage Kester Beyond the Call Award for her commitment to improving equine welfare and the lives of others through service above self.

Dr. Collins established Collins Equine Veterinary Services in 1978. She was appointed to the California Veterinary Medical Board in 1990 and served until 2003, including four years as president. During this time, she became active in the American Association of Veterinary State Boards and served as AAVSB president from 1994-95. The AAVSB appointed Dr. Collins to the National Board Examination Committee in 1995, and she served three three-year terms. She chaired the NBEC from 2000-01.

Dr. Collins has also been a volunteer leader within the AAEP. She served on the board of directors from 1998-2000 and has been a member of the Ethics, Practice Management, and Prepurchase Examination committees.

Internationally recognized equine respiratory tract and dental disorder expert Dr. Padraic Dixon presented the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture.

Dr. Dixon's lecture, titled "The Evolution of Horses and The Evolution of Equine Dentistry," focused on the horse's 55 millionyear evolution, particularly in relation to dental development and the dental aspects of equine domestication. Additionally, he educated practitioners about the diagnosis and management of common dental disorders through clinically relevant anatomic, pathological, imaging, and treatment studies.

A graduate of University College Dublin, he later obtained his doctorate in equine respiratory tract disorders at The University of Edinburgh. Dr. Dixon has spent most of his professional life at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, where he is a professor of equine surgery.

Dr. Dixon's main clinical and research interests are equine dental disorders and upper respiratory tract surgery. He is a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons specialist in Equine Soft Tissue Surgery and a European specialist in Equine Veterinary Dentistry.

Amber Slaymaker, welfare manager for Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, accepted the Lavin Cup, which recognizes outstanding equine welfare initiatives, on behalf of the farm's continuing mission of providing a new life for rescued and retired horses.

Located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines is the oldest nonprofit horse sanctuary in the U.S. and provides a haven for horses of all breeds. The residents of the 300-acre farm are primarily retired horses-ages 20 or older-many with chronic health issues. On a horse's arrival, all veterinary care, farrier care, dental care, food, bedding, and shelter is provided for the rest of its life.

Ryerss' legacy began in 1888 in Philadelphia, established by Anne Waln-Ryerss, who was a passionate advocate for the city's abused and neglected horses. Ryerss' early residents were old hunters, ponies, workhorses, and retired horses that used to pull Philadelphia's fire engines.

Dr. Peter Timoney (Dublin '64), professor at the University of Kentucky's Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, received the Distinguished Educator (Academic) Award for his influential contributions to the body of knowledge on equine infectious diseases.

Throughout his career, Dr. Timoney has provided insight, guidance, and authorship to numerous infectious disease control documents and guidelines benefiting veterinarians and horse owners around the world. He has advised and provided technical expertise to thousands of equine practitioners through individual communication and presentations at international veterinary gatherings.

Dr. Timoney received his master's from the University of Illinois in 1966 and doctorate from the University of Dublin in 1974, and he became a fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1978. In 1979, he returned to the United States and spent three years at the Cornell University diagnostic laboratory as a senior virologist.

He has been on faculty at the University of Kentucky's Department of Veterinary Science for 34 years. Dr. Timoney served as chair of the department from 1990-99 and in 2002, and as director of the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center from 1990-2008.

The AAEP presented Dr. Harry Werner (Pennsylvania '74), founding owner of Werner Equine in North Granby, Connecticut, with the Distinguished Life Member Award for his leadership and service to the association during his 37 years of membership.

Dr. Werner's extensive service to the AAEP was punctuated by his term as president in 2009. He has chaired the Convention Planning, Equine Welfare, Finance, Nominating, and Prepurchase Examination committees and served on other committees and councils, currently on the Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council.

A staunch advocate for equine welfare, Dr. Werner has served as the AAEP's representative to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee since 2012 and is the AVMA's liaison to the Unwanted Horse Coalition. He worked with 2009 British Equine Veterinary Association President Dr. Chris House to help initiate the International Forum for Working Equids.

In 2016, a $5 million gift to Penn Vet established an endowed chair in his name at the New Bolton Center, honoring his dedication to equine welfare and global achievements for the cause (see JAVMA, Feb. 15, 2017).

Washington State University doctoral candidate Dr. Kelly Sears (Florida '10) received the Equus Foundation Research Fellowship for her research into equine piroplasmosis, which resulted in the discovery of a new Theileria organism along the Texas-Mexico border.

Dr. Sears was initially involved in massive surveillance testing and treatment after the largest equine piroplasmosis outbreak in Texas. As a consequence of screening infected animals, the new Theileria species closely related to T equi was discovered. Her research group was instrumental in evaluating the new organism to define its pathogenesis in horses.

After five years of investigation, Dr. Sears is planning further research to determine the prevalence of the species, evaluate the consequences of long-term infection, and find an effective therapeutic agent capable of eliminating the parasite safely from horses.

Dr. Sears earned her master's from Washington State University in 2014. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (large animal).

University of Florida doctoral candidate Dr. Anje Bauck (Guelph '11) was honored as the AAEP Foundation Past Presidents' Research Fellow for her research into gastrointestinal physiology and equine colic surgery.

Colic and related gastrointestinal diseases are regarded as major health concerns and a leading cause of death in horses. A critical impediment to treating these diseases is a lack of knowledge about the function of organs involved, specifically the right dorsal colon. Dr. Bauck's current research investigates the mechanisms of bicarbonate secretion in the equine right dorsal colon.

Dr. Bauck completed a large animal surgery residency at the University of Florida in 2016.Aviation museums are often busiest in the summer, when families take vacation time, but winter can be the best time to explore their collections, when the museums are less crowded and offer respite from the cold. This month, the New England Air Museum, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, will hold an Open Cockpit Day on Jan. 13, offering visitors a chance to climb aboard its historic aircraft, including a Lockheed F-104C Starfighter and a Bell UH-1B Huey helicopter. For those who prefer to stay warm at home, the Smithsonians National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., now offers free apps that enable users to experience a virtual-reality tour of three of the museums most famous artifacts.

The VR Hangar apps use real data from 3-D scans to create virtual tours of the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Bell X-1 Glamorous Glennis and the Apollo 11 command module Columbia. The app is optimized for use with Google Cardboard and similar devices, and is available free in the iOS and Android app stores. The museum also live-streams many of its speaker events online for free. Coming up on Feb. 7, John Mather, of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, will give a talk about the James Webb Space Telescope.Iceland has become the first country to mandate by law that men and women doing the same job be paid equally, Al Jazeera reports.

What this means: Under the law, all companies and government agencies employing at least 25 people are required to obtain government certification of their equal-pay policies, per Al Jazeera. Employers who fail to prove pay parity will reportedly face fines.

Background: The equal pay law gained support from the country's centre-right government, as well as the opposition, in a parliament where almost 50 percent of all members are women, per Al Jazeera. For the past nine years, Iceland has been ranked by the World Economic Forum as the world's most gender-equal country.An Afghan boy walks with a U.S. service member as he and his family are led through Dulles International Airport in D.C. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Thousands of Afghans are waiting at U.S. bases in Germany, Italy and Spain  and those countries want to know they will end up in the U.S. before they commit to resettling additional Afghan refugees.

The big picture: EU leaders are desperate to avoid a repeat of the migrant crisis ignited by the Syrian civil war, which drove a record 1.3 million people to seek asylum in Europe in 2015 alone.Congress still has the same long list of health care problems to solve as it has had since the fall. The Children's Health Insurance Program needs to be reauthorized, the individual insurance market likely needs to be stabilized, and the health care industry really wants some Affordable Care Act taxes to be delayed. But it's unclear how much of that will be addressed this month.

Be smart: The big political fight this month is much more likely to be around immigration than health care, although Democrats  or even key Republicans  could use their leverage to get CHIP funding reauthorized, as well.

What to watch: The GOP will need Democrats' support to pass a spending bill. But you can only win so many battles at once, and Democrats are fighting this month to raise domestic spending caps, pass an immigration measure and pass a CHIP bill  or at least to find an agreement in all these areas.

Every staffer and lobbyist I asked says immigration will be a bigger fight than health care.

The Alexander-Murray ACA stabilization bill is losing steam. Democrats don't want it any more, saying it won't do much good now that Congress has repealed the law's individual mandate. Conservatives have always been skeptical of the bill. Sen. Susan Collins was promised a vote on Alexander-Murray in return for her vote on the GOP tax bill  but she has already voted for the tax bill. Alexander-Murray "needs to be massively rewritten to deal with the lack of an individual mandate," a Democratic leadership aide told me. Sen. Patty Murray, one of the bill's authors, said a very similar thing last month. Health policy experts have also soured on the measure.

Congress passed a short-term CHIP bill before leaving for the holidays, so there's less of a time crunch now. But Democrats could easily make it into a big deal, potentially creating public pressure to get it done.

The medical device industry and health insurers really want their respective ACA taxes delayed. Yet Congress is only quietly dealing with these in the committees of jurisdiction; they don't seem to be a priority for anyone at the moment.

Several other health care issues are buried even further down, like retrospectively ending cuts to disproportionate share hospital payments and potential Medicare cuts to the home health and nursing home industries.

Yes, but: Republicans have been laser-focused on taxes for the past few months, and now that's over with. It's also not just Democrats who are annoyed CHIP hasn't been dealt with yet.Disney's new Marvel hit "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" is expected to break records at the box office this weekend, giving the theater industry a glimmer of hope heading into the fall.

Why it matters: A few recent box office hits like "Candyman" and Disney's "Free Guy" prove that consumers are still willing to go to the theater despite the Delta variant. But overall, the box office is still pacing far behind 2019 totals, and likely won't be able to recover meaningfully until 2022.Trend:

Azerbaijan highly appreciates inclusion of the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, through the work of the OSCE Minsk Group and the efforts of its three Co-Chairs, into priorities list of the Italian 2018 OSCE Chairmanship, said Spokesman of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev.

We very well remember the timetables of "Urgent Measures" prepared in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution No. 822 by the member of the Italian Parliament, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Mario Raffaelli, who was chairman of the Minsk Conference of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (later renamed as OSCE), and later chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group. The timetables of "Urgent Measures" stipulating the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, was submitted as an addition to resolution No. 853 of the UN Security Council, he said.



Hajiyev added that the UN Security Council, in resolution No. 874, welcomes and approves the "Adjusted urgent measures timetable to implement the Security Council resolutions No. 822 and No. 853" submitted by the OSCE Minsk Group.



In addition, the resolution No. 874 of the UN Security Council requires the implementation of mutual and urgent measures, in particular, demands the withdrawal of the occupying forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, which are stipulated in the Adjusted urgent measures timetable of the OSCE Minsk Group, Hajiyev added.



The spokesperson reminded that the Urgent measures timetable regarding the withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan at that time was prepared jointly by the nine member countries of the CSCE.



In July 1993, as the Chairman of the CSCE Minsk Conference, Mario Raffaelli, in his statement and in a report submitted to the UN Secretary-General on behalf of the nine member countries of the Minsk Conference, noted: Immediate withdrawal of the troops from the occupied territories is the most important factor for the advancement of peace negotiations (United Nations Security Council document S / 26184 of 28 July 1993). We hope that Italy, in the status of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, will demonstrate consistency in its position on implementation of the requirements of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Hajiyev said.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

International sanctions and other measures enacted against North Korea are starting to have an impact, Trump said in a statement on Tuesday, Sputnik reported.

"Sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea," Trump said in a Twitter message.

The president has commented on the recently introduced additional UN Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang aimed at hampering the development of North Korean nuclear weapons, after the country has repeatedly carried out nuclear and weapons tests, despite the UNSC's actions.

The latter comment comes in the wake of Seoul proposing to hold high-level talks on January 9 with Pyongyang at the demilitarized zone between the two countries. The move was prompted by the North Korean President, Kim Jong Un's New Year address to the nation, in which he expressed hopes that the country's athletes would take part in the upcoming Olympic Games set to take place in South Korea.

However, Pyongyang might reportedly insist on the suspension of military exercises between the United States and South Korea on the peninsula and on Washington's cessation of strategic asset deployments on South Korean territory.

In his speech, Kim Jong Un stated that the year 2018 will mark the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding, noting that thanks to the Olympics this year "will also become a significant year for the North and the South."

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Security forces have arrested at least 40 individuals in the northwestern province of Ardabil during the recent political unrests in Iran.

Prosecutor of Ardabil Province, Naser Atabati, has said that most of the detainees were released after interrogation but 15 are still under custody, Mehr news agency reported.

In the meantime, unconfirmed reports have suggested that about 90 people were arrested in Tabriz City.

However, MP for Tabriz Shahabodin Bimeqdar has denied the reports, saying no protests were held in his city.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in the illegal protests.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has implicitly criticized Paris over hosting Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), an exiled opposition group that backs the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

In a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, Rouhani said that Iran criticizes Paris over the fact that a terrorist group that provokes extremism in Iran has a base in Paris, local media outlets reported.

The Iranian president further urged his French counterpart to take actions against the terrorist group in line with the policy of fight against terrorism.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in the illegal protests.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

At least 150 protesters have been detained in the northwestern city of Hamedan over the past six days, authorities said.

The governor of Hamedan City, Ali Ta'ali, has said that local and nonlocal people are among the detainees, Tasnim news agency reported.

Over the past week, some groups of people joined demonstrations in a number of cities, including the capital Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah to protest against high prices, but the economic protests soon turned into anti-government demonstrations.

The government officials have urged people to refrain from participating in the illegal protests.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzAs snow blankets the southern U.S., three surgery centers in Savannah, Ga., and surrounding suburban areas announced they'd close for the day Jan. 3, WDAM reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. Savannah-based Georgia Eye Institute closed its 12 clinical locations including Savannah-based Georgia Eye Institute Surgery Center and Glennville (Ga.) Eye Surgery Center.

2. Savannah-based Schulze Eye and Surgery Center also announced it would close for the day.

3. The surgery centers join 105 other businesses, medical facilities and city organizations that were shut down by the storm.

4. It's anticipated that both centers will reopen Jan. 4.Former Dayton (Ohio) Children's Hospital pediatric gastroenterologist Arun Aggarwal, MD, pleaded guilty to four counts of gross sexual imposition in an Ohio county court Dec. 21, Dayton Daily News reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. Dr. Aggarwal initially pled not guilty to sexually assaulting two teenage pediatric patients, but changed his plea to guilty to enter into a plea agreement.

2. The plea agreement will keep Dr. Aggarwal in prison for 10 total months, counting the four months he already served towards the total.

3. When released, Dr. Aggarwal will voluntarily return to India or will be involuntarily deported.

4. Dr. Aggarwal will also have to register as a Tier 1 sexual offender. He will not be allowed within 1,000 feet of a school, preschool or daycare in the U.S. He also must register any U.S.-based address in a sexual offender database.Privacy incidents at technology companies, hospitals and other healthcare organizations captured public attention last month.

While media outlets reported on the following breaches in December, healthcare organizations experienced breaches as early as 2016.

Here are 17 incidents covered by Becker's Hospital Review, beginning with the most patients affected.

1. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services alerted 47,000 clients of a data breach in 2016 after an unauthorized source accessed their personal information.

2. San Antonio-based Center for Health Care Services, a mental health and substance abuse provider, notified 28,434 patients after it learned a former employee secretly took patients' protected health information from the facility on his personal laptop.

3. Chapel Hill-based University of North Carolina Dermatology, a UNC Health Care faculty physicians practice, notified 24,000 patients of a break-in at the UNC Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center that may have compromised their PHI.

4. Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System notified 18,470 patients whose PHI may have been compromised after someone gained illegal access to employees' email credentials.

5. Officials at Stanford (Calif.) University investigated three instances in which misconfigured permissions on file-sharing platforms may have exposed more than 10,000 students' and employees' personal and financial information.

6. The Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine in Minneapolis fell victim to a ransomware attack Oct. 3, which may have compromised 3,300 patients' protected health information.

7. New York City-based New York University Langone Health notified roughly 2,000 patients after its cleaning company mistakenly recycled a binder containing presurgical insurance authorizations Oct. 17.

8. Lowell (Mass.) General Hospital notified 769 patients after it learned an employee may have inappropriately accessed their medical records.

9. The University of Alabama at Birmingham mailed letters to 652 patients notifying them of an incident at its Viral Hepatitis Clinic that may have exposed their protected health information.

10. The city of Portland, Maine mailed letters to more than 200 patients previously enrolled in an HIV-positive health program, apologizing for not disclosing that the city planned to share their personal information with researchers from the University of Southern Maine, though officials claim they did no wrongdoing.

11. The National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., notified an undisclosed number of individuals following a ransomware attack that may have enabled an unauthorized third party to access a database containing information on calls to and from the center dating back to January 1997.

12. A political ad campaign ran on Facebook in September, which targeted users over the age of 40 labeled as "very liberal" and tricked them into clicking on a headline about President Donald Trump's approval ratings to launch a malware attack on their computers.

13. Hackers emptied a digital wallet belonging to the cryptocurrency company NiceHash, leading it to shut down its website and potentially lose nearly $63 million in bitcoin.

14. A security researcher revealed a hack on a single IV pump or a digital smart pen could blossom into a full-fledged breach, exposing a healthcare organization's patient records.

15. Northwestern, N.J.-based Chilton Medical Center, an affiliate of Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System, notified a subset of patients that visited its facility between May 2008 and Oct. 15, 2017, after it learned their PHI had been compromised when an employee stole a hard drive from the hospital in October.

16. Modesto, Calif.-based Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services recovered from a ransomware attack that compromised its computer network Dec. 12 and jeopardized nearly 500 computers.

17. The names and Social Security numbers of an undisclosed number of Glens Falls (N.Y.) Hospital employees who had not received flu shots were exposed in an internal email to staff.

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What to know about 7 major types of cryptocurrenciesDallas-based Methodist Health System is planning to build a new facility in Midlothian, Texas  its 11th hospital.

Methodist will operate the facility in conjunction with Methodist Mansfield (Texas) Medical Center. Initial plans for the new hospital include an emergency department.

Methodist will build the hospital on 65 acres of land. The health system plans to begin construction in late summer 2018, with an anticipated opening date in late 2019.

"We've seen how the communities of Midlothian, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, Arlington and many others have embraced Methodist, so constructing Midlothian's first hospital is a natural fit for Methodist Health System and Methodist Mansfield," said Pam Stoyanoff, executive vice president and COO of Methodist Health System.



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Colorado hospitals are required to post self-pay prices for the most common procedures and treatments they offer under a state law that took effect Jan. 1.

Here are three things to know about the new law.

1. The new law requires hospitals to post self-pay prices online for the 50 most used diagnosis-related group codes and the 25 most used current procedural technology billing codes, according to the Denver Business Journal.

2. Hospitals must post the prices on their websites. If a hospital does not have a website, it must provide a one-page document with the price estimates to patients, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Hospital Association told Colorado Public Radio.

3. The new law requires physician offices to post the prices for their 15 most common procedures, according to the Denver Business Journal.

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Alabama hospital delays closureThe Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is recommending five strategies to reduce healthcare spending and improve health outcomes in the state.

The recommendations are highlighted in the department's Dec. 15 report to the Delaware General Assembly.

For the report, the department hosted benchmark summit meetings attended by policymakers, physicians and health plan leaders from states such as Oregon, Vermont, California, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Based on information from these meetings, the department came up with five strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce the state's average annual personal healthcare cost growth, which recent national/state data show was 5.7 percent from 2004 to 2014. America's Health Rankings, cited in the report, has ranked Delaware approximately 30th in the nation for overall health since 2006.

Five strategies listed in the report are:

1. Establishing state healthcare spending and quality benchmarks

2. Examining and reporting on variation in healthcare cost and care delivery, as well as ensuring providers have access to useful data

3. Implementing alternative and capitated-rate payment models across Medicaid and state employee populations

4. Supporting providers so they can achieve success under risk-based payment models

5. Teaming up with stakeholders to continue improving social and economic issues affecting health outcomes

Read the full report here.

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Alabama hospital delays closureWhile government watchdog groups have raised red flags about physicians overbilling Medicare for office visits, the problem changed little from 2012 to 2015, ProPublica reports.

Here are six takeaways from ProPublica's analysis.



1. In 2015, 1,825 health professionals charged Medicare for the most expensive office visits for established patients at least 90 percent of the time. This is compared to 1,807 health professionals who did the same in 2012.



2. Of the physicians billing Medicare at the highest level in 2015, 650 also billed at the highest level in 2012, according to the report.

3. Mark Roberts, MD, a family practice physician in rural Evergreen, Ala., billed Medicare for the highest-level office visits 95 percent of the time, more than any other U.S. physician. ProPublica's analysis of federal data found Dr. Roberts billed for 4,765 high-level visits in 2015 and collected about $450,000 from Medicare. Dr. Roberts did not respond to ProPublica's request for comment.

4. Dwayne Grant, a regional inspector general for evaluation and inspections for HHS in Atlanta, said while it is possible physicians may only treat the sickest patients and code for high-level office visits, "I don't think it's very probable. ... We continue to believe that focusing on these high-coding physicians is going to improve oversight, reduce overpayments and really serve as a deterrent effect."

5. In November, CMS issued a notice in the Federal Register stating guidelines for office visit billing date back to 1995 and 1997. The agency noted updating the guidelines could span several years.

6. Cyndee Weston, executive director of the American Medical Billing Association, told ProPublica it is "disappointing" upcoding remains a problem. Ms. Weston pointed to EHRs that assign billing codes when a physician clicks a box during an office visit as a potential culprit.

"Those programs tend to upcode," Ms. Weston said. Should physicians copy and paste information about their patients' care into an EHR that automatically assigns a billing code for a visit, "that is worrisome," she said.



For the full ProPublica analysis, click here.Eighty-two rural hospitals across the county have closed since 2010, and seven of those facilities shut down last year, according to research from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Program.

The seven rural hospitals that closed in 2017 are listed below in alphabetical order. For the purposes of its analysis, the NCRHRP defined a hospital closure as the cessation in the provision of inpatient services. As of Jan. 2, 2018, all of the facilities listed below had stopped providing inpatient care. However, some of them still offered other services, including outpatient care, emergency care, urgent care or primary care.

1. Campbellton-Graceville (Fla.) Hospital shut down in June, one month after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

2. Care Regional Medical Center in Aransas Pass, Texas, closed in August due to extensive damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, according to the Caller Times.

3. Copper Basin Medical Center, a critical access hospital in Copperhill, Tenn., closed Oct. 1. After months of financial troubles, Copper Basin Medical Center suspended inpatient services May 9, and officials launched a GoFundMe page to help keep the hospital afloat. The hospital shut down after falling about 94 percent short of its $100,000 goal.

4. Davie Medical Center-Mocksville (N.C.) closed at the end of March, according to Journal West. A replacement facility, 50-bed Davie Medical Center, was built in nearby Bermuda Run, N.C.

5. East Texas Medical Center-Trinity closed in August. The hospital closed after Tyler-based East Texas Medical Center decided not to renew its lease of the facility. ETMC said a number of factors contributed to its decision not to renew the lease, including poor utilization and declining reimbursement rates.

6. Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick in Stuart, Va., closed in phases. The facility closed its emergency department Sept. 13 and began diverting ambulances to other facilities. The hospital continued to provide care to acute care patients until they were stable for discharge or transfer. The hospital offered outpatient care until Sept. 15, when it ceased all services.

7. Timberlands Hospital in Crockett, Texas, closed June 30 after Rockdale, Texas-based Little River Healthcare ended its affiliation agreement with the hospital, according to KTRE.

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Alabama hospital delays closureEdison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health revealed plans to combine operations with Edison-based JFK Health Jan. 3. The merger will make Hackensack Meridian the largest health system in New Jersey.

With the merger, Hackensack Meridian will consist of 16 hospitals and more than 160 patient care locations across the state. The combined health system will comprise nearly 33,000 employees and 6,500 staff physicians. Hackensack Meridian Health and JFK Health officials told Becker's Hospital Review during an interview Wednesday no employees will be let go as a result of the merger.

In addition to the merger, officials announced Hackensack Meridian will invest $12 million to expand the cardiac catheterization lab at Edison-based JFK Medical Center, the 498-bed flagship hospital of JFK Health. Officials said they expect to complete the project this year, pending regulatory approval.

Officials from both health systems told Becker's Wednesday the organizations have maintained a 30-year relationship with one another, and those ties played an important role in crafting the merger.

Officials also told Becker's JFK Health will be intimately involved in the development of the medical school Hackensack Meridian will open in conjunction with South Orange, N.J.-based Seton Hall University. Officials expect to open the school and begin recruiting for its inaugural class of students later this year.Buffalo, N.Y.-based Kaleida Health's proposal to change its dress code for nurses has sparked resistance, according to The Buffalo News.

The change would require unionized nurses at Kaleida facilities to wear only solid-color scrubs. The nearly 3,000 workers, represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1199 Upstate and Communications Workers of America Local 1168, are currently allowed to wear scrubs with prints on them.

The long-term aim would be for nurses to all wear solid gray scrubs, according to the report.

Cheryl Klass, RN, BSN, Kaleida executive vice president and chief nurse executive, told The Buffalo News the goal is "that the standards of appearance reflect the standard of nursing care we deliver across our system."

"Nationally, clearly identified registered nurses support feelings of trust and confidence. We want our patients to know who our registered nurses are," she added.

But not everyone is on board.

James Scordato, SEIU 1199 Western New York area vice president, told the publication, "We think it's important that the nurses are able to wear what they've always worn. I think Kaleida has seen from the community and Facebook that this has created a life of its own. I don't think Kaleida realized the importance of these uniforms and prints to families and patients. We've had families approach us and ask how they can help."

The new dress code change was slated to take effect in January, but implementation has been temporarily delayed as discussions between nurses and the hospital continue, according to the report.

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21 hospitals hiring nursesHigh Point (N.C.) Regional Hospital's former director of finance is accused of stealing more than $3 million from the hospital between Jan. 1, 2003, and Aug. 15, 2017, according to WXII 12 News.

According to a federal indictment, Kimberly Russell Hobson defrauded the hospital by issuing unauthorized and forged checks payable to herself and relatives. She's also accused of using the hospital's credit cards for personal expenses.

Ms. Hobson used money embezzled from the hospital to purchase luxury vehicles, a motorcycle and other items for personal use, according to court documents.

Ms. Hobson is charged with seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of possessing and uttering counterfeit securities, according to the report.

A spokesperson for High Point Regional Hospital told WXII 12 News Ms. Hobson was removed from her position at the hospital last summer.

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UnitedHealth, OptumRx defeat lawsuit over alleged prescription drug schemeA London, Ontario-based Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry graduate filed an $11 million lawsuit against the university, alleging its residency program provided "substandard education," according to Metro News.

Here are six things to know about lawsuit.

1. James Stuart, MD, said the university's poor residency program provided "substandard education," which caused him to fail the medical microbiologist qualifying exam three times, according to the lawsuit.

2. Dr. Stuart claimed as a student in the program he was insufficiently supervised and infrequently tested, the lawsuit states. He also noted several key faculty members quit during his five years in the program. By the end of this third year in residency, Dr. Stuart said he was the only individual in the medical microbiology specialist program.

3. The program is currently inactive and has not accepted students since Dr. Stuart completed the residency program, the report states.

4. Dr. Stuart said the legal battle has cost him his marriage and has brought additional financial strain upon him and his family.

5. A lawyer on behalf of the university said Western University told Metro News the university has not filed a statement of defense and does not comment on ongoing litigation.

6. However, the university is reportedly seeking permission to appeal a previous ruling allowing Dr. Stuart to proceed with the lawsuit, stating the decision is "inconsistent with the manner in which the law has developed in this area," the report states.Fishersville, Va.-based Augusta Health's in-network contract with Anthem expired Dec. 31, according to NBC 29.

As a result, Anthem policyholders may pay out-of-network prices to access Augusta Health facilities. If a resolution is not reached by Jan. 31, Augusta Health physicians will also be considered out-of-network for Anthem members.

Emergency care and Medicare patients are not affected by the contract dissolution.



Augusta Health first notified Anthem it planned to terminate their contract in early October. While the two sides made some headway on smaller agreement terms since then, "a couple of big issues" persisted, Augusta Health Vice President and CFO John Katsianis told the News Leader in December. At the time, the parties' rate negotiations were still "double digits" apart.



More articles on payer issues:

Viewpoint: Walgreens won't buy an insurer this year

Anthem to cut pay for some same-day services by 25%: 4 things to know

Virginia lawmakers consider legislative fix for Augusta Health-Anthem contract dispute: 4 things to know

Black and Hispanic preterm infants are more likely to die or experience serious complications than white babies, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

For the study, researchers from the Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine in New York City analyzed data for 7,177 preterm infants born at 39 local hospitals between 2010 and 2014. Researchers focused on infants born between 24 to 31 weeks' gestation.

Here are four study findings.

1. Twenty-eight percent of infants died or experienced serious complications during the study period.

2. About 34 percent of Hispanic preemies and 43 percent of black preemies were born at hospitals with the highest mortality and complication rates. Only 23 percent of white preemies were born at these hospitals.

3. Black preemies were nearly twice as likely as white babies to die or have serious health issues. Hispanic infants were 50 percent more likely to die or experience serious complications.

4. Researchers suggest this disparity may be linked to the fact that white babies are more likely to be born at hospitals with better care services for preemies.

"Nearly 40 percent of the black-white disparity and nearly a third of the Hispanic-white disparity can be attributed to hospital of birth," Elizabeth Howell, MD, told Reuters via email. "Hospital quality is an important and modifiable cause of racial/ethnic disparities in neonatal outcomes."

More articals in clinical leadership and infection control:

Top 10 infection control stories for December

Researchers identify new target for potential Ebola treatment

3 ways to improve post-hospitalization sepsis careA delay on the ACA's medical device tax expired Jan. 1, putting the 2.3 percent levy into effect, according to a Reuters report.

Here are three things to know.

1. Federal officials imposed the tax on the sale of certain medical devices in 2013. Two years later, Congress approved suspending the tax, reportedly after criticism from the medical device industry and lawmakers.

2. The suspension was set to expire Jan. 1 without action from lawmakers, and various healthcare advocacy groups had sought to repeal the tax before 2018. Ultimately, though, the tax was included in the GOP's tax legislation signed by President Donald Trump last month, according to Reuters.

3. The publication reports critics contend the tax has cut medical industry jobs, while supporters argue it has helped decrease the uninsured rate.

More articles on supply chain:

FDA ends 2017 with 46 new drug approvals  the most in 2 decades

California city could be first in US to use drones to deliver blood

Mold-contaminated antibiotic recalled nationwide: 5 things to knowMedovex converted its FDA Investigational Device Exemption submission to a pre-submission.

Here are five points:

1. The submission regards its DenerveX System, which is designed to treat facet joint pain.

2. In a press release, Medovex's Senuior Vice President of Regulatory and Clinical Affairs Jill Schweiger said, "Converting the IDE submission to a pre-submission beneficially allows us to engage in a more interactive and collaborative review of the planned clinical investigation."

3. Medovex believes working with the FDA earlier in the process of the planned clinical evaluation will boost the study's efficacy and outcomes.

4. The DenerveX System has the CE Mark.

5. Medovex is collaborating with physicians in the U.K. and Germany to gather data on outcomes with the DenerveX System.North Naples, Fla.-based Arthrex broke ground on its $73.4 million headquarter expansion, according to Naples Daily News.

Heres what you need to know.

1. The expansion comprises the addition of three buildings. The largest of the three is a six-story, 300,000 square foot office tower with meeting and conference space for surgeons.

2. Arthrex also plans to build a hotel near its headquarters to accommodate visiting surgeons and other physicians. Additionally, a wellness center and medical center is being built for employees and guests.

3. Along with the expansion, Arthrex plans to create 560 jobs by 2021.

4. The device manufacturer hopes the expansion will be completed in 2020.As the change in care and reimbursement moves toward value-based care, orthopedic surgeons continue to look for tools and resources to provide patients with the best care. The Orthopaedic Implant Company's Chairman Peter Althausen, MD, further explains the movement toward value-based care and how it has affected orthopedics.

Question: How has the push toward value-based care affected orthopedics?

Dr. Peter Althausen: Value-based care means always striving to improve and to deliver high quality healthcare while continually implementing changes that will lower the cost of that delivery. Despite the fact that value based programs have been successful in all areas of the US economy, this concept has seen slow

adoption in the healthcare sector. Perhaps the most successful example of value-based care in orthopedics has been the development and adoption of geriatric hip fracture programs. Many hospitals now have protocols that improve outcomes, resulting in shorter hospital stays, the elimination of rehabilitation facility

stays and fewer days requiring skilled nursing. While these protocols have helped lower costs, value based implant use has not been at the center of this movement despite data proving significant savings.

Forward thinking physicians and healthcare systems that have embraced value-based implant use have seen massive cost savings with no effect on patient clinical outcomes. Our level II trauma system saves about $850,000 per year using value based implants and both the physician group and hospital have each

made over $1 million a year through successful management of the government sponsored Bundle Payments for Care Improvement programs. It still remains that many large healthcare systems have not utilized value-based orthopedic products despite evidence showing no clinical difference other than cost. With

rising healthcare costs and decreasing physician and hospital reimbursement, the reality is that the current approach will not be sustainable long term.



Q: Why is value-based care important to patients and physicians?

PA: Health care costs have far outpaced our ability to pay for them. Over the past 10 years physician and hospital reimbursement has declined while implant prices have risen steadily. The move towards value based services is critical to the future success of orthopedic care in America. If orthopedic surgeons dont

want to lose control of the medicine they practice to administrators and the government, then they must play an active role in cost containment. As physicians, our ability to advocate for our patients is paramount. We will lose this voice if we continue to use overpriced implants, medicines and allow prolonged

unnecessary hospital stays. Not only must we practice evidence based medicine, we must become involved in the politics as well.

Insurance companies must become better stewards for their members as well. Insurers currently reimburse hospital-owned surgery centers more per case than physician owned centers. This system rewards inefficiency and wastes millions of healthcare dollars. Physicians need to have these conversations with

insurance companies and all entities that have a hand in delivering and reimbursing care. If doctors do not drive and control value based changes, the alternative is to prepare to accept the changes that will be forced upon the industry and the corresponding loss of control of patient care.

Value-based care has the greatest impact for trauma and fracture patients. Not only is care emergent or urgent, this population has the highest percentage of unfunded or underfunded patients. Self-employed patients who get injured can easily be bankrupted by healthcare bills. The fact remains that the most

expensive part of fracture care surgery is the implant cost. So much so, in fact, that many of these uninsured or under funded patients cannot have their surgeries performed at outpatient centers because the cost of implants makes it prohibitive. High value implants change this paradigm. They enable surgery centers

to treat Medicaid patients, decrease the costs for self pay patients, and decrease hospital costs for the large under funded trauma patients.

Value-based care is important to physicians on several levels. Using high quality, low cost implants has been shown in evidence-based papers to have no effect on patient care and outcomes other than decreased costs. From a moral and ethical standpoint, all physicians should be concerned with cost on behalf of

the patients and the industry. Proactive physicians who have seen their revenues decline can now change that trend by combining value based care with gain-sharing or co-management agreements that allow physicians to benefit from the savings generated by cost effective care.

Q: What trends can orthopedic surgeons expect in 2018?

PA: [If] Medicare approves outpatient total joint arthroplasty in 2018, a large proportion of hospital revenue will shift to surgery centers. Hospitals elective surgical volume will drop and they will be left only with the lower paying patients. Surgery centers will be looking to value based implants to increase their profits,

while hospitals will need value based implants to stave losses. This will push the market even further towards value based care. To engage physicians in these cost containment efforts more gain-sharing and co-management agreements will have to be made. Many large orthopedic groups have seen successful

participation in [the] Bundle Payments for Care Improvement programs over the last several years and this trend will continue. Large healthcare systems will also start to mandate value based implant usage as they realize the significant savings that can be generated from such programs. The impact high-value

orthopedic implants have cannot be understated. It is an example of one of the primary initiatives being adopted to save US healthcare and help surgeons and hospitals thrive as we move from fee-for-service medicine to value- and performance-based care.Kirkland, Wash.-based EvergreenHealth welcomed Dustin Hayward, MD, to its spine and neurosurgical team, according to Kirkland Reporter.

Here are four notes:

1. Dr. Hayward specializes in cerebrovascular and endovascular surgery, treating brain, spinal cord and nerve conditions.

2. Throughout his career, Dr. Hayward has performed complex spine surgeries and minimally invasive endovascular surgeries to treat brain aneurysms and other conditions.

3. Dr. Hayward completed an intra-residency senior fellowship in minimally invasive endoscopic brain tumor and skull base surgery at Loyola University in Maywood, Ill.

4. He completed his fellowship at Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute.Economic development agency Invest NI has said it's claiming back a 'buying time' loan of 275,000 to a failed Belfast drugs testing operation.

Bio-Kinetic Europe in Great Victoria Street went bust in October after a litany of problems including a shareholders' dispute, loss of a 1m contract and two failed sale attempts.

The firm was set up in 1996 and carried out clinical trials for drug companies in Europe, the US and Japan. In one of its final trials it tested treatments for type 2 diabetes on patients.

An administrators' report by business advisers HNH Partners filed at Companies House cites sales of 2m in the six months to the end of August, but a net loss of 0.8m.

The report revealed that the withdrawal of a second buyer led to directors appointing administrators.

The administrator is now in the process of selling subsidiary Bio-Kinetic Healthcare, which operates a Bupa health screening centre. Bupa said it was business as usual at the Great Victoria Street centre.

Alan Cole, head of Bupa partnership centres, said: "Our Belfast health centre is currently open as normal, offering a range of health services including health assessments and physiotherapy appointments."

There was no one available for comment from administrators HNH.

Armstrong Auctions has valued plant and equipment at 76,000.

The report revealed that Bio-Kinetic Europe was damaged when a 1m contract was withdrawn in early 2017.

"The last minute cancellation... left a material shortfall in budgeted revenue which could not be replaced in the short-term," it said.

But the report claimed that the shareholder dispute at the end of 2016 was the start of the firm's problems, as it distracted directors' attention away from the running of the company.

The disagreement led to legal action being brought by former director Moira Burke against the company and its two directors, Dr David Bell and Crawford MacLean. The three each own 33% shareholdings in the company.

The Court Service confirmed yesterday that the claim is still active.

The administrators' report said that a "large European competitor" had confirmed it would buy Bio-Kinetic Europe in July, before withdrawing without explanation in September.

Another company also showed an interest in the firm, but withdrew around the middle of October.

Just four years ago Bio-Kinetic Europe was named best small/medium sized business at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.

Invest NI yesterday confirmed it was attempting to recoup the 275,000 loan.

It said: "Invest NI has submitted its claim to the administrator, the outcome of which is in the hands of the administrator."A Co Londonderry pig farm has won the UK's biggest Chinese export order for frozen boar semen. (Owen Humphreys/PA)

A Co Londonderry pig farm has won the UK's biggest Chinese export order for frozen boar semen.

Deerpark Pedigree Pigs in Bellaghy, which is run by brothers Nigel and Robert Overend, are preparing to ship the order this month.

The brothers will also be training Chinese staff in artificial insemination (AI) and semen handling.

A spokesman for the British Pig Association said: "Over the years, the Overend family has perfected the process of freezing pig semen, a product with which their top-performing customers are now achieving conception rates as high as 100%.

"Freezing boar semen to reach this level of performance has eluded the pig industry for many years, but the Overend family was early to adopt the process and has spent decades fine-tuning best-practice techniques for freezing, thawing and inseminating the semen."

Nigel Overend said: "This customer started with a small order of 100 straws in order to test the water. When they were confident they would achieve high conception rates, they moved on to much larger orders."

Semen from the shipments are to be sent to units which produce high genetic merit breeding stock for commercial herds. It's the brothers' third order to the same Chinese company.

Nigel Overend is married to former Ulster Unionist MLA Sandra Overend.Ferry group Irish Continental is betting 165m (147m) that Brexit won't have an adverse impact on its business between Ireland and the UK after confirming that it has taken an option on a huge new vessel that will plough the sea between Dublin and Holyhead.

The ship will be delivered in 2020 - the year after the UK is due to have exited the European Union - and will be the largest cruise ferry in the world in terms of vehicle capacity.

Chief executive Eamonn Rothwell said the investment "underpins the confidence" the group has in the markets in which it operates.

The new ferry will accommodate 1,800 passengers and crew, with capacity for 5,610 freight lane metres, allowing it to carry 330 freight units per sailing. Irish Continental said the vessel effectively provides for a 50% increase in peak freight capacity compared to the company's Ulysses vessel.

Irish Continental, which operates vessels under brands including Irish Ferries, will also receive delivery this year of the 50,000 tonne WB Yeats passenger ship.

It's being built at the German shipyard of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft & Co. That cruise ferry will accommodate 1,885 passengers and crew, have 435 cabins and space for 165 freight vehicles.

The latest ferry that has been ordered by Irish Continental will also be built by the German ship-maker.

"The construction of a cruise ferry of this size will offer both additional capacity and an enhanced experience for both our tourism and freight customers," said Mr Rothwell of the new order. "This infrastructural investment enhances 'the bridge' to the UK and continental Europe that is a vital part of the continued success of Ireland's open economy."

The cruise ferry is being built specifically for Irish Ferries' Dublin-Holyhead services.

Irish Continental said it is expected that the new, as yet unnamed vessel, will replace the schedule of the Ulysses, which in turn will replace the currently chartered vessel, Epsilon.

"This will allow for the deployment of the WB Yeats full-time on the direct Ireland-France route alongside the Oscar Wilde."Christine Lampard has told how she was left shaken up after she dreamed about being in a plane used in the 9/11 terror attack - before it happened.

Speaking on ITV's Loose Women programme on Wednesday during a discussion about destiny the Northern Ireland star said she had had a detailed vision of aircraft crashing into a building.

The 38-year-old said: "I had a dream about 9/11 - I dreamt about a plane crashing and I'll not go into the details because it was detailed, but I woke up after it in such a state. I told my mum.

"And I was in work the day it happened and I thought, I saw that. I was in the plane within the dream. I knew there was chaos. I could see the cockpit and I could see hundreds of windows. It happened days before it happened."

She added: "I am a common sense person. I am willing for someone to explain it and say you clearly watched something, I'm not claiming anything. There probably was something that sparked it, the timing of it is unusual but it shook me up for days afterwards.

"A shiver type moment."

She also told how she had been approached on the street in New York previously by strangers telling her she had an "aura" surrounding her.

"It happened twice on separate occasions in New York.

"But they came up and said 'I'm a psychic and I have a feeling that you are and you just don't know that you are'.

"They said there is an aura about you."Police were called to a disturbance at the Antrim Road hostel on August 11 last year.

A woman threw a knife and a pizza cutter at another resident in a confrontation at their hostel accommodation, a court has heard.

Patricia-Lee McCallen, 19, struck the man's leg during the attack in north Belfast, prosecutors said.

McCallen, now with an address at Saintfield Road in the city, was due to be sentenced for common assault and possessing offensive weapons with intent to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

But a judge instead deferred the case for six months to give her a chance to complete probation in an unrelated incident.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard police were called to a disturbance at the Antrim Road hostel on August 11 last year.

The victim claimed McCallen attacked him after a verbal altercation between the pair escalated.

A Public Prosecution Service lawyer said: "He alleged that the defendant armed herself with a knife and a pizza cutter from the hostel kitchen before confronting him in the car park."

McCallen threw the knife, hitting him on the lower leg but causing no injury, the court heard.

She also allegedly flung the pizza cutter, but failed to strike him with it.

The pair had to be separated by staff until police arrived.

Stressing that no physical harm was inflicted, defence counsel Chris Hogg acknowledged: "It could have been more serious."

Mr Hogg set out McCallen's background of mental health problems and alcohol issues.

"She has been in the care system for as long as she can remember," the barrister added.

He urged the court to defer sentencing so his client has the opportunity to complete other probation work.

Agreeing to the case being put back until July, Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter warned McCallen to keep out of trouble in the meantime.

He told her: "If you don't, the likelihood is you may get a prison sentence."Secretary of State James Brokenshire will engage with local political parties in coming weeks in an attempt to relaunch the talks process, the Northern Ireland Office said last night.

An NIO spokesman declined to outline a timetable but said Mr Brokenshire would be contacting the parties with his proposals for a new effort to restart negotiations to restore power-sharing.

The fresh push comes against a backdrop of deepening divisions between the two big parties, with the DUP claiming Sinn Fein was now setting preconditions for dialogue.

Yesterday Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams called for a referendum on a united Ireland within five years.

Unionist sources said the prospect for a deal "didn't look good" and questioned the republican party's commitment to saving Stormont.

The NIO spokesman said Mr Brokenshire remained committed to getting "devolution up and running". He added: "The Secretary of State will engage with the parties in the next week or two and outline his plans for another push in the talks."

DUP MP Gregory Campbell said if there was no progress this month, Mr Brokenshire must take steps to reintroduce direct rule.

"Departmental expenditure limits and priorities for the new financial year will have to be set either by devolved ministers or Westminster," he said.

"We cannot keep treading on water and hoping that something will eventually turn up. That's not sustainable beyond a few weeks more."

The East Londonderry MP claimed Sinn Fein's position regarding new talks had hardened.

"As well as setting preconditions for entering a new Executive, they now appear to be setting preconditions for talks about the formation of that Executive," he said. "Before, they had a relaxed attitude to talks and we were engaged a long time late last year. Now they seem to be intimating there's no point in new negotiations unless their agenda is met. That isn't the way to resolve the issues."

Mr Campbell said Sinn Fein voters in Northern Ireland would be unrepresented in Brussels, London or Stormont after Brexit in March 2019.

"Sinn Fein seems to be putting all their eggs in the Dail basket and it's all they'll have left through their own choices," he added.

Yesterday Mr Adams welcomed remarks by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in which he said he aspired to a united Ireland by consent and with cross-community support.

But the Sinn Fein leader also said "the Taoiseach should match his aspiration by devising and supporting strategies to promote the agreed reunification of Ireland".

Mr Adams said "the Irish Government, and particularly the Taoiseach, should become active persuaders for Irish unity".

The Louth TD continued: "Sinn Fein wants to see an Irish unity referendum in the next five years.

"We believe that such a referendum is achievable in that timeframe and we also believe that it is winnable."

"If the Taoiseach is serious about a united Ireland he should help to build and present convincing and cogent arguments in favour of it.

"He should engage with unionism on that basis.

"The potential for progress demands a new approach aimed at unlocking unionist opposition to a new future by reminding them of the positive contribution they have made to society on this island."

In her New Year statement, the party's northern leader Michelle O'Neill said she wanted to lead Sinn Fein back into a new Executive "because locally elected ministers are best placed to run local public services and fight back against the threats of Brexit and austerity".

But she said if this didn't happen, "there is an onus on the two governments to spell out how they intend to ensure the implementation of previous agreements".

Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Claire Hanna called for North-South "integration and co-operation" to be increased. "As we move forward now in 2018, we cannot shy away from the fact that we are facing into an unprecedented time of change. Brexit poses a significant challenge to this island, it is vital that all of us North and South rise to meet that challenge," she said.The Parades Commission took on the thorny issue of marches across Northern Ireland in February 1998 under the Public Processions Act 1998.

Its remit is to monitor public processions and it can impose restrictions on music and re-route parades.

It was formed after violence in the Drumcree area of Portadown hit headlines across the world from July 1995 when police halted an Orange parade as hundreds of nationalist residents staged a sit-down protest on the Garvaghy Road.

It led to a stand-off between brethren and their supporters, and the police. It was banned again in 1996 before being allowed to proceed in 1997.

In July 1998, the then newly formed Parades Commission banned the parade from the Garvaghy Road, sparking 10 days of protests and attacks. Violence in the aftermath led to the death of three young boys in Ballymoney - Jason (8), Mark (9) and Richard Quinn (10) - when their home was petrol bombed by loyalists.

The parade was again banned in 1999, the Parades Commission announced on March 14.

The following day the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition legal advisor Rosemary Nelson was killed in a car bomb in Lurgan, which was claimed by the loyalist paramilitary group, the Red Hand Defenders.

One of the other major difficulties which has faced the Parades Commission was the dispute at the Ardoyne/Twaddell interface in north Belfast.

Nationalist residents objected to an Orange parade proceeding along a section of the Crumlin Road, while brethren remained determined to walk, arguing they passed mainly shop fronts. The impasse resulted in major violence over a number of years.

It culminated in the Twaddell protest camp which was dismantled in 2016 following agreement between the two sides.

However, even though all public parades require permission from the Commission, the vast majority of loyal order marches are non-contentious.A Belfast man who was once set on fire while homeless has been jailed for carrying a knife in the city centre.

Jamie Lee Quinn received a five-month sentence after he admitted possessing a bladed article he claimed was for his own protection.

As the prison term was imposed at Belfast Magistrates' Court today the 28-year-old shouted out: "I'm living under the threat of death constantly."

Quinn, a recovering drug addict of no fixed address, was arrested at Royal Avenue on New Year's Day.

Prosecutors said police alerted by a member of the public found the knife concealed under a blanket he was sitting on.

While in custody a small quantity of herbal cannabis was discovered in his trouser pocket.

Defence counsel Sean Mullan told the court Quinn had managed to go cold-turkey after battling serious addiction and related issues.

"He's had problems with heroin, crack cocaine and legal highs," the barrister said.

Mr Mullan also revealed that his client has now secured a flat following a long-term period of homelessness.

"In Christmas 2016 someone set fire to him and he spent three weeks in hospital," he added.

"People like him have knives for protection, although he shouldn't have had it."

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter gave Quinn credit for pleading guilty to having the blade, but pointed to a previous conviction for the same offence.

At that point the defendant told him of the alleged death threats.

Mr Prenter responded: "I'm afraid you're going to be going somewhere where maybe the threat will be negated - I have no option but to impose a term of imprisonment."

Jailing Quinn for a total of five months, he added: "You should not have had a knife or a bladed instrument with you at all, especially given your own condition." endsHikers are being urged to be vigilant after an opportunist thief stole seven rucksacks from a Co Down walking group.

The bags, which were hidden in secluded woodland by the Northern Ireland Young Walkers, were snatched as club members ascended Slieve Commedagh at around 3.30pm to see the sun set on New Year's Eve.

On their return at 4.45pm the bags containing specialist food, clothing and equipment, some of it worth up to 800, had gone.

Club official Alex Rose had been leading the group of 16 that day.

He said: "We had planned to camp for the night and did not want to carry the heaviest bags so we hid the gear in the woods well away from view and took our life packs.

"We left nine bags in the location and when we came back there were only two left.

"It is very common for walkers to leave stuff hidden, go walking, then return and collect it.

"To steal people's stuff is a pretty nasty thing to do. It wasn't a nice end to the year."

The theft forced half of the group to return home, but then one of the hikers had a stroke of luck when he returned to the scene that night.

"One of the group went back to where we had left our things and he managed to find some of the bags," said Mr Rose.

"They had been taken about 100 yards away, behind a wall, and dumped in a ditch.

"The thief had gone through them and removed some items.

"I think it was an opportunist, as whoever did it had tipped out the water bottles to lighten the bags, and they were well hidden, as if he had been disturbed and was planning to come back for them. Plus, it can't have been a walking enthusiast, as the most expensive bag had not been taken, so they can't have known what they were looking at."

One bag has not yet been found.

The PSNI said: "Police are investigating the theft of a number of rucksacks and equipment in Newcastle on Sunday, December 31. It was reported that a walking group had left seven rucksacks and other camping equipment in a wooded area opposite the Ice House in Donard Park on Sunday afternoon while they were walking in the area.

"Upon their return a number of hours later they discovered the equipment missing.

"Six of the rucksacks have since been recovered in the area; however some equipment has been removed from them. One rucksack is still missing."

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who is offered camping equipment in suspicious circumstances to contact officers in Downpatrick on 101 quoting reference 902 of 31/12/17, or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.More than a hundred people waiting for treatment, nurses reduced to tears, a doctor so frustrated he tells patients to go home before they are seen.

It is hardly the standard of healthcare people across Northern Ireland expect and yet this was the stark reality in one emergency department (ED) over the Christmas period.

Read More

The situation at Antrim Area Hospital has been so extreme that health bosses took the unprecedented step of asking St John Ambulance volunteers to help staff care for patients on New Year's Eve.

And on New Year's Day the Northern Health and Social Care Trust issued a plea on social media asking any available nurses to come into work yesterday.

It came just days after a member of staff at the hospital was left disgusted by the scenes of chaos in its ED.

"There were over 100 people sitting in the waiting room," she said.

"There were patients lying all over the place on trolleys waiting for beds, but there was nowhere for them to go.

"It was so bad I saw nurses standing crying, and at one point one of the doctors got so fed up he went out to the waiting room and told everyone they weren't going to be seen anytime soon, so unless it was an absolute emergency they should go home, go to see their GP or the out-of-hours GP, or go to a pharmacist.

"I think about 10 or 12 people stood up and walked out."

Patients who had the misfortune to require medical treatment in Antrim's ED over Christmas have, without exception, praised the dedication of the staff working in the unit.

One woman has said she was tended by a nurse who had been working for almost 12 hours, who had no breaks, and had only managed to eat a sandwich at a desk between patients.

It is true that there have been inappropriate attendances - one man actually turned up at Antrim's ED looking for E45 cream.

However, according to Janice Smyth of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), her members have told her the majority of patients arriving at EDs across Northern Ireland were genuinely unwell and required medical assistance.

She said the measures taken by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust over the past week have highlighted the fact the health service here is at crisis point - compromising the health and well-being of staff and putting the safety of patients at risk.

"I think the decision to invite St John Ambulance in to help was not a decision they took lightly, but it just demonstrates how desperate they have become," she said.

"And putting a post out on Twitter and Facebook asking already overworked nurses to come in and work on their days off also reveals how bad things are.

"I think the Western Trust did the same thing last year, but at the same time they declared a major incident, so I think it is very interesting the same step has not been taken this year."

Of course, the Northern Trust is not the only health trust that has struggled to cope with demand over the festive period.

Ms Smyth, who visited a number of EDs over the holidays to meet with members and hear first-hand about the conditions under which they were working, said the situation is at crisis point across all hospitals. Even more depressing, it is not just the EDs which have come under intolerable strain.

The difficulties they are facing are just a symptom of a situation threatening the future of the NHS.

With a four-day bank holiday, the GP out-of-hours service also struggled to cope - patients in the Southern Trust waited up to 34 hours to be seen.

And in the Northern Trust on Christmas Eve patients could expect to wait up to eight hours for a call back, and a further 12-hour wait to be seen by a doctor.

Throughout the day there were 400 calls pending in the system at any one time.

With fewer beds available in hospitals, less funding for community care packages and a reduction in beds in the community, it is becoming harder and harder to discharge patients from wards - creating a bottleneck in our EDs.

More than one year ago - to much fanfare - the then Health Minister Michelle O'Neill launched the Bengoa Report, which outlined a promising vision to secure the future of the health service.

However, with no Health Minister to press ahead with the Bengoa Report and no realistic prospect of an Assembly in the near future, the NHS in Northern Ireland will remain on life support.The Parades Commission and the Orange Order, as well as the DUP and Sinn Fein, have clashed over the impact of the statutory body 20 years after it was established.

Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, Parades Commission chief Anne Henderson insisted much had changed over the two decades, saying community relations had improved, there was less tension about parades, and that policing operations were lower key.

Read More

But the Order's grand secretary Mervyn Gibson hit back, accusing the body of souring community relations through "many unnecessary and excessive restrictions on parades", which he claimed encouraged no-go areas, damaged community relations and fostered division.

He called for the body to be scrapped and replaced with new legislation.

The DUP also labelled the watchdog as "part of the problem rather than the solution".

Fresh talks between the political parties are due to start later this month.

But the thorny issue of parading is unlikely to be high on the agenda.

At the Hillsborough Castle talks in 2010 the DUP negotiated new arrangements to devolve parading, but draft legislation was withdrawn later that year.

Upper Bann DUP MP David Simpson said: "Northern Ireland is big enough to accommodate those of all beliefs and none - there just needs to be a little bit of respect.

"I have always found the loyal orders to be open to solutions, but once protesters stop a parade the Commission rarely took consideration of the efforts by the loyal orders to find an accommodation.

"The Parades Commission's fundamental flaw has been that it doesn't accept a free society should allow freedom of assembly and procession. Instead, the Commission focused on the parade being the problem but never considered the intolerance which parades were being faced with."

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said the Parades Commission had "greatly reduced" the number of contentious marches.

He added: "In the absence of any agreement or where there is no engagement, an independent body like the Parades Commission is required to adjudicate on such disputes within a human rights framework.

"As such, we fully support the concept of the Parades Commission as an independent adjudication body.

"While we may have reservations about some determinations, we respect and honour all determinations while reserving the right to articulate our concerns.

"The Commission has greatly reduced, in an incremental manner, the number of contentious parades by both facilitating and encouraging direct, meaningful dialogue, and in the absence of agreement, making determinations which have tended to focus minds and create the parameters for potential resolutions.

"A number of reviews have looked at the potential to designate an alternative to the Commission without success."A Northern Ireland woman who was left paralysed following a devastating accident four years ago is now able to walk again thanks to a robotic exoskeleton.

Jennifer Smyth, from Londonderry, defied doctors who said she would never walk again.

A talented young member of the Shooting Starz gymnastics club in Derry, tragedy struck as she descended from a vault in the middle of a training session on September 24, 2013.

The 20-year-old broke her neck on landing and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where she underwent surgery and was told she would never walk again.

Now with the help of a ReWalk 6.0. bionic suit, which was handed over to her by Landmarc Solutions, Jennifer can now stand and walk.

ReWalk is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable inidividuals with spinal cord injury to stand upright, walk and climb. The suit is controlled by a smart watch.

Jennifer said: "Basically my dad passed away Easter Sunday two years ago and the company he worked for, Landmarc Solutions organised a fundraiser which raised over 60,000 for my robotic exoskeleton.

"I received the exoskeleton just three weeks before Christmas, it was honestly the best present ever.

"It feels amazing to be eye level with everyone again, I'm even taller than my mum now so I'm towering over her!"

At present, Jennifer only uses her ReWalk once a week with her mum, Pamela and her trainer.

"My mum is being trained on how to use the exoskeleton at the moment and my friends have all seen photos of me walking.

"Eventually I should be able to walk up stairs as it is the only device on the market that is able climb."

Jennifer is currently in her second year at Birmingham University where she is studying Product Design.

During her time at University she is able to continue with her physiotherapy to get her strength back.

A Facebook page "Jennifer's Journey to Walk Again" has been set up for the public to follow Jennifer's journey to walk againThe scene at Newforge Lane in south Belfast where NIE are dealing with downed power cables after a tree fell over due to Storm Eleanor with after winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour have caused flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption across Northern Ireland overnight.

The scene at Newforge Lane in south Belfast where NIE are dealing with downed power cables after a tree fell over due to Storm Eleanor with after winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour have caused flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption across Northern Ireland overnight.

The scene in Cavendish Street , west Belfast where a car has crashed through the front window of a property on January 3rd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

The scene in Cavendish Street , west Belfast where a car has crashed through the front window of a property on January 3rd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

The scene in Cavendish Street , west Belfast where a car has crashed through the front window of a property on January 3rd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

The scene in Cavendish Street , west Belfast where a car has crashed through the front window of a property on January 3rd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

The scene in Cavendish Street , west Belfast where a car has crashed through the front window of a property on January 3rd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

A stolen car has crashed into a house in Northern Ireland, causing widespread damage.

The incident happened on Wednesday, January 3, at around 5am. No one was injured when the vehicle crashed into the front of the house on Cavendish Street, in the west of the city.

It is believed that four people were travelling in the stolen car.

Inspector Laura Kelly said: At approximately 5am, it was reported that a grey Land Range Rover Vogue struck the parked car before hitting the front of the house causing substantial damage. The occupants of the property were not injured.

It is reported that four males who were inside the Range Rover then fled from the scene on foot.

The Land Rover, along with a silver Toyota C-HR, were reported stolen in a creeper-style burglary from a house in Carney Hill in Holywood sometime after 2am this morning. Car keys were taken from the property along with number of other items including a JVC 50 television, tablet and a PS4 games console.

The Toyota was later recovered in the Glenmachan Street area of south Belfast at around 5am.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed these incidents, or who may have information which could help with the investigation, to contact 101 quoting reference 182 of 3/1/17.A woman struggles to hold a child and umbrella on Dollymount strand in Dublin

Selina Callaghan at the car park on Salthill Promenade in Galway

A social worker who drove to safety as waves broke around her during Storm Eleanor said God would protect her.

Social media footage showed Selina Callaghan motoring along the surging waterline but she said she was seeking safety and a car park exit.

The 28-year-old, from Donegal in north-west Ireland, said she was "cool, calm and collected" and compared the experience with a walk in the park.

She had been celebrating the new year with friends in Galway on the west coast and was watching the growing swell from the promenade at Salthill on Tuesday night.

She said: "Yesterday was like a walk in the park, fire is much more harmful than water, you just need to respect the water and it will respect you."

Irish authorities had issued their second highest alert.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the island lost power overnight as the storm swept in from the west.

Winds of up to 100mph wreaked significant damage and caused flooding on the Atlantic coast.

Pictures from Galway city centre on Tuesday evening showed cars ploughing through high water and business owners struggling to protect their properties.

Rescuers waded through knee-high water.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close The scene at Harland and Wolf in east Belfast where a building was damaged during Storm Eleanor with after winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour have caused flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption across Northern Ireland overnight. The scene at Newforge Lane in south Belfast where NIE are dealing with downed power cables after a tree fell over due to Storm Eleanor with after winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour have caused flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption across Northern Ireland overnight. The scene at Newforge Lane in south Belfast where NIE are dealing with downed power cables after a tree fell over due to Storm Eleanor with after winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour have caused flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption across Northern Ireland overnight. A tree blocks the Malone Road in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph UUP MLA John Stewart's car after it was smashed by flying roof tiles in Storm Eleanor. Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Destruction in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A tree blocks the Malone Road in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A tree blocks the Malone Road in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A tree blocks the Malone Road in Belfast as storm Eleanor strikes Northern Ireland on January 2nd 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 02/01/2018 A Fallen tree on Dee Street in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 02/01/2018 A Fallen tree on Dee Street in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press / Facebook

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Whatsapp The scene at Harland and Wolf in east Belfast where a building was damaged during Storm Eleanor with after winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour have caused flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption across Northern Ireland overnight.

One car bobbed in the high coastal waters and drivers attempted to reach safe ground.

Ms Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, near Letterkenny, only returned to the country 10 weeks ago after spending five years in Australia.

She and a couple of friends were in Galway City for the new year and were watching the storm nearby.

They moved their cars to the back of the car park as the water came closer.

"It happened that quick, by the time we parked there, literally the waves were coming, the water was getting deeper and deeper, nearly coming into our cars.

"The panic stations were on for my friend.

"I was like, 'just relax'."

She said she was not afraid. "Only by the grace of God I get through everything.

"I was at the beach because the beach is my favourite place in the whole world.

"I love the beach because it makes me calm, I feel close to God there.

"I know that he will look after me, I don't need to fear."

She said she knew exactly what she was doing.

"I would not put myself in a risky situation, I am literally heading out of a risky situation, I am not putting myself at any form of risk."

Some cars were abandoned in Oranmore near Galway as roads were blocked while others in a car park in Salthill were partially submerged.

At least 55,000 properties experienced blackouts overnight as the winter storm damaged the network.

County Mayo was hardest hit.

A statement from power supply company ESB Networks said its staff worked in difficult conditions to get customers re-connected.

It said counties worst affected in the Republic included Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.

Across the island, fallen trees forced road closures.

The authorities warned of the possibility of localised coastal flooding in Atlantic counties over the next two days of high tides.

Rainfall was predicted to be between 10-20mm countrywide, with Galway and Donegal possibly receiving 25-30mm in what is described as "packing showers".

There was another system of low pressure moving towards Ireland which was expected Wednesday into Thursday and which was being monitored by Met Eireann.

Overall 150,000 homes, farms and businesses suffered a loss of electricity supply as a result of Storm Eleanor on Tuesday evening, predominantly in counties Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Monaghan.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.A pub-goer was left with severe facial injuries after being attacked for intervening in a row over spilt nuts, the High Court has heard

A pub-goer was left with severe facial injuries after being attacked for intervening in a row over spilt nuts, the High Court has heard.

The man suffered fractures to his jaw, nose and eye socket in the alleged assault outside a pub in Augher, Co Tyrone, on December 27.

Prosecutors claimed Ryan Butler (23) knocked him to the ground and also punched a second man repeatedly during an outburst of aggression.

Butler, who is from the Republic but has an address at Main Street in Clogher, faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was granted bail but ordered to surrender his passport.

Crown lawyer Kate McKay said one of the alleged victims had been seeking a taxi after socialising at Jimmy Johnston's Bar.

As he passed Butler in the doorway he accidentally knocked a tub of hot nuts out of his hand, the court heard.

It was claimed the accused reacted angrily, shouting abuse before the second man intervened in a bid to calm him down.

Butler then threw punches at both of them, knocking one of them unconscious, according to the prosecution.

Mrs McKay said camera footage from the scene showed the attack, and the accused's girlfriend holding him to prevent further violence.

Referring to one of the victims, the barrister added: "He was noted to have severe facial injuries."

Opposing bail, she contended: "It seems the catalyst was too much alcohol taken and an overreaction to this incident where the hot nuts were knocked out of the (bail) applicant's hand."

Defence counsel rejected any suggestion Butler may leave Northern Ireland if released from custody.

Granting bail, Mr Justice Colton also imposed an alcohol ban and prohibited any contact with either alleged victim.Two orange status - the second highest - weather warnings have been put in place

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the island of Ireland have been hit with blackouts caused by Storm Eleanor.

In the Republic high winds left at least 55,000 properties with no power as games swept in from the Atlantic.

In Northern Ireland about 21,000 customers, mainly across the border counties, were facing cuts to electricity supplies for the a night.

Flooding hit Galway city, Salthill, Oranmore and Clarinbridge as high tides combined with gales gusting to 130kmh during rush hour. Some cars were abandoned in Oranmore as roads were blocked while others in a car park in Salthill were partially submerged. Trees, branches and other flying debris were reported as having brought down power lines and poles.

ESB Networks said that counties worst affected in the Republic included Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. In Gort, Co Galway households were warned about potential disruption to water supplies after power cuts hit the local pumping station.

In Galway, streets around the docks were flooded after high tides breached defences and inundated the areas around the Spanish Arch, Claddagh, Dominick Street, Quay Street and nearby streets. Water was more than one foot deep in places.

The Coast Road from the city to Oranmore was also impassable at rush hour as high tide combined with the strong winds to cause local flooding. There were also reports of spot flooding on the N85 Ennis to Ennistymon road in Co Clare.

Irish Water said ESB crews were on site but it would take several hours to get supplies back up again.

"We ask customers in the Gort area who have a mains water supply to conserve their water until the electricity supply is restored and the pumping station is back in full production," said a spokeswoman.

ESB Networks said its crews were working to get people reconnected "where it is safe to do so".

"Aiming to restore as many customers as possible tonight, they will deploy again before first light tomorrow," a spokesman said.

"Further damage to the electricity network can be expected in north Leinster as the storm tracks east. Fallen trees on overhead lines are responsible for most of the damage to the network."

NI Electricity said the number of reported power outages will increase through the night.

Julia Carson, NIE Networks communications manager, said: "We advise customers to keep mobile phones charged and have batteries available for torches in case they experience power cuts.

"NIE Networks will be working into the night to do all that we can to restore electricity supplies to our customers as quickly and safely as we can.

"Safety is paramount and there are some areas where the high wind speeds may impact on our ability to assess the damage and carry out repairs."The royal wedding will take place in Windsor in May (Steve Parsons/PA)

A council leader has been branded abhorrent after calling on police to clear rough sleepers from Windsor before the royal wedding.

Conservative councillor Simon Dudley said beggars could present the town in a sadly unfavourable light when Prince Harry marries American actress Meghan Markle in May.

He tweeted that some rough sleepers had made a commercial life choice praying on residents and tourists.

Expand Close Windsor council leader Simon Dudley (PA) PA / Facebook

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In a letter to police he complained about aggressive begging and intimidation and bags and detritus on the streets.

His comments were criticised by a local homeless charity manager, who described them as sickening.

Murphy James, of Windsor Homeless Project, said: Its absolutely abhorrent that anybody has got these views in this day and age, especially a lead councillor of the borough.

If somebody is sleeping out on the street they are not there by choice, they are there because something has gone wrong.

He added: I went out on Christmas Day and there were 12 people laid out on Windsor High Street, they were not there by choice.

Mr James described it as sickening that Mr Dudley cited the royal wedding as a reason for his comments.

Thousands of wellwishers are expected to descend on the town for the event in Windsor Castle on May 19.

Mr Dudley, leader of Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, tweeted that there is an epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy in the town and demanded police focus on dealing with this before the #RoyalWedding.

Windsor Police tweeted in reply: We need to protect the most vulnerable in society by working together but each agency must understand its own unique responsibilities.

We need to protect the most vulnerable in society by working together but each agency must understand its own unique responsibilities. Housing is the responsibility of the council but it is better that agencies work together so people donat become homeless. (1/2)  TVP Windsor (@TVP_Windsor) December 27, 2017

Housing is the responsibility of the council but it is better that agencies work together so people dont become homeless.

We deal with reports of begging proportionately but we have not had reports of anyone being marched to cashpoints to take out money.

Mr Dudley wrote a letter to police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley Police Anthony Stansfeld dated January 2, calling on officers to take action.

He said police should use their powers under the 1824 Vagrancy Act and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to protect residents and tourists.

He said that bags and detritus are a significant security concern, especially given the national importance of Windsor.

Obviously, the level of tourist interest is set to multiply with the Royal Wedding in May 2018, and there are increased concerns from our residents about their safety, he wrote.

Here is a statement from the leader of the council regarding antisocial behavior in Windsor and a letter he sent to Thames Valley Police: https://t.co/0eAFM5YzNt  RBWM (@RBWM) January 3, 2018

The whole situation also presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light.

Mr Stansfeld said he was somewhat surprised that the letter was released publicly before being sent directly to me.

I myself attended a Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council in October and these issues were not raised, he added.

I will of course provide Cllr Dudley with a full response addressing his concerns once I have received the letter and investigated further the issues he has raised.

He added: Protecting the public is of the utmost importance to both myself and Thames Valley Police and the force work day in and day out to keep people safe from harm and make the Thames Valley a safe place to live, work and visit.Controversial columnist Katie Hopkins has joined right wing Canadian website The Rebel Media after exiting her post at the Mail Online.

The site announced that Hopkins would be writing a regular column as well as posting video commentaries and filing investigative reports.

Hopkins, who left her job at the Mail Online by mutual consent in November, will be writing her column for The Rebel Media under the banner of her HopkinsWorld website.

In her post, she writes: The aim of Hopkins World is to tell the stories not being told. And to help your voice be heard at a time when too many of us feel the list of things we cant say is longer than the list of things we can.

When so many platforms are under the control of the Saudis, tied to fickle commercial advertisers or beholden to special interests and religious lobbyists, it is a real thrill to find a place for us to speak without censorship.

If you hear yourself saying: Im not supposed to say this, but  then I am here to reassure you that you are. Your views matter. You matter.

Other contributors to the site include former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, who writes regular anti-Muslim columns.

After leaving the Mail Online, it emerged the site had paid substantial damages and legal costs to a teacher whom Hopkins falsely claimed had taken her students to an anti-Trump rally.

Teacher Jackie Teale had in fact taken a banner made by her year eight students along to the protest featuring a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

The Mail Online said in a statement: We apologise to Ms Teale for this error and have agreed to pay Ms Teale substantial damages and legal costs.

In May last year, Hopkins also left her job at broadcaster LBC.

The radio station declined to comment on her departure but it came in the wake of her tweet calling for a final solution following the Manchester Arena bombing that left 22 people dead.

The wording echoed the Nazi term for the eradication of Jews in concentration camps during the Second World War.

She later deleted the tweet and re-posted it with the words true solution.Stamp duty reforms have saved thousands of pounds for more than 16,000 first-time buyers, according to the Government (PA)

Changes to stamp duty are helping thousands of people get on the housing ladder, Prime Minister Theresa May has said.

The reforms, announced last years autumn Budget, cut stamp duty for 95% of first-time buyers, with 80% paying no fee at all.

Mrs May, who was in Wokingham, Berkshire, meeting people who have benefited from the changes, said she wanted everyone to achieve the British dream of owning their own home.

She said: What I have seen today is somebody, a young couple, a young woman able to buy their own home and do that because of Government help.

Government Help to Buy, which is helping people get their foot on the housing ladder, and the stamp duty exemption is making a real difference to people.

I want to see everybody able to achieve the British dream of owning their own home.

I've made it my personal mission to fix our broken housing market - and that's just what this Government is doing. pic.twitter.com/is6XpYO6Yq  Theresa May (@theresa_may) January 3, 2018

Sadly too many young people particularly today are worried that they will never be able to do that.

Thats why the Government has put more money into enabling councils to build homes, more affordable homes.

The Government estimates that around 16,000 first-time buyers have made savings since the changes took effect in November, with more than a million predicted to benefit over the next five years.

Mrs May added: Were making a real difference, as Ive seen today, young people today who now have their own home who wouldnt have been able to do that without the help the Government is giving them.Flooded cars in Galway, Ireland, as storm Eleanor hit the country (Emma Hayward/Twitter/PA)

A social worker who drove to safety as waves broke around her during Storm Eleanor said it was like a walk in the park.

Social media footage showed Selina Callaghan motoring along the surging waterline towards safety and a car park exit.

The 28-year-old, from Donegal in north-west Ireland, said she was cool, calm and collected.

She had been celebrating the new year with friends in Galway on the west coast and was watching the growing swell from the promenade at Salthill on Tuesday night.

She said: Yesterday was like a walk in the park, fire is much more harmful than water, you just need to respect the water and it will respect you.

Irish authorities had issued their second highest alert.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the island lost power overnight as the storm swept in from the west.

Winds of up to 100mph wreaked significant damage and caused flooding on the Atlantic coast.

(1/2) Extremely windy this morning with stormy conditions in parts of the West. A combination of high tides and exceptionally high seas will result in coastal damage and further flooding.  Met Aireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

(2/2) Sunny spells and squally heavy thundery downpours occurring too, with the risk of local surface flooding inland. Winds will moderate through the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 AC.  Met Aireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

Pictures from Galway city centre on Tuesday evening showed cars ploughing through high water and business owners struggling to protect their properties.

Rescuers waded through knee-high water.

One car bobbed in the high coastal waters and drivers attempted to reach safe ground.

Ms Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, near Letterkenny, only returned to the country 10 weeks ago after spending five years in Australia.

She and a couple of friends were in Galway City for the new year and were watching the storm nearby.

They moved their cars to the back of the car park as the water came closer.

Expand Close A car drives through a flooded car park in Salthill, Galway (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook

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It happened that quick, by the time we parked there literally the waves were coming, the water was getting deeper and deeper, nearly coming into our cars.

The panic stations were on for my friend.

I was like, just relax.

She said she was not afraid.

Only by the grace of God I get through everything. I was at the beach because the beach is my favourite place in the whole world.

I love the beach because it makes me calm, I feel close to God there. I know that he will look after me, I dont need to fear.

Expand Close A flooded coastal car park in Salthill, Galway (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp A flooded coastal car park in Salthill, Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

She said she knew exactly what she was doing.

I would not put myself in a risky situation, I am literally heading out of a risky situation, I am not putting myself at any form of risk.

Some cars were abandoned in Oranmore near Galway as roads were blocked while others in a car park in Salthill were partially submerged.

At least 55,000 properties experienced blackouts overnight as the winter storm damaged the network.

County Mayo was hardest-hit.

A statement from power supply company ESB Networks said its staff worked in difficult conditions to get customers re-connected.

It said counties worst affected in the Republic included Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.

Across the island, fallen trees forced road closures.Britain could join a Pacific trade group after the UK leaves the European Union, according to reports.

The Government has held informal talks on becoming a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to stimulate exports following Brexit, the Financial Times claimed.

Britain would be the first member of the trade agreement to not border the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea.

Watch @LiamFox New Year message looking back at trade and investment successes of last year and looking forward to global opportunities in 2018 pic.twitter.com/gKBFSUk4Ig  Department for International Trade (@tradegovuk) January 2, 2018

Liam Foxs Department for International Trade is said to be developing the proposals to join the group which lost its largest member  the United States  when President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement last year.

The 11 remaining member states include Australia, Mexico, Singapore and Canada.

Trade Minister Greg Hands told the Financial Times there was no geographical restriction on Britain joining trade groups.

Nothing is excluded in all of this, he said.

With these kind of plurilateral relationships, there doesnt have to be any geographical restriction.

An International Trade spokeswoman said: We have set up 14 trade working groups across 21 countries to explore the best ways of progressing our trade and investment relationships across the world.

It is early days, but as our Trade Policy Minister has pointed out, we are not excluding future talks on plurilateral relationships.Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has defended Toby Young's appointment to the board of the Office for Students (Tim Ireland/PA)

A lack of direct experience in the higher education sector does not disqualify Toby Young from serving on the board of the new university regulator, the free school pioneer and writer has said.

He insisted he is right for the Office for Students role, arguing that his work record  including encouraging disadvantaged teenagers to apply to top institutions, and co-founding four schools  makes him qualified.

In a blog post on Facebook, Mr Young, whose appointment has been criticised, also suggested it would be a shame if people who have made controversial comments, or hold non-conformist opinions, were banned from serving on public bodies.

The Department for Education (DfE) announced on Monday the names of the final six people  including Mr Young  to join the 15-strong board of the OfS, but opponents questioned whether Mr Young has the expertise and experience for the job and highlighted comments made by him in the past.

I thought Id post something here about the controversy surrounding my appointment to the Office for Students.It began Posted by Toby Young on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

In his post, Mr Young said: Most of the initial objections to my appointment focused on my lack of experience in the university sector, to which I plead guilty.

I havent worked at a uni since I abandoned my PhD at Cambridge in 1990.

Id done a small amount of undergrad supervision for the previous two years to make ends meet.

But that doesnt disqualify me from serving on the OfSs board.

Its customary for regulators to include some people with direct experience of working in the sectors they regulate and some people with other kinds of experience and the OfS is no different.

If it just consisted of university professors the sector could be accused of marking its own homework.

He added that he has been a passionate advocate of widening participation since the mid-80s, has co-founded four free schools, runs a charity that works with groups hoping to set up schools, has served as a Fulbright Commissioner since 2013 and supports work to help disadvantaged children gain scholarships to US universities.

Mr Young also noted that the OfS will have some responsibility for ensuring universities protect free speech on campus, which he said he has been a defender of since the age of 16.

Given that defending free speech will be one of the OfSs priorities, theres a certain irony in people saying Im unfit to serve on its board because of politically incorrect things Ive said in the past.

Some of those things have been sophomoric and silly  and I regret those  but some have been deliberately misinterpreted to try and paint me as a caricature of a heartless Tory toff.

For the record, Im a supporter of womens rights and LGBT rights.

Im also a defender of teaching children with disabilities in mainstream schools.

I have an older brother with learning disabilities and Im a patron of the residential care home hes lived in for 20 years.

But I am a Tory, obviously, and for some people that alone is enough to disqualify me from serving on the OfSs board.

Thats plainly nonsense.

If the OfS is to do its job properly it should include people from both sides of the political divide, left and right.

More generally, I think it would be a shame if people who have said controversial things in the past, or who hold heterodox opinions, are prohibited from serving on public bodies.

Im a middle-aged white male so dont tick any of the standard diversity boxes.

But if public bodies are to make good decisions, they need to be intellectually diverse, as well as diverse in other respects.

Let me assure the people that work in Englands universities that I have enormous respect for everything you do.

Its because of your hard work and professionalism that our universities are among the best in the world.

I hope to do whatever I can, in however small a way, to help you maintain that status.

Ridiculous outcry over Toby Young. He will bring independence, rigour and caustic wit. Ideal man for job  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 3, 2018

Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson condemned criticism of Mr Youngs appointment, tweeting: Ridiculous outcry over Toby Young. He will bring independence, rigour and caustic wit. Ideal man for job.Two US police forces have stepped up their game on social media  playfully replying to each others posts about the weather and how northern and southern states cope with the cold.

It comes as brutal winter weather which brought sub-zero temperatures to the north of the US is threatening to produce snow and ice across parts of the South which rarely see any snowfall.

Step up Oxford Police Department in the state of Mississippi.

Yeahhhhhh.... this isnat going to work for us. #freezing pic.twitter.com/p5UDPiwW5o  Oxford Police Dept (@OxfordPolice) January 1, 2018

On seeing the forecast, given in Fahrenheit as feeling like minus 2 (about minus 18C), it wrote: Yeahhhhhh. this isnt going to work for us.

Seeing the temperatures, police in Wyoming, Minnesota, waded into the debate, excited that it was going to be as hot as Oxford, Mississippi and therefore time to wear short sleeves.

Chief, time to switch to short sleeves, its going to be as hot as Oxford Mississippi tomorrow. https://t.co/O6CcR1mSAr  Wyoming (MN) Police (@wyomingpd) January 2, 2018

Only for Oxford to praise its northern counterparts: You northerners live this daily (more power to yall) but this is unbearable for us.

Geography may not be your strong point.... but the deep south doesn't do this type of cold. Yes... you northerners live this daily (more power to yall) but this is unbearable for us.  Oxford Police Dept (@OxfordPolice) January 2, 2018

Wyoming also mocked its own location  making fun of its own name which doubles up as a state.

Of course itas not our strong point we live in Wyoming, Minnesota. Weave been conflicted since day one. https://t.co/gjFKaGVAbQ  Wyoming (MN) Police (@wyomingpd) January 2, 2018

The National Weather Service said a mix of snow and freezing rain is expected mainly along the Atlantic seaboard from Florida to North Carolina.

In Savannah, a coastal city which has not seen measurable snowfall since February 2010, up to 2in of snow and sleet was forecast.

Shelters were opened across the South as weather warnings were issued for the region, including much of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

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Plunging temperatures in Texas brought rare snow flurries as far south as Austin, and accidents racked up on icy roads across the state.

Indianapolis tied a record low of minus 24C for January 2 originally set in 1887, leading Indianapolis schools to cancel classes.

The north-west Indiana city of Lafayette got down to minus 28C, shattering the previous record of minus 21C for the date, set in 1979, the National Weather Service said.

In other parts of the US, dangerously cold temperatures have been blamed for at least a dozen deaths as well as freezing a water tower in Iowa and halting ferry services in New York.Tear gas canisters were used by opposition MPs in the Kosovo parliament

A Kosovo court has found four opposition MPs guilty of repeatedly disrupting parliament by using tear gas.

The four members of the left-wing Self-Determination Party were sentenced on Wednesday to up to 18 months in prison.

They will not be jailed, however, if they do not commit the same crime during a two-year probation period.

The opposition MPs on several occasions since 2015 have used tear gas, blown whistles and thrown water bottles in parliament in protest at a proposed border demarcation agreement with Montenegro.

They say Kosovo is ceding territory under the agreement, a claim denied by the previous government and international experts.

The agreement, which is yet to be approved by parliament, is a pre-condition for a visa-free regime for Kosovo citizens in the European Union's Schengen countries.

APIn an image from the summer of 2009, a female demonstrator holds up a poster of leading opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi (AP)

Nearly nine years ago, massive crowds marched through the streets of Iran's major cities demanding change, in the first major challenge to the rule of hard-line Muslim clerics since they came to power in 1979.

The move was sparked in the summer of 2009 when the reformist opposition claimed the re-election victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was rigged. Millions of people protested nationwide over the next months, in what became known as the "Green Movement".

The crackdown by authorities was brutal. The elite Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer force, known as the Basij, opened fire on marchers and carried out a wave of arrests. Dozens of protesters were killed, many more were jailed and tortured, and the movement's political leadership was put under house arrest.

Now, Iran's Islamic Republic is seeing a new wave of unrest. This time it appears more spontaneous, fuelled by anger over a still-faltering economy, unemployment and corruption. The movement is most commonly referred to on social media as "Protests Everywhere".

Here is a look at the differences between the protests of 2009 and today.

:: WHO'S PROTESTING?

In 2009, the demonstrations swelled to hundreds of thousands and were focused on Iran's main cities and provincial capitals, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz.

In contrast, the past days' fury has burst out mainly in mid-sized cities and towns. The protests have been smaller - in the hundreds or, at most, a few thousand - but they have swiftly erupted in far more places compared with eight years ago.

The first protest, sparked by a rise in egg and poultry prices, broke out in Mashhad, a city in the east that is considered a stronghold for conservatives. Unrest quickly spread across dozens of towns throughout the country. These sorts of mid-sized communities in the provinces have suffered heavily from the poor economy, with large proportions of young people unemployed and mired in despair over the future.

:: REJECTING THE SYSTEM

The protests may be rooted in anger over the economy and corruption, but protesters quickly started chanting slogans directly against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and denouncing the Islamic Republic itself - not just a call for reforms, but an open and outright rejection of the ruling system.

This is a dramatic shift from 2009. Protesters then had major demands - they wanted Mr Ahmadinejad's re-election overturned, reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi installed as president, greater social freedoms, and an end to the security forces' tight oppression.

But their demands largely stayed within the framework of existing politics. Some voices called for Khamenei's removal, but they were limited; the Green Movement's leaders went out of their way to say they were not aiming to bring down the system, whether out of pragmatism or faith in the potential for the "republic" part of "Islamic Republic".

Now, videos show some protesters chanting: "Death to the dictator" and calling for the end of the nearly 40-year-old Islamic Republic. This reflects how many now see families of prominent cleric-politicians and Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a corrupt economic elite, monopolising business, hoarding wealth and leaving ordinary people with no place in the economy.

The protests have revealed a hidden vein of sentiment - and not just among a "westernised" urban elite - which has lost hope over clerical rule and now openly wants to remove it.

:: LEADERSHIP

The Green Movement of 2009 was firmly rooted in the reformist political movement, symbolised by former president Mohammad Khatami, the would-be president Mr Mousavi and other prominent politicians who advocated greater margins of freedom and opening to the west.

That gave the protests a base and organisation able to mobilise massive numbers. It also gave protesters a defined set of demands.

So far, no clear leadership has emerged for "Protests Everywhere". Even opposition activists in Tehran are unsure who are involved. The marches - with videos showing crowds of largely young men and women - have proven persistent and organised. Supporters on social media say this shows the breadth of support for the leaderless popular movement.

:: REFORMERS AND HARD-LINERS

In 2009, hard-liners were in firm control. Mr Ahmadinejad's policies and abrasive manner galvanised opposition - even part of the clerical establishment was against him - which gave a wide base of support for protests.

Now, the constituency that would be expected to join marches is more uncertain.

A relative moderate, Hassan Rouhani, is president, brought into office by the votes of reformists. Many of those voters now feel his controversial nuclear deal with the west has failed to bring in the economic benefits he promised.

If large numbers decide there is no hope in the system and turn to the streets, it could push the protests into the scale of 2009. But many may hesitate, calculating that an uprising will plunge Iran into the unknown and that trying for gains under Mr Rouhani is safer.

The ferocity of the 2009 crackdown traumatised the opposition. The state showed it was prepared to unleash lethal force, and many activists were relentlessly harassed and persecuted for years afterwards. Mr Mousavi and other Green Movement leaders have been under house arrest for years, which makes many wary of taking to the streets again.

Mr Rouhani has so far advocated a softer hand, saying Iranians have a right to protest. Reform politicians are calling for changes in economic policy to defuse the unrest. But ultimately, as in 2009, it will be Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard that decide - and if they sense the unrest is growing out of control, they could unleash a brutal and bloody response.

:: SOCIAL MEDIA

When Neda Agha Soltan was shot dead during one of the 2009 protests in Tehran, the 26-year-old woman became an icon of the uprising. Video footage of her last moments circulated widely on Twitter and other social media. It was a cycle that fed the protests. Young men and women were killed, but the images of their deaths inspired others to join.

In the context of 2009, Twitter had only been launched three years earlier. Facebook was only a little bit older. At the time, fewer than one million Iranians had smart phones.

Now, the reach has been exponentially magnified. Today, an estimated 48 million Iranians have smart phones, more than half the population. Social media apps have flourished - besides Instagram, the messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp are very popular. They are also encrypted, providing a degree of protection from state surveillance and becoming a major organising tool and a space for images and videos to circulate.

However, 2009 in Iran and the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings also showed the limits of social media. Organisation and imagery in the virtual realm do not always translate into effectiveness on the ground.

:: INTERNATIONAL BACKGROUND

President Donald Trump is an unpredictable new factor. Mr Trump has dismissed what he portrayed as a weak response by then-president Barack Obama to the 2009 protests. Critics contend Mr Obama should have thrown US weight behind the uprising in an effort to bring down the Iranian government.

But Mr Trump faces the same question his predecessor did: how much effect can the United States really have on the ground? Too close an association with the US and with Mr Trump could discredit the protests in the eyes of some Iranians.

So far, the rhetoric from the US administration has mirrored Mr Obama's - both demanding that Iran should allow free expression and warning that "the world is watching".

The US state department also raised the possibility of new sanctions on Iran over any crackdown on protesters.

APWe all have hopes and aspirations the dawning of a New Year brings, however the uncharted waters of Brexit and the political deadlock of 2017 indicates further uncertainty and challenges ahead.

In the case of the Orange Institution, our vision for 2018 is a stable Northern Ireland secure within the United Kingdom, with a strong economy supporting successful educational and health sectors. This will come about when progress is made on a range of issues, not least those emanating from our troubled past.

A key New Year's resolution by the Orange Institution is to reinvigorate the campaign to see the current biased parading legislation replaced.

Many wrongly believe that parading issues have largely been resolved. The fact is those who traditionally oppose parades have tactically chosen not to object as often.

However, should that change, and a new wave of intolerance manifest itself in complaints about parades, the present legislation will ensure determinations will find in favour of the protesters. In highlighting this unresolved issue, we seek to minimise the potential for malcontents in the future to promote cultural apartheid.

The Grand Lodge has always opposed the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, which was introduced at the behest of the republican and nationalist communities, as part of the so-called peace process. Her Majesty's Government did not deem the consent of the Unionist community necessary at that time, a decision of lasting negative consequence.

The parades issue is often only viewed through the prism of high-profile cases such as Drumcree and Donegall Street, but it has manifested itself over the years in many unnecessary and excessive restrictions on parades held in various towns and villages across Northern Ireland.

These decisions encourage no-go areas, damage community relations and foster division.

In essence, the Parades Commission and its working practices are now a major part of the problem. The Drumcree parade remains unresolved because the Parades Commission does the protesters' job for them. Portadown District have been on public record repeatedly stating they will meet with the residents to discuss the issue, but the residents say the issue is closed.

Unfortunately, the Commission continues to facilitate and reward such intransigence. Yet in other cases, cites refusing to engage as a reason for spiteful determinations - duplicitous hypocrisy.

The Orange Institution has been consistent in our position that the time has come for the unending institutional discrimination by this anti-parade body to be addressed once and for all.

The legislation needs replaced and we have repeatedly said that the only way to achieve this is through politics. But to date, politics has failed the Unionist community in this respect, because successive Secretary of States continually hand a veto on change to republicans and nationalists. In reality, why would they support change when the legislation and its out-workings are skewed in their favour?

Politics needs to work for all communities, not just those who need weaned off violence.

The bottom line is the current system is clearly not fit-for-purpose - it is institutionally biased, totally unaccountable, it's decisions are unchallengeable (you can only appeal against its processes) and everything is conducted in what amounts to a secret court.

The issue needs addressed not because unionists demand it, but because the legislation is simply wrong and goes against the principles of natural justice.

The Parades Commission and relevant legislation must be replaced if aspirations for a more tolerant society are to be truly realised. Introducing new fair legislation is the right thing to do - it's too important to be part of any horse-trading deal.

In our meetings with political representatives, we have outlined our desire for new parading legislation, which is fair and equitable for all, and a system that is transparent and fully accountable.

In 2018, we will be renewing this request.

We believe the overwhelming number of people from all communities want a stable future. Introducing a reasonable and impartial regulatory system for public processions would represent a good start.

Rev Mervyn Gibson is the grand secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of IrelandA new year, a new dawn. That might apply to other parts of the world but in Northern Ireland the same dreary landscape of the past 12 months is showing no sign of disappearing in 2018.

A temporary truce may have been in place over Christmas, but the DUP and Sinn Fein returned to old hostilities with relish this week.

In her New Year message, Arlene Foster stressed that her party was ready to re-enter government immediately but Sinn Fein was now refusing to even talk.

"Their long list of red lines are prioritised over jobs, schools and hospitals," she said.

Michelle O'Neill accused the DUP of setting "their face against the people and against progressive politics".

A new round of talks will likely begin within a fortnight.

Despite their public stances, a deal between the two parties for which pragmatism triumphs over everything can't be completely ruled out.

Yet it's currently hard to envisage.

The Secretary of State has indulged both parties for an unbelievably lengthy period but he can't continue waffling about glide paths forever. The appointment of direct rule ministers is surely becoming inevitable.

NHS reform is urgently needed. James Brokenshire will now adopt a tougher approach regarding the next round of talks with the stick of cutting MLAs' pay featuring prominently.

Gerry Adams is to step down as Sinn Fein president before the end of next month and one school of thought suggests that he won't want to exit the stage against a backdrop of political failure at Stormont.

Recently released Irish state papers from 1987 claimed Mr Adams' personal political ambitions were important in shaping the republican movement's strategy.

Talks insiders stress that it was obvious from the last round of negotiations that Ms O'Neill and Conor Murphy were genuinely committed to getting the institutions up and running and wielding political power again.

Yet entering a coalition government with a DUP which holds such massive influence at Westminster is far from ideal for Sinn Fein.

The party is under no pressure whatsoever to compromise from within its own community.

Attitudes to the DUP have hardened further following recent Brexit tussles and an increasing number of middle-class nationalists are now also railing loudly against Arlene Foster and her party.

On both sides of the political divide, disillusionment with devolution is at an all-time high. People have very little faith that any new power-sharing administration would deliver concrete benefits.

The suggestion of moving the talks to the five-star Rockliffe Hall complex in Darlington has been wisely rejected by Mrs Foster.

The idea of our politicians swanning around an English stately home while public services here deteriorate with every passing day was insane.

Such big-stage settings are totally out of step with public sentiment.

As the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement approaches, scepticism and cynicism about the political institutions that the deal established have never been greater.About this time every year, there is much media fascination with the releases of confidential government files that reveal grim secrets about our contentious past.

Of particular interest this year is that relating to the late Martin McGuinness. Given its disturbing revelations, this release may give some food for thought for those who rashly canonised him after his untimely death.

Some of them may now begin to regret their lionisation of him for his role in our troubled history.

The Irish government report, released under the 30-year rule, recorded that Bishop Edward Daly believed that Martin McGuinness, in 1986, personally arranged the rendezvous which led to the brutal murder of a suspected IRA informer.

The victim was a Derry man named Frank Hegarty, who was abducted and shot dead, having been lured home from England.

He had been an IRA quartermaster, who wished to return to Derry. His mother had discussed his safe return with McGuinness, who allegedly gave assurances that he could safely return to the city. On foot of those assurances, he did return, but was later murdered for being an alleged informer.

Bishop Daly, whose knowledge and analysis of the situation in Derry was exceptionally incisive and authoritative, said that McGuinness, at that time, was doing "reckless things". Bishop Daly was also reported to have said that McGuinness usually tried to "keep his own hands clean".

Another striking revelation from the Irish government archives is that Fr Denis Faul was "intrigued" by the theory that Gerry Adams had set up the Loughgall attack on the east Tyrone brigade of the IRA by the SAS in 1987. This has been described by Sinn Fein as "utter nonsense".

It is easy to dismiss this intriguing suggestion that captured Fr Faul's serious attention. But it is not easy to dismiss the insightful observations and thoughts of Fr Faul himself.

His was a transformative pastoral journey, starting with a sympathetic view of the IRA and their prisoners and ending with his active opposition to them over the hunger strikes.

Given his personal experience with the republican leadership, it is really important to appreciate that Fr Faul did not disregard this startling allegation about Adams's involvement in setting up for ambush by the SAS the IRA's elite and deadly east Tyrone brigade.

Whether or not Adams was involved, there is still currency in the view that the Loughgall killings were the result of an informer within the IRA's ranks.

We all know now that the British Security Services had effectively penetrated the IRA.

If it wasn't Adams, it could easily have been another senior republican figure, anxious to be rid of a group who represented a hardline faction within the IRA.

At a time when the republican movement, under Adams and McGuinness, were winding their circuitious way towards an end of the campaign, there was plenty of motivation to get rid of a tough and troublesome group of stubborn supporters of the so-called "armed struggle".

Interestingly, Newton Emerson, a witty and perceptive commentator, has recently written that, nowadays, going to Catholic secondary schools and discussing the history of the Troubles with students, he has been struck by the viewpoint of young Catholic students. "They see IRA violence as regrettable, yet inevitable, and almost certainly warranted. The idea of a 'just war' against oppression has been swallowed whole," he writes.

It is disturbing and alarming that this dangerous narrative seems to be becoming embedded in the post-Good Friday Agreement generation of young Catholics.

In order to preserve the peace, often the awful truth of past violence is erased, or ignored, and there is a marked reluctance to focus on the IRA as the greatest contributor to the unnecessary horror of the past.

In order to sustain the peace in our society, there is the profoundly fallacious notion that it is necessary to gloss over the roles of people like McGuinness, who were deeply involved in the commissioning and planning of killings by the Provisionals.

The Frank Hegarty story is only a small part of the role that he played as a senior IRA man. There is much more that could still emerge from the archives into the public realm.

In addition, there are those in our society, much like the fictional character of Winston Smith in George Orwell's classic political novel 1984, who toiled daily in the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history at the whim of the party.

Orwell's book was a withering critique of a futuristic totalitarian party, but it has contemporary relevance.

Modern Sinn Fein and their compliant sympathisers ape 1984 in a startlingly authentic fashion and their rewriting of the history of the Troubles is a frightening imitation of Winston Smith's role.

It is small wonder that the Catholic students referred to by Newton Emerson have been so grossly misled.Hannah Hill has worked in SC politics for years, volunteering for and managing political campaigns prior to working for the SC Policy Council. Hannah currently works on bill analysis, policy research, and contributes to The Nerve and is a lifelong South Carolinian.Centre, states should invest more in healthcare: Venkaiah Naidu Naidu claimed that the modern day lifestyle is creating a lot of health problems and stressed the need to raise awareness about its adverse effects among the people.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has urged the Centre and state governments to invest more in the healthcare sector and educate people to get health insurance.

Stating that providing proper medical service is the need of the hour, Naidu on Saturday said private sector investments and public-private Partnership (PPP) model should be encouraged more for the betterment of healthcare in the country.

The central and the state government must together spend more in the health sector. Also people should be educated about getting health insurance. Many people in India are worried about the cost but health insurance is very much required, Naidu said at the 11th Global Healthcare Summit organised by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) here.

We must all focus more on the service. The medical service in India is the need of the hour. India is still lagging behind in spite of a lot of advancement in medication. The centre is encouraging private sector in the medical healthcare sector. We must also go with the PPP model, he added.

Claiming that India has the potential to become a medical tourist centre in the future, the Vice President said accessibility and affordability of healthcare should be ensured as a large section of the countrys population belongs to the middle and lower-middle class.

Naidu claimed that the modern day lifestyle is creating a lot of health problems and stressed the need to raise awareness about its adverse effects among the people.

The modern day lifestyle is creating serious health hazards. The doctors should indicate the people to go back to their cultural roots and follow the disciplined, systematic lifestyle. Diabetes is a major challenge faced in the country, he said.

He also urged the Indian medical practitioners staying abroad to come back to the country and help the society as all the opportunities are now available here.

I would be happier if you people can come back to India and do something to help the society. Earlier the opportunity was very less here so people went to different parts of the globe for work. But now everything is available in India. Naidu added.MoU between India and Sri Lanka to be signed on Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy

Indian government is planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka for cooperation in areas of traditional systems of medicine & Homoeopathy. The proposed MoU will be inked between Indias Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) and Sri Lankas Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.

The financial resources necessary to conduct activities under the MoU will be met from the existing allocated budget under this ministry's Central Sector Scheme for promotion of International Cooperation in AYUSH.

The main objectives of this agreement will include regulation of teaching, practice, drugs and drugless therapies, Traditional Medicine and Homeopathy; exchanging experts for training of practitioners, paramedics, scientists, teaching professionals and students in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy; accommodating interested scientists, practitioners, paramedics and students in institutions for research, educational and training programmes on Traditional Medicine; mutual recognition of officially recognised systems of medicine, educational qualifications in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy, pharmacopoeias and formularies; and setting up of Academic Chairs on Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.Expanding her world view this holiday season, Treherne Collegiate Grade 12 student Sydney Mann spent much of last week debating politics in Winnipeg.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2018 (1341 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Expanding her world view this holiday season, Treherne Collegiate Grade 12 student Sydney Mann spent much of last week debating politics in Winnipeg.

She was one of approximately 70 students from throughout the province who took part in the weeklong 96th Winter Session of the Youth Parliament in Manitoba, which concluded on Saturday.

Serving as a backbencher throughout the week, Mann said on Saturday that she hoped to return next year with a cabinet seat.

Of First Nations and Icelandic heritage, Mann said that she maintains a personal connection with human rights issues, and during the weeklong session was happy to see the First Nations Recognition Act pass.

This act would create First Nations citizenship, which would operate in addition to Canadian Citizenship as a means of drawing special credence to First Nations.

Another issue tackled a tax on sugar, which Mann spoke out against, since from a rural perspective she said that it would disproportionately affect those communities outside major centres, where its more costly to ship fresh goods.

Like most other things discussed throughout the week, there was plenty of debate on this and other issues.

"There are people whose opinions are completely opposite of yours, so it just gets you to think of things in a different way and open your mind more," she said, adding; "If youre interested in politics or anything related to law at all, this is a very good experience because it puts you in a position where you can share your opinions freely and hear other peoples opinions as well."

This open exchange of ideas was refreshing, she said, adding that its a field she hopes to continue through career aspirations in journalism; particularly avenues wherein shes free to share her opinions.

Minister of public relations Jonny Hoang said that the key goal behind last weeks annual get-together of youths aged 16-20 was to engage them in politics, and get them thinking about things that might impact their communities.

Youth Parliament of Manitoba is a nonpartisan, nondenominational corporation and registered charity, which is run entirely by youths, with more information available at ypmanitoba.ca.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMBAlphabet's Google moved 15.9 billion euros ($24.5 billion) to a Bermuda shell company in 2016, regulatory filings in the Netherlands show - saving the company billions of dollars in taxes that year.

Google uses two structures, known as a "Double Irish" and a "Dutch Sandwich," to shield the majority of its international profits from taxation. The setup involves shifting revenue from one Irish subsidiary to a Dutch company with no employees, and then on to a Bermuda mailbox owned by another Ireland-registered company.

The amount of money Google moved through this tax structure in 2016 was 7 per cent higher than the year before, according to company filings with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce dated December 22 and which were made available online Tuesday. News of the filings was first reported by the Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad.

"We pay all of the taxes due and comply with the tax laws in every country we operate in around the world," a Google spokesman said in a statement.Bitcoin is losing its lustre with some of its earliest and most avid fans - criminals - giving rise to a new breed of virtual currency.

Privacy coins such as monero, designed to avoid tracking, have climbed faster over the past two months as law enforcers adopt software tools to monitor people using bitcoin. A slew of analytic firms such as Chainalysis are getting better at flagging digital hoards linked to crime or money laundering, alerting exchanges and preventing conversion into traditional cash.

The European Union's law-enforcement agency, Europol, raised alarms three months ago, writing in a report that "other cryptocurrencies such as monero, ethereum and Zcash are gaining popularity within the digital underground." Online extortionists, who use ransomware to lock victims' computers until they fork over a payment, have begun demanding those currencies instead. On December 18 hackers attacked up to 190,000 WordPress sites per hour to get them to produce monero, according to security company Wordfence.

For ransomware attacks, monero is now "one of the favourites, if not the favourite," Matt Suiche, founder of Dubai-based security firm Comae Technologies, said in a phone interview.It would be too generous to say that the likes of Howard and Latham, career politicians, are ignorant, or that they are unaware of the impact of their scaremongeringthey know the score in terms of how much power the right holds in Australia. It's the fear that their reign of manipulation will not last that is driving them to proselytise so fervently against an imagined foe.

They breathlessly fill up airwaves and television slots with red-faced forewarnings that sound as though they'd be better suited if made from behind a pulpit. They tell you that the fire and brimstone is already here, that they are afraid to speak their minds for fear of public backlash, that Australian society has been weakened, that Australians are now far too sensitive , andmost ominouslythat if this threat is not confronted then the country will be lost to Them.

There is a hysteria surrounding alleged political correctness in Australia. There is currently a garbled mess of accusations against "cultural Marxists" and "gay militancy" that has seeped out into the mainstream , which means it's necessary that we ring in this new year with a focus on the inane mythology being spun by those looking to sell a conspiracy that simply doesn't exist.

Mark Latham, who if not for his wealth and political history would more likely be seen inside a train station raving about the End Times and gay people marrying dogs and cats, is still marketed as being "controversial" by members of the press despite calling for white people to "take back" Australia, his allegations that a "new militant gay-left [is] seeking to sack those that believe in God, and man-woman marriage", and that gay Australians are overrepresented in the media. And yet, Mark Latham, despite all of the bombastic gibberish about an organised, non-white, God-hating, gay horde coming for freedom of speech, is very much employed, and his face and equally nauseating words are smeared across countless publications on a nearly weekly basis.

The accusations of there being any kind of gay militancy in Australia is especially audacious, but nonetheless a common refrain of those who see the passage of gay marriage as symbolising legislative political correctness. In Australia, homophobic violence, and discrimination targeting members of LGBTQI communities has resulted in deaths, physical violence, verbal abuse, and the mental health challenges of those impacted by this bigotry are often overlooked, or outright ignored. According to a report the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS), those who identify as LGBTQI are made to experience "a higher level of social disadvantage than the general population in Australia", and that includes gaps in healthcare services, difficulties in accessing education programs, and an increased likelihood of living in poverty. If there is a militant gay movement in Australia, the conditions of gay Australians would not be in the state that they are.

With pitchforks and torches at the ready, it's the freedom to be draconian, and callous that those decrying "political correctness gone mad" are fighting for. It is the fear of being confronted by those most impacted by their brutalitythese are the snowflakes that so quickly melt the moment they are challenged.

They prefer that their homophobia, misogyny, racism, and their deep-seated hatred of the poor, be left alone. For too long, they've found comfort in espousing abhorrent, even fascist views, without conflict, and they've enjoyed the rush of hearing their peers laugh, and join in. It's the worry that their privileges are no longer enough to spare them from the ramifications brought about by their words that is sending them into a panic. It isn't that society has become too sensitive, but that tolerance for cruelty and bigotry poorly masked as witticism has ebbed to a small degree, just enough to make the likes of Latham, and Howard writhe and shout on television as though they've seen the devil himself.



The likelihood of the flatulent resistors of "political correctness" realising that their dogmatic beliefs, which range from love-it-or-leave it nationalism, to their attacks on welfare and any non-white recipient of government assistance, are a kind of hypersensitive list of commandments, is slim. The spectre of political correctness is certainly no leftist creation. There is no gay Stalinist hiding under their bed. The monster is none other than themselves.Sue Lillywhite was reading on the shores of Lake Ginninderra when she heard the screaming.

The book belonged to her long-time partner, Peter Trueman, a present from his daughter unwrapped that very Christmas Day. Now, he was out swimming with Ms Lillywhite's eight-year-old grandson Janardan, only she couldn't see him anymore and Janardan was screaming for help.

Family and friends remember Peter Trueman who drowned at Lake Ginninderra on Christmas Day. From left: Partner Sue Lillywhite, daughter Asha Trueman, 8-year-old grandson Janardan Lillywhite, best friend David Gould, and daughter Skylee Trueman. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

"My grandson went underwater and there was no Peter," Ms Lillywhite recalls.

"Instinct kicked in and I just ran in fully clothed. By that stage my grandson had managed to get over to the platform.Nearly 200 surfers were swept out to sea and 35 were unconscious when rescued on that day by the "gallantry" of the public and lifesavers, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

Five people drowned on the day known as Black Sunday, one of the deadliest days on any Australian beach.

It was 3pm on a hot Sunday in February 6, 1938 when three massive waves smashed Bondi Beach in quick succession.

Exhausted bathers being revived by lifesavers on Bondi Beach on February 6, 1938. Credit:SMH staff photographer

Experts now believe that the "sudden backwash of huge seas" at Bondi that day was caused by a flash rip.

Flash rips are among the most dangerous and unpredictable kinds of rips, coastal geomorphologist Dr Rob Brander told Rip Current Heroes, a new documentary on rips screening on National Geographic which will also be provided free to schools to educate children on the dangers of rip currents.

They can suddenly occur "anywhere there's suddenly been a large group of waves breaking, and it pushes the rip out and then it just disappears and then it might come up a little bit further down the beach, it might come back ten minutes later", he said.

On Black Sunday, more than 70 rescuers used belts, rubber floats and anything else they could grab in a frantic attempt to save people. Many of the helpless swimmers, particularly the men, panicked.Brisbane is home to more than 100,000 registered canines, with one breed pulling well ahead of the pack to win the title of the city's top dog.

Brisbane City Council's latest dog registration data reveals the city's most popular dog, with 9195 registered, is the Labrador retriever.

Meet Brisbane's favourite dog: the Labrador retriever. Credit:Peter Rae

A total of 105,089 dogs are registered with Brisbane City Council, comprised of 166 different breeds.

More than 1000 each of the 28 most popular breeds are being kept as pets in Brisbane, while 32 rare breeds have fewer than 10.The grandfather of a five-year-old boy left critically injured after he was shot in the face by an older cousin in southern Queensland has described the shooting as a tragic accident.

Cameron Calvisi was expected to undergo surgery on Wednesday afternoon as he remained in a critical but stable condition in the Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital.

An ad for the property in Cottonvale, near Stanthorpe, where the five-year-old boy was shot lists two houses, sheds, some stone fruit and apple orchards.

He was rushed to the Brisbane hospital after emergency services were called to his grandfathers property at Cottonvale, near Stanthorpe on the New South Wales border, about 4pm on Tuesday.

Police confirmed the boy was accidentally shot by his 11-year-old cousin with a rifle. A spokesman said the boy's father took him to Stanthorpe Hospital before he was airlifted to the Lady Cilento.A Sunshine Coast man accused of repeatedly punching a police officer who tried to search the car he was in has been charged with a string of offences.

Ashley Wayne Dodd, 39, was arrested at a home in Brisbanes east on Tuesday and charged with 25 offences, including serious assault police.

Police charged 39-year-old Ashley Dodd with the serious assault of a police officer.

The Glass House Mountains man was a passenger in a Toyota Camry allegedly towing a trailer without a registration plate that police stopped on Johnston Road in that suburb on Christmas Eve.

It was alleged Mr Dodd got out of the car and tried to flee before punching the officer several times to the head and body, leaving the 49-year-old male sergeant with bruises, grazes and a dislocated finger and needing treatment at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.A woman has been charged with murder after a man was shot dead at a Gold Coast home.

The 46-year-old man was found in the Southport home with a single gunshot wound, believed to be to the back, early on Wednesday morning. He died despite medical attention.

Police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting in Southport. Credit:Nine News

On Wednesday, police launched a murder investigation.

Detective Acting Inspector Matt Ward said there had been no previous reports of domestic violence within the six-month relationship but investigators were looking into whether there was unreported violence.Loud explosions were heard as a large suspicious blaze engulfed an Essendon home on Tuesday night and threatened neighbouring houses.

More than 13 fire trucks were dispatched to the Nimmo Street home in Melbourne's north-west about 10.30pm. Neighbours were told to take shelter as dangerous embers and smoke filled the area.

A suspicious fire in Essendon threatened neighbouring homes on January 2. Credit:Twitter/@Greaza

Multiple triple zero calls were made by locals who reported hearing loud bangs and screaming.

Residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed and air-conditioning units turned off as 40 firefighters launched an aggressive attack to save neighbouring homes.A man has been punched, bitten and thrown against vehicles before his phone was stolen in a broad-daylight road-rage incident in Melbourne.

Police wish to speak to this man over a vicious road rage attack in Melbourne.

The 25-year-old Sunshine West man was driving his silver Honda Jazz on Maribyrnong Road in Maribyrnong about 3.30pm on December 30 when he was rear-ended by a blue Audi hatch.

He was approached by the driver of the Audi and after a conversation, was allegedly assaulted by the man. The Audi driver punched, bit and threw him against nearby vehicles before stealing the victim's phone and fleeing from the scene.

The alleged offender, who was photographed during the attack at the Walter Street intersection, is described as bald with a sleeve tattoo on his left arm and tattoos on his lower back.Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

Hes an extra-special delivery!

Brooklyn welcomed its first newborn, Joshua Miguel Brito, just 25 minutes after the New Years Eve ball dropped. And the babe, who arrived at Bedford-Stuyvesants Woodhull Medical Center on Jan. 1 weighing six pounds, 14 ounces, is nothing short of a miracle, according to parents Erica Hernandez and Joshua Brito, who said their first child arrived six years after his great-grandmother died on the very same day.

I lost my grandmother six years ago on New Years Day, and with him coming, it was like a blessing, said Hernandez, who lives in Bushwick. My family and I are super excited. Im just happy hes here now.

About four hours later, doctors at NYU Langone HospitalBrooklyn ferried Wilmer De Los Santos Asencio into the world at 4:11 am. Parents Tirsia Maria Asencio De Los Santos and Wilson Andres De Los Santos Guzman were overjoyed to hold their five pound, 10 ounce son, and couldnt wait to bring him home to meet his big 17-year-old brother, according to the Sunset Park mom who spoke through a translator.

The third bundle of joy to arrive in the Borough of Kings on New Years Day, seven-pound-ten-ounce Aarya Datar, emerged at 6:49 am at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope. Her parents Vandekode Kulkarni and Praveen Datar, who live in Crown Heights, are thrilled their daughter will begin each year with her birthday, the newborns mother said.

We are so thrilled to welcome Aarya into the world, said Kulkarni, who also has a 1-year-old daughter. We feel very special to have one of the first babies of the new year.

The first baby to enter New York City this year was born in the Bronx, and came out kicking and screaming just two minutes before Brito did, according to information from the public-hospital system.Ireland looked set to sell a new 10-year bond below a yield of 1% on Wednesday in a syndicated sale a source said would probably raise between 3 and 4 billion euros, covering around a quarter of its issuance target for 2018.

The first euro zone sovereign out of the traps this year, Ireland has followed a template of coming to market with a significant syndicated issue at the start of each of the last five years.

It had received 14 billion euros worth of orders from investors shortly before books closed, lead bankers for the deal said, setting a price of 2 basis points over mid-swaps that would imply a yield of 0.943%.

The banks and brokers mandated by Ireland's debt agency were pitching the new benchmark bond on the same day that wide-ranging European Union financial market regulatory reforms known as MiFID II took effect.

Smaller euro zone states often use syndication to broaden the investor base for their bonds and compete with big countries whose debt attracts demand because of benchmark status. Using banks to find demand should also help secure more aggressive pricing and ensure liquid trading.

A market source told Reuters on Tuesday that the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) would seek to sell between 3 and 4 billion euros of the bond.

The agency plans to issue between 14 and 18 billion euros of long-term debt in 2018, including at least one syndicated deal.

Ireland raised over 17 billion euros on debt markets last year, facilitating early repayment of some of its loans from a 2010 international bailout while also increasing its scarce pool of debt eligible for the European Central Bank's quantitative easing stimulus programme.

The NTMA has over the last three years taken advantage of record low funding rates and an economy that has grown faster than any other in Europe to lengthen the maturity of its stock of debt.

Ireland received its second credit rating upgrade in the three months since it last tapped investors when Fitch lifted its sovereign rating to A+ in December. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ieIrish information security provider, Ward Solutions, has today claimed that 2018 will be the year that a full-scale cyber war breaks out between countries. The provider also predicts that nation states and law enforcement agencies around the world will begin to use cyber tactics offensively.



Another prediction from Ward Solutions is that, in 2018, cybercriminals will embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies, using them to supplement their attacks and circumvent the advanced cybersecurity tools employed by businesses.

At the same time, companies will also embrace AI and ML to bolster their defences and protect their assets. This will lead to an ongoing arms race between criminals and organisations, as both threats and defences increase in complexity.



Ward Solutions also predicts that large swathes of the civilian population will be impacted as cyber-attacks intensify and increase in frequency. It believes that 2018 will see cybercriminals focus their attacks on critical infrastructure, such as national power grids, to destabilise the countries in their crosshairs. Ireland is ill-equipped to deal with this type of attack, according to the company.



Speaking this week, CEO of Ward Solutions, Pat Larkin said, "2018 will see cybersecurity threats increase further in sophistication and the amount of damage that they can potentially cause. Furthermore, as state-sponsored groups increase their attacks on countries national infrastructures, civilians could begin to suffer as essential services come under strain. Ireland is particularly unprepared to deal with an attack on our critical national infrastructure, and to protect our interests we need to implement a comprehensive national cyber security strategy as soon as possible."

He added, "There is clear evidence that state-sponsored cyber-attacks are already happening around the world. Continued attacks on nations by cybercriminals will build legitimacy for national cyber response teams, and 2018 marks the tipping point when those targeted nations escalate their response to cyber-attacks, which they now classify an act of war. Cyber-attacks represent a very real threat to national security, and so expect countries to devise official coordinated defensive responses, utilising both cyber and physical, military force to protect their interests."

Source: www.businessworld.ieBT Ireland has today announced The Worlds most famous Hacker, Kevin Mitnick, as the keynote speaker at BT Mindshare, which takes place during the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition on Thursday 11th January 2018 at 5.00pm in the RDS, Dublin.



Kevin Mitnick was formerly one of the FBI's Most Wanted and has since transformed himself into a trusted security consultant to Fortune 500 enterprises and governments worldwide, mentoring leaders and staff on both the theory and practice of social engineering and educating consumers on how they can protect themselves from todays latest threats.



On his first visit to Ireland, the security expert will be performing a live hack and will bring insight and experience alive to a room full of senior business professionals where security is top of their agenda.



Over 1,100 inspiring students will showcase their projects to an expected 50,000+ visitors and 82 judges from 10th  13th January 2018 and BT Mindshare is one of nearly 60 shows taking place over the three days. Highlights will include Ministry of Science UK, a live Q&A with astronaut in training, Norah Patten, mentalist David Meade, The Real Science of the Circus, 3D Space Journey and the popular World of Robots.



Speaking about the upcoming BT Mindshare, General Manager of Cyber & Physical Security Operations at BT, Steve Benton said, "Security is one of the biggest boardroom agenda items across the globe. We want to use this opportunity with Kevin as a chance to educate our customers to recognise the cyber security threats out there at the moment and how to engage with their boards to address them. At BT Group we are proud to have a strong foothold in the security space and delighted to launch our security proposition in Ireland at BT Mindshare."

Source: www.businessworld.ieJiang Wei, the former CEO of Chinas largest methanol trader, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on June 5 for manipulating futures prices. Jiang was the first in China to be barred for life from the securities market as punishment for manipulating the market. Photo: Visual China

As details emerge about Chinas first criminal case on futures-market manipulation, the countrys securities regulator has called for harsher legislation to deter white-collar crime.

Jiang Wei, the former CEO of Chengdu Xin Hua Xin Chemical Materials Co., Chinas largest methanol trader, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on June 5 for manipulating the futures prices of the chemicals made from natural gas.

Jiang was the first to be barred from the securities market for life as punishment for manipulating the market. He was also fined 1 million yuan ($153,937).

For a long time, the severity of punishment for criminal sentences has not been sufficient. Criminal legislation needs to be strengthened for economic crimes, a person on the penalty committee of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) told Caixin.

The penalty is lenient considered the negative impact of this case on the futures market, but under the current legal framework, it is the most that can be expected, multiple regulatory sources told Caixin.

Others say that the sentence is appropriate because Jiang turned himself in.

Chinas criminal law states that someone can be sentenced up to 10 years in person in very serious cases of securities and futures market manipulation.

Caixin has learned that Jiang stockpiled methanol from October to November 2014 in an effort to create greater demand and reduce expectations for delivery of future methanol contracts. Xin Hua Xins stock of methanol increased 247% over the two months to nearly half a million tons, according to information from the company.

Through more than 42 accounts, Jiang executed orders worth 415 million yuan by Dec. 16, 2014, but eventually took losses of 79.46 million yuan.

Caixin has learned that Jiang was convinced the price of methanol would go up, and so decided to take a long position on methanol futures.

In June 2017, a Shanghai court handed out suspended jail sentences to two traders at a high-frequency trading firm who were found guilty of manipulating Chinas futures market before and during the stock market meltdown of the summer of 2015.

Yishidun International Trade Co., also known as Eastern Dragon, was fined 300 million yuan and ordered to hand over 389 million yuan in illegal gains that it made from high frequency trading on Chinas index futures.

The landmark case marked the first time a Chinese court has issued a verdict on high-frequency trading, which involves using algorithms to buy and sell large blocks of shares automatically at very high speeds.

In 2017, more than 3 billion futures contracts changed hands, representing nearly 188 trillion yuan in deals, down 25.66% and 3.95% year-on-year, according to data that the China Futures Association released on Tuesday.

The value of trades conducted through the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, which trades primarily methanol and white sugar futures, fell 31.14% to 21.4 trillion yuan, representing 11% of the entire domestic futures trading market in 2017.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange, which trades natural rubber, rebar and other metal futures, saw trades rise 5.83% to 89.9 trillion yuan. The Dalian Commodity Exchange, which trades agricultural futures, saw the value of trades fall 15.31% to 52.01 trillion yuan. The China Financial Futures Exchange saw the value of trades increase by 34.98% to 24.59 trillion yuan in 2017.

Contact reporter Liu Xiao (liuxiao@caixin.com)Modified On Jan 03, 2018 05:55 PM By CarDekho

Of all the cars launched in 2017, here's what found a spot in our hearts Raunak - Ford EcoSport Facelift

Now that's what I call a facelift! Though Ford took a little longer than usual to bring in the mid-life update of the EcoSport, it was a thorough one. In fact, the American automaker made it look fresh again with an all-new cabin, front profile and a brand new engine as well. Interestingly, Ford hasnt found the need to hike its prices by much, thanks to increased localisation.

The cumbersome-looking SYNC 1 unit with a plethora of buttons, seen in the pre-facelift model, had begun to show its age. The touchscreen unit that Ford introduced in the 2017 model didn't make much of a difference either. However, the EcoSport has now taken a leap forward with a class-leading, floating 8-inch unit that you get in the Endeavour and the Mustang. What surprised me, however, was Fords decision to offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay from the Trend variant onwards with a 6.5-inch unit!

Sadly, Ford has discontinued the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine. This 125PS, 3-cylinder motor made the EcoSport a little pocket rocket. But thats no cause for concern as the new 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine makes it the most powerful sub-4m SUV yet again. And while the older 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine came with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the new motor can be had with a traditional 6-speed torque converter. The new auto box gets additional brownie points as it comes with paddle shifters, which Im sure a lot of customers would fancy.

On the downside, I feel Ford should have taken this opportunity to introduce bi-xenon/LED headlamps along with a sunroof (offered in the global model) here to make it more tempting and secure it as a worthy alternative to the other sub-4 metre SUVs for the years to come. Nevertheless, like the pre-facelift model, I love the 2018 Ford EcoSport.

Ford EcoSport Facelift: First drive review

The new E-Class is a big step up over its predecessor. But big improvements in every new generation of a car is something that weve come to expect from all carmakers these days. The reason why it remains my top pick for 2017 doesnt really lie in how good or relevant a product it is. To know that, you can head over to our review of the new E-Class.

What makes it special then? Well, its Mercedes-Benz move to offer it in its long wheelbase avatar in India. That makes India the only RHD market in the world to get the stretched E-Class. It shows the German carmakers commitment towards our market and its intent to remain at the top of its game here. It also means that we can expect Mercedes-Benz to 'Indianise' its most important cars in some way or the other to suit our taste. I can already imagine seeing the yet-to-be-revealed A-Class sedan replacing the hatchback in India. Is it too early to cross our fingers?

Mercedes-Benz E350 d And E220 d: Review

Mahesh - Maruti Suzuki Ignis

My favourite car has been on sale for almost the entire 2017 calendar year. It's the most affordable car to have found a spot on the Nexa showroom floor. So, just like all of its 'roommates', it gets ABS, dual airbags and a frame that's ready to meet the crash compliance tests well before theyre even mandated. I like it because it doesn't leave safety as an option. Rather, the Ignis makes essential safety features affordable for most buyers.

How Strong Is The Maruti Suzuki Ignis?

The starting price tag of Rs 4.56 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) is attractive too. Also, the car walks the fine line separating quirky and weird, which always gets me drooling. There are also plenty of personalisation options on the iCreate menu. It has a petrol and a diesel engine and both of them come with a manual or an automatic transmission covering all my needs.

The top variant's features complete its looks, but unfortunately, they appear overpriced. What also hurts its potential are the lower variants' basic infotainment system and AC controls which look out of the place. The feature list also gives LED projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights a miss. I'd rather pick the most affordable option and save the cash to go for some tasteful iCreate bling. If you know me, you won't find the choice surprising as I own the equally quirky Honda Navi and have spent a fair amount of cash customising it.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis: First Drive Review

The hot hatch space has been gradually picking up in India and I, for one, am a big fan of small cars with powerful engines. Not only are these relatively easier to enjoy but are easy on the pocket too. Now pardon me for being very specific here, my pick is the Ford Figo S edition in its 1.5 litre TDCi guise, putting out 100PS of power and 215Nm of torque. The motor has been a proven performer, packs a great punch when required and can switch on its frugal nature if the driver is willing. After all, its the same unit that powers the Aspire and the EcoSport as well.

The biggest change on the Figo S is to the suspension setup which has been stiffened and slightly lowered, lending it better handling characteristics. The steering feedback that was always a USP of the Figo twins, aids the improved handling all the more. The Figo S is lighter than before and boasts of a power-to-weight ratio of 95PS/tonne making it almost as quick as the Polo GT TDI.

The visual difference between the regular Figo and the sporty Figo S are pretty radical but likeable nonetheless. The front flaunts a blacked-out mesh grille, bordered by matte silver accents and has been borrowed from the UK-Spec Figo. The smoked headlamps reiterate the fact that the Figo S and the Ford Focus RS belong to the same family. The dual-tone paint job continues throughout with the black roof, ORVMs, bigger 15-inch tyres and S livery on the side skirts. Everything is the same at the rear, except for the spoiler and wider 195 section tyres which extend out of the body, making it look beefy.

Things are not all breezy when it comes to the interiors as it is available only in the single Titanium trim which misses out on six airbags and SYNC infotainment system. The quality of plastics, like the regular Figo, is also a letdown. While you would expect to get these from a Ford, its no deal breaker in my books. The Ford MyDock is a nifty feature and when the car drives this good, you hardly have time to notice the cluttered central console.

What seals the deal for me is the price tag of Rs 7.22 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the diesel version as it delivers a lot of bang for the buck which I look for in a vehicle of my choice.

2017 Ford Figo Sports Edition: First Drive Review

Saransh - Maruti Suzuki Dzire

My favourite car of the year has to be the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire which was launched in May, 2017. It is a complete package that, at a starting price of Rs 5.42 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), is easy on the pocket as well. The Dzire, in this new guise, looks more like a sedan, unlike its predecessor, which looked like a hatchback with a boot slapped onto it. The interior has also been updated and that flat-bottom steering wheel adds a sporty touch to it. The central console is also placed well. In fact, it is ergonomically friendly and tilted towards the driver, making it easy to use.

The safety features further add value to the package. It is not optional on the Dzire, unlike its contemporaries, as the new model gets ABS with EBD, dual airbags and ISOFIX as standard across the range.

2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Variants Explained

The Dzire is also the only car in its segment to offer AMT as optional with both engines - petrol and diesel. Not only does it make driving in everyday bumper to bumper traffic a breeze, but both the engines are adequately powered for me to munch miles on the highways as well. It also gets a 378-litre boot which comes in handy for all sorts of luggage. Although the 378-litre boot is on the lower side of the spectrum when compared to other compact sedans, I found it adequate to suit my needs.

All these features, along with its sedan-like looks and Marutis after sale support make the Dzire a practical choice for me and hence, I chose it over other options out there.

2017 Maruti Dzire: First Drive Review

Irfan - Tata Nexon

Of all the cars launched in 2017, the Tata Nexon has to be my pick of the year. The quirky styling caught my fancy the moment the Nexon concept was showcased back at the 2014 Auto Expo. The rear-three quarter, in my opinion, is the best angle to view this crossover from. Tatas latest IMPACT design philosophy seems to be working well for the Nexon, helping it stand out from its competitors - the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.

Like all the other cars that have come out of Tatas stable in the last 2-3 years, the Nexon too gets an exhaustive list of features. The 6.5-inch infotainment system with Android Auto support and Tatas, now standard, Harman sound system impressed me the most. The move to offer ABS and EBD as standard across the range is commendable too.

The Nexon is offered with two engine options - a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel. Both engines come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. By the way, this is the only compact SUV to get a 6-speed manual; others get a 5-speed gearbox. However, for buyers looking for an automatic sub-4 metre SUV, Tata is soon set to launch the Nexon with an automated manual transmission (AMT) with both engine options in the coming months. The engines dont just offer punchy performance, they deliver great fuel efficiency figures too - 17kmpl (petrol) and 21.5kmpl (diesel).

Another reason that makes the Nexon my pick is its very aggressive price tag. Starting at just Rs 5.85 lakh and going up to Rs 9.44 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Nexon is definitely a value-for-money proposition. Admit it. You also love this one.

Tata Nexon: First Drive Review

10 Most Notable Launches Of 2017The Indian Oil Corporation Ltd has released an official employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for Engineering and Heavy Vehicle Driving jobs. There are around hundred vacancies available for the posts. Interested candidates can check out their eligibility, procedure to apply and the complete details here and apply before the deadline ends.

Deadline to apply for IOCL Recruitment 2018

The last date to apply for IOCL Recruitment 2018 is 29 January 2018.

IOCL Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details

CRITERIA DETAILS Total number of posts 98 Eligibility Diploma holders in engineering

Higher Secondary Pass Categories Engineering Category

Heavy Vehicle Driving Hands in Workmen category Selection Process Written Exam

Interview Location Southern Region Official website iocl.com and plis.indianoilpipelines.in IOCL Southern Region office address Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Nungambakkam High Rd, Tirumurthy Nagar, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006.

How to apply for IOCL Recruitment 2018?

In order to apply for IOCL Recruitment 2018, follow the steps given here:

Step 1 Log on to the official website Step 2 Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find IndianOil for Careers column. Under that, click Latest Job Openings link Step 3 Click on the relevant job link

Step 4

Apply for the job and complete the registration process

Note

According to the official notification, candidates interested in these posts are advised to keep checking the careers column for the lines to apply to this post open. For now, only the openings is advertised.

Click here to see the notification.

In another job notification, the Indian Oil Corporation has announced vacancies to fill up the posts of Technical Non-Executives in the Pipelines Division at iocl.com. Interested and eligible candidates must note that the last date to apply online is on or before January 15, 2018, till 6 pm.

To read the full details of this recruitment, click here

About IOCL

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), commonly known as Indian Oil is a state-owned oil and gas company headquartered in New Delhi. It is the largest commercial enterprise in the country. It is ranked 1st in Fortune India 500 list for year 2016 and 168th in Fortune's 'Global 500' list of world's largest companies in the year 2017. As of 31st March, 2017 IndianOil's employee strength is 33,135, out of which 16,545 are in the officer cadre.

UPPSC Recruitment 2018 for 2000 Lecturers and 595 Dental Surgeon PostsBrussels-based insurer Ageas on Dec. 29 completed the sale of its stake in Italian bancassurer Cargeas Assicurazioni (CARGEAS) to BNP Paribas Cardif for $213.6 million in cash.

Ageas and BNP Paribas Cardif have previously operated CARGEAS as a joint venture.

In line with its strategy to focus on core businesses, Ageas announced in July 2017 that it had reached an agreement with BNP to sell its 50 percent + 1 share in the Italian bancassurer, which provides health, homeowner, automobile and credit insurance to individuals and businesses.

The sale of CARGEAS generates a net capital gain of $92.4 million for Ageas insurance segment in Continental Europe and an additional $12 million at the group level in the general account, the company said in a statement. It noted that both the capital gain and the cash impact will be recorded in the last quarter of 2017.

The transaction is expected to have a positive impact of approximately 4 percentage points on the groups Solvency II position, said Ageas.

Ageas operates insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with financial institutions and key distributors.

Source: AgeasThere are heaps of ways for individuals to get cash. That is the single thing which makes individuals run for...AICCE returns to Egypt

ICR Research By

Published 03 January 2018

The 22nd Arab International Cement Conference and Exhibition (AICCE22) was held at the International Congress Center, Maritim Jolie Ville, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, between 14-16 November 2017, attended by 450 delegates from over 30 nations. An international exhibition with 119 stands was the main focus of the event, supported by a comprehensive conference programme with 46 presentations dealing in the full range of cement manufacturing technologies.

The Arab cement sector in the Middle East and north Africa has faced continuing challenges in 2017, with areas of instability and economic weakness placing pressure on cement demand. Saudi Arabian demand fell 16.5 per cent in the first nine months of 2017 as the country grappled with economic reforms, while Syria and Yemen have seen the industry decimated through war. Egypt has also experienced negative growth in 2017, with demand off by seven per cent in the first half of the year.

To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or LoginDonald Trump is an incredibly controversial president, and his personality seems just as divisive as his policies. In fact, many Trump opponents criticize the presidents temperament as unpresidential. The insult implies that theres a standard of appropriate behavior in the Oval Office. Of course, there is. But throughout American history, voters have elected plenty of presidents who violated the unspoken rules of presidential behavior and speech.

Read on to discover other presidents who, like Donald Trump, drew criticism for their unpresidential temperaments and habits.

1. John Adams

2nd president of the United States

William Galston, a Brookings Institution senior fellow who spoke to the Christian Science Monitor, reports that the kind of unpresidential conduct we associate with Donald Trump is actually nothing new. Just look at John Adams, the second U.S. president. The Week reports that this combative commander-in-chief quickly acquired a hefty reputation for articulate jabs and razor-sharp put-downs at the expense of his allies and (numerous) rivals alike.

Additionally, the Miller Center reports that even Adamss own cabinet opposed his policies most of the time. Thus, His stubborn independence left him politically isolated and alone. Nonetheless, Galston doesnt consider Donald Trump a modern version of Adams. Galston posits that Adams had the political substance to overcome his rudeness. But the Brookings fellow wouldnt say the same thing for Trump.

Next: This president chased his Secretary of Treasury with a pair of hot fireplace tongs.

2. James Monroe

5th president of the United States

Many U.S. presidents have had terrible tempers (just like Donald Trump). Mental Floss reports that James Monroe numbered among them, citing a particularly memorable argument between Monroe and William H. Crawford, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. Monroe once flew into a temper tantrum so fierce that he chased Crawford out of the Oval Office by brandishing a pair of hot fireplace tongs.

Monroe got caught up in more than his fair share of petty disputes. In fact, Smithsonian Magazine reports that Monroe almost dueled Alexander Hamilton  of modern-day Hamilton fame  until a mutual friend settled their argument. The drawn-out dispute sounds quite unpresidential. But as Smithsonian Magazine explains, both men were at times petty, tempestuous, and unsure of themselves: in other words, human.

Next: This president never learned to compromise.

3. John Quincy Adams

6th president of the United States

The Miller Center at the University of Virginia reports that John Quincy Adams became one of the nations preeminent secretaries of state but proved the wrong man for the presidency. Working with people  and making compromises  has emerged as a key skill for the president. But its one that Adams didnt have. The Miller Center refers to John Quincy Adams as aloof, stubborn, and ferociously independent. The 6th president failed to forge alliances in Washington, even with members of his own party. So he couldnt turn his ideas into policy.

Perhaps worst of all, Adams should have seen the problem coming. His father, John Adams, had also ignored the political side of the office and served only one term, the Miller Center reports. History repeated itself with his son: John Quincy Adams lost his reelection bid to Jackson in 1828.

Next: This president taught his pet parrot to swear.

4. Andrew Jackson

7th president of the United States

Andrew Jackson numbers among the most controversial presidents in part because of his humble origins. He rose from log cabin to White House, unlike all the other presidents who had come before him. He made the East Coast establishment nervous with his promises to change politics. And he did make many changes in politics  including by departing from the norms of presidential behavior.

The Atlantic reports that Washington insiders reviled Jackson. They saw him as intemperate, vulgar, and stupid. Opponents called him a jackass  the origin of the donkey symbol for the Democratic Party. Thomas Jefferson referred to Jackson as one of the most unfit men I know of to serve as president of the United States. Perhaps most amusing of all? Jackson owned a pet parrot whom he taught to swear. The parrot reportedly swore enthusiastically even at Jacksons funeral.

Next: This president couldnt even get along with his own party.

5. John Tyler

10th president of the United States

Many successful presidents have managed to unify Americans instead of dividing or alienating them. But John Tyler had no such luck  or skill  during his time in the Oval Office. USA Today notes that historians usually rank Tyler among the worst U.S. presidents, thanks to his very unpresidential inability to work with his own party. All the chief executives unmistakably identified as failures displayed a self-destructive tendency to violate the core promises of their campaigns.

Tyler, the publication explains, used 10 unpopular vetoes to block implementation of his own partys longstanding ledges. Most of his Cabinet resigned in protest, and eventually they all quit while the hostile Senate voted down four new Cabinet appointments  a record that stands to this day.

Next: This president had a very unpresidential drinking habit.

6. James Buchanan

15th president of the United States

James Buchanan also numbers among the worst  and least presidential  presidents to have served throughout American history. The Constitution Center names Buchanan as the worst president of all thanks to his apparent indifference to the onset of the Civil War. He even referred to slavery as happily, a matter of but little practical importance.

But Buchanans disinterest in averting crisis isnt the only thing that lands him on the list of the most unpresidential presidents. He became notorious for his love of drinking. Mental Floss notes that numerous anecdotes refer to Buchanans drinking  and his ability to consume vast amounts of whiskey and wine. He could reportedly drink two or three bottles of wine in a single sitting, and would also purchase 10-gallon casks of whiskey each Sunday. He even scolded the liquor merchant who supplied his inauguration for bringing champagne bottles that were far too small.

Next: This president was incredibly arrogant.

7. Andrew Johnson

17th president of the United States

An excess of arrogance is another quality thats emerged as unpresidential, even if its shown up repeatedly in the Oval Office. Throughout the generations, Americans generally dont like arrogant candidates, Slate explains. Evidently, nobody ever told Andrew Johnson. Historian Thomas Bailey wrote of Johnson, a self-made man, he was distressingly proud of his maker.

Johnson, who had apprenticed to a tailor, liked to remind audiences that Jesus, a carpenter, had also worked with his hands. Business Insider reports that Johnson showed up drunk to his inauguration as vice president  quite an auspicious start. About a month later, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and Johnson became president.

Next: This president thought too highly of himself.

8. Theodore Roosevelt

26th president of the United States

People on both sides of the aisle love Theodore Roosevelt. But New Republic reports that Roosevelt spent much of his life behaving like a bully, drunk on his own self-regard. The publication explains that similarly, Roosevelts reputation for boyishness arose from many sourceshis naive charm, to be sure, but also his ceaseless action, his snap decisions, his adolescent bellicosity, his refusal to consider intellectual or ethical complexity, his confusion of physical with moral courage, and his exaggerated amour propre when confronted by actual or imagined insults.

Slate notes that a 1904 edition of Colliers dismissed concerns about Theodore Roosevelts temperament with the statement, the personal obstreperousness which offends some individuals endowed with taste is a part of his popularity throughout the country. Does that sound familiar? As Slate puts it, Allowing for a change in verbiage, some pundits are plating up this precise analysis of Trumps temperament today: His unpresidential temperament is his very appeal.

Next: This president made poor choices when appointing his cabinet members.

9. Warren G. Harding

29th president of the United States

There are numerous reasons that you could call Warren G. Harding unpresidential. In fact, The Atlantic reports that The 29th presidents extramarital affairs were perhaps the least of his disqualifications for the office he held. His affairs did cause major scandals, not least because Harding fathered an illegitimate child with one of his mistresses. Historians consider Harding a womanizer. But thats not the only reason that many experts consider him unpresidential.

Even Harding knew that he was in over his head in the Oval Office. He once referred to himself as a man of limited talents. Kevin Kruse, a historian at Princeton University, tells The Atlantic, He felt woefully under-qualified for the job. Kruse elaborated, He was nervous about it, so he surrounded himself with old friends from his hometown, who themselves were unqualified for the jobs they held and many of them corrupt. His cabinet was plagued by scandals, and even if Harding wasnt directly implicated, he was still responsible for the men he chose to run the country.

Next: This president had affairs with countless women.

10. John F. Kennedy

35th president of the United States

Newsweek names John F. Kennedy as one of the presidents who did some very unpresidential things, including having serial affairs while he was in the White House. According to National Geographic, Kennedy biographer Robert Dallek describes JFK as a compulsive womanizer whose insatiable urge for sexual conquests was fueled by a complex array of personal traumas. Kennedy had affairs with scores of women, supposedly including Marilyn Monroe.

Additionally, even after he married Jacqueline Bouvier, he continued to pursue extramarital relationshipsdespite the risk of scandal that might have crippled his Presidency, according to National Geographic. Slate notes that Character flaws in a president can end in tragedy. JFK didnt live long enough for his infidelities to compromise him, but a variety of his chroniclers have argued that they ultimately would have.

Next: This president claimed that he slept with more women than Kennedy.

11. Lyndon B. Johnson

36th president of the United States

Lyndon B. Johnson developed a reputation for his rude and overbearing personality. He conducted business from the toilet, with the door open. The Atlantic reports of details that have recently come to light, Urinating in a sink, inviting people into his bathroom, showing off his abdominal scar, exposing his private parts: after a while nothing surprises a biographer of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Johnsons feelings of emptiness reportedly drove him to eat, drink, and smoke to excess. They also led him to become a competitive womanizer.

As The Atlantic puts it, When people mentioned Kennedys many affairs, Johnson would bang the table and declare that he had more women by accident than Kennedy ever had on purpose. Additionally, Johnsons unpresidential character flaws certainly had an effect on his presidency. As Slate explains, LBJ might not have clung to a self-defeating strategy in Vietnam were he not so concerned about what East Coast elites would say about him.

Next: This man was one of our most disagreeable presidents.

12. Richard Nixon

37th president of the United States

McClatchys D.C. bureau reports that Richard Nixon conducted himself with dignity in public. But when tapes of conversations between Nixon and his aides surfaced, Americans were aghast at the frequency at which the 37th president cursed. On the tapes, he swore and spoke critically of black Americans and Jews in a decidedly unpresidential manner.

The Atlantic reports that Nixon probably goes down in history as the most disagreeable president. (At least before Donald Trump came along.) The publication adds that Decision makers who, like Nixon, are dispositionally low on agreeableness might hold certain advantages when it comes to balancing competing interests or bargaining with adversaries. The Atlantic explains, In international affairs, Nixon was tough, pragmatic, and coolly rational. But In domestic politics, Nixon was widely recognized to be cunning, callous, cynical, and Machiavellian.

Next: This president found himself mired in a very unpresidential scandal.

13. Bill Clinton

42nd president of the United States

Newsweek reports that Bill Clinton could be called unpresidential in the sense that he conducted this clandestine affair with a White House intern, said Iwan Morgan, a professor of U.S. history at University College London, who teaches a course on the presidency. Just like previous presidents who took mistresses and had affairs, Clinton found himself mired in a very unpresidential scandal.

Biographer John D. Gartner, speaking to Time, characterized Clinton as hypomanic. Gartner explained, Hypomanic people have tremendous energy. He adds, With this syndrome, you also have immense confidence, and it makes you someone who is very ambitious, hard-working, and creative. There are a lot of positives. At the same time, there are those vulnerabilities. Impulsivenessnot just in the area of sex, but also in eating, and in terms of his temper.

Next: Heres why Donald Trump gets called unpresidential.

14. Donald Trump

45th president of the United States

Finally, Donald Trump has become the most recent president whose behavior, speech, and personality has earned the label of unpresidential. The Atlantic characterized Donald Trumps personality as extreme by any standard, and particularly rare for a presidential candidate, and especially for a president. Trump has been unflatteringly compared to several past presidents. And hes been repeatedly criticized as narcissistic and unpresidential.

A sampling of headlines? CNN reports Donald Trumps unpresidential presidency keeps hitting new lows. Politico explains that 70 percent say Trump acts unpresidential. The New York Times published a letter on Donald Trumps Unpresidential Sojourn at the White House. And The Atlantic compiled A Time Capsule of the Unpresidential Things Trump Says.

Next: Heres why accusations of unpresidential behavior dont bother Donald Trump.

Why Donald Trump doesnt care about being presidential

Donald Trump has repeatedly been criticized for failing to act presidential. But he doesnt seem to buy into the idea that a president needs to act presidential. In fact, as McClatchy D.C. explains, Trump characterized being presidential as much easier than being the way I am  it takes much less energy.

Additionally, Trump doesnt seem to have any interest in appearing more presidential. In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Trump said that Americans would get so bored with a presidential Trump that instead of drawing crowds of thousands Ill have about 150 people, and theyll say, but, boy, he really looks presidential.

Read more: Donald Trump Keeps Getting Compared to These Other American Presidents

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!We place a lot of trust in teachers. They are the individuals who are shaping the future of our nation and our world by helping to form the minds of our children. Teachers have a difficult job to do, and yes, they do deserve all those snow days and summers off.

But teachers are also human beings, and every once in a while they wield power and access to children and use it for for evil rather than for good. From sexual abuse of minors to murder, these are some of the most horrific crimes ever committed by teachers.

1. Mark Berndt blindfolded and gagged his students

Former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt concocted a game in which he would blind and gag his students while performing lewd acts. He also placed giant Madagascar cockroaches on them and took photos. Hed have female students hold and then consume the contents of a blue spoon with a white substance, which was later identified as Berndts own bodily fluids. Female students were also fed cookies laced with his semen.

During the police raid, 400 photos of these crimes were confiscated. Berndt was found guilty of 23 acts of lewd conduct and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.



2. Galina Kovalenko tried to sell her students body parts

A Ukrainian teacher who worked at a boarding school for orphans and children from broken families was arrested for attempting to sell one of her 13-year-old students organs.

52-year-old Galina Kovalenko was trying to sell the girls organs for $10,000 so she could use the money to pay off her debts. The would-be buyer, who ended up giving authorities all the gritty details, said that the teacher promised to provide him with photos and medical records for the girl. An anti-human trafficking group was able to intercede before the transaction took place.



3. Raymond Dale Payne raped and murdered his student

Debbie Gama, 16, got into a big fight with her parents one August night in 1975 and stormed out of the house. They never saw her alive again.

Her partially decomposed body was found in Cussewago Creek near her Erie, Pennsylvania home four days later. Her neck, wrists, and legs were bound with copper wire and she was strangled with the same wire. She was also sexually assaulted sometime before she died.

The police used the wire to link the case to Raymond Dale Payne, her favorite English teacher. Payne continued working at the school for the entire 400-day investigation until the police finally caught up with him.

Payne pleaded guilty to the murder and received a life sentence. He still maintains his innocence on the rape, however, even demanding for investigators to exhume her body to confirm his story and reduce his sentence to manslaughter.



4. Alexandria Vera was impregnated by her 13-year-old student

A 24-year-old middle school teacher was accused of having a sexual relationship with her 13-year-old student.

Alexandria Vera met the boy in the summer of 2015 and claims she resisted his advances at first. Finally, she agreed to spend time with him and the two started up a sexual relationship that lasted for nine months. She eventually became pregnant with his child but later aborted the pregnancy when Child Protective Services started questioning her.

The school principal tipped off police, and Vera pleaded guilty. She was sentenced to ten years in prison.



5. Carol Pauls shoves paper towels down her students throat

Sometimes disciplinary action goes too far.

A 33-year-old teacher at Nocatee Elementary School in Arcadia, Florida was accused of aggravated child abuse after she tried to stuff a paper towel down a students throat.

The special needs third-grader was having behavioral issues and was spitting, so Pauls got a paper towel to wipe his face. Then Pauls yelled, He bit me! One of the assistant teacher aides removed the piece of paper towel, but then Pauls proceeded to shove another towel into his mouth. Pauls allegedly said, Fine then just choke on it.

She was suspended from her teaching position following the incident.



6. Haeli Wey was having sex with two underage students

Sadly, teacher-student sexual assault cases are a dime a dozen. But this ones a little different because the teacher wasnt just having sex with one student she was targeting two of them.

The 28-year-old Westlake High School educator from Austin, Texas was fired from her job after she got caught having sex with two male students. Wey had sex with one victim ten times or more after meeting him at a student ministry program. She was so close with him, she even got invited on his family trip to Africa (before they knew about the secret sexual relationship).

Wey lured the second victim on an after-school walk on secluded hiking trails. She convinced the young man to kiss and fondle her once they were out of view of the public. Once the first student found out about the second, he got upset and told his father everything. Wey was charged with two counts of improper relations with a student and was sentenced to ten years of probation and 200 hours of community service.



7. Timothy Randall Korr aggressively attacked a 7-year-old

When a student was being disruptive in 25-year-old tutor Timothy Randall Korrs classroom, he responded with extreme physical violence.

Korr was caught on camera knocking the 7-year-old into a wall at the school, breaking his jaw, knocking out two of his teeth, and leaving scars, cuts, and bruises on his small body. The injuries were so severe that the child needed surgery.

The former tutor was charged with felony child abuse, assault, reckless endangerment, and neglect of a minor. He was also fired from his position right after his arrest. He was sentenced to ten years with all but 90 days suspended.

Read more: Youll Be Shocked by These Horrific Crimes Committed by Children

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!Pueblo West parent and educator enters Pueblo D70 board race

Anne Ochs, an instructional designer at Stride K12 with 11 years of experience as an educator, is running for the board's District 2 seat.Churches and houses of worship will now be able to apply for federal natural disaster assistance.

The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week that it would allow churches to apply for assistance.

The change comes after three churches and two synagogues filed lawsuits after suffering damage from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June in favor of a Missouri church that sued the state over funding for playground resurfacing.

"In light of the Trinity Lutheran decision, FEMA has considered its guidance on private nonprofit facility eligibility and determined that it will revise its interpretation of the aforementioned statutory and regulatory authorities so as not to exclude houses of worship from eligibility for FEMA aid on the basis of the religious character or primarily religious use of the facility," the document reads.

Religious freedom supporters and leaders say they are happy with the change.

"Just like charities, houses of worship that serve our communities and are impacted by natural disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, should not be disqualified from disaster assistance simply because they are religious in nature, said Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma. "I'm pleased that FEMA is taking this important step to include houses of worship into its list of eligible entities for aid.

Three churches in Texas sued after Hurricane Harvey struck the southeast coast of the state. Then in December, two synagogues damaged by Hurricane Irma filed suits in Florida.

"We need to get back on our feet, and we're unable to [without FEMA's help], said Pastor Charles Stoker, of Hi-Way Tabernacle in Cleveland, Texas.

The three church suits are currently in the appeal stage. The cases for the synagogues are pending in federal district court.

"We will watch carefully to make sure that FEMA's new policy is implemented to provide equal treatment for churches and synagogues alongside other charities, said Becket lawyer Daniel Blomberg, who is representing Hi-Way Tabernacle.

Photo courtesy: Religion News Service

Publication date: January 3, 2018Over the past year under the Trump administration, the majority of refugees admitted into the U.S. have been Christian.

This is a reversal of the religion of refugees who were admitted into the U.S. under President Obama. Under Obama, the majority of refugees were Muslim, but under Trump, 60 percent are Christian, reports the Washington Examiner.

Additionally, only 13 percent of refugees admitted into the U.S. this past year have been Muslim, making the Christian to Muslim ratio roughly six to one.

This trend appears consistent with President Trumps travel ban, which restricts refugees from six predominantly Muslim countries, including Syria, Iran, Chad, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia, as well as North Korea.

Center for Immigration Studies Senior Researcher Nayla Rush tweeted some official statistics on refugee admittance:

Refugee Admissions Under Trump : 28,875 from Jan 20-Dec 20, 2017 (11 months). Mostly Christians 53%, Muslims 32%, Buddhists & Hindus 9%.Top nationalities Congo, Burma, Bhutan, Ukraine, Somalia.@wwwCISorg: Refugee Admissions Under the Trump Administration https://t.co/yp6tQDEttm  Nayla Rush (@NaylaRush) January 2, 2018

Rush also noted, The shift follows complaints by Christian groups that the Obama administration had overwhelmingly favored Muslims and ignored the plight of Christians, especially in Muslim nations.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: January 3, 2018

At least 20 people have died and more than 450 arrested during the largest anti-government protests in Iran since the disputed presidential election in 2009. Thousands of protesters are chanting against Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The protests began about economic dissatisfaction. A recent 40 percent increase in egg and poultry prices may have sparked the protests.

However, some experts say years of political, economic, and social grievances have driven people to the streets in protest. Experts say many Iranian citizens expected the economy to improve after the 2015 nuclear deal with the United States.

Some protesters believe the Iranian government is focusing too much on foreign affairs than domestic ones, criticizing Irans military support of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

We can expect more news from Iran in the coming days and weeks. Meantime, we should pray for Iranians to come to know Christ and for our brothers and sisters in Christ who live there. Iran has a fascinating history in the Bible.

In Scripture, Iran is called Persia. The ancient Persian empire flourished from 539-331 BC and is best known in the Bible for its role in helping the Hebrew people return to Jerusalem from their 70-year captivity in Babylon.

The book of Daniel contains several references to Persia:

1. The rise of the Persian empire is predicted by Daniel when he interprets a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar about a statue (Daniel 2:31-46). Daniels prediction comes to fulfillment after the handwriting on the wall incident recorded in Daniel 5:5-28.

2. After seeing that Daniel survived a night in the lions den, Persian King Darius issued a decree for all people in his kingdom to worship Daniels God (Daniel 6:25-28).

3. In Daniel 10:13, Daniel learns his prayer for his Jewish countrymen was delayed for 21 days by a demonic force called the prince of the kingdom of Persia.

Also, Scripture tells us how several Persian kings helped the Hebrew people:

 Cyrus II issued a decree restoring the Jews to their homeland, following their captivity in Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). At least 150 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah predicted a ruler named Cyrus would accomplish Gods will (Isaiah 44:28-45:3).

 Darius ordered the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem to be rebuilt after work on it had been discontinued for 14 years (Ezra 4:24). He gave money from the royal treasury to complete the Temple (Ezra 6:4). He also ordered the return of the gold and silver articles, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Jewish temple (Ezra 6:5). (Many scholars believe Daniels influence on Darius may have influenced the kings actions.)

 Xerxes ruled Persia from 486 to 465 BC. He was the Ahasuerus of the Book of Esther; she became queen during in his seventh year of reign.

 Artaxerxes was a minor Persian king who held major importance to the Jewish people. The Jewish people returned to their homeland from Babylonian captivity in three waves; two of the three occurred during the reign of Artaxerxes.

The Gospel Coalition reports the church in Iran has become the fastest growing in the world; more Iranians have become Christians in the last 20 years than in the previous 13 centuries.

We know of Persias (Irans) past influence through scripture. God tirelessly pursues us for a relationship. As we watch news coverage of the protests, lets remember to pray for those affected by the protests, for fellow believers in Iran, and for more Iranians to find a relationship with the one true God.

Laura Lacey Johnson is a cutting-edge faith and culture writer who focuses on everyday headlines. In addition to speaking, she is a regular contributor to ChristianHeadlines.com and The Middle East Report hosted by John Riley on American Family Radio. To read Lauras latest work on the headlines, visit www.lauralaceyjohnson.com.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstock/silverjohn

Publication date: January 3, 2018Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

How is it that millions of Christians have all been led to the same conclusion concerning Jesus Christ? Is it just a coincidence, or perhaps a delusion? And what about the common features found in their testimonies? Are believers just imagining these things?

For example, Christians describe "knowing" Jesus as their Savior, and living with an assurance that their sins are forgiven because of the Lord's death for them on the cross. Why would anyone, let alone millions of people, believe such a thing? That is, unless of course they recognize the overwhelming evidence and have personally experienced the miracle of conversion. (John 3:5-8)

Are Christians just imagining that Jesus is God, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit? Why is it that Christians accept the triune nature of God, while those who don't know Christ find the doctrine of the Trinity practically impossible to accept?

Why do Christians rely upon the blood of Jesus shed on the cross as the basis of their forgiveness and salvation? And why do Christians believe that God has forgiven their sins on account of Christ's sacrifice, rather than as a result of their obedience and efforts?

Are millions of Christians wrong about Jesus? Is it all just fantasy and make-believe, or is Jesus Christ truly the Son of God and the Savior of the world? For that matter, are Christians misguided to accept the Bible's diagnosis of man's greatest problem: "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Are Christians wrong about sin and wrong about the Savior?

Now then my friend, what about you? Are you wrong about Jesus? Perhaps you are currently convinced that Jesus was simply "a good man," but that's about as far as you take it. In that case, you would be wise to consider the fact that Jesus never claimed to be simply a good man. He claimed to be God and He claimed to forgive sins, and of course He was hated for it. This hatred drove men to crucify Christ. Why? What had the Messiah done wrong? Well, many elites in that day saw Jesus as a threat to their power, and a heretic to their religion.

But what about you? What do you believe about Jesus?

And what about the expectation Christians have of spending eternity in heaven? Jesus told His disciples: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2,3)

Have millions of Christians been duped into believing something that isn't true?

On the contrary, Christians have come to understand that Jesus is the key to eternal life. The Savior said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25,26)

Richard Sibbes put it this way: "The life of a Christian is wondrously ruled in this world, by the consideration and meditation of the life of another world."

In other words, a believer's confidence for eternity provides plenty of power for daily living. And it gives believers a purpose far beyond the things of this world.

Are you rather bored with the daily routine of your life right now? If so, why not ask Jesus to give you an eternal purpose for living, and a confidence that you will join the Lord one day in heaven. Everyone who is "in Christ" through faith is secure in the Lord. Thankfully for the believer, God will "never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

You see, Christianity was true before anyone ever accepted it as the truth. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

God's love letter to His people contains 66 books that all point to Christ as the way of salvation. And we must always remember that the Bible was not man's idea.

The apostle Peter explained it this way: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20,21)

And so are millions of Christians wrong about Jesus? Are they wrong about the Bible? Are they wrong about God's plan of salvation?

Your answers to these questions will reveal whether or not you believe that Jesus Christ and Scripture are trustworthy. And if you have been persisting in unbelief up to this point, it's not too late to place faith in Jesus, and to stand on God's Word. It's the only solid foundation you will ever find for your soul, and for your life on earth. Everything else eventually comes crumbling down.

It's important to understand that you do not create the truth by your belief or your unbelief. What's true is true, regardless of who believes it. And one day, each of us will stand before our Creator to give an account of our life, and of what we did with Jesus.

The apostle Paul wrote about this future reckoning: "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12)

If that future appointment in God's courtroom doesn't give you reason for pause, it should. And one day my friend, it definitely will.

So are Christians wrong about Judgment Day? The fact of the matter is that Judgment Day is inevitable. Every minute that goes by brings us one minute closer to that final day. For the believer, however, the "end" of time will be the beginning of our eternal existence in paradise.

These vital truths are what Christians believe about Christ and eternity. And the invitation to accept Christ as your Savior is being extended to you as well.

One of the last verses of the Bible puts it this way: "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (Revelation 22:17)

One day, every unbeliever will shudder to think of what might have been if they had only repented of their sin and trusted Jesus to forgive them.

Everything is ultimately funneling down to this climax of history. Which side will you be on when time runs out? You see, those who ignore the Gospel or oppose Christ always live to regret it. Take the devil for example. He knows exactly what happens when you refuse to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And it was Jesus who said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18)

But what about you? What will do in this moment concerning your immortal soul, your sin, and the love of God that was demonstrated for us at the cross? (Romans 5:8) If you turn away from this open door today, you may never again be this close to what could have been, if only you had taken God at His Word. None of us are promised tomorrow. (Here is a link to the Winans family singing "Tomorrow" at Whitney Houston's funeral.)

"Today is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2) "Come near to God and He will come near to you." (James 4:8)

This prayer can help you get started talking to God about your sin, and more importantly, your Savior.

"Lord Jesus, I sense you speaking to me today through your Word. And I admit to you that I have sinned with my thoughts and with my behavior. I am lost without you Lord. I need your love, and I need your forgiveness for my sins. Come into my life. Cleanse me of my sins. Wash them all away with the blood you shed on the cross 2000 years ago. I turn from sin today. I want to follow you Lord. Forgive me. And fill me with the Holy Spirit. Grant me your power, and strengthen me daily as I pray, read the Bible, and gather with other believers to grow in my faith. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul. You are now the Lord of my life, and I rejoice that I am completely forgiven because of your death for my sins on the cross. All glory to the name of Jesus. All glory to the blood of Jesus. I am now free in Christ, and free to live for my Redeemer. Amen."Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

My church has always been a family too me. They have been there with me and for me when I went through so many things. They were there for the good times, for the celebrations and for the hard times. My pastor from my home church growing up will always be more and just my pastor. He led me to Christ, he Baptised me, he licensed me to the ministry, he preached at my ordination, he performed my wedding, he did my parent's funeral, he was the executor of my parent's estate, he became my dad and was always there. He is and will always be a huge part of my life.

After leaving my home church, I had my church is college, which went through a couple pastors where I was there. The first I never really had much of relationship with, he was a nice guy but we never clicked. The second pastor was a huge part of my life. He invested in me and my wife and our new baby. He taught me a lot and invested in my early ministry. He was a great pastor and preacher, but he was also very real. He taught me how to get through the good days and the bad days.

As I launched into ministry, I served in a variety of different churches with a variety of pastors and leaders. I have served with great men and women and some who were. . . .not as great. You see, just like there are many types of families, there are just as many types of churches and some are more healthy than others. Of course, every church has problems and issues, some run deeper than others. Too often in families and in churches, we ignore the problems, make excuses and pretend like everything is fine. If in a family, there is a problem, we need to address it.

The most common church dysfunction is the same issue that's plagued humanity since the fall. The Israelites had it, the Pharisees had it, the church in Rome had it and it exists today. The pride in man's heart creates an abuse of power. Leaders become obsessed with their own leadership, they become controlling, sometimes manipulative.

They become overly attached to their own power and importance, and often Christ is no longer the head of the church. The Pharisees were so concerned with their own control, they didn't recognize Christ. In the end, they crucified Christ because they were afraid to lose power. Too often there is a hunger for control and power, leaders become overly obsessed with being in charge. Just like a controlling spouse, leadership dominance to the point of abuse is a dysfunction in a church.

There is the unattached, uninvolved church. You come on Sunday morning, you sit and no one really connects and no one really knows much. Sure there are relationships in the church, friend, and connections, but those groups don't connect to the other groups.

The pastor really isn't involved in his people, the people aren't connected to the leadership and there isn't really a sense of community. It's superficial, and the people are connected but more from proximity. It's like that Thanksgiving dinner when no one talks and it's filled with small talk. The kids don't share with their parents, no one talks about their hurts or their problems. Everything is glossed over and no one really knows anyone else in the family.

Of course, there is the family that is over-involved. They want to dictate every action you take. A church is a great help and the pastor can really help you, but a pastor who is overly involved in your life, one who is controlling and manipulative, well that's as bad as a nagging in-law.

A church that wants to manage your clothes, your hair, your money, your kids and how you spend every minute of your day, that is not healthy. Now, there are times that a church family needs to help when you are in trouble, in sin, or in bad spot overall, there are times to intervene, but a constant controlling church is not a healthy thing. It's not good when a parent controls adult children and it's not good when a church controls the people.

Of course, there are lots of variations of the next one, but I'm going to call it the secret sin church. A church that has an issue and maybe it's a secret, maybe it's not, but no one wants to address it.

A pastor who is an egomaniac, but he is a good preacher and so we ignore it. The Pastor who tells lies acts more like a politician and says what you want to hear. We know he doesn't but we'll overlook it. The deacon who likes to gossip, but he's been around here forever. The elder who is crooked in his business dealings, but his tithe check is the biggest in the church. The influential church board member who is powerful at church and in the community and tells the racist and sexist jokes in his office.

Everyone knows, but we aren't going to say anything. Sure the Pastor is emotionally abusive to his family, but as long as things are good for me, then it's all good. Did that sting a little? Look, I get it, you like the Pastor and he seems to be trying, well sometimes. I have served with men who have had issues, addictions, and problems and they struggled.

I walked with them, prayed with them and they worked on and it tried. I'm not talking about those guys. I'm talking about the guy who says "well this just is who I am" so he has an excuse to behave badly. He can call his wife stupid in a group, cause that's how he is. He can threaten and insult church members who disagree because that is just his personality. We all know the controlling husband, the hurtful wife and the abusive boss that are given a pass. It happens in church, it happens a lot. Does it happen in yours?

I want to give you one more, although the list is much longer. The last is the trendy church. I'm not talking about the hipster worship leader and jeans wearing pastor, I mean the church that jumps on board with every new trend. In families, we see the mom that reads a new book or article and now her kids are doing that trend. They are the babywise, gluten and soy free, non immunized, raw milk drinking, Montessori school attending, gender fluid non-binary kids. If I offended you, I'm a little sorry.

Montessori schools are probably fine, and if you don't want to eat gluten or soy, whatever. Immunize your kids, and they are boys or girls, it's science. Anyway, we all know those parents who read an article on Facebook about how dihydrogen monoxide has the highest pH of any acid will kill you if you have too much, so they plan to ban it from their homes as soon as they figure out what it is. News flash, it's water and yes, people drowned in it. Sometimes we buy the hype and make bad decisions. Churches can do the same thing, we become the best, purpose-driven, awake, simple church, team sport, radical, underground, crazy love church. Now, most of these books are good, I read most of them and really enjoyed them. The problem comes when a leadership team reads a new book and suddenly that becomes the model.

The Pastor's sermons for the next 6 weeks are focused on the book, all the meetings and studies and prayers are focused on the book. The church becomes a mini version of the church that wrote it. The problem is, this isn't Saddleback or Atlanta or even Idaho (unless you are in one of those places, but then you are still not the other two). I'm in Iowa, that's my context. It's totally different than the one I was in when I lived in Arizona. They are both different from Wyoming. Parts are the same, some parts are totally different. I can't use the same cookie cutter approach. Can I use principles? Yes. Can I duplicate everything? No. It's like the parents who read a bunch of books by some pop-psychologist and now the kids are 35 and can't figure life out. Do what is best for your kids, do what works in your church.

Like I said, there are lots more, churches are filled with people who are filled with problems. Problems can be fixed, things can be resolved, and there is always hope. Don't go fire your pastor, burn down the building and disband the church. The biggest problem I think we make is when we start to treat the church like a business more than a family. If you go and fire your pastor and staff, that is a business move.

If it must be done (he's embezzling or abusive) then it must be done, but don't fire a pastor or staff because you think you can get a better one. That's like leaving your spouse for a better-looking one. It's shallow and stupid and, well don't do it. I digress, don't throw the whole thing away, remember the point. The church is a family. You don't get rid of your kids, dump your spouse and disown your parents because there are problems. You fix them, at least in a functional family. Yes, there are times when an individual must be removed, but most of the time that isn't the case. Let's talk about the issues in the church, work on the issues in the church. If we just ignore what is going on, things will never get any better.

Dan Barnes is passionate about helping people connect with a ministry that really brings them closer to God, and do it successfully. You can follow him at http://jdanbarnes.blogspot.com/Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Christians are people of the Book. Conservative Evangelical Christians, in particular, demand that their beliefs and lives be governed by Scripture.

Yet what, exactly, that means is not always clear, particularly when dealing with matters of Christian living.

On the one hand, some Christians believe that the Bible is an exhaustive list of prescriptions and prohibitions that reveal how God wants His children to live. If the Bible doesn't address something explicitly, then God doesn't care about that particular issue, and Christians are free to make their own decisions based on preference. No Christian may speak authoritatively in an area not directly addressed in Scripture.

Other Christians believe that the Bible is sufficient and authoritative for everything in a Christian's life, not only those issues Scripture explicitly addresses. When faced with a decision not found in a chapter and verse, these Christians will insist that God nevertheless cares about that decision, and it is the Christian's responsibility to actively apply Biblical principles to contemporary situations in order to do the will of the Lord. Furthermore, they insist that such applications are authoritative to the degree that they are reasonable applications.

The debate centers primarily around what the "sufficiency" of Scripture means, perhaps best rooted in 2 Timothy 3:1617:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The question is, what does "complete, equipped for every good work" mean? Does it mean that the Bible explicitly addresses every single issue that is important to God, or does it mean that the Bible speaks principally to everything, even those issues not explicitly addressed?

I believe that the sufficiency of Scripture means the latter, for at least three reasons:

First, the Bible itself teaches this view. For example, vice lists in Scripture such as that found in Galatians 5:1921 are not meant to be exhaustive, but indicate that there are other "things like these" that a Christian will need to deduce for himself. Furthermore, the Bible describes a mature Christian as one who is able to "discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2) even when the Bible doesn't say, and who has his "powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:14).

Second, theologians have historically taught this view. For example, the historic confessions indicate that God's will for his people is either "expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture."

Finally, common sense necessitates this view. Where in Scripture, for example, does God explicitly address safe driving, healthy living, abortion or recreational marijuana use? Nowhere. And yet most Christians will recognize that the Bible speaks to these contemporary decisions through broader principles that they are required to actively apply.

God has a moral will for every decision we make, and it is our responsibility to study the Scriptures, deduce principles therein, and actively apply them to everything we do.

For Further Reading:

Sound Worship, Chapter 2: "Is the Bible Enough?

Worship in Song, Chapter 1

Sola Scriptura arguments should be put to rest

What Sola Scriptura means, and what it does not mean

Piper on the Sufficiency of Scripture

Scott Aniol, PhD, is an author, speaker, and teacher of culture, worship, aesthetics, and church ministry philosophy. He is chair of the Worship Ministry Department at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He founded Religious Affections Ministries and has written several books, the most recent being By the Waters of Babylon: Worship in a Post-Christian Culture. He can be found on Twitter @ScottAniol.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Trashing megachurches is often popular. According to the standard stereotype, they're big exurban factories resembling car dealerships with giant parking lots and giant American flags, catering to rich, socially irresponsible SUV driving Sunbelt Republicans anxious to hear superficial, self-serving health and wealth sermons from huckster preachers in flashy suits.

A recent article by Jonathan Merritt cites a liberal advocacy group report asserting that, of the 100 largest congregations in America, none are LGBTQ affirming, over 90 percent have white pastors, and only one has a female pastor. Merritt calls this report "explosive" without directly condemning the churches. But many on social media have predictably issued their disapproving tut-tuts. The originating advocacy group wants to shame these churches.

Megachurches of course aren't generated, subsidized or regulated by government fiat or any centralized authority. They're big because they're popular, typically founded by entrepreneurial pastors who are very talented at presenting winsome messages that broadly appeal. They are almost always Evangelical and theologically more traditional.

There are thousands of churches in America with liberal clergy. They could become megachurches if their messages and appeals were compelling to more people. But they aren't. Growing religion, Christian or otherwise, in America or globally, now and across history, is almost always in some sense traditionalist. It challenges and demands with cohesive beliefs and practices. Where are the growing liberal churches, mosques, and temples around the world? They exist, if at all, in the minds of some Western theologians and sociologists. More permissive and theologically lax religion may sound appealing but it rarely attracts a sustained crowd, anywhere. (No, big crowds don't equal theological truth, but chronically dying congregations are hardly validating spiritually.)

This latest slam against megachurches implies they're racially exclusive because over 90 percent of pastors are white. Megachurches have mostly originated in mostly white suburbs and exurbs, but their congregations are more diverse than commonly imagined. A 2015 survey showed that 10 percent of megachurches reporting no racial majority, while 37 percent of megachurches reported between 20 percent and 49 percent minority presence in their majority white congregations. Megachurches also report that about 20 percent of their worshipers are between ages 18-34.

Compare those stats with "inclusive" liberal Mainline Protestant denominations, whose memberships are 88 percent to 96 percent white, excepting the American Baptist denomination, the least liberal among the seven, which is 73 percent white. Their memberships are also much older. One survey says only 12 percent of Episcopal Church members are millennials. Likely far fewer are active worshipers. One survey says the average age of a megachurch worshiper is 40. For Mainline Protestants it's close to 60.

Liberal Mainliners like to boast of LGBTQ inclusion. But I strongly conjecture the average megachurch, even though not affirming LGBTQ causes, still by virtue of its size and variety of programs has more LGBTQ people than the average mostly empty liberal church proudly waving rainbow flags to little effect.

As to female clergy, my own United Methodist denomination to which I'm committed has ordained women since the 1950s. All the liberal Mainline denominations ordain women. But the vast bulk of global Christianity doesn't, including of course Catholicism, Orthodoxy and most of global Protestantism. Much of global Pentecostalism does though women pastors are a small minority. Almost no other major global religions have female clerics, such as Islam, Hinduism, etc. Although I'm happy in my tradition, I'm loathe to condemn as intrinsically bigoted the vast majority with different teachings. If megachurches are chauvinistic and bigoted why do they more successfully attract women and non-whites than the ostensibly more enlightened liberal churches?

I've never desired to worship at a megachurch. To my own tastes they seem too choreographed and overwhelming and often too dependent on the pastor's personality. Some of the stereotypes about them have grains of truth! I prefer smaller, more traditional churches. But megachurches can reach many more with the Gospel and provide a variety of ministries that my preferred churches cannot and likely never will.

So thank you, megachurches. For some of us you're just too glitzy. But please ignore often peevish critics, and keep feeding many spiritually famished souls who otherwise might go hungry.

Orignally posted at Juicy Ecumenism.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

It's true that CNN and the New York Times, among other liberal outlets, have rightly been called out for their failure to report accurately on the protests in Iran. But there's something that not even the conservative media is telling you today, an important backstory that might be playing a role in this rising protest movement.

As for the leftwing media, Caroline Glick noted in her article in the Jerusalem Post that, "Given the earth shattering potential of the protests it is extraordinary to see the liberal media in the US and Europe struggle to downplay their significance." And here in the US, "the US, former members of the Obama administration and the liberal media have determinedly downplayed the importance of the protests."

Similarly, writing for the Daily Wire, Ryan Saavedra stated that, "The media initially ignored what was going on in Iran, likely because it reflected negatively on former President Barack Obama, whose Iran nuclear deal was supposed to help Iran's economy, and because the Trump administration's response was night-and-day better than Obama's response in 2009.

"CNN and The New York Times did a terrible job of covering the protests, while ABC News' Matthew Dowd declared that the US did not have the moral authority to talk about Iran because 'we' don't talk about Russia."

So, again, the liberal media has been taken to task for its unfair coverage of the Iranian protests, and rightly so. In fact, it would be hard to find a greater contrast than that between the courageous protesters and the cowardly media.

But there's something else going on in Iran that could well be playing an important role in the rising Iranian discontent.

It's something that has been building and growing under the surface and behind closed doors. And it remains one of the best kept secrets in the world, despite occasional media reports in the last few years: Iranian Muslims are converting to Christianity at an unprecedented pace, perhaps by the thousands every day.

I've heard this firsthand from Iranian converts. I've heard it firsthand from Christian leaders who have worked with these converts inside and outside of Iran. And I've heard it from missiologists whose job it is to track such things.

And it's reminiscent of the conversion of tens of millions of Chinese behind the cover of the Bamboo Curtain. Missiologists were reporting it for years before the rest of the world found out about it. Now, it is an open secret, leading to headlines like this, from April 14, 2014, in the UK Telegraph: "China on course to become 'world's most Christian nation' within 15 years. The number of Christians in Communist China is growing so steadily that it by 2030 it could have more churchgoers than America."

When it comes to Iran, already in 2006, Reza Safa could write a book titled The Coming Fall of Islam in Iran: Thousands of Muslims Find Christ in the Midst of Persecution.

The website of Safa, himself a former Iranian, Shiite Muslim but now an evangelical pastor, declares, "Despite severe persecution by the Iranian government against underground churches, God's Word is spreading like a wildfire all over Iran. Pastor Safa believes that Iran will be the first Islamic nation to convert to Christianity."

This may sound like a pipe dream, but consider that a 2012 Pew Research report claimed that, "The share of the population that is Christian in sub-Saharan Africa climbed from nine percent in 1910 to 63 percent in 2010." And much of this growth occurred in the midst of Muslim-majority populations.

The same thing is happening throughout the Muslim world, confirming an article on the National Catholic Register which claims that, "Muslims Are Converting to Christianity in Record Numbers." This too has been an open secret for many years now.

When it comes to Iran, the article repeats the claim that there are now three million Iranian Christians, which would mean a massive jump from the numbers posted in the respected prayer guide, Operation World. It claimed a total of 384,897 Christians from all backgrounds in Iran (compared to 74,054,491 Muslims), with just 117,678 listed as evangelicals. Getting from here to three million is extraordinary.

That's why Mohabat News (the Iranian Christian News Agency), reported in August, 2017, that, "Christianity has been growing at an exponential rate in the last couple of decades in Iran, causing the Islamic government a great deal of concern. In a most recent expression of their distress, one of the high profile Islamic seminary officials, Ayatollah Alavi Boroujerdi, stated 'accurate reports indicate that the youth are becoming Christians in Qom and attending house churches'."

And, the article continues, "this is not a new development. Earlier reports had also shown a surprising rise in the number of Iranians turning away from Islam and converting to Christianity."

That's why Fox News could report in 2016 that, "The number of Muslim converts who are risking prison or death by secretly worshipping as Christians in Iran's house church movement has grown to as many as one million people, according to watchdog groups."

Something powerful is happening in Iran, despite the intense persecution Christians are facing.

My sources have been telling me that: 1) it's only a matter of time before the number of these conversions reaches a critical mass, allowing these new Christians to emerge from the underground into the public eye; and 2) it is the Iranian regime that is our enemy, not the Iranian people, many of whom love America and hate what the radical Islamic leadership has done to their country.

We should pray for these courageous Christians, and, more broadly, stand with these Iranian protesters. It could well be that there many secret converts among them. And we should applaud our government for letting Iran know that we are watching them carefully right now.

It could be time for this great, hidden story to be known to the whole world.home World Chile steps up border policing ahead of Papal visit

Chile has announced that it will step up border policing to prepare for a wave of visitors from Argentina for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis.

The pontiff is expected to arrive in Chile on Jan. 15 and go to the cities of Santiago, Temuco and Iquique before heading to Peru, where he will pay a visit to Lima, Puerto Maldonado and Trujillo.

Chilean authorities stated in late December they are now working with the Roman Catholic Church to prepare for the surge of tourists at the peak of austral summer.

"We are going to see a record number of (foreign) visitors," said Reginaldo Flores, the head of the interior ministry's border crossings unit, according to Reuters.

Thousands of police officers will be deployed in the Chilean capital of Santiago where more than 500,000 people are expected to attend a planned mass.

During the weeklong trip to Chile and Peru, Francis will be paying a visit to two regions that are among those countries' poorest, where environmental issues and demands for indigenous land rights have occasionally resulted in violent clashes.

The pope will be celebrating a mass in the Araucania region of southern Chile, where members of Mapuche communities have been stripped of their land repeatedly.

Bishop Hector Vargas Bastidas of Temuco said that the pope will be sharing lunch with a small group of "simple people, ordinary people from the region."

Some members of the Mapuche community have expressed concern that the pontiff's visit will not help their progressive movements.

While state employees are preparing for the papal visit, the indigenous community faces severe overcrowding, poverty and debt as their demands for land restitution and sustainable development projects are being swept aside.

Mapuche leaders have maintained that they are not against the papal visit, but they warn that his arrival may only aggravate their situation.

The Chilean government has been buying or allocating state land to be turned over to Mapuche communities, but some have received land that do not have water and electricity, or are too far from their communities to be of practical use. Isolde Reuque Paillalef, a Mapuche woman and coordinator of indigenous ministry for the Diocese of Temuco, noted that in some cases, the cost of moving to the new land and building houses in prohibitive.

On Jan. 19, the pontiff will be meeting with Amazonian indigenous people in Peru's southeastern Madre de Dios region. On the same day, he will also be traveling to Puerto Maldonado in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon, where he will hear concerns about territorial rights, environmental damage and the need for indigenous ministry.2017 on Christian Today: A year of triumphs and tragedies

It's been a momentous year. As well as the usual views and reviews, these are some of the news stories covered by Christian Today during 2017.

January

Donald Trump was inaugurated after a bitter and bewildering election campaign. Evangelical luminaries including Paula White and Franklin Graham took part in the ceremony, despite protests against the latter's inclusion because of his well-known views on Muslims and gay people. One of Trump's first acts was to attempt to ban Muslims from the US; the courts overruled him and the issue is ongoing.

In other news, the Provost of St Mary's, Glasgow, Kelvin Holdsworth, held a service which included a reading in Arabic denying the divinity of Christ. Jill Saward, a much-loved and respected campaigner for sexual assault victims after her own traumatic experience, died suddenly.

February

Evangelicals in the US scored their first big win with the nomination of conservative judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Traditionalist bishop Philip North was appointed to the diocese of Sheffield. There is an outcry among supporters of women priests and he is ultimately forced to step down, casting an unflattering light both on the Church of England's episcopal selection procedures and its vulnerability to pressure groups.

John Smyth, an evangelical leader associated with the Iwerne camps for public school pupils, was revealed to have been a sadistic abuser. Among his victims was the future Bishop of Guildford.

March

Conservatives were up in arms about Disney's first openly gay character and love scene, in Beauty and the Beast  but is there a better way of handling this? The head of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Russell Moore, comes under fire for his criticisms of racism and of Donald Trump, but wins backing as well. Donald Trump has another go at banning Muslims. The former Queen's Chaplain Gavin Ashenden quits the 'liberal' Church of England. There's a Church in Wales row over whether Jeffrey John, the Dean of St Albans, is to be the next Bishop of Llandaff; he is gay and there are accusations of homophobia after he's passed over. Westminster is attacked by a terrorist with a van; Khalid Masood killed and injured more than 50 people.

April

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, attended Spring Harvest. 'Jesus prayed that we would be united. Our witness depends upon us being united,' he said. 'How we experience the love of Christ is transformed by unity.' The National Trust got into a row over egg hunts  not Easter egg, note. God forbid a national body should have anything to do with religion.

In Egypt, 44 people were killed in bomb attacks on churches on Palm Sunday, April 9. Egypt's Coptic Christians have been frequent targets of Islamists. GAFCON, the conservative Anglican grouping, decided to appoint a 'missionary bishop' to England for congregations unhappy with the CofE.

May

A horrific attack on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester left 22 people dead and many injured. 'There is a proper anger and rage in the face of events like this,' said the Bishop of Manchester.

Agroup of Coptic Christians traveling to a monastery in central Egypt were attacked by Islamists. At least 29 died and 24 were wounded. Many children were among the victims.

President Trump sacked FBI director James Comey and has had to fight off suspicions about his motivation. The Archbishop of Canterbury visited the Middle East, holding meetings with political leaders as well as religious figures.

At home, the CofE was showing increasing strains as moves by conservatives to create parallels structures gained pace.

June

Britain went to the polls in an election designed to cement the Conservatives' hold on power as the country entered negotiations on Brexit. It didn't work out like that. A disastrously poor campaign from Theresa May and a surge of support for Jeremy Corbyn saw a hung Parliament. The Liberal Democrats were badly hit and the Tories were forced to rely on the Democratic Unionist Party to prop them up.

The Scottish Episcopal Church, part of the Anglican Communion, voted to allow gay marriage.

Grenfell Tower burned down. It would emerge later that warnings about safety were ignored and that fire regulations were wholly inadequate. Churches ministered to the survivors. It was an appalling tragedy.

A damning report into the Church of England's handling of abusive Bishop Peter Ball found it 'colluded' in the abuse and excoriated former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey.

July

The Church of England voted to back special services marking new identities for transgender people and to call for the banning of 'conversion therapy' for gay people. The Charlie Gard case, where the parents of a baby with a life-threatening condition fought to keep him alive against doctors' advice, continued to make headlines; he died at the end of the month. Bible scholar and translator Eugene Peterson drew conservative ire with an apparent statement of support for gay marriage, but retracted it.

August

Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim is released from prison in North Korea. He had been in jail for more than two years accused of 'trying to use religion to destroy North Korea' and was in poor health. Christian Aid warned the East Africa famine crisis was the worst in a generation. President Trump faced fierce criticism over his response to disturbances in Charlottesville in which he appeared to blame 'both sides', leading to charges he was defending fascists. Evangelicals defended his statement as 'bold and truthful'.

The US city of Houston faced catastrophic floods after Hurricane Harvey. Conservative church leaders issued the 'Nashville Statement' condemning homosexuality and transgender ideology. Others condemned their condemnations.

September

Indian priest Fr Tom Uzhunalil, kidnapped in Yemen by Islamic State, was freed. Unfounded rumours that his captors planned to crucify him had circulated. Myanmar's vicious programme of ethnic cleansing against its Rohingya minority was denounced by the UN. The systematic purging of the Rohingha has seen horrific acts of violence committed by the army including rape, torture and the burning alive of children. Aung San Suu Kyi has failed to acknowledge the army's actions.

Evangelical Christians mourned the death of Muslim convert Nabeel Qureshi, a writer and speaker, who died of cancer at aged 34.

October

The worst mass shooting in modern American history sees Stephen Paddock kill 58 people and injure 546 more as he shot from the window of a Las Vegas hotel room. Church leaders led calls to prayer, while the stock price of firearms manufacturers rose.

A meeting of Anglican primates took place in Canterbury and despite tensions over gay marriage was judged a success at the time, though later conservative press releases appeared to contradict this.

The 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation was celebrated, recalling the occasion when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, though he probably didn't. Four British missionaries are kidnapped in Nigeria; one will die.

November

A gunman killed 26 people and wounded 20 others at First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas, in America's worst church shooting. Devin Patrick Kelley was wounded as he left the church and later shot himself in the head. A pregnant woman and three of her children were among his victims.

Australia overwhelmingly backed same-sex marriage in a vote that left conservative Christian leaders 'deeply disappointed'.

Zimbabwe's ageing President Robert Mugabe resigned, giving the country some hope after years of misrule and corruption.

A minister in the Scottish Episcopal Church, Kelvin Holdsworth, sparked outrage when he suggested praying for young Prince George to be gay and in due course 'blessed with the love of a fine young gentleman'.

December

Pope Francis visited Myanmar and raised the plight of the Rohingya privately with its leaders.

Donald Trump announced the US would unilaterally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, alarming and outraging most of the rest of the world but delighting his evangelical backers. Also in the US, controversial Republican Roy Moore is hit by allegations about serious sexual misconduct. Despite heavy backing by evangelicals, he loses the Alabama Senate race to Democrat Doug Jones in a stunning upset. Moore is challenging the result.

The Church of England is lambasted in an official review of the way it handled the George Bell case, in which a revered bishop was assumed to have been a paedophile on insufficient evidence.

An attack on Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta, Pakistan, left 11 dead and more than 50 injured.

The new Bishop of London is to be a former nurse, Sarah Mullally.As police invade churches and fire tear gas during Mass, what's going on in Congo?

Police stormed Catholic churches and fired tear gas during Mass in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, it has emerged, as protests organised by lay Catholic activists against the rule of president Joseph Kabila intensified and at least eight were killed.

What happened at the churches on New Year's Eve?

A witness at St Michael's Church in central Kinshasa, the capital, told AFP that officers broke up the Mass and arrested altar boys, still in their liturgical robes, who had previously been protesting against the president.

'While we were praying, the soldiers and the police entered the church compound and fired teargas at the church,' the witness said.

Another added: 'People fell, first-aiders are resuscitating old ladies who have fallen'  but all the while the priest continued saying Mass.

Meanwhile, it emerged that police had beaten and robbed Catholics when they sought refuge in his church, shooting out its stained-glass windows. The rector of Kinshasa's St Alphonse Parish, Mgr Hugues Ndongisila, told Radio France Internationale that the bodies of two dead protesters had later been collected by the Red Cross.

What and who are behind the violence?

The clashes, in which security forces have targeted Catholic protesters, have left at least eight dead and 120 people detained.

The December 31 protest against Kabila's rule  which began in 2001  was organised by the Kinshasa archdiocesan lay coordination committee. At least a dozen priests are reportedly among those detained.

How has the Church responded?

Yesterday, the Congolese bishops' conference said in a statement: 'We condemn with utmost vigour this unjustified violence. We similarly denounce this attack on freedom of worship, which is guaranteed in every democratic state, as well as the profanation of churches and physical aggression against the faithful and their priests.'

The statement added that the bishops were 'profoundly shocked by such ignoble acts' and would demand a 'serious and objective inquiry'.

And in a rare appearance before the media, Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, wearing a red prayer cap and gold cross, accused security forces of opening fire on peaceful protesters and desecrating places of worship.

'We can only denounce, condemn and stigmatize the actions of the supposedly valiant men in uniform, which are, unfortunately, nothing more, nothing less than barbarism,' Monsengwo told reporters in Kinshasa.

'How can we trust leaders incapable of protecting the population, of guaranteeing peace, justice and love of people?'

What international reaction has there been?

A UN spokesperson confirmed that seven deaths had been recorded in Kinshasa and another at Kananga.

The violence was condemned by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who urged Kabila's government to show restraint and 'respect the rights of Congolese people to free expression'.

What is the role of the Catholic Church in Congolese society?

According to Reuters, the Catholic Church is one of the few institutions in Congo to enjoy broad credibility. Some 40 per cent of the population identifies as Catholic and the Church has long filled voids in education, healthcare and other services left by an absent state.

Its bishops have frequently spoken out against human rights abuses by the government and alleged plans by Kabila to remove term limits that forbid him to run for re-election.

But hasn't the Church also acted as mediator?

When Kabila's mandate expired in December 2016 the Church brokered a deal between the ruling coalition and opposition leaders.

Under the December 31 agreement, Kabila was permitted to stay in office beyond the expiry of his mandate but required to step down after an election to be held in 2017.

Instead, Congo's electoral commission said later that the election could not be organised until December 2018, reviving suspicions that Kabila intends to cling to power. Kabila denies those charges and blames the delays on a slow voter registration process.

What next?

Dozens have died in protests over Kabila's future in the past two years and militia violence across the country has also risen, stoking fears the country will slide back into the kind of civil war that killed millions at the turn of the century.

Additional reporting by Reuters.'Days of Our Lives' spoilers: Vivian and Kate to clash once more

Viewers of the long-running soap opera television show by NBC, "Days of Our Lives," will find rivals Vivian Alamain, who is played by Louise Sorel, and Kate Roberts DiMera, played by Lauren Koslow, in an intense confrontation once more. The fight will be reignited, following the ambitious moves that Stefan DiMera (Tyler Christopher) has been making in the past few episodes.

The entrance of Stefan into the esteemed location of Salem became a concern for the other characters of the show, such as Chad DiMera, who is played by Billy Flynn, and Abby, portrayed by Marci Miller. Abby seems to get too close with Stefan, as she tries to know more about his intentions and drive, which has become a concern for Chad. Due to the what seems like a budding relationship between Abby and Stefan, Chad suspects a potential for infidelity in Abby.

However, as further reports reveal, Marci Miller reveals that Abby finds Stefan to be too proud and arrogant to even be likable. It is safe to assume that after Stefan has successfully taken over DiMera Enterprises, the other members of the family will want to know of his weaknesses -- especially since he just came to town, and immediately targeted their most valuable assets, including his rightful claim to the DiMera estate.

The other DiMeras may want to tread lightly as they attempt to pry into Stefan, since he seems like a very dangerous and cunning individual who keeps his secrets very close to the chest. For now, Chad and Abby allow Stefan to have his way as they try to gather more information about him.

In other news, Will, who is played by Chandler Massey, will continue to make it emotionally difficult for Sonny, played by Freddie Smith, to move on after the breakup. Fortunately, Marlena, played by Deidre Hall, eventually talks to Will in order to provide much-needed clarification on who he really is -- as he attempts to recover from his amnesia. Unfortunately, this does not change things between Will and Sonny, and they will remain broken up.

"Days of Our Lives" airs on weekdays at 1:00 p.m. EST on NBC.Donald Trump's spiritual adviser Paula White praises the president for bringing 'Christ back in Christmas'

Donald Trump has made positive changes ever since he assumed the United States presidency, and his spiritual adviser Paula White said one of the best things he did was to put "Christ back in Christmas" and "prayer back in the White House."

White said past administrations have opted to stay politically correct and avoided greeting people with "Merry Christmas." But Trump is proud of the holiday that celebrates Jesus Christ. The senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Florida told Fox News: "Well, isn't it nice to be able to say Merry Christmas and to put Jesus Christ back on the White House lawn? And to have the crusader that we have in our president?"

"It is so vitally important - first off, it's personal to him. He's a man of faith, he is a believer. He's spiritual. I've known him for over 17 years," she continued. "And Trump just hasn't put Christ back in Christmas, but he's also put prayer back in the White House, he's put justice back into, and religious freedom back into, our courts."

White added that Christmas is a "very personal day" for Trump. Despite what other people might think of his faith, White assured the public that God plays "such an important part of his life."

"It guides him, it leads him, and one of the things that I love about President Trump is that he is not afraid to take those steps that might be unpopular with other people," she said.

Rev. Franklin Graham also echoed White's sentiments during an earlier interview. "Christmas is all about Christ," Graham said. "I'm so excited that the president isn't afraid to mention the name of Jesus Christ." Graham added that he is proud Trump has taken a "bold" stand for religious freedom and not just Christianity.Kris Jenner receives one vote to run for Alabama's Senator position

A political pathway just opened up for television star Kris Jenner. The "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star received one vote to be included on the list of candidates for the seat of Alabama Senator.

This is the most recent news involving the Kardashian - Jenner family and politics after Kim's husband Kanye West expressed his interest in running for president in 2020. Jenner received one vote as well as other celebrity icons such as Ellen DeGeneres, Mel Brooks, and Ben Shapiro. Jenner has not released any comment about the vote she got and if she is ever planning on entering politics at all.

Alabama is looking for the perfect candidate to fill up the position vacated by Jefferson Session who is now the United States Attorney General under Donald Trump's administration.

Many netizens quickly made fun of the news indicating that Jenner has no business engaging in politics. One person commented on Facebook, saying, "I think this is more a statement on just how ridiculous the final choices were."

There is also a little bit of politics in the recent Instagram post of Jenner. The mother of the Kardashian and Jenner household posted a collage picture of her family to express what she is thankful for in 2017. The collage includes a photo of former United States President Barack Obama with her wife Michelle and daughters, Malia Ann and Sasha.

Jenner simply captioned the photo with an appreciation message for their fans and to wish everyone a great 2018. There were no signs nor hints included that she might be interested in politics.Many of her followers are wondering about Jenner's reason for including the Obama family in the collage. A Marie Claire report said there is a good chance that Jenner might be interested in politics.

Kris and the other member of the Kardashian - Jenner Family are recognized as influential individuals in the fashion, television, and beauty industries. Jenner, however, has zero experience when it comes to politics and has never shown any interest in the past.These Muslims gave Christians a Christmas gift  and went to the heart of the gospel

Look back on 2017, and one of the most alarming things about it has been the rise of the far right. Trump's America, Duterte's Philippines, and in Europe Hungary, Austria, Poland, and  may God help us all  even Germany have seen politics thrive on language that's fundamentally about identity. It's us versus them, and 'they' are usually of a different religion, sexuality, colour, income or ideology than 'us'. Because of this, we should fear and hate them.

In the so-called 'Christian' West, of course, the religion dog-whistle is tuned to Islam. Muslims are the enemy. They are relentlessly opposed to decent Christian people, and decency in general. Any evidence to the contrary just proves how duplicitous they are. The fact that they might speak with an accent, that their skins might be a slightly different shade from the majority's, and that they  or their parents, or grandparents  might have been born somewhere else is catnip to conspiracy theorists: it's just more (rather circumstantial) proof that 'they' hate 'us'.

Well, for people who believe this tosh and are prone to 'liking' and 'sharing' posts that reinforce it, here's something to think about.

Christians in the Iraqi city of Mosul were driven out by Islamic State three years ago. It's still not really safe for them to return, in spite of the government declaring the conflict over, though they are dribbling back. But at Christmas around 2,000 of them made the journey from camps near Erbil for a Christmas service, the first there since the war began.

What made it possible, according to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, was a group of young Muslims.

These young people helped to clean the debris from the church, make it ready for the service, and even erected the cross that had been thrown down by ISIS.

That's right: 'they' did this for 'us'.

I'm right onside with telling stories about the persecution of Christians. I think we should pray for them in church every Sunday. Some of the stories I've read and heard are heartbreaking. And yes, it's often Muslims who've done the shooting or the bombing or the burning.

But let's not fall into the trap of telling these stories in a way that puts us on the side of the haters, the ones who want to build walls rather than tearing them down. Let's not define people by labels, as though 'Muslim' or 'Christian', 'gay' or 'straight' were the only thing worth noticing about them.

Time after time in the Gospels, Jesus undercuts the identity politics of his day. The tax collectors and prostitutes go into the kingdom of heaven before the conventionally righteous. A Roman centurion turns out to have more faith than any Israelite. A Gentile woman is commended for her faith and her daughter is healed. A Samaritan turns out to be 'good'; a Jewish priest and Levite are not.

They don't do the right thing because of their labels; in fact, just to make the point, they do it in spite of them.

Today's haters and dividers want to persuade us that Muslims are bad because they're Muslim, that you can't trust an immigrant, and that walls are a good thing because they keep out people who aren't like us. As well as reading the Gospels, they should read about the young Muslims who restored a Christian church in time for Christmas.

As the prophet Malachi says: 'Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us?' (2:10). Behind the labels, there are just human beings.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoodsTrump lashes out at Palestinian Authority, threatens to cut aid

Donald Trump has dramatically further alienated the Palestinians by threatening to cut funding for the Palestinian Authority on the grounds that Palestinians are allegedly 'no longer willing to talk peace'.

The comments, which came in a pair of characteristically inflammatory tweets, appeared to acknowledge that any prospects of reviving the dormant 'peace process' have been diminished by his controversial move in December unilaterally to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The US President's remarks came after the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said during a press conference that the US would cut funds to UNRWA, the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, unless the Palestinian Authority went back to the negotiating table.

Trump said the US paid 'the Palestinians HUNDRED [sic] OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue ... peace treaty with Israel.'

He added: 'We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?'

US funding for the Palestinians is $260m, with an additional $50m used to support Palestinian security services, which cooperate with their Israeli counterparts.

The tweets were welcomed by Israel's culture minister, Miri Regev, who said: 'These were very clear statements by a president who said: stop grovelling, stop the hypocrisy. We must say things as they are and restore a sane discourse to the entire world. He is creating a normative language in the international sphere.'

But Jeremy Ben-Ami, of the liberal US Jewish pressure group J Street, said: 'The only thing the president has accomplished by saying he's taking Jerusalem "off the table" is to ensure he'll have no place at the table where the conflict will be resolved diplomatically and a peaceful, secure future for the Jewish or Palestinian peoples ensured.

'In threatening to cut off future "huge" payments to the Palestinians, the president is actually posing a direct threat to Israel's security & wellbeing. American aid supports training for Palestinian security forces who have been partners of the IDF in preventing terror.'

Trump's comments, which some commentators said were his 'most chaotic' yet, come ahead of a visit to the region by his Vice President, Mike Pence, after a planned trip in December was cancelled.It seems like everybody is rushing to migrate to cloud applications, and you dont want to get left on the wrong side of an inflection curve. But there are pitfalls for hasty cloud migration, so its important to sit back and fully analyze what youve got and where you want to go.

Early in 2016, the ERP world was shocked by reports of Gartner projecting a near-100% failure rate of cloud ERP projects through 2018. The headlines may have been a little more dramatic than Gartner anticipated, but it certainly drove home the point that were at an inflection point with ERP and cloud that most organizations are not equipped to deal with.

Gartners own report is more illuminating and makes the case that the increasing complexity of the ERP application portfolio is spiraling out of control: Gartner predicts that through 2018, 90 percent of organizations will lack a postmodern application integration strategy and execution ability, resulting in integration disorder, greater complexity, and cost.

Post-modern ERP systems, explains SiliconANGLEs Mike Wheatley, are those which are federated and loosely coupled, and no longer provided by a single provider like Oracle or SAP.

In summary: Dont count on your ERP vendor to pave an easy path to the cloud.

Customers left scrambling

Theres a dawning recognition that post-modern ERP is no quick nirvana with companies moving from on-prem to cloud lacking [the] skills to integrate applications, writes Gavin Clarke in The Register. Mistakenly, they assume the vendors peddling cloud will take care of it. Wheninevitablythey dont, customers are the ones left scrambling.

Peter M. Farbinger, Editor-in-chief of E-3 Magazine, the independent journal for the SAP community, argues that fulfilling the needs of SAP clients can no longer be achieved with one single tool, solution, or organization.

According to Farbinger, there is no choice for businesses but to courageously dive into a bi-modal, hybrid business model for their own IT infrastructureoutdated concepts need to be abandoned to make room for agility and innovation. CRM can come from the cloud. The platform may include a database like HANA. The IoT may arise in collaboration with market partners. Service and support dont need to be provided by the manufacturer.

Faced with such issues, its easy to fall prey to analysis paralysis. But inaction is not a strategy for success. Thankfully, there are many resources available to illuminate the path to migration and warnings about common missteps to avoid. Heres a quick resource guide:

Technology consultant Kurt Marko offers eight common mistake to avoid in a GCN article, ending with the caution that distance and geography still matter. Applications moving a lot of data or managing client UIs will perform better if the cloud service has data centers or zones near your facilities.

The cloud is more than just cheap storage, Computerworlds Sharon Gaudin points out in her list of five pitfalls to avoid. The issue is that the cloud is much more than just picking up an application or data and dropping it in the cloud. The real benefit to the enterprise is taking advantage of cloud services, like mobile back-end services and performance management services.

Dont underestimate the amount of work required in integration, writes ZDNets Alison DeNisco, in highlighting advise from industry experts. Many organizations are layering cloud solutions on top of legacy systems and software, so its key to ensure that the solution chosen is able to be integrated with your existing systems.

Finally, Businesses considering cloud adoption should carefully examine the benefits and risks, as well as learning about best practices for cloud deployments, Datamations Cynthia Harvey offers up in an insightful adoption guide.

Integration efforts pay off

Cloud technology is all about enabling choice. But, lets face it, vendors of legacy enterprise applications historically have been focused on limiting choice by locking customers into long-term relationships that are hard to sever.

Allocating precious resources to integration efforts that ease migration of legacy applications to hybrid cloud environments will pay off in choice and opportunity to innovate at your pace, rather than any particular vendors preferred roadmap. Relying on one preferred vendor to set your pace to the cloud can only end up costing you in terms of forced upgrades for unneeded features, hefty maintenance and support fees, and limited flexibility.

For more information on plotting a strategic migration path, go to http://www.riministreet.com/strategic-roadmap-servicesFrank Modruson was a partner at Accenture for 16 years when he became CIO of Accenture for another 11 years. Since then, he has served on several corporate boards for publically traded or private companies, including First Midwest Bancorp, Forsythe Technology, LANDAUER, and Zebra Technologies.

My readership tends to be hungry for stories about CIOs on corporate boards  and Frank and I go way back  so I asked him to talk about his experience.

-----------------------------------------------------

What was your introduction to board experience?

Back when I was at Accenture, I was interested in getting into board work. When Accenture formed a joint venture with GE Aviation, they put together a board. I told the executives who were involved in the joint venture that I was interested in board service. One thing led to another, and I was appointed to the board where I served from 2013 to 2015. The company was Taleris, which provided predictive analytics technology to airlines and cargo carriers. During my second year on the Taleris board, I retired from Accenture and changed my resume from a CIO resume to a board resume.

How does a board resume differ from a CIO resume?

Frank Modruson

A board resume de-emphasizes IT depth and focuses more on broader leadership experience and financial knowledge. For the most part, boards appoint CEOs and CFOs. CEOs like to lean on other CEOs, and they want the financial knowledge of CFOs. They are not looking for IT skills or knowledge of how to run a specific function. They are looking for general knowledge and a particular way of thinking. Even if a CEO wanted, for example, a cyber expert on the board, how frequently would they really have that need? CEOs in need of cyber security expertise tend to hire a consultant for their company, not take up a board seat with that one skill.

To convert a CIO resume to a board resume, emphasize broad technology-led business transformations, activities around revamping the cost structures of the company, or introducing new technology-enabled products into the market.

How did you learn about your board opportunities?

Executive search has been the entree to almost all of my board appointments. Typically, someone in my networks, who knew I was interested in board work, would refer me to a search firm. The boards would never tell the search firm, Find us a CIO from this kind of company. They were more interested in someone who could bring them broad knowledge on technology trends or how markets are shaping.

What is the interview experience like?

Typically, there are several levels of interviews. The first is with the recruiter, where its really important to make a good first impression. If you dont come across well to them, they wont put you forward. Then, youll talk to the CEO, who wants to meet you early in the process to assess chemistry.

[ Get expert tips on how to advance your career with our CIO Career Coach video series. | Get weekly latest insights by signing up for our CIO Leader newsletter. ]

After that, the process is different, depending on the board. You talk to a number of directors, all of them in person  sometimes one on one, sometimes its a big group interview. By the time you talk to the whole board, everyone assumes you have the right expertise; the assessment is now about how you communicate and fit in the boardroom. The whole process takes a while  several months from beginning to end.

What is your advice on preparing for and managing the interview?

Read the 10K, read the quarterly filings, and know as much as you can about the company and the industry going in. Keep in mind that when you interview for a CIO position, the conversation is focused on We are here and we want to be there; how will you help us? The board interview is different; it is about how you collaborate and work together with other executives. Boards typically want people who will speak up, but sharp elbows get old fast.

What have you learned by interviewing new members to join you on a board?

When you are selecting a new board member, you are not looking for an individual performer, but someone who will work well with the members you already have. Board work is collaborative  with the other board members and with the companys management team. You dont go off and do your functional job the way you do when youre a CIO. Management runs the company, and the board provides oversight and represents shareholders interests. That is a very different way of thinking, and we are looking for executives who can make the shift.

What new skills have you developed to be an effective board member?

When youre in management, you direct people. When you are on a board, you ask questions. That was a new skill for me. You have to think about what the right questions are and what questions to ask first, second, and third.

When youre in management, you direct people. When you are on a board, you ask questions."

Management will come in and present something to the board. They come in with months of work theyve completed, and as a board member, you need to think about what intelligent questions you can ask to test their thinking and give them a different perspective. What strategy did you take off the table to pursue this direction? Is this the right product to launch into this new market at this time and why? Have you thoroughly assessed your competitive landscape, and what did we learn? You ask these broad questions to help management take a step back and avoid making a mistake. One member of a board I am on doesnt ask a lot of questions, but he is very good at asking the one question that gets right to the heart of the matter.

What advice do you have for CIOs who would like to pursue board work?

When you have a new CIO job, it should be all about the job until youve pointed the ship in the right direction. Every board appointment, including pre-work, can be five days of commitment a quarter, which is non-negotiable and time away from your primary job. For that reason, a number of companies do not allow executives to serve on boards. Regardless of your companys policy, decide whether a board role might make more sense once youve retired from your CIO role, when youll have a new perspective on business transformation and have more time to commit to the role.

About Frank Modruson

Frank Modruson was with Accenture for nearly 30 years, the last 11 as CIO. Since then, he has become an active member of many boards. Presently, he is a member of the Board of Directors for First Midwest Bancorp, Zebra Technologies, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, and he consults under Modruson & Associates, LLC. Modruson received a bachelors degree in computer science from Dickinson College and a masters degree in computer science from Pennsylvania State University.Does your IT organization eagerly embrace digital transformation, or quiver in fear at the prospect of it?

If the former, youre following the model of world-class IT organizations that run more efficiently and devote a larger portion of their process costs to new business-focused initiatives. Thats the takeaway from a study by Hackett Group, as reported in an issue of Computer Weekly.

IT is constrained by sunk investments and legacy technology and skillsets, while it must also embrace the digital world of cloud, big data analytics, social media, the internet of things (IoT), and mobility, the report states.

Hackett Group, a business advisory and transformation services consulting firm, found that while some IT organizations are overwhelmed, others are energized by the challenge and opportunity to operate at a more strategic level.

Those world-class IT organizations, according to Hackett, spend 21% less per user than typical companies and rely on 8% fewer staff. Thats a big difference when youre looking to free up resources for investment in digital transformation.

Hackett Group found that the top IT departments spent just 53% of their budgets on running IT, compared with 60% in typical companies, Computer Weekly reported. A larger percentage of process costs were committed to new business-focused initiatives (43% versus 32%).

According to the report, many IT departments have significant resources tied up in supporting run-the-business activities, which detracts from their ability to support the higher value activities that drive business results.

The publication interviewed Scott Holland, practice leader of the IT executive advisory program at Hackett Group, who urged IT to be ruthless in addressing applications that inhibit innovation.

Successful companies look at their application portfolio and develop technology roadmaps, Holland told the publication. You have to learn to live with core investments.

Its rare that CIOs will recommend retiring those high-functioning system of record applications that are still providing business value and supporting mission-critical operations. But that doesnt mean that you cant run them more cost-effectively.

Software vendors naturally want to squeeze every dollar of possible revenue out of their customers. But theres an inverse formula at work there: as the business value of the application declines, the relative cost of supporting it increases, due to forced upgrades, customizations, and often less-than-satisfactory support. The result is unhappy customers, as revealed in an illuminating Nucleus Research survey reported in InformationWeek.

Enterprises can free up costs to fund transformation efforts, though, by uprooting traditional vendor support models and creating a new model based on third-party support services.In the last week of 2017, it was announced that homicides in New York City were at a 60-year-low and that gun murders of officers nationally had dropped 33 percent, after rising 53 percent in 2016. Inveterate cop critics seized on the information to argue that there was no such thing as a war on cops, and that proactive policing was irrelevant to crime control, since pedestrian stops had dropped in New York City along with homicides. I responded in National Review Online that gentrification was likely now contributing to New Yorks crime decline. Nationally, however, the rising civilian violence in 2015 and 2016 resulted from the prolonged rhetorical onslaught against the police since the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. But now it is considered bigoted even to mention racial crime and victimization rates, or to suggest that demographic and economic change can affect a neighborhoods crime picture.

Lets look at the facts.

The fact that should concern us all, and that should be at the forefront of discussions of crime and policing, is that blacks die of homicide at six times the rate of whites and most Hispanics combined. That is a serious civil-rights issue, but to my knowledge, Black Lives Matter protesters have remained silent about it. Blacks disproportionately suffer from nonlethal violence as well. Last year in Chicago, 4,300 people were shotone person every two hours. Those victims were overwhelmingly black. If one white Chicagoan had been shot every two hours, there would be a national uproar; it is unthinkable. But because the victims were black and not shot by the police, the national media are indifferent. (The Chicago police shot 25 people last year, most of them armed or dangerous, amounting to 0.6 percent of all shooting victims in the city.)

The shooting victims in Chicago in 2016 included 24 children under the age of 12, among them a three-year-old boy mowed down on Fathers Day 2016 who is now paralyzed for life, and a ten-year-old boy shot in August whose pancreas, intestines, kidney, and spleen were torn apart. None of the two dozen children were shot by the police. When white children are shot or killed, an outcry ensuessee Newtown, Connecticut. When black children are shot or killed, the country largely looks awaythough cops do notunless the assailant is an officer. This years child shooting victims in Chicago include a four-year-old boy shot on the West Side in July while standing next to his mother, who was fatally shot in the head; another four-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister, shot in July while getting snow cones on the West Side; a ten-year-old boy fatally shot in the back while riding in an SUV with this stepfather; and two girls, seven and 13, shot in June on an elementary school playground during a picnic. In February 2017, 11-year-old Takiya Holmes was fatally shot in the head in Chicago by a 19-year-old marijuana dealer, who was blasting away at rival marijuana dealers. While the world knows the name of Michael Brown, the public at large remains ignorant of these young victims because they do not fit the Black Lives Matter narrative. Black Lives Matter activists have held no rallies on their behalf.

Who is killing and shooting black crime victims? Overwhelmingly, not whites, not the police, but, tragically, other blacks. The high black homicide-victimization rate is a function of the black homicide-commission rate. Blacks commit homicide nationally at seven times the rate of whites and most Hispanics, combined. Black males between the ages of 14 and 17 commit homicide at 10 times the rate of white and most Hispanic males between the ages of 14 and 17. Officer-involved shootings are not responsible for the black homicide-victimization rate, either. In fact, a greater percentage of white and Hispanic homicide victims are killed by a police officer than black homicide victims: in 2015, 12 percent of all whites and Hispanics who died of homicide were killed by a cop, compared with 4 percent of black homicide victims who were killed by a cop. Nor is white violence responsible for the black victimization rate. Blacks commit most interracial violence. Between 2012 and 2015, there were 631,830 violent interracial victimizations, excluding homicide, between blacks and whites, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Blacks committed 85.5 percent of those violent victimizations, or 540,360 felonious assaults on whites, while whites committed 14.4 percent of those violent victimizations, or 91,470 felonious assaults on blacks.

These national disparities are repeated locally. In New York City, for example, blacks, 23 percent of the population, committed 71 percent of all gun violence in 2016; whites, who, at 34 percent of the population, are the citys largest racial group, committed less than 2 percent of all shootings. These identifications are provided by the victims of, and witnesses to, those shootings, overwhelmingly minorities themselves. A black New Yorker is thus 50 times more likely to commit a shooting than a white New Yorker. In Chicago, blacks and whites are each a little under a third of the citys population; blacks commit 80 percent of all shootings, whites, a little over 1 percent, making blacks in the Windy City 80 times more likely to commit a shooting than whites. In Oakland, blacks committed 83 percent of homicides, attempted homicides, robberies, assaults with firearms, and assaults with weapons other than firearms in 2013, even though they constitute only 28 percent of Oaklands population. Whites were 1 percent of robbery suspects, 1 percent of firearm assault suspects, and an even lower percent of homicide suspects, even though they make up about 34 percent of the citys population. In Pittsburgh, 82 percent of known homicide suspects were black in 2015, even though the Pittsburgh population is just 26 percent black. In St. Louis, nearly 100 percent of homicide suspects were black through December 22, 2017, though the population is 47 percent white and 47 percent black.

The vast majority of black residentsin high-crime areas and elsewhereare law-abiding and hard-working; they deserve the same freedom from fear as residents of safer neighborhoods and they beg for more proactive police enforcement, as reporters from the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post both discovered when covering the aftermath of the Freddie Gray riots. But a disproportionate amount of all violent crime is committed by a small percentage of the black community. This taboo fact has enormous implications for understanding police activity, whether stops, summons, arrests, or use of force, since policing will be more intense where people are most being victimized and are most calling for help in maintaining public order. The national discourse about policing over the last two decades has been conducted in a vacuum, where any mention of racial crime rates is banned as racist, even as the discussion of policing is carried out exclusively in racialized terms.

In 1994, a policing revolution began in New York City that would eventually save thousands of minority lives nationwide. The radical idea behind that revolution was that policing could actually prevent crime, not just respond to it after the fact. For years, the FBIs annual crime tabulation, the Uniform Crime Report, contained a disclaimer that homicide was a social problem unamenable to a law enforcement solution; the policing establishment accepted this view of its own marginality. When William Bratton took over the NYPD in 1994, however, he explicitly rejected that passivity and declared that the NYPD itself would lower violence and disorder in New York. Backing up his words, he set a numerical target for crime reduction in his first year, something few police chiefs would have dreamed of doing before then. Bratton not only met his target of 10 percent, he beat it. He did so by establishing the principle of commander accountability for crime, by relentlessly collecting and analyzing crime data, and by asking officers to respond proactively to observed suspicious or disorderly behavior, if only by asking a few questions.

This data-driven Compstat revolution spread across the country and resulted over the next 20 years in a 50 percent nationwide felony crime drop. Minorities were the primary beneficiaries of that crime decline. Starting in late 2014, though, violent crime started rising in urban neighborhoods across the country. From 2015 to 2017, the nations homicide rate rose 20 percent; the homicide increase in 2015 was the largest in nearly half a century. The victims of that homicide increase were predominantly black. An additional 900 black males were killed each year in 2015 and 2016 compared with 2014s numbers, bringing the black homicide total in 2016 to 7,881. Those 7,881 black bodies, in the parlance of Ta-Nehesi Coates, were 1,305 more homicide victims than all white and Hispanic homicide victims combined, even though blacks are only 13 percent of the nations populationand black males, who are the vast majority of black homicide victims, are only 6 percent of the nations population.

The reason for this rise in violent victimization was depolicing. Officers were being told relentlessly by the mainstream media, President Barack Obama, Black Lives Matter activists, and academics that proactive policingwhether pedestrian stops or public-order enforcementwas racist. So it was no surprise that cops started doing less of it. Seventy-two percent of the nations officers reported that they and their colleagues were less willing to stop and question suspicious persons, according to a Pew poll released in January 2017, thanks to the persistent anti-cop climate. The only surprising thing was that the same anti-cop activists who had virulently denounced pedestrian stops and broken-windows policing as racist started accusing the cops of not doing their jobs, when officers backed off of these discretionary activities.

Former FBI Director James Comey repeatedly sounded the alarm about the rising urban bloodshed and publicly confirmed what I have called the Ferguson Effectthe combined phenomenon of depolicing and the resulting emboldening of criminals. The last two decades progress against crime was at risk, Comey observed at the Chicago Law School in October 2015, because officers were reluctant to get out of their cars and do the proactive work that prevents drive-by shootings. They were answering 911 calls, but avoiding the informal contact that deters bad guys with guns, he said. Comey recounted a conversation with officers in a big-city precinct who described being surrounded and taunted the minute they got out of their cars. Because of officers growing hesitation about engaging with potential suspects, cities across the country were seeing an explosion in senseless violence, Comey said. There was a chill wind blowing through American law enforcement that was surely changing behavior.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also confirmed the Ferguson effect in October 2015, during an emergency meeting of mayors and police chiefs convened by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss the rising violence. We have allowed our police departments to get fetal, Emanuel said.

What Comey and Emanuel were hearing from cops about the atmosphere on the streets matched my own reporting. A black U.S. Marshall described to me being immediately surrounded by two dozen hostile bystanders taunting him as he tried to arrest a violent felon absconder. He had to call for backup to get safely away from the scene. A Chicago cop told me that he had never encountered so much hatred in his 19 years on the job: People want to fight you. F--- the police. We dont have to listen, they say.

The war on cops has consisted of an endlessly repeated narrative, amplified in the White House and across the mainstream media, that the nations officers were infected by lethal bias and that we were living through an epidemic of racist police shootings of blacks. That narrative was false. Policing today is data-driven; it is determined by the incidence of criminal victimization, not by race. Four studies came out in 2016 that found no racial bias against blacks in police shootings. Blacks have made up about a quarter of all victims of fatal police shootings in 2015 and 2016, according to the Washington Posts database of fatal police shootings. That proportion does not suggest bias. Police use of force is most likely in confrontations with violent and resisting criminalsand those confrontations happen disproportionately in minority communities. In Americas 75 largest counties in 2009, blacks constituted 62 percent of all robbery defendants, 57 percent of all murder defendants, and 45 percent of all assault defendants, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, even though blacks made up only 15 percent of the population in those counties. The roughly 25 percent share of black police shooting victims nationally should be benchmarked against those violent crime rates, not against population share.

Yet so insistent was President Obama about reinforcing the false narrative about lethally biased policing that he even repeated it during the memorial service for five Dallas police officers assassinated in July 2016 by a killer inspired by Black Lives Matter ideology. Black parents were right to fear that a cop could shoot their child merely for doing something stupid, Obama said, as the families of the assassinated officers grieved their loss. This false narrative had tragic, real-world effects in the heightened loss of black life and neighborhood safety.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson addressed the effect of anti-cop narratives on crime last week. The video of a Chicago cop killing Laquan McDonald and the resulting coverage emboldened criminals to break the law, he told the Chicago Tribune. I think that they used that to their advantage because if you think they dont pay attention to that type of thing, youre fooling yourself because they do, Johnson said. I think the boldness of them is starting to tick down a bit, but its still there. Deniers of the Ferguson Effect apparently think that they know more about criminal behavior than Superintendent Johnson does.

Cop critics have seized on the fact that gun murders of officers have dropped 33 percent this year to claim that the war on cops is chimerical. There Still Wasnt a War On Cops in 2017, tweeted Reason. Their argument is specious. The war on cops has been overwhelmingly rhetorical. The hatred spewed toward cops on the street at the height of Black Lives Matter agitation, the endlessly repeated media conceit that policing was racist, were realities, with tragic consequences for crime victims. But even if the war on cops were viewed exclusively as a physical one, this years decline in murders of police officers cannot be used to dismiss that war without counting last years 53 percent increase in cop killings as a confirmation of it. (It is too soon to know what is behind this years decline, but one explanation is the near disappearance of the homicidal racist cops narrative from the national spotlight, as the media focused almost exclusively on the "Resistance" to President Trump. Officer disengagement on the streets is another possible explanation.) And if the murder rate of officers is used to dismiss the war on cops, then there is also no police war on unarmed black men. In 2015, a police officer was 18.5 times more likely to be killed by a black male than an unarmed black male was to be killed by a police officer. Black males have made up 42 percent of all cop-killers over the last decade.

The critics have also seized on the ongoing crime drop in New York City to argue that proactive policing is an unnecessary crime-fighting strategy and that depolicing has no consequences. The New York Police Departments reported stop activity plummeted earlier in this decade as a result of a groundless trilogy of racial-profiling lawsuits against the department. Yet crime in New York ultimately continued its downward trajectory. Therefore, say the critics, proactive policing such as pedestrian stops is unnecessary.

At first blush, New Yorks recent crime experience appears to be a counterexample to the national pattern that shows a relationship between depolicing and crime. New Yorks ongoing crime decline is cause for celebration and acclaim. It is also almost sui generis. That New York managed to hold on to its lowered crime levels during the last three years while so many cities did not hardly erases what was happening in those other cities; the 1,800 additional lost black lives speak for themselves. After the riots in Baltimore in April 2016, for example, the Baltimore police virtually stopped enforcing drug laws and other low-level offenses. Shootings spiked, along with loitering and other street disorder. We know for a fact that around the time Freddie Gray was killed, we started to see homicides increase, a Baltimore pastor recently told NPR. We had five homicides in that neighborhood while we were protesting. A similar pattern was shown in Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities with high degrees of publicly expressed anti-cop animus.

For most of the last two decades, New Yorks crime decline was accomplished through data-driven, proactive policing. No other department has had as uninterrupted and intense a focus on crime analysis and targeted policing. The NYPDs commitment to public-order enforcement (also known as Broken Windows policing) was, until recently, unshakable. Even after the drop in stops, the NYPD had the manpower to flood emerging shooting zones with officers whose mere presence deterred crime, as happened following a 20 percent homicide spike in the first half of 2015. The sustained enforcement of public-order laws may have effected a culture change in at-risk populations.

But now another factor has come into play: the policing-generated transformation of formerly high-crime areas into middle-class neighborhoods. A virtuous cycle has set in, whereby lowered crime brings more commerce, more street traffic, and stable families, which in turn help lower crime. Gentrification has introduced informal social controls into neighborhoods that once had to rely almost exclusively on the police to maintain order. In off-the-record discussions, NYPD officials agree with this assessment.

It is not a novel observation. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported on the H Street corridor in Northeast Washington D.C., where poverty, violence and trash-ridden streets . . . have given way to bars, restaurants, shops and condos [that have] led to further drops in crime. Lowered crime in the early 2000s attracted new investment, which helped deter violence. That gentrification has created a virtuous cycle that has allowed violence to decline in that part of the city, John Roman, former executive director of the District of Columbia Crime Policy Institute, told the Journal.

The most important aspect of gentrification for crime control is the greater percentage of two-parent households among the gentrifiers. While many single mothers rear self-controlled, law-abiding offspring, children raised without fathers and in a community where marriage has almost disappeared are more likely to get sucked into gang life. It is the high rates of out-of-wedlock childrearing that explain the higher crime in inner-city areas. The relative incidence of out-of-wedlock childbirths, from Asians (low), through whites, Hispanics, and blacks (very high), tracks these groups relative standings in crime rates. If the same percentage of African-American children were raised by both parents as are Asian children, black and Asian crime rates would likely be close to indistinguishable. If you want a stable neighborhood to raise your kids in, look to the number of married moms and dads, of whatever race.

Diversity is fully compatible with public safety. Mott Haven, in the NYPDs 40th precinct, has had a significant crime decline since the 1990s, though its white population has not increased significantly. It has a heavy police presence, and is gentrifying with first-generation immigrants and educated minorities, who are more likely to be married than was the existing population. These newcomers are disrupting the criminogenic environment of formerly high-crime neighborhoods. Bourgeois African and Caribbean blacks are also stabilizing traditionally troubled areas in other parts of the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn.

The reflexive charge of racism is an excuse to continue ignoring high crime and victimization rates in inner-city neighborhoods. The police, however, do not. While the rest of the country looks away from the drive-by shootings that take childrens lives, the police work overtime to try to solve them, even if witnesses are not cooperating. The story of New York and the rest of the country over the last quarter-century is that policing matters. That is the conclusion also reached by a recent National Academy of Sciences report that found that stop, question, and frisk and concentrated policing of criminal hot-spots reduced crime by statistically significant margins. When the police back off in high-crime areas deficient in social controls, however, lives are lost, as we have seen during the height of the Black Lives Matter era.

Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesNew Yorks city council has elected its new speaker. Corey Johnson, a council member representing Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and Hells Kitchen, won a long and involved campaign to lead the citys legislative body, which passes laws, negotiates the $85 billion (and growing) budget, and oversees city agencies.

Though commonly referred to as a citywide role due to its visibility and influence, the speakership is not a popularly elected position. In fact, Johnsons colleagues elect the speaker only nominally, generally rubberstamping the selection of the political bosses who control the Democratic Party in the outer boroughs. Four years ago, Mayor Bill de Blasio managed to leverage his control over the insurgent progressive bloc of council members into a deal with Frank Seddio, boss of the Kings County Democrats, to install his ally Melissa Mark-Viverito as speaker. This year, Congressman Joe Crowley, head of the Queens County Democrats and one of the five most powerful Democrats in the House of Representatives, along with Bronx boss Marcus Crespo, appointed the speaker, leaving the mayor more or less emptyhanded in the race. Crowley will thus regain leverage over appointments and use his power to maneuver around the mayor.

That Corey Johnson was not de Blasios pick is a hopeful sign, if only from a strictly political perspective. Johnsons emergence will provide an institutional check on the mayors more extravagant impulses toward social engineering. By the standards of American politics, Crowley and Johnson are extremely liberal. But in the hothouse of New York City progressive Democratic politics, both are considered moderates, if not conservatives, and are not much trusted by the partys left wing.

Johnson has indicated that he plans to steer the council on a more independent track than his predecessor, who operated virtually in tandem with the mayor on most issues. He suggests that the city has spent too freely without enough contingency planning for an eventual economic downturn. Hell be more prudent and exercise more fiscal restraint, he says. When asked about the role of private enterprise in the citys continued prosperity, Johnson avoided the two cities redistributive rhetoric that characterized the councils previous session, instead acknowledging that it is imperative that private industry continues to thrive, guaranteeing a consistent tax base and new employment opportunities for New Yorkers.

Though he has voted reliably with the progressive majority on most items pertaining to decriminalization, labor, and the expansion of business regulation, Johnson has also demonstrated his concern for New Yorkers quality of life. After the city introduced free Internet kiosks in 2015, pedestrians suddenly encountered homeless people camped out for hours on the sidewalks, watching music videos or porn; it was Johnson who insisted that the kiosks Internet browsing function be disabled. And he has signaled his appreciation for how most New Yorkers arent looking for grandiose social experiments, unlike de Blasio, who suggests that New Yorkers pine for socialist control of their lives and would like things to be planned in accordance to their needs. Johnson told NY1 that most New Yorkers dont ask about these big, huge things we tackle here at City Hall. They ask about their local neighborhood, their local block, and how the quality-of-life is in their local community. The stepson of a teamster, Johnson refused to back the mayors 2014 effort to ban horse carriages from midtown streets. And he has said that he would not support a move to give illegal aliens the right to vote in municipal electionsa position that in the context of New York City progressive politics is practically on par with ending birthright citizenship or supporting the construction of Donald Trumps border wall.

The new speaker has put forth his share of dubious proposals, though, including exploring the possibility of establishing a single-payer municipal healthcare system, modeled along the lines of a program in San Francisco. Healthy San Francisco, however, is not actually a single-payer health-care system; it simply provides limited free medical services to poor people without access to Medicaid or Medicare. In other words, it does pretty much what New York Citys Health + Hospital Corporation is going bankrupt doing. Johnson also wants the city to impose labor-peace agreements on virtually every business that benefits, even at second- or third-hand, from economic-development subsidies.

Johnson, though, is essentially a transactional, ambitious pragmatist; its unlikely that he will engage in the bizarre political theater prized by Mark-Viverito, who paraded a murderer and terrorist through the streets of the very city whose people he had killed. After four years of ideological grandstanding, having an old-fashioned Machiavellian in control of the city council looks pretty good.

Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty ImagesThe Information Commissioners Office has published a set of frequently asked questions about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for charities.

GDPR is a set of new data protection rules which come into force on 25 May. The ICO published its main guidance, which is aimed at all organisations, in November.

The ICO has now published 12 frequently asked questions for charities, which draws on wider guidance to GDPR and directs users to other resources, such as the ICOs self-assessment tool and its dedicated advice line for small organisations.

The ICO indicated that it did not plan to produce tailored advice for charities, or any other sectors, but that it was supporting sector-led initiatives.

In response to a question about specific guidance for charities it said: Our guidance focuses on the general application of the GDPR. But we are engaging with representatives from the charity sector to assist them in producing their own sector-specific advice and guidance.

The document makes it clear that charities will not necessarily need consent for postal marketing to donors, but it is required for some calls and for texts and emails.

You can rely on legitimate interests for marketing activities if you can show how you use peoples data is proportionate, has a minimal privacy impact, and people would not be surprised or likely to object, it said.

It also said that if you do rely on consent, then you must not use pre-ticked boxes.

Civil Society Media is hosting its next breakfast briefing on GDPR on 20 February 2018. For more information, and to book, click here



A silhouette of a man sits in a stark television studio. Exposed wires snake their way up bare plywood walls. The mans face has been blacked out. His voice is disguised. The only light in the studio shines on a well-groomed reporter in a dark blue suit.

They dont want you telling the truth, the reporter says.

Correct, the man responds.

Why? asks the reporter.

Because people would be outraged.

This interview of an anonymous local pharmacist by New Orleans reporter Lee Zurik was the linchpin of a 2016 WVUE-TV investigative story, Medical Waste, that exposed less-than-scrupulous practices by some of the biggest insurance companies in the US. Zuriks revelations led to changes in state laws, numerous lawsuits, and a prestigious award for the station.

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ICYMI: The New York Times begins 2018 on a sour note

Station managers say hard-hitting investigations like this may also have led to a recent ratings surge. WVUEs 10pm newscast has only been around since 2010, but last year it became the highest-rated late news show in the market. It was the first ratings win for a New Orleans news station over dominant rival WWL in almost four decades, and since then WVUE has increased its lead in a highly competitive environment. Viewers appreciate that kind of hard, long-form investigative journalism, said WVUE news director Mikel Schaefer in an interview with TVNewsCheck.com. Serve the public. That cannot be overstated.

The Fox affiliates rise to the top of the Nielsen rankings in just a few years exemplifies a nationwide phenomenon I discovered in my research on investigative news. Between 2013 and 2015, I analyzed hundreds of newscasts and conducted a survey of investigative reporters in a comprehensive examination of US local television investigative journalism. Results showed that stations in more competitive markets were significantly more likely to produce investigative journalism, and more likely to produce good investigative journalism.

Competition might spur news directors to raise the quality of their news, opting for investigative journalism rather than accidents and mayhem.

My research suggests that managers of local television, the most popular news source in the US, recognize the competitive value of investigative reports (I measured competition as the degree of similarity between stations in Nielsen market shares). Original, enterprise investigative reporting can help differentiate a stations product from rival products, and other studies suggest investigative news has broad appeal.

RELATED: TV stations fight sea of sameness with experimental local news

Many survey responses supported this. One reporter wrote that investigations are one of the few vehicles that allow a station to present unique promotable content. Others said stations are starting to rebuild investigative units as a reason to watch and are trying to win viewers with unique, investigative stories.

Historically, investigative TV news has been seen as a loss leaderimportant to democracy because of its ability to hold powerful institutions accountable, but not popular enough to justify the high cost. In his 2004 book All the News Thats Fit to Sell, James Hamilton proposed that local television competition creates a race to the bottom, whereby stations chase ratings by appealing to the lowest common denominator, eventually creating a downward spiral of increasingly low-quality and titillating content. Hamilton thought that in competitive markets, local TV managers would try to beat rivals by airing cheap, visual, and sensational fare such as weather events, murders, and car crashes, that ostensibly would attract viewers.

My study turns this received wisdom on its head, suggesting that competition might spur news directors to raise the quality of their news, opting for investigative journalism rather than accidents and mayhem. There is even some anecdotal evidence that investigative reporting can improve local television ratings. And local TV stations producing the highest quality investigative news earn the highest ratings, as my ongoing research suggests.

The amount of investigative journalism on US television is low (my study found that only 1 in 5 newscasts featured investigative stories), and in an era of extreme ownership consolidation, it could sink even lower. Pew Research Center reports that since 2004, the five largest local TV ownership companies have increased their holdings by nearly 250 percent and now own more than a third of all US stations. Sinclair Broadcast Group, the biggest of the bunch, is waiting for approval of a merger that would give the media giant access to 72 percent of American households. The trend toward concentrated ownership could cripple local television competition, which might in turn weaken investigative reporting.

ICYMI: 10 resolutions for newsroom managers in 2018

But large corporations may not be the bogeymen theyre sometimes made out to be. Stations owned by corporations with public shareholders (often a sign of large, profit-minded companies), such as Sinclair, produced more investigative journalism than stations owned by smaller, private companies in my research. For example, Tampas WFTS-TV, owned by the publicly traded E.W. Scripps company, was one of the more active investigative newsrooms in my study. In 2014, the station won a national award for its investigation revealing that government officials took advantage of senior citizens by declaring them incapacitated.

Although publicly traded firms did not produce higher quality investigative journalism, the research suggests that higher-ups at these firms are at least committed to accountability journalism, even if it is done with profit in mind.

Some investigative reporters in my survey backed the idea that certain large corporations provide an investigative boost. One journalist at a station owned by the publicly traded Tegna corporation said, I am fortunate (that) our station, our company and the industry as a whole recognize that investigative journalism can have a major positive effect on ratings. Another said his stations owner, Comcast, which has massive public stock holdings, had re-invested mightily in TV news operationsafter massive cuts by (the) previous owner. Stations are still rebuilding so resources remain an issue but its nothing compared to the dark days.

TRENDING: Worst headlines bloopers of 2017

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jesse Abdenour is a former television anchor and reporter and is currently an assistant professor in the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. His research focuses on journalism production and copyright law.In a story that touches on recent media history and current concerns about government leak investigations, longtime New York Times reporter James Risen has a personal account of his struggles to publish significant stories involving national security, and how both the government and top editors at The New York Times suppressed that reporting.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, now with The Intercept, spent seven years battling attempts by the Bush and Obama administrations to force him to reveal confidential sources, and Risen writes about the impact of those conflicts. The most revealing sections of the 15,000-word piece, however, cover the internal dynamics of the Timess newsroom, as Risen and his colleague Eric Lichtblau pushed editors to publish their reporting on the Bush administration warrantless wiretapping program. Risen interviews several of his former editors, including Bill Keller, Howell Raines, and Jill Abramson, providing a window into the frenzied, anxious period following the September 11 attacks and the early years of the Iraq War.

ICYMI: Too many people are making the same typo

Some of this territory has been covered before, but Risens story is both a fascinating look at how national security journalism sausage gets made and a valuable piece of media history covering a recent era of which we dont yet have a detailed, complete understanding.

there will be a lot of buzz about this James Risen story in @theintercept. its well worth a read. https://t.co/QnAqlk9Zzc  Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 3, 2018

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Toward the end of his piece, Risen offers a mixed review of his battle with the government and his editors: I believe my willingness to fight the government for seven years may make prosecutors less eager to force other reporters to testify about their sources. At the same time, the Obama administration used my case to destroy the legal underpinnings of the reporters privilege in the 4th Circuit, which means that if the government does decide to go after more reporters, those reporters will have fewer legal protections in Virginia and Maryland, home to the Pentagon, the CIA, and the NSA, and thus the jurisdiction where many national security leak investigations will be conducted, he writes. That will make it easier for Donald Trump and the presidents who come after him to conduct an even more draconian assault on press freedom in the United States.

ICYMI: Former New York Times employees are angry

Below, more on Risens battles, the press freedom legacy of Bush and Obama, and the current state of play.

If Trump cracks down on press freedoms, blame Obama: That was Risens message in a New York Times op-ed a year ago.

That was Risens message in a New York Times op-ed a year ago. From the archives: CJR columnist Joel Simon took a negative view of President Obamas press freedom legacy.

CJR columnist Joel Simon took a negative view of President Obamas press freedom legacy. In his own words: In a companion podcast for the piece, Risen spoke with The Intercepts Jeremy Scahill about his career and battles to get his reporting published.

In a companion podcast for the piece, Risen spoke with The Intercepts Jeremy Scahill about his career and battles to get his reporting published. 27 investigations: In November, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said his Justice Department was conducting 27 investigations into classified leaks of information, a sharp increase over the average year in the Obama administration.

In November, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said his Justice Department was conducting 27 investigations into classified leaks of information, a sharp increase over the average year in the Obama administration. Of Trump and the Times: CNNs Brian Stelter looks at the current presidents love-hate relationship with the paper of record.

Other notable stories, including a handful of the best from over the new years break



Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.A woman has sued the Pennsylvania hospital where she once worked over nude photos taken of her while she was on the operating table.

Sheila Harosky sued Washington Hospital, its chief executive and the doctor performing her surgery. She alleges invasion of privacy and medical malpractice, among other claims in the lawsuit filed Dec. 12.

The 45-year-old said she discovered the photos when she returned to work after an incisional hernia surgery in September 2016. Harosky told the Tribune-Review a colleague approached her with the photos on her cellphone saying, Ive got something for your scrapbook.

The hospital claims the photos were an extension of a practical joke Harosky participated in by putting fake intestines on her body before the surgery.

While she admitted playing a joke on her doctor, Harosky said she didnt give permission for the photos to be taken.

The hospital said it fired the nurse who took the photos and no longer allows the doctor to perform surgeries. But Harosky, who worked as an operating room secretary, said in her lawsuit she was subjected to harassment from other employees.

Harosky took an extended leave of absence as recommended by her doctor. She told the Tribune-Review she was fired once her leave ended in October.

The hospital said it afforded accommodations for Haroskys return, but she refused the accommodations.

Both Harosky and her lawyer claim the hospital treated her like the wrongdoer instead of the victim. It is unclear what damages she is seeking.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Last month, a federal judge in Ohios Northern District Court ruled in favor of Zurich American Insurance Company, granting the insurers motion for summary judgment in a case involving a dispute over payment of two sexual harassment claims.

Scott Fetzer Company filed a claim for declaratory judgment and breach of contract and bad faith against Zurich after the insurer failed to pay two of three sexual harassment claims.

In the underlying case, Kristi Thompson, et al., v. The Scott Fetzer Company d/b/a The Kirby Company, et. al., three women filed suit in a Missouri state court in 2015 alleging they were sexually harassed and assaulted by a co-worker, John Fields, while selling Kirby vacuums door to door for Scott Fetzer Company. Three claims were asserted by the plaintiffs. The first was a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation indicating the company was vicariously liable for John Fields false promises when he induced the plaintiffs to work with him. The second claim alleged fraudulent concealment and asserted both direct and vicarious liability allegations. The plaintiffs asserted negligence as the third claim, alleging that Scott Fetzer negligently hired, retained and supervised Fields.

According to court documents, Zurich accepted coverage under the policies for the case.

Scott Fetzer was insured under two general liability policies issued by Zurich for the policy terms of January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2013, and the second for the term of January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014. The ruling noted the policy language in each was identical.

Scott Fetzer and Zurich settled the claims for different amounts, but under the same agreement. One settlement exceeded the deductible amount set by the policies and Zurich paid for a portion of that settlement. Zurich did not reimburse Fetzer for the settlement amounts paid on the two other cases, because the insurer reasoned that each claim was a separate occurrence.

In response, Scott Fetzer filed an instant action against its insurer alleging Zurich breached the policies by applying three deductibles instead of one. The company alleged damages included the sum of the two settlements plus interest. Scott Fetzer also alleged bad faith. The bad faith claim was bifurcated and discovery stayed, pending the resolution of the first claim. Zurich and Fetzer both filed MSJs.

Scott Fetzer argued the Missouri lawsuit and subsequent settlements arose from one occurrence: the purported negligence of Scott Fetzer in connection with the hiring, retention and supervision of Mr. Fields. On the other hand, Zurich maintained the Missouri lawsuit involved three separate occurrences because each of the claims involved a different plaintiff, location, situation and policy year.

After reviewing the case, the judge in the case granted the insurers MSJ and denied Scott Fetzers partial MSJ. The companys motion to lift the stay on the bad faith claim was also denied.The sun risies over the New York Stock Exchange.

Check out the companies making headlines after the bell:

Shares of Moneygram plunged 7 percent in extended trading. The money transfer company , after the two failed to get approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

"We are disappointed in the termination of this compelling transaction, which would have created significant value for our stakeholders," Moneygram CEO Alex Holmes said in a statement.

Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals shares climbed about 5.9 percent in the extended session. Upon completion of phase 3 clinical trials, the pharmaceutical company announced it submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a new drug used to treat intra-abdominal infections.

Tetraphase also announced it promoted Vice President of clinical development Dr. Larry Tsai to Chief Medical Officer.

Planet Fitness stock edged higher in the extended session. After losing close to 5 percent during the regular session, the fitness center franchise company announced it acquired a franchise group with 6 locations in Suffolk County, New York.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals stock gained close to 1 percent, before settling back down. The pharmaceutical company announced it would collaborate with activist investors Elliott to appoint a new board member  an ongoing search since November.

An Elliott spokesperson in a statement said the investors are impressed with CEO Ludwig Hantson's leadership in improving financial performance and business strategy.Tencent Holdings' WeChat, China's most popular messenger app, on Tuesday denied storing users' chat histories, after a top businessman was quoted in media reports as saying he believed Tencent was monitoring everyone's account.

"WeChat does not store any users' chat history. That is only stored in users' mobiles, computers and other terminals," WeChat said in a post on the social media platform.

"WeChat will not use any content from user chats for big data analysis. Because of WeChat's technical model that does not store or analyse user chats, the rumor that 'we are watching your WeChat everyday' is pure misunderstanding."

Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Holdings, owner of the Volvo car brand, was quoted in Chinese media on Monday as saying Tencent Chairman Ma Huateng "must be watching all our WeChats every day".

Like all Chinese social media platforms, WeChat is required to censor public posts deemed "illegal" by the Communist Party. WeChat's privacy policy says it may need to retain and disclose users' information "in response to a request by a government authority, law enforcement agency or similar body".

WeChat did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

According to a report by Amnesty International, Tencent ranked at the bottom of 11 tech firms running the world's most popular messenger apps for how they use encryption to protect user privacy.

China's cyber watchdog in September announced a new rule making chat group administrators and companies accountable for breaches of content rules.

In the same month it handed down maximum penalties to tech firms including Tencent, Baidu and Weibo Corp for failing to properly censor online content, and asked them to increase content auditing measures.With oil prices fresh off their strongest start to a calendar year since 2014, CNBC's Jim Cramer wanted to help investors pinpoint some of the energy sector's most lucrative areas.

"How do you play this fantastic run in oil, with the price of crude flying through $60 a barrel thanks to OPEC production cuts and increased demand from an accelerating global economy?" the "Mad Money" host said.

There was a time investors could pick almost any oil play and profit. But amid a glut of natural gas, Cramer said oil and gas companies with natural gas exposure become riskier investments.

Pure natural gas picks with holdings in the Pennsylvanian Marcellus shale or the Ohioan Utica shale like EQT or Chesapeake Energy, respectively, are even riskier, Cramer said.

"If the weather stays like this for a couple more days and the natural gas stocks still don't participate and natural gas doesn't fly through the roof, I say trim, trim, trim," he advised. "The surfeit may be so large that even this cold snap isn't enough to move the needle."

For drilling and service companies like Halliburton, the risk is not so much a glut as it is the potential effects of technological advances on the sector, Cramer said.

The "Mad Money" host questioned how much service will be needed given the improvements to drilling tech, even in notoriously oil-flush Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico.

Normally, Cramer would expect a bump in Baker Hughes' stock, but the rig-counting oilfield service company's ties to the bedraggled General Electric are likely stifling buyers, he said.

"[Baker Hughes] might be the first thing GE sells in order to shore up its balance sheet," Cramer said. "It will most likely be the subject of a fire sale. I think it should be broken up and sold to pieces, but it doesn't matter. I say no, thank you."

Investors should be particularly selective when it comes to the energy giants, most of which no longer trade together, Cramer advised.

Cramer said he would be a buyer of Schlumberger, the world's biggest oilfield service company, and noted that Chevron has been anointed a growth stock by Wall Street and BP has been dubbed a safe stock. Above all, Cramer asked investors not to go "ETF hunting."

"It's not worth buying the bad with the good" in the energy sector, he said.

Independent energy plays were more straightforward. Cramer said any companies with exposure to Permian oil growth like Cimarex, Diamondback Energy or Concho would work.

But when it comes to the best of the best with crude topping $60 a barrel, Cramer suggested the pipeline stocks for three reasons.

"The group is well below where it was trading when oil was last at these prices," he said. "The pipeline companies are no longer struggling with the U.S. government; [the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] greenlights pretty much anything. The independents are desperate for new pipe to take natural gas out of Marcellus and Utica to the South and the Northeast, and to take oil and gas out of the Permian for export."

The "Mad Money" host was sanguine on most of the pipeline plays, particularly those tied to well-run companies like Magellan Midstream Partners or Enterprise Product Partners.

The one thing Cramer didn't want homegamers to overthink was the effect of the new tax law on their energy investments, because the group trades more on asset growth than on tax-adjusted earnings.

"There you have it, your game plan for this suddenly revitalized sector, brought back to life by $60 oil, a welcome level for the entire group," the "Mad Money" host said. "Just remember, a rising tide is no reason to stop being selective. Stick with Schlumberger, Chevron, BP, the independents with Permian exposure  Cimarex, Diamondback, Concho  and the best run pipelines: Magellan Midstream and Enterprise Product Partners."The war games, which North Korea has seen over the years as a war rehearsal, involve navy ships, tanks and aircraft as well as live-fire exercises and tens of thousands of troops. They are scheduled to start in March.

Some experts believe the outreach from Pyongyang is ultimately an attempt to cause friction in the Seoul-Washington relationship and undermine sanctions, as well as to disrupt plans for the upcoming Foal Eagle and Key Resolve U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.

"We should take it seriously partly because he [Kim] is trying to drive a wedge between the United States and South Korea," said Matthew Bunn, a nuclear proliferation expert and professor of practice at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

On Tuesday, the Seoul government proposed talks could be held in the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom on Jan. 9, according to the Yonhap News Agency .

In a New Year's Day speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he was "open to dialogue" with Seoul and indicated that the North might send a "delegation" to the upcoming Winter Olympics, which begin Feb. 9.

Yet, analysts say it's unlikely such talks would end the nuclear threat from North Korea. It could, however, ease tensions during the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea and reduce the chance of an escalation that might lead to a larger crisis, analysts said.

As the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea sparred on who's "nuclear button" is bigger, there was still hope rare talks between the two Koreas could bring a thaw in relations.

North Korean soldiers stare at South Korean soldiers at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas on November 27, 2017.

"What he's saying, in essence, is something some of us have been expecting for a while: 'I've got my deterrent now, so now I am prepared to talk,'" said Bunn, who worked on nuclear issues in the Bill Clinton administration.

Meantime, analysts say Kim's message to Washington about having the "nuclear button" on his desk should be viewed as a sign the regime won't give up its intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons. Some believe Kim, who turns 34 years old next week, could have assembly lines going for his new ICBMs this year.

Late Tuesday, President Donald Trump tweeted he too has the nuclear button and said it happens to be "much bigger and more powerful" than one the North Korean leader has on his desk  and Trump boasted "my Button works!"

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/948355557022420992

"Several times in Kim's speech he emphasized the fact that they are a strong nation because of nuclear weapons," said Lisa Collins, a fellow with the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a defense think tank. She said the North Korean leader's reference to the "nuclear button" shouldn't be viewed as a threat, but "he's making very clear again that he will not be giving up his nuclear weapons."

Last year, North Korea test-launched at least three ICBM missiles, including a Hwasong-15 in late November that some experts believe can reach all of the U.S. mainland. Also, the rogue nation conducted its sixth underground nuclear test in September and threatened to do an atmospheric nuclear blast but so far hasn't done so.

On Tuesday, NBC News Pentagon correspondent Hans Nichols reported that another missile launch by Pyongyang "is possible, if not likely, in the coming days," citing several military officials.

Collins said the data they've collected at CSIS shows that there's "usually a downtick in missile testing in the winter months  November, December and January  and then usually in the early spring and summer is when there's an increase in North Korean missile tests. So I would anticipate the same pattern happening again this year in 2018 if there is no fundamental strategic change in the environment."

The Pentagon declined to comment.

Analysts say the fact Kim delivered the New Year's message in a Western-style suit rather than his usual Maoist attire may be an attempt to "humanize him," especially to U.S. and Asian audiences. However, one U.S. expert believes that effort was a complete failure.

"Unfortunately, he came off looking more like a gangster than he did a sort of normal Westernized businessman or presidential leader," said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a think tank founded by former President Richard Nixon.

Regardless, Bunn said Kim probably wants to talk first with the South Koreans because "he sees a more cooperative leader" in Seoul than in Washington. He also believes "it's an opportunity to reduce tensions on the peninsula, which were getting to the point where there was a real risk of inadvertently blundering into war."

In response to Monday's olive branch from Kim, South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, said he welcomed the news and possibility to turn the "games into a groundbreaking chance to improve South-North relations and establish peace."

At the same time, South Korea's prime minister, Lee Nak-yon, was quoted as saying North Korea might now demand "different treatment" in discussions, Yonhap reported.

"Lee didn't elaborate on what 'different treatment' may mean, but it apparently indicates that the communist nation could demand the South treat it as a nuclear weapons-armed state," the South Korean news agency reported.

Talks could involve a North Korean team participating in the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, which will be held about 50 miles from the border that divides the two Koreas.

"My question is what do the North Koreans want," said Kazianis. "Every time North Korea comes to the table, they always want something for it."

One possibility is that North Korea may want the U.S. and South Korea to weaken sanctions, although that's unlikely to get any support from the Trump administration.

Indeed, Trump on Tuesday morning tweeted: "Sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea."

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/948194400114487296

United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea are wide-ranging on trade and limit exports on such things as textiles, seafood and coal but also cut back oil and gasoline imports. Even so, Reuters last week reported that there have been at least three cases of Russian tankers in recent months transferring oil at sea for North Korea.

Kazianis said the South Koreans are "in a bind with the Olympics. The North Koreans have a lot of ways to make the Olympics go very bad."

"So, I think Kim Jong Un probably realizes this and probably will go to the South Koreans on Jan. 9 and say, 'Look, I'm looking for sanctions relief or food aid or access to oil' or something like that," Kazianis said. "The South Koreans might actually give it to him because they don't want to have billions of dollars in investment in the Winter Games be wrecked by, say, a North Korea nuclear test, an ICBM test or even some cyber-strikes."

Even if Kim may appear to have the short-term leverage, though, experts say there are plenty of reasons to be wary.

"There's good reason to have skepticism about this offer by Kim Jong Un because of the timing," said Collins. "Over the last six months, Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president, has made several offers to have dialogue with North Korea  and they've all been rejected by North Korea."

Still, Collins said, "dialogue per se between the two Koreas is not a bad idea. I think it's a good idea in the long run."

She said Pyongyang might request as a precondition of any border talks with Seoul that they agree to "either stop or pause the annual military exercises that South Korea does with the United States." If that happens, she said it would "definitely put the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, in a difficult spot because he'll have to go back to the United States and sort of negotiate ... about whether there will actually be a rescheduling of the exercises or some sort of change in the exercises this year."This year could mark a comeback for commodities, with oil potentially hitting $80 per barrel, a portfolio manager said on Wednesday. Restrained production among major oil producers and the "greater impetus" to maintain stability ahead of the widely-anticipated initial public offering of Saudi Aramco will support prices further this year, said Yoon Chou Chong, head of Asian equities at Natixis Asset Management. "We've done a lot through the exporters, tech and we're still happy with them. (But) I think this might be the year for the return of the commodities, the oil," Chong told CNBC. He named commodities as a top trade for 2018. "The $80-mark ... (doesn't) sound too preposterous, actually," he added.

People work at the Halfaya oilfield in Amara, southeast of Baghdad. Essam Al-Sudani | Reuters

Oil prices opened the year above $60 a barrel  the strongest start to a calendar year since 2014. Both crude oil benchmarks  the U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and globally traded Brent  rose amid production cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and anti-government protests in Iran. Oil prices last hit $80 per barrel in in November 2014. Both WTI and Brent collapsed from above $100 per barrel in June 2014 to around $30 a barrel in January 2016 due to weak demand, a strong dollar and booming U.S. shale production. OPEC, along with other oil producers such as Russia, has curbed the supply of crude since January last year. The output cuts will be extended until the end of this year.

Predictions for Asian stocksSouth Korean President Moon Jae-In has stirred up a decades-old dispute with Japan, a move that risks disrupting the international effort to contain North Korea.

For years, Seoul and Tokyo have been at loggerheads over the matter of comfort women  the thousands of girls and women, many of them Korean, who were forced to work in Japan's military brothels during World War II. The two countries reached an agreement in 2015, in which Tokyo shelled out $8.8 million to a fund for victims, but Moon on Thursday criticized that deal, saying it "cannot solve the comfort women issue."

His comments came after a South Korean panel concluded that the 2015 treaty failed to meet victims' demands for compensation. In response to the panel's findings, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono warned that any attempt to revise the agreement "would make Japan's ties with South Korea unmanageable."

The matter is where protesters last week called on the government to nullify the deal, and considered crucial to Moon's populist base.Mike Cagney, co-founder of SoFi, speaks at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., on May 1, 2017.

Just three months after Mike Cagney's board ousted him amid allegations of sexual harassment, the founder of SoFi is already plotting his comeback.

Cagney has been approaching investors in recent weeks about a new fintech startup with a plan to raise about $25 million, according to multiple people familiar with his outreach. He has pitched investors such as Peter Thiel along with several others who were backers of SoFi, a company that Cagney pushed to become worth almost $5 billion.

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The quick rebound has angered some industry observers and others close to Cagney, who only left SoFi on Sept. 15. Cagney was forced out after a series of damaging stories that detailed a workplace culture rife with alleged misconduct and improper treatment of women.

Cagney is starting the new company alongside his wife, June Ou, who previously served as SoFi's chief technology officer, the people said. The company does not yet have a name and has yet to be publicly announced  Ou's LinkedIn page says she will serve as the COO of a "#newCo."

Cagney declined to comment Friday. Ou did not respond to requests for comment.

The company is said to focus on HELOC, or home equity lines of credit, though the people said the idea was in the early stages and still required more sharpening. Ou this month shared a job posting on GlassDoor for engineers at a company soon to launch.

"We are launching a new FinTech focused company in the credit enablement space with the mission of leveraging blockchain, AI and advanced analytics to unlock new access points for consumer credit products that can transform the financial lives of our users," the listing reads. "We are a group of passionate innovators and serial entrepreneurs with a proven track record of creating billions of dollars in value in the FinTech space."

Cagney describes himself on social media now as an "entrepreneur, macro trader, philanthropist." Cagney previously worked at Cabezon Investment Group, his hedge fund that SoFi acquired in 2016, but one person said he would work full-time at the new company. The person said Ou could serve as the CEO and Cagney as her subordinate.A potent winter storm threatened to dump wind-driven snow and ice from Florida to Maine as a fierce cold wave's unrelenting grip on the nation showed no signs of easing Tuesday, forecasters warned.

Schools were shuttered and records shattered as relief for more than 200 million Americans remains several days away.

If that wasn't enough, the National Weather Service issued winter storm watches and warnings all the way from northern Florida to northern Maine, a distance of some 1,500 miles.

A winter storm warning was in effect for portions of the Florida panhandle, where a mix of snow and ice is in the forecast early Wednesday. This is the state's first such warning in almost four years, the weather service said.

Snow and/or ice is also forecast in portions of Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

The Weather Channel has named the storm Winter Storm Grayson as part of its winter-storm naming system.

More from USA Today:

Alaska has been unusually warm this winter

Lightning deaths at all-time record low in 2017

Snow and cold linger across U.S.

As much as a quarter of an inch of ice and a couple of inches of snow, with locally higher amounts, are possible from portions of the Florida panhandle to eastern North Carolina on Wednesday, the weather service said.

New England will also take a pounding, where Maine could see a foot of snow and hurricane-force winds, AccuWeather forecast.U.S. stock futures were mixed this morning after a record-breaking start to the year on Wall Street. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed at record highs. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq have all gained in three of the past four sessions. (CNBC)

Ripple, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency by value, hit a record high this morning. The digital coin reached $2.51, according to data from CryptoCompare. It marks a more than 39,600 percent rally in one year. (CNBC)



* How to buy ripple, one of the hottest bitcoin competitors (CNBC)

* There's a new hottest cryptocurrency of 2018 so far: stellar (CNBC)

American Airlines Group (AAL) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) that they would give employees a $1,000 bonus due to the new tax law and a lower corporate tax rate. Southwest also announced an increased fleet investment with jetmaker Boeing (BA) as well as a $5 million charitable donation. (CNBC)

The Federal Reserve will release the minutes of its most recent policy meeting at 2 p.m. ET. At that meeting, policymakers raised the Fed's benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percent. (CNBC)

The first economic numbers of the year, the Institute For Supply Management's monthly manufacturing index and November construction spending, are out at 10 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, Mortgage Bankers Association is out with two weeks of mortgage applications data. (CNBC)A file photo of President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary's home in Chappaqua, New York.

A fire that broke out at former president and first lady Bill and Hillary Clinton's home has been extinguished, WNBC reported Wednesday.

Firefighters arrived on the scene of the Clintons' longtime home in Chappaqua, New York to fight a fire that has since been put out, the Chappaqua Fire Department told WNBC.

The Town of New Castle Police Department said no injuries were sustained by the fire. An ambulance on the scene left without transport.

Hillary Clinton's communication director Nick Merrill tweeted that the fire was in a building on the property used by the secret service, not the main residence.

@NickMerrill: This report is wrong, & creating much hysteria. Yes, a small fire broke out in the @SecretService facility today on Clinton property, in a building not connected to their home. Fire was put out, local FD responded. The Clintons were not home. All is ok!

Later, the Secret Service said in a statement that there had been a "small fire in the ceiling of the second floor in a detached structure located behind the Clintons' residence." It also confirmed that the Clintons were not on the property at the time.Amazon's push into new advertising products will not threaten Google's search business, analysts at Mizuho said in a note on Tuesday.

CNBC reported in December that the U.S. e-commerce giant is experimenting with various advertising products across its portfolio and off of its website. This includes e-commerce search and video products too.

Sources also told CNBC this week that Amazon is in talks with large companies about letting them promote products on the Echo smart speaker devices via the voice assistant Alexa.

The news shows how Amazon is gearing up for a big year of advertising.

Amazon currently has three main types of ad products. The first is sponsored product ads which appear when you search for an item on Amazon. The second is headline search ads which also display in search results at the top of the page. And the final one is a standard product display ad paid for by a company.

Mizuho said it hosted an investor call with Merkle RKG, a marketing and data platform. Based on Merkle's studies, Mizuho said search appears to be the "biggest opportunity" in advertising for Amazon "given its scale and the potential to increase pricing."

But the investment bank said that Amazon's advertising technology is still in its "early development stage so it is well behind that of Google." For example, Mizuho said Amazon's customer targeting products are not up to scratch yet and therefore monetization is harder.

"That said, we believe that Amazon has plenty of headroom to improve its performance and monetization," Mizuho analyst James Lee wrote in the note.The governor of Colorado sees a unique selling point in Denver's bid for Amazon's second headquarters: the same "can-do" western attitude as the e-commerce giant.

"Look at how Denver and Colorado have recreated ourselves in the last 10 or 15 years as the most pro-business state in America," Governor John Hickenlooper told CNBC's "Power Lunch" Wednesday.

Hickenlooper, for his part, founded a Denver-based brewery and is considered a pro-business Democrat. But his state's bid for a new Amazon headquarters is comparatively light on tax incentives.

"We're never going to offer $7 billion of incentives," Hickenlooper said, referencing a high-priced bid from New Jersey.

"This is one of the most desired locations for young professionals in America," he said. "And over the long term, that's going to be much more powerful  whether [Amazon gets] a puny billion dollars here or billion dollars there."

Hickenlooper touted the state's universities, engineering talent and commitment to the environment  just a few of the positive factors that bumped Denver to a C+ grade on CNBC's report card.

The commonly cited drawbacks  crumbling infrastructure, chief among them  are actively seeing improvement, he said.

--CNBC's Scott Cohn contributed to this report.Two California state lawmakers Wednesday introduced a bill that would require hotels to provide housekeepers with a "panic button" to prevent violent assaults and sexual harassment.

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, jointly introduced the so-called hotel maid "panic button" bill with Assemblyman Bill Quirk, D-Hayward. If it gets passed, it would make California the first in the nation to have a statewide law requiring hotels to provide employees working alone in guest rooms with a panic button.

Also, the California bill would impose a three-year ban for any guest accused of violence or sexual harassment against an employee and keep a list of those accusations for five years.

"Hotel workers often work alone, cleaning room after room  thus making them vulnerable to unwanted sexual advances and worse, victims of assault," said Quirk. "I am proud to be working on this bill with Assemblymember Muratsuchi to not only raise awareness on the issue, but do more to create a safer working environment for hotel workers."

The city of Seattle previously passed a ballot measure that requires employers to provide hotel housekeepers with panic buttons, and Chicago passed a similar measure last year. The city of Long Beach, California, considered a panic button ordinance too but rejected it late last year.

The proposed California legislation follows high-profile sexual assault and harassment charges lodged against high-profile people, including Oscar-winning film producer Harvey Weinstein. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said it is considering possible criminal charges against Weinstein, who has been accused of sexually harassing or assaulting several women over the years. Weinstein, who has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex, also is under investigation by authorities in New York.

"As we've yet to see the bill in print, we wouldn't have a position yet," said Lynn Mohrfeld, a spokesperson for the California Hotel and Lodging Association, the industry's state lobbying organization. "That said, the safety of guests and hotel employees is a top priority. While no industry is immune to dealing with sexual harassment as the headlines over recent weeks have shown, our industry has in place procedures and protocols for employees around reporting and prevention and these are continuously reviewed and updated."

Added Mohrfeld, "As an industry, we will always continue to focus on ensuring hotels are secure places for all those who work and visit them."

"Hotel employees deserve to feel safe when they are doing their job," Muratsuchi said in a statement. "We have heard much about the danger for hotel maids, who often work in situations that put them at risk of sexual assault or harassment. This would be an important step in keeping those employees safe from harm."

Unite Here Local 1, a union representing hotel workers in the Chicago area, last year released a report in Illinois that found 58 percent of hotel workers surveyed said they had been sexually harassed by a guest. Also, nearly half of all hotel housekeepers surveyed said guests had at one time exposed themselves or answered their door naked. Nearly 500 women working in hotels and casinos were surveyed.Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on March 13, 2015 in Beijing, China.

China is planning to build a 13.8 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) technology park dedicated to developing artificial intelligence (AI), state-backed news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday.



The campus will be constructed within five years and situated in the suburban Mentougou district in western Beijing. It will cover 54.87 hectares, Xinhua said.

The technology park will be home to around 400 businesses and is expected to create an annual output value of about 50 billion yuan.

High-speed big data, cloud computing, biometrics and so-called deep learning, a strand of AI, will be the focus of the new park. It will also have 5G mobile internet, a super computer and cloud services, according to Xinhua.

The news follows the Chinese government's announcement in July 2017 that laid out plans for the country to become a world leader in AI by 2013, with the aim of making the industry worth 1 trillion yuan.

China wants to make a "major breakthrough" in AI technology by 2025.

Beijing hopes to help accelerate the commercialization of AI in China in areas such as smart cities, but is also eyeing its military capabilities, something that could worry the broader international community.

Already, the U.S. is taking note. A recent Pentagon report showed how worried Washington was about Chinese firms investing in U.S. start-ups, suggesting that there might need to be tighter controls around this.

On Tuesday, the U.S. government failed to approve MoneyGram's multi-million-dollar merger with Ant Financial, an affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Some experts including noted venture capitalist Jim Breyer have compared the competition between the U.S. and China in AI to the "space race of the '50s." However, he did say that the U.S. will lead China in AI.

"I don't think they'll (China) be number one, because I think there's still a level of genius and creativity in Silicon Valley that persists and will always persist," Breyer said during a CNBC-hosted panel in November.

Xinhua said the Beijing park will be developed by Zhongguancun Development Group, which will seek partnership with Chinese and overseas universities, research institutes and large enterprises to establish a number of research hubs on the premises. These will include a "national-level" artificial intelligence lab, Xinhua said.Kyle Walsh | CNBC

In the summer of 2015, senior citizens who had signed up for a fledgling insurance plan called Clover Health started receiving unexpected medical bills for blood work. Most were living on fixed incomes in New Jersey, the only state where Clover, a venture-backed start-up based in San Francisco, was available. As a Medicare Advantage Plan, Clover makes most of its money from the federal government, which covers the bulk of insurance costs for people age 65 and over. Members expected the Clover plan to cover clinical lab tests, even if the providers were out of network. But Clover was playing a different game -- one which would put patients in a bad situation. Before Clover would make payments, it first wanted patient data from the country's biggest lab-testing providers, LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, according to two people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because the information they provided was confidential. That data would help Clover develop the predictive analytics technology that was supposed to help patients and keep costs down -- and was a big reason why venture capitalists plowed $425 million into the company.

Sources say that despite its $1.2 billion valuation, Clover has struggled to navigate a highly challenging and slow-moving health insurance industry that rewards size and scale. The "growth-hacking" tricks and aggressive sales and marketing techniques that software start-ups and app developers use to juice their numbers have proven less effective in health care, which is heavily regulated. In this case, as a small start-up plan, Clover had little negotiating power with giant lab companies. So Clover started pushing back on the claims, telling the labs that it lacked sufficient proof that the tests were medically necessary. The start-up outlined a list of items that it needed within 30 days before paying these bills. Rather than adhering to Clover's demands, the labs turned around and billed the patients -- Clover's elderly members. It's not supposed to happen that way, as Clover tells its members that it doesn't allow for so-called balance billing by providers. But in hundreds of instances, according to a person familiar with the matter, Clover customers contacted the company, angry and confused. "Members were harassed with bills," the source said. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) received a complaint about an unpaid claim from Quest in 2016, which was resolved when Clover told the member not to pay. Clover eventually paid its bills to the labs after learning the full extent of the situation, and it negotiated in-network contracts and data-sharing deals with both Quest and LabCorp by the end of 2015. Internally, the company views the incident as a gamble that paid off.

Clover funding rounds Round Amount Date Lead investor A $100 mln Sept 2015 First Round B $35 mln Dec 2015 Sequoia C $160 mln May 2016 Greenoaks D $130 mln May 2017 Greenoaks

But in Clover's efforts to take a Silicon Valley approach to health care and disrupt the insurance market, it also disrupted the lives of members. Quest didn't respond to requests for comment and LabCorp didn't provide one. CNBC spoke with six former Clover employees and advisers for this story. They all spoke on the condition of anonymity, because of various agreements they signed with Clover and because of the sensitivity of the topic. Sources described an operation with some deep flaws, from its culture and leadership to its business model, which relies on payments from the government. The turmoil has led to hefty turnover of late in Clover's C-suite. Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Kris Gale stepped down in December, four months after Wilson Keenan, the chief operating officer, left the company.

'New approach to health insurance'

Clover has also missed internal financial targets, is reckoning with mounting losses and has seen its Medicare star rating dip from 3.5 out of 5 to 3, which is a problem because lower scores result in reduced payments from the government. But the company is pushing ahead with some new hires and geographic expansion. In September, it brought on Varsha Rao, the former head of operations at Airbnb, as COO. And the company is beginning to serve parts of Georgia, Texas and Pennsylvania in early 2018, after thus far being unable to operate outside of New Jersey. The big-name venture capitalists, who have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Clover, have plenty at stake in the company's success, as does board member Chelsea Clinton. They're all buying into an "entirely new approach to health insurance," as Clover proclaims on its website. Sequoia Capital and First Round Capital are among Clover's top backers. In May, Alphabet's venture arm GV joined a $130 million financing round that put Clover in the billion-dollar start-up club. And here's what an investor at Greenoaks Capital said about Clover in May 2016, after leading a $160 million financing round. "By combining a data-driven approach to improving health outcomes and a genuine desire to delight its members, Clover offers a Medicare Advantage plan that creates a truly positive impact on member health, while delivering a superior member experience and value that continues to get better and better at a rapid pace." Clover was started in 2012 by Vivek Garipalli, who previously co-founded a New Jersey hospital chain called CarePoint Health. At CarePoint, Garipalli's model involved cutting ties with large private insurers to make these hospitals out of network for most plans. That meant insurers generally ended up paying higher rates, a scheme that Aetna's former head of national networks described as "taking advantage of members who seek emergency services." In 2013, a New York Times investigation revealed that Bayonne, one of the CarePoint medical centers, was the most expensive hospital in America, charging the highest amounts in the country for nearly one-quarter of the most common hospital treatments. Those close to Garipalli say he knows the industry and has the entrepreneurial drive necessary to battle entrenched interests. First Round's Josh Kopelman was so struck by Garipalli that in 2015, his early-stage firm wrote a $4 million check to Clover, the biggest initial investment it had ever made.

Vivek Garipalli, CEO of Clover Health. Source: YouTube

With Clover, Garipalli was jumping into a new market. Clover is among a small group of Medicare Advantage start-ups, along with Bright Health and Devoted Health, offering plans that are increasingly popular among the growing number of retirees because they purportedly offer greater consumer choice and extra coverage while still maintaining government subsidies. Consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers expects the Medicare Advantage market to generate more than $350 billion in annual revenue by 2020. But despite the marketing hype and flood of investor dollars, Clover has been falling short of its goals. Rather than using tech to provide a more cost-efficient product, Clover is currently a money-losing insurance company. "Terms like big data are good buzzwords to get you that better valuation when you're going to shop to VCs or growth equity funds," said Ari Gottlieb, director of health services and payer strategy at PwC. "But at the end of the day, most established plans already use big data and do predictive analytics."

A struggling business

In May 2016, CMS fined the company $106,095 for misleading its members about their ability to receive covered services from any out-of-network (OON) provider. Clover failed to notify its members after repeated notifications from the agency dating back to late 2015. In the enforcement letter, CMS said it "received a high volume of complaints in January and February 2016 from new Clover enrollees who were denied services by OON providers after being told by Clover that they could see any provider they wished." Clover has also tried to play hardball to keep costs down, but interrupted the care of its members in at least one case. In 2016, AtlantiCare, southeastern New Jersey's largest health provider, stopped accepting Clover's members. The companies had been negotiating a contract, but the talks fell through after Clover refused to accept the rates that AtlantiCare demanded, according to a person familiar with the matter. Instead, it sent members to a smaller in-network hospital, Shore Medical Center. Hospitals are occasionally willing to negotiate lower rates with insurance plans in exchange for volume, but start-up plans have less room to bargain because they don't have enough members. Jennifer Tornetta, AtlantiCare's director of media relations and public affairs, said in an email that AlantiCare informed patients that "we could no longer accept Clover insurance, other than for emergency care, due to the lack of an in-network contract" as of Jan. 1, 2017. Clover lost several hundred members after the deal collapsed, although it regained them later thanks to its lower prices. These back-and-forth tactics have led to a troubled balance sheet. According to a source with knowledge of Clover's financial projections, the company's plan in 2015 was to double membership every year. Public filings show that its membership only grew from 20,000 in 2016 to just shy of 27,000 by September 2017. Clover missed its target to enter new states by 2016, when its request for out-of-state expansion was held up by CMS.

Source: Clover Health

An investor who met with the company early on about its growth trajectory said that Clover predicted it would reach 65,000 members by the end of 2017 and book $500 million in revenue from premiums. Its gross profit margin was supposed to reach 20 percent. But according to an analysis from PwC, Clover makes about $860 per member per month in premiums, equating to annual revenue of closer to $270 million. Clover is also losing money on the average customer. Its medical loss ratio, which refers to the difference between claims paid out and premiums received, averaged about 109 percent last year. This number is based on quarterly statements, which can be less reliable than the annual statement that will be published in March of 2018. "A poor-performing Medicare Advantage plan has a medical loss ratio of 90 percent," said PwC's Gottlieb. "When you're spending more than a dollar of revenue on medical costs, it's not sustainable." Clover did not provide a comment for this story.

Buggy technology and culture complaints

Clover has been attempting to lower its medical loss ratio since late 2016 by focusing on reducing fraud and abuse. It's also been controlling costs in other ways, including through a hiring freeze on engineers in early 2017, according to three people familiar with the plan. Cutting back on tech hires dealt another blow to the company's effort at creating a sustainable advantage over the incumbents. In 2016, a bug was discovered in one of Clover's most important software projects, a system that was designed to rank members to call from sickest to healthiest and remind them to get an annual checkup. To rank the call queue, Clover used risk score data from CMS, which helped determine people who had diabetes or were on key medications. But because of the software glitch, the list was reversed. For several months, Clover's representatives called the healthiest members first. "We can't grow if the house is a huge mess," said a former employee. "It was decided that we would fix the plumbing first." The company has a new CTO joining soon to replace Gale and is revamping its engineering team, a source said. A new finance chief will also be announced soon. Controversy has even followed Clover into the social media sphere. In October a senior engineer named Marco Rogers, who'd worked at Clover for over two-and-a-half years, tweeted about the company's approach to people of color. Those tweets were later deleted, but not before they generated hundreds of likes and retweets. CNBC accessed screenshots of the tweets.

"I can say it's the primary reason I left Clover," Rogers wrote. "I did leave voluntarily, but it was because I felt I was being passively aggressively pushed out by people who found me 'adversarial.'" Prior to Clover, Rogers spent over three years at Yammer, where Clover co-founder Gale was vice president of engineering. According to his LinkedIn profile, Rogers joined software developer Lever in August. He couldn't be reached for comment. Clover appears to be responding to such complaints. The company just hired Jessica Wusthoff to the position of "diversity and inclusion manager." Clover has taken numerous steps to address its technology and financial challenges as well. But it's clear that the company has a long way to go to upend health care the same way other tech upstarts have taken on retail, travel and food delivery. Health insurance, particularly when it comes to Medicare, poses unique challenges that have historically kept venture investors away. As the Clover story has shown to date, it's not the right place to move fast and break things.

WATCH: Health care faces even more change in 2018Drinks-maker Diageo has removed all of its advertising on Snapchat globally as it looks into how it can avoid potentially targeting people who are under 18 via the image-sharing app. The decision comes as a Snapchat ad for its Captain Morgan rum brand was banned by the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for appealing to under-18s, the legal drinking age in the country. In June, Diageo used an image of a Captain Morgan cartoon-like character as a Snapchat lens, with an animated seagull flying across the screen and voices cheering "Captain." On Wednesday, the ASA ruled that it must not appear again in its current form. The Committees of Advertising Practice, which writes the U.K.'s ad rules, states that no medium should be used to advertise alcohol if more than 25 percent of its audience is under 18.

Even though Snapchat is sometimes thought of as being loved by younger teens, parent company Snap said in February 2017 that the majority of its users are 18 to 34 years old. Snap told Diageo that 77 percent of U.K. Snapchat users were registered as being over 18, in Diageo's response to the ASA's investigation. However, even though Snap told the ASA that it uses data to verify users' ages, and that it now has the means to target ads to more specific audiences using "audience lenses," the authority ruled that at the time the Captain Morgan ad ran it was using unverified age information supplied by users. Snap said it was "disappointed" with the ASA ruling, in an emailed statement. It said that when someone signs up to the platform, they have to state their age, and Snap uses various "signals" such as behavioral and interest-based information to verify their claimed age, as other platforms do. "While more options for age targeting on Snapchat have been added since July, we disagree that Diageo intentionally directed its lens to an underage audience when it applied the accurate 18-plus targeting available at the time. The ASA acknowledges the evidence we provided showing that ages supplied by Snapchatters are a robust way to age-restrict ads," the statement said.A former hedge fund executive faces federal charges for defrauding a UK-based charity over investments in Africa, according to a grand jury indictment made public Wednesday.

Michael Cohen, formerly the head of European operations for Och Ziff Capital Management, was indicted on fraud and conspiracy, among other charges, in the scheme, according to the document, filed in October and unsealed Wednesday by the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

Och Ziff is a publicly traded fund company with $33 billion of assets under management in various funds. Africa was once seen as a ripe area of opportunity for the firm, which set up two ventures in 2008 to invest in African mining and oil and mineral interests. That year, the unidentified UK charitable foundation agreed to invest $200 million in one of those investment funds.

Among other charges, Cohen concealed a conflict of interest he had connected with an investment in a mining company, according to the indictment. Some of the shares in that mining company had been sold to the Och Ziff African investing venture by an unnamed co-conspirator who owed Cohen $18 million connected to the purchase of a luxury yacht. This person was going to use proceeds from the sale those shares to partially pay back that personal loan.

Cohen and the unnamed co-conspirator faked and backdated a letter to conceal the scheme, prosecutors said, and Cohen later lied about it to law enforcement.

A lawyer for Cohen wasn't immediately available to comment. A spokesman for Och Ziff said in an email, "The allegations in the indictment against Michael Cohen do not raise any new issues for the firm, which has settled the matter."

The case comes after a Securities and Exchange Commission case last year accusing Cohen and another former Och Ziff official of engaging in a widespread bribery scheme to win business in Africa.

Federal investigators have been looking into violations of anti-corruption laws by funds for several years. In Och Ziff's case the inquiries involved activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya and other African nations and prompted investors such as public pensions and foundations to pull their investments from the firm.

Cohen was in charge of investing activities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Och Ziff is run by the billionaire Daniel Och, a former Goldman Sachs trader.

In 2016, the firm agreed to pay more than $200 million to the Justice Department for paying more than $100 million in bribes to win natural resources deals in Africa. It also agreed to pay another nearly $200 million to the SEC. Daniel Och paid $2.2 million in the SEC settlement, though the agency said he wasn't aware of the bribes.Bitcoin took a wild ride in 2017, reaching a record high above $19,800 in December and then plummeting below $11,000 in the same month.

The cryptocurrency isn't just a risky investment opportunity for the adventurous; it's becoming an alternative way of paying for regular things. Over 100,000 merchants worldwide accept bitcoin, including Microsoft, Expedia and at least one Subway sandwich shop.

You can also buy a house with bitcoin, and it's not as hard as you may think. You just need one thing: For the buyer and seller to agree on exchanging bitcoin for the property.

Consider the first single-family home sale in Texas involving bitcoin, announced in 2017: "The challenge, which actually wasn't all that challenging, was to figure out who would do an exchange that large," J Kuper, broker at Kuper Sotheby's International, told CNBC's Diana Olick.

The parties involved completed the transaction with BitPay, which turns bitcoin into dollars, because the seller wanted U.S. dollars, Olick reports. BitPay has handled other real estate transactions, including a Lake Tahoe property that sold in 2014 for 2,739 bitcoins, or $1.6 million.The protests spreading across Iran pose no immediate threat to the nation's oil exports, analysts said. However, the unrest could cause the Trump administration to take an even tougher stance against Iran, increasing the odds of a major supply disruption. Iran has restored its oil production to nearly 4 million barrels a day since a historic 2015 deal with six world powers that lifted crippling sanctions on the country. A major disruption in Iran could send crude prices sharply higher just as the oil market is emerging from a prolonged period of oversupply. Demonstrations began last week in Mashhad, Iran's second largest city, and have spread to several urban and provincial areas, including the capital Tehran. Dissatisfaction with Iran's sluggish economy emerged as a unifying grievance, but protesters have also spoken out against Iran's leadership and its financial support for foreign groups.

If there is a particularly brutal crackdown like in 2009, [Trump] may feel more empowered to take the moral high ground with the Europeans. Helima Croft global head of commodity strategy, RBC Capital Markets

The protests lack a central leader or a clear objective and have not reached the scale of demonstrations that broke out after a contested election in 2009, according to Cliff Kupchan, chairman of risk consultancy the Eurasia Group. "It's really small. It's not even a remote threat at this point to Iranian production. The 2.3 million barrels a day that Iran exports I think are quite safe right now," Kupchan told CNBC's "Closing Bell" on Tuesday. In order to disrupt those supplies, the protests would have to spark strikes in the nation's oil fields, and there is so far no indication that will happen, analysts said.

"I think that's another stage down the road. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it's certainly not something I'm going to bet my little dollars on today. No, I think the oil price is where it should be," David Roche, president of advisory firm Independent Strategy, told CNBC Asia's "Squawk Box." At least some traders were bidding up the price of oil this week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude hit its highest level since mid-2015 in early trading on Tuesday, slipped back throughout the session and then struck a fresh 2-year high on Wednesday morning. Analysts said that response is to be expected  but so is a corresponding dip in oil prices. "There is a knee-jerk reaction in the market, but then as the market sees that actual supplies aren't really being affected, there's a little bit of a pullback typically," said Vandana Hari, founder and CEO of Vandana Insights, an Asian energy markets analysis firm. Hari said the protests spreading throughout Iran right now are distinct from the instability that has gripped producer nations like Nigeria and Libya, where militants have directly targeted oil infrastructure to achieve their political aims. Even if the demonstrations continue or grow larger, they are unlikely to affect Iranian oil supplies, she told CNBC Asia's "Capital Connection" on Tuesday."Romney may not be a genius. But he's smart enough to see that Trump critics like Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker are going for less than a dime-a-dozen. Getting into tit-for-tat public spats with President Trump doesn't make anyone look good."

The truth is Romney shouldn't join the herd. Instead he can seize the unique opportunity he has to truly distinguish himself in the Senate and in U.S. political history.

Romney's special opportunity is all about Obamacare. To be more specific, it's about the replacement for Obamacare that Congress and the White House will have to come up with to stabilize the insurance markets.

Now that the tax reform law has eliminated the penalty for not having health insurance, the already depleted Obamacare exchanges will wither even more this year. Even when the individual mandate was in effect, there weren't enough enrollees to cover the enormous cost of universal health coverage. Health insurance companies have spent years complaining about this, and now it will surely get worse.

As a result, more insurers will stop offering Obamacare plans providing fewer and more expensive choices for the many Americans who do want coverage. The Congressional Budget Office's predictions concerning Obamacare over the years haven't been so great, but the CBO's prediction that eliminating the individual mandate penalty will increase insurance premiums by 10 percent seems pretty reliable.

Republicans who are still reeling from their multiple failed efforts to replace Obamacare in 2016 will face more pressure to do something this year. It will be exceedingly difficult to pass a replacement during an election year, but once the new Congress is sworn in, it will be a real priority.

In this environment, Congress and the president will have to do something.

Enter Romney, who has more experience than most Republicans on government- health insurance because of his time setting up "Romneycare" as Governor of Massachusetts.

During the 2012 presidential election, Romney insisted his plan was superior to Obamacare. Politically, Romney's argument was a tough sell to voters because it was obvious that Obamacare had largely been modeled after his own program in Massachusetts.

But while Romney wasn't able to beat President Obama, he has a great chance to win over a critical mass of his fellow Republican and Democratic senators on this issue.

That's because Romney is still a Republican, but no one is likely to cast him as a toady for the Trump White House. That kind of designation helped elevate the importance of GOP senators like Flake and Corker, and especially Senator John McCain in Democrats' eyes. It will help Romney too.

Also helping him bridge the partisan divide is that Romney has long been an advocate for getting as many Americans covered as possible. Since 2015, he's even softened his criticism of Obamacare on that score. This too will earn him at least a chance to work with Democrats.

On the other side of the aisle, Romney's argument for years is that major health insurance overhauls should be made at the state level. That's just the kind of idea that could bring more of the "state's rights Republicans" to the table.

These factors are why Romney has the best chance of working out some kind of deal to forge a viable replacement for the ACA.

Will anything positive for U.S. consumers come out of such a Romney-brokered new health care law? Obviously, we'd all need to see the details before making such a prediction about a new bill. But the point is Romney is probably one of the only people in America who can win a 2018 Senate election and work successfully to get a health insurance bill passed in 2019.

This is the path Romney should pursue to help not only his own reputation, but assist the entire country to move away from Trump-centered spats to a more substantive future.

Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter."The answer for the Trump team comes from that old adage about how 80 percent of life is just showing up. In this case, "showing up" means making sure the protesters in Iran are never in doubt that the U.S. supports them."

Even former chairman of the Joint Chiefs under President Obama Mike Mullen said in a TV interview this weekend that, "I think we chose to not be as supportive as we could have been then. And I hope we can be right now so that Iran can continue to evolve."

That was in sharp contrast to President Obama's strong vocal support for pro-democracy protesters in Egypt in 2011 during the so-called Arab Spring. Obama's encouraging words for those protesters bolstered them as they eventually succeeded in carrying out a more democratic election. Two years later, Obama switched to the silent treatment. He backed away from that new Egyptian government, led by the Muslim Brotherhood, and signaled with his silence that the U.S. would not move to block a military coup d'etat.

When it comes to U.S. presidents, words and the lack of words really do matter.

But several former Obama administration officials are publicly calling for President Trump to stay silent about the Iran protests. They say the Iranian people are so generally opposed to President Trump that his support for the protests will kill their chances for success.

Sadly, that argument is embarrassing. Are Trump's enemies in this country so deluded as to believe that his open support would actually taint the Iranian people's desire for more democracy, a stronger economy, women's rights and free speech? Many of these protesters aren't even letting the Islamist leaders get away with using the age-old Arab-Israeli conflict as an excuse to deflect from their domestic corruption.

To that end, there is absolutely nothing these protesters are asking for that the U.S. under any president shouldn't be publicly supporting. Again by contrast, the 2011 Egyptian protest movement was much more fraught with voices calling for more Islamism or repression of women. These Iranian protests may be a lot less organized and focused, but no ideological red flags are evident right now.

Does the Trump team need to do more than tweet and make statements? Absolutely. Some of the other strategies should include working to remotely restore internet service in Iran using satellites, and at least trying to identify and contact some actual leaders of this protest movement.

A more aggressive follow up could be to stretch the mullahs to the brink by ramping up military opposition to Iran's proxies in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. The U.S. has been in a basic state of war with Iran since 1979 with billions of dollars and many lives lost on both sides. The idea than any of those added efforts are some kind of wild escalation of hostilities between our two countries ignores the hard facts.

But those moves are basically the other 20 percent. It's easy to say public statements of support don't add up to much, but that sentiment has been proven wrong by Egypt's recent history and the Trump team's even more recent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's true capital. With that in mind, no wonder Iran's President Hassan Rouhani wants President Trump to keep quiet.

Rouhani wants the protesters to shut up too. Defying him is up to those very courageous people in Iran. Luckily for President Trump, he has a much easier job in not giving Rouhani what he wants. He should keep it up.

Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.A conflict on the Korean Peninsula could disrupt global businesses, making it "the greatest geopolitical threat to credit quality in Asia," according to Moody's Investors Service.

In this handout photo from the U.S. Navy, a strike force of Republic of Korea and U.S. warships patrol May 3, 2017 in the western Pacific Ocean, led by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

Such a scenario remains a "low-probability event," Moody's stated in a new report Wednesday following fresh bellicose rhetoric from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump. But should current tensions evolve to full-blown military action, the consequences could be immense.

The loss of human life is seen as the greatest repercussion from any major clash involving Washington, Seoul and Pyongyang, but the global economy will suffer as well, Moody's said. The report did not discuss the worst-case scenario of the use of nuclear weapons, instead concentrating on credit quality for countries and industries at risk.

If the conflict lasts a few weeks, Moody's warned of a hit to South Korean economic growth due to likely destruction of production capacity and infrastructure. But any slowdown would be temporary and offset by fiscal spending as well as Seoul's external liquidity buffers, the report said.

But if conflict lasts for one or two quarters, a wide range of industries could be hit in addition to the economies of China and Japan.

Here are some of the biggest losers, according to Moody's:Little by little, Macy's is beginning to close some of the roughly 30 stores it previously announced were on the chopping block. So far, 11 stores have been identified for closure, and four of those stores' teams have been notified, the company told CNBC Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday morning, Macy's revealed the exact locations of those 11 stores, saying clearance sales are starting as soon as next week and will run for up to 12 weeks. (See a full list of the locations being closed below.)

About this same time last year, Macy's posted disappointing holiday sales and simultaneously released the locations of more than 60 stores it planned to close in 2017. Additionally, the company said at the time it would close 34 more stores "over the next few years" as leases or operating covenants expired or as sale transactions were completed (making 100 closures in total).

As of Thursday morning, the department store chain is nearing closing 81 of the 100 planned closures, and it intends to close 19 more locations over time as part of a "multi-year effort." Additional locations have yet to be announced.

This, along with other efforts, should help Macy's save as much as $300 million in expenses annually, starting in fiscal 2018, which will be reinvested back into the business, the company said.

Business Insider first reported Wednesday that more closures were coming in 2018. Macy's shares closed the day down 3.7 percent on the news after rallying for most of the day Tuesday.

"Macy's, Inc. has been reviewing its real estate portfolio across the country to see if there are opportunities to improve the use of our assets," Macy's told CNBC in a statement. "While closing a store is always a difficult decision because of the impact on our customers, our associates and the community, we deeply appreciate the loyalty of our customers and associates."

The Cincinnati-based retailer has said it wants to focus on its best real estate while investing more in its web operations, in a push to win more shoppers online.

"We're getting better and better at this because, as we've closed more stores, we've learned a lot about how to retain sales in other stores," CFO Karen Hoguet said on a call with analysts and investors, discussing the closures of 2017.

Meantime, Macy's is testing smaller versions of its off-price concept, Macy's Backstage, inside some of its existing stores, which appeals to customers looking for more of a "treasure hunt" shopping experience. The department store chain, like its peers, has been forced to revise its massive floor plans, as fewer shoppers venture to America's malls to ring up purchases.

Having faced pressure before from activist investor Starboard (which sold its stake in the company in 2017) to separate its real estate from its retail business, Macy's has still been taking steps to make money from those assets.

Management updated analysts and investors this past November, saying Macy's would continue to explore opportunities with Brookfield Asset Management on about 50 properties, including the department store chain's flagship Herald Square location in New York.

Macy's has also struck deals in the past with some of its landlords, including General Growth Properties, to sell locations and generate cash in a pinch.

Ahead of this year's key holiday shopping season, Macy's, like many of its retail peers, was touting its ability to lure shoppers into its stores, where it has been making bigger investments in customer service and loyalty.

CEO Jeff Gennette told CNBC the company started the holiday season on a strong note compared with 2016. Promotions were also less severe, he said, which should be helping profit margins. Top-selling items included coats, boots, sweaters and fragrances.

As of its fiscal third quarter, Macy's operated roughly 860 stores under various brands, including Macy's, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdale's, and Bluemercury.

Shares of the department store chain have fallen more than 25 percent over the past 12 months.

 CNBC's Courtney Reagan contributed to this reporting.

The following Macy's stores are closing in early 2018. In most cases, clearance sales will begin on Jan. 8 and run for up to 12 weeks.If you want to acheive success, billionaire technology entrepreneur and investor on ABC's "Shark Tank" Mark Cuban has some advice: always challenge yourself to absorb new information.

"Life-long learning is probably the greatest skill," he says on Arianna Huffington's The Thrive Global Podcast.

Cuban is an avid reader, and espouses the benefits of scouring books for ideas. Early in his career, reading up on the technology industry helped him get an edge on competitors.

"A guy with little computer background could compete with far more experienced guys, just because I put in the time to learn all I could," he writes on his blog. "Everything I read was public. Anyone could buy the same books and magazines. The same information was available to anyone who wanted it. Turns out most people didn't want it."

Even with a net worth of over $3 billion today, he's still reading.

Recently, Cuban read a copy of "Principles: Life and Work" by Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates. Dalio's firm is the largest hedge fund in the world, and manages $160 billion.The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed provisionally almost 0.5 percent higher, with most sectors and major bourses in positive territory.

European markets closed higher on Wednesday, as investors reacted to the release of sweeping reforms for the continent's financial sector.

Gains among technology, autos, oil and industrials stocks supported indexes Wednesday despite expectations of cautious trading amid the introduction of new market rules from the EU.



In corporate news, Next upgraded its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday, sending shares more than 6 percent higher. The British clothing retailer said it beat guidance for sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas as cold weather boosted the sale of winter clothes.

Embattled retailer Steinhoff extended gains from Tuesday's session, leaping to the top of the European benchmark. The firm, which has been engulfed in an accounting scandal, said Tuesday that it may have to restate its accounts "for years prior to 2015." Shares of the firm shot up by 32 percent.

While falls were limited, British-based recruiter Hays slumped towards the bottom of the benchmark in mid-morning trade. Credit Suisse cut its stock recommendation for the firm to "neutral" from "outperform" on Wednesday. Its shares were down 2.56 percent.

Meanwhile, telecommunications and cable firm Altice got a boost after French broadcaster M6 said it had signed a distribution agreement with the company's SFR subsidiary. The company's stock edged toward the top of the Stoxx 600, up more than 7 percent.

On Wall Street, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumped to a record high as chip stocks followed shares of Advanced Micro Devices higher.A daily morning look at the financial stories you need to know to start the day.

STOCKS/ECONOMY

-Stock futures are higher after Tuesday's rally to start 2018. We get the release of the Fed minutes at 2 p.m. ET.

-Imports of items like washing machines and solar panels are soaring as foreign companies rush to bring them to the U.S. before any possible new tariffs are imposed by the Trump administration.

BUDGET BATTLES

-The White House and Congressional leaders will resume budget talks today.North Korea announced Wednesday that it will reopen a cross-border communication channel with South Korea , officials in Seoul said, another sign of easing animosity between the rivals after a year that saw the North conduct nuclear bomb and missile tests and both the Koreas and Washington issue threats of war.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is seen during the inspection of a potato flour factory in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang December 6, 2017.

The announcement, which came on a North Korean state radio address monitored by Seoul, follows a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on next month's Winter Olympics in the South. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday suggested that the North might send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games.

Although the development is a positive sign that the Koreas are working toward improved ties, there's no guarantee that tensions will ease. There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, and even when they do meet, the efforts often end in recriminations or stalemate.

North Korea didn't say whether it would accept the South Korean offer for talks. The South Korean Unification Ministry, which monitors North Korea's state media, said the North planned to restore the communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom later Wednesday.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, made the announcement on Kim Jong Un's behalf, according Seoul's Unification Ministry. Ri said North Korea will try to engage with South Korea in a "sincere and careful" manner by "upholding the will of the supreme leader," in a reference to Kim, the ministry said.But for the United States, rising tensions are the inevitable consequence of pressures on the North to give up its nuclear program, particularly now, when the North does not actually have a sizable, survivable strike force to employ. The Trump administration is seeking to increase greatly the pressures on the North to alleviate a potential nuclear threat to the U.S. homeland.



Were the South to accept the offer of direct negotiations, the South will expose its government and its public to pressures from the North. The North, relying on its military threat, now strengthened with nuclear capabilities, will demand relief from the Southfood, fuel, foreign currency, respect.

In exchange it will offer some elements of warmer relationsopportunities for family visits, exchanges of emissaries, pledges of future economic cooperation, and so forth. The offers will no doubt be leaked, the public teased, the South Korean government blamed for delays and problems.

The negotiations will become the staple for propaganda blaming the United States for tensions, and undercutting support among the South Korean electorate for the alliance with the United States. If the South gives in to these blandishments, it will undercut the U.S. strategy of increasing pressure.



On the other hand, if the South declines the negotiations, or resists the blandishments offered, it risks the political wrath of some of its own electorate. It also surrenders the initiative to the North, perhaps reducing support in the UN and elsewhere for implementing the tougher sanctions already approved.



Thus the North Korean offer would seem to place the U.S. and South Korea in a difficult dilemma. Accepting the talks potentially drives a wedge between the South Korean government and the United States. Refusing to talk weakens the government in Seoul and also the sanctions.



But, there is another way. South Korea could direct the North's offer to a more fruitful forum for negotiation: Indirect negotiations through mediators. The issues between the two Koreas are longstanding and painful. Using intermediaries would provide a buffer for the two parties, as well as for the public, and enable teams of technical experts to assess issues, and offer sound, realistic and long term solutions.



Indirect negotiations, through mediation have been successfully applied in numerous international efforts. They were particularly effective in the Balkans, with Ambassador Richard Holbrooke's Dayton Peace Process. Here a hot war was ended  between parties that would not directly speak with each other, and that had defied solution for three long years, and well over 100,000 deaths.

The key in these negotiations was to keep the parties separate until all sides had laid out their positions, and then through a combination of mediation and negotiation, arrive at mutually acceptable compromises. Incentives and disincentives were also offered to the sides.



Technical expert teams have long guided negotiations on contentious issues such as strategic nuclear force levels, conventional forces, intermediate nuclear forces, confidence building measures, and other matters between rival powers.

There are deep reservoirs of experience on all the issues which might arise in the case of Korea, including nuclear, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic; the use of this experience can assure that mediated talks do not degenerating into barb-trading and propaganda.



In the case of the Koreas, such mediation should be begun at the head of state level, with the mediators meeting directly with North Korea's Kim, and South Korean President Moon. In an initial meeting, the aims, constraints, and limits of the respective parties can be assessed.

What does each side hope to achieve? What are its ultimate objectives? What is the timing that each side can accept? Will each side appoint a team to work with the issues? What will each side do to show its good intent? What are any red lines in the discussions and negotiations? What are the incentives and disincentives the international community could offer?

Then the discussions can devolve into a set of working groups centered on specific issues.



Ideally the mediators would represent Europe, Asia and Africaand no doubt there are heads of state who would volunteer for such an effort. The U.S., China, Russia, and Japan could form a council of guarantors monitoring and assisting the mediators, and the United Nations could

be called on to endorse the outcome, for the stakes in these negotiations are indeed the peace and security of North East Asia and beyond.



In the meantime, the sanctions should be fully implemented and enforced. If the North wants immediate relief, it must take action to rein in its nuclear program.

Commentary by Retired General Wesley Clark, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and a Senior Fellow at the UCLA Burkle Center. Follow him on Twitter @ GeneralClark.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.Former President Barack Obama and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have something in common: They love to read. At a reading in 2013 Obama said, "Reading is important. If you know how to read then the whole world opens up to you." In 2016, Gates told The New York Times that reading, "is one of the chief ways that I learn, and has been since I was a kid." Both Obama and Gates often share lists of their favorite works and this year, one book stood out to both of them.

"Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City," is by Matthew Desmond, a professor of sociology at Princeton University, MacArthur Foundation "Genius" and a Gates Foundation grantee. Desmond spent 18 months living in two high-poverty neighborhoods in Milwaukee, and the resulting book focuses on how housing insecurity impacts low-income communities. "Melinda and I have been working for some time to learn more about how Americans move up the economic ladder (what experts call mobility from poverty)," writes Gates on his blog. "'Evicted' helped me understand one piece of that very complex question, and it made me want to learn more about the systemic problems that make housing unaffordable, as well as the various government programs designed to help." On social media, Obama wrote that "Evicted" was one of the best books he read in 2017 and agreed that it was an incredibly inspirational read.Oil prices are poised for a pullback after hedge funds and money managers raised their bullish bets on energy futures to record levels, analysts say. Speculative bets that U.S. crude prices will rise have surged since September as OPEC and Russia hammered out a deal to continue capping their oil production. The deal has helped to balance an oversupplied market and drain global stockpiles of crude oil. Hedge funds and other money managers raised their long positions, or bets that crude prices will keep going up, to the highest levels in 2017, according to data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission covering the week through Dec. 26. This financial positioning represents the biggest risk to oil prices in the near term, according to Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData.

"Everybody that wants to be long is long, and so all that can be done now is that it can be sold," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Wednesday. "And so we should see those net long positions unwind. That could present some downside risk." However, the market is now finely balanced, so supply disruptions such as last month's U.K. North Sea Forties pipeline outage can boost oil prices, he said. Geopolitical tensions such as the unrest rocking Iran this past week can also push up prices, according to Smith. Oil prices rose to their highest levels since mid-2015 on Wednesday as the protests continued, even though analysts said there was little risk of a supply disruption from Iran, OPEC's third largest producer. @JKempEnergy: HEDGE FUND long positions in petroleum hit a record 1,329 million bbl in week to Dec 26 While long positions have surged, short positions, or bets that prices will fall, have dropped to the lowest levels since February in recent weeks. The last time short positions fell to these "extreme" lows, the oil market saw a more than 20 percent correction, said John LaForge, head of Real Asset Strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute. "On the professional side, everyone's long. Everyone's into this trade already, so sentiment-wise, I think we're going down from here," he told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Friday.Palestinians condemned as blackmail on Wednesday U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to withhold future aid payments over what he called the Palestinians' unwillingness to talk peace with Israel. Trump drew praise from a cabinet minister in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government but a warning from a former Israeli peace negotiator of the dangers in cutting off financial assistance to the Palestinians. On Twitter on Tuesday, Trump said that Washington gives Palestinians "HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel ... with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" Trump tweet 1 Trump tweet 2 Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee, said in response: "We will not be blackmailed." Palestinian anger at Trump is already high over his Dec. 6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a declaration that also generated outrage across the Arab world and concern among Washington's Western allies.

Palestinians burn posters depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and a U.S. flag and Israeli flag during a protest against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City on January 1, 2018. Majdi Fathi | NurPhoto | Getty Images

Commenting on Trump's tweets, Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said: "Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor for silver." Abu Rdainah said the Palestinians were not opposed to returning to peace talks that collapsed in 2014 but only on the basis of establishing a state of their own along the lines that existed before Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war. "If the United States is keen about peace and about its interests it must abide by that," he said. Israel, which withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, has called the pre-1967 war West Bank boundaries indefensible and has pledged to hold on to all of Jerusalem forever.

UNRWA fundingA U.S. court on Tuesday asked Valeant Pharmaceuticals and activist investor Bill Ackman's Pershing Square to appear for a hearing to discuss the proposed settlement in an insider trading lawsuit.

The hearing, set for Jan. 16, comes after Pershing Square and Valeant last week decided to pay $290 million to settle the lawsuit that accused them of insider trading before bidding for Allergan in 2014.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors who sold Allergan shares in the two months before Pershing Square Capital Management and Valeant made an unsolicited $51 billion bid for Allergan.

The court has "substantial questions regarding whether the settlement amount is reasonable and fair," according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California.

"Today's order is a mandated step in the settlement process," a Valeant spokeswoman said in an email to Reuters. "We believe the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate, and we look forward to explaining our position to the Court."

Pershing Square could not be reached for comment outside regular business hours.Commuters brave sub-zero temperatures as they make their way to work in the Loop on January 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.

Natural gas futures, dipping on a warmer long-term forecast, are likely to spike again after freezing weather takes another big bite out of gas supplies later this week.

The normally very abundant supply of U.S. natural gas could be put to the test this season and could actually see some spot shortages by the end of winter, according to analysts. An unexpectedly harsh cold snap across North America resulted in record gas demand New Year's Day, while at the same time natural gas producers from Pennsylvania to North Dakota are being forced to shut in some production at the well head due to the cold temperatures.

"We could consume upwards of a quarter of the stored natural gas just this month," said John Kilduff, energy analyst at Again Capital. The Energy Information Administration releases weekly data Thursday, and Kilduff said he's looking for a drawdown of 225 billion cubic feet, more than double the normal level for this time of year.

"Things could start to get tight for sure. Even if we have a normally cold winter, things get tight," he said. "These are big demand numbers we're seeing. Monday was a record. I think Saturday could eclipse Monday's record." Analysts said about 143 billion cubic feet of gas was consumed Monday, the largest on any one day in four years.

The U.S. is the biggest natural gas producer in the world, and analysts see no chance that supplies will run out or be unavailable but a shortage could mean prices will be higher.

The unexpected cold spell across North America is now being compounded by a massive winter storm, dubbed a bomb cyclone, that is expected to create blizzard conditions in parts of New England, and potentially dump more than a foot of snow.

The storm is expected to run up the East Coast, creating huge surf and high winds and bringing an even colder wave of frigid temperatures to a third of the eastern half of the U.S. by the weekend. Freezing rain or snow is expected from Florida to Canada.

Natural gas futures Wednesday were down 2.2 percent to $2.98 per million British thermal units, off a high of $3.10 per mBtu Tuesday.

"Overnight we saw warming trends in the 12-to-15 day forecast and the 16-to-21 day," said Jacob Meisel, chief weather analyst at Bespoke Weather. "We're still expecting what could be a record drawdown next Thursday by the EIA for the week ending this Friday. That would include the three-day holiday weekend for New Year's."

Meisel said the futures market is now expecting a natural gas storage to be 1.265 trillion cubic feet by the end of winter, compared with the five-year average of 1.7 trillion cubic feet.

"What the market is focusing on right now is the comparison to the five-year average, and we're going to walk into the spring season with stockpiles below the five-year average. The question is whether we're able to produce our way out of the problem," he said. "I'm confident in saying we're basically walking into spring, 2018 with a shortage of gas."

That means gas prices could be higher. In the cash market Wednesday, prices have been volatile, and Meisel said Henry Hub cash have been volatile and hit a high over $7 Wednesday.

"If there was some sustained cold through the winter, we could see drawdowns as low as 1,000 bcfs," Meisel said. "Right now we're just trying to figure out this warm up. We are having one more cold shot that will be focused Jan. 12 to 14, that spooked the market a little bit [Tuesday]. There are concerns cold could stick around a little longer than anticipated. That's what would get the market going if the warmer weather we're expecting isn't ending up verifying."

S&P Global Platts analysts said they believe the potential for supply shortages is in fact, limited by the rapid production. "Indeed the notion of "just in time" shale production is going to change the way market prices during the peak period for winter demand," they noted, adding that New England is a market where consumers pay high prices due to insufficient investment in midstream delivery and therefore pay high prices during peak demand.

Meisel said it's possible colder weather could return by the end of January or early February . "The forecast at this point is highly uncertain," he said.

Even so, the weather has already been historic. The city of Boston tied its own 100-year-old record Tuesday when it experienced seven consecutive days of temperatures that did not top 20 degrees. Temperatures were expected to be in the mid 20s Wednesday.The founders of Fusion GPS, the research firm behind the "Steele dossier," said that congressional Republicans are "chasing rabbits" in an op-ed published Tuesday in The New York Times.

The op-ed, titled "The Republicans' Fake Investigations," is the first in-depth account given by the Fusion GPS founders, Glenn R. Simpson and Peter Fritsch, outside of a courtroom or a private committee hearing.



"The intelligence committees have known for months that credible allegations of collusion between the Trump camp and Russia were pouring in from independent sources during the campaign," Simpson and Fritsch wrote. "Yet lawmakers in the thrall of the president continue to wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation."



The two former journalists wrote that they have "toppled the far right's conspiracy theories" and that they did not believe their firm's dossier was the trigger for the FBI's investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump camp and Russia.



Fusion GPS hired former British spy Christopher Steele to conduct research on Donald Trump's possible connections to Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. That research  compiled in a series of memos referred to as the "Steele dossier"  has inflamed Republicans who contend the unverified reports were the basis of the federal investigation into Trump's campaign.



The op-ed follows a report published in the Times on Saturday that confirmed that the dossier was not the cause of the FBI inquiry now being headed by special counsel Robert Mueller.



Lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee are fighting Fusion GPS in court to acquire the company's bank records. In filings with the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., attorneys for the committee have argued that Fusion GPS has sought to keep records from the committee that are relevant to its investigation.



Fusion GPS has argued the records the intelligence panel is looking for are not pertinent to its investigation. In their op-ed, Simpson and Fritsch accuse the committee of going on a "fishing expedition for the records of companies we work for that have nothing to do with the Trump case."

Thomas Hungar, general counsel of the House of Representatives, did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC.



The writers, who note that their firm provided 21 hours of testimony to congressional committees, called on Congress to release the transcripts of their testimony "so that the American people can learn the truth about our work."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said his panel has provided Fusion GPS with multiple opportunities for transparency.



"Senator Grassley provided Fusion GPS an opportunity for transparency six months ago when he invited the firm to publicly testify at an open committee hearing. Mr. Simpson declined. When faced with a subpoena from the Chairman and Ranking Member, Mr. Simpson refused to provide public testimony," Grassley's office wrote in a statement provided to NBC News. "Despite his public statements, Mr. Simpson and his attorney demanded during the interview that the transcript be kept confidential."

"The Committee's invitation for Mr. Simpson to testify at a public hearing remains on the table," the statement said.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., said Wednesday that "if Mr. Simpson and Mr. Fritsch would like to return to the Committee for an open hearing, we will certainly entertain such an event."

A spokesperson for Fusion GPS did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC.



Read the full op-ed at The New York Times.If you want to become your own boss in 2018, coming up with a business idea is the first step. If that feels daunting, billionaire serial entrepreneur Richard Branson has advice: Start by asking yourself what you could do to make your own life better or easier.

"Entrepreneurship in its truest form is about identifying a gap in the market and creating a product of use to fill that hole and make people's lives better," writes Branson in a blog post on Tuesday.

"Often the best way to find this gap is to look around you  are there services that could be improved or a product that could make something easier?" says Branson, who is currently worth more than $5 billion, according to Forbes.

You can start by solving a small problem  it doesn't mean the business itself will be limited.

Tweet: It's never been a better time to be an entrepreneur - opportunities are getting bigger as the world is getting smaller

"My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of starting their own business is: start small but always think big," says Branson. "Technology also has allowed companies to think bigger than just selling to their local community and puts the world at their fingertips," Branson says.

Branson follows his own advice: He himself is very active on social media. Branson has 12 million followers on Twitter, for example.

"I've always been one to put myself out there in order to drive awareness for Virgin and with the rise of social media it has never been easier."

But you have to have specific awareness of who you are selling to and what want: "There is never a one-size-fits-all answer to business and being flexible and adaptable is a key skill needed for success," Branson says.A marijuana policy advisor to Attorney General Jeff Sessions is promoting an aggressive drug testing regimen  and stands to gain from it, The Daily Beast reported.

Dr. Robert DuPont met with Sessions and an exclusive group of drug policy experts to discuss the federal government's response to increasingly lenient state-level marijuana policies. The meeting came just before California's recreational marijuana legalization on Jan. 1.

According to The Daily Beast, the 81-year-old DuPont's contribution was on "the effect of marijuana on drugged driving."

DuPont is well-known for his stance on driving under the influence of marijuana  and what exactly he means by "under the influence."

He drafted a model driving under the influence bill in 2010 calling for law enforcement to administer a drug test for all controlled substances to anyone suspected to be driving impaired. He also called for the arrest of individuals with any trace of any controlled substances in their system, according to The Daily Beast.

The bill makes it clear that there is no exception for residents of states where marijuana is technically legal.

DuPont stands to gain financially from his proposed mandatory drug testing. Throughout the years, he has been at times shareholder, advisor and consultant to various drug testing companies, including Psychemedics and CAM International Ventures, The Daily Beast reported. He has denied claims of financial motivation.

DuPont is a former drug czar to Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Read more about DuPont's drug testing on the Daily Beast.The first gene therapy in the U.S. now has a price tag: $850,000 for the one-time treatment, or, more specifically, $425,000 per eye for a retinal disorder.

The price is for Spark Therapeutics' Luxturna, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December to treat a rare, inherited retinal disease that can lead to blindness. The Philadelphia-based biotechnology company also revealed Wednesday morning a set of payment and access programs, including tying payments to how well the therapy works and exploring payment by installment.

The treatment is delivered just once, a facet of gene therapy that poses unique pricing questions in an industry fueled by steady payments for chronic therapies.

"It's wildly expensive but, to be very frank, I think they've priced it what I'll call responsibly," said Dr. Steve Miller, chief medical officer of pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts, which is partnering with Spark on distribution and specialty pharmacy services for Luxturna. "The product is just phenomenally innovative, and we've been talking about gene therapy for over 20 years. We're now at the threshold of having gene therapy reaching patients."

Wall Street expectations for Luxturna's price were around a million dollars, and Spark's $425,000 for each eye comes in under that mark.

"It came down to the value we believed was inherent in the therapy," Spark Chief Executive Officer Jeff Marrazzo said in an interview. He, as well as Miller, spoke with CNBC ahead of the announcement on condition the information not be published until the news was public.

"We also heard and did market research with payers ... and wanted to take into account the questions and challenges they had about affordability," Marrazzo continued. "Ultimately this is about access."

Gene therapy involves the delivery, using a modified virus, of a healthy copy of a gene to make up for one that's deficient in a way that causes disease. In the retinal dystrophy Spark aims to treat with Luxturna, which the company estimates affects between 1,000 and 2,000 people in the U.S., mutations in a gene called RPE65 lead to impaired vision that deteriorates over time.

In clinical trials, patients' sight was assessed by their ability to navigate an obstacle course in different levels of light. Those receiving Luxturna showed significant improvement in their ability to do so at low light after a year.

Patients who participated in the trial also described, in interviews and in testimony to a panel of FDA advisers, seeing snowflakes for the first time or being able to read again.

A new form of medical treatment brings with it new challenges, not only in its price. Marrazzo said Luxturna will only be available at half a dozen treatment centers in the U.S. throughout this year, so Spark will ensure financial support and logistics for travel and accommodations.

The company also outlined several plans for new payment models that Marrazzo says aim to ensure access for patients, recognize the value of the product for Spark, and remove extra cost and risk for insurers and hospitals.

One is an agreement with Harvard Pilgrim, a nonprofit health plan covering 1.2 million people, to pay rebates if a patient's vision doesn't meet certain thresholds in 30 to 90 days, and then 30 months after treatment, under a model known as outcomes-based pricing.

"What's important and unique about the product is not just standing behind the efficacy but behind the long-term durability from a single dose," Marrazzo said.

Another recently approved one-time therapy, Novartis' Kymriah for a form of leukemia, also has an outcomes-based pledge: If the treatment isn't working after a month, Novartis doesn't get paid. That treatment is priced at $475,000.

Both Kymriah and another one-time cancer treatment approved in 2017, Gilead's Yescarta, are referred to by the FDA as gene therapies because they involve genetically modifying patients' own immune cells to identify cancer. They're known as CAR-T therapies.

Luxturna is the first of a crop of treatments that target diseases caused by mutations in specific genes, and thus is referred to by many as the first gene therapy in the U.S.

Spark also announced a program Wednesday, through a partnership with Express Scripts, to offer a way for insurers to purchase Luxturna directly, avoiding a so-called buy and bill model in which treatment centers administering a drug must purchase it upfront.

The goal is to remove the risk for treatment centers in purchasing, handling and waiting for reimbursement of expensive products, and to alleviate for insurers potential markup costs imposed by the treatment centers, Marrazzo said.

He said the company is in active discussions with additional insurers, with coverage announcements coming over the next few weeks and months.

Express Scripts, which in its role as a pharmacy benefit manager negotiates drug prices and reimbursement on behalf of insurers and employers, "will work with health plans and plan sponsors to decide where they want [Luxturna] on their plans," Miller said. He said Express Scripts will receive a dispensing fee for its work with Spark, "not dependent on the price of the drug."

Finally, Spark is also exploring a much-discussed idea for paying for expensive, one-time treatments: staggered payments that would spread costs out over time.

Some of the challenges for this are government requirements tying prices to the lowest available, and the fact that patients switch health insurance providers numerous times over the course of their lives  an average of every three years, according to Spark.

Marrazzo said the company is in talks with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including Administrator Seema Verma, on a proposal that would waive some of those requirements, enabling it to offer an installment payment option and bigger rebates linked to how well the treatment works.

"We're at the infancy of what I think could be a lot of innovations in how we pay for these really expensive drugs," Express Scripts' Miller said. "We've got to figure this out, because  let's be frank  there are going to be more of these drugs coming to the marketplace for even bigger populations."Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said he's certain that Donald Trump Jr. brought attendees of the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting to meet his father.



"The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these Jumos up to his father's office of the 26th floor is zero," Bannon told author Michael Wolff.

Bannon's comments appear in Wolff's "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," which is based on more than 200 interviews with the president and members of his staff. The book will be published Jan. 9 by Henry Holt. NBC News obtained a copy of the book ahead of its release.

In a statement, President Donald Trump said: "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."Steve Bannon said a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between the president's eldest son and a Russian lawyer was "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," The Guardian reported Wednesday.

President Donald Trump's former chief strategist made his comments in an interview with author Michael Wolff for a book out next week, the newspaper said.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," Bannon told Wolff, adding an expletive.

In a statement, the president said: "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

Bannon's comments appear in "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," which is based on more than 200 interviews with the president and members of his staff. The book will be published Jan. 9 by Henry Holt.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon predicts.

Trump Jr. helped set up the Trump Tower meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, senior Trump campaign officials, and other Russians.

The meeting, first reported by The New York Times last summer, was also attended by Trump senior advisor Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

While Trump Jr. has said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss damaging information on Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Veselnitskaya has claimed that the meeting would cover The Magnitsky Act, the 2012 U.S. sanctions law against Russia.



Bannon did say that if the meeting was necessary, there were better ways of pulling it off. He suggested hosting the meeting in a "Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire," and between lawyers, not senior campaign officials.



The information could then be delivered "to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication."



Bannon was the head of the right-wing news outlet Breitbart News until joining the Trump campaign as its CEO. After departing the Trump administration in August following seven months in the White House, he returned to Breitbart as its executive chairman.

An attorney for Trump Jr. did not respond to a CNBC request for comment. Attempts to reach Bannon were unsuccessful.

On Thursday, Trump's personal attorney sent a cease and desist letter to Wolff and his publisher, Henry Holt & Co., and demanded an apology for the content of the book.

The Guardian said it obtained a copy of the book ahead of publication from a bookseller in New England.

Wolff is a columnist and author, who previously wrote "The Man Who Owns the News," a book about Rupert Murdoch. His work often appears in The Guardian.

Read the full report at The Guardian here.



Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Alibaba  Alibaba's Ant Financial Services affiliate has ended its agreement to buy payment services company MoneyGram, following objections by federal regulators. The companies were unable to garner the approval of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which reviews acquisitions by foreign entities for possible national security risks.

IBM  IBM was upgraded to "outperform" from "sector perform" at RBC Capital Markets, which also raised its price target on the stock to $180 from $160. RBC sees both cyclical and secular drivers that could improve IBM's performance, among them: a new cycle of mainframe purchases, as well as currency tailwinds that haven't been seen for a number of years.

American Express  Deutsche Bank began coverage on the financial services giant with a "buy" rating, noting benefits from tax reform and a cutback in federal regulation. The bank cites similar reasons in issuing a "buy" rating on Discover Financial Services.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals  Alexion will work with activist investor Elliott Management on filling a board seat. Elliott has built a stake in the drugmaker and has been pushing for changes.

American Airlines Group, Southwest Airlines  The airlines both announced that they would give employees a $1,000 bonus due to the new tax law and a lower corporate tax rate. Southwest also announced an increased fleet investment with jetmaker Boeing, as well as a $5 million charitable donation.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals  Valeant and investor Bill Ackman have been asked to appear in court January 16 to discuss a proposed settlement in an insider trading lawsuit involving trading in Allergan shares. The court said it has questions about whether a proposed $290 settlement is reasonable and fair.

Apartment Investment & Management Co.  The apartment REIT had its lawsuit against Airbnb dismissed by a U.S. district court. Aimco had claimed that Airbnb  which specializes in short-term rentals  allowed tenants to break leases through unauthorized sublets.

Novartis  The drugmaker received a "breakthrough therapy" designation for its breast cancer treatment Kisqali. The designation grants priority review to drugs with promising results in clinical trials.

Charter Communications  Guggenheim upgraded the cable operator to "buy" from "neutral," saying Charter not only has an attractive customer footprint but also will benefit from tax perform and lighter regulation.

General Mills  Piper Jaffray upgraded the food company's stock to "neutral" from "underweight," pointing to higher quality brand launches and benefits from corporate tax reform.

Oracle  Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to "overweight" from "equal-weight," saying the stock is undervalued after some disappointing cloud-related results in recent quarters.If you're looking for a new job in 2018, you're in luck.

Though job creation was 6 percent lower in 2017 than it was in 2016, companies still searched for tens of thousands of employees.

Job search site Monster analyzed data provided by the TalentNeuron tool from insights and technology company CEB to identify the 100 companies with the largest hiring numbers. They found that these 10 companies posted more job listings in 2017 than any other companies in the country:The Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) Oscar container ship sits dockside at the Port of Felixstowe Ltd., a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., in Felixstowe, U.K.

Britain is considering whether to try and join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as the country considers its trade future outside of the European Union, according to the Financial Times.

The prospect of Britain joining the distant trade group could help revitalize TPP as well as bolster exports in the U.K. after Brexit, the report said.

However, news of London reportedly entering negotiations with the group has been met with skepticism from trade experts.

"Nothing is excluded in all of this," U.K. Trade Minister Greg Hands told the Financial Times in an interview published Tuesday. "With these kinds of plurilateral relationships, there doesn't have to be any geographical restriction."

The TPP's future appeared in tatters last year when President Donald Trump honored a campaign pledge and pulled out of the trade pact. However, the remaining 11 members  including Australia, Mexico and Japan  agreed in November to pursue a successor deal.

Should the U.K.'s reported proposals to join TPP come to fruition, Britain would become the first member of the trade group that does not share a border with either the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea.

Read the Financial Times' full article here.Top White House officials derided President Donald Trump for his intelligence, according to claims in an upcoming book seen by NBC News.

Michael Wolff's book, "Fire and Fury," describes colorful comments made by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, chief economic advisor Gary Cohn and national security advisor H.R. McMaster.

"There was now a fair amount of back-of-the-classroom giggling about who had called Trump what. For Steve Mnuchin and Reince Priebus, he was an 'idiot.' For Gary Cohn, he was 'dumb as s--t.' For H.R. McMaster he was a 'dope.' The list went on," an excerpt reads, according to NBC.In his statement , the president said Bannon  the nationalist firebrand  "had very little to do" with his electoral victory in 2016. Trump added that "Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look."

Earlier Wednesday, excerpts from an upcoming Michael Wolff book quoted Bannon, who did not join the Trump campaign until August 2016, also was quoted as saying

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency," Trump said in a statement.

President Donald Trump savaged his former chief strategist Steve Bannon on Wednesday, contending that "he not only lost his job" but also "lost his mind" when he left the White House.

"Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was," Trump said.

"It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books," he added.

Bannon, executive chairman of right-wing news outlet Breitbart News, served as Trump campaign chief executive during the final months of the election. He is credited with helping to hone Trump's nationalism and economic populism as a candidate and president.

Bannon was forced out of the White House in August and eventually returned to Breitbart. He championed Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who defeated incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in the GOP primary before losing to now-Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in a special election in December.

Trump first supported Strange, then supported Moore over Jones.

In his statement, Trump said Bannon "had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans."

Trump Jr. piled on in later tweets, mocking Bannon for Moore's loss and for the response to his back-and-forth with the president on the Breitbart website.

Bannon had heavily criticized the June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower, which the president's eldest son helped to set up. Attendees included Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, Trump advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

The meeting has figured in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

Read Trump's full statement on Bannon here.The Trump Administration is staring down a half-dozen deadlines on trade policy that will create a moment of truth for the White House, which has so far opted for long-term investigations and renegotiations over immediate challenges to the status quo.

January could change that.

The month is book-ended by contentious trade negotiations with South Korea, beginning Jan. 5 in Washington, and with Mexico and Canada, beginning Jan. 23 in Montreal. By mid-January, Pres. Trump must decide whether to punish exporters of cheap steel and aluminum that threaten American producers, the subject of a nine-month national security investigation. By late January, Pres. Trump must decide whether to levy fines on Chinese solar panel producers. A decision on washing machine tariffs is due early February.

A separate, draft report is circulating among agencies on Chinese violations of US intellectual property  an issue that figured prominently in the National Security Strategy  is said to contain "muscular" recommendations. An administration official tells CNBC the recommendations are still being discussed, but could be made public this month.

Strict enforcement actions against China and unpredictable negotiations on free-trade agreements may align with President Trump's populist preferences on trade, but the business community and Republican lawmakers have warned of the economic consequences of letting the pendulum swing too far.

"To date, the Trump Presidency has been marked by strong growth and job creation and rising business confidence. Withdrawing from trade agreements or raising tariffs puts that momentum at risk," said John Murphy, senior vice president for international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "The White House has a choice here: Take aggressive action on longstanding trade concerns or double down on economic growth."

A White House official pointed to trade as part of a "bigger picture" for the economy, with cabinet-level discussions described as "deliberative" and the President focused on doing right by American workers.

But as the White House considers its choices, battle lines have been forming on two fronts.

The first is between congressional Republicans who support free trade and the hawks advising the President to withdraw from multilateral trade agreements and instill tariffs. Such advisers had been pushing Trump to take action against China on steel or intellectual property before his November trip to Asia. Citing tax reform sensitivity, diplomatic efforts and national security, centrist aides moved to postpone any potential action, sources familiar with the matter said.

The White House moved to shelve its most rancorous trade rhetoric toward the end of the year in an effort to preserve GOP relationships as tax reform neared passage. Expecting the truce would be temporary, GOP senators and governors began seeking reassurances in December from the Administration that it would not withdraw from NAFTA as talks enter their final stretch in early 2018.

"The Montreal round has become make or break," said Matt McAlvanah, principal at Monument Policy Group and former Assistant U.S Trade Representative. "If there is little or no progress made in Montreal it's hard to see how a deal comes together by the administration's March deadline."

Withdrawal is not an outcome that fazes Amb. Robert Lighthizer, the top US trade official; at a briefing with reporters following the October round, Lighthizer said, "If we end up not having an agreement, my guess is all three countries will do just fine.""Making things worse from Bannon's perspective is the fact that the Trump administration is enjoying what seems to be its highest relative level of success since his departure."

Okay, we all get how this kind of feud makes sense. Once Bannon was let go from his job at the White House, the chances were always high that he would turn against the members of the Trump family who always opposed him and eventually the president himself.

Even a mild mannered person without the kind of coarse personal history Bannon owns is likely to lash out after essentially getting fired. But this is a public firing on steroids involving an outspoken media figure who basically wants to be known as a political revolutionary. We're talking about the man who says he wants to "smash the state" after all.

Making things worse from Bannon's perspective is the fact that the Trump administration is enjoying what seems to be its highest relative level of success since his departure. President Trump's poll numbers are up. The tax reform bill was passed, (with the help of the establishment Republicans in Congress Bannon detests so much). The economy looks very strong and the stock market keeps making new highs.

But there's a bigger issue here. Are Bannon's quotes really harmful as special counsel Robert Mueller's probe continues? Could his comments about treason and insinuating that President Trump himself was in on the meetings with Russian's trying to hurt candidate Clinton lead to impeachment?

Or could Bannon's claims that China is like Nazi Germany in 1930 cause real lasting damage to the administration?

Not really.

First, let's look at the Russia probe. As well as Bannon may know President Trump and how he acted during the campaign, his guess about who met whom and did what with Colonel Mustard in the library with the candlestick is still just a guess. Now, if Bannon suddenly appears before the Mueller grand jury, then this is a big story. Otherwise, it's just mudslinging.

By contrast, those still in the Trump camp and/or allied with him are responding differently. Investor Tom Barrack, who served as the chairman of President Trump's inaugural committee, is strongly denying the quotes attributed to him the Wolf book that have him calling President Trump "crazy" and "stupid."

Bannon has also long been painted as an especially dangerous and evil bogeyman by the Democrats and the left. They've regularly accused him of being a white supremacist just for starters. But in the "politics makes strange bedfellows" column, get ready for a large number of Bannon's most vocal critics on the left rushing to defend his comments and treat them like the Gospel.

Second, let's look at the damning statements about China and others.

For any other president, maybe they would create a serious problem. But in essence this is simply the very public break up between two firebrands who briefly tried to work together in politics. It's another internal drama in a series of dramas emanating from this White House on what seems like a daily basis.

That's the key point. Haven't we all noticed that every "scandal" or explosive story connected to this president eventually flames out and is replaced by another?

Just minutes before this Bannon story, the D.C. punditry was beside itself parsing and responding excitedly to President Trump's "bigger button" North Korea tweets.

It's always something.

Unless Bannon somehow turns around his clumsy beginning as a midterm election kingmaker, his most likely future role is as yet another Trump critic who gets airtime once in a while.

Bannon's quotes and the president's response to them are today's outrage.

It's not that these outrages don't leave permanent wounds. President Trump's approval rating is at 39 percent now, and that's a six month high. And he will be uniquely hated by his opponents in a way no other president has been since Nixon.

But that doesn't seem to slow him down. So, stay tuned for the next outrage to hit the screen. And the next...

Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.In 2007, legendary investor Warren Buffett made a $1 million bet against Protege Partners that hedge funds wouldn't outperform an S&P index fund, and he won. Buffett's choice fund, the Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares, returned 7.1 percent compounded annually, while the basket of hedge funds his competitor chose returned an average of only 2.2 percent, the Wall Street Journal reports. Buffett and Protege Partners originally put about $320,000 each into bonds that would appreciate to $1 million over the course of their wager, but because the bonds appreciated much faster than expected, they decided to buy 11,200 Berkshire B shares, which are now worth $2.22 million, according to the Journal.

And, as decided in the original bet, the money will go to charity. Buffett's pick: Girls Inc., a organization that supports young girls in Omaha through after-school and summer programs. Although there are no guarantees in the stock market, Buffett's conviction that index funds are a smart investment is solid advice that almost anyone can follow. Index funds are a form of passive investing. They hold every stock in an index such as the S&P 500, including big-name companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google, and offer low turnover rates, so fees and taxes tend to be low as well. Buffett specifically recommends them as a way to boost retirement savings. "Consistently buy an S&P 500 low-cost index fund," he told CNBC's On The Money. "I think it's the thing that makes the most sense practically all of the time."

Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Adam Jeffery | CNBCTypes of obituaries

The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries  family obituaries and life stories.

A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries

A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories.The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission formEven now, Corbyn seems unlikely to pay for his supporting the Iranian theocracy

A new year, and another of Jeremy Corbyns favourite overseas regimes is wracked by popular discontent. Last it was Venezuela; this time Iran.

This mornings papers have picked up that the Labour leader has yet to comment directly on the current uprising against the Islamic Republic  with the Times even providing a bullet-pointed breakdown of his long-standing support for the theocratic regime.

Highlights include being paid 20,000 to present shows on Press TV, its now-banned propaganda station, and vice-chairmanship of an all-party parliamentary group which aims to foster good relations with the parliament and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

At first glance, the mullahs may seem odd objects of Corbyns affection. Say what you like about the horrors of Cuba or Venezuela, at least those regimes are putatively socialist. Iran is a theocracy, and a war-mongering one at that.

But much like George Galloway, who infamously cosied up to Saddam Husseins Baathist Iraq, Corbyns opposition to the West (and, of course, to Israel) seems to have led him to support any opposing power he can find.

The problem facing the Tories is whether they can actually do anything with this latest evidence of the Opposition leaders abysmal foreign policy views.

As mentioned above, right-wring commentators have not been lax in challenging Corbyn about his previous support for the Chavez regime as the suffering of the Venezuelan people grows ever-more absurdly acute and Nicolas Maduros crackdown more brutal. But it cant be said that this has done him any great deal of damage.

Thus whilst the current unrest may have the potential to wreak big changes in the Middle East, as Iain Martin argues, its difficult to see it having much of an impact on the mullahs supporters in Britain, absent some game-changer which breaks events in Tehran out of the foreign pages and into popular consciousness.

That makes it all the more important that the Conservatives prevent the current Labour leadership from assuming command of Britains actual foreign policy.J. Meirion Thomas is a former Professor of Surgery and Consultant Surgeon in the NHS.

A health tourist is defined as a patient who comes to UK with a pre-existing illness, and the purpose of their visit is to access free NHS care. Not only is this abuse costly, but it takes up scarce resources within the NHS so that the treatment of patients entitled to free care is delayed.

The true cost of health tourism is unknown, but on 1st February 2016, during a House of Lords debate, Lord Bates, then Secretary of State at the Home Office, estimated that according to 2013 figures, the total cost to the NHS of treating visitors and migrants in England alone was 2 billion per year.

The Governments flagship Cost Recovery Programme, effective from April 2015, was meant to collect a modest 500 million annually from health tourists by 2017-2018, but the National Audit Office report to the Public Accounts Committee in October 2016 predicted that only 346 million would be recovered by this target date.

This deficit prompted the Department of Health to issue a revised policy. (Guidance on implementing the overseas visitor charging regulations, August 2017). As of 23rd October 2017, all NHS Trusts in England would have a statutory obligation to identify health tourists and to demand payment upfront before any investigation or treatment was started. Two groups of patients were to be screened to determine entitlement to free NHS care: those attending a hospital out-patient clinic for the first time and those to be admitted to hospital from Accident and Emergency. The policy does not apply to patients attending general practice nor to patients attending A&E, which remain entirely free for all. Correctly, the new policy will not apply to asylum seekers, refugees and other vulnerable groups.

During the screening process, and to avoid any form of discrimination, the Guidance states that the same baseline question must be asked of every single patient, and using these exact words: Where have you lived in the last six months. If the patient replies the UK only, then no further questions are asked regarding residency or immigration status. The assumption is made that all patients will answer truthfully and that knowledge of his new massive loophole will not circulate rapidly!

If the patient answers otherwise to this single baseline screening question, then they are referred for interview with a member of staff called the Overseas Visitor Manager (OVM) who would be responsible for checking entitlement to free NHS care, obtaining a rapid estimate of cost from the hospitals finance department and making sure that upfront payment is made. Throughout the Guidance, the pivotal role and the additional training requirement for OVMs to implement upfront charging is explicitly described.

Having campaigned against health tourism for several years, I knew that some NHS Trusts employed no OVMs, and others an inadequate number. To investigate this concern, in September 2017 I sent Freedom of Information requests (FOIs) to 17 acute NHS Trusts in London, Birmingham and Manchester. These are our largest cities, and where health tourism is most prevalent. All but one of the Trusts replied.

I asked how many OVMs each Trust employed and how many patients would need to be screened every week according to the criteria described above. The results were of greater concern than I had expected. Five large central London Trusts, each managing several hospitals, would need to screen 36,473 patients per week and employed 30.6 whole-time equivalent OVMs some of whom also had the responsibility of managing private patients. The two largest Trusts in Birmingham would need to screen 9,503 patients per week and employed 3.7 OVMs. The nine Trusts in Manchester would need to screen 29,512 patients per week and employed 3.5 OVMs. Five of the nine Trusts in Manchester employed no OVM.

FOIs were also sent to seven mental health Trusts in the same three cities, and six replied. None employed an OVM.

This information from our most vulnerable cities explains why the upfront charging policy will make little impact on health tourism. How can so few OVMs cope with so much work? Vital infrastructure is not in place to support the new policy.

Despite these facts, the lack of intent by the Department of Health is best displayed in paragraph 13.80 of the Guidance: If a patient does not have sufficient funds, can they pay by instalments? The answer given is yes, despite confirmation from previous research commissioned by DH that of invoices raised to health tourists, only 16 per cent are paid.

The new 2017 policy, however, does have some good points. For the first time NHS staff, including doctors, will have the responsibility to report patients they think may not be entitled to free NHS care. Also of great importance, the guidance makes it clear that NHS staff facilitating health tourism may be committing fraud. Nevertheless, overall, the policy is flawed.

The British taxpayer continues to contribute to an International, not a National, Health Service and, despite powerful representations, three Conservative (or Conservative-led) governments since 2010 have failed to take effective steps to protect the NHS from health tourism abuse. Sadly, my suggestion made several years ago that all new patients attending hospital should produce a utility bill in their name to prove residency and a passport to exclude identity fraud, have been ignored.It is now 171 days since the German general election, and the richest country in Europe has yet to acquire a new government. Even by the standards of the German political class, this is rather slow.

One cannot help being reminded of a story by Franz Grillparzer, the Austrian dramatist, for which I am indebted to Thomas Kielinger, veteran interpreter of Anglo-German affairs.

A German dies, and is on his way to heaven when he comes to a fork in the road. According to the signpost, one fork leads to Heaven, the other to Lectures About Heaven. Naturally he chooses the lectures.

The acting Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has recently persuaded the Social Democrats (SPD)  her former coalition partners  to opt for exploratory talks with her own Christian Democrats (CDU) about forming a new coalition.

Unfortunately for both parties, these talks do not qualify as Lectures About Heaven. They might more aptly be described as Lectures About Purgatory.

For the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats formed a grand coalition government after the 2013 general election, and at the election last September, both parties received heavy punishment at the hands of dissatisfied voters.

The likelihood is that if they were now to renew this coalition, they would suffer further heavy punishment at the next election. Why vote for the Social Democrats (who in 2017 dropped to 20 per cent, their lowest share of the vote since 1933) if they are once again going to make Merkel Chancellor?

Meanwhile, many Christian Democrats (whose vote fell by almost nine points to just under 33 per cent, the lowest since 1949) have run out of patience with Merkel. They have come to believe she is not really a conservative at all. When presented with a choice, she always opts to steal the Lefts clothes.

This inscrutable woman, who spent the first 35 years of her life living under communism, and was in a sauna rather than on the streets when the Berlin Wall came down, decided to get the reunited Germany out of nuclear power, and more recently to open the countrys borders to refugees.

She also saved the Euro from collapse, another project about which many German conservatives have deep misgivings. In 2013 some of them formed Alternative fur Deutschland, and campaigned with striking lack of success for Germanys departure from the Euro.

To the horror of its founders, AfD then picked up the refugee issue and pursued a far more populist agenda. Last September, it won almost 13 per cent of the vote, and entered the Bundestag for the first time.

In recent days, AfD has been involved in an inglorious controversy about anti-Islamic tweets. Respectable members of the political class want nothing to do with it, but it offers a haven for voters who are fed up with the respectable political parties.

Merkels left-wing path only made sense when there was nowhere else for dissatisfied conservatives to go in order to register a protest. Now that there is, literally, an Alternative to the CDU, she is in deep trouble.

After the shock general election result, she attempted to form a Jamaica coalition with the Free Democrats (FDP), a liberal-minded free-market party, and the Greens. Leon Mangasarian, co-author of Fuhrungsmacht Deutschland, published last year, and a former editor in Berlin for Bloomberg News, observes that if you look through the Sondierungspapier, or exploratory paper, issued last November by these three parties, just before the FDP pulled the plug on the talks,

You will see that it was a total left-of-centre-Merkel-CDU with the Greens project. The few FDP policies are mainly in brackets and make almost no big impact on the whole thing. Merkel has more Marx in her than most people realise. She has pulled the CDU so far to the Left that shes happiest with a partner either like the SPD or Greens. The FDP are a pain in the neck for a Chancellor who, in 12 years, has presided over no big economic or labour market reforms (indeed, shes pruned back the Schroder Agenda 2010). She desperately wants the alliance with the SPD and is ready to give them almost anything they want. But the opposition to this and to her in parts of the CDU is growing. People like Jens Spahn from the Right wing of the party are waiting for the chance to replace her and move the CDU back to the centre Right. So to answer your question of why its taking so long to form a government, the FDP rightly refused to play the role of enabler for Merkels centre-Left government with her beloved Greens. She was willing to give the FDP almost nothing. The SPD is fearful of yet again being a Merkel enabler and getting no credit among voters for it  even as they ram through most of their policies.

The talks go on and on because for Merkel, and indeed for her potential partners, no satisfactory outcome is in sight. Oceans of evasive verbiage cannot conceal the embarrassing truth, which is that in order to remain in power, both Merkel and Helmut Kohl, her predecessor as Christian Democrat Chancellor, adopted policies which appealed more strongly to their opponents than to German conservatives who want to preserve the national currency and national borders.

The two main parties, with a pitiful 53 per cent of the vote between them, are in desperate trouble. Conventional German politics is paralysed because being German is still almost impossibly difficult, and being European is pretty difficult too.CORNWALL, Ontario  The Cornwall Square is searching for vendors interested in participating in a year-round farmers market.

Karen Burns of the Cornwall Square said that the idea for a farmers market is in the preliminary planning stages and right now they are sending out feelers to gauge interest.

At this time, we are thinking of a minimum of 10 vendors to make it feasible for us to run on a year-round basis, she told Seaway News. Weve been speaking to local growers and have had one-person express interest.

Burns explained that a farmers market is a new idea for Cornwalls mall.

Malls are changing and we have to think outside the box. We can showcase local producers that people dont know about, she said.

Right now, the possible location in the mall for a farmers market according to Burns, would be the former Dollar Depot and the adjacent store space.

Burnes said that a cost for vendors to participate in the market has not yet been determined.

We have done a little bit of homework to see what the market will bear, she said. Because we are looking for 10 vendors we are looking for it to be very affordable.

Burns went on to say that the market would emphasize local vendors. To be a true farmers market, the vendors need to be 51 percent local, she said.

Based on interest and participation, Burns hopes to have the market open a minimum of two days a week, but ideally three.*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on HealthDay.

A girl who gets her first menstrual period early in life -- possibly as young as 7 -- has a greater risk for developing depression and antisocial behaviors that last at least into her 20s, a new study suggests.

"Girls who go through puberty earlier than peers tend to be more psychologically vulnerable during adolescence," said study lead author Jane Mendle, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of human development at Cornell University.

It hadn't been clear, though, whether that vulnerability extends past the teen years. That's where the current study comes in. Mendle and her colleagues followed a group of almost 8,000 young women into their late 20s.

"Girls who went through earlier puberty are still showing higher rates of depressive symptoms and antisocial behavior than their peers well over a decade past adolescence," Mendle said.

An early first period is a sign of early puberty.

Mendle said there's no consensus on what constitutes an early first period, but girls in the study got their first period at age 12, on average. Some girls had their first period as early as 7 years old, though that was rare: Less than 1 percent of the girls had a first period that young.

However, nearly 7 percent of the girls had their first period at age 10, and 19 percent at age 11, according to the study, published online Dec. 26 in Pediatrics.

The cause of early puberty is generally not known, said Dr. Ellen Selkie, an adolescent medicine specialist with the University of Michigan and author of an editorial accompanying the study. There's also no proven way to prevent early puberty, she said.

Mendle said that other research has suggested that obesity or exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may play a role. Such chemicals are found in plastics and flame retardants, she said.

Whatever the cause of early puberty, the new study found that it appears to have lasting consequences.

"Puberty has repercussions for virtually all domains of life," Mendle said. "Even though it's a biological transition, it's accompanied by dramatic changes in social roles and relationships, emotions and how kids think about themselves and others and their place in the world."

That said, she added that early puberty likely plays only a small role in contributing to depression and antisocial behaviors. And the current study was not designed to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

"Even if a girl goes through earlier puberty, it doesn't mean she will necessarily struggle as an adult in the ways shown in our study," Mendle said. "It's an added risk, and one worth paying attention to. But depression and antisocial behavior are complicated and determined by many different factors, aside from when puberty happens."

Source: HealthDay

https://consumer.healthday.com/kids-health-information-23/adolescents-and-teen-health-news-719/early-puberty-in-girls-may-take-mental-health-toll-729619.htmlThe Lirica will depart China this spring in favor the MSC Splendida, which will sail from Shanghai starting in April, and bigger plans are on the horizon for 2019.

In China we will grow from a smaller ship, from the MSC Lirica to the Splendida, Gianni Onorato, CEO, told Cruise Industry News.

The company is one of just two adding capacity in China this year.

I cant speak for the others. We have a strategy of gradual growth. For us, it was a normal strategy to move from the Lirica to the Splendida. We feel safe and comfortable with that move.

The Splendida will be there this summer and then sail in Dubai next winter. Then the plan is that the ship will be based in China permanently year-round starting in May 2019.

Onorato didnt seem concerned about current supply and pricing concerns in China.

The market fixes its problems, he said. There is a distribution issue there. I think the market itself will solve the problem. There will be different ways of distributing the product and more B2C, and this will add to the growth of the cruise industry there.

Its not about going away from the charter model. We will follow the market. It will not be 100 percent charter; there will be different channels.

The Splendida will debut into China this April with an upgraded connectivity package for internet-hungry Chinese passengers. The MSC for Me app will also be refreshed for the Chinese market.Germany's ambassador to China, Michael Clauss, didn't hold back any punches in an interview with the South China Morning Sun, landing a few haymakers squarely on the People's Republic of Chinas (China) nose. China, however, smacked right back.

Germanys view

Clauss noted that one of the primary issues that is causing discomfort in the bilateral relationship between China and Germany is the lack of follow through on the part of China in establishing the consulting mechanism (bilateral cybersecurity accord), which was agreed on in June 2016.

Clauss continued, saying the current requirements surrounding encryption and VPNs has caused German companies some discomfort. He specifically highlighted how Germanys repeated requests to have a meaningful dialogue on VPNs and cyber-related questions with relevant Chinese authorities have regrettably not yet received a positive response.

The Chinese requirement for forced technology transfers has caused consternation among German companies. Clauss says, More and more German companies approach the embassy and express their grievances about increasing discrimination and obstruction as a result of state intervention and administrative measures. Notorious complaints about forced technology transfers, compulsory joint ventures in some sectors or the inadequate legal protection of intellectual property have still not been remedied.

Chinas view

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said the ambassadors comments were not very helpful, and he went so far as to call some of the ambassadors statements wrong, according to the U.K.s DailyMail.

Indeed, the spokesperson contradicted Clauss by saying, Germany has been invited to send delegations for consultation but was reluctant. And he closed with the admonishment that the German embassy do something conducive to the development of bilateral relationship."

Boiling cauldron

The direct and forthright comments from Ambassador Clauss come on the heels of the German intelligence services noting how the Chinese have been using fake social network profiles to target over 10,000 German nationals. These efforts continue, and German businesses have been informed as to the threat to their personnel and networks posed by China.

Prior to the revelation on the use of social networks by the Chinese intelligence apparatus in early December, the German Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz (BFV - (Interior Ministry) warned German businesses in June 2017 that the Chinese threat to German industry was real and that the Chinese were focusing their attention on industry, research, technology and the armed forces. He noted, how the Chinese used social networks to recruit  specifically calling out LinkedIn, which is the same social network that was identified as hosting fake profiles of Chinese nationals.

Indeed, in April 2017, a Siemens employee in The Netherlands was caught red-handed attempting to provide proprietary information that he, the trusted insider, had taken from his employer. What has not yet been revealed is how the Dutch employee was spotted and subsequently recruited to provide privileged information. This was followed in November 2017 by the Department of Justice identifying China as responsible for the cyber attack experienced by Siemens in the United States, an attack that ultimately resulted in 407 gigabytes of information being stolen from Siemens by China.FAIRFIELD  A popular Fairfield Warde High School teacher accused of twice exposing himself to a female student should not be fired, a special hearing officer has ruled.

Following several hearings, Frederick Ward III, appointed by the Board of Education, found the police investigation of the alleged incidents had not been sufficient and the complainant not credible, and recommended the teacher, Jeff Iwanicki, not be fired.

The arbitrator finds the police investigation was insufficient, lacking in any effort to even ascertain all the witnesses, nor interview them, Ward stated in his report obtained Tuesday by Hearst Connecticut Media.

Jeff Iwanicki suffered the indignity of being falsely accused of a sexual offense by a female student who was found not to be credible after days of testimony, said Iwanickis lawyer, Edward Gavin.

A false allegations against a distinguished teacher with an exemplary record is unforgivable. This malicious and vicious allegation could have ruined Jeff's life, Gavin said.

Iwanicki, 45, is awaiting trial in Superior Court for the alleged 2016 incidents, charged with two counts of impairing the morals of a minor, two counts of public indecency and two counts of breach of peace.

Iwanicki, who has taught at the high school five years and before that at Fairfield Woods Middle School, was arrested after the then 15-year-old girl told school officials Iwanicki had twice exposed himself to her in his classroom in the high school.

Police said after the student complained, she sat down and wrote out three pages detailing what happened.

Police said the student is known to spend all her free time in school in Iwanickis classroom working on graphics projects like T-shirts for the schools bowling team.

On Nov. 2, 2016, she had stayed after class to help clean up silk screening equipment with Iwanicki when he accidentally poured cleaning solution on his pants.

He said something like, Aw look what Ive done,  she told police. I have a nervous habit of not looking people in the eye when I talk, I glanced down to my feet but something caught my eye. She said he had exposed himself.

On Dec. 6, 2016, she was discussing with Iwanicki the designs for some T-shirts when she said he exposed himself again.

Both Iwanicki and the girl testified before the school board during the termination hearings. Iwanicki denied exposing himself to the girl and testified her complaint came just days after he chastised her for skipping classes and threatened to go to the dean.

In his 20-page report, Ward said other students testified they had been in Iwanickis classroom on Dec. 6 and did not see Iwanicki expose himself.

The evidence that the complainant was not sure what she saw on Nov. 2, 2016, that she thought it was a joke ... coupled with her testimony that she stated that she wished she never made this complaint and that she could not believe this matter had gone this far, was compelling and undermined the credibility of the complainant, Ward said.As Bob Dylan once sang, You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

And its the same case with the bitter cold temperatures.

Venturing outside has been brutal, especially with strong winds that made it feel like 10 below.

And, the bitter temperatures will continue for several more days with a good chance of snow in the forecast.

Tuesday was the eighth consecutive day temperatures have not risen above 32 degrees.

The National Weather Service forecast says the warmest day this week will be Wednesday with a high of 28 along the Long Island Sound shoreline and about 2 degrees colder inland.

Its a little unusual for it to get this cold in late December and early January, said Mike Bettes, a meteorologist with The Weather Channel, in a telephone interview. Usually, the peak of the cold weather arrives in late January.

He explained that the current cold snap is being caused by a large, abnormally strong, high pressure system thats pumping cold air from Canada in the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

Temperatures might go briefly above freezing early next week, he said. But it will not be what you might call warm.

He said the long-term forecast in calling for above-average temperatures around the third week of January, but it will likely turn colder after that.

The last time temperatures were above freezing was on Christmas Day when the high reached 39 at both Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford and Tweed/New Haven Airport in East Haven. Danburys high peaked at 37 and White Plains airport, near Greenwich, had 35 degrees.

The big freeze brought Decembers average temperature two degrees below normal. In Stratford, Sikorsky airports average December temperature was 33.4 degrees, Danbury had an average temperature of just 29 degrees.

Cold temperature records

The new year brought new cold temperature records Monday across Connecticut.

Records were broken in Danbury, New Haven and White Plains airport.

Danbury set a new record with a low temperature of -1 degrees. It also set a record for the lowest high temperature when the thermometer hit 15 degrees just before 3 p.m.

Oxfords low temperature was -2 degrees.

The coldest temperature Monday at White Plains airport was 4 degrees, a new record.

Tweed-New Haven Airport also set a new cold temperature record with 3 degrees.

New records will likely be set toward the end of the week with daytime highs around 9 degrees on Friday and 11 on Saturday.

Sikorsky in Stratford saw a low temperature of 2 degrees, enough to beat the 3 degrees set in 1963.

Snow in the forecast

Forecasts are keeping an an eye on a noreaster thats expected to develop on Wednesday night.

Just how much snow we could get depends on the track of the storm system.

The track of the storm will be critical  certainly eastern Connecticut will be at greater risk, Bettes said. But it looks like there will be some very strong winds associated with that system  hurricane strength in places. A very small wobble could bring significant snow to all of Connecticut.

Current forecast models project 1 to 3 inches for western Connecticut; more is likely in the eastern part of the state.

And it will remain cold  whatever snow falls will indeed stick, he said.

The NWS says snowfall was above normal in December. Sikorsky airport received 8.7 inches (3.6 inches above normal).

Thursday: Snow. Steady temperature around 24. Blustery, with a northwest wind 11 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow before midnight. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 9.

Friday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 14. Breezy.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 11.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 1.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 20.STORY LINK GBP EUR Exchange Rate Retreats from Weekly High as Construction PMI Disappoints

Pound (GBP) Tumbles as Construction PMI Misses Expectations

Euros (EUR) Ticks Higher as Germany Unemployment Hits Record Low

GBP EUR Forecast: UK Services PMI to Buck Trend and Rise in December?

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The Pound Euro (GBP EUR) exchange rate tumbled from a one-week high this morning as investors reacted to the UKs latest PMI figures.Sterling sentiment slipped earlier this morning as investors were disappointed by the release of the UKs latest PMI figures.Following on from yesterdays dip in the Manufacturing PMI, the release of the UKs latest Construction PMI prompted further disappointment this morning.According to figures compiled and published by IHS Markit activity in the UKs building sector slowed in December, with the construction index slipping from 53.1 to 52.2 against a more modest expected decline to 52.8.The dip was largely driven by a continued slowdown in commercial building projects, with firms increasingly reluctant to make large investments in the UK given the uncertainty of Brexit and its potential economic impact on business.Duncan Brock, Director of Customer Relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said;It appears that the continued fall in commercial activity was testament to Brexit-related uncertainty on the horizon and the sectors fear about the direction of the UK economy as clients still hesitated to spend on bigger projects.Helping to offset this drop in commercial activity was another strong contribution from residential construction, which helped to fuel employment in the sector and led job creation to strike a two-year high.However analysts are pessimistic on the possibility of the robust house building continuing into 2018, with the majority of respondents to the survey, predicting a pretty gloomy year ahead for Britains construction sector.Tim Moore, Associate Director at IHS Markit, said;Exactly 37% of the survey panel forecast a rise in construction activity over the course of 2018, while around 11% anticipate a reduction. As a result, the balance of UK construction companies expecting growth in the year ahead remains among the weakest recorded by the survey since mid-2013.At the same time the Euro was bolstered during the European session today as Germany published its latest employment figures.According to data released by the Federal Labour Agency the jobless rate in Germany held at 5.5% in December after Novembers figures were revised down from 5.6%.This was the sixth consecutive month that unemployment fell and prompted the jobless rate to fall to its lowest levels since reunification.However the figures were undermined slightly by the accompanying wage figures which revealed that wage growth in Germany continues to remain subdued despite the economy nearing full employment and greatly constricting the talent pool, although analysts are confident that this trend will reverse in 2018.Jens Kramer, an economist at NordLB in Hanover, said;Its something of a miracle that wage growth was so moderate after we effectively had full employment for two years in Germany. We should eventually see pressure for higher wages this year.Looking ahead the GBP EUR exchange rate may be able to recoup some of todays losses on Thursday with the publication of the UKs latest Services PMI, with economists forecasting that the index will have climbed from 53.8 to 54.1 at the end of the year.However given that activity in both the Manufacturing and Construction sectors slowed last month there are likely to be some doubt over whether the service sector will have suffered a similar fate.Given the sector also accounts for over 80% of the UKs economic growth the PMI is also likely to have an even larger impact on Sterling.Meanwhile the Eurozone will release its own services PMI tomorrow morning, which will likely bolster the appeal of the Euro if the figure confirm that private sector activity climbed as expected in December.At the time of writing the GBP EUR exchange rate was trending around 1.1270 and the EUR GBP exchange rate was trending around 0.8875.

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TAGS: Pound Euro ForecastsAs Labor Day nears, industry leaders bemoan ongoing worker shortage

Local labor industry leaders say there has been a worker shortage in Somerset County for years. The pandemic didn't help.Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. distributes and sells propane and related equipment and supplies. The company transports propane to propane distribution locations, tanks on customers' premises, or to portable propane tanks delivered to retailers. It conducts its portable tank exchange operations under the Blue Rhino brand name through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. The company's propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking, outdoor cooking using gas grills, crop drying, irrigation, weed control, and other propane fueled appliances; as an engine fuel for combustion engine vehicles and forklifts; and as a heating or energy source in manufacturing and drying processes. It serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale, and other customers in the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As of July 31, 2018, it operated 72 service centers and 859 propane distribution locations. The company is also involved in the sale of refined fuels; provision of common carrier services; and retail sale of propane appliances and related parts and fittings, as well as other retail propane related services and consumer products. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.

Read MoreGenesis Healthcare, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates skilled nursing facilities and assisted/senior living facilities in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Inpatient Services; Rehabilitation Therapy Services; and Other Services. It also provides a range of rehabilitation therapy services, including speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and respiratory therapy. In addition, the company offers other specialty medical services, such as physician, staffing, and other healthcare related services. As of December 31, 2020, it provided inpatient services through a network of approximately 341 skilled nursing facilities and assisted/senior living communities in 24 states; and supplied rehabilitation and respiratory therapy to approximately 1,400 healthcare locations in 42 states, the District of Columbia and China. The company was formerly known as FC-GEN Operations Investment, LLC and changed its name to Genesis HealthCare, Inc. in February 2015. Genesis HealthCare, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

Read MoreActuant Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes a range of industrial products and systems worldwide. It operates in two segments, Industrial Tools & Services (IT&S) and Engineered Components & Systems (EC&S). The IT&S segment designs, manufactures, and distributes branded hydraulic and mechanical tools; and provides services and tool rentals to the industrial, maintenance, infrastructure, oil and gas, energy, and other markets. This segment offers branded tools and engineered heavy lifting technology solutions, as well as connectors for oil and gas, and hydraulic torque wrenches; and energy maintenance and manpower services. It also provides high-force hydraulic and mechanical tools, including cylinders, pumps, valves, and specialty tools; and bolt tensioners, and connectors for oil and gas, as well as other products. This segment markets its branded tools and services primarily under the Enerpac, Hydratight, Larzep, Simplex, Biach, Equalizer, and Mirage brands through a localized product, rental, and maintenance depots. The EC&S segment designs, manufactures, and assembles system critical position and motion control systems, high performance ropes, cables and umbilicals, and other customized industrial components to various vehicle, construction, agricultural, and other niche markets. This segment offers actuation systems, mechanical power transmission products, engine air flow management systems, human to machine interface solutions, and other rugged electronic instrumentations; automotive convertible top actuation, hydraulic cab-tilt and latching, and automotive electro-hydraulic convertible top latching and actuation systems; and agriculture, off-highway, concrete tensioning, rope and cable and other product lines. It primarily markets its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, as well as to other customers through a technical sales organization. The company was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Read MoreConagra Brands, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of processed and packaged foods. It operates through the following segments: Grocery and Snacks; Refrigerated and Frozen; International; and Foodservice. The Grocery and Snacks segment includes branded, shelf stable food products sold in various retail channels in the United States. The Refrigerated and Frozen segment comprises branded, temperature controlled food products sold in various retail channels in the United States. The International segment consists branded food products, in various temperature states, sold in various retail and foodservice channels outside of the United States. The Foodservice segment focuses in the branded and customized food products, including meals, entrees, sauces, and a variety of custom-manufactured culinary products packaged for sale to restaurants and other foodservice establishments in the United States. The company was founded by Alva Kinney and Frank Little in 1919 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Read MoreOshkosh Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, and market of specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies. It operates through the following segments: Access Equipment, Defense, Fire & Emergency, and Commercial. The Access Equipment segment consists of JerrDan and JLG, which manufactures aerial work platforms; and telehandlers that are used in construction, industrial, institutional, and general maintenance applications to position workers and materials at elevated heights. The Defense segment produces tactical wheeled vehicles; and supply parts and services for the United States military and other militaries around the world. The Fire and Emergency segment sells commercial and custom fire vehicles; simulators and emergency vehicles primarily for fire departments, airports and other governmental units; and broadcast vehicles for broadcasters and television stations. The Commercial segment includes McNeilus, CON-E-CO, London, Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc (IMT), and Oshkosh Commercial. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Oshkosh, WI.

Read MoreAegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to vessels in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. The company offers fueling services to ocean-going and a range of coastal vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, drybulk carriers, cruise ships, reefers, LNG/LPG carriers, car carriers, and ferries, as well as to marine fuel traders, brokers, and other end-users of marine fuel and lubricants. It also markets and distributes marine lubricants under the Alfa Marine Lubricants brand; and provides a range of shipping services, such as technical support and maintenance, insurance arrangement and handling, financial administration, and accounting services. As of December 31, 2016, the company owned and operated a fleet of 46 bunkering vessels, including 45 double hulls and 1 single hull special purpose vehicle; 15 double hull bunkering vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 292,400 deadweight ton (dwt); operated 10 land-based storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1,075,000 cubic meters; and operated 2 vessels as floating storage facility with a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 86,800 dwt. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO Energy Canada, XTO Energy Inc., and XTO Holdings LLC.Ally Financial, Inc. is a holding company, which provides digital financial services to consumers, businesses, automotive dealers, and corporate clients. It operates through the following segments: Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations. The Automotive Finance Operations segment offers retail installment sales contracts, loans and leases, offering term loans to dealers, financing dealer floorplans and other lines of credit to dealers, warehouse lines to companies, fleet financing, providing financing to companies and municipalities for the purchase or lease of vehicles and equipment, and vehicle remarketing services. The Insurance Operations segment focuses on finance protection and insurance products sold primarily through the automotive dealer channel, and commercial insurance products sold directly to dealers. The Mortgage Finance Operations segment consists of the management of a held-for-investment consumer mortgage finance loan portfolio, which includes bulk purchases of jumbo and LMI mortgage loans originated by third parties. The Corporate Finance Operations segment provides senior secured leveraged cash flow and asset-based loans to mostly United States based middle market companies focuses on businesses owned by private equity sponsors with loans typically used for leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, debt refinancing, restructurings, and working capital. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Detroit, MI.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: @Credentials Inc., ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bahamas) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Global Benefits (UK) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits Limited (DIFC UAE), Aetna Global Holdings Limited, Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limite, Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Inc., Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Korea Ltd., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Multi-Strategy 1099 Fund LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Continental Insurance Company, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., American Health Holding Inc., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L. (R.C.S. Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC.The pre-qualification by WHO allows for the sale of the vaccines to UN agencies such as UNICEF and GAVI, which is the vaccine alliance.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based vaccine maker Bharat Biotech Ltd (BBL) on Wednesday said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has pre-qualified its typhoid conjugate vaccine.

The new vaccine was found to have given a longer immunity from typhoid than older vaccines and it required fewer doses for childhood immunisation.

The pre-qualification by WHO allows for the sale of the vaccines to UN agencies such as UNICEF and GAVI, which is the vaccine alliance.

Typbar TCV, which got its license for clinical trials after 12 years of research in 2013, is of acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy, stated WHO.

Dr Krishna Ella, CMD of Bharat Biotech explained, When we started this project, typhoid fever was a neglected tropical disease. The development of this conjugate vaccine has taken 14 years but it has proved to be effective. The recognition by WHO paves the way to move it in the market.

Bharat Biotech, which spent about Rs 150 crores from its own pockets for the vaccine, has recieved $40 million in grants from various universities.

The total burden of typhoid is 11 to 20 million cases globally. There have been 1,28,000 deaths due to typhoid annually. The highest burden of typhoid is due to salmonella typhi. It has been found in the clinical trials that the use of the vaccine could help in curbing the frequent use of antibiotics for treatment of presumed typhoid fever.Though the Centre was providing subsidy for electric buses, the government would not be purchasing them.

BENGALURU: The much talked about electric buses would begin services in the city soon, with BMTC deciding to acquire 150 such buses on a lease basis.

Transport Minister H.M. Revanna told reporters here on Tuesday that the tender process for availing services was complete and soon the buses would be inducted to BMTC.

Though the Centre was providing subsidy for electric buses, the government would not be purchasing them. The companies would ply and maintain the buses, while the BMTC would enter into rate contract with the operators, he said.

Meanwhile, the government had decided to induct more buses for inter-city services such as Bengaluru-Mysuru, Bengaluru-Tumakuru and Bengaluru-Kolar. Since the buses can travel only up to 200 kilometers per charge, long distance buses would not be opted for. Even those buses would be leased out to respective Transport Corporations, he said.

The main aim was to reduce the pollution and the government has already come out with plan to promote public transport days on every second Sundays in Bengaluru city. During such days, Namma Metro would increase the trips, while the BMTC would reduce its fares, he said.

Meanwhile, taking into account the losses made by Volvo buses, the government had reduced fares from 15% to 35%. The aim was to attract more passengers to travel in Volvo buses, Mr Revanna said.

Truck terminals

Stating that the ambitious Devaraj Truck Terminal was in shambles, Mr Revanna said that he had taken measures to clean them up. The terminal was being used as dump yard for old trucks, while 80 truckloads of garbage was dumped in the yard.

Apart from Devaraj Urs truck terminal, the government was planning to build one more terminal at a cost of Rs 21 crore near Nelamangala. At the moment, the infrastructure was ready and there was need for road connectivity to the Highway. Soon, the connectivity would be completed.

The government would also build two more truck terminals at Mysuru and Hospete, Mr Revanna added.Mr Khatri said they have opened a helpline, 18004250012, and the public or vendors can call the number and give information on any death of birds. We will check for symptoms and send bird samples for examination. It is being done as a precautionary measure and people should ensure that they provide information.

Bengaluru: A day after a case of bird flu was reported in Bhuvaneshwari Nagar in Dasarahalli near Hebbal, officials from the animal husbandry department and BBMP on Wednesday directed poultry shops within one kilometre radius to shut down to allow culling operations.

Dr Rajkumar Khatri, principal secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, said, A few days ago, a vendor brought to our notice that a few country fowls, which were supplied to the shop, died, which gave rise to suspicion. The samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of High Security, Bhopal, where one bird was tested positive for H5. There should be no panic as H5 virus can rarely transmit to humans. All the shops falling within one km radius were shut down and culling process began. 71 birds were culled in the area.

The cullers will also be kept under observation and will be quarantined for over 10 days. We have taken all precautionary measures as it is a sensitive issue. We are also ensuring that the virus does not spread. The cullers have been told to take necessary safety measures. We will observe them and ensure that they do not become carriers. We have mobilised teams from all departments concerned and various teams have been formed to carry out surveillance in Dasarahalli and surrounding areas. Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner and BBMP officials are also keeping a watch on the situation.

Employees from BBMP, Asha workers and members of Gram Panchayath have all been roped in to monitor the situation. P.T. Srinivas, deputy director, Poultry Disease Diagnostic Lab, said, The birds were sourced from Tamil Nadu and details of the supplier are being collected from the vendor. The entire city need not be worried as it is a stray case and there is no need for panic. Screening has been carried out in various parts of the city and as of now, no positive cases have been reported. Officials will conduct tests once in 15 days, he said.The tankers were coming in but at 10 am, there was minimal water which led to the postponing of surgeries. (Representation image)

Hyderabad: Eight elective operations had to be postponed in Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) owing to water shortage.

Doctors were seen moving patients from one theatre to another, which left attendants anxious.

Three patients were shifted from one operation theatre to another on January 3. Postponed surgeries were scheduled after 11 am by which time water levels in the tanks had gone down to minimal.

Another senior doctor said, The tankers were coming in but at 10 am, there was minimal water which led to the postponing of surgeries. The delay in tankers reaching the hospital was also reason for the postponement.

Dr K. Manohar, incharge director, said, There has been constant supply by water tankers and we made all adequate arrangements in advance. The water works department has promised that by evening all the pipeline works will be completed and water supply will be normalised.About 50,000 drivers led by Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) have been protesting for transparency in fares for over a year.

Chennai: Much hardship is in store for the commuters across Chennai as most of the cab drivers employed by app-based services including Ola, Uber and Fasttrack are going on a strike on Wednesday, in protest against stiff performance targets, falling incentives and irregular incomes.

The drivers had also threatened other drivers that there would be a violence outbreak if any of them operates their vehicles on Wednesday. This would eventually lead to skyrocketing of fares by the auto drivers.

About 50,000 drivers led by Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) have been protesting for transparency in fares for over a year.

Initially, as Fasttrack was fleecing passengers for Rs.18 per kilometer, Ola charged Rs.12 per kilometer for the customer and the defecit-Rs.6 was paid to us by the company. As the app-based services gained popularity, the companies have been exploiting the labour by setting fares on their own terms and not revealing it to the driver till the customer boards the cab, rued one of the drivers, A.Karuppanambalam.

He further added that car-pooling services have added to their woes as most of the trips surpass the diesel cost.

Despite fleecing the commuters on cost per kilometer, Fasttrack drivers are also taking part in the protest because almost all the passengers diverted to other low cost app-based services. The divers said, the demand for Fasttrack cabs is less than half of the 13,000 cabs in the city.

P.Selvaraj, a cab driver complained that both Ola and Uber do not pay toll gate amount to the drivers, neither do they charge it from the commuters. Moreover, each driver pays a commission of 25 per cent for each ride to the company apart from Rs 200 at the end of the day.Doctors called off their 12-hour strike after the government agreed to send the controversial National Medical Commission Bill to a standing committee. The medical fraternity was justified in voicing fears over the Bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council with a commission. Its not in the nomenclature that the problem lies, but in the bid to sanction virtual quackery by allowing homoeopaths and those trained in alternative remedies to practice allopathy. A so-called bridging course is all that an alternative medicine practitioner will need to join allopathic doctors in treating patients. A more quixotic proposal hasnt been heard of than allowing all and sundry to become doctors on the excuse that theres a shortage in India, particularly in rural areas, where young allopathy doctors are reluctant to work.

The standing committee will be well advised to shoot down this bizarre proposal, the zeal for which flows from the same thought processes that equate ancient Indian knowledge with powers greater than the sum of all evolving human experience. Alternative remedies are fine for those who may not believe in allopathy, or have lost faith in chemical processes that produce its drugs, provided they have evaluated the consequences and are convinced that traditional medicines work for them. To manufacture a whole bunch of half-baked doctors to augment those who go through rigorous courses to acquaint themselves with the human anatomy and the diseases and conditions it is susceptible to is to invite disaster. Millions cant be put at risk through such measures to allow quacks to undertake surgeries, and so on.'The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Iran's people are what their leaders fear the most,' Trump said. (Photo: File)

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday weighed in on protests in Iran for a second straight day, warning that the country's people want change and "oppressive regimes cannot endure forever."

Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! pic.twitter.com/kvv1uAqcZ9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2017

Trump posted on Twitter two clips of his speech to the UN General Assembly in September in which he took aim at the Iranian regime, which Washington has held out as its top adversary in the Middle East.

"Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice," he tweeted, quoting from the speech. "The world is watching!"

Later Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence added his voice, saying: "The time has come for the regime in Tehran to end terrorist activities, corruption, & their disregard for human rights."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders added: "The days of America looking the other way ... are over."

Trump's posts came as several hundred anti-government demonstrators clashed with police at the University of Tehran in a third straight day of protests.

Hundreds of counter-protesters also massed outside the entrance to the university, chanting "Death to the seditionists" in a show of support for the regime.

Videos shared by social media users outside Iran but which could not be independently verified claimed to show thousands marching peacefully against the regime in several cities including Khorramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz, with chants of "Death to the dictator."

"The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Iran's people are what their leaders fear the most," Trump said, again quoting from the UN speech.

Trump also tweeted in support of the protesters late Friday, prompting Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahran Ghasemi to dismiss his remarks as "opportunistic."Joshua Boyle was freed in October 2017 along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity. (Photo: AP)

Montreal: A Canadian man who was held captive by a faction of the Afghan Taliban for five years has been arrested on 15 charges including sexual assault, illegal confinement and issuing death threats, according to reports.

Joshua Boyle was freed in October 2017 along with his American wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children born in captivity.

The identity of the alleged victim was being withheld by a court, according to Boyle's lawyer Eric Granger.

Granger added his client was "presumed innocent" and had never been in any form of legal trouble before.

"We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges," he said, adding Boyle would appear before a court in Ottawa on Wednesday.

According to news channel CTV, Boyle is facing eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, as well as one each of misleading police to "divert suspicion from himself," uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, Trazodone.

In a statement to The Toronto Star and published on the newspaper's website, Boyle's wife would not comment on the specific charges "but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this."

She said "with compassion and forgiveness that I... hope help and healing can be found for him."

Coleman added that she and the children were healthy.

Boyle and Coleman, who have been married since 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through war-torn Afghanistan in 2012, and were later transferred to the custody of the Haqqani faction, known for its alleged ties to the Pakistani military.

They were freed on October 12, but refused to board a US military plane. Boyle, a Muslim convert and long-time advocate of freed Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr, cited fears over his background.

Upon his arrival in Toronto two days later Boyle accused his captors of raping his wife and killing his baby daughter, a fourth child -- allegations swiftly refuted by the Taliban's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Mujahid admitted a baby had died but said it was a result of a natural miscarriage.

A month later Coleman also spoke of a sexual "assault" by two of her captors in an interview with ABC news.

Boyle has been an outspoken advocate for Omar Khadr, a Canadian captured at the age of 15 in 2002 in Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay before being transferred to Canada and later released.An announcement from Senator Orrin G. Hatch. #utpol pic.twitter.com/UeItaLjR3j  Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) January 2, 2018

Forty-one years ago, the people of Utah elected me to the United States Senate. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what the next four decades would bring.

The Reagan Revolution. The fall of Communism. The explosion of the internet. 9/11. The election of Barack Obama. The election of Donald Trump.

At every step of the way, Ive been grateful for the trust the people of Utah have placed in me to be their representative. And Ive worked my hardest every single day to earn and re-earn that trust and to ensure that Utah always has a seat at the table.

During my time in the Senate, Ive authored more bills that have become law than any other member of Congress. Early in my Senate career, I wrote the Hatch-Waxman Act, which helped create the modern generic drug industry, allowing families to buy safe and affordable medication for everything from high blood pressure to the common cold. I worked tirelessly to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and created the Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. I also worked to pass the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a critical law that guarantees robust religious protections for all Americans. And just last month, I led Senate passage of a historic overhaul of our nations tax code.

Ive also made judicial nominations a top priority. As the longest-serving Republican in the history of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ive participated in the confirmation of every current Supreme Court Justice. I fought long and hard for Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and most recently, Neil Gorsuch, just to name a few. Equally important, Ive worked to ensure that judicial nominees are evaluated on their temperament and qualifications, not their political views.

And then theres all the work Ive done behind the scenes. I cannot begin to count how many phones calls Ive made over the years to help secure visas for visiting LDS General Authorities, or missionaries, or to delay deportation proceedings that would have broken up a Utah family. I worked tirelessly to secure $100 million for the Huntsman Cancer Institute in its early years. Ive brought dozens of top tech leaders to Utah to build awareness of our dynamic tech industry. And last April, I visited the White House at the request of the LDS Church to personally ask Vice President Mike Pence to revise an Obama-era executive order that was threatening BYU and other church schools. These activities havent always made headlines, but theyve made a real difference for our state.

Having gotten tax reform across the finish line  and with confidence that my successor will continue to play an outsized role as Utahs next senator  I have decided not to run for re-election this year. This has been a difficult decision, but Im confident its the right one.

To be sure, theres still much I could accomplish were I to continue serving in the Senate beyond 2018. Recent screeds by some of my detractors have served only to underscore just how much Ive accomplished over the last year. Some of these voices, it seems, think its more important for our representatives in Congress to try to tear down the current president than it is to advance a positive policy agenda for our state. I, for one, will always choose helping Utahns over adding to an overheated echo chamber, which is one reason I've been able to achieve so much during my time in Congress. Though I do admit I find some amusement in seeing a major editorial board reduced by its hatred of Trump to ranting about me.

My decision to retire at the end of this year does not mean my work in Washington is done. A year in politics is an eternity. To cite just a few examples, CHIP needs to be reauthorized; our immigration laws need to be brought into the 21st century; intellectual property and consumer privacy protections need to be strengthened; and there are scores of bright, young, conservative judges that need to be confirmed. I intend to play a central role in each of these coming debates, just as I always have throughout my Senate service.

I will forever be grateful to the people of Utah for granting me the privilege of representing them in the United States Senate. Everything I am, and everything Ive accomplished, I owe to my family, my faith, and the people of our great state.

Thank you for your support through all these years. God bless.Few things are more rare than for someone to voluntarily relinquish power. But it happened Tuesday with an overdue announcement by Sen. Orrin Hatch.

For the past 42 years, Hatch has served the people of Utah in the U.S. Senate. In that time, he amassed the kind of power that comes only through seniority, ranking as the longest-serving Republican senator in history. But he also amassed the kind of power that comes from effective lawmaking, chairing three powerful committees during his long tenure, including his current position as head of the Senate Finance Committee, which he used to help pass a major tax overhaul bill.

As president pro tem of the Senate, he is third in line to the presidency. He has become a trusted friend and loyal vote for President Donald Trump, manifest most recently when he influenced the president to visit Utah and announce major changes to two national monuments in the state. That positioning has brought both praise and condemnation, but there is no denying the influence he is having on the Republican  and Trump  agenda.

And now he is walking away.

In Washington, that sort of power is coveted. In Utah, a Western state with a small population, having that sort of representation is rare and valuable.

We wish he had announced sooner, giving possible candidates a greater chance to raise money and seek the seat, a boon to voters trying to make the best choice for the future. But by announcing Tuesday he will retire when his current term ends, Hatch demonstrated the kind of graciousness that has eluded some notable other senators in the nations history who jealously held onto power well beyond their effective years.

Few things in politics have been more certain through the years than Hatchs re-election campaigns. Yet, as he said in his video speech Tuesday, every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves.

Not every fighter hangs them up when that realization hits, however. Hatch is to be commended for a difficult decision that clearly puts the nation above personal ambitions.

As he noted in his speech, Hatchs rise from a childhood molded by the poverty of the Great Depression is a quintessential American story. In what will be 42 years of service at the end of his final term, he has passed more than 750 of his own bills. He also has, at times, defied expectations, reaching across the aisle in unlikely ways.

Early in his career, Hatch forged a friendship with the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy, who was a poster boy, of sorts, for the liberal agenda. That friendship led to the passage of landmark legislation, most notably the Childrens Health Insurance Program.

In an op-ed published by Politico.com when Kennedy died, Hatch remembered this about the Massachusetts senator: He never lost sight of the big picture and was willing to compromise on certain provisions in order to move forward on issues he believed important.

Hatch, too, has been a big-picture person, although the political climate for compromise in the Senate has dwindled significantly in recent years. He will be remembered for his role in passing laws too numerous to mention  a legacy that truly has shaped life in modern America.

He was a consistent champion for religious freedom. He co-sponsored the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and was a vocal advocate for preserving that vital pillar of American liberty. He was a strong advocate for the state of Utah and had the power to often turn that advocacy into real results.

We have not agreed with everything Hatch did in 42 years, but it would be foolish to ignore the impact he has had on the state and the nation. Similarly, it would be foolish not to say thank you, senator, for your honorable service.SALT LAKE CITY  A disturbing number of children and young adults were victims of Utah homicides during 2017.

Equally disturbing is the number of children and young adults who are accused of committing those killings.

A total of 80 people died as a result of homicide  the killing of one human being at the hands of another  in Utah during 2017, according to statistics kept by the Deseret News. That number is down from 2016's record setting tally of 90, and falls more in line with the 79 killed in 2014 and 73 from 2015.

Interactive: The faces of Utah's 80 homicides in 2017

Of those 80 homicides, more than a quarter of the victims were 21 or younger. Of that group, nine children were just 6 years old or younger. The youngest homicide victim of 2017 was only 13 days old.

At least 16 people accused of committing the 2017 homicides are also 21 or younger. And that doesn't count the cases in which police have yet to make arrests, including some where teenagers are suspected of being involved. At least 15 other suspects in last year's homicides are between the ages of 22 and 26.

Shootings surpassed all other methods of death by far again in 2017. Guns were used in at least 54 of the year's homicides  or 68 percent. But for cases involving victims between the ages of 14 and 21, a gun was used in all but one.

While more than two-thirds of the victims were shot to death, seven people died by stabbing, six died from abuse, four from assault.

Police officers shot and killed six people during 2017. That's down from nine in 2016, 10 in 2015 and 14 in 2014.

And in at least 31 of the homicide cases, family members are suspected of the killings.

The Deseret News does not count automobile homicides, which usually stem from drunken drivers, in its statistics. However, four of this year's homicides were the result of car crashes that ended in murder charges being filed.

West S.L. County

Salt Lake County's west side had a particularly violent year for youth crime.

The Unified Police Department conducted 13 homicide investigations in its jurisdiction in 2017, resulting in 15 deaths. All but two of those cases happened in the Kearns-Magna-Taylorsville area. Some examples:

 The latest occurred Sunday when officers discovered the bodies of 9-year-old Madison Clark and her mother, Karina Clark, 41. Police believe the mother shot her daughter, then turned the gun on herself. They had been dead for a week and possibly longer.

 Will Ryan, 17, was standing in front of his Magna house in August when he was killed during a drive-by shooting. The alleged driver, who was 17 at the time, is charged with murder. Witnesses say he turned off his headlights and drove slowly past Ryan's house as two males with handguns and a third male with a shotgun fired six to 10 shots out the windows.

 An engaged couple, Tami Lynn Woodard, 50, and Lloyd Everett Pace, 55, both of Kearns, were killed in September when a group who police say had just committed a drive-by shooting and were fleeing the scene slammed into their vehicle. Four documented gang members ranging in age from 17 to 24 are charged with double murder.

In West Valley City, nine people were killed as a result of homicide. Like neighboring Taylorsville, Kearns and Magna, police investigated several cases involving teens and young adults, including:

 Fernando Aranda, 16, of Kearns, was shot and killed following an argument between two groups of people in May. There have been no arrests made and no suspects named in his death. That shooting came four hours after a 15-year-old boy was shot in the abdomen. The boy survived his injuries.

 Romeo Rodriguez, 14, of Salt Lake City, was shot and killed in August while sitting in the back seat of a pickup truck with several others when the group encountered a trio of young men on bicycles. An 18-year-old man is charged with murder. Police say the two sides were rival gang members and one group was in the rival gang's territory.

Following the deaths of Woodward and Pace, angry residents filled the auditorium of Kearns High School for a town hall meeting with Sheriff Rosie Rivera and other officials to address the spike in violence in the Kearns area.

Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke said the Metro Gang Unit was very busy over the summer on Salt Lake County's west side. He said gangs and drugs played a role in many cases. But what detectives also noticed is that a number of juveniles who officers are coming in contact with are the children of people whom officers dealt with in the early 2000s.

"These are their kids now running around," Lohrke said.

The spike in violence and juvenile activity can be attributed as much to a "generational thing" as much as anything else, he said.

"It's really sad. As much as we try to intervene with our outreach programs, it won't have the same influence or have a stronger hold than your family members," Lohrke said.

What can be done to break that trend is the "magic question," he said.

Similar to what was said at the Kearns town hall, Lohrke said it has to be a community effort to change the generational pattern of violence. The problem won't be solved by "throwing handcuffs on people," he said.

Juvenile recidivism rates are high, Lohrke said. And in many cases, being sent to juvenile detention is a right of passage for teenagers because they're being sent to a place where they'll find "their same group that got them in trouble in the first place."

He encouraged "anybody who has influence over that child at a young age" to get involved, whether that is a teacher, community leader, clergy member or even a neighbor. Lohrke said a solution needs to be found now, because it isn't unreasonable to assume the current group of teens being arrested will start becoming parents themselves in the next five to six years.

Youth crime was not restricted to Salt Lake County during 2017. Some examples:

 Hunter Woodson, 19, was shot and killed by a 15-year-old in Sunset, police say, when Woodsen tried to sell him spices instead of marijuana during a drug deal in November.

 The one homicide investigation involving a teenage victim in 2017 that was not the result of a shooting was the shocking death of 16-year-old Jchandra Brown, of Spanish Fork. She took her life by hanging, but investigators say she wouldn't have been successful without the assistance from an 18-year-old friend who watched her die and recorded it on her cellphone. He is charged with murder.

Salt Lake City had 13 homicides during 2017, according to the Deseret News statistics.

In July, Salt Lake City had a rash of violent episodes around the homeless shelter, including three homicides in nine days. That rash of violence prompted the implementation of Operation Rio Grande, a multiyear, multiagency effort to rid the area around the homeless shelter of drugs and deter the throngs of people who camped on the street every night.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence was once again the biggest contributor to homicides in 2017. At least 31 of the year's killings were committed by a family member or partner.

Tragically, nine victims were 6 years old or younger. Four of those victims ranged from 13 days old to 1 year. Drugs also played some part in at least several of those deaths.

 Archer Sullivan was just 13 days old when investigators say he died of severe abuse in September. His mother and boyfriend are charged with murder. Each has accused the other of using heroin daily.

 Baylie Rutherford was 17 months old when police say she died of abuse in September. She had been taken from her parents by the state as a newborn because of drug use, but was returned to the home shortly before her death, charges say. The mother is charged with aggravated murder and the father charged with obstruction justice.

 Hudson Nokes was just 7 weeks old when she died. His father, 19, is charged with aggravated murder, accused of throwing the infant.

In addition to young victims, a series of violent domestic confrontations that played out in very public places over the course of 22-days over the summer caused some to question current laws regarding restraining orders.

 Memorez Rackley, 39, and her 6-year-old son, Jase, were shot and killed in June in their Sandy neighborhood by Jeremy Patterson, 32, as children were walking home from school. Rackley's 11-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter of a woman who attempted to help the family were also shot but survived. Rackley had reportedly tried to break off her relationship with Patterson, who had made threatening social media posts.

 Fransiska Dastrup, 49, rammed her car head-on into the vehicle of Richelle Horsley, 47, before getting out and shooting the woman multiple times in June. Dastrup then shot herself. Police say the pair had a history of domestic violence and were in the process of separating.

 Jill Lloyd, 36, of West Jordan, was shot and killed that same month while sitting in her car at a busy intersection. The gunman was later found dead near Dugway of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Friends say the two had a child many years earlier but were still involved in a custody dispute.

 In November, Timothy Griffith, 45, shot his wife, Jessica Griffith, 42, his stepdaughter, Samantha Badel, 16, and his son, Alexandre Griffith, 5, in their Mapleton home before shooting himself. He also killed the family dog. The family had only lived in Utah for four months.

Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting the YWCA's Women in Jeopardy program at 801-537-8600, or the confidential statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online at udvc.org.

Contributing: McKenzie RomeroSALT LAKE CITY  President Thomas S. Monson, 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a pillar of strength in its leading councils for well over a half-century and friend to the world, has died. He passed away on Tuesday night at 10:01 p.m. at his home. He was 90.

Few in the history of the church have served longer, with more energy and have witnessed such growth. Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963 when he was 36 years old, he dedicated two-thirds of his life to full-time Church service. President Monson stood shoulder to shoulder with men whose tenure reached back nearly to the very origins of the church, as well as with the most recently called general authorities. Of the 15 presidents of the LDS Church who preceded him, he served alongside seven of them as an apostle and was a counselor in the First Presidency to three of them.

In all, his time as an apostle, member of the First Presidency and president of the church covered more than 54 years. In church history, only four men  David O. McKay, Heber J. Grant, Joseph Fielding Smith and Wilford Woodruff  have served longer. President Monson was the youngest apostle called to the Quorum of the Twelve since 1910, and even as he advanced in seniority he remained the youngest member of the quorum for 21 years, until Elder Dallin H. Oaks, five years his junior, joined the quorum in 1984.

Prior to becoming a full-time church authority, President Monson was called as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in Salt Lake City at the age of 22, as a counselor in the presidency of the Temple View Stake at 27 and as a mission president at age 31, when he was assigned to the Canadian Mission with headquarters in Toronto.

No one in our time has been called so young to do so much, once observed President James E. Faust.

He was 58 when he first became a member of the First Presidency, in 1985, the youngest to be called as a counselor since Anthon H. Lund at the age of 57 in 1901. For 23 years, he served as a counselor in the First Presidency, to President Ezra Taft Benson from 1985 to 1994, to President Howard W. Hunter from 1994 to 1995, and to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 1995 to 2008. In February of 2008, after the death of President Hinckley, President Monson was ordained and sustained as president of the church.

Church membership was 2.1 million when he became an apostle in 1963 and nearly 16 million at the time of his passing.

To generations of Mormons, there was no distinction between Thomas S. Monson and the church. His service was unending, his presence ubiquitous.

President Monson spoke at every general conference from 1963 into 2017  108 conferences in all. His storytelling ability was legendary, his talks relying heavily on experiences gained from traveling millions of miles over a span of more than six decades ministering to church membership on every continent. As an apostle, he supervised at various times missions in the South Pacific, Mexico, Central America and Europe, as well as the United States. As president, he traveled the breadth and length of the church, dedicating temples (he personally dedicated 21) and blessing the members. The number of stakes he helped organize or reorganize around the world, the number of meetings he attended, the number of talks he gave, the number of hands he shook, the number of lives he touched are incalculable.

Among the most memorable, and miraculous, of his labors was his ability to maneuver behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany during the Soviet era, where the East German Saints, isolated since the end of World War II, had gone decades with virtually no contact with church headquarters.

At the height of the Cold War, he first crossed through the Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie and entered East Germany in 1968. For the next 21 years, until the wall fell in 1989, despite the close scrutiny and wariness of government officials, President Monson managed to regularly cross into the country. He forged friendships where it was felt friendships could not be forged, while strengthening church membership, preserving records, gaining approval for missionaries to enter the country and paving the way for a temple to be built in Freiberg.

A story told in To the Rescue, President Monsons biography written by Heidi S. Swinton, says volumes about his energy and commitment to the LDS faithful living behind the Berlin Wall.

Concerned that members did not have the churchs General Handbook of Instructions because it was forbidden to import the book into East Germany, President Monson, at the urging of fellow apostle Spencer W. Kimball, decided to memorize the handbook. As recounted in To the Rescue, Elder Kimball said: I have an idea, Brother Monson. Why dont you, since you have worked with the handbook, memorize it; and then well put you across the border!

Accepting the challenge, President Monson got to work  using a gift of memory Ezra Taft Benson once called almost unequaled among men  and then, after crossing the border, quickly alerted one of the church leaders, Give me a typewriter and a ream of paper and let me work.

He was already 30 pages into his transcribing when he looked around the room and spotted, there on a shelf, a copy the General Handbook of Instructions. And it was in German.

Satisfied the object of his efforts was already in the country, President Monson smiled and stopped typing. He never discovered exactly how the handbook got smuggled into East Germany, but his efforts that day would live on as an enduring example of his unwavering dedication to the work and willingness to do whatever it took.

I have learned from my experience that mans extremity is but Gods opportunity, President Monson said of his experiences in East Germany. I am a living witness of how the hand of the Lord has been made manifest in watching over the members of the church in what once were Communist-ruled countries.

During his many years as a general authority, he served on virtually every significant committee in the church  the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, the Leadership Training Committee, the Scriptures Publication Committee, the Priesthood Executive Council, the Teacher Development Program and many, many others. He was present for every significant development in church history over the past half-century. He was in the Salt Lake Temple in 1978 when President Spencer W. Kimball announced to the Quorum of the Twelve that he had received the revelation to grant the priesthood to all worthy males. He was instrumental in helping add cross-references and study aids to the four standard works of scripture in 1981. He helped pen The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which was released when he was a member of the First Presidency in 1995.

But it was his service to the needy, to the unfortunate, to the one, that most distinguished his ministry. As a child he watched his mother feed and care for homeless transients who passed through downtown Salt Lake City during the Great Depression. He continued that family legacy throughout his life. As a bishop, he befriended 84 widows who lived in his large ward, visiting them regularly and giving each one a gift at Christmastime. He remembered them long after he was released as their bishop and wound up speaking at every one of their funerals. When he traveled as a general authority, he made a habit of packing extra suits in his luggage, giving them away to those in need. His longtime secretary, Lynne Cannegieter, estimated he gave away more than 400 suits during his lifetime.

More than any man I know, President Monson has done all he could for the widow and the fatherless, the poor and the oppressed, said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in 2014.

Said Elder Richard G. Scott: He has this incredible capacity to communicate love. Whether its a tiny child waiting in the doorway or an adult suffering the last stages of an illness, he has this incredible ability to make that person feel like he is a personal friend.

He made friends wherever he went and counted friendships as his greatest blessings. One of his favorite sayings was New friends are silver, but the old are gold.

Others included: Decisions determine destiny. You do not find the happy life  you make it. Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies. And Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks.

Among his most cherished blessings, he often said, was that feeling which the Lord provides when you know that he, the Lord, has answered the prayer of another person through you.

Born in Salt Lake City on Aug. 21, 1927, to Spencer and Gladys Monson, Thomas S. Monson, the second of six siblings, was raised in an apartment duplex at 311 W. 500 South. The area where he grew up is full now of hotels, gas stations and freeway ramps, but it was known then as Condies Corner, named for his mothers family, the Condies  Scottish immigrants who were among the first wave of Mormon pioneers to settle in Utah, in 1850.

His fathers forebears came to Utah in the late 1800s from Sweden and England, also drawn by the LDS faith. His mother was a homemaker, his father a printer. In August 1945, when Tom was 10 days from his 18th birthday, just after the atomic bombs had been dropped and with the wartime draft still in effect, his father accompanied him to the recruiting station in Salt Lake City so he could enlist. He chose the U.S. Navy Reserve, signing on for a term of until the war ends plus six months. The Japanese signed surrender papers the next month, and by the following summer, in 1946, he was back from basic training in San Diego in time for the start of classes at the University of Utah. Two and a half accelerated years later he graduated with honors from the School of Business, and in the fall of 1948 he married Frances Johnson, a fellow Ute he met at a school dance.

He did not serve a full-time mission as a young man, hardly a harbinger of what was to come. The call as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward came when Tom and Frances had barely been married a year, and two years before their first son, Thomas Lee Monson, was born in 1951. Their daughter, Ann, came along in 1954, when President Monson was serving in the stake presidency, and their third and final child, Clark, was born in Canada in 1959 when his father was serving as mission president there.

After college he worked in the newspaper business, first as an ad salesman for the Deseret News, and, later, as a printer, like his father. He was general manager of Deseret News Press and launching a promising career as a printing executive when he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1963.

His wife of 64 years preceded him in death in 2013. His posterity includes his three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.Manvitha Harish On A Role

Manvitha Harish, who had stepped her foot into the industry with her first Kannada film Kendasampige directed by Suri recently, has a few upcoming releases this year. The actress changed her name from Shwetha Kamat to Manvitha Harish after becoming an actress. In a recent interview, the actress revealed her role in Tagaru and her aspirations as she gets candid working with Shivanna.





The actress said, I play a current generation girl who thinks life has no boundaries. All she wants is freedom, and music is her religion, she wants to hangout with friends, travel, meet new people and doesnt want to be emotionally attached to anyone. She also revealed that her costumes were designed by a 70-year-old Russian woman, who is settled in Goa. Talking about her co-star Shivanna, she said that it was a learning experience for her.





He is a very humble person. He is also 100 movies old, whereas Im just one film old! He was really encouraging, honest, correcting my mistakes and helping me improvise on my lines, also teaching me acting techniques, said the actress. The young actress further revealed that she would love to portray Kangana Ranauts characters in Queen and Tanu Weds Manu and is also keen on playing historical characters.





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Source: s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.comThe current owners of Nigeria's 9mobile have been granted more time to find a buyer for the operator by the countrys regulator.

Emerging Markets Telecoms Services now has until 16th January to find a buyer, after the original deadline of 31st December 2017 lapsed. The move by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) gives the shortlist of buyers slightly more time to ready their binding offers  despite the fact that bot the regulator and the Central Bank of Nigeria had described the previous deadline as sacrosanct.

Interested parties include rival Nigerian operators Bharti Airtel, Globacom and Smile, as well as a number of investment firms. 9mobile is the countrys fourth largest operator, and had around 17 million connections at the end of Q3 2017.

9mobile was previously branded as Etisalat Nigeria, but lost the support of the Middle Eastern group after defaulting on payments for a $1.2 billion loan in mid-2017. These actions also cost the operator the backing of a major investment fund, but it was rescued from bankruptcy by regulators.Donald Trump has rejected the $1.2bn acquisition of Texan money transfer company Moneygram by China's Ant Financial citing national security concerns.

Moneygram and Ant Financial, which is as owned by Alibaba boss Jack Ma, terminated their deals after the committee on foreign investment in the US (CFIUS) denied their proposals to quell concerns over the safety of US citizens data.

"Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the US government, it has now become clear that CFIUS will not approve this merger," MoneyGram chief executive Alex Holmes said on Tuesday.

Donald Trump had recently made moves to complicate the sale of US companies to Chinese entities as part of his efforts to pressure Beijing into helping Washington bring an end to North Korea's nuclear stockpiling.

As of 1140 GMT, Moneygram shares had gained 0.99% to $13.31 each.France is preparing for a series of privatisations in 2018 to raise funds for the government's spending plans, it was reported on Wednesday.

The French state has equity stakes in 81 companies worth a total of 100bn (120bn). They include defence companies such as Safran; Renault, the carmaker; and EDF, the nuclear power group. Holdings in Engie, the 34bn energy utility, and Francaise des Jeux, the state gaming operator, are expected to be sold in 2018, the Financial Times said.

Aeroports de Paris (ADP), which operates Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, is the biggest of the likely sales, the FT said. France owns 50.6% of ADP, whose market value is 15.6bn, and a sale of at least part of the stake is likely as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to build a 10bn innovation fund.

Analysts said the sale would be huge and politically sensitive because ADP owns some of France's biggest pieces of infrastructure. Options include a full sale of the government's stake in blocks or to single bidder.

The process could be complicated by limits on transferring a public service monopoly to the private sector. ADP could be split into two companies, allowing the state to retain control of its land with airport management activities sold off. Another option is to keep the company intact with a long but finite licence.

Support for state stakes in French companies has been weakening in recent years. The national auditor argued in 2015 that the government's demand for big dividends sometimes weakened businesses it invested in.The UK has held talks about joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership to support Britain's international trade after Brexit.

The informal discussions, if successful, would make the UK the first member of the trading bloc that does not border the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea, according to reports. Britain's involvement could give TPP a boost after it was weakened when President Trump withdrew the US in January 2017.

The talks are led by Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, who has travelled to China for a three-day trip to build business relations. Fox has said repeatedly that Britain will be free to strike its own trade deals with fast-growing Asian nations once it has left the EU.

Fox told Bloomberg TPP was not the UK's top priority as it negotiates to leave the EU but that "it would be quite wrong" to rule out a potential deal. TPP's 11 members include Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Mexico and Chile but not China.

We will want to explore all the opportunities, Fox said in Beijing. I would say that we would be foolish not to look at all the potential.

But critics suggested the idea of joining TPP was a distraction from the problems Britain faces when it leaves the EU. Brexit is scheduled for the end of March 2019 with a two-year transition period pencilled in during which the EU has said the UK will not be able to operate new trade deals.

Andrew Sentance, a former member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, tweeted: "If the UK was located 6,000 miles to the east, joining TPP might make sense. For a country on the western edge of Europe, which is at risk of severing trade links with its neighbours, this looks like a desperate move."

Though many the economies of many TPP members are growing rapidly the bloc is far less important than the EU or the US in terms of existing trade. Combined, the TPP countries made up less than 8% of UK exports in 2017 compared with 11% for Germany alone, the Financial Times said.

TPP is also on a shaky footing after the US withdrawal. Remaining members are renegotiating terms after a partial agreement was reached in November 2017.

Greg Hands, a UK trade minister, told the FT, which broke the story, the distance between Britain and the TPP countries was not a problem.

"Nothing is excluded in all of this," he said. "With these kind of plurilateral relationships there doesn't have to be any geographical restriction."Babcock International has signed a five-year agreement worth about 115m to maintain frigates for the Australian navy.

The FTSE 100 engineer said Naval Ship Management (NSM), its joint venture with Australia's UGL, would provide critical engineering services for eight Anzac class frigates.

The work comprises planning, scheduling, management and execution of preventive and corrective maintenance on Australia's east and west coasts.

The contract is part of the Australian Warship Asset Management Agreement (Wama) programme, a partnership between NSM, BAE Systems, SAAB and the Australia designed to keep the frigates in service until 2031. Babcock formed the 50:50 joint venture with UGL in 2012 to provide services for the Australian navy.

Archie Bethel, Babcock's chief executive, said: "I am delighted that we have successfully achieved the next stage of the contract to look after Australia's Anzac fleet. Babcock has a long and successful history of working with the Australian navy and we look forward to continuing that relationship over the next 14 years."Indivior is joining up with Switzerland's Addex Pharma to support the development of treatments for drug addiction that target neurotramsitter systems.

The FTSE 250 specialist in addiction treatments will pay Addex $5m (3.7m) upfront and will invest in research funding over the next two years to develop additional compounds that modulate the GABA B receptor pathway.

Long-term drug use depresses the normal function of the GABA B receptor, increasing dependency and possibly making withdrawal more difficult. The compounds have had positive preclinical results in animals for alcohol use disorder and cocaine use disorder.

The collaboration includes an exclusive global licence to ADX71441, a small, oral molecule that is expected to enter phase-one trials in 2018. Potential milestone payments to Addex could reach $330m over time if all development, regulatory and sales goals are achieved.

Shaun Thaxter, chief executive of Indivior, said the treatments were particularly promising for their potential to help alcohol and cocaine addicts and that there was potential to broaden their scope.

Thaxter said: "Among the key priorities we are pursuing is continuing to review and invest in promising new treatments for this chronic and relapsing disease. we are excited about this new strategic collaboration with Addex to discover additional compounds targeting the GABA B receptor pathway, which will complement the current pipeline efforts we have underway to develop novel treatments for addiction."Ahead of its unveil, Datsun has released a new teaser image which reveals the front fascia of the Cross. The overall design is similar to the concept model with kinked headlights and circular fog lamps. From the front, the Cross looks rugged as opposed to the Go+.

Recommended Video - Watch Now! New Brands Coming To India In 2018 - DriveSpark

The front fascia of the Datsun Cross also features projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, body cladding and faux skid plates. Overall, the Cross looks unique as compared to other Datsun models with the body cladding and skid plate.

The Datsun Cross has been already spied, and the production version of the Go Cross shares the body panels and mechanical components from the Go+ which is also sold in the Indian market.

The Cross will be a variant of the Go+ and not an all-new model. From the recent spy images, the rear of the crossover has been revealed. The Cross gets black plastic cladding running across the body and silver trim on the lower part of the rear bumper. It is also equipped with a large roof spoiler which gives the Cross a sporty look.

The interior of the new Datsun Cross is expected to be similar to the other Datsun models, and it will be offered in a seven-seater configuration similar to the Go+. But it's likely that the Cross will get an all-black interior with a redesigned dashboard with touchscreen infotainment system.

On the mechanical front, the Indonesia-spec Cross will draw power from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder, petrol engine producing 68bhp and 104Nm of torque. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual or an optional CVT gearbox. The Cross will be equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels.

DriveSpark Thinks!

Datsun has announced that the Cross will be the company's new flagship model with unique design and features. Datsun is expected to introduce the Cross in India later this year. In India, the Cross will lock horns with the likes of Mahindra KUV100 NXT, Toyota Etios Cross and event the Maruti CelerioX.

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Amazon Web Services shone a spotlight on Internet of Things and machine learning technologies earlier this week, with the announcement of a new operating system and several new services designed to encourage radical expansion of their deployment and use across multiple industries.

The new OS, Amazon FreeRTOS, simplifies development, deployment, security and maintenance of microcontroller-based edge devices, according to Tara Walker, technical evangelist for AWS.

FreeRTOS will help extend IoT technology to low-power devices such as smoke detectors, light bulbs and conveyor belts. Devices such as these are not large enough to have their own CPU.

Developers will be able to use FreeRTOS to build into devices networking, over-the-air software updates, encryption and certificate handling, according to AWS.

1-Click for All

The new services -- including AWS IoT 1-click, AWS IoT Device Management, AWS IoT Device Defender, AWS IoT Analytics, and AWS Greengrass ML Inference -- are designed to help companies quickly deploy IoT devices in a secure environment and be able to analyze data on a large scale.

"These new AWS IoT Services will allow customers to simply and quickly operationalize, secure and scale entire fleets of devices, and then act on the large volumes of data they generate with new analytics capabilities specifically designed for IoT," said Dirk Didascalou, vice president for IoT at AWS.

AWS IoT 1-Click, currently available in preview, lets customers enable devices to perform simple tasks such as reordering goods, calling technical support or tracking asset locations. Customers can enable a device with the AWS Lambda function by downloading a mobile app, registering and selecting an AWS IoT 1-Click enabled device, and associating it with an AWS Lambda function -- for example, sending SMS or email messages.

iRemedy, an e-commerce firm that specializes in medical supplies, this summer announced that it would deploy 500 IoT buttons, which are like the Amazon Dash buttons on the consumer platform, to help customers automate the process of allowing medical offices to reorder consumable goods, like latex gloves, automatically.

"These doctors are pretty high-volume users of supplies but don't have any kind of sophisticated procurement systems," noted Tony Paquin, CEO of iRemedy.

Automating the process through the IoT platform allows his firm to operate almost like a just-in-time supply operation, he told the E-Commerce Times. Doctors aren't required to buy huge volumes of medical supplies, and iRemedy can fulfill reorders rapidly with a very fast, automated mechanism that is based on Magenta.

Manage and Defend

AWS IoT Device Management, which is currently available, helps companies onboard, remotely manage, organize and monitor devices, update software and perform other tasks, including troubleshooting and patching defective systems.

AWS IoT Device Defender, scheduled for early 2018 release, provides continuous audits of security policies and monitors for any potential security problems, like traffic going to an unknown IP address, according to the company.

AWS IoT Analytics, available in preview, helps clean, process, store and analyze data at scale.

AWS Greengrass ML Inference is a new feature of AWS Greengrass. It allows companies to deploy machine learning models on AWS Greengrass devices, enabling them to make quick decisions, even when devices are not directly connected to the cloud.

Simpified Process

"This is a very big deal," said John Dinsdale, chief analyst at Synergy Research Group.

"There is going to be a huge wave of IoT activity over the next few years, but it needs to be enabled by simple and easy-to-use IoT platforms," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Amazon customers automatically get Echo-type support, and this new technology will help create a baseline of standards for people to build around, suggested Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

"So this makes IoT easier, it makes it simpler -- and because Amazon is doing it better, ensures real progress toward a truly viable final solution," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Amazon FreeRTOS will make it easier for manufacturers to build in cloud support, noted Kevin Krewell, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Because it is open sourced, it is already used in many low-cost consumer devices, he told the E-Commerce Times.

In contrast, Google has been promising Android Things as an operating system for microcontrollers, Krewell said, but that has been slow to take off.

David Jones is a freelance writer based in Essex County, New Jersey. He has written for Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times.



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Google on Wednesday announced the addition of new functionality for its recently launched job search portal, including features that display salary range and street-level location information.

Salary information -- among the things users have requested most, according to Google -- will improve the likelihood of matching qualified applicants with the jobs they desire. The new tools will give job-posting sites that include estimated salary information increased brand awareness and increased referral traffic.

"Since introducing the product, one of the most requested data points for job listings is salary," said Google spokesperson Susan Cadrecha.

However, "by our estimates, this information is missing from over 85 percent of job postings in the U.S. today," she told the E-Commerce Times.

This information should help users save time during the search process and provide a more holistic view of a potential role, noted Google Product Manager Nick Zakrasek.

Companies can provide JobPosting structured data to have actual salary information displayed in search results, he noted. Alternatively, companies can provide Occupation structured data, which allows the display of estimated salary information from partners offering similar jobs.

Bad News for Career Sites

Street-level location data helps job applicants narrow down openings to job offers that fit their needs. Location information can be added using the jobLocation property in JobPosting structured data, Zakrasek said.

Companies can also monitor the performance of their job listings using search analytics.

Since launching the job search program in June, Google has connected tens of millions of users to job listings, and has seen a 60 percent increase in the number of companies with jobs listed on Google, Zakrasek pointed out.

The company has been making a major push to expand the use of its machine learning capabilities to capture the growing use of online search engines and job sites to help job seekers find new positions -- and also to help companies find qualified applicants.

It makes sense for Google to add functionality that will make the job search tool more helpful to users if it hopes to attract customers who otherwise might go to a dedicated career site, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

"Google isn't the only company aiming at this market," he told the E-Commerce Times, "and the new search tools are similar to features available on other work-related sites and services."

The salary data seems to come from sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Payscale, which are competing with Google for clicks, remarked Kevin Krewell, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

"This is not good news for these sites, as Google is the first place people will search," he told the E-Commerce Times.

For deeper insight, users likely will need to consult other sites, but Google could impact their casual job hunting traffic.

Machine Learning Role

Google CEO Sundar Pichai this spring announced plans to launch the Google for Jobs platform as a way to utilize the company's industry-leading artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to capture much of that growing job search traffic.

The company launched its Google Jobs API in 2016, and began testing the technology with a number of firms, including Johnson& Johnson, FedEx, Health South and Career Builder.

Google this fall announced plans to launch a beta phase of its Cloud Job Discovery technology with support in more than 100 languages.

Hays, a professional recruiting firm, was able to use Cloud Job Discovery to help it place thousands of employees in jobs around the world, noted Tarquin Clark, group manager for Cloud Job Discovery.

Google also launched a pilot with iCIMS, a talent acquisition company, and the first ATS beta customer under the Cloud Job Discovery program.

David Jones is a freelance writer based in Essex County, New Jersey. He has written for Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times.



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Germany on Monday began enforcing its new Network Enforcement Act, or NetzDG, which imposes a fine of up to 50 million euros (US$60 million) on social media networks that fail to remove hate-inciting posts promptly.

The controversial law, adopted in mid 2017, just entered its formal enforcement phase. It is designed to help combat hate and fake news at a time when ISIS-linked terror and anti-immigrant extremism have been on the rise in Germany.

Further, Russian hackers have been accused of trying to sow nationalist tendencies through social media attacks in Western countries facing elections.

The law calls for fines of up to 50 million euros on major social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other channels.

Facebook last month published a post in Germany saying that it shared the German government's goal to fight hate speech and that it had made great progress in that fight, according to a translation of the text provided to the E-Commerce Times by company spokesperson Sarah Pollack.

Facebook said it had trained its Germany-based employees to comply with the law, according to the translated post. Facebook added that starting in January of this year, users would be able to report content that was considered unlawful under the criminal code, and that the company would provide a special form for such circumstances. Those posts would be handled differently from Facebook's Community Standards reporting.

Twitter spokesperson Ian Plunkett referred our questions about the new policy to eco, Association of the Internet Industry, a Germany-based trade group. With more than 1,000 members, it is the largest in Europe. That organization opposed the German law, as well as a similar effort to block online content proposed by the European Union.

Twitter last month began enforcing updates to its safety policies, including a crackdown on posts that advocate violence or otherwise threaten people, and on accounts that are linked to groups that promote violence against civilians.

Extreme Cases

One of the first reported acts of enforcing the anti-hate speech law was against Beatrix van Storch, a leader of the Alternative for Germany party.

Storch confirmed on her Twitter page that she had been blocked temporarily by Twitter and Facebook after she apparently blasted local police officials for putting out a New Year's message in Arabic.

As a matter of company policy, Twitter will not discuss individual actions for privacy and security reasons, Plunkett said, but he confirmed that the account we asked about was active on Tuesday.

Unintended Victims

Organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Global Network Initiative have raised concerns that the German law would privatize censorship, in effect, by forcing companies to overcorrect in order to avoid hefty financial penalties.

"It's impossible to say what unintended consequences might arise from Germany's new law, so it will be important for officials there to stay on top of the situation and make adjustments as they become necessary," said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

However, "it's important to remember that Germany has a singular experience in the destructive potential of hate speech," he told the E-Commerce Times, "as do its EU allies and other friends."

Because of that history, the decision to take such action on hate speech must be respected, King said, adding that the social media sites directly impacted by the new law have failed to take enough corrective action on their own.

The new policy and related fines are not likely to have a huge impact on social media companies, King added, noting that many of them specifically tailor their policies and procedures to comply with individual markets that have different rules about free expression.

"Laws that delegate to social media companies the responsibility of enforcing hate speech standards threaten freedom of expression," contended Drew Mitnick, policy counsel at Access Now.

"Companies under threat of large fines and with short timelines will tend to broadly take down content, threatening the removal of lawful expression," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Courts need to decide whether hate speech laws like this one "satisfy human rights requirements that content removals are necessary for a legitimate government aim," Mitnick said, as well as whether they are proportionate to that aim, and whether they meet standards for judicial oversight and public transparency.

David Jones is a freelance writer based in Essex County, New Jersey. He has written for Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times.



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Snap on Wednesday announced changes designed to combat fake news on Snapchat by separating content from professional creators from postings by friends and family.

Stories and Chats from friends will appear on the left side of the camera, while Stories from content creators, publishers and other members of the community will appear on the right side of the camera.

Snapchat has taken a page from Netflix, suggested Snap CEO Evan Spiegel in an opinion piece on Axios. That is, a person's own behavior is more indicative of individual interests than content generated by friends.

Snapchat aims to disentangle "social" from "media," he wrote, by offering users a personalized content feed tailored to their own behavior rather than basing it on what their friends post.

Distinct Feeds

Snapchat will provide a new Discover page on the right, which will post information from services members have subscribed to at the top, followed by other Stories that users may be interested in viewing.

While it will use algorithms to sort out Stories on the Discover page, it also will use human curators to review and approve content that is promoted on the page.

Snapchat also announced a new dynamic Friends page, which displays friends on the left side of the camera based on the way users communicate with them. Snapchat described it as a "Best Friends algorithm" that allows users to avoid having to scroll through a bunch of friends to find the ones they want to talk to.

"This seems like a very logical distinction," remarked Rick Edmonds, media business analyst at Poynter.

"I don't particularly get what a news feed is doing intermingled with photos among family and friends," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Snapchat caters to a much different demographic than Facebook and Twitter, so its changes may not have a substantial direct impact on the fake news dilemma.

Snapchat has adopted "an interesting tactic in differentiating itself from Facebook and Instagram," said Zach Fuller, an analyst at Midia Research.

However, "Snapchat's core demographic is far younger than its competitors and does not consume news as frequently on the platform as other sources," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Human Touch

The changes, including the addition of staff curators, are a good step to weed out fake news from legit content, but they will not completely eradicate the problem, said Jon Clay, director of global threat communications at Trend Micro.

"The challenge will be whether this human vetting can keep up with the amount of good news being published every hour of the day," he told the E-Commerce Times. "Threat actors will analyze this new process and look for ways to circumvent it in order to continue utilizing fake news as part of their campaigns."

Snap, which went public in March, reported a third-quarter net loss of US$443 million as it fell short of revenue projections on weak user growth.

Snap has made several changes in recent months to promote original content on the Snapchat platform. The company announced Campus Publisher stories, a partnership with dozens of colleges and universities to produce weekly stories and post them on the site.

The stories include Snap Ads, which help the schools monetize the postings and share revenue with Snap.

Snap earlier this year announced custom Stories, which allow users to post about anything from a trip to a birthday celebration or other event, and then choose who can add to the story or geofence it to a particular location.

David Jones is a freelance writer based in Essex County, New Jersey. He has written for Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times.

New drone owners urged to check flying rules

Those who received drones for Christmas are being urged to check the Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration's rules.

The Isle of Man Airport wants those who plan to fly their drones to go through all the dos and don't beforehand.

The airport also emphasised that drones can't be flown anywhere near Ronaldsway.

Further information can be found on the Government's website.Markets for renewable energy certificates (RECs) are growing around the world, but regulatory developments are keeping the biggest market players on their toes, says Nick Roumpis

RENEWABLES MARKET RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES - NORTH AMERICA Winner Runner up Best broker Karbone Evolution Markets Best trading company 3 Degrees Vitol Best advisory Karbone Element Markets Best law firm Dentons RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES - EUROPE Winner Runner up Best broker Cleanworld Best trading company South Pole Group Best advisory South Pole Group RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES - AUSTRALIA Winner Runner up Best broker TFS Green GFI =

High Voltage Brokers = Best law firm Baker & McKenzie RENEWABLE IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES Winner Runner up Best broker Element Markets Evolution Markets Best trading company Element Markets Bluesource Best advisory Element Markets Best verifier Weaver Best law firm Eversheds Sutherland

2017 was a good year for RECs around the globe. The traditionally strong markets of Europe and North America prospered while recent adopters such as China increased in importance.

In the US, after a slow 2016 when the supply of certificates outstripped demand, the renewable energy market saw healthy growth.

Izzet Bensusan, CEO of Karbone, which was again voted Best Advisory and Best Broker in the North American RECs market, says: "Volume has gone up ... because the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPSs) call for more introduction of renewable energy in different states. As a result, you have more credits generated and more trading of these credits taking place."

He points to states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Illinois, where regional legislation is expected to boost the renewable energy sector further. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are already among the biggest RECs markets in the US.

Bensusan also notes growing demand for RECs from voluntary corporate buyers and attributes this to an increase in impact investing over the past 12 months. "There is a big trend towards the voluntary market driven by much more impact investing going on," he said.

Scott Eidson, vice-president of environmental markets at 3Degrees, which retained the title of Best Trading Company  North America, agrees: "The number of participants, renewables capacity and market pulse, all point towards needing new renewables to meet voracious voluntary demand.

"We believe that voluntary and compliance markets will continue to grow in 2018 and beyond, and that several states will either extend or increase renewables mandates, partly in response to the current federal administration's stance on the environment and energy.

"Look out for volatile markets, rising voluntary prices, and interesting regulatory changes at the state level in 2018."

The Trump administration is having an unsettling impact on the market because of uncertainty about possible changes in federal regulations.

"This has been a crazy transition year for the market," says Randy Lack, chief marketing officer at Element Markets, which claimed the titles of Best Broker, Best Advisory and Best Trading Company for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). "Once Trump was elected, we saw him nominating Scott Pruitt as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, so someone who had sued EPA was actually nominated to handle EPA.

"There was a fear that there would be steps to unwind a lot of the progress around the renewable fuel sector, but ... this has been the best year in our company's history," he adds.

The EPA oversees the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a national policy to ensure each gallon of gasoline or diesel sold in the US contains a certain percentage of biofuel. RINs are the credits issued to biofuel producers to monitor compliance with the RFS.

The price of RINs rose steadily under the Obama administration, as the EPA tightened the RFS and the agency had planned to raise the targets to record levels in late 2016. But, after billionaire investor Carl Icahn was appointed as an advisor to President Trump, this tightening did not go ahead. Icahn is the majority owner of refiner CVR Energy which has lobbied for lower RFS targets.

The market reacted by sending RINs down to a 12-month low in February. However, the administration's failure to act on CVR's recommendations saw prices rebound by 200% by August, and Ichan resigned from his government role later that month.

Of the various RIN categories  for biodiesel, bioethanol etc  biogas was the strongest market in 2017, Lack says. "The prices have basically doubled again this year. It's a very robust market and we are seeing a lot of new biogas projects".

Biogas currently accounts for the largest number of projects and the most capex of all the US renewable fuels, he adds.

David Bennett, partner of energy compliance services at Weaver, which was voted Best Verifier in the RINs market, says: "One of the biggest factors is the change in the administration in Washington and there is a lot of uncertainty around the effect this might have on the renewable fuels market." But he agrees that none of the proposed changes has been confirmed so far.

In the RECs market, there is less concern about the new administration. "You really need to look into what kind of impact they have had," says Karbone's Bensusan. "The federal government does not have an impact on renewable energy credits on a local level, while the RPS [which set targets for renewable energy output] are decided by the states.

"The investment tax credit (ITC) has largely been decided by the previous administration and they are not touching it." The ITC allows some investors to recoup up to 30% of the value of renewables projects and was due to expire at the end of 2015, but has been extended to between 2019 and 2022.

Carl Steen, partner at Dentons, which was voted Best Law Firm for North American RECs, adds: "The RECs market in North America is a maturing market and it's not really liquid yet, it is largely driven by compliance and in many cases, it's a state-by-state driven market, so you have a wide fluctuation of prices in different markets.

"The RECs market will hopefully mature, but right now it's unpredictable. If there are additional compliance requirements, this will give a boost to the RECs trading market.

"There is tension between what is happening at the state level and what is happening at the federal level. When this harmonises, you will see a more robust RECs market."

Steen notes that there is also growing momentum for more specialised RECs in certain states. For example, "RECs for offshore wind are likely to develop in the next few years". New Jersey and Maryland already have separate REC incentives in place for offshore wind energy and New York and Massachusetts are considering similar schemes, he notes. Some states also have separate REC programmes for solar energy.

In Europe, demand for renewable energy credits, known as 'Guarantees of Origin' (GOs), has risen by more than 80% between 2011 and 2016 and this momentum continued in 2017 as companies are gearing up their efforts to achieve their 2020 clean energy targets.

GOs are issued to power producers for each MWh of renewable energy generated, in the same way as RECs in the US, and they can be traded on the Leipzig-based European Energy Exchange (EEX).

But Marie Bluett, head of renewable portfolio management at South Pole Group, which once again took the titles of Best Trading Company and Best Advisory  Europe, notes that the momentum is global, not just European.

"We see two markets joining forces, the voluntary carbon world and the renewable energy world," Bluett says.

In the last year, there has been "tremendous growth in renewable energy solutions in Asia, Africa and South America," she adds.

In Asia, the most significant development was China's launch of a pilot national REC scheme in July. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said it was intended to incentivise further development of the renewable energy sector without government subsidies.

As in established RECs markets, the Chinese RECs, known as Green Certificates, will be used by suppliers of electricity to prove how much of their purchased power came from renewable sources, excluding hydro.

Bluett says: "China has been super interesting. On the one hand you have the international RECs, but then you have the Chinese government looking to implement its own certificate scheme.

"The more governments get involved in renewable energy tracking, the more solid the market will become."

Michelle Davies, head of clean energy and sustainability at Eversheds Sutherland, is optimistic about renewables globally. "We expect clean energy to dominate our global approach to power and its utilisation and supply," she says.

A trend towards more aggregation of projects along with new finance tools will culminate in "renewable energy being the dominant power source being developed on a non-supported basis with enhanced technology solutions making it even more competitive," she predicts.

Eversheds Sutherland was voted Best Law Firm in the RINs market.

Australia also saw a lot of activity in 2017.

"The Australian renewables market has been nothing short of crazy in 2017," says Chris Halliwell, senior broker at TFS Green, which was again voted Best Broker in that market. "[There was] a boom in projects due to an influx of capital and soaring energy prices, and very high RECs prices due to the federal Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme running short.

"A lot of adaptation was required for both developers and off-takers to structure deals in this environment," he adds.

Australia launched its RET scheme in 2011 and, since then, it has operated in two parts, the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale RET (LRET).

"2018 is going to be a huge year," Halliwell predicts. "The RET scheme is expected to run into a short squeeze." This will create chaos in the short-term but create opportunities to take positions for the following years, he says. "Stand by for a big one."

Australia has set a target for large-scale generation of 33,000 GWh, meaning that around 23.5% of the country's electricity in 2020 will be from renewable sources.

The government is currently reviewing its RET scheme and a new national target could emerge in 2018.

"The future of the market very much depends on policy decisions," says Martijn Wilder, partner at Baker & McKenzie, the long-standing winner in the Best Law Firm  Australia, category. "There has been a lot of healthy trading but the extent to which that volume increase will affect the price really depends on what happens on the policy side".

Energy has been the top political issue in Australia for the past year, he notes.

"No matter what happens, there is going to be a mechanism to regulate emissions and to encourage renewable energy and certificates," he says. "The actual specifics for that are still unknown  this is the challenge. The details are just not there."San Francisco - Jan. 3, 2018 -- In his bestsellers The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell writes about the unexpected implications of scientific research, urging readers to think different. In an editorial published this month in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Gladwell offers another example of his stock in trade: To make medical students better doctors, send them to art school.

The basis of Gladwell's opinion is a study in Ophthalmology involving 36 first-year medical students at the University of Pennsylvania who were randomized to attend six 90-minute art observation sessions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Professional art educators from the museum taught the students how to observe and describe and discuss works of art. The control group received no art training but received a free membership to the museum. Students completed observation skills testing before art training and then again at the completion of the course to see if training improved students' observational skills and empathy.

They found that it did, significantly. Lead investigator Jaclyn Gurwin, MD, showed that art training improved the students' observation and diagnostic skills. In a questionnaire, students also reported applying the skills they learned in the museum in clinically meaningful ways at medical school. As Gladwell explained: "Taking would-be physicians out of the hospital and into a museum - taking them out of their own world and into a different one - made them better physicians."

The implications of this study are broad, Gladwell writes. The trend in medicine has been toward greater specialization as physicians are required to master greater amounts of information in their complex field. Medicine in the modern age demands great focus. But intense preparation doesn't need to take place exclusively in medical school, Gladwell writes.

Interestingly, the study found that the observation skills of the students who didn't get art training were worse at the end of the study, raising the possibility that the initial medical school curriculum, with its intense focus on memorization, may have the effect of eroding the skills of the future physicians.

The idea of the importance of different kinds of training is not new. But, Gladwell writes that this study should prompt a bigger push in exploring the benefits of cross-disciplinary preparation. He says this study reminds us that "the best expert is the one who also belongs to the wider world."

###

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.orgBiology--Telltale microbes

A new process to identify certain microbes in women could be used to diagnose endometriosis without invasive surgery, even before symptoms start. A collaborative research team analyzed bacteria from a small sample of premenopausal women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for suspected endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when the uterus' lining grows outside the uterus, resulting in painful lesions and possible infertility. Researchers from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Michigan State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory studied microbes from women with and without endometriosis and compared bacteria from the uterus with vaginal microbes. "We determined that the uterine microbiome is not simply a subset of the vaginal microbiome and that microbial diversity increased with stage III endometriosis," said ORNL's Melissa Cregger, lead author of a pilot study published in Reproductive Immunology. The team plans to further analyze the microbiome to diagnosis ovarian and endometrial cancers and evaluate responses to treatment. [Contact: Sara Shoemaker, (865) 576-9219; shoemakerms@ornl.gov]

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/BraundmeierA_0011_0.jpg

Caption: Studying reproductive microbiomes could help identify women with endometriosis without an invasive surgical procedure, even before symptoms start. Credit: Jason Johnson/SIU School of Medicine

Data--Plug-in learning

For smarter data management and analysis, researchers have developed a low-power neuromorphic device based on spiking neural networks that can quickly and more efficiently analyze and classify data. The versatile platform, which will be compatible with instruments that collect data during scientific experiments, becomes "smarter" as it classifies large amounts of information into smaller, more manageable datasets. "The device is designed to get better at the task it was trained to do," said Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Catherine Schuman, who developed the device's training algorithms. She and University of Tennessee collaborator Garrett Rose advise UT students who demonstrated the technology's data-crunching abilities on well-known biology and medical research datasets. The ORNL-UT team published their results in an IEEE journal. The researchers are testing the device's capabilities on scientific data such as complex neutrino collision data. [Contact: Sara Shoemaker, (865) 576-9219; shoemakerms@ornl.gov]

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/news/images/Spiking_neural_network_ORNL.jpg

Caption: An example of a spiking neural network shows how data can be classified using the neuromorphic device. Credit: Catherine Schuman and Margaret Drouhard/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Fossil energy--Neutrons run deep

To improve models for drilling, hydraulic fracturing and underground storage of carbon dioxide, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists used neutrons to understand how water flows through fractured rock. Researchers used neutrons bouncing off the hydrogen in water molecules to see inside the rock's microstructure without destroying it and quantify water uptake in real time. "One of the biggest challenges with shale is that it's such a complex system," ORNL's Victoria DiStefano said. "Neutrons help us grasp the complex rock and fracture properties, which determine how quickly water uptake occurs in the rock." Results of the study, which used rock samples from the oil- and gas-rich Eagle Ford Shale Formation in Texas, are detailed in the Journal of Earth Science. Future research will explore how fracture characteristics, such as roughness and mineralogy, affect these interactions. [Contact: Stephanie Seay, (865) 576-9894; seaysg@ornl.gov]

Image #1: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/Fossil_energy_ORNL1.jpg

Caption #1: Victoria DiStefano, University of Tennessee Bredesen Center graduate student researcher, and her adviser, Lawrence Anovitz of ORNL, study rock samples from the Eagle Ford Shale Formation in Texas. Credit: Jason Richards/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Image #2: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/Fossil_energy_ORNL2.jpg

Caption #2: An ORNL-led team used neutrons to understand how water flows through fractured rock. Credit: Jason Richards/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Image #3: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/Fossil_energy_ORNL3.jpg

Caption #3: A computed tomography image details fractures in rock samples from the Eagle Ford Shale Formation in Texas. Credit: University of Texas at Austin

Video clip: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/giphy-13.gif

Video caption: A computed tomography image details fractures in rock samples from the Eagle Ford Shale Formation in Texas. Credit: University of Texas at Austin

Transportation--Better charging access

Officials responsible for anticipating the demand for electric vehicle charging stations could get help through a sophisticated new method developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The method considers electric vehicle volume and the random timing of vehicles arriving at charging stations to determine an optimal number of chargers needed in the near and long term. "Our method can provide insights for planners to strategically balance the cost of new infrastructure with establishing a level of service that can enable and sustain increased use of electric vehicles," said ORNL's Zhenhong Lin. The study, published in Transportation Research Part E, mapped the number of direct current fast chargers needed at new stations between California cities if regional infrastructure were added in stages through 2029. The method can also be applied to other states, regions and the nation. [Contact: Kim Askey, (865) 576-2841; askeyka@ornl.gov]

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/news/images/Untitled-1%20%281%29.jpg

Caption: An analysis from Oak Ridge National Laboratory shows the optimal number of fast chargers needed at electric vehicle charging stations between California cities in a multi-stage deployment through 2029. Credit: Fie Xie/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Materials--Shape-memory conductors

A novel approach that creates a renewable, leathery material--programmed to remember its shape--may offer a low-cost alternative to conventional conductors for applications in sensors and robotics. To make the bio-based, shape-memory material, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists streamlined a solvent-free process that mixes rubber with lignin--the by-product of woody plants used to make biofuels. They fashioned the leathery material into small strips and brushed on a thin layer of silver nanoparticles to activate electrical conductivity. The strips were stretched or curled and then frozen as part of the process to program the material to return to its intended shape, which occurs after the application of low heat. "The performance of this polymer can be tuned further," said ORNL's Amit Naskar. "Variant lignins can be used at different ratios, which determines the material's pliability." ORNL detailed their method in Macromolecules. [Contact: Sara Shoemaker, (865) 576-9219; shoemakerms@ornl.gov]

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202017-12-22%20at%202.01.38%20PM.jpg

Caption: An Oak Ridge National Laboratory team developed a novel approach that creates a renewable, leathery material--programmed to remember its shape--which may offer a low-cost alternative to conventional conductors for applications in sensors and robotics.

Credit: Jenny Woodbery/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=CGGkJo6WJJc

Video caption: An Oak Ridge National Laboratory team developed a novel approach that creates a renewable, leathery material--programmed to remember its shape--which may offer a low-cost alternative to conventional conductors for applications in sensors and robotics. Credit: Jenny Woodbery/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Neutrons--Exotic particles

A novel approach for studying magnetic behavior in a material called alpha-ruthenium trichloride may have implications for quantum computing. By suppressing the material's magnetic order, scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee observed behavior consistent with exotic particles that are predicted to emerge when energy is added to a quantum spin liquid, or QSL. QSLs exist in certain materials where magnetic moments fluctuate in a liquid-like state rather than forming an ordered pattern. The team disrupted the material's magnetic order by substituting iridium ions for ruthenium, then used neutron scattering to characterize the resulting magnetic behavior. "Through this process, we saw hints of highly sought-after particles, which were robust and perhaps even more intense in the QSL state," said UT's Paige Kelley, coauthor of a study published in Physical Review Letters. "This discovery could be the future basis for a topologically protected qubit in a quantum computer." [Contact: Paul Boisvert, 865-576-9047; boisvertpl@ornl.gov]

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/Neutrons-Exotic_particles.jpg

Caption: Long-range ordering of magnetic ions in a graphene-like material (on left) is disrupted by placing nonmagnetic ions on the honeycomb lattice, resulting in a quantum spin liquid state (on right). As neutrons (blue line) scatter off the magnetically disordered material, they produce unusual particles such as Majorana fermions (purple wave) that move through the lattice disrupting or breaking apart magnetic interactions between "spinning" electrons. Credit: Jill Hemman/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

###Philadelphia, PA, and Hoboken, NJ, January 3, 2018 - While ultrasound imaging is a commonly used diagnostic tool in obstetrics and gynecology, evidence suggests that the quality of ultrasound examination in clinical practice and ultrasound training in obstetrics and gynecology and radiology residency programs can be improved. To address these issues, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) convened a forum tasked with developing a roadmap for quality improvement in ultrasound imaging in obstetrics and gynecology and set up a task force to establish a consensus curriculum and competency assessment tools for residency training. The results of these efforts are published simultaneously today in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, and Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

In an effort to develop better standards, the forum, Beyond Ultrasound First, under the leadership of Beryl R. Benacerraf, MD, from Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, brought together representatives from many professional associations; the imaging community including radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency medicine among others; and government agencies, insurers, industry, and others with common interest in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound. The aim of this forum, funded by AIUM's Endowment for Education and Research, was to increase and unify the quality of ultrasound examinations in obstetrics and gynecology with the ultimate goal of improving patient safety and quality of clinical care.

"Improving the quality of ultrasound examinations will have a substantial impact on patient care and healthcare costs," explained Dr. Benacerraf. "Furthermore, standardizing the approach to ultrasound training in residency programs and providing tools to measure competency in a comprehensive way is a novel approach that will ensure training and thus impact long term patient care. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a multi-society curriculum and competency assessment tools have been created for residency training in clinical imaging."

Roberto Romero, MD, DMedSci., Editor-in-Chief for Obstetrics of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, stated that "a curriculum in ultrasound for training future physicians in obstetrics and gynecology and related disciplines was necessary to improve the care of women and their unborn children. We are pleased to make available to the entire world the recommendations of the Task Force as well as the images and criteria for evaluation to strengthen education, enhance training, and promote high-quality medical practice."

While most obstetricians and gynecologists agree that ultrasound should be the first-choice imaging method, its use and level of competency with which it is performed are variable. The proceedings of this conference focus on the key issues identified and possible approaches to resident teaching and means to improve the inconsistent quality of ultrasound examinations performed today:

Understanding the role of ultrasound in clinical imaging and the importance of complying with ultrasound first when feasible

Ensuring that ultrasound is performed in high quality in order to minimize false positive and false negative findings

Incorporating the curriculum and competency assessment tools in residency programs to ensure standardization of training

Gaining insights into the payer's perspectives

According to Dr. Benacerraf, "Ultrasound can be immensely informative, but it requires more skill and training than just pushing a button. Those that make the effort to master the modality will reap rich rewards for their patients, trainees, and themselves, and often avoid moving on to other imaging studies by providing the diagnosis with sonography. The practice of ultrasound offers the imager the possibility of direct patient contact to guide the exam, which is unique to ultrasound and represents the essence of our profession."

The multi-society Task Force that developed the curriculum to standardize teaching of ultrasound in OB GYN for Residents was led by Alfred Z. Abuhamad, MD, of Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA. Their efforts resulted in a consensus report that describes essential topics in medical ultrasound training, a level-based framework to guide trainees to increasing competence, and a competency assessment that involves evaluation of still ultrasound images, movie clips, realtime scanning, or a combination of methods that can be implemented by individual programs.

"This consensus-based curriculum and competency assessment will provide the tools to ensure standardization of ultrasound training in residency programs. Ensuring optimal training of ultrasound in residency programs will result in improved quality of ultrasound examinations in clinical practice," commented Dr. Abuhamad.

Basky Thilaganathan, MD, PhD, FRCOG, St George's, University of London, Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, London, UK, and Editor-in-Chief, Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology (UOG) added, "Ultrasound imaging is now established in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, making systematic education and assessment in this competency a necessity, rather than optional. UOG is pleased to publish the framework for curriculum based training to allow structured practical training and experience in this specialty."

Ultrasound imaging is dependent on the operator to a much greater extent than computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Obstetric ultrasound imaging is particularly challenging, given the small size of fetal organs and the variable fetal position in the uterus. This makes training and competency assessment an important factor in the quality of the ultrasound examination.

###A ground-breaking new research hub has been set up to help halt future outbreaks of killer diseases like Ebola and Zika.

The landmark project will help to increase vaccine coverage across the globe and improve the response to deadly outbreaks through the rapid deployment of life-saving vaccines.

Currently, nearly one in five infants across the world - 19.5 million children - do not have access to basic vaccines, and almost one third of deaths among children under five could be prevented through the use of vaccines.

The effective distribution of vaccines is hampered in rural areas of low and middle income nations by the costs associated with their production and purification, and the need for them to be stored at temperatures of between two and eight degrees Celsius.

An additional challenge is the need to respond rapidly to emerging threats such as the Ebola and Zika viruses.

The new Hub will look to address two major challenges facing attempts to create future vaccine manufacturing systems:

How to design a production system that can produce tens of thousands of new doses within weeks of a new threat being identified

How to improve current manufacturing processes and change the way vaccines are manufactured, stabilised and stored so that existing and new diseases can be prevented effectively, and costs reduced

Public Health Minister, Steve Brine said: "It is a tragedy that so many people across the world die because they do not have access to basic vaccines. Diseases do not respect borders and we have a responsibility to fight them both at home and abroad.

"Our scientists and laboratories are world-leading and can hold the key to making and deploying more life-saving vaccines - including when emerging threats arise like Zika or Ebola. This hub has the immense potential to save and improve the lives of millions."

Project lead investigator, Professor Robin Shattock, Chair in Mucosal Infection and Immunity at Imperial College London, said: "Through the establishment of the Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub we are looking to exploit the next wave of biotechnology innovation to rapidly respond to emerging outbreaks and empower countries most at risk to infections to meet their local vaccine needs."

EPSRC's Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, said: "Vaccines and their availability can mean the difference between life and death for millions of people across the globe. Many of these deaths, whether they are a result of polio, diphtheria or measles, could be prevented through immunisation, and research at the Hub will look to overcome barriers currently blocking progress in this field.

"At the same time, this investment will also support the researchers as they strive to develop ways to respond rapidly and efficiently to threats such as Ebola and Zika and save many lives in the future."

The new Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub is led by Imperial College London and features four other UK universities and three UK institutes. It has been established with almost 10 million of funding by the Department for Health and will be managed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The hub will collaborate with the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN) on manufacturing projects, initially in India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uganda and China and expanding to other countries in the future.

It will adopt an integrated approach that will build on new developments in life sciences, immunology and process systems to address these two challenges.

Approaches that will be explored by researchers at the Hub include the development of synthetic RNA vaccines which can be rapidly manufactured; the rapid production of yeast and bacterially-expressed particles that mimic components of pathogenic viruses and bacteria; and protein stabilisation to preserve vaccines at temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius, avoiding the need for refrigerated distribution and storage.

###

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact Professor Shattock at Imperial College London on 07917 632 704 or r.shattock@imperial.ac.uk; the EPSRC press office on 01793 444 404 or pressoffice@epsrc.ac.uk; or the Department for Health - Marc Masey, senior media and campaigns officer: 0207 210 5703 or call the duty press officer on 07050 073 581

Filming and interview opportunities with Professor Shattock at Imperial College London are available on request.

Funding of 9,947,570 over 40 months has been allocated to the Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub.

The Hub is led by Imperial College London, and also involves the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and Nottingham, Cranfield University, the Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC) as part of NHS Blood and Transplant, UK National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, CPI and National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC). The Hub will also partner with GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health. The hub will collaborate with the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturing Network (DCVMN) and African Vaccine Manufacturers Initiative (AVMI) to maximise dissemination of knowledge. Manufacturing research projects will be carried out with the following partners: Hilleman Laboratories, India; the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI); Dalian Hissen BioPharm Co., Ltd, China; Incepta, Bangladesh; and VABIOTECH, Vietnam.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): As the main funding agency for engineering and physical sciences research, our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world to Research, Discover and Innovate. By investing 800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, we are building the knowledge and skills base needed to address the scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. Our portfolio covers a vast range of fields from healthcare technologies to structural engineering, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry. The research we fund has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. We work collectively with our partners and other Research Councils on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.WASHINGTON, DC - Prizes for meritorious service and exemplary writing will be awarded to mathematicians David Bressoud, Gary Gordon, Hortensia Soto, Ronald Taylor, Jr., and Daniel Velleman by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) on Jan. 13 in San Diego at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, the world's largest gathering of mathematicians.

"The mathematicians receiving these awards are the leaders in our community who carry out the MAA's mission to advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on our world," said Michael Pearson, the executive director of the MAA. "Their distinguished service and dedication to mathematical excellence strengthen our community and open paths for future generations of mathematicians."

Yueh-Gin Gung and Dr. Charles Y. Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics

David Bressoud, past president of the MAA and professor of mathematics at Macalester College, is the recipient of the prestigious Gung and Hu Award. Bressoud is recognized for distinguished service in the mathematical community, particularly for his influential leadership in exploring the role of calculus in U.S. schools. Bressoud has a rich career that spans research, education, and mathematical communication. Among his many positions, Bressoud has chaired the MAA Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics, the MAA Second Century Campaign, the College Board AP Calculus Development, and serves as director for the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences.

The Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Awards for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics

Each year the MAA recognizes college or university mathematics teachers who demonstrate extraordinary success in teaching effectiveness, even beyond their own institutions. The Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Awards go to Gary Gordon, Hortensia Soto, and Ronald Taylor, Jr.

Gordon, a professor of mathematics at Lafayette College, has promoted problem-solving through programs that have an international reach. His classroom is known for the popular "toy of the day," where Gordon uses puzzles and models to stimulate mathematical conversation. He has promoted undergraduate student research and travel experience to mathematical meetings and student tutoring trips to Madagascar.

As an engaging mentor and educator, Soto is recognized for her innovative work designing classroom activities that implement research-based teaching strategies for the full spectrum of learners. Soto, a professor of mathematics at the University of Northern Colorado, also dedicates her time to train fellow mathematics teachers through MAA Project NExT. Soto is also applauded for her work in Las Chicas de Mathematicas, a mathematics camp that introduces young women to college-level math.

Taylor is recognized for his success cultivating an Inquiry-Based Learning approach to his mathematics classroom at Berry College. He used his experience to mentor mathematics faculty at other institutions and co-chaired the organizing committee for the Inquiry Based Learning-Forum & Annual Legacy of R.L. Moore Conference. Taylor also dedicates his time to teaching mathematics to minority students through various summer camps and pre-college math workshops.

Chauvenet Prize

Daniel Velleman is the recipient of the Chauvenet Prize for his outstanding article "The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra: A Visual Approach," published in The Mathematical Intelligencer. Velleman's prize-winning work applies a colorful method for visualizing a complicated assertion: that every nonconstant polynomial with complex coefficients has at least one root in the complex numbers. Velleman uses the images to clarify three different proofs of the theorem. He is both an adjunct professor at the University of Vermont and professor emeritus at Amherst College, and was the editor of The American Mathematical Monthly, MAA's flagship journal, from 2007 to 2011.

###

The Mathematical Association of America is the world's largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts. We accelerate the understanding of our world through mathematics because mathematics drives society and shapes our lives. Learn more at maa.org.The National Academy of Engineering announced today that the 2018 Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering will be awarded to Bjarne Stroustrup 'for conceptualizing and developing the C++ programming language.'

Washington, DC--The National Academy of Engineering announced today that the 2018 Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering will be awarded to Bjarne Stroustrup "for conceptualizing and developing the C++ programming language." The $500,000 annual award is given to engineers whose accomplishments have significantly benefited society.

The Draper Prize will be presented at a gala dinner event in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018.

"Bjarne Stroustrup's creation of the C++ programming language has had a monumental, singular influence on the field of computing," said NAE President C. D. Mote, Jr. "I am honored to bestow upon Bjarne Stroustrup this year's Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering for C++. His creation reminds our society of the extraordinary impact that an outstanding engineer can have on our world."

Though invisible to the general public, billions of people indirectly use C++ every day. Pervasive in computerized systems everywhere, the Google search engine is written in C++ as is most of Google's supporting infrastructure. The communications parts of smartphones are in C++ as well as much of the telecommunication systems that connect them. C++ is key to many of tools of the movie industry and the higher levels of the Mars Rover software. C++ libraries underlie the current efforts in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous vehicles.

Indeed, C++ is one of computing's most influential programming languages. At Bell Labs, Stroustrup developed it in response to the dual challenges of achieving optimal performance and handling complexity for distributed systems. The C++ programming language is based on the C programming language, adding powerful abstraction mechanisms without compromising C's ability to effectively use hardware resources. C++'s combination of expressiveness and efficiency surpasses that of other programming languages, making it a popular choice for complex tasks with resource constraints such as game engines, database implementations, control systems, financial services, graphics, networking, and web servers. C++ is now used by approximately 4.5 million programmers around the world and has revolutionized numerous applications -- from web services like Google and Facebook to medical systems such as CAT scanners and blood analyses.

Stroustrup is the managing director in the technology division of Morgan Stanley in New York City, as well as a visiting professor in computer science at Columbia University. Stroustrup continues to commit himself to computer science research, including the further development of C++, distributed systems, design, programming techniques, and software development tools. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cambridge University, where he is an honorary fellow of Churchill College. Stroustrup was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2004.

###

The Draper Prize was established in 1988 at the request of the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc., Cambridge, Mass., to honor the memory of "Doc" Draper, the "father of inertial navigation," and to increase public understanding of the contributions of engineering and technology. The prize is awarded annually.

Founded in 1964, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. Its mission is to advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshalling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology.

Contacts:

Randy Atkins

Senior Program Officer for Media/Public Relations

National Academy of Engineering

202-334-1508

RAtkins@nae.edu

Maggie Bartolomeo

Communications/Media Associate

National Academy of Engineering

202-334-2226

MBartolomeo@nae.eduA new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for research, observation, and analysis activities that would help improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico's Loop Current System (LCS).

WASHINGTON - A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for an international, multi-institutional comprehensive campaign of research, observation, and analysis activities that would help improve understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico's Loop Current System (LCS). The position, strength, and structure of the LCS -- the dominant ocean circulation feature in the Gulf -- has major implications for oil and gas operations, hurricane intensity, coastal ecosystems, oil spill response, the fishing industry, tourism, and the region's economy.

The report identifies a suite of complementary research efforts that would provide critical information about the LCS to help promote safer offshore operations, better understand the Gulf's complex oceanographic systems, facilitate disaster response, help protect coastal communities, protect and manage ecological resources, and predict and forecast weather and climate impacts. Estimated to take about 10 years and cost between $100 million and $125 million, the recommended research campaign is critical for more accurate predictions of the Loop Current's path, the report says.

"Improving our predictive skills and understanding of the Loop Current System is critical to operational safety and a variety of human activities in the Gulf," said Paul G. Gaffney II, chair of the committee that wrote the report, a retired Navy vice admiral, and president emeritus of Monmouth University. "Moreover, improving ocean modeling in the Gulf will also inform prediction efforts in other ocean basins. Our report identifies gaps in knowledge and recommends comprehensive measurements and research efforts that could be undertaken to fill these gaps."

The LCS flows northward through the Yucatan Channel up into the Gulf of Mexico where it eventually turns eastward and then southward before exiting out through the Florida Straits and feeding into the Gulf Stream. The position of the current varies greatly depending on whether it is in a retracted state or a more northerly, extended state. In addition, circular currents known as eddies -- which can be 100-200 miles in diameter -- occasionally separate from the main flow of the LCS and slowly migrate into the western Gulf.

Advancing understanding of the LCS could provide many benefits, the report says. For example, the lack of real-time, in situ observations in the deep ocean after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill made it difficult for first responders to track oil under the ocean's surface. Better information could have improved spill response and recovery operations. In addition, when the LCS is in its extended state, its strong currents pose significant operational safety concerns for oil and gas operations, causing costly slowdowns or shutdowns. Knowledge of the factors and dynamics that cause the LCS extended state could help the industry be better prepared.

However, despite decades of research, important questions about LCS dynamics remain unanswered, such as factors that influence the Loop Current extension into the Gulf and eddy shedding from the Loop Current. Most scientific observations of the LCS have been limited to ocean surface features and satellite data, and although there have been a number of field studies of the full water-column from ocean surface to seafloor, they were of limited geographic scope and over short time periods. While this research has advanced knowledge of the LCS, significant gaps remain in understanding the formation, variability, and structure of the LCS and its interaction with other dynamic processes in the Gulf.

The research campaign identified in the report consists of 30 recommendations for both near-term and long-term (decadal length) activities, which are divided into observational components, technology enhancements, analyses and theory, and data assimilation and numerical modeling techniques needed to provide critical information about the LCS. The recommendations are intended to help guide future funding investments by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as federal U.S. agencies, Mexican and Cuban oceanographic research entities, research institutions, and other ocean science sponsors.

A webinar about the report and the first GRP funding opportunity related to it is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. EST. The funding opportunity will open in early February and will focus on the report's near-term recommendations, which address activities that can be started before extensive planning for the larger research campaign has gotten underway. The observations and analyses to be completed through this initial funding opportunity will jumpstart and inform the design of the campaign. To receive updates, visit http://www.nas.edu/gulf/enews.

###

The report was funded by the Gulf Research Program. The National Academies' Gulf Research Program is an independent, science-based program founded in 2013 as part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. It seeks to enhance offshore energy system safety and protect human health and the environment by catalyzing advances in science, practice, and capacity to generate long-term benefits for the Gulf of Mexico region and the nation. The program has $500 million for use over 30 years to fund grants, fellowships, and other activities in the areas of research and development, education and training, and monitoring and synthesis. Visit http://www.national-academies.org/gulf to learn more.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. The Academies operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. For more information, visit http://www.national-academies.org.

Contacts:

Molly Galvin

Director, Executive Communications

Joshua Blatt

Media Relations Assistant

Office of News and Public Information

202-334-2138

news@nas.edu

http://national-academies.org/newsroom

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Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalacademyofsciences/sets

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE

Gulf Research Program

Committee on Advancing Understanding of Gulf of Mexico Loop Current Dynamics

Paul G. Gaffney II* (chair)

Vice Admiral (retired)

United States Navy, and

President Emeritus

Monmouth University

Columbia, S.C.

Shuyi S. Chen

Professor of Atmospheric Sciences

Department of Atmospheric Sciences

University of Washington

Seattle

Steven F. DiMarco

Professor

Department of Oceanography, and

Ocean Observing Team Leader

Geochemical and Environmental Research Group

Texas A&M University

College Station

Scott Glenn

Distinguished Professor

Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, and

Co-Director

Center for Ocean Observing Leadership

Rutgers University

New Brunswick, N.J.

Ruoying He

Distinguished Professor

Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences

North Carolina State University

Raleigh

Joseph Kuehl

Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Delaware

Newark

Robert Leben

Research Professor

Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, and

Member

Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research

University of Colorado

Boulder

Pierre F. Lermusiaux

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Science and Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge

Ruth M. Perry

Marine Scientist and Regulatory Policy Specialist

Shell Exploration and Production Co.

Houston

Daniel L. Rudnick

Professor of Climate, Atmospheric Science, and Physical Oceanography

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

La Jolla, Calif.

Neha Sharma

Vice President of Operations

Horizon Marine Inc.

Marion, Mass.

Randolph Watts

Professor

Graduate School of Oceanography

University of Rhode Island

Narragansett

Robert H. Weisberg

Distinguished University Professor

College of Marine Science

University of Southern Florida

St. Petersburg

Dana R. Yoerger

Senior Scientist

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole, Mass.

STAFF

Kelly Oskvig

Staff Officer

*Member, National Academy of EngineeringNASA's Aqua satellite passed over the South China Sea and obtained a visible light image of the first depression of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean basin's 2018 tropical cyclone season. Vertical wind shear can be deadly to tropical cyclones and satellite data showed Tropical Depression Bolaven, formerly known as 01W, was being adversely affected by it.

On Jan. 3 at 1:10 a.m. EST (0610 UTC) the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard Aqua provided a visible look at the effect wind shear was having on Bolaven. Southeasterly wind shear had pushed the bulk of clouds to the northwestern quadrant of the storm, leaving the rest of the circulation exposed and with just fragmented clouds.

On Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC), Tropical Depression Bolaven was located near 11.7 degrees north latitude and 112.6 degrees east longitude, about 391 nautical miles east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Bolaven's maximum sustained winds were near 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph). The depression was moving to the west-northwest at 16 knots (18.4 mph/29.6 kph).

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said Bolaven will continue to weaken due to persistent vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures as it approaches Vietnam. Once the storm makes landfall, it expected to dissipate rapidly as it tracks inland.

The forecast calls for Bolaven to track west across the South China Sea and will not intensify before making final landfall in southern Vietnam on Jan. 4.

###For the first time, physicists have built a two-dimensional experimental system that allows them to study the physical properties of materials that were theorized to exist only in four-dimensional space. An international team of researchers from Penn State, ETH Zurich in Switzerland, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Holon Institute of Technology in Israel have demonstrated that the behavior of particles of light can be made to match predictions about the four-dimensional version of the "quantum Hall effect" -- a phenomenon that has been at the root of three Nobel Prizes in physics -- in a two-dimensional array of "waveguides."

A paper describing the research appears January 4, 2018 in the journal Nature along with a paper from a separate group from Germany that shows that a similar mechanism can be used to make a gas of ultracold atoms exhibit four-dimensional quantum Hall physics as well.

"When it was theorized that the quantum Hall effect could be observed in four-dimensional space," said Mikael Rechtsman, assistant professor of physics and an author of the paper, "it was considered to be of purely theoretical interest because the real world consists of only three spatial dimensions; it was more or less a curiosity. But, we have now shown that four-dimensional quantum Hall physics can be emulated using photons -- particles of light -- flowing through an intricately structured piece of glass -- a waveguide array."

When electric charge is sandwiched between two surfaces, the charge behaves effectively like a two-dimensional material. When that material is cooled down to near absolute-zero temperature and subjected to a strong magnetic field, the amount that it can conduct becomes "quantized" -- fixed to a fundamental constant of nature and cannot change. "Quantization is striking because even if the material is 'messy' -- that is, it has a lot of defects -- this 'Hall conductance' remains exceedingly stable," said Rechtsman. "This robustness of electron flow -- the quantum Hall effect -- is universal and can be observed in many different materials under very different conditions."

This quantization of conductance, first described in two-dimensions, cannot be observed in an ordinary three-dimensional material, but in 2000, it was shown theoretically that a similar quantization could be observed in four spatial dimensions. To model this four-dimensional space, the researchers built waveguide arrays. Each waveguide is essentially a tube, which behaves like a wire for light. This "tube" is inscribed through high-quality glass using a powerful laser.

Many of these waveguides are inscribed closely spaced through a single piece of glass to form the array. The researchers used a recently-developed technique to encode "synthetic dimensions" into the positions of the waveguides. In other words, the complex patterns of the waveguide positions act as a manifestation of the higher-dimensional coordinates. By encoding two extra synthetic dimensions into the complex geometric structure of the waveguides, the researchers were able to model the two-dimensional system as having a total of four spatial dimensions. The researchers then measured how light flowed through the device and found that it behaved precisely according to the predictions of the four-dimensional quantum Hall effect.

"Our observations, taken together with the observations using ultracold atoms, provide the first demonstration of higher-dimensional quantum Hall physics," said Rechtsman. "But how can understanding and probing higher-dimensional physics have some relevance to science and technology in our three-dimensional world? There are a number of examples where this is the case. For example, 'quasicrystals' -- metallic alloys that are crystalline but have no repeating units and are used to coat some non-stick pans -- have been shown to have 'hidden dimensions:' their structures can be understood as projections from higher-dimensional space into the real, three-dimensional world. Furthermore, it is possible that higher-dimensional physics could be used as a design principle for novel photonic devices."

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In addition to Rechtsman, the research team includes Jonathan Guglielmon at Penn State; Oded Zilberberg at ETH Zurich; Sheng Huang, Mohan Wang, and Kevin Chen at the University of Pittsburgh; and Yaacov E. Kraus at the Holon Institute of Technology. The research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.RESTON, Va. - The new total-body PET/CT scanner could revolutionize our understanding and treatment of disease through analysis of better imaging data from the whole body. In The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) featured January article, scientists at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), outline the development and benefits of this innovative diagnostic tool and explain how maximizing PET sensitivity will advance clinical research and patient care.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is widely considered the most sensitive technique available for non-invasively studying physiology, metabolism and molecular pathways in the living human being. However, there have been drawbacks, including low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) affecting image quality, long imaging times and concerns regarding radiation dose.

Total-body PET, which encompasses the entire body within the field of view and allows imaging of all the tissues and organs of the body simultaneously, promises to be a game changer.

"It will offer the ability to detect throughout the whole body the location of focal pathologies, including cancer, infection, and inflammation at considerably lower levels of disease activity than is currently possible," explains Terry Jones, DSc, clinical professor of diagnostic radiology at UC Davis.

He points out, "It will also reduce the time taken to scan the whole body by at least a factor of 10, leading to scan times that could be less than one minute. This, for example, will make it far easier to scan infant and pediatric subjects without anesthesia or sedation."

Radiation exposure is reduced as well. Jones notes, "Whole-body PET scans could be performed for a radiation dose roughly equivalent to that received from a round-trip transatlantic flight."

By covering the entire body at once, sensitivity is increased by a factor of ~40 for total-body imaging, or a factor of ~4-5 for imaging a single organ such as the brain or heart. Significant improvements in timing resolution could lead to even further sensitivity gains.

The JNM article states, "Total-body PET offers several opportunities to change the methodological approach to cancer detection and staging, and this same methodology could also be applied to other systemic conditions, including inflammation (e.g. sarcoidosis), vascular disease, sepsis and infectious disease. The increased sensitivity and dynamic range of total-body PET will allow imaging at high SNR at much later times after tracer injection."

Jones adds, "The ability to study the simultaneous interaction of specific molecular/physiological processes between all the tissues/organs of the body--'systems biology' of the human body in health and disease--is especially relevant for functional brain-body, and body-brain interactions that occur in certain psychological, psychiatric, neurological, and inflammatory conditions."

This new technology is nearing clinical readiness. UC Davis, in collaboration with United Imaging Healthcare, has completed the design of the first prototype total-body PET/CT scanner, called EXPLORER, and components are currently being fabricated and tested. The CT scan is acquired as the patient moves into the PET scanner. A smaller-scale, mini-EXPLORER is for researchers to conduct total-body PET imaging in nonhuman primates.

Total-body PET/CT was initially conceived for clinical research, and it will be a boon for researchers. For example, the ability to determine the pharmacokinetics of new drugs in all the organs and tissues of the body at very low masses and radiation doses has the potential to accelerate the translation of new therapeutic agents to clinical practice.

It has become clear, however, that the new scanner will also impact patient diagnosis and care. "The applications of nuclear medicine will expand considerably across internal medicine at a rate not witnessed to-date, and will become more evenly distributed across the age spectrum," says Jones. "There will be a considerable stimulus/investment to develop new imaging biomarkers especially within immunology and endocrinology."

He anticipates changes in nuclear medicine departments as well, stating, "One total-body PET scanner could take on the work load of three-to-four conventional PET scanners, and being able to receive imaging biomarkers from more distant distribution centers [due to the scanner's increased sensitivity, which gives biomarkers increased shelf life], will minimize the need for costly in-house biomarker production."

Addressing the cost issue, Jones also points out, "As the impact of high-sensitivity, total-body PET scanning becomes apparent, this will provide a major stimulus to physicists, chemists, and engineers to develop lower-cost detectors for total-body surveillance."

In short, Jones sees the development of total-body PET/CT as "nuclear medicine coming of age."

###

Authors of "Total-Body PET: Maximizing Sensitivity to Create New Opportunities for Clinical Research and Patient Care" include Simon R. Cherry and Ramsey D. Badawi, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), Davis, Calif., and UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, Calif.; Terry Jones, UC Davis Medical Center; Joel S. Karp, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Jinyi Qi, UC Davis; and William W. Moses, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif.

This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01 CA170874 and R01 CA206187 and by a Research Investment in Science and Engineering grant from UC Davis.

Please visit the SNMMI Media Center to view the PDF of the study, including images, and more information about molecular imaging and personalized medicine. To schedule an interview with the researchers, please contact Laurie Callahan at (703) 652-6773 or lcallahan@snmmi.org. Current and past issues of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine can be found online at http://jnm.snmjournals.org.

About the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising awareness about nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, vital elements of precision medicine that allow diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

SNMMI's more than 15,000 members set the standard for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine practice by creating guidelines, sharing information through journals and meetings and leading advocacy on key issues that affect molecular imaging and therapy research and practice. For more information, visit http://www.snmmi.org.Goal of project to extend amount of time between battery charges, which will result in an overall better battery life

It's a never-ending story most of us have been characters in: The batteries to our cellphones, laptops and cameras are drained, and we swore we just charged them.

Dr. Yu Zhu is heading a project to extend the amount of time between battery charges, which will result in an overall better battery life. He is an assistant professor of polymer science.

Funded in part by a unique statewide initiative - the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) - Zhu's team is working to develop advanced materials that will improve a battery's cyclability (the number of times a battery can be recharged) and increase battery storage density (the length of time a battery can go before needing to be charged). Expanding the time between charges also improves a battery's overall life.

This project, developed over the past four years through funding from the Department of Energy and a $649,000 grant from the OFRN, has developed a new polymer binding material coupled with a new process that mitigates the issues related to the continuous expansion and contraction of silicone electrodes during the charging and discharging cycles needed to reliably power electric technology.

Any application powered through electric batteries - whether phones, cars, or computers - stands to benefit greatly from the technology. The project is now in the prototype phase and may be able to enter the market within a couple years. This research has garnered excitement in government circles, especially from NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

"Here in northeast Ohio we do a great deal of work with traditional automotive components," says Zhu. "But with this development and a better electric vehicle power source, we can expand our manufacturing portfolio, which is really good for our region and for Ohio."

Dr. Eric J. Amis, dean of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, adds, "This type of aligned research network has been tried in other states; however, our approach in Ohio is unique and it's working well at The University of Akron and throughout the state. Now, with the continued leadership and support from the Ohio legislature, we are able to continue to leverage our OFRN investment and achieve even greater results for Ohio."

###

The project includes researchers from the University of Toledo and Ohio State University. It's supported through the Energy Storage and Integration Center of Excellence, led by Case Western Reserve University. This particular project has attracted interest from venture capitalists and enabled a new startup -- Akron Polyenergy -- to spin out from The University of Akron.There's a new way to measure the average temperature of the ocean thanks to researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego. In an article published in the Jan. 4, 2018, issue of the journal Nature, geoscientist Jeff Severinghaus and colleagues at Scripps Oceanography and institutions in Switzerland and Japan detailed their ground-breaking approach.

Determining changes in the average temperature of the entire world's ocean has proven to be a nearly impossible task due to the distribution of different water masses. Each layer of water can have drastically different temperatures, so determining the average over the entirety of the ocean's surface and depths presents a challenge.

Severinghaus and colleagues were able to bypass these obstacles by determining the value indirectly. Instead of measuring water temperature, they determined the ratio of noble gases in the atmosphere, which are in direct relation to the ocean's temperature.

"This method is a radically new way to measure change in total ocean heat," said Severinghaus. "It takes advantage of the fact that the atmosphere is well-mixed, so a single measurement anywhere in the world can give you the answer."

In the study, the scientists measured values of the noble gases argon, krypton, and xenon in air bubbles captured inside ice in Antarctica. As the oceans warm, krypton and xenon are released into the atmosphere in known quantities. The ratio of these gases in the atmosphere therefore allows for the calculation of average global ocean temperature.

Measurements were taken from ice samples collected during the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide coring project, of which Severinghaus is a leader. Over the course of six field seasons in Antarctica, a drill removed ice in cylindrical samples 3.7 meters (just under 9 feet) in length. The final sample was taken at a depth of 3,405 meters (over 11,000 feet) in 2011. This record spans nearly 100,000 years and the age of the layers can be determined to within 50 years. Earth's atmosphere mixes on a scale of weeks to months, so a measurement of these air bubbles gives what is essentially a global average. For this study, scientists focused on samples 8,000 to 22,000 years old, and collected data in increments averaging 250 years in resolution.

New insights into the glaciation cycles that occurred on Earth long before humans began affecting the temperature of the atmosphere and oceans are now possible using the technique of measuring noble gas quantities. The study determined that the average global ocean temperature at the peak of the most recent ice age was 0.9 C (33.6 F). The modern ocean's average temperature is 3.5 C (38.3 F). The incremental measurements between these data points provide an understanding of the global climate never before possible.

"The reason this study is so exciting is that previous methods of reconstructing ocean heat content have very large age uncertainties, [which] smooths out the more subtle features of the record," said co-author Sarah Shackleton, a graduate student in the Severinghaus lab at Scripps. "Because WAIS Divide is so well dated, this is the first time that we've been able to see these subtle features in the record of the deglaciation. This helps us better understand the processes that control changes in ocean heat content."

This paper is the result of fifteen years of work for Severinghaus, along with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in his lab. Discussions with another professor at Scripps, atmospheric scientist Ralph Keeling, brought about the idea. Keeling studies the argon levels in the atmosphere to get a similar record of ocean heat going back a few decades. However, air bubbles trapped in ice don't preserve argon levels accurately. Severinghaus discovered that xenon and krypton are well preserved in ice cores, which provides the temperature information that can then be used by scientists studying many other aspects of the earth's oceans and atmosphere over hundreds of thousands of years.

Going forward, the ratios of these same noble gases can be determined from atmospheric samples taken anywhere in the world. For example, a measurement from the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier in La Jolla represents a global average of ocean temperature. Severinghaus hopes to fine tune the procedure.

"Our precision is about 0.2 C (0.4 F) now, and the warming of the past 50 years is only about 0.1 C," he said, adding that advanced equipment can provide more precise measurements, allowing scientists to use this technique to track the current warming trend in the world's oceans.

Up to this point, the best estimates have come from the Argo program, a network of more than 3,800 robotic floats distributed around the world's oceans that measures temperature and other properties and reports the data via satellite.

Scripps operates the Argo Project Office and is one of dozens of institutions worldwide participating since its inception in 2000. The floats, however, are primarily limited to ice-free areas and only descend to a depth of 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), leaving large key areas unstudied in the quest to obtain a global ocean temperature average.

With this study, Severinghaus and colleagues have shown that measurements of noble gases in the atmosphere provide the historical record long sought by the scientific community, and can be further optimized to gain insights into modern ocean temperature changes as well.

###

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation (grant numbers 05-38630 and 09-44343), and the Swiss National Science Foundation.Boris Striepen, PhD, Professor of Pathobiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has received a $1.8-million, three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enable the development of drugs for cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cryptosporidiosis sickens approximately 750,000 people each year in the United States. Caused by Cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that is typically transmitted through contaminated water, the disease is the second leading cause of severe diarrhea in small children. Globally, diarrheal diseases claim the lives of over 800,000 children under the age of five each year. The disease can be particularly serious in children who are malnourished and in individuals who are immunocompromised either due to illness or medical treatments.

Striepen is a leader in the study of Cryptosporidium. Under the grant, he and his team will use a variety of molecular genetic approaches to support drug development efforts, focusing on the identification and validation of therapeutic targets to guide medicinal chemistry. The project will build upon the team's breakthrough in establishing techniques for genetic manipulation of Cryptosporidium to produce parasites suitable for drug testing in vitro and in vivo. Striepen will seek to link drug candidates with their targets within the parasite. Understanding how drugs work is very helpful to further enhance their potency and to anticipate and avoid unwanted toxicity and side effects.

"We will develop rigorous tests to establish whether drug candidates truly act on the target they were designed to," Striepen said. "We will establish how the metabolism of the parasite interacts with that of its human host cell and assemble a catalog of those functions that are essential to the survival of the parasite and thus good targets for intervention."

To accomplish these goals, Striepen and his researchers will conduct several activities. Initially, they will focus on those parasite functions for which drug candidates are already available and under study. Next, they will establish a model of the parasite's metabolism and identify biochemical vulnerabilities within that model. They will seek to understand the metabolites the parasites uses at different points in its lifecycle and whether those are made by the parasite or taken from the host. Lastly, they will use genome-wide knock out approaches to discover all those activities that are essential to the parasite's viability.

"This information will allow us not only to understand the lifecycle in much greater detail," said Striepen, "but also open the door to more sophisticated manipulation of the parasite, to support drug development, but also to potentially generate weakened strains that may be suitable for vaccination."

###

Striepen joined Penn Vet's faculty in July 2017. His research program is supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Wellcome Trust. Striepen serves on numerous scientific advisory and editorial boards including the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Keystone Conferences, PLoS Biology, and MBio, and he was the director of the Biology of Parasitism summer research course at the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole. Striepen received his PhD at Philipps-Universitat in Marburg, Germany and was a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.The passage of storm Burglind across much of Switzerland Wednesday wreaked a trail of disruption, derailing a train, blocking roads, and cancelling flights.

Winds of almost 200km/h (at altitude) and 171km/h (on lower ground) were recorded. In some cantons police have advised citizens only to leave their homes if strictly necessary.

The storm has so far caused most damage in western Switzerland. On Wednesday afternoon, a strong gust derailed a train in the Bernese town of Lenk, injuring eight people. None of the injuries were serious, according to cantonal police.

A powerline fell on the A1 motorway between Oensingen (Canton Solothurn) and Bern, leading to several accidents and flipped vehicles (see police photo below) and the complete closure of the road. Police are still unsure of when it will be reopened.

Earlier in the morning, flights at the Franco-Swiss airport of Basel-Mulhouse were suspended for several hours, while Swiss Rail also announced cancellations, including that of the busy tourist route to Jungfraujoch.

Further east, Zurich airport was also experiencing delays and cancellations this morning due to high winds. Up-to-the-minute information can be found on its website.

In the south, an avalanche threat led to between 20 and 40 people being told to leave the at-risk commune of Conthey in Canton Valais. They were informed by text message to evacuate their homes by 10.00 am Wednesday morning.

And in Bern city, the 13-metre-high Christmas tree that adorned the square in front of the main station over the holidays was also toppled(see tweet). Authorities said its removal was in any case planned for today.

The Federal Office of Meteorology has maintained a weather warning of scale three (out of five). The storm is expected to continue eastwards across the country along the north of the Alps.



swissinfo.ch and agencies/dos



Ferdinand Hodler is one of the best-known Swiss painters of the 19th century. Now one of his works is the centrepiece of an exhibition running until November 12, 2018 at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Portraits of the World: Switzerland is the title of this inaugural exhibition in a series highlighting the global context of American portraiture, according to the gallery. It features Hodlers Femme en Extase (woman in ecstasy), a portrait of the Italian dancer Giulia Leonardi on loan from the Museum of Art and History in Geneva.

Gallery curator Robyn Aslesonexplains in this video the importance of Hodler and of hisFemme en Extase:

The gallery says that Femme en Extaseembodies the Swiss modernist approach to expressing emotion through movements of the body  a theory known as eurhythmics  which had an international impact. The Hodler painting will be complemented by works from the Portrait Gallerys collection showing American dancers influenced by eurhythmics.

Hodler was one of three Swiss artists along with Giovanni Giacometti and Cuno Amiet who dominated the art scene in Switzerland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, greatly influencing Swiss modern art.

Here is a selection of their work from a 2010 exhibition at the Museum of Art in Lucerne.



Adapted from German by Julia Crawford ,











swissinfo.ch





The world heads to new opportunities this year as the globes biggest democracies prepare for popular votes in the next 18 months. From Indonesia to Brazil, the European Union to India, the United States to Japan, billions of citizens will be invited to have their say.

And there are good chances that the recent focus on identity politics and negative campaigning will be replaced by more forward-looking and constructive dialogue.

Starting the new year in the worlds fourth biggest democracy, Indonesia, is a revealing experience. With a population of more than 260 million, Indonesia is a country of enormous variety and extremes. It is also the southern hemispheres most populated nation-state and the country with the biggest Muslim population in the world (73%). So it is a fascinating test ground for the use and practice of democracy.

After ousting the latest dictator back in 1999, the archipelago has had a roller-coaster journey towards a genuinely open and modern society with basic human rights and free and fair elections. Last year saw a sudden setback in Jakarta region (more than ten million voters), where then-democratic party governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama was jailed for blasphemy against Islam.

This alerted human rights activists and democracy supporters across the country and beyond.Suddenly religious identity politics celebrated a comeback, said Usman Hasmid, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia. In a country as diverse and rich in cultures as Indonesia  more than 13,000 islands and 700 different languages  such an approach poisons peace and stability.

Two decades of democracy

But in a recent interview with the Jakarta Post, Hasmid also said: We have experienced more than two decades of democracy without any serious interruption. Indeed, as your #ddworldtour notebook writer travels across Eastern Java these first days of 2018, it is striking how vibrant and peaceful this country is.

In June, people in no less than 171 regions will elect their governors and parliaments. These elections will constitute the largest simultaneous democratic exercise in the countrys history.

The famous Indonesian social media influencer Adhyta F.Utami says the elections offer citizens an opportunity to engage in sensitive issues such as religion and minority rights and will also be an important step forward to the 2019 presidential election.

For the last five years the country has been governed by Joko Jokowi Widodo, the first head of state without a high ranking political or military background, and the foremost example so far of a new generation of grassroots-based and participation-friendly leaders.

In the coming weeks, I will meet with several of Jokowis colleagues, who are engaged in local and regional politics both in Indonesia and beyond.

Elections across the world

Indonesia is just one of many countries that will see major democratic exercises in the near future.

In Latin America, the two most populated countries will see mega-elections.

On July 1, the 123 million people of Mexico elect a new president (for six years), a new 500-member Chamber of Deputies and a new Senate (128 members). In October, Brazil, which has more than 200 million inhabitants, goes to the polls to decide in direct elections almost all important offices in the country (from the President to the State Vice-Governors).

The conduct and outcomes of these multiple popular votes will be indicative of the democratic future of the whole of Latin America, which has struggled with corruption, populist leadership and openly anti-democratic governments like the one in Venezuela. (Venezuelans will have a presidential election this year, but it is unlikely to be free and fair).

Across the Atlantic in Africa, 2018 has started on a rather positive note as long-time war-plagued Liberia successfully held a decisive presidential poll, allowing for one of the first peaceful power shifts in the country.

There are democratic opportunities across the continent, including in Zimbabwe (late 2018 elections) where long-term dictator Robert Mugabe was ousted last November, and South Africa (first half of 2019) where the recent nomination of Cyril Ramaphosa to head the ruling ANC party is seen as a repudiation of the deeply corrupt leadership of the incumbent Jacob Zuma.

Further north, Tunisia will for the first time elect local leaders in direct elections on March 25, marking a historic step towards further democratization of the Arab Springs only success story. Strong local democracies, which the Tunisian Constitution says must have strong participatory and direct features, can bring real improvement and democratic exchange.

In the northern hemisphere, citizens in many countries will be called to the polls to decide on both persons (elections) and issues (referendums).

While there is unfortunately little hope that the forthcoming presidential election in Russia will offer any open conversations or real choices (the only main contender to the running autocrat is barred from participating in the March 18 election), Italy is heading to a very interesting popular vote on March 4.

Under a new electoral law that encourages parties to build alliances, at least three main political camps are on offer: the left, the right and the not-easy-to-position Five Star Movement, which houses a broad spectrum of voters and candidates.

Swissvote on public broadcaster

The very same Sunday will see a highly contested vote on a citizens initiative in neighbouring Switzerland on the future of the national public broadcasting services, an initiative that puts into question an important element of the countrys democratic infrastructure.

While feared by many, this popular vote again offers a great opportunity for a public conversation on and around modern democracy.

Europe will see many more popular votes both on persons and issues these coming 18 months, including in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Sweden, leading up to the 2019 spring election to the European Parliament, one of the biggest electoral exercises worldwide (even though it will be the first such election in which British citizens are not eligible).

Indias 850 million voters

The only electoral event bigger than the pan-European EU parliament elections will take place around the same time in spring 2019: the Lok Sabha election in India, involving almost 850 million eligible voters.

The poll, conducted over a period of five weeks in April-May of 2019 will see the incumbent Hindu majority government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being challenged by Rahul Gandhis Congress and hundreds of smaller parties across the enormous country, which is often called the biggest democracy in the word.

This will happen half a year after crucial mid-term elections on November 6, 2018 in the worlds third biggest democracy, the United States.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 out of the 100 Senate seats will be contested. Additionally, 39 state governorships and legislatures will be decided. These elections offer a great opportunity to respond to the highly divisive presidential election of 2016.

Additionally, up to 200 statewide initiatives and referendums are expected to be put to a vote in the US, including questions on healthcare, education, elections and transportation.

Asia

Across the Pacific Ocean, nationwide referendums on constitutional amendments are expected in both Japan (on security) and South Korea (on democracy), offering major opportunities to involve the citizens in two highly populous countries (Japan 127 million, South Korea 51 million) in conversations on their societies future.

The same will happen in nearby Taiwan, where parliament approved a new initiative and referendum law late last year, making modern direct democracy a real option for the first time in this multicultural country of 23 million people.

In other words, the next 18 months offer democrats around the world a series of great invitations and opportunities to exercise people powerand to develop democracy.

At swissinfo.ch we are most interested in your experiences and stories on how people can influence politics. Share them with us using #deardemocracy on social media. We look forward to hearing from you!

#ddworldtour Swiss-Swedish author and journalist Bruno Kaufmann is on aworld tour to explore the state of democracyvisiting more than 20 countries on 4 continents until May 2018. swissinfo.chpublishes a weekly Notebook andmultimedia reports by Kaufmann over the next few months as part of its coverage of direct democracy issues. Kaufmanns democracy world tour is mainly sponsored by the Swiss Democracy Foundation,where he is the director of international cooperation. The Swiss Democracy Foundation hosts various projects and platforms linked to participatory and direct democracy across the globe, includingDemocracy International, theDirect Democracy Navigatorand theInitiative and Referendum Institute Europe.

Follow the tour on social media with#ddworldtour, @kaufmannbruno, @democracyreporter and on people2power.info













swissinfo.ch/P2P





Germany's interior minister on Wednesday advocated medical tests to estimate the age of undocumented young asylum seekers, despite objections from health care professionals.

The debate has raged in Germany, which has taken in over one million asylum seekers since 2015, following several violent crimes involving refugees of uncertain age who claimed to be minors.

The mister in charge of domestic security, Thomas de Maiziere, has now thrown his support behind the controversial tests for young migrants without valid identity documents.

De Maiziere, a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, said it was not too much to ask if they have to actively participate in determining their age.

He called for rules stating that in all cases where no official and genuine document can be produced, the age must be determined by other means, if necessary through a medical examination.

The hurdles for gaining asylum are lower for those aged under 18, and a growing number of conservative politicians are now demanding tougher rules and checks to counter fraud.

Physicians can estimate a persons age using X-rays of the hands bone structure combined with factors such as height, weight and development of the teeth, breasts and genitalia.

An emotional debate has flared in Germany especially since an Afghan refugee allegedly stabbed to death a 15-year-old girl in the southwestern town of Kandel on December 27.

The victims father has charged that the refugee, the girls ex-boyfriend, is significantly older than his stated age of 15.

Another Afghan refugee, currently on trial for killing a 19-year-old student in 2016, had claimed to be 16 or 17 when he arrived the previous year.

He later admitted in court to having lied about his age, and prosecutors now estimate him to be at least 22.

The German Medical Association has objected to universal medical age checks for young refugees of uncertain age on ethical grounds, charging they are a violation of their personal dignity.

X-raying without any medical indication is an interference with a persons bodily integrity, said its president Frank Ulrich Montgomery, who also cautioned that such tests carry a high degree of uncertainty.The foreign ministers of Germany and Turkey will meet this weekend as Ankara seeks to douse tensions with the EU that blighted 2017, Turkish officials said on Wednesday.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel will host Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in his home town of Goslar in Lower Saxony on Saturday, the officials said.

The visit will represent the German leg of talks between the two men who met in November in Cavusoglus home region of Antalya in southern Turkey.

Cavusoglu said he would meet Gabriel on January 6 at a briefing with Turkish reporters in Ankara quoted by state media.

A foreign ministry official, contacted by AFP, confirmed the meeting would be in Goslar. The German foreign ministry said a meeting was planned there without giving a date.

Relations between Turkey and Germany hit a nadir last year as Berlin strongly criticised the crackdown after the failed coup that left over 55,000 arrested and Ankara accused Berlin of meddling.

Tensions with other EU members, including Austria and the Netherlands, meanwhile appeared to bring Turkeys bid to join the European Union to a shuddering halt.

But Ankara has issued a flurry of signals in recent days it wants warmer relations with the European Union and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is heading to France on Friday for talks with President Emmanuel Macron.

The better tone has been helped by the shared opposition of both Turkey and key EU states, including France and Germany, to President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Berlin was particularly incensed by the holding of several German nationals in a crackdown after the coup bid, although tensions eased slightly following several releases in recent months.

Most recently, German pilgrim David Britsch and German journalist Mesale Tolu were set free by Turkey in developments welcomed by Berlin.

However, the correspondent of the Die Welt daily newspaper, Deniz Yucel, a German-Turkish dual national arrested in February, remains behind bars and not even a date for his trial has been set.The People's Mojahedin (PMOI) is an Iranian opposition movement in exile that has been battling the Tehran government since the 1960s.

On Tuesday Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asked France to demand action against a group he accused of fomenting protests which rocked the country in recent days.

He was apparently referring to the PMOI, also known as the Mojahedin-e-Khalq, which for years was designated a terrorist group by the West.

 Emergence in Iran 

The PMOI was founded in 1965 after a split within the nationalist Liberation Movement of Iran (LMI), led by Mehdi Bazargan, who became the first prime minister after the Iranian revolution.

It was founded to fight Irans royalist regime and most of its founding members died in the prisons of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

With Marxist leanings and describing itself as belonging to democratic and secular Islam, the group has subsequently sought to overthrow the countrys current Islamic republic.

After a brief period as a legal organisation with the Islamic revolution of 1979, the group was outlawed by Iran in 1981 after a severe crackdown on one of its demonstrations, which it says was peaceful.

In June of that year, a bomb attack in Iran which killed 74 people including Ayatollah Beheshti, the regimes number two, was blamed on the Mojahedin by the authorities. The group never claimed the attack, while it had claimed others.

 Driven into exile 

The Mojahedin took on the regime, which responded with repression, with thousands of its members being killed. Those who survived were chased from Iran.

They found refuge throughout the world, particularly in France, where leader Massoud Rajavi created the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

He was expelled from France in 1986 under a policy of rapprochement with Iran.

The Mojahedin then set up in Iraq at the height of the war with Iran, fighting alongside Saddam Husseins troops, which led to them being declared traitors by Tehran.

The Council in France has been led since 1989 by Rajavis wife Maryam Rajavi.

The organisation has often been compared by detractors to a sect, with the leading couple its gurus. Maryam Rajavi was officially named the Councils leader in 1993.

Its fighters claimed several operations in Iran, including against oil installations in 1993, and they were blamed for dozens of murders.

 Driven from Iraq 

In Iraq, after Saddam was toppled in 2003 the Mojahedin were officially disarmed and regrouped in the Ashraf camp to the northeast of Baghdad.

It became the PMOIs biggest base in exile housing up to 3,500 people.

In February 2012 they accepted to leave the camp to settle near to Baghdad before leaving Iraq for Albania at the request of the US and UN in May 2013.

In 2003 Maryam Rajavi was among 160 people arrested and then freed in France after two weeks of protests by her supporters, marked by two people setting themselves on fire.

A vast judicial probe into suspected terrorist activities was ended without charges in September 2014.

The European Union in January 2009 struck the Mojahedin from its list of terrorist organisations, where it had been since May 2002. The United States did the same in September 2012.

It is unclear how much support the group continues to have inside Iran.Exports of Italian wine reached a record six billion euros ($7.2 billion) in 2017, up 7.0 percent on the previous year thanks largely to Russia, Italy's largest agricultural union said Wednesday.

Sales of everything from the full-bodied to the fruity were glugged with glee in established markets, with sales up eight percent in Britain, six percent in the United States and three percent in Germany.

Sales in China increased by 25 percent, though they were still relatively limited compared to the import of French wines.

But Russia proved the most partial to an Italian glass or two, with sales there leaping 47 percent on a 12-month comparison.

And much of the fizz came from sparkling wines, such as prosecco, with sales of bubblies up 15 percent to nearly 1.1 billion euros, the union said.The special counsel probing Russian meddling in the US election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign questioned former White House adviser Steve Bannon this week, CNN reported Thursday.

Bannon was questioned for hours by Robert Muellers team over the course of two days, CNN said, quoting a person with knowledge of the inquiry.

Bannon responded to all the questions he faced and no areas were off-limits, this person said, according to CNN.

Bannon was a key strategist to President Donald Trump in his America First agenda until he left the administration in August.

He also played a key role in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign and took part in transition meetings that are now being examined.

On Thursday, Bannon appeared before the House Intelligence Committee and thwarted lawmakers from both parties by invoking executive privilege as he declined to answer questions about the transition and his time in the White House.

Muellers team were expected to ask Bannon about the firings of FBI Director James Comey and national security adviser Michael Flynn, CNN said.The leader of the local authority covering Windsor Castle has called for police action against "aggressive begging" ahead of Prince Harry's wedding there in May, it emerged on Wednesday.

Simon Dudley, the leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, wrote to the local police chief to warn that the beggars possessions, sometimes left unattended on the streets, presented a security risk.

Harry is due to marry American actress Meghan Markle on May 19 at St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle, one of the residences of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

I write to set out my concerns regarding the policing response to anti-social behaviour, including aggressive begging and intimidation in Windsor, Dudley said in a letter published on the local authoritys website.

He said that bags and detritus that those begging are accumulating and leaving on our pavements, at times unattended presented a security risk, and had raised concern among residents, businesses and visitors.

Obviously, the level of tourist interest is set to multiply with the royal wedding in May 2018, and there are increased concerns from our residents about their safety, he wrote.

Dudley said that council powers to address the issue would take considerable time, extending well beyond the royal wedding, and urged the police to act instead.

I request that you give immediate attention to the issues facing Windsor, and ensure all necessary financial and human resources necessary to protect our local residents, businesses and visitors, he wrote.

Dudley said the council had invested heavily in support services for vulnerable people, including those who are homeless, citing several measures including an emergency shelter open every night of the year.

But he said that an outreach programme sparked by recent cold winter weather had revealed that many of those begging are not in fact homeless, and if they are homeless they are choosing to reject all support services to beg on the streets of Windsor.

This is creating a concerning and hostile atmosphere for our residents and the seven million tourists who come to Windsor each year, he continued.

The letter was dated January 2 and addressed to Anthony Stansfeld, the police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley Police.

Harry, 33, announced his engagement to the 36-year-old Markle in November.An Israeli military court has charged three Palestinians with planning "terrorist" attacks on behalf of arch-foe Iran, security agency Shin Bet said on Wednesday.

Shin Bet said its agents and the Israeli military had arrested three men from the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank but its statement did not specify when.

The agency named the alleged ringleader as Mahmud Makharmeh, 29, a computer engineering student and said his accomplices were Nur Makharmeh, 22, and Diaa Sarakhneh, 22.

It did not say if the Makharmehs were related.

The statement said the group was run by Iranian intelligence and was recruited and financed by an Iranian intelligence operative living in South Africa.

It has been learned that Iranian intelligence has been using South Africa as a significant centre for locating, recruiting and operating agents against Israel, the English-language statement added.

It said Mahmud Makharmeh travelled to South Africa where he met several times with Iranian agents, several of whom came from Tehran especially to meet him.

He was ordered to recruit suicide attackers and gunmen and to collect and pass on intelligence to his Iranian contacts, who paid him $8,000 dollars, the Shin Bet said.

It said that all three were recently charged in an Israeli military court.

Mahmud Makharmeh was charged with contact with a hostile foreign organisation, receiving enemy funds and attempting to join an illegal organisation.

The other two were charged with attempting to join an illegal organisation.

Israel says Iran is dedicated to its destruction and supports global terror, in addition to backing Palestinian Islamic militants Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Lebanons Shiite Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Hebron groups alleged plot was just the latest attempt by Iran to attack Israel.

This is not the first time. They are trying various methods, and in various fields, to attack the State of Israel, the office of the Israeli leader quoted him as saying in an English-language statement.

In 2015 an Israeli court sentenced an Iranian-born Belgian citizen to seven years in prison after convicting him of spying for Tehran posing as a businessman.

He was sentenced for aiding an enemy during war and espionage on behalf of Irans elite Republican Guard.

Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali is currently facing execution in Tehran after his October conviction on a charge of spying for Israel.

Djalali has said he is being punished for refusing to spy for Iran while he was working in Europe.Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Welcome to 2018. In 2017, we saw the deaths of many beloved musicians, celebrities, and notable people. Their passings remind us to make the most of every day, to live for today, as tomorrow is not promised.

It also reminds us to make our end-of-life plans while we can. Not because were planning to die, but because we are fully alive. As Mark Twain said, The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

During the holidays, I got to the movie theater to see Coco, an animated film which beautifully illustrates the meaning behind Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead celebration that comes to the U.S. from Mexico and Central America.

As long as someone in the land of the living remembers you and has your picture on their offrenda (an in-home altar honoring your ancestors), your spirit lives on in the land of the dead. The spirits come to visit once a year, starting the evening of October 31. Youll laugh, youll cry, youll be amazed at Pixars spectacular animation and love this heart-warming story. You can read more about it in this post, Mexicans Celebrate Their Dead  Why Cant Americans?

[embedded content]

Music featured prominently in the movie, and the distinctive guitar designs in the film are now being offered by Music Center stores. Anyone inclined to get one for the Doyenne of Death (who does know how to play a guitar)?

News stories, recent posts at The Family Plot Blog and news of upcoming events follow. Please call me at 505-265-7215 if I can be of assistance.

Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death

News Coverage and Blog Posts

The Guardian: The final act of love: reclaiming the rites of modern death The way we deal with the end of life is changing as a new generation of funeral directors give Australians more choices.

Aleteia: 5 Memento Mori resolutions for the new year This year, may you keep your death always before you so that you may truly live!

Sacramento News Review: Dead and unclaimed: Sacramento County experiences 140 percent jump in abandoned bodies Unfortunately, this is happening all across the country.

How to Personalize a Life Celebration Ideas galore in this video from the NFDA convention!

LoveUrns Offers New Cremation Urns and Jewelry Another NFDA video visit, looking at new urns and cremation jewelry options.

Upcoming Events and a Quote

Saturday, January 20, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Albuquerque Death Cafe at Gail Rubins home. The objective of the Death Cafe is To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. Its all about an interesting, unstructured conversation  open and free-flowing with no specific agenda. Relax over some coffee or tea, some cake or cookies, and join in a group discussion to talk about whats on your mind about mortality issues. Refreshments will be provided at this free event. Donations are gratefully accepted. RSVP to Gail[at]AGoodGoodbye.com for address and directions.

Join the Albuquerque Death Cafe Meetup group to be kept apprised of upcoming events. Click here to go to the Meetup page.

Tuesday, February 6, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Death educator Gail Rubin presents the film clip-illustrated talk, Hollywoods Visions Trips and Crowded Rooms at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNM. The class will take place at UNM Continuing Education, South Building, 1634 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Dr. David Kesslers book Visions, Trips and Crowded Rooms opens a door to discussing death. It shares the personal stories of medical and hospice professionals who witness death. Some of the dying see remarkable visions. Some speak of going on a trip. Others see people crowding the room, some they know, others they dont. Hollywood films provide a concrete way of looking at this phenomenon when someone dies. This talk opens the door to discussing mortality issues. Register for class 83294 for $20 at Oshers website.

Saturday, February 17, 2:00 p.m.  Green Burial in New Mexico is the title of Gail Rubins presentation at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, Albuquerque, NM. In a high desert climate, green burial is actually brown burial. Come learn about your options for returning to the earth as naturally as possible in the Land of Enchantment.

March 9 to 11, 2018  Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado. Gail Rubin returns to this wild and wacky festival of all things dead and frozen to present The Newly-Dead Game and the documentary Grandpas in the TUFF Shed. It tells the story of how the Frozen Dead Guy came to be kept on dry ice in a shed and the start of this unique festival. Learn more at www.FrozenDeadGuyDays.org.

Sponsors: would you like to connect with the thousands of people who attend Frozen Dead Guy Days and are not afraid to laugh in the face of death? Contact Gail Rubin at 505-265-7215 to discuss opportunities for the 2018 festival!

Today is a new day. You will get out of it just what you put into it If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes, there is always another chance for you for this thing that we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.  Mary Pickford

Share this:From: Joyce L. Gioia, CMC, CSP -- The Herman Group Austin , TX Wednesday, January 3, 2018

The Herman Trend Alert January 3, 2018 Predictable Humans and Co-creating Machines For many years now music producers have used digitally generated notes and voices to create music. MOOG was the first and other manufacturers followed. A film created by artificial intelligence



In 2016, at the SCI-FI LONDON film festival, a film called Sunspring debuted. The film's screenplay was created by an artificial-intelligence (AI) bot. Described as "amusing, but strange", this dystopian view of the future attracted many fans. That said, the film's dialogue has been described as "a random series of unrelated sentences" and one of the characters, for seemingly no reason, coughs up an eyeball. Clearly, we have not yet reached the point where machines can write perfect screenplays. However, perhaps AI can be used to augment human abilities? Computers support humans in many ways



We currently use computers to augment human abilities in many different areas. From bookkeeping to medicine to smart homes, we use technology to support our work, our health, and our wellbeing. Having AI help write plays may just be the next step. Emotional arcs are the backbones of stories



Recently, the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) looked at whether it was possible for humans to collaborate with machines in telling stories on video. The team investigated the possibility of the software identifying common emotional arcs in video stories, changes of fortune, failures, or triumphs that would create human emotional responses. Using the machines, the storytellers could tell how the audience would respond. Machine-learning models



The McKinsey Team actually worked with the MIT folks to take the research even farther: they developed machine-learning models that relied on deep neural networks. The machines "watched" small slices of video, including movies, TV, and short online features, and estimated their positive or negative emotional content by the second. Thus, the machine-learning models were able to determine those important emotional arcs by themselves. Enhancing human stories



Skilled storytellers take us on a journey; their accounts engender emotional responses of joy, anger, sadness, or calm and they tune into their audiences well. Imagine breakthrough technology that can take those wonderful narratives to the next level by supercharging tales to increase their impact? Expect more collaborations to . . .



We have only begun to see how machines can collaborate with humans---especially in the emotional realm. Expect to see machines enhance the work of humans in storytelling, screenwriting, and elsewhere. Special thanks to McKinsey's Eric Chu, Jonathan Dunn, Deb Roy, Geoffrey Sands, and Russell Stevens for their effective coverage of this important topic. ******** The Herman Group is a firm of Strategic Business Futurists concentrating on workforce and workplace issues. We forecast the future and advise clients regarding relevant trends and how those trends may affect their lives. Applying our expertise as Certified Management Consultants, we advise corporate leaders regarding employee retention and organizational development to help them build workforce stability. We help organizations become Employers of Choice. We also work with Employer of Choice, Inc. to formally recognize employers that meet the stringent standards dictated by the labor marketplace. As authors of management books and as active professional speakers, we inform and inspire people to make a positive difference in the world of work. You did really get the ball rolling with our retention presentation, overall we have seen a move in the right direction with our turnover. In practice since 1980, we have served a wide variety of clients throughout the United States and in other countries. Our global affiliates assist us in sharing our expertise and advice with clients internationally. Our team of professional consultants and trainers is supported by an administrative staff that gets things done. We also have consultants certified to deliver our programs in your local area. Delivering to both small and large groups across 100 industries, The Herman Group has provided over 2,500 educational and informative keynote speeches and training seminars worldwide. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, we travel extensively to meet the needs of our clients. We can always be reached through the support team in our office at (800) 227-3566. Overseas callers may reach us through 336-210-3547. Should you have any questions after touring our website, please call or e-mail us at info@hermangroup.com. Get started now on improving the stability and performance of your workforce and increase your chances for success in the future.

A survivor of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs last year that killed 26 people has filed a wrongful injury claim against the U.S. military to find out why the Air Force failed to report the gunmans long, troublesome history to the FBI, her lawyer said Wednesday.

Margarette Vidal, 74, is a member of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs who was shot in the leg and back by former Airman Devin Kelley. Vidal and her children filed an administrative claim against the Air Force and the Department of Defense  a first step in a potential lawsuit.

The Air Force has already admitted it didnt report the criminal background of Kelley and other veterans to the FBIs national firearm database, which would have prevented Kelley from buying guns from licensed dealers.

Austin lawyer Jamal Alsaffar said Vidal and her family want to get answers from military officials about their reporting failures to prevent future tragedies.

They really want to find out why the (military) leadership didnt care enough to fix it, Alsaffar said. They knew it was a problem. It wasnt like they werent being told.

At least four other families have filed similar claims against the Air Force after the Nov. 5 massacre, the worst in Texas history. Alsaffar said a sixth complaint is in the works.

Vidal had to undergo several surgeries and is recovering in a nursing home after suffering complications from an infection, Alsaffar said.

Were not even talking about the psychological trauma, he added. She saw everything and lived through it. I dont even think shes even beginning to have the time to process all that yet.

Vidals claim points out that Kelley had escaped from a mental health facility in June 2012, when Kelley was serving in the Air Force. Then Kelley was court-martialed after he hit, kicked and choked his wife and assaulted his infant stepson, causing grievous bodily harm by cracking the boys skull.

Kelley served 12 months in a brig in California and received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force.

Mr. Kelley had a long, troublesome history with the United States Air Force, the complaint states. Despite policies set by the Department of Defense, the Air Force failed to report Kelleys criminal background to the FBI and failed to supervise its employees to make sure infractions by Kelley and other members of the military were reported, Vidals claim alleges.

The reporting failures meant Kelley was able to pass criminal background checks when he later bought firearms  including a Ruger AR-556 military-style rifle he bought at an Academy sporting goods store in San Antonio that he used to shoot worshippers in Sutherland Springs.

This is such a unique situation, in which the government liability is so clear and they admitted publicly, Alsaffar said.

His client and her family hope their complaint compels the military to fix a glaring weakness that most people agree needs to be fixed, even in todays divisive political climate.

This is a real opportunity, he said, to do right by the families, do right by the country.

John Tedesco is a San Antonio Express-News investigative reporter. Read more of his stories here. | jtedesco@express-news.net | @John_TedescoLatest blog posts

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On the blog Lenox Posted 01 September 2021On the blog Spanish Shilling bySALEM, Ohio  To bring in the new year, we look at trends and technology to watch in 2018. But what about things to stop doing? Here are some tips on practices or habits to kick to the curb this year.

1. Procrastination

It has been another year of tight margins for dairies and crop farms alike, said David Marrison, Ashtabula County OSU Extension educator, and by all indications, we are forecasting tight margins in the coming year.

Attention to detail is crucial. Keeping animal health, financial, seed, crop rotation records  records of just about every element of your farm  will help, he said. Dont wait to document rates of gain, the nitrogen levels in the pasture or anything else.

Make a habit of pushing the pencil to the paper going into the new year.

2. A sole focus on marketing

Many farmers focus on marketing grain. They wont sell beans at $9.95, they sit and wait on $10, said Marrison.

But there are other ways to make up that 5 cents a bushel. Focusing on production costs could you make you that 5 cents a bushel and more.

Selecting the right seed can save money (know what traits are included, and if you need them). The same goes for fertilizer selection.

Soil test, forage test, take time to do the testing, Marrison said. Doing these simple tests allows farmers to know where they stand and exactly what to add.

Another advantage is that you will know how much fertilizer you will need and may be able to book a good price during the off-season.

During this low margin time, we need to focus on inputs and smart selection.

3. One-man-show mentality

With new tax laws, increasing financial stress and mental health pressures on the rise farmers and farm workers need to seek help.

Id recommend they attend a workshop or school about how the new tax laws are gong to impact them personally and their operation, Marrison said. Both Penn State and Ohio State host such workshops.

Dont avoid your financial statements. Get together with your spouse or others involved in the farm and talk about it. Go to your financial lender; many times they can move debt from short term to long term or make other tweaks to get you by, he said.

Instead of hiding, sit down with family and professionals and discuss things during this low margin time, Marrison said. Dont do business as usual.

4. Ignoring fixed costs

Having accurate, detailed farm records will help you make objective, data-driven decisions about fixed-cost adjustments.

Look for ways to reduce your machinery line, said Tanner Ehmke. Knowledge Exchange manager at Cobank. Stop buying machinery if yours is efficient; start buying if its not.

This is an ideal time for farmers to analyze equipment utilization. Ask yourself: What equipment do I need to have? What is nice to have? What am I not fully utilizing?

In fixed cost, farms have a hard time knowing what machinery actually is costing them, Marrison said. Many may have inefficient equipment, or, on the other side, too much equipment for the number of acres they farm.

Ehmke and Marrison agree that sharing machinery with neighbors, or doing some jobs on the side like excavating will help the bottom line this year.

Weve got to explore ways to cut back in this downturn, Ehmke said. It is a constant, we always need to be mindful of costs.

5. Farm practice shaming

Today, there are 7 billion of us on the Earth. It was estimated that there would be 9 billion people on Earth in 2050. Recently, that original estimate for 2050 increased and is now expected to surpass 9.5 billion by 2050, according to Jeff Simmons, Elanco Animal Health president.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts an estimated 60 percent increase in demand for animal-sourced foods, such as meat, milk and eggs.

Organic agriculture represents only 4 percent of the U.S. market and 5.4 percent of the European Unions, and isnt in the position to feed the number of neighbors well have in 2050, says Simmons in a letter on Enoughmovement.com.

There is room in the market place for all types of agriculture  organic, conventional and the unending list of niche markets. We must keep actively pursuing all options to make sure the world is fed.

Related stories

5 things to leave behind in 2017

5 precision agriculture technologies to watch in 2018

5 tips for a better farm marketing plan

5 things on farm bill wish list

5 ways to kick 2018 into gear

5 pasture improvements to begin in January

5 guidelines for winter manure application

5 donts for a happy new yearPlace Your Advert

Thousands of Active jobseekers are looking for new agricultural positions in 2020. Call us now to discuss the options for advertising your vacancy in our job section.A celebrity farmer has caused a stir on social media after suggesting badgers killed his sheep.

Martin Irvine, who has appeared in BBC documentary This Farming Life, posted a photo on social media of his dead sheep with a gory wound.

Mr Irvine wrote on Facebook: "Badgers decided to have this ewe for Christmas dinner, she's still alive for now. About time we were allowed to control this destructive vermin!"

The post went viral on social media, being shared hundreds of times, but attracting mixed reaction.

Farmer John James said: "There are far more badgers around here than foxes. Protected status should be removed.

"It will improve the health of the badger population and eventually save the tax payer money."

Karthyn Gregory posted: "About farmers allowed to shoot them. No one around.... kill the damn thing no one to prove you did Martin!! Poor ewe."

Jennifer Milton said: "We had badgers take our lambs a few years ago,must of lost about 20 over about a week.by the end the body was intact,just the head and neck gone. Also had similar to yourself, they ate the udder off the ewe and she was still alive when we found her."

However, some posters were quick to question Mr Irvine's post. Gareth Rees said: "It's not the badgers that need controlling it's the numpties who think that they should be protected.

"Pity the cameras weren't at your place now. But it would be edited out because the lovable badger wouldn't do such a dastardly deed."

Badgers are currently protected in the UK by the Protection of Badgers Act, 1992, and the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

Badger predation varies regionally - in many areas it is commonplace, with the culprit sometimes caught in the act, whereas in some other sheep-farming areas with badgers, attacks are rare and not definitely identified.Farmers should get paid for a range of benefits and services that society needs, such as healthy soils and clean water, according to a new report.

The Wildlife Trusts has published policy proposals for the future of farming and land management in England  entitled "What Next for Farming?"

The organisation believes that farmers should get paid for a range of benefits and services that society needs  but which farmers cant directly sell as they can with food.

These benefits include healthy soils, clean water, clean air and climate change mitigation, flood risk management, better natural habitats, abundant pollinators and healthy people.

River Aire catchment

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has taken these policy proposals and applied them to the River Aire catchment  in a new report also published this week.

This case-study shows how changing policy in this way and directly contracting farmers could deliver public benefits and services.

It concludes that a move away from subsidy to direct public contracts for identified public goods, if managed well, would be "transformational" and secure environmental, quality of life and economic benefit.

The report states that a new contract  between land managers, the Government, taxpayers and consumers  could secure the future of not just wildlife, but farming communities.

Landscape approach

Ellie Brodie, Senior Policy Manager for Land Management at The Wildlife Trusts, said a "landscape-scale approach" is needed.

She said: Our idea is to restore habitats and join them up, often by linking together farmers and targeting investment to where there is most need. We propose three public asset funds for land management, based on delivering the eight benefits.

We propose a landscape-scale approach to land management because wildlife and wild places do not recognise boundaries and we need more space for wildlife by growing and joining habitats. These funds should be allocated through local environment plans that target action and investment to achieve natures recovery.

This approach is based on ecological mapping  a spatial approach to identifying environmental needs through using local data and consultation with local people.

Speakers from The Wildlife Trusts will be among panellists at an event at the Oxford Real Farming Conference on Friday 5 January.A legal expert is warning of the importance of pre and post-nuptial agreements for those operating agricultural businesses.

Statistics for the UK show that 42 per cent of all UK marriages are now ending in divorce.

However, Ann Hallmark, solicitor at Napthens solicitors, an NFU panel firm, warns that for farmers the financial fall-out from a divorce can be particularly disastrous.

Where a business is involved, the result of a divorce can be breakup or even outright sale.

As in any divorce, the starting point for negotiations will be the equal division of matrimonial assets  the most valuable of which will likely be the former matrimonial home and any family business.

For farmers and similar businesses, in many cases the matrimonial home will be the farmhouse, likely to have been passed down through many generations of the family

While inherited assets are not automatically included in the matrimonial pot, they are not automatically excluded either.

Farms themselves are often run as partnerships, often with other family members involved.

'Serious consideration'

Ms Hallmark explained: Family members in partnerships will be very interested as to the financial outcome of divorce proceedings. Land and property values are increasing which means in many cases, farmers will have little option but to sell parcels of land or borrow money in order to finance a divorce settlement.

Given what is at stake, and the attention most farming families rightly give to succession planning, serious consideration of pre and post-nuptial agreements should be part of this process.

Although they arent yet legally binding in the UK, such agreements have become increasingly taken into account by the courts in England and Wales, and can set out in detail what will happen financially should a marriage end  providing security and reassurance for those involved in running a farming business.

She said farming families are becoming increasingly business savvy, with some even including a clause in partnership agreements that children joining the partnership should enter into pre-nuptial agreements before tying the knot or even living together.Looking at the issue of food waste is needed if the world is going to tackle global food insecurity, a British agri-food expert has said.

According to Professor Leon Terry, Director of Environment and Agrifood at Cranfield University, a paradigm shift in funding strategies and research programmes is needed to tackle food waste on a global scale, from farm-to-fork.

Every year, UK households waste 12.5 billion on 7 million tonnes of food and drink that is bought and subsequently discarded, according to a Defra report.

Speaking on Wednesday (3 January) at the Oxford Farming Conference, Professor Terry said that in order to address the global threat of food security, research needs to be directed at both increasing crop production and minimising waste.

He points out that emphasis has been put on increasing future crop production, with far less resource being channelled towards enabling both established and innovative food preservation technologies to reduce food waste.

Post-harvest waste

In a recent paper, Cranfield University researchers say that assessing the global scale of food waste is challenging, with question marks over the extent and accuracy of post-harvest loss and waste data.

They also argue that there is a paucity of active research being conducted in areas where post-harvest fresh produce loss is greatest.

For example, Europe is one of the dominant areas for post-harvest research, yet makes a relatively low contribution to global food loss.

In Africa, which contributes approximately 18% of global post-harvest food losses, they suggest the research base is too low across the continent, with the majority of research stemming from South Africa.

'Dual-pronged solution'

Professor Terry argues that UK research funds should be used to address this imbalance.

He said: The global threat to food security requires a dual-pronged global solution focused on increasing crop production and reducing food waste.

However, across the world, we see much greater emphasis on research funding programmes that focus on increasing production rather than also improving preservation and reducing waste.

If we are to address the global challenge of food security we need to see a paradigm shift in current funding strategies and research programmes that will encourage the development and implementation of collective solutions to better preserve and utilise food.The UK has received its largest ever export order from China for frozen boar semen, in a deal which also involves training Chinese staff in artificial insemination (AI) and semen handling.

Deerpark Pedigree Pigs in Northern Ireland has secured the order which will ship in January and be followed by further consignments over the months and years ahead.

The Londonderry company's success, owned by brothers Nigel and Robert Overend, was supported by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and UK Tag, the export arm of the British Pig Association (BPA).

The most recent Chinese order for 2,000 straws will follow smaller shipments.

This customer started with a small order of 100 straws in order to test the water, says Nigel Overend. When they were confident they would achieve high conception rates, they moved on to much larger orders.

Semen from these shipments will be largely destined for Chinese multiplication units which produce high genetic merit breeding stock for commercial herds.

In many cases, the technicians trained by Deerpark are achieving conception rates far beyond anything they have had from any other country before, adds Robert Overend.

Chinese interest

In total, the company has seen a 300 per cent increase in its frozen semen sales over the past two years.

A large proportion of this growth is attributed to export orders, a demand which has developed as China increasingly looks at the UK for agricultural expertise and products.

Their presence in Asian exhibitions has been supported by the BPA, the UK governments DIT as well as embassies around the world.

Its proven to be very successful for us and with the uncertainty over Brexit, it will be more important in the future to be seen on the international stage, the brothers explain.

Levy board AHDB has identified China as a very high potential market for UK pig meat exports and it is already the UKs biggest customer outside the EU, importing 40,000 tonnes of UK pork and 36,000 tonnes of UK offal in 2016.

In November, the UK was given the green light to ship pigs trotters to China.Summary

Company Announcement Date: January 03, 2018 FDA Publish Date: January 03, 2018 Product Type: Food & Beverages

Ice Cream/Frozen Dairy

Allergens Reason for Announcement: Recall Reason Description Undeclared milk Company Name: California Popsicle, Inc. Brand Name: Brand Name(s) Polly Ann Product Description: Product Description Ice Bars

Company Announcement

California Popsicle, Inc. dba Polly Ann Ice Cream of South San Francisco, CA is recalling ice bars, because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Products were distributed to distributor customers located in CA, NY, and Canada from 08/03/2017-08/31/2017. The products were further distributed by customers to various Chinese markets potentially nationwide.

The following products are included in this recall:

Polly Ann Mango Ice Bar UPC#7-00730-28866-1

Polly Ann Red Bean Ice Bar UPC#7-00730-26868-7

Polly Ann Green Bean Ice Bar UPC#7-00730-26666-9

Products are packaged in cardboard boxes with four bars per box. The UPC can be found on the side panel of each box under the Nutrition Facts panel. The products contain an expiration date ranging from 07/01/2018 through 07/31/2018.

One consumer complaint of an allergic reaction was received from a customer in Canada.

The recall was initiated after notification by FDA of a consumer complaint in Canada.

Consumers should return product to point of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company Monday-Friday 8am-5pm PST at 650-745-8092.

Company Contact Information Consumers: 650-745-8092After two successful outings with Salman Khan in Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, director Ali Abbas Zafar is looking forward to their third collaboration in Bharat.

Zafar said the offer to direct the movie, which is a remake of the 2014 South Korean film "Ode To My Father", came to him from Salman himself.

"That film came to me from Salman himself. He gave me the film and said he really likes it and asked me to watch it. I saw it and really liked it.

"(But) You can't make the film exactly how it is in the original. The socio-political scenario affects your story and the character. But I liked the basic crux of the film.Salman said after 'Tiger...', you do this," Zafar told PTI.

"Ode to My Father" was directed by Yoon Je-kyoon and revolves around a young boy's promise made during the chaos of the Korean War.

Prabhas Will NEVER Take This RISKY Step Again; FEARS That It'll Be Bad For His Career

The film's remake rights have been bought by Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri. The Hindi film will reportedly be set during India-Pakistan partition. Ali is, however, tight-lipped about the basic plot.

When asked if anyone apart from Salman has been cast yet, Ali said currently the film is at an early stage. "We will begin March onwards. I want to sleep for a month. We are at the elementary stage," Zafar said. The film will go on floors this year.

Meanwhile, Tiger Zinda Hai is still going strong at the box-office and had already earned Rs 280 crore. The film which casted Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif in the lead roles, is only a couple of days far away from entering Rs 300 crore club.

Inputs From PTIMandira Bedi

Mandira Bedi welcomed the New Year 2018 in Phuket, Thailand chilling by the pool in a bikini.

Fit As A Fiddle

Mandira Bedi flaunted her sizzling body and man, she's as fit as a fiddle!

Party Animals

Life is one big party for Mandira Bedi and her family, folks!

But First, Selfie!

Mandira Bedi headed to Phuket, Thaliand to welcome the New Year along with her husband Raj Kaushal.

Maya Bay

She also went on a motor boat ride across the Maya Bay.

PhiPhi Islands

Mandira Bedi along with her husband, son and friends headed to the PhiPhi Islands as well.

Too Hot

Isn't Mandira Bedi one of the hottest women you've ever seen?

Toned Body

She has a perfectly toned body and has worked out really hard at the gym to attain this figure.

Unbelievable!

It's hard to believe that she 45 years old, folks! She looks much more fitter than a woman in her twenties.

Dedicated Woman

Her dedication to fitness has made her what she is today!

Beach Babies

It's really a good feeling to chill by the beach during the New Years time.

Buddies

Everything looks like a big party when you're at the beach with your friends, peeps!

Welcome 2018

Mandira Bedi is surely going to take 2018 by its horns and be successful.

Happy New Year

We wish Mandira Bedi and her husband Raj Kaushal a very happy New Year.1 Lakh Dislikes

Well, the song Pathungi Pathungi is nearing 1 Million views on YouTube. But what is shocking, is the number of dislikes that the song has received, so far. Within a short span of time, this video song has received over 1 Lakh dislikes and thus making it one of the most disliked Malayalam songs on YouTube.

Parvathy's Comments On Kasaba..

Well, Parvathy's comments on certain misogynistic dialogues in the Mammootty starrer Kasaba, during an open forum at the IFFK 2017 did receive mixed reactions from the audiences. This has been considered as the reason for the increase in the number of dislikes.

Music By Shaan Rahman

Shaan Rahman has set to tune this song from the film My Story. The song has received good reviews but the video of the same has been subjected to an attack, with various trolls also surfacing based on it. Disappointingly, Pathungi Pathungi has gone on to become the most disliked Malayalam video song on YouTube. Interestingly, Jimikki Kammal song from Velipadinte Pusthakam, the most liked and most viewed Malayalam song on YouTube was also set to tune by Shaan Rahman.

More About My Story..

My Story features Parvathy and Prithviraj in the roles of Jai and Nayanthara respectively. The upcoming movie, directed by Roshni Dinaker is touted to be a love story. This is Prithviraj and Parvathy's second film together, after Ennu Ninte Moideen.

What a glorious time to be alive!

Everyone showing their truest colours  *sits back with popcorn and watches on*  Parvathy T K (@parvatweets) January 1, 2018

Parvathy's Latest Response On Twitter

Even the film industry is divided on Parvathy's opinion and the stand of Women Cinema Collective on the same issue. Amidst all these, Parvathy took to Twitter to send out a message, which was read as "What a glorious time to be alive! Everyone showing their truest colours  *sits back with popcorn and watches on*"Piyush Is Out Of Jail!

As per Tellychakkar report, investigation is on and Piyush will have to be present as and when the court hearing is held. Piyush, who is now out of the jail, is thankful to God.

Piyush Wants To Get Back To Work

Piyush was quoted by BT as saying, "The case is sub judice and I will talk only with my lawyers' consent. Nobody likes to be in jail; I have lost many days of my life. I just want to get back to work now."

The Actor Says The Real Truth Will Come Out Soon!

He further added, "I would like to thank all those who didn't jump to conclusions and believed that the judicial system should decide who is wrong or right. I have full faith in the judiciary of our country and the real truth will come out soon."

Is Piyush Permitted To Travel Outside The Country?

The actor said, clarified that he can travel anywhere for work, but needs to be present for judicial proceedings on the case. He adds that he will abide by the rules.

Piyush & Akangsha

It has to be recalled that Piyush had also announced about his divorce with actress, Akangsha Rawat. Piyush and Akangsha have been living separately since April 2017.

Piyush Wants To Resolve Many Things Soon!

There were also reports that Akangsha is moving out of the house that they once shared. When asked regarding trouble in his marriage, Piyush said, "I have to resolve many things soon, but I can't comment on it now."OTCapital, a payment service provided by payment processing company iSignthisis now processing live payments after completing integration of its services to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).The transactions are processed through ISXPay Australia, which is integrated into National Australia Banks (NAB)services.The services integrated with NAB includes facilitation of processing, clearing and funds settlement to merchants for Visa and Mastercard transactions.ISXPay incorporates the companys Paydentity technology which provides identity verification services and customer authentication.OTCapitals transactions will contribute to the March quarters revenue.Shares in iSignthisare trading 6.67 per cent higher to $0.16.Belong.

Set on the south shore of Lake Erie in Huron, BGSU Firelands provides a university education at a smaller campus. Faculty members know students by name, staff work closely with parents and students to ensure academic success, and our campus is closely connected with our community.

Stand Out.

With smaller class sizes and an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students at BGSU Firelands are encouraged to excel academically, professionally, and personally. Outside of the classroom, students engage in research, give back to our community, and participate in the arts.

Go Far.

The best way to begin your career after college is with less debt, and BGSU Firelands is less than half the cost of many other colleges and universities. Begin your exploration of over 200 majors here, and complete your degree at BGSU, ranked by The Economist as the #1 public university in Ohio for boosting graduates earnings. Or choose from one of our many career-focused degrees that can be completed entirely here or online.Over the next 25 years, a revolutionary technology will transform our world. It will save us money, boost production of goods fivefold, and make our lives more comfortable. But it will crater wages by 90%, drive whole swaths of skilled workers to starvation, destroy families, and cause wide-scale political and social upheaval, sparking mobs, riots, and armed rebellion.

The year is 1804. The invention: The Jacquard loom.

The Jacquard loom is a wooden contraption that fits to the head of a regular loom. You feed it punch cards, and it controls the weaving patterns for you. It's efficient, it's cost-effective, and anyone can operate it. No more need for well-paid cotton and silk weavers.

While plunging prices of textiles made 19th-century consumers better off, skilled weavers went from comfortable three-day work weeks to being too poor to own bedding. Many became "Luddites," machine smashers and arsonists, named for their fictional leader, Ned Ludd of Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest.

The Luddites are no longer with us. What remains is the posterity of their hated looms. For, improbably enough, those very looms draw a straight line to our own modern world of artificial intelligence (AI).

For we do live in a world run by AI. It flies our aircraft, allocates financial resources, and decides what news we read.

Soon it will drive our cars, care for our old, and fight wars.

It will make our lives longer, healthier, and more comfortable while destroying millions of jobs.

And all of that is coming sooner than we think.

Banks, customer-service departments, and healthcare are already spending billions of dollars each year on AI tools. Growth estimates vary, but within five to 10 years, annual worldwide spending on AI is projected to reach $30 billion to $100 billion.

This time, it's different

After reading story after story about AI's rapid advances, it's hard not to imagine that this technology will transform our world. But AI's abilities are so hyped, its promised benefits so vast, its dangers so dystopian, its direction so hard to predict, and its mechanisms so technical, that we lack a clear view of what's going on. Our understanding lags our awe.

Why is AI transforming our world? What gives it such power to move, inspire, and terrify us?

From the infancy of written history, we've defined ourselves by our ability to guide our actions through reason and organize the world around us.

Aristotle, the first great taxonomist, classified humanity by our intelligence 24 centuries ago. He did so by emphasizing the distinctiveness of our capacity for reason. "Life" we hold in common with mere plants; perception we share with "the horse, the ox, and every animal." But the unique purpose of humans -- what makes us special -- is activity which "follows ... a rational principle."

That view hasn't fundamentally changed since ancient times. Two millennia later, Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish biologist who invented modern biological taxonomy, named our species Homo sapiens -- "wise man." In the preface to his 1758 work Systema Naturae, Linnaeus characterized our species as "always curious and inquisitive, and ever desirous of adding to his useful knowledge."

Modern paleontologists have essentially confirmed what earlier philosophers and scientists said. Indeed, the most up-to-date fossil and archaeological evidence tells us that characteristics of human intelligence -- especially adaptability and large-scale cooperation -- were responsible for our species' survival and eventual dominance.

We learn new things. We understand complex ideas. We transmit knowledge and cooperate through language and culture. And we fashion a multitude of tools to solve a variety of problems.

Human intelligence is wrapped up with our species' success and is interwoven with our understanding of who we are.

And so, artificial intelligence cuts right to the heart of what it is to be human.

AI has the capacity to augment our most distinctive qualities -- rationality, adaptability, ingenuity, mastery over our environment -- and, in the minds of many, to supplant us as the most sapient residents of this world.

This is what makes AI unlike any other revolutionary technology: In principle, it can do everything we do -- and possibly do it better.

The essence of intelligence

Computers have long made us question who we are and the nature of our relationship with machines.

During the 1830s, England entered into the Industrial Revolution's era of big data. Its government began producing vast troves of statistical information about everything from the cost of "pease and beans" to the export of hats. Processing all that information was time-consuming. Its civil service had to employ an army of clerks to read handwritten census records from every single parish, tabulate the data on large sheets of paper, make tick marks, count the ticks, fold the pages over, and convert everything into new tables, over and over again for every statistic the government wanted to know. These clerks were known as "computers." Many suffered nervous breakdowns from all the ticking and counting.

Charles Babbage, a strange polymath who we know was interested in obscure statistics such as the speeds at which men could saw various kinds of wood, the skeletal weights of different mammals, and the burning rate of potash, designed a mechanical computer he called the "Analytical Engine." It would have been a 2-ton contraption consisting of hundreds of metal gears, pulleys, and switches, programmed with the same punch-card technology that revolutionized spinning looms.

Whereas Babbage only meant to replace human clerks with perfect, lifeless counting gears, his friend, Countess Ada Lovelace, could see what a mechanical computer was capable of.

Lady Lovelace helped to popularize Babbage's proposed Analytical Engine and is often credited with being the first computer programmer. But at the same time, she wrote in a memoir that Babbage's machine could never truly be intelligent (emphasis original):

The Analytical Engine has no pretensions to originate anything. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform.

What later came to be called "Lady Lovelace's objection" was the idea that machines can't be intelligent because they are preprogrammed and so can't come up with anything on their own or surprise us.

Of course, today's computers come up with things on their own all the time. Waze and Google Maps create navigational routes, Netflix suggests movies to watch, and Siri interprets our questions and provides answers. How do they do it?

AI has come a long way since the era of cotton mills, high-pressure steam power, and laudanum, but it's not as though researchers have discovered some philosopher's stone or Powder of Life. Computers are not conscious, nor do they have minds that can literally think, understand, and desire things. How can a machine, programmed by humans, be capable of doing such things on its own -- things we never told it explicitly to do, and which we might never even have imagined?

Here's how it all works. Computers run on algorithms. An algorithm is a set of instructions for doing something. For instance, an algorithm for finding a lost remote control might be:

Ask yourself where was the last place you remember using it. Walk to that place and see if it's there. If it is, congratulations -- you're done. If not, repeat steps 1 through 3 with the next last place you remember using it.

The key to AI is algorithms that don't merely tell a machine what to do but tell the machine how to decide what to do.

Suppose you're not using your feet to find a missing remote control, but rather Google Maps to find the best route from Duluth, Minnesota, to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Google could use an unsophisticated algorithm: Check every city neighboring Duluth, check every city neighboring those, and so forth until it finds Eau Claire. But checking that many paths (16 quadrillion) would take a typical computer 350 years and require an amount of memory equivalent to 1% of all the world's data.

A cleverer algorithm can do things much more quickly. One such algorithm, known as A*, works like this:

Start in Duluth. Check every neighboring city, in order of their actual distance from Duluth plus the estimated distance to Eau Claire (based, say, on GPS coordinates). If the city you're checking is Eau Claire, you're done. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3.

This time, we'll get an answer almost instantaneously.

A* was originally devised to help Shakey the Robot avoid bumping into things, but you can use A* to search for the solution to other problems, too. Many researchers program computers to search grammatical combinations with A* when designing software that can understand human language and speak with us.

These examples may seem simple. But algorithms such as A* form the building blocks of machine intelligence. The sophisticated AI tools that we use every day are made up of many such algorithms, embodied in thousands of lines of computer code. It quickly gets complicated.

Making sense of it all

AI has a unique potential to refashion our world. But ironically, despite everything that AI-based programs know about us, most of us know little about it.

So I went looking for answers.

To better understand AI's inner workings and possible future, I enrolled as a part-time student at Georgetown University to study AI computer science and programming. I also reviewed hundreds of books, industry reports, and academic papers. I studied thousands of moves by AlphaGo, a state-of-the-art Go-playing AI program that's been among the most surprising advancements of the past few years. Separately from my research for this series, I spent over 1,000 hours developing my own AI-powered stock-picking system (and corollary coffee dependency).

Luckily, I didn't have to do all this from a knowledge base of zero, because I had some useful background experience. I've been programming since I was 11, playing Go since 19, and analyzing stocks for The Motley Fool for a decade. Knowing something about each of these fields helped me to put all the pieces of the story together.

Here's what I found: AI is magical. And it's not sorcery.

AI relies on extremely clever instructions whose basic principles anyone can grasp. It's only when you see the outcome of this elegance that its grandeur comes into view.

And so, no matter how much or how little you know about computer science concepts, you, too, can understand what lies behind AI and see a glimpse of our future.

Next: Artificial Intelligence's "Holy Grail" VictoryWhat happened

Shares of oil services provider Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT) are down 17% as of 11:45 a.m. EST today. The stock slide comes after the company announced that it was terminating a joint venture with fellow services provider Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) and has instead elected to sell the assets to Schlumberger.

So what

In March 2017, Weatherford International and Schlumberger announced a joint venture called OneStim. The deal would have combined Weatherford's pressure pumping equipment and other well completion equipment, manufacturing capacity, and supply chain with Schlumberger's downhole tools and services. The two companies wanted to combine their fracking fleets in order to gain scale to compete with Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), which has a clear lead in the North American fracking market.

As recently as a few weeks ago, it looked like this joint venture was going to happen. Regulators had just approved the joint venture deal on Nov. 28. Something happened, though, and Weatherford reversed course. The company will now sell all of its pressure pumping and pump-down equipment to Schlumberger for $430 million in cash. Weatherford will keep its multistage completions business as well as the manufacturing and supply chain related to the business.

Management announced that it would take that cash and put it toward debt reduction, something Weatherford has sorely needed to do for some time. However, one has to wonder how Weatherford will be able to compete with Schlumberger owning so much more pressure pumping equipment and Halliburton's dominance of everything North America.

Now what

Weatherford's management has had its back up against the wall for a while. It has promised to deliver free cash flow for several years to no avail, and the OneStiim deal was one of Mark McCollum's first actions as CEO. If the company is going to change direction that quickly -- and likely rub a potential partner the wrong way -- then investors might quickly start to wonder if McCollum is the best person for this turnaround job.Farm businesses have just 15 months to get ready for new VAT rules that will require them to keep digital records and submit their VAT returns direct from their financial software.

Last year the government was forced to delay plans for introducing a Making Tax Digital (MTD) system for income tax until at least April 2020, to give businesses more time to adapt to the changes.

But HMRC has revealed it is pressing ahead with plans for Making VAT Digital (MVD), introducing changes to the VAT regime from 1 April 2019 for any business operating above the VAT threshold of 85,000.

See also: How will HMRCs radical tax plans affect you?

The new rules mean farmers will need to make sure they have access to financial software that is compatible with HMRCs own systems.

It is estimated only one in 10 businesses file online VAT returns directly from their software  with the rest choosing to manually enter VAT return figures onto the HMRC portal before filing digitally.

Software challenge

David McGeachy, head of VAT at chartered accountants Saffery Champness, said the switch from a manual calculation and reporting would require a quantum leap for some people.

One of the biggest challenges will be the switch to compatible software, with only about 12% of all businesses currently filing their returns using a software package, he said.

MVD should allow HMRC to obtain VAT records data in a digital format that is more easily checked remotely using their existing auditing packages.

Taxpayers may find VAT repayments and claims delayed if they are unable to provide VAT information in the format prescribed under the MVD rules.

NFU pressing for delay

Michael Parker, head of tax for the NFU, said the union was pressing for a delay in implementation of the new regime, which it felt was far more onerous than the current online VAT reporting requirement.

A key concern was how practical it would be for many farming businesses given the poor digital infrastructure in place.

Many rural areas are struggling with upload speeds of less than 2mbps.

It is suggested by the government that Making Tax Digital proposals will bring business tax into the digital age, he said.

However, for many of our members the digital age has yet to be delivered to them by the government.

Mr Parker said he was worried that given the relatively complex nature of farm accounting and taxation it might also not be possible to get the tailored software solutions required within the proposed timescales.

A further consideration was that the proposed implementation date for the new rules coincides with the UKs planned exit from the EU, which could result in other changes to the VAT system.

The NFU believes that a delay in implementation, combined with substantive pilot tests across a wide range of businesses, is required before MTD for VAT becomes mandatory.

NFU too pessimistic?

But Gary Markham, director at tax advisers and accountants Land Family Business, said he thinks the NFU is being too pessimistic about the effect of the new regime.

Moving record-keeping further online is a big opportunity for the farm sector, he said.

And software providers are already developing packages that are compatible with HMRC systems, so he is confident solutions will be available in time.

Choosing the right technology will potentially, when used effectively, drive down the costs of accounts production and reduce administration costs considerably, he said.

Having access to more up-to-date information would also help people make more effective decisions about the management of the business.

I dont think the industry should panic about MTD, he said.

We are professional food producers with, in many cases, more robust accounting and physical record-keeping systems than many non-agricultural businesses.A positive message of great opportunities was highlighted by speakers at the National Association of Agricultural Contractor (NAAC)s Conference in December 2017, with those willing to be flexible and able to adapt, certain to lead the industry.

With NAAC figures estimating that 91% of farmers use a contractor, it was reassuring to hear that the industry is preparing for the post-Brexit world.

Already used to an environment where profits are hard-earned and forward planning is key, farmers are increasingly looking to contractors for expertise, specialist knowledge and the latest kit.

See also: NAAC contractor charges 2017

As the price of machinery has increased, farmers will question if they should tie up large amounts of capital in big kit, said Meurig Raymond, NFU president.

Skilled labour and tech

Whereas, Duncan Sinclair, Waitrose agriculture manager, emphasised that there would be opportunities for contractors to support their supply base. Farmers cannot be expert at everything, and may look to contractors to help solve labour concerns, said Mr Sinclair.

However, it was clear this would not be straight-forward, as a quick show of hands clarified that a shortage of skilled labour was a cause of concern for the contracting audience.

Alongside labour as a focus for his business, Matt Redman, NAAC member and contractor, was keen to focus on how technology can help. It will be important, if contractors get access to new land, to hit the ground running and get productivity up straight away, he said.

Technology will be the way forward for controlling inputs and make the best use of staff.

Brexit

Inevitably, Brexit was a key topic for the day, with many frustrated that it was difficult to plan for the future with current uncertainties.

However, Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to CAAV, was keen to emphasis Brexit as a process rather than an event. There is an expectation that farming will become increasingly professional post-Brexit, which will create a challenging, more commercial environment, he said.

Although, he was quick to reassure contractors that their sector had always worked this way and their resourcefulness would stand them in good stead, while suggesting that flexibility will be vital for contractors, as they become an essential tool for farmers.



[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

Istanbul, Turkey  3rd January 2018: Gaming Istanbul 2018 is almost sold out, and set for the third successful edition of the fastest growing B2B and B2C gaming event in Turkey from February 1st through 4th, for which GL Events revealed more highlights and details today. These include free space for over 30 indie developers from around the world, Iranian, Chinese, French and Taiwan country booths as well as further expanding the B2B and eSports areas. Since the foundation of GIST, the event it has succeeded in creating the gaming bridge of EuroAsia. The pooling of all important MENA markets, which offer huge potential, is a unique opportunity for networking and business development. Following the success B2B area in 2017, GL Events has increased space for the 2018 event, offering more participants the chance to network, build relationships and expand their connections more efficiently than ever before. While the B2B program of GIST grows, the consumer has been a runaway success, as the consumer area is also sold out. The rising demand confirms GL Events confidence in the event, expecting up to 35% more visitors this year. Consumers can look forward to storming the booths of the numerous AAA publishers on site like Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft and more, including Pearl Abyss, presenting its popular online MMORPG Black Desert Online to coincide with its launch in the MENA region. The fun doesnt stop with the big hitters, as gamers discover new gems in the Indie area, where over 30 indie developers from around the world have been awarded complimentary space to showcase some of the most original and revolutionary independent content from across the globe. Gaming Istanbul takes place at ICC International Congress Centre from February 1st through 4th and includes GIST DC, the most successful B2B event of the MENA region, which is open from February 1st through 3rd. Further details about Turkeys fastest growing gaming event can be found on the official website. About Gaming Istanbul Gaming Istanbul is designed to be the gaming bridge of EuroAsia inside a 10.000 m space at Istanbul Congress Centre, attracting tens of thousands of national visitors and thousands of international industry professionals in 2017. Gaming Istanbul provides worldwide advertising & PR campaign support, as well as providing showcase & OTC sale opportunities for game studios, game producers, hardware manufacturers, game & game related products retailers and hardware retailers. GIST 2018 takes place from February 1st  4th, 2018 at Istanbul Congress Centre. GIST Developer Conference is happening from February 1st  3rd. Web site: http://www.gamingistanbul.com/en/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingIstanbul Twitter: https://twitter.com/GamingIstanbul Instagram: http://instagram.com/gamingistanbul YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxakf4fhlqrPD4SZVukXNLw G+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/108411268381052087931/posts About GL Events GL Events has over 90 offices around the world, and specialises in providing events from exhibitions to fairs. GL Events has 40 event & exhibition centres in 24 countries with 300 registered fairs and 4000 events worldwide. With over 11 million visitors, GL Events fills an exhibition area of over 1 million m, and managing these large numbers is a dedicated international team of up to 4,107 professionals. GL Events made an annual income of 939.4 M . Web site: http://www.gl-events.com/homepage Company report: http://extra.gl-events.com/RA2014/US/index.htmlPreview version of Microsoft Edge for iOS updated with 3D Touch support News oi-Chandrika You should keep in mind that this feature is currently only available for the preview version of Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft has rolled out a new update to the preview version of Microsoft Edge for iOS. Apart from some minor changes, the update has most significantly added support for 3D Touch.

Microsoft Edge made its way to both Android and iOS earlier this year. It is pretty apparent that the Redmond-based software giant is making all the necessary changes to its browser so that it can compete with the existing browsers which dominate the two platforms. As mentioned before, the new update brings in one much-anticipated feature for iPhone users; 3D Touch support.

So once this feature is enabled, users can press the Edge icon on the iPhone home screen and perform various tasks such as launching a voice search, opening a new tab, or even launch a QR scanner.

Other than that, the updated version of Microsoft Edge also offers support for two different extensions, namely LastPass and 1Password. These two password managers can be found in the share sheet, and they will let users quickly fill in details like usernames and passwords while browsing the internet.

However, before getting your hopes up, you should keep in mind that all these features are currently only available for the preview version of Microsoft Edge. So don't expect to find the new features in the Microsoft Edge that is listed for download in the App Store.

That being said, we don't think Microsoft will take long to push all these features to the App Store version of Microsoft Edge. The company is just making sure that the features work without any issue.

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Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsSamsung Music app now gets Android 8.0 Oreo support in a new update News oi-Samden Sherpa Samsung is gradually updating some of its apps with support for Android 8.0 Oreo.

It looks like Samsung is now working on Oreo update for its range of smartphones. While the South Korean giant has been quite slow in bringing the updates, it is gradually working on it.

Having said that, the company is now reportedly updating some of its apps with support for Android 8.0 Oreo. Ths is good news for the Samsung device owners and it is also an indication that these apps will easily work with Android 8.0 Oreo OS once it's rolled out for all users.

It also seems that Samsung is getting ready to roll out the firmware update as well. A lot of time has already passed since Google announced the new OS for Android devices.

As such, Samsung has just released a new update for Samsung Music and what's interesting here is that the app gets support for Android 8.0 Oreo. The Samsung Music update weighs in at just over 26MB. The update moves the version number to 16.2.08.22.

In addition to Android 8.0 Oreo support, Samsung Music update adds an alphabet scroll index, shuffle play and brings the ability to turn off the edge light on supported models as reported by SamMobile.

The update is rolling out now via Galaxy Apps which means users can download it right away.

Meanwhile, looking at the history of updated apps, Samsung rolled out Oreo support for Samsung Pay first. Then it was Smart Switch app about two months ago. Quite surprisingly, the update came even before the Android 8.0 Oreo open beta program was announced for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

The next app to get the update around the same time as Smart Switch app was Samsung Connect and this app also received support for Oreo and further came with a new Dashboard as well as several improvements and additions to the Condition/Action features for the Automation functionality.

Samsung also updated its VR app recently with support for Oreo as well as Samsung's new Galaxy A8 (2018) series handsets.

While all the apps are getting support for Oreo, the company has not yet given any word about when it's going to release Oreo for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ to the public.

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Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsDigital India 2018: Government launches NARI portal for women empowerment News oi-Samden Sherpa Users can log on to www.nari.nic.in to access information on different programs offered by various State governments as well as the Centre.

Till date, the Indian Government has implemented a number of schemes and legislations for women to provide them with equal rights, economic opportunities, social support, legal aid, and housing among many other benefits. However, there is often a lack of awareness of these provisions and difficulties in accessing their benefits.

Thus, to provide women citizens with easy access to information on government schemes and initiatives for women, Union Minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi has now announced the launch of a new web portal for women. Dubbed as NARI, this new web portal will provide information on all government schemes for women.

"After almost 75 years, this is the first time in India, a new portal has been launched which will provide access to all government schemes and other important information. The portal provides links to the Ministries, Departments and various autonomous bodies offering these schemes as well as easy access to online applications and grievance redressal," the Minister said to the media.

#NARI is a niche initiative by @MinistryWCD to list down all the Centrally & State Specific Schemes. The information will be updated on real-time basis: Smt. @Manekagandhibjp pic.twitter.com/li2X4d4GAQ  Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) January 2, 2018

As such, users can log on to www.nari.nic.in to access information on different programs offered by various State governments as well as the Centre. The NARI portal carries details on 350 different schemes for women and will be updated from time to time.

The schemes are divided into seven different categories - education, health, employment, housing, and shelter, addressing violence, decision making, and social support. The Minister also noted that NARI elaborates on how the Government is focused to economically empower women through schemes under Direct Benefit Transfer as well.

In addition to this portal, Maneka also unveiled a website for NGOs called e-SAMVAD, an interactive portal allowing NGOs to contact the ministry and share their feedback, suggestions, grievances and their best practices.

Interacting with the press, the minister also commented that the government will initiate a trial run of mobile phones with a panic button from January 26 in Uttar Pradesh. The government in an order in April 2016 has already made it mandatory for all mobile phone manufacturers to provide a panic button feature in cell phones. However, its implementation has been delayed.

The move aims at improving security for women by providing them a tool to alert the local police while NARI and e-Samvad portals have been launched to generate awareness and put together relevant information scattered at different websites.

All in all, by introducing such initiatives it looks like the Indian government is working hard to realize its Digital India dream.

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Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsGoogle starts rolling out January security patch for Pixel and Nexus devices News oi-Samden Sherpa Google has patched a total of 38 critical vulnerabilities across multiple components like the Android runtime, media framework, kernel, as well as LG, HTC, MediaTek, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm components.

Google tango, the augmented technology AR - GIZBOT

The good thing about owning Google-branded smartphones or running stock Android OS is that the updates come really fast. As such, Google seems to be moving into 2018 with some good news for Pixel and Nexus device owners. Well, the company has now released the January security patch for supported Pixel and Nexus devices.

Google is rolling out the update for Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and Pixel C basically with an aim to help users keep their devices secure at all times.

According to Google's January Security bulletin, there are separate January 1 and January 5 security patches wherein the former fixes 20 vulnerabilities, while the latter patched 18 vulnerabilities. The company has mentioned that the severity of these vulnerabilities range from high to critical. Google has claimed that no reports of customers being affected have been reported.

Besides, the company has brought fixes for a total of 38 critical vulnerabilities across multiple components like the Android runtime, media framework, kernel, as well as LG, HTC, MediaTek, Nvidia, and Qualcomm components.

Google has recommended users to update their devices to the January 2018 Android Security Patch as soon as possible. "All supported Google devices will receive an update to the 2018-01-05 patch level. We encourage all customers to accept these updates to their devices," the company has said.

January 2018 patch now rolling out via the over-the-air update (OTA) system. However, it is also worth mentioning that apart from the security aspect the patch contains two functional updates where one update "adjusts the handling of key upgrades in keystore," while the second improves "stability and performance after installing an OTA."

Notably, the January security patch is available for Pixel or Nexus devices only as of now and not other Android devices.

According to Softpedia news, these devices will also be upgraded to the Android 8.1 Oreo software version. Now what this means is that users will get to experience the new features that Android 8.1 bring such as a slightly transparent Quick Settings menu, as well as light and dark themes that turn on automatically based on the home screen wallpaper. And there is more.

Via

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Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsLG Display to start supplying display panels to Apple in H2 2018 News oi-Chandrika As of now, we have received no official confirmation from Apple or LG on this matter.

While LG has recently confirmed that it has not produced a single OLED display panel for Apple yet, things are about the change this year. According to a new report by The Investor, LG Display is expected to start shipping OLED panels for the iPhone in the second half of 2018.

The report citing industry sources claims, "the first shipments will not be large, totaling about 15-16 million screens for the year." This means Samsung Display will continue to supply the majority of OLED panels for the future iPhones as Apple usually sells over 200 million units of iPhone every year. Samsung Display currently produces more than 10 million screens per month.

As of now, we have received no official confirmation from Apple or LG on this matter. However, the latter had earlier said that it was in talks with the iPhone maker over a possible deal. If this report is to be believed, Apple wants to rely less on Samsung.

The report further reveals the possible display sizes of the upcoming iPhones. Samsung Display is likely to produce smaller 5.8- or 6-inch panels, whereas LG Display will focus more on making larger 6.5-inch screens.

This indicates that there could be two variants of the 2018 model of iPhones. One will have a similar size to that of the iPhone X, and a Plus variant which may feature a huge screen.

The information about the two 2018 iPhone variants from The Investor is in line with earlier details revealed by the renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities, who has a good track record of foretelling accurate information about Apple's plans.

Kuo had stated that Apple will launch three iPhones this year. One of the OLED models is said to have a 5.8-inch display just like the iPhone X and the other OLED model is expected to flaunt a larger 6.5-inch display and it could be the iPhone XI Plus. The third model is said to feature an LCD display with the size of 6.1-inch.

Having said all that, until we receive an official confirmation, we should take the report with a pinch of salt or two.

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Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsMicromax Android Go smartphone to arrive this month at Rs. 2,000 News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu

Usually, the low-end devices hardly get a chance to get updated to the latest iteration of Android. In order to change this scenario, Google came up with the Android Go initiative so that the entry-level devices also get the latest Android updates and is meant especially for the emerging markets.

Given that the Android Go was recently announced along with a slew of other India-first products and services, it looks like a large wave of Android Go smartphones will be launched in the country in the near future. We already saw that Lava could be prepping to launch an Android Go phone. Now, Micromax seems to have been added to the list. Notably, the Android Go smartphones will have 1GB RAM or less as these will be entry-level devices.

Taking the clue from a report by Factor Daily, it looks like Google has teamed up with some of the India-based smartphone brands such as Micromax, Intex, Karbonn, Lava and others to launch the Android Go (Android Oreo) smartphones. It is believed that these smartphones will be priced around $30 (approx. Rs. 2,000) and could be launched starting from this month.

The Android Go smartphones in question will feature the most recent version of the platform and will feature less than 1GB RAM. These smartphones will be preloaded with the Go (lightweight) version of Google apps such as YouTube, Play Store, Maps, Google Apps, Google Assistant, Gmail and more.

The report cites an unnamed Google official claiming that the Android Go smartphones will be launched early this year. It is tipped that Micromax will be the first brand to launch one such device in India. The Micromax Android Go smartphone is believed to be launched around January 26. Following this one, the other brands are likely to come up with their smartphones in the later weeks. It is believed that the Android Go smartphones will arrive with 4G LTE connectivity.

As mentioned above, we have come across reports that Lava will join hands with Google to launch an Android Go smartphone. Also, it looks HMD Global is prepping to launch the Nokia 1, an Android Go smartphone sometime in March this year.

Google is focusing a lot on the Android Go smartphones as the company's CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the $30 price point is the best one for smartphones in the country during his visit in 2017. It is believed that the Indian brands those had lost the ground to the Chinese companies can increase their market share with the Android Go devices.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsNokia 6 (2018) visits Geekbench with Android 8.0 Oreo ahead of January 5 launch News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu

The Nokia 6 (2018) is in the headlines as the company is teased to unveil this smartphone on January 5 in China. However, there is no sort of confirmation from HMD Global regarding the announcement of the new Nokia 6.

Earlier today we came across the teaser posted by a China-based online retailer Suning and now the smartphone has made its way to the Geekbench benchmarking database via Slashleaks. The benchmark listing as confirmed some of the specifications of the Nokia 6 (2018) those were already making the rounds on the rumors and speculations.

The variant of the Nokia 6 (2018) with the model TA-1054 has been spotted on Geekbench. This model appears to feature an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SoC clocked at 2.21GHz coupled with 4GB RAM. The smartphone is believed to run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

When it comes to the performance front, the Nokia 6 (2018) has achieved 863 points in the single-core test and 4163 points in the multi-core test. Apart from these, the Geekbench database has not revealed many details about this smartphone. However, the recent TENAA listing has shed more light on the specifications of the upcoming Nokia 6 (2018).

Going by the same, there appear to be two variants of the new Nokia 6 meant for the Chinese and the global markets. When it comes to the specifications, the TENAA listing shows that the device will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat but the Geekbench database tips at Android 8.0 Oreo and we believe the latter makes more sense.

The Nokia 6 (2018) is likely to be launched with a 5.5-inch display with a FHD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and have the conventional aspect ratio of 16:9. The camera department is said to comprise of a 16MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie snapper. The device is expected to get the power from a 3000mAh battery just like its predecessor and arrive in three color variants such as White, Blue, and Black.

While the recent teaser has tipped that the Nokia 6 (2018) could be unveiled on January 5 in China, previous reports have hinted that this smartphone might be launched along with the upcoming flagship smartphone - Nokia 9. However, we cannot take these specs or launch date as the final ones as HMD Global is yet to reveal an official word regarding the same.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsTrial of panic button will begin in Uttar Pradesh from 26th January this year News oi-Priyanka The portal will provide all information on government schemes and initiatives for women. Further to provide a platform for NGOs and Civil Societies.

Honor 7X first impressions

Minister of Women & Child Development, the minister said that the user trials of the panic button, backed with a full real-time emergency response system, will begin in Uttar Pradesh from 26th January this year.

In order to protect women, in April 2016, the Department of Telecommunications had issued an order that all no mobile phones must have the inbuilt panic button and global positioning system (GPS) from January 1, 2017, and January 1, 2018, respectively.

The minister earlier said that the inbuilt system of the panic button on mobiles for women's safety is a "game changer". "We finally managed to get the panic button. We have been working on it over the last two years. I spoke to the Prime Minister and he took it extremely seriously and immediately it has been done so we should give him credit for it," she added.

Meanwhile, she inaugurated an online portal NARI in New Delhi. The portal will provide all information on government schemes and initiatives for women. Further to provide a platform for NGOs and Civil Societies.

The minister further said that for the first time ever since Independence, women of the country will be able to access information about benefits being provided to them by the Government. The portal contains information about schemes being run by both Central as well as the States Governments.

The NARI portal summarizes over 350 government schemes and other important information for the benefit of women, with more being added every day. It provides links to the Ministries, Departments and autonomous bodies offering these schemes as well as easy access to online applications and grievance redressal.

NARI will provide information to women on issues affecting their lives. There are tips on good nutrition, suggestions for health check-ups, information on major diseases, tips for job search and interview, investment and savings advice, information on crimes and against women and reporting procedures, contacts of legal aid cells, simplified adoption procedures and much more. It will endow women with the power of information to build their life skills and facilitates them in taking full advantage of the services provided by the Government for them.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsHasselriis, C.H.W. (Capar Heinrik Wolfson, 1881-1972)

Of the Land, the Character and the Faith of the Danes. Distributed by the Danish Information Service of the Friends of Denmark, NYC; "For release on or after Nov. 6, 1944. [1944] Offset mimeographed leaves, stapled. 11.5x8", 5pp.

_____. Mute Denmark. Published by Free Denmark, Inc., NYC, September 1941. Offset mimeographed leaves, stapled. 11.5x8", 9pp. On the silencing of the voice of Denmark--a lyrical and poetic statement on the "lark no longer sing(ing)" though the spirit of Denmark remains dedicated to freedom.

Neither publication is located in WorldCat/OCLC, $200/pairWorld War I as a transition point for Army sustainment

By Leo P. Hirrel January 2, 2018

In April 2017, the Army observed the 100th anniversary of the U.S. military's entry into World War I. It is important to recognize how this conflict helped the United States become a world power. The Army entered the war only partially comprehending the requirements for organizing and maneuvering a multimillion-Soldier force in an overseas theater. By the close of that war, the Army was a truly modern force.

The transformation in sustainment constituted a critical part of the emergence of the Army as a world-class power. At the time of the U.S. entry into the war, Army sustainment rested on an archaic bureaucratic system that was best-suited for supporting a relatively small peacetime Army.

An embarrassingly poor performance against Spain in 1898 led to some reforms in the support structure. One change was creating the Quartermaster Corps to combine the Subsistence, Pay, and Quartermaster Departments and to militarize logistics supply and services. Overall the Army was woefully unprepared for the logistics and personnel issues associated with a modern war, especially a war fought overseas. By the close of the war, the Army had a credible sustainment system.

To place the magnitude of the achievement in perspective, in 1898 the Army experienced incredible difficulties in moving a single corps from Tampa, Florida, to Cuba, and then delivered insufficient supplies once in Cuba. In contrast, by the close of World War I, more than two million Soldiers were moved to and sustained in France. This was by far the largest overseas deployment anywhere in the world up to that time; it was about four times the size of the British deployment during the Boer War.

LEARNING TO HARNESS INDUSTRY

Problems with industrial mobilization developed very quickly during World War I because of the lack of preparation. Without a site selection plan, construction of the necessary training camps took longer than expected. The Army missed an opportunity to purchase wool while it was available, and shortages of blankets and warm clothing were compounded by the exceptionally cold winter of 1917 and 1918.

U.S. factories lacked the dies, jigs, and precision tools for the mass production of munitions, including rifles, artillery, tanks, aircraft, and ships, forcing U.S. allies to make up the shortfalls until the end of the war. Wartime railroad congestion was so bad that it paralyzed the East Coast in December 1917.

Bureaucratic dysfunction made the difficult task of arming the nation even worse. Up to this time, supply systems were stovepiped to the extreme. Not only were the Army and Navy competing against each other for commodities, but bureaus within the War Department were competing against each other for scarce supplies. Contracting prior to the war employed a highly inflexible bidding system at fixed prices. This system worked in peacetime but not in the uncertainties of war.

At the outset, President Woodrow Wilson was reluctant to use his powers. He even initiated a program to build wooden ships to avoid having to use his authority to commandeer steel for shipbuilding.

Gradually the nation learned how to correct these deficiencies. Reorganizations within the War Department and within the larger government bureaucracy provided for more efficient operations. By 1918, President Wilson gave his War Industries Board sufficient backing to cajole industry into cooperation. Giving the war effort a higher priority for raw materials, production, and transportation introduced order into the chaos.

By the summer of 1918, the United States was reaching its potential for war production. In October, the wartime Emergency Fleet Corporation produced 33 percent more ships in one month than the nation produced during the entire year of 1916. If the war had lasted into 1919 as expected, the surge in productivity would have had noticeable results. In the interim, the United States depended on its allies for industrial support.

OVERSEAS

At the time of the U.S. entry into the war, the Army lacked the operational experience and doctrine needed to conduct a major war. It had some limited operational experience in Mexico, the Philippines, and other areas, but nothing comparable to the challenge it would soon face.

Field service regulations (doctrinal publications of that time) offered only vague guidance about how a support structure should work in a major war. In fact, the publications contained only nine pages describing the entire line of communications.

Not surprisingly, the efforts of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) to create a workable sustainment system involved initial confusion, often causing the troops to suffer from the poor support. In time, the AEF addressed issues of organization, but it frequently reorganized throughout the war. Performance steadily improved, and by October 1918, the U.S.-operated ports accepted more than 900,000 tons of supplies in a single month.

The AEF entered the war expecting to rely on the French to operate ports and railroads. Upon arrival in France, however, the AEF realized that the French transportation system was too stressed by the war to provide this support. Consequently, the AEF assumed increasing responsibility for operating French ports and railroads and improving existing facilities. Without previous experience in these operations, the Army relied on civilians to manage these projects.

Closer to the front, the AEF faced logistics challenges that Soldiers would not have contemplated during the frontier days. The introduction of motor vehicles helped with transportation problems, but their use introduced the problems of petroleum resupply, maintenance, and repair parts.

Because vehicles lacked standardization, repair parts became a nightmare.

The Ordnance Department experimented with a mobile ordnance repair shop, thus introducing the concept of field maintenance. Graves registration and field laundry became military functions for the first time. Army cooks employed the new mobile kitchen trailers to prepare hot meals near Soldiers. Throughout the war the Army continued to improvise with new types of organizations to meet unexpected demands, such as forestry units to provide the necessary lumber for construction.

Because of difficulties in transporting supplies across the Atlantic, the AEF relied on the French to an unprecedented degree, similar to the host-nation support used in today's operations. Upon Gen. John J. Pershing's insistence, the AEF developed a method of centralized management for overseas purchases to prevent the different bureaus from driving up prices by competing against each other.

The AEF also found ways to purchase supplies from neutral nations. French laborers, especially women, did invaluable service by operating warehouses, repairing textiles, producing macaroni, turning sheet metal into cooking utensils, and a variety of other tasks. All of this effort reduced the shipping requirements for the AEF.

Undoubtedly the wide variety of support tasks came as a surprise to Soldiers accustomed to thinking of warfare in terms of enemy engagement. To their credit, members of the AEF sustainment community quickly recognized the importance of their work and adjusted to provide the necessary support to the fighting forces.

HUMAN RESOURCES SUPPORT

Functions that today might be termed human resource support matured significantly under the direction of the Adjutant General's Department. During World War I, the Army needed to find ways to match Soldiers to the multitude of skills required beyond the combat functions, so they employed IQ and occupational skills testing.

The Army also needed a system to send replacements to the divisions during the fight. With some difficulty, the Army developed a system that began with replacement training centers in the United States and ran through to replacement depots in Europe. Unfortunately, the system did not mature until after the war, but the model served well for the remainder of the century.

Other personnel innovations included a central records office in theater, the use of serial numbers, and the Army's assumption of postal duties. Functions that today might be called morale, welfare, and recreation were handed to the women and men from volunteer organizations, but the lessons were remembered when the Adjutant General's Department created the Special Services Division for the purpose of troop morale.

SIGNIFICANCE

By the end of the war, the AEF had developed into a credible fighting force capable of successfully engaging the Germans in some of the most difficult terrain in France. The transformation of the Army's sustainment structure was a major part of the development of the United States into a world power.

Certainly the organization had shortcomings, but American Soldiers had the means to do their jobs. It is difficult to imagine how the AEF could have fought in the final battles of 1918 if the various supporting branches had not rapidly adapted to modern warfare.

Effective sustainment operations in World War I had further implications. At the time of the U.S. entry into the war, French and British allies proposed blending U.S. Soldiers into their own formations because of they were unsure of their new ally's ability to manage large operations.

The Army's immature sustainment capabilities in 1917 were an important consideration. By developing the capacity to support the AEF, rear-area Soldiers enabled the fielding of an independent Army that would ensure that the United States had a voice in the post-war peace conference.

THE POST-WAR PERIOD

In the years after World War I, the Army temporarily returned to its previous status as a small force, and investments in sustainment diminished accordingly. However, the war left an intellectual legacy for future senior leaders on the intricacies of supporting a huge Army.

With the establishment of the Army Industrial College in 1924, officers had the chance to consider the problems of homefront mobilization and wholesale logistics. The painful lessons in moving supplies led to the creation of the Transportation Corps in 1942 as a permanent branch of the Army.

Lessons from World War I helped President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers understand the need for a pre-war mobilization program in the period before the U.S. entry into World War II. Leaders also applied tested organizational and doctrinal solutions to the new war. Military logistics and personnel operations are never perfect, but in the 1940s, the Army was far better prepared for the next global conflict.

Members of the sustainment community of World War I made two tremendously important contributions to the U.S. emergence as a world power: they provided the means for the AEF to function as a separate army, and they left an intellectual sustainment legacy that enabled the Army to enter World War II as a premier fighting force.

--------------------

Dr. Leo P. Hirrel was the Quartermaster School historian from 2011 until 2017. He is the author of the recently published "Supporting the Doughboys: U.S. Army Logistics and Personnel During World War I," which is available for free at http://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/Supporting-the-Doughboys-(Web).pdf.

--------------------

This article was published in the January-February 2018 issue of Army Sustainment magazine.

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Yemen says Saudi war has killed, wounded 35,000 people

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 06:34PM

The Yemeni Ministry of Health says the Saudi-led military coalition has either killed or wounded some 35,000 people of Yemen during the ongoing war Riyadh imposed on the impoverished nation almost three years ago.

In a report read out in a press conference in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a on Tuesday, the ministry said that the appalling number of casualties occurred in just 1,000 days since the Saudi regime began its military aggression against the Yemeni people in March 2015.

The report added that nearly all of Yemen's provinces sustained losses in the war with the northwestern province of Sa'ada, the west-central province of Sana'a and the western province of Hajjah suffering the most in a descending order.

The ministry also said that 415 health facilities were destroyed, either completely or partially, as a result of direct Saudi airstrikes, pointing out that more than 55 percent of the health facilities did not function due to the ceaseless aggression, and that the remaining 45 percent operated with a minimum capacity.

The report also revealed figures showing that more than 95,000 Yemeni patients needed to travel abroad for proper treatment, stressing that the closure of airports, due to a total blockade of the country by the Saudi-led coalition, led to the death of 32 patients every day in all provinces.

The ministry further said that, according to figures provided by the World Food Programme, more than 21 million Yemenis needed humanitarian assistance, and that more than 9 million others were expected to enter the stage of starvation.

According to the ministry's figures, some 2 million Yemeni children suffer from some form of malnutrition, of which half a million are dying of severe malnutrition and 52,000 children died in 2016 for preventable causes.

The report also said that 2,236 people had so far lost their lives due to a cholera outbreak triggered by the Saudi war.

Saudi Arabia has been leading a deadly campaign against Yemen from the air, land, and sea since March 2015 in an attempt to reinstate former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh, and to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement. Over the past two years, the Houthis have been running state affairs and defending Yemeni people against the Saudi aggression.

The campaign has also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. The offensive has, however, achieved neither of its goals despite the spending of billions of petrodollars and the enlisting of the cooperation of Saudi Arabia's regional and Western allies.

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US commander urges Afghan army to press Taliban during winter

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 05:44PM

A top US commander has called for a more aggressive approach in the Afghan army against a normally quieter Taliban during the winter season, saying more American "trainers" would be deployed to the front lines to escalate the offensive.

General Joseph Votel of the US Central Command, who leads forces in the Middle East, said Tuesday that preparations for a full battle against the Taliban in the spring season should begin sooner in the Afghan army.

"... we'll look for a major effort to gain the initiative very quickly as we enter into the fighting season," said Votel, adding that Afghan forces must "keep the pressure on all the time and work to gain the upper hand as quickly as we can, so that as we get into this next fighting season we can build on the initiative."

The general said new deployments of American trainers would help with the operation. That carries greater risks for American service members, but Votel said US commanders will make sure US forces have adequate protection.

Under President Donald Trump, Washington has been desperate to prevent a deterioration of security in Afghanistan, some 17 years after the US led an invasion of the country. More US troops are being deployed in areas where the Taliban have gained grounds over the past years. Fears over security have also exacerbated as the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, which is on its last legs in Iraq and Syria, has carved out its own rule in some Afghan territories.

Votel expressed hope that the Afghan army could reach a better level of preparedness for the next spring fight as a result of Washington's training and funding.

"By the time they get to the next fight, they will be able to really present a significant offensive capability," said the US commander, adding that the Afghan army must prepare for greater fighting once the weather improves.

Reports suggest Trump has effectively doubled the number of US troops in Afghanistan to 16,000 and there are plans for the deployment of a special training unit early this year. That, however, has hardly prevented the advance of the Taliban as the group now controls almost half of the country.

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Moldovan President Says Court's Suspension Of His Powers 'Shameful'

RFE/RL's Moldovan Service January 02, 2018

CHISINAU -- Moldova's pro-Moscow president, Igor Dodon, has rejected a Constitutional Court decision to temporarily suspend his powers amid a standoff over ministerial appointments with his opponents in Chisinau's pro-Western government.

"The court once more confirmed its image of a rubber-stump political tool, not a constitutional body. This is a shameful and regrettable fall for a state that claims to be democratic," Dodon wrote on Facebook, vowing "not to give in."

Earlier, Dodon blocked Prime Minister Pavel Filip's nominations for new ministers in a reshuffle. Dodon said the government-proposed candidates were incompetent and accused some of them of being linked to a high-profile scandal in which around $1 billion was siphoned out of Moldova's banking system.

In response, the ruling coalition asked the Constitutional Court to suspend Dodon's powers so the government could form a cabinet with the nominees.

The court ruled on January 2 that presidential powers be temporarily delegated either to the parliamentary chairperson or to the prime minister.

Dodon is frequently at odds with Filip and his government, which favors closer ties with the EU and the United States.

In December, Filip's government recalled its envoy to Russia for consultations -- accusing Moscow of harassing and intimidating Moldovan officials and ignoring Chisinau's complaints about the issue.

In March, Filip and parliament speaker Andrian Candu summoned the Russian ambassador to Chisinau to protest what they said was abusive action by unnamed Russian intelligence services against Moldovan officials.

In May, Filip's government declared five Russian diplomats persona non grata.

The government in Chisinau says its officials were being mistreated in a bid to derail an investigation into a Russian-led money-laundering operation.

With reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-dodon-court-suspension -powers-shameful/28951494.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Senior Taliban Militant in Afghanistan Killed in Airstrike - Ministry

Sputnik News

13:39 02.01.2018

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Mawlawi Wali Jan, a senior attack planner for the Taliban terrorist group in the province of Urozgan has been killed in an airstrike, along with 11 other militants, the Ministry of the Interior said.

"Yesterday, the shadow deputy governor of the armed Taliban for the southern Urozgan province Mawlawi Wali Jan known as Hamza with his 11 accomplices was killed in an airstrike," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the airstrike took place in the province's capital of Tirin Kut.

The raid also resulted in the destruction of terrorist vehicles, weapons and ammunition.

At the same time, TOLO news outlet reported Tuesday, citing Nangarhar governor's spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, that at least 65 Daesh militants were killed and 18 wounded by the Afghan forces in operations in Nangarhar province.

According to the outlet, one civilian was reportedly killed and 13 were wounded as the result of militants using local residents' houses as shelter.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from political and social instability fueled by terrorist groups operating in the country, including Daesh and the Taliban.

In August, US President Donald Trump announced his new strategy in Afghanistan after the 16-year-long war in the country. The strategy includes more soldiers on the ground and airstrikes on Taliban drug refining facilities.

 Sputnik

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Sanctions and 'other' pressures having 'big impact' on N Korea: Trump

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 04:49PM

US President Donald Trump has claimed that sanctions on North Korea are "beginning to have a big impact" after Pyongyang proposed talks with South Korea.

"Sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea," Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

"Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!" Trump said regarding a possible dialogue between the neighbors.

Trump's comments came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un began the New Year by wishing success for the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea and suggested that the North may send a delegation to participate.

"The Winter Olympic Games that will be held soon in the South will be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation and we sincerely wish that the event will be held with good results," Kim said in a speech.

In a stern warning Kim said that the entire United States is within the range of the country's nuclear weapons and that the "nuclear button" is always on his desk.

"It's reality, not a threat, that the nuclear button is always on my desk," he said during a speech. "The entire area of the U.S. mainland is within our nuclear strike range.The United States can never start a war against me and our country."

"We need to mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and accelerate their deployment," he added.

A day earlier, former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton dismissed Kim's talk of having a nuclear launch button ready as nothing more than "propaganda."

"Well, look it is propaganda from Kim Jung Un," Bolton said. "This is his regular New Year's speech. And obviously he has seen the conversation in the United States that looks at possible preemptive military force -- not as the most attractive option. But it's an option we definitely have to use if they don't give up their nuclear weapons program," Bolton said.

Bolton emphasized that the US president "has very little time left to make a decision what to do or face a future where North Korea has nuclear weapons."

Prior to the holidays, the UN Security Council imposed new sanctions on North Korea on Friday over Pyongyang's missile and nuclear weapons development program. The new sanctions restrict fuel exports to the country and demand the repatriation of North Koreans working aboard, mostly in China and Russia.

North Korea said the latest round of sanctions imposed by the United Nations against Pyongyang constitutes an "act of war" against the country.

Pyongyang has repeatedly defended its weapons program as being defensive in nature and a deterrent against potential hostility by foreign powers.

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Trump Says Sanctions Beginning To Take Toll On North Korea

RFE/RL January 02, 2018

U.S. President Donald Trump has said there is mixed potential in possible talks between North Korea and South Korea, and that sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programs are beginning to take a toll.

"Sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea," Trump said in a Twitter post. "Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea."

"Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time," Trump said, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not -- we will see!"

In his New Year's address on January 1, Kim suggested the possibility of sending a delegation to South Korea to discuss North Korean participation in the Winter Olympics that run from February 9 until February 25.

"The Winter Games to be held in South Korea will be a good occasion for the country. We sincerely hope that the Winter Olympics will be a success," Kim said.

"We are ready to take various steps, including the dispatch of the delegation," he said. "To this end, the two Koreas can immediately meet."

South Korea responded on January 2 with Unification Minster Cho Myoung-gyon proposing a meeting of delegates at the border village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone.

It would be the first time the two sides have met in more than two years.

Kim had also boasted about North Korea's nuclear-weapons capabilities in his televised New Year's speech, saying his country had the ability to hit all of the U.S. mainland with nuclear weapons and that the nuclear button was "on my table."

"This is reality, not a threat," Kim said.

He said the country had "completed" the process of becoming a nuclear power and that "we must mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and speed up their deployment."

He added, though, that it would only use such weapons if its security were threatened.

Most international experts do not believe that North Korea has yet developed a missile that could deliver a nuclear weapon the distance required to reach North America.

Kim did offer some conciliatory language to South Korea, saying the "path is open" to dialogue with an aim to improve ties between Pyongyang and Seoul.

"When it comes to North-South relations, we should lower the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula to create a peaceful environment," Kim said. "Both the North and the South should make efforts."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on January 2 that any improvement in relations between North and South Korea would involve finding a resolution to Pyongyang's nuclear program.

South Korea is a major ally of the United States, which has thousands of troops stationed in the South.

The United States and North Korea have been in a war of words that has intensified each time Pyongyang has tested its ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons in violation of United Nations resolutions.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-north-korea -trump-says-nuclear-sanctions-begin -take-toll/28951527.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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India to buy missile from Israel amid tensions with China, Pakistan

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 03:33PM

India plans to purchase 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel amid New Delhi's border disputes with its neighbors China and Pakistan.

The Indian defense ministry announced the $70 million arms deal for the purchase of Barak missiles from Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems on Tuesday.

The missiles will be launched on India's first aircraft carrier which is currently under construction.

The news comes ahead of an upcoming four-day visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India in mid-January on top of a business delegation.

Israel has been supplying India with various weapons systems, missiles and drones over the past few years, making India one of Israel's largest buyers of military hardware. The regime is currently selling an average of $1 billion of military equipment to India every year.

In April 2017, India and Israel inked a military agreement worth $2 billion. The deal includes the supply of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications technology to India for several years.

It is still unclear whether the Tuesday agreement was part of that comprehensive military deal.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, India has also signed several military deals with other countries.

There has been growing international concern over a renewal of border disputes between India and China. The hostilities had resulted in a short but deadly frontier war between the two sides in 1962, in which China emerged victorious.

The two nuclear-armed powers share a 3,500-kilometer border, much of it is disputed between the two neighbors.

India is also facing intensified border tensions with Pakistan, due to the ongoing clashes in Kashmir, a disputed Muslim-majority region that has for years demanded independence or a merger with Pakistan.

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India to Buy Smart Bombs Worth $200 Mln From Russia - Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20:32 02.01.2018(updated 20:40 02.01.2018)

India's precision attack and targeting capabilities are currently dependent on imports. But, the country hopes to soon cut down this dependency with the state-run Defense Research and Development Organization in the advanced stages of testing locally developed HSLD bombs.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  India will soon procure 240 smart bombs worth $200 million from Russia to boost its air power. On Tuesday, Indian defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman cleared the purchase plan of these bombs which will be used to hit specific targets with minimum collateral damage.

"These bombs, which fall under the category of Precision Guided Munitions, are used by Indian Air Force (IAF). This procurement will address the deficiency of Precision Guided Munitions in the IAF arsenal, besides enhancing the offensive capabilities of the IAF," Indian defense ministry said in a statement.

According to an official document, these bombs are effective against ground targets like railway yards/bridges, major installations, bunkers, runways and hardened targets. The bomb can be carried on various in-service aircraft like the Jaguar, MiG and other advanced combat aircraft of the IAF. Such bombs play a very important role in strike missions where aircraft are tasked to destroy ground installations and enemy runways.

At present, the IAF is fully dependent on imports of the lethal bombs from Israel, France, Russia and the United States for its fighters. But the country is also striving to attain self-sufficiency on the munitions front. Last year, the state-owned Defense Research & Development Organization had successfully tested a precision-guided high-speed low drag (HSLD) bomb weighing 500 kg, which is the largest bomb locally developed in the country so far.

"During the carriage trials, the aircraft touched the carriage limits of 0.85 at 150 m altitude and completed 6.5 'g' and full roll maneuvers. The structural integrity of the bomb was found satisfactory after the trials," DRDO said after the trial.

In 2016, OIS Advanced Technology (OIS-AT) teamed up with Sagem of France to establish a manufacturing unit for precision-guided guidance kits to meet domestic requirements.

 Sputnik

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Iran recognizes right to protest under Constitution: Govt Spox

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 2, IRNA -- Iranian government recognizes the people's right to protest within the framework of citizens' rights and the Constitution, spokesman for the government said here on Tuesday.

'Rioters and protestors are not the same,' Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht said at his weekly press briefing held in the Iranian capital this morning.

'According to the Constitutional Law, non-violation of public security makes the distinction between riots and protests, Nobakht said.

'Even the rioters should be confronted within the framework of law,' he added.

In recent days, people in different Iranian cities have staged protests over the economic situation in the country. Agitated by the foreign enemies of the Islamic Republic, the protests have sometimes turned violent.

1483**1771

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Over a dozen people killed in violence in Iranian cities

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 08:24AM

More than a dozen people have been killed in the violence that has followed a series of peaceful demonstrations against economic woes in a number of Iranian cities.

Several towns in the central Isfahan Province were the scene of unrest and sporadic clashes on Monday night, IRIB reported.

In Qahderijan, six people were killed after they engaged in clashes with security forces while attempting to storm a police station.

Separately, armed rioters killed an 11-year-old boy and injured his father in Khomeinishahr as the family was passing by the scene of the scuffles.

Elsewhere, in Kahriz Sang, the assailants armed with shotguns targeted two security guards, killing one of them and wounding the other.

Meanwhile, in the city of Takestan in northern Qazvin Province, the rioters raided the seminary center and the office of the Friday Prayers' leader and Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization.

They broke the buildings' windows, damaged public property and set fire to a car and three motorbikes.

The turmoil in Takestan ended after police intervened.

On the contrary, the Iranian capital, Tehran, was mostly calm after two nights of clashes.

In downtown Tehran, a small group chanted slogans but were scattered.

According to Iranian officials, a total of seven people were killed during the spate of violence on Saturday and Sunday, including three in Hamadan, two in Izeh and two more in Lorestan.

In another incident in Lorestan's Doroud on Sunday, a father and his son lost their lives when their car was hit by a fire truck stolen by the rioters.

On Thursday, people in several Iranian cities, including Mashhad, held peaceful gatherings to criticize price hikes, unemployment and unauthorized credit institutions.

Shortly afterwards, those gatherings, which had been organized without official permits, turned violent as a group of participants began to launch attacks on public property and armed elements showed up among ordinary people in some areas.

President Hassan Rouhani has vowed that the nation will deal with a "small and minority group" of rioters and lawbreakers exploiting the protests against economic conditions.

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'Enemies Of Iran': Khamenei Offers No Olive Branch, Toughens Line On Protests

Golnaz Esfandiari January 02, 2018

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has broken five days of silence as antiestablishment protests raged in Iran by publicly stiffening the official line from that offered by the country's president a day earlier.

Khamenei has the final word on political and religious matters in Iran, and his suggestion that "enemies of Iran" are behind the unrest comes with the death toll rising above 20 and increasingly harsh admonitions from other Iranian officials.

The protests, the largest since massive demonstrations over a disputed presidential election in 2009 prompted a brutal crackdown, have continued despite the deaths and hundreds of arrests, dispersals by security forces in dozens of cities, and stepped-up blocks on social media and the Internet.

Khamenei has been one of the main targets of protesters' chants, which have included "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to Khamenei!" while also accusing him of ruling like a god.

"In the events of recent days, the enemies have united and are using all their means -- money, weapons, policies, and intelligence services -- to create problems for the Islamic regime," Khamenei said on state television.

"The enemy is always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate and strike the Iranian nation," he added.

He did not say how security forces should respond to the protests, only that he will address the nation when "the time is right."

On January 1, President Hassan Rohani acknowledged Iranians' economic and political frustrations and suggested that the unrest could be turned into an opportunity.

"We can't say whoever who has taken to the street has orders from other countries," Rohani told members of parliament. "There might a handful like that, but some [have] taken to the street based on their emotions and due to their problems."

He also said that some of the protesters sought greater freedom, echoing a note that Rohani made part of his election and reelection campaigns in 2013 and 2017.

"Their problems are not only economic ones -- it's not like people have come out into the streets to say that 'We want money, bread, water.' They have other demands as well. They are pursuing other things as well. One [demand] is allowing a freer environment. People are demanding not only money, [it's] not only economic. Yes, one of them is the economy."

There were other signs emerging on January 2 of a possible hardening on the part of Khamenei's hard-line allies and other Iranian authorities.

A deputy commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), General Rasul Sanayirad, said on January 2 that the United States, Saudi Arabia, monarchists, and the opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) are behind the problems.

"Today we are seeing that the counterrevolutionaries, the monarchists, the Hypocrites" -- a reference to the MKO -- "the U.S., and [the House of] Saud as well as a grouplet led by a fugitive clown, are misusing the social and economic protests of our country's people and have turned them into riots and acts of sabotage," Sanayirad was quoted by the hard-line Fars news agency as saying.

"The slogans chanted in the past two or three days by the rioters clearly showed that [the MKO] and the monarchists are behind this story," Sanayirad added.

For now, reports suggest that compared to past protests security forces have been restrained in their attempts to quell the protests. Reports suggest that the IRGC, which was blamed for some of the most brutal actions during the 2009 crackdown, has not intervened in any conspicuous manner.

But Esmaeil Kowsari, deputy chief of a major IRGC base in Tehran, told the semiofficial news agency ISNA, "If this situation continues, the officials will definitely make some decisions, and at that point this business will be finished."

Meanwhile, the head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court warned on January 2 that arrested protesters could face the death penalty.

"Obviously one of their charges can be 'moharebeh,'" Mousa Ghazanfarabadi was quoted by the Tasmin news agency as saying, using an Arabic term for a crime that is frequently translated as "enmity against God" and can be punishable by death.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-khamenei-toughens-stance -on-protests-no-olive-branch/28951630.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Who Are The Protesters In Iran?

Frud Bezhan January 02, 2018

Days after deadly antigovernment rallies erupted in Iran, it is still difficult to pinpoint just who the protesters are and what, exactly, they want.

The demonstrations lack a central voice, are taking place across vast and varied territories, and are attracting a broad range of Iranians, making it difficult to pinpoint any gender, age group, or economic class.

That is in stark contrast to the 2009 mass protests that erupted after the contentious reelection of Mahmud Ahmadinejad. Those rallies were rooted in popular anger against what was seen as a fraudulent election, were driven by leaders of the opposition Green Movement, and backed largely by Tehran's educated middle class.

While comparisons have been drawn to the 2009 unrest when trying to gauge the current protests' place in recent history, five days of protests show they do not fit neatly into the same mold.

"These protests cannot be portrayed, as the regime tried to do with 2009, as a 'north Tehran phenomenon' of troublesome, better-off, better-educated activists," says Scott Lucas, an Iran specialist at Birmingham University in Britain and editor of the EA World View website.

"The spread of the protests across the country in almost every Iranian city shows a widespread questioning of what the regime is doing over the economy, foreign policy and military interventions, and political and social issues," Lucas adds.

Beyond Demographics

Tehran has tried to pin the current protests largely on youths. Deputy Interior Minister Hossein Zolfaghari has said that 90 percent of the protesters detained nationwide were under 25 years old.

But while witness testimony and footage from the protests do show that many participants are young, it would be simplistic and misleading to suggest that they are the only ones protesting.

Considering that people under the age of 25 would have been born after the 1979 revolution that founded the Islamic republic, it would be easy for Tehran to write off the current protests to the youthful exuberance of youths who are too young to know any better.

But a 25-year-old protester would have been coming of age when the clerical establishment reacted in brutal fashion to the largely peaceful protests of 2009. Many presumably went on to vote in the 2013 election that chose Ahmadinejad's successor, Hassan Rohani.

Cast as a relative moderate, Rohani won on pledges to improve ties with the West, secure more freedoms for Iranians, and revive the recession-hit economy. Rohani won again in 2017, in part due to his success in working out a deal with Western powers over Iran's contentious nuclear program and the promise of more openness to come as Iran shed the label of international pariah.

But despite securing the lifting of crippling international sanctions as part of the deal, frustrations over Rohani's failure to deliver economic benefits grew.

Certainly, Iran's high unemployment and dire economic situation hits the country's younger generation hard. More than 50 percent of the population is under 30, and while youth unemployment is officially around 20 percent, it is believed to be closer to 40 percent.

But they are far from being the only disenfranchised segment of society.

"Those people who are taking part in the protests are from all social classes, regions, and demographics in society," says Raman Ghavami, an Iranian analyst who has been tracking the protest. "The poor, the middle class, the rich are taking part. Woman are playing a role."

Referencing footage of security forces refusing to make arrests and standing in solidarity with demonstrators in Lorestan Province, Ghamvami notes that "even some security forces are rejecting orders."

No Overriding Issue

There is no single issue that is driving the protests.

The protests first erupted in the city of Mashhad on December 28, where demonstrators rallied against a surge in prices of basic food supplies, such as eggs and poultry.

But as the protests spread, protesters directed their anger at Iran's political leadership, chanting "Death to Rohani" and "Death to [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei." Some protesters have even called for the return of the monarchy that was ousted in the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Some have also chanted slogans against Iran's foreign policies, including its support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, seen by some as an expensive and wasteful undertaking abroad considering Iran's needs at home.

Analysts believe the protests in Mashhad may have been driven by internal rifts in the clerical system that gave impetus to spontaneous protests erupting across the country. Mashhad, the country's second-largest city, is home to Rohani's former election rival, hard-line conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi.

"Some hard-liners welcomed the initial protests, but what they may have hoped would serve their factional interests in the short term appears to have unleashed more fundamental grievances that go much deeper," says Naysan Rafati, an analyst at the International Crisis Group.

In short, what may have started as an effort to heap criticism on Rohani and his nuclear deal may have awakened broad yet latent discontent.

Protests are not so unprecedented in Iran -- demonstrations have been staged by taxi drivers, autoworkers, teachers, and environmentalists in the past several years. But the demonstrations were usually contained to specific gripes, and received some element of official consent.

No Central Leadership

In contrast to the 2009 mass rallies that were driven by the opposition Green Movement, whose leaders still remain under house arrest, there is no apparent leadership or movement behind the current protests.

"[The protests] appear to be entirely spontaneous and as far as I can tell, leaderless," Alireza Nader, a senior policy analyst at Rand Corporation, wrote on Twitter.

This lack of a central message, analysts say, will make it more difficult for authorities to break up the protests.

"The apparent lack leadership to the protests is both a blessing and a curse to the authorities: on the one hand, the government may see the absence of clear organization as reason to hope that they will subside - or be put down - sooner rather than later," Rafati says.

"On the other hand, the scale and scope of the unrest as well as the varied demands raised by the protesters make it more difficult to make tangible concessions that would address their grievances."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-who -are-protesters/28951711.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran's Supreme Leader Accuses Nation's 'Enemies' of Stirring Unrest

By VOA News January 02, 2018

Iran's Supreme Leader on Tuesday accused enemies of the Islamic Republic of stirring the violent anti-government protests that began late last week.

"In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools, including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create troubles for the Islamic Republic," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement shown on state television and in a post on his official website. Khameei said he would address the nation about the recent events "when the time is right."

Iranian state television said Tuesday another nine people were killed overnight during anti-government protests, raising the overall death toll to more than 20 killed since the demonstrations against economic conditions in the country began late last week.

According to the report, six people were killed at a police station in the town of Qahdarijan in clashes that began as rioters tried to steal guns.

In Najafabad, state media said a police officer was killed.

President Hassan Rouhani vowed Monday that security forces would "respond to rioters and lawbreakers."

"The government will show no tolerance for those who damage public properties, violate public order and create unrest in the society," he said.

Hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested since the protests began Thursday in Mashhad before spreading to other parts of the country.

Those rallying against the government are upset with economic difficulties such as high unemployment and rising food prices.

Hussein Banai, an assistant professor at Indiana University, told VOA economic hardship and uneven wealth distribution have been a part of Iran since its 1979 revolution, but that now there are extra factors helping drive the protests.

"What is different this time around is the conspicuous way in which senior members of the regime are basically spending the public money, or the newly released money after the sanctions were lifted, on causes that are not at all to the benefit of the average person in Iran, but rather furthering the geopolitical interests of the regime in the region be it in Yemen or in Syria, or spending it on further fortifying their kind of uneven concentrations of power," Banai said.

He added that in the past protests have been led by students, academics and activists, but now those demonstrating are the working classes doing so in a less organized way.

In a speech to parliamentary leaders, Rouhani lashed out at foreign countries, including the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia, for allegedly fomenting unrest in Iran.

"Our progress and success in the world of politics and against the U.S. and the Zionist regime was not bearable to them," he said, while singling out Saudi Arabia for saying it "will create problems in Tehran."

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it hopes foreign interventions will be avoided, and that it is concerned about the reported casualties. The ministry statement said violence and "provocations" should be avoided.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the protests in a Twitter comment Monday, saying it is "time for change" in Iran.

"Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration. The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted," Trump said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the protesters "brave" and "heroic," while wishing them "success in their noble quest for freedom."

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said his government regrets "the loss of life that has occurred in the protests" and called on all parties to refrain from violence.

"We believe that there should be meaningful debate about the legitimate and important issues the protesters are raising and we look to the Iranian authorities to permit this," Johnson said.

Rouhani minimized the unrest, saying, "This is nothing."

"Our nation will deal with this minority who chant slogans against the law and people's wishes, and insult the sanctities and values of the revolution," the Iranian president said. "The people are absolutely free in expressing their criticisms and even protests. But criticism is different to violence and destroying public property."

The Trump administration says it is "very concerned" about Tehran blocking Iranians from communicating via social media platforms in a bid to dampen the protests.

Iran blocked access to messaging app Telegram and photo-sharing app Instagram on Sunday, with state media saying the moves were meant to maintain peace. Iranians had been using the apps to communicate about the street demonstrations, the biggest outpouring of public discontent with Iran's clerical leaders since 2009 protests against the results of a disputed presidential election.

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Iraq Kurdistan to return border crossings to central government

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 11:17AM

Iraq's Kurdistan is reportedly set to return the control of border crossings in the semi-autonomous northern region to the central government in a bid to pave the way for talks with Baghdad.

Ihsan al-Shamri, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, announced the prospect in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

The region held a secession referendum last September despite stern warnings from Baghdad and overseas that such a move would compound the problems facing the country amid the fight against terrorism.

Following the plebiscite, which reportedly saw an overwhelming number of participants voting for separation, the central government imposed certain measures against the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

It conducted a military campaign to retake the areas overrun by Kurdish militants in the course of the fight with Daesh terrorists, banned direct flights to the region, and demanded control over border crossings.

On November 6, Iraq's Supreme Federal Court ruled that no region or province was allowed to break away from the mainland.

An Iraqi government spokesman said in October that Baghdad had set a series of conditions that the KRG needed to meet before any talks on the resolution of the referendum crisis could start.

Al-Shamri further said the KRG had agreed to make the region answerable to the Constitution again and resolve the problems caused by the referendum.

He said it had also decided to hand over its land terminals with Iran and Turkey and agreed to the formation of a committee tasked with regulating the crossings, customs affairs and airports.

The committee would also be devising the KRG's competencies in accordance with the Constitution, the official noted.

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported on Tuesday that Iran had reopened two crossings with Iraq's Kurdistan which were closed after the referendum.

"Tamarchin and Parviz Khan border crossings with Erbil and Sulaymaniyah that have been closed off by the formal request of Iraqi government, were opened on Tuesday," ISNA quoted Iran's the consulate in Erbil as saying.

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Iraqi forces kill 15 Daesh bombers near border with Syria

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 04:23PM

The Iraqi Interior Ministry says government forces have launched a counter-terrorism operation to hunt down Daesh Takfiri terrorists near the country's border with Syria, killing more than a dozen extremists in the process.

The ministry's spokesman, Brigadier General Saad Maan, said in a statement on Tuesday that members of the Federal Police force had carried out a surprise attack, and killed fifteen Daesh bombers during the operation, Arabic-language al-Forat news agency reported.

The slain Takfiris had medium weapons and explosive belts in their possession, and were under constant surveillance over the past few days.

On December 9, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the end of military operations against the Daesh terrorist group in the Arab country.

"Our forces are in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border and I therefore announce the end of the war against Daesh," Abadi told a conference in Baghdad.

Abadi visited the town of Qa'im and the nearby Husaybah border crossing in far western Iraq on November 5, and raised the Iraqi flag at the border crossing.

On October 5, Abadi said Iraqi armed forces had liberated Hawijah, driving Daesh Takfiris out of their last bastion in the oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk.

The Iraqi prime minister said on August 31 that the northwestern city of Tal Afar, located 200 kilometers northwest of Kirkuk, and the entire Nineveh province had been purged of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

The recapture of Tal Afar was made possible with the help of the Iraqi army, Federal Police, Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) units, Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters and the Interior Ministry's elite rapid response forces, the Iraqi prime minister stated.

On July 10, Abadi formally declared victory over Daesh extremists in Mosul, which served as the terrorists' main urban stronghold in the conflict-ridden Arab country.

In the run-up to Mosul's liberation, Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters had made sweeping gains against Daesh.

The Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

Daesh began a terror campaign in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks.

Iraqi forces then launched operations to eliminate Daesh and retake lost territory, and last month, Iraqi forces liberated Rawa, the last remaining town in the grip of the terror outfit.

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Japan Considering Destroyer Conversion to Counter China, N Korea

Sputnik News

10:57 02.01.2018

Tokyo is arguing that its plans to ramp up the country's naval might are entirely for defensive purposes and are not at variance with its post-WWII constitution, which bans the nation from having offensive military capability, Japanese media reported.

Japan, which swore off aircraft carriers in the wake of the Second World War, wants to upgrade its fleet of Izumo-class helicopter destroyers to turn them into full-scale aircraft carriers to accommodate US F-35B Lighting fighters, the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the stealth fighter.

Because loading F-35B fighter jets onto the converted Izumo and Kaga helicopter-carrying destroyers would directly mean Japan's acquisition of the ability to hit enemy bases, the government will have to decide the issue based on discussions for the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines at the end of 2018, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

China has been quick to criticize Tokyo's plans warning that enhancing the country's helicopter-carrying destroyers would not be lost on its neighbors  a clear allusion to Imperial Japan's December 1941 surprise attack

on the US Pacific Fleet's main base at Pearl Harbor.

Japan, which believes it is facing security threats from regional neighbors North Korea and China, insists that its constitution does not ban it from having aircraft carriers, which Tokyo argues are purely defensive weapons.

Wary as it is about Pyongyang's growing ballistic missile capability, Japan's primary concern is China, which has established control over a number of reefs and atolls in the South China Sea, which are also claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Japan also fears that China could easily occupy the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea which, though currently being administered by Tokyo, are claimed by Beijing, DW wrote.

Tokyo feels that the planned transformation of the Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into full-fledged aircraft carriers with F-35s on board could effectively ensure the security of the strategic archipelago.

As for Japan's constitutional ban on aircraft carriers, the prohibition specifically concerns "attack aircraft carriers" meant to project offensive air power against a foreign country.

Tokyo insists that the overhauled Izumo-class destroyers with F-35Bs on board would technically be "defensive" aircraft carriers meant to protect the country's airspace.

 Sputnik

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US withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan: US envoy to UN

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 08:56PM

The United States is withholding $255 million in aid from Pakistan in the backdrop of souring ties between Islamabad and the administration of US President Donald Trump.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday that the White House had made the decision.

"The administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan," said Haley. "There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at time, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration."

The decision was made in the wake of Trump's first 2018 tweet, in which he ripped Pakistan over serving as a "safe haven" for Afghanistan's terrorists.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump tweeted on Monday.

The $255 million is only part of the aid and as the US envoy to the United Nations warned, the American commander in chief could still block all the funding to Islamabad.

"We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism," Haley said. "The president is willing to go to great lengthens to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism."

Islamabad denies providing a safe haven to terrorists, asserting that its fight against terrorism is faced by Washington's "invective and mistrust" in return, as the Pakistani defense ministry said in response to Trump's tweet.

After the president's statement, US Ambassador David Hale was summoned to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry to discuss the matter.

During the meeting, Pakistan lodged a strongly-worded protest and asked for clarification of Trump's comments.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi called for a Tuesday cabinet meeting and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trump's remarks.

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Pakistan, India exchange lists of nuclear installations

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 05:48PM

Pakistan and India have exchanged the lists of their nuclear installations under a three-decade-old bilateral pact that bars them from attacking each other's atomic facilities in an event of war.

India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged the list of nuclear facilities through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Office, the lists were handed over to the officers of the Pakistani and Indian High Commissions in their respective capitals.

The two countries have already set up a telephone hotline to prevent an accidental nuclear conflict.

The exchange was established under the agreement which was signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991.

The accord calls on both countries to inform each other of their nuclear sites on January 1 every year.

This is the 27th consecutive exchange of such a list between the two countries. The lists have been exchanged since 1992.

Pakistan and India have routinely tested ballistic missiles since they first became nuclear capable in 1998 and 1974, respectively.

Neither of the neighbors has signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or other international regulatory pacts that restrict developing or testing nuclear weapons.

India considers the NPT as discriminatory, while Pakistan has indicated that it will not join the international treaty until its neighbor does.

The two countries have already fought four wars, three of which were over Kashmir. The region has been the bone of contention between the nuclear neighbors since their partition and independence from Britain in 1947.



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Report: Pakistan Planning Takeover Of Charities Run By Islamist Figure

RFE/RL January 02, 2018

The Pakistani government has plans to seize control of charities and financial assets that are connected to an Islamist leader that the United States considers a terrorist, according to Reuters.

Pakistan's government detailed the plans to freeze assets and take control of charities run by Hafiz Saeed in a covert order to provincial and federal government departments on December 19, three officials who attended high-level meetings about the crackdown told Reuters.

A Finance Ministry document dated December 19 directed law enforcement officials and governments in Pakistan's five provinces to submit a plan whereby they would seize Saeed's two charity organizations -- Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.

The plans were to be submitted to the Finance Ministry by December 28.

Washington considers JuD and FIF to be "terrorist fronts" for Lashkar-e Taiba, a group Saeed founded in 1987 and which the United States and India blame for the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

Saeed has denied involvement in the Mumbai attacks and he was found innocent of involvement when he was tried in a Pakistani court.

The proposed action by the Pakistani government comes after the FATF, an international body that fights against money laundering and groups that are financed by terrorists, warned Islamabad that it could be added to a watch list for failing to crack down on terrorist groups.

Additionally, a UN Security Council team is due to visit Pakistan later this month to review progress against UN-designated "terrorist" groups.

Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who served as a co-chair for meetings about the crackdown plans, told Reuters he has ordered authorities "to choke the fund-raising of all proscribed outfits in Pakistan."

But he added that "we're not pleasing anyone" but rather "working as a responsible nation to fulfill our obligations to our people and [the] international community."

Saeed -- who has denied having ties to militant organizations -- could not be reached for comment. His network includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house, and ambulance services.

In November, a Pakistani court released Saeed from house arrest, which he had been put under by the Punjab provincial government for violating antiterrorism laws.

With reporting by Reuters and TNN

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-planning-takeover-of-charities -run-by-islamist-figure/28950699.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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White House To Announce 'Specific Actions' Against Pakistan Within Two Days

RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan January 02, 2018

The White House has said that it wants to see Pakistan do more to fight terrorism and that Washington will likely announce "specific actions" within the next two days to pressure Islamabad.

"Our goal is that we know that they can do more to stop terrorism and we want them to do that," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

Earlier on January 2, Pakistan criticized the United States for a Twitter post by President Donald Trump that threatened to cut of billions of dollars in aid. Trump also accused Islamabad of "lies and deceit," and providing a safe haven for terrorists.

Pakistan's National Security Committee, a body that deals with defense issues, said in a January 2 statement that Pakistan "cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan."

The statement said "blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region."

Meanwhile, a statement issued on January 2 by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's office said Islamabad will remain committed to playing a constructive role toward an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process despite "unwarranted allegations."

The prime minister's statement said the real challenges in Afghanistan were political infighting, massive corruption, phenomenal growth of drug production, and the expansion of ungoverned spaces inside Afghanistan full of sanctuaries for multiple international terrorist organizations that pose a direct threat to Afghanistan, its neighbors, and the region.

Earlier on January 2, Pakistan summoned U.S. Ambassador David Hale in response to Trump's threatening January 1 Twitter message -- his first tweet of 2018.

Pakistani officials publicly accused the United States of "mistrust."

But the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told reporters in New York on January 2 that "there are clear reasons" for the Trump administration to withhold $255 million in assistance to Pakistan.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years," Haley said. "They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration."

Trump's tweet said that the United States had "foolishly" given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years, "and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools."

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" he added.

The White House then confirmed it would continue to withhold $255 million in military aid to Pakistan out of frustration over what it has characterized as Islamabad's obstinacy in confronting terrorist networks.

It first started a "temporary withholding" of the funds, part of a $1.1 billion aid package authorized in 2016 by Congress, in August.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan returned the criticism in a tweet noting that Islamabad "as anti-terror ally has given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but [the United States has] given us nothing but invective & mistrust."

Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told Pakistan's Urdu-language Geo Television that "the United States should hold its own people accountable for its failures in Afghanistan."

"America is frustrated over defeat in Afghanistan. America should take the path of dialogue instead of using military might in Afghanistan," Asif said.

Asif added that all financial aid from the United States had been "properly audited" and that "services [were] rendered."

The Afghan ambassador to the United States, Hamdullah Mohib, welcomed Trump's tweet.

Pakistan "receives funds from the United States to fight against terrorists, but it has not destroyed terrorist safe havens from where terrorists continuously carry out attacks in Afghanistan," he told RFE/RL on January 1.

[Trump's tweet] is a positive message for us, should U.S. pressure on Pakistan increase," Mohib added. "If the funds that Pakistan receives from the U.S. are cut off, this can exert direct pressure on Pakistan and we welcome this effort."

However, China gave Islamabad its backing, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying that Pakistan "has made a prominent contribution to global antiterror efforts."

"The international community should fully recognize this," he added.

Trump and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence have in the past accused Islamabad of supporting terrorist groups that the U.S. president once called "agents of chaos." U.S. officials have also demanded that Pakistan act against the Taliban and Haqqani network.

The frequency of suspected U.S. drone attacks near the Pakistani-Afghan border has increased notably since Trump introduced his Afghanistan strategy in August.

After a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah at the presidential palace in Kabul late on December 21, Pence had sharp words for Islamabad, saying that while Pakistan had much to gain from working with the United States, it also has much to lose by harboring "criminals and terrorists."

"President Trump has put Pakistan on notice," Pence said at the time.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and Dawn

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-us -afghanistan-criticizes-trump-accuse -lies-deceit/28951685.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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'Invective and Mistrust': Pakistan's Leaders Respond to Trump's Tweet

Sputnik News

18:06 02.01.2018(updated 18:17 02.01.2018)

In his first message directed at a foreign nation in the new year, US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to accuse Pakistan of lies and deceit, however, Pakistani authorities have said that the US should hold its own people accountable for its failures in Afghanistan instead of blaming Pakistan

Donald Trump has had a turbulent relationship with Pakistan for years. Right after becoming the US president he spoke to the then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calling him a "terrific guy" who was doing an "amazing job.".

"Please convey to the Pakistani people that they are amazing and all Pakistanis I have known are exceptional people," Trump further added, according to a readout released by the Pakistan government.

Back then Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the Pakistan government looked forward to working with the new US administration. He spoke to US ambassador David Hale and the two sides discussed matters of bilateral interests, particularly trade and economic relations.

That stance changed some six months later when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington in June. After that trip both India and the US pointed fingers at Pakistan saying that the latter is not doing enough to combat terrorism.

In August Trump revealed his new South Asia strategy further blaming Pakistan for "giving safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror."

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists," First Post reported Trump as saying.

These comments were, as was expected, met with a stern reaction from Pakistan. It suspended bilateral talks and visits with the United States.

According to the Pakistani newspaper The Nation, the country's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif informed a Senate committee that the government had to take such a decision as a protest against Trump's comments against the country.

But the situation kept escalating and on New Year's Day, Trump took to Twitter to lash out at Pakistan once again saying, "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more."

Washington backed up Trump's words and suspended $225 million in military aid to Pakistan, according to the First Post.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif responded to Trump's tweet in a stern manner saying, "The United States should hold its own people accountable for its failures in Afghanistan."

"We have already said 'no more' to America, so Trump's 'no more' has no importance. We are ready to give all account for every single penny to America in public," Asif was quoted as saying by Geo TV.

He further said that the US is frustrated over its defeat in Afghanistan and it should perhaps take the path of dialogue instead of using military might.

The Minister of Defense, Khurram Dastagir, also expressed his opinion saying that Pakistan had extended unprecedented cooperation to the US in defeating al-Qaeda in Afghanistan besides fighting the war against terrorism.

He said that it is the terrorists from Afghanistan who have repeatedly targeted Pakistani armed forces and civilians. Khurram Dastagir made it clear to the US president that Afghanistan's war would not be fought from the soil of Pakistan, Dawn news reported.

In a separate tweet Dastagir said: "Pak as anti-terror ally has given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16 yrs, but they have given us nothing but invective & mistrust. They overlook cross-border safe havens of terrorists who murder Pakistanis."

Talking about the military aid claims made by the US president, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said, "The claim by Trump regarding the funds, if we account for it, they include reimbursements too for the services rendered by Pakistan."

He said that Pakistan's land, roads, rail and, other different kinds of services were used for which the country was reimbursed.

"A proper audit took place for the reimbursements," the foreign minister said.

If the US carried out further drone strikes in Pakistan's settled areas, the minister warned that, "The country will defend its sovereignty."

Pakistani analyst Zahid Hussain said that Trump's statements come as no surprise. "We have been seeing for a while that Trump's attitude is getting stricter, so this statement is no surprise. Pakistan has other options," Hussain was reported by Dawn news as saying.

The analyst further said that Pakistan can sustain itself without US aid just as it had done before, during the 1990s, when it faced all sorts of sanctions from the US.

Hussain stressed that the US needs to have a better policy on Afghanistan and should focus on what to do in that country instead of blaming Pakistan.

 Sputnik

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Pakistan Says Ready to Account for Spending US Aid Amid Trump's Critical Remarks

Sputnik News

18:04 02.01.2018(updated 18:08 02.01.2018)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan was ready to provide all details regarding the funds received from the United States amid US President Donald Trump's critical remarks about Islamabad and its anti-terror policy.

"We have already told the US that we will not do more, so Trump's 'no more' does not hold any importance  Pakistan is ready to publicly provide every detail of the US aid that it has received," Asif told Geo TV in an interview published on Monday, adding that Pakistan did not want US aid.

He stressed that Trump was accusing Pakistan due to "the US defeat in Afghanistan."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry reportedly summoned US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale over Trump's remarks.

At the same time, Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has welcomed Trump's critical remarks about Islamabad and its anti-terror policy.

"President @realDonaldTrump tweet on Pakistan's duplicitous position over the past 15 years is vindication that the war on terror is not in bombing Afghan villages and homes but in the sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan. I welcome today's clarity in President Trump's remarks and propose a joint US  regional coalition to pressurize the Pakistan military establishment to bring peace to not just Afghanistan but the entire region," Karzai said Monday on Twitter.

The reaction followed Trump's message on Twitter, where he wrote that the United States had allocated millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan, while the latter had not contributed to countering terrorism and provided safe harbor to terrorists from Afghanistan. The US president vowed to stop providing financial aid for Pakistan.

Pakistan is a US partner in southern Asia. Meanwhile, the Taliban terror movement outlawed in Russia, uses territories in northern Pakistan for its bases. Moreover, Osama bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda terrorist organization (also banned in Russia), who was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, was found and killed by US forces in Pakistan in 2011.

 Sputnik

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Pakistan Rejects Trump's Criticism, Says It Can't Be Blamed for 'Collective Failure'

By Ayaz Gul January 02, 2018

Pakistan has criticized and noted with "deep disappointment" charges contained in a New Year tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump and said Islamabad could not be held responsible for the "collective failure" in Afghanistan.

Trump tweeted Monday the United States had received "nothing but lies and deceit" in return for "foolishly" giving Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years to fight terrorism.

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump concluded in his first tweet of 2018.

His criticism instantly provoked strong condemnation and reaction from Pakistani politicians and commentators. The foreign ministry Monday night summoned the U.S. Ambassador to protest and seek an explanation.

The Pakistani government issued a formal response Tuesday after an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee of top civilian and military leaders, with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the chair.

A statement issued after the meeting underscored Pakistan's significant contributions toward promoting regional and global peace and security.

"Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism primarily out of its own resources and at a great cost to its economy, and that even more importantly the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan," it said.

The statement went on to reiterate that tens of thousands of Pakistani civilians and security personnel have lost their lives and the pain of their families "could not be trivialized so heartlessly by pushing all of it behind a monetary value  and that too an imagined one."

It rejected as "completely incomprehensible" recent statements and articulation by the American leadership for contradicting "facts manifestly, struck with great insensitivities" at the trust between Pakistan and the U.S. built over generations.

Pakistan is firmly supporting and facilitating the U.S.-led international efforts in Afghanistan through "vital lines of communications" for smooth counterterrorism operations in the neighboring country, according to the statement.

Thousands of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan still rely mostly on ground and air routes through neighboring Pakistan for receiving vital supplies. Analysts still rule out a complete breakdown in relations between Islamabad and Washington.

They note that current tensions with Russia and Iran leave the Trump administration with almost no options but to rely on Pakistani supply routes to sustain the Afghan military mission. Islamabad had for months suspended the lines of communications in 2011 to protest U.S. bombings of Pakistani border posts that killed 24 soldiers.

The routes were restored only after Washington issued apologies for mistakenly hitting the Pakistani posts.

"The real challenges in Afghanistan were political infighting, massive corruption, phenomenal growth of drug production and expansion of ungoverned spaces inside Afghanistan full of sanctuaries for multiple international terrorist organizations, posing a serious and direct threat to Afghanistan, its neighbors and the entire region," read Tuesday's Pakistani statement.

"Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the collective failure in Afghanistan and that blaming allies certainly does not serve the shared objective of achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region."

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet Tuesday questioned Trump's assertions of giving Islamabad more than $33 billion dollars. Asif insisted that Trump "can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure & let the world know who is lying & deceiving."

Washington has long accused Pakistan, especially its security institutions, of turning ignoring or covertly helping the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani terrorist network to stage cross-border attacks against Afghan and U.S.-led forces.

Islamabad denies allegations it is harboring Afghan insurgents and instead complains anti-state militants are using the neighboring country for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.

Afghanistan and rival India praised Trump for blaming Pakistan. But longtime ally China on Tuesday defended Islamabad and called on the international community to "fully acknowledge" Pakistani counterterrorism efforts.

"Pakistan has made tremendous efforts and sacrifices in combating terrorism and made outstanding contributions to the international anti-terrorism cause," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in Beijing.

The two countries, he added, maintain an "all-weather strategic partnership" and China intends to further deepen its cooperation with Pakistan in all fields.

China is investing billions of dollars to help build a network of power plants, rail, road, and communications in Pakistan. The unprecedented planned investment of about $60 dollars under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC has cemented economic and political ties between the two countries, who already enjoy deep military cooperation.

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South Korea offers date for high-level talks with North

Iran Press TV

Tue Jan 2, 2018 09:10AM

South Korea has offered to hold high-level talks with the North on January 9, shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that direct dialog could take place between the two countries.

South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon announced on Tuesday that Seoul was "reiterating our willingness to hold talks with the North at any time and place in any form."

"We hope that the South and North can sit face to face and discuss the participation of the North Korean delegation at the Pyeongchang [Winter Olympic] Games as well as other issues of mutual interest for the improvement of inter-Korean ties," he added.

The announcement came after Kim used his annual New Year address to express interest in dialog with the South as well as in North Korean participation in the Winter Olympic Games, to be held in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang from February 9 to 25.

In his Monday speech, Kim said the Olympics could provide a reason for officials from the two Koreas "to meet in the near future."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has long favored engagement to ease the tensions with the North, earlier on Tuesday welcomed Kim's suggestion of an opportunity to launch new dialog.

Moon called the offer a "positive response" and the Olympics in Pyeongchang a "groundbreaking opportunity for peace." He indicated, however, that improvements in inter-Korean ties must go hand-in-hand with steps toward North Korean denuclearization.

The main Winter Olympic venues are just 80 kilometers from South Korea's heavily-fortified border with the North.

The two Koreas have seen tensions rise over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests and Seoul's joint military activities with the United States.

The two Koreas, which fought a war in the early 1950s, held their last high-level talks in 2015.

In recent months, North Korea has conducted multiple missile launches and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. It has faced international sanctions over the test launches.

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South Korea Offers Pyongyang to Sit Down at Negotiating Table

Sputnik News

08:15 02.01.2018(updated 09:07 02.01.2018)

Seoul is proposing to hold high-level talks on January 9 with Pyongyang at the demilitarized zone between the two countries, South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Tuesday.

The minister suggested holding talks at the Panmunjom village after the North Korean President, Kim Jong Un, expressed hopes that the country's athletes would take part in the upcoming Olympic Games set to take place in South Korea.

"We are expecting the South and the North to be able to discuss the participation of the North Korean side in the Olympics in Pyeongchang as well as other topical issues regarding the improvement of the relations between the South and the North," the minister said.

The move has been welcomed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has expressed willingness to allow the participation of North Korean athletes in the event.

The negotiations may take place amid reports by Japan's Kyodo News Agency, claiming that Tokyo was considering four possible military scenarios on the Korean Peninsula, including hostilities between the armed forces of North Korea and South Korea, a US preemptive strike on the DPRK, a South Korean invasion of the DPRK and a North Korean missile strike on Japan.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has further escalated over the last year after Pyongyang carried out a number of missile launches and conducted a nuclear test in early September.

These actions have incited harsh criticism from the global community, which is seeking to put pressure on Pyongyang through international sanctions.

Reacting to the recent UN sanctions imposed on the country, in particular, limitations of oil imports to Pyongyang, North Korea has called them "an act of war," with the US repeatedly saying that it does rule out the possibility of a military solution to the issue.

A peaceful solution to the issue, the so-called, double-freeze plan, has been suggested by Russia and China, which urged Pyongyang to declare a moratorium on nuclear tests and missile launches and called on South Korea and the US to abstain from carrying out joint drills, in order to stabilize the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

However, Washington has refused this initiative.

 Sputnik

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South Korea Offers Talks With Rival North Over Winter Olympics

By VOA News January 02, 2018

South Korea offered Tuesday to hold high-level talks with bitter rival North Korea over the North's possible participation in the upcoming Winter Olympic Games hosted by South Korea.

Seoul's offer comes one day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used his annual New Year's Day address to call for direct talks with Seoul and to announce his willingness to send a negotiating team to South Korea before the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang next month.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter that Kim's willingness to negotiate with South Korea is a sign of desperation.

"Sanctions and 'other' pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!"

Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Tuesday Seoul wants to meet North Korean diplomats in exactly one week in the truce village of Panmunjom, located in the demilitarized zone that separates the North and South. The meeting would be the first high-level talks between Seoul and Pyongyang since December 2015.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed Kim's suggestion to hold talks late Monday, but said any improvements on inter-Korean relations must occur in tandem with Pyongyang's abandonment of its nuclear weapons program.

Grant Newsham, a senior research fellow at the Tokyo-based Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, tells VOA Seoul's overture reflects sentiment among a segment of the populace who believe that "somehow reaching a deal" with autocratic North Korea is a real possibility.

"There's even a sense in this group, or community, that somehow it's the Americans' fault that the Koreas are divided," Newsham said. "It's not surprising they would jump at the bait that the North dangles."

Kim Jong Un also used his speech to warn the United States that North Korea's nuclear program is a reality, and a nuclear button is "always on the desk in my office."

Kim and Trump engaged in an escalating war of words last year amid Pyongyang's continued testing of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, including a sixth nuclear test and a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could potentially reach the U.S. mainland.

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Syrian Army Completes Operation, Restores Control in Western Ghouta - Reports

Sputnik News

19:10 02.01.2018(updated 19:20 02.01.2018)

BEIRUT (Sputnik) - The Syrian government forces have pushed terrorists from Western Ghouta, located in the southwestern part of Damascus countryside, and completed a military operation in the area, Sana news agency reported on Tuesday.

The army also restored control over a strategic area of Tuloul Homr, linking the villages of Sheikh Mountain and areas of Jubata Khashab and Mashati Hadar, and located on important supply routes, the agency reported.

During a military operation, which lasted three months, the Syrian government forces forced armed terrorist groups to surrender after handing over their weapons, according to the agency.

The freed areas were declared safe after army units had dismantled improvised explosive devices and mines planted by militants in the area as part of the preparation for the return of displaced people to their homes, Sana noted.

Syria has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting numerous opposition factions and terrorist groups. The international community has taken a number of steps aimed at settling the crisis, including through negotiations in Geneva and Astana.

Last month, the Russian Foreign Minister reported a complete victory over Daesh terrorists in the east and west banks of the Euphrates in Syria.

 Sputnik

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Turkish FM Says Negotiating With Russia Over S-400 Technology Transfer

January 02, 2018

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Ankara is still negotiating with Moscow about a technology transfer as part of its controversial purchase of Russia's S-400 air-defense missile system.

Cavusoglu said buying the missile system -- which caused great concern among Turkey's NATO allies when it was officially announced on December 27 -- was necessary and that Turkey "needed it urgently."

"We wanted to buy it from our NATO allies, but it did not work out," Cavusoglu told dpa in an interview. "Russia gave me the best deal. And that is why I bought it from Russia."

The reported $2.5 billion deal is still set to move ahead, Cavusoglu said, despite the still unconcluded issue over the technology transfer.

"They told us in principle that there will be joint production and also technology transfer," he said. "But this is an issue to negotiate in the medium-term and long-term."

He said the first deliveries of the missile system are due to begin in 2020.

Based on reporting by dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkish-fm-still-negotiating- with-russia-technology-transfer/28950700.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Turkey Plans to Hire Nearly 43,000 Military Personnel in 2018 - Reports

Sputnik News

17:18 02.01.2018(updated 17:23 02.01.2018)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Around 43,000 military personnel will join the Turkish Armed Forces in 2018, the Anadolu news agency reported Tuesday, citing a military source.

According to the agency, the army is expected to hire in particular around 9,000 officers, more than 13,000 sergeants and 20,500 rank and file servicemen.

The source explained that almost 9,000 servicemen were expelled from the army for alleged links with the movement of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, referred to as Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and accused by Ankara of masterminding the 2016 failed coup attempt.

The move is expected to take place after the reported recent purge of 2,756 people from its public service sector, including 637 military personnel, 360 gendarmerie force members, and 150 academics or other university personnel, claimed to be necessary to remove a threat allegedly posed by Gulen and his supporters, although global critics note that Ankara and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are using power to muffle cultural and political dissent.

A military coup attempt took place in Turkey on July 15, 2016, after which Ankara accused Gulen, who has been living in the United States since 1999, and his followers of playing a key role in it. Though the takeover attempt was suppressed the following day, it left more than 240 people dead and an estimated 2,000 wounded.

 Sputnik

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Mattis Says New U.S. Weapons For Ukraine Shouldn't Concern Moscow

December 30, 2017

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said that the U.S. role in Ukraine is not changing and Russia has no cause for concern about a U.S. decision last week to supply new weapons to Kyiv.

"As long as no one wants to invade Ukraine, hopefully it won't have any big impact. They're defensive weapons," Mattis said on December 29, in his first remarks since the U.S. State Department announced approval of "enhanced defensive capabilities" for Ukraine on December 22.

Moscow has denounced the move, saying it "crossed a line" and was "clearly pushing [Ukraine] towards new bloodshed."

The United States has not specified what new weapons it will provide to Ukraine, but U.S. media reports have said they could include Javelin antitank missiles, which Ukraine has urged the United States to supply.

Mattis said providing new weapons for Ukraine does not signal any plan to expand the U.S. presence there, despite speculation that the move will force the United States to get more deeply involved in the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,300 people since it broke out in 2014.

"I don't see an evolving U.S military role in Ukraine," he said. "Right now, we have some trainers there helping to train their army to NATO standards, and that has a lot to do with making certain it serves the needs of the Ukrainian people, in the way democracies' armies do."

Mattis said the number of U.S. military trainers in Ukraine has not changed in the last six months. "So the U.S. military role remains the same," he said.

Based on reporting by AP and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/mattis-says-new-us-weapons- ukraine-shouldnt-concern-moscow/28947050.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Forestry Commission reviews Achimota Eco-park contract

The Forestry Commission says it is reviewing the terms for the construction of the Achimota Eco-Park with the investor.

The Deputy Chief Executive of the commission, Mr John Allotey, said the decision was part of due diligence it was carrying out to ensure that the project was executed and not abandoned midway.

He, however, said contrary to information in the public domain, the commission had no intention of changing the investor, Aikan Capital Limited, which is investing $1.2 billion in the project, whose sod cutting was performed on August 19, 2016.

According to him, the commission had engaged the investor and was trying to do everything possible to ensure that the project took off this year.

Mr Allotey insisted that a lot more work was being done behind the scenes prior to construction work.

We have engaged the investor to discuss which areas we can move quickly. We have not thought of changing the investor; we dont have any problem with the investor, we are not changing the company. What we are looking at are the things that need to be done to let the project be executed as soon as possible.

We have to look at what the investor has presented to us to ensure that everything is right. It is not only the brick and mortar or clearing of the forest that is the work. A lot more goes into it, so that when we start, we know we are on good footing and not going to stop, he said. He, however, declined to give specific details of the review.

The project is expected to dramatically improve the Achimota Forest, curtail encroachment and eliminate the domestic and industrial waste dumped in the area.

It should have started in 2016 but had to be put on hold because of a legal action initiated by four Ghanaians who were of the view that the deal would harm the environment and pose health and other risks to residents of Accra.

But then President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf, said the case had been settled amicably and the project is back on track.

First phase

The first phase of the Accra Eco-Park Project,the citys only green belt, was expected to be completed in 24 months to add to the countrys major national parks  Kakum in the Central Region and Mole in the Northern Region.

The lease agreement allows Aikan Capital to design, build and operate the facility for 10 years.

Features

The project involves the construction of amusement parks, orchards, arboretum, wildlife safaris, museums, eco-commercial enclaves and eco-lodges but with little disruption to the natural vegetation as possible.

It will also have a spiritual enclave to cater for spiritual/worship activities that send more than 180,000 people annually to the Achimota Forest.

Apart from the recreational facilities, the development partners have plans for conference rooms with high-seating capacities targeted at corporate bodies. They will be sited outside the main forest area.

Achimota Forest Reserve

The Achimota Forest Reserve was gazetted (as a forest reserve) in 1939 with objectives, including serving as a field laboratory research for schools in Accra, providing a place for recreation, conserving biological diversity, as well as playing the ecological role of purifying the air in the city.

However, years of unbridled encroachment has reduced the size of the forest from its original 495 hectares to 355 hectares and portions turned into waste disposal sites.

In the speech read on his behalf, then President Mahama had said rather than allow further encroachment and the dumping of waste into the forest, the government had decided to convert it into a world-class recreational facility and major tourism destination in West Africa.

But critics of the project, including the current Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, had insisted that the country would not derive enough environmental benefits from the eco-park project and that rather it is the Atiwa and the Kakum National parks which could give a lot of benefits when they are turned into eco parks.

According to Forestry Commission projections, the eco-park project will create about 4,000 jobs during the construction phase and 2,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs when it begins to function.

One million trees

While its critics fear that the project will destroy the citys only greenbelt, the Chief Executive Officer of Aikan Capital Limited, Mr Oheneba Otchere, told the Daily Graphic that the project would ensure that at least one million trees were planted to further strengthen the forest cover.Ghana will be prosperous in 2018---Pastor Ransford Obeng

The Head Pastor of Christian Charismatic Centre (CCC) in Kumasi, Pastor Ransford Obeng has assured Ghanaians that with continuous reliance on God, he would bless the nation and make 2018 a prosperous year for the nation.

He noted that the same way that Ghanaians sought Gods face, waited patiently and he answered their prayer in protecting the nation in the elections and other major epidemics, they should continue to be patient and rely on him, because God had heard their cry and will make Ghana flourish.

Pastor Obeng who is the head pastor of the largest English church congregation in the Ashanti Region was speaking to the media minutes before the church ushered in 2018 with prayers, praises and jubilation in Kumasi.

Leaders

Commenting on what the leaders should do, he noted that political leaders have commenced on a good note and should not relent in seeking the face of God and that 2018 would be better than 2017 with the help of God.

I am certain that 2018 will be better and prosperous because I have the assurance in my spirit and God has told me that 2018 is going to be better than 2018 for Ghana.

He cautioned members of government not to turn their backs to God or from seeking His counsel when they begin to realize progress, rather they should remain humble, stay focused and give Him the desired recognition.

Preaching

Basing his sermon on John 5:1-5 of the Holy Bible, Pastor Ransford said God was aware of the needs of every Ghanaian, especially those who have no one to support them and gave assurance that if they continued to seek the face of Jesus Christ who healed the sick man by the pool, he would also answer their prayers.

He said God created the world and imbued it with abundance of resources that could cater adequately for the needs of the over 7 billion people in the world but greed and lack of compassion on the side of those who have was the reason why people were poor.

Pastor Obeng said that just as in the Old Testament God instructed the Israelites to leave some of their produce on the farm after harvesting so that the poor, strangers and others who could not work to also benefit, if those who have in abundance in the world today also shared, the world would not have poor people.

Doctors and Nurses

Pastor Obeng called for special prayers and recognition for medical doctors and nurses because God had given them exceptional knowledge and courage to assist the sick, especially people who were ageing and require their support.

He added that though God had imbued the doctors and nurses with the knowledge to diagnose diseases and prescribe appropriate medicine, they could not deal with all ailments and that was why Christ came to have mercy on such people.Man jailed 20 years for defiling niece

50-YEAR-OLD painter was yesterday jailed 20 years with hard labour by the Accra Circuit Court for defiling his 12-year-old niece.

Daniel Tettey Ashitey pleaded guilty with an explanation to the charge of defiling a child less than 16 years and was sentenced on his own plea by the court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku.

His explanation, however, threw the court into a state of laughter when he admitted that he indeed defiled his niece, but he committed the act on December 15, 2017 and not December 13 as stated by the prosecution.

He also denied claims by the prosecution that he covered the mouth of the victim when he dragged her to his room to have sex with her.

When asked by the presiding judge why he defiled his niece, Ashitey said it was the work of the devil, explaining that the devil took control over him.

Ashitey seemed not to be taking the court proceedings serious as he kept giggling while he spoke and also as he answered questions from the judge.

Even when the judge asked him if he had anything to say before she passed sentence,Ashitey said no still giggling.

Sentence

In passing sentence, Mrs Adjin-Doku said she took into consideration Ashiteys age and the victims. She also considered his relationship with the victim and the fact that he did not show any remorse.

You were even laughing when you were asked if you had something to say, she said.

Incident

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Agnes Boafo, said the 12-yearold girl and Ashitey resided in a family house.

On December 13, 2017, she said, the girl was returning from the call of nature when she met Ashitey.

Ashitey covered the mouth of the girl with a handkerchief, dragged her into his room and had sexual intercourse with her,the prosecutor said.

The girl, ASP Boafo said, informed her grandmother about the act who also informed the elder sister of the girl.

The elder sister after hearing about the incident reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.Ghana is bleeding from corruption  CDG

The Coalition for Democratic Governance (CDG), a pressure group says Ghana is bleeding from corruption.

According to the group, the absurd ministries with over bloated expenditure created by the Akufo-Addo led government was draining the country of its limited resources.

The chief convener of the group, Dr Ebenezer Kofi Hayford, addressing a press conference in Accra Wednesday morning, said Ghana is bleeding and we must stop it.

According to him, the over bloated expenditure of the Ministry of Special Development Initiative, for instance, was putting undue pressure on the Ghanaian taxpayer.

He said the Ministry of Special Development Initiative, for instance, was not necessary since it performs some basic functions of other existing ministries.

Dr Hayford said for instance that the Ministry of Special Development Initiative constructing classroom blocks, purchasing ambulances and sinking boreholes were all duties that could be best discharged by the Ministries of Education, Health, and Works and Housing respectively.

He said the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Works and Housing have more capacity and competencies to undertake such projects than the Ministry of Special Development Initiative.

The press conference was on the theme: Protecting the public purse indeed.

Touching on the spending of the presidency, Dr Hayford said it was wasteful for the presidency to allocate to itself more resources than for more than three key ministries resources put together.

He said that the appointment of 110 ministers by the Akufo-Addo-led administration was only over burdening the public purse, adding that even countries that are three times the size of Ghana do not have 110 ministers.

He said the monies spent on the 110 ministers could be channeled into more productive areas, such as the governments flagship programme, the Free Senior High School.

Dr Hayfor, who is a former Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana said it was unnecessary for government to spend over GH100 million to renovate the Flagstaff House and Peduase Lodge.OnePlus announced the 5T in Lava Red color exclusively for the Chinese market. It got sold out instantly in the first flash sale on December 17 and the same thing happened today at the second one. The company is expected to push another bunch of sexy red OnePlus 5T devices on January 9 at 10:00.

The OnePlus 5T in Lava Red does not differ a lot from the original Midnight Black version. It has Snapdragon 835 with octa-core CPU and a dual camera on the back with a 16 MP + 20 MP setup.

Since this color of the 5T is currently only offered in China, it comes with Hydrogen OS, instead of the global Oxygen OS with Google services.

For now, just the 8GB/128 GB variant is listed in the Chinese OnePlus store for the price of CNY3,499 ($530/450).

Source (in Chinese)Gary Byrne (43) kicked, spat at and tried to headbutt a garda, a court heard.

A householder who kicked, spat at and tried to headbutt a garda had "lost the plot" after getting an eviction notice, a court heard.

Gary Byrne (43) had to be pepper-sprayed during the assault, which happened after gardai came to his home and he wrongly thought they were there to "kick him out".

Judge Michael Walsh told him to pay 750 to a garda charity and adjourned the case for a restorative justice programme report.

Byrne, of Mourne Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to assaulting a garda at Crumlin Garda Station on December 14, 2015.

Dublin District Court heard officers were at his home on the date when Byrne became aggressive and was arrested.

As he was being taken to the station, he remained aggressive and threatened officers a number of times.

Spat

He kicked out at a garda, striking him on the leg below the groin. He then tried to headbutt the officer but failed. Byrne spat in the garda's face, the court heard.

Byrne had no previous convictions and had since apologised for the assault, his barrister Oisin Clarke said.

There had been an issue between Byrne and his partner in relation to house payments, Mr Clarke said.

Money was taken out of a bank account, which resulted in Byrne getting an eviction notice, and this was something he had been "very anxious about".

He thought the gardai had come to kick him out of his house and "lost the plot completely and behaved inappropriately".

Byrne worked in the security industry and had a strong work ethic, Mr Clarke said.

He had never come to the attention of gardai before or since the incident.

Judge Walsh adjourned the case to a date in March.The father-of-four was arrested when he refused to move on for gardai who investigated the disturbance. (stock photo)

A father-of-four arrest- ed for shouting obscen- ities in the street had an "unhealthy attitude towards society," a court heard.

Gerard Reilly (36) was arrested when he refused to move on for gardai who investigated the disturbance.

Judge Michael Walsh fined him 200 at Dublin District Court.

Reilly, with an address at Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

He also admitted failing to following garda directions.

Convictions

The court heard the incident happened at Drumfinn Park last October 30.

Reilly was acting in an aggressive and abusive manner towards "another individual", a garda sergeant said.

He was shouting obscene language and was arrested when he failed to leave the area.

The accused had previous convictions including one for a public order offence.

Reilly had had an "unhealthy attitude towards society," his solicitor told the court.

He had now started up his own painting and decorating firm.Gardai search in the Dodder Riverbank park in Firhouse for a weapon involved in Patricia OConnors killing last year. Photo: Damien Eagers

Gardai have carried out searches in south Dublin for the weapon that was used in the gruesome dismemberment of Dublin grandmother Patricia O'Connor.

It is understood that gardai were searching for a saw-like weapon as part of their probe into the alleged murder of the 61-year-old mother-of-two who was believed to have been killed last May in Rathfarnham.

However, nothing was found in yesterday's searches which were organised by Wicklow and Rathfarnham gardai.

The area searched by the Garda water unit is on the banks of the river Dodder close to Firhouse Shopping Centre.

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It is an area of parkland that runs along the course of the river and is used regularly by walkers in the area.

The area beside the river bank is overgrown with bushes, trees and shrubs, and gardai were seen using strimmers and saws to cut back the undergrowth of a wide area.

Garda divers also searched the river bed.

The teams arrived early yesterday morning and after a time sealed off an area of the parkland for further investigation.

Several Garda units, including the water unit, could be seen parked in a nearby car park.

Ms O'Connor was first reported missing on June 2 last.

Head

Later, human remains were discovered scattered over a 30km area across the Wicklow mountains including a human head and arms in a plastic bag.

Three people were arrested on September 2 last as part of the investigation into her murder.

A 73-year-old man was arrested in Co Meath and two women, aged 19 and 38, were arrested in Dublin.

They were detained at Bray and Wicklow Garda stations under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 but were released the following day and files are to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Arrested

A number of weeks later, a 40-year-old man was also arrested as part of the probe and a file has also been submitted to the DPP in relation to him.

Last month, a 32-year-old man was sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court accused of murdering Ms O'Connor.

Kieran Green, with an address at Mountain View Park in Rathfarnham, Dublin, faced his ninth hearing when he appeared again before Judge Victor Blake at Cloverhill District Court.

He is charged with the murder of Patricia O'Connor.

The killing allegedly took place at Mountain View Park between May 29 and May 30 last.

A book of evidence was served on him by Detective Garda David Connolly.

A State solicitor told the judge that the DPP has directed that Mr Green was to be returned for trial during the present term of the Central Criminal Court on the charge and he was remanded.It is recommended that pregnant women receive a flu jab to help ward off the illness.

The health service is buckling under the strain of dealing with a sharp rise in the number of flu cases.

Some GP surgeries reported being inundated with patients with flu and respiratory ailments as many reopened for the first time yesterday after the holiday season, while the number of people on trolleys in hospitals reached a record high.

There are fears that the situation will deteriorate further, as health experts estimate cases of flu will not peak for another three to four weeks.

It is predicted there will be a large increase in cases over the coming weeks, which will heap further pressure on an already overstretched health service.

The National Association of GPs said that some of its members have been "out the door" with flu cases since Christmas.

Vaccine

"The entire health service is under incredible strain," said chief executive Chris Goodey.

He said that GPs had been "absolutely inundated" with patients with flu.

Some one million doses of the flu vaccine were ordered by the health services and around 930,000 have been distributed, as calls were made for at-risk groups to get themselves vaccinated.

Stephen McMahon, chairman of the Irish Patients' Association, said that he would be very concerned about how the expected hike in flu cases will impact on GP surgeries and hospitals over the coming days and weeks.

"We already hear from GPs that they are overstretched because of shortages in some areas," he said.

"If people are forced to go to hospital, there will be an increase in the numbers on trolleys, and it will create an enormous burden for hospitals if this trend continues to increase. I think GP practices are at tipping point in some areas. Some patients already face a wait of two or three days to get an appointment.

"I am very concerned about the impact on GP surgeries and hospitals. I will be very watchful for the impact on GP surgeries and overcrowding and the knock-on effect in emergency departments and the impact on the numbers on trolleys. It needs constant vigilance by the authorities."

Unacceptable

Meanwhile, Dr Tom Ryan, president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), said that yesterday's record number of patients on trolleys requiring hospital care was "entirely predictable and unacceptable".

He said the crisis was due to the fact that acute hospital inpatient bed numbers were cut by 1,400 in the past decade when they should, at a minimum, have been increased in tandem with the country's growing and ageing population trends.

Dr Ryan said that the shortage of beds, equipment and staff meant that hospitals did not have the capacity to provide the care the population needed and deserved.

The IHCA president said he welcomed Health Minister Simon Harris's statement, in the past week, on the need for thousands more acute hospital beds.

However, Dr Ryan added that it was essential that the commissioning of the additional beds was advanced urgently as our hospitals were at breaking point.

Kildare GP Dr Brendan O'Shea, the director of the Post-Graduate Resource Centre with the Irish College of General Practitioners, said he began to see the first cases of flu surface around two to four weeks ago. He has seen an increase in cases in the GP co-oper ative K-Doc (Kildare and West Wicklow Doctors on Duty), as well as in his practice.

"Healthy individuals by and large will survive influenza very well," he said. "Avoid strenuous activity, take fluids and paracetamol."The suspected raider in the kitchen of the pub after he was subdued by customers

This is the man (opposite) who was tackled to the ground by brave customers after allegedly trying to hold up a Dublin pub where he used to be a regular.

Derek Foran, who is in his 30s, was due to appear before Dublin District Court this morning charged with the attempted robbery at the Speaker Conolly pub on Firhouse Road, Tallaght, as it was closing on New Year's Day.

Assistant manager Jason Doyle said the man, who lives less than a mile from the pub, encountered more resistance than he had bargained for when he entered the pub in south Dublin.

The man waited in the car park until staff were locking up at around midnight on Monday.

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However, he apparently did not bank on customers being inside when he struck - nor had he any idea that one of the customers was an off-duty detective.

Helicopter

"One of the staff was locking up outside when the masked man approached him in the car park and stuck the gun up to his neck," Mr Doyle said.

"He forced him back into the pub and then he came at me with the gun, which was like an Uzi machine gun.

"There were around a dozen customers still in the pub and he shouted at everyone to get down.

"He shouted, 'IRA, this is a robbery, get the f**k down' and forced me into the kitchen area."

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The would-be raider then went behind the counter and pointed the gun at Mr Doyle as he demanded the takings.

"I was down on the floor. I shouted, 'Calm down, we'll get whatever you need, just calm down'," he said.

"The gunman went into the bar and pointed the gun at the lads and told everyone to get into the lounge. He told me to get up and get the money.

"By the time I was in the office, he was in the kitchen and the next thing I heard was this huge commotion.

"It was a frightening experience - you don't know if a gun is real or not in those situations.

"He had been waving the gun around at people and being threatening, and it seems three of the customers in the bar didn't take kindly to having a gun pointed at them and decided to act.

"All of a sudden the three customers in the bar jumped the counter and tackled the raider to the ground, defending themselves as they did so.

"They eventually wrestled the gun off him and pinned him to the floor.

"The panic button had been activated when he came in, but I ran out from the kitchen and got the detective."

Mr Doyle and the detective got the three customers back safely out of the kitchen, but by this stage the raider had been unmasked and they recognised him.

Another staff member said the man used to be a regular in the pub and knew staff by name, but he had been barred in the past.

"He was getting around to being let back in if he came on his own and behaved," the barman said.

"I was asking him what the hell he thought he was doing, and he was all apologetic.

He said he had 'hit bad times'. It was hard to believe. We've all hit hard times, but we don't go around robbing places."

Gardai were immediately contacted and responded, arresting the man and recovering a gun and a mask.

Accomplices

The garda helicopter was also sent to the scene and carried out a search of the immediate area and surrounding estates with searchlights and night cameras to determine if the raider had any accomplices.

However, early indications are that he was desperate for cash and acting on his own.

The arrested man was taken to Tallaght Garda Station for questioning, but also needed medical attention at Tallaght Hospital for injuries he sustained while being overpowered by the three customers.

The identity of the have-a-go customers was not known. They were described as a group of men who only drank in the pub occasionally.

"We only see them every few months and they stay in their own group. I don't know them by name," said Mr Doyle.Two young boys brave the high winds to walk their dog on Howth Pier. Photo: Tony Gavin

More than 50,000 people were left without power and winds of up to 140kph battered Ireland last night as Storm Eleanor carved a path across the country.

Five weather warnings, including a status orange, were issued yesterday with "serious flooding", impassable roads and fallen trees causing havoc to western counties.

In Galway, a young woman who had to be rescued from the flood waters told of how she feared being swept away.

Ranjani Nagarajan (25), who is originally from India, had been walking home when she got trapped in flood waters that quickly rose to her chest.

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Grabbed

"The water was up to my knees as I walked home. I was just two minutes away from my home when suddenly I was up to my chest," she said.

"I'm really short and I was afraid I would slip into the flowing water."

Ms Nagarajan was passing Pearla na Mara restaurant when the waters rose.

A restaurant worker managed to pull her up on to the window ledge.

"He grabbed me and pulled me out of the water. I started panicking and crying and I couldn't breathe," Ms Nagarajan said.

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"We were both hanging there for about eight or 10 minutes before more help came."

She was eventually rescued after emergency services in an inflatable dinghy came to the scene and carried her to safety.

While the full force of the storm was not expected to hit the capital until late last night, high winds were causing problems by early evening.

The storm caused delays to more than 30 flights at Dublin Airport.

Dublin Fire Brigade said Lansdowne Road was closed shortly after 8pm due to "an issue with a crane", while a downed tree made Watery Lane in Clondalkin impassable.

Dublin Zoo was also forced to cancel its Wild Lights exhibition last night due to high winds.

Met Eireann said gusts were causing poor driving conditions in Connacht and the midlands as the storm tracked eastward.

Many parts of the west were also affected by power outages, with 50,000 ESB customers in Mayo, Galway and Leitrim left without electricity by 7pm.Will the Union Government and devout Hindu organisations atleast register oral protest with the Bangladesh Government ? Or will they ignore this too as usual ?

Dhaka (Bangladesh) : Religious fanatics cut off the head of Hindu Deity Laksmidevis Idol at Sree Sree Laksmi Temple in Sreepur, in Gazipur District of Bangladesh on the night of 25th December 2017.

When Mr. Arun Chandra Das, President of the Temple Committee visited the temple next day, he saw the desecrated idol and all other Puja articles of the Temple scattered. Faruk Hossain, Chairman of the Rajbari Union said he heard the news and sent a village-Police to investigate the matter.

Mr. Arun Chandra Das immediately reported the incident to the Sreepur Police station. Md. Asaduzzaman  Officer in Charge of Sreepur Police station said he had the information about the incident of desecration and sent a Police Sub Inspector to investigate although nobody had lodged any F.I.R. in the Police station. He also promised to take prompt action in the case.

Adv. Rabindra Ghosh, Head of Bangladesh Minority Watch demanded that the perpetrators responsible for the crime should be arrested stringently punished.

Source : Dainik Sanatan PrabhatNew Delhi : Chinese troops infiltrated into Indian territory near Bishing in Arunachal Pradesh in December and almost reached a border village in the Upper Siang district.

However, they were stopped by involving the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army, said a Hindustan Times report on Wednesday.

Locals in the border state confirmed the report of Chinese incursion to the media group and said that Indian security personnel intercepted the Chinese troops near the Bising village along the eastern bank of Siang river.

Road construction machines including two excavators that Chinese troops were carrying were also seized by the Indian soldiers while adding that Chinese army were not allowed to go beyond the Geling village.

The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay.

The incursion is said to have taken around several days ago, at around December 28, said a report.

It is the same time when representatives of two nuclear-armed neighbours held a meeting in New Delhi on December 22.

The two representatives, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Member of Politburo of Communist Party of Chinas Central Committee Yang Jiechi, called to resolve border differences between the two nations at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Upper Siang Duli Kamduk neither confirmed nor denied the incursion report saying, there is no word from armed forces too. The Arunachal Chief Ministers office too expressed its ignorance on the incident.

China in recent times has increased its road construction activities in the border areas.

In August last year, Indian and Chinese troops had a face-off in Dokalam plateau for 73 days after Indian soldiers stopped Chinese personnel from building a key road close to Indias chickens neck corridor. The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.

On August 28, India announced the disengagement between the soldiers of the two countries.

Source : Zee NewsA Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Uttar Pradesh has said that India is a country only for those following Hindu religion. The BJP MLA, Vikram Saini, said that since the name of the country is Hindustan, it suggests that it belongs to Hindus.

He further said that today everyone gets benefits irrespective of their caste. In an apparent attack on the previous governments, he said that earlier those with the longest beards got the fattest cheques.

Mai kattar Hinduwadi hu. Hamare desh ka naam Hindustan hai, arthaat ye Hinduon ka desh hai. Aaj bina jaati bhed ke sabko samaan roop se laabh milta hai. Ab se pehle jitni lambi dadhi hoti thi, utna lamba cheque milta tha (I am a staunch Hinduwadi. The name of our country is Hindustan, which means it is a country of Hindus. Today people are getting benefits irrespective of their caste. Prior to this, those with the longest beard got the fattest cheques), said Saini.

The statement was made by the BJP leader at a public gathering in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

He further said that some incompetent people once stopped Muslims from leaving the country, because of which we are in trouble today. Had they left India, all the land would have belonged to us, Saini added.

This came as a double embarrassment for the ruling party as a party MP earlier sparked a row saying those deputed in Army are bound to die.

Responding to a question on recent terror attack on CRPF camp in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP MP Nepal Singh said that there is no country where armymen dont die.

They will die in Army everyday. Tell me one country where army personnel do not die, he said.

Apparently upset over the raising of the issue of armymen being killed in terror attacks, Singh said, Even when a scuffle breaks out in a village, someone or the other gets injured. Tell me a medicine that can save lives.

In a pre-dawn strike on Sunday, at least five CRPF men were killed when heavily armed terrorists stormed the camp of the paramilitary force at Lethpora. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammed.

Source : Zee NewsPipeline

3 January 2018

Delta Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the official grand opening of the 339-room Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan in China, marking the inaugural entry of the premium North American hotel brand into the booming Asia-Pacific market, and crowning a stellar year of rapid growth for the brand, which expects to expand its global portfolio to 66 properties worldwide by the end of 2018.

The new Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan is owned and managed by Shanghai Baolian Real Estate Co., Ltd. The building, with its striking Georgian-inspired facade, is strategically located close to downtown Shanghai in the city"s waterfront Baoshan district, at the mouth of the Huangpu River. The hotel is a five-minute drive from the futuristic Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, which has the capacity to handle 3.6 million cruise passengers every year.

Focusing on truly meaningful elements that provide its guests with a memorable and frictionless journey, Delta Hotels delivers a fresh new lodging alternative in Baoshan area. The hotel features 339 elegantly appointed, high-ceilinged guest rooms and suites, each curated to intuitively meet the needs of discerning travelers, featuring 55-inch flatscreen LCD tvs, air purifiers, capsule coffee machines and premium bath amenities.

Dining options at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan range from casual American style at the Lotus All Day Dining Restaurant to grilled steaks at The Kitchen and sophisticated fine dining at TRU, the hotel"s Chinese restaurant which specializes in authentic Cantonese cuisine. Guests can also enjoy freshly baked pastries and refreshing drinks all day at the Lobby Lounge, while the sleek DWB bar is the perfect setting for business or pleasure over signature Delta Hotels cocktails. The hotel also boasts a stunning pillarless Grand Ballroom, equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment to cater for corporate events, meetings and other occasions.Opinion Article

3 January 2018

This article reviews the impact and importance of integrating these systematisations to help stimulate and streamline the functionality and profitability of hotel and resort spa operations. Retooling the focus from manually centered services and embracing advancements in new technologies to support sustainable profitability and continued growth.

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Interpersonal Service and Talent Drought

Spa treatments and correlating services are customarily viewed as manual-therapies with an important emphasis on the unique interface between (a client and a provider). This person-to-person relational component is a critical measure that often determines the overall experience and tone of the elected treatment or service, client satisfaction and the future efficacy of this relationship.

While personal-touch is an essential component of the spa industry, the impetus of the industry has accelerated at a rate much faster than the growth of the workforce necessary to support it. Combined with an influx in hospitality development, technological investment hesitation and mitigating employee turnover- keeping pace to hire and train new talent, have not made early adaption an easy process. Consequently, the lack of acclimatization not only impacts leadership, but operational consistency and fiscal volume.

A recent study conducted by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics found that employment within the beauty and wellness arenas hold substantial projected growth in the U.S. economy. The study discovered "hairdressers, barbers and cosmetologists have faster than average job growth, citing an average 10% annual increase in employment from 2014 to 2024." Furthermore, the study noted a "62% average annual turnover as people seek career advancement and new opportunities", resulting in "more than 400, 000 available job openings per year, " in the U.S. alone.

Further research by the Global Wellness Institute GWI, shared by the [Spa and Wellness Career Development Initiative][3] reports that "By 2018, we will need 2.7 MILLION employees in the spa industry to meet demand, with the United States, China, Germany, Japan, and Russia leading the job creation." This data underlines the scope of global spa, wellness and beauty growth which reveals the industry will "need an additional 80, 000 Spa Managers and Directors and 500, 000 Spa Therapists more than the workforce in 2013."

Recognized as an industry of independent talent, this rouses important variables to consider pertaining to hiring and training. It also presents a need to reconsider operational models that promote continued progress. Understanding where the challenges are can help navigate new pathways to improve and transcend standard operational policies.

Reorganizing a Paradigm

Traditionally spa and wellness operations have been divided into departments and categories centered on performance and profitability, fixed on manual services to generate the bulk of treatment revenue and sales. Considering the increasing challenges to recruit and retain experienced talent, the diversification of this model requires new elements of protective foresight and calculated planning.

Administration and retail components rely on savvy customer service, constant product education and the aptitude to sell. Retail sales measure between 10% to 35% of spa revenue. It's important to provide the resources and tools required to optimize the front desk and administrative performance. Appointment setting and new client intake procedures can be reintroduced with more efficiency to foster extra attention on customer care.

Services and retail are a spas biggest revenue producers. However, labor costs and overhead make up a considerable portion of the yield. Compensation structures vary depending on location, region and spa-type. Nonetheless, labor costs run between 45% to 60%. In addition to operating expenses that fall between 35% to 40%. With such a big percentage of sales and service revenue going to labor and overhead, profitability can be challenging even with a well-organized and fully staffed team.

A model that is solely dependent on the expertise of licensed providers with an emphasis exclusively on manual actions, will be at a disadvantage as technology continues to accelerate and improve. Whereas traditional spa treatments and personal care services cannot solidly be replaced by technology, nor should they  It is essential to integrate a subset of automation and new applications. This process will help insulate investors and stakeholders from labor liabilities and staffing challenges that could undermine a spas peak performance.

Moreover, industrializing a percentage of spa services will introduce new modalities, create profitable new income streams and protect investments with a relatively fast return on investment. In the figure below, I have simplified these components into three specific groupings based on functionality, industry evolution and impending future growth.

I divided these into the following three groups: manual services, administration and retail, and automated services. Each set represents approximately a third of the operational structure in contrast to the long-standing traditional paradigm. By dividing operations into three specific sets, this introduces a "new model" focused on the future, to upsurge agility and increase profitability.

Mia Mackman

Investment

The investment to feature new technology fluctuates considerably. These applications should be selected carefully. Without exception, all levels of change are unique for every spa. Each spa has distinct variables to consider such as location, hotel occupancy and volume.

These choices should be founded on the goals of the property, company culture, budget ratification and asset planning. Deploying function without purpose, is counterproductive. And authenticity and transparency are indispensable. It's also critical to understand the opportunities associated with the investment, perceived value, marketability and required training.

Embracing innovations in software will increase data capture, enhance guest profile analytics and keep marketing and strategic choices timely and relevant. Data is a currency. Data that is gathered through the hotel is pertinent to the metrics of the spa. Deciphering it with systems designed to predict important sequences can provide useful insight, mark milestones and help set important goals. Software can also support employee rotation cycles, manage daily duties more successfully and reorganize priorities vs. demands for better management of quality and time.

"Because customer demand can be unpredictable and often doesn't match up with staffing schedules, it can be a challenge to fill appointments with high-quality providers. Tech like Zeel allows spas to tap a large pool of vetted, licensed providers, on demand," said Samer Hamadeh, CEO of Zeel. (3) Hamadeh also cites the value of "wellness technology as it facilitates easy payments, scheduling, and service reminders." Taking advantage of these resources leaves more time for cultivating the team of people who provide the social relationships that fuel the business. It also increases access to quality with operational flexibility.

Automated Treatments

An increasing selection of automated services offer a wide-range of proven health and wellness benefits including: deep relaxation, sleep tribulations, stress, chronic pain, and a variety of common health issues. Some of these applications include halotherapy systems (known as salt therapy), float pods and tanks, products like BOD PODS and cryotherapy chambers. There are also a variety of frequency devices and treatment table innovations that apply modalities using chromotherapy (light and color), vibration and sound.

In addition to these, there are exciting advancements in sleep, neurological health and audio-visual applications involving virtual reality and digital environments to aid relaxation, trauma and reduce stress. With distinct neural and physiological benefits, these modalities are increasing in popularity, mass and demand.

Furthermore, these services do not require a licensed professional to deploy them. They generate a service fee uninhibited by typical commission models and free from provider overhead. They can be offered in place of a conventional service, introduced as pre-treatment, post-treatment or as add-ons to help manage busy scheduling and groups.

Ultimately, this is a "new breed of spa services" that produce tangible wellness benefits, meet on-demand expectations and significantly increase treatment revenue. Furthermore, the personalized health landscape continues to evolve with new diagnostic customizations and wellness applications, driving a call for new services.

Hotels and resorts have an extraordinary opportunity to diversify their spa and fitness programs. The International Spa Association ISPA 2016 U.S. Spa Industry Study (4) highlights "hotel and resort spas have an average of 12, 595 square feet, per establishment." (figure 2) Compared to day spas, medical spas and others that have an average square footage of 3, 904. Reallocating the space of unused treatment rooms and low-traffic fitness areas can produce viable fresh returns.

International Spa Association (ISPA) 2016 U.S. Spa Industry Study

Other ways to engage technology include, new aesthetic and massage instruments, live-fitness and internet applications, personalized spa apps, digital entry and more. The question is, who will use them? How will they use them? Not just today, but in one-year, two-years or more.

Demand and Delivery

When it comes to bringing these various aspects into play, balancing integration helps manage the curve. It is vital that all elements of the up shift are understood and backed by employees and management. Whereas, these assets should be considered new resources and tools, not countermeasures designed to create uncertainty.

Balancing empathy, nature and personalisation with innovation and technology epitomizes the "freedom to choose". There are plenty of people who choose not to visit a spa for the simple reason they are uncomfortable being touched. Automated services are a way to capture these customers by offering an easy, personal and hands-free alternative to traditional spa services.

There's a lot of energy pursuing the millennial market. Appealing to this market requires flexibility, constant creativity and new strategies. Millennials shop products and services with a radically different view on value, quality and time. Businesses seeking the millennial spend and loyalty, need to know how to react, create the right incentives and be willing to change.

Technology becomes a part of this. Statistics and data are providing realistic assumptions about market growth. And with any rapid development, there are always growing pains. By taking actions to leverage technology you can mitigate the increasing stress to remain competitive. Meanwhile, it's not solely about lateral market competition. It's about pleasing innovative and informed guests seeking services that meet their imminence and whim.

Demands for spa and wellness services are changing. While massage and aesthetics are still the most commonly requested services, there are increasing modalities catered to wellness and prevention. Underestimating the benefits of new technologies will result in faster moving, more dramatic fluctuations in performance. Knowing how to choose new applications and integrate new systems is well worth taking the time to understand. Thereby, customizing new applications creates meaningful advantages for everyone, guests, employees, owners and stakeholders.

Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from www.HotelExecutive.com.According to rumours swirling the net, Apple may be in talks to purchase Netflix in the near future. Business Insider notes how there is a 40% chance that Apple will acquire the streaming giant, a figure based off of new corporate tax reforms that were recently put in place by President Trump.

This tax cut, coupled alongside a new bill that allows companies to repatriate cash stored in overseas accounts without a major tax hit, will essentially give Apple a fighting chance at putting their money to good use. The California-based tech conglomerate has about $252 billion in cash stored internationally, which was previously barred from being brought into the US for business purposes. If Apple were to access these funds, they may use this fortune to purchase Netflix, which is estimated to be worth $87 billion USD.

Apple has been struggling to dominate the realm of original content, as the user count of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime continues to skyrocket. However, the company has tapped Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon to star in their first scripted video series, giving their introduction into content creation a dose of Hollywood royalty.

However, according to business insiders, the acquisition seems unlikely at the moment, as Apple recently allocated $1 billion USD into financing the production of original content.

Neither Apple nor Netflix have addressed these rumours yet.

In other Apple news, the company has recently apologized for purposely slowing down the batteries on older devices, after receiving a barrage of criticism and a lawsuit. Apple has effectively slashed prices for battery replacements in order to appease customers who felt deceived by the forced obsolescence of older iPhones.Well it appears Kim Kardashian is already setting the rules for her & Kanye Wests new mansion, which they finally moved into a couple weeks ago, and no jewelry is first on her list. According to TMZ, Kim has decided to put the no jewelry policy in place at the Hidden Hills home because she doesn't want it to be a target for thieves.

Apparently Kims huge collection of jewelry, which is worth multi-millions, is being stored elsewhere under constant supervision. And despite her new home not having any jewelry in it, Kim and Kanye still have armed security guards patrolling the grounds 24/7.

This new rule put in place by Kim makes it clear that shes still pretty traumatized from the Paris robbery last year, and with anther baby due in February, Kimye arent taking ANY changes. As been reported over the past couple months, theres been quite a few home robberies in the Los Angeles area so better safe than sorry I guess.

This report comes just hours after finding out that Kim & Kanyes son, Saint West, was hospitalized with Pneumonia. Kim Kardashian later hit Twitter yesterday to thank the doctors and nurses for their help during Saint West's hospitalization. "My precious baby boy is so strong! After spending three nights in the hospital & seeing my baby get multiple IVs and hooked up to oxygen machines, our end of year was challenging. Pneumonia is so scary." she wrote along with a photo of herself and Saint. "I just want to thanks every nurse & doctor out there who works so hard around the clock. We are so grateful for you all! Hes home and all better. Hes so resilient Im sure he will still say the ambulance ride was cool! My strong Saint.

Well continue to keep you posted on all the latest news with Kim K & Kanye moving forward. Stay tuned.

[Via]Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety TJ Ward was reportedly arrested in Tampa on Wednesday morning for possession of marijuana, stemming from an incident that took place back in October.

According to TMZ Sports, cops responded to Ward's apartment for an active intrusion alarm at 4:45 PM on October 25th and when they announced themselves at the door, a woman inside gave the officers permission to enter.

Unfortunately for Ward, he had 99.9 grams of weed sitting on a coffee table and police ultimately busted him and the woman for felony marijuana possession. He wasn't formally charged until December 29th, which is when a warrant for his arrest was issued.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department, Ward was arrested at 8:11 a.m this morning and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He didn't deny the weed was his, admitted that he smoked occasionally, and was later released on $2,500 bond.

The 31-year old safety signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Bucs in September after he was released by the Denver Broncos, but he was mainly used as a rotational player. The three-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to become a free agent in March.WASHINGTON  Ethanol. Oil states like Texas hate it. Corn states live and die by it. And politicians who try to take on ethanol often get buried in the issue's complexities.

Nonetheless, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, continues to press ahead in the seemingly quixotic mission of lowering the cost for Texas oil refineries to comply with an increasingly pricey federal mandate requiring biofuels to be blended into the nation's fuel supply.

To do so, Cruz will need to win over a powerful block of Midwestern senators, something few in Washington give the sometimes divisive lawmaker a chance of pulling off. But for the junior senator, facing re-election this year as Democrats show new swagger in the age of Trump, ethanol provides the chance to appeal to his tea party base by bucking the Washington bureaucracy while protecting the powerful oil and gas interests so important to the Texas economy.

After years of stalemate on ethanol, Cruz threw a twist into the debate by forcing President Donald Trump into a meeting with oil-state senators on the ethanol mandate, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard. He did so by blocking confirmation of one of his nominees for the Department of Agriculture. Trump told Cruz and other senators to find a solution that benefited both the oil and ethanol industries.

"For too long, the biofuels industry voices were drowning everything out," said Chet Thompson, president of the refining trade group American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. "It was Senator Cruz that was pushing the meeting with the president. We'll remember that."

Most analysts say that Cruz is unlikely to change national ethanol policy - the Trump administration recently sided with the ethanol lobby by slightly boosting fuel blending requirements. But the issue provides an opportunity for Cruz, facing a credible Democratic opponent in Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso, to gain some local credibility after spending much of his first term focused on presidential ambitions.

Unlike many lawmakers, including his Texas colleague Sen. John Cornyn, Cruz largely steered clear of bringing home largesse from Washington during his first term as he championed smaller government and dramatically reduced federal spending - to the point of encouraging government shutdowns. As a result, ethanol has become a way for Cruz to demonstrate a Texas-first outlook for voters, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University's Baker Institute of Public Policy.

"It's a winning issue nationally that establishes his credentials as a solid fiscal conservative, but it also benefits the energy industry in Texas," Jones said. "Generally, Sen. Cruz has not been a Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas first-type senator. He focuses more on national issues."

Cruz's office did not respond to requests for comment.

From savior to threat

Refineries along the Gulf Coast were once happy to blend ethanol after MBTE, another fuel additive that boosts octane and eliminates engine knocks, was banned in many states over concern of its cancer risk. When former President George W. Bush signed the ethanol mandate into law in 2005, aimed at reducing the nation's reliance on foreign oil, refiners welcomed a new way to increase octane in gasoline.

But the levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency each year have increased steadily since then. And as national gas station chains, such as Sheetz and Kum and Go, have begun selling fuel with higher and higher concentrations of ethanol, biofuels have become a legitimate threat to petroleum products.

The oil and gas industry, which is one of the biggest cash cows in U.S. politics, has lobbied intensely to eliminate or reduce the ethanol mandate. Companies in that sector handed out $104.8 million to candidates in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And Cruz has been one of their favorite recipients.

During the 2016 campaign season, in which he ran for president before dropping out the primary in May, Cruz took in $1.5 million from oil and gas interests, more than any other candidate running for federal office.

Now he's trying to sell Midwestern Republicans like Sen. Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, and Sen. Deb Fisher, of Nebraska, on a regulatory change to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Direct sales

Under current law, refineries have an obligation to blend a specific amount of ethanol a year. They can avoid blending the fuel themselves by buying a financial instrument called a renewable identification number.

But the price of RINs, once only a few cents, has skyrocketed in recent years and are now trading for around 65 cents per gallon  cutting into the profits of many Texas refining companies like Valero of San Antonio and CVR Energy of Sugar Land.

Instead, Cruz wants refineries to be able to buy RINs directly from the EPA instead of on financial markets, where they are subject to speculation. The details are still under discussion, but a price of 10 cents a gallon has been suggested.

But Cruz is facing universal opposition from the biofuels industry, which sees the maneuver as an attempt to force down high RIN prices, which in recent years have in part contributed to many gas station chains deciding to sell higher concentrations of ethanol.

"It's all about market share and Cruz's proposals are all about scuttling growth in our industry," said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the trade group Advanced Biofuels Business Council. "Show us a proposal that's not about cutting the throat of the Renewable Fuel Standard."

Further complicating Cruz's effort are divides within the refining sector. Some of the larger integrated oil companies, like Exxon Mobil, have profited by buying large quantities of ethanol and selling the excess RINs on the market. Cruz's proposal could potentially take a cut into those profits and also complicate a longer-term legislative overhaul of the laws governing transportation fuels in this country, as Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and other members of the Texas delegation have long sought.

"While we'd welcome a reduction in RIN prices, its like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," said Stephen Brown, a lobbyist with the San Antonio refining company Andeavor. "We're more focused on a comprehensive approach."

Danger zone

While campaigning in Iowa last year, Cruz raised some eyebrows when, unlike the rest of the Republican field, he said he did not support the Renewable Fuel Standard. When he won Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus, many political operatives proclaimed Cruz had dispelled the notion of the sway the ethanol lobby held with Midwestern voters.

But almost two years later, ethanol continues to be a treacherous zone for politicians. Both Scott Pruitt, the EPA administrator and former Oklahoma attorney general, and Carl Icahn, a former economic adviser to Trump and a majority shareholder in CVR Energy, have been forced to retreat from attempts to reduce the price of RINs after fierce opposition from Midwestern politicians.

"Actual reform would require the president making it an issue, and I don't see the president doing that," said Jones, the Rice politics professor. "But Cruz has fought the good fight. If you're a lobbyist for the fossil fuel or livestock industries you'll see him as fighting on your side."Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal embraces the role of community booster with a zeal that befits a longtime elected official whose roots in the county stretch back four generations.

"People don't come to Montgomery County because it's broken," Doyal recently told a group of county employees, citing its rapid growth. "I get sick and tired of people talking about how bad things are in Montgomery County. They are not."

State Rep. Mark Keough, who wants to deny Doyal a second term in a March 6 primary, also expresses admiration for the county where he lives. Like countless candidates who have challenged incumbents, however, he says his campaign is a response to a clamor for change.

"People came to me and asked, 'What's going on in Montgomery County?'" Keough said. "I believe Montgomery County has a black eye. I believe our reputation around the state is tainted" by conflict-of-interest allegations involving Doyal and other county officials.

Keough announced in May that he would forgo a bid for a third term representing a Woodlands-based district in the Texas House, and instead would challenge Doyal. The campaign started cranking up in December: Doyal and Keough argued about toll roads at a Dec. 14 forum, and Keough drove around the county putting up campaign signs during the week before Christmas.

Doyal, 56, and Keough, 64, will deliver their messages to an electorate split between populist tea party adherents and a more mainstream GOP cohort. At a deeper level, though, a solid ideological consensus prevails within the county of some 550,000 residents.

In a 2014 analysis, Rice University political scientist Mark P. Jones found that Montgomery County was the third-most conservative in Texas, after Brazoria and Lubbock counties. Its voters favored Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by a 3-to-1 margin in 2016. A Democrat running for county judge, Jay Stittleburg, of Porter, is not regarded as a serious contender.

The campaign, then, may hinge on whether Keough's credentials as a "movement conservative" in the Legislature can overcome Doyal's deep roots in the county and a record that includes cutting the property tax rate, establishing a homestead exemption and coping with repeated floods.

Woodlands vs. others

When Keough talks about his legislative record, he emphasizes his support for property tax relief. He said he would have voted for the so-called "bathroom bill," requiring people to use restrooms consistent with their biological gender, had it come up for a vote in the House.

Jones said Keough's record will play well in a countywide race. While Keough is not a member of the "Freedom Caucus" of hard-right House members, Jones said, "he's part of that next group that's closely aligned with the Freedom Caucus."

From a local perspective, the Doyal-Keough race could provide another example of the tension between The Woodlands - the county's largest, most affluent and most populous community - and the rest of the county, which is mostly rural and spans the spectrum from poor to wealthy.

Keough, who grew up in the Midwest, moved to The Woodlands in 1996.

Doyal spent most of his youth in Conroe, the county seat, and graduated from Conroe High School in 1979, when George P. Mitchell's master-planned community was in its infancy.

Tension between The Woodlands and other parts of the county over a proposed extension of The Woodlands Parkway, which crosses the community from east to west, has dominated local politics for the past couple of years.

The project's inclusion in a 2015 road bond proposal backed by Doyal spurred protests from residents of The Woodlands who said it would choke their neighborhoods with pass-through traffic.

The rhetoric grew so frenzied that a woman leading a prayer before a Commissioners Court meeting in April 2015 referred to bond opponents as "Satan's users" and declared that God supported the measure.

The bond issue also played a role in the June 2016 indictments of Doyal, two commissioners and a political consultant on misdemeanor charges of violating Texas' open meetings law. The alleged violation occurred during last-minute discussions of the bond proposal.

A judge dismissed the indictments against Doyal and two other defendants last April after finding that a section of the open meetings law was unconstitutional. The charges could be reinstated if an appeal by prosecutors is successful.

More questions raised

Ethical questions arose again in the fall of 2016, when the Conroe Courier reported on Doyal's business ties to an executive of an engineering firm, Halff Associates. The firm had received 10 county contracts over the previous five years, including a $1.98 million deal related to the Texas 249 toll road project.

Doyal and a Halff vice president, Bobby Adams, were partners in an unrelated investment business. Doyal, as county judge and previously as a commissioner, did not disclose the relationship or recuse himself from voting on the contracts.

The county judge's actions were not illegal, and he has said they were not improper because his relationship with Adams did not involve a company receiving county contracts. Keough, however, said the arrangement erodes public trust in county government.

"There are conflicts of interest that are legal, if you will," Keough said. "But to a thoughtful person, they violate the conscience. It raises eyebrows."

In an interview, Doyal characterized the ethics allegations as "a lot of personal attacks that have resulted in nothing in terms of any damage to me. I've made sure that any business dealings that I have don't have anything to do with the county."

The county judge said the ethics charges were stirred up by his detractors to divert attention from his record of running the county efficiently, cutting the budget, reducing the property tax rate and responding "impeccably" to four disaster declarations prompted by floods, most recently Hurricane Harvey.

Doyal has spent virtually his entire career working for Montgomery County. After graduating from Texas A&M University and starting a roofing business, he ran for county commissioner in Precinct 2 in 1986, at age 24. He lost to Malcolm Purvis, who promptly hired Doyal as his chief assistant.

Doyal worked for Purvis for 14 years and was appointed to fill the commissioner's seat when Purvis died in 2001. He won the position in a 2002 election and served as Precinct 2 commissioner until 2014, when longtime County Judge Alan Sadler retired. Doyal resigned to run for county judge and prevailed in a runoff.

Keough, who lived in the Atascocita area before moving to The Woodlands, became a pastor after retiring from a career as a car dealership manager. He decided to run for the Texas Legislature because, he said, "I got tired of throwing my shoe at the TV."

Conservative stronghold

The two candidates agree that the county judge's leadership is particularly important in Montgomery County, where most residents live in unincorporated areas without a mayor or city council. In keeping with the limited-government sentiment in the conservative stronghold, both say the county should focus on essential services such as roads and public safety.

Neither had any immediate ideas about how to improve conditions in Tamina, an impoverished African-American community where residents have struggled for years to upgrade rudimentary utility services. Three children died in a house fire in May 2017 in Tamina, which has no fire hydrants.

"In the three years that I've been here, I've never been approached with that," Doyal said in response to a question about Tamina. "I'd be glad to visit with residents and talk to the powers that be."

Keough had a similar response.

"It's a fair question," he said, "but I haven't given it thought."What does it take to get banned from the banking industry for life? Texas has had its share of shady bankers so the mind reels. Yet Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, appointed such a man to oversee a taskforce regarding the nation's Superfund program - including the San Jacinto waste sites east of Houston.

Our lives and health are being put in the hands of Albert Kelly, a man whose qualifications for the job seem limited to his relationship with Pruitt.

Kelly has no serious experience in environmental policy or management. However, he does have experience shortchanging taxpayers. Under Kelly's leadership, his Tulsa-based SpiritBank suffered significant losses and was bailed out by the federal government. While most banks were able to pay back funds that they received, taxpayers lost 70 percent of the money they laid out for Kelly's bank, as reported in The Intercept.

RELATED: Time to clean up the San Jacinto waste pits

The FDIC later assessed Kelly's "unfitness to serve as a director, officer, person participating in the conduct of the affairs or as an institution-affiliated party of the Bank, any other insured depository institution."

If he's unfit to work at a bank, then Kelly should also be considered unfit to help clean up the banks of the San Jacinto River.

Any student of history can tell you that crony appointments often end badly.

Think of Michael "Heck Of A Job, Brownie" Brown being appointed to oversee FEMA after holding a position as the Judges and Stewards Commissioner for the International Arabian Horse Association.

Think of Jimmy Carter's friend, Bert Lance, a banker who the former president appointed as director of the Office of Management. Lance was later forced to resign in the face of allegations of misuse of bank funds and obtaining bank loans at favorable rates.

Pruitt should have hired a professional with environmental experience, or at least a manager with a successful track record to perform this important job.

The EPA designated San Jac a Superfund site in 2008 and a temporary concrete cap was installed to contain the waste. Since then area residents have lived with uncertainty about what a hurricane would do to the sites and whether the cap would hold. This year, the EPA finally proposed a permanent solution, and announced its plan to remove almost 212,000 cubic yards of dioxin contaminated material for disposal.

The San Jac site is complex and requires experienced leadership. The waste pits were totally submerged during Harvey. Their location in a river vulnerable to hurricane storm surge floodwaters and high winds, combined with the high toxicity of dioxins - even in small concentrations - make excavation of the site both necessary for public safety and tricky.

Poor execution could result in contamination flowing into Galveston Bay, home to the Gulf Coast redfish that is the pride of many local restaurants and fishermen. Financing will also be difficult because Pruitt has proposed cutting the Superfund budget.

Residents of Channelview and Highlands have waited so long for this clean-up and have surmounted so many obstacles. They deserve a Superfund task force with a track record of success.Irans fishing industry thriving

by Zeinab Sohrabi

January 02,2018 | Source: Financial Tribune

Iran exported some 68,000 tons of seafood worth $228 million during the eight months to Nov. 21, registering a 26% and 41% increase in weight and value respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year, the director general of Seafood Quality Improvement, Processing and Market Promotion Department affiliated to Iran Fisheries Organization said.



Close to 13,670 tons of this amount worth more than $62 million pertained to shrimp exports, which indicates a 161% and 160% growth in volume and value respectively year-on-year, Isa Golshahi also told Financial Tribune.



The official noted that seafood exports in the last Iranian year (March 2016-17) amounted to 110,000 tons worth $412 million, showing a 34% and 18.5% growth compared with the previous year.



The main export destinations for Iranian seafood over the period included Oman, the UAE, Lebanon, Vietnam, Germany, Italy, France and Spain.



Seafood production in Iran annually accounts for only 1% of the countrys agricultural production, but constitutes close to 10% of the average value of agro exports. This reveals that the field has high capacities to earn revenues for the country, provided it is adequately supported by the government and the private sector alike.



According to Golshahi, seafood imports mostly take place in two areas: First, for supplying the raw material demand of conserve production units, as they annually require between 40,000 and 45,000 tons of fish worth $90 million.



Second, 15,000 to 17,000 tons of fish worth nearly $51 million are annually imported by processing industries that produce fillets, burgers, nuggets, etc.



Hassan Salehi, the head of Iran Fisheries Organization, told Financial Tribune that the seafood industry has created close to 82,500 jobs in Iran.



We officially started cage fish farming in Iran in 2007-08. This relatively new method has created around 2,200 jobs, he said.



> Cage Farming Gains Momentum



Salehi estimates that some 20,000 tons of fish will be produced through cage farming by the end of the current fiscal year (March 20, 2018) in the 530 cages installed in the countrys water bodies so far.



Hossein Ali Abdolhay, deputy for Aquaculture Development with Iran Fisheries Organization, said out of last years 1.09 million tons of seafood production, close to 10,000 tons were produced through cage farming to register a 300% hike compared with the previous year.



Nearly 7,700 tons of this amount were farmed in cages installed in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in the south and Caspian Sea in the north. The rest were farmed in cages set up in lakes behind dams and other inland water bodies," he said, adding that close to 5,000 tons of fish farmed in cages worth $25 million were exported last year.



Noting that production of cages for fish farming accounts for only 10% of production costs, Abdolhay said Iran is currently in the process of indigenizing the technology for making these cages.



In October 2016, Irans Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Complex and the Norwegian AKVA Group that produces aquaculture equipment, namely steel and plastic cages, as well as feeding software, signed a memorandum of understanding to establish feed barges in Iran," Golshahi said.



The official noted that several Iranian companies are producing pipes used in fish cages under the AKVA Group license and exporting them to regional countries.



Yet, he said Iran still lags behind in technical matters like design and installation of cages, noting that foreign companies do not easily transfer their know-how in these areas.



Golshahi further said foreign investors are interested in Iran's fisheries market that holds a great deal of opportunities.



"Iran is currently in talks with a host of countries, including Japan, Vietnam, France, Denmark and Norway to expand cooperation in the field," he said.



For example, in the field of pelagic fish production alone, we have attracted some $20 million worth of investments to implement two projects. One is in cooperation with Norwegian partners to produce anchovy in northern Iran and another with Vietnamese investors to produce lantern fish, sardines and sardinellas on the southern Qeshm Island. We expect the investments to reach $50 million within the next three years.



Iran Fishery Organization has defined projects in the fields of aquaculture, fishing, processing, marketing and trade, for which it supports domestic and foreign investments.



These projects are all part of a supply chain encompassing all stages of producing fish eyed eggs and fingerlings to the final stage of consumption and exports. In the processing industries, we grant support to investors interested in the construction, completion or development of seafood processing units that create value-added goods, he said.



According to Abdolhay, some 350 million juvenile fish were released into Iranian water bodies by Iran Fisheries Organization to preserve the country's fish reserves.



We also set spatial and temporal restrictions on fishing in different areas every year for the same reason. On top of that, we have 'protection units' that tackle illegal fishing, especially in 'No Fishing Zones'," he said.



The Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute is in charge of resource management by evaluating and determining the time, location and amount of harvest every year.



Abdolhay concluded that the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan (2017-22) tasks Iran Fisheries Organization with producing 800,000 tons of fish in farms by 2022, some 200,000 tons of which will be produced by cage farming and the rest would comprise warm and cold water fish, shrimps and sturgeons.

 Financial Tribune Daily and contributors 2014-2017

Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture.A new law that went into effect in Germany on January 1 requires social media companies to remove hate speech and fake news posts within 24 hours of being reported by users.

According to the German media outlet, Deutsche Welle, the new law, known as Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz (NetzDG), impacts "Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, Snapchat, and Instagram," but does not apply to "professional networks" such as LinkedIn and Xing, or to messaging platforms likes WhatsApp. It is possible that other photo and video sharing networks - such as Flickr, Vimeo, and the like - could also be bound by NetzDG. Technically speaking, the new law actually went into effect in October, but the German government gave companies a three-month grace period to prepare their organizations and technology to meet the new rule - so it was on January 1st when the NetzDG began to have real "bite."

"The providers of social networks are responsible when their platforms are misused to propagate hate crimes and fake news," German Minister of Justice, Heiko Maas, said in a statement last spring when the law was first approved by the German cabinet.

Under the new law, companies will have 24 hours to remove hate speech and fake news posts that breach German law after they are flagged by users. Other illegal content must be deleted within a week of its being reported. Failure to comply can be punished with fines as high as 50 million Euros (nearly $US 60 Million)

Social media providers are taking the threat seriously: Facebook has reportedly hired hundreds of people in Germany to address NetzDG and related monitoring of problematic posts. And, yesterday, in response to an anti-Muslim tweet posted on New Year's Eve, Twitter suspended the account of Parliament member, Beatrix von Storch, as well as those of other members of her Alternative for Germany (AfD) party who tweeted similar messages in support.

Of course, any law curtailing freedom of speech raises questions about censorship - and, in fact, many Germans have expressed discomfort with the new rules. But, even in America, in which Freedom of Speech is enshrined in the Bill of Rights, free speech has limits. The question that societies around the globe are still working out is simply where to draw the line.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has u-turned on his plan to step down from politics by the time he's 51, insisting he will be around for as long as he is wanted.

The Fine Gael leader, who spent some time as a general practitioner before focusing on a full-time political career, said he regrets comments he made in 2015 when he said he had an exit strategy from politics because he "definitely" wanted to do something else.

"I don't see myself in politics at 51. Whatever I do next it will be different, not politics," the former social protection minister said at the time.

However, Mr Varadkar has now said that he is in politics for the long haul.

When asked if he still sees himself in politics when he is 50, he said: "I think I answered that question before and I regret answering the way I did because it was mistaken by some people as a lack of commitment to politics.

"I can absolutely guarantee you that I'm 100% committed to this job, as Taoiseach, leading my party and doing everything I can for my constituency of Dublin West, so that's my focus at the moment."

The 38-year-old - who turns 39 in a few weeks - added: "I haven't contemplated retirement from politics for a very long time and I can assure you I'll be around for as long as the people want me."

A busy year lies ahead for the Taoiseach with Phase 2 Brexit negotiations and renewed efforts to resolve the Northern Ireland political crisis.

If talks fail to restore powersharing at Stormont Mr Varadkar has vowed that the Irish Government will seek to have the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference convened in the New Year.

There is also the question of whether he will call an early general election and if the Eighth Amendment will be repealed.The announcement from Irish Ferries operator ICG of another delay to the delivery of the WB Yeats ship is set to hit earnings at the company by a further 4m-5m

Ferry group Irish Continental is betting 165m that Brexit won't have an adverse impact on its business between Ireland and the UK, after confirming that it has taken an option on a huge new vessel for the Dublin -Holyhead route.

The ship will be delivered in 2020 - the year after the UK is due to leave the EU - and will be the largest cruise ferry in the world in terms of vehicle capacity. CEO Eamonn Rothwell said the investment "underpins the confidence" the group has in the markets in which it operates.

The new ferry will accommodate 1,800 passengers and crew, with capacity for 5,610 freight lane metres, allowing it to carry 330 freight units per sailing.

Irish Continental Group (ICG) said the vessel effectively provides for a 50pc increase in peak freight capacity compared to the company's Ulysses ship.

Irish Continental, which operates vessels under brands including Irish Ferries, will also receive delivery this year of the 50,000-tonne WB Yeats passenger ferry.

It's being built at a cost of about 154m at the German shipyard of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft & Co.

That cruise ferry will accommodate 1,885 passengers and crew, have 435 cabins and space for 165 freight vehicles as well as 300 cars.

The latest ferry that has been ordered by ICG will also be built by the German shipmaker.

"The construction of a cruise ferry of this size will offer both additional capacity and an enhanced experience for both our tourism and freight customers," said Mr Rothwell. "This infrastructural investment enhances 'the bridge' to the UK and continental Europe that is a vital part of the continued success of Ireland's open economy."

The cruise ferry is being built specifically for Irish Ferries' Dublin-Holyhead services.

Irish Continental said it is expected that the new, as yet unnamed vessel, will replace the schedule of the Ulysses, which in turn will replace the currently chartered vessel, Epsilon.

"This will allow for the deployment of the WB Yeats full-time on the direct Ireland-France route alongside the Oscar Wilde," said ICG.

The new vessel will have a three-tier freight bow loading for quick turnarounds.Currently, Britain is falling significantly behind major competitor countries in the rate of growth in productivity. Image: Depositphotos.

British farmers have been urged to "dramatically" increase productivity levels if they hope to survive after Brexit as they are failing to "keep pace" with European rivals and the United States.

After decades of relying on the EU subsidies, UK farmers must now boost efficiency to close a "yawning" productivity gap of 4.3bn in lost GDP, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

"Currently, Britain is falling significantly behind major competitor countries in the rate of growth in productivity, with pace-setters like the USA and the Netherlands growing productivity three times faster than we are domestically," an AHDB spokesman told the Telegraph ahead of this week's Oxford Farming Conference.

He added: "A yawning productivity gap  worth over 4.3bn in lost GDP between 2000 and 2013 alone  has opened up as a result of the country failing to keep pace.

"A revolution in agricultural productivity will be needed  and fast  if we are to capitalise on Brexit, continue to feed ourselves as a nation and protect the environment."

The stark warning comes as the government draws up its post-Brexit farming strategy, which will see the UK quit the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and end farming subsidies from Brussels of up to 3bn per year.

Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, has said that the government will match the subsidies until 2020, at which point they are expected to be drastically reformed.

Farming chiefs say the new policy should provide the same level of funding but agree it could be allocated more efficiently through tax cuts and investment in key research areas.

The AHDB has produced a five-point plan on how to keep British farms thriving after Brexit, which includes a "nationally co-ordinated strategy for research and innovation."

It also urges farmers to take part in more training and career development courses, to help prepare them for major changes in the industry and become less dependent on subsidies.

"The evidence shows that British farmers and growers under-invest in new skills and training relative to their competitors," the AHDB's report says, pointing out that only 32pc of farm managers have taken part in such courses, compared to 68pc in Germany and 72pc in the Netherlands.

The UK has some of the most productive, dynamic and inspirational farming and growing businesses in the world. Yet, as a whole, our industrys rate of productivity has grown more slowly than in some of our major competitors," said Tom Hind, AHDB's chief strategy officer.

"Our sense is that the industry increasingly recognises the need to dramatically accelerate productivity growth to enable UK agriculture and horticulture to succeed in a post-Brexit world. We want this report to be the start of an urgent national debate on productivity growth."

The Common Agricultural Policy is one of the EU most expensive projects, costing nearly 40pc of the European budget - around 58bn euro (51bn) per year.

It was set up in 1957 to sustain the EU's food supplies by boosting agricultural productivity and supports around 12m farmers across Europe.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has awarded the contracts for the provision of Advisory Services to Producer Organisations in the Beef Sector.

The Minister has said the approval of facilitators for the provision of advice to Producer Organisations is another important step in the development of Producer Organisations in the Beef sector.

The scheme will firstly provide for the provision of advice in farm business planning and beef production planning; and secondly for the provision of advice on the establishment and recognition of a Producer Organisation as a legal entity which is a requirement of the EU regulations.

Producer Organisations across the agricultural sector can conduct important functions on behalf of their members, such as refining supply in response to market demand, improving the branding of products and optimising production costs.

I wholeheartedly support the implementation and development of Producer Organisations and would strongly encourage farmers to collectively examine the potential benefits. I look forward to seeing what I believe will be very positive outcomes from this scheme across this sector in the coming years, he said

The following parties were approved as facilitators for the provision of Advisory Services to Producer Organisations (PO) in the Beef Sector:

Agribusiness and Food Policy Consultants

Clare Consultants t/a Philip Farrelly and Partners

Farrelly and Scully Limited

Livestock Internet Services Limited

Philip Farrelly and Company Limited

Teagasc

Minister Creed also said the recognition of a Producer Organisation by the Department allows farmers to negotiate collectively on behalf of their members with processors for the price they receive for cattle they supply for slaughter.

This is a very important step in allowing primary producers to proactively engage with processors in negotiating the supply and sale price of their cattle.

I am sure that such groups could also play a key role in the future in ensuring that beef is produced to the high standards of food safety, quality and environmental sustainability demanded by consumers, he said.The new ICMSA President has identified the fodder crisis and live exports as first two on Irish farmings 2018 to-do list.

Speaking at the start of the New Year, the new President of ICMSA has identified what he described as the the first two on Irish farmings 2018 To-Do list, the range of short and long-term questions that Pat McCormack said would have to be faced and dealt with quickly and correctly.

Mr McCormack, the youngest ever President of the organisation was elected without contest before Christmas, focussed first on the looming fodder shortage threatening many farms throughout the country but particularly afflicting northern and western districts.

He said that it is already obvious that supports will have to be put in place to ensure that farmers can get additional fodder into affected areas at a reasonable cost or that concentrates can be subsidised for the farmers impacted. But he also cautioned that matters will be made considerably worse if the problems around shipping calves are not addressed and dealt with in a way that preserves this hugely important outlet and maintains prices.

Additional fodder will be needed in certain areas and well be looking for the Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine to provide support for the transportation and purchase of this fodder. But we also see a link to the question of live exports; the calving season is only weeks away and with over 1.5 million calves being born between now and the end of May, it is essential that the shipping issue is resolved in advance of the calving season and that we have adequate capacity to get to our markets.

"Any threat to that trade  coming on top of a fodder crisis  really compounds an already bad situation and pushes already stressed farms to the edge. These would be the two issues that ICMSA would want to see Minister Creed getting to grips with immediately, said the new President.

He also said that Brexit remains a major threat to the Irish agri-food sector and the conclusion of a satisfactory deal on this matter is by no means assured.

He was adamant that given the nature and size of the threat to our beef sector presented by Mercosur that Ireland had no alternative but to block it without any apology to anyone.

On the CAP Post 2020, he said that ICMSA would insist that Ireland held out for at least the maintenance of the current budget for CAP with support for family farms to be the bedrock of CAP going forward.

In relation to product prices, he said that volatility remains the key concern with family farms particularly exposed and he committed ICMSA to a continuous lobbying effort aimed at securing taxation measures in Budget 2019 to support farmers during periods of price volatility and the incorporation into CAP of the Voluntary Milk Supply Reduction Scheme proposed by ICMSA in late 2016.

There is no shortage of issues on which our members have strong and reasonable positions and I will be articulating their concerns: Climate change, implementation of the Nitrate regulations, payments and inspections are always core concerns in farming and rural communities and I will endeavour to come forward with positive and reasonable solutions while in no way lessening the commitment to defending the interests of the family farms that are ICMSAs core membership and the economic backbone of rural Ireland," he said.The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) a tractor NCT is, duplicating safety laws dating back to 2005 and is putting an unnecessary burden on farmers.

Saving lives on our roads is more important than cost of roadworthiness tests, a motoring chief has warned.

Road deaths in Ireland fell to the lowest level on record in 2017, but 158 people lost their lives on the countrys roads las year and the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) President Verona Murphy, believes the compulsory NCT roadworthiness tractor tests being introduced in five months time in May, will be vital in saving lives and cutting down on injury no matter what the cost.

Ms Murphy who has been championing the introduction of such a law for several years, said such regulation is, essential and cant be left to chance.

She made her remarks following criticism from the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) that such a test is, duplicating safety laws dating back to 2005 and is putting an unnecessary burden on farmers.

Why shouldnt modern tractors have to undergo extensive testing? Many are capable of carrying weights of up to 20t which is similar to many trucks.

Irish road hauliers undergo very stringent and extremely expensive testing on their vehicles and have to pass on 74 points. In the UK hauliers have to pass on a lower number of points at 52 points.

Look what is of paramount importance to the argument is saving lives and cutting back on the horrendously high numbers killed and injured on our roads, not skimping on how much money it costs to ensure how powered vehicles, such as modern tractors are safe to use our roads.

Even since 2005, which is only 12 years ago, tractors have become more high powered and capable of doing commercial work whether used for this purpose or not.

"There are increasing numbers of larger, high-horsepower tractors in Ireland with 50kph transmissions typically in contractors fleets or owned by large tillage farmers. Such tractors have started to become more common place during the past 10 to 15 years.

This new law is part of an EU Directive followed by all other countries in the Union and it must be followed regardless of any consultation being called for by those affected.

Lives are more important not money and that should never be forgotten.

Figures from the Central Statistic Office (CSO) show that last year, 1,986 new tractors were licensed.

Over the past 10 years 46 out of 47 collisions involving tractors on the nations roads have proved fatal according to the RSA.

However, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) National Grain Committee Chairman Liam Dunne has strongly objected to plans by the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to what he terms as, duplicate tractor safety laws imposed on farmers, by seeking to introduce a road worthiness test for tractors used for normal farming activities.

Mr Dunne said: The Department of Transports proposals ignore the reality that farmers are already legally required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to ensure that brakes, handbrake, mirrors, lights, indicators, wipers and hitches are all in working order. This is needless duplication which is being imposed on farmers, without any consultation.

The lack of understanding.is best illustrated by their inclusion of general farming activity and a 25km distance-from-base limit as commercial haulage, thereby requiring the same testing as vehicles used for large scale commercial haulage.

Many farms in this country are divided into several parcels, with out-farms some distance away common place. The simple fact is that the majority of farmers are not involved in commercial haulage and are not getting paid for transporting their livestock to marts and factories.

The number of factories processing sheep, for example, continues to fall. Once farmers are compliant with the 2005 Act, this should not be duplicated..

In a statement the RSA said the requirement to introduce compulsory testing for such tractors is on foot of an EU Directive that Ireland should have implemented already this year.

The regulations introducing the measure have now been signed by the Transport Minister Shane Ross finally allowing the measure to coms into effect next year.

The statement added: The situation is that the introduction of compulsory roadworthiness testing for tractors will only apply to those capable by design of exceeding 40km/hr (i.e. fast tractors) being used for commercial road haulage purposes at a distance exceeding 25km from the operators base.

This is a very small subset of the total number of tractors in the national fleet. It is aimed at those who are using fast tractors for commercial haulage purposes.

The RSA intends issuing guidelines on the issue in the coming weeks.The tractor and trailer being taken away from the scene near Ballon, Co Carlow, where one brother died and another was left with serious injuries after an accident. Photo: Dylan Vaughan.

The Health and Safety Authority has today released figures for the number of work related fatal accidents reported during 2017.

There were 47 fatal accidents last year compared to 46 in 2016.

HSA Chief Executive, Martin OHalloran, says that a collective effort is required to reduce the high level of farm accidents.

Everyone involved in farming must aim to make whatever changes are necessary, to work practices, to stop these accidents occurring each year. That means safety must be paramount when carrying out any work, especially with tractors or farm machinery.

He said elderly farmers particularly at risk.

We have seen fourteen elderly farmers killed this year, many of them working alone at the time of the accident.

"Finding supports for elderly farmers or farmers working alone is something that needs to be addressed.

"The Health and Safety Authority will continue to do its part through inspection, awareness raising and education but safe farming has to happen every day, not just after an inspection.

"We need to make this a fundamental part of farming culture, until it is we will continue to have devastation and carnage on our farms.

OHalloran also said many serious accidents involve vehicles.

We have over 2 million people at work and this is a positive development. However, this will lead to increased traffic and movement of vehicles in workplaces creating hazards that must be managed.

"Regardless of the sector, where we have people and vehicles moving in close proximity, the danger is elevated. These dangers are greatly reduced when everyone is aware of the hazards and safe systems of work are implemented.

Some of the key fatality statistics are:An 80-year-old man died after collapsing on a farm in Co Derry after his sudden death in Coshquin Co Derry on Monday and has been described by his family as a 'cherished granda'.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a call at around 6.15pm on Monday to attend the incident in the Maple Road area.

John Matthew Speer had been out working in a field on New Year's Day when it's understood he lost consciousness. He was discovered by his son-in-law.

It had been reported Mr Speer had an accident involving a slurry tank, but it is now believed his death was due to natural causes.

A family notice described him as the much-loved husband of Anne and the devoted father of Hilary, Jennifer and Nicola and the late Ian.

Mr Speer was the father-in-law of Wesley, Stuart and John, as well as the "cherished granda" of Richard, Hannah, Laura, Thomas and John, and great grandfather of Olivia and Amber.

The family requested the house is strictly private, with no wake, in accordance with Mr Speer's wishes. A service of thanksgiving is to be held n Burt Presbyterian Church.

Foyle Sinn Fein councillor Michael Cooper spoke to neighbours, who said Mr Speer came from a well-established family in the area. "It's my understanding he had a medical condition and was working out in the fields and collapsed," he said.Ryanair said that its passenger numbers rose 3pc to 9.3 million in December, with its load factor one point higher at 95pc compared to the same period in 2016.

Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said the increase in passenger numbers in December was due to lower fares.

The increased passenger numbers comes despite the airlines pilots in Germany holding a four-hour walkout in December, while its pilots in other parts of Europe, including Dublin, threatened strike action during the Christmas period.

Ryanair, whose chief executive is Michael O'Leary, pictured, carried 129m passengers in the 12 months to the end of December, a 10pc increase on the previous 12-month period.

Announcing the passenger figures for December, Mr Jacobs said that passengers could look forward to even lower fares in 2018.

Today Trade union Forsa - newly created from the merger between Impact and two other unions - will meet Ryanair executives today to begin talks aimed at establishing a collective bargaining framework for pilots at the airline.

The establishment of that framework will eventually be followed by negotiations regarding pay and conditions.

The low-fare airline is also set to meet German and British pilot unions this week.More than 19,000 jobs were created in Enterprise Ireland-backed companies last year.

The agency said 209, 338 people are now employed in companies it supports - a record high.

There was a net jobs increase of 10,309, taking account of job losses.

Job creation figures are up on 2016.

Two thirds of the 19,332 new jobs were outside of Dublin.

The agency also announced a Market Discovery Fund to support firms to diversify into new markets in the context of Brexit.

There are three levels of funding available: up to 35,000, up to 75,000 and up to 150,000.Ryanair executives and trade union Forsa will meet again later this month as they thrash out a historical negotiating framework that will later lead to talks on pilot pay and working conditions.

The two sides met on Wednesday morning for almost two hours following an initial meeting days before Christmas. That came after Ryanair dramatically said it was reversing a more than 30-year-old policy, by recognising unions across Europe.

But German pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit has warned that it may escalate strike action unless Ryanair agrees to accept whatever negotiating team the union assembles to start crunch talks that failed to get off the ground before Christmas.

In Ireland, Ryanair is negotiating with Forsa  newly formed following the merger of IMPACT and two other unions  and its Irish Airline Pilots Association branch.

Forsa head of communications Bernard Harbor, who is part of the union negotiating team, said todays talks with Ryanair were constructive. He said the sides will continue working towards establishing a collective bargaining framework before addressing other matters.

Both sides are keen to do it as quickly as possible and anxious to get a comprehensive agreement tied down, he told the Irish Independent.

Ryanair said it does not comment on rumour or speculation.

Ryanairs negotiating team consisted of its chief operations officer, Peter Bellew, and chief people officer, Eddie Wilson.Trade union Forsa - newly created from the merger between Impact and two other unions - will meet Ryanair executives today to begin talks aimed at establishing a collective bargaining framework for pilots at the airline.

The establishment of that framework will eventually be followed by negotiations regarding pay and conditions.

Ryanair is also set to meet German and British pilot unions this week. Before Christmas, a meeting with Italian union Anpac was pencilled in for next week.

This morning's meeting in Dublin comes just two weeks after a threatened strike by Ryanair staff pilots in Ireland, who are members of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) was called off. IALPA is a branch of Forsa.

The industrial action was averted after the airline gave Impact written assurance that the carrier recognised the union for collective-bargaining purposes.

Today's meeting is expected to be attended by Ryanair chief operations officer Peter Bellew and the airline's chief people officer, Eddie Wilson.

The same union team that was at the meeting before Christmas is also expected to attend.

That included head of communications Bernard Harbor, national secretary Angela Kirk, and assistant general secretary Ashley Connolly.

"The purpose of the meeting is to commence negotiations on a comprehensive recognition agreement," Mr Harbor told the Irish Independent.

"I do not expect a conclusive outcome tomorrow (Wednesday), as this is likely to be the first in a number of engagements.

"Our hope is that the meeting will mark the start of a standard industrial-relations process between management and the union at the company."

Ryanair dramatically announced before Christmas that it would recognise unions for pilots and cabin crews in Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Germany and Italy.

Mr Bellew told Ryanair pilots at London Stansted just days before Christmas that he's aiming to make the airline a "tremendous" place to work in again.Philip Lane says the Central Bank is addressing the issues. Picture: Collins

Management at the Central Bank has been heavily criticised by its own board over the handling of the tracker mortgage scandal.

Minutes for the November meeting of the Central Bank Commission, or its board, show executives came under fire for being slow to devote resources to the tracker probe.

Senior regulators were also told that the Central Bank's communications strategy on the matter was "flawed".

Governor Philip Lane was forced to admit that a "wave of publicity" around the tracker issue had reflected negatively on the reputation of the Central Bank.

This was especially the case after an appearance before the Oireachtas Finance Committee by Prof Lane, director general for financial conduct Derville Rowland, and deputy governor Ed Sibley.

The Central Bank executives were taken to task by the Oireachtas Committee members for being slow to deal with the tracker scandal, with politicians claiming they were reluctant to take on the banks.

TDs claimed regulators did not have a firm handle on the tracker rip-off, almost two years after the Central Bank had begun an industry-wide examination.

The latest figures show banks admitting to an additional 13,600 tracker cases since September. Some 33,700 cases of borrowers being wrongly denied low-cost tracker rates or put on the incorrect margin have now been acknowledged by banks, with the figure set to rise further.

Lenders have admitted that at least 37 borrowers lost their homes as a result of the controversy, while 79 buy-to-let properties were taken.

Now the Central Bank's top executives have been forced to defend themselves before their own board.

The minutes of the commission meeting show that Prof Lane insisted the Central Bank was working hard "to ensure the matter was pursued and that impacted customers received redress and compensation".

But commission members hit back that resources devoted to the Central Bank tracker probe only increased recently.

The minutes state: "In the discussion that followed, members noted the level of resources devoted to the examination had increased only in very recent times, and emphasised the importance now to fully identify the extent of the issue and ensure it was addressed in as thorough and timely a fashion as possible."

An outline of the Central Bank's communications strategy was given to the commission members by Ms Rowland and head of communications Jill Forde.

But commission members said the communications strategy was flawed, and wondered if a different one should have been deployed.

Members said there should be a focus on "local as well as national media and on clarity of messaging".

Ms Forde said a regional communications programme was under way and said the Bank had an evolving social media presence. Ms Rowland agreed that "all of the points around communications were valid and that there was a stronger focus now being put on that".

Asked for a comment, a Central Bank spokesperson defended its handling of the tracker probe.

"The Central Bank has committed to assigning staff to the tracker mortgage examination as required.

"In addition to staff working directly on the examination, many more staff in the Central Bank are working on this project as part of their role, including legal, supervisory and financial conduct staff, and senior management up to and including the governor," it said.Filings show that Google in Ireland moves revenue from a subsidiary to a Dutch firm then an Irish-registered mailbox in Bermuda

Alphabet Inc.'s Google moved 15.9bn to a Bermuda shell company in 2016, saving at least $3.7bn in taxes that year, regulatory filings in the Netherlands show.

Google uses two structures, known as a 'Double Irish' and a 'Dutch Sandwich', to shield the majority of its international profits from taxation. The setup involves shifting revenue from one Irish subsidiary to a Dutch company with no employees, and then on to a Bermuda mailbox owned by another Ireland-registered company.

The amount of money Google moved through this structure in 2016 was 7pc higher than the year before, according to company filings with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

"We pay all of the taxes due and comply with the tax laws in every country we operate in around the world," a Google spokesman said in a statement. "We remain committed to helping grow the online ecosystem."

Google is under pressure from regulators and authorities around the world for not paying enough tax.

The Government here closed the tax loophole that permitted 'Double Irish' tax arrangements in 2015 but companies already using the structure are allowed to continue employing it until the end of 2020.

According to US financial filings, Google's global effective tax rate in 2016 was 19.3pc, which it achieved in part by shifting the majority of its international profit to the Bermuda-based entity. Total foreign earnings Google held overseas were $60.7bn at the end of 2016, the SEC filing said. US tax changes mean Google and other multinationals have an incentive to repatriate much of that cash at a one-time 15.5pc tax rate. (Bloomberg)A US jury has found a Turkish banker guilty of helping Iran evade US sanctions, after a nearly four-week trial that has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Turkey.

Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an executive at Turkey's majority state-owned Halkbank, was convicted on five of six counts he faced, including bank fraud and conspiracy, in Manhattan federal court.

Atilla was also found not guilty on a money laundering charge. Jurors issued their verdict on the fourth day of deliberations.

Prosecutors had accused Atilla of conspiring with gold trader Reza Zarrab and others to help Iran escape sanctions using fraudulent gold and food transactions.

In several days on the witness stand, Zarrab had described a sprawling scheme that he said included bribes to Turkish government officials and was carried out with the blessing of current President Tayyip Erdogan.

Halkbank had no immediate comment. Attempts to reach Erdogan's spokesman for comment on the allegations at the trial have been unsuccessful. Erdogan has publicly dismissed the case as a politically motivated attack on his government.

US prosecutors have criminally charged nine people, though only Zarrab, 34, and Atilla, 47, have been arrested by U.S. authorities. Zarrab pleaded guilty and testified against Atilla.

"Foreign banks and bankers have a choice: you can choose willfully to help Iran and other sanctioned nations evade U.S. law, or you can choose to be part of the international banking community transacting in U.S. dollars," Joon Kim, the acting U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, said in a statement after the verdict was read. "But you can't do both."

The trial included testimony from a former Turkish police officer, Huseyin Korkmaz, who said he investigated Zarrab's business and ties to government officials in 2012 and 2013.

Korkmaz said he was jailed in retaliation, and eventually fled to the United States, carrying evidence from his investigation with him.

Last week, Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul demanded in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions that Korkmaz be returned to Turkey, calling him "a fugitive, a terror suspect facing serious allegations."

The Turkish government has said that followers of the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen were behind both the Turkish investigation and the U.S. case, as well as the 2016 failed coup in Turkey. Gulen has denied the accusations.Presenter Emma Willis during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

Former MP Ann Widdecombe has become the first contestant to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2018.

The former Conservative MP, 70, has become a familiar face on screens, appearing in a number of shows, including last years Sugar Free Farm. She demonstrated her artistic side when she took part in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing and is a popular novelist, penning titles such as 2014 murder mystery, The Dancing Detective.

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She leads a line-up of eight all-female housemates kicking off this year's series on Channel 5.

Malika Haqq - close friend of US reality TV star Khloe Kardashian - has joined Ann Widdecombe in the Channel 5 show's house.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Amanda Barrie enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire Malika Haqq enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire Rachel Johnson enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire Ann Widdecombe enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Amanda Barrie enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

A series regular on US reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Haqq claims some small acting roles, including Penny in Sky High (2005), Shay in Definitely Divorcing (2016) and Video Ho #3 in an episode of Entourage. She will be entering the house just days after her close friend Khloe Kardashian announced her pregnancy.

Third to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house is journalist Rachel Johnson.

Johnson has said she is "not sure" that she is "looking forward" to starring in the series alongside Ann Widdecombe.

She described the former MP as a "character", adding that she will "straighten us all out".

The only housemate to be previously confirmed by Channel 5, the 52-year-olds stint on the show follows her father Stanleys recent experience in last months series of Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! A novelist and journalist, she is also sister to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

DJ and former Made In Chelsea star Ashley James said she feels "excited and nervous" as she was unveiled as the fourth Celebrity Big Brother housemate.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Ashley James enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire Maggie Oliver enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire India Willoughby enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire Jess Impiazzi enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ashley James enters the house during the Celebrity Big Brother Launch held at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ CBB. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

James is best known by television fans for her role in hit Channel 4 reality show, Made In Chelsea, but she has amassed thousands of social media followers with both her work as a DJ and her regular fashion updates.

India Willoughby compared herself to the regenerated Doctor as she joined the line-up of Celebrity Big Brother housemates.

Describing herself as Britain's first transgender newsreader, she said she felt like the Time Lord who has, "funnily enough" now taken on a new identity in the form of actress Jodie Whittaker for the next series.

The newsreader made headlines in 2015 after undergoing a gender reassignment operation. Formerly known as Jonathan Willoughby, she has previously spoken about stepping down from her ITV job in 2010 and choosing to end a double life she had led for five years.

Actress Amanda Barrie has become the eighth housemate to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house.

At 81 years old, the Benidorm star is the oldest celebrity to enter the house so far this year. Best known by some as Coronation Streets Alma, following her 20-year stint on the show, she sealed her acting career back in the 1960s with roles in two of the famous Carry On films: Carry On Cabby and Carry On Cleo.

Following Jess Impiazzi and Maggie Oliver, her entry rounds up the initial all-female line-up for this year's series.

MTV presenter Impiazzi is no stranger to reality television after rising to fame on both The Only Way Is Essex and, more recently, Ex On The Beach. She is also known by followers for running her own womens fitness brand and her work as a glamour model.

Former detective constable Oliver was a key figure involved in the Rochdale abuse scandal. After encouraging young victims of sexual abuse to speak to police, she famously resigned from her position over the way authorities handled the case. She was recently portrayed by Lesley Sharp in the BBC dramatisation of the case, Three Girls.

The 82-year-old joked that she thought her wife, Hilary Bonner, might be taking her to a home when she set off to join the show.Sometimes chat shows give insight into the true characters of what stars are really like; surprisingly funny, down-to-earth, a secret party trick a la Michael Fassbenders ability to do The Worm as displayed on the Graham Norton Show.

Irish model Thalia Heffernan and dancer Ryan McShane are not one of those interviews. The pair met on Dancing With The Stars back in January, a show which is bizarrely treated with the same reverence as the Oscars.

Two minutes into the interview, Thalia says: I didnt allow myself to realise how tough it was going to be, speaking with the same sincerity as if she were a reporter coming home after being embedded in Iraq, as opposed to participating in a dance show filmed in Wicklow.

They were on the Saturday with Miriam programme to promote a worthy cause: both have signed up to walk the Camino alongside DWTS alum Katherine Lynch and raise funds for the Irish Hospice Fund, a topic which Thalia eloquently describes, but its a pity only at the end of the interview.

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The first five minutes make for classic car crash tv, filled with audience silence, constant interruptions and cringeworthy declarations of love.

The interview begins with the typical chit chat, McShane recalls falling in love with dance from the age of four, A Catholic mother, a Protestant father and a son that dances, he quips.

A statement met with zero reaction from the audience.

It then moves to Thalias early modelling career, to provide background to those who mightnt know who she is.

Ive been 59, 510 since I was about 12 so Ive always looked a lot older than I was, from a very young age. I was spotted a few times on Grafton Street, I was spotted in London a few times when visiting friends from the age of 12 going into fourth year, I knew I had more time on my hands and I begged my mum to bring me into an agency and it blossomed from there, she explains.

I was stunned by how well it took off.

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So far, so fine. Theyre clearly comfortable with each other, but joint interviews are difficult at the best of times and new couples dont make for the best guests as they tend to get so excited to share their happiness with anyone who will listen, they forget theyre on television.

The conversation naturally segues to their how they met story as celebrity followers will know was behind the scenes on  you guessed it, Dancing With The Stars.

Its tv, its scary enough as it is, and then its a whole new skill set I never dreamt of doing. It was just so challenging and almost so challenging my nerves couldnt take a hold of me because theres so much more to think about, Thalia says of her experience on the show.

It was definitely something new and adventurous of me. I had no experience in that fieldit was a huge challenge, but it was great fun.

By minute 3:30, McShane has referred to his former dance partner, Red Rock actress Denise McCormack as one of the best human beings Ive ever met, before saying with all sincerity: She actually made me a better person.

I can vouch for that, Thalia echoes.

While Im sure Denise McCormack is a perfectly lovely person, its important to remember the circumstances around which they bonded  once again, a dance show filmed in Wicklow.

When asked about Aidan OMahonys eventual win, Ryan jokes that hes still waiting for Aidan to give him the glitterball trophy, but only Thalia laughs.

She says she never expected to win the competition (she was voted off on week two), but declares she came out winning in the end, while touching Ryans face. This incites the first reaction from the audience, with a simple Awwww.

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Ryan gushed that they were just drawn to each other from early on in filming.

Wed always make an excuseto be able to talk because its such an overwhelming experience, Thalia interrupts. Theres people, theres cameras. Its so busy, whenever we got a chance to spend some time together we would.

It was a shock for us as much as it was for anyone else. We didnt try to hide it but we didnt try to publicise it because we had different partners, we had different things to do on the show so you have to be kind of careful as well. 

Thalia is no stranger to having her relationships dissected  despite being just 22 years old, she has been in the public eye since she was a teenager thanks to her successful modelling career. McShane, on the other hand, is brand new to life in the spotlight but has taken to it like a fish to water.

DWTS, which gets yet another mention, has been re-commissioned, but despite the fact that Thalia obviously wont be competing this year, she has no worries at all, none whatsoever about her other half returning to set when Miriam, who has been noticeably quiet thanks to what Im guessing is a head cold, asks about the Strictly curse.

It doesnt concern me, its great. If he comes back it means I get to spend another five months with him, so for me, Im all for it.

And there you have it.Weekly searches are being carried out by volunteers in the US for missing Irish man, David O'Sullivan

The brother of an Irish man who has been missing in America since last year has said his family are still hopeful that the "unbelievable" search effort will provide answers.

David O'Sullivan (26) from Midleton, Co Cork, has not been seen - or heard from - since April 2017.

He left Ireland on March 20 for a five-month hiking trip from California to the Canadian border.

David last made contact with his family on April 7, when he sent them an email from the mountain town of Idyllwild.

The aerial footage below shows the extensive searches being undertaken by volunteers in the US.

Commercial pilots and aerial surveyors teamed up to conduct an aerial survey mission over Idyllwild this week.

David's older brother, Niall O'Sullivan, told Independent.ie that his family are overwhelmed by the response from "complete strangers".

"We're delighted with the search efforts so far and with absolutely everyone who has volunteered. The response has been unbelievable. And all we can do at the moment is wait and hope that the photographs can point us in the right direction."

Niall described David as a novice hiker who was inspired to hike the Pacific Crest Trial last year.

There has been no activity on his brother's bank account in the past eight months, except for a number of direct debits.

His parents travelled to California in December to participate in what was described as the "biggest search party yet".

Any financial donations to future searches can be made here .Further charges are expected to be brought against a teenager accused of slashing a woman's neck with a knife after "luring" her to an abandoned location in south Dublin.

The 15-year-old is already charged with seriously assaulting the woman (25) and producing a knife in the alleged attack in Dun Laoghaire two days before Christmas.

Dublin Children's Court heard yesterday gardai anticipated bringing further charges. Judge Bernadette Owens remanded the boy in custody to a date next week.

The teenager's parents were in court for the brief hearing and his mother sat with him throughout, hugging him and holding his hand.

The boy is charged with assault causing harm and producing a knife at the old Dun Laoghaire Baths, Queen's Road, on December 23.

He was refused bail when he first appeared in court on St Stephen's Day and an assessment had been ordered at that stage. Judge Owens asked Detective Garda Daniel Treacy what the current position was in the case. Det Gda Treacy said the directions of the DPP were not available yet. "We have directions on the charges before you but we expect there will be further charges," he added.

Defence barrister Kitty Perle said an initial assessment of the boy had taken place at Oberstown Detention Centre but a full assessment was not ready for the court yet.

Det Gda Treacy said he had no issue with an adjournment to January 11 but added that "we won't have directions on that date".

Judge Owens said she would adjourn the case to see what progress could be made on the assessment and the DPP's directions. The accused, dressed in a long-sleeved red top and blue jeans, was hugged by his mother before he was led away.

Murder

On the last court date, Judge Brian O'Shea had refused to grant the youth bail after hearing he allegedly met the woman on an anonymous social media website. Judge O'Shea had said he accepted the evidence of Det Gda Treacy, who told the court he believed the boy would be "likely to commit murder if released".

The boy is also alleged to have used a knife to inflict a "lengthy transverse [horizontal] laceration to her neck", the court heard.

The court heard they exchanged text messages via the app before meeting.

Gardai have obtained CCTV footage from the area, the court was told.A former senator has claimed gardai repeatedly told him to "f*** off" and arrested him after he expressed concern for the victim of a serious assault in Temple Bar, Dublin.

James Heffernan (38) walked free from court after he was cleared of public order offences and rejected claims he threatened to get a garda sacked.

The ex-Social Democrats and previously Labour party member was charged following his arrest on the night of March 10, 2016, in Temple Bar Square, where gardai had to set up a perimeter following a serious assault on a man.

Mr Heffernan, of Main Street, Kilfinane, Co Limerick, pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court to public order charges. The first was for failing to leave the area in an orderly fashion after being directed by a garda. He also denied the second charge for breach of the peace by engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour.

Mr Heffernan was still a member of Seanad Eireann at the time of the incident.

Garda Joe O'Connor told Judge Bryan Smyth the accused walked over to the cordon. Gda O'Connor said he observed that Mr Heffernan had taken drink. He directed him under the Public Order Act to leave.

Gda O'Connor said Mr Heffernan threatened him that he was member of the Dail and "would get me sacked". He said he told him to leave the area or he would be arrested and he alleged that Mr Heffernan replied: "You will have to f***ing arrest me so." He was arrested and taken to Pearse Street Garda station and later released but refused to accept an adult caution.

Mr Heffernan in evidence said he was concerned when he saw an unconscious man and claimed he enquired if an ambulance had been called, but "I was told to f*** off, it had nothing to do with me".

Judge Smyth said the former senator probably got "a little bit more involved than he should have", but was giving him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the case.An Iraqi, who has been happily married to an EU national woman for the past seven years, told the High Court Wednesday their lives would be devastated if the State proceeded to deport him.

Mr Justice Robert Haughton heard that the mans wife had made it clear that in the event of her husbands deportation she had no intention of following him to Iraq because of security reasons.

In November last the Minister for Justice and Equality issued a deportation order against the man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, over an issue concerning the validity of his passport. He has resided in Ireland based on his marriage.

Barrister Paul OShea, who appeared with Brian Burns, of Burns, Kelly Corrigan solicitors, told the court the husband was challenging the deportation order on grounds that his proposed removal from the State amounted to a disproportionate interference in the couples rights.

Mr OShea said the man claimed it would be "unduly harsh and unlawful" if he is returned to his native Iraq and alleges the deportation is invalid.

The man claimed his deportation amounted to a breach of his family rights and his right to free movement under EU law and rights he derived as the EU nationals spouse. He was granted, on an ex parte basis, a temporary injunction restraining his proposed removal from the State and leave to challenge and seek the quashing of the Ministers order.

Mr OShea told Judge Haughton that the man came to Ireland 10 years ago. His application for asylum failed but he had been but he had been granted residency following his marriage to his EU national wife. They had lived together in Dublin since their marriage.

He said the mans wife was working but they were of limited means. If deported to Iraq the husband would find it difficult to fund his return to Ireland. The couple wanted to remain in Ireland.

Mr OShea said it was also his client's case that the deportation order against him is invalid because there was no deadline for leaving the State specified in the order requiring him to leave Ireland.

Judge Haughton said he was satisfied the applicant had raised issues that should be tried before the High Court and the court was happy to grant the temporary injunction as well as permission to bring a challenge against the deportation order.

He said the court noted that the man had been married for some years and the couple enjoyed a "very close relationship." The matter was made returnable to a date later this month.Derek Foran (33), from Allenton Avenue in Tallaght was charged with one count of attempting to rob Jason Doyle

An injured man has been charged following an attempted robbery at a pub that ended when the alleged raider was tackled by customers.

Derek Foran (33) appeared in court today with a bandaged head and fingers and heavy facial bruising after he was arrested at the Speaker Conolly Pub in Firhouse on New Years Day.

Judge John King granted him bail but remanded him in custody until he is able to take it up.

Mr Foran, from Allenton Avenue in Tallaght is charged with one count of attempting to rob Jason Doyle, the pubs acting manager.

The offence, under Common Law, is alleged to have happened at the pub at Firhouse Shopping Centre on January 1.

The father-of-one, wearing a red hooded top bearing the logo Animal and black tracksuit bottoms, had two black eyes and facial bruises, when he was brought in to Dublin District Court today.

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The court heard he had two fractured ribs, a fractured finger and received 30 stitches to his head.

Garda James Ward told Judge King he arrested Mr Foran under the Offences Against the State Act at the Speaker Conolly Pub at 11.40pm on January 1.

He was brought to Tallaght Garda Station, where he was released from the provisions of that Act and charged at 8.08pm yesterday.

The accused made no reply to the charge after caution and was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

Objecting to bail, Garda Ward cited the seriousness of the charge. He told Judge King he had concerns the accused would not turn up in court and would interfere with prospective witnesses.

Judge King said he did not believe the gardas objections were very strong and granted bail.

He said there was a very serious charge here, but the accused has a presumption of innocence.

Defence barrister John Griffin said Mr Foran was living with his mother in Tallaght and had one dependent. He said gardai appeared to be happy with his identity and where he lived.

The judge set bail in the accuseds own bond of 300, with no cash required. However, he did require an independent surety of 1,000, half of which is to be lodged in cash.

Conditions are that he resides at his homes address, observes a curfew between 10pm and 6am, signs on daily at Tallaght Garda Station and has no contact, directly or indirectly with witnesses.

He is also to stay out of the Firhouse area at all times.

Mr Griffin asked Judge King to direct medical attention for the accused while he is in custody. Judge King said Mr Foran could receive that anyway and asked if there were specific concerns.

Mr Griffin said the accused had two fractured ribs, a fractured finger and had received 30 stitches to his head.

He had appointments at Tallaght Hospital and the Eye and Ear Hospital this week. The judge made a recommendation to the prison governor that the accused receives all necessary medical treatment.

He remanded Mr Foran in custody with consent to bail, to appear in Cloverhill District Court on January 9.

He granted free legal aid after Mr Griffin said the defendant was unemployed and submitted a statement of his financial means to the court.

The accused, who has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge, did not speak during the hearing.A young man charged with the murder of his older brother in their Limerick home told arresting gardai he was "sorry".

Gerard 'Gerry' Lynch (29) appeared before Newcastlewest District Court charged with the murder of his brother, William 'Willie' Lynch (35), on December 30 in Pallaskenry.

Judge Mary Larkin was told that Gerry Lynch replied to gardai after being charged: "Sorry, I didn't mean it."

Gerry Lynch, of Main Street, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, appeared in court wearing slacks and a grey sweatshirt.

He kept his head bowed throughout the brief proceedings. The defendant did not speak during the hearing.

Evidence of arrest, caution and charge was offered by Garda Alan O'Donnell. He told the court that Gerry Lynch was charged at Newcastlewest Garda station on January 1.

Inspector Alan Cullen said gardai were requesting a remand in ongoing custody.

Because the charge involved is murder, bail can be dealt with only by the High Court.

Solicitor Michael O'Donnell, who was appointed to represent the defendant, requested the court direct that all required medical assistance be provided for his client while in custody.

Judge Larkin remanded Gerry Lynch to appear again before Limerick District Court on January 9.

Willie Lynch, a well-known sporting enthusiast in the Pallaskenry area, was found critically injured at 5pm last Saturday in the two-storey terraced home off Main Street he shared with his younger brother.

He was discovered just a couple of hours before he was to host a charity pool tournament in aid of Milford Hospice.

Willie Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transferred by paramedics to University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Violent

Gardai launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster confirmed that Willie Lynch had met a violent death.

He had sustained multiple stab wounds to the torso.

Tributes have been paid to Willie Lynch, who was deeply involved in sporting and community organisations in Pallaskenry.

Friends set up a special online fundraising appeal to help his family with funeral costs. The appeal raised more than 2,500 in the space of just 10 hours.Gardai investigate a stabbing incident on the Avenue Road in Dundalk which has left one man dead. Picture: Arthur Carron

GARDAI investigating a string of attacks in Louth this morning have said that terrorism "is a line of inquiry" - but have stressed that the attacker's motive remains unknown.

An 18-year-old Egyptian man is being questioned on suspicion of murder following the incidents in Dundalk which left a young Japanese man dead, and two young Irishmen injured.

Among the lines being investigated is that the young man had recently been refused asylum in the UK - but is in unclear how he may have subsequently entered Ireland or travelled to Dundalk.

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At a press conference this afternoon, Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan officially confirmed that terrorism is one line of inquiry into three separate attacks which occurred within less than 60 minutes around 9am today.

A terror attack is a line of inquiry, its certainly a line that we would look at, he said.

We will endeavour to establish the suspects background, who they are, where theyve come from and why are they here.

Were very interested to know why was he in Dundalk, why would he come here, whats the reason, whats the connection, he added.

Chief Supt Mangan said that gardai will be liaising with Egyptian authorities as part of this investigation.

He further stressed, however, that the motive for the attack on "an innocent bystander going about their work" was unclear. He added that the attack "certainly would appear to be random and unprovoked" and it appeared that the Egyptian man had acted alone.

The victim, who was aged 24 and from Japan, was attacked on Avenue Road in the town and stabbed in the back. He died at the scene.

Two other Irish men were subsequently attacked at two other locations in the town, the Inner Relief Road and Seatown.

Their injuries are not life-threatening.

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The first incident happened on Avenue Road at around 9am, when the Japanese man was attacked from behind and stabbed in the back with a knife. The 24-year-old died at the scene.

Gardai were at the scene within seven minutes, Chief Supt Mangan said, after receiving a call from ambulance control reporting that a man had been found unresponsive.

"At approximately 9am this morning a call was received by ambulance control to Drogheda garda station that a male had been stabbed at Avenue Road, Dundalk.

"At 9.07am members of an Garda Siochana arrived at the scene, they found a male in an unresponsive state having suffered a stab wound," Supt Mangan said.

He said the man was on his way to work when he was attacked. He added: "It's very hard on the family when someone is walking to work and they get attacked and killed in a foreign country".

Gardai received another call at 9.32am, reporting an incident at Coe's Road in the town, and another call eight minutes later to report an incident at Seatown place. In the latter two incidents, two Irishmen - understood to be in their early 20s and from the area - had been attacked.

"Another call was then received regarding an attack on Coes Road, Dundalk where a male had been stabbed," Supt Mangan said.

"And then at approximately 9.40am, a call was received at Dundalk garda station that a male had been attacked with a pole at Seatown Place, Dundalk," he added.

A member of gardai observed the suspect, who was holding a fencing post, and called local gardai for assistance and the suspect was arrested at 9.45am.

Gardai say there is a distinct possibility that the suspect had been carrying two knives.

Councillor Ruairi O Murchu lives close to the scene of the attack in Avenue Road. He said there was major concern among local people.

"The community is in shock," said the Sinn Fein representative. "Our thoughts are with the family of the person killed and those that have been injured."

John McGahon, the chairman of Dundalk Municipal District said, If it was not for the heroic actions of An Garda Siochana who managed, while unarmed, to disarm a crazed knifeman, there could have been a much higher death toll.

Cllr McGahon (FG), said, the whole town is in absolute and total shock. It is an unprecedented attack perpetrated by a sick and twisted individual.

Our deepest sympathies go to the family of the person who lost their life and to the two people who were injured.

Independent.ie earlier incorrectly reported that the suspected attacker was originally from Syria.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.The number of patients waiting on hospital trolleys has continued at record levels for the first 11 months of the year.

However, the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has offered a small chink of light, with figures down 7pc in November compared to the same month a year ago.

In the first 11 months of the year, a record 91,147 admitted patients languished on trolleys in Emergency Departments (EDs) or wards - a 6pc increase compared to the same period in 2016 and a whopping 95pc increase on the first 11 months of 2007.

Last month there were 6,212 admitted patients on trolleys in EDs and 2,476 patients on trolleys or extra beds on inpatient wards. This means a total of 8,688 admitted patients did not have a proper inpatient bed.

The hospitals with the highest number of patients on trolleys in November were University Hospital Limerick (878), University Hospital Cork (651), University Hospital Waterford (624), University Hospital Galway (539) and Letterkenny General Hospital (502).

Ahead of a meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce on Thursday, INMO general secretary Liam Doran said the placing of extra patients on already understaffed inpatient wards was not an appropriate response to the overcrowding crisis.

"The reduction in the numbers on trolleys in Emergency Departments is particularly welcome. However, the very significant increase in additional patients on inpatient wards, on trolleys or additional beds, is most disturbing and suggests hospital management are increasingly repeating the mistakes of the past.

"Overcrowding wards has never solved the problem...and this will only be done through additional acute beds," he added.

The INMO said it will be seeking confirmation at this week's meeting that hospitals will be allowed to open all available beds and packages are introduced to recruit more nurses.Alden Road, Bayside blocked due to tree/electricity lines down. A fire engine from Kilbarrack on scene (Dublin Fire Brigade Twitter). DFB said the storm period was 'busier than Storm Ophelia'

Two people were hospitalised with head injuries after a tree fell on their car while they were driving, as emergency services responded to hundreds of storm related calls.

The incident happened shortly after 7.30pm last night in Virginia, Co Cavan, as Storm Eleanor wreaked havoc from west to east.

According to a the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB), which received the call, the pair were trapped inside the car before paramedics from the HSEs National Ambulance Service were able to rescue them. They were taken to Cavan General Hospital with head injuries, he said.

The call was one of close to 1,200 the DFB received in the 48-hour period from New Years Day in which it logged hundreds of calls for ambulances and storm-related calls due to downed trees and other hazards.

It was mayhem, a DFB official said.

We were busier than during Hurricane Ophelia, he said.

DFB responded to a number of fallen trees throughout theMinister of State for Flood Relief, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, said this morning that Galway was taken by surprise by rising floodwaters during Storm Eleanor.

"Within 10 minutes some people were up to waist level in flood waters. They said they've never seen the likes of it before... it frightened people," he told RTE's Morning Ireland.

Responding to claims from local business and residents that adequate flood warnings were not issued from Galway City Council, Minister Moran said that a lesson can be learned but stressed that today isn't the day for "blame games".

"We had temporary measures in place from early yesterday with high tide warnings over Christmas but the measures we had in place weren't able to deal with that.

Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran helping out this morning with sandbags at the Claddagh area in Galway City @opwireland @IndepAlliance pic.twitter.com/0ReEddp9Ix  Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (@kevinboxermoran) January 3, 2018

"I don't think today is a blame game. My job is to reassure the people that the Government is here to support them in any way we can."

Minister Moran, who is in Galway this morning, said the army has been deployed to the city and skips and humidifiers have been issued to business to assist them with clean-up operations.

He said councils and people need to be more prepared as these "extreme weather events are happening far too often".

"These storms are worrying trends and something we have to get real with," he said.

Rubble and shingle arising from #StormEleanor has made the L-5025 at the Flaggy Shore impassable to vehicular traffic other than local access. The road will be re-opened once all materials have been removed. pic.twitter.com/siOAL25Hue  Clare County Council (@ClareCoCo) January 3, 2018

I want local authorities to work with my department to fast track plans. People are fed up with waiting, they want to see machines on the ground, he said.

Minister Moran said that more funding is required for the Flood Relief Schemes - warning that up to 1bn will be needed to ultimately protect the country from floods.

He said he had enough money for flood relief activities up to 2021 and announced that parts of Galway are included in the 47 schemes which are to be prioriry.

Minister Moran also promised that updated flood maps will be available by the end of the month.

"The people of Galway have suffered enough. Ive been around the country over the last number of months and seen four major floodings... and every local authority can learn in relation to whats happening, he said.

I know that we have to sit down now and talk to the city and county managers because if you look at what happened in Mountmellick or look what happened in Galway or in Donegal, we have to learn from this because these extreme weather events are happening far too often.

Gary McMahon, spokesperson for Galway City Council said that flood warnings received were for south Galway and they weren't expected to rise further.

"It confound us at high tide, the speed of the surge of water that came funnelling through Galway harbour and then flooded the streets around there... it was unprecedented."

However, Galway City Council said that the same precautions that were rolled out yesterday were rolled out during Storm Ophelia.

The Departments Community Welfare Services staff will assess the level of service required across the country, particularly in the Galway area, which was hit with the worst of the flooding.

As the clean-up operations begin, financial supports will be made available to householders affected and the Humanitarian Assistance scheme activated as necessary according to the Government.

High tide has passed this morning in Galway with no flooding. However, emergency services remain on duty and there is a warning that high tide this evening might bring rising waters.As Storm Eleanor wrecked havoc last night and floodwaters raged through businesses and households along the west coast, it wasn't enough to deter customers of a Galway pub from their pints.

As rising waters sloshed through the popular The Salt House Pub on Raven Terrace in Galway, a few bemused patrons watched the drama unfold from their high stools.

It was business as usual as customers ordered pints along the bar while Storm Eleanor raged outside.

Galway was one of the worst affected counties as Storm Eleanor slammed into Ireland on Tuesday night.

A number of people had to be rescued as rising floodwaters brought chaos to the county.

Cars were swept away by flash floods at 6pm in Oranmore. People were helped from their cars as waters suddenly rose over the road.Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of Emma Hayward showing flooded car in Galway, Ireland, as storm Eleanor hit the country. Photo: Emma Hayward/Twitter/PA Wire

Seaweed is cleared from the Salthill Promenade, Galway, as Storm Eleanor lashed the UK and Ireland with violent storm-force winds. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of Michael Scott showing flooded in Galway, Ireland, as storm Eleanor hit the country. Photo: Michael Scott/Twitter/PA Wire

Binod Karki who owns Kashmir restaurant in the city was also shocked by the sudden surge of water. Photo: Andrew Downes

Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw significant damage to his business with Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes

Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw significant damage to his business with Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes

BUSINESS owners in Galway have been counting the cost of the devastating floods which hit the city yesterday, with the destruction causing hundreds of thousands of euro damage.

As Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran toured the city early this morning, business owners were back at their premises continuing to clean up the flood waters which wreaked havoc in the space on an hour yesterday evening.

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Whatsapp Seaweed is cleared from the Salthill Promenade, Galway, as Storm Eleanor lashed the UK and Ireland with violent storm-force winds. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

However, despite losing out in tens of thousands worth of stock and equipment, business owners were today clear that further warnings would have done little to stop the destruction.

Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw the water rise to waist level in his shop within minutes.

"We had two customers in the shop when this happened. I had just walked over to the Claddagh and by the time I walked back the water was rising unbelieveably. It was up to my waist in minutes.

The main flood barrier was up and it did what it was supposed to do but the water surge was so great that it lifted it and it got damaged from the sheer volume of damage and those things are not supposed to get damaged.

Expand Close Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw significant damage to his business with Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes / Facebook

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Whatsapp Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw significant damage to his business with Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes

We need a permanent flood defence system. They were out this morning but sandbags wouldn't have stopped that water, he added.

Mr McNeilis also lost his car in the flood water after it was totally submerged in water. He now has to pull up all floorboards and dump all stock packaging. He also needs to fix the electrics damaged in the flood.

"We're into 10,000 and then my car on top of that. I don't know if I'll get a car loan, I'm self employed. We've worked really hard the last 10 years, we had a really good year last year with the Wild Atlantic Way and everything is now gone. We're starting from scratch," he said.

Binod Karki who owns Kashmir restaurant in the city was also shocked by the sudden surge of water.

Expand Close Binod Karki who owns Kashmir restaurant in the city was also shocked by the sudden surge of water. Photo: Andrew Downes / Facebook

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Whatsapp Binod Karki who owns Kashmir restaurant in the city was also shocked by the sudden surge of water. Photo: Andrew Downes

We opened the restaurant as normal and at 5o'clock it just came out of nowhere. It was from everywhere. The back door, kitchen door and side doors. In five minutes it was up to my knees. It was very difficult to get out. We waited a few minutes but it was just rising the whole time. We managed to get up to the upstairs apartment and we were stuck there for two hours and then it started to go down, he said.

The kitchen, flooring and all stock have been destroyed in the floods with Mr Karki estimating the damage at 20,000.

It is huge. This was a busy time and we had bought a lot extra. Now it is all lost, he said.

Joe Hawksley, Manager at Cobwebs Fine and Antique Jewellery was also assessing the damage this morning.

This is the sixth time the shop has been flooded.

We had just closed at 5pm and within 20 minutes the floods hit. This is the sixth time the shop has been flooded but I havent seen it like that before, never that quickly.

The damage is not as bad as it was in the last flood three or four years ago, we had pulled up the wooden floorboards and replaced them with a concrete floor and tiles so that was ok this time.

Some electronics have been affected but its not too bad. Ill be opening this morning after I get a coffee. There is a great community here and they are very helpful, we help each other get back on our feet, he said.

CEO of Galway City Council Brendan McGrath described the flooding as unprecedented adding that all precautions put in place for Storm Ophelia had been in place for Storm Eleanor.

Expand Close Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of Emma Hayward showing flooded car in Galway, Ireland, as storm Eleanor hit the country. Photo: Emma Hayward/Twitter/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Picture taken with permission from the Twitter feed of Emma Hayward showing flooded car in Galway, Ireland, as storm Eleanor hit the country. Photo: Emma Hayward/Twitter/PA Wire

He said the city was now braced for more flooding tomorrow morning when an even higher tide is due.

What happened yesterday was unprecedented. It was as bad yesterday as 1994 or even earlier. Water came over the bridge there for the first time in living memory. Weve had contingency plans in place since 2014, since Storm Desmond, they carried us through the red warning of Ophelia, we rolled out the same precautions yesterday, he said.

Mr McGrath said the flooding was one metre higher than the models had predicted. He said the inflatable flood defence along the Spanish Arch had been in place, all flood gates were up and thousands of sandbags handed out during Storm Ophelia were still available.

The city did everything it could to avoid flooding. This was unprecedented, he added.

The city is now bracing itself for further flood threats this evening and most worryingly tomorrow morning when the highest tide is set to hit.

We are concerned about tonight, were hopeful based on the modelling that well get through tonight but tomorrow morning is of particular concern because tomorrow is the biggest high tide in the entire sequence of tides. Its a question of watching the weather forecast, watching the model and continuing to do what were doing, he added.Selina Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, Donegal, at the car park on Salthill Promenade in Galway which she was parked in when storm Eleanor hit, leaving her to drive to safety through waves crashing onto the road. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Selina Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, Donegal, at the car park on Salthill Promenade in Galway which she was parked in when storm Eleanor hit, leaving her to drive to safety through waves crashing onto the road. Photo Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A social worker who drove to safety as waves broke around her during Storm Eleanor said it was "like a walk in the park".

Social media footage showed Selina Callaghan motoring along the surging waterline towards safety and a car park exit.

The 28-year-old, from Donegal in north-west Ireland, said she was "cool, calm and collected".

She had been celebrating the new year with friends in Galway on the west coast and was watching the growing swell from the promenade at Salthill on Tuesday night.

She said: "Yesterday was like a walk in the park, fire is much more harmful than water, you just need to respect the water and it will respect you."

Irish authorities had issued their second highest alert.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the island lost power overnight as the storm swept in from the west.

Winds of up to 100mph wreaked significant damage and caused flooding on the Atlantic coast.

Expand Close Selina Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, Donegal, at the car park on Salthill Promenade in Galway which she was parked in when storm Eleanor hit, leaving her to drive to safety through waves crashing onto the road. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Selina Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, Donegal, at the car park on Salthill Promenade in Galway which she was parked in when storm Eleanor hit, leaving her to drive to safety through waves crashing onto the road. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Pictures from Galway city centre on Tuesday evening showed cars ploughing through high water and business owners struggling to protect their properties.

Rescuers waded through knee-high water.

One car bobbed in the high coastal waters and drivers attempted to reach safe ground.

Ms Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, near Letterkenny, only returned to the country 10 weeks ago after spending five years in Australia.

She and a couple of friends were in Galway City for the new year and were watching the storm nearby.

They moved their cars to the back of the car park as the water came closer.

"It happened that quick, by the time we parked there literally the waves were coming, the water was getting deeper and deeper, nearly coming into our cars.

"The panic stations were on for my friend.

"I was like, 'just relax'."

She said she was not afraid.

"Only by the grace of God I get through everything.

"I was at the beach because the beach is my favourite place in the whole world.

"I love the beach because it makes me calm, I feel close to God there.

"I know that he will look after me, I don't need to fear."

She said she knew exactly what she was doing.

"I would not put myself in a risky situation, I am literally heading out of a risky situation, I am not putting myself at any form of risk."

Some cars were abandoned in Oranmore near Galway as roads were blocked while others in a car park in Salthill were partially submerged.

At least 55,000 properties experienced blackouts overnight as the winter storm damaged the network.

County Mayo was hardest-hit.

A statement from power supply company ESB Networks said its staff worked in difficult conditions to get customers re-connected.

It said counties worst affected in the Republic included Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.

Across the island, fallen trees forced road closures.Storm Eleanor kicks off with its wrath in Lahinch, Co. Clare. Photograph Press 22

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran with sandbags in Galway, one of the worst counties affected by Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes

Two more mini-storms are on the way in the next 48 hours before a "dramatic change" sees temperatures plummet.

Homeowners and businesses along the south and east coast are now being warned of a "real risk" of further flooding in the wake of Storm Eleanor.

Emergency responders, ministers and Met Eireann have held a meeting in Dublin to assess the situation for the coming hours.

Chair of National Emergency Co-ordination Centre Sean Hogan said there is "unfortunately still some threat coming towards us".

Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw significant damage to his business with Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes Storm Eleanor at Sarsfield Bridge in Limerick Credit: Brendan Gleeson Storm Eleanor in Limerick City Credit: Brendan Gleeson Defying Storm Eleanor and the driving rain on the banks of the river Shannon in Limerick were Professor Hollie Schillig, California State University(left) with her students of World History (Photo: Liam Burke Press 22) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw significant damage to his business with Storm Eleanor. Photo: Andrew Downes

He urged people along the south and west coast to stay away from coastlines until the windy weather passes on Friday.

Met Eireann's Evelyn Cusack said two smaller weather events will take place in the southwest in the coming days.

"This is not a major event that we know of as yet," she said, but added that it's "not certain" what way the approaching weather fronts will develop.

By the weekend there will be a "dramatic change" with a return to calm but very cold weather with heavy frost at night.

Updated Warnings for Storm Eleanor pic.twitter.com/FqvKj2x9za  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 2, 2018

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy insisted suitable preparation and planning was in place in Galway yesterday but forecasters and local authorities "can't predict everything that will happen".

"We believed the main problems would be this morning," he said.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Floodwaters caused significant damage to homes and businesses across Galway. Photo: Andrew Downes Fallen tree in Clondalkin Credit: DFB Alden Road, Bayside Credit: DFB Women walk on Howth Pier. Photo: Tony Gavin 2/1/2018 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Floodwaters caused significant damage to homes and businesses across Galway. Photo: Andrew Downes

Damage

Meanwhile, business owners in Galway have been counting the cost of the devastating floods which hit the city yesterday, with the destruction causing hundreds of thousands of euro damage.

As Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran toured the city early this morning, business owners were back at their premises continuing to clean up the flood waters which wreaked havoc in the space on an hour yesterday evening.

However, despite losing out in tens of thousands worth of stock and equipment, business owners were today clear that further warnings would have done little to stop the destruction.

Neil McNeilis who owns Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street saw the water rise to waist level in his shop within minutes.

"We had two customers in the shop when this happened. I had just walked over to the Claddagh and by the time I walked back the water was rising unbelieveably. It was up to my waist in minutes.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Emergency supplies outside Galway Medical Centre. Photo: Andrew Downes / Facebook

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Whatsapp Emergency supplies outside Galway Medical Centre. Photo: Andrew Downes

The main flood barrier was up and it did what it was supposed to do but the water surge was so great that it lifted it and it got damaged from the sheer volume of damage and those things are not supposed to get damaged.

We need a permanent flood defence system. They were out this morning but sandbags wouldn't have stopped that water, he added.

Mr McNeilis also lost his car in the flood water after it was totally submerged in water. He now has to pull up all floorboards and dump all stock packaging. He also needs to fix the electrics damaged in the flood.

"We're into 10,000 and then my car on top of that. I don't know if I'll get a car loan, I'm self employed. We've worked really hard the last 10 years, we had a really good year last year with the Wild Atlantic Way and everything is now gone. We're starting from scratch," he said.

Binod Karki, who owns Kashmir restaurant in the city was also shocked by the sudden surge of water.

We opened the restaurant as normal and at 5o'clock it just came out of nowhere. It was from everywhere. The back door, kitchen door and side doors. In five minutes it was up to my knees. It was very difficult to get out. We waited a few minutes but it was just rising the whole time. We managed to get up to the upstairs apartment and we were stuck there for two hours and then it started to go down, he said.

Expand Close People walk on Howth Pier in windy conditions Pic: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp People walk on Howth Pier in windy conditions Pic: Tony Gavin

The kitchen, flooring and all stock have been destroyed in the floods with Mr Karki estimating the damage at 20,000.

It is huge. This was a busy time and we had bought a lot extra. Now it is all lost, he said.

Joe Hawksley, Manager at Cobwebs Fine and Antique Jewellery was also assessing the damage this morning.

This is the sixth time the shop has been flooded.

We had just closed at 5pm and within 20 minutes the floods hit. This is the sixth time the shop has been flooded but I havent seen it like that before, never that quickly.

The damage is not as bad as it was in the last flood three or four years ago, we had pulled up the wooden floorboards and replaced them with a concrete floor and tiles so that was ok this time.

Some electronics have been affected but its not too bad. Ill be opening this morning after I get a coffee. There is a great community here and they are very helpful, we help each other get back on our feet, he said.

Humanitarian aid

Financial supports have been promised to those affected by Storm Eleanor as a massive clean-up operation is underway in the worst-hit areas and the country braces for continued strong winds.

Flash flooding and high winds caused havoc as the storm slammed into the country last night.

The storm wreaked havoc from west to east of the country last night bring gusts of 155km/h, causing flooding and leaving thousands without power.

At least 134,000 households were left without power at the height of the storm - some 16,000 households and businesses are currently without power.

Minister Murphy currently being briefed in the National Emergency Coordination Centre on the impacts of #StormEleanor and on the current weather situation ahead of the National Emergency Coordination Group meeting on Severe Weather this morning.#BeWinterReady pic.twitter.com/Az6sMuqGA2  OEP (@emergencyIE) January 3, 2018

A further 5,000 customers lost supply this morning due to lightning and high winds.

Crews from around the country have been mobilised to attend the areas and are working in wet and windy conditions to restore power to those affected.

"Those crews will be landing on the ground fairly early this morning," Derek Hynes Operations Manager with ESB Networks.

"We are hopeful to have power back to pretty much everybody by tonight," he added.

He warned that Eleanor will continue to cause damage throughout parts of the country today.

With four separate weather warnings in place, the country bore the worst of the storm between 6pm and 10pm last night.

County council staff are clearing fallen trees from local roads across the midlands in the aftermath of storm Eleanor. The worst affected area was county Roscommon where an articulated lorrry turned over in the high winds and gusts and dozens of roads were closed for a period.  Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) January 3, 2018

The country convened their Severe Weather Assessment Teams in response to the threat posed by Storm Eleanor.

Customers were left without power in Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Monaghan.

This morning Mayo is the county with the most customers out of power, with around 10,000 households and businesses affected. ESB Networks said that fallen trees on overhead lines were responsible for most of the damage to the network.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has said it is available this morning to support householders in areas affected by Storm Eleanor.

The Departments Community Welfare Services staff will assess the level of service required across the country, particularly in the Galway area, which was hit with the worst of the flooding.

As the clean-up operations begin, financial supports will be made available to householders affected and the Humanitarian Assistance scheme activated as necessary according to the Government.

Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran this morning told RTE's Morning Ireland that Galway was taken by surprise.

"Within 10 minutes some people were up to waist level in flood waters. They said they've never seen the likes of it before. It frightened people."

Responding to claims from local business and residents that adequate flood warnings were not issued from Galway City Council, Mr Moran said that a lesson can be learned but said today is not a day for a "blame game".

"We had temporary measures in place from early yesterday with high tide warnings over Christmas but the measures we had in place weren't able to deal with that.

"I don't think today is a blame game. My job is to reassure the people that the Government is here to support them in any way we can."

Minister Moran, who is in Galway this morning, said the army has been deployed to the city and skips and humidifiers have been issued to business to assist them with clean-up operations.

He said councils and people need to be more prepared as these "extreme weather events are happening far too often".

"These storms are worrying trends and something we have to get real with," he said.

Minister Moran said that more funding is required for the Flood Relief Schemes - warning that up to 1bn will be needed to ultimately protect the country from floods.

He said he had enough money for flood relief activities up to 2021 and announced that parts of Galway are included in the 47 schemes which are to be prioriry.

"The people of Galway have suffered enough."

Forecast

Two new weather warnings were issued on Tuesday night at 10pm, a status orange and a status yellow wind warning.

A new yellow warning was issued at 12.30pm today and will come into effect at 3am Thursday morning until 1pm the same day.

The warning covers Munster, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.

It will come into effect at 3am on Thursday morning until 1pm the same day.

The orange wind alert is in effect for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick until 2pm today

Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford are under a status yellow wind warning until 2pm today also.

National Forecast 3rd of January 2018 pic.twitter.com/YSiYk1FJA9  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

Siobhan Ryan of Met Eireann said that wind will remain a feature over the next couple of days with the Atlantic coastal counties bearing the brunt of the strongest winds with more risks of flooding.

"Winds will remain strong to gale force and very windy today, especially along the west but it will still feel blustery throughout the rest of the country. Squally showers (stormy showers) are also expected today.

"There'll be a lull this evening before a possible storm development overnight."

Met Eireann will issue an update at 1pm today advising if the storm will be strong enough to be a named storm.

Named storms are triggered by a status orange or red warning.

There is another spell of windy weather expected, with another low moving up Wednesday night and early Thursday again. The south and the southwest will be worst affected."

Meanwhile, it's extremely windy this morning with stormy conditions already in parts of the west.

Extremely windy early this aft. w/ stormy conditions in parts of the W. There'll be sunny spells & squally heavy showers, some thundery downpours occurring too, w/ risk of loc. flooding especially over Conn&Ulst. Winds will moderate later this aft. & eve. Highest temps 7 to 10 C pic.twitter.com/FsUWhp8LUx  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 3, 2018

Met Eireann said that a combination of high tide and exceptionally high seas will result in coastal damage and further flooding.

Councils along the south and west of the country convened their Severe Weather Assessment Teams in response to the threat posed by Storm Eleanor.

Aftermath

In Galway, a number of people had to be rescued from flood waters in the city centre. Cars were swept away by flash floods at 6pm in Oranmore. People were helped from their cars as waters suddenly rose over the road.

Cars were also submerged in the nearby train station and in Toft carpark in Salthill. The Spanish Arch, Dock Road, Dominick Street, Merchants Road, Fr Griffin Road and Lough Atalia Road were all seriously affected. Galway City Council dispatched clean-up crews as soon as flood waters receded but it was providing sandbags to the public in anticipation of a high tide this morning.

In Cork, flooding was reported in Bantry from early evening. Fire crews pumped water from the streets and drivers were warned to be careful. In Midleton, there was also flash flooding on the Bailick Road.

In Clare, the storm battered the coastline of Lahinch and the N67 experienced flooding on the Kilkee/Killimer Road at Moyasta and Kilrush.

Limerick Council crews were dealing with flooding at Merchants Quay near the Potato Market, Sarsfield House and OCallaghan and Clancy Strands.

In Kerry, the N86 Tralee/Dingle Road was impassable at Blennerville due to flooding.

Mayo County Council announced a Level 2 alert for wind and coastal flooding from 10pm last night until 2pm today.

Members of the public were asked to exercise caution and to be mindful of fallen trees, branches and possible flying debris particularly when driving.

The Irish Coast Guard also issued a warning urging people to stay away from exposed beaches, cliffs, piers and promenades during storm conditions.

The storm caused delays to more than 30 flights at Dublin Airport last night. Most of the delays were to flights due to arrive after 8pm from the UK and Europe.

Stena Line reported disruptions on a number of crossings and Irish Ferries also reported significant delays, warning that these would remain until later today.

Flooding

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In Oranmore, a number of cars were swept away by flash floods just before 6pm. People were helped from their cars at the roundabout accessing the shopping centre in the village as the waters suddenly rose over the road.

Cars were also left submerged in the nearby train station. All motorists escaped unharmed.

Galway City Council said cleanup crews have been at work since flood waters receded.

It provided a limited number of sandbags to the public last night in preparation for this morning's high tide.

"As flood waters from earlier high tide recede, Galway City Council crews are out clearing gulleys and providing assistance locally in city centre and Salthill.

"A limited number of sandbags will be available for collection and deployment by members of the public from the bus stop opposite Jurys Inn at Fishmarket from around 10pm in advance of the expected high tide at 6am," the statement read.

Parts of Bantry town centre including low-lying parts of the town square flooded from shortly before 5pm last night.

A number of motorists who had parked their vehicles along the quays in front of the Maritime Hotel arrived back to find their vehicles in almost 40cm of water.

Several vehicles were stranded and could only be moved after high tide had passed.

Bantry fire brigade attended the area and helped pump water from the worst affected roadways and parts of the square.

Read More

Even when the storm passes, high winds can be expected across the country well into Wednesday, with the warning running until 9pm on Wednesday.

Met Eireann also warn of damage and coastal flooding being possible in all areas.

Air travel delays

30 flights were delayed from Dublin Airport last night.

Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest flight updates this morning.

Road users advised to use caution

Wet roads & a lot of debris, especially on secondary routes, after #StormEleanor last night. Wind warnings for most of the country until 2pm. Take care. https://t.co/PSzIBsvOzE  AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) January 3, 2018

AA Roadwatch are advising motorists to be extra vigilant this morning.

Flood waters have receded but some roads are still affected by excess surface water, fallen trees and debris.

Gardai in Mayo are advising motorists to avoid travelling due to a high number of fallen trees and debris throughout the country.

#StormEleanor Salthill Promenade is closed. Rte 401 diverted via Devon Park to Taylors Hill, Kingston & Threadneedle Rd to Dr Mannix Rd and unable to serve Salthill Village & Dalysfort Rd. Rte 424 diverted via Devon Park to Dr Mannix Rd, Threadneedle rd & Kingston Cross outbound.  Bus Eireann (@Buseireann) January 3, 2018

In Galway the promenade has reopened in Salthill but AA Roadwatch are advising that it may be closed again at 6pm today when more strong winds are expected to hit.Storm Eleanor left a wake of destruction behind her as she passed through The Quays in Westport where she tossed yacht's from their moorings (Photo: Paul Mealy)

A man taking photographs gets caught by crashing waves at High Rock in Portmarnock, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Large swathes of the country remain under a Status Yellow weather warning this morning as the danger of coastal flooding remains.

An updated Status Yellow weather warning for Munster, Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Galway and Mayo came into effect at 5am today and runs until 1pm this afternoon.

It warns that winds of a mean speed of 55 to 65kmh can be expected with gusts in those places hitting between 90 and 110 kmh.

It also advises that there is a risk of coastal flooding on western and southern coasts of Ireland.

Heavy rain along with sleet or wet snow is also forecast for higher ground in the north of the country this morning.

Gardai reported this morning that there was flooding on routes around Bantry in Cork.

They have also warned motorists to watch out for fallen debris on minor roads.

Nationwide weather update #StormEleanor : High winds and surface flooding in places. Watch out for fallen debris on minor routes. #slowdown pic.twitter.com/cLB3h0zzCF  An Garda SAochAna (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018

The AA report that the N71 is impassable between Bell Height and the suspension bridge in Kenmare.

The AA also report that there is flooding on the R152 approximately 2km before Kilmoon Cross and motorists are being asked to avoid the road.

ESB Networks have also reported that a 'large fault' is affecting Cobh and surrounding areas and that it will be after midday before power is restored.

High tide passed in Cork city last night without flooding, however the flood warning remains in place.

Galway escaped without any further flooding this morning.

However, more mini-storms are expected today and tomorrow before a "dramatic change" sees temperatures plummet.

Homeowners and businesses along the south and west coast are now being warned of a "real risk" of further flooding in the wake of Storm Eleanor.

Chair of National Emergency Co-ordination Centre Sean Hogan said there is "unfortunately still some threat coming towards us".

Mr Hogan said parts of Galway city that are not normally susceptible to floods were hit.

He said adequate warnings were issued to local authorities but there are always "limitations" because storms can change direction at any moment.

"What was a surprise was the extent of what happened in Galway and the speed at which it happened," he said.

Mr Hogan said a combination of wind strength, a change in direction towards Galway and high waves in the Atlantic Ocean caused a surge of water into the city.

He urged people along the south and west coast to stay away from coastlines until the windy weather passes on Friday.

Met Eireann's Evelyn Cusack said two smaller weather events will take place in the southwest in the coming days.

"This is not a major event that we know of as yet," she said, but added that it's "not certain" what way the approaching weather fronts will develop.

By the weekend there will be a "dramatic change" with a return to calm but very cold weather with heavy frost at night.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy insisted suitable preparation and planning was in place in Galway yesterday but forecasters and local authorities "can't predict everything that will happen".

"We believed the main problems would be this morning," he said.

Expand Close High tide in Galway this morning, January 4. Pic Andrew Downes / Facebook

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Whatsapp High tide in Galway this morning, January 4. Pic Andrew Downes

Meanwhile, financial supports have been promised to those affected by Storm Eleanor as a massive clean-up operation is underway in the worst-hit areas and the country braces for continued strong winds.

The storm wreaked havoc from west to east of the country last night bring gusts of 155km/h, causing flooding and leaving thousands without power.

The Departments Community Welfare Services staff will assess the level of service required across the country, particularly in the Galway area, which was hit with the worst of the flooding.

As the clean-up operations begin, financial supports will be made available to householders affected and the Humanitarian Assistance scheme activated as necessary according to the Government.

High tide has passed this morning in Galway with no flooding. However, emergency services remain on duty and there is a warning that high tide this evening might bring rising waters.

Late last night ESB Networks apologised to customers who were still without power as a result of Storm Eleanor.Residents say the name could be misconstrued as offensive. Photo: Matthew Cooper/PA Wire

A petition has been launched to change the name of a street after residents described it as "offensive".

People living in Bell End in Rowley Regis, Sandwell, West Midlands, have complained it is one of the rudest street names in England.

The petition has so far attracted 12 signatures after claims that young residents would be bullied at school.

Residents have now called on Sandwell Council to change the name of the street because they have become a "laughing stock".

The road was ranked fourth on a list of the top 15 most rude-sounding street names in the UK in 2014.

The petition page on change.org reads: "As you may be aware, the term 'Bell End' can be seen and used as a rude and/or a offensive word.

"It can affect people including children being bullied and teased at school and generally now become a laughing stock, as seen very recently on Facebook and other social media sites, and it's time for a change."

Stephen Young, 72, of Minge Lane in Worcester, which was also voted one of the rudest-sounding street names, believed the reaction of Bell End residents to be over the top.

He said: "There has been no plan to change the name of our road.

"We have had a problem with people nicking the sign but nobody is that fussed about the name.

"There are no plans to start a petition, people are happy with the name of the road."

Speaking about the plans of residents from Bell End, Mr Young said: "It's a bit silly really. It is a bit over the top."

On the 2014 list, Minge Lane beat Slag Lane to be crowned the rudest street name in the UK - with Fanny Hands Lane in Ludford, Lincolnshire, completing the top three.

Fourth place was given to Bell End, and Crotch Crescent in Marston, Oxfordshire, came fifth, with The Knob, Turkey Cock Lane, Cockshoot Close, Cumming Street and Cock A-Dobby rounding off the top 10.

Cock Lane, Clitterhouse Road, Cock and Bell Lane, Beaver Close and Cold Blow Lane were ranked 11 to 15 respectively.

Councillor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment for Sandwell Council, said: "Obviously if this is an issue that residents do feel strongly about, I would ask them to forward their petition to the council and we can look at their request in more detail."Italy's Cinque Terre gets hot and crowded but simply must be seen, says Arlene Harris.

Set the Mood

The sky is cornflower blue, fishing boats bob about on iridescent water and the pastel hues of higgledy-piggledy houses contrast prettily with a dark grey cliff face.

I'm in Cinque Terre, the stunning World Heritage Site on the edge of Italy's Ligurian Sea. The name (which translates as 'five lands') denotes the five tiny villages which attract upwards of 2.5 million visitors a year to their mix of winding cliff paths, cobbled streets, picturesque harbours, terraced vineyards and, of course, clusters of colourful houses.

Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza and Manarola are uniquely different yet all share the same, otherworldly beauty. Locals go about their daily business almost oblivious to the hordes of visitors peering into shops and homes and spreading themselves out along the beachfronts.

Guilty Pleasure

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Having undertaken the mammoth task of climbing the cliff path from Riomaggiore to Monterosso (the famous Via dell' Amore, or Path of Love, between the two villages was closed), we arrived hot, thirsty and hungry and followed our noses to Il Bocconcino (Strada Provinciale 38) - a fried-fish stand which, judging by the queues, seemed worth the wait.

Paper cones filled with calamari, a selection of white fish and a few token fries proved to be the most delicious lunch we had ever tasted. At 7 a head, it was more expensive than many places in the region, but we certainly weren't complaining.

Cheap Kick

The Cinque Terre rail card is a surprisingly good value at 16 per adult (29 for two days; 41 for three). The day pass allows you to hop on the train at La Spezia and get on and off at various villages as you like throughout the day or evening. It also covers bus travel (in the midday heat, a bus from the station to the hilltop village of Corniglia is a must), guided walks and Wi-Fi in all the villages.

Another pleasant surprise was the abundance of water pumps providing cold drinking water free of charge at regular intervals.

Top Tip

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Cinque Terre is beautiful but a victim of its own success, with visitors flocking here in droves. Local authorities are working towards a scheme to reduce tourist numbers in a bid to preserve the beauty and atmosphere of the place. In the meantime, avoid the crush by taking a trip in late spring or early autumn.

Insider Intel

Finding a room in Cinque Terre during high season can be difficult and expensive - an alternative option is to stay in La Spezia, a 15-minute train ride away. Levante Residence is a short walk from the station, offering spacious apartments with breakfast on the communal terrace and a recommendation for the best local pizzeria (laspeziaresidence.com; rooms from 120 per night).

Glitches

The mountain 'path' from Riomaggiore to Monterosso is not for the faint hearted. The tourist information centre needs to offer clearer advice - there is no handrail, not much by way of step, and the hike over the cliff takes at least an hour. Be prepared!

Get me there

The closest airport to Cinque Terre is Pisa - to which both Aer Lingus (aerlingus.com) and Ryanair (ryanair.com) fly from Dublin.

Train tickets from Pisa to La Spezia cost from 9 (trainline.eu) and Cinque Terre adult train passes cost from 16 per day (7.30 per child); more at cinqueterre.it.

Read more:What were you doing at 22?

Perhaps you were studying hard for your final year of college or staying out all night; maybe you were working as an apprentice or were already part of the working world.

While the rest of us were still figuring out what to do with our lives, one Irish woman is on her way to becoming a one-woman brand: shes identified her USP, has numbers not to be sniffed at and is starting a conversation by constantly pushing the boundaries.

Enter Lauren Bejaoui, a 22-year-old from Finglas in Dublin. She is among an impressive group of young women who identified an opportunity online and are making a name  as well as big bucks  through their social media channels. She has an agent and is in-demand with brands for sponsored content.

Bejaoui, at 22, is already an old pro at cultivating a loyal digital audience: she began when she was just 17 years old, posting provocative black and white images, which are still the backbone of her aesthetic. Shes drop-dead gorgeous, but refreshingly honest: -she has no qualms about sharing her problem skin in how-to makeup videos and last year, she opened up about getting lip enhancements.

Shes unashamedly glamorous, sharing a seemingly endless array of designer items, brought back down to earth by the fact that she still lives at home with her parents.

Im 22. Ideally I would love to out of my home, but its not really realistic at the moment, she says, echoing the mantra of an entire generation affected by soaring rents in Dublin.

A lot of the stuff I post would be luxury and people dont really understand where I get the money for these items. Being 22 and living at home, Im lucky enough to be able to get the pieces I want.

And she still works full time as a luxury sales assistant at Brown Thomas, a job she is keen to hold onto to avoid the sometimes-isolating nature of freelance work.

Ive thought about going full-time in blogging, but its a lot of waiting around for money. Even though youre putting yourself out there, it can be quite a lonely place, she explains to Independent.ie.

Im very talkative, I love interacting with people and I wouldnt enjoy feeling quite isolated working on my own. It can be lonely sitting ay my computer typing blog posts. I have seen the difference in girls who were doing it part-time in comparison to those who moved into blogging full-time.

Im speaking to Bejaoui via a Whatsapp call as she is in Thailand on holidays at the time of our interview. During that trip, her feed is filled with images of her signature aesthetic, which she describes as minimal, slightly sexual and monochromatic. I ask her about the suggestive nature of her images, which she says is simply due to a healthy relationship with her body; something shes keen to encourage other young women to embrace.

My background has always been to express ourselves. Our parents never oversexualised anything, we were allowed to expressive ourselves for who we are. Its always been tasteful, she explained.

Its important for young girls to understand as theyre getting older, theyre developing and sexuality shouldnt be made out to be wrong. 

Expand Close Lauren Bejaoui for Parfois in 2014, when she was 19. Picture: Johnny McMillan / Facebook

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Im very lucky in that I was always allowed to express myself, it was understood. Everyone has sexuality. You shouldnt be uncomfortable in it. Her ethos rings familiar of Emily Ratajkowski, the model and actress who is on a one woman mission to change perceptions of the female form and championing a new form of feminism.

Emily, along with a number of Instagrams most influential users including Kendall Jenner, who are campaigning against the companys ban on images with womens nipples. Its aptly called #FreeTheNipple.

Im all for it. To censor something such as the nipples is absolutely ridiculous, especially since men have the exact same part. Its quite disappointing that such a big platform sexualises nipples. We all came from someone with two nipples, its crazy, Lauren explains.

When I ask does she feel a certain intimacy sharing such sensual pictures of herself, she says: Ive grown up in a different generation, not much intimacy in terms of that sort of thing.

Shes her own photographer, mastering literally all of her angles since she first began dipping her toe in the social media world with a Tumblr account in secondary school.

I stood out a bit at the time, no one else was really doing what I was, she says. Which is certainly true. Back when Lauren was showing campaign-worthy close-ups of her body, the rest of us were taking pictures of our crappy lunch.

I was in school, studying away and in that sense, it was normal as it would be for teen, she explains of her start. When I was in fourth year, I realised I wanted to do something a bit more creative and do more. I realised from a young age that I wanted to working with people big in the industry and learn from them hands-on.

Instead of waiting to get involved, I got to a point where I was sitting in empty classes and doing nothing in transition year. I thought to myself, I cant just sit here. There was nothing on offer fashion-wise, so my mum met the principal who agreed to let me do work experience. It meant I would be absent from school more, but I would regularly report back with what I was doing.

I worked with magazines and stylists and wound up modelling on a few shoots, it was really productive and Im really happy I did it.

Is she ambitious? Yes. Definitely. I come from a family of doctors.

With the increasing availability of social media platforms to maximise your digital presence, Bejaoui is sticking mostly to Instagram  which, depending on your speciality, is the most influential and certainly most lucrative of the big three (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Unlike some of her peers, she doesnt get lost in the idea of documenting every aspect of her life, which she still believes is for living and not for likes.

The thing I will say is that I will go a week without posing a picture, which can be a good and bad thing. Im on holidays now, I never stress myself out or make things difficult for myself, she explained.

And long may it last.Member of the jury, German actress Diane Kruger and partner US actor Joshua Jackson arrive for the screening of "Killing them Softly" presented in competition at the 65th Cannes film festival on May 22, 2012 in Cannes

Actors Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson attend the Jaeger Le-Coultre Gala Dinner Fondazione Cini at Hotel Des Baines during the 65th Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Member of the jury, German actress Diane Kruger and partner US actor Joshua Jackson arrive for the screening of "Killing them Softly" presented in competition at the 65th Cannes film festival on May 22, 2012 in Cannes

Actors Joshua Jackson (L) and Diane Kruger attend the W Magazine celebration of the 'Best Performances' Portfolio and The Golden Globes with Cadillac and Dom Perignon at Chateau Marmont on January 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for W Magazine)

Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger attend a premiere for 'Black Mass' during the 72nd Venice Film Festival on September 4, 2015 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

Actress Diane Kruger (R) and actor Joshua Jackson depart from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Actress Diane Kruger and Actor Joshua Jackson attend the 65th Anniversary Party at the Agora May 21, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Actress Diane Kruger isn't holding back when it comes to divulging life after a long-term romance.

The 41-year-old split with long-time love Joshua Jackson in 2016 after 10 years together, a decision which she describes as "liberating".

"This was a long time coming, she told Vulture. "Also we broke up many months before we said we were broken up, so by the time I made that decision, it didnt feel like it was so urgent anymore. You dont break up overnight after 10 years, you know what I mean?"

Being single allowed her to focus solely on her recent performance in German film In The Fade, for which she was honoured at last year's Cannes Film Festival.

Expand Close Actors Joshua Jackson (L) and Diane Kruger attend the W Magazine celebration of the 'Best Performances' Portfolio and The Golden Globes with Cadillac and Dom Perignon at Chateau Marmont on January 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for W Magazine) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Actors Joshua Jackson (L) and Diane Kruger attend the W Magazine celebration of the 'Best Performances' Portfolio and The Golden Globes with Cadillac and Dom Perignon at Chateau Marmont on January 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for W Magazine)

"It wasnt like an urgent, 'Oh my god, I cant sleep at night', thing. Actually, it felt liberating because I didn't have to worry about that anymore, so I could immerse myself 100 percent into something else," she said.

"Nobody came to visit me, I didnt have to worry about anything else but this."

When asked if she missed the on-set support from a partner, she responded: "I didnt want one. Its a distraction."

Kruger has been dating The Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus for nearly a year and said she has learned from her mistakes in part relationships in a recent interview with Boston Common magazine.

Expand Close Actress Diane Kruger (R) and actor Joshua Jackson depart from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Actress Diane Kruger (R) and actor Joshua Jackson depart from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

"There are certain things I wont accept anymore," she said. I think when youre in a long-term relationship, you start making excuses, and youre making a lot of compromises - which obviously you need to make to make things work - but I think there are certain things that Ive learned I dont want to accept anymore ... The older I get, its about focusing on the people that I have left: my mom, my brother, my grandfather and my boyfriend. I just want to be present in my life and not try to project so much into the future."

"Being too comfortable freaks me out, so I like the idea of doing new things ... I think lifes better with somebody holding your hand, but Ive also learned that I need to take care of myself first. In the past, Ive been incredibly disappointed in people. You think youre moving toward the same goal, and then youre not."Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski poses during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

Russian model Natalia Vodianova (L) and US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski pose during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

Emily Ratajkowski is seen backstage ahead of the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 23, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)

(L-R) Emily Ratajkowski and Sara Sampaio are seen backstage ahead of the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 23, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)

Emily Ratajkowski is seen backstage ahead of the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 23, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)

(R-L) Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid are seen backstage ahead of the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 23, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)

Emily Ratajkowski is seen backstage ahead of the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 23, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)

Emily Ratajkowski is seen backstage ahead of the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 23, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta)

US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski poses during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

Russian model Natalia Vodianova (L) and US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski pose during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski poses during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski poses during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski poses during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

US actress and model Emily Ratajkowski poses during a photocall before the Christian Dior women's 2018 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, on September 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick KOVARIKPATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Christian Dior show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on September 26, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Dior)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Valentino show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Valentino show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Valentino show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski has been something of a chameleon during Paris Fashion Week.

The model and actress has been busy embracing some of the biggest parties in the City of Light, which requires an enviable amount of outfit changes. The 26-year-old was among the famous faces at Vogue's PFW party on Sunday, opting for a shirt dress with a seriously plunging neckline and ruffled asymmetric hem, which is a return to her trademark sexy image, in contrast to the more demure options we've seen her in over recent days.

Expand Close Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Emily Ratajkowski attends the Vogue Party as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 at Le Petit Palais on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

For the Valentino show earlier in the day, she covered up in a crisp white shirt, utility trousers with belt detail and she looked impossibly pretty at the Dior show last week. Despite her high profile, Ratajkowski was notably absent from London and New York fashion weeks (she was instead enjoying some downtime in her second home of Bantry, Co Cork) and made a surprise runway appearance for Bottega Veneta in Milan. So it stands to reason that she has been compensating in Paris, where she is joined by her long-term boyfriend Jeff Magid.

Ratajkowski has been vocal about her experience with body acceptance and recently hit out at a French magazine for claiming they altered her lips and breasts for a recent spread. "Everyone is uniquely beautiful in their own ways," she wrote alongside the two photographs, in which she poses in a black coat and beret. "We all have insecurities about the things that make us different from a typical ideal of beauty.

Expand Close Emily Ratajkowski attends the Valentino show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Emily Ratajkowski attends the Valentino show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 1, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

"I, like so many of us, try every day to work past those insecurities. I was extremely disappointed to see my lips and breasts altered in Photoshop on this cover. I hope the fashion industry will finally learn to stop trying to stifle the things that make us unique and instead begin to celebrate individuality."Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

One of two official engagement photos released Kensington Palace of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

In this handout photo provided by Kensington Palace, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos at Frogmore House in December, 2017 in Windsor, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alexi Lubomirski via Getty Images)

In this handout photo provided by Kensington Palace, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos at Frogmore House in December, 2017 in Windsor, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alexi Lubomirski via Getty Images)

A third official engagement photo released by Kensington Palace of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taken by Alexi Lubomirski earlier this week at Frogmore House, Windsor.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle leave St Mary Magdalene's church after the Royal Family's Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain, December 25, 2017. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle partied in a very private region of Monaco to celebrate the start of 2018.

The 33-year-old royal and his fiancee were spotted flying economy class to Nice in the French Riviera over the weekend to start their New Years celebrations, but it has now been revealed the pair didnt stay in the city long before getting into a helicopter and being whisked off to Monaco.

Whilst there, the pair reportedly partied like tycoons with the likes of Prince Albert of Monaco, and his wife, Princess Charlene, before their brief visit was drawn to a close when the couple flew back to England on Tuesday.

A source told MailOnline: "Harry and Meghan were somewhere very private and very expensive. Monte Carlo is party central at this time of the year, and the word is that the British royals really enjoyed themselves.

Expand Close In this handout photo provided by Kensington Palace, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos at Frogmore House in December, 2017 in Windsor, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alexi Lubomirski via Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp In this handout photo provided by Kensington Palace, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos at Frogmore House in December, 2017 in Windsor, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alexi Lubomirski via Getty Images)

The fun could well have been laid on by Prince Albert, who is a close friend of Harry's. What's certain is that they were partying like tycoons on New Year's Day. Fun around Monaco is never understated, and always costs a fortune!

However, a spokesperson for the Princes Palace of Monaco has dismissed the claims Harry and Meghan spent any time with Albert and Charlene.

They said: I haven't got any information about that. I'm not aware of it at all, not at all. It must have been private if it was the case, but I don't know about it at all. It's news to me.

Harry and Meghans quick trip comes just before they are set to make their first royal engagement of 2018 next week, as they will be heading off to youth-orientated Reprezent FM in Brixton, London, on January 9.

Whilst at the radio studio, Harry and Meghan, 36, will learn more about the training programmes, and meet some of the current and former volunteers who have benefited from their time on the courses.Prosecutors are considering bringing charges against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein after police in Beverly Hills handed over two investigations.

They are believed to be the first cases considered by prosecutors since dozens of women came forward to accuse the producer of sexual harassment and assault.

Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced the development on Tuesday, but did not discuss specifics of the allegations.

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Spokesman Greg Risling said: Two cases have been presented to our office by the Beverly Hills Police Department regarding Mr Weinstein and are under review.

Beverly Hills police spokeswoman Lieutenant Elisabeth Albanese confirmed the development, but said there would be no further comment until prosecutors decide whether to press charges.

Mr Risling also announced that police handed over five files on film-maker James Toback, who has been publicly accused of harassment by actresses including Selma Blair and Julianne Moore.

Toback, 73, has not been directly contactable but has denied claims to the Rolling Stone magazine and The Los Angeles Times, which has reported more than 200 women have made allegations against him.

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Whatsapp Five files against film-maker James Toback have also been handed to police

Beverly Hills police previously said it had received multiple complaints against Weinstein, 65.

Numerous public claims about Weinsteins behaviour in Beverly Hills hotels have been aired, including by actress Dominique Huett who is suing him over an allegation of sexual assault.

She alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her at the Peninsula hotel in November 2010.

A second actress, who was not named in court documents, accused Weinstein of raping her in the Montage hotel in 2016 after he discussed giving her a role in a TV series.

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Weinsteins downfall began with a New York Times investigation in which actress Ashley Judd said he sexually harassed her in the Peninsula in 1997 during what she expected to be a business meeting.

Police in London, New York and the city of Los Angeles are also investigating Weinstein.

He has denied any allegations of non-consensual sex and a source close to him suggested prosecutors will dismiss the latest cases due to Californias since-scrapped statute of limitations.Actresses Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor are seen out and about on October 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)

Actresses Sarah Paulson (L) and Holland Taylor attend the 32nd annual Television Critics Association Awards during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Actresses Sarah Paulson (L) and Holland Taylor attend the 32nd annual Television Critics Association Awards during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Sarah Paulson thinks there is something "brave" in her relationship with Holland Taylor.

The 'American Horror Story' star says she shares the same "soul" as her girlfriend, who is 30 years her senior, and believes their relationship "represents a certain amount of hope and risk".

She said: "I do not want to be defined by who I share my bed, my home, my soul with. My choices in life have been unconventional, and thats my business. But I do want to live responsibly and truthfully without hiding. Its complicated, because there is a lot of hate in this world, and a lot of good can come from quote-unquote normalising something for people who dont see it as normal.

"Our relationship represents a certain amount of hope and risk. Maybe theres something brave in it. Maybe it encourages others to make brave choices. What else can I say? We love each other."

Expand Close Actresses Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor are seen out and about on October 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Actresses Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor are seen out and about on October 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)

And the 43-year-old actress has ruled out having kids in the future but considers the decision she has made is "selfish".

She added to Town and Country magazine: "I dont want to be torn. I dont want to look at my child and say, 'Youre the most extraordinary thing that ever happened to me, but also the death knell'. It was hard for my mother to be everywhere, to come to the school play and make a living.

"Ive always known what I wanted out of my professional life, and I didnt want to turn around and go, If I had only made the choice to just dedicate this time in my life to me.' Its selfish, but I think the word selfish gets a bad rap."Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge arrive at Berlin Tegel Airport during an official visit to Poland and Germany on July 19, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince George accompanied by Britain's Prince William (L), Duke of Cambridge arrives for his first day of school at Thomas's school in Battersea, southwest London on September 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / RICHARD POHLERICHARD POHLE/AFP/Getty Images

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive to attend the service at St Mark's Church on Christmas Day on December 25, 2016 in Bucklebury, Berkshire. (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince George during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on July 8, 2016 in Fairford, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge are seen leaving from Victoria Harbour Airport on October 1, 2016 in Victoria, Canada. (Photo by Danny Martindale/FilmMagic)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge holds flowers up to Princess Charlotte of Cambridge as they depart Victoria on October 1, 2016 in Victoria, Canada. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour, this year marking the Queen's 90th birthday on June 11, 2016 in London, England. The ceremony is Queen Elizabeth II's annual birthday parade and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge with her daughter Princess Charlotte outside St Mark's church in Englefield, Berkshire, following the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews.

The Duchess of Cambridge with her daughter Princess Charlotte outside St Mark's church in Englefield, Berkshire, following the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews.

Princess Charlotte with her mother the Duchess of Cambridge as they visit Airbus in Hamburg, Germany with the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Geaorge. Photo credit : Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Princess Charlotte with her mother the Duchess of Cambridge as they visit Airbus in Hamburg, Germany with the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Geaorge. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Prince George and Princess Charlotte look our the plane window as they arrive with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Warsaw's Chopin Airport for the start of their five-day tour of Poland and Germany. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Warsaw airport to start a 3 day tour on July 17, 2017 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Arthur Edwards / Pool/ Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge with Princess Charlotte leave Warsaw, Poland, as they head to Germany

Prince George of Cambridge with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge at a children's party for Military families during the Royal Tour of Canada on September 29, 2016 in Victoria, Canada

The picture used on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2017 Christmas card which was taken by Getty Images royal photographer Chris Jackson at Kensington Palace showing the royal couple with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive to attend the morning Christmas Day service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire.

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge (L) with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at the airport in Warsaw, Poland, on July 17, 2017

Royals have a rule for everything.

If the last 12 months have taught us anything in the world of celebrity, it's the importance of rule-following in royal circles, which means everything from carrying your clutch in a certain way and the proper way to curtsy. For years, life behind the gates of any palace was kept a mystery, but even the British royals recognise the need for more transparency, which results in delightfully rampant speculation behind their every, increasingly public move.

And while Kate Middleton and Prince William might be modernising the monarchy, they are still rather traditional when it comes to some of their parenting styles, namely their pairing up: Kate is always pictured hand in hand with Princess Charlotte (two) and Prince William with son Prince George (four).

Parenting expert Jasmine Peters said the move is a conscious one which she believes shows them lining up their eldest for his future role as King of England.

Expand Close The picture used on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2017 Christmas card which was taken by Getty Images royal photographer Chris Jackson at Kensington Palace showing the royal couple with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte / Facebook

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Whatsapp The picture used on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2017 Christmas card which was taken by Getty Images royal photographer Chris Jackson at Kensington Palace showing the royal couple with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte

"Fathers are typically responsible for the disciplinary actions, redirection, protection and provision of the family," she told Femail.

"It is not uncommon to see a father with his son to set the foundation of what his role and responsibilities will be in life with a family. It is often believed that it takes a man to raise a boy to be a man. If you look at the pictures it clearly reflects this common belief."

"Yes, it could reflect that Kate and William are traditional, but it also reflects the importance of the bond created between father and son and mother and daughter that they both treasure and hold dearly as responsible and loving parents."

Ms Peters added that it might be simply down to their intention to create a strong mother-daughter and father-son bond, which was in particular on display during their trip to Canada in 2016.

Expand Close The Duchess of Cambridge with her daughter Princess Charlotte outside St Mark's church in Englefield, Berkshire, following the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews. / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Duchess of Cambridge with her daughter Princess Charlotte outside St Mark's church in Englefield, Berkshire, following the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews.

"Children often equate their worth to the parent that looks like them," she added.

"The couple are clearly loving parents who understand the importance of a strong mother-daughter and father-son bond, according to Jasmine

"Although these pictures can look a bit traditional, William and Kate may also understand the importance of a son bonding with his father and a daughter bonding with her mother."An injured man is transported over water from the site of the crash (AP)

At least 48 people were killed in Peru when a bus tumbled down a cliff from a narrow stretch of road known as the Devil's Curve, authorities said.

The bus, carrying 57 people in total, was heading for the capital, Lima, when it was struck by a tractor trailer and plunged down the slope onto a rocky beach, firefighter Claudia Espinoza said.

The blue bus came to rest upside down on a strip of shore next to the Pacific, with passengers' bodies strewn among the rocks.

Peruvian president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said: "It's very sad for us as a country to suffer an accident of this magnitude."

Rescuers struggled to reach survivors and recover the dead from the hard-to-reach spot in Pasamayo, about 43 miles north of Lima.

No road leads directly to the beach, complicating rescue efforts. Police and firefighters used helicopters to transport six survivors with serious injuries to nearby hospitals.

Colonel Dino Escudero said 48 people were confirmed dead with at least three other people missing.

Transportation minister Bruno Giuffra said initial reports indicated both vehicles involved were travelling at high speed at the time of the crash.

As rescue operations continued late into the night, authorities announced a suspect had been detained for allegedly stealing from the victims.

Traffic accidents are common in Peru, with more than 2,600 people killed in 2016.

More than three dozen people died when three buses and a truck collided in 2015 on the main coastal road.

Twenty people were killed in November when a bus plunged off a bridge into a river in the southern Andes.

The nation's deadliest traffic crash on record happened in 2013 when a makeshift bus carrying 51 Quechua Indians back from a party in south-eastern Peru fell from a cliff into a river, killing everyone on board.

Many of the passengers in Tuesday's crash were returning to Lima after celebrating the New Year holiday with family outside the city.

The road is known as the Devil's Curve because it is narrow, frequently shrouded in mist and winds along a cliff which is a notorious accident blackspot.

Police said the bus fell an estimated 262ft.

Miguel Sidia, a transportation expert in Peru, said that while road conditions in the Andean nation have improved in recent years, lack of driver education and little enforcement of road rules still lead to many fatalities each year.

He called on authorities to immediately conduct studies into building a new road further from the cliff where the accident occurred.

"As a Peruvian, it's shameful," he said.A world-renowned harpist who has played for the Queen and several prime ministers is on trial along with her former partner accused of sexually abusing a schoolboy.

Danielle Perrett (59) has given harp performances at royal palaces in the UK as well as at the Palace of Versailles in France.

She has also performed to senior members of the royal family including the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on numerous occasions.

She is on trial at Ipswich Crown Court alongside her former partner Richard Barton-Wood (68) where they are charged with a string of sex offences, all of which they deny.

The charges relate to the 1980s and involve a single alleged male victim, who was in his early teens at the time.

Perrett, of Bridge Street, Alpheton, Suffolk, denies eight counts of indecently assaulting a boy.

Barton-Wood, of Church Street, Wymondham, Norfolk, denies six counts of indecently assaulting a boy, one count of attempting to indecently assault a boy and one count of attempting to commit the act of buggery.

William Carter, prosecuting, said Barton-Wood first met the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, while working as a substitute teacher and the boy was a pupil.

Mr Carter said Perrett was in a relationship with Barton-Wood at the time, and it was through him that she met the boy.

Barton-Wood invited the boy to come sailing with him, and the boy recalled waking on a boat to find he was being sexually abused by Barton-Wood, the court heard.

The boy said this happened on several occasions and that he was also abused by Barton-Wood on camping trips, Mr Carter said.

The court heard that on a separate occasion Barton-Wood took the boy to a flat with Perrett, and the boy awoke as Perrett undressed and got into bed with him.

Perrett "cuddled up" to the boy, had sex with him and then Barton-Wood joined them in bed and indecently assaulted the boy, Mr Carter said.

"(The boy) describes her as kind and gentle," said Mr Carter. "Young as he was, it seems he fell in love with her.

"He was obviously too young to consent to what was happening and Perrett should have recognised that."

He continued: "It amounts to sexual abuse of that young boy."

Mr Carter said that years later, as an adult, the alleged victim tracked down and confronted the two defendants.

The alleged victim emailed Barton-Wood, and Barton-Wood said he felt the email was "in some way threatening", the court heard.

"He said he felt he was being blackmailed," Mr Carter said.

"He said there were subsequent phone conversations in which he said he wanted money."

Perrett described the alleged victim as "devious, scheming and dishonest", Mr Carter said.

Mr Carter said: "What's going to be fundamental to this case is did any of this happen at all or is it a complete fabrication."

The trial, estimated to last around two weeks, continues.A prominent German MP is facing a criminal investigation over a tweet in which she described Muslims as "barbarian, gang-raping hordes".

Beatrix von Storch, of the nationalist Alternative for Germany party (AfD), accused police in Cologne of seeking to "appease" Muslim migrants after they tweeted a new year message in Arabic.

"What the hell is going on in this country? Why is an official police site tweeting in Arabic? Are they trying to appease the barbarian, Muslim, gang-raping male hordes?" Ms von Storch wrote. Her account was subsequently suspended.

The politician is being investigated under Germany's strict hate speech laws and could face up to five years in prison if charged and found guilty.

Cologne police said its new year message contained a link to important public safety information and had been tweeted in several languages in order to reach as wide an audience as possible. In addition to German, it was tweeted in English, French and Arabic.

Ms von Storch's remarks were a reference to the Cologne new year sex attacks of two years ago, in which more than 500 women were sexually assaulted in the area around the cathedral and main railway station. The overwhelming majority of suspects in the assaults were migrants of North African origin.

Blocked

The politician's Twitter account was temporarily suspended over her tweet. The controversy comes months after Germany introduced new laws under which social media sites face heavy fines if they do not remove posts that contain hate speech.

Ms von Storch later tried to post the same remarks on Facebook, but the social media site blocked the post.

The AfD became the first nationalist party to sit in the German parliament since the 1960s last year after winning 92 seats in September's elections.

Cologne police said the investigation against Ms von Storch was standard procedure where hate speech was suspected.

"This is a normal procedure and nothing special," said Thomas Held, a police spokesman.

"If we suspect a criminal offence, we are legally obliged to investigate."

He defended the police's decision to post its new year tweet in several languages.

"Our intention is to reach people," he said.

"Some people are wondering about it, but for us it's a normal way to spread information."Mr Philippe, centre, called for those responsible to be caught (AP)

The French prime minister has called for those behind a New Year's Eve attack on two police officers which was captured in a video that went viral to be punished with "great judicial severity".

Edouard Philippe spoke on France 2 television after the assault in Champigny-sur-Marne gathered nationwide attention.

The attackers have not yet been identified and authorities are continuing their inquiries.

Dozens of police officers have taken part in demonstrations in several cities across France since the attack, demanding justice for the targeted officers and greater protection from the government.

In October 2016, a Molotov cocktail attack on police officers also triggered widespread protests.Harveys and Bensons for Beds have secured a loan to replace investment that was supposed to come from the retailers scandal-hit parent firm, South Africas Steinhoff.

The duo said in a statement that a two-year independent finance facility will support the future growth of both businesses as well as a manufacturing division with factories in Bridgend, Huntingdon and Taunton.

It will replace Steinhoffs unspecified planned investment in full, the pair said, and was struck through Pepkor, the main Steinhoff umbrella group in Europe.

It comes amid mounting speculation that Steinhoffs British assets, which also include Poundland, could be sold.

Ratings agency Moodys warned last week that Steinhoff may not have sufficient funds to sustain its European operations.

Steinhoff was plunged into crisis last month after revelations of accounting irregularities linked to its 2016 accounts, although on Tuesday the group said the issues could run even further back.

The initial disclosure triggered a share price collapse, a management overhaul, lenders deserting the firm and credit insurance being withdrawn from its operating companies.

Stuart Machin, group chief executive of Harveys and Bensons for Beds, said: Harveys, Bensons for Beds and our manufacturing businesses have always been run independently and for British customers.

This new finance facility will allow us to continue to build on the progress weve made in the last few months.

Despite the calamity at the parent company, Mr Machin said that both brands had a good Christmas.

We face the new year with new confidence, focused on delivering great customer service and stylish, quality products at great value prices, executing our transformation plan for Harveys and continuing with our plans to manufacture even more of our great products in the UK, he said.Britains financial watchdog has opened an investigation into infrastructure giant Carillion as the troubled firms woes continue.

The company, which is embroiled in an ongoing crisis that has involved a string of profits warnings, said on Wednesday that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is probing the timeliness and content of announcements made between December 7 2016 and July 10 2017.

It covers a period of turmoil for the HS2 contractor, in which the firms share price plunged and its chief executive departed following a warning over profits.

Carillion said it is co-operating fully with the FCA.

In December, the firm, which is scrambling to reduce its debt pile, struck an agreement with its lenders to defer a crucial financial covenant test, a development that will give the troubled group more breathing space.

In November, the HS2 contractor issued its latest profit warning and said it will breach its debt covenants, which resulted in another share price collapse.

The firm said at the time that annual profits are set to be materially lower than current market expectations as it grapples with a string of delays and smaller-than-expected improvements to margins on certain contracts.Hillary Clinton makes a statement after losing out to Donald Trump in the presidential election

Firefighters put out a blaze on Wednesday at a Secret Service building on the property of the home of former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, New York, police and a Clinton spokesman said.

There were no injuries in the fire, said Sergeant Arthur Mendoza of the New Castle Police Department, adding he could not immediately provide more details.

Nick Merrill, a spokesman for Hillary Clinton, said on Twitter that the Secret Service facility where the fire broke out was not connected to the house. The Clintons were not home, he said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. The U.S. Secret Service spokesman could not immediately be reached.

The local Journal News, citing radio transmissions from emergency services, said the fire was reported at 2:50 p.m. and was quickly extinguished. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.

The Clintons purchased the five-bedroom, 5,232-square-foot (486-square-metre) home for $1.7 million in 1999, the Journal News said. Chappaqua is about 40 miles (64 km) north of New York City.Shares in Plus500 have soared after the spreadbetting firm said it would outstrip expectations after reaping the rewards of the cryptocurrency boom.

The company saw strong volumes of contract for difference trades (CFD) in cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, while new customer numbers more than doubled to 246,000 last year.

Plus500 surged around 16% in morning trading on the London Stock Exchange, as it chalked up record revenues in the final quarter of the year and said annual revenues and profits would come in ahead of market forecasts.

Chief executive Asaf Elimelech said: We are pleased to announce another strong period in both revenues and profits.

Momentum in the business has continued to be strong, with increased interest in our cryptocurrency CFD offering and record new and active customer numbers, demonstrating our ability to serve our customers trading needs through product innovation and technology leadership.

Bitcoin endured a tumultuous ride at the tail end of 2017, reaching nearly 20,000 US dollars (14,746) in mid-December before tumbling to around 12,000 US dollars (8,847) on the final day of the year.

The sharp slump was prompted by fears of a regulatory crackdown in South Korea designed to curb market speculation.

Bitcoin remains a divisive issue, with JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon branding the digital currency a fraud, while Christine Lagarde, of the International Monetary Fund, has said it may not be wise to dismiss virtual currencies.

The UK Government has announced plans for closer scrutiny of the cryptocurrency as part of EU-wide plans which will require online platforms trading in Bitcoin to carry out due diligence and report suspicious transactions.

Bitcoin was marginally lower at 14,737 US dollars (10,865) on Wednesday, according to prices listed on Coindesk.The move comes after South Korea offered high-level talks with rival North Korea (AP)

A South Korean government official checks the direct communications hotline to the North Korean side (Yonhap/AP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years as the rivals explore the possibility of talks after months of acrimony.

Mr Kim's announcement, read by a senior official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks to find ways to co-operate on next month's Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for Peaceful Reunification, said Mr Kim welcomed South Korea's overture and had ordered officials to reopen a communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom.

South Korea quickly welcomed the decision and later confirmed the two Koreas had started preliminary contacts on the channel.

But even among the sudden signs of easing animosity, Donald Trump threatened Mr Kim with nuclear war.

In his new year address on Monday, Mr Kim said he was willing to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics, b ut he also said he has a "nuclear button" on his desk and that all US territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons.

This prompted the US president to boast of a bigger and more powerful "nuclear button" than Mr Kim's.

The two leaders exchanged crude insults last year after the UN imposed new sanctions over the North's sixth and most powerful nuclear test explosion and a series of intercontinental ballistic launches.

The recent softening of contact between the rival Koreas may show a shared interest in improved ties, but there is no guarantee tensions will ease.

There have been repeated attempts in recent years by the rivals to talk, but the efforts often end in recrimination and stalemate.

Outside critics say Mr Kim may be trying to use better ties with South Korea as a way to weaken the alliance between Washington and Seoul as Pyongyang grapples with toughened international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes.

Since taking office last May, South Korea's liberal President Moon Jae-in has pushed hard to improve ties and resume stalled co-operation projects with North Korea. Pyongyang had not responded to his outreach until Mr Kim's new year address.

Relations between the Koreas soured under Mr Moon's conservative predecessors, who responded to the North's expanding nuclear programme with hardline measures.

All major rapprochement projects were put on hold one by one, and the Panmunjom communication channel has been suspended since February 2016.

Mr Moon has pushed for more pressure and sanctions on North Korea, but he still favours dialogue as a way to resolve the nuclear stand-off.

The Trump administration says all options are on the table, including military measures against the North, but M r Moon has repeatedly said he opposes any war on the Korean peninsula.

Some observers believe these differences may have led Mr Kim to think he could drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington as a way to weaken their alliance and international sanctions.

Talks could provide a temporary thaw in strained inter-Korean ties, but conservative critics worry that they may only earn the North time to perfect its nuclear weapons.

After the Olympics, inter-Korean ties could become frosty again because the North has made it clear it has no intention of accepting international calls for nuclear disarmament and instead wants to bolster its weapons arsenal in the face of what it considers increasing US threats.

APThe competition watchdog is to investigate the 1.25 billion US dollars (935 million) merger between soft drinks firms Refresco and Cott after warning that shoppers could face higher prices as a result of the deal.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the takeover by Dutch company Refresco of Cotts global beverage manufacturing business could lead to higher prices for some supermarkets and leading household brands.

Refresco and Cott manufacture, package and distribute soft drinks for a number of brands  including Sunny D and Um Bongo  as well as supermarkets and shops in the UK.

While the CMAs initial investigation into the merger did not find any competition concerns for the majority of these products, the watchdog said on Wednesday that an aseptic production process for juice drinks is concerning.

The CMA said: Both companies supply juice drinks using a special aseptic production process that allows them to be sold preservative-free and without refrigeration.

Only one other competitor in the UK currently supplies third parties with juice drinks using this production process.

The CMA is therefore concerned that, after the merger, the combined business might be able to increase prices or lower quality standards.

The CMA said it will refer the merger for an in-depth investigation unless Refresco offers acceptable undertakings to address competition concerns.

Rachel Merelie, acting CMA executive director and decision-maker, said: These companies supply well-known UK shops and brands with soft drinks, who in turn sell these to thousands of people daily. It is therefore important that we address any issues to ensure that shoppers do not lose out.

We have looked at all aspects of this merger and have concerns that the merger could lead to reduced competition in the manufacturing and packaging of certain juice drinks. This may result in higher prices or quality standards slipping for stores and brands, with potential knock-on effects to end-consumers.

Refresco said it is currently examining the details of the decision and is willing to offer suitable remedies and will fully co-operate with the CMA to address the concerns raised.You take so much effort to craft an email, only to find out that the recipients have not even opened, read or responded. Isnt it frustrating? Did you know that 40% of adults never read marketing emails?

That they dont like to be bombarded with unsolicited emails is one side of the coin. There are several other reasons why they simply press Delete button to dump their emails in the spam or junk folder. Your timing of sending the email could be wrong, it could too text heavy, the subject line isnt effective or there is no personalization.

Instead of being disappointed, you need to adopt an email strategy that ticks all boxes that get your emails opened, read and responded. Here are the best practices that make your email perfect.

1. Know Your Target Audience

You cant send emails to every Tom, Dick and Harry. Define your target recipients in terms of their demographics. For example, if you are in the business of HR consultancy, your customers are likely to be the companies with at least 10-20 employees. Startups, sole proprietor firms or partnership ventures with less than five employees will not require HR services. Similarly, if you provide consultancy only in specific locations, the audience size becomes more definite. According to an extensive reportby DMA on email marketing, Segmented and targeted emails can generate 58% of all revenue.

2. Send with a Clear Marketing Goal

What is the purpose of an email campaign? It could be to create brand awareness, offer discounts, generate more leads or fuel repeat purchases. The marketing goals will ensure that you write a specific mail.

3. Personalize the Emails

Statistics reveal that:

 Personalized email messages improve click-through rates by an average of 14% and conversions by 10%.

 Emails with personalized subject lines are 26% times more likely to be opened.

(Source: CampaignMarketer)

Your email should address the target customer by name instead of generic style Dear Customer. It is also advisable to write the emails in conversational and 2nd person narrative You  it adds a more personal touch. They should be able tofind a motivation to read the emails and know whats there for them. If possible, you should include the details of their previous purchases for a subtle reminder that you value them as your existing customers.

4. Focus on Every Element of Emails

Whether it is the senders name, subject line or the body of the email - every element matters to making it perfect. Ideally, the email size should be such that customer can see in a single preview from their desktop or mobile phones. Lets take a look at each of these elements:

 Sender Name: Obviously this is the first thing that the recipient notices in an email. So, make sure that your email id includes either your name or the business name. The more specific the email ID address is more credibility it will establish. An email id like info@myntra.com is likely to receive more response than noreply@business.com!

 Subject Line: It should be enticing without sounding predictable, urgent without being uncanny, crisp without being cryptic and action-driven without being unemotional. In a surveyby Digital Marketer, of the top performing email subject lines, there were eight common factors:

o Self-interest

o Curiosity

o Offer

o Urgency/Scarcity

o Humanity

o News

o Social Proof

o Story

 First Line: The starting line of the email should focus on You instead of I. Make the customer central point of the conversation right from the beginning.

 Copy: The body of the emails should also be short and sweet, ideally around 150 words and less than 5 sentences. If your product is such that you need to explain more, then you could insert a link that will take them to a web page for further information. Include urgency triggers such as final, last day, limited period, today, tomorrow, now and only 24 hours left. A call-to-action button such as Start the free trial or Click her to know more also make agood element of the copy.

5. Time it Right

Did your digital marketing training teach you that there is a perfect time to shoot your emails? For example, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the best open days while the weekends are considered the worst days. Similarly, 11 am works fine to send emails from Monday to Saturday and on Sunday, its 9 pm!

6. Dont Spam

Stick sending the emails to the subscriber list because they have given their consent to receive emails. However, it does not mean that you keep spamming their mailboxes. The frequency of emails should be ideally 1-3 emails a week. Anymore than that will have them opt-out.

With the above tips, you should start seeing the results immediately. If you want to get an elaborate insight into what and how of emails, it is advisable to enrollincourses in digital marketingthat have a special focus on email marketing.

Talentedge facilitates working professionals in stepping up the career ladder by offering a range of courses in the most current domains, from the top institutes. If you want build your career in digital marketing, head to their website and check out the range of courses.Yokohama, Japan, Jan 3 (IBNS): Nissan unveiled research on Wednesday that will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the drivers brain, redefining how people interact with their cars.

The companys Brain-to-Vehicle, or B2V, technology promises to speed up reaction times for drivers and will lead to cars that keep adapting to make driving more enjoyable.

Nissan will demonstrate capabilities of this exclusive technology at the CES 2018 trade show in Las Vegas. B2V is the latest development in Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the companys vision for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.

When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines. Yet B2V technology does the opposite, by using signals from their own brain to make the drive even more exciting and enjoyable, said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci. Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are moving people to a better world by delivering more autonomy, more electrification and more connectivity.

This breakthrough from Nissan is the result of research into using brain decoding technology to predict a drivers actions and detect discomfort:



Other possible uses include adjusting the vehicles internal environment, said Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, senior innovation researcher at the Nissan Research Center in Japan, whos leading the B2V research. For example, the technology can use augmented reality to adjust what the driver sees and create a more relaxing environment.

The potential applications of the technology are incredible, Gheorghe said. This research will be a catalyst for more Nissan innovation inside our vehicles in the years to come.

Nissans B2V technology is the worlds first system of its kind. The driver wears a device that measures brain wave activity, which is then analyzed by autonomous systems. By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take actions  such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car  0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible.

Nissan will use a driving simulator to demonstrate some elements of the technology at CES, and Gheorghe will be on hand to answer questions. Nissans display will be at booth 5431 in the Las Vegas Convention Centers North Hall.

New York, Jan 3 (JEN): La Nina is expected to impact weather around the world in 2018, a United Nations relief official said, urging governments and the international community to act early to mitigate the impacts from this potentially destructive weather pattern and its counterpart, El Nino.

We know that the earlier were able to put in place a response, the more efficient and effective that response can be, Greg Puley, Chief of Policy Advice and Planning Section, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told UN News.

El Nino is the term used to describe the warming of the central to eastern tropical Pacific that occurs, on average, every three to seven years. It raises sea surface temperatures and impacts weather systems around the globe so that some places receive more rain while others receive none at all, often in a reversal of their usual weather pattern.

Its counterpart La Nina is associated with cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures, but it also results in extreme weather.

In 2016, 23 countries  representing 60 million people  had to appeal for emergency aid because of El Nino-related weather events.

While there is never 100 per cent certainty that a weather event will happen, Puley urged governments to be willing to act on the clues.

He discussed insurance, or forecast-based funding, which released funding early, as innovations that have no regrets even if a predicted event does not happen.

If youre aware that excess precipitation is forecast, for example, you can make some investment to reinforce river beds so that the excess precipitation doesnt result in flooding, he said. It will cost you $10 million to reinforce the river bed. It might have cost you $50 or $60 million to provide food, water and shelter to people who are displaced by the flood. You can make those investments when you know.

Photo: Kadir van Lohuizen/NOORIn a recent meeting, Chief Minister of Odisha approved reservation for local students in National Law University, Cuttack (also known as NLU Cuttack and NLU Odisha) which offers admission through Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) . The move has been targeted to benefit local students who want to pursue law education. This decision also made the reservation criteria of the institution in line with some other NLUs.

25% Reservation for Local Students

Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik, approved the insertion of 25% reservation for local Odisha students in the admission process of NLU Odisha. This is certainly going to be of immense benefit to local students as the institute is amongst the best law institutes across the country.

The move also came into force due to strong demand in the state regarding the reservation. Some major NLUs already proffer reservation for domicile students, primary reason why NLU Odisha had to do the same. Some of the institutes offering reservation to local students include:

a Nalsar University of Law (Hyderabad)

a National Law Institute University (Bhopal)

a West Bengal University of Juridical Sciences (Kolkata)

a Hidayatullah National Law University (Raipur)

a Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (Patiala)

a Gujarat National Law University (Gandhinagar)

On the matter, Vice Chancellor of NLU Odisha, Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao said, The proposal would have to be discussed after it is placed before the executive body of the university. If implemented, it will take effect from the next academic year, 2019-2020.

NLU Odisha currently has 180 seats for its undergraduate courses, 120 for BA-LLB course and 60 for BBA-LLB course.



60% Marks in Class XII Needed

Apart from the basic domicile criteria that the candidate must be a resident of state Odisha to get the reservation, the state has also imposed a percentage-based criterion as well.

To be eligible for the reservation, aspirants need to have at least 60% marks in Class 12.



CLAT 2018 Dates Released

Recently, CLAT 2018 dates were announced which will be conducted by National University of Advanced Legal Studies (Kochi). CLAT 2017 was conducted by Chanakya National Law University, Patna.

CLAT 2018 registrations will begin on January 1, 2018 and will continue till March 31, 2018. The candidates can apply for the same on the official website. The test date is finalized as May 13, 2018. The results for the test can be expected in the last week of May, 2018.

CLAT 2018 will be conducted in offline mode for admission in UG and PG courses offered by various participating NLUs. The test comprises 200 Multiple Choice Questions to be completed in 2 hours, and the subjects include English, GK, Legal Aptitude, Numerical Ability and Logical Reasoning.

Earlier this year, demand for 50% reservation for local students in NLSIU Bengaluru also emerged. However, the student body of the institute strongly rejected it. Such a decision would have hampered the diversity aspect and would have been against the spirit of the university.

It can be concluded by saying that the move to grant 25% reservation to local students seems a good one to enhance the law education scenario in the state. By keeping a 60% percentage score criterion, the state is also ensuring that only deserving students get the benefit of it.New Delhi, Jan 3 (IBNS): The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Note submitted by the Department of Commerce and approved the approach to be adopted by India at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December 2017.New Delhi, Jan 3 (IBNS): The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel on cooperation in the Oil and Gas Sector.

The MoU is expected to provide impetus to India - Israel ties in the energy sector. The cooperation envisaged under the agreement will facilitate promotion of investments in each other's countries, technology transfer, R&D, conducting joint studies, capacity building of human resources and collaboration in the area of Start-ups, read a government statement.Guwahati, Jan 3 (IBNS): Two FIRs have been lodged against an Assam BJP legislator following his controversial statements on the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.

According to the reports, two local organizations namely All Assam Goria Moria Youth Students Union and Krishak Sramik Kalyan Parishad have filed two FIRs against BJP MLA Shiladitya Dev at Latasil police station in Guwahati following controversial statement on NRC made by the BJP legislator.

Shiladitya Dev, BJP MLA of middle Assams Hojai assembly constituency, whose name was excluded from the first part draft NRC published on December 31 midnight alleged that, several illegal Bangladeshi people's names have been included in the first part draft.

The BJP MLA also said that, it is a very concerning issue.

Following the controversial statement, the two organizations on Wednesday filed FIR against the BJP MLA.

Krishak Sramik Kalyan Parishad leader Pradip Kalita said that, the BJP MLA has been trying to create untoward situation in the state by making this type of controversial statement.

We are demanding to the state government and Assam police to take stern action against the BJP MLA, Kalita said.

Assam government had published the first draft NRC on December 31 midnight by including 1.90 crore people out of 3.29 crore applicants.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)Guwahati, Jan 3 (IBNS): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday turned as a teacher by visiting a primary school in his constituency Majuli.

The Assam CM visited the primary school while taking part in the third phase of Gunotsav, which started from Wednesday in 13 districts of the state.

Sonowal, who visited the No 2 Sadar LP School in Majuli district, also took stock of the internal evaluation done by the teachers and inspected the infrastructure as well as cleanliness of the school.

The Assam CM interacted with the teachers and students of the school and underlined the positive environment generated in the educational institutions by the last two phases of Gunotsav.

The third phase of Gunotsav will continue till Jan 6 and it has covered a total of 12,37,922 students of 17,883 schools in Baksa, Biswanath, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, Hojai, Karimganj, Majuli, Nalbari, Sonitpur and South Salmara Mankachar district.

A total of 7,744 external evaluators and liaison officers are engaged in this phase of Gunotsav.

The previous two phases of the Gunotsav have immensely contributed in improving the academic environment in the state. It has given a major push in the change of mindset among the teachers, Sonowal said.

Stating that children are the future of the nation, Sonowal emphasised the role of teachers and parents in building their character and personality.

He urged the teachers to generate awareness amongst students about the importance of environment and maintaining cleanliness for a healthy life.

He also appreciated the cooperation extended by the people in the last two phases of the Gunotsav.

Coinciding the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal also planted a sapling in the school campus. Deputy Commissioner of Majuli Pallav Gopal Jha and officials of Education Department were present during the visit of the Chief Minister.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)

Los Angeles, Jan 3 (IBNS): Hollywood actress Kim Kardashian on Wednesday thanked hospital staff for taking care of her son Saint West who was hospitalised due to pneumonia.

Kim tweeted: "My precious baby boy is so strong! After spending three nights in the hospital & seeing my baby get multiple IVs and hooked up to oxygen machines, our end of year was challenging. Pneumonia is so scary."

Kim said condition of his son is much better now.

She further said, "I just want to thanks every nurse & doctor out there who works so hard around the clock. We are so grateful for you all! Hes home and all better. Hes so resilient Im sure he will still say the ambulance ride was cool! My strong Saint."

Image: Kim Kardashian Twitter pageNew York, Jan 3 (JEN): United Nations human rights experts deplored Saudi Arabias continued use of counter-terrorism and security-related laws against human rights defenders and urged the release of all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights.

The rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are severely restricted in Saudi Arabia, the group said in a joint statement issued on Tuesday.

Religious figures, writers, journalists, academics and civic activists are being targeted, along with members of the banned Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), in a worrying pattern of widespread and systematic arbitrary arrests and detention, they continued.

We are witnessing the persecution of human rights defenders for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association and belief, as well as in retaliation for their work. The Government has ignored repeated calls by UN experts and others to halt these violations, rectify them, and prevent their recurrence.

More than 60 prominent religious figures, writers, journalists, academics and civic activists are reported to have been detained in a wave of arrests since September, adding to a list of past cases which had already been raised by UN experts with the Government.

We have written to the Government requesting detailed information about these numerous arrests on terrorism, cyber-crime or any other state security-related charges during that period, the experts said.

The experts noted that they are also seeking government clarification about how these measures are compatible with Saudi Arabias obligations under international human rights law, as well as with the voluntary pledges and commitments it made when seeking to join the UN Human Rights Council.

Despite being elected as member of the Human Rights Council at the end of 2016, Saudi Arabia has continued its practice of silencing, arbitrarily arresting, detaining and persecuting human rights defenders and critics, they said.

In addition to previous cases and new arrests since September, the experts pointed to the countrys failure to implement two recent opinions of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, calling for the release of all the human rights defenders concerned in these cases.

We appeal to the Saudi authorities to ensure their right to reparation and compensation.

The experts are independent, unpaid staff appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation.

Photo: Jean-Marc FerreKabul, Jan 3 (IBNS): At least three people were killed as a passenger bus collided with a cargo truck in Delaram district of southwestern Nimroz province of Afghanistan on Tuesday, media reports said.

The incident left 58 others injured.

The town administrative chief Najibullah Hayat told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident occurred when a 303 model passenger bus collided with a cargo truck at around 3pm.

The injured people included women and children.

Ghulam Mohammad Omari, the provincial police spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News: The passenger bus en route to Nimroz province from Kabul first hit a motorcycle and then rammed into a parked truck.Kabul, Jan 3 (IBNS): At least one American soldier was killed and four others were wounded during an operation in Afghanistan, local Tolo news reported.

The incident took place in Achin district of Nangarhar province on Monday.

According to an official statement, two of the injured soldiers are presently recuperating at a facility and are said to be stable.

Neither the deceased, nor the injured, have been identified so far

Afghanistan is currently home to around 14,000 US soldiers, who are allowed to accompany their Afghan counterparts at battalion level.New York, Jan 3 (IBNS): In what could be seen as a sign of increasing tension between the USA and Pakistan, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has confirmed that its administration is all set to withhold USD255 million in aid to the south Asian nation.

She also accused the Asian nation of playing 'double game for years'.

"They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan," Haley was quoted as saying by CNN.

Giving out a strong message to Pakistan, she said: "That game is not acceptable to this administration."

She said US President Donald Trump is willing "to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism."

Attacking US President Donald Trump over his 'lie' tweet, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif earlier said his nation has already refused to do more for the United States.

We have already told the US that we will not do more, so Trumps no more does not hold any importance, Asif said in an exclusive interview with Geo News.

Pakistan is ready to publicly provide every detail of the US aid that it has received, Asif said in a strongly worded statement in response to Trumps tweet that accuses Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorists that the US is hunting in Afghanistan," he said.

Speaking on the claim made by Trump on the aid given to Pakistan by the US, he said: "The claim by Trump regarding the funds, if we account for it, they include reimbursements too for the services rendered by Pakistan."

Hours after US President's Donald Trump tweeted to accuse Pakistan of "lies and deceit", country's Foreign Office summoned United States ambassador David Hale to lodge its protest over the statement.

Sources told Geo News, Hale was summoned to record protest against Trumps statements.

To discuss Trump's statement, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has also summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee, sources told the news channel.

Soon after US President Donald Trump's strong message to Pakistan regarding funding, Islamabad on Monday said they will respond to the tweet by the former.

Trump gave a strong message to Pakistan when he said his nation 'foolishly' gave more than 33 billion dollars in aid for the past 15 years but the south Asian nation only provided safe heavens to terrorists.

He said Pakistan only gave 'lies and deceit' to the US in return to the aid.

The Afghanistan government last month welcomed US President Donald Trump's new national security strategy and said it affirmed the enduring U.S.  Afghanistan strategic partnership.

"The NSS and the U.S. South Asia strategy are the cornerstones upon which our shared efforts to defeat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan are built. Our partnership, which reflects a renewed U.S. commitment, will set the conditions to end the war and finally bringing peace to Afghanistan," read a statement issued by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's Office.

"We welcome that the strategy aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region especially through diplomatic means," read the statement.

"The National Unity Government is committed to the principle of mutual respect and cooperation among states in the region. We have always worked and shall continue to do so for a peaceful region with increased connectivity for the shared economic development of our people in this region. To this end, we will continue to work with our neighbors close and far in the region," it said.

US President Donald Trump has shared new national security strategy on Monday.

The newly unveiled strategy asked Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory.

Image: twitter.com/nikkihaleyMackenzie/Edmonton, Jan 3 (IBNS): Natural gas supply remained at a critical condition amid the cold freezing temperatures in Mackenzie County of Alberta, a province in Western Canada.

In an official statement issued on Tuesday , the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) said the condition will remain similar for several more days.

"The natural gas supply to the region remains at a critical level and the problem will persist for several more days" the AEMA said in the statement.

However the official said the conditions are improving, media report said.

Natural Gas Supply Alert Updated Jan02 553PM Take necessary precautions. Mackenzie #23 https://t.co/B6uO3E9qa7 #ABemerg  AB Emergencyalert (@AB_EmergAlert) January 3, 2018

"Natural gas trucks are being used to help restore pressure in the system. Outages are being reduced as the system is slowly being restarted.," the AEMA added.

The AEMA also instructed the Alberta residents to minimize the use of natural gas till the next notice it puts up.

"Impacted residents are encouraged to stay with friends and family who have alternative heat sources.," it said.

A state of emergency was issued on Friday by Environment Canada, according to Global News.

The temperature even went down to as much as around -38 degree at some point with a feel like -48 degree.

Byron Peters, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Mackenzie County told Global News: "The warmer weather is anticipated to improve the supply of natural gas."

"The warmer weather, even though its still in the -20s, that will improve the ability to supply gas to our region and it will also result in somewhat reduced demand locally.," he added.



(Reporting by Suman Das)

Image: Creative CommonsPakistan has intimated India that a total of 457 Indians have been imprisoned in its territory for various crimes.

As per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Pakistan in 2008, the two neighbours and archrivals have to mandatorily pass on information twice in a year to each other about the details of prisoners lodged in prisons in their respective countries.

The details would have to be shared on 01st January and 01st July. On Monday, Pakistans External Affairs Ministry released a communique stating that as on New Year, there were 457 Indian prisoners in Pakistans territory. 399 among them are fishermen while 58 others are civilian prisoners. Among the prisoners, 146 fishermen are to be released shortly, the announcement said.

On its part, the Govt. of India has also handed over the details of Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian prisoners; the details, however, havent been made available to the press."Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors." | "KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary." | "No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.2018 just started with a bang. Marking another victory for women and their rights, Iceland has become the first country to enforce a law making it illegal to pay men more than women.

The legislation, which was passed last year, came into effect on Monday, the first day of 2018, legalising equal pay between men and women. Under the new rules, companies and government agencies employing at least 25 people must obtain government certification of their equal-pay policies.

Those to fail to adhere to pay parity will face fines.

"The legislation is basically a mechanism that companies and organisations ... evaluate every job that's being done, and then they get a certification after they confirm the process if they are paying men and women equally," said Dagny Osk Aradottir Pind, a board member of the Icelandic Women's Rights Association.

AP

Iceland Is Already A Leader In Gender Parity

The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked Iceland as the top country for gender equality for the last nine years based on criteria involving economics, education, health, and politics.

Icelandic women make up 48 per cent of the nations parliament  without a reservation system.

Happy 2018! Iceland has just made it illegal to men more than women for comparable jobs.

This is their new prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, a feminist who says shes dedicated to fighting for gender equality. pic.twitter.com/KVuipKE3mH  badass woman alert (@badass_w) January 3, 2018

In 2016, thousands of women left work two hours early and headed to Austurvollur square in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. In this particular case punctuality mattered. The women were trimming a typical 9-to-5 workday by precisely two hours and 22 minutes, or around 30 per cent.

Thirty per cent also happens to be the gap in average annual income for men and women in Iceland. For every dollar a man makes, women make 72 cents. Those assembled at Austurvollur shouted Ut, or Out, to discrimination against women.

Women in Iceland come together to fight for equality, shouting OUT #kvennafri #womensrights pic.twitter.com/vTPFwfSoVk  Salka Sol Eyfeld (@salkadelasol) October 24, 2016

Since the WEF reports began, Iceland has made a stunning progress in eradicating inequality. The country had closed around 10 per cent of its total gender gap, making it one of the fastest-improving countries across the globe.

According to Al Jazeera, Iceland plans to eradicate gender pay gap completely by 2022.

Gender Inequality Statistics Worldwide

According to the latest World Economic Forum report, the top five best performers in the global gender gap are Iceland, Norway, Finland, Rwanda and Sweden.

Yemen, on the other hand, is presently the lowest-ranked of the 144 countries measured in the report. The war-torn nation has been performing low in terms of economic participation and opportunity for several years.

In 2017, 52 countries fell below the global average, including China, Liberia and the United Arab Emirates, while 60 countries witnessed a decline in their overall gender gap.

The push for pay transparency has grown stronger than ever and Iceland is leading by example for implementation of such reforms in other parts of the world too.Acclaimed for directing several films including Inception, Interstellar and the Batman trilogy, Christopher Nolan is visiting India, revealed Amitabh Bachchan in his blog. Wondering what for? To inaugurate or at least lend support to a few matters, he wrote.

Big B announced through his blog post that Nolan is coming to India for the launch of a facility by the imaging products company Kodak.

It is all about to change yet again Kodak, that largest name for film, is coming back. Many in the world of direction and production are finding values in the product done on film to be the more liked subject. So, like Dunkirk, the film by that renowned Christopher Nolan (who) uses only film for his picture. And in a month or so, the man himself Mr Nolan is coming to India to inaugurate or at least lend support to a few matters, he wrote on his blog.

T 2580 - NEWS !! don't know if it deserves the Tag BREAKING !! but Celluloid film is back .. KODAK is to open its facility again fresh and productive in Mumbai soon ... by March 2018 .. !! Hollywood is apparently switching back to film .. hai hai apni digitel film ka kya hoga pic.twitter.com/oNXO781DbE  Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 2, 2018

Firstly, the archival of films, their repairs and preservation, and secondly to support the Kodak world all over again. I believe that Los Angeles, Hollywood is already all back to film again. They say the quality and feel and colour of film is unmatched, so what happens to digital It shall exist, it shall co-exist and film shot on celluloid shall be sent to the lab for its development, but all post-production work shall be digital I mean what kind of times are we living in, he questioned.

Christopher Nolan will visit India in March seemingly.Maharashtra is caught in the eye of the storm that originated in Bhima Koregaon, kilometres away from Pune. The battle that started over the 200-year-old battle has brought the maximum city to a standstill. The violence erupting from clashes between Mahars and Marathas is expected to take the entire state in its grip. While the Bandh was called off this evening, the state government placated saying that plans have already been set in motion to contain further clashes.

PTI

For the last 200 years, Dalits have been celebrating their victory over Peshwa forces. The Battle of Koregaon, fought in 1818 holds a deep significance for Mahars and other Dalits in the country. January 1 is remembered as a day of triumph against the nefarious rule of the Peshwas and a step further towards eradicating caste-based oppression. But what led to such ferocious clashes this year? Why all of a sudden that stone-pelting incidents between the communities that had been living in peace were reported in Maharashtra?

What really happened?

Every year on January 1, thousands of people of Mahar community in Maharashtra gather at the Victory Pillar in Koregoan to commemorate the victory of British Indian army constituting Mahars over Marathas in third and last Anglo-Maratha war in 1818.

On January 1, 2018, their victory reached 200th year and thats why the celebrations were grand. Usually, the attendance every year would remain around 20 thousand people, but this year, the attendance went into lakhs, which somehow irked the Marathas.

PTI

However, a conspiracy for fringe groups to ignite the caste strife cant be denied.

Therefore, the clashes between Mahar and Maratha groups engulfed Koregaon and soon the violence took over the entire Pune city in which one person was reported dead on January 2, and hundreds of vehicles were torched.

Battle of Bhima Koregoan

The battle took place on January 1, 1818 on the banks of river Bhima and it was the part of third and final Maratha-Anglo war and after this war Maratha empire got disintegrated and territories were involved in British India.

PTI

The British East India Army consisted 834 men, mostly Mahars where the Maratha army of Peshwa faction had roughly 2,000 soldiers, mostly upper caste Brahmins and Marathas. The battle took place and as per the official documents none of the sides got decisive victory, but since larger war which was fought at various fronts of Maratha empire was won by the British East India company, this stalemate was also seen as a British victory.

Therefore, the British constructed the victory pillar. The inscription of the pillar states that the Company forces accomplished one of the proudest triumphs of the British Army in the East.

Why its important for Mahars

Wikipediaa

Mahars were considered untouchable by the commoners under Peshwa rule and thats why a victory at Koregaon was seen by Mahars as a victory over the tradition of Peshwai which looked down upon them. Therefore, the victory at Koregoan was seen and has been celebrated as victory over Peshwa authority by Mahars till date.

Its Mahars vs Marathas, but Peshwa wasnt a Maratha

People who see it as a Mahar-Maratha issue need to know that Peshwa against whose forces the Mahars claimed victory at Koregaon were not Marathas by caste, the post of Peshwa was reserved for a Brahmin in Maratha empire and only Brahmins could be Peshwas. Despite being the prime minister to king, the post of Peshwa became dynastic and the heirs of Peshwa took over power from their fathers.

Peshwa and Marathas

Maratha empire was established by Shivaji Maharaj, a figure which has god like status in Maharashtra. But after his and his sons Sambhajis death, Peshwa took over the reins of Maratha empire.

Actually Peshwa was a post similar to that of Prime Minister and he would work in accordance to the guidance of the Maratha kings, first Shivaji and later Sambhaji. But after their deaths, the post of Peshwa became very important and he became the defacto ruler with Shivajis family retiring to fort of Satara in Pune.

PTI

Maratha empire was divided into six parts with Peshwa sitting in capital Pune. After this war, Peshwa Bajirao II was sent to exile on Bithoor near Kanpur. Nana Saheb of 1857 revolt was the son the exiled Peshwa.

The empire was divided between Peshwa at Pune, Scindias aka Shinde, the rulers of Gwalior, Holkars, the rulers of Indore, Gaekwads, the ruler of Baroda, Bhonsales of Nagpur and Puars or Pawars of Dhar. But all the Maratha chieftains were answerable to Peshwa.

Shivaji used Mahars in his army

Mahars have a military history and Shivaji knew that and thats why he used their prowess in battles against the Mughal empire. He recruited in numbers and the community formed good ranks in the Maratha empire under Shivaji. But after Peshwa authority, their recruitment was stopped and called off.A Man claimed to be the person who sent horse manure at the US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchim said he did that to protest the federal tax overhaul signed into law last week by President Donald Trump.

Robert Strong, 45, who is a psychologist in the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department left the manure filled parcel to Mnuchin and Trump in a driveway outside treasury secretary Mnuchin's home located in posh Bel Air community in in Los Angeles.

Reuters

KNBC-TV, an NBC television affiliate in Los Angeles, reported Mnuchin was not home at the time. The package was found by Mnuchin's neighbour.

"Protest really should be funny," Strong told Reuters.

"People's eyes glaze over when they just see angry people in the streets." He believes the new tax law will hurt poor people.

Neither the U.S. Secret Service nor the Los Angeles Police Department, both of which investigated the incident, would confirm Strong was responsible. The Secret Service interviewed an individual who admitted delivering the package, but no charges had been filed against him as of Monday afternoon.

LAPD Lieutenant Rob Weise said it was possible whoever left the package did not break any criminal laws. While he is not assigned to investigate the incident, Weise said if the box did not present any danger, it would not be illegal. The LAPD bomb squad X-rayed the box before opening it on Saturday.

In a photo of the card Strong posted on Twitter, he wrote "Misters Mnuchin & Trump, We're returning the 'gift' of the Christmas tax bill" and signed it "Warmest wishes, The American people."

AFP

Strong said a Secret Service agent, accompanied by six police officers, showed up at his house to question him on Sunday night, and the agent chided him, asking, "'Are you ashamed of your behaviour?'"

The White House declined to comment on Monday and officials with the Treasury Department could not be reached.What a great way to start 2018! The full moon, dubbed the "wolf moon," or as NASA calls it, #NewYearsDay Moon, will hold the title for the biggest and brightest moon of 2018.

A supermoon is a full moon which occurs when the Moon is closest to the Earth, making it appear bigger and brighter. The moon goes around the earth in an elliptical orbit. The point at which the moon is closest to the earth is called perigee, and the farthest point in the orbit is called apogee.

1. A supermoon rises behind the fair tower ( Messeturm ) in Frankfurt, Germany.

Reuters

2. A 'supermoon' full moon is seen rising above the skyline of London.

Reuters

3. A passenger plane, with a 'supermoon' full moon seen behind, makes its final landing approach towards Heathrow Airport in London, Britain.

Reuters

4. A 'supermoon' full moon is seen rising in Pieta, Malta.

Reuters

5. A 'supermoon' full moon rises over the Castille Hotel and its Christmas decorations in Valletta, Malta.

Reuters

6. The 'supermoon' is seen rising in Xiamen, Fujian province, China.

Reuters

7. The 'supermoon' full moon is seen through Christmas lights in Valletta, Malta.

Reuters

8. A 'supermoon' full moon rises behind the guard tower on the 17th century San Salvatore Bastion in Pieta, Malta.

Reuters

9. A 'supermoon' full moon is seen above Harpenden, Britain.

Reuters

10. The 'supermoon' is seen behind dog-shaped giant lanterns in Dalian, Liaoning province, China.

Reuters

11. The supermoon is seen rising behind a red lantern in Beijing.

Reuters

12. A 'supermoon' is seen above the Hudson River and the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge from Nyack, New York.

Reuters

13. A 'supermoon' full moon rises behind the antennae domes on a motor yacht in Pieta, Malta.

Reuters

14. The 'supermoon' is seen rising behind street lights in Ronda, southern Spain.

Reuters

15. A 'supermoon' full moon can be seen in the distance over the wing of Air Force, from Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Reuters

16. A 'supermoon' sets over the RT-70 radio telescope in the village of Molochnoye, Crimea.

Reuters

17. A 'supermoon' rises behind the guard tower on the 17th century San Salvatore Bastion in Pieta, Malta.

Reuters

18. A 'supermoon' full moon is seen through Christmas lights in Harpenden, Britain.

ReutersAmazon just revealed stats about their Prime business for the first time ever, claiming it shipped over 5 billion products worldwide. No wonder Jeff Bezos is the richest man in the world!

REUTERS

Thanks in no small part to the growing role of India as a market for expanding Amazon Prime's footprint globally.

We have no way to judge how big or small this number is, because Amazon has never revealed Prime numbers in the past. But yes, over 5 billion Amazon Prime only deliveries for a calendar year seems to be a good achievement for one of the world's largest online retailer.

According to third-party research, as many as 63% of all Amazon users subscribe for the Prime membership.

The number of Amazon Prime shipments is significant also for how aggressively Jeff Bezos' company is expanding its worldwide footprint. Amazon Prime arrived in Mexico, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Singapore in 2017, on top of existing markets including the US, UK, Spain, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium and Austria.

DON'T MISS: World's Richest Man Gets Richer, Amazon's Jeff Bezos Now Has $100 Billion In Personal Wealth

Reuters

The increasing role of India as a market for Amazon

India's success story for Amazon Prime is key for the numbers its driving. Outside of the US, where Amazon has over 90 million Prime subscribers, a large chunk of Prime users now exist in India. It is no secret that India is one of the world's largest markets for e-commerce, and ever since Amazon Prime started here in July 2016, it has only gathered momentum last year in a big way, thanks to exclusive products made available only on Amazon.

India also became Amazons fastest-growing market for Amazon Prime this year, growing nearly five times between January and October 2017. Also more Prime members joined in India than any other country in its first year, according to Amazon. And the most ordered Amazon Prime product in India last year? The OnePlus 5 when it was released in July 2017.

At just Rs 999 per year, Amazon Prime hands down offers the best combination of priority e-commerce and one of the best video streaming services in the form of Prime Video in India at the moment, too.

ALSO READ: Here's Why Amazon Sometimes Ships You A Small Product In A Big, Oversized BoxDrones might be a touchy topic in India right now, between how much convenience they can bring in the public sector versus how much harm they can cause to our privacy.

But in the African country of Rwanda, theyre definitely doing some real good right now.

GETTY IMAGES

Zipline, a California-based drone startup, has partnered with the Rwandan ministry of health in order to provide an essential service at a fraction of the time. The company is using its drones to make emergency medical deliveries, particularly blood.

The drone delivery service says its already transported over 5,500 units of life-saving blood to aid teams in remote areas where supplies dont reach in time, if at all. Its working with 12 hospitals to provide them with blood transfusion supplies that will go to more than five million people.

Previously, these hospitals would be forced to wait for resupply or, worse, have to use old blood past the point of usability. Now, with the drones capable of going up to 96 km/h, they can receive deliveries in 15-45 minutes instead of four hours. The startups logistics sends hospital staff a warning when the drop is inbound. When the drone reaches the location, it simply drops the package via a parachute, and then returns to base for the next run.

While the technology is being applied in hard to access locations in Rwanda, it can just as easily be applied to hospitals in crowded metros. In the case of a major road accident or other similar tragedy, when hospitals are likely to run through all their supplies of blood, drones could be an easy way to deliver fresh batches without being delayed in city traffic.

ALSO READ: Drones Will Soon Be Legal In India: If You Want To Fly One, This Is What You Need To KnowGlobally, close to 14% of all human beings are infertile, which means they can't have babies. This can be a devastating realization of adulthood, but now a technological cure promises to make this all go away.

REUTERS

Scientists have taken a monumental step towards recreating the way the human body produces sperm. This will no doubt lead to the creation of artificial sperm and eggs for infertility treatment very soon.

According to researchers from the University of Cambridge's Gurdon Institute, they've reached the halfway point in understanding how a stem cell turns into a sperm. This is a significant achievement which will have huge ramifications towards curing infertility in humans.

The team's attempting to fully understand how embryonic cells become sperm through a series of complex steps that take around eight weeks to unfold. Apparently, a male sperm cell and a female egg cell starts off as the same when it's "born", but they both take different directions at a specific time in their development.

REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE

Thanks to new technology, scientists have devised a way in which they can go past the crossroads point of a cell's development to when it ultimately becomes a sperm for the very first time, tracking all the intermediary steps in the process.

In India alone, infertility is set to affect 25 crore couples by 2020 -- the artificial sperm can help fix this problem once and forever, assuming the scientists studying this process will also be able to create an artificial egg. This process can also allow gay couples to have a baby that's genetically related to both parents. Sterile women can one day opt for artificial eggs, and avoid taking expensive fertility drugs which can lead to undesirable side-effects.

Mice trials have successfully finished, as the research scientists get ready to begin human trials on producing safe, usable artificial sperm.If you were a big company, you would probably run your cloud services on Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. Companies of any size can use them, of course. They make it easy to sign up, with free offerings and specialized tools that let you outsource everything from contact management to machine learning to IoT deployments. But if you are a small legal firm in Canada or a startup in Detroit, you might discover that these huge operations do not offer the sort of human attention you crave when it comes to running elements essential to the core of your business.

What are the chances, for example, that when you call Amazon, the person who picks up in the call center will know more about your business operations than the name and scant details that pop up on a screen? What are the chances that you will get to talk to the same person twice when you call, frantic and looking for not just help but also reassurance, in the middle of the night?

Thats where the boutique cloud comes in. They are smaller. Their phones are staffed by people who work there. They want to help you build your business. Because it is companies like yours that are helping them build theirs.

The problem? Knowing which one of these services best fits the niche you occupy in the cloud ecosystem. To that end, we rounded up some of the best and broke down what they do. Here are eight recommended boutique purveyors of cloud services. Maybe you will find exactly the specialist to build out your online services.

Linode

Looking to get a Linux server up and running? Check Linode. Like the larger public cloud providers, it can deploy a Linux virtual server instantly from it very own Linode Cloud. There, you simply choose your resources, Linux distro, and node location from the Linode Manager and go. But Linode remains customer-focused.

Linode offers several products. But its core products are cloud-hosting services. And these come in many different packages with varying price points to suit your needs and budget.

The Linode Back service lets customers back up their server resources in increments of days, weeks, or months. Other products include Linode Manager and NodeBalancer, which let customers manage several server instances at the same time, using a single system.

Linode is a good fit for you if you are looking for a tactical cloud technology with on-demand tools. It doesnt aim to replace a major public cloud. Its technology is built to work with the major clouds. But if your enterprise is looking for a managed service provider that can provide public cloud features and still return your phone calls, Linode is a good bet.

Rackspace

Rackspace is a public cloud provider that fell back to being a managed service provider and became one of the best cloud-aware MSPs in the game. The company has grown big enough to buy other companies. And, in fact, now owns DataPipe (reviewed next).

Its services are wide-ranging and cloud-focused. They include VMware, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft, Cloud Foundry, OpenStack, Oracle and SAP. Rackspace offers tactical services as well, including email platforms and web server platforms.

This combination of services and technical offerings puts Rackspace at the top of the MSP/cloud food chain. And the company built its Fanatical Support slogan around deficiencies it saw in the major public cloud providers. Rackspace works well with companies that are looking for special attentionan approach that has set Rackspace apart from the others, making it the benchmark for MSPs and cloud services.

If your company needs several cloud tools and uses both public and private cloud services, Rackspace might be a good fit. Rackspace has a larger ecosystem and partner list than some of the other boutique cloud services here. And it focuses on innovation in the MSP/cloud space. Even as the larger cloud providers thrive, Rackspace manages to expand its own business.

Related video: What is the cloud-native approach? In this 60-second video, learn how the cloud-native approach is changing the way enterprises structure their technologies, from Craig McLuckie, founder and CEO of Heptio, and one of the inventors of open-source system Kubernetes.

DataPipe

If your company is looking for deep Amazon Web Service support, it would do well to use DataPipe, especially if you operate in an industry that requires a great deal of compliance.

DataPipe is good at compliance services, including those that deal with PCI, HIPAA, FedRamp, FISMA, SFARS, and Sarbanes-Oxley, which pretty much covers the major rules and regulations in the US.

DataPipe was just acquired RackSpace, but the two companies operate independently. And DataPipes integration with Rackspace is largely complementary, with just a few overlapping services. But its a good bet that integration will occur at some point.

DataPipe is also known to work well with Amazons AWS, providing sound managed services to its customers while using AWS resources and its own compliance engines.

On the infrastructure front, DataPipe provides services for database, network, storage, platform, and applications, as well as colocation services.

DataPipe is also known for security that supports data encryption, DDOS protection, VPN services, and proactive intrusion detection. It also offers malware protection, two-factor authentication, and two-factor secure cloud access.

Navantis

Canadian companies that have embraced Microsoft tools and the public cloud are a shoe-in for Navantis. Like the others vendors listed here, Navantis is a small provider that provides special attention to its customers, sitting between the Microsoft Azure cloud and the enterprise. But Navantis prides itself on working with customers to solve real problems, rather than just serving up technology and hoping for the best.

The company can help you with application modernization, CRM, and integration and application development, just for starters. It uses Microsofts array of tools, including the Azure public cloud, Dynamics CRM, Exchange, Office 365, SharePoint, and System Center. Navantiss built and sold services include Managed Devices, Managed Monitoring, OnCloud Service Manager, Contract Management, and Compliance Management.

Because Navantis focuses on Canada, it understands the rules and regulations of that country. So, companies located in Canada or that do business in Canada would likely benefit most from Navantis.

The Microsoft angle is a helpful niche as well for Microsoft-focused IT shops. And the ability to get access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 support means your projects wont stall while you wait for a callback.

SingleHop

SingleHop built its reputation around hosting private clouds as well as its support offerings for developers, nonprofits, and niche businesses. SingleHop private clouds provide unlimited VMs without extra costs but with great scalability and dedicated private resources.

SingleHop provides an array of security and recovery services, including a managed security service, offsite cloud backups, disaster recovery as a service, compliance services, and DDOS protections. A few of its dedicated cloud services are cloud-based server hosting, dedicated server (you can go touch the gear!), private cloud, colocation, and BYOC (bring your own cloud). It also offers public cloud management.

However, its main value is managed hosting. SingleHop provides managed infrastructure, including AWS IaaS public cloud services that it manages on your behalf. Additionally, it offers managed Azure, which means SingleHop can become your managed multicloud provider.

If your company wants to use a private or hybrid cloud but doesnt want to put that thing in your datacenter, turn to SingleHop. It will host the cloud for youwith the right security services. SingleHop has the right stuff.

MindShift

MindShift, owned by Ricoh, is an IT outsourcing and cloud services managed services provider, with a focus on the legal, nonprofit, and education markets. The company provides a host of essential services, such as networking, device management, and office automation, as well as newer cloud stuff like Azure and AWS hosting and management services.

MindShift provides website and application management, all wrapped up with security and compliance services that include both vulnerability assessment and testing, and cybersecurity risk assessment and testing. What happens if you find something wrong? It has custom consulting services available to fix it for you.

Although MindShift is not limited to any particular market segments, its focus on legal, nonprofit, and education is a strength if you operate in those arenas. Each of these niches has unique needs that include dealing with data in specific ways and many specialized compliance issues. Having a managed service provider that is familiar with these particulars is a clear advantage.

SCC

With SCC, you hand over the keys to your datacenter and let its staff of experts take the stress out of your day-to-day operations. It has people and tools to handle everythingAWS, Microsoft, HPE, Cisco, and Apple all the way to managed print services.

This one-stop-shopping provider is valuable because it can cover many needsincluding datacenters and cloud providers, digital workplaces, security, and network and connectivityfrom one central point. And, if you need something, you get to talk to a person who can fix your problem right away.

SCC provides its managed services through its digital workplace. This is where everything gets done, including managing workloads on public and private clouds. One of SCCs offerings is a specialization in supply chain. That means that your company can create and maintain an end-to-end supply process through SCC.

SCCs security services include the usual suspects such as managed security. But it also offers to manage software licensing. Finally, SCC provides a complete set of professional services that let you create solutions as well as get problems solved.

Scalar

Another Canada-based managed services provider, Scalar focuses on a complete list of servicesboth human and automated. Scalar takes customers through assessment planning of their as-is state to help create roadmaps to define whats to be. In addition to designing and defining roadmaps, Scalar can define the architecture, design, and deployment.

Scalar also has IT services management capabilities, including the ability to manage IT services such as storage and compute. This leads to the managed public cloud services, including the major cloud providers. Also, Scalar provides managed infrastructure services. Wouldnt it be nice to make the day-to-day issues around infrastructure Scalars problem, not yours? Scalar offers risk and compliance services, as well as managed security services.

Scalars StudioCloud is a purpose-built infrastructure service focused at the media and entertainment industry. StudioCloud offers access to technology on a predictable, per-use cost model designed to meet guidelines set out by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

Because of these specialties, companies in the entertainment industry may find Scalar to be a good fit as a managed services provider, as would companies in Canada because Scalar understands that countrys rules and laws. Moreover, these guys seem to be high-touch, low-maintenance. So, if youre looking to remove yourself from the day-to-day drudgery of managing your own infrastructure and cloud providers, Scalar is a good company to call on.The New Year is always supposed to arrive with a bang  but this time the party nearly turned into tragedy in an incident that will have caught the attention of public liability insurers across the country.Revellers were evacuated around the foreshore of Terrigal, New South Wales, while technicians were sent diving into the water following what has been described as a freak event. It has been revealed that a firework exploded inside its canister and subsequently prompted other fireworks to ignite, ultimately setting a barge on fire.In a report by the Newcastle Herald and Stuff.co.nz, it was highlighted that businessman David Lambert held a crowd funding campaign for around $40,000 to hold the event and offer the best fireworks on the coast. However, a shocking turn of events saw his one-man vision turn into a nightmare.On the insurance side of things, Lambert had reportedly been able to gain public liability insurance alongside suitable approvals from the emergency services and Central Coast Council. However, a claim may now be likely after one of the Ka-Boom Fireworks employees needed to swim for safety as a result of the fireworks catastrophe.Fortunately, there was no risk to the public during the incident.A leader of a major health insurer in Australia has tagged comparator websites as being a significant cost on the system and urged transparency on commissions charged to health funds. Bupa 's managing director Dwayne Crombe said that based on his calculations, the commissions paid to comparator websites  usually taken from the first year's premiums  are costing health insurers $150m to $200m a year and pushing up premiums."The customer might not have to pay more to use a comparison website, but the health insurers have to pay direct, and what happens when the health insurers do that, is it comes into their price, so the customers are then paying for it indirectly," Crombe told Fairfax Media. "It's not in the customers' best long-term interest, for them to have all this money going off to somebody else who isn't even providing healthcare."His comments came as a Senate committee proposed that intermediaries be required by the federal government to disclose any commissions they receive from private health insurers for their service.According to the Fairfax report, rising health premiums  which saw a 54.6% cumulative increase since 2009  was one of the three major reasons why 10,000 Australians are dropping their policies every month. The other two are confusion about coverage and uncertainty about value.Fairfax noted that despite a rapid increase in the number of comparator websites to help consumers understand the complex system, only between 10% and 46% of all unrestricted health funds are being compared by the sites, and none include market leader Medibank.Crombe wants all comparator websites to disclose the exact amount they are charging health insurers for their commission and how many funds they are comparing."They are conflicted to the extent they get a percentage of that first year's premium from whoever they advise the customer to go to, which is typically between 27% and 35%," he told the news agency. "Normally in financial services, you have to declare what your commission is, but because there's no legislation about how they should practice, they don't have to do that."Christopher Zinn, chief executive of Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association, denied Crombe's allegations and urged the Bupa managing director to submit evidence."Comparators do add a great deal of value  they have call centres who can do a needs analysis and tell consumers what is available in the market," Zinn told Fairfax. "As long as there are controls in place about avoiding conflicts of interest or conflicted remuneration, and consumer protections are in place, I think they offer a very good service."Brokers will know all about the pitfalls of not checking the fine print on an insurance policy, but it seems the message still hasnt got through to customers  and on occasions that lack of clarity can have devastating consequences.For an illustration, look no further than the case of Perth native Emlyn Thomas.It was on Christmas Day that Thomas, riding without a helmet, fell off his scooter in Bali while separated from his friends. His case, which has made international headlines, left the IT consultant, 24, requiring life saving surgery after suffering two skull fractures. In the absence of suitable insurance cover, his friends have had to raise close to $40,000 to cover his hospital bill. His employer offered a $30,000 loan to cover the initial cost of the surgery.Thomas was brought out from under sedation over the weekend and, according to a Nine News report, appears to be improving. However, there is still a long way to go and there are fears that he may need to learn to talk again.Still, while his health is paramount, finances have also added an unfortunate stress for his friends and family. The total cost could potentially rise as high as $65,000  and, because Thomas failed to wear a helmet, and doesnt hold a motorbike license in Australia, his insurance will not cover the costs.Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia, Elliot Insurance Brokers Garth Krasinski highlighted the importance of reading the fine print, especially if youre planning on undertaking adventurous activities during your holiday.If youre doing anything thats slightly high risk - whether it be going on a jet ski, riding a scooter, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, take the time and effort to read the policy, he told the publication.Make sure your clients get that message too.Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty has announced the acquisition of Texas-based Dash Insurance Agency. Headquartered in Houston, Dash serves the Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth areas. The company will be joining Seeman Holtzs Primera Capital team in Texas.Seeman Holtz continues to acquire independent agencies as part of its expansion and growth plan. The Dash acquisition, announced December 29, was the companys 23rd agency acquisition on 2017.Dash Insurance Agency will be added to our existing portfolio of agencies in our Primera Capital division, said Marshal Seeman, president of Seeman Holtz. This acquisition closes out 2017, but we are already set to have an even larger 2018.Dash Insurance Agency is a great addition to our expanding footprint in the Texas marketplace, said Eric Holtz, executive vice president and chief marketing officer. We are happy to have the Dash team join our family.Police have released the identities of an additional seven victims of New York Citys deadliest fire in decades, including a 7-month-old baby girl who was among the dozen people who lost their lives.

Authorities also named five men and a teenage girl who perished in the December blaze along with the baby. One of them, 28-year-old Emmanuel Mensah died after rescuing a number of people, then went back into the burning building where he died of smoke inhalation. Mensah had recently graduated from the Army National Guard boot camp.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said a preschooler toying with the burners on his mothers stove accidentally sparked the fire  an inferno that quickly overtook the Bronx apartment building and blocked the main escape route, racing through a door and up five floors.

Four other residents were still fighting for their lives Saturday, two days after flames broke out in the century-old building near the Bronx Zoo.

The baby whose identity police released on Saturday was Amora Batiz.

The others whose names police released Saturday were: Gabriel Yaw Sarkookie, 48; Justice Opoku, 54; Solomon Donkor, 49; William Donkor, age unkown; and Hannah Donkor, 17.

The three-and-a-half-year-old-boy who had been playing with the stove, his mother and another child were able to flee their first-floor apartment. But they left the apartment door open, and it acted like a chimney that drew smoke and flames into a stairwell. From there, the fire spread throughout the five-story building, authorities said.

The 26-unit apartment building was required to have self-closing doors, which swing shut on their own to keep fires from spreading, city Housing Preservation and Development Department spokesman Matthew Creegan said. Investigators will look at whether the door to the apartment was defective or if an obstruction prevented it from closing, he said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said there was nothing problematic about the building that contributed to this tragedy.

At least 20 people scrambled out via fire escapes on a bitterly cold night. The others could not.

Nigro said firefighters saved some people, but this loss is unprecedented.

Fernando Batiz said his sister, Maria Batiz, 58, and her baby granddaughter also died, though the childs mother survived.

The smoke, I guess, overcame her. Everything happened so quick, Batiz said.

One family lost four members: Karen Stewart-Francis; her daughters, 2-year-old Kiley Francis and 7-year-old Kelly Francis; and their cousin, 19-year-old Shawntay Young, relatives said. Stewart-Francis husband, Holt Francis, was hospitalized, the family said.

Excluding 9/11, the fire was the citys deadliest since 87 people were killed at a social club in the same Bronx neighborhood in 1990. A fire in a home in another part of the Bronx killed 10 people, including nine children, in 2007.

About 170 firefighters worked in 15-degree weather to rescue dozens of people. Residents described opening their front doors to see smoke too thick to walk through and descending icy fire escapes with children in hand. Some escaped barefoot or in their nightclothes.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trends Law EnforcementNeon announced it has launched the first ILS vehicle in the UK, NCM Re (UK PCC) Ltd., and raised third party capital to support the UKs first ILS transaction.

NCM Re is the first UK-domiciled protected cell company, which utilizes recently approved ILS regulations, Neon said, noting that the ILS vehicle will further enhance its global reinsurance offering to clients.

NCM Re will use a range of CAT modeling and pricing techniques to leverage Neons strong underwriting and risk selection skills to source business for third party investors, Neon added.

Neons first ILS transaction, which launched on Jan. 1, 2018, is a $72 million collateralized quota share reinsurance transaction that will underwrite a portion of Neon Syndicate 2468s property treaty reinsurance and direct and facultative portfolios.

Successfully raising third party capital shows trust and confidence in Neons management team, brand and underwriting proposition, said Martin Reith, Neon group chief executive. NCM Re now provides Neon with the ability to raise third party capital to support collateralized ILS transactions where Neon can source bespoke opportunities for investors.

Source: Neon

Topics AutoAs part of its ongoing restructuring and simplification program, Zurich Insurance announced an agreement to sell its UK student insurer Endsleigh to insurance broker A-Plan Holdings.

The financial terms of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed.

Endsleigh will continue to operate as a separate entity with the existing management team from its base in Cheltenham, England.

Endsleigh is part way through a transformation plan that sees a significant investment in IT, as well as in customer and insurer propositions, which will create an exciting platform for growth, said the statement.

We are looking forward to working with Jeff Brinley and his team on the next stage of Endsleighs development, said Carl Shuker, group CEO of Witney, England-based A-Plan Holdings, a personal and commercial lines broker.

Shuker noted that Endsleigh was established in 1965, originally by the National Union of Students (NUS).

This is a really exciting time for us and were delighted to be joining such a respected organisation as A-Plan, who continue to deliver impressive results in a challenging market, commented Jeff Brinley, CEO of Endsleigh. Our customers, our people, NUS, insurer partners and other partners we work with can be confident that we remain committed to our transformation programme, to looking after our customers and delivering growth in our core markets.

Over the last year Endsleigh has done an excellent job of transforming its business and tackling the challenges our industry presents, and now is the right time for it to move into new ownership, according to Zurichs UK CEO, Tulsi Naidu.

Endsleigh will be part of a well-respected and successful broker business, and will be in very good hands. This is a positive transaction for all parties, including Endsleighs people and customers, and is a clear demonstration of how we are continuing to simplify our organisation and optimise our portfolio, Naidu added.

In December 2014, A-Plan was purchased for 300 million (US$406.6 million) by London-based private equity company HgCapital from Equistone Partners Europe.

Source: A-Plan Holdings/Zurich Insurance

Topics Carriers AgenciesQatar Reinsurance Co. Ltd. has signed an agreement to buy four Gibraltar-based insurers from Markerstudy Group. The companies are: Markerstudy Insurance Co. Ltd., Zenith Insurance PLC, St. Julians Insurance Co. Ltd. and Ultimate Insurance Co. Ltd.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but Qatar Re said that Markerstudy underwrites more than 5 percent of the UK motor insurance market, generating premiums of about 750 million (US$1.0 billion).

Qatar Re and its sister company, QIC Europe Ltd (QEL), already have a long-standing business relationship with Markerstudy, the companies explained.

This transaction builds on the strong foundation of our existing relationship, commented Gunther Saacke, Qatar Res CEO. It provides Qatar Re with a greater share of lower volatility business that has performed consistently well for us, balancing our specialty and catastrophe book. In addition, the transaction will enable us to write UK business under any post-Brexit scenario.

For a long time we have had a tremendous relationship with Qatar Re, affirmed Kevin Spencer, CEO of Bessels Green, England-based Markerstudy Group. Their proactive approach has assisted our development and this is a natural evolution  to combine our strengths to establish a primary player in the UK insurance sector.

This strategic alliance has three-fold benefits: it enables us to simplify our product offering and processes for our intermediaries and broker partners; it provides us with A-rated capital backing, and ensures we maintain the continuity of marketing, distribution, service and support, added Spencer.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is anticipated to complete in the first half of 2018.

Source: Qatar Re

Topics Mergers CarriersState statistics on traffic-related deaths suggest Iowa roads were safer last year than in 2016.

Iowa Department of Transportation figures show that 329 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2017, as of Dec. 29. The 2016 figure: 398.

The drop in traffic deaths follows a jump in 2016 from 315 fatalities in 2015.

Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig told The Des Moines Register that a new state law that cracked down on texting while driving may have helped avert deadly collisions in 2017.

Ludwig also said the lack of snowfall last year  except for heavy snow and winds Thursday and Friday  may have helped lower the fatality figure.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics IowaU.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao urged the nations railroads and transit agencies to take all possible measures to meet deadlines to install a safety system called positive train control (PTC) to prevent crashes.

Letters dated Dec. 27, which were made public on Tuesday, said Chao wanted railroads to greatly accelerate efforts to meet congressional deadlines. A deadly Amtrak crash last month near Seattle that killed three occurred on a section of track that did not have the PTC system operating.

The system is designed to prevent derailments caused by excessive speed. Investigators have said several deadly U.S. train crashes in recent years could have been prevented if the system was in place.

In 2008, Congress mandated the implementation of PTC nationwide by the end of 2015, then extended that deadline until the end of 2018 when its installation became more complex than anticipated. The government can extend the deadline to 2020 to complete some aspects of the system.

The National Transportation Safety Board said last month the Amtrak train that derailed onto a highway near Seattle was going 78 miles per hour (125.5 km per hour) in a 30-mph zone.

The letters went to the chief executives of railroads, including Amtrak, BNSF Railway Co., Canadian National Railway, CSX Corp., Norfolk Southern Corp., Union Pacific Corp. and transit systems in Chicago, Boston, New York, Boston, Newark, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Amtrak said last month it was imperative that the rail industry urgently work together to get PTC activated on the national network as soon as possible  and certainly by the December 2018 federal deadline, if not before.

The Transportation Department said 12 of 41 railroads covered by the requirements report having installed less than 50 percent of the hardware required for their PTC systems as of Sept. 30. The government said the systems are in operation on 45 percent of route miles owned by freight railroads and just 24 percent of passenger railroads

Chaos letter said the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) leadership plans to work with railroads to help create an increased level of urgency to underscore the imperative of meeting existing timeline expectations for rolling out this critical rail-safety technology.

The Association of American Railroads said on Tuesday that railroads are making progress on installing and testing PTC technology and freight railroads are on track to meet the deadlines established by Congress.

Separately, the Transportation Department wrote to U.S. senators on Tuesday asking them to approve the nomination of Ronald Batory to head the FRA. Batory, a former Conrail president, was approved unanimously by a committee but has been held up due to a dispute over a New York area infrastructure project.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Tom Brown and Susan Thomas)

Topics USAAnt Financials plan to acquire U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International Inc. collapsed on Tuesday after a U.S. government panel rejected it over national security concerns, the most high-profile Chinese deal to be torpedoed under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The $1.2 billion deals failure represents a blow for Jack Ma, the executive chairman of Chinese internet conglomerate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd,. who owns Ant Financial together with Alibaba executives. He was looking to expand Ant Financials footprint amid fierce domestic competition from Chinese rival Tencent Holdings Ltds WeChat payment platform.

Ma, a Chinese citizen who appears frequently with leaders from the highest echelons of the Communist Party, had promised Trump in a meeting a year ago that he would create 1 million U.S. jobs.

MoneyGram shares fell 8.5 percent in after-market trading.

The companies decided to terminate their deal after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) rejected their proposals to mitigate concerns over the safety of data that can be used to identify U.S. citizens, according to sources familiar with the confidential discussions.

Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the U.S. government, it has now become clear that CFIUS will not approve this merger, MoneyGram Chief Executive Alex Holmes said in a statement on Tuesday.

The U.S. government has toughened its stance on the sale of companies to Chinese entities, at a time when Trump is trying to put pressure on China to help tackle North Koreas nuclear ambitions and be more accommodative on trade and foreign exchange issues.

The MoneyGram deal is the latest in a string of Chinese acquisitions of U.S. companies that have failed to clear CFIUS, including the $1.3 billion purchase by China-backed buyout fund Canyon Bridge Capital Partners LLC of U.S. chip maker Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

In November, China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co. Ltd. and Genworth Financial Inc. extended a deadline to April 1 for the Chinese groups planned $2.7 billion takeover of the U.S. life insurer.

Asked on Wednesday for Beijings view on the deals rejection, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said cooperation on economic and trade matters was of mutual benefit.

We hope the U.S. can create a fair and predictable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and start up businesses, the spokesman said.

However, commentary published after the deals collapse by official news agency Xinhua went further, describing a fading bonhomie between the two countries, with the United States stuck in a zero-sum mentality.

China and the United States are about to ride a bumpy journey in trade in 2018 if the U.S. government goes its own way, and retaliatory measures by China could be on the table, it said.

FINANCIAL SERVICES DEALS

The MoneyGram deals demise is also the latest example of how CFIUS focus on cyber security and the integrity of personal data is prompting it to block deals in sectors not traditionally associated with national security, such as financial services.

The U.S. Treasury said it is prohibited by statute from disclosing information filed with CFIUS and declined to comment on the MoneyGram deal.

Other U.S. financial services deals by Chinese firms are waiting for approval from CFIUS, including HNA Group Co.s acquisition of hedge fund-of-funds firm SkyBridge Capital LLC from Anthony Scaramucci, the Trump administrations former communications director.

SkyBridge and HNA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Dallas-based MoneyGram has approximately 350,000 remittance locations in more than 200 countries. Ant Financial was looking to take over MoneyGram not so much for its U.S. presence but to expand in growing markets outside of China.

Ant Financial and MoneyGram said they will now explore and develop initiatives to work together in remittance and digital payments in China, India, the Philippines and other Asian markets, as well as in the United States. This cooperation will take the form of commercial agreements, one of the sources said.

Any arrangements reached by Ant Financial and MoneyGram that do not involve a transaction would not be subject to review by CFIUS.

What is more likely to happen at this point is that MoneyGram will sell to another company, and one company that has shown interest in the past is Euronet, said Gil Luria, an equity analyst at D.A. Davidson & Co.

Ant Financial agreed an $18 per share all-cash deal to acquire MoneyGram in April, seeing off competition from U.S.-based Euronet Worldwide Inc., which had made an unsolicited offer for MoneyGram and openly lobbied U.S lawmakers, saying Ants proposal created a national security risk.

Euronet continues to believe there is compelling commercial logic to a combination between Euronet and MoneyGram. However, significant developments have been disclosed by MoneyGram since Euronets offer, and Euronet has not conducted any evaluation of the business in that time. While we continue to view a transaction with MoneyGram as logical, there is no guarantee any offer will be made or any transaction will ultimately occur, Euronet said in a statement.

Ant Financial said it paid MoneyGram a $30 million termination fee for the deals collapse.

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Additional reporting by Nikhil Subba and Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru, Philip Wen in Beijing, Kane Wu in Hong Kong; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Stephen Coates and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

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Topics USA ChinaThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supported 59 major disaster declarations and 16 emergency declarations in 2017, a year during which unprecedented disasters affected more than 25 million Americans, almost eight percent of the U.S. population.

In its year-end review, FEMA notes it was a record busy year for FEMA employees and for state and local emergency responders across the country, as well for the federal flood insurance program, which FEMA manages. Thousands of emergency workers remain engaged in recovery efforts including in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

It was a year when the federal government authorized more than $7 billion in disaster funds.

The 2017 hurricane season produced 17 named storms, 10 of which became hurricanes (six of them major hurricanes)  including Harvey and Irma, the first two major hurricanes to hit the continental U.S. in 12 years.

In response to the hurricanes, 48 states and the District of Columbia assisted with response and recovery operations in Texas, Florida and the U.S. territories in the Caribbean, through emergency management assistance compacts, according to FEMA.

Sour Lake, TexasDecember 16, 2017Local resident Nancy Bishop does chores in her new home which is part of the Hurricane Harvey housing mission coordinated by the state, local and federal government. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA photo.

FEMA and other federal agencies provided 138 million meals, 194 million liters of water, 10.2 million gallons of fuel and installed 1,310 generators to help survivors affected by the four major hurricanes.

This year was also historic for wildfires across the western states that included two of the most devastating to ever impact California: the Tubbs fire in the northern counties, and the Thomas fire, which gained the distinction of becoming the largest wildfire in modern California history.

Flood Insurance

The historic disasters of 2017 created one of the busiest years for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to date  the NFIP has paid out more than $8 billion in flood insurance claims thus far.

During the hurricane season, NFIP streamlined the flood insurance claims process for policyholders by directing private insurance carriers to make advance payments of up to $20,000 on flood claims and to waive the initial proof of loss requirement in many cases.

FEMA Mitigation Community Outreach at Lowes in Fort Myers, Florida providing assistance to Hurricane Irma survivors visiting the store. FEMA photo.

The year 2017 was also when FEMA entered into a reinsurance agreement with 25 reinsurance companies, transferring risk to the private sector. FEMA says this allowed the program to recover $1.042 billion to pay NFIP claims when the losses of Hurricane Harvey exceeded $8 billion.

Billions in Disaster Aid

FEMA obligated more than $7.2 billion in individual and public disaster assistance in 2017. Nearly five million households have registered for the individual assistance program, which provides direct support to individuals and households in impacted areas. This year, FEMA received more registrations than for Hurricanes Rita, Wilma, Katrina and Sandy combined.

FEMA also obligated billions of dollars to repair infrastructure through the public assistance program, and to reimburse state, local, tribal and territorial governments for clearing debris and rebuilding roads, schools, libraries and other public infrastructure.

Puerto Rico Update

Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, which hit on Sept. 20. Three months later, on December 20, FEMA provided an update on its recovery efforts in Puerto Rico:

FEMA said 10,000 homeowners and renters in Puerto Rico have received $724 million in federal grants and more than $144 million in low-interest disaster loans have been made to 3,700 businesses and residents. The National Flood Insurance Program had paid approximately $2.8 million in claims.

More than 9,600 survivors are being temporarily housed in Puerto Rico and 38 other states through FEMAs shelter assistance program.

According to FEMA, more than 2,000 contractors have been participating in efforts on the ground to restore power along with seven power-industry incident management teams from 15 states. FEMA said the teams are working to restore power to the most populated areas before moving into more densely populated areas.

Penuelas, Puerto Rico, December 18, 2017- In partnership with FEMA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), energy contractors prepare to carry power poles to areas for installation. FEMA photo.

As of Jan. 2, according to Puerto Ricos main electricity utility, AEE, about 30 percent of Puerto Rico remains without power. According to the government, all 68 hospitals are open and 95 percent of telecommunications service has been restored. Most water treatment centers are operating, and more than 96 percent of residents now have access to drinkable water. More than 30 percent of roads remain closed.

As of Jan. 2, nearly 15,000 federal civilian personnel and military service members, including more than 3,039 FEMA personnel, remain on the ground in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for recovery operations from Hurricanes Maria and Irma, according to FEMA.

Agency Staffing

In its 2017 year-end review, FEMA noted that its employees got a new boss in 2017. Brock Long was sworn in as FEMA administrator on June 23. Long has nearly two decades of emergency management experience, including as a former Alabama emergency management director and FEMA regional hurricane program manager.

According to FEMA, thousands of FEMA staff continue to work across country including in Puerto Rico. During 2017, thousands of civilian employees and military service members, from more than 30 agencies and departments across the federal government, were deployed. FEMA said it increased call center staffing tenfold and increased the overall number of housing inspectors fourfold. The agencys search and rescue task forces helped local governments search more than 30,900 structures and saved or assisted more than 8,800 people.

Source: FEMA

Topics Catastrophe USA Flood HurricaneFlorida Highway Patrol Sgt. Mark Wysocky says it is hard to separate texting drivers from drunken drivers as he cruises down a suburban interstate highway. Both weave. They speed up and slow down for no obvious reason and get too close to other cars. They endanger their lives and others.

Theres one, he says, as a woman zips past. But even though he could see her texting, he couldnt ticket her  Florida statutes wouldnt allow it because she wasnt breaking any other traffic laws.

Florida, with some of the nations deadliest roads, is one of the last states to not fully ban texting while driving, but the Legislature will soon consider a bill that would. However, studies conflict over whether such bans have any effect.

Currently, Florida law says texting by noncommercial drivers is a secondary offense  law enforcement officers must see another violation like speeding or an illegal lane change before they cite a driver for texting. The bill would make texting a primary offense. The fine for a first offense would remain $30 plus court costs and add no points to the drivers record. Previous attempts have failed, but this bill has support from legislative leaders.

Forty-three states already make texting while driving a primary offense. Three besides Florida list it as a secondary offense  Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota. There is no state law against texting in Arizona, Montana and, for noncommercial drivers 22 and older, in Missouri. The federal government estimates that in 2015 accidents involving texting and other distracted driving killed almost 3,500 people nationally  more than nine per day  and injured almost 400,000. A Florida trooper, Carlos Rosario, was seriously injured in March when investigators say a texting driver struck him as he worked along a Miami highway shoulder.

Rosario spent two months in the hospital undergoing several surgeries to repair injuries to his face, spine and legs. He will remain off duty until at least late 2018. Driver Hugo Olivares received five years probation on Dec. 20.

You see it every day when you are out driving  people texting. It has become part of our culture, said Democratic state Rep. Emily Slosberg, one of the bills sponsors.

She was seriously injured in a 1996 traffic accident caused by a reckless driver that killed her twin sister, Dori, and four other teens. Her father, former state Rep. Irv Slosberg, long pushed traffic safety bills including the states mandatory seat belt law, and she has picked up the mantle.

It is time for the Legislature to send a message that we will no longer accept this deadly behavior on our roads, she said.

The state says Florida car crashes killed almost 2,700 this year, but the number killed in texting-related accidents is unknown. Under the current law, only about three drivers a day are cited statewide for texting while driving.

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety statistics, five of the seven states without a primary offense law had 2016 highway death rates above the national average. Ohio and Nebraska were below; South Dakota and Missouri were just above. Florida, Montana and Arizona tied for the ninth-highest fatality rate.

Counterintuitively, the IIHS says its studies also show that states enacting bans experience no decrease in accidents even though surveillance shows the number of drivers texting drops substantially. Vice President of Research Jessica Cicchino said the reasons arent known  perhaps texting drivers hold their phones lower so they wont be seen. That takes their eyes further off the road for longer, increasing the risk.

A 2014 University of Alabama at Birmingham study, however, showed a 3 percent drop in fatalities in states after a full texting ban with the best results among young drivers.

Opponents of a texting ban generally fall into two camps. First, libertarians, who say current law is sufficient if texting leads to swerving, tailgating or other dangers. Issue tickets for that, they say.

Minorities fear texting bans lead to racial profiling. State Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, said the law would save lives but he is concerned some officers would stop mostly black drivers. If the law is adopted, he wants statistics collected to make sure minorities arent disproportionately ticketed.

An American Civil Liberties Union study showed that after Florida made driving without a fastened seat belt a primary offense in 2009, black drivers were significantly more likely to receive tickets than white drivers even though studies showed blacks were only slightly less likely to buckle up.

Its disappointing but the reality in some communities is that this is an issue, said Thurston, an African-American.

At a turnpike rest stop near Fort Lauderdale, retired insurance salesman Steve Josephson said he supports the bill because too many distracted drivers have almost hit him and hes tired of being stuck behind people who are watching their phones when traffic lights turn green. He says he doesnt text and drive.

Landscaper Francisco Martinez wasnt sure whether he likes the ban, but said he stopped texting and driving 11 months ago after his first child was born.

But it is tempting, particularly when someone is trying to reach you, he said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Florida Personal AutoCalabasas, Calif.-based Topa Insurance Group announced that Jim Schallert, president of Dorchester Insurance Co., retired effective Dec. 31, 2017.

Theresa Fabela has assumed the role as president of Dorchester.

Fabela joined Dorchester in 2016 as vice president of Caribbean operations.

She has 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Dorchester, Fabela was assistant vice president at EWI Re Inc. She previously worked as a commercial account administrator for Parker, Smith & Feek. She was an underwriting supervisor at AAA before that.

Topa Insurance Group is a specialty insurance platform made up of core company Topa Insurance Co., as well as Topa Insurance Services and Dorchester.

Topics CaliforniaIn the run-up to multiple votes around the world in 2016, including the United Kingdoms Brexit vote and the United States presidential election, social media companies like Facebook and Twitter systematically served large numbers of voters poor-quality information  indeed, often outright lies  about politics and public policy.

Though those companies have been widely criticised, the junk news  sensational stories, conspiracy theories, and other disinformation  flowed on through 2017.

While a growing number of country-specific fact-checking initiatives and some interesting new apps for evaluating junk news have emerged, system-wide, technical solutions do not seem to be on offer from the platforms. So how should we make social media safe for democratic norms?

We know that social media firms are serving up vast amounts of highly polarising content to citizens during referenda, elections, and military crises around the world.

During the 2016 US presidential election, fake news stories were shared on social media more widely than professionally produced ones, and the distribution of junk news hit its highest point the day before the election.

Other types of highly polarising content from Kremlin-controlled news organisations such as Russia Today and Sputnik, as well as repurposed content from WikiLeaks and hyper-partisan commentary packaged as news, were concentrated in swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Similar patterns occurred in France during the presidential election in April and May, in the UK during the general election in June, and in Germany throughout 2017 as the federal election in September approached.

Around the world, the coordinated effort to use social media as a conduit for junk news has fuelled cynicism, increased divisions between citizens and parties, and influenced the broader media agenda. The success of these efforts is reflected in the sheer speed with which they have spread.

As any epidemiologist knows, the first step toward controlling a communicable disease is to understand how it is transmitted.

Junk news is distributed through automation and the proprietary black box algorithms that determine what is and is not relevant news and information.

We call this computational propaganda, because it involves politically motivated lies backed by the global reach and power of social media platforms like Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

Throughout the recent elections in the Western democracies, social media firms actively chased ad revenue from political campaigns and distributed content without considering its veracity.

Indeed, Facebook, Google, and Twitter had staff embedded at Trumps digital campaign headquarters in San Antonio.

Foreign governments and marketing firms in Eastern Europe operated fake Facebook, Google, and Twitter accounts, and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on political advertisements that targeted voters with divisive messages.

To understand the how pervasive these problems are, we took an in-depth look at computational propaganda in nine countries  Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the United States  and a comparative look at 28 others.

We have also analysed the spread of computational propaganda during specific referenda and elections during the last year (and in the past, we have studied Mexico and Venezuela). Globally, the evidence doesnt bode well for democratic institutions.

One crucial finding is that social media platforms play a significant role in political engagement. Indeed, they are the primary vehicle by which young people develop their political identities.

In the worlds democracies, the majority of voters use social media to share political news and information, especially during elections. In countries where only small proportions of the public have regular access to social media, such platforms are still fundamental infrastructure for political conversation among journalists, civil-society leaders, and political elites.

Moreover, social media platforms are actively used to manipulate public opinion, though in diverse ways and on different topics.

In authoritarian countries, social media platforms are one of the primary means of preventing popular unrest, especially true during political and security crises.

Almost half of the political conversation over Russian Twitter, for example, is mediated by highly automated accounts.

The biggest collections of fake accounts are managed by marketing firms in Poland and Ukraine.

Among democracies, we find that social media platforms are actively used for computational propaganda, either through broad efforts at opinion manipulation or targeted experiments on particular segments of the public.

In Brazil, bots had a significant role in shaping public debate ahead of the election of former President Dilma Rousseff, during her impeachment in early 2017, and amid the countrys ongoing constitutional crisis. In every country, we found civil-society groups struggling to protect themselves and respond to active misinformation campaigns.

Facebook says that it will work to combat these information operations, and it has taken some positive steps. It has started to examine how governments use its platform to manipulate voters in democracies.

Before the French presidential election last spring, it removed some 30,000 fake accounts. It purged thousands more ahead of the British election in June, and then tens of thousands before last months German election.

But firms like Facebook now need to engineer a more fundamental shift from defensive and reactive platform tweaks to more proactive and imaginative ways of supporting democratic cultures.

With more critical political moments coming in 2018  Egypt, Brazil, and Mexico will all hold general elections, and strategists in the US are already planning for the midterm congressional election in November  such action is urgent.

Lets assume that authoritarian governments will continue to view social media as a tool for political control. But we should also assume that encouraging civic engagement, fostering electoral participation, and promoting news and information from reputable outlets are crucial to democracy.

Ultimately, designing for democracy, in systematic ways, would vindicate the original promise of social media.

Unfortunately, social media companies tend to blame their own user communities for what has gone wrong. Facebook still declines to collaborate with researchers seeking to understand the impact of social media on democracy, and to defer responsibility for fact-checking the content it disseminates.

Social media firms may not be creating this nasty content, but they provide the platforms that have allowed computational propaganda to become one of the most powerful tools currently being used to undermine democracy. If democracy is to survive, todays social media giants will have to redesign themselves.

Samantha Bradshaw is a researcher on the Computational Propaganda Project at the University of Oxford. Philip N Howard is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.orgFrom the Archive Rewards of Independence Remain Elusive

The article, "Rewards of Independence Remain Elusive", as it appeared in The Irrawaddy Magazines January 2008 issue under original title Independence Lost.

Seven decades after Burma freed itself from colonial rule, true freedom, prosperity and independence remain elusive for Myanmar, as foreign powers compete for influence and powerful military rulers continue to exert their grip. On the 70th anniversary of independence, we reexamine these issues by revisiting our cover story, originally titled Independence Lost, from The Irrawaddys January 2008 issue.

When Gen Sir Harry North Dalrymple Prendergast led his gunboats up the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay in November 1885, King Thibaw and his army were ill-equipped to defend the city, let alone protect the nation.

The last Burmese monarch, who was 28 years old and had hardly ever been outside the confines of his palace, was quickly shipped into exile. Burma, a country that had in its recent history expanded to conquer neighboring countries, had lost not only its king, but its independence.

Thibaw and his queen were quietly escorted onto the steamer Thooreah by British troops and sent to Rangoon. Burmese subjects were later shocked to learn that king had been captured and exiled by the British colonialists to Madras. He never returned.

To the British and Gen Prendergast, invading Mandalay was like picking fruit from a low-hanging tree. The locals, however, refused to condone the kidnapping and resentfully determined not to welcome the self-styled deliverers from tyranny, as the British liked to consider themselves.

King Thibaw was pathetically weak and had not been a visionary in any wayprior to the British invasion, he received bad press in the West. He was portrayed as a monster, a mass murderer who killed princes and princesses, a womanizer and a drunkard.

Newspapers in Rangoon financed by British merchants had often called for an invasion or annexation of upper Burma. The British colonizers sought regime change and Thibaw was deposed.

Thant Myint-U, the author of The River of Lost Footsteps, suggested that Mandalay was a stepping stone to unopened markets in Asia for the British merchants.

The Burmese historian wrote: Years of British machinations had also produced a lively exiled opposition, and more than one of Thibaws brothers were plotting to overthrow him from beyond the kingdoms borders. That Burma was a potentially rich country no one seemed to doubt, certainly not the increasingly vocal Scottish merchants in Rangoon, eager for unfettered access to the teak forests, oil wells, and ruby mines of the interior. What seemed even more tempting was the prospect of a back door to Chinas limitless markets.

Burma fought back, but Burma is a land of love and goodwill, the land of Buddhism, and in battle, love and goodwill could not resist cold steel. Brave Burmans fell in resisting the invaders, many feats of daring were displayed to the wonder-struck British soldiers; the Burmese warriors brandishing dahs would rush at British gun nests and cannon posts, bullets would cut down the brave comrades, but still the survivors would come on. At times even British military science was puzzled by the lightning manoeuvres and tactics of the defenders. At times the dahs silenced the cannons.

But the fight was unequal from the beginning. British bayonets shed Burmese blood on Burmas soil, and slowly, the guns moved in.

When the Third and last Anglo-Burmese War was fought, the organized resistance of Burma had become very feeble and there were almost no severe engagements. It was not a war really; It was just a coup detat, a sudden storm that came down on the puzzled Burmese and blew away before they could realize what had happened. When the people recovered from the shock and surprise, King Thibaw and his Queen had been taken away by General Prendergast of the British invading troops. A brass tablet fixed on an outer wall of the Palace at Mandalay reads, King Thibaw sat at this opening with his two Queens and the Queen-mother when he gave himself up to General Prendergast on the 30th November, 1885.

November 30, 1885: Burmas King had been taken away. Burmas throne had tumbled down. Burma had become part of Her Majestys Dominions and will during Her Majestys pleasure be administered by such officers as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India may from time to time appoint.

But Burma woke up, though too late in fact. The people shook off their shock and went into action. Organized resistance became impossible since the King was gone and a leader to consolidate all the forces of the country was wanted. But undaunted, patriots formed themselves into small groups and waged their own war under their own leaders. For years the war went on. In the British Gazette of January 1886, it was said that peace was in Burma and order had been regained. On paper there was peace. But in the country the battle grew fierce within months. Guerrilla bands often expelled British garrisons and administered the towns and districts. The people hailed their coming, helped them, and hid them during their movements in times of difficulty. The occupation troops were kept busy all the time and at one point a Military Force of 32,000 men with two Major-Generals and six Brigadier-Generals commanding was actually brought into the field against the Burmese patriots. Vigorous offensive operations were launched, but still the patriots fought on. The exasperated British called the patriots dacoits and gangsters but it was worthy of notice that the dacoits did not plunder the villages they could hold, that the villagers were happy whenever the dacoits came, that the dacoits were only bent on fighting the British.

It was during those long years of determined resistance that such Generals like Bo Min Yaung became famous. Bo Min Yaung was the terror of the British garrisons in Middle Burma and it is interesting to see that General Aung San, Burmas war leader and front line fighter for freedom was a descendant of the famous Bo Min Yaung.

The claim that Burma had swung back to normalcy soon after the occupation was complete, could not hide the fact that when the Viceroy visited Mandalay, the members of the Hlutdaw, preserved a defiant attitude, presented no address of welcome, took no part in the proceedings and sat with their shoes on in the Viceroys presence. Sitting in the Viceroys presence with shoes on was but the mildest form of defiance which Burma showed to the usurpers.

Mopping up operations were intensified, the Military Force was strengthened, and systematic disarmament of the whole country was carried out. The patriots with no proper organization, no one leader to unite them, no set aims to inspire them, gradually became tired and disillusioned. Resistance thus ebbed slowly, but it was only in 1890, five years after the annexation, that the British could, with an approach to correctness, claim that law and order had been restored.

Burma resigned to her fate and gave up the struggle. It was not, however, a peaceit was but a truce. The storm had lulled, not died. Burmas fight for freedom was to be resumed again.

The invasion of Mandalay did not bring peace to the region.

Disquiet grew in the rural areassubtle signs of resistance were detected; officials who worked at the court in Mandalay became increasingly uncooperative with their British masters.

The insurgency that followed was put down ruthlessly by the Britishsummary executions were rampant and often held in public, as were the beheadings of prisoners or dacoits.

However, the unrest could not be quashed. The Burmese were too eager to restore their monarchy and establish independence.

Saya San, who named himself King of Burma, led a revolt against the British in 1930, forcing the government to deploy 8,000 fresh soldiers, equipped with machine guns, to quell the year-long peasant revolt.

Monks, farmers, students, workers from oil fields in central Burma and political activists joined in the struggle to regain independence.

A grassroots civil campaign was bornthe Thakin movement. Thakin, meaning We the masters, an expression the British colonists used to denote themselves, was adopted by the young Burmese nationalists. Social welfare organizations and the Young Mens Buddhist Association all joined the fray in the independence struggle. Nowadays, one can draw many parallels between the civic movements, such as the White Campaign, the Open Heart Campaign and the Signature Campaign, which were launched by students and activists to oppose the military regime, to those early nationalist movements in Burma.

But it was the domino effect of events far away that would ultimately lead to the demise of British rule in Burmathe outbreak of World War II.

The golden land of Burma became a battlefield. In 1942, the Japanese had taken away and trained a group of young Burmese, including Aung San, to liberate the country from the British. That group would later become known as the Thirty Comrades.

Fifty-six years after Harry Prendergasts overthrow of King Thibaw, British rule in Burma collapsed like a house of cards, its soldiers and officials tossed out together with hundreds of thousands of panic-stricken refugees by the elegantly mustached Lieutenant General Shojiro Iida and his Fifteenth Imperial Army. The Burmese had nothing to do with the war, but it destroyed their country, wrote Thant Myint-U.

After the British retreated, it didnt take long for the Burmese to realize that what the Japanese had granted them was no more than a gold-plated independence.

Enter Aung San, an eccentric, short-tempered law student from Rangoon University, raised by his grandfather, rebel leader Bo Min Yaung, who was later beheaded by the British.

Aung Sans single-mindedness, sincerity and straightforward speech won him friends and enemies alike. He realized that it would take nothing less than armed struggle to finally satisfy Burmese desires for independence once and for all.

Employing military tactics he had learned from the Japanese, Aung San led the Thirty Comrades in driving out the British. Ironically, a few years later, Aung San found himself allied with British battalions in bloody battles against the fascist Japanese army.

By age 32, Aung San had developed statesmanlike qualities and a readiness to lead his country. But this time the fight for independence would take place at the negotiating table.

During a stopover in India on his way to London to meet Prime Minister Clement Attlee in January 1947, Aung San delivered a speech, in polished English, declaring that Burma demanded complete independence with no question of dominion status.

Aung San also told the assembled press that his countrymen would have no inhibitions about contemplating either a violent or non-violent struggle, or both, if their demands were not satisfactorily met.

However, in July 1947, Aung San and the members of his cabinetcomprised of national and ethnic leaders who were ably equipped to lead the new union of Burmawere gunned down by rivals. U Saw, prime minister in 1940-42, ordered the assassinations, believing that he would naturally succeed as leader of Burma once more.

To this day, colleagues of Aung San who are still alive, in Burma and in exile, still believe that the British conspired with U Saw in the assassination plot.

In January 1948, Aung Sans promise of independence within one year was honored, though without his presence.

Burmas independence was hailed by the international and local press, and a rosy picture was painted by most, including The New York Times, Le Monde, the Daily Telegraph and the London Times.

Londons Daily Telegraph wrote: Though she is the first country to detach herself from the British Commonwealth, Burmas future will be watched with goodwill and full sympathy.

The New York Times heaped praise on the new nation: Burma, last of the Asiatic nations to be swept by force into the British Imperial domain, now becomes the first to withdraw peacefully from the British Commonwealth.

But trouble lay ahead.

After Aung Sans assassination and the British withdrawal, Burma plunged into turmoil and civil war, despite a plea by newly appointed prime minister U Nu on Independence Day, January 4, 1948: On this auspicious day, there is no room for disunity or discordracial, communal, political or personaland I now call upon all citizens of the Burma Union to unite and to labor without regard to self and in the interest of the country to which we all belong.

His message was not well-heededa full-blown multi-ethnic insurgency erupted.

Soft-spoken U Nu and his cabinet did not serve for long. However, many Burmese who lived in his era recall economic prosperity and the countrys potential to become one of the tigers of Southeast Asia.

In March 1962, another member of the Thirty Comrades, Gen Ne Win, stepped in and staged a military coup, claiming to save the nation from the abyss. The charismatic leaders coup was well-received with few street protests. The newspapers of the day offered little in the way of criticism in their headlines.

However, students at Rangoon University foresaw trouble and became vocal opponents. Ne Win demonstrated his ruthlessness by demolishing the union building in July of the same year and killing scores of students.

Ne Wins hands were now stained with blood and, like Shakespeares Macbeth, he was compelled to retain the throne at any cost.

Ne Win died at the age of 92. He lived long enough to see his kingdom of 26 years fall from being Asias rice bowl to Asias basket caseone of the least developed nations in the world. Burma had not been savedit had been ruined and left in a shambles.

In 1988, Ne Win resigned in disgrace, his socialist government facing mass protests. Before he left office he made what is now a famous speech. If the army shoots, he stated, it has no tradition of shooting into the air. It would shoot to kill. The speech was the green light to quell the uprisingabout 3,000 street demonstrators were gunned down. Burma was a killing field yet again.

At the same time, Aung Sans daughter, Suu Kyi, who had returned from London to nurse her ailing mother, also gave an unforgettable speech, saying: This national crisis could, in fact, be called the second struggle for national independence.

Although Ne Wins Burmese Way to Socialism program was thrown out, his dynasty and the military dictatorship went on. Snr-Gen Saw Maung, Gen Khin Nyunt and Snr-Gen Than Shwe, all emerged, not as saviors of Burma, but as ghosts of Prendergast who had stolen the nations independence.

The country is now colonized by a juntathis time, the invasion of our country was not by foreign colonialists but by its own home-grown military dictators who penetrate every corner of the country.

If Aung San were alive today, he would be shocked by his countrys standing in the world. He might even look on with envy at Burmas neighbors who were also colonized by the BritishIndia, Singapore and Malaysia.

In 1957, ten years after Burma proclaimed its sovereignty, Malaysia (then Malaya) declared independence, followed by Singapore in 1965. Today, the two nations enjoy the strongest economies in Southeast Asia and have promising futures. India is the largest democracy in the world and a growing superpower. Burma, for its part, lacks democracy, prosperity and stability.

Today, Burmese are not proud to call themselves people of Burma, a country identified with poverty, political conflict and military dictatorship. While Burmese citizens fight back to overthrow the regime, others flee the country. Burma is a pariah state and a troubled child in the eyes of the world.

Since the day Gen Prendergast arrived in Mandalay with his gunboats, Burmas freedom, prosperity and independence have been suppressed and denied, first by foreign invaders and then by various military regimes.

Sixty years later the fight for true independence in Burma is still not over. The September uprising was a manifestation of Burmas long struggle for independence and a reminder to the world community that the fight goes on.

This article originally appeared in the January 2008 issue of The Irrawaddy magazine.Asia US Warns North Korea Against New Missile Test, Plays Down Talks

A view of the newly developed intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong-15's test that was successfully launched is seen in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, Nov. 30, 2017. / Reuters

UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL  The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned North Korea on Tuesday against staging another missile test and said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not do something to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.

Haley told reporters the United States was hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing to fire another missile.

I hope that doesnt happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the North Korean regime, Haley said.

South Korea on Tuesday offered talks with North Korea next week, amid a tense standoff over Pyongyangs nuclear and missile programs, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Years Day speech that he was open to dialogue with Seoul.

Kim also said he was open to the possibility of North Korean athletes taking part in Winter Olympics South Korea hosts next month.

At the same time, he stressed that his country would push ahead with mass producing nuclear warheads in defiance of UN sanctions and that he had a nuclear button on his desk capable of launching missiles at the United States.

US President Donald Trump responded to Kim in a Twitter post on Tuesday: Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Haley said the United States would not take talks seriously if they did not take steps toward banning North Koreas nuclear weapons.

North Korea can talk to anyone they want, but the US is not going to recognize it or acknowledge it until they agree to ban the nuclear weapons that they have, she said.

Haley gave no details of the missile test preparations.

Another US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were indications that could point toward a potential missile launch sooner rather than later, but cautioned that such signs had been seen in the past and no test had resulted.

Drive a Wedge

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said North Korea might be trying to drive a wedge of some sort between the United States and South Korea and added that while it was up to Seoul to decide who it talked to: We are very skeptical of Kim Jong Uns sincerity in sitting down and having talks.

Trump, who has led a global drive to pressure North Korea through sanctions to give up development of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States, earlier held back judgment on Pyongyangs offer to talk, saying on Twitter:

Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time.

Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see!

Trump has frequently derided Kim as rocket man. The US president said sanctions and other pressures were starting to have a big impact on North Korea.

Kim and Trump have exchanged fiery barbs in the last year and the US president has warned that the United States would have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy the United States, South Korea and Japan and tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile in November, which it said was capable of delivering a warhead anywhere in the United States.

South Koreas Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said the offer for high-level talks next Tuesday had been discussed with the United States. Nauert said she was not aware if the matter had been discussed in advance of the South Korean response.

Cho suggested the talks be held at the border village of Panmunjom and said they should be focused on North Koreas participation at the Olympics, but other issues would likely arise, including the denuclearization of North Korea.

I repeat: The government is open to talking with North Korea, regardless of time, location and form, Cho said.

Should the talks be held, it would be the first such dialogue since a vice-ministerial meeting in December 2015.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed Kims New Year address and asked his government to move as quickly as possible to bring North Korea to the Olympics, but he stressed that an improvement in inter-Korean relations cannot go separately with resolving North Koreas nuclear program.

China, which has persistently urged a return to talks to ease tensions, said recent positive comments from North and South Korea were a good thing.

China welcomes and supports North Korea and South Korea taking earnest efforts to treat this as an opportunity to improve mutual relations, promote the alleviation of the situation on the Korean peninsula and realize denuclearization on the peninsula, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.Burma 116 Casualties on Death Highway Last Year

Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  There were 116 casualties on the Yangon-Mandalay Highway in 2017, according to the highway traffic police force.

There were a total of 555 road accidents in which 116 people were killed and 863 were injured. Private cars were responsible for most of the traffic accidents, according to traffic police.

The number of road accidents and casualties, however, has declined compared to 2016, which saw 774 road accidents with 170 fatalities and 1,304 people injured.

The main cause of road accidents is speeding, said police officer Soe Win of the highway police force.

As of June 1 last year, traffic police have required drivers and passengers of either private vehicles or express buses to wear seat belts while driving on the highway.

More than 20,000 vehicles use the some 400-mile highway daily and there are around seven road accidents a day, said the highway traffic police force.

The highway, which connects commercial hub Yangon, administrative capital Naypyitaw and the second largest city Mandalay, came into service in 2009 and is dubbed by local road users as the death highway due to high number of accidents.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has offered to provide a loan of more than $100 million to upgrade the highway, Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin told reporters in November.

If the government approves the proposal, it will upgrade 40 miles of the highway by 2020 as a pilot project, he said.Burma Govt Denies Rumors of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis Paralysis

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at the presidents residence on Wednesday morning. / State Counselors Office / Facebook

NAYPYITAW  The Presidents Office on Tuesday denied rumors that State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had been paralyzed and said it was investigating the source of the claims.

She is not paralyzed. She is performing her duties healthily. She has recently undergone a medical checkup, U Zaw Htay, spokesman for the Presidents Office, told The Irrawaddy Tuesday evening.

Except for her eye operation [in April], everything is good. And she is always careful with her lifestyle to keep healthy, he added.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi hosted a public peace talk, the fifth of its kind, in Karenni State on Friday and returned to Naypyitaw the same day. She has not been seen in public since.

The Myanmar Herald reported that rumors that the state counselor had been paralyzed started to spread among astrologers and some politicians on Sunday evening.

U Zaw Htay said she was back at her office on Tuesday, after the New Years holiday.

By Wednesday morning, the State Counselors Office posted photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arriving at the presidents residence for a regular meeting, a move apparently intended to counter the rumors about her health.

Dr. Tin Myo Win, who has served as Daw Aung San Suu Kyis family doctor for years, told The Irrawaddy that she was in fair health and that a press release would be issued if she fell ill.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi underwent a medical checkup in September at the Grand Hantha Hospital in Yangon. The 72-year-old also reportedly undergoes regular medical checkups in Naypyitaw.

Political analyst Yan Myo Thein said that rumors were not unusual in Myanmars political history. But because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was critically important to Myanmars democratization process, he added, rumors about her had to be handled with great care.

If the government informs the public about the health of leaders in real time, it will help control rumors and fake news to a certain extent, he said.

U Zaw Htay said he believed that some people were spreading rumors about the health of government leaders with bad intentions and that the Presidents Office had launched an investigation.

In early December, rumors circulated that President U Htin Kyaws health had deteriorated and that he would soon resign. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi soon quashed the speculation.

I have a suspicion that certain people are spreading rumors about the health conditions of important leaders to create political instability. If we knew who was spreading such rumors, we would know their intentions. But we have yet to find out who they are, the spokesman said.

Translated from Burmese by That Ko Ko.Companies in the US that hire foreign workers on H-1B visas may be blocked from renewing the same, a common occurrence which is undertaken to help the worker stay in the country long enough to obtain a green card.

The H-1B visa allows a foreign worker to work in the US for six years; many companies extend the term in order to get a green card processed so that the worker in question can continue to work for them.

A report in the Miami Herald said the Department of Homeland Security was mulling new rules that would prevent extensions of H-1B visas. The proposal is being hammered out between the heads of DHS departments as part of US President Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" campaign promise in 2016.

It said the language in the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act  which says an extension "may be granted"  was being examined to see whether it could be used to stop the granting of H-1B visa extensions.

The Act allows extension of visas beyond the permitted two three-year terms if the individual in question has a green card application pending.

An unnamed source, who was said to be brief by DHS officials, told the newspaper: "The idea is to create a sort of self- deportation of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans.

Since Trump took office nearly a year ago, the US has been clamping down on H-1B visas which are used to take in about 85,000 people a year to work in the country. A large percentage are Indians who work in the technology industry.

Last month, it was reported that new rules would make it harder for companies that are dependent on H-1B visas to take foreigners to the US for work.

In October, the government issued new guidelines making it tougher for existing H-1B holders to renew their visas, specifying that they would have to go through the same process for renewal as they did to first obtain the visa.

The number of applicants for H-1B visas fell last year for the first time in four years. In April, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services received 199,000 applications, compared to 236,000 received in 2016.

Another new stricture on H-1B visas is that computer programmers would not be presumed to be eligible for this class of visa. Rather, details of qualifications need to be supplied so that it could be determined whether the individual is fit to do the specialised task for which the visa is sought.

This guidance means that H-1B visas will go to very high-skilled and higher-paid professionals, with low- and mid-level jobs presumably to go to American workers instead.

Figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for 2015 show that Indian companies received the lion's share of H-1B visas that year, but paid the lowest wages.

Outsourcers Cognizant (21,459 visas granted), Infosys (12,780), Tata Consultancy Services (11,295), Accenture (6831) and Wipro (6819) were the top five companies going by number of visas granted.

Other Indian companies like HCL America (3492), Tech Mahindra (3344) and Larsen and Toubro (1558) were also among the top 20 who were granted visas. IBM, which is partly an outsourcing company, was given 3569 visas while Deloitte Consulting, which falls into the same category, got 3114 visas.Google has managed to squirrel away 15.9 billion (US$19.2 billion) in a Bermuda shell company in 2016, helping the search behemoth to avoid paying at least US$3.7 billion in taxes, according to regulatory filings in the Netherlands.

A Bloomberg report said the company had used tax structures known as a "Double Irish" and a "Dutch sandwich" to prevent the lion's share of its international profits from being taxed.

Revenue is shifted from one Irish subsidiary to a Dutch company which employs nobody. From there, the money is moved to a Bermuda mailbox owned by another company registered in Ireland.

The report said that the amount moved through this method in 2016 was seven percent higher than in 2015. That in turn was 40% more than the amount shifted in 2014.

The figures came from filings with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce dated 22 December 2017 which were put online on Tuesday. The news was first reported by Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad.

The Bloomberg report said that US financial filings showed Google's effective tax rate in 2016 was 19.3%, which was achieved by shifting profits to the Bermuda shell company. In all, Google held US$60.7 billion overseas free from taxation by the end of 2016.

While Ireland has passed legislation to close the "Double Irish" loophole, companies are allowed to use this ploy until 2020.

Tax law passed in the US last month will allow companies that have huge amounts of money lying abroad  Apple has something in the region of US$250 billion stashed abroad  to take that money back to the US by paying a one-off 15.5% tax.

Thereafter, foreign earnings will attract 10.5% tax, with firms allowed to deduct foreign tax liabilities before they pay.

In 2015, Google, along with Microsoft and Apple, came under attack during an Australian Senate hearing into tax avoidance.

And in 2016, Google announced that it would restructure its Australian tax affairs to avoid being hit with tougher penalties under Australian federal laws passed at the beginning of the year.Windows 10 breached the 70% share barrier last month when calculated as a portion of Windows-only desktops and laptops, putting the operating system on track to account for three out of every four Windows PCs by the end of January.

According to U.S. analytics vendor Net Applications, Windows 10's share jumped by 2.8 percentage points, the most since January, and ended October on 64% of all systems. When figured as a fraction of Windows-only machines, Windows 10 accounted for 72.2%, a record for the five-year-old OS. This second number is the more important of the pair, as it provides the most accurate representation of Windows 10's position within the business universe, where runs-on-Microsoft remains central.

(Windows 10's percentage of only Windows PCs was larger than the percentage of all personal computers because Windows did not power every system last month. In October, Windows was the OS on 88.8% of all PCs worldwide, up one-tenth of a percentage point from September. Of the remaining 11% and bits, all but a picayune 10th of a point ran macOS, Linux or Chrome OS.)

Windows 10 has been piling up the share this year, pandemic and business chaos be damned. Through the first 10 months of 2020, Windows 10 has added 10.7 percentage points of share, representing a 20% increase.

Meanwhile, Windows 7 took a dive almost as steep as Windows 10's climb.

Windows 7 lost 2.4 points of share, plummeting to 20.4% of all personal computers, representing 23% of Windows-only PCs. The downturn was the largest one-month decline since January 2020 and the final number was a record low for Windows 7 on its post-2015 swan song.

So far this year, Windows 7 has shed 9.2 points of share, which represents a 31% decline in the operating system since January 1.

Windows 10 shoots for 80% by mid-2021

The major changes to Windows' shares upended the forecasts Computerworld made as recently as a month ago.

Windows 10's prognostication skewed upwards compared to the one issued at the beginning of October. By April, Windows 10 should account for more than 78% of all Windows, up two percentage points from the previous prediction. Come June 2021, Windows 10 should own 80% of all Windows editions, a point above the former forecast.

On the other hand, Windows 7's decline-of-doom will continue. The now-retired OS will slip under the 20% mark (of all Windows) in February 2021, two months sooner than had been expected. And by August, the operating system should be below 15%, two points lower than the forecast of a month ago. (At the end of January 2021, near the one-year anniversary of its retirement, Windows 7 will account for about 20% of all Windows, a couple of points under October's estimate.)

Elsewhere in Net Applications' numbers, Linux rebounded after two consecutive months of losses, adding seven-tenths of a percentage point and bringing its total share up to 2.2 points. While that was below its peak of 3.6 points in June and July 2020, it put paid to the Computerworld theory that the sudden growth of the OS (Net Applications tallies all distributions) was little more than the aftereffects of an open-source daydream.

As Linux again jumped, macOS took a drubbing, losing 1.3 points  a one-month record  to end up licking its wounds at 8.4%, the lowest mark of the last three years.

Net Applications calculates operating system share by detecting the agent strings of the browsers used to reach the websites of Net Applications' clients. The firm tallies visitor sessions of those browsers to measure global operating system activity.

Or it used to.

At the same time it published October's share numbers, Net Applications announced that it was pulling the plug on its OS metrics. "October 2020 is the last month of data," the company said. "Why? An upcoming change in browsers will break our device detection technology and will cause inaccuracies for a long period of time."

The change Net Applications cited would remove much of the agent string information used not only to compile analytics such as operating system share, but also by advertisers and/or scammers to "fingerprint" individuals so that they can be more thoroughly tracked as they conduct their online lives.

Computerworld has not yet decided whether to continue the "Windows by the numbers" series, and if so, which alternate data source might be used.

Stay tuned.Barbara Hill is a local historian and former reporter for the Journal Scene.SAG artist Bonnie Anderson paints model Neeley Israel at the "All Members Show" at the Summerville Library.Dorchester District Two school nurses check out the inside of the child-friendly ambulance.Reddit Email 364 Shares

Maan News Agency |  

BETHLEHEM (Maan)  An Israeli military court on Monday indicted 16-year-old Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi on 12 charges, including assaulting an Israeli soldier, interfering with a soldiers duties, and two past instances of stone throwing.



Ahed Tamimi (center) in Israeli military court

Tamimi, who along with her family is well-known internationally for her fierce opposition to the Israeli occupation, was detained last month after a video went viral of her slapping and kicking two Israeli soldiers near her home in the central occupied West Bank village of Nabi Saleh.

Since her arrest, Tamimi has had her detention extended several times, until charges were finally presented against her on Monday.

Aheds mother Nariman has been charged with incitement for livestreaming the altercation, while her cousin Nour, who also appeared in the video, was charged with assaulting a soldier and interfering with a soldiers duties.

On Thursday, Manal Tamimi, who is related to the women, was arrested during a demonstration outside the Ofer detention center near Ramallah demanding the release of her relatives.

Ahed Tamimi is well-known across Palestine and the Arab world for videos of her, since her childhood, defiantly resisting Israeli soldiers who clash with Palestinians in her village nearly every week.

Two years ago, her family made headlines when an Israeli soldier violently attempted to arrest her younger brother , who had one arm in a cast at the time. Ahed and her mother manager to pull the soldier of her brother and free him.

Israeli military raids into Palestinian cities, towns, and refugee camps are a near daily occurrence.

Nabi Saleh is one of a number of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem which are known for their weekly Friday protests against the Israeli occupation.

Via Maan News AgencyBy Harry Blain | (Foreign Policy in Focus) |  

Half of Pentagon spending goes to contractors, the military budget is set to skyrocket, and the Trump administration is peddling arms all over the world.

Arms companies have had a good year.

The top 100 learned in July that their annual revenues amounted to a healthy $364.8 billion, with American companies  as usual  dominating. While the military itself has suffered several calamities  the apparent murder of a Green Beret by two Navy SEALs in Mali in June, the deadly crash of the U.S.S. John McCain near Malaysia in August, the killing of four Special Forces troops in Niger in October,  the contractors have thrived.

The author of The Art of the Deal has helped.

$110 billion from Saudi Arabia, $2.4 billion from austerity-ravaged Greece, $1.4 billion from Taiwan  all these deals have been set in motion by the Trump White House. Even if theyre not completely fulfilled, as can often be the case in such an opaque and unpredictable market, the financial outlook for Americas arms companies will keep making other (less lethal) industries look like mom-and-pop stores.

Last time I checked they were on our side

But the real victory is political. One voice at the top of the Pentagon is, in the long run, far more valuable than a big, new F-35 contract  and this is where President Trump has been so useful to the makers and sellers of weapons.

Well before the Thanksgiving break, the Senate had already confirmed that the new No.2 at the Pentagon will come from the executive council of Boeing; and the new Army undersecretary from the vice presidency of Lockheed Martins F-35 sustainment program.

The new undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics  a central role in deciding what the Pentagon purchases and from whom  comes from the very top job at Textron Systems, the 16th largest arms company in the world. On November 15, Raytheon didnt miss out on the action, with its vice president of governmental relations confirmed as Army Secretary.

In all of these cases, notwithstanding a smattering of tough questions, senators havent thought twice. By margins of 89-6, 92-7, and simple voice votes, these confirmations have been anything but grillings.

The one exception was John Roods November 16 confirmation hearing for undersecretary of defense for policy. Senators Elizabeth Warren and John McCain asked whether a senior vice president of Lockheed Martin International  whose role included developing and executing strategies to grow Lockheed Martins International business  could be trusted not to do more or less the same thing in a top Pentagon job.

Yet the prospect of the Senate doing its job was, it seems, short-lived. The Senate Armed Services Committee voted to advance Roods nomination two weeks later, despite concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

It doesnt stop there. As The Intercepts Lee Fang noted back in March, Personnel from major defense companies now occupy the highest ranks of the administration including cabinet members and political appointees charged with implementing the Trump agenda. This includes the defense secretary himself, who had to resign from the board of General Dynamics to take up the most senior job at the Pentagon, and now White House chief of staff John Kelly, who had to step down from his role as a paid advisor to Dyncorp to become the Homeland Security chief.

These two former generals and close friends of defense contractors are now two of the most senior figures in the Trump administration. They may well be running our foreign policy, with the president himself so inexperienced and his secretary of state only apparently there to destroy his own department and occasionally be subjected to public humiliation by the commander-in-chief.

But even these exceptionally powerful military men still find time to win applause from their former paymasters. Defense Secretary Mattis, in particular, has assured industry representatives that the Pentagon will aggressively and swiftly take advantage of the opportunities that we see developing around us in the private sector.

When he was rebuked for meeting with contractors so soon after starting his new job in public service, he responded: I became aware that some people thought, you cant do that, and I said, why not, theyre Americans arent they? Last time I checked, they were on our side.

The Proactive President

Congress has not questioned any of this.

Instead, it has ensured that a $700 billion budget for the military has cruised through both houses with bipartisan support. This, too, will be good news for defense contractors, who sucked up nearly half the Pentagons similarly massive budget for fiscal year 2016.

They continue to be rewarded for their long list of failures, which range from overpriced and constantly delayed big-ticket deals, to at least $31 billion of waste in rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan. Their dubious and exaggerated claims of being job-creators and innovators are uncritically embraced by the Trump administration.

No wonder, then, that industry leaders have spared a rare favorable word for the embattled 45th president.

Jerry DeMuro, CEO of defense giant BAE Systems, Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of the larger UK company), praised Trumps proactive approach to promoting U.S. arms sales abroad, as well as the defense secretarys willingness to bridge the gap between the public and private sector. Similarly, Raytheons CEO gushed that the Trump administration has opened several doors for us and is accelerating our ability to grow internationally.

The initial scare generated by Trumps early Twitter attacks on the exorbitant cost of fighter jets has now dissipated: Hes become a reliable arms-dealer-in-chief.

So, with profits flowing, and political clout solidifying, the arms industry will begin 2018 happier than ever. President Obama was a good friend to them, approving more than double the value of arms sales reached by George W. Bush. Trump, it seems, will be even better.Reddit Email 318 Shares

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Fascism as a political ideology is difficult to define, in part because it usually contains a big dose of populism, and the content of populism differs from people to people.

In my view Mussolinis fascism in Italy is a fair exemplar of the phenomenon. One characteristic fascist societies have in common is social hierarchy. Men are better than women, they hold. Men are entitled. Some ethnicity is better than all the other ethnicities. White people are entitled (even if some white supremacists in Anglo-Saxon societies wouldnt consider Mussolinis Italians or Francos Spanish to be white. Hitler put off an alliance with Italy because he was still hoping he could get the white British to join him and they seemed to him a superior race). A corollary is that some ethnicities are sick or polluting to society and need to be eliminated, made to emigrate or diminished in some more sinister way.

Another hierarchy is economic. The wealthy and the middle classes are better than the poor, and the poor should be punished for being poor. Under Mussolini in the 1930s the condition of the poor plummeted.

Yet another thing that is common to fascist societies is militarism. Because they affect a macho and militaristic stance, they glorify war and generals. And they prefer to deal with problems through war rather than diplomacy, which they code as effeminate.

People kept hoping that Trump was only kidding, only playing to some base, and that once he won the generals he would pivot.

He hasnt pivoted, except further toward fascism.

His shouting match with North Korea, essentially boasting of a bigger nuclear arsenal (and implicitly threatening to use it) is typical of fascist braggadocio.

His budget, which aims to kick 26 million working and middle class people off of health insurance, is punitive to the poor. They shouldnt get sick, he is saying, and if they do they should try please to die quickly, as a congressman once said.

His bullying of the Palestinians is likewise more authoritarianism and more punishment of the dispossessed (the British and European Jewish settlers kicked a majority of Palestinians out of their homes, and now Trump and Netanyahu are coming after them for what little land and dignity they have left).

Trumps generals are spoiling for a fight with Iran and the Trumpists are licking their chops over the Iranian protests. They cant stop to think that people protesting corruption and the screwing over of little people and authoritarianism are not very likely to erect a government favorable to Trumpism.

As for neo-patriarchy and the treatment of women, Trumps hypocrisy is impenetrable. Despite a wave of disgrace washing over powerful men for behaving in the ways Trump has boasted of behaving, he remains unrepentant and teflon on the issue. He strongly supported Roy Moore for the senate, as did his house organ, the fascist rag Breitbart, just to underline that he approved of taking advantage of teenaged girls.

White grievance is the natural outcome of fascism. If the natural order is racial supremacy, any sign that that supremacy is not being actively performed in all areas of life must be protested. Are we polite to Jews by saying happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas? That is an outrage. Do African-Americans dare protest the governmental scams being run on them by city establishments like Ferguson? That is an outrage.

Not only has Trump not moderated his fascism, but the national media, addicted to on the one hand, on the other hand journalism, inevitably normalizes it by bringing on Trumpists to model his fascist discourse for the masses.

The US is being pulled to the far right. Many are resisting, but Trumps capture of the Republican Party means that he has millions of agents for his planned transformation. Only millions of people actively resisting can offset them.



Related video:

President Donald Trump To North Korea: My Nuclear Button Is Bigger! | The 11th Hour | MSNBCReddit Email 432 Shares

TeleSur |  

PLO top official Hanan Ashrawi warned President Trump that Palestinian rights are not for sale.

Palestinians condemned as blackmail Wednesday U.S. President Donald Trumps threat to withhold future aid payments over what he called the Palestinians unwillingness to talk peace with Israel.

n/t wikipedia

In a statement Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organizations Executive Committee, condemned Trumps decision last month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

We will not be blackmailed, Ashrawi said. By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israels capital, Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also single handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city.

Her comments came less than a day after Trump tweeted that his government gives the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel  with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

His tweet echoed comments made earlier Tuesday by his ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley who threatened to cut funding for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, which provides aid to millions of Palestinian refugees.

The U.S. president sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions! Ashrawi added.

He doesnt want to give any additional funding until the Palestinians agree to come back to the negotiation table, and what we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation.

UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness told Reuters Wednesday UNRWA has not been informed by the United States administration of any changes in U.S. funding to the Agency. Trumps threats were welcomed by Israeli far-right politicians who are against a Palestinian state.

The United States is the largest donor to the agency, with a pledge of nearly US$370 million as of 2016, according to UNRWAs website.

According to UNRWAs website, there are 5.9 million UNRWA refugees and other registered Palestinian people eligible for its services, which include education and health care, in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Via TeleSurKELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 3, 2017) - FISSION URANIUM CORP. (TSX:FCU) (OTCQX:FCUUF) (FRANKFURT:2FU) ("Fission" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the remaining assay results from its summer 2017 program at its' PLS property in Canada's Athabasca Basin region. The final three holes to report targeted the shallow, high-grade R780E zone as part of a metallurgical study for use in a pre-feasibility study on the high-grade Triple R deposit. All three holes returned substantial intervals of high-grade uranium. Of particular note are the results from hole PLS17-MET-C (line 660E), which intersected 144.0m of total composite mineralization, including a continuous interval of 108.0m @ 8.46% U3O8, the widest continuously mineralized intervals drilled on the Triple R deposit to date.

Metallurgical Study Highlights to Date Include:

High uranium recovery

Short leach times, using low acid concentrations and low temperatures

Low detection of deleterious elements in the mineralization

Mineralization characteristics conducive to low grinding power requirements

Assay Highlights

Include:

PLS17-MET-C (line 660E): key intervals

108.0m @ 8.46% U 3 O 8 (56.5m to 164.5m), including: 9.0m @ 12.69% U 3 O 8 (63.0m to 72.0m) 23.0m @ 15.43% U 3 O 8 (76.5m to 99.5m) 8.5m @ 27.66% U 3 O 8 (139.0m to 147.5m)

(56.5m to 164.5m), including: 21.5m @ 1.90% U 3 O 8 (189.0m to 210.5m), including: 8.5m @ 4.17% U 3 O 8 (197.5m to 206.0m)

(189.0m to 210.5m), including:

PLS17-MET-E (line 845E): key intervals

65.5m @ 3.40% U 3 O 8 (115.5m to 181.0m), including: 8.0m @ 22.28% U 3 O 8 (139.5m to 147.5m) 2.5m @ 8.26% U 3 O 8 (162.0m to 164.5m)

(115.5m to 181.0m), including:

PLS17-MET-W (line 335E): key intervals

45.5m @ 1.88% U 3 O 8 (57.0m 102.5m), including: 1.0m @ 19.19% U 3 O 8 (62.0m to 63.0m) 5.0m @ 6.64% U 3 O 8 (87.5m to 92.5m)

(57.0m 102.5m), including: 22.5m @ 1.40% U 3 O 8 (115.0m to 137.5m), including: 1.5m @ 7.59% U 3 O 8 (122.0m to 123.5m) 1.5m @ 8.97% U 3 O 8 (135.5m to 137.0m)

(115.0m to 137.5m), including:

Ross McElroy, President, COO, and Chief Geologist for Fission, commented

"The metallurgical and processing data is an important component of the pre-feasibility study. We are very pleased with the remarkable strength of the mineralized assays, particularly from hole PLS17-MET-C, which, with a composite GT score of 958.9, ranks as one of the strongest holes drilled at PLS and among the best in the Athabasca Basin - home to the highest grade uranium deposits in the world. We are also encouraged by the very positive preliminary results of high uranium recovery, low detection of deleterious elements in the mineralization, short leach times using low acid concentrations, and ease of grindability - all of which are important features for low-cost production."

The 3 purpose-drilled holes were drilled to collect material for preparation of representative metallurgical sample composites for laboratory testing to provide process design data for use in a pre-feasibility study. The drill holes were spatially selected to represent mineralization both laterally (west, central and eastern areas of the R780E zone) and vertically (shallow, middle and lower) in the resource. The metallurgical study is designed to provide information to properly characterize grade, leachability, uranium recovery and grindability.

Table 1: R780E Zone - Composited Mineralized Intervals from Drill Holes

Zone Hole ID Grid Line Az Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) U3O8 (wt%) R780E PLS17-MET-C 660E 43 -89.4 56.50 164.50 108.00 8.46 63.00 72.00 9.00 12.69 76.50 99.50 23.00 15.43 139.00 147.50 8.50 27.66 182.50 184.00 1.50 0.22 189.00 210.50 21.50 1.90 197.50 206.00 8.50 4.17 214.00 216.00 2.00 0.19 221.00 232.00 11.00 0.32 PLS17-MET-E 845E 316 -64.9 115.50 181.00 65.50 3.40 139.50 147.50 8.00 22.28 162.00 164.50 2.50 8.26 185.50 193.50 8.00 0.48 188.50 189.50 1.00 2.94 196.00 215.00 19.00 0.42 210.00 213.00 3.00 1.24 224.00 225.00 1.00 0.33 230.50 231.50 1.00 0.89 258.50 264.50 6.00 0.40 278.00 278.50 0.50 0.25 PLS17-MET-W 335E 43 -89.4 57.00 102.50 45.50 1.88 62.00 63.00 1.00 19.19 87.50 92.50 5.00 6.64 106.00 110.00 4.00 0.12 115.00 137.50 22.50 1.40 122.00 123.50 1.50 7.59 135.50 137.00 1.50 8.97 140.50 141.00 0.50 0.13 176.50 177.50 1.00 0.07

Composite Parameters

Minimum Thickness: 0.50m Grade Cut-Off: 0.05 U 3 O 8 (wt%) Maximum Internal Dilution: 2.00m

Metallurgical Study Update

The metallurgical test work is being completed by SGS Canada Inc. under the management of Melis Engineering Ltd. The intent of the metallurgical test program is to provide process design data for use in a pre-feasibility study for the project. Three purpose-drilled holes were completed in the R780E zone of the Triple R deposit to generate HQ diameter core for preparation of metallurgical test composites. The drill holes were spatially selected to represent mineralization both laterally (west, central and eastern areas of the R780E zone) and vertically (shallow, middle and lower) in the resource.

A total of 12 lithological sub-composites were prepared representing different lithologies in the West, Central and East parts of the deposit. These 12 sub-composites were then used to prepare blended composites for testing, including:

Overall open-pit composite

Overall underground composite

Blended composites representing average annual grades as well as those close to cut-off grade

Overall gangue composites to represent dilution material

The study is still in progress, but highlights of the findings thus far confirm the following key characteristics:

deleterious elements such as arsenic and selenium are low within the mineralization

initial leach results show that high uranium extractions can be achieved from the PLS mineralization under relatively mild leach conditions including low acid concentrations, low temperatures and a short leach retention time

grinding tests show the mineralization to be soft, hence grinding power requirements will be low

Testwork still to be completed will include variability leach tests and bulk leaching to prepare material for evaluation of downstream parameters.

Composited % U 3 O 8 mineralized intervals are summarized in Table 1. Samples from the drill core are split in half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK for analysis which includes U 3 O 8 (wt %) and fire assay for gold, while the other half remains on site for reference. All analysis includes a 63 element ICP-OES, uranium by fluorimetry and boron. Individual zone wireframe models constructed from assay data and used in the resource estimate indicate that both the R780E and R00E zones have a complex geometry controlled by and parallel to steeply south-dipping lithological boundaries as well as a preferential sub-horizontal orientation. Similar geometrical relationships appear to be the case with the R840W, R1620E and R1515W zones as well. All depth measurements reported, including sample and interval widths are down-hole, core interval measurements and true thickness are yet to be determined.

PLS Mineralized Trend & Triple R Deposit Summary

Uranium mineralization at PLS occurs within the Patterson Lake Conductive Corridor and has been traced by core drilling approximately 3.18km of east-west strike length in five separated mineralized "zones". From west to east, these zones are: R1515W, R840W, R00E, R780E and R1620E. Thus far only the R00E and R780E have been included in the Triple R deposit resource estimate, where-as the R840W and R1620E zones and the recent addition of the R1515W zone, fall outside of the current resource estimate window.

The discovery hole of what is now referred to as the Triple R uranium deposit was announced on November 05, 2012 with drill hole PLS12-022, from what is considered part of the R00E zone. Through successful exploration programs completed to date, it has evolved into a large, near surface, basement hosted, structurally controlled high-grade uranium deposit.

The Triple R deposit consists of the R00E zone on the western side and the much larger R780E zone further on strike to the east. Within the deposit, the R00E and R780E zones have an overall combined strike length validated by a resource estimate of approximately 1.05km with the R00E measuring approximately 105m in strike length and the R780E zones measuring approximately 945m in strike length. A 225m gap separates the R00E zone to the west and the R780E zones to the east, though sporadic narrow, weakly mineralized intervals from drill holes within this gap suggest the potential for further significant mineralization in this area. The R780E zone is located beneath Patterson Lake which is approximately six metres deep in the area of the deposit. The entire Triple R deposit is covered by approximately 50m to 60m of overburden.

Mineralization remains open along strike in both the western and eastern directions. Basement rocks within the mineralized trend are identified primarily as mafic volcanic rocks with varying degrees of alteration. Mineralization is both located within and associated with mafic volcanic intrusives with varying degrees of silicification, metasomatic mineral assemblages and hydrothermal graphite. The graphitic sequences are, associated with the PL-3B basement Electro-Magnetic (EM) Conductor. The R840W zone, located 495m west along strike of the Triple R deposit, now has a defined strike length of 465m and is still open. The recent discovery of the high-grade R1515W zone located a further 510m to the west of the R840W zone, now has a defined strike length of 71m and an across-strike lateral width of up to 64m with vertical extension up to 171m. Mineralization is open. The R840W and R1515W zones have significantly upgraded the prospectivity for further growth on land to the west of the Triple R deposit within the Patterson Lake Corridor. The recently discovered high-grade mineralization in the R1620E zone, located 210m to the east along strike similarly has significantly upgraded the prospectivity for further growth of the PLS resource to the east of the Triple R deposit.

Updated maps and files can be found on the Company's website at https://fissionuranium.com/project/triple-r-deposit/overview/.

Patterson Lake South Property

The 31,039 hectare PLS project is 100% owned and operated by Fission Uranium Corp. PLS is accessible by road with primary access from all-weather Highway 955, which runs north to the former Cluff Lake mine and passes through the nearby UEX-Areva Shea Creek discoveries located 50km to the north, currently under active exploration and development.

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geol., President and COO for Fission Uranium Corp., a qualified person.

About Fission Uranium Corp.

Fission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - host to the class-leading Triple R uranium deposit - and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF."Kansas State University research team wins R&D 100 Award for wearable radiation detection technology

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018

Technology from Kansas State University won a 2017 R&D 100 Award for a vest that helps the wearer blend into the environment while detecting dangerous radiation. The project's researchers, from left, front row: Russell Taylor, Ryan Fronk and Douglas McGregor; middle row: Logan Whitmore and Tim Sobering; and back row: Taylor Ochs, Steven Bellinger and Luke Henson. | Download this photo.





MANHATTAN  A Kansas State University research team has won a 2017 R&D 100 Award for a vest specially designed to contain devices that detect illicit nuclear material. This is the team's fifth award since 2005 for one of the year's 100 top technologies awarded by R&D magazine.



Douglas McGregor, university distinguished professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering, led the team of Kansas State University, industry and government contributors to develop a vest designed to contain multiple gamma ray and neutron detectors. The garment allows the wearer to blend into the environment while detecting dangerous radiation, and the general direction of its origin, with wired or wireless small, lightweight, modular detectors that operate for weeks at a time.



"Our vest is innovative because it's the first of its kind that is built to be wearable, clandestine and integrated so that it's hands-free," McGregor said.



The functional garment is the result of collaborative efforts to develop radiation detector technologies while ensuring that all components and the vest could be manufactured and mass-produced. The project was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Contributors included Radiation Detection Technologies Inc.; Kansas State University's Semiconductor Materials and Radiological Technologies Laboratory, or SMART Lab, and Electronics Design Laboratory; and Alion Science and Technology Corporation. SMART Lab faculty and graduate students designed the detectors; Electronic Design Laboratory staff and students built the electronics; Radiation Detection Technologies integrated the products; and Alion produced the communications protocols and software, along with McGregor's students.



The project group also worked with Emily Pascoe, a doctoral student in the apparel, textiles, and interior design department at Kansas State University. Pascoe's expertise ensured that the team used the correct fabric, notions and construction methods for the vest.



The coveted R&D 100 Award emphasizes the bringing of inventions from their initial concepts on the blackboard, through research and development, and into the commercial marketplace.



"A lot of inventions are good but they never go past publishing a paper," McGregor said. "Our invention is in commercialization. I enjoy the pure sciences, but I keep my eye on practicality."



According to McGregor, the character of Kansas State University students along with the availability of in-house electronics design expertise have bolstered his group's success and ability to compete for the R&D 100 Award alongside national labs, large multinational corporations and top universities.



"I credit the students and people I work with," McGregor said. "The work ethic I've encountered and the fact that the Electronics Design Laboratory is next door  if I didn't have a shop like that next door, I don't know how successful we would have been. All these things come together to give us the success we have now."



The project has been in development for three years.



Ryan Fronk, research associate in mechanical and nuclear engineering, completed his doctorate in May 2017 and worked on the project as a student. He started by designing and simulating the original concept of the vest while investigating the standards for detection technologies in an effort to meet or exceed them. Packaging design for the detector devices was a major hurdle. Logan Whitmore also worked on the project as a student while finishing his degree. As an Electronics Design Laboratory employee, he worked on the electronics for the devices.



"A challenging aspect was meeting the low power goals for the devices," Whitmore said. "We had to extend the life and ranges of both wired and wireless devices with lots of technologies that were fun to use."



Another Kansas State University alumnus, Steven Bellinger, is the founder and CEO of Radiation Detection Technologies. His company specializes in commercializing novel technologies developed at the university. Bellinger holds five U.S. patents on detector designs and has more pending. He said developing a reliable, marketable product is paramount.



"We ask how we will put this together to meet the user's needs in terms of size, profile, duration, how it fits, the weight  and we need it to be economical," Bellinger said. "The Department of Defense will buy only so many, so we look to see what other sectors we can service such as nuclear power and health care. We have demonstrated the technology in Japan and Hawaii as well as Washington, D.C."



Commercializing technology is known as traversing the Valley of Death. According to Taylor Ochs, doctoral student in nuclear engineering, the analogy is apt because the process is never simple. Working on the project has helped him understand how large collaborations come together as he completes his individual tasks.



"A lot of what I did was the first assembly stage testing," Ochs said. "If I plug in nine parts, do they work? If I plug in 10, do they work? We have to troubleshoot and fix them. You've got to be able to learn from and accept failures. You run into the wall, break through, and there's another wall behind it, but you end up with a well-developed system," he said.





Students for Justice in Palestine has Facebooked:

In July, the AUSA President took a ten day trip to visit illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. The trip was funded by the Israeli government which targeted two prominent young leaders from both young labour and young Nats and our AUSA president. Students for Justice in Palestine call for an official apology from the President of our Students Association, Arena Williams, for her disregard for human rights, for visiting an apartheid country under an international boycott, for being unfair and bias on such a contentious issue, for not representing or consulting with students, for not adequately addressing student concerns after they had been raised directly with her, for not being direct, transparent or inclusive and for her disregard for New Zealands long history of social justice, especially since AUSA stood up against South African apartheid in the 80s by supporting the international boycott movement. Say NO to Israeli apartheid and NO to the normalisation of Israeli occupation. Instead of normalising relations with Israel we need to look towards the student unions worldwide who have officially recognised BDS policies as part of their constitutions. Censure the AUSA Presidents trip to apartheid-Israel. Wednesday 1pm Quad.

I believe AUSA is better served by focusing on student welfare and education, rather than the Middle East.

However just like other employees, student presidents can take leave. And I see nothing wrong with people visiting Israel, as a guest of their Government. In fact I have done it myself. That doesnt mean you automatically agree with everything Israel does. But it actually allows you an opportunity to learn more about their perspective, and debate issues and behaviour with them.

Ive also been to Iran. That doesnt mean I endorse their Government. What was good about Iran was meeting so many lovely Iranians, and realising that we should avoid conflating a country with a Government.

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LifeStyle

The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand.Jan 3, 2018, 4 AM

A parcel delivery agreement between the United States Postal Service and retail giant Amazon was sharply criticized by President Donald Trump in a recent Twitter pronouncement.

Washington Postal Scene by Bill McAllister

For years, top officials at the United States Postal Service have been hoping for some presidential interest in their agencys financial plight.

On the morning of Dec. 29, President Donald Trump gave the Postal Service far more attention than it ever desired.

Why is the United States Post Office, which is losing many billions of dollars a year, while charging Amazon and others so little to deliver their packages, making Amazon richer and the Post Office dumber and poorer? the president asked in an 5:04 a.m. tweet from his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Should be charging MUCH MORE! Trump added.

Connect with Linns Stamp News:

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The Postal Service said nothing in response, hoping that others in the mail industry would respond. Amazon also was silent.

The Trump tweet, said several mail industry officials, was way off the mark.

President Trump was off base Friday when he implied that Amazon has a sweetheart deal with the U.S. Postal Service, said Dead Tree Edition, a blog that follows the postal and printing industries.

While containing no outright falsehoods, Trumps tweet is a mix of truth and debatable claims.

The Washington Post reported that Amazon had told Fortune magazine in July that the Postal Regulatory Commission has consistently found that Amazons contracts with USPS are profitable.

The Postal Services agreement to handle Amazons packages at a deeply discounted price is a strategy the Postal Service developed years ago in an effort to save itself from its pronounced losses of first-class mail volume.

Packages have been one of the agencys most successful product lines, growing at double-digit rates while letter volume continues to drop.

Amazons business has been so important to the Postal Service that it has hired hundreds of new employees to deliver the Seattle retailers goods on Sundays.

Trump, several media outlets noted, holds a serious grudge against Amazons chief executive, Jeff Bezos, the countrys richest executive. Bezos personally owns The Washington Post, which the president has repeatedly described as a purveyor of what he calls fake news.

Bloomberg News said the Postal Services losses have little to do with Amazon and more to do with its large health care obligations and the dwindling use of first class mail.

Trump is assuming Amazon would continue to use the Postal Service for packages, but Bloomberg noted that Amazon had been setting up its own shipping operations in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world to minimize costs.

Michael Plunkett, president of the Association for Postal Commerce, urged the president to remain interested postal issues.

PostCom appreciates that the President is interested in the performance of the Postal Service, he told Linns.

 We hope this is an indication that further action on appointing and approving Postal Governors is forthcoming, he said.

As to prices, Plunkett said, USPS should have flexibility to negotiate with its customers, especially in the competitive products space where Amazon operates.

But a fully staffed and qualified Board of Governors and Postal Regulatory Commission are essential to ensuring such deals result in net benefits to USPS and the public.

If the President really wants to make a difference, he should appoint a full slate of Governors and [Postal Regulatory] Commissioners post haste.

Stephen Kearney, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, noted the Postal Regulatory Commission is charged with ensuring that all USPS competitive package services cover their costs and make a sufficient contribution to the Postal Services overhead costs.

As long as the PRC does its job correctly, USPS packages are profitable and their growth is good for all mailers, including nonprofits, Kearney said.

The Washington Post said the Trump tweet is just the latest in a series of digs the president has made against Amazon.

Details of the USPS-Amazon contract are secret, as are all similar postal contracts with large mailers.

Some USPS critics have attacked the agreement, contending that it does not cover all of the Postal Services costs.Would you like your water sparkling, from the tap or hauled out of an unsterilized river upstate? For proponents of the expensive new drinking trend known as "raw water," the choice is as clear as a Poland Spring.

According to a New York Times article published last week, a growing number of American hydration connoisseurs are turning off their taps and switching to unfiltered, untreated water from natural sources, shelling out up to $36.99 for a 2.5-gallon jug of the "raw" stuff.

While any individual with access to groundwater could ostensibly obtain their own supply, specialty raw water companies are seeing their products fly off store shelves (primarily in Silicon Valley, the Times noted), while tens of millions of dollars in venture capital flows back in.

Why? Isn't raw water just water  only less regulated? According to the Times, part of the movement's success may come from that very "off the grid" appeal: Raw water passes through no federal or municipal pipes, contains no additives (such as fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral typically added to tap water to fight tooth decay), and generally receives no filtration, ensuring every bottle remains as mineral-rich as Mother Nature intended. [Drinking Water Database: Put in Your ZIP Code and Find Out What's in Your Water]

Unfortunately, Mother Nature sometimes intends to give you an unpleasant case of diarrhea instead. Even America's most pristine-looking springs can harbor natural contaminants that make drinking their waters a sickly mistake, said Vince Hill, chief of the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. Without an intimate knowledge of where your water comes from, it's hard to say what's in it and who handles it on its journey from spring to bottle  this is why water gets filtered in the first place, Hill said, and why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces strict quality guidelines on America's public water providers.

Something in the water

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contaminated drinking water is one of the most dangerous preventable health risks the world faces. "Contaminated water can transmit diseases such diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio," the WHO says, adding that contaminated drinking water is estimated to cause 502,000 diarrheal deaths around the world each year.

The United States' public drinking water is among the safest in the world, according to the CDC, thanks in part to a multistep purification process that includes filtration, sedimentation (a process by which heavy particles of dirt are separated out) and disinfection. Cities and states have their own specific protocols for cleaning public drinking water depending on the water source they draw from, Hill said, but all of them follow one set of strict EPA guidelines aimed at eradicating 90 well-known water contaminants.

"There are many sources of water contamination, and some of those sources are naturally occurring," Hill told Live Science. "Spring water and mountain stream water may look pure, but it can be contaminated with things like bacteria and viruses, parasites and other contaminants that you can't see."

Chemicals like arsenic and radon, which occur naturally in soil and rocks but can be poisonous in large enough doses, can easily seep into groundwater without much indication, Hill said. Animals, meanwhile, pose their own risks: Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, two of the most common causes of waterborne diseases in the United States, easily spread from animal feces into natural water sources. Once ingested by humans, these parasites lead to nasty diarrheal diseases, the CDC says.

For this reason, the agency recommends that all backcountry water (sourced from a spring or otherwise) be properly filtered, disinfected or boiled before consumption.

"We recommend filtering and disinfecting [spring water] to make it safe," Hill said. "Just because you're in a natural area doesn't mean there aren't bacterial pathogens in the water that you just can't see."

And while some raw-water purists "contend that the wrong kind of filtration removes beneficial minerals  [and] kills healthful bacteria," the Times reported, Hill does not think this argument holds water.

"The basic benefit of drinking water is hydration  that's how it benefits our bodies, improving our mental process and bodily functions," Hill said. "There's not much data on whether water helps provide microbes for digestion and things like that. What we do think about when we think about microbes in water [are] germs that could cause diseases. That's why we talk about treating water, filtering water, disinfecting water to make it safer  the data we do have is more about the disease-causing effects of microbes in our water."

Originally published on Live Science.Humans and sharks are incredibly different creatures, but the two shared a common ancestor 440 million years ago, a new study finds.

Researchers made the discovery by studying the fossilized bones of a shark that lived during the Devonian, a period lasting from 416 million to 358 million years ago, when four-legged animals first started colonizing land.

By studying the remains of this 385-million-year-old shark, scientists were able to deduce that sharks and the ancestors of humans split before the Devonian, during the Silurian period (443 million to 416 million years ago), a time when the first fungi and arthropods, including arachnids and centipedes, moved onto land. [7 Unanswered Questions About Sharks]

Ancient shark

Researchers initially described the shark, known as Gladbachus adentatus, in 2001, naming it after Bergisch Gladbach, the German city where it was found. Its species name reflected its seemingly toothless jaws, although the new analysis revealed that it did have teeth during its lifetime, said study lead researcher Michael Coates, a professor in the Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago.

Even though researchers had already described G. adentatus, Coates and his colleagues decided to take another look at the shark fossil, largely because of its old age, unusual anatomy and completeness. "Fossil sharks are usually preserved as a mess of tiny scales and teeth and not much else," Coates told Live Science in an email.

In contrast, G. adentatus had an articulated skeleton, meaning that its bones were still in place. Coates compared the shark's remains to roadkill  the 2.6-foot-long (80 centimeters) shark was "squashed flat," he said.

A digital rendering of the skull and pectoral girdle from the top (a) and underside (b) of Gladbachus adentatus. (Image credit: Coates M.I. et al. Proceedings B/2018)

Even so, the remains are remarkable, Coates said. They indicate that the shark had a wide mouth and splayed-out gills. "The body is preserved as a sheet of prickly scales," Coates said. "The skeleton of the head has a very course grain to it, almost like the pattern of tree bark."

Ancient relations

G. adentatus is one of the earliest known fossil sharks on record. After analyzing it with a high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan, the researchers found that the animal "represents the tip of a branch, a side-shoot, from the base of the shark family tree," Coates said. "As such, [it] reveals new information about the diversity of early sharks that we haven't had access to before."

These features suggest that other, even older fossils of isolated scales do, in fact, come from early sharks. This discovery helped the researchers make the new estimate that at least 440 million years have passed since humans and sharks shared a common ancestor, Coates said.

Furthermore, shark evolution had many branches, they found. "Several lineages of the earliest sharks converged on what we now recognize as classic shark-like features, such as having a long throat with multiple gill slits," Coates said.

Scientists used to think that multiple gill slits were primitive, but G. adentatus shows they aren't, he said. "These serial gill slits represent an early specialization, and, we argue, this specialization is for filter feeding, somewhat like a modern basking shark," Coates noted. [Aahhhhh! 5 Scary Shark Myths Busted]

What's more, despite its initial name, G. adentatus actually had several kinds of teeth, including small mono-, bi- and tri-cuspid teeth lining its jaw, the researchers wrote in the study.

The study was published online yesterday (Jan. 2) in the journal Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Original article on Live Science.A genetic analysis of a baby's remains dating back 11,500 years suggests that a previously unknown human population was among the first to settle in the Americas.

Scientists recovered the DNA from an infant  only a few weeks old when she died  buried at the Upward Sun River archaeological site in the interior of Alaska. Their data indicated that the baby belonged to a group of people who were genetically distinct from humans in northeastern Asia, the region that launched a migration into North America over a now-submerged land bridge across the Bering Strait.

However, the data also showed that this group differed genetically from the two known branches of ancestral Native Americans. The unexpected discovery of this Alaskan population offers a new perspective on the first people to settle in the Americas and presents a more detailed view of their migratory path, researchers explained in a new study. [In Photos: Human Skeleton Sheds Light on First Americans]

Life and death in the Americas

Many thousands of years ago, the site where the infant lived  albeit briefly  and died was a residential camp with three tent-like structures. The baby, a girl, was buried beneath one of them, along with another female infant who was likely stillborn; later, a third child, who was about 3 years old when he or she died, was cremated in a hearth at the same spot, study co-author Ben Potter, a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, told Live Science.

A burial deep in a pit below the frozen surface helped to preserve the infant's remains  along with viable samples of the baby's DNA and partial DNA from the younger infant. The two were named Xach'itee'aanenh t'eede gaay ("sunrise child-girl") and Yekaanenh t'eede gaay ("dawn twilight child-girl") by the local indigenous community, according to the study. The researchers worked closely with native representatives while recovering and examining the remains and the rest of the archaeological site, Potter said.

Reconstruction of the Upward Sun River base camp (Image credit: Eric S. Carlson in collaboration with Ben Potter)

The remains of ice age humans are exceptionally scarce. Populations were highly mobile foragers; people generally didn't settle together in permanent villages or create burial grounds, and finding a site where someone had died and was buried was typically a matter of luck, Potter explained.

"It's really rare to encounter hunter-gatherer burials  period," he told Live Science.

"Another issue is that we're dealing with some of the earliest people in the Americas, and so there's an even smaller population to deal with. All of these factors make it difficult to find these [remains], so these are really rare and priceless windows into the past," he said.

Reconstructing an ancient journey

Previous explanations of humans' arrival in the Americas suggested that about 15,000 years ago, during the latter part of the icy Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), people crossed Beringia  the Bering land bridge  in a single migratory wave, then dispersed to North America and later to South America. More-recent findings showed that founding populations of Native Americans diverged genetically from their Asian ancestors about 25,000 years ago, introducing the idea that humans settled in Beringia for 10,000 years before reaching North America.

This newfound Alaskan group  now dubbed ancient Beringians  appeared about 20,000 years ago, while the Native American ancestral branches showed up between 17,000 and 14,000 years ago, the study authors reported.

The Upward Sun River discovery site (Image credit: Ben Potter)

The new DNA data  among the oldest genomic material from ice age humans to date  bolsters the notion of an extended stay in Beringia. But the surprising discovery of the previously unknown population in Alaska, which has its own distinct genetic makeup, adds a new twist to the human migration story, suggesting two scenarios for the transition from Beringia into the New World, Potter said.

The most likely possibility is that the genetic "split" between the ancient Beringians and ancestral Native Americans occurred in Eurasia, with the groups arriving independently in North America, the study said. The populations arrived either at the same time through different geographic areas or one after the other following the same general route, according to the study.

"This scenario is most consistent with the archaeological record, which to date lacks secure evidence of human occupation in Beringia and the Americas" dating to more than 20,000 years ago, the scientists wrote.

But it is also possible that the split occurred after a single population was established in eastern Beringia, the researchers added. [In Images; Ancient Beasts of the Arctic]

Adaptable and persistent

The far north was one of the last places on Earth to be populated by modern humans, a species that evolved in Africa. And there is much to be learned by examining how our species migrated and then adapted along the way to survive and thrive in vastly different ecosystems  particularly in the north, where this group of ancient Beringians persisted from 12,000 to 6,000 years ago, weathering dramatic environmental shifts along the way, such as climate change, large extinctions of animal species and the emergence of evergreen forests, Potter told Live Science.

And the Beringians managed to do it without significantly changing their technology, centered on a unique type of stone tool called a microblade, he said. This tool was commonly seen in ancient hunter-gatherer societies in Asia but was not found anywhere else in North or South America, Potter said.

"Understanding the adaptive strategies that made that possible  the innovations, the social organization, how people cooperated and how they made their tools  is really a profound way to understand our species," Potter said.

The findings were published online today (Jan. 3) in the journal Nature.

Original article on Live Science.It may not be much  just 0.1 inches (0.25 centimeters)  but it's the first measurable snowfall Tallahassee, Florida, has seen in 28 years.

The coating of white stuff over some northern parts of the Sunshine State, as well as southern Georgia, came courtesy of a storm system that is expected to rapidly strengthen as it moves up the East Coast, bringing strong winds and potentially heavy snowfall. Because of this "bomb cyclone," as it is known, forecasters have issued winter storm warnings from northern Florida to New England, a rare occurrence.

Florida is typically more synonymous with the snowbirds who flee frigid northern winters for the state's balmy beaches. But Florida, especially its northern reaches, can certainly see temperatures drop when cold air invades from the north, as it has over the last few days. [Earth in the Balance: 7 Crucial Tipping Points]

Typically, though, such cold air means conditions are too dry for any snow to fall.

And when there is snow, it usually hasn't been cold enough for long enough for roads and other surfaces to be sufficiently chilly for flakes to stick.

"It has to be cold enough to accumulate," Mark Wool, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tallahassee, told Live Science. "Thats why it's so rare."

But with this low-pressure system developing off the Atlantic coast of Florida, moisture was pulled far enough westward to provide the fuel for snow and the area  like the rest of the eastern half of the country  has "had an unusually long stretch of cold weather," he said. So the snow "started sticking right away."

See more

The snow lasted only about an hour and reached a mere 0.1 inches at the NWS office and the airport (the official station for record keeping), though higher amounts were reported farther north and east.

Officials closed portions of the highway, and schools were canceled out of an abundance of caution, Wool said, as freezing rain that preceded the snow made some roadways slick.

But the sun has already come out there and temperatures have risen above freezing, so "it's already melting away," he said.

The last time Tallahassee had measurable snow was in December 1989, when 1 inch (2.5 cm) fell on the city. Since then, they've had some traces of snow and accumulations of ice, most recently in 2014.

See more

The most snow Florida's capital has ever seen was 2.8 inches (7.1 cm), which fell in 1958. One of the rarest snowfalls in the state's history came when flurries fell across South Florida  even at Miami Beach  on Jan. 19, 1977, the first time that had happened in recorded history, according to the NWS. That snow also came after a prolonged blast of Arctic air.

Prepare for bombogenesis

As the current storm develops, its central pressure is expected to quickly meet the criteria for a process called bombogenesis, when pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. (Standard atmospheric pressure, or the weight of the air at sea level, is about 1,013 millibars). That steep drop causes air to come rushing in to fill the void, which creates strong winds.

The storm is also expected to drop potentially heavy snows along parts of the East Coast, though exactly how much snow will fall will depend on how closely the storm hugs the coastline. [6 Unexpected Effects of Climate Change]

Snowstorms and cold snaps  particularly in rare places like Florida  are often used by climate change doubters in attempts to debunk the concept of human-caused climate change, that is, the established rise in Earth's temperatures because of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. But both will continue to occur even in a warmer world, since Arctic air will remain relatively cold compared to lower latitudes and winter will still occur. However, cold snaps that lead to record lows will become less and less likely as Earths fever runs ever higher. Record highs have already been increasingly outpacing record lows in the U.S., currently by about 2 to 1. And a 2016 Climate Central research report found that winter precipitation was increasingly falling not as snow, but as rain in many states across the country.

Studies in recent years have shown some remarkable warming-related snow trends, though. For instance, areas around the Great Lakes are in prime lake effect snow territory, and snow amounts there may actually increase for a while, according to research and recent trends.

The lake effect happens when a sudden rush of cold air meets the still warm, unfrozen waters of the lakes, typically in late fall. The water evaporates into the cold air and falls as snow downwind. As lake temperatures rise, evaporation increases, which means more moisture is available to fuel snows when an Arctic blast comes along.

But eventually, temperatures will become too warm to support snow, particularly in the fall. Warming could push the prime lake effect season later into the winter as the lakes stay warmer longer.

A 2014 study that looked at how warming might affect the biggest snows  the Snowpocalypses and Snowzillas  found that extreme snowfalls might account for a bigger proportion of all snows for a time. The reason is because extreme snows happen in a narrow, Goldilocks-esque temperature band: if it's too warm it rains, and if it's too cold, the region is too dry for whopping snow totals.

As temperatures increase overall, they eat away at the range for all snow to form faster than the one for extreme snow, so blizzards drop off less quickly than snows overall.

What's more, snow could be wiped out at the same rate in regions with mild temperatures that rarely see snow. So, enjoy those snowflakes while you can, Florida.

Original article on Live Science.Local News, Crime, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 03 2018

Prevents Use of Taxpayer Dollars to Fund Individual Sexual Harassment Settlements.

Albany, NY - January 3, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the 18th proposal of the 2018 State of the State: a multi-pronged agenda that targets sexual harassment in the workplace. Governor Cuomo will propose legislation to prevent public dollars from being used to settle sexual harassment claims against individuals, void forced arbitration policies in employee contracts, and mandate that any companies that do business with the state disclose the number of sexual harassment adjudications and nondisclosure agreements they have executed.

"2017 brought a long overdue reckoning where the secret and pervasive poison of workplace sexual harassment was exposed by brave women and men who said this ends now," Governor Cuomo said. "Our challenge in government is to turn society's revulsion into reform, and we in New York must seize the moment and lead the way. There must be zero tolerance for sexual harassment in any workplace, and we can and will end the secrecy and coercive practices that have enabled harassment for far too long."

Governor Cuomo will advance legislation to prevent taxpayer funds from being used for settlements against individuals relating to sexual assault and harassment and to ensure that individual harassers are held accountable.

To further ensure accountability, the Governor proposes a uniform code of sexual harassment policies binding on all branches of state and local government and an independent and anonymous whistleblower process to help individuals to communicate complaints across state and local government without fear of retribution or consequence. To help bring justice to victims of sexual harassment, Governor Cuomo also proposes legislation that would void forced arbitration policies or clauses in employee contracts that prevent sexual harassment cases from consideration in law enforcement investigation and court trials.Local News, Crime, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 03 2018

Nation-leading, Five-Pronged Reform Package Will Ensure Equal Access to Justice for All Accused.

Albany, NY - January 3, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the 22nd proposal of his 2018 State of the State agenda - a sweeping, five-pronged reform package to overhaul the State's criminal justice system. This comprehensive package - the most progressive set of reforms in the nation -- will guarantee fairness for the accused by reshaping New York's antiquated bail system, ensuring access to a speedy trial, improving the disclosure of evidence in the discovery process, transforming asset forfeiture procedures and implementing new initiatives to help individuals transition from incarceration to their communities.

"The Empire State has always served as a beacon of equality and social justice, and with these actions New York is once again showing the nation the way forward," Governor Cuomo said. "For too long, our antiquated criminal justice system has created a two-tiered system where outcomes depend purely on economic status - undermining the bedrock principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. This sweeping overhaul will transform our criminal justice system by removing critical barriers, reaffirming our beliefs in fairness, opportunity and dignity, and continue our historic progress toward a more equal society for all."

The New Legislation will:

Eliminate monetary bail for people facing misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges;

Expand the discovery process to include disclosure of information in a timely manner including evidence and information favorable to the defense; intended exhibits; expert opinion evidence; witnesses' criminal history information; and search warrant information;

Reduce unnecessary delays and adjournments in court proceedings, requiring that people held in custody - not just their attorneys - consent to a speedy trial waiver that must be approved by a judge and ensure that defendants are not being held unnecessarily when the prosecution fails to meet deadlines;

Ban all asset seizures, unless an arrest is made and enhance reporting requirements for local law enforcement and District Attorneys; and

Improve the re-entry process for individuals transitioning from incarceration to their communities.

Reshaping Bail and Pretrial Detention

When New York's laws governing bail were enacted back in the 1970's they were among the most progressive in the nation. Unfortunately, the status quo is no longer acceptable. New York's current bail system fails to recognize that freedom before trial should be the rule, not the exception, and by tying freedom to money, it has created a two-tiered system that puts an unfair burden on the economically disadvantaged. Furthermore, in practice, the location of an arrest often defines whether or not you are released or have to pay money for your freedom creating further injustice.

To rectify these inequities, the Governor is proposing legislation that will eliminate monetary bail for people facing misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges. Instead, people will be released either on their own recognizance or with non-monetary conditions imposed by the court, such as reporting to a pretrial services agency. For people charged with a violent felony offense, both monetary and non-monetary bail would be permitted, but only after a judge conducts an individualized review of the nature of the case and the defendant's personal and financial circumstances. If monetary bail is set, the court must give the defendant a choice between cash or bail industry bonds and an alternative form of bail such as an unsecured or partially secured bond. Additionally, in limited cases such as domestic violence offenses, cases involving serious violence, or when a defendant commits a new crime while out on pretrial release, a judge could order, after due process, a defendant to be held in jail pretrial without bail if they find the defendant poses a significant flight risk or if there is a current threat to a reasonably identifiable person's physical safety. Together, these proposals not only level the playing field for all defendants, regardless of their economic standing, but also ensure that actual threats to public safety are addressed.

Expanding the Discovery Process

New York is one of only 10 states that enable prosecutors to withhold basic evidence until the actual day a trial begins. Even worse, New York has the distinction of standing alongside only three other states - Louisiana, South Carolina, and Wyoming - as having the nation's most restrictive discovery rules.

Under Governor Cuomo's plan, prosecutors and the defense will have to share information incrementally before a trial takes place. This will include disclosure of evidence and information favorable to the defense; intended exhibits; expert opinion evidence; witnesses' criminal history information; and search warrant information will be made available to defendants in a timely and consistent manner. Doing so ensures attorneys have the tools necessary to adequately represent their clients.

Additionally, along with an accelerated disclosure of witness information, this plan will provide numerous special procedures to ensure the safety of those witnesses and the sanctity of the judicial process.

Improving Access to a Speedy Trial

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and state law guarantee all citizens accused of a crime the right to a speedy and public trial. Too often, however, defendants are held in custody, pre-trial, for excessive periods of time and courts are overburdened with an overwhelming number of pending criminal cases. This leads to backlogs that disrupt the justice system and have a disparate impact on low-income and minority communities.

The new law will guarantee that criminal cases proceed to trial without undue delay and that people are not held in jail for unreasonable periods of time. It would reduce unnecessary delays and adjournments in court proceedings, requiring that people held in custody - not just their attorneys - consent to a speedy trial waiver that must be approved by a judge. These waivers include a deadline so that the defendant, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges understand when the trial is scheduled and will only be granted after the defendant has made an appearance before a judge.

Courts would also conduct periodic reviews of cases where defendants are held in detention, to assess the prosecutor's statement of readiness, reconsider bail status if appropriate, and schedule a pre-trial conference. This will ensure the courts monitor cases where defendants are in custody and encourage the case to move forward to a conclusion.

The final component will help prevent delays stemming from actions by the defense where attorneys may file frivolous speedy trial motions at the last minute to delay an impending trial date. Currently, the defense only has to allege that the prosecution failed to declare its readiness for trial within the statutory time period, shifting the burden to the prosecution to identify the sections of law that allow for its actions. Under the Governor's proposal, a motion to dismiss must be made at least 20 days before the trial begins and it must include sworn factual allegations specifying the time periods that are being charged against the prosecution.

Transforming Civil Asset Forfeiture

Civil asset forfeiture is the process by which authorities confiscate cash or property they believe is obtained through illicit means. Currently, a person does not have to be found guilty to have their assets claimed by law enforcement -- law enforcement only needs a preponderance of evidence to make a seizure.

Under the Governor's proposal, new legislation would be put forth that would ban all asset seizures, unless an arrest is made. In cases where people are acquitted or the case is otherwise dismissed, they would get their money and valuables returned.

Additionally, Governor Cuomo will move to enhance reporting requirements for local law enforcement and District Attorneys. New York's current reporting procedure only requires these groups to report the total value of assets seized and the distribution of those assets. The State Division of Criminal Justice Services will expand reporting requirements to include additional information, such as demographic and geographic data, to better understand how civil asset forfeiture is used in New York State. Once a more comprehensive data set is created, New York will then evaluate the asset forfeiture system and make the appropriate changes to fix the identified issues.

Improving the Re-Entry Process

Since taking office, the Governor has greatly reduced the barriers facing people with criminal convictions. These New Yorkers have paid their debt to society and now seek work, a place to live, an education, and participation in their community. In the last three years alone, New York has outlawed blanket discrimination against people with criminal convictions in state-funded housing, in public college admissions, in state employment and in insurance coverage for employers who hire people with criminal convictions.

Building on this work, the Governor is proposing to remove outdated statutory bans on occupational licensing for professions outside of law enforcement and instead, applicants will be assessed on an individual basis. The mandatory suspension of driver's licenses following a drug conviction will also be removed to allow people to travel to work and attend drug treatment, as long as the crimes did not involve driving.

Additionally, the Governor will safely widen release opportunities for people who have shown rehabilitation by expanding the type and variety of programs provided in state prisons to make those individuals eligible for merit release and limited credit time allowances. There are also people in prison over the age of 55 whose debilitating or incapacitating medical conditions are costly to manage behind the walls. To remedy this, the Governor will propose that the Parole Board examine these cases under a new "geriatric parole" provision in which the Board will balance any public safety risk posed by these individuals with their need for age-appropriate treatment in the community.

Finally, the Governor will speed returning citizens' reintegration to society by reducing their financial burdens after release, including removing the current parole supervision fee and having local child support enforcement offices review child support orders for people incarcerated over six months. If warranted, these orders can be adjusted to reflect the parent's current financial circumstances. The child will not lose out because they are not receiving money now due to most parents' inability to pay while incarcerated. Emerging without a crushing weight of unpaid support, a parent will be ready to reenter the workforce and start supporting their child upon release. The Governor has also ordered a comprehensive review of parole revocation guidelines and practices to determine appropriate alternatives to incarceration for those who violate technical parole conditions, but pose no risk to public safety.

This five-pronged effort will build upon the long list of improvements New York has made to the criminal justice system under the leadership of Governor Cuomo. In 2017 alone, Governor Cuomo led the effort to raise the age of criminal responsibility, passed legislation that required law enforcement to video-record custodial interrogations for serious offenses, allowed the use of photo arrays to identify witnesses to be admissible at trial and extended the landmark Hurrell-Harring settlement's indigent criminal defense reforms to the entire State, becoming the first State in the Nation to overhaul its public defense system in such a drastic manner.Nature & Weather, Local News, Health & Wellness

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 03 2018

Two Severe Weather Systems Approaching New York from the North and South; Blizzard Conditions Expected to Create Dangerous Driving Conditions on Long Island.

Albany, NY - January 3, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he will activate the State Emergency Operations Center at a Level 4 enhanced monitoring to track potentially dangerous winter storm conditions from two different low-pressure systems - one approaching from the north and the other affecting coastal areas - as well as frigid temperatures that will overspread the state through this weekend. The coastal system is expected to bring 7 to 12 inches of snow to Long Island over the next 5 days, primarily in Suffolk County. The system will also create blizzard conditions that could lead to blowing snow and whiteouts on roadways. The northern system is expected to bring 8-10 inches of snow in the typical lake effect snow areas of upstate.

"New York is no stranger to severe winter weather and this time we are facing two systems at once," said Governor Cuomo. "We have assets and personnel deployed throughout the state and we are ready to respond when and where it is needed. I ask all New Yorkers to stay informed, stay safe and make sure you prepare for cold and snow."

Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills will continue through the weekend and wind chill watches will remain in effect for all of Upstate New York. Low pressure systems to the north and moving up the Atlantic coast will bring snow across all of New York State today through the weekend. A winter storm warning has been issued for Suffolk County from 1 a.m. Thursday through 1 a.m. Friday. Winter storm watches have been issued for New York City and Nassau County from 1 a.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Thursday.

In the Long Island Region, Suffolk County is expected to see the highest accumulations from the coastal system with anywhere from 7 to 12 inches over the next 5 days with Nassau county as well as New York City forecast to receive from 3 to 6 inches of snow, with a potential for 6 inches or more, late tonight through Thursday. The balance of the State can expect generally from 3 to 8 inches through the weekend.

The typical lake effect snow regions of the Chautauqua Ridge in Western New York and Tug Hill Plateau in the North Country will see the highest amounts of snow accumulations from the northern system (generally 8-10 inches of accumulation over the 5 days).

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

Governor Cuomo will activate the New York State Emergency Operations Center Thursday morning to a Level 4 enhanced monitoring mode with State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services - Office of Emergency Management staff.

State OEM is prepared to respond to requests for assistance with assets from its stockpiles, including 678 generators, 235 light towers, 909 pumps, 9 sandbaggers, more than 930,000 sandbags, more than 46,700 ready-to-eat meals, almost 70,000 bottles and 312,000 cans of water, almost 9,000 cots, more than 11,000 blankets and pillows, nearly 4,000 flashlights, 960 traffic barriers, 594 traffic barrels, and 6,800 feet of aqua dam.

Thruway Authority

The Thruway Authority has 667 supervisors and operators ready to deploy 246 large snow plows, 113 medium snow plows, 10 tow plows and 52 loaders across the state with more than 101,000 tons of road salt on hand. Variable Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radio and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway.

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway here . For real-time updates, motorists can follow @ThruwayTraffic on Twitter or by visiting www.thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

Snowplows travel at about 35 miles per hour  which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit  in order to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. The safest place for motorists is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted.

Department of Transportation

The New York State Department of Transportation is ready to respond with more than 1,555 large plow/dump trucks, 205 medium plow/dump trucks, 325 loaders, 39 truck/loader mounted snow blowers, 52 tow plows, 20 graders and 14 pickup trucks with plows. DOT also has nearly 366,000 tons of road salt on hand. DOT continues to monitor weather forecasts and stands ready to shift resources as necessary to any areas of the state anticipating significant weather conditions.

Governor Cuomo recently announced the State Department of Transportation's acquisition of 44 Two-Stage Plows that clear snow and ice from the roads more efficiently. A second plow located directly behind the main plow blade will conform to the road surface, removing more snow to better clean the road surface and allow for reduced salt usage. The new plows will be located strategically across the State and will be used at targeted locations where less salt use is preferred due to environmental factors.

Motorists are reminded to check 511NY by calling 511, or visiting www.511ny.org before traveling. The free service allows users to check road conditions and transit information. Mobile users can download the free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

MTA Bridges & Tunnels

The MTA's bridges are equipped with embedded roadway sensors for temperature and above-ground atmospheric sensors that deliver real-time information on wind velocity, wind direction, humidity and precipitation via wireless communication. These sensors record data used to determine if speed restrictions are necessary. Managerial staff will be activated, the Command Center is prepared to operate their weather desks, and all equipment and supplies have been prepared for deployment. Bridges and Tunnels has 8,540 tons of roadway deicer and 106 pieces of snow-fighting equipment in service and available for storm fighting operations, including conveyor trucks, pay loaders, front loaders and plows.

Long Island Rail Road

The LIRR anticipates running normal service, as conditions warrant. As safety is a top priority of the LIRR, staff will monitor the storm as it progresses and make any adjustments necessary.

The LIRR will be taking preventative measures to deal with snow accumulation, including the activation of equipment heaters and deployment of de-icing equipment. Switch heaters will be used to keep rail switches moving freely so trains can be routed from one track to another. Anti-freeze trains also will operate as needed to help prevent icing on the third rail and ensure that electric trains can draw power properly. Station waiting rooms have remained open to the public around the clock due to the cold and will remain available to the riding public until Monday, January 8, when regular station waiting room hours will resume.

The LIRR has at the ready several different types of equipment during storms to ensure safe travel and operations, including 1 million pounds of de-icer, 25 cubic yards of sand, three cold-air snow blowers/throwers, four de-icer trains, nine rail-bound jet blowers/snow melters, 12,000 third-rail heaters/melters, 108 track switch heaters/snow melters, two rail-bound snow blowers/broom throwers, one rail-bound spreader, and seven mountable snow plows/salt spreaders. The LIRR also has two excavators, two forklifts, 31 loaders, 42 barricades, and 29 work vehicles/trucks to assist in weather-related conditions.

Customers are advised to allow extra time to get to the station and use caution when navigating stairways and platforms and when boarding and exiting trains in case of slippery conditions. Customers can sign up for the LIRR's Customer E-Alert/Text Message service for updates about service changes related to the storm at: http://mymtaalerts.com/LoginC.aspx . Customers can also check the MTA/LIRR website for service advisories at www.mta.info/lirr

Metro-North

Metro-North Railroad will deploy additional staff and specialized equipment to stay ahead of the wintery conditions. The railroad will bring in about 1,500 extra personnel to increase coverage around the system. Maintainers, track workers and power personnel will be on site to deal with such weather related issues as broken rails, catenary problems and switch failures.

To battle the elements, Metro-North has more than 900 pieces of storm-fighting equipment, including: 220 portable snow blowers, 3 rail-bound jet engine powered snow blowers/melters, 6 cold-air (rail) snow blowers/throwers, 2 rail-bound snow broom throwers, 635 track switch heaters/snow melters, 196 portable generators, 35 pickup truck plows, 70 mountable snow plows/salt spreaders and 767,000 pounds of salt.

NYC Subways and Staten Island Railway

MTA New York City Transit's Department of Subways and Staten Island Railway are operating under its Cold Weather Plan for forecasts of significant snow accumulation. Under this plan, some subway trains may be moved and stored underground in anticipation of heavy snow or ice to prevent them from being blocked in yards. On lines with express service, trains may operate local service only during this change. Station crews will be deployed to clear snow and to salt platforms, as well as station entrances, sidewalk vents, emergency exits and other Transit operational and employee facilities. Mobile wash operations for stations and refuse trains will be suspended during this time. Personnel will activate 500 track switch heaters, more than 1,600 third-rail heaters and lift-rail heaters systemwide. While the underground portions of the subway system are unaffected during snowstorms, nearly 220 miles of outdoor track throughout the boroughs are particularly vulnerable to snow and freezing precipitation, such as the Rockaway AS, Sea Beach N, Flushing 7, Brighton BQ and Dyre Av 5 lines. To combat ice buildup, non-passenger trains will continuously operate in outdoor tracks to help snow and ice accumulation. Trains also will be deployed with ice-scraping shoes, and diesel trains will be activated as de-icers. Personnel will have access to 600,000 pounds of calcium chloride and 200,000 pounds of sand to melt snow and ice.

Staten Island Railway will protect trains from the inclement weather by storing them at St. George. A de-icer train will be staffed for 24 hours, and additional staff will be activated during overnight hours to clear snow and salt platforms. Additional personnel will be deployed to inspect four critical interlockings and dispatchers will operate more than 80 switch heaters to ensure continued service on the railway, which operates on outdoor tracks for most of its route.

More information on how NYC Subways prepares for wintry weather can be found in this video on MTA's YouTube channel.

NYCT Bus and MTA Bus Company

All articulated buses will have snow chains on tires by Thursday morning, January 4. Standard buses will be equipped with all-weather tires or snow tires. Snowfighters will be deployed from Wednesday night, January 3, through Friday morning, January 5. Additional managerial staff and satellite monitoring offices will be staffed from Wednesday night through Friday morning. The Department of Buses has more than 357,000 pounds of rock salt and 100 pieces of snowfighting equipment such as tow trucks ready for deployment.

Paratransit

Service providers will remain in contact with the Paratransit Command Center, and snow removal equipment and salt are ready for deployment at carrier facilities. Additional call center staff and managerial staff will be on duty. More than 1200 Paratransit vehicles have been fitted with snow tires. On Thursday, January 4 and on Friday, January 5, trips reserved via e-hail, voucher and broker-providers will be limited after 9 p.m. Paratransit customers should expect additional travel and wait time during inclement weather. If snow accumulation exceeds six inches, Paratransit customers should consider rescheduling travel unless medically necessary.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority has the following winter weather equipment and supplies ready at its major transportation facilities:

Hundreds of pieces of snow equipment at its airports, including melters that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow an hour and plows that can clear snow at 40 mph

Nearly 100 pieces of snow equipment at its bridges and tunnels, including the George Washington Bridge

Thousands of tons of salt and sand for airport roads and parking lots, plus thousands of tons of salt for bridges and tunnels

Hundreds of thousands of gallons of liquid anti-icing chemicals at the airports, which prevent snow and ice from bonding to runways and taxiways, plus thousands of tons of solid "de-icers," which break up snow and ice already on the ground

Plow-equipped trains, liquid snow-melting agent trains, and a "jet engine" plow to remove snow from PATH tracks

Snow blowers, plows and spreaders to clear station entrances and roads that serve PATH's 13 stations and various support facilities

The Port Authority advises travelers to check with their carriers to make sure their flight will be taking off before going to the airport. If warranted, the Port Authority also is prepared to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports. The Port Authority also urges bus travelers to check with their carriers before going to the bus terminals, since many public and private carriers may cancel or delay service if conditions warrant. The agency also may impose speed restrictions on its crossings, or close them entirely based on weather conditions.

State Police and National Guard

The New York State Police is fully staffed for the storm, and will be closely monitoring road conditions in order to move patrols to affected areas as necessary. All 4X4 vehicles, snowmobiles, and other equipment have been tested and are ready for deployment. The New York National Guard is ready to assist communities across the state in advance of winter weather and is prepared to stand up Immediate Response Forces at Farmingdale Armed Forces Reserve Center, Camp Smith Training Site, Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach and Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y. In total, 180 personnel and 34 humvees and 6 trucks will be available for deployment downstate.

Plan Ahead

Governor Cuomo also offered the following safety tips to prepare for winter travel:

Travel with Care

Preparing your vehicle now will help ensure your vehicle is in good working order when you need it most. Have a mechanic check the following items on your vehicle:

Battery

Wipers and windshield washer fluid

Antifreeze

Ignition system

Thermostat

Lights

Exhaust system

Flashing hazard lights

Heater

Brakes

Defroster

Oil level

Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. You may also want to carry a set of tire chains in your vehicle for heavy snow conditions.

Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal and maintain at least a half tank of gas throughout the winter season.

Finally, plan long trips carefully. Listen to the local media report or call law enforcement agencies for the latest road conditions.

The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents.

Before driving:

Give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination. Make sure your car is stocked with emergency items like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly-colored cloth to use as a distress flag.

Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline freeze-up.

If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.

Make sure someone knows your travel plans

As you drive:

Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.

Keep your vehicle clear of ice and snow - good vision is key to good driving.

Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars.

Remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children.

If you lose power:

Call your utility first to determine area repair schedules. Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored.

To help prevent freezing pipes, turn on faucets slightly. Running water will not freeze as quickly.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food spoilage

Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning:

Do not operate generators indoors; the motor emits deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Do not use charcoal to cook indoors. It, too, can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide gas.

Do not use your gas oven to heat your home -- prolonged use of an open oven in a closed house can create carbon monoxide gas.

Make sure fuel space heaters are used with proper ventilation.

Generator Safety

Before installing a generator, be sure to properly disconnect from your utility electrical service. If possible, have your generator installed by a qualified electrician.

Run generators outside, downwind of structures. NEVER run a generator indoors. Deadly carbon monoxide gas from the generators exhaust can spread throughout enclosed spaces. Install a carbon monoxide detector.

Fuel spilled on a hot generator can cause an explosion. If your generator has a detachable fuel tank remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling.

Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Most of the small, home-use portable generators produce from 350 to 12,000 watts of power. Overloading your generator can damage it, the appliances connected to it, and may cause a fire. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Keep children away from generators at all times.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer claiming about 1,000 lives each year in the United States. Such common items as automotive exhaust, home heating systems and obstructed chimneys can produce the colorless, odorless gas. The gas can also be produced by poorly vented generators, kerosene heaters, gas grills and other items used for cooking and heating when used improperly during the winter months.

Never run generators indoors. Open a window slightly when using a kerosene heater.

Never use charcoal to cook indoors.

Never use a gas oven to heat your home.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches and dizziness. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, ventilate the area and get to a hospital.

Fire Safety

Always keep a screen around an open flame.

Never use gasoline to start your fireplace.

Never burn charcoal indoors.

Do not close the damper when ashes are hot.

When using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace, woodstove, etc. always make sure you have proper ventilation. Keep curtains, towels and potholders away from hot surfaces.

Have your chimney checked before the season for creosote buildup -- and then clean it.

Have a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors, and make sure they work

Establish a well-planned escape route with the entire family.

Kerosene HeatersLocal News, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 03 2018

We must always remember that we are not merely lawyers; we are prosecutors.  Our job is to seek out the truth and to serve justice, and we must act accordingly at all times. - ...

Suffolk County, NY - January 3, 2017 - Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini took the oath of office to begin his tenure as District Attorney at an inaugural ceremony on January 2, 2018 in the Van Nostrand Theater at Suffolk County Community Colleges Michael J. Grant campus in Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini took the oath of office to begin his tenure as District Attorney at an inaugural ceremony on January 2, 2018 in the Van Nostrand Theater at Suffolk County Community Colleges Michael J. Grant campus in Brentwood, N.Y.

Sini was joined by his wife Amanda and their three children as he was sworn in on his familys Bible by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer.

Today marks the moment that together, we usher in a new era of criminal justice in Suffolk County  one that ensures public safety, champions the law, and promotes public trust and faith in our law enforcement agencies, District Attorney Sini said. Our goal is a simple one, and that is to make the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office the best it can be.  We will have a culture where we are tough but fair, where we view our legal and ethical obligations as a way of life and not as burdens, and where we simply do the right thing in each and every case, every task, and every moment that we are fortunate enough to serve the people of Suffolk County.

Part of doing the right thing is to ensure that we create and implement a culture of compliance with all of our legal and ethical obligations, particularly our Brady obligations  the solemn duty to disclose information that is favorable to the defense. Brady is designed to help us. It is not a burden. It is a rule that allows us do our jobs, because our job is to seek out the truth and ensure a fair process for the people and the accused.  It advances the truth, a fair system and ultimately leads to justice being served, Sini said.

Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone served as the Master of Ceremonies for the inauguration, which was attended by more than 500 people.

District Attorney Sini was joined on stage by several members of his administration, including Chief of Staff Justin S. Meyers, Chief Assistant William T. Ferris III, incoming Division Chief Tad Scharfenberg, incoming Division Chief Megan ODonnell, and Acting Suffolk County Police Commissioner John W. Barry, who will be joining the District Attorneys office as Chief Investigator once a new police commissioner is appointed.

The ceremony opened with a performance by the Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band followed by a rendition of the National Anthem by the Central Islip High School Concert Choir. Members of the Suffolk County Police Departments Fourth Precinct Explorers program presented the colors while U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mervin Leonor led attendees in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Brentwood High School student Marilyn Parada sang God Bless America to close the program.

Prayers were offered by Rev. Dr. Keith Hayward of Bethel A.M.E. in Copiague; Pastor Mike Jankowski of The Harbor Church; Father Alex Karloutsos of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons; and Father Steve J. Peterson of Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, under whom Sini served as an altar boy during his childhood.

We are going to implement a structure and a team so that we are able to address the public safety challenges of our time, District Attorney Sini said. We are going to be on the cutting edge of stemming the tide of the drug epidemic. We are going to adopt policies that better incentivize treatment for those who are suffering from drug addiction, while treating drug dealers who peddle poison for profit like murderers whenever the law and evidence permit it. We are going to proactively target MS-13 and other violent street gangs through our newly created Gang Unit, and work collaboratively with all of our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level. We are once again going to be on the cutting edge of environmental crime to deter the illegal dumping that occurs here in beautiful Suffolk County. We are going to protect workers from exploitation by greedy profiteers and enforce the County and State laws that are designed to protect our workforce. We are going to protect our witnesses and victims, and do everything in our power to make Suffolk County a safer place to live, work and raise a family.

Every place [District Attorney Sini] has gone, he excelled, Sen. Schumer said. But he wasnt born with a silver spoon in his mouth; hes not one of these people who thinks he hit a home run because he was born on third base. He came up the old fashioned way, working hard every step of the way. He got to this position the old fashioned way: he earned it. Its a great day for Suffolk County because we have one of our best focusing on keeping us safe.  Not someone who puts other things first, but someone of the highest ethical standard, someone who is brilliant and dedicated and knows how to work with people.

Tim Sini will meet the challenges ahead with a tireless work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and a core set of convictions founded in faith and family, Suffolk County Executive Bellone said. Confronted with difficult choices, he will gather information, seek council, consider all options, and make the best decision possible, guided always by what is right and what is just.

[District Attorney Sini] took the helm of the police department in the wake of scandal  and people quickly began to see what I had seen: this man leads. He puts the best people in leadership positions  individuals defined by character and integrity. He listened, he learned and he launched groundbreaking new initiatives that helped drive crime down to the lowest level in recorded history. And now as he assumes the office of the District Attorney in the wake of scandal, its not just me who knows what he will do; it is all of you. It is the people of Suffolk County who overwhelmingly elected him. [District Attorney Sini] will reform this office, usher in a new era of law enforcement in this county that will have a profound impact on public safety and the ability of this government to reach its full potential, Bellone said.

Tim was indoctrinated with all of the great principles, ethics, integrity and morality deeply rooted in the traditions of [the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York], David N. Kelley, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said. His tenure of Suffolk County Police Commissioner only confirms that. Tim is not just a fine lawyer gifted with a strong sense of integrity, but he simply is a wonderful human being who is worthy of trust the people in this county have placed in him, and that includes me.by Fern Siegel , January 3, 2018



SheKnows Media, a womans health and lifestyle media company, comprised of four sites  SheKnows.com, BlogHer.com, HelloFlo.com and StyleCaster.com  is in growth mode. In late December 2017, it hit 89 million unique visitors, per comScore, a 65% increase between September and November.

The digital media company credits its growth to its ad-tech offering, Boomerang, which identifies specific audiences from a demographic and psychographic perspective across thousands of websites. In addition, programmatic sales became its main source of revenue in fourth-quarter 2017.

In early 2018, SheKnows Media will integrate the HelloFlo website -- which won the 2017 Webby Award for Best Health Site -- and its popular Learn From Her platform into SheKnows.com.

The HelloFlo brand will remain as the sites primary health content hub, addressing topics that range from reproductive health to de-stigmatizing mental illness.

advertisement advertisement

However, SheKnows.com, BlogHer.com and StyleCaster will remain independent within the SheKnows Media brand portfolio.

"The BlogHer platform houses the 21,000-plus influencers with whom we work to publish branded and non-branded content to our sites. It also serves as the hub for information about our live event series," says Samantha Skey, president, SheKnows Media.

On the content front, Skey says the sites will roll out "exciting new tentpole packages that dive deep into specific topics (like fertility, postpartum depression, black women in the beauty industry, etc." SheKnows Media will continue to develop successful existing franchises like #HatchKids, a video workshop series that helps parents talk to their kids about pressing issues.

This spring, SKM will debut a new video series to complement its investment in women entrepreneurs via the Passion to Profit and #ThePitch tentpoles.



The company also announced its BlogHer18 event, a conference of 500 health-content creators, experts and social media influencers. Taking place January 30-31 in New York, various speakers, including Jillian Michaels, Balanced Blondes Jordan Younger and Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow, will participate.

Per Skey, BlogHer18 has surpassed all others in terms of paid sponsorships. Premier sponsors include pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie, Sunovian, Amgen and Tesaro, as well as Unilever and Vagisil. Aside from leading pharmaceutical and personal-care brands, conference sponsors include Chase, 23andMe and Amazon.

Other first-quarter SKM advertisers include Target, Sephora, Procter & Gamble, Mars, Materne and Honda.Bollywood diva Sonam Kapoor and her bae Anand Ahuja are having quite a gala time in Paris. Since the past few days, the pictures and Instagram stories of both have surfaced on the social media and have instantly gone viral with good reason.

From teasing us with a glimpse of her Paris diaries to sharing cute pictures of her and Anand, we can see Sonam having a gala time with her sister, friends, and boyfriend.

The duo who often shares their pictures on social media also welcomed the New Year in the cutest way possible, hugging and dancing with each other, oblivious to the world and not giving a damn who is watching.

Here's how the couple ushered 2018 in the most amazing manner!

On Christmas Eve With Her Man

Adorable AF!

The couple is rumoured to be dating each other for two years now. However, Sonam firmly believes in keeping her private life private.

Talking about it to the media she has said, It's private and I don't believe in talking about it. I will not hide it but I will not talk about it either.

 Insatgram

Because Anand Loves To Share What His Lady Love Does On His Stories

Lovey-Dovey Feel!

Another Amazing Couple In The Making!

And That's How They Welcomed 2018

Celebrating The New Year With Her Favourite People!

Family matters  A post shared by Samyukta Nair (@samyuktanair) on Jan 1, 2018 at 12:32pm PST

In fact the two are having a great time in Paris and London and papa Kapoor surely approves of him. When Anil Kapoor was recently asked about them he said, It is not my place to speak about Anand, that is entirely Sonam's prerogative and I have not known her to speak about her personal life. All I can say is that him and I are both private people and the bond we share is too personal for me to discuss with the media.

If reports are to be believed, the duo is all set to get married in February this year!Christian bale has time and again proved that he can take on any kind of role, and will go to extreme lengths to get it right. From playing Patrick Bateman in American Psycho to Batman and now playing Dick Cheney in his upcoming movie, the man can do it all.

So, it doesn't come as a surprise that he was approached to be a part of another extremely successful franchise. But, we honestly missed out on seeing Christian Bale in a Star Wars movie, it would've been so surprising and refreshing.

The versatile actor recently confirmed that he was approached for a role in 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'. Talking about the offer, he said, Very tempting. I not only love the films going back to my childhood, but also have a very long relationship with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall because they did Empire of the Sun from many years back. There was discussion, I hope there will be future discussions.

He made this revelation during MTV's Happy Sad Confused podcast, and along with talking about how he was almost a part of Star Wars franchise, he also mentioned he hasn't seen any of Ben Affleck's Batman movies.

Even though the Star Wars role didn't work out, it doesn't mean that it can't still happen, so we'll just have to wait and see. Bale didn't mention what role he was in the talks for, it seems like it was the character of Beckett, Han Solo's criminal mentor who is being played by Woody Harrelson.

 Lucas Films

Talking more about Star Wars, Bale said, I'm a huge fan. Star Wars really interests me. I've still got the Millennium Falcon, I've got the AT-AT. My daughter, her first love was Darth Vader. She absolutely adored Darth Maul... stood near him at Disneyland and he growled and he's got those teeth and he stayed in character  really wonderful performance  and she was teeny and I thought, 'This is gonna scare the crap out of her, this is such a bad idea'. And then she stopped and she said, 'Daddy, I'm in love'.

'Solo: A Star Wars Story', which will be centred around Han Solo obviously as the name suggests, is set to theatres in a few months and even though Christian Bale is not a part of it, it's still all very exciting and we can just hope that one day Batman will be in Star Wars.Anyone and everyone who has seen 'Black Mirror' now has an extremely different perception about new technology. The science fiction anthology television series focuses on the consequences of new technologies, most of which we are not prepared for.

With every new season, it exceeds our expectations and the latest season was no exception. With 6 episodes that cover a wide and eclectic range of film genres, we couldn't have been happier.

But, there was one episode that garnered the most attention- 'USS Callister'.

 Netflix

The wildly similar Star Trek vibes that this episode gave the audience was the reason why it became the most popular one out of the lot. And those who loved it beyond words are now in for a treat.

 Netflix

The director of the episode, Toby Haynes said in an interview that he would love to see it as a TV series. (Who wouldn't really?). Here is what he said to The Hollywood Reporter,

I was talking with Louise Sutton, who produced this and 'Metalhead', and she cooked up a brilliant idea of spinning it off into a TV series. I'd love to do a TV series of USS Callister  it's probably one of the best pilots for a space show, ever. And I made it! So I'm keen to see it as a TV series. I think Charlie might revisit it as a Black Mirror. Whether I'm the one to do it, I don't know. Being a fan of the show as much as I am, and being a part of making it, I'd love to work with that crew and cast again. It's a gift for a director.

Honestly, we would love to see each one of Black Mirror's episodes in the form of a TV series but 'USS Callister' definitely seems like a good start.

In case you haven't seen the episode, here's a trailer to fascinate you and get you started:'Dangal' has continuously been living up to its name and the movie has been smashing records left and centre ever since its grand release catapulted it to a worldwide success.

The movie has turned out to be the biggest blockbuster release in China and the fact that it made more than $300 million soon after its much coveted release there, speaks a lot about the thunderous response it garnered.

Another feather has been added in the successful cap of 'Dangal' with the movie now enjoying the position of the No.1 rank on the IMDB charts.

 UTV

The movie traces the story of Mahavir Phogat and his daughters, Geeta and Babita. The movie stars Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Sanya Malhotra. The fact that a Bollywood movie is roaring in China explains that when a story is told perfectly, it strikes a chord everywhere, regardless of the culture because emotions have no language.

Besides China, the movie was a huge hit in many other countries, namely the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan.Conventional troops would take on more of the missions normally assigned to Special Forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere in 2018 under a plan being developed by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

To ease the strain on the overworked U.S. Special Operations Command (SoCom), Mattis said he is looking to take greater advantage of the "common capabilities" the conventional forces have developed since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I anticipate more general purpose forces being used for some of the missions" that have been associated only with the Special Forces, he said Friday in an informal session with Pentagon reporters.

"In the past, we used only Special Forces" for those missions requiring specific skills, but many of those skills now also reside in the conventional forces, Mattis said.

"So the general purpose forces are going to have to have some of the capabilities you and I used to associate only with Special Forces, but we already have this capability," he said.

"I mean, there was a time when the only people who ran drones were the Special Forces," Mattis said, but the use of drones is now widespread in the conventional force.

For years, special operators have complained that they are overstretched. Last May, Gen. Raymond "Tony" Thomas III, SoCom commander, bluntly told the Senate Armed Services Committee, "We are not a panacea" for every military problem that pops up around the world.

He said more than 8,000 special operations personnel were then deployed to 80 countries worldwide, and the high tempo of operations was impacting readiness.

"We are not the ultimate solution to every problem, and you will not hear that coming from us," Thomas said.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, the committee chairman, agreed with Thomas and warned against "a seemingly insatiable demand for the unique capabilities of our special operators" among other combatant commanders.

In his comments last Friday, Mattis said that what he called "general purpose" troops are already taking on roles normally performed by the Special Forces in the Trans-Sahel region of northern Africa and in other areas.

"By and large, for example in Trans-Sahel, many of those forces down there supporting the French-led effort are not Special Forces. So we'll continue to expand the general purpose forces, where it's appropriate. I would see -- I anticipate more use of them," he said.

At the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, conventional forces are "using capabilities that were never there before. And so they're now capable of doing it" on a par with special operators, Mattis said.

He also noted that the first of the Army's new Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB) will likely deploy in the spring to Afghanistan to take on some of the train, advise and assist duties of the Special Forces with the conventional forces of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).

The 1st SFAB, based at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduated in October from the Army's new Military Training Adviser Academy and was to be assigned to U.S. Central Command for deployment to Afghanistan.

Other SFABS are expected to graduate in 2018 under a plan to assign one to each combatant command.

The SFAB in Afghanistan will be expected to do for the Afghan conventional forces what the Special Forces have done for the Afghan special forces through training and mentoring in basic infantry and artillery tactics, Mattis said.

"We're going to be putting more American forces, advisers, in the more conventional force in the Afghan army. As you know, they have not had them, and they've not -- they were not ready to fight in the way we want them to," he said.

Mattis said he would likely not put his plan for using more conventional troops in place of Special Forces in the National Security Strategy document he expects to release later this month. He said he would rather make his plan known in a memo to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford.

"And when the chairman gets my note, he'll know he'll have to use general purpose forces. And it wouldn't go -- I don't think it would go into a strategy document," Mattis said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.The U.S. Army says "appropriate administrative action" has been taken against a two-star general faulted for mistreating a congressional staffer, but the service refused to specify the steps it took against Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves.

"The matter is now closed," Army spokeswoman April Cunningham said in a statement.

Gonsalves, who served as commander of the Fort Carson, Colo.-based 4th Infantry Division until August, had been in line for a promotion. In July, he was nominated by the Army for a third star, but the White House rescinded the nomination on Nov. 27, after an inspector general's probe.

The allegations against Gonsalves centered on complaints that he failed to treat a female congressional staffer with "dignity and respect" during an October 2016 meeting at his Fort Carson headquarters.

Gonsalves is now serving as a special assistant to the commander of the Fort Hood, Texas-based III Corps. Special adviser postings in the Army can function as brief stopping points while a general awaits promotion or is stuck in limbo while under investigation.

The Army did not say whether Gonsalves would be offered a promotion in the future or whether his current assignment would be his last.

"Following the completion of the Inspector General's investigation of Major General Ryan Gonsalves, appropriate administrative action was taken," Cunningham said.

The IG says it was able to substantiate an accusation that Gonsalves called the congressional staffer "sweetheart" during a meeting about the 4th Infantry Division's mission, which amounted to a violation of Army command policy.

The IG complaint also said that Gonsalves took issue with the staffer's youth and told her she should take detailed notes on why the military needed funding "since she was a Democrat and did not believe in funding the military," the IG report said.

Another staffer at the meeting confirmed that Gonsalves used the word "Democrat." He said that he was "shocked" by use of the word but did not regard the overall tenor of Gonsalves' political comments as derogatory.

Generals are expected to refrain from overt expressions of partisanship while in uniform.

Gonsalves denied making disrespectful remarks about political affiliation during the meeting, and five other witnesses testified they didn't hear the general make such remarks. As a result, the IG determined that the evidence did not support a conclusion that Gonsalves comments were "objectively disrespectful."

Gonsalves also denied calling the female staffer sweetheart, but the IG said the preponderance of the evidence indicated otherwise.

In recent years, misconduct among senior leaders has been a growing concern inside the Pentagon. In November, the Pentagon inspector general reported a 13 percent increase in misconduct complaints between 2015 and 2017. High-profile scandals, frequently involving extramarital affairs, have forced numerous generals into early retirement.

The complaint against Gonsalves did not involve any accusations of sexual misconduct.The Pentagon has identified the Army Special Forces soldier killed in a Jan. 1 firefight in Afghanistan as Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, making him the first U.S. combat death of 2018.

Golin, a native of Fort Lee, New Jersey, died after being wounded by small-arms fire when enemy forces attacked his dismounted patrol in Nangarhar Province, according to a press release Wednesday from the Defense Department.

Golin, 34, was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne),at Fort Carson, Colorado.

A military statement issued Tuesday said four other troops were wounded in the Jan. 1 battle in the Achin district of Nangarhar province. Two of the wounded were in stable condition, and the other two have returned to duty, according to the statement.

Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, expressed condolences, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own."

The firefight that resulted in Golin's death is under investigation.

Golin was originally born in Riga, Latvia, according to an Army press release. He moved to the United States in October 2004 and enlisted in the Army on Jan. 5, 2005.

Golin served in 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, according to the Army release.

He then volunteered for Special Forces training and graduated from the Army's Special Forces Qualification Course in November 2014. He was assigned to 10th SFG (A) as a Special Forces weapons sergeant.

Prior to his September 2017 deployment to Afghanistan, Golin participated in three other deployments. He deployed once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2006 to November 2007, and twice to Afghanistan from February 2009 to February 2010 and from December 2011 to October 2012, both in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, according the Army press release.

Golin's awards include the Purple Heart Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Special Forces Tab; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge; and the Parachutist Badge, according to the Army release.

The United States formally concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014 but still carries out operations against the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate, both of which are active in Nangarhar.

On April 13, the Air Force dropped the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. military's arsenal against the Islamic State in that province. The 21-000-pound GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or MOAB, is nicknamed the "Mother of All Bombs. It was the first ever combat use of the massive ordnance.

Despite the MOAB's destruction, enemy activity in the province continued.

Two Army Rangers were killed there April 26 in a fierce gun battle with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan.

Sgt. Joshua "Josh" Rodgers and Sgt. Cameron Thomas of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, were killed by small-arms fire, according to a Pentagon press release.

In the April incident, about 50 U.S. Army Rangers and 40 Afghan commandos were inserted by helicopter into the Mohmand Valley.

A three-hour firefight ensued, resulting in U.S. special operations forces killing several senior ISIS-K leaders along with about 35 ISIS operatives, U.S. military officials maintain.

A statement at the time from U.S. officials said there was a "possibility" that Rodgers and Thomas were killed by friendly fire and that U.S. Forces Afghanistan is investigating the incident.

Those at the scene report close-quarters fighting and enemy fire coming at them from 360 degrees, U.S. officials said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.The Marine Corps is doing away with its 0351 infantry assaultman military occupational specialty and phasing out the assault section of Marine rifle companies in an effort to build up communities such as cyber and electronic warfare, Military.com has learned.

Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, who confirmed planning in December while on an annual tour of deployed Marine elements around the world, said he expects the move to happen in the next three to five years as part of a slate of changes designed to help the Corps prepare for future fights.

The 0351 infantry assaultman, one of the Marine Corps' five core infantry positions, is tasked with breaching, demolition, and rocket fire against fortified positions. Assaultmen carry the MK-153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon, or SMAW.

But Neller said he's making changes that will ensure those roles are filled by other members of a rifle company.

Related content:

Each future rifle company will have an element of combat engineers aligned with it to take on breaching and demolition duties. The engineers will carry the SMAW, but they may not be the only ones.

"Can you shoot a SMAW?" Neller asked a Marine infantryman during a brief visit to elements of the Corps' crisis response task force for Africa in Moron, Spain.

The Marine responded that he could not.

"Yes, you can," Neller shot back. "I could teach you in five seconds."

Neller also confirmed that the Marine Corps plans to replace the SMAW in its breaching mission with the Carl Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle, a possibility first reported exclusively by Military.com in November. That move will likely take place in the next four years.

"It's a little more sporty [than the SMAW], but it has 10 different kinds of ammunition," Neller said. " ... Do I like the SMAW? Yes, I do. But we had to give up something to get something else."

In an interview with Military.com, Neller explained that the plan to end the 0351 MOS and the assault section is a numbers game.

Marine Corps leaders made clear in early 2017 that they wanted a significant increase in end strength: 12,000 additional troops to resource fields such as cyber, information operations, and counter-drone efforts.

The service would add 3,000 Marines in 2017 and now expects an additional 1,000, thanks to the recently signed 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. But in the absence of a major plus-up, planners are looking for trade-offs.

"We had to create some trades to buy other Marines to do other things," Neller said.

At seven Marines in a company assault section, three companies in a battalion, and 24 battalions in the Marine Corps, the move will leave more than 500 spots available in the service to fill other jobs.

In addition to cyber, Neller said he's looking to build up intelligence analysis, air defense, and maintenance for ground vehicles and aviation.

It makes sense to cut the infantry assaultman MOS in part because it contains Marines of more junior ranks -- private to sergeant -- and its training overlaps with that of the other infantry MOSs, he said.

"The curriculum for 0311 [rifleman], 0331 [machine gunner], 0341 [mortarman], 0351 -- the first 28 days is exactly the same," Neller said. "So I don't think those Marines would have a whole lot of difficulty transitioning to another MOS."

Assaultmen who re-enlist have to transition to MOS 0369, platoon sergeant, anyway, he added.

If the Marine Corps eventually does get the larger plus-up it's after, Neller said, it could always bring the assault section back. Unlike more technologically sophisticated jobs such as cyber and electronic warfare that measure professional training in years, new assaultmen take a few months to train.

"It's part of the calculus on anything you do, is how hard is it to bring it back if you cadre it," Neller said.

Maximilian Uriarte, creator of the Terminal Lance webcomic that is hugely popular within the Marine Corps, has written in the past about his time as an infantry assaultman.

"It is kind of the oddball of the infantry; no one really knows what we do or how to properly employ us," he wrote in 2010. "As a result, we are often just turned into a rifle squad or divided to be machine gunners."

Uriarte told Military.com on Monday that rumors of the coming demise of the 0351 MOS had floated around the infantry for the entirety of his career.

Because of the specific, niche nature of the job, he said, 0351s end up doing other jobs on deployment. When he deployed to Iraq, he said, he ended up filling the always in-demand role of machine gunner.

"The whole idea of the job is to breach and blow open doors, and how often do you need to do that? Do you need a whole MOS for that?" he said.

But despite all that, Uriarte expressed nostalgia for the job.

"I am sad," he said. "I loved my MOS."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.The 2.4 percent military pay raise for 2018 went into effect Jan. 1, and the first paychecks will go out Jan. 15, according to the Defense Department.

"Service members should see the [2.4 percent] raise in the first payday in January," typically Jan. 15 for active-duty service members, and the payday following their first "drill weekend" for Guard and reservists, Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Ochoa said Tuesday.

The White House initially proposed a 2.1 percent pay raise for the military while the House and Senate included a 2.4 percent raise in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2018, which is bottled up in yet another impasse over Congress' failure to reach a budget deal.

The government is now operating at 2017 spending levels under a second temporary spending measure called a continuing resolution, or CR, to avoid a government shutdown. The latest stopgap funding measure is set to expire Jan. 19.

To get around the impasse that was affecting the pay raise, President Donald Trump issued an executive order Dec. 22 notifying Congress that the military would get a 2.4 percent pay raise in 2018 and federal workers would get a 1.9 percent pay raise, even as the debate on the budget continues.

Former President Barack Obama issued similar notifications to Congress on military pay raises to get around previous CRs.

The 2.4 percent would be the largest increase for uniformed service members since the 3.4 percent approved by Obama in 2010. For 2017, the Obama administration approved a 2.1 percent increase.

According to rough estimates, the 2.4 percent pay raise would amount to an annual raise of about $680 in 2018 for younger enlisted ranks, and about $1,080 a year for more senior enlisted and junior officers. A mid-career officer would likely see a raise of nearly $2,000.

The 2.4 percent raise equaled the amount nominally mandated under federal law in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Cost Index.

In the past, the White House and Congress have often ignored the Employment Cost Index to meet other budget priorities.

Veterans groups have argued that the practice amounts to a military pay cut by failing to keep up with the cost of living.

In a Dec. 7 press briefing, Dana White, the chief spokesperson of the Pentagon, noted that the Defense Department had operated under various CRs for a total of 1,081 days over the past nine years in a perennial process that has impacted planning and readiness.

"Nothing's had a greater impact on combat readiness than CRs," she said, "and at a time where security threats are high, we really do need the predictability in the budget -- certainly that we don't have with CRs."

At a later informal session with Pentagon reporters on Dec. 29, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said it is crucial to readiness and ongoing programs that Congress reach a budget deal before the current CR expires Jan. 19.

"So far, the CR probably has not extended the problem, thanks to the additional monies we got last year. Those monies have been spent, and so productions are still going, but we've got to get a budget by January, or there would be an impact," Mattis said.

At the same briefing with White on Dec. 7, Pentagon Comptroller David Norquist spoke to the Pentagon's contingency plans in the event that a CR expires without a deal and a government shutdown ensues.

He was speaking to the potential for a shutdown in December, but the same procedures will apply in the event of a shutdown if the current CR expires Jan. 19.

To sum up, Norquist said that in a shutdown, the paychecks stop coming -- for everybody at the Pentagon, including those in war zones.

"No one gets paid. The civilians who report to duty do not get paid. The military who are in theater do not get paid. They earn the rights to the payment, but the payment cannot be made until the shutdown is over," Norquist said.

In the 16-day government shutdown in October 2013, Congress quickly passed an emergency bill to pay the military to sidestep the political fallout, but there were other embarrassments.

Death gratuity payments for 30 Gold Star families were cut off during the shutdown, forcing then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to rely on charitable contributions.

Norquist said, "The basic effect of a shutdown -- first item is military personnel report to work, but we are not able to pay them until the shutdown ends."

"Civilians, it depends on what we call 'excepted activities.' If they're performing an excepted activity -- safety of property, protection of life -- they report to work. If not, they will -- they will either [be] given time to come in and shut down their work, or they will -- they'll stay at home, we'll send them instructions on that," he said.

"The challenge is there's no way to make a shutdown easier," Norquist said. "It's not designed to be easy; it's designed to be destructive."

"I cannot emphasize too much how destructive a shutdown is," he said. "We've talked before about the importance of maintenance on weapons systems and others, but if it's not an excepted activity -- there'll be work stoppage on many of those maintenance functions.

"Simple things like death benefits to families and military members killed in the line of duty -- we're not allowed to make those payments until the shutdown ends," Norquist said.

"Contractors -- even if the contract is funded, if the government oversight is not considered an excepted service, those contractors will not be able to report and work," he said.

As for contingency plans, "We've got the policies and procedures in place so we actually have a relatively -- unfortunately -- routine habit of updating them and coordinating with everyone on what are the exceptions and who is on the list to come in. So, those things tend to go more smoothly, but the consequences of the shutdown don't," Norquist said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.WASHINGTON -- Papotia Reginald Wright started the 8th Special Forces Regiment New York Honor Guard more than a year ago to perform burial services for veterans. But according to investigations by multiple groups, the supposed Special Forces veteran vastly inflated his military service, including medals for valor, and his group has since shut down.

Wright claimed to be a retired command sergeant major from Special Forces and used his fraudulent claim to run a veterans service organization with no official nonprofit status in Brooklyn, N.Y., according the state Attorney General's office. Military records seen by Stars and Stripes show he served in the Army from 1982-90 as a truck driver who never ranked higher than a specialist -- a far cry from his claims of combat service.

Photographs show Wright in full dress uniform at promotional events including a New York Giants game. Most of his decorations -- a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and others -- are allegedly fake, according to Steve Antson from Guardians of the Green Beret, a watchdog group that works to expose people pretending to be part of Special Forces.

According to federal law under the Stolen Valor Act, it is a crime to lie about military awards for monetary or other tangible benefits.

Wright, who goes by "Reggie," told Stars and Stripes that his rank is honorary, not an attempt to mislead.

"Because I started the unit (the Honor Guard), I was the top NCO there," he said. Wright has said he never claimed to be in Special Forces specifically, but that he drove trucks for the 75th Ranger Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group as an attachment.

As part of the Army's Authorized Provider Partnership Program, organizations like Wright's can perform military honors for funerals of former military personnel or honor guard ceremonies for events. "When they couldn't take up the slack, we were called," Wright said of the Army.

According to its now-defunct Facebook page, the "8th Special Forces Regiment New York Honor Guard is a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) that renders final honors to Veterans with an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge with Honorable conditions." It is based at the Park Slope Armory building on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn.

The name is an apparent reference to the 8th Special Forces Group, which conducted counterinsurgency operations and training in the backdrop of the Cold War in Latin America. The unit was disbanded in 1980.

The Guardians of the Green Beret said they have been aware of the Honor Guard for about two months, after being alerted by another watchdog organization called Guardian of Valor that Wright was exaggerating his military service to promote the Honor Guard.

Wright claimed he had been part of the "Black Hawk Down" incident in Mogadishu in 1993 that led to the deaths of 18 U.S service members, Antson said. Wright's service ended in 1990, according to his personnel record.

Multiple people confirmed to Antson that Wright told the story of an enemy fighter who snuck up behind him and cut his kidney out. "He's saying he is walking around with half a kidney," he said. Wright never received a Purple Heart, according to his military records.

An official at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, who wasn't permitted to talk on the record, said no one questioned Wright's rank and credentials at the base, and he used that to gain access to government vehicles "for whatever reason."

Jeffrey Johnson, a former Army major, joined the Honor Guard to help veterans, he said. Wright immediately asked Johnson to work promotional events with him.

The pace was frenetic, Johnson said. They attended an annual Heroes Gala event by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America where he met former Army Gen. David Petraeus and other well-known military figures. He worked with Wright at a New York Giants game and at the Nov. 10 reopening of the Times Square recruiting station after its renovation.

"I got caught up so quickly in the events," he said, eventually leaving the group because of the time commitment it required.

He said he was "crushed" by the revelations about Wright's inflated service record and self-promotion.

"I believed in the organization. It was a feeling of pride to put on the uniform again since I was always proud of my military service," he said. "It sunk my heart."

The Honor Guard website was taken down after accusations of fraud were made. Its Facebook page states in its last post on Nov. 29 that "information has been posted on the Internet which we were not aware of until this month of November 2017. As a result we will look into the matter, therefore we will be closing our social media until further notice."

The post was signed by Maj. Tammy Feliciano from the group's S-1 office, referring to personnel management sections in Army headquarters units.

The Guardians of the Green Beret claim they have been able to find no evidence that Feliciano served in the military after a Freedom of Information Act request to the National Personnel Records Center.

"She is calling herself a major. She was not active duty, she was not in the Guard, she was not in the Reserves," Antson said. Wright says Feliciano is a civilian and the title was honorary. "She's never been in the military and she's never portrayed herself to be in the military."

She could not be reached by Stars and Stripes for comment.

The 8th Special Forces New York Honor Guard is officially defunct, Wright told Stars and Stripes in December.

"If people don't want us to bury veterans, that's a shame. That is what our mission was," he said.MORON, Spain -- Marines can fight from the air, the land, and the sea. But can they swim?

The commandant isn't so sure.

During a brief visit to Marines assigned to the Corps' crisis response force for Africa in Moron, Spain, in December, Gen. Robert Neller said he wants to make proven swimming skills a requirement or contributing factor for promotion.

The revelation came just days after the Marine Corps announced, at Neller's direction, the return of the Battle Skills Test, another promotion requirement that will ensure Marines can accomplish essential tasks such as applying a tourniquet or employing a map and compass.

"I know nobody wants to have another requirement," Neller said of the prospective swimming obligation. "[But] it's either that or accept the fact that somebody might go into the water off a ship or off an airplane and they drown."

In an interview, he told Military.com that the idea to implement a more rigorous swimming requirement had come to him after Marines were lost in late July 2017 when the MV-22 Osprey carrying them went down off the coast of Australia.

"We lost three Marines in that crash," Neller said. "I don't think it was because they couldn't swim. But ... we teach everybody basic life-saving or basic swimming at recruit training, but we never test again. So why don't we test?"

The Marine Corps and Navy take similar approaches to swimming requirements. Both services require a basic swimming competency for all recruits at entry-level training.

For Marine recruits, the minimum requirement is call water survival basic. It requires Marines, clad in cammies and boots, to strip off protective gear, including body armor and a rifle, while in the water under 10 seconds; jump into the pool from a 15-foot tower and swim 25 meters in deep water; employ a floatation device made from a pack; tread water for four minutes, and complete another 25-meter pack swim. This qualification is good for two years and must be renewed when it expires.

For the Navy, the minimum third-class swim test requires that a recruit can swim 50 yards, complete a deep-water jump, do a five-minute prone float, and inflate clothing to float with. A sailor can also choose to incorporate a 500-meter swim as part of the annual physical readiness test.

For both services, there are more advanced qualifications that can be obtained. But unless Marines enter a more specialized role, such as reconnaissance, swimming qualification ends there.

For the Marine Corps, making swim skills a more regular requirement would mean ensuring that every service installation has a usable pool, and that every Marine has access to one.

"Part of the problem is, what do you do with people who are on recruiting duty or independent duty or the reserves?" Neller said in the interview. "How do you do that? So I don't have a detailed plan yet."

But, he added, he isn't planning to give up on the goal just because it might require effort and money to execute.

If the plan does move forward, it's not clear yet what skills Marines will have to demonstrate or how it will be incorporated into requirements. Neller expressed interest in making swim skills part of a Marine's cutting score, the number that signals a Marine's eligibility for promotion to corporal or sergeant.

"If you add it to cutting score, it incentivizes it," he said. "If you're not qualified for promotion unless you can swim, or you're more qualified if you're a better swimmer ... There's a whole lot of things going on, there's a whole list of things we're trying to do, and we'll have to poke on this one again to see where we are."

One thing is clear, however: Neller wants Marines to be ready.

"If there's a pool here and you're not a good swimmer," he told the Marines, "you've got to get your butt in the pool."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.Career-minded military spouses, take note! In Gear Career has changed names, to the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network. This name change provides clarity about the organization's structure and mission, but doesn't change the value of this great resource.

We all know that the vast majority of jobs are found via networking, but it can be hard to build up a new network every time you move. This is where the Military Spouse Professional Network helps. Volunteer-led chapters connect military spouses with other career-oriented military spouses, mentors, and employers. There are currently 40 chapters at locations around the United States and overseas, with five more chapters being organized right now, and there's a virtual chapter for folks who don't live near a real chapter. Most chapters have monthly in-person events, plus a Facebook group for ongoing conversation and support.

Supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Military Spouse Professional Network is a program under the Hiring Our Heroes Umbrella. This program also includes CareerSpark, an online tool to craft skills-based resumes using your volunteer and paid employment, and two-day Transition Summits where service members and spouses can meet with employers and learn about issues relating to the transition from military to civilian life.

Military families consistently identify spouse employment as a key concern. Programs like the Military Spouse Professional Network help military spouses overcome some of the challenges of maintaining a career while also moving around with your military service member. If you're job-seeking, or just trying to remain connected during a time when you're not working, joining your local area Military Spouse Professional Network chapter can provide resources and the camaraderie of people in the same situation.

You can learn more at the Military Spouse Professional Network webpage and Facebook page, and the Hiring Our Heroes webpage and Facebook page. These are the tools that propel your career to the next level - take advantage of them!10:50am: More details from Haudricourt. The deal includes a $2.3MM signing bonus that will be paid this year and added to the $455K Braun was already set to make. In addition, there is an escalator clause that would up the value of the deal to $51MM if Brauns service time were to fall under "Super-2" status following the 09 season. That is not likely to happen as Braun acumulated only 129 days of service time in 07 and "Super-2" status usually requires 130-140 days. Also, the first 4 years of the deal include a complete no-trade clause.

10:06am: Haudricourt is now reporting that contract is 8 years in length and will include the 08 season and will be worth $45MM. This seems to confirm that the Brewers are buying out Brauns first two years of free agency.

9:08am: Continuing the trend of signing young stars to long-term deals long before arbitration-eligibility, Tom Haudricourt is reporting that the Brewers have inked Ryan Braun to a 7-year deal.

The amount of money is not known yet, but it is expected that the contract will be worth more than the $42MM deal signed by Jeff Suppan prior to the 07 season. That deal is currently the largest ever given by the Brewers.

Braun, 24 and last years NL Rookie of the Year, was promoted last season in a manner that would have kept him just under Super-2 eligibility and he likely would not have been arbitration eligible until after the 10 season and a free agent until the fall of 2013.

If we assume the 7-year deal begins this season and that one or two years are team options that are eventually picked up, the Brewers have only bought out one year of free agency. Although Haudricourt believes the deal is an extension tacked on to this years 1-year deal. That would mean the Brewers bought out two years of free agency.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.5:32pm: Rojas reports that the total value of the contract would be $37.25MM if the three options are exercised (link in Spanish). Tabata would receive a $1MM signing bonus, and his salary in 2011 would increase to $500K. He would then earn $750K in 2012, $1MM in 2013, $3MM in 2014, $4MM in 2015, and $4.5MM in 2016. That puts the guarantee at six years and $14.75MM, and the value of the three options years at $22.5MM combined.

4:01pm: The Pirates are putting the finishing touches on Tabata's deal, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. An announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.

1:48pm: MLBTR's Tim Dierkes hears that Tabata's deal with the Pirates will include three team options (Twitter link). Denard Span's five-year, $16.5MM deal presumably figured prominently in to the discussions.

12:47pm: The sides are nearing a six-year agreement, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (on Twitter). The deal would run through 2016 and include contract restructuring for 2011, according to Rojas. Such a deal would cover Tabata's three remaining pre-arbitration seasons and his three arbitration seasons.

12:32pm: The Pirates are discussing a multiyear deal with Jose Tabata, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned (all Twitter links). The outfielder recently amicably parted ways with ACES, his previous agency. Tabata returned from a stint on the DL with a strained quadriceps this week.

Tabata is in his second MLB season, but he didn't debut until last June, so he doesn't project to be arbitration eligible until after 2013 or eligible for free agency until after 2016. The 23-year-old has a .264/.351/.362 line with 14 doubles, four homers and 14 stolen bases this year.

He finished eighth in National League Rookie of the Year balloting last year and has played all three outfield positions in the Major Leagues. In just shy of 1500 innings, Tabata's outfield defense is league average, according to UZR. The Pirates acquired Tabata, Jeff Karstens, Daniel McCutchen and Ross Ohlendorf from the Yankees for Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady at the 2008 trade deadline.

This post was originally published on August 19th.The Marlins continue to discuss center fielder Christian Yelich and catcher J.T. Realmuto with other clubs, but theres nothing imminent on the trade front, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com hears (Twitter link). Although the Marlins are in teardown mode, it would reportedly take a huge overpay for them to deal either Yelich or Realmuto, their two most valuable assets. The 26-year-old Yelich is controllable through 2022 on one of the majors most appealing contracts, while Realmuto (27 in March) is set to play his first of three arbitration-eligible campaigns in 2018. Kyle Downing of MLBTR examined Yelich, Realmuto and the rest of Miamis trade candidates over the weekend.

More on the Fish and a couple other East Coast franchises:Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has obtained two versions of Project Wolverine  the operational plan of new Marlins owners Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman  one of which is from August and the other from a couple months before. According to the document, whose name stems from Jeters home state of Michigan (the Wolverine State), the Marlins will turn a profit in 2018. Most of that will come from MLBs sale of BAMTech to Disney, which entitles each team to a one-time payout of $50MM. Otherwise, exactly how much of a profit the Marlins will rake in next season is going to depend largely on their television deal with Fox, Jackson explains.

Back in August, Jeter and Sherman forecast a $68MM cash flow profit, but they projected $44.8MM would come via an up-front payment from a renegotiated TV contract with Fox. There hasnt been a renegotiation yet, though, and if it doesnt occur, the Marlins projected profits would drop to $23MM or lower for next season, Jackson reports. The Marlins pact with Fox runs through 2020 and ranks as the lowest-paying TV contract in the majors, and as Jackson notes, its a key reason why the team is unwilling to field a larger payroll. Additionally, as of August, the Marlins expected a 2018 spike in attendance revenue, but that now looks questionable at best with fan favorites Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna having been traded in payroll-slashing deals. Looking beyond next season, Jeter and Sherman projected profits of $10MM in 2019, $15.8MM in 2020 and $22MM in 2021 in August, details Jackson, whose piece is well worth a full read.

More from the NL:Construction and infrastructure continue to be driving forces in many economies.

Over the coming years, some of these projects are also likely to change the shape of the global economy.

China and India are the most populous countries in the world. They each have mammoth plans for construction and infrastructure.

Graham Robinson, the director of Global Construction Perspectives, says the plans put the world on track for the biggest building boom since the pyramids or the Great Wall of China were built.

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced mammoth plans for his One Belt, One Road policy. This has China looking to revive the silk trade routes of centuries long gone.

It looks as if it will transform trade between the East and the West.

The plan involves the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Road. The ambitious scheme will cross more than 65 countries. The plan seeks to gain diplomatic allies and open up markets between Asia and Europe.

President Xi has called it the project of the century. The initiative is motivated by a desire to boost economic growth in both China and nearby countries. This will provide a growing market for trade.

Its the largest overseas investment plan ever launched by a single country. According to ratings agency Fitch, US$900 billion of projects are planned or under construction.

The land-based projects are the belt. China wishes to finance and build a massive road and railway infrastructure across central Asia and the Middle East extending to Europe.

Chinas infrastructure spending

Train travel at a speed of 300km/h is part of Beijings big sell. China claims an ability to build high-speed railways more cheaply than its competitors. It wishes to share its engineering technology to spearhead global ambitions.

China has put a great deal of emphasis on high-speed rail. The scale is enormous. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think-tank, estimates the total value of 18 Chinese rail schemes at US$143 billion.

The railway scheme alone is bigger than the Marshall Plan which helped revive Europe after the Second World War. And rail is only part of the project.

The ocean-based projects are the maritime road component of One Belt, One Road. These projects seek to link China to ports in Southeast Asia, east Africa and the Mediterranean by sea.

The maritime road project is not some pie-in-the-sky fantasy. In the past year alone, Chinese companies have announced plans to either purchase or invest in nine overseas ports. The total value is estimated at more than US$20 billion, a sharp rise from the US$9.97 billion spent in the previous year.

Once the plans got started, there has been growing interest from companies in China and partner nations to participate in new projects. What once seemed an ambitious plan has quickly become a reality.

Some countries worry that Beijing is using its business policy for a strategic agenda. Ownership of ports could allow them to collect intelligence. They could even be used to host military forces.

When it was formally announced by President Xi in 2013, One Belt, One Road was motivated by the need for continued economic growth.

Exports to developed countries and spending on infrastructure at home were previously the biggest drivers of Chinese growth. These are seen as less viable in the longer term.

China believes that building infrastructure in nearby developing countries will boost their economies. As these developing nations grow, they will become bigger customers for Chinese exports.

India doesnt want to be left behind here. It will leapfrog Britain and France this year to become the worlds fifth-biggest economy by output of goods and services.

Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees improvements in infrastructure as an important part of economic reform. The cost of the Indian infrastructure projects will be as large as Canadas GDP.

Key projects include more than 80,000kms of new highways, the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Indian Smart Cities Project.

At Cycles, Trends and Forecasts, Phil Anderson has often talked about projects that become the biggest or the best in history. He reckons its typical for where we stand in the cycle.

The plans are in place now. The projects are often completed right at the peak of the cycle.

In order to help in his forecasts, Phil developed his Grand Cycle Theory.

The Grand Cycle Theory is the perfect tool in forecasting market moves, especially real estate and global stock markets.

Phil has summed it up in a picture thats worth a thousand words:



Source: Cycles, Trends and Forecasts

[Click to enlarge]



Phil has used his theory to accurately predict market moves time and time again. It flies in the face of conventional wisdom on Collins Street and Wall Street.

Imagine the benefit of having such foresight. Back in 2004, Phil warned of the winners curse phase that was about to unfold. This proved to be the final couple of years into the peak of the cycle.

It was when real estate buyers were leapfrogging each other, chasing higher and higher prices into the peak in 2007. All of it financed by reckless lending from the banks. Maids were able to borrow $1 million without any hope of being able to repay.

Importantly, Phil also forecast the best time for buyers to step back into the market to buy real estate and stocks. Years ahead of the event, he said that real estate prices would bottom out in 2010/11. And that the stock market would bottom out a year or two beforehand.

History proves this foresight was remarkable.

Go here for a brand new video demonstration of how you can use the theory to predict market moves.

Regards,

Terence Duffy,

Lead Researcher, Cycles, Trends and ForecastsThe frequency of defects in mortgage loan applications continued to stabilize in November, according to the Loan Application Defect Index released by First American Financial.The index remained steady compared with October but rose 22.1% compared to November 2016. Compared to the high point of risk in October 2013, the index is down 18.6%.November marked a 1.1% month-over-month increase in the Defect Index for purchase transactions. The purchase index rose 13.8% year over year. While defects in refinance transactions were steady month over month, they were 23.2% higher than in November 2016.First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming said there was reason to be optimistic about defect, fraud, and misrepresentation risk in 2018. He said risk had stabilized after a year of significant change, with overall risk remaining steady in three of the last four months."Keep in mind that the Loan Application Defect Index was at its lowest point ever in November 2016, before defect risk surged by 24% in the following seven months, one of the fastest changes the defect index has recorded since its inception in 2011, Fleming said. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the share of purchase mortgage transactions, which tend to carry more risk, and more transactions in riskier markets. This fall, we have seen some moderation and stabilization of these market dynamics and, as a result, no further increase."South Dakota recorded the greatest year-over-year increase in defect frequency with a 50.8% rise. North Dakota, New Mexico, Idaho, and Iowa rounded out the top five states. Connecticut was the only state with a year-over-year decrease at 1.5%.California State Capitol View Photos

Sacramento, CA  Fake highway signs have cropped up along California state welcome signs to criticize a new immigration policy that began Jan. 1.

Already, transportation officials removed two of the postings near the Nevada and Arizona borders placed under the official Welcome to California signs, which read Official Sanctuary State. The paper signs go on to say felons, illegals and MS13 welcome! Democrats need the votes! The signs take a jab at Californias sanctuary state law that adds new protections for immigrants living in the country illegally. State and local law enforcement are restricted from cooperating with federal immigration officials under the new law.

Transportation spokesman Mark Dinger says one notice was removed Monday and the other was taken down on Tuesday. However, the department has unconfirmed reports of more signs posted along highways in the state. No one has claimed responsibility for the posts as of yet and Dinger adds that the state does not have any information on the individual and/or group that put up the signs.Firefighter assigned over Christmas to Thomas Fire View Photos

California will receive extra federal assistance recovering from the largest wildfire in the states recorded history, and others, that ignited over the past month.

The presidential disaster declaration covers fires that ignited beginning on December 4, the start date of the 281,893 acre Thomas Fire, in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The fire destroyed over 1,000 structures and resulted in two fatalities. The declaration was signed on Tuesday, two weeks after it was requested by Governor Jerry Brown.

The Thomas Fire is 92-percent contained and 458 firefighters remain assigned to the incident. The declaration also covers additional fires that ignited in the Los Angeles and San Diego regions.Curtis Creek Elementary Construction Area (fenced off) View Photos

Sonora, CA  Evan Royce of Royce Construction says replacing a building that previously held 10 classrooms at Curtis Creek Elementary School should begin around end of the month.

We reported last January that an unfortunate electrical fire caused extensive damage at the school, prompting the impacted classes to temporarily relocate to portable structures.

Three companies submitted sealed bids for the work, and Royce Construction came in lowest at $3.7- million, so the school board awarded it the contract last month. Boyer Constructions bid was $3.9-million and Harris Construction was at $4.3-million.

Royce notes, Were looking at starting fairly soon. Weve got to finish all of the pre-construction documents, contracts, bonds and so forth. I would suspect it will be starting at the end of this month and I think by the end of 2018 it should be completed and online (11-month projected construction period).

Royce, a Tuolumne County Supervisor, says it is a special endeavor for him personally, as he attended Curtis Creek, as did some of his employees, and he has friends and family that work at the school.

We look at it as a wonderful opportunity, and a great place to be over the next year, he adds.

Around eight full-time employees will be assigned to the construction, he estimates, in addition to sub-contractors and other crews. The elementary school is located at 18755 Standard Road.Before fully embracing the new year, wave goodbye to two more staples of San Antonio TV who announced their departure at the close of 2017.

Playful weather veteran Shaun Stevens bid farewell to his KABB job of 12 years Friday to devote his energies to a new career in San Antonio, and KENS reporter Natassia Paloma leaves for an anchor job closer to family.

They follow in the footsteps of Sarah Lucero, Karen Grace and Alicia Neaves, formerly of KENS, who also exited their jobs in recent weeks.

MORE: From TV to bodybuilding: Sarah Lucero over the years

Stevens, the longtime Fox News First meteorologist whose silly weather riffs on the Spurs-Heat finals even caught Jimmy Kimmels eye several years back, is staying in San Antonio but changing careers. Hes looking forward to sleeping in a bit and spending more time with his wife and three kids.

(KABB morning anchor) Ernie Zuniga and I first started the show with Kimberly Crawford on Jan. 2 of 2005, he wrote in an email. Its been a fantastic experience all along the way with (anchorwomen) Monica Taylor, then Jessica Headley and now Breanna Bars alongside Ernie.

I am leaving the station on the best of terms. My contract was up back in November but agreed with management to work through the end of the year. Ill be staying here in San Antonio. This is my home. I started a real estate investment company about a year and a half ago.

RELATED: KENS-TV anchor Karen Grace resigns

Ive been working it as a part-time side gig, but will be giving it a full-time effort now, he added.

Though hes having a hard time leaving the amazing people Ive been blessed to work with over the years, Stevens said hes grateful for his improved hours.

Not hearing the alarm at 2:20 in the morning will be amazing! Ill be spending a whole lot more time with my kids getting them ready and off to school as well as putting them to bed at night. Those are things Im looking forward to the most and was unable to do on a morning schedule.

His boss, WOAI and KABB general manager Dean Radla, was full of compliments for Stevens.

He will be missed. He's done an outstanding job for us during his tenure as morning meteorologist and the launch of Fox News First, Radla wrote in an email.

The program has always delivered outstanding ratings in key demographics as the only local news option from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m on weekdays. Shaun has certainly been a major contributor to our efforts and we wish him all the best.

RELATED: Things San Antonio said goodbye to in 2017

Mike Hernandez, KABBs weekend meteorologist, will be covering the morning shift until an official replacement is named.

KENS multiple departures

Natassia Paloma, a talented, multiskilled journalist, delivered her touching adios to bosses and friends Saturday.

Goodbye, KENS 5. Thank you, (News Director) Jack Acosta and (General Manager) Tom Cury for giving me the opportunity to grow as a reporter! Paloma wrote on Facebook. San Antonio and KENS will always have a special place in my heart  my son was born here! You all took such good care of me, will miss everyone!

In a private message, she elaborated on her departure: I've accepted a job in El Paso, my hometown, where shell be an anchor on the NBC affiliate.

Natassia is a great example of today's multiskilled journalist, Cury wrote in an email. We know she will enjoy being closer to her family."

RELATED: San Antonio TV anchor gives birth, and viewers can watch

Her exit follows the resignation of Karen Grace, a 12-year veteran of KENS-TV, who anchored the weekend news for 10 of those years.

(A) new chapter begins in 2018. Thank you to all my loyal viewers, friends and family. I appreciate all the supportive emails and messages during my ongoing medical leave, Grace wrote in a private message on Facebook Thursday.

Grace first indicated in November that she was taking leave for health reasons.

At KENS, an email from Cury made the rounds last week, indicating the station had accepted Graces resignation just before Christmas. We wish her well, Cury wrote.

Grace spent the holidays in Trinidad with her family.

Theyve been very supportive, she said. I only wish I couldve given my television family and viewers a proper goodbye, but the circumstances did not allow me to.

RELATED: Current and former San Antonio TV news anchors come clean: No makeup!

As for what her next chapter would be, Grace wrote that shes been doubling up on her already extensive charity work.

Another KENS anchor, Lucero, who bid farewell the week of Thanksgiving, has been enjoying lots of global travel with her husband before jumping full force into her second love: health, fitness and bodybuilding.

Former co-worker Neaves, by contrast, remains in TV news following her KENS departure in early December.

The multimedia journalist, reporter and occasional fill-in anchor at San Antonios CBS affiliate for more than two years accepted an anchor job at a station in South Carolina.

Neaves said shell be working as weekend evening anchor and reporter at CBS station WLTX-TV in Columbia.

jjakle@express-news.netOutgoing Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Suzanne McCourt has applauded the frank discussions and positive vibes that are evident in engagements with the new government, saying the stance can lead to a broader shift in the Australian governments policy regarding the two nations relations.

Ambassador McCourt, who has served as Australias top diplomat to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and the DRC since 2015, paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa this Wednesday morning to bid him farewell. Emerging from the meeting,

Ambassador McCourt expressed optimism of improved relations and cooperation across various sectors between the two countries.

She said government to government relations have not always been smooth sailing but the coming in of a new dispensation and the promise of improvements in economic policies should see more Australian companies coming to invest in Zimbabwe.

I am encouraged by the frank discussions I had with President Mnangagwa, he is so open-minded and I am optimistic that bi-lateral relations will now turn for the better, Ambassador McCourt said.

Since the turn of the millennium, Zimbabwe and Australia have had low profile relations.

Australian mining companies are spread throughout the African continent but their presence in Zimbabwe has been quite low but from discussions held with the President, more cooperation is indicated, says the ambassador.

Zimbabwe was the first ambassadorial posting for the Australian diplomat who previously worked as a foreign affairs official in East Timor and the Netherlands.

Ambassador McCourt said she will be returning back to Australia at the end of the month after a fruitful three year tour of duty in Zimbabwe.

 ZBC

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Will War Cancel Out Trumps Triumphs? Patrick Buchanan, The American Conservative. The Korean War finished Truman. Vietnam finished LBJ. Reagan said putting Marines into Lebanon was his worst mistake. Iraq cost Bush II both houses of Congress and his party the presidency in 2008. Should Trump become a war president, hell likely become a one-term president.

Trump Transition

Democrats in Disarray

We get letters: Howdy, long time reader and fan here. The attached is a screenshot of an Instagram ad my spouse and I keep seeing. We live in Rohrabachers district. Seems like the ex-Senator Boxer and the Dems think that a great way to beat him is with conspiratorial nonsense like this. We have yet to see a single ad targeting policy or promoting policy. Thought you all might enjoy this little piece of evidence of campaign stupidity from my neck of the woods SC Lambert here: Note the first comment. The Democrat Establishment, unless checked, is going to run 2018 and 2020 campaigns that are even more stupid and brutal than we can possibly imagine.

Selective Exposure to Misinformation: Evidence from the consumption of fake news during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign (PDF). Andrew Guess, Brendan Nyhan, Jason Reifler

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Antidote du jour (via):

And here is a survey you might wish to take: Attitudes toward mountain lions in North America.

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.By Lambert Strether of Corrente

Yes, the tourists are coming back. Travel Weekly:

On the beach, the upscale Vanderbilt Condado hotel was hosting a holiday party, its second in as many nights, and people stayed at Isla Verdes beach late into the afternoon. To people who know San Juan, this will seem like a normal weekend.

However:

Conversations with smiling restaurant workers reveal that their homes have no electricity or WiFi, almost 80 days after the storm passed. Some stores have reopened without power and accept only cash. Personnel from FEMA and Con Edison and other recovery workers are working on power lines and spending evenings at bars and restaurants. Only 65% of the island has power restored and many residents have left in a mass exodus to the mainland United States.

(Smiling restaurant workers.) As it turns out, 65% is an over-estimate, since it refers to power generation capacity, and not to actual humans (or, as we say, accounts) with or without power[1]. From the Times-Picayune:

Officials said 55 percent of the nearly 1.5 million customers have power, marking the first time the government has provided that statistic since the Category 4 storm hit on Sept. 20 with winds of up to 154 mph. Officials had previously reported power generation, which stands at nearly 70 percent of pre-storm levels.

Let me break out my date duration calculator: From September 20, 2017 to January 3, 2018: 105 days (inclusive). That seems rather a lot.

In this post, Ill look first at one reason the PROMESA oversight board made rebuilding the power grid has been so hard. Then Ill look briefly at that exodus from Puerto Rico, and finally Ill look once again at the suit vulture capital fund Aurelius brought, challenging the very existence of PROMESA.

PROMESA and the Missing Telephone Poles

In rebuilding the Puerto Rican power grid, once personnel and equipment are in place, the long pole in the tent, as it were, is materiel. Many reports mention the need to import telephone poles from the mainland. Marketplace:

Col. Jeff Lloyd is in charge of that arm in Puerto Rico right now. The Army Corps is getting 62,000 telephone poles from the mainland, plus the concrete for the foundations and those metal rungs to climb the poles.

(As of now, 21,000 have been shipped or are on the way. So thats only 41,000 to go!) So, why do poles have to be imported from the mainland? Caribbean Business explains:

In Puerto Rico, a culture of austerity in the transformation of the utility under AlixPartners shrunk the inventory of concrete, wood and metal distribution poles down to a bare minimum[3] that left Prepa without the necessary materials to rebuild its devastated grid. All told, some 116 towers for 230 kV lines and 574 poles for 115 kV lines were destroyedof that total 43 of the 230 kV towers and 122 of the 115 kV towers have been repaired to date.

And they conclude:

When the [Mutual Assistance (MA)] crews from New York, Georgia and Florida arrived, they did not have enough materials to fix the distribution lines they targeted for recovery

I think that a culture of austerity in the transformation of the utility under AlixPartners is a bit mild. The Puerto Rican electrical utility (PREPA) signed up AlixPartners to lead their fiscal and operational restructuring, and they did that as a covered entity at the bidding of Promesas Fiscal Oversight Board. It looks to me like the gimlet-eyed bean counters at Alix ran down the inventory, in the best case because thats the sort of balance sheet thing that MBAs do, and in the worst case as a form of asset stripping to repay the bondholders. So we have a lovely confluence of events. As we wrote back in October:

In words: Puerto Rico officials say it will likely be four to six months before power is fully restored across the U.S. territory of 3.5 million people This week, for the first time since the storm, electrical crews began appearing not just in the capital, but in neighboring Carolina and Rio Grande. Faced with a tangle of downed poles, lines and transformers on nearly every street, it wasnt clear how much progress they were making. So, the wires are all down. And why? Deferred maintenance demanded by austerity. Buzzfeed: That general neglect has been coupled with a more specific one in Puerto Ricos case: In recent years, as part of sweeping cuts to the government budget, many public services were slashed, including preventative maintenance of the electricity network. That meant trees were left untrimmed and allowed to intertwine with power lines  with disastrous results. After a big storm in the United States, the power company may have one break in the lines every few miles from a downed tree. In Puerto Rico today, the lines are broken every few yards .

So, austerity brings the wires down. And then austerity makes it impossible to get them back up!

The Puerto Rican Exodus

One of the more distasteful aspects of Hurricane Marias aftermath was partisan hopes to pick up the votes of Puerto Rican exiles, especially in swing states. For example:

DITTO..! FLA will definitely be blue if new Puerto Rico residents have appropriate Voting ID. (DEMS need to take majority to demand proper assistance for Puerto Rico. )  Carol York (@carolfromindy) December 29, 2017

(Ill have more to say about proper assistance below.) Why, its almost as if the Puerto Ricans were a colonized people, without autonomy, of interest only insofar as they serve the needs of the metropolis! And where partisans were the first to turn a crisis (for others) into opportunity (for themselves), business was not slow to follow. From the Washington Post:

U.S. companies see opportunity in exodus from storm-ravaged Puerto Rico The airport terminal doors slid open and out came 22 people from Puerto Rico, walking a few weeks ago into the whipping South Dakota wind, not quite ready for what was ahead. One person still wore shorts. Another zipped up a hoodie. The group climbed into three waiting vans.

And where were the vans going? Thats right! A meatpacking plant:

When Velez and the others arrived in Huron after a two-hour ride from the airport, it was after midnight, and on the horizon were the lights of a turkey plant called Dakota Provisions.

The story includes an eerie description of a winter landscape, with turkey feathers scattered over the snow for miles and miles.

This was her first time inside the plant. Her eyes darted. To her right, she saw plucked and headless turkeys arriving into the room on a chute, where workers picked them up and hooked them by their feet to a conveyor belt. She saw the turkeys then move into deeper recesses of the room, where people with knives hacked and disassembled them, separating drumsticks and wings, scapulas and wishbones. Finally, plump pieces of breast meat arrived on conveyors at a table of 16 workers, who used knives and meat hooks to trim a piece every four or five seconds.

Quite a transition for Velez. I certainly hope, for all their sakes, that Dakota Provisions has a decent safety record.

Vulture Capital: The Aurelius Lawsuit

The Times summarized why Aurelius urged that PROMESAs Financial and Oversight Management Board (FOMB), was unconstitutional:

In a lawsuit filed in United States District Court in San Juan, the hedge fund, Aurelius Capital, cited the appointments clause of the United States Constitution, which calls for all principal officers of the federal government to be appointed by the president, and then confirmed by the Senate.

(As they were not, instead being selected from an intricate system of Balkanized lists. For detail, see our post on the Aurelius lawsuit back in November). The United States government has now filed its response: UNITED STATES MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF PROMESA. (PDF).

Not being a lawyer, I will avoid analyzing the memorandum[3]. Rather, Im going to pivot to two posts from Credit Slips, which show that greater minds than mine are just as puzzled as I am. The first, from Credit Slips:

[W]hat puzzles me about this case though is its economics, particularly from the perspective of Aurelius. What do they get by undermining the Control Board? My assumption here is that a ruling that the Control Board is unconstitutional and that all of the actions it has taken so far are void will be hugely expensive for Puerto Ricos debt restructuring effort. After all, one of the key aspects of the Control Board is that it has been given the power to solve the traditional collective action problem that bedevils every sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt restructuring. Remove the Control Board, and we go back to square one where the creditors are fighting with each other about who has what level of priority and how to avoid giving the holdouts a disproportionate share of the pie. End result: Lawyers get paid a lot, but both the people of Puerto Rico and the creditors (including Aurelius) have a much smaller pie to divide up. The folks at Aurelius, best I can tell, are highly sophisticated and really good at making oodles of money in crisis situations (remember Argentina and pari passu). But I cannot figure out what their game is. How do they win by turning over the applecart?

Interestingly, theres only one proposal in comments, which Credit Slips does not endorse. And the second:

Ive read or skimmed almost all of the anti-Aurelius briefs in the Aurelius v. The Control Board case now (for background on this, see here). Two things puzzle me about them. I should say at the outset though that my being puzzled may stem directly from not understanding how these fancy constitutional law cases play out. Puzzle One: None of the anti-Aurelius briefs provide a clear and coherent explanation of exactly what would be at stake for Puerto Rico, financially, if the Control Board were to be deemed unconstitutional. More crassly, they dont answer the following question at the outset: How much is it going to cost Puerto Rico if Aurelius wins?. Puzzle Two: Isnt it a high-risk strategy to base key parts of ones argument (as some of the anti-Aurelius briefs do) on cases that are, for want of a better word, odious? The cases here are the Insular Cases, that are an embarrassment.

(On the Insular Cases, see footnote [3].) Again interestingly, there are no responses in comments. So nobody knows anything! That seems to me to be quite remarkable. There are billions at stake, in addition to Puerto Ricos colonial status. But its such a non-story we cant even find pundits to comment, or commenters to comment.

Conclusion

As readers know, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren introduced S.2165  Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild Act of 2017 on November 28, 2017, to render proper assistance to the island colony. Here are the six co-sponsors, a disgracefully low number:

Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Also disgracefully, there have been no additional sponsors after the original six (four of whom, interestingly, are likely candidates in 2020, in addition to Sanders). One of the sponsors, Richard Blumenthal, is visiting Puerto Rico, with his fellow Senator Chris Murphy The Hartford Courant:

I find astonishing and unprecedented the abject failure of our nation to provide basic relief and rebuilding in Puerto Rico, Blumenthal said Monday. Think of how Connecticut would react this long after a hurricane if almost half of its electricity was still out, drinkable water was widely unavailable, medical facilities were still running on generators and some roads were still impassable. Its been 100 days since Maria made landfall, and huge swaths of the island dont have power  a situation that would be unfathomable on the mainland. We have a lot more work to do, Murphy said. We are building a compelling, fact-based case for expanded disaster relief  evidence of the need for both an immediate supplemental disaster relief package and the major rebuilding plan I have introduced with Sen. Sanders, Blumenthal said.  We cannot allow this administration to abandon fellow Americans and declare mission accomplished while half of Puerto Rico remains in the dark, clean drinking water is unavailable and thousands of people are living in temporary shelters.

Then again, in Obamas words, Yes we can (Si, se puede). The problem isnt just this adminstration, or the Sanders/Warren bill would have more than six co-sponsors MR SUBLIMINAL Like Chuck Schumer . I find the Puerto Rican situation so discouraging, from so far away; its like watching a cat play with a mouse thats already dead. It seems that our colony has been so hollowed out and looted  not even enough telephone poles to handle a crisis statistics tell us all must come  that its not even worth shock doctrine tactics. And still the restaurant workers smile, as they must do.

NOTES

[1] Its not even clear that the industrial enclaves have power from the grid. NBC on Humacao, about 45 minutes from San Juan:

But as of mid-December, the U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb  which manufactures cardiovascular and anti-diabetes products and employs about 300 people  was still running on generators.

Further:

[T]he Army Corps is installing microgrids, which can operate without a connection to the main grid, in communities in the Humacao municipality. The microgrids are meant to provide power in areas where the grid is not expected to be energized in the near future, Field said.

How much you want to bet those temporary microgrids become permanent?

[2] And its not just telephone poles. More: 17 million conductors are needed of which 347,000 have arrived and some 4.5 million are expected to arrive over the next two weeks and there are only 7,639 insulators where 184,750 are needed.

[3] One major issue raised by Aurelius is whether the FOMB is composed of principal officers, and hence subject to the Appointments Clause of the constitution; Aurelius argued that in substance, although on not in form, they were. At least in a quick reading of the Solicitor Generals brief, this layperson was unpersuaded that Aureliuss position was incorrect. The counterargument is that the FOMB is composed of territorial officers, and Congress can do whatever it likes in the territories, since the Appointments Clause does not apply. As I understand it, Aurelius makes the argument that the doctrine of territorial officers is based on Insular Cases, which it gives the Court an opportunity to overturn because theyre racist and vile  as indeed they are. On this point, Control Board Watch comments:

Surprisingly, the U.S. Government relied much less on Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244 (1901), the racist basis of the so-called Insular Cases, than the Board or AFFAF/Governor Rossello did, relying more on older case law. The January 10 oral argument will be very interesting.

However, footnote 5 of the filing drags Downes right in. Im entirely ignorant of the chain of precedent here, so I cant assess whether the Solicitor General dodges the Downey bullet by relying on older case law or not. That relied much less feels like a confession of weakness, though, to me.Lambert here: A nice companion to the pipeline post immediately below.

By Wolf Richter, a San Francisco based executive, entrepreneur, start up specialist, and author, with extensive international work experience. Originally published at Wolf Street

Even China is Buying U.S. LNG

In 2017, the US became a net exporter of natural gas for the first time. It started small in February, when the US exported 1 billion cubic feet more than it imported. By October, the last month for which data from the Energy Departments EIA is available, net exports surged to 45 billion cubic feet. For the first 10 months of 2017, the US exported 86 billion cubic feet more than it imported. And this is just the beginning.

Exports to Mexico via pipeline have been rising for years as more pipelines have entered service and as Mexican power generators are switching from burning oil that could be sold in the global markets to burning cheap US natural gas. The US imports no natural gas from Mexico.

Imports from and exports to Canada have both declined since 2007, with the US continuing to import more natural gas from Canada than it exports to Canada.

What is new is the surging export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by sea to other parts of the world.

This chart shows net imports (imports minus exports) of US natural gas. Negative net imports (red) mean that the US exports more than it imports:

The first major LNG export terminal in the Lower 48  Cheniere Energys Sabine Pass terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana  began commercial deliveries in early 2016 when the liquefaction unit Train 1 entered service. Trains 2 and 3 followed. The three trains have a capacity of just over 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). In October 2017, the company announced that Train 4, with a capacity of 0.7 Bcf/d, was substantially completed and is likely to begin commercial deliveries in March 2018. Train 5 is under construction and is expected to be completed in August 2019. The company is now lining up contracts and financing for Train 6. All six trains combined will have a capacity of 4.2 Bcf/d.

This is just the Sabine Pass export terminal. In addition, there are five other LNG export terminals under construction, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with a combined capacity of 7.5 Bcf/d. This brings total LNG export capacity to over 11 Bcf/d over the next few years and will make the US the third largest LNG exporter globally, behind Australia and Qatar.

In addition, there are several other export terminals that FERC has approved but construction has not yet started. And other projects are in the works but have not yet been approved.

According to the Institute of Energy Research, global LNG demand is currently around 37 Bcf per day. This is expected to grow substantially as China is shifting part of its power generation capacity from coal to natural gas. And US LNG exports to China have surged from nothing two years ago to 25.6 billion cubic feet in October (for the month, not per day):

US natural gas production has been booming since 2009 as fracking in prolific shale plays took off, and the price has collapsed  it currently is below $3 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) at the NYMEX, despite tthe majestic cold wave that is gripping a big part of the country.

Exporting large quantities of LNG is a momentous shift for the US because it connects previously landlocked US production to the rest of the world. Unlike oil, the US natural gas market has largely been isolated from global pricing.

This caused some immense price differences between the US market  where a gas glut crushed prices, pushing them from time to time even below $2/mmBtu  and, for example, the Japanese LNG import market, with prices that were in the $16-$17/mmBtu range in 2013 and 2014. Even the average spot price contracted in November 2017, the most recent data made available by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was $9/mmBtu. US LNG exporters hope to arbitrage these price differentials.

Meanwhile, US producers are hoping that this overseas demand will mop up the glut in the US and allow them to finally boost prices, including the prices LNG exporters pay. But funding continues pouring into the oil and gas sector to pump up production, and prices have remained low, and drillers continue to bleed.

And there are already global consequences  including in Europe, where large regions, including Germany, increasingly depend on natural gas from Russia as production in Europe is declining. The new competition from the US  though it really hasnt started in earnest yet since most of US LNG goes to places other than Europe at the moment  is already reverberating through the Europe-Russia natural gas trade. Read Russias grip on European gas markets is tightening(Natural News) If you still believe that the so-called mainstream media isnt completely in cahoots with the Democratic Party, this should convince you otherwise.

You may recall that the paper of record was all over the Trump-Russia collusion narrative early last year, filing several bombshell reports claiming that various members of President Donald J. Trumps campaign, as well as the candidate himself, were involved in some nefarious plot with Moscow to steal the election from Hillary Clinton.

Central to this narrative early on was Carter Page, called a foreign policy advisor by the Times in an April 2017 story that claimed a June 2016 visit by Page to Moscow served as a catalyst for the F.B.I. investigation into connections between Russia and President Trumps campaign.

That story, Trump Advisors Visit to Moscow Got the F.B.I.s Attention, left many Democrats insisting that the smoking gun had been found: Trump colluded, here is proof, and so when are the impeachment proceedings going to begin?

Only, thats about as far as the story went. Page vehemently denied any collusion took place, and in any event, serious intelligence officials noted that the Russian assets far better than Page were in place to have reached out to the Trump campaign if in fact there was ever going to be any collusion.

Fast-forward to New Years weekend. The Times ran another lengthy, breathless story intimating that, no, it wasnt Page who touched off the FBI investigation, it was an even lower-level Trump campaign associate named George Papadopoulos.

The latest story, How the Russia Inquiry Began: A Campaign Aide, Drinks and Talk of Political Dirt, claimed that the 28-year-olds booze-induced blather in an upscale London bar actually triggered the FBI probe.

So which is it, NYTimes? Page or Papadopoulos? (Related: NY Times FAKE NEWS alert: Paper claims Russia Papadopoulos bombshell started Russia collusion probe, not dossier, but it FALLS APART within HOURS.)

Thats the same question former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy wants to know  though he thinks he knows the answer.

Writing at National Review Online, McCarthy says he believes the Times transition from Page to Papadopoulos is part of an effort by the paper to help Democrats cover up the real reason behind the FBIs probe: The bogus Trump dossier, a position shared by a growing number of Republicans in Congress.

Slowly but surely, it has emerged that the Justice Department and FBI very likely targeted Page because of the Steele dossier, a Clinton-campaign opposition-research screed disguised as intelligence reporting. Increasingly, it appears that the Bureau failed to verify Steeles allegations before the DOJ used some of them to bolster an application for a spying warrant from the FISA court (i.e., the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court), he wrote in this weeks column for the magazine.

Lest we forget about who produced the dossier, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a member of the House Judiciary Committee which is probing alleged Russian collusion, had to say about this in an interview last month with Fox Business Lou Dobbs. He not only believes that the dossier was used by the FBI to obtain a FISA surveillance warrant against Team Trump under false pretenses, he believes the bureau paid for part of it.

Lets remember a couple of things about the dossier, Jordan said. The Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign, which we now know were one and the same, paid the law firm who paid Fusion GPS who paid Christopher Steele who then paid Russians to put together a report that we call a dossier full of all kinds of fake news, National Enquirer garbage and its been reported that this dossier was all dressed up by the FBI, taken to the FISA court and presented as a legitimate intelligence document  that it became the basis for a warrant to spy on Americans.

He added: There are a couple of fundamental questions here. Did the FBI pay Christopher Steele? I asked that of the Attorney General two weeks ago he wouldnt answer the question. Did they actually vet this dossier?

McCarthy doesnt think so. He believes that senior FBI and Justice Department officials understood the dossier was pure political opposition research but dressed it up as legitimate intelligence in order to snag a FISA warrant. That means the FBI and Justice were completely politicized and then weaponized to spy on a rival campaign.

That is unprecedented and its also legally questionable.

Why? Because, as McCarthy explains, it would mean the FBI obtained a FISA warrant without vetting and verifying the contents of the dossier beforehand. Also, it would mean that the Justice Department of a then-incumbent Democratic administration did not tell the FISA court that the dossier was in fact produced by a Democratic presidential campaign for use against a Republican rival.

As for the failing New York Times, it is patently clear that the transformation from Page to Papadopoulos as being the catalyst for the FBIs probe is not only disingenuous (because neither is true), but also clear evidence that the paper is complicit in a Democratic attempt to deflect from the fact that the dossier was bogus, and misused, to attack Team Trump.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

NationalReview.com

TheNationalSentinel.com(Natural News) Youve heard the saying The devils in the details, well the devil is actually in the ingredients list. Its called Canola oil and its quite easy to find in almost all of the prepped and processed food products at two of the top healthy food grocers in the country. No, Canola oil didnt just get a bad wrap (pardon the pun), because its been bad all along. Let the truth be told: Canola oil is bad for your health. Did you think otherwise? Were you conned because you believed some hoax of a slogan, Heart Healthy  with a cutesy logo from the insidious American Heart Association? Remember that the AHA is comprised of clowns who want us to trade out butter to eat more toxic oils, like genetically modified Canola, soy and corn.

Now, we know what youre thinking  maybe if Canola oil is organic and expeller pressed, then were safe to eat that kind. Wrong. Scientists are now warning against long-term consumption of Canola Oil as it could worsen symptoms of dementia and cause weight gain. It causes plaques in the brain that lead to degenerative diseases in animals.

The Heart Healthy LIE has been perpetuated for decades by another Big Food myth. Most Canola oil is exported from Canada to the United States because Canada has a National Health Plan (Canadian Healthcare) thats free and the government does NOT want to have to pay the billions of dollars in sick care costs from giving their own people clogged arteries and dementia.

Primary health concerns for regular Canola oil consumption include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. United States consumers are sucking down over 2 million tonnes of Canola oil a year, and add to that over 3.5 million tonnes of Canola meal. Oops. Its the second most popular edible (if you can call it that) oil in the country. Its almost everywhere now, invading nearly all types of food, including many healthy options and organic, like salad dressings, cereals and protein bars.

Its surprising Big Pharma isnt using it in vaccines yet. Its surely in lots of baby food products and the protein drinks served up for the sick and weak at hospitals. And remember, organic or not, it coagulates, causing weight gain and dementia. Therefore, choosing expeller pressed or Certified Organic wont matter when you experience what the medical doctors will call a genetically inherited memory loss (Old timers disease) and cant remember or even recognize your immediate family.

Top foods at Whole Foods that contain coagulating, memory-damaging Canola Oil

This is just the tip of the iceberg of over a hundred products at Whole Foods that contain Canola oil: 8 Whole Grains Multigrain English Muffins, Cornbread, Light White Sandwich Bread, Prairie Bread, Sandwich Bread, Stuffing Cubes, 10 Minute Stuffing, Blueberry Muffins, Lemon Poppyseed Muffins, Molasses Ginger Cookies, Chocolate Confetti Cake, Vanilla Confetti Cake, Salted Caramel Cake, 365 Organic Mayonnaise, Applegate Chicken Nuggets, 365 Organic Homestyle Waffles, 365 Organic MultiGrain Waffles, Dr. Praegers California Veggie Burgers and Spinach Cakes, 365 Organic Vegan Lasagna, and the list just goes on.

Top foods at Trader Joes that contain coagulating, memory-damaging Canola Oil

This is just the tip of the iceberg of over a hundred products at Trader Joes that contain Canola oil: Butternut Squash Soup, Mediterranean Hummus, Vegan Spread & Dressing (Mayonnaise with the first ingredient as Canola Oil  meaning its mainly that), Almond Butter Granola, Peanut Butter Protein Granola, Cornbread Stuffing Mix, Turkey Stock (broth), Spud Crunchies Potato Snacks, Beet and Roasted Garlic Dip, Chocolate Covered Pretzel Assortment, Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, Chocolate Mint Flavored Cupcakes, Vegetable Pastry Puffs, Ranch Seasoned Crispy Chickpeas, and of course youll find coagulating Canola oil in the Trader Joes Brand Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip.

Still not sure whether or not you plan to continue consuming Canola oil? Watch this home video of how badly Canola oil coagulates when left in a bowl for a few weeks. Imagine what this does when it gets trapped in your digestive tract, your cleansing organs, your blood and your brain! Alzheimers disease barely existed in America 75 years ago. Still thinks its hereditary?

Check out the real deal about nutrition, food, supplements and even toxic chemicals like Canola Oil at NaturalPedia.com. Its the online encyclopedia youve always wanted, and its right here at your fingertips. Let the truth be told!

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

DailyMail.Co.Uk

NaturalNews.com

TraderJoes.com

WholeFoods.com

NaturalPedia.com

CanolaCouncil.org(Natural News) Vancouver resident Carol Francey, 70, attributed cannabis use of more than five decades to her excellent health today. According to Francey, she smoked cannabis to alleviate various conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, and insomnia. Francey added that her previous medications used to affect her balance and slurred her speech. However, the use of various forms of cannabis proved helpful in relieving her conditions without the unwanted side effects from her medications.

I threw away all my pills. They had slurred my speech and affected my balance. Now [I have] a little concentrated oil which relaxes, soothes, repairs, and prevents illnesses. A hot coffee with a toasty cannabis tincture works well for arthritis, pain, and sleep. [Ill inhale] a dab for sciatica and Im after that I can walkWe need to help older people have a better quality of life. Cannabis helps you to overcome anxiety about day-to-day life and stop sweating the small stuff, Francey said in a Daily Mail article.

Francey first started using cannabis at the age of 17, but did not disclose it publicly for fears of social stigma, and how the activity would affect her reputation as a former drugs and alcohol counselor. The grandmother campaigned for cannabis legislation in the country with the group Grannies for Grass International, and is encouraging other cannabis users to come out in the open.

Franceys and the groups efforts did not land on deaf ears as Canada plans to legalize recreational cannabis use in July this year. So far, 29 U.S. states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Seven of these states also allowed recreational cannabis use.

Analysis demonstrates that cannabis relieves anxiety, depression

A vast number of studies have demonstrated the many beneficial effects of cannabis use. For instance, a comprehensive meta-analysis published in the journal Clinical Psychology Review revealed that taking medical cannabis is beneficial for the treatment of symptoms linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and depression. (Related: Medical cannabis use found to dramatically decrease reliance on addictive prescription medications)

A team of researchers examined 31 studies as part of the review and found that the cannabidiol compound in cannabis contained potent antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. Likewise, the compound helped inhibit continuous retrieval of a traumatic event in patients with PTSD. The compound was also known to relieve stress and anxiety in PTSD patients. Moreover, cannabidiol was found to outperform opiates in keeping alcohol- and opioid-dependent patients off their addictions.

We are really excited about the potential substitution effect. If people use cannabis as a replacement for opioid medications, or to get off of opioids or cut back, we could see some pretty dramatic public health benefits. The level of opioid overdoses is so high right now. I think people will derive more benefits if they can speak more openly with providers about whether they are using cannabis and why, lead researcher Zach Walsh told Medical Marijuana, Inc. News online.

Another study proves cannabis helps alleviate chronic pain

A study published last year revealed that medical cannabis use effectively eases inflammation, swelling, tension, and sore muscles. A team of Canadian health experts have examined 215 adult chronic pain patients as part of the study. The patients were given flowers, concentrates, or edible cannabis during the studys duration. The results were then compared with a control cohort of 216 healthy patients.

Patients who took medicinal cannabis exhibited significant declines in pain and increased quality of life, the researchers reported. Likewise, patients in the cannabis group attained mark reductions in anxiety, depression, and fatigue. The research team concluded that cannabis not only alleviates physical pain, but also relieves pain of psychological nature.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

News.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com(Natural News) Pfizers flagship smoking cessation drug varenicline, sold under the brand names Chantix in the United States and Champix in Canada and Europe, may do more harm than good as recent research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed that the medication was associated with an increased likelihood of suffering from cardiovascular conditions.

A team of Canadian health experts examined the medical records of 56,851 new users of varenicline between September 2011 and February 2015 to carry out the study. The researchers observed that 4,185 of patients experienced one or more cardiovascular events, while 4,720 patients suffered neuropsychiatric events that lead to an emergency department visit. The scientists also found that patients who took varenicline had a 34 percent increased risk of being sent to the emergency department or getting hospitalized due to cardiovascular events.

Quitting smoking greatly reduces a persons chances of developing heart disease and cancer and has many other health benefits. Previous studies regarding the safety of varenicline have been conflicting and most examined people with relatively similar characteristics and backgrounds in highly controlled settings. The findings should be used to help people make an informed decision about whether they should take varenicline based on accurate information about its risks as well as its benefits, lead author Dr. Andrea S. Gershon said in a Science Daily article.

Varenicline impacts mental health too, study finds

A 2011 study published in the journal PLoS ONE also demonstrated that the smoking cessation drug was particularly harmful to mental health. Scientists at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine pooled data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Adverse Event Reporting System as part of the study.

The researchers examined more than 3,000 case reports of self-injurious behavior or depression linked to varenicline and other smoking cessation medications. The scientists observed that 90 percent of all reported suicides linked to smoking cessation drugs implicated varenicline. Likewise, the research team found that varenicline use was associated with an eight-fold increased risk of reported suicidal behavior or depression in patients.

While suicidal behavior or depression appear to be a prominent side effect of varenicline, they are by no means the only safety issues. Varenicline has been associated with aggression and violence in three studies and carries a warning about this behavior. Its effects on vision, cognition and motor control, and other risks have led to its being banned for airline pilots, air traffic controllers, military pilots and missile crews, and restricted for truck drivers, lead author Thomas J. Moore told Science Daily online.

Study: Hyped-up varenicline is no better than nicotine patch and lozenges

Another study featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the apparently problematic smoking cessation drug did not fare better than other nicotine replacement treatments in making smokers quit the habit. (Related: Prescription drugs declared one of the most significant perils to human health by British medical journal)

Researchers examined the effects of three smoking cessation treatments on more than 1,000 patients. The volunteers were subsequently divided into three groups. One group received a nicotine patch alone, another took a Chantix pill, while a third group had a combination of a patch and nicotine lozenge. The scientists observed that the six-month quit rates among volunteers were 23 percent for the nicotine patch group, 24 percent for Chantix group, and 27 percent for the patch and lozenges group.

The experts also found that the quit rates at one year were 21 percent for the patch group, 19 percent for the Chantix group and 20 percent for the patch and lozenges group. Furthermore, the research team found that patients who took Chantix experienced more side effects. The results showed that 29 percent of the patients suffered nausea, while 23 percent reported having vivid dreams and 22 percent experienced insomnia.

Be on the look out for the latest news in adverse drug reactions at BigPharmaNews.com.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com 1

ScienceDaily.com 2

StatNews.comFollowing months of recipe development, a close-knit Concord family opened their dream confectionery last month specializing in a once-taboo dessert: cookie dough.

Located on Clayton Road, Out The Dough boasts more than 12 flavors of the guilty pleasure. The Lonardo family  mom Jill, son Angelo and daughter-in-law Marina  developed a recipe that doesnt include raw eggs or flour, making the mixture safe to eat without cooking it first.

The family came up with the idea after Angelo Lonardo took a trip to New York and saw block-long lines for a dessert parlor selling raw cookie dough. The culinary school graduate brought the idea back to his family, who had been looking for a unique business concept that could combine their love of culinary arts and sweet treats.

We wanted to get out of corporate America, and then we discovered this niche," Jill Lonardo said. "We felt that it was a great combination of our talents and wanting to be our own bosses. Id always been a baker growing up, my kids had always eaten raw cookie dough even when they werent supposed to, it felt like a natural progression for us.

Recipe development was a little tricky, but the family enlisted their friends to give feedback before settling on a base mixture that incorporates pasteurized egg and heat-treated flours. Prices range from $3 to $7 depending on size, and customers can opt to have their dough in a waffle cone or cup. Leftovers can be taken home and baked into  yep, you guessed it  cookies.

We tried tons of recipes before landing on one that worked, Angelo Lonardo said. But we definitely had fun trying them all! We havent gotten sick of it yet.

Getting the shop up and running was a fairly arduous process, but the Lonardos believe their hard work paid off. The recipes arent the only thing the family made from scratch, either. After renting the store space, the family labored on construction for weeks.

We did almost everything ourselves, Jill Lonardo said. We did all the countertops ourselves, put in the flooring and did the painting ourselves. We tried to bring nostalgia into it and brought in my grandmothers china hutch, and a vintage coke cooler  just things that make the place feel more home-y. Its definitely a family effort.

So far, the most popular flavors include Chocoholics Dream, an extra dark cacao mixture with semisweet and white chocolate chips; Hawaiian Getaway, which incorporates white chocolate macadamia nut; and Ellen Dough-Generes, a vegan mix named in honor of the familys favorite talk show host. A portion of proceeds from that selection will go to a revolving list of one of Ellen Degeneres favorite charities.

We really wanted Out The Dough to be a place that was part of the community, Jill Lonardo said. We also try to partner with schools and nonprofits in the area.

The store also offers cookie dough milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches. Of course, there are heaps of freshly-baked cookies to choose from, as well.

Out The Dough's full recipe is available online. Check the store out at 4666 Clayton Road in Concord.Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Francisco is the target of an ongoing criminal probe following the death of an elderly patient in late 2015, NBC Bay Areas Investigative Unit has learned.

According to a San Francisco Police Department search warrant affidavit, authorities are investigating whether a nurse committed a crime by silencing an alarm on a medical device hooked up to 86-year-old Quay Quach.

There are questions surrounding this death, and we are going to get answers to that, Assistant District Attorney Alex Bastian said.

Quach, who led his family to Daly City after fleeing Vietnam four decades ago, was undergoing treatment for kidney failure and a heart attack at the Geary Boulevard facility in December 2015.

Quach was in the intensive care unit, the California Department of Public Healths investigation concluded, when a dialysis tube feeding blood back into his body came loose. That triggered an alarm on the device intended to notify hospital staff of any abnormalities.

Family members told state investigators that rather than checking under a blanket, the nurse simply silenced the alarm and left the room without checking further.

All of a sudden, everything went south, said Quachs grandson Kevin Tran, who was standing at Quachs bedside when it happened.

When the nurse pulled back the blanket, Tran and his sister saw a pool of blood had formed and that the line from the dialysis machine had become disconnected. Quach died two days later.

The way he went, it just tore my family apart, Tran said. They are just heartbroken.

The familys attorney, William Weiss, said data from the dialysis machine indicates the alarm sounded for 13 seconds before it was silenced.

You just have to be outraged, Weiss said.

According to the report by the California Department of Public Health, the nurse told state investigators she never heard any alarm. But state officials fined Kaiser $47,000 for Quachs death and $11,700 for not reporting the incident as the law requires.

The states investigation also found Kaiser threw away key evidence, such as Quachs dialysis tubes, which Weiss contends is evidence of a cover-up.

Absolutely, it was a cover-up, Weiss said. Why would she tell the state that no alarm went off? Why would Kaiser have those parts thrown away and put the machine back in use? It sounds like a cover-up to me.

Kaiser turned down an interview request from NBC Bay Area but said in a statement it has recently revamped training and care protocols.

We sincerely regret that this incident occurred and extend our sympathy to the family involved, Kaiser said about the case. While such a case is rare, we take full responsibility for the provision of safe, quality care to our patients.

The criminal investigation into Quachs death is ongoing. Patient advocates say that kind of attention in an incident like this is rare.

We have talked to patients and their families around the country who have taken their case to the police, said Lisa McGiffert, director of the Consumer Union's Safe Patient Project. Most of them have been turned away.

McGiffert said its critical for families to report incidents to state investigators because hospitals routinely fail to do so.

If no one reports it, then the Department of Public Health is not likely to find out about it, McGiffert said.

McGiffert said hospitals can be chaotic places, and patients should ideally have someone by their side ready to speak up or ask questions.

"If you're in the hospital with a loved one, don't be afraid to ask questions or bring to the attention of the nurses or doctors things that look unusual," McGiffert said.

Quach had hoped to join his family in a hilltop house being built in Brisbane, but Tran said their dream home is now on hold as the family grieves. Quach had been an architect in North Vietnam before fleeing persecution of the ethnic Chinese population there. He had been a church custodian and handyman before retiring to spend time with his family.

Its tough enough seeing a loved one die, but its worse when that loved one was such an influence on your life, Tran said. He was the kind of person who when I grow up, I want to be just like him when Im 80 years old.

The family is now seeking damages through an arbitration case with Kaiser as the criminal probe continues. The nurse could also lose her license pending the outcome of a state investigation.Officials at Boston's Logan Airport are keeping a close eye on Thursday's storm.

As of Wednesday, some airlines were getting ahead of what will likely be significant delays and perhaps canceled flights in the Northeast, and were offering travelers options to change or cancel their flights.

For customers traveling Thursday through next Wednesday, JetBlue is waiving change/cancel fees and fare differences to and from a number of cities in the Northeast.

If your flight is canceled, you can get a refund if you booked before Tuesday.

Delta is also offering refunds to cancel or change severely delayed flights. Customers can make a one-time free change to their ticket if they are scheduled to travel to, from, or through New England and parts of the Northeast this week during the storm.

American Airlines, United and Southwest are also waiving fees for passengers who could be inconvenienced by the storm and suggest to check their respective website for details.

As always, travelers are urged to review their tickets and to double check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Thursday's storm, which will begin before dawn, is expected to bring up to a foot of snow in Boston, along with strong to damaging wind gusts and the possibility of minor to moderate coastal flooding likely during the high tide at noon. White-out conditions during some of the heaviest snow bands are expected to develop by midday Thursday and continue into the evening. Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine. Click here for a complete list of weather alerts.A Virginia man suspected of attempting to support ISIS appeared in court Tuesday for the first time since the FBI raided his home last week.



Sean Andrew Duncan is charged with attempting to impede an investigation by destroying evidence. More serious charges are expected.

Duncan tried to run and get rid of a thumb drive and memory chip he destroyed when agents came to search his home in Sterling Friday, according to court documents.

Duncan and his wife moved to Sterling in June 2017 from Pittsburgh after their infant son died. Police in Allegany County, Pennsylvania, say the cause of the child's death is inconclusive.

Investigators gave the FBI a copy of Duncan's phone. The FBI said it found hundreds of searches for ISIS material, ISIS attacks and weapons.

Court documents lay out a lengthy timeline of Duncan's alleged links to terrorism, including:

In February 2016, one of Duncan's relatives reported to the FBI "Duncan had converted to Islam, may have been radicalized, and voiced his approval of westerners being beheaded in the Middle East," the documents say.

Duncan and his wife were interviewed by the FBI after traveling to Turkey Feb. 26, 2016. Duncan deleted his Facebook account two days after being interviewed by the FBI, according to the documents.

Duncan allegedly had contact with a foreign detained ISIS supporter who told the FBI Duncan had expressed interest in joining ISIS and conducting an attack in the United States. The woman said Duncan gave her instructions on how to construct homemade bombs. Duncan would also share news articles with her from Amaq News, an ISIS news outlet, the documents said. The woman also told the FBI Duncan had asked her to go to Syria and to be his second wife.

In June 2017, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, police gave the FBI a copy of Duncan's phone and the FBI found hundreds of searches for ISIS-related material, ISIS attacks, weapons, body armor, and surveillance and defense tactics, documents said. Alleghany County police had obtained a copy of his phone while investigating the death of Duncan's infant child. The cause of the child's death was inconclusive, documents said.

Alleghany County police found more than 24,000 positive results in Duncan's phone and laptop after searching a list of common counterterrorism terms, documents said.

In Dec. 2017, the FBI found a Twitter account allegedly associated with Duncan's phone number. The Twitter handle was @DawlahtulIslaam, which roughly translates to "The Islamic State."

In U.S. District Court in Alexandria Tuesday, Duncan wore a T-shirt with a flag on the back saying, "Herndon Police Department supporter. Blue lives matter."

Duncan was ordered held pending his return to federal court for a preliminary hearing Monday, when prosecutors plan to argue he should continue to remain in custody because he poses a danger to the community.

He could face two years in prison if convicted on the destroying evidence charge.

A New Britain man is dead after jumping over an overpass along Route 72 in New Britain after a crash on Tuesday night, according to state police.

Police said 55-year-old David Rodriguez, of New Britain, crashed into a guiderail near exit 7 on Route 72, then his Toyota Camry crossed the road and hit a jersey barrier.

Rodriguez got out of his car, jumped off the overpass and died after being transported to Hartford Hospital, according to state police.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about it should call state police at 860-534-1000, extension 6019.Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, who was re-elected to the top position in the state's largest city two years ago after serving a federal prison sentence, has filed the paperwork to run for governor in 2018.

He released a statement Wednesday, saying he filed the paperwork with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

The road to bringing fiscal stability back to Connecticut runs through economic development and job growth. We can get Connecticut back to being the powerhouse of innovation and industrial strength  where young people and entrepreneurs come to start businesses and create jobs, raise their families and make a global impact, Ganim said in a statement. Our cities should be the engines that drive our economy that benefits residents of all towns in Connecticut. 

Ganim was first elected Mayor of Bridgeport in 1991 and served until 2003.

He was then sent to federal prison after being convicted of 16 counts of corruption and served seven years.

In 2015, he was again elected mayor of Bridgeport.

I am far from a perfect candidate; Im someone who has made mistakes in my life. Three years ago, I asked the voters of Bridgeport for a 2nd chance to get it right and improve our quality of life, and I am grateful they gave me that opportunity, Ganim said in a statement. Now, I can see that all of Connecticut needs a 2nd chance to succeed. We can create and build that future together. I want to open all the doors of opportunity for everyone in our state. Connecticut needs a new direction to achieve growth and realize our full potential, and I am offering 14 years of success as an example of what we can accomplish together.

Gov. Dannel Malloy, who has served as governor since 2011, announced in April that he would not seek a third term.

Ganim said after Malloy's announcement then that he felt confident in his political future after his rebirth in Bridgeport.A day after an explosion rocked an Irving neighborhood, people are upset they aren't getting any answers to the question: Why were they allowed to stay in their homes with a natural gas leak nearby?

"It makes no sense why we wasn't all evacuated, said Marcus Stephenson. I can't believe that they just let us stay here.

Atmos Energy said the incident is under investigation but declined to answer any questions Tuesday.

"We are in the process of gathering relevant information and facts," Atmos spokeswoman Claire Skillestad said in an email. "This process takes time."

Asked if the company would share the results of its investigation, she said, "If we have any further statements, I will share them via email."

Tuesday afternoon, NBC 5 received a statement from the Texas Railroad Commission confirming that it is investigating.

"Protection of public safety is the Railroad Commissions highest priority, and we dispatched an inspector to the incident site yesterday. We currently have an ongoing investigation into the pipeline operators compliance with pipeline safety rules."

Atmos crews were in front of Stephenson's house in the 3500 block of Colgate Lane for hours New Year's Eve fixing a leak in a line under O'Connor Road.

The family across the street said they asked the Atmos workers if they were safe, and were told three different times that they were -- before their house blew up.

"They're the experts, said Alejandra de la Cruz. We're not going to evacuate if you tell us everything is fine."

De la Cruz, her 5-year-old son and three other family members survived the blast and made it out of the house with barely a scratch.

The Irving Fire Department said they didn't evacuate anyone -- even though firefighters were also on the scene  because the Atmos crews told them the leak was under control.

"Hindsight is always 20/20, said Assistant Fire Chief J. Taylor. We defer to the professionals on scene. Atmos was on scene. They had the scene and they were correcting the situation, they felt, out in the street."

He said they learn from every situation but isn't sure what happened will lead to any changes.

"It's not out of the ordinary for us to have natural gas leaks, he said. It's rare you actually evacuate a house especially in cold situations like this."

Neighbors like Marcus Stephenson worry if there's a next time, someone could easily get hurt or killed.

"I'd rather be cold than get blown up, you know? he said. "They're lucky. We're all lucky. We're just lucky. And it wasn't because of Atmos or the fire department either."Sherin Mathews, the 3-year-old girl adopted from India and found deceased in a ditch in Richardson last year, died of "homicidal violence," the Dallas County Medical Examiner's office confirmed on Wednesday.

Richardson police issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the medical examiner's office listed the child's cause of death as homicide and the manner of death as homicidal violence, though they didn't elaborate further.



Details of the autopsy and toxicology reports were expected to be released Wednesday.

Sherin's body was found Oct. 26, more than two weeks after Wesley Mathews, her adoptive father, had reported her missing. Wesley later changed his story to police and said that his daughter choked after he "physically assisted" her in drinking milk. He said he then moved her body and planned to go back later and give her a proper burial.

Wesley and his wife, Sini, face criminal charges in connection with Sherin's death.

Wesley remains in custody on $1 million bond for felony injury to a child with intent to commit serious bodily injury.

Sini is also in jail, held on $100,000 bond for child endangerment/abandoning for allegedly leaving Sherin home alone while she, her husband their other daughter went to dinner on Oct. 6, the night before Wesley reported Sherin missing.

The couple has been fighting for custody from the state of their biological child, a 4-year-old girl living with family in the Houston area. Both were expected in court Wednesday morning to try to regain custody of their biological daughter, but that hearing was rescheduled to Jan. 26.



Sini Mathews' attorney Mitch Notle told NBC 5 that nothing in the autopsy or toxicology reports implicate Sini in the toddler's death. The attorney representing Wesley Mathews declined to comment.



The Richardson Police Department and the FBI continue to investigate the toddler's death.

NBC 5's Maria Guerrero contributed to this report.

Southwest Airlines and American Airlines both announced Tuesday that they will give employees a $1,000 bonus as a result of anticipated savings from the recent tax reform legislation.

Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines CEO said in a tweet that in addition to the employee bonuses, Southwest will donate an extra $5 million to charities in 2018. He did not specify the recipients of the donations.

The Dallas-based company also plans to order more planes as a result of the recent tax law, Kelly announced.

Im proud to report we are rewarding our Employees with a $1,000 bonus with the anticipated savings from the tax reform legislation, we are contributing an additional $5 million in charitable donations, and we are making investments in our fleet and our business. pic.twitter.com/h4GVqRrXzX  Gary Kelly (@gary_kelly) January 2, 2018

Doug Parker, American Airlines CEO, shared a letter Tuesday stating that each employee, excluding officers, will get a $1,000 bonus during the first quarter of 2018. The bonuses extend to regional carriers owned by American, and the distributions are expected to total approximately $130 million.

Parker also said that with the increased tax savings, Fort Worth-based American plans to invest in more aircraft and company facilities.

AT&T, Wells Fargo, Boeing and Comcast (which owns NBCUniversal) are among several other companies that have announced plans to offer similar bonuses to their employees in recent weeks following the tax legislation.President Donald Trump launched a scathing verbal and legal attack on former top adviser Steve Bannon on Wednesday, responding to a new book that portrays Trump as an undisciplined man-child who didn't actually want to win the White House and quotes Bannon as calling his son's contact with a Russian lawyer "treasonous."

Hitting back via a formal White House statement rather than a more-typical Twitter volley, Trump insisted Bannon had little to do with his victorious campaign and "has nothing to do with me or my Presidency."

"When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said.

It was a blistering attack against the man who helped deliver the presidency to Trump. It was spurred by an unflattering new book by writer Michael Wolff that paints Trump as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of the presidency and spends his evenings eating cheeseburgers in bed, watching television and talking on the phone to old friends.

Later Wednesday, Trump attorney Charles Harder threatened legal action against Bannon over "disparaging statements and in some cases outright defamatory statements."

Harder sent a letter to Bannon saying the former Trump aide violated confidentiality agreements by speaking with Wolff. The letter demanded Bannon "cease and desist" any further disclosure of confidential information.

Bannon did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but did say on a radio show Thursday morning that "there is no one we think higher of than President Trump and the agenda so lets not let the left wing media stir that up."



On Thursday, Harder sent another "cease and desist" letter to Wolff and his publisher demanding they stop the release of the book, which it said includes "false/baseless statements" about Trump, and refrain from publishing any more excerpts or summaries. The letter also sought a retraction and an apology to Trump.

NBC reached out to Wolff and his publisher for comment.

Asked about Bannon on Thursday, Trump said, "he called me a great man last night so he obviously changed his tune pretty quick."

Trump added that he doesn't talk to Bannon, saying "that's just a misnomer."



White House aides were blindsided when early excerpts from "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" were published online by New York magazine and other media outlets ahead of the Jan. 9 publication date.

The release left Trump "furious" and "disgusted," said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who complained that the book contained "outrageous" and "completely false claims against the president, his administration and his family."

Asked what specifically had prompted the president's fury with Bannon, she said: "I would certainly think that going after the president's son in an absolutely outrageous and unprecedented way is probably not the best way to curry favor with anybody."

In the book, an advance copy of which was provided to The Associated Press, Bannon is quoted as describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic." The meeting has become a focus of federal and congressional investigators.

Bannon also told Wolff the investigations into potential collusion between Russia and Trump campaign officials would likely focus on money laundering.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon was quoted as saying in one section that was first reported by The Guardian.

Trump Jr. lashed out in a series of tweets, including one that said Andrew Breitbart, the founder of the Breitbart News site that Bannon now runs, "would be ashamed of the division and lies Steve Bannon is spreading!"

Bannon, who was forced out of his White House job last summer, was not surprised or particularly bothered by the blowback, according to a person familiar with his thinking but not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. That person said Bannon vowed on Wednesday to continue his war on the Republican establishment and also predicted that, after a cooling-off period, he'd continue to speak with Trump, who likes to maintain contact with former advisers even after he fires and sometimes disparages them.

Sanders said Bannon and Trump last spoke in the first part of last month.

The former-and-current Breitbart News head has told associates that he believes Trump has been ill-served by some his closest allies, including eldest son Don Jr. and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law. Bannon believes they have exposed Trump to the Russia probe that could topple his presidency and that Trump would be able to accomplish more without them

So far, there is no indication that Bannon is being investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. But the House intelligence committee has invited him, along with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, for a closed-door interview as a part of the panel's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, according to a person familiar with the invitation.

Trump, up until Wednesday, had been complimentary of Bannon, saying in October that the two "have a very good relationship" and had been friends for "a long time."

In the book, Bannon also speaks critically of Trump's daughter and White House adviser, Ivanka, calling her "dumb as a brick."

"A little marketing savvy and has a look but as far as understanding actually how the world works and what politics is and what it means  nothing," he is quoted saying.

New York magazine also published a lengthy adaptation of the book on Wednesday, in which Wolff writes that Trump believed his presidential nomination would boost his brand and deliver "untold opportunities"  but that he never expected to win.

It says Trump Jr. told a friend that his father looked as if he'd seen a ghost when it became clear he might win. The younger Trump described Melania Trump as "in tears  and not of joy."

The first lady's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, disputed that, saying Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run, encouraged him to do so and was happy when he won.

"The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section," Grisham said in a statement.

Wolff was generally granted access to the White House with a 'blue badge" instead of the traditional press badge, giving him wide access to the West Wing, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal protocol. One former White House official said Wolff was known to camp out for hours in the West Wing lobby after meetings, sitting on a sofa as he waited to talk to staffers passing by.

Wolff said in an author's note that the book was based on more than 200 interviews, including multiple conversations with the president and senior staff. But Sanders said Wolff "never actually sat down with the president" and had spoken with him just once, briefly, by phone, since Trump had taken office.

She also said the vast majority of interviews Wolff conducted with other White House officials were done at Bannon's request.

Bannon's comments in the book are just his latest published criticism of the president and his family. In a Vanity Fair piece late last year, he was quoted telling friends and advisers that Trump had "lost a step" since his swearing-in and was "like an 11-year-old child."

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report.Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, freshly sworn in Wednesday after a contentious special election against Republican Roy Moore, tapped former transportation official Dana Gresham as his chief of staff, becoming the only Senate Democrat to have a black chief of staff, according to reports.

Jones announced Gresham's appointment on Tuesday. Only two Senate Republicans also have black chiefs of staff: Sens. Jerry Moran of Kansas and Tim Scott of South Carolina, Politico reported.

Gresham served for eight years as assistant secretary for governmental affairs at the Department of Transportation during the Obama administration, according to a statement from Jones' team. And for six years before that, he was the chief of staff for Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), who served from 2003 to 2011.

Black voters played a key role last month in Jones' victory over Moore, whose campaign had been plagued by sexual harassment and assault allegations. Black voters made up 29 percent of the electorate, and almost all of those voters  96 percent  supported Jones, according to NBC News' exit polling. A staggering 98 percent of black women voters backed Jones.

Black voters turned out at a higher level than in 2008 and 2012, when Barack Obama was running for president, according to The New York Times.

After the upset, Jones faced pressure to hire a diverse staff. Seventeen groups representing minorities, including the NAACP, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund and National Urban League, wrote a letter to Jones on Dec. 19 encouraging him to hire at least one person of color to his senior staff.

"As a new Member of the U.S. Senate, you have an opportunity to show your constituents that not only do their voices matter, but that their experiences and skills are vital to the work that you do to represent them," the groups wrote in the letter, obtained by the Washington Post. "Ensuring racial diversity among your staff would enhance the deliberation, innovation, legitimacy, and outcomes of your office and of the Senate as a whole."

Jones said in a statement to the Post that he is "absolutely committed to having a diverse staff including in top posts in my Senate office."

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson in a statement to NBC commended Jones' hiring of Gresham but added that "this lack of diversity highlights the failure of our nations highest legislative body to embrace in a true way the principles of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity."

Fellow political figures lauded Jones' decision to hire Gresham.

"Great News! Birmingham's own stand out Dana Gresham chosen to be Chief of Staff to Alabamas Senator Doug Jones! Looking forward to working with them to move Alabama forward!! @GDouglasJones," Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell tweeted.

Amanda Brown Lierman, political and organizing director for the Democratic National Committee, wrote, "Snaps for @GDouglasJones naming Dana Gresham as his Chief of Staff!"Sony Pictures plans to release a "Slender Man" movie this spring, featuring the horror character that inspired two Wisconsin girls to nearly kill their classmate.

The movie is set for a May 18 release. Slender Man has appeared in video games and online stories, but the Sony production marks the first full-length feature built around the character. The picture is directed by Sylvain White, who also helmed 2007's "Stomp the Yard," and stars Javier Botet as Slender Man.

The studio released a trailer Wednesday. It's unclear from the preview whether the movie will include any elements from the Wisconsin case, but in one scene a wall is covered with drawings of Slender Man that resemble sketches one of the girls, Morgan Geyser, drew. Other scenes show Slender Man stalking a girl in the woods and a girl stabbing herself in the head with a scalpel in school, showering a classmate with blood.

Geyser and Anissa Weier lured classmate Payton Leutner to a wooded Waukesha park in 2014. There Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times, narrowly missing her heart, while Weier urged her on. Leutner managed to crawl out of the woods to a path where a passing bicyclist found her. She survived the attack.

Geyser and Weier told detectives they had to kill Leutner to prove to Slender Man that they were worthy of being his servants as well as protect their families from him. All three girls were 12 years old at the time of the attack.

Geyser, now 15, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors, who have asked she get at least 40 years in a mental hospital when she's sentenced in February. Weier, now 16, was sentenced to 25 years in a mental institution last month after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide.

Geyser and Weier's attorneys didn't immediately reply to emails seeking comment about the movie. Neither did a spokesman for Leutner's family.

Slender Man has been cited as a factor in other crimes. Days after the Wisconsin stabbing, a 13-year-old girl in Hamilton County, Ohio, attacked her mother with a knife. The mother told WLWT-TV that she thought the girl was obsessed with Slender Man. In September of that same year, a 14-year-old girl in Port Richey, Florida, set her house on fire. Sheriff's deputies said she started the fire after reading an e-book called "Soul Eater" and reading about Slender Man.

Slender Man was created online by Eric Knudson in 2009 as a mysterious specter photo-edited into everyday images of children at play. He's typically depicted as a slim, spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face that preys on children. He has grown into a popular boogeyman and has appeared in video games and online stories.

No one immediately replied to an email sent Wednesday to Sony's general inbox for media inquiries.TheCalifornia Labor Commissioner's Office says there's a growing trend of employers warning workers to do what they're told or face deportation.

Immigrant rights advocates say they're seeing these threats happening more because attitudes have changed against immigrants. Now, the Labor Commissioner's Office is suing on behalf of a construction worker who says he didn't get paid and was threatened.

The construction worker's case isn't unique  many of the new complaints are coming from workers in that field. Employment rights attorney Sebastian Sanchez is representing one worker who says when he tried to get paid for the tile work at a home in Arcadia, his boss threatened deportation.

"If you want to cause any trouble, just know my family is connected to the sheriff's office and I bet you wouldn't want a call to ICE," Sanchez said his client was told.

Sanchez is now helping the state labor commission sue that employer, who did not respond to requests for comment.

The Labor Commission's office says deportation threats coming from employers have increased sharply, from seven in 2015 to 20 in 2016 to 94 in 2017. Sanchez blames the spike in threats on anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from President Donald Trump and promises by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to increase raids in so-called sanctuary cities like Los Angeles.

"The ramifications of the current climate have really been very broad and have had a real impact on workers' lives," Sanchez said.

Industries with high numbers of undocumented immigrants, like construction and garment workers and farm laborers, are especially at risk, Sanchez said. His clients tell him that when they have raised workplace concerns, their employers have said things like, "So you want to continue this, OK, let me contact ICE."

A worker's immigration status, however, is irrelevant under California and federal law, Sanchez said. "If you work, you have a right to be paid."A 25-year-old Los Angeles man suspected of making a hoax emergency call that led to the fatal police shooting of a Kansas man faces a charge of making a false alarm.

The Los Angeles County district attorney filed a fugitive-from-justice warrant Wednesday against Tyler Barriss, saying he was charged with the felony Dec. 29 in Kansas. Later Wednesday in a brief court proceeding, Barriss waived his right to an extradition hearing. He stood behind a glass wall dressed in black with his hands cuffed in front of him and provided brief answers to a judge's questions, acknowledging he was the wanted man and voluntarily signed the waiver.

A public defender has been appointed to represent him.

Another hearing is scheduled for later this month to determine the extradition date.

Police have said 28-year-old Andrew Finch was shot after a prankster called 911 last week with a fake story about a shooting and kidnapping at Finch's Wichita home.

Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said Kansas is pursuing extradition of Barriss. That process that can take up to 90 days.

The goal of such "swatting" calls is to get a SWAT team to respond, although Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey said none of the officers at the scene were SWAT team members. Ramsey said Finch's hands went up and down around his waistband.

The police chief called Finch's death a "terrible tragedy."

Finch's mother, Lisa Finch, wrote a letter Tuesday to Mayor Jeff Longwell, Ramsay and other city officials saying an unannounced visit from the police chief three days after the shooting did not ease her heart and left questions unanswered. The family wants the police officer who killed him criminally charged for his death, their attorney said Tuesday.

But criminologist B. Remy Cross at Webster University in Missouri said criminal charges are highly unlikely.

"It is sort of a fact of the world we live in now that it is very difficult to bring charges against police officers unless there is glaring negligence and misconduct," Cross said. "While I certainly sympathize with the family  and I think there was probably not the necessary due caution exercised in this incident  I don't know that they are going to necessarily be very successful in pushing for charges to be brought against the officer."

Police spokesman Charley Davidson said the department has not received Lisa Finch's letter and cannot comment on it. He said police have provided all the information they can at this point, and that the investigation remains active.

Barriss was previously convicted in Los Angeles for making two false bomb threats that led to the temporary evacuation of ABC Studios in Glendale in 2015. That same year, as part of the same case, Barriss was also convicted of making hoax threats against two schools in the San Fernando Valley.

Glendale Police told NBC News that investigators discovered that during that time period, Barriss made some 20 threat related calls around the nation, including to universities.President Donald Trump on Tuesday approved California's request for a presidential major disaster declaration in response to recent wildfires in the state, including those in Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Gov. Jerry Brown sent Trump a letter last month requesting the declaration to aid in recovery efforts.

According to the White House, the presidential declaration will free up federal funding for areas affected by wildfires that began Dec. 4.

Brown previously issued a state emergency declaration on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and on Dec. 7 in San Diego and Santa Barbara counties. Trump issued a federal emergency declaration Dec. 8 authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies to help respond to the wildfires. At the time, the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, the Lilac Fire near Fallbrook in San Diego County and a trio of fires in Los Angeles County were still burning.

California's two Democratic senators, Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, sent Trump a joint letter supporting Brown's request.

"This year's wildfire season in California has been nothing short of catastrophic," according to their letter. "Over 1.2 million acres have burned in the state this year. In October, wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and killed 44 people in Northern California. Since the beginning of December, six large wildfires have burned nearly 300,000 acres in Southern California."

The senators noted that two people have died as a result of the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, including one firefighter -- San Diego-based Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson.

Brown said more than 1,000 homes have been confirmed destroyed and that "given past fires and initial estimates for these fires, we expect the damages to well exceed the requirements for federal assistance."

The governor said federal funds will go in part toward removing large amounts of debris to eliminate the threat to public health and safety.

"Prompt removal of the debris is also necessary to enable community rebuilding and economic recovery of impacted communities," Brown wrote.

Federal funds will also go toward helping those whom state officials expect will be left homeless or displaced for an extended period of time.

Brown requested the major disaster declaration for San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, specifically requesting help from federal disaster-relief programs focused on housing and temporary shelters, unemployment assistance, crisis counseling, legal services and hazard mitigation services.

In Los Angeles County, the Creek Fire near Sylmar scorched more than 15,600 acres, the Skirball Fire in the Sepulveda Pass burned about 422 acres and the Rye Fire near Santa Clarita blackened more than 6,000 acres.

The Lilac Fire near Bonsall between Fallbrook and Oceanside scorched 4,100 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 200 buildings.

The Miami Police Department has identified the person shot dead in Little Haiti on Wednesday as 16-year-old Jose Velez.

The shooting occurred in the area of NE Miami Place and 58th Street. Jose was known as Chelito.

He was also known for his smile. A vigil was held in his name on Thursday.



"He was a smiling kid  never mad or sad. If you met him, you would know what we were talking about," a family member said.

Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.Hoda Kotb, co-host of the fourth hour of the "Today" show for about a decade, has been promoted to co-anchor of the show, her colleague Savannah Guthrie announced Tuesday.

She fills the spot formerly occupied by Matt Lauer, who was terminated from NBC News in late November after a colleague reported inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.

"Hoda, you are a partner and a friend and a sister and there is no one I'd rather be doing this with," Guthrie said.

Kotb, 53, said she was pinching herself as the show kicked off its new era.

She had been filling in for Lauer since he was fired, and for at least three weeks without him, the show beat rival "Good Morning America" in ratings, The New York Times reported. It was the first three-week winning streak since the 2016 Olympics.

"Over the past several weeks, Hoda has seamlessly stepped into the co-anchor role alongside Savannah, and the two have quickly hit the ground running," NBC News Chairman Andy Lack said in an email Tuesday to "Today" staff. "They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of 'Today.'"

E! News reported that Lauer texted Kotb to congratulate her. "He was sweet this morning. Certain texts popped up, and there was one from Matt: 'Congratulations!'" said Kotb. "And he said some nice words."



Kotb will continue to co-host the show's fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford.

Gifford and other NBC News luminaries quickly offered their congratulations on Twitter.

So happy for my dear friend @hodakotb !! Congratulations on being named the new Co Anchor of @TODAYshow !! Nobody does it better!!  Kathie Lee Gifford (@KathieLGifford) January 2, 2018

The Oklahoma native of Egyptian descent joined "Dateline" as a contributor in 1998 and has covered the news for a variety of NBC News platforms, including conflicts in the Middle East and Hurricane Katrina.

She's won the Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards, and was on the "Today" team when it won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding morning program in 2010.

Guthrie and Kotb will be the first pair of women to anchor "Today" together. ABC News' Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts were the first female tandem to host a morning show together from 2006-2009, "Today" reported.

Harvey Weinsteins ouster from the Weinstein Company in light of multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him is causing thousands of other women to speak up and speak out against powerful abusers in the workplace.What to Know A fast-moving fire spread to three residential buildings in Brooklyn Tuesday night, officials say

It's not clear what sparked the blaze on Bergen Street in Crown Heights, but three firefighters suffered minor injuries, fire officials say

All three residents inside the single-family building where the fire started were able to safely get themselves out

A fast-moving fire tore through three residential buildings in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn Tuesday night, officials say, injuring at least seven, including six firefighters.

It's not clear what sparked the blaze on Bergen Street Tuesday night, but the fire jumped quickly from one building to an adjacent one, and then to a third.

Flames could be seen shooting out the windows of the brownstone, and black smoke billowed into the air, visible for blocks.

All three residents inside the single-family building where the fire started were able to safely get themselves out before firefighters arrived, fire officials said. No civilian injuries have been reported.

However, three firefighters were hurt when the stairway they were going up gave way, according to a fire official on the scene. Another three firefighters were hurt as they battled the blaze. Three of the injured firefighters suffered minor injuries and the other three suffered serious, but non life-threatening injuries.

One police officer also suffered minor injuries, according to officials.

The flames were knocked out just before midnight, and firefighters were canvassing the charred, smoldering buildings, focusing their attention on the roof.

Fire officials believe the blaze started on the second floor of the initial building. Fire marshals are on the scene investigating a cause, but the assistant FDNY chief on scene didn't rule out weather and heating devices playing a role.

Firefighters had to battle the blaze in extremely frigid conditions: the temperature is barely cracking 20 degrees, but the wind chills are making it feel like 11 degrees.

The FDNY has been faced with a series of ravaging infernos amid the deep freeze in recent days, including one in the Bronx last week that killed 12 people, deemed the deadliest residential fire in New York City in decades.A soldier from New Jersey has been killed fighting in eastern Afghanistan.

A military statement issued Tuesday said four other soldiers were wounded in the Jan. 1 battle in the Achin district of Nangarhar province. It said two of the wounded were in stable condition and the other two have returned to duty.

Sen. Cory Booker says the Army had identified the dead soldier as Mihail Golin, of Fort Lee, New Jersey.

"Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin served our nation with courage and distinction, and his death is a loss that will be felt across New Jersey," said Booker. "I extend my deepest condolences to Sergeant Golin's family and friends during this very difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers injured in this tragic incident."

Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, says "we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own."



The United States formally concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014 but still carries out operations against the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate, both of which are active in Nangarhar.What to Know In total, the feds named 17 new interim U.S. attorneys across the nation, replacing people who held the job on an acting basis for last year

Three new local prosecutors have been named; the appointments take effect Thursday

The appointments are in effect for 120 days, during which time the president will have to nominate permanent replacements

The Justice Department named new interim U.S. attorneys for Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey on Wednesday, including one candidate with ties to Rudy Giuliani who interviewed personally with President Trump for the job.

In total, the government named 17 new interim U.S. attorneys across the country, replacing people who have held the job on an acting basis for the last year. (In many cases, they were filling in for predecessors who were abruptly fired early in the Trump administration.)

The appointments take effect Thursday and are in effect for 120 days, during which time the president will have to nominate permanent replacements but they still have to go through the congressional approval process.

The three new local prosecutors are:

* Southern District of New York: Geoffrey Berman

* Eastern District of New York: Richard Donoghue

* New Jersey: Craig Carpenito

Berman interviewed with Trump last fall, CNN and Politico reported in mid-October, a move that was considered highly unusual. A top official at the law firm Greenberg Traurig, Berman is a law partner of former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani. He was a federal prosecutor from 1990 to 1994 and was also part of the Iran-Contra prosecution team, which successfully prosecuted a former CIA employee for tax fraud.

In a press release issued Wednesday, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that as interim U.S. Attorney Berman would lead "an incredible team of attorneys" and help provide New Yorkers with "safety, security and peace of mind."

Donoghue runs litigation for the software company CA Technologies, but previously spent 11 years as a federal prosecutor, including a stint as chief of the Eastern District's criminal division. He is also a former military judge and paratrooper, and someone who Sessions praised as having "tremendous experience prosecuting MS-13." The gang plagues some areas of Long Island with violence and crime.

"Every MS-13 member in Long Island should know, Richard Donoghue will use all the tools at his disposal to get criminals off our streets," Sessions warned in a press release.



A source close to the judiciary committee familiar with the thinking of New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand says the two participated in the larger vetting process related to the Big Apple appointments, "but the senators would still need to offer formal support should the president seek their long-term appointment beyond the 120 days."



Donoghue apparently has the senators' support. It's not clear if Berman does at this time.

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

As for the New Jersey job, Carpenito is a securities lawyer whose name has been bandied about for months. He reportedly has broad support from the state's congressional delegation and from former federal prosecutors. He spent three years as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey and also worked for the SEC. He also has ties to Gov. Chris Christie.

A spokesman for U.S. Senator Cory Booker told NBC New York the senator had no immediate comment.



Ten of the 17 districts where interim appointments were named Wednesday have a new person coming in to replace the acting U.S. attorney. Apart from the ones in New York and New Jersey, they include Hawaii, Nevada, Central District California, Middle District Florida, Eastern District Michigan, Western District Missouri and the Virgin Island. In the other seven districts, the acting U.S. attorney was named the interim U.S. attorney.

Terror, Trump, a Giraffe: A Look Back at the Top 20 Local News Stories of 2017At least one person is dead after a 22-car pile-up on New York's Interstate 90.

The crash happened Tuesday afternoon around 4 p.m. Witness video showed a mass of cars snarled in the crash directly after the accident.

New York State Police identified the man killed in the accident in Cheektowaga as Edward Torres, 64, of Elba. One other person was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Snowy conditions are believed to have been a factor in the crash.

"All of a sudden everybody was sliding," said crash survivor Tammy Dawn. "I actually decided to put my car into the ditch because I saw a truck that went into a car right in front of me, so I know that my car didn't hit anything."

Accident investigators said an initial accident on the I-90 forced a tractor trailer driver to stop abruptly.

They said Torres was unable to stop in time and hit the tractor trailer. Torres was taken by ambulance to a medical center where he was pronounced dead.Canadian ex-hostage Joshua Boyle made a brief appearance via video link for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday after being charged with 15 offenses, including sexual assault, following his release from captivity in Afghanistan.

A justice of the peace granted lawyer Ninetta Caparelli's request for adjournment until Monday so the defense can work on a bail plan.

Boyle had a beard and wore an orange jumpsuit in Wednesday's appearance, which lasted a few minutes.

Boyle, his wife Caitlan and their three children were freed in October in Pakistan, five years after the couple was abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group during a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan. The children were born in captivity.

The purported acts allegedly occurred between Oct. 14 and Dec. 30 after Boyle returned to Canada. A publication ban bars reporting information that could identify the alleged victims.

The charges include eight counts of assault, two accounts of sexual assault, two counts of unlawful confinement and one count of causing someone to "take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone," an antidepressant. There is also a charge of uttering a death threat and a charge of misleading a police officer.

Before the matter was adjourned, Justice Norman Boxall was told Boyle has retained prominent Ottawa criminal lawyer Lawrence Greenspon as part of his defense team, although Greenspon was not in court. No family members of Boyle or his wife attended.

Caparelli did not speak after the brief appearance. His other lawyer, Eric Granger, said Tuesday he's presumed innocent and never been in trouble before.

In a statement to the Toronto Star, Boyle's wife wrote, "I can't speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this."

"Obviously, he is responsible for his own actions," she added, "but it is with compassion and forgiveness that I say I hope help and healing can be found for him. As to the rest of us, myself and the children, we are healthy and holding up as well as well we can."

Caitlan Boyle confirmed to NBC News that her husband is in jail and that "I and the children are in good health and safe."

Boyle told The Associated Press in October that his wife had been hospitalized in Ottawa, but did not specify why she was taken to the hospital.

Boyle also told AP that week that he and his wife decided to have children even while held captive because they always planned to have a big family.

"We're sitting as hostages with a lot of time on our hands," Boyle said. "We always wanted as many as possible, and we didn't want to waste time. Cait's in her 30s, the clock is ticking."

Boyle said then that their three children were 4, 2 and "somewhere around 6 months."

"Honestly we've always planned to have a family of 5, 10, 12 children ... We're Irish, haha," he wrote in an email in October.

The parents of Caitlan Boyle, who is from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, said after the rescue that they were elated she had been freed, but they also expressed anger at their son-in law for taking their pregnant daughter to Afghanistan.

Pakistani soldiers rescued the family in an operation Oct. 11 aimed at their captors from the Taliban-linked Haqqani group. The Pakistanis caught the Haqqani fighters at some point after they had moved with their captives across the border from Afghanistan. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the operation was based on a tip from U.S. intelligence.

Boyle was once briefly married to Zaynab Khadr, the older sister of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr and the daughter of a senior al Qaeda financier who had contacts with Osama bin Laden.

The Canadian-born Omar Khadr was 15 when he was captured by U.S. troops following a firefight and was taken to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Officials had discounted any link between that background and Boyle's capture, with one describing it in 2014 as a "horrible coincidence."

Boyle and his family met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the leader's office last month.What to Know New Jersey, New York and Connecticut were the most moved from states in 2017, according to United Van Lines

The study reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states

Movers cited cheaper housing costs, more temperate climates and job growth as primary reasons for moving

People are continuing to flee the tri-state area and heading west, according to tracking statistics from the moving company United Van Lines.

The surburban St. Louis-based moving company has released its 41st annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers' state-to-state migration patterns.

New Jersey, New York and Connecticut rank among the top outbound states in moves for the third consecutive year: 61 percent of moves in New Jersey are outbound, 61 percent in New York and 57 percent in Connecticut.

Economist and UCLA professor Michael Stoll says the data reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states, where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average.

The Mountain West was the most popular destination for retirees, with 1 in 4 movers saying they were heading there for retirement. The Midtwest and Pacific West were top areas for those taking new jobs.

Across all regions, nearly one in five of those who moved in 2017 moved to be closer to family.

United Van Lines classifies states as "high inbound" if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, "high outbound" if 55 percent or more moves were coming out of a state or "balanced" if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible.

Here's the list as released by United Van Lines:

Moving In

The top inbound states of 2017 were:

Vermont Oregon Idaho Nevada South Dakota Washington South Carolina North Carolina Colorado Alabama

New to the 2017 top inbound list are Colorado at No. 9 and Alabama at No. 10 with 56 and 55 percent inbound moves, respectively.

Moving Out

The top outbound states for 2017 were:

Illinois New Jersey New York Connecticut Kansas Massachusetts Ohio Kentucky Utah Wisconsin

Illinois (63 percent) moved up one spot on the outbound list to No. 1, ranking in the top five for the past nine years. New Jersey previously held the top spot for 5 consecutive years. New additions to the 2017 top outbound list include Massachusetts (56 percent) and Wisconsin (55 percent).

Balanced

Several states gained approximately the same number of residents as those that left. This list of balanced states includes Nebraska and New Hampshire.

See the full study here.Customers lined up early to purchase recreational marijuana legally for the first time in California as the new year brought broad legalization some two decades after the state was the first to allow pot for medical use.

Jeff Deakin, 66, his wife Mary and their dog waited all night and were first in a line of 100 people when Harborside dispensary, a longtime medical pot shop in Oakland, opened at 6 a.m. and offered early customers joints for a penny and free T-shirts that read "Flower to the People  Cannabis for All."

"It's been so long since others and myself could walk into a place where you could feel safe and secure and be able to get something that was good without having to go to the back alley," Deakin said. "This is kind of a big deal for everybody."

The nation's most populous state joins a growing list of other states, and the nation's capital, where so-called recreational marijuana is permitted even though the federal government continues to classify pot as a controlled substance, like heroin and LSD.

California voters in 2016 made it legal for adults 21 and older to grow, possess and use limited quantities of marijuana, but it wasn't legal to sell it for recreational purposes until Monday.

Finding a retail outlet to buy non-medical pot in California won't be easy  at least initially. Only about 90 businesses received state licenses to open New Year's Day. They are concentrated in San Diego, Santa Cruz, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Palm Springs area.

Los Angeles and San Francisco are among the many cities where recreational pot will not be available right away because local regulations were not approved in time to start issuing city licenses needed to get state permits. Meanwhile, Fresno, Bakersfield and Riverside are among the communities that have adopted laws forbidding recreational marijuana sales.

Just after midnight, some raised joints instead of champagne glasses.

Johnny Hernandez, a tattoo artist from Modesto, celebrated by smoking "Happy New Year blunts" with his cousins.

"This is something we've all been waiting for," he said. "People might actually realize weed isn't bad. It helps a lot of people."

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin and state Sen. Nancy Skinner were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony as his city began selling marijuana legally. Customers began lining up before dawn Monday outside Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the nation.

Chris Conrad and Mikki Norris, who have both spent the past 29 years fighting for marijuana legalization, were all smiles at 6 a.m. sharp as they made the first purchase at Berkeley Patients Group.

"It's so great to be here," Conrad said. "What a moment for California. One small joint for us, a giant leap for California."

Anthony Moraga was also up before the sun in Berkeley to celebrate the momentous occasion.

"To me, it's just an exciting time in California's history," Moraga said. "We've been living in the shadows, in the black market and now we can be proud to be a part of a regular industry."

Los Angeles officials announced late last month that the city will not begin accepting license applications until Jan. 3, and it might take weeks before any licenses are issued. That led to widespread concern that long-established businesses would have to shut down during the interim.

However, attorneys advising a group of city dispensaries have concluded that those businesses can continue to legally sell medicinal marijuana as "collectives," until they obtain local and state licenses under the new system, said Jerred Kiloh of the United Cannabis Business Association, an industry group.

It wasn't immediately clear how many of those shops, if any, would be open New Year's Day.

"We are trying to continue to provide patient access," said Kiloh, who owns a dispensary in the city's San Fernando Valley area. With the new licensing system stalled in Los Angeles "my patients are scared, my employees are scared."

The status of the Los Angeles shops highlights broad confusion over the new law.

State regulators have said shops must have local and state licenses to open for business in the new year. But the city's top pot regulator, Cat Packer, told reporters last month that medicinal sales can continue to consumers with a doctor's recommendation until new licenses are issued.

The state banned "loco-weed" in 1913, according to a history by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the pot advocacy group known as NORML. The first attempt to undo that by voter initiative in 1972 failed, but three years later felony possession of less than an ounce was downgraded to a misdemeanor.

In 1996, over the objections of law enforcement, President Clinton's drug czar and three former presidents, California voters approved marijuana for medicinal purposes. Twenty years later, voters approved legal recreational use and gave the state a year to write regulations for a legal market that would open in 2018.

Today, 29 states have adopted medical marijuana laws. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. Since then, five more states have passed recreational marijuana laws, including Massachusetts, where retail sales are scheduled to begin in July.

Even with other states as models, the next year is expected to be a bumpy one in California as more shops open and more stringent regulations take effect on the strains known as Sweet Skunk, Trainwreck and Russian Assassin.

The California Police Chiefs Association, which opposed the 2016 ballot measure, remains concerned about stoned drivers, the risk to young people and the cost of policing the new rules in addition to an existing black market.

"There's going to be a public-health cost and a public-safety cost enforcing these new laws and regulations," said Jonathan Feldman, a legislative advocate for the chiefs. "It remains to be seen if this can balance itself out."

At first, pot shops will be able to sell marijuana harvested without full regulatory controls. But eventually, the state will require extensive testing for potency, pesticides and other contaminants. A program to track all pot from seed to sale will be phased in, along with other protections such as childproof containers.

Jamie Garzot, founder of the 530 Cannabis shop in Northern California's Shasta Lake, said she's concerned that when the current crop dries up, there will be a shortage of marijuana that meets state regulations. Her outlet happens to be close to some of California's most productive marijuana-growing areas, but most of the surrounding counties will not allow cultivation that could supply her.

"Playing in the gray market is not an option," Garzot said. "California produces more cannabis than any state in the nation, but going forward, if it's not from a state-licensed source, I can't put it on my shelf. If I choose to do so, I run the risk of losing my license."

In 2016, the state produced an estimated 13.5 million pounds of pot, and 80 percent was illegally shipped out of state, according to a report prepared for the state by ERA Economics, an environmental and agricultural consulting firm. Of the remaining 20 percent, only a quarter was sold legally for medicinal purposes.

That robust black market is expected to continue to thrive, particularly as taxes and fees raise the cost of retail pot by as much as 70 percent.

In order to legally purchase recreational marijuana, buyers must be at least 21 years old. Law enforcement officials are also reminding folks that they cannot smoke weed in public and that driving high will result in driving under the influence punishments.



NBC Bay Area's Pete Suratos and Brendan Weber contributed to this report.From co-workers to family members to coffee shop minglers, you've heard this phrase a bunch the last week: "Oh my gosh, it's cold!" No one is disputing it. But how cold does this freezing weather rank against past Arctic blasts? And what are some of the side effects to us fragile humans, and the environment around us? Here are some answers.

When was the last time the temperature hit 0 Fahrenheit in Philadelphia? At the Jersey Shore?

You have to go back almost 24 years to get a thermometer reading of zero or below in Philadelphia. On Jan. 19, 1994, the temperature hit minus-5 at the Philadelphia International Airport, according to the meteorologist Mitchell Gaines at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly. By contrast, at the Jersey Shore, the temperature hit zero less than a year ago: Jan. 9, 2017.

Why the big time difference?

There is something called the "urban heat island effect," Gaines said. That keeps it a bit warmer and windier. (Wind, actually, doesn't help contribute to lower temperatures. Instead, the ideal condition for especially cold ground temperatures, called a surface inversion, is a calm, clear, long night with snow already on the ground, according to Dave Robinson, New Jersey state climatologist and professor at Rutgers University.)

How long has it been below freezing?

For the past eight days, we've failed to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the temperature readings at the airport.

What's the record for consecutive days without a high of 32 degrees or above? And how's the outlook for this current streak?

Fifteen days. That happened twice: in 1961 and 1979, Robinson said. The outlook is pretty strong, if we make it past Wednesday afternoon. NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologists are currently forecasting a high of 31 degrees for Wednesday. Then, it gets even colder than it's been. And a snow cover expected Thursday should help push the streak to 12 by Sunday. That would be the third-longest ever after those 15-day runs.

So what should people be doing in the midst of such a cold streak to keep their homes in order until warmer air moves in?

Check your plumbing. Turn off valves to outdoor faucets. Make sure your basements aren't below 32 degrees. Check the batteries in your thermostat. Plumbers say they get calls every year from frantic homeowners about no heat in the house. Their first piece of advice: Replace the batteries in your thermostat. Make sure the tires in your vehicles are inflated to proper pressure levels.

Jacqueline Larma/AP

Ice sheets are gathering on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. There are even large icy patches now on the Delaware Bay. Do rivers and other large bodies of water freeze as much as they used to?

The two big external factors that go into freezing rivers: temperatures well-below zero and number of days in a row of sub-freezing temperatures. Sound familiar? Two other factors related to the waters: Salinity levels of the rivers and river flow. Less salt in the water means quicker freezing, and slower water flow increases freezing. All four of those factors are currently producing conditions for ice on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.

As water freezes across the Jersey Shore, residents are preparing for the snow to come. NBC10s Cydney Long has the story.

The nor'easter that slammed into our region transformed into something more potent because of "bombogenesis." What the heck is a bombogenesis?

It's a term popular among meteorologists for what happens in a rapidly intensifying nor'easter. The word's popularity is perhaps rooted in the fact that its the process that creates a "bomb cyclone," which sounds rather frightening. Technically, for a nor'easter to undergo bombogenesis, it must quickly drop 24 millibars in barometric pressure.WHAT'S THE CHEESIEST DAY OF THE YEAR? We're not talking in terms of corniness or of overly sentimental moments, though such occurrences do happen in every life. Nor are we talking about official food holidays, like National Cheese Pizza Day (Sept. 5) or National Cheese Doodle Day (March 5). We're talking about times when people straight up gobble a lot of creamy triangles and tangy dips and bowls of cheddar-type nibbles. Christmas is probably a good candidate for this, given all of the snacks and appetizers that often proceed the big meal, and New Year's Eve, with its fancy appetizers and frequently seen fondue, also qualifies. Which means this: Come the end-of-the-year holidays, a lot of people are in a highly cheesy mood, having consumed a variety of dairy products in recent days. So the fact that tickets for the California Artisan Cheese Festival will go on sale on New Year's Day makes tangy, creamy, and beautiful sense, as an air of cheeseness is already pervading many lives. If the annual springtime meet-up of California's craft-major cheese pros tempts you, best land on a ticket beginning on...

MONDAY, JAN. 1: That was the on-sale date for the 2018 affair, which sets out the crackers and toothpick'd cubes from Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The Santa Rosa spectacular draws about 2,500 people ready to find their next favorite cheesemaker or author or brewer or all of the above. Ah, yes, libations make an appearance, so plan on sipping a chard as you try a host of gooey goat cheesery or a slice of something that's both peppery and jacky, simultaneously. There are also separately ticketed farm and creamery tours to consider, and demonstrations, too, in addition to the popular Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace. For all of the events, and what you can expect to find over the first spring weekend in Santa Rosa, unhand that cheese spreader and breadstick and take a quick look. Maybe New Year's Day is one of the cheesiest days of the year, but we'll call the fourth weekend in March a flavorful contender.Cal Fire released 2017's year-end wildfire totals on Tuesday, and the numbers are startling.

Cal Fire and many others forecasted an unprecedented increase in fire because of all the dry fuel from last year's rains, but Cal Fire's analysis of 2017 showed that five of the top 20 most destructive fires in the state's history occurred last year, and few could have predicted that.

From San Francisco to Ventura, Los Angeles to Bonsall, fire raged through wild lands, businesses and cul-de-sacs.

The state was plagued with fall fires due to Diablo winds to the north and Santa Ana winds in the south, which worsened conditions from the hot, dry temperatures of summer.

Cal Fire's statistics indicate that California's most destructive and deadliest fires have occurred during fall.

In 2017, there were 7,117 fires recorded within the Cal Fire jurisdiction, which burned 505,956 acres. This is nearly double what was reported in 2016.

In 2016, Cal Fire recorded 4,800 fires, totaling 244,319 acres burned.

And the 2017 totals do not even include the nearly 300,000 acres burned in the Thomas Fire.

Now that it is 2018, the calendar starts over and the statistics reset, but Cal Fire warned that the fire danger in San Diego remains high.

"Cal Fire San Diego and San Diego County Fire would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that wildland fire prevention and preparedness are a year-round effort," said Cal Fire in a statement.

Federal agencies have approved giving a boost to wildfire recovery efforts in California due to the extensive damages wrought by the fires of 2017.A three-judge panel rejected a request to reconsider its ruling on a recount in an election that could determine partisan control of the Virginia House.

The panel on Wednesday denied Democrat Shelly Simonds' request to undo its decision to strip her of a one-vote victory she won after a dramatic recount of November's election.

Her lawyers argued the judges committed legal errors, including counting a ballot for her Republican opponent after the recount ended.

Virginia elections officials plan to meet Thursday to randomly pick a winner in the contest.

If Simonds wins, the partisan split will be 50-50. If incumbent Del. David Yancey wins, Republicans will have a 51-49 majority.

The Newport News seat is not the only contested race. Democrats have filed a legal challenge in a close Fredericksburg-area race.Snow fell across the D.C. area Thursday morning, leaving area roads slick and closing several major school systems.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for most of our region, and News4 has declared Thursday a Weather Alert Day. Wind chills could reach -20 overnight.

Schools in Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Stafford and Arlington counties in Virginia cancelled class Thursday. In Maryland, schools in Prince George's, Montgomery, Frederick, Charles, St. Mary's, Howard and Anne Arundel counties were closed.

D.C. Public Schools were initially on a 2-hour delay, but they also closed their doors Thursday.

Less than an inch of snow fell in Washington, D.C., Thursday, leaving area roads slick for the morning commute.

Federal agencis in the D.C. area are open Thursday, but they are under a 2-hour delay. Employees have the option for unscheduled leave or telework.

Culpeper County Public Schools will open two hours late on Thursday. Fauquier County Public Schools will open two hours late Thursday and Friday.

Howard University tweeted that it would be closed Thursday and Friday due to campus-wide heating issues. The university said students who live on campus should try to avoid coming back from winter break until Sunday.

The Ocean City boardwalk IS under there! Could see as much as 8 inches of snow out here! pic.twitter.com/dgPL0c4Esh  Justin Finch (@JustinNBC4) January 4, 2018

A full list of school closures and delays can be found here.

Amtrak announced its Northeast Regional service between D.C. and Newport News/Norfolk, Virginia, is cancelled on Thursday.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon, warning that continued bitterly cold weather will be aggravated by a storm that could dump a foot of snow on parts of the state.

According to a statement from the governor's office, that action authorizes state agencies to help local governments to respond to the storm for up to 48 hours.

The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 150 additional personnel on state active duty and 30 vehicles to during the storm.

A state of emergency is also in effect on parts of Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Gov. Larry Hogan issued the declaration late Wednesday for the Lower Shore, including Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Snow totals reached almost nine inches near Ocean City and 10 inches in Salisbury, which were under a blizzard warning Thursday.

Parts of Southern Maryland also reported significant snow accumulations.

Wind restrictions were put in place Thursday on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The Coast Guard restricted ships from entering the Port of Baltimore.

In D.C., the city is providing access to emergency shelter and overnight warming sites. Call 311 or 202-399-7093 for help.

The snowstorm sweeping up the East Coast ruined travel plans for many, with thousands of U.S. flights canceled.

Airports in the New York City area and Boston have been particularly hard hit, with more than two-thirds of flights in and out canceled.

The airline-tracking site FlightAware is reporting more than 3,200 canceled flights within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday.

The massive winter storm is sweeping from the Carolinas to Maine, dumping snow along the coast and bringing strong winds.

Linda Heuman and Amy Remensnyder were supposed to fly to Berlin on Thursday, but the flight was canceled. That left them stuck in their home in Providence, Rhode Island. Their plans for the rest of the day were simple: They were going to make some soup and maybe watch a movie.

This brutal cold isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Expect temperatures below freezing through the first week of the new year, Storm Team4 says.

NBC Boston

Friday is looking like it will be our coldest day in the near future. We're looking at a high of 19 and low of 9.

When it's this cold, frostbite can set in on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, the National Weather Service warned.

The cold can be deadly. D.C. is giving access to overnight warming sites, emergency shelters and transportation to warmth and safety. To request transportation to shelter for anyone in D.C. who is experiencing homelessness, contact the toll-free Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093, or call 311.

Here's what we're looking at for the rest of the week.

Thursday is set to be chilly, with a high to 28 and low of 24. Then, Friday will be even icier, with a high of 19 and low of 9.

On Saturday, expect similar cold -- with a high of 18 and low of 7. Then, Sunday will warm up slightly, with a high of 24 and low of 5.

Here are 20 ways to stay warm and safe amid this bone-chilling weather.

Check weather alerts in your area

Get the latest weather from NBCWashington.com:

Download our free weather apps for iPad and iPhone. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our e-mail newsletters.About 200 people searched for a Maryland man with dementia who disappeared Tuesday morning.

Daniel DeHaven -- a 65-year-old man who is nonverbal -- was last seen at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at a Costco store on the 10900 block of Baltimore Avenue in Beltsville.

A group of volunteers who organized online searched neighborhoods in the area on Saturday and are expected to head back out on Sunday. They asked anyone with outdoor surveillance cameras to check the footage to see if anyone with DeHaven's description appears.

People should gather at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, at the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department Fire House 31 on 4911 Prince George's Avenue in Beltsville, Maryland.

To get involved in the search, visit the Help Us Find Danny Francis DeHaven Facebook page or email finddannyfrancisdehaven@gmail.com.

DeHaven's family hopes he found someplace warm to rest and has been there.

"We're just trying to stay focused on keeping hope going, and focusing on the search," DeHaven's son, Kevin, said.

"We're not going to stop, because he wouldn't stop," Kevin DeHaven said. "If it were any of us, he wouldn't stop."

Police and volunteers have been searching for Daniel DeHaven around the clock despite snow and blustery temperatures.

"The snow that's coming and the dipping temperatures are not on our side," Prince George's County Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Donelan said Wednesday.

Police in Greenbelt, Laurel and Montgomery County, as well as federal officials, are helping search for Daniel DeHaven.

Daniel DeHaven, who goes by Danny, did not have identification with him when he disappeared.

"He's a kind man. He's approachable. If you see him, he's not able to communicate, necessarily, but if you call out 'Danny,' he'll know his name and most likely, you'll be greeted by a smile," his son said.

Police received a tip that a man meeting Daniel DeHaven's description was seen in downtown Silver Spring, but they were unable to find him.

Daniel DeHaven is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. He has brown eyes and partially gray hair, police said.

He was last seen wearing a gray hat, black coat and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on Daniel DeHaven's whereabouts is asked to call police immediately at 301-699-2601.Police have identified a woman who was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside a burning car on Dec. 28 in southeast Washington, D.C.

Kerrice Lewis, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was pronounced dead in the 800 block of Adrian Place, Southeast, after officers discovered her body inside a car on fire.

There has been no ruling on the cause of death. Police are still searching for infomation into the case.A suburban Chicago resident who was offering up slumber parties in his basement for homeless people in his neighborhood during dangerously cold weather says city officials have given him an ultimatum.

Stop the slumber parties or the house will be condemned.

Greg Schiller, of Elgin, said he began letting a group of homeless people sleep in his unfinished basement last month during brutally cold nights, offering them food, warm beverages and a cot to sleep on while watching movies.

I would stay up all night with them and give them coffee and stuff and feed them, he said, adding that no drugs or alcohol were allowed inside his residence during the evening events.

Last winter, Schiller offered up his garage to area homeless, but said he was told he could no longer do so after EMTs were called to help a man with a heart condition. Thats when he had the idea to move them to his basement  complete with all the activities needed to consider them simply slumber parties.

Schiller believed city code allowed for slumber parties, but officials said there are "sleeping regulations" for basements and Schiller's basement doesn't meet those requirements.

"While we appreciate those who volunteer to provide additional resources in the community, Mr. Schillers house does not comply with codes and regulations that guard against potential dangers such as carbon monoxide poisoning, inadequate light and ventilation, and insufficient exits in the event of a fire," city spokesperson Molly Center said in a statement.

Schiller said city officials and police officers came to his home with a warrant Tuesday and went into his basement. There, he said they found his ceiling height too low and windows too high and too small to be an egress.

They shut me down and said I have 24 hours to return my basement to storage and take down - I have several cots with sleeping bags for everybody  or theyll condemn the house.

Center confirmed that Schiller was given 24 hours to clear the basement in an emailed statement, adding, "If not, the City will take additional enforcement action to compel the removal of the unlawful basement sleeping area."

Officials had earlier threatened citations for other violations at the home, which is owned by Schillers girlfriend, including a broken window, a fold-up trailer on the property and a portable toilet he had set up for the group to use, Schiller said.

Im trying to help these people get out of the cold, he told NBC 5. Theres not a lot of help for them as far as places to lay their heads.

Schiller said he only opened up the basement when an area shelter wasnt available.

He noted that some shelters in the area require homeless to meet a specific set of criteria and others open only when temperatures reach a certain level.

PADS of Elgin confirmed that there are requirements to be eligible for their services, but declined to specify what that criteria included.

An emergency shelter at First United Methodist Church of Elgin, operated by the organization Matthew 25:40, opens when the temperature outside is 15 degrees or less.

Schiller said he hosted his slumber parties when wind chill values were 15 degrees or less, but would not offer up the basement if the emergency shelter was open.

Its cold enough to freeze to death, he said.

Matthew 25:40 did not immediately respond to NBC Chicagos request for comment Tuesday.

"Elgin has lawful shelters that provide a safe space for people to go throughout the year," Center said in a statement. "In times of extreme temperature, temporary locations open within the community that all conform to regulations and codes."



The city also noted there is a women's shelter and other facilities around the area where people can go. A full list can be found on the city's website.

Temperatures Tuesday in Elgin were forecast to reach a high of only 6 degrees, meaning area shelters should open. They aren't expected to warm above the threshold again until this weekend, when they could rise back into the upper-20s. It's not clear if shelters plan to remain open.

Schiller said that while he does plan to stop hosting his slumber parties, hes working to find other options for taking care of the homeless he now knows so well.

Somebodys going to die, he said.Pakistan fired back Tuesday after President Donald Trump accused it of harboring terrorists, calling his New Year's Day tweet "completely incomprehensible."

The government summoned the U.S. ambassador to complain but stopped short of demands by protesting Islamic groups to expel the envoy.

The latest round of tit-for-tat attacks between the two reluctant allies, neither of whom trusts the other, was ignited by Trump's tweet on Monday. He said the U.S. had "foolishly" given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and had gotten nothing in return but "lies & deceit."

He also reiterated longstanding allegations that Pakistan gives "safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan."

A statement issued after a National Security Committee meeting, which was attended by Pakistan's prime minister and the powerful army chief of staff, said the U.S. was scapegoating Pakistan for its own failure to bring peace to Afghanistan after 16 years of war.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of harboring militants, and have exchanged lists of wanted terrorists they want apprehended and returned. Afghanistan has also provided what it says are the locations of militant camps inside Pakistan.

Pakistan denies supporting militants, pointing to its own war against extremist groups battling to overthrow the government. It blames the burgeoning insurgency in Afghanistan on runaway corruption, infighting that has paralyzed the Kabul government and record drug production. Pakistan says the chaos next door has spawned a proliferation of insurgent groups, including an Islamic State affiliate that has attacked it from hideouts in Afghanistan.

The National Security Committee statement said Pakistan is among the countries hardest hit by terrorist attacks, having lost thousands of civilians and soldiers to the violence that has convulsed the region since the Sept. 11 attacks.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Tuesday to expect more details on specific actions against Pakistan over the next day or two.

"In terms of Pakistan, as I said, our goal is that we know that they can do more to stop terrorism and we want them to do that. That seems pretty simple," she said. "In terms of specific actions, I think you'll see some more details come out on that in next 24 to 48 hours and we'll be sure to keep you guys updated on that front."

Defense analyst and retired Pakistani Gen. Talat Masood said vilifying Pakistan won't bring stability to the region and belittles the losses Pakistan has suffered.

"The people of Pakistan, the government of Pakistan (has) been really seriously affected and its consequences are felt every day," said Masood. "America needs Pakistan. Without the help of Pakistan, it can never have stability in the region."

Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Wilson Center's South Asia program, said withholding aid to Pakistan is unlikely to deter Pakistani support for insurgents it sees as necessary to protect its security interests. Pakistan has long supported Islamic militants battling India in the disputed Kashmir region, and has close ties to the Afghan Taliban.

"If the US truly had leverage, then one would have expected all the arms and money it's sent to Pakistan over the years to have had happier results for the United States," he said in an email interview. "It would take a whole lot on the part of Washington, and certainly more than threats and aid cuts, for Pakistan to agree to alter its immutable interests."

The contradictions at the heart of U.S.-Pakistani relations were on display Tuesday, when the Jamaat-ud-Dawa movement held protests in Lahore calling for the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador.

The group is headed by Hafiz Saeed, who also founded the militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The State Department has offered a $10 million reward for Saeed, who is wanted on terrorism charges, but he lives openly in Pakistan and frequently appears at public rallies.

Pakistan recently placed Saeed under house arrest for 11 months, but a court released him, citing lack of evidence.

Associated Press writers Zarar Khan in Islamabad and Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.An ex-con now holds an elected position in Brockton, Massachusetts, after he ran unopposed for his post on the Republican City Committee.

Attorney Larry Novak says he has the support of the party, but some in town wonder if he's the best the Republicans could do.

For years, Novak was known in the Brockton area as a longtime Republican campaign organizer and chair of the party's city committee, until 2009, when he was sent to federal prison for six years after he was convicted for money laundering.

Many Brockton political observers were surprised to hear that, after getting out of prison last year, Novak is back at the helm of the city's Republican Party.

"Well, they can put anyone who they want in there," said Brockton resident Melvin Lightford. "But if you have a criminal record past history, why would you want to be out in the public eye again?"

Some Brockton Republicans, like City Committee member Bill Hogan, see it differently.

"I've been friends with Larry for a number of years and I won't throw him under the bus," he said.

Hogan is a Main Street small businessman, one of the members of the Republican committee that voted unanimously for Novak.

"Larry made a mistake," Hogan said. "Obviously, he admitted to it. He did his time, he should be forgiven for that."

Hogan says most members of the committee are too busy or not interested in the chairmanship. He says Novak has already grown the ranks from less than 10 to more than 50. He says Novak is good at what he does.

"He knows the ins and outs of the state house, the conventions, how the party works, how the delegations work, I don't," he said.

Novak was unavailable for comment, but friends say he has moved on from his prison experience and is looking forward.A Vermont man is being held without bail while state police investigate an officer-involved shooting in St. Albans Tuesday night.

Police said they responded to a report of a man dressed in black and carrying an assault rifle at about 6 p.m. at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Rugg Street.

When officers arrived, the suspect, Jack Laplant, 26, had a brief interaction with them and fired shots.

While police were trying to gain control of the situation, two police officers returned fire.

Laplant was wounded and was later transported to the Northwestern Medical Center for a non-life threatening, single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

He was later released from the hospital and taken into custody by Vermont State Police.

No officers were injured.

Police said Laplant was charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and a violation of an abuse prevention order. Laplant was scheduled to be arraigned at the Franklin County Superior Court, Criminal Division, on Wednesday.

The names of the officers involved in the shooting were not immediately released by officials.Former boxer Vinny Paz has been released on $5,000 personal recognizance following an appearance in a Providence, Rhode Island, courtroom Wednesday morning after being accused of beating another man on New Year's Eve.

The Providence Journal reports that Paz, 55, of Warwick, turned himself into the Providence police earlier in the day before making a brief appearance in District Court.

He has been charged with one count of felony assault in connection with a Monday night attack at a Hawkins Street apartment building.

Police had issued a warrant for Paz's arrest after he reportedly showed up to the apartment at about 11:30 p.m. and accused Nathaniel Lavoie, 34, of stealing $16,000.

According to a police report, Lavoie told authorities that Paz, also known as Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil", Pazienza, punched him in the face repeatedly. The alleged attack left Lavoie with several broken teeth, a black eye, and bites on his left hand.

Paz then allegedly fled the apartment with his girlfriend in a black Jeep Cherokee.

Later in the day, he took to Twitter to say that he was the victim.

NO COMMENT !!!!! Im the bad guy oh really ??? Im the victim !!! STOP  VINNY PAZ (@5XPAZ) January 2, 2018

A check of Rhode Island state court records and WJAR-TV archives show Lavoie has a long rap sheet and has served time in prison.

It's unclear when Paz will make another appearance in court.A Massachusetts man charged with murdering his mother after she was found beaten to death in the family's Worcester home Saturday night has been ordered held without bail.

John Madulka, 26, was arraigned Tuesday at the Worcester County District Courthouse. At his arraignment, a forensic psychologist who did a mental health evaluation testified that Madulka had been diagnosed with schizophrenia for eight years and had not been taking his medications for seven months.

Police said officers responded to a home on Bailey Street around 11:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving a call from a man who said his son had just murdered his mother.

When police went inside, 56-year-old Ellen Madulka was found dead with blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds around the chest.

"It appeared to the officers that the death was caused by direct trauma," according to an official statement by Worcester Police.

Authorities found John Madulka at the Dunkin Donuts on Chandler Street after the incident and took him to the police station for questioning, where he was arrested.

Police said in their report that Madulka confessed to thinking about killing his mother and that he had struck his mother in the head with a metal staff around 10 times. He also allegedly said he stabbed her with a kitchen knife in the chest three times to make sure she was dead.

Her death was classified as a homicide following an autopsy.

Neighbors told NBC Boston that they never heard any kind of commotion at the house.

"We knew them. She was a nice lady. She loved her children. Her children were the world to her," said one neighbor.

The family owns Madulka's Ice Cream in Worcester.

During his arraignment, Madulka was ordered to be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for further mental health evaluation. He's due back in court Jan. 19.

Defense attorney Michael Hussey says his client is "tremendously upset."

"I think its fair to say that hes sad and confused and he cant make sense of his actions any more than anybody else can," he said.He has already made a fortune in business, managed an Olympics, served as governor and secured a presidential nomination. Now, Mitt Romney, at 70 years old, is considering a new career in Congress.

Those who know Romney best expect him to announce plans in the coming weeks to seek a suddenly vacant Utah Senate seat. Such a decision would mark an extraordinary resurgence for a Republican leader who had faded from the national spotlight after two failed White House bids and an unsuccessful push to block President Donald Trump's rise to power.

While Romney has softened his anti-Trump rhetoric over the last year, longtime associates suggest the former Massachusetts governor is eager to bring a new moral conscience to the Republican Party in Washington.

"Obviously, he's ambitious. But he's ambitious for the right reason: to serve," said former New Hampshire Attorney General Tom Rath, a longtime Romney friend. "Mitt Romney is a grown-up voice that America needs. He will add dignity and common sense."

Romney's closest political allies were not given advance notice of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch's announcement Tuesday that he would not seek re-election this fall, but the decision was not a surprise.

Romney, who moved to Utah after losing the 2012 presidential contest, met privately with Hatch last year to discuss Hatch's possible retirement. In the subsequent months, and with Hatch's apparent blessing, he quietly expressed interest in running for the seat in Hatch's absence. In recent weeks, however, Hatch seemed to be changing his mind  at Trump's urging.

Facing the prospect of Romney's resurgence, Trump openly pressured Hatch to stay in the Senate. His private lobbying campaign was bolstered by a public love fest in December, with Trump inviting Hatch with him on Air Force One in December when he shrunk the boundaries of two Utah monuments.

"Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President," Trump tweeted Tuesday. "He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate!"

Few in Romney's small inner circle were willing to speak publicly about his intentions Tuesday, preferring instead to keep the day's focus on Hatch's decades of public service. Several spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss private discussions. None tamped down speculation about Romney's Senate ambitions.

Should he run, Romney is not expected to face significant resistance in Utah's GOP primary contest or in the November general election. Romney, who has five sons and 24 grandchildren, is perhaps the highest-profile Mormon in America and is hugely popular in Utah, where about 60 percent of residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Beyond his religious connections, many remember Romney for turning around Salt Lake City's 2002 Winter Olympics after a bribery scandal. In the same city, he delivered a scathing speech in the spring of 2016 attacking Trump as "a fraud" who "has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president."

The takedown resonated in Utah, a state steeped in a culture of courtesy, where people struggled to embrace Trump's brash demeanor and comments about women, minorities and Muslims. He finished third in the state's Republican presidential caucus and earned a smaller percentage of the vote than any GOP presidential candidate in the last two decades.

Just last October, GOP Utah Gov. Gary Herbert called Trump's tenure up to that point "erratic" and noted that governing is different than running a business and is not a "dictatorship."

But beyond Utah, Romney remains hated by many Trump loyalists. The hashtag NeverRomney quickly sprung up on Twitter in the hours after Hatch's announcement. There also emerged a sense of resignation that little could be done to block his path to the Senate.

"The Republican base views Mitt Romney with the same disdain that they view Mitch McConnell," said Andy Surabian, senior adviser to a pro-Trump super PAC allied with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. "I think the conservative movement will look to weaken him at every turn to ensure he never becomes anything more than a junior senator from Utah."

That's just fine for some Utah Republicans, who are concerned with the fate of the GOP under Trump's leadership.

Derek Miller, the president and CEO of the World Trade Center Utah, who had been considering a run for Hatch's seat, said Romney would be a stabilizing voice of the Republican Party.

"The Republican Party is going through turmoil right now, unfortunately," Miller said. "I think Gov. Romney's voice is an important voice right now in that debate of what the Republican Party stands for."The Internet of Things (IoT) has started to move to the mainstream in enterprises across all industries. With IoT spending set to increase by 15 percent to reach $772.5 billion by the end of 2018, the coming year will undoubtedly bring further growth in the number of connected devices and enterprise IoT projects. More importantly, I believe that in 2018 enterprise IoT projects will finally move beyond merely automating existing business processes, to truly transforming industries by creating entirely new revenue streams and business models. This will be due in part to the concurrent rise of synergistic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and fog computing, as well as an industry-wide move toward greater interoperability, standards and collaboration.

Here are my top five predictions for enterprise IoT in 2018, which will drive these transformational changes:

IoT will converge with AI, fog computing and blockchain.

IoT by itself is not truly transformational. It needs to be combined with key technologies such as AI, fog computing and blockchain to make the business impacts it has long-promised. In 2018 we will see such convergence begin to take place. Using these technologies together, companies will obtain greater value from their IoT investments and overcome the barriers that previously hindered adoption, including security, bandwidth and data analytics challenges.

For example, AI and machine learning (ML), will enable deeper analysis of real-time IoT data streams to drive more powerful decision making. Fog computing will make such systems scalable by extending cloud capabilities to the edge of the network. By processing and analyzing data flows close to the data sources, fog computing will help address latency, bandwidth and reliability, and cost issues. And blockchain will provide secure, audit-level tracking of IoT data transactions, eliminating the need for a central, trusted intermediary between communicating devices.

IoT security will become the No. 1 priority in the enterprise.

IoT is not only connecting many previously unconnected things in enterprises, it is also causing IT and operational technology (OT) systems to merge. As a result, cybercriminals are increasingly focusing their efforts on sabotaging or commandeering devices and OT systems that control critical equipment and infrastructure. Cyberattacks on industrial control systems increased 110 percent in 2016 and are sure to further increase as more systems become connected to the IoT.

Fortunately, 2018 will be the year when businesses and technology providers intensify their focus on IoT security. Organizations will also invest more in their workforces (in the form of education, training, certifications, etc.) to make them more capable of addressing IoT security concerns. Additionally, businesses will increasingly take a unified, policy-based architectural approach to IoT security by involving security and cyber teams from the start of an IoT deployment to implement a comprehensive strategy across the enterprise.

More organizations will take a co-everything approach to solution development

Throughout the coming year, IoT will continue to drive the co-economy, or what I like to call the co-everything model, with companies large and small co-innovating and co-developing IoT solutions. A new ecosystem of partners is emerging with a combination of horizontal, vertical and regional specialists combining their expertise and resources for large-scale IoT projects. The resulting solutions built on best-in-class technologies and based on open architectures and standards, will be repeatable, future-proofed and cost effective. As more organizations realize the importance of forming these types of partner ecosystems, we will see a shift away from single vendor solutions, which will accelerate IoT innovations.

In addition, the new co-everything model also means that the customer becomes a co-innovator. Across industries, customers no longer want to be passive recipients of products, occasionally consulted by a product manager. Rather, they want to be actively involved in the creation process, contributing their own expertise and requirements. In 2018, the customer will move to the very center of the IoT development efforts, delivering solutions that are better aligned with business and technology needs.

There will be an industry-wide, accelerated move to open standards, open architectures and interoperability and regulation

Across markets, technology and solution providers will increasingly reach across the traditional market structures and collaborate on open standards and interoperability. We will see further convergence and consolidation of consortia and standard bodies fueling the co-everything ecosystem mentioned previously. Additionally, well see more aggressive government guidelines and regulations around not only IoT security, privacy, and interoperability, but also autonomous vehicles, drones and even AI-based systems, all related to IoT. Governments as regulators, agenda setters and customers have already played a pivotal role in driving IoT adoption from smart grids to food safety tracking. In 2018, as in the past, governments and their agencies will need to work closely with the industry for the new laws and actions to be effective.

IoT will drive new value propositions and new business models

Until now, enterprise IoT projects have primarily focused on automating existing business processes and achieving incremental improvements to efficiency. However, in 2018, as the IoT converges with other synergistic technologies, we will witness its ability to transform industries by driving new value propositions and enabling new business models.

For example, by combining the IoT with AI and real-time data analytics, manufacturers can predict equipment problems before they occur and conduct preventative maintenance, eliminating costly down-time on the production line. These IoT-powered capabilities can even be turned into profitable new revenue streams, with businesses able to provide their customers new service-oriented offerings such as equipment health monitoring. In another example, the combination of IoT data with 3D printing is enabling mass customization, with manufacturers able to profitably run batches of one and personalize products to their customers specific needs and desires.

The IoT is reaching a tipping point where businesses will begin to experience its full potential, moving from incremental to monumental improvements. From the convergence of IoT with AI, fog computing and other new technologies, to stronger IoT security and improved interoperability, the future of IoT and its ability to drive business transformation looks brighter than ever in 2018 and beyond.FILM REVIEW: The Disaster Artist

The Disaster Artist (15)

Running time 1hr 44min

Rating: ****

SOME things dont end up the way they were intended. That was the take-home message of Martin Scorseses Silence, the most flat-out inaccessible movie of 2016s Christmas cycle; its also the Big Important Lesson at the heart of this eccentric documentary comedy (doc-com?), by far the most instantly lovable to make the festive slate this year. Like Silence, it features a very hairy protagonist with a grating accent, but thats just about where the similarities end. I promise.

How do you make a good film out of 2003s The Room, one of the most irredeemably bad films ever made? Indeed, such is the interweb-fuelled legend of that cinematic oddity that it still regularly packs out multiplexes with adoring, hip-ironic fans, drawn from far and wide by its abysmal acting, unfathomable plot and porno-style production values. Whole books have been written about it; in fact, The Disaster Artist is an adaptation of one, an insider account of The Rooms turbulent conception, written by none other than Greg Sestero, its co-star (he of Patch Adams and, err  Dude Bro Party Massacre III). The story of how the movie came to be is real eye-popping, stranger-than-fiction stuff  indeed, many details remain shrouded in mystery to this day  but it finds itself condensed here into an endearing, cringeworthy, funny and frequently touching buddy comedy.

In 1998, Sestero (played by Dave Franco), an aspiring actor and James Dean fan, met Tommy Wiseau (James Franco), an oafish French-Polish-Enigmatistani emigre whose tenacity on-and-off-stage vastly outpaced his actual dramatic skills.

After moving in together at Tommys Los Angeles apartment, the pair, disillusioned with the Hollywood casting circuit and its inevitable train of frustrations, rejections and humiliations, decided to make their own movie. With Wiseau shelling out millions so that he might fund, direct and star in his masterpiece (theories abound as to the source of his immense wealth to this very day), things could only have gone

horribly, horribly, wrong

James Franco (who, fittingly, directs and stars) is very much the driving force behind this shaggy-dog yarn, utilising the sort of live-and-breathe method acting weve only really come to expect of biopics (or, if Jared Leto should get a word in edgeways, superhero flicks). The attention to detail is quite exemplary  our main man has Wiseaus demeanour, mannerisms and accent (oh, hi Mark) down to a tee. For an actor to portray a character defined solely by their capacity for emotional illiteracy and bad acting (we dont get anything approaching a break vis-a-vis Wiseaus murky background) was always going to make for a tough sell, yet Franco stops masterfully short of an irksome caricature. Tommy is a singularly implausible figure, part-Nosferatu, part-Pee-wee Herman, part-Werner Herzog; hes inscrutable, childlike and, by turns, downright abusive. Yet theres something oddly human about his relationship with Sestero, and the Francos channel it effectively here without neglecting the storys wackier dimensions. Once youve found it in yourself to forgive The Disaster Artist of its hair-raising farcicalities (Tommy has a special toilet set aside for his own purposes on-set; The Room grossed $1,200 after running up a production budget of over $6,000,000), this is ultimately just a tale of two unlikely friends with an impossibly big dream.

The Disaster Artist is the latest from the Point Grey comedy factory, renowned for their special brand of white-collar stoner dorkbuster (The Interview, Bad Neighbours, Sausage Party), yet the lack of gratuity and gross-out humour is striking this time round. Yes, thats right; heres a Rogen-Franco vehicle you can take your granny to see. Probably. Pinky swear.22-year-old is jailed after repeatedly breaching his suspended sentence order

A MAN who had sex with a schoolgirl has been jailed after he squandered a controversial second chance.

In February, Ashley Thomas Cane remained free, despite being convicted of having sex with a child.

A crown court judge took the unusual step of suspending his prison sentence.

But Cane was unable to keep out of trouble and was brought back to court on Friday, December 15, when he was convicted of common assault.

During the hearing, at Reading Crown Court, he tried to blame his behaviour on the press.

The 22-year-old has now been jailed by the same judge whose mercy he repaid by repeatedly violating the terms of the suspension and turning up drunk to probation meetings.

Canes original trial was told how he had promised marriage, children and undying love to a vulnerable, self-harming 14-year-old.

But after having sex with the girl he mocked her and branded her a slut to his friends, trial jurors were told.

One of them expressed disgust, and texted: Youre a wrong un. Stay away... shes just a kid.

But Cane, formerly of Lambourn and Thatcham, but lately of Bannister Place, Brimpton, made a mocking, obscene reference to child sex and replied: Its cool.

In February, Judge Ian Grainger sentenced him to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

That prompted an unsuccessful appeal by Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC, who argued that Cane should have been locked up.

But one of the conditions of the suspension was that Cane keep out of trouble. And that, he failed to do.

At the hearing at Reading Crown Court, Charles Ward-Jackson, prosecuting, said a drunken Cane deliberately slammed his body into a man at Reading train station, knocking him to the concourse.

On another occasion at the station, said Mr Ward-Jackson: He was clearly drunk. His eyes were glazed, his speech slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

He was arrested after making a racist remark and swearing at a British Transport Police officer.

Cane admitted assaulting Jimmy Clancy on May 12 and being drunk and disorderly on August 10.

He has previous convictions for theft, contempt of court and causing grievous bodily harm by stabbing a man in the stomach.

Adam Williams, defending, blamed his clients behaviour on the media, saying: Due to the adverse press he lost his job; he was turning to alcohol as an escape.

Regarding the common assault, the defendant puts forward the account that it was due to the adverse press.

There were a number of press reports which brought his name to the attention of everyone in the local area.

He said that, accordingly, Mr Clancy had criticised him on social media, so Cane, in his drunken state, decided to confront him.

Concerning the second charge, Mr Williams claimed Cane had been fleeing a group of youths who had recognised him.

Mr Williams said: He decided the safest option was to get himself arrested," and he urged the judge to defer sentence.

But Judge Grainger said: According to the probation service, he turns up drunk to the Thames Valley programme.

Turning to Cane, he said: I explained to you I was giving you a chance. I was criticised for doing so and the matter was taken to the Court of Appeal.

The problem is, when I sentenced you I made it perfectly clear  I made it crystal clear  that the chance was on condition of a number of matters.

I said...that you must cease to be dependent on drugs and alcohol.

You have committed other offences within a matter of days after the court of appeal upheld the suspended sentence I handed down to you.

The interests of justice require the implementation of the suspended sentence.

Cane was sentenced to a reduced term of 18 months imprisonment and will serve half that in custody.

In addition, he was ordered to pay a statutory victim services surcharge of 115.

* THAMES Valley Police media policy claims that generally, unless there are reporting restrictions or safeguarding issues, it provides to the media, in the public interest, images of defendants who have received custodial sentences of 18 months or more.

Recently, however the force has declined, on two occasions, to provide an image of sex offenders, one of whom is Cane.With a mortality rate estimated at 10%, the life-threatening condition known as thyroid storm (TS) demands rapid diagnosis and treatment and can benefit from new evidence-based guidelines for TS developed by researchers in Japan. The article entitled "Thyroid Storm: A Japanese Perspective" is part of a special section on Japanese Research led by Guest Editor Yoshiharu Murata, Nagoya University, Japan, in the January 2018 issue of Thyroid, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers and the official journal of the American Thyroid Association (ATA). The article is available free on the Thyroid website.

In the article, author Takashi Akamizu, Wakayama Medical University, Japan, presents updated diagnostic criteria, extensively revised patient management and treatment guidelines, and newly developed algorithms based on information gathered on patients with TS from hospitals throughout Japan and from the medical literature. The most common cause of death from thyroid storm was multiple organ failure, followed by congestive heart failure, respiratory failure, and arrhythmia. Also identified are as yet unanswered clinical questions and the future studies needed to better understand TS and its outcomes and prognosis.

"The definition of TS is often somewhat vague, and many reports are of an anecdotal nature. The efforts by our Japanese colleagues to better define the diagnostic criteria and management recommendations are, therefore, highly welcome," says Peter A. Kopp, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid and Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. "The proposed framework will serve as a solid foundation for future research and reflection about this challenging clinical entity."Despite improvement in the rates of people dying of sepsis in the hospital, the condition is still a leading cause of hospital readmissions and costs, as well as long-term disabilities and impairments, prompting University of Pittsburgh and University of Michigan medical scientists to develop thorough recommendations for post-hospital recovery care and future clinical trials.

The review, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, calls for a significant focus on developing an evidence-based approach to optimal care for the 14 million patients worldwide who survive hospitalization for sepsis each year.

"Current treatment guidelines emphasize interventions that reduce short-term mortality, but with little information on strategies to minimize physical disability, cognitive impairment or health deterioration after sepsis," said senior author Derek Angus, M.D., M.P.H., the Dr. Mitchell P. Fink Professor and chair of Pitt's Department of Critical Care Medicine. "We need to focus not only on saving the patient's life, but on ensuring the patient will have the best possible quality of life after leaving the hospital."

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction that can develop following an infection. It is the leading cause of death of hospital patients, and half of survivors do not completely recover, with a third of those dying in the following year and a sixth experiencing severe, persistent physical disabilities or cognitive impairment. In one study, only 43 percent of previously employed patients returned to work within a year of contracting septic shock and only 33 percent of patients living at home prior to contracting sepsis returned to living independently by six months following their discharge.

Angus and lead author Hallie Prescott, M.D., M.Sc., assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine in U-M's Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, reviewed medical literature and compiled the results of studies - with particular emphasis on clinical trials - related to sepsis survivorship.

Despite a dearth of large clinical trials to test interventions aimed at improving outcomes for sepsis patients after hospital discharge, Angus and Prescott recommend three strategies that aim to prevent long-term disabilities:

High-quality early sepsis care that includes rapidly following protocols to help the patient fight infection, managing pain through light sedation that allows for the patient to be awakened and reoriented daily, and encouraging early mobility while the patient is still hospitalized.

Post-discharge assessment and treatment that gets patients into rehabilitation with physical, occupational and speech therapy shortly after discharge, and quick referral to therapists if new impairments develop.

Screening of patients for conditions that may have been present prior to hospitalization, such as high blood pressure, and tailoring post-discharge medications to account for individual patients' increased susceptibility to new complications. Patients and their caregivers also should be educated about sepsis and details of their hospital stay, referred to patient and caregiver support groups, and encouraged to establish their goals for future care and quality of life.

"While we are making these recommendations based on available research, many important questions about post-sepsis morbidity remain unanswered," said Prescott. "Future research is needed to better characterize how pre-sepsis health affects long-term outcomes after sepsis so we can best tailor treatment and long-term recovery to the patient."Researchers have applied Nobel prize-winning microscope technology to uncover an ion channel structure that could lead to new treatments for kidney stones. In a recent study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, researchers revealed atomic-level details of the protein that serves as a passageway for calcium across kidney cell membranes.

Approximately 80 percent of kidney stones are comprised of calcium salts. They are extremely painful to pass, and depending on size and location can require surgery to remove. Ion channels that span kidney cell membranes help reabsorb calcium from the urine before it can form kidney stones. The new study is the first to show molecular details of the essential kidney calcium channel, called TRPV5, in its closed form. The study also reveals how inhibitor molecules attach to and close the channel, leaving calcium stranded in the urine where it can form kidney stones.

"Now that we know what the protein looks like in its inhibited state, drugs can be made with the intention of modulating TRPV5 activity and potentially treating kidney stones directly," said first author Taylor Hughes, PhD candidate in the Department of Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

In the new study, Hughes and colleagues used a technique called cryo-electron microscopy--that won the 2017 Nobel prize in Chemistry--to view rabbit TRPV5 attached to its inhibitor molecule, econazole. Cryo-electron microscopy enabled the researchers to zoom in and see protein structures in atomic details. From the new vantage point they could identify different protein regions, including the portion that crosses kidney cell membranes, and attachment sites for molecules like econazole.

"When performing cryo-electron microscopy, we shoot electrons at our frozen protein and it allows us to take pictures of individual protein molecules. With these pictures and advanced computer software we are able to create 3D models of these molecules. These 3D models have the potential to be so precise that we can actually see the atoms that make up the protein," Hughes explained.

The 3D models helped the researchers predict how TRPV5 opens and closes for the first time. "To understand how a protein moves we need multiple structures to compare to one another," Hughes said. "We were able to draw conclusions about the mechanisms of action by comparing our inhibitor-bound structure to a previously published TRPV6 structure solved without an inhibitor. TRPV5 and TRPV6 are part of the same subfamily of proteins and very similar in sequence as well as structure." The new research builds upon experiments performed by Tibor Rohacs, MD, PhD, at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and computations by Marta Filizola, PhD at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The researchers viewed TRPV5-econazole complexes under the 12-foot tall cryo-electron microscope housed at the Electron Imaging Center for NanoMachines in the California NanoSystems Institute at University of California Los Angeles. Vera Moiseenkova-Bell, PhD, senior author on the study, has access to this facility as a member of the West/Midwest consortium for high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy supported by the National Institutes of Health. The study also brought together other researchers from Case Western Reserve University, University of California Los Angeles, Rutgers University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Pfizer. Moiseenkova-Bell is a Mount Sinai Scholar and former Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

"This publication is the first time the structure of TRPV5 has been solved. Now, structures for four of the six TRPV subfamily members are available at near-atomic resolution for further scientific investigation," Hughes said. According to the researchers, future studies could include targeted therapies to modulate the protein channels in people suffering from kidney stones.

Source: http://casemed.case.edu/cwrumed360/news-releases/release.cfm?news_id=902All the new Star Wars comics, graphic novels, and collections arriving in 2021 and beyond

Every single new Star Wars comic books arriving in the next few months that you need to get excited aboutCongress President Rahul Gandhi to visit Bahrain, address NRI conclave

New Delhi : In his first foreign visit after being elevated as Congress President, Rahul Gandhi will be going to Bahrain on January 7 evening and is scheduled to address an NRI conclave on January 8, sources said.

According to party sources, the visit is aimed at promoting Rahul Gandhi as a brand after his visit to the US last September received a positive response.

The sole purpose of such trips is to bolster Rahul's global image as a popular leader and also reach out to the NRIs, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been doing since he came to power.

Rahul Gandhi was in Goa recently to join his mother Sonia Gandhi to usher in the New Year.Posted Wednesday, January 3, 2018 5:00 am

The Marshfield Senior Center is a collection site for the current OATS Transportation shoe drive fundraiser to help raise money to purchase new buses. Please drop off new or gently used shoes in the collection box in our foyer at the center, 427 W. Washington, before Jan. 15.

Jenna from Phoenix Hospice will call bingo for us Monday, Jan. 8.

Our next Alzheimers meeting will be from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. The meetings are free and open to the public. If you or someone you know has been affected by memory loss, dementia or Alzheimers, you will want to attend. Please call 859-3555 to register so we know how many pamphlets to prepare. We will also be starting a support group for family members. We will meet at the center weekly on Thursdays after lunch  about 12:30 p.m. All are welcome to come, share ideas and support each other.

We appreciate and thank the members of First Baptist Church, who delivered our in-home meals for us last week. This week, members of the Church of the Nazarene are delivering. Next week, members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church will take a turn.

The menu for Jan. 3-10:

Jan. 3 - Doritos Mexican chicken

Jan. 4 - Ham and beans

Jan. 5 - Tilapia

Jan. 8 - Sweet and sour meatballs

Jan. 9 - Baked pork chops

Jan. 10 - Texas barbecue chicken

All meals include dessert, bread and milk. Substitutions are available for the main dish on most days. We also have a salad bar for an additional contribution. All meals are subject to change without notice.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook at MarshfieldSeniorCenterSeniorAgeMO/ and visit our website: www.marshfieldseniorcenter.weebly.com.PM Abbasi summons NSC meet after Trump accuses Pakistan of 'lies and deceit'

Islamabad : In the wake of US President Donald Trumps tweet in which he accused Islamabad of "lies and deceit", Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister will chair the huddle to discuss the future course of action following the US President's scathing statement against Pakistan, a PM office statement said.

The moot will be attended by Foreign Minister, Interior Minister, Minister for Defence, services chiefs besides, senior civil and military officers, the PM office media wing said.

Trump tweeted that the US "foolishly" gave aid to Pakistan over the course of 15 years but Islamabad remained deceitful by providing safe havens to "terrorists" from Afghanistan.DANBURY - City Council member Michael Esposito, a former firefighter, began putting the pieces back together Tuesday after his family home was destroyed in a fire over the holiday weekend.

Esposito retired in 1997 after more than 25 years in the fire department, but he was still shocked to see how quickly the flames took over the house - a three-bedroom Cape Cod on Fleetwood Drive where he and his wife, Sue, raised their three daughters.

About 5 p.m. Sunday, Esposito looked outside and saw smoke billowing outside the house. He ran downstairs and opened the basement door, and found the whole area was filled with smoke.

It was the firefighter in me who took over, he said. I knew I had to get my wife out of the house as fast as possible and call 911.

Esposito said flames were already crawling up the exterior when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters were able to knock down some of the flames with water carried in their engines, he said. But the fight became more difficult when two nearby fire hydrants were found to be frozen, and they had to stretch hoses more than 1,000 feet to a functioning hydrant near Shelter Rock School before they could continue.

More News News Firefighters respond to blaze on Fleetwood Drive

The house is a total loss, Esposito said Tuesday. The kids are really going to miss it. We havent told the grandchildren yet.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Esposito said he and his wife were able to find a few family photos among the ashes, but most of their belongings were destroyed. He has been staying at his daughters house in Danbury since the fire.

City Council President Joseph Cavo, who also served in the fire department, expressed sympathy for Espositos family.

Mike has a long road ahead of him, like most people who have to deal with a total loss of their home, Cavo said. Its really sad and you hate to see happen to anyone, but its especially tough when it hits so close to home.

Esposito said the fire wont stop him from attending the regular council meeting Wednesday night.

I may not be appropriately dressed, he quipped. All the clothes I have is the turtleneck and pants I was wearing when we ran from the home. But I promise it will be clean.

Esposito said he met Tuesday with the insurance adjuster and officials with the American Red Cross, and he thanked his friends for their support.

Our family is very appreciative of all the good wishes and helping hands, he said. It really means a lot to us.

Cavo said he is just happy that his friend of more than 30 years is safe.

Things can be replaced, but the best outcome in my book is that they got out alive, he said. When it comes down to it, thats whats really important.

Cavo said he is working with the leader of the Democrats on the council, Tom Saadi, to organize a fundraising effort for the family.

dperrefort@newstimes.comIn 1995, Taiwan chose William Hsiao, a professor of economics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, to lead a task force to design a new healthcare system. Uwe Reinhardt, a longtime Princeton professor, also contributed significantly to the effort.

Taiwan chose to adopt a single-payer system like that found in Medicare or in Canada, not a government-run system like Britains. At first, things did not go as well as hoped. Although the country had been planning the change for years, it occurred quite quickly after democracy was established in the early 1990s. The system, including providers and hospitals, was caught somewhat off guard, and many felt that they had not been adequately prepared. The public, however, was much happier about the change.

Today, most hospitals in Taiwan remain privately owned, mostly nonprofit. Most physicians are still either salaried or self-employed in practices.

The health insurance Taiwan provides is comprehensive. Both inpatient and outpatient care are covered, as well as dental care, over-the-counter drugs and traditional Chinese medicine. Its much more thorough than Medicare is in the United States.

Access is also quite impressive. Patients can choose from pretty much any provider or therapy. Wait times are short, and patients can go straight to specialty care without a referral.

Relative to the United States and some other countries, Taiwan devotes less of its economy to health care. In the early 2000s, it was spending 5.4 percent of G.D.P., and by 2014 that number had risen to 6.2 percent. By comparison, countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development spend on average more than 9 percent of G.D.P. on health care, and the United States spends about twice that.

The New York Times had a panel compare the national health care systems of Canada, Britain, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, France, Australia and the U.S.

Britain was deemed better than Canada because it has shorter waiting times with similar costs.

The USA was deemed to be better than Singapore. Singapore has large mandatory savings accounts. Singapores system costs far less than Americas (4.9 percent of G.D.P. versus 17.2 percent). Singapore doesnt release the same data as most other advanced nations, although its widely thought that it provides pretty good care for a small amount of spending.

France was deemed to be better than Australia. The French health system is relatively expensive at 11.8 percent of G.D.P., while Australias is at 9 percent. Access and quality are excellent in both systems. People in France report somewhat fewer problems getting access to care, as well as shorter waiting times.

Switzerland was deemed to be better than Germany.

Switzerland was deemed to be better than Britain. Switzerland has better facilities and speed of access to care.

France was deemed to be better than the US healthcare system. The U.S. is just too expensive for what it delivers and includes too much financial insecurity to boot.

Switzerland was deemed to be better than France. The Swiss health care system delivers a higher quality of care across a range of measures and invests more in innovation that fuels new knowledge and, ultimately, better treatments that we all benefit from. The French system is cheaper, its financing is more equitable, and its system is simpler.

Germany would have tied Switzerland had they averaged their rankings of the nations instead of using head-to-head matchups in a bracket system (Switzerland eliminated Germany in the first round). Its an example of how close the voting was. Not one vote was unanimous among the judges, and all the semifinal and final votes were 3-2. Clearly, there is room for disagreement about the relative merits of health systems, and different experts would surely reach different conclusions.

Some judges took a global view, giving the edge to countries, like the United States, that promoted innovation that benefited the rest of the world. In other cases, how health systems treated the poorest of society was paramount.

The Commonwealth Fund compared world healthcare systems.

Penn State compares healthcare systems of different countries.The Valley Community Foundation, which distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits, is starting the New Year off with a bang.

Thats because VCF has received a $1.4 million gift courtesy of the estate of Ansonia native Raymond P. Mackowski.

According to a press release, VCF was the named beneficiary for Mackowkis estate.

Mackowski passed away in March 2016. He included VCF as a beneficiary to his estate in memory of his parents, John and Amelia Mackowski.

We are honored and sincerely grateful to receive such a substantial bequest from Mr. Mackowski, said Sharon Closius, VCF president and CEO. Something powerful happens when you name a charity in your estate plan. You create a legacy that tells future generations what causes mattered to you, which will inspire future generations to make a difference in their own way. As stewards for the Valleys philanthropic endowments, we look forward to honoring Mr. Mackowskis intent throughout our community for many years to come.

The many nonprofits that have benefited from VCF funds run the gamut from the Derby Historical Society to provide bus transportation to the David Humphreys House enabling Valley students to step back in time to Ansonia Middle School where low-income students get exposed to college campuses.

VCF spokesman John Ready said the funds are unrestricted, meaning they can be used in multiple ways for grant-making. Valley nonprofits can apply for funding ranging from $250 and above. Ready said VCF anticipates requests from basic needs organizations, workforce development organizations, early childhood education and organizations serving the aging population.

Mackowskis nephew Richard Mackowski said his uncle was always willing to help.

He was a private man, but he enjoyed life to the fullest, said Richard Mackowski. He was ready to help anyone in the community. He gave much of his time and talent to helping others. He was just a good man. Thats really the best way to put it.

Raymond Mackowski dedicated more than 30 years of his life as a volunteer at Yale-New Haven Hospital, was a member the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph Church in Ansonia and was a devoted history buff, according to his family. He loved swimming, painting and metalworking in his spare time.

VCF Board of Directors Chairman Alan Tyma expressed gratitude for the gift.

The VCF Board of Directors collectively felt the most prudent way for this generous gift to have a lasting local impact was to place this fund on the Foundations spending policy and treat it like an endowed fund at the Foundation, said Tyma. Investment goals are to generate enough income to respond to the communitys current charitable needs and to provide for the long-term development and well-being of the Foundations endowment.

Attorney Christine Curtiss of the firm Cohen and Thomas said when Raymond Mackowski came to the office to work on his will, he had given much thought to making a gift to the Valley through VCF. Curtiss put him in touch with VCFs staff to work out the details of his philanthropic intentions.

VCF was established in 2004 to support local nonprofits and promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.

More information about VCF can be found at www.valleyfoundation.org.

Correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich can be reached at jean.sos@snet.netPosted Wednesday, January 3, 2018 2:30 am

Wednesday, Jan. 3

 Story time, 10 a.m., Webster County Library, Marshfield. A free weekly kids event that includes stories and a craft. For more information, call the library at 468-3335.

 Music Jam, 1:30 p.m., Marshfield Senior Center, 417 W. Washington St., Marshfield

 Quill and Ink Creative Writing class, 3 p.m., Webster County Library, 219 W. Jackson St., Marshfield. Open to the public, no fees.

 Open gym hallwalking, 3:30-6 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Donation of $1 is suggested. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 859-6055 or email melaniefraker@gmail.com.

 TOPS Mo. 686 Strafford, 4:30 p.m. weigh-in, Strafford High School.

 Pound Cardio Class, 6-7 p.m., Marshfield Community Center (back cardio building), 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, call Trisha Tindall at 417-224-0721.

Thursday, Jan. 4

 Open gym hallwalking, 3:30-6 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Donation of $1 is suggested. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 859-6055 or email melaniefraker@gmail.com.

 TOPS 0534 Marshfield meeting, 3:30 p.m., Webster County Library, 219 W. Jackson St. Visitors welcome.

 Logan-Rogersville Educational Foundation, 5:30 p.m., 1717 E. Republic Rd. For more information, visit www.lrfoundation.org.

 TOPS 1039 Conway, 5:30 p.m., Conway Community Building, 589-6056 or 589-2121.

 Living Free, 6 p.m., 1 Inside Truth Church, 359 Banning St., Suite E, Marshfield. A free hope, support and accountability class for anyone with life controlling issues for anyone seeking help and not wanting to do it alone. For information, contact Chip at 417-551-2351 or on the churchs Facebook page.

 Marshfield Lions Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., 210 Maple St. All are welcome.

 Taekwondo class, 7-8 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, contact Pat Blinzler, 417-839-0433.

 AA meeting, 8 p.m., Holy Trinity Church, 859-6031.

Friday, Jan. 5

 AA meeting, noon, Marshfield Nazarene Church, east entrance. For more information, contact John at 417-224-5573.

 Family roller skating, 4-8 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per skater per two-hour session (4-6 p.m. recommended for young skaters).

 Celebrate Recovery, meets Friday nights at the wareHouse at 33 Stevens Drive. Dinner starts at 5:45 p.m., with meeting at 6:30 p.m. Group meetings are designed to aid in the recovery process from addiction, destructive habits, anger or whatever is causing trouble in your life. For more information, call Misti at 417-241-3997 or Dale at 417-241-1544.

 Pound Cardio Class, 6-7 p.m., Marshfield Community Center (back cardio building), 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, call Trisha Tindall at 417-224-0721.

 AA meeting, Diggins ABC Group, 7 p.m., Diggins Baptist Church, Highway 60 and NN, 417-464-1750.

 Bingo night, sponsored by the Marshfield Firefighters Association, 7 p.m., Uptown Cafe, 210 W. Jackson St., Marshfield.

 Dance, 7-10 p.m., Conway Senior Center. Cover charge is $5, with Country Persuasion performing.

 Guardians of the Children monthly meeting, 7 p.m., 565 S. Prairie Lane, Webster County 911 administrative offices, Marshfield.

Saturday, Jan. 6

 Breakfast served by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4101, Marshfield, 7 to 10 a.m. at the post on East Jackson Street. Donations accepted. Service officer available.

 Addicts, Coffee and Recovery, 10 a.m., the wareHouse, 33 Stevens Drive, Marshfield, 859-0640.

 Marshfield Bridal Expo 2018, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ritz Place Starlight Room, 104 E. Madison St., Marshfield. Come try out makeup for your big day, check out a photo booth for fun at your reception, and sample wedding cake. Various vendors will also be on hand, including venues, florists, photographers, DJs, and more. Tons of giveaways and prizes will be offered throughout the event.

 Conway Coon Hunt, Letterman Feed, Conway. Hunt to benefit Conway FFA includes treeing contest, beginning at 4:30 p.m., silent auction running from 4-5:45 p.m., with hunt sign-in starting at 5 p.m. Hunt begins at 6 p.m. with check-in/return time at 1 a.m. Concessions will be available. For more information, contact Mary Anne Keck at 417-844-5895 or mkeck@lcr1.org.

Sunday, Jan. 7

 Al Anon, 6 p.m., Fellowship Bible Church, 4855 S. Farm Road 205, Rogersville, 417-619-4788.

 Addicts, Coffee and Recovery, 6:30 p.m., the wareHouse, 33 Stevens Drive, Marshfield, 859-0640.

Monday, Jan. 8

 OACAC Resume Class, 10 a.m. to noon, OACAC Webster County Neighborhood Center, 211 N. Clay, Suite D, Marshfield. OACAC is partnering with Missouri Job Center for this class to build effective resumes. Call 859-4589 to register. Eligibility guidelines apply and no child care is offered.

 Preschool Story Time, 10 a.m., Webster County Library, Marshfield. A free weekly kids event that includes stories and a craft. For more information, call the library at 468-3335.

 Open gym hallwalking, 3:30-6 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Donation of $1 is suggested. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 859-6055 or email melaniefraker@gmail.com.

 Pound Cardio Class, 6-7 p.m., Marshfield Community Center (back cardio building), 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, call Trisha Tindall at 417-224-0721.

 Cub Scout Pack 800, 6:30 p.m., 859-0972.

Tuesday, Jan. 9

 OACAC Identity Theft Class, 9-11 a.m., OACAC Webster County Neighborhood Center, 211 N. Clay, Suite D, Marshfield. Join Sarah Lowe with Bear State Bank and others interested in learning how to keep your information secure and avoid falling victim to scams. Door prizes to be provided. However, no child care is offered. Call 859-4589 to register.

 Its Showtime, 9:30 a.m., Webster County Library, Marshfield. This weeks feature is Camille, starring Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor. The film showings are free and open to all residents every Tuesday morning in the meeting room of the Garst Memorial Library, 219 W. Jackson in Marshfield. For more information, contact the library at 417-468-3335.

 Story time at the Library, 10:30 a.m., Rogersville Branch Library, 104 N. Beatie St. A free weekly kids event that includes stories and a craft. For more information, call the library at 753-3220.

 Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, 11:45 a.m., Samuel Cedars, 5124 S. Farm Road 213, Rogersville. The chamber meets every second Tuesday of the month. For more information, call 753-7538.

 SOS Closet open, 1-4:30 p.m., building behind Marshfield Christian School. Gently used clothing store providing free clothes to Marshfield school children and their families. No income guideline requirements for families and no limits on used clothing. Store provided by the Marshfield Public Schools Foundation with assistance of Marshfield R-I School District.

 Open gym hallwalking, 3:30-6 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Donation of $1 is suggested. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 859-6055 or email melaniefraker@gmail.com.

 TOPS MO 1234 Rogersville, 5:45 p.m. at Rogersville Church of Christ off Center Street across from Citizens Bank of Rogersville.

 Crossroads to Recovery N/A meetings, 6 p.m., CrossBridge Church, 302 S. Clay St., Marshfield, 417-838-3013.

 Pound Cardio Class, 6-7 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, call Trisha Tindall at 417-224-0721.

 Small Business Financing Workshop, 6 p.m., Central Bank of the Ozarks community room, 1197 Spur Drive, Marshfield. Sign up to attend the free workshop by going to swmoscore.org and clicking on Local Workshops. RSVP of your attendance is appreciated, but not required. Start planning the financial options for starting your own business. Sponsored by GRO Marshfield, Southwest Missouri SCORE and Marshfield Rotary Club.

 Taekwondo class, 6-8:30 p.m., Marshfield Community Center, 110 E. Commercial St. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, contact Pat Blinzler, 417-839-0433.

 Logan-Rogersville FFA booster club meeting, 7 p.m. at LRHS Agricultural building.

 Overcomers: Victory in Christ Recovery Support Group, 7 p.m., Glorious Church, 3935 W. Sunshine, Springfield, 417-890-4420 or 417-865-1468.

Future events

Jan. 11

 Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce, noon, Central Bank of the Ozarks community room, 1292 Banning St.

Jan. 16

 Understanding Health Insurance, 9-11 a.m. workshop hosted by OACAC Webster Co. Neighborhood Center, 211 N. Clay, Suite D, Marshfield. Join Becky Whiteford of Fordland Clinic and Shahnaz Jaleel of Cox Health in gaining a better understanding of health insurance options, policies and benefits. No charge, but please call 859-4589 to register.

Jan. 22

 OACAC Internet Safety Class, 1-3 p.m., at OACAC Webster Co. Neighborhood Center, 211 N. Clay, Suite D, Marshfield. Free, but childcare not provided; please make arrangements. To register, call 859-4589.

Jan. 25

 Boss Babes, 6:30 p.m., MotoMe Life Studio, 1100 Spur Drive, Suite 120, Marshfield. Event is geared toward women who own their own business or have dreams of owning one. Local cosmetologist and motivational speaker Krista Bitting will speak at the event. Cost is $5 which includes wine punch and snacks.

Jan. 27

 94th Annual Webster County Diversified Agriculture Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Faith Southern Baptist Church, 1002 S. Marshall St. (Route A), Marshfield. Registration fee is $15 per person ($10 for students and free for those under 12 years old). Pre-registration needed by Tuesday, Jan. 23, to make meal reservation. To register or for more information, call the Webster County Extension Center at 859-2044.

 Third annual Cabin Fever Reliever 20K and Resolution 5K, 9 a.m., Logan-Rogersville High School, 4700 S. State Highway 125. 20K registration fees: $60 in advance; $65 on race day. 5K registration fees: $30 in advance; $40 on race day. Register online at actnowracing.com/events/344 or email rkpennington@mchsi.com for more information. Proceeds to benefit the Logan-Rogersville cross country team and the Gathering Friends for the Homeless.It's easy to see why this production of Rocky Horror is a fan favorite. From beginning to end, it honors the classic versions by seamlessly, and innovatively, incorporating cinematic effects and live performance. It's also a stellar production on its own merit without the rich cultural history.Writer Beer & Society

There is nothing that cannot be discussed and worked out over a beer. Join me as I explore local beer, breweries and how they can civilize us.Posted Wednesday, January 3, 2018 3:00 am

With an early January due date, Shawn and Bobbie Retzloff, Marshfield, wondered if they might start 2018 with a New Years baby. At 6:14 a.m. on Jan. 1, they found out for sure: Their daughter, Sydney Lind, made her entrance into the world. She became the first baby born at a CoxHealth hospital in 2018, and Springfields first hospital birth of the year.

We were joking that it would be cool to have a New Years baby  and she took us seriously, said Bobbie. But we were surprised she was the very first.

Bobbie and Shawn traveled from their home in Marshfield for Sydneys birth at Cox South. When she arrived, she was 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Sydney is the third child in the family, joining big brothers Jayson, 8, and Gunner, 4.

A few hours after the birth, the Retzloffs agree that the experience has been a good one. Everything has been great, said Bobbie.

CoxHealth presented a gift basket to the family, which included memory books, a giraffe rattle, baby blankets, copies of Goodnight Moon and Old MacDonalds Farm, a stuffed bear, and a keepsake photo frame.At the Prospect.1 biennial in New Orleans in 2008, three years after Hurricane Katrina, the Berlin artist Katharina Grosse covered a dilapidated house in the Lower Ninth Ward with orange and yellow.

Now, four years after Hurricane Sandy, she is bringing her spray paint to Fort Tildens decaying aquatics building in Queens, covering it in the fiery red of a Rockaways sunset.

Beginning on Fourth of July weekend and continuing through Thanksgiving, Ms. Grosses outdoor exhibition is part of Rockaway!, MoMA PS1s programming that began in 2013 with Bloomberg Philanthropies. Fort Tilden, a former military base, is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Klaus Biesenbach, the director of MoMA PS1, said that Ms. Grosse is going to use the landscape and architecture as a canvas.1. The new year is absolutely frigid across much of North America.

A jet stream is shuttling arctic air from northwestern Canada to the eastern U.S., sending temperatures plummeting to record lows and creating dangerous conditions. Above, Niagara Falls.

Forecasters say it will continue at least into the weekend. So bundle up, or stay in if you can. A couple of links that might come in handy: Cookings guide to making soup, and our list of the 100 best movies on Netflix.If Procter & Gamble were sponsoring a 2018 advertisement for avoiding activists, it might include an in-house remedy for removing corporate stains. Investors seeking new strategies, more dividends, executive changes or board seats arent going away. If anything, the siege of P.&G. by Nelson Peltz, whose Trian Partners gained a directors seat after a 10-month campaign, will embolden others to take up the cause. Resistance isnt futile, but it needs to be more carefully considered.

From General Motors to Whole Foods, no company was off limits in 2017. P.&G. proved size is no defense; the $230 billion conglomerate was the largest ever target for a proxy fight. Companies with a market capitalization of over $10 billion made up 21.4 percent of targets in the first 11 months of 2017, up more than two percentage points from the previous year, according to Activist Insight. Expect that trend to continue in 2018 even though activists went home empty-handed in more cases than not in those 11 months, which wasnt the case the previous year.

For companies, the best defense is a good offense. G.M.s Mary Barra handily fended off David Einhorns attempt to split the stock. It helped that she had already begun to address the stocks discount by selling off the automakers European brands before Mr. Einhorn launched his campaign, and that she carefully outlined the companys long-term strategy. Automatic Data Processing sent Bill Ackman packing by pointing out its efforts to transform its technology and the hedge-fund managers comparatively poor performance.

For activists, sharp instincts and finely honed demands hold the key to success. Mr. Peltz made clear he wasnt seeking to break up P.&G. and sought a single board seat to push for new blood in management and greater emphasis on new products and mergers and acquisitions. The defiant 10-month defense by the chief executive, David Taylor, seemed out of proportion to the activists ask and ultimately undercut Mr. Taylors credibility. Look for more executives to follow the example of General Electrics John Flannery, who enlisted Mr. Peltz as an ally by giving Trian a board seat without a proxy fight.The golden age of television programming is heading for a grisly finale. Netflix, Amazon, Apple and Hulu are on course to increase their spending on new shows and movies at a faster clip than the growth of the overall video-streaming market. Consolidation among traditional media groups is only adding to the frenzy. Something will have to give.

Netflix set off the arms race. In 2017, the company, founded by Reed Hastings, directed $6 billion toward licensing and original series like Stranger Things. In 2018, executives plan to earmark up to $8 billion for content, a 33 percent increase. Across the industry, the number of original television shows more than doubled from 2010 to 2016, to 455, according to the research firm MoffettNathanson.

Total spending on content by the big four media upstarts in 2018 will mushroom some 30 percent, year over year, to $18 billion, according to a Breakingviews forecast based on analysts estimates. Yet the entire global video-streaming market is expected to increase 16 percent to about $21 billion, according to PwC.

That means there has never been a better time to be a couch potato, but its glum news for the companies. The tangle of options in streaming services and programming, chasing a finite number of subscribers, suggests the industry is entering an unsustainable investment battle  and a price war may follow as players try to rake in extra market share.The Showtime political documentary series The Circus is set to return in April, minus its most recognizable star: Mark Halperin, the high-flying journalist whose career was felled last year by allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Replacing Mr. Halperin will be Alex Wagner, a CBS News anchor and former MSNBC host. She will join two of the original hosts, the writer John Heilemann, Mr. Halperins longtime professional partner, and Mark McKinnon, a Stetson-sporting political consultant.

The Circus is the only project linked to Mr. Halperin to survive the numerous allegations against him, including claims that he made unwanted sexual advances toward female co-workers at ABC News. Mr. Halperin lost his gig as a commentator at MSNBC, and Penguin Press canceled the next installment of Game Change, the lucrative franchise of campaign books he wrote with Mr. Heilemann.

HBO, one of Showtimes rivals, also canceled a planned Game Change movie about the 2016 presidential race.For now, the collapse of the MoneyGram deal could spell trouble for other Chinese companies considering major acquisitions. The effort by Ant Financial, the payments affiliate of the internet giant Alibaba, was seen as a test of the Trump administrations political and regulatory approach to China.

Other deals under review include the sale of SkyBridge Capital  an investment firm founded by Anthony Scaramucci, an ally of Mr. Trump  to an arm of HNA Group, a Chinese conglomerate.

The collapse of the deal offers the latest sign of a shift  one that began during the end of the Obama administration  over how Washington treats Chinese acquisitions of American assets.

Mr. Trump and other politicians have long criticized Chinese trade practices and their impact on traditional, heavy industries in the United States, such as steel. But officials and lawmakers of both parties have grown increasingly concerned with Chinese purchases in high-tech areas, like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. China  a country that has grown by leaps and bounds in expertise in recent years  has aggressively funded development of next-generation technology in ways that have alarmed some foreign governments and businesses.

That has led to calls to tighten reviews of Chinese purchases of American assets. Chinese investment surged to more than $130 billion in 2017 from just $21.5 billion in 2012, according to Rhodium Group, a research firm. In 2018, bankers say they expect another big year of investment, targeted more at sectors considered important to future economic growth like high technology and renewable energy.

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation calling for greater scrutiny of Chinese investments in the United States. They are pushing for an expansion of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or Cfius, the multiagency panel that reviews foreign deals for potential threats to national security and that rejected the MoneyGram-Ant Financial plan.

In 2016, American concerns over Chinas interest in microchips scotched some Chinese purchases, and last year Mr. Trump blocked the purchase of Lattice Semiconductors by a group with links to China.Leverage

From The New Yorker: Is President Xi Jinping of China using the Trump presidency, and its corrosive effect on American alliances, to assert a much larger role for China in global affairs? Evan Osnos  a journalist who was early in identifying how completely Xi would come to dominate public life in China  argues that this is exactly what is happening. But even in China, some experts wonder if their country is ready to play the world leadership role that the United States seems to be relinquishing.  Keith Bradsher, Shanghai bureau chief

_____When a public radio reporter asked Mr. Cuomo last month about the allegations against Mr. Hoyt and what he could have done differently to address such behavior in state government, Mr. Cuomo told the reporter, Karen DeWitt, that her question did a disservice to women.

When you say its state government, you do a disservice to women, with all due respect, even though youre a woman, he told Ms. DeWitt.

After Mr. Cuomos comments attracted widespread criticism, his aides scrambled to clarify that he had meant to convey the prevalence of sexual harassment across sectors.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo said the past year had brought a long overdue reckoning.

This year, we saw brave men and women across the nation shatter this silence and create a moment of reckoning that through these reforms we seek to turn into permanent protections, he said.

Many of the various proposals wade into the private as well as the public domain. Mr. Cuomos planned legislation would require any companies with state business to disclose the number of sexual harassment cases they had faced each year, and would bar employers from forcing their employees into private arbitration. One of the Democrats bills would expand protections for employees of small businesses.

Ms. Young said the focus on harassment by celebrities and public officials, both in New York and nationwide, threatened to overshadow victims of sexual harassment whose accused abusers were less well known. She said her proposal to allow independent contractors, in industries ranging from hair styling to real estate, to sue their employers for sexual harassment could ensure protections for up to 40 percent of New Yorkers, the percentage she said work on a freelance or contract basis.

This tackles the serial sexual predators of the rich and famous but also helps everyday New Yorkers who may find themselves in terrible situations, Ms. Young said.Political momentum to abolish or limit the use of monetary bail has been building across the country in recent years, as critics have pointed out it discriminates against people who cannot pay. In New Jersey, a law went into effect last year that has nearly eliminated cash bail by mandating that state judges release most defendants unless they are a proven flight risk or threat to public safety.

The governors proposals are likely to meet opposition from police unions, the bail bond industry, district attorneys and Republican lawmakers who control the Senate. The fate of the bills is far from clear in the legislative session and may depend on what incentives Mr. Cuomo can offer to the Republican opponents.

Taken together, the proposed bills address several aspects of the criminal justice system critics have long decried as unfair to the poor, chief among them the states cash bail system and its restrictive discovery law, which allows prosecutors to withhold important evidence against a defendant until the eve of trial.

These laws give a tremendous advantage to the police and prosecutors and, in effect, discriminate against defendants with few resources, who disproportionately are black or Hispanic, defense lawyers say. Impoverished people are often unable to pay the bail set by judges in their cases and spend months or years in jail, unable to help with their defenses, and without knowing the strength of the case against them, defense lawyers say. Many accept plea bargains just to end the ordeal.

The measure that Governor Cuomo is proposing would eliminate cash bail for people facing misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies. Instead defendants would be released, either on their own promise to return to court, or with some other conditions imposed by the judge.Lawrence E. Stager, a pre-eminent American archaeologist who unearthed evidence that anxious ancient Israelites sinned by worshiping a golden calf, just as the Bible said, and who helped redeem the vulgar reputation of Goliath and his fellow Philistines, died on Friday at his home in Concord, Mass. He was 74.

The cause was injuries from a fall, his daughter, Jennifer Stager, said.

Captivated while excavating an Israeli site on a postgraduate fellowship, Dr. Stager decided against a legal career to pursue biblical archaeology. He donned an improvised fedora and packed a Bowie knife to became a rumpled, roly-poly incarnation of Indiana Jones.

In 1990 Dr. Stager, a Midwest farmers son, immediately recognized a bronze figurine found in dusty Canaanite ruins dating to the second millennium B.C. as a bull calf.

The four-and-a-half-inch-long icon, found by Dr. Stagers team as it cleared rubble at a ruined temple in Ashkelon, on the Mediterranean Sea south of Tel Aviv, was similar to the golden idols that God inveighed against in Old Testament accounts of the 40 days that Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments.Former finance minister and detainee at Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton in the anti-corruption clean-up attended Tuesday a cabinet meeting in the presence of the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MbS), reports say.

Ibrahim Assaf who also doubled as adviser to the king was pictured present at a cabinet meeting in capital Riyadh two month after being rounded up along with more than 200 individuals including scores of Princes, top officials and business tycoons.

Released last month, local media say Assaf has been cleared of wrongdoing in the purge which authority claimed was directed to stamp out corruption in the monarchy.

Assaf was board member of the countrys top company Aramco. He was initially accused of embezzlement related to the expansion of Meccas Grand Mosque and taking advantage of his position and inside information to purchase lands, Reuters reports.

Critics of the purge argue that it is meant to consolidate MbSs grip on power.

Several of those detained at what is now the most luxurious prison in the world have been freed after striking monetary agreement with the authorities.

One of the high profile released detainees is Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, son of King Abdullah. He was head of the kingdoms National Guard. Prince Miteb was seen as the contender of the throne therefore a major power challenge for MbS.

Miteb was set free after he reportedly agreed to pay more than $1 billion.

Authorities are expecting to get from the detainees up to $100 billion, money to be used to patch up deficit and fund other development projects.On a whiteboard, they brainstormed together a list of ideal characteristics for a statewide Republican candidate, among them: resources (i.e. having money or the ability to raise vast sums), being a woman, being a political outsider, speaking Spanish and having a political base in downstate New York.

The problem? The current crop of Republicans check off almost none of those boxes.

So far, the only declared candidate is Brian Kolb, the Republican minority leader in the Assembly who represents a district near Rochester. Besides Mr. Molinaro, John DeFrancisco, the No. 2 Republican in the State Senate from near Syracuse, is also mulling a run, as is the former Erie County executive Joel Giambra, who since became a lobbyist and endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016.

In addition to the messaging challenge of ousting a two-term governor for a political insider, Mr. Cuomo has proved adept at locking up campaign cash from institutional Albany, the same donors those challengers would likely have to rely upon.

You cant take the fight to Albany if youre from Albany, said one of the Republican operatives who attended, who spoke anonymously to not disparage the eventual nominee because so many of the current candidates are linked to Albany.

Some have urged Chele Chiavacci Farley, a finance chairwoman for the New York Republican Party, to challenge Mr. Cuomo. Ms. Farley is currently laying the groundwork to run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this year, and has begun assembling a campaign team, including John Brabender, a former adviser to the presidential candidate Rick Santorum, and the pollster John McLaughlin.

But Ms. Farley has told people she is set on a Senate bid.

Its clear that hard-working taxpayers are fed up with Kirsten Gillibrands obstruction, political grandstanding, and ineffectiveness, she said in a statement. In the next few weeks, I will be making an official announcement about my intentions.

Republican county party leaders are set to gather in Albany on Monday to plot their next steps; two days later, in Manhattan, the same strategists that met last month are scheduled to reconvene.Although the name of the complex was changed to Spring Creek Towers several years ago, it is still widely known as Starrett City. A massive development, it has its own power plant, schools, recreation center and ZIP code. The sale has garnered some notoriety not just because of its size but also because President Trump has a small stake in the complex.

Carol G. Deane, the managing partner of Starrett City Associates, who was behind the sale, had argued in court that she balanced the need to satisfy shareholders with a deal that could win government approval and preserve Starrett City as a home for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.

More than 70 percent of the limited partners and beneficial owners approved the deal in September.

We are pleased with the decision denying plaintiffs efforts to derail the sale of Spring Creek Towers, Ms. Deane said in a statement Tuesday, but not surprised because of the care we put into the process and choosing a buyer who is committed to maintaining the development as affordable and a quality place to live for the 15,000 residents who call it home.

Joshua D.N. Hess, a lawyer for the dissidents, said Tuesday that they were reviewing the judges order and their options, which could include suing for damages.

Mr. Deane died in 2010. Ms. Deane was his third wife.

He tried to sell the complex to the highest bidder during a debt-fueled real estate boom in 2007, but the deal fell apart amid sharp criticism from city, state and federal officials, as well as tenants.Building a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey has been one of the nations top infrastructure priorities for several years. But transportation officials in the region entered the new year wondering if President Trump had decided to block the plan just as work was getting started.

The latest wrench thrown in the gears of the project, known as the Gateway Program, came Friday afternoon in the form of a letter that scuttled a funding agreement for the first phase of the project, which was estimated to cost about $11 billion. Amtrak and the states of New York and New Jersey had hoped that the federal government would cover half of that cost, but a Trump administration official disputed that notion, calling any such agreement nonexistent.

The letter, from K. Jane Williams, the acting administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, came just weeks after the governors of the two states outlined how they might pay for the other half of constructing a tunnel with two tracks to carry trains between Manhattan and New Jersey. The tunnel, which would supplement a pair built more than a century ago, is considered critical to maintaining a rail link between New York City and points to the south and west, including Washington.

That connection is threatened by the deteriorating conditions inside the existing tunnels, which were damaged by the floodwaters of Hurricane Sandy. The tunnels, used by Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, suffered repeated power outages last week as ice formed on the catenary wires that provide power to trains. Amtrak crews removed the ice by knocking it from the overhead wires with poles.Its hard to argue with that logic, but Mr. Scott found a way. Soon after taking office in 2011, he not only reversed Mr. Crists policies, but imposed a waiting period of at least five years after people had completed their sentences before they could plead with him to restore their voting rights. The message wasnt meant to be welcoming, and Floridians have responded accordingly  the number of restoration requests has cratered during Mr. Scotts tenure.

Anyone lucky enough to get a hearing before the governor has a few minutes to make his or her case for being a reformed citizen. These people, who have served their time and should not have to answer to anyone, must then endure condescending moral lectures from Mr. Scott and his cabinet members, who dont have to provide any explanation for their decisions. In one case involving a man who had been convicted of manslaughter after drunken driving, Mr. Scott, whose microphone remained on, turned and whispered to a board member, Thats how my uncle died.

With condolences to Mr. Scott, this is absurd. The right to vote is the most meaningful mark of citizenship in a democracy. It should be withheld only in extreme circumstances, and its restoration shouldnt depend on the whims of a governor. Whats worse, many of these laws, especially in the South, are inextricable from their racist origins. Floridas was enacted in 1868  two years after the state thumbed its nose at the 14th Amendment  with the intent to prevent newly freed black people from voting. Those effects linger today, as one in five black adults in Florida remain disenfranchised because of a criminal record.

The new initiative, which excludes people convicted of murder or sexual offenses, will be placed on the ballot if it receives 766,200 signatures and will take effect if it earns at least 60 percent of the vote. Its advocates have submitted more than one million signatures to date, although many still need to be verified before the Feb. 1 deadline.

One hundred and fifty years after Florida enshrined this awful law, theres only one clear way to get rid of it. Legal challenges have fallen short, the governor is no friend to voting rights, and lawmakers have limited power when it comes to constitutional amendments. Its time for Floridas voters to step up and restore the most fundamental constitutional right to more than a million of their neighbors.A generation ago, Republicans sought to protect President Richard Nixon by urging the Senate Watergate committee to look at supposed wrongdoing by Democrats in previous elections. The committee chairman, Sam Ervin, a Democrat, said that would be as foolish as the man who went bear hunting and stopped to chase rabbits.

Today, amid a growing criminal inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, congressional Republicans are again chasing rabbits. We know because were their favorite quarry.

In the year since the publication of the so-called Steele dossier  the collection of intelligence reports we commissioned about Donald Trumps ties to Russia  the president has repeatedly attacked us on Twitter. His allies in Congress have dug through our bank records and sought to tarnish our firm to punish us for highlighting his links to Russia. Conservative news outlets and even our former employer, The Wall Street Journal, have spun a succession of mendacious conspiracy theories about our motives and backers.

We are happy to correct the record. In fact, we already have.

Three congressional committees have heard over 21 hours of testimony from our firm, Fusion GPS. In those sessions, we toppled the far rights conspiracy theories and explained how The Washington Free Beacon and the Clinton campaign  the Republican and Democratic funders of our Trump research  separately came to hire us in the first place.The themes of the Trump era are the themes of these movies. For racial anxiety, enter the nightmare of Get Out, which was released early last year but has roared back onto the radar for best-of-2017 lists. For the tense relationship between the federal government and the media, see The Post. All the Money in the World presents a self-infatuated plutocrat whose obsession with riches deadens his soul. His surname is Getty, but he may remind you of someone else.

Put these movies together and you have a cinematic syllabus for a course on America right now. All the messes and the monsters are accounted for. And Hollywood, thank heavens, is poised to honor something other than the agonies and ecstasies of its own creative process, as it has done so many vanity-stroking times before (The Artist, Argo, Birdman, La La Land). Its looking outward, precisely when thats most important.

Part of what its seeing is the special burden that women bear and the particular powerlessness that they feel. Thats front and center in The Florida Project, whose down-and-out mothers rear children without help from fathers and survive economically by sexually subjugating themselves. In Three Billboards, Frances McDormands character, demanding justice for her murdered daughter, wont let the police officers, the Catholic priest and other patriarchs in her small town shut her up and shoo her away. In The Post, Meryl Streeps Katharine Graham muscles through a scrum of insistent and often patronizing men to claim her role as the decider. Its a tale of awakening  and a fitting punctuation mark for a year in which so many women broke their silence.

Lady Bird, too, explores gender, but what impresses me even more is its observant take on class. For the record, its not about Lady Bird Johnson, the former first lady, but about a high school senior in Sacramento whose adoption of that fanciful nickname is part of how she chafes against her station in the world.

She misleads a fellow student from a more privileged background about the splendor and address of her own home. She yearns to attend the kind of private college in the Northeast that she supposedly cant get into or afford. At every turn, shes told about her limits. She just refuses to listen, less because shes gifted with boldness than because shes graced with youth.Among the most powerful slogans of demonstrators have been those expressing fury at money wasted in Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere when President Hassan Rouhani had promised jobs, not more of the surrogate wars of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

The demonstrations, this time, are different. They are smaller, but more widespread. They reflect the economic woes of the working class more than middle-class disaffection. They are happening, as Karim Sadjadpour has pointed out in The Atlantic, in an Iran of 48 million smartphones, against fewer than one million in 2009 (which is why the regime is trying to block the hugely popular Telegram messaging app). They originated in Mashhad and went on to Qum, two traditional regime strongholds  a sign of the regimes ideological bankruptcy.

The West-leaning middle class, fed up with the hypocrisy of the mullahs, has long sought political change. But the working class has been a pillar of the regime  manipulated with handouts and slogans. If they have shifted now, all the aging Khamenei has left is the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij. The Revolution that promised Iranians freedom in 1979 has withered.

The monopoly of force will probably be enough to sustain the Islamic republic. A crackdown is probable at some point. The real crisis of the regime will likely come at the moment of Khameneis succession. Still, the courage of Iranians should never be underestimated, nor the deep roots of their quest for freedom, and anything is possible.

What has not changed since 2009 is the bravery of Iranians. I watched in awe as women stood their ground and faced down baton-wielding police officers. Today, protesters are chanting that Khamenei should go. They are chanting death to the Revolutionary Guards. They are chanting, Independence, freedom, Iranian republic.

Trumps White House should keep up the pressure. It should bring European allies in behind its condemnation and warnings. It should stop berating the nuclear deal, which gave Iranians hope and deprives the regime of a convenient scapegoat (it could always say times were hard because of Western sanctions).

It should not, whatever happens, impose new sanctions: They only benefit the Revolutionary Guards. And it should learn, finally, that Iran is not, as Steve Bannon told Joshua Green, like the fifth century  completely primeval  but rather a sophisticated society of deep culture full of unrealized promise better served by engagement than estrangement.International students pay double the $6,445 tuition of Missouri residents, and the lost revenue amounts to $14 million, according to Roger Best, the chief operating officer for the school, in Warrensburg, Mo. Dr. Best said that the university has been forced to cut instructors in computer programs, where many of the foreign students were enrolled, as well as defer maintenance and shave money from other departments, such as the campus newspaper.

Nationwide, the number of new foreign students declined an average of 7 percent this past fall, according to preliminary figures from a survey of 500 colleges by the Institute of International Education. Nearly half of the campuses surveyed reported declines.

Now that the revenue stream appears to be diminishing, the financial outlook may be dire enough to weigh down the bond ratings of some schools, making it more expensive for them to borrow money, according to Moodys Investors Service. Last month, Moodys changed its credit outlook for higher education to negative from stable.

Growing uncertainty for international student enrollment stems from immigration policies that are in flux, Moodys said, warning that universities without global brand recognition would be hit hardest. While some flagship public and elite private colleges have been affected, the Institute of International Education said, the biggest impact will be felt by second-tier institutions.

The shift comes just as some states also are experiencing a drop in domestic students, partly the result of a decline in birthrates two decades ago. This year, the number of domestic undergraduate students dropped 224,000, or 1 percent, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

An increasingly diverse population in that age group means that more of the students come from low-income families in which no one has ever gone to college, also presenting recruitment challenges for universities, according to Doug Shapiro, the organizations executive research director. Affordability issues are the biggest hurdles, Mr. Shapiro said. Theres only so much you can do with recruiting if the families cant afford the tuition.

Officials at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., reported an overall enrollment decline of more than 900 students, including 159 fewer international students. One official cited a perfect demographic storm. Budget cuts are underway.Zoo penguins were taken inside, sharks have washed up dead and records have been set.

North America is in the grips of a cold spell that has delivered frigid temperatures that havent been seen in years in some places.

The cold weather, which has been blamed for a handful of deaths, is expected to continue at least into the weekend, with temperatures most likely remaining below average and possibly setting records, according to Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Md.A bill proposing air traffic control privatization has stalled in Congress, so it is implausible that it had any effect on airline safety  in the United States or anywhere else in the world. The last fatal accident in a passenger plane operated by a domestic airline was in 2009, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, when a commuter plane headed for Buffalo crashed, killing all 49 people on board.

The enhanced screenings were meant to deter terrorism, but fatalities on airlines in 2016 largely resulted from crashes, To70 reported.

Of the seven fatal accidents that occurred that year  on Somali, Nepalese, Emirati, Egyptian, Bolivian and Pakistani airlines  four were caused by bad weather or technical malfunction and one by a suicide bombing. Two are currently under investigation. None were bound for the United States.

Adrian Young, a consultant at To70, called last years rate a case of good fortune and noted that there is little statistical difference between two accidents and 10 accidents considering there are tens of millions of flights a year.

Harro Ranter, the chief executive of the Aviation Safety Network, said he was not surprised by last years lower numbers, given that the number of fatal accidents has consistently decreased over the past two decades.Palestinians has remained unconcerned following US President Donald Trumps plans to cut off aid to Palestinians for their intransigence not to engage in talks with Israel under the US auspices.

We will not be blackmailed, Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions! she added.

Ashrawis comments followed Trumps Tuesday threats to halt payment of $300 million to Palestinians making US financial assistance to Palestinian authority (PA) in Ramallah.

The US president on Tweeter wondered why the United States should continue allocating massive money if Palestinians refuse to sit with Israel for new peace initiatives.

But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, he wrote.

Why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

Palestinians have rejected any US-sponsored peace initiative arguing that the White House has lost credibility after President Trump December 6 declared Jerusalem capital of Israel.

The US decision which also announced the transfer of the American embassy to the old city distorted decades of US foreign policy in the region.

Trump said he had planned for Israel to pay in future negotiations for his declaration. He also added that Jerusalem will not be part of the talks and for that Israel would have had to pay more.

It is unclear what Palestinians will receive in return.

Trumps threats followed those of his UN permanent envoy, Nikki Haley who at the global body indicated that the US would cut its contributions to UNs Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) if Palestinians reject new US-brokered talks.

The Palestinians now have to show their will  they want to come to the table. As of now they are not coming to the table but they ask for aid. Were not giving the aid, she said.

The US contribution in 2016 was estimated at $368,429,712.WASHINGTON  An American service member was killed and four others were wounded after a skirmish on Monday in Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

The episode took place in Achin, near the Pakistan border, in an area where a number of ambushes and strikes have occurred in recent months. The Pentagon did not indicate whether the episode involved the Taliban or members of the Islamic State, but both groups have been active in the area.WASHINGTON  President Trump made his first Crooked Hillary Twitter post less than 48 hours into the new year on Tuesday, accusing a former Clinton aide of disregarding basic security protocols, and calling his own Justice Department a deep state.

Attacking Hillary Clinton, his former Democratic opponent from the 2016 presidential election, and taking aim at his own Justice Department struck familiar tones for the new year. Almost 14 months after the election, Mr. Trump has kept up a regular drumbeat of attacks on Mrs. Clinton. Last year, Mr. Trump also criticized the Justice Department and Attorney General Jeff Sessions for not pursuing investigations of his political opponents.

The Twitter post on Tuesday morning followed an article in The Daily Caller, a conservative publication that Mr. Trump closely monitors. The article said the aide, Huma Abedin, forwarded some government passwords to her private Yahoo email account in 2009, when Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state. Yahoo was hacked in 2013, which affected all three billion of its accounts. After the breach, the data was offered for sale by a hacking collective based in Eastern Europe. Mr. Trump also implored his administration to investigate Ms. Abedin.

The term deep state typically refers to a shadow government of agency officials who secretly plot to influence policy; they are usually associated with countries that have authoritarian elements that undercut democratically elected leaders.WASHINGTON  President Trump again raised the prospect of nuclear war with North Korea, boasting in strikingly playground terms on Tuesday night that he commands a much bigger and more powerful arsenal of devastating weapons than the outlier government in Asia.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times, Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

Mr. Trumps combative response to a statement made the day before by Mr. Kim raised the temperature in the brewing confrontation between the United States and North Korea even as American allies in South Korea were moving to open talks with Pyongyang. The contrast between Mr. Trumps language and the peace overture by South Korea highlighted the growing rift between two longtime allies.

The presidents tone also generated a mix of scorn and alarm among lawmakers, diplomats and national security experts who called it juvenile and frightening for a president handling a foreign policy challenge with world-wrecking consequences. The language was reminiscent of Mr. Trumps boast during the 2016 presidential campaign that his hands, and by extension his genitals, were in fact big enough.OTTAWA  Joshua Boyle, the Canadian man who was held hostage along with his American wife in Afghanistan for five years, has been arrested and faces 15 criminal charges, court records show.

The charges include sexual assault, forcible confinement, drugging and assault, and all involve events that happened after Mr. Boyle and his family returned to Canada in mid-October. Court documents show that Mr. Boyle was arrested on Monday.

Since being freed by Pakistani troops along with his wife, Caitlan Coleman Boyle, and their three children who were born in captivity, Mr. Boyle has described several gruesome episodes that he said occurred during their captivity. Among other things, he said that members of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network raped Ms. Coleman and killed their fourth child, an infant.

Ms. Coleman Boyle has said that the captors beat their eldest son.

It is still unclear why the couple took what many viewed as an exceedingly dangerous trip into an unstable region of Afghanistan during 2012.Now, its only a municipal boundary, he said. But the whole world gets used to it  that theres something else thats Al Quds. And very quickly, the perception would be that Al Quds is not Jerusalem. And then, to do the diplomatic move of severing it and handing it to the P.A. would be much easier.

And who wouldve been the ones who allowed that? Mr. Bennett added. The right wing. Theyd say, Youre the guys who legislated this.

Mr. Bennett was a co-sponsor of the bill that contained the language allowing the Jerusalem map to be redrawn, but he was responsible for a different part of it, which raised the threshold for ratifying any peace deal involving ceding parts of Jerusalem. It requires 80 votes out of 120 in the Knesset, a forbidding supermajority.

That part of the bill was enacted, prompting howls from the left and a broadside from the Palestinian Authority, whose top spokesman said Tuesday that it amounted to declaring war on the Palestinian people and their political and religious identity.

The measure on redrawing the Jerusalem city map, by contrast, would have affected only a few areas, like Kufr Aqab and the Shuafat refugee camp, that have been largely abandoned by the city because of concerns for the safety of its employees outside the security barrier. This has turned them into teeming boomtowns of illegal construction, where estimates say the population has soared to between 70,000 to 150,000 people.

Hagai Agmon-Snir, director of the nonpartisan Jerusalem Intercultural Center, said the possibility of excising those areas from the city had set off alarm bells across the political spectrum. Theres a consensus among all Jerusalem activists, right and left, that this is not a good idea, because its not stable, Mr. Agmon-Snir said.

Creating a new local governing body would take years, and in the meantime, the Jerusalem municipality will not invest a cent there, he said. Before any new local government could get up and running, he said, Kufr Aqab and Shuafat are sure to collapse.La Salle University, a private college in Philadelphia, is planning to auction dozens of works from its museum to raise millions of dollars for the university.

The schools plan, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, is to sell 46 works by artists like by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Georges Rouault, Thomas Eakins and Henri Matisse. The art is expected to raise as much as $7 million, or more, which would be used to to help fund teaching and learning initiatives in its new strategic plan, according to the Inquirer.

A respected institution, the La Salle University Art Museum opened in 1976 and owns a permanent display of paintings, drawings and sculptures from the Renaissance to the present.Another page contained a list of six weather station employees. Only one was female, Ranitskaya. (In Russian, a surname often reveals a persons gender.) Could that be Olga?

Ms. Eroshok wrote to the archives of 15 different secret police agencies, courts and other organizations in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, requesting information about one Olga Ranitskaya. The central archives wrote back that they had no information. Her quest was a typical example of how difficult it can be to verify information about the victims of Soviet brutality.

Frustrated, she wrote an article in Novaya Gazeta about her hunt, and clues trickled in. She got lucky.

In Israel, Inna A. Nogotovich, a Russian immigrant occasionally nostalgic for home culture, read the article by chance and got in touch with Ms Eroshok. Ms. Nogotovich was Ms. Ranitskayas niece, and she filled in many blanks.

Then Ms. Eroshok heard from an even more unexpected quarter. Vasily Khristoforov, then head of the notoriously secretive archives of the F.S.B., or Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the Soviet secret police, offered to help. He contacted several security agency archives, including one in Ukraine, and obtained the records of Ms. Ranitskayas interrogation after her arrest.

From this, Ms. Eroshok was able to piece the story together. Ms. Ranitskaya was a Ukrainian Jew born in Kiev in 1905 to two professionals. The family name was Rabinovich, which she eventually changed. Ending her education early, she married a Communist Party official and had a son, Sasha, in 1925. She divorced and married another party official.NAPLES, Italy  Pompeiis interior designers made the most of the earthquake.

After it hit in A.D. 62, they renovated wrecked villas with vibrantly colored narrative frescoes that were, it turns out, incredibly long-lived. The eruption of Vesuvius, the volcano many of them thought was a mountain, only 17 years later in A.D. 79, both sealed the citys choked inhabitants in a pumice-and-ash time capsule and preserved the wall paintings that scholars have come to identify as examples of the fourth Pompeian style.

Now, nearly 2,000 years later, some of that art is prominently displayed for the first time at Pompeii at Madre: Archaeological Material, a compelling new exhibition at the Madre contemporary art museum in Naples, just 15 miles north of the site.

The show, which runs through April, puts rarely seen ruins in contemporary confines, including site-specific galleries designed by Sol LeWitt, Mimmo Paladino, Jeff Koons and others, to create a mutual resuscitation. The contemporary sensibilities breathe new meaning into the ancient daybeds, carbonized bread loaves and reassembled terrazzo floors, but the antiquities  perpetually pregnant with the weight of Pompeian life and destruction  give resonance and depth to contemporary works that can veer toward the esoteric. On this two-way street, artifacts that could seem like mere archaeological detritus are revived by their contemporary context, but they also lose their more familiar antique qualities and are forced to fend for themselves.The five women described Mr. Roma as a charming and charismatic teacher who cultivated a streetwise persona and emphasized perseverance, sacrifice and dedication to craft. The women, as well as some former students who posted anonymously online about Mr. Romas teaching, said that he could be an unsparing critic, but also had the ability to instill confidence and inspire.

One of the women, Ash Thayer, a filmmaker and artist in Los Angeles, said she studied with Mr. Roma in the mid-1990s at S.V.A., then in the graduate program at Columbia, where she was also his teaching assistant. In 1999, Ms. Thayer said, she was working in Mr. Romas office at Columbia shortly after a mutual friend, the photographer Raghubir Singh, had died. Ms. Thayer said that she was sitting at a desk when Mr. Roma asked her to turn around. His penis was erect, she said, and he moved toward her. She repeatedly said no, but Mr. Roma placed his penis in her mouth before she pushed him away and left, Ms. Thayer said, estimating that the encounter lasted perhaps 30 seconds.

I froze, she said. He committed oral rape against me.

Allison Ward, a student at S.V.A. in the mid-1990s, said she had several sexual encounters with Mr. Roma. One occurred in a classroom, she said, recalling that she was mortified and embarrassed but went along with it. Ms. Ward said that she had wanted to please Mr. Roma and gain his acceptance, adding he was the first person in my life who had connected my passion for photography with a path forward. Mr. Roma did not force any contact, she said, but had been predatory and had crossed a line by seeking a sexual relationship.Along the way he was aided by moments of serendipity: In 2014 he served as a concert stand-in for two more established pianists, Helene Grimaud and Maurizio Pollini. Mr. Levit said that while he has always been serious about his playing, it was only in the last few years that he had found a certain kind of inner freedom as a musician.

At the same time, his politics  shaped in part by the experience of being a Jewish immigrant in a Germany with a newly ascendant right flank  were beginning to evolve. The euro crisis, Occupy Wall Street and the international conflict over migration all played a role.

The refugee crisis, he said, was a point of no return for me.

When Mr. Levit gave his North American debut recital at the Park Avenue Armory in 2014, Alex Poots, who was then its artistic director, was taken by his musicianship and thoughtfulness. He came up with the idea of pairing him with Ms. Abramovic  but first he had to get them together to see if they had chemistry.

They all went out to the Chiltern Firehouse, a chic London hotel, where the deal was sealed at a noisy, crowded bar after midnight, when Ms. Abramovic turned to Mr. Levit and asked him to play something on the piano.

I said, Marina, I cant play the piano here, everyones dancing, Mr. Levit recalled. But the owner silenced the D.J., and Mr. Levit played the final movement of Beethovens Hammerklavier Sonata.

Mr. Poots said that the room fell silent: From a noisy bar, full of party and life, you could not hear a pin drop.Despite international condemnation, Israel continues to flout international humanitarian law ordering African migrants, notably Sudanese and Eritreans, to leave the country by the end of March or face jail.

Rights groups estimate the number of African migrants/asylum seekers in Israel at 40,000.

The deportation or jail plan was announced in a statement by Israels interior minister, Arye Deri, and the public security minister, Gilad Erdan. They said the migrants would have two options only: voluntary deportation or sitting in prison.

The plan suggests that those who leave before the end of March will receive $3,500, along with airfare and other incentives.

Thousands of Africans entered Israel before it erected a fence along its border with Egypt. Many say they fled conflict and persecution and seek refugee status. Israel calls them infiltrators and says they are mostly economic migrants whose numbers threaten its Jewish character. A bomb cyclone battering the American South is forecast to hit the Eastern U.S., prolonging a stretch of bitter cold and record snow. [The New York Times]

 European travel was disrupted by a powerful storm that brought winds of up to 100 miles per hour, lightning and heavy rain, hail and flooding. [The New York Times]

 A U.S. court convicted a Turkish banker of taking part in a billion-dollar scheme to violate sanctions against Iran, a case that also cast suspicion on Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. [The New York Times]

 A U.S.-based firm said it is entering a possible search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370, and it expects to win a contract from Malaysia in coming days to resume the hunt. [ABC]

 Akita Inu dogs, once unseen outside Japan, are now more popular overseas than in their native country. Breeders credit a 2009 Hollywood film based on the story of the loyal dog immortalized by a statue near Tokyos Shibuya Station. [The Asahi Shimbun]

 One of Chinas richest tycoons, Richard Liu, asked the public to help trace his lineage. Social media users predicted the discovery of many unknown relatives. [South China Morning Post]

Smarter Living

Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life.

 If youre sick, stay away from work. If you cant, heres what to do.SHANGHAI  One new drug promises to stop cancer from spreading to other organs. Another would treat blood cancer. A third would use the bodys immune system to kill tumors.

All three show encouraging results, and need just one more step to be approved for use in the United States. The drugs have something else in common: They were created in China.

For years, Chinas drug industry concentrated on replicating Western medicines. Getting new drugs approved was a frustrating and time-consuming process. Companies thought plowing millions of dollars into research and development was risky and stuck to safer revenue streams.The lawsuit filed by Paul J. Manafort Jr., the former campaign chairman for President Trump, against the Justice Department, deputy attorney general Rod J. Rosenstein, and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is an effort to find a backdoor way to block the criminal charges filed against him last October.

The Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear, most recently in 2014 in Kaley v. United States, that defendants cannot attack a grand jury indictment by claiming that they are innocent. Thats what a trial is for, so once indicted the only alternative is to go to trial.

But thats a risky path, especially for Mr. Manafort who will face a jury from Washington, D.C., a venue that is not very hospitable to Republicans.

To avoid a trial, Mr. Manafort asked the court to stop the case because it is unrelated to any Russian interference with the 2016 election. The lawsuit claims that Mr. Mueller exceeded the limits of his appointment as special counsel, comparing the indictment to the discredited independent counsel law that led to drawn out investigations of President Bill Clinton and others in the 1990s.

Can it work? Federal judges have a strong aversion to interfering with prosecutors, routinely refusing to second guess decisions about who to prosecute and what to charge. So Mr. Manafort faces a tough road if he wants to find a means to block Mr. Mueller from dragging him into court.

Deciding whether one is guilty is usually left to the jury, not a judge saying who should and shouldnt be prosecuted.

 Peter J. Henning

Meet Meltdown and Spectre

Those are the names of two major security flaws found in the microprocessors inside nearly all of the worlds computers.The company said on Monday that it was a victim of the bribery scheme and had already recovered 1.475 billion Brazilian reais, or about $449 million, in restitution. Petrobras said it would continue to pursue all available legal remedies from culpable companies and individuals.

The agreement is in the companys best interest and that of its shareholders, given the risks of a verdict advised by a jury, particularities of U.S. procedure and securities laws, as well its assessment of the status of the class action and the nature of such litigation in the United States, Petrobras said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday.

The company said that it would pay the settlement in three installments, but would recognize the total settlement as part of its fourth-quarter 2017 results. It said that the settlement did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or misconduct and that it expressly denies liability in the agreement.

The deal would resolve all pending and prospective claims by purchasers of Petrobras securities in the United States and by purchasers of Petrobras securities that are listed for trading in the United States, the company said. The settlement still has to be approved by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

In a statement, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit said it was very pleased with this historic settlement.Homeowners, businesses and utilities across much of the United States were keeping a close watch on fuel supplies Wednesday as a record-setting cold snap caused demand for heating oil and natural gas to soar.

With heating units in homes and commercial buildings running furiously to fend off the deep freeze, power companies warned of possible fuel shortages to come. Many utilities turned to coal and oil to generate electricity as the price of natural gas, their usual fuel of choice, surged.

The sustained cold is requiring round-the-clock usage of some of these oil-fired generators, and some are already running short on fuel, said Marcia Blomberg, a spokeswoman for ISO New England, which operates a regional grid and wholesale power markets.Spotify is finally ready to go public.

The streaming music giant filed a confidential registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission in late December, with the intention of listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in the first quarter of this year, according to two people briefed on the companys plans who were not authorized to discuss them.

As expected, Spotify will pursue a direct listing of its shares, an unusual process in which no new stock is issued  and therefore no money is raised  but existing investors and insiders can trade their shares on the open market. Such a listing would bypass much of the bureaucracy of a standard initial public offering, saving the company time and potentially millions in underwriting fees.

The move, if it goes forward as planned, would be the most prominent music-related listing since Pandora Medias initial public offering in 2011, and would recognize Spotify, which began its service 10 years ago, as a transformative force in the music industry. After some 15 years of decline, revenues of recorded music sales began to recover in 2015, largely thanks to streaming.

Spotifys registration was previously reported by Axios.

A Spotify spokesman declined to comment.

When it last raised money from investors, in 2015, Spotify was valued at $8.5 billion. Its current valuation is not clear. According to reports, it has been valued at as much as $19 billion, based on private transactions.Many contemporary designers do research for current collections at Sparc. Professional costume designers as well rely on the documents in the library to accurately depict moments in history, among them Catherine Martin, who designed the Oscar-winning costumes for the The Great Gatsby (2013), featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan.

Historians and university administrators interested in the institutions past also can be found burrowing in Sparcs 240 linear feet of institutional archives. There are books and periodicals, oral histories and designer scrapbooks, including 10,000 rare books from around the world and a collection of 375 unique manuscript collections.

The renovation effort was led by Karen Trivette, the archivist and special collections librarian. When she accepted the job nearly a decade ago, Ms. Trivette knew the renovation was on the horizon, but didnt fully grasp what was ahead.

I reached out to colleagues that I knew had been through renovations because I had never in my professional career been through such a renovation, and it was a very scary proposition, she said.

For inspiration, Ms. Trivette visited the Morgan Library & Museum, the Frances Mulhall Achilles Library at the Whitney Museum of American Art (particularly to see its new storage spaces), the Museum of Modern Art Library, Museum of the City of New York and the Brooklyn Museum of Art Library.

I was like Indiana Jones, she said. All over the map. And finding untold treasures.As far as Emily Cochrane is concerned, there is no Joe Biden. For Ms. Cochrane, per Times style, there is only Joseph R. Biden Jr. Ditto Michael T. Flynn, Eric H. Holder Jr., Roy S. Moore, Robert S. Mueller III, Christopher A. Wray, Michael E. Horowitz, and Donald J. Trump. The comedian Gilbert Gottfried had an old bit where hed wander into the land of the three-name people, then escape to the land of the one-named people, before finally finding himself in the land of the people with initials in their names. Ms. Cochrane would have felt right at home. The New York Times has a very specific style in terms of people who use middle initials, she said.

Middle initials are just the beginning. As the Washington bureaus fact-checker, Ms. Cochrane reads stories generated among the 50 reporters based there; as they and editors cobble pieces together, she looks over their shoulders to confirm names, dates, quotes and other factual points across the dozen or more articles the bureau publishes each day.

Fact-checkers, as the name implies, validate the information in stories written by colleagues. Their duties can include re-crunching arithmetic in search of errant decimals, verifying the spelling of names and ensuring Republican politicians are not called Democrats, or vice versa (a grievous error in these partisan times). Although common at magazines, where there is generally more time to review a story, in the fast-paced world of newspapers fact-checkers are so rare as to be virtually nonexistent. Peter Baker, The Timess chief White House correspondent, said that he had never before in his 30-year career come across a full-time newspaper fact-checker. (He added that copy editors do often catch mistakes.)

Reporters, both at The Times and elsewhere, are expected to check their own work. Stories already go through two very distinct, strong layers of editing, said Thom Shanker, the assistant Washington editor. In this environment, where everything we do is being scrutinized so carefully, Mr. Shanker said, the addition of a fact-checker constituted one more layer of safety for us.So much has been made of Trumps affinity and respect for Putin. What do you think Putin thinks of Trump? I think that he feels disappointed. Putin really assumed that once Trump  who had such clear admiration for him  was elected, it would be convenient for Trump to change the relationship with Russia profoundly and instantly. On a larger scale, I think that its very difficult for Putin to deal with an unpredictable interlocutor, because he has always been the madman on the international stage. Weirdly, I think it would have been easier for Putin to deal with Hillary Clinton, who would have been tough but very consistent.

In your essay Autocracy: Rules for Survival, your third rule was that institutions will not save you. What do you make of United States institutions in the last year? A lot of what we think of as democratic institutions are informal ones, like the White House press briefing. There is no law that guarantees press access to the White House. Communication was lessening during the Obama years. There was every reason to suspect that Trump was going to create an adversarial relationship and that people were going to be faced with the impossible dilemma between sort-of-complicity and access.

At the same time, theres a strong pushback to that: It feels like a big news story drops every weekend. The question is how sustained and effective this pushback can be over the course of four or eight years. Institutions function in relationship to one another, so when you have an institution that is being destroyed, the system begins to tear. A great example of that is the travel ban  the reason the judiciary was able to act so quickly was that civil society, which is also an institution, had sprung into action. The whole democracy depends on its existence. Were seeing civil society fatigue with the different iterations of the travel ban, which is basically the exact same travel ban all over again, and thats what Im really worried about. Gradually, the fatigue is starting to stick.Of the many small humiliations heaped on a young oncologist in his final year of fellowship, perhaps this one carried the oddest bite: A 2-year-old black-and-white cat named Oscar was apparently better than most doctors at predicting when a terminally ill patient was about to die. The story appeared, astonishingly, in The New England Journal of Medicine in the summer of 2007. Adopted as a kitten by the medical staff, Oscar reigned over one floor of the Steere House nursing home in Rhode Island. When the cat would sniff the air, crane his neck and curl up next to a man or woman, it was a sure sign of impending demise. The doctors would call the families to come in for their last visit. Over the course of several years, the cat had curled up next to 50 patients. Every one of them died shortly thereafter.

No one knows how the cat acquired his formidable death-sniffing skills. Perhaps Oscars nose learned to detect some unique whiff of death  chemicals released by dying cells, say. Perhaps there were other inscrutable signs. I didnt quite believe it at first, but Oscars acumen was corroborated by other physicians who witnessed the prophetic cat in action. As the author of the article wrote: No one dies on the third floor unless Oscar pays a visit and stays awhile.

The story carried a particular resonance for me that summer, for I had been treating S., a 32-year-old plumber with esophageal cancer. He had responded well to chemotherapy and radiation, and we had surgically resected his esophagus, leaving no detectable trace of malignancy in his body. One afternoon, a few weeks after his treatment had been completed, I cautiously broached the topic of end-of-life care. We were going for a cure, of course, I told S., but there was always the small possibility of a relapse. He had a young wife and two children, and a mother who had brought him weekly to the chemo suite. Perhaps, I suggested, he might have a frank conversation with his family about his goals?

But S. demurred. He was regaining strength week by week. The conversation was bound to be a bummah, as he put it in his distinct Boston accent. His spirits were up. The cancer was out. Why rain on his celebration? I agreed reluctantly; it was unlikely that the cancer would return.Zambias Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has resigned from his position he has cherished and held for over 4 years in the Southern African nation.

Announcing his resignation in a statement shared on his Facebook page, Kalaba denounced the rising tide of corruption in Zambia.

Kalaba said his conscious could not allow him to continue serving as Foreign Affairs Minister in the PF government and watch those expected to end corruption in the forefront of looting public resources.

In his words, he has taken his decision to resign as Foreign Affairs Minister with a heavy heart but quite succinctly with a clear and resolved mind.

Kalaba who is seen as a potential PF candidate in a 2021 presidential election said he will remain a Member of Parliament of the ruling party.

According to the latest Africa Investment Index of 2017, Zambia has been placed at number five most favoured country of investment by Quantum Globals independent research arm, beating even Africas second largest economy, South Africa.

On the latest the report provided by Transparency International, Zambia, is the average performing country in terms of corruption rankings. While its last ranking was position 87, its previous ranking was position 76. Its highest ranking is position 123 while its lowest ranking is position 52.

Kalabas resignation comes as a struggle in the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) over President Edgar Lungus ambitions to run for another term in office intensifies. President Edgar Lungu was elected for a five-year term last year.Fred Bass, who transformed his fathers small used-book store, the Strand, into a mammoth Manhattan emporium with the slogan 18 Miles of Books, died on Wednesday at his home in Manhattan. He was 89.

The cause was congestive heart failure, said Leigh Altshuler, the Strands director of communications.

Mr. Bass was 13 when he began working at the Strand, founded by his father, Benjamin. At the time, it was one of nearly 50 such stores along Fourth Avenue.

Except for two years in the Army, he never left, until retiring in November 2017.

A year after taking over as manager of the store in 1956, he moved it from Fourth Avenue to its present location, on Broadway at 12th Street, where it occupied half the ground floor of what had been a clothing business. He set the Strand on a path of unstoppable expansion, taking over the entire first floor, then, in the 1970s, the top three floors, and adding an antiquarian department.Thomas S. Monson, who as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2008 enlarged the ranks of female missionaries, but rebuffed demands to ordain women as priests and refused to alter church opposition to same-sex marriage, died on Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City. He was 90.

His death was announced on the churchs website.

Facing vociferous demands to recognize same-sex marriage, and weathering demonstrations at church headquarters by Mormon women pleading for the right to be ordained as priests, Mr. Monson did not bend. Teachings holding homosexuality to be immoral, bans on sexual intercourse outside male-female marriages, and an all-male priesthood would remain unaltered.

Mr. Monson displayed a new openness to scholars of Mormonism, however, allowing them remarkable access to church records. But as rising numbers of church members and critics joined the internets free-for-all culture of debate and expose, his church was confronted with troubling inconsistencies in Mormon history and Scripture. The church even found itself at odds with an old ally, the Boy Scouts of America, which admitted gay members and gay adults as scout leaders.

On Mr. Monsons watch, the church enlarged its global missionary force to 69,200 from 52,000 and, in what students of church affairs called a major achievement, doubled the number of young women in its missionary ranks, to 18,400, by lowering the minimum age for service, starting in 2012, to 18 from 19 for men and to 19 from 21 for women.This article is part of the Opinion Today newsletter. You can sign up here to receive the newsletter each weekday.

The reason for the plummeting of crime over the past three decades remains mostly a mystery. The national murder rate, for example, is about half what it was in 1990, and most of the theories explaining the decline are somewhere between incomplete and unpersuasive.

One of those theories has long been known as broken windows  the idea that by cracking down on minor forms of disorder, the police prevent worse behavior.

Over the last several years, New York City has conducted a natural experiment on a central tactic of the broken-windows strategy: stop-and-frisk. In 2011, New Yorks police department conducted more than 685,000 stop-and-frisks  or nearly 2,000 a day  of people whom officers deemed suspicious. But the combination of a court order and the election of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who campaigned against the practice in 2013, have largely ended it.Like most prominent Republicans at the time, Romney no doubt assumed that the fever swamp stuff didnt need to be attacked, that it would evaporate once the G.O.P. won back the White House. But instead the fever swamp stuff helped hand the G.O.P. to Trump himself, and the birthers grip-and-grin with an uncomfortable Romney was a small but notable milestone on that path.

The larger, indirect role that Romney played in Trumps ascent was in the way he ran and lost in 2012. There were times when the Man From Bain Capital seemed to have some sense of the populist discontents that Trump successfully played upon four years later. Romneys rhetoric on China and immigration was a more restrained version of Trumps nationalist pitch, and here and there he tried to imitate Franklin Roosevelts promise, updated crudely by Trump, to be a traitor to his successful class.

But not nearly often enough. Instead, the defining pitch of the Romney campaign was the tone-deaf you built that, which valorized entrepreneurs and ignored ordinary workers; the defining policy blueprint was a tax reform proposal that offered little or nothing to the middle class; and the defining gaffe was the famous 47 percent line, in which Romney succumbed, before an audience of Richie Riches, to the Ayn Randian temptation to write off struggling Americans as losers.

As a result, whether in his fathers Michigan, in his running mates Wisconsin, or in Pennsylvania where he campaigned hopefully near the end, downscale white voters who could have gone Republican either voted for Obama or stayed home. And in that failure lay the opportunity that Trump intuited  for a Republican candidate who would rhetorically reject and even run against the kind of corporation-first conservatism that Romney seemed to embody and embrace.It is inconceivable, in light of the Americans With Disabilities Act, that our subways have not been required to provide these amenities, which are essential for so many people.

How many times have you located the rare platform escalator and found the dreaded orange traffic cone in front of it, indicating that it is, once again, out of order?

We should be ashamed to subject our citizens and visitors to such conditions. I recently visited Paris and was blown away by the improvements in its subway amenities. There are many more escalators (no traffic cones in sight!) and moving sidewalks! We can certainly do as well or better.

IRENE BERNSTEIN-PECHMEZE

WHITESTONE, QUEENS

To the Editor:

While many of the ideas put forth by transit experts sound great, the rush to automated self-driving trains is not realistic or safe for New York City. Neither is the idea of permanently shutting down service at night. How many of these experts consistently ride the trains? Ignorance is not bliss in this situation.

The main focus should be on modernizing the signals, properly maintaining subway cars and rehabilitating stations. Over the years, the MetroCard has done well by the M.T.A. Amid all the chaos plaguing the system, is now the time to replace it? Wouldnt that money be better spent modernizing signals?When Orrin Hatchs career in the United States Senate ends on Jan. 3, 2019, it will have spanned an audacious 42 years, or seven full terms. Assuming he completes his final term, Mr. Hatch will become the sixth-longest-serving senator ever.

His service truly has been epochal. Unfortunately, the epoch has not been a happy one. Mr. Hatchs career reflects the sad trajectory of our times, from a Congress where legislators had differences but actually tried to legislate, to one in which legislators  especially Republicans, terrified of facing a well-financed primary from the right  do nothing of the sort.

Mr. Hatch was elected in 1976 in one of the most improbable Senate victories, still, in recent American history. He was a Mormon, but a Pittsburgher; he had moved to Salt Lake City only in 1969 (though he had earlier done his undergraduate work at Brigham Young University, in Provo). He had no political experience and few political contacts when, the day before the deadline, this complete unknown filed his papers of candidacy for the mighty United States Senate.

The incumbent was  and how strange does this sound today?  a Utah Democrat. Frank Moss had won the seat freakishly in 1958, when the Republicans split and ran two candidates. But hed gotten himself re-elected twice and was a key leader on consumer issues. In 1976, Utah was still a centrist enough state that Moss had reason to think hed win a fourth term.Singapore  In high school, my friends and I spent many afternoons discussing how our lives would change once we went to college. Lounging around coffee shops or our parents apartments, wed fantasize aloud about prospective friends, future boyfriends and the careers we hoped to have after graduation.

We all saw our lives as single-handedly within our control, but one of my friends was more eager than the rest of us to make a total transformation. She said she wanted to be someone entirely new in college and do everything she couldnt do back home in Singapore, our large city that was somehow made small by our tight-knit Indian community. Among our families, everyone always seemed to know everything about everybody.

At the time, her desire to reinvent herself upset me. I felt like she was proposing a drastic and strikingly unnatural step. It seemed inauthentic, like a rejection of her true self.

Now I think about how funny that seems. Im only halfway through my first year at Durham University, in northeast England, and already I see that we are shaped by the new spaces we inhabit, whether we plan on changing or not. College is entirely about reinvention, and its not always in our control.To the Editor:

Re Trumps North Korea Retort: My Nuclear Button Is Bigger Than Yours (news article, Jan. 3):

A president who threatens nuclear war with a madman is a madman himself. Its childish, its dangerous and its unconscionable.

Add to that his provocative comments toward Pakistan (Trump Threat to Curtail Aid Is Dismissed by Pakistan, news article, Jan. 3), which are sure to increase, not decrease, the number of extremists coming out of that country. The ignorance of this administration is unfathomable.

TOM GOODMAN, CHICAGOOn todays episode:

 David E. Sanger, a New York Times correspondent who has covered North Koreas missile program for decades.

 Jonathan Martin, a national correspondent.

Background reading:

 An analysis by Choe Sang-hun and Mr. Sanger on Kim Jong-uns call for dialogue with South Korea.

 Mr. Martins article on the retirement of Senator Orrin Hatch.

Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at thedaily@nytimes.com. Tweet me at @mikiebarb. And if youre interested in advertising with The Daily, write to us at thedaily-ads@nytimes.com.

How do I listen?

If you dont see an audio player on this page or to subscribe to The Daily for free, follow the instructions below.

From your mobile device:

You can listen and subscribe to The Daily from any podcast player. If youre reading this from an iPhone or other Apple mobile device, tap this link to listen in Apple Podcasts. If youre on an Android device, tap this link to listen in Stitcher or this link to listen in RadioPublic.The girl was just six weeks old when she died. Her body was buried on a bed of antler points and red ocher, and she lay undisturbed for 11,500 years.

Archaeologists discovered her in an ancient burial pit in Alaska in 2010, and on Wednesday an international team of scientists reported they had retrieved the childs genome from her remains. The second-oldest human genome ever found in North America, it sheds new light on how people  among them the ancestors of living Native Americans  first arrived in the Western Hemisphere.

The analysis, published in the journal Nature, shows that the child belonged to a hitherto unknown human lineage, a group that split off from other Native Americans just after  or perhaps just before  they arrived in North America.

Its the earliest branch in the Americas that we know of so far, said Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen, a co-author of the new study. As far as he and other scientists can tell, these early settlers endured for thousands of years before disappearing.Agile Spirit Drills Will Include Naval Exercises

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze

Georgias Defence Minister Levan Izoria has met American General, head of the US Marine Corps Robert Neller, where the two said the Agile Spirit multinational exercises in Georgia may also cover naval drills.During the meeting in Tbilisi yesterday Izoria highlighted the importance of the US support to Georgia and stated the US Marine Corps played a key role in training Georgian soldiers for the NATO peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.The officials spoke about the importance of joint military trainings. It was said that the Agile Spirit multinational drills held in Georgia may also involve naval exercises.The Agile Spirit drills were first held in a bilateral format between the Georgian Armed Forces and US military in 2011.This year, the exercise has involved service members from Georgia, the United States (US), Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine and Armenia.Led by the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) and US Marine Corps, the Agile Spirit drills aim to train and improve interoperability among participants, to support regional security and improve operational skills.The drills are much disliked by Russian authorities, who claim the exercise creates threats to the regional stability.Fridays announcement explained:

Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.

Questioned about the president in a Wired interview last year, Jack Dorsey, the companys chief executive, said that all users would be held to the same standard. But he pointed out that Twitters policies made an exception for newsworthiness, a factor that must be considered in regard to any and all of the presidents tweets.

I think its really important that we maintain open channels to our leaders, whether we like what theyre saying or not, he said.

Has a Trump tweet raised these questions in the past?

Yes, including on Sept. 23, when another threat toward North Korea led to a similar outcry.

Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N., Mr. Trump tweeted. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they wont be around much longer!

Twitter declined to take the tweet down.

We hold all accounts to the same Rules, and consider a number of factors when assessing whether Tweets violate our Rules. Among the considerations is newsworthiness and whether a Tweet is of public interest, the company said. This has long been internal policy and well soon update our public-facing rules to reflect it. We need to do better on this, and will.

Does Twitter treat the president differently from other users?

Twitter bans what it calls abusive behavior, or behavior that harasses, intimidates or uses fear to silence another users voice. For example, the writer Milo Yiannopoulos was barred in 2016 amid coordinated harassment of the comedian Leslie Jones.

But there are caveats, including the above passage, in the rules about tweets that are deemed in the legitimate public interest.A powerful winter storm dealt a chilly blow to the Southeastern United States on Wednesday as Floridians marveled at the rare sight of snow and officials warned of icy roads and dangerously low temperatures. All the while, residents of the Northeast prepared for windy, whiteout conditions and potential power losses.

The storm, referred to by some meteorologists as a bomb cyclone for its sudden drop in atmospheric pressure, prompted flight cancellations up and down the East Coast and forced dozens of school districts to cancel or delay classes along the path of the storm, including New York City schools. It was expected to bring more headaches to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast overnight when New York City was forecast to receive five to eight inches of snowfall and up to 10 inches in Queens and Nassau Counties.

The National Weather Service said blizzard warnings would take effect along the Virginia coast Wednesday, with travel very dangerous to impossible in the highly populated Hampton Roads region, which they said could receive up to 12 inches of snow in places. Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia declared a state of emergency. Blizzard conditions were expected to begin on Thursday in parts of Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to forecasters.

Weve got plenty of bags of rock salt, said Vic Kintanar, the manager of Watermans Surfside Grille, a restaurant by Virginia Beachs boardwalk, hours before the storm hit. Workers had already closed off patio sections and were preparing for a smaller-than-usual crowd on Thursday.WASHINGTON  Democrats counted their New Years blessings on Wednesday as two new senators  Doug Jones of Alabama and Tina Smith of Minnesota  joined their caucus, reshaping the balance of power in the Senate after a history-laden swearing-in ceremony attended by three current and former vice presidents.

The arrival of Mr. Jones, who replaced a Republican (Ms. Smith replaced a Democrat) alters the makeup of the Senate, giving Republicans a one-vote majority of 51 to 49. That could prove just enough to thwart much of President Trumps legislative agenda.

It also provided the first tangible boost to Democratic power in Washington since the crushing and unexpected defeats of Election Day 2016, which many Democrats had believed would usher in a new Democratic president and a Democratic Senate.

This is a miracle  to have a Democratic senator from Alabama! Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said after mingling at a reception for Mr. Jones.WASHINGTON  President Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, sued the special counsel on Wednesday and asked a federal court to narrow his authority, escalating Republican efforts to discredit an investigation that has stretched longer than the White House expected.

The unusual move comes as Mr. Trump tries to portray the investigation as a politically motivated witch hunt that has cast a dark cloud over his administration and, in his view, the country.

The president said last week that he hoped the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, would treat him fairly. Mr. Trumps lawyers have advised against directly criticizing Mr. Mueller, a Republican former F.B.I. director who is regarded as one of the premier law enforcement officials of his time. But with four former Trump campaign aides facing charges and no end to the investigation in sight, some of Mr. Trumps allies have stepped up their attacks.

Mr. Manaforts lawsuit gives voice to one of the common grievances Mr. Trumps supporters have with Mr. Mueller: None of the charges he has brought answer the central question of his inquiry. Mr. Mueller is investigating the Russian governments meddling in the 2016 presidential election and whether anyone close to Mr. Trump was involved.Assuming it lasts  and with Mr. Trump, nothing is ever certain  the schism could test whether he or Mr. Bannon has more resonance with the conservative base that has sustained the president through a tumultuous tenure marked by low poll numbers. Mr. Bannons Breitbart News has been a key weapon in Mr. Trumps hostile takeover of the Republican Party.

Cheering the breakup on Wednesday were establishment Republicans who resent Mr. Bannons bomb-throwing style and his vows to wage war on incumbent lawmakers in the party primaries this year. Senate Republicans could barely contain their glee as they redistributed Mr. Trumps statement blasting Mr. Bannon with the note in case you missed it and a smiling face symbol. By afternoon, candidates whom Mr. Bannon has endorsed in a handful of races faced pressure to disavow his remarks about the presidents son.

At the White House on Wednesday morning, aides who had kept a watchful eye on Mr. Bannons efforts to make himself a kingmaker saw an opening to finally rid themselves of him. They encouraged the president to hit back publicly, and Mr. Trump went through at least three drafts of a statement with his communications director, Hope Hicks, and other aides before sending out a final version unlike any issued by a president against a top adviser in modern times.

Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was, Mr. Trump said in the statement. It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books.

A private lawyer representing Mr. Trump sent Mr. Bannon a letter on Wednesday directing him to cease and desist making derogatory comments about the president and his family and threatening a defamation lawsuit. Legal action is imminent, said the letter, first reported by ABC News and confirmed by a person close to the president.Any delay would have consequences not only for the immigrants covered by the program, but also for the businesses who employ them, the letter said.

It was up to Congress to determine whether to pass legislation that would extend those protections that would allow them to continue contributing to the only nation they have known, the former secretaries said.

Not only is there no reason to delay, but establishing this new program in 45 days would be an incredible accomplishment done in record time, the letter continued.

Aides to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate declined to comment.

The meeting with congressional leaders on Wednesday is intended to focus on a deal to raise strict limits on military and domestic spending, but all parties expect DACA to come up.

Mr. Trump, pushed by his more anti-immigration advisers, kept a campaign pledge to rescind DACA, despite privately expressing misgivings to aides about doing so. Democratic congressional leaders, who were criticized by activists before the holiday recess for not getting legislation passed, have said they hope to reach a deal, and Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, has said if there is bipartisan agreement on such a deal, he will bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.

Publicly, the president has insisted on funding for his promised wall along the southern border with Mexico, as well as other security measures, as part of a deal. Some of Mr. Trumps advisers say they anticipate him signing off on a deal, regardless of concerns among conservative members of congress and certain West Wing aides. John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, is said to favor a deal as well, although he is not expected to attend the meeting on Wednesday.WASHINGTON  President Trump kicked off the new year with more than a dozen Twitter posts castigating his enemies and political foes and complimenting himself.

Seventeen times on his first work day of the new year in Washington, the president thumbed his thumbs at convention. The objects of his attention had a vast and seemingly disconnected range, from taunting Kim Jong-un about his nuclear prowess to flaunting his own successes. But there was more. He made an only-in-the-Trump-era kind of news by announcing a reality-style creation unique in presidential history: awards for the most dishonest & corrupt media.

He also threw in a couple of posts that were utterly bland in comparison, good wishes to Senator Orrin G. Hatch, the Republican from Utah who announced his retirement, and a pledge of support for the nations veterans. He also showed a fixated consistency by again railing against crooked Hillary Clinton and her aide, Huma Abedin.Virginias on-again, off-again drawing to break a tie in a state House race is back on, with the winners name to be ceremoniously plucked from a bowl on Thursday in Richmond.

But the drawing, the latest chapter in an election melodrama that has drawn wide attention, may fail to bring finality, since the loser can request a recount  which would be the second recount of the original vote.

At 11 a.m. in a building named for Patrick Henry, adjacent to the State Capitol, Virginias Board of Elections plans to chose the winner of House District 94 by lot, as state law specifies. The proceedings will be live-streamed. The only thing that might intervene is a winter storm headed for the Mid-Atlantic states, James Alcorn, the chairman of the elections board, said on Twitter.NAIROBI, Kenya  The prime minister of Ethiopia on Wednesday announced that the government would close a notorious detention center and release some prisoners across the country, including some members of political parties.

The announcement was hailed by human rights groups as an amnesty for the countrys political prisoners, who are estimated to number in the thousands, even though Hailemariam Desalegn, the prime minister, did not explicitly mention political prisoners in his address.

Some wondered exactly whom the prime minister intended to release.

It was absolutely not clear what the prime minister was saying, said Yacob Hailemariam, a lawyer in Addis Ababa, the capital. The whole thing is filled with vague statements and vague promises. He was very equivocal, and we will have to wait to see what he really meant.

The government of Ethiopia  Africas second most populous country and an important United States ally in the fight against terrorism  has never acknowledged that it holds political prisoners, which would violate the countrys Constitution.LIMA, Peru  Perus government on Wednesday banned buses from a notorious stretch of road where an intercity bus plunged off a cliff and onto a beach on Tuesday, killing 51 passengers in the deadliest traffic accident in Peru since 2013.

Even as emergency workers continued on Wednesday to retrieve bodies from the bus in Pasamayo, anger mounted over the governments failure to find an alternative to a road so dangerous that for decades it has been called the Devils Curve.

The road  a section of seaside highway 40 miles north of Lima, the capital  is often so foggy that drivers cannot see the vehicles in front of them. For 14 miles, it curves 52 times atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In many parts, there is no safety rail.

The accident on Tuesday morning was not the first time the stretch of road has been the scene of fatalities, and two more people died there, in a separate accident, just hours later. Since 1990, at least 20 traffic accidents have occurred there, many of them involving the loss of life.SIDANGKOU, China  By day, the factory workers pound sheets of brass into cylinders and slather metal buttons with glue. By night, they take their creations to the street and begin to play.

The soothing melodies flow through cornfields, street markets and public squares. They interweave with the shouts of street vendors hawking tofu and men playing mah-jongg.

This is the music of Sidangkou, a northern Chinese village of 4,000, where one sound rules above all else: the saxophone.

Farmers take the instrument into fields to belt out patriotic tunes against the sunset. Children play in all-saxophone bands at school. Shopkeepers set their ringtones to the wistful songs of Kenny G.MUMBAI, India  Mumbai, Indias bustling commercial hub, came to a standstill on Wednesday as protesters called for a general strike and thousands took to the streets.

The catalyst for the strike was violence against members of the lower-caste Dalits, or so-called untouchables, that occurred when several hundred thousand gathered on New Years Day at a monument southeast of Mumbai to commemorate the victory 200 years ago of a British-led force against high-caste Hindus.

But as marchers blocked train tracks and highways, they also expressed deeper frustrations with both of Indias major political parties, which they accuse of failing to improve the lot of the hundreds of millions of Indians who have traditionally been stuck at the bottom of the countrys economic and social hierarchy.

We are here to demand justice, said Jitender Nikalje, a Dalit protester.

On Wednesday, both houses of Parliament were repeatedly adjourned in response to the protests. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition Congress party, wrote on Twitter that the attacks by far-right Hindus were part of a fascist vision by Indias governing Bharatiya Janata Party, or B.J.P., which has ties to Hindu nationalist groups, to keep Dalits at the bottom of Indian society.SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea reopened a border hotline with South Korea on Wednesday, restoring a channel of direct dialogue and signaling a possible thaw in relations between the two Koreas after years of hair-trigger tensions.

The return of the telephone hotline at the village of Panmunjom, which straddles the Demilitarized Zone, the worlds most heavily guarded border, came two days after North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, made a rare overture to the South.

In his New Years Day speech, Mr. Kim continued his nuclear threat against Washington, saying he had a nuclear button ready to launch a weapon against any target in the United States. But he also proposed negotiations with South Korea to discuss easing military tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula and his countrys possible participation in the Winter Olympics, which are being held in the South Korean town of Pyeongchang next month.

The fast-moving political developments have given new hope for a warming of ties between the two longstanding enemies.REYKJAVIK, Iceland  Iceland this week began putting in place a new law that requires companies and government agencies to prove they are paying men and women equally, positioning the country at the forefront of global efforts to minimize gender inequality.

The Equal Pay Standard, which was part of broader legislation that was proposed last March and passed in June, took effect on Monday. It says that companies with 25 full-time employees or more must analyze their salary structures every three years to ensure that men and women are being paid the same amount for doing the same jobs. Then they must report back to the government for certification or face penalties that include fines.

While Iceland has had equal pay laws in place since 1961, the new standard is seen as the first time that the small and prosperous nation of about 340,000 has put in place specific steps to try to force companies to eliminate pay gaps.

Of course it has always been illegal to unequally pay men and women, Frida Ros Valdimarsdottir, the chairwoman of the Icelandic Womens Rights Association, said in an interview on Wednesday. But this is a legally binding tool kit.LONDON  The winter storm Eleanor tore through Europe on Wednesday with winds of up to 100 miles per hour, bringing lightning and heavy rain, battering houses with hail, flooding streets and uprooting trees.

The storm  named Burglind in Austria, Germany and Switzerland  arrived in tandem with a cold front, hitting Ireland before passing through Britain and on to Continent. Travelers were delayed, and adverse weather was expected to be felt as far north as the Baltics and as far south as Italy.

Weather warnings were the order of the day, with forecasts of violent winds, mostly in coastal areas. Workers raced to restore power to thousands of homes, and to clear highways and train tracks of trees and overturned vehicles.Mr. Atilla, the deputy general manager for international banking at Halkbank, a Turkish state bank, was the only defendant to be tried. A co-defendant, Reza Zarrab, a wealthy gold trader, pleaded guilty shortly before the trial began and became the star prosecution witness. The seven other defendants are still at large.

Mr. Atilla, 47, was described by prosecutors as a fixer who helped Iran circumvent the sanctions and gain access to billions of dollars of restricted petrodollar funds that were being held at the bank.

In testimony over seven days, Mr. Zarrab described an illicit operation that relied on false documents and front companies. He also described support from the highest levels of the Turkish government, as well as from Iranian officials and Halkbank, an institution that prosecutors said was critical to the schemes success.

Mr. Zarrab testified that in 2012, Mr. Erdogan, then Turkeys prime minister, ordered that two Turkish banks be allowed to participate in the sanctions evasion scheme. He also told the jury that he had paid tens of millions of dollars in bribes to Zafer Caglayan, then Turkeys economy minister, and additional bribes to Suleyman Aslan, the general manager of Halkbank, for help in facilitating the operation. Mr. Caglayan and Mr. Aslan are among the defendants still at large in the case.

Mr. Zarrab, 34, testified that he had made as much as $150 million from the scheme.

Prosecutors portrayed Mr. Atilla as a sanctions expert who designed the complex scheme and then lied to United States Treasury Department officials about it. He lied again, they argued, when he testified in his own defense at the trial.In November, the chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced an additional 350 million pounds, or $475 million, for the National Health Service in England, describing it as an exceptional measure to ease pressures on services during the winter. He said an additional 1.6 billion would be provided for 2018-19.

But that fell far short of the 4 billion in additional funding that Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the service in England, requested last year, warning that services would come under unprecedented pressure during the winter.

The N.H.S. waiting list will grow to five million people by 2021, Mr. Stevens said in an impassioned speech to health care leaders in November. That is one million more people, equivalent to one in 10 of us, the highest number ever.

Whats more, he said, after seven years of understandable but unprecedented constraint on the current budget, the N.H.S. can no longer do everything that is being asked of it.

Over the past week, hospitals have increasingly declared black alerts, an admission that they are unable to cope with demand, the health service confirmed, without releasing numbers. Most hospitals have been unable to meet emergency-ward targets of seeing patients within four hours because of a shortage of beds and staff.The statement appeared to contradict his own assurances, and those of other American officials, that the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty within Jerusalem were still up for discussion.

He also said that the Israelis would have had to pay more for the recognition of their capital, suggesting that the country would have had to reciprocate with significant concessions to the Palestinians.

The relationship between Israel and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency is complicated. Israel has accused the agency of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee problem, while at the same time valuing the education, health care and food assistance it provides to more than two million Palestinians registered as refugees in the West Bank and Gaza.

Without the agencys assistance, Israelis worry they would have to shoulder the cost. Any drastic cut in funding, either to the agency or to the Palestinian Authority and its security forces, would most likely destabilize these areas, according to experts.

Even some Israelis who are generally critical of the Palestinians, and would eventually like to see the United Nations Relief and Works Agency disappear, expressed reservations about any sudden cut in donations.

Instead of being refugees forever they could build their present and their future, said Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and now a fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies, a conservative think tank. But to stop all the money that is going to Unrwa overnight would be devastating. It should be a process during which the Palestinians take on responsibility and slowly, slowly Unrwa ceases to exist.

The Trump administration had anticipated an outburst of Palestinian anger over its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, but it had also expected the Palestinians to resume work on the peace process after what American officials called a cooling off period.President Trump has vowed to block millions of dollars of funding for Palestinians, declaring on Twitter on Tuesday that they were no longer willing to talk peace.

Much of that aid flows through the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, or Unrwa. While Mr. Trump did not explicitly mention the agency, his ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, made it clear that the agency was being looked at.

Asked specifically about Unrwa, Ms. Haley said: He does not want to give any additional funding, or stop funding, until the Palestinians are agreeing to come back to the negotiation table.

Many have expressed concern about Ms. Haleys remarks. What is Unrwa, and how would a cut in American aid affect its work with more than five million Palestinian refugees?To create the final image in this set, the system generated 10 million revisions over 18 days.

The woman in the photo seems familiar.

She looks like Jennifer Aniston, the Friends actress, or Selena Gomez, the child star turned pop singer. But not exactly.

She appears to be a celebrity, one of the beautiful people photographed outside a movie premiere or an awards show. And yet, you cannot quite place her.

Thats because shes not real. She was created by a machine.

The image is one of the faux celebrity photos generated by software under development at Nvidia, the big-name computer chip maker that is investing heavily in research involving artificial intelligence.

At a lab in Finland, a small team of Nvidia researchers recently built a system that can analyze thousands of (real) celebrity snapshots, recognize common patterns, and create new images that look much the same  but are still a little different. The system can also generate realistic images of horses, buses, bicycles, plants and many other common objects.

The project is part of a vast and varied effort to build technology that can automatically generate convincing images  or alter existing images in equally convincing ways. The hope is that this technology can significantly accelerate and improve the creation of computer interfaces, games, movies and other media, eventually allowing software to create realistic imagery in moments rather than the hours  if not days  it can now take human developers.

In recent years, thanks to a breed of algorithm that can learn tasks by analyzing vast amounts of data, companies like Google and Facebook have built systems that can recognize faces and common objects with an accuracy that rivals the human eye. Now, these and other companies, alongside many of the worlds top academic A.I. labs, are using similar methods to both recognize and create.

Nvidia's images can't match the resolution of images produced by a top-of-the-line camera, but when viewed on even the largest smartphones, they are sharp, detailed, and, in many cases, remarkably convincing.

For example, look at the two photos below and see if you can figure out which person is real. This one is computer-generated This one is also computer-generated  Sorry! This was a trick question. Both images were generated by computers.

Like other prominent A.I. researchers, the Nvidia team believes the techniques that drive this project will continue to improve in the months and years to come, generating significantly larger and more complex images.

We think we can push this further, generating not just photos but 3-D images that can be used in computer games and films, said Jaakko Lehtinen, one of the researchers behind the project.

Today, many systems generate images and sounds using a complex algorithm called a neural network. This is a way of identifying patterns in large amounts of data. By identifying common patterns in thousands of car photos, for instance, a neural network can learn to identify a car. But it can also work in the other direction: It can use those patterns to generate its own car photos.

As it built a system that generates new celebrity faces, the Nvidia team went a step further in an effort to make them far more believable. It set up two neural networks  one that generated the images and another that tried to determine whether those images were real or fake. These are called generative adversarial networks, or GANs. In essence, one system does its best to fool the other  and the other does its best not to be fooled.

The computer learns to generate these images by playing a cat-and-mouse game against itself, said Mr. Lehtinen.

10 MINUTES 8 HOURS 16 HOURS 1 DAY 2 DAYS 3 DAYS 4 DAYS 5 DAYS 6 DAYS 7 DAYS 8 DAYS 9 DAYS 10 DAYS 14 DAYS 16 DAYS 18 DAYS This series of images shows the output of Nvidias system over the course of 18 days of processing. With their method, called progressive GANs, the Nvidia researchers built a system that begins with low-resolution images and then gradually progresses to higher resolutions. This allows the training to happen more quickly, but it also in a more controlled and stable way. The result: 1024- by 1024-pixel images that are sharp, detailed, and, in many cases, very convincing. Source: Nvidia

A second team of Nvidia researchers recently built a system that can automatically alter a street photo taken on a summers day so that it looks like a snowy winter scene. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have designed another that learns to convert horses into zebras and Monets into Van Goghs. DeepMind, a London-based A.I. lab owned by Google, is exploring technology that can generate its own videos. And Adobe is fashioning similar machine learning techniques with an eye toward pushing them into products like Photoshop, its popular image design tool.

Trained designers and engineers have long used technology like Photoshop and other programs to build realistic images from scratch. This is what movie effects houses do. But it is becoming easier for machines to learn how to generate these images on their own, said Durk Kingma, a researcher at OpenAI, the artificial intelligence lab founded by Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and others, who specializes in this kind of machine learning.

We now have a model that can generate faces that are more diverse and in some ways more realistic than what we could program by hand, he said, referring to Nvidias work in Finland.

But new concerns come with the power to create this kind of imagery.

With so much attention on fake media these days, we could soon face an even wider range of fabricated images than we do today.

The concern is that these techniques will rise to the point where it becomes very difficult to discern truth from falsity, said Tim Hwang, who previously oversaw A.I. policy at Google and is now director of the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Fund, an effort to fund ethical A.I. research. You might believe that accelerates problems we already have.

Each of these images took about 18 days for the computers to generate, before reaching a point that the system found them believable. Source: Nvidia

The idea of generative adversarial networks was originally developed in 2014 by a researcher named Ian Goodfellow, while he was a Ph.D. student at the University of Montreal. He dreamed up the idea after an argument at a local bar, and built the first prototype that same night. Now Mr. Goodfellow is a researcher at Google, and his idea is among the most important and widely explored concepts in the rapidly accelerating world of artificial intelligence.

Though this kind of photo generation is currently limited to still images, many researchers believe it could expand to videos, games and virtual reality. But Mr. Kingma said this could take years, just because it will require much larger amounts of computing power. That is the primary problem that Nvidia is also working on, along with other chip makers.

Researchers are also using a wide range of other machine learning techniques to edit video in more convincing  and sometimes provocative  ways.

The results are not completely convincing. But the rapid progress of GANs and other techniques point to a future where it becomes easier for anyone to generate faux images or doctor the real thing. That is cause for real concern among experts like Mr. Hwang.

Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, an organization that analyzes current events using publicly available images and video, pointed out that fake images are by no means a new problem. In the years since the rise of Photoshop, the onus has been on citizens to approach what they view online with skepticism.

But many of us still put a certain amount of trust in photos and videos that we dont necessarily put in text or word of mouth. Mr. Hwang believes the technology will evolve into a kind of A.I. arms race pitting those trying to deceive against those trying to identify the deception.On the morning of March 31, 2016, I put on a pair of Gap jeans (the ones without holes); a beige silky top Id bought at the Gap outlet in Sedona, Ariz., where I had briefly lived; and a short-waisted gray zip-up jacket. I parted my hair on the right, as I always do, and put it up in a messy bun. I never wear makeup, so I also didnt wear makeup. Later, of course, I would wear makeup. I was on my way to deliver an 11-page account of sexual harassment by my former graduate school adviser. I wanted to look good. I also wanted to look credible.

Over the course of the last year and a half, since filing that report, I have been asked to participate in a number of legal, semi-legal and legal-adjacent events. Among the processes that can be involved when a person files a sexual harassment complaint in an academic setting are the following: investigation interviews with a Title IX coordinator; appearances at school-sponsored forums where a person may hide in the back while attempting to keep her heart rate manageable as she listens to lots of powerful people proudly talking about what a great job theyre doing despite the person making accusations hearing nothing from any of them and quite frankly having no idea whats going on; newspaper photo shoots; television appearances; short impromptu speeches in front of a crowd of fellow students who had just learned their professor was accused of sexual harassment; meetings with a lawyer; meetings with the lawyers partner lawyer; meetings with a number of lawyers, some of whom may be moderately annoyed with you; meetings with the department chair, who will refuse to speak to you for inexplicable reasons; and, finally and perhaps most important, six hours in front of a group of faculty who will watch, calmly, as you are excoriated. As your emails are read out loud to you, with a special emphasis on your use of exclamation points. As you are asked, triumphantly, about that time in your early 20s that you dated someone older than you.

Over the last year and a half, I have needed a lot of outfits. I have also needed to be consistent. I have needed to be ready, at every moment, to be seen as both a poverty-stricken graduate student and a reliable adult. As an accuser, I need to be a news-team-ready correspondent and someone who certainly wasnt doing this for the limelight. I didnt know any of this when I started. I learned this all on the full-time job that is being an objector to sexual harassment in America.

Some of what I learned to wear I learned on my own, by thinking to myself about what I needed to exhibit. Some of it  you must always put your hair up and never show any skin  came from a politically savvy friend. She is the reason Im wearing a black turtleneck on four news shows. I refused to be photographed at home, or sitting down. I wanted to project strength, and also a kind of neutrality.

But at the time, I just wanted to be credible. Strong. I didnt want to look like what I imagined a victim looks like. I didnt want to look so downtrodden that I would look obsessed with being a victim, as it was suggested. I didnt want to look so feminine and girlish that I wouldnt be taken seriously; Id seen the way young-looking women are treated. And yet, I didnt want to look too aggressive, too much like a rabble-rouser with an agenda. Of course I had been cautioned about that.

For that photo shoot I wore the same jacket that I wore to report. I did try to expand my wardrobe, going to J. Crew the day before the shoot. Saying, in the shop, I need something that looks like Im destroying the patriarchy, didnt lead us in a lot of helpful directions, and, besides, I didnt want to wear a blazer  particularly not a freshly pressed new one. That would make me look like a rich person, not a beleaguered graduate student. It has been important to show that I am but a simple lowly student. It takes a measure of hapless powerlessness.

I have not been as powerless behind the scenes. When I realized the university wasnt doing anything on its own, I hired a lawyer to help exert a little pressure. The first time I met with her, I wore orange suede J. Crew loafers. My friend Jessie Conradi came with me. Shes a lawyer, too; she was also wearing loafers. We took a picture of our shoes, posted it to Instagram and tagged it loafers of justice.

One of the things thats been most challenging is the confidentiality that a legal proceeding requires. When I couldnt outright say what I was doing, I could at least post loafer pics. I also wanted to show my lawyer that, hey, I might be crushed under the weight of the patriarchy but I can also be, you know, fun. Id seen too much skepticism around victims. Felt the ripple in the air when a woman starts telling her story. Sure, we might believe that shes been harassed. But the later effects of being harassed, the subtler, more insidious and downstream effects  the way in which I started to wonder who was with me and who was against me; the lack of trust I could feel myself developing for almost everyone I encountered in the halls of my former department; the shame I felt at being told that my former cohort had mostly abandoned my cause; my double shame at using words like shame and abandon  are the forces my clothing is fighting against.

When I filed my complaint, I had already been through a life-threatening, and public, illness. Being a sexual harassment complainant felt, often, like just too much. No wonder I wanted to seem like the coolest cucumber in town.

I learned many things about the law, one of which is that there comes a time where a case may move to litigation, or not! Sometimes that decision comes as a collective choice. On a Thursday night in October, after meeting with my lawyer and going over my experiences, I stopped at the Westfield Center in San Francisco. Michael Kors, first  I got my purse there, and I believe it makes me look like a real grown-up. I walked in, ignoring the studded fur vests, and was asked if I needed help.

I hadnt really learned from my J. Crew experience and tried a similar opening gambit. I need something that will help bring the patriarchy down, I said. The helpful salesperson pointed me in the direction of a tight black knee-length dress, dotted with metallic studs. Maybe for after, when its all done, I said.

I tried the same line at Club Monaco, where I found better reception. I need something thatll make me look credible, but not superrich, I said. I hoped I wasnt insulting the place (I grew up in Canada, home of the original store; Im incapable of insulting it). My vaguely enthusiastic interlocutor  I wish I could have told her more, but the law prevented me  brought me a pair of black dress pants that were short enough to work on my actually kind of short legs and a gray V-neck sweater with black blocks on the sleeves. The gray and black were just exciting enough to say, Hey, Im a person with personality! The black pants were just professional enough to show that I was taking things seriously.

Thesell work, I said to her. At home, I added a white collared shirt  Banana Republic  underneath and then, to show that I hadnt been completely subjugated by the deafening silence in the aftermath of the initial investigations completion, my Banana Republic polka-dot loafers. After years of being a J. Crew-only girl, Id both turned 35 and realized that Banana Republic was actually where its at.

You know where else its at? The Alexander Wang bootees with rose gold that I bought for myself at the beginning of the semester, when I knew it would be a tough couple of quasi-legal months. They were my Wonder Woman-inspired boots, my I can do this boots. They were the most expensive thing Ive ever bought for myself, and that includes my wedding dress. Yet Ive mostly left them in my closet. I wish that we lived in a world where I could both wear high-heeled gold-detailed boots and be utterly reliable and credible, but the patriarchy is still too strong. Talk about a narrow path to victory.

The coup de grace, though, was in November. The protocol for sexual harassment cases at the University of California, Berkeley that are found to have violated the faculty code of conduct is that the defendant is charged with a sanction. This can include dismissal. This happens after the completion of first a Title IX investigation and then an internal investigation. Then comes a letter from the vice provost, followed by multiple opportunities for settling or a variety of face-saving resignations, including that of Geoff Marcy, a Berkeley astronomy professor.

This is all outlined in the very helpful Academic Senate manual, which I have read many times in an effort to find the answers that no one employed by the university will give me. It is my understanding that these hearings are basically like courtrooms  where the plaintiff is the administration and the defendant is the accused. When the University of California professor Blake Wentworth was fired, it was after an Academic Senate committee hearing.

I cant say whether I participated in such a hearing, but I can say that on the morning of Nov. 2 I carefully showered, sprayed my hair with leave-in conditioner, put on my VPL-free underwear Id bought the year before at Uniqlo, put on those same Club Monaco dress pants, and took the black and gray sweater out of its drawer.

But what shirt? The day before, as seems to be habit, Id gone to Anthropologie and Madewell in Berkeley. Anthropologie didnt find me any clothes, though I did buy a $7 sea salt bath bar and four face masks. (Its good to have pearly bright skin if youre ever in a position where your credibility may be at stake.) At Madewell, I bought a short-sleeved gray flannel collared shirt and a black button-down printed with gold stars. I obviously wanted to wear the star shirt  if nothing else, this experience has brought me face to face with my own brightness  but it was too bulky for the sweater. And you know what they say about harassment victims with visible shirttails: Theyre lying.

I played it relatively safe and went with a classic, a purple checked J. Crew shirt Id bought years before; I discovered, once I posted it on Instagram for something else, that its known as #thatjcrewshirt. And, again, those polka-dot loafers.

That day I recounted my history as a drug addict, something Im very open about but seems never to fail to entertain at least some lawyers; I recalled within earshot of a group of assorted faculty that yes, I had brought my husband home with me the night I first met him, and I was glad that Id chosen the clothes I had. I was glad that Id put my hair up in a low bun, that Id carefully parted it to the side. I was glad that I had my perfectly fitting, $169.50-but-on-sale-for-$99 Club Monaco pants, and I was also glad that my shirt collar was a little wrinkly. It showed that Im not a perfect victim.

Im not even very good at performing being a perfect victim. We dont always know exactly what to say and how to be, we dont really get a lot of training for how we should act, and were figuring this out as we go along, and we have done things before and will do things again later that dont fit perfectly into a narrative. Mostly, it shows that we are not a tide of anonymous women making allegations, that we are not interchangeable.

My own legal case was settled in December of last year, but the disciplinary case with the university continues. As I write this, Im wearing black jeans, a denim shirt, a gray cashmere sweater and a denim jacket. If you could see me now, do you think you would believe me?$ 500 million Spike missile deal cancelled; All you need to know

India

oi-Vikas SV

By Vikas

New Delhi, Jan4 (2018): The Defence Ministry has officially cancelled the $ 500 million deal of Spike anti-tank missile with the Israeli company Rafael. Reports state that the deal was called-off to encourage local defence manufacturing.

India has, however, agreed to buy over 100 surface-to-air missiles, reportedly from the same company. It should be noted that there were speculations in the media that the Spike missile deal could be called off.

The Indian Army had expressed its interest to procure anti-tank missiles around 2010 and the process to acquire it had begun as early as 2011.

Last year in August, there were reports that Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, in collaboration with Kalyani Strategic Systems, Hyderabad, would begin manufacturing these missiles in India. Later, there were talks that India would manufacture anti-tank missiles at home. In the meantime, India also successfully test fired indigenously developed Nag missiles in Rajasthan. It is not, however, known that cancellation of Spike deal has got anything to do with Nag being developed.

In 2011, India had two options - US made FGM-148 Javelin, proposed under a Government-to-Government (G2G) program via U.S. Foreign Military Sale (FMS), and the Spike MR, proposed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Why India chose Spike?

Spike was chosen because Israel was willing to transfer technology and manufacture the missiles in India which gives a boost to government's 'Make in India' initiative. Rather than outright purchase of these missiles, India negotiated with Israel for technology transfer so that the missiles could be produced in India.

Spike missile system and its versions:

The Spike system is made up of the launching tripod with its fire control unit and the missile. Spike can be operated from the launcher by infantry, or from mounts that can be fitted to vehicles such as fast attack vehicles, armoured personnel carriers or utility vehicles.

Versions of Spike missile:

Spike-SR - The short-range version of the weapon was unveiled in 2012 and has a range of 1-1.5 kms.

Spike-MR - The medium range version which has a range of around 2.5 kms.

Spike-LR - The long-range version which has a range of around 5 kms. RAFAEL introduced new capabilities with Spike LR, extending the missile's range by 25 percent, to five kilometers. This improvement was achieved without changes to the missile's weight, dimensions or interfaces. The weapon uses a two-way fibre-optic data link to transfer the seeker's image from the missile to the operator while carrying target updates back to the weapon's guidance system.

Spike-ER - The extended range or extra-long range version of the weapon which has a range 8 kms.

Spike NLOS - The ultra-long-range version of the weapon with a claimed maximum range of up to 25 km. RAFAEL engineers are working on expanding the NLOS versatility, enhancing the existing EO-IR/CCD seeker with semi-active laser (SAL) capability.

The US made Javelin Missile:

Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armoured vehicles (attacking the top armour, which is generally thinner), but can also take a direct-attack mode for use against buildings, targets inside the minimum top-attack engagement range, and targets under obstructions. The missile also has the ability to engage helicopters in the direct attack mode. It can reach a peak altitude of 150 m in top-attack mode and 60 m in direct-fire mode. It is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker. The tandem warhead is fitted with two shaped charges: a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor and a primary warhead to penetrate base armor.

OneIndia NewsBhima Koregaon violence: BJP accuses Rahul of provoking caste violence for political gains

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Bhima Koregaon Violence : BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of inciting caste politics | Oneindia News

New Delhi, Jan 3: Since Monday, Maharashtra is on tenterhooks. But that has not deterred political parties from scoring brownie points by alleging each other.

As usual a war of words has started between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress after Dalits in various parts of Maharashtra protested against the violence near Pune over celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima Koregaon on Tuesday.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead on Monday.

On Tuesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the violence in Pune. The 47-year-old leader alleged that the BJP-RSS "fascist vision" for India encouraged the oppression of the Dalit community.

He referred to the incidents of violence against Dalits in Una, Gujarat and in the Hyderabad Central University, besides Monday's violence at the Bhima-Koregaon village in Pune district as "potent symbols" of the resistance to the RSS and the BJP.

"A central pillar of the RSS/BJP's fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," Rahul tweeted.

A central pillar of the RSS/BJPs fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 2, 2018

In reply to Rahul's charges, the BJP accused the Congress president of working on an "incitement model" to provoke caste violence for cynical political gains and said the Congress chief would again lose to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental politics.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao alleged that the Congress had only focused on Dalit votes all these years, while Modi's focus was on the progress of the community.

It was time for the Gandhi scion to apologise on behalf of his family and party, he added.

"Rahul Gandhi's 'APPEASEMENT MODEL' miserably failed in 2014 polls. For 2019, Rahul is working on an 'INCITEMENT MODEL' provoking caste violence for cynical political gains.

@OfficeofRG Your cynical politics will lose again in the hands of @narendramodi ji's developmental politics (sic)," Rao tweeted, while tagging the official Twitter handles of the Congress president and the prime minister.

"Rahul G, You have focused only on Dalit votes for 60 years while in power & Not progress. PM @narendramodi ji is focusing on development, promoting them as entrepreneurs.

Shame on you @OfficeofRG for petty politics! Time for you to apologise on your family's & party's behalf (sic)," he said in another tweet.

Rahul Gandhi's "APPEASEMENT MODEL" miserably failed in 2014 polls. For 2019,Rahul is working on an "INCITEMENT MODEL" provoking caste violence for cynical political gains. @OfficeOfRG Your cynical politics will lose again in the hands of @narendramodi ji's developmental politics. https://t.co/tFJcqleRaz  GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) January 2, 2018

Rahul G, You have focused only on Dalit votes for 60 years while in power & Not progress. PM @narendramodi ji is focusing on development, promoting them as entrepreneurs. Shame on you @OfficeofRG for petty politics! Time for you to apologise on your family's & party's behalf. https://t.co/tFJcqleRaz  GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) January 2, 2018

Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar has called for Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday to protest against the state government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima-Koregaon village in Pune district on Monday.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, January 3, 2018, 7:00 [IST]Bhima Koregaon violence: PM is a 'mauni baba', slams Kharge

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

BJP and Congress leaders locked horns in Lok Sabha the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday demanded a judicial inquiry into Bhima Koregaon violence.

Kharge said, "Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima Koregaon violence; PM should also give a statement, he can't stay mum! He is a 'Mauni baba on such issues."

He asked, "Who instigated and interfered in this event?

"Caste-related violence is on the rise in the country. We need to find out who has instigated the further protests. The RSS and other Hindutva organisations are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in the state.," Kharge said in Lok Sabha.

In reply, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, " "Mallikarjun Kharge just wants to agitate the situation. Congress is trying to play divide-and-rule policy as they are frustrated from their defeat. They are flaring up the issue for political and personal gain."

He further said that Congress is using divide and rule policy, bu PM Modi following on the path of 'Sabka saath Sabka vikaas'.

Earlier, Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice during the pre-launch period, as several members including those from the Congress and BSP, sought to raise the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra.

Violence has gripped parts of Maharashtra after the anniversary celebrations of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions, even as a statewide bandh called today to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence, witnessed stray protests by Dalits.

(With agency inputs)Bird Flu scare in Bengaluru: Health department officials order culling of chicken

India

oi-Anusha

By Anusha Ravi

Bengaluru : BBMP confirms Bird flu outbreak , officials order culling of chickens | Oneindia News

Bengaluru's civic agency officials have ordered for the culling of chickens after a confirmed case of H5N1 influenza, popularly referred to as bird flu, came to light on Monday. Poultry shops in Dasarahalli are being scrutinised and sanitised after one dead chicken tested positive for the flu.

A confirmed case of the H5N1 virus was reported at Dasarahalli near Yelahanka in Bengaluru. Health department officials of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have begun culling of birds in all poultry shops within a one-kilometre radius of the stall where mass deaths of chickens were reported in December. Civic agency officials collected samples from a stall after the owner complained of mass deaths. The same was sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. The results of the tests have indicated that one of the dead birds tested positive for the H5N1 virus. Following the incident, all chicken stall int he vicinity were shut down. Culling process has been initiated to stop the spread of the virus.

BBMP officials are also scrutinising stalls in wholesale meat markets across the city. Officials are now in the process of tracing where the chickens were bought from. The government, meanwhile, has issued a notification declaring an area of one-kilometre radius from the chicken centre at Bhuvaneshwari Nagar in Dasarahalli as an infected zone and an area of 10 km radius as surveillance zone.

Bengaluru last reported cases of bird flu in October 2012.

OneIndia News"River, not land"

Protestors- young and old- stood hand-in-hand in the river shouting slogans of "This is river- not land". This is the fisherfolk community's first public attempt at hold the government responsible for attempting to illegally convert 6500 acres of the Ennore wetlands into an industrial real estate. The original Coastal Regulation Zone map, approved by the Government of India, in 1996 declares the entire Ennore Creek as a "No Development Zone."

Fraudulent map makes creek disappear

Protestors allege that fraudulent CRZ maps have been drawn to deny the existence of Ennore creek. Fishermen are fighting to save the waterbody from none other than the Tamil Nadu government. Residents allege that the government through a fraudulent map has made way for Kamarajar Port, L&T Port, NTECL Vallur, HPCL and BPCL and parts of TANGEDCO's power infrastructure in brazen violation of CRZ status.

Fisherfolk's life and livelihood at stake

"Fishing economy has been hit massively. Shrinking of water body means less space for fish. Shrinking has happened in terms of surface spread as well as depth thanks to the dumping of dredged sand from the sea, silting the waterbody. The larger concern is fly ash and heavy metals from the industries polluting the environment causing health hazards," said Nityanand Jayaraman, Environmental activist and researcher who was part of the protest.

Map v/s Map dilemma

In July 2017, the State Coastal Zone Management Authority claimed that the originally approved CRZ map for Ennore declaring the entire region as a "No Development Zone" was replaced by an "updated" map in which the entire Creek

is shown as a petrochem park. Protestors allege that the map effectively denies the existence of Ennore creek thus making way for an industrial real estate. Protestors even allege that information sought under RTI exposes this map to be fraudulent with no approval from the Central Government.

Chennai stares at another flooding

Protestors have warned that encroachments have already altered hydrology, leading to flooding in upstream areas. Parts of Athipattu and Nandiambakkam were flooded and waterlogged because of the encroachments in Ennore Creek in October last year and protestors warn that the situation will severely increase the risk of disastrous flooding for nearly 10 lakh people residing in Chennai and Thiruvallur districts. More than 1,100 acres of the Ennore Creek - consisting of saltpans and mangroves - have already been converted into industrial infrastructure by Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL), TANGEDCO, NTECL Vallur, HPCL and BPCL. Now the government intends to divert an additional 1,000 acres of the Creek for constructing car parking terminals, warehouse zones and coal yards.Seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai can last nine months

Get COVID-19 test done at earliest on showing symptoms: BMC to Mumbaikars

BMC issues new guidelines: Cops at entrance of sealed buildings, marshals to ensure masks in Mumbai

Dalit leaders call off Maharashtra bandh

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Bhima Koregaon protest: Dalit leaders call off Maharashtra Bandh after massive violence | Oneindia

Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, withdrew the shut-down across Maharashtra called in the wake of Bhima Koregaon violence near Pune.

Thirteen buses of the civic transport service 'BEST' were damaged by protesters in Kalanagar area (Bandra), Dharavi, Kamraj Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Dindoshi and Hanuman Nagar, an official from the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told PTI.

Mumbai's famed tiffin carriers, Dabbawalas, chose not to provide their services. The bandh also affected the film and television industry with some shoots being disrupted and others being cancelled as a precautionary measure.

The bandh evoked a partial response in Ahmednagar district no incidents of violence or stone-pelting being reported till late afternoon. Schools and colleges remained shut as a precautionary measure and buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) stayed off the roads, said officials.

The effect of the bandh was seen in areas like Shrirampur, Kopergaon, Haregaon, Bhingar, Shevgaon, Jamkhed and Shirdi among other places. Police officials said that heavy deployment of personnel was in place in sensitive areas of the district to prevent any untoward incident.

Suburban trains were running normally morning though activists tried to stage blockades on tracks at Thane on the Central line and Goregaon on the Western line, railway officials said.

(With agency inputs)Seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai can last nine months

Get COVID-19 test done at earliest on showing symptoms: BMC to Mumbaikars

BMC issues new guidelines: Cops at entrance of sealed buildings, marshals to ensure masks in Mumbai

Don't spread rumours: Mumbai police on Maharashtra bandh

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Mumbai, Jan 3: On Wednesday, when Maharashtra observed a bandh, the Mumbai police issued strict warnings to residents to stay away from spreading any rumours. The police also asked Mumbaikars not to believe in any unverified reports.

In order to soothe frayed nerves, the Maharashtra police assured locals that the administration is geared up to deal with any untoward situation.

"Don't believe or spread rumors, continue with your routine activities. Police administration is geared up to deal with any untoward situation" Mumbai Police advises residents #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/VC8xBnEfwf  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

The advisory was issued by the police in the wake of the state-wide bandh called by Dalit outfits after violence marred the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune on Monday.

The bandh has been called by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar to protest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima-Koregaon village leading to the death of one person.

On Tuesday, Dalit groups staged protests bringing normal life to a halt in various parts of Maharashtra, especially Mumbai. Along with creating traffic snarls, protesters indulged in vandalism destroying public property, including buses.

Looking at the tense situation, the Maharashtra Police have made elaborate arrangements to thwart any untoward incidents. The state police department has kept additional force on standby.

Reports say the department is even planning to invoke prohibitory orders if needed in response to the state-wide bandh called by Dalit leaders.

"We have made elaborate arrangements to keep the situation under control in view of the bandh. Extra forces have been kept on standby. Some areas have been identified where the internet could be suspended so people cannot spread rumours on social media," DGP Satish Mathur told The Indian Express.

"Regulatory orders, which include Section 37 of Maharashtra (Bombay) Police Act and Section 144 of CrPC can also be used if the situation demands," he added.

OneIndia NewsFodder scam case: Quantum of sentence to be pronounced today

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Fodder Scam: Special CBI court deferred pronouncement of quantum of sentence to Lalu Yadav |Oneindia

The Special CBI Court in Ranchi deferred the pronouncement of quantum of sentence in the fodder scam case for tomorrow. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and 15 others were convicted in a fodder scam case 21 years after it had surfaced while acquitting six others including another former chief minister Jagannath Mishra.

The Special CBI Court was supposed to sentence the convicts today. Quantum of sentence has not been pronounced today due to the passing away of advocate Vindeshwari Prasad, reported ANI.

Lalu Prasad was convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury during 1991-94. He was sent to Birsa Munda Jail in Ranchi.

Quantum of sentence to be pronounced in a fodder scam case, today: Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves from Birsa Munda Jail in Ranchi, for Special CBI Court pic.twitter.com/b9BBWFd8Xp  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Lalu Prasad's lawyer had on Tuesday told reporters that they would press for minimum punishment in the case. "Lalu is 70-years-old and suffering from many diseases. We will seek minimum punishment for him," he said. According to lawyers, Lalu Prasad can be awarded three to seven years of punishment. If he gets three years punishment, he would get bail soon after sentencing.

However, RJD alleged that Laluji had been charged with connivance as he was the finance minister then - the charge is not direct. "The withdrawal had been taking place since 1977. There were several chief ministers who were in charge of the finance department when Laluji was not the finance minister or the chief minister so why is he being singled out?" Senior RJD leader, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, asked.

The party was waiting to know the quantum of punishment to Lalu Prasad had to be pronounced on January 3 and would then decide its course of action, Sidiqqui added.

(With agency inputs)Maharashtra bandh: Commuters face trouble as train, taxi, auto services affected in Mumbai

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Mumbai, Jan 3: Several parts of Mumbai came to a halt on Wednesday as train, taxi and auto services were badly-affected in the wake of the day-long Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit outfits.

The bandh has been called by Dalit outfits as a mark of protest against the violence that marred the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune on Monday. During Monday's violence, one person was killed and several others were left injured in Bhima-Koregaon village.

"Trains were halted at Virar and Goregaon stations in Mumbai this morning for around 30 minutes, but later resumed," informed Western Railways PRO. Protesters have been staging a "rasta rokho andolan" since Tuesday.

In Mumbai, local trains are the city's lifeline. If trains services are delayed or stopped, the entire city comes to a halt.

"There are fewer auto-rickshaws and buses on roads today. This is troublesome for the entire state, particularly people who have to go to offices," a commuter waiting for transport at Thane's Vartak Nagar told ANI.

In Pune, buses heading towards Satara and Baramati have been stopped, according to ANI. They will resume only after further orders.

However, MSRTC PRO clarifies that all its buses are plying in Maharashtra on Wednesday. "All our buses are plying across the state so far. In case of any vandalism, we will take a call. So far there have been no incidents." Yesterday, at least 11 state buses, including MSRTC and PMPML, were damaged.

On Tuesday, the School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses on Wednesday. Anil Garg, president of SBOA, said, "For security reasons, we have decided not to ply our buses on the first shift tomorrow. If the situation remains peaceful, we will run the buses on the second shift."

Many office, school and college-goers in Mumbai have decided to remain in their homes to avoid facing any trouble outside.

OneIndia NewsThe News in Brief

Russia to Transfer Two Medical Rescue Helicopters to South Ossetia



The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will grant two medical rescue helicopters to Tskhinvali, local authorities announced on December 22, two days after the meeting of Russias Emergency Minister Vladimir Puchkov with Anatoly Bibilov, the regions Moscow-backed leader.



There is an urgent need of sanitary aviation so that we are able to quickly transport those requiring emergency medical treatment, who we usually send to the south of our republic (to Georgia proper), to medical facilities in North Caucasus, in North Ossetia, Alan Tadtaev, head of Tskhinvalis emergency management agency told the local television station on Friday.



Tadtaev also noted that the helicopters would be based in the region, and that the all infrastructure for maintaining and servicing the aircraft would be developed with the assistance of our Russian colleagues. Tadtaev added that Moscow would also help the region in training local specialists so that they are able to maintain and use the aircraft themselves.



The announcement came slightly over a month after Moscow signed a medical cooperation agreement with Tskhinvali, extending its compulsory medical insurance program to Russian citizens living in South Ossetia.



The new agreement, head of the local parliaments health committee Alan Kozonov contemplated on December 17, would allow if not to absolutely eradicate, then at least to significantly decrease the growing number of Tskhinvali residents getting medical treatment in the Tbilisi-controlled part of Georgia.



According to Tamaz Bestaev, healthcare minister at the Tbilisi-based Provisional Administration of South Ossetia, as of December 25, there were around 400 residents of the region who used the Georgian state-funded medical service program in 2017. The corresponding figure for 2016 stood at 679, Bestaev also told Civil Georgia.

(Civil.ge)







Georgian citizen released after illegal 7-year imprisonment in occupied Abkhazia



A Georgian citizen illegally sentenced to 20 years in prison by an unrecognised court in Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia region has been released today.



Giorgi Lukava, who had been illegally held in Dranda Prison in breakaway Abkhazia since May of 2011, was handed over to the Georgian authorities earlier today at the Enguri Bridge, a crossing point between the occupied region and the rest of Georgia.



The State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, assessed the release of the man as "a positive example of cooperation on humanitarian issues between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides.



"I am more than happy that after almost a seven-year imprisonment, Giorgi Lukava is now free and will meet the New Year at home with his family, wife and children, the minister said.



"I thank everyone who was involved in the resolution of this case that had a high humanitarian importance. This will be positively reflected in the peace-building process and in the restoration of trust between Georgians and Abkhazians.



Lukava was detained by the occupation force in the village of Zemo Barghebi in Gali district almost seven years ago. He was convicted of "being a fighter/terrorist" and sentenced to 20 years in prison.



Since then, the Georgian side has been raising the issue of his illegal imprisonment at every international format and talks between Georgian and separatist authorities.



Meanwhile last month, on November 26, another Georgian citizen sentenced to 20 years in prison, Giorgi Giunashvili, was released from jail in Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), another Russian-occupied territory of Georgia.

(IPN)



Maharashtra bandh: Internet services suspended in Aurangabad

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Bhima Koregaon Violence : Internet services suspended in Aurangabad | Oneindia News

In the wake of Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit organisations on Wednesday internet services have been suspended in Aurangabad district. The district witnessed protests by RPI activists who went on a rampage over the clashes that broke out at 200th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Bhima in Koregaon, near Pune.

Also, inter-state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra temporarily have been suspended as a precautionary measure. Bus services from Belgaum and Kalburgi districts in Karnataka have been suspended.

Meanwhile, in Maharashtra bus services towards Pune's Baramati and Satara suspended till further orders. While schools seem to be declaring a holiday as students are not turning up. Even colleges considering the same.

Security arrangements in Pune's Dandekar pool in view of protests over Bhima Koregaon Violence reported ANI. DCP Pravin Mundhe says, 'We appeal all citizens to carry on with their daily routine. There will be peace in the city. Don't trust rumours being spread on social media."

Pune: Security arrangements in Dandekar pool in view of protests over #BhimaKoregaonViolence, DCP Pravin Mundhe says, 'we appeal all citizens to carry on with their daily routine. There will be peace in the city. Don't trust rumours being spread on social media' pic.twitter.com/7E0s3TFNqF  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

Maharashtra is on edge after the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions even as a statewide bandh called to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence witnessed stray protest by Dalits.

(With agency inputs)Maharashtra bandh: Police on high alert, prohibitory orders likely to be invoked if needed

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Mumbai, Jan 3: In the wake of the violence that rocked the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district on Monday, Maharashtra is going to observe a state-wide bandh on Wednesday.

The bandh has been called by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar to protest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima-Koregaon village leading to the death of one person.

On Tuesday, Dalit groups staged protests bringing normal life to a halt in various parts of Maharashtra, especially Mumbai. Along with creating traffic snarls, protesters indulged in vandalism destroying public property, including buses.

Looking at the tense situation, the Maharashtra Police have made elaborate arrangements to thwart any untoward incidents.

The state police department has kept additional force on standby. Reports say the department is even planning to invoke prohibitory orders if needed in response to the state-wide bandh called by Dalit leaders.

"We have made elaborate arrangements to keep the situation under control in view of the bandh. Extra forces have been kept on standby. Some areas have been identified where the internet could be suspended so people cannot spread rumours on social media," DGP Satish Mathur told The Indian Express.

"Regulatory orders, which include Section 37 of Maharashtra (Bombay) Police Act and Section 144 of CrPC can also be used if the situation demands," he added.

Students are likely to face trouble as schools have decided to remain open on Wednesday, in spite of a bandh. A school bus owners' association said buses will not ply in the morning on Wednesday, which is surely going to cause inconvenience to children and their parents.

OneIndia NewsThundershowers likely in central, eastern Maharashtra on Sept 4 and 5: IMD

Maharashtra bandh: Students face inconvenience as school buses go off the road

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Mumbai, Jan 3: Parents and guardians of school-going children in Maharashtra were a worried lot as they had no other option but to send their wards to schools on Wednesday when the state observed a bandh.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government did not declare a holiday for schools in spite of protests and violence across the state since Monday.

The state-wide bandh was called by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar to protest against the government's "failure" to stop the violence at Bhima-Koregaon village leading to the death of one person.

On Monday, violence broke out during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district.

According to authorities, they did not expect much trouble on the bandh day and thus decided to keep schools open.

Some schools, however, declared a holiday on Wednesday as school buses refused to ply in the morning shift, reported The Times of India. Many parents also decided not to send their wards to schools to avoid any untoward incidents.

On Tuesday, the School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses on Wednesday.

Anil Garg, president of SBOA, said, "For security reasons, we have decided not to ply our buses on the first shift tomorrow. If the situation remains peaceful, we will run the buses on the second shift."

Won't run school buses in Mumbai today, can't risk students' safety and security. Will take a second decision at 11 AM if we can run them in the second half, depending on the situation: Anil Garg, School Bus Owners' Association #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8MyAiJBHiy  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

However, if a particular bus owner wanted to operate his services, it would be his call, he added.

"Law-and-order is beyond our control. Therefore, we cannot take the risk," Garg said.

OneIndia NewsNumber of visitors to Taj Mahal could be capped at 40,000 per day

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The number of tourists visiting Taj Mahal could be capped at 40,000 per day as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to introduce a number of steps to preserve the heritage site, said a PTI report.

As per reports, the ASI is also planning to put a three-hour cap on each ticket holder to tour the Taj Mahal.

A high-level meeting was said to have been held recently in which Culture Secretary Ravindra Singh, ASI officials, representatives of Agra district administration and officers of the Central Industrial Security Force took part.

It must be noted that on some occasions, especially during the peak tourist season, the number of tourists inside the Taj complex crosses 60,000 to 70,000 per day.

There has been a rising concern over the damage to the Taj Mahal due to environmental reasons. Last year, the National Green Tribunal has directed the Divisional Commissioner of Agra to provide information on the trees planted in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) near the historic Taj Mahal.

OneIndia News with PTI inputsImportance of killing TRF bosses, Abbas Sheikh, Manzoor: Here are the 33 heinous crimes they committed

Centre notifies new Drone Rules: No security clearance needed, coverage increased from 300 to 500 kg

Talibans win a victory for Islam would be JeM, LeTs tagline to recruit in J&K

In the Talibans victory at Kabul, Al-Qaeda has a loud message on Jammu and Kashmir

On his birthday, BSF jawan killed in Pak firing along border in Jammu

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Pakistan troops on Wednesday violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Samba of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, killing an Army jawan.

Fifty-year-old Head Constable R P Hazra was severely wounded after Pakistani forces "sniped" from across the border in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir at about 4 pm.

Hazra, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal, was born on this day in 1967.He has served for about 27 years in the border guarding force. He is survived by a daughter (21) and son (18).

A senior police official said that "Pakistani forces indiscriminately opened fire at the BSF camp in Samba sector. The BSF retaliated to the unprovoked firing."

"The BSF soldier died due to fatal bullet injuries in the ceasefire violation," he added.

Ceasefire violations and sniper attacks along the LoC and the International Border (IB) by Pakistani troops have been on the rise over the last few months.

According to govt data, Pakistani forces have violated the ceasefire along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir more than 720 times in 2017, the highest in past seven years.

The data further states that Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 724 times along the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016.

OneIndia NewsWant solution to border dispute with China through talks, won't allow unilateral action on LAC: Rajnath Singh

Post-Doklam, India-China standoff in Arunachal Pradesh, say reports

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

India and China lock horns in Arunachal Pradesh, Doklam like situation underway | Oneindia News

New Delhi, Jan 3: Last year, neighbouring countries India and China were involved in a standoff near the tri-border junction at Doklam in the Sikkim region beginning from June 16 to August 28.

Now, reports say a similar situation is brewing between the two hostile nations near Bishing in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district for more than a week.

According to Hindustan Times, Chinese soldiers with road-building machines crossed up to 200 metres into the Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh in late December, almost reaching a border village in the Upper Siang district before Indian troops stopped them.

The latest incursion on the part of Chinese troops took place around the time India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China's state councillor Yang Jiechi held border talks in New Delhi last month.

"My friend was driving to a place which lies beyond Tuting. He was stopped by the Army, who said he cannot go further because a standoff between Indian and Chinese soldiers is on. The locals there too had confirmed this to my friend," an Arunachal-based lawyer-activist was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

A source in the security establishment told The New Indian Express the standoff began before the New Year and "is continuing as we speak".

"We do not want to escalate matters and make a Doklam out of it," The New Indian Express quoted another person as saying. "So the government has asked us not to go public."

However, Deputy Commissioner of Upper Siang Duli Kamduk told the Hindustan Times, "Our officials in Tuting subdivision have not reported any Chinese incursion. There is no word from the armed forces too." The Army spokesperson did not comment on the incident.

For 73 days, from June 16 to August 28, the two neighbouring countries were at loggerheads with each other in the Doklam region of Bhutan. Fortunately, sanity prevailed and India and China decided to end the military row with the help of diplomacy to avoid a full-blown war that could have proved detrimental to the whole world.

Post-Doklam stand-off, we saw "friendly" meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping at the ninth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit in the Chinese port city of Xiamen last year.

OneIndia NewsTake care of yourself as govt busy with sales: Rahul Gandhi's dig as Covid cases spike

Centre says GDP is rising, for them GDP is Gas-Diesel-Petrol: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul to visit Bahrain, address NRI conclave

India

oi-PTI

In his first foreign visit after being elevated as Congress President, Rahul Gandhi will be going to Bahrain on January 7 evening and is scheduled to address an NRI conclave on January 8, sources said.

According to party sources, Gandhi will be the state guest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will address NRIs settled there on January 8.

He will leave for Bahrain on January 7 and is likely to return on January 9. The NRIs settled there have invited him.

Gandhi is also likely to meet Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the members of the royal family, the sources said.

They said that he was to also address NRIs in Dubai but that visit has been postponed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit the UAE later this month.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, January 3, 2018, 23:04 [IST]RS chairman Venkaiah Naidu breaks down over oppn ruckus, equates it to 'sacrilege'

Rajinikanth meets DMK Chief Karunanidhi, seeks his blessings

India

oi-Madhuri

The Tamil movie superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday met DMK Chief M. Karunanidhi ahead of his entry into politics.

Speaking to reporters after the meet, Rajinikanth said that "He is senior most politician in the country. I respect him a lot. We have a very good friendship. I took his blessings as I am entering politics. I am feeling very happy after meeting him."

This is the first ever political meet after he announced his entry into politics on December 31.

Karunanidhi, who was taken ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy, was twice admitted to a private hospital in December last.

He has been confined to his house but made one rare appearance on October 19 this year when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK's mouthpiece, 'Murasoli.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in November met the ailing DMK patriarch while Congress President Rahul Gandhi had called on the nonagenarian in December 2016.

OneIndia NewsIsolated in AAP, but not willing to quit: Kumar Vishwas

Had given suggestions but was told it is CMs prerogative: Kumar Vishwas on AAP MLAs crisis

Rebellion in AAP: 'Thank you Arvind Kejriwal', says Kumar Vishwas

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Kumar Vishwas lashes out at Arvind Kejriwal, says punished for speaking the truth | Oneindia News

Kumar Vishwas on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees and said that he was punished for speaking the truth.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said that Sanjay Singh, Narayan Das Gupta and Sushil Gupta would be the three people it will nominate for Rajya Sabha.

Speaking to the media, Vishwas, in a sarcastic jibe, said, "Thank you for this...I am grateful to all my supporters across the country...I thank Arvind ji for choosing them."

"What ever truth i spoke, for that i was given a present in the form of punishment. This is a moral victory for a poet, revolutionary and a friend. I have been working for the party for many years.... Thank you Arvind Kejriwal. You are sending a worderful person (to Rajya Sabha)," Vishwas added.

Vishwas was speaking following Aam Aadmi Party's announcement of the three names for the Rajya Sabha seat. Vishwas, who fought and lost to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, has been upset with the leadership for some time now.

Among the three, Sanjay Singh's name was almost confirmed. Singh has been campaign committee in-charge in three elections but has never contested one. Born in 1972 in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Singh was an activist before joining AAP.

The AAP had last year approached former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan in this regard but he declined the offer. There were reports that the party talked to former Chief Justice of India TS Thakur who also did not agree to it.

Elections for three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi is set to be held on January 16. The AAP, which has a huge majority in the Delhi Assembly, is likely to win all the three seats.

The last date to file nominations for the three Rajya Sabha seats is January 5.

OneIndia NewsBajrang dal activist hacked to death; cops arrest 4, impose prohibitory orders in Mangaluru

India

oi-Anusha

By Anusha Ravi

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Mangaluru following the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist. In swift action, the police have arrested four people suspected of hacking a 25-year-old to death in broad daylight. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well pro-Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, have claimed that the deceased was a Hindu activist and a volunteer with the organisation.

Deepak Rao was hacked to death by a group of assailants in Katipalla in Mangaluru on Wednesday afternoon. Within hours, the police zeroed in on suspects made arrests. Mulki Naushad, Rizwan, Pinky Nawaz, Nirshaan were arrested after the police gave them a chase and fired shots in the air compelling them to surrender. Anticipating trouble, T R Suresh the commissioner of police, Mangaluru has imposed prohibitory orders under section 35 of Karnataka Police Act.

"A gang of four or five people waylaid him and hacked him to death. We are yet to verify his antecedents. A case has been registered with the Suratkal police," said Hanumantharaya, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order. The deceased was travelling on his bike when he was assaulted. The assailants came in a car and cornered Deepak before hacking him to death. Th emotive of the murder is yet to be ascertained.

The Bajrangdal has claimed that Deepak was a volunteer with the Pro-Hindu outfit. "He was a worker of the Bajrangdal. He had participated in many of our programs. He was not an enrolled member but was a volunteer," said Surya Narayan, State Convenor, Bajrang Dal. All shops in the vicinity of the crime scene were shut down and tension has been simmering in the communally sensitive area.

A crowd had gathered outside the police station as news of the attack spread. Dakshin Kannada district has been witnessing communal tensions with political parties giving communal colours to unfortunate deaths. The death of a teenager in Honnavar had led to communal clashes after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders alleged that the deceased was a Hindu activist killed by "jehadis" in a clash.

OneIndia NewsWant solution to border dispute with China through talks, won't allow unilateral action on LAC: Rajnath Singh

Not aware of Chinese troops intrusion into Arunachal, says China

International

oi-PTI

China on Wednesday said it was not aware of the reported intrusion by its troops into Arunachal Pradesh in December, emphasising that never acknowledged the existence of so called Arunachal Pradesh.

China on Wednesday said it had "never acknowledged" the existence of Arunachal Pradesh as it denied knowledge about a report that its troops intruded into the Indian side of the border in the frontier state last month.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang's remarks came after a media report said that Chinese troops intruded into Arunachal Pradesh for about 200 metres close to a village in upper Siang district.

"First of all, on the border issue, our position is clear and consistent. We never acknowledged the existence of so called Arunachal Pradesh," Geng Shuang told a media briefing. "For the specific situation you mentioned, I am not aware of it," he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang's remarks came after a media report said that Chinese troops intruded into Arunachal Pradesh for about 200 metres close to a village in upper Siang district.

"First of all, on the border issue, our position is clear and consistent. We never acknowledged the existence of so called Arunachal Pradesh," Geng Shuang told a media briefing. "For the specific situation you mentioned, I am not aware of it," he said.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh is part of South Tibet. Of the 3,488 km-long border that India shares with China, 1,126 falls in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to the report, Chinese troops who crossed over into Arunchal Pradesh with construction machinery last month were stopped by Indian soldiers. The Chinese troops reportedly left the construction equipment behind.

"I want to mention that between China and India, there is a well-developed mechanism for border-related affairs. Through this mechanism, China and India could manage the border affairs. Maintaining peace and stability at the border suits both China and India," he said.

Asked whether there was another stand-off between the two countries, similar to the one in Doklam last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the "standoff which happened last year has been resolved properly".

The Chinese intrusion in Arunachal Pradesh took place around the same time National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi held the 20th round of border talks in New Delhi on December 22, the report said.

"Both sides made clear that the two countries will work together for the continuous improvement of China-India ties. The two sides will jointly maintain peace, stability of the border areas," Geng Shuang said on the outcome of the latest border talks.

OMMENTS

The Doklam standoff began on June 16 after troops of the People's Liberation Army began building a road in the area. The Doklam Plateau is claimed by both Beijing and Bhutan as their territory. India backs Bhutan's claim.

Indian soldiers had stopped the Chinese army from constructing a new road on the remote Doklam Plateau in mid-June, saying it would give China access to a strategically crucial narrow strip of land or "Chicken's Neck" that links it to its northeastern states.

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, January 3, 2018, 18:52 [IST]Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump

Top US lawmakers applaud Donald Trump on Pakistan

International

pti-PTI

Washington, Jan 3: Top American lawmakers, including some of his critics, applauded US President Donald Trump over his move to block USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan.

The US has decided to withhold the aid saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil. Senator Rand Paul yesterday announced his agreement with Trump over the move and promised to bring in a legislation in the Congress to stop all US aid to Pakistan. "I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump on this.

The US has given USD 34 billion in direct aid and military reimbursements to Pakistan since 2002. That is not putting America first. White House puts the figure at USD 33 billion. The Kentucky Senator also expressed his support to Trump's tweet on Monday in which the US president accused Pakistan of giving the US "nothing but lies and deceit" in exchange for billions of aid, with the president declaring, "No more!".

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher also applauded Trump for his "realistic assessment" of Pakistan. "Pakistan's regime, though our government imagines otherwise, has long acted as a malignancy in South Asia. It pretends to benign neutrality, seducing the US into believing it will cooperate with us in the war on radical Islamic terrorism if we ship its political leadership copious tax dollars," said Rohrabacher.

"Pakistan's regime persists in playing both sides between modern civilisation and violent religious fundamentalism," he said. Rohrabacher said Pakistan's intelligence service "serves the Taliban" instead of providing the whereabouts of terrorists' hideouts to the US government. He cited the example of Osama bin Laden who lived in a house near Pakistan's leading military academy before the US military tracked the location and killed him. "Indeed, Dr. Afridi (Shakeel Afridi), who led us to bin Laden, now languishes in a Pakistan dungeon for his supposed effrontery," he added.

Both Rohrabacher and Paul have regularly pushed amendments to stop aid to Pakistan. Congressman Rick Nolan also gave Trump a thumbs-up for the Pakistan move. "Although I do not condone inflammatory tweets -- I agree that America should not be giving billions of dollars to countries like Pakistan that refuse to fight terrorism," he said.

"The truth is, the billions of dollars we have sent to Pakistan over the last 15 years has done nothing to make us safer. In fact, Pakistan has ties to the same terrorist organisations which they claim to be fighting!" he said. Nolan has joined Congressman Ted Poe in introducing legislation that revokes Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status.

On the other side of the spectrum, Republican Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is founder and chair of the Congressional Pakistani Caucus, called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the differences with Pakistan. "As Chair and founder of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I appreciate the importance of using the tools of diplomacy and engagement to solve problems. In the past, Pakistan has fought against the terrorists," she said in a tweet.

PTIUnrest in Iran: 'Worried' Macron calls up Rouhani

International

pti-PTI

Paris, Jan 3: Concerned over the unrest in Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron, during a telephonic conversation with Iraniancounterpart Hassan Rouhani called for "restraint and appeasement.

Macron brought up "the number of victims from the demonstrations", and the two leaders also decided to postpone French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's visit to Tehran this week to a later date, the Elysee said.

The two leaders' conversation came after nearly a week of protests in Iran marked by deadly violence and hundreds of arrests. Macron's office said the French leader underscored that "fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate must be respected".

Rouhani in turn asked Macron to take action against a Paris-based Iranian opposition group called the Mujahedeen-e- Khalq (the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, PMOI), which he accused of fomenting the recent protests.

"We criticise the fact that a terrorist group has a base in France and acts against the Iranian people... and we await action from the French government against this terrorist group," Rouhani told Macron, according to a report on Iranian state television.

Tehran accuses the PMOI of fuelling the violence and being linked to its Saudi rivals. In a statement sent to AFP in Paris by Afchine Alavi, of the National Council of the Iranian Resistance, PMOI said "to date, there are dozens of defenceless protesters killed by Revolutionary Guards and thousands more arrested", without giving sources. Tehran's remarks reflect the "panic of the mullahs' regime in the face of the extent of the uprising against the religious dictatorship and the growing popularity of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) and the Iranian Resistance," the statement said.

According to official figures, 21 people have died since the start of the protests on December 28 in the northeast city of Mashhad. Macron's office did not mention the opposition group's presence in France. It said the two leaders had evoked the 2015 nuclear accord, with the French president wanting its "strict application under international supervision", while Rouhani sought "the backing of the international community to defend this accord and respect the commitments undertaken".

President Donald Trump has hinted of a possible US withdrawal from the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- that was a signature foreign policy achievement of the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama. General Rassul Sanairad, a political deputy to the head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, said Tuesday the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq had been instructed by the Saudi rulers and some European states to "create insecurity" in Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.

PTIUS envoy calls for emergency UN session on Iran

International

pti-PTI

United Nations, Jan 3: The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, called on the international community to speak out on the ongoing protests in Iran, saying the US would seek emergency UN talks on the situation.

"The people of Iran are crying out for freedom," Haley said at a news conference. "All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause."

She said the United States would be seeking emergency sessions of the UN Security Council and the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Commission in the coming days. Haley rejected as "complete nonsense" charges by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the five-day-old protests were being fomented by the country's "enemies."

"The freedoms that are enshrined in the United Nations charter are under attack in Iran. Dozens have already been killed. Hundreds have been arrested," she said.

She further said that if the Iranian dictatorship's history is any guide, we could expect more outrageous abuses in the days to come.

PTIUS willing to end all aid to Pakistan: Nikki Haley

International

pti-PTI

Washington, Jan 3: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Wednesday has said that Donald Trump is prepared to stop all funding to Pakistan until it stops harbouring terrorists.

Haley's comment came a day after Trump accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years. Speaking to reporters at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Haley alleged Pakistan of playing "double-game" with the US for years.

"The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism," said Haley. "Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration," she said.

The US has also announced that it is withholding its USD 255 million military aid to Pakistan. "The decision to block aid is connected to Pakistan's harbouring of terrorists," the top American diplomat said. Pakistan has expressed "deep disappointment" over the allegations, saying the accusations strike with "great insensitivity" at the "trust" between the two countries.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet challenged Trump's claim that the US has given Pakistan more than USD 33 billion dollars as aid over the last 15 years, saying verification by an audit firm would prove the US president wrong.

PTIWhy Palestine is lying when it said its envoy did not know Hafiz Saeed

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Waleed Abu Ali, the Palestine envoy to Pakistan was recalled after he was seen at an event in which Lashkar-e-Tayiba chief Hafiz Saeed was present. It was a matter to which India reacted angrily especially after it had voted in favour of Palestine on the issue of Jerusalem.

Being seen as a proscribed terrorist, Saeed at an event was nothing short of unacceptable to India. After India issued a demarche, Ali was recalled by Palestine. It was an unintended mistake, Palestine said while also adding that it was not justified. There were also statements that Ali was not aware of Saeed.

These statements by Palestine look like an eyewash. First and foremost, one must remember that Ali has been in Pakistan for two years and was a very popular diplomat. Being in Pakistan for so long and not knowing who Hafiz Saeed is in itself strange.

The next points one must ponder over is that the invite for the event to show solidarity with Palestine on the Jerusalem issue was extended by the Difa-e-Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa is a constituent of the DeP which is an umbrella group comprising anti-India and US groups.

The Difa-e-Pakistan has groups such as the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat which have been banned twice. Further, the umbrella outfit is headed by Sami-ul-Haq, a man very close to the Taliban. When he had contested the elections, he had said his only agenda was to train Muslim youth to wage Jihad.

Officials in India say that it is hard to believe that Ali did not know who Saeed was or what event he was attending. Ali has been a popular diplomat in Pakistan for a long time and not knowing the nature of the Difa-e-Pakistan is a bit hard to believe. It appears as though the reaction from Palestine was knee-jerk. They have been desperately wanting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit them and had they not acted against Ali, there was every chance that the February visit would have been cancelled, officials further said.

OneIndia NewsGovt offers 200-lari vouchers for heating costs to people near occupied area

People living near the Russian occupation line in Georgia will receive 200 lari vouchers to cover heating costs during the winter months.The money will be allocated from the Government Reserve Fund, said the Office of Georgias Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality today.About 12,000 families living in the villages near the occupation line will receive a voucher, said State Minister Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.She added that previously such vouchers were used to buy wood for winter but last year 62 villages were connected to gas supply, meaning the vouchers will now cover gas bills.Vouchers for heating during winter months have been issued to those villages since 2013. Since then, 9,463,977 lari has been spent for this purpose.Another project for the people from the occupation area is covering tuition fees for students. Tsikhelashvili said that the state will fund more than 1,000 students from the villages near the occupation line this year.The number of students financed last year was 850.Georgias Interior Min. Must Compensate Family of Domestic Violence Murder Victim

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze

(TBILISI) -- Georgias Interior Ministry has been ordered to pay a monthly compensation to the family of a victim killed in 2014 by her husband while she was teaching at Tbilisis Ilia State University, the City Court in the Georgian capital ruled last week.The court handed down its verdict after it ruled the police failed to properly protect the victim, despite clear warnings that the victims husband was a threat to her life.The deceased womans mother testified that her daughter called law enforcement officials several times. The police, however, failed to protect the victim and did nothing to protect her from the man who ended up committing the crime, said the lawyer of the victims family.Marika Tsivtsivadze, a lecturer at Georgias one of the biggest state universities, was shot dead by her husband on October 17, 2014 after he arrived at one of her lectures and called for her to come out of the class in order to talk. As she left the class, Tsivtsivadze was shot dead in the university hall.At the time of her murder Tsivtsivadze lived alone with her young daughter. She left her husband after suffering years of physical and psychological abuse, according to the victims family.Tsivtsivadzes daughter will receive a portion of the state compensation package  equal to half of her mothers salary from the university  until she reaches the age of 18.Violence against women continues to plague the Georgian society. Few signs point to the long--term improvement of the situation as the government, law enforcement officials and the powerful Orthodox Church do little but pay lip service to help root out the problem.The countrys high rate of unemployment amongst the male population, as well as its conservative patriarchal society that considers violence against women to be a taboo or an acceptable part of domestic affairs, contribute to the lack of progress in cracking down on deadly physical outbursts against women.According to UN reports filed in 2015 and 2016, physical violence against women in Georgia remains at devastatingly high levels. The reports cited public indifference and a lack of support for the victims as contributing factors to the ongoing problem.The reports stated that many of the female victims of abuse were the breadwinners for their families.The News in Brief

Russia to Transfer Two Medical Rescue Helicopters to South Ossetia



The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will grant two medical rescue helicopters to Tskhinvali, local authorities announced on December 22, two days after the meeting of Russias Emergency Minister Vladimir Puchkov with Anatoly Bibilov, the regions Moscow-backed leader.



There is an urgent need of sanitary aviation so that we are able to quickly transport those requiring emergency medical treatment, who we usually send to the south of our republic (to Georgia proper), to medical facilities in North Caucasus, in North Ossetia, Alan Tadtaev, head of Tskhinvalis emergency management agency told the local television station on Friday.



Tadtaev also noted that the helicopters would be based in the region, and that the all infrastructure for maintaining and servicing the aircraft would be developed with the assistance of our Russian colleagues. Tadtaev added that Moscow would also help the region in training local specialists so that they are able to maintain and use the aircraft themselves.



The announcement came slightly over a month after Moscow signed a medical cooperation agreement with Tskhinvali, extending its compulsory medical insurance program to Russian citizens living in South Ossetia.



The new agreement, head of the local parliaments health committee Alan Kozonov contemplated on December 17, would allow if not to absolutely eradicate, then at least to significantly decrease the growing number of Tskhinvali residents getting medical treatment in the Tbilisi-controlled part of Georgia.



According to Tamaz Bestaev, healthcare minister at the Tbilisi-based Provisional Administration of South Ossetia, as of December 25, there were around 400 residents of the region who used the Georgian state-funded medical service program in 2017. The corresponding figure for 2016 stood at 679, Bestaev also told Civil Georgia. (civil.ge)







Tbilisi Mayor says 132 families officially register real estate for symbol price



Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has announced that 132 families living in capital Tbilisi and nearby Tskneti settlement have had their accommodations officially registered.



The families had faced problems with registering their real estate for many years.



Many of the people are internally displaced.



Kaladze said that the families had to pay a symbolic price, GEL 1, for registering their property.



Tbilisi Mayor has also summarized his activities in the role for the last half month and spoke about the planned rehabilitation-reconstruction of Orbeliani Square.



The square will be one of the best places in Tbilisi. The cost of the project is 52 million GEL and it will employ up to 2,000 people, Kaladze said.



Kaladze also announced stricter regulations for construction businesses and stated that the Mayors Office relevant agencies have issued 216 warnings over the violation of safety norms in the constructions.



We have also revealed 500 illegal constructions and legal disputes have been launched for 270 such constructions, Kaladze said.



Tbilisi Mayor repeated that the New Year concerts will be held in three locations, in Old Tbilisi, Gldani and Varketili and public transport will be free on December 31 and January 1.



Metro will be open until 4am on December 31. (Agenda.ge)



@alextdaugherty

Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is turning to legislative tactics developed by former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich in an effort to halt changes proposed by the Trump administration that would loosen regulations on offshore oil drilling.

Nelson said he plans to invoke a procedural rule known as the Congressional Review Act to stop a ruling by the Interior Department that would end a current requirement for a third party to certify that an offshore oil rig's blowout preventer is working properly. The Congressional Review Act was initiated by Gingrich in the 1990s as a check on President Bill Clinton, but it went mostly unused until last year when Republicans in Congress used the rule to overturn a number of Obama-era regulations.

"Almost five million barrels of oil spilled as a result of a defective device called a blowout preventer," Nelson said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "The BP spill devastated my state's economy and eleven people lost their lives. That's why I plan to subject this misguided rule to the Congressional Review Act."

Since Democrats don't control Congress, it's unlikely that Nelson's use of the Congressional Review Act will succeed. Barack Obama simply vetoed rules that were overturned by Republicans via the Congressional Review Act when he was president, so Donald Trump could do the same if Nelson's effort is successful in Congress.

The Interior Department is currently accepting public comments on its change to the Obama-era drilling regulations until January 29.

"I hope the public understands that and starts registering some complaints, and I hope that during that time every Floridian remembers what happened to us when the beaches of Pensacola Beach were blackened with tar and oil, and we lost a whole season of our guests, our tourists who come to this extraordinary state," Nelson said.

In 2006, Nelson and then-Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., passed a moratorium on drilling off Floridas Gulf coast through the year 2022. Nelson filed legislation last year to extend that ban an additional five years, to 2027.Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

See original here

Facebook is being accused of censoring Palestinian activists who protest the Israeli occupation. This comes as Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked reportedly said in December that Tel Aviv had submitted 158 requests to Facebook over the previous four months asking it to remove content it deemed "incitement," and said Facebook had granted 95 percent of the requests. We speak with Pulitzer Prize winner Glenn Greenwald about his new report for The Intercept headlined "Facebook Says It Is Deleting Accounts at the Direction of the U.S. and Israeli Governments."

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

JUAN GONZALEZ: Well, we're spending the hour with Glenn Greenwald. His new report for The Intercept is about Facebook censorship. It's titled "Facebook Says It Is Deleting Accounts at the Direction of the U.S. and Israeli Governments." In it, he writes that Facebook representatives met with the Israeli government to determine which Facebook accounts of Palestinians should be deleted on the grounds that they constituted, quote, "incitement." Alternatively, Israelis have virtually free rein to post whatever they want about Palestinians, and calls by Israelis for the killing of Palestinians are commonplace on Facebook and largely remain undisturbed. That includes a recent Facebook campaign calling for vengeance against Arabs in retribution for the killing of three Israeli teenagers.

AMY GOODMAN: All of this follows President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and as the Israeli right-wing's push now to doom any attempt at a two-state solution. Today's New York Times reports, quote, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party for the first time has urged the annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and the nation's top legal officers pressed to extend Israeli law into occupied territory. In addition, the Israeli Parliament, after a late-night debate, voted early Tuesday to enact stiff new obstacles to any potential land-for-peace deal involving Jerusalem." Again, that's in The New York Times today.

Well, for more, we continue our conversation with Glenn Greenwald, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and founding editor of The Intercept. So, your piece is headlined "Facebook Says It Is Deleting Accounts at the Direction of the U.S. and Israeli Governments." Can you explain exactly which accounts are being deleted and how you found this out?

GLENN GREENWALD: Sure. So, within the last week, Facebook deleted the Facebook account and the Instagram account -- Facebook is the owner of Instagram -- of the president of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, who is a pretty monstrous tyrant. I don't think there's much doubt about that. There are very credible reports that he's at least acquiescing to, if not presiding over, the mass detention and torture and, in some cases, killing of LGBTs within his republic. He has killed and kidnapped and tortured political dissidents. He basically has free rein over the republic, although he ultimately reports to Moscow, but he has, essentially, autonomy over how to run the Chechen Republic. He's an awful tyrant. There's no doubt about that.

So, when Facebook decided suddenly to delete the accounts of the head of the state, who had a total of 4 million followers, they didn't say, "The reason we're doing it is because he's an awful tyrant," who has done all the things I just said. What they said was, "The reason we did it is because he was placed on a list that the United States government State Department manages and the Treasury Department manages, in which he is now the target of sanctions, which means that, under the law, we, Facebook, are obligated to obey the dictates of the United States government and no longer allow him to use our services."

Now, this rationale is sort of dubious. There are other people who are on the same list, like the president of Venezuela, Nicola's Maduro, and many of his top officials, who continue to use Facebook quite actively. But what the rationale actually means, if you think about it, is that the U.S. government, according to Facebook, now has the power to dictate to Facebook who it is who's allowed to use that platform to communicate with the world, and who will be blocked and who will be banned. And, you know, you can take the position, on the one hand, that Facebook is a private company, and it has the right to determine who uses its platform, which is true. The First Amendment technically doesn't apply to Facebook. But Silicon Valley giants have become so powerful and massive -- I would say, in particular, Google, Facebook and Apple -- that they're really much more akin now to public utilities, to almost their own private nation-states, than they are to just average corporations that have competition and the like, so that the power to eliminate somebody from Facebook is almost the power to eliminate them from the internet.

And to hear Facebook say it's the U.S. government, the Trump administration, that has the power to tell us who will use Facebook and who can't is extremely chilling, especially since already last year they proved that they were willing to do the same thing when it came to the Israeli government. As you just mentioned, Amy, there's an article in The New York Times today detailing that the Israeli right, which basically is the dominant faction in Israel, is finally being open about the fact that their real goal is not a two-state solution or a peace process, but is the annexation of the West Bank. And these politicians who are now openly advocating this are the same ones who summoned Facebook executives in October of last year to a meeting and directed them to delete the accounts of a huge number of Palestinian activists, journalists, commentators. And Facebook obeyed in almost every one of the cases, even though, as you indicated, Israelis remain free to say the most heinous and awful things about Palestinians, including an incitement.

So you see Facebook now collaborating with the most powerful governments on the planet -- the Israelis and the Americans, in particular -- to determine who is allowed to speak and who isn't and what messages are allowed to be conveyed and which ones aren't. And it's hard to think of anything more threatening or menacing to internet freedom and the promise of what the internet was supposed to be than behavior like this.

JUAN GONZALEZ: And, Glenn, is there any indication of the people, the Palestinians who were targeted by the Israeli government, that any of them were under U.S. sanctions, there was any reason for the United States to support this? Or was this basically an Israeli government-Facebook conflict, where the Israeli government insisted, if Facebook wanted to continue operating within Israel and the Occupied Territories, that it would have to do this?

GLENN GREENWALD: Yeah, it was basically just pure bullying and coercion on the part of the Israeli government. What they did was they said to Facebook, "We are going to enact a law that requires you to delete the accounts of the -- whatever accounts our government identifies as guilty of incitement. And the only way that you can avoid us enacting this law" -- and this law was going to say Facebook's failure to obey will result in massive fines and ultimately could result in the blocking of Facebook in Israel, the way that China blocks Facebook and other companies that don't comply with its censorship orders. "The only way," the Israeli government said to Facebook, "that you can avoid this law is if you voluntarily obey the orders that we give you about who should be deleted." And Facebook, whether because they were driven by business interests of not wanting to lose the Israeli market, or ideology, that they support the Israeli viewpoint of the world, whichever one of those motives might be driving them, or whatever mixture of motives, complied with the Israeli demands.

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By Dave Lindorff



US Southcom troops propping up the empire in South America

(Image by Department of Defense) Details DMCA



I was in the grocery store a while back when, after my items were tabulated, the checkout clerk asked, "Would you like to contribute to the Wounded Warriors fund?"

I glanced at the line of people to my left -- a little cross-section of America -- and feeling a little skeptical about how they'd respond, I said, "No I don't think so. I'd rather put my money towards some anti-war organization working to try and make sure that there are no more wounded soldiers, and to relief organizations that are supporting the hundreds of thousands of victims of America's illegal wars abroad."

The clerk looked a little taken aback and muttered "okay," but to my surprise nobody spoke up in the line. I was expecting at least one person to call me out as a "terrorist supporter" or a "commie" or who knows what, but instead there was just silence.

Maybe people were thinking about it. Maybe they just didn't know how to react.

But in any case I think it's past time that we on the anti-war left started making it clear that this glorification of American wars, the thanking of people in uniform for their "service," and the blind acceptance of the prevailing argument that everyone in the military is "defending our freedom," has to be challenged at every opportunity.

Look at the map of the globe. According to Nick Turse, writing in the Nation magazine and quoting information from Ken McGraw, a spokesman for troops are fighting in the Pentagon's Special Operations Command, US Special Forces are stationed in 177 countries, and on any given day are conducting missions -- actual or training missions -- in 80-90 of them. As we saw recently with the deaths of several Green Berets in Niger, even members of Congress with a need-to-know responsibility, like those on the Intelligence Committees and Armed Services Committees of the House and Senate, don't know (or claim they don't know) where all those operations and those Special Forces are.

As well, US troops are fighting hot wars in places like Afghanistan and Iraq and Syria, most of them completely illegal, like most of the Special Operations actions, and the drone wars in a host of other countries from Pakistan and Yemen to Somalia, Sudan and, of course Syria again.

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Harvey Weinstein Ce'sars 2014 (cropped)

(Image by (From Wikimedia) Georges Biard, Author: Georges Biard) Details Source DMCA





Alabama had a bit of a problem on its hands earlier this month: Roy Moore, a man besieged by claims of sexual assault from underage girls,looked like he had a real shot at winning a senate seat. He didn't, and we collectively breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't take it lying down, but what man who can call over 10 women blatant liars would? No, Roy Moore, unconvinced that the good people of Alabama wouldn't want a man who preyed on underage girls representing them, is suing for a recount on the basis of voter fraud . That's right: he believes the problem with his losing the election was voter fraud.

Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein, the man who has become as synonymous with scumbags as Kleenex is with tissue, keeps releasing statements from his lawyers and PR firm defending himself . It's like Weinstein is on a campaign to take back his "good" name, no matter how much evidence appears, how large the outcry or how many other scumbags fade to black after getting called out. Even sweet Peter Jackson, the man best known for giving us hobbits, confirmed Weinstein blacklisted actresses . Nothing appears to matter to Weinstein; like the sociopath he is, he ambles forward, regardless of the damage.

It takes a special kind of person to be this oblivious -- or, more than likely, uncaring -- that the world is eager to never see or hear from them again. It's narcissism on an incalculable scale. It's kind of like knowing the distance between our solar system and other solar systems -- once you really start to think about the giant black voidness of space, you get a little nauseated and have to sit down and think about things like puppies and rainbows to keep from throwing up.

It's time for these guys to just stop. They need to follow in the footsteps of Louis CK: release an awkward and unsatisfying apology and just vanish. They need to realize that the world has moved past guys who would treat women so grossly, and there's no room left in the public sphere for them. It's time for Harvey Weinstein to pick a hobby that isn't sexually terrorizing brilliant and talented women. Perhaps he can go back to school for his degree in whatever career keeps him from interacting with other people (so no degrees in leadership or anything else with a position of power - let's save that for the truly qualified, dedicated people without a black hole for a moral compass).

And as for Roy Moore" well, as

said about Hillary Clinton, he should just shut up and go away.Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

As 2017 fades from view, it is important to remember all the actions and words taken or spoken during the past year that brought this nation closer to yet another war and added fuel and intensity to the existing wars. There were so many moments when all of us who want genuine peace, justice and a sustainable planet nearly jumped out of our skins with shock and outrage at what was being proposed accompanied by an unparalleled sense of urgency about fighting back.

At times, we were amazed at the strength of the opposition. There are many inspirational images of the outpouring of people into airports around the country in opposition to the proposed travel ban or the millions speaking out for women's rights and equality or protection of the environment and the planet we all live on.

It was also a year when work to eliminate nuclear weapons from the face of the earth was recognized as an essential element of the road to peace. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) won the Nobel Peace Prize for its ability to facilitate the development of an International Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons. This historic treaty was originally supported by 170 nations. If only 51 nations sign and ratify this treaty, it will have the force of law, even though none of the nuclear powers participated in the negotiations or will likely sign the treaty. Thousands will never forget getting soaked in the steady, soaking rains for the entirety of the June 17th Women's March to Ban Nuclear Weapons in New York City, which took place just days before the negotiations began!!

But despite all these positive and effective efforts, the opposition to the wars that envelope the world isn't nearly as strong or as visible as it needs to be. It must grow louder and more visible in 2018! It must be pushed forward independent of the Democratic and Republican parties because, unfortunately, there is bi-partisan support for these wars.

We must end the U.S. support for Saudi Arabia in the war on Yemen -- saving millions from starvation, death and destruction. We must end the U.S. war on Syria and its push for regime change and allow the Syrian people to heal and to rebuild their country. We must prevent a U.S. war with North Korea, because it's a certainty that any war with North Korea will result in the use of nuclear weapons -- something that would be devastating to us all.

We need to push for an end to the U.S. policy of regime change, a policy that violates international law. And if we can get our government to call back those words that named Jerusalem the capital of Israel, we must do so. We can call for cutbacks on U.S. military aid to Israel and justice for the Palestinian people. While we're at it, let's stop the endless U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the new and continuing efforts by the U.S. to destabilize Iran, instead of protecting the Iran nuclear deal. Today, the actions of these United States are perceived more as an impediment to world peace, instead of a contributor to it.

Meanwhile, here at home, we need to continue our work to move the money out of the $700 billion military budget to programs that our communities need. The cuts to children's health insurance programs, environmental protection, public education, public transportation, infrastructure and more, combined with the new "Tax Plan's" redistribution of wealth toward the wealthiest 1% and the major corporations, will leave many more in poverty.

We must also continue the consistent, hard work needed to recognize and dismantle the racism that already existed and that has been emboldened over the past year -- toward African-Americans, Muslims and immigrants, for starters. The recent death of Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, who repeatedly told police "I can't breathe, I can't breathe," before he was choked to death, reminds us of the police brutality that must continue to be opposed and stopped, once and for all.

And, unfortunately, more than 50% of Puerto Rico is still without electricity. How can this be in a nation that has so much money tied up in funding the U.S. military? It is time that the U.S. shift its priorities away from wars overseas -- and instead focus its efforts on taking care of devastated communities here at home, spending some of those billions on confronting climate change so we can prevent the increase in devastating weather events.

We have our work cut out for us, but then again, we always have. So here's to having made it through 2017 -- and to working together to create a much better 2018!

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Gandhi

(Article changed on January 4, 2018 at 18:31)Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Cap Times



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Barely a year after the death of Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 1957, the voters of his home state sent Robert Kastenmeier to the U.S. House of Representatives. A passionate foe of McCarthy and McCarthyism, the young Democrat sought to break the spell of Cold War fear and reaction that the late senator had exploited to such destructive ends.

To do this, Kastenmeier began working with a handful of progressive members of the House -- including California Congressman James Roosevelt (President Franklin Roosevelt's eldest son) -- to establish what came to be known as the Liberal Project. Kastenmeier suggested that a young congressional aide from Wisconsin, Marcus Raskin, draw up a plan for advancing this transformative "new politics" in Congress and in what they hoped would become a dramatically more progressive Democratic Party.

Raskin came of age in the era when Wisconsin was a laboratory of democracy, where independent Progressives ran state government, Socialists governed Milwaukee, and a liberal Democratic Party was being shaped by young leaders such as Kastenmeier and Gaylord Nelson. His uncle, Max Raskin, the Milwaukee city attorney in the 1930s and later one of the state's most well-regarded jurists, was a central figure in the era.

Marcus Raskin brought a "Wisconsin Idea" passion to writing the Liberal Project memo, arguing for a "much broader (agenda) than the kind of economic liberalism promulgated in the 1930s." He suggested that what was needed was "a complete ... restatement of all areas of public policy, foreign policy, defense policy, industrial policy, agricultural policy, legal and judicial policy. Finally, what is needed is a formulation of the philosophic condition of Man in the 20th Century."

Working with Kastenmeier, Raskin drew leading intellectuals into the process of establishing a "rational program" for postwar liberalism that might "serve as a basis for writing a suggested Democratic Party platform for 1960 and as a campaign text for liberal candidates." They produced "The Liberal Papers," an ambitious agenda that Commentary magazine described as an "indication of a resurgent citizenry in America."

Click Here to Read Whole ArticleMichael-in-Norfolk disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, reliability, operability, or availability of information or material displayed on this site and does not claim credit for any images or articles featured on this site, unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to it's respectful owners. Information on this site may contain errors or inaccuracies, and Michael-in-Norfolk does not make warranty as to the correctness or reliability of the site's content. If you own rights to any of the images or articles, and do not wish them to appear on this site, please contact Michael-in-Norfolk via e-mail and they will be promptly removed. Michael-in-Norfolk contains links to other Internet sites. These links are provided solely as a convenience and are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information or content in such site has been endorsed or approved by this blog.Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"The most effective ways to create a more inclusive, fair-for-all future will be from the bottom up. Rob Kall's book lays out how that would look with a hopeful, pragmatic vision that will change the way you see the world."



Dave Zirin, sports editor for The Nation, a columnist for The Progressive, and the author of eight books on the politics of sports, including What's My Name, Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States and A People's History of SpoDairy Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their diaries after publishing them.



To see if the diary was renamed or re-published, please click here.Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Dispatches From The Edge



Awards

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Each year Dispatches From the Edge gives awards to individuals, companies and governments that make reading the news a daily adventure. Here are the awards for 2017.

The Reverse WEBBY Award to the Colsa Corporation based in Huntsville, Ala, a company that runs the multi-million dollar WebOps program for the U.S. Defense Department. WebOps, according to Associated Press, employs "specialists" who "employ fictitious identities and try to sway targets from joining the Islamic State." But the "specialists" are not fluent and used the Arabic word for "salad" in place of "authority." Thus the governing body set up by the 1993 Oslo Accords became the "Palestinian salad" (tasty with a light vinaigrette).

Runner up is the military's Special Operations Forces (SOFs) that botched a raid in Yemen last February that got a Navy SEAL killed and destroyed a $75 million MV-22 Osprey aircraft. Desperate to show that the raid gathered valuable intelligence, U.S. commanders published a video on how to make explosives that they say were captured during the raid. Except the video was 10 years old and all over the Internet. The raid also killed several children, but the Trump administration called it "a success by all standards."

The Little Bo Peep Award to the DOD's "Iraq Train and Equip" program that lost track of $1.6 billion worth of weapons and military equipment, some of which might have fallen into the hands of the Islamic State. "Sending millions of dollars worth of arms into a black hole and hoping for the best is not a viable counter-terrorism strategy" Amnesty International researcher Patrick Wilcken told the Financial Times.

The Rudyard Kipling Award to the U.S. DOD for spending $28 million on new camouflage uniforms for the Afghan Army that depict a lush forest background. The country is almost 98 percent desert.

Runner up is the British New Century Consulting contractor hired by the U.S. for $536 million to train intelligence officers for the Afghan Army. There is no evidence that the company did so, but New Century did buy Alfa Romeos and Bentleys for its executives and paid six-figure salaries to employees' relatives without any record of their doing work.

The U.S. has spent $120 billion in Afghanistan since 2002. Most of it goes to train the Afghan armed forces, whose desertion rate is close to 35 percent, in part because the Taliban are inflicting heavy casualties on police and soldiers. How many casualties? Not clear, because the Pentagon has classified those figures. "The Afghans know what's going on; the Taliban knows what's going on; the U.S. Military knows what's going on," says John F. Sopko, the special inspector for Afghanistan. "The only people who don't know what's going on are the people paying for it."

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According to The Guardian, Michael Wolff's new book "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" lifts the lid off of the Trump administration. Steve Bannon pointed out what most inferred.

He is particularly scathing about a June 2016 meeting involving Trump's son Donald Jr, son-in-law Jared Kushner, then campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in New York. A trusted intermediary had promised documents that would "incriminate" rival Hillary Clinton but instead of alerting the FBI to a potential assault on American democracy by a foreign power, Trump Jr replied in an email: "I love it." The meeting was revealed by the New York Times in July last year, prompting Trump Jr to say no consequential material was produced. Soon after, Wolff writes, Bannon remarked mockingly: "The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers. "Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad sh*t, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately."

Bannon had some criticisms for his friend, the President as well.

In Wolff's book, obtained by the Guardian ahead of publication from a bookseller in New England, he suggests White House hopes for a quick end to the Mueller investigation are gravely misplaced. "You realise where this is going," he is quoted as saying. "This is all about money laundering. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to f*cking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Jared Kushner " It's as plain as a hair on your face."

Steve Bannon was on the inside and based on his rhetoric it seems he kept himself in the clear. The surrounding cast of amateurs seemed to have dug themselves their graves.

Last month it was reported that federal prosecutors had subpoenaed records from Deutsche Bank, the German financial institution that has lent hundreds of millions of dollars to the Kushner property empire. Bannon continues: "It goes through Deutsche Bank and all the Kushner sh*t. The Kushner sh*t is greasy. They're going to go right through that. They're going to roll those two guys up and say play me or trade me." Scorning apparent White House insouciance, Bannon reaches for a hurricane metaphor: "They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five." He insists that he knows no Russians, will not be a witness, will not hire a lawyer and will not appear on national television answering questions.

Yesterday I posted a blog titled "Trump not smart enough to realize GOP establishment using him" about the GOP using Trump's ignorance to move the GOP's draconian Ayn Randian policies forward. If Bannon's utterances are correct, which they likely are, they can forget any possibility of attaining any of their goals. And that would be a good thing. A 2018 blue wave can undo some of the damage in 2019 and full recovery with a presidential win in 2020. But the work must start now and be ongoing.Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

It was Christmas Eve 1951 that I arrived in Idlewild airport (now Kennedy) to meet my father for the first time at the age of eleven. Our family had been separated by the war. Next day I arrived in Richmond, Virginia, which was to be my new home. My daily walk to parochial school at Bethlehem Lutheran Church took me past the statues of JEB Stuart, Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee. These were just several of the reminders of early history that are plentiful in Richmond, many going back before the formation of the nation.

My lived experience of Richmond was that of a cohesive, stable society. The issue of race was implicit more than explicit because the segregation was complete, and thus substantially invisible. Church life, school life, and residential patterns were all segregated. When black visitors did come to our church, which was rarely, they would be greeted warmly like other visitors, but not really welcomed into membership. Soon they would drift away again. What first brought racial realities home to me was a visit to the local general aviation airport, where an old water fountain had made provision for blacks that in all aspects was different from the one for the whites. The bowl was smaller; the spout was of a lesser design. It was mounted closer to the ground so that blacks would have to bend over more to reach it. All that complication--a doubling of the parts count, for one thing-- just to maintain the distinction between black and white. Separate and unequal. It took it to be a relic of an earlier day.

I remained somewhat oblivious to the dimensions of the issue. At the Greyhound Station one day, everyone was staring at me in the men's room, and then I realized that all the faces were black. I had mistakenly entered the black men's room, an event likely without precedent. On another occasion, riding my bicycle in what must have been a black area, some kid yelled after me, "white trash." Ok, so this racial animosity goes both ways. No surprise there.

Yet when it came to the values taught in school one could hardly ask for better. Civic virtue, the rule of law, the sanctity of the Constitution, and of the Bill of Rights in particular, all were paramount. We held each other to high standards in discourse. "That's guilt by association;" "that's an 'ad hominem' argument." Not ok. We granted that the Soviets, our new adversaries, may indeed be abiding by the letter of the law, but we indicted them for not also abiding by the spirit of the law--the higher standard to which we felt ourselves obligated. Without a doubt, considerable idealism reigned. Racial realities were not seen as a living contradiction of our ideals.

Then in 1954 came the Supreme Court decision in "Brown versus (Kansas City) Board of Education." What had been implicit now became explicit. Virginia went into a campaign of massive resistance. Jack Kilpatrick, then Editor of the Richmond News Leader, took up the cause of our instruction in the Interposition Doctrine of John C. Calhoun. Put simply, if more than one-fourth of the States deem a ruling of the Supreme Court to be tantamount to an amendment to the Constitution to which they objected, then that ruling should remain without effect. For weeks and months on end we were instructed in the historical background and intellectual pedigree of this doctrine. Since the process of amending the Constitution was intentionally complex, it should not be easily hijacked by a rogue Supreme Court. The rule of law would only be further assured by providing for the corrective of a final recourse by the States. It is those without power that most depend upon the protection of the laws. The appeal here was to both law and logic, ever the refuge of the underdog, which the Southern States had become.

Then in 1961 came the commemoration of the Civil War, the War Between the States, at Virginia Tech. I expressed my wonderment that the Civil War should still play such a large role to Dean G. Burke Johnston, who was heavily involved in the planning for the event. He was taken aback by the question, but then provided a multi-fold answer. I don't remember the particulars, but vividly recall the emotions involved in their delivery. I had touched on a sensitive issue. And yet I was talking to one of the most humane individuals I have ever met. The arguments were not about race and the preservation of slavery. The war had been the defining event for the South over its entire history.

The South had lost the war, and the consequences of that loss were still reverberating through the society one hundred years later. Victors in war move on to other issues, never realizing what torments they have unleashed among the losers. They also get to write the history books. In the grand scheme, the issue was one of the Hamiltonian versus the Jeffersonian view of the new republic. Hamilton's was the path that would lead to empire. Jefferson's was the path to a more fluid, less centralizing democracy that would allow for its own renewal from time to time, even through revolution if necessary. The flag of the State of Virginia is a spear through the heart of a vanquished tyrant.



Confederate Flag,

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Further the report segments MEA into Israel, Nigeria, South Africa and GCC. Asia Pacific excluding Japan is further divided into Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and India. The report further categorizes Europe into Nordic, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and The United Kingdom. North America is segmented into Canada and The United States. Latin America is further segregated into Argentina, Mexico, and BrazilBrowse Complete Report with TOC @Moreover, the report provide the market attractiveness index for the reader in order to make them understand about the present market scenario along with the key findings. The research report provide the market size and projection for every region as well as overall Compound Annual Growth Rate in percentage from 2017-2022.Global Food Processing Equipment Market: Key Player AnalysisThe final section of the report presents the competitive landscape of the companies operating in the food processing equipment market. The report also present information regarding the introduction of the innovative product and expansion of the companies in various geographical segments. The market is analyzed on significant parameter which include SWOT analysis, financial analysis of the companies, product portfolios, and recent development in the food processing equipment market. The research report also presents companies operating in the food processing equipment market such as BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG., Dover Corporation, GEA Group AG, NICHIMO CO., LTD, ALFA LAVAL, Meyer Industries, Bucher Industries AG, Marel, John Bean Technologies Corporation, SPX Corporation, Tetra Laval, and Middleby Corporation.Enquire About this Report @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Global Silicone Defoamer Market to Witness Rapid Growth in the Coming Years

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The silicone defoamer report provide a comprehensive analysis of the aspects responsible for restraining and driving growth of the market. This publication on Global Silicone Defoamer Market has been incorporated to Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)s extensive research repository. In the overview portion of the report comprises the opportunities prevailing in the worldwide silicone defoamer market along with that this portion of the report also include market attractiveness assessment that offers a comprehensive analysis of the international silicone defoamer market.Get Free Sample Report @The report also presents the revenue of the silicone defoamer market by US$ Million which range between the period of 2015 -2025 and overall CAGR % close to 2017 to 2025 are offered for each and every segments and 2016 considering as its base year. Moreover, the rapid increase in demand for the fresh water for industrial applications and used for domestic purpose. Rise in demand for this market in food and beverage applications, rising in population and escalating demand for paper as a tissue and a packaging materials are provided in detailed.Global Silicone Defoamer Market: Regional and Segmental AnalysisThe study bifurcated the global silicone deformer market in terms of region and applications.In terms of applications, the study segregated the global silicone defoamer market into food and beverage, paint and coatings, water treatment, Paper and Pulp and other applications. According to region, the report divides the worldwide market for silicone defoamer market into North America, Latin America, rest of the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific. Further, the report divides the North America region into Canada and United States. Europe is segmented into Rest of Europe, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and United Kingdom. Similarly, Asia Pacific is segregated into Rest of Asia Pacific, ASEAN, Japan, India and China. The Middle East and Africa is bifurcated into rest of Middle East and Africa, South Africa, and GCC and Latin America is segmented into Brazil, Mexico, and rest of Latin America. Furthermore, the report offers market attractiveness index for the readers in order to provide high growth potential in a particular region or of a particular segment along with the key findings.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Global Silicone Defoamer Market: Competitive AnalysisThis section of the report showcases key players functioning in the global silicone defoamer market. the silicone defoamers market are analysed on certain parameters which include, SWOT analysis, financial ratio, product portfolios, current development in the global silicone defoamer market and associated manufacturing units adding to the growth, key trends. The report throws lights on the key business strategies utilized by the key competitors. Companies mentioned in the report are as Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Dew Specialty Chemicals, Ashland, BASF SE, Elkem Silicones, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant International Ltd., Dow Corning Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Wacker Chemie AG, Resils Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., and Supreme Silicones. In the final section of the research report comprises of a dashboard view, enabling the reader to understand the competitive landscape of the global silicone defoamer market. The report also provide the present and future status of the global silicone defoamer market along with the company overview are also discussed in the report.Enquire About this Report @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Global Anti-Venom Market Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during 2017-2025

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This research report offers a comprehensive analysis of the Anti-Venom Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025The main objective of this report is to deliver insightful information and clear-cut facts pertaining to the growth trajectories of the market.Request to view Sample Report @Global Anti-venom Market  SnapshotBiotechnology and healthcare industry is experiencing a significant demand from emerging economies across the globe. The report includes extensive analysis on the historic data across the biotechnology and healthcare segment and forecast for the anti-venom market considering all possible factors impacting the growth. The main factor driving the anti-venom market is the anti-venom treatment being the only standard treatment for snake bite with no alternative treatment. Other factors that support growth of anti-venom market is high prevalence of snake bites, scorpion bites, and other animal or insect bites such as fish stings. Encroachment of forest lands for agricultural and housing purposes has enabled human to be in close proximity to poisonous insects and animals, thus increasing the demand for anti-venom which is most effective treatment for venomous bites.Developing Nations in MEA and Asia Pacific to Showcase Lucrative ProspectsContinuous research and development to provide innovative drugs and treatment for animal or insect sting has boosted the development of the anti-venom market. High demand for anti-venom Asia Pacific, Middle East & Asia, and Latin America has attracted regional manufacturers for anti-venom development. Increasing demand for anti-venom in developing countries has led to presence of key players in countries like India and Africa, offering anti-venom products at affordable price. The developing global economic conditions create a huge opportunity for the expansion of the anti-venom market. The rise in individual per capita incomes is bound to increase the spending on health care. In the developing countries of Asia Pacific and Middle East, growing population and per capita income are important drivers of the market. According to economist intelligence unit (EIU), the number of high-income households are estimated to be around 540 million by 2019, out of which Asia Pacific is likely to contribute a share of more than 50%.Region wise global anti-venom market is segmented into five key regions, namely North America (NA), Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LA), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Middle East & Africa leads the global anti-venom market followed by Asia Pacific due to presence of highly poisonous snakes in many countries like India, South Africa, Nigeria, etc., which report to have highest death rate due to snake bite. India and South Africa recorded with significant market share in the anti-venom market. India holds dominant position in Asia Pacific anti-venom market accounting to about 50% of the total annual snake bites occurring worldwide, as reported by WHO, thus attracting anti-venom manufacturers in the region.Browse Full Report with TOC @Polyvalent Segment to Record High GrowthBased on anti-venom type, anti-venom market is segmented into monovalent and polyvalent anti-venom. While based on product type anti-venom market is segmented into snake anti-venom, scorpion anti-venom, spider anti-venom, and other anti-venoms. The market for anti-venom is majorly driven by polyvalent segment. Snake anti-venom segment holds the largest market for anti-venom, owing to high prevalence of venomous snake bites causing high rate of mortality and morbidity without anti-venom treatment. Anti-venom market is further segmented by distribution channel into four main categories i.e. hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and other distribution channels. Segment hospital holds largest share amongst the four in anti-venom market.High cost of anti-venom owing to high production cost and lack in availability of essential anti-venom stock worldwide is major concern for growth of anti-venom market. Moreover the snake bite health hazard is listed amongst the top neglected tropical disease. Thus, considering this efforts have been taken on national and international level to increase production of anti-venom to gap the supply for anti-venom demand. The anti-venom market is fragmented, with presence of several large industry players. CSL Behring, Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd., Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Vacsera, Vins Bioproducts Limited, Rare Therapeutics, etc.Enquire about this Report @Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:Diagnosis Procedure Expected to Boost Revenue Growth of the Global Rare Hematology Market

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The development of the worldwide market for rare hematology highly depended on the micro and macro-economic aspects. The growing issue of the blood related disorder will rev-up the development of the worldwide rare hematology market. The first hand study named Global Rare Hematology Market has been added by Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)s extensive research repository. The report discloses that the majority of the treatment process for this diseases are not authorized by the FDA. Mainly, the hematologist are mainly focusing on the innovating safe and new medicine for further enhancement. The report reveals that the hundreds of hospitals and clinics are waiting at the final stage of approval by the FDA. The rare hematology is anticipated to register slow growth in the global rare hematology market. Furthermore, the specialist, patients, researchers, caregivers and advocacy groups are working together to spread more awareness about the blood disorder.Get Free Sample Report @In foreseeable future, the less effort by the blood disorder specific foundation is anticipated to witness slow growth in the rare hematology market, across the world. Also, the other group such as patients, caregivers and specialists are united together to uplift the growth of the rare hematology, around the globe. Hence, these are certain aspects for the development of the market. Increase in demand for diagnosis process at early stage is anticipated to influence development of the market significantly.Global Rare Hematology Market: Segmental Analysis & Regional SnapshotThe research report segregate the global market for rare hematology market on the basis of region, age, treatment type. On the basis of region, the report divides the global rare hematology market into Latin America, the Middle East & Africa, Europe, North America, and Japan. Based on age, the study categorizes the global market for rare hematology market into pediatric and adult. On account of treatment type, the report divide the worldwide market into acquired hemophilia A, von wile brand disease, hemophilia B, hemophilia A, recombinant factors, and plasma derived factors. Furthermore, the report also provide key findings as well as the market attractiveness index for the reader in order to make them assure about the scope of the report.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Global Rare Hematology Market: Top Player InsightsThis final section of the report provide a dashboard view to the readers in order to make the aware about the competitive landscape of the global rare hematology market. The study analysis the report on certain parameters which include SWOT analysis, product portfolios, recent development in the market along with the financial ratio. The report highlights the trends and key business strategies that will assist the new entrants and existing players to expand in the rare hematology market. The report offers insight on the current companies operating in the rare hematology market such as PRA Health Sciences, Celgene Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Amgen Inc.,Bayer Healthcare AG, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Biogen Inc., Shire plc, CSL Behring LLC, and Pfizer Inc. the report also covers the product overview and company overview are also discussed.Enquire About this Report @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:OBD Telematics 2018 Global Industry Key Players - Delphi , Continental , LG, Geotab , Danlaw Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022

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World OBD Telematics MarketExecutive SummaryOBD Telematics market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Request a Sample Report @The Players mentioned in our reportDelphiContinentalLGGeotabDanlawCalAmpAutomaticDashZubieBoschXirgo TechnologiesMojioAutonet.Global OBD Telematics Market: Product Segment AnalysisSIM Card TypeWifi TypeGlobal OBD Telematics Market: Application Segment AnalysisRepair TechniciansState AgenciesVehicle OwnersVehicle and Engine ManufacturersGlobal OBD Telematics Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaTo enquire about this report visit @Table of Content-Key Points CoveredChapter 1 About the OBD Telematics Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.1.1 SIM Card Type1.1.2 Wifi Type1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape2.1 OBD Telematics Markets by Regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.6 South East AsiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.2 World OBD Telematics Market by TypesSIM Card TypeWifi Type2.3 World OBD Telematics Market by ApplicationsRepair TechniciansState AgenciesVehicle OwnersVehicle and Engine Manufacturers2.4 World OBD Telematics Market Analysis2.4.1 World OBD Telematics Market Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-20172.4.2 World OBD Telematics Market Consumption and Growth rate 2012-20172.4.3 World OBD Telematics Market Price Analysis 2012-2017Chapter 3 World OBD Telematics Market share3.1 Major Production Market share by Players3.2 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share by Players3.3 Major Production Market share by Regions in 2017, Through 20223.4 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share By Regions in 2017, Through 2022Chapter 4 Supply Chain Analysis4.1 Industry Supply chain Analysis4.2 Raw material Market Analysis4.2.1 Raw material Prices Analysis 2012-20174.2.2 Raw material Supply Market Analysis4.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis4.3 Production Process Analysis4.4 Production Cost Structure Benchmarks4.5 End users Market AnalysisContinued..Buy Report@Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt LtdOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaStringent Regulatory Process for Approvals Creates Hindrance for Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Market

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"Peripheral Nerve Repair Market driven by increase in accidental cases and trauma, high demand of surgical interventions."The rising geriatric population, increasing prevalence of neurological and epidemic disorders, and recent innovation of advanced nerve repair & regeneration products have together supported the global peripheral; nerve repair market in exhibiting promising growth. MarketResearchReports.biz has added a report, titled Global Peripheral Nerve Repair Market Analysis By Technique (Direct Repair, Nerve Grafting, Nerve Conduits, Others), By Region, By Country: Opportunities and Forecast (2017-2022) - By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, RoW); By Country (US, Canada, Germany, France, U.K., China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil), which studies the various factors enabling growth in the market. It is intended to offer a more holistic overview to the stakeholders, and help market players gauge the investment feasibility in the global peripheral nerve repair market.Despite several promising factors, stringent process of product approvals is hindering the markets trajectory to an extent. Nonetheless, the increasing incidence of neurological disorders and peripheral nerve injuries and recent improvements in the healthcare facilities, especially in emerging nations across Asia Pacific will enable the market sustain its pace in the forthcoming years.To provide a holistic overview of the global peripheral nerve repair market, the report segments it based on various parameters. For instance, in terms of surgery the market can be categorized into nerve grafting, direct neuropathy, stem cell therapy, and neuromodulation surgery. Of these, the neuromodulation surgery segment witnessed high demand in 2016 among patients suffering from neural disorder. Based on product, the market can be bifurcated into neuromodulation surgery and biomaterials devices. The former as per the report exhibited high growth in 2016 due to the plethora of products encompassed within the category.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Regionally, the global peripheral nerve repair market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Among these regions, North America has emerged as a lucrative market for peripheral nerve repair. The presence of several leading diagnostic manufacturers and the rising number of patients suffering from neurological disorders and Alzheimers diseases have enabled the market report strong growth in North America. Besides this, the North America market is expected to expand on the back of the regions sophisticated healthcare infrastructure.However, during the course of the reports forecast period, the market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a higher rate considering the rising incidence of chronic ailments and favorable government initiatives. On account of government support, the healthcare sector in Asia Pacific is slated to expand in the coming years. These factors together have created an environment conducive to growth of the global peripheral nerve repair market. In addition, Latin America offers ample scope to the market. The peripheral nerve repair market in Mexico is forecast to register impressive growth on account of the recent development in the healthcare facilities and the increasing number of patients who require blood and whole blood components.Send An Enquiry Request @Besides discussing in detail various aspects within the market influencing strategies of the leading market players, the report also profiles them in detail. Information such as their product portfolio, development status, and recent strategies are factored in to gauge influence they exert on the global peripheral nerve repair market. This reports is intended to gauge the extent of competition in the market. Hence for the purpose of the study, the report includes profiles of companies such as Axogen Inc., Collgan Matrix, Medtronic, Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp, Boston Scientific Corporation, Baxter International, Polyganics, and Stryker Corp.About Us:MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketaState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizU.S. Animal Healthcare Market: Industry Insights by Product, Animal Type, Growth Factors and Popular Trends Forecast to 2023

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The U.S. animal healthcare market will be observing a consistent growth in the coming years due to increasing pet adoption, consumption of meat and milk, and zoonotic and food borne diseases. Out of the three product types in the U.S animal healthcare market, pharmaceuticals held the largest share. The high consumption of animal products in the U.S. has led to increased investment in animals feed and health.Request for a free sample of this research report:In terms of animal population for both production and companion animals, the U.S. is one of the largest countries globally. The companion animal segment held the largest share in the U.S. animal healthcare market. The segment is also expected to grow at a faster rate in coming years.According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), forecast to 2018, 139.3 million freshwater fishes and 94.2 million cats will be owned by the U.S. nationals. The surgical vet cost for cats and dogs will account to be $245 and $474 respectively.The U.S. animal healthcare market is expected to grow in coming years due to growth in research activities for certain new diseases. The growth of the U.S. animal healthcare market is also attributed to the growth in domestic consumption and export of milk and meat. Veterinary service is becoming one of the recognized professions in the U.S. and the number of veterinarians has been increasing in the country. According to the Employment Projection Programme of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of employed veterinarians is expected to grow from 70,300 in 2012 to 78,700 by 2022.Explore report at:Use of antibiotics for speeding up the growth of animals is another challenge in the U.S. animal healthcare market. According to the guidelines issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the usage of antibiotics should be minimized in meat producing animals, as it causes antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance in the human population that consumes that meat.Make enquiry before purchasing the report:Some of the key players of the U.S. animal healthcare market include Zoetis, Elanco, Merial, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Animal Heath, Virbac, Merck, Ceva Animal Health, Phirbo Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Vetoquinol.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:Data Quality Tools Market 2017 Global Industry Key Players: Informatica, IBM, SAS, Talend, Pitney Bowes, RedPoint Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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This report studies the global Data Quality Tools market, analyzes and researches the Data Quality Tools development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeMarket Analysis by Players:InformaticaIBMSASSAPOracleTrillium SoftwareInformation BuliderExperianAtaccamaTalendPitney BowesRedPointRequest a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoOn-premisesCloudMarket segment by Application, Data Quality Tools can be split intoEnterpriseGovernmentMake an enquiry of this Report @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Data Quality Tools Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Data Quality Tools1.1 Data Quality Tools Market Overview1.1.1 Data Quality Tools Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Data Quality Tools Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Data Quality Tools Market by Type1.3.1 On-premises1.3.2 Cloud1.4 Data Quality Tools Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Enterprise1.4.2 Government2 Global Data Quality Tools Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Data Quality Tools Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Informatica3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 IBM3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 SAS3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 SAP3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Oracle3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Trillium Software3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Information Bulider3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Experian3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Ataccama3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Talend3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Data Quality Tools Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Pitney Bowes3.12 RedPoint4 Global Data Quality Tools Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Data Quality Tools Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Data Quality Tools Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Data Quality Tools in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Data Quality Tools5 United States Data Quality Tools Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Data Quality Tools Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Data Quality Tools Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Data Quality Tools Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Data Quality Tools Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Data Quality Tools Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)ContinuedPurchase Report @ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India2D Materials Market With Worldwide Industry Analysis To 2025

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2D materials or 2-Dimensional materials are defined as materials that are crystalline and consist a single layer of atoms. 2D materials can generally be categorized into either 2D allotropes of various elements or compounds as a suspension of graphite oxide with atomic planes. Properties such as conductivity of heat and electricity, corrosion resistance, optically transparent, and flexibility makes 2D materials ideal for usage in electronics and semiconductor industries.Request Report Brochure @Inclination for usage of renewable energy, rise in usage of 2D materials in hydrogen fuel cells in electric cars, cost saving initiatives, environmentally-friendly norms, and pollution-free legislations by governments are the major drivers of the 2D materials market. Increase in demand for Transparent Conductive Films (TCF) in electronic devices such as touch screens of mobile phones, displays, solid state lighting, and solar PV modules is another key factor boosting the 2D materials market. Significant investments by emerging economies such as India, China, and Japan in sectors such as transport, energy storage, composites, textiles, and others is also one of the prominent factors augmenting the 2D materials market. Factors such as development of cost-effective graphene (2D Materials) electrodes and requirements to meet industrial norms are hampering the 2D materials market.Based on type, the market can be segmented into graphene, graphyne, borophene, germanene, silicine, and stanene. Graphene, a monolayer material derived from graphite, is a crystalline allotrope of carbon. It is relatively stronger than most steels by weight. Graphene is the widely used 2D material due to its extensive range of applications in various sectors.In terms of end-use, the 2D materials market can be divided into pharmaceuticals, photovoltaic, semiconductors, automobile, airplanes, electronics, and energy storage devices. 2D materials are increasingly used in energy storage devices such as super capacitors, fuel cells, and rechargeable batteries. Automobile and electronics segments are expected to witness significant growth from 2017 to 2025. Rise in usage of 2D materials in automobile, airplanes, and electronics industries to lower manufacturing cost and time is the primary factor driving the segments.In terms of geography, the 2D materials market can be segregated into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region of the 2D materials market; China accounts for the largest graphite reserves in the world. The country is currently the largest producer of graphene in the world. In terms of consumption, China and Japan are the major consumers of graphene, as it is used to replace lithium ion batteries in electric cars. Replacement of traditional lithium ion batteries with graphene helps companies lower the charging period of electric cars, thus saving costs, time, and increasing efficiency. With vast base of R&D and technological innovations, China is one of the fastest growing markets for producing solar PV modules using graphene.Read Report Overview @Key players manufacturing 2D materials include 2D Tech Graphene, Abalonyx AS, ACS Material, LLC, AVANZARE, BASF SE, and XG Sciences, Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Adhesives and Sealant Additives Market Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored

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Joining of various components has been an integral part of modern industry sectors such as electrical and automotive. Classic methods of joining such as screwing, welding, and riveting have been replaced with modern bonding systems such as adhesives and sealants. Various types of adhesive systems are available in the market. These range from solvent-borne systems or solvent-free reactive systems to aqueous dispersion adhesive products. Different types of adhesives are employed in these systems to impart characteristics during their production. Various types of additives are available for adhesives and sealants.Request Report Brochure @These include defoamers, wetting agents, pigments, fillers, dispersing agents, rheology additives, and surface additives. Additives impart specific characteristics and are generally used in various combination and concentration for the production of different types of adhesives and sealants. Wetting and dispersing agents help in dispersion of pigments and fillers. Furthermore, they help achieve higher filling level by decreasing viscosity, and prevent sedimentation. Rheology additives are added to systematically adjust the thixotropic or pseudoplastic behavior of the end product.Based on technology, the market for adhesives and sealant additives can be segmented into reactive technology, solvent-based technology, hot-melt technology and water-based technology. Based on end-user industry, the market for adhesive and sealant additives can be segregated into building & construction, automotive, paper & packaging, furniture, leather & footwear, and others. The adhesive and sealant additives market is anticipated to witness strong growth during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand from various end-user industries. Sealants are known to offer high elongation and lower strength than adhesives. This makes them useful in sealing applications of joints and assemblies.Increase in construction activities, especially in BRIC countries, is projected to provide ample growth opportunities to sealant additives during the forecast period. In terms of technology, the water-based segment held significant share of the market in 2016. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The water-based segment was followed by the solvent-based and hot-melt in 2016. In terms of end-use industry, the building & construction accounted for major share of the market in 2016. It is likely to continue its dominance during the forecast period. Increase in population and growth in dispensable income among middle-class are the key factors propelling the construction industry in developing economies. Thus, growth in the building & construction sector is anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities for adhesive and sealants markets. This, in turn, is projected boost the market for adhesive and sealant additives. Development of bio-based adhesives and sealants can hamper the market during the forecast periodRead Report Overview @Geographically, Asia Pacific held significant share of the market in 2016. The market in the region is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. China accounted for dominating share of the adhesive and sealant additives market in Asia Pacific in 2016. This growth can be ascribed to the expansion in automotive, building & construction, and other industries in the country. The adhesives and sealant additives market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a moderate pace in other applications including paper & packaging, furniture, and leather & footwear. The market in Asia Pacific was closely followed by that in North America and Europe in 2016. Together, North America and Europe constituted significant share of the adhesive and sealant additives market in 2016.Key players operating in the adhesive and sealant additives market include ALTANA, IMCD, Cabot Corporation, and 3M.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Alternative Energy Cable Market Key Players, Growth, Analysis, 2017  2025

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Demand for Renewable energy, also known as alternative energy, is growing rapidly. Alternative energy is generated by using renewable energy resources such as wind, solar energy, and hydro energy. Cables that are required to transfer the generated electricity at the renewable power plant are called alternative energy cables. Alternative energy power plants such as offshore wind farms or solar farms are primarily located in difficult weather conditions such as desert areas. Therefore, cables required for such applications are specifically designed to bear weather conditions they are exposed to.Request Report Brochure @In terms of type, the alternative energy cable market can be broadly segmented into solar power cables, wind power cables, and hydroelectric cables. Solar power cables are double insulated, UV radiation and temperature resistant, and halogen free. Designed for outdoor applications, these cables provide excellent weather resistance. Wind power cables are also designed according to their power handling capacity. Power generation fluctuation is quite often in case of wind turbine due to variable wind speeds. Cables are designed to withstand the effects of long term exposure to freshwater, saltwater, and other solvents conditions in hydroelectric power plants. Based on voltage handling capacity the alternative energy cable market can be divided into low voltage cables and high voltage cables. Cables can further be classified according to their specific usage into control cable, data cable, power transmission cable, communication cable, etc.Increase in usage of renewable energy and high demand for energy are the key drivers of the alternative energy cable market. Market share of renewable energy has increased in power generation of late, since it does not severely affect the environment unlike conventional energy sources such as coal, oil, and gas. Governments of many countries across the world are encouraging the use of renewable energy. The governments are giving incentives or even partially funding the alternative energy projects.In terms of region, Asia Pacific is expected to lead the global alternative energy cable market during the forecast period. The region accounts for the largest wind power installed capacity as well as generation of solar energy. Countries such as India and China are developing rapidly in terms of urbanization. Demand for energy is expected to be high in these countries in the near future. Governments of countries in Asia Pacific are promoting the usage of renewable energy in order to lower their greenhouse gas emission. Europe is anticipated to account for key share of the alternative energy cable market during the forecast period, as a large number of renewable power plants (wind and solar) are located in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Denmark. Led by the increase in renewable energy capacity, North America offers lucrative opportunities to the alternative energy cable market.Read Report Overview @Key players operating in the alternative energy cable market are Northwire, Inc., Advance Cables Technologies Ltd., Cleveland Cable Company, Tele-Fonika Cable Americas Corporation, General Cable Technologies Corporation, WTEC, IMCORP, Shilpi Cable, Eland Cables, Incore Cables, Tratos, and HELUKABEL.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Aerospace Composites Market Key Players - Hartzell Aerospace, Hyosung, Kaman, SGL Group and Teijin Aramid

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Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:DECEMBER 8, 2017 - Hexcel Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Aerospace & Defense (A&D) business of Oxford Performance Materials (OPM). OPM A&D produces qualified, high-performance thermoplastic, carbon fiber reinforced 3D printed parts for Commercial Aerospace and Space and Defense applications. With this qualify additive manufacturing technology Hexcel Corporation can apply the high performance polymer PEKK for aerospace, industrial and biomedical applications.January 12, 2016 - Cytec Solvay Group has signed an exclusive distribution agreement between its Composite Materials Global Business Unit and Bang & Bonsomer Group. The agreement covers Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Finland for all Process Materials products. The Process Materials product portfolio supports the end-to-end manufacturing of composite parts and includes an extensive portfolio of vacuum bagging consumables, pre-manufactured kitting solutions and tooling products. It provides advanced composites process materials for aerospace, automotive, wind energy, motorsport, marine, mass transportation and other demanding applications.November 24, 2014  GKN partners with Alexander Dennis to accelerate the introduction of a low-carbon bus fleetRequest a Sample Report @Major key PlayersCytec Industries,Hexcel,Koninklijke Ten Cate (TenCate),Mitsubishi Rayon,Owens Corning.The other prominent players include Hartzell Aerospace, Hyosung, Kaman, SGL Group and Teijin Aramid.Global Aerospace Composites Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8% during 2016-2021. This growth is driven due to significant demand for aircraft weight reduction and fuel efficiency and high corrosion resistance.Aerospace Composites Market  SegmentsFor the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding; The Aerospace Composites Market is segmented in to 3key dynamicsSegmentation by Application: Commercial and Military.Segmentation by Types: Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber and Aramid Fiber.Segmentation by Regions: Comprises Geographical regions - Americas (North & Latin), Europe, APAC and Middle East & Africa.Browse Full Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comSolid State Transformers Market to Witness Exponential Growth by 2020

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With the increase in use of renewable energy and distributed energy sources, use of traditional transformers has increased the complexity of the electrical power grids. In order to overcome this complexity, there is need to adopt newer technologies to ensure better control and more reliable operation of the grid. Transformers are fundamental components of any power distribution system. However, this system does have certain drawbacks such as voltage drop under load, sensitivity to harmonics and performance degradation under system disruptions and overload. The need to cope with these disadvantages is gaining importance as supply of quality power is one of the major issues in todays scenario. A solid state transformers (SST)is considered a key enabler for power grids, as they provide better control over the system, with high load handling capacity as well as efficient bi-directional power flow.A sample of this report is available upon request @A SST is capable of easily replacing a conventional transformer in an electrical system. Major applications of SST include locomotive and other traction systems, offshore energy generation systems (wind, tidal or any other source) and smart (power) grids. SSTs are able to deliver power at 400 Hz and can also be used as three-phase power system from a single phase line, which is difficult to obtain from conventional transformers. Depending upon its topologies, SSTs can be classified as:AC to AC buck converterSST with and without a DC linkThree-stage SSTThe SST market is in its nascent stage. It has huge market potential in the distribution network of power grids. The overall market is expected to grow at a double-digit CAGR between 2012 and 2020.The APAC region is estimated to account for the highest market share by 2020.Smart grids is expected to be the largest segment among the aforementioned applications. The expenditure on smart grids is highest in Asia Pacific, especially in China, which occupies largest share in the region.Major energy storage capacity additions, installation of renewable energy generation capacities, investments into power transmission and distribution infrastructure are the chief drivers of the solid state transformers market globally. Manufacturers are now engaging into major research and development efforts to bring SSTs into commercial installation and deployment however, cost-competitiveness will be a major challenge for the manufacturers..Some of the major players in the market for solid state transformers technology are ABB (Switzerland), Siemens AG (Germany), Alstom (France), Schneider Electric SA (France), Avago Technologies Limited (U.S.), Bombardier, Inc. (Canada),Cooper Power Systems (U.S.), SPX Transformers (U.S.), GE (U.S.), Duke Energy (U.S.), Plasmatechnics, Inc. (U.S.), Selco (U.S.), Varentec (U.S.) and Gridco Systems (U.S.). The leading components manufacturing companies in the field of SST technology are CREE, Inc. (U.S.), STMicroelectronics (U.S.), Infineon Technologies (Germany) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan).SSTs are being tested majorly in Europe and North America.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @SSTs ideally solve problems such as saturation of core of nonlinear load, poor voltage regulations and bulky systems, and they also serve as an energy router for smart grid energy network, thus improving scope of its application areas. The solid state transformer does not utilize any hazardous liquid dielectrics, thus giving it an edge over conventional transformers. Smart grid and traction transformers offer substantial market opportunity to solid state transformers. Commercialization for SST is low currently, but this is expected to increase over the next two years owing to research and development efforts by companies and add-on benefits.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:TD-LTE Ecosystem Market North America Highly Lucrative Region

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A fresh study by Transparency Market Research (TMR) suggests that a number of companies are currently connected to the value chain of the global TD-LTE ecosystem market, which is a clear indication of widespread opportunities in a developing market scenario.The report identifies Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Nokia, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Telefonaktiebolaget L. M. Ericsson, AT&T, Inc., ZTE Corporation, Qualcomm Inc., MediaTek, Inc., Broadcom Corporation, and Spreadtrum Communications Inc. as some of the most prominent companies in the global TD-LTE ecosystem market.As per the projections of the report, the demand in the global TD-LTE ecosystem market will increase at a phenomenal CAGR of 24.4% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025, estimating it to achieve a global worth of US$264.00 bn by 2025, mounting from its evaluated valuation of US$40.80 bn in 2016.Obtain Report Details:The report notes that a number of significant TD-LTE network deployments have occurred in the past three years, such as Sprint in The U.S., Bharti Airtel in India, and SoftBank in Japan, as a result of spectrum availability and decreased deployment costs.China based vendor, Huawei, is a highly respectable name in the global TD-LTE ecosystem market. The company signed a US$45.0 mn contract with Italian ISP Tiscali in September 2016. On the other hand, Ericsson also holds a significant chunk of shares in the global TD-LTE ecosystem market, capitalizing on upcoming deployment opportunities in both Asia Pacific and Europe.Equipment-wise, macro cells have considerably more demand than small cells, whereas on the basis of device type, notebooks serve maximum revenue share of the market, than other segments including PCs, smartphones, routers, and tablets.Application-wise, the market for TD-LTE ecosystem has been classified into retail, banking institutes, healthcare, and personal uses. Geographically, North America currently is the most lucrative regional market, although Asia Pacific offers widespread opportunities too.Ubiquity of Smartphones Driving DemandEscalating demand for LTE with growing ubiquity of smartphones is the primary driver of the global TD-LTE ecosystem market. Apart from smartphones, the growing propagation of an array of other Internet enabled mobile devices such as tablets and e-readers has led to increasing consumer need to access on the go rich content.Make EnquiryPopularity of social media has caused an explosion of mobile data traffic, generating exceptional demand on the network of wireless operators. Bandwidth concentrated applications, especially video-based, render the restricted access and the gap that the clients are progressively facing between peak rates in actual experiences every day and perfect conditions. Therefore, it is vital for operators to confirm that the average mobile experience of the users is not negotiated especially in high traffic areas.Cost Factors Hindering ProsperityDespite a highly prosperous future, there are a few factors obstructing the proper growth of the global TD-LTE ecosystem market. Complexity and backward compatibility is one such restraint. The operators who are considering a network update, must choose the appropriate technology.Either they upgrade to an evolved version of 3G like HSPA and HSPA+ or they opt for LTE. Upgrading within the 3G family does not require network architectural changes as such, whereas transforming to LTE needs core network expansion and new radio access technology. This process is highly complicated as well as cost intensive.As per the author of the report, Advancement in wireless infrastructure is one of the major opportunities in the global market of TD-LTE ecosystem. Advancement in wireless infrastructure is likely to create opportunities in the global TD-LTE ecosystem market.Various standardization bodies are developing higher frequencies and higher data rates having shorter transmission ranges. Early use of some technologies like 802.11ac assures a Gigabit per second from a single access point.Get TOCAbout TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Global Wireless Connectivity Market Development Trends and Qualitative Analysis 2022

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Wireless Connectivity to its huge collection of research reports.A newly added research report about the global market for Wireless Connectivity produces a 360-degree overview of it. The report brings to the fore important details and elucidates every aspect expected to mold its path going forward. It sheds light on stimulants and deterrents affecting the market. It also provides a quantitative and qualitative description of their expected impact on the market over the course of the forecast period. The primary intent is to help key stakeholders comprehend the dynamics and calculate their moves accordingly.The various segments of the global market for Wireless Connectivity have been discussed carefully at length. The various application segments, product segments, and end user segments have been discussed in the report, leveraging historical and current figures. Leveraging both primary and secondary research, the report arrives at growth figures for each of the segments. This enables it to find out the global market for Wireless Connectivitys growth prospects. This helps to furnish a granular overview of the market for Wireless Connectivity and the areas where main opportunities lie.Get an exclusive sample of this report @A thorough examination of the competitive landscape of the global market for Wireless Connectivity has also been provided in the report. Prominent participants in the global market for Wireless Connectivity have been examined and data pertaining to their sales and revenues, among other things, have been presented. The report examines their strengths and weaknesses. This report has been prepared carefully with data gathered through primary and secondary research methods.The primary intention of the report is to help the companies operating in the global market for Wireless Connectivity to gain an insight into the current market dynamics, including opportunities and pitfalls that would enable them to strategize sagaciously. To do, it deploys analytical tools to understand the competitive landscape at present.Global Wireless Connectivity market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingBroadcomMurataQualcomm AtherosMediatek Inc.Intel CorporationCypress Semiconductor CorporationTexas Instruments Inc.Atmel CorporationStmicroelectronics N.V.NXP Semiconductors N.V.MarvellBrowse Complete Table of Content of the Report @Table of ContentsGlobal Wireless Connectivity Market Research Report 20171 Wireless Connectivity Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Wireless Connectivity1.2 Wireless Connectivity Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Wireless Connectivity Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Wireless Connectivity Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Wi-Fi1.2.4 Bluetooth1.2.5 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Smart1.2.6 ZigBee1.2.7 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)1.2.8 Near Field Communication (NFC)1.2.9 Other Technologies1.3 Global Wireless Connectivity Segment by Application1.3.1 Wireless Connectivity Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Consumer Electronics1.3.3 Wearable Devices/Smart Appliances1.3.4 Healthcare1.3.5 Automotive & Transportation1.3.6 Other1.4 Global Wireless Connectivity Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Wireless Connectivity Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Wireless Connectivity (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Wireless Connectivity Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Wireless Connectivity Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Wireless Connectivity Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Wireless Connectivity Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Wireless Connectivity Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Wireless Connectivity Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Wireless Connectivity Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Wireless Connectivity Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Wireless Connectivity Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Wireless Connectivity Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Wireless Connectivity Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Wireless Connectivity Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Wireless Connectivity Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Wireless Connectivity Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Wireless Connectivity Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Wireless Connectivity Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Wireless Connectivity Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 United States Wireless Connectivity Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 EU Wireless Connectivity Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)...To check available discount on this report, visit @About QYResearchReports.comQyresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from Qyresearchreports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact US:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.comZeolite 4A Market Aims Bigger with Technological Innovations 2025

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Global Zeolite 4A Market: SnapshotThe eco-friendly nature and high ion exchange capability zeolite 4A makes it an alluring alternative to Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate (STPP) in the detergent market. Its utilization gives advantages such as extreme sequestering power at extraordinary temperatures and no fertilizing impact. Drying, oil refining, gas separation, packaging, and water treatment are some of its key applications. Zeolite 4A is being contemplated widely as a heterogeneous catalyst that can be recovered and reused with the lower cost and better simplicity, thus prompting less byproducts.A substantial share of the revenue of the worldwide zeolite 4A market is produced from the detergent industry. Zeolite 4A is significantly utilized as a substitute for phosphorous for producing detergents, as it has high proficiency in forestalling remote particle deposition and soil evacuation. Furthermore, the enhancing awareness among consumers with respect to the negative impacts of detergents based on phosphate on the environment is likely to work in favor of the market. Moreover, stringent government measures relating to the conservation of the environment is expected to supplement the progress of the market in the years to come.Request Sample Copy of the Report @On the other side, the developing entrance of less expensive eco-accommodating catalyst materials and chemicals is making pressures relating to pricing on players in the market. Moreover, the prevalence of various substitutes, for instance, metals and different mixes is obstructing the growth of the zeolite 4A market.Global Zeolite 4A Market: OverviewThe environment-friendly nature and excellent ion exchange capacity of zeolite 4A make it an attractive substitute for Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate (STPP) in the detergent industry. Its use provides benefits such as high sequestering power at extreme temperatures and no fertilizing effect. Water treatment, packaging, gas separation, oil refining, and drying are some of its key applications. Zeolite 4A is being studied extensively as a heterogeneous catalyst that can be regenerated and recycled with the lower expense and better ease, leading to fewer byproducts. The research report is a professional study on the global market for zeolite 4A, offering insights into various critical aspects.Request TOC of the Report @Global Zeolite 4A Market: Key TrendsA large share of the revenue of the global zeolite 4A market is generated from the detergent industry. Zeolite 4A is majorly used as a substitute for phosphorous for manufacturing detergents, as it possesses high efficiency in preventing foreign particle deposition and dirt removal. In addition, the increasing consumer awareness regarding the harmful effects of phosphate-based detergent on environment is working in favor of the market. Moreover, stringent government measures pertaining to environment conservation are augmenting the market.On the flip side, the growing penetration of cheaper eco-friendly catalyst materials and chemicals is creating pricing pressure on players in the market. Furthermore, the presence of numerous substitutes such as metals and other compounds is hampering the growth of the market.Global Zeolite 4A Market: Market PotentialThe demand for zeolite 4A in the refining industry is anticipated to increase in the near future due to the rising volume of refinery output in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific regions. The global refinery output was 76,865.1 thousand barrels per day in 2015. Because of the high selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of zeolite catalysts, they are often the most preferred method for a number of refinery conversions. The growing research and development activities in product-based catalyst applications to keep pace with the flourishing refining industry are also likely to facilitate the uptake of zeolite 4A. Moreover, the increasing usage of catalysts in various processes in the petrochemicals industry such as fluid cracking is estimated to bode well for the growth of the market in the foreseeable future.Request Discount of the Report @Global Zeolite 4A Market: Geographical SegmentationThe key segments analyzed in the report on the basis of geography are North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Europe will be a prominent market throughout the review period, with countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands being the major contributors. Stringent regulatory framework for greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions along with high-capacity manufacturing units for detergents and refrigerants is contributing to the growth of the region.North America will also account for a noteworthy share in the market, owing to the increasing demand for zeolite 4A for infrastructural applications, particularly in the U.S. Asia Pacific will post a significant CAGR during the same period. The mounting infrastructural expenditure in emerging countries such as India and China is fuelling the growth of the region. The rising demand in Latin America can be attributed to the growing application in animal feed to improve nutrition intake.Global Zeolite 4A Market: Competitive LandscapeThe global zeolite 4A market is a highly fragmented arena. Players are willing to invest sizeable funds in research and development activities to launch a wide range of zeolite 4A grades over the forthcoming years. Some of the key global participants in the market are Clariant International Ltd., Zeolyst International (a subsidiary of PQ Corporation), Tosoh Corporation, and BASF.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.comGaN Power Devices Market Rising Demand in Automotive, Consumer Electronics Sectors

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The global GaN power devices market comprises several large as well as mid-level vendors, due to the proliferation of lucrative opportunities in the market. Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, NXP Semiconductors N.V., GaN Systems Inc., Texas Instruments, and Infineon Technologies AG are among the leading players in the GaN power devices market.The market is expected to witness the entry of a significant number of GaN power device vendors in the coming years, intensifying the competition. Other significant players in the market include Fujitsu Limited, Transphorm Inc., Cree Incorporated (Wolfspeed), OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH, and Qorvo, Inc., among others.Obtain Report Details:According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global GaN power devices market is expected to exhibit a robust 17.5% CAGR from 2017 to 2025. The GaN power devices markets revenue valuation is likely to rise from US$223.5 mn in 2015 to more than US$1.4 bn by 225.The GaN power devices market has been studied in five geographical segments, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. North America was the largest segment in terms of revenue and held more than 35% of the market in 2015.Rising Demand in Automotive, Consumer Electronics Sectors Drives GaN Power Devices MarketThe booming automotive industry and the rising prominence of electric vehicles in the global automotive sector is likely to consistently remain a prime driver for the GaN power devices market in the coming years. Electric vehicles have come into the spotlight in the global automotive industry due to their environmental benefits.Make EnquiryThe GaN power devices market has benefited from the electric vehicle industry boom due to the high power density offered by GaN power devices, which has proved a key step in bridging the gap towards the conventional automotive industry. The rising awareness about the improving performance characteristics of electric vehicles is likely to remain a key driver for the global GaN power devices market.The GaN power devices market is largely driven by expansion in the application areas for GaN-based devices due to flourishing consumer electronics industry.Moreover, increase in requirement of GaN devices for commercial RF applications and rise in demand for GaN devices for wireless charging are expected to further bring significant growth in the overall market. However, high procurement cost and processing complexity might create challenge for the overall growth of this market.The consumer electronics sector is also a major consumer in the global GaN power devices market. The growing demand for smartphones in developing regions and the importance of solid battery support for consumers in the region has led to the GaN power devices industry becoming a key part of the smartphone industry boom. Growing adoption of IoT and remote sensing technology in the consumer electronics sector is likely to provide the GaN power devices market with a steady sales outlet in the coming years.By type, GaN power discrete devices and GaN power modules are likely to dominate the global GaN power devices market in the coming years. The GaN power modules segment is expected to exhibit a steep rise at a 19.5% CAGR in the 2017-2025 forecast period.Get TOCAbout TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Sugar-Free Confectionery Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2017 to 2023

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Market Overview:Confectionery products include sweets, chocolates, candy, and others which are high in sugar content. However, increasing concern about obesity and diabetes have raised the demand for low calorie or no sugar products, which gave an opportunity to the confectionery industry to come up with sugar-free confectionery products. Sugar-free confectionery products such as sweets, candy, candy nuts, chocolates, chewing gum, and others are devoid of sugar content. Sugar is replaced by sweeteners in preparation of low-calorie sugar-free confectionery products. They are available in various attractive packaging in the market.Sugar-free confectionery products are gaining traction among the growing health-conscious population, which is driving the sugar-free confectionery market. Sugar confectionery is attractive and sweet but poses threat to the obese and diabetic population, which has opened the doors for sugar-free confectionery market.Various innovations in the sugar-free confectionery products are boosting the growth of the sugar-free confectionery market. Moreover, key players are growing their market through attractive packaging, which is adding fuel to the growth of sugar-free confectionery market. However, rising cost of the ingredients may hamper the growth of the market. Nevertheless, all these factors are projected to contribute to the estimated CAGR of 5.9% of sugar-free confectionery market during the forecast period 2017-2023.Get a Sample Report @Downstream Analysis:Based on the type, the sugar-free confectionery market is segmented into sweets, candy, candy nuts, chocolates, chewing gum, and others. The chocolate segment is dominating the market and is expected to grow substantially over the forecast period. The sweets segment is projected to witness a moderate growth during the estimated period.The sugar-free confectionery market is segmented on the basis of packagings such as sachets, boxes, and others. The sachet segment is dominating the market. However, boxes segment are witnessed to be the fastest growing segment.On the basis of the distribution channel, the sugar-free confectionery market is segmented into the store-based and non-store based distribution channel. The store-based distribution channel is dominating the market and is projected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. However, non-store based distribution channel is likely to gain a moderate growth in the coming years.Competitive Analysis:The Major Players in the Sugar-Free Confectionery Market,THE HERSHEY COMPANY (U.S.)Nestle (Switzerland)Mars Incorporated (U.S.)Mondelez International (U.S.)Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG (Switzerland)Ferrero (Italy)HARIBO of America, Inc. (Germany)Regional Analysis:The global sugar-free confectionery market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world (RoW). North America is dominating the global market. The U.S. is the major contributor to the North American sugar-free confectionery market.Europe is the second largest sugar-free confectionery market across the globe.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing sugar-free confectionery market owing to high usage of confectioneries in the festivals and customs of India. Moreover, increasing health awareness among the population is supporting the growth of sugar-free confectionery market in rest of the world.Access Report Details @Market Segmentation:Sugar-Free Confectionery Market is segmented on the basis of Type, Packaging, Distribution Channel and RegionAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comCancer Gene Therapy Market : Insights, Epidemiology, Outlook to 2025

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Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market: SnapshotGene therapy is a massive and swiftly expanding field that could hold promising cures and treatments for several diseases and genetic problems. One of the more innovative segments in gene therapy falls under cancer treatment. It is one of the widely researched aspects of gene therapy, and thanks to increasing interest and investments from both government and private organizations, is showing a swift rate of development towards actually becoming a feasible and strong treatment alternative for cancer. These treatment options could be used to save a large number of lives of patients who are suffering from cancer, a disease that is causing one of the leading causes of deaths.Of the several types of gene therapy approaches, the more promising ones include gene transfer, oncolytic virotherapy, and immunotherapy. The latest versions of vaccines being developed for cancer using gene therapy, are also expected to show an optimistic rate of development. These vaccines could potentially be used against malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer, to name a few. Gene therapy involves modifying the genetic information in materials in order to effectively devise a cure.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market: OverviewCancer results from the multiple mutations in a single cell that makes it to proliferate out of control. Cancer cells invade new cellular territories, have a high metabolic rate, and an altered shape. The various methods to treat cancers are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. When the aforementioned therapies fail to achieve desired results, gene therapy is leveraged. Gene therapy involves the insertion of a functional gene, also known as therapeutic DNA, into the cells of a cancer patient to rectify the metabolism, to change or repair an acquired genetic abnormality, and to provide a new function to a cell. The two main types of gene therapy are germinal and somatic.Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market: Key TrendsMajorly promoting the global cancer gene therapy market is the swift pace of technological breakthroughs and the growing popularity of emerging genomic technologies like next-generation sequencing and high-density DNA microarrays. Additionally, the government support for these technologies is also slated to stoke growth in the near future. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for example, supports screening programs for breast cancer control and cervical and colorectal cancers among low-income group women sans health insurance in the U.S.Besides, the rising occurrence of cancer worldwide is will substantially drive up demand for gene therapy in the years ahead. According to WHO, cases of cancer will likely touch US$15 million mark by the end of the decade.Request TOC of the Report @Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market: Market PotentialAt present, most of the cancer gene therapy products are in being tested. The market is predicted to grow once the trials bear results. An US pharmaceutical company named Kite Pharma, for example, recently revealed the results from the initial six months of the trial of a new gene therapy treatment called CAR-T cell therapy. It helped up patients own immune cells and has eliminated the disease from one third of terminal patients. Around 36 per cent of the 101 patients on the trial were still in complete remission at six months, and eight in 10 saw their cancer reduced by at least half during the study.Groundbreaking therapies such as this is slated to revolutionize the global cancer gene therapy market.At present, adenoviral vector is a popular oncology application because of its effective nuclear mechanism and low pathogenicity. Adenoviral vectors are leveraged in gene replacement approaches, suicide gene, gene-based immunotherapy, and syndicate gene with chemotherapy. Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer also plays a key role in the gene therapy industry for it brings about the crucial benefit of changing the single stranded RNA genome into a double stranded DNA molecule, which eventually integrates into the target cell genome.Request Discount of the Report @Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market: Regional OutlookNorth America and Europe are key regions in the global cancer gene therapy market on account of a massive elderly population and significant technological progress in the region. In the years ahead, however, the market is Asia Pacific is forecasted to surge on account of supportive government initiatives, improving economy, bettering healthcare infrastructure, and growing thrust on research and development.Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market: Competitive AnalysisSome of the prominent players in the global cancer gene therapy market are Altor Bioscience Corporation, SiBiono., Shanghai Sunway Biotech company Limited, BioCancell, GlobeImmune, Inc.,Aduro Biotech, OncoGeneX, New Link Genetics., ZioPharm Oncology, and GENELUX. At present the market is led by small pioneering biotech firms who may eventually collaborate with prominent players for clinical development or commercialization of products.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.comUS Automotive Parts Aluminium & Magnesium Die Casting Market Report 2017, Trends, Analysis, Share, Estimates and Forecasts to 2022.

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The US Automotive Parts Aluminium & Magnesium Die-Casting report provides an in-depth analysis of the various market segments and its sub-segments.Product types Covered: Pressure die casting Semi-solid die casting Squeeze die casting Vacuum die castingApplications Covered: Body assemblies Engine Parts Transmission parts OthersThe report focuses on current and upcoming market trends such as Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, and Challenges, technological advancements, Porters Five Forces analysis to assess the intensity of competition in the market. The market values are presented in the form of tables and graphs for better interpretation.For More, Please Visit:Market Size EstimationsThe market assessment is made by the core industry experts using our 360 research approach. The data is derived from the most reliable, authenticated data sources and is validated by the industry experts (Primary Research). Both top down and bottom up analysis are implemented to enhance the accuracy of the market figures. The market projections are calculated for the next 8 years using the actual market numbers of previous year as the base year.Company ProfilingThis section provides the overview of the key players that are leading in the industry, covering their business operations, financials, list of products & services, SWOT analysis, major developments such as mergers & acquisitions, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, new product launch, expansions etc.Report Highlights:- Market share assessments for all the mentioned market segments and sub-segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 8 years for all the given segments- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping, mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor More, Please Visit:We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,MD, 20877, USAGene Expression Analysis Market  Set to Cross US$ 4,500 Mn by 2022

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The Gene Expression Analysis Market Analysis, By Product Type, By Capacity, By Application, By Technology, By Region, Forecast 2017-2022 report has been added to Persistence Market Research offering.According to the recently-published report by Persistence Market Research, the global market for gene expression analysis will reflect a steady growth during the forecast period, 2017-2022. By the end of 2022, the global gene expression analysis market is predicted to surpass US$ 4,500 Mn valuation, reflecting a robust CAGR in terms of revenues. The study throws a light on various factors influence the dynamics of global gene expression analysis market, and offers insightful projections, the highlights of which are mentioned below.Through 2022, North America is anticipated to hold a leading position in the global market for gene expression analysis. Most of the companies operating in the expansion of global gene expression analysis market are based in the US. Moreover, North American research institutes contributing to the field of functional genomics continue to support the development of new drugs derived from gene expression analysis studies. Drug discovery is a key application of gene expression analysis, and the US healthcare markets are observed as lucrative grounds for players in the global gene expression analysis market.On the basis of technology, the report projects that northern blotting will be at the forefront of adoption, and will reflect highest share on global revenues of gene expression analysis market. DNA microarrays and PCR techniques are also projected to gain traction as preferred technologies used for synthesizing functional gene products through gene expression analysis. Advancements in RNA-sequencing, 2-D gel electrophoresis, western blotting, immunoassays, ChIP, mass spectrometry and other technologies are also expected to influence the future prospects of global gene expression analysis market.The report further projects that gene expression analysis will find higher traction in drug discovery & development applications. Towards the end of the forecast period, application of gene expression analysis in drug discovery & development is anticipated to procure over US$ 1,200 Mn in global revenues. Concurrently, the demand for gene expression analysis products with low- to mid- plex capacity will also witness considerable uptake during the forecast period. The report also anticipates that sales of products  kits & reagents  will reflect a sizeable share on the value of global gene expression analysis market throughout the forecast period. By the end of 2022, kits & reagents will register over one-third share on the global market revenues for gene expression analysis.The report has also profiled key players in the global market for gene expression analysis, which include Agilent Technologies, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., General Electric Company, Luminex Corporation, Illumina, Inc., Oxford Gene Technology IP, PerkinElmer, Inc., QIAGEN NV, Roche Holding AG, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.Request Sample Report@Further key findings from the study suggest:North Americas gene expression analysis market is pegged to be reach a billion dollar valuation by the end of 2017. The report projects that throughout the forecast period, the gene expression analysis market in North America will reflect a robust CAGR, wherein the US market will be observed as the largest contributor to this growth.Europe is also expected to reflect impressive growth as the gene expression analysis market in this region is poised to create an incremental opportunity of over US$ 200 Mn between 2017 and 2022.The gene expression analysis market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region is anticipated to record fastest growth. To the contrary, Japans gene expression analysis market is expected to reflect lowest CAGR during the forecast period.Download and View Report@Key Topics Covered:1. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market - Executive Summary2. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Overview3. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Analysis and Forecast By Product Type4. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Analysis and Forecast By Capacity5. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Analysis and Forecast By Application6. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Analysis and Forecast By Technology7. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Analysis and Forecast By Region14. Global Gene Expression Analysis Market Competition Landscape and Company Profile14.2. Agilent Technologies, Inc.14.3. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.14.4. General Electric Company14.5. Illumina, Inc.14.6. Luminex Corporation14.7. Oxford Gene Technology IP14.8. PerkinElmer, Inc14.9. QIAGEN NV14.10. Roche Holding AG14.11. Thermo Fisher Scientific, IncFor more information about this report visit @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Global Adhesion Laminated Surface Protection Films Market Estimated to Exceed US$ 1,700 Mn by 2026

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This research report offers a comprehensive analysis of the Adhesion Laminated Surface Protection Films Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2026The main objective of this report is to deliver insightful information and clear-cut facts pertaining to the growth trajectories of the market.Request to view Sample Report @An adhesion laminated surface protection film comprises a layered laminate that includes an adhesive layer and a polymer based substrate layer. The layered laminate is manufactured through co-extrusion. The coextruded adhesive layer comprises polyisobutylene on the styrene block copolymer.Enhanced Quality Requirements in Display Screens to Propel Adoption of Adhesion Laminated Surface Protection FilmsAdhesion laminated surface protection films are widely being used to prevent abrasion and scratching of products at the time of manufacturing and logistics. These films offer product longevity and are cost-effective when it comes to preserve expensive products. Demand for electronic hand-held devices is witnessing a tremendous upsurge, which in turn necessitate adoption of adhesion laminated surface protection films owing to enhanced quality requirements in display screens. Although at an initial stage, adoption of hybrid laptops is expected to increase significantly in the upcoming years, thereby creating opportunities for adhesion laminated surface protection films in their display and body. Adhesion laminated surface protection films also find extensive use in protection of household interiors from discoloration, and for maintaining the durability of their radiance.Adhesion laminated surface protection films are utilized as complimentary products, with their demand being directly influenced by adoption of substrates in various end-use industries. In addition, robust expansion of the automatic sector, coupled with demand for associated electronic gadgets equipped with flat screen panels will further propel adoption of adhesion laminated surface protection films. Transparency Market Research (TMR) has projected a moderate expansion for the global adhesion laminated surface protection films market in its new report, for the forecast period, 2017 to 2026. Revenues from the market are estimated to exceed US$ 1,700 Mn by 2026-end.50-10 Microns Thickness of Adhesion Laminated Surface Protection Films to Remain Most Lucrative in the MarketAdhesion laminated surface protection films come with various thicknesses, among which 50-100 microns thickness of these films will remain the most lucrative in the global market. Such films are extensively used in construction and heavy duty industries where product damage leads to huge capital losses. In addition, 100-150 microns thickness of adhesion laminated surface protection films are also expected to account for a major revenue share of the market during 2017 to 2026. This thickness range of adhesion laminated surface protection films will witness the fastest expansion through 2026.Wet bond lamination and solventless lamination are anticipated to remain preferred technologies for production of adhesion laminated surface protection films. Revenues from these two lamination technologies are projected to collectively account for over three-fifth share of the market by 2026-end. Dry bond lamination, on the other hand, will remain the least lucrative technology used for producing adhesion laminated surface protection films.Browse Full Report with TOC @Construction & Interior End-Use Industry to Witness Largest Demand for Adhesion Laminated Surface Protection FilmsWith increasing focus on infrastructure improvements in various sectors, particularly in developing countries, construction activities have witnessed a significant rise. In addition, rising disposable incomes of people along with increasing interest in renovating their residential spaces has spurred the investments in activities such as interior designing. These further necessitate protection of surfaces in order to avoid scratches and breakage of floorings or structure. Adhesion laminated surface protection films provide good protection to these structure at affordable costs. Therefore, demand for these films in construction & interior end-use industry will remain the largest, as compared to other end-use industries.Europe will remain the largest market for adhesion laminated surface protection films, followed by Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) and North America. Among these regions, APEJ will register a relatively faster expansion in the market through 2026.Competition TrackingThe competition among players in the global adhesion laminated surface protection films market is expected to intensify in the near future, with vendors competing on the basis of factors such as product innovation, increasing investments in R&D and production technologies, and product quality. TMRs report has profiled proactive players supporting the market growth, which include 3M, Nitto Denko Corporation, Henkel Corporation, Tesa SE, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Avery Dennison Corporation, LINTEC Corporation, Intertape Polymer Group, ECHOtape, Scapa Group plc, and Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.Enquire about this Report @Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Market : Expected to Hit US$ 2,871.3 Mn Through 2024

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Global LRVP market will witness promising growth in the first half of the forecast period (5.5% CAGR), which will incur a slight dip post-2020, (4.9% CAGR). However, the overall CAGR of the market estimated for 2016-2024 is estimated at 5.2%.According to Global Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Market Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016-2024, the global liquid ring vacuum pumps market will reach US$ 2,871.3 Mn by the end of the forecast period.Regional analysis indicates that the US$ 535 Mn North American market will rule the roost with an estimated 6% CAGR over 2016-2024. Towards the close of 2024, this region is expected to attain revenues worth US$ 851.1 Mn. Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific are identified to be the next key markets for LRVP. North America, Europe, and APAC will collectively hold a whopping 75% share of the total market size in 2024.Report overview @In developing economies within Asia Pacific, leading LRVP manufacturers are tackling the competitive pricing issue in order to deliver customer-centric products. Moreover, China and India host a swelling number of small manufacturers specifically serving pharma and chemical process industries. These factors will play a vital role in pushing the sales of liquid ring vacuum pumps in near future within Asian markets. Reaching a value beyond US$ 504 Mn, APAC market is likely to expand at a moderate CAGR of 5.3% over 2016-2024.LRVP market expanding at the backdrop of a slew of factorsIncreasing demand from oil & gas, and power industriesGrowing preference for high capacity-high cost liquid ring vacuum pumpsExtending applications in chemical and general process industriesConstant innovation by manufacturersStrict EPA regulationsPromising emergence of low water consuming pumpsBurgeoning M&A between key playersLucrative opportunities in Asia countriesRequest Sample Report@Segment analysis: Consumption by oil & gas segment crossing US$ 931 Mn by 2024In terms of capacity, 500-1500 cfm segment will continue to lead with the maximum revenue sales, followed by < 500 cfm segment. However, < 500 cfm segment will possibly thrive fastest at a CAGR of 5.2%, followed by > 1500 cfm segment with an estimated 4.4% CAGR over 2016-2024.Considering material type, cast iron segment will continue dominance with over 60% value share, reaching a value of US$ 1,718.2 Mn in 2024. This segment will also demonstrate the fastest CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period. Stainless steel segment will also grow moderately at 5%, attaining a value worth US$ 876 Mn in 2024. Based on the end-use industry, oil and gas sector will retain dominance over others, with over US$ 931 Mn by the end of 2024 in terms of revenues. Chemical processing and general process industries will continue to maintain the second and third largest segments respectively. Among these, general process industries will display a higher CAGR of 5.8% over 2016-2024, bagging the revenues of over US$ 511 Mn. Paper and pulp, and power segments are expected to grow steadily throughout the assessment period.Dekker Vacuum Technologies Inc., Busch Vacuum Technics Inc., Flowserve Corporation, Tsurumi Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Atlas Copco Airpower N.V., Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems, and Graham Corp. are some of the key players that constitute the competitive landscape of the global liquid ring vacuum pumps marketplace. Persistence Market Researchs report includes in-depth profiling of key companies.Get Full Report now @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Electronically Scanned Arrays Market - Global Industry Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Electronically scanned arrays refer to a phased array antenna which is used to electronically steer a beam of radio waves in different directions. This type of arrays are primarily utilized in radars. In order to provide an in-depth analysis of the market, the global electronically scanned arrays has been segmented on the basis of product type, end users, range and geography. Based on product type, the market is categorized into AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Arrays) also known as APAR (Active Phased Array Radars) and passive electronically scanned arrays (PESA) or passive phased array. Electronically scanned arrays also finds its application among various end-user segment of defense sector including land, naval and airborne. Moreover, the operational range of an electronically scanned arrays can be classified into long, medium and short. The market of electronically scanned arrays market is anticipated to witness a high growth during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 owing to increasing investment in upgrading of the radar system in order to increase their operational efficiency.Download Brochure@The primary requirement to replace the traditional radar system across different regions is the most important factor expected to boost the demand of technologically advanced electronically scanned arrays in the coming years. In addition, the growing preference for technologically advanced radar for providing all weather battlefield surveillance against incoming threat is also expected to propel the demand of electronically scanned arrays during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.However, long replacement cycle of the radar system is of the primary factor anticipated to negatively affect the demand of electronically scanned arrays to some extent in the coming years.Based on product type, the active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) is predicted to experience the highest growth in terms of revenue during the forecast period. AESAs are fitted with receivers and transmitters, which yet again consist of several small modules of transmitter/receivers. AESAs have high capability of spreading emissions across a very wide range of frequencies. Thus, it is utilized extensively across wide area for sea and land surveillance.On the basis of end user segment, the naval sector is predicted witness the most promising growth in the coming years. For tracking and detection of naval activities, naval radars are extensively used. The primary function of naval-based radar system is locating warships, offshore patrol vessels (OPV), submarine and various other vessels of naval vessel. Radar-based naval systems are also used extensively for detecting ammunitions and anti-ship missile.On the other hand, medium range category of the electronically scanned arrays is forecasted to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. These radars are utilized to locate targets in the range of 50 km to 150 km. These radars work in the frequency of 8 to 40 GHz and are used efficiently in the management of warships, maritime activities, naval activities and management of air trafficGeographically, the market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and South America. In 2015, North America held the largest share in the electronically scanned market among different regions. Huge concentration of electronically scanned manufacturers coupled with increasing investment in research and development activities is the primary factor behind this regions dominance. However, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience the highest growth in the coming eight years. The growing threats of terror activities in the region and is anticipated to drive the need for upgradation of surveillance capabilities. This in turn is predicted to accelerate the demand of electronically scanned arrays in Asia Pacific region. In addition, various territorial disputes across the borders of different countries in the Asia-pacific region and this has furthermore contributed to the increase in military budget to enhance capability of anti-missile. This has led to the increasing demand of AESA in the region of Asia-pacific.The global market of electronically scanned arrays is fragmented with many large and well-established players occupying a strong position worldwide. Also, many new players are also trying to enter the high electronically scanned arrays market owing to the expected high growth of the market.Browse Report@Some of the major players of the high voltage electronically scanned arrays market are Northrop Grumman Corporation (the US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (the US), Ericsson (Sweden), Saab AB (Sweden), Thales Group (France), Toshiba (Japan), Elta (Israel),The Raytheon Company (the US), Mitsubishi (Japan), Defence Research and Development Organization (India) amongst many others.About Us:-Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact Us:-State Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comFire Rated Cables Market to Register Unwavering Growth During 2017-2025

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Global Fire Rated Cables Market: IntroductionFire rated cables, also referred to as circuit integrity cables or fire resistive cable are cables capable of functioning in the presence of fire for a specified time under defined conditions. These cables are specially designed to maintain circuit integrity and for interconnections of various compartments within large buildings or complexes during a fire outbreak. They are good flame retardants known for their favorable characteristics, such as excellent electrical and mechanical properties.Fire resistant cables are typically constructed in the following format:Standard Annealed Copper ConductorGlass Mica Tape Fire Resisting BarrierCross-linked Polyethylene/Ethylene Propylene Rubber Insulated/Silicon Rubber/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate /Polyethylene/Poly Vinyl Chloride Primary insulationLow Smoke Halogen free (LSOH) or Flame Retardant PVC SheathingFire rated cables are easy to install cables that play an important role in assuring the orderly shutdown of systems and evacuation of building occupants. They are capable of maintaining continuity as well as circuit integrity of electrical circuits, such as electric heaters, furnaces, ovens, heating & air conditioning equipment, kilns, cooking equipment, appliances, lighting fixtures, fire safety equipment and alarm systems for a longer duration in the event of a fire. The global fire rated cables market is estimated to be driven by safety standards in various commercial and residential buildings as well as standards that ensure the safety of roadway tunnels, refineries and transit systems. A fire rated cable consists of insulation and a fire proof layer that can survive high temperature ranging from 750C to 950C.Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @Global Fire Rated Cables Market: DynamicsDriversSafety & security regulations, especially in countries, such as the U.S., Europe and Japan are forecasted to support growth of the global fire rated cables market. Additionally, favorable characteristics, such as the ability to withstand high temperatures (750C-950C), low toxicity, non-corrosiveness and low smoke emission during a fire are estimated to drive the market. Difficult to install MI cables, expensive fire rated structures and blankets or wraps can be replaced by fire rated cables. NICEIC has already highlighted through national shows and seminars the importance of using fire rated cables in electrical installations.RestraintsThe high cost of fire rated cables, as compared to other fire protection cables may hamper growth of the market, especially in cost sensitive regions, such as Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa.Global Fire Rated Cables Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of region, the Latin America fire rated cables market is estimated to be driven by countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, due to positive economic growth predictions. It is expected that government policies in the U.K. will promote growth of the global fire rated cables market. For example, the national standard for electrical installations in the U.K. is IEE Regulations  BS 7671, which promotes the use of fire resistant fastenings and fixings.Request Sample Report @The Asia-Pacific fire rated cables market is estimated to witness rapid growth, owing to an increase in stringent safety standards and growth in building & industrialization. Europe and North America are estimated to dominate the global market over the forecast period, owing to high safety & security measures mandated by governments in these regions. The Japan fire rated cables market is estimated to grow at a significant rate, owing to consumer behavior of adopting safety measures. On the other hand, Middle East & Africa are estimated to register stable growth over the same time frame.Global Fire Rated Cables Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global fire rated cables market identified across the value chain include:Prysmian GroupNexans S.A.Elsewedy ElectricTPC Wire & Cable Corp.Relemac Technologies Pvt. LtdRR KabelRSCC Wire and CableCleveland Cable CompanyUniversal Cable (M) BerhadCavicel S.p.AHelkama BicaPre Book Full Report @ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Integrated Drive System Market Expand Their Businesses With New Investments by 2025

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Advancement in technology has led to a continuous increase in deployment of smart manufacturing factories over the past few years. This has fueled the demand for drive technologies, which in turn is driving growth of the integrated drive market. The integrated drive system helps integrate electrical and mechanical components into complete coordinated automation systems. These integrated drive systems are used to enhance efficiency, international competitiveness of industrial production, and productivity at low costs. Integrated drive systems are used among varying horse powers in various industries, such as automotive, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, food & beverage, and mining.Manufacturers benefit by installing integrated drive systems in their factories. For instance, the global sugar industry faced a second year surplus in 2012, reaching a record of 10.3 million tons of surplus, as compared to 9.2 million tons in the previous year. To address this challenge many manufacturers installed integrated drive systems to improve asset utilization, enhance sustainability, reduce operating costs and increase turnover.Request Report For TOC @The major applications of integrated drive systems in waste water management are fans, compressors, and pumps. The increasing concern over declining ground water levels and water scarcity has led to various innovative ideas in wastewater treatment. With the help of integrated drive systems, the process of waste water treatment has become fully automated, which helps save time while offering better quality.Globally, the growing need for efficiency and automated systems in factories are expected to fuel the demand for integrated drive systems over the forecast year. Moreover, regulations on energy efficiency along with advancement and rapid growth in automation are further expected to upsurge demand for the integrated drive systems market during the forecast period.Request to Sample of Report @Integrated drive systems help mitigate many indirect costs related to drive train projects. Using multiple vendors for each engineering component burdens the user as well as increases the cost. Therefore, purchasing an integrated drive system saves time, enhances the productivity of the facility and increases efficiency. Growing industrialization and the high demand for accurate and fast drive systems (to achieve greater production) are forecasted to increase the demand for integrated drive systems.Implementation of the just-in-time concept by many in the automotive industry has fostered the growth of integrated drive systems. Moreover, high growth of industrialization in the APAC region, which includes customized robots, machinery, and electronics assembly for different industries has fueled the demand for integrated drive systems in the region. In the APAC region, growing countries, such as India, Japan and China are also expected to see a rise in the demand for integrated drive systems owing to the increase in demand for automated systems.Pre Book Full Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Cisr Market Explores New Growth Opportunities By 2025

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With the rise in global economy especially countries like China and India lead to increase spending on the defence projects which is expected to fuel the growth of global command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) market. There is an increase in use of C4ISR systems in the military agencies for law enforcement and advanced combat and electronic warfare needs which will boost the global C4ISR market.The rapid technological developments in defence industry, particularly C4ISR which is system of many complex sub-systems. The defense systems manufacturing companies are trying to keep up with the technological advancements and are investing significant part of their revenues in R&D activities.Military strategists are modifying their strategies which needs more integrated solutions in order to perform an asymmetric electronic warfare. C4ISR systems are considered as an optimum an important tool in order to enhance their defense activities. These factors fuel the global C4ISR market.The major market driver for C4ISR market is increase in sales for cybersecurity, GPS/navigation, unmanned sea vehicles, and missile defense systems. Frequent terror attacks across the borders in many countries is also major driver for the C4ISR market.Request Report For TOC @The C4ISR systems are also being increasingly adopted by border protection agencies as they offer electro optic solutions for surveillance operations which is advanced supplement for Radar technologies. New technologies like commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software and the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to fuel the global C4ISR market.Some of the key challenges in C4ISR market is current government measures like reduction in defence budgets primarily in western countries is impacting the growth the global C4ISR market.The Global C4ISR market is segmented based on the platform, by Application and by region.On the basis of platform Global C4ISR market is segmented, air-based, Naval based and Land based platforms.On the basis of application Global C4ISR market is segmented into Command & control, communications, computers, surveillance & reconnaissance.Request to Sample of Report @On basis of region global C4ISR Market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa (MEA).North America C4ISR Market is expected to have the major market share during the forecast period due to presence of large military capabilities. The C4ISR Market is followed by Asia Pacific primarily from china and India. Europe C4ISR Market is also expected to have significant market share during the forecast period.Some of the Key players in C4ISR Market include Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., QinetiQ Group plc, Leidos, Inc., Raytheon Company, and Harris CorporationPre Book Full Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Industrial Refrigeration Systems Market Estimated to Flourish by 2025

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The modern industrial processes in the various end-use sectors such as food and chemicals, are controlled by accurate process conditions and temperature is an important parameter in any process. The industrial refrigeration systems has a major role in maintain the stability of the overall industrial process and directly affects the quality of end product. The industrial refrigeration systems consists of three main components which includes compressors, condensing units and evaporators. The automated systems consists of condenser control, compressor control, oil control, liquid level control and safety systems.Food processing industries has a major share in global industrial refrigeration market in terms of consumption. In food processing industry, it is used for processing of fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, meat and dairy products. The temperature in industrial refrigeration systems are mentioned in terms of wet bulb and hot bulb temperatures. The dry bulb temperature does not consider the humidity and other properties of air, while wet bulb temperature considers these parameters.Request Report For TOC @The wide applications of industrial refrigeration systems such as food processing, beverage production, chemical production etc. is the major driver for the growth of global industrial refrigeration systems market. The industrial refrigeration systems has a major role in maintaining the quality of the end product. The growing packed food industry in emerging clusters such as developing countries in APAC and Latin America is expected to drive the growth of industrial refrigeration systems market. The rising investments in improving the infrastructure related to cold chain is anticipated to boost the global industrial refrigeration systems market growth. The environmental regulations regarding maintenance, safe refrigerant use is expected to increasing demand for sustainable refrigeration systems.Request to Sample of Report @The global industrial refrigeration systems market can be divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America accounts for significant share in global industrial refrigeration market. The demand of refrigeration systems in refrigerated warehouses is expected to grow during the forecast period in this region.North America is followed by Europe in terms in consumption in industrial refrigeration market. The rise in commercialisation of transport refrigeration and the mature market of frozen food and meat products in the region is expected to contribute significant share in growth of industrial refrigeration market in the region. APAC is anticipated to register high CAGR during the forecast period, owing to rising industrialisation and urbanisation in the region.Pre Book Full Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Interventional Pulmonology Market to Discern Magnified Growth During 2016 - 2024

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Globally lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death. According to the American cancer societys estimates in the U.S. for lung cancer in 2016, there were 224,390 new cases of lung cancer and around 158,080 deaths from lung cancer. Lung cancer is more in men as compared to the women. Survival rate for patients suffering from lung cancer is much higher when diagnosed at early stage. Interventional pulmonology is a novel area in pulmonary medicine that focuses on advanced diagnostics and therapeutic techniques which is been used for treating lung cancer patients. It is performed using endoscopy and other equipment to diagnose and treat lung and chest conditions. These procedures are performed by cardiothoracic and other medical surgeons. Interventional pulmonology procedures are much safer and requires a shorter recovery time as compared to the patients who undergo surgeries. There are different types of interventional pulmonology procedures such as flexible bronchoscopy which is the most common procedure that is being performed. Apart from this Bronchoalveolar lavage, Biopsy of lung or lymph node, Airway stent (bronchial stent), Balloon bronchoplasty, rigid bronchoscopy, Foreign body removal, Pleuroscopy, and others. The Interventional Pulmonology market is driven by increasing incidence and prevalence of lung cancer.Request for Table of Contents @According to the Cancer research UK, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the U.K., every year there are about 43,500 people are diagnosed in the U.K. tobacco smoking causes 8 out of 10 cases counting a small proportion caused by passive smoking. Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 harmful chemical compounds. According Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year tobacco smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans and more than 41,000 of these deaths from passive smoking. Lung cancer is mostly caused due to smoking, there are other risk factors as well such as exposure to radon gas, air pollution, exposure to certain harmful chemicals, and others. Above mentioned are some of the leading causes of preventable death. In addition to this and rising healthcare expenditure and government initiatives it is expected to fuel the interventional pulmonology market over the forecast period. Moreover factors such as patient education program (PEP) that are conducted by companies for creating the awareness among the general population is likely to drive the growth of interventional pulmonology market over forecast period. However interventional pulmonology market has some restraints such as cost of treatment and low awareness for the benefits for these procedures is expected to hinder the growth of the interventional pulmonology market.Factors such as passive exposure to tobacco smoke can lead to lung cancer, also rising incidence of lung cancer is expected to boost the interventional pulmonology market over the forecast period. In addition rising awareness among general population and physician performing interventional pulmonology procedures is expected to drive the interventional pulmonology market during the forecast period.Geographically the interventional pulmonology market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and MEA region.Request to View Sample of Research Report @North America followed by Europe is dominating the interventional pulmonology market as high incidence of lung cancer cases and high prevalence of tobacco smoking. Apart from these interventional pulmonology procedures are becoming more popular and preferred choice of treatment in the U.S. by surgeons and cardiothoracic as they have better efficacy. In Asia Pacific region the interventional pulmonology market is expected to deliver significant growth owing to the fact that China accounts for 42% globally for cigarette production and is the largest manufacturer for tobacco. According to World Health Organization (WHO), China comprises majority of the worlds smoking population. Above mentioned factors are expected to boost the demand for interventional pulmonology products over the forecast period.Some of the companies in the interventional pulmonology market are Pulmonx., Boston Medical Products, Inc, ENDO-FLEX GmbH, CSA Medical Inc. EndoChoice, Inc. Karl Storz and othersPre Book Full Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Natural Gas Refueling Infrastructure Market Estimated To Reach US$50.2 Bn by 2022

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Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been serving as an active source to cater intelligent research report to enlighten both readers and investors. This research study titled Natural Gas Refueling Infrastructure Market, by Station Type (CNG and LNG) Request a Free Sample @With an increase in the number of natural gas vehicles, significant growth in natural gas refueling infrastructure has been witnessed across the globe. Natural gas is primarily used in two forms, namely compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Natural gas when compressed over 200 bars gets converted into CNG and is stored in high-pressure storage tanks. Natural gas when cooled to -161C gets converted in liquid form and is stored in highly-insulated tanks. Generally, CNG occupies more volume of gas at standard conditions while LNG occupies small volume of gas.Methane is the major component of natural gas and has chemical and physical properties which makes it suitable for vehicles. Natural gas is an excellent transportation fuel for internal combustion engines. A large number of benefits such as low cost, non-toxic nature, and abundant domestic supply boost the demand for natural gas as a vehicular fuel. High mileage and better efficiency can be achieved using natural gas as a transportation fuel. Natural gas vehicles are a rapidly expanding technology and has the potential to transform the transportation sector as well as have significant impact on the global natural gas market.High demand for natural gas vehicles has been witnessed in Asia Pacific. Countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, and India have significant number of natural gas vehicles. Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ANGVA) promotes the growth and development of the natural gas vehicle market in Asia Pacific. Of the top five natural gas vehicle countries in the world, four countries, namely Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh are in Asia Pacific. Energy, economics, and environment are some of the key drivers that boost the demand for natural gas vehicles in Asia Pacific. Application of natural gas as a transportation fuel in Asia Pacific offers many advantages such as supply security, reduced crude oil imports and fuel subsidies, low cost of energy, and employment opportunities. In Asia Pacific, CNG is recognized as a preferred transportation fuel mainly by operators of heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks. China has the highest number of LNG stations in the world. With the strong support from the Government of China and active participation from industry players, high demand for natural gas refueling infrastructure can be anticipated in future.View Complete Report with Table of Content @Climate change is a major problem for the natural gas refueling infrastructure market and high emissions of CO2 and greenhouse gases could lead to extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels. Governments of various countries are promoting the use of clean fuel (in vehicles) by reducing the fuel duty on cleaner fuels such as LNG and CNG. Many countries have also started providing incentive schemes for converting vehicles from conventional fuels to natural gas. Conversion of heavy-duty vehicles from conventional fuels to natural gas has boosted the demand for CNG stations and LNG stations across the globe. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), LNG has high density than CNG and fuels many trucks and buses in the world.North America is considered to be the potential market for natural gas refueling infrastructure owing to the vast natural gas reserves in the region. With the successful evolution of shale gas reserves in North America, it is anticipated that these reserves would fulfill the energy needs of the region for the next 100 years. Thus, with the easy domestic availability of natural gas, significant amount is saved in terms of foreign crude oil imports. Application of natural gas as a vehicular fuel helps maintain energy security, thereby boosting economic growth of a country. North America and Europe exhibit steady growth in the natural gas refueling market due to the debatable issue of whether to develop expensive infrastructure as the number of natural gas vehicles remains relatively small in the regions or to wait for additional development of vehicles before infrastructure development. These factors restrain the growth of market in North America, Europe and several parts in Asia Pacific region.Send an Enquiry @The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the natural gas refueling infrastructure business globally. Major drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the natural gas refueling infrastructure market were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. There are currently numerous growth drivers for the natural gas refueling infrastructure industry. One of the most prominent drivers is the no emissions and government initiatives boost the demand for natural gas as transportation fuel. Apart from this, low cost of natural gas results in attractive return on investments. This factor also contributes to the overall growth of the natural gas refueling infrastructure market. Market attractiveness analysis was done on the basis of geography. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market in different regions.The natural gas refueling infrastructure market was further segmented on the basis of station type. Stations included in this report are compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The natural gas refueling infrastructure market was analyzed across six geographies: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the natural gas refueling infrastructure market. Key market participants in the natural gas refueling infrastructure market include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Apache Corporation, BP plc, Indraprastha Gas Limited, Trillium CNG, Gazprom, PETRONAS, ENN Energy Holdings Limited, Gas Natural Fenosa, Fuel System Solutions, Inc., Blu LNG, Cryostar SAS, GE Oil & Gas, Clean Energy Fuels, and GNC Galileo. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, and recent developments.Check Discount @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments 2017 Global Key Players  Ericsson, Cisco Systems, Alcatel-Lucent, Netgear, Aerohive, Aruba Networks Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022

Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market

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Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Description:In this report, the global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingEricssonCisco SystemsAlcatel-LucentNetgearAerohiveRuckus WirelessAruba NetworksJuniper NetwokrsUbiquiti NetworksAptilo NetworksRequest for Sample Report@On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoRange 100mWOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingResidential UseCommercial UseIndustrial UseMilitary UseEnquiry before Buying @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Research Report 20171 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments1.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Range 100mW1.3 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Segment by Application1.3.1 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Residential Use1.3.3 Commercial Use1.3.4 Industrial Use1.3.5 Military Use1.4 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion..7 Global Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Ericsson7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Ericsson Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Cisco Systems7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Cisco Systems Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Alcatel-Lucent7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Alcatel-Lucent Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Netgear7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Netgear Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Aerohive7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Aerohive Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Ruckus Wireless7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Ruckus Wireless Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Aruba Networks7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Aruba Networks Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Juniper Netwokrs7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 Juniper Netwokrs Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Ubiquiti Networks7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 Ubiquiti Networks Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Aptilo Networks7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Product A7.10.2.2 Product B7.10.3 Aptilo Networks Outdoor Wi-Fi Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business OverviewContinued..Buy now @Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune  411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042Global Powder Coatings Market 2018 Industry Key Players -IFS Coatings, Masco, Nortek Powder Coating, Trimite Powders, Vogel Paint,.

Powder Coatings Market

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Powder Coatings Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Powder Coatings Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Powder Coatings in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Powder Coatings market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingPPG IndustriesAkzonobelSherwin-WilliamsAxalta(Dupont)Valspar CorporationRPM InternationalAmerican Powder CoatingsTIGER Drylac3MIFS Coatings,MascoNortek Powder CoatingTrimite PowdersVogel PaintMidwest Industrial Coatings (MICI)Erie Powder CoatingsHentzen CoatingsCardinal PaintOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoThermoset Powder CoatingThermoplastic Powder CoatingOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingIndoor ApplicationOutdoor/Architectural ApplicationAutomotive IndustryAppliance & HousewaresIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Request Sample Report @Table of content:Global Powder Coatings Market Research Report 20171 Powder Coatings Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Powder Coatings1.2 Powder Coatings Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Powder Coatings Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Powder Coatings Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Thermoset Powder Coating1.2.4 Thermoplastic Powder Coating1.3 Global Powder Coatings Segment by Application1.3.1 Powder Coatings Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Indoor Application1.3.3 Outdoor/Architectural Application1.3.4 Automotive Industry1.3.5 Appliance & Housewares1.4 Global Powder Coatings Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Powder Coatings Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Powder Coatings (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Powder Coatings Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Powder Coatings Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Powder Coatings Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Powder Coatings Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Powder Coatings Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Powder Coatings Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Powder Coatings Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Powder Coatings Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Powder Coatings Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Powder Coatings Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Powder Coatings Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Powder Coatings Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion7 Global Powder Coatings Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 PPG Industries7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 PPG Industries Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Akzonobel7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Akzonobel Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Sherwin-Williams7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Sherwin-Williams Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Axalta(Dupont)7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Axalta(Dupont) Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Valspar Corporation7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Valspar Corporation Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 RPM International7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 RPM International Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 American Powder Coatings7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 American Powder Coatings Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 TIGER Drylac7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 TIGER Drylac Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 3M7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 3M Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 IFS Coatings7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Powder Coatings Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Product A7.10.2.2 Product B7.10.3 IFS Coatings Powder Coatings Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.11 Masco7.12 Nortek Powder Coating7.13 Trimite Powders7.14 Vogel Paint7.15 Midwest Industrial Coatings (MICI)7.16 Erie Powder Coatings7.17 Hentzen Coatings7.18 Cardinal PaintContinuousFor further information on this report, visit Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042Self-Administered Drugs Market Perceive Robust Expansion by 2024

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Self-administered drugs are those that can be administered by the patient without the help of the medical practitioner. Self-administered drugs include over-the-counter drugs, topical prescription drugs and self-administered intravenous drugs. Intravenous self-administered drugs are administered into the body through implantable or non  implantable infusion pumps that can be regulated by the patient. Self-administered drugs are mainly consumed by patients suffering from chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and others. With the increasing number of people suffering from chronic diseases globally the self-administered drugs are expected to witness high demand, mainly among old and working population. Moreover owing to increasing health care cost and sensitivity of drugs several drug which reduces over time medical devices manufacturers are increasing emphasis on patient self-administration of drugs.Request for Table of Contents @The demand for self-administered drugs is increasing rapidly owing to the changing lifestyle of the people. Self-administration of the drugs saves time and money of the patients required for visiting the physicians or nurses. Increasing outpatient medical services is expected to boost demand for self-administered drugs over the forecast period. Government insurance organizations are providing medical coverage on some self-administered drugs which in turn is expected to increase adoption among end users. For instance, Centers for Medicare cover usually do not cover self-administered drugs however it provides medical coverage to some outpatient prescription drugs like injectable drugs, some antigens, drugs used with durable medical equipment and others. Increasing healthcare costs for patients seeking medical treatment in hospitals and increasing trend towards use of self-administered drugs among working population is expected to provide high growth opportunities among manufacturers over the forecast period. Moreover introduction of new patient administered drugs in the disposable prefilled form aimed to address the inconvenience created through unregulated dosages and regulatory compliance is expected to increase adoption rate of self-administered drugs globally over the forecast period. However, low or no reimbursement for some self-administered drugs and increasing number of cases of side effects caused by the unregulated dose of self-administered drugs may hamper the revenue growth of the self-administered drugs market over the forecast period.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Geographically, North America and Europe regions are expected to contribute to the largest share of the self-administered drugs market. The shifting patient population from low to high income countries in North America and Europe is expected to propel demand for self-administered drugs over the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is expected to witness fast growth in the self-administered drugs market owing to high population in the region and growing geriatric population. Latin America and MEA regions are also expected to witness significant growth in self-administered drugs market owing to availability of the products due to increased market penetration of the market participants in these regions.Some players in the self-administered drugs market are Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Mayers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Novartis AG, Eli Lilly & Company, Pfizer, Inc., and Antares Pharma, Inc. The market participants are focusing on competitive pricing and product innovation strategies in order to increase their market share in the global self-administered drugs market.Pre Book Full Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Nail Polish Industry 2017 Global Production,Supply,Sales and Future Demand Market Research Report to 2021

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Nail Polish Industry 2017 Global Production,Supply,Sales and Future Demand Market Research Report to 2021.The Nail Polish industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Nail Polish market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 4.65% from 8220 million $ in 2013 to 9420 million $ in 2016, The analysts believe that in the next few years, Nail Polish market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2021 , The market size of the Nail Polish will reach 11770 million $.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThis Report covers the manufacturers data, including: shipment, price, revenue, gross profit, interview record, business distribution etc., these data help the consumer know about the competitors better. This report also covers all the regions and countries of the world, which shows a regional development status, including market size, volume and value, as well as price data.Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.Sections:-Section 1: FreeDefinitionSection (2 3): 1200 USDManufacturer DetailOPIZOTOS ACCENTMaybellineDiorChanelORLYANNA SUIRevlonSally HansenMISSHACNDButter LondonKikoCOSMAYNails IncEssieLOREALBobbi BrownNarsRimmelChina GlazeContinueAsk Query @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsSection 1 Nail Polish Product DefinitionSection 2 Global Nail Polish Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview2.1 Global Manufacturer Nail Polish Shipments2.2 Global Manufacturer Nail Polish Business Revenue2.3 Global Nail Polish Market OverviewSection 3 Manufacturer Nail Polish Business Introduction3.1 OPI Nail Polish Business Introduction3.1.1 OPI Nail Polish Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2013-20163.1.2 OPI Nail Polish Business Distribution by Region3.1.3 OPI Interview Record3.1.4 OPI Nail Polish Business Profile3.1.5 OPI Nail Polish Product Specification3.2 ZOTOS ACCENT Nail Polish Business Introduction3.2.1 ZOTOS ACCENT Nail Polish Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2013-20163.2.2 ZOTOS ACCENT Nail Polish Business Distribution by Region3.2.3 Interview Record3.2.4 ZOTOS ACCENT Nail Polish Business Overview3.2.5 ZOTOS ACCENT Nail Polish Product Specification3.3 Maybelline Nail Polish Business Introduction3.3.1 Maybelline Nail Polish Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2013-20163.3.2 Maybelline Nail Polish Business Distribution by Region3.3.3 Interview Record3.3.4 Maybelline Nail Polish Business Overview3.3.5 Maybelline Nail Polish Product Specification3.4 Dior Nail Polish Business Introduction3.5 Chanel Nail Polish Business Introduction3.6 ORLY Nail Polish Business IntroductionSection 4 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Region Level)4.1 North America Country4.1.1 United States Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.1.2 Canada Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.2 South America Country4.2.1 South America Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3 Asia Country4.3.1 China Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3.2 Japan Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3.3 India Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3.4 Korea Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4 Europe Country4.4.1 Germany Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.2 UK Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.3 France Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.4 Italy Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.5 Europe Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.5 Other Country and Region4.5.1 Middle East Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.5.2 Africa Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.5.3 GCC Nail Polish Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.6 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Region Level) Analysis 2013-20164.7 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Region Level) AnalysisSection 5 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)5.1 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) Market Size 2013-20165.2 Different Nail Polish Product Type Price 2013-20165.3 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) AnalysisSection 6 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Industry Level)6.1 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Industry Level) Market Size 2013-20166.2 Different Industry Price 2013-20166.3 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Industry Level) AnalysisSection 7 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Channel Level)7.1 Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Channel Level) Sales Volume and Share 2013-20167.2 Global Nail Polish Global Nail Polish Market Segmentation (Channel Level) AnalysisContinue.Buy 1-User PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.CHETU INCLUDED ON THE 2017 FASTEST-GROWING TECH COMPANIES LIST

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Plantation, Fla. (October 13th, 2017)  Chetu comes out on top as one of the fastest growing tech companies in South Florida, as stated on a list published by South Florida Business Journal.SFBJ recognizes technology companies who demonstrate a capacity to reach extraordinary, yearly milestones in revenue and operational growth. This year, there are two lists. Chetu was featured at spot 7 on the list of companies ranked by dollar revenue growth and 15th among companies organized by percentage growth over the same time frame.Chetu celebrates 17 years of software development excellence with a 16.44% increase in growth, a percentage illustrating Chetus jump from $31.51 to $36.69 million in revenue between 2015 and 2016.We are all very proud of our nomination, I must attribute the success of our growth to the close-knit team environment we have established at Chetu. stated Atal Bansal, CEO of Chetu, Inc. We all work together on our mission to provide our clients with world-class software development solutions.Chetu sat down alongside 24 other companies at a cocktail reception on the evening of October 12th. This event recognized all 25 list-makers on their contributions to better business. The Official list was made public on October 13th, in Vol. 38, No. 12 issue of the South Florida Business Journal.Chetus financial bounds are accompanied by 2nd place in SFBJ Healthiest Workplace Award, placement in the SFBJs Top 100 Private Companys list, and an inclusion on the 36th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of America's fastest-growing private companies, for the 6th year in a row.About Chetu, Inc.Founded in 2000, Chetu Inc. is a global provider of customized software development solutions combining technological expertise, specific domain experience and passion for excellence to deliver enterprise-grade solutions to start-ups, SMBs and fortune 5000 companies. Chetu is a true and seamless backend technology partner, helping businesses accelerate the development of desktop, mobile & web-based apps with on-demand developers. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Chetu has fourteen locations throughout the U.S. and abroad. For more information visit:Media Contact:Seth Burger and/or Carolina Nunezmarketing@chetu.com954-342-5676Chetu is a custom software development company servicing startups, SMBs & Fortune 500 firms worldwide with specialized technology solutions. We provide on-demand programming from senior-level software developers who are dedicated to advancing your business technology objectives.Chetu Inc.10167 W Sunrise Blvd,Suite 200, Plantation,FL 33322Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Industry Is Set to Boom in 2018 And Coming Years

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics has been analyzed in great details in a newly added market report. It provides an in-depth peek into the factors providing headwinds and tailwinds to the market. It also studies the trends shaping its contours.The report divides the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics by various relevant criteria and studies each segment in details to furnish a thorough overview of the market. The different regional segments of the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics have been studied in great details using both historical and recent figures. This data has been studied with the different growth driver and deterrents, to unravel the trajectory of the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics.Get Free PDF Brochure For More Technical Insights@The report banks upon popular analytical tools, namely SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis to offer a quantitative and qualitative overview of the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics. Data accumulated using such tools has been then scrutinized by leading experts in the industry to discover important opportunities and trends in the market.In order to prepare the report on the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics, industry pundits have been interviewed for their viewpoint on the market. This serves to make the report an authoritative guide to the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics.The report sheds light on the leading players in the global market for Polycarbonic Ester Plastics. It examines their products, key strategies, sales and revenues, standing in the market, and prospects going forward.Some of the important questions the report seeks to provide an answer for are:Which are the factors that are shaping the growth in the market?Which factors are serving to crimp growth in the market?Where is the market headed vis-a-vis growth rate in the foreseeable future?Who are some of the major players in the market?What are the main products of the prominent companies?Table of ContentsGlobal Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics1.1 Definition and Specifications of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics1.1.1 Definition of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics1.1.2 Specifications of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics1.2 Classification of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics1.2.1 Standard Grade1.2.2 High Flow Grade1.2.3 High Intensity Grade1.2.4 Optical Grade1.2.5 Flame Retardant Grade1.2.6 Others1.3 Applications of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics1.3.1 Automotive1.3.2 Medical Devices1.3.3 Electronics & Electrical AppliancesAccess the full Report TOC in Detail @2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Polycarbonic Ester Plastics3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Sales Analysis (Company Segment)5 Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Share Analysis5.2 China Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Analysis5.2.1 China Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Polycarbonic Ester Plastics Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption AnalysisQYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.comMechanical Keyboards 2017 Global Market Expected to Reach USD 1110 million and Forecast to 2021

Mechanical Keyboards 2017

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Mechanical Keyboards 2017 Global Market Expected to Reach USD 1110 million and Forecast to 2021.The Mechanical Keyboards industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Mechanical Keyboards market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 10.73% from 545 million $ in 2013 to 740 million $ in 2016, The analysts believe that in the next few years, Mechanical Keyboards market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2021 , The market size of the Mechanical Keyboards will reach 1110 million $.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThis Report covers the manufacturers data, including: shipment, price, revenue, gross profit, interview record, business distribution etc., these data help the consumer know about the competitors better. This report also covers all the regions and countries of the world, which shows a regional development status, including market size, volume and value, as well as price data.Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.Sections:-Section 1: FreeDefinitionSection (2 3): 1200 USDManufacturer DetailLogitechSteelseriesRazerCherryCorsairDiatecEpicgearDucky ChannelRapooDas KeyboardCOUGARIOne ElectronicCooler MasterBloodyKeycoolReachaceNewmenSection 4: 900 USDRegion SegmentationNorth America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)ContinueAsk Query @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsSection 1 Mechanical Keyboards Product DefinitionSection 2 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview2.1 Global Manufacturer Mechanical Keyboards Shipments2.2 Global Manufacturer Mechanical Keyboards Business Revenue2.3 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market OverviewSection 3 Manufacturer Mechanical Keyboards Business Introduction3.1 Logitech Mechanical Keyboards Business Introduction3.1.1 Logitech Mechanical Keyboards Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2013-20163.1.2 Logitech Mechanical Keyboards Business Distribution by Region3.1.3 Logitech Interview Record3.1.4 Logitech Mechanical Keyboards Business Profile3.1.5 Logitech Mechanical Keyboards Product Specification3.2 Steelseries Mechanical Keyboards Business Introduction3.2.1 Steelseries Mechanical Keyboards Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2013-20163.2.2 Steelseries Mechanical Keyboards Business Distribution by Region3.2.3 Interview Record3.2.4 Steelseries Mechanical Keyboards Business Overview3.2.5 Steelseries Mechanical Keyboards Product Specification3.3 Razer Mechanical Keyboards Business Introduction3.3.1 Razer Mechanical Keyboards Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2013-20163.3.2 Razer Mechanical Keyboards Business Distribution by Region3.3.3 Interview Record3.3.4 Razer Mechanical Keyboards Business Overview3.3.5 Razer Mechanical Keyboards Product Specification3.4 Cherry Mechanical Keyboards Business Introduction3.5 Corsair Mechanical Keyboards Business Introduction3.6 Diatec Mechanical Keyboards Business IntroductionSection 4 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Region Level)4.1 North America Country4.1.1 United States Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.1.2 Canada Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.2 South America Country4.2.1 South America Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3 Asia Country4.3.1 China Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3.2 Japan Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3.3 India Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.3.4 Korea Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4 Europe Country4.4.1 Germany Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.2 UK Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.3 France Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.4 Italy Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.4.5 Europe Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.5 Other Country and Region4.5.1 Middle East Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.5.2 Africa Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.5.3 GCC Mechanical Keyboards Market Size and Price Analysis 2013-20164.6 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Region Level) Analysis 2013-20164.7 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Region Level) AnalysisSection 5 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)5.1 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) Market Size 2013-20165.2 Different Mechanical Keyboards Product Type Price 2013-20165.3 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) AnalysisSection 6 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Industry Level)6.1 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Industry Level) Market Size 2013-20166.2 Different Industry Price 2013-20166.3 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Industry Level) AnalysisSection 7 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Channel Level)7.1 Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Channel Level) Sales Volume and Share 2013-20167.2 Global Mechanical Keyboards Global Mechanical Keyboards Market Segmentation (Channel Level) AnalysisContinue.Buy 1-User PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.Cloud DVR 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 30.59% and Forecast to 2020

Cloud DVR Market 2018

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Cloud DVR 2018 Global Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 30.59% and Forecast to 2020.The analysts forecast the global cloud DVR market to grow at a CAGR of 30.59% during the period 2016-2020.Cloud DVR provides its users the ability to watch what they want, whenever they want and where they want. DVRs have introduced the concept of time shifting ever since the technology became mainstream in 2010. The increasing popularity of cloud DVR has made operators leverage its features to attract and retain subscribers.A cloud DVR contains a video data plane, which processes and delivers the content. This is driven by a control plane that manages the workflow of video content. It also contains a recorder along with a video transcoder, which ensures that all of the required codecs and resolutions are available. Within the network, the recorder represents the centralized repository from which the data is to be distributed. The streamer component ensures real-time delivery of video when requested by the user.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global cloud DVR market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the subscription sales of cloud DVR.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global Cloud DVR Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors ARRIS Alcatel-Lucent Cisco EricssonOther prominent vendors ABOX42 ADB, Broadcom Comcast Comtrend Edge-Core Networks Hansun Technologies HYUNDAI Digital Technology Huawei Lenovo Pace Technicolor ZTEMarket driver Rise in digitization of television networks For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Smartphones as secondary screens For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Increased use of HEVC chipset For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Ask Query @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Base year Vendor segmentation Summation errorsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: Market landscape Market overview Market size and forecast Five forces modelPART 06: Market segmentation by type Market segmentation by type Global satellite cloud DVR market Global IPTV cloud DVR market Global hybrid cloud DVR marketPART 07: Comparative analysis by typePART 08: Market attractiveness by type Market attractiveness by typePART 09: Market segmentation by chipset Global cloud DVR market by chipset Global cloud DVR market by HEVC chipset Global cloud DVR market by MPEG-4 chipsetPART 10: Comparative analysis by chipsetPART 11: Market attractiveness by chipset Market attractiveness by chipsetPART 12: Buying criteriaPART 13: Geographical segmentation Geographical segmentation of global cloud DVR market Cloud DVR market in Americas Cloud DVR market in EMEA Cloud DVR market in APACContinue.Buy 1-User PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.Betaine Market 2017: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, Forecast to 2023

Fruit Spreads Industry

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Market Synopsis of fruit spreads marketMarket DefinitionFruit spreads are prepared from the extracted fruit juices which is further processed and concentrated. The major ingredients used for the preparation of fruit spreads are sugar and pectin. These fruit spreads are highly concentrated which contains nearly 30-60% water content and are available in a variety of flavors depending on the type of fruit. Mostly fruit spreads comes in the form of marmalades, jellies, jams, preserves, conserves, and butter. These spreads are widely used in dressings, snacks, dessert glaze & smoothies.Request Sample Report @Market ScenarioThe mounting inclination towards nutritive and healthy food among the consumers is boosting the development of global fruit spreads market. Also, increasing advancement to improve flavors of fruit spreads is likely to surge the growth of global fruit spreads market. Furthermore, growing demand for sugar-free fruit spreads is supporting the market growth. Also, high amount of vitamins, proteins, and fiber in fruit spreads makes it a good source of energy. Thus, the demand for fruit spreads is high from the food industry.Additionally, accessibility of low-priced fruit spreads from different brands is anticipated to drive the growth of global fruit spreads market. Also, presence of preservatives in fruit spreads makes it more stable and can be used for a longer time period; this attracts the consumer towards fruit spreads. Moreover, high demand for fruit spreads in breakfast meals is supporting the market growth. Furthermore, manufacturers are highly focused on preparing fruit spreads for baked foods and savory snacks.Key FindingsThe demand for fruit spreads is increasing among the breakfast food manufacturersFrance, Germany, and the Netherlands are the major consumers of fruit spreadsConsumers are showing high inclination towards fruit spreads in the form of jamsAsk the Expert @SegmentsFruit spreads are segmented on the basis of product type, which includes marmalades, jellies, jams, preserves, conserves, butter, and others. The jam segment is dominating the market owing to high consumption in breakfast meal, majorly in the U.S. Jams is prepared by slicing or crushing the fruits and further adding pectin & sugar in the extracted juice which helps in softening the jam.On the basis of fruit, the fruit spreads market is segmented in blackberry, red tart cherry, concord grape, citrus fruits, raspberry, strawberry, gourmet pear, and others. The citrus fruits are dominating the market followed by strawberry owing to longer shelf-life and higher product stability. However, the demand for mixed-fruit spreads is expected to experience a high growth owing to high nutritive value associated with the consumption of mixed fruit spreads.On the basis of the distribution channel, the market is segmented into store-based and non-store based distribution channel. However, the store-based distribution channel is dominating the market based on one-stop shopping experience.Regional AnalysisThe global fruit spreads market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (RoW). Europe is dominating the in the fruit spreads market followed by North America. Germany and France have been accounted for a higher consumption of fruit spreads owing to increasing consumer awareness towards natural fruit products. Furthermore, high demand for fruit spreads in breakfast meals and bakery products is considered to be a key driving factor in this region.The U.S. accounts for a higher consumption of fruit spreads in the North American region. Additionally, rise in the health conscious population and shifting inclination towards natural products has surged in the demand for fruit spreads market in this region. Also, growing demand for nutritive, healthy and sugar-free fruit spreads is likely to uplift the North American fruit spreads market.Get Discount @Key PlayersSome of the key players profiled in the global fruit spreads market: Polaner Inc. (U.S.), Cascadian Farm, Inc. (U.S.), The J. M. Smucker Company (U.S.), Rigoni di Asiago USA LLC (U.S.), Really Good Stuff, Inc. (U.S.), Walden Farms, Inc. (U.S.), Santa Cruz Natural Incorporated (U.S.), Crofters Food Ltd. (Canada), Clearspring Ltd. (U.K), Small Planet Foods, Inc. (U.S.)The global fruit spreads market is segmented under the following regionsNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaAustraliaJapanRest of Asia PacificRest of the worldBrazilArgentinaSouth AfricaOthersThe report for global fruit spreads market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regions.Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on Global Food preservatives Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027. In this reports our Research Team has highlighted some of the Key points which are very important from in terms of Market Growth, Share, Analysis and future prospects related to this Industry.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaKefir Market expand at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2017 and 2025

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The global syngas market has been demonstrating a substantial rise in its size over the recent times. The burgeoning need to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, as there is a finite number of fossil fuel reserves across the world, has been the key driving force behind the significant rise in this market. Apart from this, the increasing usage of derivatives in various industrial applications is also boosting the demand for syngas and derivatives substantially.Request Free Sample Report @In 2015, the global consumption of syngas and derivatives was 115,000 MWth. Thanks to the rising demand for fuel, electricity, and agricultural products, it is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 9.40% between 2016 and 2024 and cross a 256,605 MWth mark by the end of 2024. Although the market points towards a thriving future, it may face some hindrances from the dearth of considerable capital investment and funding over the next few years.Biomass Gasification to Remain Most Demanded TechnologyPartial oxidation, steam reforming, and biomass gasification are the key technologies utilized for the production of syngas and derivatives. Among these, biomass gasification is the most-utilized technology for production of syngas and derivatives, as, with this technology, the organic/fossil fuel-based carbonaceous materials, such as biomass and coal, can be converted into syngas, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. A continued strong demand for this technology is predicted across the world in the years to come.The demand for steam reform technology is also increasing steadily and is expected to pick up pace over the forthcoming years. In steam reforming technology, natural gas is used as a feedstock to produce syngas. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and several other useful products are also produced during the process. Partial oxidation technology, which held a meager share in the overall syngas and derivatives market, is anticipated to witness increased demand in the near future.Browse Full Report With TOC @Asia Pacific to Remain on Top in Global Syngas and Derivatives MarketAsia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, North America, Europe, and Latin America are the main geographical segments of the worldwide market for syngas and derivatives. With a share of more than 52%, Asia Pacific dominated the global market in 2015. Analysts predict this regional market to retain its lead over the next few years, thanks to the ample availability of coal and natural gas reserves, together with the rising urbanization, developments in the infrastructure, and the new discoveries in the field of oil and gas.Among other regions, the Middle East and Africa is likely to witness strong growth in its market for syngas and derivatives in the near future due to the rising utilization of syngas for electricity and power generation. On the other hand, Latin America, North America, and Europe are anticipated to exhibit a sluggish rise in their respective markets over the forthcoming years.Enquire About this report @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:Uterine Fibroid Market Poised to Expand at a Robust Pace Over 2022

Uterine Fibroid Market

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The Worldwide Uterine Fibroid market Research Report provides detailed analysis of the key regional market status of the Healthcare Industry. The Uterine Fibroids Market is expected to reach USD 39,993.2 million by the end of the forecasted period and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.24%.Uterine Fibroids are the abnormal growth that gets developed inside or on the wall of a womans uterus. These are also known as leiomyoma or myomas. These are noncancerous growths that cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding between or during the menstrual cycle, pain in pelvis or lower back, increased menstrual cramping, swelling enlargement of the abdomen. Increasing prevalence due to heredity and rising number of treatments to cure this disease has fuelled the growth of this market.Key Players for U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market:Some of the key players in this market are: AstraZeneca (England), Cook Medical Inc. (US), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), GE Healthcare (U.K.), AbbVie Inc. (U.S.), Hologic (U.S.), and others.Key Finding The U.S. Uterine Fibroid market and is expected to reach USD 39,993.2 million by 2022. By Type, Intramural Fibroids holds the largest market share of U.S. uterine fibroid market and is expected to reach USD 14,972.5 million by 2022. By Treatment, hysterectomy holds the largest market share of U.S. uterine fibroid market and is expected to reach USD 8,042.3 million by 2022.Get Sample copy @Segments:U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market has been segmented on the basis of type which comprises of Subserosal Fibroids, Intramural Fibroids, Submucosal Fibroids and others. On the basis of diagnosis the market is segmented into Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners, Computed tomography (CT), Ultrasounds and others. On the basis of treatment the market is segmented into Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound, Myolysis, Endometrial Ablation, Hysterectomy and Myomectomy.Study Objectives U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market:provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, provide insights about factors affecting the market growth, analyse the market based on various factors - price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa, provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size, volume, average selling price and future prospective, provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market, track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments U.S.Regional Analysis of U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market:The U.S. market for uterine fibroids is growing steadily. The market for uterine fibroids is growing with the CAGR of 3.24% during the forecast period from 2016-2022. California, Texas, Florida, New York are some of the states which are estimated to have highest prevalence of uterine fibroids.Get Discount @TABLE OF CONTENTS1 INTRODUCTION1.1.1 Prevalence Of The Uterine Fibroids In U.S. 82 SCOPE OF STUDY2.1 Research Objective 102.2 Assumptions & Limitations 102.2.1 Assumptions 102.2.2 Limitations 102.3 Market Structure 113 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3.1 Primary Research 133.2 Secondary Research 134 U.S. UTERINE FIBROID MARKET4.1 Introduction 154.2 U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, By Type 174.3 U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, By Diagnosis 194.4 U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, By Treatment 21ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comMRFR has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.Our Research Analysts are eager to share their knowledge and assist you in refining market research parameters, choosing right market studies, and evaluating both the market scope and the research methodologies of varied segments.We bridge the gap between our clients and their clients by identifying and decoding just the target group, while generating leads with the highest accuracy.Years of research into diverse fields of work has ingrained within us, a proficiency so distinguished that our industry-specific specialists identify with your business ideas and feel the pulse of your challenges and opportunities. This enables us for providing assistance, through our consulting and strategic consulting services, in informed managerial decision making. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industries, WantStats Research and Media often conducts industrial visits for its research analysts. Relevant inputs from various established market participants, help our clients make significant contribution in respective markets are a huge motivation for all of us to endlessly furnish quality. We depend greatly on profound insights into complex realms of our study.Pune, IndiaThe Lenovo Ideapad Miix 520 aspires to compete with Microsofts Surface Pro, and it checks nearly all of the boxes: excellent performance; a bright, high-resolution display; and a comfortable typing experience. Only in battery life does it fall well short. Nevertheless, the Miix 520 is a great alternative to the pricier Surface lineup.

As Windows tablets coalesce toward the 12.2-inch panel size used by the Miix 520, comparing them is all about tradeoffs. The Miix 520, which is currently available in only one configuration (currently about $990 on Amazon), upgrades the typical tablet display from 1080p to a 1920x1200 panel. But that higher resolution affects battery life, as youll see later in our tests. The other major features are detailed below.,

Lenovo Miix 520: Basic specs and features

Display: 12.2-inch (1920x1200) IPS

12.2-inch (1920x1200) IPS Processor: Intel 1.6GHz Core i5-8250U (Kaby Lake-R)

Intel 1.6GHz Core i5-8250U (Kaby Lake-R) Graphics: Intel 620 (integrated)

Intel 620 (integrated) Memory: 8GB DDR4 (2,133MHz)

8GB DDR4 (2,133MHz) Storage: 256GB SSD

256GB SSD Ports: 1 USB 3.0 (Type C), 1 USB 3.0 (Type A), microSD, headphone jack

1 USB 3.0 (Type C), 1 USB 3.0 (Type A), microSD, headphone jack Wireless: 802.11ac (2x2), Bluetooth 4.1

802.11ac (2x2), Bluetooth 4.1 Cameras: Front (5MP, fixed-focus) Rear (8MP, autofocus)

Front (5MP, fixed-focus) Rear (8MP, autofocus) Battery: 39Wh

39Wh Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Windows 10 Home Dimensions and weight: 11.8 in. x 8.1 in. x 0.4 in., 0.6 in. with keyboard; 1.9 lb (tablet), 2.72 lb (with keyboard), 3.06 lb (tablet, keyboard plus charger)

11.8 in. x 8.1 in. x 0.4 in., 0.6 in. with keyboard; 1.9 lb (tablet), 2.72 lb (with keyboard), 3.06 lb (tablet, keyboard plus charger) Price as reviewed: $999

Unlike Microsoft, Lenovo bundles the detachable keyboard as well as a stylus, known as the Active Pen 2.

Mark Hachman / IDG The Lenovo Miix 520 offers outstanding value. although its all packaged in a rather unassuming exterior.

Lenovo Miix 520: Build quality and display

Save for Lenovos silvery watchband hinge, the Miix 520s platinum silver exterior is discreet, as is the case with most tablets. Unlike the crisp, minimalist lines of the Microsoft Surface Pro (2017), however, theres much more of a sense of busy: a fan grille runs along the top of the tablet, ports cluster to the left-hand-side, and speaker grilles pop out here and there.

The watchband hinge isnt just for show. It supports the weight of the tablet (which, at 2.72 pounds with the keyboard, is a bit heavier than the competition), and it reclines to 150 degrees (the same range as the Surface Pro) with hardly a wobble. Lenovo uses the thin sheath kickstand that most tablet makers (except HP) employ, though, which can jab your thighs after prolonged use.

Mark Hachman / IDG The Miix 520s watchband hinge not only captures the eye, it helps support the tablet as it reclines.

When powering on the Miix 520, you may notice one of the design touches that please habitual Lenovo users: the on-screen battery gauge. You also have the option (via the Lenovo Vantage software, discussed later) of placing a battery icon widget on your taskbar.

Mark Hachman / IDG A fan grille runs the length of the Miix 520 tablet. The tablets fan turns on frequently, but the low hiss never becomes annoying.

While the Miix 520s 12.2-inch, 1920 x 1200 IPS panel taxes battery life and lacks the visual pop of, say, the OLED screen used by the Samsung Galaxy Book, the experience is worth it. Theres a perceptible improvement in display quality compared to 1920x1080. The luminosity maxes out at just 298 nits, which is somewhat less than the competition, but we consider something between 250 and 270 nits to be comfortable for average use.

Unfortunately, one aspect where the Miix 520 skimps too much is Windows Hello. The tablet lacks a fingerprint reader, and the 5MP front-facing camera is not Windows Hello-capable. The rear-facing 8MP camera is suitable for Mixed Reality Viewer, a fun new feature in Windows 10 where you can snap a photo with your tablet and then drop in one of thousands of 3D objects to spice it up.

Mark Hachman / IDG A dedicated volume rocker and power switch adorn the right side of the Lenovo Miix 520.

(If you read our original report on the Lenovo Miix 520, we noticed one change. Lenovo had originally told us that the rear-facing camera, dubbed WorldView, would pair with a bundled MagicWindow app that would let you insert 3D images into regular images. That app has not been bundled, and its not cleareven after checking with Lenovowhat happened with WorldView.)

Lenovo Miix 520: Keyboard, ports, and speakers

Lenovo is known for its keyboards, and the Miix 520 generally does not disappoint. Instead of the Alcantara fabrics that have become the design trend du jour, Lenovo opts for a more basic pleather, which surrounds the keyboard and works just fine. Each key is large enough to offer a comfortable landing, and the 1.5mm travel lends itself to prolonged typing.

The row of relatively tiny function keys at the top includes dedicated controls for toggling the touchpad, adjusting the brightness and sound, and locking the tablet. Users can also toggle the keyboard backlight, a nice touch that isnt always duplicated on rival machines. Unlike the Lenovo X-series tablets, the Miix 520 also forgoes both trackpad buttons, as well as the iconic red TrackPoint pointing stick.

Though the trackpad feels rather small, the glass surface allows smooth scrolling, and clicks registered in all but the very upper regions of the trackpad.

Mark Hachman / IDG The Lenovo Miix 520s trackpad is a bit on the small side.

About the only flaw I found was a small amount of keyboard flex, though youll only notice it by pressing firmly on a key near the center. Its not enough to affect everyday typing.

Lenovo more than makes up for that with the seemingly bulletproot magnetic connection between the keyboard and the tablet itself. Like other tablets, the Miix 520 uses a dual hinge that folds back, creating two points of contact and angling the keyboard slightly. The keyboard grips so tightly that I was able to suspend the tablet itself from the keyboard. In other words, if the tablet is perched on your lap and falls backward over your knees, it probably aint going anywhere.

Mark Hachman / IDG You cant do this with most Windows tablets.

Ports are a key concern with any Windows tablet, especially as manufacturers manage the transition from legacy USB-A connectors to the new USB-C standard. The Miix 520 wisely splits the difference with two USB 3.0 ports: one Type A and one Type C. The Type C port doesnt support the high-speed Thunderbolt protocol, nor is it used for chargingtheres still a dedicated power port, leaving both ports available for use. No dongles are included.

Mark Hachman / IDG The Lenovo Miix 520, fully reclined, shows the port alignment on the left-hand side.

Dont forget about the microSD slot tucked away on the back of the tablet, either. (On Lenovos website, the manufacturer erroneously reports that the Miix 520 includes a microSIM slot instead.)

The Miix 520s speakers deliver audio at satisfactory levelsa little softer than, say, a comparable HP tablet, but with good midrange and response in the upper registers. Over headphones, the Miix 520 digs deep to deliver the low-end bass response its own internal speakers lack, with some of the most enjoyable audio Ive experienced from a tablet. A nice bonus is an actual Dolby Audio app, complete with the graphics equalizer so often missing from Windows machines. (Somewhat sadly, though, it lacks any presets.)

Mark Hachman / IDG A microSD card slot is tucked behind the tablet.

The Miix 520 ships with what Lenovo calls the Active Pen 2, a sturdy stylus with 4,096 levels of pressure, though no tilt support. Lenovo also helpfully includes Wacoms own Wacom Pen stylus app to manage the Active Pen 2.

Though using the Active Pen 2 is a breeze, assembling it is much more complicated than with other pens. Youll need to unscrew the top, then use a coin to disassemble that piece into two more pieces, install the smallest pair of coin batteries Ive ever seen, reassemble the top, then drop in a AAAA battery to power the whole contraption. Its a task youll want to devote some care to. Lenovo appears to use separate batteries for powering the wireless connection to the tablet as well as the general stylus functions, but the payoff isnt immediately apparent.

Mark Hachman / IDG Assembling the Active Pen 2 is far more complicated than youd expect.

Though the Active Pen lacks the eraser-nubbin function of the Surface Pens, two configurable barrel buttons allow you to trigger Cortana, launch OneNote or other apps, or erase.

Theres one additional catch: Lenovos solution for the pesky problem of pen management is a plastic pen holster that plugs into the USB-A port. Its a dumb decision that sacrifices productivity for aesthetics, and you risk snapping off or accidentally detaching the holster inside your backpack or carry-on.

Mark Hachman / IDG The Miix 520s Active Pen 2 uses a plastic pen holder that tucks into the USB-A slot.

Extra software

Lenovo generally excluded bloatware from the Miix 520. The company bundles a trial of McAfee LiveSafe, the Microsoft Office apps (which require a subscription to Office 365 to activate) and Minecraft, plus the ubiquitous Candy Crush Soda Saga and March of Empires: War of Lords.

Somewhat oddly, Lenovo bundled both its own Lenovo Settings app as well as the new Lenovo Vantage, a smartly designed utility to do everything from manage updates to explore several offers. When opened, though, Lenovo Settings simply informs the user that the Settings app and Vantage have merged, and Settings can be uninstalled. Maybe you could go the extra mile next time, Lenovo?

Vantage and the related Lenovo App Explorer also serve as front doors of sorts to additional, optional apps like Lenovo Le-Note, a OneNote-like inking app that allows you jot a note on the screen, even when the tablet is locked.

Lenovo Miix 520 performance: Marred by poor battery life

Lenovos Miix 520 is one of the first crop of tablets to use Intels 8th-generation Core chips, and specifically its most recent Kaby Lake-R parts that promise up to 40 percent more performance compared with prior-generation parts. The benefit is borne out in most of our tests below. Battery life matters in a tablet too, though, and in this regard, the Miix 520 misses the mark.

The tests below show how the Miix 520 compares favorably to the Microsoft Surface Laptop, a full-fledged laptop, and other tablets weve preferred, such as the Samsung Galaxy Book. Lenovos tablet will plow through any office task with ease, and the 8GB of memory Lenovo offers is sufficient for Web browsing with 20 or so tabs. Rest assured that your tablet will play back Netflix or other video at full frame rates, as well.

PCMark 8s Work 2.0 test measures how the tablet will handle tasks like spreadsheets and word processing. As you can see, the Miix 520 handles it with ease.

IDG Lenovos Miix 520 outpaces other tablets using the PCMark Work tests, which perform general office tasks.

Both the Home and Creative aspects of the PCMark test suite are more relevant to the Miix 520s intended use. Though both tests share some of the same elements, the Home test tends to emphasize light gaming and photo manipulation, while Creative pushes forward into video editing. All of these tasks are relevant to home users, and the Miix 520s success here indicates that its a solid choice.

IDG

IDG In both the PCMark Home and Creative benchmarks, the Lenovo Miix 520 easily outpaces the other tablets in these texts, which measure typical tasks like web browsing, gaming, and image processing.

Maxons Cinebench benchmark, which renders a complex 2D scene, measures how well a devices CPU performs from both a single-core and multicore perspective. The most important measurement in this case is the latter: How well does the four-core Core i5-8250U perform? Excellently, as it turns out.

IDG The Cinebench test, which measures 2D rendering of a compex scene, shows off the power of the 8th-gen Core processor inside the Miix 520which none of its competitors offer.

We also use the Handbrake open-source video conversion app to transcode a top-tier Hollywood movie into a lower-resolution video format suitable for an Android tablet. In this case, Handbrake serves as a stress test, putting the CPU under load for a prolonged period. An unexpectedly slow result could indicate CPU throttling under load. The Miix 520's fast result suggests it didn't take that step.

IDG If you want to transcode video, the Miix 520 is the ideal choice, as our Handbrake benchmark shows.

Our last benchmark examines the tablets 3D performance using 3DMarks Sky Diver benchmark, which provides a solid base of comparison for other laptops and tablets. No tablet that we know of uses a discrete graphics chip; instead, manufacturers pick and choose among integrated chips. While the Miix 520 can't match the performance of the substantially more expensive Surface Pro (2017), it fares quite well thanks to its integrated Intel 620 3D graphics core.

IDG Here, the Mix 520 falls back to earth somewhat, if only because Microsoft and HP chose to include the relatively high-performance Iris Graphics integrated 3D cores.

Finally, we arrive at the Miix 520s soft underbelly: battery life. We gauge it based on a rundown test where we set the display brightness to 250 nits and connect earbuds to the audio port, with volume set to a midrange level. With the battery fully charged, we unplug it and loop a 4K video until the device gives out, and record the time.The same ankle that foiled our attempts at the Tour des Combins sabotaged a freeride experience 4 years earlier, in the mountains of Abruzzo. We were riding that Christmas Eve, after being enticed into the world of freeride through the pages of Pinkbike.



We had started a project called Clorophilla , a freeride video from 2005 entirely filmed in Abruzzo, Italy. Our vicarious passion was transformed into reality, only to be scuttled by an unfortunate crash that resulted in reconstructive surgery and an ankle full of screws and metal.



Despite the setbacks and injuries, our appetite for riding continued to grow.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video CLOROPHILLA Teaser

Add to Favorites Added to Favorites Views: 1,725 Faves: 4 Comments: 1



27 kg bike

countless magnificent vistas

Francesco DAlessio

Giorgio Frattale & Francesco DAlessio

We had unfinished business.is one of the most spectacular, but least known, trans-alpine routes in the. With over 4,000m (13,650ft) of climbing along its 113 kilometers (70mi), the Tour is an intimidating exploit, and in 2015 an ankle injury to one of our party kept us from completing the massive bikepacking loop.Fuelled by fascinating stories, like the adventures of climber Walter Bonatti, we yearned to explore foreign and exotic trails. Thus, Montanus was born: a multi destination bikepacking quest, which included expeditions to the White Rim, in the Canyonland National Park, the Estonian Marshes, the Tour Du Mont Blank, in the Alps and the Kokopelli Trail in the Utah desert.Two years after our failed attempt at the Tour des Combins, we were ready for redemption. We headed back to the Gran San Bernardo Pass on the border between Italy and Switzerland.Nestled beneath the impressive 4,000 meter peaks, we couldnt help but chuckle at the journey that lay ahead of us. Back in 2004 when we were freeride geeks, aequipped with 3 inch tires was our preferred ride. A decade later, we still had 3 inch tires, but this time our entire ensemble including bike, tent, sleeping bag and provisions weighed less than the bike of our past.We encountered a stunning array of terrain over our 3-day adventure, including 60 meters of Roman road dating back to 50 AD, perennial snow-covered peaks, breathtaking views, glaciers, defiant single-tracks, waterfalls, glacier rivers, precipitous climbs, mountain pastures andNature demands respect and admiration. As we get older (or grow up if you want), we understand what a privilege is to do what we love, riding bikes all over the world driven by passion. In the end the bike doesnt matter, freeride is just a state of mind, today, just like yesterday.Words:Photos:Website: montanuswild.com Facebook: MONTANUSthewildside Instagram: montanus_thewildsideRussian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu made the statement at the annual meeting of the Defense Ministry board on December 22. He also pointed to NATO exercises featuring scenarios of a military confrontation with Russia, saying: We carefully watch every NATO exercise and take steps accordingly.

The remarks follow statements by Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, a former top Russian Defense Ministry official, who claimed in November that NATO and the United States were preparing to start a war with Russia. Polygraph.info fact-checked and debunked his claims.

Contrary to the statements by Shoigu and Ivashov, NATOs presence in the region appears insignificant compared to Russias substantial military buildup on its western flank.

Moreover, the NATO deployments, announced in 2016, are rotational and defensive. They were initiated as a deterrence tool in response to Russias military actions in Ukraine and Georgia, and only serve as tripwires in case of a Russian attack, which would require significant reinforcements.

The deployments are specifically designed to fill gaps in the deterrence posture of the alliance, beset as it is by low military spending and the weaker military capabilities of its eastern members.

Describing the conventional threat from Russia as real, Brian Hook, a senior U.S. foreign policy adviser, said on November 17 at a forum by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC that the military arrangement of forces in Europe favors Russia.

In his testimony before a U.S. Senate committee in 2016, U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley underscored that the U.S. military is technically outranged, outgunned by Russias military in Europe.

As for manpower, only 64,440 U.S. troops were deployed in Europe at the end of 2016, a significant reduction from the 285,000 deployed at the end of the Cold War. Meanwhile, the number of NATO troops in the four multinational groups deployed in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia stands at just 4,760 personnel. The overall number of NATO troops there is 7,200.

Commenting on the deployments, Steven Pifer, an arms control expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, underlined that the battalions are not going to invade Russia. They provide tripwires and would require reinforcements to repel a Russian attack, let alone prevail in a major conflict, he explained.

According to Richard Sokolsky, who was a member of the U.S. Secretary of States Policy Planning Office from 2005 to 2015, this thin tripwire force could prove sufficient in deterring Russia, as a similar force did in West Berlin during the Cold War. From NATOs perspective, this is a prudent approach that serves to bolster deterrence and reassure the Baltic states without presenting a significant military menace right up against Russias borders, he wrote.

Some of Russias own experts dismiss or downplay Moscows military threat assessments.

Sergey Samuilov with the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of the USA and Canada says Russia should treat the deployments calmly: Today their number [U.S. forces in Europe] is about 60 thousand. With such a potential, the Americans and NATO will not attack Russia.

Prokhor Tebin, an international security expert, argues that NATOs presence in eastern Europe does not threaten Russia directly. However, he cautions that this development represents an alarming and vexing factor if one considers the deployment of U.S. missile defense systems in Europe and disagreements over the INF Treaty. (Polygraph.info previously examined mutual Russian and U.S. allegations of violations of the treaty in fact-check 1 and fact-check 2.)

Nevertheless, Russias actions in Ukraine have strained Russia-NATO ties. In 2016, Russia planned to form three new divisions in response to NATO deployments. A year later, it announced plans to create 20 new units along its western borders by the end of 2017. Russian tanks currently outnumber both U.S. and NATO ones in Europe. And, as of early 2017, Russia had 22 maneuver battalions in the Western Military District and three in Kaliningrad.

Sokolsky says NATO can ready 17 battalions for an initial forward defense, besides its four deployed battalions. While these capabilities are not insignificant, he notes that Russia enjoys numerical and qualitative advantages in a number of areas, including heavy armor, artillery, surface-to-surface missiles, combat aircraft and assault helicopters.

According to Sokolsky, the current dynamics in Eastern Europe present a classic security dilemma, whereby one sides defensive moves are seen as threatening by the other. Therefore, he points out, NATO emphasizes a dual-track approach of deterrence and dialogue with Moscow.Assistant Columbia bureau chief

Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill.Students arrive at Mary Ford Elementary School on the first day of the school year Aug. 15, 2016. The Charleston County School District could soon start offering a higher pay scale to teachers who come to work at Mary Ford and 11 other high-need schools. File/Grace Beahm/StaffWhen the chimney cake machine at Transilvania Bakery isn't turning out sweets, it's used to make spiralized garlic bread.Food editor and chief critic

Eating all of the chicken livers just as fast as I can.Extremely dangerous travel conditions are expected for much of Charleston and coastal South Carolina through Thursday morning as the overnight low will cause snow and ice to refreeze on roads and bridges creating the potential for black ice.

Note: This story was originally published on Wednesday. For the latest information go here.

That comes after a day that saw The National Weather Service record a bit more than 5 inches of snow in Charleston, the highest accumulation recorded since December 23, 1989, when Charleston saw a record 6 inches of snow.

That makes today the third snowiest day on record in Charleston, the weather service said. The second highest snow total was 5.4 inches on February 10, 1973.

The combination and snow and ice has S.C. Electric & Gas reporting 3,700 power outages statewide, with more than 1,300 customers in Charleston County, 2,300 in Beaufort County without electricity, as of 5:30 p.m.

Despite the unusual winter weather, Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith says South Carolina has not seen any storm-related deaths.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for all areas tonight.

Snowfall

- Video by Mark McKellar in West Ashley

Officials say parts of coastal South Carolina have seen one of their top five snowfalls since records have been kept. Snow reports received indicate that 4 to 6 inches of snow has fallen north of the Edisto River Basin, the weather service said.

More than 5 inches of snow fell in Dorchester County where a state of emergency has been declared. A curfew for all of Dorchester County, with the exception of North Charleston and Summerville, will be enforced from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Up to 7 inches of snow fell north of Charleston in Summerville as a powerful storm moved off the coast. Other snow totals include: Sangaree: 6 inches, Mount Pleasant: 5 inches, West Ashley: 5 inches, and Johns Island: 4 inches.

Travel conditions

With the ice that fell early Wednesday and the snow on top it, officials expect travel conditions to remain poor. Law enforcement wants everyone to stay home if possible.

"People are not heeding our warnings to stay off the roads. Response times have been impacted," the city of North Charleston said in a tweet recently.

With roads expected to refreeze overnight, conditions are expected to remain hazardous on Thursday, according to the city of Charleston. People strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel.

Ice will hang around for a few days on road surfaces and other spots that don't melt. The cold, though, will soon loosen its grip. Friday and Saturday will be sunny with highs in the upper 30's, but not enough to melt this much snow.

Overnight temperatures will fall back to the lower 20's overnight with wind chills nearing single digits.

Sunday's high rebounds into the 50's and overnight temperatures start to ease. Highs will be near 60 Monday and into the midweek.

It will get colder after that, "but compared to what we've seen the past several days, it's not going to be that cold," said NWS meteorologist Carl Barnes.

A fun time in Mount Pleasant

- Video by Andrew Knapp

Winter storm drops snow on Charleston

- Video by Matthew Fortner

School closures

All Charleston County School District facilities will remain closed Thursday and Friday. Monday will be a teacher work day. Students will return to school Tuesday.

Dorchester Districts 2 and 4 schools and offices also will remain closed Thursday. A determination will be made then about Friday.

The College of Charleston will remain closed on Thursday.

Road conditions

After receiving a briefing from top state emergency officials, Gov. Henry McMaster urged South Carolinians to exercise caution and avoid traveling unless it is absolutely necessary.

It is cold, cold, cold and its going to stay cold, so that means stay indoors, McMaster said in a news conference at the South Carolina Emergency Operations Center, warning that the freezing temperatures may stretch into Monday even after the snow stops.

There are multiple reports of snow and ice covering roads and bridges, and law enforcement across the region is asking people to stay home.

Hanahan police reported that a Berkeley County paramedic was injured by a sliding firetruck on North Rhett Avenue in Hanahan. The truck was responding to an accident when it lost control on a bridge.

Check all road conditions here. For Charleston area road conditions go here.

A total of 183 law enforcement officers have been tasked with responding to the event, Smith said, including 165 State Highway Patrol officers and 18 S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers.

The department is focused primarily on the coastal region up to Orangeburg and Richland Counties.

We are highly visible along our corridors, Smith said. We are seeing a lot of collisions and disabled vehicles that we are assisting as well.

More than 1,400 employees from the S.C. Department of Transportation have been deployed, said director Christy Hall, as several bridges along the coast have frozen over.

Deputy Adjutant General Van McCarty said the South Carolina National Guard is also prepared to respond to the winter storm if needed and has established contact with counterparts in Georgia and North Carolina in case there are any requests for aid between the neighboring states.

Shelters

Two warming centers are open in the North Charleston area: Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1444 Remount Road and the Charleston Area Convention Center at 5000 Coliseum Drive.

Here is a list of all the open shelters in South Carolina.

Airports

Charleston International Airport is closed. The airport tweeted that Joint Base Charleston closed the runways because of ice. The airport shares runways with the Air Force at the North Charleston facility.

The airport said flight operations would not resume until the Air Force determines the runways are safe for aircraft and passengers.

Photo Gallery

Stay informed

Check postandcourier.com often and follow @postandcourier for the latest on closings, road conditions and storm updates.

Reporters Andrew Knapp, Brenda Rindge, Mary Katherine Wildeman, Bo Petersen, Jamie Lovegrove, Digital Editor Jason Kristufek and the Associated Press contributed to this report.David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter. His work has been honored nationally by Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Scripps foundation and others. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.comEric M. Bedingfield (second from right) and other members of a special House committee released recommendations on how to curb overdose deaths tied to heroin and prescription pills. File/StaffSyndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.WEST COLUMBIA  U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a high-ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, brushed aside concerns Wednesday about President Donald Trump's combative rhetoric toward North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, arguing the president's tweets help to send a strong message to Pyongyang.

Trump taunted Kim in a Tuesday evening missive on Twitter, responding to Kim's annual New Year's address in which he said that he has a nuclear button at the ready on his office desk.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Trump tweeted back.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

The saber-rattling tweet further escalated tensions between the U.S. and North Korea and alarmed some prominent foreign policy experts.

Eliot Cohen, a counselor to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during the George W. Bush administration, said Trump's tweet sounded like a "petulant ten year old"  but one with nuclear weapons.

"How responsible people around him, or supporting him, can dismiss this or laugh it off is beyond me," Cohen tweeted.

Spoken like a petulant ten year old. But one with nuclear weapons - for real - at his disposal. How responsible people around him, or supporting him, can dismiss this or laugh it off is beyond me. https://t.co/uKu6p1KUWp  Eliot A Cohen (@EliotACohen) January 3, 2018

But Wilson, R-Lexington, said he supports "whatever the president does" and backed Trump's aggressive language.

"He's sending a message to Pyongyang that this is not benign disagreement or whatever the prior policy was," Wilson said. "We are now preparing to defend the American people, to defend the people of South Korea, what an extraordinary country that is, to defend the people of Japan."

As Trump has argued in the past, Wilson said the president's Twitter habit offers a way for him to communicate his views unfiltered.

"A real challenge is that for the president to get his message out, the way to do it is to jump over the mainstream media, and the way to do that is through tweets," Wilson said.

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One of few members of Congress to have personally visited Pyongyang, Wilson also holds the rare position of serving on both the armed services and foreign affairs committees.

Having met last year with Army Gen. Vincent Brooks, who is commanding U.S. forces in Seoul, and Navy Adm. Harry Harris of the U.S. Pacific Command, Wilson said America's military leaders are "reinvigorated" to defend the country in the face of North Korea's increased missile tests.

"With Secretary Jim Mattis as the defense secretary, we've got somebody who knows what they're doing, and that is to protect American families," Wilson said.

Wilson also praised United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, as articulating the Trump administration's policy toward North Korea with particular clarity.

"She's made it clear all options are on the table and we must protect the American people," Wilson said.

Wilson's comments came at the start of a daylong tour around the state's 2nd Congressional District, which stretches from Columbia to North Augusta on South Carolina's border with Georgia.

In a news conference at his West Columbia office, Wilson came face to face with a few of the Democratic activists that have protested him throughout the last year, including one of his potential 2018 opponents, Annabelle Robertson.

"I'm concerned about your use of the phrase, 'jumping over the media,'" Robertson told him. "Since the beginning of our country, these rights of the media have been enshrined in our Constitution."

Wilson responded that every president has looked to go around the media to some degree, describing Trump's efforts as a "very appropriate" way to address the American people.

"There are people who can disagree and that's part of the American process," he said, as a few protesters began drowning him out with chants of "Shame."PR-Inside.com: 2018-01-03 08:32:02

Rotterdam, the Netherlands - 3 January 2018 Further to the announcement on July 25, 2017 regarding Refresco's acquisition of Cott's bottling activities, Refresco (Euronext Amsterdam: RFRG) today provides a progress update on the UK Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") process.

Refresco has been informed by the CMA that the acquisition of Cott's bottling activities raises potential competition concerns in the United Kingdom for one specific category, juice drinks in PET using a special aseptic production process that allows them to be sold preservative-free and without refrigeration. In the UK, the combined company produces these products in only two factories, Bridgwater (Refresco) and Nelson (Cott). Refresco is currently examining the details of the decision. Refresco is willing to offer suitable remedies and will fully cooperate with the CMA to address the concerns raised.

CEO Refresco, Hans Roelofs: "The initial investigation of the CMA did not find any competition concerns for most of our products. However, they have raised concerns for one specific product category produced by Refresco and Cott.

With the clearance we received earlier in the process from the U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities and the overwhelming support from our shareholders, we are willing to propose remedies to the CMA to address this specific issue and put us on the right track to also obtain clearance in the UK. We continue to cooperate with the CMA in order to progress the acquisition and work towards a successful completion."

A further update will be provided at the appropriate moment.

For more information, please contact:

Analysts and investors:

Gerard van Buttingha Wichers

+31 10 440 5164

gerard.vanbuttinghawichers@refresco.com

Press:

Minna Lyijynen

+31 10 440 5165

minna.lyijynen@refresco.com

About Refresco

Refresco (Euronext: RFRG) is the leading independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices for retailers and A-brands with production in the Benelux, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK and the US. The Company realised in 2016 full year volumes and revenue of circa 6.5 billion litres and circa 2.1 billion, respectively. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from 100% fruit juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans and glass. Focused on innovation, Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities and market demand. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has about 5,500 employees. www.refresco.com

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Refresco via Globenewswire

PR-Inside.com: 2018-01-03 11:02:04

Most organizations have realized that the GDPR countdown has started and that they need to be able to prove they compliantly handle the privacy data of EU citizens, or risk heavy fines and image loss, among others.

Strong Demand for Omada GDPR SaaS Solution Running on Microsofts Cloud

Omada

Anne-Louise Dam-Rasmussen

+4531671068

adr@omada.dk

Organizations have realized that they need an EU General Data Protection Regulation [..] compliant access governance solution to address vital challenges. They also know they need a solution in place by May 25 2018. Consequently, Omada experiences a strong uptake of its unique governance solution as-a service, which addresses precisely these issues.

Omada provides an excellent enterprise grade governance solution running on Azure. The Omada solution, in combination with Azure AD Premium for single sign on and authentication, offers the full palette of functions required for organizations in one single, strong combined package, says Claus Jul Christiansen, Director for Partners & SMCs at Microsoft Denmark. The Omada GDPR SaaS solution is a great example of how the partnership between Microsoft and Omada has evolved and is used to create great value for organizations. The Omada solution is fueled by Azure cloud, and it utilizes strong Azure features such as geo-redundancy and in general benefits from the high security standards provided in Azure

The future-proof solution

Omada and Microsoft announced a [..] in late 2017 and in connection with the announcement, Alex Simons, Director, Product Management, Microsoft Identity Division, Microsoft Corp. said, The Omada platform is built on Microsoft technology and is the perfect fit for Azure Active Directory Premium. The two solutions combined give customers a future-proof, and easy-to-use, identity management and access governance solution across on-premises and cloud.

Creating even greater value to the customers

In 2017, Omada was also named Microsoft Security Partner of the [..] in the Danish market  a recognition that underlines the strong partnership.

More and more organizations appreciate that the Omada Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution allows organizations to demonstrate progress and obtain significant value in just a few months, providing a fast track to get in control of their privacy data and demonstrate compliance with easy-to-use, easy-to-manage dashboards, says Morten Boel Sigurdsson, CEO, Omada. The solution provides full provisioning and lifecycle governance capabilities across all enterprise systems on-premises and in the cloud, and is created to meet todays business and technology needs and drivers as it is delivered as-a-service and drives down the total cost of ownership.

Morten Boel Sigurdsson continues: Azure is a powerful cloud, and we are very pleased to have chosen Azure as the platform of choice. It enables us to scale the capacity of our solution to meet our clients needs and we look forward to expanding our solution even further, servicing even more clients in the future, as they increasingly realize what they can accomplish with this solution.

About Omada

Omada is a global leader in identity & access governance, with almost two decades of experience and millions of identities under management. Omada is a strategic Microsoft Alliance Partner, international cybersecurity Microsoft ISV, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Microsoft Partner of the Year (DK) 2017 and three times global Microsoft Award winner within Identity & Secure Access. The Omada solution is recognized [..], where Omada ranks among the three top scoring products in two out of four use cases. According to Gartner, Most organizations find that governance-oriented capabilities provide the most value, with less deployment risk than provisioning. (Gartner 2017).

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201801030050

Omada experiences a strong uptake of its unique GDPR governance solution as-a service running on Microsofts cloudADVERTISEMENT

Nollywood stars Wole Ojo, Kehinde Balogun and Gbenro Ajibade are the lead acts in a new Nollywood romantic flick titled, Bachelors Eve.

Bachelors Eve tells the story of a handsome player, Uche, who is ready to finally tie the marital knot with the love of his life. Their relationship is made in heaven and married life is destined to be great.

About 24 hours to the d-day, he hangs out with his team of Casanovas to bid bachelorhood good bye. All goes well until a dark secret rears its ugly head and sets off a chain reaction that forcefully subjects their love to the burning test.

The movie, which was directed by Rotimi Raji and produced by Adefajo Ayobami also features Doris Simeon, Frankincense, Jumoke Odetola, Kehinde Olorunyomi amongst others.

The director says he is confident that the movie has what it takes to create a memorable viewing experience for movie goers.

He says, Directors constantly face challenges that pop up during production while trying to create a film that will not only stand out from other productions but will also retain high technical aspects synonymous with quality productions.

This is no different and Im glad that months of diligence and resilience have paid off, culminating in this fantastic production. I believe in the tourism potentials of the country and explored this angle. It is one of the key ways of enhancing film tourism in Nigeria.

Wole, whose filmography includes Maami, Out of luck, Beyond blood, stated, I loved being on the set of Bachelors Eve. Despite the challenges faced, it felt like a walk in the park with the director whose creativity solved same.

The story indeed is a true reflection of what can happen in 24 hours before tying the knot, reminding us that there shouldnt be room for secrets between the intended parties, friends and even families. It is without an iota of doubt a wonderful romantic comedy.

Bachelors Eve is distributed by Metro Classic Pictures and will be released in cinemas across Nigeria on February 16.ADVERTISEMENT

The last has not been heard of Banky W and Adesuas fairytale wedding which held in Cape Town, South Africa, in November.

This is because Africa Magic is set to air the celebrity-wedding documentary titled, The Wellingtons, on Saturday.

The official trailer for the wedding documentary has been released with the couple sharing details on why they chose to share their special day with the world.

Not only was #Baad2017 a major topic on the Nigerian Internet in 2017, Adesua became the third most searched individual on Google Nigeria in 2017.

According to Google, this was due to the announcement of her engagement to Banky Wellington.

See the trailer of the wedding below:ADVERTISEMENT

Syrian Army on Wednesday sent reinforcement to launch major counter-offensive against rebels in Eastern Ghouta countryside of the Capital Damascus, a military source told Xinhua.

The military backup forces were amassing near the city of Harasta to unleash counter-attack against the al-Qaida-linked groups of the Levant Liberation Committee (LLC) and the allied Failaq al-Rahman and push them back from the military-run Vehicle Base in Harasta, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Tanks were seen heading toward Harasta from Damascus.

The aim behind the counter-offensive was to defeat the al-Qaida affiliates and secure the surrounding of the base, which was attacked by rebels in December.

The Syrian warplanes were heavily striking rebel positions near the facility to pave way for ground forces to storm the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 15 airstrikes targeted areas in Harasta and its surrounding amid intense battles between government forces and the ultra-radical rebels.

The UK-based watchdog group said 44 government soldiers, including six officers, have been killed in the battles as well as 47 militants.

During the offensive, the militants besieged the base and captured parts of it, according to activists reports.

The rebels have also captured areas between Harasta and Arbeen neighbourhood, cutting the government forces supply routes to the base.

The base is the largest military facility in the Eastern Ghouta region, stretching from Harasta to Arbeen.

The base contains large numbers of soldiers, including Republican Guards, as well as big weapon depots.

During the war, the base has become a major operation centre and supply facility to the Syrian forces inside the Eastern Ghouta region, which contains many towns and neighbourhoods. (Xinhua/NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

A Russian military MI-24 helicopter crashed in Syria on December 31, 2017, due to a technical fault, killing both pilots, Russian News Agencies cited the Ministry of Defence as saying on Wednesday.

The helicopter crashed en route to the Hama air base, RIA news said, quoting the ministry.

Similarly, a MiG-29K fighter aircraft of the Indian navy also crashed at an airport in Indias western state of Goa, officials said.

The fighter jet overshot runway at Dabolim airport in Goa and caught fire.

However, a trainee pilot inside the MiG managed to eject from the aircraft well before it went into flames, officials said.

A MiG 29K aircraft with under-trainee pilot goes off runway while taking off at Goa airport. Pilot ejects to safety.

Fire on aircraft being extinguished, an Indian navy spokesperson said.

Immediately after the accident, fire tenders were rushed to the spot to extinguish the fire.

Officials said the firefighting operation was going on at the airport.

Following the incident, authorities closed the airport for flight operations.

External fire has been extinguished.

Efforts in hand to localise and extinguish internal fire on board the MiG-29K aircraft, the spokesman said.

Authorities are trying to resume the flight operation at the airport.

Reports said this was the first MiG-29 lost by the Indian Navy which operated the jet off the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The jet, according to reports, will also be deployed off the INS Vikrant, the first indigenous aircraft carrier being built for the Indian navy.

(Reuters/NAN)Turkey on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump of supporting the anti-government protests in Iran.

Foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk that Turkey was against foreign interventions in Iran.

Mr. Cavusoglu said Turkey had not made any assurances to the U.S. in the resolution of a months-long row which had led to the two countries suspending visa services.

Mr. Cavusoglu would meet his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel on Saturday.

Similarly, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call that he hoped the protests in Iran would end in a few days, sources in Mr. Erdogans office said.

Sources said in the phone call, Mr. Erdogan said Mr. Rouhani had taken an appropriate stance by saying demonstrators should not violate the law while exercising their right to peaceful protests.

Also, pro-government rallies in several Iranian cities drew thousands of marchers on Wednesday, following six days of rare unrest that took the countrys leaders off guard.

State television broadcast live pictures of rallies in Kermanshah, Ilam and Gorgan, where marchers waved Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Hours earlier, Mr. Khamenei accused Irans foes of fomenting the unrest.

Earlier, marchers voiced their support for Mr. Khamenei, chanting: The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader and We will not leave our leader alone.

The protests, which began over economic hardships, have taken on a rare political dimension, with a growing number of young people calling on Khamenei to step down.

They are the biggest since unrest in 2009 that followed the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

At least 21 people have been killed during the unrest, including two members of the security forces.

No fewer than 450 protesters have been arrested in the capital Tehran in recent days, and hundreds of others were detained around the country, according to officials.

A judicial official said some could face the death penalty.

In an attempt to control the flow of information and calls for anti-government gatherings, Tehran authorities have restricted access to the Telegram messaging app and Instagram, owned by Facebook Inc.

High prices, alleged corruption and mismanagement are fuelling the anger.

(Reuters/NAN)

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The Minster of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, on Wednesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari about a campaign organisation for the 2019 elections.

Mr. Shittu, who spoke with journalists after the meeting with the president, said the campaign team will be called Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo dynamic support group.

I informed Mr. President that I have appointed national chairman of the board of trustees of Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo dynamic support group and on 20th of this month we are commissioning the South-west zonal office of the campaign organisation of Buhari/Osinbajo.

Details laterThe federal government has constituted a committee to review the current fuel scarcity across the country and suggest solutions to prevent such occurring in the future.

The committee is headed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.

The committee was constituted at the end of a meeting of key players in the downstream sector of Nigerias oil and gas industry held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, presided by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, had in attendance the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, and Director General of the State Security Service, SSS, Lawal Daura.

Others include Chairman, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPMAN, Dapo Abiodun; President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chinedo Okonkwo; and head of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Obafemi Olawore.

Addressing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, Mr. Kachikwu said it was informed by the need to get together to review and analyse the circumstances that culminated in the current fuel crisis.

We needed to come together to analyse what really went wrong. Like you know, for over two years, we have been out of this fuel crisis. Everything has been working well. NNPC has been managing the situation properly. And suddenly there was this gap.

So, we wanted to put heads together to find out what went wrong. It is not a fault finding meeting. How do we take corrective measures to avoid it, and what are the things creating the difficulties in the system, he explained.

At the end of the meeting, we set up a committee, which I will head, Mr. Kachikwu said. Members include the GMD of NNPC, most of the parastatals in the ministry (of Petroleum Resources), DAPPMAN, IPMAN, MOMAN, and Labour unions.

He said the committee is expected to commence work immediately, with its first meeting scheduled for Wednesday in the ministers office, to dig deeper into the

We want to find lasting solution to the problem. That is what the committee will come out with in its resolutions tomorrow, Mr. Kachikwu said.

He said every participant had an opportunity to contribute ideas on how to solve the problem, which the NNPC blamed on the illegal activities of the marketers.

The marketers have since rejected the accusation. They in turn pointed accusing fingers at the NNPC for assuming the role of the sole importer and supplier of petroleum products, despite owning less than 20 per cent of oil depots.

In his contribution, the NNPC GMD, who gave the industry scenario, said the intervention of the corporation had resulted in removing the long queues at filling stations across the country.

Mr. Baru said the next challenge the NNPC was facing was to find the long term solutions to the crisis based on the contributions of every interest group.

On sanctions against alleged erring marketers, Mr. Kachikwu said even Nigerians who suffered during the crisis would want to be sure a lasting solution was found to the crisis, by finding evidence upon which to punish people.

The minister expressed sympathy for the painful experience Nigerians went through during the yuletide period, assuring that government was determined to find lasting solutions to the problem.

On those allegedly responsible for the crisis, the minister said they would be identified, with specific names to be put on the table, and those found to have gone against the rule in certain activities would be punished.

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You cannot prosecute except you have evidence. So, we will need to find that evidence. We will definitely punish those who were involved in things that are wrong. But, more fundamental and more importantly is that we want to find lasting solutions and we all want to work more collaboratively, he said.

The chairman of DAPPMAN, Dapo Abiodun, said the meeting was important, as it gave all participants opportunity to find out what really caused the scarcity.

Mr. Abiodun said the marketers did not only make their idea of the problem known to government, but they also emphasised that the crisis was not marketer-related and there was no hoarding by any marketer.

Marketers are your brothers, they are Nigerian citizens, they are businessmen, no marketer makes money from hoarding petroleum products, our business is to take petrol and sell, he said.

He blamed the crisis on the crude oil price between January and December 2017, which remained relatively stable following the hurricane Katrina in the month of September and October, which left marketers unable to import products and sell at government controlled price of N145 per litre.

On subsidy, the DAPPMAN leader said at the moment there was no subsidy to marketers, as government decided to cap the fuel price at N145 per litre.

This is a government of the people and they believe Nigerians should not be made to buy fuel for more than N145. So, if that is to remain, then we have to find other ways to manage the situation so that we will continue to sell fuel at N145.

As far as we are concerned, there is no subsidy in the budget. Marketers cannot import and sell at N145. So, government has to find a way and ensure that marketers import alongside NNPC and still sell at N145, Mr. Abiodun said.

On his part, IPMAN President, Chinedu Okoronkwo, said he was hopeful that the committee would arrive at the way forward, to allow the major and independent marketers participate in importing the products.

Another IPMAN leader, Aminu Abdulkadir, said he was optimistic that there would be full disclosure on plans and ways of augmenting marketers shortfall, to enable them resume importation of products, since NNPC alone did not have all the capacity to handle the situation.ADVERTISEMENT

There was power outage across Nigeria on Tuesday night.

The power ministry, in a statement in the early hours of Wednesday blamed the outage on fire at a gas pipeline system which interrupted gas supply and affected the national transmission grid.

The sudden loss of generation due to interruption in gas supply from these stations caused the national transmission grid to trip off around 20:20 on 2nd January 2018. The national transmission grid is owned and operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the ministry stated.

The statement signed by the power minister, Babatunde Fashola, said the problem would be temporary,

By Wednesday morning, electricity had been restored in many parts of the country.Nigerias Minister of Communication Technology, Adebayo Shittu, has announced a campaign organisation for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2019.

The minister also on Wednesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari about the campaign organisation.

Mr. Shittu, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting with the president, said the campaign team will be called the Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group.

I informed Mr. President that I have appointed national chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group and on 20th of this month we are commissioning the South-west zonal office of the campaign organisation of Buhari/Osinbajo.

Although Mr. Buhari has not declared his intention to seek re-election, the minister gave no indication that the president opposed his call for early re-election campaigns. Instead, he said, the presidents ardent supporters would prevail on him to run again.

I know he has not made up his mind but I can say that some of us can assist him in making up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress in our land, Mr. Shittu, who is also vying to be Oyo State governor, said.

He said there was no need to ask if the president would recontest because he has done well in providing relief to Nigerians in all aspects.

It goes without saying. I mean, if you have a child who goes to primary school and does well, proceeds to secondary school does well, and you keep asking is he going to university?

By the grace of God, we his ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians would urge him to re-contest, the minister added.

Mr. Buhari himself recently hinted he may seek re-election.

The president gave the first clear hint on this last year in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire where he attended the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit.

After arriving late to an interactive session with the Nigerian community in Cote dIvoire, Mr. Buhari said he had to wait for two governors to accompany him to the meeting because of their electoral value.

First, I want to apologise for keeping you for too long sitting, this is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting, he said.

This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the company of the president, I think that will be another vote for me in the future. Im very pleased that they were able to turn up.

One week after the Abidjan visit, the president gave another hint when he visited Kano and said with respect to elections, people of Kano are in my pocket.

I know the elections. If they are to be free and fair, if it is a question of numbers. If it is a question of allowing people to make their choice, then I think the people of Kano are in my pocket.

The Kano trip appears to show that despite the economic and security challenges faced by Nigerians, Mr. Buharis popularity, especially in the northern part of the country, remains high.

In terms of opposition, Mr. Buhari is expected to have a smooth ride in clinching the presidential ticket of his party, APC, in 2019. An expected challenger, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, already left the ruling party to the opposition PDP.

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Should Mr. Abubakar clinch the PDP presidential ticket, he would be Mr. Buharis major opponent in 2019.

The PDP, which governed Nigeria for 16 years (1999-2016) faced over one year of crisis due to leadership tussle between erstwhile caretaker chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, and ousted chairman, Ali Modu-Sheriff.

The Supreme Court eventually ruled in favour of Mr. Makarfi, thus bringing some peace to the party.

The party in December 2017 held its national convention to produce a new leadership headed by Uche Secondus as national chairman.ADVERTISEMENT

The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari over his New Year message to the nation. Mr. Fayose asked the president to take responsibility and stop passing the buck to others.

In his broadcast, Mr. Buhari blamed lingering scarcity of petrol on those he said were involved in the collective blackmail of the country while vowing to get to root of the matter and punish those involved appropriately.

Some of our compatriots chose this period to inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the country and that whatever groups that are behind this manipulated hardship will be prevented from doing so again, Mr Buhari said.

But Mr. Fayose, a relentless critics of the president and member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, in an interview in Magodo, Lagos on Tuesday said Mr Buhari should stop blaming others for his failure and apologise to Nigerians.

The president should rather take responsibility, apologise to Nigerians and stop blaming others for his failures because apologising when you are wrong is the hallmark of honest and sincere leaders, Mr. Fayose said.

What is wrong if he had said sorry to Nigerians who are at the receiving end of his bad policies? But in the case of President Buhari, he will always have someone to blame for his own failure.

As a military Head of State, he blamed former President Shehu Shagaris government. Since he assumed office, he has been blaming his predecessor. And now that he cant provide fuel for Nigerians, despite claiming to have removed fuel subsidy, he is blaming some unknown Nigerians. When is he going to be man enough to stop his blame game? Mr Fayose asked.

The governor said rather than blame people, Mr Buhari should have told Nigerians what is being done to stop the loss of millions of jobs, and the widespread killings across the country.

Nigerians are tired of Buharis repetitive speeches and unfulfilled promises. Nigerians are crying that he should give them a responsive and competent cabinet.

Nigerians want the president to create jobs for the suffering masses and make life more abundant for them.

As at today, everything is wrong with Nigeria under President Buhari. The country is not secured. Look at the horrific and disheartening killings in Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Borno and Rivers States between yesterday and today. The President is totally not in charge of the country. The cabals only brief him and whatever they tell him is what he accepts. Nigerians want their president to take charge and stop buck passing.

He should show to Nigerians that he is a changed president by bringing those looters in his government to book.

President Buhari should gauge public opinion to see that the people are no longer with him. He should listen to Rev. Father Mbaka who used to be his supporter but has now been telling the truth of how disappointed and frustrated Nigerians are with him.

People are only tolerating Buhari and counting days and times for them to shove him out of office in disgrace like Mbaka said.

Mr. Fayose commended Nigerians for being resilient in the face of the mounting hardship. He said Nigerians should demand more from the government and pressure it to get good results.Governor Aminu Tambuwal has expressed sadness over the death of respected elder and former governor of old Kaduna State, Lawal Kaita.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam, the governor said Mr. Kaita made invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

He was an acclaimed pacesetter who, along with other patriotic Nigerians of his generation, fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria at the turn of the century. His life is an example in dedication and commitment to democratic norms and values.

Nigeria will remember the deceased as a man who gave his best years towards the development of multi-party politics. His contributions have enriched governance process at state and federal levels, he added.

While praying to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss, Mr. Tambuwal appealed to both the Kaduna and Katsina state governments to immortalise the deceased for the benefit of future generation.

Similarly, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, described the late Mr. Kaita, as a fearless democrat whose immense contribution to Nigerias democratic struggles would be etched in brass.

Reacting to the demise of Kaita at 85, the former vice president said Mr. Kaita, who was his political associate, was a man of remarkable virtues who inspired whoever interacted with him.

According to Mr. Abubakar, few Nigerian politicians have the courage to disagree with the people in power in order to sustain political patronage for survival.

He explained that the late Mr. Kaita was never afraid to speak his mind in pursuit of his principles, including his insistence that political parties must respect internal democracy in order to be credible.

He noted that the late Mr. Kaita had left an unblemished public service record because politicians of his generation were motivated by the passion for service.

He recalled that his close association with Mr. Kaita was a beneficial experience because he was a man of vast knowledge of politics and intricacies.

President Muhammad Buhari had earlier expressed his condolence in a similar message.

In his reaction, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai described Mr. Kaita as a quintessential leader and patriot.

Mr. El-Rufai in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, said the deceased had exhibited courage in leadership and patriotism in all his political engagements during his life time.

Alhaji Lawal Kaita was a quintessential and courageous leader who served the old Kaduna State with dedication and commitment in the course of his leadership in 1983.

As an elected governor of the old Kaduna State, he contributed immensely to the development, unity and progress of the old Kaduna state.

Alhaji Kaita was a patriot and a role model for present and future leaders.

Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it received the news of the death of Mr. Kaita, one of its foundation members, with shock; adding that the deceased was a bridge-builder.

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Nigeria has lost one of its illustrious elder statesmen, a bridge builder and democrat.

Late Kaita will be remembered for his humility, commitment to national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.

May Allah grant his soul eternal peace in Aljanna Firdaus, the ACF said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim.

(NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

The federal governments special delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Wednesday departed Abuja for Tripoli, the Libyan Capital to evacuate Nigerians trapped in that country.

The Head, Press and Public Relations of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Josiah Emerole, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

Mr. Emerole explained that the delegation was led by Mr. Onyeama.

Others members are the Director-General, NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, and Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Diaspora Matters, he said.

He said that the delegation departed the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday at 9:20 a.m. on-board the Nigeria Air Force Flight N5FGS.

According to him, fact finding mission on the level of the enslavement of Nigerians in that country would be part of their engagements in Libya.

He said that they would also engage the Libyan Authorities, Nigerian officials and Nigerian citizens living there, as well as International organisations working on migration issues in Libya.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that following reports of the enslavement of Nigerian Migrants in Libya, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the evacuation of all Nigerians trapped in the country back home.

The president also set up a team led by the Foreign Affairs Minister to work out modalities for carrying out the mass evacuation.

Since then, some high level meetings have been held among various federal government agencies with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, presiding.

Mr. Emerole quoted the NAPTIPs Director-General as saying that, the Agency is ready to assist victims of human trafficking who will be returning to Nigeria to get properly reintegrated back into the Nigerian Society.

Our counsellors are fully ready to receive the returnees and give them the needed psycho-social assistance for proper reintegration into the society.

We will also help them with all the necessary tools to sustain themselves including vocational training and education assistance.

This will be done with assistance from government, corporate bodies and the international organisations.

This is not the time for anybody to stand aloof and watch the federal government to do it alone; all hands must be on deck now. Doing nothing will affect all of us, she said.

(NAN)The Nigeria Police Force failed to produce a murder suspect, Kolawole Adeleye, before a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday despite an order by a judge.

Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari, the judge, had ordered the police to produce Mr. Adeleye after his lawyer accused the police of torturing him in custody and failing to charge him to court weeks after his arrest.

The judge gave the order following an oral application by Olanrewaju Ajanaku, counsel to the accused person, on December 29, 2017, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Nigeria Police Force and one Inspector Idowu, the Investigating Police Officer.

According to a motion on notice filed by Mr. Ajanaku before the court, following Mr. Adeleyes arrest by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad on November 15 last year, the police tortured him leading to the dislocation of his right hand, wrist, and bruises on his arms and back.

On Wednesday, the lawyer said the police blocked all efforts by the courts bailiff to serve them a notice of the judges order.

I know that your Lordship has the power to compel them to receive the processes. The applicant has been separated from the others and kept at Area F (police station), Mr. Ajanaku said.

In the circumstance, Im only concerned with the living of the applicant, hes being threatened to be eliminated.

Mr. Ajanaku told the court he would bring an application for substituted service to the police on Thursday and the judge adjourned further proceedings till January 4th.

Mr. Adeleye was among four suspects arrested by the police in connection with the murder of Emmanuel Uba, an influential member of the All Progressives Congress in Festac Town.

Also arrested last November were Michael Fashola, who allegedly pulled the trigger; Muftau Toyosi; and Fatai Onifade.

Mr. Uba, who was also the leader of the Festac Town/Amuwo Odofin Community Policing Youth Vanguard, was fatally shot at 7th Avenue in Festac Town on the eve of the local government election in Lagos State.

Tortured by police

Bisola Adeleye, the suspects wife, accused the police of torturing her husband and regularly extorting money from them.

She said a police friend informed them on Wednesday morning that they had started demanding another money from her husband.

When my husband got arrested on the 15th of November, the moment they arrested him they collected N67,000 that was on him, Mrs. Adeleye told journalists after Wednesdays court proceedings.

A week after, when he was being tortured, they collected his phone, wristwatch, and he saw his wristwatch on (Inspector) Idowus hand. The wristwatch is G-Shock, it is sold for N55, 000.

There was a time we took N500,000 to (Inspector) Idowu, I gave the money to him because he said he wants to reduce the charges or something and ever since then they stopped beating him until this morning when they started again.

When he was in SARS, I was able to see him about three or four times, but since they took him to Area F, I have never seen him. They didnt allow me to see him, I dont know how hes feeding I dont know how hes living.

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At the time I saw him, his condition was critical because they broke his hand already, his wrist is broken, they now took Aboki into the cell to straighten the hand for him instead of taking him to the hospital.

He was beaten mercilessly, he has marks all over his body.

,

They put cylinder behind him, they tied his legs and hands, they hanged him and were using mortar to knock all his knuckles, he couldnt walk the last day I saw him. And he had sores in his mouth. I asked him what happened to his mouth, he said they used mortar to hit his mouth every time because they want him to mention somebodys name.

Hes not even involved in the matter. His only involvement was that he spoke with the man 8 oclock the day the man died (at 11 oclock) and he was beside me when his friend called him that the man died.

It is normal to talk on the phone because they were preparing for election, both of them are APC members and friends so why would he kill him? And they already arrested the person that pulled the trigger so I dont know why they are still keeping my husband in custody.ADVERTISEMENT

No fewer than five persons were killed in early morning suicide bomb attack at Gamboru town in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the incident occurred at about 5: 00 a.m., when a teenage male suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device strapped to his body in a mosque at Yobe area of Gamboru.

Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, confirmed the attack to NAN in Maiduguri.

Mr. Nicholas said that five persons were killed in the attack as against 11 earlier reported.

He added that the troops had also neutralised a suicide bomber at Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area.

Yes, but only five killed and another suicide bomber neutralised in Rann.

However, Lawan Abba, a resident of Gamboru, told NAN that 10 persons were killed and six others sustained injuries in the attack.

Mr. Abba disclosed that the suicide bomber sneaked into a crowded mosque while people gathered to observe Morning Prayer and detonated the explosive.

He revealed that the teenage suicide bomber hailed from Gamboru town, adding that the father to the assailant was among the 10 persons, who lost their lives in the attack.

The suicide bomber hailed from Gamboru town, he disowned his parents and joined the insurgents in the bush.

He entered the mosque blew up himself into pieces and killed 10 persons including his biological father, he said.

Mr. Abba added that the wounded persons were referred to the clinic in the Internally Displaced Persons camp in the area for treatment.

(NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

The Police in Taraba on Wednesday called for calm following the abduction of Hosea Ibi, a member of the Taraba House of Assembly by gunmen four days ago.

The spokesman of the police command in the state, David Misal, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Jalingo that the police were doing their best possible to ensure the lawmaker was released unhurt.

Mr. Misal said that the police had intensified search for the lawmaker and his captors, adding that significant progress had been made in the operation.

He said that giving more information about the operation to the public would jeopardise police investigation.

The update we have is not for public consumption in the interest of the security and the safety of the lawmaker.

I am sure you are aware that all the ears of the kidnappers are open to hear what we will say so that they can re-strategize and sabotage our efforts.

Whenever we secure his release, we will inform the public, Mr. Misal said.

Mr. Ibi was abducted by gunmen in Takum, headquarters of Takum Local Government Area of the state.

The lawmaker, who represents Takum 1 Constituency, was abducted in his mothers house on December 30, 2017.

(NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

The Adamawa Chapter of Muslim Council has raised concern over the influx of Quranic School pupils, Almaris, into major towns in the state.

The council, in a communique issued at the end of its 29th General Assembly meeting on Wednesday in Yola, called on parents and government to do something about it.

The communique was signed by the Communique Committee Chairman, Gambo Jika, and the Secretary, Abdullahi Damare.

The assembly observed with concern the influx of Almajiris into the state, especially into our major towns in the name of seeking Quranic education.

It equally noted that the Almajiri system is a cultural practice rather than religion.

Parents are, therefore, called upon to fear Allah and give their wards proper knowledge of Islamic and Western education.

The meeting calls on the federal government to revive and adequately fund the Almajiri and Quranic integration programme.

The council also decried the growing rate of drug abuse and its associated consequences such as violent crimes and rape among youth in the state.

It called on security agencies and NDLEA to take action on the matter.

The council called for the revival of dormant skills acquisition centres in the state to contain increased rate of unemployment. It tasked adults to participate in the ongoing continuous voter registration.

It cautioned against careless divorce by some Muslims and tasked on the need to respect the institution of marriage, which it said, is an act of Ibadaa (worship).

On recent Numan crisis, it condemned the killings of Fulanis and Bachamas and called on the state and federal governments to find a lasting solution.

It called for the disbandment of road blocks by vigilante groups in the area, alleging that the group was harassing the Fulanis and Muslims in Numan and its environs.

We once again call on the Adamawa State Government and the Numan Local Government to disband the so called local vigilance groups that are terrorising Fulanis and other Muslims in the area, it said.

(NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

The Police in Benue say they have arrested eight herdsmen over the death of 10 persons and seven livestock guards in Guma and Logo Local Governments of the state on Monday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Moses Yamu, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Makurdi.

Eight herdsmen, six in Guma and two in Logo, had been arrested in connection with the attacks, the police spokesman said.

He added that the command had made additional deployments to the troubled area to forestall further occurrence and restore confidence of the people.

Mr. Yamu stressed the situation in the two local government areas had been brought under control while investigation was ongoing.

He said: They attacked Tomater village in Sengev Council ward, Akor village in Nzorov council ward and Bakin Kwata village in Umanger council ward of Guma LGA.

Among those killed were seven (7) members of Benue State Livestock Guards, their vehicle burnt and an uncertain number of persons injured in separate attacks between 31/12/2017 and 02/01/2018.

Again, Agba-Uko near Azege village and Tse-Aga village of Logo LGA experienced the same fate, where one person was killed, one motorcycle burnt and four persons injured.

All the injured from both LGAs are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the State.

According to him, five combined teams of mobile and conventional policemen led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, Emmanuel Adesina, have engaged the armed herdsmen in a gun duel in Guma.

The Benue governor said on Tuesday that 20 people were killed in the attacks.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law came into effect on November 1, 2017 to forestall attacks on Benue communities by suspected herders.

The law stipulates five year jail term or an option of N1 million fine for violators.

The attack is the first by suspected herdsmen since the law came into effect.

(NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

The Kaduna State Police Command says it is making efforts to track the kidnappers of the Chief of Ikulu, Yohanna Kukah, who was abducted on Tuesday evening at his residence.

The command spokesman, Mukhtar Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna on Wednesday that there has been no contact yet with the kidnappers.

The kidnappers are yet to call for ransom, but we have deployed our patrol team and special unit to rescue the paramount ruler unhurt, he said.

Mr. Aliyu said the paramount ruler is a brother to Hassan Kuka, a bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese.

(NAN)ADVERTISEMENT

The Ogun State Police Command have arrested a suspected indian hemp merchant, who was reportedly caught with 114 bags of the illegal substance.

The Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspect identified as Noah Olaore was arrested on December 29, 2017 in front of the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.

Men of Ogun State Police Command have arrested one Noah Olaore m with one hundred and fourteen bags of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp, said Mr. Oyeyemi in a statement.

He said the arrest of the suspect followed information received by officials of Federal Anti-Robbery Squad that some hoodlums who specialised in importing hard drugs from Benin Republic into Ogun State were in town.

Upon the information, a team of FSARS operatives led by Inspr. Adeyemi Akeem were detailed to go after the hoodlums and they accosted them in front of M.K.O Abiola stadium where the suspect was arrested with the exhibits, Mr. Oyeyemi said.

He added that further investigation led the policemen to Igbo-Ora in Oyo State where more bags of the substance were recovered.

Mr. Oyeyemi said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered a full scale investigation into the matter.Houston Community College to Host Fab Lab Symposium - March 5th-7th Start-up & Technical training for educators interested in Fab Labs & Makerspaces. By: United States Fab Lab Network HOUSTON - Jan. 2, 2018 - PRLog -- The West Houston Institute, located at the Houston Community College, Alief campus, to host USFLN Symposium 2018, March 5th through 7th. This year's Symposium will focus on implementing and integrating a Fab Lab/Makerspace into your educational program from K-12 through Post-Secondary. Other presentations will focus on academic integration, equipment, tech training, and start-up/sustainability of a Fab Lab.



The USFLN Symposium annually brings together Fab Labs and Makerspaces together to collaborate and learn best practices for programs and operations. It is the best opportunity to effectively network and learn from community centered, K-12, and Post-secondary based Fab Labs from around the U.S. If your organization is looking at starting a Fab Lab/Makerspace, this event is the most cost effective and time efficient way to learn from existing Fab Labs and also see demonstrations of various Fab Lab equipment in our exhibitor's area.



Exhibitor space is still available with details at the United States Fab Lab Network website.





For event details:



Contact

Greg Herker

***@gtc.edu Greg Herker End -- The West Houston Institute, located at the Houston Community College, Alief campus, to host USFLN Symposium 2018, March 5through 7. This year's Symposium will focus on implementing and integrating a Fab Lab/Makerspace into your educational program from K-12 through Post-Secondary. Other presentations will focus on academic integration, equipment, tech training, and start-up/sustainability of a Fab Lab.The USFLN Symposium annually brings together Fab Labs and Makerspaces together to collaborate and learn best practices for programs and operations. It is the best opportunity to effectively network and learn from community centered, K-12, and Post-secondary based Fab Labs from around the U.S. If your organization is looking at starting a Fab Lab/Makerspace, this event is the most cost effective and time efficient way to learn from existing Fab Labs and also see demonstrations of various Fab Lab equipment in our exhibitor's area.Exhibitor space is still available with details at the United States Fab Lab Network website.For event details: http://usfln.org Email : ***@gtc.edu Tags : Fab Lab , MakerSpace , Stem Industry : Education Location : Houston - Texas - United States Subject : Events Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse Account Email AddressAccount Phone Number

"Today's hematology laboratories are challenged to perform more tests while reducing errors and operating costs," said Brian Blaser, executive vice president, Diagnostics Products, Abbott. "With built-in simplicity designed specifically for hematology testing, the Alinity h-series is smaller, faster, and more automated than current systems, incorporating advanced features that allow health care professionals to spend less time managing the process of producing results and more time helping patients."

Hematology is a medical specialty dedicated to studying the physiology of blood. The Complete Blood Count (CBC), one of the most common hematology tests, is performed to evaluate a patient's overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, like anemia and leukemia. The Alinity hq analyzer automates the performance of the CBC and reports results within a matter of minutes. The Alinity hs module automates blood film preparation and staining, and also has the ability to stain externally prepared blood films.

The integrated Alinity h-series combines extensive insights from customer research with engineering inspiration to address the productivity needs of high-volume laboratories. The system features:

Enhanced workflow: Integrates workstations, which are currently separated, into a single compact platform. An internal conveyor removes the need for an external track and reduces hands-on time spent by operators to move samples around the laboratory

Integrates workstations, which are currently separated, into a single compact platform. An internal conveyor removes the need for an external track and reduces hands-on time spent by operators to move samples around the laboratory Flexibility: Laboratories can scale and integrate the system modules to accommodate their specific needs today and in the future

Laboratories can scale and integrate the system modules to accommodate their specific needs today and in the future Reduced wait time: Continuous access gives the laboratory the ability to add tests and reagents without pausing or stopping the instruments to enable uninterrupted workflow

"The Alinity h-series is designed around feedback and insights specifically gathered from hematology customers. System uptime and results accuracy are two examples of high priority needs for high-volume laboratories. With this in mind, a rigorous reliability growth program was executed for the Alinity h-series systems involving millions of cycle runs to identify potential failure points, which were then re-designed for reliability," said Wade Bolton, divisional vice president, Hematology Research and Development, Abbott. "The software that assesses the samples uses a learning algorithm that offers a unique approach to classifying blood cells, which will ultimately contribute to greater accuracy of results and reduce the need for manual review."

The integrated Alinity h-series system features an intuitive user experience with iconography, color coding and reporting features shared by all Alinity platforms. Reagent bottles are designed to work like a lock and key to ensure that the right reagents can only be inserted into the right location, preventing costly mistakes and time delays in the lab. The Alinity family of systems also uses a common method for sample loading and reagent management, enabling operators to be trained across platforms more simply and quickly.

To learn more about the Alinity h-series system, visit corelaboratory.abbott/hematology.

About Alinity

Abbott's Alinity family of harmonized solutions is unprecedented in the diagnostics industry, working together to address the challenges of using multiple diagnostics platforms and simplify diagnostic testing. Alinity systems are designed to be more efficient  running more tests in less space, generating test results faster and minimizing human errors  while continuing to provide quality results.

The Alinity portfolio includes clinical chemistry, immunoassay, blood and plasma screening, point of care, hematology and molecular diagnostics, along with Abbott's AlinIQa first-of-its-kind, holistic suite of professional services that combines expertise with process analysis and informatics. Alinity is helping labs and hospital systems solve some of their most pressing challenges to deliver better patient care. More information is available at http://www.abbott.com/alinity.

About Abbott

At Abbott, we're committed to helping you live your best possible life through the power of health. For more than 125 years, we've brought new products and technologies to the world -- in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals -- that create more possibilities for more people at all stages of life. Today, 94,000 of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 150 countries we serve.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

SOURCE Abbott

Related Links

http://www.abbott.com

HOUSTON, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- American Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: AMID) ("AMID") announced today the completion and commencement of deliveries on the previously announced Cayenne Pipeline joint venture ("Cayenne") between AMID and Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) ("Targa"). Cayenne will initially have 40,000 barrels per day of Y-grade NGL transport capacity with the ability to expand to more than 50,000 barrels per day. Cayenne will originate from the Targa-operated Venice gas processing plant and deliver to fractionation in Southern Louisiana.

The commencement of Cayenne provides AMID with strategic transport capabilities for the majority of all NGL volume out of Gulf of Mexico's deep-water Mississippi Canyon region where AMID has developed an integrated gathering and transportation network. Cayenne is supported by a 15-year dedication for all NGL production from Targa's 750 MMcf/d Venice plant with inlet from six offshore Gulf of Mexico pipelines.

"The commencement of Cayenne demonstrates AMID's ability to react to market demand and simultaneously execute on highly attractive commercial opportunities. Cayenne not only benefits offshore producers with a substantial increase in NGL take away capacity, but also creates meaningful value to AMID by taking an underutilized pipeline and altering its services into a strategic project," stated Lynn Bourdon III, President and Chief Executive Officer.

About American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream Partners, LP is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed to provide critical midstream infrastructure that links producers of natural gas, crude oil, NGLs, condensate and specialty chemicals to end-use markets. American Midstream's assets are strategically located in some of the most prolific offshore and onshore basins in the Permian, Eagle Ford, East Texas, Bakken and Gulf Coast. American Midstream owns or has an ownership interest in approximately 5,100 miles of interstate and intrastate pipelines, as well as ownership in gas processing plants, fractionation facilities, an offshore semisubmersible floating production system with nameplate processing capacity of 100 MBbl/d of crude oil and 240 MMcf/d of natural gas; and terminal sites with approximately 6.7 MMBbls of storage capacity.

For more information about American Midstream Partners, LP, visit: www.americanmidstream.com. The content of our website is not part of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements related to Cayenne's benefits, operating results and any capacity expansion. We have used the words "could," "expect," "intend," "may," "will," "would" and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements in this press release. Although we believe the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. These factors include the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A. in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2017, our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on November 9, 2017, and our other filings with the SEC. All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the previous statements. The forward-looking statements herein speak as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update such statements for any reason, except as required by law.

Investor Contact

American Midstream Partners, LP

Mark Schuck

Director of Investor Relations

(346) 241-3497

[email protected]

SOURCE American Midstream Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.americanmidstream.com

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthony Nguyen, attorney and shareholder at Los Angeles-based employment discrimination firm Shegerian & Associates recently discussed the racist backlash against Kelly Marie Tran, a Vietnamese-American actress in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. After the movie was released, Tran was targeted by racists online who were not happy with the decision to cast her as the character Rose Tico.

"Kelly Marie Tran is the first woman of color to be cast in a leading role in the Star Wars franchise," Nguyen states. "Instead of applauding the diverse addition to the cast, some viewers have chosen to insult and degrade Tran with racist comments about her appearance and intelligence."

"People of color, especially Asian-Americans, are grossly underrepresented in TV and film," Nguyen continues. "Sadly, it's comments like these that show why Hollywood may be hesitant to depict more diverse characters."

"Although Tran had to endure horrific racial abuse online, many others spoke up in her defense," Nguyen says. "Hopefully, these positive voices will be loud enough to drown out the others so more people of color can get the chances they deserve in Hollywood."

Located in Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators, Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California and with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, & New York, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Carney Shegerian, Trial Lawyer of the Year Award winner for 2013, has won 78 jury trials in his career, including 35 seven figure verdicts. Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com.

Media Contact: To arrange interviews with Carney Shegerian employment law matters, please contact [email protected]

SOURCE Shegerian & Associates, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.shegerianlaw.com/

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Avelas Biosciences, Inc., a clinical stage oncology-focused company that is developing products to advance a new standard-of-care for cancer surgery and therapeutic intervention, today announced three new management appointments. The additions to the Avelas executive team include Kyri Van Hoose as Vice President, Finance, Kenneth Kleinhenz as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, and Ning Zou, Ph.D., as Principal Scientist, Head of Chemistry.

"We are delighted to announce these key appointments to the Avelas leadership team, which will help us to catalyze our next phase of growth and execute further on our strategic initiatives," said Carmine Stengone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avelas Biosciences. "Each individual brings a unique array of talents that I know we can leverage as we advance our platform and expand our pipeline through data readouts, additional studies and partnering activities."

Kyri Van Hoose joins Avelas as Vice President, Finance, bringing with her over 15 years of experience, predominantly in the life science industry. Prior to joining Avelas, Ms. Van Hoose held a series of accounting, finance and business development positions of increasing responsibility over a period of 10 years at ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Before ACADIA, Ms. Van Hoose gained experience in the life science industry with Invitrogen, Inc. and Allergan plc. Ms. Van Hoose began her career with Deloitte and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of California. Ms. Van Hoose earned her B.S. in accounting from the University of Southern California and her MBA from the University of California, Irvine.

Kenneth Kleinhenz joins Avelas as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, and brings with him more than 25 years of experience in FDA-regulated medical device manufacturing, medical device research and development, and clinical settings. Prior to joining Avelas, Mr. Kleinhenz was Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Cytori Therapeutics. Before Cytori, Mr. Kleinhenz served as Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at MacroPore Biosurgery. Previously Mr. Kleinhenz held positions with IFM Manufacturing, Becton Dikinson and Pacific Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Kleinhenz received his MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in microbiology from University of California, San Diego.

Ning Zou, Ph.D., joins Avelas as Principal Scientist, Head of Chemistry, and brings over 15 years of experience in drug discovery to Avelas. Prior to joining Avelas, Dr. Zou held roles of increasing seniority and responsibility at Endocyte, most recently as Senior Director, Chemistry. Dr. Zou previously worked at Ambrx and Arena Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Zou was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Scripps Research Institute, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a Research Assistant at The University of Hong Kong. Dr. Zou earned his Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from Lanzhou University, China.

About Avelas Biosciences



Avelas Biosciences is a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on developing products to advance a new standard-of-care for cancer surgery and therapeutic intervention. The company's lead candidate, AVB-620, has completed a Phase 1b clinical trial assessing safety, pharmacokinetics and fluorescence properties using tissue image analysis. A Phase 2 clinical trial for AVB-620 in breast cancer is ongoing. In addition, the company is advancing a therapeutic program, which utilizes the same technology platform. Avelas was founded on technology from Roger Y. Tsien, Ph.D., co-winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry. For additional information, please visit www.avelasbio.com.

SOURCE Avelas Biosciences, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.avelasbio.com

HOLLISTON, Mass., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Biostage, Inc. (OTCQB: BSTG/BSTGD), ("Biostage" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company developing bioengineered organ implants to treat cancers and other life-threatening conditions of the esophagus, bronchus and trachea, today announced the funding and closing of a private placement (the "Private Placement") with a group of investors from China (the "Investors") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $4.1 million. Connecticut Children's Medical Center ("Connecticut Children's") also participated in the transaction, by purchasing additional securities.

Jim McGorry, CEO of Biostage stated, "We are pleased to have closed this private placement. This timely capital infusion has returned the company to a position of solvency and will advance our pediatric and adult esophageal product candidates. Our new investors see the merit and value of our technology and performed extensive due diligence, including discussions with our key product co-development collaborators, prior to making this investment. The Company's operations going forward will be of a more efficient size and structure, which we expect will allow us to move at a fast pace while reducing our cash burn rate."

Bin Zhao, principal of DST Capital LLC, the lead investor, commented, "We are excited to invest in Biostage at this critical time. We invested for three fundamental reasons. First, based on our due diligence we have great confidence in the company's technology, the management team and key strategic collaborations; second, we see the medical value and economic benefits of bringing the Company's technology to suffering patients, especially children; and third, in addition to the US market we believe that making this technology available in Asian markets, especially China, will greatly expand the number of patients who can be helped."

Mr. McGorry added, "We are also very pleased that Connecticut Children's Medical Center has agreed to invest in Biostage. This is a tremendous endorsement of our co-development work on pediatric esophageal atresia with Dr. Christine Finck and her team at Connecticut Children's."

Christine Finck, M.D., Surgeon in Chief of Connecticut Children's Medical Center, commented, "Our hospital is committed to translating this novel technology to the clinic to address esophageal atresia in children, and our investment reflects that commitment. There is a tremendous unmet medical need for kids suffering with pediatric esophageal atresia in Connecticut and across the world. The research happening at Connecticut using this technology shows promise of one day dramatically improving their care and condition."

Pursuant to a previously-disclosed Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU"), the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement effective as of December 27, 2017 (the "Purchase Agreement") with the Investors, and closed the Private Placement simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Purchase Agreement. In accordance with the MOU and the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to the Investors an aggregate of (i) 518,000 shares (the "Common Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), with each common share plus warrants to purchase 1.5 shares of common stock to comprise a Common Unit, and (ii) 3,108 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, each convertible into 500 shares of common stock (the "Series D Preferred Stock"), with each share of Series D Preferred Stock plus warrants to purchase 750 shares of common stock to comprise a Preferred Unit. Each Common Unit was purchased for $2.00 per unit and each Preferred Unit was purchased for $1,000 per unit.

The Warrants have an exercise price of $2.00 per share, are immediately exercisable and have a five-year term.

The Series D Preferred Stock ranks on parity to the Common Stock, and is entitled to vote on any matters to which shares of the Common Stock are entitled to vote, on an as-if-converted basis, and has no preferential rights to the Common Stock. The Series D Preferred Stock includes a conversion limitation that limits the Investors and their affiliates to owning, collectively, no more than 49.99% of the Common Stock.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Investors now have a majority of the Company's voting rights and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement have been granted board representation and nomination rights, such that the director nominees of the Investors shall constitute a majority of the Company's board of directors, but no more than is necessary to constitute such a majority.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor may there be any sale of any 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 any such state or jurisdiction.

The Company plans to schedule a business update investor teleconference to occur later this month.

About Biostage

Biostage is a biotechnology company developing bioengineered organ implants based on the Company's Cellframe technology which combines a proprietary biocompatible scaffold with a patient's own stem cells to create Cellspan organ implants. Cellspan implants are being developed to treat life-threatening conditions of the esophagus, bronchus or trachea with the hope of dramatically improving the treatment paradigm for patients. Based on its preclinical data, Biostage has selected life-threatening conditions of the esophagus as the initial clinical application of its technology.

For more information, please visit www.biostage.com and connect with the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the statements in this press release are "forward-looking" and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These "forward-looking" statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to development expectations and regulatory approval of any of the Company's products, including those utilizing its Cellframe technology, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency or otherwise, which expectations or approvals may not be achieved or obtained on a timely basis or at all; or success with respect to any collaborations, clinical trials and other development and commercialization efforts of the Company's products, including those utilizing its Cellframe technology, which such success may not be achieved or obtained on a timely basis or at all. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the statements set forth in this press release, including, among other things, whether the reverse stock split will be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders, the Company's ability to obtain the funding necessary for ongoing operations, the Company's ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for its products and the Company's ability to complete the private placement with CCMC on a timely basis or at all; plus other factors described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 or described in the Company's other public filings. The Company's results may also be affected by factors of which the Company is not currently aware. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in the events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Tom McNaughton

Chief Financial Officer

774-233-7321

[email protected]

SOURCE Biostage Inc.

Related Links

http://www.biostage.com

GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C. ("Black Diamond") announced today that it has acquired Valley Joist from EBSCO Industries, Inc. ("EBSCO").

Valley Joist has been a leading joist and deck manufacturer since 1958 with the ability to service both local and national accounts. Its facilities span almost 30 acres and 250,000 square feet while employing close to 200 employees across both locations.

"We are pleased to be acquiring Valley Joist and working with the company to grow their presence in the joist and deck industry," said Stephen H. Deckoff, Founder and Managing Principal of Black Diamond. "The acquisition of Valley Joist is in line with our strategy to acquire complementary downstream businesses that can benefit from being affiliated with our portfolio of steel production businesses."

"We are thankful to the Valley Joist teams who contributed to EBSCO for over forty years," said Rob Belcher, EBSCO's Group President of Manufacturing. "We are confident this partnership with Black Diamond will strengthen Valley Joist and appreciate Back Diamond's commitment to the future growth and success of this business."

Black Diamond owns and operates Bayou Steel Group, among other steel related businesses.

Bayou Steel Group operations are primarily located outside of New Orleans with an additional rolling mill in Harriman, TN and three strategically located stocking depots in Tulsa, OK, Chicago, IL and Pittsburgh, PA. The LaPlace and Harriman facilities are leading producers of light structural shapes and merchant bar quality products.

The transaction closed on December 29, 2017.

Jones Walker has served as legal counsel to Black Diamond in connection with this acquisition.

About Black Diamond

Black Diamond is a leading alternative asset management firm with over $8 billion in assets under management. Black Diamond is currently pursuing control distressed/private equity investments from its fourth private equity fund. Black Diamond's control distressed/private equity funds focus specifically on middle market companies with market leadership positions within their sectors. Founded in 1995, Black Diamond employs investment professionals across offices in Greenwich, CT, Lake Forest, IL, London, England and St. Thomas, USVI.

SOURCE Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C.PETALUMA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco Bay Area-based ed tech leader FrontRow has hired Brian Gaiser as its new Director of International Sales.

"The Director of International Sales role is clearly vital to the success of FrontRow's growth in markets beyond the US," says CEO Jens Holstebro. "Brian fits that role particularly well, having 20 years of international business development experience, and almost a third of that being in classroom audio technology sales."

FrontRow has made a significant investment in its international business in recent years, including establishment of the FrontRow UK office, introduction of more localized versions of its ezRoom classroom AV line, and an expanded international marketing program.

Throughout his career with a variety of US-based companies, Gaiser has focused on international sales, with a particular emphasis on Asia-Pacific and Canada. His recent six-year tenure at Lightspeed equipped him with deep knowledge of local markets for classroom audio, important customer relationships, and an enthusiasm for improving education with audio technology.

"It's a lifelong passion of mine to experience cultural differences, strengthen commonalities, and put great ideas into action. So, getting to help thousands of people improve their learning environments on six continents? I couldn't ask for a better job," shares Gaiser. "I'm really excited to be joining FrontRow's mission to maximize students' access to learning around the world."

Gaiser is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, OH, and Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, AZ. He lives with his wife and dog in Minneapolis, MN, and is an avid cyclist and nature lover.

About FrontRow

FrontRow helps schools communicate effortlessly with students, groups, and devices. More than 15,000 schools choose FrontRow for its easy-to-use products, better academic outcomes, and a safer, more efficient campus. FrontRow edtech solutions include:

Classroom audio systems for teacher voice reinforcement and media audio amplification

Automated lesson capture and distribution

AV control and management

Campus communication and control, including IP paging, intercom, bell scheduling, and automated emergency response

FrontRow is part of the William Demant Groupfounded in 1904 and listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (CSE3247)through 45 Group companies in over 20 countries, its consolidated sales exceed US$1.9 billion.

Photo

Please follow this link for Brian Gaiser's photo.

FrontRow Logo

Please follow this link for FrontRow's logo.

SOURCE FrontRow

Related Links

https://www.gofrontrow.com/

DETROIT and LEXINGTON, Ky., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consulate General of Canada in Detroit is pleased to announce the visit of the Honorable Ralph Goodale, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, to Kentucky January 4-5, 2018. The Minister will attend The Kentucky Chamber Day, hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, in Heritage Hall at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington. The occasion represents the state's largest gathering of elected officials and business executives.

"Canada and the United States share one of the closest and most prosperous bilateral relationships in the world," said Minister Goodale. "I look forward to being in Kentucky, meeting with political and business leaders and discussing the ways we can enhance the trade and economic ties that strengthen the dynamic relationship between our two countries."

"I am delighted to welcome Minister Goodale here in Kentucky," said Canada's Consul General to Kentucky, Douglas George. "Minister Goodale's experience in Agriculture, Finance, Natural Resources, Public Safety and Border Security makes him a perfect person to speak about the many ties that bind Canada and the State of Kentucky."

Canada is Kentucky's largest export market, with nearly 26% percent of Kentucky's foreign-bound goods sold to Canada - more than the state's next two largest markets combined. Annual trade between Kentucky and Canada totals US$10.9 billion per year, or nearly $30 million per day, and 112,600 jobs in the Bluegrass State are supported by Canada-U.S. trade and investment.

As Minister of the largest non-military department in Canada, Mr. Goodale's portfolio includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Canada Border Service Agency and Correctional Services Canada. He has previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Minister of Natural Resources, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Minister of Finance.

Minister Goodale will be available to media at the Chamber event beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4.

WHO: The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

WHAT: "23rd Annual Kentucky Chamber Day"

WHEN: Thursday, January 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Heritage Hall, The Lexington Convention Center, Lexington, Kentucky

OPEN TO MEDIA  Credentials required.

Located in Detroit, Canada's Consulate General works to promote trade and investment links, to engage citizens and decision-makers on matters of shared interest, and to assist Canadians living and traveling in the US. More information is available at www.detroit.gc.ca, on FaceBook @CanadainDetroit and on Twitter @CanCGDetroit

SOURCE Consulate General of Canada in Detroit

Related Links

http://www.detroit.gc.ca

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Caris Life Sciences, a leading innovator in molecular science focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine, announced today that David D. Halbert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and David Spetzler, M.S., Ph.D., M.B.A., President and Chief Scientific Officer, will present at the 36th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

on Monday, January, 8 at 3:00 p.m. PST in San Francisco, Calif. Company leadership will discuss its two proprietary, precision medicine technology platforms, ADAPT Biotargeting System and Caris Molecular Intelligence, in addition to taking questions from the audience.

About Caris Life Sciences 

Caris Life Sciences is a leading innovator in molecular science focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine through quality and innovation, and the world's leading immunotherapy diagnostic expert. Caris Molecular Intelligence, the company's Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Plus (CGP+) molecular testing service, assesses DNA, RNA and proteins, including microsatellite instability (MSI), total mutational load (TML) and PD-L1, to reveal a molecular blueprint to guide more precise and personalized treatment decisions. The ADAPT Biotargeting System, the company's revolutionary and unbiased profiling platform, is currently being utilized for drug target identification, therapeutic discovery and development, fixed tissue-based companion diagnostics, blood-based cancer screening and biomarker identification. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris Life Sciences offers services throughout the U.S., Europe and other international markets. To learn more, please visit www.CarisLifeSciences.com.

Media Inquiries:

The Ruth Group

Kirsten Thomas / Joanna Zimmerman

[email protected]

Tel: +1-508-280-6592 / +1-646-536-7006

SOURCE Caris Life Sciences

Related Links

http://www.CarisLifeSciences.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chernoff Law Firm, PC, a leading civil litigation law firm based in Scottsdale, has opened an office in Irvine, California. The new office expands the firm's litigation practice and allows it to provide a broader reach for its clients, according to founding shareholder Mark D. Chernoff.

"Our clients have interests that extend beyond Arizona, often in southern California. Being able to address their needs in California provides added value and convenience. Our new Irvine office gives us the opportunity to satisfy our clients' needs, and gives them continuity of a single professional relationship in both states," said Mr. Chernoff. "With the opening of the California office, we are building a firm that offers a talented, regional legal team with the ability to address our clients' operations in one of the largest markets in the world."

Chernoff Law Firm focuses on civil litigation, primarily business, banking, real estate, probate and trust, and personal injury litigation matters. The firm handles cases ranging from large class actions to basic breach of contract claims. It is known for providing creative, business-minded solutions even when cases may seem complex and difficult to resolve.

Under the leadership of firm founder Mark Chernoff, the Chernoff Law built a successful litigation practice by combining sophisticated attorneys with innovative use of technology, all to facilitate efficient case management and client communications. "We take great pride in our blend of legal strategy and technology resources, which in many ways put us ahead of larger firms," said Chernoff. "As a result, we can compete with any firm, of every size, and are prepared to confront whatever obstacles our clients may face."

The firm's new offices are located at 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 1000, Irvine, CA 92612. For more information on the Chernoff Law Firm, visit chernoff.law.

Contact:

Mark Chernoff

Phone: (602) 253-8818

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Chernoff Law Firm, PC

Related Links

http://chernoff.law

At "China Night", the most innovative technology and products in the Chinese consumer electronics industry will be showcased, and the most influential leaders and enterprises in Sino-US business circles will gather there. Focusing on four tech trends including Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR, unmanned driving and intelligent home, "China Night" will offer a high-level platform to discuss the cutting-edge technologies and new development trends in the fields of consumer electronics.

"China Night" will introduce CITE 2018, which is designed to be an open platform for the next generation information technology industry and a national class platform which will initiate the era of Chinese intelligent technology.

CITE has been held annually since 2013 and has accumulatively attracted approximately 4,000 IT-related enterprises to participate and about 100,000 audience members to visit. It has become a national platform to demonstrate the latest products and technologies in the global information technology industry.

"With the theme of 'intelligent era, smart life', CITE 2018 will feature smart home, AI, intelligent terminal, IC, IoT, clouding computing, and big data," said Yan Hu, Inspector of Electronics and Information Department of MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology). At "China Night", Yan Hu will also give a speech themed on the development status and international cooperation of the Chinese electronic information industry.

Multiple exhibition areas will focus on the latest technology including. Visitors can also witness the new trends in the consumer electronics fields of VR/AR, Internet+, high-end chips, new displays, 3D printing, smart city, intelligent hardware, intelligent connected vehicle and new energy vehicles, lithium battery.

At CITE 2018, a wide range of high-tech products or solutions will be showcased by more than 1,700 leading enterprises. As the witness of the transformation and upgrading of traditional smart home, CITE attracted not only manufacturers of household appliances but also developers of system, such as Hisense, Haier U+, TCL, Changhong, KONKA, Skyworth and BOE. iFLYTEK and Intel will show their own extraordinary talent, representing the rise of China in multiple fields of science and technology. Intelligent manufacturing companies like SpreadTrum, MTK, CEC, CETC, FANUC, FOXCONN, BAIDU, HUAWEI, Philips, will likely display latest IoT technology applied to various scenarios.

More than 40 theme conferences and nearly 100 forums will be held during CITE 2018, among which the cutting-edge Summit Forum of Digital Economy with the theme of "New Era, New Electronics" is planned to be launched on April 9 as the prelude of CITE 2018. Distinguished guests from MIIT, Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Chinese Academy of Sciences and CEOs from leading Chinese IT enterprises will deliver keynote address at the Summit Forum of the Digital Economy. Top business leaders and pioneering thinkers from the electronic information industry will gather at the CITE TOP 10 Summit on April 9 to discuss all aspects of the industry.

CITE 2018 also covers governmental policies and aims to become an international site for science and technology and an industry incubation park, creating an authoritative platform for makers to present themselves, communicate with others and raise funds.

CITE is very pleased to announce the availability of remaining exhibition stands at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center from April 9-11, 2018. For more information about exhibitor registration, please click here.

We very much look forward to seeing you at the CITE 2018!

2018 "China Night" in Las Vegas

Date and time: Mon, January 8, 2018 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM PST

Address: Monet Ballroom, Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV

2018 China Information Technology Expo (CITE)

Date and time: April 9-11 2018

Address: Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, Shenzhen, China

About 2018 Las Vegas "China Night":

"China Night" will be held on January 8,2018 at Monet Ballroom, Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV. The event seeks to assist Chinese businesses to expand on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) platform, facilitate their communication with partners of the same industry, study frontiers and trends, explore opportunities in China, and build a high-end platform to promote communication among industry players.

About CITE 2018:

China Information Technology Expo (CITE) is a three-day event being held from April 9-11, 2018 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, China. It is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Municipal Government of Shenzhen. Organized by China Electronic Appliance Corporation and Shenzhen Flat Panel Display Industry Association, this event showcases products from building construction, electronics and electrical goods, household consumables, telecom products, and equipment industries.

For more information, see http://www.citexpo.org/en/

Facebook: CITE - China Information Technology Expo

Twitter: @citexpochina

Linkedin: CITE China Information Technology Expo

About MIIT:

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is the ministry in charge of the manufacture of electronic and information products, the communications and software industry, as well as the promotion of informatization of the national economy and social services in China. MIIT cooperates with the Shenzhen municipal government to hold this leading Asia-based show with global influence.

SOURCE CITE (China Information Technology Expo)WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Committee for Responsible Foreign Policy  a bipartisan initiative designed to advocate for more oversight of U.S. military intervention abroad  commissioned research on U.S. citizens' positions on war intervention. The coalition announced today that the results prove a majority of Americans are mostly skeptical of the benefits of military intervention overseas and military aid in the form of funds or equipment.

The examination, conducted by J. Wallin Opinion Research in partnership with Gunster Strategies, was designed to measure attitudinal responses to U.S. military intervention in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The research shows that more than 57% of surveyed U.S. citizens believe that the billions spent on weapons and military aid to foreign countries was counterproductive to the goal of protecting American interests and ensuring safety of the nation.

"We started this initiative to give a voice to the people and the people have spoken  Congress needs to enact more oversight before intervening in conflict abroad," said Bill Dolbow, the coalition's spokesperson. "The research is very telling  voters feel that American military intervention should only be used as a last resort, and there are three clear policies that must be prioritized when considering overseas military engagement."

Surveyed individuals were asked to rank policies that would help promote stringent Congressional oversight and reduce unnecessary military intervention. Those three policies require the following: clearly defined goals to authorize military engagement overseas, including a timeline and what will constitute victory; oversight and accountability from Congress in regards to where troops are stationed and what is being accomplished abroad; and finally, any donation of military funds or equipment to a foreign country must be matched by a pledge from that country to adhere to the rules of the Geneva Convention, which are designed to protect civilians from harm during combat.

"The research showed that 67.4% of American voters disapprove of Congressional leadership allowing our involvement in conflict overseas without formally approving military action  or even allowing a debate," Dolbow added. "So, it's unsurprising that the data revealed that over a supermajority  70.8%  would support Congress passing legislation that would restrain military action overseas by enforcing three clear policies."

Moreover, the research exhibited decreased support for Congressional Representatives based on military intervention stances. In fact, 51.3% of voters said they would be less likely to vote for their Congressional Representatives if they did not act to withdraw from conflict in regions abroad, such as Yemen. Citizens displayed a desire for stricter procedures and policies that would prevent counterproductive involvement in war-torn countries.

Those three policies are what inspired the initiative's name, Committee for Responsible Foreign Policy. Congressional members from both sides of the aisle, celebrities, and advocates support the effort. The Committee for Responsible Foreign Policy is building momentum. The initiative plans to conduct additional research in the following weeks to help fortify military intervention policies on the Hill and establish a path forward.

"We are very encouraged by the research," Dolbow stated. "It only strengthens our resolve  we look forward to holding Congress accountable and keeping our veterans safe."

You can read the full research and learn more about the Committee for Responsible Foreign Policy by visiting the website, www.ResponsibleForeignPolicy.org.

SOURCE Committee for Responsible Foreign Policy

Related Links

http://www.ResponsibleForeignPolicy.org

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 3rd, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Denovo Biopharma LLC, a leader in precision medicine, today announced the opening of its new Research & Development Center in San Diego's prestigious Torrey Pines Science Park.

The new 7600 square feet custom-built, state-of-the-art facility hosts Denovo's biomarker discovery platform, US clinical team and serves as Denovo's US headquarters. The center will accelerate the development of Denovo's portfolio of 3 late-stage first-in-class drugs in oncology and CNS diseases and provide adequate support for the company's future expansion.

The company is delighted to announce two important additions to its senior executive team.

Ronald L. Shazer MD, MBA, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Shazer has over a decade of extensive experience in clinical development, including managing global oncology trials. Dr. Shazer most recently served as Chief Medical Officer for Inspyr Therapeutics and previously as Chief Medical Officer at Tracon Pharmaceuticals. He has held increasingly significant roles leading clinical research teams at Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Arena Pharmaceuticals and Exelixis. Dr. Shazer received his MD from New York Medical College and his MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Dr. Shazer will be responsible for leading the DB102 global Phase 3 trial in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to eventual registration as well as supporting the other pipeline candidates.

Michael F. Haller, PhD, has joined the company in the role of Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Haller has broad experience in business development, finance and accounting, drug development, and corporate and product strategy. He was most recently Chief Business Officer at Peloton Therapeutics, where he led the finance and accounting department in addition to business development. Prior to Peloton, Dr. Haller held various positions at Ligand, Anaphore, and Halozyme. At Halozyme Therapeutics, Dr. Haller helped the company grow into a $1B market cap company, directed key alliances with Roche and Baxter Healthcare, and headed the company's drug delivery franchise. Before Halozyme, Dr. Haller was a McKinsey & Company management consultant focusing on complex health care issues for a number of Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Haller earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Wen Luo, Denovo's CEO commented, "The opening of the new R&D center in San Diego, one the leading genomic hubs in the world, will substantially enhance our ability to discover innovative biomarkers to personalize all drugs in our pipeline as well as recruit top talent to support our aggressive growth plans. We are also delighted to have Dr. Shazer and Dr. Haller join us, as it will add significant talent and experience to the Denovo executive team to support the company's rapidly expanding pipeline and transform Denovo into a fully integrated late stage biotech company."

About Denovo Biopharma

Denovo Biopharma is a privately-held clinical stage biotechnology company that provides novel and proprietary biomarker approaches to advance drug development, including re-evaluating medicines that have failed in general patient populations by stratifying the responders for the original indication. The company offers the first platform and algorithm for de novo genomic biomarker discovery using archived clinical samples. This technology is especially useful for compounds with suboptimal late-stage trial results. By identifying biomarkers correlated with patients' responses to drug candidates retrospectively, Denovo enables the design and execution of follow-on clinical trials in targeted patient populations while optimizing efficacy, safety and tolerability. Denovo currently has three late stage drugs in its pipeline: DB102 for oncology, DB103 for schizophrenia, and DB104 for depression. For additional information please visit www.denovobiopharma.com.

Contact:

Robert Little, Chief Business Officer

Denovo Biopharma LLC

[email protected]

SOURCE Denovo BiopharmaTEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DriveTime, the nation's second largest used car retailer focused solely on used vehicles, today announced an executive succession process.

DriveTime and Mr. Fidel, its CEO, entered into definitive agreements in late November 2017 for Mr. Fidel's transition out of his role as CEO of the Company in December 2017. The transition process is completed. The company is currently searching for a CEO for its retail operations.

DriveTime Headquarters located in Tempe, Arizona

"We've built a great foundation for the next chapter in the DriveTime story. While we're looking for a Retail CEO, I'm very confident our current leadership team will get us to the next level," explained Ernie Garcia, Chairman.

For more information on DriveTime, please visit drivetime.com.

About DriveTime

Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, DriveTime is the nation's second largest vehicle retailer focused solely on used vehicles. DriveTime operates over 140 dealerships nationwide with annual sales exceeding 150,000 used vehicles and 1.2 million+ monthly visitors to its website, drivetime.com. DriveTime now provides used vehicles and used vehicle financing to the full range of customers in the market today, including competitively priced, lower mileage used cars. Transforming the buying and financing of a used vehicle with a fair and transparent experience, DriveTime offerings include used car features on its online inventory; speed of financing including a credit score and the starting down payment in less than two minutes; prices on every used vehicle online and at its dealerships; no haggle pricing; salaried associates trained to help our customers find the right used vehicle for them; and a five day, no questions asked used vehicle return program.

Media Contact:

Jon Ehlinger

602-852-6600

DriveTime

SOURCE DriveTime

Related Links

http://drivetime.com

SHANGHAI, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- eHi Car Services Limited ("eHi" or the "Company") (NYSE: EHIC), a leading car rental and car services company in China, today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter, dated January 1, 2018 (the "Proposal Letter"), from affiliates of MBK Partners HK Limited and Mr. Ray RuiPing Zhang, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of eHi, and his affiliates (together, the "Consortium"), that proposes a "going-private" transaction (the "Proposed Transaction") for US$13.35 in cash per American Depositary Share of the Company (each representing two Class A common shares), or US$6.675 in cash per common share.

According to the Proposal Letter, the Consortium will form an acquisition company for the purpose of implementing the Proposed Transaction, and the Proposed Transaction is intended to be financed with a combination of debt and equity capital. The Proposal Letter indicates that equity financing will be provided in the form of cash and rollover equity by members of the Consortium (or their affiliates) and any additional members admitted to the Consortium. The Consortium was formed in furtherance of the going-private transaction initially proposed in the preliminary non-binding proposal letter submitted by Goliath Advisors Limited ("GAL") on November 26, 2017 (the "Initial Proposal Letter"), which proposed the same price of US$13.35 in cash per American Depositary Share. GAL has agreed and confirmed to the Company that the proposal in the Proposal Letter supersedes and replaces GAL's proposal in the Initial Proposal Letter.

As previously announced, the Board had formed a committee of three independent directors (the "Special Committee") to evaluate the Initial Proposal, and the Special Committee will evaluate the Proposed Transaction from the Consortium. Also, as previously announced, the Special Committee has retained Fenwick & West LLP as its legal counsel and Duff & Phelps, LLC as its independent financial advisor to assist it in this process.

No decisions have been made by the Special Committee with respect to the Company's response to the Proposed Transaction. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any agreement will be executed or that this or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to the Initial Proposal Letter, the Proposed Transaction or any other proposal or transaction, except as required under applicable law.

About eHi Car Services Limited

eHi Car Services Limited (NYSE: EHIC) is a leading car rental and car services provider in China. The Company's mission is to provide comprehensive mobility solutions as an alternative to car ownership by best utilizing existing resources and sharing economy to create optimal value. eHi distinguishes itself in China's fast-growing car rental and car services market through its complementary business model, customer-centric corporate culture, broad geographic coverage, efficient fleet management, leading brand name, and commitment to technological innovation. eHi is the exclusive strategic partner in China of Enterprise, the largest car rental company in the world, and is the designated and preferred business partner of Ctrip, a leader in the online travel agency industry in China. For more information regarding eHi, please visit http://en.1hai.cn.

About MBK Partners HK Limited

MBK Partners HK Limited is an affiliate of MBK Partners ("MBKP"). Founded in 2005, MBK Partners is one of the largest private equity funds in Asia with capital under management of over US$15 billion. MBKP focuses on North Asia and has developed expertise in various industries, including consumer and retail, telecommunications and media, financial services, healthcare, logistics and industrials. MBKP has completed transactions of over US$21 billion in aggregate value, with aggregate revenues of its portfolio companies exceeding US$36 billion. MBKP has over 45 investment professionals across five offices in North Asia.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking statements" including, among other things, statements about eHi's beliefs and expectations. The expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements involve significant assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks discussed in eHi's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

eHi Car Services Limited

Tel: +86 (21) 6468-7000 ext. 8830

E-Mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Ms. Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE eHi Car Services LimitedREADING, Mass., Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its recent merger, Eliassen Group and Principle Solutions Group today jointly announced that the combined business will adopt the Eliassen Group brand throughout all of its regions.

Moving forward as one organization, the rebrand effectively positions the combined entity to leverage its expanded geographic footprint that now includes 18 locations from coast to coast. The change also offers clients an expanded set of service offerings, all while delivering the world-class level of service and a people-first culture that has remained at the core of both organizations since their inception.

"Moving forward as Eliassen Group, we will continue to foster the relationships we have built while adding additional value for our clients by strengthening our Agile, creative and managed services capabilities and broadening our geographic reach," said Josh Nazarian, Eliassen Group's chief business development officer and co-founder of Principle Solutions Group.

"This is such an exciting time to be at Eliassen Group as we take this next step on our journey together," said David MacKeen, CEO of Eliassen Group. "Since announcing our merger with Principle Solutions Group, it has been clear that our organizations share a common purpose: to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities in which we operate. So it is with great excitement that we announce this rebrand as our organization moves forward as one team that is committed to providing the best IT consulting and talent solutions in the marketplace."

"The level of talent of our combined organization is unparalleled," said Joe Ventura, chief people officer of Eliassen Group and co-founder of Principle Solutions Group. "Bringing these teams together provides us with the unique opportunity to harness our expertise and deliver innovative solutions to our clients."

The organization is headquartered in Reading, Massachusetts and offers technology staffing, Agile, creative, life sciences, and managed services to clients around the country. For additional information on Eliassen Group locations and contact information, please visit: http://www.eliassen.com/locations/

About Eliassen Group

Eliassen Group provides strategic talent solutions to drive our clients' innovation and business results. Leveraging nearly 30 years of success, our expertise in IT staffing, Agile consulting, creative services, managed services, and life sciences enables us to partner with our clients to execute their business strategy and scale effectively. Headquartered in Reading, MA and with offices from coast to coast, Eliassen Group offers local community presence, deep networks, as well as national reach. For more information, visit http://www.eliassen.com.

Media Contact:



Sandra G. Callahan

Head of Marketing

Eliassen Group

781 205 8148

SOURCE Eliassen Group

Related Links

http://www.eliassen.com

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ERPScan, the most credible company providing business application security, has released a guideline on making SAP systems GDPR compliant.

GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulations, forces businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of European Union (EU) citizens. It introduces the new obligations for companies and comes into effect on May 25, 2018, at which time all those organizations handling EU residents' data but non-compliant will face heavy fines regardless of their location.

Therefore, GDPR is the strictest and most far-reaching data protection regulations and information security teams need to start preparing as soon as possible. It behooves them to change the way they process, store, and protect customers' personal data in order to thwart data breaches that can result in criminal investigation, reputational damages, indemnification, penalties and fines for the affected company.

SAP is an essential part of these regulations. The vast majority of Fortune 2,000 companies implement SAP systems, which store all kinds of critical personal data.

Although SAP provides a wide spectrum of protection mechanisms to make SAP systems safe, the arrangement of these measures is not always apparent. It makes their security unavoidable and correlated with spending and slowdown in current operations. That is why it makes sense to consider GDPR privacy requirements.

"GDPR should be viewed not as a thorn in the side but as an enabler for structuring the procedure of protecting data and business applications that process this data. After all, GDPR aims at facilitating digital economy and building a strong foundation for trust in the Internet," said Michael Rakutko, Head of Professional Services at ERPScan.

The released guide details three broad groups of GDPR technical security requirements:

Assessing existing data processes and systems;

Restricting personal data activities;

Monitoring data breaches.

The whitepaper describes how GDPR affects SAP systems and how to use GDPR hype to achieve positive business results including data governance improvement, competitive advantage, and higher customer satisfaction.

A system, which was secured yesterday, might be compromised tomorrow. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the risk and prepare for GDPR in advance.

Follow ERPScan on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn and do not miss the further GDPR posts, whitepapers, and other helpful information on various cybersecurity topics.

About ERPScan

ERPScan is the most respected and credible Business Application Cybersecurity provider. Founded in 2010, the Company operates globally and enables global Fortune 2,000 to secure their mission-critical processes. ERPScan's primary objective is to provide Smart solutions to assess ERP systems and business-critical applications as well as to protect them from both cyber-attacks and internal fraud. ERPScan is the only ERP Security vendor featured in Gartner MQs, Hype Cycles, and MarketScopes for Application Security and SOD. The Company is named as an 'Emerging Vendor' in Security by CRN, listed among "TOP 100 SAP Solution providers", and distinguished by 40+ awards.

Contact:

Elena Shapovalova

650.798.5255

[email protected]

SOURCE ERPScan

Related Links

https://erpscan.com

NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05248723





This strategic research report from Berg Insight provides you with 230 pages of unique business intelligence including 5-year industry forecasts and expert commentary on which to base your business decisions.



Highlights from this report:

- Insights from 30 new executive interviews with market leading companies.

- Comprehensive overview of the insurance telematics value chain and key applications.

- In-depth analysis of market trends and key developments.

- Case studies of more than 50 insurance telematics initiatives.

- Summary of the involvement of vehicle OEMs and mobile operators.

- New data on vehicle populations in Europe and North America.

- Market forecasts by country lasting until 2021.



Europe and North America reached 18.4 million insurance telematics policies at year-end 2017

The integration of telematics technology constitutes the latest revolution for the automotive insurance industry. The concept of telematics is a portmanteau of telecommunications  long-distance communication  and informatics  the science of information. Telematics in general thus refers to the collection of information related to remote objects such as vehicles via telecommunication networks. The introduction of telematics technology in the context of automotive insurance is commonly referred to as usage-based insurance (UBI) or insurance telematics.



Solutions of this type generally enable automotive insurers to improve pricing mechanisms based on actual driving data, gain better control of claims and differentiate their offerings to current and prospective policyholders. Variants of insurance telematics which have been popularised over the years include behaviour-based pricing models such as Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD), Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD) and Manage-How-You-Drive (MHYD).



The addressable market for insurance telematics is significant. A total of around 283 million vehicles were in use in EU23+2 in 2016, including over 247 million passenger cars. In North America, an estimated total of around 276 million vehicles were in use in 2016, out of which passenger cars and light trucks are estimated to represent almost 262 million vehicles.



Some kind of basic automotive insurance is mandatory in most developed countries and there are in addition a number of subcategories of insurance that provide coverage for different types of unforeseen events involving motor vehicles. Motor gross written premiums in EU23+2 reached a total of over  125 billion in 2015. The equivalent number for North America was US$ 214 billion ( 183 billion) in 2016.



The nascent insurance telematics market is currently in a phase of strong growth which is expected to accelerate in the coming years. Europe and North America so far represent the vast majority of all insurance telematics programmes and active policies from an international perspective, and the front-running national markets include the US, Italy and the UK.



Berg Insight estimates that the total number of insurance telematics policies in force on the European market reached 6.8 million at the end of 2016. Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 34.8 percent, the number of insurance telematics policies in force in Europe is estimated to reach 30.0 million by 2021. In North America, the total number of insurance telematics policies in force is forecasted to increase from an estimated 7.0 million policies at the end of 2016 to reach 35.2 million policies by 2021, representing a compound annual growth rate of 38.2 percent.



In the US, the top three insurers in terms of UBI policies have all introduced smartphone-based solutions to supplement or replace the previously used OBD dongles. Several US and Canadian insurers have during the recent year re-assessed and re-launched their telematics programmes. The European insurance telematics market is still dominated by insurers in Italy and the UK, with an estimated 5.3 million and 0.79 million policies respectively. Uptake on all other markets are considerably lower, with between 50,000 and 100,000 policies in Spain, Germany, Austria and France, and between 20,000 30,000 policies in Benelux, Switzerland and Scandinavia.



The insurance telematics value chain spans multiple industries. Insurers with notable presence in the insurance telematics market include Progressive, UnipolSai, State Farm, Allstate, Generali, Allianz, Admiral, AXA, Liberty Mutual, Intact and Insure The Box. Insurance players can either develop telematics programmes independently or rely on partners to varying degrees. Renowned telematics suppliers active in the insurance field for example include Octo Telematics, Vodafone Automotive, Viasat Group and LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Intelligent Mechatronic Systems, Cambridge Mobile Telematics,



The Floow, TrueMotion, Modus and Scope Technologies are also notable players on the market. Automotive OEMs are increasingly taking an active part in the ecosystem. Examples include General Motors, Ford, Renault-Nissan, BMW, Daimler and Fiat. The insurance telematics market has seen significant M&A activity in recent years, involving diverse players from many parts of the ecosystem. Notable deals in 2015 include Generali Group's acquisition of the UK start-up MyDrive Solutions and CCC Information Services' acquisition of DriveFactor.



In 2016, Willis Group and Towers Watson merged and Intact Insurance made an investment in Metromile. Later in 2016, Metromile acquired Mosaic Insurance. In 2017, the most noteworthy deal was Octo Telematics' acquisition of the UBI assets of Willis Towers Watson.



This report answers the following questions:

- What types of insurance telematics products are offered on the market?

- Which are the leading providers of insurance telematics technology?

- What business models are available for insurers entering the insurance telematics space?

- Which are the dominant technology form factors on each market?

- Which are the most successful insurance telematics programs today?

- How are mobile operators approaching the insurance telematics market?

- How are the vehicle OEMs involved in the ecosystem?

- Which are the major drivers and barriers for insurance telematics adoption?

- Which are the key future trends in this industry?



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05248723



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

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ATLANTA, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Construct3D2018, the national academic 3D printing and digital fabrication conference and expo, will take place at Georgia Tech on October 5-8, 2018. The second annual event, co-founded by Ultimaker's Lizabeth Arum and Matt Griffin, and Duke University's Chip Bobbert, and sponsored by founding sponsors Ultimaker, and Duke University, will focus on academic use, best practices, and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and students from informal, K-12, and higher education contexts.

After a successful inaugural conference welcomed nearly 300 attendees to Duke University in 2017, Construct3D 2018 aims to be even bigger and better  bringing together educators, students, pioneers, and industry leaders with the aim of highlighting and cultivating the role of 3D printing as it contributes to academic and research achievement. Panels will feature notable educators and industry experts, while talks and workshops will provide demonstrations of leading design, materials and digital fabrication technologies.

Keynotes from last year included Dale Dougherty (CEO of Maker Media), Skylar Tibbits (founder and co-director of MIT's Self-Assembly Lab), Sallye Coyle (ShopBot and Duke's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute).

"Last year's event brought hundreds of passionate educators and innovators together to exchange ideas, build networks, learn new skills, and accelerate the adoption and exploration of 3D printing in education," said Conference Co-Chair Lizabeth Arum, an educational strategist at Ultimaker. "We look forward to joining forces with Georgia Tech to amplify these take-aways in 2018."

"As digital fabrication continues to develop as an integral aspect to all levels of education, we are thrilled to host the upcoming Construct3D conference," said Amit Jariwala from Georgia Tech. "Our goal is to leave attendees feeling inspired to bring new 3D printing skills to their schools and programs, and ultimately shape the next generation of creators and innovators."

Registration for Construct3D will open in April 2018. For more details on the conference and ways to participate, visit Construct3Dconf.com.

SOURCE Ultimaker

Related Links

http://www.ultimaker.com

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The global demand for AI in healthcare is forecast to exceed $5.5 billion in 2022, according to Worldwide Healthcare AI Market (2017  2022), a report recently released by Arcluster.

The digital disruption of the traditional healthcare industry through AI and data is inevitable and comes with multiple benefits and use-cases. The uptake of AI has direct implications on the entire healthcare ecosystem. Multiple functions such as medical imaging and diagnostics, emergency room and hospital management, and drug discovery are set to be enabled with AI-driven systems that will not only increase operational efficiencies but also deliver better and faster care.

More information about the report is available at https://www.marketresearch.com/Arcluster-v4086/Worldwide-Healthcare-AI-Lifestyle-Management-11295324/

With an increasing number of medical professionals and institutions keen to adopt digital healthcare solutions, systems, and services, marketplace acceptance of AI in the healthcare sector is expected to pick up pace over the forecast period. The market potential for Healthcare AI across the globe is considerable, and offers diverse opportunities for healthcare solutions, systems, and services vendors, along with pure-play technology firms.

These and other key insights are featured in the report titled:

Worldwide Healthcare AI Market [Lifestyle Management, Data, Medical Imaging, Mental Health, Virtual Assistants, Emergency Room and Hospital Management, Drug Discovery, Nutrition, Wearables; by Regions]: Market Size and Forecasts (2017  2022)

Overall market sizes in terms of revenue are segmented by these solution types:

Lifestyle Management and Monitoring

Data and Risk Analytics

Medical Imaging and Diagnostics

Mental Health

Virtual Assistants

Emergency Room and Hospital Management

Drug Discovery

Nutrition

Wearables

Others

About Arcluster

Arcluster is an innovation design and market consulting company. Its primary purpose is to address business challenges of sustainable growth with intelligent and value-driven solutions. It accomplishes this by actively discovering, dissecting, and analyzing micro-emerging trends and technologies across multiple industries. Its solution portfolio is based on a four-pillared structure comprising Advisory, Research, Consulting, and Services. Arcluster is headquartered in Singapore and caters to clients across the globe.

Related Reports:

Robotic Process Automation Market (2017  2022)

https://www.marketresearch.com/Arcluster-v4086/Worldwide-Robotic-Process-Automation-RPA-11175312/

Worldwide API Management Market (2016  2021)

https://www.marketresearch.com/Arcluster-v4086/Worldwide-API-Management-Segments-Analytics-10350969/

About MarketResearch.com

MarketResearch.com is the leading provider of global market intelligence products and services. With research reports from more than 720 top consulting and advisory firms, MarketResearch.com offers instant online access to the world's most extensive database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Moreover, MarketResearch.com's Research Specialists have in-depth knowledge of the publishers and the various types of reports in their respective industries and are ready to provide research assistance.

Press Contact:

Corinne Gangloff

+1 440.684.9600

[email protected]

SOURCE MarketResearch.com

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DUBLIN, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Gas Meter Market By Type (Basic and Smart), By Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial) and By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2012-2022" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

According to the "Global Gas Meter Market By Type, By Application and By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2012-2022" report, the global gas meter market is forecast to exhibit a CAGR of over 8% during 2017-2022, on account of increasing investments in oil & gas downstream projects, growing demand for natural gas, rising environmental concerns and favorable government regulations to restrict oil & gas theft and leakage incidents. Moreover, expanding city gas distribution network and repairing of ageing pipelines, especially in North America and Europe, are further expected to propel the global gas meter market through 2022. A few of the leading players in Global gas meter market include Elster, Itron Inc., Dandong Dongfa Group Co., Ltd., Chongqing Shancheng Gas Equipment Co., Ltd, DIEHL Metering, Qianwei Krommschroder, Emerson Process Management., General Electric Company, Siemens Limited, Badger Meter, etc.



"Global Gas Meter Market By Type, By Application and By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2012-2022" discusses the following aspects of gas meter market globally:

Gas Meter Market Size, Share & Forecast

Segmental Analysis - By Type (Basic Gas Meter and Smart Gas Meter), By Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial), By Region

Pricing & Competitive Analysis

Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities

Why You Should Buy This Report?

To gain an in-depth understanding of gas meter market in globally

To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years

To help industry consultants, gas meter manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies

To obtain research based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material

To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players

To avail of 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get the research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs

Report Methodology



The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary research. Primary research included interaction with gas meter manufacturers, distributors and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports and proprietary databases.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview

2. Research Methodology

3. Analyst View

4. Global gas meter market Outlook

5. Europe Gas Meters Market Outlook

6. North America Gas Meters Market Outlook

7. Asia-Pacific Gas Meters Market Outlook

8. Middle East & Africa Gas Meters Market Outlook

9. South America Gas Meters Market Outlook

10. Market Dynamics

11. Market Trends & Developments

12. Competitive Landscape

13. Strategic Recommendations



Companies Mentioned



ABB Ltd.

APATOR Group

Aclara Technologies LLC

Badger Meter

Chongqing Shancheng Gas Equipment Co., Ltd

DIEHL Metering

Dandong Dongfa Group Co., Ltd.

Elster

Emerson Process Management

Flonidan

General Electric Company

Itron Inc.

Krohne

Landis+Gyr

Qianwei Krommschroder

Schneider Electric

Sensus

Siemens Limited

Wasion

Zenner

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4qwwgp/global_gas_meter?w=5

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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

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ST. LOUIS, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- GoHealth Urgent Care, one of the nation's fastest-growing urgent care providers, and Mercy, one of the nation's most innovative and integrated care delivery health systems, today announced they have partnered to create a substantial network of urgent care centers across the Midwest that will put patients first and deliver superior care and convenience. The joint venture will provide patients in Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas with greater access to innovative urgent care through state-of-the-art technology and unique patient access toolswherever and whenever they need it the most.

Mercy and GoHealth Urgent Care plan to open more than 30 co-branded Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care centers over the next two years, with convenient retail locations throughout St. Louis, Springfield, Oklahoma City and Northwest Arkansas. The joint venture will begin serving Mercy communities this summer, combining GoHealth Urgent Care's industry-leading patient satisfaction ratings, technological advancements and award-winning center and website designs with Mercy's long-standing reputation for high-quality, fully integrated acute and ambulatory health services. With these new Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care centers, GoHealth Urgent Care will become one of the nation's five largest urgent care companies.

Each Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care center will operate seven days a week with extended evening hours, welcome walk-in patients and offer online pre-registration and check-in to ensure that patients can access providers as quickly as possible and control when and where they are seen. The centers will feature electrostatic "smart glass" procedure rooms, transparent charting on a wide screen in each exam room, mobile x-ray equipment and Mercy's unified electronic health record (EHR), including the user-friendly MyMercy patient portal. The utilization of an integrated EHR will allow caregivers across the entire Mercy system immediate access to relevant and important patient medical history and information, helping to ensure continuity and the highest levels of care.

"We could not be more excited to partner with Mercy, as our mission to create a culture of care, seamless integration with the broader health care continuum and effortless patient experiences in urgent care is in complete alignment with what Mercy provides to each of its communities," said Todd Latz, CEO of GoHealth Urgent Care. "Through robust collaboration and the combination of our respective innovative approaches to care, our joint venture will offer a differentiated and superior level of consumer-focused urgent care that is not currently available in Mercy's markets. We are really looking forward to improving access to clinical care by bringing this new experience to St. Louis, Springfield, Oklahoma City, Northwest Arkansas and beyond."

Mercy has grown to 44 acute care and specialty hospitals with over 40,000 co-workers, and a multispecialty physician group with more than 2,000 physicians. Mercy has a long history of care innovation and was among the first organizations in the U.S. to have a comprehensive, integrated electronic health record. In addition, Mercy was named a "Most Wired" health care organization by the American Hospital Association in 2017 for the 14th time since 1999 and has created a nationally recognized Virtual Care Center.

"Our partnership with GoHealth Urgent Care will help fulfill our mission to transform health in our communities," said Lynn Britton, Mercy's CEO. "We are dedicated to delivering integrated, consumer-focused care through innovative models that are convenient to where our patients live, work and play. This joint venture further demonstrates Mercy's leadership and focus on providing quality outcomes for the millions of patients who have entrusted us with their care."

GoHealth Urgent Care continues to rapidly expand its footprint across the U.S. The urgent care provider has grown more than 10-fold since the beginning of 2015. GoHealth Urgent Care will continue to focus on patient-centered care and growth in 2018, as the company is poised to spearhead new groundbreaking health care initiatives and offerings for customers in existing markets, including New York, San Francisco, Portland and Hartford, as well as each of its new Midwest markets together with Mercy.

About GoHealth Urgent Care

GoHealth Urgent Care is one of the country's fastest-growing and largest urgent care providers. At GoHealth Urgent Care, we place the needs of our patients firstby providing an effortless patient experience, a welcoming culture of care and seamless integration with market-leading health systems and our communities. GoHealth Urgent Care operates 80 urgent care centers in the New York and Portland, Oregon, metropolitan areas, the San Francisco Bay Area and Hartford, Connecticut, and will soon open urgent care centers in multiple Midwest markets. GoHealth Urgent Care's current partners include health systems that are at the forefront of care delivery innovation, including Northwell Health, New York's largest health system, Legacy Health, the largest nonprofit, locally owned health system in the Portland-Vancouver area, Dignity Health, one of the nation's largest health care systems, headquartered in San Francisco, Hartford HealthCare, Connecticut's most comprehensive health care network, and now Mercy, one of the Midwest's largest, most integrated and innovative health systems. GoHealth Urgent Care is a d/b/a of Access Clinical Partners, LLC, a TPG Growth portfolio company. TPG Growth is the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG, which has over $70 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.gohealthUC.com.

About Mercy

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children's, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. To learn more, please visit www.mercy.net.

SOURCE GoHealth Urgent Care

Related Links

https://www.gohealthuc.com

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A Greenspoon Marder team secured an arbitration award of $2.8 million for Westgate Resorts in an arbitration matter styled, NAV-LVH, LLC v. Exhibit A Circle, LLC finding that Exhibit A Circle materially breached an agreement.

In 2014, NAV-LVH, LLC d/b/a Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino signed an 10-year agreement with Exhibit A Circle, LLC to host an Elvis Presley exhibit and show titled, "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition  The Show  The Experience." However, Exhibit A Circle defaulted under the agreement and Westgate was forced to close the show and exhibit within a year. The Greenspoon Marder team was able to recover damages on behalf of Westgate in the amount of $2.2 million to recoup construction costs for the exhibition build-out from Exhibit A Circle, plus interest and attorneys' fees, amounting to a total award of $2.8 million.

"We are proud to be represented by Greenspoon Marder, one of the preeminent law firms in the country," said Mark Waltrip, Chief Operating Officer, Westgate Resorts. "They exhibited the utmost of preparation and professionalism throughout this case."

The Greenspoon team representing Westgate and Elvis Presley Enterprises consisted of Shareholders Michael E. Marder and Kathryn G. Saft and Senior Counsel Phillip Silvestri.

About Greenspoon Marder

Greenspoon Marder is committed to providing excellent client service through our cross-disciplinary, client-team approach. Our goal is to understand the challenges that our clients face, build collaborative relationships, and craft creative solutions designed and executed with long-term strategic goals in mind. Since our inception in 1981, Greenspoon Marder has become a full-service, Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 ranked law firm with more than 200 attorneys. We serve Fortune 500, middle-market public and private companies, start-ups, emerging businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs across Florida and the United States. For more information, visit www.gmlaw.com.

SOURCE Greenspoon Marder

Related Links

http://www.gmlaw.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthSouth Corporation, the nation's leading owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and a leader in home-based care, has completed its planned name change to Encompass Health Corporation. Effective with the opening of trading today, the Company's New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) ticker symbol will change from "HLS" to "EHC."

"As Encompass Health, we will honor the legacy of our foundational businesses, HealthSouth Corporation and Encompass Home Health & Hospice, while continuing to advance our position as the leading provider of integrated post-acute care solutions in a rapidly changing healthcare environment," said Encompass Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Tarr. "Our new corporate name further reinforces our strength as one Company, and reflects our expanding national footprint and our strategy to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care across the post-acute continuum."

The full rollout of the Encompass Health brand will include changing the name and logo across its field operations, as well as corporate resources such as its website. Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home care agencies will begin transitioning to the Encompass Health name, beginning with locations in Texas, Alabama, and Arkansas, on April 1, with local migrations continuing throughout 2018. The rollout is expected to be fully completed by the first quarter of 2019.

"The decision to rebrand as Encompass Health Corporation is the result of a yearlong, research-intensive process that helped us understand how our brand could better reflect and support our business strategy, while raising awareness of our Company's strategy and value proposition with all key constituencies," said Tarr.

The Company will host a presentation at the 36th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Jan. 9, 2018. On Feb. 6, the encompasshealth.com website will go live and Tarr will ring The Closing Bell at the NYSE.

About Encompass Health

As a national leader of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home-based care, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies, and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that spans 127 hospitals and 235 home health & hospice agencies in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the Company is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective care across the post-acute continuum. Driven by a set of shared values, Encompass Health is the result of the union between HealthSouth Corporation and Encompass Home Health & Hospice, and is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, as well as Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as the timing and effect of the rebranding initiative, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and relate to, among other things, future events, Encompass Health's business strategy, its future financial performance, and its projected business results or model. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those estimated by Encompass Health include, but are not limited to, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against Encompass Health; the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry broadly or the inpatient rehabilitation, home health and hospice areas specifically at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry broadly or the inpatient rehabilitation, home health and hospice areas specifically and Encompass Health's response thereto; the ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing where the company does business; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems, including the unauthorized access to or theft of patient or other sensitive information; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10 K for the year ended Dec.31, 2016 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended Sept. 30, 2017, June 30, 2017, and March 31, 2017.

Media Contact:

Casey Lassiter | 205.447.6410

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Crissy Carlisle | 205.970.5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corporation

Related Links

http://encompasshealth.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Care Logistics, the market leader in helping hospitals Progress Care, Drive Efficiency and Achieve Performance Excellence, announced today that Blessing Health System has successfully implemented their Hospital Operating System to transform care delivery and lower the cost of care.

"At Blessing Health System, healing is a passion, and we focus on high quality care and delivering the best care experience for our patients. We are also committed to remaining financially and operationally strong to ensure we can continue to fulfill our mission and support our community for many years to come.

We partnered with Care Logistics to improve patient flow and care delivery at Blessing Hospital while driving down the cost of care. Our partnership has exceeded expectations, and we are excited with the impressive results we have achieved." Elliot Kuida, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

The Care Logistics Hospital Operating System, with a unique combination of process engineering and human logistics software, breaks down operational silos and dramatically improves communications, coordination, and handoffs between caregivers across all departments. Key metrics positively impacted at Blessing Health System include:

Length of stay

Case-mix index

Percent of Patients in Observation Status

ED left without treatment

Premium labor costs

Nursing Productive Hours

Diagnostic Procedures

Capacity for Admissions increase

Blessing Health System is committed to putting their patient at the center of all they do and have established a system aim of "Patients first because ICARE."

"Hospital leaders and care providers face a challenging environment today. We are pleased to collaborate with Blessing to help them on their journey to transform their operations to meet those challenges, said Karl Straub, President, and CEO of Care Logistics. By focusing on improving patient flow and care delivery, Blessing is ensuring a high-performance environment that delivers positive outcomes for their patients."

Straub added, "Because Blessing adopted the full Hospital Operating System they have been able to achieve broad gains quickly. In the current environment, time to value is critical."

About Care Logistics:

At Care Logistics, we help hospitals improve operational efficiency and patient experience by more efficiently managing care coordination and patient throughput. Our team has expertise in process engineering, change management, and care coordination. We put that expertise to work to drive sustainable improvements in efficiency and reliability, with a positive impact on financial performance.

About Blessing Health System:

Blessing Health System consists of two award-winning hospitals, a nationally-recognized physician group, an accredited college of nursing and health sciences, a network of medical specialty businesses and a charitable foundation. Serving a primary market area of west central Illinois, northeast Missouri and southeast Iowa, Blessing Corporate Services, Inc., is the parent company of the System providing support and direction to Blessing Hospital; Illini Community Hospital; Blessing Physician Services; Denman Services, Inc.; The Blessing Foundation and Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences. The Mission of Blessing Health System is to improve the health of our communities.

Julie Clements | Care Logistics | [email protected] | 770-643-5753

Lisa Neisen | Blessing Health System | [email protected] | 217-223-8400, ext. 4190

SOURCE Care Logistics

Related Links

http://www.carelogistics.com

LONDON, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5258001







Electric power steering (EPS) is more of less a standard fitment across most of the vehicle models. However, autonomous driving poses several interesting challenges to the steering technology community. First, once vehicles start to operate by themselves, steering systems will expect to cater to loss-of-assist mitigation in order to provide a safety net as and when the EPS powerpack fails to provide assist for steering the vehicle. This will therefore force steering suppliers to migrate from fail safe systems to fail operational systems for steering.



Second, autonomous driving does not require humans to drive the vehicle, in which case the use of steering wheel is made redundant. This then allows OEMs and steering suppliers to concentrate on technologies that will help either eliminate the steering wheel or allow the steering to retract to the dashboard if not required. Keeping these in mind OEMs have showcased future cockpit concepts, but to realize such concepts steer-by-wire must be the system of choice for OEMs.



However, the major stumbling block for the steering suppliers is the regulatory compliance. As per regulation automatically controlled steering function (ACSF) becomes operational, this shall be indicated to the driver and the control action shall be automatically disabled if the vehicle speed exceeds the set limit of 10 km/hr by more than 20 percent or the signals to be evaluated are no longer being received.



Any termination of control shall produce a short but distinctive driver warning by a visual signal and either an acoustic signal or by imposing a tactile warning signal on the steering control. Regulations like these and the Vienna convention (UN ECE R79) which does not allow for hands off driving are being modified in order to incorporate autonomous functionality of vehicles.



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Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers



For more information:

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Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

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SOURCE ReportBuyer

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The International Builders' Show is the largest annual light construction show in the world, attracting 60,000 visitors from 100 countries.

Smart Neighborhood is a state-of-the-art community of 62 homes equipped with emerging energy-efficient technologies, materials and appliances, all connected to the Southeast's first community-scale microgrid. Performance data and energy usage gathered from the homes' innovative features will provide insight into how neighborhoods of the future will function, and which programs and services can provide energy solutions for customers.

"We expect our research to yield meaningful contributions to the future of home building and home energy usage," said John Hudson, senior vice president of Marketing and Business Development for Alabama Power. "Our team is looking forward to sharing details about the components of Smart Neighborhood with building industry leaders, and pleased about the attention this collaborative project is already getting from across the nation."

Alabama Power Market Specialist Shon Richey, Southern Company Research Engineer Jim Leverette and Signature Homes President Jonathan Belcher will provide a project overview on Jan. 11 during the conference's "Disruptors & Innovators: The Future of Home Building" panel.

The discussion will focus on how the community will demonstrate the impact of changing codes and technology to builders, consumers and the grid, and how lessons learned will shape the way homes are built and customer expectations are met in the future, according to the NAHB.

The panel discussion also will explore the future of housing and the products, processes and people on the cusp of transforming and disrupting the home construction industry.

Among those presenting at the conference are industry leaders and futurists that will address market shifts expected to take place in home design, labor, construction techniques, financing and more.

Smart Neighborhood is a collaborative partnership with Signature Homes, Southern Company, the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and others.

Construction of the neighborhood is expected to be complete in spring 2018. The first homeowners moved into the neighborhood in November 2017, and all homes in the neighborhood have sold.

The neighborhood's microgrid became operational at the end of 2017. It is the first of its kind in the Southeast.

The microgrid has the capacity to generate more than 600,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which is enough to power the neighborhood and provide support to the existing electric grid. The microgrid includes a 330 kWh AC solar array, around 600 kWh of battery storage and 400 kW of natural gas backup generation.

The Smart Neighborhood's mix of solar panels with battery and natural gas backup and their ability to interact with each home's HVAC systems and water heater make it a state-of-the-art project.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is focused on providing innovative energy solutions to improve customers' lives. Learn more at www.alabamapower.com. Learn more about Smart Neighborhood at www.smartneighbor.com.

NOTE TO REPORTERS: If you are interested in connecting with the Smart Neighborhood team at the conference, or want more information on the Smart Neighborhood project, please contact Katie Bolton at 256-490-2454 or [email protected].

SOURCE Alabama Power Company

Related Links

http://www.alabamapower.com

"Created in memory of the Canadian scholar, diplomat and author Lionel Gelber, we are gratified that the Prize attracts such distinguished jurors, year after year," said Ms Rubin, niece of the late Lionel Gelber.

Key Dates:

The Jury will announce its shortlist of five books on Tuesday, January 30. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

In partnership with Focus Asset Management, podcast interviews with each of the shortlisted authors in conversation with Professor Robert Steiner will be posted in February. The winner will be invited to speak at a free public event at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto in April.

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.

For more information: https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/gelber/ Facebook and Twitter @gelberprize.



SOURCE Munk School of Global AffairsAUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kendra Scott rings in 2018 with plans to further expand its Kendra Cares Program, which brings the company's customizable Color Bar jewelry experience to pediatric hospitals across the country. The program offers patients and their family members an opportunity to make a customized jewelry piece at no cost. To date, the Kendra Cares Program has donated over 6,500 pieces of jewelry and partnered with more than 10 pediatric hospitals in 2017 alone.

"With the Kendra Cares Program, we are able to bring a smile to the faces of these children and their caregivers, and offer a brief distraction from the struggles they face every day," said Kendra Scott, the brand's designer, CEO and founder. "I hope that one day we are able to bring this program to every hospital in the nation."

The Kendra Cares Program began with a single children's hospital in 2015  the MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital in Houston. It was there, during a tour of the pediatric floor, that Kendra was first inspired to bring her Color Bar experience to life in the hospital. Today, the program has grown into an international giveback program that has touched the lives of thousands of pediatric patients and their families.

The program has become such a well-loved success that the brand is looking to expand into a total of 30 hospitals in 2018. Already on the list of partners are the MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital in Houston, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Through the Kendra Cares Program, Kendra Scott has the opportunity to work with numerous world-renowned hospitals who are leading the advancements on pediatric cancer treatment and research. This January, Kendra Scott has chosen to donate a total of $150,000 to three of its Kendra Cares hospital partners: MD Anderson, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. These funds will go to support child life programs and research at each hospital.

"As a mother to three boys of my own, it means the world to me to see the powerful impact these hospitals are making in child cancer research," said Scott. "I am honored to further our relationship with these three incredible partners, and work together to create a healthy, cancer-free future for these children."

"MD Anderson is proud to partner with Kendra Scott, and we're grateful for its support of our patients over the past several years," says Kevin Long, director, Pediatric Operations, The University of Texas MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital. "Kendra Scott's commitment to young cancer patients is clear. At MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital, we've seen patients and their loved ones beam with happiness while making their very own Kendra Scott creation. It's a special program."

Interested hospitals can reach out to [email protected] for more information.

About Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott is a leading fashion accessories brand inspired by the personal experiences, travel, and sense of community of its CEO and designer, Kendra Scott. Sold at premiere retailers including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's and over 600 specialty boutiques worldwide, the brand boasts a thriving web business and numerous namesake stores across the country. Kendra Scott is known for its kaleidoscope of beautiful accessories as well as the innovative and customizable Color Bar experience. As the brand continues to grow, the company remains true to its founding philosophy of "Family, Fashion, Philanthropy."

SOURCE Kendra Scott

Related Links

http://www.kendrascott.com

MIAMI, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) announced today that Laura B. Miller has been named senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Miller joins Royal Caribbean with more than 25 years of experience implementing human resources strategies for leading companies including ADT Corporation, Coca-Cola and Raytheon Company. Miller will report directly to Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

"At Royal Caribbean, we know it takes all 67,000 of our employees working together to surprise and delight almost 6 million guests each year," said Fain. "Laura understands the importance of teamwork, and her background and skills are ideally suited for the role of leading and managing our HR organization as we strive to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain the best employees, both shipboard and shoreside, responsible for providing our guests with extraordinary vacations."

Miller most recently served as SVP and chief human resources officer for ADT Corporation, where she was responsible for leading all human resource functions for the $3.6B company with approximately 17,000 employees in over 200 locations. Prior to that, Miller was the chief human resources officer for Coca-Cola Refreshments, a $20B subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company, where she lead a team of over 650 HR professionals that were responsible for supporting 70,000 employees in over 600 locations.

Miller graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Industry and Labor Relations.

As of December 31, 2017, Royal Caribbean's global brands employed over 67,000 employees, including 61,000 shipboard employees as well as 6,000 full-time and 100 part-time employees in our shoreside operations.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns and operates three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. We are a 50 percent joint venture owner of the German brand TUI Cruises, a 49 percent shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur and a minority shareholder in the Chinese brand SkySea Cruises. Together, these brands operate a combined total of 49 ships with an additional twelve on order. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 535 destinations on all seven continents. Additional information can be found www.rclcorporate.com.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.royalcaribbean.com

BEIJING, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On Christmas Day 2017, 20 participants from 8 countries were invited to Wenyuan Lion Castleu, which is honored as 'Asian Atlantis'. Qiandao Lake Scenic Tourism Bureau invited them to learn one of the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritages, which is called 'Bamboo Horse Dancing' to promote this traditional custom around the world.

'Bamboo Horse Dancing' has been originated from the later period of Yuan Dynasty and the former of Qing Dynasty, which is not only one of the most representative folk dances in Zhejiang Province, but also one of the most important custom for people to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. At the very beginning, the participants watched the whole performance, then put on their dancing costumes to learn some basic movements. Finally, they together performed 'Bamboo Horse Dancing' with beating of gongs and drums. At the end, the teenagers took pictures with their Chinese masters and shared their feelings of learning this traditional Chinese culture very excitedly. RaqibuI Hassan, one of the participants said, this was his first time to experience such a interesting dance in China. When he put on the dancing costumes, he thought he was just like a running horse. RaqibuI Hassan also said that he would teach his family about this dance, because it benefits for both health and mood.

In 1959, China started to build the first self-designed Xin'an River Hydropower Station with self-made equipment. An artificial lake of 537 square kilometers was formed among high gorges as a result of the impounding dam. Many thousand-years ancient towns were buried under the lake and more than a thousand peaks turned to 1078 islets. This is the origin of Qiandao Lake, which means lake with a thousand islets.

SOURCE Qiandao Lake Scenic Tourism BureauSAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketo, Inc., the leading provider of engagement marketing software and solutions, today announced that its support organization has achieved a "Rated Outstanding North America Assisted Support" certification for the third consecutive year. The certification from the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA), the leading association for technology and services organizations, recognizes that Marketo meets the highest industry standards for customer support operations.

To achieve this distinguished certification, Marketo participated in a rigorous audit process that evaluated over 140 best practices for delivering industry-leading technical support. The comprehensive audit process was developed by over 50 leading technology companies. Auditors conducted a thorough inspection of Marketo's support organization and processes, customer satisfaction scores, reviewing important procedures, and inspecting support outcomes. After the evaluation was complete, the TSIA determined that Marketo's assisted support processes exceeded industry benchmarks. The designation is further evidence that Marketo customers can rely on the company to deliver superior customer service including how it effectively handles phone, email, and online support submissions.

"Marketo is honored to become one of the few companies who has received this remarkable honor for three consecutive years," said Patricia Lughezzani, group vice president, customer support and advocacy, Marketo. "Marketo is dedicated to providing marketers with the best-in-class customer support to help them effectively engage with their customers and increase revenue for their organizations."

"These outstanding companies have demonstrated award-winning levels of dedication to innovation within key areas of technology and services," said Thomas Lah, executive director, research, TSIA. "Their commitment to success should serve as an inspiration to other technology services business across the industry, and we are proud to acknowledge their achievements."

About Marketo

Marketo, Inc., offers the leading Engagement Platform that empowers marketers to create lasting relationships and grow revenue. Consistently recognized as the industry's innovation pioneer, Marketo is the trusted platform for thousands of CMOs thanks to its scalability, reliability, and openness. Marketo is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with offices around the world, and serves as a strategic partner to large enterprise and fast-growing organizations across a wide variety of industries. To learn more about the Marketo Engagement Platform, LaunchPoint partner ecosystem, and the vast community that is the Marketing Nation, visit www.marketo.com.

About TSIA

The Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA) is the world's leading organization dedicated to advancing the business of technology services. Technology services organizations large and small look to TSIA for world-class business frameworks, best practices based on real-world results, detailed performance benchmarking, exceptional peer networking opportunities, and high-profile certification and awards programs. TSIA corporate members represent the world's top technology companies as well as scores of innovative small and mid-size businesses in four major markets: enterprise IT and telecom, consumer technology, healthcare and healthcare IT, and industrial equipment and technology. TSIA's editorial blog, Inside Technology Services, is widely recognized by technology service professionals for providing thought leadership and insights into industry trends and best practices. Visit us at www.tsia.com, follow us on Twitter @TSIACommunity, or connect with us on LinkedIn and Google+.

Media Contacts

Marketo

Margo Mendez-Penate

[email protected]

TSIA

Gwyn Wischmeyer

[email protected]

SOURCE Marketo, Inc.Reporting to the CEO of Maxar, Mr. Greenley assumes responsibility for taking MDA to the next level of growth and profitability. His responsibilities will include all of the MDA lines of business and its 1,900 employees. Primary locations include Surveillance and Intelligence in Richmond, British Columbia, Ottawa, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Robotics and Automation in Brampton, Ontario; and Satellite Subsystems, in Montreal, Quebec. The appointment is effective from January 15, 2018. Mr. Greenley will be based in the Brampton, Ontario office.

"I am extremely pleased to announce this appointment, given Mike's outstanding track record and over 20 years of experience leading profitable growth for aerospace and defense companies in Canada and internationally", said Howard L. Lance, president and chief executive officer of MDA. "MDA is one of Canada's most innovative technology companies with an earned reputation as a trusted partner, due to its decades of industry leadership. As a Canadian, Mike's leadership will continue to reinforce MDA's ongoing commitment as a partner to the Government of Canada, our commercial customers, and our employees in Canada."

Most recently, Mr. Greenley was Sector President of L-3 WESCAM, based in Burlington, Ontario since 2016. L-3 WESCAM is a leader in Canada and worldwide in electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging and targeting sensor systems across defence, homeland security and law enforcement markets. Previously from 2013 to 2016, Mr. Greenley served as vice president and general manager of CAE Canada, supporting defence and security markets. Prior to CAE, he served from 2008 to 2013 with General Dynamics (GD), first as vice president of strategy and business development for GD Canada, then as vice president international for GD Mission Systems. From 2004 to 2008, he served as vice president of the modeling and simulation business at CAE.

"I'm honored to be selected to lead MDA, a pioneer of the Canadian space technology industry whose prestige and impact to global customer missions reaches far beyond its borders", said Mike Greenley. "I'm confident that our deep domain experience, combined with capabilities from Maxar's portfolio, will enable us to unleash a new level of innovation and technology investment in Canada and an expansion of our exports from Canada to world markets."

Mr. Greenley holds a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from the University of Waterloo. He is a former Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). He is a past chair of the Industry Advisory Board, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Canada. In 2016, Mr. Greenley was named Defence Executive of the Year by Canadian Defence Review. He is also a 2012 recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to peers and country.

About Maxar

Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets including satellites, Earth imagery, geospatial data and analytics. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides unmatched end-to-end advanced systems capabilities and integrated solutions expertise to help our customers anticipate and address their most complex mission critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 20 locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes: SSL, MDA, DigitalGlobe, and Radiant Solutions. Every day millions of people rely on Maxar Technologies to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that empower a better world. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information visit www.maxar.com.

About MDA

MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, satellite antennas and subsystems, surveillance and intelligence systems, defense and maritime systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA's extensive space expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and commercial applications that include multi-platform command, control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems, land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and insights derived from multiple data sources, both owned and operated within the Maxar group and by customer and third party sources. Founded in 1969, MDA is recognized as one of Canada's most successful technology ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal and Halifax. MDA is a Maxar Technologies company (TSX: MAXRNYSE: MAXR). For more information visit www.mdacorporation.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Maxar Technologies Ltd. (the "Company") with respect to future events and financial performance. Any such forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. The Company cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to differ from current expectations include, but are not necessarily limited to: changes in government or intergovernmental priorities, mandates, funding levels, contracts and regulations; satellite failure; failure of third parties and subcontractors; and failure to anticipate changes in technology, technical standards and offerings or compliance with the requisite standards, or failure to maintain technological advances and offer new products to retain customers and market position.

For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com.

Contact

Marissa Poratto | Maxar Investor Relations | 1-604-331-2044 | [email protected]

Nancy Coleman | Maxar Corporate Communications | 1-303-684-1674| [email protected]

SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd.

Related Links

www.maxar.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- McGuireWoods Consulting announced today it has opened a Tallahassee office with the arrival of veteran lobbyists Sean Stafford, Rhett O'Doski and Ryder Rudd. Stafford, O'Doski and Rudd have more than six decades of combined government relations experience in Florida and were formerly with the Advantage Consulting Team, which was founded by Stafford and O'Doski in 2008.

"We are excited to welcome Sean, Rhett and Ryder to the McGuireWoods team and establish a strong government affairs practice in Tallahassee," said Jim Hodges, incoming president and CEO of McGuireWoods Consulting who officially takes his position on Jan. 12. "They are seasoned professionals who possess the relationships and policy expertise to be tremendous assets for both current and future clients, as well as a great resource for the law firm and its attorneys."

Stafford and O'Doski will be co-directors of the firm's Tallahassee office with all three serving as senior vice presidents in the firm's State Government Relations practice. All are adept at working with companies and organizations, both large and small, to develop tailor-made strategies aimed at achieving clients' business goals and legislative objectives.

"McGuireWoods Consulting possesses a broad reach in multiple states and stable of accomplished government affairs professionals across the country, and we are honored to have been chosen to lead the Florida lobbying team," said Stafford, co-director of McGuireWoods Consulting's Florida Government Relations practice. "It's gratifying to have your body of work recognized and valued by a prestigious international firm. Our knowledge and experience in Florida coupled with the firm's policy and subject matter expertise throughout the U.S., and in Washington, D.C., will ensure we possess the resources and capabilities to best serve current and future clients alike."

Stafford is a lifelong Tallahassee resident who has provided political, legislative and strategic advice to some of the nation's most recognized corporations over the past 25 years. He has worked across party lines and navigated complex issues in state government across numerous industries. Stafford, who is also an active member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists, has been appointed by Republican and Democratic elected officials to various task forces, including the Governor's Trade Mission to the UK Task Force and the Florida Chief Financial Officer's "Safeguarding our Seniors" Task Force.

O'Doski has a diverse government relations background with more than 20 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors. He served as senior consultant to former Florida Insurance Commissioner and current U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, as a legislative specialist to former state Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and chief of staff to former state Sen. Charles Williams. He also lobbied Florida's Legislature for the Department of Insurance under two gubernatorial administrations where he was responsible for the development, coordination and passage of the department's legislative agenda and budget priorities. In addition to his expertise in insurance-related issues, O'Doski is also well versed in the healthcare, energy, technology and financial service industries.

Rudd has more than 14 years of state government and regulatory experience in both the public and private sectors. He served in the Executive Office of the Governor, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Service Commission. He has deep experience in issues related to energy policy, utilities, telecommunications, environmental protection, natural resources, land use, real estate, insurance, purchasing and procurement, state agency vendor contracts and the state retirement system.

"The firm has a number of clients based in the state or that have legislative or policy-related needs in Florida and we are excited to be able to offer our comprehensive suite of services to them," said Mark Bowles, incoming chairman of McGuireWoods Consulting. "Establishing an office in Tallahassee helps fill out our southeastern footprint and the additions of Sean, Rhett and Ryder ensure we have assembled the best team possible to move forward with our strategic vision."

The Tallahassee office is located at 115 East Park Avenue. McGuireWoods Consulting's parent firm, McGuireWoods LLP, will continue its operations from the Jacksonville office.

"Having a presence in Tallahassee will be a significant resource for the law firm and its clients," said Eric Bilik, managing partner of McGuireWoods LLP's Jacksonville office. "Our legal services often require a government relations component and possessing the ability to have those services in-house will be a valuable differentiator when marketing our capabilities to clients."

Founded in 1998, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC is a full-service public affairs firm offering government relations, strategic communications and grassroots, and infrastructure and economic development services. McGuireWoods Consulting, which has been recognized as a top 15 lobbying firm for nearly a decade in The National Law Journal's Influence 50 annual lobbying rankings, is a subsidiary of McGuireWoodsLLP, a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 20 cities. MWC has offices in Washington, D.C.; Richmond, Virginia; McLean, Virginia; Atlanta; Chicago; Raleigh, North Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina; Tallahassee, Florida; Springfield, Illinois; Austin, Texas; Brussels, Belgium; and Bucharest, Romania. For more information, visit McGuireWoods Consulting's website at www.mcguirewoodsconsulting.com.

SOURCE McGuireWoods Consulting

Related Links

http://www.mcguirewoodsconsulting.com

NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Melt Shop, the pioneers of the melted sandwich movement, announced today that it will expand its footprint by opening 18 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware as a part of its first development deal. This new partnership supports Melt Shop's aggressive plans to grow to 100 locations worldwide over the next five years. The first location is slated to open in Delaware in 2018.

New franchise partner Drew Smith, a Pennsylvania native, will own and operate Melt Shop's newest restaurants. He is a seasoned multi-unit franchisee, owning and operating 23 Five Guys locations throughout the greater Philadelphia area. Prior to his career in franchising, Smith earned an MBA from Duke University and worked in private equity investing.

"Backed by fellow Five Guys franchisees, Melt Shop was the clear choice for me when I decided to diversify my portfolio," said Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Rockham Melt, LLC. "Its smooth and efficient operations coupled with its focus on food quality and customer satisfaction make it a winning combination. I'm eager to begin this journey with Melt Shop and stand behind an emerging concept I love."

Founded by Spencer Rubin in 2011, Melt Shop has eight corporate locations throughout New York, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis, and signed a multi-unit deal to open seven restaurants in the Middle East, four of which will open by the second quarter of 2018. Last month, Melt Shop signed its first domestic franchise agreement to open a location in Staten Island Mall in Staten Island, New York.

"It has been a stellar year for Melt Shop with the launch of our franchise program and we're looking to continue this momentum in 2018," Rubin said. "Finding an experienced, knowledgeable partner like Drew to sign our first development deal is key to catapulting our growth. We're excited to have him join our family and see how far he will take the Melt Shop brand."

Melt Shop's focus is simple: melted sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients. The product and processes have been meticulously refined for more than six years. But Melt Shop does more than create melted sandwich masterpieces  it creates a culinary experience unmatched in the fast-casual space. The food unlocks the feelings, memories and moments that bring people joy. It's a reminder of the good, simple, carefree things in life.

Melt Shop is seeking qualified franchisees to join the brand and currently has opportunities domestically in markets such as the Northeast, Midwest, and Florida, and in most international markets, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, India, Mexico, South America, Canada, Western Europe, and Australia. Melt Shop is poised for excellent ROI with an estimated initial investment range of $368,240  $698,800 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $35,000 and a sales range of $1,016,984 - $1,640,406 (sale range based on Melt Shops' six corporate restaurants open over 12 months as of the end of 2016, as referenced in Item 19 of the 2017 FDD). Melt Shop is seeking well-capitalized partners who are entrepreneurial and have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Melt Shop, contact Josh Morgan, Operating Partner of Aurify Brands, at [email protected] or visit www.meltshopfranchise.com. Follow Melt Shop on Instagram for the latest news.

Melt Shop is a part of Aurify Brands, a company equal parts hospitality group and restaurant incubator. Aurify Brands was founded by Andy Stern and John Rigos, who are Five Guys Burgers and Fries multi-unit franchisees, and former franchisees of Subway, Dunkin' Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins. Aurify Brands believes that one quality, more than any other, determines the success of a concept: the strength of the brand and its connection to guests. Melt Shop was built upon that premise. Aurify Brands also owns and operates The Little Beet, The Little Beet Table, Fields Good Chicken, and MAKE Sandwich.

About Melt Shop

Founded in 2011 in New York City, Melt Shop is a melted sandwich restaurant that uses only the best ingredients. As the pioneers of the melted sandwich movement, the company offers a variety of melted sandwiches, tots, salads, and shakes. Today, Melt Shop has grown to eight locations in three states  six in and around New York City, one in Pennsylvania, and one in Minnesota. Melt Shop recently expanded into the Middle East and is expected to open seven locations in the region, with four opening in Kuwait by March 2018. Melt Shop does more than create melted sandwich masterpieces, it creates a culinary experience unmatched in the fast-casual space. For more information about Melt Shop, visit www.meltshop.com.

About Aurify Brands

Aurify Brands originally began as Five Points Partners ("FPP"), founded in 2003, with a singular focus: to build or acquire multi-unit national franchise networks. FPP started with one Subway restaurant in Walton, NY and grew to 18 Dunkin' Donuts, 10 Baskin-Robbins, and in 2006, acquired the right to develop up to 30 Five Guys Burgers locations. Aurify Brands was formed in 2010 to identify unmet market needs that can be filled with original concepts developed, acquire existing companies with high, yet unrealized, brand potential, and to continue developing multi-unit franchise concepts with stand-out brand characteristics.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Davidson

Fish Consulting

[email protected]

305-298-8022

SOURCE Melt Shop

Related Links

http://www.meltshop.com

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MetricStream, a leading provider of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Apps and Solutions, announced today that Mikael Hagstroem will succeed Shellye Archambeau as President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 2018. Ms. Archambeau will join and continue to actively serve the company on MetricStream's board of directors.

Previously, Mr. Hagstroem served as Partner and COO of McKinsey Analytics, where he helped clients harness high-performance analytics to reshape their business models, modernize their organizations, and unlock competitive advantage and growth. Prior to McKinsey, Mikael was EVP at SAS Institute, where he led more than 5,000 employees across 48 countries, and over 25 years grew a multibillion-dollar software business, contributing to SAS' leadership in business analytics and risk intelligence. He currently serves on the executive committee of the United States Council for International Business, and has served as chair of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Data-Driven Development and chair of the Executive Council of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union.

The GRC market is at a critical inflection point, where market demands for business insights from risk and compliance data are adding to the ongoing focus of protecting and preserving corporate integrity and reputations. This next chapter in the market will be marked by demands for significant investment and growth in the areas of intelligence and analytics, and the ability to provide sharper and proactive risk insights to drive business outcomes. With the exponential growth in technology innovations and digital business models, MetricStream's customers are looking to leverage their digital data to predict outcomes and automate possible actions, as well as harness and monetize risk intelligence to drive business performance.

Ms. Archambeau stated, "As I pass the baton on to Mikael, I am confident that with his experience and leadership, MetricStream will continue to accelerate its global growth and enter new markets, drive deeper customer engagement and success, and do what MetricStream does best  innovate. I enthusiastically welcome Mikael as MetricStream's new CEO."

Mr. Hagstroem commented, "I'm thrilled to take the helm at MetricStream, where I will have the opportunity to lead the company into this next exciting phase of customer-centric innovation and growth. Together with industry shaping organizations including global 2000 customers, incredible partners, and the world-class team at MetricStream, we are well placed to make GRC fit for the digital age."

MetricStream remains on its growth path as the leading independent GRC company in the world, and continues to inspire confidence from the market and investment community. With its latest financing round led by Clearlake Capital, with participation from EDBI and contributions from existing investors including Goldman Sachs, Sageview Capital and others, along with the successful launch of M7, MetricStream is truly bringing GRC into the future.

MetricStream Executive Chairman, Gunjan Sinha commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mikael as the new President and CEO of MetricStream. Mikael's background and experience leading global teams and building a successful global software solutions and analytics business will enable MetricStream to continue to lead with GRC. Shellye's legacy of strong leadership will continue as she joins MetricStream's board of directors where she will contribute valuable guidance and insight."

About MetricStream

MetricStream, the independent market leader in enterprise and cloud applications for Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and Quality Management, makes GRC simple. MetricStream apps and solutions improve business performance by strengthening risk management, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, vendor governance, and quality assurance for hundreds of thousands of users in dozens of industries, including Financial Services, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Energy and Utilities, Food, Retail, CPG, Government, Hi-Tech and Manufacturing. MetricStream is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with an operations and R&D center in Bangalore, India, and sales and operations support in 12 other cities globally. (www.metricstream.com)

Media Contact:

Molly Palm

US: +1 (925) 451-1468

[email protected]

SOURCE MetricStream

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PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical Booking, a recognized leader in global reservation technology, is pleased to announce that Washington, D.C. based Modus Hotels has selected Vertical Booking to provide reservation solutions for their collection of boutique hotels.

"We are in the business of creating personally delivered experiences that are focused on each guest," said Aaron Katz, President and CEO of Modus Hotels. "The best technology is a must have for us to meet the constant shifts in the industry, and our guests changing needs. Vertical Booking's proven solutions will empower Modus Hotels to become even more successful.

All independent Modus Hotels will be transitioning to the Vertical Booking Enterprise-level solution, which includes a Channel Manager, GDS connectivity, a responsive Booking Engine, a call center application, and a meta search management toolkit.

"We are thrilled Modus Hotels partnered with Vertical Booking for their rapidly growing portfolio," said Mark Lewis-Brown, CEO/President of Vertical Booking USA. "Our focus is on enabling hoteliers to stay one step ahead in this increasingly competitive market. Our ability to tailor our solutions to meet the needs of our customers will allow Modus Hotels to make more informed business decisions and craft a unique experience for their guests."

About Modus Hotels

Modus Hotels is a Washington, D.C. Lifestyle Hotel Group that develops, owns and operates a portfolio of hotels and restaurants in various cities. Designed for the independent-minded traveler, each hotel in the collection offers a unique experience for those seeking an alternative to the predictability of an ordinary hotel. Located in diverse cities and neighborhoods, each Modus Hotel is designed to fit today's traveler's individual taste and lifestyle.

Modus' properties include Pod DC, Avenue Suites, The River Inn, One Washington Circle Hotel, (all in D.C.), The Windsor Suites Philadelphia, Brookshire Suites Baltimore and Virginian Suites in Arlington, VA. For more information, visit http://www.modushotels.com or call 202-331-3800.

About Vertical Booking

Representing over 5,400 hotels, Vertical Booking is a global reservation technology company that meets the needs of chains and independent hotels by optimizing distribution for revenue management. Founded in 1999, Vertical Booking is present in 108 countries, translated into 29 different languages and usable in all currencies, with offices in Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil and the United States. Known for its agility and scalability, Vertical Booking's innovative technology solutions include a central reservation system for GDS/IDS distribution, a robust booking engine including a spa and gift certificate platform, a channel management system, a destination management system and reservation call center services.

www.verticalbooking.com / www.verticalbookingusa.com

Watch the Vertical Booking Welcome Video: https://youtu.be/8Ii61D6g41g

Media contacts

Mark Lewis-Brown

Vertical Booking USA

[email protected]

+1 505 263 6128

SOURCE Vertical Booking

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FREEHOLD, N.J., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (NYSE:MNR), will host its First Quarter 2018 Financial Results Webcast and Conference Call on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Senior management will discuss the results, current market conditions and future outlook at that time.

Monmouth Real Estate's First Quarter 2018 financial results will be released on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and will be available on the Company's website at www.mreic.reit in the Investor Relations section, under Filings and Reports.

To participate in the webcast select the 1Q2018 Webcast and Earnings Call "Link to Webcast" on the homepage of the Company's website at www.mreic.reit, found in the Highlights section, which is located towards the bottom of the homepage. Interested parties can also participate via conference call by calling toll free 1-877-510-5852 (domestically) or 1-412-902-4138 (internationally).

The replay of the conference call will be available at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 8, 2018. It will be available until May 1, 2018, and can be accessed by dialing toll free 1-877-344-7529 (domestically) and 1-412-317-0088 (internationally) and entering the passcode 10114906. A transcript of the call and the webcast replay will be available at the Company's website on the Investor Relations homepage, at www.mreic.reit .

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, founded in 1968, is one of the oldest public equity REITs in the U.S. The Company specializes in single-tenant, net-leased industrial properties, subject to long-term leases, primarily to investment-grade tenants. Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation is a fully integrated and self-managed real estate company, whose property portfolio consists of 108 properties located in thirty states, containing a total of approximately 19.1 million rentable square feet. In addition, the Company owns a portfolio of REIT securities.

SOURCE Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation

Related Links

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Influenced by the bold flavors of Panda Express' Chinese heritage, the restaurant's skilled chefs wok-toss together thin strips of juicy all-white meat chicken breast, diced Chinese sausage, red and green bell peppers, celery, fermented black beans, and whole dry chili peppers with a rich, spicy, and savory sauce.

As the purveyor of authentically Chinese inspired food, Panda Express' colorful new menu item pays homage to dishes from both the Sichuan and Shanghai regions of China, incorporating traditional ingredients for distinct flavor, tailored to appeal to the tastes of American guests.

"8 Treasure Chicken Breast brings together a celebration of our roots with nostalgic Chinese ingredients, such as sausage and fermented black beans, and presents them to our guests in a way that uniquely symbolizes both our American and Chinese cultures," said Jimmy Wang, director of culinary innovation, Panda Express. "Our hope is that the new dish encourages delicious moments of togetherness and optimism among family and friends this Chinese New Year."

Symbolic of prosperity for the New Year, 8 Treasure Chicken Breast was crafted specifically with the holiday in mind. Packed with seasonal vegetables, chicken breast strips and sausage, the entree has 20 grams of protein and is only 230 calories per serving. For those looking to start the year in a healthful way, the limited-time offering can be found on the restaurant's WokSmart menu now through March 27.

For more information on Panda Express, please visit www.PandaExpress.com. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About Panda Express

Panda Express, America's favorite Chinese kitchen, is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including its Original Orange Chicken, SweetFire Chicken Breast, award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp and Shanghai Angus Steak. Founded in 1983 and now with more than 2,000 locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, Guatemala, Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Japan, Panda Express is part of the family owned and operated Panda Restaurant Group, the world leader in Asian dining experiences that also includes Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com, or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

SOURCE Panda Express

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EAST HANOVER, N.J., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced Kisqali (ribociclib) received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy designation for initial endocrine-based treatment of pre- or perimenopausal women with hormone-receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.

This Breakthrough Therapy designation is based on positive results of the Phase III MONALEESA-7 trial demonstrating Kisqali in combination with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared to endocrine therapy alone (median PFS 23.8 (95% CI: 19.2 months-not reached) vs. 13.0 months (95% CI: 11.0-16.4 months); HR=0.553; 95% CI: 0.441-0.694; p<0.0001)1. A total of 672 women ranging from 25-58 years in age were enrolled and randomized in the trial1. All treatment combinations also included goserelin1. Treatment benefit with Kisqali combination therapy was consistent compared to the overall population regardless of treatment with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor endocrine partners, and across predefined patient subgroups1.

"This Breakthrough Therapy designation reflects the significance and promise of the MONALEESA-7 data presented at SABCS last month," said Samit Hirawat, MD, Head, Novartis Oncology Global Drug Development. "Younger women often have distinct treatment goals and needs, and it is important for oncologists to offer effective and well-studied treatment options for their specific disease. We look forward to working with FDA to make this combination therapy available to premenopausal women living with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer in the US as soon as possible."

MONALEESA-7 was the first Phase III trial entirely dedicated to evaluating a CDK4/6 inhibitor in premenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. The trial evaluated Kisqali in combination with oral endocrine therapies (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) and goserelin compared to oral endocrine therapy and goserelin in this patient population. In subgroup analyses of median PFS by endocrine partner, Kisqali in combination with tamoxifen and goserelin demonstrated 22.1 months median PFS compared to 11.0 months for tamoxifen and goserelin alone; Kisqali in combination with an aromatase inhibitor and goserelin demonstrated 27.5 months median PFS compared to 13.8 months for an aromatase inhibitor and goserelin alone1.

No new safety signals were observed in the MONALEESA-7 trial; adverse events were generally consistent with those observed in MONALEESA-2, identified early and mostly managed through dose interruptions or reductions1. Combination treatment with Kisqali was well tolerated with a discontinuation rate due to adverse events of 3.6% compared to 3.0% in patients who received endocrine therapy alone1. The most common (5%) grade 3/4 adverse events in patients receiving Kisqali combination therapy compared to endocrine therapy alone were neutropenia (60.6% vs. 3.6%) and leukopenia (14.3% vs. 1.2%)1.

Premenopausal breast cancer is a biologically distinct and more aggressive disease than postmenopausal breast cancer, and it is the leading cause of cancer death in women 20-59 years old2,3.

According to FDA, Breakthrough Therapy designation is intended to expedite the development and review of potential new medicines that treat serious or life-threatening conditions, if the therapy has demonstrated substantial improvement over an available therapy on at least one clinically significant endpoint. The designation includes all of the Fast Track program features, as well as more intensive FDA guidance on an efficient drug development program4.

This Breakthrough Therapy designation marks the second for Kisqali. The first Breakthrough Therapy designation for Kisqali was granted in August 2016 based on results of the Phase III MONALEESA-2 trial.

About MONALEESA-7

MONALEESA-7 is a Phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of Kisqali in combination with tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor plus goserelin versus tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor plus goserelin, in premenopausal or perimenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who had not previously received endocrine therapy for advanced disease. More than 670 women ranging from 25-58 years in age were randomized in the MONALEESA-7 trial.

About Kisqali (ribociclib)

Kisqali is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 with enhanced precision may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably.

Kisqali was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2017, as a first-line treatment for postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with an aromatase inhibitor based on findings from the pivotal MONALEESA-2 trial. Kisqali is not currently approved for use in premenopausal women.

Kisqali is approved for use in 45 countries around the world, including the United States and European Union member states. Kisqali was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals.

About Novartis in Advanced Breast Cancer

For more than 25 years, Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for breast cancer patients and improving clinical practice in collaboration with the global community. With one of the most diverse breast cancer pipelines and the largest number of breast cancer compounds in development, Novartis leads the industry in discovery of new therapies and combinations, especially in HR+ advanced breast cancer, the most common form of the disease.

Kisqali (ribociclib) Important US Safety Information

Kisqali (ribociclib) is a prescription medicine used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as the first hormonal-based therapy to treat women who have gone through menopause with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It is not known if Kisqali is safe and effective in children. Kisqali can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and may lead to death. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they have a change in their heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if they feel dizzy or faint. Kisqali can cause serious liver problems. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark or brown (tea-colored) urine, feeling very tired, loss of appetite, pain on the upper right side of the stomach area (abdomen), and bleeding or bruising more easily than normal. Low white blood cell counts are very common when taking Kisqali and may result in infections that may be severe. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections such as fever and chills. Before taking Kisqali, patients should tell their health care provider if they are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant as Kisqali can harm an unborn baby. Females who are able to become pregnant and who take Kisqali should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of Kisqali. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Kisqali and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of Kisqali. Patients should tell their health care provider about all of the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements since they may interact with Kisqali. Patients should avoid pomegranate or pomegranate juice, and grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Kisqali. The most common side effects (incidence 20%) of Kisqali when used with letrozole include white blood cell count decreases, nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, hair thinning or hair loss, vomiting, constipation, headache, and back pain. The most common grade 3/4 side effects in the Kisqali + letrozole arm (incidence >2%) were low neutrophils, low leukocytes, abnormal liver function tests, low lymphocytes, and vomiting. Abnormalities were observed in hematology and clinical chemistry laboratory tests.

Please see full Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at www.kisqali.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; general economic and industry conditions, including the effects of the persistently weak economic and financial environment in many countries; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Located in East Hanover, NJ, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis and @NovartisCancer at https://twitter.com/novartiscancer

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]

References

Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S, et al. First-line ribociclib or placebo combined with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: results from the randomized Phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), December 6, 2017 , San Antonio, Texas (abstract#S2-05). World Health Organization. Women's health fact sheet. September 2013 . Available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs334/en/. Accessed October 2017 . Benz CC. Impact of aging on the biology of breast cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2008;66:6574 US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions  Drugs and Biologics. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM358301.pdf. Accessed December 2017 .

SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Related Links

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"I believe that in a hospital environment, where the health and safety of our patients is the number one priority, every employee must take the steps necessary to protect those who have entrusted us with their care. We are leading the way on Long Island, creating safer hospital spaces by mitigating the chance of any NYU Winthrop Hospital staff member conveying the flu virus to a Hospital patient or to a fellow worker," said John Collins, President and CEO of NYU Winthrop Hospital. "We are continually focused on improving patient outcomes, and our mandatory flu vaccine policy helps to minimize the health risks to patients."

Only a few states require mandatory flu immunizations for hospital workers, including Alabama, Colorado and New Hampshire. The New York State Department of Health does not make the vaccination mandatory, but instead requires that personnel who are not vaccinated against influenza wear a surgical or procedure mask. "We took this step," added Mr. Collins, "because we believe that, except in rare cases, vaccination should not be a choice. It is a moral imperative in healthcare." Last week, 49 states had reported either regional or widespread flu activity, and according to the CDC, there have been approximately 70 deaths across the US from the flu this season thus far.

NYU Winthrop began its mandatory vaccination program in mid-October. The Employee Health Department provided extensive communications with employees as far back as April, educating them on the benefits of the vaccination. Employees were given until year-end 2017 to be vaccinated, with no charge for the vaccinations, which were made accessible through clinics run by the Employee Health Department. In addition, nursing staff was permitted to vaccinate their own staff in a "Nursing Peer Program."

The Hospital also established an Influenza Vaccination Exemption Review Board to impartially review exemption requests. Exemptions could only be granted for bona fide medical or religious reasons. The board included multidisciplinary representatives including: the Chief Medical Officer, Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Director of Employee Health, Employee Health clinicians, an Infectious Disease physician, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Director of Pastoral Care, and Director of Employee Relations, among others. In addition, for those employees concerned about possible allergic reactions to the vaccination, the Hospital made an allergist specialist available to help determine the appropriateness of the vaccination in that employee population. Only five full/part-time employees, not exempt from the mandatory shot, failed to be inoculated.

"While a yearly flu vaccine can't provide resistance against every possible strain of flu that might develop, our experience is that for those succumbing to the flu despite the shot, the illness is generally less severe and the recovery quicker compared to those not vaccinated," added Carol Cohan, RN, Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist, and Director of NYU Winthrop's Employee Health Department.

There have been concerns about a particularly dangerous new flu strain reported this year, the H3N2 virus, and while the flu vaccine is developed from prior-year strains, the CDC reported that it expects this year's vaccine to still be 32% effective against H3N2.



About NYU Winthrop Hospital

Founded in 1896 by a group of local physicians and concerned citizens, Long Island's first voluntary hospital is a 591-bed university-affiliated medical center and ACS Level 1 Trauma Center offering a full scope of inpatient and outpatient programs and services to address every stage of life. Ever changing and growing with the diverse community it serves, NYU Winthrop Hospital is, in many ways, a unique institution, simultaneously large and small, regional as well as local. NYU Winthrop successfully blends the progressive philosophy, sophistication and advances of a teaching and research institution with a personal approach to patient care  an approach that has become the cornerstone of our organization.

For more information about surgical care at NYU Winthrop, call 1-866-WINTHROP or visit www.nyuwinthrop.org

SOURCE NYU Winthrop Hospital

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The new contract funds the development of a certified version of Orion that will be suitable for deployment anywhere in the world. The work will be performed in Columbus, Mississippi, and Manassas, Virginia.

About Aurora Flight Sciences:

Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company, is an innovative technology company which strives to create smarter aircraft through the development of versatile and intuitive autonomous systems. Operating at the intersection of technology and robotic aviation, Aurora leverages the power of autonomy to make manned and unmanned flight safer and more efficient. Headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, Aurora has more than 550 employees and operates in six locations, including research and development centers in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Luzern, Switzerland; manufacturing facilities in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Columbus, Mississippi; and offices in Dayton, Ohio, and Mountain View, California. To view recent press releases and for more about Aurora please visit our website at www.aurora.aero.

SOURCE Aurora Flight Sciences

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(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150203/727958-b )



According to the agreement Megapharm will register Aplidin on behalf of PharmaMar and distribute the compound in both regions. PharmaMar will retain exclusive production rights and will supply the finished product for clinical and commercial use.

Aplidin is PharmaMars second most advanced anticancer drug which is currently under development for the treatment of multiple myeloma and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. The Company announced in March 2016 that plitidepsin has shown positive results in a pivotal Phase III clinical trial (ADMYRE) for multiple myeloma[i].

According to Luis Mora, Managing Director of PharmaMars Oncology Business Unit, "we are about to address our first strategic alliance with Megapharm for the commercialization of Aplidin formultiple myeloma in Israel and the territory known as the Palestinian Authority. Our commitment is to bring a novel and first-in-class therapy to patients in need."

Miron Drucker, CEO of Megapharm, stated that "the agreement between PharmaMar and Megapharm offers a major advance for healthcare in our territory as Aplidin provides a novel mechanism of action for treating multiple myeloma; we hope to bring access to the most innovative treatments to our patients in Israel and the territory known as the Palestinian Authority".

i. https://www.pharmamar.com/2016/03/31/aplidin-shows-positive-results-in-pivotal-phase-iii-clinical-trial-for-multiple-myeloma/



Media Relations (+ 34-638-79-62-15)

Investor Relations (+34-914-44-45-00)

SOURCE PharmaMarST. LOUIS, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerPost, a content marketing platform for enterprise brands, has today announced the launch of their definitive step-by-step guide for turning content marketing programs into true media operations. The Brand Publishing Roadmap helps create publishing programs using a specific methodology based in principles of journalism. This method helps marketers publish content with greater efficiency and effectiveness, saving time, money and resources.

The term Brand Publisher refers to innovative brands that produce scaled, high-quality content using strategies and structures similar to those of media companies. Elements of such a strategy include a commitment to core principles of journalism, as well as using data to drive strategic decisions.

"When we talk about helping marketers become Brand Publishers, we're talking about a very specific process and governance structure," said PowerPost CEO Dan Curran. "Brand Publishing involves an unwavering commitment to data-driven content strategy, efficient editorial workflows and a mastery of owned media distribution. This new guide is the playbook for marketers looking to become Brand Publishers."

The Brand Publishing Roadmap eBook is available at www.powerpost.digital/brand-publishing-roadmap

About PowerPost: PowerPost provides a suite of content marketing solutions for brands, Content Intelligence being the latest addition to its arsenal. The company also leverages the world's best Brand Journalists to offer top-tier content to clients. PowerPost has offices in St. Louis and Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.powerpost.digital.

SOURCE PowerPost

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DOWNEY, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ramos Financial Consulting Firm Inc. has announced a partnership with AmeriEstate Legal Plan, Inc. providing estate planning and legal services to the Hispanic community for their estate planning needs. As part of their joint effort, Ramos Consulting and AmeriEstate seek to produce top quality service through their combined 37 years of financial and legal expertise.

"As the estate and financial planner's leaders in the Hispanic community, this partnership will bring together two estate planning leaders, protecting our families' wealth." -Manuel Ramos, President, Ramos Financial & Consulting Firm

Clients and prospective clients of Ramos Financial who choose to begin estate planning through AmeriEstate will receive:

Access to a panel of experienced attorneys nationwide, allowing clients to speak to an attorney for up to 30 minutes for free regarding legal matters.

Counseling regarding living trust estate administration, along with access to a secure electronic Docubank where clients can quickly refer to their important documents.

Advanced estate planning strategies for clients with more arduous asset protection needs.

Ramos Financial Consulting Firm, founded by Manuel Ramos, is considered the pioneer of financial literacy in the Hispanic community in the United States. He began his estate planning career in 1990. Since then, he has been featured on radio, television and written publications, and he has provided thousands of educational seminars. His firm has worked with over 10,000 estate plans, predominantly with Spanish speaking families. Together, Ramos Consulting and AmeriEstate will help thousands of families to better understand the estate planning process to secure their financial future.

AmeriEstate Legal Plan, Inc. was established in 1996, and the firm takes pride in their efficient and family friendly customer service. AmeriEstate has served more than 35,000 families nationwide. Their reputable team specializes in wills and trusts, asset protection, trust estate administration, and elder law services.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Manuel Ramos, President at Ramos Financial Consulting Firm Inc.

Contact: Manuel Ramos, President

Company: Ramos Financial Consulting Firm Inc.

Telephone: 800-606-9954

SOURCE Ramos Financial Consulting Firm, Inc.The British Museum's exceptionally broad collectionsworld renowned for its classical antiquitieshave enabled the creation of a truly inspiring experience. Visitors will explore how the empire was won and held and learn about the rich diversity of its population. The exhibition is an accessible introduction to the Roman imperial period, yet also provides a depth of material for those with an existing interest in Roman history.

Portraits of emperors, military leaders, citizens, and mythological figures, as well as stunning examples of pottery, paintings, jewelry, coins, and other objects, span ten centuries of Roman history and invite fresh ways of looking at the past while offering points of connection between antiquity and today.



"The exhibition provides insights into the experiences of the Romans themselves, while cultivating an understanding of the dynamic relationships between the imperial government and the people it conquered," says Frist Center chief curator Mark Scala. "The range of objects, from across present-day western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, show the diversity and interconnectedness of the vast empire."

Organized thematically, the exhibition begins with an overview of Rome's geographical and political evolution. It continues with sections that contextualize topics such as military capability, imperial architecture, religious practices, and the diverse peoples of the empire. The exhibition concludes with a presentation of art that commemorates the dead such as burial chests, sarcophagi, and tombstones.

Along with a number of maps and photographs illustrating Rome's monuments and architectural achievements, as well as sites in which artifacts were found, the exhibition contains a digital map sequence with a timeline that details the empire's expansion. An interactive in-gallery publication titled "Fortune and Glory" will provide visitors with a role-playing narrative in the form of a laminated comic book with original illustrations by local artist and animator Michael Lapinski. Visitors will make choices that guide them from object to object. Designed to engage families and teens, the activity will enhance understanding of daily life in ancient Rome.

"The artifacts in this exhibition connect us to this bygone civilization," says Scala. "We share with its people an appreciation for art as a means of documenting reality, representing ideals, memorializing the past, and creating beauty on both a grand and intimate scale."

Object highlights, many of which have never been seen outside of the British Museum, include the following:

A monumental marble statue of a Roman magistrate that required 200 hours of conservation. A bronze parade helmet considered to be one of the finest cavalry masks in existence. A funerary relief from Palmyra , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where monuments were razed by Islamic State militants in 2015. One of the few depictions of women gladiators in existence. The plaque commemorates Amazon and Achillia gaining freedom after their successful careers.

Public Programs



Friday, February 23

Curator's Perspective: The Reach of RomeThen and Now presented by Dr. Sam Moorhead, Finds Adviser for Iron Age and Roman coins, The British Museum

6:30 p.m.

Frist Center Auditorium

Free; first come, first seated

The art, culture, and politics of the Roman Empire have made a lasting impact around the world. In this lecture, Dr. Sam Moorhead, a curator of Rome: City and Empire, examines Rome's influence through the lens of the exhibition, highlighting key works and discussing their artistic value and historical significance. Whether you have a long-standing interest in antiquities or are encountering ancient Rome for the first time, join us to learn more about this fascinating and important civilization.

Exhibition Credit

The presentation of this exhibition is a collaboration between the British Museum and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Sponsor Acknowledgment

Platinum Sponsor: HCA Foundation on behalf of HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health

Hospitality Sponsor: Union Station Hotel

This exhibition is supported in part by the 2018 Frist Gala Patrons and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Connect with us! #FristRome

About the Frist Center

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art exhibition center dedicated to presenting and originating high-quality exhibitions with related educational programs and community outreach activities. Located at 919 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn., the Frist Center offers the finest visual art from local, regional, national, and international sources in exhibitions that inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways. Additional information is available by calling 615.244.3340 or by visiting fristcenter.org.



SOURCE Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Related Links

http://www.fristcenter.org/

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/623838/Royal_Dutch_Distillers_Cherry_Heering.jpg )



Cherry Heering, probably the oldest cherry liqueur in the world, was established in 1818. It is known as the original "Cherry Brandy" and contributed to the creation of some of the most legendary cocktails. The very first "Singapore Sling" was created with Cherry Heering and, since then, the brand has been the global reference for this famous cocktail. Today it is still the essential ingredient and global reference for such world-famous cocktails as the "Blood and Sand" and the "Copenhagen."

"The United States is the number one cocktail market in the world, and a key market for Cherry Heering," says Mark de Witte, CEO of De Kuyper. "We are very pleased that we can now bring this internationally recognized and iconic brand to bartenders and retailers in the US, in conjunction with the other great brands in the portfolio of Royal Dutch Distillers: Rutte Gins and Genever, Mandarine Napoleon, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, Half Hitch Gin and ChocoVine. We are continuously looking to extend our range of premium brands to offer customers a most complete portfolio. Just like our premium spirits, Cherry Heering is the global reference for a variety of classic cocktails and fully in line with our Global Company Strategy and vision to 'Own the Cocktail'".

"The Cherry Heering brand is well-established and has a high level of recognition in the US bartender community," says Adele Robberstad, CEO of Peter F. Heering company. "We are very proud and grateful for this close relationship with the US on-premise and will continuously build on it with our constant support."

Marc De Kuyper, an 11th-generation De Kuyper family member and CEO of Royal Dutch Distillers in the US, comments: "We are very happy to take over the brand that's in such good shape thanks to the great work done by Royal Wines over the last couple of years. 2018 marks the 200th anniversary of Cherry Heering and we're very much looking forward to celebrating this great heritage brand together with our customers. For the anniversary, we'll support sales of this modern classic with a new marketing campaign, including specials such as a Special Edition Label and a holiday gift box."

US media contact Royal Dutch Distillers:

Stephanie Jerzy, Customer Marketing Director, [email protected] , +1-305-901-1444 x 208

SOURCE Royal Dutch Distillers"It has been another great year for everyone at Rutter's. We opened three new stores and remodeled 20 stores. We enjoy supporting charities and organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and customers in the communities we serve. With plans to double the size of our office in February, build 9 new stores, and complete 38 store remodels (including beer caves, flex fuels, and gaming rooms) we look forward to another fantastic and busy year in 2018," said Scott Hartman, Rutter's CEO and President.DALLAS, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- D Magazine has selected Sayles Werbner shareholder Rob Sayles to the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers Under 40, a list that recognizes outstanding young attorneys in North Texas.

"I'm truly honored to be included among this group of impressive lawyers," said Sayles. "When you are recognized by your peers for working hard to represent your clients in tough legal disputes, it means a lot. I am truly grateful."

Sayles represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of litigation, including commercial disputes, product liability, personal injury and wrongful death claims. His success record in 2017 includes obtaining a summary judgment on a covenant not to compete claim where his client faced more than $3.6 million in damages and negotiating significant settlements on behalf of clients injured in car accidents. He also defended the City of Dallas in several lawsuits filed by firefighters and police officers claiming billions of dollars in back pay.

Sayles is among 135 attorneys included in the Best Lawyers Under 40 list, which is selected from peer nominations and a review by a blue-ribbon panel of lawyers and D Magazine editors. The full list is available in the January issue of D Magazine.

In addition to the D Magazine recognition, Sayles has been featured on the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list annually since 2012. He was also honored in the 2017 edition of D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas for representation of clients in business and commercial litigation. He is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and the University of Texas at Austin.

Sayles Werbner maintains an international reputation as a proven trial law firm in complex business litigation, life-altering personal injury cases, and practically every type of case that requires courtroom expertise. To learn more, visit swtriallaw.com.

Media Contact:

Sophia Reza

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Sayles Werbner

Related Links

http://www.swtriallaw.com

EDINBURGH, Scotland, January 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Bachman & Welser Capital Ltd ("Bachmann & Welser"), a Global Trade Finance and Financial Instruments provider, has announced the establishment of a special fund in partnership with its offshore-based equity provider to support cash-strapped businesses with Credit Lines.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/623302/Bachmann_Welser_Capital_Limited_Logo.jpg )



"Our purpose at Bachmann & Welser is to make the aspirations of our clients achievable by remaining a reliable funding partner to them," said Ronald Carey, Bachmann & Welser's Chief Financial Officer. "This program will bring great relief to many business owners who are unable to obtain traditional financing from mainstream banks."

The company's eligibility criteria is very straightforward, aiming to complete all due diligence checks within 14-21 working days depending on the location of the applicant, according to Carey

"The objective is to grow this program to a multi-billion dollar fund within a reasonable time to support our clients." said Ronald Carey.

Edward Bachmann, Co-founder and CEO of Bachmann & Welser said: "The realisation of this fund is in line with our commitment to provide vital financing and support to our clients, especially as many businesses continue to face challenges by increased demand for collateral and the general unwillingness of banks to lend."

Bachmann & Welser will start accepting applications from January 7, 2018. Only applications with a minimum value of USD 10M will be considered with lower amounts potentially being eligible depending on industry, location and experience. Terms and conditions apply.

Eligible Countries: All countries except those under EU, US, UK and UN sanctions.

ABOUT BACHMANN & WELSER

Bachmann & Welser Capital Ltd is a United Kingdom based boutique Trade Finance Company with USD 1.6 Billion of assets under management (as of January 2, 2018). The company was founded by experienced former City of London Financiers and Investment Bankers and provides Trade Finance services, Financial Instruments and Global Funding solutions to clients through its worldwide affiliates/subsidiaries.

For More Information:

Email:[email protected]

Website: http://www.bachmannwelser.com

Telephone: +44 (0)-131-357-0361

For media inquiries, please contact:

Sarah Atkins

Media Relations Officer

[email protected]



SOURCE Bachman & Welser Capital LtdA hands-on leader with over 30 years of experience at state, city, and nonprofit organizations, Mr. Little brings considerable expertise in the provision of mental health, health care, child welfare, and juvenile justice programs. He has been a tireless advocate for children, youth, and families throughout the metropolitan area. Most recently, he served as Executive Director at Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families where he was credited with building organizational capacity, external collaborations, and financial sustainability.

"We are pleased to welcome Keith Little to lead SCO into the future," remarked Lee Vance, Chair of SCO's Board of Directors. "With a wealth of experience in both government and the nonprofit arena, Keith has an expert understanding of the issues our consumers and staff face every day. We are confident that his innovative leadership, vision, and drive will continue to advance SCO's mission and our important work in the communities we serve."

"This is an exciting time at SCO and I am energized by the commitment of our Board, our staff, our supporters and importantly, our government partners, to improve the well-being of those in our care and help them achieve their full potential," remarked Keith Little. "Together, we will continue to transform the lives of children, families, and people with disabilities across New York  helping to build strong families and vibrant communities."

"Keith is a trailblazer with a course charted by his long-term commitment to meeting the needs of at-risk communities, and guided by the best interests of the children and families of New York," said Jim Purcell, CEO of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA).

Previously, Mr. Little held senior organizational and program leadership positions at the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) for two decades. He last served as Associate Commissioner and Deputy Director at OMH, where he was responsible for the direction and oversight of State Operations, including 13 statewide child and adolescent psychiatric centers/units; the coordination of state-local services via regional OMH field offices; and oversight of Division State Operations budget and spending plans.

His vast experience includes posts at the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services and the New York City Department of Health. Mr. Little earned an MPA from Baruch College, City University of New York, and a bachelor's degree from University of Bridgeport. He currently sits on the Boards of Directors of COFCCA and the Collaboration of Children and Families (CCF), the Priority and Strategy Council for the Human Services Council, and is a lead member of the Black Agency Executives.

About SCO Family of Services

SCO Family of Services helps New Yorkers build a strong foundation for the future. We get young children off to a good start, launch youth into adulthood, stabilize and strengthen families and unlock potential for children and adults with special needs. SCO has played a vital role delivering human services in communities throughout New York City and Long Island for more than 100 years. For more information, visit sco.org.

SOURCE SCO Family of Services

Related Links

http://sco.org

NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2018 /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 Versum Materials, Inc. (NYSE: VSM).

If you are a shareholder of Versum Materials, Inc. and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at:

http://pjlfirm.com/versum-materials-inc/

You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation.

Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

SOURCE Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP

Related Links

http://www.pjlfirm.com

DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- STRATACACHE today announced that Manish Kumar is joining STRATACACHE Capital as Vice President, Investments - Asia Pacific, moving on from his previous role spearheading STRATACACHE digital solutions sales and operations in India. STRATACACHE Capital, based out of the UK and managed by Dirk Huelsermann, is a recently formed division that leads strategic deal discovery and review on a global scale. Manish will contribute his skills of accessing and executing business opportunities and customer acquisitions, driving the success and adoption of STRATACACHE digital audience engagement strategy growth throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Manish first joined STRATACACHE in 2013, initiating and overseeing growth in the Indian market while leading sales, development, customer relations and operations in this strategic market. As a result of his work, STRATACACHE's global footprint has expanded to be the industry leader in digital signage throughout India. Manish will aid in STRATACACHE Capital's deal discovery, which actively reviews more than 400 deals per year in the digital signage, mobile, display, media and digital-out-of-home space and has made 14 acquisitions in the past 18 years.

"Manish leads with a consultative approach and, combined with exceptional communication skills, understands the need to keep customers at the forefront of every decision made," said Chris Riegel, CEO of the STRATACACHE family of digital solutions companies. "STRATACACHE is confident that Manish can add to the culture of success and continue to grow STRATACACHE Capital's footprint and reputation within the Asia Pacific region."

Possessing a Masters of Project Management and Master of Technology Management degree from the Australian National University with an MBA in Marketing, Manish has had an accomplished career in technology, strategic acquisitions and global business. Prior to joining STRATACACHE, Manish was vice president at ContentKeeper Technologies, a global leader in innovative, enterprise Internet filtering and security solutions. There he was successful in identifying channel and vertical opportunities in each market and increasing market revenue.

Learn more at https://stratacachecapital.com.

About STRATACACHE

STRATACACHE, Inc. is the leading provider of intelligent digital signage, digital merchandising, mobile enablement, and rich media customer engagement at retail. These solutions help influence customers at the point-of-decision, generating new sales opportunities and enhanced retail profitability. With over 2 million software activations globally across multiple platforms, we have the deepest footprint in the market and consistently enhance our offerings to better serve our customers. STRATACACHE is based in Dayton, Ohio, and serves 28 countries with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Bentonville, Dallas, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, London, Oslo, Sittard, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Adelaide, Luxembourg and Bangalore. Learn more about STRATACACHE and its family of companies  Scala, PRN, Carmanah Signs, Optika, SuperLumin, enVu, RDM  by visiting us at www.stratacache.com, following us on Twitter @STRATACACHE or liking us on Facebook.

SOURCE STRATACACHE

Related Links

http://www.stratacache.com

ALHAMBRA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Downtown Alhambra Business Association (DABA) is presenting its first "Taste of Alhambra Restaurant Week" from Jan. 22-28, as part of "Visit California Restaurant Month," a national event celebrated in many major cities to help stimulate tourism and patronage at local restaurants.

From Jan. 22-28, foodies can chase the flavors at Downtown Alhambra's diverse eateries taking part in the Taste of Alhambra Restaurant Week!

The week-long promotion spotlights the diverse cuisines of Downtown Alhambra's restaurant scene. Diners can enjoy Italian, American Continental, Asian Fusion, Japanese Fusion, Thai, Hawaiian, Korean, Irish, Peruvian, Indian, Mexican and more, thanks to specials and prix-fixe menus from participating eateries.

Restaurants are offering 2-3 course menus priced anywhere from $15 -$30 for lunch, and $20  $50 for dinner. Diners simply need to call and make reservations, visit the restaurant(s), and ask for their Taste of Alhambra prix-fixe menus.

In its inaugural year, Taste of Alhambra Restaurant Week is featuring a unique collective of 15 restaurants, including: Mancora Peruvian Cuisine, Shakas Hawaiian, Budda Belly Modern Kitchen, Charlie's Trio Cafe, Vinos at Trios, 38 Degrees Ale House & Grill, Sage Bistro 626, Limerick's Tavern, Diner on Main, Big Catch Seafood House, Bon Appetea, Tokyo Table, SideBar Grill, Dickey's BBQ Pit Alhambra, and Mahan Indian.

The timing of this event is strategic for Downtown Alhambra, which is located in the San Gabriel Valley. With a growing diversity of culinary talent, the city is ready to carve out its own niche in dining excellence within the larger Los Angeles market. Such culinary talent includes rising star, Walther Adrianzen, executive chef at Mancora Peruvian Kitchen, a hidden gem located in a strip mall off of West Main Street. Cooking from his heritage and heart, the young chef has already gotten written recognition by the LA Time's Jonathon Gold and LA Weekly's Garrett Snyder, who have both noted Adrianzen's creative Ceviche dishes.

Another gem in the area is Diner on Main. Known for their juicy burgers, steaks and hand-dipped pies and cakes, it's also a historic site, as one of the few remaining "Googie" style restaurants designed by the famed architectural firm of Armet & Davis. In contrast, newcomer, Budda Belly Modern Kitchen, offers some innovative Asian fusion re-dos of popular comfort classics with dishes like Poke Nachos, Korean in Philly and Bulgogi Kimchi fries. Yet another standout is Limerick's Tavern; not the typical Irish bar, the gastro pub offers gourmet food from their "scratch" kitchen, including signature items like Braised Short Ribs, Rack of Lamb and Branzino, as well as other evolving creations.

Whether the restaurants are older or newer, smaller or larger, the Taste of Alhambra promises to bring its "A" game with its multicultural line-up of participating eateries. Current DABA president, Liza Rodriguez commented, "We are thrilled to kick off our first restaurant week in Downtown Alhambra and show off our city's bustling food scene, which celebrates a plethora of flavors and culinary experiences." She added, "Alhambra locals and in-the-know foodies already embrace the city's amazing restaurants and now it's time for others to discover them."

Contact: For more information, interviews, or photo requests, please contact

Monina Castillo at [email protected].

Related Images

image1.png

Taste of Alhambra

image2.png

image3.jpg

image4.jpg

Related Links

Downtown Alhambra Restaurant Week Lineup

Visit California Restaurant Month

SOURCE Taste of Alhambra"Aursen engineers who came from Huawei designed the Aursen Lion Model using the most popular ergonomic technology and the most advanced short circuit protection ABS & PC materials to ensure the safety of the user and their precious computer. Meanwhile, it's equipped with over-voltage & overload protection filter", stated Frank Ma, the founder and CEO of Aursen. "What's more, every Lion is tested through full load high temperature burn machine. Safety first is always the first priority in the mind of every Aursen staff."

"The double-coil design makes it possible to charge the phone while watching a film with both horizontal and vertical placement ", stated Horde, the designer of Lion,"To make the Lion pass all the OVP, OCP, SCP high standard in Aursen, I tested thousands of components from hundreds of best companies in the world, finally selected a high output voltage accuracy component. This component makes Lion cost-effective, quality reliable and absolutely unique in market. " Aursen is confident with its product and now has ensured a 12 months guarantee to all its Lion product. Aursen CEO also guarantees that his company will compensate 10 times of the damage his Lion has made to its customer.

According to a survey in Germany, France, Italy, UK and Spain from Aursen, the customers consider safety first before purchasing a wireless charger. Aursen Lion Charger with its comprehensive safety features has no double to meet the need of the mass customer in Europe. For more information about Lion, please visit: https://www.aursen.com/

About Aursen:

Aursen is a top company in mobile & PC accessory industry. It was founded in 2012 by Frank Ma who has strong belief that safe accessories should be available for every mobile device user, and makes this concept happens.

SOURCE AursenSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) announced today that Brian Kelly, also known as The Points Guy and Forbes' No. 1 travel influencer of 2017, will be traveling to Puerto Rico from Jan. 5-7 with his staff, family and friends to assist with rebuilding efforts and experience the Island's recovery firsthand. JetBlue, as part of their 100x35JetBlue initiative, will be providing flights for the entire Points Guy team and joining in on the ground. The group will provide hands-on assistance to communities, as well as participate in the festivities surrounding the iconic Three Kings Day festival on Jan. 6, which will be shining brighter than ever this holiday season with rich culture and delicious cuisine.

As founder of The Points Guy, the digital platform renowned worldwide for all things points, miles and travel with 5 million unique visitors a month, Brian knows the path to recovery that destinations go through after overcoming natural disasters. With this group trip to Puerto Rico three months post-Hurricane Maria, Brian is sending a strong message to travelers everywhere that traveling to destinations impacted by natural disasters, like Puerto Rico, is the best way to take in the most meaningful travel experiences in the New Year. Tourism is a key driver of Puerto Rico's recovery efforts, and with the Island officially open to visitors, travelers can best support these efforts by visiting, staying at hotels and other accommodations, eating at restaurants and buying from local businesses.

"We're thrilled with the hands-on support from The Points Guy and appreciate his help reminding travelers that now is a perfect time to visit. Reactivating the local economy through tourism is essential," said Jose Izquierdo, executive director of the PRTC." Continued commitment from Governor Ricardo Rossello Nevares' administration and the public and private sectors has contributed to great progress, with over 100 hotels already welcoming guests, over 4,000 restaurants serving our delicious cuisine and 107 operating tourist attractions. The Island is officially open for business, and we're excited to welcome travelers back just in time for our holiday season," Izquierdo added.

"We want to be a part of Puerto Rico's comeback and look forward to helping the community get back on their feet. Travel is all about purpose, which is one of the very reasons why I chose to travel for a living  it's centered on the meaningful experiences we take in, such as this special volunteer trip we are organizing with my entire team," said Brian Kelly, The Points Guy. "Puerto Rico has so much to offer travelers, from beaches to culture, to art and cuisine, so deciding to do this was a no-brainer."

The trip will include a visit to San Juan, one of Lonely Planet's Top 10 Cities to Travel in 2018. There, in partnership with Love in Motion, Local Guest's non-profit focused on providing the necessary tools and empowerment through hope and education for the development of community-based tourism in the Caribbean region, and in collaboration with the Asociacion Impacto Comunitario La Perla Inc., Casa Sol and Wanderlust Tours, the team will join local efforts already underway to help revitalize the iconic La Perla neighborhood. La Perla has become a tourist attraction for visitors looking to get a glimpse of this colorful community along the shore of Old San Juan where the record-breaking summer hit song "Despacito" was filmed. Lastly, the trip coincides with Puerto Rico's celebration of Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, one of the most important holidays on the Island, especially for children. Three Kings Day will be particularly special for Puerto Ricans this year, and families will enjoy parades and festivals throughout the Island.

JetBlue recently announced the 100x35JetBlue initiative, the airline's immediate and long-term commitment to Puerto Rico hurricane relief, including 35 initiatives over 100 days  and beyond  to support the needs of crewmembers, customers and communities in Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://blog.jetblue.com/100x35jetblue/ .

For more information on meaningful travel to Puerto Rico, including details on open attractions, hotels, the city's most popular restaurants and more, visit SeePuertoRico.com. For information on other updates (related to hospitals, ATMs, supermarkets, etc.) across the Island, visit http://status.pr/.

Visitors with questions about travel can call the PRTC hotline at 787-522-5960, or talk to us via Live Chat online.

About the Puerto Rico Tourism Company

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among visitors and local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations.

About The Points Guy

The Points Guy (TPG) is a trusted travel and lifestyle media platform that focuses on maximizing travel experiences while minimizing spending. Through an informative, clever point of view, TPG has become the leading online resource for all things points, miles and resourceful travel experiences. The site's editorial content consists of first-hand flight, hotel and airplane reviews, curated travel guides, immersive video components, as well as global event activations. Since its launch in 2010, Founder and CEO Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 5 million unique monthly visitors and more than 2.2 million followers across social media platforms.

SOURCE Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Related Links

http://SeePuertoRico.com

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

New Notes Offering

The United Mexican States (" Mexico ") announced today the commencement of a global offering (the " New Notes Offering ") of its global notes to be denominated in U.S. dollars due 2028 (the " 2028 New Notes ") and its global notes to be denominated in U.S. dollars due 2048 (" 2048 New Note s," and together with the 2028 New Notes, the " New Notes "). The New Notes offered may include New Notes that may be issued and sold to certain tendering holders in the Tender Offer (as described below). BBVA Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will serve as Joint Lead Underwriters for the New Notes Offering.

The 2048 notes will be consolidated and form a single series with, and be fungible with, the outstanding U.S. $1,880,000,000 4.600% Global Notes due 2048 previously issued by Mexico.

The New Notes Offering is being made only by means of a preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying base prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the related prospectus for the New Notes Offering may be obtained by contacting: BBVA Securities Inc., by calling +1 (212) 728-2446 (U.S. toll free), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, by calling +1 (866) 846-2874 (U.S. toll free), or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, by calling +1 (800) 294-1322 (U.S. toll free).

Application will be made to have the New Notes listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

Tender Offer

Mexico also announced today that it has commenced an offer to purchase for cash (the " Tender Offer ") its outstanding notes of the series set forth in the table below (collectively, the " Old Notes " and each, a " series " of Old Notes) in an aggregate principal amount of all series of Old Notes that will not result in an aggregate Purchase Price for all such series that exceeds an amount determined by Mexico in its sole discretion (the " Old Notes Maximum Purchase Amount "). Mexico will purchase notes of each series of Old Notes in an aggregate principal amount for such series that will not result in an aggregate Purchase Price for such series that exceeds an amount determined by Mexico in its sole discretion (the " Maximum Purchase Amount "). The Tender Offer is made on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, dated January 3, 2018 (the " Offer to Purchase "), including the pricing of the issue of the New Notes in an amount and on terms and subject to conditions acceptable to Mexico, which is expected to occur today. All capitalized terms used but not defined under the heading "Tender Offer" in this communication have the respective meanings specified in the Offer to Purchase.

The tender period (the " Tender Period ") will commence at open of market on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, and, unless extended or earlier terminated by Mexico in its sole discretion, the Tender Period will expire for Non-Preferred Tenders at 12:00 noon, New York City time, and, for Preferred Tenders, at 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

Mexico expects to announce the Maximum Purchase Amount, the aggregate Purchase Price of Preferred and Non-Preferred Tenders of each series of the Old Notes that have been accepted and whether any proration has occurred on Thursday, January 4, 2018. The settlement of the Tender Offer is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 (the " Tender Offer Settlement Date ") and is subject to change without notice.

The purchase price to be paid for the 2021 Notes that are tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer will be the fixed price set forth in the table below. The purchase price to be paid for the Old Notes of each series, other than the 2021 Notes, that are tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer will be determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase, based on (i) the U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined herein) for such series, which is a yield to maturity based on the price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security identified for such series in the table below and (ii) the Fixed Spread for such series set forth in the table below. Mexico will announce the price to be paid for each series of Old Notes at or around 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. Holders of the Old Notes participating in the Tender Offer will also receive any accrued and unpaid interest on their Old Notes up to (but excluding) the Settlement Date (" Accrued Interest ").

Table: 2021 Notes

Old Notes Outstanding Principal Amount as

of January 3, 2018

ISIN

CUSIP Fixed Price(2) 3.500% Global Bonds due 2021 (the "2021 Notes") U.S. $1,000,000,000 US91086QBD97 91086QBD9 U.S. $1,035.08

Table: Old Notes (other than the 2021 Notes)

Old Notes Outstanding Principal Amount

as of January 3, 2018 ISIN CUSIP Reference U.S.

Treasury Security(1) Fixed Spread

(basis points) Hypothetical

Price(2) 8.125% Global Bonds due

2019 U.S. $1,343,671,000 US593048BN00 593048BN0 1.750% due 11/30/2019 +15 U.S. $1,116.64 3.625% Global Bonds due 2022 U.S. $2,471,606,000 US91086QBA58 91086QBA5 2.125% due 12/31/2022 +40 U.S. $1,038.30 4.000% Global Bonds due 2023 U.S. $3,449,928,000 US91086QBC15 91086QBC1 2.125% due 12/31/2022 +84 U.S. $1,047.37 3.600% Global Bonds due 2025 U.S. $2,472,863,000 US91087BAA89 91087BAA8 2.250% due 11/15/2027 +93 U.S. $1,012.88 4.125% Global Bonds due 2026 U.S. $2,796,000,000 US91086QBG29 91086QBG2 2.250% due 11/15/2027 +105 U.S. $1,042.50 (1) The Dealer Managers will calculate the applicable U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined herein) using the bid-side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security on Bloomberg Page PX1 at or around the time of pricing of the New Notes, as further described below. (2) Per U.S. $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes tendered and accepted for purchase. Holders will also receive Accrued Interest on Old Notes tendered and accepted for purchase. Hypothetical prices are calculated for illustration purposes, using prices for Reference U.S. Treasury Securities at 4:00 p.m. on January 2, 2018.



During the Tender Period, a holder of Old Notes may place orders to tender Old Notes (" Tender Orders ") only through any of the Dealer Managers. If a holder does not have an account with a Dealer Manager and desires to tender its Old Notes, it may do so through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, other financial institution or other custodian, that has an account with a Dealer Manager. Holders will NOT be able to submit tenders through Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme or the Depository Trust Company (" DTC ") system. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as the billing and delivering bank for the Tender Offer (in such capacity, the " Billing and Delivering Bank ") will consolidate all Tender Orders and accept Old Notes for purchase pursuant to the terms and conditions in the Offer to Purchase on behalf of Mexico, subject to proration as described in the Offer to Purchase, on Thursday, January 4, 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. Mexico may subject each series of Old Notes to different amounts of proration in its sole discretion. Failure to deliver Old Notes on time may result, in Mexico's sole discretion, in any of the following: (i) the cancellation of your tender and your becoming liable for any damages resulting from that failure, and/or (ii) the delivery of a buy-in notice for the purchase of such Old Notes, executed in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities, and/or (iii) in the case of Preferred Tenders, the cancellation of your tender and your remaining obligated to purchase your allocation of New Notes in respect of your related Indication of Interest.

To the extent proration occurs, with respect to any series of Old Notes, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will accept Old Notes of such series with appropriate adjustments to avoid purchase of Old Notes in principal amounts other than Permitted Tender Amounts (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). Each holder submitting an Indication of Interest and tendering Old Notes of any series shall be deemed to represent to Mexico, the Dealer Managers and the Billing and Delivering Bank that such holder held, from the time of its submission of its Tender Order through the Expiration Time, at least the amount of Old Notes of each such series as are being tendered.

All Old Notes that are tendered pursuant to Tender Orders and are accepted by Mexico will be purchased by the Billing and Delivering Bank on behalf of Mexico. Only the Billing and Delivering Bank will be liable for the payment of the Purchase Price and Accrued Interest for Old Notes validly tendered and accepted as instructed by Mexico. Mexico will not be liable under any circumstances for the payment of the Purchase Price and Accrued Interest for any Old Notes tendered in the Offer by any holder. There is no letter of transmittal for the Tender Offer. Old Notes held through DTC must be delivered for settlement no later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Tender Offer Settlement Date. If a holder holds Old Notes through Euroclear or Clearstream, the latest process it can use to deliver its Old Notes is the overnight process, one day prior to the Settlement Date; holders may not use the optional daylight process. Holders will not have withdrawal rights with respect to any tenders of Old Notes in the Tender Offer. Old Notes accepted for purchase will be settled on a delivery versus payment basis in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities.

Mexico may, but is not required to, issue and sell New Notes to holders who validly tender their Old Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer and place firm orders for New Notes during the Tender Period (as well as investors that are not participating in the Tender Offer). If Mexico determines to issue and sell New Notes to such holders, the scheduled settlement date for the New Notes is expected to occur on Thursday, January 11, 2018 (the " Offering Settlement Date "). Any New Notes issued to tendering holders in the Tender Offer as described above will be consolidated and form a single series with, and be fully fungible with, the other New Notes of the same series, to be issued and sold pursuant to the offering of New Notes on the Offering Settlement Date.

The Tender Offer is subject to Mexico's right, at its sole discretion and subject to applicable law, to extend, terminate, withdraw, or amend the Tender Offer at any time. Each of the Dealer Managers and Mexico reserves the right, in the sole discretion of each of them, not to accept tenders for any reason.

The Offer to Purchase may be downloaded from the Information Agent's website at www.dfking.com/ums or obtained from the Information Agent, D. F. King & Co., Inc., at [email protected] or from any of the Dealer Managers.

The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are:

BBVA Securities Inc. Attention: Liability Management 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 44th Floor New York, NY 10105 Collect: +1 (212) 728-2446 or +1 (800) 422-8692 (U.S. toll free) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Attention: Latin America Debt Capital Markets

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

Collect: +1 (212) 834-7279 or

+1 (866) 846-2874 (U.S. toll free) Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Attention: Liability Management Group One Bryant Park New York, NY 10036

Collect: +1 (646) 855-8988 or

+1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. toll free)

The Billing and Delivering Bank for this Tender Offer is: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact.

Mexico has filed a registration statement (including the prospectus ) and the preliminary prospectus supplement with the SEC for the New Notes Offering. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents Mexico has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Mexico and such New Notes Offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Joint Lead Underwriters, the Dealer Managers or the Information Agent, as the case may be, will arrange to send you the prospectus supplement and the prospectus if you request it by calling any one of them at the numbers specified above.

Important Notice

The distribution of materials relating to the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer and the transactions contemplated by the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Each of the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer come into your possession, you are required by Mexico to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the New Notes Offering or the Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate on behalf of Mexico in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders."

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of the preliminary prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus.

In Belgium, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are not directly or indirectly, being made to, or for the account of, any person other than to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers/investisseurs qualifies) within the meaning of Article 10, 1 of the Belgian Law of June 16, 2006 on the public offering of investment instruments and the admission of investment instruments to trading on a regulated market (Wet op de openbare aanbieding van beleggingsinstrumenten en de toelating van beleggingsinstrumenten tot de verhandeling op een gereglementeerde markt/Loi relative aux offres publiques d'instruments de placement et aux admissions d'instruments de placement a la negociation sur des marches reglementes), as amended or replaced from time to time (Belgian Qualified Investor), that do not qualify as consumers (consumenten/consommateurs) within the meaning of Article I.1, 2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law of February 28, 2013 (Wetboek van economisch recht/Code de droit economique), as amended or replaced from time to time (Consumers). A Consumer within the meaning of Article I.1, 2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law is any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside their trade, business, craft or profession.

Belgian Qualified Investors are professional clients and eligible counterparties as referred to in Annex A and Article 3,  1 of the Belgian Royal Decree of June 3, 2007 containing detailed rules implementing the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (" MiFID ") and the Commission Directive 2006/73/EC implementing MiFID as regards organizational requirements and operating conditions for investment firms and defined terms for the purposes of that Directive (Koninklijk besluit tot bepaling van nadere regels tot omzetting van de richtlijn betreffende markten voor financiele instrumenten/Arrete royal portant les regles et modalites visant a transposer la directive concernant les marches d'instruments financiers), as amended or replaced from time to time.

As a result, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer do not constitute a public takeover bid pursuant to Articles 3, 1, 1 and 6,  1 of the Belgian law of April 1, 2007 on public takeover bids (Wet op de openbare overnamebiedingen/Loi relative aux offres publiques d'acquisition), as amended or replaced from time to time.

Consequently, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer and any material relating thereto have not been and will not be, notified or submitted to, nor approved by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor Financiele Diensten en Markten/Autorite des Services et Marches Financiers) pursuant to the Belgian laws and regulations applicable to the public offering or tendering of securities.

The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer as well as any materials relating thereto may not be advertised, nor distributed, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than Belgian Qualified Investors acting for their own account who are not Consumers, and may not be used in connection with any offering in Belgium except as may otherwise be permitted by law.

The New Notes Offering cannot be considered to be a regulated investment service such as investment advice as listed under Annex I to the European Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on MiFID, as amended or replaced from time to time.

The New Notes and the Old Notes will not be registered under Law 18,045, as amended, of Chile with the SVS and, accordingly, the New Notes and the Old Notes cannot and will not be offered or sold to persons in Chile except in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in a public offering under Chilean law, and in compliance with Norma de Caracter General (Rule) No. 336, dated June 27, 2012, issued by the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros de Chile (Superintendency of Securities and Insurance of Chile).

The Old Notes have not been and will not be registered before the Colombian National Registry of Securities and Issuers or with any Colombian Securities Exchange or Treading System. The Tender Offer does not constitute and may not be used for, or in connection with, a public offering as defined under Colombian Law and shall be valid in Colombia only to the extent permitted by Colombian law. The Old Notes may only be tendered inside the Territory of the Republic of Colombia to the extent permitted by Colombian law, under circumstances which do not constitute a public offering of securities under applicable Colombian securities laws and regulations; provided that, an authorized personnel of an authorized entity to offer foreign securities in Colombia must abide by the terms of Decree No 2555 of 2010 to offer the interests privately to their Colombian clients. The Tender Offer is for the sole and exclusive use of the addressee as a designated individual/investor, and cannot be considered as being addressed to or intended for the use of any third party, including any of such party's shareholders, administrators or employees, or by any other third party resident in Colombia. The information contained in the Offer to Purchase is provided for assistance purposes only and no representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Please note that, under Colombian Regulations, any offering addressed to 100 or more named individuals or companies shall be considered as a public offering, requiring prior approval of Colombia's Financial Superintendency and listing on the Colombian Stock Exchange.

The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer have not been and will not be approved by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, as neither constitute a public offer in accordance with the Danish Securities Trading Act nor the Danish executive order on takeover bids.

No prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) has been prepared in connection with the offering of the New Notes that has been approved by the French Autorite des marches financiers or by the competent authority of another State that is a contracting party to the Agreement on the EEA and notified to the French Autorite des marches financiers and to Mexico; neither the Tender Offer nor the New Notes have been offered or sold nor will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France; the materials relating to the New Notes have not been distributed or caused to be distributed and will not be distributed or caused to be distributed to the public in France; such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), as defined in Articles L. 4112 and D. 4111, of the French Code monetaire et financier who are investing for their own account and are not individuals. The direct or indirect distribution to the public in France of any so acquired New Notes may be made only as provided by Articles L. 4111, L. 4112, L. 4121 and L. 6218 to L. 62183 of the French Code monetaire et financier and applicable regulations thereunder. The other legal entities referred to in Articles L. 3412 1 and D. 3411 of the French Code monetaire et financier are eligible to participate in the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer has not been and will not be submitted to the clearance procedures (visa) of nor approved by the Autorite des marches financier.

The Tender Offer is made in Germany to existing holders of the Old Notes only.

The prospectus supplement does not constitute a Prospectus Directive-compliant prospectus in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and does therefore not allow any public offering in the Federal Republic of Germany (" Germany ") or any other member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive pursuant to  17 and  18 of the German Securities Prospectus Act. No action has been or will be taken in the Federal Republic of Germany that would permit a public offering of the New Notes, or distribution of a prospectus, a prospectus supplement or any other offering material relating to the New Notes and that, in particular, no securities prospectus (Wertpapierprospekt) within the meaning of the German Securities Prospectus Act or any other applicable laws of Germany has been or will be published within the Federal Republic of Germany, nor has the prospectus supplement been filed with or approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) for publication within the Federal Republic of Germany. Accordingly, any offer or sale of the New Notes or any distribution of offering material within the Federal Republic of Germany may violate the provisions of the German Securities Prospectus Act.

There has been no offer, sale or delivery and there will be no offer, sale or delivery of any Notes in Germany other than in accordance with provisions of the German Securities Prospectus Act; and any offering material relating to the New Notes will be distributed in the Federal Republic of Germany only under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany. The prospectus supplement is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

With respect to persons in Hong Kong, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are only made to, and are only capable of acceptance by, "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the " SFO ") and any rules made thereunder. No person or entity may issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the New Notes, Old Notes or the Tender Offer, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong other than with respect to the Old Notes which are or are intended to be tendered, or New Notes which are intended to be purchased, only by persons outside Hong Kong or only by "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under thereunder.

In Italy, this announcement is only being distributed to and is only directed at, and the Tender Offer documents may only be distributed, directly or indirectly, to qualified investors.

In Luxembourg, this announcement has been prepared on the basis that the offer of the New Notes, the Tender Offer and the potential exchange offer will be made pursuant to an exemption under Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities.

The Offer to Purchase has not been approved by the CNBV and may not be publicly made in Mexico and the documentation implementing the Offer to Purchase may not be distributed publicly in Mexico. The Offer to Purchase may be made to qualified or institutional investors, pursuant to the private placement exemption set forth under Article 8 of the Mexican Securities Market Law.

The Tender Offer and the Offer Documents do not constitute a prospectus under Norwegian law and have not been filed with or approved by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, the Oslo Stock Exchange or the Norwegian Registry of Business Enterprises, as the Tender Offer and Offer Documents have not been prepared in the context of a public offering of securities in Norway within the meaning of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act or any Regulations issued pursuant thereto. The Tender Offer will only be directed to qualified investors as defined in the Norwegian Securities Regulation section 7-1, or in accordance with other relevant exceptions from the prospectus requirements. Accordingly, the Tender Offer and the Offer Documents may not be made available to the public in Norway nor may the Offer to Purchase otherwise be marketed and offered for sale to the public in Norway.

The Tender Offer is not intended for any person who is not qualified as an institutional investor, in accordance with provisions set forth in Resolution SMV No. 021-2013-SMV-01 issued by Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (Superintendency of Capital Markets) of Peru, and as subsequently amended. No legal, financial, tax or any other kind of advice is hereby being provided.

None of the offer materials related to the New Notes Offering or Tender Offer have been approved or registered in the administrative registries of the Spanish Securities Market Commission (Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores). Consequently, the securities may not be offered, sold or distributed in Spain except in circumstances which do not constitute a public offer of securities in Spain within the meaning of Article 35 of the restated text of the Securities Markets Act approved by Royal Legislative Decree 4/2015, dated 23 October (Real Decreto Legislativo 4/2015, de 23 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley del Mercado de Valores), Royal Decree 1310/2005 of 4 November (Real Decreto 1310/2005 de 4 de noviembre), or otherwise in reliance on an exception from registration available thereunder.

The prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the New Notes described therein in Switzerland, except as permitted by law. The New Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland.

Neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the New Notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to 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 or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland or a simplified prospectus or a prospectus as such term is defined in the Swiss Collective Investment Scheme Act, and neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the New Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither the communication of the Offer to Purchase nor any other offer material relating to the Tender Offer has been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Offer to Purchase and the prospectus supplement are only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (as so amended, the " Order ") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such other persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which the Offer to Purchase relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. The New Notes will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the New Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the Offer to Purchase, the prospectus supplement or any of their contents.

The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer qualifies as a private placement pursuant to section 2 of Uruguayan law 18.627. The New Notes and the Old Notes are not and will not be registered with the Central Bank of Uruguay to be publicly offered in Uruguay.

Contact information:

D. F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10005

E-mail: [email protected]

Call Collect:: +1 (212) 269-5550

Call Toll-Free: +1 (866) 864-7961

website: www.dfking.com/ums

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

SOURCE The United Mexican StatesFREDERICK, Md., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLCA) today announced the promotion of Billy Ray Smith to senior vice president and president, Oil & Gas Proppants, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Mr. Smith succeeds Don D. Weinheimer, who will be retiring but will stay on for an interim period to support the transition as vice president of strategic marketing. Mr. Smith will join the Company's Executive Management Team and report to Brad Casper, executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

Mr. Smith joined U.S. Silica in March, 2017 as vice president of Oil & Gas, bringing over two decades of experience in the Oil & Gas exploration and services business. Prior to joining U.S. Silica, Mr. Smith held various positions of increasing responsibility at Halliburton, a global energy services company since 1995, including as North American Technology Director from Oct. 2015 to March, 2017. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University.

"Billy Ray's proven leadership abilities, strong business acumen and outstanding relationship skills will be tremendous assets in his new role and I couldn't be more pleased and excited,'' said Bryan Shinn, president and chief executive officer. "Billy Ray is widely respected in the industry and the Board and I have complete confidence that he will drive continued growth and successfully respond to the fast and ever-changing needs of our Oil & Gas customers,'' Shinn added.

"At the same time, I want to express my sincerest thanks to Don Weinheimer for his five years of tireless dedication and leadership in building an enviable and industry-leading Oil & Gas operation. Don has earned the trust and respect of our employees, customers, shareholders and business partners and we wish him all the best,'' Shinn noted.

"I'm honored and excited to assume these additional duties and lead the Oil & Gas operations at U.S. Silica,'' said Smith. "I look forward to helping take our Oil & Gas business to the next level by continuing to stay ahead of industry trends and evolving our capabilities to match changing customer dynamics,'' he added.

About U.S. Silica

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., a member of the Russell 2000, is a leading producer of commercial silica used in the oil and gas industry, and in a wide range of industrial applications. Over its 117-year history, U.S. Silica has developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable it to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 200 products to customers across our end markets. The Company currently operates nine industrial sand production plants and eight oil and gas sand production plants. The Company is headquartered in Frederick, Maryland and also has offices located in Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas.

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

Michael Lawson

Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

(301) 682-0304

[email protected]

Nick Shaver

Investor Relations Manager

281-394-9630

[email protected]

SOURCE U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ussilica.com

LAVAL, Quebec, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) ("Valeant" or the "Company") today announced it has paid down an additional $300 million of its senior secured term loans, using cash on hand.

In aggregate, Valeant has now reduced its debt by more than $6.5 billion since the end of the first quarter of 2016. As of Dec. 31, 2017, the Company's total debt is approximately $25.7 billion.

"We have reduced our debt by an additional $300 million due to ongoing strong cash flow from operations," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Valeant. "In 2018, we will continue to invest in the core businesses that will drive the future growth of the Company, including durable product franchises and our innovative pipeline."

About Valeant

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE/TSX:VRX) is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of dermatology, gastrointestinal disorders, eye health, neurology and branded generics. More information about Valeant can be found at www.valeant.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's most recent annual or quarterly report and detailed from time to time in Valeant's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Valeant undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

SOURCE Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.valeant.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) uncovered an investigation conducted by the West Virginia Secretary of State into suspicious campaign contributions made by Michael Fuller, Jr., a partner in the Mississippi-based McHugh Fuller Law Group, and Steven Edwards of Plant City, Florida. Specific subjects of the investigation were: identity theft, forgery/uttering, computer fraud and falsifying accounts and similar felonious violations of West Virginia law, according to official law enforcement files. These files, including email, letters, minutes of official meetings and electronic recordings of witness statements, were obtained through the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The recipients of the money, the campaigns of Supreme Court Justice Robin Jean Davis, former Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and Letitia Chafin for Supreme Court, were not the targets of the investigation and are not accused of any violations of law.

The report from West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, referring the matter to Kanawha County Prosecutor Charles Miller, described a series of "unlawful 'strawman' campaign contributions made through a scheme orchestrated by Michael Fuller, Jr. and Steven Edwards. The facts and circumstances are contained in the report and supporting documentary evidence." The evidence includes copies of suspicious checks and a confession from one of the straw donors who claimed that Mr. Fuller asked for the donations and would repay the donors - which is a conduit contribution and crime.

"The Secretary of State gathered evidence describing felonies and misdemeanors, so why aren't there any files to show the prosecutor presented the evidence to a grand jury, as required by law? Why did the prosecutor instead brief former Obama Deputy Attorney General Jim Cole, now in private practice, when his client was not implicated in the case? Why did the prosecutor alert Jim Cole when we submitted a FOIA request," asked Roman Stauffer, Executive Director of WV CALA.

"Lawsuit abuse around the country costs honest businesses millions each year and makes it difficult to create economic opportunity for anyone except the trial lawyers. Trial lawyers with business before the courts should not be able to continue to finance the elections of the very judges who preside over those courts. Reform is just common sense and way past due. That is why we filed the FOIA request and why we continue to demand transparency and accountability," Stauffer concluded.

West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (WV CALA) is a non-profit citizen watchdog group committed to equal justice for all West Virginians. WV CALA has been fighting lawsuit abuse in the state for more than 10 years, and our organization now has more than 30,000 members located in every county throughout the state.

Read more: http://www.wvcala.org/about-us

SOURCE West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

Related Links

http://www.wvcala.org

CBRE has been given a new mandate for managing retail, office and residential building in Wenceslas Square in Prague, where Van Graaf department store is the majority tenant. The change of the building manager occurred as part of its sale. The new owner is a fund managed by BMO Real

Photos: Thierry-Samuel



[]The embattled luxury retailer Oroton has secured a lifeline after one of its major shareholders, Will Vicars offered to take over the company.

Oroton Group's administrator Deloitte has accepted a purchase proposal from the fund manager who owns 18 per cent of Oroton's ASX-listed shares.

The deal marks the end of an era for the Lane family, who founded the business in 1938.

The ASX-listed brand went into voluntary administration in late November. In July the clothing distributor Gazal Corp bought a 7.3 per cent stake for $3.1 million which valued the company as worth $44 million.

Oroton Group was 21 per cent owned by the founding Lane family and 17 per cent owned by Caledonia Funds Management chief investment officer Will Vicars.

The deal should see Oroton avoid a break-up of its business and allow its 50 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia to continue trading.

The administrator has not revealed the value of the deal or how much creditors can expect to receive.

"Despite interest, there was no other offer that would have resulted in a superior outcome for the business or employees," administrator Vaughan Strawbridge from Deloitte told shareholders.

Under the binding and exclusive agreement Mr Vicars signed late on December 23 with Strawbridge, he will propose a deed of company arrangement that will rescue the business.

No details of the size of the rescue package, or the returns to creditors, have yet been provided.Saint Patrick's, Koroit a spectacular, historic, now restored convent residence, has been listed for sale by the education consultant Vivienne Porter who sold in Sydney's Newport after she moved back home in 2009.

The agents Jeremy Fox and Jack Edgar at RT Edgar have a price estimate between $3.6 million to $3.96 million.

The home comprises up to seven bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms.

There's a formal lounge, formal dining, huge kitchen/meals and informal sitting room, private chapel, separate self-contained unit with two bedrooms, kitchen/meals area and informal sitting room opening to terrace.

The summer house comes with spa, hydronic heating along with garaging for three cars.

It is set on a 8,183 sqm block in Koroit, a small village with an Irish heritage near the town of Port Fairy..

It has been a $300 a night or $1400 for the entire boutique hotel premises. Each of the rooms has a unique theme, size, colour and comfort therefore prices varied.

The foundation stone of St Patrick's Convent was laid in May 1906, with over 2000 attending. The building designed by architect WT Jackman was built of Warrnambool sandstone at an estimated cost of 5,000 pounds. The convent was built with 28 rooms to house 20 Good Samaritan nuns. The convent was closed at the end of 1972 and was sold to a group of five Melbourne schools to be used as a school camp/hostel. They purchased the property in 1973 for $19,000. In 2003 Kim and Craig Fraser purchased the convent in an advanced state of disrepair. It took its first guests in late 2008.If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity.

PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move.



MUGSHOTS.COM - ** FUGITIVE MANHUNT ** BOLO ** : ROBERT EATON: SUSPECT WANTED FOR BOTH IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MASSACHUSETTS AND A PAROLE VIOLATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Mugshots.com Writing Staff. Concord, NH  Robert Eaton, also known as Chris Eaton, is wanted by police in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for impersonating a police officer and sexual assault. He is also wanted in New Hampshire for a state parole violation because he is currently on parole for larceny. The U.S. Marshals Service in Concord is asking for the publics assistance in finding Eaton. The District of New Hampshire -- New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force has been requested to assist in the location and arrest of Eaton as well. Eaton is 56 and weighs 225 pounds. He is a white male with hazel eyes and blond hair. He is inked with several tattoos, including a Harley Davidson wing on his neck, a cross on his left arm and left hand, the name Amanda on his right arm, and additional tattoos on his legs and right calf. Eaton has extensive ties to both southeastern New Hampshire and the northern Massachusetts areas. Anyone with information on Eatons whereabouts should call the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force or nearest U.S. Marshals Service district office at (603) 225-1632 or call 1-877-WANTED-2. You also may contact your local police or submit a WEB-TIP, or TEXT NHTIP with any information to TIP411.  Your name: Your e-mail (optional): Url: Description: Mugshots.com : 163097770 All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Published mugshots and/or arrest records are previously published public records of: an arrest, an indictment, a registration, supervision or probation, the deprivation of liberty or a detention. The mugshots and/or arrest records published on mugshots.com are in no way an indication of guilt and they are not evidence that an actual crime has been committed. Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. For latest case status, contact the official Law Enforcement Agency which originally released the information. The following Official Record of MUGSHOTS.COM - ** FUGITIVE MANHUNT ** BOLO ** is being redistributed by Mugshots.com and is protected by constitutional, publishing, and other legal rights. This Official Record was collected on 1/03/2018. Last updated on 1/03/2018 unconstitutional mugshot laws, exonerations, arrest records, FBI most wanted, editorials, opinionAs a boy, I read a lot of comics. Decades later, I am rediscovering my favorites: Peanuts, Donald Duck, Tintin, and Little Lulu. One of my joys as a parent has been sharing these timeless classics with my three children, who to my delight appreciate them as much as I do.

As I kid, I didnt pay much attention to who wrote the comics. As an adult, I have become interested in who those creative people were. One of them is John Stanley, the genius behind the Little Lulu comic books, the humorous adventures of a feisty little girl and her neighborhood friends who were always convincing as children, unlike, say, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang.

What a thrill it was to discover this beautifully designed, richly illustrated biography of Stanley, who turns out to have been a somewhat sad, morose figure, far too modest about his achievements. I hope someday my children will read this book, too, with as much pleasure as I did. Peter Cannon, senior reviews editorThe evidence has been mounting for decades: Programs that help children learn and grow in their earliest years can change the trajectories of their lives.

That's especially important for children in disadvantaged families who often face obstacles to success from the day they are born. Done well, programs like home visiting and early childhood education can offer them a better shot at a better life.

RAND researchers were among the first to demonstrate the enormous potential of early childhood interventions in the 1990s. A new report compiled research on 115 programsand found that 102 made a clear and positive difference in young lives.

The bottom line is this: All the different ways that we examined this issue pointed to the same conclusion, said M. Rebecca Kilburn, a senior economist at RAND and a coauthor of the study. What's exciting about this is that we're getting to the point where policymakers have a lot of evidence that well-implemented early childhood programs are a good investment.

Hope for the Hard-Pressed

San Felipe Pueblo is a bend in the road about 25 miles north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a scattering of homes on the banks of the Rio Grande. It's an old Native American farming village, known for its annual corn dance, where bread baking in traditional backyard ovens sweetens the air. Its 3,500 residents still grow up speaking the indigenous Keresan language.

It has fought hard to preserve its traditions in the face of poverty and economic isolation. Like disadvantaged communities from inner-city Detroit to rural New York, it has focused especially on raising up its youngest generation. It has a small team of family health educators, drawn from the pueblo itself, who visit new mothers in their homes and offer them support and guidance in their own language. The program's name, Project KEVA, stands for Katishtya Eh-wahs Valued Always in Keresan: San Felipe Kids Are Valued Always. Its symbol is a butterfly.

Social and economic disparities can leave a mark long before grade school.

Every client that comes in faces a lot of struggles and a lot of hardship within their lives, said Shawna Trancosa, one of the home visitors. We chose the butterfly because we have the potential, we have the experience, to help them change and do better for themselves and their children.

For San Felipe and hundreds of other communities across America, that focus on early childhood is hope for the future. It's also a recognition that social and economic disparities can leave a mark long before grade school.

Getting Ahead of the Curve

By the time children turn five, they have already experienced the greatest developmental period in their lives. If they come from disadvantaged backgrounds, too many of them have also already started to fall behind. One study found that children of working professionals heard 30 million more words by age 3 than children whose parents were not so well-off.

The United States spends much less on early childhood education, as a share of its economy, than other wealthy nations.

Yet the United States spends much less on early childhood education, as a share of its economy, than other wealthy nations. About two-thirds of American four-year-olds attend preschool or other early education programs. Among 36 of the world's most developed nations, only Switzerland, Greece, and Turkey have lower rates.

A small team of RAND researchers has been studying early childhood education, home visiting programs, and other childhood interventions for nearly 20 years. Its first report, published in 1998, helped change the conversation around early childhood programs by showing that they could make a real and lasting difference. The researchers followed that up in 2005 with a report looking at 20 programs and again finding clear evidence of positive change for the children enrolled.

Their latest report, released in November, expanded that to 115 programs, all of which had undergone rigorous evaluations. The programs ranged from parenting classes to pre-kindergarten to the home visiting curriculum used in San Felipe Pueblo. The study, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sought to answer two questions: Do the programs work, and are they worth the investment?

Yes, and yes, the researchers concluded.

Evidence Shows Programs Yield Positive Results

By their most basic measure, 102 of the 115 programs improved at least one outcome for children beyond a statistical doubt. That was an 89 percent success rate.

But assessments of early childhood programs tend to take a kitchen-sink approach. Does the program improve behaviors? What about test scores? Are the children happier? Healthier? More focused? How are their body mass indexes?

When the RAND team looked at every child outcome in every study of the 115 programsmore than 3,000 measured outcomes in allthey found that 29 percent showed convincing evidence of improvement. Most of the rest were what statisticians call null, meaning there wasn't enough evidence to say one way or the other. That's a winning percentage given the sheer range of outcomes measured, the researchers saidabout six times higher than random chance alone.

It doesn't mean that everything will turn to gold, said study lead author Jill Cannon, a senior policy researcher at RAND. But the evidence base is only growing stronger that if you're a policymaker and you invest in these early childhood programs, it's likely to pay off.

Returns of $2 to $4 were typical for every dollar invested in early childhood programs.

In fact, the researchers found that returns of $2 to $4 were typical for every dollar invested in early childhood programs. That number, though, comes with an asterisk. Very few of the programs had gone through a formal cost-benefit analysis, and even those that did struggled to pin dollar values on social benefits like school readiness or emotional development.

Critics of government-funded preschool programs often point to a phenomenon known as fadeout. Some studies have found higher test scores among children in pre-K programsbut have also found those advantages fade to nothing as the children move into grade school and other students catch up. But the RAND study, like others, found that the economic and social benefits continue to pay dividends, sometimes well into adulthood. It's not all about test scores, said study coauthor and senior economist Lynn Karoly.

The researchers noted that their study does have a few limitations. Many of the programs they looked at were small-scale demonstration projects, serving a few hundred children at most. That can raise questions about whether the results would be as strong in scaled-up programs serving more children. Some also were too expensive and intensive to work in many communities; total costs ranged from $150 for a brief parent-education class to nearly $50,000 for a comprehensive, multiyear program of center-based care, education, and home visits.

RAND Review Subscribe for updates on the latest issue.

Nonetheless, the study represents the most comprehensive look to date at the potential benefits of early childhood programs. Policymakers have a menu of good options to choose from when it comes to early childhood interventions, the researchers concluded. But quality counts: Forty kids and a ball, as Kilburn put it, is not likely to produce the same kinds of results.

We have, really, a mountain of evidence now, Karoly said. And that gives us confidence that programs that are run well, are high-quality, can return more in benefits than they cost and can make a difference.

Better Outcomes for Families

Trancosa sees that every day in San Felipe.

She works with 30 new mothers, counseling them on parenting practices, reminding them to get their children vaccinated. She also teaches them about their heritage, preserving a way of life that has guided San Felipe families for generations.

A study last year found that the program improved parenting outcomes, parental involvement, and cultural connections, program managers said. Its curriculum, Family Spirit, has been shown to improve parenting knowledge and child behavior in ways that predict better outcomes for native children, often among the most disadvantaged in the nation.

Photo by Eric Draper/Pro Photography Network

In San Felipe, Trancosa has seen it inspire new parents to go back to school to better support their children; has seen teenage mothers respond with cool confidence to a baby's temper tantrum; and has seen whole families, from the grandparents to the children, gather around her flip charts to learn how to help their newest family members succeed.

She sees the benefits of the program most clearly in her own son, B.J., a healthy, happy two-year-old, eager to explore and learn. Before she was a program staffer, Trancosa was a program client, a young mother struggling to make ends meet, who wanted a better life for her baby.

I had all these questions in mind, and I never had anyone there to answer my questions or even just walk me through my pregnancy, she says now. I wanted to strive more and just do more things for my child, to be the best parent I can be. That's what I try to pass on to new mothers.

The children we have don't come with instructions. How well we take care of them will follow themand usthrough life.

 Doug IrvingNetflix is lagging behind digital video competitors Hotstar, Voot, Amazon Prime and Sony LIV in Indias US$280 million over-the-top (OTT) market.





Although it has made significant strides in India, according to research from New Delhi-based Counterpoint Technology, the US streaming giant has lost ground in particular to local rivals Hotstar and Voot, which have access to the extensive regional content libraries of its parent companies, Star TV and Viacom18.So far, Netflix has focused on pushing its global content such as House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Master of None, Stranger Things , Narcos, Daredevil, etc, to Indian subscribers. While it has made significant progress in adding regional content, it still has a lot of ground to make up on competitors, said Hanish Bhatia, senior analyst at Counterpoint Technology.Indias OTT video market is now valued at US$280 million with around 100 million subscribers, and is forecast to grow 35% year-on-year, he added.Indias leading digital video platform Hotstar , owned by 21st Century Fox, is a hybrid revenue freemium model, earning money through subscriptions as well as advertisements. Premium content, such as Game of Thrones and the latest movies from both Bollywood and Hollywood, are offered only to paying subscribers.However, just 2-3% of Hotstars total subscriber base are paying customers, according to the market research company. Netflix, in comparison, has a 6% paid customer base in India for its subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, with the remainder taking advantage of its taster offer of 30 days access without charge.Competition for Indias SVOD services also comes in the form of local content on YouTube, with media houses such as The Viral Fever and Y-Films releasing popular web series such as The Pitchers, Permanent Roommates, Tripling, Mans World and Bang Baja Baraat.Ultimately, cheaper data charges are fuelling increased consumption of digital content on broadband-connected mobile devices in India.The [OTT] market is expected to see tremendous growth with increasing smartphone penetration across India. Video consumption is not restricted to living rooms anymore, with easier access to video content while travelling, or teenagers watching their favourite web-series in their rooms, said Counterpoints Hanish Bhatia With availability of high speed 4G networks coupled with 130 million plus (and growing) smartphones being sold in India, we can expect consumption of video content to grow significantly in coming years and come to look similar to video content consumption on mobile in many other parts of the world where smartphones have become primary content consumption devices, he added.On Christmas Day I played a game of chess with my 12 year-old nephew. At one stage I sacrificed my bishop so that he would move his queen into a position where it would be taken. Upon doing this, I explained to him that it is important to understand why an opponent is doing something in order to deal with it effectively. If he had known why I had moved my bishop into a vulnerable position, he surely wouldnt have moved his queen in response. It is likely that my nephew, who is quite a good chess player, didnt give my actions much thought and merely assumed I was making a mistake.

Like moves on a chess board, allegations regarding Russias breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty parallels Russias strategic maneuvering.

Signed by the Soviet Union and the U.S. in 1987, the INF Treaty came into effect in 1988. Put simply, it bans any land-based missile, nuclear and conventional, with a range between 500 and 5,500km. In recent years the U.S. has accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty with the deployment of a land-based cruise missile. In November 2017 a U.S. National Security Council official declared that the missile violating the treaty is the Novator 9M729 cruise missile. The U.S. has limited the information released regarding the alleged breach, so not much is known about the 9M729 cruise missile, possibly due to the protection of intelligence sources and methods. If the 9M729 cruise missile has a range between 500 and 5,500km, it is crucial to understand why Russia would openly deploy such a system, much like my decision to move my bishop.

First, it is important to note that Russia shares land borders with 14 nations. The scale of its land mass is vast, stretching across two continents and 11 time zones. To Russias immediate Western flank is NATO stretching along its border. Surrounding Russia but not necessarily bordering it are nations with missiles within the INF range who are not subject to the INF Treaty. Israel, Iran, Pakistan, India, China and North Korea all have missiles capable of striking within Russias borders, and all but Iran have nuclear capability. Without missiles within the INF range, Russia is severely limiting its tactical defensive capability.

China borders Russia, has the worlds second-largest economy and the worlds largest army. It has an increasingly modernized military capability and can freely deploy land-based missiles within the INF range. Russias only viable defense against this behemoth would be its strategic arsenal which, if used, would significantly increase escalation to possible countervalue target level, i.e., Moscow and Beijing. To assist in offsetting Chinas tactical advantage, one can understand how the deployment of an INF range cruise missile would benefit Russia. There are countless scenarios, but one, in particular, would be the ability to hold Chinese ground forces at bay as they pour across the border or at least deter them from attacking in the first place.

Second, is the deployment of Ballistic Missile Defences (BMD) to Russias Western and Eastern flanks. In 2016 the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence system was deployed to Romania, with Poland to follow in 2018, and in 2017 the THAAD Ballistic Missile Defence system was deployed to South Korea. These systems include the use of powerful radars designed to provide missile defense against targets within the Short to Intermediate range. The Russians claim that these U.S. BMD systems are in fact a breach of the INF Treaty as they can be converted to launch missiles within the INF range. The deployment by Russia of missiles within the INF range could be used in a tactical scenario to counter these systems and their radars. While one may claim that Russian aircraft and air-launched cruise missiles can accomplish this task, the aircraft would potentially face great difficulty in breaching air defenses. While the From the Russian perspective, they are being sandwiched between BMD defenses to their West and East and increased INF range missile proliferation to their South.

Third, is the potential use of INF range missiles as a component of a Hybrid Warfare strategy. There have been many definitions of Hybrid Warfare and different names for it including New Generation War. One such definition is that it encompasses the use of a broad range of subversive instruments, many being non-military, to further national interests. These instruments may include economic pressure, propaganda, cyber-attacks, political influence and nuclear coercion to name a few. Russia has utilized a Hybrid Warfare strategy inclusive of varied instruments in the invasion of Georgia in 2008, the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The deployment of INF range missiles with the capability of being fitted with nuclear warheads, whether confirmed by Russia or not, could be utilized to divide and weaken NATO which the RAND Corporation argues is an objective of Russias Hybrid Warfare strategy. These Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons with the ability to target Europe but lacking the range to hit the United States could in theory divide and weaken NATO by making the U.S. think twice before intervening in a potential conflict for fear of nuclear escalation. This strategy is reminiscent of the French decision in the 1950s to obtain a nuclear arsenal due to uncertainty about U.S. nuclear guarantees. Russia may calculate that it can invade the Baltic States under the umbrella of a nuclear INF range force without the U.S. intervening. This would be the end of NATO and could potentially further embolden Russia and other powers to use force or coercion as the concept of U.S. extended nuclear deterrence would, therefore, no longer exist.

This is not a farfetched Russian strategy. The U.S. under President Obama stepped back from armed intervention to the point of failing to enforce a clear red line against Syria using chemical weapons. It also decided not to take military action when Russia blatantly invaded and seized Crimea from Ukraine in contravention of the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, signed by the U.S. and Russia as a security assurance in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons left over from the Soviet Union. President Trump with his America First isolationist rhetoric, criticism of NATO and suggestion that South Korea and Japan should obtain nuclear weapons also suggests a future withdrawal from global leadership. This may act to not only cast doubt in allied countries that the U.S. will come to their aid if attacked but also embolden Russia to push the envelope further.

The potential benefit of Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons over strategic arsenals, such as the nuclear triad deployed by the U.S. and Russia, is the perception that their use would not escalate into a strategic level conflict. Although ICBMs could strike a regional target within the INF range, this use of the strategic arsenal could be seen as an escalation and potentially result in a global exchange. Although this level of thinking is dangerous, as any use of nuclear weapons would potentially be difficult to limit within the region, it must be taken into account that a perception may be present in the mind of an adversary that limited use is possible with the deployment of a modernized non-strategic nuclear arsenal.

I eventually beat my 12 year-old nephew in our Christmas Day chess game but the time will come when he will analyze my piece movements and successfully counter me. If we limit our focus on the alleged breach of the INF treaty without understanding or taking into account why Russia may breach it, we will fail to implement an effective strategy to counter any further actions. A potential consequence of this is that when and if Russia decides to withdraw from the treaty, it will already have an advanced INF range force ready to employ immediately. In our changing geopolitical environment where alliances may appear more fragile than they were previously, this could lead to miscalculation and subsequent disaster.

Adam Cabot has a Masters in International Relations and is currently researching Russian nuclear strategy.By my minds creation

Wonders shall I do.

Goethe, The Sorcerers Apprentice

In the November/December 2017 issue of Foreign Affairs, Kosh Sadat and Stanley McChrystal defended the ongoing state-building and counterinsurgency project in Afghanistan as both right and necessary. In doing so, however, they revived the fallacies that have long obscured problematic aspects of the U.S.-led campaign in that country. Proponents of the open-ended commitments to Afghanistan have long misrepresented the governance and security issues in Afghanistan as merely technical, albeit complicated, and overstated the ability of American means to remedy such issues. Like others before them, Sadat and McChrystal have addressed neither the complex prerequisites to state building nor the consequences of ongoing American political ambivalence towards the war. Either one of these factors alone could derail U.S. aims. The fact that both are present should give policymakers pause.

STATE BUILDING IN AFGHANISTAN

Any functioning state rests upon a reliable bureaucracy, and Afghanistans leaders have yet to establish one. Afghan elites have continued to manipulate the function of those institutions to bolster their own legitimacy or to attack that of their rivals. Such infighting corrupts the evolution of institutional structures and how they relate to each other. Established bureaucracies enjoy legitimacy by expert authority rather than natural (i.e. tribal or familial) or charismatic (i.e. supernatural) authority. For bureaucracies to resist cooptation they must have the opportunity to establish internal norms and political equity on the basis of expertise alone; the proverbial egg must precede the proverbial chicken.[1]

Afghans do not have a living bureaucratic tradition like that of pre-modern China, which can provide the cultural soil for nourishing viable state structures. Thus, would-be Afghan state-builders are obligated to cultivate a political deference to expertise if they aspire to establish a stable ally in Kabul. This is a daunting proposition because it requires the acquiescence of the very elites that benefit from the extant patrimonial structures. Any proposal for an open-ended U.S. commitment to the survival of the Afghan state is incomplete if it does not include a strategy for persuading these elites to participate in the bureaucratization of governance.

ANY PROPOSAL FOR AN OPEN-ENDED U.S. COMMITMENT TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE AFGHAN STATE IS INCOMPLETE IF IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A STRATEGY FOR PERSUADING THESE ELITES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUREAUCRATIZATION OF GOVERNANCE.

Transforming elites attitudes toward state building begins with the elites themselves developing a coherent ideology. A body of ideas shared among elites is essential to institutional legitimacy and viability because it provides an explicit logic for the distribution and devolution of power and for the succession of individuals to legitimate leadership. A common ideology would facilitate the development of a distinct elite culture and hierarchy that mirrors and strengthens that of state institutions. Yet, despite attempts by regimes of radically different philosophies to create one, none has arisen in Afghanistan since the fall of the monarchy in 1973.

Afghan political elites remain fragmented across every dimension: geographically, ethnically, economically, and religiously. There is no facet of the Afghan ruling class that unifies them outside of the formal and somewhat artificial structure of their state. The fractiousness of Afghan elites is a principal cause for the states crippling paralysis and dysfunction. The loci of power in Afghan society are in small demographic and agrarian geographic social clusters rather than in the formal structure of state institutions. Tribalism and transactional loyalties predominate in the absence of trusted alternatives to meet the needs of daily life. Corruption in the Western context is the necessary lubricant for a functioning society in the current Afghan context.

The fractiousness of Afghan elites cannot be remedied through any formula of incentives and sanctions. Nor can it be cured by transient advisors however long serving and qualified they might be. The barriers to progress in Afghanistan do not yield to external influences because Afghan elites and their foreign backers view the costs and benefits very differently. Afghan leaders are concerned with the practicalities of local politics and the tools needed to achieve success. The U.S. and its allies, on the other hand, are guided by broad schemes and ideologies that are too often more aspirational than realistic. Together they sustain a system riddled with perverse incentives that undermine the establishment of effective institutional norms.

THE U.S. AND ITS ALLIES, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE GUIDED BY BROAD SCHEMES AND IDEOLOGIES THAT ARE TOO OFTEN MORE ASPIRATIONAL THAN REALISTIC.

For example, the apprehension over ungoverned spaces in U.S. security policy incentivizes political dysfunction in Kabul. It cultivates the message that the U.S. and its allies could not countenance the possibility of the current republics collapse or a return of the Talibans status quo antebellum, and, in the minds of Afghan elites, that the U.S. is bound to guarantee the Afghan states survival. Given such an impression, one could imagine elite factions continuing their competition for influence and legitimacy heedless of its consequence for the viability of the state and its political culture. The wellsprings of political-social dysfunction in Afghanistan are so fundamental that they render any discussion of means and methods moot.[2]

POLITICAL AMBIVALENCE

Policymakers should also recognize the consequence of the ongoing uncertainty about the specifics of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and the true depth of American commitment. Military assistance cannot achieve lasting gains without political consensus in Washington. Effective US interventions in the past, such as the 1946 Greek civil war, benefitted from having both relative political harmony at home and measured policy aims that reflected the strategic context. It is possible that a similar consensus for Afghanistan will emerge, but the prospects are not particularly bright given the current state of American politics. It is far more probable that the policy mood will remain temperamental and sensitive to the fortunes of the moment. Without clarity of purpose and will, it is impossible to achieve anything better than a holding action in Central Asia at the expense of other national priorities.

Near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, December 2014. Lucas Jackson | Reuters

The U.S. military can adapt to the mood in Washington with single-minded purpose as it prosecutes the war, but belligerents in and around Afghanistan will continue to read current American political ambivalence as evidence of weakness and hedge accordingly. Under such conditions, rethinking our approach to targeting, expanding the scope of the conflict to deny sanctuaries in Pakistan, and renewing our efforts to stamp out corruption are old bromides that are unlikely to succeed.[3]

Sadat and McChrystal warned in Foreign Affairs, a post-American Afghanistan is not a pretty picture. It is a caution steeped in irony that is itself a warning. To stay the course in Afghanistan would be more about what Americans fear than what they expect to achieve. Fear leading policy is dangerous. Taking lead counsel from ones nightmares opens the door to the kind of forever war that the U.S. should avoid. As crises and potential crises multiply around the world, the U.S. can ill afford open-ended strategic exposure which risks its capacity to preserve and advance its core interests elsewhere.

TO STAY THE COURSE IN AFGHANISTAN WOULD BE MORE ABOUT WHAT AMERICANS FEAR THAN WHAT THEY EXPECT TO ACHIEVE.

There is little doubt that U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, under current circumstances, raises some dire possibilities, and Americans should not cover their eyes from these potentialities. Washington has asked Afghans to suspend their disbelief and to embrace the state-building, modernizing, vision of Afghanistan for more than a decade. Thousands of Afghans have been killed or maimed in service to that promise. Many more of them would likely suffer in the twilight before an American withdrawal. This, however, is the inescapable cost of American ambitions. The U.S. must acknowledge the cost and own it, but American policymakers ought not prolong the trickle of blood and treasure purely out of moral apprehension. Seeking certain victory, the U.S. has instead secured a Faustian bargain, and rescuing itself from that compact requires humility, moral courage, and an understanding of the limits of power.

CONCLUSION

The strategic choice before the U.S. and its allies is stark. A sudden and impetuous abandonment of Afghanistan would do grave harm to American interests and commit a severe moral transgression against the Afghans that have served, and continue to serve, alongside U.S.-led forces. American policymakers should, however, discard any illusions that they may have held about what military targeting, advising, and reform programs can reasonably be expected to achieve in strategically contested spaces like Afghanistan. Relying on those means and methods is to make a passive choice for the status quo. The deliberate choice is between a broad reset for the Afghan campaign, with all the resources that state building requires, or finding a path out of Afghanistan.

Turning back the clock to 2001 with circa 2011-level resources is an implausible proposition. The U.S. squandered the political capital it needs, both at home and abroad, by failing to justify the cost of Operation Enduring Freedom with policies commensurate to its ambition. Despite the wealth and lives it committed from 2001 through the end of the so-called surge in 2012, the U.S. never reflected in its policies a commitment to the kind of generational effort that state-building in Afghanistan demanded. The surge in Afghanistan was never sufficient, in quantity and coherence, to cultivate the kind of political culture and institutions necessary to effective governance. Even if the U.S. musters the will and wherewithal for state-building, it is doubtful that Afghans will be willing to suspend their disbelief and accept U.S. assurances that it can succeed as they had a decade ago. TURNING BACK THE CLOCK TO 2001 WITH CIRCA 2011-LEVEL RESOURCES IS AN IMPLAUSIBLE PROPOSITION. Instead of revisiting state building, the U.S. should reduce its commitment to a program of security assistance that guarantees critical elements of materiel, funding, and limited advisory support to the Afghan security forces at the ministerial and senior command level. Such support would reflect the true balance of American interests in Afghanistan, correct the outsize influence that the Afghan war has had on institutional priorities in the American military, and the strategic exposure that the U.S. incurs. President Trumps strategy for Afghanistan explicitly rejects the aspiration of reconstructing the Afghan state, but it declares anew the U.S. determination to win by reformulating past means and methods. The shortcoming in the current approach is one of kind rather than of effectiveness or efficiency. It was the insufficiency of the tools at hand for solving the problem of weak state institutions that have bedeviled the U.S.-led campaign. Decisive victory in Afghanistan had always demanded more tools than U.S. policymakers ever seriously countenanced, and adding to the scope and robustness of tried solutions does not resolve that strategic tension. The modest surge in troops, pressure on Pakistan, etc., could be fruitful as a gambit to end the war on best-possible terms, but fear of ungoverned spaces is a seductive dogma that could persuade U.S. policymakers to gamble on discrete indices of progress against the dicta of strategy. The Trump Administrations approach to Afghanistan thus leaves open the question of what path it has in fact chosen: to lead the denouement of Americas war in Afghanistan or to hope in the promise of military tactics and diplomatic demarches in changing the strategic balance. The latter path is problematic because it increases American risk of building the proverbial bridge-to-nowhere and achieving nothing worth owning at even the least cost.Republicans' first victory of 2018 will likely be Judge Timothy J. Kelly's denial of the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction in English v. Trump following a hearing on the Friday before Christmas.The case began over Thanksgiving weekend when Richard Cordray, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's first director, promoted his chief of staff Leandra English to deputy director. The soon-to-be Ohio gubernatorial candidate then announced his resignation would take effect at the end of the day and declared English acting director until the Senate confirmed a new one. Two hours later, President Trump ignored Cordray's self-serving misinterpretation of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and appointed Mick Mulvaney acting director. Front-page headlines proclaimed a federal agency with two heads, one suing the president to remove the other.Even before the widespread anticlerical protests in Iran, President Trump made clear what he thinks of the regime. In recent days, he has even gone so far as to support those Iranians protesting the regime, in stark contrast to President Barack Obamas desperate attempt in 2009 to curry favor with their oppressors.SUMMERLAND, Calif.--As the largest forest fire in Californias history slowly burns itself out in the remote reaches of the Los Padres National Forest, residents of Santa Barbara County are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The Thomas Fire, which began on December 4 near tiny Thomas Aquinas College in the town of Santa Paula, has consumed 282,000 acres, about 440 square miles. It forced evacuation of thousands of residents in Santa Barbara, Carpenteria, Montecito and Summerland, the small coastal community where my wife and I live. Most evacuees, including us, are back home now and thankful for the remarkable firefighting skill and ingenuity that saved all but a handful of homes in the Montecito hills.

Our neighbors to the southeast in Ventura were less fortunate. There, the Thomas Fire advanced an acre per minute in the early hours of the blaze and destroyed an estimated 800 homes before firefighters gained the upper hand. (The official count is 1,063 structures, which includes barns and other outbuildings.) Most important, the fatality count of two was unbelievably low for such a massive blaze. A woman crashed her car while evacuating and a firefighter was killed as his strike team worked in a dangerous canyon. Compare that to an October fire in Napa and Sonoma counties in Northern California wine country where emergency response was slow and warning systems failed. That fire killed 44 people; more than 10,000 homes were lost.

Here in Santa Barbara County, the dominant emotion as we enter the new year is gratitude. Signs thanking firefighters are everywhere. Many signs add the word heroes.

While the firefighters are rightly praised for bravery, it was the sensible strategy and historical knowledge of experienced fire commanders that outwitted the Thomas Fire and saved so many homes and lives. Despite Santa Barbaras image as a paradise on the Pacific, we are hauntedand, as it turns out, helpedby the ghosts of past wildland fires. The Zaca Fire of 2007 consumed 7,000 acres in nearby mountains; the Tea Fire of 2008 destroyed 210 homes in Santa Barbara and Montecito; the Jesusita Fire of 2009 added another 80 homes; and the Sherpa Fire of 2016 burnt 7,400 acres in the mountains and along the coast, forcing the evacuation of campgrounds; the Whittier Fire this year north of Santa Barbara near Lake Cachuma burned 18,000 acres and destroyed 16 homes.

The overall objective of the unified fire command was to force the Thomas Fire into areas burned in these earlier blazes where the fuel supply was relatively scant. To this end they used a barrage of weapons: a huge scooper aircraft that could pick up 1,600 gallons of water from a nearby lake in seconds to drop on the flames, fixed-wing aircraft with colored fire retardant, helicopters that used both water and retardant, and an army of ground-based firefighters. These firefighters, nearly 9,000-strong at the fires peak, retreated to safe havens when winds were high and then retaliated after the winds shifted or abatedthe term used is fire-followingwith hoses, picks, shovels and a series of back fires.

The tactics of the fire command were as sound as the strategy. Every day at 3 a.m. a fixed-wing aircraft with ultra-violet sensory equipment was sent over the area. A similarly equipped helicopter made the same flight after dawn. The mapping made from these two rounds of photos enabled the commanders to dispatch personnel to the most critical points of the blaze.

The terrain is rugged in the Montecito hills. Canyons in Santa Barbara County run north-south and become corridors of fire when the north wind blows. Firefighters established lines on East Camino Cielo, a ridgeline 3,600 feet above Santa Barbara. The crucial day was December 16 when a wind event with gusts over 60 miles an hour blew down the canyons. That was the day when Montecito and Summerland were evacuated. Firefighters didnt want residents impeding their maneuvers on narrow hillside roads and were also concerned that homeowners anxious to save their property might not get out in time.

Honestly, I thought it was going to burn to the beach, Santa Barbara County Fire Department Capt. Dave Zaniboni told The Independent, a popular weekly newspaper. I was absolutely shocked when I didnt see any fire below [Highway] 192, the east-west road dividing mountain foothills from more heavily populated coastal communities.

But despite the 60-mph gusts, overall winds were not quite as strong as had been feared, and the firefighters had done their work well. The Thomas Fire was held in the hills. According to the Independent, 1,300 homes were threatened that day. All but 10 of them were saved from destruction; another 10 were damaged.

The fire occurred in one of the driest and warmest Decembers on record. No rain has fallen in Ventura since February; Santa Barbara has experienced only a couple of inches. Some climatologists believe we may be seeing a resumption of the extreme five-year drought that supposedly ended with heavy rain last winter. These rains produced a bumper crop of fuel for this years fires. But as fire officials see it, the weather was the chief culprit.

With the absence of any significant precipitation this fall, fuels have become critically dry across much of Southern California, said the official report on the Thomas Fire. In addition there has been a prolonged period of warm, dry, and windy weather which has worked in concert with the lack of rainfall to produce catastrophic wildfires. The Thomas Fire is now the largest fire in California history. This would be significant if it were summer; however, it is unprecedented in December, and it serves as a testimony to the extreme volatility of the fuels.

It is not only the firefighters who have learned the lessons of past fires. Unlike in the Northern California wine country, where wildfires are rare, Santa Barbarans are perennially on the alert for catastrophe. Most of us have signed up for emergency warnings, delivered by alternatives of email, texts, or voice mail on cellphones and land lines. Emergency updates came fast and frequently during the Thomas Fire, in one case too quickly. An early warning during the first week of the fire told some residents to evacuate before it was necessary to do so. But the warning was quickly rescinded, and in any case, the maxim of better safe than sorry applies.

Santa Barbara County residents also benefited from consistent and courageous coverage of the fire by the local television station, KEYT, which provided full-time coverage around the clock in the crucial days of the fire and excellent reports of trouble spots by well-informed correspondents. As a reporter for The Washington Post, I covered the Big Sur fire of 1977 and the deadly Oakland firestorm of 2001 and appreciate the difficulty of making sense of these natural disasters. KEYTs coverage of the Thomas Fire was first-rate.

With the fire now a memory and the air again safe to breath without a face mask, the widespread local feeling of gratitude is tinged with anxiety. We worry that when the rains come, if they do, they could create mudslides on the ash-covered hills. And we realize also that there is now a year-round fire season in Southern California and that another blaze could come at any time of day or night.

In Santa Barbara there is always a fire next time.WASHINGTON -- Think of the Iranian uprising as a bottom-up revolt by people who feel they've been ignored by a corrupt elite. The issues and the faces in the street are very different from those of the populist movements that swept America and Europe in 2016, but you sense a resonance: "Make Iran Great Again" and "Iran First."

This revolt probably won't topple the Islamic Republic, but it certainly has deepened the fault lines. It shows that Iran's revolutionary adventures in the Middle East carry a cost at home. And it puts a cocky, belligerent regime on its back foot. For unlike the 2009 "Green Movement," this isn't primarily an urban, elite protest, but something potentially broader. A crackdown could backfire.

"This is a nationwide uprising taking place all over Iran," argues Alireza Nader, a senior policy analyst at the Rand Corp. who has been monitoring the protests since they began. "The government has been taken by surprise and the security forces have been slow to act." It's a revolt of the mustazafin, or dispossessed, Nader says, but also of the urban middle class.

President Trump's enthusiasm for the protesters has bubbled over in his tweets. Explains a senior administration official: Dissent shows Iran has "deep structural problems" and a corrupt economic system, dominated by the Revolutionary Guard Corps, that is "unsustainable." The White House sensibly plans to work with allies to hold Iran accountable for any violence against its citizens. Argues the senior official: "Iran is now encountering the cost of the choices they've made. That's not going away until they make different choices."

Like most social upheavals, this one was obvious only in hindsight. But there were hints. Last April, as moderate President Hassan Rouhani was on his way to re-election, voters clearly wanted economic growth. Asked about their income levels, 54 percent of Iranians surveyed by the Toronto-based IranPoll answered either "I hardly get by" or "It is very difficult to get by." Last year, Gallup reported that Iran ranked third on its Negative Experience Index, after Iraq and South Sudan.

Partly, this is a revolution of rising expectations. Iranians had hoped that Rouhani and the nuclear deal he championed with the West would bring new investment, jobs and the dynamic modern life Iranians want. But this hasn't happened. Frustrated people get angry, and their rage eventually surges into the streets.

The protesters denounce both Rouhani's reformers and the hard-liners led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. They come from Iran's equivalents of "red states" and "blue states" alike. On videos, you can see protesters taunting two of the regime's most sacred cows, Khamenei and Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of the Quds Force.

As U.S. officials have tried to reconstruct events of the past week, they see a spontaneous, diffuse movement that ignited like sparks on dry tinder. The first big protest was last Thursday in the conservative stronghold of Mashhad in eastern Iran. U.S. officials think it was initially organized by Khamenei's supporters to protest Rouhani's economic policies, but it quickly spread so that the mullahs, too, became a target.

The next big protest came in Kermanshah, a Kurdish-dominated area along the western border. The region was rocked by a powerful earthquake in November, killing more than 500 and wounding nearly 10,000, and protesters blamed corrupt building inspectors. Protests then spread to Ahvaz, an Arab-dominated city in the south, to Isfahan in the center and to several dozen other cities.

The people in the streets have defied government intimidation, which had crushed the 2009 revolt. Watch their videos and you can hear the chants that echo across the country: "Death to the dictator," "Leave Syria, think of us," "Don't be afraid, we stand together," and "We'll die to get Iran back." One clip shows a female protester calling out the men around her: "What are you waiting for? Be men. Come forward."

Karim Sadjadpour, a leading Iran analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, summarizes the surprise explosion: "No one anticipated this. It happened in the Islamic Republic's heartland. It reflects a feeling of utter frustration and despair toward everyone and every part of the system."

The world is watching. That's the right message for Trump, and every other leader who cares about Iran's future. Rouhani may sympathize with this revolt -- these are the people who voted for him, after all -- but Khamenei will want to crush it. The best gift America can give the Iranian people is a digital lifeline, so humanity can witness their brave struggle and encourage them to prevail.

(c) 2018, Washington Post Writers GroupGot some scoop for our reporters or editors? Click on the link below to send us your information.

Send your newsChinese people celebrate the new year during a countdown event at a Yongdingmen Gate in China's capital Beijing, Dec. 31, 2017.

As China begins a new year, the big question for its economy is whether government leaders will stick to their promises to control financial risks and rely on "high-quality" growth.

The twin policy pledges, frequently repeated by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, imply that the government will curb credit emissions and be satisfied with slower but more sustainable economic growth.

Policymakers and regulators faced the identical issues at the start of 2017, but their performance before the critical 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October was decidedly mixed.

Under pressure to deliver on the CPC's promise to double gross domestic product in a decade by 2020, the government looked the other way while state-owned banks let loose a wave of new loans.

In September, net new lending of 1.27 trillion yuan (U.S. $193 billion) topped forecasts, rising 16.5 percent from a month earlier and sparking expectations that loans would hit a new high in 2017.

New loans fell back in October but then surged again in November to 1.12 trillion yuan (U.S. $169.3 billion), setting a record for the 11-month period, according to Reuters reports.

Most of the credit was for home and property financing, boosting speculation in the high-growth investment sector that the People's Bank of China (PBOC) had promised to control.

Despite the government's focus on new-age factors, including technology, innovation, consumption and services, to drive the economy, the lending gave an old-fashioned push to construction-related industries to underpin growth.

The official Xinhua news agency acknowledged the backsliding in a year-end economic report.

"China has maintained prudent monetary policy since 2011. However, in practice the policy has been loosening slightly due to downward pressure on economic growth," Xinhua said.

IMF warnings

The loans have defied repeated warnings in the past year from the International Monetary Fund about the "dangerous" pace of credit increases, as well as a downgrade of China's sovereign debt in September from Standard & Poor's ratings agency.

In the latest frictions last month, an IMF review of China's financial stability criticized its rising credit levels and complexity of the country's system. The fund cited banking practices such as lending to prop up growth and employment, and compensating investors for losses from risky financial products.

IMF officials said that "credit growth will not slow sustainably unless tolerance for job losses and slower economic growth rises, particularly at (the) local level, and new sources of revenue are found for local governments."

The PBOC responded that the assessments "have fully acknowledged China's achievements" in promoting financial stability, but cited "a few descriptions and views in the reports that we don't agree with."

The government continued to rely on lending to boost GDP growth to 6.9 percent through the first three quarters of last year, topping both Premier Li's target of "about 6.5 percent" for last year and the 6.7-percent expansion in 2016.

Aside from clashes with the IMF and rating agencies, the loan binge also contradicted China's own official policy goals for 2018, which stress risk reduction, credit cutoffs for "zombie" enterprises, support for the "real economy," and slower but steadier growth.

"Achieving high-quality development is imperative for China to maintain sustainable and healthy development of the economy and society," President Xi said on Dec. 6, according to Xinhua.

Policymakers echoed the same themes at the annual Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing last month.

A statement issued at the end of the three-day conference appeared to downplay the need for deleveraging, suggesting tolerance for increases in debt.

"Prudent monetary policy should be kept neutral, the floodgates of monetary supply should be controlled, and current and social financing should see reasonable growth," the statement said.

"China will maintain a hardline stance on irregular and illegal activities in the financial industry to forestall risks," it said.

But the conference statement quickly drew attention for what it did not say.

"Compared with the statement from last year, analysts have noticed the absence of 'deleveraging' in the wording," Xinhua said in a year-end commentary on Dec. 21.

The news agency cited a research note from China International Capital Corp., arguing that although deleveraging was not mentioned, "financial risk control is still a priority."

The lukewarm assurance is unlikely to be seen as an adequate response to calls for more urgent action to restrain credit growth.

"Since October, Chinese economic policymakers have expressed little interest in tackling the country's mountain of debt, which has accumulated rapidly over the past decade," The New York Times said.

Chinese performers play drum music during a countdown event celebrating the new year at Yongdingmen Gate in China's capital Beijing, Dec. 31, 2017. Credit: Reuters Challenge for 2018

China's challenge this year is not whether it will set sound goals, but whether it will ignore them again and fall back on credit-fueled stimulus policies if economic growth slips too fast or too far.

One consideration working in favor of sustainable risk and growth policies is that China no longer needs such high rates to fulfill the CPC promise of doubling GDP by 2020.

The steady and relatively high growth maintained through November has created "room for policymakers to step up efforts on risk control, poverty relief and pollution next year," Xinhua argued in a report on Dec. 14.

In a Xinhua report on Dec. 23, an official of the government's central leading group on financial and economic affairs, said the goal of doubling GDP could be met with annual growth of 6.3 percent through 2020.

"Judging from current economic performance, there will not be any huge barrier in meeting the goal," said Yang Weimin, deputy director of China's Office of the Central Leading Group on Financial and Economic Affairs, which is in charge of leading and supervising the economic work of both the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

Scott Kennedy, deputy director of China studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said in September that China's leaders appeared comfortable with even lower growth in the range of 5.8 percent to 6.2 percent for 2018-2020 as they pursue their priority for managing risks.

"My sense is that the government is likely to encourage a slightly looser monetary policy for the next couple of months to ensure China gets safely through the Spring Festival without hiccups, but reducing financial risks will still be the top priority for the coming year," Scott said by email last month, referring to the Chinese New Year which falls on Feb. 16 this year.

Official growth rates in a lower range would be uncharted territory for China's leaders, however, tempting them to spur growth with traditional stimulus measures.

Gary Hufbauer, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said China's government is likely to do whatever it takes to keep GDP growth rates from falling below 6 percent in the coming year, even if it means pumping up credit.

"I think the judgment of the Chinese authorities is that the financial risk is less than the political risk," Hufbauer said in an interview.

"They may be wrong but they certainly act as if a drop in the growth rate to a more normal level ... would be a political disaster," he said.

In that respect, the forces at work in 2018 are much the same as those seen last year, despite Xi's consolidation of power since the party congress.

While Xi's authority is unquestioned, it is unclear whether he will use it to throttle credit down, cut off loss-making enterprises, and face the consequences for jobs.

The course of 2018 is likely to be determined by political calculations rather than promises of economic reforms as China faces its "three tough battles" of managing major risks, alleviating poverty, and controlling pollution.Financial compensation plans for Lao residents displaced by a high-speed railway linking the country with China have been finalized and are being reviewed by provincial authorities, with two provinces already approving their terms, Lao sources say.



The Peoples Councils of Luang Namtha and Vientiane provinces have already approved the compensation packages, Rattanamany Khounnivong, deputy minister at the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told RFAs Lao Service.



Three other councils in Oudomxay and Luang Prabang provinces and in the capital Vientiane are now reviewing them for approval, he said.



And once everything is set, my ministry and the Finance Ministry will begin making payment to affected villagers right away, Rattanamany said, while declining to provide details of the amounts offered to offset residents losses of homes, land and livelihoods.



Under Lao Decree 84 issued in April 2016, Lao citizens losing land to development projects must be compensated for lost income, property, crops, and plants. And project owners must guarantee that living conditions for those displaced will be as good as, or better than, they were before the project began.



More than 4,400 families, some of whom have already been moved from their land, are now waiting for compensation originally promised to them by November, sources said.



Its already the end of the year, and its still quiet, one Luang Prabang resident still living on his land told RFA at the end of December. We havent heard anything yet, and we need compensation to be paid as soon as possible.



Concerns over transparency



Also speaking to RFA, other sources voiced concerns over lack of transparency in the payment process.



Of course I worry about compensation, a resident of Nong Vieng Kham Village in the capital, Vientiane, said.



I dont want there to be any leaks [of the funds], and I dont want any middle men to be involved, RFAs source said, speaking like the others interviewed on condition of anonymity.



If the government pays us $500 per square meter, I want to receive $500--not $200 or $300, he said.



Meanwhile, a resident of Vientianes Ban Nathom village expressed confidence in the payment process.



I think the process will be transparent and the payments will be fair, the source said, noting that compensation had been paid fairly in the past in projects building the Lao National Assembly Building and a road leading to an important Buddhist religious monument.



First scheduled for completion by 2015, plans now call for work on the railway to end in 2021, with Chinese companies promising completion by that date despite the challenges of boring tunnels in mountainous areas of the countrys north.



Landlocked Laos expects the planned railway to lower the cost of exports and consumer goods while boosting socioeconomic development in the impoverished nation of nearly 7 million people.



Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.A former Tibetan political prisoner weakened by beatings and torture suffered in detention has been placed under house arrest by Chinese authorities angered over his contacts with rights groups and media outlets outside the region, Tibetan sources say.



Shonu Palden, 40, was summoned by police in Gansu provinces Machu (in Chinese, Maqu) county on Dec. 27 and was questioned for hours about a report published by the Dharamsala, India-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) earlier in the month.



The report detailed the hardships faced by Paldens eight-year-old daughter Namgyal Dolma, who has been barred from attending school because of her fathers previous involvement in protests calling for Tibetan freedom from Chinese rule.



Chinese police have now criticized him for spreading word of his case outside the area, and have scolded him severely, TCHRD staff member Trisong Dorje told RFAs Tibetan Service, adding that Palden was accused of harboring political motives for discussing his case with others.



Shonu Paldens family, relatives, and friends are worried that the authorities may now arrest him again, and that if this happens, his failing health may grow even worse, Dorje said.



Palden now lives in poor health at his home in Machu after being released in 2013 by prison authorities who feared he might die behind bars as a result of the beatings and torture he endured while detained, TCHRD said in a Dec. 18 report.



He now suffers from blocked arteries, failing eyesight, and breathing and hearing problems, and his family is struggling to meet the costs of his medical care, the rights group said.



Local authorities are meanwhile refusing to admit Paldens daughter to school, saying that her birth date was entered improperly on an application.



But similar cases have been quickly and easily resolved, TCHRD said in its report, adding that local authorities have told Dolmas parents the real reason she has not been admitted is her fathers participation in the protests for which he had been sent to prison.



Reported by Sangye Dorje for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Benpa Topgyal. Written in English by Richard Finney.A wealthy businessman wanted by authorities in Vietnam on charges of espionage has been detained by immigration officials in Singapore and is seeking asylum in Germany to avoid being repatriated, according to reports.

Vietnams Ministry of Public Security issued an order to prosecute Da Nang-based real estate developer Phan Van Anh Vu, 42, on Dec. 20 for deliberately disclosing state secrets under Article 263 of the countrys Penal Code, state media reported last week, without providing details about the charges.

Vu was not at home or at his office the following day when authorities tried to arrest him, the report said, adding that police had seized important documents after searching his house and subsequently began the hunt for him.

The fugitive tycoon, who is also an intelligence officer, is believed to have entered Singapore on Dec. 21, but was arrested a week later when he tried to cross the border into Malaysia on a passport that had been cancelled by Vietnamese authorities, media reports said. Reuters news agency quoted a lawyer engaged by Vus family as saying he was attempting to travel to Germany.

Other reports quoted Vus lawyers Tuesday as saying they had not been granted access to their client in Singapore, and that they had written to the German embassy there about the case, saying the tycoon could face a death sentence if repatriated to Vietnam.

The lawyers also noted that Vu could reveal important information about the kidnapping of a Vietnamese former oil executive in Berlin, but said they had yet to receive an answer from German officials.

In July, Vietnamese security agents grabbed Trinh Xuan Thanh from a park in Berlin in an operation Germany called a scandalous violation of its sovereignty, though Hanoi maintains that he returned home voluntarily.

Thanh, who will be tried later this month, is one of several executives arrested by authorities this year in a crackdown on corruption in Vietnams banking and energy sectors.

Asylum difficult

German lawyer Petra Isabel Schlagenhauf, who represents Thanh, told RFAs Vietnamese Service that it will be difficult for Vu to obtain German asylum based on his current situation.

An asylum petition formally only can be made in German territory, not from outside, but there could be the possibility of a humanitarian visa in the German migration law, she said.

I cant say what will be the official German position about that. But all depends on whether it is possible to avoid having this person [taken] back to Vietnam.

Le Nhu Tien, a former member of Vietnams National Assembly, criticized what he called loopholes in Vietnams legal process that he said have allowed defendants in corruption cases to flee the country or go into hiding.

Tien, who is also former deputy head of Vietnams Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, told RFA the fugitives had made off with trillions of dong (1 trillion dong = U.S. $44 million) in assets and questioned whether Vietnam is determined enough to recover the money.

According to state media reports, Vu was formerly a police senior lieutenant colonel with close ties to former secretary of the Da Nang Communist Party Committee and Communist Party Central Committee member Nguyen Xuan Anh, who was removed from both posts in October last year.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Emily Peyman. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.MINSK -- The trial of three Belarusian journalists charged with illegal entrepreneurship and inciting ethnic hatred has resumed in Minsk after a two-week break.

Freelance journalists Yury Paulavets, Dzmitry Alimkin, and Syarhey Shyptenka have all pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The charges stem from articles each contributed to the Russian news outlet Regnum in which they expressed pro-Russia views and promoted the idea of closer integration between Belarus and Russia.

In some articles, the authors described the Belarusian language as a Russian dialect and an attribute of "a lower cultural level."

The three were arrested in December 2016.

Their trial began on December 18, 2017 but was adjourned days later.

Belarus and Russia have close ties and are part of a "union state" established in the 1990s, though it exists mostly on paper.

Meanwhile, wariness about Moscow's intentions toward its neighbors has risen since Russia seized and illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and began supporting pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine, where the ensuing war has killed more than 10,300 people.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has strained ties with the West but now speaks frequently of the need to protect Belarus's sovereignty against potential threats from the east.

Regnum is an online news outlet that covers events in Russia and other former Soviet republics.

A fourth defendant in the Belarusian case, Yury Baranchyk, is also a Belarusian citizen but is residing in Russia.

Russian authorities detained Baranchyk in March at Minsk's request, but refused to extradite him and later released him.A Danish bar owner says a rare and uninsured bottle of Russian vodka valued at about $1.3 million has been stolen from his collection.

Police in Copenhagen confirmed on January 3 that a thief broke into Cafe 33 in the Danish capital and stole the bottle of Russo-Baltique vodka from behind the bar.

"I had [obtained the bottle] from Russia from something called the Dartz Factory, which makes the worlds most expensive cars and vodka. It has been part of my collection for six months, but not anymore," Brian Ingberg, the establishments owner, told TV2/Lorry.

The Russo-Baltique vodka is said to be one of a kind, with its value boosted by the 3 kilograms of gold and 3 kilograms of silver used to make the bottle. In addition, the bottle is partly encased in leather from a 1912 Monte Carlo rally car.

"I am obviously very upset. It was the icing on the cake in my collection. Of the 1,200 bottles I have, this was a very special bottle to have there," Ingberg said.

The bottle recently gained notoriety when it was featured in the U.S. TV series House Of Cards.

Based on reporting by TV2/Lorry and dpaA Canadian man recently rescued in Pakistan with his American wife and children after five years of captivity by the Taliban has been arrested and faces assault charges in Canada, his lawyer says.

In a 15-count indictment, Ottawa police have charged Joshua Boyle, 34, with eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of forcible confinement, and one count of uttering death threats.

A publication ban has been imposed, preventing the alleged victims from being identified.

A hearing on Boyle's case is scheduled for January 3 in Ottawa, the Canadian capital. His lawyer, Eric Granger, said on January 2 that Boyle was in custody, though he had never been in trouble with the law before and was innocent of the charges.

Boyle, his wife Caitlan Coleman, and their three children were rescued last year in Pakistan, five years after the couple was abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group while on a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan. The children were born in captivity.

Pakistan said its troops rescued the family on October 11 from their captors, the Taliban-linked Haqqani group, after they had been moved across the border from Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the operation was based on a tip from U.S. intelligence.

U.S. officials gave a different account of the family's captivity and rescue, saying the family spent almost all of their five-year confinement in Pakistan, not in Afghanistan.

The parents of Caitlan Coleman, who is from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, said after the rescue that they were elated she had been freed, but they also expressed anger at their son-in law for taking their daughter to Afghanistan.

Based on reporting by AP and ReutersTBILISI -- Dozens of self-exiled Iranian citizens who live in Georgia have rallied in front of the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi, demanding the resignation of Iranian President Hassan Rohani.

The protesters on January 3 also demanded that Iranian authorities begin democratic reforms and guarantee freedom of religion.

Many Iranians living in Georgia say they are Christians who were forced to leave Iran because they were being persecuted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

One demonstrator, Ali Rusta, told RFE/RL that members of the IRGC openly threatened him with imprisonment and demanded that he renounce his Christian faith.

"I can freely attend a church here now" in Tbilisi, Rusta said.

In Iran, at least 22 people have been killed in a wave of antigovernment demonstrations that began December 28 in dozens of towns and cities across the country, including Tehran.

The deputy governor of Tehran, Ali Asgar Naserbakht, said on January 2 that more than 450 demonstrators had been arrested in the Iranian capital.TBILISI -- Closing arguments have been made in a Tbilisi court at the trial in absentia of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who faces charges connected to a 2006 murder case.

Judge Giorgi Arevadze announced on January 3 that the final hearing had been completed. He recessed the court before issuing his ruling.

Saakashvili, who now resides in Kyiv, has been charged with "abuse of power" and accused of trying to cover up evidence about the murder of Georgian banker Sandro Girgvliani.

Saakashvili is also charged with abusing his presidential powers by issuing pardons for four men who were convicted in 2006 of murdering Girgvliani.

Girgvliani, who headed the foreign department of United Georgian Bank, was found dead in January 2006 outside of Tbilisi with multiple injuries after he was seen arguing in a bar with high-ranking Interior Ministry officials.

Saakashvili was the president of Georgia at the time.

Girgvliani's murder, and the unwillingness of the authorities to investigate his death, resulted in harsh criticism of Saakashvili's government.

Prosecutors now accuse Saakashvili and other former Georgian officials of being accomplices in the falsification of evidence related to the case.

Saakashvili rejects the charges as politically motivated.

Saakashvili's government-appointed lawyer, Sofio Goglichidze, asked in her closing arguments on January 3 for the court to acquit Saakashvili.Reports from Iran say an 18-year-old man who was convicted of raping and killing a child when he was 16 has been hanged, despite calls by United Nations rights officials and Amnesty International to stop the execution.

Gholamhossein Esmaili, judiciary chief for Tehran Province, said that the execution took place on the morning of January 4, according to local media.

Amirhossein Pourjafar was sentenced to death in September 2016 after being convicted of the rape and murder of a 6-year-old girl from Irans Afghan community.

Pourjafar had originally been scheduled to be executed in October, but the execution was postponed following international pressure.

"The Iranian authorities must immediately halt the execution of this juvenile offender and annul the death sentence against him in compliance with their international obligations," Asma Jahangir and Agnes Callamard, two UN special envoys, said in a joint statement on January 3.

Amnesty International also called on Tehran to halt putting Pourjafar to death, saying that Iran was a signatory to an international treaty banning the execution of people who commit crimes under the age of 18.

Iran applies the death penalty for crimes including rape, murder, and drug trafficking, as well as apostasy.

Based on reporting by AFP, BBC Persian, and Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's boast that he has a "nuclear button" on his desk by warning that the United States has a "bigger and more powerful" nuclear trigger.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times'," Trump tweeted on January 2.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Kim in his annual New Year's address had warned he had what he called a "nuclear button" on his desk and weapons that he claimed can reach all of the United States, but he said he would only use the weapons if Pyongyang's security was threatened.

"This is a reality, not a threat," Kim said, while he also extended an invitation to South Korea to restart talks and said his country was interested in taking part in the Pyeongchang Games next month.

Trump said he was skeptical about any reopening of talks between the two sides, but South Korea responded positively by proposing high-level talks with Pyongyang on January 9.

If the meeting goes ahead, it would be the first time the two sides have met in more than two years.

Meanwhile, North Korea on January 3 reopened a cross-border hotline with South Korea, a further sign of a thawing in relations between the rivals.

The communication link, which had not been used since 2016 because of an intensifying dispute over the Norths nuclear and ballistic-missile programs, was reestablished at the border village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone on January 3.

"I believe it signals a move toward an environment where communication will be possible at all times," South Korean presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, Yonhap, and dpaLatvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis says authorities in Riga have banned Russian TVTs reporter Anatoly Kurlayev from entering the country for "an uncertain period of time."

Kozlovskis announced the move on January 3 without explaining the reason for the decision.

Kozlovskis said Latvia in 2017 had blacklisted 100 people for different reasons, including an "unfriendly attitude" toward Latvia and its people.

Kurlayev was detained and deported from Latvia after he arrived in Riga on January 1.

Kurlayev later told Russia's Channel One TV that Latvian authorities presented him with a document signed by the interior minister declaring that he had been banned from entering Latvia since 2015.

According to Kurlayev, the situation might be linked to a documentary he produced called NATO At The Gates, which included material he had gathered in Latvia in 2015.

Tensions between Russia and the former Soviet republics in the Baltics -- Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia -- have increased since Russia's seizure and illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

All three Baltic states are now members of NATO and the European Union.

Based on reporting by Delfi.lv and Kriminal.lvWASHINGTON -- Top White House adviser H.R. McMaster says one of the most important tasks in defending U.S. national security is to reveal Russias insidious interference in elections worldwide to prevent Moscow from meddling again in the democratic process.



What we have to do is come up with a way to deal with this very sophisticated strategy [of meddling], McMaster, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, told Voice of America (VOA) in an interview conducted at the White House on January 2.



This new kind of threat that Russia has really perfected...the use of disinformation and propaganda and social-media tools to really polarize societies and pit communities against each other, to weaken their resolve and their commitment, McMaster said.



U.S. intelligence officials concluded last January that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign" targeting the 2016 election, aiming to undermine confidence in U.S. democracy, tarnish the reputation of Democrat Hillary Clinton, and help Republican Donald Trump.

"Well, I think Russias moved from what you might call plausible deniability to implausible deniability."

Officials in Europe have also concluded that Russia attempted to meddle in elections there, including in France, Spain, and the Brexit vote in Britain.



McMaster said that insidious is the right word to describe Russias actions.



So, one of the most important remedies is to pull the curtain back on it to show this activity, to show what the source of this activity is -- what the purpose of this activity is, he said.



And so doing this, youre going to undercut a lot of their ability to exert that kind of negative influence on our society or others.



The Russians were very active in Europe...in the French election recently, in the Spanish referendum in regards to Catalonia [independence]. You see them active in Mexico already. I mean, what they did in Montenegro to try to foment a coup," he said.



"Pulling the curtain back on Russias destabilizing behavior, I think, is a very important first step, because once everybody sees what theyre up to, they lose a lot of their power to foment [trouble] and to pit communities against each other.



McMaster noted that Russia has denied interfering in the U.S. or other elections, but he labeled it as implausible deniability.



He said the Russians "are the same people who denied they shot down Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 and "murdered" 298 people, that they have soldiers in Crimea or eastern Ukraine, or that they are providing cover for the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad and his alleged use of chemical weapons.



Dutch investigators and others say a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane that crashed in a conflict zone in eastern Ukraine in July 2014 was brought down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile.



The United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia for its illegal annexation of Ukraines Crimea region and for its support of separatists in eastern Ukraine in a war that has killed more than 10,300 people since 2014.



[The denials are] just not credible anymore, he said. So, what we need to do, I think, with Russia is confront their destabilization behavior. As I mentioned, pull the curtain back on it.



Nevertheless, he added, it was important for the United States to find ways to cooperate with Russia.



We also have to deter further conflict with Russia, he said. What wed like to do is find areas where we can cooperate with Russia in areas where our interests overlap, he said.



One of those areas weve been talking about is in North Korea and other is in Iran.



How can it be in Russias interest to help empower Iran from the Middle East? Theyre going to pay a huge price for that, he added.16

Activists of Ukrainian nationalist parties hold flares as they take part in a rally to mark the 109th anniversary of the birth of Stepan Bandera, one of the founders of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), in Kyiv, on January 1. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)Russia's Defense Ministry says that a Russian military helicopter has crashed in Syria, killing both pilots aboard.

In a statement on January 3, the ministry said the Mil Mi-24 military helicopter crashed due to a "technical malfunction" on December 31 while it was flying to the military air base in Hama, Syria.

The ministry said the helicopter did not come under fire from Syrian opposition forces or Islamic militants on the ground.

"Both pilots died in a hard landing 15 kilometers from the air base," the ministry said, adding that a technician was injured and taken to another air base for emergency treatment.

The Mil Mi-24 is a large, two-engine battlefield and multipurpose helicopter that is designed for direct ground support of tanks and armored vehicles.

It can transport eight people or 1,500 kilograms of cargo in its cargo hold.

Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, and InterfaxKYIV -- The National Police office of the Kyiv region says activist attorney Iryna Nozdrovska died of multiple stab wounds in what was described as a violent death.

The statement on January 3 came two days after Nozdrovskas body was found floating in a river in Kyiv's Vyshhorod district.

There were stab wounds on the body, on her neck, and on her chinIt was a violent death," said Nikolai Zhukovich of the police press service.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on January 2 called the killing "a challenge to the state" as authorities, facing public outrage, opened a murder investigation.

Klimkin said in comments on Twitter that this is "a test of our society's ability to protect female activists and to ensure justice as a whole."

Nozdrovska, 38, was reported missing on December 29 after she helped to make sure the man convicted of causing the death of her sister was not released from prison, in a high-profile case that was seen as a test of the Ukrainian justice system's ability to fairly prosecute people with links to people in power.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv expressed "shock" over the killing and hundreds of people rallied in Kyiv demanding a thorough investigation.

On Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said it was shocked and saddened by the death of activist Iryna #Nozdrovska" and said that "those responsible must be brought to justice."

The demonstrators in Kyiv on January 2 demanded that the murder investigation be conducted by Kyiv city investigators, saying they did not trust regional law enforcement officers. They also demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

Nozdrovska was the target of threats for her efforts in the case of Dmytro Rossoshanskyy, who was convicted of causing the death of Nozdrovskas sister, Svitlana Sapatinska, in 2015 when he hit her while driving his car.

Judges rejected an appeal by Rossoshanskyy, the nephew of a Kyiv oblast judge, to overturn under an amnesty his seven-year prison term on December 27, thanks in large part to efforts by Nozdrovska to raise public awareness about the case.

Nozdrovska and others mentioned that the young mans drug-addict mates had come to the court to take him home ahead of his expected release. She thanked the judges for what she called one of the extremely rare just court rulings."

Ukrainian lawmaker Mustafa Nayyem wrote on Facebook on January 1 that Rossoshanskyy's father had threatened Nozdrovska at the December 27 hearing. According to Nayyem, the threat was, "You will end up badly."

AFP reported that the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group in a statement said Nozdrovska had received threats during the trial "from Rossoshanskyy himself, and from his mates."

In Ukraine, relatives of officials often either get away with crimes or manage to get released earlier due to corruption, which observers say harms the country's everyday life and economy.

With reporting by AFPKYIV -- Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who is now an outspoken Ukrainian opposition figure, has accused Russia's lead security agency of helping to fabricate evidence used against his ongoing criminal prosecution.

Saakashvili made the accusation to reporters after a January 3 hearing at Kyiv's Appeals Court where prosecutors asked the court to place Saakashvili under house arrest for refusing to answer questions from the Security Service of Ukraine, known as the SBU. He did not provide evidence to back up the assertion.

Judges adjourned the hearing at the request of prosecutors until January 11 without issuing a ruling.

Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko has accused Saakashvili, the former governor of Ukraine's Odesa region, of abetting an alleged "criminal group" led by Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia after his ouster in February 2014.

Ukrainian authorities also claim that protests led by Saakashvili in Ukraine are part of a Russian plot against the government in Kyiv.

Part of the evidence presented in the case is a recording of an alleged telephone conversation between Saakashvili and a pro-Russian Ukrainian businessman who is hiding in Russia.

Lutsenko has charged that the businessman, Serhiy Kurchenko, offered Saakashvili money to organize protests and public disorder in Ukraine, and that Saakashvili accepted a half-million-dollar payment.

Saakashvili, who attended the January 3 Kyiv hearing with his wife and a son, denies all charges.

He told reporters after the hearing that the forensic evidence presented by prosecutors was flawed.

Saakashvili also alleged that the evidence against him was fabricated by the SBU "with the involvement of" the FSB.

"The so-called forensics saying it was proven that my so-called conversation with Kurchenko was authentic has a lot of flaws," Saakashvili said.

"First of all, I refused to give them a voice sample when I was interrogated by the SBU security service," he said.

"In spite of that, they were able to present forensic conclusions saying that the voice on the tape is mine," Saakashvili said. "But their own expert says in the documentation that the forensic team didn't have a proper voice sample to make a thorough analysis."

"This reminds me of the old Soviet style when authorities proved the authenticity of whatever they themselves claimed," he said.

There was no comment from the FSB to Saakashvilis accusation.

Meanwhile, the Kyiv District Administrative Court on January 3 turned down an appeal filed by Saakashvili to recognize him as a refugee or "person in need of additional protection," Interfax news agency reported.

Saakashvili has said Ukrainian authorities were seeking to deny him the protection status to "create conditions" for his "expulsion from the country" so he can be extradited to Tbilisi, where he faces multiple charges -- including abuse of his presidential powers and complicity in the 2006 murder of a Georgian banker.

"Ten minutes ago a trial against me started in Tbilisi, the same time as in Kyiv," Saakashvili said during his Kyiv hearing on January 3. "Do you think it's by chance? Oligarchs are able to make deals. But they could have at least decided on different times."

On December 18, Saakashvili appeared at the Prosecutor-General's Office in Kyiv but refused to answer questions from investigators there.

He told reporters on December 18 that he would give testimony only when the case was handed over to the SBU, "as required by law."

Saakashvili was president of Georgia from 2004 to 2013.

He gave up his Georgian passport in 2015 when he accepted Ukrainian citizenship in order to take the post of Odesa governor at the request of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Saakashvili resigned from the Odesa post in November 2016, complaining of rampant corruption, and has since become an ardent opponent of Poroshenko.

With reporting by Merkhat Sharipzhanov and InterfaxA U.S. federal jury in Manhattan has found a Turkish banker guilty of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions, convicting him on five of the six charges he faced.

The jury on January 3 found Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an executive at Turkish state-owned bank Halkbank, guilty of bank fraud and conspiracy, but he was found not guilty on a money-laundering charge.

A defense lawyer said Atilla will appeal.

Prosecutors said Atilla, 47, participated in a scheme to launder $1 billion of Iranian oil and gas revenue through U.S. banks in violation of U.S. sanctions, saying he conspired with trader Reza Zarrab, 34, by using fraudulent gold and food transactions.

Zarrab pleaded guilty and testified against Atilla in the criminal case.

Seven other people have been charged, but only Atilla and Zarrab were in U.S. custody.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly dismissed the case as a politically motivated attack on his government.

A senior Turkish official was quoted by Reuters news agency as claiming the U.S. jury ruling was not valid and that it violated international law. He said the verdict would not impact Halkbank or the country's banking system.

Joon Kim, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said after the verdict that foreign banks and bankers have a choice: You can choose willfully to help Iran and other sanctioned nations evade U.S. law, or you can choose to be part of the international banking community transacting in U.S. dollars.

"But you can't do both," he added.

Based on reporting by AP and ReutersIncrease in passengers and flight frequencies for Cancun, Riviera Maya made 2017 successful year

Cancun, Q.R.  In what was deemed a complicated travel year for Cancun and Riviera Maya turned out to be a year of increased visitors and added frequencies.

Airlines such as Southwest, Delta and Spirit added additional flights into the Cancun International Airport in 2017, allowing more passengers from the US and Canada to enjoy a Mexico vacation. The popular beach destinations of Cancun and Riviera Maya saw an increase in visitor traffic with hotel occupancy rates above 80 percent.

The flow of Canadian travelers was up this year with 1.9 million Canucks making their way to Cancun and Riviera Maya beaches for their annual winter thaw reports the Tourism Promotion Council of Mexico (CPTM), who adds that they are anticipating that number to rise to 2.1 million by the end of 2018.

It is more attractive for Canadians to go to Mexico where their money is worth more, says Cimear Mendoza, director for Canada of CPTM.

He said that Canadian travelers to Mexico varied, and that those headed to Cancun and Riviera Maya were mostly from the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba at 55 percent. Others headed to Mexico City 24 percent, Puerto Vallarta-Nayarit 10 percent, Los Cabos 4 percent, Huatulco and Cozumel 2 percent.

The increase in passengers and flight frequencies brought about the reconstruction of the Cancun International Airport, with major renovations and a completely new Terminal 4.Society needs to help girls be more confident about their abilities about maths and science, according to Jennifer Thomson, the executive president of the Organisation for Women Scientists for the Developing World (OWSD), a body that aims to nurture female researchers in the global South.

Thomson is the winner of the 2004 L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science for Africa prize, and the first woman to head a department at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She now wants to increase OWSDs representation around the world and appoint ambassadors who can help open doors to aspiring female scientists in the developing world.

Jennifer Thomson, executive president OWSD

She spoke to SciDev.Net about her motivations as a scientist and the barriers she has faced in her career.

Briefly describe to us your career journey and what drove you.

I undertook undergraduate studies in BSc Zoology at the University of Cape Town and went to Cambridge for an MA in Zoology, but found the department too old-fashioned, so I switched to genetics. Here I worked on plants and later did a PhD in bacterial genetics at Rhodes University in South Africa. I later enrolled at Harvard University in the US for post-doctoral studies; at this time genetic engineering had just started, so I worked on genetically modified (GM) bacteria.

Interestingly, I didnt have a specific goal in life  [I] just did what interested me, [and I] decided not to have children as in those days it was too difficult to get ahead as a woman. I wouldnt want any other women scientist to have to make that sacrifice.

Do you consider yourself successful, or do you feel you have more ground to cover?

I will consider myself successful when our potentially drought-tolerant maize becomes a commercial reality for African farmers.

Are there any challenges in your career that you feel came your way simply because you were a woman?

When I became head of department of the microbiology department at the University of Cape Town, I was put on every committee that needed a female! I nearly drowned in committees. However this helped me to network and meet useful people.

In general terms, what are some of the major challenges that young female scientists face in the developing world?

Paternalism. This is rife in many developing countries. The best way to overcome this is to show the men just how good you are and dont be intimidated by them!

You have a rich CV, and a long association with the OWSD even before rising to president of the executive board. Where do you wish to take the organisation during your term?

I am chair of the South African national chapter of OWSD. The first thing I did as president was to open membership to social scientists  natural scientists need them to make their research amenable and acceptable to society  and to [open membership to] men: as long as both groups share our goals. We need the support of men to achieve our potential.

I would want to see more national chapters opened to support our fellows and early-career scientists as mentors. The importance of good mentorship cannot be overestimated.

Which areas of the world need more representation in OWSD?

Africa is very well represented in OWSD, although we will strive to increase our presence by opening more national chapters. However, Latin America is lagging. We need to have more activities there.

Are there things that you feel you must achieve during your term as OWSD Chair?

I would like to appoint ambassadors of OWSD in the developing world, to help our members and fellows to attend international events and open opportunities for them.

Your work at the University of Cape Town presumably involves supervising graduate students and research in the lab and field. Is this something you enjoy, and what are your experiences like as lecturer?

I love teaching more than anything. The thrill of getting through to students, and making them understand complex concepts, is a great experience. I also enjoy supervising graduate students, but I prefer working with those who are independent thinkers and bring new ideas of their own to their projects.

A lot of girls, for example in many African countries, grow up in school fearing mathematics and sciences, which are the very basis for a career in the sciences. What would you advise them and their teachers as a mentor?

The notion that girls and women are not good at maths or sciences is a complete fallacy. This needs to be changed in the home, as well as at primary and secondary schools. We must instil confidence in girls to believe that they are just as good, if not better than, the boys!

This is part of a SciDev.Net article series on Role Models.The battle over net neutrality rules that were overturned in Washington last month moved into Sacramento on Wednesday.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill to require telecommunications companies doing business in the state to guarantee equal Internet access. The bill is a reaction to last months Federal Communications Commission decision to revoke nationwide net neutrality regulations.

We will protect a free and open Internet in our state, Wiener said in a tweet. We wont let the FCC undermine our democracy.

Net neutrality is the principle that Internet companies not favor certain content over others  for example, speeding delivery of a video service they own while slowing down videos from rivals.

California joins similar efforts in New York and Washington state to write their own set of rules guaranteeing equal access to the Internet following the FCCs 3-2 vote on Dec. 14 to overturn Obama-era net neutrality regulations. Supporters of the vote, including major Internet providers like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T, hailed that decision as one that will benefit consumers by removing a layer of unnecessary regulation enacted in 2015.

But opponents said the FCCs reversal removes protections that prevent Internet companies from favoring some sites and apps over others.

Net neutrality is essential to our 21st-century democracy, Wiener said in a press release. We wont let the Trump-led FCC dismantle our right to a free and open Internet, and we wont let them create a system where Internet providers can favor websites and services based on who pays more money.

SB822 would try to use state Public Utilities Commission regulations governing telecommunications companies to force them to adhere to net neutrality rules.

According to a draft, that would include making net neutrality a requirement of cable franchise agreements, state consumer protection laws and the state-granted right to attach small cell or other broadband wireless communications devices to utility poles.

The bill would also require the state to buy Internet services from companies that practice net neutrality.

Monkeybrains, a San Francisco Internet services company whose management has long supported net neutrality, hailed Wieners action, though company partner Alex Menendez said provisions to strengthen consumer protection and unfair business practice laws were pretty ambiguous.

How are they going to strengthen legislation? he said in an email. What recourse will consumers have? How will enforcement work?

Wiener listed 10 co-authors, all Democrats, in the Senate and Assembly. But even if the bill finds enough votes in both houses, there are still potential roadblocks and other unknown factors in its path.

For instance, the FCC has yet to publish its final ruling on net neutrality, although that is expected any day. However, that final ruling is also expected to include a provision that preempts any state-enacted net neutrality rules.

In an email, Wiener said he was confident we have the right to enact strong Internet protections in California.

The FCCs authority over state laws is an open question, said Tejas Narechania, an assistant professor at the UC Berkeley School of Law and a former FCC special counsel who focused on net neutrality issues. Narechania left the FCC in 2013, before the now-overturned net neutrality rules were enacted.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

However, he noted the last time the FCC tried to preempt state laws in North Carolina and Tennessee, in a case involving restrictions on high-speed Internet services, a federal appeals court in 2016 ruled in favor of the states. Then-Commissioner Ajit Pai at the time argued against the FCC asserting its dominance over state laws; Pai, now the panels chairman, pushed the vote to repeal net neutrality laws.

Theres an argument to be made that the FCC doesnt have the preemption authority it claims, especially because the FCC now has to clear a pretty high bar, Narechania said in an email.

The proposed California bill could also succeed because it relies on its own regulatory, franchising and purchasing power and the FCC will have to show it preempts all of this, he said.

Chris Lewis, vice president of the consumer rights group Public Knowledge, noted that Internet companies could also challenge a state law like Californias in court. Conversely, the FCCs ruling is also expected to be challenged in court by net-neutrality proponents, including the attorneys general of several states, including California.

And while Lewis generally applauded Wieners bill, he said the controversy might be fully settled only if Congress decides to overrule the FCC.

We appreciate the efforts at the state level, but it can never protect everyone because every state could have a different set of rules, Lewis said.

Wiener said California still needed to take action.

While a lot is happening with lawsuits, state bills, and potential congressional action, California cant sit by and wait for something to possibly happen, he said. We have control over our own fate, and we can enact smart regulations to protect net neutrality right here. If something happens to fix this issue nationally, thats great news.

Benny Evangelista is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: bevangelista@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChronicleBennyDrinking is not allowed on beaches or at other public places in Coromandel, New Zealand, over the holidays, but a group of enterprising young Kiwis were determined not to ring in the new year with thirsty throats.

At the same time, they did not want to risk a fine of $250 ($180 in U.S. dollars) for violating the alcohol ban. Their solution? Build an island off the coast.GULU, Uganda  A brutal rebellion by the Lords Resistance Army brought years of suffering to northern Uganda. Tens of thousands of children were abducted, their childhoods lost and communities broken.

Now that the fighting is over, a group of former child soldiers is helping some heal through music therapy.

At a recent talent show they organized, a woman dropped to the ground, howling, as four young boys carried a coffin. Behind her, a chorus of women chanted, The war has touched us, it makes us sad.

The Youth Leaders for Restoration and Development group was formed last year by two former child soldiers with support from the Chicago-based Goldin Institute and Tokyo-based Arigatou International.

It has brought together 240 people, more than half of them former LRA captives, to compose songs and plays based on their experiences.

The rebel group, led by one of Africas most-wanted warlords, Joseph Kony, terrorized the region during the 1990s and early 2000s. Early support for the rebellion against the government withered as the groups brutal tactics became clear.

For years the LRA killed, tortured, maimed, raped and abducted tens of thousands of civilians. Of those seized, more than 25,000 were children, according to the U.N. childrens agency.

Children were preferred because they were easier to control and indoctrinate into believing in Konys alleged supernatural powers.

The children, especially the boys, were forced to be LRA fighters. The girls became bush wives.

For the people of Acholiland, the scars run deep.

The inadequate response by government and aid groups during and after the conflict left many former child abductees with serious trauma, said Collins Kisembo, project manager for YOLREDs music therapy program.

Many are withdrawn, isolated, filled with anger. Where words fail them, music has helped.

You realize that somebody now is trying to speak the message in himself, said Kisembo, who trained as a psychologist after working in a local school.

Children who left the LRA through escape, rescue or abandonment were given a mattress, some soap and minimal counseling.

Many returned to nothing, as their families had been killed. Some had been forced to murder their parents.

Communities held them accountable for the suffering they had endured.

The unprecedented scale of the LRAs abductions led to a breakdown of the existing support network, said Ochora Emmanuel Lagedo, spokesman for the leading Acholi cultural institution Ker Kwaro Acholi.

Many families turned to indigenous practices such as cleansing rituals: lighting a bonfire around the abductee, stepping on eggs, bending a spear.

Lagedo welcomed the music therapy program.

The gap that was ignored by civil society organizations during the conflict can now be bit by bit addressed, he said.

Adelle Kalakouti is an Associated Press writer.User Experience Design is responsible for being hands on with the process of research, testing, development, content, and prototyping to test for quality results while User Interface Design is responsible for the transference of a product's development, research, content and layout into an attractive, guiding and responsive experience for users. In simple words, the significance of design in the tech industry is shooting up. But are the designers really able to produce the best user experience that is one step ahead from the client's satisfaction? The answer is, often, no. This question indicates the gap between the craftsmanship combined with technology required for design and end-user satisfaction. End users are still seeing a vast gulf between the design and usability of the software or programme they use.



Unfortunately, many of the IT leaders are lacking an understanding of what the experience gap in the UX/UI field is, and an appreciation for its impact. The central parts of this disconnect between the technology and end user satisfaction is a misunderstanding of what the consumer market is. "It's time to consumerize your enterprise software, before it consumes you"- if you come across these words repeatedly between the conversations of modern day the tech savvy professionals, then there is nothing to wonder about. Reconsideration is required for your UX/UI company's digital journey that can offer refinements that lead to the improvements in both customer satisfaction and business results.



As a digital executive, it's critical that you excel at identifying and addressing gaps that exist in your digital user experience. If you still think that the discussions about the great 'UX' of a product, or the poor 'UI' of a website are just a symbol of look cool in the field, you are at a shaky stage of your business. In this era of digitization, innovative and effective UX/UI designs are vital to reap the far reaching business benefits. Identifying the need for a perfect UX/UI design partner in today's tech savvy world who understands the requirements of an end user well, Siliconindia brings you "Top 5 UX/UI Designing Companies in India." A distinguished panel of the industry's topmost CIOs, CEOs, VCs and industry experts including siliconindia's editorial board has scrutinized the list of companies in different business touch points. The list intends to help UX/UI designing companies to address the current market challenges and businesses to enhance their digital user experience.Georgetown County schools to reopen Tuesday with warmer weather on the wayLetter to the editor: Bill Hills is 'out of touch'WASHINGTON  A controversial shakeup of the military space organization mandated by Congress will get underway in 2018. Details of how and when the changes will unfold are slowly emerging.

A laundry list of provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act will reshape the military space chain of command and oversight of programs. Pentagon and Air Force officials are still grappling with the full extent of the reforms, the most significant of which is the removal of the role of principal Defense Department space adviser from the secretary of the Air Force.

"A lot of people focused on the fact that Mike Rogers' idea for a space corps didn't happen, and they missed that a lot of reform did go into this bill," Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee told SpaceNews in a recent interview. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Concepts Ever]

Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, has been a longtime proponent of creating a space corps within the Air Force with a separate chain of command. The plan was approved by the House but didn't make it past the Senate.

Smith said Rogers and other members of the HASC have not given up on the idea. "It is a big enough issue that it deserves that level of attention," he said. "I think logically, eventually, we will get to a space corps," Smith insisted. "The only reason we didn't get there this year is because the Senate wasn't fully briefed, and they weren't really on board." The space corps will get another chance, said Smith. "We will push it again."

In the 2018 NDAA, Congress weakened the Air Force secretary's power to set military space priorities and influence programs. It directs the deputy secretary of defense to figure out an alternative to the PDSA position established under the Obama administration. The first principal DoD space advisor was former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. Current Secretary Heather Wilson remains in that role until a new arrangement is put in place.

Smith credited Wilson for recent efforts to move space to the forefront. "We'll see" how these initiatives play out, he said. "I like Heather Wilson, I think she's doing a good job, and I take her at her word that she is going to make some changes."

He predicts Wilson will come around to the idea of a space corps. "When she really starts to look at it, she is going to see that a space corps makes a heck of a lot of sense," Smith said. "She is sincere and she's working on making changes to improve the situation."

There is no question that space needs a higher level of attention than it has received, Smith said. "We put some changes in the bill, they want to make some changes, they want to get better but it's undeniable that over the course of the last 30 years we have not done what we need to do in space, certainly not in launch."

Lawmakers fault the Air Force for not investing in important technologies that the military needs to ensure access to space. "We got behind, we became dependent on a Russian engine, we kept using a launch vehicle that is massively expensive, we didn't take advantage of commercial opportunities," he said. "There is no question that we have been lagging."

The responsibility for military space may be too much for the Air Force to handle on top of its other missions, Smith said. "The Air Force is in charge of a lot of things. They're in charge of nuclear weapons. They're in charge of air superiority. Being in charge of space is third on that list."

It will fall on Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to guide the implementation of the NDAA language. During a meeting with reporters at the Pentagon last week, Shanahan mentioned Michael Griffin  a former NASA administrator recently nominated as principal deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics  as a possible candidate to serve as principal DoD space advisor.

"What's really exciting about next year, we've got Mike Griffin on board," Shanahan said. "So when you think about somebody who has a lot of experience with space  he'll be a grand addition to the team."

Shanahan said he has had discussions with lawmakers about the space reorganization. "Chairman Rogers has been really good on 'we need to do better'  rather than redraw the lines and boxes right away," he said. "That doesn't mean we won't end up with a different structure."

A reorganization demands further study, suggested Shanahan. "I owe them a couple of reports. Those reports will really get at how we're going to do better."

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.BROOMFIELD, Colo.  World View, a company offering stratospheric balloon flights for research payloads, sees a bright future ahead for a platform that it argues combines the best attributes of satellites and aircraft, despite a recent testing incident at its Arizona headquarters.

Speaking at the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference here Dec. 18, Jane Poynter, chief executive of World View, said the company plans to increase the flight rate and duration of its "stratollite" balloons in the coming year.

"This was a really seminal year for us in 2017," she said. "We're now in a high-tempo flight rate and really expanding the duration for our flights." [World View's Space Balloon Rides in Pictures]

The company believes that its stratollites can loiter in the stratosphere for extended periods, providing persistence that aircraft cannot offer at costs much lower than satellites. Those flights have carried research payloads, including for NASA's Flight Opportunities program, as well as commercial users, such as a summer 2017 flight that carried a chicken sandwich as publicity for a fast food restaurant chain.

Poynter said the company plans more of the same, as well as additional applications of its balloons, in 2018. "Our manifest for 2018 is really full," she said, but did not disclose the number of balloon flights planned.

One new application of World View's balloons is in remote sensing. At the conference, the company released the first high-resolution images taken from its balloons, using off-the-shelf camera equipment. The images, taken from altitudes of more than 20 kilometers, have a resolution of 50 centimeters, but the company expects it can improve that, with better cameras and observing techniques, to as sharp as 10 to 15 centimeters.

This capability, World View believes, can be complementary to images taken by both drones and satellites. "What we're doing is combining the benefits and the best aspects of both satellites and high-altitude aircraft into one," company spokesman Andrew Antonio said at a Dec. 18 briefing at the conference.

Those balloon flights use helium, but at the conference Poynter said the company was looking to use hydrogen, which is much less expensive. "It is still on our radar. We have not done it yet, but we are very close to that," she said.

On Dec. 19, World View conducted a test of a hydrogen-filled balloon at its Tucson, Arizona, headquarters. At the end of the test, though, the balloon ruptured. Video of the test obtained by local news media shows the balloon bursting and what appears to be flames, suggesting hydrogen in the balloon combusted.

The shock waves from the incident reportedly caused minor damage to some neighboring businesses and homes, including falling ceiling tiles at a nearby Raytheon Missile Systems plant. "We also now know that some damage has been reported by a few residents and businesses in the area in addition to superficial facility damage at the site and we are proactively coordinating with the parties affected," the company said in a statement.

Antonio said Dec. 21 that World View had established a team to investigate the incident, with a final report expected within 45 days. The company, he said, would not provide additional information about the event "out of deference to the investigation team."

"We have used hydrogen in ground testing, but only helium in flight operations at Spaceport Tucson," he said, referring to the pad adjacent to the company's headquarters, near Tucson International Airport, used for balloon flights. "However, to date our use of hydrogen has been limited to ground testing when required by customers or test objectives."

"As of now, we do not have any requirements or future plans for using hydrogen in ground testing or flight at the spaceport," he added.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.Christian Bale has confirmed that he was previously in talks for a role in "Solo: A Star Wars Story," and despite not coming to terms he hopes to be in a future "Star Wars" film. Bale was rumored to be in talks for the Solo role that ultimately went to Woody Harrelson.

"Yes, [it was] very tempting," Bale said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. "I not only love the films going back to my childhood but also have a very long relationship with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall because they did "Empire of the Sun" from many years back. There was discussion, [and] I hope there will be future discussions."

In addition to the Solo potential casting, Bale was reportedly on George Lucas' shortlist to play Anakin Skywalker before the role ultimately went to Hayden Christiansen.

Bale's daughter interest in the Star Wars movies has re-ignited Bale's interest in the franchise.

"Star Wars really interests me. I've still got the Millennium Falcon, I've got the AT-AT. My daughter, her first love was Darth Vader. She absolutely adored Darth Maul," the actor said. "[She] stood near him at Disneyland and he growled and he's got those teeth and he stayed in character, really wonderful performance, and she was teeny and I thought, 'This is gonna scare the crap out of her, this is such a bad idea.' And then she stopped and she said, 'Daddy, I'm in love.'"

Lucasfilm has up to five films in various stages of development that could use an actor with Bale's skills - "Star Wars: Episode IX" with J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson's standalone Star Wars trilogy, and at least one other (if not more) standalone solo movies.

Originally published on Newsarama.Just past Saturn lies a tiny, asteroid-like object with rings of its own. New observations of the object, known as Chariklo, have revealed new insights about the unusual rings and may help solve the mystery of their formation.

When it was spotted in 2013, Chariklo was the first tiny solar system object found to have rings, though now a handful of others have been discovered with these features, according to a research paper describing the new observations.

"Until 2013, rings were only known around giant planets," the authors wrote in the paper. "This discovery was thus surprising, and is key to better understanding the planetary rings, since [small-object ring systems] now appear to be more common than previously thought." [Asteroid Chariklo Has Rings: Images of a Space Rock Oddity (Gallery)]

Hunting rings

For centuries, Saturn dominated as the only solar system body known to boast rings. In 1979, the Voyager 1 spacecraft revealed that Jupiter also hosts a set of rings. Uranus and Neptune also have thin rings of their own, spotted in 1977 and 1989, respectively, though none of those rings spread as far from their planet as the more notable rings of their famously ringed sibling. Whereas Saturn's rings are dominated by ice, dust fills the rings of Neptune and Jupiter, making them dimmer and harder to spot; Uranus' ringsare a mixture of ice and dark material that kept them hidden from view. But all of these worlds are massive gas and ice giants that are far larger than the terrestrial planets and the smaller rocks (like asteroids and comets) that orbit the sun.

Chariklo is classified as a centaur, or one of the small objects orbiting between Neptune and Jupiter. Though centaurs can harbor characteristics of either asteroids or comets (or both), Chariklo bears a stronger resemblance to rocks than ice. The asteroid-like object is only about 148 miles (240 kilometers) across, and its rings are similarly scaled down. The rings' small width and their orientation as seen from Earth, combined with their distance from Chariklo, can make them challenging to spot from Earth, the researchers said.

"If you are located on Chariklo's equator, you won't see [the rings] because they are very thin, and you will see them edge-on," Diane Berard, a researcher at the Paris Observatory, told Space.com by email. Berard is the lead author of the new paper, which was published in September 2017 in The Astronomical Journal.

"On the contrary, if you are located on the poles, you will see a bright strip of a width about the diameter of the full moon," Berard said.

To identify and study the rings, astronomers rely on distant stars. As Chariklo passes in front of, or occults, a star, its rings block out light from the faraway sun. Before Chariklo obstructs the starlight, its rings create a flickering effect that differs based on their size and orientation. (In fact, that's how the rings of Uranus were first discovered.) Then, the body of Chariklo also can be studied as it occults the star.

"For the past twenty years, our team [has been] observing stellar occultations," Berard said. "We thus developed a large network of professional and amateur observers that we can contact in order to observe an occultation."

Together, this team observed Chariklo 12 times between 2014 and 2016, using telescopes around the world. They confirmed that the centaur has two thin, circular rings. The first, known as C1R, stretches from 3 to 4.6 miles (5 to 7.5 kilometers) in width, with sharp inner and outer edges. The second, C2R, is somewhere between 0.06 and 0.62 miles (0.1 and 1 km) wide. The two rings are separated by about 9 miles (15 km).

The original observations of Chariklo suggested that the material observed around the object could be a diffuse shell of material spewing from the centaur itself. Berard and her colleagues not only confirmed that these features are rings but found no signs of massive jets releasing material.

The team also searched for signs of fainter ring material and potential moons around Chariklo, since gravity from a moon could be responsible for keeping the inner ring sharp. However, they found no sign of a satellite over 1.2 miles (2 km) wide within an area eight times Chariklo's ring size. [The Strangest Asteroids in the Solar System]

An artist's impression of the view of the rings of the asteroid-size centaur Chariklo from the poles. From the equator, the rings would be all but invisible, appearing as a thin line in the sky. (Image credit: ESO/L. Calcada/Nick Risinger (skysurvey.org))

A tiny mystery

Small ring systems are more abundant in the solar system than researchers previously thought, according to the paper. Another centaur, Chiron, is suspected to host its own set of rings, though Berard said their existence has not yet been confirmed. Farther out, the dwarf planet Haumea has a much larger set of rings.

Despite being far smaller than the rings around the giant planets, Chariklo's disk doesn't seem to be significantly different from those ring systems, Berard said.

"They seem to have the same characteristics [as the] alpha, beta or epsilon [rings] of Uranus  eccentricity, sharp edges, edges denser than the center," she said. (Eccentricity means the degree to which the rings' orbits are elongated, rather than perfectly circular.) But, she added, the researchers need to do more observations to confirm that hypothesis.

Those observations will improve with the help of the European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft. As it charts over a billion stars, the spacecraft will improve the accuracy of known stellar locations and movements, making it easier to predict when Chariklo will occult another star. Gaia has been in orbit since 2014 on a five-year mission and has already released its first round of data.

Predicting when Chariklo will pass in front of a star is the biggest challenge, Berard said. In 2014, an error in predicting the stars' locations resulted in a lot of missed opportunities, she said.

"Gaia will increase by a factor of 20 the accuracy of the predictions," she said. "[Unless] the clouds are out, we would not miss an occultation anymore."

Observing and studying the rings may improve scientists' understanding of where these rings come from. Right now, there are numerous possibilities. According to Berard, they could have formed from the destruction of an early moonlet. A passing object could have slammed into Chariklo and created this moon, a smaller-scale version of how Earth's own moon was created. Or the centaur's gravity could have gathered the rubble as it swept through space.

"The only certainty is that they [Chariklo's rings] have been around at least for the past four years  since the discovery in June 2013  and are less than 4.5 billion years [old]," Berard said, meaning they must be younger than the solar system itself.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd at @NolaTRedd, Facebook, or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.The sun radiates huge amounts of electromagnetic energy in all directions. Earth is only one small recipient of the sun's energy; the sun's rays extend far out into the solar system, illuminating all the other planets.

Early this morning (Jan. 3), Earth and the sun had their closest encounter of the year.

Earth's orbit around the sun is not perfectly circular, and today the planet reached perihelion, or its nearest point to the star in its yearly orbit. The close approach took place at 12:35 a.m. EDT (0535 GMT).

At perihelion, Earth is about 91.6 million miles (147.5 million kilometers) from the sun, compared to about 94.5 million miles (152.1 million km) when it's at aphelion, its farthest distance from the star, according to NASA. The difference between perihelion and aphelion for the Earth is about 3 million miles (4.8 million km), which isn't a tremendous distance, cosmically speaking, and has very little effect on the planet's inhabitants. [NASA's Best Photos of Earth from Space of 2017 (Gallery)]

"The sun is the big controller of the radiation that the Earth receives," Walter Petersen, a research physical scientist in the Earth science branch at NASA's Marshal Spaceflight Center, told Space.com. "But even when you take into account that difference in distance between aphelion and perihelion, there's only about a 7 percent difference in average global [solar energy] that we receive. And so it doesn't amount to a great deal in terms of weather."

While perihelion may not affect the weather, it does create a slight difference in the length of winter in the two hemispheres. Because perihelion happens in January, winter is about five days shorter in the Northern Hemisphere, compared with the Southern Hemisphere.

Here's why: Earth's seasons are caused by the planet's tilted axis. As Earth orbits the sun, the tilt causes one hemisphere to point slightly away from the star (and receive less sunlight) while the other hemisphere points slightly toward it (and receives more sunlight). This orientation switches about every six months; the hemisphere pointed toward the sun experiences summer, while the hemisphere that is pointed away experiences winter.

An illustration of apogee and perigee in the Earth-Sun orbit, and in the Moon-Earth orbit. (Image credit: NASA)

Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere on the winter solstice, or the day when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky (making it the shortest day of the year). Winter lasts until the spring equinox, or the midway point between the winter and summer solstices. The solstices occur at opposite points in Earth's orbit around the sun, as do the equinoxes. If Earth moved at a steady speed in its orbit, then the same amount of time would pass between the solstices and the equinoxes. But that's not the case.

Kepler's laws of motion show that an orbiting body will sweep out equal areas in equal time. That means the object moves a little faster when it is close to its parent body, and moves a little slower when it is farther away from the parent. In other words, Earth will move slightly faster around perihelion (in January) than when it is at aphelion (in July). As a result, the time between the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice (in December) and the spring equinox (in March) is a little less than the time between the Southern Hemisphere's winter solstice (in June) and the spring equinox (in September). The difference adds up to about five days.

Earth's distance from the sun changes slightly because its orbit is not perfectly circular but is instead slightly elongated, a feature known as an orbit's "eccentricity." But Earth's orbit is only slightly eccentric, so winter in the Northern Hemisphere is only five days shorter than it is in the Southern Hemisphere. But some of the other planets orbiting the sun have much higher eccentricities than Earth, and that can mean a bigger difference in how significantly the planet's arrival at perihelion and aphelion can affect global temperatures, according to NASA. On Mars, for example, the southern hemisphere winter is 24 days longer than it is in the northern hemisphere. Imagine how different life on Earth would be if that were the case here!

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.The loss of a $45 million Russian weather satellite last November was due to human error, a high-ranking official said, because the satellite's programming was set for the wrong launch site.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told Russian state television that the programming for the satellite, called Meteor-M No.2-1, included instructions based on the satellite launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, east of Russia. Baikonur is a frequent launch site for satellites and astronauts. However, Meteor-M launched from the new Vostochny launch site in eastern Russian.

"The rocket was really programmed as if it was taking off from Baikonur," Rogozin said in remarks reprinted in The Guardian last week. "They didn't get the coordinates right."

The Soyuz-2.1b rocket  carrying Meteor-M and several other satellites  appeared to lift off normally from Vostochny Nov. 28. Shortly after launch, however, Russian state space corporation Roscosmos said it could not communicate with Meteor-M because the satellite was in the wrong orbit.

A Russian Soyuz rocket launches the Meteor-M No. 2-1 weather satellite from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in eastern Russia on Nov. 28, 2017. The satellite, along with 18 others, was lost due to a programming error, Russian space officials said. (Image credit: Roscosmos)

Canadian operator Telesat said later that day that the launch had failed. Telesat was carrying a prototype satellite for a low-Earth orbit broadband constellation on the same Soyuz rocket. It added that the launch failure would not delay the long-term plans of the constellation.

"Notwithstanding this failure, Telesat's plans to develop a state-of-the-art, high capacity LEO constellation that will deliver transformative, low latency, fiber-like broadband to commercial and government users worldwide, remain on track," the company said in November.

Soyuz carried 19 satellites during the failed launch. Other customers on the flight included Spire (10 weather and ship-tracking data cubesats), Astro Digital (two Earth-imaging cubesats) and Astroscale (which launched a small satellite to measure orbital debris.)

Vostochny, which is about 3,500 miles (5,500 kilometers) east of Moscow, was under construction for five years before its first launch on April 28, 2016. Russia plans to use this new facility to reduce its dependence on Baikonur, according to The Atlantic. Meteor-M's Soyuz rocket was only the second one launched from Vostochny, according to Spaceflight Now.

Baikonur was constructed when Kazakhstan was a part of the Soviet Union; it hosted the first satellite launch (Sputnik 1) in 1957 and the first human launch of Yuri Gagarin in 1961. Since the Soviet Union broke up, Russia has been leasing the facility from Kazakhstan. (The lease price alone was $115 million annually as of 2013, with an additional $50 million for yearly maintenance.)

Baikonur is the only site for astronaut and cosmonaut launches to the International Space Station since the U.S. space shuttle retired in 2011. NASA is developing U.S. commercial spaceflight alternatives with SpaceX's human-rated Dragon spacecraft and Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft. Both Dragon and CST-100 are scheduled for test launches later this year.

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.STAMFORD  Police say six men were arrested this weekend after they were found with more than three pounds of pot, nearly $5,000 in cash and 87 vaporizer canisters containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Capt. Richard Conklin said the arrests came after Narcotics and Organized Crime officers conducted surveillance for several weeks of what turned out to be a marijuana dealing operation on Raymond Street.B rexit fears loomed large over the UK recruitment sector today after AIM-listed Staffline admitted that revenues would not meet City hopes.

The firm  headed by Andy Hogarth who has spoken about battling depression in early life  specialises in getting people off benefits and into work.

The Nottingham-based agency said full-year revenue would fail to hit its 1 billion target and shares fell 12.7p at 997.3p.

The announcement hit other recruiters: FTSE 250-listed PageGroup and Hays fell 16.6p to 446.8p and 1.8p to 181.5p respectively.

Many employers expect the economy will worsen over the next year as the UK prepares to leave the EU, meaning they are less likely to recruit new staff.

Recruiters have noted building companies are increasingly feeling the pinch, with evidence of the vote to leave the EU meaning that foreign staff in the sector have gone home.

Other sectors expected to be hit hard include health and social care, engineering and jobs in technology.

But brokers stuck by Staffline, pointing to the firms strong sales growth  finnCap said it would be making no changes to forecasts, and reiterated its Buy recommendation.

Sales growth will be 9% up on 2016. Demand in staffing has remained strong in the second half and excellent growth in the number of OnSites has continued, boding well for continued strong growth this year. New contract wins have continued in employability, skills and justice.

Holiday mood persisted in the City and the FTSE 100 hardly moved at all, slipping 0.19 point to 7647.91.

Babcock International was struggling despite winning a further five-year deal worth 115 million to provide maintenance support services to the Australian Navy. Shares fell 9p to 709p.

On AIM, WANdisco made a move higher after the live data company told investors it had won a $4.3 million (3.2 million) contract from an unnamed financial services company.

It was helped by business partner IBM and said its product was selected after an extensive period of testing.

Analysts at Peel Hunt cheered the deal. Due to the business-critical nature of the data handled, extensive testing over several months was required, and Wandisco was selected as the only viable solution in the market, the broker said.

WANdiscos shares soared 28.6p at 598.6p.T he City watchdog granted a last-ditch reprieve to two London futures trading venues on Wednesday by handing them an extra 30 months to comply with sweeping new financial rules.

The London Metal Exchange and ICE Futures Europe were granted a transitional period until July 2020 by the Financial Conduct Authority to introduce open access rules as part of Mifid II, the wide-ranging market overhaul taking effect today.

Open access requirements, a key plank of the Mifid II overhaul, means investors can choose where to trade and clear their derivatives instead of being tied to a specific venue.

The FCA said it granted the request because of the risk of a disorderly market if both venues had to start taking clearing requests today.

German clearing house Eurex, owned by Deutsche Borse, was given a similar period of grace last night by German regulator Bafin.

The trading venue had argued that uncertainty over whether the UK would be bound by Mifid II after leaving the EU next year meant it was better to delay.

Big backers of the open access idea include the London Stock Exchange, which runs Eurexs rival LCH clearing house, and wants to see more cross-border trading in financial services. It did not apply to the regulator for an extension.R yanairs traffic growth halved last month as the prospect of a pilot strike and the airlines cancellation of thousands of flights this autumn finally appeared to take its toll, it emerged on Wednesday.

Traffic increased by just 3% year on year at the Irish airline in December, in what is normally a bumper month when Londons Irish population goes home for Christmas. In November traffic was 6% up on a year earlier.

The budget airline, which began cancelling flights in September because changes in the rota had made it a struggle to find pilots, carried 9.3 million passengers in December, up from 9 million passengers 12 months earlier.

However, the figures revealed a sharp slowdown in passenger growth from a year earlier when flyer numbers grew by 20%.

A planned pilot strike days before Christmas was averted.

Ryanair revealed this week that it had begun making contingency plans for Brexit by applying for a British air operating licence to ensure its domestic UK routes can keep flying after the UK has left the EU. The Irish airline has repeatedly warned that flights could be grounded after next March unless a new framework for aviation is agreed between Britain and the EU.

Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air took a similar move in October. Wizz today saw its traffic grow by 20% in December.The sight of the President getting into a willy-waving contest with the North Korean dictator over the size of their respective nuclear arsenals, and threatening by implication the death and destruction of millions, has been seized on by the legion of Trump critics as yet further evidence of the mans complete unsuitability for the highest office in the world. Are they right?

There is no doubt that his boast, however outlandish, has force.

Although there is no actual button in the Oval Office, the President in a matter of minutes could authorise, with the codes he carries on him, the release of more than 900 nuclear warheads from various submarines, missile silos and aircraft based around the world.

Trump to Kim: My nuclear button is bigger than yours

In theory he can do so alone and without any check, as the US Commander-in-Chief  though some who have held senior office in the US question whether this would actually be allowed to happen if the country was facing no obvious imminent attack.

Nor is the Trump threat out of the blue.

Previous presidents would also have warned sabre-rattling North Korean leaders of terrible nuclear retaliation but they would have been much more veiled and diplomatic and  frankly  dull. Trump, as the master of social media, has captured the worlds attention (and, we presume, Kim Jong-uns) with a more colourful and outrageous outburst.

But beneath all the noise, US policy is the same.

With an unpredictable dictator in Pyongyang intent on increasing his nuclear capability, and with no palatable conventional military options available, deterrence is the best means of containment while the US and potential partners like China try to find a way to deal with the North Korean threat.

There is some method in the Trump Twitter madness.

Christian Adams

Toby Youngs views

Those on the Right of politics are entitled to feel that too many of the appointments in the British education system are made from the Left.

We should hear more from the sponsors of successful academies, the pioneers of free schools and the critics of an education establishment that for two generations now has presided over the countrys failure to educate enough of our children adequately.

But should those voices include Toby Youngs? He has been appointed to the board of the new Office for Students, a body which will regulate universities.

The objections of various unions and others that he doesnt come from the higher education sector can be dismissed.

We want people with a range of experience on the boards of our public bodies, and Mr Young has established credentials as the founder of four free schools who now runs an education charity.

Its all the other things Mr Young has been up to that raise questions. He seems to have an obsession with commenting on the anatomy of women in the public eye.

He has dismissed the inclusion agenda in schools as pandering to the likes of a functionally illiterate troglodyte with a mental age of six. And as recently as 2015, he supported offering a form of eugenics to parents on low incomes with below average IQ.

As we report today, minister Margot James says its a mistake for Mr Young to belittle sexist comments by dismissing them as politically incorrect  a term Ms James rightly says is frequently used to dismiss unacceptable comments about ... women and minorities.

She says this shouldnt disbar him from office. But with no Commons majority, would the Government really win a motion that objected to his appointment?

And would a Tory Party struggling to connect with metropolitan Britain want to go down to defeat defending Mr Young?T he state, the political party, the civic group, the citizen: these are all old categories from a pre-digital world. So writes Oxford academic Philip N Howard in his compelling book Pax Technica. There could be no better prism through which to survey the politics of 2018.

Naturally we are drawn to familiar procedures, rituals, and structures: Theresa Mays forthcoming reshuffle, Jeremy Corbyns increasingly presumptuous preparation for life as Prime Minister, the legislative agenda for the year ahead. But there are much deeper political forces at work now, spawned by the digital revolution, that dwarf even the institutional, economic and diplomatic upheaval of Brexit.

We need, Howard insists, to look at the world afresh and see it as a system of relationships between and among people and devices, and to grasp that politics used to be what happened whenever one person or organisation tried to represent another person or organisation. Now, he says, devices will be doing much of that representative work in the years ahead.

What this amounts to is nothing short of a revolution in human behaviour and interaction, one whose profound consequences and challenges are beginning to force a germinal reaction from the political class. In a newspaper interview at the weekend security minister Ben Wallace denounced the tech giants as ruthless profiteers, complaining that companies such as Facebook, Google, and YouTube have done much too little to combat the threat of terrorism and the proliferation of extremist content. In assessing what sanctions might compel greater co-operation, Wallace warned, we should look at all options, including tax.

No less significant is the comprehensive investigation into fake news being carried out by the Commons select committee on digital, culture, media and sport. Its chair, Damian Collins, has already publicly censured Facebook and Twitter for failing to comply fully with requests for evidence of foreign cyber-interference in the EU referendum.

The extent of online intimidation and violent bigotry drew heavy criticism in December from the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Last week, the NSPCC called for action to prevent the manipulation of YouTube by paedophiles as a shop window for horrific imagery of child abuse. Barely a day passes without fresh evidence of the ways in which big data  the unprecedentedly huge caches of information about every citizen accumulated by the tech giants  may be covertly exploited for financial or political gain.

The question that faces all governments is how to address these anxieties without appeasing Luddism, curtailing legitimate free expression or dissuading commercial innovation. The worst possible outcome of this emerging public debate would be a Ministry of Truth, or anything like it. It cannot be said too often that the web, for all its pathologies, is unquestionably a force for good, a technology whose capacity to improve and enhance the human condition is breathtaking.

The problem is one of pace or, more specifically, the inability of our traditional political system to keep up with the most dynamic technological revolution in history. It is only 14 years since Facebook was invented, 12 since Twitter was founded, eight since Instagram went live. Scarcely surprising, then, that the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000  the rules which governed the Brexit vote  is a such a flimsy barrier against cyber-intervention and the destructive work of marauding bots.

This year will yield many important lessons about the future of online regulation. From April, users of porn sites will be required to provide age verification, as mandated by the Digital Economy Act. This week Matt Hancock, the minister of state for digital  who should be promoted to Cabinet rank in the reshuffle  announced a new offence under the same legislation to prevent touts from using automated technology to buy tickets in bulk.

It cannot be said too often that the web, for all its pathologies, is a force for good

In May the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force, transforming the obligations of organisations that hold and transfer information about citizens. The extent to which this will force tech giants to adopt new practices remains a matter of bitter dispute  not least because the Government has announced its intention to preserve the EUs regulatory structure even after Brexit.

What matters most is that the new system of rules governing digital technology is driven neither by moral panic nor (at the other extreme) by fear of upsetting the tech giants. The need for rapid, intelligent, co-ordinated action could scarcely be greater. But in the first instance this is not a technical challenge but a test of our collective imagination and of our ability to grasp the magnitude of what is happening.

To take one example, which has exercised the Collins inquiry: should companies such as Facebook and Google be treated as platforms  mere vectors for content  or as publishers, with all their attendant liabilities? The answer, almost certainly, is neither. Plainly it is absurd to exonerate the most powerful information providers in human history of all responsibility for the material they disseminate. Yet the very scale of the content they host means that they cannot realistically be equated with, say, Penguin Books or Faber & Faber.

In practice, a new, third jurisprudential category will be required for these corporations: one that reflects their awesome might but also acknowledges the difficulty of policing systems used by (in Facebooks case) two billion people.B runo Mars has been announced to play the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park next summer.

The pop megastar is the second headliner to be confirmed for the festival series after Roger Waters, and will play in the capital on Saturday, July 14 2018.

Tickets for the event are available to buy now, and can be purchased here.

He will also be joined by special guest Khalid during the event.

Bruno Mars has become an internationally-renowned star since releasing his first album Doo-Wops & Hooligans in 2010.

Top of his game: Bruno Mars

He released the hugely successful album 24k Magic in 2016, which featured the singles Thats What I Like, Versace on the Floor and 24k Magic.

Mars is currently mid-way through his mammoth 172-date tour 24k Magic, which concludes in March 2018.

It was previously announced that Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame will headline at the festival on Friday, July 6 2018I n my kitchen there are good soups and there are bad soups.

The latter is soup that Ive rushed to make, having squeezed the last life out of some half dead vegetables, thrown in various additional flavours and hoped for the best. Sometimes this has worked, but more often than not the soups lacked the necessary base layer of flavour that might have brought them up a level. Later, when I understood the usefulness of making stock from a recently roasted chicken or lamb shoulder, the good soups began to emerge.

In his new book, From broth to bowl: mastering the art of soup, the author Drew Smith, who also wrote the brilliant book Oyster: a gastronomic history, has set his readers a gentle challenge: to understand that good soup making is a sequence and that it is broth, not stock, that forms the backbone of a good bowl of it. Start with good ingredients to make one of six simple versions - vegetable tea, potassium broth, poached chicken broth, basic beef bone broth, lobster or prawn broth, kombu broth - and you can build anything you want, he says.

"What we want is evolution, so one recipe leads logically into the next and so on. Less work. One job = three or four or more, completely different meals."

This is a good cookbook. Smith writes beautifully but doesnt waste time. It is stylishly produced, with presentation not dissimilar to Jourdan Bourkes book, Healthy Baking, and it makes soup making seem aspirational. The flavours he invites us to create dont smack you in the face and make you say wow! - for his aim, it seems, is to offer inexpensive, healthy, delicious and heart-warming recipes that are highly likely to make you feel good.

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He asks that we take care of our ingredients by not boiling them - simmering is fine. Take it easy - and for slow cooking he invites us to ditch the image of a pan bubbling away for days on a hob and to instead use the oven, which involves less mess and steady heat.

Drew Smith (Supplied)

Second, get to grips with what youre actually making. For Smith, theres a simple distinction between broth and stock, the former being what we do at home and should be drinkable as it is, and the latter being what you make for a restaurant.

Some people hold that a stock cube will do, but I do not. Broth gives you the base and is the secret, he adds. When someone says I had a great French onion soup, what they really mean is I had a great beef broth. If they say I had a wonderful bowl of udon noodles, they mean they had a great bowl of pork or chicken broth with noodles.

Third, know why youre making it; first it is to condense the essential components of bones and vegetables into their most easily digestible, most accessible, format - useful when we are being asked to eat seven or ten vegetables a day. Second, we want to have ingredients that in liquid form still taste of themselves:

A little light work can transform [the least fashionable vegetables] into valuable, digestible nutri-bombs. We want  I want  flavours that represent the world around, not a barnyard of sugar and coagulated fats.

Finally, we shouldnt forget the role of garnishes - toasted almonds, grilled bacon, blue cheese, croutons, truffle oil, etc - which Smiths describes as a necessary but complimentary part, a harmony or counterpoint, not another tune.

How to make three winter warming soups

The soups did indeed make me feel good, although the process of making them was just as enjoyable. It seems logical at this time of year to want to set things up to build on in the months to come; usefully I now have a freezerful of bases to do just that. This, then, is a book to ease you into 2018.

What Victoria cooked:

Vegetable tea

Supplied

The first recipe in the book - a simple, gently flavoured broth that works well as a base for vegetable soups. Smith would have us drinking it as a replacement for tea or coffee, which Im not convinced about. The sweetness from the carrots makes it drinkable, but its not much fun. Nonetheless, good to have a load to keep in the freezer for future souping opportunities.

Chunky vegetable broth

Supplied

After warming the vegetable tea, chopping veg takes up the bulk of the preparatory work for this soup and after that its a case of simmering everything in water until its time to add in some peas and a tin of cannellini beans. Tastes good, and even better two days later when the flavours have mulched together, but it does requires seasoning, which Smith eschews.

Roast chicken broth

I used our roast turkey carcass left over from Christmas for this. As with most of Smiths recipes, it is not complicated, but calls for a touch of seasoning (the turkey was of good quality, but is never as flavoursome as chicken) and in this case ends with a delicious, rich, fatty liquid that is now sitting in the freezer for later.

Chicken noodle soup

Supplied

Rich and soothing are the key characteristics in Smiths version of this classic recipe, which I made using the roast turkey broth. I also used watercress instead of spinach, which came out well, and spaghetti instead of farfalle pasta, and Ill plan to make more next time to set us up for the February flu season.

Fresh pea and ham soup

Supplied

Salty and restorative, this was my favourite of the lot, although in an ideal world it would have been thicker. I used leftover gammon from Christmas, and I used frozen rather than fresh peas, as its what we had lying around. Important to be generous with the fresh herbs here.

Two mushroom miso soup

(Supplied)

Miso and mushrooms are two of my favourite ingredients, so this soup was a brilliant excuse to join them up, especially as I could taste each type of mushroom - oyster and dried shitake - at the end. Surprisingly intense and satisfying, this sorted out my New Years Day hangover.B ritain is a trading nation, the 10th largest goods exporter in the world and the fifth largest goods importer.

The world wants lots of what weve got and do best. One product, though, is strictly a one-way business: books on lifestyle advice drawing on national traditions.

Sadly, no other nation appears to want to know about the stiff upper lip, making the best of a bad job, always saying sorry or forming a queue, and the one attempt by publishers to market our great preoccupation with the weather. A short volume entitled And Now the Weather A Celebration of our National Obsession (BBC Books, 9.99, buy here) remains out in the cold, currently ranking at 4,448 on Amazons bestseller list.

On the other hand, pertly packaged little guides from the rest of the world offering inspirational advice have become one the great publishing trends of the moment: ikigai from Japan, lagom from Sweden, lykke from Denmark and how to let go a la Francaise. This year its going to be all about sisu from the Finns, parenting German-style and coorie  the Scottish version of hygge.

It seems C'est La Vie is back with a vengeance / Getty Images

Heres our guide to the national pearls of wisdom were lapping up so eagerly, as we look for solutions to the extreme challenge of just staying calm, carrying on and being British.

Sisu from Finland

What is it? Sisu is all about shutting up and getting on with it. This mindset comes from a nation that has only been an independent country for 100 years and is used to having to fight off its neighbours on all sides, most recently the Soviets in 1939.

Pearl of wisdom: This untranslatable term refers to a mix of courage, resilience, grit, tenacity and perseverance, characteristics that have shaped not just the fate of a nation but the individual lives of Finns on a daily basis, says Joanna Nylund, author of Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage (February/Gaia, 10, buy here). More sisu manuals are coming.

In other words: Its not all about me, myself, I. Stop feeling, start doing. Tricky for some.

Coorie from Scotland

What is it? Coorie  or cosagach in Gaelic  is the Scottish version of hygge. Think tatties and tartan, bothies and fishermans cottages, with sprinkles of whisky and salmon.

Pearl of wisdom: While weve long enjoyed lifestyle trends from other countries it has been more difficult to identify a movement of our own, says Glasgow-based journalist Gabriella Bennett, who has only just been signed up by her publisher.

In other words: Dont go out in the driving rain of Storm Eleanor, stay in and drink scotch.

Ikigai from Japan

What is it? Discover the secrets of Japans centenarians! Prolific on the island of Okinawa, these inhabitants live longest thanks to feeling useful, drinking tea and eating only until they feel 80 per cent full. Japan is a fertile ground for life instruction: kakeibo is a money-saving technique which promises to cut your spending by 35 per cent just through being mindful, while Marie Kondos KonMari method has got us all folding clothes like origami in the hope of mastering the art of tidiness.

Pearl of wisdom: Its the happiness of always being busy. There is in fact no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense of leaving the workplace for good, as in English, say Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, authors of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life (Hutchinson, 12.99, buy here), (spoiler alert, theyre not Japanese.).

In other words: You have decades of hard slog ahead and feeling permanently slightly peckish.

Lagom from Sweden

What is it? Have you ever noticed how the Swedish detective in Scandi noir dramas always keeps his or her cool, even in the face of extreme provocation? Its because Sweden is the land of semi-skimmed milk  neither rich full-fat or watery skimmed. Thats lagom.

Pearl of wisdom: Lagom is accepting an invitation to spend the weekend at a friends house, but bringing your own sheets because its fair to share the burden of laundry, says Linnea Dunne, author of Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living (Gaia, 10, buy here). There are several Lagom guides which look almost the same.

In other words: Lutheran self-denial exhorting the virtues of being borderline boring and never bingeing. Wheres the fun in that?

Achtung Baby from Germany

What is it? The French, the Chinese, the Danes and the Dutch all think they know how to raise the happiest children. Now the Germans are getting in on the act with a new guide that promotes free range values such as independence, no academic pressure, no smacking and a bit of nudity.

Pearl of wisdom: The first time I went to a playground in Berlin, I freaked. All the German parents were huddled together, drinking coffee, not paying attention to their children who were hanging off a wooden dragon 20 feet above a sandpit. Where were the piles of soft padded foam? The liability notices? The personal injury lawyers? writes Sara Zaske, American author of Achtung Baby: The German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children. (Piatkus, 14.99, buy here)

In other words: Chill! Stop being so competitive and helicoptering your kids.

Lykke from Denmark

What is it? Happiness, duh! The Danes consistently outrank other nations when it comes to perceived levels of life satisfaction, in spite of high taxation, thanks to superb welfare and education systems and a predilection for candles and warm cinnamon buns.

Pearl of wisdom: Remember, Danes are the direct descendants of Vikings, so we enjoy watching things burn: bonfires, candles, villages. Its all good, so says hottie Dane, Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Institute in Copenhagen, obvs, and author of The Little Book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the Worlds Happiest People by (Penguin, 9.99, buy here), his follow-up to the bestselling Little Book of Hygge.

In other words: Danes are good-looking, well-dressed and live in cool homes. They make the rest of us either want to puke, or emigrate there.

Letting Go from France

What is it? Stop, stop, stop! Stop meditating, stop minding, stop worrying, stop trying so bloody hard. The French after all, are masters of long-winded loquacity, so who better qualified to advise the rest of us on how to shut the f*** up?

Pearl of wisdom: Learn to give yourself a break, and liberate the enthusiasm within you, without ever being ashamed of it. Its proof that youre alive! Start by not giving a s***! says Fabrice Midal, whose Cest la Vie: The French Art of Letting Go (Seven Dials, 12.99, buy here) is all the talk of Paris.A man has appeared in court charged with the Christmas murder of a pub worker who was found dead in a park.

Kasim Lewis, 31, is accused of killing of 22-year-old Iuliana Tudos between December 24 and December 27.

Ms Tudos, who also called herself Julie, was found dead in Finsbury Park, near her north London home, on December 27, having gone missing on Christmas Eve.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the abdomen and a head injury.

Lewis, of Friern Barnet, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality.

The hearing lasted no more than 90 seconds.

Iuliana Tudos, 22, was found dead in Finsbury Park

Ms Tudos, who police said was of Russian and Greek origin, was last seen by friends at around 8pm on Christmas Eve when she headed for a bus home from Camden.

She was due to meet them at another friend's home in Enfield, north London, later that evening before spending Christmas Day there, but never arrived.

Police said CCTV footage showed her on the periphery of the park shortly after 8.20pm.

Her body was found three days later in a disused building located in the north-eastern area of the park.T his the first picture of a teenager stabbed to death in London on New Years Eve in one of the worst ever days for knife crime in London.

Kyall Parnell, 17, was attacked in front of horrified revellers on his way to a New Years Eve party and died after being chased through traffic in Tulse Hill, south London.

He suffered a single stab wound and died at the scene 22 minutes before midnight - one of four young men stabbed to death in just 15 hours.

Today his mother Katrina paid tribute to her amazing son, who had recently enrolled on a bricklaying apprenticeship.

She said: He was loved. This shouldnt have happened. These boys need to stop doing what theyre doing.

Police at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Tulse Hill

My boy was amazing, he was smart. He had potential to go places. They would be calling me and telling me he was the smartest boy in the class.

Police at the scene in Islington where a man was stabbed to death / Nigel Howard

He needed to be doing active things. He was good boy. These young boys need to stop and think, they need to look after each other. This is someones life.

Kyalls grandmother Maida Grant, 67, also called to an end for the bloodshed.

Speaking from her home, half a mile from where her grandson died, she told the Standard: This is happening too much. Every day if there is an argument, a knife is always involved. If they dont get a response they want, they still draw a knife. Its as if life is cheap and they dont think of the consequences.

Ms Grant added: His mother was the last person that he spoke to. He told her he was going to a party. He was loving, he always liked hugs. Christmas Eve was the last time I saw him.

The teenager, from Streatham, a former Dunraven school pupil, was attacked after a fight broke out on a 68 bus near Tulse Hill station just before 10.45pm.

Witnesses described how the teenager had tried to flee a gang of attackers by running through oncoming traffic on the busy one-way system on Norwood Road.

One said: They ran round the side of the bus. There were about six or seven of them chasing the boy, the cars were zigzagging around them.

They were not giving up. He tried to cross the road and it didnt work so he went back to the bus stop.

I looked back and someone was lying down. A girl was shaking the boy and screaming and a boy was standing next to them.

The killing brought the total number of teenagers violently killed in London last year to 26. Twenty of those were stabbed.

Following the spate of New Year violence, which also saw fatal stabbings in Enfield, West Ham and Islington, Deputy Met Commissioner Craig Mackey issued a call to action to Londoners to help tackle knife crime.

Police were still questioning a 19-year-old man today on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old in Islington at a house party in the early hours of New Years Day.

A second 20-year-old man, who was also stabbed during the incident, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Friends of a 20-year-old stabbed to death in West Ham laid flowers close to where he was killed today. Friend Whitney Bryan, 31, said: You would never see him sad even when we were kids.

Detectives investigating the murder of an 18-year-old stabbed at a friends flat in Enfield on New Years Eve have charged three young men.

Two have been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and an 18-year-old has been charged with possession of a firearm.T he mother of a five-year-old boy beaten to death by her boyfriend said today that she would fight until the bitter end against deportation.

Ukrainian Liliya Breha, 30, faces being thrown out of the country because she no longer has a dependant in the UK following the death of her British-born son Alex Malcolm in November 2016.

Alex was killed in Mountsfield Park, Catford, by her then partner Marvyn Iheanacho, 39, after probation officials failed to warn her of his history of violence, including an incident where he strangled a child.

Miss Breha has been in London since 2006 and was given leave to remain as the parent of a British child.

But her right to stay expires in July and she must lodge a fresh application or risk being deported. She said: Im going to do all I can. Alexs grave is all I have left and I cant lose the opportunity to visit him.

Facing deportation: Lilya Breha / PA

I will fight this with all my energy until the bitter end.

By law, I have no reason to stay but I hope the Home Office have compassion for the things Ive been through. But its been a living nightmare.

Miss Breha expects to lodge a new application next month with support from Mayor Sadiq Khan and Lewisham West MP Ellie Reeves.

Guilty: Marvyn Iheanacho / PA

She is also suing the Ministry of Justice for the unacceptable failures that put her and Alex at risk. Iheanacho, a father-of-three, had been banned from having unsupervised contact with children under 16 and ordered to inform the probation service of any new relationships, under the terms of his release from an earlier prison sentence.

Miss Breha found out about his past during the murder trial in Woolwich crown court, where Iheanacho was jailed for a minimum of 18 years.

She said: The probation service had his history in front of them. They knew about his horrible patterns of behaviour.

No one warned me and I had no reason to be concerned about him. He betrayed me and Alex.E mergency doctors today warned of a major risk to safety from the winter A&E meltdown.

Theresa May said the postponement of 55,000 operations was disappointing and frustrating but that the NHS was better prepared for this winter than it ever has been before.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said at lunchtime that the postponements were part of a planned, methodical, thoughtful approach to dealing with the winter pressures, which have intensified this week because of the weather and flu-related conditions.

Mr Hunt, who had been criticised for his media absence this morning, apologised to patients hit by delays to non-emergency surgery. It is absolutely not what I want, the minister said.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare organisations, said: The NHS is under enormous pressure and this decision [to postpone operations] simply reflects that reality.

Our members warned repeatedly that this winter was likely to put an already stretched system under intolerable strain. Something has to give and this move  although unpalatable  makes sense. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine warned of intolerable pressure on front-line medics. It said it had anecdotal evidence of some hospitals treating as few as 45 per cent of patients within four hours. The target is 95 per cent.

Jeremy Hunt outside BBC Wogan House in London today after he apologised to patients / PA

College president Dr Taj Hassan said: We are facing incredible demands on our staff to maintain safety... many clinicians have not seen such working environments in this century.

Amid the crisis:

London hospitals reported 20 per cent increases in very sick elderly patients, packed waiting areas and longer delays for treatment.

Epsom & St Helier health trust spent 1,000 on 130 Dominos pizzas to feed staff who worked without a break on New Years Day.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge trust, which runs Queens hospital in Romford and King George in Ilford, revealed it was battling chronic vacancy rates.

One London hospital chief executive, who personally urged patients with non-urgent conditions to go home, said: This is the most challenging time any of us can ever remember.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge said its four-hour A&E performance fell to 77 per cent in December. A board meeting was told that more than 50 per cent of A&E doctor and 30 per cent of nurse posts were unfilled  a problem worsened by agency staff not turning up.

Last night NHS England postponed about 55,000 non-emergency operations due to take place this month. Professor Keith Willett, its director for acute care, today denied that the NHS was in crisis but said it was certainly a possibility that more operations may have to be delayed if weather and flu-related emergency admissions rose.

Hospitals said the announcement masked the reality that many operations had already been delayed since November, with surgical beds used for A&E admissions. One said halting non-urgent operations would create a massive bulge. One London hospital boss said: We are seeing about 500 people in our A&Es every day. The increase in really sick patients, those are the patients going to resuscitation, has gone up by 20 per cent compared to last winter.

Princess Royal hospital in Orpington was yesterday forced to close to visitors due to a norovirus outbreak. Other hospitals in London have also been hit.

Today Mrs May said: The NHS has been better prepared for this winter than ever before, we have put extra funding in. There are more beds available across the system, weve reduced the number of delayed discharges of elderly people who would otherwise have been in NHS beds rather than in social care.

But I recognise for those people that have had their operations postponed this is disappointing, its frustrating. We will ensure that those operations are put back as soon as possible and once again I say that NHS staff are doing a fantastic job. Mr Hunt said: If you are someone whose operation has been delayed, I dont belittle that for one moment and indeed I apologise to everyone who that has happened to.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, Tory chairwoman of the Commons health select committee, said Mrs May and Chancellor Philip Hammond need to get a better grip on understanding the sheer scale of the increase in demand across health and social care. For Labour, the shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, said: Instead of burying her head in the sand Theresa May needs to explain why she has allowed underfunding and cuts to health and social care to continue.

John Kell, head of policy at the Patients Association, said the decision to postpone operations and allow the use of mixed-sex wards was a sign of how hard winter pressures are hitting the NHS. Niall Dickson said: There was some extra money in the Budget but 335 million was frankly too little too late.



Conditions are the worst Ive seen in my whole career as a doctor, says MP

Verdict: Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan on duty at St Georges Hospital / PR Handout from Rosena Allin-Kha

London MP and A&E doctor Rosena Allin-Khan has described the conditions NHS staff are working in as the worst she has seen in her career.

The Labour MP for Tooting worked a 10-hour shift at St Georges Hospital on New Years Eve. She told the Standard there were queues out of the door to A&E, not enough bays for the number of sick children, a full waiting room and ambulances waiting to bring patients in.

She said: I was treating a four-year-old who couldnt stop vomiting but I had to ask her to move into the waiting room because I needed her bay to treat a baby with a rash. I would have loved to have kept her in the bay and decisions you have to make like that make you feel rotten.

The conditions staff are working in are the worst Ive seen in my career. And its our incredible staff that hold this NHS together  something the Government cannot take credit for.

The announcement by the NHS that it is cancelling routine surgery for a month to cope with demands on hospitals needs to be explained to the British public by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, she said today.

He should be providing an explanation, she said. The Government has driven our NHS so far into the ground that decisions like this are being made. What about the women who cant care for their children because they have post-birthing complications?

This isnt life-threatening but for a women who is incontinent, her surgery will feel pretty urgent.

Dr Allin-Khan, who worked as a doctor full-time for 12 years before winning the Tooting seat in a 2016 by-election, said operations likely to be cancelled include pelvic floor surgery, bladder prolapses, joint surgery, non-urgent hip replacement and non-urgent appendicitis.

Those symptoms do not go away, she said. This puts pressure on GPs and people may then come into A&E when they cant cope with the pain.

Dr Allin-Khan continues to work as a doctor during parliamentary recess and will work another A&E shift on Sunday, the day before MPs return to Westminster.While watching Comic Relief in 2009 he commented: What happened to Winklemans breasts Put on some weight girlie. A few hours later he wrote: Alan Carr has bigger breasts than Claudia Winkelman (sic)

While watching Prime Ministers Questions in 2011 he wrote: Thats quite a cleavage behind EdM.

In 2012 during PMQs he tweeted: Serious cleavage behind Ed Milibands head. Anyone know who it belongs to? #pmqs

He followed it up with Breaking: Cleavage belongs to @pamela_nash #pmqs, referring to former Airdrie and Shotts MP Pamela Nash.

In 2013 he responded to criticism of his previous comments by saying: Women who display a lot of cleavage shouldnt then complain when men notice them.

In 2004 he wrote an article about posing as a lesbian for the night and embarking on a whistlestop tour of New Yorks hottest lesbian clubs with the aim of drawing lesbians into his confidence to make out with them on the dancefloor.

In a Spectator column in 2012 he called on the Government to repeal the Equalities Act, saying: Schools have got to be inclusive these days. That means wheelchair ramps, the complete works of Alice Walker in the school library (though no Mark Twain) and a Special Educational Needs Department that can cope with everything from dyslexia to Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

He went on to say: If Gove is serious about wanting to bring back O-levels, the Government will have to repeal the Equalities Act because any exam that isnt accessible to a functionally illiterate troglodyte with a mental age of six will be judged to be elitist and therefore forbidden by Harmans Law.

He has since said that he was using the word inclusive in the broad sense to mean a dumbed down, one-size-fits-all curriculum, rather than the narrow sense of providing equal access to mainstream schools for people with disabilities.

In 2015 he wrote in support of embryo screening to weed out children deemed less likely to have high IQs. In the Australian periodical Quadrant he wrote about technology that could allow parents to select the potentially most intelligent embryo in vitro: My proposal is this: once this technology becomes available, why not offer it free of charge to parents on low incomes with below-average IQs?  it could help to address the problem of flat-lining inter-generational social mobility and serve as a counterweight to the tendency for the meritocratic elite to become a hereditary elite.A businessman today criticised police and prosecution failures to hand over CCTV evidence that helped to clear him of sexual assault.

Valentin Krzyzyk, 26, was accused of groping a womans bottom after buying 6,000 of Dom Perignon champagne at the Cirque Le Soir nightclub in Soho in 2016.

The complainant claimed she was hysterical following the incident. However, the jury acquitted Mr Krzyzyk at the end of a five-day trial after watching footage of her drinking with friends following the alleged attack.

This CCTV evidence was not handed over until the day his trial started in December, 10 months after his arrest. According to the prosecution, the police had said it held no interest.

Yesterday Judge Michael Bromley-Martin ordered an inquiry into the reprehensible late delivery of the footage. He said: This seems to me to be a rather serious omission, especially as it turned out the CCTV assisted the defence.

Mr Krzyzyk, an internet entrepreneur, was awarded 4,800 in costs for his defence.

He told the Standard that lessons needed to be learned to keep faith in fair justice system, adding: The arrest has been a huge trauma and it took me a very long time to be able to sleep again.

"Also there is the stress caused when you are wrongly accused of such a serious crime and all the shame that comes with it.

It is also very stressful to face trial for such serious allegations and to know that the police is keeping information from you that would show your innocence straight away.

He said his mother and grandfather had recently died, adding: Grieving is never easy but when facing this type of allegation its even worse.

Mr Krzyzyk, who runs start-ups in the financial services industry, was prevented from travelling abroad because of the charges.

He said: It cost me a huge amount of money and wasted so much time in developing my start-ups.

Finally I was very sad and disappointed not to be able to feel protected and trusted by the police who decided without investigation to jump to their own conclusions.

I believe its important for such mistakes to be taken seriously so people can continue believing in a fair system where criminals are prosecuted and innocent people see no further actions from the beginning, not after one year.

In court, Judge Bromley-Martin said the evidence was known about but not produced to the defence despite many requests for its production.

However, he said: This is not a case of the failure of disclosure which has been in other recent cases the subject of publicity.

The Metropolitan police said it shared the judges concern about miscommunication between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The CPS said it respected the jurys decision and added: We acknowledge the comments of the judge concerning the late service of CCTV evidence in this case, and we have apologised to the court.T he London Fire Brigade has accused the BBC of sexism after the term fireman was used instead of firefighter in a childrens TV show.

A Twitter account for crews based in Greenwich, south London, posted a series of tweets after a squirrel was referred to as a fireman in popular CBeebies show Hey Duggee.

The post branded the term "outdated" and described how a retired female firefighter was forced to to explain the use of the phrase to her two-year-old grandson after watching series two episode 'Dressing Up Box'.

Tweets posted from the account read: "Isn't it sad when one of our longest serving firefighters, a woman who fought the King's Cross fire 30 years ago, still has to watch TV with her two-year-old grandson and explain why the squirrel in Hey Duggee...is referred to as a 'fireman'.

"This term is VERY outdated and the term 'firefighter' is the preferred, respectful, inclusive, non-sexist, non-gendered term that should be widely used by all media but especially the BBC."

Another post added: "Women have been firefighting for over 40 years now...Non-sexist, all-inclusive terminology is important if we want to encourage girls, as well as boys, to be future firefighters."

The account went on to quote the anonymous female firefighter, writing: "I was one of the first few women firefighters in the LFB back in the 80s.

"I did 30 years service and have been retired for nearly three years...It breaks my heart to still have to point this out - especially whilst viewing it with my grandchildren."

The LFB began its 'Firefighting Sexism' campaign in October, with London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton telling the Standard she wants to "shake off outdated language".

She said: The first woman firefighter joined London Fire Brigade in 1982 and its ridiculous that 36 years later people are still surprised to see women firefighters or calling them firemen.

"London is a complex and challenging city and it takes a diverse selection of skills, strengths and specialisms to protect it - qualities that both men and women possess.

"I want to shake off outdated language which we know is stopping young girls and women from considering this rewarding and professional career.

We owe it to tomorrows firefighters to challenge negative stereotypes today.

The hit show, which first aired in 2015, is aimed at two-to-five-year-olds and has won BAFTA and Emmy Awards over the course of two series.S hoppers were left outraged after they found rows of bare shelves at their local supermarkets in the first days of 2018.

Disgruntled customers at Sainsbury's and Lidl shared images online of the lack of food at their nearby stores on January 2.

Branches around the UK, from London to Birmingham and Lancashire, were affected as many voiced their frustration over the lack of groceries at the start of the new year.

However, Sainsbury's said the images were isolated incidents in a "tiny" number of stores that are now fully stocked.

Lidl apologised to customers and said "a small number of stores" were affected due to "the busy Christmas period and the seasonal switchover".

Customers struggled to fill up on fruit and veg at many stores / Twitter/@matpinckney

The issue hit Sainsbury's branches in Clapham in London, Forestside in Belfast, Melton Road, Leicester, Calne in Wiltshire and Mere Green, Birmingham, the MailOnline reported.

One customer in Balham shared a series of pictures of empty aisles, showing bare fruit and veg boxes and sparsely stocked bread shelves.

He wrote: "Hi @sainsburys. Is there a reason why your Balham London store is nearly always half empty?

"I've never seen a store so consistently understocked. Really frustrating."

Elsewhere customers wrote on Twitter that Lidl stores in Hackney, Tyne and Wear, Lancashire and Bexley in London were also affected.

Mat Pinckey was left "fuming" after he found "most shelves empty" at his local Lidl in Welling, Bexley.

He said: "Fuming. Went to the Welling store to find most shelves empty. First trading day of the year?"

While Alicia Bustillo told shoppers not to bother paying a visit to Lidl in Hackney due to "bad stock planning".

She said: "Shopping at @LidlUK in Hackney...? Dont bother, there is nothing! Bad stock planning."

Lidl replied: "We're sorry about that, Alicia. Our supply team have been made aware of your experience in our Hackney store. Thanks."

And Lisa Rhodes complained that a "healthy eating stampede" on the fruit and vegetables at a Lidl store in Lytham meant she had no salad for her dinner.

She said: "It would definitely appear to be January.. this is every shelf in @LidlUK Lytham.. not one vegetable or fruit

"Healthy eating stampede just reached a whole new level and I now have no salad for my dinner!"

Retail expert Bryan Roberts, insights director at TCC Global, said the lack of stock could be due to a number of factors including stock change between seasons and staff shortages.

He said: "Some suppliers aren't running at full capacity as there are staff shortages with people still on holiday.

"It's not until next week that things get going again, so there will be supply issues at play."

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: We have over a thousand stores and each sells tens of thousands of different products.

"There were a handful of empty shelves in a tiny number of stores yesterday, which are all now fully stocked.

A Lidl spokeswoman said: "Following the busy Christmas period and the seasonal switchover, a small number of stores may have experienced some product shortages.W inds of up to 90mph are set to barrel across the UK overnight as Storm Eleanor brings severe gales from Ireland.

Forecasters have warned of threat to life due to flying debris, while flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are all likely when the storm arrives on Tuesday, forecasters warned.

Parts of Galway city are submerged due to flash flooding as the storm has already brought heavy rain and a gust of 97mph to western parts of Ireland.

A severe amber weather warning has been issued for very strong winds for southern parts of Northern Ireland from 7.30pm on Tuesday and northern England as well as southern fringes of Scotland overnight.

And a separate yellow weather warning for strong winds is in place until 6pm on Wednesday for most of the UK.

A Met Office forecaster told the Standard: It will be a windy night and a windy day tomorrow.

Wind speeds of up to 90mph are expected in some parts of the UK, with gusts between 50-60mph predicted for much of the country.

Heavy rain will travel north-east tonight and then strong winds will move to Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England overnight, the forecaster warned.

It will be quite windy, up to 70mph across these parts, with gusts of between 80 and 90mph in regions.

We could see between 50 and 60mph in the yellow warning area, which covers most of the UK.

Public transport may be disrupted or cancelled and some bridges are likely to be closed, the Met Office said.

Highways England said part of the Dartford Crossing will be closed from 11pm due to high winds and is expected to reopen before rush hour on Wednesday.

Orwell Bridge in Suffolk will also be closed overnight., it added.

Meanwhile National Rail said the storm would affect trains services in Wales until 6am on Wednesday.

The Environment Agency warned that strong winds and high tides could bring coastal flooding from Tuesday until Thursday.

Images and video shared online show flooding throughout Galway, and power grid ESB Networks reported 55,000 customers in Ireland are without power due to the bad weather.

Carol Holt, the Environment Agency's flood duty manager, said: "We urge people to stay safe on the coast - take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don't put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take 'storm selfies'.

"If you're travelling, please check your route before setting off and don't drive through flood water."

Cold weather in UK and London 1 /9 Cold weather in UK and London A crystal clear night brought a spectacular 'Starscape' to the cold hills of Herefordshire near Longtown tonight (Sat) as the big chill continued for yet another day. Rex Features Stars as far as the eye could see, crystal clear skies sent temperatures dropping in the hills of Herefordshire near Longtown tonight (Sat) as the big chill continued for yet another day. Seasonal Weather, Herefordshire, UK - 16 Dec 2017 Chas Brenton Rex Features The sunrise over Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire. PA Early morning walkers cast long shadows in Hyde Park in London, Britain December 16, 2017. REUTERS The scene in the Scottish Borders, as fresh warnings for ice have been issued for parts of Scotland as the cold snap continues to make conditions tricky for drivers and pedestrians. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday December 16, 2017 PA The scene in the Scottish Borders, as fresh warnings for ice have been issued for parts of Scotland as the cold snap continues to make conditions tricky for drivers and pedestrians. PA Ice covered berries in the Scottish Borders, PA Tyre tracks in the Scottish Borders PA The sunrise over Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire. PA

Vince Crane, of the AA, advised drivers to take extra care in the worsening conditions.

He said: "Road conditions can quickly deteriorate during very heavy rainfall, with drains becoming swamped or blocked and standing water causing surface spray, reduced visibility and potentially leading to flooding.

"Drivers will need to take extra care and expect delays, even on motorways.

"Strong or sudden gusts of wind are more likely on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges, or when overtaking high-sided vehicles."

In Wales people have been advised to keep a safe distance from the sea as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued a series of flood warnings for the south-east, south-west and north coasts.

Ceri Jones, from NRW, said: "Large waves could overtop defences and throw up debris - this could easily cause injury or knock you off your feet."

Pembrokeshire County Council also issued a warning for several areas, including Amroth and Newgale, where overtopping waves could cause disruption.Driving conditions to be 'treacherous'

The RAC is urging motorists to only drive if their journey is essential.

Pete Williams, road safety spokesman for the breakdown company, said: Drivers are warned to expect high winds and heavy rainfall across Northern Ireland, north east and west England and parts of Scotland as Storm Eleanor hits our shores this evening.

"If they [drivers] must drive then they should reduce their speed, allow plenty of room between their car and the vehicle in front and keep a good grip of the steering wheel and be prepared for gusts of wind particularly in exposed areas, on bridges and when overtaking high-sided vehicles.

"Be particularly mindful of bikers and cyclists who are susceptible to high winds and can be easily blown-off course.T he City is braced for the impact of one of the biggest regulatory shake-ups of since the 1980s Big Bang as a new framework of rules comes into force across Europe.

The financial sector across the European Union has been preparing for months ahead of the new regulations coming into play on January 3.

Preparations for the reforms are reported to have cost firms in excess of 2 billion during the course of 2017.

The package has been in the pipeline for seven years. Its implementation was put back by a year in May 2016.

What is MiFID II?

The rules the second iteration of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive which was introduced in 2007  are aimed at improving transparency and offering investors greater security.

They are designed to increase trust in financial markets following the 2008 financial crash, and make such crashes less likely in future.

Its all about casting light in areas of the market that were previously dark, transparency and ultimately treating the investor at all times in a fair manner," Ronan Brennan, chief product officer at Compliance Solutions Strategies said.

The rules will have a far-reaching impact across the financial services sector / Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA

The regulations mark the biggest overhaul of financial regulations since the Dodd-Frank Act took effect in the US in 2010. In the context of the UK, it is one of the biggest regulatory shake-ups since the Big Bang reforms came into effect in the 1980s.

Catherine McGuinness, the City of London Corporation's policy chairman, said the implementation will be a "real watershed moment" for financial regulation.

She added: "It will be the last major piece of regulatory reform following the financial crash of 2008.

What are the main provisions of MiFID II?

The rules are not minimal, running to 7,000 pages in length.

Such is the extensive nature of the legislation that ratings agency Standard and Poors has warned that there will be more losers than winners from it as banks, asset managers, brokers and stock exchanges face more costs to ensure compliance.

One of its most significant measures is the requirement that financial institutions follow the practice of best execution. Put simply, it means that they must work to ensure they achieve the best possible result for their customers.

The rules also include new measures meaning fund managers will now have to pay for the insights of analysts.

Under MiFID II, investment banks must now charge separate fees for brokerage and research services, in a bid to avoid conflicts of interest. The changes have prompted warnings that some analysts could lose their jobs.

The regulations are also aimed at clamping down on so-called dark pools, or private markets that allow people to trade anonymously. They will place a cap of eight per cent of volume of any stock changing hands in this way.

Who does MiFID II apply to?

More or less everyone working in financial services: banks, fund managers, traders, brokers, stock exchanges.

The legislation applies across all 31 members of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as well as the 28 EU member states).

Whats next?

Firms are to be given a six-month grace period to tackle early problems in compliance. But that doesnt mean theyll be given a free pass; regulators will demand evidence that they have made every effort to comply with the framework.

However, in a development which highlights the complex nature of the reforms, the UK and Germany have granted late reprieves to Europes largest futures exchanges to implement the rules.

On the day the rules were supposed to come into force, Ice Futures Europe and the London Metal Exchange were both given 30 more months to comply with the regulations.A council leader has called on police to remove homeless people from Windsor before the royal wedding.

Conservative councillor Simon Dudley said rough sleepers could show the town in a "sadly unfavourable light" when Prince Harry marries American actress Meghan Markle in May.

He tweeted that some had made a "commercial life choice praying on residents and tourists".

In a letter to police he complained about "aggressive begging and intimidation" and "bags and detritus" on the streets.

His comments were criticised by a local homeless charity manager, who described them as "sickening".

Murphy James, of Windsor Homeless Project, said: "It's absolutely abhorrent that anybody has got these views in this day and age, especially a lead councillor of the borough.

"If somebody is sleeping out on the street they are not there by choice, they are there because something has gone wrong."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are due to marry in Windsor on May 19 / Alexi Lubomirski

He added: "I went out on Christmas Day and there were 12 people laid out on Windsor High Street, they were not there by choice."

Mr James described it as "sickening" that Mr Dudley cited the royal wedding as a reason for his comments.

Thousands of wellwishers are expected to descend on the town for the event in Windsor Castle on May 19.

Council leader Simon Dudley was branded 'abhorrent' after he tweeted police urging to clear rough sleepers from the streets / PA

Mr Dudley, leader of Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, tweeted that there is "an epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy" in the town and demanded police "focus on dealing with this before the #RoyalWedding".

Windsor Police tweeted in reply: "We need to protect the most vulnerable in society by working together but each agency must understand its own unique responsibilities.

"Housing is the responsibility of the council but it is better that agencies work together so people don't become homeless.

"We deal with reports of begging proportionately but we have not had reports of anyone being marched to cashpoints to take out money."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement 1 /27 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle photo call today on the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Reuters Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Sky News Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave following a photocall after announcing their engagement in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace AP

Mr Dudley wrote a letter to Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police, Anthony Stansfeld, dated January 2, calling on officers to take action.

He said police should use their powers under the 1824 Vagrancy Act and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to "protect residents and tourists".

Windsor homeless man: The council don't care about us

He said that "bags and detritus" are a "significant security concern, especially given the national importance of Windsor".

"Obviously, the level of tourist interest is set to multiply with the Royal Wedding in May 2018, and there are increased concerns from our residents about their safety," he wrote.

The ceremony is to take place at St George's Chapel in Windsor / Alexi Lubomirski via AP

"The whole situation also presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light."

Mr Stansfeld said he was "somewhat surprised" that the letter was released publicly before being "sent directly to me".

"I myself attended a Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council in October and these issues were not raised," he added.

"I will of course provide Cllr Dudley with a full response addressing his concerns once I have received the letter and investigated further the issues he has raised."D onald Trump has launched a scathing attack on his former aide Steve Bannon and said that he "lost his mind" after losing his job.

The president hit back at his former chief White House strategist after he was quoted in a new book describing a meeting between Mr Trump's son and a group of Russians as "treasonous".

Mr Bannon's quote appears in a new book by journalist Michael Wolff and relates to the Russians allegedly offering Donald Trump Jr information on Hillary Clinton at the meeting in June 2016.

The US president said in an official statement on Wednesday: "Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.

Trump on Bannon: 'He lost his mind after he lost his job' / Bloomberg via Getty Images

"Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party.

"Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look.

"Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country."

Mr Bannon, the president's former chief strategist, helped to shape Mr Trump's "America First" campaign before he left his position in August.

Mr Trump's comments came in response to the new book, which offers a series of explosive revelations, including that Trump never expected to win the 2016 presidential race.

He seemed most angry at comments made by Mr Bannon, which were first reported by The Guardian after it obtained an early copy of the book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House."

According to The Guardian, Mr Bannon said a meeting between Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic."

An adaptation of the book published in New York magazine on Wednesday said Mr Trump believed his presidential nomination would boost his brand and deliver "untold opportunities."

The excerpt also said Mr Trump Jr. told a friend that Mr Trump looked as if he'd seen a ghost when it became clear he might win and described now-first lady Melania Trump as "in tears - and not of joy."I celand has made it illegal to pay men more than women.

A new law enforcing equal pay between genders came into effect on January 1, 2018, according to Al Jazeera.

Under the legislation, firms that employ more than 25 people are obliged to obtain a government certificate demonstrating pay equality, or they will face fines.

The law was announced on March 8 on International Women's Day 2017 as part of a drive by the nation to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022.

Dagny Osk Aradottir Pind, of the Icelandic Women's Rights Association, told Al Jazeera: "The legislation is basically a mechanism that companies and organisations ... evaluate every job that's being done, and then they get a certification after they confirm the process if they are paying men and women equally."

She added: "It's a mechanism to ensure women and men are being paid equally.

"We have had legislation saying that pay should be equal for men and women for decades now but we still have a pay gap."

The Nordic country, home to more than 323,000 people, has been ranked the best in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for nine years in a row.

The Global Gender Gap Report evaluates gender equality in a country using indicators including economic opportunity, political empowerment, and health and survival.

The new legislation was supported by Iceland's centre-right coalition government, as well as the opposition - nearly 50 per cent of the lawmakers in parliament are women.

Ms Aradottir Pind added: "I think that now people are starting to realise that this is a systematic problem that we have to tackle with new methods.

"Women have been talking about this for decades and I really feel that we have managed to raise awareness, and we have managed to get to the point that people realise that the legislation we have had in place is not working, and we need to do something more."D onald Trump taunted Kim Jong-un today by bragging that his nuclear button is bigger and more powerful than the North Korean tyrants.

The US president raised the stakes in his war of insults with Kim two days after the despot warned America that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table.

Mr Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.

Will someone from his depleted and food-starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

The exchange is the latest clash between the two leaders. Since taking office a year ago, Mr Trump has branded Kim a Little Rocket Man and short and fat. Kim has called the president, 71, a mentally deranged dotard and a frightened dog.

Foreign policy experts claim that Kim and his regime revel in the attention from the White House.

However, the pariah state today appeared to be reaching out to South Korea by making contact via a long-closed hotline.

Yesterday South Korea proposed high-level discussions to defuse the stand-off over Kims missile and nuclear programmes.

Mr Trumps outburst came after Kim, 33, boasted on New Years Day that he had a nuclear button on his desk and that the whole of America was within range and claimed: The United States can never fight a war against me and our state.

Christian Adams

The despot, who became the East Asian countrys supreme leader upon the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011, said his regime would this year build more missiles for operational deployment and nuclear warheads.

However, he pledged not to attack unless threatened and paved the way for talks with Seoul by announcing that he would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics, which will be held in Pyeongchang in South Korea next month.

Responding to Mr Trumps latest tweet, Jim Himes, a Democratic congressman who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, said: I guess the president regards this as a show of strength.

Tensions have heightened between North Korea and the US / STR/AFP/Getty Images

But as everybody whos ever been in a first-grade playground recognises, its usually the person whos most aggressively pounding their chest that is in fact the weak one.

Last year Mr Trump escalated tensions with North Korea to an unprecedented high. He told the regime the US was locked and loaded and threatened it with fire and fury if it dared to strike America.

North Korea tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile in November. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, last night warned North Korea not to stage another missile test.

I hope that doesnt happen, she said. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the regime.

In a stream of post-holiday tweets, Mr Trump also threatened to withhold aid payments over what he called the Palestinians unwillingness to discuss peace with Israel and attacked Pakistan over its efforts to tackle terrorism.

He insisted Israel would have to pay more after Washingtons recent decision to recognise Jerusalem as its capital.

Mr Trump, who has said America will hold back $255 million in aid to Pakistan after its lies and deceit, wrote: Its not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others.

As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel.S ome 1,500 barriers are to be installed in New York City in order to prevent cars hitting pedestrians.

The protective measures are to be introduced after several deadly incidents in the city, and will cost $50 million (36,700).

The citys mayor, Bill de Blasio, said the protection would be put in place in key locations such as Times Square.

"In 2017, New Yorkers witnessed the horrible capacity of people willing to do us harm, whether it was in our subways, on our bike paths or in Times Square," Mr de Blasio said.

"We know we have to do even more to keep people safe and that's why we conducted a review on how best to secure our streets and public spaces, and we formulated a plan of action."

In May, a man said by police to be high on drugs drove through crowds for more than three blocks, killing an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan. The vehicle was eventually stopped by one of the squat metal barriers.

Temporary concrete blocks were put up along the Seventh Avenue pavement while city officials weighed a long-term solution and considered banning vehicle traffic from the area altogether.

Then, on Halloween, an Islamic State-inspired attacker drove down a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Centre, authorities said. He killed eight people before he wrecked his rented truck and was shot by police.

Barriers were also placed there to keep cars out of the bike path.T his was the shocking moment a Ryanair passenger opened his planes emergency exit and climbed out over the wing after a delayed flight from London to Malaga.

Footage of the incident, which has been shared thousands of times online, appears to show the man preparing to jump off the planes wing with a bag in his hand.

But he was eventually talked out of jumping by ground staff and climbed back inside the plane, Malaga Hoy reported. The incident led to a further 40-minute delay for all passengers.

Fernando del Valle Villalobos, who captured Mondays incident on camera, wrote on Facebook: After leaving London an hour late to arrive in Malaga and be left in the plane for another 30 minutes (without any explanation from Ryanair) this man decided not to wait any longer.

He activated the emergency exit saying, Im going via the wing. Surreal!

The man was held by airport security before being arrested by local police. He now faces action from Spanish authorities.

He allegedly became frustrated when the plane was delayed by almost an hour leaving Stansted on New Year's Day, eventually arriving on Spain's Costa del Sol at 11.18pm.

The original video has now been viewed more than 200,000 times.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: This airport security breach occurred after landing in Malaga airport yesterday (January 1).A social worker who drove a Mini through crashing waves broke from Storm Eleanor said her drive was "like a walk in the park".

Social media footage showed Selina Callaghan motoring along the surging waterline towards safety and a car park exit.

The 28-year-old, from Donegal in north-west Ireland, said she was "cool, calm and collected".

She had been celebrating the new year with friends in Galway on the west coast and was watching the growing swell from the promenade at Salthill on Tuesday night.

Brave driver: Selina Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, Donegal / PA

She said: "Yesterday was like a walk in the park, fire is much more harmful than water, you just need to respect the water and it will respect you."

Irish authorities had issued their second highest alert.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the island lost power overnight as the storm swept in from the west.

Winds of up to 100mph wreaked significant damage and caused flooding on the Atlantic coast.

Pictures from Galway city centre on Tuesday evening showed cars ploughing through high water and business owners struggling to protect their properties.

Rescuers waded through knee-high water.

One car bobbed in the high coastal waters and drivers attempted to reach safe ground.

Mini car driving through flood water in Salthill, Galway, as Storm Eleanor lashed the UK and Ireland with violent storm-force winds of up to 100mph / The Latin Quarter Galway

Ms Callaghan, from Kerrykeel, near Letterkenny, only returned to the country 10 weeks ago after spending five years in Australia.

She and a couple of friends were in Galway City for the new year and were watching the storm nearby.

They moved their cars to the back of the car park as the water came closer.

"It happened that quick, by the time we parked there literally the waves were coming, the water was getting deeper and deeper, nearly coming into our cars.

"The panic stations were on for my friend.

"I was like, 'just relax'."

She said she was not afraid.

"Only by the grace of God I get through everything.

"I was at the beach because the beach is my favourite place in the whole world.

"I love the beach because it makes me calm, I feel close to God there.

"I know that he will look after me, I don't need to fear."

Mini driver, Selina Callaghan only returned to Ireland from Australia 10 weeks ago / PA

She said she knew exactly what she was doing.

"I would not put myself in a risky situation, I am literally heading out of a risky situation, I am not putting myself at any form of risk."

Some cars were abandoned in Oranmore near Galway as roads were blocked while others in a car park in Salthill were partially submerged.

At least 55,000 properties experienced blackouts overnight as the winter storm damaged the network.

County Mayo was hardest-hit.

A statement from power supply company ESB Networks said its staff worked in difficult conditions to get customers re-connected.

It said counties worst affected in the Republic included Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.K ate Beckinsale is set to star in upcoming ITV and Amazon Prime drama series The Widow, written by Harry and Jack Williams.

The actress will play Georgia, a woman whose life is turned upside-down when she receives a phonecall informing her that her husband of 10 years has been involved in a plane crash in the Congolese jungle.

Three years later Georgia heads to Kinshasa in the DRC to discover more about the mysterious circumstances surrounding her husbands disappearance.

Filming for the new series will start later this month in South Africa, Wales and Rotterdam.

ITVs head of drama, Polly Hilly, who commissioned the new series, said Beckinsale would be perfect for the role.

Im delighted to announce Kate Beckinsales casting in The Widow. She is perfect for the role of Georgia in what is, as always, brilliant, compelling and surprising storytelling from Harry and Jack Williams.

Were very pleased to have secured the series which is an ITV original commission and co-production with Amazon Prime.

The Williams brothers have worked on a number of hit TV series including recent ITV date rape thriller Liar and disappearance drama The Missing on BBC One.

Kate Beckinsale - In pictures 1 /57 Kate Beckinsale - In pictures Kate Beckinsale and Pete Davidson kiss during a NHL game between New York Rangers and Washington Capitals on 3 March 2019 Rex Features 1973 Richard Beckinsale and Judy Loe pictured with their daughter Kate Beckinsale in the garden of their Teddington home in 1973 Associated Newspapers Kate Beckinsale in 'Shooting Fish' (1997) Kate Beckinsale arriving for the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2018 PA 1989 Kate Beckinsale at 15 years old in 1989 1979 Judy Loe and daughter Kate Beckinsale leaving memorial service for actor Richard Beckinsale in 1979 Associated Newspapers 1997 Samantha Morton, Mark Strong and Kate Beckinsale star in the ITV adaptation of the Jane Austen classic 'Emma' ITV 1998 Ian Richardson with Kate Beckinsale in Channel 4's 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' (1998) 2001 Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale arrive at the premiere of the film 'Pearl Harbor' aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis on 21 May 2001 in Pearl Harbor Getty Images 2001 Kate Beckinsale in 'POearl Harbour' in 2001 Buena Vista 2002 Kate Beckinsale and Nicolas Cage at the 2002 MTV Movie Awards held at the Shrine Theatre in Los Angeles Getty Images 2003 Kate Beckinsale as Selene, leader of the Vampire death dealers in 'Underworld' (2003) Entertainment Films 2003 Kate Beckinsale and director Len Wiseman attend the Los Angeles premiere of the film "Underworld" at the Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood in 2003 Getty Images 2004 Kate Beckinsale and Leonardo Dicaprio in 'The Aviator'(2004) 2004 Kate Beckinsale as Anna in 'Van Helsing' (2004) 2004 Kate Beckinsale with daughter Lily is seen at the Distinctive Assets lounge for Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards on 03 April 2004 in Westwood, California Getty Images 2004 Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman attend the world premiere of the film "Van Helsing" at the Universal Studios Cinema 03 May 2004 in Universal City, California Getty Images 2009 Kate Beckinsale, arrives at the MOCA New 30th Anniversary Gala on 14 November 2009 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images 2009 Kate Beckinsale (R) and her daughter actress Lily Sheen arrives at the Tribeca Film Institute benefit screening of 'Everybody's Fine' on 03 December 2009 in New York AFP/Getty Images 2010 Kate Beckinsale arrives for the screening of "Robin Hood" by director Ridley Scott and for the opening ceremony of the 63rd Cannes Film Festival on 12 May 2010 Reuters 2010 Kate Beckinsale attends the Chopard 150th Anniversary Party at Palm Beach, Pointe Croisette during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on 17 May 2010 in Cannes, France Getty Images 2010 Kate Beckinsale poses during the 63rd Cannes Film Festival on 17 May 2010 in Cannes AFP/Getty Images 2012 Kate Beckinsale and her husband, director Len Wiseman, attend the Germany premiere of 'Total Recall' at Sony Center on 13 August 2012 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 2012 Kate Beckinsale attends "Underworld Awakening" (Underworld: El Despertar) photocall at Villamagna Hotel on 25 January 2012 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images 2012 Kate Beckinsale arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on 12 February 2012 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images 2012 Kate Beckinsale prior to the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Pier on 25 February 2012 in Santa Monica, California Getty Images 2012 Kate Beckinsale stands next to a poster showing herself at the Germany premiere of "Total Recall" at Sony Center on 13 August 2012 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 2012 Kate Beckinsale attends Porsche Design's 40th anniversary event at the Sheats Goldstein residence on 04 September 2012 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images 2013 Michelle Dockery, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Frieda Pinto, Rita Ora, Kate Beckinsale and Lily Mo Sheen at The Burberry Prorsum 2013 Autumn Winter Womenswear Show at Kensington Gardens on 18 February 2013 in London Dave Benett 2013 Kate Beckinsale arrives at the 2013 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Sunset Tower on February 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California Getty Images 2013 Kate Beckinsale (L) and her daughter, Lily Mo Sheen, attend FIJI Water at the 9th Annual Pink Party Benefiting The Cedars-Sinai Women's Cancer Program at HANGAR:8 on 19 October 2013 in Santa Monica, California Getty Images 2014 Kate Beckinsale attends the Warner Music Group annual GRAMMY celebration on 26 January 2014 in Los Angeles, California Getty Images 2014 Kate Beckinsale attends the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on 12 January 2014 in Beverly Hills, California Getty Images 2014 Kate Beckinsale attends 'The Face Of An Angel' premiere during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival at Winter Garden Theatre in September 2014 Getty Images 2015 Kate Beckinsale poses in the press room during the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on 11 January 2015 in Beverly Hills, California Getty Images 2015 ate Beckinsale attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 04 May 2015 in New York Getty Images 2015 Kate Beckinsale attends the Evening Standard Theatre Awards at The Old Vic Theatre on 22 November 2015 in London Getty Images 2015 Kate Beckinsale attends the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on 11January 2015 in Beverly Hills, California Getty Images 2016 Actress Kate Beckinsale attends the 18th Costume Designers Guild Awards with Presenting Sponsor LACOSTE at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on 23 February 2016 in Beverly Hills, California Getty Images 2016 Kate Beckinsale attends the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on 28 February 2016 in Beverly Hills, California Getty Images 2016 Kate Beckinsale attends the 2016 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on 22 May 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada Getty Images 2016 Kate Beckinsale arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and InStyle celebrate the 2017 Golden Globe Award Season at Catch LA on 10 November 2016 in West Hollywood, California Getty Images 2016 Kate Beckinsale attends The Fashion Awards 2016 on 05 December 2016 in London Getty Images 2016 Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale attend The London Evening Standard British Film Awards at Claridge's Hotel on 08 December 2016 Dave Benett 2016 Kate Beckinsale with the award for Best Actress at the Evening Standard Film Awards PA 2016 Kate Beckinsale attends The London Evening Standard British Film Awards at Claridge's Dave Benett 2016 With Sheen and his girlfriend, Sarah Silverman Rex Features 2017 Kate Beckinsale arrives at the GQ Men of the Year Party at Chateau Marmont Invision/AP 2017 Kate Beckinsale attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Getty Images 2017 Billboard Music Awards Steve Marcus/Reuters 2018 Kate Beckinsale speaks onstage at The 2018 ESPYS Getty Images 2018 Kate Beckinsale attends the GQ Men of the Year Awards Dave Benett 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Reuters 2018 Amber Heard, Kate Beckinsale, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Dianna Agron and Nicky Hilton Rothschild attend the Oscar De La Renta front Row during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios Terrace Getty Images 2019 Kate Beckinsale in The Widow ITV 2019 Kate Beckinsale arrives at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes after party Invision/AP 2019 Kate Beckinsale attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Getty Images

A spokesperson for their company Two Brothers said The Widow would be ambitious and cinematic.

Kate Beckinsale is a brilliantly talented actress and were thrilled shes joining us on this journey  we couldnt imagine anyone more perfect for the role.

The Widow is our most ambitious and cinematic piece to date and we cant wait to bring the dark heart of the Congolese jungle to the screen.Prosecutors with the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) seat in Ploiesti ordered the prosecution, under judicial supervision, of Valeriu Zgonea, Chamber of Deputies' Speaker at the time of the deed, for the offense of influence peddling.

According to the indictment drawn up by prosecutors July 2012 through April 2013, while Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and also deputy chairman of a the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Zgonea accepted the promise made by defendant Dumitru Dobrica, former county advisor in Buzau County Council regarding the acceptance of undue benefits in exchange for his intervention besides civil servants, whom he left to believe that he had influence over, to the end of appointing a relative of the businessman in an important public position.

Investigators say that Zgonea received from Dobrica undue benefits in the amount of 62,143 lei, representing the value of travel services (4-day trip to Vienna between 16-19.05.2013) and expenses related to building a vacation house in Covasna County."On 22 April 2013, following the demarches carried out by Zgonea Valeriu-Stefan, the respective person was appointed as president of the National Management Centre for the Information Society within the Ministry of Communications and Information Society (MCSI), without any specialised training in the field. Subsequently, still upon the demarches of Zgonea Valeriu-Stefan, the respective person kept her position at the level of the central public administration, being appointed, on 23 January 2014, as under-secretary of state within the Ministry of Communications and Information Society," the anti-corruption prosecutors specify.In this case, it was established the imposition of a protective measure in view of compensating the 62,143 Romanian lei amount.DNA mentions that in the same case, Dumitru Dobrica, former county advisor in Buzau County Council June 2004 to December 2013 and manager/shareholder of a commercial company, concluded an admission of guilt agreement.The case was forwarded for trial to the Bucharest Tribunal, with the proposal of maintaining the judicial control and of the protective measure provided for.

AGERPRES .Several events took place in December that demonstrated how far down the drain so many British people have gone in nationalistic zeal as regards Europe and Russia. First there was the bizarre outburst of rejoicing that the colour of the British passport is to change when Britain leaves the European Union  the looming Brexit disaster. Before becoming a member of the EU the British passport cover was dark blue, almost black, and thirty years ago it was altered to a shade of burgundy.

The intention to change back to the former colour caused Prime Minister Theresa May to tweet that The UK passport is an expression of our independence and sovereignty  symbolising our citizenship of a proud, great nation. That's why we have announced that the iconic blue passport will return after we leave the European Union in 2019.

She was echoed by, among many others, a noisy little politician called Michael Fabricant who said Our passport is an iconic statement of our nationality. The return to our traditional dark blue after Brexit is a restatement of our nation regaining its sovereignty. The passport colour non-story was becoming more ludicrous by the minute.

Then super-patriot Peter Oborne of the Daily Mail newspaper informed his readers that The burgundy EU passports  forced on us in 1988  were a striking example of what made so many Britons dissatisfied with EU membership and how our sense of nationhood was being subsumed into a Brussels-run superstate. And thus 17 million of them voted to quit the EU.

But Mr Oborne was wrong, because there hadnt been any EU decree about passport cover colour. The European parliaments Guy Verhofstadt said There is no EU legislation dictating passport colour. The UK could have had any passport colour it wanted.

Another comical thing about this farcical fandango is that the UKs Sun newspaper carried a headline claiming that the change was a Stunning Brexit victory for The Sun. It was terribly proud that The Government has agreed to our demand to scrap the EUs burgundy model, enforced on the nation from 1988 but didnt bother to check that there had never been enforcement of any sort. And the really funny thing is that the Sun was ecstatic that The Queens Dieu et Mon Droit crest will sit on its front in gold.

Its hilarious, because Her Majestys Crest is also on the front of the burgundy-coloured passport. It is usually called the Royal Coat of Arms, and it escaped the attention of the rabidly anti-Europe Sun that the words are French, not English.

What was all the fuss about? Commentator Peter Oborne explained that the matter was so important because the new passport will be a potent, everyday symbol of Britains independence from the EU come 2019. Not only that, but a passport is a symbol of nationhood Above all, it symbolises British common values and the way we stand together. While reminding us of our magnificent past, it is also confirmation of an independent future. How sadly pretentious.

Which brings us to Britains most senior diplomat, foreign secretary Boris Johnson, who told ITV News that I think it's a wonderful thing if people want to have a blue passport again. I remember a sense of personal loss and outrage when they were taken away. I couldn't understand why it had happened and I remember when Jacques Delors, the former president of the European Commission, said he wanted to calm the British people down, he said, 'We will give you back your blue passport' and they never did. Finally its happened. This was nonsense, like so many of his pronouncements.

Johnson made his passport statement in Moscow where he indicated that Britain has reverted enthusiastically to its embrace of the Cold War, and regards Russia as an enemy. Immediately before his visit he announced that Russia is closed, nasty, militaristic and antidemocratic which even for Johnson was a remarkably stupid public insult and, to put it mildly, undiplomatic.

Diplomacy is defined as the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad The art of dealing with people in a sensitive and tactful way. But in neither of these could it be claimed that Mr Johnson is either a willing or expert practitioner. His reference a few years ago to black African children as piccaninnies was disturbing, to put it mildly, but assumption of a senior government post has not checked his crudeness. His appointment by the politically threatened Theresa May was regarded as farcical by many citizens, and his intemperate outbursts of unthinking goofiness continued to attract derision.

Maria Zakharova of Russias foreign ministry said that Johnsons visit would be pointless if it was not accompanied by real steps aimed at improving bilateral relations, and it was indeed a futile visit, because Johnson continued to publicly mock and insult his host countrys government for all manner of alleged activities, and crassly tweeted that Our relations with Russia cannot be business as usual however, it is vital for international security that we do talk to each other.

Even Johnson could not have imagined that a nation he had publicly disparaged and maligned would be prepared to engage with him, and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov made this clear when he objected to the pre-meeting insulting and aggressive statements and said that differences between them should be discussed privately rather than proclaimed publicly.

Britains next nationalistic drama was reported on December 26 after the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov was seen sailing in international waters. The Daily Mail headlined that Royal Navy frigate intercepts Russian warship as it made its way across the North Sea menacingly close to Britain. This nonsense was mirrored by UK Christmas threat from Russian Navy and the Independent went overboard (as it were) with Britain warns Russia over naval 'aggression' after tracking warship through North Sea on Christmas Day.

The Admiral Gorshkov is undergoing sea-trials which are to be completed in February 2018 and is not combat-ready. The absurdity of the newspaper reports was highlighted when retired British Admiral Chris Parry told the BBC that as regards the Gorshkov being in the North Sea Shes perfectly entitled to do that under international law.

One might think that this straight statement of fact would end the matter, but no. The British minister of defence Gavin William declared that Britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people and our national interests. William is an inconsequential nonentity, but even so must be accepted as an official voice of government.

It seemed that there might be a competition in Britain to make the most stupid declaration about a complete non-event, but when the passport charade is considered together with the Johnson pantomime and the Gorshkov aggression travesty, a peculiar and most regrettable picture of modern British sentiment emerges. Far from all Britons subscribe to the notion that Europe is an economic threat and Russia a military one, but the fact that the government appears to have adopted a policy of bellicose ultra-nationalism is disturbing.

For the foreign minister of the United Kingdom to announce in a newspaper that Russia is closed, nasty, militaristic and antidemocratic is a straightforward declaration of hostility.

But who cares? Britain cant do anything to Russia  or any other country, for that matter.Most of the Russian ground troops sent to Syria since 2015 were special operations forces and counter-terrorism experts. The Russian troops were there not just to help keep the Assads in power but also to provide realistic training and command experience for Russian officers. This was seen as an opportunity to give many of its most promising officers a chance to demonstrate their abilities. Not all succeeded (and were usually quietly replaced and sidelined back home). Those who did well went back to Russia and were promoted while being given key commands, usually in areas where they could influence training and development of new methods for dealing with internal unrest. Many Russian leaders see the Syrian rebellion and civil war as something new and likely to break out elsewhere, perhaps even in some heavily Moslem parts of Russia.

This new training and promotion policy isnt just about Syria. Earlier in 2017 twelve senior officials (most of them generals) of the Russian Interior Ministry were fired. This was another side effect of the creation of a National Guard in 2016. This paramilitary organization of some 400,000 soldiers and police is officially a rapid reaction force for dealing with terrorism or any other threat to Russia that requires quick and decisive action.

This is creating problems for the Russian government. The leadership changes in the Interior Ministry was believed related to the growing resistance in parliament to efforts to pass new laws that allow the National Guard to fire on Russian citizens whenever the government wants to without warning. In addition National Guard leaders are to be immune to any prosecution for anything they are ordered to do. This reminds too many people of the kind of power the Soviet era KGB (secret police) had.

The new National Guard is suspected of being the new KGB army. As organized the new National Guard is taking nearly all of the best trained and most effective units from the Interior Ministry. That is seen as weakening an existing force that could prevent a new KGB from misbehaving. Vladimir Putin has dominated the government since 1999 and it was never a secret that he was a former KGB officer who hired a lot of other former KGB officers to run the government. But now Putin wants to make the National Guard immune to FSB (the post-Soviet KGB) oversight. Another interesting aspect of the National Guard is that the many para-military groups formed by the pro-Putin government of Chechnya are now considered part of the National Guard. A growing number of Russians are calling the

National Guard Putins Private Army. By late 2017 Putin was assigning Federal government security (bodyguards) to the state governors. The post-Soviet government in the 1990s allowed these governors to be elected but Putin put an end to that as an anti-corruption measure and a way to expand his own power. Now he is providing these appointed governors with security guards who answer to Putin, not those they are guarding.

This sort of force is an ancient practice. It is what the Assad clan did to remain in power since the 1970s. It doesnt always work. In pre-2003 Iraq Saddam Hussein had his Republican Guard, a force that was filled with the best paid, best armed men in the armed forces who were, above all, loyal to Saddam. It worked for decades but failed in the end. Putin wants to avoid failure.

All other successful dictatorships have similar forces. In Soviet Russia the secret police (KGB) employed over a million domestic spies and informers backed by several divisions of troops trained and equipped to deal with rebellions by the population, or the armed forces. It worked for over 60 years until it didnt. Iran has a similar force, the Revolutionary Guard that serves a similar role as the old KGB. The Saudi monarchy has its National Guard and surviving monarchies usually have a least a ceremonial remnant of the once powerful guards. Even the pope still has a Swiss Guard. In 2016 ISIL formed a 4,000 man Shield of Islam force which is composed of the most skilled and resourceful ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) fighters, including many foreigners (especially hundreds of the much feared Chechens). During World War II, Adolf Hitler had the SS, Gestapo and his private army, the Waffen SS, all of which kept Germany fighting until the very end. The new Putin version of the KGB army is being created by taking most of the armed personnel available to the Interior Ministry (the national police and various riot control, SWAT and special operations forces) as well as investigators and intelligence experts and assigning them to the new National Guard which swears to protect the president of Russia (currently Putin), not the Russian people.Ireland Announces New Round Of Tariff Suspension Schemes

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

03 January 2018

The Irish Government has announced a new round of tariff suspension/quota schemes, and is calling for applications from manufacturers in the chemicals, microelectronic, and related sectors.

The EU's Treaty of Rome provides for the temporary suspension of duties on imports from outside the EU of raw materials and components for further processing in cases where it is established that the item cannot be sourced within the EU. Ireland's Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation advertises twice yearly for applications to the scheme.

The closing date for receipt of applications to the current round is January 26, 2018.

The suspension of duties on successful applications will come into effect 12 months after the application is made. A suspension will be valid for five years. A quota will be valid for a period of six to twelve months.

Business Minister Heather Humphreys said: "I am acutely aware that Irish manufacturers identify production costs as a key concern of operating in the global marketplace. The tariff suspension and quota schemes represent a great opportunity for businesses to gain a competitive edge by keeping down the cost of sourcing components that are not available in the EU."

"I would encourage all Irish manufacturers to avail of these schemes where such a need arises."

All applications submitted by EU member states are checked by the European Commission. They are then discussed by the Economic Tariff Questions Group, which is comprised of the Commission and representatives of all member states. There are typically three Commission meetings per round of applications, followed by a meeting of the European Council to approve the proposals.'Next Phase' Of Albertan Carbon Pricing Enters Into Effect

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

03 January 2018

Alberta's carbon levy has increased from CAD20 (USD16) per tonne of CO2 emissions to CAD30, effective January 1, 2018.

Alberta's carbon levy entered into force on January 1, 2017, at an initial rate of 20 per tonne of CO2 emissions. A CAD10 increase scheduled for January 1, 2018, has now entered into effect.

The levy is charged on all fuels that emit greenhouse gases when combusted. The rate is based on the amount of carbon pollution released by the fuel when it is combusted.

The Government said that revenue from the levy will continue to be invested in the province, through green infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewable energy, bioenergy, and innovation.

The Government also estimates that 60 percent of households will receive a full or partial carbon levy rebate in 2018. It said that a single adult earning up to CAD47,500 a year will receive a rebate of CAD300, while a couple earning up to CAD95,000 a year will receive a rebate of CAD450. Parents that qualify for the rebate will receive up to an additional CAD45 per child, up to a maximum of four children.

To be eligible for a rebate, Albertans must file their 2016 and subsequent income tax returns. The rebate is non-taxable and also refundable, meaning that Albertans will receive it even if they pay no provincial income taxes.

The Government said that, even with the increase in the carbon levy, Alberta has an overall tax advantage over Canada's other provinces, as it has no provincial sales tax, health premium, or payroll tax. It added that individuals and business will still pay at least CAD8.7bn less in total taxes and carbon charges than if Alberta had the same tax and carbon pricing systems as other provinces.

Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said: "Our government is committed to leading policy development, not taking direction from Ottawa. Our made-in-Alberta Climate Leadership Plan works for Albertans and Alberta's economy."

"Since 2015, our plan has supported mortgage-paying jobs, built an entirely new and long overdue energy efficiency industry, and put a meaningful dent in emissions reductions. We will continue to protect Alberta's health, wealth, and growth in 2018."

In December 2016, the federal Government and all but two provinces and territories agreed to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Under this framework, a federal carbon pricing option will apply in provinces that do not have their own pricing system in place in 2018.UAE Extols VAT Benefits, To Monitor Abuse

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

03 January 2018

The United Arab Emirates has said the benefits for businesses and consumers of the country's newly introduced value-added tax far outweigh any negatives.

In a statement via the state news agency, the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the Chair of the Department of Economic Development, Saif Mohammad Al Hajiri, said "concerns emanating from the application of the VAT are overrated, as its impact on the country's business sector will be [...] minimal and will rather generate myriad benefits for the economy."

He stated: "The application of VAT effective January 1, 2018, will reflect positively on the country's developmental drive as it ideally goes in harmony with the Government's vision to ensure a robust, sustainable, and diversified economy to ultimately wean the country off oil in the future. The Department has ensured the development of a well thought-out strategy across the emirate of Abu Dhabi to control prices and open up channels of communication with consumers and monitor any misuse of the tax application," he added, noting that the UAE is applying the world's lowest rate of VAT, of five percent.

Salem Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the DED, further discussed the efforts taken by the tax agency and government to prevent fraudsters from inappropriately collecting VAT. He said the DED has taken "all necessary preemptive measures to nip in the bud any attempts to use consumers under the pretext of VAT," WAM reported. He said DED has dedicated different channels of communications with the public to report any violations, including the DED website and social media platforms. "The DED inspection teams have developed a comprehensive database on all commodity prices over the last months of 2017 that will help monitor the slightest price hikes that go counter to the law across all sales outlets in the emirate," he said.

He added that inspection campaigns will intensify during the first quarter of the new year to ensure the price rise will not exceed five percent as per the law.365 Threat Monitor scans all emails as they reach your users' mailboxes to detect ransomware, phishing and spam. Receive real-time phone alerts, get real-time security breach updates and instantly delete threats with just one click - for free! Learn More.

Guesswork is often involved in predicting the next big thing  butwith CES just a week away, the future is almostnow. The annual international trade show, as well as other industry events following one afteranother  including ITExpo, Gitex, Mobile World Congress and Techspo  means there will be no shortage of product announcements, technologyunveilings, and proclamations about the tech of the future.

However, the truth is that for every hit product or trend in years past  such as the DVDplayer, iPhone or streaming media  there have been plenty of misses. In recent years, 3D made a comeback of sorts, and it was heralded as the future of movies and TVs. Yet few viewers are donning the cumbersome glasses today. Who remembers DivX or the Zune? And whatever happened to WiMAX?

To predict the future, one must not only consider what is trending now, but alsoponder what is missing. 3D didnt take off in 2012 for the same reasons that it was a novelty in the 1950s, again the 1960s, and even in the 1980s.

Technology that truly is innovative doesnt look to solve a problem that isntthere. The next big thing  or things  will address the demands ofconsumers and the needs of businesses, and make life better. Tech innovation could comein many different forms.

Cryptocurrency: Cash in 2018

Digital money, also known as cryptocurrency, was certainly in thespotlight at the end of 2017, thanks to bitcoins meteoric rise. However, bitcoin is just one of the more popular alternatives to traditional cash. Cryptocurrency could be among the big trends to watch in 2018.

We now have something like 1,200 different [digital currency] productsout there, and more every day, said Jim Purtilo, associate professorin the computer science department at the University of Maryland.

This tells me were in for a trough of disillusionment, as morepeople look into this but without the perspective to figure out whenthey are getting value or even to tell when the products work, he told TechNewsWorld.

One downside could be that these technologies arent quite asuntraceable as people may think  but that likely wont dissuade those intent oninvesting in cryptocurrency.

There is spectacular promise in the algorithms, but the markets have alot of shakeout to go through before the promise is realized, Purtilosaid. Well see some of that shakeout in the coming year before somesmart innovator can blend together ingredients for the right secretsauce that everyone likes.

Artificial Intelligence: Even Smarter

It is still doubtful that the machines will rise up against the humanmasters in 2018, but it is likely that artificial intelligence will continue to get smarter and possibly take on new roles.

Humans will feed the machines, said Josh Crandall, principal analystat Netpop Research.

Theres no stopping artificial intelligence and machine learning, he told TechNewsWorld.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence will penetrate furtherinto our lives and impact a lot of the processes that are currentlymanual, said Greg Sterling, vice president of strategy and insights at the Local Search Association.

This will be especially true in online marketing and digital media,he told TechNewsWorld.

However, hype may outpace reality in terms of what exactly computers cando, and many of AIs advances may be evident only behind the scenes.

AI is going to surpass robotics in the publics eye when we discussautomation and work force policies, suggested Purtilo.

That is a little artificial as a distinction, since robotics hasalways been perceived as an AI thing, but AIs increasing power willbroaden the discussion, he said.

In 2018, it wont be just entry-level workers in a fast food chainlosing jobs to a burger-flipping robot, Purtilo predicted. It will be financial servicesadvisors and law clerks losing jobs to deep learning algorithms.

To get there, companies may need to rely on consumers to providethe raw data points that will be needed to improve such systems.

It will be a frustrating year as these assistivetechnologies, which arent quite helpful yet, offer suggestions andrecommendations that dont provide the solutions we are really lookingfor, said Crandall, but dont fret  the technologies will continueto improve and become more personalized.

Wearables: Taking Off?

Another trend that has long been on the cusp has been wearables  yeteven Apple has been only marginally successful with its Watch. 2018could be the year that wearable devices finally go mainstream  but to doso, they may need a redesign.

The [current] form factors are simply too limited to justify whatcontinue to be premium prices for smartwatches and high-end fitnesstrackers, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

But healthy sales of Amazons Echo and Google Home [suggest] werereaching a tipping point for smart hubs opening the door to new homesand office services, he told TechNewsWorld.

That development could require a shift away from wired devices  such as earbudsfor smartphones  to Bluetooth-enabled headphones and speakers.

This could also portend the rise of other wireless peripherals thatleverage smartphone brains for enhanced functions and services, Kingsuggested.

Seeing  or in the case of wearable devices, not seeing  may be believing.

Wearables are going to be more present and more invisible than ever in 2018, said Julie Sylvester, a producer at Living in Digital Times.

Longer battery life, more fashionable form factors, easier to wear, and more sustainability are going to contribute to wider adoption of wearables in 2018, she told TechNewsWorld.

Where wearables are worn likely will continue to evolve in 2018 and beyond.

More and more workplaces will be either issuing wearables to theiremployees or making accommodations for wearables, said Robin Raskin,founder of Living in Digital Times.

They could be used for training, facility access and evenpayment. Glasses may make a comeback in the workplace, for applications such as training,she told TechNewsWorld.

In addition, expect new wearables that involve other senses  haptics,environmentally responsive fabrics, brain stimulators, she said. Were going tosee lots more of those.

Circuits could be woven into the bioengineered materials  thinkleatherless leather  which could be useful for retailersand consumers alike.

Imagine a tag that knows that its real not counterfeit, or that itsleft inventory, or that the owner should get a coupon for shoes tomatch, said Raskin.

Facial Recognition: The Best ID

Putting ones best face forward could be the akin to showing a photo ID. Just as fingerprints can be matched to one individual, the characteristics of ones face also are unique  even though people may seem to look alike. Facial recognition technology could becomefar more widespread in 2018.

Apple already has taken a leap with the release of the iPhoneX, which allows users to unlock the handset by looking at it.

Apples products have pushed wide public adoption of a number oftechnologies, from WiFi to streaming music to virtual keyboards,observed futurist Michael Rogers.

Apple isnt the only company to explore the possibilities.

Facial recognition is already here, behind the scenes in anincreasing number of commercial and public spaces, Rogers told TechNewsWorld. Soon it will show up everywhere from cash registers and ATMs to homesecurity systems and smart signs that tailor content to the viewer.

The ease of simply being scanned to be recognized maycome with a downside, however.

It will represent another significant loss of privacy  this time,public anonymity, Rogers explained. It may be some kind of consumerapplication that actually creates the most public concern  somethingalong the lines, perhaps, of Whos that cute girl?'

Mobile Phones: Video and Convergence

It would be easy to suggest that the years 2007 to 2017  from thearrival of the first iPhone to the latest model  have been thedecade of the smartphone. Apples iPhone and Googles Android operating system helped grow and transform the market, snatching it from previously dominant BlackBerry and Palm.

The smartphone has become the ubiquitous device that is carried byalmost everyone almost everywhere. 2018 wont be the year of thesmartphone, but it could be the year the smartphone does even more.

Video will drive the market for mobile service and devices in 2018,said Steve Blum, principal analyst at Tellus Venture Associates.

Consumer electronics is collapsing into a two-product industry smartphones and big screen televisions  and the balance is tippingtowards phones, he told TechNewsWorld.

The end of Net neutrality will accelerate the shift, as the big fourU.S. mobile carriers use their control over network traffic andservice pricing to sell more content and capture more viewing time,Blum added.

Its likely that an old buzzword could make a comeback.

That is convergence,' said University of Marylands Purtilo.

I base this prediction on the emergence of tools for leanmanufacturing of progressive apps, which are browser-based programsthat work seamlessly across many platforms, he explained.Instead of making one app for an iPhone and a second for Android, abuilder can create a single product for all, and leverage very clevercaching techniques to ensure it works fast too.

That could keep build costs low, while inviting developers to investeffort into designing products that combine the functionality of many smaller apps.

Why have dozens of inconsistent apps on your phone when one servicewith a common interface will offer better value? Purtilo pondered.Consumers will converge on progressive apps because of the utility,and companies will have business incentives to be the ones offeringconsumers those services.Self-driving vehicles have been a centerpiece of the Consumer Electronics Show for several years now. At CES 2018 next week, theyre taking over the town.

Autonomous driving solutions provider Aptiv on Tuesday announced a partnership with Lyft to demonstrate a fully automated point-to-point ride-hailing experience during CES.

The duo will offer rides to more than 20 pre-determined destinations throughout Las Vegas from January 9 through January 12. Lyft passengers will be able to request a self-driving ride from the gold lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center (seemingly making this a CES attendee-only experience).

Riders will tour an informative exhibit before their ride and again while in the car courtesy of an in-car host (theres also a safety driver behind the wheel you know, just in case).

The demonstration, says Aptiv President and Chief Executive Kevin Clark, is designed to represent a real-life application of scalable, automated driving technology.

Aptiv and Lyft wont be operating the only autonomous transportation in town. In November, a self-driving shuttle developed by French start-up Navya and operated by private transportation company Keolis launched in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, things didnt go very smoothly as the bus was involved in a fender bender within its first hour of service (a human driver accidentally backed into the shuttle).

CES officially gets started on January 9 and wraps up on January 12. Aptiv says it will be ready to scale in production by 2019.What started as a protest against rising costs and economic conditions has grown to a full-on protest against government oppression in Iran. Some protesters have even called for the removal of the current regime. Online videos have shown increasing violence between police and protesters which have led to the dead of at least 21 people.

Messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption such as Telegram, WhatsApp and even iMessage are popular tools that many activists around the world use to organize gatherings. Telegram in particular has been hugely popular in Iran where its proprietary cryptography and independence from the US have proved to be valuable. However, this surge in popularity has attracted the attention of the Iranian government.

The Amad News channel was suspended by Telegram for violating the Terms of Service (ToS) in regard to inciting violence. Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi, Irans Minister of Information and Communications Technology, publicly called out the channel for encouraging hateful conduct, use of Molotov cocktails, armed uprising, and social unrest. However, when the Iranian government requested Telegram suspend channels that had not violated its ToS, Telegram refused, citing that they were peaceful Iranian protesters. Telegram was promptly blocked by Iran.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov wrote a note on his Telegram channel saying:

"We are proud that Telegram is used by thousands of massive opposition channels all over the world. We consider freedom of speech an undeniable human right, and would rather get blocked in a country by its authorities than limit peaceful expression of alternative opinions."

Durov also explained that the recently suspended Amad News channel had reached out to Telegram to apologize and pledged not to incite violence. Telegram allowed Amad News to reassemble their 800,000 subscribers on a new channel.

Blocking portions of the Internet is nothing new to Iranians. Facebook and YouTube are already blocked along with many VPN services to get around the blocks. The government uses its control over local ISPs to enforce censorship on any service it deems a threat, much like Chinas "Great Firewall." Iranian officials have insisted that the Telegram ban is only temporary and will be lifted once the protests subside.President Maduro's delegation seeks the devolution of 31 tons of gold bars held in the United Kingdom and US$8 billion in frozen funds. | Read More2018 Jeep Wrangler, Better, Much Better - Review By Larry Nutson

By Larry Nutson

Senior Editor and Bureau Chief

Chicago Bureau

The Auto Channel

Driving a Jeep Wrangler often brings to mind my time years ago developing product and marketing strategies for convertible models offered by a couple different car brands.

The Wrangler was often cross-shopped by buyers looking for a convertible. After all, first and foremost they want top-down driving enjoyment and the Wrangler delivers on that.

I believe that thinking has declined somewhat over the years. However, now with the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler that has been revamped from top to bottom it just may increase.

My most recent driving experiences in different Wranglers have been around Chicagoland. Plus, Ive done a bit of off-road driving on trails at Road America and Autobahn Country Club, where I participate in events hosted by the Midwest Automotive Media Association. Ive also driven a variety of Jeeps on the off-road course at the FCA Chelsea Michigan Proving Grounds.

Now just recently on an invite from Jeep I got a first hand look as well as on-road and off-road driving time in the newest iteration of the legendary Wrangler in the Saguaro National Park desert outside Tucson, Arizona.

On the outside the Wrangler still looks very much like a Wrangler. Theres a return to the past with a new trapezoidal or keystone shape to the seven-slot grille. The front end, which has been smoothed out a bit for better airflow, now sits taller as do the fenders. The beltline is lower and the windows are larger. LED headlights and taillights are available. The windshield is raked back more and folds flatter. It now can be folded by simply removing four bolts in the header.

For the first time ever, lightweight, high-strength aluminum doors, hinges, hood, fenders, windshield frame, and a magnesium swing gate help reduce weight.

On the inside the instrument panel has been redone. The Wrangler now has push-button start as well as an idle stop-start system. The gauge cluster features a pitch and roll angle display. Theres a big power sliding roof on the 4-door. The soft top folds much more easily and much quicker. A fourth-gen Uconnect system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and you get the choice of 5.0, 7.0- or 8.4-inch touchscreens with pinch-and-zoom capability.

Two engines are offered. A Gen II 285-HP Pentastar 3.6-L V6 and an optional 270-HP turbo 2.0-L 4-cylinder that is a mild-hybrid featuring a 48-volt motor attached to the crankshaft. The V6 is comes with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. The 2.0-L only comes with the automatic but take note that it makes more torque than the V6.

EPA test-cycle ratings for the V6 with automatic are 20 mpg combined, with 18 city mpg and 23 highway mpg. The manual is rated one mpg lower in the city at 19 mpg. Ratings for the 2.0-L are not yet finalized.

On the 4-door, a 3.0-L EcoDiesel with the eight-speed automatic will become available in 2019. And also in 2019 a new half-door design will be available.

The shorter wheelbase 4-seat 2-door is available in Sport, Sport S and Rubicon. The 5-seat 4-door is offered in Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon.

Wrangler Sport and Sahara models are equipped with the Command-Trac 4x4 system, featuring a part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio.

Rubicon models are equipped with the Rock-Trac 4x4 system, featuring a two-speed transfer case with a 4:1 low-range gear ratio, front and rear next-generation Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers, and electronic sway bar disconnect.

A new Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case with full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) mode available on the Sahara model offers continuous power to the front and rear axles and is easy to use.

Available Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential provides extra torque and grip during slippery, low-traction situations, such as driving over sand, gravel, snow or ice.

On the safety front, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection, and a ParkView rear backup camera are now offered.

My first venture in the new Wrangler took us on paved local roads, a highway, a dirt road and into the Old Tucson western-movie set. From my on-road experiences in Chicago I could immediately notice the significant improvements in ride and handling, as well as steering. The updated suspension, better tires and electro-hydraulic power steering make a world of difference.

We were in a 4-door soft top and I thought the interior noise level to be quite decent enabling easy conversation and good audio listening.

But make no mistake, the Wrangler is still very, very off-road capable. The Jeep folks had us drive some rough trails and then we crawled up a very steep rock- and boulder-covered hill. Thank goodness we were driving with automatics. I wouldnt want to be working a clutch pedal while crawling slowly over boulders with frequent stops and restarts.

Starting prices range from $26,995 to $40,495 Theres a ton more information that you can find at www.jeep.com.

If I were shopping a 5-seat SUV, I might just give the 2018 4-door Wrangler Rubicon a serious look. Its got the space. Its got road manners. And, Id buy the soft-top and have the added enjoyment of a warm weather convertible.

Im sometimes a bit envious of FCAs engineering and development teams. In the case of the Jeep, they are, for the most part, off-road enthusiasts who themselves are out on the mountain, forest and desert trails with others of like mind. Ive also seen this in the SRT teams who are performance and motorsports enthusiasts too. What a fun job! Getting paid to do what you love which in the end makes for better vehicles from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Jeep has done a great job of giving its buyers lots of choice. We were told there are over 17,000 different build combinations for the all-new 2018 Wrangler which will be in Jeep showrooms in January 2018.

Jeep: still going strong after 75 years.

This report comes from an invitation-only Jeep launch event that allowed special access to the vehicle and executives. Jeep provided my overnight accommodations, meals, and transportation.

 2017 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy

The Most In-Depth Independent Jeep Vehicle Consumer Research - Anywhere!Shell Purchases U.K.'s First Utility







Agreement complements Shells network of forecourt charging points and its acquisition of NewMotion, one of Europes largest vehicle charging providers.

LONDON January 2, 2018 ; In late December, Shell Petroleum Company Limited signed an agreement to buy 100% of First Utility, a leading independent U.K.-based household energy and broadband provider.

Shells energy supply, trading and marketing expertise, combined with First Utilitys experience in serving around 825,000 homes in the United Kingdom, will enable Shell to expand its energy supply business from commercial and industrial customers into the residential sector.

The supply and demand of residential energy is rapidly changing, driven by new technologies that enable householders to better manage their energy use, and the need for a low-carbon energy system, Mark Gainsborough, Shells executive vice president of new energies, said. This combination will enable Shell to enter a new part of the energy market in the UK and to improve choice for customers by delivering innovative services at competitive prices.

Shell Energy Europe Limited (SEEL), the Shell groups European gas and power marketing and trading business, will continue to supply wholesale gas and electricity to energy retailers in the U.K. and Europe, including First Utility. In 2015, a licensing agreement between Shell Brands International and First Utility enabled them to operate in the German household energy sector under the Shell brand.

We believe that the time is right to build upon our strong relationship with First Utility by investing to grow its business, Gainsborough said.

Shell sees a new electricity value chain emerging in the U.K., in which customers play an increasingly important role in managing their use and selling some power back to the grid.

The agreement also complements Shells growing network of forecourt charging points and its recent acquisition of NewMotion, one of Europes largest vehicle charging providers.Mazda December 2017 US Sales







Crossover Volume and A Strategy for the Future Mark the Year

IRVINE, Calif. (January 3, 2018)  Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported December U.S. sales of 26,893 vehicles, representing a decrease of 6.5 percent versus December of last year. There were 26 selling days in December 2017, versus 27 the year prior. As such, on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis, the company posted a decrease of 2.9 percent.

The company also reported calendar year (CY) 2017 total sales (combined fleet and retail) today, totaling 289,470, down 2.8 percent, versus CY2016. There were 306 selling days in CY2017, versus 305 in CY2016; the full-year DSR represented a decrease of 3.1 percent.

Key December and CY2017 sales notes:

As part of Mazdas brand value management strategy, MNAO continued to significantly reduce fleet sales with 11,346 vehicles sold in CY2017. This number represents a decrease of 44.3 percent year-over-year (YOY).

Backing fleet numbers out of the total vehicles sold, MNAO posted a 0.2 percent increase in retail-only sales for CY2017, with 278,124 vehicles sold.

Mazda CX-5 posted record sales numbers in December, marking its best-ever month since first going on sale in February of 2012. Posting its tenth best-ever month in CY2017, CX-5 recorded a YOY increase of 17.6 percent, with 14,097 vehicles sold in December.

Following the introduction of the new 2017 Mazda CX-5 in March, a record 127,563 CX-5 vehicles were sold in CY2017; marking an increase of 13.7 percent YOY, and beating its previous best-ever sales year in CY2016.

Sales of the seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 rose 26.3 percent YOY, with 3,276 vehicles sold in the month of December. With 25,828 vehicles sold in CY2017, the CX-9 finished the year up 60.9 percent.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata finished December down 32.0 percent YOY, with 493 vehicles sold, while full-year sales of the two-seat roadster were 11,294, marking a YOY increase of 19.3 percent.

As crossover vehicle sales continue to dominate the U.S. market, Mazdas CX-line posted YOY sales growth, with CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9 posting an increase of 16.8 percent in December. The three crossover vehicles finished the year up 15.6 percent, with 169,746 vehicles sold in CY2017.

With much of the U.S. now in the winter months, Mazdas i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive system  available as an option on all Mazda crossover SUVs  continues its popularity among crossover SUV buyers, with 59.9 percent of buyers choosing the option.

MNAO reported Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales of 3,858 vehicles in the month of December, marking an increase of 20.8 percent YOY. Full-year sales resulted in a record CPO year for MNAO, posting YOY sales growth of 17.0 percent with 43,730 vehicles sold.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported December sales of 5,619 vehicles, down 16 percent versus December of last year. Total CY2017 sales for MMdM were 54,163 vehicles, representing a decrease of 1.0 percent when compared to CY2016.

Forward-looking announcements made by Mazda in 2017 focused on human-centric vehicle development and building the Mazda brand. Major announcements included:Bruce Weber. Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

On Wednesday afternoon, fashion photographer Bruce Weber posted on his personal Instagram account that he unequivocally denies the recent sexual-harassment charges made against him and will vigorously defend [him]self.

I have spent my career capturing the human spirit through photographs and am confident that, in due time, the truth will prevail, Weber added in the post. I am grateful for the outpouring of support I have received.

This is Webers first public statement since two allegations were made against him. It coincidentally falls one day after the Daily News reported that Terry Richardson, another fashion photographer and accused-harasser, is being investigated by the NYPD Special Victims Squad.

In early December, the former male model Jason Boyce filed a lawsuit against Weber accusing him of inappropriate touching during a casting session that took place in December 2014 at Webers apartment. At the time, Boyce was 28, and Weber was 68.

A few days after the news of Boyces case broke, a second male model named Mark Ricketson came forward to claim that Weber also sexually harassed him in a similar manner 13 years ago, when he was 18. At a press conference (where Boyce was also present), Ricketsons lawyer, Lisa Bloom, said he cant sue because the statute of limitations for his case have expired, but he may testify as a corroborating witness in Boyces case, which is still ongoing.

Weber appears to have some fashion-industry leaders still on his side. Vogue creative director-at-large Grace Coddington posted an Instagram with him at an event celebrating his new book, All-American Glory Be in mid-December. However, the photo has since been removed.

As of right now, Carine Roitfeld and aspiring-photographer Brooklyn Beckham are among those who liked Webers Instagram post.Donald Trump Jr. and Steve Bannon. Photo: Getty Images

Lets take a journey back to a far-away, long-ago place. Its July 2017, and White House communications director Anthony The Mooch Scaramucci has been fired after only 11 days, in part because of a wild, expletive-filled phone call he made to New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza in which he said, among other things: Im not Steve Bannon, Im not trying to suck my own cock. Im not trying to build my own brand off the fucking strength of the president. Im here to serve the country.

Fast forward to today, and Donald Trump Jr. is saying The Mooch wasnt that far off. On Wednesday, the First Boy retweeted one of Scaramuccis tweets in which the former communications director said: I said what I said in the Summer take out the expletives and pay closer attention. Btw, @realDonaldTrump is doing a great job.

Minus the foul language The Mooch pretty much nailed it. https://t.co/lVLP3p4XPT  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 3, 2018

Minus the foul language The Mooch pretty much nailed it, Don Jr. agreed.

Earlier that day, The Guardian published a story about the upcoming book by Michael Wolff about the Trump administration, in which he says Bannon reportedly called Donald Trump Jr.s meeting with a Russian lawyer treasonous, and said there was zero chance Trump senior didnt know about it.

As upset as Don Jr. may be about those accusations, the real losers here are the rest of us, who have once again been cursed by the mental image of Steve Bannon trying to fellate himself.Photo: South_agency/Getty Images

Just in time for the rush of aspiration that comes with a new calendar year, the American Psychological Association has published new research exploring the rise of perfectionism in young people. Compared to prior generations, todays college students are harder on themselves, more demanding of others, and report higher levels of social pressure to be perfect.

Published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, the study examines responses to the Multidimensional Perfection Scale from over 40,000 college students who took the survey between 1989 and 2016. It is a test used to assess generational changes in three types of perfectionism. The results showed increases across all three: a 10 percent increase in self-directed perfectionism, a 33 percent increase in socially prescribed perfectionism (that is, high standards dictated by the expectations of others) and a 16 percent increase in other-oriented perfectionism (perfectionistic standards that are applied to other people).

We tend to talk about perfectionism as if its a secret strength; its the cliched answer to that cliched job interview question, Whats your greatest weakness? Some psychologists do indeed believe that there is such a thing as healthy perfectionism, the kind of intense, internal drive that can lead to high achievement. And yet there is obvious risk to feeling trapped in an endless cycle of unreachable expectations and overly critical self-evaluation. Tying ones sense of self-worth to achievement can make a person unable to hold on to the sense of satisfaction that comes with success, and has been associated with clinical depression, anorexia, and early death.

But researchers argue that perfectionism is most damaging when those high expectations feel like theyre being set by someone else. The researchers call this particular flavor of unmanageable standards socially prescribed perfectionism, meaning that a person perceives the expectations of others to be excessive and uncontrollable; the need for perfection appears to be imposed externally, rather than internally. Its associated with major psychopathology, like anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Why the increase in perfectionism? According to one of the study authors  Thomas Curran, Ph.D., of the University of Bath  raw data suggest social media as one culprit, comparison being the thief of joy and all that. However, this is untested. Other potentially influential cultural changes suggested by the study include the transition to free-market capitalism and competitive individualism, the rise of meritocracy, and an increase in anxious and controlling parenting. Meritocracy places a strong need for young people to strive, perform, and achieve in modern life, Curran said in a statement. Young people are responding by reporting increasingly unrealistic educational and professional expectations for themselves. As a result, perfectionism is rising among millennials.

Given the economy inherited by todays young people, this response makes sense. The results dont surprise me at all, said Malcolm Harris, author of Kids These Days: Human Capital and the Making of Millennials. He explained that for young people today, the stakes are simply higher. With the disappearance of middle-class jobs and lifestyles, it actually matters more where you end up on the spectrum of income distribution. Theres a big hole in the middle, and life in the American working class has gotten harder. Fewer opportunities means stiff competition and higher standards, forming the bedrock of perfectionism.

The study concludes that this increase in perfectionism may be negatively impacting the mental health of students today. Levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts have gone up in the last ten years, and the researchers urge schools and policy makers to find ways to reduce competition. Might I also suggest a nice bath and a promising job market.This guy I kind of know named Clay, who has a neck tattoo and sells arty photographs to tourists, is on top of me and hes not wearing a condom. I dont care. Im completely sober. Hes not. Im not sure what time it is. It is so dark outside that I can barely see Clays tattoo or his mouth full of crooked teeth. I hear him grunting; I feel his bodys weight  his six-foot-eight frame on my five-foot-two  and I know hes almost finished. Im too tired to have an orgasm, so I wait for the inevitable end. He turns me over, which is his favorite way to come. My eyes, fully adjusted to the darkness now, focus on the dent forming between my headboard and the wall. Its not that I dont enjoy this; enjoy is not nearly big enough a word. I have come to crave these nights with Clay.

Afterward, we lie there, our elbows touching. I am less sleepy than I was when I opened the door, so the awkwardness sets in fast. He asks how my day was, and then I wait in desperate anticipation for the call you tomorrow or see you in a few days, which may or may not be true. I dont care. Finally he feeds me his lines and gets dressed and goes, and I give myself two orgasms in the wet spot of the bed. Once, to a three-minute clip of a teenage cheerleader having sex with her stepdad on the kitchen counter while her mom showers upstairs, and then again to the thought of what a miserable slut I am to allow a guy like Clay to use me for sex.

Theres nothing unique about this singular moment. I can reach into my arsenal of memories and easily pick out another story just like it, sometimes not even including a man. Because what I got from Clay was more than just his penis inside of me. What I got was an elaborate mix of shame and sexual excitement I had come to depend on since I was 12 years old. And my methods of getting this only became darker and more intense, wreaking havoc on all aspects of my life until I became a shell of a person, isolated, on a path to certain destruction.

With Clay gone and my two orgasms over, I steep in the afterglow of having gotten what I needed. And, by now, Im too exhausted to consider answering the overwhelming question echoing inside of me. Why am I doing this? What I block out of my mind, because it doesnt fit the sad story Im devising in my head, is that Im using Clay too. Hes probably caught up in the same emptiness I am, desperately filling it with any warm body available. For what little conversation we have, Clay and I are actually quite similar, and we could probably have a genuine connection if we talked about these things. But we dont talk about these things because  well, it isnt sexy. Id rather stick with the one thing that always manages to get me off  Im bad, bad, bad.

My favorite porn scene of all time involves two sweaty women, 50 horny men, a warehouse, a harness, a hair dryer, and a taxicab. You can put it all together in a dozen different ways and I bet you still cant imagine just how revolting the scene actually is.

Revolting. Ive been using this word and many adjectives like it to describe the things that have brought me to orgasm for more than two decades. Im not just referring to porn scenes either. Im also referring to those scenes from my own life, co-starring semi-conscious men in dark bedrooms and sex workers in cheaply rented rooms, where I prioritized the satisfaction of sexual release over everything else screaming inside of me, Please stop.

Revolting: that summer after college when, after downing too many shots of tequila at a party, I stripped naked and took a bubble bath in front of a group of men.

Disgusting: slipping a few $20 bills to a woman who called me baby on the other side of a semen-stained pane of glass at a Times Square peep show.

Sickening: letting daylight dissipate and with it all my plans and obligations for the day because Id rather stay in bed with high-definition clips of naughty secretaries, busty nurses, incestuous cheerleaders, drunk frat party girls, and sad Thai hookers.

I was 30 years old when I watched Steve McQueens provocative film Shame, which stars Michael Fassbender as Brandon, a New Yorker whose sex addiction leads him to reject intimacy and seek fulfillment through sex with prostitutes and extensive porn-watching.

At 30 years old, at 24, even at 12, it was impossible for me to think about sexual pleasure without immediately feeling shame.

In 2008, three years before Shame was released, I was living in New York City with a man a decade older than me. We were engaged. He was a recovering alcoholic and went to meetings daily, sometimes twice a day, and I began to suspect that the primary reason for this frequency was to get away from me. And why wouldnt he want to get away? At that time in life I was racked with insecurity and relentlessly jealous. On top of that I was out of work and intimidated by his successful career as a filmmaker. He paid for everything, which seemed to make both of us increasingly uncomfortable over time. When I began to question his whereabouts and raid his journals for evidence of his presumed infidelity he began to resent me. Eventually we fell apart. But one of the things I remember most vividly about our breakdown was his accusation that I was a sex addict. Youre just saying that because you dont fuck me enough! was all I could say, though I knew then, and I had known for a long time, that I did have a problem with sex.

I just didnt know what to do about it. He suggested I go to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) meetings, but I ended our relationship instead. It was easier. I wouldnt go to SLAA for another five years, and when I did, I still wasnt sure that I belonged there. When people talked about the emptiness that came when they watched porn and how isolated they felt, I shifted in my seat and held my breath, feeling that same sense of recognition I had watching Shame. Maybe these are my people, I thought. But when an attractive and uneasy woman admitted to picking up a few new STDs at her latest orgy, I thought, Well, Im not that bad. And I judged her and judged them and went home and masturbated.

At 30 years old, at 24, even at 12, it was impossible for me to think about sexual pleasure without immediately feeling shame. I felt bad about the type of porn I watched. I felt bad sleeping with people I didnt like. I felt bad because of the thoughts I feasted on when I was having sex with people I genuinely loved.

For as far back as I can remember this is just the way it was. My sexual habits were sick and shameful. My thoughts were sick and shameful. I was sick and shameful. But nothing would stop me from getting off. Even though I had a suspicion for a long time that this combination of pleasure and shame probably wasnt good for me, the satisfaction I felt in acting out was worth it. Thats why I was willing to do things like stick it out for six months with an alcoholic bartender even when hed repeatedly piss the bed and forget to hide other womens clothes in his apartment. I didnt want to lose the easy, consistent access to sex and affection that being in a relationship guaranteed.

I would break plans with people who needed me  family members, friends  or not make plans at all, because I didnt want to miss out on any potential opportunity to have sex. In Barcelona, suffering from what felt like the worst bout of strep throat Ive ever had (which turned out to be mono), I chose to go home with the fifth guy in the space of a few weeks. It was the only thing I could do to stop thinking about the fact that Id just lost a three-year relationship with a man I dated after the filmmaker  someone I truly loved and felt loved by  over a hand job I gave a Colombian man on vacation.

Instead of attempting to repair the damage, I slept with a French waiter who fucked me so hard I bled on his bed as if I were a virgin. And then another French waiter, who took me to his friends house instead of his own because his wife was there. And then a Spanish guy, a German guy, and another Spanish guy. And I did it with the last one without a condom because who really cared at that point? Not him. Not me. I couldnt even moan or speak to him my throat was so flared up.

In those few weeks, it didnt matter who approached me. All that mattered was that I was approached. I didnt need an aphrodisiac-infused dinner, a long conversation spent bonding over our favorite writers of the 20th century, or a glimmer of a potential future. All I needed was an invitation.

Dont get me wrong: judging someone based on the number of people theyve slept with is absurd, and I know there are plenty of healthy, intelligent, and honorable men and women with strong sexual appetites. In some moments, with some partners, sexually liberated was exactly what I felt. But those moments were rare. Im much more familiar with the sad, anxious mess of a girl alone in her dark bedroom, hot laptop balanced on her chest, turning the volume down low, scrolling, scrolling, choosing, watching, escaping, coming. Im far too familiar with the girl who cant keep her hands from shaking or her throat from clenching, the girl who is just waiting for an invitation. Waiting for someone to show her some interest so she can put the loneliness away for a few hours and find some release.

Sometimes I wonder, if there had been more research and more discussion about sexual addiction in women, would I have changed my behavior? Had there been more available examples of vulnerable, open, honest women sharing their journeys, would I have been more willing to embrace the possibility that I wasnt alone and unfixable? Its hard to know for sure. What I do know is that isolation is damaging. Silence is damaging. And when you are isolated and silenced, all sorts of ideas, however twisted they may seem, can begin to seem real because they arent ever dealt with properly.

Ill also admit that, while my misery was very real to me for a long time, I was willing to suffer the repercussions because the gratification of acting out was too good and I was hooked on a culture of chaos.

My adolescent years were convoluted with ideas that chaos was good, that depression meant you were a creative person. My heroes were Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, Nancy Spungen. Sylvia Plath. Little seemed cooler than Van Gogh cutting off his ear, than Virginia Woolf drowning herself. I romanticized brokenness as a means of resisting change, isolating myself, drinking too much, throwing tantrums, and playing Russian roulette with various dicks to make a point that I just didnt care.

I filled journals with my depressed thoughts about my behavior, my loneliness, the hole I felt growing bigger inside myself, but I made no efforts to stop. If anything, all the brooding I did only intensified my habits, entrenched them. I would do everything I could to tear a relationship apart if the flip side meant having to deal with any real problem.

What began with harmless masturbation at 12 quickly became something more sinister. I wonder now if my parents suspected what I was up to all those hours behind closed doors with my computer. If they could tell by my exhaustion and dazed look that I had just binged for hours. But they never hinted at knowing. Do any parents confront their children about this? When I was living at home Id take my laptop to my closet because I was afraid someone would bust through the lock on the door and catch me, or see me through the window that faced the street, even though I had blackout curtains and knew that was impossible.

Porn made me paranoid, but it was free and accessible and always effective. From watching soft-core on cable TV at 12, to downloading photos at a snails pace on AOL at 14, to tuning in to streaming sites with broadband forever after, my habit became more immediate, more intense, and harder to escape.

But what was I trying to escape? I had lived a pretty normal life, I thought. I had good parents who loved me the best they could, and Id suffered no sexually traumatic events. Was I fundamentally flawed? This question led me, over the years, to a frantic investigation of my childhood journals, desperately trying to uncover some repressed sexual trauma that I could not find. I threw my money at hypnotherapy, past-life regression, and other alternative treatments to find the missing link, eyeing my brother, my cousins, my uncles, my father, thinking, Which one of you did it? Which one of you made me this way? But when no such traumatic event could be found, the only thing left was that same unanswered emptiness and the conviction that I was inherently bad.

It wasnt until my early 30s when I finally started to realize that this problem wasnt just ruining my romantic relationships but all of my relationships  most notably, my relationship with myself. Because I had failed to examine all the reasons I had wanted to escape in the first place  the roots of my shame  I never developed the basic skill we all need to handle lifes twists and turns: how to cope.

Whenever I finished having sex with Clay or men like him, I would often retreat to the bathroom for a few moments, allowing him the opportunity to make up an excuse for leaving. There was always a part of me that wanted him to stay, to make me feel desired, even loved. But the other part of me desperately wanted him to leave, not just so he wouldnt find out that I was poor company, or because feeling unwanted was part of my sexual thrill, but because solitude can be a safety net when most of your choices make you feel so ashamed.

Adapted from the book GETTING OFF: One Womans Journey Through Sex and Porn Addiction by Erica Garza. Copyright  2018 by Erica Garza. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Related A Therapist on What Sex Addiction Really IsOne of the great debates in American politics and economics in 2018 is likely to be how to help the countrys forgotten towns, the former coal mining and manufacturing hubs with quaint Main Streets that havent changed much since the 1950s and 60s. Many of these counties turned out heavily to vote for President Donald Trump. He talks often about wanting to help them, but its unclear how.

Traditional economics says people living in these struggling towns should just move. Many of Americas urban centers (and surrounding suburbs) are booming. If jobs are plentiful in Denver (unemployment rate: 2.6 percent) and Salt Lake City (unemployment rate: 2.8 percent), then economics 101 suggests its time for a big migration west from the Rust Belt to the boom belt. Trump appeared to endorse this solution over the summer when he said Americans are going to have to start moving from places like Upstate New York to areas where they can get jobs.

Im going to explain you can leave, its okay, he said in July.1 Dead, 75 Cars Involved in Pileup in New York State

At least 75 vehicles were involved in a crash in Lancaster, New York, on Interstate 90 East on Tuesday, Jan. 2, according to reports. One person was confirmed dead, local outlet WIVB reported.

The pileup took place at around 2:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, involving dozens of vehicles near Ransom Road in Lancaster.

The Erie County Executives Office said that 22 vehicles crashed, but reports said 75 were involved in a pileup. Some reports said that the pileup was about a mile in length.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said there were seven volunteer fire departments at the scene. The Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Erie County Department of Health SMART teams are also on the scene.

JUST IN: Video of ~100 car pileup on I-90 outside #Buffalo  shot by Kadire Flowers pic.twitter.com/4DvIYqMqJu  Stephen Marth (@StephenMarth) January 2, 2018

Many of the injuries are reported as minor.

Whiteout conditions in the area are expected.

Multiple extractions were needed, WIVB reported.

A multi-car accident on the I-90 eastbound near milemarker 417 in Cheektowaga has closed the Thruway between exits 50 and 49, @NITTEC and New York State Troopers confirm. The westbound Thruway will close later for emergency crews. Photo courtesy NITTEC. pic.twitter.com/tbbPhpMeIy  Spectrum News BUF (@SPECNewsBuffalo) January 2, 2018

As of 4:15 p.m., all lanes were blocked around I-90 eastbound at Exit 50, state police said.

A travel advisory was issued for northern Erie County, which includes all of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Alden, and near Erie/Niagara County line, Localsyr.com reported.

The National Weather Service Buffalo Blizzard issued a warning.

CBS reported on the weather: Meanwhile, a winter storm will likely bring heavy snow to New England as well as dangerous, icy winds to other northeastern states later this week, according to CBS News weather producer David Parkinson.

Temperatures will warm slightly Wednesday and Thursday ahead of a massive Atlantic storm system. Blizzard conditions are likely in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Blizzard conditions are also possible in Boston, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Long Island. Wind gusts above 50 mph are likely for much of New England and at least 6 inches of snow for Boston, likely east of Interstate 91.

I have issued a Travel Advisory for Northern Erie County, including all of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Alden and areas North to the @ErieCountyNY/Niagara County line due to the @NWSBUFFALO Blizzard Warning. Due to whiteout conditions no unnecessary travel is advised also. pic.twitter.com/VGJQaJwi7l  Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) January 2, 2018

ALERT  MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT: All lanes are currently blocked on I-90 eastbound at exit 50 (Niagara Falls  I-290). All eastbound traffic must get off at exit 50. I-90 west is closed at exit 48A (Pembroke). All traffic must exit at 48A.  NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) January 2, 2018

104 PM: URGENT WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE: BLIZZARD WARNING For Metro Buffalo through 1 AM WED. Visibility near 0, gusts to 45 MPH#BLIZZARD #BUFWX #buffalo #whiteout pic.twitter.com/BoZa3tcql5  NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) January 2, 2018

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Kayaker Rescues Iguana Swimming Miles From Shore10-Year-Old Boy Dies After Drive-By Shooting in Michigan

A 10-year-old boy who was shot in a drive-by shooting on New Years day has died, police said.

Jacques Jamon Allen was inside his home located at 5501 Granville Ave. when a barrage of gunshots rang out after 10 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, ABC12 reported.

According to ABC12, Allen got shot and was rushed to the Hurley Medical Center in critical condition.

He later died from his injuries on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

The Flint Police Department is seeking answers to the shooting and if its somehow connected to another incident. In that case, police said a teenager was critically injured.

Neighbors of the boy also told ABC12 that the two shootings took place within weeks of each other and in the same area.

Further details have not been released as of writing on Wednesday afternoon.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-422-JAIL.

In another, separate drive-by shooting previously reported by NTD, a young boy was killed on Saturday night, Nov. 4, after being hit by gunfire in San Antonio, Texas.

San Antonio police said the family was driving down New Laredo Highway near Briggs Avenue on the South West Side when another car pulled up beside them and fired one single shot, ABC affiliate KSAT reported.

Renee Blancs, a 3-year-old boy, was shot in the head according to police. The family drove to the nearest hospital, Southwest General Hospital, where the baby was later air-lifted to University hospital. It was there where he was pronounced dead.

Max Massey, a reporter for KSAT first broke the news in a tweet.

#BREAKING 4-year-old is dead after shot in the head while in car. Family was driving on New Laredo HWY when car pulled up & started shooting  Max Massey (@MaxMasseyTV) November 5, 2017

In an update, San Antonio detectives said they are now searching for a gold or beige 4-door 2000 model Honda Civic, in connection to the murder, KSAT reported.

As of writing, police are still investigating the incident to find out who fired the shots, and what their motive was.

Renee was only three days away from celebrating his fourth birthday this coming Wednesday on Nov. 8, KSAT reported.

#UPDATE child shot and killed was only 3-years-old his 4th birthday was this coming Wednesday 11/8 https://t.co/XO1FkgBecT  Max Massey (@MaxMasseyTV) November 5, 2017

According to San Antonio Express-News, Renee was riding in the back seat of his families vehicle when he was shot around 11:30 p.m, on Saturday.

The single round fired from the suspect traveled through the trunk, before striking the child in the head.

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2017 Year in Review

Bowen Xiao Reporter Bowen Xiao is a New York-based reporter at The Epoch Times. He covers national security, human trafficking and U.S. politics. BowenXiao

From NTD.tvAfter High-Speed Chase in South Dakota, Cops Find Body in Suspects Car

South Dakota Highway Patrol officials made a gruesome find inside a mans vehicle after a high-speed chase.

Tosten Walsh Lommen, of Santa Cruz, California, was charged with driving drunk, aggravated eluding, and other counts. He was stopped along Interstate 90 in Rapid City, South Dakota, according to The Associated Press.

Attorney General Marty Jackleys office told CBS News that state authorities are investigating the suspicious death when the womans body was found during a search of his vehicle.

Lommen, who tried to get his name changed to Israel last year, is being held in the Pennington County Jail, CBS reported.

After the chase, Lommen allegedly tried running from the vehicle after it came to a stop along I-90, AP reported. The chase lasted for nearly 50 miles and got to speeds of 118 mph before officers used spike strips to blow out Lommens tires.

Body found in car following high-speed South Dakota State Police chasehttps://t.co/yZyhLbmkWH  Blue Lives Matter (@RetiredNYCPD) January 3, 2018

Officials told CBS that officers smelled alcohol, and a breath test revealed Lommen had a blood alcohol level of 0.142far above the DUI threshold of 0.08. They also allegedly found a growler that reeked of alcohol, and they also discovered prescription bottles.

The womans body was discovered inside a blanket.

Lommens bail was set at $2.5 million.

KELO-TV reported that Lommen has been in trouble for drunk driving before in California. Meanwhile, a woman filed a protection order against him in November 2015.

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Boiling water turns to snowAlaska Airlines Bans Man For Life Over Sexual Harassment ClaimHeres How He Responded

Alaska Airlines has banned a man for life from its flights after he allegedly groped a flight attendant.

Mike Timon, 53, was accused of touching the attendants buttocks while in first class during an evening flight from Portland to San Diego the day after Christmas.

Timon, though, said he only touched the woman on her back in order to get her attention to order a drink.

Timon was escorted off the plane by police when it landed.

For me to be accused of this, and for me to be escorted off the plane by police? This is it. Im blowing up.  Its unnecessary. Its discrimination toward me, Timon told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Ann Johnson said theres an open investigation into the situation but for now Timon is banned.

Alaska Airlines will not tolerate any type of sexual misconduct that creates an unsafe environment for our guests and crew members and we are fully committed to do our part to address this serious issue, she said.

An irate Timon insisted he did nothing wrong.

What about us guys? Timon said. I cant tap a flight attendant on her back to politely ask for something, yet I get accused of something? Its out of control and I am pissed.

According to his LinkedIn page, Timon is president of his own business, Med Exchange International. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1987 with a bachelors degree in business administration and management.

The tense situation comes amid rising numbers of sexual assault allegations levied against high-profile males across industries, resulting in a string of firings.

The increased attention on sexual harassment allegations prompted Sara Nelsen, the president of the Association of Flight AttendantsCWA, which represents 42,000 of them, to write in an opinion piece that flight attendants remain ongoing victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

We are called pet names, patted on the rear when a passenger wants our attention, cornered in the back galley and asked about our hottest layover, and subjected to incidents not fit for print, Nelsen wrote in The Washington Post.

She concluded, Flight attendants need to know the airlines will take this as seriously as any other safety duty we perform.

From NTD.tv

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2017 Year in ReviewBlack Panther Mauls Man to Death in Russian Private Zoo: Reports

A black panther apparently mauled a man to death at a Russian zoo.

The man was discovered dead inside the big cats cage at a private zoo, according to the Daily Mail.

The man was bitten in the neck after the cat pounced on him. He was identified as a Ukrainian man between the ages of 25 and 30, and according to the report, he unlocked the cages entrance.

The panther then escaped through the ajar door of the cage.

The animal was captured several hours later after a search.

The owner of the zoo, Sergey Knyaginichev, denied that the man was a keeper after reports suggested it. He said the man was a visitor from Ukraine who shouldnt have gone inside the cage.

Black panther mauls to death a Ukrainian man who tried to enter his cage at a private zoo in Russia https://t.co/A6k4qbk7yD  Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) January 3, 2018

He didnt explain why the man was wearing a zookeepers uniform when he was slain, but he said that the man was likely drunk, according to the Mail.

The panther wasnt put down. Its not clear what will happen to the animal.

The man wanted to feed the animal and the panther attacked him when he entered the cage, said a spokesman for Russias Investigative Committee.

The attack took place in a village by Istra in Moscow on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Russian Investigative Committee told RT.

The owner of the zoo keeps about 10 wild animals at the facility. About five years ago, a TV report said that a lion owned by Knyaginichev escaped and terrorized a local village.

Some residents were aghast when they learned that a panther had escaped. My husband was walking our dog [at the time of the incident], a local woman was quoted by RT, a state-backed media outlet, as saying.

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Boiling water turns to snowCafe Owner Wrestles Gun Away From Robber in Texas, Opens Fire

Dont mess with Texas.

During an attempted robbery at Bambu Desserts and Drinks in Houston, the cafes owner was able to take away the gun belonging to the suspect before firing several shots at him.

Video footage of the incident shows the robbery suspect hitting the owner at around 11 a.m. on Thursday. After a commotion, the owner then wrestles the firearm away and fires about six shots.

The robber had demanded that the owner open up the safe before hitting the owner.

The attempted thief then escaped as shots were fired.

The owner, who wasnt identified, told News Fix that he was fighting for his life.

I thought I was going to die. He told me he was gonna shoot me, the owner said. The gun couldve went off, and it would have shot into my stomach. And thats a .357, so I would have been dead.

Two people were waiting outside the cafe in a getaway car, employees said, as reported by the Daily Mail.

No injuries were reported. A window was shattered in the incident, ABC13 reported.

The three suspects, including the man who attempted to rob the cafe, were arrested a short time later. Their names and the charges were not released to media.

The guys an idiot, the owner of the cafe said of the suspect.

He even told the cop  when the cop grabbed the gun from the counter and he brought it into the car, he said the suspect said: Can I have my gun back?

Store Owner Wrestles Gun Away From Robber, Fires  HOUSTON, TX  A store owner was engaged in the fight of his life when his cafe was attacked by a group of three thugs. Two of the thugs waited in the getaway car while one came in the store, armed, an https://t.co/izp0pT1d0I  Andy McKinney (@gunholsters1) January 2, 2018

Just In>> "

Houston cafe owner wrestles gun away from would-be robber

" https://t.co/cSUOmtEzcA  Ubertr0_n Nub (@Ubertr0_nNub) January 1, 2018

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Moms Hilarious Reaction to Raptor ScareYaba drugs are shown before a drug-burning ceremony to mark the U.N. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, in Poung Par Khem, near the Thai and Burma border, on June 26, 2017. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP/Getty Images)

Chinas Latest Corruption Problem: Drug Use Among Officials

China has some of the worlds most severe penalties for drug abuse, but Chinese officials, who are accustomed to breaking rules, are flagrantly ignoring the countrys drug laws.

Like the high number of officials who have been exposed for their licentious and immoral behavior, taking drugs has become the new status symbol for Chinese Communist Party officials, said China current affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan. He pointed to Chinese authorities frequent issuance of disciplinary notices amid cases of official drug abuse continuing to emerge in headlines.

Chinas National Narcotics Control Commission released a report in 2016 stating that 2.5 million people currently abuse drugs, an increase of 6.8 percent from the year prior. Meanwhile, courts throughout China concluded the trials of 139,024 drug-related cases in 2015an increase of 30.19 percent from the year prior, according to the latest data from Chinas Supreme Court.

In November 2017, the provincial anti-corruption watchdog in southern Chinas Hunan Province issued a warning to party officials on its website, urging them to stay away from friends who do drugs and drink alcohol. The announcement listed Ren Zhongwei, deputy director of the propaganda department at Anxiang County in Hunan, as an example. Ren was penalized for using drugs and was placed on party probation for two years in April 2017.

Gong Weiguo, the former mayor of Linxiang City in Hunan, was sentenced in July to seven years in prison. Two years after he was placed under investigation for drug addiction, a local court found him guilty of bribery and abuse of power. In addition, Gong was also found to have sought the services of prostitutes and had inappropriate relationships with many women.

Nicknamed the drug mayor, Gong reportedly took illicit drugs for two years, including methamphetamine, according to the Chinese regimes state mouthpiece Peoples Daily. Before his sentence in July, Xinhua state news agency published Gongs confession, in which he stated that drugs became his best cure against stress and hangovers.

In 2015, Hengyang County in Hunan investigated and prosecuted 61 officials who were discovered to have abused drugs. They spanned different sectors of the local government, from the agriculture to construction to traffic bureaus. One official who was caught belonged to the local anti-corruption office that was supposed to catch and prevent this illicit behavior among officials.

Taking drugs has become the new status symbol for Chinese Communist Party officials.  Tang Jingyuan, China current affairs commentator

Some party officials have decided to sell drugs for profit. Xiao Jihe, former deputy chief at the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of Changting County in southeastern Chinas Fujian Province, had a background in chemistry. He began synthesizing ephedrine, a compound that is a precursor to making crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice. He was arrested in July 2009 and was sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison, according to Peoples Net.

According to the Chinese news portal Tencent, Xiao was convicted of drug smuggling and not the more serious offense of selling illicit drugswhich carries a sentence of 10 years in prisonbecause at the time, China did not have laws enacted against manufacturing drugs. Upon his release, however, he returned to making the same drug, and was arrested again in September 2014.

This means the whole party bureaucracy has something fundamentally wrong at its roots, Tang said. He further noted that the Party has a long history of relying on drugs for income. During the period when the Party made its headquarters in Yanan, Shaanxi Province, between 1936 and 1949, Communist Party members grew and sold opium in order to raise funds for war efforts.

Gao Yiqing contributed to this report.

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2017 Year in ReviewA Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 helicopter crew pose with three men they rescued from Chenega Island, Alaska, Jan. 1, 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Rescues 3 Hunters Missing for 4 Days in Alaska Blizzard

As winter brings snow to the mountainous Montague island, off the coast of Alaska, each year, deer move to the lower areas where theyre easier prey.

George Matveev, 35, had set out for a day trip with two other men, Sam, 39, and Leo Tipikin, 37, hoping to take advantage of the almost-concluded deer hunting season, and so they set off from Whittier, 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, on Friday, Dec. 29.

A winter storm was forecast to hit that night, but they werent planning to be out that late and expected to be back by then.

But things didnt go as planned. Instead, they spent four days on a deserted island as a blizzard pummeled the region.

A Change of Plans

The three men had headed out toward Montague Island, a 60-mile boat ride from Whittier, according to Anchorage Daily News.

But as the men were landing, the boat hit a rock, damaging their engine and the steering, Matveev recollected.

They were able to beach the boat and fix the steering, but the engine was acting up on the way back, guzzling triple the fuel it was before.

As dusk approached, they had to make a choice: try to make the 60 miles to Whittier or find a place in the wilderness to weather the storm. They chose the latter.

We just didnt want to risk it, Matveev said. You have one chance.

All three men are construction workers, fishermen, and moose hunters who know how to handle themselves on water.

They checked their digital maps and found markings for an abandoned village on Chenega Island, about 25 miles from Montague Island.

Chenega Island used to be home to a community of several dozen Alaska Natives, who moved away after a tsunami triggered by the 9.2-magnitude Good Friday earthquake hit the area in 1964, killing a third of the islands inhabitants.

Matveev and both Tipikins found the village where there was a cabin with three bunk bedsit was like its meant to be, Matveev said.

They had an oil heater and found some water and candles in the cabin. They had some food, but had no idea how long theyd need to survive before the weather improved and somebody found them.

Sleep, Pray, Kelp

At one point I was starting to think, its going to be a couple of weekstheyre going to quit looking for us. Everything crossed our minds, at night especially, Matveev said.

They decided to conserve their food and eat kelp instead.

We slept, we prayed. And we ate some kelp, said Matveev, who was the only one with a sleeping bag. The other men just slept in their boots.

Meanwhile, their families and friends had reported them missing and started an online campaign to organize a search party.

Their social media posts were shared hundreds of timesby Monday theyd raised over $14,000, and with it, chartered a vessel to conduct a search.

Still, most of the work was to be done by the Coast Guard.

Since Friday, Coast Guard air and sea crews have been battling the harsh elements of Alaska weather in efforts to get these three men back to their families, said Capt. John Hollingsworth, Coast Guard District 17 chief of incident management, in a release. Widespread rain and snow showers with blizzard-like conditions, winds with 45-mph gusts and seas reported as high as 20 feet in some areas are hampering our crews search efforts. Safety is a primary concern and our delayed crews remain ready to search as conditions improve.

A Coast Guard boat and a helicopter searched over 1,600 square miles but still couldnt find the men.

Then, in the afternoon of New Years Day, a rescue helicopter spotted a boat and a flag on a southern beach of Chenega Island.

The 21-foot Duckworth Advantage boat belonged to Matveev.

#BreakingNews The 3 men missing IVO of Prince William Sound since Fri., HAVE been found and are safe aboard a #USCG helo. More to follow.  USCGAlaska (@USCGAlaska) January 1, 2018

Starting the new year with a positive outcome to a difficult case is all we can really ask for, said Michael McNeil, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command duty officer, in a release. Our crews were able to brave the terrible weather, overcome lack of information as to where these men could be, and safely get them back to their family and community.

By the evening, the men were all in a warm hotel room in Seward, waiting for a ride home.

We really give thanks to the people of Chenega, because we probably would have died without the cabin. It was raining, snowing, sleet, said Matveev. They plan to find the cabins owners and pay them back.

Matveev said they stayed positive and werent afraid, but thinking about his wife and five children worrying about him made him cry.

Indeed, their families and friends went through hardship of their own.

The hardest part was not knowing, but still putting in every single effort and sweat into trying to piece in details for the search, a friend, Zack Kasachev, wrote in a message. We are all wearing a happy face now, with tears of joy.

When the weather improves, Matveev plans to send somebody to pick up his boat.

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Snowboarder Survives Avalanche in CanadaNapa County finally has the website look its been seeking for years, one designed to have less bureaucratic clunkiness and more private sector-like simplicity.

The county last week unveiled what amounts to its new portal to the world. And if users find a site that doesnt shout Government! by its very appearance, the county will have achieved its goal.

County webmaster Meg Ragan said the private sector, not government, is setting the standards in how people are trained to navigate the web. The county is adapting to the consumer.

We really wanted to look at how people are being wired to communicate in all these different avenues of our lives, she said.

The government wonk can still go to the county website and wallow in details and data. But Ragan hopes the citizens who know little about the county and its services will also find the website inviting.

Napa Countys new website has a cleaner, less cluttered, perhaps less intimidating look. The design adjusts automatically to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton in Las Vegas on Feb. 19, 2016. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Fire Reported at Clintons Home in Chappaqua, New York

A fire was reported at the home of Bill and Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, New York, on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 3.

According to local news website Lohud.com, the fire broke out at 15 Old House Lane, where the couple has lived for about 20 years. They bought it for $1.7 million in 1999.

#BREAKING: Firefighters responding to a fire at Bill and Hillary Clinton's house in Chappaqua.  lohud.com (@lohud) January 3, 2018

Scanner reports said that it was a bedroom fire and it was extinguished, according to the report.

TMZ reported that the fire appears to have been on the houses second floor, and it was mostly extinguished by firefighters.

New Castle police confirming that the local fire department is on scene of a fire on Old House Lane in Chappaqua, where Hillary and Bill Clinton live, but the fire is not at their main residencecould be the next door property they bought last year or another structure  Tamara Gitt (@tamaragitt) January 3, 2018

Fire at the Clintons pic.twitter.com/HRF0C7Z1mV  Jake Beiner (@BreezymJustin) January 3, 2018

Main body of fire knocked down. Crews checking for extension, read a tweet from Kempters Fire Wire, a local fire department.

Its not clear if Bill or Hillary Clinton were home when the fire broke out.

#BREAKING NEWS: Firefighters are responding to a fire at Bill and Hillary Clinton's house in Chappaqua, NY. pic.twitter.com/rGMyDUW2lb  BREAKING NEWS (@NewsAlertHQ) January 3, 2018

Breaking: Multiple crews on the scene at @HillaryClinton house in #Chappaqua fire is reportedly knocked down @News12WC pic.twitter.com/86GIakMU4J  Nadia Galindo (@NadiaGalindoTV) January 3, 2018

The house, which was built more than a century ago, has five bedrooms and a pool.

The Clintons bought the four-bedroom house next door for $1.16 million last August.

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Boiling water turns to snowFlorida Socialite Crashed Into Another Car While She Was With a Member of Rockefeller Family, Say Police

A socialite connected to the Rockefeller family has been arrested for allegedly crashing her car while drunk on New Years Eve in Florida.

Tiki Vashti Podray, 41, crashed into a white Honda Accord on Floridas Turnpike on Sunday, Dec. 31, police say.

She then drove off in her Maserati, according to police, breaking down around a mile away.

An arrest report obtained by the Palm Beach Post says Podrays eyes were bloodshot and she slurred her words. Her blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit, according to the report.

Her passenger was Richard L. Rockefeller, who is a member of the Rockefeller philanthropic family. He goes by the name Rick Rockefeller-Silvia and is a model who often posts photos to Instagram.

Richard Rockefeller, 33, told police that the other driver had threatened to shoot him in the neck with what he thought was a gun. It turned out to be a cellphone, the report said.

He declined to press charges against the other driver.

Rockefellers mother is the great-great-granddaughter of famed billionaire oil entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller.

According to the Daily Mail, on New Years Eve, he posted a photo to Instagram of Podray and himself at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, 11 miles from where the crash happened. His Instagram account has since been made private.

Podray was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash.

She was released from the Palm Beach County Jail the next day.Grandson of Osama Bin Laden Reportedly Dies

The grandson of al-Qaeda terrorist leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden has reportedly died.

The child, named Osama, like his grandfather, was praised for martyrdom by Hamza bin Laden, the son of the terrorist leader.

Hamza penned a letter about the death of the hero cubhis sonand called him the grandson of bravery, the Daily Mail reported. He said the boy would play-act scenes of martyrdom.

The note, dubbed Letter from Sheikh Mujahid Hamza Bin Laden, was published by Global Islamic Media Front, the propaganda arm of al-Qaeda. It included a photo of the boy and was addressed to the Bin Laden family.

#AlQaeda Supporters Circulating Letter Mourns The Death Of Its Leader Hamza Bin Laden's Oldest Son Osama Bin Hamza Bin Laden (Osama Bin Laden's Grandson) In #Afghanistan. #TerrorMonitor pic.twitter.com/WdJ9l98hOQ  Terrormonitor.org (@Terror_Monitor) January 1, 2018

The child, also named Osama, was praised for his 'martyrdom' by his father Hamza Bin Laden (picture https://t.co/9kI9LspUV6 via https://t.co/yLFY1vljZG    (@LaiqurRehman1) January 3, 2018

We console ourselves and you on the martyrdom on the hero cub the grandson of bravery our son Osama, may Allah have mercy on him, it reads. The cause of death and other details were not disclosed.

According to the Hindustani Times, the grandson, who is believed to be about 12 years old, was killed in an airstrike along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Tragedies that we meetsuch as these only make us stronger and more steadfast, the letter claimed.

Terror Monitor tweeted that al-Qaeda supporters have been circulating the letter mourning the death.

Hamza bin Laden has become a propagandist after his fathers death in 2011 during a Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan. The United States added him to its terror list in 2017.

According to Reuters, the State and Treasury departments said last year they had designated Hamza bin Laden and Ibrahim al-Banna as global terrorists. Bin Laden, a son of the deceased al Qaeda leader, has been declared a member of the group by senior leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, according to the State Department.

Bruce Reidel, an analyst with the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, has called Hamza bin Laden the new face for al Qaeda and an articulate and dangerous enemy.

Al-Banna is a senior member of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) who has served as the groups security chief and has provided military and security advice to AQAP leaders, the State Department said.

The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control added Bin Laden and al-Banna to its list of specially designated nationals, a counterterrorism blacklist. The State Department said the two had been identified as specially designated global terrorists.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Boiling water turns to snowICE Deputy Director Thomas Homan at a press conference about immigration enforcement and border security, in Washington on Dec. 5, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

ICE Sending More Agents to Sanctuary State California

Justice Department exploring any and all potential options for holding sanctuary jurisdictions accountable

WASHINGTONCalifornia officially became a sanctuary state on Jan. 1, meaning local and state law enforcement are restricted in cooperating with immigration agents, even within jails.

California is the first state to pass such sweeping legislation that shields illegal aliens from immigration enforcement, although at least 300 cities and counties across the country have similar policies.

Most sanctuary policies come under fire because they allow for criminal illegal aliens to be released into communities instead of being handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed the sanctuary law, SB-54, in October, saying the bill strikes a balance that will protect public safety, while bringing a measure of comfort to those families who are now living in fear every day.

But ICE Deputy Director Tom Homan said that making California a sanctuary state is a foolish decision.

I think its terrible. I mean youve got the state of California that wants to put politics above public safety, ahead of officer safety, Homan said during a Fox News interview on Jan. 2.

If he [Brown] thinks hes protecting immigrant communities, hes doing quite the opposite. Because if you think ICE is going away, were not. Theres no sanctuary from federal law enforcement.

California better hold on tighttheyre about to see a lot more special agents, a lot more deportation officers in the state of California, Homan said. If the politicians in California dont want to protect their communities, then ICE will.

An official at ICE said the department cant provide specific details about the added numbers due to security reasons. However, the official confirmed that uncooperative jurisdictions have a higher rate of criminal alien releases than in places that honor ICE detainers.

As a result, ICE is forced to focus additional resources to conduct at-large arrests in the field in these non-cooperative areas, the official stated via email.

Theres no sanctuary from federal law enforcement.  Tom Homan, deputy director, ICE

Homan said he is working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ascertain if California is violating alien smuggling and harboring statute 8 U.S. Code 1324, or any other laws.

The statute, in part, states that a person is in violation of the law if he or she is knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation.

An official from the DOJ confirmed the department is working with ICE to explore any and all potential options for holding sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for their dangerous practices.

Together, we will use every legally viable tool at our disposal to protect the American people from dangerous criminal aliens and from the people that place their protection over the protection of law-abiding citizens, the official said.

Homan said he wants to see the politicians personally held accountable for people dying at the hands of criminal illegal aliens due to sanctuary policies.

In Sonoma County a few weeks ago, an illegal alien was arrested, we put a detainer on him, he was arrested for domestic violence. Sonoma County didnt honor the detainer, what happened? Two weeks later, he killed that girl. Now she has two young daughters without a mother, Homan said on Fox.

I can give example after example of the effect this law is going to have on the community safety in the state of California.

Homan said that as of July 31 last year, almost 10,000 criminal aliens who were released onto the streets nationwiderather than being turned over to ICEhave committed another crime.

He warned that the sanctuary status will attract more illegal aliens to California. More criminal aliens will be coming to California. So California just bit off a lot more than it can chew, he said.

Nearly one quarter (more than 2 million) of the countrys estimated illegal alien population lives in California, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

More About Californias Sanctuary Law

SB-54 forbids local law enforcement to communicate with immigration officials about when a criminal is about to be released from custody, except under special circumstances.

It also prevents local jails from holding inmates for up to 48 hours longer when ICE makes a request for transferexcept for inmates who have committed certain violent crimes, such as murder, robbery, rape, or kidnapping.

Nationwide, in fiscal 2016, under the Obama administration, the number of wanted illegal aliens handed over to federal authorities from detention facilities plummeted to less than 3 percent of what it was six years prior.

SB-54 bans state and local law enforcement officers from asking the immigration status of anyone during a routine stop, and they are prohibited from arresting illegal aliens based on civil immigration warrants.

The bill also prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using resourcesincluding facilities, equipment, and personnelfor immigration enforcement purposes without a court warrant.

Violators could be subject to civil action, according to state Senate president and author of the bill Kevin de Leon.

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Melania Trumps First Year as First LadyIs Cancer Screening Doing More Harm Than Good?

Epidemic of screening burdens nations older patients

Elena Altemus is 89 and has dementia. She often forgets her childrens names, and sometimes cant recall whether she lives in Maryland or Italy.

Yet Elena, who entered a nursing home in November, was screened for breast cancer as recently as this summer. If the screening is not too invasive, why not? asked her daughter, Dorothy Altemus. I want her to have the best quality of life possible.

But a growing chorus of geriatricians, cancer specialists and health system analysts are coming forth with a host of reasons: Such testing in the nations oldest patients is highly unlikely to detect lethal disease, hugely expensive, and more likely to harm than help, since any follow-up testing and treatment is often invasive.

And yet such screeningsome have labeled it overdiagnosisis epidemic in the United States, the result of medical culture, aggressive awareness campaigns, and financial incentives to doctors.

By looking for cancers in people who are unlikely to benefit, we find something that wasnt going to hurt the patient, and then we hurt the patient, said Dr. Sei Lee, an associate professor of geriatrics at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco.

By looking for cancers in people who are unlikely to benefit, we find something that wasnt going to hurt the patient, and then we hurt the patient.  Dr. Sei Lee , associate professor of geriatrics at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco.

Nearly 1 in 5 women with severe cognitive impairmentincluding older patients like Elena Altemusare still getting regular mammograms, according to the American Journal of Public Healtheven though theyre not recommended for people with a limited life expectancy. And 55 percent of older men with a high risk of death over the next decade still get PSA tests for prostate cancer, according to a 2014 study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Among people in their 70s and 80s, cancer screenings often detect slow-growing tumors that are unlikely to cause problems in patients lifetimes. These patients often die of something elsedementia or heart disease or pneumonialong before their cancers would ever have become a threat, said Dr. Deborah Korenstein, chief of general internal medicine at New Yorks Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Prostate cancers, in particular, are often harmless.

Patients with dementia, for example, rarely live longer than a few years.

It generally takes about 10 years to see benefit from cancer screening, at least in terms of a mortality benefit, Korenstein said.

Enthusiasm for cancer screenings runs high among patients and doctors, both of whom tend to overestimate the benefits but underappreciate the risks, medical research shows.

Enthusiasm for cancer screenings runs high among patients and doctors, both of whom tend to overestimate the benefits but underappreciate the risks, medical research shows.

In some cases, women are being screened for tumors in organs they no longer have. In a study of women over 30, nearly two-thirds who had undergone a hysterectomy got at least one cervical cancer screening, including one-third who had been screened in the past year, according to a 2014 study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Even some patients with terminal cancers continue to be screened for other malignancies.

Although screenings can extend and improve lives for healthy, younger adults, they tend to inflict more harm than good in people who are old and frail, Korenstein said.

Dr. Cary Gross, a professor at the Yale School of Medicine, agreed. In patients well into their 80s, with other chronic conditions, its highly unlikely that they will receive any benefit from screening, and more likely that the harms will outweigh the benefits, he said.

By screening patients near the end of life, doctors often detect tumors that dont need to be found and treated. Researchers estimate that up to two-thirds of prostate cancers are overdiagnosed, along with one-third of breast tumors.

Overdiagnosis is serious, Gross said. Its a tremendous harm that screening has imposed.  Its something were only beginning to reckon with.

A variety of medical specialtiesfrom the American College of Surgeons to the Society of General Internal Medicinehave advised doctors against screening patients with limited time left. For example, the American Cancer Society recommends prostate and breast cancer screenings only in patients expected to live 10 years or more.

Prostate cancer screening in men over 75 cost Medicare at least $145 million a year, according to a 2014 study in the journal Cancer. Mammograms in this age group cost the federal health plan for seniors more than $410 million a year, according to a 2013 study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Taxpayers usually foot the bill for these tests, because most seniors are covered by Medicare.

And while cancer screenings generally arent expensivea mammogram averages about $100they can launch a cascade of follow-up tests and treatments that add to the total cost of care.

Most spending on unnecessary medical care stems not from rare, big-ticket items, such as heart surgeries, but cheaper services that are performed much too often.

Most spending on unnecessary medical care stems not from rare, big-ticket items, such as heart surgeries, but cheaper services that are performed much too often, according to an October study published in the journal Health Affairs.

A Hard Habit to Break

Many older patients expect to continue getting screened, said Dr. Mara Schonberg, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Bostons Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Its jarring for someone whos been told every year to get screened and then at age 75, you tell them to stop, she said.

John Randall, 78, says he plans to live into his 90s. He sees no reason to skip cancer screening.

I dont like to hear what my life expectancy is, said Randall, who lives near Madison, Wis. He plans to have his next colonoscopy in January. He feels healthy and walks two miles at a stretch several days a week. No one knows when I am going to die.

Decades of public awareness campaigns have convinced patients that cancer screenings are essential, said Dr. Lisa Schwartz, a professor at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. Her research found that many people see cancer screening as a moral obligation and cant imagine stopping.

Research found that many people see cancer screening as a moral obligation and cant imagine stopping.

Such campaigns have convinced many women that mammograms saves lives. But those campaigns dont mention that doctors need to screen 1,000 women for a decade in order to prevent one death from breast cancer, said Schonberg.

Yet screenings can have dire consequences. Medical complications during colonoscopiessuch as intestinal tearsare almost twice as common in patients ages 75 to 79 compared with those 70 to 74, according to a study published in January in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Colonoscopies, which require extensive bowel cleansing before the procedure, also can leave many older people dehydrated and prone to fainting.

PSA tests can lead to prostate biopsiesin which doctors use needles to sample tissuethat cause infections in about 6 percent of men. These infections send about 1 in 100 men who undergo the procedure to the hospital, according to a 2014 study in the Journal of Urology.

Even removing nonfatal skin cancers can cause problems for older patients, said Dr. Eleni Linos, an associate professor at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco School of Medicine. Frail patients can struggle to care for surgical wounds and change dressings; their wounds are also less likely to heal well. More than 1 in 4 patients with nonfatal skin cancers report a complication of treatment, Linos research shows.

Yet most of the 2.5 million slowest-growing skin cancers found each year are diagnosed in people over 65, according to Linos 2014 study. More than 100,000 of these nonfatal skin cancers are treated in patients who die within one year.

For a woman of that generation who doesnt have the cognitive ability to understand whats going on, having private parts of their body exposed and pressed against a machine can be very agitating and upsetting, Lee said.

Among older women, about 70 percent report significant stress at the time of a biopsy, Schonberg said.

Among older women, about 70 percent report significant stress at the time of a biopsy.

Virtually all older women with breast cancer wind up getting surgery, which poses additional hardships. Many are prescribed hormonal therapies that can cause bone pain and fatigue, and increase the risk of stroke.

With prostate cancer, doctors today try to reduce the harm from overdiagnosis by offering men with early-stage disease active surveillance instead of immediate treatment. A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine found that men are just as likely to survive 10 years whether they choose to be treated or monitored.

Jay Schleifer, 74, of Wellington, Fla., was diagnosed with a low-risk prostate cancer last year. Since then, his doctor has monitored him with additional tests. Hell be treated only if tests suggest his cancer has become more aggressive.

This less aggressive approach aims to spare Schleifer from long-term side effects.

Among men who have had prostate cancer surgery, 14 percent lose control of their bladders and 14 percent develop erectile dysfunction, according to a 2013 study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

In a study published in July in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Dr. Richard Hoffman found 15 percent of prostate cancer survivors regretted their treatment decision. Those treated with surgery and radiation were about twice as likely to regret their choice compared with those who opted to monitor their disease.

A Tough Sell

Doctors have a number of incentives to continue ordering screenings as people age.

Its a lot easier to say, Fine, get your regular mammogram this year, than to have the much more difficult conversation that its not helpful when life expectancy is limited, Gross said.

Schonberg said she tries to be diplomatic when talking to patients about halting screening.

Its hard to tell people, Youre not going to live long enough to benefit, Schonberg said. That doesnt go over well.

Many physicians continue screening older people because theyre afraid theyll be sued if they miss a cancer, Schonberg said. And she notes that some health systems award bonuses to clinicians whose patients have high screening rates.

Doing less can be perceived as a lack of caring or as ageism. It can be uncomfortable for a physician to explain why doing less is more.  Dr. Mara Schonberg , associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Bostons Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Doctors should prioritize what they can do to help patients be healthier, said Dr. Louise Walter, chief of geriatrics at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco and a geriatrician at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. For many older patients, screening for cancer is not their most pressing need.

Instead of spending time and effort on things that are hurtful and never going to help them, why not direct time and energy on things that will help them live longer and better? Walter asked.

For example, Walter might tell a patient, Right now, you have really bad heart failure and we need to get that under control, he said.

Other key issues for many older people include preventing falls, treating depression, and alleviating stress in their caregivers, Walter said. Gross said he urges patients to take steps shown to improve their health, such as exercising at least 15 minutes a day.

These are things that can help them feel better very quickly, Walter said. Screenings can take years to have a benefit, if at all.

Liz Szabo is a writer for Kaiser Health News, which originally published this article. KHNs coverage of these topics is supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation.Man Whose 2 Pit Bulls Killed Kentucky Woman Pleads Guilty

The owner of two pit bulls that mauled a woman to death in Kentucky has pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 3, WYMT reported.

The station reported that Johnny Lankford admitted to harboring a vicious animal in the death of Lorraine Saylor. She was killed on Christmas Eve, while her husband, Johnny Saylor, was also attacked by the dogs.

Bell County Coroner Jay Steele told the station that the woman received massive injuries on her neck, face, and shoulder.

In pleading guilty, Lankford received one year in prison. During the attack, he was already in the Bell County jail facing charges in another case.

Im sure he will see this, Johnny Saylor told WATE last week. I hope he does. Hes responsible for my wifes death.

Saylor fought the dogs off, went inside his home, grabbed a gun and came back outside. When he returned he found his wifes lifeless body.

She was weak and about 105 pounds, Saylor said. I said, Oh God! Oh no! Please no! I checked her pulse just in case.

Saylor ended up shooting one of the pit bulls while the other escaped. He suffered 20 bites during the fight and was taken to a hospital.

As he recovered at home, Saylor said he was heartbroken about his wifes death and that he never thought she would die in such a tragic way. She was a kind-hearted woman, Saylor said. I remember the last time I kissed her on the forehead not knowing that would be my last kiss.

Early this morning Johnny Saylor woke up at his home looking for his wife, Lorraine, who was normally awake before him. His search lead him outside to his porch where he was attacked by two dogs described as both being pit bulls. The dogs grabbed Johnny Saylor attempting to pull him to the ground by his arm, the Bell County Sheriffs Department said in a statement about the attack.

According to the sheriffs departments news release, the dogs released Johnny and he went back into his home to get a .22 caliber pistol. Johnny then used the pistol to shoot one of the pit bulls in the chest as it lunged at him, the sheriffs department said.

Saylor then searched for his wife in the front of the house and discovered her lying on the ground. As he was checking on her, the second pit bull was standing a short distance away from him. Fearing for his life, Johnny Saylor shot the dog killing it, it said.

Lorraine Saylor was pronounced dead at the scene of the attack.

The Bell County Sheriffs Department said the attack took place off Highway 66 in the Wiser Branch area of Arjay.

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Boiling water turns to snowMarine Recruit Mysteriously Vanishes From Boston Area: Family

A 21-year-old Marine recruit has gone missing, prompting his family to call for help.

Joey Brancato was last seen on Nov. 18 in Roslindale. He was close to joining the Marinesbesides training for the physical exam, he was living in the basement of his recruiters home.

In December, the Boston Police Department issued a missing persons alert. However, family members have stepped forward this week, saying something seems amiss.

We dont want to say bad things about a person without evidence, but nothing about this feels right, nothing about it sounds right, a family member told Fox25.

The recruiter, who has not been named or named a person of interest, may have been responsible, according to Brancatos family.

Were not going to stop until we find him, he has many, many people that love and care about him, said aunt Andrea Walke of Brancato.

No one answered at the recruiters home when a reporter visited, and his cell phone was turned off.

WCVB reported that the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting station where the recruiter worked was closed recently.

Sources told the broadcaster that the Boston Police Departments homicide unit is monitoring the case.

According to the missing persons alert, Brancato is a white male, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 200 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Brancato is advised to contact 911 or District E-5 detectives directly at (617) 343-4566.

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2017 Year in Review

From NTD.tvA 4-year-old boy confined by his mother, April Burrier (L) to a closet in a house with a methamphetamine lab will remain with child welfare authorities. (Harris County Precinct 5)

Meth Lab Boy, 4, Tested Positive for Drugs and Said Rats and Roaches Were My Friends

A 4-year-old boy found living in a closet in a Texas home has tested positive for methamphetamine, according to an attorney appointed to represent the boys interests.

According to KTRK, a Jan. 2 court ruling granted Child Protective Services custody to keep the child while an investigation continues into the conditions he was found in on Dec. 20.

Police said they found the little boy when they raided the Houston-area home on suspicion that methamphetamine was being made and sold there.

Investigators are unsure how long the boy was living at the home but he told them he wasnt allowed out of the closet for hours at a time, and that his friends were the rats and roaches that would visit him.

The detail on this case is very awful. This is a 4-year-old child who has seen things an adult should not have seen, said Rachel Leal-Hudson, the boys attorney Ad Litem.

It is reported that drug paraphanelia and pornography were found in the close vicinity of the closet to which the boy was confined.

The boy also reportedly said that he was forced to sit on top of a tall refrigerator as punishment for sneaking out of the closet.

He added he was scared he would fall asleep and fall.

The boys mother, April Burrier, was not at the home when police arrived at the property with a search warrant but was arrested later.

She has been charged with endangering a child.

The boys father, Robert Dehard, said on Tuesday that he had left the boy with Burrier after Thanksgiving and was now seeking to regain custody of his son.

Dehard said he was unaware of the foul conditions his son was being subjected to.

They were making meth in the bathroom, Harris County Precinct 5 Constables Office spokesman Robert Henslee told Covering Katy News.

Henslee described the house as a place with multiple residents.

There were a lot of people living there, Henslee said.

Child welfare officials said the the boys father had previous drug convictions and that prior to Tuesday he had refused to take a drug test to prove he was clean.

His custody request is delayed until next month, pending test results.

Police continue to search for the man they believe was making and selling drugs at the house.

Police are requesting anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them.

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2017 Year in ReviewJessica Boesmiller, 37, gave birth to two healthy twins on Dec. 21 after having an eye removed weeks earlier because of a dangerous tumor. (Photo via GoFundMe)

Mother of 4 Diagnosed with Cancer has Eye Removed and Gives Birth to Healthy Twins

A North Carolina mother of four diagnosed with a dangerous eye cancer when eight months pregnant, gave birth to healthy twins despite concerns the disease might spread to the babies.

Blessed Joy and thankfulness. That is what I felt when I found out the twins placentas were negative for melanoma, wrote Jessica Boesmiller, 37, in a Dec. 29 social media post.

Twins are negative for this evilness that is called cancer.

While the cancer has not affected the infants, Jessica, her two sons, and husband await the results of a further medical tests to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of her body.

Anxious. That is what I feel going into my scans tomorrow at Duke. The waiting will be so long as we wait for the results. Wednesday in another Duke followup we will find out the details of the tumor, its class and its likelihood of metastasis in the future if given the miracle that the scans are clear now, wrote Jessica in the post on the Facebook page dedicated to sharing information on her fight with cancer.

After complaining of blurred vision in November 2017, Jessica went to see an eye doctor.

The diagnosis was unexpected.

I thought I may have to get some glassesnot be told I have cancer.

She was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a life-threatening form of cancer, and the recommended treatment was complete removal of her eye.

Doctors were concerned that the cancer might spread to other parts of her body and to the babies.

Prayers for these babiesas melanoma is one of the few cancers that can affect the placenta, Jessica wrote.

Surgeons removed her eye several weeks later on Nov. 30, 2017.

The procedure took place at Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, U.S., more than two hours away from their home in Cornelius, near Charlotte.

Breaking the news of the upcoming surgery to their two children was a challenge.

Mark Boesmiller, an army veteran and North Carolina firefighter, said it was a process to get their two older sons Caleb, 7, and Conner, 9, mentally prepared for what was to come.

The former airborne paratrooper showed his sons how eye prosthetics work and eventually got the boys thinking it was going to be so cool to have a pirate mommy wearing an eyepatch for the next several months, the resourceful dad wrote.

She then proudly sported the leather eyepatch with Scottish Rampant lion I found for her yesterday at the Renaissance Faire, said Mark.



Ocular melanoma is a cancerous tumor that develops in the pigment cells that give color to the eyes.

The malignant tumor grows from the middle layer of the eye that cannot be seen in the mirror, so it is difficult to detect.

It is a rare disease that only affects about 2,500 adults in the U.S. each year, but is potentially lethal.

Ocular melanoma kills about half of those diagnosed, especially if it spreads to the liver.

The couples decision to remove the eye on Nov. 30, several weeks before the birth, ensured the least amount of harm to the babies, the Daily Mail reported.

This would give Jessica enough time to recover and prepare for the arrival of the twins.

She gave birth on Dec. 21 to Piper Marie, who weighed six pounds eight ounces and Mason Dare, who weighed six pounds one ounce.

Tests show the babies are free of cancer.

A GoFundMe has been created by family and friends to help cover the couples extraordinary expenses.

While she gets used to life wearing her eye patch and two new babies, she awaits test results to see if the cancer has spread.

If so, she will work with doctors to chart out another treatment.

If its somewhere else, well start another path of getting rid of that one, she reportedly said.

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Toddler With Rare Heart Condition Gets to Go Home After 402 Days in the HospitalNew Laws and Changes in Effect for Australians from January 1

A raft of changes affecting Australians came into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. From welfare, health, schools, and funding to tax, here are some of the new changes that may affect you and your family across Australia.

Government Pensions and Allowances

 A suite of measures were introduced in the 2017 budget to prevent welfare benefits from being used to fund drug and alcohol addictions. Up to 5000 new recipients of the Newstart and Youth Allowances in the local area of Logan in Queensland will be part of a two year drug testing trial. The government has set aside AU$10 million to assist any recipients who have tested positive for drugs.

 Students receiving youth allowance will see an increase in their fortnightly payments by at least $4.60 and an increase of $8.30 for student income payments such as Austudy. The disability support payments will increase by at least $7.

 The carer allowance will increase by an extra $2.40 a fortnight.

 Single parents will have their relationship status verified to ensure that they are not claiming an income support payment they are not entitled to.

Health

 Australias National Immunisation Program will include a new vaccine for genital warts to guard against more strains of the virus at a cheaper cost, reported the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

 The federal government will add three medications to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) to treat lung cancer, multiple myeloma, and cystic fibrosis, giving thousands of patients access to subsidised medication. Carfilzomib is used to treat multiple myeloma sufferers, while Alectinib is prescribed for lung cancer patients, and Mannitol for those with cystic fibrosis, reported AAP-SBS.

 Australian Defence Force veterans will get greater access to antibiotics, as well as heart disease and stroke medications from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, reported AAP.

 Communities affected by contaminated water supplies following the use of potentially toxic firefighting foams at the Tindal RAAF Base in the Northern Territory will be provided $5.7 million over four years, Minister for Health Greg Hunt, Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne, and Senator Nigel Scullion announced in a joint statement on Dec. 3.

Education

 There will be a new funding scheme for schools, where government and non-government schools will shift to the Gonski 2.0 funding model. To help transition to the new scheme, underfunded schools will have a six-year transition period to help speed-up their funding needs in comparison to previously well-funded schools who will have a 10-year transition period to the new scheme. The Gonski 2.0 funding model will replace the 27 separate school funding deals with different states and sectors, with a nationally consistent, needs-based funding model, reported ABC.

 The amount of funding provided under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme for universities for bachelor degrees courses is capped at 2017 for two years.

 Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) assistance towards tuition fees will have limits of $150,000 for students undertaking medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses, and $104,440 for other students.

 Students with a parental home or usual place of residence located overseas will no longer be eligible to receive the Relocation Scholarship.

Passport

 The cost of applying for a new 10-year passport has increased to $282.

Taxes

 Investors can no longer claim tax deductions on travel expenses relating to inspecting, maintaining, or collecting rent for a residential rental property.

 A $12,000 special duty on imported used vehicles has been removed.

Parliamentarian Entitlements

 A new framework sets out obligations for parliamentarians and guidelines on what can be claimed as work expenses among other changes. This was introduced in response to multiple parliamentarians, such as Bronwyn Bishop in 2015, who misused their entitlements while in office.

Beyond January 2018

 Supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles will be phasing out single-use plastic bags later in 2018 in most states such as Western Australia and Victoria. Big W and BWS stores will also be following the trend. New South Wales is the only state which has not taken action to reduce the amount of single-use plastic bags, reported AAP.

 New incentives have been introduced for over-65s to downsize their homes and make super contributions up to $300,000, outside of the usual non-concessional contribution caps, from July 1 this year.

 New eligibility requirements will come in July 2018 for receiving the Age Pension or the Disability Support Pension.

 A New Child Care Package will start on July 2, 2018. The Child Care Subsidy will replace the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.

From NTD.tv

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2017 Year in ReviewThe 55-year-old man whose body was found in the parking lot of Napa Methodist Church on Monday morning has been identified as Steven Michael Lloyd, according to the Napa County Sheriffs coroner.

Medical personnel found Lloyds body at the church at 625 Randolph St. at 8:30 a.m. after receiving a call about an unconscious person, Napa Police reported. Lloyd was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lloyds mother in Ohio was notified of his death on Monday, said Sheriffs Capt. Steve Blower. A forensic examination is planned for later this week to determine the cause of death, he said.

Lloyd had no listed address and was a known transient in Napa. Lloyd served in the U.S. Air Force between 1985 and 1987. He was most recently in custody at the Napa County jail for a night on Dec. 6 for an alleged probation violation. He has a history of alcohol-related contacts with law enforcement as well as a history of seizures, Blower said.

He was dropped off at the Hope Resource Center on the same block as Napa Methodist Church shortly before being found.

For now, Blower said, police are investigating the incident as a suspicious death.

Anyone with information about the investigation can contact Det. Garrett Smith at 707-257-9375 or gsmith@cityofnapa.org.Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing, China, on Nov. 11, 2014. An alliance of Japan, India, and other south Asia and Pacific democracies could prove an effective counterweight to an expansionist Chinese regime. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

North America, Japan, India, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Negotiating a free trade agreement with an increasingly totalitarian and plutocratic party-state in China, which treats its Tibetan, Falun Gong, Uyghur, Christian, farm, urban worker, and other communities appallingly, should be unthinkable for any democratic country.

Canadian Clive Ansley, who practised law in Shanghai for 14 years until 2003, notes that its Communist Party has long operated outside and above the law:

China is a brutal police stateThere is a current saying amongst Chinese lawyers and judges who truly believe in the Rule of Law: Those who hear the case do not make the judgment; those who make the judgment have not heard the case. Nothing which has transpired in the courtroom has any impact on the judgment.

Nonetheless, with the U.S. trade deficit with China for the first nine months of 2017 alone being $US274 billion and the Canadian one being also far too high, some in both countries still believe our goods and services could obtain better access to China s market through bilateral free trade agreements.

Read More Japan Struggles to Define Itself

Many others say that Japan, India and a revised Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), including a number of other regional democracies with rule of law, are the best major trade option for both Canada and the United States in Asia and the Pacific Rim. Although the Trump administration has shunned the TPP, a future U.S. president might well join.

Renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) quickly and successfully is also vital. The United States, Canada and Mexico now trade more than US$ 1.2 trillion in goods yearly, with Canadians and Mexicans being the two top buyers of U.S. exports. Millions of skilled workers and consumers in all three nations require NAFTA to continue in essentially its present form.

While likely that chaos will result if the Trump administration scraps NAFTA, the current odds of successful negotiations at the upcoming next round in late January are only about 50-50. The White House could also seek to withdraw from it by executive order.

Japan, the worlds third-largest economy, which has assisted many nations in Asia, appears to be throwing its business, diplomatic and political weight behind India and the TPP. Its snap election in October returned to office prime minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party(LDP) with 312 seats in its 465-member House of Representatives.

India in turn has become Asias fastest-growth economy and is expected to surpass China in population by 2022. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its increasing self-confidence and need for investment is resulting in continuously falling trade and investment barriers.

The TPP was intended to create a unified counterbalance to Chinas regional power and magnify the trading capacity of democratic nations having the rule of law, social market economies, fair trade, and freedom of the seasvalues some of which Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently voiced in Beijing.

Modi chose a visit to Tokyo to reproach China on its bad behavior in Asia, alluding to the Chinese military build-up in the South China Sea, its heavy-handedness in Tibet, its territorial ambitions in northern India and more. He added, Everywhere around us, we see an 18th-century expansionist mindset: encroaching in other countries, intruding in others waters, invading other countries and capturing territory.

Australia, similar to Canada in many ways, but with a heightened awareness of the security challenge represented by Beijing, has embraced the emerging Japan-India coalition. At the first India-Australia-Japan trilateral dialogue in 2015, the three governments discussed China at length, and, according to the Japanese, there was a high degree of consensus on the issues raised.

The participation of Australia is significant because it indicates that smaller democracies with Pacific interests neednt choose between China and their traditional alliances. Australia has a bilateral free trade deal with Beijing, but this doesnt mean Australians are naive about the need to protect their security interests or the dangers of becoming overly reliant on a regime that believes any attempt to counter its ambitions is an affront.

The world economy is now improving overall and unemployment is mercifully falling in some nations despite predatory trade and other economic practices by China, Russia, and others. Canada should still trade cautiously with the Middle Kingdom, but our recent experience with the aborted launch of free trade negotiations in Beijing indicates that trade cannot outrank a judicious advancing of our strategic interests in concert with those who share our values.

Japan, India, and a revised TPP are the best trade option for both Canada and the United States in Asia.

David Kilgour, a lawyer by profession, served in Canadas House of Commons for almost 27 years. In Jean Chretiens Cabinet, he was secretary of state (Africa and Latin America) and secretary of state (Asia-Pacific). He is the author of several books and co-author with David Matas of Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organs.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.North Carolina Woman Jailed after Abandoning Overdosed Friends Body on the Side of the Road

A young woman from Sanford, North Carolina, is in custody after she abandoned the body of a friend on the side of the road on New Years Eve.

Destiny Helms, 20, was in her car with her friend Corey Clark, 27. Clark was allegedly using drugs and apparently took too much. He died of a suspected overdose in his friends car, reported ABC11.

Helms drove to the house of another friend and reported that Clark had overdosed and died. His body was left in the car.

The friend advised Helms to take the body to a hospital.

However, Helms was unwilling to call the police or bring the body to a hospital.

Instead, she drove to a remote region of town and left the body by the roadside.

At about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 31, Lee County Sheriffs deputies were called with a report of a body on the side of the road. They responded to Kelly Drive between the 421 bypass and Pumping Station Road where they found Clarks remains.

Deputies later arrested Helms and charged her with Concealment of DeathIntent to Conceal Unnatural Death by Dismembering or Destroying Human Remains. Her bond is set at $75,000, according to the county jail report.

Clarks body is scheduled to be autopsied.

From NTD.tvNortheastern US is about to be Hit by a Bomb Cyclone Winter Storm

The Northeast is about to be battered by a bomb cyclone and meteorologists are warning people to prepare for the chilly blasts.

A massive winter storm is expected to bring a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow from portions of northern Florida to Maine from Wednesday, Jan. 3, until the evening of Thursday, Jan. 4. New England, the northeastern region of the United States, will possibly experience blizzard conditions late Thursday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Heavy snow and ice is expected from Florida to Maine today and tomorrow! Follow https://t.co/Z3FIg0XW6X to get the latest detailed forecast for your location. If you're under a warning, limit or avoid travel if you can!  pic.twitter.com/7M3hCxPKK8  NWS (@NWS) January 3, 2018

This rapidly intensifying East Coast storm will produce strong, damaging winds  possibly resulting in downed trees, power outages and coastal flooding. These strong winter systems are notorious for packing big winds and waves to go along with heavy snow! https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/WqpNXoNDmp  NWS (@NWS) January 3, 2018

The bomb cyclone or bombogenesisa fancy term for a winter hurricaneoccurs when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This all-day event will leave cities in the Northeast such as New York City, Nassau County, and parts of Connecticut blanketed in heavy snow and battling brutal winds, reported the New York Post.

People are going to want to check ahead, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller told the newspaper. Its not going to be a very pleasant day tomorrow.

The storm is expected to bring as much as 6 inches of snow to the region. New York City is expected to receive at least 3 inches of snow on Thursday morning.

Miller warns that public transportation is likely to be affected by the harsh weather and commuters should give themselves extra traveling time.

The NWS warns that the storm has the potential to produce strong, damaging winds possibly resulting in downed trees and power outages. Harsh coastal conditions are expected with possible minor to moderate coastal flooding and erosion on Thursday.

Major east coast winter storm is expected to bring snow, ice, rain, strong winds, and tidal flooding to coastal locations from the southeast U.S. to New England Wednesday into Thursday. Hazardous travel is likely.  NWS (@NWS) January 3, 2018

Ryan Maue, a meteorologist from weather.us, has hinted that most areas may hit record lows.

Record low daytime temperatures Friday and Saturday behind the bomb cyclone in the Northeast. Which locations you may ask? All of them. Highs in the single digits and teens will rewrite the record book for Jan 5th and 6th, Maue wrote in a tweet on Jan. 3.

Record low daytime temperatures Friday and Saturday behind the "bomb cyclone" in the Northeast. Which locations you may ask? All of them.

Highs in the single digits and teens will rewrite the record book for Jan 5th and 6th. pic.twitter.com/HKAizQd5rg  Ryan Maue | weather.us (@RyanMaue) January 3, 2018

While there will be coastal impacts from "bomb" cyclone  extremely dangerous cold from brutal wind chills will wreck the Midwest and Northeast during day Friday into Saturday > Record lows likely at most locations. @WeatherdotUS pic.twitter.com/z5vp5wC8JX  Ryan Maue | weather.us (@RyanMaue) January 2, 2018

Winter weather will impact the entire East Coast today through Friday. Here are the latest expected snow totals and current winter headlines. Strong winds will accompany the snow in many locations. Stay informed at https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP or your trusted weather source! ???? pic.twitter.com/RqCr3h6XR1  NWS (@NWS) January 3, 2018

The NWS is also reminding people driving during the harsh wintry conditions to keep their cars prepared for the freezing weather.

Its not too late to get your automobile ready for winter weather. Dont be caught unprepared. https://t.co/D3GxixdAN6 pic.twitter.com/uClJM13dNP  NWS (@NWS) January 2, 2018

Keep warm everyone!

From NTD.tv

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Boiling water turns to snowNYC Police Hunting for ISIS Supporters Who Posed In Front of World Trade Center, MET

The New York Police Department is investigating several pictures showing men dressed in gear with ISIS logos posing in front of major landmarks, including the World Trade Center.

The so-called ISIS selfies have spurred detectives into action. The pictures not only showed men with memorabilia from the radical Islamist terrorist group, but also included the caption: We are in your own backyard O worshippers of the cross!!

Eric Feinberg, the co-founder of GIPEC, a cyber-intelligence firm that keeps track of terrorism-related hashtags, said the photos are meant to sow fear and could embolden potential lone wolf terrorists into taking action.

Maybe its Photoshopped, maybe its not. It should be taken seriously, he told the New York Post.

AN NYPD spokesman said the department is investigating the pictures.

According to the SITE intelligence group, the first picture was shared on pro-ISIS telegram channels and chat groups on Dec. 30 before spreading to Google Plus. A second image popped up several days later and was circulated widely as well.

The first picture shows a man in ISIS garb posing in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, part of a trio of museums that welcome over seven million visitors per year.

The second image shows a man in ISIS garb posing in front of the World Trade Center, an area that needed to be completely rebuilt after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The pictures come shortly after a would-be terrorist failed to properly detonate his bomb in the New York Penn Station, a busy commuter hub.

Akayed Ullah, 27, said he was inspired by ISIS, two law enforcement officials told WNBC.

Ullah allegedly said he intended for it to be a suicide bombing and that he watched Internet ISIS propaganda, read extremist writings, and learned how to make bombs through online tutorials.

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2017 Year in Review

Zachary Stieber Reporter Zachary Stieber covers U.S. news, including politics and court cases. He started at The Epoch Times as a New York City metro reporter. zackstieber

From NTD.tvParents of Teen who Died Using a Cellphone in Bath Share Last Photo as Warning

Police have released the last photo of a Texas teen sent before she was electrocuted to death while taking a bath with her cellphoneas a warning that combining water, electricity, and portable electronic devices, could be fatal.

The parents of Madison Coe, 14, have agreed to release the photo to raise awareness, especially among teens who are the heaviest users of such devices, KCBD reported.

Investigators with the Lovington Police Department believe Madison Coe, 14, took the photo, then sent it in a text message mere moments before she died.

The teen was electrocuted to death on Sunday, July 9, because she was using her cellphoneand charging itwhile taking a bath.

The fatal shock came while she was at her fathers home in Lovington, New Mexico, reported KCBD, an NBC affiliate in Texas.

She was from Lubbock, Texas.

According to sources, a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Lovington Police Department stated the teen had plugged her cellphone into an extension cord, which was plugged into a non-grounded bathroom wall outlet.

The report indicates the phone was never immersed in water.

Coe reportedly took care to keep the connection of the cords dry. However, the teen likely did not notice the extension cord was frayed.

Evidence shows she touched the frayed extension cord while she was in the bathtub.

Coes mother and grandmother said there was a mark on the girls hand, KCBD reported.

A GoFundMe was set up to pay for funeral costs.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of Madison Coe. Our hearts go out to their family during this difficult time. We are asking for your support to help this precious family with medical and memorial costs. Any support given would be greatly appreciated. All donations will go directly to her family, the post reads.

The teen had recently graduated from the eighth grade.

It is with heavy hearts that Frenship Independent School District mourns the loss of Madison Coe. We wish to share our heartfelt sympathy with her family and friends as we carry the burden of this tragedy together, Terra Vista Middle School said in a statement.

Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.

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2017 Year in ReviewPennsylvania Inmate Says that Drugs Found in his Butt Werent His, Judges Rule Against Him

Superior court judges in Pennsylvania have denied an inmates appeal, which claimed that there wasnt sufficient evidence to show that drugs found protruding from his buttocks were his.

Edwin Wylie-Biggs, 36, of Clairton, Pennsylvania, was taken in for a strip search after a corrections officer at the State Correctional Institution at Fayette saw another inmate pass something to him on their way to the dining hall, the corrections officer testified.

During the strip search, officers asked him to bend over and spread his buttocks, after which they found a clear plastic baggie with a balloon protruding from his rectum.

Upon testing, the blue balloon was found to contain synthetic marijuana, or K2.

After arriving, Lieutenant Switzer spoke to [Appellant], who admitted the contraband was his and identified it as K2, the judges ruling states.

Wylie-Biggs appealed to the state after a Fayette County court ruled the contraband was in his possession.

[The] appellant claims that the evidence introduced by the Commonwealth at trial was insufficient to sustain his conviction of possession of contraband by an inmate, the ruling says.

We disagree.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wylie-Biggs was sentenced to two to four years in prison in 2014 after he fled from police and jumped off a 100-foot bridge. He pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering another person, fleeing an officer, possession of heroin with intent to sell and related charges.

After the state superior court judges ruling, he was charged with three to six years in prison to run consecutively with his other sentence.

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2017 Year in Review

From NTD.tvPotential Cause Identified for Death of Family of 4 in Cabin

Arizona firefighters believe that the family of four who were found dead in a friends cabin on New Years Day may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, CBS reports.

A contractor inspected the home outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, and determined that the cabins heating system had a significant failure. The faulty system likely lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Coconino County Sheriffs Office.

The heating unit was the only gas appliance in the home. First responders who discovered the bodies of the family reported smelling a strong gas odor.

There is nothing to think about. Its just tragic, Dan Matock, a family friend, told CBS. Its just a big hole in all of our hearts, that only Tony and Megan and their children can fill.

The victimsmom, dad, son, and daughterspent the end of the year in the cabin. Police identified them as Anthony Capitano, 32, Megan Capitano, 32, Kingsli Capitano, 3, and Lincoln Capitano, 4.

A friend who did not hear from the family for several days called the Coconino County Sheriffs Office on Monday. Deputies responding to conduct a welfare check found the four bodies upon arrival.

Tony just had a magnetic smile and spirit about him and Megan was a compliment to that, said Matock, who had known Anthony Capitano for years. Just the perfect couple. I mean, I try to emulate my relationship with my girlfriend and my children after Tony and Megan.

MONSTER JAM!! A post shared by Megan Capitano (@m_capo) on Oct 7, 2017 at 7:14pm PDT

Coconino County Sheriffs Office said that the medical examiners office would investigate to determine the official cause of death.

Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer since it is odorless and deadly in high concentrations. Carbon monoxide detectors are a recommended safeguard against the dangerous gas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rhonda Alsobrook, a longtime friend of the family, told 12 News that she may be one of the last people to speak to the family before their deaths.

I sent her this snap I love you more, Alsobrook told 12 News. I won this conversation because I said I love you more and I was the last one to say I love you more.

Alsobrook is a professional photographer and has captured the familys most important moments, including engagement, marriage and the most recent Christmas.

I was actually up late finishing up their family photos, Alsobrook said.

According to Alsobrook was getting ready to celebrate New Year and send friends and family photos.

She [Megan] was snapping photos of the kids, they woke up playing in the cabin, Alsobrook said.Tony was dancing around being goofy with the kids like they always did and we just didnt hear from them.

What I think is that they probably all got their jammies on, went to bed  I was told there was two beds in there, Alsobrook said, And they were sleeping and they probably snuggled up and went to sleep and thats probably what happened. I dont think they even knew.

all my love minus one. A post shared by Megan Capitano (@m_capo) on May 15, 2017 at 8:38am PDT

Why is my daughter blonde? Rude. A post shared by Megan Capitano (@m_capo) on May 13, 2017 at 5:22pm PDT

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From NTD.tvStorm Eleanor: 100mph Winds Batter the UK, Thousands Left Without Power

Storm Eleanor struck the UK on Tuesday night, Jan. 2, bringing hurricane-force winds and power cuts to thousands of homes.

Gusts reached up to 100 mph at Great Dun Fell, the second highest mountain in the Pennines, while residents at Orlock Head in Northern Ireland experienced winds up to 90 mph, the Met Office said. Winds were recorded as reaching up to 73 mph in Northolt, northwest London.

As Storm Eleanor moved in from the Atlantic overnight, the Met Office warned that flying debris could endanger lives.

#StormEleanor paid us a visit last night. She turned out to be a disruptive guest. pic.twitter.com/sfrXWr57Fg  Michael Walby (@whereswalby) January 3, 2018

People living next to railway lines have been urged to secure their outdoor belongings after Network Rail staff found two trampolines on the tracks near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire late last night.

It is incredible to think that a trampoline could fly through the air on to the railway but here we have not one but two at the same location, Mark Killick, chief operating officer for Network Rails London North Western route said in a statement.

This is an ongoing problem for us which poses an obvious safety hazard and inconvenience to passengers, Killick said. We would appeal to people living by the railway to ensure items such as trampolines, gazebos, marquees and tents are tethered, so they dont end up on the railway during high winds.

Some power lines in Northern Ireland were brought down by falling trees and had their poles broken by the high winds.

According to Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, about 3,000 homes are without power, and 20,000 properties have been restored with electricity.

In England, about 1,200 homes in Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall were affected by power cuts, and hundreds of properties in Doncaster have no power, the BBC reported.

Many flood warnings have been issued across England, mostly in the southwest of the country.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for the UK until 7:00 p.m. tonight.

Strong winds will continue through much of today. Storm Eleanor is now over the North Sea and although winds are not expected to be as strong as during Tuesday evening and last night, it has left a swath of strong winds in its wake, the warning reads.

Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are expected with some journeys taking longer. Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges are also possible, and there is also the potential for some short term loss of power supplies.

Satellite imagery shows how #StormEleanor developed overnight. The low has now moved into the North Sea but it'll remain a #windy day for many pic.twitter.com/OeGQO3Afpq  Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2018

A falling tree injured two men overnight in New Forest, Hampshire when it crashed into their car at about 3:20 a.m. this morning, the Standard reported. Both men were taken to hospital.

Andy Page, Met Office Chief Forecaster, said: The unsettled theme lingers throughout this week, with further spells of rain moving across the UK from the west as the return to work continues for many. There will again be some snow over the high ground in Scotland.

Many Britons reported on Twitter that the howling winds that kept them awake overnight.

This wind is called storm Eleanor. Seriously? What kind of 'let me put the kettle on love' name is that?  #TheYoungest (@AYoungIvz) January 3, 2018

ok I can't get to sleep cos I can literally hear wheelie bins flying down my street because of the wind  Lois (@loheighway) January 3, 2018

This Storm Eleanor be hitting Birmingham rn..lightening, rain and crazy wind.these trees be rocking a bit too much for my liking!!  Stacey ? (@NurseCassin) January 3, 2018

In Ireland, the storm brought heavy winds and flooding, with Met Eireann issuing a status Orange wind.

According to Reuters, 27,000 were without electricity in Ireland.

At one point on Tuesday, about 150,000 homes were without power, according to Irelands Electricity Supply Board. It said fallen trees on overhead lines were responsible for most of the damage.

Wednesday Mid-Morning ForecastChinese policemen push Uyghur women protesting on the streets of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, China on July 7, 2009. (Guang Niu/Getty Images)

The Plot Behind Chinas Suppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang

UK Uighur Association representative and former medical surgeon Enver Tohti recently sat down with The Epoch Times to break down misconceptions about protests and riots that have happened in recent years in Xinjiang.

The Chinese regime has labeled Uyghur ethnic people a terror threat to justify their severe suppression and surveillance of Xinjiang, a region in northwestern China where many Uyghurs reside. The regime has banned students from speaking Uyghur in schools, persecuted their religionmost are Muslimburned their religious books, and most recently held them at detention camps.

Violent incidents have become justifications for the Chinese regime to incite ethnic tension between Uyghurs, an ethnic minority, and local Han Chinese, who make up the majority.

The most infamous, and deadly event in recent history was the July 5, 2009 riots in Urumqi, which resulted in at least 197 deaths. To this day, its unclear what or who prompted the protesterswho initially gathered to rally for Uyghur migrant workers who were killed in a factory dispute in Guangdong Provinceto become violent. The Chinese regimes official explanation is that Uyghurs were motivated by a separatist desire to establish an independent state.

But Tohti said after he spent years investigating the incident with his friend in southern Xinjiang, he discovered that ten days before July 5, a local television station aired a commercial released by the Urumqi local authorities: a recruitment notice for southern Xinjiang residents to visit a job fair to be held in Urumqi.

It was estimated that around 30,000 southern Xinjiang residents arrived in the city in the week leading up to the protest. But it turned out, no job fair was held.

Tohti believes the commercial indicates the Urumqi authorities had plotted the entire incidentto bring lots of Uyghurs into the city, then foment disgruntled feelings among them and incite them into protesting violently.

He said the Chinese regime had done something similar just two years prior. In 2007, Chinese authorities claimed they raided a training camp for a East Turkestan terror organization. The location of the camp was in fact a small coal mine that local Uyghurs began extracting after local government gave up on the project. When the government wanted a stake in profits, the two sides came into conflict. One police officer died when an explosive at the mine went off.

It is a trap that the Chinese Communist Party has set up, Tohti said.

Decades of the regimes surveillance has also made Uyghurs extremely dissatisfied with the authorities. Tohti explained how the Partys local neighborhood committee encourages Uyghurs to spy on each other and report information to police, who are compensated with a cash reward.

Shiu Wen-tang, researcher at the Taiwan-based Academia Sinica Institute of Modern History, noted that Uyghurs in Xinjiang are incapable of plotting a major incident, as the Chinese regime has kept such tight control over all aspects of their lives that such coordination would be extremely difficult.

The Chinese regime is known to use this tactic in order to achieve their goals: in 2014 during Hong Kongs Umbrella pro-democracy movement, people hired by the Chinese authorities in Hong Kong were behind the scuffles that occurred among protestersprompting a heavy police crackdown. Some political observers believe the unrest was a plot by members of the Partys opposition factionloyal to former leader Jiang Zeminto foment social instability and create a political dilemma for Xi.

Jiang Yuchan contributed to this report.

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2017 Year in ReviewA file image of an ambulance vehicle parked in front of the emergency ward of Royal Perth hospital (Tony Ashby/Getty Images)

Three in Intensive Care After 9 Overdose in Perth Backpacker House

Three people are fighting for their lives after a mass drug overdose affected nine in a rental house in the Australian city of Perth.

Medical staff say three of the drug takers remain in a critical situation and are in intensive care at hospital. Seven men and three women were initially taken by paramedics to three separate hospitals after being found suffering drug overdoses, reported the ABC.

Medical help was called for when the nine were found in distress at a property in Perths west described by neighbors as a backpacker and student accommodation.

Royal Perth Hospital emergency medical physician David McCutcheon said some of the group had to be sedated when admitted to hospital.

They were brought to us in a state of agitated delirium, they were hallucinating, their hearts were racing, McCutcheon said.

Several of them have had to be put in a medically-induced coma for their own protection, he said.

I really need to emphasize how seriously unwell they were.

Nine people rushed to hospital after suspected drug overdose at Perth house. "It appears as though they didn't know where they were. They were rolling around in their stretchers." https://t.co/8q4WW3I3iO #Perth #7News pic.twitter.com/fO2SYmheR5  7 News Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) January 3, 2018

Clinical toxicologist Jessamine Soderstrom told ABC that some of the patients would be kept in induced comas for some days.

Soderstrom said it was extremely lucky that an ambulance was called when it was.

If it wasnt [for the] timely call of the resident some of those patients inevitably would have died, Soderstrom said.

When your body overheats to a certain temperature for a certain period of time its like cooking an egg, she said.

Your proteins basically denature and you go into multi-organ failure and patients die from that.

Ambulances were called to the residence just before midnight Tuesday were they found the nine in a semi-conscious state.

The ABC report said that doctors were so far unable to confirm what drug the nine had consumed but police found white powder from inside the residence.

Police and paramedics have spoken about a mass drug overdose in Vic Park. 9 people were taken to hospital  3 people are critical. It's understood the drugs were found in a letterbox and the substance is being tested by authorities. Full details @9NewsPerth at 6pm @tegansapwell9 pic.twitter.com/mX8K2Li7cH  Tracy Vo (@Tracy_Vo) January 3, 2018

It Was Really Scary

Residents in the neighborhood described chaotic scenes as those affected by the drugs were taken away in the ambulances.

When we came out (we saw) heaps and heaps of police cars and ambulances, eight ambulances and six or seven police cars, neighbor Sebastian Arevelo told 9NEWS.

It was just absolutely crazy. People were rushing around, rushing into the house, said Arevelo.

People started coming out on stretchers, most of them were in an unconscious state, he said.

One of them was kicking and almost having a spasm. It was really scary.

Local resident Sophie Barnet told the ABC that the whole episode was frightening to witness.

They [the stretchers] were all coming past in a line it was so scary and they had glassed eyes and they were like in a different world it was so scary to look at  a lot of them were having seizures, Barnet said.

A lot of them were shaking and trying to get out of the bed, but I dont think they knew they were doing it, she said.

And there was one guy that was really violent on the stretcher, he was like punching the air and everything.

Some of the nine patients involved in a mass overdose of an unknown drug in Perth 'inevitably would have died' without medical help, doctors say https://t.co/64CIAOyQqo #perthnews #wanews pic.twitter.com/dRHJcW5btJ  ABC Perth (@abcperth) January 3, 2018

Backpacker or Student Accommodation

Another neighbor told 9NEWS that the residence was being used as short-term accommodation for backpackers or students. They seemed a pretty happy-go-lucky lot, resident Gary Baden-Davidson said.

Its like a backpackers, its pretty transient. People come and go every two weeks or so, he said.

Weve never had any trouble with them before.

Three of the nine, those least affected by the overdose, have been discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Police are investigating the incident.

From NTD.tv

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Boiling water turns to snowStuck among this usual kaleidoscope of news was one Times headline that would turn out to be applicable throughout the year: TOP OFFICIALS FRET OVER NATION'S ILLS.

There was plenty to fret about: the issues of crime, housing, violence, race and war were not getting any better. And that was just the first week.

The situation in Vietnam had been bleak for a while. Trying to sum it up in a front-page piece on Jan. 1, star Times correspondent R.W. "Johnny" Apple led with:

"SAIGON, South Vietnam, Dec. 31 - American officials at almost all levels, both in Saigon and in the provinces, say they are under steadily increasing pressure from Washington to produce convincing evidence of progress, especially by the South Vietnamese . . .."

But in late January, the lid flew off the official version in Vietnam.

Suddenly, the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese army were attacking everywhere at once. They were fighting in the daytime, with big units in regular formations. They must not have listened to Gen. William C. Westmoreland's briefings - the top U.S. military guy in Vietnam had been saying for months that the war was just about over. But now, the Americans and the ARVN forces were taking grievous losses in just about every province.Tiny Kitten Shuts Down Busy New Zealand Freeway

A tiny ginger and white kitten caused a busy section of a New Zealand freeway to shut downas deputies scrambled to rescue the frightened critter.

Police in Auckland reacted quickly to a report by a concerned member of the public that a small orange and white ball of fluff was trying its hardest to cause several accidents on the Southwestern Motorway (state highway 20).

In a Jan. 2 post on the Auckland City District Police Facebook fanpage, officers boasted that the little offender already has a nameMaioroafter the closest motorway off ramp from which she was rescued.

But Maioros curbside detention was no walk in the park.

Police officers found the terrified kitty huddled up against the concrete barrier. But when an officer approached, the kitten was spooked and bolted across three lanes of traffic, narrowly avoiding the worst, police wrote.

Now trapped on a small central strip she required the motorway to be temporarily blocked, the post continued.

After a short game of cat and mouse it is reported the feline fugitive was apprehended and safely stowed inside a police vehicle.

But the tiny creatures misadventures didnt end there.

After making a phone call and taking a photograph of the cat, the officer found the perp was nowhere to be found.

A thorough search was conducted, but turned up empty.

It wasnt until the officer returned to the station and heard the faintest meow coming from the vehicles dashboard, that a breakthrough came in this escapee-turned-missing-kitten case.

Mechanics were summoned. The entire dashboard disassembled. Maioro was finally discoveredtucked around a heating fan.

The female cat is reportedly recovering from her foibles by apparently engaging in colorful frolick.

And while some of the police said they are hopeful that she will be homed shortly, others are trying to convince their fellow officers to keep the cat as the station mouser.

This is not the first time police in New Zealand have had to rescue a cat off the freeway.

According to the New Zealand Herald, a tabby kitten was found on Aucklands Southern Motorway last year, causing multiple lanes to be temporarily shut.

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Kayaker Rescues Iguana Swimming Miles From ShorePresident Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn before boarding Marine One and leaving the White House in Washington, on Dec. 22, 2017. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Trump Tweets Bigger & More Powerful Nuke Button after North Korea Threat

President Donald Trump held up the tit-for-tat that has marked his administrations policy towards North Korea by warning its dictator that he too has a nuclear button.

Trump maxed out Twitters 280 character limit in a response to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who had again threatened a nuclear attack against the United States during a recent New Years address, saying he has a nuclear button on his desk.

Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, Trump wrote.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Trumps tweet came after Kim claimed that he now had the capability to strike any target in the United States with nuclear weapons and that he would use it should the United States ever attack North Korea.

The whole of its mainland is within the range of our nuclear strike and the nuclear button is on my office desk all the time, Kim said in his address, according to North Korean state media.

Kim claims his regime can deliver a super-intense thermonuclear weapon, describing it as a powerful and reliable war deterrent.

Kims address carried the hallmarks of the communist countrys position that it is engaged in an ongoing battle with the United States and its allies.

In his address, Kim said 2017 marked a year of heroic struggle that has led it forward in its efforts to build a powerful socialist country.

Kims address was marked by familiar ideology, key ideas that make peace with North Korea unlikely, say top intelligence analysts.

Perhaps most critical of these ideas is that North Korea is in a state of constant struggle, an endless war of sorts with its enemies that requires tremendous sacrificebe it food or forced laborfrom the North Korean people.

Kim called for a revolutionary general offensive to achieve fresh victory, in everything from agricultural production to power generation.

The United States and its allies bombed much of North Korea after Kims grandfather, Kim Il Sung, invaded South Korea in 1950. Ever since, the regime has used the United States as a scapegoat to justify its songun or military-first policy, and its tight authoritarian control over the North Korean people.

Songun prioritizes the needs of the military over all other affairs of state, including feeding the civilian population.

That policy has become a barrier to peace, according to analysts. With the North Korean regime sustained by the threat of war, any detente with the United States becomes a threat to regime legitimacy, Yong Suk Lee, deputy assistant director of the CIAs Korea Mission Center, told students and reporters at George Washington University on Oct 4.

North Korea is a political organism that thrives on confrontation, said Lee.

One of the big stumbling blocks for dialogue is that if we do come to a good place, North Korea is going to have to explain to its people that suddenly we are friends with the United States. North Korea exists to oppose the United States, so how are you going to explain to your population what your last 60, 70 years of sacrifice were all about.

North Korea turns every act of economic development and ideological brainwashingincluding mass censorship and forced labourinto an effort of survival and war. That tone also comes through Kims recent New Years address.

Let us launch a revolutionary general offensive to achieve fresh victory on all fronts of building a powerful socialist country!this is the revolutionary slogan we should uphold, North Korean state media reported, summarizing Kims address.

While Kim also called for talks with South Koreaand had North Korean officials call South Korea on a dedicated line for the first time in two years on Jan. 3any possible de-escalation is unlikely, one analyst told The Telegraph.

Former diplomat and head of South Korean intelligence, Rah Jong-yi, said Kim will use any talks to push South Korea for aid and other concessions.

North Korea cannot survive peace, he said. The regime in Pyongyang can only continue to survive on stresses and confrontation with its neighbours. Peace would bring Mr. Kim down.

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2017 Year in ReviewU.S. Blocks Sale of MoneyGram to Chinas Ant Financial, Citing National Security Concerns

Ant Financials plan to acquire U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International Inc. collapsed on Tuesday after a U.S. government panel rejected it over national security concerns, the most high-profile Chinese deal to be torpedoed under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The $1.2 billion deals failure represents a blow for Jack Ma, the executive chairman of Chinese internet conglomerate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., who owns Ant Financial together with Alibaba executives. He was looking to expand Ant Financials footprint amid fierce domestic competition from Chinese rival Tencent Holdings Ltd.s WeChat payment platform.

Ma, a Chinese businessman who appears frequently with leaders from the highest echelons of the Chinese Communist Party, had promised Trump in a meeting a year ago that he would create one million U.S. jobs.

The companies decided to terminate their deal after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) rejected their proposals to mitigate concerns over the safety of data that can be used to identify U.S. citizens, according to sources familiar with the confidential discussions.

Despite our best efforts to work cooperatively with the U.S. government, it has now become clear that CFIUS will not approve this merger, MoneyGram Chief Executive Alex Holmes said in a statement on Tuesday.

The U.S. government has toughened its stance on the sale of companies to Chinese entities, at a time when Trump is trying to put pressure on China to help tackle North Koreas nuclear ambitions and be more accommodative on trade and foreign exchange issues.

The MoneyGram deal is the latest in a string of Chinese acquisitions of U.S. companies that have failed to clear CFIUS, including the $1.3 billion purchase by China-backed buyout fund Canyon Bridge Capital Partners LLC of U.S. chip maker Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

In November, China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co Ltd. and Genworth Financial Inc. extended a deadline to April 1 for the Chinese groups planned $2.7 billion takeover of the U.S. life insurer.

Commentary published after the deals collapse by Chinas mouthpiece news agency Xinhua described a fading bonhomie between the two countries, with the United States stuck in a zero-sum mentality.

China and the United States are about to ride a bumpy journey in trade in 2018 if the U.S. government goes its own way, and retaliatory measures by China could be on the table, it said.

Financial Services Deals

The MoneyGram deals demise is also the latest example of how CFIUS focus on cyber security and the integrity of personal data is prompting it to block deals in sectors not traditionally associated with national security, such as financial services.

The U.S. Treasury said it is prohibited by statute from disclosing information filed with CFIUS and declined to comment on the MoneyGram deal.

Other U.S. financial services deals by Chinese firms are waiting for approval from CFIUS, including HNA Group Co.s acquisition of hedge fund-of-funds firm SkyBridge Capital LLC from Anthony Scaramucci, the Trump administrations former communications director.

SkyBridge and HNA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Dallas-based MoneyGram has approximately 350,000 remittance locations in more than 200 countries. Ant Financial was looking to take over MoneyGram, not so much for its U.S. presence but to expand in growing markets outside of China.

Ant Financial and MoneyGram said they will now explore and develop initiatives to work together in remittance and digital payments in China, India, the Philippines and other Asian markets, as well as in the United Statesin the form of commercial agreements, one of the sources said.

Any arrangements reached by Ant Financial and MoneyGram that do not involve a transaction would not be subject to review by CFIUS.

What is more likely to happen at this point is that MoneyGram will sell to another company, and one company that has shown interest in the past is Euronet, said Gil Luria, an equity analyst at D.A. Davidson & Co.

Ant Financial agreed an $18 per share all-cash deal to acquire MoneyGram in April, seeing off competition from U.S.-based Euronet Worldwide Inc., which had made an unsolicited offer for MoneyGram and openly lobbied U.S lawmakers, saying Ants proposal created a national security risk.

Euronet continues to believe there is compelling commercial logic to a combination between Euronet and MoneyGram. However, significant developments have been disclosed by MoneyGram since Euronets offer, and Euronet has not conducted any evaluation of the business in that time. While we continue to view a transaction with MoneyGram as logical, there is no guarantee any offer will be made or any transaction will ultimately occur, Euronet said in a statement.

Ant Financial said it paid MoneyGram a $30 million termination fee for the deals collapse.

Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York. Additional reporting by Nikhil Subba and Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru, Philip Wen in Beijing, Kane Wu in Hong KongIn a bid to clean up its waters, the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu has banned unrecyclable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes in 2018. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Vanuatu Bans Plastic Bags in Bid to Preserve Its Ocean

The South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu has banned unrecyclable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes in a bid to address growing pollution concerns affecting the island nations surrounding waters.

As of next month, Vanuatu will ban the importation and local manufacturing of non-biodegradable plastics, reported The Vanuatu Independent.

Polystyrene takeaway boxes used for food are also covered by the ban which comes into effect Jan. 31.

The ban follows a July 2017 announcement by the countrys leader Prime Minister Charlot Salwai that the government would ban unrecyclable plastic bags and bottles.

It also comes on the heels of an environmental field study report which confirmed that plastic waste is harmfully polluting the ocean waters around the island nation which has a population of 80,000 citizens.

Plastic bags are devastating for our oceans. To a hungry turtle, a plastic bag looks like a jellyfish. Protect our wildlife  go reusable! pic.twitter.com/7IIcQnLWPO  The Wildlife Trusts (@WildlifeTrusts) October 1, 2017

The ban is the first step by the government in improving waste management for 2018. Additional steps to further reduce maritime litter, such as how deal with plastic bottles, are expected to follow.

The government will support the public in its switch away from plastic bags to the use of more traditional baskets.

Companies have been given a six months grace period to use up their unrecyclable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes that they may have in stock.

Each plastic bag takes 1,000 years to degrade, meaning that every single one produced is STILL ON THE PLANET polluting our oceans!! pic.twitter.com/C535TiBgbr  CarryWell (@CarryWell) September 21, 2017

Looking After the Oceans

Vanuatus maritime jurisdiction comprises 98 percent of the nation and the health of its surrounding ocean is vital for its survival. Vanuatu is the first Pacific nation to establish a national oceans policy aimed at improving the management of its surrounding waters and its resources, reported The Vanuatu Independent

The ocean is a natural and dynamic bridge that connects continents to continents and oceanic islands to islands. It is also a bridge between the living and the dead and between people and the marine resources upon which they rely. It is the bridge of life, says the Vanuatu National Policy.

Our ancestors used the sea as a passageway to move from their place of origin to where we are today. From their voyage in the sea they learned and believed that there exists a God of the sun, a God of the wind and a God of the Sea  our God, it says. When they arrived safely to our shores they gave thanks and revered the sea as a sacred place. They built their livelihoods around it and finally established a culture of the ocean. A culture that protects and respects the God of the ocean.

In this Modern age, people have access to advanced technology and use it to explore and exploit the ocean and its resources more and more effectively and efficiently. The population of the modern age is also growing and the global and local demand to further explore and exploit the ocean resources is very high, it says.

Global Issue

The Environmental Investigation Agency rates marine plastic pollution as one of the most serious emerging threats to the health of oceans and is now considered a major hazard to marine biodiversity.

The agency says that more than five trillion pieces of plastic are floating in the worlds oceans and causing damage throughout the food chain.

From NTD.tv

Up next:

Kayaker Rescues Iguana Swimming Miles From ShoreA UK woman is planning to sue a trampoline park in Chester, England, after she broke her back on a jump there in January 2017. (By Graham Richardson from Plymouth, England (South Western Ambulance VX09FYP) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Woman Who Broke Her Back at Trampoline Park to Take Legal Action

A British woman is suing a trampoline park after breaking her back on one of their jumpsliterally.

Lucy Jones, 19, went with friends to Flip Out Chester in Chester, England, on Jan. 29, 2017, after seeing the park advertised on Facebook.

We decided to have a bit of a night out after Christmas, Jones told the Mirror. [And thought it] would be a fun thing for us to do.

Jones suffers from anxiety, but she convinced herself that she was going to do the four-meter jump, called the Tower Jump, that ended in a pit of foam blocks.

She had worn the required socks that help with grip and had watched a mandatory safety video before getting on the trampolines.

Forcing herself to overcome her trepidation, Jones, of Northop, North Wales, drummed up her courage and took the leap.

She landed exactly as she was supposed to, she said, but something wasnt right.

She felt a shooting pain in her back that took her breath away and she lost feeling in her legs.

I felt the worst pain I have ever been through in my whole life, she said. For a while, I couldnt breathe or feel anything.

A Flip Out staff member rushed over and asked her what was wrong.

Lucy broke her back at a trampoline park. She spoke to @PA_Real_Life about her ordeal  and she's raising money to go to volunteer in Tanzania via @JustGiving https://t.co/KiueYnRVMO pic.twitter.com/G4mYmUu7Xh  Anna Roberts (@journoannie) January 2, 2018

She was screaming in the pain, and the staff member called over another staffer to help.

Then, without any warning, [the] two members of staff grabbed me by the arms and dragged me out of the pit on to a mat, Jones recalled.

My friends were saying, She cant move, and were trying to get them off me, but once out of the pit they then told me I would need to walk over to the first aid area.

She started to question if she was overreacting when the staff, she alleges, refused to call for medical help, saying it was only a bruise.

Regarding safety, the website of the park states: The staff are first aid trained and on site at all times to keep you and others safe.

A friend did call an ambulance, and about an hour and a half later, she was on her way to the hospital, according to the Mirror.

It turns out she wasnt overreacting. An X-ray revealed that she had broken her backa vertebra in her back had been fractured and she had to have metal rods put into her back.

Woman broke her back jumping into foam pit at trampoline park https://t.co/mTQaJmm1ep  Metro (@MetroUK) January 2, 2018

She said her first concern was about whether she could walk. Later, as she gained mobility, she became depressed about how much the accident had made her miss out on.

Id just started my dream job of being a dental nurse and there was so much I wanted to do. Even just going out with my friends, and wearing high heels, but instead I faced a long recovery needing constant physiotherapy, she said.

She has contacted a law firm that plans to serve Flip Out Chester a notice of claim later this month.

And shes not the only oneat least two other incidents on the Tower Jump have led to back injuries.

According to the Liverpool Echo, another nurse, who was coincidently also surnamed Jones, suffered a burst vertebra and had to have surgery after jumping from the same tower on Feb. 1. She is also taking legal action against Flip Out Chester.

Woman shatters spine at trampoline parkhttps://t.co/wkf0GWP5ZT  Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) February 25, 2017

That same day, a man also suffered a spinal injury after jumping from the same tower, the Echo reported.

In a statement to the Mirror, a spokesperson for Flip Out UK said they have replaced the Tower Jump.

Millions of people have visited Flip Out trampoline and adventure parks across the UK and we are proud of our safety record. Safety is our number one priority and we strive to ensure that everyone who visits can enjoy all of the activities in a safe environment.

The spokesperson declined to comment specifically on the Joness case.

Flip Out Chester does make everyone sign a waiver before they start jumping for insurance purposes, their website says.

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2017 Year in Review

From NTD.tvAgilent Technologies, Inc. engages in the provision of application focused solutions for life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. It operates through the following segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets; Diagnostics and Genomics; and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers application-focused solutions that include instruments and software that enable to identify, quantify, and analyze the physical and biological properties of substances and products, as well as the clinical and life sciences research areas to interrogate samples at the molecular and cellular level. The Diagnostics and Genomics segment consists of activity providing active pharmaceutical ingredients for oligo-based therapeutics, as well as solutions that include reagents, instruments, software and consumables. The Agilent CrossLab segment includes startup, operational, training and compliance support, software as a service, and asset management and consultative services. The company was founded in May 1999 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

Read MoreMeanwhile, the risk grows that Trump will exercise some sort of nuclear option to rid himself of the whole business. Laying out Trumps avenues of counterattack would require another column, but the president has multiple levers beyond the most incendiary tack of ordering his deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, to fire Mueller. He can try to replace Rosenstein with a pliable stand-in who will ride herd on Mueller; he can rescind the special counsel regulations that protect Mueller; or he can simply attempt to fire the whole team and lock the doors as an exercise of raw executive power. Any one of these would result in bedlam and court battles that would likely tie up the probe for months.

There is a sort of jubilation on the left these days watching Trump get knocked all over the ring. But we should keep in mind that these are troubled times for the Constitution, with the president of the United States, who still has the support of at least one-third of the electorate, debasing his office daily and telling repeated lies to the American people.

Indeed, given Trumps Orwellian approach to truth, vilification of the free press, savage attacks on his underlings and enforced cult of personality, the country arguably has taken a quarter turn toward the sort of authoritarian regime we rightly deprecate elsewhere.

While the odds that Mueller will recommend impeachment charges have greatly increased, removal by the Senate remains a long shot. That means that for Trump, but also for the rule of law, were not even at the midpoint of a very long winter.

Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, teaches at UCLA Law School and practices law at Constantine Cannon. He wrote this for the Los Angeles Times.The Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style owes its antecedents to a number of architectural design revivals, but the style represented by St. Helenas Elementary School really took off from the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 in San Diego which highlighted the work of architect Bertram Goodhue. The Exposition is often credited with giving the style national exposure.

According to Van Lann, the trustees asked Wolfe & Higgins to alter the Santa Clara schools design with the addition of a nearly full-sized basement for storage and backstage rooms for the auditorium. By July, the firms design was approved but the architects continued to work on the details of the plans through June.

But on July 3, 1931 Carl Wolfe died prematurely of peritonitis while completing the plans, and so Higgins continued to oversee details of the project until the building was completed in 1931. The final cost was $70,000, according to Van Lann a surprisingly low cost even then. The building, according to the St. Helena Star, was dedicated on June 10, 1932 and was followed by a number of performances on the stage of the beautifully decorated auditorium.Womens March Napa Valley will hold its Womens Anniversary March on Saturday, Jan. 20, marching on School Street to the Napa Valley Expo.

This years theme is First We March, Then We Vote, Hear our Voices. Womens March Napa Valley (WMNV) will join a national movement to unify and empower those who stand for womens rights, civil liberties, social justice and human rights.

March Organizer Irit Weir said, We will use the power of the Womens March to bring attention to the urgency of preparing for the November elections, to augment and magnify the work being done by our partner community organizations to turn out the vote in 2018 and to work on important voting initiatives in the future.

Marchers will gather at 10 a.m. on School Street, between First and Third streets. Marching to Napa Valley Expo will begin at 10:30 a.m. Oakland-based vocal activist Melanie DeMore will join song leaders Anne Jungerman and Rosemarie Gallagher in singing a variety of songs along the way.

The program will begin at 11 a.m., outside on the larger of two parking lots perpendicular to Chardonnay Hall. Drumming by the John Hannaford Drum Group will welcome people into the setting accompanied by a special dance performance with World Beat Dance Collective. The event will be held rain or shine.As COVID-19 cases increase, hospitals handle the patient load

The vast majority of patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 have not been vaccinated. As cases increase, so area hospitalizations.Some of our boards liveliest discussions arent over how to react to a guest, but what topics to write about in the first place.

Of course we cant be certain of whats going to happen in the next year, and plenty of our editorials will be reacting to unexpected events. But here are 12 topic areas we want to emphasize in 2018, in no particular order:

Housing

We want to hear what members of the City Council and Board of Supervisors are doing to address the local housing crisis thats pricing out people who make our community vibrant.

Wed love to hear a developers perspective on the challenges of building affordable housing in St. Helena. Were also curious about the extent to which Octobers wildfires exacerbated the Upvalleys housing shortage.

Elections

This is an election year, which we hope results in competitive races for City Council, school board and the Board of Supervisors, where Diane Dillon is already lining up endorsements for her re-election to District 3.

We plan to interview as many candidates as we can and probably endorse some of them.

Downtown vacanciesI am pleased to tell you that discussions between Mayor Alan Galbraith and the committee leading the effort to recall him have resulted in agreement. The Mayor has agreed to participate in a series of public forums concerning issues important to the city, and the committee has agreed that those meetings will fully address the public-information concerns that were at the foundation of its efforts. Thus the committee has ceased collecting signatures and there will be no recall election.

To be more specific, the parties have agreed that there will be a series of public forums, of a "town hall style", presenting topic-specific questions followed by answers, rebuttals, comments and discussion by all parties in attendance. There will be at least two, and as many as four forum meetings, each covering two to four related topics and each not exceeding four hours (including breaks).

The location(s) and dates have yet to be decided upon, however the parties contemplate the forums being held during January and February, not more than 10 days apart, and at times and places as convenient to the public as possible.

I have agreed to serve as moderator. As such I will, as necessary, assist with communications regarding logistics, resolve the topics for discussion and, obviously, lead the discussions at the forums.FINALLY: House will expand its Russia probe to include improper use of BOGUS Trump dossier by FBI

For months supporters and backers of President Donald J. Trump have chafed at the notion that the apparatuses of government could be used against him over unsubstantiated claims that his campaign colluded with Russians in order to beat the most corrupt presidential contender in U.S. history.

They chafed because after more than a years worth of allegations  from Democrats and their sycophantic allies in the establishment media  no evidence whatsoever has been produced indicating there is even a shred of evidence the narrative is true. And yet the investigations continue.

Finally, however, a House panel seems ready to come to the presidents defense.

As reported by the Washington Times, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is expanding its 2016 election probe to include how and why elements within Obamas Department of Justice and FBI used the bogus Trump dossier to ensnare the president and his campaign staffers.

The committees chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has accused the Justice Department and the FBI of misleading him with a pattern of behavior that can no longer be tolerated. He has said that initially, the DoJ claimed it did not have any documents related to the dossier but then, when pressured, suddenly produced numerous such documents.

During the first part of 2018, Republicans on the panel are expected to complete the starting-point probe into alleged Russian hacking of Democratic entities and whether aides to Trump assisted in that effort. For the record, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has said repeatedly that hacked Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign documents his organization received did not come from Russia or any state actor.

Already Democrats on the panel, who have been doing their level best to thwart Nunes investigation, are protesting the likely move to wind it down and refocus it on suspected Deep State corruption. The Times reported that Ranking Member Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., is pushing an extended list of witnesses he wants majority Republicans to call. Critics of the move suspect all hes trying to do is push the probe beyond the 2018 elections.

Thats because in recent weeks more Democrats, including Schiff, have resigned to the fact there they wont find any evidence of Trump-Russia collusion because there isnt any. (Related: Expert: Bogus Trump dossier was NOT just opposition research but used by FBI to launch collusion probes.)

In the meantime, Nunes has constructed a separate investigation of the FBI and Department of Justice hierarchy after several GOP lawmakers expressed their belief that the real collusion exists among those officials, former President Obamas administration and the Clinton campaign  in a bid to subvert Trumps candidacy.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, which is conducting a separate investigation of the Election 2016 shenanigans, has come out and said directly he believes the dossier was misused by elements within the FBI to obtain a secretive FISA court order to put Team Trump under surveillance during the campaign. If true, that would represent an unprecedented politicization and abuse of U.S. intelligence and law enforcement assets.

Lets remember a couple of things about the dossier, Jordan told Fox Business Lou

Dobbs last month. The Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign, which we now know were one and the same, paid the law firm who paid Fusion GPS who paid Christopher Steele who then paid Russians to put together a report that we call a dossier full of all kinds of fake news, National Enquirer garbage and its been reported that this dossier was all dressed up by the FBI, taken to the FISA court and presented as a legitimate intelligence document  that it became the basis for a warrant to spy on Americans.

He added: The easiest way to clear it up is tell us whats in that application and who took it there.

That appears to be on Nunes radar now. Its about time.

Read more of J.D. Heyes work at The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

TheNationalSentinel.com

WashingtonTimes.comA company representing thousands of songwriters including Tom Petty, Neil Young and Steely Dan has sued streaming music provider Spotify seeking at least $1.6 billion U.S. in damages.

Wixen Music Publishing of Los Angeles filed a lawsuit in federal court in California charging the Swedish tech company with playing tens of thousands of songs without licenses or compensation. The suit is seeking damages of at least $1.6 billion and a ruling to prevent Spotify from playing songs such as Pettys Free Fallin until proper terms are reached.

Spotify has built a billion dollar business on the backs of songwriters and publishers whose music Spotify is using, in many cases without obtaining and paying for the necessary licenses, alleges the suit, filed Dec. 29 in U.S. District Court in L.A. The Hollywood Reporter earlier reported on the suit.

Read more:

Tom Petty talks death, the holiness of his band and his wonderful year in his final interview

Song rights strike a chord with investors

Neil Youngs vast archive deal is backed by intriguing new technology

This is just the latest legal action facing Spotify, which declined to comment on the lawsuit. Earlier this year, Spotify settled a class-action lawsuit for $43.4 million and a separate lawsuit with the National Music Publishers Association for $30 million.

Those cases also charged Spotify with playing music without proper licensing and compensation. Spotify has maintained it wants to properly compensate for the music it streams, but has not always been able to find the data to identify rights holders.

Spotify, which has 60 million subscribers, could be valued as high as $20 billion, CNBC has reported, when it goes public later this year with a planned direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange that bypasses a traditional IPO.

Meanwhile, several other suits filed by songwriters and publishers still linger. But Spotify is likely looking forward to a possible legislative solution to how to handle licensing of songs.

The Music Modernization Act, a bill introduced two weeks ago in the U.S. House of Representatives, would make it easier for streaming services to acquire proper licenses and bolster royalty payments to copyright owners. Rep. Doug Collins and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries hope to have the bill readied for U.S. President Donald Trumps approval soon.

That bill is what led Wixen, which administers song rights for artists, to file its lawsuit last week, says the companys president Randall Wixen. Thats because the bills language, as it is currently written, could prevent copyright holders from getting past payments they think they deserve from Spotify or other streaming services.

We are very disappointed that these services will retroactively get a free pass for actions that were previously illegal unless a suit is filed before Jan. 1, Wixen said in a statement sent to USA TODAY. Neither we nor our clients are interested in becoming litigants but we have been faced with a choice of forfeiting rights and damages, or taking action at this time. We regret that this otherwise admirable proposed bill has had this effect, and we hope that Spotify nonetheless comes to the table with a fair and reasonable approach to reaching a resolution with us.

Read more about:Clay Club meets at artist studios and other locations throughout Western North Carolina, usually on the second Wednesday of the month. All potters and ceramic artists are welcome! Look for details about the meetings here on the blog or contact Amy Waller at amy@amywallerpottery.com for more info.Mark Ang is too young to have many skeletons in his closet, but hes super keen on carting away whatever extra stuff you cant fit into yours.

The 22-year-old Toronto entrepreneur came up with the idea for an online storage solution called Second Closet when he and his older brother David, 23, moved into a tiny condo in Liberty Village with very little closet space.

They quickly found out that not only was storage expensive, but the process of getting space was rigid. They had to deal with standard space sizes and minimum monthly rental fees  and there was no seamless delivery service between storage and home without the added cost of renting a moving truck.

We were in a small, 500-square-foot condo with our Golden Retriever Riley, and the condo lockers were small, dirty and expensive, he recalls.

His brother had the bedroom that had one small closet because he was paying the rent, so I needed a place to store my things, Ang says.

So the idea, and the name of the company, came to him quite naturally. And the concept is simple: they pick up your stuff, store it and return it to you whenever you want for as little as $3 a month.

Ultimately, I wanted to do something myself to solve the problem, he says.

But as every small business owner knows, the hard part is in the execution.

Growing up with a good head for business, Mark Ang dove into the challenge head-on. He was a good student at York Mills Collegiate who didnt care much for partying. And he was already an old hand in the entrepreneurial game, having started a small business selling trendy watches when he was all of 16 years old.

I was staying up until 4 a.m. too much for a 16-year-old, on the phone with people in China (where they manufactured them). But you have to do business on their time, he says.

While still a teen, Ang also started importing and exporting auto parts for a tidy profit.

It wasnt very sexy, he says. But it helped pay for his degree in commerce from U of T. His brother, now Second Closets chief operating officer, was pre-med and well on his way to becoming a doctor like others in the family when the tight-knit duo decided to go all-in on their own storage business.

I just thought of all the things I hate about the process  packing, moving, transporting all of it and finding a safe place on top of that. It all sucks, says the younger Ang, who is chief executive officer.

They knew that most people dont fill a standard-sized storage space right to the top because everyones storage needs are different.

With their service, which officially launched last April, you can use your own boxes or theirs at no extra cost. Starting with the smallest size, each box costs $3 a month to store. Bulky items such as bicycles, tires and mattresses each cost $9 and up to store, depending on size.

When you need your stuff again, you click your mouse and they deliver it back to you anywhere in the city whenever you need it.

It didnt hurt that some heavy hitters believed in the Angs from the beginning with an initial $500,000 round of funding. Michael Hyatt, founder of digital firm BlueCat, and his brother Richard got on board right away.

They have a maturity well beyond their years and the idea makes so much sense, says Michael Hyatt, who sits on a panel for CBCs online version of Dragons Den and loves helping young entrepreneurs find their way, after selling two internet businesses for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Im not betting on the company. Im betting on Mark, he says.

Second Closet now counts Generation Capital CEO Geoff Beattie along with Colliers International Mike Cowie and AJB Software founder Naresh Bangia among its investors.

The companys North York warehouse is climate-controlled and monitored 24/7, and equipped with a zoned sprinkler system. Customers can also keep tabs on what theyve stored through an online personal portal.

So, essentially, its like a virtual walk-in closet plus a valet service that operates seven days a week. The company has a fleet of Mercedes Sprinters and a staff of 15. Theyre in growth mode, and are shopping for more space  just for other peoples stuff.

Everything is smaller these days, from airline seats to condos, but people need more space, Ang notes.

One thing they dont do: the packing.

The majority of their business is done online, but Second Closet also has a toll-free number to get customers started. And unlike other storage firms that tend to raise the monthly fees after you move in, the company vows to keep the original pricing you signed up for forever, the website says.

Ang emphasizes he is dedicated, working 18-hour days, seven days a week. Its what I always wanted to do.

These guys dont even have time for girlfriends now, Hyatt jokes.

There are a couple of smaller competitors in Toronto, including Shufflespace and Jiffy, but Ang doesnt appear to be too concerned.

Im very competitive, the black belt says.

Today, the brothers rent a much larger place, a 1,500-square-foot floor in a Forest Hill house that, of course, has ample storage space for the brothers.

Our heads are down and we know what we have to do to grow the business, says Ang, adding: I could do this until I die.OAK LAKE, MAN.Its as if Canadian hosers Bob and Doug McKenzie did a mash-up with Weird Al Yankovic.

Rob Thiessen, an occupational therapist and part-time musician from Oak Lake, Man., and his brother-in-law Joe Kaonga have released a music video parody of the 1980s song Africa by U.S. rock band Toto.

The new version about Manitobas recent bone-numbing temperatures had attracted 171,000 views as of early Tuesday afternoon on Thiessens Facebook page.

Hey! Were coming to you from Manitoba, Canada, where it is cold outside tonight, Thiessen says, wearing a parka and a winter hat with earflaps, as he sits in front of a crackling outdoor fire.

Im here with my brother-in-law Joe who is originally from?

Zambia, chimes in Kaonga.

Youll get used to it said no one ever, Thiessen says.

This cold snap has been just ridiculous and getting way too long. I was recently learning the Africa song by Toto ... and had the song in my head, and was looking out the window at the bitter cold, and kind of feeling miserable. The words just came to me: I froze my brain up in Canada,  Thiessen, 36, explained in a telephone interview.

I love being a Canadian and the cold is part of who we are, right? Im happy to share that around.

The music video includes the two men playing snow volleyball in their shirt sleeves, Thiessen sticking his tongue on a cold metal pole and using jumper cables to jump-start a seemingly frozen Kaonga.

Its -50 with the wind chill tonight. They say its colder here than in the south or even in the North Pole, Thiessen sings.

To add to the Canadian authenticity, the songs drumming involves Kaonga tapping away on a Tim Hortons coffee cup.

All it is (is) a Tim Hortons coffee cup, a guitar and then our vocals, Thiessen said in the interview.

Cold in Canada. A tribute to all the freezing cold Canadians.

Its not his first attempt at parody. When a blizzard knocked out power to his house last year, he wrote and performed a version of George Harrisons Here Comes the Sun  except Thiessens version was called We Need the Sun.

I dont know if youd say Im enjoying it much, but more like its a responsibility to try to do my part with what I can to keep people cheered up, he said.

I recognize fame is fleeting.

Read more about:SAHARA DESERT, MOROCCOWere bombing through the Sahara  up and down and around sand dunes  bouncing around in a silver 4X4 feeling for all the world like were in a Jason Bourne movie. Our driver stops abruptly, jumps out and hops back in with a bunch of greens in his hand.

Ricola, he announces as he hands me the plant.

Oh, rocket, say the young Aussies in the back seat.

The driver hits the gas and I start munching on the arugula, a most peppery and thoroughly unexpected plot twist in the middle of the desert.

Its one of the many delightful discoveries on our eight-day tour of South Morocco with Intrepid Travel. Others include olives and pancakes for breakfast, fresh-squeezed OJ all day long and a hilarious afternoon stop to marvel at goats grazing up in argan trees. We ride camels, hit up markets and learn that hot water doesnt always show up when you want a shower at the riad (guest house).

In the desert, we find out why people wear colourful Berber turbans tied around the head and neck. The fine Sahara sand blows into places you didnt know you had. Walking up a sand dune nets about a cup of sand in each shoe. A few of us go barefoot to the top of a dune where we sit, gobsmacked, watching the fading light and the sun drop. A few hours later, after a tagine feast in the main tent, we are even more gobsmacked at the trillions of disco balls in the sky and a giant moon rising.

We sit around the fire singing Africa Zina, which means Africa is beautiful. We know all the la, la, las and hey, hey, heys to the song by now. Our guide, Abdou Akrouch, has been singing it from the front seat of our mini bus for days. We range from our 20s to 70s and we pick different seats every day for fresh conversations. As we cross southern Morocco, we celebrate a couple of birthdays (21 and 55), lose a wallet in the Sahara and discover a quiet artist from Vancouver is a Beyonce on the dance floor.

We also discover that some of us are better at bartering than others. Akrouch offers sound advice as we walk to a carpet shop in Ait Benhaddou, just across from the casbah where they shot Gladiator. Know your price, he says. I lose sight of this, as well as the limited size of my pack, as more Berber carpets are laid on the floor.

I fall in love with a small rug and we begin at just over half of the (meaningless) 1,400 dirham price tag. I put on my best poker face and suggest 600. The carpet seller starts talking about the village women with gold fingers who make the rugs, and we end where he wanted, at 700 dirham (about $90).

He found your weak spot, my seatmate, an expert barterer, tells me back on the bus. (Our guide advises us to avoid a few other exchanges, such as any and all snake charmers. Akrouch warns some may tuck the head of the snake in your shirt and demand money to remove it.)

In the High Atlas Mountains, donkeys carry our bags as we hike up an hour to the riad, where bread, olives and tagine are waiting on the sunny terrace. After lunch, some go hiking while others wander the village chatting in French with little kids and handing out pens. The next day, on the way down the mountain we see donkeys headed up with peaceful-looking goats tied up in their side bags destined for someones dinner.

On the Atlantic, in Essaouira, we take a tour of the medina and learn throwing out bread is considered sacrilegious in Islam and cobblestones in old trading squares were meant to prevent people from walking on spilled grain. We watch the waves break and see why Jimi Hendrix loved the laid-back coastal city.

We spend our last night together in Marrakech. A week earlier, I wandered the medina by myself careful to note mosque and cellphone towers to navigate my way out of the maze of the old town. This night we set out as a group to make some final Moroccan memories. We vow to stay in touch  weve already set up a group chat in Whats App called Rock the Casbah.

As we head back to Canada, the U.K., Europe, Australia and New Zealand, we start sharing pictures of rocky red switchbacks, sand dunes and our smiling faces in cafes enjoying nous nous (espresso and milk). A week or so later, we get the unexpected news that a villager has found the lost wallet in a sand dune, a bonus happy ending to our tour of southern Morocco.

Jennifer Allford travelled as a guest of Intrepid Travel, which did not review or approve this story.

When you go:

Do this trip: Intrepid Travel has an array of small group trips in Morocco and around the world. Prices for a 10-day South Morocco Discovery trip currently start at $985 (airfare is extra). Bring a book or two, load up your phone with podcasts for long travel days, and keep some toilet paper and hand sanitizer in your pocket.

Get there: A number of airlines, including Air Canada, Air France and Lufthansa, fly from Toronto to Marrakech with stops in Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Paris.

Currency: You cant get Moroccan currency outside of the country. But there are plenty of bank machines where you can get dirham that youll need to pay for (most) meals, nous nous and souvenirs.

Dos and donts: Do bring small gifts, such as felt pens, to give to children you meet in villages. Alcohol is not readily available in this Muslim country.EDMONTONPolice in Edmonton say a woman who allegedly witnessed someone breaking into her vehicle used the remote door locks to trap the suspect inside.

But police say the would-be thief appears to have shot his way out by blasting a window with a long-barrelled firearm.

Officers were called to the scene early Tuesday morning and the suspect fled on foot.

He was apprehended a block away.

A nearby home was also hit by the gunshot but no one was hurt.

Police were still looking for the gun and were asking for the publics help.

Read more about:Canadian Joshua Boyle, his American wife Caitlan and their three young children were released from captivity last October, five years after the couple disappeared in Afghanistan. Here is a timeline of their case.

July 2012: Joshua and Caitlan Boyle travel to Russia. They later move on to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and finally to Afghanistan over the course of several months.

Oct. 8, 2012: Caitlans father hears from Joshua Boyle for the last time before the couple is captured. Boyle said he was in an internet cafe in what he described as an unsafe part of Afghanistan. The last withdrawals from the couples bank account were made Oct. 8 and 9 in Kabul. An Afghan official later said the couple had been abducted in Wardak Province, a rugged, mountainous Taliban haven.

Late 2012 or early 2013: Caitlan Boyles first child is born. She was pregnant at the time of her capture, and her due date was in December 2012.

Read more:

Joshua Boyle, Canadian hostage in Afghanistan, arrested and faces list of charges in Ottawa

Joshua Boyle lashes out at kidnappers

In first sit-down interview, Caitlan Coleman tells of forced abortion, disputes official account of her rescue in Pakistan

June 4, 2014: Caitlans family releases two videos of the Boyles in captivity, saying the clips were provided to the family in 2013. The couple are seen calling on the U.S. government to free them and their child from Taliban captors.

November 2015: Caitlans family receives a letter from her in which she says she has given birth to a second child in captivity.

Aug. 30, 2016: A video of the Boyles is posted on YouTube. In it, Joshua Boyle says that their captors will kill them and their children if the policies of the Afghan government are not overturned, either by the Afghan government or by Canada, somehow, or the United States. A Taliban official has said the video was recorded in 2015.

December 2016: Another video is posted online, this time featuring Caitlan, Joshua and their two young children. In the video, Caitlan urges governments on all sides to reach a deal to secure the familys freedom.

Oct. 12, 2017: U.S. officials say Pakistan secured the familys release. According to officials, Caitlan had a third child while in captivity. In a press release, the Pakistani military says the Boyles will be repatriated to the country of their origin.

Oct 14, 2017: Joshua Boyle demands that his kidnappers be brought to justice for the murder of his infant daughter and the rape of his wife while they were in captivity.

Oct 15, 2017: A Taliban spokesman rejected as false and propaganda the allegations of Boyle that his child was murdered and his wife raped during his captivity in Afghanistan.

Oct 16, 2017: Boyle says he and his wife decided to have children while held captive because they always planned to have a big family and decided, Hey, lets make the best of this and at least go home with a larger start on our dream family.

Oct 17, 2017: Boyle said his wife had to be rushed to the hospital in Smith Falls, Ont., but he did not specify why she was taken there.

Nov. 20, 2017: Caitlan tells ABC News how she and her husband did the best they could to raise young children in brutal conditions, using bottle caps and cardboard as toys and teaching their eldest son geography and astronomy.

Jan 2, 2018: Boyle was arrested in Ottawa and charged with 15 offences. Court documents list them as eight counts of assault, two of sexual assault, two of unlawful confinement and one count of causing someone to take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone, an antidepressant. He also faced a charge of uttering a death threat and another of misleading a police officer.

Joshua Boyle, who was recently freed after years of being held hostage in Afghanistan, has been arrested and charged with at least a dozen offences, including sexual assault. (The Canadian Press)

Read more about:Lying in bed one night in 1985, Bill Lishman told his wife Paula that he was going to teach birds to fly with him.

The dyslexic, colour-blind, wildly creative sculptor woke his three young kids up and told them the same thing. They laughed off their ever-enthused, larger-than-life father and went to bed.

But for the next three years they all worked with geese, which imprint on the first thing they see, considering that person or thing to be their parent and follow it. Lishman tried to get them to imprint on the sound of an engine and follow his motorcycle first, and then, his plane.

In 1988, Lishman took off in an ultra-light plane (picture a lawn-chair with wings) with a flock of 12 Canadian geese on either side of him. In a V-formation, together they flew  the geese had imprinted on the plane.

Five years later, he flew with 36 birds to South Carolina from Scugog township in Durham Region.

His flight was documented in the 1996 movie Fly Away Home starring Jeff Daniels and was based on Lishmans autobiography, Father Goose.

Canadian artist, inventor and visionary Bill Lishman died Dec. 30.





Prior to shooting Fly Away Home, Id always consider myself a creative spirit but when I met Bill, I found someone even more creative, even more alive, even more imaginative, Daniels wrote in an email to the Star. He taught me a lot about what it means to be a true artist and it was an honour playing him.

Lishman died Dec. 30. Ten days prior, he had been diagnosed with leukemia. He was 78.

He died in the house he built: a 2,600-square-foot underground home with igloo-like domes, built on top of a hill overlooking the Purple Woods valley and Lake Scugog, 80 kilometres northeast of Toronto.

Like everything he did in his life, his family was close by: his wife of 50 years, fashion designer Paula, 68; his two sons, Aaron, 45, and Geordie, 42; and his daughter Carmen, 34.

Everything he made seemed to either take flight or was about to, said Will McGuirk, a friend of the Lishman family and local arts and culture writer. Everything he worked on seemed to elevate us as a planet and give us a view from way out there.

His flight with birds impacted the way migration was explored by biologists, helping to preserve the whooping crane.

Lishman was raised by a Quaker mother on a dairy farm in Pickering, where dinner preparation involved anatomy lessons. He never finished high school but was, in his words, unencumbered by formal education. He learned how to work with metal at a blacksmiths workshop he moved into as a young adult.

He had a real sense of the big picture, his son Aaron said. As much as technology would allow, he experienced it all. He had the ability and the nerve to make it happen. He had the vision and tenacity to see it through and to bring it to reality.

Later in life, hed receive two honorary degrees for his extraordinary imagination.

He was a renaissance man, probably one of the only one Ill ever meet, a true multi-talented intellect, said family friend Kerri King.

Over the years, his sculptures kept getting bigger and taller: a 13-metre-high metal sculpture inspired by icebergs in the Arctic installed at the Canadian Museum of Nature; a 26-metre metal cone with a swirling, still flow of traffic created for Expo 86; 25 steel figures representing different human movements from dancing to snowboarding installed outside Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto.

He didnt separate himself from the land, nature, air, birds, said Mary Delaney, chair of Land over Landings, an advocacy group against plans to build an airport in Pickering, while preserving the farmland community in the central Ontario region.

It was all one big inter-connected adventure.

Land over Landings succeeded People or Planes, the movement Lishman helped found in the 1970s to fight the same cause. Lishman, one of the creative visionaries of the movement, staged mock hangings and led a march with coffins on Queens Park, labelled with names such as Mother Nature. It inspired Delaney, as did his constant advocacy work in the Arctic, Nicaragua and in his own backyard.

Lishmans words in nature there are no straight lines is being remembered widely in the days after his death.

He just stepped on top of all those obstacles and kept on climbing, Delaney said. He taught us all to look at things askew. He taught us to think outside the box, over the box, under the box, through the box.

At the end of a 2015, Lishman responded to the Oshawa This Week newspapers request for 16 words for the new year. His response: Aliens will finally reveal that they are actually angels and will save us humans from ourselves.

Plans for his funeral are still underway, the family said.

How do you really capture everything that dad was?, his daughter Carmen said.

The perfect send-off, said his wife Paula, would be to have it outside with planes flying over and birds all around. No minister, just the people who imprinted on him through his work and his persona.Its been cold out there.

Cold enough that the annual Polar Bear Dip at Sunnyside Beach, an event specifically designed to show defiance against the frigid winter weather, was cancelled due to frozen conditions.

Cold enough to cause havoc at Pearson airport where hundreds of flights have been cancelled due to the deep freeze.

Cold enough that the annual New Years Eve celebration at City Hall was shortened to just a half-hour, with planned concerts and skating events cancelled.

Read more:

Toronto ombudsman probing confusion over homeless services

Providing a safe haven for people  and their pets

Opinion | Sarah Polley: Torontos homeless are in crisis, open the armouries now and save lives

The city is taking all measures to protect the health and safety of the public, artists, volunteers and event staff, the city government said in a press release announcing the scaling back of festivities.

And understandably so. After all, its fr-fr-fr-freezing c-c-c-cold.

But really, it isnt performers and partiers whose health and safety seems most endangered. Im most concerned about the people living on the streets. Is the city taking all measures to protect the health and safety of the homeless?

One measure it isnt taking is opening the armouries at Moss Park and Fort York as emergency shelters.

And that is the one thing that homeless advocates such as street nurse Cathy Crowe, Rafi Aaron of the Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness, Gaetan Heroux of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty and 35,000 petition signatories have demanded.

The minister of defence offered their use. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam proposed it formally to city council. A majority of council voted against it in early December. They decided instead to pursue other avenues, including opening new shelter-bed space at the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place. Mayor John Tory has repeatedly said the citys shelter staff advise the armouries are unsuitable and other options the city is pursuing are better. He continues to say that.

Even as, in this bitter cold, the shelter system appears pretty much full. Family shelters have been at 100 per cent capacity every night recently, womens and youth shelters at 97 or 98 per cent, pretty much all shelters consistently over 94 per cent. The city has a target of shelters operating at 90 per cent capacity or less, because when over that capacity it means people find beds unavailable  the low percentage that remain may not actually be suitable or accessible for a particular person. Hundreds of people per night stay in warming centres and other drop-ins where often conditions are reported to be inhumane.

Those seeking to find shelter spaces have been told there is no room available. Multiple reports from activists and journalists say they were told when they called or visited that the system was full and no beds were available.

There has been some kind of confusing  and frankly enraging  back and forth involving the mayors office and some city staff publicly quibbling about miscommunication here  saying that space was available at times when the word went out to those looking for a warm place to spend that night that no beds were open.

I say it is enraging because whether it is an actual lack of beds or some kind of communication breakdown, the effect is that people looking for a place are told that one is not available  which means that for them it is not.

On Tuesday afternoon, Toronto Ombudsman Susan Opler announced shed launch an enquiry into the communications issues and the cold-weather needs of the citys homeless and whether the city is providing services in a way that ensures peoples dignity, safety and comfort. Paul Raftis, the shelter divisions interim manager, also announced hed ordered a review of communication issues.

In the meantime, we already know shelter demand is up 30 per cent this year. We know the shelter system is at or very near capacity  in a way that means, functionally, that there is sometimes no space for people when and where they need it. And we know all too well that it is freaking freezing outside.

Are we taking all measures to keep the homeless from spending the night outside?

No. I dont think its possible to say we are.

I dont know exactly how or why opening the armouries became the sole immediate focus of advocacy. They have been used before (in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004), and theyre centrally located and have showers and cots. Still, its not clear to me why support for using them as emergency homeless shelters has become the one recognized litmus test for compassion.

But I do know that when its this cold outside, and people are at obvious risk of freezing to death, and our shelter system is full enough that it is difficult to find space to stay, then we ought to open warm places. We have community centres with gyms and showers in every neighbourhood of the city. We have libraries and civic centres. We have City Hall and the great hall of Union Station and thousands of square feet of convention and exhibition space. We have heated buildings, that the city owns, that sit mostly empty at night. If people are freezing, let them in.

You know, if were taking all measures.

Or, at the very least, we have the armouries, which have become the most obvious of options due to the strong advocacy of so many people with experience on the front lines. The armouries are large, and close to where many homeless people already spend their days and nights. Perhaps, as the mayor and city staff say, they are not ideal. But they are most certainly better than nothing.

If someone freezes to death on the street while the shelter system is virtually overflowing, and while we as a city have refused to do the one thing activists have been asking us to do, well have a hard time looking at ourselves in the mirror and claiming we did what we could.

Theres a lot we could do, if we are serious about recognizing this as an emergency, and protecting lives and safety is our priority. Its been cold, and its going to be cold. The forecast for the end of this week shows a high  a high!  of -17 C on Friday. We know people are looking for a warm place to sleep. We need to find them one, now.

Correction- Jan. 3, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled the given name of Rafi Aaron.

Edward Keenan writes on city issues ekeenan@thestar.ca. Follow: @thekeenanwireChristening the Federation of Black Canadians with an impromptu electric slide was an emotional moment for Justice Donald McLeod.

Thats how the National Black Canadians Summit, held in Toronto in early December, concluded  with as many as 800 attendees cutting a rug like they were at a long-overdue family reunion, said McLeod, who helms the newly minted organization, the likes of which hasnt existed in Canada for decades.

You would hear very interesting and intense discussions  yet on the last day we were dancing, said McLeod, speaking as the federations chair, not an Ontario court judge. Its emotional to see the narrative change, to see the lens were looking through become less about ourselves and more about the collective . . . It was transformation.

Read more:

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Until now, community campaigns and grassroots activists operated in silos, advocates say. The Federation of Black Canadians (FBC)  officially launched at the three-day summit organized in partnership with the Michaelle Jean Foundation (MJF)  aims to bring them together to amplify and empower their causes.

Were not saying were speaking for everyone  were speaking with everyone, McLeod said. As such, the non-partisan federation will function democratically. Over the next six months, each provincial hub will elect a representative that will then vote on the national bodys goals.

More specifically, the FBC and MJF are drafting a strategic policy plan to be released in February based on feedback from the summit and nationwide community consultation.

Its being whittled down to key areas that it will push government and stakeholders to reform, including mental health, corrections and education. Democratic engagement, access to justice, community safety, wealth, affordable housing and representation in the media were also on the docket.

Among others, the federation has already met with all three levels of government and major parties, as well as top brass in the correctional system and at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

McLeod helped spark the process more than a year and a half ago with a group of advocates that became known as the Toronto 37. They were roused by the 2016 shooting death of pregnant woman Candice Rochelle Bobb in Etobicoke, and the subsequent death of her premature son, Kyrie.

After reaching out to Black communities across Canada they noticed universality to our issues and unveiled you can only deal with this community in a holistic fashion, he said. And the Federation of Black Canadians was set in motion.

A formal, countrywide Black association hasnt existed since the mid-1980s, when the National Black Coalition of Canada dissolved due to internal strife and funding issues. It was founded in 1969 by civil rights crusader Howard McCurdy, the NDPs first and Canadas second Black MP.

In recent years Black Lives Matter has rejuvenated that activism. The grassroots campaign  and Torontos faction in particular  has applied the power of disruption, often described as street heat, to command the ears of decision-makers and influence policy from outside the political machine.

Meanwhile, the FBC is fighting for reform within the system.

For Black Lives Matter Toronto co-founder Sandy Hudson, its too early to tell if the FBC will be effective. She said a national gathering is always a good thing for a community thats increasingly mobilized. But shes also wary of political posturing to any Black association working through traditional channels.

Weve been so politically active  maybe in non-traditional ways  in the last three or four years, and in a very, very visible way, where perhaps it hasnt been quite so visible before, Hudson said. Politicians and political parties are seeing this as an opportunity to galvanize support from our community. I would be cautious about that (and) about having our political movement be co-opted.

Velma Morgan of Operation Black Vote Canada (OBVC), a non-profit dedicated to electing more Black politicians, said organizing has been fragmented and shes looking forward to gaining advice and support from fellow advocates.

Weve been organizing, but weve been organizing in silos. There are so many communities within our community and . . . a lot of the efforts have been duplicate, Morgan said. We now understand theres power in unity and power in numbers.

Morgan also expects more Black people to get involved with provincial, municipal and federal elections scheduled over the next two years after seeing heightened interest in OBVC events tailored to youth and womens engagement. Seeing people who reflect the community in positions of power is also a motivating factor, she said.

In 2015, Canadians elected a record number of visible minority MPs  47 out of 338, or roughly 14 per cent of seats in the House of Commons  of which six, or 1.7 per cent, of all MPs, identify as Black. That still doesnt match the population  Black Canadians make up about 3.4 per cent of the countrys population, representing the third-largest visible minority group.

But more diverse voices at the table does not automatically translate to meaningful policy or societal change, said Brittany Andrew-Amofah, policy and research manager at the Broadbent Institute, a progressive think tank.

Organizing is never enough, she said. We need to make sure we are critically analyzing the ways in which anti-Black racism has operated in this country and how it manifests within political parties, within our policies  and how difficult that is to unravel.

The stark overrepresentation of Black youth under protective care and in the jail system are just two examples underscoring a need to push against status-quo policies and politics that seek to silence and prevent the experiences, particularly of Black Canadians, from seeping through, Andrew-Amofah said.

The FBCs greater challenge will be staying in tune with the diverse Black Canadian community, said Tiffany Gooch, an advocate, political consultant and secretary of the Ontario Liberal Party.

I dont think its any one organizations place or job to speak on behalf of the Black community . . . The community as a whole is never going to agree completely on what tactics we should be using to get things done. The federation wont replace their work, but help align it, Gooch said.The hand that is said to have baptized 100,000 people will be traveling Canada this month on a cross-country pilgrimage.

The forearm and hand of St. Francis Xavier is considered an incorrupt, first class relic of one of the Catholic Churchs greatest missionaries and evangelists.

The Canadian tour spans 14 cities, including Toronto and Mississauga, from Jan. 3 to Feb. 2.

This is the opportunity that most Canadians kind of dont get because were a new country, were the new world, said Angele Regnier, co-founder of Catholic Christian Outreach, who is travelling with the relic.

If you go to Europe, there are saints and relics everywhere in churches . . . but most of Canada doesnt have that experience.

St. Francis Xavier is considered one of the co-founders of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. Born in 1506 to Spanish nobility, he led extensive missions into Asia.

John Sullivan, S.J., pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish said St. Francis Xavier was one of the most significant missionaries in the church.

Whats beautiful for us, in our faith, (is) to see is someone who kind of gave everything, in going to share what we call the good news with those who hadnt heard it before, or at least to present the faith to people who hadnt had a chance to hear it before, Sullivan said.

St. Francis Xavier died in 1552 off the coast of China. His body is buried in Goa, India, and usually his forearm is displayed at the Church of the Gesu in Rome. Both his body and his forearm are considered incorrupt, meaning they have not experienced natural decay since his death.

Because you can tell that its a hand, its also an extraordinary relic because you get a sense of the humanity of St. Francis Xavier, Regnier said. This was his hand. He lived.

Regnier compared a relic with the experience of going to a loved ones gravesite to remember them.

Relics are a connection with these holy men and women, in order to pray with them, remember them, venerate them, honour them, she said.

Sullivan said relics are a physical reminder and a connection to a saint.

In some ways, the veneration or devotion to relics isnt as strong as it used to be, he said. I didnt grow up with it. And when I first heard we were getting the relic, I was so excited. Then I googled a picture of it, I thought oh my God, it looks like something from the Mummy.

Sullivan said he can understand that some people may think relics are strange, but emphasized that relics are a connection we have, through that saint, through that person who has given their life to God.

The relic will visit Torontos St. Michaels Cathedral Basilica on Jan. 12 and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on Jan. 14. On Jan. 13, the relic will be at Mississaugas St. Francis Xavier Church.

The tour was organized by the Archdiocese of Ottawa, the Canadian Jesuits and Catholic Christian Outreach. The full tour list can be found on their website.

Regnier said all are welcome. She added that visitors should prepare for line-ups, and will have only a few seconds in front of the relic itself.

Its really beautiful, Regnier said of seeing people venerate the relic. People are so touched that it has come to them  the reverence people have in approaching the relic is really beautiful.Toronto Police have arrested two men and seized over 17 kg of marijuana and marijuana-based products after a raid at a Queens Quay dispensary Tuesday.

Police say they executed a search warrant at the Georgia Peach Dispensary around 6:38 p.m. Tuesday night and confiscated large quantities of both marijuana and marijuana-derived products, according to a media release.

Two men face 14 charges between them as a result of the raid, which police allege yielded approximately 1.4 kg of shatter  a cannabis concentrate, 6.9 kg of loose marijuana, more than 200 grams of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes, 1 kg of marijuana-derived products, 123 grams of hashish, and more than 7 kg of edibles.

Police also say they seized $4,421.

Vincent Kirkham, 49, of Mount Hope, and Ryan Cummings, 24, of Toronto, are both charged with three counts each of possession of a Schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking, and of possession of a Schedule II substance. They are charged with one count each of possession of proceeds of property obtained by a crime.

They are both scheduled to appear at Old City Hall court on Feb. 13.SACRAMENTO, CALIF.  California lawmakers will grapple with a growing sexual misconduct scandal when they return to Sacramento on Wednesday for the 2018 legislative year that will bring debates about boosting protections for victims and whistleblowers and improving the Legislatures policing of itself.

On the very first day back, the Senate must confront how to handle one of its members, Sen. Tony Mendoza, a Democrat who has refused calls to step aside amid an investigation into his alleged inappropriate behaviour toward young women who worked for him.

This is certainly not something we thought wed be working on, Democratic Sen. Connie Leyva of Chino said. Were finally going to be able to get it right and make sure any injustices in the past we can correct and that moving forward, everyone who works in the Capitol can feel like they can come forward.

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Thats not all thats on lawmakers plates. Within a week of their return, Gov. Jerry Brown will submit his final budget proposal, kicking off six months of negotiating on how California should raise and spend money. Proposals that stalled last year on bail reform, single-payer health care and expanding renewable energy also will be back for debate.

Still, sexual misconduct will be a dominant theme. A letter circulated in mid-October by lobbyists, lawmakers, legislative staffers and other political consultants cited a pervasive culture of harassment in Californias Capitol. Women eventually came forward with specific allegations that prompted Democratic Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra and Matt Dababneh, both of Los Angeles, to resign.

Mendoza, meanwhile, denies allegations against him and says an investigation will clear his name. But Republican Sen. Andy Vidak said hell move to expel Mendoza when the Senate reconvenes, setting up a potentially fraught showdown on the Senate floor.

Legislatively, Republican Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez will bring forward for the fifth time a bill that would give whistleblower protections to legislative employees who report ethical violations, including sexual misconduct. The Senate has killed her bill four times.

Dozens of women have said they do not report misbehaviour by lawmakers or legislative staff because they are afraid of losing their jobs or facing other professional repercussions. Several former Mendoza staffers have accused the Senate of firing them because they reported his overtures to a young woman who worked for him, something the Senate and Mendoza deny.

Melendez, of Lake Elsinore, has been tweeting the names of every lawmaker who has agreed to co-sponsor the measure as a means of ramping up pressure on the Senate. The bill has historically passed the Assembly with bipartisan support.

Leyva, meanwhile, will introduce a bill that would ban nondisclosure agreements in sexual harassment settlements, both in the public and private sectors, which can stop the parties from speaking publicly about what led to the settlement.

Eliminating these secret settlements, the no-disclosure agreements, then the accused, the person who is doing the harassing, they have nowhere to hide, Leyva said. They have to stop their behaviour.

Whether or not taxpayer dollars should be used to pay for such settlements is another open question.

Sen. Pat Bates of Laguna Niguel, the chambers Republican leader, said the chamber should consider ending that practice. Constituents have asked her why they should be responsible for paying for lawmakers bad behaviour, she said.

Two other planned Assembly bills would extend the period in which people can report sexual harassment claims at the states Department of Fair Employment and Housing and impose stricter rules for employers  including the Legislature  to track sexual harassment complaints. Democratic Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes of San Bernardino is backing both pieces of legislation.

Reyes sits on the Assembly subcommittee tasked with rewriting the Legislatures sexual harassment policies. She was sharply critical during a hearing last month on the Assemblys policy of not tracking sexual harassment complaints, only investigations. She wants to mandate better tracking by the Legislature and other employers.

The only way that were going to know if theres a pattern is if we keep track of this, Reyes said.

Regarding the state budget, another top concern for lawmakers, the governor must submit his blueprint by Jan. 10. Lawmakers must send a final spending proposal to Brown, who is term-limited out of office, by mid-June.

The Assembly has already staked out budget priorities, including providing health care for people living in the state illegally and expanding a tax credit for the working poor. The Senate hasnt outlined its ideas.CAIRONearly nine years ago, the upheaval was stunning. Massive crowds marched through the streets of Irans capital and other cities demanding change in the first major unrest to shake the rule of hard-line Muslim clerics over the country since they came to power in 1979.

It was sparked in the summer of 2009 when the reformist opposition raised accusations that the re-election victory of the hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was rigged. The response was an earthquake. Pent-up resentment over political oppression brought millions nationwide out in protests over the next months, becoming known as the Green Movement.

Eventually, the response of Irans ruling establishment, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was brutal. The elite Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer force known as the Basij cracked down, opening fire on marchers and launching a wave of arrests. Dozens were killed, many more were jailed and tortured. The movements political leadership was put under house arrest.

Now, Irans Islamic Republic is seeing a new, equally startling wave of unrest. This time it appears more amorphous and spontaneous, fuelled by anger over a still-faltering economy, unemployment and corruption. Since last Thursday, protests have burst out in towns and cities around the country. At least 21 people have been killed. With no central movement behind the unrest, its supporters on social media have come to refer to it with any number of hashtags  or simply as Tazahorat-e Sarasari  Farsi for Protests Everywhere.

Heres a look at the differences between 2009 and now that could give hints on what happens next.

Whos protesting

In 2009, the demonstrations swelled to throngs of hundreds of thousands on some days and were focused in Irans main cities and provincial capitals, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Shiraz.

In contrast, the past days fury has burst out mainly in mid-size cities and towns. The protests have been smaller  its hard to get credible numbers, but they seem to each be in the hundreds or, at most, several thousand  but they have swiftly erupted in far more places than more than eight years ago.

Clashes overnight between protesters and security forces in Iran killed nine people, state television reported Tuesday, including some rioters who tried to storm a police station to steal weapons. (The Associated Press)

The first protest, sparked by a rise in egg and poultry prices, broke out in Mashhad, a city in the east that is considered a stronghold for conservatives. But the unrest quickly spread across dozens of towns throughout the country. These sorts of mid-sized communities in the provinces have suffered heavily from the poor economy, with large proportions of young people unemployed and mired in despair over the future.

Rejecting the system

The protests may be rooted in anger over the economy and corruption, but protesters quickly started chanting slogans directly against Khamenei and denouncing the Islamic Republic itself  not just a call for reforms, but an open and outright rejection of the ruling system.

This is a dramatic shift from 2009. Protesters then had major demands  they wanted Ahmadinejads re-election overturned, reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi installed as president, greater social freedoms and an end to the security forces tight oppression. But their demands largely stayed in the framework of existing politics. Some voices called for Khameneis removal, but they were limited; the Green Movements leaders went out of their way to say they werent aiming to bring down the system, whether out of pragmatism or true faith in the potential for the republic part of Islamic Republic.

Now videos show some protesters chanting, Death to the dictator and calling for the end of the nearly 40-year-old Islamic Republic. That reflects how many now see families of prominent cleric-politicians and Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a corrupt economic elite, monopolizing business, hoarding wealth and leaving ordinary people with no place in the economy.

That presents a dangerous development for Irans rulers. The protests have revealed a hidden vein of sentiment  and not just among a Westernized urban elite  that has lost hope for clerical rule and openly wants to toss the whole thing out.

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Leadership

The Green Movement of 2009 was firmly rooted in the reformist political movement, symbolized by former president Mohammad Khatami, the would-be president Mousavi and other prominent politicians who advocated greater margins of freedom and opening to the West. That gave the protests a base and organization able to mobilize massive numbers. It also gave protesters a defined set of demands  or to look at it from another angle, limited their ambitions.

So far, no clear leadership has emerged for Protests Everywhere. Even opposition activists in Tehran are unsure who are involved. Still, the marches  with videos showing crowds of largely young men and women  have proven persistent and organized. Supporters on social media say that shows the breadth of support for a leaderless popular movement.

Reformers and hard-liners

In 2009, hard-liners were in firm control. Ahmadinejads policies and abrasive manner galvanized opposition  even part of the clerical establishment was against him  giving a wide base of support for protests.

Now, the constituency that would be expected to join marches is more uncertain.

A relative moderate, Hassan Rouhani, is president, brought into office by the votes of reformists. Many of those voters now feel his nuclear deal with the West has failed to bring economic benefits he promised.

If large numbers decide there is no hope in the system and turn to the streets, it could push the protests into the scale of 2009. But many may hesitate, calculating that an uprising will plunge Iran into the unknown and that trying for gains under Rouhani is safer. The ferocity of the 2009 crackdown traumatized the opposition. The state showed it was prepared to unleash lethal force, arrests and torture; many activists were relentlessly harassed and persecuted for years afterward. Mousavi and other Green Movement leaders have been under house arrest for years. That makes many wary of street protests again.

Rouhani has so far advocated a softer hand, saying Iranians have a right to protest. Reform politicians are calling for changes in economic policy to defuse the unrest. But ultimately, as in 2009, it will be Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard that decide  and if they sense the unrest is growing out of control, they could unleash a brutal and bloody response.

Twitter then  Telegram, WhatsApp now

When Neda Agha Soltan was shot to death during one of the 2009 protests in Tehran, the 26-year-old woman became an icon of the uprising. Video of her wrenching last moments circulated widely on Twitter and other social media. It was a cycle that fed the protests: Young men and women were killed, then their images inspired others to join.

That was when the social media age was just being born. Twitter had only been launched three years earlier. Facebook was only a bit older. At the time, fewer than one million Iranians had smartsphones.

Now the reach has been exponentially magnified. Today, an estimated 48 million Iranians have smartphones, more than half the population. Social media apps have flourished  besides Instagram, the messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp are wildly popular. They are also encrypted, giving a degree of protection from state surveillance and providing a major organizing tool and a space for images and videos to circulate.

Still, 2009 in Iran and the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings also showed the limits of social media; organization and imagery in the virtual realm dont always translate into effectiveness on the ground.

International scene

U.S. President Donald Trump is an unpredictable new factor. Trump has dismissed what he portrayed as a weak response by then-president Barack Obama to the 2009 protests. Critics contend Obama should have thrown the U.S. weight behind the uprising in an effort to bring down the Iranian government.

But Trump faces the same question Obama did: how much effect can the United States really have on the ground? Too close an association with the U.S. and with Trump could discredit the protests in the eyes of some Iranians. So far, the rhetoric from the administration has mirrored Obamas  both demanding Iran allow free expression and warning that the world is watching. The State Department has also raised the possibility of new sanctions on Iran over any crackdown on protesters.

Read more about:TEHRAN, IRANTens of thousands of government supporters took to the streets across Iran on Wednesday as authorities tried to project a sense of stability after a week of nationwide protests sparked deadly clashes and calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic.

But even as state television broadcast swooping helicopter shots showing support among Irans 80 million people for its clerically overseen government, videos emerged showing the anti-government unrest that has swept major cities has spread to the countryside.

The violence has killed at least 21 people and seen hundreds more arrested by authorities. Demonstrators videos corresponded with Associated Press reporting from outside of Iran, though individual activists remain unreachable and the protests for now appear leaderless. It was not clear if new protests were held Wednesday or if the videos showed earlier incidents.

The past weeks protests have been the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election, which ended in bloodshed. While many Iranians denounce the violence that has accompanied some demonstrations, they echo the protesters frustration over the weak economy and official corruption.

The government should not punish the guilty and the innocent alike, said Mohammad Hossein Vakili, a 20-year-old computer science student in Tehran who has struggled to find meaningful work and who joined in peaceful protests.

Why should they arrest someone like me when I protest the rise of the price of eggs? he said.

The protests began Dec. 28 in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a bastion for hard-liners, initially focusing on Irans flagging economy and rising food prices. Now, theyve morphed into demands for wholesale change in Irans theocratic government.

On Wednesday, state TV reported pro-government demonstrations in dozens of cities and towns, including Ahvaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, the Kurdish town of Kermanshah in the countrys west and Qom, the religious capital of Shiite Islam in Iran.

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All those cities have seen protests in recent days.

The pro-government crowds included women wearing the all-encompassing black chador, the occasional man in military fatigues and Shiite clerics wearing black turbans identifying them as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Some claimed online that government employees had been instructed to take part, something Iranian media did not discuss.

The English-language Press TV broadcast Wednesdays pro-government rallies live, saying they sought to protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities. State TV said the demonstrations served as an answer to the protests, which it blamed on servants of the U.S.

Among the slickly produced signs carried by supporters at Wednesdays pro-government rallies were ones targeting Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday blamed the protests on meddling by enemies of Iran.

Some demonstrators also held aloft pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump with a bright red X through his face. Trump has tweeted several times over the last few days in support of the anti-government protests, comments that have angered many Iranians given his travel ban barring them from getting U.S. visas, as well as his comments over the nuclear deal.

The 2015 agreement, in which Iran curbed its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of some international sanctions, remains popular in Iran, but one of the central grievances of the protesters is that average Iranians have seen few benefits from it.

Trump kept up with the tweets Wednesday, writing: Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government.

He added: You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!

The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, meanwhile, called on Iran to investigate all deaths in the protests and act with great care so as not to further inflame violence and unrest.

The Iranian authorities must respect the rights of all demonstrators and detainees, including their right to life, and guarantee their safety and security, Zeid Raad al-Hussein said in a statement.

Iranian officials have downplayed the strength of the protests. Turkish officials on Wednesday said Irans President Hassan Rouhani told his Turkish counterpart during a phone call that he hopes the protests will end in a couple of days. Rouhanis office did not mention the comment.

State TV quoted the chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, as saying Wednesday marked the end of the sedition.

It remains difficult for journalists to piece together whats happening beyond the capital, especially as the government has blocked both the photo-sharing app Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which protesters have used to organize their demonstrations and share footage.

But online videos that emerged Wednesday appeared to show continued protests in the provinces.

One showed protesters in Shahinshar, 315 kilometres south of Tehran, throwing objects at a base of the Basij, a volunteer force affiliated with the paramilitary Guard. A gunshot and muzzle flash could be seen in the footage taken in Isfahan province, where there have been days of protests.

Another series of videos showed protesters in the city of Noor Abad, some 360 kilometres southwest of Tehran, offering a glimpse into how demonstrations can turn violent.

In the footage, protesters are seen tearing down a poster bearing the image of Khamenei and his late predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. After a cut, demonstrators are seen coming to the aid of another protester, who appears seriously wounded. Activists said the man died, though the AP had no way to verify that.

In anger, the protesters set fire to an overturned ambulance, shouting as the flames rose into the night sky.

Read more about:An Israeli politician considered a leading candidate to succeed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said world powers should stop trying to create a Palestinian state.

Twenty-five years of failed diplomacy show a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict isnt realistic and a fresh approach is needed, Likud Party politician Gideon Saar said Tuesday in an interview near Tel Aviv. The former education and interior minister has said hell run for prime minister after Netanyahu, who is facing a police investigation into alleged corruption, leaves office.

The fact that people still say two-state solution doesnt make it a solution  its a two-state slogan, Saar said. Its no longer rational to support a two-state solution. We must think about reality.

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No one could guarantee that a Palestinian state wouldnt become an Islamist haven threatening Israels main population centres, Saar said. Instead, he supports a regional approach that would involve Egypt and Jordan and leave the Palestinians with less than full sovereignty.

With U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to cut off U.S. aid unless Palestinians come to the negotiating table, Israels right-wing parties are promoting policies that could make talks harder. The Knesset this week passed a law raising the bar for partitioning Jerusalem in any future peace deal, and Likuds central committee is pushing de facto annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Saar, a star speaker at the partys central committee meeting, told the group its just a matter of time until the settlements become part of Israel. He also praised Trumps aid threat, made in response to the Palestinian Authority rejection of the U.S. as a peace broker following the presidents recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital last month.

I believe President Trump sees that the Palestinian leadership is not only incapable of being a partner for peace, it is not able to cope with basic progress toward peace, Saar told Bloomberg.

Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi condemned Trumps threats, saying Palestinian rights are not for sale. The U.S. provides hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance to the Palestinians every year.

Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also single-handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city, Ashrawi said. We will not be blackmailed.

Saar, 51, whose father immigrated to Israel from Argentina, worked in the State Attorneys office before Netanyahu named him cabinet secretary in 1999. He became one of the most popular figures in Likud and frequently was mentioned as an heir apparent to Netanyahu.

After years of friction with the prime minister, Saar abruptly resigned his cabinet post and parliamentary seat in 2014, saying he wanted to devote more time to his family. The move came a year after his second marriage to newscaster Geula Even and the birth of their son; they now have a second. Saar has two children from his first marriage as well as a grandchild. He announced his return to politics last year, as the police investigations raised doubts about Netanyahus grip on power.

Saar acknowledged his positions are at odds with international opinion, but said world opinion is evolving.

Understanding, as the U.S. president has said lately, that this conflict is not the heart of the regional conflict, is crucial, he said. Its a very, very small and marginal conflict in comparison to the multifont regional war between Shiites and Sunnis.

While popular among Likud members, Saar has some serious gaps in his political skills and professional resume, said Shmuel Sandler, a Bar Ilan University political scientist. Saar has never held any of the three key ministerial posts considered a stepping stone for prime minister  defence, finance and foreign affairs, he said.

Hes a cold fish, Sandler said. He doesnt have a lot of charisma like Netanyahu does.

Still, Saar is favoured to lead Likud if Netanyahu falls, according to a December poll published by Walla News, garnering 24.3 per cent support, followed by President Reuven Rivlin with 16.7 per cent. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan came in third with 16.2 per cent, trailed by Transport and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz with 6.9 per cent. The poll size was 500 people, and no margin of error was published.

Leaders of other parties, such as Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid and Naftali Bennett of Jewish Home, also have expressed interest in running for prime minister.

As opposition members call on Netanyahu to resign if the police recommend he be indicted, Saar said he will support the prime minister and the Likud-led government.

We are speaking about a prime minister that was elected by the people, and therefore I dont think at this stage, if there are police recommendations, its a reason for a resignation, he said. At the right time Ill run for prime minister.

Read more about:JERUSALEMThe Trump administrations threat to cut aid to the Palestinians to force them into a peace deal may have dire humanitarian consequences that could backfire on Israel, Israeli security officials and analysts warned Wednesday, while Palestinians slammed it as blackmail.

The U.S. pays the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect, Trump tweeted Tuesday evening. With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make these massive future payments to them.

Earlier in the day Trumps envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, suggested the United States will cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees, until the Palestinian leadership returns to the negotiating table. The United States is UNWRAs biggest donor and gave it more than $360 million (U.S.) last year, 40 per cent of the organizations budget.

Palestinian officials reacted furiously to what they interpreted as an attempt by the United States to give up their claims to Jerusalem in return for continued financial aid.

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Palestinian rights are not for sale, said Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organizations executive committee. By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israels capital, Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also single-handedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city. We will not be blackmailed.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last month said the United States had disqualified itself from a role brokering a peace process by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and saying he would move the U.S. Embassy there. The move was taken by Palestinian officials as a clear indication of U.S. bias toward Israel and a rejection of Palestinian claims to the city, even though Trump said at the time that it should not be read as a position on the citys final status.

Cutting funding would not bring anything good to the situation, said an Israeli security official speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. Doing this would end up making the Palestinian leadership even weaker, then there really would be no one to talk to or rely upon.

Abbas Palestinian Authority coordinates with Israel on security, but the already weak leader has been further undermined by Trumps Jerusalem decision, with nothing to show for decades of negotiations.

UNWRA runs schools and educational programs that Israeli defense officials see as important counterbalance to Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for the past decade, while the organization also provides essential primary health care and other services for Palestinians.

Traditionally the Israeli defense establishment has resisted pressure by Israeli hawks who want to shut down UNWRA funding, said Ofer Zalzberg, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. They say, if its not UNWRA, then education will be provided by Hamas.

Chris Gunness, UNRWAs spokesperson, said the agency had not been notified of any changes in U.S. funding. The organizations work is described as indispensable to the dignity of Palestine refugees and the stability of the region, he said.

UNWRA runs 700 schools for Palestinians across the region, nearly 150 primary health clinics and employs over 30,000 teaching staff, doctors, nurses, social workers, sanitation laborers and engineers.

We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table, Haley said Tuesday in the UN Security Council. As of now, theyre not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. Were not giving the aid. Were going to make sure that they come to the table.

However, Trumps tweet, which also made reference to his Jerusalem decision, may have the opposite effect and only cause a stronger backlash, Zalzberg said. Its being perceived as deeply offensive, he said. Its been taken to say we will pay you to make a concession on Jerusalem.

Palestinian officials say they are willing to return to negotiations but wont be coerced.

Jerusalem and its holy sites are not for sale, not with gold, nor with silver, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Abbas, said in a statement. He said the Palestinian leadership is not opposed to returning to negotiations, but they need to have Arab and international legitimacy with negotiations based on a two-state solution with east Jerusalem as Palestines capital.

Tayseer Nasrallah, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in Nablus described the threat as complete madness and blackmail by the United States to exert pressure on us to give up our national rights.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley is threatening the 193 UN member states and the United Nations with funding cuts if the UN General Assembly approves a resolution calling President Donald Trump's recognition of Israel "null and void." (The Associated)

The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem prompted weeks of protests in Arab and Muslim countries around the world and numerous days of rage in Jerusalem, Israel and the West Bank. At least 12 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli security forces, including two militants in an Israeli airstrike that came as response to rockets fired from Gaza at civilian areas in southern Israel.

Since the announcement, rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has reached levels not seen since the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military said two rockets were fired at Israeli territory on Wednesday.

Israeli security officials and analysts have been saying for months that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.

Cutting aid to the Palestinians at this stage would have the opposite effect to what the Americans want, said Moshe Maoz, an Israeli professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This is brutal pressure from the U.S., not only ignore the Palestinians rights to East Jerusalem but also cutting aid? I dont have any good word for this stupid policy.

The situation in Gaza is terrible, if America cuts its aid, it would be catastrophic, he said.

In an article published last November on the website of the Institute for National Security Studies, Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, head of COGAT, the Israeli military authority responsible for implementing government policy in the West Bank, described the link between the social and economic conditions in Gaza and the security situation.

He urged the international community to give more funding to Gaza to improve the economy.

Recognition of Gazas humanitarian crisis was also brought to the attention of the Israeli government in September when Nadav Argaman, current head of Israels Internal Security Agency, highlighted that Hamas was already struggling to address the difficulties facing its population.

The economic-civilian difficulties in the strip are getting worse, Argaman said, according to a report in the Israeli daily Haaretz. Rehabilitation of the strip is faltering. There is a serious crisis when it comes to infrastructure. Unemployment is increasing. There is a crisis over [the payment of] salaries and a drop in the gross [domestic] product.

However, Trumps tweet was welcomed by some right-wing Israelis. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Home Party, commended Trump for not being afraid to speak the truth, even if it is not popular.

The truth is Jerusalem has always been, and will always be, Israels capital, said Bennett in a statement. The truth is no peace deal could ever be predicated on the division of Jerusalem.

He added: The truth is the US has no interest in funding those who act against its interest. The truth is the Palestinian leadership continues to fund terrorists, using US tax moneys.

Read more about:Paul Manafort, the indicted former campaign chairman of U.S. President Donald Trump, claims in a lawsuit that U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller overstepped his authority by charging him with crimes unrelated to Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Mueller and the deputy attorney general who appointed him, Rod Rosenstein, failed to follow the special counsel rules before a grand jury charged Manafort with money laundering and conspiracy, according to the suit filed Wednesday. The special counsel also charged Manafort with conduct he says he voluntarily disclosed to U.S. authorities in 2014, the suit claims.

While Muellers appointment order lets him pursue any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation, his prosecutors improperly built a case that had nothing to do with Russian meddling, according to the complaint.

Mueller's Russian meddling probe reveals first targets. A former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump has admitted he lied about Russian contacts. Separately, Paul Manafort and a business associate were indicted on felony charges. (The Associated Press)

The investigation of Mr. Manafort is completely unmoored from the special counsels original jurisdiction, Manaforts lawyers said in a complaint in federal court in Washington. It has focused instead on unrelated, decade-old business dealings that had no connection whatsoever to the 2016 presidential election or even to Donald Trump, they said.

Muellers spokesperson, Peter Carr, said he had not seen the filing and declined to comment.

The lawsuit claims Mueller and Rosenstein, who is overseeing the investigation because Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself, violated the Administrative Procedures Act. The case comes amid increasing attempts by many Republicans and conservative media to attack Mueller as biased and unfair.

The governments Oct. 27 indictment accuses Manafort and a longtime associate, Rick Gates, of failing to register as agents in the U.S. for political consulting they performed for Ukraine and for pro-Russian politicians there. It claims Manafort laundered money from overseas to buy houses, cars, clothes, antiques and landscaping services. He also is accused of hiding offshore accounts. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Manafort, 68, who advised Republican presidential candidates in the 1970s and 80s, later moved into lobbying and political consulting, working with foreign leaders to ingratiate themselves with Washington. His roster of clients, some with unsavoury reputations, included deposed Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Read more:

Steve Bannon says meeting between Trump campaign aides, Russian lawyer was treasonous

U.S. judge signals release of ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort from house arrested

Judge scolds ex-Trump campaign manager Manafort over op-ed as he faces trial

In his complaint, Manafort said he met voluntarily with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department on July 30, 2014, and provided detailed explanation of his activities in Ukraine, including his frequent contact with U.S. diplomats in Kyiv and his efforts to further U.S. objectives in Ukraine on their behalf.

The indictment charges Manafort with the very conduct he voluntarily disclosed three years before Muellers appointment, the complaint says.

The criminal case is U.S. v. Manafort, 17-cr-201, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington). Manaforts civil suit is Manafort v. U.S. Department of Justice, 18-cv-11, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).

Read more about:WASHINGTONThe National Security Agency is losing its top talent at a worrisome rate as highly skilled personnel, some disillusioned with the spy services leadership and an unpopular reorganization, take higher-paying, more flexible jobs in the private sector.

Since 2015, the NSA has lost several hundred hackers, engineers and data scientists, according to current and former U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter. The potential impact on national security is significant, they said.

Headquartered at Fort Meade in Maryland, the NSA employs a civilian workforce of about 21,000 there and is the largest producer of intelligence among the nations 17 spy agencies. The people who have left were responsible for collecting and analyzing the intelligence that goes into the presidents daily briefing. Their work also included monitoring a broad array of subjects including Daesh, also known as ISIS and ISIL, , Russian and North Korean hackers, and analyzing the intentions of foreign governments, and they were responsible for protecting the classified networks that carry such sensitive information.

Some synonym of the word epidemic is the best way to describe it, said Ellison Anne Williams, a former senior researcher at the NSA who left in 2016 to start her own data-security firm, Enveil. More than 10 of her employees also came from the NSA, she said. The agency is losing an amazing amount of its strongest technical talent, and to lose your best and brightest staff is a huge hit.

The NSA would not disclose how many job vacancies it has. Agency officials said there is a 5.6 per cent attrition rate among personnel who specialize in science, technology and math. The attrition rate is closer to 8 or 9 per cent among hackers and those who staff the agencys always-operating watch centre monitoring for cyber attacks, a trend that has spanned the Obama and Trump administrations.

Although the departure rates are low, compared with attrition levels in the civilian technology industry, and although the agency is filling its vacancies, most new personnel lack the experience of those who have left, said one senior intelligence official, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid insights about the secretive organization. That experience deficit can impede the NSAs core mission of collecting and analyzing the masses of data the agency lifts from foreign networks.

Some groups within the NSA have lost almost half of their staffs, one former official said. As a result, projects to make intelligence collection more effective have been cut or slowed.

It is a turbulent moment in the NSAs 65-year history. The agency continues to face public distrust after revelations, made by former contractor Edward Snowden in 2013, about the scope of its surveillance of American citizens. Morale dipped in the aftermath of those disclosures and has not fully recovered. More recently, the workforce was rattled by a series of breaches targeting the agencys highly sensitive hacking tools.

Another source of frustration is an ongoing reorganization that has merged the NSAs highly secret electronic spying mission with its more public network-defense operation, along with other changes. NSA Director Michael S. Rogers, a Navy admiral who also oversees the militarys Cyber Command, launched NSA 21 to break down what he called the walls of granite among divisions whose missions, he believed, complement one another.

Former employees have voiced a variety of complaints. Some say they feel their missions have been marginalized by the restructuring. One called the reorganization an enormous distraction and lamented what he characterized as an inefficient procurement process that made it difficult to obtain even simple open-source developer tools. Another faulted the agencys pay structure and promotion system, saying it favours seniority over skill and competence.

A series of breaches beginning with Snowden and including the arrest of former contractor Harold T. Martin III in 2016 have led to new security precautions. Such restrictions on accessing data have made work more difficult, and the internal hunt for would-be leakers has contributed to an environment of suspicion, said a number of current and former employees.

It comes down to death by a thousand cuts, said a former employee, adding that people tend to quit in packs. One person hits their breaking point, and once they leave, the dominoes start falling.

The brain drain has been so pronounced that at one gathering in 2016 of the agencys elite hacking division, one individual raised the concern with Rogers directly. According to several people familiar with the exchange, Rogers disputed that there was any increase in attrition and told his employees that they should stop complaining and get back to work.

An NSA spokesman, Tommy Groves, did not challenge the account, saying that employees concerns about high attrition rates have led to changes, including increased pay, increased promotions and greater opportunities to work at all NSA sites.

Rogers did not respond to a request for comment. More recently, though, he has made it a point in public to thank the agencys workforce and acknowledge the cultural challenge its employees face. At a national security conference in September, for instance, he said that dealing with the great men and women of the organization is the best part of the day for me.

He added: If the price of security becomes that we drive away the very men and women that generate value in the first place, we now have a self-induced mission kill.

Rogers has told colleagues he plans to retire in the spring, ending a four-year tenure that has been rocky at times. At one point in 2016, the defence secretary and director of national intelligence wanted him removed over various leadership concerns. Rogers survived the episode, and with Trumps national security team still settling in, he was seen as an element of continuity at the agency.

It is not clear whom U.S. President Donald Trump will nominate to succeed him, but whoever steps into the role will face a variety of challenges.

NSA is at this moment experiencing stress that is constant and unrelenting, one former senior intelligence official said. He said the agency has weathered other high-anxiety periods because there was cohesion in the workforce and a leader who could nurture them through it, if not inspire them. But this director hasnt chosen to do that.

Skilled personnel have always left the NSA, in particular to work for defence contractors that support its work, said Deputy Director George Barnes, who has been at the agency for 31 years. The big change these days is theres a supply-demand imbalance between the outside and the inside, he told The Washington Post.

Barnes defended Rogers leadership and his handling of the reorganization. Rogers, he said, is totally focused on Whats the culture? How do we understand what causes stress? Its the antithesis of the negative vibe about which some employees complained.

Barnes also noted the allure of Silicon Valley and other cities that tech startups call home. The U.S. private sector is struggling to fill more than 270,000 jobs in cybersecurity, according to Burning Glass Technologies, a labour analytics firm. Total compensation for those jobs can reach $200,000 (U.S.) or more, meaning even relatively junior cyber professionals in the industry can make more than top officials at the NSA.

Some senior officials say that the outflow in part reflects a cultural shift in which millennials are not inclined to stay in one workplace for an entire career. And it also stems from a disproportionate number of retirements of people who entered the agency in the 1980s during a hiring boom.

Other former NSA personnel who have left or retired recently expressed confidence that the NSA would weather the storm.

Yes, people will leave, but there are things you can do there that you cant do anywhere else. Its for God and country, said Daniel Ennis, who oversaw the agencys threat operations centre before retiring in 2015 after 33 years. He now leads advanced cyberthreat intelligence for BlueteamGlobal, a private cybersecurity firm.

NSA always recovers, Ennis said.

Read more about:SEOUL, SOUTH KOREABeyond a New Years declaration by North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, that he would move to the mass-production of nuclear weapons and intercontinental missiles in 2018 lies a canny new strategy to initiate direct talks with South Korea in the hope of driving a wedge into its seven-decade alliance with the United States.

Perhaps sensing the simmering tension between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, Kim called for an urgent dialogue between the two Koreas before the opening of the Winter Olympics in the South next month.

The strained relationship between the allies has been playing out for months, as Moon, a liberal, argued for economic and diplomatic openings with the North, even as Trump has worked hard to squeeze the North with increasingly punishing sanctions. Moon also angered Trump and his aides in recent months by suggesting he holds what he called a veto over any U.S. pre-emptive military action against the Norths nuclear program.

Read more:

South Korea offers to talk with North to find ways to co-operate on Winter Olympics

Kim Jong Un to U.S.: The button for nuclear weapons is on my table

North Korea says it will not give up nuclear weapons as long as U.S., South Korea military drills continue

Until now, Kim has largely ignored Moon, whom the North Korean media has portrayed as a spineless lackey of the United States. But the dramatic shift in tone and policy, toward bilateral talks between the two Koreas, suggests that Kim sees an opportunity to develop and accentuate the split between Moon and Trump, betting that the U.S. will be unable to mount greater pressure on the North if it does not have South Korean acquiescence.

The gambit may work. Hours after Kims speech, Moons office welcomed the Norths proposal, in a way that could further aggravate tensions with the U.S.

We have already expressed our willingness to engage in a dialogue with North Korea at any time, in any place and in any format, as long as both sides can discuss restoring their relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula, said a presidential spokesperson, Park Soo-hyun.

The statement emphasized the roles of the two Koreas in resolving the nuclear crisis. Trump, in contrast, has pursued a tougher approach, saying there can be no talks without signs that the North is giving up its nuclear and missile testing, and without an understanding that the ultimate goal of any negotiations is a complete, verifiable dismantlement of the Norths nuclear capability.

The timing of this overture, combined with his newly declared capability to strike the United States, is shifting the calculus, said Robert Litwak, author of Preventing North Koreas Nuclear Breakout, and a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. Kim sees a rare chance here to take the side of the South Koreans against President Trump.

Kim may be partly motivated by an intense need to roll back sanctions that, by all accounts, have begun to bite.

As part of the overture, Kim also agreed to a request by Moon to send a North Korean delegation to the Winter Olympics. The South Korean president is betting that the North is far less likely to disrupt the Olympics, with missile launchings or an act of terrorism, if North Korean athletes are competing.

The diplomatic tug-of-war comes amid a backdrop of increasing fears over North Koreas nuclear arsenal. Over the past year, the North made such fast technological advances that it says it can now strike the East Coast of the United States with a missile. The North has yet to demonstrate a key component of its nuclear threat  the ability to build a warhead that can withstand the heat and stresses of re-entering the atmosphere  but there is little dispute that it is getting much closer to such a capability.

The threat is considered strong enough by the administration that Trump has hinted at the possibility of a pre-emptive strike as a last resort.

That type of thinking  as well as fiery rhetoric from both Trump and Kim  has shaken South Korea, which would be expected to be on the front line of a war. The advances have also led the U.S. to push for tougher sanctions than before, and to close the types of loopholes Trumps predecessors were more likely to overlook.

Despite the changes in the Norths nuclear capabilities, Kims New Years statement was similar to last years: The Norths nuclear program is unstoppable, and Trump should simply learn to accept it.

This time Kim described plans for mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment this year. While it is unclear what mass producing means in this context, U.S. estimates of Kims arsenal range from 20 to 60 weapons; over the next few years that could easily double or triple, experts say, to an arsenal similar to Britains or Frances.

Those same officials, however, dismissed Kims comment that he now has a nuclear button on his desk as a rhetorical flourish. Currently, Kim cannot launch a weapon in seconds, as his declaration seemed intended to suggest. All of the tests he has conducted of intercontinental ballistic missiles have involved liquid-fuel weapons that take hours, sometimes days, to prepare for a launching.

The overture to the South came just days after Washington rallied its allies and rivals in the United Nations to support another round of tough sanctions against North Korea.

Even before that China had drastically cut back on direct shipments of oil and refined petroleum products that go through its pipeline to North Korea, U.S. officials say, and there are reports of fuel shortages. Gas prices have more than doubled in the past year.

As Washington has campaigned for North Koreas isolation, a number of nations  including Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Myanmar, Spain, Italy and Germany  have recently expelled North Korean ambassadors or reduced the number of North Korean diplomats in their countries. And nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar have also begun phasing out North Korean workers toiling in construction sites there to earn badly needed cash for the North Korean government.

Moon officially supports the enforcement of U.N. sanctions as a tool to bring the North to nuclear disarmament talks. In recent weeks, his government has seized two oil tankers on the suspicion that they were used in violation of sanctions to smuggle refined petroleum products into North Korea through ship-to-ship transfers on the high seas.

But Moon also agrees with China and Russia that talks are needed to resolve the nuclear crisis. Kims sudden peace overture Monday will probably encourage both Russia and China to renew their calls for some kind of freeze for freeze  a freeze on North Korean tests in return for a freeze on all U.S.-South Korean military exercises. Presumably, under that situation sanctions would begin to ease.

After getting nowhere with the Americans, North Korea is now trying to start talks with South Korea first and then use that as a channel to start dialogue with the United States, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, who considered the Norths overture a positive development for easing tensions.

The big question now is whether Kims gamble will pay off. Hard-liners in South Korea, and some Trump administration officials, say they fear that if dialogue on the Korean Peninsula creates a temporary reprieve from tensions, the enforcement of sanctions could also be relaxed. Officials in the Moon administration argue that they are acutely aware of the Norths strategy and that they closely co-ordinate their moves with Washington.

Still, for Moon, talks between the Koreas would provide a badly needed respite after a year in which Kim and Trump regularly exchanged threats of war.

Increasingly anxious over a possible armed conflict, Moon seeks to create a lull in the nuclear standoff during the Olympics and use its momentum to start talks with North Korea. Such talks might eventually lead to broader negotiations in which the U.S., China and Russia could offer economic and diplomatic incentives to the North in return for the freeze in testing.

And that is where the breach between South Korea and the United States could become a chasm.

In any future talks, North Korea would be expected to seek major concessions, such as the easing of sanctions and a reduction of the U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula. The North may then try to force Washington to accept a compromise by offering to freeze its nuclear and missile tests, but not give up the weaponry. Or, as in the past, North Korea could use the talks to lessen the effect of sanctions without any intention of ending its nuclear program.

That would essentially freeze a status quo that Trump has declared intolerable.

Read more about:WASHINGTONWhen nuclear weapons were deployed against a U.S. enemy at the end of Second World War for the first and last time, the U.S. public initially mostly supported their use. That changed when the fallout  killing tens of thousands within seconds around the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki  became apparent.

Its a sentiment which has lasted for decades, and if anything only appeared to get stronger  until recently.

When President Barack Obama paid tribute to the people of Hiroshima in May 2016, he urged the international community to choose a future when Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not considered the dawn of atomic warfare but as the start of our own moral awakening.

At the time, nobody would have predicted a victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. elections the following year, however. During his first year in office, Trump has shattered the cautious and history-burdened way we used to discuss nuclear weapons.

On Tuesday evening, the president further escalated his war of words with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, asserting that his nuclear button was much bigger & more powerful than the North Korean leaders. He went on to threaten that the U.S. arsenal works. Kim had previously taunted Trump in a New Years Day speech, saying that his nuclear button was always on his desk.

The presidents response a day later was only the latest escalation of rhetoric  last summer, Trump had already warned North Korea of fire and fury  and his remarks have made analysts wonder whether Trump is aware of the catastrophic impact an activation of either of those buttons would have.

Observers from the United States and abroad criticized the remarks as infantile and ill-advised. Trump plays with the subject so carelessly and recklessly as if it were some kind of video game, argued Aaron David Miller, a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center who has advised several secretaries of state. My heads exploding, he wrote on Twitter.

Although Trump may be the first U.S. president to engage in such rhetoric, there appears to be some precedent for it. The way Trump discusses nuclear weapons may fall into a pattern researchers have at times observed among military officials in the past, as researchers pointed out on Tuesday. They were referring to a 1985 study by Carol Cohn who at the time analyzed military remarks that compared nuclear war with an act of boyish mischief. Cohn argued that such remarks were an expression of a competition for manhood, and a way of minimizing the seriousness of militarist endeavours, of denying their deadly consequences, concluding that they posed a tremendous danger in real life.

Thats especially true if youre the president of the United States.

Read more:

Analysis: Happy 2018! Trump begins the new year with a bizarre Twitter storm

Kim Jong Uns gesture could drive wedge between South Korea and Trump

Explaining Trumps nuclear button threat. (For starters, theres no button)

The worry is that Trumps remarks are eliminating the reasoning that may have prevented world leaders from resorting to nuclear weapons attacks ever again since Second World War. The most well-known explanation for the reluctance to use them relies on the concept of deterrence which assumes that the repercussions of a nuclear war would be so catastrophic  some scenarios predict a nuclear winter which would wipe out the majority of humans  that no leader would want to start such a conflict. For that reason, several nations have committed to not using nuclear weapons first.

To some, Trumps August fire and fury remarks indicated that the U.S. commander in chief may be willing to launch an attack against Pyongyang without being attacked first  appearing to mark a reversal of decades-long implicit consensus, even though Trump later soften his stance at the insistence of his advisers.

U.S. President Donald Trump said if North Korea escalates the nuclear threat, "they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen." (The Associated Press)

A second theory for why nuclear weapons have remained ostracized for decades frames the decision to trigger their use as a moral taboo. In her book The Nuclear Taboo, researcher Nina Tannenwald writes that U.S. leaders have been dissuaded from their use by moral restraint. Relying on historic analysis, Tannenwald argued that powerful revulsion associated with nuclear weapons had played a role in inhibiting their use.

Compare that with Trumps references to Kim as rocket man, or his proclamation last August that his first order as president was to renovate and modernize our nuclear arsenal.

It is now far stronger and more powerful than ever before, Trump wrote.

The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Obama, Adm. Mike Mullen, warned on Sunday that the United States was now closer to a nuclear war with North Korea than ever before. Trump is not the only one to be blamed for that, as North Koreas continuing missile tests have put significantly more pressure on the president.

But analysts fear that his response to that pressure may normalize the possible future use of nuclear weapons to a dangerous extent. A Gallup poll last September found that U.S. public support for attacking North Korea was already extraordinary high, considering the likely fallout.

An extensive Stanford study last year similarly found that a majority of U.S. citizens would be in favour of relying on nuclear weapons to attack civilians in a nonnuclear-armed adversary. Sixty per cent of Americans would accept the death of 2 million Iranian civilians in such an attack, for instance, if the strike spared the lives of 20,000 U.S. military personnel.

These findings highlight the limited extent to which the U.S. public has accepted the principles of just war doctrine and suggest that public opinion is unlikely to be a serious constraint on any president contemplating the use of nuclear weapons in the crucible of war, wrote the two researchers, Scott Sagan and Benjamin Valentino.

The social media outrage over Trumps Tuesday remarks may have been fierce, but public acceptance of his threats already appears far more widespread than nuclear disarmament advocates would hope.

Read more about:Video transcript:

If you ever wondered where the hated image of the Hollywood liberal came from, go see The Post. Its a new movie with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, on how U.S. newspapers dared speak truth to power about Vietnam in the 1970s. It neglects their earlier support for that war  or later ones like Iraq  when they obediently parroted official lies. Its a world of fearless idealism where everything turns out fine.

This has been the rosy Hollywood view of U.S. institutions, including the presidency, on shows like The West Wing, where everyone is noble.

The current version is Designated Survivor, with Kiefer Sutherland as the selfless leader.

The platitudes may comfort journalists and presidents but they could be irritating if youre a Black kid in daily fear of being shot by cops, or Puerto Ricans with no hope of power till summer or workers who used to have jobs. In fact, some people may have voted for Trump not because they believed him but for the sheer satisfaction of throwing those complacent images back in the faces of those who made or embrace them.

One thing you can say for Trump is his mere grotty persona has made it harder to sustain those smug myths and confections about people in power. Plus, the guy clearly isnt the only liar in town.

Rick Salutins video commentary appears Tuesdays.Teaching Mathematics Conference set for Feb. 15

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Math teachers looking to update their teaching methods and network with others in the field should attend the 33rd annual Conference on Teaching Mathematics.

The conference is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2018, at the Hancock Conference Center on the John A. Logan College campus in Carterville and Southern Illinois University Carbondales Conference and Scheduling Services is now accepting reservations.

The popular annual event will provide pre-kindergarten through grade 14 teachers with the latest information various aspects of teaching math today, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice, which are key to teaching and preparing students for future Common Core assessments.

Learn new ways to teach math from the best in the field

Akihiko Takahashi, associate professor of elementary math teacher education at DePaul University, will present the keynote address: A way to make a school a place for joyful learning for both students and teachers. His presentation will explore a mathematics quality lesson study using the concepts of collaborative lesson research and teaching math through problem solving.

Guest speakers will also include Jackie Murawska, president of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics; George Reese, ICTM past president; other ICTM colleagues; and classroom teachers from throughout the state of Illinois. The conference will feature a variety of breakout sessions as well.

Register by Feb. 8 for a special rate

As space is limited, early registration is encouraged. Those who register by Feb. 8 pay $85; the cost is $10 more after that date. The fee covers all conference materials and sessions as well as a continental breakfast and luncheon. Full-time pre-service students may attend at a reduced cost; contact Jerry Becker or Cheng-Yao Lin at 618/536-2441 for student registration information.

For more information, or to register, visit conferenceservices.siu.edu and sign up online or print the registration form and fax it to 618/453-5680 along with credit card payment information. Or, register by telephone by contacting SIU Conference and Scheduling Services at 618/536-7751.Donald Trump has now informed the world that he has a bigger nuclear button than the leader of North Korea. It would be funny if the lives of millions were not at stake.

Trump either does not value, or does not understand, diplomacy. Perhaps our country can do better? We learned with happy surprise on Nov. 28, 2017 that our government will host a diplomatic initiative. Excitedly, many of us combed our news sources for the aims and details of this gathering. Thus far the fruits of our labour have been meagre. What will actually happen in Vancouver on Jan. 16?

To opt for diplomacy instead of military force is surely a good thing. And it has been encouraging to read about how Canada may be able to earn North Koreas trust more easily than the U.S. The comment by one Canadian official that Canada is looking for better ideas than those currently before us is another positive sign, as is Trudeaus suggestion that Canadas relationship with Cuba might give us a channel through which to talk to North Korea.

But the Vancouver meeting also has unsettling characteristics.

First, Canadas partner in organizing the gathering is the United States, an implacable foe of North Korea. Trump and his secretary of defence have recently threatened to commit genocide against the DPRK.

Second, most of the countries to be represented in Vancouver are those that sent troops in the Korean War to fight against North Korea. Might not the North Koreans see this meeting as a step in the formation of a Coalition of the Willing, similar to what preceded the invasion of Iraq in 2003?

Third, it appears North Korea will have no spokesperson in Vancouver. But the current crisis is a manifestation of an underlying conflict, and how can that conflict be solved without consulting one of the main antagonists? Will this be like the Bonn process of 2001 that sorted out the Afghan conflict without consulting the Taliban? That has not turned out well.

When Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland talks about the coming meeting she stresses its diplomatic nature, but U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has characterized it as a means to increase pressure on North Korea.

Pressure? The UN Security Council is already putting such extreme pressure on North Korea that its existence as an industrialized country is threatened and its people may face starvation. What state could survive a 90 per cent cut in its oil supply?

But if increasing pressure does not qualify as a better idea, what would?

Here are four ideas. We believe they offer the only realistic hope of a genuine peace.

Stop insulting North Korea. Banish the term rogue state. Forget about who has a bigger nuclear button. Treat the countrys leadership as sane, rational, and capable of being a partner in a peace process.

Build trust and confidence gradually through positive action. It is not necessary that all such action be economic, but there should certainly be relief from the current economic stranglehold. A series of symbolic exchanges, artistic and athletic, should be part of the plan.

Recognize that North Korea has valid security concerns and that the desire to have a nuclear deterrent grows out of these concerns. Remember that the country went through a devastating war, has suffered repeated provocations and threats, and has endured targeting by U.S. nuclear weapons for over 65 years.

Begin serious work toward a permanent peace treaty that will replace the ceasefire agreement of 1953. The U.S. must be a signatory of this treaty.

If we Canadians think a lasting peace with North Korea will be obtained by insulting and starving the population of that beleaguered country we are as foolish, and as heartless, as those who put their faith in bombs.

And if we can do no better in Vancouver than talk about increasing the pressure on North Korea the world may never forgive us for squandering our opportunity.

Christopher Black is an international criminal lawyer on the list of defence counsel at the International Criminal Court. Graeme MacQueen is a former director of the Centre for Peace Studies at McMaster University and has been involved in peace-building initiatives in five conflict zones.

Read more about:Amid this brutal cold snap the city cannot possibly in good conscience turn homeless people away from Toronto-run shelters or respite centres.

Yet that is exactly what occurred over the frigid weekend leading up to New Years Eve.

On Saturday night the shelter system was operating at 95 per cent capacity, with 5,500 people using city-provided venues. Though that is slightly down from last years 97 per cent, it is still well above the 90-per-cent rate the city has determined means a high a risk of homeless people being turned away. Indeed, on Saturday night, when the temperature (with wind chill factor) was -29 C, the city did just that.

The municipal government has no doubt been making a push to address gaps in the system. In early December, council announced commendable plans to immediately open 400 new shelter beds at a cost of $10 million. That move was on top of the almost 1,300 added to the system over the past three years.

Its also true the city is facing extra pressures this year: There has been a surge in refugees seeking shelter, people are losing their homes as rents climb and the citys vacancy rate plummets, and some homeless people from outside the city are coming to Toronto because there are no shelter beds for them in their own hometowns.

And, of course, as advocates for the homeless rightly point out, shelter beds are no substitute for longer-term investments in social housing and needed services.

But none of that changes the fact that when even one person is forced to spend the night in the freezing cold because of inadequate municipal services it is an inexcusable failure of our polity. The city is not doing enough, quickly enough or operating efficiently enough to keep up with the dire need. The result is that people are spending perilous nights in the street, at real risk of freezing to death.

The city must take a number of immediate steps.

First, it has only introduced 200 of the 400 beds it promised to add. Clearly it is urgent that the job be finished.

Second, the city must improve communications  as city staff promised on Tuesday  between its referral centre and shelters operating in the city. Over the weekend leading up to New Years Eve, several homeless people were apparently told there was no room at shelters. But, in fact, 38 spaces were unoccupied on New Years morning. That is a communications failure that could have resulted in someone losing their life. (The city ombudsman says she will investigate this breakdown.)

Third, the mayor should reconsider his opposition to asking Ottawa to reopen the armouries at Fort York and Moss Park to the homeless  or he should find a better alternative.

City staff have advised against the move, and Mayor Tory believes they are right. There is no question the armouries are a sub-optimal solution. In the past when the federally run buildings were opened to the homeless, shelter staff had to ask them to leave during the day, no matter the temperature, because the military needed access to armouries during working hours, the mayors office points out.

But homeless advocates, such as street nurse Cathy Crowe, and City Councillors Joe Cressy and Kristyn Wong-Tam, believe opening the two armouries, and thus increasing shelter capacity by 200, is necessary to save lives. Surely they are right that imperfect shelter is better than none at all.

If Mayor Tory cannot quickly find a better solution than the armouries, he will have a very tough time explaining his decision not to seek to open them when tragedy inevitably strikes.

Correction- Jan. 3, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said opening the armouries at Fort York and Moss Park could increase shelter capacity by 1,000. In fact, each armoury could provide about 100 shelter beds.The drugmaker on Jan. 3 provided details of its cost-cutting and restructuring efforts as it faces competition from generics stemming from the loss of patent exclusivity for several of its products.

Drug maker Allergan plc (AGN) - Get Allergan plc Report on Tuesday, Jan. 3, gave details of its cost-cutting and restructuring efforts, saying it plans to cut more than 1,000 jobs as it faces competition from generics stemming from the loss of patent exclusivity for several of its products.

In an 8-K filing, the Dublin-based firm said it plans to reduce more than 1,000 filled jobs in commercial and other functions. "Commercial reductions will primarily focus on products and categories subject to loss of exclusivity," Allergan said.

The company is not providing additional details on the impacted positions beyond what is stated in the filing, said spokesman Mark Marmur.

Allergan has about 18,000 employees globally, Marmur said.

The company also said in the filing that it plans to eliminate about 400 open positions.

In October, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in October issued a ruling that invalidates four patents covering Allergan's dry eye medication Restasis. The company has appealed the decision.

Restasis is Allergan's second best-selling drug behind cosmetic treatment Botox. In the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017, Restasis generated net revenue of $1.06 billion.

In addition, Allergan faces loss of patent exclusivity in 2018 for Estrace vaginal cream, Alzheimer's drug Namenda XR, ulcerative colitis drug Delzicol and acne treatment Aczone.



In its third-quarter earnings release and conference call in November, Allergan said it plans to conduct a cost-cutting and restructuring program to reach 2018 non-GAAP performance net income per share levels outlined on the call.

Allergan chairman, president and CEO Brent Saunders on the Nov. 1 call laid out scenarios including a mid-year launch of generic Restasis. "In that midyear 2018 scenario, our 2018 non-GAAP performance net income per share would be no less than $16, including the impact of our $2 billion share buyback," Saunders said.

If no generic Restasis launches in 2018, "non-GAAP performance net income per share would be expected to be higher than 2017," he said.

Allergan in November said it expected full-year 2017 non-GAAP net income from continuing operations of $16.15 to $16.45 per share.

Shares of Allergan finished Wednesday's trading session at $170.14, down 0.1%. The company has a market capitalization of $56.7 billion.

Allergan is holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AGN? Learn more now.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:Retired Land of Lincoln executive director to keynote Women in Leadership dinner

by Pete Rosenbery

Lois Wood, the recently retired executive director of the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., is the keynote speaker at the SIU School of Law Women in Leadership Networking Dinner at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The dinner is the final event for a two-day Women in Leadership Workshop that prepares about 35 female and male law students to be leaders while they also learn about the challenges that women face within the legal profession due to real and perceived gender differences.

The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Jan. 11-12, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building. The workshop culminates with a dinner featuring Wood at 6 p.m., Jan. 12, in Student Center Ballrooms.

____________________________________________________________________

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to attend the workshops and the dinner featuring Lois Wood, retired executive director of the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. For more information or to arrange interviews contact Diane Regan, the law schools interim director of communication and alumni outreach, at 618/453-8768.

______________________________________________________________________

The two-day workshop is specifically for students but the dinner is open to the public. The dinner cost is $25 a plate and the registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 5. Visit www.law.siu.edu/academics/center-programs/women-in-leadership-program.html for registration information and additional details on the workshop.

43 years with Land of Lincoln

Prior to becoming executive director at Land of Lincoln, Wood was managing attorney in the organizations East St. Louis office and a staff attorney. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 1974.

Wood represented low-income clients with housing and issues in state and federal individual cases and class actions and collaborated with community groups on community and civil rights issues. She also represented financially distressed farmers as part of the Illinois Family Farm Law Project and was president of the Board of the Farmers Legal Action Group from 2005  2013.

Workshop focus is on leadership

The workshops primary focus is on women in leadership, but includes all types of diversity  including gender, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and people with disabilities, said Cindy Buys, law professor and workshop co-creator.

Workshop topics include diverse methods of communication, opportunities to develop professional leadership skills, gender issues in the workplace, networking, and balancing career and family issues.

The workshop allows female students who are interested in attending law school know that SIU School of Law has programming designed to address issues they will face, Buys said.

Women in the legal profession

Although women have been attending law school in equal numbers to men for the last couple of decades, women still have a long way to go to achieve equity in the legal profession, Buys said. In 2017, women made up 22.7 percent of partners in law firms and only 20 percent of equity partners, according to the New York Times ,. Women comprise 45.49 percent of associates at private firms and 34.54 percent of all lawyers are women.

According to the National Jurist, 30 percent of the law school deans are women and 33 percent of state and federal judges are women, according to the National Womens Law Center. Three of the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court are women.

Recognizing female leaders in the legal professionFactSet Research Systems Inc. (the ""Company"" or ""FactSet"") is a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications and services for the investment and corporate communities. Since inception, global financial professionals have utilized the Company's content and multi-asset class solutions across each stage of the investment process. FactSet's goal is to provide a seamless user experience spanning idea generation, research, portfolio construction, trade execution, performance measurement, risk management, reporting, and portfolio analysis, in which the Company serves the front, middle, and back offices to drive productivity and improved performance. FactSet's flexible, open data and technology solutions can be implemented both across the investment portfolio lifecycle or as standalone components serving different workflows in the organization. FactSet is focused on growing the business throughout each of its three segments, the Americas, EMEA (formerly known as Europe), and Asia Pacific. The Company primarily delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of Research, Analytics and Trading, Content and Technology Solutions (""CTS"") and Wealt

Read MoreMorgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc. is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. The fund is co-managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company. It invests in the public equity markets of India. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the U.S. dollar adjusted BSE National Index. Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc. was formed on December 22, 1993 and is domiciled in the United States.

Read MoreUniFirst Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, personalization, rental, cleaning, delivery, and sale of a range of uniforms and protective clothing. It operates through following segments: U.S. Rental and Cleaning, Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing, Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning, First Aid, and Corporate. The U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning segment purchases, rents, cleans, delivers and sells uniforms and protective clothing and non-garment items in the United States and Canada. The Manufacturing segment designs and manufactures uniforms and non-garment items primarily for the purpose of providing these goods to the U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment. The Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning segment sells specialty garments and non-garment items primarily for nuclear and cleanroom applications and provides cleanroom cleaning services at limited customer locations. The First Aid segment provides first aid cabinet services and other safety supplies as well as maintains wholesale distribution and pill packaging operations. The Corporate segment consists of costs associated with its distribution center, sales and marketing, informatio

Read MoreMettler-Toledo International, Inc. is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The firm manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. It also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development; and also, metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. Its operations are conducted by the following segments: U. S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The U.S. Operations segment represents certain of the company's marketing and producing organizations located in the United States. The Swiss Operations segment includes marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland, as well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety of industrial and laboratory applications. Th

Read MoreFuel marketers on Tuesday insisted that they could no longer import Premium Motor Spirit at a control price of N145 per litre.

They also said they were not responsible for the recent scarcity of the product witnessed across the country.

The Chairman of Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed these to State House correspondents at the end of a meeting stakeholders in the oil industry had with Federal Governments delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

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The meeting which was held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja was also attended by the heads of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Immigration Service as well as representatives of other paramilitary services.

Abiodun said neither the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation nor the independent marketers could be blamed for the recent fuel scarcity.U.S.-based supercar producer SSC has been quiet for several years now, but just broke the silence with a new teaser image of its forthcoming model. Dubbed the Tuatara, the fresh offering looks to take on the best of the best for ultimate top speed production glory.

Will it have what it takes to run in a segment bolstered by some seriously fast competition?

The Full Story

SSC North America, previously known as Shelby SuperCars, Inc., is best known as the company that produced the SSC Ultimate Aero, a mid-engine two-door that snagged the record for fastest production car in the world back in 2007 by going an impressive 256.14 mph. SSC held that record for about three years, but was eventually dethroned by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport in 2010.

As a follow-up to the Ultimate Aero, SSC introduced a new concept in 2011 at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance. Dubbed the Tuatara, SSC said a production version was in the works, with plans to build it at a new facility in the companys home state of Washington in 2013. However, delays put a damper on SSCs momentum, and things have been quiet ever since.

Until today. Now, SSC has returned with a new teaser image to once again stoke the flames of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the teaser doesnt come with any new information, merely offering a single shadowy outline of the car and its headlights, as well as the tag line The Evolution Is Coming.

Last time we heard from SSC, the Tuatara came equipped with an aluminum turbocharged 6.9-liter V-8 making as much as 1,350 horsepower and 1,280 pound-feet of torque, with output rising to 1,700 horses with all the emissions stuff disconnected.

In case you were wondering, the Tuatara name comes from a type of lizard native to New Zealand. Last time we heard from SSC, the Tuatara came equipped with an aluminum turbocharged 6.9-liter V-8 making as much as 1,350 horsepower and 1,280 pound-feet of torque, with output rising to 1,700 horses with all the emissions stuff disconnected. Power is routed exclusively to the rear axle by way of a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission. Dry weight is rated at 2,750 pounds thanks to a carbon fiber and aluminum body and frame, plus theres carbon brakes and adjustable suspension to help it handle. Redline is set at 9,200 rpm, with the 0-to-60 mph sprint done in 2.3 seconds. Top speed was originally rated at 276 mph.

Outside, theres wild, space-age looking styling, with the cab placed in the middle and ultra-sleek aerodynamics. The concepts interior is also ludicrously high-tech-looking, although we doubt all those cues will make it into the production version.

There's been a lot of new entries since the Tuatara was first revealed in concept form back in 2011, with a bevy of impressive machines dropping cover just in the past year.

The SSC Tuatara is expected to cost around $1.3 million a pop, with production limited to less than a few hundred units.

The real question is this  will this thing have what it takes to hang with the biggest and baddest in the modern supercar market? Theres been a lot of new entries since the Tuatara was first revealed in concept form back in 2011, with a bevy of impressive machines dropping cover just in the past year. For example, theres top contenders like the Mercedes-AMG Project 1 and Hennessey Venom F5, not to mention our pick for Best Supercar of 2017, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Its also worth noting Koenigsegg just went 277.9 mph in a run on public roads in Nevada, beating SSCs projected top speed.

All told, the Tuatara might have some catching up to do.

References

SSC Ultimate Aero

Read our full review on the 2006 SSC Ultimate Aero.

Read our full review on the 2014 SSC Tuatara.

Source: SSC North AmericaHollis isnt kidding about the Tundras age. The current truck has been around since 2007 with a mid-cycle refresh in 2014 and the addition of Toyota Safety Sense as standard for 2018. Beyond that, the trucks frame and powertrain have soldiered on unchanged. Conversely, the competition from Ford , General Motors, Ram , and Nissan has been red-hot by comparison. In fact, GM and Ram are debuting all-new versions of their trucks for 2019.

The Toyota Tundra is finally getting some much-deserved attention from Toyota engineers and designers, and a complete redesign is coming in the next few years. Thats according to Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division, who spoke with Auto Guide. I dont think theres [a] much higher priority than that, he said, referring to the next new half-ton. Tundra has been out for plenty of time so were looking at what the new one would look like.

What The Future Holds

One look at Toyotas full vehicle lineup points to the Tundra being next in line for updates.

One look at Toyotas full vehicle lineup points to the Tundra being next in line for updates. The Camry is completely new, the next-generation RAV4 is on the brink of debut, and a new Corolla is said to be deep in development. With trucks and SUVs being so hot these days, Toyota has no other choice but to turn its attention to the Tundra (and hopefully soon the 4Runner.)

Of course, it takes years to develop a ground-up reinvention of a vehicle. Toyota is undoubtedly in the development stages for the Tundra. The automaker made a very publicized ordeal over its teardown and study of a 2007 Tundra that drove over a million miles with very few mechanical issues despite its hard life as a hotshot delivery truck for oil companies. Dissenters will say Toyota is using the million-mile truck to calculate how much to under-engineer the next Tundra in order to save on costs, however, Toyotas mantra of quality, dependability, and reliability (QDR is an in-house catchphrase) suggests the opposite. Were leaning in that direction, too.

Another big cog in the wheel of improvement is production volume. Toyotas San Antonio plant in Texas is operating beyond its original maximum capacity in order to meet demand. Both the Tundra and Tacoma are built there. Toyota has since lightened the load by recently opening a second assembly plant for the Tacoma in Baja California, Mexico. The plant will produce some 40,000 Tacomas annually, allowing for a greater percentage of Tundra production in San Antonio.

Our fingers are also crossed for a fully boxed steel frame.

Our speculative review on the next-generation Tundra has it debuting for the 2019 model year. We theorized the trucks venerable 5.7-liter i-Force V-8 will get an updated fuel system, much like the Tacomas D-4S system. It has both direct and port fuel injection to meet both power demands and efficiently and emissions requirements. Toyota could even add the dual Atkinson/Otto cycles for even more power and efficiency. We figure an eight- or 10-speed automatic transmission will be debuting, too, replacing the aging six-speed automatic.

Our fingers are also crossed for a fully boxed steel frame. Currently, the Tundra uses what Toyota calls its triple tech frame. As the name implies, the ladder frame uses three different cross-section types that include a fully boxed engine cradle, a reinforced C-channel under the cab, and an open C-channel under the bed. Every other truck maker uses a fully boxed frame from bumper to bumper. This ensured the truck has a solid backbone for better suspension performance and increased payload and towing capabilities.

In keeping with the 2018 addition of Toyotas active and passive safety suite called Toyota Safety Sense, the next-generation Tundra will undoubtedly come standard with this system. Automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and of course, a backup camera will all be included.

Toyota would also be wise to revive the single cab option

Toyota would also be wise to revive the single cab option. The Tundra dropped the single cab configuration in 2017 due to slow sales, though Toyota is seemingly ignoring the massive market of fleet sales. With the right combination of capability, bed accessories, and low pricing, Toyota could steal some serious market share from Ford, GM, and Ram. Nissan is already marching down this road with its new Titan and Titan XD pickups, so Toyota has some serious ground to catch up.

As for pricing, we can expect Toyota to charge more for its next Tundra, though it cannot price itself out of the race. The competitions trucks start near $30,000 and crest around $60,000. The next Tundra will have to match this to be successful. It will also have to offer more luxurious trim levels, too. The competition has things like massaging seats and a panoramic moonroof  and thats what high-end buyers are expecting.

References

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Toyota Tundra.

Read our full review on the 2014 Toyota Tundra.

Read our full driven review on the 2017 Toyota Tundra Platinum.

Read our full driven review on the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.Muslims Demand Their Own New Year Holiday, Say January 1 For False God Of Rome .

Muslims in Nigeria have demanded for their own equivalent of January 1, which is the beginning of the year. .

A statement signed by Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, reads in part: As usual and since colonial days into Nigerias post-independence period, the Federal Government declared today, 1st January 2018, as a public holiday. .

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) observes that todays holiday fully consolidated the two-day Christmas holiday and enabled Nigerian Christians to kick off the 2018 Christo-Western Gregorian calendar. .

However, conscious Nigerian Muslims, particularly stakeholders in the welfare of Muslims as well as the growth and development of Islam in Nigeria, approached todays holiday with mixed feelings. .

Our feeling of marginalization arises from the reality of the Nigerian situation which has conditioned Muslims in the country for religious segregation and subjected them to spiritual apartheid. .

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Here we are today, enjoying January 1st holiday which was declared by the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria in recognition of the Christo-Western Gregorian calendar. .

But the same FG which recognizes this Christian calendar is yet to declare 1st Muharram a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic calendar despite several petitions and appeals to it dating back to the 60s. Surprisingly, some people still complain that Nigeria is Islamised!

Why is FG granting holiday for a false god of Rome and denying same for Allah the Creator of all things (Quran 2:29), the Judge of all Judges (95: , Master of all masters (51:58) and the King of Kings (3:26).

Research reveals that 1st January is in honour of Janus, the Roman god of gates whom the Romans believed protected them from invasions. This is an incontrovertible fact. Why should FG force us to idolize the false god of Rome? .

MURIC charges FG to drop its colonial garb and to don a truly nationalistic identity. For Nigerian Muslims to feel a sense of belonging, FG must close the gap between Christians and Muslims.The largest privately-owned passenger rail service in North America, Rocky Mountaineer has been welcoming guests onboard since its inception in 1990. Its sole goal is providing life changing experiences for their guests.

Guests will be up close and personal to the mountains without having to wear hiking shoes. Enjoy the luxury inside the train while gazing at the beautiful scenery of the Canadian Rockies.

Rocky Mountaineer offers unique Canadian vacation packages that are rich in history and natural wonders, through Washington state, British Columbia and Alberta. Its specific destinations include Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel, Seattle, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Calgary, with various route options.

Rocky Mountaineer has received numerous travel awards and accolades over the years. The company has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the Worlds Greatest Trips and by the Society of American Travel Writers as The Best Train Experience in the World.

This world-renowned, luxurious train travels by daylight through the wild beauty of Canadas West and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies.About

Since 1986, founder Glen Moroney has grown Scenic Tours from a regional operator of packaged holidays to one of the worlds leading touring companies. In 2008, the company launched Scenic Cruises, and debuted the companys exclusive Scenic Space-Ships offering a wide array of European, French and Russian river itineraries.



Widely acknowledged as the finest vessels on Europes waterways, the ships boast unrivalled space, luxurious amenities and two full decks of Private Balcony Suites, which feature full-size, private sun lounge outdoor balconies adjoining the spacious cabins, a choice of dining venues, plus the convenience of private butler service in all stateroom/suite categories.It is a giant electric radiator that they forgot to turn on due to a software failure.

Apple's new Chicago store is a beautiful thing, with a 111 by 98 foot carbon fibre roof that Apple says is "designed to be as thin as possible, and the entire structure is supported by four interior pillars that allow the 32-foot glass facades to remain unobscured." Jony Ives says Apple Michigan Avenue is about removing boundaries between inside and outside, reviving important urban connections within the city. Architectural critic Blair Kamin calls it "an understated gem."

 Apple/ Foster + PartnersIt certainly looked beautiful in summer. But right now, in the middle of a cold Chicago winter, there are caution signs all around it as icicles and runoff make walking anywhere near the building treacherous. Blogger Matt Maldre notes:

Maybe next time Apple will consider the actual community where their stores are built. Yknow, basic things like in Chicago, the weather gets cold. It snows. The snow falls off the roof. Dont design a sloping roof where the snow cant be caught or guttered off somewhere.

Blair Kamin defends the building and the architects, TreeHugger Favourites Foster + Partners.

...let's put this in perspective. Winter happens. And architects often aren't prepared for it. Such shortcomings undercut their achievements and their credibility as problem-solvers. Yet the faults do not altogether vanquish the value of their designs.

It turns out to be a software problem. Kamin explains:

Apple spokesman Nick Leahy on Friday said the building's architects, London-based Foster + Partners, had designed the glass-walled store with winter in mind, but had been foiled by a technical malfunction. "The roof has a warming system that's built into it," he said. "It needed some fine-tuning and it got re-programmed today. It's hopefully a temporary problem." In addition, he said, the store was designed to drain water  not through conventional gutters, but through four internal support columns.

Kamin tries to make a case that sometimes architects bend the rules for what he thinks really matters: "how buildings and the rest of the built environment shape human experience."

Perhaps. It may be a Chicago thing, buildings that appear designed to waste heat, that engineer Ted Kesik has called "architectural pornography" with their radiator fin designs. This one is even worse; it actually is a radiator, a giant carbon fibre electric powered radiator designed to melt the snow on its roof.

I love apple products, and I love Norman Foster. But really, this building, with its single glazed laminated glass and its electric radiator roof, is a monument to unsustainable design.Treehugger and our third-party partners use cookies and process personal data like unique identifiers based on your consent to store and/or access information on a device, display personalized ads and for content measurement, audience insight, and product development. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Treehugger.com, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, click below. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. List of Partners (vendors)Shoepuff,

Excellence Resorts has a history of using/allowing shills on TripAdvisor to promote their chain of resorts in exchange for what only those shills know, but the rest of us can imagine. These TripAdvisor members have worked the Mexico and PC forums for years to build false credibility and lead unsuspecting travelers toward the brand. They have a fine product. My stay at their flagship Mexico property many years ago was middle of the road, with poor food, poor beach, and cheap room appointments such that I had no desire to try for another stay or another of their resorts. However, they have many legitimate fans who like their service, no reservations Dinner policy, fancy appearing rooms, and multiple restaurants. I stay and have stayed at many AIs, and have found a large number to be of higher caliber than Excellence, some for more money and some right in the same range.

The Jamaica forums until this property came along, have been free from shilling. Couples and Sandals have many loyal followers here, but no compensated ones. Free upgrades and nights aren't given to 40 time repeaters at Couples. They don't need to and don't work that way. Even the newer Spanish chains that arrived in Jamaica haven't had shills invading the forums. Then the Excellence project got closer to being done and here they came. The vibe you are sensing is one of protectiveness for one rare forum on TA that was free of this nonsense. It won't last. Soon the shills will be competing over whose Slickpic album of EOB gets the most hits or who can post the first resort map or take a first meeting with a manager, and other keys to their shilly game.

They've made appearances along the way. And here came TJ, who knew so little, but then called it a "game changer " and then "speculated" about a list of specifics related to the property no one would know unless informed...and then admitted to having been informed. He suggested it will bring the "affluent traveler" to Jamaica. He seems someone with a business interest related to the property of some sort, yet hasn't disclosed that while making promotional statements and promising a report from his site visit (though TripAdvisor allows neither solicitation nor self-promotion). It seems par for the course with Excellence and certainly makes me question his credibility.

You asked some simple questions about Excellence. I'm sure it will be a very nice property on an okay beach with excellent service, decent food from many restaurants, fancy drinks from poor mixers, very nice pools, and elaborate but not luxuriously appointed rooms. That's their resort model. It works well for them. They will also have tiered service, with Excellence Club rooms, pool, and maybe check-in available only to guests who pay for that level. If I were choosing a greater MoBay-area AI, I would read reviews and compare it to Secrets. However, I'd choose IBGRH and Zoetry Montego Bay over it in a heartbeat. JMO.

Edited: 3 years agoI have heard great things about Huatulco and have it on my list. Just wondering what makes this the choice location to visit in Mexico for you? We have spent the last two Xmas holidays in the Rivera Mayan at Playa Del Carmen and just got back from Akumal 2 days ago. We have been to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo (and Jamaica) as well over the years. I loved each and every one of our experiences in Mexico. We have come to the conclusion from our travels that we prefer renting a condo over AI's, like exploring the "towns" and not sitting at a pool or beach the whole time. I do like to be beachside or at least a view of the ocean with quick access to the beaches. We don't want to rent a car to get places. I don't like crowds of tourists but still am not totally comfortable in "local" areas because we know minimal Spanish. I don't really have to be sold on a visit to this area but just would like to hear others opinions on Huatulco and why you prefer it over other sunny destinations.Hi all,

Getting married on July 14th, looking to go back to Costa Rica for our honeymoon.

We wen't last march for 6 days stayed in Playa Guiones/Nosara area for a surfcation and had an absolute blast. We loved the small town vibe and people (FOOD) so we are planning on staying another 3-4 days in Nosara surfing and hanging out and then exploring the rest of CR for another 6-7 days. It was a little dry in March and we can't wait to see it during the green season!

Basically we need advice on what to do for the last part of our trip. I am a geologist and must do some volcano hiking/tours and my fiance wants to relax/snorkel. I was thinking about finding a rainforest/hot spring resort, but I am having a hard time choosing. There is an overwhelming amount of info out about where to stay and what to do so I wanted to see what you guys could recommend. What should we see/stay and what should we skip.

We are both in our mid 20's, surf, backpack, and not fans of large crowds. Huge mega Hilton/whatever resorts are not our cup of tea.

Would love some opinions

Pura Vida!My husband and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica in September. I posted some initial questions and got great responses. Now I have a draft itinerary that I'd like to run past you all and see what you think.

A bit about us quickly - it will just be my husband and I, no kids, we are in our mid-40s and reasonably fit. We like the outdoors, hiking, photography, exploring towns, eating local food, drinking local beer, hanging out - we are pretty low-key. I've been to Costa Rica once before several years ago, this will be my husband's first trip. We will have 10 days for the trip (including arrival and departure, so 8 full days on the ground).

I originally wanted to go to Tortuguero NP, but we have decided against it (at least on this trip). My husband just doesn't sleep well when it's hot, so going out to humid and remote Tortuguero where AC is scarce might not be the best choice with him - no one wants to hang out with a grump who hasn't slept well. He hasn't spent much time in tropical places, so I am not sure how he'll do with the humidity in general. We'll see how it goes and perhaps visit Tortuguero on another trip.

Here's our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive San Jose mid-day, rent a car, drive to La Fortuna. Haven't really researched where to stay, so recommendations are welcome. We are considering both places in town and lodges outside of town since we will have a car. I'd like to keep the budget below $200/night, below $150/night would be even better.

Days 2 and 3: In La Fortuna - Hike in Arenal NP, hanging bridges, thermal baths, and...

Day 4: Morning drive to Braulio Carillo NP, stay at Tapirus Lodge, afternoon hike at lodge. Tapirus Lodge looks jungly and basic, so our 1 night there is sort of a test to see how it goes without AC for a night.

Day 5: Morning at Rainforest Adventures for Arial tram and zipplining. Afternoon drive to Puerto Viejo - stay at Banana Azul - chosen because there is a beach to hang out with loungers plus a pool. We plan to spend more time relaxing and hanging out than earlier in the trip.

Days 6-8: On the Caribbean Coast - We haven't determined what all we'll do in the area, but have some ideas in mind - Cahuita NP, Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, check out the towns in the area.

Day 9: Morning drive to San Jose, afternoon in San Jose. We'll probably only have time for a bit of walking around, maybe a museum or something, and a good meal. So any recommendations about where to stay would be great - we'll have an early morning flight the next day, so we want to be reasonably convenient to the airport too. We'll probably turn the car in and then taxi to our hotel.

Day 10: Morning flight home.We are headed to Costa Rica at the end of April. We are flying in and out of Liberia. In hindsight, we should have flown into Liberia and out of San Jose (or vice versa) but the flights are booked now and I don't want to change them.

We have 2 options that we are considering:

(1) Spend 2 nights in Tamarindo, 3 nights in Manuel Antonio, and 2 nights in Arenal.

(2) Go directly to Manuel Antonio, spend 4 or 5 nights there, and then to Arenal and spend 2-3 nights there.

In either of these scenarios, we will be spending the last night in Liberia in close proximity to the airport as our flight leaves at 7:50am the next morning.

We haven't decided whether we want to rent a car or take a combination of shuttles and private transports, but I've priced it out and it looks relatively comparable (with the combo of shuttle/private transfers being slightly cheaper, and this is before taking into account the cost of gas and parking for a rental car). I've read quite a bit on the forums about car rentals in Costa Rica.

Priorities: spending time in the NP in Manuel Antonio, getting some quality beach time, seeing some rainforests, and doing some hiking. My husband also wants to take a surfing lesson and rent a board for a day or two.

We don't want to spend half our trip travelling from one location to the other which is why we are leaning towards not going to Tamarindo but simply splitting our time between Manuel Antonio and Arenal.

Thoughts? Is it too much travel time to also go to Tamarindo? Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!Re: Caribbean coast in May for wildlife and beaches

2. Re: Caribbean coast in May for wildlife and beaches

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We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.Congrats, lucky you! We spent 2.5 weeks there in Oct 2017. Flew into Saigon (HCMC) for our son's wedding. Traveled to Hanoi and Halong Bay.

1. I wouldn't think the holiday would present too much problems with air travel as there are so many flights each day between Saigon and Hanoi. We got SIM cards with data plans (dirt cheap) to use our phones then downloaded VietJet app and made reservations in country. Worked great.

2. We prebooked a cruise on Dragon Pearl with Indochina Junk because the boats are small so the number of guests is limited. We LOVED it! Goes to Bai Tu Long branch of Halong Bay, so not so many boats and crowds. We made our final payment at tour office in Hanoi as it was walking distance from our hotel.

3. Most hotels will pick you up from airport for a fee (reasonable), Just schedule ahead. Otherwise look for VinaSun or Mai Linh taxi. Do NOT get into taxi's that randomly approach you. We downloaded GRAB (like UBER) to our phone and used this once we had our SIM card. You can select the GRAB car size you need (car, van, scooter). The app tells you the price ahead of time and it stays on your phone as means of verification when you pay driver. The car's plate number and description appears in your phone so you can watch for it.They allow you to pay in Vietnamese Dong which we preferred over credit. We used this everywhere (very inexpensive).

Have Fun!!I might recommend Takaragawa Onsen in the remote mountain area of Minakami to foreigners who must, must, and must bath together, and cannot stand being separated for even 20-30 minutes while taking bath. It has a wild rustic atmosphere and quite large (although not sure the largest) bath pools. One is women-only, but in other three pools women may enter with a special bathing gown and where men should be discreet enough with the use of etiquette washing towel. During the daytime, it is a family-friendly place, with also bike riders, same-sex friends (not romantic couple, I assume), solo onsen lovers, and different-sex couples visiting as day guests, with occasional foreign tourists (although some seem to be a bit puzzled as they might have imagined a more romantic couples place or a nudist beach like atmosphere). The onsen water is authentic; the facilities are not sophisticated, and a bit sort of untidy (the place is a mountain hut and not a luxury ryokan), but it offers a nice bathing experience.

I am not a fan of mixed gender bath even together traveling with a girlfriend, and I dislike the usual tiny baths with no view for family/couple bath (therefore I often go to bath on my own to the gender-segregated section with larger baths). I am quite horrified by some inconsiderate couples using the bath for non-bathing activities or commercial film-shooting, which are simply against manners (and that's one of the reasons I don't really like mixed gender baths). However, I think it's alright that mixed gender onsen exist in such remote mountain areas where mostly genuine onsen lovers go to respecting common sense - and women in special bath robes. But do note that women are simply going into the men's section, and they could always go to the women's only section there - as a man just enjoying bath in what is really the men's section which allows women in too, it isn't fun to be eyed with suspicion by an unknown woman who has poor understandings of it.

(I post this as I feel sometimes frustrated by FAQs such as recommendation for a mixed gender onsen in Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto; that would seem like out of mind to the locals).

Edited: 2 years ago-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

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We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.Hi everyone

It's my first time posting a question in the forum, so I hope I'm doing this right!

My boyfriend and I are travelling to Japan for our fourth trip there in March 2018.

We are looking for some suggestions for an 8-day itinerary that would miss out on the places we have already been to - so NOT including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Mt Koya, Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Nagasaki, Kumano Kodo, Fukuoka, Takamatsu and Kagoshima, as we have already visited these places.

We are going to be stopping off in Tokyo and Osaka on the way out and back so don't mind an overnight in the places we have been to, but would love to find a tour that doesn't cover off the 'usual' sights.

We wondered about either touring Shikoku or eastern Honshu for 8 days. We like onsen, hiking (we hiked the Kumano Kodo last year), ramen, video games and drinking chu-hi. :-) Plus seeing art, museums, temples and generally wandering to get the sense of a place. We are easygoing and don't like to rush - we would rather see 2-3 places in 8 days than run about and see very little.

Our budget is moderate (a 2/3 star hotel or a cheaper ryokan, or a minshuku) but we could hire a car if that would be sensible; if not, we love travelling on Japanese trains.

We don't ski, so are avoiding the Alps and Hokkaido as it's maybe too snowy and/or cold - but if there is a great Hokkaido itinerary someone can suggest for a March trip, we'd definitely consider it.

We don't dislike much - but are finding it hard to nail down an itinerary that bypasses the places we have been - but offers an easygoing itinerary for 8 days. We are happy to go more off the beaten track (we would actually prefer less busy places as it's more fun).

I hope you can help - really grateful for your responses and can't wait to hear some suggestions!

Thank you in advance.

Cassie

Edited: 3 years agoFlying in a jet isnt as fun as it used to be. We came to that conclusion after having spending too many hours in airports this past week. My husband, Tom, even went as far to say hed drive to Florida next time rather than fly. Im not going to agree with that statement but it made me think.We were in a group of 10 (including my 10 months old infant granddaughter) and on our last day trip in Tokyo on 31.12.2017. Initially I was asking for pick up from our hotel Lumiere Kasai at 19.00 but later changed it to 14.30pm. Tokyoairporter made me to choose either 14.30pm or 18.15pm.

We arrived late and the van had left. Tokyo Airporter send me an email that since we were late, they would not refund me. I communicated with Tokyo Airporter that they were not suppose to forfeit the whole amount as they only made the trip to Lumiere Hotel Kasai but NOT to Haneda Airport. I also asked them to send me another van but the replied was they were fully booked.

Worrying that we would miss our flight home, I asked the hotel to arrange us a van. I was informed that since it was the eve of new year it would be very hard to get one in short notice. They advised me to go to nearby Kasai Station to look for taxi.

I managed to get a taxi whose driver speak very little english but we could understand each other. The taxi guy was very helpful and helped me get another 2 taxis as we have many bags.

When I reached the airport, Tokyo Airporter all of a sudden emailed me they have a van available and asked me to wait for 20 minutes. I told them we were already at the airport and demanded them to refund me the balance of my money (Yen 17000) after deducting the trip they made to Lumiere Hotel Kasai but they refused.

This company is very unreasonable and unsuspecting tourist must think thousand times to make a booking from them based on my experience. I will definitely not use them in my future trips whether to Japan or other part of the countries in the world.

The reason being, they took advantage on us and very unprofessional as they should have called me over my mobile handphone when their driver had reached the pick up point.

Further, they said they were fully booked and no van was available but later they said there was a van available. ALL communications were made through email and they never called me when I first replied to their email after knowing their driver had left.

Had they informed me earlier that there was a van available and would be coming over in 20 minute I would not have proceeded to book 3 taxis and paid Yen 25000 to Haneda Airport!!!!

I warned them that I would post a bad comments on their poor and unreasonable service if they failed to refund me and they were very adamant.

So I would like to share this very bad experience with Tokyo Airporter to all those out there to beware always.

VERY BAD SERVICE and UNETHICAL.Iv just booked to go to new york solo and have been having a look through and seen people saying dont take to much cash. I dont really use credit cards and was going take enough cash to last and my bank card.

Just woundering is the reason they say take a credit card just because its insured or not safe to carry to much cash?

ThanksPeoples best friend and now humans security, dogs, are the most popular pets in the Kenyan household. However, most people do not realize the commercial prospects available in dog market in Kenya. The main advantage of this business is that the startup costs may be relatively affordable provided you have space to rear. As with any other venture, it is essential to research before investing in the business.

Dog Farms in Kenya: Profitability, Action Plan, Tips and More

Dog Farming Tips

Kenyan dog market is not saturated. There are no barriers to entry and competition varies depending on numerous factors. Passion and business acumen are the critical determinants of success in the dog farming business. Product knowledge is a must-have in this sector. As a dog breeder in Kenya, you need to draft a business plan that will guide you.

READ ALSO: Billionaire businessman goes back to milking cows after losing gubernatorial contest

Dog Farming Business Plan

The business plan captures the following factors:

 Identify the specifics of the various breeds in the market. These include the traits, history, environment, care, and marketability.

 The market needs: map out your target market. With the knowledge of the target or potential customers, you can research the customer needs and preferences. Some people prefer pets, while others opt for trained dogs that could beef up security in the home.

 Understand the demand and supply dynamics in the market; where will you source the dogs? At how much? How much are you willing to sell? How does the demand for the different breeds compare? Is it profitable?

 Budget; here you will weigh your starting capital against all the costs. The initial expense includes purchases, vaccination, equipment, license, and dog food.

 Prepare to take off; ensure there is enough space to breed the dogs and puppies. Purchase the puppies and dogs if you do not already have one. Develop a plan to enable your product penetrates the market. You can begin with word of mouth and referrals.

 Plans for the future; where do you see the business in the coming months? What is the long-term vision of the business?

Dog Breeders in Kenya

The German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, and Rottweiler are top Kenyan dog breeds. Nevertheless, dog breeders in Kenya have reported an influx in the demand of the other breeds such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, and Maltese. Dog breeders in Nairobi import different breeds from Germany and Czech Republic. The importation costs influence the final selling price.

Dog Farms in Kenya: Profitability, Action Plan, Tips and More

Dog Sellers in Kenya

Some of the dog sellers in Kenya include:

1. Acacia Pedigree

Located in Nairobi, Acacia Pedigree deals in big pure breed dogs. Currently, the kennel has East European shepherds, Black shepherds, Boerboels, and Caucasian Shepherds. Acacia Pedigree also provides other services such as animal training, relocation and traveling, grooming and accommodation as well as the sale of pet accessories.

2. Blueline Kennels

They specialize in the work line German Shepherd breeds. The Kennels located in Nakuru Kenya focuses on training, rearing, and breeding top notch police-service German Shepherd dogs.

Other German shepherd breeders in Kenya include Athyvine Kennel, Bendel Kennels, Kiuna dogs and Dallahaus Dogs.

3. Wildfire Rhodesian Ridgebacks

They specialize in the Rhodesian Ridgebacks that have a unique ridge running down their spine. The dogs are a mix of African dogs and European hunting dogs.

4. Savannah Kennels

They offer the Jack Russells, Rottweilers and the South African Boerboels

5. Imani Kennels

Located in Kenyas capital, Imani Kennels breed English style Labradors Retrievers.

Before purchasing any breeds ensure that the seller shows you the medical/veterinary records of the dogs. Remember, customers require all information about the dog as proof of the dogs pedigree. Plus, for you to qualify for a city council license you will have to present a complete vaccination certificate. Inquire as much as possible about the dogs family tree. Having unique dogs such as champion breeds or rare colors such as silver-grey or white gives you a competitive advantage over other dog sellers in Kenya.

Dog Farms in Kenya

There are some dog farms in Kenya that provide multiple services including boarding, training, care, veterinary, and registration of Pedigree dogs. These farms can help you understand the management and operational aspects of dog rearing.

Dog Farms in Kenya: Profitability, Action Plan, Tips and More

Dog Farming Profitability

For you to realize significant profit margins in the dog market, product differentiation, and value addition is essential. Also, you can provide additional services such as boarding, training, and breeding.

READ ALSO: Pig Farming in Kenya Success Stories: Michael Wanyoike

Source: Tuko- Several security officers patrolling the notorious Elwak-Kotulo road in Mandera were killed by al Shabaab militants

- A unit of GSU officers responding to the attack was also ambushed and their truck burnt

- Police scrambled another team to respond to the two attacks

- The attack came days after KDF killed several militants who attacked Ijara Police Camp

Several Kenyan security officers lost their lives on Tuesday, January 2, following an al Shabaab attack on the Elwak-Kotulo road in Mandera county.

The attack took place as officers, including reservists, regular police and administration police, patrolled the dangerous stretch before they were ambushed by militants.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

According to a report by the Daily Nation on Wednesday, January 3, three police reservists and two administration police were killed in the initial attack and the militants ambushed first respondents to the scene.

READ ALSO: Who is Mudavadi in Luhya politics? Eugene Wamalwa asks as he declares 2022 bid

Al Shabaab militants in Somalia. Photo: Radio Shabelle

Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE

Apparently, a contingent of General Service Unit personnel who responded to the attack were ambushed and their truck burnt by the militants.

This was confirmed by Mandera South Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Bundotich. He added that a second team was dispatched to the scene of the two attacks.

According to prior TUKO.co.ke reports, this attack came days after the Kenya Defense Forces killed five al Shabaab militants who were among a group of attackers on the Ijara Police camp.

READ ALSO: Former Presidential candidate pokes fun at her alleged lover as she claims he wants to kill her for love

A contingent of GSU officers who were first to respond to the scene were also ambushed by the militants. Photo: Capital FM

The attack took place on Sunday, December 31, and police recovered stolen motorcycles and weapons from the militants.

Several militants fled after sustaining injuries from a shootout with the military.

Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: Tuko.co.keRussian-backed militants launched six attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center.

As noted, militants violated ceasefire outside Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), using heavy machine guns and small arms. In the area of Verkhniotoretske (22km north-east of Donetsk), terrorists opened fire from 82mm mortars and infantry weapons on positions of Ukrainian defenders.

Russian-backed militants also used 82mm mortars, weapons on infantry combat vehicles, grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms to launch attacks on Ukrainian strongholds near Hnutove (19km north-west of Mariupol). In addition, the enemy used infantry weapons to fire at ATO troops outside Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk).

As a result of enemy shelling, two Ukrainian servicemen were slightly wounded.

ol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.Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in eastern Ukraine in last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a press briefing on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As a result of the enemy shelling, no Ukrainian servicemen were killed, but two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in ATO area in Donbas in last day. This happened outside Avdiivka [18km north of Donetsk] and Vodiane [16km north-west of Donetsk], Motuzianyk said.

The wounded soldiers were immediately delivered to military hospitals.

olOpening of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton is one of the main priorities of the Ukrainian Embassy in Canada for this year.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said this in a commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent.

A very pleasant plan for the next year is opening of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton, the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. Ukraine should have made this decision a long time ago, and I very much hope that we will witness its magnificent implementation in 2018," Shevchenko said.

According to him, the new Consulate General "will significantly strengthen Ukraines diplomatic presence both in Canada and North America as a whole."

"There are more than 300,000 Canadians of Ukrainian origin living in Alberta and opening of the diplomatic mission is a very symbolic gesture towards our community throughout Western Canada. In addition, it is a critically important region from the economic perspective," the ambassador added.

He stressed that Ukraine would also focus on interacting with Canada as the G7 chair.

olThe launch of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement was one of the main achievements in the interstate relations for the last year.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said this in a commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Since August 1, the absolute majority of goods we sell to each other has been not liable to duties. This means that the conditions for producers both in Ukraine and in Canada have improved," Shevchenko recalled.

According to him, defense sector became the second main direction of bilateral relations.

"Last year we signed a defense agreement with Canada, and the UNIFIER training mission was also extended for two years. In addition, in December Canada added Ukraine to the Automatic Firearms Country Control List. It should also be recalled that on Ukraines Independence Day, the Canadian servicemen marched together with Ukrainian servicemen along the Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv. In brief, we reach a very high-quality brotherhood in arms, the importance of which cannot be overestimated amid the war," the ambassador said.

Canada also adopted the so-called Magnitsky Act and imposed sanctions on 30 Russian citizens suspected of violating human rights.

"It was indeed a very powerful year for Ukraine and Canada," Shevchenko summed up.

olUkraine hopes the Canadian sanctions imposed on Russian citizens for human rights violations will be expanded.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said this in a commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"According to the Magnitsky Act, which was adopted late last year, the personal sanctions have been already imposed on 30 Russian citizens for violation of human rights. We hope that in the future we will be able to fully apply this law against those Russians who persecute Ukrainians in Crimea, Donbas and the territory of the Russian Federation," the ambassador said.

According to him, having adopted this legislative act, Canada "showed the world a very worthy example of consistent pressure on Russia."

olAmbassador of Italy to Ukraine Davide La Cecilia promises to support the efforts to settle the situation in eastern Ukraine on the basis of the Minsk Agreements and in the Normandy format.

Italy starts its Presidency of OSCE for 2018. Full political support to be given to the efforts to seek a solution to the Ukraine crisis, on the basis of the Minsk agreements and in the Normandy format, the Italian ambassador posted on Twitter.

As reported, Italy assumed the presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from Austria on 1 January 2018 and promised to continue the efforts regarding the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

olThe conflict in Donbas is neither frozen nor forgotten for the West and for Germany, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has said.

He stated this on Wednesday before flying out to Ukraine, Ukrinform's correspondent in Germany reports.

"With a trip to Kyiv and Mariupol we want to show people in Ukraine that we will not let you down. For us, this conflict is neither frozen nor forgotten, but highly topical and highly dangerous," Gabriel said.

He noted that the largest surge of violence since the signing of the Minsk agreements had been recorded in eastern Ukraine last year.

At the same time, he described as encouraging signs the exchange of detainees and the agreement on a New Year and Christmas truce. "It has to go on like this," Gabriel said.

He said that Western partners, including Germany, would make every effort to resolve the crisis and find a solution that would bring peace to this region.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Rainer Breul said at a government briefing in Berlin that political talks would be held with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission during a visit to Kyiv on January 3 and a visit to the disengagement line near Mariupol on January 4.

"Negotiations with the Ukrainian government will be devoted to the course of reforms in Ukraine, especially the fight against corruption," the diplomat said.

opUkraine's representative in the security subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group, Yevhen Marchuk, has said he does not see any prospects for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to Donbas in the near future.

He stated this in an interview with Ukraine's Channel 5 late on Tuesday, January 2.

"Frankly speaking, I have little hope that it will be possible to resolve positively the issue with a peacekeeping contingent in the near future," Marchuk said.

He noted that two types of peacekeeping operations could be used for the situation in Donbas, either peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations, and the latter involves the use of weapons by peacekeeping forces against violators of peace or those who attack peacekeepers.

Marchuk noted that since many statements had already been made at various levels, including by "DPR/LPR" leaders, that they are against the peacekeeping initiative proposed by Ukraine, he does not see any prospects for the deployment of peacekeepers in the near future.

"However, this does not mean that this issue should not be promoted, and President Poroshenko correctly did when he raised this issue at the UN General Assembly," he said.

Russia's position on the UN contingent in Donbas is that peacekeepers must support the OSCE mission. Ukraine excludes the possibility of Russia's participation in the future UN peacekeeping force in Donbas.

opUkrinform continues the project, which acquaints Ukrainians with the new faces of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, tells about those who will wear judge gowns for the first time, and who came to the country's higher judicial body from scientific and educational institutions, from the bar and other spheres of social activity.

Oleh Tkachuk, a judge of the Cassation Civil Court in the composition of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, is among those for whom the judge's gown is not a novelty. He considered thousands of cases over 23 years of judicial work. In the last seven years he has considered more than 14,000 cases. At the same time, the judge's profession was combined with military, teaching, scientific, and administrative work.

Since his childhood he dreamed of becoming an officer, but became a judge. He sees providence here and does not regret anything.

About the dream of becoming an officer

I was born in Kyiv, my parents worked in various state bodies, and later the family moved to Popilnia district in Zhytomyr region. I lived in the village of Vasylivka for 15 years. I walked about three kilometers every day in order to get to school. In the seventh grade I recalled or understood that my father, grandfathers, whom I remember, fought a significant part of their life, defending my homeland. It inspired me to think that I should become an officer. Then I decided that I would defend my homeland - Ukraine.

Of course, at the age of 14 I could not be drafted to the army so I decided with my parents that an officer should be educated, and education should be related to law, because both with weapons in hands and with the code it still means the protection of citizens.

So, on the advice of my parents, I decided to enter Chernihiv Law College, at which, at that time, 12 people competed for one place.

Now I think that I would not send my children to study at the age of 15. But I went and made a choice. Chernihiv Law College had an extraordinary impression on me for all of my life. I was taught by highly educated, tolerant teachers, who guarded literally every student.

After graduating from the college, I went to the Armed Forces, a regular service began, after which I decided to return to my dream of becoming an officer. But again, it was necessary to study.

Since I had already had legal secondary education, I thought that it would be expedient to continue legal education. That was the year 1988, and the country was on the verge of rebuilding. I entered Kharkiv Dzerzhynsky Law Institute. When I graduated from it, the institution was already called the Ukrainian State Law Academy, and now it is called the Yaroslav the Wise National Law University.

After the studies I came back to the military registration and enlistment office. The year 1994 was a period of social transformation, and the attitude to the troops was rather specific, they were not as admired as is the case now, when we understand that the army is a border that separates us from aggression and allows us to protect our homeland.

About the first steps in career as a military judge

In the spring of 1994, I was conscripted to the Armed Forces. But again, the Ministry of Defense saw that I had a good education, so I was sent to the head of the Military Court of the Western Region of Ukraine. So I found myself in court.

At first, I was only at the disposal of the court chairman, and on December 20, 1994, I was elected a judge of the Military Court of the Kalynivka garrison. At the same time as I became a judge, I was enrolled in correspondence postgraduate study at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. In 1999, I graduated from the postgraduate study program and defended my Ph.D. thesis in the specialty "Criminal Procedure."

I see God's providence in the fact that I became not only an officer, as I wanted, but also a judge. I think there is a great logic here. I had the ability to hold weapons, becoming a colonel of justice, but it seems to me that I have done much more and more important than I could have done if I were only an officer, and not a lawyer.

About teachers and leading figures

Chernihiv Law College played great importance in my life. This is a very good school.

At Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University, where I studied at the postgraduate study, I found myself with the leading figures of the science of law - Head of the Department of Justice at the Faculty of Law Mykhailo Mikheyenko. He was a judge of the first composition of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. I can also say many warm words about Natalia Kuznetsova.

And again, in Kharkiv, I had great teachers, the lights of science  Yuriy Hroshevy, Vasyl Tatsiy, Viacheslav Komarov, Volodymyr Tykhy. They inoculated on me an extremely great love for law. For me, their humanity and openness are an example for imitation.

I thank all my teachers for this time. The essence of learning is not only in mastering a subject. It has a much greater moral philosophy.

About teaching activity

My teaching activity began in 2000. There was a period when I taught at six universities simultaneously in Vinnytsia. That is very difficult. Judicial work is extremely complex, requiring a lot of stress, moral, mental, and physical strength, but meetings with students to whom I wanted to convey what I felt and learned once from the leading figures were interesting and exciting.

It turned out so that part of my life is connected with Vinnytsia. This is the birthplace of my children. But in 2000 I moved to Kyiv to work in the Military Court of the Central Region. In the capital, I also continued my teaching at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, National Aviation University.

About the flag on Freedom Square

I can tell a lot about my student life. But if I generalize, this was a period when it was possible to communicate with friends, groupmates and colleagues for a long time and discuss the most difficult problems. My student life was in a difficult period - 1988-1994. This was just the time when the foundations were laid for the formation of the judiciary of the Soviet Union and then of independent Ukraine.

I remember when they brought a yellow-and-blue flag on the square in Kharkiv, which is now called Freedom Square. It was ours, Ukrainian, before the declaration of independence of Ukraine was proclaimed. I remember that day.

About well-remembered cases

As a rule, in the judges' panel we considered 30-50 cases a day. There are typical cases at each court session. The judge must correctly formulate his or her position and compare the rule of law or the justice of the court with those concepts that are shown to ordinary people as "good" and "evil." When you have a lot of experience and work a lot, then a significant part of cases is like on the scales.

Judges are people and should be guided not only by the dry norms of the law, otherwise they could be replaced by some kind of a robot or electronic machine.

There are cases when it is the judge who is required to apply not only the law, but also to use his or her soul, experience in the application of this law. And there were so many cases in my life. Unfortunately, I remember most of them.

At the beginning of my judge's career there was a criminal case when a man was accused of avoiding his military service duties, and this person was in combat duty. This was related to the protection of strategic missile objects. Apparently, everything is simple and obvious. And the law envisages a rather serious accountability.

The defendant told me that he was a villager and that he had five brothers and sisters at home. They have no father, and their mother abuses alcohol. Since there was winter, this guy had to get the house warm. So he left military service and went home by foot to chop firewood. When this case was considered, not only the defendant, but also, from time to time, the prosecutor, the lawyer and judges had teardrops on their eyes and they covered their faces with papers. We acquitted this guy.

About a year ago, we decided how to deal with a child who was left without parental care. The situation is not very simple. During a quarrel the couple caused each other bodily injuries incompatible with life. The child became an orphan and we had to decide who should take care of the kid  the husband's parents or the wife's parents. This was an extremely important case for us, we had to weigh everything. And we did so.

An unforgettable trace was left by the criminal case about the Sknyliv air show disaster, when 77 people were killed and hundreds were injured as a result of an unsuccessful airs how at the Sknyliv airfield in Lviv in 2002. My colleagues and I considered this case in Lviv for eight months. There were 700 victims, and we had to listen to each of them and understand their feelings in order to choose the measure of restraint for defendants and determine fair compensation for material and moral suffering caused. In fact, the judges experienced this tragedy and what happened at the Sknyliv airfield, together with the victims.

About hobbies and free time

I have no spare time. I treat my work as creativity. This is my hobby. I do not know if I can call work a love, but it's a big part of my life that I love. In the weekends, I try to improve myself somehow. I read fiction and draw a little. Drawing inspires reflection.

I love my job. I consider it socially useful. At the age of 15, I began to study law. Now I'm a bit older, and I continue to study it for 35 years. And this is not because I do not know it, but because I like it. I write scientific papers and attend conferences. I communicate with my colleagues. Sometimes my mom asked me why a person lives in the world. Then I could not answer this question. She said that a person lives for beauty. I think that the task of every person is to bring some beauty to this world and fulfill a task about which they do not even think.

About perception of social mood

It seems to me that the global task of a judge is to perceive the surrounding social mood. There can be different problems in judicial activity. Some of them are due to the fact that each of the lawyers reads the law in his or her own way. In a team, it is important that you can take a different position, evaluate it, and in some cases you need to listen to it. Maybe it's correct.

For example, people who previously did not work in the legal profession came to the new Supreme Court, and now it will be necessary to make decisions collectively, not solely.

About the decision to participate in the competition

In 2010, I applied for election as a judge of the High Specialized Court of Ukraine for Civil and Criminal Cases. At that time, it was a cassation court, which in fact replaced the Supreme Court with regard to the consideration of civil and criminal cases. Why and how this court was created is a theoretical and scientific problem, which can be discussed for a long time. But the main thrust of the 2010 reform, as I now see and consider as a legitimate step of the legislator, was the creation of a court that can efficiently, quickly and qualitatively solve tens of thousands of cases that stayed in Ukraine's courts at that time.

My colleagues and I wrote a lot about how to apply the case consideration procedure. They worked on it for about five years.

Then I took a creative vacation and began to work on a scientific work entitled "Problems of the implementation of the judiciary in the civil justice of Ukraine" where I wrote about many issues of judicial activity that are currently being discussed in connection with judicial reform. The problems of insufficient effectiveness of the judicial process are obvious to many people, but the task is to find ways to overcome negative phenomena.

I understood for myself that I can realize these issues, tasks, I see the current practice and I know what it should be like. This topic is close to me. And when the question was raised about the need to hold the competition and reformat high courts into the cassation court, of course, I thought that I was obliged to take part in the competition and I should work in the Supreme Court in the same way I worked before it in the cassation civil court. The Supreme Court now has somewhat different name, other functions and mechanisms. I thought that the ideas and experience that I have to use in a new judicial body are important to me.

About the competition

Of course, a competition to the Supreme Court is a positive event, especially since it never happened before. It is good that this could happen so openly, that there was and there is an opportunity for people to get to the Supreme Court through a competition. I believe that persons who wish to become a judge of the Supreme Court or to serve as judges must pass this competition.

As for the procedure itself, it is too long. I think this can be called the main disadvantage of the competition to the Supreme Court. It constantly kept me in tension. But I hope that the future competitions will be held in shorter terms.

About his role in the Supreme Court

I think that my main role in the Supreme Court is most likely the formation of a single legal practice. I think that when all cassation courts that are part of the Supreme Court adopt identical decisions on all legal issues, we, first and foremost, will have a smaller number of appeals to the court, and, secondly, the court practice in appellate courts will be more understandable and predictable not only for lawyers, but also for those citizens who, even without legal education, are looking for the truth in the courts.

My main task is ensure that we, judges and, first of all, judges of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court, to which I have been elected by my colleagues, could manage to make this judicial practice single, understandable and predictable. Judicial decisions must be perceived by people as the summit of justice, as the will of a just law. However, for this purpose, the decisions themselves should be the same.

I believe that the task of the court is to demonstrate its human essence. There is no inhuman judgment. There is a God's court and a court that operates in the country. And this court consists of citizens who have a father and mother. Judges must report not only to society in general, but also to each citizen, before their parents.

I would like this reform, or rather, evolution, to never end. When communicating with people who came from outside the judicial system, I am pleased that I see great potential that they want, can and already work. They see other problems in the law - theoretical, practical. Their opinion is extremely important, it is new.

Yulia Haidina, KyivSaakashvili made the accusation to reporters after a January 3 court hearing in Kyiv where prosecutors asked the court to place him under house arrest for refusing to answer questions from the Main Directorate of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), RFE/RL said.

Judges adjourned the hearing at the request of prosecutors until January 11 without issuing a ruling.

Read alsoExperts confirm voices on Saakashvili, Kurchenko tapes authenticUkrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko has accused Saakashvili, the former governor of Ukraine's Odesa region, of abetting an alleged "criminal group" led by Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia after his ouster in February 2014.

Ukrainian authorities also claim that protests led by Saakashvili in Ukraine are part of a Russian plot against the government in Kyiv.

Part of the evidence presented in the case is a recording of an alleged telephone conversation between Saakashvili and a pro-Russian Ukrainian businessman who is hiding in Russia.

Lutsenko has charged that the businessman, Serhiy Kurchenko, offered Saakashvili money to organize protests and public disorder in Ukraine, and that Saakashvili accepted a half-million-dollar payment.

Saakashvili, who attended the January 3 Kyiv hearing with his wife and a son, denies all charges.

He told reporters after the hearing that the forensic evidence presented by prosecutors was flawed.

Saakashvili also alleged that the evidence against him was fabricated by the SBU "with the involvement of" the FSB.

"The so-called forensics saying it was proven that my so-called conversation with Kurchenko was authentic has a lot of flaws," Saakashvili said.

"First of all, I refused to give them a voice sample when I was interrogated by the SBU security service," he said.

"In spite of that, they were able to present forensic conclusions saying that the voice on the tape is mine," Saakashvili said. "But their own expert says in the documentation that the forensic team didn't have a proper voice sample to make a thorough analysis."

"This reminds me of the old Soviet style when authorities proved the authenticity of whatever they themselves claimed," he said.

Saakashvili has also said the Ukrainian authorities are trying to deny him temporary protection status and "create conditions" for his "expulsion from the country" so he can be extradited to Tbilisi, where he faces multiple charges  including abuse of his presidential powers and complicity in the 2006 murder of Georgian banker Sandro Girgvliani.

"Ten minutes ago a trial against me started in Tbilisi, the same time as in Kyiv," Saakashvili said during his Kyiv hearing on January 3. "Do you think it's by chance? Oligarchs are able to make deals. But they could have at least decided on different times."

On December 18, Saakashvili appeared at the Prosecutor-General's Office in Kyiv but refused to answer questions from investigators there.

He told reporters on December 18 that he would give testimony only when the case was handed over to the SBU, "as required by law."

Saakashvili was president of Georgia from 2004 to 2013.

He gave up his Georgian passport in 2015 when he accepted Ukrainian citizenship in order to take the post of Odesa governor at the request of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Saakashvili resigned from the Odesa post in November 2016, complaining of rampant corruption, and has since become an ardent opponent of Poroshenko."I think the main reason [of the move] is that our signal has been heard. I, as ambassador, at meetings with politicians in Congress and the [Trump] Administration used to mention that our experience of this hybrid warfare against Russia shows that the aggressor goes further if you demonstrate a weak position. However, if you show your strength, there is an opportunity for diplomatic efforts, for example those of Ambassador [Kurt] Volker, who works very well, but without such a strong signal, Russia simply does not want to sit down at the negotiating table and meet halfway," Chaly told Voice of America.

Read alsoJavelins and more: Factors of Russia deterrence"It's not just a matter of what kind of weapons will arrive, although it also cements our defenses. The main thing is that it is a clear message coming from the United States: any aggression and any attempt to destroy the established international order will have an adequate response," the ambassador said.

The official was also asked if Washington's demands regarding the real fight against corruption and the support of anti-graft agencies in Ukraine are heard by Kyiv.

In his words, the country's "key tasks in the near future coincide by nearly 95% with the demands or advice given by Washington."

"They [demands] are voiced for one reason: the United States really helps us not only with the military security program, but also with reforms in Ukraine," he said.

"You know, assistance to all countries in the world has been reduced drastically, while Ukraine now gets 50% of the aid given to Eurasia. Therefore, such demands are being put forth. Although, this is our task. Our goals coincide. The pace matters. The question is how to do it. Sometimes it's very important to explain it to the partners, and, of course, to hear them," Chaly added.

In this regard, the diplomat assured that the leaders of Ukraine hear all the signals coming from Washington.Currently at loggerheads with Sudan, Egypt is seeking to sideline it from talks over Ethiopias Renaissance Dam on the Nile, the largest hydroelectric dam project in Africa, Addis Fortune newspaper reported.

According to the paper, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has suggested to Ethiopias Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, that talks proceed with Ethiopia alone.

Egypt, in a tense situation with both Sudan and Ethiopia, proposed to exclude Sudan from the negotiations and to proceed with Ethiopia only, a country that shares its view on the issue as a matter of life or death,' the newspaper reported.

Last December, Egypt asked the World Bank to intercede in resolving tensions with Ethiopia over the dam.

Egypt has first sought to block the project but later it focused its attention to safeguarding its downstream share of Nile water.

Disagreements over a set of domestic and foreign policy issues between Egypt and Sudan came to the fore again after the recent visit of pro-Muslim brotherhood Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the arch rival of President Sisi."If there is something of which the region [Donbas] is full, its weapons," the German Foreign Minister said.

"We in Germany are rather skeptical about the idea that arms supplies could help resolve the conflict. But again, we are quite far away, we are distant from this conflict, and remain in certain security as a country so, of course, Ukraine from a defense perspective, sees things otherwise," Gabriel said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel was set to visit the areas near the Ukrainian frontline during a two-day trip to the country. He is expected to discuss Berlin's diplomatic role in "countering Russian aggression," according to Deutsche Welle."You know that we have done a lot to ensure that Russian fraud, as in the case of deliveries of Siemens turbines to the territory of the occupied Crimea, never happens again," Klimkin said.

"I believe that this has become a sad lesson for all that is German, not only German businesses, and now of course there are companies such as Volkswagen or Adidas, allowing their retailers to attribute Crimea to Russian territory. We will certainly get them, we will get them not only by political methods but also by legal ones," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister stressed.

Read alsoGermanys Gabriel doubts effectiveness of lethal aid to UkraineAs UNIAN reported earlier, the reports on supplies of Siemens turbines despite sanctions to power plants in the occupied Crimea first came in July from Reuters citing three sources familiar with the project.

As specified by two interlocutors of RBC news agency, the equipment was made at a JV Siemens and Power Machines plant in St. Petersburg. After that, the turbines were partially redesigned at Rostec plants. This information was later confirmed by Rostecs subsidiary Technopromexport. It was this company that purchased gas turbines manufactured by Siemens from a joint venture and then delivered them to Crimea for the construction of power facilities.

After that, in July and September, Siemens filed two suits with the Moscow Arbitration against LLC Foreign Economic Association Technopromexport and OJSC Foreign Economic Association Technopromexport.

Read alsoSiemens to change work with Russian customers after Crimean turbine disputeIn the first case, the demands of the German concern were related to the need to take interim measures and seize the four turbines delivered to Crimea. On August 20 the claim was denied. In the second case, the claim was filed in conjunction with Power Machines. The essence of claims of the German company was not revealed.The Russian special services resorted to "another anti-Ukrainian provocation" by illegally detaining in Moscow a citizen of Ukraine, a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation Oleh Nehoda, who arrived in Russia to visit his relatives, the SBU press service says.

Read alsoRussian FSB operatives secure career promotions by jailing Crimean Muslims on fake "terrorism", "extremism" charges - human rights group"The Security Service of Ukraine once again emphasizes that the FSB of the Russian Federation hunts on our compatriots on the Russian territory, so trips to the aggressor state are extremely dangerous," the report reads.

The SBU recalled that back in August 2017, the Ukrainian operatives exposed another "cynical provocation" by Russian special services aimed at staging a terrorist plot by three Ukrainian ATO participants against critical infrastructure facilities in Moscow, Kurchatov, Kursk, and Togliatti. That episode sparked a harsh public response.

Read alsoRussian "sleeper agent" sentenced to 12 years in Ukrainian jailIn this regard, SBU chief Vasyl Hrytsak urged Ukrainians, especially ATO troops and veterans, to refrain from traveling to Russia and temporarily occupied territories.

"SBU alerts regarding the dangers for Ukrainian citizens stay in Russia are confirmed by numerous documented facts of Russian provocations in the framework of their hybrid war. Russian special services are trying to draw Ukrainian citizens into illegal activities, artificially creating compromising situations [the notorious kompromat widely used to blackmail or charge targets], and also using kinship ties to lure our compatriots, primarily ATO participants, to their territory to set up such provocations," Hrytsak said.

Read alsoUkraine asks Russia's Foreign Ministry to comment on detention of ATO soldier in MoscowAs UNIAN reported earlier, on January 2, Ukrainian diplomats appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regarding the report on the possible detention in Moscow of a Kyiv resident, a participant in the ATO Oleh Nehoda.

According to media reports, Nehoda, who in late 2017 traveled to Russias Saratov to visit his sister, was detained in Moscow."The Russian occupation forces continue shelling the positions of the ATO forces and disrupt the agreements of the Trilateral Contact Group on the ceasefire during the New Year and Christmas holidays," the ATO HQ said on Facebook in an update on January 3.

Read alsoDonbas war update: First day of 2018 doesn't bring peace"In the past day, all enemy fire activity was registered in the Donetsk sector," it said.

Militants near the town of Avdiyivka used large-caliber machine guns and small arms.

They used 82mm mortars and infantry weapons to fire at Ukrainian soldiers near the village of Verkhniotoretske.

Ukrainian positions outside the village of Hnutove in the Mariupol sector came under fire from 82mm mortars, cannons of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, machine guns, and small arms.

In addition, the enemy resorted to the entire range of infantry weapons to attack the defensive fortifications of the ATO forces around the village of Vodiane several times.

In total, there were six attacks on the Ukrainian army in the past day."Since the beginning of the day, along the line of demarcation, there have already been five shellings of our positions by the enemy. All ceasefire violations, as in the last few days, took place in the Donetsk direction," the headquarters said.

It is noted that in the suburbs of Avdiyivka, the enemy fired at the strong points of the ATO forces from grenade launchers of various types and large-caliber machine guns.

"Around Maryinka, the invaders launched four 82mm caliber mines. Mortars of the same caliber and grenade launchers were fired by Russian-occupation forces on defensive fortifications near the Butivka mine," the ATO HQ reported.

Read alsoUkrainian positions in Donbas come under mortar fire, two soldiers wounded on Jan 2In addition, the invaders used virtually the entire arsenal of infantry weapons near Vodiane - grenade launchers of various types and large-caliber machine guns. In the same area, not far from Shyrokine, the invaders violated ceasefire using small arms.

Ukrainian servicemen ensured the implementation of all measures to observe the ceasefire regime and did not return fire.

In other sectors of defense, no ceasefire violations were recorded.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on December 20, at a meeting of the Tripartite Contact Group on Donbas settlement in Minsk, an agreement was reached on the establishment of a New Year-Christmas truce from midnight on December 23. However, the Russian-led forces have been violating the agreement.The six new countries, voted on by the 193-member General assembly for two-year terms, will have a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security during their time on the U.N.'s most powerful body, VOA said.

Read alsoPutin wants "constructive" talks at UNSC on Russia's peacekeeping offer for Donbas"Peace and security are difficult to achieve," Kazakh envoy Kairat Umarov, who took the rotating presidency in January, told council members at a special ceremony. "You are going to have a real chance to make a difference."

Flags of the six new member countries were installed outside the council chambers Tuesday in a ceremony arranged by Umarov.

The U.N. Security council has 15 members  five of which (China, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States) hold permanent membership and veto power. Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine, and Uruguay finished their terms last year, while the Netherlands takes over for Italy to finish a term the two countries shared.State television broadcast live pictures of rallies in Kermanshah, Ilam and Gorgan, where marchers waved Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Reuters said.

Read alsoReuters: Ten people killed in Iran unrest on Sunday: state televisionThe boldest challenge to Iran's established order in almost a decade had continued into Tuesday night, with postings and video footage on social media showing riot police deployed in force in several cities.

Hours earlier, Khamenei accused Iran's foes of fomenting the unrest.

On Wednesday, marchers voiced their support for Khamenei, chanting: "The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader" and "We will not leave our leader alone."

The protests, which began over economic hardships, have taken on a rare political dimension, with a growing number of young people calling on Khamenei to step down.

They are the biggest since unrest in 2009 that followed the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

At least 21 people have been killed during the unrest, including two members of the security forces.According to Herem, the EDF can send 21,000 troops into battle. This is the so-called responsible number, i.e. such a number of soldiers could be equipped with the necessary weapons and ammunition to fend off an enemy attack, EER reports.

"If we can arm these 21,000 men, we can manage against quite a few things by ourselves. Estonia can't be occupied within days. It's possible that some areas may be taken, but the question becomes if the enemy really wants to go ahead if they face 21,000 men," Herem said.

In the case of actual armed conflict, a lot would depend on the enemy's objective, the general added. Such a situation could be the occupation of part of the country's territory, followed by negotiations, like it has been done in Ukraine. "If the enemy can't establish a clear control line, then they've failed," Herem said.

He went on to say that a build-up of some sort on the other side of the border that may threaten Estonia wouldn't go unnoticed either.

Read alsoEstonia supports Donbas children amid humanitarian crisisLooking at Russia's 2017 Zapad exercise, the Western countries had concentrated on Belarus, Herem said. "While we can see more. And this isn't just about following their actions in secret, but also about keeping an eye on the public channels, like the press and social media."

Eventually, it all depended on how the available bits of information were processed and put together.

Comparing Estonia's current military status with that of Georgia and Ukraine at the time they were attacked, Herem pointed out that the situation there had been quite different. "We don't need to mobilize thousands of men and only then start thinking how to distribute them," he said.

Read alsoNew report on Russia's info war against Ukraine published in EstoniaAsked whether or not he considered investing 2% of the country's GDP in national defense, Herem said he wouldn't want to guess. But what he could say is what the country got for this kind of money.

"At the moment we can't use all this money, because the suppliers can't deliver the ammunition quickly enough. They can't keep up with its production," the general said. "But the procurements have to be made ahead of time. There needs to be ammunition stored in such an amount that it can be made available within hours, and is immediately useful."

Talking about the professionals among the EDF's personnel, Herem said that the size of Estonia's population meant a certain limit to the possible increase in the country's arsenal. For example, a mid-range anti-aircraft weapon system required some 50 professional soldiers to operate, and another 100 reservists to back it up. "Of these systems we'd need four or five," he added. "The number of people who want to become professional soldiers is running out."

Currently the EDF is 40 professionals short, 20 of which would be needed for the Scouts Battalion alone. Though there had been 300 new hires in 2017, 250 had left the EDF. There is a plan to increase the number of Estonia's professional military personnel from currently 3,220 to 3,600, Herem said.ISLAMABAD - The Afghan spy agency says it has arrested 13 suspected Islamic State militants in a raid in Kabul.



The National Directorate of Security said in a statement Wednesday foreigners are also among the detainees.The IS network was behind recent suicide bombings in the Afghan capital.



Last week, an IS suicide bomber attacked a Shi'ite Muslim cultural center in Kabul, killing more than 40 people and wounding around 90 others.



The arrests in Kabul, the capital, came a day after the U.S. military said one of its soldiers was killed and four others were wounded in a "combat engagement" in Achin, a volatile district in eastern Nangarhar province. There were no details about the attackers.



The Afghan district is known for hosting IS hideouts and journalists quote local officials as saying that Monday's attack on American forces in Achin was carried out by IS militants.NAIROBI - The sale of ivory just became illegal in mainland China, a move heralded by conservationists, who say the legal trade has been providing cover for its illegal counterpart, perpetuating the belief it is okay to buy and own ivory.



Max Graham, CEO of the elephant conservation group Space for Giants, welcomed the news, saying the fact that China has taken this stand means that "there's a new conservation superpower in the world that is taking its responsibilities seriously."

"And we're hugely enthusiastic about this because obviously the ivory trade is a huge challenge," he said. "But the illegal wildlife trade more generally has many challenges in Asia, particularly in China, where traditional uses of wildlife parts have been fueling the massive loss of species, rare species around the world. So to see China take this stand is very encouraging. It's the best Christmas present that the conservation community could actually have."



China announced the ban at the end of 2016 and put it into effect at the end of 2017, surprising those who thought it might take up to five years to go into effect. Conservationists are optimistic, although they say it is too early to predict how it will be enforced.

FILE - Forensic officers inspect ivory seized at t FILE - Forensic officers inspect ivory seized at the customs department in the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 22, 2017. FILE - Forensic officers inspect ivory seized at the customs department in the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 22, 2017.

Save the Elephants CEO Frank Pope believes the ban could prove "transformational" for the fortunes of elephants, but he cited one caveat.



"As you squeeze the balloon of the Chinese trade, you're going to see secondary markets popping up around the borders," he said. "And that's what we're already seeing in Vietnam, in Laos, in Myanmar, and even in Hong Kong, which functions as external to China. All of these places have markets that have boomed with the restrictions, the looming restrictions in China."



Like his conservation colleagues, Philip Muruthi, vice president of species conservation at the African Wildlife Foundation, also praised the ban and noted the importance of preventing the market from shifting to other locations and helping preserve endangered species.

"About 35,000 elephants  the number we've heard quoted many times  are lost each year. There are about 415,000 elephants on this continent. That means that within 20 years, if the pace is kept of that loss, we will not have elephants, and therefore, all the aspirations that African people have for using wildlife and associated habitat for development, for tourism in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and all that, those aspirations will not be met. So this is big. "



But he said elephants will not be the only beneficiaries.

"This is not just about elephants, " he added. "It's also about the economy, it's about African peoples' well-being. It's about our heritage. So this is a significant step that China has taken."



Conservationists say while combating poaching is critical, one of the bigger threats to elephants in the long-term is habitat management. They urge African governments, and China, through its support, to help reduce the threats.TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Political rivals China and self-ruled Taiwan have entered a third year of stalemate, making the ever more frustrated Beijing likely to find new, uncomfortable ways of pressuring Taiwan to the bargaining table.

The two sides have been separately governed since the Chinese civil war, when Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists fled the mainland and reestablished a government in Taipei. China insists on unification someday and has not ruled out use of force if needed to achieve it. Public opinion surveys show most Taiwanese oppose unification.

On Sunday the Chinese governments Taiwan Affairs Office said it would stick this year to its demand that the democratically island agree, for dialogue purposes, that both sides belong to a single China. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen rejects that idea. She had called for respect Friday during a year-end speech.

Dignity and respect, stable cross-Strait relations, and engaging with the international community are the collective aspirations of the Taiwanese people, Tsai said, referring to ties between China and Taiwan. This is also my mission.

Taiwan keeping calm

Neither side has offered dialogue terms acceptable to the other since early 2016, making any talks unlikely and threatening to chill longer-term relations. China stopped formal dialogue in mid-2016, shortly after Tsai took office, following eight years of warm relations under her predecessor.

Taiwan is unlikely to change course this year, analysts say. That means it would avoid inflaming officials in Beijing while resisting any moves from China that imply Taiwan belongs under its flag, they say.

I want my country people to rest assured that cross-Strait relations will not be reckless, Tsai, a 61-year-old law scholar, said Friday. They will not be deadlocked. Our unchanging position is to maintain the status quo.

FILE - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during the National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during the National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017.

Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party will avoid changing its China policy to head off any public backlash before city and county elections in late 2018, scholars believe.

Voters upset by any change might pick opposition candidates, including radical people who advocate Taiwans legal independence from China, said Wu Chung-li, a political science research fellow at Taipei-based university Academia Sinica. Officials in Beijing would see Taiwans legal independence as secession.

Losses in the local elections could hobble the ruling party's 2020 presidential election campaign. Tsai already faced a 38.6 percent approval rating in November, a drop from the previous month, according to a Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation survey.

How to improve the cross-Strait relations is a top priority, said Wu Chung-li, a political science research fellow at Taipei-based university Academia Sinica. I firmly believe that. But the ruling part (is) also kidnapped by the local elections. I really dont know -- how can they make any change?

China seen adding pressure

China will use creative means to pressure Taiwan to the bargaining table on its condition that both sides are one, said Gratiana Jung, senior political researcher with the Yuanta-Polaris Research Institute think tank in Taipei.

They expect more of the moves seen in 2017: Chinese military planes circling the island, curbs on Taiwans overseas diplomacy and extradition of Taiwanese telecom fraud suspects from third counties to China for follow-up prosecution. China operates the worlds third strongest military, compared to Taiwans at No. 18, according to the GlobalFirePower.com database.

Liu Jieyi, Beijings point person for Taiwan relations, may use his international ties to limit Taiwans diplomacy, Jung said. China has more than 170 diplomatic allies, compared to Taiwans 20.

Taiwanese also fret over spying orchestrated by Beijing.

FILE - Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel FILE - Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel attend the opening ceremony of China's new military base in Djibouti, Aug. 1, 2017. FILE - Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel attend the opening ceremony of China's new military base in Djibouti, Aug. 1, 2017.

The Taipei prosecutors office said Tuesday three members of the minor opposition New Party's youth corps had violated national security laws by working with a mainland Chinese man convicted last year of trying to bribe Taiwanese officials on behalf of his government.

A softer hand

China also shows signs of reaching out to common Taiwanese people as a way to gain favor for its goal of unification, analysts say. Theyll definitely think of new ways to attract Taiwanese people, Jung said.

One key strategy: making it easier for Taiwanese to work in China. About 420,000 Taiwanese were employed there as of 2015, taking advantage of an economy that's more than 22 times the size of their homeland's. Some report higher pay and more job choices compared to Taiwan.

In 2017, Chinese officials put in place 20 policies for Taiwanese people who live, work or travel in China, Beijings official Xinhua News Agency says.

China has two important methods. One is to step up its pressure and power against opponents of a single China, said Andy Chang, China studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. Thats the hard hand. But China also has a very important softer hand, which is to emphasize economic and social integration on both sides.BLANTYRE, MALAWI - Malawi is battling a cholera outbreak that began at the start of the rainy season in November. The disease has killed four people, and more than 150 others are hospitalized.

The disease  an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water  affects children and adults, and can kill within hours if left untreated.

The hardest-hit districts are Nkhatabay and Karonga, on the shores of Lake Malawi.

"As of today, we have 137 cases which we have registered from Karonga only," said Joshua Malango, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. "And unlike Karonga, in Nkhatabay we have 16 cases as of today, with no deaths. While in Karonga we had three deaths."

The Kasungu and Dowa districts have registered one case each, while on Tuesday, medical workers confirmed two cases in the capital, Lilongwe.

The outbreak is believed to have been triggered by poor hygiene among residents, especially in Karonga.

According to Karonga-based journalist Special Absalom, more than 70 percent of people there use untreated water.

"People who are along the lakeshore area use water directly from the lake, while others who are close to the rivers, they are using water from the rivers and some are even using wells," Absalom said.

In neighboring Zambia, the disease has killed about 40 people in the capital, Lusaka, and affected more than 1,500 others since September.

However, Malawians bordering Zambia should not panic over the Lusaka outbreak, Malango says.

"We are not that close with Lusaka. But we are not taking it lightly. We are putting measures to ensure that people traveling in and out of the country, they must have proper surveillance, we have checked them to ensure that Malawians are safe," he said.

Meanwhile, Malawi's government has embarked on a nationwide campaign to remind people to wash their hands with soap, especially after using the toilet and before eating any food.

More importantly, Malango says, the government is distributing chlorine and other chemicals to treat drinking water.

Malawi suffered its worst cholera outbreak in 2009, when 82 people died and more than 3,000 people were infected across the country.A U.S. sea exploration company has dispatched a vessel to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people on board while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The aircraft, which changed direction suddenly over the South China Sea and ceased radio contact, is at the heart of one of modern aviation's greatest mysteries. It was last spotted by radar near the northern tip of Sumatra and may have crashed in an area about 1,500 kilometers west of Australia, according to information from a communications satellite.

The exploration company, Ocean Infinity, said Wednesday that one its ships was headed to the search area. It also said it expected the Malaysian government to award a contract to resume the search in the coming days.

Malaysian authorities have said they have been negotiating with Ocean Infinity since October to finalize a contract that will pay the company only if it finds the plane.

"We are in the final stages of the decision," said Malaysian Deputy Transportation Minister Aziz Kaprawi, who said he was not aware of the vessel's movement.

The vessel departed South Africa and plans to arrive in the search area by mid-January. The ship is carrying several autonomous submarines that can search the seabed for the aircraft.

Investigators believe someone may have intentionally turned off the transponder of the Boeing 777 before redirecting it over the Indian Ocean.

Only three confirmed fragments of the aircraft have been found, all of them on shores of the Indian Ocean.KINSHASA, DRC - The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Congo on Tuesday condemned a crackdown on protests against President Joseph Kabila as "barbarism," escalating a confrontation between the government and one of the country's most powerful institutions.

Security forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo killed at least seven people in the capital, Kinshasa, on Sunday during demonstrations that Catholic activists organized to protest Kabila's refusal to step down from office, according to the United Nations.

Police spokesman Pierrot Mwanamputu, however, said Tuesday that five people, including one police officer, had died in Sunday's violence and that the police had acted justifiably in each case against militants and gangsters.

In a rare appearance before the media, Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, wearing a red prayer cap and gold cross, accused security forces of opening fire on peaceful protesters and desecrating places of worship.

"We can only denounce, condemn and stigmatize the actions of the supposedly valiant men in uniform, which are, unfortunately, nothing more, nothing less than barbarism," Monsengwo told reporters in Kinshasa.

"How can we trust leaders incapable of protecting the population, of guaranteeing peace, justice and love of people?" he said.

Credible voice

The Catholic Church is one of the few institutions in Congo to enjoy broad credibility. Forty percent of the population identifies as Catholic, and the church has long filled voids in education, health care and other services left by an absent state.

Its bishops have frequently spoken out against human rights abuses by the government and alleged plans by Kabila to remove term limits that forbid him to run for re-election.

However, it reverted to a more neutral posture as Kabila's mandate expired in December 2016 in order to broker a deal between the ruling coalition and opposition leaders.

Under the December 31 agreement, Kabila was permitted to stay in office beyond the expiration of his mandate but required to step down after an election to be held in 2017.

Instead, Congo's electoral commission said later that the election could not be organized until December 2018, reviving suspicions that Kabila intends to cling to power. Kabila denies those charges and blames the delays on a slow voter registration process.

Dozens have died in protests over Kabila's future in the past two years, and militia violence across the country has also risen, stoking fears the country will slide back into the kind of civil war that killed millions at the turn of the century.It is the right of all people to speak out against their government. The government of Iran should respect this right and heed the voices of thousands of Iranians who are demonstrating across the country for better opportunities and a better future.AJACCIO, FRANCE - Corsican nationalists seeking greater freedoms for the French island were sworn in as its leaders Tuesday, setting the stage for a potential standoff with Paris, which has given short shrift to their demands.

The nationalists, who have governed the island of 330,000 people for the past two years, achieved their best-ever performance in December's regional election.

The Pe a Corsica (For Corsica) alliance won two-thirds of the seats in a new regional assembly, a result which it said gave it a strong mandate to pursue a campaign for more autonomy from the highly centralized French state.

The election coincided with a failed bid by Catalan nationalists to break away from Spain, but Corsica's leaders have assured they are not seeking independence for the time being.

Separatist leader Jean-Guy Talamoni, who was sworn in as assembly president, paid tribute Tuesday to the National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC), which ended a four-decade insurgency in 2014 to give space to the political process.

Talamoni, who heads the smaller of the two parties in the governing alliance, praised the outlawed FLNC "for defending the Corsican people at a time when there was no democracy in this land."

Gilles Simeoni, a moderate nationalist who stops short at calling for full independence for the island, will head the new executive.

Corsica, famed for having some of the best beaches in Europe and for being the birthplace of Napoleon, was once a hotbed of violent anti-French militancy, but in recent years has been more stable.

New talks

The nationalists' main demands are that the Corsican language be given the same status as French; that jailed Corsican nationalists be granted amnesty; and that people from other parts of France be restricted from buying property on the holiday island.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to attend FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to attend the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2017. FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to attend the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2017.

President Emmanuel Macron has insisted he is open to dialogue but ruled out making any changes to the constitution, effectively rejecting the nationalists' demand for special status for the territory.

On Friday, the government's special envoy to the region, Jacqueline Gourault, will travel to the island for talks.

The minister, known as "Mrs. Corsica," told AFP on Tuesday: "Dialogue starts with listening: My trip is a recognition of this new authority and its elected representatives.

"It is also a stepping stone in the preparation of the meeting scheduled for January between the prime minister and the Corsican representatives."

From bombs to ballot box

The FLNC repeatedly targeted state infrastructure over the course of a four-decade bombing campaign.

The worst nationalist attack saw France's top official on the island, Claude Erignac, assassinated in 1998.

But opinion polls show that most Corsicans, many of whom live off tourism or are employed in the public sector, want to remain in France.

Even Talamoni  nicknamed by some the Corsican Puigdemont after the Catalan leader  has said the island would split from France in 10 or 15 years at the earliest, if a majority supported it.

Talamoni has threatened to organize protests if the French government does not make concessions.Costa Rica recorded its highest-ever annual murder rate in 2017, authorities said Tuesday, blaming score-settling between gangs and drug trafficking for the rise.

The nation of about five million people, still considered one of the safest relative to others in Central America, saw 603 homicides last year, according to preliminary data from the police service responsible for investigating them.

That works out to a rate of 12.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.

The number of killings "is the highest in the history of the country," the deputy director of the Judicial Investigation Organism, Michael Soto, told a news conference.

Much of Latin America suffers from homicide rates higher than the world average of 5.3 per 100,000 inhabitants given by the World Bank.

By comparison, the United States has a murder rate of 4.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to recent FBI data.

The World Health Organization considers a murder rate of more than 10 per 100,000 to be an "epidemic."

In 2016, Costa Rica recorded 578 murders, unprecedented at the time.

Soto said 48 percent of the deaths in 2017 were from gang violence and 25 percent from drug trafficking, the latter most notably on the Caribbean coast and in the capital San Jose.

Other causes were domestic violence and brawls.

Soto said the outlook for 2018 was somber. "Since 2012, we have seen an increase and it's likely this curve will keep going up unless something extraordinary happens," he said.

He insisted, however, that "we are not losing control, and we are at the same level as in other societies."

Costa Rica is sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama which, together, have relatively low crime and murder rates compared with El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala to the north. The latter three countries, which accounted for 16,000 murders in 2016, provide the biggest source of undocumented migrants heading to the United States.COX'S BAZAR, BANGLADESH - At Balukhali refugee camp in Bangladesh, unclean water, cramped living quarters and squalid conditions create a prime environment for outbreaks of preventable diseases among the estimated 650,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled strife in neighboring Myanmar.

While 900,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine already have been delivered by more than 200 mobile vaccination teams, another contagious bacterial infection, diphtheria, has emerged.

"Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease. It's an illustration of how the Rohingya population that are living in the makeshift settlements here had very little access to health care in their place of origin in Myanmar," said Kate Nolan, emergency coordinator with international aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders.

Diphtheria often causes the buildup of a sticky grey-white membrane in the throat or nose. The infection causes airway obstruction and damage to the heart and nervous system. The fatality rate increases without the diphtheria antitoxin.

FILE - Rohingya refugees, who suffer from diphther FILE - Rohingya refugees, who suffer from diphtheria, are treated at a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) clinic near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Dec. 18, 2017. FILE - Rohingya refugees, who suffer from diphtheria, are treated at a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) clinic near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Dec. 18, 2017.

"This is an extremely vulnerable population with low vaccination coverage, living in conditions that could be a breeding ground for infectious diseases like cholera, measles, rubella and diphtheria," said Dr. Navaratnasamy Paranietharan, the World Health Organization representative to Bangladesh.

Myanmar's health sector is rated among the worst in the world, particularly in the ethnic regions where conflict and poverty have delayed medical development.

The Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar's northern Rakhine state after insurgents attacked security forces in late August, prompting a military crackdown that has since been described as ethnic cleansing.

'Appalling' health care

Myanmar's government denies it has engaged in ethnic cleansing, and it insists that a majority of the violence and burning of Rohingya villages was done by the Rohingya militants who attacked the Myanmar security forces.

"The health care facilities for the Rohingya in Rakhine state are appalling and just a small amount of the needs were being met, even before the attacks in August," said Rohingya expert Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project, a human rights organization that monitors and documents the situation.

According to Lewa, the impoverished Rohingya population in northern Rakhine say they are treated with discrimination by Myanmar medical staff at government hospitals and face severe movement restrictions when traveling to health care facilities.

FILE - Rohingya children gather at the Dar Paing c FILE - Rohingya children gather at the Dar Paing camp for Muslim refugees, north of Sittwe, western Rakhine state, Myanmar. FILE - Rohingya children gather at the Dar Paing camp for Muslim refugees, north of Sittwe, western Rakhine state, Myanmar.

Lewa points to Myanmar's Maungdaw District, where the army conducted so-called "clearance operations" following deadly insurgent attacks last year.

"Health facilities set up by INGOs [international nongovernmental organizations] in Maungdaw have been burned to the ground, which will make it even more difficult for them if and when they are allowed to return," Lewa added.

Currently, INGOs are not allowed in the areas outside Maungdaw.

Doctors Without Borders has responded to the rapid spread of diphtheria in neighboring Bangladesh by converting one of its mother and child inpatient facilities at the Balukhali makeshift settlement, and at another inpatient site, into treatment centers.

"The emergence of this disease is a concern because it contributes to an existing precarious public health situation that we have in the makeshift settlements," Nolan said.

Tracking down carriers

Now, potential carriers must get antitoxins and antibiotics to prevent the further spread of the bacterium and kill it.

"We need to find all the suspected cases in the camps and get them all here to start the antibiotic treatment and keep them isolated for 48 hours," said on-duty doctor Thomas Hansen.

Because the disease spreads easily through water droplets from sneezing and coughing, medical teams are tasked with following up on initial quarantine with visits to a patient's family to trace and treat people who might have come in contact with the disease in the community.

Rohingya refugee children play at the Palongkhali FILE - Rohingya refugee children play at the Palongkhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Dec. 22, 2017. FILE - Rohingya refugee children play at the Palongkhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Dec. 22, 2017.

Doctors Without Borders and health partners like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are working together to isolate suspected cases.

One of the biggest challenges for health workers, however, is getting to remote locations where potential outbreaks can occur.

With the sudden influx of the 650,000 refugees, new land clearance has led to huts being constructed well beyond the main roadways.

"They live in areas that are difficult to reach. You cannot reach them by cars or Tom Toms [three-wheeled taxis] because of no roads, so they will have to carry their patients to where they can get treatment," said Dagne Hordvei, team leader with the Norwegian Red Cross.

"We have an agreement with [Doctors Without Borders] that we take the measles patients from them, and they take the diphtheria patients, with lots of activity going out to the communities to try to reduce the speed of the spreading of diphtheria."

Vaccination campaign

As Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  working with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other health partners  implements a vaccination campaign to prevent future outbreaks of diphtheria, it appears that at least some of the next generation of Rohingya will have protection from preventable diseases.

"We are working with partners to ensure that clinical guidance is available to health workers, and that there are enough beds and medicines for those who get sick. But the only way to control this outbreak is to protect people, particularly children, through vaccination," said the WHO's Paranietharan.

As of December 21, Doctors Without Borders has seen more than 2,000 suspected diphtheria cases in its health facilities, and the number is rising daily. Most of the patients are between the ages of 5 and 14 years old.

More than 20 Rohingya in Bangladesh have died from the disease.Five Kenyan police officers are dead after their vehicle was attacked by members of the Somalia-based al-Shabab militant group Wednesday.

Officials say three police reservists and two senior officers were killed as they were traveling in the northern county of Mandera, near the shared border with Somalia.

Al-Shabab has launched a series of attacks in Kenya since 2011, in revenge for Kenya deploying its troops in Somalia to drive them out of the capital, Mogadishu, as part of a team of African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces.

Al-Shabab remains active in Somalia trying to overthrow the government and install a strict form of Islam. It has deployed bomb attacks against government, military and civilian targets.Honduras' murder rate fell by more than a quarter in 2017 to 42.8 killings per 100,000 people, the security ministry said Tuesday, attributing the decline to a government onslaught against drug traffickers and gangs.

The Central American country, which has been engulfed in a political crisis since a disputed Nov. 26 presidential election, had a 2016 murder rate of 59.1 killings per 100,000 people.

"We've registered a dramatic fall in the murder rate in this country due to the coordinated attack between the national police and military forces on drug smugglers and gangs," police investigations chief Romel Martinez said at a news conference.

Honduras' murder rate has been falling steadily in recent years, after hitting 85.5 murders per 100,000 people in 2011.

Nonetheless, Honduras remains one of the world's deadliest peacetime nations.

In recent weeks, the small coffee-exporting country has been convulsed by protests in which at least 31 people have died. The opposition says the election was stolen by President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a U.S. ally on tackling migration and drugs.

Late last month, the United States backed the re-election of Hernandez despite widespread misgivings about the vote count, prompting the opposition candidate to describe his bid for the presidency as a "lost cause."Honduras' leftwing opposition Tuesday called for a month of protests and possible insurrection to reject President Juan Orlando Hernandez's claim to have won re-election in a bitterly disputed poll held in November.

The declaration comes ahead of Hernandez being sworn into a new term on January 27.

The opposition has denounced the November 26 runoff election between Hernandez and its candidate, Salvador Nasralla, as rigged. Foreign observers said they noted irregularities in the vote.

After the election, opposition protests took place, countered by robust police and military contingents. At least 31 people were killed, according to the government's National Commission on Human Rights.

Honduras Elections FILE - Honduran presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla holds a press conference in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Dec. 22, 2017. FILE - Honduran presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla holds a press conference in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Dec. 22, 2017.

The United States last month said it recognized the victory of Hernandez. The 49-year-old conservative has Washington's backing for his policies aimed at stemming undocumented migration of his citizens to America.

Nasralla, a 64-year-old popular former TV president, initially conceded after the U.S. declared its support for Hernandez. But he then came back with the Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship to demand the election results be annulled.

"We have a strategy that we are going to develop in this month of January," Nasralla told a news conference in Tegucigalpa.

He said it would involve "protest actions" including a march on Saturday in the country's second-biggest city of San Pedro Sula.

The opposition's chief coordinator, former president Manuel Zelaya, told the news conference that the outcome of the November election was that "the president is Nasralla."

"Nobody should obey a usurper government," he said.IRBIL, KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ - "Part of me is feeling hope," said Arash Azizi, a New York University researcher, far from his home in Iran. "We see the rising up of the downtrodden."



"But I am even more worried than hopeful," he added.



More than 20 people have been killed and 450 arrested since a protest movement in cities and towns across Iran began in late December, and analysts say if it continues, the impact many not just be in Iran, but across the region.



Mostly peaceful protests could turn into clashes and Iran's rivals are watching for the prospect of a weakened state, according to Reza Marashi, research director with the National Iranian American Council.



Protesters are demanding an end to "mismanagement, nepotism and corruption," he said, and have called for the fall of the government in recent days.



Unlike mass protests in 2009 against an election seen as illegitimate, the movement is without clear leadership, and normally outspoken activists in Iran have been largely silent. It is still not clear if the demonstrations will continue with the same velocity as they have in the past week. And if they do, according to Marashi, it is too early to predict an outcome.



The 2009 protests lasted for months, but were ultimately crushed by security forces. Thousands of people were arrested and dozens killed. The election results were upheld.



Current protests have attracted considerably smaller crowds, but in a larger number of cities and towns, said Marashi. "It's more important to see how it plays out over the weeks and months," he said.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley speaks in FILE - U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley speaks in front of recovered segments of an Iranian rocket during a press briefing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Dec. 14, 2017, in Washington. FILE - U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley speaks in front of recovered segments of an Iranian rocket during a press briefing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Dec. 14, 2017, in Washington.

Iran-Saudi rivalry



Iran is embroiled in proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in Syria and Yemen, as well as funding Hezbollah, a Lebanese military and Israeli archenemy. It is also a key player in Iraq, and its internal politics have the potential to impact almost every corner of the region.



Among the protesters' grievances are vast sums of money sent abroad while people are hungry at home.



In the past two years, tensions between Tehran and Riyadh have become explosive, and Iranian officials have accused Saudi Arabia, the United States and Britain of having a hand in the protests.



"This is a silly claim, with no basis in fact," said Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Americas office. "It is farcical because the Saudis have little influence in Iran."



In recent days, protesters also began calling for the collapse of their government, demanding "Death to the dictator!" and "Clerics should get lost!" Among Iran's main rivals, this sparked speculation  or perhaps hope  that the Iranian government will fall or be damaged.



For Saudi Arabia, this could mean a shift of regional power toward Riyadh as Iran's influence and ability to fight regional conflicts decrease, according to Khaled Almaeena, a Saudi political and media analyst based in Jeddah.



"For too long, Iran has been interfering with other states," he said.



Domino effect

FILE - A man holds a picture of Ayatollah Ruhollah FILE - A man holds a picture of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic as government supporters protest against opposition demonstrations during the holy day of Ashura, in Tehran, Dec. 30 2009. FILE - A man holds a picture of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic as government supporters protest against opposition demonstrations during the holy day of Ashura, in Tehran, Dec. 30 2009.

If the past is an indicator of the future, these protests are likely to lead to a violent crackdown if they continue, according to Azizi of NYU.And while many protesters have expressed a willingness to risk physical harm to achieve their aims, there has yet to emerge any alternative to the current government.



"Some people say, If we want to bring down the Islamic Republic, I'm the first to sign up,'" he said. "'But what's next?'"



Violence on Iranian streets may also increase the threat of clashes in other parts of the region, according to Josepha Ivanka Wessels, a senior researcher at Lund University in Sweden.



"The prospect of major bloodshed at the hands of the state looms large and if that happens, the ensuing domino effect could create yet another volatile and explosive situation in an already stormy and dangerous region," she writes in The Conversation, a journal that features articles written by academics.

Real change?



Still, many in Iran are hopeful that the protests will inspire real change at any cost, according to Azizi.



"People ask how long are we going to keep up this bizarre regime that takes up our blood and treasure to survive," he said.



Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, widely seen as progressive and democratically elected, has spoken up for the public's right to express their grievances, but has also downplayed the protest movement.



"Our great nation has witnessed a number of similar incidents in the past and has comfortably dealt with them. This is nothing," he told Iranian members of parliament on Monday.



Other Iranian leaders have stressed that the death penalty will be applied to some protest-related arrests.



If demonstrators are not dissuaded by this threat and the lack of alternate leadership, some analysts say even continued protests may have no immediate impact.



"The regime has full control of all security forces as well as the judiciary, the communications networks and other sources of power," said Fitzpatrick. "So far, it has been retrained in exercising these tools of force, but it will not hesitate to do so if the protests grow to the point where they might be seen as threatening the regime's hold on power."



In the context of Iranians' long-term internal struggle for civil and political rights, these protests are significant, added the National Iranian American Council's Marashi.



"Iranians strive for democracy, not revolution," he said.A low-caste Dalit leader has called off a planned strike in India's financial capital after two days of clashes and traffic disruptions by Dalit protesters.

Protests erupted throughout the state of Maharashtra after a man was killed Monday in clashes surrounding a celebration of the 200-year anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, when low-caste Dalits fought alongside the British to defeat a high-caste ruler.

Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the author of India's constitution which prohibits caste-based discrimination, called off the planned strike Wednesday after consulting with Mumbai police.

Dalits took to the streets Monday and Tuesday, reportedly damaging buses and cars in Mumbai, obstructing traffic, and marching down railway tracks, delaying vital train services to the bustling city. Dalit leaders accused Hindu right-wing groups of inciting violence in Pune on Monday during celebrations.

The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the clashes.

Dalits, previously known as untouchables, are at the bottom of Hinduisms caste hierarchy and among Indias poorest communities. Numbering about 200 million, they often suffer social deprivation and economic exclusion at the hands of upper-cast Hindus.Iranian citizens are pushing back against accusations by Iranian officials that some people involved in the days-old nationwide protest movement have attacked government symbols at the behest of foreign agents.

Callers in Iran who spoke to Tuesday's edition of VOA Persian's Straight Talk program angrily denounced assertions by several Iranian officials that some protesters had resorted to violence since the daily anti-establishment demonstrations began last Thursday.

In a report published Tuesday, Iran's state-run Press TV network quoted Deputy Interior Minister Hossein Zolfagharias as saying Iranian security forces had "decisively countered saboteurs" who engaged in violent acts. Videos posted on the internet in recent days have shown some people shattering windows of government buildings, and others protesting on streets where objects have been set on fire.

Iranian protesters chant slogans at a rally in Teh FILE - Iranian protesters chant slogans at a rally in Tehran, Dec. 30, 2017. FILE - Iranian protesters chant slogans at a rally in Tehran, Dec. 30, 2017.

?Government supporters blamed

The callers to Straight Talk said they believed the violent scenes were the work of Iranian government supporters trying to tarnish the image of demonstrators who have marched peacefully in cities across Iran. But some protests have escalated into deadly confrontations with security forces, with authorities confirming that more than 20 people have been killed.

Some Iranian officials also have been linking the protests to alleged foreign interference. Habibollah Khojastehpour, deputy governor of western Iran's Lorestan province, told state television on Sunday that "foreign agents" were involved in the deaths of two demonstrators in the provincial city of Dorud.

Several people in Iran who spoke to Straight Talk accused the government of making the claims about foreign interference to try to distract Iranians and turn them against Iran's Arab neighbors, many of whom resent Iran's growing assertiveness in the region.

Videos and messages from Iran sent to VOA Persian on Tuesday showed Iranian anti-government protesters rallying in multiple cities for a sixth straight day. Demonstrators in the capital, Tehran, chanted, "The police are supporting us," while others in the southwestern city of Abadan chanted, "Death to the dictator"  a slogan directed at Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and used in many of the other recent protests.

WATCH: Anti-government Protesters Chant, March in Tehran

WATCH: Iranians Protest in Abadan

A caller from Tehran, who gave his name as Foad, said the protesters were upset with poverty, perceived injustice in society and government corruption. "But the most important objection of the people is toward the government's foundation," he said, referencing the rule of Iran by Islamist clerics who seized power in a 1979 revolution.

Another caller in Tehran, who identified herself as Zahra, said many Iranians are so impoverished that they have to look for food in garbage cans. She also criticized the government's spending priorities. "Whatever resources we have in the country, the government is spending on Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq," she said.

Tehran has provided money and weapons for years to Iranian-allied militant groups in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories.



VOA Persian's Behrooz Samadbeygi, Afshar Sigarchi and Mohammad Naficy contributed to this report.Hundreds of Iraqi nationals held for months under U.S. deportation orders will get a shot at freedom while they fight their removal, a judge said Tuesday.



U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ordered immigration judges to hold hearings and release the detainees unless they're a public safety risk. The order applies to people who have been held for at least six months.



The government must release detainees who don't get a bond hearing by Feb. 2.



"Our legal tradition rejects warehousing human beings while their legal rights are being determined, without an opportunity to persuade a judge that the norm of monitored freedom should be followed," Goldsmith said.



He made some exceptions, saying a detainee could remain locked up if the government provides specific objections.



In July, Goldsmith blocked the deportation of 1,400 Iraqi nationals to give them time to challenge their removal. Many are Christians who fear being tortured or killed if deported. But nearly 300 still are jailed or in U.S. detention centers in about two dozen states.



The Trump administration wants them deported for crimes committed in the U.S. Some crimes were misdemeanors committed decades ago, while others were more serious.



The government has argued that Goldsmith is exceeding his authority and should leave deportation disputes to immigration courts. His earlier decisions are being appealed.Somali government officials say al-Shabab militants have executed five men accused of spying for the Somali government, Kenyan and Ethiopian forces.

The five men were publicly executed by a firing squad in the town of Kuntuwarey in Lower Shabelle region.

The men, innocent civilians, were paraded in an open ground in Kuntuwarey town late Tuesday and a firing squad carried out the execution, said Aden Omar, the district commissioner of nearby Barawe.

Radio Andalus, al-Shabab's official mouthpiece, broadcast the voice of an al-Shabab judge announcing the sentence against the men. "The judge who announced the verdict did not show any evidence of the accusations against the victims," Omar said.

Omar told VOA Somali that some 500 residents watched the executions -- the first carried out by al-Shabab in the new year.

Last month, the militants executed five people, including a 16-year-old boy, for similar accusations. The group executed 22 people in all last year  nine based on spying allegations, with the others accused of crimes ranging from rape to sodomy to financial mismanagement.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military says it carried out an airstrike Tuesday that killed two al-Shabab extremists and destroyed a vehicle carrying explosives.

U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabab militants in the early morning hours of Jan. 2, 2018, approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital, killing two terrorists and destroying one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, preventing it from being used against the people in Mogadishu," said the statement, released Wednesday.

Last year the U.S. carried out more than 30 drone strikes against al-Shabab targets.WASHINGTON - The White House unleashed a scathing attack on Donald Trump's former chief strategist who is quoted as saying he thought it "treasonous" and "unpatriotic" for the president's eldest son and others to meet with Russians during the 2016 election.



President Donald Trump was "furious and disgusted" after reading the comments made by Stephen Bannon in a new book, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Wednesday.

The president, the press secretary and the first lady's communications director all issued statements during the afternoon blasting Bannon, an influential nationalist who was chief executive of Trump's campaign in the last three months prior to the 2016 election before taking a senior position in the White House West Wing.



"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency," Trump said. "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

The president, in his statement, declared Bannon is "only in it for himself" and "spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was" at the same time that he had declared war on the media.

A lawyer for President Trump has threatened legal action against Bannon over what he calls disparaging statements and in some cases outright defamatory statements in a new book.



Trump attorney Charles Harder has sent a letter to Bannon, saying the former Trump aide violated confidentiality agreements by speaking with reporter Michael Wolff for a book. The letter demands Bannon cease and desist any further disclosure of confidential information.?

Bannon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ABC News first reported the letter from Harder.

Bannon in book

Wolff, in his book, quotes Bannon assailing Donald Trump Jr., Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner (who is a key White House adviser) and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, for meeting with Russians promising incriminating information about Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

White House Senior Advisers Steve Bannon, left, an FILE - Then-White House Senior Advisers Steve Bannon, left, and Jared Kushner, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting, June 12, 2017, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington. FILE - Then-White House Senior Advisers Steve Bannon, left, and Jared Kushner, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting, June 12, 2017, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington.

The June 2016 meeting inside campaign headquarters at Trump Tower in New York came after the president's son said he would "love it" if he could acquire damaging material on Clinton.

Trump Jr. subsequently said that the Russian lawyer at the meeting had no such incriminating evidence.



"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s---, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," Bannon said, referring to the top U.S. law enforcement agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

It is a "ridiculous accusation" that the president's son committed treason, replied Sanders to a reporter's question.

In the book titled, Fire and Fury, Bannon is also quoted saying that Trump Jr. will "crack like an egg" under the pressure of the investigations into meddling by Russia in the last U.S. presidential election.

Sanders said author Wolff wrote "false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House," but she acknowledges the author was allowed to have "dozens of interactions" at the White House since Trump became president.

Bannon, after leaving the White House, remained a staunch Trump supporter, but has failed so far in his political efforts to help insurgent Republican candidates win congressional seats to support Trump's populist agenda.

"You have a former advisor here who has almost as big as an ego as the president himself," says presidential historian David Cohen.

Focus on money laundering



Bannon, according to the book, says that the investigative team led by special counsel Robert Mueller, now in the midst of a criminal investigation of alleged Trump campaign collusion with Russia during the election, is focusing on money laundering.



"Their path to f------ Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner," Bannon is quoted saying. "It's as plain as a hair on your face."

FILE - Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the spe FILE - Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington, June 21, 2017. FILE - Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington, June 21, 2017.

The rupture with the Trump White House makes Bannon a potentially dangerous adversary as he was present at many critical meetings during the campaign and in the White House.

"He knows where the bodies are buried," Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akron (Ohio), tells VOA. "If Bannon is publicly breaking with Trump, who's to say he's not going to potentially tell all to the investigators? This could be extremely damaging from a legal perspective to Trump."

Mueller has already indicted Manafort and another Trump campaign aide, Rick Gates, on money laundering charges linked to their lobbying efforts for Ukraine prior to the 2016 election, and secured guilty pleas from former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos for lying to federal agents about their Russia contacts.

Aside from probing Trump campaign links with Russia, Mueller is also investigating whether Trump obstructed justice by firing former FBI Director James Comey, who was heading the agency's Russia investigation before Mueller was appointed to take over the probe.

Manafort, in an unusual legal move, on Wednesday sued Mueller.

The civil lawsuit accuses Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, of exceeding his legal authority to "grant Mr. Mueller carte blanche to investigate and pursue criminal charges in connection with anything he stumbles across."

"The lawsuit is frivolous, but the defendant is entitled to file whatever he wants," a Justice Department spokesperson, who asked not to be named, tells VOA News.

VOA's Department of Justice correspondent Masood Farivar and Ken Bredemeier contributed to this report.North Korea has reopened a cross-border communications channel with South Korea Wednesday, the first significant sign the bitter rivals are seeking to improve relations after years of rising tensions.

South Korean officials say it received a call from their North Korean counterparts over the hotline, based in the border village of Panmunjom, located in the demilitarized zone that separates the North and South. The hotline had been dormant since February 2016, when Pyongyang cut off communications after Seoul pulled out of a jointly-run industrial complex in response to North Korea's continued nuclear and ballistic missile testing.

Ri Son Gwon, the head of the North Korean agency that handles inter-Korean affairs, said his country is seeking to engage with the South out of a "sincere stand and honest attitude," in a statement announcing the reopening of the hotline carried earlier Wednesday by the North's state-run KCNA news agency.

The sudden thaw in frosty ties between North and South Korea began Monday, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used his annual New Year's Day address to call for direct talks with Seoul and to announce his willingness to send a negotiating team to South Korea to discuss his country's possible participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang next month.

Seoul responded Tuesday by offering to hold talks with North Korean diplomats next week, January 9, in Panmunjom. The meeting would be the first high-level inter-Korean talks since December 2015.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has welcomed Kim's diplomatic overture, but insists that any improvements in inter-Korean relations must occur in tandem with Pyongyang's abandonment of its nuclear weapons program.

"In terms of the expectation of what the talks would be about, the government is keeping a very open mind," said James Kim, a research fellow at the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies. He said negotiators will use the talks over the Olympics as a stepping stone to other issues, including reuniting families separated since the 1950-53 civil war that split the two sides.

"But beyond that, on matters dealing with denuclearization, I think the government is keeping a very level head...that this is something that is not going to get solved overnight," he added.

Organizers of the Pyeongchang Olympics say they are eager to bring a North Korean delegation to the Games if they choose to participate. Governor Choi Moon-soon of Gangwon province, where Pyeongchang is located, has offered to send a cruise ship to the North to transport its delegation to the South Korean provincial port of Sokcho near the Olympic venues.ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Pakistan has extended for one month the stay of about 1.4 million Afghan refugees who lost their legal residency status on Dec. 31, 2017.

Under a trilateral agreement with Afghanistan and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the host government was considering a proposed one-year extension in the validity of the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for the refugees.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday chaired a meeting in Islamabad of the federal Cabinet, which debated the proposal.

"After detailed discussion, the [federal] Cabinet agreed to grant only 30 days' extension for PoR and also decided that the issue of early repatriation of Afghan refugees shall be raised with UNHCR and with the international community," said a statement issued after the meeting.

The Cabinet emphasized that Pakistan's economy has long carried the burden of hosting Afghan refugees and under the current circumstances cannot sustain it further.

Pakistan hosts about 2.7 million registered and undocumented Afghan refugees who have fled decades of conflict in Afghanistan.

Pakistani authorities lately have alleged that militants conducting terrorist attacks on both sides of the border are using refugee localities as hideouts. Islamabad has also pressed the U.S.-led Western partners of the Afghan government to arrange for an early repatriation of the refugees.

Analysts speculated Wednesday's move might have stemmed from Islamabad's diplomatic tensions with Washington, fueled by a New Year's Day tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump tweeted that Pakistan has received more than $33 billion in U.S. aid in the last 15 years but continues to harbor terrorists fighting American forces in Afghanistan.

Islamabad denied the charges and called them an attempt to scapegoat it for what it called the "failure" of the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan.A senior Palestinian official said Wednesday the Palestinians "will not be blackmailed" by U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to cut aid funding.

Trump wrote on Twitter that the U.S. sends hundreds of millions of dollars each year and gets "no appreciation or respect."

"They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" Trump said in a series of tweets.

Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi responded with a statement Wednesday.

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!" Ashrawi said.

Trump earlier broke with longstanding U.S. policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and setting in motion the processes of moving the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was sharply critical of that move, saying it amounted to the U.S. abandoning the role it had played in the peace process. The U.N. General Assembly also overwhelmingly rejected Trump's declaration.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul, Dec. 13, 2017. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul, Dec. 13, 2017.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Tuesday the United States will stop contributing to a U.N. agency that gives humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

"We still very much want to have a peace process, nothing changes that," she said. "As of now, they're not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We're going to make sure they come to the table."

The Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. The United Nations has long considered Jerusalem's status as a negotiating point in a two-state solution.

Under the previous U.S. administration, Secretary of State John Kerry made the peace process a major focus of his agenda, but his shuttle diplomacy ended more than three years ago with no agreement.WASHINGTON - One of the top U.S. government officials working on refugee issues announced her impending retirement on Tuesday, and refugee advocates expressed concern about the fate of the countrys resettlement program which faces mounting pressure from the Trump administration.

Barbara Strack, a career official and chief of the Refugee Affairs Division at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, did not specify when she will leave her post, but USCIS spokesman R. Carter Langston said it would be in January.

Its something Ive been planning towards for a long time, and its not driven by policy considerations, Strack said. I will deeply miss the colleagues and friendships that I'm leaving behind, and the important mission of refugee resettlement. It's been a privilege to be part of this community for the last 12 years, working to make the U.S. refugee resettlement program robust and secure.

Advocates expressed concern at the timing of Stracks retirement, saying it could further hamper U.S. refugee admissions. It was unclear immediately who would replace her.

USCIS is grateful to Barbara Strack for her 26 years of distinguished federal service, Langston said.

The Refugee Affairs Division, which Strack oversees, includes dozens of officers charged with interviewing refugees abroad for resettlement in the United States.

The Trump administration has slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country and put in place new vetting and security requirements that have created an additional barrier.Last year, the administration said it planned to divert some refugee officers to instead interview asylum applicants already in the United States, in an effort to cut down on a burgeoning backlog of asylum cases.

Administration officials cited the asylum backlog as one reason it was necessary to cut this years refugee admissions cap to 45,000, the lowest level since the modern U.S. refugee program was established in 1980.

Advocates for resettlement and some U.S. officials have expressed alarm at what they see as a slowdown in trips abroad known as circuit rides, in which USCIS officers interview refugees.

The number of circuit rides has gone down drastically with currently only a few planned, said Hans Van de Weerd, chair of Refugee Council USA, a coalition of non-governmental groups working on refugee issues. Many more will need to be scheduled soon to resettle 45,000 refugees and we dont have any information about whether they will.

Langston did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the concerns over circuit rides, or how many had been scheduled so far in the fiscal year. A U.S. official said on condition of anonymity in November that trips had been planned for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Tanzania and Burundi for the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Opponents of refugee resettlement say it raises national security risks to the United States and is expensive. Advocates say refugees are vetted thoroughly and end up being a boon to their new communities.The United States and Pakistan have had a relationship since its creation in 1947. While ties have been strained on numerous occasions, military and economic needs have dictated that the two nations remain cautious allies.

1947: Pakistan is established when colonial power Britain grants independence to India's mostly-Muslim northwest. The United States is one of the first nations to establish relations with the new sovereign state.

1954: Pakistan, torn between rival powers, chooses to ally with the United States instead of the Soviet Union. It signs the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement with the U.S., which allows Pakistani soldiers to train in the United States in exchange for allowing the U.S. to set up a Military Assistance Advisory Group in Rawalpindi.

1956: Pakistan grants the U.S. Army permission to lease Peshawar Air Station, giving U.S. troops a base from which to monitor the Soviets' ballistic missile program. When a U.S. spy plane was shot down by the Soviet Union in its air space in 1960, Pakistan says it was deceived by the United States about the use of the base. Pakistan's relations with the Soviet Union deteriorate.

1962: U.S. President John F. Kennedy offers India economic and military aid during the Indo-China war, irritating Pakistan's President Mohammad Ayub Khan.

1965: U.S. suspends military assistance to both India and Pakistan during Indo-Pakistan war.

1970: Pakistan helps U.S. open communications with China, leading to the first U.S. presidential visit to China the following year.

1971: The U.S. suspends military aid to Pakistan over the civil war between East and West Pakistan. The war results in the formation of Bangladesh.

1975: U.S. resumes military aid to Pakistan, despite tensions over Indian/Pakistani nuclear rivalry.

1979: Under U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the U.S. again cuts off Pakistan's military aid, this time over its nuclear weapons activity.

Late 1979-1980: Soviet Union invades neighboring Afghanistan, leading to a U.S. promise of $3.2 billion in U.S. aid to Pakistan over five years. Pakistan becomes a route for arms and supplies sent by the U.S. to the Afghan resistance.

1990: Two years after the Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan, U.S. President George H.W. Bush responds to a new U.S. law preventing U.S. aid to Pakistan while it possesses a nuclear weapon. Military funds are cut and deliveries of major military equipment are suspended, including 71 F-16 fighters Pakistan had ordered.

1998: India and Pakistan both conduct nuclear tests and declare themselves nuclear states. The United States imposes sanctions restricting military sales, economic assistance, and loans to the Pakistani government. It also agrees to pay Pakistan a settlement over its refusal to deliver the F-16s.

2001: After the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan became an important ally in the U.S. fight against al Qaida and the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan. The U.S. lifts some sanctions imposed on Pakistan after its nuclear tests in 1998.

2003: The United States forgives $1 billion in loans to Pakistan in thanks for its cooperation in the war on terror.

2005: Earthquake kills tens of thousands of people in Pakistani-administered Kashmir; the U.S. authorizes $510 million for relief, reconstruction, and humanitarian aid.

2009: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf confesses that billions of dollars in U.S. aid to Pakistan were used to shore up Pakistan's defenses against nuclear rival India.

2010: U.S. intelligence agencies team with Pakistani forces to capture high-profile Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

2011: U.S. Navy SEALS kill terrorist leader Osama bin Laden at his family compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. There are conflicting accounts on whether Pakistani authorities were alerted to the operation before it took place.

2012: Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor who cooperated with the U.S. on the Abbottabad operation, is convicted of treason in Pakistan and sentenced to 33 years in prison. In a pointed response, the U.S. Congress votes to cut Pakistani aid by $33 million, $1 million for every year of Afridi's sentence.

2014: The United States turns over Pakistani Taliban member Latif Mehsud to Pakistan as U.S. troops prepare to end their Afghanistan combat mission. Also in 2014, the U.S. uses drone missions to kill several of Pakistan's most wanted militants in the lawless region along the border with Afghanistan.

January 2, 2018: The United States announces it will continue withholding $255 million in aid from Pakistan over what the Trump administration describes as a failure to sufficiently fight terrorism.

WATCH: U.S.- Pakistan relations

?The top American commander for the Middle East wants a more aggressive Afghan military pressuring Taliban and other insurgents over the normally quieter months of Afghanistan's winter, and then quickly going on the offensive in the spring. It's all part of a plan the United States hopes will change the course of a war now entering its 17th year.

Gen. Joseph Votel of U.S. Central Command said an influx of new American trainers can help escalate the fight. They'll be operating with Afghan units, closer to the front lines and at greater risk, but Votel said U.S. commanders will ensure American and allied forces have adequate protection.

The goal is to get the Afghan military moving on its military campaign sooner, rather than later.

The United States wants the "focus on offensive operations and we'll look for a major effort to gain the initiative very quickly as we enter into the fighting season," Votel said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

Afghan forces must "keep the pressure on all the time and work to gain the upper hand as quickly as we can. So that as we get into this next fighting season we can build on the initiative," he said.

FILE - Afghan security forces take position during FILE - Afghan security forces take position during a gun battle between Taliban and Afghan security forces in Laghman province, Afghanistan, March 1, 2017. FILE - Afghan security forces take position during a gun battle between Taliban and Afghan security forces in Laghman province, Afghanistan, March 1, 2017.

The Trump administration's Afghanistan strategy gives the U.S. military greater authority to launch offensive attacks against a resilient Taliban and an emerging Islamic State affiliate. The plan, announced in August, was designed to reverse a stalemate in America's longest war. It specifically eliminates the Obama administration's scheduled plan to withdraw U.S. forces, but includes no dramatic changes in an approach that has failed to stabilize the country or snuff out extremist groups operating from Afghan territory.

As 2018 begins, Afghanistan appears to be high on President Donald Trump's agenda. On New Year's Day, he slammed Afghanistan's neighbor Pakistan in a tweet for "lies & deceit," accusing the country of playing U.S. leaders for "fools" by not crushing militants in its territory. A major focus of Trump's Afghanistan strategy is to persuade Pakistan to eliminate havens for the Taliban and other fighters.

'Double game'

Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador and Islamic groups held rallies in major Pakistani cities in response.

"Pakistan has played a double game for years," Nikki Haley, Trump's U.N. envoy, said Tuesday, explaining that Washington was withholding $255 million in aid to Islamabad. "They work with us at times and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks to reporters at U.N. headquarters, Jan. 2, 2018. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks to reporters at U.N. headquarters, Jan. 2, 2018.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.N. Maleeha Lodhi responded, "We have contributed and sacrificed the most in fighting international terrorism and carried out the largest counterterrorism operation anywhere in the world."

Lodhi said the U.S. "should not shift the blame for their own mistakes and failures onto others. We can review our cooperation if it is not appreciated."

Afghan forces

On the Afghan side of the border, Washington is trying to build a tougher national military.

Votel said as the coalition builds up the Afghan Air Force and trains more security forces, the Afghans will become better fighters. "By the time they get to the next fight," he said, "they will be able to really present a significant offensive capability."

But it's hardly the first time the American military has vowed to shape up the U.S.-backed army into a force that can defeat the Taliban, al-Qaida, IS and others. Nor does Trump's approach represent the first time a frustrated president has pumped troops into the country to turn the situation around. There are now as many as 16,000 U.S. forces in the country  roughly double what Trump inherited  and a special training unit is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan early this year.

FILE - U.S. soldiers salute at Resolute Support he FILE - U.S. soldiers salute at Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 15, 2017. FILE - U.S. soldiers salute at Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 15, 2017.

When then-President Barack Obama took office in 2009, he authorized a surge of U.S. forces to Afghanistan that took the total there to about 100,000. The goal was to tamp down a resurgent Taliban and train and expand Afghan security forces. The plan centered on forcing the Taliban to the peace table and ending the war by the time Obama left office.

The plan never worked, despite the mission meeting several celebrated benchmarks: Obama ended combat operations in 2014, curtailed offensive strikes and set deadlines for a full U.S. troop withdrawal. And as the U.S. and NATO forces pulled back, the Taliban stepped up attacks and regained ground, while an IS faction carved out its own foothold. Obama ended his presidency leaving more than 8,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Beyond boosting troop numbers, Trump has granted his generals' wishes for fewer combat restrictions, greater authority for commanders and no withdrawal deadline.

Peace efforts

Next year will be the first test of the policy. The Taliban currently controls as much as half of the country.

James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral who served as the top U.S. commander for NATO from 2009 until 2013, said the ultimate goal in Afghanistan remains the same: Pushing the Taliban into seeking peace negotiations.

"There is a slightly better than even chance that there are some new factors which move us toward the possibility of a successful outcome," said Stavridis, now dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Those changes, he said, include the elimination of troop withdrawal timelines and Taliban fatigue.

"I think they're tired, too. This is also a 17-year war for them," Stavridis said, but suggested any settlement will require compromise. "Is this going to be a sweeping victory? No. But I think the odds are much higher of getting them to the negotiating table."

Votel, too, said he believes efforts are trending in the right direction, as Afghanistan's military replaces older commanders with younger officers. Recruitment is being maintained at a rapid pace.

But as winter arrives, Votel said the Afghan army must stay on the offense and prepare for greater fighting when the weather improves.

"We frequently talk about these fighting seasons, but as you know the fighting never actually ends," Votel said.A Turkish banker has been convicted in a U.S. court for participating in a billion-dollar plot to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran.



A court in New York City has convicted Mehmet Hakan Atilla on five counts of conspiracy, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, plus one count of bank fraud. The 47-year-old Turkish national was acquitted on a charge of money laundering.



The case has strained relations between Turkey and the United States.



Atilla is a deputy general manager at Turkey's state-run Halkbank. U.S. prosecutors charged him with helping to facilitate a deal in which Iran traded oil and gas for gold, moving some of the transactions through U.S. banks without their knowledge.



Atilla was heard on telephone recordings setting up fake food and agriculture deals with Iran to disguise deals that were really sales of oil. Atilla's lawyer said his client was merely "a hapless pawn" in those deals, blaming Halkbank's client, Reza Zarrab, instead.



Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian trader who has admitted arranging the deals, told the court he paid about $50 million in bribes in 2012 to the Turkish economy minister to push the deals through. Zarrab testified that he believed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was aware of the scheme.



Erdogan said the case is an American conspiracy to blackmail Turkey, a strategic partner with the U.S. in Middle East affairs.



Iran and the United States have had chilly relations since the Iran hostage crisis from 1979-1981, in which 52 Americans were held by student activists in Iran for 444 days until a release was negotiated. The United States now bans most financial dealings with Iran, which is a major oil-producing nations.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the business relationship between Reza Zarrab and Mehmet Hakan Atilla. It also misstated the title of the government official Zarrab admitted to bribing. We apologize for the error.NEW YORK - A U.S. judge on Tuesday refused to order a mistrial in the case of Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an executive at Turkey's majority state-owned Halkbank who is charged with helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan federal court rejected arguments by Atilla's lawyers that the trial was tainted when prosecutors asked Atilla, during a Dec. 19 cross-examination, whether he remembered that a report by a Turkish expert had concluded he violated sanctions.

'Grossly mischaracterized'

Atilla's lawyers objected before Atilla could answer, saying the question involved hearsay and grossly mischaracterized the Turkish expert's conclusion. Berman told the jury to disregard it.

Atilla's lawyers moved for a mistrial on Dec. 20.

Berman said on Tuesday that his instruction to the jury was enough to prevent any unfairness to Atilla, adding that a mistrial was an extreme outcome that should be avoided whenever possible. Berman had already denied another motion by Atilla for a mistrial earlier in the case.

A lawyer for Atilla could not immediately be reached for comment.

Jurors are expected to come to court on Wednesday for their fourth day of deliberations in the case, which has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Turkey.

At the center of the three-week trial was testimony from Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab, who pleaded guilty to charges of violating sanctions and testified for U.S. prosecutors.

Turkey president implicated

Zarrab testified that Atilla helped design fraudulent gold and food transactions that allowed Iran to spend its oil and gas revenues abroad, including through U.S. financial institutions, defying U.S. sanctions.

Zarrab also implicated Turkish officials in the scheme, including President Tayyip Erdogan.

Attempts to reach Erdogan's spokesman for comment on the allegations at the trial have been unsuccessful. Erdogan has publicly dismissed the case as a politically motivated attack on his government.

Charges denied

Atilla has denied all of the charges against him.

Halkbank has denied taking part in any illegal transactions.

The first request for a mistrial came after jurors heard testimony from Huseyin Korkmaz, a former Turkish police officer who said he led an investigation that included Atilla and fled Turkey in fear of retaliation. Atilla's lawyers said the testimony unfairly associated their client with political violence.

U.S. prosecutors charged nine people in the criminal case, though only Zarrab, 34, and Atilla, 47, were arrested by U.S. authorities.ATLANTA - Inside a classroom on the campus of a community college in Dallas, a group of about two dozen women took turns sharing their names, hometowns and what they hoped would be their future titles.

Congresswoman. County judge. State representative.

It was part of a training held by EMILY's List, an organization dedicated to electing women at all levels of government who support abortion rights. One of the presentation's PowerPoint slides flashed a mock advertisement on the projector screen: "Help Wanted: Progressive Women Candidates."

A record number of women appear to be answering that call, fueled largely by frustration on the Democratic side over the election of President Donald Trump and energized by Democratic women winning races in Virginia in November. Experts say 2018 is on track to be a historic year, with more women saying they are running at this point than ever before.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List. "Every day, dozens more women come to our website, come to our Facebook page and say, 'I am mad as hell. I want to do something about it. What should I do now?' "

In the four weeks after the 2016 election, 1,000 women came to the group's website to learn about running for office. That number has now surpassed 26,000. By comparison, the group was in contact with 960 women for the previous election cycle.

Whether all that enthusiasm will result in full-fledged campaigns and translate to gains in the number of women elected to office remains to be seen.

One-fifth of federal lawmakers

Although women are more than half the American population, they account for just a fifth of all U.S. representatives and senators, and one in four state lawmakers. They serve as governors of only six states and mayors in roughly 20 percent of the nation's most populous cities.

A portion of Sarah Riggs Amico's campaign website. A portion of Sarah Riggs Amico's campaign website. The executive chairwoman of a major auto hauling company, she recently announced plans to run for lieutenant governor in Georgia. A portion of Sarah Riggs Amico's campaign website. The executive chairwoman of a major auto hauling company, she recently announced plans to run for lieutenant governor in Georgia.

For Sarah Riggs Amico, the executive chairwoman of a major auto hauling company, last year's Women's March in Atlanta ignited her interest in running for office.

"It was something that really lifted me up and made me want to demand better from my government," said Amico, who recently announced plans to run for lieutenant governor in Georgia.

Sol Flores has been walking in marches with her mother in Chicago since she was a little girl, but never thought she would run for office. Now 44, Flores said she was enraged by policies put forward by the Trump administration and decided to jump into a crowded Democratic primary for Illinois' 4th Congressional District.

Flores said her network of friends has been crucial to helping her navigate the realities of being a first-time candidate and the challenges of gathering signatures for qualifying and fundraising.

"Women are really good at this, saying, 'Let's sit down and figure this out. You raised your hand, and let's win. Let's go to Washington, D.C.,' " said Flores, the executive director of a nonprofit helping homeless families and at-risk youth.

The last time the U.S. saw a surge in women running for office was 1992, in the wake of Anita Hill's testimony before an all-male U.S. Senate committee weighing the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. It was called the "Year of the Woman" because women were elected to the U.S. House and Senate in record numbers.

FILE - Participants, holding a sign protesting sex FILE - Participants, holding a sign protesting sexual harassment and assaults in the workplace, walk at the #MeToo March in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, Nov. 12, 2017. FILE - Participants, holding a sign protesting sexual harassment and assaults in the workplace, walk at the #MeToo March in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, Nov. 12, 2017.

The number of women in office has held steady in recent years, but experts say conditions are ripe for an increase in 2018  especially if more politicians are forced to step down or retire amid the growing #MeToo movement that began with accusations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Open seats

One U.S. senator and four congressmen have so far announced plans to retire or not seek re-election following allegations against them, presenting a prime opportunity for women to compete for their open seats. For example, seven women have expressed interest in an April special election for an Arizona congressional seat.

The increase in women candidates is largely being seen in U.S. House and governor's races next year and driven primarily by Democrats, said Debbie Walsh, who leads the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. In addition to the 50 Democratic and 10 Republican congresswomen expected to run for re-election, there are 183 Democratic women and 14 Republican women running in primaries to challenge their current U.S. representatives.

These can be uphill races, but many of the women running say they were encouraged by what happened in Virginia in November, when 30 percent of the women who challenged their state representatives won.

Katie Hill is among those seeking to oust her local congressman, Republican Representative Steve Knight, in California's 25th Congressional District, a key Democratic target this year.

As an advocate for the homeless, Hill recalled the joy she felt on the night of the 2016 election when voters in Los Angeles passed a $1.2 billion bond measure for housing and services for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. But she said that was quickly tempered by the outcome of the presidential election.

"November made us all realize that our country is not where we need to be," Hill said. "And that's the point when people start to stand up and say, 'If no one else is going to fix, I'm going to.' "

A portion of Tiffany Shedd's campaign website. She A portion of Tiffany Shedd's campaign website. Shedd, of Eloy, Arizona, will be running in the Republican primary in the hopes of challenging Democratic Representative Tom O'Halleran in November. A portion of Tiffany Shedd's campaign website. Shedd, of Eloy, Arizona, will be running in the Republican primary in the hopes of challenging Democratic Representative Tom O'Halleran in November.

It's not just Democrats. First-time Republican and Libertarian women candidates are also jumping into the mix.

Republicans launched an effort in 2012 that is focused on electing women. Under the "Right Women, Right Now" program, 390 new GOP women have been elected since then.

"Twenty-five percent of state legislators are women, and that's clearly insufficient," said Matt Walter, head of the Republican State Leadership Committee. "That's a Democratic and Republican number, and something we really felt strongly was something we needed to change."

'Exactly what we need'

Tiffany Shedd, a lawyer for small businesses who lives on a farm in Eloy, Arizona, said she was talking with her husband one evening this year about the importance of having someone representing them in Congress who will fight for rural communities. She said he challenged her to run.

"I said, 'I can't run. What's a person from a little town in Arizona doing running for Congress?' " Shedd said. "And then I thought, 'Wow  that is exactly what we need.' "

She will be running in the Republican primary in the hopes of challenging Democratic Representative Tom O'Halleran in November.

On the state level, 36 governor's races will be contested in 2018. The Center for American Women and Politics says 49 Democratic women, including two incumbents, and 28 Republican women have indicated they will run for those seats. There have never been more than nine women serving as governors at the same time.

Even if all the women who have reached out to groups such as EMILY's List do not end up running next year, they are expected to play key roles in supporting those who do.

"This is the next decade of candidates," Schriock said.Iraqi nationals under threat of deportation and currently in detention should have the opportunity to win their release, a U.S. District Court has ruled.

U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith in Detroit, Michigan, ruled Tuesday that hundreds of Iraqi Chaldeans who have been held in detention centers around the country for at least six months should be given bond hearings.

Goldsmith ordered immigration judges to hold the hearings and release the detainees unless they are a public safety risk. Detainees who don't get a bond hearing must be released by February 2.

"Over time, as more detainees are held for six months, the same rules apply," CODE Legal Aid, an advocate for the detainees, wrote on Facebook.

"Our legal tradition rejects warehousing human beings while their legal rights are being determined, without an opportunity to persuade a judge that the norm of monitored freedom should be followed," Goldsmith said.

He made some exceptions, saying a detainee could remain locked up if the government can show the detainee has acted in "bad faith."

Goldsmith also said his ruling applies only to the group of Iraqi Chaldeans and has no wider application.

The Chaldean Community Foundation serves Chaldean- FILE - The Chaldean Community Foundation serves Chaldean-Americans, but advocates say everyone is welcome in the center, in Sterling Heights, Michigan, July 31, 2017. FILE - The Chaldean Community Foundation serves Chaldean-Americans, but advocates say everyone is welcome in the center, in Sterling Heights, Michigan, July 31, 2017.

?Irreparable harm cited

In July, Goldsmith blocked the deportation of 1,400 Iraqi nationals nationwide to give them time to challenge their removal. Many are Christians who fear being tortured or killed if deported. The judge's ruling noted that many of the Iraqis  estimated at 247  continue to be jailed in U.S. detention centers around the country, "the vast majority having spent six months or more in custody." Almost half are residents of Detroit.

"Many of these folks were on final order of removal for committing crimes in the 1980s or 1990s," Chaldean Community Foundation Martin Manna told VOA in August. "They came here legally at some point, but either had a misdemeanor or a felony, which put them on final order of removal."

Until recently, Iraq has refused to take back its nationals who are under deportation orders. The Iraqis had been released into their communities, where they had been supervised.

"According to Petitioners, they lived peaceably in their respective communities under the orders of supervision  a point the Government does not contest," Goldsmith said in his ruling.

Attorneys for the detainees also argued that prolonged detention had caused them irreparable harm. The judge did not disagree, citing testimony from various detained Iraqis.

"Recently, I was forced to close my auto shop business and now face a real possibility of losing it forever because I cannot continue running it while I am detained," Atheer Ali said.

"Our son is scheduled to attend college next year but as of now, we cannot afford to even pay the minimum deposit for his tuition," according to Usama Hamama.

"[I]t took two months for me to receive medical treatment after my transfer to Chippewa County, Michigan," Habil Nissan said.

FILE - Family members of detainees line up to ente FILE - Family members of detainees line up to enter the federal court just before a hearing to consider a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Iraqi nationals facing deportation, in Detroit, Michigan, June 21, 2017. FILE - Family members of detainees line up to enter the federal court just before a hearing to consider a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Iraqi nationals facing deportation, in Detroit, Michigan, June 21, 2017.

?Agreement with Iraq

The U.S. government argued in court that the Iraqis should be kept in detention because "removal is reasonably foreseeable."

Goldsmith agreed with that statement, but said it is anything but clear that Iraq will repatriate all of the 1,400 Iraqis with deportation orders, citing a declaration from Michael Bernacke, acting assistant deputy assistant director for Department of Homeland Security's removal management division.

"In his declaration, Bernacke states that the agreement between the United States and Iraq is not memorialized in writing, but is instead the product of ongoing negotiations," Goldsmith wrote, adding, "Bernacke also states that the agreement does not contemplate any numeric limitation on the number of removals."

Since Goldsmith's July ruling, he writes that 164 Iraqis have filed motions to have their cases heard in immigration court.

"Seventy-four have been granted, 11 have been finally denied, and 79 are pending. Approximately 10 of the 74 grantees have had their cases adjudicated to the merits, with each one resulting in grants of relief or protection."

The government has argued that Goldsmith is exceeding his authority and should leave deportation disputes to immigration courts. His earlier decisions are being appealed.A South Korean government official checks the hotline to talk with North Korea in the border village of Panmunjom on January 3, 2018. Photo: South Korean Unification Ministry/Getty Images

The mixed signals North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un sent in his New Years Day address have sparked dramatic developments over the past 48 hours. First, President Trump responded to Kims latest provocation  The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, a nuclear button is always on my desk  with an appalling threat of his own.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Then, after most Americans headed to bed on Tuesday, with many wondering if the president might drag us into war via tweet, we learned of a major shift in relations between the two Koreas. In his New Years speech, Kim extended a rare olive branch to the South, saying they should begin talks as soon as possible and work together as a people of the same heritage to find peace and stability. At 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Kim made good on that pledge, ordering the reopening of a hotline with the South thats been dormant for almost two years.

We have received orders to reopen the Panmunjom phone line  to discuss issues including our participation in the Winter Olympics, said Ri Son-gwon, the head of the North Korean government department that manages its South Korean policy.

South Koreas Unification Ministry said the two sides were on the phone from 3:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. local time. They did not describe exactly what was said, but reported that they checked technical issues of the communication line. They said they were awaiting a possible second call from the North, which may pave the way for official talks in the coming days.

North Korea stopped answering the hotline in the border village of Panmunjom, which is in the Demilitarized Zone, in February 2016, when South Koreas former President Park Geun-hye shut down the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which employed workers from both sides. Park was responding to Kim launching a satellite into space and claiming to have tested a hydrogen bomb. The South kept trying the hotline every day, but the North never picked up.

In the meantime, the North grew increasingly provocative in its pursuit of nuclear weapons, and Trumps belligerent exchanges with Kim helped raise fears that were on the brink of war. In this context, any diplomatic progress may come as a relief, but Kims motives remain unclear.

South Koreas new, liberal president, Moon Jae-in, has gone along with U.S.-led efforts in increase sanctions on North Korea, but he insists that on its own, that strategy wont make Kim curb his weapons program. The reopening of a communications channel is highly significant because it is a step toward being able to hold dialogue anytime both sides want, said Yoon Young-chan, a spokesman for Moon.

But many experts believe Kims true aim is to drive a wedge between the U.S. and South Korea by taking advantage of this tactical disagreement. He may think that if he improves relations with his neighbor, Seoul with push the U.S. toward detente. That might also play into the Norths narrative that its nuclear weapons are a necessary defense against U.S. aggression. At the very least, pretending that it wants to negotiate a peaceful resolution may give the North time to perfect its missiles and become an official nuclear-weapons state.

U.S. officials said theyre extremely skeptical of Kims overtures, and will not allow him to sour the U.S.South Korean alliance. Prior to Trumps tweet, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, warned that there are reports North Korea may be gearing up for another missile test, even as Kim talks about peace.

North Korea can talk to anyone they want, but the U.S. is not going to recognize it or acknowledge it until they agree to ban the nuclear weapons that they have, she said.

Still, some suggested that reestablishing contact between the two Koreas is a step in the right direction, for all involved. A better North-South relationship would help Washington and the international community to better understand North Korea and to talk it into taking substantive measures of self-restraint, Tong Zhao, a fellow at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing, told CNN.

It does seem more promising than trying to top whatever crazy thing Kim says, in 240 characters or less.WHITE HOUSE - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has vowed the United States will stand with Iranian anti-government protesters for the long haul, and he said President Donald Trump stands ready to back the uprising with more than just words.

"President Trump's unapologetic willingness to stand with the courageous people of Iran, I know, is giving hope to the people on the streets of the cities of that country," Pence said in a VOA interview. "And we're going to continue to support them not just verbally as they bring about change in their country."

State Department officials have told VOA the administration is considering economic sanctions or other actions against people or organizations that commit violence against peaceful protesters.

Speaking to VOA contributor Greta Van Susteren in his ceremonial office in the Executive Office Building on Wednesday, Pence declined to elaborate on what actions the United States might be considering, saying only that there is "an extraordinary amount that the United States and countries around the world can do for the people of Iran if they continue to stand up for their own freedom."

In this Dec. 30, 2017 photo taken by an individual In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 file photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, university students attend a protest inside Tehran University while Iranian riot police prevent them to join others. In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 file photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, university students attend a protest inside Tehran University while Iranian riot police prevent them to join others.

The vice president said the administration believes current sanctions on Tehran are working, and could be increased. "This president and this administration are absolutely committed to continue to bring the full economic weight of the United States and these economic sanctions to bear on Iran."

2018 vs 2009

The Trump administration's quick embrace of the Iran demonstrations contrasts with the Obama administration's more muted response to street protests in 2009 that lasted for months before dissipating under a deadly government crackdown.

At the time, American officials expressed worries that by forcefully backing one faction in Iran's political divide, the U.S. would be inserting itself into a domestic political dispute. Iranian leaders frequently blame the United States and other countries of fomenting unrest.

Pence said that reluctance to get involved was a mistake.

"I remember back in 2009 seeing this largely youth-driven movement following a fraudulent election in Iran, people taking to the streets demonstrating incredible courage that the people of Iran did to claim a democratic and free future. And they looked to the White House in those days in 2009 and they looked for leadership and there was none. There was deafening silence from the Obama administration," Pence said.

"Unlike the past, this time America stands with the brave Iranian protesters who are risking their lives for freedom," Pence tweeted in a summary of his VOA interview.

Talking directly to the Iranian people today. My interview with @Greta for @VOANews will air in Iran. The message from @POTUS and me is clear: Unlike the past, this time America stands with the brave Iranian protesters who are risking their lives for freedom! #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/DIXFC3Nyvw  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) January 3, 2018

Former Obama administration officials dispute that view. Writing in the New York Times, Philip Gordon, a former top state department official in the Obama administration, argue that such high-profile support could do more harm than good.

"It was never clear what difference American rhetorical support would have made then, other than allowing the Iranian government to depict the protesters as American lackeys, giving the security services more of a pretext to crack down violently," he said.

How Can Trump Help Irans Protesters? Be Quiet. https://t.co/w0MNlWMkxG  Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) December 31, 2017

?The vice president called the American people "a natural ally" of Iran and said he sees a parallel between Trump's words of support for Iranian protesters and President Ronald Reagan's encouragement of Soviet dissidents in the 1980s.

"If I had one hope today, it is just as the dissidents in the old Soviet Union heard of Ronald Reagan's Evil Empire speech and were encouraged to know that they were not alone, my hope is that the people who are taking to the streets in Iran know that under President Donald Trump they are not alone, that the American people stand with them," Pence said.

The vice president's comments came as Trump tweeted a statement backing the uprising, even as Iran's state media reported that tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators had staged rallies across the country following days of anti-government protests.

"Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government," Trump said in a Twitter comment. "You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" It was not immediately clear what assistance Trump had in mind.WASHINGTON - Vice President Mike Pence was interviewed by VOA contributor Greta Van Susteren Wednesday.

Greta Van Susteren: Mr. Vice President, good to see you sir.

Vice President Mike Pence: Good to see you, Greta. Thank you.

WATCH: Full interview of Vice President Mike Pence

Q: Much is going on in Iran, and I realize it is a very tough situation, situation very fragile over there. What is the United States going to do, if anything? I know that theres been a tweet and verbal statements in support, but what about doing?

Pence: Well its important to remember that first and foremost that Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Not only do they oppress their own people, deny human rights to their own, but they also export terrorists across the region, and continue to be an enormously dangerous destabilizing force. And so to see the people of Iran rising up to demand change in their country should hearten every freedom-loving American and people who cherish freedom around the world, and I have to tell you, that the contrast today between the deafening silence from an American president in 2009 during the Green revolution in Iran and the clear. ...

Q: He waited, he waited, he waited a few days, but then he spoke up.

Pence: Well, but the clear affirmation and support that President (Donald) Trump has provided to protesters rising up in cities across Iran is dramatic and I think its very consistent with Americas role in the world as a leading champion of freedom.

Q: In terms of support though, theres verbal support and there was admittedly President (Barack) Obamas few days late back in 09 ...

Pence: It wasnt just a few days late, because I was there. I was a member of the Congress, you recall I served on the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, and I remember back in 2009, seeing this largely youth-driven movement following a fraudulent election in Iran, people taking to the streets, demonstrating incredible courage that the people of Iran did to claim a democratic and free future. And we looked to the White House in those days in 2009, we looked for American leadership, and there was none. There was deafening silence from the Obama administration. So as a member of Congress, I authored a resolution with a Democratic congressman by the name of Howard Berman who was at the time Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. We introduced the resolution, it passed almost unanimously in the House of Representatives, then Senator (John) McCain and Senator (Joe) Lieberman introduced it in the Senate where it passed unanimously, and then and only then did we hear from President Obama and the Obama administration. The contrast between the silence and the failure to support freedom in the last administration and President Trumps unapologetic willingness to stand with the courageous people of Iran. I know it is giving hope to the people on the streets of those cities across that country and were going to continue to support them in not just verbally, but as they bring about change in their country, I can assure you the United States and the wider world stands with the people of Iran who want a better and more prosperous and freer future.



Q: In 1956-ish, the same thing happened in Hungary where the people rose up, and there was verbal support. Weve had it with the Kurds with President (George H.W.) Bush '41,' we had the Green Movement, which the Congress, as you say, had supported a unanim(ous) ... different on how fast President Obama responded, but is when you support them verbally, it has not had necessarily the intended consequences. This is a chance where the United States has supported them verbally, is there something more that the United States intends to actually do to support them as they take to the streets?



Pence: There is an extraordinary amount that the United States and countries around the world can do for the people of Iran if they will continue to stand up for their own freedom and to stand up for change and to reject the radical ideology that overtook their country decades ago and continues to beset the wider world through the export of terrorism from Iran. Look, the last administration not only was silent when the good and courageous people of Iran were rising up for democracy but they also pushed forward and embraced the disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal that President Trump refused to recertify and were continuing to provide leadership on. You know the hope of the Iran nuclear deal is that it would encourage a more moderate Iran, but weve seen nothing of the kind. But to see people taking to the streets again in Iran and to now have an American president whos willing in that great American tradition to affirm and to say to the people, were with you, we support you, were prepared to help you achieve that freer, more prosperous future. I think it represents a genuine opportunity and if I had one hope today its that just as the dissidence in the old Soviet Union heard of (President) Ronald Reagans evil empire speech and were encouraged to know they were not alone. My hope is that the people who are taking in the streets in Iran know that under President Donald Trump they are not alone, that the American people stand with them and if they will just continue to show the courage of their convictions and reach out and embrace a free and democratic future that America and the world will be with them.



Q: The way the president has done it so far is by Twitter and the Iranian authorities ... the government has shut down Twitter, Telegram, Facebook and Instagram so social media into Iran is not reaching everyone. I realize that this interview will reach into Iran because Voice of America does reach there and so the president may not be reaching them, the second thing is I suspect that many people in Iran are a little bit distressed with the presidents immigration and terms of banning people from Iran from coming here, the United States so I dont know how receptive the people are in Iran unless he reaches out more to them.



Pence: Well, the repression by the regime, by the ayatollahs in Iran is not surprising. They continue to be a nation that denies basic human rights to their people and to be shutting down communication means and social media is no real surprise.



Q: If its done by Twitter, is there another vehicle that the president has other than I mean youre speaking here today, is there another vehicle that the president intends to use. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested he address the nation for instance on this issue, our nation on it.



Pence: I think the president again spoke out on social media this morning, directly to the people of Iran.



Q: But they dont have social media, thats the problem.



Pence: I can assure you that whether its the president, whether it is myself, whether its our secretary of state or (United Nations) Ambassador Nikki Haley, were going to continue to send, different from nine years ago, were going to continue to send from the very outset of this effort on the streets of Iran an unambiguous message that the American people stand with freedom loving people in Iran and around the world and I think this is a very hopeful moment and my goal ... really my prayer is that the people of Iran a youthful population, a well-educated population, understand that the United States of America, the people of this country, are their natural ally. We want to see them achieve a free and democratic future. We want to see them step away from a regime that continues to menace the world to threaten the world and threaten to develop nuclear weapons.



Q: What can the people expect in this if the president doesnt recertify the deal? Now, the people of Iran thought with the deal, that all the money that was going to be unfrozen would go toward ... would go with them and would revitalize their economy. That hasnt happened, what has provoked, in part, these protests. What happens without the deal being recertified? What do you see happening to the people in Iran?

Pence: Well, the president made it clear that we are not recertifying.

Q: So, what happens to the people in Iran?

Pence: But there are other decisions that have to be made, to your point, Greta. Whether or not well continue to waive sanctions and the president is actively considering that decision that needs to be made by the middle of this month.

Q: Do you think that will help? The sanctions? Because sometimes it works. Im not opposed to sanctions. I want sanctions in Myanmar, you know? So, I mean Im not opposed to sanctions. But will sanctions, upping the sanctions in Iran will that harm the people who are protesting on the streets or is it helpful?

Pence: We believe that the sanctions (are) working. They are not just working in Iran, we believe they are working in North Korea and this president and this administration are absolutely committed to continue to bring the full economic weight of the United States and these economic sanctions to bear on Iran. Now, were also working with the Congress to arrive at a new agreement, a new set of conditions for sanctions going forward. The reality is the Iran nuclear deal was so ill-founded because in part it not only did it not deny that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon. By it only being a 10-year agreement, it virtually guaranteed that they would develop a nuclear weapon after that 10-year period in time. What we want is to have a long-term agreement in place, a long-term legislation in place that it says that if at any time Iran attempts to obtain a usable nuclear weapon and the ballistic missiles to be able to deliver it, that all sanctions would be re-imposed immediately. But all of those decisions going forward, but I think, as you see whats happening on the streets of Iran, you have to believe that the sanctions are in place today and additional pressure we can bring to bear is having an effect on the nations, its having an effect on the economy, its emboldening the people of Iran to be able to have the courage to step forward.

Q: You brought up North Korea in my last question, is the president  the president has tweeted that he has a bigger button than Kim Jong Un. Is he playing with fire with Kim Jong Un in tweeting him this way  in a Twitter war back and forth?

Pence: President Trump has provided the kind of clear leadership on the worlds stage thats made measurable progress particularly with regard to North Korea. And the message the president sends, in the wake of (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Uns New Years message where, while on the one hand, he talked about wanting to reach out to his neighbors to the south, at the same moment he spoke of having missiles that could reach the United States, having a button on his desk. President Trump made it clear, America will not be bullied, America will not be threatened, and that the United States of America has, and by being clear, managed to marshal an unprecedented amount of economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea. And after decades of North Korea stalling and ignoring the world community, and continuing to develop nuclear and ballistic missiles, were now literally beginning to see some movement among nations in the region, China is... .

Q: Youre not worried?

Pence: China is doing more than ever before, China needs to do more, but theyre doing more than ever before to isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically and I truly do believe that making it clear that all options are on the table, that the president has done, making it clear that the United States of America has the capacity to defend our people far beyond anything North Korea could imagine, but also making it clear that if North Korea will abandon their nuclear and ballistic and missile ambitions, if they dismantle those programs, theres an opportunity for a peaceable solution.

Q: Mr. Vice President, nice to see you. Thank you, sir.

Pence: Great to see you, Greta. Thank you.Zimbabwe's new justice minister is rejecting calls for major electoral reforms ahead of nationwide polls expected later this year.



The Zimbabwe Election Resource Centre, a non-partisan think tank focusing on elections and democracy, wrote letters this week to parliament, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, urging them to enact new laws to ensure the 2018 general elections are free and fair.



Former president Robert Mugabe, who the military forced out of office in November, was accused by both international and domestic observers of using fraud and intimidation to win elections in 2002, 2008 and 2013.



ERC director Tawanda Chimhini said Mnangagwa's government must take steps to ensure the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is independent and that prisoners and Zimbabweans living abroad are eligible to vote.

Thousands of Mugabe's opponents were thrown in jail during his decades in power, and hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans left the country, mostly for South Africa, to escape political repression or Zimbabwe's moribund economy.



The pressure is not just coming from the ERC. Twenty-two opposition parties, under the banner of the Zimbabwe National Electoral Reform Agenda, recently held protests and petitioned the government to institute reforms.



"A lot more still needs to be done in ensuring effective citizen participation in governance processes that lead to the selection of public officials," Chimhini told VOA's Studio 7 Zimbabwe program on Tuesday.

Ziyambi: No change needed

However, in an interview Tuesday, Justice Minister Ziyambi said the country's laws need no reform.



"Everything that they are complaining about is clearly covered within our constitution and our laws," Ziyambi told Studio 7. "Our constitution clearly stipulates that ZEC is an independent body not subject to the control of anyone."

Ziyambi said the laws are compliant with the guidelines of the African Union and the Southern African regional bloc SADC.



"In so far as we are concerned," he added, "we believe that we should not just waste resources doing cosmetic changes to the legislation that are already materially covered by the existing legislation."



That legislation was passed by the ruling ZANU-PF party, which remains in power after the events of November which saw the military take over state institutions and force Mugabe to resign after 37 years.



Some Zimbabweans have expressed concern about the military's influence as three of Mnangagwa's cabinet members are former generals, including new Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, one of the central figures in Mugabe's ouster.



Regarding the prisoner and diaspora issues, Ziyambi said the government is awaiting a court decision that is expected later this month.

"Once that determination has been given we then know the direction to proceed," he said.



President Mnangagwa has promised that Zimbabwe would hold "free, fair and credible elections this year." He said he would work hard to build a new democracy.The URL has been copied to your clipboard

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Mthwakazi Republic Party members in jovial mood following the release of some of their colleagues who were arrested Sunday for protesting at a church session at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accused of being allegedly part ofthe Gukurahundi killings.The record-shattering cold gripping most of the United States has been blamed for at least nine deaths in recent weeks and forecasters say the worst is yet to come.

The National Weather Service issued wind chill advisories and freeze warnings Tuesday for 40 U.S. states.

"Arctic air mass will bring a prolonged period of much-below-normal temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills to the central and eastern U.S. over the next week, NWS tweeted.

Hard freeze warnings remain in effect through Wednesday in typically balmy states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Temperatures fell to -13 Celsius (8.6 Fahrenheit) near Cullman, Alabama, and -7 Celsius (19.4 Fahrenheit) in Mobile, Alabama.

City officials opened warming shelters across the South as cold temperatures brought rare snow flurries as far south as Austin, Texas. In Savannah, Georgia, where the average high temperature in January is 16 Celsius (61 Fahrenheit), the temperature hovered at -1 Celsius (30.2 Fahrenheit) at noon Tuesday.

Hospitals across the U.S. are seeing a surge in emergency room visits for hypothermia and other ailments as temperatures plunge well below freezing.

The central U.S. has borne the brunt of the frigid temperatures since the snap began around Christmas. Omaha, Nebraska, broke a record dating back more than 130 years as teeth chattered in temperatures of -29C (-20 Fahrenheit). While Aberdeen, South Dakota, saw the mercury fall to -36C (32.8 Fahrenheit), breaking a record set in 1919.

Arctic temperatures also caused problems on waterways, for both waterfowl and boats. Firefighters in Richmond, Virginia, freed a swan that was stuck for hours Monday in the middle of a frozen pond.

In New York, transportation officials suspended the Newburgh-Beacon commuter ferry service on Tuesday because of icy conditions on the Hudson River. In Florida, several water parks in Orlando are closed because of the extreme temperatures, CNN reported.

Tourists visiting the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls snapped photos of flowing water that had turned to icicles.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy reported frozen sharks were washing on beaches south of Boston

Meanwhile, forecasters are tracking a storm that could bring snow and ice to the East Coast later this week. The private AccuWeather forecaster said the cold snap could combine with a storm brewing off the Bahamas to bring snow and high winds to much of the Eastern Seaboard as it heads north on Wednesday and Thursday.Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has signed a law that scraps a 75-year age cap for presidential candidates, a spokesman for parliament said on Tuesday, a move critics say will allow him to remain in power indefinitely.

Museveni, 73, has ruled Uganda for 31 years and could now stand again in the next election, due in 2021, despite increased public anger over corruption, human rights violations and poor social services.

Parliament, controlled by Museveni's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), approved the constitutional amendment on Dec. 22 amid heavy security deployments across the capital Kampala and outside parliament.

"It has been signed into law," spokesman Chris Obore said, adding that the president had done so on Dec. 27.

Museveni's move quickly drew criticism from his political opponents, religious leaders, human rights activists and even some members of the ruling party.

Protests in September by opposition activists against the proposed amendment were quickly put down with detentions, teargas and beatings. At least two people were killed.

Some legislators opposed to the law tried unsuccessfully at various stages to filibuster it and some were suspended from proceedings. During the final debate on the amendment last month, some lawmakers scuffled with police.

Museveni is the latest of a growing list of African leaders who have either changed the law or used other tactics to thwart opponents and hold onto power long after their tenure has ended.

In Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, such moves have provoked instability.

Last month's vote by parliament was the second time the Ugandan legislature has amended the constitution to allow Museveni to stay in power. In 2005 they voted to remove a limit of two five-year terms, which had blocked him from standing again.

Despite the growing cries of autocracy against Museveni, Washington has backed him as a strongman who has turned Uganda into a bulwark of stability in Africa's troubled Great Lakes region.

The landlocked East African country is eyeing commencement of crude production in 2020 and the construction of a pipeline to export it via neighbouring Tanzania is underway.Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.Doug Jones isnt joining any Senate Democratic factions, but will probably toe the party line most of the time. Photo: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

With both the courts and Alabama election officials briskly dismissing Roy Moores empty allegations of voter fraud, the states unlikely new Democratic senator, Doug Jones, will finally be sworn into office on Wednesday. He didnt arrive in time to play a role in any year-end legislative drama. But there will be considerable speculation about the role he might play in a Senate where Republicans now have a spare two-vote margin.

Conservative media seem confident in projecting that Jones will be one of those moderate Democratic swing voters in the Senate. But in the Trump era its not clear what that will mean, since other Democrats from conservative states who make bipartisan noises just like Jones have regularly voted with their party on important floor actions (other than judicial confirmations). Its worth noting that when Jones himself talks about working with Republicans, its on issues conservatives mostly disdain, and even then he sets conditions:

Infrastructure is the perfect opportunity for both the parties to try to show to the American public that you can work together, Mr. Jones said. But he declined to say whether he could support the sort of public-private partnerships that could be central to Mr. Trumps plans.



This distinguishes him from pretty much zero Senate Democrats. The same could be said of this stance from Jones:

[S]iding with congressional Democrats, Jones made clear he wants to help devise safeguards for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, but without funding for a border wall.

Joness initial staff hires have also drawn attention for providing clues to his likely positioning. His chief of staff, Dana Gresham, once had the same position with centrist Alabama congressman Artur Davis. But he followed up that stint with a position in the Obama administration, and will become the only African-American chief of staff in the Senate  which is appropriate given the central nature of African-American turnout and support levels to Joness win. Legislative director Mark Libell held the same job with standard-brand Democratic senator Jay Rockefeller. His deputy, Katie Campbell, was policy director for the House Blue Dogs. But what she and the other two hires have in common is that they are Alabama Democrats who know this could be their only chance to work for a Democratic senator from their state.

Youd have to figure one of his most important priorities is to fight for the right to vote for the minority voters who largely lifted him to the Senate.

All in all, it seems that Jones meant what he said about himself:

Im going to consider anything, said Jones, explaining that he doesnt plan on labeling himself a progressive or a conservative Democrat but a Doug Jones Democrat.

That should be good enough for most Democrats everywhere.Roy and Kayla Moore. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

With only hours until the polls opened in Alabamas special election last month, Kayla Moore, wife of mall-prowling Evangelical Roy Moore, launched a curious defense of her husband focusing on one of the lesser-known reasons to oppose his election to the U.S. Senate.

Fake news would tell you that we dont care for Jews, she said at a rally in Midland City. I just want to set the record straight while theyre here, she said, waving to the press. One of our attorneys is a Jew.

Kayla Moore, wife of Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, accuses media of painting couple as anti-Semitic. pic.twitter.com/Vcczj6pNPv  NBC News (@NBCNews) December 12, 2017

The lawyer Moore appeared to be referring to is Alabama defense attorney Richard Jaffe, who is indeed Jewish and has in fact worked for the Moore family. But it turns out hes also a huge supporter of Doug Jones, the Democrat who beat Moore in the special election and will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate this week.

There could not be a more passionate supporter of Doug than me! Jaffe told the Washington Examiner. He didnt just vote for Jones either. Jaffe told the Examiner he contributed to and raised money for the Jones campaign too.

Moores denial of her husbands alleged anti-Semitism came after the former Alabama Supreme Court justice said billionaire Democratic donor George Soros is going to hell because hes Jewish. Hes still going to the same place that people who dont recognize God and morality and accept his salvation are going, Moore said. And thats not a good place.

While the Moores desperately touted their relationship with Jaffe, who represented their son after a drug arrest, the Birmingham-born lawyer was helping Jones across the finish line. And when the civil-rights attorney won the election of December 12, Jaffe was on the stage with him as he gave his acceptance speech. On Wednesday, Jaffe plans to be in the Senate gallery when his friend Doug Jones is sworn in.Trumps tweets are a national security risk, but not for the reasons you might think. Photo: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Nothing in a lifetime of international relations prepared me for my president trading threats with the paranoid, autocratic leader of a state whose economy is one-four-hundredth the size of ours about how well their (nonexistent) desktop nuclear launch buttons work. Not ten years serving presidents of both parties at the State Department, the White House, and overseas. Not leadership training. Not two degrees worth of coursework in international relations and deterrence theory, including the value of signaling, bluffing, and credibility. Not following decades of feminist scholarship pointing out the phallic nature of the nuclear arms race  though we owe those much-derided academics and activists a Youre right, dont we?

What I thought of first as I scrolled through Twitter on Tuesday night, mouth agape, was my moms personal story about nuclear Armageddon. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, near Strategic Air Command, which was presumed to be one of the prime targets of a Soviet nuclear first strike, were one to occur. My mom used to tell us about a talk she had with her dad during the most frightening days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when many Americans believed a Soviet strike was imminent. She was leaving for a post-college job in Des Moines, Iowa, a few hundred miles away. If anything happens, said Grandpa, come back and look for your mother. Of course, after a nuclear strike, that would be ridiculous. But Grandpa was holding on to how the world was supposed to work  dads look after moms, children look after parents  even as the world failed to follow its own rules.

Im not worried about a nuclear exchange with Pyongyang this weekend or next. The more absurd the public exchanges become, the easier it will be for cooler heads on both sides to prevail  in the short term, at least. We now know that President Nixon did not, in fact, have control of the nuclear launch codes during a period when his closest aides judged him to be impaired and unreliable. Perceptions of erratic behavior also played a part in the palace coup that drove Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader whose actions sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis, out of office. Current and former U.S. defense officials have gone out of their way, in congressional testimony and other public forums  pretty much anytime a reporter asks  to make it clear that they do think about receiving illegal or immoral orders, and how they might respond. Even Kim Jong-un, who said last fall that a frightened dog barks louder, seems to understand that these exchanges with Trump are for show.

No, what Im worried about  and much more worried about after the button tweet  is what happens when a powerful country loses credibility so rapidly that it doesnt know its gone. Imagine the plight of the U.S. envoys trying to negotiate a Ukraine peacekeeping mission with teeth, or the military officer telling Iranian boats to stay clear of our ships. Imagine foreign nations offering a response that seems to say, And how is your button today?

The temptation to try to reestablish U.S. credibility through shows of force  on the Korean Peninsula or elsewhere  is going to be enormous. The pressure wont just come from our president wanting to use his metaphorical button. It will come from the men and women in the security Establishment who are used to demonstrating U.S. resolve. And it will come from our allies and partners, who agreed to work with a U.S. that means what it says.

At the same time, Kim Jong-un has just made it look easy to make our president look ridiculous. Others will be tempted to follow suit. Tweets, though embarrassing, are harmless. Other kinds of provocations may not be.

A world in which our enemies feel more emboldened to provoke and taunt us  and we feel more compelled to respond when they do  is a less stable world. Its a world in which our partners doubt us and our military needs to perform more shows of force to prove that our planes and ships, unlike the desktop launcher, are real. Its a world in which diplomatic misperceptions and accidental escalations are more likely. Thats the world our president  and all his enablers who told us to focus on his policies, not his tweets  has given us.

I wonder what stories my son will tell his kids about the Nuclear Button Crisis.McMaster of none. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

A senile Fox News addict  with delusions of grandeur and poor impulse control  has the unilateral authority to instigate a nuclear holocaust whenever he wants. Thus far, he has retained enough humility (and/or self-interested fear) not to avail himself of his offices most awesome powers, opting instead to defer to his advisers on military matters. But the perpetual conflict between his instincts and their expertise is trying his patience  and his instinct is for war.

That grim summary of our current predicament does not derive from the rants of #Resistance leaders or progressive polemicists but from the whispered confessions of administration officials. From the very first days of the Trump presidency, many in the West Wing have used the White House press corps as a team of talk therapists, confidentially disclosing their secret anxieties to the nearest available reporter. In their accounts, advising the commander-in-chief is akin to babysitting a toddler: They closely monitored the leader of the free worlds TV time, lest upsetting media trigger a temper tantrum; struggled to make him understand boundaries; and implored him to work on his assignments instead of insisting on long stretches of unstructured time to watch television and call allies. They fretted constantly about the kind of crowd he was hanging out with  keenly aware of how bad influences could remold his impressionable mind. Above all, they strived to steer him safely out of the moods where he wants to blow everything up.

In October, Bob Corker took these sentiments public, telling the New York Times, I know for a fact that every single day at the White House, its a situation of trying to contain him. The Republican senator likened the West Wing to an adult day-care center. He said that the presidents emotional volatility threatened to set America on the path to World War 3, and insisted that, in private, most of his GOP colleagues shared this assessment.

But taking action to remove this madman from office  or even to curb his military powers  would have put corporate tax cuts in jeopardy. And Senate Republicans were unwilling to take that risk.

So now, the United States is inching toward a shooting war with North Korea; the president is bragging about the size and potency of his Nuclear Button over Twitter; and White House officials are venting fears of an imminent, accidental catastrophe to their confidantes in the fake news media.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Every war in history was an accident, one administration insider (inaccurately) told Axios last night. You just dont know whats going to send him over the edge. The him in that sentence is Trump  and, according to that outlet, multiple administration officials are worried that he could blunder into war.

Days before Trumps Freudian nuclear threat, Axios published a similarly disconcerting account of the way the winds are blowing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue:

Trump seems most interested in discussing military options on North Korea in these meetings. He is surrounded by advisers who share his concern about the rogue state, but not his fixation on a military strike.

And some top officials have told us Trumps belligerent rhetoric on the subject makes them nervous.

There is a reason the harshest assessments of Trump usually leak after North Korea meetings.

The presidents distractibility and indifference to most policy questions arent ideal traits for a commander-in-chief  but in these decidedly non-ideal times, theyve been indispensable ones. The adults on Trumps foreign policy team (James Mattis, H.R. McMaster, and, to a lesser extent, Rex Tillerson) havent set the terms of the administrations national security strategy by winning arguments with the president, but by holding their ground long enough for him to lose interest. For much of last year, Washingtons Establishmentarians trusted in the sustainability of this system  that Trumps histrionics would remain resolutely irrelevant.

Theyre less sure of that today, as this anecdote from Susan Glassers must-read essay on Trumps first year well illustrates:

Last winter, a Washington wise man shared with me the advice he was offering to worried foreign leaders who consulted him: Pay no attention to the tweets. Put your faith in Trumps foreign policy team. Wait to see what he actually does as opposed to what he says.

 I recently went back to the Washington elder statesman I had consulted at the start of the Trump presidency. He has counseled McMaster and Tillerson and others on the Trump team throughout the year. He no longer makes the case to ignore the tweets or the presidents volatility.

Nobody speaks for Trump, he said. He speaks for himself. The question is, are they allowed to do things notwithstanding? And the answer is yes, until he decides to pull the rug out from under them. Well, thats the reality. Thats how this man works.

Glassers piece dissects the inadequacies of the dont mind the barking reality star with the nuclear codes approach to foreign policy. If the administrations adults were always united; if their word always counted for more than Trumps; and if the president were willing to tacitly forfeit his nonceremonial powers to them, this system might work. But none of those things is true. McMaster and Tillerson are reportedly in a death struggle  each of them trying to get rid of the other. Trumps instinctual (and/or venal) affinity for Saudi Arabia has led the United States to adopt a friendlier attitude toward Riyadhs blockade of Qatar than Trumps advisers would prefer  while his (selective) desire to uphold campaign promises overrode internal objections to his recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital. And far from feeling a deferential humility about his powers, Trump is anxious to assert his authority over his advisers. At this point, the most influential voices in the presidents ear appear to be Fox News producers  Trumps latest threat of nuclear war was ostensibly inspired by a cable news segment.

This state of affairs has made it virtually impossible for the United States to conduct credible diplomacy. Allies and enemies alike cant be sure whose word actually matters on any given issue  the presidents or the adults. Still, Americas authoritarian allies are much better positioned to exploit the new abnormal than its democratic ones. Unconstrained by domestic political sentiment, Saudi Arabia, China, and other undemocratic (or largely undemocratic) states have been free to spend copious public resources on flattering Trumps ego, and/or to shape public policy around the Trump Organizations financial interests.

By all accounts, Trump has no coherent vision for Americas role in the world. He has nationalistic instincts, but no real ideology. He does, however, have a fondness for self-dealing and an utter lack of reverence for the postwar liberal order, as Glassers retelling of an interaction between an anonymous European diplomat and Jared Kushner makes clear:

Another conversation, with Jared Kushner, the presidential son-in-law who had been given an expansive international portfolio ranging from restarting Middle East peace talks to dealing with Mexico and China, was just as troubling. Kushner was very dismissive about the role of international institutions and alliances and uninterested in the Europeans recounting of how closely the United States had stood together with Western Europe since World War II. He told me, Im a businessman, and I dont care about the past. Old allies can be enemies, or enemies can be friends. So, the past doesnt count, the official recalled.

All this has already been detrimental to American soft power, undermining the nations credibility with its European allies, while leading some Latin American leaders to contemplate a closer alliance with China. And yet, to this point, it has not produced any foreign-policy development as cataclysmic as the wars launched by the last normal Republican president.

Theres reason to think well make it through the Trump era without such a disaster. The past few days have witnessed diplomatic breakthroughs between North and South Korea. Every time Trump has come to the edge of making a radically disruptive foreign-policy decision, hes always found a way to inch back to safer ground: He didnt cancel the Iran deal last October, but only decertified it; he didnt rip up NAFTA but only called for its renegotiation. And while he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he did not declare it the undivided capital of the Jewish state.

But the president is also keenly sensitive to projecting an image of toughness  and deeply fascinated by the aesthetics of warfare. He has pledged, over and over again, that he will not accept a world in which North Korea possesses nuclear missiles that can reach the United States. All available evidence suggests that war is the only way to prevent that world from coming into being. Meanwhile, the (supposed) voices of sanity within the administration are growing divided and losing sway; the grim prospects of domestic legislation in 2018 will give the president more time to contemplate actions abroad; and Trumps already-scant self-control appears to be eroding with age  a development that would make perfect sense, given his familial history of Alzheimers.

The strongest argument for optimism is that a war with North Korea simply makes no sense. The regime has far too many weapons, far too close to American allies in the region. Casualties would be massive. Domestic opposition in the U.S. would be profound. There is no evidence that the North Korean regime is suicidal  and thus, no evidence that it cant be deterred through conventional means.

And yet: That will never happen because it would be insane isnt a terribly persuasive argument in a world where American voters made Donald Trump their president  and where American elected officials routinely voice fears that he could end the world on a whim, while refusing to do anything to prevent him from doing so.On Tuesday, president pro tem of the Senate, Orrin Hatch of Utah, announced hed be stepping down next January after seven terms. Hatch, 83, holds the record as the countrys longest-serving Senate Republican. Both President Trump and Steve Bannon had asked Hatch to run again, particularly when news broke that another famous Utah Republican, Mitt Romney, would seek the seat if Hatch stepped down. (Romney has been vocally anti-Trump, so it would be to the administrations benefit to keep him out of the Senate.)

Now it seems like he might be doing just that. Sahil Kapur, a politics reporter at Bloomberg, noticed that Romney quietly changed the location on his Twitter earlier Tuesday. At the start of the day he was tweeting from Massachusetts. By the days end, Romney was located in good ol Holladay, UT. Because he lives in Utah. And hed like you to know it. Go Utah! UTAH!!!!

First screenshot: 3:12 PM EST today



Second screenshot: 5:45 PM EST today



See if you can spot the difference. pic.twitter.com/OuxM7sc2cd  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 2, 2018

Folks, hes  maybe, probably, most likely  running.Photo: Logan Paul/YouTube

In retrospect, its amazing that YouTube has lasted this long. A video-streaming service that lets anyone upload anything they want, for immediate playback by anyone? The number of problems such a service would have  not just the technical problems associated with delivering video files at that scale, but the legal problems involved in ensuring copyright protection, and the moral and ethical problems of moderating that content  would seem to make its demise inevitable.

Yet here we are: Since its founding in 2004, YouTube has been the standard for sharing video on the web. So much so that YouTube isnt just a video provider  it is web video, and has been so for more than a decade. And only now that YouTube has cemented its place in the web firmament, and turned itself into an unshakable pillar of the internet, are we beginning to reckon with how vast, influential  and potentially dangerous  the site is. If 2017 was the year of the great Facebook backlash, 2018 is shaping up to be YouTubes turn.

Earlier this week, a YouTube star named Logan Paul uploaded footage of a dead body that hed found in a forest. Paul was traveling in Japan and went to Aokigahara, a forest known unofficially as suicide forest. Surprise! He found a recent victim of suicide; he filmed the body; he filmed himself reacting to it (So, okay, there are a lot of things going through my mind right now); he edited the footage together and found a soundtrack for it; he uploaded the video to his YouTube channel; he added a provocative thumbnail of the body to pique viewer interest; his various hangers-on uploaded their own videos of themselves and Paul finding the body. Before it was taken down, Pauls video was watched more than 6 million times.

The video is grotesque; Paul has earned the criticism that he is currently receiving. And, to be fair, much of that criticism is coming from Pauls fellow vloggers and YouTube celebrities. But once the initial shock subsides, the video feels less like an aberration than an inevitability. A cult of stardom based upon incessant self-recording, a celebrity economy built on outsize reaction: Where else could YouTube vlog culture go besides filming a dead body? It is the current but not permanent nadir of YouTube culture.

Pauls Aokigahara video is not the first moment that the rest of the internet has seemed to seize up in horror at YouTube. In November, artist and writer James Bridle outlined the unsettling nature of YouTube content aimed at kids, which usually stops just short of being outright traumatizing. Someone or something or some combination of people and things is using YouTube to systematically frighten, traumatise, and abuse children, automatically and at scale, taking advantage of how the site uses automation to suggest an endless stream of videos to users.

And, to complete the trinity began by amoral vloggers and creepy kids videos, we have: the Nazis, white supremacists, and neo-reactionaries, who have identified YouTube as fertile ground to plant and spread their ideologies. In August, the New York Times compared YouTubes far-right user activity to conservative talk radio: the value it places on personalities; its reliance on monologue and repetition; its isolation and immunity from direct challenge; its promise to let listeners in on the real, secret story. The analogy is also a useful reminder of how potent a medium can become while still appearing marginal to those who dont care for it or know much about it.

Of course, YouTube is not only white nationalists, dead-body reactions, and videos of Peppa Pig operating on Spider-Man. Its also family videos and amateur web series and funny viral clips. Its often a great site  one of those vast, weird, democratic internet spaces where people meet to argue about Star Wars and share videos of themselves high on laughing gas after dental surgery.

And for a long time, thats been the chief image we have of YouTube. For the most part, YouTube has been defined by two poles: amateur videos (shaky-cam footage, anime music videos, and fan tributes put together in Windows Movie Maker or iMovie) and professional and semi-professional works (comedy skits, music videos, special-effects reels, cooking and makeup tutorials). The early beauty of YouTube was that it was both a way to watch heavily produced content for free, and a never-ending episode of Americas Funniest Home Videos.

It is easy to distinguish between these two poles. You know what shaky-cam, off-the-cuff footage looks like, and you can tell when someone is putting effort into making a slickly produced video package. To the average viewer, slickly produced video  say, featuring a lot of computer animation or motion graphics, or even just efficient editing  indicates a level of competence, intelligence, and trustworthiness. Amateurish video  a guy ranting about NASA to his low-quality webcam  indicates, well, the opposite. But that distinction, which seemed to many to render YouTube harmless, is now meaningless. Instead of a lot of dumb, amateur video and a few professional-grade producers, many of YouTubes popular native channels are run by dangerous or careless individuals with professional editing rigs and enormous online followings. YouTube is no longer two poles; its a swampy middle ground where aesthetic signifiers, such as production value, can no longer act as a shorthand for level of quality (in part thanks to rapid technological innovation).

Again: The vast majority of YouTubes content is inoffensive. Much of it is just spam channels trying to game the system for ad money; some of it is genuinely great stuff that the world would be poorer without. But 65 years worth of video is uploaded to YouTube every single day, making the sites full contents unknowable, and unable to be moderated, to any one person or small group of human beings. The technical hurdles  the unscannable, unindexed nature of video  make each rambling 15-minute vlog difficult to evaluate at speed and at scale. And just as Facebooks enormous size transformed once-funny hoax posts into a global misinformation crisis, YouTubes size and prominence means its worst, scariest stuff, no matter how marginal in the scheme of things, is still reaching millions of people, many of them young. For adolescents and teenagers across the globe, YouTube is the de facto time-waster, a place where you go to search for toy videos and news  and where, thanks to the wonder of automation, you could wind up in a distorted world of disturbing images, resentment politics, and brain-dead reaction-bait, all of it feeding off of itself.

And as with Facebook, this is one of YouTubes key problems: The bad stuff is not an anomaly, but a rational response to the platforms incentive scheme. Logan Paul is not the first person to post video of a dead body on YouTube, and he will not be the last (someones probably already done it since Saturday); his video simply operates in a tradition of crazy stunts and wild reactions that generate high engagement numbers on YouTube. Already, dozens of other prominent YouTubers are posting response videos, their own condemnations of Pauls obviously terrible act, rushing to be the algorithmically determined next video in YouTubes autoplay queue. That same autoplay function guides children from videos like Peppa Pig Episodes  Birthday Compilation  Cartoons for Children to videos like MLG Peppa Pig Daddy Pig Dies in the BlackBerry Bush. A parent glancing over their kids shoulder every once in a while might not notice the difference.

Might not notice the difference  until stories about creepy animated videos and unthinking vloggers are in the news all of the time. YouTube is now unavoidable, which means that its problems are unavoidable, too.

But how the coming YouTube backlash might actually change the site is unclear. Because of that scale problem, and because of how much more difficult it is to use automated computer systems to process and organize video, the company might not ever be able to sort through video to adequately moderate it. It should also be said that the self-contained nature of the YouTube ecosystem, and the tribalism YouTubers inspire among their fans, often inoculates people like Paul against substantial outside criticism.

For now, YouTube has been flirting with demonetization  preventing creators who do or say controversial things from monetizing their videos through automated advertising. But this is a messy system: Videos espousing Nazism might be demonetized, and caught in the sweep are videos of games where the player fights Nazis. (Creators then decide to chronicle and explain this problem  on YouTube.) Facebook has all but eliminated links to outside sites from its News Feed; its even toyed with putting them on a separate feed entirely. But YouTube doesnt exactly have that luxury  the site feeds itself. Everything, from the creepy to the reactionary to the heartwarming, already lives on YouTube in the first place.If youre like us, youve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch and Louis XV chair, but the hand sanitizer and the electric toothbrush. We asked Victoria Tsai, founder of beauty brand Tatcha (an RVN favorite), about the mercury-safe tuna and Japanese matcha cant live without.

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Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna 3 oz Pouch, 12 pack $34 I travel all the time and try to snack on protein. I love tuna, but stopped eating it when I was pregnant because of how many heavy metals are in it. Thats why I love these pouches  the tuna is wild-caught, tested for mercury, and packed in its own oil with amazing seasonings. It comes in a pouch, which is perfect for travel. I pack a few of these pouches along with some crackers, and I have practically a whole meal. $34 at Amazon Buy $34 at Amazon Buy

Helena Quinn Sheer Kimono $140 Its funny, I actually discovered these robes in the Rachel Zoe style box. I love that it can be worn as a normal robe, or over a swimsuit, or with a tank top and leggings. I wear them to the office frequently. Its so comfortable and covers your cash and prizes. $140 at Helena Quinn Buy

Muji Cotton Buds 200 pieces, Inside White Color $10 Ive been doing a cat-eye since I was 12. I found the fastest way is to use a gel or liquid eyeliner and then use a cotton swab to shape it while still wet. The key is having the right cotton swab for precision. These Muji ones are thin and tightly bound. I love all things Muji  its like the Container Store and Ikea got together and had a chic Japanese baby. $10 at Amazon Buy $10 at Amazon Buy

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As the mercury drops, Manitoba's animal rescue services are fielding a rising number of calls about cats and dogs left out in the cold. According to one dog rescue group, animals in remote northern communities are freezing to death "absolutely every day."

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2018 (1340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the mercury drops, Manitoba's animal rescue services are fielding a rising number of calls about cats and dogs left out in the cold. According to one dog rescue group, animals in remote northern communities are freezing to death "absolutely every day."

Lindsay Gillanders, a co-ordinator with Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, said because the group is lacking in foster families for dogs, it is unable to save as many pups as it would like.

"Absolutely every day theres dogs freezing to death in northern Manitoba," she said by phone Tuesday.

What to do Click to Expand If you spot an instance of animal cruelty or neglect within the city, call the Winnipeg Humane Societys cruelty line: 204-982-2028. If youre outside Winnipeg, contact the provinces animal care line: 204-945-8000.

"If we dont have the foster homes, unfortunately, we cant bring the dogs in. Its something that we struggle with every winter because people are going on vacation, as well as having Christmas. Its not the most convenient time to bring a dog into the home, but we really do rely on people to do that so that we can save lives."

Gillanders' own dog, a pug-mix named Lucy, was rescued from the freezing cold in January 2014. Another recent rescue, Isla, was found huddled under a car hood in November, trying to keep toasty with two-and-a-half-week-old puppies. (The pups are now named after warmer climes, Tahiti and Fiji.)

Isla, a one-year-old shepherd/husky mix, underwent surgery at the Pembina Veterinary Hospital in Winnipeg over the weekend. She had to have her leg amputated after suffering serious elbow damage, likely caused by getting hit by a vehicle, the rescue group said.

Calls about animal cruelty-related crimes went up over the last two months, according to the Winnipeg Humane Society, though figures weren't immediately available. The WHS said it received 102 weather-related calls in November and December 2017 from people concerned about seeing animals left in the cold.

Heather Neil, an animal protection officer and the humane society's manager of investigations and emergency response, said the organization tends to receive more calls during extreme cold snaps.

"We usually get an increase in calls for animals without shelter or shelter thats not up to snuff, that wont protect them in the winter. We do get an increase that follows the temperatures," she said.

In Winnipeg, Neil said she hasn't witnessed any dogs or cats freezing to death, although instances of frostbite and uninsulated shelters are more common.

"Over the last five or 10 years, the public is placing a greater value on our companion animals. They tend to have a greater meaning in our lives, in our homes, as part of our families," Neil said. "So I think that makes people more aware. The reporting systems have become easier to contact and I think social media has a large play in this."

Margaret Scott, who lives in Ste. Anne, about 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg, recently posted on Facebook about her husband's experience with a neglected animal. She had dozens of neighbours chime in with similar stories.

On Friday, her husband, who works at a dairy farm, saw a woman stop a car and throw a cat out its door. When he confronted her, she said she didn't want the cat anymore and had decided to take it to a farm.

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"We were facing -32 C that night. There was no thought of the animal she was just discarding," Scott said in an interview Tuesday. The woman, however, did take the cat back after some peer pressure from her husband, Scott added.

Having animals "dumped" on their driveways is a common occurrence in rural Manitoba, she said, adding she wants to see more shelter spaces open for animals -- as the Humane Society and other rescues are perpetually full -- not to mention more responsible pet ownership.

For Aileen White, deputy chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Humane Society, finding animals in distress "is a common thing, sadly, in all sections of our province, especially when we get such a horrible cold time."

"Sadly, what Ive long learned in this weather  whether its really hot weather or really cold  is that common sense is not common," she said.

jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @_jessbuSmokers may finally have to butt out on public patios in Winnipeg in the spring.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2018 (1339 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Smokers may finally have to butt out on public patios in Winnipeg in the spring.

After studying the issue at length and doing community consultations by phone, online and in person, city administration will recommend banning smoking on public patios that serve food and drinks at a protection committee meeting next week. The ban would start April 1. A report, which is already posted online, says public health is the primary factor for supporting a ban.

The city held stakeholder sessions with local BIZ groups and the Canadian Cancer Society, among others, discussing the issue in August. It followed with an online survey that drew nearly 8,000 responses in September.

Then "street team" members raised the issue with Winnipeggers on their lunch breaks in September, logging 289 interactions in the Exchange District, at The Forks, in Osborne Village and the Corydon area.

The city also enlisted Probe Research to conduct a telephone survey where a random and representative sample of 600 Winnipeg adults weighed in during September and October.

In the end, more than 76 per cent of those surveyed supported a public patio smoking ban and 22 per cent opposed the idea.

Most people (58 per cent) said the ban should apply to all public areas, while 34 per cent thought bars and clubs should be exempt. Eight per cent were unsure.

The Canadian Cancer Society has been lobbying the city to ban smoking in outdoor areas since 2011. Representative Kyra Gawalko said she isn't sure why there is still opposition to the idea.

"Were not surprised that the majority of Winnipeggers support this ban. Weve heard that from the public for years and weve been telling the city that the public is saying this," Gawalko said.

"And really when we think of families who want to go out for dinner, they should not have to put their family at risk to enjoy a meal outdoors."

Gawalko said she would like to see the patio smoking ban extend further to include city parks, sports fields and any outdoor public space.

She cited research from the University of Waterloo that showed second-hand smoke can travel up to nine metres away from its source.

"A lot of other jurisdictions have buffers around entryways and thats something that seems to be missing around Winnipeg," Gawalko added.

Saffron's Restaurant owner John Kolveris said he doesn't care whether or not people smoke cigarettes on his Corydon Avenue patio, he's more concerned about whether customers smoke marijuana.

"Pot stinks like hell, worse than the cigarettes," he said Wednesday. "They can allow (smoking), they can not allow it. To me, it doesnt matter.

"People are going to go 20 feet from the patio and theyre going to smoke and theyre going to come back," he said, adding he doesn't think a smoking ban would affect the number of patrons at Saffron's.

Tim Feduniw, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant and Food Services Association, said he doesn't advocate for smoking, but wonders why city council would ban the activity and not let business owners decide their fates for themselves.

"Lets face it: everyone would accept that smoking is not a good thing to do, The question is whether or not its something we should be having legislative restrictions put on," Feduniw said.

"(Restaurant patrons) are going to vote with their feet whether they want to smoke or they dont want to smoke. Theyre not going to go to a patio thats going to allow that if it makes them uncomfortable."

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Implementing a patio smoking ban could ostracize smokers, Feduniw said.

"It kind of becomes almost a tag thats being put on people for being evil for smoking, and that, to me, is somewhat disturbing," he said.

Winnipeg is the last major municipality in Canada to allow smoking on public patios. By contrast, it was the first Canadian city to ban smoking in indoor public places in 2003, with Manitoba following suit the next year.

According to Statistics Canada data from 2014, 20.8 per cent of men and 11.9 per cent of women smoke in Manitoba.

jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @_jessbuA 127-person laboratory in Brandon may be able to bargain freely for a wage increase April 1, even though 99 per cent of the provincial public sector have yet to reach collective agreements falling under government wage controls.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2018 (1340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 127-person laboratory in Brandon may be able to bargain freely for a wage increase April 1, even though 99 per cent of the provincial public sector have yet to reach collective agreements falling under government wage controls.

Premier Brian Pallisters Bill 28 imposing wage controls on 120,000 workers has been passed, but not proclaimed. The legislation awaits its first court challenge in late May, but its impact continues to become more convoluted and complex.

Manitoba Government and General Employees Union Local 351 at Westman Lab quietly settled with the government in June, only the second bargaining unit to accept a four-year deal under the terms of Bill 28.

Local 351 had been without a collective agreement since April 1, 2014, so the CBA will expire in less than three months (on March 31). Having satisfied the terms of Bill 28, Local 351 presumably can bargain freely with its employers and seek wage increases and improved benefits.

However, its not that simple.

The Pallister government has also passed, but not proclaimed, Bill 29, which forces health-care bargaining units to be merged into a handful of new  and much larger  ones.

Can Local 351 and its employer freely bargain, or would the workers first have to be swallowed up in a new bargaining unit? And if so, could the 127 people then be forced to undergo four more years of wage controls?

"It wouldnt be appropriate to speculate," David von Meyenfeldt, press secretary to Finance Minister Cameron Friesen, said Tuesday.

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen did not respond to a request for comment.

"This government has virtually put a standstill on bargaining," Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said in an interview Tuesday. "Theyve put a shadow over bargaining."

Tens of thousands of public employees have been without a collective agreement since various dates in 2016 and 2017, but Rebeck said only the Westman Lab and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association have settled  and similar to MGEU Local 351, UMFA has told the university it considers the deal invalid if the courts scrap Bill 28.

Other public workers whose existing deals end this year are also ready to talk, Rebeck said. "Everyone else has been asking to meet, asking to bargain," but theres only silence from the government. "Theyre effectively freezing everyone."

He accused the Tories of having no idea how to handle Local 351s situation: "I cant guess what theyll do with that. I dont think theyve thought of that, they havent thought this through... Does Bill 29 have to be addressed first? Weve asked that question."

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The province, obviously, did allow Local 351 to settle retroactive to 2014 before coming under Bill 29, but the unions argue they cant get an answer how everyone else in the health-care system will be handled, and whether Local 351 can now go for a new deal before being swallowed up in a larger bargaining unit. As Friesens aide said, its inappropriate to speculate.

MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said Tuesday shell oppose any suggestion the Tories may try to force Bill 28 on the 127 Brandon workers for eight years.

"We find it difficult to believe the government intends to impose the Bill 28 wage freezes on any group of workers in two successive agreements," Gawronsky said. "Treating a group of health-care workers that unfairly would add insult to the injury that is Bill 28. And MGEU will continue to take every step possible to make sure these workers are treated fairly."

University of Manitoba labour studies Prof. Julie Guard said Tuesday the situation is far too complicated for simple answers, but, "I dont think Ive seen any labour legislation as sweeping in its scope as Bill 29. It gives remarkably broad powers to the government that are very unusual and may well be unique.

"As for Bill 28, of course other governments have restricted public-sector wages. In the past, similar legislation to restrict public sector wages has not survived court challenges, and there is reason to believe this one wont either," Guard said.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.caIran has been rocked for the past six days by protests against food price rises, mass joblessness, ever-widening social inequality and the Islamic Republics brutal austerity program and political repression.

The protests began last Thursday in Irans second largest city, Mashhad, and the neighboring centers of Neyshabur and Kashmar, then spread to the capital Tehran and more than three dozen other cities and towns spread across the country.

According to government sources, 21 people, including several members of the security forces, have died in clashes between protesters and the authorities. There is no national tally of arrests, but a Tehran official has admitted that 450 people have been detained in that city since Saturday and 70 people were reportedly arrested just on Sunday night in Arak, an industrial city some 300 kilometers southwest of the capital.

The government has curtailed, when not outright blocking, the social media apps Telegram and Instagram so as to suppress information about future protests and the scope of the movement.

The scale and intensity of the protests have shaken Irans bourgeois-clerical regime and are now prompting its rival factions to draw together to suppress the challenge from below. Over the weekend, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declared Iranians had the right to peacefully protest and claimed his government would soon take steps to address the protesters socioeconomic grievances, adding, We have no bigger challenge than unemployment.

But his ministers and spokesmen for the security agencies are now vowing to stamp out the protest movement, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) saying it is ready to use an iron fist.

In justifying state repression, numerous Iranian leadersfrom the Islamic Republics Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and IRGC Deputy Commander General Rasoul Sanayee to former reformist president and Green ally Mohammad Khatamihave accused Irans strategic rivals of inciting and providing logistical support for mob violence. In doing so, many have highlighted the demagogic claims of support for the protests made by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the threats of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to take the war inside Iran. All three are open advocates of regime-change in Tehran and have repeatedly threatened to wage war on Iran.

But the current wave of protests has a quite different class character than those that unfolded in 2009 under the banner of the so-called Green Revolution. Egged on by Washington, the New York Times, French President Sarkozy and other European leaders, and drawing their support from the most privileged sections of Iranian society, the Greens sought to overturn the reelection of populist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, based on unsubstantiated and contrived charges of electoral fraud and with the aim of installing a regime determined to reach a rapid rapprochement with US imperialism.

Based on the best available reports to have filtered through the censorship of the Iranian regime or appeared in the Western media, it is apparent that the current wave of protests is, at its core, an incipient rebellion of the working class.

To be sure, the protests are socially heterogeneous and there is much political confusion among the participants. Moreover, as would be expected, monarchists and other rightwing elements allied with imperialism are seeking to latch onto and misdirect them. But the protests, although not yet a mass movement, have been comprised principally of workers, poor people and youth. They are being fueled by deep-rooted class anger in a country where 3.2 million, or 12.7 percent, of the workforce are officially unemployed, the real unemployment rate for youth is in the order of 40 percent, and, according to a recent IRGC report, 50 percent live in poverty. Meanwhile, the World Wealth and Income Database calculates (based on 2013 data) that the top 1 percent of Iranians monopolize 16.3 percent of the countrys income, just 0.5 of a percentage point less than the entire bottom 50 percent, while the top 10 percent garner 48.5 percent.

Mounting working class opposition

The current wave of protests erupted after months of mounting worker unrest and popular demonstrations, including over job cuts, the failure to pay back wages, and the authorities indifference to the millions whose savings have been wiped out by the collapse of numerous unregulated financial institutions.

Last September, for example, in Arak, workers at two industrial plants that were privatized in the 2000s clashed with police for two days after the security forces intervened to break up their protests against their employers failure to pay back wages and medical insurance premiums. According to an Agence France-Presse report, Minor protests have been bubbling away in the weeks leading up to the current unrest, with hundreds of oil workers and truck drivers protesting the late payment of wages; tractor makers in Tabriz against their factorys closure; and Tehran tire workers at bonuses being delayed.

These protests have been treated with indifference by the Western media, while Iranian authorities have done their best to black them out.

In the days immediately preceding the current wave of protests, an intense and widespread discussion raged on social media about mounting social inequality. The trigger for this outpouring of anger was the tabling of the governments latest austerity budget. It will boost gasoline prices by as much as 50 percent, while further slashing the small cash payments given Iranians in lieu of the price subsidies for energy, basic foodstuffs and essential services that were phased out between 2010 and 2014.

The Green movement was centered almost exclusively in Tehran, in particular, its wealthier northern districts. By contrast, the current wave of protests has been much broader geographically, including smaller and poorer cities and towns that have constituted the political base of Ahmadinejad and the so-called hardline faction of the Islamic Republics political elite, which combines Shia orthodoxy with populist appeals to the plebian elements of Iranian society.

Even more significantly, while the Greens spoke for that wing of the Iranian bourgeoisie most eager to reach an accommodation with the imperialist powers and mobilized their selfish upper-middle class supporters by denouncing Ahmadinejad for squandering money on the poor, the current antigovernment movement is driven by opposition to social inequality.

The Greens, who overwhelmingly supported Rouhanis election in 2013 and his reelection last May, have shunned the current protests, with prominent Green representatives expressing grave concern about the leaderless character of the protests.

For their part, the demonstrators have reportedly made no specific call for the principal Green leaders, defeated 2009 presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, to be released from house arrest. Instead, they have taken up slogans that challenge the bourgeois clerical regime as a whole.

Rouhanis program of rapprochement with Washington and austerity

Irans acute social crisis is a product of unrelenting US economic and military-strategic pressure, including biting economic sanctions; the world economic crisis and especially the collapse of world oil prices; the failure of the independent Iranian bourgeois national project; and, last but not least, the brutal austerity measures Rouhani has implemented with the aim of wooing Western investment.

Pointing to the socially explosive consequences of the US and European economic sanctions on Iran, Rouhani and his political mentor, the late president and longtime advocate of a strategic orientation to the Western imperialist powers Hashemi Rafsanjani, won over the Ayatollah Khamenei and the other key components of the Islamic regime to a change of course in 2013a fresh attempt to seek an accommodation with Washington and the European Union.

As in the case of the Greens four years before, this policy was bound up with a renewed push to eliminate what remained of the social concessions made to the working class in the wake of the 1979 Revolution. During the past four-and-a-half years, the Rouhani regime has pressed forward with privatization and deregulation, while following IMF pro-market and austerity prescriptions and redrafting the rules governing oil concessions to woo the European and US oil giants.

Ultimately, in January 2016, the most punishing US and European sanctions were either removed or suspended in exchange for Tehran dismantling large parts of its civil nuclear program. But insofar as the removal of sanctions has provided a boost to the economy, the benefits have accrued almost entirely to the most privileged sections of the population.

Rouhanis response, as demonstrated by the latest budget, is to double down on austerity for the masses, while increasing the budgets of religious and clergy-led institutions.

As is often the case, the opening for the sudden emergence of social opposition was provided by fissures within the ruling elite. The initial antigovernment protests, which were organized under the banner No to High Prices, were backed at least tacitly by Rouhanis religious conservative opponents.

This of course is utterly hypocritical. The Principlists and other conservative factions of the ruling elite have supported similar pro-market and pro-big business policies and joined with their reformist" rivals in prevailing on Ahmadinejad to dismantle, in his final years in office, many of the populist polices that had propelled him to power against Rafsanjani in 2005.

A new stage of the class struggle

The past weeks protests herald a new stage in the class struggle in Iran and internationally. Across the Middle East, including in Israel, there are signs of mounting working class opposition. The same is true in Europe and North America, where the ruling elites have dramatically intensified the assault on the working class in the decade since the 2008 global financial crisis.

The critical question is the fight to arm the emerging global working class opposition with a socialist internationalist strategy.

Iranian workers and youth must fight for the mobilization of the working class as an independent political force in opposition to imperialism and all factions of the national bourgeoisie.

Any right-wing forces advocating an orientation to Washington and/or the other imperialist powers within the antigovernment movement must be exposed and politically isolated. It is imperialism that over the past century has suffocated the democratic and social aspirations of the peoples of the Middle East, laid waste to the region through a quarter-century of predatory wars, and today threatens to embroil the people of Iran and the entire region in an even bloodier conflagration.

The Iranian bourgeoisie, as demonstrated by more than a century stretching back to the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, is utterly incapable of establishing genuine democracy and freedom from imperialism, because to do so would require a revolutionary mobilization of the masses of such dimensions that it would imperil its own selfish class interests and ambitions.

Workers and youth should also spurn those who denigrate the struggle for revolutionary program and leadership on the claim that the upsurge of the masses solves everything. Learn the lessons of history, including Egypts 2011 Arab Spring and the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Thirty-nine years ago, the Shahs blood-soaked US-backed regime was swept into the dustbin of history by a powerful mass movement spearheaded by the working class. But the working class was politically subordinated by the Stalinist Tudeh Party and various petty-bourgeois left forces to the so-called progressive wing of the national bourgeoisie led by Ayatollah Khomeini and the Shia clergy, which, having gained control of the state apparatus, quickly used it to savagely suppress all expressions of independent working class organization and restabilize capitalist rule.

Today a new upsurge of the working class must settle accounts with the Islamic political establishment, the Iranian bourgeoisie as a whole and imperialism as part of an international socialist revolution.The two Koreas have agreed to hold talks next Tuesday after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a New Years speech his country could send a team to the Winter Olympics, due to be held in South Korea next month. Kim also suggested he was open to dialogue to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to power last year advocating dialogue with North Korea, reportedly ordered his staff to act quickly on Kims offer. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon proposed a high-level meeting at the border village of Panmunjom for January 9.

We expect to sit down with North Korea face to face and frankly discuss mutual interests aimed at better inter-Korean relations, Cho said. We look forward to Pyongyangs positive reaction to this. The meeting would be the first between the two Koreas since 2015.

The proposal for talks came amid high tensions on the Korean Peninsula after bellicose threats by the Trump administration to totally destroy North Korea if it refuses to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. The US has also pressured the UN Security Council to impose harsh sanctions on North Korea that are crippling its economy and generating considerable hardship.

Kims New Year speech was pitched at South Korea, declaring: North and South must work together to alleviate the tensions and work together as a people of the same heritage to find peace and stability. He called for talks as soon as possible to discuss North Koreas participation in the Winter Olympics.

While adopting a conciliatory tone toward South Korea, Kim warned the Trump administration that the entire US mainland was within the range of our nuclear weapons and the nuclear button is always on the desk of my office. This was not a threat but a reality, he added.

The North Korean leader called for a halt to joint US-South Korean military exercises. Over the past year, these joint drills, which are scarcely concealed rehearsals for war with North Korea, have markedly increased in scale. Last month, the war games included a major air force drill, as well as special forces exercise to practice for a military intervention into North Korea.

South Koreas Unification Minister Cho said the offer of high-level talks with North Korea had been discussed with the US. He added that a decision was pending on whether to delay large-scale joint war games until after the Winter Olympics.

China and Russia have previously advocated a halt to the US-South Korean military exercises in return for a freeze on North Koreas nuclear and missile tests as a means of starting negotiations. The US has repeatedly ruled out any such plan.

Moreover, US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, last month suggested on Fox News that the US was considering not sending a team to the Winter Olympics. It was an open question, she said, as to whether American athletes would compete, citing security issues.

Speaking yesterday, Haley emphatically rejected any compromise with Pyongyang, saying the US will never accept a nuclear North Korea. She warned: As we hear reports that North Korea might be preparing for another missile testI hope that does not happen, but if it doeswe must bring even more measures to bear on the North Korea regime, she said.

While not rejecting talks between North and South Korea outright, President Donald Trump was rather dismissive, implying that North Korea was simply responding to US-led sanctions and pressure. Using his derogatory term for Kim Jong-un, Trump tweeted: Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps notwe will see!

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders declared that the US policy on North Korea hasnt changed at all. The United States is committed and will still continue to put maximum pressure on North Korea to change and make sure that it denuclearises the Peninsula. Our goals are the same, and we share that with South Korea.

South Korean President Moon has made clear that his administration would work in close consultation with allies in any talks with North Korea. He stressed that improvements in inter-Korean relations were not separate from the issue of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. In other words, Pyongyang must be compelled to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Since coming to office, Moon has followed the US in applying intense pressure on North Korea, including in allowing the full deployment of a US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the seizure of a second ship allegedly involved in transferring oil products to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions.

Trumps aggressive confrontation with North Korea has generated sharp divisions in US ruling circles amid fears of a catastrophic war. In a high-profile interview on ABCs This Week program on Sunday, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Admiral Mike Mullen gave a scathing assessment of Trumps foreign policy over the past year. Mullen declared it had been incredibly disruptive, certainly unpredictable in many, many ways to established relationships and alliances in the post-World War II period.

Mullen warned: An incredibly dangerous climate exists out there and one in particular that is [at the] top of the list is North Korea. Were actually closer, in my view, to a nuclear war with North Korea and in that region than we have ever been. And I just dont see howI dont see the opportunities to solve this diplomatically at this particular point.

The standoff between the US and North Korea is rapidly coming to a head. Trump has insisted since coming to office that he will not tolerate North Korea having the ability to strike continental United States with a nuclear weapon. Trump officials have repeatedly warned that time is running out for any peaceful resolution. At the same time, North Korea has declared time and again that it will not give up its nuclear weapons without security guarantees from the United States.

It is in this context that the two Koreas plan to meet next week.A Rwandan resident has accused Ugandas Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence of illegally arresting and torturing him for almost two weeks.

Fidele Gatsinzi says he was arrested on December 9 at a supermarket in Ntinda and detained incommunicado for 12 days.

When he returned to Kigali following his release, he was using a wheelchair as he couldn't walk freely due to injuries allegedly sustained from torture.

According to some sources, Gatsinzi had come to Kampala to visit his son who studies at Uganda Christian University in Mukono.

For 12 days, he was allegedly held incommunicado with no relative, friend or consular official having access to him or even knowing the whereabouts of his detention.

He alleged that upon arrival in Kampala, he was kidnapped by two Rwandan fugitives linked to Kayumba Nyamwasa's Rwanda National Congress (RNC). They allegedly dragged him to a nearby car and later handed him over to CMI. He claims he was tortured for allegedly mobilising Rwandan refugees in Uganda to return home under the national program of Come and See. Nyamwasa is a former head of Rwandan army who fell out with Kigali and sought asylum in South Africa.

UPDF spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire, declined to comment on Gatsinzi's allegations of detention and torture by CMI, saying that such stories are not helpful to the development of the two countries, Rwanda and Uganda.

I dont [delve] into such stories. I want stories that keep our relationship with Rwanda. We are keen on maintaining an excellent relationship with Rwanda. That is all I can say, he said.

Since September 2017, dozens of Rwandans have been detained by security agencies unclear circumstances.

On September 23, 2017, three Rwandans: James Bayingana, Ali Nsekanabo Lando, Vianney Byaruhanga Nduwamungu were arrested from Bukasa and detained in Mbuya, Kampala, till their release in November.

On December 29, 45 Rwandan nationals, who had reportedly been arrested in Kikagati, Isingiro, crossing from Tanzania into Uganda, were charged in the High Court in Mbarara with terrorism, establishment of a terrorism institution and forgery, after two weeks of detention at the notorious Nalufenya detention centre.

A day earlier on December 28, families of another group of six Rwandans allegedly detained by Ugandan security agencies issued a public statement calling on the government to either take the detainees to court of to release them.A task force under South Koreas Foreign Ministry released new findings on December 27 regarding a December 2015 agreement between Seoul and Tokyo on the historical issue of comfort women. The report calls into question the manner in which the accord was reached and has the potential to destabilize South Korean and Japanese relations.

The task force conducted a five-month investigation and found that certain aspects of the negotiations between Seoul and Tokyo were kept secret from the public. It accused the former South Korean administration of Park Geun-hye, which was in power at the time, of failing to take into account the opinions of former comfort womena euphemism for sex slaveswho are still alive, as well as related civic groups.

Details reportedly withheld from the public included Tokyos demands that Seoul not support any groups that would oppose the agreement, provide detailed plans for dealing with a statue honoring those enslaved in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul, and pledge that Seoul not use the phrase sexual slavery. Parks government said it would work to persuade civic groups to prevent protests and agreed to use the term comfort women.

Moons government has not rejected the agreement, which Seoul stated in 2015 was final and irreversible. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said: Based on the findings, the government will gather opinions of the victims and others involved going forward with a focus to be placed on a victim-centered approach. In addition, action will be taken carefully in consideration of any impact that it could have on the relations between South Korea and Japan.

A final decision on the matter is not expected until after the Winter Olympics being hosted by South Korea in February. However, a high-ranking South Korean official quoted by the Yonhap News Agency suggested Seoul could pursue a path of strategic ambiguity to avoid a diplomatic falling out with Tokyo. At the same time, Moon is cautious of moving too close to Japan as he attempts to rebuild economic relations with China.

Following a two-track approach that separates historical disputes from diplomatic and military issues, Moon pledged that despite the task forces findings, he would restore normal diplomatic relations for future-oriented cooperation between Korea and Japan. Seoul is also reportedly making arrangements for a trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who proposed the meeting, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo in April. Beijing has not yet expressed support.

However, Tokyo reacted negatively to the report. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono called on Seoul to faithfully carry out the 2015 agreement, while warning any attempt to revise it would make relations between the two countries unmanageable.

The 2015 agreement represented a significant thaw in relations between Tokyo and Seoul at the behest of the Obama administration in Washington, which was concerned that animosity between its two major military allies in Northeast Asia was cutting across preparations for war with North Korea and China.

The Abe government offered a limited apology for the womens enslavement by the Japanese military during the 1930s and 1940s, while pledging to donate 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) to a fund to be distributed to South Korean victims, 32 of whom are still alive. The deal did not cover women in North Korea, China, the Philippines or other countries where women were also enslaved.

Moons approach to this issue is similar to that it had adopted in relation to the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-missile deployment, part of the US military build-up primarily directed against China. In his campaign for the presidency, Moon exploited public opposition to the comfort women agreement and THAAD to win electoral support. In June, Moon called for a full environmental impact assessment before THAAD could be completely deployed. After posturing as a THAAD opponent, he quickly approved its full installation a month later, pointing to a North Korean missile launch as justification.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and its predecessors have long used anti-Japanese sentiment to distract the public from their anti-working class policies. With worsening social conditions at home and the danger of a second Korean War, Moon hopes to head off the same anger and discontent that led to massive protests a year ago against Park. At the same time, he is trying to make military collaboration with Tokyo easier to sell to a public deeply opposed to war.

However, a dispute in the South Korean ruling class is emerging over this approach, with Moons opponents demanding closer relations with Tokyo and Washington as the latter accelerate the current war drive against North Korea. Chang Je-won, party spokesman for the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, denounced the task forces report.

Amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, a strong alliance with the United States and Japan is crucial to protect the country from the nuclear threats from North Korea, Chang said last week. The revelation is a poor move that is far removed from resolving the comfort women issue, and can lead to serious security issues.

The comfort women dispute has been ongoing for nearly three decades following growing public anger over war crimes in the early 1990s. Before and during World War II, the Japanese government and military established a system in which an estimated 200,000 women from its colonies and conquered territories were deceived, coerced and in some cases physically forced into becoming nominal prostitutes.

Poor working class and peasant women were primarily affected, with the first comfort women coming from Japan. While some women received or were supposed to receive money for their services, this was only to provide a thin veil of legitimacy to a practice where women endured hellish conditions at comfort stations, in some cases at the front lines. Many women turned to drug abuse or opted to commit suicide.

The South Korean establishment in the past was undoubtedly well aware of this practice of sexual slavery. Following post-war independence, leading government and military positions were filled with Japanese collaborators who did nothing to address the needs of these women and their families.A Wichita, Kansas police officer shot unarmed 28-year-old Andrew Finch on the front porch of his familys home last Thursday evening. Police were responding to what turned out to be a false report of a hostage situation, called in as a prank over a dispute which had nothing to do with Finch or his family.

The still unidentified officer, a seven-and-a-half year veteran of the force, shot Finch once from across the street after the young white man lowered his arms from above his head to his waist several times. None of the other officers who had surrounded the home fired their weapons at Finch.

The police claim that the officer feared for his life, believing that Finch could have grabbed a concealed gun, leaving the officer no choice but to open fire. However, footage from a police body camera shows that the officer was positioned across the street from the Finch home behind the cover of several vehicles.

Police officers had been dispatched to the home by a prank emergency call prompted by an unrelated dispute between two online video gamers over a match of Call of Duty. One of the players provided Finchs address, apparently at random, to a prankster who then called to report a murder and a hostage situation in order to spark as big a police response as possible.

Finch, left by the police to bleed in the cold for several minutes, was eventually rushed to a nearby hospital by emergency responders, where he was pronounced dead.

Lisa Finch, the victims mother, was home at the time of the shooting and recounted her sons death to the Wichita Eagle: They didnt knock on the door, my son opened it because he heard something, he screamed, and they shot him. He was unarmed, there were no guns found in this house.

She recounted how police forced her, her roommate and granddaughter to step over her sons body and out of the home into the cold where they were all handcuffed and questioned. Lisa Finchs sister was tackled by police as she rushed to the house.

The cops cannot go around just shooting people without any consequences, they cannot do that, Finch stated. They gave us a warning, why couldnt they do that to my son?

Following the standard operating procedure for police shootings in the US, the officer who killed Finch has been placed on paid administrative leave until a whitewash investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is completed.

As part of their effort to absolve the police officers of any responsibly for Finchs killing, police officials have cited the fact that the call was an attempt at swatting, in which competitors in online video games call in false bomb threats or reports of murder in order to get heavily armed SWAT teams sent to the homes of their rivals. The FBI reports that there are approximately 400 such false emergency calls every year.

Los Angeles police arrested 25-year-old Tyler Barriss in connection with the false report on Friday. He was charged with an unspecified felony and is being held without bail. Police claim that he made the call that triggered the massive police response in Kansas. Barriss was charged in 2015 with making a bomb threat against the news studios of the local ABC affiliate in Glendale, California.

Finch was just one of the 1,188 people killed by police nationwide in 2017, more than in 2016 but slightly fewer than the record set in 2015 according to a tally kept by killedbypolice.net. Despite several years of protests demanding various reforms, including the use of body cameras such as those worn by the Wichita officers, the death toll in the brutal national killing spree by police officers has exceeded 1,000 for the fourth year in a row.

Many thousands more have been injured, sometimes severely, during brutal encounters with the police.

Following quickly after the Finch killing, another Wichita police officer nearly killed a 9-year-old girl in her familys home Saturday night. Responding to reports of a suicidal individual with a gun, the officer entered the home and began searching when he was reportedly charged by the family dog.

According to the police, the officer opened fire, missing the dog and hitting the floor. A piece of the bullet ricocheted off the floor and hit the young girl above her eye. She was treated at the hospital and discharged that night.

The police have been armed to the teeth with military equipment by both Democratic and Republican administrations and act as virtual deaths squads, treating the population as a potentially hostile force. Police act as judge, jury and executioners for a host of crimes which include reaching for the waist band, selling loose cigarettes or CDs on the street, or driving with a broken tail light.When a year comes to an end, we tend to remember the last moments more.

Many highs, many lows; but for Uganda, the dying moments of 2017 could easily qualify as dampening. I will tell you why I think so in a moment; but first, lets toast to the opportunities well seized as well as the challenges encountered.

Challenges are our best friends; they teach us lessons to be better people. As we toast to a New Year, lets celebrate life, lets commiserate with those who lost their dear ones.

At a more professional level, it is just right and fitting that we empathize with our media friends whose resolve to keep Ugandans informed could have either landed them in jail or left them physically and emotionally bruised.

Lets salute the men and women in leadership positions who stood with Uganda amidst the murky political torrents. Lets also remember to toast to the men and women in uniform, especially those who did their work dedicatedly with professionalism amidst career pressures and persuasions.

Back to my pet subject, for most of the civic groups working on governance issues, 2017 has been yet another tough year. The year ending will be remembered as that of the broken promise.

Advocacy civil society groups continued to bear the brunt of a skeptical regime. Besides implementing their programmes in a highly suspicious atmosphere, civic outfits had to contend with vilification, office break-ins, technological intrusions, unclear security incidents, alongside navigating the unchartered waters of a new regulatory framework for NGOs.

Expository works by researchers, academics, philanthropists and media that were deemed thorny towards government occasionally attracted the unkind eye of the state. There were limitations imposed on books viewed as critical to government.

An assessment of both 2016 (which was an election year) and 2017 clearly reveals that a lot of energies have been expended on bigoted politicking rather than championing socio-economic development.

The last quarter of the year has seen a lot of attention paid to amending the Constitution to remove the age limits for presidential candidates.

Unfortunately, by giving this amendment primacy over other matters of national importance, government has only succeeded in one thing; keeping the country on a political agenda, continuing from 2016, which was an election year.

By so doing, governments moral authority to claim that Ugandans spend a lot of time politicking rather than doing productive work may have been successfully punctured.

Ugandans are not the kind of people interested in spending too much time politicking; Ugandans want a corrupt-free society, they want good-quality education, they need accessible health care; Ugandans want jobs for their children, they want political stability; Ugandans want to feel part and parcel of Uganda; Ugandans want safeguards that will guarantee peaceful leadership transition at all levels; and, most importantly, Ugandans want a Uganda that works for each of them.

The final bend to 2018 harbored clear testaments that the bridge between citizens and the state has either weakened or is now nonexistent.

As citizens thought they were getting over a litany of broken promises and social contracts, the linchpin between the wananchi and the state did it again; they broke the hearts of many Ugandans when they removed age limitations for presidential candidates, contrary to a majority of citizens wishes.

Like the saying goes, since hunters have learned to shoot without missing, birds will have no choice but learn to fly without perching; now, citizens have to inevitably learn to present their views and aspirations without necessarily going through the middle-men/women who recently handed them a raw deal.

While 2017 may have explicitly demonstrated that citizens are at the periphery, 2018 offers a new opportunity for wananchi to expand frontiers and ensure they are at the center of their countrys destiny.

It is high time citizens engaged new gears to sort the challenges that have affected the country in the previous years. A genuine dialogic approach is worth exploring. We need to resolve to whine and criticize less, but challenge and act more.

Happy New Year, 2018!



The author is the coordinator, Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU).We have said adieu to 2017. It has not be a good year at all.

We have wasted money politicking and poverty has continued to undeservingly bite the rural poor. But even the urban dwellers have become more creative through heinous exercises such as house break-ins, pickpocketing, and waylaying those they believe to be rich.

Some people have been killed through these crimes while others are permanently maimed. Women in parts of Entebbe and Nansana have lived a life of uncertainty. They have failed to find explanations either from police or their local leaders why their colleagues and family members have been killed and others kidnapped.

Doctors and other medical workers laid down their tools for two weeks due to poor pay and working conditions. During this strike, government was embarrassed as the medical rot in public hospitals was exposed.

A country that aims to reach a middle-income status in less than five years cannot afford basic medical tools for its medical workers!

Private hospitals and clinics are not any better either! First, the pricing of their services is prohibitive. But the services, too, cause more headaches than the remedies sought from their facilities.

The attitude of medical workers in those facilities is cavalier. Many of them want to first be bribed to offer a service! I dont know whether it is in the interest of saving money, but some of these facilities deploy workers of suspect credentials and experience.

In essence, Ugandans have become guinea pigs. Some of these private medical facilities have also become drug peddlers for some pharmaceutical companies! There was a woman who went to one of these private clinics to establish her HIV status. The results were returned and she was positive.

She was immediately advised to start treatment. In reality, she was not HIV-positive and the drugs had an adverse reaction on her body. But the doctors at that clinic kept reassuring her that things would improve with time; her body was just getting used to the drug.

It took the vigilance of her husband to seek an alternative medical opinion for them to discover that actually she had been misdiagnosed.

The medical council has an uphill task to rid the country of these fake medical practitioners. We are a nation that has lost its soul! If you asked me what the Ugandan ethic is, I wouldnt have an answer.

We have normalized corruption! These days when a young person is employed in the private sector, the first thing they think about is how to steal from this company and they vanish.

It is not how best they can grow with this company. I know a telecom company which was cheated of airtime of over Shs 200 million!

They trusted the workers but the latter had different plans. And as consequence of that theft and the failure by the workers to increase its penetration, the company is unlikely to survive going forward. That is an opportunity to reduce unemployment squandered.

I have always wondered why President Museveni finds it so difficult to fight corruption especially among his cabinet members and public servants generally. The president is the topmost consumer of intelligence briefs in this country. He can order a covert investigation on any person.

He knows the income of every cabinet member and, if he wanted, he could establish the income and liabilities of any Ugandan of his choice.

Therefore, he knows exactly how much his subordinates earn. But whenever a corruption scandal is exposed by the media, he appears surprised.

And that is when he talks tough to rid this country of corruption. Are the intelligence services doing their work well? Is the president being given the right information about the country? A lot of time and resources have been squandered in the past years! It does not need to be same in 2018.

Mr President, you only need to pick two sectors  education and health. Make them better and Ugandans will be happy with you. You may have to lose some friends around you for the greater good!

After all, you are on record as having said that you have no personal friends  just comrades and colleagues. You need to build a team which can deliver your promises. From the look of things, your current huge team members are like vultures looking at an idle carcass.



The author is the business development director at The Observer Media Limited.Listening to Mr Yoweri Museveni speak can be deeply depressing. Reading his writings can be quite nauseating.



His New Years message, broadcast across many outlets on the orders of the head of the Uganda Communications Commission, Godfrey Mutabazi, did not disappoint. Mr Mutabazi, it should be pointed out, operates with an unmistakable authoritarian streak, gagging the media at will, all in the service of our mighty ruler.



One thing has become crystal clear: Mr Museveni has no regard for the people he rules  Ugandans. Its possible he treats us with utter disdain because we have little regard for ourselves and for the country we call home.



The condescension in his tone, the sardonic attitude in his assertions, the casualness in conjuring up falsehoods all speak to the total disrespect for the public and the mockery of the republic called Uganda. It keeps getting worse the longer he stays in power.

The New Years message included a declaration for the admiration of American president Donald Trump. Well, Mr Trump was recently recognized and honoured for producing the lie of the year 2017. It is little wonder, therefore, that our own Ugandan ruler, who commands an uncanny knack for endlessly repeating worn-out falsehoods, should find a hero in the American president.



The difference, though, is that the astute American media can relentlessly expose lies by American politicians. And save for the intractable partisanship that so afflicts American political life, most people will be less inclined to buy into the lies. Not in our dear republic.



Mr Museveni needs to be advised a little bit if he is to perfect the world of Trump politics. To fully embrace the Trump world of alternative facts, Mr Museveni needs to get a little innovative, perhaps then some of his conjured-up falsehoods may ring persuasive. As matters stand, its been all ad nauseam  same old, tired and quite predictable.



The long and winding New Year message had a litany of what we have heard all too often. Perhaps the most absurd is the talk about Uganda of 500 years ago!



Mr Museveni seriously believes there was Uganda 500, yes, 500 years ago which was betrayed by chiefs who didnt fight to defend the nation in the same way our liberators of 1986 fought for our freedom from swine rulers.



Come to think about it: If the head of state keeps repeating this falsehood, teachers of Ugandan history at different levels must put up with a difficult task of explaining to students the true political history of Uganda.



Easily the most disturbing self-congratulation is that of sacrificing to rule Uganda. Please note, we are alluding here to ruling, not leading. We are told the ruler in chief has been working for the last 52 years for no or little pay.



But why? Because he has a somewhat sacred agenda to liberate Africa and a messianic mission to especially transform the East African region. No personal material benefits from ruling the country for the past three decades. Forget about him being greedy for power and seeking material aggrandisement. His only greed, as he put it, is greed for sacrifice.



Thus, the 317 ruling party members of parliament who recently betrayed the country and assaulted their own consciences deserve to be saluted for playing a crucial role in making sure the ruler is not encumbered by a needless provision in the constitution.



In the same spirit in 2005, we were reminded in no uncertain terms by the First Lady that it was Uganda that needed Mr Museveni as he was so important that he was not in need of the job of president. Elsewhere, citizens would boldly call out this blunt condescension, but this being Uganda, life goes one



There is the bit of who is an agent of foreign interests. The usual punching bag is the political opposition and the independent media. New additions are civil society organizations and the religious leaders.



Apparently, these disparate actors are all in cahoots with external interests, primarily Western powers and organizations. This may well be true. But there is another more cogent yet inconvenient truth.



Mr Museveni has been easily the leading agent of Western interests not just in Uganda but on the African continent. From embracing Western dictated economic policies to fighting Americas military wars on the continent and more recently backing off the anti-homosexuality law in the face of Western pressure, Mr Museveni should surely be the last person to call out others for working for the West.



On the strength of his track-record, he has excelled in this endeavour. It is a sad spectacle. As we usher in a new year, we are treated to the same old dose of condescending falsehoods and misleading narratives.



What should we expect in the year ahead? Another rap? Be prepared for more lectures on how we have been saved by the singular ruler most disinterested in being president yet will break the bank to buy his way to cling on.



Best wishes for 2018 to all who read this column, and to the great Observer team that make this possible.



moses.khisa@gmail.com



The author is an assistant professor of political science at North Carolina State University.Back in Time! A Hawaiian Airlines Flight Took Off in 2018  and Landed in 2017

Passengers on Hawaiian Airliness flight 446 experienced a bit of time travel to start off their new year.

The flight, which traveled between Auckland, New Zealand, and Honolulu, Hawaii, was scheduled to depart at 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. However, because of a 10-minute delay, the flight didnt end up taking off until 12:05 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.

Due to the time difference between New Zealand and Hawaii  the former is 23 hours ahead of the latter  passengers ended up landing at 10:16 a.m., back on Dec. 31 in 2017.

In between New Zealand and Hawaii is the international date line, which explains the hefty time difference between the two locales. Sam Sweeney, a transportation reporter for Washington, D.C., station WJLA, was the first to notice the sci-fi-esque take-off and landing times of the flight.

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Once Sweeney tweeted out his discovery, people took notice  and had quite a few questions.

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While others couldnt help but make plenty of pop culture jokes, from a confused Dr. Phil to Lost to Back to the Future.

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And for the passengers, well, 2018 just became the year so nice that they greeted it twice.US President Donald Trump's poll promise to "Buy American, Hire American" may force lakhs of Indian techies out of the United States. Trump administrations new proposal to not extend H-1B visa of those waiting for permanent residency or green card is likely to affect more than 5 lakh Indians working in the US.

The proposal, circulated in the form of internal memo by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeks to end the provision of allowing extensions to H-1B visa holders whose applications for green card had been accepted. US President Donald Trump had earlier promised to protect jobs for American workers.

Under the existing laws in the US, an outside worker having an H-1B visa can remain in the US for up to six years. It is initially for three years but can be extended for additional three years. A person having a pending permanent residency application gets indefinite extension of the H-1B visa until the applicant's Green Card processing is completed.

Under the new proposal, a foreign worker will have to exit United States until the processing of Green Card application is complete. The move could directly stop hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from keeping their H-1B visas while their green card applications are pending.

The new regulations are aimed at preventing the extension of H-1B visas, predominantly used by Indian IT professionals.

The proposal which is being shared between the Department of Homeland Security Department (DHS) heads is part of Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" initiative promised during the 2016 campaign, US-based news agency McClatchy's DC Bureau reported.

It aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

"The act currently allows the administration to extend the H-1B visas for thousands of immigrants, predominantly Indian immigrants, beyond the allowed two three-year terms if a green card is pending," the report said.

"The idea is to create a sort of 'self- deportation' of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers in the United States to open up those jobs for Americans," it said, quoting a source briefed by Homeland Security officials.

"The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President's Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes," said Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occuptions that require theoretical or technical expertise.

It is typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. But H-1B holders who have begun the green card process can often renew their work visas indefinitely.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The proposed changes would have a dramatic effect particularly on Indian visa holders considering more than half of all H-1B visas have been awarded to Indian nationals, the report said, quoting the Pew Research Center report.

"This would be a major catastrophic development as many people have been waiting in line for green cards for over a decade, have US citizen children, own a home," said Leon Fresco, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in the Obama administration who now represent H-1B workers.

Fresco estimates more than 1 million H1-B visa holders in the country are waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for more than a decade.

Software body Nasscom has cautioned against the proposed US Bill - Protect and Grow American Jobs. Nasscom said it is riddled with "onerous conditions" and places "unprecedented obligations" on both Indian IT companies and clients using H-1B visas.

Nasscom said it has flagged its concerns around visa-related issues in the US with the Senators, Congressmen and the administration, and will engage further in a dialogue over the next few weeks over the proposed legislation.

The bill proposes new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas. It tightens the definition of visa-dependent companies, and imposes fresh restrictions in terms of minimum salary and movement of talent.

Apart from prescribing higher minimum wages, the Bill places the onus on clients that they will certify that the visa holder is not displacing an existing employee for a tenure of 5-6 years.

"That formulation has conditions which are extremely onerous and makes it very difficult for people to not just get the visa but also on how they can be used," R Chandrashekhar, President, National Association for Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) said.

The Bill has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee and is now headed for the US Senate.

"We do not know the exact timeline but we have been told it will come up early 2018," he said.

Chandrashekhar said another "extreme concern" is that "in the name of protecting American jobs, this has been applied only to the so called visa-dependent companies that translates to Indian companies".

"There is no doubt we have been seeing an increasingly negative environment and this is a part of the protectionist, anti-globalisation trend," he said referring to a slew of measures taken by the US in the recent past, including increased visa scrutiny, premium visa processing being put on hold for a few months etc.

Chandrashekhar also pointed out that the use of visas by Indian IT firms has fallen by 50 per cent in the last two years and that the number now stands below 10,000.

"It is below 10,000, which is a minuscule fraction of 85,000 visas (H-1B visas) issued every year... how such onerous restrictions on 12-15 per cent of the visas that are being issued protect American workers, certainly defies logic," he said.

Chandrashekhar explained that the Bill proposes to raise the minimum wage substantially to about USD 100,000 if the company has to be exempted from the labour certification requirements.

Also, the client deploying the H-1B visa worker will have to certify that no American worker will be displaced for the 5-6 year period.

Further, the software services provider will have to notify the US authorities if the client has displaced a worker, an obligation that is unprecedented, he said.

Chandrashekhar added that many of these changes were "emotive and political" rather than being based on "economic arguments".

He said that Nasscom has shared its concerns with both Indian and the US governments.

"...We will probably be having further interaction in next few months. In next couple of months, we expect to have interactions once again with the US authorities," he added.

with PTI inputsPolice in Utah made a gruesome discovery on New Years Eve, finding a 41-year-old mother and her 9-year-old daughter dead inside their home in Magna following an apparent murder-suicide that may have occurred as long as three weeks ago.

Investigators believe that Karina Clark fatally shot her daughter, Madison Clark, before fatally shooting herself, PEOPLE confirms.

Officers from the Unified Police Department were summoned to the Clark residence on Sunday after someone noticed that a Christmas present placed on their porch went unclaimed for days, according to Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke.

Lohrke told reporters during a press conference Monday that investigators believe the mother and daughter died between one to three weeks before their bodies were discovered.

Police did not indicate a potential motive.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

This is one of those situations where were kind of left in the dust right now, trying to figure out why a mother had the need to kill her 9-year-old daughter, Lohrke said. Its a question we may have forever.

PEOPLE was unable to reach any of Clarks relatives for comment.

Lohrke said he believes Clark may have suffered from mental illness.

Gibson Clark, Madisons oldest brother, spoke to Fox 13 in Salt Lake City, and said his mother was really troubled.

Gibson added: We all grew up with her and we called child protective services on her quite a bit.

Gibson also said that his mothers behavior, which was sometimes violent, led him and his siblings to put some distance between themselves and her.

I think there was stuff going on in the house that we didnt know about, said Gibson.

 For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazineon Flipboard.

Story continues

Neighbor Ben Cummins, who said he lived next to the Clarks for about a year, told the Salt Lake Tribune, said he didnt see anything alarming about Clarks behavior, calling her a warm person with a good heart.

I said, How could somebody do that to their child, to anybody? Cummins told the outlet.

A YouCaring page, established by a family friend to fund funerals for the mother and daughter, states Clark also had twins named Bailey and Brandon Miller.

The twins have already lost their father earlier in childhood to suicide and now again through this situation, the page states. Mental illness is such an ugly and heartbreaking thing!! You never know what someone is going through and capable of and my heart is breaking for these kids who now have to bury their mother and little sister.WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump blasted his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, saying that he has lost his mind in response to quotes that Bannon made in a new book about the first year of the Trump presidency, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.

Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency, Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating 17 candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party.

Trump also diminished the role that Bannon played in his election victory and in the White House. Bannon joined the campaign in August of 2016 after a shakeup and, after Trumps unexpected victory, was named one of his top advisers. He initially had a spot on the National Security Council, and was viewed as the architect of Trumps strategy in the early months of the administration. Time magazine put him on its cover with the headline, The Great Manipulator.

But he was dismissed from his White House role in August, after he publicly criticized the administrations approach toward North Korea. He already had clashed with H.R. McMaster, the national security adviser, as well as others in the administration.

Bannon then returned to serve as executive chairman of Breitbart News Network, which he had led before he joined the Trump campaign.

A spokeswoman for Bannon did not immediately return a request for comment.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look, Trump said in his statement. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than 30 years by Republicans. Steve doesnt represent my base  hes only in it for himself.

Story continues

The statement came after The Guardian published some of Bannons quotes from the book, written by Michael Wolff and published by Henry Holt. Bannon characterizes as treasonous a meeting that Donald Trump Jr. arranged with a Russian lawyer and others in June 2016. Bannon also suggested that Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation was focused on money laundering. And Bannon said that he was certain that the Russians in the Trump Jr. meeting also were taken to see his father.

Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was, Trump said. It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books.

He added, We have many great Republican members of Congress and candidates who are very supportive of the Make America Great Again agenda. Like me, they love the United States of America and are helping to finally take our country back and build it up, rather than simply seeking to burn it all down.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also issued a statement dismissing the book as filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House.

Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad desperate attempts at relevancy, she said.

A spokesperson for publisher Henry Holt did not immediately return a request for comment.

New York Magazine posted an excerpt from the book on Wednesday, in which some of Trumps advisers disparage him, as well as Rupert Murdoch. After a phone call on the issue of immigration and Silicon Valley, Murdoch called Trump a fucking idiot, according to the book.

Also on Wednesday, Trump Jr. sent out a series of tweets criticizing Bannon and blaming him for the loss of an Alabama Senate seat. Bannon backed Roy Moore, who was defeated by Doug Jones, the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state in 25 years. Moore was sworn in on Wednesday.

Andrew Breitbart would be ashamed of the division and lies Steve Bannon is spreading! Trump Jr. wrote.

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Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!Two police investigations into sexual misconduct by Harvey Weinstein have been presented to the Los Angeles District Attorneys office, spokesman Greg Risling told TheWrap.

Risling said the cases were presented last month, December 2017, by the Beverly Hills Police Department and are under review.

Police reports were filed against Weinstein in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York and London after a report by the New York Times in October, followed by another in The New Yorker, in which several women accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault and rape. Dozens more women have accused Weinstein of various forms of sexual misconduct since.

Also Read: Bob Weinstein Paid 250,000 to Settle 2 Harvey Harassment Claims, New Yorker Says

New York police in November said they had an actual case against Weinstein, and in late October Beverly Hills police said they were looking into claims against Weinstein and writer-director James Toback.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Watch Dustin Diamond Play Harvey Weinstein, Get Stabbed to Death in TENLo's New Music Video

That Time Tina Brown and Harvey Weinstein Threw a Party to 'End the 20th Century'

Harvey Weinstein, TWC Hit With $10 Million Lawsuit From Former 'Marco Polo' Associate Producer

Harvey Weinstein's Former Assistant Breaks NDA, Says He Tried to Rape Colleague in 1998 (Video)Minutes before the the calendar turned to 2018, a teenage boy opened fire inside his familys Long Branch, New Jersey, home, killing four people  including his parents and his older sister.

Authorities say the quadruple homicide was committed with a semi-automatic rifle, and that the suspects older brother, his grandfather and a 20-year-old family friend escaped uninjured. The teen has been charged as a juvenile and faces four counts of murder.

Here are six things to know about the case.

1. The Teen Suspect Has Been Charged as a Juvenile

Authorities have confirmed the name of the alleged killer, however PEOPLE is not reporting it because the suspect has been charged as a juvenile.

On Monday, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office filed formal murder charges against the boy in addition to one count of possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

We are investigating this and are confident that its a domestic incident thats completely isolated, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni told reporters, adding that its a terribly tragic incident.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

On Tuesday, Gramiccioni stated he intends to file a motion seeking the transfer of the case from juvenile to adult court. He has 60 days to file that request.

2. A 70-Year-Old Family Friend Was Among The Slain

When police arrived at the home, they found the bodies of the boys parents, Steven and Linda Kologi, who were 44 and 42 respectively, and his 18-year-old sister, Brittany. Also killed in the shooting was 70-year-old Mary Schultz.

Gramiccioni said the four victims were not all in the same room at the time of the shootings.

Linda and Steven Kologi

Schultz, according to prosecutors, lived in the home with the Kologis and was described by investigators as a family friend.

Prosecutors allege the teen was arrested without incident, and that they have recovered the alleged murder weapon.

Story continues

3. Neighbors and Friends Were Shocked

The New Years Eve killings have shaken the people of the quiet shore town, with longtime neighbors and friends of the family expressing shock.

Very hard to understand how this happened  Wouldnt expect anything like this from him. This is out of the blue, Joe Rios, a longtime family friend, told the Asbury Park Press. Something must have happened because you never, ever thought something like this would happen with their family. Ever.

The paper also spoke to Veronica Mass, who had known the family for years.

I still cant believe [he] did this, Mass said of the alleged crime. I cant understand why he flipped out. I cant think of anything.

 For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard.

4. Suspect Has Special Needs: Reports

Neighbors who spoke to the Asbury Park Press say the suspect had special needs.

The Daily News spoke to the boys grandfather, who says the teen has autism. The grandfather, Gregory Zawacki, told the paper he was unaware there was a gun inside the home.

Brittany Kologi

The boys brother, Steven Kologi, Jr., addressed the tragedy in an Instagram post one of his friends reposted to Facebook, reports NJ.com. He wrote: My New Years resolution is to be as great of a parent as my parents were to me. Never once was I without a hot meal or a roof over my head  They made sure Christmas came every year although they struggled financially.

5. Motive Remains A Mystery

Police are struggling to determine what sparked Sundays violence, but they are speaking with the boys brother and grandfather  the only witnesses to the gunfire  as they continue to investigate the horrifying incident, PEOPLE learns.

Were still working toward identifying a motive, Gramiccioni said Tuesday.

PEOPLE has been unable to reach any of the Kologis relatives. But Walter Montelione, Linda Kologis cousin, told CBS New York the couple were very caring, loving people and always looking to do fun things with their kids. He said the suspect was a good kid who knows right from wrong.

6. The Shootings Happened Fairly Sudden and Quick: Prosecutor

Gramiccioni said the victims had little  if any  time to try to disarm their killer or talk him out of pulling the trigger. He said the killings happened fairly sudden and quick.

According to Gramiccioni, the rifle used in the killings had been legally obtained by one of the three people who managed to escape the home Sunday evening after hearing the first bursts of gunfire. The weapon was a Century Arms semi-automatic rifle, holding a magazine with 15 rounds.

One of the three survivors called 911, Gramiccioni explained.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help cover the familys funeral expenses.

It is asked that anyone who may have any information about this tragic case call Detective Andrea Tozzi of the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office at (800) 533-7443 or Detective Michael Verdadiero of the Long Branch Police Department at (732) 222-1000.UPDATED: Spotify has been hit with a $1.6 billion lawsuit from Wixen Music Publishing, which handles titles by Tom Petty, Neil Young, Steely Dans Donald Fagen, Weezers Rivers Cuomo, Stevie Nicks, and others. The suit, which alleges that Spotify is using thousands of songs without a proper license, was filed on Dec. 29 in California federal court. It is seeking damages worth at least $1.6 billion and injunctive relief.

Spotify has been plagued by complaints and legal action from the music-publishing industry, which widely feels that labels are getting the fairer share of royalties from the company. In May the company proposed a $43 million settlement to resolve a class-action suit from a collective of songwriters, including David Lowery and Melissa Ferrick, that in September was lambasted as being inadequate by a group of songwriters and actors; more lawsuits ensued.

Wixens lawsuit says the proposed settlement does not adequately compensate Wixen or the songwriters it represents. The suit continues, Prior to launching in the United States, Spotify attempted to license sound recordings by working with record labels but, in a race to be first to market, made insufficient efforts to collect the required musical composition information and, in turn, failed in many cases to license the compositions embodied within each recording or comply with the requirements of Section 115 of the Copyright Act. Either a direct license from Wixen or a compulsory license would have permitted Spotify to reproduce and/or distribute the Works as part of the Service, including by means of digital phonorecord deliveries (DPDs), interactive streaming, and limited downloads. But Spotify failed to obtain either license type, and instead outsourced that role to the Harry Fox Agency, which the suit says Spotify knew  did not possess the infrastructure to obtain the required mechanical licenses and Spotify knew it lacked these licenses.

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Spotify filed court papers on Friday that questioned whether Wixens clients had authorized the company to take that action, claiming that it had given its clients only a brief opt-out period before their names would be included in the suit.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, company president Randall Wixen clarified that it and its clients are not taking part in the Music Modernization Act introduced late in December, which aims to simplify digital licensing and increase rates, or joining the class-action suit in part because of their belief that the proposed settlement is inadequate, because too much of the settlement is going to legal fees, and because the terms of the go-forward license in the settlement are not in their long-term best interests. Instead, the company says it was and is desirous of sitting down with Spotify to work out an amicable settlement for its past infringements and unlicensed uses, and seeks to work out a go-forward license which is fair to all parties.

Were just asking to be treated fairly, he continued. We are not looking for a ridiculous punitive payment. But we estimate that our clients account for somewhere between 1% and 5% of the music these services distribute. Spotify has more than $3 billion in annual revenue and pays outrageous annual salaries to its executives and millions per month for ultra-luxurious office space in various cities. All were asking for is for them to reasonably compensate our clients by sharing a miniscule amount of the revenue they take in with the creators of the product they sell.

A rep for Spotify declined Varietys request for comment.

(Pictured: Spotify CEO Daniel Ek.)

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Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!Texas police are asking for the publics help in finding two young sisters believed to be with a person of interest in the suspicious death of their mother, PEOPLE confirms.

Round Rock, Texas, police announced on Sunday they are searching for Lilianais Griffith, 14, and Luluvioletta Bandera-magret, 7, a police spokesperson tells PEOPLE. The girls were reported missing after their mother was found dead under suspicious circumstances that day, according to a police spokesperson.

Police believe the girls are with 44-year-old Terry Miles, who was living with the girls and their mother, the spokesperson tells PEOPLE.

On Saturday, police responded to a welfare check at the girls home but the home appeared to be empty, Chief Allen Banks said at a press conference on Monday. The following day, authorities returned to the home, where upon entering they discovered the body of Tonya Bates, 44.

During their investigation, police learned that Bates two daughters and her roommate, Miles, were missing. A cause of death for Bates has not be released, pending an autopsy.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Police believe the girls were allegedly abducted by Miles but do not know of a motive, Banks said Monday. No charges have been filed.

Miles is believed to be driving a gray 2017 Hyundai Accent with Texas license plate JGH9845, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There is also a white sticker on the upper right hand corner of the rear window, according to a police news release.

Terry Miles

Police initially believed Miles was allegedly heading to Louisiana. But on Monday, police said the last sighting of the group was in northern New Mexico and possibly southern Colorado, Banks said.

 For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard.

Lilianais is 5-feet 10-inches, weighs 100 pounds, has brown eyes, braces and a nose stud on her right nostril. Bandera-magret is 4-feet 5-inches, weighs 75 pounds, and has curly brown hair and brown eyes, according to authorities.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three missing people is urged it call the Round Rock police tip line at (512) 670-5700, or call 911.An American Green Beret was killed in combat in eastern Afghanistan on Monday and four others were wounded in an area known for ISIS activity.

"Two wounded service members are being treated at a nearby medical treatment facility and are in stable condition," according to a statement released Tuesday by U.S. Forces Afghanistan. "The other service members have returned to duty."

The dead soldier was identified Wednesday as Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey. The Department of Defense said Golin was killed "after being engaged by enemy small arms fire while on a dismounted patrol."

Golin was born in Riga, Latvia, and moved to the U.S. in 2004. He enlisted in the U.S. Army one year later.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own, said Gen. John Nicholson, commander, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. "At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers."

Golin was an 18B Special Forces Weapons sergeant assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He had already completed three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and been awarded the Purple Heart.

PHOTO: Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, an 18B Special Forces Weapons Sergeant assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died Jan. 1, 2018, as a result of wounds he sustained while engaged in combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Department of Defense)

The area around Achin, Afghanistan, has been a key battleground against the ISIS affiliate that operates in eastern Afghanistan. ISIS forces peaked at about 3,000 in 2016, but heavy fighting since then has dwindled their numbers to about 1,000.

ANALYSIS: Losing troops and territory, will a new US strategy change the Afghan war?

Fifteen American service members died in Afghanistan in 2017. Almost half of that number resulted from anti-ISIS operations in eastern Afghanistan.

There are roughly 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan advising and assisting the Afghan military in the fight against the Taliban and ISIS.

New combat rules established by President Trump have allowed American troops to accompany Afghan forces at the battalion level, possibly placing them closer to combat situations.

ABC News' Elizabeth McLaughlin contributed to this report.A fan shared a photo of Carrie Underwood after her facial injury, and she looked happy and healed

Carrie Underwood has kept a low profile since suffering injuries to her face and wrist, but Underwood did pose for a photo with Adrienne Gang from the show Below Deck just weeks after the incident. On December 12th, the reality star shared the photo of the two after running into Underwood at the gym  and she looked happy and healthy.

Underwood appears to be wearing a brace on her wrist, but the picture does not reveal any obvious injuries on her face. Gang told fans on Twitter that the country star was in such great spirits that she had no idea the fall had been so bad.

I had no idea she got hurt prior to meeting her, Gang also revealed to UsMagazine.com. She had a wrist brace on, but I didnt think much of it until I saw the headlines after I posted our picture together.

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In November, Underwood revealed to fans that she had broken her wrist after falling on some steps outside her home. Then, on New Years Eve, she revealed that in addition to having surgery on her wrist, her face also required 40-50 stitches.

There is also another part of the story that I havent been ready to talk about since I have still been living it and there has been much uncertainty as to how things will end up, she wrote on her website. Its crazy how a freak random accident can change your life.

Underwood wrote in the post that shes healing but is not quite looking the same following the incident. However, the photo from Gang makes up hopeful that everything will be okay.

Were sending Underwood all our positive vibes and wishing her a full recovery.Photo credit: NBC

From Country Living

Hoda Kotb has officially been named the co-anchor of the Today show, NBC announced Tuesday morning. She replaces Matt Lauer, who was fired from the network after being accused of sexual harassment.

Kotb will join co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on the 7 through 9 a.m. hours of the Today show, along with Carson Daly and Al Roker. And she'll keep co-hosting the 10 a.m. hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, so you won't be missing any wine-fueled fun, either.

The announcement was made on Tuesday morning's broadcast. "This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made, and I am so thrilled," Guthrie said. "Hoda, you are a partner, and a friend, and a sister, and I am so happy to be doing this."

"I'm pinching myself," Kotb responded. "I think that we should send some medics to Alexandria, Virginia, where my mom has likely fainted after hearing the open of that show."

Kotb, who is a seasoned journalist with many awards for her reporting, started her career at NBC News as a Dateline corresponded in 1998, and has co-hosted the fourth hour of the Today show with Gifford since 2008. She also hosts The Hoda Show on Sirius XM radio.

Watch the full announcement below:

You Might Also LikeAs the new co-anchor of Today, Hoda Kotb is reportedly raking in $7 million per year  the same as her co-host Savannah Guthrie  but theres a catch: Each woman earns $18 million less than Matt Lauer and their combined salaries are still $11 million short of his.

On Tuesday, an NBC insider told the New York Posts Page Six, Hoda isnt complaining about the money. She has landed the big job she always dreamed of and most definitely deserves. Plus, Matts salary reflected the long time he was on the show  25 years. If things go well, Hoda could ask for more next time if she re-ups her contract. But the figures underline the huge wage disparity at NBC News.

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb each make $18 million less than the disgraced Matt Lauer for the same Today anchor job. (Photo: Getty Images)

Social media celebrated Tuesday when NBC promoted Kotb to co-anchor of Today, alongside Guthrie, creating the first all-female lead anchor team in the history of the show. Kotb replaced Lauer, who was fired in November after a slew of female employees revealed he had sexually harassed them. Lauer was earning a reported annual salary of $25 million.

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Kotb will maintain her job as co-anchor of the shows fourth hour, with Kathie Lee Gifford, a role shes held since 2007. Per the Post, Kotb gets up around 4 a.m. to host Today from 7 to 9 a.m., then records updates for the West Coast and other video before going back on the air.

While the Post suggests that Kotb is content with her salary, it was a different story for E! host Catt Sadler, who in December quit her job after learning that her male co-host earns double her salary.

Despite the fact that women make up half the workforce, are the sole earners or co-earners in families with children, and outrank men in undergrad and college degrees, women earn less in nearly every occupation, according to data from the Institute for Womens Policy Research (IWPR).

Here are the stark stats, per the National Womens Law Center: Women in the United States earn 80 cents for every dollar earned by their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts, and the wage gap worsens when calculated by race:

Story continues

White women earn 75.3 cents.

Black women earn 63 cents.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women earn 59 cents.

Native women earn 57 cents.

Latina women earn 54 cents.

There are a number of logistical and subconscious factors why women earn less than men, according to Chandra Childers, a senior research scientist at the IWPR. The pay gap in part is due to occupational segregation, meaning that women tend to work in lower-paying fields, Childers tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Women are three times as likely to work in jobs that would leave a family of four below the poverty limit  for example, home-health aides, elementary school teachers, or maids.

And the stats are no less hopeful for lucrative fields such as marketing, publishing, or television journalism, as in the case of Kotb and Guthrie. The higher a woman rises in education and income, the larger the gap, says Childers. Thats due in part to implicit bias, factors which may not be so obvious. For example, giving men more rewarding tasks, better and more frequent mentorship, and in regard to parents, the benefit of the doubt.

A recent study conducted by the National Womens Law Center found that mothers are paid 71 cents for each dollar earned by fathers, even when the occupation is accounted.

Emily Martin, NWLC vice president for workplace justice, told the Chicago Tribune in April, But if you look at, for example, retail sales supervisors, thats a place where there are a lot of moms employed and there are a lot of dads employed: Dads typically make about $24 an hour in that occupation, while moms typically make $15 an hour. So there are huge gaps, even when you correct for occupation.

Calling it the Motherhood penalty, Martin says, That is partly due to the fact that people still have a lot of gender stereotypes about the competence of working mothers. Maybe sometimes they are unconscious. People may not always be realizing what is affecting their decision-making, but we have a lot of studies showing that people, if they know a woman is a mother, see her as less competent, less committed to work and thus as worth less. While if they know a man is a father, they have the opposite set of assumptions, and they are actually willing to pay him more than if he were not a father.

Sometimes the wage gap can be explained by seniority or longevity. Lauer worked at Today for much longer than Kotb and Guthrie, but the decision should be case-specific. Its often assumed that seniority or longevity means one is more effective at their job, but thats not always true, says Childers. And in the case of the Today anchors, does seniority justify an $18 million pay gap?

Short of fining companies that dont pay men and women equally, a law that Iceland put into effect Monday as the first country to classify the wage gap as illegal, there are potential ways to close the gap. We need access to paid sick and family leave, especially for women of color, and more pay transparency provisions, says Childers. How can women speak up about making less if they dont know they make less?

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

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Illinois has banned the gay panic defense, which prevents defendants from using a persons sexual or gender identity as an excuse for violence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Illinois has made history by banning the gay panic defense, which allows a violent offender to blame his or her crimes on a victims sexual orientation or gender identity. But its still applicable in 48 states.

On Monday, three years after California banned the defense, the bill signed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner went into effect, spurring hope among activists that similar measures will be taken nationwide.

Heres how the defense is used: A person commits a violent act toward a gay or transgender person, then claims the victims sexual or gender identity provoked them to either self-defend, commit a crime of passion, or enter a state of temporary insanity.

The defense has never been written into law, but according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, since the 1960s gay panic and transgender panic defenses have been used in approximately 25 states in the hopes of having defendants receive reduced sentences.

One example is the case of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who in 1998 was kidnapped, tortured, and beaten to death by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, one of whom claimed Shepard had made sexual advances toward him. Both men are serving life sentences for the crime.

It was also used in the 2008 murder case of Larry King, a gay 15-year-old who was shot to death by classmate Brandon McInerney, whose lawyers argued he was threatened by the boys lifestyle and repeated sexual taunts. In 2011, McInerney received a 21-year prison sentence.

Given a recent FBI report that found anti-LGBT hate crimes, especially against transgender people, have increased by 5 percent since 2015, the bill is crucial.

It was important to get this bill passed because we never want to see peoples identifies as a sufficient reason to murder, Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

For two years, the civil rights organization worked tirelessly to get the bill passed by drafting language and meeting with legislators. The ban reflects our state values, says Johnson. It should never have been an option.

Story continues

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.



Photo credit: Facebook/Betsy Farrell

From Good Housekeeping

Nowadays, it may feel like everything you do could be judged ruthlessly. That fear became a reality for Illinois-native Molly Lensing after a photo of her and her child, taken without her permission, went viral.

The mother of three was in a Colorado airport last year with her then 2-year-old daughter Anastasia. In the picture, Lensing appears to be looking at her phone while Anastasia lays on the floor.

Well, the internet wasn't happy - and once the photo started catching wind a few months later, so did the shaming.

One post about her circulating the web translated to: "Albert Einstein said, 'I fear the day that technology will take on our humanity ... the world will be populated by a generation of idiots,'" and it received over 65K shares.

Understandably, Lensing felt violated and was afraid of what people in her personal and professional life would think. At the time, she'd just started working as a pediatric nurse, and after being berated with harsh criticism from strangers online, she was "terrified" that co-workers or administrators would deem her unfit to work with kids.

People pinned her as that millennial mother - the one who would rather look at a screen than her child. There are 9 million millennial mothers in the U.S, and they've been shaped by technology. But Lensing argues there is much more to the story.

As Lensing recently explained on the Today show, she and her child were "stuck in the middle of the Delta computer shut-down" and her flights had been delayed, then re-booked countless times, leaving her stranded in various airports for more than 20 hours.

"Anastasia had been held or in her carrier for many hours," said Lensing. "My arms were tired. She needed to stretch. And I had to communicate with all the family members wondering where the heck we were."

While the mommy-shaming hit her at full force, there were people who expressed their support.

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One woman in particular, Mary Katherine Backstrom of the blog Mom Babble, wrote a Facebook post defending Lensing.

"No. Just no," it began. "We do not snap photos of exhausted mothers in the airport and shame them publicly. This is gross and needs to stop. I've been this woman. My flight delayed, running on zero sleep, fearful that my baby might slip straight from my arms and unto the floor if I nodded off."

Backstrom told GoodHousekeeping.com that she wanted to use her platform to potentially "change the narrative" and to make a "call for empathy" instead of shame. She went on to say that the picture "represented such a vulnerable, honest moment in parenting."

"Most mothers who have traveled alone with young children would instantly empathize, so it infuriated me that there was a negative dialogue taking place," the mom of two said.

Lensing revealed that after Backstrom stood up for her, it made all the negativity attention shift toward the positive, and for that, she's grateful. Just looking at a photo, she stressed, "you have no idea what the story behind it is."

Moving forward, Lensing hopes to be a "louder voice in support of mothers" because mommy-shaming "makes us scared. Scared to let kids be kids. Scared to enjoy life outside the safety of our homes for fear of being shamed."

"Raising little people is hard work," she admitted, "and a smile and offer to help, rather than annoyance and scorn, would go a long way."

Photo credit: Courtesy of Molly Lensing

[h/t Today]

You Might Also LikeThis fierce woman fought a man who groped her at a music festival

Unfortunately, even though international attention has been brought to the widespread sexual harassment and abuse epidemic, some men still havent gotten the memo. In fact, one woman in New Zealand fought back against a man who groped her at a music festival over the weekend, reminding us that harassment is still a major issue, even in public spaces where there are witnesses.

Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller, a 20-year-old woman from the United States, was attending the Rhythm & Vines festival in Gisborne, New Zealand when a man walked up behind her and groped her breast in front of hundreds of onlookers. Anello-Kitzmiller, who was walking with a female friend, was topless and sporting glitter paint at the time.

The women quickly retaliated, striking the man several times. Her friend also poured a drink on him, according to The New Zealand-Herald. Though we dont condone violence, we also understand the womans reaction to being touched without consent and support every persons right to defend themselves from unwanted touch.

Anello-Kitzmiller told the Herald that she received much criticism for her decision to wear body paint instead of a shirt, with some festival-goers telling her she was disgusting. She also described the encounter with the man from her perspective, saying, I was walking to my campsite and saw this hand come up. He got a handful of my boob. I went over and hit him. It was quite shocking. Im used to love and kindness, freedom of expression, equality.

She revealed she considered putting a shirt on, but says she didnt want to let them win, adding, My bodyis beautiful. Its completely natural. We were born naked. She considered the incident a complete culture shock, noting that shes been to festivals and concerts in other countries and never experienced treatment like this before.

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Speaking further on the incident, Anello-Kitzmiller reportedly told the Daily Mail Australia, I stand by my actions and hope that Ive inspired women to feel comfortable in their bodies, no matter how they look, and to stick up for themselves when anybody says otherwise or tries to deny you the right to protect your own body. He grabbed my breast. I hit him. There was a lot of built up anger coming from harassment throughout the day This happens everywhere, not just New Zealand.

She also added, A humans body is their own, and nobody has a right to touch you without your consent, regardless of what theyre wearing or the lack thereof.

No one has a right to touch you without your expressed consent, and it doesnt matter what youre wearing or not wearing. We hope that music festivals  and the world at large  become safer spaces for people to express themselves however they choose.Afghan leaders welcomed US president tweet

ISLAMABAD: Afghan leaders have welcomed the US presidents approach and called for more action against Pakistan. The government, the opposition and majority of the independent experts in Pakistan are unanimous in condemnation of Trumps Tweet that the United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. He reiterated his allegation that Pakistan give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help.



The office of the Afghan Chief Executive said Tuesday that the US assistance to Pakistan for fight against terrorism had not produced results.



Javed Faisal, spokesperson for Dr Abdullah urged the US to consider more measures against Pakistan to force it for true cooperation.



As the US aid and international support to Pakistan to fight terrorism has not given any result, so there is a need for more steps, such steps that could help in achieving the goals against terrorism, Abdullahs spokesman told Radio Azadi Pashto service in Kabul.



Afghan Senate Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar backed Donald Trumps approach towards Pakistan as he considered it similar to that of Afghans.



I support the US leaders remarks. I ask Pakistan to take advantage of the situation and show sincerity with Afghanistan and do not push itself into an ugly situation, he said at the Senate session on Tuesday, according to Afghan media. Muslimyar had lived in Pakistan and was a lower level assistant to a commander of Mujahideen leader Abdul Rab Rasool Sayyaf, who now supports the US-backed government in Kabul.



Afghan ambassador in Washington Hamdullah Mohib described as positive message Trumps statement for Afghanistan.



He told radio Azadi that Pakistan had received aid from the US to fight terrorism, but has not taken action against those sanctuaries, who carry out attacks in Afghanistan.



He mentioned two recent attacks on a cultural center in Kabul and funeral in Nangarhar and said the US growing pressure on Pakistan was a positive message for the U.S.



He said Afghanistan would welcome the US decision to stop aid to Pakistan, which it received to fight terrorism, adding it would put direct pressure on Pakistan.



Former President Hamid Karzai, who has been critical the US and Trumps policies, was quick to welcome Trumps anti-Pakistan Tweet.



Karzai, who lived in Pakistan for nearly 25 years and until the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, Tweeted late Monday: President @realDonaldTrump tweet on Pakistans duplicitous position over the past 15 years is vindication that the war on terror is not in bombing Afghan villages and homes but in the sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan. I welcome todays clarity in President Trumps remarks and propose a joint US  regional coalition to pressurise the Pakistan military establishment to bring peace to not just Afghanistan but the entire region.



In November Karzai accused the US of working with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in his country. In an interview with Al Jazeeras UpFront, Karzai said the US government had allowed ISIL, also known as ISIS, to flourish inside Afghanistan.



Former Taliban spokesman Abdul Hai Mutmain says in his book that the American military helicopters had airlifted Hamid Karzai to Pakistan in November 2001 after the Taliban attacked on a compound where he stayed.



Karzai had entered Afghanistan from Quetta when the US started military operations against the Taliban in October 2001, Mutmain has stated in his book in the Pashto-language book Mullah Muhammad Omar, Taliban and Afghanistan.



After the Taliban killed prominent leader Abdul Haq in eastern Nangarhar, who was poised to become Afghan ruler after the US military toppled the Taliban regime, they had launched an attack to kill Karzai in Uruzgan province.



Karzai survived and the American helicopters airlifted him along with some fighters and took him to Jacobabad air field in Pakistan on November 4, 2001, it was revealed in the Pashto-language book Mullah Muhammad Omar, Taliban and Afghanistan. Jacobabad airfield was one of the few air bases Pervez Musharraf had handed over to the US for operations against the Taliban.

The Falls Festival in Tasmania on Dec. 31. (Photo: Lagerhaus via Getty Images)

Women in Australia and New Zealand are winning praise for fighting back against sexual assault at New Years Eve music festivals, with one apprehending her attacker until security arrived and another punching a man who grabbed her breast.

Music festivals are popular in Australia and New Zealand around the new year, when warm weather hits the Southern Hemisphere. However, celebrations in recent years have been marred by a string of unsavory incidents, including a reported rape and several incidents of sexual assault and groping at the Falls Festival in Tasmania, among others.

As the world prepared to welcome 2018, at least three women reported they were sexually assaulted at Falls Festival, despite efforts to increase awareness by organizers, who run events in four Australian states over the New Years period. A 32-year-old man was charged with indecent assault after police said he grabbed a womans breast in the festival mosh pit around 9:30 p.m. on New Years Eve.

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Whilst we would rather have no incidents at all, I can tell you that with that particular one the woman involved, the person involved, and her friend actually apprehended the male and then handed them to security, who then handed them to police to be investigated, said Tasmania police Senior Sgt. Darren Latham. So it is encouraging that people are taking positive action, but we would of course wish that this didnt happen at all.

Police continued investigating other incidents at the festival, including a second report of groping in the mosh pit, and one of an assault in the campgrounds.

In New Zealand, a woman at the Rhythm and Vines festival dished out some revenge to a man who grabbed her breast. The incident  captured on video and posted to Facebook, where it racked up tens of thousands of views and comments  saw a man approach two young women from behind. He appeared to grab a shirtless woman whose chest was covered with glitter, then quickly turned and ran away. The two women walked angrily toward the man, with the victim landing several hits to his head and her friend pouring her drink on him.

Story continues

Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, the victim  a 20-year-old woman visiting from America  said the incident was shocking.

I was walking to my campsite and saw this hand come up. He got a handful of my boob. I went over and hit him, Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller said. It was quite shocking. Im used to love and kindness, freedom of expression, equality.

I was going to cover up but I didnt want to let them win, she continued. My body  is beautiful. Its completely natural. We were born naked.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Eric Hosmer has a difficult decision to make: Kansas City or San Deigo? (AP Photo)

Its been the slowest of slow offseasons so far, but things could be picking up. On Tuesday and early Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that first baseman Eric Hosmer, currently a free agent, has two separate offers on the table. And theyre both enormous.

Offer one comes from the San Diego Padres, who are reportedly offering Hosmer a seven-year, $140 million contract to call Petco Park home. Not to be outdone, the Kansas City Royals reportedly offered Hosmer a seven-year, $147 million contract, which is a franchise record.

With the offers so close in price and identical in years, Hosmers connection to the Royals might make this decision seem easy. Hosmer has spent his entire career with the Royals, and he won a World Series with them. But that doesnt necessarily mean that Hosmer wants to return. Free agency isnt just a chance for a player to get a big payday, its his opportunity to choose where he wants to play instead of being told. The nearly identical deals might just make this harder: with neither team offering significantly more money, the decision rests purely on Hosmers preference.

If Hosmer signs either one of these deals, he would be just the second of Jeff Passans top ten free agents to go off the board. Hosmer wouldnt be the first first baseman to sign a big deal this offseason, though. Carlos Santana (14th on Passans list) signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Phillies in December, which has only benefitted Hosmer. Hes still the most talented first baseman on the open market, but every team that was interested in Hosmer had to use Santanas deal as a gauge. Now Hosmers got two gigantic deals on the table that give him both money and some amount of security. (Its not known if either of these contracts would contain a no-trade clause, but with two teams vying for his talents theres no better time for him to ask for one.)

As if the Padres and Royals werent enough, theres a third team entering the arena. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the St. Louis Cardinals are interested in Hosmer as well.

Story continues

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Unlike the Padres or Royals, there are no reported or rumored numbers to go along with this interest. But if Hosmer wants to make them sweat, he could wait a little longer to see if some numbers materialize. Or if he already has the offer he wants, he could just end it all next week or tomorrow.

Thats the bottom line here: Hosmer is in control, and in more ways than one. He doesnt just have his pick of offers, but he also essentially controls the free agent market. Hes the first free agent in 2018 to have several (reported) offers on the table. Teams are waiting to see what happens  where he signs, when he signs, and how much. When Hosmer makes his choice, hell have broken the dam. Hes essentially a domino; when he falls, you can expect the other free agents to follow pretty quickly.

Hopefully something will happen with Hosmer soon. Or with literally anyone. The offseason has moved at a glacial pace, and its about time the action started to pick up.

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Liz Roscher is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscherCritics of the tax overhaul President Trump signed at the end of 2017 think its a disaster.

Its not. The Trump tax plan lowers the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, putting it in line with other developed nations that have been cutting their own business rates for years. Many economists have been calling for such a move for a long time.

The Trump plan will also modestly lower taxes on millions of middle-class families, giving them a few more bucks to spend. Even economists who dont like the plan think it will boost economic growth a bit in 2018 and 2019.

The problem is that Republicans kicked many problems down the road instead of addressing them as part of the biggest tax overhaul since the 1980s. They may also have created new problems by passing massive tax cuts without coming up with new revenue to offset the cost. Here are 6 things well learn to hate about the Trump tax cuts:

1. Worsening income inequality. Tax cuts for the wealthy will be much larger than tax cuts for lower-income workers, in both dollar and percentage terms. Yes, supply-siders: its true that the wealthy pay more taxes in the first place, so they should save more when tax rates decline. But their tax payments will also drop by more in percentage terms than lower- or middle-income taxpayers, which will put even more money in the pockets of those who need it least. The wealthy will also benefit most from cuts in the corporate tax, which will inflate stock prices and returns for those lucky enough to own stocks.

Some income inequality is essential, because it creates powerful rewards for working hard and getting ahead. But wealth is increasingly loaded at the top of the income chain, while the middle is hollowing out. Smart policy would push income inequality back toward historical norms. The Trump tax cuts will have the opposite effect, making the rich richer still, and the rest more resentful. That will have ugly consequences.

2. More tax games. Many private business owners will get a new break that lets them deduct 20% of their income, effectively lowering their tax bill well below what theyd pay if their income were taxed as regular wages. So more people are likely to change their reporting status, stretching the definition of what a business really is. This comes as funding and staffing at the IRS are both down, due to hostility toward the agency from Congressional Republicans who fund it. The inevitable outcome seems to be a surge in tax cheating and a growing sense among honest taxpayers that the system is rigged in favor of cheaters. True tax reform would make the system more fair. But it is now arguably less fair.

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3. New perverse incentives. Lower taxes on profits earned in the United States are supposed to lure more businesses here, and create new jobs. That could happen. But one quirk of the bill might do the opposite: Give companies a stronger incentive to keep profits overseas. Some economists think the law will torpedo state and local investment in infrastructure, when in fact we need the opposite. It could also generate new pressure to cut spending on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, something voters clearly dont favor. There could be many other trap doors in the law, which received little public scrutiny before Republicans passed it and Trump signed it.

4. Tribal warfare between various levels of government. High-tax states will suffer from the new $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions, a provision Republicans knew would disproportionately hit Democratic-leaning states. While Republicans may be gloating, Democrats are plotting revenge, with some states seeking creative ways to deal with the change, such as this doozy: allowing state and local tax payments to count as charitable deductions that are fully deductible. Its an absurd situation when state and local governments are battling the feds like this. If Democrats win control of Washington in 2020, expect a big push to even the score with Republicans.

5. The fiscal cliff of 2025. The business tax cuts are permanent. The tax cuts for individuals expire in 2025. Congress left that problem unresolved because it would have required a smidgen of fiscal discipline to deal with it now. So future lawmakers get to deal with it instead. Youll probably know what your 2026 tax rates will be sometime around December 22, 2025. Plan carefully.

6. All that extra debt. The tax cuts will add $1.5 trillion to the national debt during the next 10 years, which might matter some day. During the next recession, for instance, there will be pressure to expand unemployment benefits and enact other traditional types of fiscal stimulus, which gets harder to do the bigger the national debt is. If theres a real fiscal crisis, Washington can always enact a nationwide value-added tax, like most countries in Europe have. That would raise prices, of course, and might cause or exacerbate a recession. But thats in the future. So who cares.

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Encrypted communication available.

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Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewmanAl-Qaeda's apparent figurehead, Hamza Bin Laden, has mourned the death of his eldest son, Osama, who was the grandson of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden, in a new letter that lauded his "martyrdom."

The letter, published by Al-Qaeda's propaganda arm the Global Islamic Media Front, released an image of a young Osama, titling the release "Letter From Sheikh Mujahid Hamza Bin Laden," and saying that it was addressed to the Bin Laden family.

"We console ourselves and you on the martyrdom on the hero cub... the grandson of bravery... our son Osama, may Allah have mercy on him," Hamza, believed to be in his 20s, wrote in the letter published on Twitter by cyber-monitoring company Jihadoscope.

Trending: Trump Is 'Ignorant And Ungrateful,' Says Pakistan's Cricket Star Turned Politician Imran Khan

The heir apparent to Osama Bin Laden goes on to say that his eldest son was of a "young age," although the precise details are not provided.

The cause of his death is not given, but there is no mention of an operation, clashes or a drone strike. The U.S. military is conducting targeted air operations against Al-Qaeda operatives. Saudi-owned outlet Al-Arabiya cited sources as saying the child was 12 years old, and speculated that he had died of an illness.

Hamza Bin Laden

Reuters/Al-Jazeera TV

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Hamza writes in the letter that Osama had frequently play-acted scenes of martyrdom while playing with other children. The location of Osama's home country remains unknown.

Referring to his own father, formerly the world's most-wanted terrorist for his role in the plane hijackings that killed almost 3,000 people in New York City, Hamza said that his son was "sad to a point we did not expect," finding him in the corner of their residence crying.

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Jihadi groups often elevate events and issue emotive language and scenes in their propaganda that may not reflect reality, in order to impact supporters and potential new recruits.

Most popular: Russia Says U.S. Can't Criticize Iran Because It Crushed Occupy Wall Street and Ferguson

In recent years, Al-Qaeda has started to use Hamza Bin Laden as a figurehead for its propaganda, appearing to capitalize on the brand of his infamous last name to combat the rise in popularity of the Islamic State militant group (ISIS). In releases, he has called on Muslims around the world to avenge his father's death and to attack American interests.

Bin Laden is already designated by the United States as a global terrorist, and the CIA last year released footage of him as an adult, captured in the 2011 U.S. raid on his father's safe house in Abbottabad, northeastern Pakistan, that left the jihadi leader dead.

Hamza is believed to have grown up in Sudan and Afghanistan with his father and stayed with Al-Qaedas senior leadership while Osama went into hiding after the 9/11 attacks.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekNAIROBI (Reuters) - Five Kenyan policemen were killed in an attack on their vehicle in the northeast county of Mandera near the border with Somalia late on Tuesday, a government official in the area said. Dozens of Kenyan security personnel have been killed in recent months in the remote lands near the border with Somalia, in raids by the al Shabaab Islamist militants from Somalia. The group claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Daniel Bundotich, the deputy county commissioner for Mandera South, said those killed included three police reservists, local civilians who usually assist the police and are assigned uniforms and arms. "The militants also set on fire a police lorry ... The police officers were on patrol along Elwak-Kutolo when they were ambushed," he told Reuters. Al Shabaab has also launched other attacks in Kenya targeting civilians, in revenge for Kenya moving its troops into Somalia in late 2011. (Reporting by Humphrey Malalo and Abdi Sheikh; Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Alison Williams)Police and federal agents are hunting a Texas man who is believed to have abducted the children of his roommate, whose body was found Sunday in their suburban home.

Amber Alerts have been issued for Lili Griffith, 14, and Lulu Bandera-Magret, 7, who were last seen Saturday. Authorites say they are in grave danger.

Round Rock City Police conducted a welfare check at Leslie Court home on Sunday, and discovered the body of Tonya Bates, 44, the girls' mother. The children, and 44-year-old roommate Terry Miles, were nowhere to be found, investigators said.

"We believe that the two daughters are in the presence of Terry Allen Miles," said police chief Allen Banks at press conference Monday. Miles was described as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, with hazel eyes, a beard and brown hair. He weighs about 200 pounds.

Terry Miles is a person of interest in the slaying of a Texas woman.

Terry Miles is wanted by police in the slaying of a Texas hospital worker. Round Rock, Texas, Police Dept.

"Our concern and our focus is bringing the two girls home safe," said the chief. "We ask for the public's help in locating the two young girls."

Their mother's cause of death is pending an autopsy, but police deemed her death "suspicious" and named Miles as a person of interest in the killing.

Investigators said the relationship between the adults was not romantic. Bates was a hospital worker. It was not clear how the two met or became roommates.

A police department spokesman told InsideEdition.com Tuesday there was no new information to release on the case.

Authorities said Miles may be driving a gray 2017 Hyundai Accent four-door hatchback with Texas plates JGH9845. Possible sightings have occurred in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

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Related Articles:Nikki Haley distances US from Seouls plan to hold cross-border talks

Haleys remarks in clear contrast to state departments cautious stance



The US envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has distanced the Trump administration from proposed contacts between North and South Korea, saying it would not take any talks seriously if Pyongyang did not abandon its nuclear arsenal.



Haleys dismissive assessment of planned high-level talks between Seoul and Pyongyang was in clear contrast with the state departments more cautious response  the latest example of Haley taking an independent line on foreign policy issues from the secretary of state, Rex Tillerson.

The White House and the state department denied that  in offering to send a delegation to South Korea for the Winter Olympics in February  the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had succeeding in driving a wedge between South Korea and the US.

But there was a clear gap between Haleys remarks and the willingness of the Seoul government expressed earlier on Tuesday to hold talks with the North at any time and place, and in any form.

The South Koreas unification minister, Cho Myoung-gyon, proposed holding high-level talks with North Korea next week in the border village of Panmunjom, where they last held contacts two years ago.

We hope that the South and North can sit face to face and discuss the participation of the North Korean delegation at the Pyeongchang Games, as well as other issues of mutual interest for the improvement of inter-Korean ties, Cho told reporters in Seoul, according to Yonhap news agency.

Asked for a response to the diplomatic overtures, Haley told journalists at the UN: We wont take any of the talks seriously if they dont do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea.

We consider this to be a very reckless regime, the US envoy said. We dont think we need a Band-Aid, and we dont think we need to smile and take a picture. We think that we need to have them stop nuclear weapons, and they need to stop it now. So North Korea can talk with anyone they want but the US is not going to recognise it or acknowledge it until they agree to ban the nuclear weapons that they have.

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Haley said that there were reports that North Korea might be preparing a new missile test launch in the coming days and threatened even tougher measures against the regime if he carried out the test.

Since taking office nearly a year ago, the Trump administration has sent dramatically mixed signals over its readiness to have contacts with the North Korean government.

There have been sporadic meetings between diplomats over individual issues like US detainees, but those died out after the regimes sixth nuclear test in September.

Trump has sometimes declared himself open to talks while on other occasions rejecting them as pointless, publicly warning Tillerson that he was wasting his time pursuing contacts.

However, the secretary of state said last month that the US would be ready to talk any time North Korea  and were ready to have the first meeting without precondition.

The offer was quickly disavowed by the White House, which ruled out a dialogue with Pyongyang until it fundamentally improves its behaviour. Tillerson later hedged his initial remarks, saying the regime would have to earn its way to talks.

The year ended without any further clarity on the path to such dialogue  whether a simple pause in missile and nuclear testing would be sufficient, or whether the US would require additional preconditions.

Haleys comments implied a return to the state departments position earlier in 2017 when the official policy was that the regime would have to commit to putting its nuclear weapons programme on the negotiating table in any talks with the US.President Trump and congressional Democrats raised the temperature of a long-running fight over Dreamers Tuesday.

In a tweet Tuesday morning, Trump accused Democrats of empty posturing on protecting undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, arguing that Hispanics will eventually go hard against them.

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Meantime, Democratic leaders plan to push the White House to protect Dreamers in a Capitol Hill meeting over an unrelated spending deal on Wednesday, a sign that they may push back harder against other Trump priorities until the issue is resolved.

The fight comes as an Obama-era program to defer deportation for immigrants brought as children continues to wind down, ultimately ending in March. About 800,000 immigrants had been shielded from deportation under the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, before the Trump administration ended the program in September.

DACA recipients and their allies had pushed Congress to include a deal in an end-of the year spending bill. But lawmakers punted, voting to keep the government open until early January and leaving that and other decisions on disaster aid and a popular child health-care program for the new year.

The White House would prefer to deal with just the spending issue, characterizing the Wednesday meeting with legislative director Marc Short and budget director Mick Mulvaney as a discussion only on that subject. But Democrats are looking to use the opportunity to lay out their demands. In a Dear Colleague letter sent Tuesday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi listed funding to address the opioid epidemic, pensions, disaster relief, veterans, the Childrens Health Insurance program and the passage of the Dream Act to protect the undocumented among their priorities.

We are firmly committed to swiftly passing the DREAM Act, which we know would pass with bipartisan support if brought to the Floor, the letter reads.

Democrats are under immense pressure from their grassroots to protect Dreamers. In the weeks before the end of the year, immigration advocates and their allies marched, petitioned and planted themselves on the National Mall to call for action ahead of a late-December spending deadline. But because House Republicans were able to pass a short-term spending bill without Democratic support, lawmakers lost their leverage to force a vote before leaving town for the holidays. With a Jan. 19 deadline rapidly approaching, Democrats are again looking to pressure the GOP.

Story continues

When it comes to DACA, though, Republican leaders have insisted that lawmakers have some time to hash out a deal before so-called Dreamers begin losing their protections en masse.Theres no emergency, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in December. The president has given us to March to address it. (In reality, immigrants have steadily lost protection from deportation since the fall.)

When the Trump Administration ended DACA in September, it gave recipients whose benefits expired by or before March 5, 2018, a month to renew the work permits and deportation deferrals that allow them to stay in the U.S. But around 22,000 immigrants were unable to renew and will lose protection by or before March 5, 2018. The left-leaning Center for American Progress estimates that more than 14,000 people have lost protections since the Trump Administration  around 122 recipients per day.

Says Frank Sharry, the executive director of Americas Voice Education Fund, a leading advocacy organization: Trump and the Republican leadership are like, well theres no urgency, but you created the crisis. And you will go down in history as the party that subjected young Americans to being deported to countries they dont even remember.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that something should be done to protect DACA recipients who were brought to the U.S. as children. There is disagreement, however, on what that deal should look like; who will be protected, whether or not immigrants should be able to become citizens and some of the hardline principles the president has said he wants included.

Following a late December meeting with White House officials who laid out some of their proposals, Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois told ABC News we have a long way to go.

Trump, meantime, has tied protection for Dreamers to his own demands, arguing in a December tweet that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern border and other hardline immigration changes.

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President Trump has long sent mixed signals over the DACA program. On the campaign trail, he called it illegal amnesty and promised to terminate the program immediately if elected. Shortly after taking office, though, he promised to show great heart in his approach.

But not long after Trump effectively agreed to a deal in a meeting with Democratic leaders, the White House issued a list of hardline demands it would want in exchange for a deal on the program. I wouldnt do a DACA plan without a wall. Because we need it. We see the drugs pouring into the country, I wouldnt do a DACA plan without a wall, he told the New York Times last week.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that something should be done to protect DACA recipients who were brought to the U.S. as children. There is disagreement, however, on what that deal should look like; who will be protected, whether or not immigrants should be able to become citizens and some of the hardline principles the president has said he wants included. Bipartisan negotiations on a deal are still ongoing. A Democratic aide tells TIME that Senators hope to reach a deal to pass the Dream Act as soon as possible.

Immigration advocates pushed back on Trumps Tuesday tweet saying lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are at fault.

BOTH parties have failed us for almost two decades since the Dream Act was introduced, Erika Andiola, a DACA recipient and former press secretary for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted. Lets get the facts straight. YOU took our DACA away @realDonaldTrump. YOU ran on a platform to deport us. We will not forget. #NoDreamNoDealShahid Khaqan performed groundbreaking of Air University Aerospace

KAMRA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday performed the groundbreaking of Air University Aerospace and Aviation Campus at the newly established Aviation City and called for greater focus on indigenous efforts to confront the challenges ahead.



Addressing a ceremony after unveiling the plaque for the Air University Campus, the prime minister termed this strategic initiative laudable for Pakistans national, regional and international significance.



The Prime Minister prayed for the progress and prosperity of this premier institution and said Pakistan has considerable and valuable aviation assets to meet the needs of both civil and defence sectors. He said the integration of national and global aviation industry would augment Pakistans technological base.



I am confident that this campus will play a central role beyond the academics to integrate technology, training, operations, maintenance and management of our national assets. I hope indigenous manufacturing of high-tech aviation products will meet our national needs alongside boosting economy, the prime minister said.



Abbasi said that the potential of education and training for international scholars must be explored and assured all possible support from the government to supplement the resources already provided by the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra.



He stressed the need for skilled manpower which entails investment in education. He pointed that developed nations invest heavily in education and their leadership focuses on Human Resource for re-shaping the destiny of the countries.



He said in the same spirit, Pakistans vision 2025 has prioritised Knowledge Economy as one of the seven pillars. Our government puts highest premium on human resource development for provision of competent leadership, skilled manpower and think tanks for all walks of life.



Abbasi pointed that the government has increased spending on education and was anticipating substantial improvement in countrys human resource.



The prime minister said while the government provides the funding, it was incumbent upon the faculty of universities to impart quality education to students for industrial and technological development. I am glad that the Air University has made its mark in higher education sector, he said.



The event was attended by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, federal ministers, high ranking defence and civil officers along with heads of various academic institutions.



Air University Vice Chancellor Air Vice Marshal (r) Faaiz Amir briefed the audience about the salient features of the campus. Air Marshal Ahmer Shehzad, chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in his welcome address highlighted contours of the newly established Aviation City, which would serve as an aviation hub of the region.



The air chief in his address said the realisation of Air University Aerospace and Aviation Campus was part of the strategic vision of Pakistan Air Force to develop Industry-Academia linkage in the form of Aviation City.



It is heartening to share that this strategic initiative also holds significant potential to attract a large number of international scholars and trainees who, besides providing intellectual exchange, would enhance Pakistans image with obvious economic and diplomatic gains.



He said the campus would play a significant role in addressing the emergent new geopolitical realities in the region.



I am confident that with the governments patronage, the PAF will be able to achieve a wide range of strategic gains linked to aviation technology. He described it as a path to self-reliance and expressed confidence that the Kamra Aviation City would play a pivotal role in providing desired impetus to cutting-edge indigenisation programmes. He said it would also strengthen the local industry and harness demands of foreign aviation industry by promoting joint research and production ventures.



Our focused efforts in research and development of aviation industry in the recent past have yielded positive results and we stand very proud today.



Our engineering and operational staff has indigenous capabilities, which are truly high-tech, he said and added I believe that we have stepped into a path which will ensure indigenisation of civil and military aircraft, weapons and avionics. He termed it the need of the hour and said the PAF was determined to do it. He said it was a dream of the Pakistan Air Force to let Pakistan Aviation Industry grow and support the countrys economy.U.S. President Donald Trump has warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a tweet that the U.S. also has a nuclear button and hinted at his willingness to push it.

Trump lashed out at Kim in a tweet on Jan. 2, ridiculing the North Korean regime as depleted and food starved before declaring: I too have a Nuclear Button, but a much bigger & more powerful one than that of North Korea. And my Button works! Trump wrote.

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Trump was responding to Kim Jong Uns New Years address, in which the North Korean leader suggested he was willing to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics next month in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and signaling a possible opening for dialogue with his southern rivals. But the speech also contained threats reminiscent of his exchanges with Trump last year.

The U.S. should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table, Kim said, according to an Associated Press translation.

Analysts suggested that the conciliatory rhetoric Kim directed at Seoul may be intended to drive a rift between resident Moon Jae In-led liberal government, which made overtures to North Korea last year, and South Koreas allies in Washington.

South Korea responded promptly to Kims speech, proposing Jan. 9 as a date for bilateral talks over Olympic cooperation.An Arkansas mosque has paid off the remaining court fines of a man who helped vandalize their sacred space  doing its part to make sure he doesnt have to serve any more jail time for the crime.

Hisham Yasin, social director of the Masjid Al Salam in Fort Smith, told HuffPost on Tuesday that his congregation had forgiven the convicted vandal, Abraham Davis, long ago. Paying the more than $1,700 in fines Davis still owed was a way to put that forgiveness into action.

Now, Yasin wants Davis move on with his life.

He needs to keep going, dont even look back. The back is gone, Yasin said. I look forward to seeing him work and study and become something in the future. And at that time, hell talk about what happened with him ... how he flipped his life from bad to good.

Davis was one of three men arrested after the mosque was vandalized in October 2016. He drove to the mosque in his mothers minivan and reportedly stood watch as one of his friends drew swastikas, curses, and the words Go Home on the building.

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Davis has expressed deep regret for the crime, writing the mosque a letter of apology from jail.

The mosque leaders decided not to press charges against the men  not wanting the act to destroy their futures. Still, Davis was convicted of a felony and burdened with about $3,200 in fines.

The story gained national attention after Davis and mosque leaders were profiled in a New York Times story in August. Al Salam received letters and pledges of support from their local interfaith community and from across the country. Yasin said one organization, the Jay Pritzker Foundation, gave the mosque a $25,000 donation. The amount took the congregation by surprise  and re-energized its desire to help Davis.

Meanwhile, Davis was worried about paying his fines. And failure to meet the monthly payments could have resulted in more jail time, according to a follow-up story in the Times last week. Part of his debt was reportedly paid off by a Times reader. But the remaining $1,731 was donated by the mosque. Yasin said he brought a cashiers check for that amount to the Sebastian County Courthouse on Dec. 11.

Story continues

I was honestly super happy, Yasin said. When we start something good, we have to finish it all the way.

The Masjid Al Salam in Fort Smith, Arkansas. (Photo: Google Maps)

In last weeks Times story, Davis was described as being dumbstruck by the news that his debt had been paid.

Its a great weight being lifted off of my shoulders, Davis told the Times. And I dont deserve it, but this act of kindness, its just, wow.

For Yasin, reading about Davis shock was a confirmation that the congregations decision was the right thing to do.

Hisham Yasin is the social director of the Masjid Al Salam. (Photo: Hisham Yasin)

We need that shock for him, to stop all evil acts in the future, he told HuffPost. Hell say, Look at those people, I hurt them, I hurt their mosque, I hurt their God, and with all those bad things, they still showed me the most love Ive ever received.

Thats how we treat people in Islam, Yasin said. Islam is a love religion. Islam is peace.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Trumps diplomacy and domestic policies are creating new risks throughout the world

Uncertainty over Brexit and the unstable Conservative government make the UK one of 2018s great concerns, the worlds largest political risk consultancy has said.

The Eurasia Group named 10 risks for 2018  from diplomatic rows to distrust in government  listing the UK in its annual report of the political risks that are most likely to play out over the course of the year

Publishing the forecast, it said: Lets be honest, 2018 doesnt feel good.

Yes, markets are soaring and the economy isnt bad, but citizens are divided. Governments arent doing much governing. And the global order is unraveling.

The scale of the worlds political challenges is daunting. Liberal democracies have less legitimacy than at any time since World War II, and most of their structural problems dont appear fixable. Todays strongest leaders show little interest in civil society or common values.

It added that the decline of US influence in the world will accelerate in 2018.

The mix of soft power and economic and political liberalism faces a crisis of credibility. With little sense of strategic direction from the Trump White House, US global power, used too aggressively by George W Bush, then too timidly by Barack Obama, is sputtering to a stall, it said.

10. Africas security

The Eurasia Group said that negative spillover from Africas unstable periphery will increasingly spoil the continents success stories, naming it as one of the top 10 political risks for 2018. In particular, the Democratic Republic of Congo faces a huge humanitarian crisis, while the likes of Libya and Somalia remain unstable.

9. Identity politics in Southern Asia

According to the reports, Southern Asia identity politics threatens the future of these increasingly prosperous regions. It says this is creating unexpected challenges for economic planners and foreign investors. It identifies Islamism, racism toward Chinese and other minorities and Indian nationalism as particular risks.

Story continues

8. United Kingdom

Once seen as one of Europes most stable countries, the United Kingdom now makes Eurasia Groups risks report. It says its troubles will come from both acrimonious Brexit negotiations and difficult domestic politics, which include the Conservatives minority government.

7. Protectionism 2.0

The report describes how antiestablishment movements have forced policymakers to shift toward a more mercantilist approach to global economic competition. It says that this trend will create new trade risks for 2018, putting it bluntly: Walls are going up.

6. The erosion of institutions

The Eurasia Group notes that, across the developed world, trust in technocratic and bureaucratic institutions has declined steeply. This is true of the US, in particular, where Donald Trump has waged a war against the press and state.

5. US-Iran relationship

Trump has taken the surprise step of attacking Iran following a thawing of tensions between the countries under Obama. The report warns that if the if the nuclear agreement (which Trump has criticised) fail the world will enter a new and dangerous dynamic.

4. Mexico

The reports says that this year will be a defining moment for Mexicos longer-term outlook. It adds that this will depend on the outcome of North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) renegotiation and its summer elections.

3. Global tech cold wave

The latest wave of innovation takes place at a time of broader tensions within the internet and technology spaces that will play an important role in 2018, the report says. It describes the tech race as messy.

2. Accidents

The report warns that its impossible to ignore the risk of a major crisis in 2018, particular in countries such as North Korea and Donald Trumps US, which could easily stumble into war. It adds that the likelihood of geopolitical accidents has risen significantly, a trend that will continue.

1. China loves a vaccum

China had avoided talk of global leadership until last year, the report claims. Now, it says, China is setting international standards with less resistance than ever before. It says Trumps America First policy and Europes own distractions mean that China face less scrutiny.By Suzannah Gonzales

(Reuters) - A California man suspected of making a hoax call that led police in Kansas to kill an unarmed man will not fight extradition to the Midwestern state, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Tyler Barriss, 25, has waived his right to an extradition hearing, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, Paul Eakins, said. Barriss remains in Los Angeles County jail without bail, prosecutors said.

Authorities suspect Barriss of "swatting," in which a caller falsely reports an emergency requiring a police response, usually by special weapons and tactics, or SWAT, teams.

The 28-year-old victim Andrew Finch was fatally shot by a Wichita police officer after law enforcement officials rushed to his home following a phone call falsely reporting that hostages were being held there.

The victim's family is devastated, said Andrew Stroth, an attorney representing Finch's relatives.

"What happened last week is completely unjustified and unacceptable," Stroth said, adding that Finch's family would be seeking redress against the police.

The Wichita Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An attorney for Barriss could not immediately be reached.

According to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, Barriss was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail after he pleaded no contest in 2016 to charges of making a false report of a bomb and malicious informing of a false bomb.

(Reporting by Suzannah Gonzales in Chicago; Editing by Leslie Adler and Alistair Bell)Well, 2018 is finally here, and what better what better way to ring in the new year than waiting for a 19,000 lb space station to fall to Earth?

According to a not-for-profit organization called the Aerospace Corporation, Chinas first space lab, called Tiangong-1, will reenter Earths atmosphere sometime in March. The station launched on board a Long March 2F/G rocket back in 2011 with the intent to only remain active for two years, but officials later extended the life span of the space labs mission for a few more years in order to conduct more research on board.

Its not uncommon for spacecraft and satellites to reenter Earths atmosphere, so theres no need to panic. Besides, statistically speaking, youre almost definitely not going to get hit by a space station, or even a small piece of it. That said, at this point, its pretty much impossible to predict where or when itll land, as this is not a controlled reentry.

It is a well known scientific principle that any measurement or prediction will always have an associated uncertainty, The Aerospace Corporation notes on its website. In the case of most reentering objects, the uncertainty associated with predicting reentry location is extremely large and precludes an accurate location prediction until shortly before the reentry has occurredBased on Tiangong-1s inclination, however, we can confidently say that this object will reenter somewhere between 43 North and 43 South latitudes.

Image Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office

Tiangong-1, nicknamed the Heavenly Palace, has previously been hailed as a symbol of Chinas efforts to become a major force in space. But over the last few years, Tiangong-1 has been on a somewhat tumultuous course  in 2016, mission officials announced the space lab had comprehensively fulfilled its historical mission and would likely reenter earths atmosphere in the latter part of 2017. Some astronomers took that as a sign that China had lost control of the lab and that itd reenter Earths atmosphereeventually.

Story continues

You really cant steer these things, Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell told The Guardian back in 2016. Even a couple of days before it re-enters we probably wont know better than six or seven hours, plus or minus, when its going to come down. Not knowing when its going to come down translates as not knowing where its going to come down.

For those of us here on Earth whod rather not get hit with shrapnel from a falling space station, theres some good news: its extremely unlikely that someone will get hit by the space lab. Plus, much of the space station wont actually make it to Earth, as a portion of it will burn up in our atmosphere.

But if someone picks up potentially dangerous material from the fallen object, that could be bad.

Potentially, there may be a highly toxic and corrosive substance called hydrazine on board the spacecraft that could survive reentry, The Aerospace Corporation writes. For your safety, do not touch any debris you may find on the ground nor inhale vapors it may emit.

Basically, look out for unusual flying objects, and if you see a giant hunk of metal fall to Earth, DONT TOUCH IT.

Photos via China Manned Space Engineering Office

Photos via China Manned Space Engineering Office

Written by Rae Paoletta

More articles by Rae  Follow Rae on Twitter

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More From InverseElena Barduniotis from Colorado waits in Times Square during New Years celebrations Dec. 31. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

The East Coast experienced bitter cold this holiday season, and its about to be pounded by a bomb cyclone on Thursday. Whenever harsh winter weather strikes the United States, deniers point to the falling snow and dipping temperatures as evidence that climate change is a hoax.

Two years ago, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., infamously tossed a snowball on the Senate floor in an attempt to debunk climate science. Just last week, President Trump suggested that the frigid New Years Eve temperatures  which made the Times Square ball-drop the second coldest on record  was evidence enough that climate change is bunk.

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It may be counterintuitive to think about how the planet is getting warmer while shoveling your car out of the snow. But its nonetheless true. And in a twist of irony, global warming may be driving the colder temperatures that the U.S. has been experiencing this winter.

David Kanter, a professor of environmental studies at New York University who researches climate change, explained that one of the main reasons Trump does not understand climate change is that hes confusing weather with climate.

Weather is what we feel and experience outside in our immediate surroundings thats measured anywhere from minutes to months. Climate are those weather patterns but measured over decades to centuries, Kanter told Yahoo News. So, pointing to one weather event as reason for disproving this decadal to centuries-long phenomenon we know as climate change is just false.

Kevin Deiner of Erie, Pa., digs out his Ford Escape on Dec. 30. (Photo: Jack Hanrahan/Erie Times-News via AP)

Climate scientists suggest the cold snaps weve been experiencing during the past few years, particularly in the Northeast, have been a paradoxical result of the warming climate. Kanter explained that a main reason for this is that the Arctic has been heating up much faster than the rest of the planet. This has disrupted the polar winds that traditionally trap very cold air. Now that cold air is slipping farther south.

I know it may seem counterintuitive, as a result of a warming Arctic, more of that polar air is reaching these southern latitudes, he said.

Story continues

According to Kanter, theres a case to be made that the very data points that Trump thinks disprove climate change are actually additional evidence of climate change. In other words, we may be in an era of unprecedented climate weirdness  when Jacksonville, Fla., can get colder than Anchorage, Alaska, as it was on Tuesday  as a result of humans releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Brenda Ekwurzel, a senior climate scientist and the director of climate science for the Climate & Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, started her career collecting samples and conducting research aboard icebreakers in the high Arctic for about a year. She said its normal for people to be surprised by the reality of climate change while experiencing winter conditions.

A fjord in southern Greenland, as seen during Operation IceBridges last flight of the 2017 Arctic campaign, on May 12. (Photo: NASA/John Sonntag)

Ekwurzel said its important for people to distinguish between cold weather events at home and climate change globally. The United States takes up only about 2 percent of the earths surface area, so any weather event can distract us from greater trends.

If you look at the map of the larger world with the temperature change from normal for this time of year, you would see that the U.S. is popping out as extremely cold. Unusually cold. The rest of the globe is much warmer than the normal average, Ekwurzel told Yahoo News.

Slideshow: Winter storm and bitter cold sweeps much of the country >>>

The continental United States has been experiencing notable anthropogenic climate change since the Industrial Revolution. Lately, Americans have become accustomed to colder winters with some cold snaps.

However, she said, the more extreme winter weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere  cold temperatures in the continental U.S. and really warm temperatures in Alaska  is partially explained by evolving scientific thinking about changes in the patterns of the jet streams since the 2000s.

She said jet streams are usually very fast and tight in the winter, but that since the 2000s the peak-to-trough distance has expanded  extending the time it takes for a weather pattern to sweep across the country. Troughs of cold air push from the Arctic down toward the equator. Peaks of warm air push from the equatorial regions north toward the Arctic. These slow-moving streams, which may once have taken five days to cross the U.S., can now take up to two weeks, she said.

Tony Sampson, who received a blanket from Star of Hopes Love in Action van, tries to warm up by a fire under the Eastex Freeway as temperatures hover in the 30s in Houston on Jan. 2. (Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle via AP)

When something sets up like that, ironically, with global warming, we can have more extreme cold for longer in the continental United States than in the past. Its very counterintuitive, she said.

Rutgers University climate scientist Jennifer Francis, who did groundbreaking research on these phenomena, has described the slow-moving jet streams as wavy. Ekwurzel explained that we dont know in advance exactly where these patterns will set up each winter, and hence which regions of the U.S. will experience milder or harsher winters.

The current scientific debate, Ekwurzel said, is over how much of these changes are part of natural cycles and how much stems from anthropogenic climate change.

Everyone agrees that things are shifting. The question is how much is that affecting our world today and what will change going forward with further climate change, she said. People [who] think the Arctic doesnt relate to their lives are kidding themselves.

Earth image on Dec. 30, created by combining the color channels of the Suomi NPP satellites Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite instrument. (Photo: NOAA)

Trumps well-documented denial of climate change has real-world implications. He positions himself as an ally of coal country and regularly argues that policy proposals to combat climate change would kill jobs. He also withdrew the U.S. from the international Paris Agreement, which he thinks unfairly benefited countries such as China and India.

There are Republicans who accept the science of climate change while still holding small-government values. Some have offered conservative solutions to combat climate change by incentivizing the free market and putting a price on carbon so that polluters, rather than the public at large, pay for the damage to the environment.

Regardless, there is overwhelming scientific consensus that the earths climate has been warming as a result of human activity. For instance, the American Meteorological Society affirmed this long-standing position in a statement years ago: It is clear from extensive scientific evidence that the dominant cause of the rapid change in climate of the past half century is human-induced increases in the amount of atmospheric greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Read more from Yahoo News:Authorities have identified Matthew Riehl as the gunman who shot five officers, killing one: EPA

Weeks before a gunman opened fire on Colorado sheriffs deputies, police officers had reportedly been warned about the assailant posting disturbing messages online.

Douglas County Sheriffs Department officials have identified the shooter as 37-year-old Matthew Riehl. He killed one deputy and wounded four others, also injuring two civilians, before dying in a gun battle with law enforcement last weekend.

According to Wyomings K2 radio, students at the University of Wyomings law school received an email in early November warning about a suspicious behavior involving a former student and attached an image of Mr Riehl, who had graduated from the school. The said there were no direct threats to faculty, staff, or students.

University of Wyoming Police Chief Mike Samp confirmed to the Denver Post that detectives contacted the Lone Tree, Colorado police department to warn that Mr Riehl had been making indirect threats against professors, including emailing an image of himself holding a semiautomatic rifle. A University of Wyoming spokesman told the Post that Mr Riehls writings on self-created websites were alarming and bizarre.

It certainly did catch our attention. Anyone who read those posts can be left with an opinion that they were threatening, spokesman Chad Baldwin told the Post.

In a video posted to YouTube by a user named Matthew Riehl, a voice can be heard critiquing video of a law enforcement stop of a car said to be occurring in Lone Tree. The speaker repeatedly belittles the officer conducting the stop.

Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock told reporters over the weekend that Mr Riehl had no criminal record but was a familiar person to his department due to past contact.

Deputies who arrived at Mr Riehls apartment early Sunday morning walked into an ambush-type assault, Mr Spurlock told reporters, with the gunman firing off more than 100 rounds before being killed.

Three of the four wounded deputies had been released from the hospital and a fourth was stable and expected to make a full recovery, the Douglas County Sheriffs Department said.Members of Congress returning to Washington were quick to condemn President Trumps Tuesday-night tweet taunting North Koreas Kim Jong Un about the sizes of their so-called nuclear buttons.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times, Trump wrote. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

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Democratic lawmakers tore into Trump for casually invoking the specter of a nuclear war. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., wrote on Twitter that the tweet borders on presidential malpractice.

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I guess the president regards this as a show of strength, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said on CNN. But as everybody whos ever been in a, you know, first-grade playground recognizes, its usually the person whos most aggressively pounding their chest that is in fact the weak one on the playground.

Meanwhile, some national security experts worried aloud about Trumps state of mind.

Peter Wehner, a senior fellow at Washingtons Ethics & Public Policy Center and veteran of three Republican presidential administrations, said Trumps recent behavior is more evidence were watching an American president psychologically, emotionally and cognitively decompose.

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Others wondered whether the provocative tweet violated Twitters terms of service.

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Dan Scavino, the White House social media director, mocked the concern.

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To the presidents core supporters, the nuclear button tweet was just Trump being Trump. And to Michael Flynn Jr., who served on Trumps transition team and is the son of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, it was why Trump was elected.

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Vice President Mike Pence defended Trumps tweet in an interview with Voice of Americas Greta Van Susteren.

President Trump made it clear, Pence said. America will not be bullied. America will not be threatened. And that the United States of America has, by being clear, managed to marshal an unprecedented amount of economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea.

Story continues

Pences predecessor, former Vice President Joe Biden, said that Trumps tweets taunting North Korea show really poor judgment.

The only war thats worse than one intended is one thats unintended, Biden told CNN. This is not a game. This is not about, Can I puff by chest out bigger than your chest? Its just not, its not presidential.

Trumps latest display of social media saber-rattling caps a months-long war of words with Kim and the rogue nuclear nation.

In a September speech to the United Nations, Trump warned that the United States may be forced to totally destroy North Korea if it proceeds with its nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile programs.

The next month, Trump referred to Kim as short and fat.

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On Tuesday, the president reiterated his preferred nickname for the North Korean dictator.

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Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea, Trump tweeted. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see!

Cover tile photo: Yahoo News photo illustration; photos: Mike Theiler/Pool via Bloomberg, KCNA VIA KNS/AFP/Getty Images

Read more from Yahoo News:President Donald Trump again challenged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday, boasting that the United States nuclear capabilities are more powerful than North Koreas.

Trump tweeted the taunt Tuesday evening:

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Trumps tweet comes one day after Kim warned the U.S. against threatening North Korea.

In his New Years address, Kim delivered a mixed message, indicating a possible rapprochement to South Korea, while lashing out at the United States.

In the speech Monday, Kim offered to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month and proposed talks to discuss the event.

At the same time, Kim warned the U.S. that years of work on its nuclear and missile development programs meant that Pyongyang posed as much of a threat to the U.S. as ever.

The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, and a nuclear button is always on my desk, Kim said. This is reality, not a threat.

The speech drove a wedge between allies South Korea and the United States. South Korean leader Moon Jae-In on Tuesday proposed high-level talks between both neighbors.

Trump had responded with restraint to South Koreas outreach.

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Pyongyang has made significant strides in its nuclear and missile development programs, having tested several intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and a hydrogen bomb. Experts believe the entire continental U.S. is now within ICBM striking range.

Trump has stepped up the pressure on the North Korean regime to give up its nuclear development with a mix of sanctions, threats and condescending language. In August, he threatened to unleash fire and fury like the world has never seen if North Korea threatened the United States.

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Trump has come to refer to Kim as rocket man, while the North Korean leader in turn has referred to the U.S. president as the mentally deranged U.S. dotard.

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea on Tuesday against conducting another missile test.

Story continues

As we hear reports that North Korea might be preparing for another missile test  I hope that does not happen, but if it does  we must bring even more measures to bear on the North Korea regime, Haley said. The civilized world must remain united and vigilant against the rogue states nuclear arsenal. We will never accept a nuclear North Korea.

This article has been updated with information on North Koreas nuclear weapon development and on the U.N. ambassadors warning.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after Trump's address at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem - Reuters

Jerusalem is "not for sale" the Palestinian government has warned the US, after Donald Trump threatened to cut off $300 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Relations between the White House and the Palestinians have soured since the US president's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December, upending 70 years of US policy.

Since the decision Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has refused to meet with American officials regarding the peace process, saying the US has relinquished its role as a mediator in peace talks.

Mr Trump dismissed Palestinian outrage at the move and threatened to cut off the $300 million annual aid the US currently gives the Palestinian Authority in a bid to force them to return to the negotiating table.

In apparent acknowledgment that peace talks, or the ultimate deal as Mr Trumps calls it, had failed, the president tweeted: "With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

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"They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue ... peace treaty with Israel," he wrote.

But in an angry rebuke to Mr Trump's threat, Mr Abbas' spokesman told reporters on Wednesday: Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions.

We are not against going back to negotiations, but (these should be) based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestinian demonstrators scuffle with Israeli soldiers during a demonstration at the Huwara checkpoint, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Credit: AFP

The tweet came after Nikki Harley, the US's ambassador to the United Nations, threatened to cut aid to the UNRWA, the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, unless the Palestinian leadership came back to the negotiating table.

Mr Trump infuriated Palestinians and Muslims across the Middle East when he announced late last year that the US would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there, upending decades of US policy and igniting protests.

Story continues

Palestinians rely heavily on the $320 million in aid money they receive each year, which experts say helps bring some security to the volatile region.

His comments came hours after Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian National Council, said the Palestinians would not be blackmailed by US threats.

Mr Trump's latest comments appear to contradict his previous statement that the US recognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital would not impact the final status of the city in peace negotiations. In his tweet he claimed instead that "we have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table."

The US president has also threatened to cut off foreign aid money to other countries that do "nothing" for the US.

It follows an earlier tweet lambasting Pakistan for failing to do enough to combat terror groups while taking US aid. "No more!" Trump had tweeted on Monday.AFP/Getty

America may withhold aid money to the Palestinians if they walk away from peace negotiations, Donald Trump threatened.

In a pair of tweets, Mr Trump wrote that we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more, Mr Trump said in reference to his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them.

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The provocative messages are likely to inject further uncertainty into Americas relationship with Palestinian leadership, already strained by Mr Trumps move to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital. Palestinian officials and other critics warned Mr Trumps move squandered American credibility as a neutral mediator, undercutting the prospect of a peace settlement.

Americas ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, had foreshadowed the Presidents tweets, saying the Trump administration was considering clamping down on funding for the the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

He doesnt want to give any additional funding until the Palestinians agree to come back to the negotiation table, and what we saw with the resolution was not helpful to the situation, Ms Haley said. Were trying to move for a peace process, but if that doesnt happen, the president is not going to continue to fund that situation.

The United Nations resolution Ms Haley referenced passed overwhelmingly last month, assailing Mr Trumps Jerusalem decision and declaring the move null and void. While that resolution did not carry legal force, it prompted a sharp rebuke from Ms Haley, who warned that America will remember this day when we are called upon once again to make the worlds largest contribution to the United Nations.

Story continues

When a nation is singled out for attack in this organisation, Ms Haley warned the UN, that nation is disrespected. Whats more, that nation is asked to pay for the privilege of being disrespected.

The Presidents latest tweets, like Ms Haleys response to the UN resolution, articulated a recurring theme in Mr Trumps world view: the idea that America doles out money to international entities and other nations without receiving enough in return.

Earlier this week, the President stirred geopolitical turmoil by lashing out at Pakistan on similar grounds, proclaiming on Twitter that America has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.President Donald Trump blasted his former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon on Wednesday ahead of a damaging book release, saying he has nothing to do with me or my presidency.

When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind, Trump said in a statement.

An excerpt of writer Michael Wolffs new book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, published by The Guardian states that Bannon called a June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a group of Russians at Trump Tower treasonous and unpatriotic. The Russians offered information intended to hurt Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Trending: Trump's Impeachment Is 'The Only Answer' And His 'Kremlin Klan' Will Fall, Maxine Waters Says

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Trump in his statement attempted to downplay Bannon's role in his campaign, pointing out that he only came on board after the Republican Party nomination had already been secured.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I made it look, Trump stated. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country.

Don't miss: Hillary And Bill Clinton's Home Was Literally On Fire As Trump's White House Went Up In Flames

Trump said Bannon had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans, referring to Roy Moore losing to Democrat Doug Jones.

Bannon was ousted from his White House role in August. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders claimed at the time the decision for him to leave was mutual.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekCAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court on Wednesday postponed its verdict in a case against rights lawyer and presidential hopeful Khaled Ali, judicial sources said, leaving uncertainty over whether he will be allowed to run in a forthcoming election. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is widely expected to seek a second term in the presidential vote early this year, but has not yet announced his candidacy. Ali said in November he intended to run against former military commander Sisi, who led the ousting of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 before taking office a year later. But a three month prison sentence passed in September for public indecency over an alleged rude hand gesture he made outside a courthouse last year might yet disqualify Ali. Ali has appealed, denying the charges which he says are politically motivated. Wednesday's hearing at an appeals court delayed the final decision until March 7. If the guilty verdict is upheld he will not be allowed to run, even if he is not jailed. If the election takes place before March 7, however, Ali will be allowed to run, he and another lawyer said. "Nothing stands in the way of my running," Ali told Reuters by phone. "The (September) verdict ... has no value until it becomes final through an appeals court," he said. Egypt will announce a date for the 2018 vote next week. Ali, a socialist, ran in the 2012 election coming seventh. Mursi won that vote as Egypt's first freely elected president. A judicial source said the appeals court had postponed its verdict while footage was examined to determine whether Ali made the alleged rude sign. Ali gained prominence in January last year when he won a case that nullified a government transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, a deal that had prompted mass protests. Sisi's critics say his popularity has been dimmed by austerity reforms, security problems and a crackdown on dissidents. His allies dismiss accusations of rights abuses, saying his measures are needed for security in the face of an Islamist insurgency in the North Sinai region that has expanded to include civilian targets. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed and Arwa Gaballa, writing by John Davison; Editing by Richard Balmforth)By Chris Kenning

(Reuters) - A small fire broke out on Wednesday at a structure used by the Secret Service behind the home of former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, New York, the agency said.

The Clintons were not home at the time and the fire was extinguished, the agency said in a statement provided to Reuters. It said that at about 2:40 p.m., a Secret Service employee reported that a fire was burning in the ceiling of the second floor.

There were no injuries, said Sergeant Arthur Mendoza of the New Castle Police Department. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.

"Fire extinguishers were utilized to suppress the fire and members of the Chappaqua Fire Department responded and inspected the area above the fire to ensure it had been completely extinguished," the agency said in the statement.

The Clintons purchased the five-bedroom, 5,232-square-foot (486-square-metre) home for $1.7 million in 1999, the Journal News reported. Chappaqua is about 40 miles (64 km) north of New York City.

(Reporting by Chris Kenning in Chicago; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney)By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian man freed in 2017 nearly five years after being abducted in Afghanistan has been arrested in Ottawa and faces several charges, including assault and forcible confinement, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Joshua Boyle, his wife Caitlin Coleman and three children arrived back in Canada last October. At the time he said one of his children had been murdered and spouse was raped after their capture by the Taliban-allied Haqqani network.

Police have laid 15 charges against Boyle, 34, including eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of forcible confinement and one count of uttering death threats.

A publication ban has been imposed, preventing the alleged victims from being identified.

"Mr. Boyle is presumed innocent. He's never been in trouble before ... We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges," Boyle's lawyer, Eric Granger, said in an email.

Ottawa police laid the charges on Dec. 30, since when Boyle has been in jail. He is due to make a brief court appearance on Wednesday.

Ottawa police declined to comment and referred questions to the attorney general of Ontario, which was not immediately able to comment.

Boyle, his wife and their three children met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his Parliament Hill office last month. Photos that Boyle released at the time on Twitter showed Trudeau holding the youngest child in his lap.

Trudeau had said in September he could not imagine what the family were going through. The Taliban denied the accusations of rape and murder.

Boyle and Coleman were kidnapped in 2012 while backpacking in Afghanistan and their children were born in captivity. U.S. officials say the family spent almost all their confinement in neighbouring Pakistan, which is where they were freed by Pakistani troops.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Tom Brown and Susan Thomas)A Canadian man held captive by a Taliban-linked group for five years was arrested Monday in Ottawa on charges of assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement, among others, his lawyer told Canadian Press.

Joshua Boyle, 34, and wife Caitlan Coleman were abducted by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network in 2012 during a backpacking trip in Afghanistan. Pakistani forces freed the family, including the couples three children, during an October military raid, after which they returned to Canada.

According to the Toronto Star, Boyle now faces 15 charges in all, including eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of unlawful confinement, one count of uttering death threats, one count of misleading the police and one count of causing someone to take a noxious thing, namely Trazodone, according to a court document.

The alleged incidents occurred between the time Boyle arrived in Canada on Oct. 14 and Dec. 30. A publication ban on information that could identify any alleged victims is currently in place, according to the BBC.

Boyle remains in police custody. His attorney, Eric Granger, told CTV News that he is set to appear in court on Wednesday.

This is an individual obviously we all know has been through a lot, is an individual otherwise who hasnt been in trouble before, and hes presumed innocent of these charges, Granger told the outlet.

I cant speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this, Coleman, Boyles wife, said via a statement to the Star.

Coleman was rushed to the hospital on Oct. 17, but Boyle did not specify why in an email to The Associated Press at the time.

At a press conference upon their return, Boyle said he and his wife had been attempting to help villagers in remote parts of Afghanistan and referred to himself as a pilgrim. He told reporters that the Haqqani group had authorized the murder of one of the couples children and had brutally raped Coleman, and asked the Afghan government to bring his kidnappers to justice.

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Boyle also said he and his family would focus on their lives in Canada.

Obviously it will be of incredible importance to my family that we are able to build a secure sanctuary for our three surviving children, to call a home, to focus on edification and to try to regain some portion of the childhood that they have lost, he said.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,Joshua Boyle speaks to the media after arriving with his wife and three children at Toronto airport in October - REUTERS

A Canadian man who was held captive by the Taliban for five years appeared in court on Wednesday to face 15 charges including sexual assault.

Joshua Boyle, 34, was freed in October along with his American wife Caitlan and their three children, all of whom were born in captivity.

The couple, who married in 2011, was seized while backpacking through Afghanistan in 2012. They were then transferred to be held hostage by the Haqqani Network, a militant Islamist group believed to have the support of elements of Pakistans security forces.

On his release Mr Boyle was initially reluctant to board the flight out of Pakistan, refusing to board a US military plane and saying his conversion to Islam and long-standing support for freed Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr would make him a target for US officials. He was briefly married to Khadrs sister.

But he was convinced to fly to Canada, and, after a short period living with his parents in the small town of Smiths Falls, 50 miles south of Ottawa, the family settled in the Canadian capital.

On December 19 they were photographed meeting Justin Trudeau, the prime minister.

Today was a wonderful experience for my family, the Boyle family twitter account said, which describes the pair as: "Joshua and Caitlan Boyle; freelance do-gooders, hostages extraordinaire, lovers of fine cheese."

They posted photos of their daughter on Mr Trudeaus lap.

Ma'idah Grace Makepeace seemed truly enamoured.

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Mr Boyle has said that a baby born to Mrs Boyle was killed in infancy by the Taliban. The Taliban spokesman has said that the child died of natural causes.

Mr Boyle said he raised the issue of their dead child with the prime minister.

We were able to discuss #MartyrBoyle and the #HaqqaniNetwork in further detail.

He also posted photos of his two sons in the prime ministers office.

Dhakwn Noah posing, but Najshi Jonah just wanted to rearrange the furniture.

Mr Boyle was arrested on New Years Day, accused of crimes committed between October 14 and December 30. The victims were two unnamed women.

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He faces eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, as well as one each of misleading police to "divert suspicion from himself," uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, the anti-depressant Trazodone.

During his brief court appearance on Wednesday, via videolink, Mr Boyle could be seen wearing an orange shirt at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, where he has been held since his arrest. A bail hearing was scheduled for Monday.

Eric Granger, one of Mr Boyles lawyers, said his client was "presumed innocent" and had never been in any form of legal trouble before.

"We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges," he said.

Mrs Boyle would not comment on the specific charges, but in a statement to The Toronto Star said: "I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this".

She added "with compassion and forgiveness that I hope help and healing can be found for him."

Mrs Boyle added that she and the children were healthy.By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian court on Wednesday postponed a bail hearing for former Taliban hostage Joshua Boyle, who was arrested on Saturday and faces criminal charges including assault, sexual assault and forcible confinement. The charges, filed on Monday, are for crimes prosecutors said occurred in Canada after Boyle and his family returned to the country last October. Boyle and his wife Caitlan Coleman were kidnapped in October 2012 while backpacking in Afghanistan. When they returned to Canada with three children born in captivity, Boyle said a fourth child had been murdered and his spouse raped after their capture by the Taliban-allied Haqqani network. The Taliban denied the accusations of rape and murder. Boyle, 34, appeared in an Ottawa courtroom on Wednesday via video link dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit. He confirmed his name, but did not enter a plea to the charges. He is due to appear again in court on Jan. 8. The court imposed a publication ban that prevents media from reporting on information that could identify any victims or witnesses. The ban also prohibits reporting on the details of the bail hearing. The charges include eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of forcible confinement and one count of uttering death threats. Boyle has retained the services of Lawrence Greenspon, one of Canada's leading criminal defense lawyers. "Mr. Boyle is presumed innocent of all charges. He has no criminal record and has never been in trouble with the police," Greenspon said in an e-mailed statement. "As Mr. Boyle has only just been charged, we are waiting to receive more information about these allegations so that we can respond to them appropriately in court," Greenspon said. He declined to comment further. A sign attached to the door of the Boyle apartment in Ottawa said family members would not be speaking to the media and requested privacy. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp posted a picture of the notice on its website. U.S. officials said Boyle and his family spent almost all of their five years of confinement in neighboring Pakistan, which is where they were freed by Pakistani troops. The family met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his Parliament Hill office last month. Photos released on Twitter showed Trudeau holding the youngest child in his lap. (Corrects spelling of first name of Boyle's wife to Caitlan instead of Caitlin, second paragraph.) (Reporting by David Ljunggren and Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Jim Finkle, Andrew Hay and Grant McCool)The Georgia Department of Corrections is getting slammed for a holiday company photo depicting the staff standing in a cotton field.

On Tuesday, activist and reporter Shaun King shared the photo on his Facebook page, where it got 8.3K reactions, nearly 4K shares, and thousands of comments from people debating the potential offensiveness of the image.

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Some were truly bothered by the undertones: This is very distasteful, especially during the particular state that our country is in, wrote one person. Another said, I wonder if they made sure the only black people in the photo were seated front and center on purpose. Youd think they were perfectly aware of the perspective a lot of people would be viewing this pic.

Among other comments: This setting probably shouldnt be an issue, however, knowing the history of what the cotton fields represented for African Americans in Georgia and the current state of intolerance in our country  GA DOC really should have done better. RIP to this picture.

Others felt the issue was overblown. Why is that offensive? wrote one person. Thats a major part of our lives here. We are surrounded by cotton fields as that is what feeds a lot of families here. Thats one of our cash crops. Every single one of you is wearing that cotton right now. We also grow peaches and pecans and peanuts.

Someone else wrote: This is a reach. Its a plant. I dont find this offensive at all. We cant be overly sensitive and look for every tiny excuse to cry out. We have far too many serious issues going on for that.

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The association between cotton and racism, once Americas No. 1 export, stems from when it served as a means of labor for enslaved black people. Cotton has long since vanished as an economic powerhouse in America, but the relics of cotton  a black underclass in the North and South, with its destructive behavioral characteristics  remain long after slavery, sharecropping, and legal segregation have disappeared, wrote Gene Dattel in the 2009 book Cotton and Race in the Making of America: The Human Costs of Economic Power.

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Yahoo Lifestyle could not reach a representative from the Georgia Department of Corrections to confirm the authenticity of the photo, which is not present on the agencys Facebook page. However, the department posted another holiday image featuring many of the same staff members posing in Christmas sweaters.

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Earlier today, the Corrections Department issued an apology and removed its original post of the photo:

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According to Anita Jones Thomas, dean of the College of Applied Behavior Sciences at the University of Indianapolis and a specialist in multicultural psychology, the image begs for an explanation.

When you think of race relations and the history of criminal justice, history dictates that African-American people havent always been treated fairly, so it becomes even more important for correction agencies to consider the message theyre sending, Thomas tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

If the message is Happy holidays, theres snow and sweaters, she adds. Its hard to see how a cotton field relates to the holiday season, the Department of Corrections, or even the state of Georgia.

Similar issues about cotton arose in September. The crafts store Hobby Lobby received backlash when a Texas shopper named Daniell Rider became outraged by a cotton floral display, writing on Facebook: This decor is WRONG on SO many levels. There is nothing decorative about raw cotton.  A commodity which was gained at the expense of African-American slaves. A little sensitivity goes a long way. PLEASE REMOVE THIS decor. The photo went viral and Rider was called overly sensitive and brain dead for her stance.

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And the president of Lipscomb University in Nashville issued an apology to African-American students for inviting them to a dinner at his home, where the table was decorated with cotton stalks.

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The intent behind the photo cannot be known, but according to Thomas, for some, the image reflects a negative historical legacy. No one thought, Hmmm? when taking the photo? she says. It was a bad choice.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.BERLIN (Reuters) - The Bavarian allies of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative party on Tuesday said minors seeking asylum should undergo medical age tests, a measure the German Medical Association said could be a violation of ethics. A debate about verifying the ages of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum has intensified since last week, after the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old German girl by a suspect identified by police as her former boyfriend, an Afghan migrant. The suspect's documents say he is 15, but the girl's father told German media he believed the migrant was older. Germany is undergoing a fierce national discussion over migration since Chancellor Angela Merkel accepted more than a million migrants in 2015, mainly fleeing conflicts in the Middle East. In an election in September, the issue helped bring the far-right AfD party into parliament for the first time. In the past three years, German authorities have registered nearly 70,000 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Critics of government policy have argued that some of them may not be minors, and could be falsifying their ages to qualify for extra benefits and protection from deportation. Immigration is likely to be a major issue as Merkel seeks to renew a coalition agreement with the center-left SDP party, after both her ruling conservatives and the SDP lost votes in the election. The Bavarian CSU party, which is part of her conservative bloc, has sought a tougher line in particular. A CSU draft resolution calls for mandatory tests for minors seeking asylum when there is doubt about their ages. "I believe that we will require in the future, from all allegedly underage refugees for whom we have specific doubts about their minority, a compulsory medical assessment on entering" the country, said Stephan Mayer, a CSU domestic policy expert. Mayer said medical tests in other EU countries such as Austria and Sweden had revealed that a significant proportion of age information provided by asylum seekers was incorrect. "Particularly, since numerous privileges such as much more complex care and a ban on deportation are tied to the status of being minor," Mayer told Reuters on Tuesday. The head of the German Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, said an age test, which could involve X-rays of teeth and wrist bones, could be unethical and inaccurate. "The examination is laborious, expensive and is loaded with major uncertainties," Montgomery told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. The tests involved exposing people to radiation, which is normally impermissible without a medical indication, except in criminal proceedings, he said. (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Peter Graff)Gracie Gold isnt ready to return to the ice just yet, but shes ready to cheer on her friends at the U.S. Figure Skating Nationals. (AP Photo)

The U.S. Figure Skating Nationals are this week, which will decide who will go to Pyeongchang for the Olympics in February. However, theres a face thats missing among the skaters. Gracie Gold, who stepped away from skating in October, hasnt returned to the ice yet, and wont be competing for an Olympic spot.

Not being on the ice wont keep her from being beside the ice, though. USA Today reported that Gracie will be attending Nationals all this week to support her friends who are competing and vying for those precious Olympic spots.

Golds absence from competition isnt a surprise. She announced in October that she was stepping away from skating to seek help for unspecified reasons. A week later, the 22-year-old Gold was candid about why she needed to take a break: shes in treatment for anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. Gold even talked publicly about her weight at a skating competition in October 2016, a whole year before she announced her break. From USA Today:

Its just something Ive struggled with this whole year and in previous seasons, she said. Its just difficult when youre trying to do the difficult triple jumps. Its something that I am addressing but its obviously not where it should be for this caliber of competition.

Eating disorders arent uncommon in womens figure skating. The sport demands a lot of a body: a skater needs to be flexible, and strong enough to jump and leap, but light enough to get the right amount of rotation. Beyond that, the visual component of the sport almost demands a birdlike build and appearance. All those factors can be overwhelmingly difficult to balance.

Gold, who is a two-time national champion and the owner of a team bronze medal from the 2014 Sochi Olympics, did a brave thing by stepping away and seeking help. She recognized that her own health and wellbeing was more important than skating, even though going into treatment meant giving up what is most likely her last chance at an individual Olympic medal.

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Its also pretty brave for Gracie to go to Nationals to watch her friends skate. Shes an extremely talented skater and a fierce competitor, and it cant be easy to watch the Olympic qualifier from the sidelines. But Gracie Gold is doing whats best for herself right now: taking a break from skating, and supporting her friends.

     

Liz Roscher is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscherThe author. (Courtesy: Lisa Selin Davis)

I was already having a bad hair life when I decided, six months ago, to grow out my gray.

I had dyed my hair at other, pregray stages of life  usually burgundy or an attractive but unnatural copper brown, essentially decorating, not covering, my hair. Hair dyeing was liberating, an easy way to reinvent or renew myself. And, amid the unruly cowlicks and frizz, I just liked the way it looked.

But now, at age 45, because the dark-brown-to-gray ratio had shifted in favor of the gray, I got it dyed in a salon, a temporal and financial drain; it felt like I was choosing vanity over the college fund or spending quality time with my kids. Though the ombre trend had exploded in the years before, and women everywhere had one hair color abruptly transitioning to another, my black-meets-gray roots never looked deliberate. Instead they looked like an exposed secret, something no one was supposed to see. And Im not good at secrets, especially my own. Ive made a career out of sharing them.

As the grays escaped in greater frequencies, hair dyeing stopped feeling like self-improvement and more like hiding  fighting a Sisyphean battle against time, scrambling to outrun reality. So despite my preference for dyed hair, I stopped.

It required a pact with my hairdresser, who was so tired of me asking about whether or not to dye it  and how to handle the awkward growing-out phase that she told me no matter how much I begged her, she would not color it for an entire year. I perused Pinterest for inspiration about how to make that awkward phase less awkward  like cutting the bangs once a few inches had grown out (I hate bangs), cutting your hair short (I dont have the face for that), or stripping it and dyeing it gray. My hair was too dark for that, my hairdresser said. It would disintegrate.

There was no way around it. It was going to be an awkward year.

As the grays were unleashed, I embarked on a philosophical and psychological journey. On the one hand, gray hair is an achievement: The only alternative to aging, after all, is dying, and Id already seen plenty of untimely deaths among friends and family, reminding me of the privilege of living. Plus, there are more encouragingly beautiful role models out there than ever  Diane Keaton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Glenn Close, and Maye Musk, just for starters.

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On the other hand, Shakespeare described gray hair as the ashes of his youth. In Kurt Stenns book Hair: A Human History he wrote, When does gray hair connote experience and wisdom and when does it imply old age and irrelevance? Notice how the latter two things are lumped together. Its all well and good when millennials take to Instagram to show off their dyed gray hair, but when your aging face and your graying hair match, its another story.

Think of all the cultural connotations of gray, the way its wielded as an insult. Gray is bland, gray is colorless, gray is withered. To undye my hair was to leave the colorized city of Oz and head back to old, washed-out Kansas. No matter how first-world-problem it was, I felt a sense of loss.

By week three, when almost a quarter-inch of gray-threaded black poked through, I noticed something curious: People began to talk to my hairline. Id be looking at their eyes and theyd be looking at my scalp, drawn there involuntarily. I could feel them wondering, though I wasnt sure quite what about  maybe why I was suddenly letting the color drain?

I started taking note  not necessarily on purpose  of every woman whose gray roots I could espy. (I would have taken note of the men, too, had there been any.) I had some kind of visceral reaction when I saw them, as if Id seen toilet paper stuck to their shoe, spinach in their teeth, the hem of a dress accidentally tucked into their underwear. I felt Id seen their secret too  something I shouldnt have seen, like plumbers butt of the scalp.

Suddenly, it seemed gray grower-outers were everywhere. I wanted to both congratulate and interrogate them: Why were they doing it? Were they pregnant and avoiding hair dye (though no one knows for certain how safe it is to dye your hair while pregnant)? Did they suffer from an illness or sudden onset chemical sensitivity? And when I saw a woman with six inches of gray cutting into half a mane of brassy orange, I could only think one thing: You look insane.

This next tier of my vanity consumed me: Did I look crazy as my gray grew out? Cheap? Poorly kempt? Low class? (Im not saying that Im not any or all of those things, just that I dont want to look like I am.) While I grew almost fond of the talking-to-the-hairline experience, I just couldnt see my surrendering to gray hair as triumphant.

Never did I wonder if the going-gray women thought to themselves: You cant make me feel bad about this. Ive earned it. And, sadly, never did I feel that way myself.

Six months later, at the point where people are looking at my eyes again, I realize that if I really had a big stash of disposable income, and if I werent scrambling to work, raise children, occasionally have fun, and every once in a while take care of myself (Ive heard of this thing called exercise), I would go back to dyeing my hair. All the time. I would pour the paycheck into the hair fund. Because I like the way it looks. Though perhaps I have also been influenced by my daughters 6-year-old friend, who asked me last week, Why do you look like a gramma?

My grown-in gray is not particularly remarkable. The gray streaks along my temples arent fully noticeable unless I pull my hair back. But while I covet the shiny copper, the soft highlights, or the saturated purple stripes of people with dyed hair, I dont have the guilt about the time and money Id spend getting it. I dont have the fear of my secret being discovered.

In some ways, not dyeing my hair is a privilege, too. Thanks to the malignant combination of sexism and ageism, some powerful women feel compelled to color their hair, while the men can let theirs fade into the color of wisdom, minus the irrelevance.

I am still surfing the complicated feelings, the struggle between feeling pride in and gratitude for aging and depressed at the physical changes wrought by it. I want a Zen-like embracing of the process and not a sense of giving up on myself. Is there any way to return to the decorative endeavor of my pregray days, without that feeling of secret-keeping?

I dont know yet. I bought a container of purple Manic Panic. It sits on my dresser, kind of like the glass-encased cigarette in War of the Roses, taunting and daring me to open it. Either way, I have to wait another six months before I do.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States is hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing for another missile test, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday, warning that it would necessitate tougher steps against Pyongyang.

"... (W)e hear reports that North Korea might be preparing for another missile test," Haley told reporters at the United Nations in New York. "I hope that doesn't happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the North Korean regime."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chris Reese)Democrats in the House are reportedly warning their Republican colleagues that if the GOP-led Intelligence Committee prematurely shuts down its investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, they'll issue a scathing minority report calling the probe a sham.

Democrats are upset because Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has refused to call Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump Jr. as witnesses so they can be grilled as part of the investigation, according to The Washington Post.

Representative Jim Himes, the second-highest-ranked Democrat on the committee, told the paper that Democrats could write a minority report that would accuse the Republicans of having blocked the investigation by not giving the committee access to some witnesses.

Trending: Israel Has 'Declared War' on Palestinians With New Law on Jerusalem, Mahmoud Abbas Said

"The report," he said, "would be largely about outstanding questions that were never examined.

Nunes had temporarily relinquished his authority running the committees investigation in April after an ethics probe began into his contacts with the White House and management of classified information. That investigation was concluded at the beginning of December, and Nunes has reclaimed control of the committees probe into potential contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Nunes had said that he would not run the investigation while the ethics probe was underway, but once it concluded he asserted that hed run the inquiry the whole time, telling Fox News, Im in charge. I was always in charge.

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In a separate story, the Post also reported that Nuness continued oversight of the investigation killed many Democratic requests for interviews and documents.

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Himes is not the first Democrat on the panel to warn the GOP. In December, the committee's ranking Democrat said that he was worried that the investigation would be wrapped up by Republicans without interviewing all necessary witnesses.

It appears Republicans want to conduct just enough interviews to give the impression of a serious investigation, Representative Adam Smith tweeted on December 15.

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Smith warned that by cutting off the House investigation Trump might be able to shape the Mueller probe.

By shutting down the congressional investigations when they continue to discover new and important evidence, the White House can exert tremendous pressure to end or curtail Muellers investigation or cast doubt on it, he wrote. We cannot let that happen.

Meanwhile, Nunes, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, has been lauded by conservative media outlets for focusing the investigation away from Trump and instead onto a dossier produced by a former British intelligence agent that was funded by both Democrats and Republicans. Republicans insist the report shows some kind of malfeasance by the Clinton campaign, and should be the primary focus on any investigation into the 2016 election.

The House investigation is one of three major inquiries underway, with another being run by the Senate Intelligence Committee and one by FBI special counsel Robert Mueller. Muellers is the only one of the three that could easily yield charges, and he has already charged four Trump campaign team staffers, while securing guilty pleas from two.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekTehran (AFP) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief announced the "end of the sedition" Wednesday as tens of thousands rallied in a show of strength for the country's Islamic rulers after days of deadly unrest.

General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the Guards only intervened "in a limited way" against fewer than 15,000 "troublemakers" nationwide, adding that a large number had been arrested.

The White House declared it would seek new sanctions against those involved in the crackdown.

Protests over economic problems broke out in Iran's second city Mashhad last week and quickly spread across the country, turning against the regime as a whole in the biggest test for the authorities since mass demonstrations in 2009.

A total of 21 people have died in the unrest as protesters in some areas attacked government buildings and police stations.

"Today we can announce the end of the sedition," Jafari said, quoted on the Guards' website.

"A large number of the troublemakers at the centre of the sedition, who received training from counter-revolutionaries... have been arrested and there will be firm action against them," he said.

Jafari added those behind the protests had "intervened massively on social media" but that "once restrictions were started, the troubles reduced".

His declaration came after major rallies by regime supporters.

Chants of "Leader, we are ready" were heard as images showed thousands marching in the cities of Qom, Ahvaz, Kermanshah and elsewhere.

The demonstrators waved Iranian flags and pictures of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as placards saying "Death to seditionists".

- US exerts pressure -

A White House official, who asked for anonymity, said Wednesday the administration would look for "actionable information" to try to begin imposing sanctions on those responsible for any crackdown.

US President Donald Trump insisted Iranians were trying to "take back" their government, extending a drumbeat of encouragement for the protests.

Story continues

"You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!" he tweeted, without offering any specifics.

Iran's UN Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo said in a letter that the US government "has stepped up its acts of intervention in a grotesque way in Iran's internal affairs and accused Washington of violating international law and the principles of the UN charter.

AFP journalists reported a heavy police presence still on the streets of central Tehran, along with a large number of Revolutionary Guards.

There were few reports of anti-regime protests overnight Tuesday to Wednesday, although it remained difficult to verify information from the provinces.

Online messaging and photo sharing platforms Telegram and Instagram have been blocked on cellphones since soon after the protests began on December 28.

Telecoms Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi said Telegram would only be unblocked if it removed "terrorist" content.

President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope in a phone call with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the protests would end in a few days, a Turkish presidential source said.

The political establishment has closed ranks against the unrest, with Khamenei on Tuesday saying the regime's enemies were "always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate".

Even reformists in Iran, who backed the 2009 protests, have condemned the violence and the support the demonstrations have received from the United States.

But they also urged the authorities to address economic grievances.

"Officials must acknowledge the deplorable situation of the country as the first step to hearing the protesters," tweeted Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, whose father Mehdi Karroubi has been under house arrest for almost seven years for helping lead the 2009 demonstrations.

The head of Lebanon's powerful Tehran-backed Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah said that "there is nothing to worry about and what happened in Iran is well contained."

- 'Some freedom in Iran' -

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deplored the loss of life, saying: "Further violence must be avoided."

Many Iranians appear to have been turned off by the violence, which has contrasted with the largely peaceful marches in 2009.

Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but high living costs and unemployment have left many feeling that progress is too slow.

Rural areas, hit by years of drought and under-investment, are particularly hard-hit.

On the streets of the capital, there is widespread sympathy with the economic grievances driving the unrest, particularly an unemployment rate as high as 40 percent for young people.

"People have reached a stage where they can no longer tolerate this pressure from the authorities," said Soraya Saadaat, a 54-year-old jobless woman.

But some Tehranis said claims from the US that they were desperate for freedom were overblown.

"We do have some freedom in Iran," Hamid Rahimi, a 33-year-old bank employee told AFP.

"If the people of Iran have something to say, it's about economic problems. They want to see their demands, what they voted for, fulfilled."

Mojtaba Mousavi, a Tehran-based political analyst, said Iranians do not generally support violence, no matter how unhappy they are with their government.

"There are certainly Iranians who aren't happy with certain policies, frustrated people who would like to protest against their economic situation, but history shows none of these people support violence and subversion," he said.

In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests against the re-election of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At least 36 people were killed, according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.New Delhi (AFP) - India is to buy 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel in a $70 million deal, the defence ministry announced Tuesday ahead of a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Barak missiles made by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are to be used for India's first aircraft carrier which is under construction.

Netanyahu will lead a business delegation to India on a four day trip expected in mid-January. Israel has become a major defence supplier to India, selling an average of $1 billion of military equipment each year.

Last April the two countries signed a military deal worth nearly $2 billion which includes the supply over several years of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications technology.

It was unclear whether the deal announced Tuesday was part of that.

The Indian defence ministry also said it had approved the purchase of 240 bombs from Russia's JSC Rosonboron Exports for $188 million.

"This procurement will address the deficiency of precision-guided munitions in the IAF (Indian Air Force) arsenal, besides enhancing the offensive capabilities of the IAF," it said in a statement.

India, which has longstanding territorial disputes with neighbours China and Pakistan, has signed several big-ticket defence deals since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.

It has however been moving away from relying on traditional ally Russia for military hardware.DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian authorities are concerned that nationwide unrest will undermine the clerical establishment and want to stamp out the protests quickly, senior government officials say. But the person with the most to lose is President Hassan Rouhani. While several senior officials said there was concern that prolonged unrest would damage the legitimacy and influence of the country's religious leaders, few insiders see the unrest as an existential threat to that leadership, which has ruled since the 1979 revolution and is now controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ultimate authority in Irans system of dual clerical and republican rule. The biggest loser, they say, is likely to be Rouhani, who is much more closely tied to the countrys economic policies. "Of course Rouhani and his government will have less power afterwards, especially because his economic policy was criticized during the unrest," said political analyst Hamid Farahvashian. "He will be a lame-duck president and Khamenei will have more power." Much of the protesters anger has focused on what Rouhani and his government have failed to deliver: an economic boom promised as the payoff for the 2015 deal that curbed Iran's disputed nuclear program in return for world powers lifting sanctions. Protesters are angry that Iran's youth unemployment rate is edging towards 30 percent, want higher wages and an end to alleged graft. They have chanted slogans against all of Iran's leaders, including the clerical elite, and attacked police vehicles, banks and mosques as the unrest widened. "The continuation of the protests will lead to a legitimacy crisis," said one senior official close to Rouhani, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue. "People have economic demands ... of course these demands should be taken seriously ... of course the establishment should listen to the people, but all these can be discussed in a calm atmosphere," the official said. Some conservatives have pushed for a hardline approach, even though bloodshed could fuel more protests in the largest wave of demonstrations since nationwide unrest in 2009. "So far, security forces have not tried to prevent the demonstrations .... but this will change if (Khamenei) calls for an end to the street protests and demonstrators defy his call," said one former Iranian official from the reformist camp. Even if the unrest is quelled, the demands of tens of thousands of restless working class youths who have taken to the streets are unlikely to dissipate. Khamenei spoke publicly for the first time about the crisis on Tuesday, accusing Iran's enemies of stirring unrest but saying no more. A statement on his website said he would address the nation about the events "when the time is right". THE LIMITS OF ROUHANI'S POWER The protesters have little chance of toppling the clerical leaders, who appear to be retaining control of the military, police, and security forces and have no compunction about using them, according to one U.S. official following the developments. Rouhani, who was elected in 2013, is more exposed. He is seen as a pragmatist at odds with Iran's hardliners and has said in response to the protests that Iranians have a right to criticize the authorities. But he has a fight on his hands because of growing resentment over high prices and allegations of corruption. "His power is limited in Iran's ruling system. Public discontent is increasing ... people are losing their faith in the establishment system," a third Iranian official said. "The leaders are well aware of this fact and its dangerous consequences." U.S. officials fear the likeliest outcome of the protests is discrediting what one called Rouhani's "moderate brand of moderation" and a harsher crackdown by the clerical authorities. "It's an open question whether Rouhani ever intended to keep any of his promises, but he hasn't delivered, especially on the economic front, and that means he has no popular support and is expendable to Khamenei," said a second U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. "He's likely to be one of the casualties, though maybe not immediately." Rouhani has blamed his predecessor and the United States, Irans long-time adversary, for the economy's shortcomings. But his government has also backtracked on planned fuel price rises and promised more jobs. Rouhani may need to spend more money to create more employment if he is to ease discontent, and could risk antagonizing powerful interests if he tries to address allegations of corruption. His vulnerability and the deep divisions in Iran's hierarchy have fueled suspicions among some of his sympathizers that conservative rivals may have played a hand in the crisis. "It was a coup against Rouhani and his achievements ... The aim was to harm Rouhani," said Saeed Leylaz, a political analyst close to the pro-reform movement. But a fourth official in Tehran said the nationwide protests had united Iran's leadership. "At this point it is not important whether a political faction initiated the unrest to harm the rival group," the official said. "The unrest was hijacked by our enemies ... that is why all factions have united to protect the Islamic Republic." (Additional reporting by John Walcott in Washington and Andrew Torchia in Dubai; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Nick Tattersall)US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley speaks during a Security Council meeting on 22 December 2017: KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, said the US will call for emergency sessions to address the "completely spontaneous" protests in Iran.

Speaking during a news conference at the UN in New York, Ms Haley read out social media posts of protesters and said: Iran's claim that the protests were sponsored by outside forces was "complete nonsense."

Emergency sessions will be called for in the Security Council and Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss the US mission to help the Iranian people in their quest to unseat President Hassan Rouhani.

The protests "are virtually in every city in Iran. This is the precise picture of a long oppressed peoples rising up against their dictators," Ms Haley noted.

Ms Haley said "it takes great bravery for Iranian people to use [the] power of their voice" to speak out against a government that "murders its people."

She confirmed that the there is no unilateral action planned on the part of the US against Iran at this time but that it is working to "put a stop to the testing of Iranian ballistic missiles."

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also called the protests an "organic popular uprising organized by brave Iranian citizens."

She says the international community "cannot sit silent" as those demonstrating are met with violence.

Asked whether the ultimate goal is for Iran's Islamist government to be replaced, Ms Sanders reiterated support for the rights of the people and said the US wanted Iran to stop supporting terrorism.

Just before the end of the year, US President Donald Trump took to Twitter again to comment on the ongoing protests in Iran, this time to warn that "oppressive regimes cannot endure forever."

He wrote that "the entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change" and touted that other than US military might, its people's will is what leaders in Iran feared the most.

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Mr Trump previously tweeted a call for the government to respect the wishes of its people and the White House issued a statement appearing to be in support of the Iranian people's "right to express themselves."

The US State Department also issued a statement about the largely peaceful protests: "Iran's leaders have turned a wealthy country with a rich history and culture into an economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos."

The State Department also said it "strongly condemns the arrest of peaceful protesters. We urge all nations to publicly support the Iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption."

The wave of spontaneous protests over Iran's weak economy has swept into the capital Tehran as well, with college students and others chanting against the government just hours after hard-liners held their own rally in support of the Islamic Republic's clerical establishment.

In October 2017, Mr Trump announced he would not re-certify a nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers. It was a signature foreign policy achievement by predecessor President Barack Obama.

The UN had provided evidence of Tehran's compliance with the deal - which included curtailing uranium enrichment - but Mr Trump and Ms Haley have said the UN was too lenient on Iran and that the country had violated portions of the historic deal.

Experts have said the Trump administration's message about wanting to help the Iranian people is muddled, at best, given that Iran is one of the country's listed on Mr Trump's travel ban on people entering the US at this time.Opponents of Irans President Hassan Rouhani might have been secretly pleased when protestors in the northeast Iranian city of Mashad took to the streets last Thursday against rising prices and worsening living conditions. But what began as peaceful demonstrations have gradually turned into a violent uprising sweeping the whole of Iran, raging not just at Rouhanis moderate government, but at the very regime itself.

From far-flung townships to the capital Tehran, for nearly a week now protestors have gathered in spite of efforts by security forces to prevent and disperse them.

Although there are echoes of the 2009 protests following the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, these demonstrations are in fact quite different. Although far fewer people are taking part than the millions who marched over eight years ago, these are more spread out. A source told TIME protests took place in a total of 38 cities on Jan.1. In some remote areas where unrest broke out, protests against the state had not been seen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The demonstrations have been sporadic rather than pre-planned, many by protestors under the age of 25. They have also been more violent; at least eight protestors were killed on Monday alone, and two security forces.

The official reaction was to swiftly blame the Islamic Republics enemy states, from the United States to Israel and Saudi Arabia for stoking up violence and dissent. Both U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel quickly voiced their support for the protests.

But analysts believe the root cause lies within Iran itself. What we are seeing now is the result of a sort of distrust between the state and the people, Amir Mohebbian, a political analyst and professor, said on Tuesday. Politicians and statesmen, instead of trying to solve the problems of the populaces, are continually busy aggrandizing issues and blaming the other side for it.

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Indeed, some in the political sphere have whipped up popular anger in the service of electoral support. In the buildup to last years presidential election, the loose coalition of conservative and hardline political factions who call themselves the Principalists had attacked the President for failing to improve the economy or alleviate the financial plight of lower and middle-class Iranians. The Principalists had hoped to attract the support of the working classes for their candidate, Ebrahimi Raeesi. In the end Rouhani secured a second four-year term, and Raeesi came in a distant second.

But that popular dissatisfaction endured long after the election was over. Frustration too has built up among many working-class Iranians over what they see as rampant corruption and cronyism in the upper echelons of society, as well as stifling class inequality. The moderate government of Rouhani has apparently failed to provide any tangible difference to their lives, and disillusionment has begun to set in. The much-vaunted nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., has not turned around Irans economy and created jobs and opportunity, as the Iranian President promised.

Analysts say the never-ending squabbling and infighting between the different political factions of the Islamic Republic has also weakened trust in the state. The immature behavior of political factions, and the never-ending blame game they play has lead to Iranians thinking that government and state institutions are all either too corrupt or too weak to solve their problems, Mohebbian says. All state institutions need to physically show to the people that their problems and issues are being solved.

Until they can, the state seems to be quelling the unrest by blocking popular messaging app Telegram and social platform Instagram to prevent demonstrators from coordinating and organizing. It has also beefed up the presence of security forces on the streets to levels not seen since 2009, and initiated a wave of arrests and detentions of protestors and students and activists. More than 450 have been arrested in Tehran, and hundreds more across the country.

Although the protests seem unlikely to pose an existential threat to the established order in Iran, they will shift perceptions here of the countrys grassroots. In times of hardship and adversity, the Islamic Republic has always banked on the enthusiastic support of the working classes. Its not clear that will be the case after this week.

Reformists, however, suggest this surge of unrest might have been inevitable. One activist, who declined to be named out of fear of retribution, paraphrased the leader of the 2009 Green Movement Mir Hussein Mousavi, who has been under house arrest since 2010. The Green Movement was the last time anybody tried to bring about change in the Islamic Republic peacefully, they said. When peaceful demonstrations are viciously suppressed, it is only natural that they will be replaced by violent protests.Perfection has officially become unappealing. Kids these days are more obsessed with perfection than many previous generations were, and this obsession is associated with increased depression and anxiety, according to a new study published in Psychological Bulletin.

The authors of the study reviewed prior research on perfectionism, which they broadly define as a combination of excessively high personal standards and overly critical self-evaluations. They also conducted their own study among 41,641 American, Canadian, and British college students between 1989 and 2016. They found that perfectionism increased over time. And its worst in the United States.

There are multiple dimensions to this cultural phenomenon, as the study refers to it, including self-oriented perfectionism, which is the pressure one puts on oneself to be perfect; socially prescribed perfectionism, the pressure one feels from society to be perfect, and other-oriented perfectionism, the pressure one puts on others to be perfect.

The research presents three reasons for this shift: the rise of neoliberalism, increasingly anxious and controlling parents, and the increasing power of meritocracy.

[N]eoliberalism and its doctrine of meritocracy have combined to shape a culture in which everybody is expected to perfect themselves and their lifestyles, by striving to meet unrealistic achievement standards, the study states. For parents, this new culture confers an additional burden. On top of their own duty to succeed, they are also responsible for the successes and failures of their children.

Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist specializing in family and relationship issues, singles out another important factor: social media. These people grew up being constantly evaluated on social media, she points out.

So whats so bad about striving to be perfect? It can lead to increased depression and anxiety. Research among college students and young people, for example, has found self-oriented perfectionism to be positively associated with clinical depression, anorexia nervosa, and early death, the study authors point out. It is also associated with greater physiological reactivity (e.g., elevated blood pressure) and ill-being (e.g., negative affect) in response to life stress and failure. They even identified a link with suicidal ideation.

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Its not just the self-inflicted perfectionism that causes problems. Socially prescribed perfectionism predicted increases in depressive symptoms and suicide ideation over time, but to a much greater degree, says the study. Another analysis found socially prescribed perfectionism was positively related to a range of psychological disorders and symptoms of disorders, including social phobia, body dissatisfaction, bulimia nervosa, and suicide ideation, and had the greatest relationship between other dimensions of perfectionism and depression and anxiety.

When you are constantly under a literal and figurative microscope  the microscope being social media  of course you are going to become more self-conscious, says Dr. Greenberg. When self-consciousness and perfectionism increase, anxiety and depression increase as well. They go hand in hand, she says, supporting the study.

There has recently been a push for celebrities and influencers to appear less perfect and more relatable in their posts. But it will be a while before that catches on.

The things that kids post on Instagram and Snapchat are celebratory moments, Dr. Greenberg says. They post moments of when they are having fun or when they are looking good. They could take hundreds of selfies before they post one on Instagram. Guilty as charged. They dont post moments when theyre struggling, studying, or when their friends leave them out. They post pictures of themselves being happy at a party with friends or when they are on vacation looking good. Dr. Greenberg sees this misrepresentation as problematic because People look at it, and say Oh wow, their life looks so good! Cue the comparison.

There are two sides to every story, right? Wrong. Dr. Greenberg sees no benefits in perfectionism. Its in and of itself a problematic concept, she states. I think when young people are motivated, thats a wonderful thing. But motivation and perfectionism are not interchangeable. They are two very different concepts, and unrelated. She says shes never seen anything good come out of perfectionism. All I have seen come out of it is anxiety and depression. Perfectionism is laden with anxiety. Youre chasing after something very elusive, and of course it leads to problems, because nobody can be perfect and nobody should be perfect.

Of course, accepting ourselves as we are is a lot easier said than done, but the daunting conclusion is that so-called perfection isnt as good as it looks.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle



Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel on Wednesday began implementing a plan to force tens of thousands of African migrants out of the country by April, threatening to arrest those who stay.

"This plan will get under way today," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

Under the programme, some 38,000 migrants who entered Israel illegally, mainly Eritreans and Sudanese, will have until the end of March to leave.

Each will receive a plane ticket and $3,500 (2,900 euros) to do so. After the deadline, this amount will decrease and those who continue to refuse to go will face arrest.

Holot, an open facility in Israel's desert south that can host 1,200 migrants who are allowed to leave to work during the day, is also set to be closed.

It currently holds 970 people, the interior ministry said this week.

The plan was originally approved by the cabinet in November, drawing concern from the UN refugee agency.

Wednesday's cabinet session marked the programme's transition from the planning stage to action, migrant aid worker Adi Drori-Avraham told AFP.

"We see here the implementation of the decision," said Drori-Avraham of the Tel Aviv-based Aid Organisation for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel (ASSAF).

The Africans currently hold short-term residence visas which must be renewed every two months.

"From today when a person goes to request an extension to their visa, if he does not have a pending asylum application... his visa will not be renewed and he will be given a deportation order," she added.

She said that under the new regulations there was also an option for the authorities "not even to threaten them with a choice of voluntary departure or jail, simply to seize them and take them to a plane".

"At the moment there are exceptions for women, children, parents of children and victims of human trafficking, but the procedural rules make it clear that those exemptions are only temporary," she added.

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- 'We are being traded' -

In his comments to the cabinet and media, Netanyahu defended the plan.

"Every country must maintain its borders, and protecting the borders from illegal infiltration is both a right and a basic duty of a sovereign state," he said.

But Tsgahans Goytiom, a 30-year-old Eritrean in south Tel Aviv, said he felt that he and his fellow refugees were being treated like commodities.

"I see the situation now as very bad and difficult," he told AFP in Hebrew. "We are being traded."

"I am not from Uganda or Rwanda," he added. "How come the prime minister decided to send people to other countries?"

Israel tacitly recognises that the Sudanese and Eritreans cannot be returned to their dangerous homelands, so it has signed deals with Rwanda and Uganda, which agree to accept departing migrants on condition they consent to the arrangement, activists say.

A 2016 UN commission of inquiry into Eritrea's harsh regime found "widespread and systematic" crimes against humanity and said an estimated 5,000 people flee the country each month.

The International Criminal Court has indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide related to his regime's counter-insurgency tactics in the 14-year-old conflict in Darfur.

Migrants started coming in large numbers across the porous border between Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in 2007, when nearly 5,000 entered, interior ministry figures show.

The government has since completed fencing the border and deploying electronic sensors. In the first six months of last year, no one made it across.

Over the years, those caught at the Egyptian frontier were detained at prisons in the Negev desert in southern Israel.

On release they were given bus tickets to Tel Aviv, arriving at the central bus station on the south side of the city, where many have since remained.

Israeli residents of southern Tel Aviv have long complained of their presence and right-wing politicians have pledged to heed calls to force them out, often with harsh rhetoric.

During a visit there in August, Netanyahu pledged to "return south Tel Aviv to the citizens of Israel", adding that the Africans were "not refugees but illegal infiltrators".Ms Trump is a White House adviser: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon once called President Donald Trump's daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump "dumb as a brick", according to the latest excerpt from a book that claims to provide a near-inside view of the tumult within the West Wing during the first year of Mr Trump's presidency.

Mr Bannon's quote is detailed in an excerpt provided to the Wall Street Journal. The book has been met critically by some who point out seeming factual inaccuracies. The White House has also denied many of the allegations.

The former White House advisor, who left the White House to run Breitbart News, didn't respond to requests for comment from that newspaper, but a source close to him reportedly did not deny the varacity of the insult.

Mr Trump himself attacked Mr Bannon after the excerpts -- which included comments from Mr Bannon saying that a previous meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russians in Trump Tower was "treasonous" -- saying that his former strategist had nothing to do with his campaign, or his time as president.

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency," Mr Trump wrote in a statement distributed by the White House. "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

Mr Bannon reportedly had a strained relationship with much of the top White House during the nearly seven months he was there. In addition to the apparent conflict with Ms Trump, Mr Bannon frequently sparred with her husband, Jared Kushner, as well as former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.

The "treasonous" comments in the book's manuscript revolve around a meeting that has become a focus of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. The meeting was reportedly set up by Donald Trump Jr after he received an email from a Russian-linked source, who promised he could connect him with a Russian-linked lawyer who could deliver dirt on Hillary Clinton.

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Mr Bannon indicated that he felt that taking the meeting was ill-advised, and that they would have been wiser to take the meeting in a nondescript location, with lawyers, and that notifying the FBI may have been a smart move.

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Watch Morning Joe on Yahoo View.The dense woodland at the base of Mount Fuji where YouTube star Logan Paul filmed the body of an apparent suicide victim has an international reputation for being a suicide forest. But for years, Japanese authorities have been trying to draw less attention to the grim reputation of Aokigahara forest  not more  to discourage the dozens of pilgrims who travel there every year to end their own lives.

Paul, who has more than 15 million subscribers on YouTube, apologized after posting the video, which showed a male suicide victim hanging from a tree and featured Paul and his friends joking about the the body. The clip sparked massive international backlash.

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Japan, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, has seen declining rates in recent years  in 2016, 21,897 people committed suicide, the lowest level in more than two decades, according to a government report released last year.

The Aokigahara forest, also known as the Sea of Trees, remains a popular destination for people who want to commit suicide. It was the setting for the 2015 Gus Van Sant film Sea of Trees, which starred Matthew McConaughey as an American who traveled to the forest with the intention of killing himself, and 2016s The Forest, starring Natalie Dormer as a young woman looking for her sister who is thought to have committed suicide in Aokigahara.

Japanese authorities no longer release exact numbers of the people who commit suicide in Aokigahara, although it is estimated that officials remove dozens of bodies each year, according to Atlas Obscura. Police records from 2010 show that 247 people attempted suicide in the forest, with 54 people succeeding, according to the Japan Times.

In recent years, local authorities have taken several measures to prevent suicides in Aokigahara. The Japan Times reports that local officials installed security cameras at the forests main entrance and increased patrols of the forest in 2011. Signs throughout the forest also warn people against suicide, with messages saying, Think carefully about your children, your family and Your life is a precious gift from your parents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says risk factors connected to suicide can include a history of clinical depression, previous suicide attempts, lack of mental health treatment either because of stigma or barriers to access, local epidemics of suicide and feelings of hopelessness. Anyone who needs help can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.Donald Trump and his family could face further legal, and political, peril over a the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr., and a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer.

Related: Donald Trump Jr. likely brought Russians to his father after Trump Tower meeting, Steve Bannon says

The meeting is back in the spotlight thanks to explosive excerpts from a forthcoming book, which were released Wednesday. In the book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is quoted as saying that "the chance that Don Jr. did not walk [the meeting's participants] up to his father's office on the twenty-sixth floor is zero."

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During Wednesday's briefing, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders denied the accusation. "As the president has stated many times, no, he wasnt part or aware of that," she said. In an earlier statement, Trump slammed Bannon, claiming that his former ally had "lost his mind" since being fired last August.

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But what if the meeting with Donald Trump really took place? What could it mean for Trump and those around him, specifically Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to the president and also his son-in-law?

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If that meeting is confirmed, most of the attention would be trained on Trump himself. But Peter Zeidenberg, who spent 17 years as a federal prosecutor, warns that from a legal standpoint, Trump Jr. and Kushner could face the greatest jeopardy, depending on what they told investigators from both the FBI and congressional committees.

Zeidenberg said that both men likely told investigators exactly what they've been saying publiclythat Trump had no knowledge of the meeting and wasn't present for any part of it. If this turns out to differ from the truth, they could be at legal risk.

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"They would have been giving false information, so they would be subject to obstruction of justice or false statement charges," Zeidenberg told Newsweek. "Don Jr. has denied this. Kushner has denied this. Obviously, there'd be issues with that. This would mean the accounts that investigators have been given so far...[are] false."

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign staffer George Papadopoulos have both pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

GettyImages-615754272

Win McNamee/Getty Images

But Zeidenberg isn't ready to indict either man quite yet, calling into question the legitimacy of Bannon's statements.

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"Bannon is speculating. It's pure speculation on his part," he said.

Regardless of the veracity of Bannon's claims, Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2007, says it isn't clear that such a revelation would mean any legal repercussions for the president himself.

"You need to know what was said [to know if Trump broke the law]. It's hard to guess what was said in what meetings," Painter told Newsweek. "We need to find out the facts."

Zeidenberg took it a step further, arguing that short of a massive criminal act, special counsel Robert Mueller is unlikely to bring any charges against Trump at the end of his investigation.

"I think it's very unlikely Mueller is going to make a decision to indict Trump for anything," he said. "If I were a prosecutor, I would not want to bring a charge."

Politically, however, the corroboration of a meeting between Trump and the Russian lawyer could prove disastrous, Zeidenberg argued.

"Politically, it would be a big deal obviously because Trump's claimed all along that there were no meetings with any Russians. If in June he was meeting with a Russian, talking about Hillary Clinton's emails, that's a huge deal," Zeidenberg said.

The June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower was brokered by Trump Jr. and the Kremlin-connected Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, as originally reported by The New York Times.

When the meeting was being set up, Veselnitskaya told Trump Jr. that she had documents which "would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father." His response: "If its what you say I love it, especially later in the summer." The meeting, which took place June 9, was attended by, among others, Trump Jr., Kushner and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekA teenage boy will appear in court on Tuesday after being arrested for the alleged murder of his father, mother, sister and family friend in their New Jersey home on New Year's Eve, but as police continue to investigate the shocking case, a relative of the boy said he "knows right from wrong."

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has not released the name of the 16-year-old, who does not have a criminal history, but is considering trying the teen in adult court, according to a CBS News report. The suspect's father and mother, Steve and Linda Kologi, as well as his sister Brittany Kologi and a family friend named Mary Schultz were found dead on the scene by Long Branch police and the Monmouth County Sheriff's department.

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Photo by Larry W. Smith/Getty Images

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Walter Montelione, the cousin of the deceased Linda Kologi, told local news that the teenager who now faces multiple charges, including four counts of murder, was a good kid. "The Kologis were very caring, loving people and always looking to do fun things with their kids," Montelione told CBS New York while crying over the phone. "He was a good kid. He was, a little you know, slow with learning disabilities, but he knows right from wrong."

Another family friend, Joe Rios, painted a similar picture of the happy family and told the station that the boy was "always smiling, not a violent kid or anything like that. Neighbors of the Long Branch family said that the 16-year-old suspect required special assistance.

The suspect's brother and grandfather were not killed during the Sunday incident, and while police have not disclosed a motive, the semi-automatic rifle used in the shooting was registered to one of the home's residents. The prosecutor's office said Monday that the teen was "taken into custody without incident."

Story continues

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The Lakewood Scoop tweeted a video of police responding to the crime scene on Sunday night. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said that it was "a terribly tragic incident."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekJoshua Boyle talking to reporters shortly after he and his wife were rescued: Canadian Press/REX

A father held hostage by Taliban-linked militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan for five years has been charged with sexual assault.

Joshua Boyle, 34, who with his wife Caitlan Coleman Boyle was captured by the Haqqani network in Afghanistan in October 2012, will have his case discussed during a brief preliminary hearing at a court in Ottowa, Canada, on Wednesday.

The Canadian citizen, whose American wife gave birth to their three children while in captivity, faces a total of 15 charges, including eight counts of assault, two of sexual assault, two claims of unlawful confinement, and one accusation of uttering death threats.

All the alleged offences are said to have occurred after the Boyles returned to Canada having been rescued following a gunfight between Pakistani security forces and their captors in October 2017. A court order prevents identification of any of the alleged victims.

Boyles lawyer Eric Granger has said: "Mr Boyle is presumed innocent. He's never been in trouble before. We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges."

Ms Boyle, originally from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, told the Toronto Star: I cant speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.

After being rescued, the couple said their captors had killed one unborn daughter by forcing Ms Boyle to undergo an abortion.

They also said Ms Boyle was raped while they were being held hostage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, being drugged and put in the boots of cars when the Haqqani network guerrillas wanted to move them.

Ms Boyle had been heavily pregnant with their first child when the couple were captured during an extended backpacking trip that had taken them to a remote area of Afghanistan outside Kabul. Mr Boyle has previously said he and his wife had gone to the area to assist people "who live deep inside Taliban-controlled Afghanistan where no NGO, no aid worker and no government has ever successfully been able to bring the necessary help."

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After their first baby was born, the couple decided to have more children, despite being in captivity.

Shortly after her release, Ms Boyle explained to the Toronto Star: Its difficult to explain all the reasons, but, for me, a large part was that it has always been important to me to have a large family.

This [was] captivity with no end in sight. And so I felt that it was our best choice at that time. We didnt know if we would have that opportunity when we came back. We didnt know how long it would be.

The couple, however, said that after Mr Boyle refused to join the Haqqani network, the militants killed their unborn daughter, whom they called Martyr, by dosing Ms Boyles food to make her oestrogen levels so abnormally high that she miscarried.

They killed her [Martyr] by dosing the food, Ms Boyle said. They put massive doses of oestrogen in the food.

Ms Boyle said after that she kept her two later pregnancies secret, with her husband delivering the babies by torchlight while she kept as quiet as possible despite her labour pain.

The familys ordeal ended on October 11 2017 when Pakistani security services rescued them as they were being transported in a car boot.

Mr Boyle said he had been hit by shrapnel during the shootout and the last thing he remembered his captors saying was kill the hostages.

After the successful rescue, Ms Boyles parents expressed delight that she had been freed, but reportedly expressed anger that their son-in-law had taken their heavily pregnant daughter to Afghanistan.

The Boyles met over the Internet and married in Costa Rica in 2011.

Mr Boyle had previously been briefly married to Zaynab Khadr, the older sister of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr.

Canadian-born Mr Khadr was 15 when he was captured by US troops after a firefight in Afghanistan in July 2002. He had been taken to Afghanistan by his father, who had reportedly been a senior al-Qaeda financier.

Mr Khadr, who protested his innocence and said he had only pleaded guilty to war crimes because he saw it as his sole hope of getting out of Guantanamo Bay, was returned to Canada in 2012 and released from custody in 2015.

In 2014 US officials said that Boyles link to Khadrs sister had nothing to do with him and his wife being taken hostage. One official told the Associated Press that the link was just a horrible coincidence.

After the Boyles were released, members of the Haqqani network and the Taliban denied the couples claims of rape and forced abortion.(Photo: Photo illustration by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The United States was about 48 hours into the new year and, for a sweet, brief moment, it seemed like the political news cycle would be uncoupled from the presidential Twitter feed. But, alas, just two days into 2018, President Donald Trump, itching for controversy following a relatively quiet holiday break, sent off a barrage of missives with far-reaching international and domestic implications.

Heres a round-up of presidents Twitter feed from the first Tuesday of the year.

363 days to go.

He Attacked Former Hillary Clinton Aide Huma Abedin

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Trump renewed his attacks against former 2016 presidential election rival Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, calling for one of her top aides, Huma Abedin, to be jailed. His message  which also included a hit at what he called the deep state Justice Department  apparently referenced emails sent by Abedin that were released by the State Department on Friday.

Trump has continued to attack Clinton and her team more than a year after he was elected president.

Read more here.

He Called Kim Jong Un Rocket Man And Said He Had A Much Bigger Nuclear Button

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Trump taunted Kim Jong Un on Tuesday, just a day after the North Korean leader warned the U.S. that Kim had a nuclear button always on [his] desk and that the entire United States was within range of our nuclear weapons.

Earlier in the day, the president once again demeaned Kim as a rocket man and later tweeted that his own nuclear button was a much bigger & more powerful one than his.

And my Button works! Trump finished.

Read more here.

He Threatened To Cut Off Foreign Aid To The Palestinians

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The White House also appeared to threaten hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to the Palestinians on Tuesday, just hours after America said it would withhold similar funds from Pakistan.

Trump lambasted the Palestinians for not giving the U.S. appreciation or respect, and accused their leaders of abandoning the peace process with Israel. Tension has risen throughout the Middle East in recent weeks following Trumps decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Story continues

Read more here.

He Announced Plans For The Most Dishonest & Corrupt Media Awards

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The president continued his almost daily attacks on the media on Tuesday with a vague joke that he would establish something called THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR.

Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media, he wrote.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump lobbed an attack against his favored punching bag, the Failing New York Times, and its new publisher.

Get impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done!

Read more here.

He Took Credit For The Safety Record Of Commercial Jet Airliners

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Commercial airlines recorded their safest year ever in 2017 after documenting zero accidental deaths on commercial passenger jets around the world.

Trump moved to take credit for the record early Tuesday, linking the lack of fatalities to his efforts to be very strict on commercial aviation. But, as HuffPosts Ethan Klapper notes, such boasts appear to be overstated. 2017 was just as safe for U.S. aviation as both 2015 and 2016, and the numbers reported this week account for commercial flights worldwide.

Read more here.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Reuters

Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing multiple cases against Harvey Weinstein, who has faced allegations of sexual assault but not criminal charges.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said two cases have been presented to our office by the Beverly Hills Police Department regarding Weinstein and are under review".

It was not clear what allegations underlay the Beverly Hills Police Departments investigation of Weinstein.

Were not releasing any details about the allegations while the cases are under review, Beverly Hills Police Department spokesman Elisabeth Albanese said.

Numerous women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or harassment, but none of those allegations have yet produced charges against the former Hollywood mogul. Through a representative, Weinstein has unequivocally denied allegations of non-consensual relationships.

While multiple law enforcement agencies have said they were investigating claims made against Weinstein, the Beverly Hills Police Department forwarding information to the district attorneys office moves a step closer to prosecutors deciding whether to bring charges

In early November, New York City Department Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said investigators were building a strong rape case against Weinstein after actress Paz de La Huerta shared a credible and detailed narrative that they were able to corroborate.

But that effort was complicated by the time elapsed since the alleged crime, Mr Boyce said, and the fact that Weinstein did not live in New York.

If this person was still in New York and it was recent, we would go right away and make the arrest  no doubt, he told reporters

Authorities in London have also said they were examining allegations against Weinstein.In July 2017, video of a naked child found in the ruins of Mosul circulated widely online. The boy, pointing to an Iraqi flag on one of the buildings, told the Iraqi soldiers it belonged to the unbelievers.

The 4-year-old, later identified as Bilal Tagirov, was a Chechen who had been brought by his father to join the Islamic State. News of his impending return to Chechnya was widely reported in Chechen and Russian media. And no one was more enthusiastic about the boys return than Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed president of Chechnya, known for his love of social media and frequent Instagram postings.

Russian television showed Kadyrov talking by videoconference with the four-year-old, who was still in Iraq. Bilal was reportedly discovered along with his father, an Islamic State fighter found injured in the ruins of Mosul. Upon learning about the father and son, Chechnyas leader immediately ordered assistance to ensure their quick return to Russia.

On his Instagram account, Kadyrov announced that Bilal would soon embrace his mother (the father took his son to Iraq without her permission). On Aug. 2, at the airport in Grozny, the highest officials of Kadyrovs regime welcomed home a terrified Bilal.

Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, aspires to be the leader of Muslims throughout Russia. Rescuing innocent victims from Islamic radicalism in the Middle East allows the Chechen president to play that role, as well as that of a man ready to forgive his enemies.

But according to Russian-speaking fighters and sources in the Syrian opposition, theres another explanation for Kadyrovs seeming concern about orphans: Hes also collecting Chechens who were allegedly sent to infiltrate the Islamic State.

The Chechen leader has claimed there are between 70 and 120 children from the former Soviet republics still in orphanages around Mosul. Authorities in Moscow claim that up to 400 children, Russian citizens, may still be in Syria and Iraq, according to Anna Kuznetsova, Russias childrens rights commissioner.

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Identifying them, especially the youngest ones, is difficult or impossible. Some speak only Chechen and may not even be from Russia, since many Chechens live in diaspora around the world. Many dont know their parents names or know only the aliases they used during the fighting. Unidentifiable, the children remain in orphanages in Iraq and Syria, one legacy of what the end of the caliphate has left behind.

In mid-September 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that after the liberation of Mosul and Tal Afar, about more than 1,000 Islamist jihadis and their family members surrendered to the Kurdish Peshmerga. The men were supposed to be imprisoned, but according to a former Russian-speaking leader from the Islamic State, those captured were shot, and the women and children were placed in camps controlled by the United Nations.

The former Islamic State leader told me there were several dozen more fighters who fled from the Islamic State, along with their families, but were scared to give up for fear of being killed.

If the Kurds would agree to negotiations, anything is possible, and [the fighters] would give up without a battle, and no one from either side would die, he said. These people dont have any ties to the Islamic State anymore.

Abadi said that half of the families detained after Mosul fell were Turks. The rest came from a dozen other nations, including Chechnya, Dagestan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, France, and Tunisia. The goal, Abadi said, is to return those women and children to their home countries.

In case of extradition to Turkey, women and children over 14 years old are interrogated by the authorities. Those who took part in hostilities are regarded as members of the terrorist organization and will be tried and possibly sentenced. The others, even if they are found not guilty, will be kept under surveillance. Only the youngest children of the Islamic State are treated as innocents. They will go to relatives, if their families can be located.

Its impossible to know just how many orphans of the Islamic State are in Syria and Iraq. In addition to young children who were brought over by their parents, there are possibly thousands more who were born to foreigners who joined the Islamic State. What will happen to those children is still unknown. In Western Europe, officials have already said while the children may be innocent, the mothers may be held responsible.

They are usually very young, but they can have been radicalised and need to be watched. The challenge for us is to turn them into citizens again, she said.

Florence Parly, Frances defense minister, has said that returning children are usually very young, but they can have been radicalized and need to be watched. The challenge for us is to turn them into citizens again.

For those returning to Chechnya, repatriation is even more fraught. Kadyrov is collecting not only children, but also men and women. Women can be useful sources of information on the Islamic State once Russian security services interrogate them. And men are an even bigger target of the Chechen humanitarian operation.

At the end of October 2017, a special Russian military aircraft picked up seven women and 14 children from Qamishli, Syria, to take them back to Chechnya. According to Kadyrovs representative in the Middle East, Ziyad Sabsabi, the women and children managed to break free from prison during a Russian military operation.

Kurdish sources quoted by local radio tell a different story. Russia didnt conduct any military operations to free anyone around Qamishli. Instead, a large Russian cargo aircraft landed unexpectedly at the airport carrying a Russian delegation. The aircraft, which was purportedly there to pick up the 21 women and children, was capable of holding more than 100 passengers.

According to Kurdish media, on Oct. 17, on the eve of the evacuation of the women and children, Mikhail Bogdanov, Putins special representative for the Middle East, met with Kurdish authorities in Qamishli. The talks were supposed to cover the transfer of Islamic State fighters and commanders of Chechen origin who were captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces during the battle for Raqqa, the onetime capital of the Islamic State.

According to local media, and confirmed to me by a source in the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Russians sent the plane to pick up Chechens operating undercover in the ranks of the Islamic State.

In the fall of 2015, just as Russia leaped headfirst into the Syrian conflict, Kadyrov had announced his willingness to send Chechens to the Middle East, saying he was just waiting on permission from Putin. Its unclear if that permission was received, since the Kremlin never admitted to conducting covert operations on the territory of the Islamic State.

Less than three months after Kadyrovs offer, however, Furat, a Russian-language media effort started by the Islamic State, posted photos online showing the execution of a Chechen named Magomed Khasiev. In the propaganda film, Khasiev confesses his guilt just moments before his death. He says he worked for the FSB, the Russian intelligence service.

Kadyrov said he didnt believe the killed Chechen worked for anyone. But just two months later in February 2016, on a major Russian state television program, Kadyrov announced that Chechnya had trained special agents who were sent to the Middle East to collect intelligence on Islamic militants.

Those fighting in Syria and Iraq doubt Kadyrovs sudden interest in rescuing Chechens from the Islamic State. More likely, they say, he wants to rescue spies who worked for him. The former Islamic State commander I spoke with expressed doubt that the Russian government, which did little to stanch the flow of its citizens to the Islamic State, would now be so interested in rescuing them.

Not so long ago, [the Russian authorities] allowed many to leave the country even though they knew that they were going to join the Islamic State, because they preferred to get them out of Russia, he said. Why would they want to take them and take care of them now?

Yet the Russian government continues to insist its concern is for the Russian children left behind by the Islamic State. In a written statement to Foreign Policy, the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. strongly denied allegations that its efforts to return women and children were intended for anything other than humanitarian purposes.

This is a tragedy for the families and for our society. We all want the Russian children to return home, to their Russian families, where it is possible, they wrote. The head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov plays a positive role in resolving this issue. He does it responsibly, dignified and as transparently as possible. It is hard to come up with anything more absurd than this attempt to present such a noble work as a secret operation.

In Moscow, the government has even created a special committee to collect information on orphans of Islamic State fighters, and 4-year-old Bilal Tagirovs return to Chechnya gave hope to families trying to recover children.

In the last few days [since Tagirovs arrival] weve received more than 30 letters with photos and descriptions of missing children, said Kuznetsova, the childrens rights commissioner. The local Dagestani office of the commission has received more than 240 reports, but even that number is far from final. Many families are afraid to report cases to the police or to seek the help of the authorities, for fear of being labeled Islamic State supporters. Instead, they look for missing children on their own, often placing messages on Russian-language internet boards.

Kadyrov, who was recently banned from Instagram because he was added to the list of people under U.S. sanctions, continued to claim great success in recovering children. On Sept. 14, 2017, Kadyrov posted about another case on Instagram.

Friends! he wrote. Today in the republic yet another joyful event  two children  Khadija and Adlan  returned to their native land from Iraq.

According to Kadyrov, the two children both went to the Middle East over a year earlier with their families and are the only survivors.

Do children forgive their parents for hell on earth that they inflicted?! Kadyrov wrote in his post. We will continue the humanitarian operation until we bring all the Russian children back from Syria and Iraq.Bravo fans and countess supporters applauded Luann de Lesseps when she took a hard but hilarious tumble in the bushes in Punta Mita, Mexico, during Season 9 of the Real Housewives of New York City. But when the 52-year-old divorcee threatened a police officer in Palm Beach, Fla., and slithered out of her handcuffs like Harry Houdini about two weeks ago, the countesss moral compass fell into question, as discussed on Wednesdays episode of The Morning Breath.

Arrested in the early hours of Christmas Eve, de Lesseps allegedly entered the wrong hotel room with a former fling and when asked to leave, locked herself in the bathroom and resisted arrest by local police. After reportedly threatening the officers life, the former model managed to slip out of her handcuffs, but she failed to escape the residual shame.

Since the Dec. 24 arrest, the housewife has returned to New York and has pleaded not guilty to four charges, which is surprising to some considering she has voluntarily admitted herself to an alcohol treatment center.

The best news of all (besides the mugshot that will live on forever)? Production for Season 10 is in full swing, and imaginations are already running wild as to how the arrest and the aftermath will be packaged for the spring premiere.

To those who are calling for the countesss firing from Housewives, shame on you for undermining the drama that makes the show! Because as we know from Teresa Giudices return to the Real Housewives of New Jersey, theres nothing like a little legal trouble to rake in the ratings.Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

From Cosmopolitan UK

Meghan Markle reportedly wants her mother, Doria Ragland, to accompany her to the altar when she weds Prince Harry in May. A source close to the couple told Us Weekly, "Ive heard that Meghan wants her mother to walk her down the aisle, which would be a sweet moment."

Though it's yet to be confirmed whether Markle will walk with her mother instead of her father, Thomas Markle, the move would break royal tradition. The Duchess of Cambridge walked arm-in-arm with her father, Michael, at her royal wedding to Prince William in 2011, and Princess Diana was joined by her dad, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, when she tied the knot to Prince Charles in 1981.

However, Harry and Meghan are shaking things up. "While they will always be mindful of traditions and the views of their elders, the day is ultimately about them and what they want to do," the source added to Us. "The day of the wedding itself will certainly hold a few unconventional surprises. Dont expect a royal wedding by numbers. They want to involve their friends and family as much in as much as possible throughout the day."

"Their romance feels refreshingly modern and I think thats something that everyone at Kensington Palace has felt incredibly excited by," a Palace insider added.

Prince Harry has already spent plenty of time with Markle's mother, including his appearance with her at the Invictus Games in October, when he reportedly asked Ragland for her permission to marry her daughter. She's "amazing," the prince revealed of his future mother-in-law during his first interview with Markle. Harry also revealed he's only spoken to Meghan's father a few times and has yet to meet him.

Thomas Markle, however, previously expressed interest in walking his daughter down the aisle. In December, during an interview with a Mexican newspaper, he said he'd "love to" give his daughter away at the ceremony, Reuters reports.

Story continues

Meghan was raised by both of her parents in LA, but they divorced when she was six years old. After they split, she lived with her mother, who is a yoga instructor and social worker.

[editoriallinks id='34a9559a-7cc3-4c8c-a86d-b012a0cc0ba2'][/editoriallinks]

You Might Also LikeMike Tyson is getting into the recreational marijuana business with a 40-acre ranch in California. (Getty Images)

Recreational marijuana became legal in California on Jan. 1, and former boxer Mike Tyson is leading the charge of new legal weed businesses in the state.

According to Gary Trock at The Blast, Tyson and his business partners Robert Hickman and Jay Strommen broke ground on whats being called a marijuana ranch on Dec. 20. The 40-acre ranch is being built in California City, an area thats expecting a major boom now that recreational marijuana is legal.

Tysons ranch will be a lot more than just a growing operation. The Blast says that there will be a plant supply store on the grounds, as well as an edibles factory, an extraction facility, an amphitheater and campgrounds and cabins for glamping (aka glamour camping). There will also be research done on how best to use and apply the healing properties of marijuana.

Thats a lot already, but it doesnt even cover the growing. The ranch is dedicated to getting the community involved and teaching the next generation of growers.

Were told Tyson Ranch will be dedicating 20 acres of their land for cultivation facilities that will allow master growers to have maximum control of their environment. There will also be a Tyson Cultivation School to teach growers the latest and greatest ways to perfect their own strains.

Beyond all of the research, teaching, growing and production that will happen at the ranch, there are even more benefits to the community Tyson Ranch will call home.

Were told the company that operates the ranch, Tyson Holistic, is comprised mainly of veterans, and says taking care of men and women who have served in the armed forces is a top priority. The ranch is located near Edwards Air Force Base and aims at creating lots of jobs, as well as connect with and give back to the community.

Theres been no date given for the opening of the ranch, but when it does open, it looks like its going to be an incredible facility. Only one question remains: will Mike Tyson be selling his own brand of marijuana edibles? The world demands answers!

Story continues

     

Liz Roscher is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher

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Washington (AFP) - Mitt Romney, who once ran for the US presidency against Barack Obama, appeared set for a political comeback Tuesday when veteran Republican Orrin Hatch said he is retiring from the US Senate.

Hatch's announcement that he will not run in this year's mid-terms could spell bad news for President Donald Trump, who had encouraged him not to quit and clear the way for a Senate run by Romney, an outspoken critic who once dubbed Trump a "fraud."

After months of public deliberation about whether to retire, Hatch, currently his party's longest-serving senator, said he will not seek re-election in November, bringing an end to his 40-year Senate career.

"Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves. And for me, that time is soon approaching," the 83-year-old Hatch, a former amateur boxer, said in a video message to supporters.

"That's why, after much prayer and discussion with family and friends, I've decided to retire at the end of this term."

Hatch's departure sets up what could be a return to national politics for Romney, who was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and served four years as governor of Massachusetts.

His strong name recognition and stature as a respected establishment Republican would make him the instant frontrunner in conservative Utah, where he also has roots.

It could also lead to a nightmare scenario for Trump: a party stalwart becoming a thorn in the president's side in Washington.

In a 2016 speech, Romney called Trump a "phony, a fraud," who was "playing the members of the American public for suckers."

The comments placed Romney at the forefront of the anti-Trump coalition within the Republican Party.

In recent months Romney has toned down the criticism, but occasionally speaks out on issues of national policy.

In early December, shortly after Trump visited Utah where he urged Hatch to run for another term, Romney attacked Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, whom Trump endorsed earlier in the day.

Story continues

"Roy Moore in the US Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation," Romney tweeted, referring to allegations that the candidate preyed on teenage girls when he was a lawyer in his thirties. Moore narrowly lost the election.

Last August, after Trump said "both sides" were to blame for deadly violence at a white supremacy rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Romney demanded Trump apologize and "repudiate the racists."

The White House declined to say who Trump might support in the race to succeed Hatch. But press secretary Sarah Sanders said the president is "very sad to see Senator hatch leave."

Romney, 70, has not stated publicly whether he will run, but on Tuesday he thanked "my friend, Senator Orrin Hatch for his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation."Motel 6 locations in Washington state gave information about thousands of guests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leading to the detention of at least six people, the states attorney general alleged in a lawsuit on Wednesday.

The lawsuit comes after the Phoenix New Times revealed in September that staff at two Motel 6 branches in Arizona were giving ICE their guest registries  something the hotel chain said at the time was implemented at the local level without the knowledge of senior management.

The practice was actually far more widespread, according to Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office carried out an investigation into Motel 6 practices in Washington following the reports from Arizona.

Fergusons office found that Motel 6 locations in Washington were also providing ICE with customers names, room numbers, license plate numbers and dates of birth, in violation of consumer protection and discrimination laws, the attorney general said.

After news reports in Arizona revealed Motel 6 staff was handing over guests private information, Motel 6 implied this was a local problem, Ferguson said in a statement. We have found that is not true. Washingtonians have a right to privacy, and protection from discrimination. I will hold Motel 6 accountable and uncover the whole story of their disturbing conduct.

Motel 6 did not immediately respond to a request for comment. After the Phoenix New Times report in September, Motel 6s corporate office said it would issue a directive to all U.S. locations telling employees they were prohibited from voluntarily providing ICE with guest lists.

Fergusons office said that Motel 6 admitted that at least six locations in the state  in Bellingham, Everett, Seattle, SeaTac and Tacoma  have given guest registry information to ICE agents since 2015.

According to the attorney generals office, those branches released the information of about 9,000 people  and likely many more, because the company only gave full details on four of the locations. It is not clear whether any of the locations have given out information since September, when Motel 6 says it banned the practice.

Story continues

Motel 6 trained employees to give guest registries to ICE upon request and did not require a warrant, Fergusons office alleged. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that law enforcement officials are not allowed to force hotels to turn over guest information without a warrant.

At a Motel 6 location in Everett, Washington, employees gave guests information to ICE about 228 times in a 225-day period, according to Fergusons office, which alleges that ICE agents routinely visited the motel, asked for a guest list and circled Latino-sounding names.

Fergusons office says Motel 6 was aware that ICE was using the information to target guests based on their national origin, and had therefore violated the states anti-discrimination law.

ICE spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts OKeefe said that the agency will not comment on the lawsuit because it is not a party to the litigation and that it does not typically disclose or discuss specific information related to the source of its enforcement leads.

The agency receives viable enforcement tips from a host of sources, including other law enforcement agencies, relevant databases, crime victims, and the general public via the agencys tip line and online tip form, OKeefe said in a statement.

The agencys immigration enforcement actions are targeted and lead driven, prioritizing individuals who pose a risk to our communities. Its worth noting that hotels and motels have frequently been exploited by criminal organizations engaged in highly dangerous illegal enterprises, including human trafficking and human smuggling, the statement added.

This story has been updated with a statement from ICE.

Also on HuffPost

April 2015

At an event hosted by Texas Patriots PAC: Everythings coming across the border: the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. Its like a big mess. Blah. Its like vomit.

June 2015

At a speech announcing his campaign: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

August 2015

On NBC's "Meet the Press": Were going to keep the families together, we have to keep the families together, but they have to go."

September 2015

On CBS's "60 Minutes": Were rounding em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And theyre going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesnt sound nice. But not everything is nice.

November 2015

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe": You are going to have a deportation force, and you are going to do it humanely."

February 2016

At a GOP primary debate: We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back  some will come back, the best, through a process.

March 2016

At a press conference when asked if he would consider allowing undocumented immigrants to stay: "We either have a country or we dont. We either have a country or we dont. We have borders or we dont have borders. And at this moment, the answer is absolutely not.

April 2016

At an event hosted by NBC's "Today Show": Theyre going to go, and were going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, OK? But it has to be done legally. ... Theyre going to go, and then come back and come back legally.

July 2016

At the Republican National Convention: "Tonight, I want every American whose demands for immigration security have been denied  and every politician who has denied them  to listen very closely to the words I am about to say. On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced."

September 2016

At a rally: Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country. Otherwise we dont have a country.

September 2016

On "The Dr. Oz Show": Well, under my plan the undocumented or, as you would say, illegal immigrant wouldnt be in the country. They only come in the country legally.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.A mother warns parents to check their babys feet after amputation scare. (Photo: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images))

A mother has issued a serious warning to other parents to watch out for stray strands of hair after her 10-week-old son almost had his two toes amputated.

Michigan mom Heather Fricke took to Facebook, hoping it would help other parents after her husband, Tommy, noticed by chance their son Jacob had two of his toes tied together by a piece of hair.

My son Jacob is 10 weeks old and he never cries except for his basic needs, well today after his diaper change I put him down for his standard 2 hr nap, Fricke wrote in her post.

Heather Frickes youngest son Jacob was rushed to the hospital after a hair cut off the circulation to his toes. (Photo: Facebook/Heather Fricke)

She continued: He woke up, I fed and changed both his diaper and clothes for a party we were going to. I handed him to his dad Tommy to put socks on him when Tommy realized his two toes were blue and tied together with a strand of hair!!! I immediately took off what I could and had to take him to the ER where we spent an hour and a team of 5 doctors trying to get the rest of MY HAIR off his two toes. Doctors said if I didnt take off the hair that I was able to get off that his 2 toes they wouldve had to be amputated.

Jacob is now recovering  but his toes still bore the brunt of the hair 12 hours after it was removed. (Photo: Facebook)

Fricke shared a photo of Jacobs toes 12 hours after the hair was taken off, with indents still obvious.

Shes urged other parents to be vigilant about checking toes and other body parts, given that the medical condition known as hair tourniquet is particularly dangerous with young children.

CHECK YOUR BABYS TOES AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN!!! she wrote in the Facebook post.

Heather Frickes warning has gone viral around the world. (Photo: Facebook)

And if you have a baby boy even his PENIS. Yes I said penis they are such tiny babys and our hair can be such a hazard but its something that we never really pay attention to, she added.

The concerned mothers post has since gone viral with over 232,000 shares, and countless other parents have shared similar stories in response.

This happened to one of my children when they were a baby, one person commented. Thank God I was able to get the hair off. I was so panicked. It had scared me so bad.

This happened to my daughters finger, added another mom. She wrapped her own hair around it while she was sleeping and it was just lucky I checked in her before I when to bed as her finger was already blue.

Story continues

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Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has described the Trump Tower between the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian lawyer touting damaging information about Hillary Clinton as treasonous, according to a new book by author Michael Wolff, seen by The Guardian newspaper.

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In his book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, Wolff quotes Bannon describing the June 2016 meeting, which is reportedly under investigation by special counsel Robert Muellers probe into alleged collusion between the Trump presidential campaign team and administration and Russia.

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The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floorwith no lawyers. They didnt have any lawyers. Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately.

Bannon told Wolff that if any such meeting had to take place, it should have been set up in a Holiday Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, with your lawyers who meet with these people. Any information, he said, could then be dump[ed] down to Breitbart or something like that, or maybe some other more legitimate publication.

Bannon resumed his position as CEO at Breitbart after being pushed out of the White House in August.

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He told Wolff that the investigation into alleged Russian collusion will focus on money laundering, and predicted: Theyre going to crack Don Jr. like an egg on national TV.

Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, were also present at the Trump Tower meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. The meeting was brokered by an intermediary, who emailed Trump Jr. to say the Russian had damaging information on Hillary Clinton, his fathers presidential rival.

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Bannon joined the Trump campaign as chief executive in August 2016, and in a September 2016 interview with Charlie Rose semmed to criticize meetings between Trump campaign officials and Russians before he took the reins.

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You know, I dont know why people had to have meetings with other countries. I thought there was more than enough there, Bannon says, referring to publicly available damaging information about Clinton.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekKampala (AFP) - Uganda's Yoweri Museveni has signed into law a bill removing presidential age limits, a spokesman said Tuesday, clearing the way for the 73-year-old's expected sixth run at the presidency in 2021.

The controversial constitutional amendment removes the age limit of 75 years imposed on presidential candidates and was pushed through by ruling party MPs last month. It was signed by Museveni on December 27 but not publicly acknowledged until now.

"The president assented to the bill and it is now law," said press secretary Don Wanyama.

"The previous law was discriminatory in nature but this has been dealt with for the good of Ugandans."

The amendment reimposes a two-term limit on the presidency scrapped by ruling party MPs in 2005 allowing Museveni, in power since 1986, to run for a third, fourth and fifth term in elections widely criticised as being unfair.

Wanyama dismissed the notion that the law was tailored to allow Museveni's sixth term as "speculative".

But veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye described the law change as part of "a well-orchestrated plan to have Museveni rule for life".By Felix Onuah ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's supporters got a boost on Wednesday when a key ally of the elderly leader announced he would head a group campaigning for him to seek re-election next year. Buhari, 75, has not publicly said whether he will take part in the February 2019 election. Political insiders have privately questioned Buhari's willingness, or ability, to keep the top job after he spent much of the past year in Britain being treated for an undisclosed ailment that left him visibly weakened. But Adebayo Shittu, Nigeria's minister of communications who played a prominent role in Buhari's 2015 campaign, said he would chair a group to support the re-election of the president and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Campaigning for the re-election of a president in Nigeria has often started with such support groups before the incumbent declares his intention to run again. "We, his ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians, would urge him to recontest," Shittu told reporters in the capital Abuja after informing Buhari of his plans to head the group. "I know he has not made up his mind but I can say that some of us can assist him in making up his mind," he added. The fact that Shittu discussed campaign arrangements with Buhari and then told reporters is a sign that the president may have given his approval. DISENCHANTMENT On Jan. 20 an office for the organization of the campaign will be set up in Nigeria's southwest, Shittu said. The southwest is a key region in Nigerian elections, home to the sprawling megacity of Lagos, where widespread support for Buhari in 2015 is credited with helping him defeat the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. But while Buhari in 2015 rode a wave of resentment against Jonathan over endemic government corruption, a struggling economy and a failure to defeat the Islamist Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, much of public opinion has now turned against Nigeria's incumbent leader. Many Nigerians complain that Buhari's government is also corrupt, pointing to the president's sacking of his top civil servant and the head of the National Intelligence Agency in October after highly-public graft scandals. Others dispute how well the economy, Africa's largest, has recovered. Nigeria exited its first recession in 25 years in the second quarter of 2017, but growth remains sluggish and the country continues to depend on oil, while unemployment and underemployment have increased. Boko Haram's deadly attacks also continue to plague the military and civilians in the northeast almost daily, despite the Buhari administration's insistence over the past two years that the insurgency has been beaten. In a blow to the president, Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and key Buhari ally, quit the ruling All Progressives Congress and said he was prepared to run in 2019. Last month he joined the opposition People's Democratic Party. (Reporting by Felix Onuah in Abuja; Writing by Paul Carsten; Editing by Gareth Jones)North Korean leader Kim Jong Un instructed officials to make a call to South Korea using a hotline that Pyongyang stopped using in February 2016.

The first direct contact between the countries in almost two years took place at around 3.30 p.m. local time (1.30 a.m. ET) on Wednesday. The conversation lasted 20 minutes, the South Korean unification ministry told the press.

"A North Korean official first contacted the South side via the channel," the ministry said, quoted in South Korean news agency Yonhap. Details of the conversation have yet to emerge, although the ministry mentioned both sides checked for technical problems.

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North Korea announced earlier in the day it would reopen the hotline to initiate sincere and honest discussions with the South over collaborations at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games held in Pyeongchang, located 50 miles away from the inter-Korean borderan idea first advanced in Kims New Year address.

01_03_Hotline

Yonhap/via Reuters

"We will try to keep close communications with the South Korean side from sincere stand [sic] and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said, quoted in the state-controlled North Korean news agency KCNA.

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Ri did not mention explicitly whether Pyongyang accepted Seouls invitation for talks to be held on January 9 in the border village of Panmunjom, where the phone line between the countries is located. North Korea closed the hotline in response to South Koreas decision to shut the jointly run Kaesong industrial complex in February 2016 in protest at Pyongyangs missile test launches.

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in, however, welcomed the message as a sign of openness to dialogue. "I believe it signals a move toward an environment where communication will be possible at all times," the chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan told the media at a press conference.

Moon, the son of North Korean refugees, was elected in May promising to ease tensions on the peninsula and return North Korea to the six-party talks. He believes sporting events such as the Winter Olympics represent a key opportunity for the countries to work together. "If the South and the North can join together at a time like this, it will be a great opportunity to send a message of reconciliation and peace to the world," he said at an event in New York in September, quoted in Yonhap.

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But according to some experts, Kims opening to talk with the South while renewing nuclear threats to the U.S. aims to sow division between the two allies. Kims own words seem to reflect the idea that the U.S. is not invited to discuss issues pertaining to the Korean Peninsula. "The leader stressed that whether inter-Korean ties can be improved totally depends on North and South Korea," North Koreas Ri said in his speech on Wednesday.

2018-01-03T062402Z_1_LYNXMPEE02076_RTROPTP_3_NORTHKOREA-SOUTHKOREA

Kim Hong-ji/Reuters

A former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea in 2016, Thae Yong-ho, said Kims plan is to drive a wedge within members of the international community to weaken international sanctions. "Kim seems to have an intention to shake the South, the U.S. and China, main key players in resolving North Korea's nuclear issue, so as to dilute their coordination over sanctions on the North," he told Yonhap.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called for unity against North Korea amid reports Pyongyang may be preparing for a new missile test. "We won't take any of the talks seriously if they don't do something to ban all nuclear weapons in North Korea," she told reporters on Tuesday.

Her boss, President Donald Trump, also expressed doubt in Kim's intentions with the proposed talks and bragged about the size of the U.S. nuclear button compared to North Korea's in a series of Twitter posts early Wednesday.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekNorth Korea has reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years as the rival nations explored the possibility of high-level discussions.

Kim Jong-un's decision to open the communications channel came as Donald Trump threatened him with a nuclear strike in response to a threat he made earlier in the week.

In his New Year's address, the North Korean dictator said he was willing to send a delegation to next month's Winter Olympics in Seoul, but he also said he had a "nuclear button" on his desk and all US territory is within striking distance of his nuclear weapons.

The US President ridiculed his comments when he boasted about having a bigger and more powerful "nuclear button" than Mr Kim.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! Mr Trump tweeted.

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The two leaders have exchanged a series of bellicose insults in recent months, with Mr Trump at times dismissing the prospect of a diplomatic solution to a crisis in which North Korea has threatened to destroy the United States.

However, the recent thaw in relations between North and South Korea may show a shared interest in improving ties, although there is no guarantee it will ease tensions.

The North reopened the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom at 6.30am, when South Korean officials at the border received a call from the North.

During their 20-minute communication, officials of the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communication lines to make sure they were working, Seoul's Unification Ministry said.

The hotline with the South was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town in Kaesong that was jointly operated by the two Koreas.

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"We will try to keep close communications with the south Korean side from sincere stand(sic) and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," the North's KCNA news agency quoted Ri Son-gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, as saying.

The talks would aim to establish formal dialogue about sending a North Korean delegation to the Olympics in February, Mr Ri said.

US officials have voiced scepticism about the possibility of meaningful talks, particularly if they do not take steps towards banning North Korea's nuclear weapons.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea against staging another missile test and said Washington was hearing reports Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile.

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts towards alleviating tension.

"All relevant sides should grab hold of this positive trend in the Korean peninsula and move in the same direction," Mr Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy South Korea, the US and Japan, and says its weapons are necessary to counter US aggression.

The US has around 28,500 troops stationed in the South, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.

Additional reporting by agenciesBy David Brunnstrom and Christine Kim WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday defended Donald Trump's tweet about the size of his nuclear button, saying Americans should be concerned about the North Korean leader's mental fitness, not their president's. On Tuesday, Trump responded to a New Year's Day speech in which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he had a nuclear button on his desk by saying that his nuclear button "is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" The tweet provoked strong criticism, especially from Trump's Democratic opponents, and former Vice President Joe Biden called it dangerously cavalier. Asked whether Americans should be concerned about the president's mental fitness after he appeared to be speaking so lightly about nuclear threats, White House spokeswoman Sara Sanders told a regular news briefing: "The president and the people of this country should be concerned about the mental fitness of the leader of North Korea. "He's made repeated threats, he's tested missiles time and time again for years, and this is a president who's not going to cower down and who's not going to be weak and is going to make sure that he does what he's promised to do and that is stand up and protect the American people." Trump and Kim have exchanged repeated insults in recent months in a crisis over North Korea's program to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the United States, raising alarm worldwide. Trump has at times appeared to dismiss the prospect of a diplomatic solution and both sides have threatened to destroy each other. Former Vice President Joe Biden said Trump had shown "really poor judgment." "The only war that is worse than one that's intended, is one that is not intended," Biden was quoted as saying by CNN. "This is not a game. This is not about, you know, can I puff my chest out." "The United States has a role in the world that the world has come to expect. I think the president is much, much too cavalier. And it's dangerous." Senator Edward Markey, the top Democrat on the Senate's East Asia Subcommittee, said Trump's tweet "bordered on presidential malpractice, needlessly deepening a crisis and squandering a fresh opportunity to attempt diplomacy." In his New Year speech, Kim warned that the entire United States was in range of North Korea nuclear missiles and added: "A nuclear button is always on my desk. This is reality, not a threat." Kim said his country would focus in the coming year on mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment, but added that these would be used only if North Korea's security was threatened. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told the Voice of America Trump was making clear that "America will not be bullied, America will not be threatened." He said that while all options remained on the table, there was the opportunity for a peaceable solution to the crisis if "North Korea will abandon their nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions, if they will dismantle those programs." HOTLINE REOPENED In his address, Kim also said he was open to speaking with U.S. ally South Korea and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea in February. U.S. officials have responded coolly to this overture and the State Department said North Korea "might be trying to drive a wedge" between Washington and Seoul. On Tuesday, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearizing North Korea. Haley also said Washington was hearing reports that Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile and warned of even tougher steps in response if it did so. On Tuesday, Seoul responded to Kim by proposing high-level discussions at the heavily armed Korean border next week, and on Wednesday North Korea reopened a border hotline that had been closed since February 2016. South Korean officials at the border received a call from the North at 0630 GMT and officials on both sides conducted a conversation for about 20 minutes, South Korea's unification ministry said. It did not disclose the content of the discussion. There was no immediate U.S. comment on the reopening of the hotline, although a State Department spokeswoman, Katina Adams, said Washington remained in close contact with Seoul "about a unified response to North Korea." She said that as South Korea President Moon Jae-in had stated, "'the improvement of relations between North and South Korea cannot advance separately from resolving North Koreas nuclear program.'" The reopening of the hotline came hours after the tweet from Trump, who has repeatedly mocked Kim as "Little Rocket Man". Kim's New Year's Day speech followed a steep increase in missile launches by North Korea in 2017, as well as its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. North Korea's KCNA news agency quoted Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, as saying talks with South Korea would aim to establish formal dialogue about sending a North Korean delegation to the Olympics. "We will try to keep close communications with the south Korean side from sincere stand (sic) and honest attitude, true to the intention of our supreme leadership, and deal with the practical matters related to the dispatch of our delegation," he said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts toward alleviating tension. (Additional reporting by Joyce Lee in Seoul, Philip Wen in Beijing and David Brunnstrom and James Oliphant in Washington; Editing by David Alexander and James Dalgleish)This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

A convicted killer who notoriously busted out of a New York maximum security prison in 2015 says he told officials exactly how he could have done it again.

David Sweat recently told The New York Times he discovered a way to break out of New York's Five Points Correctional Facility and, in exchange for the intelligence, asked them to allow more visits from his girlfriend.

Sweat, known best for his three weeks on the run with fellow inmate Richard Matt, was denied the request. However, corrections officials confirmed he'd provided details on possible "security vulnerabilities."

Instead of more time with his sweetheart, Sweat was promptly transferred under high security to the Attica Correctional Facility. The Times reports that men who transported him said he was moved because he had gotten into a fight, something he said had never happened.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said Sweat was moved "out of an abundance of caution."

Sweat's plan was reportedly quite complex and involved whipping up a tool that can remove heavy bolts, disabling a security sensor, and using water-soaked sheets as part of a "tourniquet-like device" to pry open a steel grate.

Sweat was transferred to Five Points following his June 2015 capture after he broke out of Clinton Correctional Facility, where he was serving a sentence of life without parole for murder.

Sweat and Matt had weeks earlier pulled off one of the most high-profile prison breaks in recent memory. Matt was fatally shot by authorities two days before Sweat was brought in alive a few miles from New York's border with Canada.

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Related Articles:Veteran Sen. Orrin Hatch plans to retire at the end of the year, despite personal entreaties from President Trump.

The president went all-out to persuade the Utah Republican, currently the longest-serving member of his party in the upper chamber, to run for an eighth term, in part out of concern that longtime critic Mitt Romney would run for the seat.

For over 40 years Ive had the great honor of serving as your senator, Hatch said in a video released Tuesday afternoon. When the president visited Utah last month, he said that I was a fighter. Ive always been a fighter. I was an amateur boxer in my youth, and I brought that fighting spirit with me to Washington. But every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves, and for me, that time is soon approaching.

Hatch, who as Senate president pro tem is currently third in line to the presidency, will leave office at the end of the year. He leaves on something of a mixed note: The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee was a pivotal force in drafting and passing the Republicans sweeping tax overhaul bill, which became law in December. But he was also the subject of a scathing piece in the Salt Lake Tribune in December.

Rumors of Hatchs retirement have swirled around Capitol Hill in recent months, as has speculation that Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee who harshly criticized Trump in 2016, was eyeing a run for the seat. Trump traveled to Utah in December in part to persuade Hatch not to retire.

Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, criticized Trumps business dealings in a press conference during the 2016 campaign and called on him to apologize for his response to the racial violence in Charlottesville in August.

But Trumps effort was ultimately unsuccessful.

After much prayer and discussion with family and friends, Ive decided to retire at the end of this term, Hatch said. I may be leaving the Senate, but the next chapter in my public service is just beginning.(ISLAMABAD)  Pakistan fired back Tuesday after President Donald Trump accused it of harboring terrorists, calling his New Years Day tweet completely incomprehensible.

The government summoned the U.S. ambassador to complain but stopped short of demands by protesting Islamic groups to expel the envoy.

The latest round of tit-for-tat attacks between the two reluctant allies, neither of whom trusts the other, was ignited by Trumps tweet on Monday. He said the U.S. had foolishly given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and had gotten nothing in return but lies & deceit.

He also reiterated longstanding allegations that Pakistan gives safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan.

A statement issued after a National Security Committee meeting, which was attended by Pakistans prime minister and the powerful army chief of staff, said the U.S. was scapegoating Pakistan for its own failure to bring peace to Afghanistan after 16 years of war.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of harboring militants, and have exchanged lists of wanted terrorists they want apprehended and returned. Afghanistan has also provided what it says are the locations of militant camps inside Pakistan.

Pakistan denies supporting militants, pointing to its own war against extremist groups battling to overthrow the government. It blames the burgeoning insurgency in Afghanistan on runaway corruption, infighting that has paralyzed the Kabul government and record drug production. Pakistan says the chaos next door has spawned a proliferation of insurgent groups, including an Islamic State affiliate that has attacked it from hideouts in Afghanistan.

The National Security Committee statement said Pakistan is among the countries hardest hit by terrorist attacks, having lost thousands of civilians and soldiers to the violence that has convulsed the region since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Defense analyst and retired Pakistani Gen. Talat Masood said vilifying Pakistan wont bring stability to the region and belittles the losses Pakistan has suffered.

Story continues

The people of Pakistan, the government of Pakistan (has) been really seriously affected and its consequences are felt every day, said Masood. America needs Pakistan. Without the help of Pakistan, it can never have stability in the region.

Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Wilson Centers South Asia program, said withholding aid to Pakistan is unlikely to deter Pakistani support for insurgents it sees as necessary to protect its security interests. Pakistan has long supported Islamic militants battling India in the disputed Kashmir region, and has close ties to the Afghan Taliban.

If the US truly had leverage, then one would have expected all the arms and money its sent to Pakistan over the years to have had happier results for the United States, he said in an email interview. It would take a whole lot on the part of Washington, and certainly more than threats and aid cuts, for Pakistan to agree to alter its immutable interests.

The contradictions at the heart of U.S.-Pakistani relations were on display Tuesday, when the Jamaat-ud-Dawa movement held protests in Lahore calling for the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador.

The group is headed by Hafiz Saeed, who also founded the militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The State Department has offered a $10 million reward for Saeed, who is wanted on terrorism charges, but he lives openly in Pakistan and frequently appears at public rallies.

Pakistan recently placed Saeed under house arrest for 11 months, but a court released him, citing lack of evidence.Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's office said Wednesday Jerusalem is "not for sale" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut annual aid of more than $300 million to force them to the negotiating table.

"Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP, referring to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

"We are not against going back to negotiations, but (these should be) based on international laws and resolutions that have recognised an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital," Abu Rudeina said.

Trump made the funding threat in a tweet on Tuesday, saying: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect."

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for UN programmes in the West Bank and Gaza.

Such programmes are seen by many analysts, including Israelis, as helping maintain stability in the Palestinian territories.

Israelis see the whole of Jerusalem as their undivided capital.Mr Manafort and Mr Gates have both plead not guilty to the charges filed by Mr Mueller's team: Getty Images

A former Trump campaign chairman indicted on money laundering charges by special counsel Robert Mueller as a part of his probe into Russias meddling in the 2016 election is suing the Justice Department and Mr Mueller, saying that the special counsel didn't have the authority to charge him.

The lawsuit, brought by Paul Manafort, represents the latest effort by allies of President Donald Trump to stem the special counsels investigation. That backlash has included pressure from some congressional Republicans, who have called publicly on the Justice Department to shutter the Mueller probe.

Mr Manafort, who was indicted last year on the charges alongside his deputy Rick Gates, filed the suit Wednesday in US District Court in Washington, challenging Mr Muellers decision to charge him for the alleged crimes, saying that they had nothing to do with the 2016 campaign. Both Mr Manafort and Mr Gates have plead not guilty to the charges related to money laundering and failing to file federal financial disclosures.

Mr Manafort and his lawyers say the accusations stemmed from lobbying work that he and his deputy did for a formerly pro-Russia Ukrainian source, long before the 2016 campaign. That lobbying work ended in 2014, the suit says, before Mr Trump even announced his bid for the US presidency.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein exceeded their authority in bringing forth those charges, because the law that dictates parameters for special counsel appointments do not allow far-reaching investigations of those kind. The order to appoint the counsel  which Mr Rosenstein signed after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself  goes beyond the deputy attorney generals authority, the lawsuit says.

Specifically, the lawsuit focuses on the terms in the order that say Mr Mueller can investigate any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation into the 2016 meddling.

Mr Rosensteins order gives the special counsel carte blanche to investigate and pursue criminal charges in connection with anything he stumbles across while investigating, no matter how remote from the specific matter identified as the subject of the appointment order, the lawsuit reads.WASHINGTON  Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort filed suit against special counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and the Department of Justice on Wednesday  a suit that experts quickly said has little chance of success.

In his complaint, Manafort alleges that Muellers investigation diverged from its focus on alleged collusion between the Russian government and President Trumps campaign.

The investigation of Mr. Manafort is completely unmoored from the Special Counsels original jurisdiction to investigate any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump, the complaint reads. It has instead focused on unrelated, decade-old business dealings  specifically, Ukraine political campaign consulting activities of Mr. Manafort.

The lawsuit is frivolous but the defendant is entitled to file whatever he wants, a Justice Department spokesperson told HuffPost in an email.

Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates were indicted by a federal grand jury in October and were charged with a dozen counts involving money laundering, failure to file foreign bank reports, and false statements. Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein appointed Mueller, a former director of the FBI, to the position of special counsel looking into the Trump campaigns alleged dealings with Russia back in May. Rosenstein had been overseeing the Russia probe after Attorney General Jeff Sessions had recused himself from the investigation.

The lawsuit, filed by the same attorney representing Manafort in his felony criminal case, contends that Rosensteins appointment order gave Mueller carte blanche to investigate and pursue criminal charges in connection with anything he stumbles across while investigating, no matter how remote from the specific matter identified as the subject of the Appointment Order.

Ill hand it to Manaforts lawyers: theyre good at convincing their client to spend money on filings that will go absolutely no where, tweeted Matt Miller, a former Justice Department spokesman during the Obama administration.

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On Twitter Wednesday, University of Texas School of Law professor Stephen Vladeck reiterated his September testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September. Vladeck said then that special counsel regulations dont raise the same issues as independent counsels, which came under scrutiny for going outside their mandate and allowing another branch of government  the legislative branch  to oversee the workings of the executive branch. A special counsel was much less of an intrusion than an independent counsel, Vladeck said, and the scope of the Special Counsels investigative jurisdiction is entirely within the control of the Attorney General; and the Attorney General retains the power to oversee the Special Counsels investigation  as provided by the Executive Branchs own regulation, rather than congressional mandate.

Read the suit in full below.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.KCRA - Sacramento Videos

The Natomas Unified School District has put a teacher with Inderkum High School on paid leave and says it is taking steps to fire the teacher for actions the district described as inappropriate and irresponsible. In a more than two-page statement, superintendent Chris Evans said an investigation into an undercover video recently produced by conservative activist group Project Veritas led them to question the teachers methods inside the classroom. At a school board meeting, the teacher was identified as Gabriel Gipe. Several parents and community members spoke passionately about the teacher's actions Wednesday during the evening.When President Trump sat down with the New York Times for an interview recently, he said something untrue about every 75 seconds.

Thats not just the usual political boasting and grandstanding. Those were actual, verifiable claims which professional fact checkers investigated and found to be untrue.

For example, Trump said in the interview that virtually every Democrat has said that the Trump campaign did not collude with the Russians during the 2016 election, while there was tremendous collusion between Democrats and the Russians.

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Thats not just false but breathtakingly false, as one fact-checker put it. Democrats have not exonerated Trump, though some have been circumspect about what we know and dont know about Russian meddling, and there is little evidence that Democrats were colluding with Russia.

In fact, the CIA, FBI and National Security Agency found in January of 2017 that Russia aimed to discredit Hillary Clinton and help Trumps chances in the election, so the claim doesnt make much sense.

The interview was not an outlier, either.

A year-end review of untrue claims from FactCheck.org found Trump dominating the list with remarks on everything from his inauguration to the Russia investigation to his own tax bill. Of PolitiFacts 483 fact checks on Trump so far, 69% were rated mostly false, false or pants on fire, and his claims on Russian meddling were the Lie of the Year. The Washington Post found 1,950 false or misleading claims made over 347 days.

Its easy to dismiss the scale of this problem.

After all, public trust in government is near historic lows. Most Americans think politicians lie on a regular basis (though, by and large, they typically dont), and professional fact-checkers have been around for years and not made a substantive difference in U.S. politics. Critics will point to these stories as evidence that Donald Trump lies and compile lists of Trump lies, Trump will call the media fake news and dishonest and nothing will change, right?

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But theres substantial evidence that Trumps approach to the truth is having an effect.

A recent Quinnipiac poll showed that 62% of voters dont think Trump is honest, while only 34% believe he is. While Republicans remain trusting, with 75% believing hes honest, more than two-thirds of independents dont agree and a sky-high 93% of Democrats think hes dishonest. By comparison 52% of voters thought Trump was not honest just after the November election  a full 10-point drop over his first year.

Trumps trustworthiness has made it harder for him to sell his policies. While the White House boasted that the Republican tax plan would give American families a tax break, a Monmouth poll showed that half of the public believed their own taxes would go up. The various repeal and replace bills on Obamacare also polled poorly, despite Trumps claims about them, some of which were clearly untrue.

During the campaign, Trumps pitch depended a lot on salesmanship. He avoided detailed plans in favor of making grand claims about how I alone can fix it. As the first president without a track record in politics or the military, he essentially asked voters to take his word for it. But his reputation for dishonesty is making it harder for him to do that job.(WASHINGTON)  President Donald Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. aid money to the Palestinian Authority and acknowledging that the Middle East peace process appears to be stalled.

Trump says in a pair of tweets that, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue  peace treaty with Israel.

He adds that, with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?

Trump infuriated many when he announced late last year that the U.S. would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there.

Trump has long said he wants to broker Mideast peace, calling it the ultimate deal.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.President Trump started the first Tuesday of 2018 with a tweet claiming credit for the lack of aviation deaths in 2017, citing his supposed strict policies on commercial aviation.

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But directly linking the President to these numbers is a stretch.

Data from the Aviation Safety Network shows that 2017 was the safest year for commercial aviation worldwide, with 10 fatal airline accidents that resulted in 44 fatalities. According to the ASN, the last fatal incident on a passenger jet was on November 28, 2016, when a plane crashed into a mountain in Colombia. The last aviation incident that killed more than 100 people was in Egypt in 2015.

But 2017 was the latest in a string of steadily declining fatalities in the sky. ASN President Harro Ranter notes fatalities have been declining steadily since 1997, which he attributes to the continuing safety-driven efforts by international aviation organizations such as ICAO, (International Civil Aviation Organization) IATA, (International Civil Aviation Organization) Flight Safety Foundation and the aviation industry.

The major U.S.-based airlines have not recorded a fatal crash since Sept. 11, 2001, and U.S. carriers in general have not had any fatalities since 2009. But Ranter did not explicitly include President Trump, or the White House, in his comments on aviation safety.

Trumps biggest proposal relating to aviation has been to privatize the air traffic control system, separating it from The Federal Aviation Administration which the White House said in June would help eliminate flight delays, save money on fuel, and increase safety measures. But implementing this measure would require congressional approval, which hasnt happened yet. This proposal had also been suggested in Congress before Trump took office.

With reporting by Aric Jenkins.



Getty Images

While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are most definitely a modern family when it comes to their royal parenting, its easy to notice a common trend in their public appearances.

Princess Charlotte is often seen holding the hand of Kate Middleton, while Prince George is usually accompanied by Prince William.

This can also often be spotted in their including the annual Christmas card  with Charlotte in front of her mother, while George holds his fathers hand. One parenting expert told the Daily Mail that this is not a coincidence, and the four-year-old is most likely being prepared for future kingdom.

ALSO SEE: Will and Kates Christmas card is here, but theres one subtle change from previous years

The family dynamic isnt just spotted during public appearances.

Fathers are typically responsible for the disciplinary actions, redirection, protection and provision of the family, explained Jasmine Peters. It is not uncommon to see a father with his son to set the foundation of what his role and responsibilities will be in life with a family. It is often believed that it takes a man to raise a boy to be a man. If you look at the pictures it clearly reflects this common belief.

According to Peters, this traditional take on parenting also proves that the royal pair are loving and nurturing parents, rather than trying to enforce gender roles.

Although these pictures can look a bit traditional, William and Kate may also understand the importance of a son bonding with his father and a daughter bonding with her mother, she said. Any parent that understands how their bond will affect their child in the future when they become adults understands the importance of creating a strong bond early on in their childhood and youth.

Lucy Shrimpton also confirms Peterss explanation to the paper- and suggests that Prince George may gravitate toward his father solely based on the fact that hes the oldest child.

ALSO SEE: The one thing the new royal baby cant take away from Princess Charlotte

The royals on their 2016 Canadian tour. (Getty Images)

The children are close in age and when the new baby depends heavily on mum, it is natural for the toddler to gravitate towards dad who can provide more attention when mum is busy with the baby, said Shrimpton. If George has spent extra time with dad because mum has had her hands full with a new baby, they may have built a father-son bond that has stuck I believe the same would have happened even if they had a girl first and then a boy or even two girls. I imagine you would still see the older sibling with dad more and the younger with mum at this sort of age.

Story continues

Shrimpton also believes there may be a shift in the parenting duties when the Duchess gives birth again this coming April.

It will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes again with baby number three.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA!

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According to a new book about the administration of Donald Trump, longtime friend and NewsCorp executive Rupert Murdoch called the President a f****** idiot.

Michael Wolffs book is called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House and details a myriad of behind-the-scenes stories regarding the current White House and Americas controversial leader from Election Night 2016 until this past October.

Mr Murdoch reportedly made the comment during a phone call on 16 December 2016, about one month before Mr Trump took office.

Those on the call were discussing Mr Trumps strategy towards H1B visa holders, a special category that allows select immigrants to stay in the country largely working in the technology sector and Silicon Valley.

Mr Murdoch allegedly suggested that it might be difficult to reconcile the administrations stance on building a roughly 2,000-mile long wall along the US-Mexico border with a favourable, more open stance towards H1B-based immigration.

But Trump seemed unconcerned, assuring Murdoch, Well figure it out. What a fucking idiot, said Murdoch, shrugging, as he got off the phone, wrote Mr Wolff in the book.

However, there is evidence that Mr Trump may have taken Mr Murdochs words of advice.

In April 2017, the administration stopped expedited processing for H1B visas for an extra fee, meaning all applications take between three and six months rather than the option of 15 days.

The requirements for those applying for work as computer programmers also became more stringent.

According to a leaked internal memo of the Department of Homeland Security appeared to point to a new proposal - asking those seeking H1B visa extensions while they wait for residency green cards to leave the country until their applications have been approved.

The Australian tycoon chairs NewsCorp, the parent company of the tabloid New York Post and conservative news outlet Fox News - a favourite of Mr Trump.

Decades earlier the New York Post made Mr Trump. He went from a local real estate developer to a multi-millionaire gossip column staple in the 1980s largely due to the paper.

Story continues

As recently as April 2017 the pair would speak on a weekly basis about strategy, sources close to both men told the New York Times.

The newspaper had reported that that the relationship between Mr Trump and Mr. Murdoch is deeper and more enduring than most in [Mr Trumps] life, and the two commiserate

Neither Henry Holt & Co. publishers nor News Corp have responded to a request for comment as yet.

Mr Wolff gathered the reporting in the book by spending time with the transition team and at the White House over 18 months with the freedom to record conversations.

He conducted 200 interviews including Mr Trump and took, according to him, something like a semi-permanent seat on a couch in the West Wing to do so. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, however, that Mr Wolff never "sat down" with the President.

"There was one brief conversation that had nothing to do originally with the book. It was around...five to seven minutes in total since the President has taken office and that is the only interaction that he has had," Ms Sanders said during a news conference.

She also noted that "the book has a lot of things...that are untrue. You have many people that have had quotes sourced to them come out publicly and say they're not true."

Mr Wolff characterised himself as more of a constant interloper than an invited guest.

As New York Magazine reported: There were no ground rules placed on his access, and he was required to make no promises about how he would report on what he witnessed.

Mr Wolffs book, which also reveals a controversy between former White House adviser Steve Bannon and the President, is set to be out on 9 January.The Russian Embassy sent a message warning countries to stay out of Irans affairs after President Donald Trump tweeted about the countrys repressed people, as days of anti-government protests continued to unfold.

Related: Mike Pence Promises Trump Wont Repeat Obamas Shameful Mistake on Iran Protests

Monday marked the fifth day of deadly protests in Iran, where 21 people have now been killed as Iranians protest the countrys economic and political instability. Trump has long railed against the nuclear deal his predecessor, Barack Obama, signed with Iran in 2015. And he waited little time to blame the Obama administration for the countrys current state in a tweet Monday.

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Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration. The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!

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Russian officials responded with a tweet of their own after previously keeping quiet on the protests playing out. The Russian Embassy sent out a comment from the Russian Foreign Ministry warning that external interference could further wreak havoc.

Don't miss: Orrin Hatch Retirement Opens Door For Trump Critic Mitt Romney In Senate

We express the hope that the situation in #Iran wont develop under the scenario of bloodshed and violence, the embassy said, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry. This is Irans internal affair. External interference destabilizing the situation is inadmissible.

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Its not the first time that Trump has weighed in on the protests that began Thursday. The president tweeted Sunday saying the U.S. is watching the big protests in Iran for human rights violations.

Most popular: Massive And 'Potentially Dangerous' Asteroid Will Approach Earth Tonight

Iran officials announced Monday that they would crack down on protestors and would not permit an insecure situation to continue in Tehran. That same day, authorities took to the streets with water cannons in Tehran.

Story continues

The recent protests are the largest to take place in the country since 2009, when demonstrations erupted in response to the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Protestors have now taken issue with President Hassan Rouhani and the countrys leaders for their failure to deliver economic growth after international sanctions were lifted following Obamas nuclear deal.

Rouhani called out Trump, whom he referred to as this gentleman in America in a broadcast on state television Sunday.

This gentleman in America who is now trying to sympathize with our nation appears to have forgotten that he called the Iranian nation terrorists several months ago, Rouhani said.

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This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekBy Rodrigo Campos and Christine Kim UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned North Korea on Tuesday against staging another missile test and said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not do something to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons. Haley told reporters the United States was hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing to fire another missile. "I hope that doesn't happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the North Korean regime," Haley said. South Korea on Tuesday offered talks with North Korea next week, amid a tense standoff over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year's Day speech that he was "open to dialogue" with Seoul. Kim also said he was open to the possibility of North Korean athletes taking part in Winter Olympics South Korea hosts next month. At the same time, he stressed that his country would push ahead with "mass producing" nuclear warheads in defiance of U.N. sanctions and that he had a nuclear button on his desk capable of launching missiles at the United States. Haley said the United States would not take talks seriously if they did not take steps toward banning North Korea's nuclear weapons. "North Korea can talk to anyone they want, but the U.S. is not going to recognize it or acknowledge it until they agree to ban the nuclear weapons that they have," she said. Haley gave no details of the missile test preparations. Another U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were indications that could point towards a potential missile launch sooner rather than later, but cautioned that such signs had been seen in the past and no test had resulted. 'DRIVE A WEDGE' U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said North Korea might be "trying to drive a wedge of some sort" between the United States and South Korea and added that while it was up to Seoul to decide who it talked to: "We are very skeptical of Kim Jong Un's sincerity in sitting down and having talks." U.S. President Donald Trump, who has led a global drive to pressure North Korea through sanctions to give up development of nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States, earlier held back judgment on Pyongyang's offer to talk, saying on Twitter: "Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. "Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!" Trump has frequently derided Kim as "rocket man." The U.S. president said sanctions and other pressures were starting to have a big impact on North Korea. Kim and Trump have exchanged fiery barbs in the last year and the U.S. president has warned that the United States would have no choice but to "totally destroy" North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies. North Korea regularly threatens to destroy the United States, South Korea and Japan and tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile in November, which it said was capable of delivering a warhead anywhere in the United States. South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said the offer for high-level talks next Tuesday had been discussed with the United States. Nauert said she was not aware if the matter had been discussed in advance of the South Korean response. Cho suggested the talks be held at the border village of Panmunjom and said they should be focused on North Korea's participation at the Olympics, but other issues would likely arise, including the denuclearisation of North Korea. "I repeat: The government is open to talking with North Korea, regardless of time, location and form," Cho said. Should the talks be held, it would be the first such dialogue since a vice-ministerial meeting in December 2015. South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed Kim's New Year address and asked his government to move as quickly as possible to bring North Korea to the Olympics, but he stressed that an improvement in inter-Korean relations "cannot go separately with resolving North Korea's nuclear program". China, which has persistently urged a return to talks to ease tensions, said recent positive comments from North and South Korea were a good thing. "China welcomes and supports North Korea and South Korea taking earnest efforts to treat this as an opportunity to improve mutual relations, promote the alleviation of the situation on the Korean peninsula and realize denuclearisation on the peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said. (Reporting by Christine Kim, Jane Chung and Hyonhee Shin in Seoul, Michael Martina in Beijing, Doina Chiacu, David Brunnstrom, David Alexander and Arshad Mohammed in Washington, and Rodrigo Campos at the United Nations; Editing by Andrew Hay and Alistair Bell)As of January 1, California began allowing the sale of marijuana to anyone over the age of 21. The move is expected to give a significant boost to Californias marijuana farmers, distributors, and retailers; an industry that analysts estimate will be worth around $7 billion within the next few years.

Although California started off the year with the most buzz around bud, its not the only state slated to legalize pot in 2018. The following states have either already legalized and are starting to transition into the commercial sale of weed, or are poised to let citizens legally toke.

New Jersey

New Jerseys recently elected governor, Phil Murphy, has been an outspoken advocate of legalization. Hell be sworn in on January 16, and Democratic state Sen. Nicholas Scutari has concocted a bill that Murphy could spearhead, according to The Courier Post:

The bill would permit those 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuana-infused products in solids, 72 ounces in liquid form and 7 grams of concentrate. It would prohibit home cultivation.

Murphy has promised to sign some iteration of legal weed legislation within 100 days of assuming office.

Maine

The state of Maine legalized recreational marijuana use in 2017, and they actually went a step further than Californias one ounce maximum by allowing adults 21 and over to possess two-and-a-half ounces of weed. Theres a catch, though: the state legislature is still working out a legal framework for commercial production and sale of marijuana products. Theyre due to begin work on that starting January 5  so we can definitely expect more marijuana news from Maine this year.

Vermont

Republican Gov. Phil Scott said in December that hes is now comfortable with signing a legalization bill into law, likely in early January.

The law would likely offer only non-commercial legalization, allowing Vermont residents to possess small amounts of weed and grow a few of their own plants at home. Marijuana retail and distribution laws would likely come down the road.

Story continues

DIY marijuana growing might be coming to a state near you.

Michigan

While Michigan has allowed medical weed use for nearly a decade, a ballot drive by legal marijuana proponents in 2017 paved the way for a state-wide vote on recreational use thats now slated for on November 6, 2018. Michigans proposed legislation would allow adult residents to possess up to 2.5 ounces and grow a maximum of 12 pot plants at home.

Rhode Island

In January, a a six-person Cannabis Advisory Board is expected to make its recommendations on a legal pot bill. There is a hope that some form of legislation will pass by summer 2018, when commercial marijuana sales are expected to begin in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts

Speaking of which, as mentioned above, Massachusetts is slated to begin hosting retail marijuana establishments by July 1. The state voted to allow for the legalization of recreational pot use in 2016.

Photos via Unsplash / Esteban Lopez, Unsplash / Alex Alexander

Photos via Unsplash / Esteban Lopez, Unsplash / Alex Alexander

Written by Grace Lisa Scott

More articles by Grace Lisa  Follow Grace Lisa on Twitter

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More From InverseSteve Bannon suggested President Donald Trump was aware of Donald Trump Jr.s meeting with Russian operatives at Trump Tower in June 2016  because he met with them that day, too, according to an explosive new book by acclaimed journalist Michael Wolff.

The former White House strategist was quoted by Wolff as saying there was zero chance Trump Jr. didnt walk the Russian meeting attendees up to his fathers office on the 26th floor.

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Wolff met with Bannon during the nine months he was granted far-reaching access to the West Wing and senior administration officials to write a tell-all book about the White House, Fire and Fury, set for release on Jan. 9.

The revelations appeared to contradict Trumps repeated claims that he was unaware his eldest son, as well as his son-in-law Jared Kushner, had met with the Russians.

Bannon also dubbed the infamous Trump Tower meeting as treasonous and bad shit, according to Wolff. The far-right icon mocked Trump Jr. and Kushner for taking the meeting in hopes of acquiring dirt on Hillary Clinton, Trumps political opponent in the 2016 presidential race, as first revealed by The New York Times in July.

The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers, Bannon told Wolff, according to The Guardian, which obtained a copy of the book.

Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately, he added.

Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort. Manafort served as President Trump's campaign manager from June to August 2016. (Photo: Reuters Photographer / Reuters)

Bannon predicted special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible collusion between Trumps 2016 campaign and the Russian government will focus on money laundering.

This is all about money laundering, Bannon told Wolff. Mueller chose [senior prosecutor Andrew] Weissmann first and he is a money-laundering guy. Their path to fucking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Jared Kushner  Its as plain as a hair on your face.

Story continues

Bannon suggested Kushners business dealings with German financial juggernaut Deutsche Bank, which has loaned hundreds of millions of dollars to the Kushner family real estate business, would be problematic for the administration.

The Kushner shit is greasy, Bannon said. Theyre going to go right through that. Theyre going to roll those two guys up and say play me or trade me.

Four Trump associates have been indicted in connection to the probe, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who also attended the Trump Tower meeting. Manafort was indicted by a grand jury in October on charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

Theyre going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV, Bannon said, adding that the White House should reconsider its apparent lack of concern over the Mueller investigation. Theyre sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five.

Trump responded to Bannons accusations by claiming his former staffer had lost his mind.

Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency, Trump said in a statement. Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look.

This article has been updated with Trumps response to Bannon.

Also on HuffPost

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.ABUJA (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed 11 people on Wednesday in an attack on a mosque in northeast Nigeria, the epicenter of the conflict with Islamist insurgency Boko Haram, military officials and an aid worker said. The bomber hit the mosque in the town of Gamboru in Borno state, near Nigeria's border with Cameroon, during dawn prayers, said Ali Mustapha, an aid worker. "I was on my way to dawn prayer, then I heard the sound of a loud bomb explosion inside the mosque," Mustapha told Reuters. "The mosque was destroyed and burnt," he said. "After some hours, when we came to evacuation of the people, we saw 11 corpses, with the suicide bomber making (the total number of dead) 12." Pictures of the aftermath of the blast showed the bodies of the dead uncovered and lined up on the ground. A building had been reduced to rubble, with only a few sections of wall left standing. Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bears the hallmarks of Boko Haram, a jihadist group which frequently uses suicide bombers, often women and girls, to attack crowded public spaces such as mosques and markets. Despite repeated government and military assertions that the insurgency has been defeated, Boko Haram continues to carry out lethal attacks on the military and civilians. Last week four civilians were killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants on Maiduguri, the Nigerian city at the center of the conflict with the Islamists. In November a suicide bomber killed at least 50 people in an attack on a mosque, in one of the deadliest bombings of recent years. (Reporting by Ola Lanre in Lagos and Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; Writing by Paul Carsten; Editing by Gareth Jones)(CASSELBERRY, Fla.)  Police in Florida say a teenager was found dead of a gunshot wound to his head after the car he was driving crashed into a house.

The crash happened Monday night in Casselberry, which is near Orlando.

Casselberry police Chief Larry Krantz tells news outlets the 17-year-old boy was in the drivers seat of a Kia with a 16-year-old girl passenger Monday night when a group of people walked up to the car. One of them fired a single shot and the teen started the car to try to get away.

Police spokesman Michael Schaefer says the car rolled into the house. The girl in the car called 911.

The boy died at the scene and no one else was injured.

Police are searching for three men and a woman who approached the car.A woman from Texas has been charged with murdering her boyfriend after fatally shooting him on New Years Eve, police report.

Related: Man Charged With Beating Stepson to Death Over Cookie, Then Forcing Siblings to Sleep in Bed With Dead Body

Yvonne Raquel Ramirez, 19, is being accused of shooting and killing Joshua McKinney at around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday during an attempted robbery in Baytown, Texas, authorities said. Ramirez allegedly stole multiple firearms from the victim and ordered that he pay $2,000 for their return, ABC Houstons KRTK reported.

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The pair had just started dating when the incident occurred. A witness told police that McKinney put the suspect in a chokehold and pointed a gun at her head, KRTK reported. The witness ran to call 911, but came back to find McKinney dead on the street.

Another witness claimed they saw Ramirez trying to move her boyfriends deceased body after the shooting, according to the charging documents. The 19-year-old, who also sustained a bullet wound, told authorities that she grabbed McKinneys gun and fired in self-defense, prosecutors said.

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But, police arent buying her defense. Authorities said Ramirezs story does not add up and accused her of shooting McKinney and then stealing his wallet afterward.

Friends of McKinney posted on Facebook to mourn his death and urged those who knew the victim to support the family by showing up to Ramirezs court date on Wednesday.

...Please don't let this Yvonne [Ramirez] get away with this cold-hearted crime, she don't know what she did. She took a life and ruined a lot of peoples lives. Josh McKinney was love by very many people so plz come and show your support, wrote CJ Wingate, a friend of McKinneys.

Story continues

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Newsweek has reached out to Wingate for further comment.

Days before the shooting, Ramirez posted on Facebook that she was getting a new job and a new car soon and that she was looking forward to the future.

Everything falling into place. I start my job Monday, getting my car soon & then my apt. Couldn't be more blessed. Thank you, God, Ramirez wrote on Facebook.

Ramirez is currently being held in jail in Harris County, Texas, on a $50,000 bond and will appear in court on Wednesday.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekA new book by Michael Wolff offers an insider look at President Donald Trumps candidacy and first year in office, and reveals dozens of fascinating details about the administration.

The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, was written after what Wolff claims were more than 200 interviews with the president and his inner circle. Trump, along with a representative for first lady Melania Trump and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, has already decried some of the books allegations, saying they are untrue.

Here are some of the most explosive details revealed in the book, which will be published next week.

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1. Steve Bannon, Trumps former chief strategist, described a meeting set up by Donald Trump Jr. with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign as treasonous and unpatriotic. Theyre going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV, Bannon is quoted as saying.

2. Bannon reportedly said the president likely met with the meetings participants afterward, speculating that Trumps son brought them up to his fathers office. The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these jumos up to his fathers office on the twenty-sixth floor is zero, Bannon said.

3. Trump didnt want to win, and no one in his campaign thought he would win. Well, it would only be a problem if we won, former national security adviser Michael Flynn assured his friends about his decision to accept $45,000 for a speech in Russia.

4. Trumps daughter Ivanka described Trumps hair as a perfectly engineered hairdo that takes many steps to complete. She often described the mechanics behind it to friends: an absolutely clean patea contained island after scalp-reduction surgerysurrounded by a furry circle of hair around the sides and front, from which all ends are drawn up to meet in the center and then swept back and secured by a stiffening spray, the book says.

Story continues

5. Trump wondered what a golden shower was after hearing reports of the intelligence dossier that alleges that Russian security forces have compromising details about the president. Having dispensed with [CNN chief Jeff] Zucker, the president of the United States went on to speculate on what was involved with a golden shower, Wolff writes.

6. Trump would speculate on the flaws of his staff after hanging up the phone with them. "Bannon was disloyal (not to mention he always looks like shit). [Reince] Priebus was weak (not to mention he was shorta midget)," Wolff recalls about Trump's reflections. "[Jared] Kushner was a suck-up. Sean Spicer was stupid (and looks terrible too). Conway was a crybaby. Jared and Ivanka should never have come to Washington."

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7. Ivanka and husband Jared Kushner agreed that if one of them were to run for president in the future, it would be her. They didnt say that? said Bannon upon learning about the deal. Stop. Oh, come on. They didnt actually say that? Please dont tell me that. Oh my God.

8. Trump eats at McDonalds so often out of paranoia and because he is a germaphobe. "Long afraid of being poisoned, he would say that one reason why he liked to eat at McDonald's was because nobody knew he was coming and the food was safely prepared," the book says.

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9. Trump asked Hope Hicks, the White House communications director who had dated former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, why she was worried about Lewandowski's bad press after he got fired. "You've already done enough for him, Trump apparently said. You're the best piece of tail he'll ever have."

10. Hicks and Trump had a very close relationship, and Trump's inner circle saw her as something of a daughter to the president. "[Hope] Hicks was in fact thought of as Trumps real daughter, while Ivanka was thought of as his real wife, the book states.

11. As a candidate, Trump had no interest in learning about the Constitution, which he knew very little about. I got as far as the Fourth Amendment, before his finger is pulling down on his lip and his eyes are rolling back in his head, said Sam Nunberg, a former adviser to the Trump campaign.

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12. Trump used derogatory language to express his anger toward Sally Yates. Trump conceived an early, obsessive antipathy for Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, the book reads. She was, he steamed, such a c---.

13. Trump didn't enjoy his own inauguration. "He was angry that A-level stars had snubbed the event, disgruntled with the accommodations at Blair House, and visibly fighting with his wife, who seemed on the verge of tears," the book claims.

14. Trump reassured Melania that he would not win the election. On election night, when it became clear that he would win, "Melania was in tearsand not of joy."

15. The travel ban was passed on a Friday so that people would protest at airports. Asked why the timing was on a weekend, Bannon said, So the snowflakes would show up at the airports and riot.

16. Trump never reads. He didnt process information in any conventional sense. He didnt read. He didnt really even skim. Some believed that for all practical purposes he was no more than semiliterate, the book says.

17. Trump would mention getting in bed with other women. Trump liked to say that one of the things that made life worth living was getting your friends wives into bed, the book claims.

18. Trump offered to marry TV hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. You guys should just get married, Trump told them. I can marry you! Im an internet Unitarian minister, Kushner said. What? said the president. What are you talking about? Why would they want you to marry them when I could marry them? When they could be married by the president! At Mar-a-Lago!

19. The president's lifestyle followed many unusual routines. "If he was not having his 6:30 dinner with Steve Bannon, then, more to his liking, he was in bed by that time with a cheeseburger, watching his three screens and making phone calls," the book says.

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20. Trump would share private details about himself, then get upset when information was leaked. "As details of Trumps personal life leaked out, he became obsessed with identifying the leaker. The source of all the gossip, however, may well have been Trump himself," Wolff writes. "In his calls throughout the day and at night from his bed, he often spoke to people who had no reason to keep his confidences."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekPresident Donald Trump has until the one-year anniversary of his inauguration this month to save his administration by keeping his "America First" campaign promises, according to his former strategist Steve Bannon.

Related: Trump campaign insider's tip to FBI confirmed by Steele dossier, says Fusion GPS

This is the run-up, the last 20 days before the first anniversary of his inauguration, and its all coming to a head, Steve Bannon told Axios for a report published Wednesday morning.

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By Wednesday, that would mean Trump has 17 days left to make good on his vows, in Bannon's view. The billionaire Republican made the "America First" slogan a focal point of his campaign and his inauguration speech, and in particular promised to crack down on illegal immigration and broker tougher economic negotiations with China.

GettyImages-900153782

AFP via Getty Images/Nicholas Kamm

Over the course of his first 348 days in office, Trump has failed to keep key campaign promises like repealing and replacing Obamacare, despite Republicans maintaining majorities in both chambers of Congress. Trump claimed his first major legislative victory in the final days of 2017 with the passage of a massive tax cut and code overhaul.

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To make good on "America First," Trump could force a crackdown on Chinas economic policies by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, according to Axios, and press the Chinese even more on finding solutions to North Koreas nuclear threats.

Throughout his campaign, Trump often accused China of manipulating its currency, the yuan, and said its trade and economic policies hurt U.S. workers and the countrys economy overall.

Story continues

Trump returned last week to his criticism of China for not taking a strong enough stance against North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un. The president was seemingly responding to reports of Chinese and North Korean ships trading oil despite heavy international sanctions when he tweeted China had been caught red handed.

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Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen! Trump tweeted December 28.

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Perhaps adding weight to Bannons statements, Trump appeared to make foreign policy his top priority in social media posts at the end of 2017 and the beginning of this year. Besides China, Trump has blasted Iran as a sponsor of terrorism, as well as Pakistan, and threatened to pull funding from the Palestinians if they continued to not negotiate with Israel.

Immigration remains a contentious issue for Trump that might require a compromise with Democrats over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. And Trump has yet to receive funding for the border wall.

Bannon, who left the administration in August and returned to run the alt-right media outlet Breitbart News, has long been viewed as an architect of Trumps improbable campaign and hard-right agenda. The two still keep in touch, even after Bannon left, and Bannon's views are often seen as a reflection of Trump's true political instincts.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekThe Trump administration on Tuesday called for the government of Iran to unblock social media apps, including Instagram.

The Associated Press broke the news on Twitter, reporting this: Trump administration calls on Iran to unblock Instagram, other social media amid protests.

The calls from the White House come as protests in Iran became violent overnight Sunday; more than ten people have died. Protests over the countrys economic crisis have lasted five days in cities across the country, and food prices have gone up.

On Sunday, authorities there blocked Instagram and the messaging app Telegram.

Not allowing people to engage with each other on social media limits freedom of expression, but, as has been the case with many pronouncements from Trump, theres at least one glaring hypocrisy about the declaration. Through his personal account, @realdonaldtrump, Trump regularly blocks people on Twitter  from journalists to activist groups to private citizens  from seeing what he, the president, puts online. To put it plainly, its his own personal form of censorship.

As news from the AP broke, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman, a leading journalist covering Trump, pointed out this fallacy in plain language:

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In June, Wired published a list of everyone Trump had blocked on Twitter, a rundown that included the progressive non-profit VoteVets, novelist Stephen King, and journalist Lauren Wolfe, among others, with guesses at why. In September, New York magazine published an updated, exhaustive list. It includes model Chrissy Teigen, for her comment: Lolllllll no one likes you. After the president blocked her, she remarked, After 9 years of hating Donald J Trump, telling him lol no one likes you was the straw. Its easy to laugh at a very angry Trump blocking the comedian/model, but troubling to think hed do it in the first place.

Iranian authorities are blocking access to Telegram for the majority of Iranians after our public refusal to shut down https://t.me/sedaiemardom and other peacefully protesting channels, commented Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, on Sunday.

Story continues

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Later, Durov wrote in this blog post that Telegram did suspend a messaging channel after users in it called for the throwing of Molotov cocktails: Yesterday we had to suspend @amadnews, a public channel that started calling its subscribers to use Molotov cocktails and firearms against police. The admins of the channel reached out to us after the fact, apologizing for breaking our rules and pledging not to promote violence in the future. As a result, they have been able to reassemble most of their subscribers (800,000) in a new peaceful channel, which we welcomed.

Iran has increased internet censorship in the country steadily over the past few years. You can check to see if a website is blocked in Iran using this website.

Facebook-owned Instagram had not commented on the Iranian governments ban as of Tuesday.

Photos via Getty Images / Bryan Thomas

Photos via Getty Images / Bryan Thomas

Written by Nick Lucchesi

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More From InverseAhmed Charai

Security, Middle East

Palestinian demonstrator kicks a burning tire during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest near the West Bank city of Nablus

Arab countries, historically a guarantor of strategic depth for Palestinian rejectionist forces, showed that they are becoming a bastion of support for compromise.

Trump's Jerusalem Move Could Provide a Pathway to Peace

The view has set in among Westerners that President Donald Trumps choice to recognize the Israeli capital in Jerusalem isolated the U.S. diplomatically, cost Washington its role as an Israeli-Palestinian mediator and damaged prospects for a peace settlement overall. The evidence: violence in Palestine and Iran-dominated Arab enclaves, protests and official condemnation in other Muslim countries and a counter-resolution at the UN General Assembly.

Here in Morocco, many observers hold a different view: Whatever the president thought he was doing, both the decision and its fallout exposed a political dynamic in the region that holds new possibilities for an eventual settlement. While the position of foreign powers remains essentially the same, Arab countries, historically a guarantor of strategic depth for Palestinian rejectionist forces, are increasingly a bastion of support for compromise.

After the White House declaration, most Arabs saw continuity in foreign powers stance as either seekers or throttlers of peace. Iran showed off its leadership of the rejectionist camp by ordering proxy riots in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq. Western European powers, while opposing the United States at Turtle Bay, clarified through accompanying statements that they were simply reaffirming the unresolved status of Jerusalems totalitya view with which the American presidents statement essentially concurs. Thus the difference between Washington and its major European allies, in some ways at least, remains a matter of emphasis. Most other votes against Washington came foreseeably from Muslim-majority states and the broader anti-Israel chorus. If there was any real departure, it lay in the thirty-five abstentions, which included Muslim-majority Bosnia-Herzegovina and several other EU members.

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As to the U.S. imprimatur as mediator in Israeli-Arab negotiation, talk of its demise is unfounded. Arab leaderships have always perceived Washington as a essentially pro-Israel power. It earned its chair at the negotiating table not by projecting neutrality but by extending profound military and economic leveragetoward Israelis, Palestinians and the broader region. It can only lose its role as a regional broker by losing its status as a global power.

The true political departure in recent weeks lay within the Arab region, in that fallout from Trumps statement exposed the so-called rejectionist forces in Sunni-majority Arab countries as a paper tiger. Aside from Iranian-occupied territory and Palestine, protests were relatively modest and short-livedeven in states like Libya, where the central government lacks the teeth to suppress public assembly. This was Islamists golden opportunity to reclaim relevance after the bruising counter-Islamist backlash that followed the Arab Spring. Yet they appeared unable to muster, let alone sustain, a mass turnout for their days of rage. And where were the professional syndicates of the Arab Left, which for decades had allied with Islamists under the banner of resisting normalization with the Jewish state? For the most part, they made their show of force in the op-ed pages of pan-Arab dailies and on the TV squawk box.

This weak showing matters greatly to prospects for peaceeven with respect to Arab countries like mine, geographically remote from Israel and Palestine. For decades, in much the way Israel leaned diplomatically on its American ally, Palestinian rejectionists looked to the expanse of Arab territory as their political and strategic depth. It became a truism that even if Palestinians sought compromise on Jerusalem, the region would never allow it. Arab leaders, when called upon to help broker a settlement, cited pressures from their own society as their primary impediment. Now Arab societies have given their leaders and the world a preview of how minimally the region would convulse in the event of a future renunciation of Palestinian maximalist demands. Those Arab leaders disposed to press for compromise can feel assuredand the rest can no longer as credibly blame the population for their own intransigence.

It remains unclear, from an Arab vantage point at least, how the Jerusalem declaration would influence the readiness of Israelis to compromise on settlements in the event Palestinian concessions on Jerusalem and refugees were forthcoming. Sadats historic visit to the Knessetitself a recognition of Israels capital in west Jerusalemshowed that a magnanimous Arab gesture can turn Israeli hawks into doves. Smaller gestures have been arriving lately, in the form of calls for peace in Arab media and publicized visits to the Jewish state by private citizens of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Opinion research on the domestic impact of these visits does suggest that they modestly thaw hardened views within the country.

Arab supporters of a regional peace, myself included, will continue to act on the belief that Arab conciliation begets Israeli conciliation. With this principle in mind, we see the outcome of the Jerusalem controversy as a sign that more is possible.

With respect to prospects for bridging public opinion inside Israel with that of its many neighbors, the potentialities of my own country bear highlighting. Morocco was once home to 265,000 Jews. During the Second World War, together with Jewish refugees from Europe who found a haven in the country, they were effectively shielded from the Nazis by Sultan Mohammed V, even under the countrys occupation by the Nazi-allied Vichy government. Most Moroccan Jews ended up in Israel, where today, together with their offspring, their numbers exceed one million. Each year, along with thousands of Israeli tourists including, political Israeli figures of Moroccan stock sometimes visit the country. In their public statements, they evince pride in their Moroccan ancestry, and pay homage to King Mohammed VIs official status as a spiritual leader to Muslims and Jews alike. Our king also chairs the Quds Committeea pan-Arab body dedicated to the citys well-being. His response to President Trumps statement was, among those of other Arab and Muslim heads of state, particularly thoughtful. In a region where denial of Jewish history in Jerusalem has become widespread, the king noted the profound importance of the city to people of all three monotheistic faiths, and called for a solution to the conflict that would guarantee the rights and security of everyone. Moroccans hope that all parties, near and far, will address the citys needs in the spirit of this statement. We also hope that our country can help foster a eventual settlement.

Ahmed Charai is a Moroccan publisher. He is a board directors of the Atlantic Council and an International counselor of the Center for a Strategic and International Studies and an Advisory Board of The National Interest Center in Washington.

Image: Reuters

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Read full articleNo one on Donald Trumps presidential campaign team thought Trump would actually become presidentand they didnt really want him to either, according to excerpts from Michael Wolffs book published Wednesday in New York magazine.

Now-President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Donald Trump Jr., campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and first lady Melania Trump were all reportedly left dumbfounded and afraid on the night of the election in 2016, the book claims. Shortly after 8 on election night, it became clear that Trump had a real shot of becoming president. Wolff wrote that Don Jr. said his father looked as if he had seen a ghost. Melania was in tearsand not of joy. Steve Bannon, who helped run the Trump campaign and helped Trumps team through the transition, said he saw Trump morph from a disbelieving Trump and then into a horrified Trump.

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Trumps longtime friend and former head of Fox News Roger Ailes used to say if you want a career in television, first run for president. And thats just what Trump did, with plans to start a news network and become the most famous man in the world.

A week before the election, Trump was sure he would lose the presidency. But still, according to Wolffs book, he told Ailes that it was bigger than I ever dreamed of. I dont think about losing, because it isnt losing. Weve totally won.

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Then he actually won.

Wolffs claims match various reporting on Trumps election: He certainly wanted the fame that goes along with running a successful campaign, but critics theorized that he wasnt quite as happy claiming the job of president. In February, The New York Times reported that Trump misses his access to fans and supporters  an important source of feedback and validation. The Associated Press wrote that Trump didnt even want to live in the White House.

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But Wolffs new book claims Trump and his campaign never planned to win and never wanted to accept the job that comes along with a victory. So once he did take office, the West Wing was in disarray, with Bannon, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner all operating in a free-form environment. Bannon, especially, saw his role as creating the "soul" of the White House, according to Wolff. And Trump's own behavior was credited as not befitting the White House.

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"Nothing contributed to the chaos and dysfunction of the White House as much as Trumps own behavior," Wolff wrote. "The big deal of being president was just not apparent to him. Most victorious candidates, arriving in the White House from ordinary political life, could not help but be reminded of their transformed circumstances by their sudden elevation to a mansion with palacelike servants and security, a plane at constant readiness, and downstairs a retinue of courtiers and advisers. But this wasnt that different from Trumps former life in Trump Tower, which was actually more commodious and to his taste than the White House."

Wolffs book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House is to be published by Henry Holt & Co. on January 9.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekPresident Donald Trump is lying when he says that the U.S. gives tens of billions of dollars to Pakistan yet gets little in return, the country's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Trump had tweeted on Monday that Pakistan gives safe haven to terrorists while taking $33 billion in U.S. aidthe latest salvo in the administration's threat to cut funding to Pakistan by $255 million as it reviews Islamabads cooperation in the fight on terror.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Khawaja Asif was having none of it, responding to Trump via his favorite medium.

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"Pres Trump quoted figure of $33billion given to PAK over last 15yrs,he can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure & let the world know who is lying & deceiving..," Asif tweeted.

Asif's comment is the latest effort by Pakistan to counter Trump's criticism. On Tuesday, Pakistan officials summoned U.S. ambassador David Hale to explain the U.S. position as explained by Trump's tweet, a rare diplomatic move.

And Pakistans Ministry of Defense also slammed Trumps Twitter broadside, highlighting the key role Pakistan has played in the U.S.-led war on terror.

Pak as anti-terror ally has given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but they have given us nothing but invective & mistrust. They overlook cross-border safe havens of terrorists who murder Pakistanis, the Ministry of Defense tweeted.

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Trump's aid figure apparently comes from the Congressional Research Office, which says that Pakistan received almost $34 billion from the U.S. in the form of military aid and equipment between 2002 and 2018.

Story continues

Meanwhile, data from another agency, USAID, show that U.S. agencies gave around $16 billion to Pakistan between 2001 and 2017. Overall, the U.S. gave Pakistan around $67 billion in aid between 1951 and 2011, according to the Center for Global Development, a think tank based in Washington D.C.

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Pakistan has cooperated with the U.S. for decades on regional security issues, but Trump is correct that Pakistan does not always follow instructions from the U.S. when it comes to foreign policy, especially if its own national security is at stake, an expert said.

The U.S. needs to understand Pakistan foreign policy through the frame of its historical rivalry with India. Despite U.S. expectations that Pakistan will simply follow Americas lead, especially as it relates to counter terrorism, Pakistan has consistently pursued its own national interests in relation to India, Harrison Akins, a security expert at the Howard Baker Center, told Newsweek.

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For example, Pakistan never completely disengaged from Taliban forces in Afghanistan because it hopes to block Indias influence along the border between the long-term rivals, Akins said.

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Relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have deteriorated rapidly since Trump took over, and the president appears to not be too concerned. During a visit to a U.S. military base in Afghanistan last month, for example, Vice President Mike Pence said that Trump "put Pakistan on notice."

But such rhetoric has a cost. Last week, Pakistan's military warned the U.S. against taking unilateral action against armed groups within its borders, fueling more concerns that Trumps approach is only stoking tensions with a country that is generally a useful ally.

Trump is not the first president to be frustrated by Pakistan. After all, they have a long history of helping us combat terrorism with one hand, while supporting and fostering extremists with the other. But President Trump is the first to so willfully and publicly antagonize the Pakistanis, Chris Meserole, an expert on extremism at the Brookings Institution, told Newsweek.

"He would do well to bear in mind that they are a nuclear power, and that for all their faults, they have provided essential counterterrorism assistance in the past."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekMore indictments are coming this year in special counsel Robert Muellers probe into possible collusion between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia in the presidential election, a Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee predicted.

Representative Ted Lieu of California based his remarks on a New York Times report on Saturday that alleged that Muellers investigation began because former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos drunkenly told an Australian diplomat that Russian officials were shopping information that could damage Trumps opponent, Hillary Clinton.

We know that George Papadopoulos has now agreed to cooperate with special counsel Mueller, and keep in mind he was on no ones radar screen until the guilty plea was unveiled, Lieu said on MSNBC on New Years Eve. That tells me that special counsel Mueller knows a lot about facts and circumstances surrounding the Russia investigation, and hes not letting people know what he knows until public documents come out with indictments and guilty pleas.

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Lieu concluded: I expect next year to see more indictments coming.

01_02_18_TedLieu

Getty Images

The congressman added that the revelation around Papadopoulos is significant because it shows that what Donald Trumps allies are trying to do, saying this is some sort of democratic witch hunt, is false.

Papadopouloss knowledge of Russians possessing stolen emails from Democrats leads to all sorts of questions such as who else on Trump campaign knew, what did the Trump campaign do with this information, Lieu said.

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Story continues

The Times reported that the FBI probe did not start due to a dossier compiled by a former British spy hired by a rival campaign, as the president and other conservative politicians have alleged.

Lieu also criticized the GOP for attacking the FBI as it investigates possible collusion, and said that the agencys director Chris Wray has given more than $39,000 to Republican candidates.

I still trust them because its demeaning to say somehow that FBI officials cant do their jobs just because they have political opinions, Lieu said. All of us have political opinions.

Papadopoulos in October pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with Kremlin-connected Russians. Former campaign aide Michael Caputo called Papadopoulos a "coffee boy" who had "nothing to do with the campaign."

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Lieu on Saturday tweeted out the Times story and wrote, The White House should be scared.

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Criticism from Republicans has not stopped Lieu from defending Mueller and his probe, and continuing to criticize Trump and his administration, including son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is working as a White House senior adviser though he has not been granted a security clearance.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were indicted in October and pleaded not guilty.

This article was first written by Newsweek

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Watch NBC Nightly News on Yahoo View.

Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump unleashed a spectacular denunciation of one of his closest political allies Wednesday, describing former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon as insane and irrelevant.

After the release of explosive excerpts from a new book in which Bannon reportedly described Trump's eldest son's meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," Trump wasted no time firing back.

The embattled Republican president issued a response that was searing even by his combative standards.

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," Trump said in a written statement.

Trump said Bannon -- who engineered the New York real estate mogul's link to the nationalist far right and helped create a pro-Trump media ecosystem -- was "only in it for himself."

Trump's fury appeared to have been provoked by the publication of startling extracts from "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by author Michael Wolff.

Passages published by The Guardian and New York magazine quoted Bannon being highly critical of Trump's son Donald Junior and daughter Ivanka.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, is also quoted as saying that the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election will focus on money laundering.

The investigation by Mueller, a former FBI director, is looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected -- a charge the president has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

- 'You should have called the FBI' -

Donald Junior took a meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya in June 2016 after an intermediary promised material that would incriminate Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort also attended the meeting at Trump Tower in New York.

Story continues

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers," Bannon was quoted as saying in the book.

"They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," he said.

- 'Little to do' with election win -

Trump responded quickly and cuttingly to the reported comments by Bannon, a former investment banker and the executive chairman of influential ultraconservative outlet Breitbart News.

"Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn't as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country," Trump said.

"Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was," he added.

"Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books."

- Disbelief over victory -

Wolff's book -- which he says is based on interviews with Trump, his senior aides and others -- also mentions that Trump did not initially know who former House speaker John Boehner was, that he eats food from McDonald's because he believes it to be safe from poison, and that his team did not believe he was capable of winning the election.

"Shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Night, when the unexpected trend -- Trump might actually win -- seemed confirmed, Don Jr. told a friend that his father, or DJT, as he calls him, looked as if he had seen a ghost. Melania was in tears -- and not of joy," it said.

The book even deals with the subject of Trump's infamous coiffe, citing Ivanka as telling friends it was the result of a comb-over from the front and sides of his head, stiffened by hair spray.

"The color, she would point out to comical effect, was from a product called Just for Men  the longer it was left on, the darker it got. Impatience resulted in Trump's orange-blond hair color."

Trump's press secretary Sarah Sanders hit back.

"This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House," she told a briefing.

Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for First Lady Melania Trump, denied allegations that she had cried tears of sadness.

"The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section. Mrs. Trump supported her husband's decision to run for President and in fact, encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did," Grisham said in a statement.WASHINGTON  Supporters of President Donald Trump have opened a new line of attack on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election: They think special counsel Robert Muellers federal grand jury has too many black people on it.

A Trump associate who recently testified complained to New York Post columnist Richard Johnson that the members of the grand jury in Washington looked like they came from a Black Lives Matter protest.

The grand jury room looks like a Bernie Sanders rally, the witness told Page Six. Maybe they found these jurors in central casting, or at a Black Lives Matter rally in Berkeley.

The complainant contended that 11 of the 20 grand jurors in the room during the testimony were African-Americans, which isnt a surprising figure because it roughly lines up with the percentage of black residents of the District of Columbia. The witness also told Page Six that there was only one white male in the room, and he was a prosecutor.

If the witness recently testified before the grand jury, which is charged with determining whether theres probable cause to indict any additional Trump campaign figures, that witness presumably knows a lot about what precisely the grand jury inquiry is focused on at this point. But instead of pursuing that story, Page Six gave a sympathetic airing to the witnesss complaints about the racial makeup of the grand jury  though the story did include a racism tag.

The complaint about who serves on the D.C. grand jury was clearly a bad faith argument from someone who appears sympathetic to Trump and  based on the fact that they were called to testify  may have information of interest to Muellers team.

Natasha Bertrand, a reporter for Business Insider, tweeted that she was pitched the story about the grand jurys racial makeup about a month ago and genuinely thought the person was joking. Yet the Page Six column quickly gained traction in conservative media circles Tuesday night.

Story continues

Gateway Pundit wrote that the Page Six report indicated the grand jury was completely biased and full of liberal hacks who most likely hate President Trump and said it was way past time for the unconstitutional witch hunt to be shut down.

Setting aside the precise demographics of this particular grand jury, its no secret that a selection of D.C. voters isnt likely to include many Trump fans. The president received just 4.1 percent of the Districts votes in 2016, 90.9 percent of which went to Hillary Clinton. Page Six reported that the grand jury doesnt appear to include any supporters of President Donald Trump, an assertion evidently based upon a Trump associates assumptions about the individuals in the room.

But the complaints about the racial makeup of the jury seize upon widespread misunderstanding of the role of a federal grand jury and represent an attack on a fundamental component of the federal criminal justice system that you wouldnt typically expect to hear from supporters of a president who ran a law and order campaign.

The witness who testified before the grand jury complained to Page Six that it wasnt a room where POTUS gets a fair shake. It is not, nor is it set up to be. Nobody gets a fair shake before a grand jury because its role is to serve as a (relatively weak) check on prosecutors, not to determine whether defendants are guilty of a crime.

More broadly, the attacks on the grand jury fit into a larger pattern of Trump supporters undermining the entire Russia investigation by attacking Justice Department employees, the FBI and, most recently, Mueller  a Republican former FBI director appointed as special counsel by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, also a Republican.

On Tuesday, Trump tweeted his complaints about the deep state Justice Department and called for it to jail a former top Clinton aide. The complaints about the racial makeup of the grand jury might give him new ammunition.

Ryan Reilly is HuffPosts senior justice reporter, covering criminal justice, federal law enforcement and legal affairs. Have a tip? Reach him at ryan.reilly@huffpost.com or on Signal at 202-527-9261.

Special counsel Robert Mueller leaves the Capitol after briefing members of the U.S. Senate about his investigation on June 21. (Photo: Joshua Roberts / Reuters)

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.A mural in Gaza depicts U.S. President Donald Trump with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. Trump appeared to threaten U.S. aid to the Palestinians in a series of tweets Tuesday. (Photo: Momen Faiz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump appeared to threaten millions of dollars in U.S. aid to the Palestinians in a series of tweets Tuesday after a decision to also withhold funds from Pakistan earlier in the day.

Its not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, the president wrote Tuesday afternoon. We pay the Palestinians HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.

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Trump continued to say that the Palestinians no longer wanted to negotiate a peace treaty with Israel and referenced his December announcement that the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital  one of the most controversial foreign policy decisions of his first year in office.

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The U.S. had budgeted $251 million in aid for the Palestinian-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2018, according to government data.

On Dec. 5, Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and directed the State Department to move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv.

With the move, the president fulfilled a campaign pledge popular among some evangelical Christians and right-leaning Jewish groups. He touted the change as a new approach after decades of failed peace efforts, saying it was meant to signal the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

In the short-term, however, rather than resetting the negotiations, the decision sparked widespread anger among Palestinians and deeply disappointed some of the U.S. most loyal international partners.

Jerusalem is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites. Israel has long proclaimed the city its undivided capital, while Palestinians had hoped its eastern neighborhoods would one day become the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

Trumps decision to recognize the city in its entirety as Israeli set off weeks of protests in the West Bank and Gaza, some of them violent. As international leaders warned that the U.S. severely complicated the peace process, Palestinian leaders posited that the U.S. had lost its role as an honest broker in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

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Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Muslim leaders just days after the move. The United States has chosen to lose its qualification as a mediator .... We will no longer accept that it has a role in the political process from now.

Palestinians launched weeks of protests against Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (Photo: Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Trumps threat to cut off aid to the Palestinians over their anger surrounding his Jerusalem decision was previewed by the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, earlier Tuesday.

Haley explained that Trump was considering cutting funding to the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). The President has basically said he doesnt want to give any additional funding, or stop funding, until the Palestinians agree to come back to the negotiation table, Haley had told reporters.

The U.S. is UNRWAs largest donor, followed by the European Union and Saudi Arabia, although the agency is chronically underfunded. UNRWA is one of the main organization providing the Palestinian territories with long-term support in education, infrastructure and primary health care.

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The U.S. had budgeted more than $250 million for the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2018. (Photo: Mohamad Torokman / Reuters)

Gaza and the West Bank suffer from flagging economies and high unemployment rates, partially due to what the United Nations has called an imposed Palestinian economic dependence on Israel. A significant drop in foreign aid, violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza and bureaucratic red tape in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority have also contributed to an economic slowdown, the World Bank said last year.

Trumps outburst Tuesday echoes his other complaints concerning the amount of funding that the U.S. provides other nations and international organizations. In the past, the U.S. president has threatened to cut aid to countries that disagree with his policies and railed against allies for not contributing enough money to multilateral organizations like NATO.

Such disapproval played out at the U.N. on Tuesday after Haley said America would withhold $255 million in aid from Pakistan, saying the country had played a double game for years and failed to support the American effort to fight terrorism.

They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan, Haley told reporters at the U.N. on Tuesday. That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

Nick Robins-Early contributed reporting to this story.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump admitted the Middle East peace process was in difficulty Tuesday and threatened to cut US aid to Palestinians, currently worth more than $300 million a year.

"We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect," Trump tweeted.

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for the UN's programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

Trump came to office boasting that he could achieve the "ultimate deal" that secures peace in the Middle East, something that has eluded presidents since the late 1960s.

For most the last half century the United States has been seen as indispensable -- if sometimes imperfect -- arbiter of the peace process.

Trump's actions are likely to cast that further in doubt.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal, threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognizing Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Efforts to harness improved Arab-Israel relations to push a peace deal have been at least temporarily derailed by his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking with decades of American policy.

The decision sparked almost universal diplomatic condemnation and deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.

It also prompted Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- 82-years-old and facing the prospect of entering the history books as the leader who "lost Jerusalem" -- to cancel a planned meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

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Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt took similar steps.

Pence was forced to delay his December visit to the Middle East until later this month, and aides were on Tuesday forced to reject rumors of further delays.

"As we've said all along, the Vice President is going to the Middle East in January," said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah. "We're finalizing details and will announce specifics of the full trip in the coming days."Washington (AFP) - Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has described a meeting between President Donald Trump's son Don Jr and a Russian lawyer during the 2016 presidential election campaign as "treasonous" and "unpatriotic," The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Bannon made the scathing comments in a book to be published next week -- the "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," by journalist Michael Wolff, the newspaper said.

"They're going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV," Bannon reportedly said.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, was also quoted as saying that the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election will focus on money laundering.

Bannon, an executive with right-wing news outlet Breitbart News, joined Trump's White House bid two months after the June 9, 2016 meeting between Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya and Trump campaign officials.

Besides Donald Trump Jr, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then campaign chairman Paul Manafort attended the meeting at Trump Tower in New York.

Donald Trump Jr took the meeting with the Russian lawyer after an intermediary promised material that would incriminate Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor - with no lawyers," Bannon was quoted as saying in the book. "They didn't have any lawyers.

"Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," he said.

- Money laundering -

The investigation by Mueller, a former FBI director, is looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected -- a charge the president has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

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Trump said in an interview with The New York Times last week that he expected the Mueller probe to be "fair" and Donald Trump Jr has denied any wrongdoing.

Manafort and a business associate have been indicted on money laundering charges unrelated to the election campaign. Trump's former national security adviser Mike Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russians.

Using a hurricane metaphor, The Guardian quoted Bannon as suggesting in the book that the White House was being complacent about the Mueller probe.

"They're sitting on a beach trying to stop a Category Five," he said.

Bannon's relations with Kushner were reportedly strained during their tenure at the White House.

And Bannon had particularly harsh comments in the book about the wealthy New York real estate developer who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka and serves as a senior adviser to the president.

"You realize where this is going," Bannon said of the probe by special counsel Mueller. "This is all about money laundering.

"Their path to fucking Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Jared Kushner... It's as plain as a hair on your face," he said.

"It goes through Deutsche Bank and all the Kushner shit... The Kushner shit is greasy. They're going to go right through that."

Since leaving the White House in August, Bannon has staked out some positions at odds with the Trump administration.

In the most notable break, he defied the president and backed a rival Republican candidate in a Senate race in the southern state of Alabama. Trump eventually changed his position and also supported Roy Moore, who lost.

Wolff, whose books include a biography of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, reportedly interviewed the president and more than 200 members of his inner circle and others for "Fire and Fury."President Trump issued a lengthy and striking statement on Wednesday slamming his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, over comments that appear in an upcoming book about Trumps first year in office.

Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency, the statement read. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican party.

Bannon, the Breitbart chief executive who became Trumps campaign chief in 2016 and his chief strategist in the White House, departed the White House in August. But Breitbart remained staunchly pro-Trump and Bannon said he remained in contact with the commander in chief. (Upon Bannons departure from the West Wing, Trump thanked Steve for his service in defeating Hillary Clinton.)

Bannon did not immediately respond to a request from Yahoo News for comment.

In his statement, Trump downplayed Bannons role in the campaign.

Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look, Trump said. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesnt represent my base  hes only in it for himself.

Steve Bannon, left, at a meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders in February, when he was Trumps chief strategist. (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was, the president continued. It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books.

Trump added: We have many great Republican members of Congress and candidates who are very supportive of the Make America Great Again agenda. Like me, they love the United States of America and are helping to finally take our country back and build it up, rather than simply seeking to burn it all down.

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The statement comes in response to Bannons comments in an upcoming book by Michael Wolff, Fire and Fury, which were published online Wednesday.

According to the Guardian newspaper, Bannon told Wolff that the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Donald Trump Jr., Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort with a Kremlin-connected lawyer who claimed to have compromising information on Hillary Clinton was beyond foolish.

The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor  with no lawyers. They didnt have any lawyers, Bannon said, according to a report about the book published in the Guardian. Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad shit, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately.

Bannon reportedly said that he believes Trump Jr. not only briefed his father on that meeting  he introduced the participants to the candidate.

The chance that Don Jr. did not walk these jumos up to his fathers office on the twenty-sixth floor is zero, Bannon was quoted saying.

The Breitbart chief also predicted that the federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia will end badly for the presidents son.

Theyre going to crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV, Bannon said.

Trump has maintained he knew nothing about the infamous Trump Tower meeting.

President Trump appears with Steve Bannon during a swearing in ceremony for senior staff at the White House on Jan. 22. (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

In an excerpt of the book adapted for New York magazine, Wolff wrote that almost everyone in the Trump campaign was convinced he would not win the election.

Shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Night, when the unexpected trend  Trump might actually win  seemed confirmed, Don Jr. told a friend that his father, or DJT, as he calls him, looked as if he had seen a ghost, Wolff wrote. Melania was in tears  and not of joy.

According to Wolff, the unexpected victory set the stage for the chaos and dysfunction that have persisted throughout his first year in office.

The mistaken outcome trusted by everyone in Trumps inner circle  that they would lose the election  wound up exposing them for who they really were, Wolff wrote.

The White House released a pair of statements rebutting Wolffs account.

This book is filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. Participating in a book that can only be described as trashy tabloid fiction exposes their sad, desperate attempts at relevancy.

The book is clearly going to be sold in the bargain fiction section, Stephanie Grisham, communications director for first lady Melania Trump, said. Mrs. Trump supported her husbands decision to run for president and in fact encouraged him to do so. She was confident he would win and was very happy when he did.

At Wednesdays White House press briefing, Sanders said that Trump and Bannon last spoke in December, and that the president was furious when he heard about Bannons comments.

I think furious, disgusted would probably certainly fit when you make such outrageous claims and completely false claims against the president, his administration, and his family.

Read more from Yahoo News:ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish authorities have issued detention warrants for 68 shareholders of Bank Asya in an operation targeting the network of the cleric accused of orchestrating a failed coup attempt, the police said on Wednesday.

The operation, centered in Istanbul and encompassing nine provinces, targeted "class A" shareholders who had voting rights to determine the bank's administrative board, police said.

The state-run Anadolu news agency said 49 of the suspects had been detained so far.

Bank Asya was founded by followers of the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, and was seized by the state in 2015 along with other Gulen-linked companies in a government crackdown.

The government says Gulen masterminded the 2016 attempted coup, in which more than 240 people, many of them unarmed civilians, were killed by rogue soldiers. Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, has denied the charges and condemned the coup.

Since the abortive putsch, more than 50,000 people, including civil servants and security personnel, have been jailed pending trial and some 150,000 suspended or dismissed from their jobs.

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by David Dolan)UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday praised the courage of Iranian demonstrators and said protests across the country were spontaneous, not driven by outside forces. After she read out social media posts written by Iranians in support of the protests, Haley dismissed Iranian leaders' contention that the protests were designed by Iran's enemies. "We all know that's complete nonsense," she said. "The demonstrations are completely spontaneous. They are virtually in every city in Iran. This is the precise picture of a long oppressed people's rising up against their dictators." Haley said the United States was seeking emergency sessions on Iran at the United Nations in New York and at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. "We must not be silent," she said. "The people of Iran are crying out for freedom." (Reporting by Rodrigo Campos and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and James Dalgleish)Pakistani backlash against President Donald Trump's tweet accusing the country of providing a safe haven to the Taliban grew Tuesday, with Pakistan summoning the American ambassador to Islamabad and accusing the U.S. of ignoring terrorist attacks on its citizens.

Trump's first tweet of 2018 claimed that the U.S. was wrong to supply foreign aid to the south Asian nation.

Related: Iran: anti-regime protests erupt across the country as protesters chant "death to the dictator"

Trending: In Swipe at Trump, GOP Senator Ben Sasse Warns of Rising 'Tribalism' and Defends First Amendment

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools, he said.

They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he added.

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Pakistan has dismissed the rhetoric from the president, Reuters reported.

The countrys foreign minister, Khawaja Asif, summoned the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission to Islamabad, David Hale, to explain the online attack. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said he will chair a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to focus on the tweet.

GettyImages-900014646

NOORULLAH SHIRZADA/AFP/Getty Images

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In its most stinging rebuke to the president thus far, Pakistans Ministry of Defense accused the United States of ignoring terrorists that kill Pakistanis.

Pak as anti-terror ally has given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but they have given us nothing but invective & mistrust. They overlook cross-border safe havens of terrorists who murder Pakistanis, the government ministry wrote in a tweet.

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Relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have been strained in recent years but have taken on a new dimension as the Trump administration has failed to signal the long-term direction it will take in the conflict.

In August last year, Trump said Pakistan was a valued ally against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), announcing the U.S. was shifting its strategy in Afghanistan.

Since then, the White House has increased troop levels in Afghanistan to about 14,000, a move some experts have said shows little departure from the strategies the U.S. has used in the country since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. The U.S. has also said it will withhold $255 million in military assistance for Pakistan until it combats militants threatening Afghanistan.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekA U.S. service member was killed during combat in Afghanistan on New Year's Day, which comes not long after the top U.S. commander in the country warned 2018 would be a dangerous year for U.S. troops deployed there. It marked the first U.S. combat death of the year.

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) identified the fallen soldier as Army Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Booker extended his condolences to Golin's family in a statement issued Tuesday. "Sergeant First Class Mihail Golin served our nation with courage and distinction, and his death is a loss that will be felt across New Jersey. Let us honor Sergeant Golin's extraordinary courage by reflecting on his commitment to the nation he loved, and by recognizing the profound debt of gratitude we owe to him and to his family for their sacrifice," Booker said.

General John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement the military is "deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own.

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"At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers," Nicholson added.

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Four other soldiers also were wounded during the incident, which occurred in Nangarhar province. It's not yet clear whether the U.S. service members fought with militants associated with the Taliban or the Islamic State militant group's affiliate in the country.

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In late November, Nicholson said more U.S. troops in Afghanistan would be sent to the front lines in 2018 and was frank about the fact it would place them in greater danger. "Yes, there will be greater risk, absolutely," Nicholson told reporters at the time. That same day, Nicholson also criticized Pakistan for not doing more to stop militants from crossing its borders and entering Afghanistan. "The Pakistanis have been engaged in a very tough fight against extremism inside their own country," Nicholson said. "They did displace many of those terrorists who were fighting their own government. But at the same time, weve seen the ones who werent displaced were the Afghan Taliban."

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President Donald Trump also was critical of Pakistan in a tweet on Monday, though he hadn't tweeted about the death of the U.S. soldier as of Tuesday afternoon. Trump's tweet said, "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more."

Since 2001, nearly 2,300 U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan, according to data from the Pentagon. At the moment, there are roughly 14,000 U.S. troops in the country after Trump approved a major increase as part of his new Afghan strategy, which was announced in August.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekNorth Korea has reopened its border hotline with South Korea hours after Donald Trump mocked Kim Jong-un by saying he has a "bigger and more powerful" nuclear button than the North's leader.

The North Korean dictator ordered the hotline at the truce village of Panmunjom to be reopened at 6.30am.

Officials from the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communications lines to make sure they were working during a 20-minute conversation, Seoul's Unification Ministry said.

The hotline was shut down by North Korea in February 2016 in retaliation against the closing of a border factory town the two Koreas jointly operated.

The North's decision to open the border phone line came a day after South Korea proposed high-level discussions amid a tense standoff over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes.

It followed Mr Kim's New Year address, in which he said he was open to speaking with the South and would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held just across the border in Pyeongchang in February.

Hours before the communications channel was reopened, Mr Trump, who has mocked Mr Kim as "Little Rocket Man", again ridiculed the North Korean dictator on Twitter over a warning from Mr Kim that he had a nuclear launch button within easy reach.

"Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Mr Trump tweeted.

The White House defended that tweet on Wednesday afternoon, saying Americans should be concerned about the North Korean leader's mental fitness, not their president's.

Asked whether Americans should be concerned about the president's mental fitness after he appeared to be speaking so lightly about nuclear threats, White House spokeswoman Sara Sanders told a regular news briefing:

The president and the people of this country should be concerned about the mental fitness of the leader of North Korea.

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He's made repeated threats, he's tested missiles time and time again for years, and this is a president who's not going to cower down and who's not going to be weak and is going to make sure that he does what he's promised to do and that is stand up and protect the American people.

Mr Kim's latest announcement, which was read by a senior Pyongyang official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on February's Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.

Ri Son-Gwon, chairman of the state-run Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, cited Mr Kim as welcoming South Korea's overture and ordering officials to reopen the communications. Mr Ri also quoted Mr Kim as ordering officials to promptly take substantial measures with South Korea out of a "sincere stand and honest attitude," according to the North's state TV and news agency.

US officials said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not contribute to denuclearising North Korea.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned North Korea against staging another missile test and said Washington was hearing reports Pyongyang might be preparing to fire another missile.

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, said both sides should seize the Olympics as an opportunity to improve ties and make concrete efforts towards alleviating tensions.

"All relevant sides should grab hold of this positive trend in the Korean peninsula and move in the same direction," Mr Geng said.

Additional reporting by agenciesThe Supreme Court enters 2018 with several fresh cases, and a key postponed case, in front of the nine Justices next week, with a voter registration suit from Ohio expected to get the most attention.

Arguments resume in the New Year on Monday, January 8, with a pair of original jurisdiction cases involving water rights between states. The following day, a pair of cases involves the ability of law enforcement to search rental cars and to look for a motorcycle under a tarp.

In Byrd v. United States, the dispute is over the following question: Does a driver have a reasonable expectation of privacy in a rental car when he has the renters permission to drive the car but is not listed as an authorized driver on the rental agreement?

Terrence Byrd was pulled over by Pennsylvania State Police for an apparent traffic violation while he was driving a car rented by his girlfriend. Byrd was not a signatory to the rental agreement nor covered by its provisions. Police then searched the car without a warrant and found heroin and a bulletproof vest. The lower courts ruled Byrd didnt have an expectation of privacy. Byrds attorneys claim federal courts around the country are divided on the question.

The second case next Tuesday is Collins v. Virginia, which is about the Fourth Amendments automobile exception. Based on a 1999 Supreme Court decision, the exception states if a car is readily mobile and probable cause exists to believe it contains contraband, the Fourth Amendment . . . permits police to search the vehicle without a warrant.

In the Collins case, police saw a Facebook picture of what they believed was a stolen motorcycle, and then entered private property near a house, called its curtilage, to examine a motorcycle under a tarp, without a warrant. Collins claims Virginias courts expanded the automobile exception beyond precedents set the United States Supreme Court.

Then on Wednesday, January 10, the Justices will hear a case postponed from last fall due to an illness of one of the arguing attorneys. Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute considers a conflict between federal voting statutes and state-based programs to maintain voter registration lists by removing inactive voters. Ohio removes people from its list of registered voters if they don't respond to a notification after four years or vote again in that period.

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In February 2017, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted filed a petition with the Supreme Court after the state lost a decision in the federal Sixth Circuit Appeals Court. Ohio believes that under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (or NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (or HAVA), it can start a supplemental process of voter purging for a person who has not voted or appeared to vote in 2 or more consecutive general elections for Federal office.

The Philip Randolph Institute challenged the states policy in 2016, claiming the voter-purging efforts eliminated a disproportionate number of lower-income and minority voters from the election process. It also contested Ohios interpretation of the federal laws that permitted voter inactivity as the trigger mechanism for maintaining voter rolls.

In federal district court, the state of Ohio won the first legal challenge. But the Philip Randolph Institute prevailed at the divided Sixth Circuit Appeals Court. Ohio asked the Supreme Court to take the case for several reasons, including the Sixth Circuit decisions impact on other states that use similar voter-purge policies and the Court accepted the case in May 2017. So far, the Trump administration and 17 states have filed friend of the court briefs supporting Ohio, while the NAACP, Common Cause and former attorney general Eric Holder field briefs supporting the Randolph Institute.(WASHINGTON)  The Trump administration on Tuesday threw the weight of the U.S. government behind the protesters taking to the streets of Iran, rooting them on despite the risk of helping Iranian authorities dismiss a week of major demonstrations as the product of American instigation.

As Irans supreme leader accused enemies of Iran of trying to destabilize his country, the State Department pressed Tehran to unblock social media sites used by the protesters. It even offered advice to tech-savvy Iranians on circumventing state internet controls.

President Donald Trump declared it was time for change in Iran, and other officials floated the possibility of additional sanctions. At the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki Haley sought a Security Council meeting to show support for those protesting in the Islamic Republic.

We want to help amplify the voices of the Iranian people, said Haley, who appeared before cameras to recite the chants of protesters across Iran. She said Irans claim that other countries were fomenting the unrest was complete nonsense, describing the dissent as homegrown.

Borrowing from a response playbook it has used before, Irans government blamed the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Britain for the protests. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 78-year-old supreme leader, said Irans enemies were using money, weapons, politics and spies to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution.

Trump was undeterred, praising Iranians for finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. In an allusion to possible sanctions in response to human rights violations, Trump said the United States would closely monitor the situation.

The U.S. is watching! the president tweeted.

Beyond rhetoric, though, it wasnt clear what the Trump administration could do substantively to empower the protesters, who are railing against corruption, mismanagement and economic woes including higher food prices. His support also sets up a potential test of his presidential leadership if the protests  already deadly  grow more violent.

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At least 21 people have died and hundreds have been arrested over six days of demonstrations, the largest in Iran since the Green Movement that erupted in 2009 following a disputed presidential election. The new outbreak started in Mashhad, Iranssecond-largest city, and has expanded to many others.

Iranian authorities have sought to suppress the protests in part by shutting down key social media sites protesters use to communicate, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and the messaging app Telegram. On Tuesday, Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein urged Irans government to unblock the sites.

They are legitimate avenues for communication, Goldstein said. He said the U.S. has an obligation not to stand by.

Iranians seeking to evade the blocks can use virtual private networks, Goldstein said. Known as VPNs, the services create encrypted data tunnels between computers and can be used to access overseas websites blocked by the local government.

The primary U.S. goal is to ensure enough global attention to deter Iranian authorities from violently cracking down on protesters with impunity, said a senior State Department official involved in Iran policy. The official wasnt authorized to comment by name and demanded anonymity.

For Trump, the protests have served as an unexpected but welcome opportunity to rally the world against Iran, and U.S. officials said the administration was actively encouraging other countries to back the protests. Early U.S. attempts to get European allies to coordinate their messaging with the U.S. ran into obstacles, but several countries including France and Italy have joined in expressing concerns.

In the U.S., Trumps full-throated support for the protesters has renewed the debate about how best to encourage change in Iran, whose government Trump deems a top national security threat.

Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. took a more cautious approach during the last major wave of anti-government protests. It was concerned about enabling Iranian authorities to exploit longstanding suspicions of the U.S., dating back to American and British support for a 1953 coup toppling Irans elected prime minister.

Ben Rhodes, Obamas former deputy national security adviser, said too much ownership of the protests by Trump would likely be counterproductive.

I cant imagine that the people marching in the streets of Iran are looking to Donald Trump for inspiration or support, Rhodes said. I just dont think it helps things for the White House to make this into a U.S.-versus-the-Iranian-government circumstance.

But former Sen. Joe Lieberman, a staunch Iran critic, said its a given Tehran will portray dissent as externally provoked.

Thats a very weak excuse for American inaction and inconsistency with our own interests and values. Im glad President Trump is not following that advice, Lieberman said in an interview.

It wasnt immediately clear what effect Trumps support was having on the protests, although Irans state TV reported his tweets and some Iranians shared them online.

When it comes to supporting the Iranian aspirations, Trumps credibility may be dented by his hostility to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and his inclusion of Iranians in his travel bans.

Trumps insistence in an October speech on using the term Arabian Gulf in place of the Persian Gulf also riled the Iranian public. There also was criticism of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for saying America was working with people in Iran for a peaceful transition of that government.President Donald Trump has slammed former adviser Steve Bannon, claiming the political strategist had "lost his mind," after he was quoted calling a Trump campaign meeting "treasonous".

"Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency," Mr Trump said in a statement. "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind."

He added: "Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country ... Steve doesnt represent my basehes only in it for himself."

The comments came in the wake of an explosive report in which Mr Bannon was quoted mocking a June 2016 meeting between key members of the Trump campaign and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Mr Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr, agreed to the meeting after an intermediary promised "dirt" from Russia on campaign rival Hillary Clinton.

Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s***, and I happen to think its all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately," Mr Bannon said of the meeting, according to journalist Michael Wolff.

The meeting has been of intense interest to Congressional investigators, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Mr Trump issued his fiery response in an official White House statement hours after the report first surfaced. He accused Mr Bannon, once thought to be his most trusted adviser, of leaking false information to the media, and downplayed his former White House role.

"Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books," Mr Trump said.

Mr Bannon was seen as a key architect of the Trump campaign, helping the candidate tap into his populist message and pushing him towards more nationalist ideas. He was also a driving force behind Trump administration policies like the travel ban and the repeal of Obama-era regulations.

Story continues

Mr Bannon left the White House in August, amid controversy over the President's response to a white supremacist rally in Virginia. Close advisers had long urged Mr Trump to oust his chief strategist, and the President himself was beginning to suspect him of leaking to the press, according to the New York Times.

Nonetheless, Mr Trump complemented Mr Bannon as he left to resume a leadership role at Breitbart News.

"Steve Bannon will be a tough and smart new voice at Breitbart News ... maybe even better than ever before," Mr Trump tweeted at the time. "Fake news needs the competition!"

Mr Bannon went on to work with Alabama Judge Roy Moore on his ill-fated Senate campaign. Mr Moore lost the race after being accused of sexual misconduct with underage women, giving Alabama its first Democratic senator in 25 years.

Mr Trump taunted his former adviser for the loss in his statement, writing: "Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isnt as easy as I make it look."

"Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country.," he added. "Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans."Social media is screaming, Hell ya! about the promotion of Hoda Kotb to co-anchor the Today show alongside Savannah Guthrie, replacing Matt Lauer, who was fired for inappropriate behavior.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie will co-anchor Today, in the wake of Matt Lauers firing. (Photo: Getty Images)

Since 2007, Kotb has filled Todays fourth-hour spot with Kathie Lee Gifford, sipping wine and covering hot topics. According to NBC, shell continue in that role, despite moving to the shows first two-hour slot.

Its 2018, and we are kicking off the year right because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of Today, Guthrie said Tuesday. This has to be the most popular decision NBC News have ever made, and Im so thrilled.

She said to Kotb, You are a partner and a friend and a sister, and I am so happy to be doing this.

Twitter celebrated the news.

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In November, Lauer  who had hosted Today for two decades  was fired by NBC after a female employee accused him of inappropriate behavior at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. Following that, a handful of women stepped forward with allegations that Lauer had given a sex toy to an employee, exposed himself to another, and intimidated and harassed others.

Kotb and Guthrie will be the first female duo to anchor Today, making history alongside ABC Newss Diane Sawyer and Robyn Roberts, who served as Good Morning America co-anchors from 2006 to 2009.

The news follows the launch of Times Up, a new anti-harassment initiative led by 300 women in Hollywood, including Shonda Rhimes and Reese Witherspoon. The project offers a $13 million legal defense fund to help less-privileged women, legislation to punish companies that allow harassment to persist, and a call to hire more women in positions of power. The project also encourages celebrities to wear black clothing to the Golden Globes on Jan. 7 to show solidarity with female harassment victims.

Matt Lauer and Katie Couric hosted Today for a decade. (Photo: Getty Images)

Its very hard for us to speak righteously about the rest of anything if we havent cleaned our own house, Rhimes told the New York Times Monday. If this group of women cant fight for a model for other women who dont have as much power and privilege, then who can?

Story continues

Times Up was inspired by #MeToo, a decade-old movement launched by Harlem-based activist Tarana Burke for women of color to fight sexual abuse. The hashtag circulated in October when Alyssa Milano tweeted that victims respond Me too to illustrate the scope of the epidemic, resulting in the professional downfalls of Harvey Weinstein, Brett Ratner, and Louis CK, and more.

Said Guthrie about Kotbs promotion: This has to be the most popular decision NBC News have ever made. She also told People, Were grateful to NBC for not having some old-fashioned notion about what should be. I think they looked at it and said, Why would you change this? This is working; it feels good.

Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer were long-standing co-anchors of Good Morning America. (Photo: Getty Images)

She was likely referring to the classic morning-show model of male and female co-anchors, which strived to present a gender-balanced viewpoint and appeal to a broad family-oriented audience. Examples: Lives Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford (Gifford was later replaced by Kelly Ripa), Todays Matt Lauer and Katie Couric (and later Ann Curry), and Good Morning Americas Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer.

But with families changing from two-parent households to ones of varying sizes, ethnicities, and gender roles, per recent data by the Pew Research Center, as well as a surge in ratings following Lauers dismissal and news of Catt Sandler leaving her role as E! host over a pay disparity with her male co-host, Kotbs new role feels both relevant and necessary.

From a business standpoint, Hoda Kotbs promotion makes sense given her popularity among viewers, Sandra Shullman, a psychologist who specializes in harassment and hostile work environments, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. However, the network is also making a very strong statement about its support for women.

Margaret L. Signorella, a professor of psychology and womens, gender and sexuality studies at Pennsylvania State University, also tells Yahoo Lifestyle, Very few women  and in particular, women of color  have prominent roles in major news organizations, and studies have shown negative bias against women who read the news.

Signorella adds, Many of the abuses that have been reported are in part abuses of power. So whether Hoda Kotbs promotion signals a significant or token change still needs to be proven.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

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Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firemen work at an apartment building in the Bronx, New York - REUTERS

A fire broke out in the Bronx neighbourhood of New York, just days after another residential fire killed 12 people.

The blaze ripped through a four-story building housing a furniture shop and apartments leaving more than a dozen people injured.

The fire broke out in the Van Nest neighbourhood at around 5.30am with more than 200 firefighters tackling the blaze for two hours in below freezing temperatures.

It comes less than a week after another blaze in the same area killed 12 people - the city's deadliest residential fire in almost 30 years.

At least sixteen people have been injured in Tuesday's fire, including nine children, according to CBS New York.

None of the injuries are considered life threatening.

It is unclear what caused the fire, but it is thought to have started in the furniture store located on the ground floor.

Smoke and flames could be seen reaching the top floor as firefighters smashed windows to reach people trapped inside their flats.

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The bitterly cold weather also made tackling the fire more difficult, with icicles forming on power lines in front of the building.

Power cables carrying icicles hamper efforts to control New York blaze Credit: Reuters

Residents described being woken in the early hours, with one woman banging on her neighbours' doors to alert them in time to evacuate.

Firefighters battle the blaze Credit: FDNY

One resident told ABC 13: "I woke up my husband, my kids and said listen there's a fire in the building. By the time we opened the door in the hallway, there was black smoke."

Firefighters took almost three hours to control the blaze and are still working to secure the building.

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Officials said that 22 people have been displaced as a result of the fire.YouTuber Logan Paul is facing a backlash for posting disturbing footage of what appeared to be a man who had killed himself.

The 22-year-old vlogger shared the now-deleted 15-minute video titled We Found A Dead Body in Japans Suicide Forest on his popular YouTube channel Sunday. It showed Paul discovering the young man in the Aokigahara forest on the slopes of Mt. Fuji in Japan. The forest is the worlds second most popular suicide location, per Atlas Obscura.

Pauls non-monetized clip racked up 6 million views in its first 24 hours online.

Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul (no relation) was among the hundreds of people to condemn the clip:

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Paul later issued an apology via Twitter, and claimed he thought he could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity.

Thats never the intention. I intended to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention, he added.

Read the full statement below:

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Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner slammed his justification:

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Other Twitter users are now calling for all of Pauls videos to be deleted from YouTube, where he has 15 million subscribers:

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Related Coverage

Hip-Hop Group Flobots Slams YouTuber Logan Paul For Ruining Its Song

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HELLO to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Lusaka (AFP) - Zambian foreign affairs minister Harry Kalaba has resigned citing "swelling" corruption in government and criticising President Edgar Lungu, officials confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.

Kalaba, who was appointed in 2014, wrote a scathing message on social media on Tuesday, lashing out at the state of the ruling Patriotic Front party.

"We cannot proceed to manage national affairs with cold indifference when the levels of corruption are swelling and being perpetrated by those who are expected to be the solution," Kalaba wrote.

"It would appear that the poor Zambians have ceased to be the reason we are holding power."

Kalaba is seen as a successor to Lungu, but Lungu is planning to run again for office in 2021 in a bid that his critics say is unconstitutional as he has already served two terms -- the maximum permitted by law.

Lungu became president in 2015 after the death of president Michael Sata and was reelected in 2016.

Kalaba said that he had submitted his resignation letter, but the presidential spokesman said that it not officially been received.

"We have not seen his letter. He has not brought it here," Amos Chanda told AFP.

Kalaba was not available to comment, but foreign ministry officials confirmed to AFP that he had resigned.

Transparency International's Zambian representative Reuben Lifuka said that public anger over alleged graft was growing.

"The resignation of Harry Kalaba vindicates many people who have expressed concern about the levels of corruption," he said. "It's time we see real action from President Lungu."

Recent allegations of corruption have focused on the state's procurement of 42 fire trucks for $1 million (830,000 euros) each, a $1.2-billion road project and the purchase of 50 ambulances for $228 million.Iranian flags were waved alongside Israeli flags near the Western Wall Tuesday as citizens who had immigrated to Israel from Iran staged a solidarity protest with the protesters in Iran.

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Protesters were undeterred by the rain that drizzled on the Old City as they held signs saying "Help Iran" and "Free Iran" while waving both countries' flags.

Iranian flag in Jerusalem (Photo: AFP)

Rani Amrani, 35, who emigrated from Iran at the age of 16 and now lives in Jerusalem, is one of the organizers. "We are calling on Iranian Israelis as well as all Israelis to support the (will to) freedom of the Iranian people. They say that you can leave Iran, but you cannot take Iran out of our hearts. One who lives in Iran will always feel a connection," said Amrani.

He added that the beauty of Iran should not be overshadowed by the horrors of the regime in Tehran.

"(Iran) is a beautiful country with wonderful people, whatever we see in the media is only the regime. The Iranian people do not hate Israel," he said.

"The Persians always had good relations with the Jews throughout history. What we are seeing now is proof that the regime does not represent the people and that the Iranian people do not want the regime. Iran is a rich country and its wealth is being squandered on the regime and not on the people who are poor."

Israelis show solidarity with Iranian people (Photo: AFP)

Amrani said that he still has relatives living in Iran. "They tell us about the mayhem and disorder, I am concerned for them so I told them not to go out on the streets."

Pinkas, another participant, added: "We want the leaders of the world, Trump and Netanyahu, to show support. This is the first step. It is important that Iranians should not fear and that they should receive support from the whole world and the revolution should succeed this time."

Iranian cities have seen six days of protests sparked by economic woes and government corruption. Some participants have been heard calling for the death of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and for the "dictator", Ayatollah Khameini. Twenty-one people have been killed so far and hundreds arrested.

The last major protests in Iran were in 2009 after a reformist candidate lost the election. Centerd in Theran, the capital, the protests mainly gathered attraction from the middle and upper classes. The latest wave of protests that began in Mashad, Iran's second largest city, spread to other regions and gathered a wider spectrum of disgruntled citizens.

There is neither a clear leadership nor a political platform leading the protests. Tehran has also seen some unrest, but the violence was mainly limited to other cities.

Jerusalem's deputy mayor Dov Kalmenovich expressed support for the local protest "Showing solidarity with the Iranian people in its struggle against an Islamist and terrorist regime we wish for a day when we can renew relations between our two countries."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the anti-government protesters in Iranian on Monday, while denying as "laughable" Tehrans apparent accusations that Israel was behind the demonstrations. He also criticized the relative silence out of Europe in light of the events.

"Brave Iranians are pouring into the streets. They seek freedom. They seek justice. They seek the basic liberties that have been denied them for decades. Irans cruel regime wastes tens of billions of dollars spreading hate," Netanyahu said in remarks that echoed similar praise from US President Donald Trump.

"Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration. The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted; Time for change! Trump tweeted.WASHINGTON - Acknowledging his push to broker peace in the Middle East has stalled, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday appeared to threaten to cut off US aid money to the Palestinian Authority, asking why the US should make "any of these massive future payments" when the Palestinians are "no longer willing to talk peace."

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Trump, in a pair of tweets, said the US pays "the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect."

"They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel," he wrote.

US President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP)

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The US has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for the UN's programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

Unless Trump follows through on his customary tough talk, the message is likely to be seen as primarily political.

He has heaped pressure on Palestinians to do a deal by threatening to close the de facto "embassy" in Washington, recognizing Israel's contested claim on Jerusalem and now threatening aid.

Senior PLO official Hanan Ashrawi slammed Trump's threat, declaring "We will not be blackmailed."

"Palestinian rights are not for sale. By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israels capital Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city," she said in a statement.

"President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions!" Ashrawi added.

Trump infuriated Palestinians and Muslims across the Middle East when he announced late last year that the US would consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move its embassy there, upending decades of US policy and igniting protests.

While the Palestinians haven't closed the door to a potential deal with Israel, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the announcement had destroyed Trump's credibility as a Mideast peace broker, calling the decision "a declaration of withdrawal from the role it has played in the peace process."

...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Tuesday's tweets mark a tacit admission by Trump that his decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has thrown a wrench into his administration's plans to restart the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, which he had dubbed "the ultimate deal." Trump tasked son-in-law Jared Kushner to restart the effort, and brought his former attorney, Jason Greenblatt, into the White House to lead the negotiations. Trump's Mideast peace team had held meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders for nearly a year ahead of an expected peace proposal. But by recognizing Israel's claim to Jerusalem, Trump was seen by the Palestinians as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalemwhich Israel captured in 1967for their capital.

In his tweets, Trump argued his decision had taken "Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more."

When Trump declared Jerusalem to be Israel's capital, he insisted, counterintuitively, that the move would improve, not hurt, prospects for clinching a peace deal.

In the days after the decision, Trump administration officials said the strategy was based on the notion that Israel had lost faith in the US as a committed partner during the Obama administration. With trust in Washington restored, Netanyahu's government would be more inclined going forward to make tough concessions that would ultimately be needed for a peace deal, the US officials argued at the time, and Israeli officials quietly indicated that they could potentially do so.

No one spelled out, however, what the Palestinians would receive in return.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: Reuters)

Trump on Tuesday also issued a threat to cut off foreign aid dollars to an unspecified list of countries that don't reciprocate.

"It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others," Trump wrote, appearing to reference a January 1 tweet lambasting Pakistan for failing to do enough to combat terror groups while taking US aid. "No more!" Trump had tweeted Monday.

Trump's language marks a striking departure from decades of bipartisan American practice and reflects Trump's transactional view of global affairs. US leaders of both parties have long utilized foreign assistance dollarsa minor percentage of the overall budgetto promote American interests abroad, alleviate humanitarian crises and support oppressed peoples.

Trump's envoy to the United Nations, US Ambassador Nikki Haley, foreshadowed Trump's warning earlier Tuesday at the UN Security Council. Haley said the president doesn't want to give more funds "until the Palestinians are willing to come back to the negotiation table."

"We still very much want to have a peace process. Nothing changes with that. The Palestinians now have to show they want to come to the table," Haley said. "As of now, they're not coming to the table, but they ask for aid. We're not giving the aid. We're going to make sure that they come to the table."

Trump with US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley (Photo: EPA)

Since a December 21 UN vote condemning Trump's Jerusalem decision , US officials have been weighing various options for retaliating against the Palestinians for pushing the resolution, which passed by a 128-9 margin.

Those options, which were to be discussed by Trump's top national security aides at a meeting next week, included several involving cutting off some or all aid to the Palestinian Authority. Another option would cut funding to the UN agency that provides services to the Palestinians in places like Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon.

The talks are in their very early stages, with no determination yet of a fixed amount or percentage of assistance to be cut, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

However, the officials noted that only a relatively small amount of the more than $220 million that the US was planning on sending to the Palestinians in the current budget year actually goes to the Palestinian Authority. Most of that assistance flows to non-governmental groups that are involved in building civic organizations that promote good governance, anti-corruption efforts, and health and education projects.

The officials said one possibility would be to redirect aid from the Palestinian Authority to those groups. Similar proposals were envisioned for the UN relief agency for Palestinians, the officials said, noting that Palestinian children in Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon would be disproportionally affected by an immediate and complete cut-off.

Chris Gunness, a spokesperson for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, said it had not been informed of any changes to US funding at this time.

One basket of money that is unlikely to be affected is security assistance that helps the Palestinian Authority coordinate police cooperation with Israel, the officials said.SEOUL - North Korea announced Wednesday that it will reopen a cross-border communication channel with South Korea, officials in Seoul said, another sign of easing animosity between the rivals after a year that saw the North conduct nuclear bomb and missile tests and both the Koreas and Washington issue threats of war.

The announcement, which came on a North Korean state radio address monitored by Seoul, follows a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on next month's Winter Olympics in the South. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday suggested that the North might send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games.

The South Korean Unification Ministry, which monitors North Korea's state media, said the North planned to restore the communication channel at the border village of Panmunjom later Wednesday.Israel defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. said Tuesday India had cancelled a $500 million deal less than two weeks ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to New Delhi.

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The Indian Defense Ministry cancelled a deal to purchase Spike missiles before the contract was signed and despite the company having fulfilled all its requirements.

"Rafael regrets the decision and remains committed to cooperating with the Indian Ministry of Defence and to its strategy of continuing to work in India, an important market, as it has for more than two decades, to provide India with the most advanced and innovative systems," the company said.

Spike missile

Indian media first reported New Delhi's intentions to nix the deal with Rafael in November 2017.

Rafael won the lucrative deal in 2015, after India had opted to buy the Spike missile over the rival US offer of Javelin missiles, built by Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Co.

Spike is a man-portable 'fire and forget' anti-tank missile that locks on to targets before shooting.

As part of the deal, the Indians were supposed to purchase some 8,000 Spike missiles and 300 launchers.

Rafael entered into a joint missile production project with the Indian-based Kalyani Group and the missile manufacturing facility, situated near Hyderabad, was inaugurated this past August.

Rafael did not give a reason for the cancellation. In November, sources within the Indian Ministry of Security told Indian Express the decision pull out of the deal was stemmed from fear that importing such weapons could have a negative impact on the program to develop weapons system by the ministry's Defense Research and Development Organization, which develops weapons in-house for the Indian army.

Meanwhile, India's Defense Ministry said separately it had cleared a plan to buy 131 Barak surface-to-air missiles built by Rafael. The 4.6-billion-rupee ($72 million) order follows up an earlier purchase of Barak missiles, meant to protect navy vessels against sea-skimming missiles and aerial threats.

India is the centerpiece of Netanyahu's initiative to cultivate ties with developing nations that have traditionally supported the Palestinians.

However, India favored the Palestinians by voting in support of a UN resolution last month denouncing the Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Netanyahu hosted India's prime minister last year and he is set to visit India later this month, on January 14.TEHRAN - Iranian state media on Wednesday aired pro-government demonstrations in cities across the country after a week of protests and unrest over the nation's poor economy -- a move apparently seeking to calm nerves amid clashes that have killed 21 people.

The protests, the largest seen in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, began Dec. 28 in the city of Mashhad, Iran's second-largest, over the weak economy and a jump in food prices. They have since expanded to cities and towns in nearly every province. Hundreds have been arrested, and a prominent judge warned that some could face the death penalty.

The English-language broadcaster Press TV broadcast Wednesday's pro-government rallies live, saying they were to "protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities."

Demonstrators waved Iranians flags and signs supporting Iran's clerically overseen government.

According to state TV, the demonstrations took place in at least 10 cities, including Ahvaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, the Kurdish town of Kermanshah in the country's west and Qom, the religions capital of Shiite Islam in Iran.An Egyptian activist lecturing at Tel Aviv University was heckled by a group of Arab-Israeli students Tuesday evening, who accused him of being a traitor and slamming what they described as his pursuit of normalization with Israel.

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Saad Eddin Ibrahim, one of Egypt's leading human rights and democracy activists and researchers, was lecturing on how to preserve Israeli-Egyptian relations when a group of students suddenly stood up and interrupted him, hurling insults at him as they left the lecture theater.

Arabs interrupt Egyptian lecturer

X

Bastard! This kind of normalization in treachery. What you are doing in shameful, they called out. This is called normalization and you are a traitor, traitor, traitor! Long live the Palestinian people and long live the people of Egypt.

Continuing with their barrage of insults, repeatedly screaming Shame on you, you bastard, the enraged group told Ibrahim You gave up on your nationalism, you traitor. Youre working for normalization and are selling out the Egyptian people and the entire Arab world. Its a disgrace. The people of Egypt renounces you and people like you.

Speaking to Ynet after the event, one of the students explained why the impassioned rhetoric had reached such heights.

Saad Eddin Ibrahim

This stinking researcher came to speak about normalization with Israel. He thinks he is meeting with children. We werent prepared to hear him because he describes things in lying manner, the student explained.

It is obvious that he received instructions on what to say. He deserves more and if I had the chance I would spit in his face.

The student added that no lecture, regardless of his origin, could convince his fellow protesters to alter their stance on the conflict.

The main thing is that we made screams heard and let him and other people like him know that we are proud Palestinians. No one will influence our position, he said, before listing the his proclaimed grievances against Israel.

Its important for him to know that the Israeli government is a occupying government that is attempting to legislate racist laws designed to humiliate the Arab Palestinian population, he said.

Protesters heckle Egyptian scholar

Another student was equally vociferous in his objections to the lecture. We didnt hear his lecture. We only entered at the beginning and the moment he started talking we conveyed the appropriate message, he said.

An Arab man like him, who gives lectures in Tel Aviv University on things he spoke about, is working for normalization and offending the Palestinian people. How do you give legitimacy to injustice, discrimination, occupation and the denial of our identity? he asked rhetorically.

The university responded to the incident, promising to look into it further. We take seriously the disruption of a lecture during an academic event. The university will look into the matter.

It is not the first time the university has seen a walkout staged by angry Arab students. Two years ago, a group stood up and left in protest a lecture delivered at Haifa University by Dr. Omer Salem, another Egyptian researcher who holds a number of degrees from international universities, including Yale University. Salem too was accused of cooperating with Zionists.Energy Ministry Minister Yuval Steinitz on Wednesday came out against Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's bill proposal to impose the death penalty on terrorists.

"It's the worst thing Israel can do to itself," he said during a government meeting on the topic. "The damage to the State of Israel could be massive. We're playing into the hands of our worst enemies."Hamas dismissed US President Donald Trump's threats to cut American aid to UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority, calling it "cheap political blackmail."

"Trump's threats to stop the aid until the (Palestinians) return to the negotiating table is cheap political blackmail that reflects the barbaric American behavior," the terror group said in a statement.Iranian intelligence agencies recruited a Palestinian student from Hebron to carry out terror attacks against Israel and conduct espionage missions in the West Bank on behalf of the Iranian regime, it was cleared for publication Wednesday by the Shin Bet.

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The spy was identified as Mahmoud Makharmeh, a 29-year-old resident of Hebron studying computer engineering, who was recruited by an Iranian intelligence activist residing in South Africa, according to a statement released by the Shin Bet.

An indictment was recently served against Makharmeh, who agreed to undertake his assignments ordered by Tehran three years ago.

Mahmoud Makharmeh (L) and Bakhar Makharmeh (Photo: Shin Bet)

The activities that have been exposed illustrate Iranian involvement in the encouragement of terror against Israel and exposes the arms that are sent by Iran to different countries around the world for the sake of promoting hostile activities against Israel, the Shin Bet statement read.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also echoed the conclusions, saying that Iran is operating in a terroristic fashion against the State of Israel, not only by assisting Hamas and Hezbollah.

Makharmeh was enlisted to carry out the Iranian-backed intelligence operation by Bakhar Makharmeh, a family relative from Hebron who for the past few years has lived in South Africa.

During the Shin Bet investigation, it emerged that Iranian intelligence uses South Africa as an area for locating potential recruits and enlisting agents to operate against Israel in the West Bank.

Bakhar Makharmeh also acted on behalf of the Iranian intelligence services, and invested significant efforts in recruiting activists living in the West Bank and in Israel to carry out espionage and terror attacks for the Iranian regime.

Three years ago, Bakhar met with Mohammed in South Africa where he convinced him to join the Iranian intelligence ranks. Bakhar also arranged multiple meetings between his fresh recruit and Iranian officials, some of whom traveled to South Africa specially to meet their man on the inside.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (Photo: EPA)

According to the Shin Bet statement, Mohammed was instructed to carry out a series of clandestine operations and terror attacks against Israelis, including drafting a suicide bomber and assembling a terror cell that would later carry out a shooting attack.

He was also asked to undergo a training course on explosive materials and weaponry and open a computer store in Hebron, photograph it and then send on the pictures to his handler in South Africa and to the Iranians.

The Shin Bet suspects that the Iranians intended to use the strors as an intelligence-collecting base in the Hebron area.

Furthermore, Mohammed was also tasked with locating and recruiting Arab-Israeli citizens who could act as fifth-columnists and provide snaps of Israel. Other assignments included transferring SIM cards and Israeli currency to Iran, which the the Shin Bet says are prerequisites for the implementation of attacks on Israeli soil.

Carrying out one of his central missions, Mohammed managed to recruit two activists from Hebron as he went about constructing a larger terror cell. They were identified as Nour Makharmeh and Diaa Sarakhneh, both 22 from Hebron.

The Shin Bet investigation revealed that the two additions to the cell conspired, together with Mohammed, to act for the Iranians. Mohammed received $8,000 from Iran for his activities.

Particular emphasis was placed on the task of recruiting Israeli citizens, especially journalists due to their access to sensitive places inside Israel such as official governmental areas.

In the indictment served at the Judea and Samaria Military Court, Makharmeh was charged for establishing contact with a foreign and hostile organization, receiving money from an enemy and attempting to join an illegal organization.

Nour Makharmeh was also indicted for contact with an illegal organization while Sarakhneh was charged with attempting to join an illegal organization.

A Shin Bet veteran interviewed by Israel Radio about the case suggested the purported South African link may be unprecedented.

"Apparently the Iranians found fertile ground in South Africa," said ex-officer Adi Carmi, adding: "I do not recall South Africa ever having been used by the Iranians as a terrorist recruiting ground for the aim of carrying out attacks."The IDF has completed its investigation into the rocket fire from the Gaza Strip to Israel on Friday, determining the Palestinian Islamic Jihad was likely behind the launches.

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The investigation found the Iranian-made mortar shells were identical to projectiles launched at an IDF post on the northern Gaza border by Islamic Jihad on November 30.

Two of the rockets fired on Friday were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile-defense system, while the third fell inside an Israeli community in the northern Gaza border area, causing damage to a structure. No one was hurt.

Rocket that hit a structure in Israeli community on Friday (Photo: Roee Idan)

Islamic Jihad, which is funded by Iran, is believed to have fired the rockets as retribution for the demolition of one of its cross-border tunnels by the IDF some two months ago.

IDF officials said the unusual volleylaunched during the day and likely specifically targeting a ceremony for fallen IDF soldier Oron Shaul, whose body is being held by Hamasindicates Hamas's lack of control over Islamic Jihad, the second-largest faction in the strip.RAMALLAH - Palestinians condemned as blackmail on Wednesday US President Donald Trump's threat to withhold future aid payments over what he called the Palestinians' unwillingness to talk peace with Israel.

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Trump drew praise from a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government but a warning from a former Israeli peace negotiator of the dangers in cutting off financial assistance to the Palestinians.

On Twitter on Tuesday, Trump said that Washington gives Palestinians "HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don't even want to negotiate a long overdue peace treaty with Israel with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Palestinian President Abbas (Photo: Reuters)

The Gaza terror organization Hamas dismissed Trump's threats, calling it "cheap political blackmail that reflects the barbaric American behavior."

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee, said in response: "We will not be blackmailed."

Palestinian anger at Trump is already high over his December 6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital , a declaration that also generated outrage across the Arab world and concern among Washington's Western allies.

Commenting on Trump's tweets, Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said: "Jerusalem is not for sale, neither for gold nor for silver."

Abu Rdainah said the Palestinians were not opposed to returning to peace talks that collapsed in 2014, but only on the basis of establishing a state of their own along the borders that existed before Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War.

"If the United States is keen about peace and about its interests it must abide by that," he said.

Israel, which unilaterally withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, has called the pre-1967 West Bank boundaries indefensible and has pledged to hold on to all of Jerusalem forever.

UNRWA funding

A report prepared for the US Congress in December 2016 by the US Congressional Research Service said annual US economic support to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged around $400 million since fiscal 2008.

Much of the money has gone toward US Agency for International Development-administered project assistance and the rest toward budget support for the Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers limited self-rule in the Palestinian territories under interim peace agreements.

An UNRWA school in Gaza

Culture Minister Miri Regev, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, welcomed Trump's aid comments, saying on Army Radio: "I am very satisfied ... (Trump) is saying the time has come to stop saying flattering words (to the Palestinians)."

Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, also of Likud, praised Trump. "We can't wait for the Palestinians for years on end. Israel is ready to advance in the diplomatic process, and they remain in their intransigence," he said.

But Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union), an opposition member and a former peace negotiator, said "a responsible and serious (Israeli) government" should quietly tell Trump that it would be in Israel's interest to prevent a "humanitarian crisis in Gaza" and to continue to fund Palestinian security forces cooperating with Israel.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump's UN ambassador disclosed plans to stop funding a United Nations agency that provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.

"The president has basically said he doesn't want to give any additional funding, or stop funding, until the Palestinians agree to come back to the negotiation table," Ambassador Nikki Haley told reporters when asked about future US funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

In an emailed statement, UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said "UNRWA has not been informed by the United States administration of any changes in US funding to the Agency".

The United States is the largest donor to the agency, with a pledge of nearly $370 million as of 2016, according to UNRWA's website.

According to UNRWA's website, there are 5.9 million UNRWA refugees and other registered persons eligible for its services, which include education and health care, in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.Iranian state media on Wednesday aired pro-government demonstrations in cities across the country after a week of protests and unrest over the nation's poor economya move apparently seeking to calm nerves amid clashes that have killed 21 people.

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The protests, the largest seen in Iran since its disputed 2009 presidential election, began December 28 in the city of Mashhad, Iran's second-largest, over the weak economy and a jump in food prices. They have since expanded to cities and towns in nearly every province. Hundreds have been arrested, and a prominent judge warned that some could face the death penalty.

The English-language broadcaster Press TV broadcast Wednesday's pro-government rallies live, saying they were to "protest the violence that has taken place over the last few nights in cities."

Demonstrators waved Iranians flags and signs supporting Iran's clerically overseen government.

Iranian clerics take part during a state-organized rally against anti-government protests in the country, in the holly city of Qom, south west Iran (Photo: EPA)

According to state TV, the demonstrations took place in at least 10 cities, including Ahvaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, the Kurdish town of Kermanshah in the country's west and Qom, the religions capital of Shiite Islam in Iran.

The rallies come after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday blamed days of protests across the country on meddling by "enemies of Iran."

"Look at the recent days' incidents," Khamenei said. "All those who are at odds with the Islamic Republic have utilized various means, including money, weapons, politics and (the) intelligence apparatus, to create problems for the Islamic system, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution."

"The seditionist rioters should be executed," marchers chanted on Wednesday, while posters they carried said hostile "hidden hands" guided from the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom should be cut off.

Khamenei avoided identifying any foreign countries, although he promised to elaborate in the coming days. Undoubtedly high on his list is the United States, where President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for the protests for several days.

Iran's government has since shut down access to Telegram and the photo-sharing app Instagram, which now join Facebook and Twitter in being banned, in an attempt to slow the unrest.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (Photo: EPA)

The Trump administration called on Iran's government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites. US Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein said Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are "legitimate avenues for communication."

The head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court also reportedly warned that arrested protesters could potentially face the death penalty.

"Obviously one of their charges can be Moharebeh," or waging war against God, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Mousa Ghazanfarabadi as saying. Moharebeh is punishable by death in Iran.A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council on Wednesday.

The rocket fell close to the Gaza border fence, inside Israeli territory.

The Code Red rocket alert siren was not sounded.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Welfare Minister Haim Katz and Finance Ministry Director-General Shai Babad announced Wednesday the launch of a plan that is set to increase disability benefits by NIS 4.2 billion over the next four years.

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The first stage of the plan, at the cost of NIS 1.4 billion, will go into effect retroactively from January 1, 2018.

The second stage, at the cost of NIS 600 million, was scheduled to go into effect in January 2019, but it has been brought forward to July 2018.

Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The plan is due to be brought to the government for a vote on January 11 and then to the Knesset the next day.

"This is a historic move," Netanyahu said. "This means that in the coming year, disability benefits will increase by NIS 2 billion."

In the first stage of the plan, those eligible for general disability benefits will receive an additional NIS 340 every month, while those eligible for special services will receive an additional NIS 540. In the second stage, both general disability and special services benefits will be increased by an additional NIS 161 a month. Elderly people with disabilities will receive half the sum respectively, since they are also entitled to old age benefits.

Concurrently, NIS 50 million will be allocated to children's disability benefits and an additional NIS 50 million will be allocated to the blind and visually impaired.

"We talk a lot about leading a social policy, and it has no meaning without an economic policy. We're allocating some of the tax revenues to different populations," Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, center, with Welfare Minister Haim Katz, left, and Finance Ministry Direct-General Shai Babad (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

"We are presenting an improved plan that includes the elderly and the blind," Welfare Minister Katz said. "This is a first step on the way to improving the disabled's situation. At the end of this journey, we need to reach minimum wage."

Shortly before the press conference, protesters from the "Disabled Panthers" group, who oppose the plan and the agreements reached with the government in September, blocked the northbound lanes of Highway 4 and burned tires.

The first stage of the plan was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2018, but the legislation to allow the increase in funds has yet to pass in the Knesset as the coalition decided to instead press for the Recommendations Law.

Disabled groups who support the agreement set an ultimatum to the government, threatening to resume their struggle and block roads if the agreement is not honored.

The head of the Struggle for the Disabled group, Naomi Moravia, welcomed the plan's implementation. "I'm sure it was not easy or simple to meet our high but just expectations, and indeed a high level of responsibility was required to reach the compromise that would allow both the increase of benefits and meeting the needs of the state budget," she said.

Naomi Moravia, right

Alex Friedman, who led the disabled people's struggle and heads the "Disabled, Not Half a Person" group, was far more restrained in his reaction. "We welcome the fact the second stage was brought forward, but we have reservations over the fact the sum presented in the 'special announcement' from this morning was significantly lower than what had been agreed upon," he said.

"We don't excited by pretty yet empty gifts, and we insist on the principles of the agreement, which are: an addition of NIS 4.2 billion to disability benefits, enshrining all of the plan's stages into law, linking the benefits to the average wage, and encouraging people with disabilities to work by raising the disregard (the threshold before supplementary income for the disabled is cut) to NIS 5,300," Friedman added.

Dr. Amichai Tamir, one of the leaders of the disabled people's protest, said "the coalition of disabled organizations, as always, supports fully comparing disability benefits to minimum wage. As a result, the disabled's protest will continue."

"The agreement on which the bill proposal is based will leave disabled people below the poverty line, which currently stands at NIS 3,200, and this is why there is sweeping objection," Dr. Tamir added.

Meretz party leader MK Ilan Gilon, who sponsored the bill proposing to compare disability benefits to minimum wage, also expressed disappointment with the announcement.

"We've had enough with announcements, plans and press conferencesit's all just talk. After failing to meet their commitment to complete the legislative process by January 1, the government and the Treasury are continuing to violate and dissolve the compromise agreement we signed on the eve of Yom Kippur," Gilon said.

"Increasing disability benefits is righting a continuous wrong done to a quarter of a million Israeli citizens with disabilities. This increase should've happened a long time ago. Don't feign compassion and don't do us any favors, simply fulfill in full the agreement you signed," Gilon continued.

"Until the entire agreement is passed into law, with all of its clauses, I will consider the agreement violated and in the coming week promote my bill in spite of the government's opposition to it," he concluded.Three mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip at the Eshkol Regional Council on Wednesday afternoon just hours apart, all of which landing in open, uninhabited fields. No injuries or damage were reported.

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The first mortar fell close to the Gaza border fence at around 2pm inside Israeli territory. Approximately one-and-a-half hours later, the IDF identified yet another mortar landing in the same area.

File photo (Photo: Roee Idan)

At around 5:30pm, another launch was identified, with residents of the regional council reporting a loud explosion nearby shortly after.

In all three cases, the Code Red siren was not sounded.

The IDF Spokesman reported that no explosions were heard following the first two falls, and after finding no shrapnel in Israeli territory the army now suspects they fell within Gaza borders.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to visit the Gaza region on Wednesday and participate in a ceremony marking the conclusion of a infrastructural restoration project. But two days ago, the visit was canceled for reasons that were not made clear.

The latest mortar attacks mark a continuation of a steady bombardment that has haunted Israels southern residents in recent weeks, and which have each time prompted the IDF to launch retaliatory strikes on Hamas positions.

Israel holds Hamas, the ruling power of the Gaza Strip, responsible for any aggression emanating from the enclave.

In a similar incident on Tuesday, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and exploded in open space near a community in the Eshkol Regional Council, catching nearby residents by surprise as no alarm was sounded to warn them ahead of time.

Israel Air Force aircrafts attacked a Hamas military compound in the southern Gaza Strip in retaliation.

On Friday, a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip at Israel during a ceremony for IDF soldier Oron Shaul hit a structure in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, while the Iron Dome system intercepted two other rockets.

Families take cover during rocket fire on Friday (Photo: Roee Idan)

Following an investigation, the IDF determined that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad was likely behind the launches.

In an unrelated incident, a Palestinian hospital official said a teenage boy was killed in clashes with the Israeli army, which says troops fired at an armed protester.

Fathi Abu Mughli, director of Istishari Hospital, said Musab Tamemi, 17, was shot in the neck. Residents of the village of Dir Nizam, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, said protesters were clashing with Israeli forces.

Israel's military said soldiers opened fire at a protester with a gun during clashes. It says it is reviewing the incident.Lawmakers moved a step closer toward instituting lighter criteria for the imposition of capital punishment for terrorists in Israel Wednesday after the Knesset approved in a preliminary reading a bill sponsored by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

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Fifty-two members of the Knesset voted in favor of the bill that has become a pet piece of legislation for Lieberman and his Yisrael Beytenu party, while 49 voted to toss it out.

PM Netanyahu (Photo: Koby Gideon/GPO)

Today military courts are authorized to impose the death penalty on convicted terrorists on condition that the decision is unanimously taken by the panel of judges.

The new legislation however seeks significantly moderate the criteria by granting authorization to a simple majority of a military court panel, while simultaneously extending the jurisdiction over the matter into the realm of civilian courts and making it impossible to commute a death penalty that was pronounced in a final verdict.

Addressing the Knesset plenum, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he backed the rationale behind the bill.

"Whoever holds a knife, murders and laughs deserves to die. He doesn't deserve to live," Netanyahu said, referring to the slaughter of the Salomon family in Halamish.

"The family members who survived the terrible attack told me how the terrorist grabbed the knife, slaughtered and laughed. I've seen some shocking things in my life, but that shook me to my core.

"There are extreme situations of people who commit terrible crimes and therefore do not deserve to live, they deserve the full amount of punishment. We support a change in the law for these situations, and especially on the ability to make a decision not under the guidance of the government or the defense minister, but on the basis of the opinion of two out of three judges. This is the main change we are interested in."

Halamish terrorist Omar al-Abed (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitch)

According to him, "the death penalty as justice in an extreme situation has already been tested in the State of Israel. No one here is reckless, when you think of the very difficult and extreme things we experienced, this is required at least in a preliminary reading. Then we can consider it further at a later time."

MK Ahmad Tibi (Joint List), who headed the discussion in the plenum, implied to the bill's supposed discriminatory nature, asking the prime minister whether he would support the application of the bill in cases of Jewish terrorists as well.

"Is the case in Duma an extreme case in which you support the death penalty?" he asked, referring to the firebombing of the Dawabsheh family.

Not missing a beat, Netanyahu replied: "In principle, yes."





The Dawabsheh family (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

The bill was brought before the Knesset despite objections raised in the ruling Likud party.

"It's the worst thing Israel can do to itself," Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said during a government meeting earlier on the controversial legislation. "The damage to the State of Israel could be massive. We're playing into the hands of our worst enemies.

A statement by Lieberman explaining the bill said that it was essential in the fight against terror. The struggle against terror is the greatest challenge facing the world and especially Israel in the 21st century, the statement said.

However, there is a huge gap in the way Israel operates on punishment and the reality it faces. The release of terrorists after a time in prison that has not been completed, including terrorists who have carried out the most horrific attacks, is the wrong message that does not contribute to the struggle against terror and Israels deterrence capabilites."

Defense Minister Lieberman (Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90)

In cabinet meetings, all the heads of the defense establishment presented an unequivocal stand against the death penalty, including the Shin Bet chief, the head of Military Intelligence, the IDF chief of staff and the police commissioner.

The Shin Bet explained their opposition by stressing that such a law could lead to kidnappings for bargaining between Israelis and Jews, and does not deter individual terrorism and will not deter suicide bombers who are willing to sacrifice their lives anyway.

Last month, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit clarified that he also opposes the legislative initiative.

According to the Mandelblit, the bill is inconsistent with the state's declarations regarding the death penalty in international forums and with the position of the UN Human Rights Committee on Israeland is expected to provoke criticism in the international arena.

Indeed, such criticism has already come. The European Union embassy in Israel condemned the bill, saying that "the death penalty is contrary to human dignity. It constitutes inhuman and degrading punishment. It has no proven deterrent effect and may allow a situation in which legal errors can be irreversible and cause a fatal result."Right wing activist and attorney Itamar Ben Gvir said that "the Prime Minister's statement supporting the death penalty for terrorists, including Jews is a miserable statement. The death penalty is intended for deterrence and in the instance of Jews, there is no need for deterrence because there is no such phenomenon. The actions of a few Jews, who strongly deny the charges against them and confessed only due to torture, even if their guilt is proven, it is not considered terror."

He added: "The attempt to compare Jews and Arabs for the sake of comparison is a populist move and it is unfortunate that the Prime Minister of Israel cannot differentiate."Jerusalem city municipality on Tuesday notified the company that provides security for the city's schools that it is cutting down on employment hours, with city hall blaming Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon for failing to transfer government allotted funds to the city.

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"Due to the Finance Ministry not transferring the needed funds, the city is obliged to cancel security at (certain) schools for the afternoon hours, security during other hours will remain unchanged," said a statement issued by city hall, who had to cut security past 2pm. "The Finance Ministry refuses to recognize the budgetary needs of Jerusalem; they are forcing the city to fire 2,150 workers and make NIS 250 million shekels in cuts in services."

Kahlon, Barakat (Photo: Hadas Porush, Ofer Meir)

Earlier that day, the Jerusalem district chairman of the Histadrut Danny Bonfil declared a labor dispute after the city announced the firing of 600 workers. Chairman of the municipality workers committee Avichai Avraham said that that number includes 106 sanitation workers and 50 social workers.

City Tipat Halav centerswho provide health promotion and prevention services for pregnant women, infants and childrenwere notified that since the health Ministry has yet to provide for their NIS 14 million budget, they are facing closure.

In response to Bonfil's announcement, Mayor Barakat said: "Kahlon has purposely dragged the city into emergency mode. Consequently, 2,000 Jerusalem families' livelihood will be harmed and we are reverting backwards five years in quality of life for our residents. I will do everything in my power to solve the crisis and prevent the city's shutdown. Kahlon must demonstrate leadership and come forward so that we can solve this crisis."

On Sunday, the city petitioned the Supreme Court against the Finance Ministry and other government ministries for violating budgetary commitments to the city to the tune of NIS 105 million shekels in 2017.

Simultaneously, employees of the Jerusalem municipality blocked the entrance of the Finance Ministry's offices in the capital by piling garbage near the doors.

"The Minister of Finance is trampling the law by not implementing the government's decisions and is hurting Jerusalem and its resident. I will not allow political reprisals to harm the city's residents," said Barakat.

According o the petition, the Finance Ministry owes the city NIS 75 million shekels -50 million for 2016 and 14 million for Tipat HChalav centers. The balance of the sum consists of commitments by the ministries of education, social services and interior. That said, the municipal spokesman directed the blame at the Finance Ministry alone.

The struggle for increased budgets for Israel's capital has been waged by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat against Kahlon over the past three years.

The Jerusalem municipality receives an increment to its budget every year dubbed the "capital grant." While other local authorities in Israel receive grants for balanced budgets, Jerusalem receives a grant stemming from its special status and needs as capital and yet of the country's poorest cities, influenced by the large incidence of poor Haredim and Arab residents.Israel said on Wednesday it had cracked a Palestinian militant cell suspected of having been recruited and handled by Iranian intelligence officers who worked out of South Africa, but the suspects' lawyer denied the charges.

Israel has long been locked in a shadow war with arch-foe Iran, which supports Islamist guerrillas in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and whose nuclear programme is widely believed to have been targeted repeatedly by Israeli saboteurs.

Israel's Shin Bet security agency said three Palestinians from the occupied West Bank had been indicted on espionage and terrorism charges after they confessed to accepting Iranian-assigned missions, including preparation of a suicide bombing and providing their handlers with Israeli cellphone SIM cards.

In its statement, the Shin Bet said the suspects' point of contact was a Palestinian who lived in South Africa and had been recruited by Iranian intelligence. It gave no indication whether the South African government knew of the alleged Iranian activity, or of the Palestinian expatriate's whereabouts.

South Africa, where pro-Palestinian sentiment is strong, has strained relations with Israel, but the Shin Bet statement also suggested the country effectively served as an Iranian spy hub.

"It became clear, during the the Shin Bet investigation, that Iranian intelligence used South Africa as a significant arena for locating, recruiting and running anti-Israel agents in the West Bank," the Shin Bet said, adding that several Iranian officers had travelled there "from Tehran" for the operation.

South Africa's Foreign Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry, and the Iranian embassy in Pretoria, did not immediately respond to the Israeli allegations.An Egyptian court on Wednesday postponed its verdict in a case against rights lawyer and presidential hopeful Khaled Ali, judicial sources said, leaving uncertainty over whether he will be allowed to run in a forthcoming election.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is widely expected to seek a second term in the presidential vote early this year, but has not yet announced his candidacy.

Ali said in November he intended to run against former military commander Sisi, who led the ousting of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 before taking office a year later.

But a three month prison sentence passed in September for public indecency over an alleged rude hand gesture he made outside a courthouse last year might yet disqualify Ali.

Ali has appealed, denying the charges which he says are politically motivated. Wednesday's hearing at an appeals court delayed the final decision until March 7.

If the guilty verdict is upheld he will not be allowed to run, even if he is not jailed.Three members of Iran's intelligence forces were killed in clashes in the western city of Piranshahr on Wednesday, Mehr news agency reported, citing a statement from the Revolutionary Guards.

The three died "in a fight with anti-revolutionary elements" the statement read.

The statement did not say if the fight was related to the anti-government protests in Iran.Irans elite Revolutionary Guards have deployed forces to three provinces to put down an eruption of anti-government unrest after six days of protests that have rattled the clerical leadership and left 21 people dead and hundreds arrested.

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The protests, which began last week out of frustration over economic hardships suffered by the youth and working class, have evolved into a rising against the powers and privileges of a remote elite especially Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.





Iran's Revolutionary Guard, during military parade (Photo: AP)

Defying threats from the judiciary of execution if convicted of rioting, protests resumed after nightfall with hundreds hitting the streets of Malayer in Hamadan province chanting: People are begging, the supreme leader is acting like God!

Videos carried by social media showed protesters in the northern town of Nowshahr shouted death to the dictatoran apparent reference to Khamenei.

Anti-government protest in Iran, January 1 (Photo: Twitter)

In a sign of official concern about the resilience of the protests, the Revolutionary Guards commander, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said he had dispatched forces to Hamadan, Isfahan and Lorestan provinces to tackle the new sedition.

"Today we can declare the end of the current rebellion," Ali Jafari was quoted as saying by the Iranian Alalam News Network.

"Our enemies understand that the military threats against Iran will not succeed, and therefore they have switched to threatening us through cultural, economic and security methods," he alleged, going on to claim that "the United States, the Zionists, and the Saudi royal family have ordered ISIS to infiltrate Iran, and indeed some squads have succeeded in carrying out attacks and destruction. The organization's activists are now under full supervision."

Ali Jafari (Photo: AP)

Most of the casualties among protesters have occurred in those regions of the sprawling Islamic Republic.

The Revolutionary Guards, the sword and shield of Irans Shiite theocracy, were instrumental in suppressing an uprising over alleged election fraud in 2009 in which dozens of mainly middle-class protesters were killed. Khamenei condemned that unrest as sedition.

Anti-government rallies, held in defiance of the pervasive security services, have called for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, posing one of the most sustained challenges to the established order of the major oil-exporting state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the US-backed Shah.

Turkey said on Wednesday that Rouhani's response to the protest against the regime in recent days was appropriate, and that Ankara appreciated Iran's stability. This is one of the first reactions to support Tehran in its efforts to curtail the struggle against it.

President of Iran Rouhani (L) with President of Turkey Erdogan (Photo: AP)

In a state-sponsored show of force aimed at countering the outpouring of dissent, thousands of Iranians also took part in pro-government rallies in several cities on Wednesday morning.

State television broadcast live footage of rallies in cities across the country, where marchers waved Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei, Irans paramount leader since 1989.

Pro-government marchers chanted, The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader (Khamenei), and, We will not leave our leader alone. They accused the United States, Israel and Britain of inciting protests, shouting, The seditionist rioters should be executed!

In the Shiite holy city of Qom, pro-government demonstrators chanted death to American mercenaries.

On Tuesday, the 78-year-old Khamenei had accused Irans adversaries of fomenting the protests.

Pro-government protest in Ahvaz, Iran (Photo: AFP)

Rare anti-government outpouring

US President Donald Trump, who has sought to isolate the Tehran leadership, reversing the conciliatory approach of predecessor Barack Obama, said Washington would throw its support behind the protesters at a suitable time.

Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time! Trump wrote in the latest of a series of tweets on Irans turmoil.

The protests seem to be spontaneous, without a clear leader, cropping up in working-class neighborhoods and smaller cities, but the movement seems to be gaining traction among the educated middle class and activists who spearheaded the 2009 revolt.

More than 100 Iranian woman activists voiced support for a new uprising in a statement on Wednesday. Several prominent Iranian lawyers, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, urged Tehran to respect peoples right to freedom of assembly and expression, guaranteed under the constitution.

Some labor unions as well as minority Kurdish opposition groups have also thrown their weight behind the protests.

In Geneva, the UN human rights chief urged Iran to rein in security forces to avoid further violence and respect the right of protesters to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.

Zeid Raad al-Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said hundreds of Iranians had been arrested in the past week, and called for thorough, independent and impartial investigations of all acts of violence.

Hamidreza Abolhassani, a regional judicial official, said a European citizen had been arrested for leading rioters in the Borujerd area of western Iran and was suspected of having been trained by European intelligence services. The detainees nationality was not given.

The outburst of dissent is the most serious since Iranians took to the streets in 2009 over accusations of vote-rigging in the re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a conservative hardliner, over two reformist challengers.

Rouhani under pressure

The protests have heaped pressure on President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who championed a deal struck with world powers in 2015 to curb Irans disputed nuclear program in return for the lifting of most international sanctions.

Rouhani (L) and Trump (Photo: AFP, Getty Images)

Many of the protesters are fuming over what they see as the failure so far of Rouhanis government to deliver on promises of more jobs and investment as a dividend of the nuclear accord.

Anger over economic stagnation and reputed graft within the clerical and security hierarchies has been building since last month. Thousands joined a hashtag campaign on Twitter and other sites to vent frustration over the dragging pace of reforms to tackle high unemployment and grant more social freedoms.

Khamenei and Rouhani have vowed to crack down on high-level corruption and create economic prosperity for all Iranians.

But there have been few changes. The Revolutionary Guards, for example, still control a vast, lucrative economic empire.

While more than 20 million out of 80 million Iranians live below the poverty line, the wealthy, including relatives of government officials, import tens of thousands of luxury cars every year, causing widespread resentment.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Photo: AFP)

Trump has said in tweets that Iranians have lost patience with alleged graft and what he called a terrorist regime.

Trump must decide by mid-January whether to continue waiving US sanctions on Irans oil exports under terms of the nuclear deal he opposed. But if reimposes sanctions, he risks worsening the economic pain of Iranians he has vowed to help.

If the Americans sympathy with Iranians were real, they would have not imposed cruel sanctions on the our nation, Jafari, the Revolutionary Guards commander, said on Wednesday.A Turkish banker accused of helping Iran evade US sanctions has been convicted by a jury in New York after a trial that sowed distrust between the two nations.

The verdict came Wednesday at a trial where witnesses described corruption at the highest levels of Turkey's government, prompting its leaders to lash out at the US prosecution.

The verdict pertained solely to Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla, but its ramifications were likely to affect relations between Turkey and the US.

Atilla was convicted of five counts, including conspiracy. He was acquitted of one money-laundering charge.The leader of Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group says President Donald Trump's "hopes" that the protests in Iran will snowball and lead to regime change or chaos will be dashed along with the hopes of the Israelis and Saudis.

In his first comments since protests in Iran broke out, Hassan Nasrallah said protesters with legitimate grievances have been exploited by political factions who attached political slogans to their protests.

Nasrallah, whose group is funded extensively by Iran, spoke in a TV interview with the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen station. He said the protests across Iranian cities are being dealt with "calmly and wisely" by Iranian authorities.

He said the protests are nothing like the massive protests of 2009 in terms of scope and demands, adding that "there is nothing to worry about."Singapore has banned a film festival from screening a documentary later this week that features a teenage Palestinian female activist whose arrest last month has made her a symbol of resistance to Israeli military occupation in the West Bank.

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Justifying the ban, authorities in the Southeast Asian city state said the film Radiance of Resistance was skewed and potentially divisive for Singapores multi-ethnic population.

The documentary, which looks at the Palestine-Israeli conflict through the eyes of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi and another young female activist, lacked counterbalance, the Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) said on its website.

Ahed Tamimi (Photo: Reuters)

The skewed narrative of the film is inflammatory and has the potential to cause disharmony amongst the different races and religions in Singapore, the IMDA said.

The documentary was due to have been shown at the Singapore Palestinian Film Festival on Thursday.

It was screened at a number of festivals worldwide in 2017 and won Best Documentary at the Respect Human Rights Film Festival in Belfast, but has become even more topical following Tamimis arrest last month.

Tamimi was charged on Monday with counts of aggravated assault and will be tried in an Israeli military court. An adult found guilty of assaulting a soldier could be jailed for up to 10 years, but Tamimi is a minor so such an outcome is unlikely.

While Singapores authorities are known to keep a tight rein on public speech and the media, especially when it comes to matters related to race and religion, outright bans are more rare.

Adela Foo, the organizer of the Singapore festival, called the ban understandable, without elaborating.

At the end of the day, the IMDAs position is one to be respected, the 23-year-old student told Reuters.

Footage of the assault

X

With a sizable Muslim minority and surrounded by Muslim majority neighbors where sympathy for the Palestinian cause runs high, Singapore maintains friendly diplomatic and military ties with Israel. But it has lined up with many other countries opposed to US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Around 15 percent of Singapores 3.3 million resident population aged 15 years and over identify as Muslim, recent government surveys show.

Tamimi was indicted earlier this week, alongside her mother and cousin, for assaulting IDF soldiers in the West Bank village of Nabi Salih in December, 2017.A senior Turkish government official said on Wednesday that the conviction of Turkish banker Hakan Atilla in the United States violated international law.

A US jury on Wednesday found Atilla, an executive at Turkey's majority state-owned Halkbank, guilty of helping Iran evade US sanctions.

The official told Reuters the outcome of the trial would not hurt the Turkish economy, banking system or Halkbank.About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profileBy FEATURED HOME By Angela Carll

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January 3, 2018

Spotlighting felon disenfranchisement in Florida

I am always pleased to see the New York Times editorial board giving attention to criminal justice issues, and I am especially pleased to see this new editorial focused on felon disenfranchisement. The lengthy piece is headlined "Floridas 1.5 Million Missing Voters," and here are excerpts:

Everyone remembers that the 2000 presidential election was decided by 537 votes in Florida. Far fewer remember another important number from the state that year  620,000, the Floridians who were barred from voting because state records showed, correctly or not, they had been convicted of a felony. It didnt matter whether their crime was murder or driving with a suspended license, nor whether they had fully served their sentence. In Florida, the voting ban is entrenched in the Constitution, and its for life. Today, Florida disenfranchises almost 1.5 million of its citizens, more than 11 states populations and roughly a quarter of the more than six million Americans who are unable to vote because of a criminal record. Felon disenfranchisement is a destructive, pointless policy that hurts not only individuals barred from the ballot box, but American democracy at large. Its post-Civil War versions are explicitly racist, and its modern-day rationales are thin to nonexistent. It can make all the difference in places like Florida, which didnt stop being competitive in 2000; the state remains a major presidential battleground, and victories for both parties in state and local elections are often narrow. That could all change if a proposed constitutional amendment gets enough signatures to be placed on the ballot in November and wins enough support. The initiative would automatically restore voting rights to the vast majority of Floridians who have completed their sentence for a felony conviction, including any term of parole or probation. This is a long overdue and urgently needed reform. The only way around Floridas lifetime ban  as in the other three states with such a ban, Kentucky, Iowa and Virginia  is a direct, personal appeal to the governor. In the last few years, Terry McAuliffe, as Virginias governor, restored voting rights to more than 168,000 people, and the governors in Kentucky and Iowa granted roughly 9 in 10 of the restoration requests they received in the first half of the decade.... The right to vote is the most meaningful mark of citizenship in a democracy. It should be withheld only in extreme circumstances, and its restoration shouldnt depend on the whims of a governor. Whats worse, many of these laws, especially in the South, are inextricable from their racist origins. Floridas was enacted in 1868  two years after the state thumbed its nose at the 14th Amendment  with the intent to prevent newly freed black people from voting. Those effects linger today, as one in five black adults in Florida remain disenfranchised because of a criminal record. The new initiative, which excludes people convicted of murder or sexual offenses, will be placed on the ballot if it receives 766,200 signatures and will take effect if it earns at least 60 percent of the vote. Its advocates have submitted more than one million signatures to date, although many still need to be verified before the Feb. 1 deadline. One hundred and fifty years after Florida enshrined this awful law, theres only one clear way to get rid of it. Legal challenges have fallen short, the governor is no friend to voting rights, and lawmakers have limited power when it comes to constitutional amendments. Its time for Floridas voters to step up and restore the most fundamental constitutional right to more than a million of their neighbors.

I hope this proposed constitutional amendment can get to the ballot and can garner a super-majority of votes. As long time readers may know, I have long believed as many people as possible should be enfranchised in a democracy, and my basic thinking on this front was explained in this Big Think piece years ago headlined "Let Prisoners Vote."

Thinking beyond this ballot initiative, I suspect Congress could enact legislation that could restrict the reach of extreme state felon disenfranchisement laws. I know Senator Rand Paul spoke about this issue some years back, and I would guess they might be some opportunity for some bipartisan legislation to try to limit how some states seek to limit the franchise. (I recognize there could be some constitutional/federalism issues raised if Congress gets too involved in state voting laws, but often if there is a will to expand the franchise, there can be a way.)

January 3, 2018 at 01:42 PM | Permalink

Comments

A federal statute would probably run into the same problem that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act did -- a narrow interpretation of the constitutional power under the Fourteenth Amendment to enforce civil rights (or voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment). The theory would be that if there were no constitutional right for felons to vote than Congress lacks the power to enact laws enforcing that non-existent right. I believe that there was a similar issue when Congress attempted to lower the voting age to eighteen by statute.

Posted by: tmm | Jan 3, 2018 1:52:34 PM

I've never understood why felons are prohibited from voting - I mean I know why (laws etc.) It just strikes me as odd that being a felon excludes you from voting. I can assure you no one who is contemplating committing a crime is thinking - hey if I commit this felony, I'll never get to vote again, I guess I better not commit that felony. Just my two cents.

Posted by: atomicfrog | Jan 3, 2018 2:35:09 PM

OK maybe, just maybe, murder, but why should those convicted of "sex crimes" be denied the right to vote? As opposed to politicians convicted of public corruption? That in and of itself is sufficient reason to reject this amendment. The very fact that murderers and sex-offenders are excluded inherently justifies the very concept of the prohibition itself.

The rationale behind these restrictions is fairly simple, if debatable. Those who are convicted of felonies are generally restricted from receiving a license as a physician, or as an attorney, or from serving as a police officer, or from serving as the executor of a will. (Depending upon the state.) Certain public functions require the demonstration of character, and lack of character and the implication that one will not select a candidate "for the right reasons" can be a theoretically valid reason for prohibiting felons from voting, as this has historically involved "moral turpitude" even way back to the fundamental concept of an "out-law." In the same way children, and the insane, are not allowed to vote.

Of course, while that may be valid in abstract theory, the actual implementation faces certain fundamental problems. First, the idea of trading votes for whiskey is well established in our country. More importantly, while 50+ years ago a "felon" was generally a very serious criminal, today I hold that a prosecutor can find enough evidence to convict any given person of a felony. (Or at the very least, that person is faced with the situation that pleading guilty to a felony is the only valid option.)

Posted by: SPM | Jan 3, 2018 3:48:16 PM

The majority of felons will register with the Democratic Party. The enfranchisement movement is a thinly veiled attempt to increase votes for the Democratic Party in a divided nation. This movement should be resisted to the utmost by the Republican Party.

Posted by: David Behar | Jan 3, 2018 9:21:11 PM

There is exactly zero compelling public policy reason for denying the right to vote to people who have been convicted of crimes -- outside of imposing that specifically in cases where the conviction was for voter fraud, and also structuring it so that it ends when the person is finished with their sentence.

Posted by: Guy Hamilton-Smith | Jan 4, 2018 8:52:37 AM

I agree with guy. Sorry but once the court ordered punishment us done all rights are restored automatically Unless in a individual showing of an immediate threat to themselves or others. Yes I include the 2nd as well. Sorry but while this country is a representative democracy as far as 98% of the citizens it's just a democracy. One person one vote

Posted by: Rodsmith3510 | Jan 4, 2018 11:55:14 AM

Personally David I think Both parties should be removed from power and control they are two sides of the same worn out useless coin

Posted by: Rodsmith3510 | Jan 4, 2018 11:57:32 AM

Guy. How about this compelling public policy consideration? Immigrant and felon enfranchisement will lead to the electoral dominance of the Democratic Party in this divided nation.

That will damage the interests of the constituents of the Democratic Party. Under Obama, black unemployment was 40%. Under Trump, it is 16.2%. If you hate the constituents of the Democratic Party, and want to do them serious harm, elect a Democrat.

Posted by: David Behar | Jan 4, 2018 12:51:46 PM

Under current doctrine, which for what little it's worth I find wrong on various points [though Boerne had a point given the breadth of RFRA], I think tmm makes a strong case.

Posted by: Joe | Jan 7, 2018 11:33:57 PM

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